I fond there freres all the foure ordres, 55 Prechinge the peple for profyt of heore wombes, 12 Glosynge 13 the Gospel liketh,14

as hem14 good

For covetysels of copes construeth 16 hit

lyked his wordes,

Thus ye giveth oure32 gold · glotonye to

helpen,

And leveth hit to losels33 that lecherie haunten.34

Weore the bisschop y-blessed and worth bothe his eres,

35

75

His seel shulde not be sent to deceyve the peple.

Ac37 hit is not bi36 the bisschop that the boye precheth;

Bote37 the parisch prest and he · parten

the selver

That the poraille38 of the parisch schold have yif thei nere.

39

ANONYMOUS

NOAH'S FLOOD

THE WATERLEADERS AND DRAWERS

OF DEE

First God, sitting in some high place, or in clouds, if it can be done, speaks to Noah, standing with all his family outside the ark.

GOD. I, God, that all the world have wrought,

Heaven and earth, and all of nought,

I see my people in deed and thought
Are foully set in sin.

My spirit shall not remain in any man
That through fleshly liking is my fone,40
But till six score years be gone,

To look if they will blynne."

41

Man that I made I will destroy,
Beast, man, and fowl that fly,
For on earth they do me annoy,
The folk that are thereon;
It harms me so hurtfully,
The malice now that does multiply,

5

ΙΟ

15

20

HAM'S WIFE. And here are fowls, less and

more:

Herons, cranes, and bittour,1

Swans, peacocks; and them before Meat for this weather.

HAM. Shall we all fetch her in?

NOAH. Yea, sons, in Christ's blessing and mine!

I would you hied you betime,

For of this flood I am in doubt.5

185

The flood comes in full fleeting fast,
On every side it spreadeth full far;
For fear of drowning I am aghast,
Good gossip, let us draw near.
And let us drink ere we depart,
For oftentimes we have done so;
For at a draught thou drink'st a quart,
And so will I do, ere I go.

225

230

Ah, children, methinks my boat removes!

wraw:4

Over the land the water spreads

God do as he will!

220

2 for God's sake.

4

angry.