smmmm^iam'^- 
 
 ■:••}• 
 
 Wright 
 
 Alliterative Poem on the 
 Deposition of King Richard II
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 SOUTHERN BRANCH, 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CAUfD^NlA, 
 
 LIBRARY, 
 LOS AMOELES. GAt.<fs
 
 
 
 ALLITERATIVE POEM 
 
 ON THE DEPOSITION OF KING RICHARD II.' 
 
 MCAUDI MAYDISTON 
 
 DE CONCORDIA INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 
 
 EDITED BY THOMAS WRIGHT, ESQ. M. A. F.S.A. 
 
 OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED FOR THE CAMDEN SOCIETY 
 
 BV JOHN BOWYER NICHOLS AND SON, PARLIAMENT STREET. 
 
 M.DCCC.XXX.VIII. 
 
 8230;)
 
 • •• • 
 
 • • t r t
 
 
 \ 
 
 
 COUNCIL 
 
 OF 
 
 THE CAMDEN SOCIETY. 
 
 President, 
 THE RIGHT HON. LORD FRANCIS EGERTON. 
 
 ^\;; THOMAS AMYOT, ESQ. F.R.S. Treas. S.A. 
 
 JOHN BRUCE, ESQ. F.S.A. Treasurer. 
 
 JOHN PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ. F.S.A. 
 J^ C. PURTON COOPER, ESQ. Q.C., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A. 
 
 T. CROFTON CROKER, ESQ. F.S.A. 
 
 REV. JOSEPH HUNTER, F.S.A. 
 
 SIR FREDERICK MADDEN, K.H., F.R.S., F.S.A. 
 
 SIR THOMAS PHILLIPPS, BART, F.R S., F.S.A. 
 
 Co THOMAS STAPLETON, ESQ. F.S.A. 
 
 EDGAR TAYLOR, ESQ. F.S.A. 
 WILLIAM JOHN THOMS, ESQ. F.S.A. 
 THOMAS WRIGHT, ESQ. M.A., F.S.A. Secretary.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The following curious poem on the Deposition 
 of Richard the Second is preserved in a paper manu- 
 script in the Public Library of the University of 
 Cambridge, where it is known by the shelf-mark LI. 
 
 4. 14. The MS. itself seems to be of the beginning 
 of the 1 5 th century, and contains, 1 . a copy of Piers 
 Plowman ; 2. the Poem now edited; 3. a treatise of 
 Arithmetic in English prose ; 4. a treatise " of Phi- 
 losophic and Astronomye *," also in English prose ; 
 
 5. the Arguments of the Psalms, in Latin Distiches ; 
 
 6. a Collection of Latin Aphorisms turned into En- 
 glish verse ; 7- a Short Glossary to Piers Plowman ; 
 8. a copy of the singular Poem of Piers of Fulham, 
 
 * '* Here bigynnetli the wyse boke of philosophie and astro- 
 nomye conteyned and made of the wyseste philisophre and 
 astromyer that evere was sythe the world ffrist bygan, that is 
 flbr to say of the lond of Greece, flbr in that lond was an En- 
 glisshe man ffull wyse and well undirstandynge of philosophic 
 and astronomye, studied and compylid this boke out of Grew 
 graciously in to Englisshe."
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 Avhich was badly printed from a MS. in Trinity Col- 
 lege Library in Hartshorne's Metrical Tales. The 
 last four articles are in a somewhat later hand than 
 the rest of the MS. 
 
 The poem on King Richard bears internal evi- 
 dence of having been written after the time when 
 the King fell into the hands of his enemies, and be- 
 fore the intention of deposing him was publicly 
 made known. In its style it is an imitation of the 
 popular poem of "Piers Plowman," of which it seems 
 to have been intended as a continuation ; and it pos- 
 sesses much of the energy and spirit which charac- 
 terise so strongly that famous satire. The scribe 
 of this unique MS. seems to have been a par- 
 tizan of the opposite party, and in one instance, 
 as I understand it, he has given vent to his indig- 
 nation by writing in the margin, opposite 11. 24 to 26 
 of page 15 of our edition, the following note — 
 
 "Propter ingratitudinem liber hie revocatur in servititem (sic) ut 
 in stiraulo compunctionis et in lege civili." * 
 
 Unfortunately the copyist's prejudices got so far the 
 master of him, that he broke off his transcript ab- 
 ruptly in the middle of the amusing description of 
 
 * The meaning of this note is not quite clear. I suppose 
 iervitulem to be a pun on the word liber.
 
 PREFACE. Vll 
 
 the famous parliament which surrendered so readily 
 to Richard the privileges of his country, leaving a 
 few pages blank to continue the copying of it at a 
 future period. By this means it has happened un- 
 fortunately that the poem is come down to us only 
 in a mutilated form. 
 
 The transcript of the Poem of Richard de Maid- 
 stone was kindly presented to the Camden Society 
 by Sir Frederick Madden. It is preserved in one 
 of the Digby Manuscripts, in the Bodleian Library 
 at Oxford. Richard is said to have been born at 
 Maidstone in Kent. He was afterwards Fellow of 
 Merton College, Oxford, became a Carmelite at 
 Aylesford, and at a later period pursued his studies 
 in the Hostle of the Carmelites at Oxford, where he 
 took the degree of Doctor in Theology. He was in 
 great repute at Court, and was famous for his theolo- 
 gical writings. The Poem now printed seems to have 
 been the only production of his muse, and as a work 
 of taste it does little credit to its author, for it is 
 poorly written, and some lines sin grievously against 
 the sage rules of Latin prosody. Richard de Maid- 
 stone died at Ailesford in 1396, and was buried 
 there. 
 
 It has been thought advisable to add a slight popu- 
 lar glossary to the Alliterative Poem, in order to ren-
 
 viii PREFACE. 
 
 der it more accessible to the general reader. Like 
 most alliterative poems, it contains several vv^ords 
 that are not easily explained. It may be observed, 
 that a pecuUarity of the MS. is the use of the ^ at 
 the beginning of syllables, which has been carefully 
 retained in the text, because I think that it may 
 mark some local pronunciation, though I have not 
 thought it necessary to preserve it in the glossary. 
 
 THOMAS WRIGHT.
 
 ALLITERATIVE POEM 
 
 ON THE 
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 And as I passid in my preiere ther prestis were at messe. 
 In a blessid borugh that Bristow is named. 
 In a temple of the trinite, the toune even amyddis, 
 That Cristis Chirche is cleped amonge the comune peple, 
 Sodeynly ther sourdid selcouthe thingis, 
 A grett wondir to wyse men, as it well my3th. 
 And dowtes fFor to deme, fFor drede comynge after. 
 So sore were the sawis of bothe two sidis. 
 Of Richard that regned so riche and so noble. 
 That wyle he werrid be west on the wilde Yrisshe, 
 Henrri was entrid on the est half. 
 Whom all the londe loved in lengthe and in brede, 
 And rosse with him rapely to ri3tyn his wronge, 
 Ffor he shuUde hem serve of the same after. 
 Thus tales me troblid, fFor they trewe where, 
 
 CAMD. SOC. 3. B
 
 2 DEPOSITION OI' RICHARD II. 
 
 And a-marride my mynde rith mochej and my wittis eke : 
 
 Ffor it passid my parceit, and my preifiis also, 
 
 How so wondirffull werkis wolde have an ende. 
 
 But in sothe whan they sembled, some dede repente, 
 
 As knowyn is in cumpas of Cristen londis. 
 
 That rewthe was, if reson ne had refFourmed 
 
 The myssecheff and the mysserule that men the in endurid. 
 
 I had pete of his passion that prince was of WaHs, 
 
 And eke oure crouned Kynge, till Crist woll no lenger ; 
 
 And as a lord to his liage, thou} I lite hade, 
 
 All myn hoole herte was his, while he in helthe regnid. 
 
 And ffor I wost not witterly what shulde fall, 
 
 Whedir God wolde 3 eve him grace sone to amende, 
 
 To be oure gioure a3eyn, or graunte it another, 
 
 This made me to muse many tyme and ofte, 
 
 For to written him a writte, to wissen him better. 
 
 And to meuve him of mysserewle, his mynde to reffresshe, 
 
 Ffor to preise the prynce that paradise made, 
 
 To ffullfiU him with ffeith, and ffortune above, 
 
 And not to grucchen a grott a3eine Godis sonde. 
 
 But mekely to suffre what so him sente were. 
 
 And 3if him list to loke a leef other tweyne. 
 
 That made is to mende him of his myssededis. 
 
 And to kepe him in confforte in Crist and nou3t ellis, 
 
 I wolde be gladde that his gost my3te glade be my wordis. 
 
 And grame if it greved him, be God that me bou3te. 
 
 Tlier nys no governour on the grounde ne sholde gye him 
 
 the better. 
 And every Cristen Kyng that ony grounde beretli. 
 So he were lerned on the langage, my lyff durst I wedde.
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. S 
 
 lif lie waite well the wordis, and so werche tlierafter, 
 
 Ffor all is tresour of the Trinite, that turneth men to gode. 
 
 And as my body and my beste oute to be my liegis, 
 
 So rithffully be reson my rede shuld also, 
 
 Ffor to conceill, and I cou3the, my kyng and the lordis ; 
 
 And ther-iFor I fFordyd, with alle my ifyve wyttis 
 
 To traveile on this tretis, to teche men therafter 
 
 To be war of wylfFulnesse, lest wondris arise. 
 
 And if it happe to 50ure honde, beholde the book onys. 
 
 And redeth on him redely rewis an hundrid, 
 
 And if 3e savere smn dell, se it fForth overe, 
 
 Ffor reson is no reprelF, be the Rode of Chester. 
 
 And if 36 fFynde ffables or fFoly ther amonge, 
 
 Or ony fFantasie y-ffeyned that no fFrute is in, 
 
 Lete 30ure conceill corette it, and clerkis togedyr, 
 
 And amende that ys amysse, and make it more better ; 
 
 Ffor 3 it it is secrette, and so it shall lenger, 
 
 Tyll wyser wittis ban waytid it overe. 
 
 That it be lore laweffull, and lusty to here. 
 
 Ffor witterly my will is that it well liked 
 
 30U and all 30uris, and yonge men leveste, 
 
 To be-nyme hem her noyes, that neweth hem ofte. 
 
 Ffor and they muse theron to the myddwardis. 
 
 They shall fFele ffawtis ffoure score and odde. 
 
 That youghe weneth alwey that it be witt evere. 
 
 And thou5 that elde opyn it other while amonge, 
 
 And poure on it prevyly, and preve it well after, 
 
 And constrewe ich clause with the culorum. 
 
 It shulde not apeire hem a peere, a prynce thou5 he were, 
 
 Ne harme nother hurte the hyghest of the rewnie.
 
 4 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD IT. 
 
 But to holde him in hele, and helpe all his ffrendis. 
 
 And if ony word write be that wrothe make myghte 
 
 My sovereyne, that suget I shulde to be, 
 
 I put me in his power, and preie him, of grace, 
 
 To take the entent of my trouthe that thou3te non ylle, 
 
 Ffor to M'rath no wyght be my wyll nevere. 
 
 As my soule be saff ffrom synne at myn ende. 
 
 The story is of non estate that stryven with her lustus, 
 
 But tho that flFolwyn herfflesshe and here ffrelle thou3tis; 
 
 So if my conceyll be clere, I can saie no more, 
 
 But ho be greved in his gost, governe him better, 
 
 And blame not the berne that the book made, 
 
 But the Avickyd will, and the werkis after. 
 
 Now, Richard the redeles, reweth on 30U self, 
 That lawelesse leddyn 5oure lyf and 30ure peple bothe; 
 Ffor thoru the wyles and wronge and wast in 3oure tyme, 
 36 were lyghtlich y-lyste ffrom that 30U leef thou3te. 
 And ffrom 3oure willffull werkis, 30ure will was chaungid. 
 And rafte was 30ure riott, and rest, ffor 30ure daie3 
 Weren wikkid thoru 30ure cursid counceill, 30ure karis 
 
 weren newed. 
 And coveitise hath crasid 30ure croune ffor evere. 
 Of a-legeaunce now lerneth a lesson other tweyne 
 Wherby it standith and stablithe moste. 
 By dride, or be dyntis, or domes untrewe. 
 Or by creaunce of coyne ffor castes of gile ; 
 By pillynge of 3oure peple 30ure prynces to plese. 
 Or that 50ure wylle were wrou3te, thou3 wisdom it nolde. 
 Or be tallage of 30ure townnes without ony werre, 
 By rewthles routus that ryffled evere.
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 Be prey sing of polaxis that no pete hadde. 
 Or be dette iFor thi dees, deme as thu fFyndist, 
 Or be ledinge of lawe ■s^dth love well y-temprid. 
 
 Though this be derklich endited ffor a dull nolle, 
 Miche nede is it not to mwse theron, 
 Ffor as mad as I am, thou3 I litill kunne, 
 I cowde it discryve in a ffewe wordys. 
 Ffor legiance without love litill thinge availith, 
 But graceles gestis, gylours of hem self, 
 That nevere had harnesse, ne hayle schouris ; 
 But walwed in her willis, fFor-weyned in here youthe, 
 They sawe no manere si3th, saff solas and ese, 
 And cowde no mysse amende whan mysscheif was up, 
 But sorwed ffor her lustus of lordsch[i]pe they hadde. 
 And nevere ffor her trespas oo tere wolde they lete. 
 3e come to 30ure kyngdom er 3e 30ure self knewe, 
 Crouned with a croune, that kyng under hevene 
 Mi3te not a better have bou5te, as I trowe ; 
 So ffull was it ffiUed with vertuous stones, 
 With perlis of prise to punnysshe the wrongis. 
 With rubies rede the ri3th for to deme. 
 With gemmes and juellis joyned to-gedir, 
 And pees amonge the peple ffor peyiie of thi lawis. 
 It was ffull goodeliche y-grave with gold al abou3te j 
 The braunchis above boren grett charge ; 
 With diamauntis deme y-dountid of all 
 That wroute ony wrake within or withoute ; 
 With lewte and love y-loke to thi peeris. 
 And sapheris swete that sou3te all wrongis, 
 Y-poudride wyth pete ther it be oujte.
 
 a DKPOSITION' OK RICHAKO If. 
 
 And traylid with trouthe, uiul trefte al aboute, 
 Ffor ony cristen kynge a croune well y-makyd. 
 
 But where this croune bicome, a clerk were that wuste ; 
 But so as I can, declare it I thenkc, 
 And nempne no name, but tho that neft were. 
 FfuU prevyly they pluckud thy power awey, 
 And reden with realte 30ure rewme thoru-oute, 
 And as tyrauntis of tiliers token what hem liste, 
 And paide hem on her pannes, whan her penyes lacked. 
 Ffor non of joure peple durste pleyne of here wrongis, 
 Ffor drede of 50ure dukys, and of here double harmes. 
 Men my5tten as well have huntyd an hare with a tabre. 
 As aske ony mendis ffor that thei mysdede, 
 Or of ony of her men, thou) men wulde plete, 
 Ffor all was IFelawis and ffelawschepe that 36 with fferde, 
 And no soule persone to punnyshe the wrongis ; 
 And that maddid thi men, as thei nede muste. 
 Ffor wo they ne wuste to whom ffor to pleyne, 
 Ffor as it is said by elderne dawis, 
 Ther gromes and the goodmen beth all ehche grette, 
 WoU wo beth the wones, and all that woneth therin. 
 They ladde 30U with love, that 30ure lawe dradde. 
 To deme 30ure dukys myssdedis, so derne thei were. 
 Thus was 30ure croune crasid, till he was cast newe, 
 Thoru partinge of 30ure powere to 30ure paragals. 
 Thus lacchide they with laughinge, and lourid longe after^ 
 But fFrist sawe they it not, ne youre self nother, 
 Ffor all was wisliche y-WT0U3te, as 30ure witte denied. 
 And no ffauutis y-ffounde, tille flfortune aperid. 
 But had 3oure croune be kejite, that comons it wiste,
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 7 
 
 Ther nadde morder ne mysschefF be amonge the grette. 
 Thus 50ure cautell to the comoune hath combred 30U all. 
 That, but if God helpe, 30ure hervest is ynne. 
 Wytteth it not 50ure counceill, but wyte[t]h it more 30ure 
 
 self, 
 The fFortune that ifallyn is to fFeitheles peple, 
 And wayte well my wordis, and wrappe hem togedir. 
 And constrwe clergie the clause in thin herte, 
 Of maters that I thenke to meve fFor the best. 
 Ffor Kyngis aiul Kayseceris comynge here-after. 
 Whane 3e \vere sette in 30ure se, as a sir aughte, 
 Ther carpinge comynliche of conceill arisith, 
 The che^^teyns cheef that 3e chesse evere, 
 Weren all to yonge of 3eris to yeme swyche a rewme. 
 Other hobbis 36 hadden of Hurlewaynis kynne, 
 RelFusynge the reule of realles kynde. 
 And whane 30ure counceill I knewe, 3e come so at ones, 
 Ffor to leve on her lore, and be led be hem, 
 Ffor drede that they had of demynge ther-after. 
 And ffor caringe of hem self, cried on 30U evere, 
 Ffor to hente hele of her owen greves, 
 More than ffor wurschepe that they to 30U owed, 
 They made 30U to leve that regne 3e ne myste, 
 Withoute busshinge adoune of all 30ure best ffrendis. 
 Be a ffals colour her caris to wayve. 
 And to holde hem in hele, if it happe my5te. 
 Ffor trostith rith treuly, and in no tale better. 
 All that they moved or mynged in the mater, 
 Was to be sure of hem self, and siris to ben y-callid ; 
 Ffor that was all her werchinge in worde and in dede.
 
