A treatise entitled the Path way to the tower of perfection Compiled by miles Huggarde, servant to the queens most excellent majesty.  
Imprinted at London by Robert Caly within the precinct of the late dissolved, house of the grey Freers, now converted to an Hospital, called Christ's Hospital. 1554.  
Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.   

To the Reader.  

PResumed I have good gentle Reader,  
To make this treatise thus unlearnedly,  
Not that I would seem to be a leader,  
Of other men, for truly none know I,  
That worse doth live, displeasing god high,  
Than myself doth, and therefore I pray,  
All men to judge well in that I will say.   

I study not for any eloquence,  
For if I did my labour were in vain,  
First because I lack the intelligence,  
The which thereunto doth truly appertain:  
secondly if I could, little would it gain,  
The simple folk to whom I have this book wild,  
Which in eloquent speech, is little skilled,   

And as for such as truly learned be,  
The which will waste time, this treatise to read  
Where they any fault in the same shall see,  
I heartily pray them, where their wisdoms saith need  
The same to cortecte, for why this my deed,  
I fancy not so, but I know I may err,  
Sith in such matter I do wade so far.   

Well I may err I say, by ignorance,  
But not to my knowledge that I know well,  
For in matters of faith I have assurance,  
From which I thank God, I yet never fell,  
Nor I trust never shall, though the devil in hell,  
Would from this same faith me da●…ly perswaid.  
But God in whom I trust, is always mine aid.   

This little work I have entitled,  
The path way to the tour of perfection,  
Wherein to walk God hath all men willed,  
Both by himself and the description,  
Of his blessed word with this condition,  
That except we believe and his law obey.  
We are none of his, he doth plainly say.   
Finis.   


IT hath been said in time gone and passed,  
That what so ever doth in custom grow,  
Very hard it is that away to cast,  
Be it good or ill this all men doth know,  
Experience partly doth the proof show,  
And some custom there is which is indifferent,  
And that in myself, I see evident,   

For to walk abroad my custom oft hath been  
Because in song of birds I had a delight,  
musing oft times what I had heard & seen,  
Among all degrees of worldly appetite,  
Some of which grossly in book I did write,  
But ever with one bird happily I met,  
Which caused me my pen, to the book to set.   

Calling to my mind, in my bed as I lay,  
This my former custom taken of old,  
Knowing it was the merry month of may,  
The lust of sleep could me no longer hold,  
But that abroad for my pastime I would,  
Immediately into the fields I went,  
Where I thought most birds to be resident.   

And as I there walked by a wood side,  
Where pleasantly all kinds of birds did sing,  
For whose pleasant noise I did their abide,  
To here their notes not from nature altringe,  
But kept tune and time, to kind according,  
Which hearing many things to my mid brought,  
Chief what nature, God in them had wrought.   

In their kind our lord they praise night & day.  
Keeping perfection in their degree,  
In which study for a time I did stay,  
And laying me down a while to rest me,  
Under the shadow of a Cypress tree,  
What with this study and the birds singingen,  
Into a sound sleep these two did me bring.   

Now than as I in to this sleep did fall,  
Anon by vision appeared to me,  
The bird which of old I had talked withal:  
Arise man arise for very shame quoth she,  
And remember where of thou didst bethike thee,  
When thou didst lie down, & avoid the blame,  
Which may turn thy thought, to thine own shame.   

Thou did dist while air quoth she revolve in thy mind,  
The perfection of us in our estate,  
Now if thou thyself according to kind,  
Wilt not labour that way to emytate,  
Which mought bring the unto a perfit rate,  
What great shame shall we birds bring y● unto,  
If thou praise in us that thyself wilt not do.   

With that word than me thought I did awake,  
And asked her what I should do in this:  
Marry sir quoth she if thou pain wilt take,  
I will soon bring the where thou shalt not miss,  
To walk in the path that most perfit is,  
Shall I go quod I and know not whither,  
Thou shalt know quod she or thou come thither.   

I will know first quoth I or ●…s ye shall,  
Go alone for me where ever it be,  
A well quoth she, now I know thy mind all,  
Because of the pain, thou art loath to agree,  
To go with me, but hardly choose thee,  
Whether thou wilt in sloth, have short joy here,  
Or else by short pain, have long joy else where.   

Long joy after this, I rather require,  
Then after short joy, quoth I, to have a long pain  
Then quoth she if thou wilt have thy desire,  
Rise and go with me it is for thy gain,  
Nay tarry a while, quoth I, for I think plain,  
Their is no joy to this to here these birds sing,  
And to lie where so many sweat flowers doth sprig   

O foolish man quoth she this pleasure is vain,  
And shall have an end thou knowest not how soon  
Wilt thou the everlasting joy disdain,  
For this shadow of joy, than I have done,  
All worldly pleasures thou oughtest to shun,  
And rather to my counsel to apply,  
Then in vain vanities thus for to lie.   

Call for grace quoth she that thou mayst arise, 
●…race is ever at hand to all those that call for it. I stand at the Door & knock A ●…oc. 〈◊〉.   
From all worldly pleasures transitory,  
She is ready and at thine elbow lyese,  
Profringe her help to bring the to glory,  
Plaint these my words man in thy memory.  
Refuse not God's grace while she may be taken,  
For she bideth not where she is forsaken.   

O lord quod I ho●…de this moveth my heart,  
feign would I go but I have great hindrance,  
The spirit is ready ●…way to depart, 
The flesh ●…usteth against the spirit. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.   
But to the flesh it is a great grievance,  
But o lord by grace be thou my governance,  
Then grace me thought to ●…e me by the hand fast:  
saying I am thine, till thou me of caste.   

