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Previous: From The Parson's Tale, paragraph 84-86: About marriage and how a woman should be subject to her husband |
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© Librarius
All rights reserved.
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© Librarius All rights reserved. |
| § 87 The seconde manere of chastitee is for to been a clene wydewe, and eschue the embracynges of man, and desiren the embracynge of Jhesu Crist. Thise been tho that han been wyves and han forgoon hire housbondes, and eek wommen that han doon leccherie and been releeved by penitence. And certes, if that a wyf koude kepen hire al chaast by licence of hir housbonde, so that she yeve nevere noon occasion that he agilte, it were to hire a greet merite. Thise manere wommen that observen chastitee moste be clene in herte as wel as in body and in though, and mesurable in clothynge and in contenaunce; and been abstinent in etynge and drynkynge, in spekynge, and in dede. They been the vessel or the boyste of the blissed Magdelene, that fulfilleth hooly chirche of good odour. The thridde manere of chastitee is virginitee, and it bihoveth that she be hooly in herte and clene of body. Thanne is she spouse to Jhesu Crist, and she is the lyf of angeles. She is the preisynge of this world, and she is as thise martirs in egalitee; she hath in hire that tonge may nat telle ne herte thynke. Virginitee baar oure lord Jhesu Crist, and virgine was hymselve. | § 87 The second manner of chastity is for to be a clean widow, and avoid the embraces of man, and desire the embracing of Jesus Christ. These are those that have are wives and have lost their husbands, and also women that have done lechery and are relieved by penitence. And certainly, if a wife could keep herself all chaste by permission of her husband, so that she never give any occasion that he do wrong, it would be to her a great merit. These sorts of women that observe chastity must be clean in heart as well as in body and in thought, and moderate in clothing and in behavior, and be abstinent in eating and drinking, in speaking, and in deed. They are the vessel or the box of the blessed Magdalene, that fulfills holy church with good odour. The third manner of chastity is virginity, and it is fitting that she be holy in heart and clean of body. Then is she spouse to Jesus Christ, and she is the life of angels. She is the praising of this world, and she is equal to these martyrs; she has in her what tongue can not tell nor heart think. Virginity bore our Lord Jesus Christ, and he was a virgin himself. |
| § 88 Another remedie agayns leccherie is specially to withdrawen swiche thynges as yeve occasion to thilke vileynye, as ese, etynge, and drynkynge. For certes, whan the pot boyleth strongly, the beste remedie is to withdrawe the fyr. Slepynge longe in greet quiete is eek a greet norice to leccherie. | § 88 Another remedy against Lechery is specially to withdraw such things as give occasion to that villainy, such as ease, eating, and drinking. For certainly, when the pot boils strongly, the best remedy is to withdraw the fire. Sleeping long in great quiet is also a great feeder to Lechery. |
| § 89 Another remedie agayns leccherie is that a man or a womman eschue the compaignye of hem by whiche he douteth to be tempted; for al be it so that the dede be withstonden, yet is ther greet temptacioun. Soothly, a whit wal, although it ne brenne noght fully by stikynge of a candele, yet is the wal blak of the leyt. Ful ofte tyme I rede that no man truste in his owene perfeccioun, but he be stronger than Sampson, and hoolier than David, and wiser than Salomon. | § 89 Another remedy against Lechery is that a man or a woman avoid the company of them by which he fears to be tempted, for although it may be so that the deed be withstood, yet is there great temptation. Truly, a white wall, although it burn not fully by placing of a candle, yet is the wall blackened by the flame. Very oftentimes I read that no man should trust in his own perfection, unless he be stronger than Sampson, and holier than David, and wiser than Solomon. |
| § 90 Now after that I have declared yow, as I kan, the sevene deedly synnes, and somme of hire braunches and hire remedies, soothly, if I koude, I wolde telle yow the ten comandementz. But so heigh a doctrine I lete to divines. nathelees, I hope to God, they been touched in this tretice, everich of hem alle. | § 90 Now according to what I have declared to you, so far as I know how, the seven deadly sins, and some of their branches and their remedies, truly, if I could, I would tell you the ten commandments. But so high a doctrine I leave to theologians. Nonetheless, I hope to God, they be touched in this treatise, every one of them all. |
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Next: From The Parson's Tale, paragraph 91-93: The conclusion to confession |
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