 8 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 But had 56 do duly, and as a duke ouglite, 
 
 The ffrist that 30U ffonned to that ffals dede. 
 
 He shulde have hadde hongynge on hie on the fforckis, 
 
 TI10U5 5 cure brother y-born had be the same. 
 
 Than wolde other boynardis have ben abasshyd. 
 
 To have meved 30U to ony mals that myss[c]hefF had lien 
 
 ynne. 
 But if or 36 cleved to knavis, in this cas I avowe. 
 That boldid thi burnes to belde uppon sorowe, 
 And stirid 30U stouttely till 36 stombled all. 
 
 Passus secwidus. 
 
 But moche now me merveilith, and well may I in sothe, 
 Of 30ure large leverey to leodis al)ou3te, 
 That 36 so goodliche 3af, but if gile letted. 
 And hertis y-heedyd and hornyd of kynde, 
 So ryfFas they roune 30vire rewme thoru-oute. 
 That non at 30ure nede 30ure name wolde nempne 
 In fFersnesse ne in ffoltheed, but fFaste ffle away-ward, 
 And some stode astonyed and stared flfor drede, 
 Ffor eye of the Egle that oure helpe brouute ; 
 And also in sothe the seson was paste, 
 Ffor hertis y-heedid so hy and so noble 
 To make ony myrthe, ffor mowtynge that nyghed. 
 That bawtid 30ure bestis of here bolde chere ; 
 They severid and sondrid ffor somere hem fFaylid, 
 And fflowen in to fForest and fFeldis abou3te, 
 All thehoole herde that helde so [to-]gedir. 
 But 3et they had homes half [a] 3ere after. 
 Now liste me to lerne, ho me lere coude
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 What kynnes coiiceyll that the kyng had. 
 Or meved him most to merke his liegis, 
 Or serve hem with signes that swarmed so thikke 
 Thoru-oute his lond in lengthe and in brede, 
 That ho so had hobbhd thoru holtes and tounes, 
 Or y-passid the patthis ther the prynce dwellyd, 
 Or hertis or hyndis on hassellis brestis. 
 Or some lordis levere that the lawe stried, 
 He shulde have y-mette mo than y-nowe. 
 Ffor they a-combrede the contre, and many curse servid. 
 And carped to the comounes with the kyngys mouthe, 
 Or with the lordis, ther they be-lefte were. 
 That no renke shulde rise reson to schewe. 
 They plucked the plomayle ffrom the pore skynnes, 
 And schewed her signes, ffor men shulde drede 
 To axe ony mendis ffor her mysdedis. 
 Thus levere3 overe loked 30ure liegis ichonne ; 
 Ffor tho that had hertis on hie on her brestis 
 Ffor the more partie, I may well avowe. 
 They bare hem the bolder ffor her gay broches. 
 And busshid with her brestis, and bare adoune the pouere, 
 Lieges that loved 30U the lesse ffor her yvell dedis. 
 So trouthe to telle, as toune men said, 
 Ffor on that 36 merkyd, 3e myssed ten schore 
 Of homeliche hertis, that the harme hente. 
 Thane was it ffoly, in ffeith as me thynketh, 
 To sette silver in s'gnes that of nou3t served. 
 I not what 30U eylid, l)ut if it ese were ; 
 Ffor ffrist at 30ure anoyntynge alle were 30ure owene. 
 Both hertis and hyndis, and helde of non other ; 
 CAMD. soc. 3. c
 
 10 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 No lede of 30ure lond, but as a liege aughte, 
 
 Ty[ll] 56 of 30ure dulnesse deseveraunce made, 
 
 Thoru 30ure side signes, thatshente all the browet, 
 
 And cast adoun the crokk the colys amyd. 
 
 5it am I lewde and litill good shewe, 
 
 To coveyte knowliche of kyngis wittis, 
 
 Or wilne to witte how was the mevynge 
 
 That 30U to lykynge 30ure liegis to merke, 
 
 That loved 50U full lelly or levere3 begynne. 
 
 And as redy to ride or renne at 30ure heste, 
 
 As wyghte myghte wilne wonnynge uppon erthe, 
 
 Tyll levere3 hem lette, and lordyns wrongis, 
 
 As 30ure selfe ffonde well whane fFortune 30U fFolwyd. 
 
 Ffor whan 36 list to lene to 30ure owen lymmes. 
 
 They were so fFel)le and ffeynte fFor ifau3te of 30ure lawe, 
 
 And so ffeble and wayke wexe in the hammes. 
 
 That they had no myghte to a-mende 30ure greves, 
 
 Ne to here byrthen 3oure banere to helpe. 
 
 But it longith to no liegeman his lord to anoye, 
 
 Nother in werk ne in word, but if his witt fFayle. 
 
 " No, redely," quod reson, " that reule I alowe, 
 
 Displese not thi demer in dede ne in wordis, 
 
 But if the liste fFor to lede thi lyf in dissese. 
 
 But 3if God have grauntyd the grace fFor to knowe 
 
 Ony manere mysschefF that my3tte be a-mendyd, 
 
 Schewe that to thi sovereyne to schelde him fFrom harmes, 
 
 Ffor and he be blessid, the better the be-tydyth, 
 
 In tyme fFor to telle him fFor thi trewe herte." 
 
 Now, fFor to telle trouthe, thus than me thynketh, 
 
 That no manere meyntenour shulde merkis bere, 
 
 Ne have lordis levere the lawe to apeire.
 
 DEPOSlTlOiN OF RICHARD II. 11 
 
 Neither bragger ne boster, ffor no bremme wordis, 
 
 But ho so had kunnynge and conscience bothe, 
 
 To stonde un-stombled and stronge in his wittis, 
 
 Lele in his levynge, levyd be his owen. 
 
 That no manere mede shulde make him wrye, 
 
 Ffor to trien a trouthe be-twynne two sidis. 
 
 And lette ffor no lordschep the lawe to susteyne, 
 
 Whane the pore pleyned that put were to wrongis. 
 
 And I were of conceill, by Crist that me bou5te. 
 
 He shuld have a signe, and sum- what be 3 ere, 
 
 Ffor to kepe his contre in quiete and in reste. 
 
 This were a good grounde, so me God helpe ! 
 
 And a trewe tente to take and to 5 eve, 
 
 And ony lord of this londe that leverc} usith. 
 
 But how the gayes han y-gon, God wotte the sothe, 
 
 Amonge my3tfuU men, alle these many 3eris, 
 
 And whedir the grounde of 3iste, were good other ille, 
 
 Trouthe hathe determyned the tente to the ende, 
 
 And reson hath rehersid the resceyte of all. 
 
 3it I trowe 50ure en-tente at the ffrist tyme, 
 
 Was as 1 wene, 3 if I well thenke, in multitude of peple. 
 
 That 36 were the more my 5 tier ffor the many signes, 
 
 That 36 and 30ure servauntis abou5te so thikke sowid. 
 
 And that they were more tristi and trewer than other. 
 
 To love 30U flfor the levere that legaunce stroied, 
 
 Or ellis ffor a skylle that skathed 50ure self, 
 
 That comounes of contre and costis abou3te, 
 
 Sholde knowe be hir quentise that the kyng loved hem 
 
 Ffor her privy prynte passinge another. 
 
 3if that was 30ure purpos, it passith my wittis
 
 12 DEPOSITION OF lllCHARU II. 
 
 To deme discrecioun of 30ure well doyngc. 
 
 Thus were 36 disceyved thoru 30ure duble hertis, 
 
 That nevere weren to truste, so God save my soule ! 
 
 But had the good Greehonde 1)e not a-greyvcd. 
 
 But cherisched as a cheffeteyne and cheff of 50ure lese, 
 
 50 hadde had hertis y-nowe at 30ure wille to go and to ride. 
 
 And also in serteyne, the sothe fFor to telle, 
 
 I wondir not hyly thou3 heed dere thu fFaihd ; 
 
 Ffor litill on 30ure lyf the list fFor to rewe 
 
 On rascaile that rorid with ribbis so lene, 
 
 Ffor flau3te of her fFode that fflateris stelen, 
 
 And evere with here wylis and wast ofte they hem a-noyed, 
 
 That poverte hem prickid ffull prevyliche to jileyne, 
 
 But where they ne wyste, ne ho it wolde amende. 
 
 Thus 3e derid hem un-duly with droppis of anger, 
 
 And stonyed hem with stormes that stynted nevere, 
 
 But plucked and pulled hem anon to the skynnes, 
 
 That the ffresinge fFrost ffreted to here hertis. 
 
 So whanne 30ure hauntelere dere whore all y-takyn. 
 
 Was non of the rasskayle a-redy ffull growe, 
 
 To bere ony bremme heed, as a best aughte, 
 
 So wyntris wedir hem wesshe with the snowis. 
 
 With many derke mystis that maddid her eyne. 
 
 Ffor well mowe 36 wyttyn, and so mowe we all. 
 
 That harde is the somer ther sonne schyneth nevere. 
 
 3e ffostrid and ffodid a ffewe of the best, 
 
 And leyde on hem lordschipe, a leyne uppon other, 
 
 And be-reved the raskall that rith wolde thei hadde. 
 
 And knewe not the caris ne cursis that walkyd ; 
 
 But mesure is a meri mene, thou5 men much yerne.
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 13 
 
 Thus be the rotus 50ure raskall endurid, 
 
 Tyll the blessid bredd brodid his wingis. 
 
 To covere hem fFrom colde, as his kynde wolde. 
 
 Rith as the hous hennes U2:)pon londe hacchen, 
 
 And cherichen her chekonys fFro chele of the wynter, 
 
 Ryth so the hende Egle the eyere of hem all, 
 
 Hasteth him in hervest to hovyn his bryddis, 
 
 And besieth him besely to breden hem fFeedrin, 
 
 Tyll her flfre fFedris be ifuniche y-pynned. 
 
 That they have wynge at her wyll to wonne uppon hille, 
 
 Ffor venym on the valeye hadde ffoule with hem fFare, 
 
 Tyll trouthe the triacle telde somme her sothes. 
 
 Thus baterid this bred on busshes abou3te, 
 
 And gaderid gomes on grene ther as they walkyd. 
 
 That all the schroiF and schroup sondrid ffrom other. 
 
 He mellid so the matall with the hand molde. 
 
 That lost lemes the levest that they had. 
 
 Thus fFoulyd this flFaukyn on fFyldis abou3te, 
 
 And cau3te of the kuyttis a cartfuU at ones, 
 
 That rentis and robis with rabeyn evere lau3te. 
 
 3 it was not the fFawcon fFull fFed at his likynge, 
 
 Ffor it cam him not of kynde kytes to love. 
 
 Than bated he boldeliche, as a brid wolde, 
 
 To plewme on his pray the pol ifro the nekk ; 
 
 But the blernyed boynard that his bagg stall, 
 
 Where purraile is pulter was pynnyd ffuU ofte. 
 
 Made the fFawcon to ffloter and fflusshe ffor anger. 
 
 That the boy hadd be bounde that the bagge kepte. 
 
 But sone ther after in a schorte tyme, 
 
 As ffortune fFolwith ech ffode till his ende.
 
 14 DEPOSITION OP RlCIlAIll) II. 
 
 This lorell that hackle this loby awey 
 
 Overe ffrithe and ffordc, ffor his ffiils dedis, 
 
 Lyghte on the lordschepe that to the brid longid. 
 
 And was ftelUche y-lau3te and luggid ffull ylle, 
 
 And brou5te to the brydd, and his blames rehersid 
 
 Prcvyly at the parlement amonge all the peple. 
 
 Thus hawkyd this Egle, and hoved above. 
 
 That, as God wolde that governeth all thingis, 
 
 Thcr nas kyte ne krowe that kareyne hantid, 
 
 That he ne with his lynage ne lovyd ffull sone. 
 
 Ffor wher so they fferde, be ffryth or be woves, 
 
 Was non of hem all that him hide my3th, 
 
 But cam with him a re-clayme ffro costi abou3te, 
 
 And ffell with her ffetheris fflat uppon the erthe, 
 
 As madde of her mynde, and mercy be-sou3te. 
 
 They niy3te not aschonne the sorowe they had served. 
 
 So lymed leves were leyde allabou3te. 
 
 And panteris prevyliche pight uppon the grounde, 
 
 With grennes of good heere that God him self made, 
 
 That where so they walkid they waltrid dounwardis, 
 
 And evere hoved the Egle on hie on the skyes, 
 
 And kenned clerliche, as his kynde axith, 
 
 Alle the prevy poyntis that the pies wrou3th. 
 
 Passus Tertius. 
 
 Now leve we this beu brid, till I restore, 
 Ffor mater that my mynde is meved in now. 
 That whi the hie hertis her hele so mysside. 
 That pasture axid rith to here pure wombis ; 
 I woUe schewe as I sawe, till I se better,
 
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 15 
 
 And if I walke out of the wey, I woUe me repente. 
 
 Now herkeneth, hende men, how that me thynkyth, 
 
 Savynge sovereynes and sages avyse. 
 
 That the moste myscheff uppon molde on 
 
 Is demed the dede y-do aseins kynde. 
 
 3it clereth this clause no thinge my wittis, 
 
 Without more mater, what it mene wolde. 
 
 I mene of the hertis that hautesse of 3eris, 
 
 That pasture prikkyth, and her prevy age, 
 
 Whan they han hobhd on the holte an hundrid of 3eris, 
 
 That they ffeblen in ffleisshe, in ffelle and in bonis : 
 
 Her kynde is to kevere, if they cacche my^th. 
 
 Adders that [h]armen alle hende bestis, 
 
 Thoru busschis and bromes this beste of his kynde 
 
 Secheth and sercheth tho schrewed wormes, 
 
 That steleth on the stedes to stynge hem to deth ; 
 
 And whanne it happeth the herte to hente the edder, 
 
 He puttyth him to peyne, as his pray asketh. 
 
 And fFedith him on the venym, his ffelle to a-newe. 
 
 To leve at more lykynge a longe tyme after. 
 
 This is clergie hir kynde, coltis [natj to greve, 
 
 Ne to hurlle with haras, ne hors well a-tamed, 
 
 Ne to stryve with swan, thou} it sholle werre, 
 
 Ne to bay ten on the here, ne bynde him nother, 
 
 Ne to wilne to woo that were hem ny sibbe, 
 
 Ne to liste ffor to loke that her a-lie bledde ; 
 
 This was a3eins kynde, as clerkis me tolde : 
 
 And therfFor the hertis hire hele so myssid, 
 
 And my3te nat passe the poynte of her prime age.
 
 16 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 Now con strew ho so kunne, I can saie no more, 
 But Hare I wolle to the ifowle that I be-ffore tolde. 
 