Than up I rose straight, by the help of grace,  
To take this journey to me far unknown,  
Now ꝙ I to the bird, I am in such case,  
That I am meet to walk while grace is mine own,  
Yet take heed quoth she thou be not over thrown,  
Remember the saying of holy saint Paul:  
Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 
〈◊〉. C●… y.    

Now come on quoth she, & I will fly before,  
Not to fast quoth I, and if thou love me,  
So froward quoth she, thou art ever more,  
To do that which to thy great comfort shallbe,  
Thy corrupt nature by this thou mayst see:  
With that toward the East she took her flight,  
And I went after as fast as I might.   

And ever as she had flown a good way,  
But yet neither out of hearing nor sight,  
She would sit down and for my coming stay:  
Telling me that I my nature showed right,  
In vain iornays quoth she, thou canst go light,  
But now thou goest as thou were shod with lead,  
Me think thou canst scarcely hold up thy head.   

With much a do quod I, I may tell thee,  
Than forth she flew farther over hill & dale,  
Alas quod I, for pain now woe is me,  
Mine own foolishness I may here bewail,  
With out any comfort that may me avail,  
To take this hard journey what mad man was I.  
Then for very faintness down I did lie.   

Now as I there lay, which was but a while, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉   
A woman anon upon me laid hold:  
Wilt thou all joy, quoth she, from thee excyle:  
Which hearing, for fear it made my heart cold,  
Her heir lay out braided shining like gold,  
Gorgeously decked, with neck and breast baire,  
Me thought I never saw woman so fair.   

She embraced me saying their with all:  
I am thy darling and ever hath been,  
It grieveth me to see the thus far to fall,  
In the fondest folly that ever was seen,  
All pleasures bodily thou hast lost clean,  
But those shall enjoy it, which doth it seek,  
Take this way & you shall have it next week.   

What man would leave me unless he were mad,  
Which am so sweet, far and amiable,  
My rest and ease I take, most meet to be had,  
This pain I abhor as most excecrable,  
Of sweet meats I feed, which are delectable,  
And in such pleasures as nature requiere,  
I live, and s●…liue at my hearts desire.   

Therefore leave this thy mad foolishness,  
And come back to the place which thou dost know  
The pleasures whereof thy proof doth express,  
Likewise this pain, these pains partly show,  
Therefore sith such pains i this path doth grow,  
Go now no farther but come back with me,  
For of this journey, the best thou dost se.   

And that is quoth I, bad enough in deed:  
Bad enough quoth she, nay thou knowest not all,  
The pain & trouble, that this way doth breed,  
Will surely cause the in misery to fall:  
The bird this hearing to me did call,  
Saying remember man and call for grace,  
Her wicked counsel to fly in this case.   

All her enticements be detestable,  
As by her punishments doth well appear,  
To show all her mischiefs I am not able,  
How be it some examples thou shalt here,  
The which may engender in the a fear,  
To follow her ways, as they did before,  
For which some were damned for evermore.   

First of Sodom & Gomore mark the end, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
See what vengeance God on them did take,  
Fire & brimstone from heaven did descend,  
Consuming them all as in a fiery lake,  
Because her beastliness they would not for sake,  
And after that, they sounke all down in to hell,  
With the five cities which about them did dwell.   

She caused just Loath to commit incest,  
With his own daughters by drinking excess, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
The Israelites whom God chose for the best, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
By her motion fell unto wickedness,  
And Sampson whose strength no tongue can express, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
By her was conquered and clean overcome,  
And used by his enemies, as a beast dumb.   

David whom God so entirely did love, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
By her enticement did commit adultery,  
And was plagued therefore the proof did well prove:  
Solomon his son of wisdom so high, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
By her was overcome and fell to great folly,  
Frequenting such fondness, that I dare not say,  
Whether that he was, saved, ye or nay.   

All these thou mayest see, by her enticement,  
Did fall into gods great indignation,  
Of the which though some were therefore penitent  
Yet some did incur utter damnation,  
And even so shalt thou, if by instigation,  
Of this filthy flesh dost follow her delight,  
Thou art in danger of loss of heaven quite.   

Alas wretched man that I am quod I,  
In what woeful case do I now stand,  
For grace quoth she to God do thou cry,  
Which I did, and then she was at my hand, 
who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉meth unto me saith Christ I cast not out of the door. 〈◊〉 ●…it.   
saying, man dost thou not think on the band,  
And promise, the which I made unto thee,  
That till thou cast me of thou shouldest enjoy me.   

Then by help of grace, & godly instruction,  
The which the good bird did give unto me,  
I rose up avoiding the false seduction,  
Of the flesh, the which before me I did see,  
Lying on the ground, seeming dead to be,  
Glad was I then of that great victory,  
Then the bird calling me, forth again did fly.   

After that we went through a wood long & thick,  
Among raging beasts which were very wild,  
Where thorns to the very bones did me prick,  
So that my strength was almost clean excyld,  
Alas quod I how thou hast me begyld,  
Is this the true way unto perfection,  
Ye for sooth quod she, by Christ's derection.   

Then no marvel quoth I, though so few doth it go,  
Considering the pains that it doth contain,  
It behoved Christ quoth she, to suffer great woe, 
〈◊〉. 〈◊〉   
And so to enter heaven, scripture is plain,  
Now then if the head, did entre by pain,  
Ought not the members to suffer likewise,  
Unless their soul's health they clearly despise.   

Alas quoth I that ever God did ordain,  
This way, for I think I shall it never pass,  
Then past I this wood, at last with great pain,  
Being as weary as ever I was:  
O mad man quoth she why dost thou trespass,  
Against God so sore, come forward for shame,  
I must needs rest me, quoth I, I am lame,   

Then even at the entering in to a meadow,  
Which with sweat flowers was goodly garnished  
Upon the green grass I laid me full low,  
lying like one with painfulness punished,  
But this pleasant rest my heart refreshed,  
And as I there lay I saw suddenly,  
A man of high stature standing me by.   

