
The Regius Manuscript
|
Hic incipiunt constituciones artis gemetriae secundum Eucyldem. |
Here begin the constitutions of the art of Geometry according to Euclid. |
|
|
|
|
1. Whose wol bothe wel rede and loke, |
1 Whoever will both well read and look |
|
2. He may fynde wryte yn olde boke |
2 He may find written in old book |
|
3. Of grete lordys and eke ladyysse, |
3 Of great lords and also ladies, |
|
4. That hade mony chyldryn y-fere, y-wisse; |
4 That had many children together, y-wisse; (certainly) |
|
5. And hade no rentys to fynde hem wyth, |
5 And had no income to keep them with, |
|
6. Nowther yn towne, ny felde, ny fryth: |
6 Neither in town nor field nor frith; (enclosed wood) |
|
7. A cownsel togeder they cowthe hem take; |
7 A council together they could them take, |
|
8. To ordeyne for these chyldryn sake, |
8 To ordain for these children's sake, |
|
9. How they my[g]th best lede here lyfe |
9 How they might best lead their life |
|
10. Withoute gret desese, care and stryfe; |
10 Without great dis-ease, care, and strife; |
|
11. And most for the multytude that was comynge |
11 And most for the multitude that was coming |
|
12. Of here chyldryn after here [g]yndynge. |
12 Of their children after their ending |
|
13. (They) sende thenne after grete clerkys, |
13 They send them after great clerks, |
|
14. To techyn hem thenne gode werkys; |
14 To teach them then good works; |
|
15. And pray we hem, for our Lordys sake, |
15 And pray we them, for our Lord's sake. |
|
16. To oure chyldryn sum werke to make, |
16 To our children some work to make, |
|
17. That they my[g]th gete here lyvynge therby, |
17 That they might get their living thereby, |
|
18. Bothe wel and onestlyche, ful sycurly. |
18 Both well and honestly full securely. |
|
19. Yn that tyme, thro[g]gh good gemetry, |
19 In that time, through good geometry, |
|
20. Thys onest craft of good masonry |
20 This honest craft of good masonry |
|
21. Wes ordeynt and made yn thys manere, |
21 Was ordained and made in this manner, |
|
22. Y-cownterfetyd of thys clerkys y-fere; |
22 Counterfeited of these clerks together; |
|
23. At these lordys prayers they cownterfetyd gemetry, |
23 At these lord's prayers they counterfeited geometry, |
|
24. And [g]af hyt the name of masonry, |
24 And gave it the name of masonry, |
|
25. For the moste oneste craft of alle. |
25 For the most honest craft of all. |
|
26. These lordys chyldryn therto dede falle, |
26 These lords' children thereto did fall, |
|
27. To lurne of hym the craft of gemetry, |
27 To learn of him the craft of geometry, |
|
28. The wheche he made ful curysly; |
28 The which he made full curiously; |
|
29. Thro[g]gh fadrys prayers and modrys also, |
29 Through fathers' prayers and mothers' also, |
|
30. Thys onest craft he putte hem to. |
30 This honest craft he put them to. |
|
31. He that lerned best, and were of onesté, |
31 He learned best, and was of honesty, |
|
32. And passud hys felows yn curysté; |
32 And passed his fellows in curiosity, |
|
33. [G]ef yn that craft he dede hym passe, |
33 If in that craft he did him pass, |
|
34. He schulde have more worschepe then the lasse. |
34 He should have more worship than the lasse, (less) |
|
35. Thys grete clerkys name was clept Euclyde, |
35 This great clerk's name was Euclid, |
|
36. Hys name hyt spradde ful wondur wyde. |
36 His name it spread full wonder wide. |
|
37. Get thys grete clerke more ordeynt he |
37 Yet this great clerk ordained he |
|
38. To hym that was herre yn thys degré, |
38 To him that was higher in this degree, |
|
39. That he schulde teche the synplyst of (wytte) |
39 That he should teach the simplest of wit |
|
40. Yn that onest craft to be parfytte; |
40 In that honest craft to be parfytte; (perfect) |
|
41. And so uchon schulle techyn othur, |
41 And so each one shall teach the other, |
|
42. And love togeder as syster and brothur. |
42 And love together as sister and brother. |
|
43. Forthermore [g]et that ordeynt he, |
43 Furthermore yet that ordained he, |
|
44. Mayster y-called so schulde he be; |
44 Master called so should he be; |
|
45. So that he were most y-worschepede, |
45 So that he were most worshipped, |
|
46. Thenne sculde he be so y-clepede: |
46 Then should he be so called; |
|
47. But mason schulde never won other calle, |
47 But masons should never one another call, |
|
48. Withynne the craft amongus hem alle, |
48 Within the craft amongst them all, |
|
49. Ny soget, ny servand, my dere brother, |
49 Neither subject nor servant, my dear brother, |
|
50. Tha[g]ht he be not so perfyt as ys another; |
