Ecce viri confluunt undique raptores;
      Ecce pacis pereunt legisque latores;

          Asez i ad des orphanins grant doel demenanz,
          Ke lur parenz sunt mis à fins, dunt il en sunt dolenz,
          Cil ki en comencent furent mult pussanz,
          Sunt suzmis à le espeye, e plorent li parenz.

          Li enfanz felons s’en vunt la povere gent preer;
          Li riches à tort enrichiz sunt de autri aver;
          A peine i ad haute home ki cesse mal penser;
          De hayne sunt haitez li felons esquier.

          De tote parz venent li bers ravisanz;
          Ore perissent de pes e de la ley li sustenanz;

      Dogmata despiciunt truces hii tortores,
      Et prodesse nequeunt sancti confessores.

      Hii converti respuunt virtute sermonum,
      Neque curam capiunt de vita vironum;
      Omnes simul rapiunt, ut mos est prædonum.
      Hiis vindictam ingere, Deus ultionum!

          Enseignement refusent ces cruels tormentanz,
          Espleyt ne poent fere cil ki vunt prechanz.

          Si il se ne volent amender pur dit ne pur fesance,
          Mès pur tuer quant ont poer ben ont la voillance;
          Trestuz en funt ravine, de Deu n’en ont dotance.
          Cels metez à declin, sire Deu de venjance!

  TRANSLATION.--Charity is wounded, love is sick; perfidy reigns,
  and malice is engendered. The fraud of the rulers prevails,
  peace is trodden under foot; faith fettered in prison is very
  desolate.--At present, a writing is of no use; but right and
  law lie as it were asleep, and the care of the wicked race is
  blind, it has not sufficient foresight to fear the future.--The
  sons of iniquity crush those who resist; the peace of the church
  perishes, and the proud reign. The wicked prelates support this
  state of things by their supineness, for they refuse to suffer
  death for justice.--Peace being altogether overthrown, love is
  cooled; all the land of England is moist with weeping, and all
  friendship and kindness has disappeared; all seek consolation
  and quiet.--The little orphans lament the loss of their father,
  and, deprived of their mother, they sorrow in the midst of
  hunger; they who at first were very powerful, now fall by the
  sword, and their parents weep.--Lo! wicked children rob the
  poor; lo! the wealth of the rich is increased by exacting gifts;
  almost all the nobles spend their time in contriving evil; the
  mad esquires delight in malice.--Lo! the rapacious men appear
  on every side; lo! the supporters of peace and justice perish;
  these cruel butchers despise doctrine, and the holy preachers
  have no effect.--These men will not be amended by the force of
  sermons; nor do they make any account of the lives of men; they
  all plunder together, like robbers. Take vengeance upon them, O
  God of vengeance.

One of the legacies which St. Louis left to Christendom was the
number of new orders of monks which had been created during his
reign and by his encouragement. They soon spread from France into
England; but they were very far from being popular in either
country, and were the constant butt of the gibes and jokes of
the poets. The following is a bitter satire upon the different
orders of monks in England in the reign of Edward I. The idea of
caricaturing them by feigning one order which should unite the
different characteristic vices of all the others, was not new.

THE ORDER OF FAIR-EASE.

[MS. Harl. No. 2253, fol. 121 r^o. Reign of Ed. II.]

      Qui vodra à moi entendre,
      Oyr purra e aprendre
      L’estoyre de un Ordre novel,
      Qe mout est delitous e bel:
      Je le vus dirroi come l’ay apris
      Des freres de mon pays.
      L’Ordre est si foundé à droit,
      Qe de tous ordres un point estroit,
      N’i ad ordre en cest mound
      Dont si n’i ad ascun point.               10
      Le noun de l’Ordre vus vueil dyre,
      Qe um ne me pust blamer de lire;
      Qy oyr velt si se teyse,
      C’est le Ordre de Bel-Eyse.
      De l’Ordre vus dirroi la sonme;
      Quar en l’Ordre est meint prodhonme,
      E meinte bele e bone dame.
      En cel Ordre sunt sanz blame
      Esquiers, vadletz, e serjauntz;
      Mès à ribaldz e à pesauntz                20
      Est l’Ordre del tot defendu,
      Qe jà nul ne soit rescu.
      Quar il frount à l’Ordre hounte.
      Quant rybaud ou vyleyn mounte
      En hautesse ou baylie,
      Là oû il puet aver mestrie,
      N’i ad plus de mesure en eux
      Qe al le luop qe devoure aigneux.
      De cele gent lerroi ataunt,
      E de le Ordre dirroi avaunt.              30
        En cel Ordre dount je vus dy,
      Est primes issi estably,
      Que ceux qe à l’Ordre serrount,
      De Sympringham averount
      Un point, qe bien pleysant serra,
      Come l’abbeie de Sympringham a,
      Freres e sueres ensemble;
      C’est bon Ordre, come me semble.
      Mès de tant ert changié, pur veyr,
      Q’à Sympringham doit aver                 40
      Entre les freres e les sorours,
      Qe desplest à plusours,
      Fossés e murs de haute teyse;
      Mès en cet Ordre de Bel-Eyse
      Ne doit fossé ne mur aver,
      Ne nul autre destourber,
      Qe les freres à lur pleysyr
      Ne pussent à lor sueres venyr,
      E qu’il n’eit point de chalaunge.
      Jà n’i avera ne lyn ne launge             50
      Entre eux, e si le peil y a,
      Jà pur ce ne remeindra.
      De yleoque est ensi purveu,
      Qe cil q’à l’Ordre serrount rendu,
      De l’abbé deyvent bien estre:
      E ce comaund nostre mestre,
      Pur bien manger e à talent
      Treis foiz le jour, e plus sovent.
      E s’il le font pur compagnye,
      Le Ordre pur ce ne remeindra mie.         60
        De Beverleye ont un point treit,
      Qe serra tenu bien e dreit,
      Pur beyvre bien à mangier,
      E pus après desqu’à soper;
      E après al collacioun,
      Deit chescun aver un copoun
      De chandelle long desqu’al coute,
      E tant come remeindra goute
      De la chandeille à arder
      Deivent les freres à beyvre ser.          70
        Un point unt tret de Hospitlers,
      Qe sunt mult corteis chevalers,
      E ount robes bien avenauntz,
      Longes desqu’al pié traynantz,
      Soudlers e chausés bien séantz,
      E gros palefrois bien amblantz;
      Si deyvent en nostre Ordre aver
      Les freres e sueres, pur veyr.
        De Chanoynes ont un point pris,
      Qu’en l’Ordre ert bien assis;             80
      Quar chanoygnes pur grant peyne
      Mangent en la symeygne
      Char en le refreitour treis jours;
      Auxi deyvent nos sorours
      E nos freres chescun jour
      Char mangier en refreitour,
      Fors le vendredi soulement,
      E le samadi ensement.
      E si issint avenist
      Q’al samadi hoste fust,                   90
      E l’em ne ust plenté de pesshon,
      L’estor qe fust en la mesoun
      Purreint il par congié prendre,
      Jà l’Ordre ne serra le meindre.
        Un point ont tret de Moyne Neirs,
      Que volenters beyvent, pur veyrs,
      E sount cheschun jour yvre,
      Quar ne sevent autre vivre;
      Mès il le fount pur compagnie,
      E ne mie pur glotonie.                   100
      Auxi est il purveu
      Que chescun frere soit enbu,
      De jour en jour tot adès
      Devant manger e après.
      E si il avenist ensi
      Qe à frere venist amy,
      Dount se deyvent ensorter
      Pur les freres solacer,
      Qui savera bien juer le seyr;
      Ce vus di-je de veir,                    110
      Yl dormira grant matinée,
      Desque la male fumée
      Seit de la teste issue,
      Pur grant peril de la vewe.
        Des Chanoygnes Seculers,
      Qe dames servent volenters,
      Ont nos mestres un point treit,
      E vueillent qe cel point seit
      Bien tenuz e bien uséez;
      Quar c’est le point, bien sachez,        120
      Que pluz ad en l’Ordre mester,
      Pur les freres solacer.
      Si est, sur eschumygement,
      Comaundé molt estroitement,
      Que chescun frere à sa sorour
      Deit fere le giw d’amour
      Devant matines adescement,
      E après matines ensement;
      E s’il le fet avant son departyr
      Troiz foiz à soun pleysyr,               130
      Jà le frere blame ne avera,
      Ne le Ordre enpeyré serra.
        Gris Moignes sunt dure gent,
      E de lur ordre nequedent
      Vueillent nos mestres pur grever
      L’Ordre un des lur poyntz aver;
      E si n’est geres corteis,--
      Quar à matines vont sanz breys.
      Auxi deyvent nos freres fere,
      Pur estre prest à lur affere.            140
      E quant il fount nul oreysoun,
      Si deyvent estre à genulloun,
      Pur aver greindre devocioun
      A fere lur executioun.
      E ou un seyn sonnent santz plus,
      C’est lur ordre e lur us:--
      Mès nos freres pur doubler,
      Ou deus seynz deyvent soner.
      De taunt est nostre Ordre dyvers,
      Qe no sueres deyvent envers              150
      Gysyr e orer countre-mount,
      Par grant devocioun le fount.
        Issi pernent en pacience,
      C’est point de l’Ordre de Cilence;
      Chaichons est bon ordre, sanz faile,
      N’est nul des autres qe taunt vayle;--
      Pur ce vueillent ascun point trere
      De cel ordre à nostre affere.
      Chescun est en sa celle enclos,
      Pur estre soul en repos;                 160
      Auxi deyvent nos freres estre,
      Si doit chescun à sa fenestre
      Del herber aver pur solas,
      E sa suere entre ces bras,
      E estre enclos privément,
      Pur survenue de la gent.
        Ne devomz pas entreoublier,
      Si nostre ordre deit durer,
      Les Frere Menours à nul suer,
      Qe Dieu servent de bon cuer;             170
      Si devomz ascun point aver
      De lur ordre, pur mieux valer.
      Lur ordre est fondé en poverte,
      Pur quei yl vont la voie apierte
      En ciel tot plenerement;
      Si vus dirroi bien coment
      Yl querent poverte tot dis;
      Quaunt il vont par le pays,
      Al chief baroun ou chivaler
      Se lerrount il herberger,                180
      Ou à chief persone ou prestre,
      Là ou il purrount acese estre;
      Mès par Seint Piere de Ronme,
      Ne se herbigerount ou povre honme,--
      Taunt come plus riches serrount,
      Ostiel plustost demanderount.
      Ne ne deyvent nos freres fere
      Ostiel, ne autre lyu quere,
      Fors là ou il sevent plenté,
      E là deyvent en charité                  190
      Char mangier e ce qu’il ount,
      Auxi come les Menours fount.
        Pus qe avomz des menours,
      Auxi averomz des Prechours;
      Ne vont come les autres nuyz péez
      Eynz vont precher tot chaucéez,
      E s’il avient ascune feez
      Qu’il seient malades as piés,
      Yl purrount, s’il ount talent,
      Chevalcher tot plenerement               200
      Tote la jornée entière.
      Mès tot en autre manere
      Deyvent nos freres fere,
      Quant il prechent par la terre;
      Car il deyvent tot adès
      Tot dis chevalcher loinz e près:
      E quant il fount nul sermoun,
      Si deyvent estre dedenz mesoun.
      E tote foiz après manger
      Deyvent il de dreit precher;             210
      Quar meint honme est de tiele manere,
      Qu’il ad le cuer pluz dur qe piere,
      Mès quant il avera ankes bu
      Tost avera le Ordre entendu,
      E les cuers serront enmoistez,
      De plus leger serrount oyez,
      Qe à l’Ordre se rendrount
      Quant le sermon oy averont.
        Ensi est nostre ordre foundé,
      E si ount nos freres en pensée,          220
      Qe chescun counté doit aver
      Un abbé, qe eit poer
      A receyvre sueres e freres,
      E fere e tenyr ordres pleneres,
      E qe les pointz seient tenuz
      Qe nos mestres ount purveuz.
      Un provyncial en la terre
      Doit aler e enquere,
      Pur saver qy l’Ordre tendra.
      E cely qe le enfreindra,                 230
      Serra privément chastié,
      E de son meffet reprové.
      E ceux qe serront trovez
      Qe l’Ordre averount bien usez,
      Si deyvent pur lur humilité
      Estre mis en digneté,
      E serrount abbés ou priours
      A tenyr l’Ordre en honeurs.
      Issi fount les Augustyns,
      Qe tant sevent de devyns;                240
      Par tot enquergent pleynement
      Qy tienent l’Ordre lealment,
      E ceux qe l’Ordre tendrount
      Par tot loé serrount.
        Atant fine nostre Ordre,
      Q’à touz bonz ordres se acorde,
      E c’est l’Ordre de Bel-Eyse,
      Qe à plusours trobien pleyse!

  TRANSLATION.--He who will listen to me, may hear and learn the
  history of a new Order, which is very pleasant and beautiful:
  I will tell it you as I have learnt it from the brethren of my
  country. The Order is so cleverly founded, that it takes a point
  from all the other orders; there is not an order in this world,
  of which there is not there some one point. The name of the Order
  I will tell you, that I may not be blamed for what I read; he
  who will hear, let him be silent, it is the Order of Fair-Ease.
  Of this Order I will tell you the sum; for in the order is many
  a worthy fellow, and many a fair and good dame. In this Order
  there are without blame, esquires, valets, and serjeants; but
  to ribalds and to peasants the Order is entirely forbidden,
  so that no one may be received into it. For they would bring
  disgrace upon the Order. When ribald or vilein mounts to high
  place or office, there where he can have power, there is no more
  moderation in them than in the wolf which devours lambs. Of such
  people I will say no more, but I will go on to talk about the
  Order.

  In this Order of which I tell you, it is first ordained thus,
  that those who shall belong to the Order, shall have one point
  of Sempringham, which will be very agreeable, as the Abbey of
  Sempringham has, brothers and sisters together; it is a good
  Order, as it seems to me. But so far, in truth, it is changed,
  that at Sempringham there must be between the brothers and the
  sisters (a thing which displeases many,) ditches and walls of
  high measure; but in this Order of Fair-Ease there must be
  neither ditch nor wall, nor any other impediment, to hinder
  the brethren at their pleasure from visiting the sisters, nor
  shall there be any watch-word. Their intimacy shall neither be
  separated by linen nor wool, or even by their very skins. From
  thence also it is provided, that they who shall enter the Order,
  must be well entertained by the abbot: and this our master
  commands, to eat well and plentifully three times a day, and
  oftener. And if they do it for company, the Order on that account
  shall not be the worse.

  Of Beverley they have taken a point, which shall be kept well
  and accurately, to drink well at their meat, and then afterwards
  until supper; and afterwards at the collation, each must have
  a piece of candle as long as the arm below the elbow, and as
  long as there shall remain a morsel of the candle to burn, the
  brethren must continue their drinking.

  A point they have taken from the Hospitallers, who are very
  courteous knights, and have very becoming robes, so long that
  they drag at their feet; shoes and breeches which fit elegantly,
  and great palfreys that amble well; so in our Order, in truth,
  the brethren and sisters must have them.

  Of the Canons they have taken a point, which will agree well
  with the Order; for the canons, for great pain, eat in the
  refectory flesh three days in the week; so must our sisters and
  our brethren eat flesh in the refectory every day, except only
  Friday, and likewise Saturday. And if it so happen that there be
  a fast on the Saturday, and they have not plenty of fish, they
  may have leave to take what provisions are in the house; the
  Order will be none the worse for it.

