The early South-English legendary ; or, Lives of saints. I. Ms. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian library. Edited by Carl Horstmann.544 600dpi TIFF G4 page imagesUniversity of Michigan LibraryAnn Arbor, Michigan2006AHA2708.0001.001820.6 E13 no.87

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Early English Text Society. Original series, 87Early English Text Society (Series). 87The early South-English legendary ; or, Lives of saints. I. Ms. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian library. Edited by Carl Horstmann.Horstmann, Carl, b. 1851.L, 496 p. 23 cm. London,Pub. for the Early English text society by N. Trübner & co.,1887.No more published.

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 eng Christian saints

THE EARLY SOUTH-ENGLISH Legendary OR Lives of Saints. I. MS. LAUD, 108, IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY.

EDITED BY DR. CARL HORSTMANN.

LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY BY N. TRÜBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL. MDCCCLXXXVII.

Original Series, 87.

R. CLAY AND SONS, CHAUCER PRESS, BUNGAY.

 LIST OF CONTENTS OF LAUD MS. 108 (WITH THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FESTIVALS).

10.So the number of the MS. A fragment of the Life of Christ, and Infancy of Christ, precede; 7 pieces, therefore, must have been lost.SANCTA CRUX:PAGESDISCOVERY OF THE CROSS (3 MAY) 1EXALTATION OF THE CROSS (14 SEPT.) 1211.ST. DUNSTAN (19 MAY)This has passages about heriots, a market-woman, &c.1912.ST. AUSTYN (26 MAY) 2413.ST. BARNABE (11 JUNE) 2614.ST. JOHAN BAPTIST (24 JUNE) 2915.ST. JAMES THE GREAT (25 JULY) 3316.ST. OSWOLD (ÞE KING) (5 AUG.) 4517.ST. EDWARD (THE ELDER) (13 OCT.) 4718.ST. FRAUNCEYS (4 OCT.) 5319.ST. ALBON (22 JUNE) 6720.ST. WOLSTON (19 JANUARY) 7021.ST. MATHEU (21 SEPT.) 7722.ST. LEGER (2 OCT.) 8123.ST. FEY (6 OCT.) 8324.ENDLEUENE ÞOUSEND OF VIRGINES (21 OCT.) 8625.ST. KATERINE (25 NOV.) 9226.ST. LUCIE (13 DEC.) 10127.ST. THOMAS OF CAUNTERBURY (29 DEC.)This has details of Becket's Life from independent sources.10628.PROLOG, ȜERES-DAY, TWELFÞE-DAY, ST. FABIAN AND ST. SEBASTIAN (20 JANUARY) 17729.ST. ANNEIS (21 JANUARY) 18130.ST. VINCENT (22 JANUARY) 18431.CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL (25 JANUARY) 18932.ST. BRIDE (1 FEBR.) 19233.ST. AGACE (5 FEBR.) 19334.ST. SCHOLACE (10 FEBR.) 19735.PURGATORIUM SANCTI PATRICII ABBATIS (17 MARCH) 19936.ST. BRENDAN (16 MAY)This embodies part of the story of Sindbad.22037.ST. NICHOLAS (6 DEC.) 24038.ST. JULIAN ÞE CONFESSOR (27 JAN.)255ST. JULIAN ÞE GUODE HEREBEGER25639.ST. MARIE EGYPTIANE (9 APRIL)26040.ST. CRISTOFRE (25 JULY)27141.ST. DOMENIC (4 AUG.)27842.ST. TEOFLE (4 FEBR. BOLLAND.)28843.ST. GEORGE (23 APRIL)29444.ST. EADMUND ÞE KING (20 NOV.)29645.ST. MIȜHEL (29 SEPT. & 8 MAY)29946.ST. MIȜHEL ÞE RIȜTE PUT, ETC.This treats of the Elements, the Body and Soul, &c., and is of curious interest. It was first printed from Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 127, in Thos. Wright's Popular Treatises on Science, 1841. (2 oct.)31147.ST. CLEMENT (23 NOV.)32248.ST. LAURENCE (10 AUG.)34049.ST. KENELM (17 JULY)This contains the boundaries of the shires and bishoprics of England.34550.ST. GREGORI (12 MARCH)35551.ST. CUDBERT (20 MARCH)35952.ST. MARC (25 APRIL)36253.ST. PHELIPE AND ST. JACOB (1 MAY)36454.ST. JACOB (1 MAY)36555.ST. BARTELMEW (24 AUG.)36656.ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE (21 DEC.)37657.ST. MATHIE (24 FEB.)38958.ST. SILUESTRE (31 DEC.)39159.ST. EUSTAS (20 SEPT.)39360.ST. JOHAN ÞE EVANGELIST (27 DEC.)40261.ALLE HALEWENE DAY (1 NOV.)41862.ALLE SOULENE DAY (2 NOV.)42063.ST. EADMUND ÞE CONFESSOR (16 NOV.)43164.ST. MARTYN (11 NOV.)44965.ST. LEONARD (6 NOV.)45666.MARIE MAUDELEYN (22 JULY)46267.YPOLYT ÞE MARTYR (13 AUG.)480

APPENDIX (added at the end by a later hand).73.ST. BLASE (3 FEBR.)48574.ST. CECILIE (22 NOV.)490

LEGENDS OF SAINTS IN MS. LAUD 108. 10 Sancta cruxThis legend, which is counted as 10th in the MS. 1s preceded by (1) a poem on the Life and Passion of Christ (wanting the beginning and end), ed. by me under the title of 'Leben Iesu, ein Fragment,' Münster, Regensberg, 1873, and (2) by a poem on the Infancy of Christ, ed. in 'Altengl. Legenden,' Paderborn, 1875, pp. 1-61. Eight pieces, therefore, are lost before the legend of the Holy Rood. ÞE holie rode i-founde was : ase ich eov nouþe may telle. Costantyn þe Aumperour : muche heþene folk gan a-quelle, For huy ore louerd iesu crist : to strongue deþe brouȝte, And alle þe heþene men þat neiȝ him were : sone he dude to nouȝte. Eleyne, þat was is moder : to Ierusalem he sende to sechen after þe holie rode : and heo gladliche forth i-wende. Þo heo cam þudere, heo liet crie : ase heo hire red hadde i-nome, Þat alle þe giwes of þe cite : bifore hire scholden come. Þo þe giwes i-somoned were : huy hadden grete fere; gret conseil huy nomen þare-of : ȝwat þe enchesoun were. Þo seide on, þat hiet Iudas : "Ich wene þat ich wot Ȝwat þis somunce a-mounti schal : ȝif þat ich ou telle mot. Ich wene þat þe quene enqueri wole : ase heo hadde i-þouȝt, Aftur þe rode þat Iesu crist : to deþe was on i-brouȝt. Þat non of eov ne beo so wod : þat þare-of a-knowe beo! In conseil ich eov telle wole : þat mi fader tolde me. Þo mi fader symeon : in is deþe vuele lay, In conseile he was to me a-knowe : þo he þene dez on him i-saiȝ: " 'Iudas,' he seide, 'leoue sone : ȝif hit bi-tidez so Þat men enquerieth aftur þe rode : þat Iesus was on ido, Loke þat þov beo a-knowe þare-of : are men þe aquelle! Þat Zachee, mi fader, tolde : in conseile ich þe telle; A luyte bifore is deþe he seide me : þat he was atþe dede to burie þe rode op-on Caluarie hulle : ase huy nomen heom to