Part 69

SENTIS NE INQUIT.

++FElest þou q{uod} sche þise þinges {and} entren þei ouȝt in þi corage. ¶ Art þou like an asse to þe harpe. Whi wepest þou whi spillest þou teres. ¶ Yif þou abidest after helpe of þi leche. þe byhoueþ discouere þi wounde. ¶ Þo .I. þat hadde gadered strenkeþ in my corage answered {and} seide. {and} nedeþ it ȝitte q{uod} .I. of rehersyng or of amonic{i}ou{n}. {and} scheweþ it not ynouȝ by hym self þe scharpnes of fortune þat wexeþ woode aȝeynes me. ¶ Ne moeueþ it nat þe to seen þe face or þe man{er}e of þis place (.i. p{r}isou{n}.). ¶ Is þis þe librarie wyche þat þou haddest chosen for a ryȝt certeyne sege to þe i{n} myne house. ¶ Þere as þou desputest of wiþ me of þe sciences of þinges touching diuinitee {and} touchyng mankynde. ¶ Was þan myn habit swiche as it is now. was þan my face or my chere swiche as now.

¶ Whan I souȝt wiþ þe secretys of nature. whan þou enfo{ur}medest my maners {and} þe resou{n} of al my lijf. to þe ensaumple of þe ordre of heuene.