  A point they have taken from the Black Monks, that they love
  drinking, forsooth, and are drunk every day, for they do not know
  any other way of living. But they do it for the sake of society,
  and not at all out of gluttony. Also it is provided, that each
  brother drink before dinner and after. And if it so happen that
  a friend visit a brother (for such must be at hand to solace
  the brethren) who shall know how to play in the evening; this I
  tell you for certain, he shall sleep late in the morning, until
  the evil fumes are issued from his head, for great danger of the
  sight.

  Of the Secular Canons, who willingly serve ladies, our masters
  have taken a point, and will that this point be well observed
  and well used; for know that this point is more needful than
  any in the Order, in order to solace the brethren. And so it
  is commanded very straightly, on pain of excommunication,
  that the brethren be constant companions of the sisters, both
  before matins and after, so that the brethren be not blamed for
  neglecting them, nor the Order receive discredit.

  The Grey Monks are a hard race; yet, nevertheless, from their
  order our masters will that the Order have one of their points
  for mortification; and in fact it is not over courteous,--for
  they go to matins without breeches. So ought our brethren to do,
  to be more at their ease. And when they make no prayer, they must
  be on their knees, to have greater and more effectual devotion:
  and they ring with one bell, and no more,--it is their order
  and usage:--but our brethren, to double it, must sound with two
  bells. Our Order has such difference, that our sisters must
  lay down flat and pray on their backs, they do it out of great
  devotion.

  Also they take in patience, it is a point from the Order of
  Silence; each is a good order, without doubt, but none of the
  others is so valuable;--therefore they will take one point of
  this order for our purpose. Each is shut up in his cell, to
  repose himself alone; so our brothers must be, and each at his
  window must have some plants to comfort him, and his sister in
  his arms, and he must be shut up privately, that nobody may
  disturb them.

  We must not forget, if our Order is to last, the Friars Minors,
  in no case; so must we have a point of their order, to be of more
  account. Their order is founded in poverty, therefore they go the
  open way to heaven completely; and I will tell you exactly how
  they seek poverty always; when they travel through the country,
  they take up their lodgings with the chief baron or knight,
  or with the chief person or priest, there where they can be
  satiated; but, by St. Peter of Rome! they will never lodge with
  a poor man,--so long as there are richer men to be found, they
  prefer asking a lodging of them. In the same manner our brethren
  must not take up their lodging, nor seek other place, than where
  they know there is plenty, and there they ought in charity to eat
  flesh and whatever they find, as the Friars Minors do.

  As we owe something to the Minors, we will borrow also of the
  Preachers; they do not go bare-foot like the others, but they
  go preaching with shoes on, and if it happen any time that they
  have sore feet, they may, if they like, ride on horseback at
  their ease all the day long. But quite in another manner ought
  our brethren to do, when they preach through the land; for they
  must ride thus always both far and near: and when they make any
  sermon, they must be within doors. And always after dinner they
  ought rightly to preach; for many a man is of such a character,
  that his heart is harder than stone; but when he shall have once
  drunk, then as soon as he has heard the Order, and the hearts
  shall be moistened, however little they might have heard, they
  will listen to the Order, when they have heard the sermon.

  Thus is our Order founded, and our brothers have deemed right,
  that each county must have an abbot, who has power to receive
  sisters and brothers, and make and hold full orders, and that
  the points shall be held which our masters have provided. A
  provincial ought to go and inquire in the land, to know who will
  hold the Order. And he who shall break it, shall be chastised
  in private, and reproved for his trespass. And those who shall
  be found to have made good use of the order, must, for their
  humility, be raised to dignity, and they shall be abbots or
  priors to hold the order in honours. Thus do the Augustine
  Monks, who know so many devices; every where they give full
  encouragement to those who hold the Order loyally, and those who
  will hold the Order shall be praised everywhere.

  Now ends our Order, which agrees with all good orders, and it is
  the Order of Fair-Ease, which to many may it please too well!

Edward endeavoured to call off the vigour of his subjects from
domestic sedition to foreign wars. But the expenses dependent
upon the latter only added to the many burdens under which the
English peasantry laboured; and it is now that we begin to find the
complaints of the latter vented in the shape of popular songs.

SONG OF THE HUSBANDMAN.

[MS. Harl. No. 2253, fol. 64, r^o; reign of Edw. II.]

      Ich herde men upo mold make muche mon,
        Hou he beth i-tened of here tilyynge,
      Gode ȝeres and corn bothe beth a-gon,
        Ne kepeth here no sawe ne no song syng.
      “Now we mote worche, nis ther non other won,
        Mai ich no lengore lyve with my lesinge;
      Ȝet ther is a bitterore bid to the bon,
        For ever the furthe peni mot to the kynge.

      Thus we carpeth for the kyng, and carieth ful colde,
        And weneth for te kevere, and ever buth a-cast;
      Whose hath eny god, hopeth he nout to holde,
        Bote ever the levest we leoseth a-last.

      Luther is to leosen ther ase lutel ys,
        And haveth monie hynen that hopieth therto;
      The hayward heteth us harm to habben of his;
        The bailif bockneth us bale and weneth wel do;
      The wodeward waiteth us wo that loketh under rys;
        Ne mai us ryse no rest rycheis ne ro.
      Thus me pileth the pore that is of lute pris:
        Nede in swot and in swynk swynde mot swo:”

      Nede he mot swynde thah he hade swore,
        That nath nout en hod his lied for te hude.
      Thus wil walketh in londe, and lawe is for-lore,
        And al is piked of the pore, the prikyares prude.

      Thus me pileth the pore and pyketh ful clene,
        The ryche raymeth withouten eny ryht;
      Ar londes and ar leodes liggeth fol lene,
        Thorh b[i]ddyng of baylyfs such harm hem hath hiht.
      Meni of religioun me halt hem ful hene,
        Baroun and bonde, the clerc and the knyht.
      Thus wil walketh in loud, and wondred ys wene,
        Falsshipe fatteth and marreth wyth myht.

      Stont fulle ythe stude, and halt him ful sturne,
        That maketh beggares go with bordon and bagges.
      Thus we beth honted from hale to hurne;
        That er werede robes, nou wereth ragges.

      Ȝet cometh budeles, with ful muche bost,--
        “Greythe me selver to the grene wax:
      Thou art writen y my writ that thou wel wost.”
        Mo then ten sithen told y my tax.
      Thenne mot ych habbe hennen a-rost,
        Feyr on fyhshe day launprey ant lax;
      Forth to the chepyn geyneth ne chost,
        Thah y sulle mi bil ant my borstax.

      Ich mot legge my wed wel ȝef y wolle,
        Other sulle mi corn on gras that is grene.
      Ȝet I shal be foul cherl, thah he han the fulle,
        That ich alle ȝer spare thenne y mot spene.

      Nede y mot spene that y spared ȝore,
        Aȝeyn this cachereles cometh thus y mot care;
      Cometh the maister budel brust ase a bore,
        Seith he wole mi bugging bringe ful bare.
      Mede y mot munten a mark other more,
        Thah ich at the set dey sulle mi mare.
      Ther the grene wax us greveth under gore,
        That me us honteth ase hound doth the hare.

      He us honteth ase hound hare doh on hulle;
        Seththe y tek to the lond such tene me wes taht.
      Nabbeth ner budeles boded ar sulle,
        For he may scape ant we aren ever caht.

      Thus y kippe ant cacche cares ful colde,
        Seththe y counte ant cot hade to kepe;
      To seche selver to the kyng y mi seed solde,
        Forthi mi lond leye lith ant leorneth to slepe.
      Seththe he mi feire feh fatte y my folde,
        When y thenk o mi weole wel neh y wepe;
      Thus bredeth monie beggares bolde,
        Ant ure ruȝe ys roted ant ruls er we repe.

      Ruls ys oure ruȝe ant roted in the stre,
        For wickede wederes by brok ant by brynke.
      Ther wakeneth in the world wondred ant wee,
        Ase god is swynden anon as so for te swynke.

  TRANSLATION.--I heard men on the earth make much
  lamentation,--how they are injured in their tillage,--good years
  and corn are both gone,--they keep here no saying and sing no
  song.--Now we must work, there is no other custom,--I can no
  longer live with my gleaning;--yet there is a bitterer asking for
  the boon,--for ever the fourth penny must [go] to the king.

  Thus we complain for the king, and care full coldly,--and think
  to recover, and ever are cast;--he who hath any goods, expects
  not to keep them,--but ever the dearest we lose at last.

  It is grievous to lose, where there is little,--and we have many
  fellows who expect it;--the hayward commandeth us harm to have
  of his;--the bailiff causeth us to know evil, and thinks to do
  well;--the woodward has woe in keeping for us, who looketh under
  branches;--there may not arise to us or remain with us riches or
  repose.--Thus they rob the poor man, who is of little value:--he
  must needs in sweat and in labour waste away so.

  He must needs pine away, though he had swore (?),--that hath not
  a hood to hide his head.--Thus will walketh in the land, and law
  is destroyed,--and all the pride of the rider is picked from the
  poor.

  Thus they rob the poor and pick him full clean,--the rich
  lord it without any right;--their lands and their people lay
  full lean,--through asking of bailifs such harm has befallen
  them.--Many of religion hold them full abject,--baron and
  bond-man, the clerk and the knight.--Thus will walks in the land,
  and consternation is frequent,--falsehood fattens and marrs with
  might.

  He stands full in the place, and holds him full sternly,--that
  makes beggars go with bordon and bags.--Thus we are hunted from
  hall to corner;--they who once wore robes, now wear rags.

  Still there come beadles, with very great boast,--“Prepare me
  silver for the green wax:--thou art entered in my writing, that
  thou knowest well of.”--More than ten times I paid my tax.--Then
  must I have hens roasted,--fair on the fish day lamprey and
  salmon;--forth to the market gains not cost,--though I sell my
  bill and my borstax.

  I must lay my pledge well if I will,--or sell my corn while it is
  but green grass.--Yet I shall be a foul churl, though they have
  the whole,--what I have saved all the year, I must spend then.

  I must needs spend what I saved formerly,--I must thus take care
  against the time these catchpoles come;--the master beadle comes
  as roughly as a boar,--he says he will make my lodgings full
  bare;--I must give him for meed a mark or more,--though I sell
  my mare at the day fixed.--There the green wax grieveth us under
  garment,--so that they hunt us as a hound doth the hare.

  They hunt us as a hound doth a hare on the hill;--since I took to
  the land such hurt was given me:--the beadles have never asked
  their ...,--for they may scape, and we are always caught.

  Thus I take and catch cares full cold,--since I reckoning
  and cot had to keep;--to seek silver for the king, I sold
  my seed,--wherefore my land lies fallow and learneth to
  sleep.--Since they fetched my fair cattle in my fold,--when
  I think of my weal I very nearly weep;--thus breed many bold
  beggars,--and our rye is rotted and ... before we reap.

  ... is our rye and rotted in the straw,--on account of the
  bad weather by brook and by brink.--There wakes in the world
  consternation and woe,--as good is to perish at once as so to
  labour.

The following song appears to be directed against the gay fashions
in Ladies’ clothing which became prevalent about this time, and
seem even to have been aped by the middle and lower ranks.

AGAINST THE PRIDE OF THE LADIES.

[MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 61, v^o; reign of Edw. II.]

      Lord that lenest us lyf, ant lokest uch an lede,
      For te cocke with knyf nast thou none nede;
      Bothe wepmon ant wyf sore mowe drede,
      Lest thou be sturne with strif, for bone that thou bede,
                      in wunne
          That monku[n]ne
          Shulde shilde hem from sunne.

      Nou hath prude the pris in everuche plawe;
      By mony wymmon un-wis y sugge mi sawe,
      For ȝef a ledy lyne is leid after lawe,
      Uch a strumpet that ther is such drahtes wl drawe;
                      in prude
          Uch a screwe wol hire shrude
          Thah he nabbe nout a smoke hire foule ers to hude.

      Furmest in boure were boses y-broht,
      Levedis to honoure ichot he were wroht;
      Uch gigelot wol loure, bote he hem habbe soht;
      Such shrewe fol soure ant duere hit hath a-boht;
                      in helle
          With develes he shule duelle,
          For the clogges that cleveth by here chelle.

      Nou ne lacketh hem no lyn boses in to beren;
      He sitteth ase a slat swyn that hongeth is eren.
      Such a joustynde gyn uch wrecche wol weren,
      Al hit cometh in declyn this gigelotes geren;
                      upo lofte
          The devel may sitte softe,
          Ant holden his halymotes ofte.

      Ȝef ther lyth a loket by er outher eȝe,
      That mot with worse be wet for lat of other leȝe;
      The bout and the barbet wyth frountel shule feȝe;
      Habbe he a fauce filet, he halt hire hed heȝe,
                      to shewe
          That heo be kud ant knewe
          For strompet in rybaudes rewe.

  TRANSLATION.--Lord, that givest us life, and regardest every
  people,--to ... with knife thou hast no need;--both man and
  woman sorely may dread,--lest thou be stern with wrath, for the
  boon that thou askedst,--in joy--that mankind--should shield
  themselves from sin.

  Now pride hath the prize in every play;--of many unwise women
  I say my saw,--for if a lady’s linen is laid after law,--every
  strumpet that there is such draughts will draw;--in pride--every
  shrew will clothe herself,--though she have not a smock to hide
  her dirty tail.

  First in bower were bosses brought,--to honour ladies I wot they
  were wrought;--every giglot will lour, unless she have them
  sought;--such shrew full sourly and dearly hath bought it;--in
  hell--with devils they shall dwell,--on account of the clogs
  which hang by their jowls.

  Now they want no linen to bear bosses in;--they sit like a
  slit swine which hangs its ears.--Such a justling contrivance
  every wretch will wear,--that these giglots’ gear all comes
  to nothing;--on high--the devil may sit softly,--and hold his
  sabbaths often.

  If there lies a locket by ear or eye,--that may with worse be
  wet, for lack of other lye; the but and the barbel with frontlet
  shall quarrel;--if she have a false fillet, she holds her head
  high,--to show--that she is famous and well known--for a strumpet
  in the ribalds’ ranks.

Another song, written apparently about the same period, is a satire
upon the smaller Ecclesiastical Courts, and the vexation which they
caused to the peasantry.

A SATYRE ON THE CONSISTORY COURTS.

[MS. Harl. No. 2253, fol. 70, v^o; of reign of Edw. II.]

      Ne mai no lewed lued libben in londe,
      Be he never in hyrt so haver of honde,
          So lerede us bi-ledes;
      Ȝef ich on molde mote with a mai,
      Y shal falle hem byfore ant lurnen huere lay,
          Ant rewen alle huere redes.
      Ah bote y be the furme day on folde hem by-fore,
      Ne shal y nout so skere scapen of huere score;
          So grimly he on me gredes,
      That y ne mot me lede ther with mi lawe,
      On alle maner othes that heo me wulleth awe,
          Heore boc ase un-bredes.
              Heo wendeth bokes un-brad,
              Ant maketh men a moneth a-mad;
          Of scathe y wol me skere,
          Ant fleo from my fere;
          Ne rohte he whet it were,
              Boten heo hit had.

      Furst ther sit an old cherl in a blake hure,
      Of all that ther sitteth semeth best syre,
          And leyth ys leg o lonke.
      An heme in an herygoud with honginde sleven,
      Ant mo then fourti him by-fore my bales to breven,
          In sunnes ȝef y songe:
      Heo pynkes with heore penne on heore parchemyn,
      Ant sayen y am breved ant y-broht yn
          Of al my weole wlonke.
      Alle heo bueth redy myn routhes to rede,
      Ther y mot for menske munte sum mede,
          Ant thonkfulliche hem thonke.
              Shal y thonke hem ther er y go?
              Ȝe, the maister ant ys men bo.
          Ȝef y am wreint in heore write,
          Thenne am y bac-bite,
          For moni mon heo maketh wyte
              Of wymmene wo.