rede. Leoue fader, ich seide þo : ȝwat eilede eov, alas, Ȝwy wolde ȝe him to deþe do : ȝwane he so guod was? he seide þat þoruȝ him it nas nouȝt : ake for þat he with-sede Mine felawes of heore lawe : huy duden him to deþe, And sethþe in sepulchre leiden him : and he a-ros to liue Fram deþe þene þridde day : Mid is woundene fiue, Þene fourteoþe dai þare-Afterward : to heouene he wende an heiȝ In þe londe of Galilee : þat muche folk it i-seiȝ; Twelf Monþe it was þare-afterward : and half ȝer and more Þat Steuene, þat [was] mi broþur : prechede of is lore, Þe Giwes him ladden with-oute þe toun : and þreowen him with stones And þare-with brouȝten him to deþe : and debruysden alle is bones; Þene Morewe aftur Midewinter day : to deþe huy him brouȝte, And nouþe he is in þe blisse of heuene : and þat he wel deore a|bouȝte.' " ¶ Þo Iudas hadde þis tale i-told : þe giwes seiden, ase huy stode: "Neuer er ne heorde we telle : þus muche of þe rode." Þo þe tyme icome was, : bi-fore þe quyene huy come. "Cheoseth," seide þe Quiene a-non : "on of þis tweie domes; Lijf and deth eov is bi-fore : cheosez ȝweþur ȝe wolle: bote ȝe me bringue þe holie rode : echone brenne ȝe schulle." gret fuyr heo liet makie : riȝt bi-fore hore eiȝen. Þe giwes bi-gonne to crien loude : þo huy þat fuyr i-seiȝen, And seiden : "ȝif any man þare-of wot : þanne wot Iudas, For Zachee, is fader fader : of swyþe gret power was Þulke tyme þat Iesus : was op-on þe rode i-do." Þo liet þe Quiene nime Iudas : and alle þe oþere he= heo liet go, And bad him beo a-knowe a-non. : he nolde for no þretningue. Þe Quiene him liet wel faste binde : and in strongue prisone bringue. With-oute mete and drinke : þare seue dawes he lay; For strong hounguer he criede loude : þene seuenþe day And seide : "bringueth me out of þis wo : and ich eov [wole]om. lede Þare ich wene þat þe rode beo : ase mi fader me seide." Þo he out of prisone cam : with muche folk he wende to þe place þare þe rode was : ase is fader him kende. Þo he to þe place cam : a-doun he sat a-kneo: "Louerd," heMS. heo seide, "ȝif it is soth : þat þou man and god beo And þat þou of Marie were i-bore : siend us þine grace, Som tokningue, þat we finde mowe · þe rode in þis place." A-non so Iudas þis bone hadde : to ore louerd i-bede, Þe hul bi-gan to quakien : and out of one stude A smoke þare cam and wende an heiȝ : and muche place fulde— Swottore þing nas neuere non : þane þat smokeMS. smake smulde. þo Iudas þis i-seiȝ : loude he gan to crie : "Iesus is on Almiȝti god : i-bore he was of þe maydene Marie! he is wod þat ani oþur bi-leuez : ase ich habbe mani a day. Taken ichulle cristin-dom : ich for-sake here þe giwene lay." he liet him cristni hasteliche : and þo he icristned was, He liet him nenne Quiriac : þat erore hiet Iudas. Þo nomen huy spade and schouele : and ner þe place wende And bi-gonne forto deluen deope : þare ase þe smoke out kende. So þat huy founden roden þreo : þo huy hadden i-dolue longue: Þe rode þat god was on ido : and þat þe tweie þeoues weren on an|honge bi-side ore louerd, him for-to schiende. : þo nusten huy of þe þreo Þo holie croyz þat huy souȝten : ȝwich it miȝte beo. Naþeles huy nomen alle þreo : and toward toune heom bere To Dame Heleyne, þe guode Quene : with wel glade chere. bi þe weye ase huy comen : men gonne a-ȝein heom bringue A ded ȝong man ope one bere : toward bureȝingue. Quiriac nam þat o rode : and efft-sone þat oþur, And leide op-on þat dede man : ake he ne a-ros for noþur. Þe þridde huy leide op-on him : and he a-ros wel bliue And þonkede ȝeorne godes sone : þat fram deþe him brouȝte to liue. Þo cam þe deouel ȝeollinde forth : loude he gan to grede: "Alas, nouþe [is] mi power idon : eueref[t] more," he sede; "Iesus, Iesus, ȝwat, þenxt þou : al folk to þe lede? Þou hauest here men to warde i-ȝiue : þing þat ich mest drede, Þoruȝ ȝwan ich was furst ouer-come : ake nouþe ich am al at grounde. Alas þulke soruwe : þat heo euere was i-founde! For i-ne habbe power non so gret : on eorþe a-mong manne, Ȝif man fourmeth enes þe croyz : a-non þat i-ne mot þanne. Þare-fore ich wot þat euerech man : wole nou þe soþe i-se Þat þe croiz me hauez ouer-come : and al bi-leue me. Allas, alas þe time, i seiȝe : al ich worþe nouþe for-sake! Iudas, Iudas, ȝwat was þe : hou hauest þou on i-take? Þoruȝ A Iudas, þat was ȝwilene : Iesus to deþe ich brouȝte, And nov þoruȝ Iudas ouer-come ich am : and i-brouȝt to nouȝte. Strencþe ne worth me neuereft non : bote ani man wolle with wille Serui me to paye is flesch : is soule for-to spille; Nouþe mi strencþe is me bi-nome : fondi ich mot with ginne And with traisun, ȝif ich mai : ani man to me i-winne. I-ne may here no leng bi-leue : for þis me þinchez longue; For þe creoiz þat me is so neiȝ : in pine ich am ful strongue." IVdas seide: "go heonne anon : and ne cumMS. ne cum he cum here non-more! I-founde is, þei it late beo : þat schal ouer-come al þi lore. He þat haueth here þis dede man : fram deþe i-brouȝt to liue, Pulte þe and þi pouwer al : into helle grounde bliue." Muche was þe Ioye of þe croyz : þat men maden þo þere; With gret song and with processioun : to þe Quiene huy hire bere. Þo nam Iudas cristindom : and þo he ibaptized was, he liet him cleopien Quiriac : þat erore hiet Iudas. Þe Quiene of seluer and of gold : one riche schrine heo wrouȝte, And deorewurthe ȝimstones : and þe Rode þare-inneMS. innne heo brouȝte. Op-on þe hulle of caluarie : þare huy þe rode founde, A noble churche heo dude a-rere : I-hered beo þulke stounde! Þo wilnede þe Quene muche : After þe nayles þreo Ȝware-with ore louerd was : inailed to þe treo. Quiriac, þat hiet er Iudas : wende to þe place Þare ase þe croiz i-founde was : and bad ore louerdes grace, Þat he, ȝif is wille were : þe þre Nailes him