¶ Is nat þis þe gerdou{n} þat I refere to þe to whom I haue be obeisaunt. ¶ Certis þou enfo{ur}medist by þe mouþe of plato þis sentence. þat is to seyne þat co{m}mune þinges or comunabletes weren blysful yif þei þat haden studied al fully to wisdom gouerneden þilke þinges. or ellys yif it so by-felle þat þe gouernours of co{m}munalites studieden in grete wisdomes. ¶ Þou saidest eke by þe mouþe of þe same plato þat it was a necessarie cause wyse men to taken {and} desire þe gou{er}nau{n}ce of comune þi{n}ges. for þat þe gou{er}nementes of comune citees y-left in þe hondes of felonous to{ur}mento{ur}s Citiȝenis ne scholde not brynge inne pestile{n}ce {and} destrucc{i}ou{n} to goode folk. ¶ And þerfore I folowynge þilk auctoritee (.s. platonis). desiryng to put furþe in execusiou{n} {and} in acte of comune admi{ni}st{ra}c{i}ou{n} þo þinges þat .I. hadde lerned of þe among my secre restyng whiles. ¶ Þou {and} god þ{a}t put þee in þe þouȝtis of wise folk ben knowen wiþ me þat no þing brouȝt me to maistrie or dignite: but þe comune studie of al goodenes. ¶ And þer-of comeþ it þat by-twixen wikked folk {and} me han ben greuouse discordes. þat ne myȝten not be relesed by p{ra}yeres. ¶ For þis libertee haþ fredom of conscience þat þe wraþþe of more myȝty folk haþ alwey ben despised of me for saluac{i}ou{n} of ryȝt. ¶ How ofte haue .I. resisted {and} wiþstonde þilk man þat hyȝt conigaste þat made alwey assautes aȝeins þe p{ro}pre fortunes of poure feble folke. ¶ How ofte haue .I. ȝitte put of. or cast out hy{m} trigwille p{ro}uost of þe kynges hous boþe of þe wronges þat he hadde bygon to done {and} eke fully p{er}formed. ¶ How ofte haue I couered {and} defended by þe auctorite of me put aȝeins p{er}ils. þat is to seine put myne auctorite in peril for þe wreched pore folke. þat þe couetise of straungeres vnpunysched to{ur}mentid alwey wiþ myseses {and} greuaunces oute of noumbre. ¶ Neuer man drow me ȝitte fro ryȝt to wro{n}g. When I say þe fortunes {and} þe rychesse of þe people of þe p{ro}uinces ben harmed eyþer by p{r}iue rauynes or by comune tributis or cariages. as sory was I as þei þat suffred þe harme. Glosa. ¶ Whan þat theodoric þe kyng of gothes in a dere ȝere hadde hys gerners ful of corne {and} comaundede þat no ma{n} ne schold bie no corne til his corne were solde {and} þat at a dere greuous pris. ¶ But I w{i}t{h}stod þat ordinaunce {and} ouer-com it knowy{n}g al þis þe kyng hym self. ¶ Coempciou{n} þat is to seyn comune achat or bying to-gidere þat were establissed vpon poeple by swiche a manere imposiciou{n} as who so bouȝt a busshel corn he most ȝeue þe ky{n}g þe fifte p{ar}t. Textus. ¶ Whan it was in þe soure hungry tyme þere was establissed or cried greuous {and} inplitable coempciou{n} þat men seyn wel it schulde greetly to{ur}me{n}tyn {and} endamagen al þe p{ro}uince of co{m}paigne I took strif aȝeins þe p{ro}uost of þe pretorie for comune p{ro}fit. ¶ And þe kyng knowyng of it I ouercom it so þat þe coempciou{n} ne was not axed ne took effect. ¶ Paulyn a counseiller of Rome þe rychesse of þe whyche paulyn þe houndys of þe palays. þat is to seyn þe officeres wolde han deuoured by hope {and} couetise ¶ Ȝit drow I hym out of þe Iowes .s. faucib{us} of hem þat gapede{n}. ¶ And for as myche as þe peyne of þe accusac{i}ou{n} aiuged byforn ne scholde not sodeynly henten ne punischen wrongfuly Albyn a counseiller of Rome. I put me aȝenis þe hates {and} indignac{i}ou{n}s of þe accuso{ur} Ciprian. ¶ Is it not þan ynought yseyn þat I haue p{ur}chased greet discordes aȝeins my self. but I aughte be more asseured aȝenis alle oþer folk þat for þe loue of ryȝtwisnesse .I. ne reserued neuer no þing to my self to hem ward of þe kynges halle .s. officers. by þe whiche I were þe more syker. ¶ But þoruȝ þe same accuso{ur}s accusyng I am co{n}dempned. ¶ Of þe noumbre of whiche accuso{ur}s one basilius þat somtyme was chased out of þe kynges seruice. is now co{m}pelled i{n} accusyng of my name for nede of foreine moneye. ¶ Also opilion {and} Gaudenci{us} han accused me. al be it so þat þe Iustice regal hadde su{m}tyme demed hem boþe to go in to exil. for her treccheries {and} fraudes wiþ-outen noumbre. ¶ To whiche iugement þei wolde not obeye. but defended hem by sykernesse of holy houses. þat is to seyne fledden in to seyntuaries. {and} whan þis was ap{er}ceiued to þe kyng. he comaunded but þat þei voided þe citee of Rauenne by certeyne day assigned þat men scholde merken hem on þe forheued wiþ an hoke of iren {and} chasen hem out of toune. ¶ Now what þing semeþ þe myȝt be lykned to þis cruelte. For certys þilk same day was receyued þe accusyng of my name by þilk same accuso{ur}s. ¶ What may be seid herto. haþ my studie {and} my konnyng deserued þus. or ellys þe forseide dampnaciou{n} of me. made þat hem ryȝtful accuso{ur}s or no (q.d. no{n}). ¶ Was not fortune asshamed of þis. [Certes alle hadde nat fortune ben asshamyd] þat i{n}nocence was accused. ȝit auȝt sche haue had schame of þe filþe of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ But axest þou in so{m}me of what gilt .I. am accused. men seyne þat I wolde sauen þe co{m}paignie of þe senato{ur}s. ¶ And desirest þou to here in what manere .I. am accused þat I scholde han distourbed þe accuso{ur} to beren l{ett}res. by whiche he scholde han maked þe senatours gilty aȝeins þe kynges Real maieste. ¶ O meistresse what demest þou of þis. schal .I. forsake þis blame þat I ne be no schame to þe (q. d. no{n}). ¶ Certis .I. haue wold it. þat is to seyne þe sauuaciou{n} of þe senat. ne I schal neuer leten to wilne it. {and} þat I confesse {and} am a-knowe. but þe entent of þe accusour to be destourbed schal cese. ¶ For schal I clepe it a felonie þan or a synne þat I haue desired þe sauuaciou{n} of þe ordre of þe senat. and certys ȝit hadde þilk same senat don by me þoruȝ her decretȝ {and} hire iugementys as þouȝ it were a synne or a felonie þat is to seyne to wilne þe sauuaciou{n} of he{m} (.s senat{us}). ¶ But folye þat lieth alwey to hym self may not chaunge þe merit of þinges. ¶ Ne .I. trowe not by þe iugement of socrates þ{a}t it were leueful to me to hide þe soþe. ne assent to lesynges. ¶ But certys how so euer it be of þis I put it to gessen or p{re}ise{n} to þe iugeme{n}t of þe {and} of wise folk. ¶ Of whiche þing al þe ordinaunce {and} þe soþe for as moche as folk þat ben to comen aftir our{e} dayes scholle{n} knowen it. ¶ I haue put it in scripture {and} remembraunce. for touching þe l{ett}res falsly maked. by whiche l{ett}res I am accused to han hooped þe fredom of Rome. What app{er}teneþ me to speken þer-of. Of whiche l{ett}res þe fraude hadde ben schewed ap{er}tly if I hadde had libertee forto han vsed {and} ben at þe co{n}fessiou{n} of myn accuso{ur}s. ¶ Þe whiche þing in alle nedys haþ grete strenkeþ. ¶ For what oþ{er} fredo{m} may men hopen. Certys I wolde þat some oþ{er} fredom myȝt be hoped. ¶ I wolde þan haue answered by þe wordes of a man þat hyȝt Canius. for whan he was accused by Gayus Cesar Germeins son þat he (cani{us}) was knowyng {and} consentyng of a coniurac{i}ou{n} maked aȝeins hym (.s. Gai{us}). ¶ Þis Canius answered þus. ¶ Yif I had wist it þou haddest not wist it. In whiche þing sorwe haþ not so dulled my witte þ{a}t I pleyne oonly þat schrewed folk apparailen folies aȝeins vertues. ¶ But I wondre gretly how þat þei may p{er}forme þinges þat þei had hoped forto done. For why. to wylne schrewednesse þat comeþ p{ar}auenture of oure defaute. ¶ But it is lyke to a monstre {and} a meruaille. ¶ How þat in þe p{re}se{n}t syȝt of god may ben acheued {and} p{er}formed swiche þinges. as euery felonous man haþ conceyued in hys þouȝt aȝeins i{n}nocent. ¶ For whiche þing oon of þi familers not vnskilfully axed þus. ¶ Ȝif god is. whennes comen wikked þinges. {and} yif god ne is whennes comen goode þinges. but al hadde it ben leueful þat felonous folk þat now desiren þe bloode {and} þe deeþ of alle goode men. {and} eke of al þe senat han wilned to gone destroien me. whom þei han seyn alwey bataile{n} {and} defenden goode men {and} eke al þe senat. Ȝit hadde I not desserued of þe fadres. þat is to seyne of þe senatours þat þei scholde wilne my destrucc{i}ou{n}. ¶ Þou remembrest wele as I gesse þat whan I wolde don or seyn any þing. þou þi self alwey p{re}sent reweledest me. ¶ At þe citee of verone wha{n} þat þe kyng gredy of comune slauȝter. caste hym to t{ra}nsporten vpon al þe ordre of þe senat. þe gilt of his real maieste of þe whiche gilt þat albyn was accused. wiþ how grete sykernesse of p{er}il to me defended I al þe senat. ¶ Þou wost wel þat I seide soþe. ne I auaunted me neuer in preysyng of my self. ¶ For alwey when any wyȝt resceiueþ p{re}ciouse renou{n} in auauntyng hym self of hys werkes: he amenusiþ þe secre of hys conscience. ¶ But now þou mayst wel seen to what ende I am comen for myne i{n}nocence. I receiue peyne of fals felonie in gerdou{n} of verray vertue. ¶ And what open co{n}fessiou{n} of felonie had euer iugis so accordaunt i{n} cruelte. þat is to seyne as myne accusyng haþ. ¶ Þat oþer errour of mans witte or ellys co{n}diciou{n} of fortune þat is vncerteyne to al mortal folk ne submytted su{m}me of he{m}. þat is to seyne þat it ne cheyned su{m}me iuge to han pitee or compassiou{n}. ¶ For al þouȝ I had ben accused þat I wolde brenne holy houses. {and} strangle p{re}stys wiþ wicked swerde. ¶ or þat .I. had grayþed deeþ to alle goode men algatis þe sentence scholde han punysched me p{re}sent confessed or co{n}uict. ¶ But now I am remewed fro þe Citee of rome almost fyue-hundreþ þousand pas. I am wiþ outen defence dampned to p{ro}sc{ri}pciou{n} {and} to þe deeþ. for þe studie {and} bountees þat I haue done to þe senat. ¶ But o wel ben þei worþi of mercye (as who seiþ nay.) þer myȝt neuer ȝit non of hem ben conuicte. Of swiche a blame as myn is of swiche t{r}espas myn accuso{ur}s seyen ful wel þe dignitee. þe wiche dignite for þei wolde derken it wiþ medelyng of some felonye. þei beren me on honde {and} lieden. þat I hadde polute {and} defouled my conscience wiþ sacrelege. for couetise of dignite. ¶ And certys þou þi self þat art plaunted in me chacedest oute þe sege of my corage al couetise of mortal þinges. ne sacrilege ne had no leue to han a place in me byforne þine eyen. ¶ For þou drouppedest euery day in myn eer{e}s {and} in my þouȝt þilk comaundement of pictogoras. þat is to seyne men schal seruen to god. {and} not to goddes. ¶ Ne it was no couenaunt ne no nede to taken helpe of þe foulest spirites. ¶ I þat þou hast ordeyned or set in syche excellence þ{a}t [þou] makedest me lyke to god. and ouer þis þe ryȝt clene secre chaumbre of myn house. þat is to seye my wijf {and} þe co{m}paignie of myn honeste frendis. {and} my wyues fadir as wel holy as worþi to ben reuerenced þoruȝ hys owen dedis. defenden me of al suspecciou{n} of syche blame. ¶ But o malice. ¶ For þei þat accusen me taken of þe philosophie feiþe of so grete blame. ¶ For þei trowen þat .I. haue had affinite to malyfice or enchau{n}tementȝ by cause þat I am replenissed {and} fulfilled wiþ þi techynges. {and} enformed of þi maners. ¶ And þus it sufficeþ not only þat þi reuerence ne auayle me not. but ȝif þat þou of þi fre wille raþer be blemissed wiþ myne offensiou{n}. ¶ But certys to þe harmes þat I haue þere bytydeþ ȝit þis encrece of harme. þat þe gessinge {and} þe iugement of myche folk ne loken no þing to þesertys of þinges but only to þe aue{n}t{ur}e of fortune. ¶ And iugen þat only swiche þinges ben p{ur}ueied of god. whiche þat temporel welefulnesse co{m}mendiþ. Glosa. ¶ As þus þat yif a wyȝt haue prosperite. he is a good man {and} worþi to haue þat p{ro}sperite. and who so haþ aduersite he is a wikked man. {and} god haþ forsake hym. {and} he is worþi to haue þat aduersite. ¶ Þis is þe opiniou{n} of so{m}me folke. {and} þer of comeþ þat good gessyng. ¶ Fyrste of al þi{n}g forsakeþ wrecches certys it greueþ me to þink ryȝt now þe dyuerse sentences þat þe poeple seiþ of me. ¶ And þus moche I seye þat þe laste charge of contrarious fortune is þis. þat whan þat ony blame is laid vpon a caytif. men wenen þat he haþ deserued þat he suffreþ. ¶ And I þat am put awey fro{m} goode men {and} despoiled from dignitees {and} defoulid of my name by gessyng haue suffred torment for my goode dedis. ¶ Certys me semeþ þat I se þe felonus couines of wikked men abounden in ioie {and} in gladnes. ¶ And I se þat euery lorel shapiþ hy{m} to fynde oute newe fraudes forto accusen goode folke. and I se þat goode men ben ou{er}þrowen for drede of my p{er}il. ¶ and euery luxurious to{ur}mentour dar don alle felonie vnpunissed {and} ben excited þerto by ȝiftes. and i{n}nocentȝ ne ben not oonly despoiled of sykernesse but of defence {and} þerfore me list to crien to god in þis manere.

