Poem of the Day: the Dreamer's Apology

Do Better Ever

Therefore offer me no reproach, Reason, I pray you
For in my conscience I conceive what Christ wants me to do.
Prayers of a perfect man and an appropriate penance
Are the labor our Lord loves most of all.
"Non de solo" I said, "forsooth vivit homo,
Nec in pane et in pabulo; the Paternoster witnesses
Fiat voluntas tua Dei--that provides us with everything."

Said Conscience "By Christ, I can't see that this lies; 
But it seems no serious perfectness to be a city-beggar,
Unless you're licensed to collect for prior or monastery."

"This is so," I said, "and so I admit
At times I have lost time and at times misspent it;
And yet I hope, like him who has often bargained
And always lost and lost and at the last it happened
He bought such a bargain he was the better ever,
That all his loss looked paltry in the long run,
Such a winning was his through what grace decreed.
          The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hidden in a
           field.
          The woman who found a piece of silver, etc.
So I hope to have of him that is almighty
A gobbet of his grace, and begin a time
That all times of my time shall turn to profit."

"And I counsel you," said Reason, "quickly to begin
The life that is laudable and reliable for the soul."
"Yes and continue," said Conscience, and I came
to the church.

—William Langland, The Vision of Piers the Plowman (Norton, 1990), p. 246, ll.81-104 (from the C-Text, Passus VI)