sende. Þe Nailes with liȝtingue gret : op of þe eorþe wenden. Quiriac þonkede Ihesu crist : and with gret Ioye heom nam, And bi-tok heom heleyne, þe guode Quene : þo he to hire cam. Þus was þe holie Rode i-founde : þe þridde day of May, Þat we holdez in holi churche : þe holie rode-day. Quiriac, þat þe rode fond : sethþe bischop was— he is nouþe in heouene seint Quiriac : þat erore hiet Iudas. bi-seche we þe holie croiz : þat brouȝte þane Deuel to grounde, And seint Quiriac and seinte heleyne : þoruȝ ȝwam heo was i-founde, Þat huy bi-sechen him for us : þat on þe Rode schedde is blod, Þat we moten to þe Ioye come : of heuene þat is so guod. ÞOrouȝ a treo we weren fur-lore : and furst i-brouȝt to grounde, And þoruȝ a treo to liue i-brouȝt : i-hered beo þulke stounde! Al itMS. A lit cam of one more : þat us to deþe brouȝte, And þat us brouȝte to liue a-ȝen : þoru Iesus þat us bouȝte. Of þe Appel-treo þat ore furste fader : þane Appel of nam, In þe manere þat ich ov telle wole : þe swete rode cam. Þo Adam, ore furste fader : þe sunne hadde i-do, I-driue he was out of parays : and eue, is wijf, also. Aftur milce ȝeorne he cride : þei it to late were. For one bi-heste þat he of ore louerd hadde : þo þe Aungel him drof out þere: Þat, ȝwane þe time were fol-fuld : ore louerd him wolde bi-þenche And with Oyle of milce smeorien him : and is sunnes a-quenche; gret hope hadde Adam to his bi-heste : þere-after euere-mo, Ase he in þe ualeye of Ebron : leouede with teone and wo. Twei sones he hadde : þat heiȝten Caym and Abel; For onde þe on a-slouȝ þat oþur : ase ȝe i-wuten it wel. Þo Caym hadde is broþer a-slawe : i-flemd he was þare-fore. And þo Adam i-saiȝ þat he hadde : beie is sones for-lore, he weop and made deol i-nouȝ : "louerd," he seide, "þin ore! Neiȝ womman ich habbe to muche i-beo : i-nelle neiȝ hire come non|more. Þreo harmes ich habbe for hire i-haued : mi-sulf furst for-lore, And nouþe mine sones, a weilawei! : and of alle wommanMS. wommen is more." Þo nolde Adam come neiȝ is wijf : to hundrede ȝer and more, For wo þat he hadde for hire i-haued : euere he liuede in sore. Of ore louerd he hadde tockningue sethþe : þat he scholde to is wiue wiende; Þo ne dorste he nouȝt þare-aȝein beo. : a child he hadde atþenende, Seth: he liet it cleopie : and sethþe he hadde mo. Al is lijf þe selie man : leouede in teone and wo. Þo he was of Nin houndret ȝer : and to and þritti old, Þe strencþe him failede in is limes : is bodi bi-cam al cold; he ne miȝte nouȝt a-boute þe eorþe swinke : ne þe weodes up drawe; Of is lijf he was a-nuyd : and wolde beo ded wel fawe. he sat and carede of is lijf : he cleopede is sone Seth: "leoue sone," he seide, "ich am weri of leoued : and wilni muche mi dez. Þo ich was out of parays idriue : ore louerd bi-hiet me þere, With eoyle of milce to smeorie me : ȝwane it time were. So longue ich habbe þare abede : þat i-ne may libbe more; to parays þov most þare-aftur go : and bidde him milce and ore. Þe Aungel þov schalt þare finde : þat drof me fram þe ȝate; Seie, ich abide þulke bi-heste : and me þinchez it comez to late, And seie, elde me hath ouer-come : þat I-ne may libbe longue, bide him þat ich deiȝe mote : and þe eoyle of milce a-fongue." "I-ne can nanne wei," quath is sone : "þuder-ward, ase ich wene." "Leoue sone," Adam seide : "þe wei is wel i-sene. Ȝwane þou comest to þe heued of þis valeie : a grene wei þov schalt wiende, Þat gez euene riȝt puyr est : and to parays gez þat on ende; Þare-forth comen þi moder an ich : þo ich parays for-liet: Euerech stape þat we stepen : for-barnde onder ore fet; Ne miȝte þare neuere-eft gras on growe : and al þe wei elles is grene; For þe foule sunnes þat we duden : ore stapen beoth euere i-sene. Þare þov miȝt with-oute faille : to parays euene gon." Seth nam is fader blessingue : and wende him forth a-non. Þe stapen he fond for-welewede : ase is fader him sede. Þo he to þe ȝate cam, : he ne dorste gon in for drede. An Aungel cam sone toMS. te? [þe] ȝate : and axede ȝwat he souȝte. he seide þat one tiþingue to him : fram is fader he brouȝte: Þat he wes old and weri of leoued : and þat he was of-longued sore After þe bi-heste þat him was bi-hote : for he ne miȝte libbe non-more. ¶ "Ȝe," seide þe Aungel, "is he so? : he ne schal þarof nouȝt doute. pult in þin heued here atþe ȝate : and stond þi-sulf with-oute!" So gret deliȝt he hadde and Ioye : of þe foulene murie song; A grene he i-saiȝ of grete swotnesse : and faire flovres þare among, Ech manere fruyt þare he i-saiȝ : þat smulde al-so wel swote: him þouȝte of eche manere vuel : Aman miȝte habbe is bote; him þouȝte, ȝif he moste þere : bi-holden In anie stounde, he miȝte euere in Ioye libbe : and is limes beon hole and sounde. A-midde þe place, þat was so fair : he saiȝ a swiþe fair welle, Fram ȝwam alle þe wateres on eorþe comiez : ase þe boc us dez telle. Ouer þe welle þare stod a treo : with bowes brode and lere, Ake þare nas opon noþur lief ne rinde : bote ase it for-oldet were; An Addre it hadde bi-clupt a-boute : al naked with-oute skinne— Þat was þat treo and þe Naddre : þat made Adam don furstorig. þe sunne. he bi-heold In þare-ate eft-sone : þat treo him þouȝte he seiȝ Faire i-leued and i-woxe : op to þe heouene an heiȝ, On ouewarde he i-saiȝ a luyte ȝong child : in smale cloþes i-wounde, Þe More of þe treo, ase him þouȝte : tilde into helle grounde; Abeles soule is broþer al-so : him þouȝte he [þer] i-seiȝ. Þo drof þe Aungel him fram þe ȝate : þat he ne moste mor come so neiȝ. "Þat child," quath þe Aungel, "þat þou i-seiȝe : an heiȝ opon þe treo, Godes soneMS. sone sone it was, þat on eorþe : for þine fader sunnes wole beo And bringue with him þe eoyle of milce : ȝwane þe tyme ifuld is, to smeorie þare-with and bringe of