Aparaled he was in rich array,  
As though he had been a great prince or king, 
The ●…tion of the wor●…de.   
Alas man quoth he what dost thou this way,  
Behold what pleasures in that path doth spring  
Wherein I do walk, and with that saying,  
He took me up straight and held me on high,  
Tell me now quoth he what dost thou there spy.   

O lord quod I what great riches I see,  
What castles & towers with bildiges sumptuous,  
What parks what pastors of great fertility,  
What corn what fruit with woods plenteous,  
What oxen, what sheep with cattles commodious,  
What gold and silver with jewels most pure,  
O that all were mine for ever to endure.   

They be all mine, quoth he, and I then possess,  
How be it if thou wilt come back with me,  
The pleasure of them are thine nevertheless,  
And thou shalt enjoy them after such degree,  
That thou even alone a lord of them shallbe,  
I were mad quoth I, if I would this forsake,  
Then come on quoth he, and my way let us take,   

Then he turned back, and I with him also,  
The which the bird seeing, fast on me did call,  
Alas man quoth ●…he whither dost thou go,  
Mary quoth I, his pleasures passeth all,  
When I them possess as he saith I shall,  
For he hath showed me, that is my hearts delight  
Therefore farewell now, I for sake the quite.   

O man quod she, yet call unto thy mind,  
What God in his word unto the doth say,  
Who that loveth this world from gods love is bl●…  
And justly shall perish, this read thou may, 
Io●…. 〈◊〉.   
Wilt thou with the world cast thyself away,  
If thou wilfully my counsel wilt refuse,  
And if thou perish thou canst make none excuse,   

The world is all set upon wickedness, 
Io●…. v. 〈◊〉. xvit.   
The world hath not know God, nor never will,  
The world hateth all that loveth godliness, 
〈◊〉. joan. 〈◊〉.   
The world all the lusts of the flesh doth fulfil,  
The world is cursed, for occasions of ill, 
〈◊〉. v. ●…ath. xvi●…. 〈◊〉. vi●….   
The world therefore if thou follow now,  
God his blessed ear to the will not bow,   

The world by his wicked temptation,  
Doth draw the from the path of rightwiseness,  
Wherein thou shouldest find great consolation,  
But contrary the world full of wickedness,  
Will bring the to sorrow and pains endless.  
By his feigned joys, and crafty decite,  
Which colourably he doth counterfeit.   

If thou call not for grace thereby to resist,  
This temptation to which he doth move thee,  
Of heavenly joy thou shalt be dismissed,  
Warned thou art, now say I love thee,  
O lord quod I how these words doth move me  
Grant me grace lord the world to withstand,  
And deliver me, out of his wicked band.   

Then drew grace near and unto me did say,  
Because quoth she thou diddest to the world icline  
I could not abide, he drove me away,  
But now thou seest what came of it in fine,  
I confess quod I, the folly was mine,  
So should the pain have been at last quoth she,  
Come back fro the world to the right path which me,   

Then unto the world I had no respect,  
But turning with grace she said again,  
Now forward quoth she and thine eyes erect,  
To the place the which thou hopest to attain,  
Then the bird seeing me began to complain,  
Of my frailness and unstabelite,  
Chide no more quoth I, my folly I do se.   

Then she flew before & bade me come after,  
Which I did through a marise very soft,  
Where as I thought I should sure have left her,  
For in that ground I stumbled wondrous oft,  
Alas quod I that I were passed this croft,  
And if it be long I shall it not endure,  
Well enough quoth she, keep thy footing sure.   

Alas quoth I, who can keep footing here,  
It is so slippery and so soft with all,  
I think this ground will me not through bear, 
he●…●…ye 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉.   
At every step I am like to fall:  
Be content quoth she, pass it anon thou shall,  
The which I did at last with much a do,  
The wourst place it was that ever I came to.   

Such a journey quod I, I never went before,  
Nor will not do again if this were one's paste,  
Alas for pain quoth I, all my bones be sore,  
I think my good days be now at the last,  
Then came I within a little stones cast,  
Of a fair green, which when I did spy,  
Yonder is a good place to rest me thought I.   

And when I there came I lay down in deed,  
There for to rest me among the sweet flowers:  
iwis quoth the bird this is more than need,  
To go farther quoth I, passeth all my powers,  
He that had suffered so many sharp showers,  
As I have done, would scant go on his feet,  
The hope of joy quoth she, should make the pains sweet. 
〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.    

Then thinking of that joy my heart did revive,  
And with that one be hind me did apeire,  
Which in proportion had such prerogative,  
That to tell it plain I can go nothing near,  
But his voice and words right well I did here,  
O happy man quoth he how blessed art thou, 
The 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉.   
that such pains doth take which god doth allow   

Thou oughtest quoth he in this act to rejoice,  
Because thou dost in this, thy time so well sped,  
Glory therein, for blessed is thy choice,  
Thine act, in to all coasts shall extend,  
And highly the world will it commend,  
To thy great fame and praise perpetual,  
In hope whereof, proceed thou forth with all.   

Thy words quoth I doth set my heart on fire.  
Nothing shall let me forward to proceed,  
That fame is it which nature doth require,  
Then do thou quoth he, follow it in deed,  
For unto perfection, it will the lead,  
And if any do above the take place,  
Think that he doth it thy fame to deface.   

With that I neither hard nor saw him more,  
Then rose I well eased and forward made haste,  
The bird than beheld me being before,  
Stay thou fool quoth she, thy time thou dost waste  
Forsooth thou hast had a goodly repast,  
Whereby as great a profit thou shalt find,  
As of the dust borne about with the wind,   

The property of which is to blind the eyes,  
And so hath his counsel done unto thee,  
So ready thou art thyself to exercise,  
In that which thy hole destruction shallbe,  
I promise the quoth I, I do not that se,  
For me thought that all his counsel was good,  
As thy foolish fancy quoth she understood.   