      Ȝet ther sitteth somenours syexe other sevene,
      Mys motinde men alle by here evene,
          Ant recheth forth heore rolle;
      Hyrd-men hem hatieth, ant uch mones hyne,
      For everuch a parosshe heo polketh in pyne,
          Ant clastreth with heore colle.
      Nou wol uch fol clerc that is fayly,
      Wende to the bysshop ant bugge bayly;
          Nys no wyt in is nolle.
      Come to countene court couren in a cope,
      Ant suggen he hath privilegie proud of the pope,
          Swart ant al to-swolle.
              Aren heo to-swolle for swore?
              Ȝe, the hatred of helle beo heore!
          For ther heo beodeth a boke,
          To sugge ase y folht toke;
          Heo shulen in helle on an hoke
              Honge therefore.

      Ther stont up a ȝeolumon, ȝeȝeth with a ȝerde,
      Ant hat out an heh that al the hyrt herde,
          Ant cleopeth Magge ant Malle;
      Ant heo cometh by-modered ase a mor-hen,
      Ant scrynketh for shome, ant shometh for men,
          Un-comely under calle.
      Heo biginneth to shryke, ant scremeth anon,
      Ant saith, “by my gabbyng ne shal hit so gon,
          Ant that beo on ou alle;
      That thou shalt me wedde ant welde to wyf.”
      Ah me were levere with lawe leose my lyf,
          Then so to fote hem falle.
              Shal y to fote falle for mi fo?
              Ȝe monie by-swyketh heo swo.
          Of thralles y am ther thrat,
          That sitteth swart ant for-swat,
          Ther y mot hente me en hat,
              Er ich hom go.

      Such chaffare y chepe at the chapitre,
      That maketh moni thryve-mon un-thenfol to be,
          With thonkes ful thunne:
      Ant seththe y go coure at constory,
      Ant falle to fote uch a fayly,
          Heore is this worldes wynne,
      Seththen y pleide at bisshopes plee.
      Ah! me were levere be sonken y the see,
          In sor withouten synne.
      At chirche ant thourh cheping ase dogge y am drive,
      That me were levere of lyve then so for te lyve,
          To care of al my kynne.
              Atte constorie heo kenneth us care,
              Ant whissheth us evele ant worse to fare;
          A pruest proud ase a po,
          Seththe weddeth us bo,
          Wyde heo worcheth us wo,
              For wymmene ware.

  TRANSLATION.--No unlearned (lay) person may live in the land,--be
  he in assembly never so ... of hand,--the learned (the clergy) so
  lead us about;--if I chance to go on the earth with a maid,--I
  shall fall before them and learn their lay,--and rue all their
  counsels.--But unless I be on the foremost day in the land
  before them,--I shall not escape so clear of their score,--they
  cry on me so grimly,--that I may not lead myself there with my
  law,--on all kinds of oaths that they will give me,--their books
  as....--They turn over books that are not broad,--and make men
  a month mad;--from hurt I will save myself,--and fly from my
  companion;--she recked not what it were,--but she had it.

  First, there sit an old churl in a black gown,--of all who sit
  there he seems to be most the lord,--and lays his leg along.--A
  hem in a cloak with hanging sleeves,--and more than forty before
  him to write my bales,--in sins if I sung:--they pink with their
  pens on their parchment,--and say I am briefed and brought in--of
  all my fair wealth.--They are all ready to read my sorrow--there
  I must out of respect give some bribe,--and gratefully thank
  them.--Shall I thank them there before I go?--Yea, the master
  and his men both.--If I am accused in their writing,--then am I
  back-bitten,--for many men they make to know--woe from women.

  Yet there sit somnours six or seven,--misjudging men all
  alike,--and reach forth their roll;--herdsmen hate them, and each
  man’s servant,--for every parish they put in pain,--and clatter
  with their collar (?).--Now will each foolish clerk that is ...,
  go to the bishop and buy bailywick;--there is no sense in his
  head.--He comes creeping to the county court in a cope,--and
  saying he hath proud privilege of the pope,--black and all
  swollen.--Are they swollen for swearing (?)?--yea, the hatred
  of hell be theirs!--for there they offer a book,--to say as I
  baptism took;--they shall in hell on a hook--hang for it.

  There stands up a yellow-man, and jogs with a rod,--and shouts
  out aloud that all the assembly heard,--and calls Mag and
  Mal;--and she comes be-mothered as a moor-hen,--and shrinks
  for shame, and is ashamed on account of the men,--un-comely
  under petticoat.--She begins to screech, and screams anon,--and
  says, “by my gabbing, it shall not go so,--and that be on you
  all;--that thou shalt wed me and have me to wife.”--But I would
  rather with law lose my life,--than so fall at their feet.--Shall
  I fall at the feet of my foes?--Yea, many she deceiveth so.--I
  am there threatened by thralls,--who sit black and covered with
  sweat,--there I must take me a command,--before I go home.

  Such merchandise I buy at the chapter,--that makes many thrifty
  men to be unthankful,--with very thin thanks:--and since I
  go creeping to the consistory,--and fall at the foot of each
  ...,--theirs is the world’s joy,--since I played at the bishop’s
  pleading.--But I had rather be drowned in the sea,--in sorrow
  without sin.--At church and through the market like a dog I
  am driven,--that I would rather be dead than so to live,--to
  have care for all my kindred.--At the consistory they teach us
  care,--and wish us evil and worse to fare;--a priest as proud
  as a peacock--afterwards weds us both,--widely they work us
  woe,--for women’s ware.

In the latter years of the thirteenth century, Edward became
involved in the Scottish wars; and the enmity of the two nations
was manifested in multitudes of songs, of which the greater part
are lost, although a few are preserved, and a fragment or two
of others are found in the old historians. The following song,
attributed in the several manuscripts to different writers, was (if
we may judge by the number of copies which remain,) very popular.
Different persons seem, from time to time, to have altered it and
added to it. It appears to have been composed in 1298, soon after
the sanguinary battle of Falkirk; but the latter stanzas, found
only in one manuscript, have apparently been added at a somewhat
later period.

SONG ON THE SCOTTISH WARS.

[MS. Cotton. Claudius, D. VI. fol. 182, v^o; of the beginning of
the fourteenth cent. (_C._ 1.)--MS. Cotton. Titus, A. XX. fol. 64,
v^o; of reign of Edw. III. (_C._ 2.)--MS. of Clare Hall, Cambridge,
of fourteenth cent. (_Cl._)--MS. Sloan. No. 4934, fol. 103, r^o;
a modern copy from a MS. not now known. (_Sl._)--MS. Bodl. Oxfd.
Rawl. B. 214, fol. 216, r^o; of the fifteenth cent.]

        Ludere volentibus ludens paro lyram;
      De mundi malitia rem demonstro miram;
      Nil quod nocet referam, rem gestam requiram;
      Scribo novam satyram, sed sic ne seminet iram.
        Ira movet militum mentes modernorum,
      Dum inermes detrahunt factis fortiorum;

    VARIOUS READINGS.--2. _militia_, C. 2. & Cl. _demonstrans_, C.
    2.--3. _perquiram_, Cl.--7. _sed vos non commoveant_, C. 1.

      Te tamen non terreant dentes detractorum:
      Cum recte vivas, ne cures verba malorum.
        [Ira si duraverit, transit in livorem;
      Livor non cohibitus agitat furorem;
      Furor dies breviat, ducens in anguorem;
      Ira odium generat, concordia nutrit amorem,
        Amor orbis obiit, virus est in villa;
      Prodiit ex odio pestis non pusilla;                     †10
      Lator homicidii levavit vexilla:
      Acrius invidia nichil est, nil nequius illa.
        Invido nil nequius, nullus est qui nescit;
      Nam de bono proximi dolor ejus crescit.
      Unde justus proficit, hinc ipse tabescit.
      Sincerum nisi vas, quodcumque infundis acescit.
        Ut acescant igitur mentes malignorum,
      Narrabo quæ noveram de gestis Anglorum.

    VARIOUS READINGS.--8. Instead of this second tetrastich, the
    Sloane and Cambridge MSS. have the four which are here given
    in brackets.--[†7. _languorem_, Sl.--†9. _abiit_, Sl.--†12.
    _Nequius ... nil est, nil acrius_, Sl.

      Non verebor a modo voces invidorum.
      Cum recte vivas, ne cures verba malorum.]               †20
        Malis inest proprium mala semper fari,
      Validis detrahere, viles venerari.                       10
      Ex timore talium nolo vos turbari;
      Laus est discretis a pravis vituperari.
        Pravis enim displicet vitæ rectitudo:
      Lex in eis læditur, et est lis pro ludo.
      Ribaldorum requies est inquietudo;
      Dum stultos revoco, quasi frigida ferra recudo.
        Ferrum cudit frigidum quisquis obstinato
      Consulit ut redeat de suo peccato;
      Dicit enim sapiens sermone sensato,
      Verba serit vento qui prædicat infatuato.                20
        Prædicantur undique fraudes infidorum,

    VARIOUS READINGS.--†19. _verebor animo_, Sl. _voces
    malignorum_, Cl.]--9. _inest spiritum_, C. 2. _proprie_,
    Cl.--10. _validos_, Sl.--11. _nubari_, Sl.--13. _sanctitudo_,
    C. 1 and 2.--15. _reproborum_, C. 1.--16. _stultum_, C. 2.--18.
    _suadet ut_, C. 1. _præcipit ut_, Sl. _ut fugiat_, Cl. _a suo_,
    Sl.--19. _serato_, Sl.--21. _malignorum_, Cl.

      Qui molestant Angliam viribus armorum;
      Franci, Scoti, Wallici, potestatem quorum
      Comprimat omnipotens qui continet alta polorum!
        Polorum dispositor quem clamamus Deum,
      Qui per multa populum protexit Hebræum,
      Anglicis ex hostibus tribuat trophæum!
      Mille viris præbere potest pincerna Lyæum.
        Ut pincerna pluribus dat per velle potum,
      Ita suis Dominus vires dat ad votum;                     30
      Edwardus rex inclitus istud habet notum;
      Christo devotum studeat se tradere totum.
        Totus Christo traditur rex noster Edwardus;
      Velox est ad veniam, ad vindictam tardus;
      Fugat adversarios tanquam leopardus;
      Fama fœtet fatui, justus redolet quasi nardus.

    VARIOUS READINGS.--24. _Destruat ipse Deus qui_, C. 1 and 2.
    _possidet_, C. 2.--25. _clamavimus_, Sl.--26. _cuncta_, Cl.
    _produxit_, C. 2.--29. _dare potest pot._ Cl. _paribus dare
    possit p._ Sl. _sicut unus pluribus dat pincerna pot._ C.
    1.--31. _illud habet_, Cl. et Sl.--34. _ad_ is omitted in C. 2
    and Cl. In Sl. the two lines (34 and 35) are transposed.--35.
    _Hostes fugat singulos t._ C. 1. _fugat hostes undique t._ C.
                                                               2.

        Tanquam nardus redolet laus regis Anglorum,
      Qui conatus reprimit hostium suorum;
      Ipsum omnes timeant hostes Anglicorum:
      Sæpe molossus ovem tollit de fauce luporum.              40
        In luporum faucibus Angli sunt hiis annis;
      Nam, devictis omnibus Walliæ tyrannis,
      Scoti levant lanceas armati sub pannis;
      In paucis annis oriuntur mira Johannis.
        Johannes jam Scotiæ clemens rex et castus,
      Regni tenens regimen, ut rex erat pastus,
      Hunc tandem deposuit gentis suæ fastus.
      Exulat ejectus de sede pia protoplastus.
        Exulat et merito, quia, sicut legi,

    VARIOUS READINGS.--36. C. _virtus redolet_, C. 1. _secet_, by
    an error, for _fetet_, Sl. _istius redolet_, Sl. _fama replens
    mundum fragrat velut optima n._ C. 2.--37. _quasi nardus_,
    Cl. and Sl.--38, 39. _Qui regit rempublicam more Romanorum |
    Innocentes erripit de manu pravorum_, C. 1. _Fama cujus attigit
    fines seculorum; | Ipsum tr’imēt Scotici fures jumentorum_,
    C. 2. _Dum conatus, &c._ Cl.--41. _faucibus hiis consistunt
    annis_, Sl.--42. _devinctis_, Sl.--45. _J. rex Sc. quondam cl.
    cast._ Cl. _quidem Scotiæ_, Sl.--47. _disposuit_, C. 1 et C.
    2.--48. _sede sua_, C. 1 and Sl.--49. _Hic dum rexit Scotiam
    prout dudum legi_, C. 1. _Hic dum sedem tenuit regnum d. l._
    Sl. _Hic dum regnum tenuit in scriptis jam l._ Cl.

      Spopondit homagium Anglicano regi;                       50
      Declinavit postea frango, frangis, fregi:
      Omnia quæ pepigi prodendo pacta peregi.
        Pactum prætergressus est princeps prænotatus,
      Quando non compescuit pravorum conatus;
      Vox in Rama sonuit, fletus et ploratus;
      Mitis prælatus facit ignavos famulatus.
        Ab ignavis famulis rex inhonoratur;
      Sanctitas subvertitur, lex evacuatur;
      Sæpe fit seditio, pax periclitatur.
      Sit maledicta domus ubi quisque cliens dominatur!        60
        Quando cliens imperat, et princeps obedit,
      Tunc ruit respublica, requies recedit.
      O quantos impietas inpunita lædit!
      Inpius impunis semper se vincere credit.
        Credebant duodecim Scotiæ prælati

    VARIOUS READINGS.--50. _Quod fecit hom._ Cl. and Sl.--51. _sed
    declinat_, C. 2.--55. _resonat_, Cl.--61-68, are omitted in
    Cl.--64. _Inpius imprimis_, Sl.

      Anglorum resistere magnæ probitati;
      Ceciderunt igitur plures vulnerati.
      Dixit bufo crati, “maledicti tot dominati!”
        Dominantes plurimi sub duce tantillo,
      Conspirant in Anglicos, rege tunc tranquillo;            70
      Tandem simul obviant levato vexillo.
      Flumina magna trahunt ortum de fonte pusillo.
        De pusillis fontibus magni surgunt rivi;
      Sic de gente Scotiæ conatus lascivi.
      Plurimi propterea ducti sunt captivi:
      Quicquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.
        Plebs Achiva periit ad Dunbar in bello,
      Ubi Scoti cæsi sunt Anglorum flagello.
      Videres cadavera, velut in macello
      Vilia vendentis, tunicato stricta popello.               80
        Tunicatus populus multus et immanis,

    VARIOUS READINGS.--68. _bufo cuncti_, Sl.--69. _sub dicto_, C.
    1.--70. _Anglico_, Cl.--71. _obviat_, C. 1. _sibi obviant_, Sl.
    _stulti levant lanceas armato v._ Cl.--74. _de Scotis miseris_,
    C. 1. _de plebe Scotiæ_, Sl.--77. _ad Berwik_, C. 2.--80.
    _Vilis_, C. 2. _strincta_, C. 2. et Cl. _cincta_, Sl.--81.
    _inanis_, C. 1. _vilis et inanis_, Sl.