50 Though he be not so perfect as is another; |
|
51. Uchon sculle calle other felows by cuthe, |
51 Each shall call other fellows by cuthe, (friendship) |
|
52. For cause they come of ladyes burthe. |
52 Because they come of ladies' birth. |
|
53. On thys maner, thro[g] good wytte of gemetry, |
53 On this manner, through good wit of geometry, |
|
54. Bygan furst the craft of masonry: |
54 Began first the craft of masonry; |
|
55. The clerk Euclyde on thys wyse hyt fonde, |
55 The clerk Euclid on this wise it found, |
|
56. Thys craft of gemetry yn Egypte londe. |
56 This craft of geometry in Egypt land. |
|
57. Yn Egypte he taw[g]hte hyt ful wyde, |
57 In Egypt he taught it full wide, |
|
58. Yn dyvers londe on every syde; |
58 In divers lands on every side; |
|
59. Mony erys afterwarde, y understonde, |
59 Many years afterwards, I understand, |
|
60. [G]er that the craft com ynto thys londe, |
60 Ere that the craft came into this land. |
|
61. Thys craft com ynto Englond, as y [g]ow say, |
61 This craft came into England, as I you say, |
|
62. Yn tyme of good kynge Adelstonus day; |
62 In time of good King Athelstane's day; |
|
63. He made tho bothe halle and eke bowre, |
63 He made then both hall and even bower, |
|
64. And hye templus of gret honowre, |
64 And high temples of great honour, |
|
65. To sportyn hym yn bothe day and ny[g]th, |
65 To disport him in both day and night, |
|
66. An to worschepe hys God with alle hys my[g]th. |
66 And to worship his God with all his might. |
|
67. Thys goode lorde loved thys craft ful wel, |
67 This good lord loved this craft full well, |
|
68. And purposud to strenthyn hyt every del, |
68 And purposed to strengthen it every del, (part) |
|
69. For dyvers defawtys that yn the craft he fonde; |
69 For divers faults that in the craft he found; |
|
70. He sende about ynto the londe |
70 He sent about into the land |
|
71. After alle the masonus of the crafte, |
71 After all the masons of the craft, |
|
72. To come to hym ful evene stra[g]fte, |
72 To come to him full even straghfte, (straight) |
|
73. For to amende these defautys alle |
73 For to amend these defaults all |
|
74. By good consel, [g]ef hyt myt[g]th falle. |
74 By good counsel, if it might fall. |
|
75. A semblé thenne he cowthe let make |
75 An assembly then he could let make |
|
76. Of dyvers lordis, yn here state, |
76 Of divers lords in their state, |
|
77. Dukys, erlys, and barnes also, |
77 Dukes, earls, and barons also, |
|
78. Kyn[g]thys, sqwyers, and mony mo, |
78 Knights, squires and many mo, (more) |
|
79. And the grete burges of that syté, |
79 And the great burgesses of that city, |
|
80. They were ther alle yn here degré; |
80 They were there all in their degree; |
|
81. These were ther uchon algate, |
81 There were there each one algate, (always) |
|
82. To ordeyne for these masonus astate. |
82 To ordain for these masons' estate, |
|
83. Ther they sow[g]ton by here wytte, |
83 There they sought by their wit, |
|
84. How they my[g]thyn governe hytte: |
84 How they might govern it; |
|
85. Fyftene artyculus they ther sow[g]ton |
85 Fifteen articles they there sought, |
|
86. And fyftene poyntys they wro[g]ton. |
86 And fifteen points there they wrought, |
|
Hic incipit articulus primus. |
Here begins the first article. |
|
87. The furste artycul of thys gemetry:-- |
87 The first article of this geometry;- |
|
88. The mayster mason moste be ful securly |
88 The master mason must be full securely |
|
89. Bothe stedefast, trusty, and trwe, |
89 Both steadfast, trusty and true, |
|
90. Hyt schal hum never thenne arewe: |
90 It shall him never then rue; |
|
91. And pay thy felows after the coste, |
91 And pay thy fellows after the cost, |
|
92. As vytaylys goth thenne, wel thou woste; |
92 As victuals goeth then, well thou woste; (knowest) |
|
93. And pay them trwly, apon thy fay, |
93 And pay them truly, upon thy fay, (faith) |
|
94. What that they deserven may; |
94 What they deserven may; (may deserve) |
|
95. And to her hure take no more, |
95 And to their hire take no more, |
|
96. But what they mowe serve fore; |
96 But what that they may serve for; |
|
97. And spare, nowther for love ny drede, |
97 And spare neither for love nor drede, (dread) |
|
98. Of nowther partys to take no mede; |
98 Of neither parties to take no mede; (bribe) |
|
99. Of lord ny felow, whether he be, |
99 Of lord nor fellow, whoever he be, |
|
100. Of hem thou take no maner of fe; |
100 Of them thou take no manner of fee; |
|
101. And as a jugge stonde upry[g]th, |
101 And as a judge stand upright, |
|