pine : þine fader and alle his." Þo wende þe Aungel to þulke treo : Ane Appel þare-of he nam And bi-tok Seth þreo curneles þar-of : þo he to him cam, And bad him legge þulke kurneles : onder is fader toungue Ȝwane he were ded, and burien him : and lokie ȝwat þarof sprongue. ¶ Seth wende hamward ase he cam : þe wei was wel i-sene, For he iseiȝ þe stapen þat weren i-brende : and þat oþur wei was al grene. Þo he was i-comen hom aȝen : his fader he fond ded. he dude þe curneles onder is toungue : ase þe Aungel him hadde i-sed, And sethþe he burede him in þe valeie of Ebron : ase it was riȝt to don, And of-swonk is owene mete : þo he nuste non oþur won. In A fewe ȝer þare-Aftur-ward : þe curneles bi-gunne springe, Þreo smale ȝerdene þare woxen of : faire þoruȝ alle þingue. Þo huy weren i-woxe in lengþe : of one Elne, ich wene, In þulke stat huy stoden longue þare : and euere-more grene, A-non for-to Moyses þe profete : ȝeode þare in londe, to lede þat folk of Israel. : and þo he fond þe ȝerdene stonde, "lo here," he seide, "gret bi-tokningue : of þe holie trinite, Of fader and sone and holie gost : bi þeose ȝeorde þreo." he tok hem op with gret honour : and in faire cloþe heom wond— A suote smul þare cam of heom : þat smelde in-to Al þat lond. to confermi þe bet is lawe : he bar heom forth on is hond; Ech sick man þat heom A-nourede : is hele a-non he fond. to techen is folk þe riȝte lawe : þe ȝeordene with him he ber, And for-to hele sike men : to and fourti ȝer. Sethþe þo he deiȝe scholde : þe ȝeordene he sette er Onder þe hulle of Tabor : and deide him-suluen þer. Þare stoden þis ȝeordene grene : more þane a þousend ȝer, Forto seint Daui þe kyng cam : þat was of so gret power. So þat he was þoruȝ þe holie gost : i-hote forto hiȝe To þe hulle of Tabor : in þe londe of Arabie, And þat he þulke ȝeordene þreo : fette and with him nome. Nie dawes he was þuder-ward : are he þudere come. With gret honur he nam heom op : þo he þe ȝeordeneMS. ȝeordere fond— Þe swotnesse þat þarof cam : fulde al þat lond. With grete melodie of is harpe : seint Daui þe ȝeordene nam And ladde heom to Ierusalem : þene Nynþe day hom he cam. In a priue stude he heom sette : ase it was in þe eueningue, For-to a-morewe, þat he i-seiȝe : ȝwodere he miȝte heom bet bringue. A-Morewe, þo he cam þer-to : to one huy weren alle i-come, and weren i-morede suyþe faste : þat huy ne miȝten beo op i-nome. Þat huy weren so alle to one i-woxe : ȝwat bi-toknede þis bote þe fader and sone and þe holie gost : þat al o god it is? Seint Daui a-boute þis holie ȝeorde : a strong wal he liet a-rere, And nam guode ȝeme hov longue it woxe : fram ȝere to ȝere: With a beiȝ of seoluer he bond : eche ȝeres schute þere, Þat he miȝte atþe laste i-wite : hou old þat treo were. So þat with-Inne þritti ȝer : þis treo wax wel on heiȝ; hit ne wax þo none more : andr. ase he wust wel bi þe seluerne beiȝ; Ake euere-moreMS. mon þare-Aftur-ward : fair and grene it stod. Seint Daui it honourede muche : for he wuste þat it was guod. ÞoMS. þat seint Daui hadde i-wrouȝt : þe sunne of lecherie And man-slauȝt, þo for is owene wijf : heMS. þat het slen vrie, And ore louerd nam þar-of wreche : swiþe sori he bi-cam, Onder þat treo is penaunce he dude : þat he þare-fore nam. Þo makede he þere þene sauter : is sunnes for-to bete; Þe sonere is sunnes him weren for-ȝiue : for þe holie treo so swete. Þo bi-gan he al-so for is sunnes : þe holie temple a-rere Swiþe noble in Ierusalem : ake he deide in þe fourteoþe ȝere. Salomon, his sone : þat after him was king þere, Aftur him bulde þe temple forth : al-þat heo ȝare were. to and þritti ȝer he was þare-a-boute : and is fader fourtene al-so; So þat it was sixe and fourti ȝer : are þat weor[c] was al i-do. þo þat weork was almest ȝare : heom failede a long treo. þat holie treo was fairest þo : þat huy miȝten ouȝwere i-seo: ¶ Þe kyng Salomon it liet felle and hewe : ase quoynte-liche ase men miȝte, And liet it meten and makien more : bi a fote þane þe riȝte. Þo it was i-brouȝt to þe riȝte stude : and scholde beon ilaced þere, Þo was it bi a fote to schort : ase euene ase huy it meten er. Þe Carpenters it lieten a-don : in strongue wrathþe and grete; to no þing þat huy miȝten it don : it nolde beon i-mete. Ane brugge ouer ane olde diche : huy maden þarof ate laste, For wrathþe þat huy ne miȝten in þe temple : to none oþure weorke it caste. Þare-ouer eode mani man : þe ȝwile it þare lay— Nusten nouȝt alle hov holi it was : þat defouleden it al dai. Þe Quiene of Saba cam þare forth : and a-non so þat heo it seiȝ, A-kneo heo sat and honouredeMS. honoureden it : and nolde nouȝt come þare-neiȝ.MS. nouȝt bi anoþer wei heo wende forth. : to Saloman heo cam, For heo him hadde wel wide i-souȝt : to leorni of him wisdom. Þoruȝ grace þat ore louerd hire ȝaf : to Salomon he= heo seide: Þat treo ne scholde nouȝt ligge þere : and he dude bi hire rede. ȝeot heo seide, þare schalr. scholde a man : deie on þulke treo Þoruȝ ȝwam al þe lawe of giwes : destruyd scholde beo. Salomon it liet nimen sone : and onder eorþe it caste Swiþe feor fram alle men : and burede hit wel faste. So longue so it þare-aftur were : a faire welle þare sprong And a fair ȝwater with grete fischsches : boþe deope and long. Manie sike men þat þare come : and wuschschen heore fiet þaron Oþur heore hondene oþur baþeden Al : helþe huy hadden a-non. Þat watur huy loueden swiþe muche : and wolden þare-inne wade; Ake huy nusten nouȝt of þat treo : þat al þe vertue made. Sethþe þare-after longue it was : þat ore louerd on eorþe cam. Anon so þat folk bi-spac is deth : and heore red þare-of nam, Þat treo bi-gan to fleote : ase ore louerdes wille it was. Þe giwes comen and founden þat treo : fleotinde þare bi cas : huy nomen it op, for it