O STELLIFERI CONDITOR ORBIS.

++O þou maker of þe whele þat bereþ þe sterres. whiche þat art fastned to þi p{er}durable chayere. {and} turnest þe heuene wiþ a rauyssyng sweigh{e} {and} {con}streinest þe sterres to suffren þi lawe. ¶ So þ{a}t þe mone somtyme schynyng wiþ hir ful hornes metyng wiþ alle þe bemes of þe sonne. ¶ Hir broþer hideþ þe sterres þat ben lasse. {and} somtyme whan þe mone pale wiþ hir derke hornes approcheþ þe sonne. leesith hir lyȝtes. ¶ And þat þe euesterre esperus whiche þat in þe first tyme of þe nyȝt bryngeþ furþe hir colde arysynges comeþ eft aȝeynes hir vsed cours. {and} is pale by þe morwe at þe rysynge of þe sonne. and is þan cleped lucifer. ¶ Þou restreinest þe day by schorter dwellyng in þe tyme of colde wynter þat makeþ þe leues to falle. ¶ Þou diuidest þe swifte tides of þe nyȝt when þe hote somer is comen. ¶ Þi myȝt attempre[þ] þo variau{n}tȝ sesons of þe ȝere. so þat ȝepherus þe deboneire wynde bringeþ aȝein in þe first somer sesou{n} þe leues þat þe wynde þat hyȝt boreas haþ reft awey in autu{m}pne. þat is to seyne in þe laste eende of somer. and þe sedes þat þe sterre þat hyȝt arctur{us} saw ben waxen hey cornes whan þe sterre sirius eschaufeþ hym. ¶ Þere nis no þing vnbounde from hys olde lawe ne forleteþ hym of hys p{ro}pre estat. ¶ O þou gouerno{ur} gouernyng alle þinges by certeyne ende. why refusest þou oonly to gouerne þe werkes of men by dewe manere. ¶ Whi suffrest þ{o}u þat slidyng fortune turneþ to grete vtter chaungynges of þinges. so þat anoious peyne þat scholde duelly punissh{e} felouns punissitȝ innocentȝ. ¶ And folk of wikked man{er}es sitten in heiȝe chaiers. {and} anoienge folk treden {and} þat vnryȝtfully in þe nekkes of holy men. ¶ And vertue clere {and} schynyng naturely is hid in dirke dirkenesses. {and} þe ryȝtful man beriþ þe blame {and} þe peyne of þe felowne. ¶ Ne þe forsweryng ne þe fraude couered {and} kembd wiþ a fals colo{ur} ne a-noyeþ not to schrewes. ¶ Þe whiche schrewes whan hem lyst to vsen her strengþe þei reioisen hem to putte{n} vndir hem þe souerayne kynges. whiche þ{a}t poeple wiþ[outen] noumbre dreden. ¶ O þou what so euer þou be þat knyttes alle bondes of þinges loke on þise wrecched erþes. we men þat ben nat a foule party but a faire party of so grete a werke we ben turmentid in þe see of fortune. ¶ Þou gouerno{ur} wiþdraw {and} restreyne þe rauyssinge flodes {and} fastne {and} forme þise erþes stable wiþ þilke [bonde] wiþ whiche þou gouernest þe heuene þat is so large.