102. And thenne thou dost to bothe good ry[g]th; |
102 And then thou dost to both good right; |
|
103. And trwly do thys whersever thou gost, |
103 And truly do this wheresoever thou gost, (goest) |
|
104. Thy worschep, thy profyt, hyt shcal be most. |
104 Thy worship, thy profit, it shall be most. |
|
Articulus secundus. |
Second article. |
|
105. The secunde artycul of good masonry, |
105 The second article of good masonry, |
|
106. As [g]e mowe hyt here hyr specyaly, |
106 As you must it here hear specially, |
|
107. That every mayster, that ys a mason, |
107 That every master, that is a mason, |
|
108. Most ben at the generale congregacyon, |
108 Must be at the general congregation, |
|
109. So that he hyt resonably y-tolde |
109 So that he it reasonably be told |
|
110. Where that the semblé schal be holde; |
110 Where that the assembly shall be holde; (held) |
|
111. And to that semblé he most nede gon, |
111 And to that assembly he must needs gon, (go) |
|
112. But he have a resenabul skwsacyon, |
112 Unless he have a reasonable skwasacyon, (excuse) |
|
113. Or but he be unbuxom to that craft, |
113 Or unless he be disobedient to that craft |
|
114. Or with falssehed ys over-raft, |
114 Or with falsehood is over-raft, (overtaken) |
|
115. Or ellus sekenes hath hym so stronge, |
115 Or else sickness hath him so strong, |
|
116. That he may not com hem amonge; |
116 That he may not come them among; |
|
117. That ys a skwsacyon, good and abulle, |
117 That is an excuse good and able, |
|
118. To that semblé withoute fabulle. |
118 To that assembly without fable. |
|
Articulus tercius. |
Third article. |
|
119. The thrydde artycul for sothe hyt ysse, |
119 The third article forsooth it is, |
|
120. That the mayster take to no prentysse, |
120 That the master takes to no 'prentice, |
|
121. but he have good seuerans to dwelle |
121 Unless he have good assurance to dwell |
|
122. Seven [g]er with hym, as y [g]ow telle, |
122 Seven years with him, as I you tell, |
|
123. Hys craft to lurne, that ys profytable; |
123 His craft to learn, that is profitable; |
|
124. Withynne lasse he may not be able |
124 Within less he may not be able |
|
125. To lordys profyt, ny to his owne, |
125 To lords' profit, nor to his own |
|
126. As [g]e mowe knowe by good resowne. |
126 As you may know by good reason. |
|
Articulus quartus. |
Fourth article. |
|
127. The fowrhe artycul thys moste be |
127 The fourth article this must be, |
|
128. That the mayster hym wel be-se, |
128 That the master him well besee, |
|
129. That he no bondemon prentys make, |
129 That he no bondman 'prentice make, |
|
130. Ny for no covetyse do hym take; |
130 Nor for no covetousness do him take; |
|
131. For the lord that he ys bonde to, |
131 For the lord that he is bound to, |
|
132. May fache the prentes whersever he go. |
132 May fetch the 'prentice wheresoever he go. |
|
133. Gef yn the logge he were y-take, |
133 If in the lodge he were ty-take, (taken) |
|
134. Muche desese hyt mygth ther make, |
134 Much dis-ease it might there make, |
|
135. And suche case hyt mygth befalle, |
135 And such case it might befal, |
|
136. That hyt mygth greve summe or alle. |
136 That it might grieve some or all. |
|
137. For alle the masonus tht ben there |
137 For all the masons that be there |
|
138. Wol stonde togedur hol y-fere |
138 Will stand together all y-fere. (together) |
|
139. Gef suche won yn that craft schulde swelle, |
139 If such one in that craft should dwell, |
|
140. Of dyvers desesys ge mygth telle: |
140 Of divers dis-eases you might tell; |
|
141. For more gese thenne, and of honeste, |
141 For more ease then, and of honesty, |
|
142. Take a prentes of herre degre. |
142 Take a 'prentice of higher degree. |
|
143. By olde tyme wryten y fynde |
143 By old time written I find |
|
144. That the prenes schulde be of gentyl kynde; |
144 That the 'prentice should be of gentle kind; |
|
145. And so symtyme grete lordys blod |
145 And so sometime, great lords' blood |
|
146. Toke thys gemetry, that ys ful good. |
146 Took this geometry that is full good. |
|
Articulus quintus. |
Fifth article. |
|
147. The fyfthe artycul ys swythe good, |
147 The fifth article is very good, |
|
148. So that the prentes be of lawful blod; |
148 So that the 'prentice be of lawful blood; |
|
149. The mayster schal not, for no vantage, |
149 The master shall not, for no advantage, |
|
150. Make no prentes that ys outrage; |
150 Make no 'prentice that is outrage; (deformed) |
|
151. Hyt ys to mene, as [g]e mowe here, |
151 It is to mean, as you may hear |
|
152. That he have hys lymes hole alle y-fere; |