      Qui solet detrahere viris Anglicanis,
      Apud Dunbarre corruit, jam fœtet ut canis:
      Sic faciunt stulti, quos gloria vexat inanis.
        Vana fecit gloria populum fallacem
      Diffiteri dominum Scotiæ veracem;
      Facto tamen prælio veniunt ad pacem.
      De fatuo quandoque facit fortuna sagacem.
        Sagax est in prælio qui majori cedit;
      Sed gens bruta Scotiæ cito fidem lædit.                  90
      Nemo potest tollere quod natura dedit:
      Osse radicatum raro de carne recedit.
        Recessit rex inclitus, parcens plebi tantæ;
      Peragravit Scotiam turba comitante.
      Angli castra muniunt, rege sic mandante;
      Nam levius lædit quicquid providimus ante.

    VARIOUS READINGS.--83. _cadebant in foveis_, C. 1. _cadebant
    in prælio_, Sl.--85. _plebem contumacem_, C. 2. _facit ...
    prophetam fal._ Sl.--86. _Edwardum contempnere dominum v._ C.
    2.--88. _quemcunque facit_, Sl.--90. _Scotica_, C. 2.--92. _de
    carne raro_, C. 1.--93. _recedit_, Sl. _rex igitur_, C. 1.--94.
    _Scotiam pertransiit_, C. 1.--95. _rege procurante_, C. 1 and
    Sl.--96. _prævidimus_, C. 1.

        Regis providentia bella gubernantur;
      Scoticani proceres Anglis subjugantur:
      Statuuntur judices, leges renovantur;
      Ipsæ etenim leges cupiunt ut jure regantur.             100
        Rex ad regni regimen dignum deputavit,
      Johannem Warenniæ, quem sæpe probavit.
      Hic in quantum valuit leges observavit;
      Elatos perdens, humiles in pace locavit.
        Rex in pace rediit hiis ita patratis,
      Comiti de Flandria succursurus gratis;
      Magnam classem præparat tempestive satis;
      Tolle moram, semper nocuit differe paratis.
        Nec mora, conveniunt Scotici versuti;
      Tactis Evangeliis sacris sunt locuti,                   110

    VARIOUS READINGS.--97. _valla_, C. 1.--98. _Scotiani_, C.
    1.--99. _revocantur_, Sl. _prænotantur_, C. 1.--100. _ipse
    rerum_, Sl.--102. _Johan Warenne_, C. 1.--103. _potuit Scotos
    registravit_, C. 1. _valuit jura conservavit_, Sl.--104.
    _prodens_, Sl. _levavit_, C. 1.--105. _in pace rex_, C.
    1.--107. _Morari non patitur, navibus paratis_, C. 1. _Præparat
    navigia tempestive satis_, Sl.--108. _deferre_, C. 1.

      Quod Trentam non transient austro constituti:
      Pauca voluptati debentur, plura saluti.
        Scoticani proceres jurant omnes læte,
      Et a rege singulis limitantur metæ:
      Vide ne perjuri sint, et ruant in rete;
      Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda, poetæ.
        Tunc rex mire credulus mare transfretavit,
      Et Francos in Flandria potens expugnavit;
      Senectutis inmemor multos non expavit.
      Consilio pollet, cui vim natura negavit.                120
        Non negavit Dominus robur et vigorem
      Regi, quem constituit fore mundi florem;
      Cujus acta singulos agunt in stuporem;
      Quemvis namque potest animo sufferre laborem.
        Labor novus oritur; Sathan suscitatur;

    VARIOUS READINGS.--111. _Quod trugam non_, C. 2.--112. _P. v.
    plura debent sal._ Sl.--113. _Per salutem regiam Scoti jurant
    l._ C. 1 and Sl.--114. _singuli_, Sl.--115. _ac ruant_, C.
    1.--119. _sententiæ immemor_, Sl.--120. _vis_, C. 2.--122.
    _Regem, quem_, Sl.--123. _Ejus bella_, C. 1. _Actus ejus_,
    Sl.--124. _namque animo potuit_, Sl.

      Scotorum fidelitas procul effugatur;
      Anglicorum probitas falso depravatur.
      Arbitrii nostri non est, quod quisque loquatur.
        Loquuntur ad invicem scurræ derelictæ;
      “Ecce dantur Anglicis triumphales vittæ.                130
      O! Guyllam de Wallia, nos ad ipsos mitte:
      Loricam duram possunt penetrare sagittæ.
        Omnes sagittarios nostros convocemus;
      Ad custodem Scotiæ simul properemus.
      Nam pro nostra patria fas est ut pugnemus:
      Victorem a victo superari sæpe videmus.”
        Custos ergo Scotiæ coarctatur nimis;
      Et ad Strivelyne convenit gens corde sublimis;
      Fraus occidit Anglicos, et ruunt in imis:
      Non eodem cursu respondent ultima primis.               140

    VARIOUS READINGS.--127. _Et Anglorum_, C. 1 and Sl.
    _dampnatur_, Sl.--129. _turbæ de._ C. 2. _derilictæ_, C.
    1.--131. _non ad_, Sl.--133. _Viros sag._ C. 1 and Sl. _omnes
    con._ Sl.--134. _cito prop._ C. 2. This line and the following
    are transposed in Sl.--135. _pat. est ut propugnemus_,
    Sl.--138. _Strivelyn_, C. 1. _Strevelyn_, Sl. _properat gens_,
    C. 2 and Sl.--139. _Defraudantur Anglici_, C. 2.

        Primus pontem transiit comes dux Anglorum,
      Penetrans audaciter cuneos Scotorum;
      Sed seductus rediit, non ob vim virorum:
      Fraus est materia multorum sæpe malorum.
        Fraus effecit Anglicos rubore perfundi,
      Dum suorum sanguinem passim vident fundi.
      Reus fraudis Levenax est et Ricardus Lundi.
      Quam brevis est risus, quam longaque lacrima mundi!
        O mundi perfidia! quis te non miratur?
      Dolus in domesticis latens occultatur;                  150
      Versutus pacifico semper adversatur:
      Pastor oves minat baculo, lupus ore minatur.
        Quid minatur barbara bruta gens et stulta?
      Numquid hæc perfidia manebit inulta?

    VARIOUS READINGS.--142. _audacter cuneas_, Sl.--144. _mater
    multorum_, Sl.--145. _Fraus confecit_, C. 1. _robore_, Sl. _in
    campo confundi_, C. 2.--146. _bello vident_, C. 1 and Sl.--147.
    _le faux est et Ricardus secundi_, C. 1. _Letenax et_, C. 2.
    _Reus fraus L._ Sl.--148. _usus quam_, C. 1. _longa lac._ C. 2
    and Sl.--149. _O mundi malitia_, Sl.--151. _admiratur_, C. 1
    and C. 2.--152. _bac. minat._ Sl.--153. _miraris_, Sl.--154.
    _hæc injuria_, Sl. _hæc_ is omitted in C. 1.

      Veniet rex Angliæ manu non occulta,
      Multa super Priamo rogitans, super Hectore multa.
        Multa sibi cumulat mala gens superba,
      Anglicos ad prælia provocans acerba;
      Verbera cum venient, tunc cessabunt verba:
      Cum totum fecisse putas, latet anguis in herba.         160
        [“Non latebit,” inquiunt, “nobis luce Phœbus;
      Per nos ruent Anglici simul hiis diebus,
      Nullus pervilibus percel speciebus.” (?)
      Ludit in humanis divina potentia rebus.
        O Dei potentia! te pro tuis peto!
      Anglis in auxilium veni vultu læto!
      Regis causam judicas, gratiam præbeto:
      Tu sine principio non vincere falsa jubeto.]
        Post hæc dux fallaciæ suum vocat cœtum,

    VARIOUS READINGS.--157. _tibi cumulans_, Sl. _magna gens_,
    C. 2.--158. _Nam fortes_, Sl.--159. _Numquid non intelligit
    sapientis verba_, C. 1. _Non enim intel. sap. v._ C. 2.--160.
    The eight lines which follow (included in brackets) are found
    only in Sl.--161. _Statim dux fallacis_, C. 1. _Falsus d. f.
    convocavit c._ Sl.

      Sciens quod abierit rex noster trans fretum;
      Cremare Northumbriam statuit decretum:
      “Sæpe videmus,” ait, “post gaudia rumpere fletum.”
        Lugeat Northumbria nimis desolata!
      Facta est ut vidua filiis orbata.
      Vescy, Morley, Somervile, Bertram sunt in fata:
      O quibus, et quantis, et qualibet est viduata!
        In hac, cum sit vidua, cunei Scotorum
      Redigunt in cineres prædia multorum.                    170
      Willelmus de Wallia dux est indoctorum;
      Gaudia stultorum cumulant augmenta dolorum.
        Ad augmentum sceleris hactenus patrati,
      Alnewyke dant ignibus viri scelerati;
      Circumquaque cursitant velut incensati.
      Electi pauci sunt, multi vero vocati.

    VARIOUS READINGS.--165. _Luge nunc N._, Sl. _Northumbriæ_,
    C. 1.--167. _V., Bertram, Sum., Merlaii_, C. 1. _Vessy ...
    Borthram_, C. 2.--168. _in quantis_, C. 2. _es viduata_,
    Sl.--169. _In hanc_, C. 1. _hac, ergo vid._ C. 2. _In te cum
    sis_, Sl.--170. _in cinerem_, Sl. _Intrant et dant ignibus
    prædia proborum_, C. 1.--172. _cumulat ... malorum_, C.
    1.--173. _augmenta_, Sl.--174. _Alnewik_, C. 1. _Alnewyk_, Sl.

        Multi quærunt mutuo qualiter sit factum,
      Quod Newmonasterium non est igne tactum.
      Dona spondent monachi, sed non solvunt pactum:
      Sicut opus fuerat, sic res processit in actum.          180
        Hujus rei gratia captivum ducerunt
      Priorem cœnobii, quem tunc repererunt;
      Captis rebus vacuas domos reliquerunt.
      Munifici pauci, multi qui munera querunt.
        Jam redit in Scotiam populus malignus;
      Et Willelmo datum est militare pignus;
      De prædone fit eques, ut de corvo cignus;
      Accipit indignus sedem, cum non prope dignus.
        Digno tandem principi litera præbetur,
      In qua rei series tota continetur.                      190

    VARIOUS READINGS.--177. _sit actum_, Sl.--178. _Nōmonasterium
    ... sit_, C. 2. _Novummonasterium_, Sl.--179. _non tenent_,
    C. 2.--180. _ad actum_, C. 2.--182. _invenerunt_, Sl.--183.
    _domus_, C. 2.--184. _qui præmia_, C. 1 and Sl.--185. _suam
    petit patriam pop._ C. 1. _suam petunt pat. pop._ Sl.--186.
    _Et Wallensis accipit m. p._ Sl. _Et Wallensem accipit_, C.
    1.--188. _quam non_, C. 2. _Si non_, Sl.--189. _Digno tamen_,
    C. 1.

      Si commotus fuerit, nullus admiretur:
      Tranquillum nequit esse fretum, dum peste movetur.
        Motus, suos milites sic cœpit affari:
      “Adhuc vos pro patria decet præliari,--
      Malo semel vincere, quam sæpe turbari:
      Bella valent melius quam longa lite gravari,”
        “Ne graveris,” inquiunt, “si Scotorum fures
      Propriis capitibus acuant secures;
      Unus Anglus perimet Scoticos quam plures.
      Non est plaustelo barbati jungere mures.”               200
        Vix est mure melior Walays, aut Gilmaurus,
      Ad quorum victoriam nunquam crescet laurus;
      Desunt enim robora, deestque thesaurus:
      Bella movet citius cui desunt cornua taurus.

    VARIOUS READINGS.--191. _Si turbatus_, C. 1 and Sl.--193. _Tunc
    rex suos_, C. 1. _affare_, C. 2.--194. _detur præliari_.--195.
    _Malo malos perdere, quam sic molestari_, C. 2. _Malos Scotos
    perdere, quam sic conturbari_, Sl.--196. _volunt melius_, C.
    1.--199. _perimet totum sicut plures_, C. 2. _Unus nam Anglicus
    Scotos valet plures_, Sl.--200. _surgere mures_, C. 2. _mingere
    m._ C. 1.--201. _Vix est murus melior mari ait(?) Gilm._ C. 1.
    _melior Scotus Guilm._ Sl.--202. _Ad cujus vic. crescit_, C. 1
    and Sl. _cresset_, C. 2.

        Bello cadunt miseri die Magdalenæ;
      Fere centum millia subdit rex arenæ;
      Cæsorum cadaverum pascuæ sunt plenæ.
      Oderunt peccare mali formidine pœnæ.
        Pœnæ metu territus tergum dat tyrannus,
      Cuï quondam placuit decurtatus pannus;                  210
      Fallax die prælii fugit ut trutannus.
      Sæpe dat una dies quod totus denegat annus.
        Una die miseri multi perimuntur;
      Et Scotos qui fugerant Angli persequuntur;
      Perforantur lanceis, vestesque tolluntur.
      Alba ligustra cadunt, vaccinia nigra leguntur.
        Cadit, Waleys, tua laus, ut quid arma geris,
      Ex quo gentem gladio tuam non tueris,

    VARIOUS READINGS.--207. _cæsis cadaveribus_, C. 2 and Sl.--210.
    _cui quidem_, Sl.--213. _Illa die plurimi Scoti per._ C.
    1. _plurimi pravi puniuntur_, Sl.--214. _Fugientes miseros
    Ang. per._ C. 1. _Fug. mis. Angl. prosequuntur_, Sl.--216.
    _vaticinia_, Sl.--218. _Ex quo tuum populum tuens non tueris_,
    C. 1. _Ex quo tuos gladio tutor non t._ Sl.

      Jus est ut dominio tuo jam priveris.
      Ast michi qui quondam semper asellus eris.              220
        Eris in proverbium quod non præteribit;
      Regnum tuum scissum est, et stare nequibit;
      Potum quem paraveras, gens tua jam bibit.
      Deridens alios, non inderisus abibit.
        O res apta risui, patens hiis diebus!
      Fortuna sub variis ludet speciebus.
      Profugus de principe, de Juda fit Jebus.
      Ludit in humanis divina potentia rebus.
        Rebus sic ruentibus rura rex rimatur,
      Et fures a foveis fugando venatur;                      230
      Omnis qui repertus est, gladio mactatur:
      Exigit hoc justum, quod culpam pœna sequatur.

    VARIOUS READINGS.--219. _Jam tuo dominio jus est ut pri._ C.
    1. and Sl.--220. _acellus_, C. 2. In the Sl. MS. the song ends
    with this line. In C. 1, it ends with l. 232, the last twelve
    lines, however, being written by another and rather later hand.
    The rest is found only in C. 2.--221. _scissum quod stare_, C.
    1.--226. _ludis speciebus_, C. 1.--227. _Profugo sub p. ...
    Gebus_, C. 1,--228. _divinis_, C. 1.--230. _a foveis fugat vel
    ven._ C. 2. _Et suis_, C. 1.