HIC UBI CONTINUATO DOLORE.

++Whan I hadde wiþ a continuel sorwe sobbed or broken out þise þinges sche wiþ hir chere peisible {and} no þi{n}g amoeued. wiþ my compleyntes seide þ{us}. whan I say þe q{uod} sche sorweful {and} wepyng I wist on-one þat þou were a wrecche {and} exiled. but I wist neuer how fer þine exile was: ȝif þi tale ne hadde schewed it to me. but certys al be þou fer fro þi contre. þou nart nat put out of it. but þou hast fayled of þi weye {and} gon amys. ¶ and yif þou hast leuer forto wene þan þou be put out of þi contre. þan hast þou put oute þi self raþer þen ony oþer wyȝt haþ. ¶ For no wyȝt but þi self ne myȝt neuer haue don þat to þe. ¶ For ȝif þou remembre of what contre þou art born. it nis not gou{er}ned by emp{er}oures. ne by gouernement of multitude. as weren þe contres of hem of athenes. ¶ But o lorde {and} o kyng {and} þat is god þat is lorde of þi contree. whiche þat reioiseþ hym of þe dwellyng of hys Citeȝenis. {and} not forto putte hem in exile. Of þe whiche lorde it is a souerayne fredom to be gouerned by þe bridel of hym and obeie to his iustice. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þilke ryȝt olde lawe of þi Citee. in þe whiche Citee it is ordeyned {and} establissed þat what wyȝt þat haþ leuer founden þer i{n}ne hys sete or hys house. þen ellys where: he may not be exiled by no ryȝt fro þat place. ¶ For who so þat is co{n}tened in-wiþ þe paleis [{and} the clos] of þilke Citee. þer nis no drede þat he may deserue to ben exiled. ¶ But who þat letteþ þe wille forto enhabit þere. he forleteþ also to deserue to ben Citeȝein of þilke Citee. ¶ So þat I seye þat þe face of þis place ne amoeueþ me nat so myche as þine owen face. Ne .I. ne axe not raþer þe walles of þi librarie apparailled {and} wrouȝt wiþ yvory {and} wiþ glas þan after þe sete of þi þouȝt. In whiche I putte nat somtyme bookes. but .I. putte þat þat makeþ bookes worþi of p{ri}s or p{re}cious þat is to sein þe sentence of my books. ¶ {And} certeinly of þi dec{er}tes by-stowed in co{m}mune good. þou hast seid soþe but after þe multitude of þi goode dedys. þou hast seid fewe. {and} of þe vnhonestee or falsnesse of þinges þat ben opposed aȝeins þe. þou hast remembred þinges þat be{n} knowe to alle folk. and of þe felonies {and} fraudes of þine accuso{ur}s. it semeþ þe haue I-touched it forsoþe ryȝtfully {and} schortly. ¶ Al myȝten þo same þinges bettere {and} more plentiuousely be couth in þe mouþe of þe poeple þ{a}t knoweþ al þis. ¶ Þou hast eke blamed gretly {and} compleyned of þe wrongful dede of þe senat. ¶ And þou hast sorwed for my blame. {and} þou hast wepen for þe damage of þi renoune þat is appaired. {and} þi laste sorwe eschaufed aȝeins fortune {and} co{m}pleinest þat gerdou{n}s ne ben not euenliche ȝolde to þe desertes of folk. {and} in þe l{att}re ende of þi woode muse þou p{r}iedest þ{a}t þilke pees þat gouerneþ þe heuene scholde gou{er}ne þe erþe ¶ But for þat many tribulac{i}ou{n}s of affecc{i}ou{n}s han assailed þe. {and} sorwe {and} Ire {and} wepyng todrawen þee dyuersely ¶ As þou art now feble of þouȝt. myȝtyer remedies ne schullen not ȝit touchen þe for whiche we wil vsen somedel lyȝter medicines. So þat þilk passiou{n}s þat ben woxen harde in swellyng by p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} folowyng in to þi þouȝt mowen woxe esy {and} softe to receyue{n} þe strenkeþ of a more myȝty {and} more egre medicine by an esier touchyng.

CU{M} PHEBI RADIIS G{RA}UE CA{N}C{R}I SID{US} ENESTUAT.

++Whan þat þe heuy sterre of þe cancre eschaufeþ by þe beme of pheb{us}. þat is to seyne whan þat pheb{us} þe sonne is in þe signe of þe Cancre. Who so ȝeueþ þan largely hys sedes to þe feldes þat refuse to receiuen hem. lete hym gon bygyled of trust þat he hadde to hys corn. to acorns or okes. yif þou wilt gadre violettȝ. ne go þou not to þe purp{er} wode whan þe felde chirkynge agriseþ of colde by þe felnesse of þe wynde þat hyȝt aquilon ¶ Yif þou desirest or wolt vsen grapes ne seke þou nat wiþ a gloto{n}us hande to streine {and} p{re}sse þe stalkes of þe vine in þe first somer sesou{n}. for bachus þe god of wyne haþ raþer ȝeuen his ȝiftes to autu{m}pne þe latter ende of somer. ¶ God tokeniþ {and} assigneþ þe tymes. ablyng hem to her p{ro}pre offices. ¶ Ne he ne suffreþ not stoundes whiche þat hym self haþ deuided {and} co{n}streined to be medeled to gidre ¶ And forþi he þat forleteþ certeyne ordinaunce of doynge by ou{er}þrowyng wey. he ne haþ no glade issue or ende of hys werkes.

PRIMU{M} IGITUR PATERIS ROGACIONIB{US}.