152 That he have all his limbs whole all y-fere; (together) |
|
153. To the craft hyt were gret schame, |
153 To the craft it were great shame, |
|
154. To make an halt mon and a lame, |
154 To make a halt man and a lame, |
|
155. For an unperfyt mon of suche blod |
155 For an imperfect man of such blood |
|
156. Schulde do the craft but lytul good. |
156 Should do the craft but little good. |
|
157. Thus [g]e mowe knowe everychon, |
157 Thus you may know every one, |
|
158. The craft wolde have a my[g]hty mon; |
158 The craft would have a mighty man; |
|
159. A maymed mon he hath no my[g]ht, |
159 A maimed man he hath no might, |
|
160. [G]e mowe hyt knowe long [g]er ny[g]ht. |
160 You must it know long ere night. |
|
Articulus sextus. |
Sixth article. |
|
161. The syxte artycul [g]e mowe not mysse, |
161 The sixth article you must not miss |
|
162. That the mayster do the lord no pregedysse, |
162 That the master do the lord no prejudice, |
|
163. To take of the lord, for hyse prentyse, |
163 To take the lord for his 'prentice, |
|
164. Also muche as hys felows don, yn alle vyse. |
164 As much as his fellows do, in all wise. |
|
165. For yn that craft they ben ful perfyt, |
165 For in that craft they be full perfect, |
|
166. So ys not he, [g]e mowe sen hyt. |
166 So is not he, you must see it. |
|
167. Also hyt were a[g]eynus good reson, |
167 Also it were against good reason, |
|
168. To take hys, hure as hys felows don. |
168 To take his hire as his fellows don. (do) |
|
169. Thys same artycul, yn thys casse, |
169 This same article in this case, |
|
170. Juggythe the prentes to take lasse |
170 Judgeth his prentice to take less |
|
171. Thenne hys felows, that ben ful perfyt. |
171 Than his fellows, that be full perfect. |
|
172. Yn dyvers maters, conne qwyte hyt, |
172 In divers matters, know requite it, |
|
173. The mayster may his prentes so enforme, |
173 The master may his 'prentice so inform, |
|
174. That hys hure may crese ful [g]urne, |
174 That his hire may increase full soon, |
|
175. And, ger hys terme come to an ende, |
175 And ere his term come to an end, |
|
176. Hys hure may ful wel amende. |
176 His hire may full well amend. |
|
Articulus septimus. |
Seventh article. |
|
177. The seventhe artycul that ys now here, |
177 The seventh article that is now here, |
|
178. Ful wel wol telle gow, alle y-fere, |
178 Full well will tell you all y-fere (together) |
|
179. That no mayster, for favour ny drede, |
179 That no master for favour nor dread, |
|
180. Schal no thef nowther clothe ny fede. |
180 Shall no thief neither clothe nor feed. |
|
181. Theves he schal herberon never won, |
181 Thieves he shall harbour never one, |
|
182. Ny hym that hath y-quellude a mon, |
182 Nor him that hath killed a man, |
|
183. Wy thylike that hath a febul name, |
183 Nor the same that hath a feeble name, |
|
184. Lest hyt wolde turne the craft to schame. |
184 Lest it would turn the craft to shame. |
|
Articulus octavus. |
Eighth article. |
|
185. The eghte artycul schewt [g]ow so, |
185 The eighth article sheweth you so, |
|
186. That the mayster may hyt wel do, |
186 That the master may it well do. |
|
187. [G]ef that he have any mon of crafte, |
187 If that he have any man of craft, |
|
188. And be not also perfyt as he au[g]te, |
188 And he be not so perfect as he ought, |
|
189. He may hym change sone anon, |
189 He may him change soon anon, |
|
190. And take for hym a perfytur mon. |
190 And take for him a more perfect man. |
|
191. Suche a mon, thro[g]e rechelaschepe, |
191 Such a man through rechalaschepe, (recklessness) |
|
192. My[g]th do the craft schert worschepe. |
192 Might do the craft scant worship. |
|
Articulus nonus. |
Ninth article. |
|
193. The nynthe artycul schewet ful welle, |
193 The ninth article sheweth full well, |
|
194. That the mayster be both wyse and felle; |
194 That the master be both wise and felle; (strong) |
|
195. That no werke he undurtake, |
195 That he no work undertake, |
|
196. But he conne bothe hyt ende and make; |
196 Unless he can both it end and make; |
|
197. And that hyt be to the lordes profyt also, |
197 And that it be to the lords' profit also, |
|
198. And to hys craft, whersever he go; |
198 And to his craft, wheresoever he go; |
|
199. And that the grond be wel y-take, |
199 And that the ground be well y-take, (taken) |
|
200. That hyt nowther fle ny grake. |
200 That it neither flaw nor grake. (crack) |
|
Articulus decimus. |
Tenth article. |
|
201. The then the artycul ys for to knowe, |
201 The tenth article is for to know, |
|
