266 KANSAS UNIVERSriY QUARTERLY. 



traction, dissimulation, supplantation. .3. Wrath; melancholy, chid- 

 ing, hate, contest, homicide. 4. Sloth; delay, pusillanimity, forget- 

 fulness, negligence, idleness, somnolence, despair. 5. Avarice; 

 jealousy, cupidity, perjury, usury, parsimony, ingratitude, violent 

 seizure, robbery, secret theft, sacrilege. 6, Gluttony; drunkenness,, 

 delicacy. 7. Lust. 



Langland's order is: pride, envy, anger, lechery, avarice, gluttony, 

 sloth; and his treatment has life as well as simplicity. Each sin is 

 represented by a single penitent, with the exception of Pride, which 

 has two exponents, and the personal appearance of each is as fully 

 portrayed as are the various forms of misconduct in each. If the con- 

 fession of each be followed through in detail, it will be found that 

 Langland has in mind probably an exposition similar to that of Gower, 

 but is treating it with his usual freedom. 



The picture of Glutton is most lifelike of all. That of Sloth is only 

 less so; he is a fat and greasy country priest, ignorant, careless of 

 duty and offices, riding to hunt, denying debts, and cheating his 

 servants. Through Sloth we may trace a way to the unpardonable 

 sin. Sloth leads to despair, and the branches that lead men to sloth 

 and despair are (C, VIII., 70), lack of sorrow for sin, neglect of 

 penance and almsdeeds, living against belief and law, neglect to study; 

 all of these cause man to doubt the grace of God, and hence prevent 

 him from repenting and calling for mercy. Yet all sin may be for- 

 given if there be contrition (C, XIII., 71); and sorrow of heart is sat- 

 isfaction for such as may not pay otherwise (C, XX., 296), though 

 restitution and good works should be added if possible. The unpar- 

 donable sin, the sin against the Holy Ghost, has many forms, but the 

 chief is to slay an innocent man, a follower of Christ (C, XX., 260- 

 296). Even this slayer might be pardoned did he not despair of ob- 

 taining mercy and hence fail to repent. Hence Sloth, which leads 

 to despair and disbelief in the power of God, is one of the most 

 dangerous of the deadly sins, 



i^aivation. How then may I save my soul, asks Will (C, II., 80). 

 Holy Church answers. Live in truth and love, be true of tongue and 

 hands, do good works therewith, and do no man ill. If one's intent 

 and effort be true, there is pardon for failure (C, IV., 350). To re- 

 move the stain of actual sin are repentance, penance, and faith (C, 

 IV., 401). These place men in a right relation to God. 



Salvation is of grace, not works (C, XII., 254-271), and grace may 

 be withdrawn (C, VIII,, 283 ff.); yet there is merit in good works if 

 they be inspired by love and a sincere devotion to the idea of right, 

 as is taught by the story of Trajan. Faith without works is inefficient 

 and may fail to save (C, XIII., 92 ff.). And faith and good works 



