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KANSAS UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY. 



on events that came under Langland's observation but infrequently; 

 a miracle play, a wedding on some country estate, a trial at West- 

 minster; but now we are dealing with matters that touch his daily 

 experience. 



Only quotation can do justice to the personal descriptions here 

 given; as for example that of Avarice, with his beetle-brows, thick lips, 

 flabby cheeks, half-shaven chin, head twice covered with hood and 

 with hat, and garment so threadbare as to be an unsafe promenade 

 for insects. The account of the means by which Avarice made his 

 money follows, and is so circumstantial as to prove beyond a doubt 

 that Langland was speaking whereof he knew; and the length with 

 which he dwells upon this to])ic shows it to be a favorite one. 



The best character sketch of the entire poem is that which follows, 

 the description of Glutton (C, VII., 350) at the tavern. Glutton may 

 not be in his own person so much of a wit as the Sir John Falstaff to 

 whom Professor Skeat cjiuMarcs l.im; but he shows many similar 

 characteristics, and will serve well as the literary predecessor of Sir 

 John. The glutton of Shakespeare's day was undoubtedly a more in- 

 tellectual animal than tiie glutton of Langland's time. The account 

 of the game of barter at the tavern (the Freimarkt), the subsequent 

 fate of Glutton, and his tardy repentance give a most graphic and 

 amusing picture of the common life of common people on its lighter 

 side. 



Of a different character, but still witty and diverting, is the account 

 of Piers Plowman in the field and his efforts to make some use of 

 several of the repentant sinners, who prove to be obstinate and unman- 

 ageable. Yet the author never relaxes for a moment, nor does he 

 allow his reader to forget the terrible earnestness that underlies it all; 

 and not the least charm of his wit and satire is its apparent uncon- 

 sciousness. 



We come to a picture of the darker side (C, X., 71), of the suffer- 

 ings of the very poor, spoken no longer in satire but in the keenest 

 pity, the pity of one who had perhaps himself known what it was to 

 lack food and fire and covering: — 



Ruth is to read, or in ryme shew 

 c ■ ' The woe of these women that dwell in cots, 



And of manj' other men that much woe suffer, 



Both a-hungered and a-thirst, yet turn the fair outward 



And are abashod to beg. 

 •Moving as it is, we feel grateful to Langland for giving as an ob- 

 verse to the tales of tricksters and cheats this picture of poverty, 

 abject, but honest and self-respecting. 



The account of the dress and habits of Haukyn is less striking than 

 those mentioned, chiefly because of the more free i.ntroduction of 



