Thanne had Piers pité, And preide Hunger to wende Hoom unto his owene yerd, And holden hym there; "For I am wel a-wroke 4200 Of wastours, thorugh thy myghte. Ac I preie thee, er thow passe," Quod Piers to Hunger, "Of beggeris and of bidderis What best be to doone. For I woot wel, be thow went, Thei wol werche ful ille; For meschief it maketh Thei be so meke nouthe, And for defaute of hire foode 4210 This folk is at my wille.
"Thei are my blody bretheren," quod Piers, "For God boughte us alle. Truthe taughte me ones To loven hem echone; And to helpen hem of alle thyng Ay as hem nedeth. And now wolde I wite of thee What were the beste; And how I myghte a-maistren hem, 4220 And make hem to werche." { 130}
"Here now," quod Hunger, "And hoold it for a wisdom; Bolde beggeris and bigge That mowe hir breed bi-swynke, With houndes breed and horse breed Hoold up hir hertes; A-bate hem with benes, For bollynge of hir wombes; And if the gomes grucche, 4230 Bidde hem go swynke, And he shal soupe swetter Whan he it hath deserved.
"And if thow fynde any freke That fortune hath apeired, Or any manere false men, Fonde thow swiche to knowe; Conforte hym with thi catel, For Cristes love of hevene; Love hem and leve hem, 4240 So lawe of God techeth, _Alter alterius onera portare._
"And alle manere of men That thow myght aspie, That nedy ben and noughty, Help hem with thi goodes; Love hem and lakke hem noght, Lat God take the vengeaunce; Theigh thei doon yvele, Lat God y-worthe. 4250 _Mihi vindictam, et ego retribuam._
"And if thow wilt be gracious to God, Do as the gospel techeth, And bi-love thee amonges lewed men, So shaltow lacche grace; { 131} _Facite vos amicos de Mammone iniquitatis._" =
"I wolde noght greve God," quod Piers, "For al the good on grounde. Mighte I synne-lees do as thow seist?" 4260 Seide Piers thanne.
"Ye, I bi-hote thee," quod Hunger, "Or ellis the Bible lieth; Go to Genesis the geaunt, The engendrour of us alle: _In sudore_ and swynk Thow shalt thi mete tilie, And laboure for thi liflode, And so oure Lorde highte. And Sapience seith the same, 4270 I seigh it in the Bible, _Piger præ frigore_ No feeld nolde tilie, And therfore he shal begge and bidde, And no man bete his hunger.