For if of grace thou were not destitute,  
Thou mightest at the first him perceive well,  
For he used the means which doth confute,  
Each kind of virtue as scripture doth tell, 
●…ash. v●…. and x●…. 〈◊〉 say. xiii●….   
The devil by pride, thought himself to excel,  
Above the most highest which is God eterne,  
And 〈◊〉 follow him he did the now learn.   

But what came of him that so high did look,  
When he had thought to be highest of all,  
God for his pride such vengeance on him took,  
That by and by in to hell he did fall,  
There to remain in pains perpetual,  
Now as he in himself gave himself praise,  
So doth he move the to bring the that ways.   

Then mark at the last with what he did end,  
Not only did he provoke the to pride,  
But to envy those, that to virtue ascend,  
In which his own nature he doth not hide,  
For when in heaven he could no longer abide,  
He seeing man after wa●…de in paradise, 
●…eue. 〈◊〉.   
For envy to sin he did than entice.   

Now thou or such like, that enviously,  
Hath envy at those which pass the in grace,  
Whereby in some gifts their knowledge is high,  
Thou dost, I say, reseble in that case,  
The devil which laboureth all virtue to deface,  
And as he in everlasting pain shall rest,  
So shalt thou with him have a free intreste,   

Envy moved Cain, to slay just Abel, 
●…ene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. ●…ene 〈◊〉 ●…ene. 〈◊〉. ●…ath. 〈◊〉.   
Envy moved saul, David to pursue,  
Envy moved jacobs' sons, there brother to sell,  
Envy moved Rachel against Lya true,  
Envy moved the jews against Christ jesus,  
Envy of virtue well never judge right,  
Envy blindeth men, from all heavenly sight,   

By pride thus thou seest how lucifer did fall,  
And what envy worketh where he doth rain,  
Eschew them therefore or perish thou shall,  
With the devil and his in eternal pain:  
Wilt thou now lose thy labour all in vain,  
And change the praise of men for heavens reward,  
Which as a blast of wide thou oughtest to regard   

Now chose the thou art at thy lib●…te,  
Which of these rewards for thy pains thou wilt take,  
The one is all an endless felicity,  
The other is burning in thinfernal lake,  
In such flaming fire as never shall slake,  
Alas quod I, how all my bones shake for fere,  
These honorable threatenings of thee thus to here.   

With hell pains in deed I threaten that quod she,  
Because I perceive no love will the draw,  
To leave thy wickedness which in the I see,  
Rebelling against both God and his law,  
Oh quod I how this my conscience doth gnaw:  
Pray for grace quoth she, so I do quoth I,  
I am ready quod grace, repent thy folly,   

Thus our lord God preserved me by grace,  
And then I thought myself in case wonders well,  
Now quoth I to the bird go forward a pace,  
For mine enemies which caused me to rebel,  
Be now over thrown, I think down in to hell  
Nay nay, man quoth she, they are as ready all,  
As ever they were, to cause the to fall.   

Therefore quoth she thou must thyself prepare,  
Their subtle assaults, to with stand always,  
Or else they will sure take the again in snare,  
Again quoth I, alas what shall I say,  
Forsooth quod she, to God still thou must pray,  
That will I do quoth I, them come forth quoth she,  
And the tower of perfection anon thou shalt see,   

But first quoth she I will tell the one thing,  
Thou must prepare thyself some pains to take  
For unto the tower or I can the bring,  
Thou shalt meet with those whom thou mayst not forsake  
For they must save the from a perilous lake,  
Which stands in the way very broad and wide,  
In which thou shalt fall, unless they the guide.   

Alas quoth I, have I yet more a do,  
That thou hast quoth she, there is no remedy,  
Then that tower quoth I, shall I never come to,  
I warrant the quoth she, stand manfully,  
Then with in a while, the pit I did espy,  
And at the brink thereof stood the same three, 
●…he world the ●…the and the ●…uyll.   
The which before that, had assaulted me.   

What callest thou yonder pit tell me quod I:  
The pit quoth she of desperation,  
And they three stand there to the end only,  
To draw the in, to thy condemnation,  
I bade the therefore to make preparation,  
To resist them, for they will the assail,  
But stand fast and it shall turn to thine avail,   

With that the world, the flesh & the devil also,  
Spread all my sinful deeds before my face, 
The devil would bring man to desperation.   
And accused me, saying thou wretched man loo,  
What wretch art thou, offending god in such case  
To think that God will give to the his grace,  
Remember how he hath sith the world began,  
Condemned all such, as from his law ran,   

That is false ꝙ the bird, god condemneth none, 
The truepreacher of the wo●…e of God.   
But such as in to that wicked pit doth fall,  
Or such as by error from true faith are gone,  
Or such as repent not their lives bestial,  
Therefore man quoth she for help of God call,  
That thou mayst have grace, which most perfit is  
To resist the devil so full of malice.   

Then unto heaven I did lift up mine eyes,  
Saying, o lord thy grace unto me send,  
Behold a wretched man, which for mercy cries,  
Even ready to perish unless thou extend,  
Thy mercy on me, so greatly I offend,  
And therefore unworthy, thy mercy to have,  
Saving for thy promise, in which mercy I crave   

Then came grace to me the which with her brought,  
Two devout ladies of virtue excellent,  
Here is faith & hope ꝙ grace, take no thought,  
For God by me now, hath them to the sent,  
To bring the out of thy danger present,  
I gave the light quoth faith, the right way to see 
The office of Fa●…th.   
For one foot thou couldst not go with out me.   