þouȝte fil and foul : and þare hadde i-leiȝe longue, And maden þarof þe holie rode : ore louerd þaron to hongue, For þat treo for-olded was : and huy heolden ore louerd luþur al-so— Ȝeot heom þouȝte þat treo to fair : þat he were þare-on i-do. Þe croiz aftur ore louerdes deth : deope under eorþe huy caste, Þare ase huy him to deþe duden : and bureden it wel faste, And þe tweie croiz al-so þare-bi : þat þe þeoues on i-hanguede were. Þare huy leiȝen faste i-hudde : more þane to hondret ȝeres. For þo titus and vaspasian : Ierusalem nomer. hadde i-nome And hadden alle þe giwes destruyd : þat neuere-eft huy þare ne come, And al þat lond was i-brouȝt : in þe Aumperoures hond of Rome And with is men i-fuld and al i-set : to nimen þer-to gome, Sethþe þare cam An Aumperour : þat hiet Adrian, heþene he was and swiþe luþur : and werrede ech cristine man; For he wuste ȝware þe rode lai : þat god was on i-do, And þat cristine men þe stude honoureden : ȝwane huy miȝten come þerto, he liet ane temple of Maumates : in þulke stude a-rere, Þat men ne miȝten nouȝt i-finde to louten heom to : bote maumates alle it were. Þei cristine men þudere ȝeoden : huy ne dorsten oþur for doute; And muche aȝein heore heorte it was : to ani maumete a-loute: So þat huy lieten al þulke stude : and wenden a-wei for fere, Þat with-inne ane fewe ȝeres þere-aftur : no cristine man ne cam þere. Þo þulke stude was al for-lete : and þare-after wel mani a dai, Þat cristine man ne paynim : nusten ȝware þe rode lai, Sethþe þare cam anMS. am Aumperour : þat hiet costantin; In weorre and bataylle he was so muche : þat þare-of nas no fin. Þo come is fon and wonne : muche del of is londe. he ȝarkede al day al is Ost : a-ȝein heom for-to stonde. ASe he toward þe bataille wende : he bi-heold op and= an heiȝ: Him þouȝte þat a fair Croiz : op in heouene he seiȝ; Lettres he i-seiȝ þare-on i-write : he bi-gan heom to rede : "With þis signe þou schalt maister beo" : þulke lettres seden. Þe Aumperour þis Onder-stod : þei he heþene were. Ane croiz he liet makien sone : þat is men bi-fore him bere In stude of his baner : in-to þe bataylle a-non: And þoruȝ vertue of þe holie croiz : he ouer-cam alle is fon, he i-wan þe maistrie and al is lond : in a luyte stounde þere. [Muche he thouthe þer-afterward wat þilke signe were.]This verse is added by a later hand on the margin. Þe wiseste men of al is lond : he liet bi-fore him bringue And Axede heom of þe croyz : ȝwat were þe tokningue. huy seiden him þat at Ierusalem : god was i-don on rode And þe giwes hudden þe croiz þere : ase huy onder-stode. "Ȝwane ich habbe þare-þoruȝ," quath þe Aumperour : "mine fon i-brouȝt to grounde, Of heorte ne worþe ich neuere bliþe : are þe holie croyz beo i-founde." Þo þe Aumperour þe holie rode : and þe faire miracles i-seiȝ, he liet him baptizen of þe pope : seint Siluestre, þat was þo him ful neiȝ. SEint Quiriac, þat Bischop was : prechede godes lawe. Þe luþere Aumperour Iulian : brouȝte him of dawe, For þe holie rode þat he fond : and for he men þere-to drouȝ to bi-lieuen on Iesu crist— : for he heold it al wouȝ. Þo þe Aumperour hadde seint Quiriac : bi-foren him i-brouȝt, he bad him bi-lieue on heore Maumates : and þo he nolde nouȝt, his riȝt hond he liet of-smite : And seide, "ich do þe þis, For þou hast þare-with i-write : a-ȝein ore lawe, i-wis." "Þou luþere hound," þis oþur seide : "wel hast þou i-don bi me, Of mine guode þou were wel onder-stonde : ich auȝte wel blesci þe: For þou me hastMS. me hast me þat lime bi-nome : þat me hath ofte to sunne idrawe, And ofte ich habbe þare-with i-writen : a-ȝein Iesu cristes lawe, Þe ȝwyle ich was a luþer givȝ : and on god ne bi-liefde nouȝt." Þo þis Aumperour þat i-saiȝ : þat he nolde tuyrne is þouȝt, he made him drinke lead i-weld : and in is mouth helde it þere. Euere sat þis guode man : riȝt ase him no-þing nere. Op one gredire he leide him sethþe : ouer a gret fuyr and strong, To rosti ase men doth fersch flesch : þat were grece a-mong. Þat fuyr was i-maud of col and grece : and salt was eke þer-to, And isal. of is flesch þat was for-brend : þe woundene huy selten al-so. Þo he ne miȝte þare-with tuyrne is þouȝt : and to deþe [him] bringue, he þouȝte ȝif he miȝte him tuyrne : with anie oþur þingue. "Quiriac," he seide, "þench on þi-sulf : and do aftur mi lore: Ȝif þou nelt ore godes honouri : bote þou wolle more, Seiȝe þat þou ne art cristine nouȝt : and ichulle debonere beo; Þat murie lijf þou schalt þar-after lede : sone þou schalt i-seo." Þo þe guode man nolde aftur him do : a Caudron he liet fulle With eoyle, he liet it seoþe faste : and þane guode man þare-inne pulle, And seth þare-inne þane guode man : forto þat he weri was. Þe guode man herede ore louerd euere : and neuere þe worse him nas. Þo þe Aumperour þat isaiȝ : þat he ne miȝte him so ouer-come, With a swerd he smot him þoruȝ þe heorte : þo he was of baþe i|nome. his soule wende to þe Ioye of heouene : After is tormentingue. Nou crist for þe loue of seint Quiriac : to þulke Ioye us bringue AmeN.