 Off all bilhd breddis that the bough spareth, 
 The propirte of partriche to preise me lustith. 
 That in the somer seson, whanne sittinge nyeth, 
 That ich ffoule with his ffere ffolwith his kynde. 
 This brid be a bank bildith his nest, 
 And lieipeth his heires, and hetith hem after. 
 And whane the dame hath y-do that to the dede longith. 
 And hopith ffor to hacche or hervest begynne, 
 Thanne cometh ther a cougioun, with a grey cote. 
 As not of his nolle, as he the nest made. 
 Another proud partriche, and precyth to the nest, 
 And prevyliche pirith till the dame passe, 
 And sesith on hir sete, with hir softe plumes, 
 And hoveth the eyren that the hue laide. 
 And with hir corps kevereth hem till that they kenne. 
 And ffostrith and ffodith, till ffedris schewe. 
 And cotis of kynde hem kevere all abou3te. 
 But as sone as they styffe, and tliat they steppe kunne, 
 Than cometh and crieth her owen kynde dame, 
 And they ffolwith the vois, at the ffrist note. 
 And leveth the lurker that hem er ladde, 
 Ffor the schrewe schrapid to selde ffor her wombis. 
 That her lendys were lene, and leved with hunger. 
 But than the dewe dame dineth hem swythe, 
 And ffostrith hem fforthe till they file kunne. 
 " What is this to mene, man," maiste thu axe, 
 " Ffor it is derkhch endited ffor a dull panne ;
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 17 
 
 Wherffore I wilne, 3 if it thi will were, 
 
 The partriche propurtes by whom that thu menest." 
 
 A ! hicke he vy heed ! hard is thi nolle. 
 
 To cacche ony kunnynge, but cautell bigynne : 
 
 Herdist thu not with eeris how that I er tellde, 
 
 How the Egle in the est entrid his owene. 
 
 And cried and clepid after his owen kynde briddis, 
 
 That weren a-noyed in his nest, and norished full ille, 
 
 And well ny y-worewid with a wronge leder ? 
 
 But the nedy nestlingis, whan they the note herde 
 
 Of the [h]ende Egle, the heyer of hem all. 
 
 They busked fFro the busches and breris that hem noyed, 
 
 And burnisched her beekis, and bent to him-wardis. 
 
 And fFolowid him ffersly to ffighte ffor the wrongis ; 
 
 They bablid with her billis how thei bete were, 
 
 And tenyd with twiggis two and twenty 5eris. 
 
 Thus lafte they the leder that hem wrong ladde, 
 
 And tymed no twynte, but tolled her cornes. 
 
 And gaderid the grotus with gyle, as I trowe. 
 
 Than fFolwid they her fFre fFader, as good ifeith wolde, 
 
 That he hem fFede shulde, and fFostre fForther, 
 
 And bringe hem out of bondage, that they were brou3th 
 
 inne. 
 Thanne sighed the swymmers, ffor the Swan ffailid. 
 And ffolwid this ffaucoun thoru ffeldus and tounes, 
 With many ffaire ffoole, thou} they ffeynte were. 
 And hevy ffor the hirte that the Hors hadde. 
 3it they fferkyd hem fforth as ffaste as they my3te, 
 To have the Egles helpe of harme that they hadde ; 
 Ffor he was heed of hem all, and hieste of kynde, 
 CAMD. soc. H. D
 
 18 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD 11. 
 
 To kepe the croune, as cronecle tellith. 
 
 He blythid the Beere, and his broud braste, 
 
 And lete him go at large to lepe where he wolde. 
 
 But tlio all the berlingis brast out at ones. 
 
 As fFayne was the ftbule that fflieth on the skyes 
 
 That bosse was unbounde and brouute to his owene. 
 
 They gaderid hem to-gedir on a grette rou3te, 
 
 To helpe the heeris that had many wrongis ; 
 
 They gaglide fForth on the grene, ffor they greved were, 
 
 That her ffrendis were fFalle thoru ifelouns castis. 
 
 They mornyd ffor the morthir of manffull kny3tis, 
 
 That many a styff storme with-stode ffor the comunes ; 
 
 The[y] mouside the marchall ffor his myssedede, 
 
 That evell coude his craft, whan he eloped the Stede. 
 
 And evere as they ffolwide this ffaucoun abou3te, 
 
 At iche mevinge ffotte, venyaunce they asked 
 
 On all that assentid to that synfull dede. 
 
 A-rere now to Richard, and reste here a while, 
 Ffor a prevy poynt tliat persith my wittis, 
 Of ffauutis I ffynde that ffrist dede engendre 
 Cursidnesse and combraunce amonge the yonge lordis. 
 And the wikkid werchinge that walmed in her dales. 
 And 3it woll here after, but wisdome it lette. 
 That were a lord of lond that lawe hathe in honde, 
 That to lyghtliche leveth, or lewte apere. 
 The tale of a trifflour in turmentours wede, 
 That nevere reed good rewle, ne resons bookis ; 
 Ffor ben they rayed a-rith they recchith no fforther. 
 But studieth all in strountynge, and stireth amys evere ; 
 Ffor all his witte in his wede ys wrappid ffor-sothe.
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 19 
 
 More than in mater to a-mende the peple that ben niys-led. 
 
 Ffor I say ffor my self, and schewe, as me thynthith. 
 
 That ho is riall of his ray, that light reede him fFolwith, 
 
 3it swiche fFresshe IFoodis beth fFeet in to chambris, 
 
 And ffor her dignesse en-dauntid of dulUsshe noUis. 
 
 And if thu well waite of no wight ellis, 
 
 Than waite mo wayes how the while turneth. 
 
 With gyuleris joyffull ffor here gery jaces, 
 
 And ftbr her wedis so wyde wise beth y-holde ; 
 
 They casteth hem to creaunce the courte ftbr to plese. 
 
 And hopen to be hied in hast yif they my5the 
 
 Thoru swiche stif strountynge that stroyeth the rewme ; 
 
 But here wey is all wronge ther M'isdom is ynned, 
 
 But they lepith als lyghly, at the longe goynge. 
 
 Out of the domes carte, as he that throff nevere. 
 
 For they kepeth no coyne that cometh to here hondis, 
 
 But chaunchyth it ffor cheynes that in Chepe hangith. 
 
 And settith all her silver in seimtis and homes. 
 
 And ffor-doth the coyne, and many other craftis, 
 
 And maketh the peple ffor pens-lac in pointe ffor to wepe, 
 
 And 3it they beth y-take fforth, and her tale leved. 
 
 And ffor her newe nysete nexte to the lordis. 
 
 Now be the lawe of Lydfford, in londe ne in water, 
 
 Thilke lewde ladde ou5te evyll to thryve. 
 
 That hongith on his hippis more than he wynneth. 
 
 And dou5teth no dette, so dukis hem preise. 
 
 But beggith and borwith of burgeis in tounes 
 
 Ffurris of ffoyne and other ffelle whare. 
 
 And not the better of a bene, thou} they boru evere. 
 
 And but if the slevis slide on the erthe.
 
 20 DEPOSITION OK RICHARD H. 
 
 Thei \voll be wroth as the wynde, and waric hem that it 
 
 made ; 
 And 3if it were elbowis a-down to the lieHs, 
 Or passinge the knee, it was not acounted ; 
 And if Pernell preisid tlie plytis biliynde. 
 The costis were a-coiintid, paye whan he my5th. 
 The leesinge so likyde ladies and other, 
 That they joied of the jette, and gyside hem ther-under ; 
 And if Ffehce ffonde ony ffaute thenne of the makynge, 
 Yt was y-sent sone to shape of the newe. 
 But now ther is a gyse, the queyntest of all, 
 A wondir coriouse crafte, y-come now late. 
 That men clejiith kerving the clothe all to pecis. 
 That sevene goode sowers sixe wekes after 
 Moun not sett the seemes, ne sewe hem a3eyn. 
 But ther is a pr[o]ffith in that j^ride, that I preise evere, 
 Ffor thei ifor the pesinge paieth pens ten duble 
 That the clothe costened, the craft is so dere. 
 Now if I sothe shall saie, and shonne side tales, 
 Ther is as moche good witte in swyche gomes nollis. 
 As thu shuldist mete of a myst fFro morwe tyll even. 
 3it blame I no burne to be, as him ou3te, 
 In comliche clothinge, as his statt axith ; 
 But to ledyn her lust all here lyif daies 
 In quentise of clothinge, fFor to queme sir Pride, 
 And evere more strontynge, and no store kepe, 
 And iche day a newe devyse, it dullith my wittis 
 That ony lord of a lond shulde leve swiche thingis. 
 Or clepe to his conceill swiche manere cotis. 
 That loveth more her lustis than the lore of oure lord.
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 21 
 
 And if a lord his levere lyste fFor to 3 eve, 
 
 Ther may no gome fFor goodnesse gette ther-of but lite, 
 
 Ffor curtesie, ffor comlynesse, ne ffor his kynde herte, 
 
 But rather fFor his rancour and rennynge overe peple, 
 
 Ffor braggynge and fFor bostynge, and beringe uppon oilles, 
 
 Ffor cursidnes of conscience and comynge to the assizes. 
 
 This makyth men mysdo more than ou3te ellis. 
 
 And to stronte and to stare, and stryve a3eyn vertu. 
 
 So clergie the cause comsith in grette, 
 
 Of all manere mysschefF that men here usyn. 
 
 Ffor wolde they blame the burnes that brou3te newe gysis, 
 
 And dryve out the dagges and all the Duche cotis. 
 
 And sette hem a-side, and scorte of hem telle, 
 
 And lete hem pleye in the porche, and presse non ynnere, 
 
 Ne no proude peniles with his peynte sieve ; 
 
 And eke repreve robbers and riffleris of peple, 
 
 FilaLeris and fFals men that no fFeith useth, 
 
 And alle deabolik doeris dispise hem ichone. 
 
 And coile out the kny3tys that knowe well hem self. 
 
 That were sad of her sawis, and sufFre well couude. 
 
 And had traveilid in her tyme and temprid hem self. 
 
 And cherliche cheriche hem, as chefF in the halle, 
 
 Ffor to ordeyne officeris and all other thyngis ; 
 
 Men shukl wete in a while that the world wolde a-mende. 
 
 So vertue wolde fflowe whan vicis were ebbid. 
 
 But now to the mater that I be-fFore meved, 
 
 Of the gomes so gay that grace hadde afFendid, 
 
 And how stille that steddefFaste stode amonge this reccheles 
 
 peple. 
 That had a-willed his wyll as wisdom him taughte :
 
 22 DEPOSITION OI' RICHARD II. 
 
 Ffor he drougli him to an heme at the halle ende, 
 
 Well homclich y-hehd in an holsuine gyse, 
 
 Not overe-lenge, but ordeyned in the olde schappe, 
 
 With grette browis y-bente, and a berde eke, 
 
 And y-M'ounde in his wedis as the wedir axith ; 
 
 He Avondrid in his wittis ; as he "will my3the. 
 
 That the hie houusinge herborowe ne myghte 
 
 Half-dell the houshoulde, but hales hem hel2:)ed ; 
 
 But fi'or crafte that he couude caste thenne or be-thenke. 
 
 He my3te not Monne in the wones, ftbr witt that he usid. 
 
 But a-rouutid ffor his ray, and rebuked ofte, 
 
 He had leve of the lord, and of ladies alle, 
 
 Ffor his good governaunce, to go or he drank. 
 
 Ther was non of the mene, that they ne merveilid moche. 
 
 How he cam to the courte, and was not y-knowe ; 
 
 But als sone as they wiste that Witt was his name, 
 
 And that the kyng knewe him not, ne non of his kny3tis. 
 
 He was halowid and y-huntid, and y-hotte trusse. 
 
 And his dwellinge y-demed a bowe drawte flfrom hem. 
 
 And ich man y-charchid to schoppe at his croune 
 
 3if he nyhed hem ony nere than they had him nempned. 
 
 The portir with his pikis tho put him uttere, 
 
 And warned him the wickett while the wacche durid : 
 
 " Lete sle him ! " quod the sieves that slode uppon the erthe. 
 
 And alle the berdles burnes bayed on him evere. 
 
 And schorned him for his slaveyn was of the olde schappe. 
 
 Thus Malaperte was my5tfFull and maister of hous. 
 
 And evere wandrid Wisdom without the 3atis. 
 
 " By him that wrou3te this world ! " quod Wisdom in wrath, 
 
 " But 3if 56 woll sumtyme I walke in amonge 30U, 
 
 I shall ffor-bede 50U burnesse, the best on this erthe,
 
 DEPOSITION OP RICHARD II. 23 
 
 That is governance of gettinge, and grace that him ftollwith ; 
 
 Ffor these two trewly twynned 5et nevere/' 
 
 And so it ffell on hem, in flfeith, flfor ffau5tis that they usid. 
 
 That her grace was a-goo, fFor grucchinge chere, 
 
 Ffor the wronge that they wrou3te to Wisdom affore. 
 
 Ffor tristith als trewly as tylhnge us helpeth, 
 
 That iche rewme undir roiF of the reyne-bowe 
 
 Sholde stable and stonde be these thre degres : 
 
 By governaunce of grete and of good age ; 
 
 By styfFnesse and strengthe of steeris well y-yokyd. 
 
 That beth my5thflFull men, of the mydill age ; 
 
 And be laboreris of lond, that lyfflode ne fFayle. 
 
 Thanne wolde reule, if reson where amongis us, 
 
 That ich leode lokide what longid to his age. 
 
 And nevere fFor to passe more oo poynt iForther, 
 
 To usurpe the service that to sages bi-longith, 
 
 To be-come conselleris er they kunne rede. 
 
 In schenshepe of sovereynes, and shame at the last. 
 
 Ffor it ffallith as well to fFodis of xxiiij 3eris, 
 
 Or yonge men of yistirday, to 3eve good redis, 
 
 As be-cometh a kow to hoppe in a cage. 
 
 It is not un-knowen to kunnynge leodis. 
 
 That rewlers of rewmes a-round all the erthe 
 
 Were not y-fFoundid, at the fFrist tyme. 
 
 To leve al at likynge and lust of the world, 
 
 But to laboure on the lawe, as lewde men on plowes. 
 
 And to merke meyntenour} with maces ichonne, 
 
 And to strie stronters that sterede a-3eine rithis. 
 
 And alle the myssedoers that they my3te fFynde, 
 
 To put hem in prcson, a peere thou3 he were ;
 
 24 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 And to rewle as reremys, and rest on the daics, 
 
 And spende of the spiccrie more than it ncdid, 
 
 Bothe wexe and wyn, in wast all abou3te. 
 
 With deyntis y-doublid, and daunsinge to pipis, 
 
 In myrtlie with moppis, myrrours of synne. 
 
 3it ffor-bede I no hurne to be blithe sum while ; 
 
 But all thinge hath tyme, flor to tempre glees : 
 
 Ffor caste all the countis that the kyng holdith. 
 
 And loke how these lordis loggen hem self, 
 
 And evere shall thu flfynde, as tier as thu walkiste, 
 
 What wisdom and over-wacche wonneth ffer asundre ; 
 
 But whane the governaunce goth thus with tlio the hous gie 
 
 shulde. 
 And letith lyghte of the lawe, and lesse of the peple, 
 And herkeneth all to honour, and to ese eke, 
 And that ich wyght with his wittes w^aite on him evere, 
 To do hem reverence a-right, thou} the rigge brest. 
 This warmnesse in welth, with wy uppon erthe, 
 My3te not longe dure, as doctour} us tellith. 
 Ffor ho so thus leved his lyff to the ende, 
 Evere wrappid in weUe, and with no wo mette, 
 My3te sale that he sawe that seie was nevere, 
 That hevene were un-honge out of the hookis, 
 And were boun at his bidding, 3if it be my3te. 
 But clerkis kne[w] I non 3ete that so couude rede 
 In bokis y-bounde, thou3 5e brou3te alle, 
 That ony wy welldith wonnynge uppon erthe, 
 Ffor in well and in woo the werld evere turneth, 
 3it ther is kew kaw, thou3 he come late, 
 A new thing that noyeth nedy men and other.
 
 DEPOSITION OP RICHARD II. 25 
 
 Whanne realles remeveth, and ridith thoru tounes. 
 And carieth overe contre ther comunes dwelleth. 
 To preson the pillour} that overe the pore renneth, 
 For that were evene in her weye, if they well ride. 
 But 3it ther is a flfoule fFau3te that I fFynde ofte, 
 They prien affter presentis or pleyntis ben y-clepid, 
 And abateth all the bilHs of tho that nou3th bringith ; 
 And ho so grucche or grone a3eins her grette willes. 
 May lese her lyif lyghtly, and no lesse Aveddis. 
 Thus is the lawe lonyd, thoru my5hty lordis willys. 
 That meyneteyne myssdoers more than other peple ; 
 Ffor mayntenaunce many day, well more is the reuthe ! 
 Hath y-had mo men at mete and at melis 
 Than ony cristen kynge that 3e knewe evere. 
 Ffor as reson and rith rehersid to me ones, 
 Tho ben men of this molde that most harme worchen ; 
 Ffor chyders of Chester where chose many dales 
 To ben of conceill ffor causis that in the court hangid. 
 And pledid pipondris, alle manere pleyntis. 
 They cared ffor no coyffes that men of court usyn. 
 But meved many maters that man never thou3te. 
 And ffeyned ffalshed till they a ffyne had, 
 And knewe no manere cause, as comunes tolde, 
 Thei had non other signe to schewe the lawe 
 But a prevy pallette her pannes to kepe, 
 To hille here lewde heed in stede of an hone. 
 They constrewed quarellis to quenche the peple. 
 And pletid with pollaxis and poyntis of swerdis. 
 And at the dome 3evynge drowe out the bladis. 
 And lente men levere of her longe battis. 
 