++FIrst wolt þou suffre me to touche {and} assaie þe stat of þi þouȝt by a fewe demaundes. so þat I may vnderstonde what be þe manere of þi curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ Axe me q{uod} .I. atte þi wille what þou wilt. {and} I schal answer{e}. ¶ Þo saide sche þus. wheþer wenest þou q{uo}d sche þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by foolisshe happes {and} fortunes. or elles wenest þou þat þer be i{n} it any gouerneme{n}t of resou{n}. Certes q{uod} .I. ne trowe not in no manere þat so certeyne þinges scholde be moeued by fortunouse fortune. but I wot wel þat god maker {and} mayster is gouerno{ur} of þis werk. Ne neuer nas ȝit day þat myȝt putte me oute of þe soþenesse of þat sentence. ¶ So is it q{uod} sche. for þe same þing songe þou a lytel here byforne {and} byweyledest {and} byweptest. þat only men weren put oute of þe cure of god. ¶ For of alle oþer þinges þou ne doutest nat þat þei nere gouerned by reso{n}. but how (.i. pape.). I wondre gretly certes whi þat þou art seek. siþen þou art put in to so holesom a sentence. but lat vs seken depper. I coniecte þat þere lakkeþ I not what. but sey me þis. siþen þat þou ne doutest nat þ{a}t þis worlde be gouerned by god ¶ wiþ swycche gouernailes takest þou hede þat it is gouerned. ¶ vnneþ q{uod} .I. knowe .I. þe sente{n}ce of þi q{ue}stiou{n}. so þat I ne may nat ȝit answeren to þi demaundes. ¶ I nas nat deceiued q{uod} sche þat þere ne faileþ su{m}what. by whiche þe maladie of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} is crept in to þi þouȝt. so as þe strengþe of þe paleys schynyng is open. ¶ But seye me þis reme{m}brest þou ouȝt what is þe ende of þi þinges. whider þat þe entenc{i}ou{n} of al kynde tendeþ. ¶ I haue herd told it somtyme q{uod} .I. but drerynesse haþ dulled my memorie. ¶ Certys q{uod} sche þou wost wel whe{n}nes þat alle þinges ben comen {and} p{ro}ceded. I wot wel q{uod} .I. {and} ansewered þat god is þe bygynnyng of al. ¶ And how may þis be q{uod} sche þat siþen þ{o}u knowest þe bygynnyng of þinges. þat þou ne knowest not what is þe endyng of þinges. but swiche ben þe customes of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n}s. {and} þis power þei han. þat þei may moeue a ma{n} fro hys place. þat is to seyne from þe stablenes {and} p{er}fecc{i}ou{n} of hys knowyng. but certys þei may not al arace hym ne alyene hy{m} in al. ¶ But I wolde þat þou woldest answere to þis. ¶ Remembrest þou þat þou art a man ¶ Boice. ¶ Whi scholde I nat remembre þat q{uod} .I. Philosophie. ¶ Maiste þou not telle me þan q{uod} sche what þing is a man. ¶ Axest not me q{uod} I. wheþir þat be a resonable best mortel. I wot wel {and} I confesse wel þat I am it. ¶ Wistest þou neuer ȝit þat þou were ony oþer þing q{uod} she. No q{uod} .I. now wot I q{uod} she oþer cause of þi maladie {and} þat ryȝt grete ¶ Þou hast left forto knowe þi self what þou art. þoruȝ whiche I haue pleynelyche knowen þe cause of þi maladie. or ellis þe entre of recoueryng of þin hele. ¶ Forwhy for þou art co{n}founded wiþ forȝetyng of þi self. forþi sorwest þou þat þou art exiled of þi p{ro}pre goodes. ¶ And for þou ne wost what is þe ende of þinges. for[þi] demest [þou] þat felono{us} {and} wikked men ben myȝty {and} weleful for þou hast forȝeten by whiche gouernementȝ þe worlde is gouerned. ¶ Forþi wenest þou þat þise mutac{i}ou{n}s of fortune fleten wiþ oute{n} gouerno{ur}. þise ben grete causes not oonly to maladie. but certes grete causes to deeþ ¶ But I þanke þe auctour {and} þe makere of heele þat nat{ur}e haþ not al forleten þe. {and} I haue gete norissinges of þi hele. {and} þat is þe soþe sentence of gou{er}nau{n}ce of þe worlde. þat þou byleuest þat þe gou{er}nynge of it nis nat subgit ne vnderput to þe folie of þise happes auenterouses. but to þe resou{n} of god ¶ And þer fore doute þe noþing. For of þis litel spark þine heet of lijf schal shine. ¶ But for as muche as it is not tyme ȝitte of fastere remedies ¶ And þe nature of þouȝtes disseiued is þis þat as ofte as þei casten aweye soþe opyniou{n}s: þei cloþen hem in fals opiniou{n}s. [of which{e} false opyniou{n}s] þe derknesse of p{er}turbac{i}ou{n} wexeþ vp. þat comfoundeþ þe verray insyȝt. {and} þat derkenes schal .I. say somwhat to maken þi{n}ne {and} wayk by lyȝt {and} meenelyche remedies. so þat after þat þe derknes of desseyuynge desyrynges is don awey. þou mow knowe þe schynyng of verray lyȝt.

NUBIB{US} ATRIS CONDITA.

++ÞE sterres cou{er}ed wiþ blak cloudes ne mowen geten a dou{n} no lyȝt. Ȝif þe trouble wy{n}de þat hyȝt auster stormynge {and} walwy{n}g þe see medleþ þe heete þat is to seyne þe boylyng vp from þe botme ¶ Þe wawes þ{a}t somtyme weren clere as glas {and} lyke to þe fair bryȝt dayes wiþstant anon þe syȝtes of men. by þe filþe {and} ordure þat is resolued. {and} þe fletyng streme þat royleþ dou{n} dyuersely fro heyȝe mou{n}taignes is arestid {and} resisted ofte tyme by þe encountrynge of a stoon þ{a}t is dep{ar}tid {and} fallen from some roche. ¶ And forþi yif þou wilt loken {and} demen soþe wiþ clere lyȝt. {and} holde þe weye wiþ a ryȝt paþe. ¶ Weyue þou ioie. drif fro þe drede. fleme þou hope. ne lat no sorwe ap{ro}che. þat is to sein lat noon of þise four passiou{n}s ouer come þe. or blynde þe. for cloudy {and} dirke is þilk þouȝt {and} bounde w{i}t{h} bridles. where as þise þinges regnen.

