no obligation, it

is well bestowed, pou schalt pinke hit ful wel bi-set,

for it will keep

you from sin,

and make thy

chattel increase in thy strong box.

Devotion to be said at the offering to God,

that was born in Bethlehem,

I swere bi seynt Cristofre.

Of sinnes hit wol make pe to sese,

516

520

524

to here hit,

A warning against Be my troupe wisdam weore hit,

scorn of the

doctrine

go home, ye scorners!

þat he heolde him stille.

572

If we were judged

according to our works we should

be banished from His bliss.

[Fol. 303 b., col. 3] And pray also to the Virgin, and don't forget the gospel after the Mass:

an indulgence to

those who kiss

After vr dedes and we be demed,

From his blisse we schal be flemed

Out of þat worpli won.

636

God graunt vs grace. In wille and word or Note

We may be worpi to his bord,

þat lon.

3

it prei vr ladi· as I ow telle

pat ze forzete not pe god-spelle

For þing þat may bi-falle.

A 3er and fourti dayes atte lest
For verbum caro factum est

зе
To pardoun haue ze schalle.

the ground, when Mon or wommon schal haue pis,

654

640

644

648

652

Now I have finished,

and well pleased I am.

þer-of I am ful blipe

Ne more per-of to mele with moupe.

656

if you profit by it; Wolde ze penke hit in 3or pou3t,

but it is good to pen were hit lykynge of 30r mynde

And gret cumfort to Al Monkynde.

Hose wol, lusten and lype.

Still I have made it is per preo pinges on þe Bok,

exception of three
things in the
mass-book;

Sikerly pat I out-tok,

And neuer dar make in Mynde.
Hit was wel pou3t at my likynge,
I ches hit out bi heuene kynge,

pe toper is zit bi-hynde,

660

664

668