202. Amonge the craft, to hye and lowe, |
202 Among the craft, to high and low, |
|
203. There schal no mayster supplante other, |
203 There shall no master supplant another, |
|
204. But be togeder as systur and brother, |
204 But be together as sister and brother, |
|
205. Yn thys curyus craft, alle and som, |
205 In this curious craft, all and some, |
|
206. That longuth to a maystur mason. |
206 That belongeth to a master mason. |
|
207. Ny he schal not supplante non other mon, |
207 Nor shall he supplant no other man, |
|
208. That hath y-take a werke hym uppon, |
208 That hath taken a work him upon, |
|
209. Yn peyne therof that ys so stronge, |
209 In pain thereof that is so strong, |
|
210. That peyseth no lasse thenne ten ponge, |
210 That weigheth no less than ten pounds. |
|
211. But [g]ef that he be gulty y-fonde, |
211 but if that he be guilty found, |
|
212. That toke furst the werke on honde; |
212 That took first the work on hand; |
|
213. For no mon yn masonry |
213 For no man in masonry |
|
214. Schal no supplante othur securly, |
214 Shall not supplant other securely, |
|
215. But [g]ef that hyt be so y-wro[g]th, |
215 But if that it be so wrought, |
|
216. That hyt turne the werke to nogth; |
216 That in turn the work to nought; |
|
217. Thenne may a mason that werk crave, |
217 Then may a mason that work crave, |
|
218. To the lordes profyt hyt for to save; |
218 To the lords' profit for it to save |
|
219. Yn suche a case but hyt do falle, |
219 In such a case if it do fall, |
|
220. Ther schal no mason medul withalle. |
220 There shall no mason meddle withal. |
|
221. Forsothe he that begynnyth the gronde, |
221 Forsooth he that beginneth the ground, |
|
222. And he be a mason goode and sonde, |
222 If he be a mason good and sound, |
|
223. For hath hyt sycurly yn hys mynde |
223 He hath it securely in his mind |
|
224. To brynge the werke to ful good ende. |
224 To bring the work to full good end. |
|
Articulus undecimus. |
Eleventh Article. |
|
225. The eleventhe artycul y telle the, |
225 The eleventh article I tell thee, |
|
226. That he ys bothe fayr and fre; |
226 That he is both fair and free |
|
227. For he techyt, by hys my[g]th, |
227 For he teacheth, by his might, |
|
228. That no mason schulde worche be ny[g]th, |
228 That no Mason should work by night |
|
229. But [g]ef hyt be yn practesynge of wytte, |
229 But if be in practising of wit, |
|
230. [G]ef that y cowthe amende hytte. |
230 If that I could amend it. |
|
Articulus duodecimus. |
Twelfth article. |
|
231. The twelfthe artycul ys of hye honesté |
231 The twelfth article is of high honesty |
|
232. To [g]every mason, whersever he be; |
232 To every mason wheresoever he be, |
|
233. He schal not hys felows werk deprave, |
233 He shall not his fellows' work deprave, |
|
234. [G]ef that he wol hys honesté save; |
234 If that he will his honesty save; |
|
235. With honest wordes he hyt comende, |
235 With honest words he it commend, |
|
236. By the wytte that God the dede sende; |
236 By the wit God did thee send; |
|
237. Buy hyt amende by al that thou may, |
237 But it amend by all that thou may, |
|
238. Bytwynne [g]ow bothe withoute nay. |
238 Between you both without nay. (doubt) |
|
Articulus xiijus. |
Thirteenth article. |
|
239. The threttene artycul, so God me save, |
239 The thirteenth article, so God me save, |
|
240. Ys,[g]ef that the mayster a prentes have, |
240 Is if that the master a 'prentice have, |
|
241. Enterlyche thenne that he hym teche, |
241 Entirely then that he him teach, |
|
242. And meserable poyntes that he hym reche, |
242 And measurable points that he him reche, (tell) |
|
243. That he the craft abelyche may conne, |
243 That he the craft ably may conne, (know) |
|
244. Whersever he go undur the sonne. |
244 Wheresoever he go under the sun. |
|
Articulus xiiijus. |
Fourteenth article. |
|
245. The fowrtene artycul, by good reson, |
245 The fourteenth article by good reason, |
|
246. Scheweth the mayster how he schal don; |
246 Sheweth the master how he shall don; (do) |
|
247. He schal no prentes to hym take, |
247 He shall no 'prentice to him take, |
|
248. Byt dyvers crys he have to make, |
248 Unless diver cares he have to make, |
|
249. That he may, withynne hys terme, |
249 That he may within his term, |
|
250. Of hym dyvers poyntes may lurne. |
250 Of him divers points may learn. |
|
Articulus quindecimus. |
Fifteenth article. |
|
251. The fyftene artycul maketh an ende, |
251 The fifteenth article maketh an end, |
|
252. For to the mayster he ys a frende; |
252 For to the master he is a friend; |