        [Consequenter redit rex, ut Francorum florem
      Margaretam reginam ducat in uxorem;
      Per hanc regna capiunt pacem pleniorem.
      Ira cædem generat, concordia nutrit amorem.
        Amor inter principes pullulans præclaros
      Exulat a subditis gemitus amaros;
      Jamque fit per nuncios firma pax non raros;
      Hiis etenim rebus conjungit gratia caros.               240
        Justus est gratiæ Scotis pars pusilla,
      Quia non est impiis pax aut mens tranquilla.
      Comyn, Karryk, Umfraville erigunt vexilla:
      Acrius invidia nichil est, nil nequius illa.
        Nequam sponte natio non vult obedire;
      Regem cogit inclitum cum suis redire;
      Jam timent qui necligunt ad pacem venire,
      Sub gladio diræ mortis languendo perire.
        Deperirent protinus patres et hæredes;
      Nisi darent citius ad currendum pedes,                  250
      Fugientes renuunt villulas et ædes:
      Idæos lepores puer exagitat Ganymedes.
        Inter hæc rex Franciæ, mittens absque mora,
      Regem rogat Angliæ pro treuga decora.
      Annuit rex precibus, mox reflectens lora:
      Grata superveniet quæ non sperabitur hora
        Horam Scotis optimam fore quis ignorat,
      In qua cessat gladius a plebe quæ plorat,
      Rexque suos proceres unit et honorat.
      Dum calor est et pulcra dies, formica laborat.          260
        Post hos et hujusmodi bellicos labores,
      Angli velut angeli semper sunt victores,
      Scoticis et Wallicis sunt præstantiores;
      Si vitam inspicias hominum sidereus (?) mores.
        Quasi sus insurgeret leonis virtuti,
      Sic expugnant Angliam Scotici polluti:
      Et rex illos idcirco subdet servituti:
      Serviet æterno qui parvo nesciet uti.]

  TRANSLATION.--I playing prepare a harp for those who desire to
  play; I set forth a wonderful matter concerning the malice of the
  world; I will tell nothing that is noxious, but will relate a
  historical incident; I write a new satire, yet let it not on that
  account sow anger.--Anger moves the minds of the soldiers of the
  present day, since the weak detract from the praise of the deeds
  of the strong; yet let not teeth of the detractors scare thee:
  if you live well, you need not care for what evil men say.--[If
  anger last, it turns into malice; malice if not restrained
  drives people into rage; rage shortens our days, by bringing
  us into anguish; anger breeds hatred, whilst concord nourishes
  love.--The love which was in the world is gone, and poison has
  taken its place; out of hatred has sprung no small plague; the
  homicide has raised his standard; nothing is sharper than envy,
  and nothing more wicked.--There is nothing more wicked than an
  envious man, as every one knows; for his unhappiness increases
  with the prosperity of his neighbour; he pines away by the very
  cause which brings profit to the just man. Unless the vessel be
  clean, whatever you pour in becomes soured.--In order, therefore,
  that the minds of the wicked may be soured, I will relate what
  I have learnt of the deeds of the English. Henceforward I will
  not fear the words of the envious. If you live well, you need
  not care for what evil men say.]--It is the property of wicked
  men always to say evil, to detract from the able, to respect
  the vile. I am unwilling that you should be disturbed by the
  fear of such men; it is praiseworthy in the prudent to be abused
  by the wicked.--For the wicked are displeased by rectitude of
  life: the law is injured in them, and they esteem strife as a
  joke. The repose of ribalds is inquietude; to attempt to convert
  fools is, as it were, to put cold iron on the anvil.--Every one
  strikes cold iron, who counsels the obstinate man to desert his
  sins; for the wise man says very sensibly, “he sows words in the
  wind who preaches to a madman.”--Every where are preached the
  fraudulent actions of the faithless men, who molest England by
  force of arms; the French, Scotch, and Welsh, whose power may the
  Omnipotent who holds the world repress!--May the Governor of the
  universe whom we address as God, who protected the Hebrew people
  through many difficulties, give the English victory over their
  enemies! The butler can furnish liquor to a thousand men.--As the
  butler at will gives drink to many, so the Lord gives strength
  at his will to those whom he has chosen; Edward the noble
  King knows this; and he labours to devote himself entirely to
  Christ.--Edward our King is entirely devoted to Christ; he is
  quick to pardon, and slow to vengeance; he puts to flight his
  adversaries like a leopard; the reputation of the fool stinks,
  the just man smells sweet as spikenard.--Like spikenard smells
  the fame of the King of the English, who represses the attempts
  of his enemies; him let all the enemies of the English fear:
  often the mastiff snatches the sheep from the wolves’ jaws.--In
  the wolves’ jaws the English have been of late; for, when all the
  turbulent chiefs of Wales were reduced, the Scotch raise their
  spears armed in their rags: a few years exhibit the wonderful
  fortune of John.--John being now King of Scotland, clement and
  chaste, governing the kingdom as though he had been bred a king,
  him at length the pride of his nation deposed. The first-created
  was an exile, driven from his pious seat.--He, however, was
  deservedly exiled, for, as I have read, he promised homage to the
  English King; afterwards he declined the verb _frango_ (I break);
  by breaking all which I had promised, (said he,) I performed
  my agreement.--The aforesaid prince broke his promise, when he
  did not restrain the attempts of the wicked; a voice was heard
  in Rama, weeping and lamentation; a remiss master makes lazy
  servants.--By slack servants the King is dishonoured; holiness
  is overthrown, the law is made of no avail; there is frequent
  sedition, the peace is endangered. Cursed be the house, where
  every dependent is master!--When the dependant commands, and the
  prince is a servant, then the state is in danger, and quietness
  departs. O how many people impiety, when unpunished, injures!
  The impious man unpunished always thinks that he conquers.--The
  twelve rulers of Scotland thought that they could resist the
  great valour of the English; therefore many of them fell by
  the sword. Said the toad to the harrow, “cursed be so many
  rulers!”--Many rulers under such a diminutive leader conspire
  against the English, whilst the king was at peace; at length
  they meet with standards raised. Great rivers take their rise
  from a small fountain.--From small fountains great rivers arise;
  so it is with the wanton attempts of the people of Scotland.
  Many thereupon are led captives: whenever the kings run wild, it
  is the subjects who suffer.--The subject populace perished in
  battle at Dunbar, where the Scotch were slain by the flail of
  the English. You might see the carcases, as in the shambles of
  a seller of refuse meat, cut off from the kilted rabble.--The
  kilted people, numerous and savage, who are accustomed to detract
  from the Englishmen, fell at Dunbar, and now stink like a dog:
  thus do fools, who are tormented by vain glory.--Vain glory made
  the deceitful people deny the true lord of Scotland; but after
  the battle they seek peace. Sometimes fortune makes a wise man of
  a fool.--He is wise in battle who yields to his superior; but the
  wild people of Scotland soon break their faith. No one can take
  away what nature gave: the disease which is rooted in the bone,
  can seldom be expelled from the flesh.--The noble king departed,
  sparing so great a mass of populace; he traversed Scotland with a
  crowd of attendants. The English fortify castles, by the king’s
  command; for that hurts less which we have provided against.--The
  wars are governed by the king’s providence; the Scottish nobles
  are subdued to the English; judges are appointed, the laws
  are revised; for the laws themselves require to be regulated
  aright.--The king appointed a worthy man to the government of
  the kingdom, John de Warenne, whom he had often proved. He to
  the utmost of his power observed the laws; destroying the proud,
  he placed the humble in peace.--The king, after these things had
  been performed, returned in peace, preparing to aid gratuitously
  the Count of Flanders; he prepares a great fleet as quickly as
  he can; banish delay, to those who are prepared it is always
  injurious to procrastinate.--Nor was there any delay, for the
  cunning Scots meet together; with their hands on the gospels,
  they have said that from their station in the south they will not
  pass the Trent: little is owing to pleasure, more to safety.--The
  Scottish nobles all swear with alacrity, and their boundaries
  are limited to each by the king; see that they be not perjured,
  and fall into the net; for the poets sing wonderful things that
  are not to be believed.--Then the king, wonderfully credulous
  in them, passed the sea, and powerfully warred against the
  French in Flanders; unmindful of old age, he was not terrified
  by numbers. He flourishes by counsel, to whom nature has denied
  strength.--The Lord has not denied strength and vigour to the
  king, whom he ordained to be the flower of the world; whose
  acts excite everybody’s wonder; for his mind is capable of
  undergoing every labour.--A new labour arises; Satan is raised
  up; the fidelity of the Scots disappears entirely; the valour
  of the English is undeservedly set at nought. What everybody
  says, does not rest upon our opinion.--The abandoned scoffers
  hold mutual conversations; “Lo! triumphant garlands are given to
  the English. O William de Wallace! send us to them: arrows can
  penetrate the hard mail.--Let us call together all our archers;
  let us hasten together against the Guardian of Scotland. For it
  is right that we should fight for our country: we often see the
  conqueror overcome by the vanquished.”--Accordingly the Guardian
  of Scotland is very hard pressed; and the people assemble at
  Stirling, proud in spirit; treachery destroys the English, and
  they are on the brink of ruin: the end does not correspond with
  the beginning.--The Earl, who was leader of the English, first
  passed the bridge, penetrating boldly into the Scotish columns;
  but he was driven back by treachery, and not by the force of
  arms: fraud is often the cause of many evils.--Fraud caused the
  English to blush, whilst they saw on all sides the blood of their
  own people flowing; Levenax and Richard Lundi are convicted of
  fraud. How short is the joy, and how lasting the sorrow, of the
  world!--O perfidiousness of the world! who is not astonished by
  thee? Treachery lies hid, concealed among our household; the
  cunning man is always opposed to the peaceful; the shepherd
  leads his sheep with a staff, the wolf threatens them with his
  mouth.--What does the barbarous brutal and foolish race threaten?
  Will this perfidy remain unavenged? The King of England will
  come with open force, inquiring much about Priam and much about
  Hector.--The proud people raise a heap of evils for themselves,
  provoking the English to the bitter contest; words will cease,
  when the blows come; though you think you have finished entirely,
  there is a snake concealed in the grass.--[“The sun,” they say,
  “will not be concealed from us with his light; the time is come
  when the English will all fall by our hands; no one....” The
  Divine power plays with the prospects of men.--O power of God!
  I petition thee in favour of thy people! come with a propitious
  countenance to the aid of the English; judge the king’s cause,
  and give him grace: thou who art without beginning, do not let
  falseness triumph.]--After this the leader of the plot calls
  together his party, knowing that our king would be gone over the
  sea; he made an order to ravage Northumberland: “we oft see,”
  says he, “weeping after joy.”--Northumberland, much desolated,
  may weep! She is made as a widow robbed of her children. Vescy,
  Morley, Somerville, Bertram are dead: Alas! of how many, and
  how great men in every part is she widowed!--In her, since she
  is a widow, the troops of the Scots reduce the estates of many
  to cinders. William Wallace is the leader of these savages; the
  rejoicings of fools breed increase of griefs.--To increase the
  wickedness which they had hitherto perpetrated, these wicked
  men deliver Alnwick to the flames; they run about on every side
  like madmen. Few are chosen, but many are called.--Many ask
  each other how it happened, that the Newminster was not touched
  by the fire. The monks promise gifts, but they do not fulfil
  their promise: as there was need, so was the thing carried into
  effect.--On this account they led away captive the prior of the
  monastery, whom they then found; having carried away the goods,
  they left the houses empty. Few are munificent, but there are
  many who seek after gifts.--Now the malignant people returns to
  Scotland; and the honour of knighthood is given to William; from
  a robber he becomes a knight, just as a swan is made out of a
  raven; an unworthy man takes the seat, when a worthy man is not
  by.--At length a letter reaches the worthy prince, in which the
  whole course of events is told. Let nobody be surprized if he was
  enraged at it: the sea cannot be quiet when the storm rages.--In
  his anger he began thus to address his knights: “Again you must
  prepare to fight for your country. I would rather conquer once,
  than be often tormented; wars are better than being troubled
  with lasting strife.”--“Do not be troubled,” said they, “if the
  Scottish thieves sharpen axes for their own heads; one Englishman
  will slay very many Scots. It is not the part of a man who has
  a beard to join mice to a little cart.”--Wallace, or Gilmaurus,
  is scarcely better than a mouse, to whose victory the laurel
  will never grow; for they want strength and treasure: a bull
  who has lost his horns is the more eager for the war.--On St.
  Magdalen’s day the wretches fall in battle; the king subdues
  in the field near a hundred thousand; the meadows are covered
  with their carcases. The wicked hate sin from the fear of
  punishment.--Scared by the fear of punishment the tyrant turns
  his back, whom the short jacket once pleased; faithless in the
  day of battle he flies like a truant. One day often gives what
  the whole year denies.--In one day many wretches were slain; and
  the English pursue the Scots who had fled; they are transfixed
  with spears, and robbed of their clothes. The white thorns are
  cut down, while the black bilberries are gathered.--Wallace, thy
  reputation as a soldier is lost; since thou didst not defend thy
  people with the sword, it is just thou shouldst now be deprived
  of thy dominion.

  But, in my view, thou wilt always be the ass thou wert
  formerly.--Thou wilt pass into a lasting proverb; thy kingdom
  is divided, and cannot stand; thy people now drink of the cup
  which thou hast prepared. He who turns others into derision,
  will not escape being derided.--O laughable thing, that has
  been manifested in our time! Fortune will play in various ways.
  The prince has been turned into an outcast, Judah into Jebus.
  The Divine power plays with the prospects of men.--Things being
  brought to this pass, the king searches the country, and hunts
  the thieves out of their hiding places; every one who is found
  is put to the sword: justice requires this, that the punishment
  come after the fault.--[Next the king returns, that he may
  marry Queen Margaret, the flower of the French; through her the
  kingdoms receive a more complete peace. Anger begets slaughter,
  concord nourishes love.--When love buds between great princes,
  it drives away bitter sobs from their subjects; and now a firm
  peace is negotiated by frequent messengers: for by these things
  grace makes people friends.--It is just that the Scots should
  have a small portion of grace, because the impious people have
  neither peace nor quiet of mind. Comyn, Carrick, Umfraville raise
  their standards: there is nothing more sharp than envy, nor more
  wicked.--The nation, voluntarily wicked, will not be obedient;
  it forces the illustrious king with his army to return; now they
  fear who neglect to come to peace, lest they perish languishingly
  by the sword of dire death.--Let them perish utterly both fathers
  and sons; unless they quickly give their feet to flight, flying
  they desert their towns and houses: the child Ganymedes drives
  about the hares on mount Ida.--In the midst of these transactions
  the King of France, sending without delay, asks an honourable
  truce of the King of England. The king accedes to his request,
  soon afterwards turning his reins: the grateful hour will arrive
  when it is least expected.--Who knows not that that would be
  the best hour for the Scots, in which the sword ceases from the
  weeping commonalty, and the king unites and honours the nobles.
  While it is warm and fair weather, the ant labours.--After
  all these warlike labours, the English like angels are always
  conquerors, they are more excellent than the Scotch and Welsh;
  you will learn people’s manners by contemplating their lives.--As
  though a swine should resist the valour of the lion, so the
  filthy Scots attack England; and the king for that reason reduces
  them to slavery: he will ever be a slave, who cannot be content
  with the little which Providence has given him.]

The following verses seem to have been written immediately after
John Baliol had retired to Normandy, in 1290. In the manuscript,
they are accompanied by a picture representing a ship, full of
people, passing the sea.

ON THE DEPOSITION OF BALIOL.

[From MS. Cotton. Julius, A. V. fol. 2, r^o. of beginning of 14th
cent.]