— ÞE holie Rode was i-founde : ase ȝe wutez, in May: He was an-hauset in septembre[ 14 Sept.] sethþe : on þe holie rode-daiȝ. Aftur heruest he comez i-lome : and oþur-ȝwyle þare-Inne. god us graunti for his moder loue : þe Ioye of heouene i-wynne. Mani a ȝer þare was bi-tweone. : riȝt is þat we telle Of eyþur feste aftur oþur : noþur ouer-huppe i-nelle. A kyng þare was in .perce. þo : Cosdroe was is name; Cristine men þat he miȝte i-finde : Alle he brouȝte to schame. With his luþere power he i-wan al-so: þe londes al a-boute. And þo he cam to Ierusalem : of þe sepulchre he hadde doute Þat ore louerd was on i-leid : and a-non þat he þe sepulchre i-seiȝ, Of al is power, þat was so luþer : ȝeot ne dorste he come þare-neiȝ. Ake ane partie of þe swete croiz : þat seinte [Helene]supplied on the margin. þudere brouȝte he tok with him and wende him hom : and þudere non-more ne þouȝte. Of þat treo he was wel prout : þei he him-sulf luyþur were. A suyþe heiȝ tour of gold and seluer : he liet him sone a-rere; Of ȝymmes and of deorewurþe stones : þare-a-boue he liet do Foourme of sonne and of mone : and of steorrene al-so, Schininde ase þei it heom-seolue weren : and tuyrne a-boute faste; Ase a þondringue he made swyþe ofte : þat muche folk ofte a-gaste; Þoruȝ smale holes bi quoyntyse : þat watur al-so þere Ofte he made to grounde falle : riȝt ase it rein were. Ase feor forth ase ani man couþe : heal. om. madeal. makie with quoyntise, Þe fourme ase þei it an heouene were : he made on alle wise. On-ouewarde þe tour a-midde al þis : ane sege he liet a-rere, to sitten him-seolf þar-inne ase a god : in heouene ase þei it were In his riȝt half one sege he made : his o sone he sette þere In stude ase þei it were godes sone : þat non defaute it nere, In his leoft half he made an oþur : and a fair koc he liet fette And in stude of þe holie gost : on his leoft half bi him sette, And he him-seolf satMS. þat þare-a-midde : þe fader ase þei it were, Sone and holi gost on eiþur side—: welle, gret pruyte was þere! Eraclius þe Aumperour : þat cristine man was, at rome, Of þisAdded on the margin. misfarinde pruyde : he heorde telle i-lome: With his host he wende in-to is lond : and weorrede on him wel faste. In his heouene ase a god he sat : ase þei him no-þing ne a-gaste; So þat his eldeste sone : he hiet wienden atþe laste Wit his Ost a-ȝein þe Aumperour : and out of his lond him caste— For he ne deignede nouȝt him-seolf for him : of his heouene ene a|liȝte, Non more þane hit were a god : with eorþeliche manne to fiȝte. his sone a-ȝein þe Aumperour : with is ost he wende. And þo huy toward þe bataille comen : eiþur to oþur sende Þat huy bi-twene heom-seoluen tweine : þe bataille scholden do And al heore Ost stonden and bi-holde : and non ne come hem to; Ȝweþur of heom a-boue were : habbe scholde þe miȝte Of þe oþeres men and al is lond : aftur is wille it diȝte. Þo þis foreward was i-mad : to-gadere huy smiten to grounde And fouȝten ase hit heore riȝte was : and maden heom wel bitere woundes. Atþe laste þe Aumperour : þane oþerne ouer-cam, And al his folk, ase foreward was : into his poweral. baundoun heom nam. he liet heom cristni euer-ech-one : and siwi him to is wille. Þe luþere king sat euere at hom : in his heouene wel stille Ase a god, and nuste nouȝt : þat he was bi-neþe i-brouȝt; So vuele he was of his men bi-loued : þat huy nolden him telle nouȝt. Þis Aumperour wende him forth : in-to his heouene an heiȝ And fond him sitten þare ase a god : his sone him sat ful neiȝ. "Ille hail beo þou, false god : in þine false heouene i-founde, With þi sone and þi holie gost! : ȝe beoth neiȝ a-swounde. bi him þat þou countrefetest : þat for us þolede wounde, bote þou wolle on him bi-lieue : þou schalt here in a stounde Of mine hondene þolie deth : and þi pruyte i-brouȝt to grounde, For al þine heouene i-nelle bi-leue : for marke ne for pounde." "Nay certes," þis oþur seide : "þou ne schalt me so nouȝt lere Þat ich to anie manne a-bouwie schulle : bote he herre þane ich were." Þe Aumperour drouȝ out is swerd : and smot of is heued riȝt þere. his ȝongue sone þat sat bi him : þat was in his teoþe ȝere, he liet cristny and maken him king : of al is fader lond. his men he ȝafMS. ȝat al þat seoluer : þat he þere fond. Mid þat gold and þe riche þingues : þat he fond al-so þere Þe churchene þat þe schrewes destruyden er : þare-with he liet a-rere, And made þare a lond wel bi-lieued : and guod in godes lawe; Alle þat nolden tuyrne to god : he brouȝte sone of dawe. Þe holie croiz þat he fond þere : þat ore louerd was on i-do, A-doun he as nam with gret honour : and with him as ladde also To þe boruȝ of Ierusalem. : and þo he cam þare-bi-side, Opon þe hulle of Oliuete : one stounde he gan a-bide. Swyþe muche folk him cam a-boute : with gret honur with-alle And þonkeden god of þis cas : þat heom was þare bi-falle, Þat þe swete holie croiz : to heom a-ȝein moste come þat þe luyþere kyng Cosdroe : heom hadde þare bi-nome. A-doun of þe hulle wende þe Aumperour : with fair processioun Riȝt þane wei þat ore louerd ȝeode : toward is passioun. Þo he cam riȝt to þe boruȝ : and wolde In atþe ȝate, A fair miracle ore louerd sende : þat huy ne miȝten In þar ate; For þe stones þat þare weren a-boue : a-doun a-non huy a-liȝten And stoden empne forth riȝt bi þe oþer walle : þat no man In ne miȝte. Sori was þo þe Aumperour : and al is folk al-so, And a-dradden þat he nouȝt wuyrþe nere : swuch a dede for-to do. On god huy criden and wepen sore : þat he scholde heom grace siende, Ȝif þat it is wille were : into þe boruȝ for-to wiende. þo stod þare An Aungel ouer þe ȝete : A croiz he heold on honde: "Sire Aumperour," he seide, "þulke time : þat ore louerd was here a-lonnde, Þo he com in atþusse ȝate : to beo to deþe ido, Opon a seli Asse he rod : in feble cloþes al-so; he ne cam with none nobleye : so as þou dest nov, With riche cloþes and oþur pruyde : þei he were as heiȝ as þov." Mid þis word he wende a-ȝen. : þis Aumperour a-non A-liȝte a-doun and his cloþes : he caste of euer-ech-on A-non to is schurte and to is briech : sore weopinde with-alle. Þe stones arisen op a-ȝen : þat weren er a-doun i-falle, And ech lai in his riȝte stude : ase heo hadden er ido: þat ȝat was opene ase hit was er : þe wei was clene al-so. Þe Aumperour nam þe swete rode : and al a-fote in bar; Þat folk him siwede with gret pres : muche Ioye and blisse was þar. Þare cam a-non so swote smul : ase hit fram heouene were; Muche was þe suotnesse