 CAMD. SOC. 3. E
 
 2G DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 They lacked alle vertues that a juge shulde have ; 
 
 Ffor, er a tale were y-tolde, they wolde trie the harmes. 
 
 Without ony answere, but ho his lyf hatid, 
 
 And ho so pleyned to the prince that pees shulde kepe, 
 
 Of these mystir- men, medlers of wrongis. 
 
 He was lygh[t]liche y-lau3te, and y-luggyd of many, 
 
 And y-mummyd on the mouthe, and manaced to the deth. 
 
 They leid on thi leigis, Richard, lasshis y-nowe. 
 
 And drede nevere a dele the dome of the lawe. 
 
 Tlier nas rial of the rewme that hem durste rebuke, 
 
 Ne juge ne justice that jewis durste hem deme, 
 
 Ffor oute that thei toke or trespassid to the peple. 
 
 This was a wondir world, ho so well lokyd. 
 
 That gromes overe-grewe so many grette maistris ; 
 
 Ffor this was the rewle in this rewme, while they here regnyd. 
 
 Thou} I satte sevenenyght, and slepte ffull selde. 
 
 Of many mo wrongis than I write couude ; 
 
 Ffor selde were the serigauntis sou3te ffor to plete. 
 
 Or ony prentise of courte preied of his wittis. 
 
 The while the Dogonys domes weren so endauntid. 
 
 Tille oure sire in his see, above the vij"^ sterris, 
 
 Sawe the many mysschevys that these men dede, 
 
 And no mendis y-made, but menteyne it evere. 
 
 Of him that was hiest y-holde [for] to kepe 
 
 His liegis in lawe, and so her love gette. 
 
 He sente ffor his servantis, that sembled many. 
 
 Of baronys and baccheleris, with many bri^th helmes. 
 
 With the comunes the contres they cam all at ones, 
 
 And, as a duke dou3ty in dedis of armes. 
 
 In full reall a-ray he rood uppon hem evere,
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 2/ 
 
 Tyll Degon and Dobyn, that mennys doris brastyn, 
 And were y-dubbid of a duke flfor her while domes. 
 And a-wakyd fFor wecchis and wast that they usid. 
 And fFor her breme blastis buffettis henten. 
 Than gan it to calme and clere all abou3te. 
 That iche man my3te, ho so mynde hadde, 
 Se be the sonne, that so bri3te schewed, 
 The mone at the mydday meve and the sterris, 
 Ffolwinge ffelouns fFor her fFalse dedis, 
 Devourours of vetaile that fFoujten er thei paide. 
 
 Pussus quurtus. 
 
 Ffor where was evere ony cristen kynge, that 36 evere knewe, 
 That helde swiche an household be the half-delle 
 As Richard in this rewme, thoru myse-rule of other. 
 That alle his fFynys fFor fFau3tis, ne his fFee fFermes, 
 Ne fFor-fFeyturis fFele that fFelle in his dales, 
 Ne the nownagis that newed him evere, 
 As Marche and Moubray, and many mo other, 
 Ne alle the issues of court that to the kyng longid, 
 Ne sellynge that sowkid silver rith fFaste, 
 Ne alle the prophcte of the lond that the prince owed, 
 Whane the countis were caste, with the custum of muUus, 
 My3te not a-reche, ne his rent nother. 
 To paie the pore peple that his purvyours toke, 
 Withoute preiere at a parlement, a poundage biside. 
 And a fifteneth and a dyme eke, 
 
 And withall the custum of the clothe that cometh to fFayres, 
 And 5et ne had creaunce i-come at the last ende, 
 With the comunes curse that cleved on hem evere,
 
 28 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD II. 
 
 They had be drawe to the devyll ffor dette that they owed. 
 
 And whanne the reot and the reevell the rent thus passid, 
 
 And no tiling y-hifte hut the bare haggis, 
 
 Than llelle it a-ftorse to ffille hem a3eyne, 
 
 And fteyned sum ffohc, that fFaihd hem never, 
 
 And cast it be cohs, with her conceill at evene. 
 
 To have prevy parlement for propffitt of hem self, 
 
 And lete write writtis all in wex closid, 
 
 Ffor peeris and j^relatis, that thei a-pere shuld, 
 
 And sente side sondis to schrevys a-bou3te. 
 
 To chese swiche chevalleris as the charge wold. 
 
 To schewe flfor the schire in company with the grete. 
 
 And whanne it drowe to the day of the dede doynge, 
 
 That sovereynes were semblid, and the schire kny5tis, 
 
 Than as her ffbrme is, ffrist they begynne to declare 
 
 The cause of her comynge, and than the kyngis will. 
 
 Comliche a clerk than comsid the wordis. 
 
 And pronouncid the poyntis aparte to hem alle. 
 
 And meved ffor mony more than ffor out ellis, 
 
 In glosinge of grette, lest greyves arise. 
 
 And whanne the tale was tolde anon to the ende, 
 
 A-morwe thei must, a-ffore mete, mete to-gedir. 
 
 The kny3tis of the comunete, and carpe of the maters. 
 
 With citiseyns of shiris y-sent ffor the same, 
 
 To reherse the articlis and graunte all her askynge. 
 
 But 3it ffor the manere, to make men blynde, 
 
 Sorame argued a3ein rith then a good while. 
 
 And said, " We beth servauntis and sallere ffongen. 
 
 And y-sente ffro the shiris to shewe what hem greveth. 
 
 And to parle ffor her prophete, and passe no fferthere,
 
 DEPOSITION OF RICHARD IJ. 29 
 
 And to graunte of her gold to the grett wattis 
 
 By no manere wronge way, but if werre were; 
 
 And if we ben ffals to tho us here fFyndyth, 
 
 Evyll be we worthy to welden oure hire." 
 
 Than satte summe, as siphre doth in awgrym. 
 
 That noteth a place, and no thing availith ; 
 
 And some had y-soupid with Symond overe even. 
 
 And schewed fFor the shire, and here schew lost ; 
 
 And somme were tituleris, and to the kyng wente, 
 
 And fformed him of foos^ that good fFrendis weren, 
 
 That bablid fFor the best and no blame served. 
 
 Of kynge ne conceill, ne of the comunes nother. 
 
 Ho so toke good kepe to the culorum ; 
 
 And somme slombrid and slepte, and said but a lite ; 
 
 And somme mafflid with the mouth, and nyst what they 
 
 ment ; 
 And somme had hire, and helde ther-with evere, 
 And wolde no fForther a ffoot, ffor iFer of her maistris ; 
 And some were so soleyne, and sad of her wittis. 
 That er they come to the clos a-combred they were, 
 That thei the conclucioun than constrewe ne couthe 
 No burne of the benche, of borowe nother ellis. 
 So blvnde and so ballid and bare was the reson; 
 And somme were so fFers at the ifrist come. 
 That they bente on a bouet, and bare a topte saile 
 A-ffor the wynde fFresshely, to make a good ffare. 
 Than lay the lordis a-lee with laste and with charge. 
 And bare a-bou3te the barge, and blamed the maister. 
 That knewe not the kynde cours that to the craftc longid, 
 And warned him wiselv of the wedir side.
 
 so db:ih)sition of kiciiahi) ii. 
 
 Thanne the maste in the myddis, at the monthe ende, 
 
 Bowid ffor brcstynge, and brou3te hem to lend; 
 
 Ffor ne had thei striked a strake, and sterid hem the better. 
 
 And a-bated a bouetj or the blast come, 
 
 They had be throwe overe the borde, backewarde ichonne. 
 
 And some were a-combrid with the conceill be-fFore, 
 
 And wiste well y-now how it sholde ende, 
 
 Or some of the semble shulde repente. 
 
 Some helde with the mo, how it evere wente. 
 
 And somme dede rith so, and wolld go no fForther ; 
 
 Some parled as perte, as provyd well after, 
 
 And clappid more ffor the coyne that the kyng owen hem, 
 
 Thanne ffor comfforte of the comyne that her cost paied, 
 
 And were be-hote hansell, if they helpe wolde, 
 
 To be servyd sekirly of the same silvere ; 
 
 And some dradde dukis, and Dowell ffor-soke
 
 RICHARDI MAYDISTON 
 
 DE 
 
 CONCORDIA 
 
 INTER REGEM RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 
 
 TuLLius in laudem tantam sustollit amicos. 
 
 Quod licet, liiis demptis, optima nil valeant : 
 * Stes/ ait, ' in coelis, videas ibi quseque beata, 
 
 Hauriat auris in hiis utraque dulce melos, 
 Quicquid adhuc sensus poterit tibi pascere quinos 
 
 Nil valet acceptum, si nee amicus adest. 
 Si careas socio, cui sata placentia narres, 
 
 Hsec eadem senties non placuisse tibi.' 
 Hinc tibi, Ricarde, duplante jugo mild juncte, 
 
 (Nomen et omen habes, sic socius meus es) 
 Gaudia visa mihi Trenovantum nuper in urbe. 
 
 Actus amicitia glisco referre modo. 
 Et licet incultum carmen tibi condere curem, 
 
 Parce precor currc, parcere debet amor.
 
 32 RICIIARDI MAYDISTON HE CONCORDIA 
 
 .M. cape, tcr quoquc .C. decicsque novem, duo junge, 
 
 Hunc numerum anni supputo dando notis. 
 Tunc bis ter Phoebo fuerat soror associata. 
 
 Cum bona felici sunt, Nova Troja, tibi. 
 Mensis ut August! tcr septima fulsit in orbem 
 
 Lux, tibi, Londonise, rumor amoenus adest. 
 Namque tuum Regem, sponsum, dominumque tuumque. 
 
 Quern tibi sustulerat perfida lingua, capis. 
 Invidiosa cohors Regem tibi vertit in iram, 
 
 Desereret thalamum sponsus ut ipse suum. 
 Sed quia totus amor tuus est, et amantis ymago 
 
 Formosior Paride, nescit odisse diu. 
 Adde quod in miseros semper solet hie misereri, 
 
 Nee habet ultrices Rex pius iste manus. 
 Quot mala, quot mortes tenero sit passus ab eevo, 
 
 Quamque sit inultus, Anglia tota videt. 
 Quid cupit hie servire Deo, nisi semper et esse 
 
 Pacificum, Itctum, nilque perire bonum. 
 Sic fovet ecclesiam statuens statuum moderamen, 
 
 Sternere ne liceat quod statuere patres. 
 Effugat ingratos, cvxpidos, stolidos, truculentos, 
 
 QucBque decent Regem hcec rapit ipse sibi. 
 Talis adolescens toto non restat in orbe. 
 
 Qui sciat ut Salomon regna tenere sua. 
 Hie licet accensus foret in te, Troja, parumper. 
 
 Grata modo facies se docet esse piam. 
 Non poterat mordax detractans lingua tenere, 
 
 Quin cuperet thalamum sponsus adire suum. 
 Qui libertates solitas tibi dempserat omnes. 
 
 Nunc redit, et plures reddere promptus eas.
 
 INTER RIC. 11. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 33 
 
 Hie prceparat se Civitas in occursum Regis. 
 
 Urbis Custodem miles quem Rex ibi signat, 
 
 Alloquitur cives sic, rutilante die : 
 " Regis in occursum vestri vos este parati, 
 
 Percipiatque palam quam bene nunc veniat. 
 Totius ecclesiee fiat processio cleri, 
 
 Omnis et ordo suas se ferat ante cruces. 
 Nulla sit Ars urbis, quae non distincta seorsum 
 
 Splendidivis solito trans vada vadat eques. 
 Quicquid in url^e probum fuerit promatur, in ista 
 
 Nam gaudete die, pax tribuetur," ait. 
 Hiis animata loquelis tota cohors sociatur, 
 
 Prseparat et cultu se meliore suo. 
 Ornat et interea se pulcre qu£eque platea, 
 
 Vestibus auratis urbs micat innumeris. 
 Floris odoriferi specie fragrante platea, 
 
 Pendula perque demos purpura nulla deest ; 
 Aurea, coccinea, bissinaque, tinctaque vestis, 
 
 Pinxerat hie coelum arte juvante novum. 
 Quos tulit ante dies istos plebs ista labores, 
 
 Quas tulit expensas, os reserare nequit. 
 Quid moror, ecce dies transit ! properatur ab urbe 
 
 Regis in occursum conjugis atque sua. 
 Quis numerare queat numerum turliee numerosae. 
 
 Quae velut astra poll densius inde fluit ? 
 Millia viginti juvenes numerantur equestres ; 
 
 Qui pedibus pergunt, non capit hos numerus. 
 Custos prjecedit, comitantur eumque quater sex, 
 
 Quos Aldirmannos urbs habet ut proceres. 
 CAMD. soc. 3, p
 
 34 RICHARDI MAYDISTON DE CONCORDIA 
 
 Jure senatorio urbs liiis regitur quasi Roma, 
 
 riiisque prreest Major, quern populus legerit. 
 Iliis erat ornatus albus color ct rubicundus, 
 
 Hos partita toga segregat a reliquis. 
 Clavibus assiimptis, urbis gladio quoque, Gustos 
 
 Praccedit proceres, subque sequuntur eum. 
 Hos sequitur pbalerata cobors cujusbbet Artis, 
 
 Secta docet sortem quacque tenere suam. 
 Hie argentarius, hie piscarius, secus ilium 
 
 Mercibus hie deditus, venditor atque meri. 
 Hie apotbecarius, pistor, pictor, latbomusque. 
 
 Hie cultellarius, tonsor, et armifaber. 
 Hie earpentarius, scissor, sartor, ibi sutor. 
 
 Hie pelliparius, fulloque, mango, faber. 
 Hie sunt artifices, ibi earnifices, ibi tector, 
 
 Hie lorinarivis, pannariusque simul. 
 I])i vaginator, bie zonarius, ibi textor, 
 
 Hie candelarius, cerarius pariter. 
 Hie pandoxator, ibi streparius, ibi junctor. 
 
 Est ibi pomilio, sic anigerulus hie. 
 A, super .r. gratis stat in Artibus hie numeratis, 
 
 *^ "J^ *ir "Jc* >!• vl* 
 
 «X* "T^ "T* 'V' "T" "T^ 
 
 Hie cirotecarius, bursistaque, eaupo, eoquusque : 
 
 Ars patet ex seeta singula quseque sua. 
 Cerneret has turmas quisquis, puto non dubitaret 
 
 Cernere se formas ordinis angeliei. 
 Tam valido solet auxilio, qui martius exstat, 
 
 Prcelia suffultus nulla timere pugil. 
 Quselibet ut proprias est Ars sortita phalangas, 
 
 Mille quatuor stadiis omne repletur iter.
 
 INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 35 
 
 Hie occurrunt cives Regi. 
 
 Psallite nunc cives, Regi nunc psallite vestro, 
 
 En I Rex vester adest, psallite quod sapit hie. 
 Rege propinquante comites glomerantur heriles. 
 
 Ha mihi ! quam pulcrum cernere credis eos. 
 Dum niveo resideret equo, se qiiique retraetant, 
 
 Ut pateat populo Rex pius ipse suo. 
 Vernula quam facies fulvis redimita capillis, 
 
 Comptaque sub serto prferadiante coma ! 
 Fulget et ex auro vestis sua ruljra colore, 
 
 Quae tenet interius membra venusta nimis. 
 Iste velut Troylus, vel ut Absolon ipse decorus, 
 
 Captivat sensum respicientis eum. 
 Non opus est omnem Regis describere formam, 
 
 Regibus in cunctis non habet ille parem. 
 Larga decoris ei si plus natura dedisset, 
 
 Clauderet hunc thalamis invida forte Venus. 
 Sistit ut in medias super arva repleta catervas, 
 
 Nobilibus regni cingitur, ut decuit. 
 Nee procul est conjunx Regina suis comitata, 
 
 ^Anna sibi nomen, re sit et Anna precor ! 
 Pulclira quidem pulcris stat circumcincta puellis, 
 
 Vincit Amazonibus Troja novella sub liiis. 
 Sternitur ex gemmis nitidis sparsim sua vestis, 
 
 Ad caput a planta nil nisi gemma patet. 
 Nulla deest adamas, carbunculus, atque berillus, 
 
 Qui lapis est pretii, sternitur inde caput. 
 Quod nitet in fronte nitida, radiatque per aures, 
 
 Verberat obtuitum, ne foret inde satur.
 