|
253. To lere hym so, that for no mon, |
253 To teach him so, that for no man, |
|
254. No fals mantenans he take hym apon, |
254 No false maintenance he take him upon, |
|
255. Ny maynteine hys felows yn here synne, |
255 Nor maintain his fellows in their sin, |
|
256. For no good that he my[g]th wynne; |
256 For no good that he might win; |
|
257. Ny no fals sware sofre hem to make, |
257 Nor no false oath suffer him to make, |
|
258. For drede of here sowles sake; |
258 For dread of their souls' sake, |
|
259. Lest hyt wolde turne the craft to schame, |
259 Lest it would turn the craft to shame, |
|
260. And hymself to mechul blame. |
260 And himself to very much blame. |
|
Plures Constituciones. |
Plural constitutions. |
|
261. At thys semblé were poyntes y-ordeynt mo, |
261 At this assembly were points ordained mo, (more) |
|
262. Of grete lordys and maystrys also, |
262 Of great lords and masters also. |
|
263. That whose wol conne thys craft and com to astate, |
263 That who will know this craft and come to estate, |
|
264. He most love wel God, and holy churche algate, |
264 He must love well God and holy church algate, (always) |
|
265. And hys mayster also, that he ys wythe, |
265 And his master also that he is with, |
|
266. Whersever he go, yn fylde or frythe; |
266 Wheresoever he go in field or frythe, (enclosed wood) |
|
267. And thy felows thou love also, |
267 And thy fellows thou love also, |
|
268. For that they craft wol that thou do. |
268 For that thy craft will that thou do. |
|
Secundus punctus. |
Second Point. |
|
269. The secunde poynt, as y [g]ow say, |
269 The second point as I you say, |
|
270. That the mason worche apon the werk day, |
270 That the mason work upon the work day, |
|
271. Also trwly, as he con or may, |
271 As truly as he can or may, |
|
272. To deserve hys huyre for the halyday, |
272 To deserve his hire for the holy-day, |
|
273. And trwly to labrun on hys dede, |
273 And truly to labour on his deed, |
|
274. Wel deserve to have hys mede. |
274 Well deserve to have his mede. (reward) |
|
Tercius punctus. |
Third point. |
|
275. The thrydde poynt most be severele, |
275 The third point must be severele, (severely) |
|
276. With the prentes knowe hyt wele, |
276 With the 'prentice know it well, |
|
277. Hys mayster conwsel he kepe and close, |
277 His master's counsel he keep and close, |
|
278. And hys felows by hys goode purpose; |
278 And his fellows by his good purpose; |
|
279. The prevetyse of the chamber telle he no man, |
279 The privities of the chamber tell he no man, |
|
280. Ny yn the logge whatsever they done; |
280 Nor in the lodge whatsoever they don; (do) |
|
281. Whatsever thou heryst, or syste hem do, |
281 Whatsoever thou hearest or seest them do, |
|
282. Telle hyt no mon, whersever thou go; |
282 Tell it no man wheresoever you go; |
|
283. The conwsel of halls, and [g]eke of bowre, |
283 The counsel of hall, and even of bower, |
|
284. Kepe hyt wel to gret honowre, |
284 Keep it well to great honour, |
|
285. Lest hyt wolde torne thyself to blame, |
285 Lest it would turn thyself to blame, |
|
286. And brynge the craft ynto gret schame. |
286 And bring the craft into great shame. |
|
Quartus punctus. |
Fourth point. |
|
287. The fowrthe poynt techyth us alse, |
287 The fourth point teacheth us alse, (also) |
|
288. That no mon to hys craft be false; |
288 That no man to his craft be false; |
|
289. Errour he schal maynteine none |
289 Error he shall maintain none |
|
290. A[g]eynus the craft, but let hyt gone; |
290 Against the craft, but let it gone; (go) |
|
291. Ny no pregedysse he schal not do |
291 Nor no prejudice he shall not do |
|
292. To hys mayster, ny hys felows also; |
292 To his master, nor his fellow also; |
|
293. And that[g]th the prentes be under awe, |
293 And though the 'prentice be under awe, |
|
294. [G]et he wolde have the same lawe. |
294 Yet he would have the same law. |
|
Quintus punctus. |
Fifth point. |
|
295. The fyfthe poynte ys, withoute nay, |
295 The fifth point is without nay, (doubt) |
|
296. That whenne the mason taketh hys pay |
296 That when the mason taketh his pay |
|
297. Of the mayster, y-ordent to hym, |
297 Of the master, ordained to him, |
|
298. Ful mekely y-take so most hyt byn; |
298 Full meekly taken so must it byn; (be) |
|
299. [G]et most the mayster, by good resone, |
299 Yet must the master by good reason, |
|
300. Warne hem lawfully byfore none, |
300 Warn him lawfully before noon, |
|
301. [G]ef he nulle okepye hem no more, |
301 If he will not occupy him no more, |
|
302. As he hath y-done ther byfore; |