Although presently I did not a peer,  
Yet was it I that first to this did the move,  
And I quoth hoop did thy heart always cheer, 
The office of ●…oope.   
For by me thou diddest trust to ascend above,  
To the place which thy soul naturally doth love  
Yet the world the flesh & the devil most wicked,  
If I were not had the here confounded,   

Oh good lord quoth I, how happy am I now, 
M●… naturally abhorre●…h all bodi●…y pain and therefore would come to heaven with out pain   
That faith and hoop I have thus obtained,  
I trust that by the only help of you,  
I shall not be now any more pained,  
As before I was, but now retained,  
With you twain I trust, I shall be,  
And so with out pain to yonne tower to bring me.   

O vain man quoth faith how thou art deceived, 
what availeth it a man to say he hath faith when he hath no works, can faith save him jac. it.   
Thinkest thou I am sent for thy bodily ease,  
To colour or cloak thy foul sins committed,  
By which thy lord god thou dost daily displease,  
Though with out me thou canst not his wrath appease  
Yet having me if thou dost me abuse,  
To bring the thither I do here refuse.   

And all though ꝙ hoop, that I am only she,  
Which am thy comfort in this thy progress,  
And if thou to do god's will wilt not agree,  
Thou shalt not by me have any good success,  
Because thou turnest me by thy wilfulness,  
From true hoop unto vain presumption,  
I shall the rather be thy confusion,   

Ye have brought me now ꝙ I unto my wits end  
I am in case now, worse than ever I was,  
Thou shalt know by us quoth they, how to ascend,  
Unto perfection, and if thou dost pass,  
On our counsel, but me think alas,  
Thou regardest not thy soul's health at all,  
For which I fear the danger of thy fall,   

Then show me quoth I what shall I do here in,  
The bird ꝙ faith which doth lead the the way,  
Will teach the where thou shalt after this begin,  
Whose counsel refuse in no wise thou may,  
And now thou art preserved this day,  
From desperation, we will leave the here.  
And yet bide with thee, though we not thus apere   

With that they vanished fro my sight corporal,  
And I stood & much on their sayings did muse,  
Than came the bird and unto me did call,  
What wilt thou do quod she, take or refuse,  
There counsel given, or else wilt thou use,  
Thy froward custom, and go back again.  
Nay rather quoth I, I will take a great pain.   

For by faith and hoop me think I dose,  
The great joy and pleasure which doth remain.  
In the towore of perfection: a well quoth she,  
I am glad I have you in so good a train,  
I have no cause now on the to complain,  
Come on, for anon thou shalt come so near,  
That the sight of the tower to the shall appear.   

Shall I yet quoth I, but come to the sight,  
No forsooth quoth she, and that is well I trow,  
Dost thou set thy most sinful deeds so light,  
The which the devil before the did show,  
But what thou shalt do first anon thou shalt know  
I am content quoth I then come forth quoth she,  
With that we came where I a great stone wall did se.   

This wall was made of very ragged stone,  
In the which stood a do●…e wonderful strait,  
What wall is this quoth I, I never saw none,  
So full of sharp stone and so natowe a gate:  
By this door quoth she all people of each estate,  
Doth enter, or else come they never shall,  
Unto the tower, for it stands with in this wall.   

For this is the strait & narrow way quoth she, 
〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. The ●…raite gace.   
To the which Christ hath all people exhorted,  
And this wall in closeth, as thou anon shalt see,  
The field of penance, in three parts divided,  
Through which to pass by grace thou shalt be gided  
Lord grant me grace ꝙ I, that enter I may,  
I am at hand ꝙ grace I will lead thee, the way.   

Then by the hand to the gate she brought me,  
In at the which I entered with great pain,  
Then even by and by, a woman I did see, 
〈◊〉.   
Which of my sinful deeds did sore complain,  
The which to morn & weep did me constrain,  
Considering my sins of which then I thought:  
O lord what sorrow them in my heart she wrought.   

This is quod grace perfit contrition,  
Which doth move the thy sin to lament,  
This is quod she the first partition,  
By which all true christians ever went.  
With that the next gate I saw evident,  
With in which a woeful lady did stand,  
The which held her heart openly in her hand. 
〈◊〉.    

Whom when I beheld, she made my heart quake:  
Alas quoth I, let not me come near her,  
Thou mayest in no wise quoth grace her forsake  
Painful though she be thou mayst not forbear her  
For by her from sin, thou shalt be made clearer,  
Then what is her name tell me true quoth I,  
Herself quoth grace shall tell the by and by.   

With that this woman of me had a sight,  
Come near man quoth she and be not afraid,  
Thou seist how I show my heart in the light,  
So must thou also thy sins being weighed,  
Show forth thy heart man, why hast thou stayed,  
For of all vices I am a confounder,  
And in thy soul, of virtue a grounder.   

Who art thou quoth I of so great virtue,  
I am quod she pertite confession,  
Which doth man's soul truly renew,  
Being penitent for his transgression,  
And to follow Christ hatn an affection,  
My heart here therefore I show openly,  
No sin I do hyde●… I signify thereby.   

Our lord which is auctor of all goodness, 
●…ene. 〈◊〉.   
Ordained me when the first man did sin,  
causing him his fault plainly to confess,  
Seek the scripture thou shalt find it therein:  
Shall I quoth I, nay my wit is to thin,  
Then will I quoth she make a relation,  
Of certain places for my probation.   

David the prophet did his fault confess, 
〈◊〉. Reg. 〈◊〉. and ●…salm. xixi.   
And did therefore very greatly lament,  
And cain which committed so great wickedness, 
●…ne. ●…tit.   
Confessed his sin though not penitent,  
And in the law written by God's commandment, 
〈◊〉. iii●…. &. vi.   
Men came before God their sins confessing,  
Whose sins the people knew by their kind of offering.   

