Lansdowne MS 763, ff 58v-59

See an abstract of it in Hawking, ii. 218. See also Burney, ii. 417. In this treatise are the following very curious satirical verses upon those clerical chanters who in performing the church service not only corrupt the singing psalms, but hurry them over in a very disgraceful ,manner. They have evidently been composed by some monk under the feigned name of Saint Bernard. Detestatio contra perversè psallentes Qui psalmos resecant qui verba rescisa volutant Non magis illi ferent quam si male lingue tacerent. Hi sunt qui psalmos corrumpunt nequiter almos: Quos. sacra scriptura dampnat, reprobant quoque jura; Janglers cum jappers, nappers, galpers, quoque drawers, Momlers, forskippers, overenners, sic overhippers. Fragmina verborum TUTIVILLUS colligit horum. Janglers and jappers are those who talk fast and jestingly; nappers and galpers, sleepers and yawners; drawers, probably those who sing or read in a drawling tone of voice; forskippers are, skippers over; overenners (overrunners) and overhippers seem to mean something of the same kind. Tutivillus is a name given to a Lollard in one of the old monkish mysteries or pageants performed in the abbics and by the companies of city tradesmen. He is introduced as bringing a parcel of damned souls, which he had corrupted on earth, to a company of Devils, and in the following lines describes himself and the reason of his name: "My name is TUTIVILLUS, my horne is blawen Fragmina verborum Tutivillus colligit horum Belzebub Algorum, Belial belman doliorum." He tells the Devils that he is one of their order and one of their sons, and in return is saluted by the name of the Devil's chorister, which explains the reason of his introduction into the above verses.