302 As he hath done there before; |
|
303. A[g]eynus thys ordyr he may not stryve, |
303 Against this order he may not strive, |
|
304. [G]ef he thenke wel for to thryve. |
304 If he think well for to thrive. |
|
Sextus punctus. |
Sixth Point. |
|
305. The syxte poynt ys ful [g]ef to knowe, |
305 The sixth point is full given to know, |
|
306. Bothe to hye and eke to lowe, |
306 Both to high and even to low |
|
307. For suche case hyt my[g]th befalle, |
307 For such case it might befall; |
|
308. Amonge the masonus, summe or alle, |
308 Among the masons some or all, |
|
309. Throwghe envye, or dedly hate, |
309 Through envy or deadly hate |
|
310. Ofte aryseth ful gret debate. |
310 Oft ariseth full great debate. |
|
311. Thenne owyth the mason, [g]ef that he may, |
311 Then ought the mason if that he may, |
|
312. Putte hem bothe under a day; |
312 Put them both under a day; |
|
313. But loveday [g]et schul they make none; |
313 But loveday yet shall they make none, |
|
314. Tyl that the werke day be clene a-gone; |
314 Till that the work-day be clean gone |
|
315. Apon the holyday [g]e mowe wel take |
315 Upon the holy-day you must well take |
|
316. Leyser y-now[g]gth loveday to make, |
316 Leisure enough loveday to make, |
|
317. Lest that hyt wolde the werke day |
317 Lest that it would the work-day |
|
318. Latte here werke for suche afray; |
318 Hinder their work for such a fray; |
|
319. To suche ende thenne that hem drawe, |
319 To such end then that you them draw. |
|
320. That they stonde wel yn Goddes lawe. |
320 That they stand well in God's Law |
|
Septimus punctus. |
Seventh point. |
|
321. The seventhe poynt he may wel mene, |
321 The seventh point he may well mean |
|
322. Of wel longe lyf that God us lene, |
322 Of well long life that God us lene, (lend) |
|
323. As hyt dyscryeth wel opunly, |
323 As it descrieth well openly |
|
324. Thou schal not by thy maysters wyf ly, |
324 Thou shalt not by thy master's wife lie, |
|
325. Ny by the felows, yn no maner wyse, |
325 Nor by thy fellow's, in no manner wise |
|
326. Lest the craft wolde the despyse; |
326 Lest the craft would thee despise; |
|
327. Ny by the felows concubyne, |
327 Nor by the fellow's concubine |
|
328. No more thou woldest he dede by thyne. |
328 No more thou wouldst he did by thine. |
|
329. The peyne thereof let hyt be ser, |
329 The pain thereof, let it be sure |
|
330. That he prentes ful seven [g]er, |
330 That he be 'prentice full seven year, |
|
331. [G]ef he forfete yn eny of hem, |
331 If he forfeit in any of them |
|
332. So y-chasted thenne most he ben; |
332 So chastised then must he ben; (be) |
|
333. Ful mekele care my[g]th ther begynne, |
333 Full much care might there begin, |
|
334. For suche a fowle dedely synne. |
334 For such a foul deadly sin. |
|
Octavus punctus. |
Eighth point. |
|
335. The eghte poynt, he may be sure, |
335 The eighth point, he may be sure, |
|
336. [G]ef thou hast y-taken any cure, |
336 If thou hast taken any cure, |
|
337. Under thy mayster thou be trwe, |
337 Under thy master thou be true, |
|
338. For that pynt thou schalt never arewe; |
338 For that point thou shalt never rue; |
|
339. A trwe medyater thou most nede be |
339 A true mediator thou must needs be |
|
340. To thy mayster, and thy felows fre; |
340 To thy master, and thy fellows free; |
|
341. Do trwly al....that thou my[g]th, |
341 Do truly all that thou might, |
|
342. To both partyes, and that ys good ry[g]th. |
342 To both parties, and that is good right. |
|
Nonus punctus. |
Ninth point. |
|
343. The nynthe poynt we schul hym calle, |
343 The ninth point we shall him call, |
|
344. That he be stwarde of oure halle, |
344 That he be steward of our hall, |
|
345. Gef that ge ben yn chambur y-fere, |
345 If that you be in chamber y-fere, (together) |
|
346. Uchon serve other, with mylde chere; |
346 Each one serve other with mild cheer; |
|
347. Jentul felows, ge moste hyt knowe, |
347 Gentle fellows, you must it know, |
|
348. For to be stwardus alle o rowe, |
348 For to be stewards all o-rowe, (in turn) |
|
349. Weke after weke withoute dowte, |
349 Week after week without doubt, |
|
350. Stwardus to ben so alle abowte, |
350 Stewards to be so all in turn about, |
|
351. Lovelyche to serven uchon othur, |
351 Amiably to serve each one other, |
|
352. As thawgh they were syster and brother; |
352 As though they were sister and brother; |
|
353. Ther schal never won on other costage |
353 There shall never one another costage (cost) |
|
354. Fre hymself to no vantage, |
354 Free himself to no advantage, |
