abounds in difficult words. In this point he has to acknowledge the kind assistance of Sir Frederick Madden, whom no person equals in profound knowledge of English glossography, and than whom no one is more generous to advise and assist those who are in need of his aid. To Sir Henry Ellis, who kindly lent him his own manuscript notes on Piers Ploughman, the editor also owes his grateful acknowledgments; and he regrets that at the time he received them the notes were already so far printed as to hinder him from making as much use of them as he could have wished. _London, June 1, 1842._ * * * * * THE VISION OF PIERS PLOUGHMAN * * * * * {1} THE VISION OF PIERS PLOUGHMAN. In a somer seson, 1 Whan softe was the sonne, I shoop me into shroudes As I a sheep weere, In habite as an heremite Unholy of werkes, Wente wide in this world Wondres to here; Ac on a May morwenynge On Malverne hilles 10 Me bifel a ferly, Of fairye me thoghte. I was wery for-wandred, And wente me to reste Under a brood bank By a bournes syde; And as I lay and lenede, And loked on the watres, I slombred into a slepyng, It sweyed so murye. 20 {2} Thanne gan I meten A merveillous swevene, That I was in a wildernesse, Wiste I nevere where, And as I biheeld into the eest An heigh to the sonne, I seigh a tour on a toft Trieliche y-maked, A deep dale bynethe, A dongeon therinne, 30 With depe diches and derke And dredfulle of sighte. A fair feeld ful of folk Fond I ther bitwene, Of alle manere of men, The meene and the riche, Werchynge and wandrynge, As the world asketh. Some putten hem to the plough, Pleiden ful selde, 40 In settynge and sowynge Swonken ful harde, And wonnen that wastours With glotonye destruyeth. And somme putten hem to pride, Apparailed hem therafter, In contenaunce of clothynge Comen degised. In preires and penaunces Putten hem manye, 50 Al for the love of oure Lord Lyveden ful streyte, In hope to have after Hevene riche blisse; {3} As ancres and heremites That holden hem in hire selles, And coveiten noght in contree To carien aboute, For no likerous liflode Hire likame to plese. 60 And somme chosen chaffare; Thei cheveden the bettre, As it semeth to our sight That swiche men thryveth. And somme murthes to make, As mynstralles konne, And geten gold with hire glee, Giltles, I leeve.