 36 UICHARDI MAYDISTON DE CONCORDIA 
 
 Hie reddit se Civitas domino Regi. 
 
 Aurea Rex dum frena trahit, et sistere cogit 
 
 Dextrarium, proceres mox populusque silent. 
 Accessit propius Gustos, secumque togati, 
 
 Claves kcva manus, dcxtra tenet gladium. 
 Ad se converso puncto mucronis ad instar 
 
 Tristis captivi, sic sua verba refert : 
 " En ! Rex, cujus ut est nimium metuenda potestas, 
 
 Sic et amanda nimis, nee reverenda minus. 
 En ! liumiles cives, vestris pedibus provoluti, 
 
 Reddunt se vobis, et sua cuncta simul. 
 Clavibus hiis gladioque renunciat urbs modo sponte, 
 
 Vestree voluntati prompta subesse venit. 
 Hoc rogat assidue lacrimis madefacta deintus, 
 
 Mitis ut in cameram Rex velit ire suam. 
 Non laceret, non dilaniet pulcherrima regni 
 
 Moenia, nam sua sunt, quicquid et exstat in hiis. 
 Non oderit thalamum sponsus quem semper amavit, 
 
 Nulla subest causa cur minuatvir amor." 
 Sumit ad hoec gladium, claves quoque Londoniarum 
 
 Rex, cito militibus tradit utrosque suis. 
 " Acceptamus," ait, " tam vos, quam reddere vestrum, 
 
 Et placet ornatus exhiljitus mihi nunc. 
 Sed quid in urbe mea geritur modo tendo videre, 
 
 Si scierit Regem gens mea nosse suum." 
 
 Hie veniunt cives ad Reginam. 
 
 Transit et interea Custos comitatus eisdem 
 Sex quater, et sistunt regia terga retro.
 
 INTER BIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 37 
 
 Reginam propius veniunt humili quoque ATiltu 
 Valde precantur earn, spondet et ipsa bonum. 
 
 Corde favet, sed valde dolet, quia Regis in iram 
 Urbs tain clara ruit, *' spes tamen exstat,'^ ait. 
 
 Hie tendit Rex cum tota cohorte versus iirbem. 
 
 Hiis velut est dictum gestis, properatur ad urbera ; 
 
 Ars Artem sequitur, est prior ultima nunc. 
 Ut valor est Artis retinet loca digna valori, 
 
 Gaudet honore suo quselibet atque gradu. 
 Nigris, purpureis, albis, fulvis, bene tinctis, 
 
 Viridibus, rubris, puniceisque togis, 
 Ac bipartitis sunt vestibus atque phalangis 
 
 Artes distinctee, quod decet artifices. 
 Ilia prius, hsec posterius Ars tendit ad urbem, 
 
 Vix exercitui sufficiebat iter ; 
 Turba premit turbam, jacet liic, ruit hie, cadit istc, 
 
 tP ^ ^ T^ "TV W 'I* 
 
 Musica nulla tacet, cantus, strepitus, neque clangor, 
 
 Altaque concussit eethera dulce melos. 
 Dumque chori fratrum psallunt, Regeraque salutant, 
 
 Incipit amplecti mox venerando cruces. 
 Basia dat crucibus, imitatur eum sua conjunx, 
 
 Et rogat ut regnum servat uterque Deus. 
 
 De pluvia qucB tunc accidit. 
 
 Tunc respirare c£epit tristis prius aura, 
 
 Tempestas etenim turbinis ante fuit. 
 Sic pluebat quod tristis erat, tunc sexus uterque 
 
 Turbari metuens turbine tam valido. 

 
 38 RICHARDI MAYDISTON DE CONCORDIxV 
 
 Ast Notus ut distat, lenisque Favonius astat. 
 Aura Serena micat, urbs modo nil trepidat. 
 
 De venia data exuli in Southwerk. 
 
 Strata foras urbem, qua pulcra suburbia restant, 
 
 Heec Opus Australe dicitur, est etenim. 
 Obviat bic Regi vir in exiUum modo missus, 
 
 Arboreamque crucem fert homicida reus. 
 Pronus ut ante pedes jacuit prostratus equinos, 
 
 Flens rogitat veniam, Rex sibi donateam. 
 Sicque pium miseri miseret solitum misereri. 
 
 Gratia quam tribuat, restituatur ei. 
 
 Hie fuit Begina coronata. 
 
 Aurea Reginee super erigitur caput Annas 
 
 Pulcra corona, parum non valet ilia putes. 
 Mirificum opus hoc lapidum radiosa venustas 
 
 Ditat, et eximiam efficit ilia lucem. 
 Grata fuit facies vario redimita monili, 
 
 Cultus enim patriae pulcrius ornateam. 
 
 Hie prcesentat Civitas Regi duos dextrarios per Custodem. 
 
 Pontis ut usque pedem propiat Rex, stant ibi cives, 
 
 Dextrariique duo, inclita dona nimis. 
 Purpura cum bisso tegit bos partita caballos, 
 
 Caesar honorifice supra sederet eos. 
 Hos ducit ad Regem Gustos deputatus in urbe, 
 
 Urbis et ex parte talia verba refert : 
 ^' Rex pie. Rex prudens. Rex pacifice, dominator, 
 
 Nil nisi pax petitur vestra, rogamus eam.
 
 INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 39 
 
 En ligios vestros leetos foris intus ovantes ! 
 
 Gaudia magna nimis luis tulit ista dies. 
 Quod ducitis dignum thalamum jam visere vestrum, 
 
 duas A^alet urbs grates, tota referre cupit. 
 Sed quia quicquid hahet nimis parvum dare Regi, 
 
 Hos tamen optat equos vestra manus capiat. 
 Dantur in hoc signum, quod se reddunt modo cives, 
 
 Corpora, divitias, pergama quceque sua. 
 In vestris manibus sit eorum vitaque morsque, 
 
 Et regat ad libitum regia virga suos." 
 Rex contentus ad hsec, " Et nos/' ait, " ista placenter 
 
 Munera suscipimus, iraque nostra cadit. 
 Concedimus pacem genti quse restat in xirbe, 
 
 Plebs mea nunc erit heec. Rex et ero sibi nunc." 
 Haec ut ait vultu solido satis atque sereno, 
 
 Leetificat moestos vox ea mille viros. 
 
 Hie preesentant Reginoi palefridam, 
 
 Ordine consimili conjunx ubi regia pausat 
 
 Pergitur, et Gustos taliter inquit ei : 
 " O generosaque nobilis imperatoria proles, 
 
 Stipite nata quidem magnifici generis. 
 Vos Deus elegit ad sceptra Britannica digne. 
 
 Imperii consors estis et apta fore. 
 Flectere regales poterit Regina rigores, 
 
 Mitis ut in gentem Rex velit esse suam. 
 Mollit amore virum mulier, Deus huic dedit illam ; 
 
 Tendat ad hoc vester, o pia, dulcis amor. 
 Lseta cupit faciem plebs hcEC modo cernere vestram, 
 
 In qua consistunt et salus et sua spes.
 
 40 RICIIARDI MAYDISTON DE CONCORDIA. 
 
 En ! presentat equunij vobis licet lioc minus aequo 
 
 Extiterit donum, corde tamen hilari. 
 Est nam qui teneros vestros leniter ferat artus, 
 
 Amljulat, et nunquam cespitat in phaleris : 
 Partiti tegitur equus hie ex veste coloris 
 
 Purpurei liissi, sic fuerant reliqui. 
 Accipiat domina, modicum licet hoc modo munus, 
 
 Supplicat instanter integra nostra cohors." 
 Suscipit jam datum grates referendo benignas, 
 
 Spondet et auxilium quod valet ilia suum. 
 Voce licet tenui loqueretur, et ut muliebri. 
 
 Grata tamen facies urbis amica fuit. 
 
 Hie progreditur Rex cum tota cohorte versus Cfiepe, 
 
 Taliter hiis gestis gaudenter itur in urbem, 
 
 Turba premit turbam, sic iter artat eam. 
 Venit ut ad portam pontis Regina, patenter 
 
 Sors bona prodigium mox dedit, ecce ! novum. 
 Namque sequuntur eam currus duo cum dominabus ; 
 
 Rexerat hos Phaeton, unus enim cecidit. 
 Femina feminea sua dum sic femina nudat, 
 
 Vix poterat risum plebs retinere suum. 
 Casus et iste placet, veniat, rogo, quod mihi signat, 
 
 Corruat ut luxus et malus omnis amor. 
 Pergitur hinc, rutilant, fulgent, splendentque platese, 
 
 Omnibus in vicis plauditur et canitur. 
 Spectantur pulcree dum spectant ista puellee ; 
 
 Nulla fenestra fuit, has nisi quee tenuit. 
 Virgineas facies qui cerneret urbis in alto. 
 
 Quod pecus est ymo sperneret ut nihilum.
 
 INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 41 
 
 Quippe satis lento passu transitur in urbe, 
 
 Concursu populi praepediente viam. 
 At ubi perventum medium fuit urbis et usque 
 
 Introitum vici (dicitur ille Forum), 
 Quales texturae picturarumque figurse 
 
 Qualis et ornatus scribere quis poterit ? 
 Nempe videtur ibi de summis usque deorsum 
 
 Nil nisi divitiae, vultus et angelici. 
 
 Quomodo aqncBductus det vimim, et de ornatu ejus. 
 
 Stillat aquaeductus Bacchum, nee adest ibi Tlietis, 
 
 Rubra dat iste liquor pocula mille viris. 
 Hujus et in tecto steterat coelicus ordo, 
 
 Qui canit angelicos arte juvante melos. 
 Densa velut folia seu flores sic volat aurum, 
 
 Undique virginea discutiente manu. 
 
 De turri mirabili in medio Chepe. 
 
 Itur abhinc mediam dum Rex venit usque plateam, 
 
 Cernit ibi castrum, stat, stupet hinc nimium. 
 Pendula per funes est fabrica totaque turris, 
 
 ^theris et medium vendicat ilia locum. 
 Stant et in hac turri juvenis formosaque virgo. 
 
 Hie velut augelus est, haec coronata fuit. 
 Cerneret has facies quisquis, puto, non dubitaret 
 
 Nil fore sub coelo quod sibi plus placeat. 
 Rex Reginaque tunc astant bene discutientes 
 
 Quid velit haec turris alta, vel hii juvenes. 
 Descendunt ab ea juvenis simul ipsaque virgo, 
 
 Nulla fuit scala, nee patuere gradus. 
 
 CAMD. SOC. 3. 6
 
 42, RICHABDI MAYDISTON DE CONCORDIA 
 
 Nubibus inclusi veniunt, et in aethere pendunt, 
 
 Quo tamen ingenio nescio, crede mihi. 
 Iste tenet ciphum, geminas gerit ilia coronas, 
 
 Hscc nitidis gemmis, plenus et iste mero. 
 Hsec rutilante novo fabricata quidem satis auro 
 
 Singula, testatur fulgida materies. 
 Materiam superavit opus, patet hoc et in artis 
 
 Et simul artificis subtilitate novo. 
 Optulit ergo suas Custodi virgo coronas, 
 
 Quas in utraque manu sic eloquendo tenet : 
 
 Hie offert Gustos coroyias Reffi et Regina. 
 
 *' Rex," ait, " illustris, Reginaque nobilis, ambos 
 
 Custodiat semper vos Deus incolumes ! 
 Qui dat terreni vobis dyademata regni, 
 
 Regna perlienjiia coelestia donet item. 
 Cernite jam plebem vestram quam Iseta salutat 
 
 Vos, et honorare giiscit, ut ipsa valet. 
 Nititur ex studio sensum quoque quod habet omne, 
 
 Pendere nunc vobis intime quod placeat ; 
 Mittit et hinc, binas vobis referendo coronas, 
 
 Innumeras grates, si capiatis eas. 
 Non decet hoc alios donum, rogitat tamen ipsa, 
 
 Sumat ut hoc placite vestra benigna manus." 
 Contentantur ad heec tam Rex quam regia conjux, 
 
 Subridendo parum sumit uterque datum. 
 Ridet et ad vinum roseum quod ridet in auro, 
 
 Quodque propinat ei portitor angelicus. 
 Spem tulit ex ridente gena tunc plebs, utriusque 
 
 Obsequiis animos se quietasse suos.
 
 INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 43 
 
 Invisis gradibus simul angelus ipsaque virgo 
 Nubibus inclusi mox loca prima petunt. 
 
 De ornatu secundi aqu<sductus ad portam Pauli, 
 
 Usque monasterium Pauli cite tunc properatur, 
 
 Cujus et ante fores mira patet species. 
 Trino thronus ibi circundatus undique giro 
 
 Angelici prefert ordinis effigiem. 
 Angeiicisque choris sic virginei sociantur, 
 
 Psallentes pariter quisque canore suo. 
 Sicque micat facies juvenum tarn in hiis quam in illis, 
 
 Fiat ut extaticus intinie respiciens. 
 Nam puerilis eetas juvenum sexus utriusque 
 
 Extat ut est major sedibus inferior. 
 Supra sedebat eos juvenis, quasi sit Deus ijise. 
 
 Lux radiosa sibi solis ad instar inest. 
 Flammigerum vultum gerit hie, niveas quoque vestes. 
 
 Supra hierarchias coelicas ille sedet. 
 Organa pulsat ibi, mentem rapit heec melodia, 
 
 Vocibus angelicis dum canit ille chorus. 
 Hinc decor, hinc dulcor oculos recreatur et aures. 
 
 Singula cernentes obstujouere simul. 
 Quot putas hie musas, quot et instrumenta canora, 
 
 Quam quoque multimodum hie genus organicum ? 
 Fistula, cistula, tibia, timpana, cum monacordo, 
 
 Organa, psalteria, cimbala, cumque lira. 
 Zambuca, citharse, situleeque, tuboeque, viellae, 
 
 Buccina cum nablis, simphonicisque choris. 
 Singula scripturo deerit mihi sensus et hora, 
 
 Plurima namque mihi sustulit ipse stupor.
 
 44 UICHARDI MAYDISTON DK CONCORDIA 
 
 Hie intravit Rex monasterium sancti Fault, eguis relictis. 
 Rex Regiuaque niox post hscc pedites adierunt 
 
 Sacra monasterii tunc visitare loca. 
 Occurrunt pariter primas et episcopus urbis, 
 
 Obviat et clerus illius ecclesite. 
 Concomitatur eos in cultu pontificali, 
 
 Ad Erkenwaldi sancta sepiilcra simul. 
 Quippe Deo precibus sanctoque datis venerato, 
 
 Concito scandit equum, qui fuit ante pedes. 
 Est plus adhuc, transitur abhinc, in Lud quoque porta 
 
 Consimilis cultus stat, similisque nitor. 
 Ad Fluvii pontem nimium bene culta refulgent 
 
 Agmina spirituum, hii quoque dulce canunt. 
 Hii dant incensum, hii psallunt, hii quoque salutant, 
 
 Floribus hii sternunt singula subter eos. 
 
 De deserto et Johanne Baptista ad Barram Templi, 
 
 Ast ubi perventuni fuit ad Barram cito Templi, 
 
 Silva super portee tecta locata fuit. 
 Haec quasi desertum tenuit genus omne ferarum, 
 
 Mixtum reptilibus, vermibus, et variis. 
 Sunt ibi spineta, sunt dumi, suntque rubeta, 
 
 Fraxinus et corulus, quercus et alta pirus. 
 Prunus, acer, pepulus, populus quoque, tilia, fagus, 
 
 Ulmus, lentiscus, palma, salix tremulus. 
 Hie lupus, hie leo, pardus, et ursus, et hie monacornus, 
 
 Hie elephas, castor, simia, tigris, aper. 
 Hie onager, cervus celer, hie panteraque, dama, 
 
 Hie vulpes feetens, taxus, ibique lepus.
 
 INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 45 
 
 Currunt, discurrunt, pugnant, mordent, saliuntque, 
 
 Ut solet ad vastum bestia seeva nemus. 
 Astitit hiis medius sanctus Baptista Johannes, 
 
 Indicat hie digito, agnus et ecce Dei ! 
 Inspicit attente Rex hunc, quia quern notat iste, 
 
 lUius ut meminit mitior inde fuit. 
 Nam quia devotus coUt hunc constanter, eidem 
 
 Prte rehquis Sanctis porrigit ipse preces. 
 Hujus ad intuitum, si quid sibi manserat irae, 
 
 Extitit exstinctum protinus usque nihiL 
 
 Hie datur Regi et RegiiKB duat tabula jjretioscE cum ymaginibus. 
 