Also in the Gospel, for to come more near,  
diverse which heard john the Baptest preach, 
〈◊〉. iii.   
Asked what they should do which when he did here  
Every man in his degree he did teach,  
To reform their faults like a good soul's leech  
And this did he not in a generalite,  
But one by one each after their quality.   

By which it doth apere that they confessed, 
〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.   
Their sins to him first, his answers declareth,  
And by saint james it is plainly expressed, 
〈◊〉. v.   
Where he of the calling of the priests speaketh,  
To anoint the sick, even anon therewith,  
Confess your sins one to an other saith he,  
Which is the sick man to the priest, that must needs be,   

Thus I am needful and also ancient,  
And therefore I trow thou wilt me not refuse,  
To allow the quoth I, I am content,  
But yet at thin age somewhat I do muse,  
For some writ that men of old did the not use,  
Thou wast made they say in Latrense counsel,  
They are deceived quoth she, which that tale doth tell.   

For ancient writers diverse there be,  
Which wrote before that council many days,  
The which for very godly doth allow me,  
Being rightly used as the doctors says,  
But that counsel stablished me, no man denays,  
And used I am now as I ever have been,  
But when I first began few hath seen.   

The cause in deed of the counsels establishment,  
Was because the people slack and loath were.  
To confess their sins so malivolent,  
They thought a great shame in a man's ear,  
To show their sins, by which did appear,  
Many stood in fear any sin to commit,  
Remembering that to a man they should show it.   

That it bridled men from sin the church foresaw  
And what comfort to, come to men's souls thereby  
The council bound men thereto by a law,  
Because it should be observed truly,  
As it had been before auryculerly,  
Thus how I was used in the law old,  
And how in the new I have the plain told.   

Then forward I went grace conducting me,  
Passing that walk with much shamefastness, 
the sacrament ●…f penance.   
A priest then coming to me I did see,  
Which seemed to be of great holiness,  
Because quoth he thou comest thy sins to confess  
Loosed from them thou shalt be forth with all,  
And rec●…iue absolution sacramental.   

Then I kneeled down and after confession.  
I did receive of him this holy sacrament,  
To my great comfort and consolation,  
giving me salves for my sores corespondent,  
Commanding me my sins still to lament,  
Now come on quod grace, & forward proceed,  
For to the next gate I will the straight lead.   

Then or ever that, I came to this gate,  
One lady I met which brought with her three, 
charity.   
Other women which were of a strange estate,  
With whom I had, had small familiarity,  
For truly they were strangers unto me:  
These be quoth grace three Ladies good and just,  
Which in at yonder gate needs bear thou must.   

Bear them quoth I, it is not posseble,  
The gate is to narrow and straight a great way,  
And I being ready both weak and feeble,  
I can not see how, bear them in I may,  
To bear them quoth grace do thou not denay,  
Yet first quoth I let me know who they be:  
Prayer, fasting, and alms deeds quoth she.   

At that word I began both to shrug & shrink,  
Alas thought I what a burden is this,  
Then came faith & hoop saying, man the bethink  
Of the joy, which prepared for the is,  
By Christ thy lord, and thou shalt find iwis, 
My yoke 〈◊〉 swee●… 〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉 then is light. Math. 〈◊〉.   
That this hurthen shallbe to thy pain but small  
Nay rather thou shalt think it no pain at all,   

Then began my spirits here with to revive,  
seeing, Faith, Hoop, and also charity,  
Standing me by, no pain could me drive,  
To go back therefro, but rather they so moved me  
That long I thought till I the tower should see,  
What call ye yonder gate ꝙ I, fain I would here,  
Where through these three on my back I must bear   

This is quod grace the gate of Satisfaction: 
Satisfaction.   
Is it quoth I, marry the world doth say,  
That of Christ's death it is a detraction,  
Therefore enter there, by no means I may,  
Those that so saith, qd faith, taketh it the wrong way,  
f●… is not understand, that man shall satisfy,  
As though Christ had not done it sufficiently.   

But because his laws man hath not duly kept  
And then by these virtues will please him again, 
The ●…ue vn●…anding of satisfaction on ●…ans pa●…te to 〈◊〉 ward.   
Of his great goodness he doth it accept,  
As a satisfaction on man's part plain:  
Doth this prove Christ's death isufficient & vain,  
Nay it sets forth his glory, sith he will thus,  
Crown his own works wrought by him in us.   

Come therefore ꝙ faith for enter needs thou must  
And labour there in truly with all thy hole power  
Yea quod hoop or else by me thou canst not trust  
To achieve thy purpose in the perfit tower,  
Thou must not qd charity, think thy pain sour  
For if thou dost I will for sake the quite,  
And then in all thy works God will not delight.   

Therefore come forth quoth she & to enter make haste  
With all my heart quoth I, I thereto consent,  
They would not suffer me any time to waste,  
Then on me I took, these virtues continent.  
And till I came to the gate I did not stint:  
Then met me corrupt nature which trouble me so 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉   
That he stopped me at the gate in I could not go.   

O Blessed God quoth I, now I see right well. 
Such m●…make not there works there saviour.   
Without thou help never enter I shall.  
Then hard I a sweet text of the Gospel,  
Which was, come to me you that labour all, 
Math. xi.   
And I will refresh you: at the which call,  
My heart did rejoice, than faith pointed me,  
To look in at the gate what I could there se.   

There me thought I saw christ with his wounds bl●…dīg 
〈◊〉 the mercy of 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 fi●…e of 〈◊〉 death.   
Which said eone to me, th●… lack I will supply,  
In my bitter death, because thou according,  
Unto my holy word, dost thy will apply,  
Though nature hinder thee, I grant the mercy,  
And because thou hast done thy diligence,  
Come in I pardon the for nature's offence.   