      Ecce dies veniunt Scoti sine principe fiunt;
      Regnum Balliolus perdit, transit mare solus.
      Defendi bello Scotus mucrone novello
      Sperans Gallorum, vires expectat eorum.
      De gwerra tuti Gallorum viribus uti
      Congaudent Scoti; currunt ad prælia moti.
      Gallia de parvo Scoto profecit in arvo.
      Cur in conflictu Scotus ter corruit ictu?
      Conflictu quarto Scoti ponuntur in arto:
        Quales sunt et erunt, carmina plura ferunt,
      Carmina qui didicit Trojam per prælia vicit,
        Ovidius docuit quæ sibi causa fuit.
      Percussis bellis, sterilis fit Troja puellis;
      Finitis motis, sic fiet Scotia Scotis.
      Vastantur gwerra Trojani, de prope terra
      Castrorum plena, cum finibus est aliena.
      Urbibus et villis proles dominatur Achillis;
      Pyrrhus vastat eas, Priamum ploravit Æneas.
      Merlinus scribit quod turba superba peribit;
      Latrans exibit canis, et bos profugus ibit.
      Tunc nemus Eutherium pennata fronde carebit;
      Et genus Albaneum sua regna perire videbit.
      Scote miser, plora, tibi flendi jam venit hora;
        Nam regnum patruum desinet esse tuum.
      Principe privaris, campo sic subpeditaris,
        Quod meritis miseris semper asellus eris.
      Vox de profundis Cambini te vocat undis,
      Torquendum clade, quam non novit genus Adæ.
      Illuc tende vias, et dæmonis assecla fias!
        Amplius Andreas ducere nescit eas.

  TRANSLATION.--Lo! the time is come when the Scots are without a
  prince; Baliol loses the kingdom, and passes the sea alone. The
  Scot, hoping to be defended in battle by the new spear of the
  French, is waiting for their power. The Scots rejoice together
  in the belief that they will have the better in the war by the
  aid of the French; they rebel, and haste to fight. France will
  profit little the Scot in the field. Why has the Scot been beaten
  in three battles? By the fourth battle the Scots are reduced to
  extremities: such as they are and will ever be, very many songs
  tell. He who learnt songs conquered Troy in battle; Ovid has
  told us what was the cause of it. After the war, Troy was barren
  of maidens; when the rebellion is over, so will Scotland be of
  Scots. Troy is ravaged by war, the land near about being full of
  camps, it is with its boundaries become the property of another.
  The son of Achilles rules over the cities and towns; Pyrrhus
  lays them waste, Æneas has wept for Priam. Merlin writes that
  the proud crowd shall perish; the barking dog shall depart, and
  the ox shall go into exile. Then shall the Eutherian grove be
  stripped of its feathered branches; and the Albanian race will
  see their kingdom perish. Wretched Scot, lament, thy hour of
  weeping is now come; for the kingdom of thy forefathers ceases
  to be thine. Thou art deprived of a prince, and art so trodden
  down in the field, that by thy ill merits thou wilt always be an
  ass. A voice from the bottom of the Cambine waters calls thee,
  to be punished with such slaughter as the race of Adam has not
  yet seen. Hasten thither, and become the companion of the devil!
  Andrew will no longer be their leader.

The general hatred to the Scots did not hinder the people from
feeling grieved by the heavy taxes which were raised to support the
war, and more particularly the expeditions into Flanders, (which
latter were ill managed, and produced no results,) or from showing
their dissatisfaction. The King’s measures of ambition were often
thwarted by the stern opposition of the barons and the commons.
The following song was directed more particularly against the
unconstitutional seizure of wool, and generally against all the
taxes raised for the Flemish war.

SONG AGAINST THE KING’S TAXES.

[MS. Harl. No. 2253, fol. 137, v^o, written in reign of Edw. II.]

      Dieu, roy de magesté, ob personas trinas,
      Nostre roy e sa meyné ne perire sinas;
      Grantz mals ly fist aver gravesque ruinas,
      Celi qe ly fist passer partes transmarinas.
        Rex ut salvetur, falsis maledictio detur!

      Roy ne doit à feore de gere extra regnum ire,
      For si la commune de sa terre velint consentire:
      Par tresoun voit honme sovent quam plures perire;
      A quy en fier seurement nemo potest scire.
        Non eat ex regno rex sine consilio.

      Ore court en Engletere de anno in annum
      Le quinzyme dener, pur fere sic commune dampnum.
      E fet avaler que soleyent sedere super scamnum;
      E vendre fet commune gent vaccas, vas, et pannum.
        Non placet ad summum quindenum sic dare nummum.

      Une chose est countre foy, unde gens gravatur,
      Que la meyté ne vient al roy, in regno quod levatur.
      Pur ce qu’il n’ad tot l’enter, prout sibi datur,
      Le pueple doit le plus doner, et sic sincopatur.
        Nam quæ taxantur, regi non omnia dantur.

      Unquore plus greve à simple gent collectio lanarum,
      Que vendre fet communement divitias earum.
      Ne puet estre que tiel consail constat Deo carum,
      Issi destrure le poverail pondus per amarum,
        Non est lex sana, quod regi sit mea lana.

      Uncore est plus outre peis, ut testantur gentes,
      En le sac deus pers ou treis per vim retinentes.
      A quy remeindra cele leyne? quidam respondentes,
      Que jà n’avera roy ne reygne, sed tantum colligentes.
        Pondus lanarum tam falsum constat amarum.

      Depus que le roy vodera tam multum cepisse,
      Entre les riches si purra satis invenisse;
      E plus, à ce que m’est avys, et melius fecisse
      Des grantz partie aver pris, et parvis pepercisse.
        Qui capit argentum sine causa peccat egentum.

      Honme ne doit à roy retter talem pravitatem,
      Mès al maveis consiler per ferocitatem.
      Le roy est jeovene bachiler, nec habet ætatem,
      Nule malice compasser, sed omnem probitatem.
        Consilium tale dampnum confert generale.

      Rien greve les grantz graunter regi sic tributum;
      Les simples deyvent tot doner, contra Dei nutum.
      Cest consail n’est mye bien, sed vitiis pollutum;
      Ceux que grauntent ne paient ren, est male constitutum.
        Nam concedentes nil dant regi, sed egentes.

      Coment fra honme bon espleit ex pauperum sudore,
      Que les riches esparnyer doit, dono vel favore?
      Des grantz um le dust lever, Dei pro timore;
      Le pueple plus esparnyer, qui vivit in dolore.
        Qui satis es dives, non sic ex paupere vives.

      Je voy en siècle qu’ore court gentes superbire,
      D’autre biens tenir grant court, quod cito vult transire.
      Quant vendra le haut juggement, magna dies iræ,
      S’il ne facent amendement, tunc debent perire.
        Rex dicit reprobis, “ite:”--“venite,” probis.

      Dieu, que fustes coronée cum acuta spina,
      De vostre pueple eiez pitée gratia divina!
      Que le siècle soit aleggée de tali ruina!
      A dire grosse veritée est quasi rapina.
        Res inopum capta, nisi gratis, est quasi rapta.

      Tel tribut à nul feor diu nequit durare;
      Devoyde qy puet doner, vel manibus tractare?
      Gentz sunt à tiel meschief quod nequeunt plus dare;
      Je me doute, s’ils ussent chief, quod vellent levare.
        Sæpe facit stultas gentes vacuata facultas.

      Yl y a tant escarceté monetæ inter gentes,
      Qe honme puet en marché, quam parci sunt ementes,
      Tot eyt honme drap ou blée, porcos vel bidentes,
      Rien lever en verité, tam multi sunt egentes.
        Gens non est læta, cum sit tam parca moneta.

      Si le roy freyt moun consail, tunc vellem laudare,
      D’argent prendre le vessel, monetamque parare;
      Mieu valdreit de fust ma[n]ger, pro victu nummos dare,
      Qe d’argent le cors servyr, et lignum pacare.
        Est vitii signum pro victu solvere lignum.

      Lur commissiouns sunt trochiers qui sunt ultra mare;
      Ore lur terres n’ount povers eosdem sustentare.
      Je ne say coment purrount animas salvare,
      Que d’autrui vivre voderount, et propria servare.
        Non dubitant pœnas cupientes res alienas.

      Dieu pur soun seintime noun, confundat errores,
      E ceux que pensent fere tresoun, et pacis turbatores!
      E vengaunce en facez ad tales vexatores!
      E confermez e grantez inter reges amores!
        Perdat solamen qui pacem destruit! AMEN.

  TRANSLATION.--O God, king of majesty, for the sake of the
  Trinity,--do not permit our king and his household to
  perish;--great hurt and great ruin he caused him to have,--who
  made him pass over the sea.--In order that the king may prosper,
  may his false advisers be accursed.

  A king ought not to go out of his kingdom to make war,--unless
  the commons of his land will consent:--by treason we often
  see very many perish;--no one can tell in whom to trust with
  certainty.--Let not the king go out of his kingdom without
  counsel.

  Now goes in England from year to year--the fifteenth penny, to
  do thus a common harm.--And it makes them go down, who used to
  sit upon a bench;--and it obliges the common people to sell both
  cows, vessels, and clothes.--It does not please thus to pay the
  fifteenth to the last penny.

  One thing is against faith, whereby the people is
  aggrieved,--that the half of what is raised in the kingdom does
  not come to the king.--Since he has not the whole, as it is given
  to him,--the people is obliged to give the more, and thus they
  are cut short.--For the taxes which are raised are not all given
  to the king.

  The collecting of the wool grieves the common people still
  more,--which drives them commonly to sell their property.--Such
  counsel cannot be acceptable to God,--thus to destroy the poor
  people by a bitter burthen.--It is not sound law, which gives my
  wool to the king.

  What is still more contrary to peace, as people witness,--they
  retain two or three parts in the sack.--To whom shall remain
  this wool? Some answer,--that neither king nor queen shall have
  it, but only the collectors.--Such a false weight of wool is
  manifestly a bitter thing.

  Since the king is determined to take so much,--he may find enough
  among the rich and he would get more and do better, as it appears
  to me,--to have taken a part from the great, and to have spared
  the little.--He sins who takes the money of the needy without
  cause.

  We ought not to lay such wickedness to the charge of the
  king,--but to the bad counsellor, by his rapacity. The king is a
  young bachelor, and is not of an age--to compass any malice, but
  to do all probity.--Such counsel does general harm.

  It is no trouble to the great thus to grant to the king a
  tax; the simple must pay it all, which is contrary to God’s
  will.--This counsel is not at all good, but polluted with
  vice;--it is ill ordained, that those who grant should pay
  nothing.--For those who make the grant give nothing to the king,
  it is the needy only who give.

  How will they perform good deeds out of the sweat of the
  poor,--whom the rich ought to spare, by gift or favour?--they
  ought to tax the great, for the fear of God;--and spare more the
  people, who live in pain.--Thou who art rich enough, live not
  thus upon the poor.

  I see at the present day how people are proud,--with other
  people’s goods they hold great court, which will quickly
  pass.--When the high judgment comes, the great day of
  wrath,--unless they make atonement, they must then perish.--The
  King says to the bad, “Go:” to the good, “Come.”

  O God, who wast crowned with the sharp thorn,--have pity with
  divine grace upon thy people!--May the world be comforted of
  such ruin!--To tell unvarnished truth, it is mere robbery.--The
  property of the poor taken without their will, is as it were
  stolen.

  Such tribute can in no manner last long;--out of emptiness who
  can give, or touch anything with his hands.--People are reduced
  to such ill plight, that they can give no more;--I fear, if they
  had a leader, they would rise in rebellion.--Loss of property
  often makes people fools.

  There is so much scarcity of money among people,--that people can
  in the market, there are so few buyers,--although they may have
  cloth or corn, swine or sheep,--make nothing of them, in truth,
  there are so many needy people.--The people is not joyful, when
  money is so scarce.

  If the king would take my advice, I would praise him then,--to
  take the vessels of silver, and make money of them;--it would be
  better to eat out of wood, and to give money for victuals--than
  to serve the body with silver, and pay with wood.--It is a sign
  of vice, to pay for victuals with wood.

  The commissions of those who are employed over sea are too
  dear;--now the poor have not their lands to sustain the same.--I
  do not know how they can save their souls,--who would live upon
  other people’s goods, and save their own.--They cannot doubt but
  they will be punished, who covet the property of others.

  May God, for the sake of his holy name, confound errors,--and
  those who meditate treason, and the disturbers of the peace!--and
  take vengeance on such tormentors!--and confirm and grant love
  between the kings!--May he lose consolation who breaks the peace!
  Amen.

Although the English people were grieved by the King’s expensive
and ill-conducted foreign wars, yet they were not wanting in
commiseration for the Flemish burghers in their struggle against
France. The song which follows was composed soon after the battle
of Courtrai, in which the Comte d’Artois and his army were defeated
and destroyed by the Flemings in 1302.

SONG ON THE FLEMISH INSURRECTION.

[MS. Harl. No. 2253, fol. 73, v^o. of reign of Edw. II.]

      Lustneth, lordinges, bothe ȝonge ant olde,
      Of the Freynsshe-men that were so proude ant bolde,
      Hou the Flemmysshe-men bohten hem ant solde
                      upon a Wednesday.
      Betere hem were at home in huere londe,
      Then for te seche Flemmysshe by the see stronde,
      Wharethourh moni Frenshe wyf wryngeth hire honde,
                      ant singeth, weylaway!

      The Kyng of Fraunce made statuz newe
      In the lond of Flaundres, among false ant trewe,
      That the commun of Bruges ful sore con a-rewe,
                      ant seiden amonges hem,
      “Gedere we us togedere hardilyche at ene,
      Take we the bailifs by tuenty ant by tene,
      Clappe we of the hevedes an oven o the grene,
                      ant caste we y the fen.”

      The webbes ant the fullaris assembleden hem alle,
      Ant makeden huere consail in huere commune halle;
      Token Peter Conyng huere kyng to calle,
                      ant beo huere cheventeyn.
      Hue nomen huere rouncyns out of the stalle,
      Ant closeden the toun withinne the walle;
      Sixti baylies ant ten hue maden a-doun falle,
                      ant moni another sweyn.

      Tho wolde the baylies, that were come from Fraunce,
      Dryve the Flemisshe that made the destaunce;
      Hue turnden hem aȝeynes with suerd ant with launce,
                      stronge men ant lyht.
      Y telle ou for sothe, for al huere bobaunce,
      Ne for the avowerie of the Kyng of Fraunce,
      Tuenti score ant fyve haden ther meschaunce
                      by day ant eke by nyht.

      Sire Jakes de Seint Poul y-herde hou hit was;
      Sixtene hundred of horsmen asemblede o the gras;
      He wende toward Bruges _pas pur pas_,
                      with swithe gret mounde.
      The Flemmysshe y-herden telle the cas;
      A-gynneth to clynken huere basyns of bras,
      Ant al hem to-dryven ase ston doth the glas,
                      ant fellen hem to grounde.

      Sixtene hundred of horsmen hede ther here fyn;
      Hue leyȝen y the stretes y-styked ase swyn;
      Ther hue loren huere stedes, ant mony rouncyn,
                      thourh huere oune prude.
      Sire Jakes ascapede by a coynte gyn,
      Out at one posterne ther me solde wyn,
      Out of the fyhte hom to ys yn,
                      in wel muchele drede.

      Tho the Kyng of Fraunce y-herde this, anon
      Assemblede he is dousse pers everuchon,
      The proude Eorl of Artoys ant other mony on,
                      to come to Paris.
      The barouns of Fraunce thider conne gon,
      Into the paleis that paved is with ston,
      To jugge the Flemmisshe to bernen ant to slon,
                      thourh the flour-de-lis.

      Thenne seide the Kyng Philip, “Lustneth nou to me,
      Myn eorles ant my barouns gentil ant fre,
      Goth, faccheth me the tray tours y-bounde to my kne,
                      hastifliche ant blyve.”
      Tho suor the Eorl of Seint Poul, “_Par la goule Dé!_
      We shule facche the rybaus wher thi wille be,
      Ant drawen hem [with] wilde hors out of the countré,
                      by thousendes fyve.”