 Angelus a tecto descendens mox satis alto, 
 
 Splendida dona nimis fert in utraque manu. 
 Sunt etenim tabulee sacris altaribus aptee, 
 
 Quas nequit inspiciens immemor esse Dei. 
 Inde crucifixi Christi stat sculpta figura, 
 
 Discipuh flentis, matris et extaticae. 
 Sculpitur hie et uterque latro velut in cruce pendens ; 
 
 Ut Deus est passus, tota patet series. 
 Quod minus extat in hiis, quod vihus hoc fuit aurum, 
 
 Multimodis gemmis pingitur istud opus. 
 Non fuerant visse tabulae prius orbis in amplo. 
 
 Quae deceant velut heec tam bene sceptrigeram. 
 Sumit ab angelicis manibus tabulas modo dictas 
 
 Gustos, sicque sua publice verba refert. 
 
 De verbis Custodis ad Recjem in dando tabulas. 
 
 " Salve, pater populi. Rex, Dux, Princeps, modo salve, 
 Salvet et omnipotens vos Deus, alma salus !
 
 4G niCIIARDI MAYDISTON DE CONCORDIA 
 
 Quain fuit htec pracclara dies hiis civihus, in qua 
 
 Constituit llegeni vos Deus esse suum ! 
 Prole patrissante llicardi, quod fuit ante 
 
 Nomen, adhuc repetit quicquid honoris erat. 
 Regibus ergo probis patribusque bonis bona proles 
 
 Successura fuit, sors dedit ut decuit. 
 Nobilitas generis, virtus proba, formaque pulcra, 
 
 Gratia, prosperitas, ingeniumque sagax. 
 Qureque decent Regem persona siniul capit una, 
 
 Una procul dubio non nisi vestra scio. 
 Sed super hsec pietas, compassio veraque cordis, 
 Dignificans animum, vos probat esse probum. 
 Spes etenim populi potior fit, et ad pietatera 
 
 Qua datur hiis venia, Regis et ira cadit. 
 Significant satis hoc tabulae, quas cernitis, istee, 
 
 Quas Regi pia plebs optulit ecce pio. 
 Orat ut inspiciat has Rex cum tangitur ira. 
 
 Mortis et ut Christi mox vellet esse meraor. 
 Parcat et ignaris, veluti Rex cselicus ille 
 
 Hostibus indulgens semper inultus erat. 
 Principis est, potuisse suas extendere vires 
 In tantum externos quos oderit populos. 
 Rex et apum caret omnis acu, tamen extat eo plus 
 
 Sponte timendus ab hiis quos ferit ipse nihil. 
 Sumat et hinc vestra manus hoc modicum modo munus. 
 In signum pacis quam rogat hie populus." 
 
 Hie tetigit Rex tabidas aureas sibi datas. 
 
 Extendendo manum Rex tunc sacra munera tangens, 
 " Pax/' ait, "huic urbi, civibus atque meis.
 
 INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 4^ 
 
 Intuitu Christi, matrisque suae generosee, 
 
 Baptisteeque Johannis mihi prcecipui. 
 Necnon sanctorum quorum modo cerno figuras, 
 
 Sponte remitto mese crimina cuncta plebis. 
 Sed veniatis/' ait, " ad nostra palatia cuncti, 
 
 Plenus enim finis, pax quoque fiet ibi.'^ 
 
 Hie dantur tabula domino: Regime, ejusdem figure. 
 
 Rex transit, Regina venit, conformia Gustos 
 
 Munera presentans, intulit ista sibi : 
 " Inclita Cesareo soboles propagata parente, 
 
 Quam decor et forma nobilitant nimium. 
 Matris Christiferse nomen sortita Marice, 
 
 Quod titulis Anna gratia sonat idem. 
 Non decet hunc titulum vacuum fore, num gerit ilium 
 
 Gratia quae populis nunc valet esse suis. 
 Vos ideo meminisse decet, pia dux dominarum, 
 
 Sanguinis et generis, nominis et proprii. 
 Grata loqui pro gente sua Regina valebit, 
 
 Quod vir non audet, sola potest mulier. 
 Hester ut Assueri trepidans stetit ante tribunal, 
 
 Irritat dicta quee prius ipse tulit. 
 Nee dubium quin ob hoc vos Omnipotens dedit hujus 
 
 Participem regni, sitis ut Hester ei. 
 Propterea petit urbs vestrum prostrata benignum 
 
 Auxilium, in quo plus habet ipsa spei, 
 Donat et has vobis tabulas altaribus aptas, 
 
 Ut stent ante Deum, vos tamen ante virum. 
 Cernitis has quociens, tociens meminisse velitis 
 
 Urbis, et efficere Rex sit amicus ei."
 
 18 RICHARDI MAYDISTON DE CONCORDIA 
 
 Ilia refert grates nimias pro munere tan to : 
 " In me, si quid erit, perficietur/' ait. 
 
 Hie progrediturBex versus Westmonasterium, et cives sequuntur. 
 
 Itur abhinc, cunctis equitautibus ordine pulcro, 
 
 Westque Monasterium, Rege jubente, petunt. 
 Quis fuit ornatus, Aulee quis cultus ibidem, 
 
 Scribere difficile, nee reserare leve. 
 Nam ea textrili fuit arte domus cooperta. 
 
 Jam prius iusolita, quod stupet intuitus. 
 Summa tenet summi thronus Regis loca scamni, 
 
 Aurea tegmina quera splendida sola tegunt. 
 Sceptriger hoc nitidum scandit Rex ecce ! tribunal, 
 
 Circumstant proceres, moxque silere jubent. 
 
 Quomodo Regina corruit ante Regem jjro civibus. 
 
 Ingreditur Regina suis comitata puellis, 
 
 Pronaque regales corruit ante pedes. 
 Erigitur, mandante viro, " Quid," ait, " petis Anna, 
 
 Exprime, de votis expediere tuis." 
 
 Supplicatio Regina pro eisdem civibus. 
 
 " Dulcis," ait, " mi Rex, mihi vir, mihi vis, mihi vita, 
 
 Dulcis amor, sine quo vivere fit mihi mors. 
 Regibus in cunctis similem quis possidet urbem. 
 
 Quae velut haec hodie magnificaret eum ? 
 Quis cultus ! quis honor ! qui sumptus ! munera quanta 
 
 Sunt impensa modo, Rex venerande, tibi ! 
 Nos quoque mortales, et ut hii velut umbra caduci, 
 
 Simus in hiis mortis absit ut immemores.
 
 INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 49 
 
 Quo majorem sumit honorem quisquis, eo plus 
 
 Est humilis et erit, si sapiens fuerit. 
 Hinc, mi Rex, mi dulcis amor, memor esse velitis, 
 
 Supplico prostrata, quid mode contigerit. 
 Tempera post Bruti Regumque peracta priorura, 
 
 Quam\'is et Arthurus annumeretur eis, 
 Non fuerat cuiquam Regi datus hie morituro 
 
 Tantus honor quantum contuHt ista dies. 
 Major enim si facta foret reverentia Regi, 
 
 Tangeret injuria pubhca forte Deum. 
 Hinc super hos cives, super urbem sic reverentem 
 
 Tarn vos quam vestros, intime condoleo ; 
 Et rogo constanter per eum quem fertis amorem 
 
 Ad me, condignum si quid amore gero, 
 Parcere dignemini plebibus, qui tanta dedere 
 
 Munera tam prompte nobis ad obsequia. 
 Et placeat veteri nunc urbem reddere juri, 
 
 Ac libertates restituisse suas." 
 
 Besponsio domini Regis ad Reginam. 
 
 " Sumo placenter," ait tunc Rex, "carissima conjux, 
 
 Queeque petita modo, nee nego quod rogitas. 
 Consessura mecum scandas dulcissima thronum, 
 
 Namque loquar populo paucula verba meo.'^ 
 Sedibus ut teneros Regina sedens locat artus, 
 
 Rege loquente, duces, plebs quoque tota silet. 
 
 Hie alloquitur Rex cives, et reddit libertates. 
 
 " Vos," ait, " o cives, vos regia gens speciaHs, 
 Nostri quos aliis plus refovere patres. 
 
 CAMD. SOC. 3. H
 
 50 RICHARDI MAYDISTON DE CONCORDIA 
 
 A^obis in hoc regno nullos fore liberiores 
 
 Constat, ct extollit vos favor hie nimium. 
 Propter opes nimias, magnos quoque propter honores, 
 
 Degenerasse potest urbs mea forte modo. 
 Nunc ubi sunt justee leges, ubi rectaque jura, 
 
 Quo timor in dominos, quo modo fugit amor ? 
 Quo bona nunc pietas, inopum protectio grata. 
 
 Quo sociaHs amor omnis abhinc periit ? 
 Quippe potest tantce fieri modo causa ruinae, 
 Qu£E generat fastum tam bona prosperitas. 
 Quod ego si scirem, sciat urbs hsec, nam bene sciret, 
 
 Urbil)us in reliquis non foret ista prior. 
 Antiquus tamen ille favor, quem pristina Regum 
 
 Approbat auctoritas, non minuetur adhuc. 
 Sentit enim vestrum mea mens per signa timorem, 
 
 Vos quoque spero per hoc ad meUora trahi. 
 Sumptus enim video vestros, data munera penso, 
 
 Conjugis atque mese pondero vakle preces. 
 Vos ideoque cavete deinceps principis iras, 
 Contemptu proceres non habetote meos. 
 Antiquam servate fidem, nova dogmata semper 
 
 Spernite, quae veteres non didicere patres. 
 Ecclesiam quoque cathoHcam defendite totam, 
 
 Non habet ilia gradum, quin colat ipse Deum. 
 Judicibus vestris insit timor Omnipotentis 
 
 Pauperis in causam, fraus mala ne veniat. 
 Sic et in urbe mea bona pax, contentio nulla, 
 
 Nee conventiculum fcederis insoliti. 
 Si nostras etenim rumor penetraverit aures, 
 Obvius hiis monitis, urbs luet, baud dubium.
 
 INTER RIC. II. ET CIVITATEM LONDON. 51 
 
 Sed modo suscipite claves, gladium quoque vestrum, 
 
 Legibus antiquis hanc regitote plebem. 
 Antea quod licuit, liceat modo, dum tamen eequum 
 
 Extiterit, solitum non variando modum. 
 Praemineat Major electus, qui regat urbem, 
 
 Regis et ut solito suppleat ille vices. 
 Vos quoque felices dulci jam pace potiti, 
 
 Pergite gaudentes ad loca quisque sua. 
 
 h 
 if 
 
 Congratulatio civium pro restitutione libertatwn, et recessus 
 
 eorum. 
 
 Gaudet ad hsec turba, prostrata ruit, jacet humo, 
 
 Acclamat laudes vocibus altisonis. 
 " Vivat Rex ! vivat semper ! vivat ! bene vivat ! 
 
 Longa sit in regno sospite vita suo ! 
 Sint sibi felices anni, mensesque, diesque, 
 
 Floreat et \actis hostibus ipse suis ! " 
 Dumque strepunt abeunt, redeunt, Regem benedicunt ; 
 
 Exitus est operi terminus iste rei.
 
 NOTES. 
 
 p. 7, 1. 14. — Hurlewaynis Kijnne. The only other instance of 
 this word that I have observed in early English poetry, occurs 
 in the prologue to the Tale of Beryn, printed at the end 
 of Urry's Chaucer. 
 
 " As Hurlewaynes meyne in every hegg that rapes." 
 
 Hurlewaynes meyne, is the Maisnie Hellequin of old French popu- 
 lar superstition, in Latin famil'ia Harlequini. The name is 
 spelt in different ways, Hellequin, Herlequin, Henequin, &c. 
 The legend was, that Charles the Fifth of France, and his men, 
 who fell all in a great battle, were condemned for their crimes 
 to wander over the world on horseback, constantly employed in 
 fighting battles. Some derived the name from that of the Em- 
 peror, Charles quint, Charlequin, Herlequin, Hellequin. Of 
 course this derivation is wrong, and the legend a fabrication of 
 later date, to explain it. See Grimm's My thologie, p. 527 ; 
 Le Roux de Lincy's Livre des Legendes, p. 148 — 150, 
 240 — 245 ; and Michel's Benoit, vol. ii. p. 33G, where in a 
 note is given a most extraordinary story about them. See also 
 Paulin Paris's Catalogue of the French Manuscripts of the 
 Bibliotheque du Roi, vol. i. p. 322—325. 
 
 P. 8, /. 18. — The Eagte is evidently Henry Duke of Lan- 
 caster, who soon after ascended the throne as Henry IV. He 
 seems to have been characterised in popular songs, sometimes 
 as a heron, at others as a falcon, <Src.
 
 54 NOTES. 
 
 P. 11, /. 27 — The MS, has hadcostis, which seems rightly cor- 
 rected by the hiter hand into a7id cost/s. 
 
 P. 12, /. 4. — The Good Greyhound. The greyhound was the 
 cognizance of the Beauforts, hut it is not very clear to whom it 
 here alludes. Perhaps it may refer to John Beaufort, Marquis 
 of Dorset, who was one of the accusers of Thomas, Duke of 
 Gloucester. 
 
 P. 12, I. 27. — A leijne tippon other, I suppose means one laid 
 upon another. 
 
 P. 13, /. 13, 14, 15, 25, 28. — There are concealed puns in 
 the words bushes, green, schroff and schroup, and bag. Sir John 
 Bushy was one of Richard's creatures, and was speaker of 
 the House of Commons in the packed Parliament which con- 
 demned the Earl of Arundel. Sir Henry Green and Sir 
 William Bagot were also two of the King's counsellors, and 
 in the songs of the time they are satirized under the titles of the 
 green and the bag, as the former is under that of the hush. The 
 15th line alludes perhaps to the Lord Treasurer, William Scrope, 
 Earl of Wiltshire, who was beheaded with Bushy and Green 
 at Bristol soon after Henry's arrival in England. The busches 
 are again alluded to in p. 17, I. 12, and the grene in p. 18, /. 9. 
 
 P. 15, I. 8. — These two legends of the deer and the partridge 
 were very popular during the middle ages, and are found in 
 the early Bestiaries. The ordinary Latin Bestiarius, com- 
 posed at an early period, and of which so many manuscripts of 
 the twelfth and thirteenth centuries are found in our Libraries, 
 o-ives the following notice of the deer. (MS. Reg. 12. c.xix.) 
 
 " De cervo. Dicuntur etiam nongentos vivere annos, atque ciim 
 infirmitate vel senectute deficere senserint, spiritu narium 
 serpentes de cavernis suis extrahunt, et superata eorum perni- 
 cie veneni pabulo reparantur," 
 
 Philip de Thaun, in his Bestiarius written in the reign of
 
 NOTES. 5,3 
 
 Henry I. (MS. Cotton, Nero, A. v. fol. o2 vo.) gives us the 
 following imperfect version of the story. 
 
 Li cers ad itel nature, si cum dit escripture, 
 Qu'il vait fosse querant u serpent sait gisant; 
 Quant truved ad serpent, en sa buche eve prent. 
 Si I'ad verset dedenz, puis fait suflemenz ; 
 Tant i sufle et alaine, fors le trait a grant peine, 
 Li cerf est curucez, puis I'ocist od ses pez. 
 
 Of the habits of the Partridge, we find the following notice 
 in the Latin Bestiary, (fol. 53, ro.) — 
 
 " De perdice. Phisiologus dicit satis astutum esse perdicem, 
 quia aliena ova diripit. . . . Adeo autem fraudulenta, ut alterius 
 perdicis ova diripiens fovet. Sed fraus fructum non habet. Nam 
 pulli, cum vocem propriae genetricis audierunt, naturali quodam 
 instinctu hanc qua? eos fovit relinquunt, et ad eam qua? eos 
 genuit revertuntur." Philip de Thaun (fol. 66, v°.) gives us 
 the following version of the story. 
 
 Perdix de oisel est nun, e pur ceo ad tel nun, 
 
 Que pert sa nureture, oez en quel mesure. 
 
 Perdix altre deceit, quant altrui os vait, 
 
 Se ele pot si's emblerat, en sun ni les metrat. 
 
 Lores les cuverat, e tant les nurirat, 
 
 Que il porrent ben manger, voler e os purchacer 
 
 Se dune oent lur pere u la voiz de la mere, 
 
 Par le voiz entendrent que de lur linage sunt. 
 