and þe Ioye : þat in þe contreie was þere. Þe Aumperour bar þe swete croiz : in-to þe temple an heiȝ, He bi-gan to singue þat newe song : bi-fore alle þat þare were neiȝ: "Þisr. þu croiz isom. is briȝtore to þis world : þane alle þe steorrene beo. Þou art for-to honori of alle men : and þou art a suyþe louelich treo, holiore þou art þane al þat is : for þou one wuyrþe were Þat þou þat tresor of al þe world : al one opon þe þouom. þou bere. Þov swete treo þat bere on þe : þe swete nayles al-so And þe swete burþene of godes sone : þat on þe was i-do, Saue nouþe al þis compaygnie : þat hidere i-gadered is And here to-day to-gadere i-brouȝt : in þine hereȝyngue i-wis!" Þe Aumperour song þo þis song : þat wel is ȝvyt vnder-stonde— For ȝuyt men it singueth in holie churche : ȝwane huy berez þe croiz on honde. Al folk onourede al-so þe croiz : so feor forth so huy miȝten it do, With offringues and with song : and with oþur melodies al-so. Þoru vertue of þe swete rode : a-non-riȝt in þe place Mani miracle þare feol a-day : þoru ore louerdes grace. A ded man a-ros fram deth to liue : and ten men þat meseles were, And four men of strongue palasie : heore hele huy hadden riȝt þere, And fiftene men þat blinde weren : and manie oþere al-so I-held weren þoruȝ is swete grace : þat on þe rode was i-do. Þis was þe holie rode-day : þat in Septembre is: Þare-fore men honouriez in holi churche : þulke dai, i-wis. Mani miracle of þe swete rode : þe man þat heom telle couþe, Þare hath sethþe i-beo and al-so bi-fore : some we wollez telle nouþe. IN þe lond of costantyne þe noble : A gyw some-time þare was In one churche him-seolf al one : ase it feol bi cas; he stod and bi-heol[d] þe rode : ore louerd forto schiende, Andr. a = he? þouȝte to don þe rode schame : are eni man come þare-hende. In þe þrote with a swerd : he smot þe suete rode; Þat blod sprong on him anon-riȝt al a-brod : þat he was al a-blode. Þo was þe schrewe a-ferd of cristine men : þat ani come atþe laste: Þe rode he bar a-non-riȝt a-wei : and in a deop put hire caste, And at-orn him-seolf for drede. : a cristine man sone he mette, Þat bi-heold him hou he was bi-bled : and on him faste he sette. "Schrewe," he seide, "ȝware hauest þou ibeo? : ȝwam hast þou i|brouȝt of dawe? Þou schalt a-bide here with me : and beo an-hongue oþur to-drawe." "Certes," seide þes oþur, "i-ne habbe i-do : no man bote guod." "Þou lixt," seide þe cristine man : "and þat man mai i-seo bi þis blod." "Louerd, merci," seide þe givȝ : "to soþe nouþe ich i-seo Þat cristinemannes god is muche and guod : betereal. herre ne may non beo. doth mid me ȝwat ȝe wollez : of-serued ich habbe i-wis: For a rode ich smot a swiþe deop wounde : and heo bledde on me þis. And ich eov bidde cristine-dom : are ich beo to deþe i-do." Cristine men þat þis i-heorden : ful sone huy ȝeoden him to, Of þat þe giv heom tolde : huy maden heom ful bold: huy wenden forth and founden þe Rode : ase [he] heom hadde i-told. huy wuschen hire clene and setten hire up : ase heo was er bi-fore ido. Ȝuyt is þe wounde in þe þrote i-sene : and euere heo wole so. Þe giv þat hire hadde so i-smite : i-cristned he was sone, And guod lijf ladde, as it bi-feol : cristine man to done. A Cristine man þare was ȝwile : in þe londe of Sicie, A rode he hadde in is hous : þer-on ofte to crie. hit bifeol at is terme-day : þat he wende to an oþur inne. A giv cam sethþe and wonede þer : and nust nouȝt þe rode þare-inne. Þo þe rode was þare i-founde : alle þe giwes as nome And ladden as forth to heore Synagogue : ase huy ladden ore louerd to dome; And also ase huy ore louerd beoten : þe rode huy beoten faste, And spatten on hure and boffatteden al-so : and ofte a-doun hire casten; At þe riȝt side huy smiten a spere : ful deope in atþe laste: Þat blod sprong out with gret strem. : þo weren þe schrewes a-gaste. For huy nolden bi-blede heore synagogue : a gret fat and a muche huy fette, to hente þane strem of blode : vnder þe rode huy it sette; So þat heo bledde þat fat bretful : of blod, are hit stunte. þo ne dorsten huy more schame do : þe rode ase huy munte. Ake huy þouȝten to proui with þat blod : ȝweþer ore louerd were soth and guodr. soth god: Euerech sik giv þat huy kneowen : huy smeoreden with þat blod: And heore hele huy hadden a-non. : þe schrewene onder-stode þat heore lawe nas riȝt nouȝt : þat ne bi-liefden nouȝt on þe rode: to þe bischop huy wenden a-non : and lieten heom cristni alle, And tolden al heore luyþere dede : ant hou it þare-of was bi-falle. Þe bischop wuste þis holie blod : ase relikes riche and guode. gret miracle þare cam alday : of þulke swete blode; So þat it was in-to manie studes : I-fet, wide and side, Þat it is nouþe for relikes i-holde : in mani a lond wel wide. In mani stude men seggez it is : of ore louerdes owene blode; Ake in eche stude it may wel beo : among oþere relikes guode. A Giv þare cam to Rome ȝwilene : þat ne miȝte herebeorewe non i-winne: In an old housMS. hous hous he lay him a-doun : feor fram euerech Inne. For he was in so wilde stude : of þe deuel he dradde him sore. he þouȝte hou cristine men heom wusten : fram þe deoueles lore: With þe croiz he blessede him al-a-boute : an-auntre ȝwat him bi-tidde, Þei he þare-on ne bi-liefde nouȝt : and lay doun him-seolf a-midde. A gret deouel þere cam In at mid-niȝt : ase þei it a maister were, And oþur deuelene with him i-nowe : ane chaiere with him huy bere, Þare-oppon huy setten þis grete maister : and he heom eschte a-non Ech after oþur of heore dedes : and ȝware-a-boute huy hadden i-gon. Þo euerech hadde i-ȝolde a-countes : of schreu-hede huy hadden ido, Þe maister lokede him bi-side : þane giv he i-saiȝ al-so. "Ȝwat is," he seide, "þilke maister : þat ich in þulke huyrne iseo? ho made him