EXPLICIT LIBER PRIMUS.

INCIPIT LIBER SECUNDUS.

POSTEA LISPER CONTICUIT.

++After þis she stynte a litel. and after þat she hadde gadred by atempre stillenesse myn attenciou{n} she seide þus. ¶ As who so myȝt seye þus. After þise þinges she stynt a lytel. {and} whanne she ap{er}ceiued by atempre stillenesse þat I was ententif to herkene hire. she bygan to speke in þis wyse. ¶ Yif I q{uod} she haue vnderstonde{n} {and} knowe vtterly þe causes {and} þe habit of þi maladie. þou languissed {and} art deffeted for talent {and} desijr of þi raþer fortune. ¶ She þat ilke fortune only þat is chaunged as þou feinest to þe ward. haþ p{er}uerted þe clerenesse {and} þe astat of þi corage. ¶ I vnderstonde þe felefolde colo{ur} {and} deceites of þilke merueillous monstre fortune. and how she vseþ ful flatryng familarite wiþ hem þat she enforceþ to bygyle. so longe til þat she co{n}founde wiþ vnsuffreable sorwe hem þat she haþ left in despeir vnpurueyed. ¶ and if þou remembrest wel þe kynde þe maners {and} þe desert of þilke fortune. þow shalt wel knowe as in hir þou neuer ne haddest ne hast ylost any fair þing. But as I trowe I shal not gretly trauaile to don þe remembren of þise þinges. ¶ For þou were wont to hurtlen [{and} despysen] hir wiþ manly wordes whan she was blaundissinge {and} presente {and} p{ur}sewedest hir wiþ sentences þat were drawe{n} oute of myne entre. þat is to seyne out of myn i{n}formac{i}ou{n} ¶ But no sudeyne mutac{i}ou{n} ne bytideþ nat wiþ oute{n} a maner chau{n}gyng of curages. and so is it byfallen þat þou art dep{ar}ted a litel fro þe pees of þi þouȝt. but now is tyme þat þou drynke {and} atast some softe {and} delitable þinges. so þat whan þei ben entred wiþ i{n}ne þe. it mow make weye to strenger drynkes of medycynes. ¶ Com nowe furþe þerfore þe suasiou{n} of swetnesse Rethoryen. whiche þat goþ oonly þe ryȝt wey whil she forsakeþ not myne estatutȝ. ¶ And wiþ Rethorice com forþe musice a damoisel of oure house þat syngeþ now lyȝter moedes or p{ro}lac{i}ou{n}s now heuyer. what ayleþ þe man. what is it þat haþ cast þe in to murnyng {and} in to wepyng. I trow þat þou hast sen some newe þing {and} uncouþe. ¶ Þou wenest þat fortune be chaunged aȝeins þe ¶ But þou wenest wrong. yif þou [þat] wene. Alwey þo ben hire maners. she haþ raþer as to þe ward hire p{ro}pre stablenes in þe chaungyng of hyre self. ¶ Ryȝt swyche was she whan she flatered þe. {and} desseiued þe wiþ vnleueful lykynges of false welefulnesse. þou hast now knowen {and} ataynt þe doutous or double visage of þilke blynde goddesse fortune. ¶ She þat ȝit couereþ hir {and} wympleþ hir to oþer folk. haþ shewed hir euerydel to þe. ¶ Ȝif þou app{ro}uest hir {and} þenkest þat she is good. vse hir maners {and} pleyne þe nat. ¶ And if þou agrisest hir fals trecherie. dispise {and} cast aweye hir þat pleyeþ so harmefully. for she þat is now cause of so myche sorwe to þe. sholde be to þe cause of pees {and} ioie. ¶ she haþ forsaken þe forsoþe. þe whiche þat neuer man may be syker þat she ne shal forsake hym. Glose. ¶ But naþeles some bookes han þe text þus. For soþe she haþ forsaken þe ne þer nis no man syker þat she ne haþ not forsaken. ¶ Holdest þou þan þilke welefulnesse p{re}ciouse to þe þat shal passen. {and} is p{re}sent fortune derworþi to þe. whiche þat nis not feiþful forto dwelle. {and} whan she goþ aweye þat she bryngeþ a wyȝt in sorwe ¶ For syn she may nat be wiþholde{n} at a mans wille. she makeþ hym a wrecche whe{n} she dep{ar}teþ fro hym. ¶ What oþer þing is flitti{n}g fortune but a manere shewyng of wrycchednesse þat is to comen. ne it ne suffriþ nat ooly to loken of þing þat is p{re}sent byforne þe eyen of man. but wisdom lokeþ {and} mesureþ þe ende of þinges. {and} þe same chau{n}gyng from one to an oþer. þat is to seyne fro aduersite to p{ro}sperite makeþ þat þe manaces of fortune ne ben not forto dreden. ne þe flatrynges of hir to ben desired. ¶ Þus atte þe last it byhoueþ þe to suffren wiþ euene wille in pacience al þat is don inwiþ þe floor of fortune. þat is to seyne in þis worlde. ¶ Syþen þou hast oones put þi nekke vnder þe ȝokke of hir. for if þou wilt write a lawe of wendyng {and} of dwellyng to fortune whiche þat þou hast chosen frely to be þi lady ¶ Art þou nat wrongful in þat {and} makest fortune wroþe {and} asp{er}e by þin inpacience. {and} ȝit þou mayst not chaungen hir. ¶ Yif þou co{m}mittest [{and}] bitakest þi sayles to þe wynde. þou shalt be shouen not þider þat þou woldest(:) but whider þat þe wy{n}de shoueþ þe ¶ Yif þou castest þi seedes in þe feldes þou sholdest haue in mynde þat þe ȝeres ben oþer while plenteuous {and} oþ{er} while bareyne. ¶ Þou hast bytaken þiself to þe gouernaunce of fortune. {and} forþi it byhoueþ þe to ben obeisaunt to þe manere of þi lady. and enforcest þou þe to aresten or wiþstonden þe swyftnesse {and} þe sweyes of hir to{ur}nyng whele. ¶ O þou fool of alle mortel fooles if fortune bygan to dwelle stable. she cesed þan to ben fortune.

HEC CUM SUPERBA.