 Ices deguerpirent, ki nuriz les averent. 
 
 Pur ceo melz vait nature, que ne fait nureture 
 
 E ceo en sun escrit Jeremias nus dit, 
 
 La perdix crierat, e si asemblerat. 
 
 Ceo que altre cuvat, ki pur fol se tendrat.
 
 56 NOTES. 
 
 P. 15, /. 21 — 24. — The colt — the horse — the swan — the bear. The 
 Horse was Richard Fitz-Alan, tenth Earl of Arundel, who was 
 ))eheaded in the 21st year of the King's reign : his cognizance was 
 a horse. The Colt was his son, Thomas Fitz Alan, who came 
 with tlie Duke of Lancaster, and was restored to the earldom in 
 the first year of the following reign. The Swan was Thomas 
 Duke of Gloucester, who had been treacherously seized at 
 Pleshy, and carried to Calais, where he was murdered. The 
 Bear was Thomas de Beauchamp, fourth Earl of Warwick, 
 banished by Richard II. to the Isle of Man, but restored to his 
 honours by Henry IV. ; a bear was the cognizance of the Beau- 
 champ family. 
 
 Gower, in his Chronica Tripartita, a Latin Poem in leonine 
 hexameters on the deposition of Richard II,, constantly speaks 
 of this triumvirate by the names of the swan, the horse, and the 
 bear, and gives the following explanation in the argument or 
 title of the first book (MS. Cotton. Tiberius A. Iv. fol. 152, r\) 
 " Tres namque tunc regni nobiles super hoc specialius moti, 
 scilicet, Thomas Dux Glovernia?, qui vulgaritur dictus est cig- 
 nus, Ricardus Comes Arundellije, qui dicitur Equus, Thomas 
 Comes de Warwyk, cujus nomen Ursus." 
 
 P. 18, I. 2, the Beere. The Earl of Warwick, who had been 
 banished to the Isle of Man, was now set at liberty by the Duke 
 of Lancaster. 
 
 P. 18, I. 13. — They mouside the marchall (who) eloped the Stede. 
 Thomas de Mowbray Earl Marshal, and afterwards created 
 Duke of Norfolk, was concerned in the condemnation and exe- 
 cution of the Earl of Arundel, (his father-in-law,) of whose 
 estates he obtained a grant. 
 
 P. 19, /. 23. — Lidford Law, was proverbial for its summary 
 execution. The passage of our poem affords us the earliest al- 
 lusion to it which I have yet met with. Fuller gives the pro- 
 verb thus —
 
 NOTES. 57 
 
 " First hang and draw. 
 Then hear the cause by Lidford Law." 
 
 Lidford is a town in Devonshire, and the proverb is supposed 
 to have arisen from the severe and summary proceedings of the 
 Stannary court which was held there. A facetious ballad on 
 this town, attributed to W. Browne, is printed in the Topogra- 
 pher (vol. ii. p. 380), beginning, 
 
 " I oft have heard of Lydford Law, 
 How in the morn they hang and draw. 
 And sit in judgment after." 
 
 P. 24, I. 11, we should read, " That Wisdom." The second 
 hand has written in the margin, opposite this line, " Nota, nota, 
 nota ! " 
 
 P. 27, I. 17. — As Marche and Moubray. Roger Mortimer 
 fourth Earl of March, who was committed in ward to the Earl 
 of Arundel. John de Mowbray and Thomas de Mowbray both 
 succeeded to the title while in their minority in this reign, 
 
 P. 28, /. 12. — This was the compliant Parliament of 21 
 Ric. II., which betrayed the rights and liberties of the country 
 into the hands of the King and his favourites. The account of 
 the elections, and of the behaviour of the Parliament when as- 
 sembled, is one of the most curious parts of our poem. 
 
 P. 20, I. 5, awgrbn, or algrim, (algorithmus) the ordinary name 
 for arithmetic in the middle ages, derived from the Arabs. In 
 the same manuscript from which this poem is printed, there is 
 preserved a curious English treatise on the " craft of Algrim," 
 which begins with a derivation of the name that would be 
 worthy of the days of our most famous dictionary-makers. 
 
 " Al maner of thyngs that prosedeth flro the fl'rist begynning, 
 thoru reson of nowmbre thei where ftbrmed, and ri3th as thei 
 
 CAMD. soc. 3. I
 
 58 NOTES. 
 
 ar so to be knowyn, and tlier-fTor in knowyng of universall things 
 the art of nounbring is proffitable. But flVist it is to knowe 
 what is the name ofl' the art of nounbring, and what nounbre 
 is, and how many spisis [species] ther are of nounbre. The 
 name of this craft is in Latyn Algors'imus, and in Englis Algrim ; 
 and it is naniid off Algos, that is to say, craft, and rismus, 
 that is, nounbre, and ffor this skille it is called craft of noun- 
 bringe. Or it is named off en, that is, in, and gogos, that is, 
 ledyng, and rismus, that is nounbre, as to say, ledynge in to 
 nounbre. Or it is named after the Philozophure that ffrist 
 contrevyd it, wos name was Algus.^' etc. 
 
 P. 32. The displeasure of the King against the Londoners 
 arose from a refusal on their part to lend him a thousand 
 pounds, and their having carried their opposition so far as to 
 beat a Lombard who offered to lend it. The King imprisoned 
 the mayor and the chief men of the city, took away the charters, 
 and gave the government of London to a knight appointed by 
 himself. The King was pacified by means of the Duke of 
 Gloucester. Stow, in his Annals, gives the following account 
 of the King's reception in the Capital, which forms the subject 
 of the poem of Richard de Maidston. 
 
 " The King therefore as he came from Shine (Sheen) in 
 Surrey to London, with Queene Anne his wife, on the 29 of 
 August, the principall citizens all in one livery to the number 
 of 400 horsemen rode to meete them at Wandsworth, where in 
 most lowly wise they submitted themselves unto his grace, 
 beseeching him of his speciall pardon, in all such things, as 
 they before had offended him, and the Recorder of the Citie, 
 in the name of the whole Citizens, instantly required him, that 
 he would of his great bounty take such paine upon him as to 
 ride through his Chamber of London, to the which request he 
 graciously consented, so he held on his journey til he came to
 
 NOTES. 59 
 
 S. Georges Church in Southwarke, where they were received 
 with procession of Rohert Braybroke, Bishop of London, and 
 all the Clergie of the Citie, who conveyed them through Lon- 
 don, the Citizens of London, men, women, and children, in 
 order meeting the King at London Bridge, w here he was by 
 them presented with two faire white steedes, trapped in cloth 
 of golde, parted of red and white, hanged full of silver belles, 
 the which present he thankfully received, and after he held on 
 his way through the Citie -toward Westminster. 
 
 " And as they passed the Citie the streetes were hanged with 
 cloth of golde, silver, and silke. The conduite in Cliepe ran 
 with red and white wine, and by a childe angel -like he was 
 presented with a very costly crowne of golde, and the Queene 
 with another. A table of the Trinitie in golde was given to 
 the King, valued worth eight hundred pound, and another to 
 the Queene of S. Anne, because her name was Anne, with 
 divers other gifts, as horses, trappers, plate of gold and silver, 
 clothes of gold, silke, velvets, basons and ewers of golde, also 
 golde in coyne, precious stones, and jewels, so rich, excellent, 
 and beautifull, that the value and price might not wel be es- 
 teemed, and so the Citizens recovered their ancient custome 
 
 and liberties And it was graunted to them that they might 
 
 choose them a Maior as before time they had done." The King, 
 however, made them pay ten thousand pounds, for, as the 
 Chronicle observes, it was all a matter of money. 
 
 P. 41, I. 4. — Forum, i. e. Chepe (the Market), the name which 
 the street has preserved up to the present time. 
 
 P. 44, I. 21. — Pepulus, or pepula, the black thorn, or Sloe- 
 tree. The next word is written in the MS populos. 
 
 P. 50, I. 21. — The nova dogmata were the doctrines of the 
 WicklifTites, now springing up.
 
 GLOSSARY. 
 
 a-bated, 30, 4 ; lowered. 
 
 a-1)ouet, 29, 2 ! ; 30, 4. 
 a-forse, 28, 4; hy neces- 
 sity. 
 a^eins, against. 
 alegeaunce, allegiance. 
 als, as. 
 
 amarride, 2, 1 ; mai-red. 
 amyddis, 1,3; amidst. 
 amys, amiss. 
 and, 3, 5 ; if. 
 anewe, renew. 
 apeire, 3, 29; impair. 
 arere, back. 
 
 aschonne, to shun, avoid. 
 awgrym ,29,5; arithmetic. 
 axe, to ask. 
 
 ballid, 29, 22 ; bald. 
 
 banere, 10, 18; banner. 
 
 bated, 13, 23. 
 
 bawtid, 8, 22. 
 
 be, by. 
 
 behote, bihote, 2)romised. 
 
 belde, 8, 8; to bring help. 
 
 bene, bean. 
 
 bente, 29, 25. 
 
 be-nyme, 3, 22; to take 
 from. 
 
 berde, beard. 
 
 berdles, beardless. 
 
 berlingis, young bears. 
 
 berne, 4, 12, man, lad. 
 
 besely, busily. 
 
 besieth, biisieth. 
 
 beste, beast. 
 
 beu (beau), fair. 
 
 billis, bills. 
 
 blernyed, 13, 25. 
 
 blythid, blithed, made joy- 
 ful. 
 
 boldid, etnboldened. 
 
 boren, bore (pi). 
 
 borowe, borough. 
 
 boru, borrow. 
 
 borugh, borough, town. 
 
 bosse, 18, 6. 
 
 boun, 24, 23 ; ready. 
 
 boynard, 13, 25 ; boynar- 
 dis, 8, 5. 
 
 braste, btirst. 
 
 bred, brid, bird ; bryddis, 
 birds. 
 
 brede, breadth. 
 
 breme, 27, 4, proud. 
 
 bremme. 11,1; 12, 21 ; 
 proud, lofty, sivagger- 
 ing. The later hand 
 has invariably changed 
 this word to bryme. 
 
 breris, briars. 
 
 brodid, spread. 
 
 brome, 15, 14 ; broom. 
 
 broud, 18, 2. 
 
 browet, 10, 3. 
 
 burgeis, burgesses. 
 
 burnes, barons, fellows. 
 
 burnesse, baronage, no- 
 bility. 
 
 busshid, 9, 21 ; busked (?) 
 
 busshinge, busking (?) 
 
 but, 10, 23 ; 17, 4 ; unless. 
 
 caringe, taking care. 
 caris, cares. 
 carpinge, conversing, 
 cautel, craft. (In theMS. 
 
 it is so explained by the 
 
 later hand.) 
 y-charchid, charged. 
 chaunchyth, change. 
 cheff, chief. 
 chekonys, chickens. 
 cherichen, cherish. 
 cherliche, dearly. 
 chese, choose. 
 chesse, chose. 
 cheynes, chains. 
 chele, cold. 
 clepen, clepe, to call, part, 
 
 cleped, 1,4; clepid, 17, 
 
 7 ; y-clepid, 25, 6. 
 
 eloped, clipped. 
 
 coile, 21, 19 ; choose. 
 
 colis, 28, 6. 
 
 colys, coals. 
 
 comsith, 21, 9 ; comsid, 
 28, 17, to begin, com- 
 mence. 
 
 comynliche, commonly. 
 
 contre, country. 
 
 corette, to correct. 
 
 costened, cost. 
 
 costis, regions. 
 
 costis, costs, expense. 
 
 cotis, coats. 
 
 coude, 18, 14 ; knew. 
 
 cougioun, 16, 11. 
 
 coujthe, 3, 5 ; knew how. 
 
 countis, accounts. 
 
 coveitise, covetousness. 
 
 cowde, could. 
 
 coyfFes, 25, 20 ; coifs. 
 
 crasid, 4, 21 ; 6, 24 ; 
 crushed (?) 
 
 oreaunce, credit. 
 
 crokk, 10, 4 ; the pitcher. 
 
 culorum, 3, 28 ; 29, 13. 
 
 dagges, 21, 12; slips, 
 
 shreds. 
 daies, 24, 1 ; dais (?) 
 dawis, days. 
 dede, did. 
 dees, 5, 2; dice (?) 
 dell, part. 
 demen, deme, to judge, 
 
 hence doom. 
 demer, judge. 
 derid, hurt, harmed. 
 derklich, darkly. 
 derne, secret. 
 deyntis, 24, 4 ; dainties. 
 dignesse, worthiness. 
 discryve, 5, 7 ; describe.
 
 GLOSSARY. 
 
 Gl 
 
 do, 8, 1 ; done. 
 Dogonys, 26, 20. 
 domes, judgments. 
 domes cart, 19, 15; hang- 
 man's cart. 
 y-dountid, feared. 
 Aouiieih, feareth. 
 dradde, dreaded. 
 drawte, draught. 
 drede, dread. 
 dyme, 27, 25; a tenth. 
 dyntis, dints, blows. 
 
 eeris, ears. 
 
 elde, old age. 
 
 elderne, 6, 19 ; older. 
 
 eliche, 6, 20 ; alike. 
 
 ellis, else. 
 
 er, before. 
 
 ese, 9, 28 ; ease. 
 
 eye, 8, 18 ; dread, fear. 
 
 eyere, 13, 6; overseer (J) 
 
 eylid, 9, 28 ; ailed. 
 
 eyne, eyes. 
 
 eyren, 16, 16 ; eggs. 
 
 fa.\\e, fallen. 
 
 faukyn, falcon. 
 
 fauutis, fav;tis, faults. 
 
 feblen, become weak. 
 
 feedryn, fedris, 13, 8 ; 9 ; 
 feathers. 
 
 feet, fetched. 
 
 tele, feel. 
 
 felle, many. 
 
 felle, skin. 
 
 felliche, cruelly. 
 
 fer, far. 
 
 fere, mate, companion. 
 
 fers, fierce. 
 
 ferde, fared, went. 
 
 ferkyd, 17, 27 ; hantened. 
 
 y-ffeyned, fained, pre- 
 tended. 
 
 ffryth, frith. 
 
 fode, child, man. 
 
 fodid, bred up. 
 
 foltheed, 8, 16. 
 
 folwyd, 10, 13 ; failed, 
 deserted. 
 
 foWyn, folloiv. 
 
 fongen, take (pi.) 
 
 foodis, children, lads. 
 
 {oole, fowls. 
 
 forckis, 8,3; gallows 
 
 fordid, 3, 6 ; apparently 
 aa error for fondid, 
 tried. 
 
 fordoth, undo, destroy, 
 debase. 
 
 formed, informed. 
 
 forweyned, weaned badly, 
 corrupted in the wean- 
 ing. 
 
 foulyd, 13, 18 ; fowled. 
 
 foyne, 19, 28 ; pole-cat. 
 
 ireUe, frail. 
 
 freted, 12, 18 ; eaten. 
 
 irist, first. 
 
 furris, furs. 
 
 fyndytli, 29, 3 ; support, 
 keep. 
 
 jaf, gave. 
 
 jatis, gates. 
 
 gayes, 11, 15. The later 
 hand correctsit to days, 
 but the alliteration 
 • shows it to be right. 
 
 ^ere, year, (pi. 3eris.) 
 
 gery, 19, 8. 
 
 gestis, deeds. 
 
 jeve, to give. 
 