      “Sire Rauf Devel,” sayth the Eorl of Boloyne,
      “_Nus ne lerrum en vie chanoun ne moyne_,
      Wende we forth anon ritht withoute eny assoygne,
                      ne no lyves man.
      We shule flo the Conyng, ant make roste is loyne;
      The word shal springen of him into Coloyne,
      So hit shal to Acres ant into Sesoyne,
                      ant maken him ful wan.”

      Sevene eorles ant fourti barouns y-tolde,
      Fiftene hundred knyhtes proude ant swythe bolde,
      Sixti thousent swyers amonge ȝunge ant olde,
                      Flemmisshe to take.
      The Flemmisshe hardeliche hem come to-ȝeynes;
      This proude Freinsshe eorles, huere knyhtes, ant huere sweynes
      A-quelleden ant slowen by hulles ant by pleynes,
                      al for huere kynges sake.

      This Frenshe come to Flaundres so liht so the hare;
      Er hit were mydnyht hit fel hem to care;
      Hue were laht by the net so bryd is in snare,
                      with rouncin ant with stede.
      The Flemmisshe hem dabbeth o the het bare;
      Hue nolden take for huem raunsoun ne ware;
      Hue doddeth of huere hevedes, fare so hit fare,
                      ant thareto haveth hue nede.

      Thenne seith the Eorl of Artois, “Y ȝelde me to the,
      Peter Conyng by thi nome, ȝef thou art hende ant free,
      That y ne have no shame ne no vylté,
                      that y ne be noud ded.”
      Thenne swor a bocher, “By my leauté!
      Shalt thou ner more the Kyng of Fraunce se,
      Ne in the toun of Bruges in prisone be,
                      thou woldest spene bred.”

      Ther by were knulled y the put-falle,
      This eorles ant barouns ant huere knyhtes alle;
      Huere ledies huem mowe abide in boure ant in halle
                      wel longe.
      For hem mot huere kyng other knyhtes calle,
      Other stedes taken out of huere stalle:
      Ther hi habbeth dronke bittrere then the galle,
                      upon the drue londe.

      When the Kyng of Fraunce y-herde this tydynge,
      He smot doun is heved, is honden gon he wrynge.
      Thourhout al Fraunce the word bygon to springe;
                      wo wes huem tho!
      Muche wes the sorewe ant the wepinge
      That wes in al Fraunce among olde ant ȝynge:
      The meste part of the lond bygon for te synge
                      “alas! ant weylawo!”

      Awey thou ȝunge pope! whet shal the to rede?
      Thou hast lore thin cardinals at thi meste nede;
      Ne keverest thou hem nevere for nones kunnes mede,
                      for sothe y the telle.
      Do the forth to Rome to amende thi misdede;
      Bide gode halewen hue lete the betere spede:
      Bote thou worche wysloker, thou losest lont ant lede,
                      the coroune wel the felle.

      Alas! thou seli Fraunce, for the may thunche shome,
      That are fewe fullaris maketh ou so tome;
      Sixti thousent on a day hue maden fot lome,
                      with eorl ant knyht.
      Herof habbeth the Flemysshe suithe god game,
      Ant suereth bi Seint Omer ant eke bi Seint Jame,
      Ȝef hy ther more cometh, hit falleth huem to shame,
                      with huem for te fyht.

      I tell ou for sothe, the bataille thus bigon
      Bituene Fraunce ant Flaundres, hou hue weren fon;
      Vor Vrenshe the eorl of Flaundres in prison heden y-don,
                      with tresoun untrewe.
      Ȝe[f] the Prince of Walis his lyf habbe mote,
      Hit falleth the Kyng of Fraunce bittrore then the sote;
      Bote he the rathere therof welle do bote,
                      wel sore hit shal hym rewe.

  TRANSLATION.--Listen, Lordings, both young and old,--of the
  Frenchmen that were so proud and bold,--how the Flemmish men
  bought and sold them--upon a Wednesday.--Better it had been
  for them at home in their country,--than to seek Flemings by
  the sea-strand,--through which many a French woman wrings her
  hands,--and sings, weladay!

  The King of France made new statutes--in the land of Flanders,
  among false and true,--that the commons of Bruges full sorely
  began to rue,--and said amongst themselves,--“Let us assemble
  together boldly in the evening,--let us take the bailiffs by
  twenties and by tens,--let us clap off their heads above on the
  green,--and let us cast them in the fen.”

  The weavers and the fullers assembled them all,--and held
  their council in their common hall,--they took Peter Conyng to
  be called their king,--and to be their chieftain.--They took
  their horses out of the stable,--and closed the town within the
  wall;--seventy bailiffs they made down fall,--and many another
  man.

  Then would the bailiffs that were come from France--drive out
  the Flemings who made the disturbance;--but they turned against
  them with sword and with lance,--strong men and nimble.--I tell
  you for truth, in spite of their vaunting,--and in spite of the
  patronage of the King of France,--four hundred and five had there
  mischance--by day and also by night.

  Sir Jacques de St. Paul heard how it was:--he assembled sixteen
  hundred knights on the grass;--they went towards Bruges step by
  step,--with a very great body of people.--The Flemings heard tell
  of the case; they begin to clink their basins of brass,--and they
  break them all to pieces as a stone does glass,--and fell them to
  the ground.

  Sixteen hundred knights had there their end;--they lay in the
  streets stuck like swine;--there they lost their steeds, and many
  a horse,--through their own pride;--Sir Jacques escaped by a
  cunning contrivance,--out at a postern where they sold wine,--out
  of the fight home to his lodging,--in very great fear.

  When the King of France heard this, anon--he assembled his douze
  peers every one,--the proud Comte d’Artois and others many
  a one,--to come to Paris.--The barons of France began to go
  thither,--into the palace that is paved with stone,--to judge the
  Flemings to be burnt and slain,--through the fleur-de-lis.

  Then said King Philip, “Listen now to me,--my earls and my
  barons gentle and free,--go, fetch me the traitors in bonds to
  my knees,--hastily and quickly.”--Then swore the Comte de Saint
  Paul, “By the throat of God!--we shall fetch the ribalds wherever
  it be thy will,--and draw them with wild horses out of the
  country--by five-thousands.”

  “Sir Ralf Devel,” says the Comte de Bologne,--“we will not leave
  alive either canon or monk,--let us go forth anon right without
  any excuse,--nor no man alive (?).--We shall flay the Conyng
  (rabbit), and cause his loins to be roasted;--the fame of him
  shall spring as far as Cologne,--so shall it to Acre and into
  Saxony,--and make them full pale.”

  Seven counts and forty barons in number,--fifteen hundred knights
  proud and very bold,--sixty thousand squires what with young and
  old,--to take the Flemings.--The Flemings boldly came against
  them;--these proud French comtes, their knights, and their
  men--they killed and slew over the hills and the plains,--all for
  their King’s sake.

  These French came to Flanders as light as the hare;--before it
  was midnight there fell upon them care;--they were caught in the
  net as a bird is in the snare,--with horse and with steed.--The
  Flemings dab them on the bare head;--they will take for them
  neither ransom nor pay;--they dod off their heads, happen what
  may,--and thereto have they need.

  Then saith the Comte d’Artois, “I yield me to thee,--Peter Conyng
  by name, if thou art gentle and free,--that I may suffer no
  shame nor disgrace,--and that I may not be slain.”--Then swore a
  butcher, “By my loyalty!--thou shalt never more see the King of
  France,--nor be in prison in the town of Bruges,--thou wouldest
  consume bread.”

  There they were heaped into the pit-full,--these counts and
  barons and all their knights;--their ladies may wait for them
  in bower and in hall--very long.--In their place must their
  king call other knights,--and take other steeds out of their
  stables:--there they have drunk bitterer than gall,--upon the dry
  land.

  When the King of France heard these tidings,--he cast down his
  head, his hands he began to wring.--Throughout all France the
  news began to spread;--woe was to them all!--Much was the sorrow
  and the weeping--that was in all France among old and young;--The
  greatest part of the land began to sing,--“Alas! and welaway!”

  Away, thou young pope! what will be thy counsel?--Thou hast lost
  thy cardinals at thy greatest need;--thou wilt never recover them
  for any kind of reward,--for truth I tell thee.--Go forth to Rome
  to atone for thy misdeeds;--pray to good saints that they let
  thee speed better:--unless thou workest more wisely, thou losest
  land and people,--the crown fell well to the. (?)

  Alas! thou simple France, it may appear a shame for thee,--that
  a few fullers make thee so tame;--sixty thousand in a day they
  made trip quickly, (?)--with count and knight.--Thereof have
  the Flemings very good game,--and swear by St. Omer and eke by
  St. James,--if they come there any more, it will fall them to
  shame,--with them to fight.

  I tell you for truth, the battle thus begun,--between France and
  Flanders, how they were foes;--for the French had put the Count
  of Flanders in prison,--with treason faithlessly.--If the Prince
  of Wales his life might have,--it will happen to the King of
  France more bitter than soot;--unless he before-hand do make good
  amends for it,--very sorely he shall rue it.

The following song seems to have been popular about the beginning
of the fourteenth century. The wolf and the fox pourtray exactly
the characters of the two classes of people who then oppressed and
plundered the middle and lower classes.

A SONG ON THE TIMES.

[MS. Harl. No. 913, fol. 44, v^o. written about A.D. 1308.]

      Whose thenchith up this carful lif,
        Niȝte and dai that we beth inne,
      So moch we seeth of sorow and strif,
        And lite ther is of worldis winne,
      Hate and wreth ther is wel rive,
        And trew love is ful thinne:
      Men that beth in heiiȝist live
        Mest i-charged beth with sinne.

      Fals and lither is this lond,
        As al dai we mai i-se:
      Therin is bothe hate and onde,--
        Ic wene that ever so wol be.
      Coveitise hath the law an honde,
        That the trewthe he ne mai i-se:
      Nou is maister pride and onde;--
        Alas! Loverde, whi suffrith he?

      Wold holi cherch pilt is miȝte,
        And law of lond pilt him to;
      Than scholde coveitise and un-riȝte
        Ute of lond ben y-do.
      Holi cherch schold hold is riȝt
        For no eie no for no love;
      That hi ne schold schow har miȝt
        For lordingen boste that beth above.

      To entredite and amonsi
        Al thai, whate hi evir be,
      That lafful men doth robbi,
        Whate in lond what in see;
      And thos hoblurs, namelich,
        That husbond benimeth eri of grund;
      Men ne schold ham biri in non chirch,
        Bot cast ham ute as a hund.

      Thos kingis ministris beth i-schend,
        To riȝt and law that ssold tak hede,
      And al the lond for t’ amend,
        Of thos thevis hi taketh mede.
      Be the lafful man to deth i-broȝt,
        And his catel awei y-nom;
      Of his deth ne tellith hi noȝt,
        Bot of har prei hi hab som.

      Hab hi the silver, and the mede,
        And the catel under-fo,
      Of feloni hi ne taketh hede,
        Al thilk trepas is a-go.
      Of thos a vorbisen ic herd telle;
        The Lion is king of all beeste,
      And--herknith al to mi spelle--
        In his lond he did an heste.

      The Lyon lete cri, as hit was do,
        For he hird lome to telle;
      And eke him was i-told also
        That the wolf didde noȝte welle.
      And the fox, that lither grome,
        With the wolf, i-wreiid was;
      To-for har lord hi schold come,
        To amend har trepas.

      And so men didde that seli asse,
        That trepasid noȝt, no did no gilte,
      With ham bothe i-wreiid was,
        And in the ditement was i-pilt.
      The voxe hird amang al menne,
        And told the wolf with the brode crune;
      That on him send gees and henne,
        That other geet and motune.

      The seli aasse wend was saf,
        For he ne eete noȝt bote grasse;
      None ȝiftes he ne ȝaf,
        No wend that no harm nasse.
      Tho hi to har lord com to tune,
        He told to ham law and skille;
      Thos wikid bestis luid a-dune,
        “Lord,” hi seiid, “what is thi wille?”

      Tho spek the Lion hem to,
        To the fox anone his wille,--
      “Tel me, boi, what hast i-do?
        Men beth aboute the to spille.”
      Tho spek the fox first anone,
        “Lord King, nou thi wille;
      Thos men me wreiith of the tune,
        And wold me gladlich for to spille.--

      Gees no hen nad ic noȝt,
        Sire, for soth ic the sigge,
      Bot as ic ham dere boȝt,
        And bere ham up myn owen rigge.”
      ”Godis grame most hi have,
        That in the curte the so pilt!
      Whan hit is so, ich vouchsave,
        Ic forȝive the this gilte.”

      The fals wolf stode behind;
        He was doggid and ek felle:--
      “Ic am i-com of grete kind,
        Pes thou graunt me, that miȝt ful welle.”
      “What hast i-do, bel amy,
        That thou me so oxist pes?”
      “Sire,” he seid, “I nel noȝt lie,
        If thou me woldist hire a res.

      For ic huntid up the doune,
        To loke, Sire, mi biȝete;
      Ther ic slow a motune,
        Ȝe, Sir, and fewe gete.
      Ic am i-wreiid, Sire, to the,
        For that ilk gilt;--
      Sire, ichul sker me,
        I ne ȝef ham dint no pilt.”

      “For soth I sigge the, bel ami,
        Hi nadde no gode munde,
      Thai that wreiid the to mei,
        Thou ne diddist noȝt bot thi kund.--
      Sei thou me, asse, wat hast i-do?
        Me thenchith thou cannist no gode.
      Whi nadistou, as other mo?
        Thou come of lither stode.”

      “Sertis, Sire, not ic noȝt;
        Ic ete sage alnil gras,--
      More harm ne did ic noȝt;
        Therfor i-wreiid ic was.”
      “Bel ami, that was mis-do,
        That was aȝe thi kund,
      For to ete such gras so:--
        Hastilich ȝe him bind;

      Al his bonis ȝe to-draw,
        Loke that ȝe noȝt lete;
      And that ic ȝive al for lawe,
        That his fleis be al i-frette.”--
      Also hit farith nou in lond,
        Whose wol tak therto hede:
      Of thai that habbith an hond,
        Of thevis hi takith mede.

      The lafful man ssal be i-bund,
        And i-do in strang pine,
      And i-hold in fast prisund,
        Fort that he mak fine.
      And the thef to skap so,
        That doth ever aȝe the riȝt.
      God take hede therto,
        That is al ful of miȝt!

      Thus farith al the world nuthe,
        As we mai al i-se,
      Both est and west, north and suthe;
        God us help and the Trinité!
      Trewth is i-faillid with fremid and sibbe,
        And so wide as al this lond
      Ne mai no man therin libbe,
        What throȝ coveitise and throȝ onde.

      Thoȝ lafful man wold hold is lif
        In love, in charité, and in pes,
      Sone me ssul compas is lif,
        And that in a litil res.
      Prude is maister and coveitise,
        The thrid brother men clippith ond;
      Niȝt and dai he fondith i-wisse
        Lafful men, to hab har lond.

      Whan erth hath erthe i-gette
        And of erthe so hath i-nouȝ,
      Whan he is therin i-stekke,
        Wo is him that was in wouȝ!
      What is the gode that man ssal hab,
        Ute of this world whan he ssal go?
      A sori wed,--whi ssal ic gab?--
        For he broȝt him no mo.

      Riȝt as he com, he ssal wend,
        In wo, in pine, in poverté;--
      Takith gode hede, men, to ȝure end,
        For as I sigge, so hit wol be.
      Y not wharof beth men so prute;
        Of erthe and axen, felle and bone?
      Be the soule enis ute,
        A vilir caraing nis ther non.

