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Literature and poetry 1
Up until the 14th century the tradition of writing, was based around Latin texts on religious or quasi religious philosophy. Whilst the oral tradition carried ancient and often non Christian stories from one generation to the next, there was a real lack of vernacular written culture in England. Slowly that started to change with works straying from the orthodox, texts such as Piers the Ploughman, to works with only a loose religious context, such as the Canterbury Tales. One of this new breed of writers, an English author of the day whose identity is not known, wrote a collection of poems in what has become known as the Peal Manuscript. The first of these simply called "Pearl" is a virtuous tale, much in keeping with the spirit of Piers the Ploughman, keeping a largely religious/moral context. The final stanza, number XX is reproduced below using modern(ish) English.
Note 1 - that the key word "pay" finishing each stanza in this context means "pleasure" in the sense of "will" - ie at my Prince's will.
Note 2 - that the author is waking from a dream of Paradise to find himself firmly rooted back on Earth
Delight me drove in eye and ear
My man's mind to maddness melted
When I saw my precious, I would be there
Beyond the water, though she was removed
I thought that nothing might me harm
Not fetch me a blow nor me halt
And to spring into the stream should none me stop
To swim the remainder, though I there perish
But from that intent I was shaken
When I should spring into the stream carefree
Out of that intention I was summoned
It was not at my Prince's pay
It payed Him not that I so flew
Over miraculous meres just so arrayed
Of a rush though I were, rash and impetuous
Yet rapidly therein I was restrained
For right as I sprang onto the bank
That breath out of my dream me breathed
Then wakened I in that garden fine
My head upon that hill was laid
Where my pearl to the ground had strayed
I stretched and fell in great affray
And sighing to myself I said
"Now all be to that Prince's pay"
Me it payed full ill to be out cast
So suddenly of that fair region
From all those sights so quick and fine
A longing heavy struck me in my swoon
And ruefully then I came to cry
"O pearl" quoth I "of rich renown
So was it me harsh that thou did judge
In this very advowson
If it be true and a true sermon
That thou so striketh out in garland gay
So well it is with me in this doleful dungeon
That thou are to that prince's pay."
To that prince’s pay had I bent
And yearned no more than was me given
And had me there in true intent
As the pearl me prayed that was so true
As held, drawn to God’s presence
To more of his mysteries I had been driven
But ever would man of happiness more take
Then can by right upon him stick
Therefore my joy was soon rent asunder
And I cast the furthest corners of my country
Lord make it be that again to strive
Another offer for some who refuse thy pay
To pay the Prince and otherwise set at peace
It is full ease to be a good Christian
For I have found him, both night and day
A God, a Lord, a friend full fine
Over this hill this lot I received
For pity of my pearl prostrate
And after to God I did it commit
In Christ dear blessing and mine
That in the form of bread and wine
The priest show s us each a day
He gives us to be his homely servants
And precious pearls in his pay.