 ^eYjnge, giving. 
 
 gie, gye, 2, 27 ; 24, 12 ; 
 to guide, govern. The 
 verb, as well as the 
 noun, occurs in the ro- 
 mance of Alexander. 
 See gioure, below. 
 
 jif, if 
 
 gioure, 2, 14 ; a guider, 
 
 governor. 
 jiste, 11, 17. 
 
 glade, 2, 25 ; to take com- 
 fort. 
 gode, good. 
 gomes, 13, 14 ; men. 
 30ure, your ; jouris, 
 
 yours. 
 gost, spirit, mind. 
 grame, 2, 26 ; to be angry. 
 y-grave, engraved. 
 
 grennes, 14, 19. The later 
 hand explains the word 
 by greyhoundes. 
 
 grett, great. 
 
 grevis, griefs, grievances. 
 
 grott, 2, 20 ; a groat, (pi. 
 grotus, 17, 19.) 
 
 grucchen, 2, 20; to grudge. 
 
 grucchinge, 23, 4 ; 
 grudging. 
 
 gylours, beguilers, de- 
 ceivers. 
 
 gyside, 20, 7 ; to lie. 
 
 gyuleris, guilers. 
 
 hales, 22, 8 ; tents. 
 
 ban, have, pi. 
 
 hansell, 30, 14. 
 
 haras, 15, 22 ; stud of 
 colts. 
 
 hamesse, 5, 10; armour. 
 
 hassellis, 9, 7. 
 
 hautesse, highness, great- 
 ness. 
 
 hauntelere, 12, 19 ; ant- 
 lered, or better deer. 
 
 hayle schouris, 5, 10; 
 hail-showers. 
 
 heed, head. 
 
 y-heedyd, headed. 
 
 heere, hair. 
 
 heeris, 18, 8 ; heirs (?) 
 
 heipeth,16,8; crowdethQ) 
 
 heires, 16, 8 ; eggs (?) 
 
 hele, health, prosperity. 
 
 hende, gentle. 
 
 hente, to take. 
 
 herborowe, harbour. 
 
 here, their. 
 
 heme, corner. 
 
 hertis, harts. 
 
 hette, command. 
 
 hetith, 16, 8 ; warmeth (?) 
 
 heyer, 17, 11. 
 
 hiUe, 25, 26. 
 
 hirte, hurt. 
 
 ho, ivho. 
 
 hobbis, 7, 14 ; clow7is (?) 
 
 holtes, woods. 
 
 honde, 3, 9; hondis, 19, 
 16; hand. 
 
 hoole , whole.
 
 62 
 
 GLOSSARY 
 
 homes, 19, 18. 
 y-hotte, bidden. 
 hovyn, 13, 7 ; to hover ; 
 hoved, 1-1,7; hovered. 
 hue, 10", 16. 
 hurlle, 15, 22 ; jostle. 
 hy, hiyh ; hieste, highest. 
 
 hyiy. I'i'jf'iy- 
 
 ich, each. 
 
 ichouae, each one, every 
 one. 
 
 jaces, 19, 8. 
 jette, 20, 7. 
 jewis, 26, 10. 
 
 kareyne, carrion. 
 
 karis, cares. 
 
 kayseceris, Ccesars, em- 
 perors, lords, rulers. 
 
 kevere, discover. 
 
 kew kaw, 24, 28. 
 
 kunne (I), I know. 
 
 kunnynge, knoivledge. 
 
 kuyttis, kites. 
 
 kynde, nature. 
 
 kynne, /iitni I g, kindred. 
 
 kynne, nature, kind; what 
 kynnes coaceyll, 9, I, 
 council oy what kind. 
 
 lacchide, blamed. 
 
 ladde, led. 
 
 ladde, lads, people. 
 
 lafte, left. 
 
 Iau3te, 13, 20 ; y-lau^te, 
 14, 4 ; 26, 6 ; caught. 
 
 leddjn, lead. 
 
 lede, people. 
 
 leder, leader. 
 
 leaf, 4, 17 ; dear, what 
 one ought to be delight- 
 ed in. 
 
 leef , a leaf. 
 
 leesinge, 20, 6. 
 
 lele, loyal. 
 
 lelly, loyally. 
 
 leme, 13, 17 ; bright- 
 ness (?) 
 
 lendys, loins. 
 
 lenger, longer. 
 
 leodis, 8, 11; people, ladi. 
 
 lese, 12, 5 ; leash. 
 
 lette, omit. 
 
 lette, to hinder; letted, 
 
 hindered. 
 leve, believe. 
 leve, live. 
 
 leved, 16, 25 ; they lived (?) 
 levere, leverey, levere3, 
 
 livery. 
 leveste, 7nost tvillingly, 
 
 the rather. 
 levyd, believed. 
 levynge, living. 
 lewde, unlearned, the 
 
 laity. 
 lewte, loyalty. 
 leyne, 12, 27 ; laid. 
 liage, 2, 10 ; liege. 
 lite, little. 
 loby, 14, 1. 
 loggen, lodge. 
 loke, to look. 
 y-loke, locked. 
 londe, land, earth. 
 lonyd, 25, 10, 
 lore, doctrine. 
 lorell, a vile person. 
 
 Chaucer, in Boethius, 
 
 translates perditissi- 
 
 mum. quemquehy every 
 
 lorell. 
 lustus, lusts. 
 lusty, pleasant. 
 lyfflode, livelihood. 
 lyghtlich, lightly. 
 lykynge, pleasure. 
 lymmes, limbs. 
 y-lyste, 4," 17 ; listed, 
 
 taken. 
 
 maddid, 6, 17 ; 12, 23; 
 
 maddened. 
 mafflid, 29, 15. 
 mals, 8, 6. 
 mede, meed, reward. 
 mellid, mised. 
 mene, household (mais- 
 
 nie, Fr.; 
 merke, mark. 
 messe, 1,1, mass. 
 meuve, 2, 17 ; move (?) 
 nieviuge, niooving (iche 
 
 meviuge ffote, every 
 
 move of the foot.) 
 miehe, much. 
 mo, more. 
 molde, earth. 
 moppis, 24, 5 ; fools. 
 mouside, 18, 13. 
 mowe, may. 
 mowtynge, molting. 
 y-mummyd, 26, 7. 
 mwse, 5,5; muse. 
 my^th, might. 
 myjthen, they might. 
 mynged, 7, 27; meddled, 
 
 mixed, (perhaps it may 
 
 an error for mynded). 
 mystir-meun, 26, 5. 
 nadde {contracted from 
 
 nehadde) had not. 
 nas (ne was), was not. 
 ne, nor, not. 
 neft, 6, 5. 
 nempne, to name, nemp- 
 
 ned, said, told, named. 
 nere, nearer. 
 newed, renewed. 
 neweth, 3, 23 •,annoy (pi.) 
 nolde (ne wolde), would 
 
 not. 
 nolle, 5, 16 ; 4, 12 ; head. 
 non, no. 
 not, 16, 12. 
 nother, nor. 
 
 noyed, annoyed, injured. 
 noyes, 3, 23; annoyances. 
 ny, nigh, near. 
 nyeth, approaches. 
 nyhed, approached. 
 nys {ne. is), is not. 
 nysete, nicety. 
 nyst (ne wyst) , knew not. 
 
 oilles, 21,5. 
 
 00, one. 
 
 ony, any. 
 
 onys, once. 
 
 or, before. 
 
 oute, 3, 3 ; ought. 
 
 panne, scull, head. 
 panteris, 14, 18 ; nets. 
 paragals, 6, 25 ; peers, 
 companions.
 
 GLOSSARY. 
 
 63 
 
 parceit, 2, 2 ; perception. 
 
 parle, speak. 
 
 patthis, paths. 
 
 peere, 3, 29 ; a pear. 
 
 pees, peace. 
 
 pens-lac, 19, 20 ; lack of 
 pence, or money. 
 
 perlis of prise, valuable 
 pearls. 
 
 perte, 30, 11 ; party (?) 
 
 persith, pierces. 
 
 pesinge, piecing. 
 
 pete, pity. 
 
 peynte, painted. 
 
 pillynge, robbing. 
 
 pipoudris, 25, 19; courts 
 of pipouders were held 
 at fairs, markets, &c. 
 for the speedy judging 
 of offences, or disputes, 
 arising there. SeeSpel- 
 man's Glossary, in v. 
 Pedis pulverisati Curia. 
 
 pirith, peeps. 
 
 ■p\e\\A, pleaded. 
 
 plewme, 13, 24; plume. 
 
 pleyne, complain. 
 
 plomayle,9, \A; feathers. 
 
 plytis, pleats. 
 
 pol, head. 
 
 poure, to pore. 
 
 pray, prey. 
 
 precyth, 16, 13 ; presseth 
 
 preiere, prayer. 
 
 preifis, 2, 2 ; proofs, ex- 
 perience. 
 
 preise, pi'aise. 
 
 preve, to prove. 
 
 preysing, 5, 1. 
 
 prien, topry. 
 
 Tprophete, prof t. 
 
 propurtis, properties. 
 
 pulter, 13, 26. 
 
 purraile, 13, 26; the 
 common 2^^op^^^ '^^ 
 poor. 
 
 pynnyd, 13,26; torment- 
 ed, pained {:) 
 
 y-pynned, 13, 9 ; penned. 
 
 queme, 20, 24 ; to please. 
 rabeyn, 13, 20. 
 
 rafte, 4, 19 ; deprived, 
 
 taken away. 
 rapely, 1, 13 ; hastily. 
 rascaile, 12, 10, 20 ; the 
 
 lower orders. 
 ray, array, garb. 
 realles, royals, [regales.) 
 rial, 26, 10; royal, {re- 
 
 galis.) 
 realte, royalty. 
 reccheles, reckless. 
 recchith, they reck, care. 
 reclayme, 14, 13 ; brought 
 
 back ; as a hawk in fal- 
 conry, 
 rede, counsel. 
 redeles, 4, 14 ; counsel- 
 
 less, whofollou'snogood 
 
 advice. 
 rede, 3,10; to read. 
 redely, readily. 
 reden, rode (pi.) 
 reede, counsel. 
 renke, 9, 13 ; man. 
 rentis, takes. 
 renne, to run. 
 reot, riot. 
 repreff, reproof. 
 reremys, 24, 1 ; rere- 
 
 mice, bats. 
 resceyte, 11,19; receipt. 
 reweth, rue (imperat.) 
 rewis, 3, 10 ; rows, lines. 
 rewme, realm. 
 rewthe, ruth. 
 reyne-bowe, rainbow. 
 riall, royal. 
 rigge, back. 
 rijtjrn (rijten), 1, 13; to 
 
 right. 
 risen, to rise. (pret. rosse, 
 
 1, 13.) 
 rith, right. 
 rofF, roof. 
 rotus, roots. 
 roune, 8, 14; cry, speak, 
 
 murmur. 
 routus, 4, 29 ; routs. 
 ryff, 8, 14; rife, frequent. 
 
 saff, safe. 
 
 saff, save, except. 
 
 sallere, salary, wages. 
 
 savere, 3, 11 ; smell (?) 
 
 sawis, 1,8; sayings. 
 
 schenshepe, destruction, 
 ruin. 
 
 schoppe, 22, 20 ; chop (?) 
 
 schore, score. 
 
 schrapid, scraped. 
 
 schrevys, sheriffs. 
 
 schrewe, shrew. 
 
 schrewed, cursed. 
 
 schroff, 13, 15. 
 
 schroup, 13, 15. 
 
 scorte, 21, 13. By the 
 later hand explained by 
 scorne. 
 
 se, see. 
 
 secheth, seeketh. 
 
 seie, 24, 22 ; seen, 
 
 seimtis, 19, 18. 
 
 sekirly, surely. 
 
 selcouthe, iconderful, 
 strhnge. 
 
 selde, seldom. 
 
 sellynge, 27, 21 ; sealing. 
 
 semble, 30, 8 ; assembly. 
 
 sembled, 2, 4 ; assembled. 
 
 served, 14, 16; deserved. 
 
 servnd, 9, 10; 29, 11 ; de- 
 served. 
 
 shente, ruined, destroyed, 
 spilt. 
 
 sibbe, relationship. 
 
 side, 28, 10; wide (?) 
 
 sijth, sight. 
 
 sir, a lord, pi. siris, lords. 
 
 skathed, injured. 
 
 skylle, 11, 26; cause. 
 
 slaveyn, 22, 26 ; a kind 
 of mantle. 
 
 sieves, sleeves. 
 
 solas, 5, 12 ; solace. 
 
 soleyne, sullen. 
 
 sonde, 2, 20 ; a send, the 
 thing sent. 
 
 sondis, messages. 
 
 sorwed, sorrowed, la- 
 mented. 
 
 sothe, truth, sooth. 
 
 sourden (pret. .sourdid, 1, 
 5); to spring, proceed. 
 
 sovereynes, 28, 14; pro.
 
 64 
 
 GLOSSARY. 
 
 vosts, or may 01 s, sec 
 Sir F. Maddeu's Glos- 
 sary to William and 
 the Werwolf. 
 
 sowid, 11, 23. The later 
 hand explains it by 
 shetced. 
 
 sowkid, 27, 19 ; slicked, 
 di~unk in. 
 
 stable, to become firm. 
 
 stablithe, becomes firm. 
 
 statt, state. 
 
 stered, stirred. 
 
 stonyed, astonished. 
 
 strake, stroke. 
 
 strie, to destroy. 
 
 stronte, 21, 8 ; to rant (?) 
 
 stronters, 23, 28 ; ran- 
 ters (?) 
 
 strountynge, 18,29; 19, 
 12; 20,25; ranting (?) 
 
 stroyeth, destroy eth. 
 
 styflfe, to become strong. 
 
 st3Tited, stopped, ended. 
 
 suget, subject. 
 
 sum, some. 
 
 swiche, such. 
 
 swythe, quickly. 
 
 tabre, a tabour, a small 
 
 drum. 
 tent, 11, 13; 18 ; entent. 
 tenyd, injured, hurt. 
 the, thee. 
 ther, there, where. 
 the, they. 
 tho, then. 
 thoru, through. 
 throfF, throve. 
 thynthith, 19, 2; thinketh 
 tillers, husbandmen. 
 to, too. 
 
 tolled, collected. 
 traylid, 6, 1. 
 trefte, 6, 1. 
 tresour, treasure. 
 triacle, 13, 12 ; remedy, 
 
 medicine. 
 trien, 11, 6 ; ^o try. 
 
 tristi, trusty. 
 
 tristith, triist (imperat.) 
 
 trusse, 22, 18 ; truss, 
 pack off. 
 
 tweyne, two, ttvain. 
 
 twynte, 17, 18 ; a jot. In 
 the prologue to the tale 
 of Beryn, Urry's Chau- 
 cer, p. 598, we have 
 
 " So he that payd for all in 
 feer had not a iwynt." 
 
 tymed, 17, 18. 
 
 usyn, they use, 
 uttere, fiurther out, 
 
 venyax, poison, 
 
 wacche, watch. 
 
 waite, 3, 1 ; 7,6; to think 
 on, consider, watch 
 (part, waytid, 3, 18.) 
 
 walmed, 18, 22. 
 
 waltrid, 14, 20 ; weltred. 
 
 walwed, wallowed. 
 
 wardis, — to him-wardis, 
 towards him. 
 
 ware, aioare, careful 
 against. 
 
 warie, warne. 
 
 wattis, 29, 1. 
 
 wayve, to remove (their 
 fears) . 
 
 wecchis, 27, 3. 
 
 wedde, to gage, bet. 
 
 weddis, 25, 9 ; pledges, 
 forfeits (?) 
 
 wede, raiment. 
 
 welden, 29, 4 ; welldith, 
 24, 26 ; to possess, en- 
 joy- 
 
 welle, iveal, prosperity. 
 
 weneth, thinketh. 
 
 werche, to work. 
 
 weren, were (pi.) 
 
 werre, ivar. 
 
 werren, werre, to make 
 war ; {pret. werrid, 
 1, 10.) 
 
 wesshe, washed. 
 
 wexe, grew. 
 
 whare, wares. 
 
 whedir, whether. 
 
 whore, 12, 19 ; were. 
 
 wilne, to will f?) 
 
 winneth, gains. 
 
 wissen, 2, 16; to teach. 
 
 witt, wit, wisdom; [pi. 
 wittis,) 2, 1, 
 
 witterly, certainly, truly. 
 
 wo, woe. 
 
 woll wo, very woeful, 
 
 wone, a dwelling, 
 
 woneth, dwelleth, 
 
 wonne, to dwell. 
 
 wost, 2, 12 ; knew, 
 
 woves, 14, 11 ; waves? or 
 qu. uwnes ? 
 
 y-worewid, 17, 9 ; wor- 
 ried. 
 
 wrake, wrong, more pro- 
 perly vengeance. 
 
 wrath [e], to make angry. 
 
 writte, 2, 16 ; a writing, 
 
 written, 2, 16; to write; 
 (part, write, 4, 2.) 
 
 wronge, wrongs, pi. 1, 13. 
 
 wroute, wrought, 
 
 wrye, go aside, 
 
 wullus, wools, 
 
 wuste, knew. 
 
 wy, (A. S.wig.) 24,17; 
 26 ; man. 
 
 w^ght, man, person, 
 
 wyle, while. 
 
 wylis, wiles. 
 
 wyteth, know. 
 
 wyttyn, to know, 
 
 yeme, 7, 13 ; guide or 
 
 rule. 
 yeme, desire. 
 ynne, in. 
 
 ynned, 19, 13 ; lodged. 
 ynow, enough, 
 youghe, youth. 
 yvell, evil. 
 
 J. B. NICHOLS AND SON, 25, PARLIAMENT- STREJET. 
 
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