++Whan fortune wiþ a proude ryȝt hande haþ turnid hir chau{n}gyng stoundes she fareþ lyke þe maners of þe boillyng eurippe. Glose. Eurippe is an arme of þe see þ{a}t ebbith {and} flowiþ. {and} somtyme þe streme is on one syde {and} somtyme on þat oþer. Texte ¶ She cruel fortune kasteþ adoune kynges þat somtyme weren ydred. {and} she deceiuable enhau{n}seth vp þe humble chere of hym þat is discomfited. {and} she neyþer hereþ ne reccheþ of wrecched wepynges. {and} she is so harde þat she lauȝeþ {and} scorneþ þe wepyng of hem þe whiche she haþ maked wepe wiþ hir free wille. ¶ Þus she pleyeþ {and} þ{us} she p{re}ueþ hir strengþe {and} sheweþ a grete wondre to alle hir seruau{n}tȝ. ¶ Yif þat a wyȝt is seyn weleful {and} ou{er}þrowe in an houre.

VELLEM AUTE{M} PAUCA.

++CErtis I wolde plete wiþ þee a fewe þinges vsynge þe wordes of fortune tak heede now þi self. yif þ{a}t she axeþ ryȝt. ¶ O þou man wher fore makest þou me gilty by þine euerydayes pleynynges. what wronges haue I don þe. what goodes haue I byreft þe þat weren þine. stryf or plete wiþ me by fore what iuge þat þou wilt of þe possessiou{n} of rycchesse or of dignites ¶ And yif þou maist shewe me þat euer any mortal man haþ receyued any of þese þinges to ben his in p{ro}pre. þan wol I graunt frely þat þilke þinges were{n} þine whiche þat þou axest. ¶ Whan þat nature brouȝt þe forþe out of þi moder wombe. I receyued þe naked {and} nedy of al þing. {and} I norysshed þe wiþ my rychesse. {and} was redy {and} ententif þo{ru}ȝ my fauo{ur} to sustene þe. ¶ And þat makeþ þe now i{n}pacient aȝeins me. {and} I envirounde þe wiþ al þe habundaunce {and} shinyng of al goodes þat ben in my ryȝt. ¶ Now it lykeþ me to wiþ drawe myne hande. þou hast had grace as he þat haþ vsed of foreyne goodes. þou hast no ryȝt to pleyne þe. as þouȝ þou haddest vtterly lorn alle þi þinges. whi pleynest þou þan. I haue don þe no wrong. Ricches hono{ur}es {and} swyche oþer þinges ben of my ryȝt. ¶ My seruauntes knowen me for hir lady. þei comen wiþ me {and} dep{ar}ten whan I wende. I dar wel affermen hardyly. þat yif þo þinges of whiche þou pleynest þat þou hast forlorn hadde ben þine. þou ne haddest not lorn he{m}. ¶ shal I þan only be defended to vse my ryȝt. ¶ Certis it is leueful to þe heuene to make clere dayes. {and} after þat to keuere þe same dayes wiþ derke nyȝtes. ¶ Þe erþe haþ eke leue to apparaile þe visage of þe erþe now w{i}t{h} floures {and} now wiþ fruyt. {and} to confounde he{m} so{m}tyme wiþ raynes {and} wiþ coldes. ¶ Þe see haþ eke hys ryȝt to be somtyme calme {and} blaundyshing wiþ smoþe water. {and} somtyme to be horrible wiþ wawes {and} wiþ tempestes. ¶ But þe couetyse of men þat may not be staunched shal it bynde me to be stedfast. syn þat stedfastnesse is vnkouþ to my maneres. ¶ Swyche is my strengþe. {and} þis pley. I pley co{n}tinuely. I tourne þe whirly{n}g whele wiþ þe tournyng cercle ¶ I am glade to chaunge þe lowest to þe heyeste. {and} þe heyest to þe loweste. worþe vp yif þou wilt. so it be by þis lawe. þat þou ne holde not þat I do þe wronge þouȝ þou descende dou{n} whanne resou{n} of my pleye axeþ it. Wost þou not how Cresus kyng of lyndens of whiche kyng Cir{us} was ful sore agast a litel byforne þat þis rewlyche Cresus was cauȝt of Cirus {and} lad to þe fijr to be brent. but þat a reyne desce{n}ded dou{n} from heuene þat rescowed hym ¶ And is it out of þi mynde how þat Paulus consul of Rome whan he hadde take þe kyng of p{er}ciens weep pitouly for þe captiuitee of þe self kyng. What oþer þinges bywaylen þe criinges of Tragedies. but only þe dedes of fortune. þat wiþ an vnwar stroke ouert{ur}neþ þe realmes of grete nobley ¶ Glose. Tragedie is to seyne a dite of a p{ro}sp{er}ite for a tyme þat endiþ in wrechednesse. Lernedest nat þou in grek whan þou were ȝonge þat in þe entre or in þe seler of Iuppiter þer ben couched two tunnes. þat on is ful of good þat oþer is ful of harme. ¶ What ryȝt hast þou to pleyne. yif þou hast taken more plenteuously of þe goode syde þat is to seyne of my rycchesse {and} p{ro}sp{er}ites. {and} what eke. yif I be nat departed fro þe. What eke. yif my mutabilitee ȝiueþ þe ryȝtful cause of hope to han ȝit better þi{n}ges. ¶ Naþeles desmaie þe nat in þi þouȝt. and þ{o}u þat art put in comune realme of alle: ne desijr nat to lyue by þine oonly p{ro}pre ryȝt.

SI Q{UA}NTAS RAPIDIS.

++ÞOuȝ plentee þat is goddesse of rycches hielde adou{n} wiþ ful horn. {and} wiþdraweþ nat hir hand. ¶ As many recches as þe see turneþ vpwardes sandes whan it is moeued wiþ rauysshing blastes. or ellys as many rycches as þer shynen bryȝt sterres on heuene on þe sterry nyȝt. Ȝit for al þat mankynde nolde not cesce to wope wrecched pleyntes. ¶ And al be it so þat god receyueþ gladly her p{ra}yers {and} ȝeueþ hem as ful large muche golde {and} app{ar}aileþ coueytous folk wiþ noble or clere hono{ur}s. ȝit semeþ hem haue I-gete noþing. but alwey her cruel ravyne deuourynge al þat þei han geten shewiþ oþer gapinges. þat is to seye gapen {and} desiren ȝit after moo rycchesse. ¶ What brideles myȝten wiþholde to any certeyne ende þe desordene coueitise of men ¶ Whan euere þe raþer þ{a}t it fletiþ in large ȝiftis: þe more ay brenneþ in hem þe þrest of hauyng. ¶ Certis he þat quakyng {and} dredeful weneþ hym seluen nedy. he ne lyueþ neu{er}e mo ryche.