|
355. But every mon schal be lyche fre |
355 But every man shall be equally free |
|
356. Yn that costage, so moste hyt be; |
356 In that cost, so must it be; |
|
357. Loke that thou pay wele every mon algate, |
357 Look that thou pay well every man algate, (always) |
|
358. That thou hsat y-bow[g]ht any vytayles ate, |
358 That thou hast bought any victuals ate, (eaten) |
|
359. That no cravynge be y-mad to the, |
359 That no craving be made to thee, |
|
360. Ny to thy felows, yn no degré, |
360 Nor to thy fellows in no degree, |
|
361. To mon or to wommon, whether he be, |
361 To man or to woman, whoever he be, |
|
362. Pay hem wel and trwly, for that wol we; |
362 Pay them well and truly, for that will we; |
|
363. Therof on thy felow trwe record thou take, |
363 Thereof on thy fellow true record thou take, |
|
364. For that good pay as thou dost make, |
364 For that good pay as thou dost make, |
|
365. Lest hyt wolde thy felowe schame, |
365 Lest it would thy fellow shame, |
|
366. Any brynge thyself ynto gret blame. |
366 And bring thyself into great blame. |
|
367. [G]et good acowntes he most make |
367 Yet good accounts he must make |
|
368. Of suche godes as he hath y-take, |
368 Of such goods as he hath y-take (taken) |
|
369. Of thy felows goodes that thou hast spende, |
369 Of thy fellows' goods that thou hast spende, (spent) |
|
370. Wher, and how, and to what ende; |
370 Where and how and to what end; |
|
371. Suche acowntes thou most come to, |
371 Such accounts thou must come to, |
|
372. Whenne thy felows wollen that thou do. |
372 When thy fellows wish that thou do. |
|
Decimus punctus. |
Tenth point. |
|
373. The tenthe poynt presentyeth wel god lyf, |
373 The tenth point presenteth well good life, |
|
374. To lyven withoute care and stryf; |
374 To live without care and strife; |
|
375. For and the mason lyve amysse, |
375 For if the mason live amiss, |
|
376. And yn hys werk be false, y-wysse, |
376 And in his work be false y-wisse, (I know) |
|
377. And thorw[g] suche a false skewysasyon |
377 And through such a false skewsasyon (excuse) |
|
378. May sclawndren hys felows oute reson, |
378 May slander his fellows without reason, |
|
379. Throw[g] false sclawnder of suche fame |
379 Through false slander of such fame. |
|
380. May make the craft kachone blame. |
380 May make the craft acquire blame. |
|
381. [G]ef he do the craft suche vylany, |
381 If he do the craft such villainy, |
|
382. Do hym no favour thenne securly. |
382 Do him no favour then securely, |
|
383. Ny maynteine not hym yn wyked lyf, |
383 Nor maintain not him in wicked life, |
|
384. Lest hyt wolde turne to care and stryf; |
384 Lest it would turn to care and strife; |
|
385. But get hym [g]e schul not delayme, |
385 But yet him you shall not delayme, (delay) |
|
386. But that [g]e schullen hym constrayne, |
386 Unless that you shall him constrain, |
|
387. For to apere whersevor [g]e wylle, |
387 For to appear wheresoever you will, |
|
388. Whar that [g]e wolen, lowde, or stylle; |
388 Where that you will, loud, or still; |
|
389. To the nexte semblé [g]e schul hym calle, |
389 To the next assembly you shall him call, |
|
390. To apere byfore hys felows alle, |
390 To appear before his fellows all, |
|
391. And but [g]ef he wyl byfore hem pere, |
391 And unless he will before them appear, |
|
392. The crafte he moste nede forswere; |
392 The craft he must need forswear; |
|
393. He schal thenne be chasted after the lawe |
393 He shall then be punished after the law |
|
394. That was y-fownded by olde dawe. |
394 That was founded by old dawe. (day) |
|
Punctus undecimus. |
< point. Eleventh> |
|
395. The eleventhe poynt ys of good dyscrecyoun, |
395 The eleventh point is of good discretion, |
|
396. As [g]e mowe knowe by good resoun; |
396 As you must know by good reason; |
|
397. A mason, and he thys craft wel con, |
397 A mason, if he this craft well con, (know, |
|
398. That sy[g]th hys felow hewen on a ston, |
398 That seeth his fellow hew on a stone, |
|
399. And ys yn poynt to spylle that ston, |
399 And is in point to spoil that stone, |
|
400. Amende hyt sone, [g]ef that thou con, |
400 Amend it soon if that thou can, |
|
401. And teche hym thenne hyt to amende, |
401 And teach him then it to amend, |
|
402. That the l(ordys) werke be not y-schende, |
402 That the lords' work be not y-schende, (spoiled) |
|
403. And teche hym esely hyt to amende, |
403 And teach him easily it to amend, |
|
404. With fayre wordes, that God the hath lende; |
404 With fair words, that God thee hath lende; (lent) |
|
405. For hys sak |