C. Vn

256 i;épopée mystique.

YII

« ACCIDIA ou LE GURB NÉGLIGENT

Thanne come Sleulhe al bislabered* with two slymy

, [eighen :

(( I most sitte » , seyde the segge • « or elles shulde I

[nappe ; 1 may noughte stonde ne stoupe* ne with-oute a stole

[knele* Were I broughte abedde • but if my taille-ende it made, Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse • ar I were rype to dyne. » He bygan benedicite with a bolkc * and his brest knocked. And roxed and rored • and rutte atte laste.

« What I awake, renke ! » quod Repentance • « and

[râpe the to shrifte »

If I shulde deye bi this day • me liste noughte to loke ; I can noughte perfitly my pater-noster * as the prest

fhit syngeth.

But I can ryraes of Robyn Hood • and Randolf erle of

[Cheslre, Ac neither of owre lorde ne of owre lady • the leste that

[euere was made.

I haue made vowes fourty • and foryete hem on the

[morne ; I parfourned neure penaunce • as the prest me highte» Ne ryght sori for my synnes • yet was I neuere. And yif I bidde any bedes • but if it be in wrath,

That I telle with my tonge • is two myle fro myne herte, l am occupied eche day • haliday and other, With ydel taies atte aie • and otherwhile in cherches ; Goddes peyne and his passioun • fui selde thynke I

[there-on.

I visited neuerefieble men • ne fettered folke in puttes;

I haue leuere hère an harlotrie* or a somer-game of

[souteres, Or lesyngês to laughe at • and belye my neighbore, Than al that euere Marke niade • Mathew, lohn, and

[Lucas.

And vigilies and fastyng-dayes • aile thise late I passe, And ligge abedde in lenten • an my lemman in myn armes, •Tyl matynes and masse be do • and thanne go to the frères ; Come I to ite missa est • I holde me yserued. I nam noughte shryuen some tyme • but if sekenesse it

[make, Nought tweies in two yere* and thanne vp gesse 1

[shryue me.

I haue be prest and parsoun • passynge thretti wynter, Yete can 1 neither solfe ne synge • ne seyntes lyues rede, But I can fynde in a felde • or in a fourlonge an hare, Better than in beatus vir ' or in heati omnes Construe oon clause wel • and kenne it to my parochienes.

YIII