HIIS IGITUR SI PRO SE.

++Þerfore yif þat fortune spake wiþ þe for hir self in þis manere. For soþe þou ne haddest what þou myȝtest answere. and if þou hast any þi{n}g wherwiþ. þou mayist ryȝtfully tellen þi co{m}pleynt. ¶ It byhoueþ þe to shewen it. {and} .I. wol ȝeue þe space to tellen it. ¶ Certeynely q{uod} I þan þise ben faire þinges {and} enoyntid wiþ hony swetnesse of rethorike {and} musike. {and} only while þei ben herd þei ben deliciouse. ¶ But to wrecches is a deppere felyng of harme. þis is to seyn þat wrecches felen þe harmes þat þei suffren more greuously þan þe remedies or þe delites of þise wordes mowe gladen or comforten hem. so þat whan þise þinges stynten forto sou{n} in eres. þe sorwe þat is inset greueþ þe þouȝt. Ryȝt so is it q{uod} she. ¶ For þise ne ben ȝit none remedies of þi maladie. but þei ben a manere norissinges of þi sorwe ȝit rebel aȝeyne þi curac{i}ou{n}. ¶ For whan þat tyme is. I shal moue swiche þinges þat p{er}cen hem self depe. ¶ But naþeles þ{a}t þou shalt not wilne to leten þi self a wrecche. ¶ Hast þou forȝeten þe nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi welefulnesse. I holde me stille how þat þe souerayn men of þe Citee toke{n} þe in cure {and} kepynge whan þou were orphelyn of fadir {and} modir. {and} were chosen i{n} affinite of p{r}inces of þe Citee. ¶ And þou bygu{n}ne raþer to ben leef {and} deere þan0 forto ben a neyȝbo{ur}. þe whiche þing is þe most p{re}ciouse kynde of any p{ro}pinquitee or aliau{n}ce þat may ben. ¶ Who is it þat ne seide þou nere ryȝt weleful wiþ so grete a nobley of þi fadres in lawe. ¶ {And} wiþ þe chastite of þi wijf. {and} wiþ þe oportunite {and} noblesse of þi masculyn children. þat is to seyne þi sones {and} ou{er} al þis me lyst to passe of comune þinges. ¶ How þou haddest in þi þouȝt dignitees þat weren warned to olde men. but it deliteþ me to comen now to þe singuler vphepyng of þi welefulnesse. ¶ Yif any fruyt of mortal þinges may han any weyȝte or price of welefulnesse. ¶ Myȝtest þou euere forȝeten for any charge of harme þat myȝt byfallen. þe remembrau{n}ce of þilke day þat þou sey þi two sones maked conseillers. {and} ylad to gidre from þin house vndir so gret assemble of senatours. {and} vndir þe blyþenesse of poeple. {and} whan þou say hem sette in þe court in her chaieres of dignites. ¶ Þou rethorien or p{ro}nou{n}cere of kynges p{re}ysinges. deseruedest glorie of wit {and} of eloquence. whan þou sittyng bytwix þi two sones conseillers in þe place þat hyȝt Circo. {and} fulfildest þe abydyng of multitude of poeple þat was sprad about þe wiþ large p{ra}ysynge {and} laude as me{n} syngen in victories. þo ȝaue þou wordes of fortune as I trowe. þat is to seyne. þo feffedest þou fortune wiþ glosynge wordes {and} desseiuedest hir. whan she accoied þe {and} norsshed þe as hir owen delices. ¶ Þou hast had of fortune a ȝifte þat is to seyn swiche gerdou{n} þat she neue ȝaf to p{re}ue man ¶ Wilt þou þerfore leye a rekenyng wiþ fortune. she haþ now twynkeled first vpon þe wiþ a wykked eye. ¶ Yif þou considere þe nou{m}bre {and} þe manere of þi blysses. {and} of þi sorwes. þou maist nat forsake þat þou nart ȝit blysful. For if þou þerfore wenest þi self nat weleful for þinges þat þo semeden ioyful ben passed. ¶ Þer nis nat whi þou sholdest wene þi self a wrecche. for þinges þat now semen soory passen also. ¶ Art þou now comen firste a sodeyne gest in to þe shadowe or tabernacle of þis lijf. or trowest þou þ{a}t any stedfastnesse be in mannis þinges. ¶ Whan ofte a swifte houre dissolueþ þe same man. þat is to seyne whan þe soule dep{ar}tiþ fro þe body. For al þouȝ þat yelde is þer any feiþ þat fortunous þinges willen dwelle. ȝit naþeles þe last day of a ma{n}nis lijf is a man{er}e deeþ to fortune. {and} also to þilke þat haþ dwelt. {and} þerfore what wenist þou þar recche yif þou forlete hir i{n} dey{n}ge or ellys þ{a}t she fortune forlete þe i{n} fleenge awey.

CUM PRIMO POLO.

++Whan phebus þe sonne bygynneþ to spreden his clerenesse w{i}t{h} rosene chariettes. þan þe sterre ydimmyd paleþ hir white cheres. by þe flamus of þe so{n}ne þat ouer comeþ þe sterre lyȝt. ¶ Þis is to seyn whan þe sonne is risen þe day sterre wexiþ pale {and} lesiþ hir lyȝt for þe grete bryȝtnesse of þe sonne. ¶ Whan þe wode wexeþ redy of rosene floures in þe first somer sesou{n} þoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus þat wexeþ warme. ¶ Yif þe cloudy wynde auster blowe felliche. þan goþ awey þe fayrnesse of þornes. Ofte þe see is clere {and} calme wiþoute moeuy{n}g floodes. And ofte þe horrible wynde aq{u}ilon moeueþ boylyng tempestes {and} ouer whelweþ þe see. ¶ Yif þe forme of þis worlde is so [ȝeelde] stable. {and} yif it to{ur}niþ by so many entrechau{n}gynges. wilt þou þa{n} truste{n} in þe trublynge fortunes of me{n}. wilt þou trowen i{n} flittyng goodes. It is certeyne {and} establissed by lawe p{er}durable þat no þi{n}g þ{a}t is engendred nys stedfast no stable.