Oh with what joy then this did my heart pierce,  
To here of my saviour these words comfortable,  
With a thousand tongues I could it not rehearse  
If with so many to speak I were able,  
I being a wretch in case miserable,  
Worthy damnation, oh wonderful kindness,  
That my loving lord to me did express.   

Then at his feet prostrate I fell humbly,  
And for very joy, burst out on weeping:  
saying, oh my soul, thy lord magnify,  
And thou my spirit also, rejoice according,  
In God my saviour, to me most loving,  
Which of his great mercy, hath had a respect,  
To me a poute wretch, with sinfulness infect.   

Come forward quoth Christ & now follow me,  
For I am the light, the life, the truth & the way,  
Then perfectly the tower before me I did see,  
The glory whereof express I ne may,  
I repented much that so long a delay,  
I made by my folly, more regarding,  
The vanities worldly than this heavenly thing.   

Then with diligence, after Christ I went,  
Even as nigh as nature would suffer me,  
Which was far behind, but faith then present.  
Did comfort me saying, thine imbiselite,  
Shall from yonder tower, not much hinder thee,  
Sith to go forward thou appliest thy good will,  
And dost keep me, and my sisters with the still.   

By help of grace quoth I, I trust I so shall,  
Then walking thitherward, the tower I did view  
Which had but only one gate or portal,  
To enter in by, on which was jesus,  
Decked with precious stones from which did ensue.  
So glorious a light, that the day might well,  
Be called darkness, this light did so excel.   

Then saw I before me divers buy ways,  
In the which divers men diversly did go,  
Making in the way many stops and stays,  
Like people overseen, wandering to and fro,  
What mean youn folk quoth I, to walk those paths so,  
They are men ꝙ faith of inconstant mid,  
Which are overthrown, with each blast of wide.   

Some again which saw their way cumbrous  
Full of sharp thorns which did vex them sore,  
They thought it should not be, to them so troublous  
Like witty men they spread carpetes them before,  
Upon the which of folk went many a score,  
So daintily and nicely as though they wo●…de,  
Not offend the flesh, for a great deal of gold.   

Tell me quoth I, I pray you who be those,  
Which maketh their way so pleasant to go upon, 
〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.   
They be such ꝙ she, as be their own foose,  
These la●… all on Christ's back, pains the●… will tak●… none,  
They frame themselves a faith, lettig christ alone,  
And assure themselves in to heaven to be take,  
By a promise which Christ did never make.   

another way I saw which very painful was  
And yet all those people which in it went, 
〈◊〉.   
Letted for no pain but through it did pass:  
Yonder folk quoth I, hath much labour spent,  
And still in one place they be permanent,  
Thold proverb quoth she, true in them thou mayest find,  
The faster they go the farther behind.   

Why so quoth I, marry because quoth she,  
These are those which for worldly praise doth look,  
They seem forward to go, as far as men see,  
Unto perfection, but God did never brook,  
Any such walkers, but them always forsook,  
Therefore stand they still, and do no farther go,  
But take their reward here, their request is so.   

another sort I saw which kept no path at all,  
But run among bushes where they their clothes rêt 
These are spoken of by 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. in his Epistle. an●…. 〈◊〉. ●…e. 〈◊〉. Contem●… of all good orders and also of men in authority.   
And some time among flowers where they oft did fall  
And some time stuck fast i the mire where the●… went  
Yonder folk ꝙ I, to take pains do not stint,  
Like mad men me think: these be those quoth she  
Which to honest order will never agree.   

Then saw I an other great tablement,  
Which busseled together out of quietness, 
Sundry ●…tes of 〈◊〉.   
Not one of them was with another content,  
Many paths they had which I can not express  
Going out of that, where they went their progress  
Of the which each of them contrariely,  
Affirmed to be the right way to the tower high.   

Yonder folk quoth I, me think can not agree,  
No marvel quoth she for as it doth appear,  
Many ways out of one going thou dost see,  
That one wai is error, which all men ought to fere  
And those paths are opinions, going nothing near  
Towards perfection, and yet they do all,  
Each to defend his own wa●…, strive chide & brawl.   

Then in an other path, I saw men discrete, 
The heathe●… 〈◊〉.   
Walking soberly, the way being hard,  
And each of them, looked wisely to his feet,  
For fear of falling, they had so good regard,  
In keeping their walk, to this high tower ward,  
Then beholding them, I saw they were blind,  
And therefore the right path, could they never find.   

Of all sorts quoth I, that I did yet see,  
These men were most like in this tower to dwell  
They were so quoth she, for these men only be,  
Those which in moral virtues did high excel,  
As their lives in writing doth us painly tell,  
But yet because of faith they never had the light  
Ascend to this tower truly they never might.   

Then in this thorny way wherein I did go,  
I saw some people walk, but in number small, 
〈◊〉 a●…e but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wic●…ed.   
Alack quod I for pain, that I see no more,  
Walk the right path to the life eternal,  
A great sort I see walk the way infarnall, 
Many 〈◊〉, but o●…e 〈◊〉 ●…th the 〈◊〉   
Remember quod she, what Christ's sayings be  
Many their be called, but few chosen saith he.   

And again, straight and narrow is the gate,  
The which doth lead unto salvation,  
And very few thereby which goeth in the rate,  
Like wise the way leading to damnation,  
Is a very large ambulation,  
And many there be which doth go that way,  
Therefore wonder not though many do decay.   

Then praised I God for his great mercy,  
Because he forgiveth sinners theri sinfulness,  
Namely all those that do penitently,  
Do true penance, for their sinful wickedness,  
And again I praised him for his righteousness,  
Whereby he doth justly condemn all those,  
The which wilfully, their own souls will lose.   