      The caraing is so lolich to see,
        That under erth men mot it hide;
      Bothe wif and child wol fram him fle,
        Ther nis no frend that wol him bide.
      What wol men for the sowle del?
        Corne no mel, wel thou wost;
      Bot wel seld at the mele
        A rowȝ bare trenchur, other a crust.

      The begger that the crust ssal hab,
        Wel hokerlich he lokith theran:
      Soth to sigge, and noȝt to gabbe,
        Riȝt noȝt he is i-paiid a pan.
      Than seiith the begger in is mode,
        “The crust is bothe hard and tougth,
      The wreche was hard that ow the gode,
        Hard for hard is gode y-nowȝ.”

      Moch misanter that for him bidde
        Pater noster other crede;
      Bot let him hab as he didde,
        For of the ȝift nath he no mede.
      Ic red up no man thou hab triste.
        No uppon non other;
      Ok del hit with ȝure owen fist,
        Trist to soster no brother.

      Anurith God and holi chirch,
        And ȝiveth the pouir that habbith nede;
      So Godis wille ȝe ssul wirche,
        And joi of heven hab to mede.
              To whoch joi us bring
              Jhesus Crist heven king! AMEN.

  TRANSLATION.--Whoso reflecteth upon this life which is full of
  care,--night and day that we are in,--so much we see of sorrow
  and strife,--and little there is of world’s joy.--Hate and wrath
  there is very rife,--and true love is very rare:--men who are in
  the highest station of life,--are most laden with sin.

  False and wicked is this land,--as every day we may see:--in it
  there is both hate and contention,--I think it will always be
  so.--Covetousness hath the law in hand,--that he may not see the
  truth:--Now pride is master, and contention;--Alas! Lord! why
  suffereth he?

  If holy church would exert its might,--and the law of the land
  exert it too;--then should covetousness and injustice--out of the
  land be driven.--Holy church should withhold its right--for no
  fear nor for no love;--that they should not show their might--for
  the boast of lordings that are above.

  To interdict and admonish--all those, whatever they be,--who
  lawful men do rob,--whether on the land or on the sea;--and those
  hoblers in particular,--that take from the husbandman the tillage
  of the ground;--men ought not to bury them in any church,--but to
  throw them out like a dog.

  Those king’s ministers are corrupted,--that should take heed to
  right and law,--and all the land for to amend,--of these thieves
  they take bribe.--If the man who acts lawfully is brought to
  death,--and his property taken away;--of his death they make no
  account,--but of their prey they have a share.

  If they have the silver and the bribe--and the property
  received,--they take no heed of felony,--every trespass is
  allowed to pass.--Of these a parable I heard tell;--the Lion is
  king of all beasts,--and (hearken all to my tale)--in his land he
  made a command.

  The Lion caused to be proclaimed, as it was done,--for he heard
  frequently tell;--and eke it was told him also--that the wolf did
  not well.--And the fox, that wicked fellow,--with the wolf was
  accused;--before their lord they must come,--to make amends for
  their trespass.

  And so men did [accuse] the simple ass,--that trespassed not,
  nor did any crime,--with them both he was accused,--and in
  the indictment was put.--The fox heard [talk of it] among all
  men,--and told the wolf with the broad crown;--the one sent to
  him [the Lion] geese and hens,--the other kids and mutton.

  The simple ass thought he was safe,--for he eat nothing but
  grass;--no gifts he gave,--nor suspected that there was any
  harm.--When they came in the presence of their Lord,--he counted
  out to them law and reason;--these wicked beasts laid themselves
  down [prostrate],--“Lord,” said they, “what is thy will?”

  Then spake the Lion to them,--to the fox in the first place [he
  declared] his will,--“Tell me, fellow, what hast thou done?--Men
  are about thee to ruin.”--Then spake the fox first,--“Lord King,
  now thy will;--these men accuse me of the town,--and would gladly
  ruin me.

  “Gees nor hen had I not,--Sire, for truth I tell thee,--but as
  I bought them dearly,--and bore them upon my own back.”--“God’s
  anger may they have,--that in the court so placed thee!--Since it
  is so, I vouchsafe,--I forgive thee this guilt.”

  The false wolf stood behind;--he was dogged and eke fell:--“I
  am come of a great race,--grant thou me peace, who may full
  well.”--“What hast thou done, fair friend,--that thou so askest
  me peace?”--“Sire,” he said, “I will not lie,--if thou wouldst
  hear me a little while.

  “For I hunted up the downs,--to look, Sire, after my gain;--There
  I slew a mutton,--yea, Sire, and a few kids.--I am accused, sire,
  to thee,--for that same crime;--Sire, I shall clear myself,--I
  gave them neither blow nor hurt.”

  “For truth I tell thee, fair friend,--they had no good
  mind,--they who accused thee to me,--thou didst nothing but thy
  nature.--Tell thou me, ass, what hast thou done?--Methinks thou
  art capable of no good.--Why haddest thou not [done] as others
  more?--thou art come of wicked place.”

  “Certes, Sire, I know not;--I eat sage and only grass,--more harm
  did I not;--therefore was I accused.”--“Fair friend, that was
  misdone,--that was against thy nature,--for to eat such grass
  so:--hastily ye him bind;

  “Draw ye all his bones to pieces,--look that ye do not fail;--and
  that I give all for law,--that his flesh be all torn to
  pieces.”--Thus it fares now in the land,--whoever will take heed
  thereto:--of they that have in hand,--of thieves they take gifts.

  The man who acts according to law shall be bound,--and condemned
  to strong pain,--and held in fast prison,--until he pays a
  fine.--And the thief to escape so,--that acts ever against the
  right!--God take heed thereto,--who is all full of might!

  Thus fares all the world now,--as we may all see,--both east
  and west, north and south;--God and the Trinity help us!--Truth
  is failed with stranger and relation,--and as wide as all this
  land--no man can live therein,--what through covetousness and
  through contention.

  Though the man who acts according to law would hold his life--in
  love, in charity, and in peace,--soon they will compass his
  life,--and that in a little space of time.--Pride is master and
  covetousness--the third brother is called contention;--night and
  day they labour certainly--lawful men, to have their land.

  When earth has obtained earth,--and thus of earth hast
  enough,--when he is stuck therein,--woe to him that was in
  wickedness!--What is the good that man shall have,--when he shall
  go out of this world?--A sorry garment,--why shall I joke?--For
  he brought him no more.

  Just as he came, he shall go,--in woe, in pain, in poverty;--take
  good heed, men, to your end,--for as I say, so it will be.--I
  know not of what men are so proud;--of earth, and ashes, skin and
  bone?--when the soul is once out,--there is no viler carcase.

  The carcase is so loathsome to see,--that under earth men must it
  hide;--both wife and child will from him fly,--there is no friend
  that will stay with him.--What will men for the soul give?--corn
  nor meal, well thou knowest;--but very seldom at their meal,--a
  rough bare trencher, or a crust.

  The beggar that the crust shall have,--right scornfully he looks
  thereon:--truth to say, and not to joke,--right not a pan he
  is paid.--Then saith the beggar in his mood,--“The crust is
  both hard and tough,--the wretch was hard that possessed the
  goods,--hard for hard is good enough.”

  May he have much misadventure who for him saith--Pater-noster
  or creed;--but let him have as he did,--for of the gift hath he
  no reward.--I counsel thee have trust in no man,--nor upon no
  other;--but share it with your own fist,--trust neither to sister
  nor brother.

  Honour God and holy church,--and give to the poor that have
  need;--Thus ye shall work God’s will,--and have for reward the
  joy of heaven.--To which joy us bring--Jesus Christ heaven’s
  King. AMEN.

The scholastic philosophy flourished through the thirteenth
century, the age of Albertus Magnus, of Grosteste, and of Roger
Bacon; but, towards the close of that period, the importance of the
schools and universities was rapidly declining. They had received
a shock from the triumph of the monks over the scholars during
the reign of St. Louis, which they could never recover. Political
events, and the great change which was then operating in the whole
political--we may perhaps say social--system, hastened their fall.
The nice quibbles of the dialectitian, although they still had
their weight in the cloister, began to be sneered at in the world
without. The following song, which perhaps belongs to the beginning
of the fourteenth century, is directed against the _artistæ_, or
those who studied the seven arts, the scholastic _trivium_ and
_quadrivium_.

SONG AGAINST THE SCHOLASTIC STUDIES.

[From MS. Cotton. Titus A. XX. fol. 66, v^o, written in reign of
Edw. II.; and MS. Bodl. Oxford. Rawl. B. 214, fol. 168, v^o, of
15th cent.]

        Meum est propositum gentis imperitæ
      Artes frugi reddere melioris vitæ,
      Et ad artes singulas procedatis rite:
      Ad mea decepti juvenes documenta venite.
        Adversatur legibus omne genus cleri,
      Cujus status hodie pejor est quam heri;
      Sua sacra presbiter quisque vult tueri.
      Ingenium magni livor detraxit Homeri.
        Quando contra boream nauta pandit velum,
      Et asellus vincere cursu vult camelum,
      Non formidat ponere manus os in cœlum:
      Vulneror et clausum porto sub pectore telum.
        Præferri bidentibus capra vult hirsuta,
      Stulta non considerans unde sit induta;
      Illi æqua vellera non sunt attributa:
      Pennatis avibus quondam testudo locuta.
        Cum sint nuda gloria logici contenti,
      Sub egentis propere vivunt indumenti,
      Verumtamen invident opulentæ genti.
      Summa petit livor, perflant altissima venti.
        Modus est invidiæ semper, ut ab imis
      Sursum tendant, ultima contradicunt primis:
      Invidere negligit infimo sublimis.
      Invidus alterius rebus macescit opimis.
        Si non cupis vivere pauper et mendicus,
      Semper in laboribus sicut servus Stichus,
      Igni digna subjici sine fructu ficus,
      Dilige sic alios ut sis tibi carus amicus.
        Expedit pauperibus abhærere legi;
      Insudare nimium artibus elegi.
      Ignoro propterea unde possum regi,
      Carmina qui quondam studio florente peregi.
        Nonne circa logicam si quis laborabit,
      Spinas atque tribulos illi germinabit?
      In sudore nimio panem manducabit;
      Vix tamen hoc illi garula lingua dabit.
        In arenam logicus frustra semen serit,
      Nam metendi tempore fructus nullus erit;
      Circa ficum sterilem labor omnis perit.
      Arbor qualis erit, talia poma gerit.
        Licet sis ad apicem artium provectus,
      Fies junioribus in brevi despectus;
      Dicunt de te, “senio desipit affectus.”
      Æmula quid cessas finem properare senectus?
        Veræ pestilentiæ cathedra tu sedes,
      Qui Thebanas lectitas vel Trojanas cædes;
      Affluunt divitiis legistarum sedes,
      Et modo vadit equis qui solet ire pedes.
        Propter artes vigilans est revera stultus;
      Cur circa Georgicam pateris singultus?
      Ager sic per steriles jaceat incultus,
      Telluris si forte velis cognoscere cultus.
        Propter leges merito labor est ferendus;
      Ager reddens centuplum non est deferendus.
      Est libellus pauperum pauperi legendus;
      Hic tibi præcipue sit pura mente colendus.
        Circa dialecticam tempus cur consumis,
      Tu qui nullos redditus aliunde sumis?
      Colat qui per patriam natus est e summis,
      Dives agro, dives positis in fænore nummis.
        Dives in fallaciis discat esse fortis;
      Discat capram facere de persona sortis.
      Artes nunquam deserat citra tempus mortis.
      Contentus fama lateat Lucanus in hortis.
        Si forte deliquerit artibus imbutus,
      Ad legistas fugiet si vult esse tutus:
      Quia se defendere nescit plus quam mutus,
      Græcorum studia nimium diuque sequutus.
        Atria nobilium video patere;
      Cum legista venerit dissolvuntur ceræ.
      Exclusus ad januam poteris sedere,
      Ipse licet venias musis comitatus, Homere.
        Logicus araneæ potest comparari,
      Quæ subtiles didicit telas operari,
      Quæ suis visceribus volunt consummari;
      Est pretium musca, si forte queat laqueari.
        Si fortuna logico favet in privigno,
      Vultu namque logicum respicit benigno;
      Si sit dives logicus hoc sub cœli signo;
      Rara avis in terra nigroque simillima cigno.
        Naturæ cognoscere si velis archana,
      Stude circa physicam quæ dat membra sana:
      Sat quicquid expostulat egestas humana,
      Sat Galienus opes et sanctio Justiniana.

  TRANSLATION.--It is my design to turn the arts of an unskilful
  race to the fruit of a better life, and so proceed ye to each
  of the arts in order: O youth who have been deceived, come to
  my lessons.--Every class of the clergy is opposed to the laws,
  of whom the condition to-day is worse than it was yesterday;
  every priest will hold his own rites: envy detracted from the
  talents of great Homer.--When the sailor spreads his sail against
  the north wind, and the ass thinks to conquer the camel in the
  race, then the hand fears not to put the face towards heaven;
  I am wounded and carry the weapon shut up in my breast.--The
  shaggy she-goat wishes to be preferred to the sheep, in her folly
  not considering with what she is clothed; so fine a fleece has
  not been given to her: as the tortoise once said to the winged
  birds.--Although the logicians are satisfied with naked glory,
  and live under the garb of the needy, nevertheless they envy the
  rich. Envy seeks the summit, the wind blows vehemently on lofty
  places.--It is always the manner of envy, that they aim from
  the bottom upwards, the last speak against the first: he who is
  elevated does not think it worth while to envy him who is most
  low. The envious man becomes lean by regarding the fatness of
  another.--If you do not desire to live poor and beggarly, always
  labouring like the servant Stichus, a fig-tree without fruit
  worthy to be cast in the fire; love others so that thou mayest be
  a dear friend to thyself.--It is good for poor men to adhere to
  the law; I have chosen to labour much on the arts. I am ignorant
  therefore how I may be guided, who once composed verses, while
  my study flourished.--If any one will expend his labour upon
  logic, will it not produce him thorns and brambles? in too much
  sweat he will eat his bread; and even that his talkative tongue
  will hardly give him.--The logician in vain sows his seed in the
  sand, for in harvest time there will be no fruit; upon a barren
  fig-tree all labour is lost. Such as is the tree, such will be
  the fruit it bears.--Although you be arrived at the summit of
  the arts, you will be in a short time despised by the younger
  aspirants; they will say of thee, “he doats, affected with old
  age.” Old age, why do you emulous cease to hasten the end?--Thou
  sittest in the chair of a true pestilence, who readest the
  tragedy of Thebes or of Troy; [whilst] the seats of the legists
  abound in riches, and now he goes on horseback who used to go
  on foot.--He who sits up at night to study the arts is truly a
  fool; why do you yawn over the Georgic? thus the field may lie
  neglected and barren, while by chance you may be desirous of
  understanding the culture of the earth.--It is right that we
  should labour upon the laws; a field that produces a hundred-fold
  is not to be set aside. The book of the poor is to be read by the
  poor man; this chiefly is the book to be devotedly cultivated
  by thee.--Why do you consume your time upon dialectics, thou
  who receivest no income from other sources? Let him cultivate
  it who is born of high family in the country, rich in land and
  rich in money laid out at interest.--Let the rich man learn to
  be strong in fallacies; let him learn to make a she-goat of the
  person of chance. Let him never desert the arts, before the hour
  of his death. Satisfied with fame, let Lucan lie hid in the
  gardens.--If imbued in the arts he should chance to fail, he will
  fly to the legists if he will be safe: because he knows no more
  how to defend himself than one who is dumb, having pursued too