With that to the tower I came very nigh, 
The description of the tower of perfection.   
The lowest part where of was humility,  
Upon the which was set two pillars great & high  
justice was the one stayed up by equity, 
justice.   
Law, correction, judgement and verity,  
This pillar one corner of this tower did uphold,  
The goodness whereof by me can not be told.   

The other pillar was force or fortitude, 
Fortitude.   
Which was strongly staid by magnifisence,  
With constance also which doth exclude,  
All wavering thoughts which troubleth conscience  
Toleraunce, which beareth & forgiveth each offence  
And perseverance kept all these from separation  
This of virtue is worthy commendation,   

The other corners had two pillars like case,  
Of the which the one was called Prudence, 
Prudence.   
Which doth all rude rashness clearly deface,  
Strongly it was bildid by honest providence,  
The fear of God, and counsels intelligence,  
With memory which doth bear all this in mind,  
This pillar will not move with any blast of wide.   

The fourth and last pillar, was temperance, 
Temperance.   
The chief stay of whom was called discretion,  
Moralite also which maketh no utterance,  
Against the virtue of nature at no season,  
Fasting and soberness joined with reason,  
Taciturnitee, to rule the tongue rightly,  
And despising worldly things not used discreetly.   

On these four pillars stood this godly tour,  
And all the virtues which on them did depend,  
Made the walls betwixt unto the highest floor  
Above which to look I did mine eyes extend,  
Four turretes I saw which I could not comprehend  
Which was perfect charity, faith, hope & grace,  
From whom spread the virtues which covered all the place   

From grace did proceed all the other three,  
And betwixt all four stood the batilmetes high:  
The roof of this tower, than well did I see,  
Came from faith, hoop and charity truly:  
From faith I saw proceed evidently,  
Religion, cleanness, and obedience,  
chastity, virginity and holy continence.   

From charity came petty, peace and sweetness.  
Mercy compassion and benignity,  
Concord unite and free forgiveness,  
amity unfeigned with liberality,  
Prayer, Almyse and hospitality,  
These were of such virtue that they had power,  
To cover three parts of the roof of this tower.   

From hoop did proceed holy contemplation,  
True confession, joy and honest,  
Compunction of heart the soul's consolation,  
Patience also and longanimity,  
These covered this tower of high felicity,  
And to garnish it godly, I saw on the wall,  
The four Evangelists and the apostles all.   

Prepare thyself quoth faith, now to enter in  
Sith thou hast come the path perfit and good,  
And therefore by Christ art unlade of sin,  
Thou must receive Christ's very flesh & blood,  
Which is of thy soul the most precious food,  
With joyful heart quoth I, I do thereto consent,  
Thou shalt receive him quod hoop continent.   

O man quod charity remember the great love, 
Exortation.   
Which thy saviour Christ hath showed unto thee,  
He being Gods eternal son above,  
would for thy sake descend to the degree,  
Of thy mortal state, vexed with misery,  
Only sin except, and yet beside this,  
Would die a shameful death, for thy fault and not his.   

And yet which this vile death his love did not cease,  
But ordained himself at his last supper,  
To be eaten of thee, thy faith to increase,  
What greater love could ever, any man utter,  
To his dearest friend, but his love much further,  
He extended to thee, (being his enemy),  
By giving to thee, his own blessed body.   

For the he died, for the he rose again,  
For the he did ascend, for the to make the way,  
And as he did ascend, to make the certain,  
To ascend with him, he gave himself I say,  
To be eaten of thee, because he would stay,  
Thy faith, that thou shouldest, not think his death frustrate  
He would have y● truly, in him, incorporate.   

Then of heaven ꝙ hoop, needs thou must be sure  
If thou dwell still in him, and he like case in thee,  
He being the head, and thou a member pure,  
Must follow the head, this can none other be,  
Thou must be sure ꝙ faith, that thy heart agree,  
That Christ's own flesh is there, as high self doth say  
or else thou art begyld, & shall be cast away.   

Now for as much quod faith, as thou hast done thy best  
To enter this tower of perfection,  
By eating his flesh thou shalt have interest,  
For he is of himself, thy only derection,  
Unto this tower, therefore thine affection,  
Set thou in him, for with out him be thou sure,  
Enter here, thou couldest not, with corrupt nature   

Then out of this tower came a priest devout,  
Which brought with him the holy sacrament,  
With many Angels compassing him about,  
Which song sweat hymns with voices excellent.  
Henoring their king whom they knew present.  
Then faith bade me on my knees to kneel down,  
Which I did, then for joy, I was like to sown.   

Then after my confession general,  
And other prayers meet, gynen me by grace,  
I did receive this sacrament principal,  
Whereby I changed to a perfit case,  
Then the Angels drew about me apace,  
using me much higher than fellow like.  
The which a great joy to my heart did strike.   

Then began the Angels with great joy to sing,  
Praising God highly for my conversion,  
From my sinful life, and so did me bring,  
With more joy than ever I can think upon,  
Into this godly tower, oh what joy alone,  
It was to be there, my tongue can not tell,  
The blessedness thereof did all my wits excel.   

If with a thousand pens at ones I could writ  
And with as many tongues, the same time could speak  
Yea, if all living men, would the joys indite.  
Which I had in this tower, they were all to weak  
What should I herein my wits farther break,  
It pleased me so that I wished sure,  
Evermore in the same tower to endure.   

Thus in joying this joy even suddenly,  
Out of this trance, than I did awake,  
And found myself there where I first down did lie  
For sorrow and shame all my bones did shake,  
Because this journey on me I do not take,  
And as I homeward went, to God I did pray,  
That he would grant us all to walk this true way   

The which if we do, than no doubt we shall.  
First have joy here by peace of conscience,  
And after this joy, the joys perpetual,  
The which to express doth pass all science,  
God grant us all to do our diligence,  
To serve him here in perfit unite,  
And then to enjoy endless felicity.   
Amen.