so hardi and so wod : at oure a-counte to beo? goth forth a-non and fetteth him hider! : we schullen maken him with us telle." So sore werth þe giv a-drad : þat he werth neiȝ out of is felle. Þo þe deuelene comen toward him : huy ne miȝten come him neiȝ, Ake ech of heom a-drad was sore : þo he þat creoiz i-seiȝ. "Ȝwat nou?" quath þis bolde maister : "ȝwy ne habbe ȝe him i|brouȝt?" "Sire, merci," þis oþere seiden : "we ne mowen come neiȝ him nouȝt: he is in a veteles þat ampti is : ake with-oute i-armed faste." Þo flouwen þe deuelene for þe croiz : þat sore huy weren a-gaste. Þe giv bi-liefde in godes sone : þat on þe rode was i-do, And liet him cristni al-so sone : so he miȝte come þer-to. A Nonne þare was of on Abbeie : þat in a day hire ȝeode pleiȝe. A fair herbe, þat men cleopez letuse : heo i-saiȝ stonde bi þe weiȝe: In hire mouth heo pulte þarof a lef : and ne blessede it nouȝt er: heo iwerth a-non out of hire witte : and feol a-doun riȝt þer. Þat folk made gret deol for hire : and ech man þat hire i-saiȝ. An holi man þat þarof heorde : þuder-ward wende adai. A-non so he cam toward hire : þe deuel gradde for fere And seide, "a weilawei! ȝwat dude ich here : bote op one herbe sat þere And heo me nam and swaluzr. swalȝ me in : and bot me al-so wel sore? Þou miȝt ȝwite me ȝwat þou wolt : ake i-ne habbe gult non more." "Þou schalt," quath þis holi man : "an oþer.In. habbe to-ȝere. For heo for-ȝat to blessi hure : ful redi þou were þere." Þoruȝ signe of þe holie croiz : þene deuel he drof out þere; Ȝeollinde and fol sori he wende a-wei : with ful grislich bere. Þare-fore ich rede ech man beo i-war : þat wilnez wel to do, blessi is mete are he it ete : þat he ne beo i-serued so. Nouþe, god, for þe rode loue : þat þou were on ido, bringue us to þe heiȝe Ioye : þat þou us bouȝtest to. Amen. 11. S. Dunstan.This legend, and S. Cristofer, I have edited before in 'Lemcke, Jahrbuch für rom, und engl. phil., 1875.' SEint Dunston was of enguelonde : i-come of guode more. Miracle ore louerd dude for him : þe ȝuyt he was un-bore. For þo he was in his moder wombe : In a candel-masse day, Þat folk was muche at churche : ase hit to þe tyme lay: As huy stoden alle with heore liȝt : riȝt also men stondeth ȝuyt nou, heore liȝt queincte ouer-al : þat no mon nuste hou; here þat liȝt barnde swiþe wel : and here it was al oute. Þat folk stod al in gret wonder : and weren in grete doute, And bispeken ech to oþur : in ȝwuche manere it were Þat it queinte so sodeinliche : al þat liȝt þat huy bere. Also huy stoden and þarof speken : in gret wonder ech-on, Seint Dunstones moder taper : a-fuyre werth a-non Þat heo huld in hire hond— : heo nuste ȝwannes it cam. Þat folk stod and þat bihuld : and gret wonder þar-of it nam; No man nuste fro whannes it cam : bote þoru ore louerdes grace. Þarof huy tenden alle heore liȝt : þat weren in þe place. Ȝwat was þat, þat ore louerd crist : fram heouene þat liȝt sende And þat folk þat þare stode aboute : heore taperes þarof tende, Bote þat of þulke holi child : þat was in hire wombe þere Al enguelond scholde beo iliȝt : bet þane hit euer er were?— Þo þis child was i-bore : his freond nomen þer-to hede, huy leten hit do to Glastingburi : to norischci and to fede, And to techen him his bileue al-so : his pater noster and crede. Þat child wax and wel i-þevȝ : ase it moste nede. To þe world he nam luyte ȝeme : for to alle godnesse he drouȝ; Ech man þat heorde of him speke : hadde of him ioye i-novȝ. Þo he couþe mannes wit : to his vncle he gan go, Þe Erchebischop of caunterburi : Aldelm þat was þo. With him he maude ioye i-novȝ : and euere þe leng þe more, Þo he i-sei of his guodnesse : and of his wise lore. For gret deinte þat he hadde of him : he dude him sone bringue To þe prince of Engelond : Aþelston þe kyngue. Þe king him maude ioye i-nouȝ : and grauntede al his bone, Of ȝwat þing þat he wolde him bidde : ȝif it were to done. Seint Dunston him bad ane place : þare he was forth i-brouȝt, In þe toun of Glastingburi : þat he ne wernde him nouȝt. Þe king grauntede him is bone a-non : and after him al-so Edmund, is broþer, þo he was king : and in his power ido. To Glastingburi he wende sone : þe guode man seint Dunston, Þo boþe þe kingues ȝeue him leue : Eadmund and Athelston. ¶ A fair Abbeye he let þare a-rere : ase men i-seoth þare ȝuyt stonde, Of blake Monekes, þat was a-rerd : þe furste of Enguelonde— For ech Abbeie of Enguelonde : þat of blake Monekes is Of þe hous of Gastingburi : furst sprong and cam, iwis. Him-sulf he nam þe Abite þere : and Monek formest bi-cam; Sone he was Abbot of þe hous : and gret couent to him nam. he makede þare godes seruise : studefast and stable i-novȝ; Þat couent þat þare-inne was : to alle guodnesse drouȝ. Þis holi Abbod seint Dunston : hadde gret power With þe king Eadmund, þo he was king : he was is conseiller. After þe king Eadmundes deþe : a guode ȝwyle it was a-gon Þat Edwyne, is sone, was king i-maud : ake nouȝt riȝt sone after a-non. ¶ Þis Edwyne hadde ful vuel red : and þare-aftur he drovȝ. With seint Dunston he was wroth : and with wel gret wovȝ Of his Abbeye he drof him out : and dude him schame i-novȝ; Þe more schame þat he him dude : þe more þe guode man lovȝ. he let driue him out of Enguelonde : and let crien him fleme. Þis guode man wende out wel glad : ne tok he none ȝeme. To þe Abbeie of seint Amaunt : bi-ȝeonde se he drouȝ, And soriornede þare longue : and ladde guod lijf inovȝ. ¶ þo þe king Edwyne was ded : Edgar, þat was is broþer. After him was king I-maud : for he was ner þane ani oþur. Swyþe guod man he bi-cam : and louede wel holi churche, And ech man þat him to guode radde : aftur him he gan wurche. ¶ Men tolden him of seint Dunston : þat is broþer drof out of londe With vnriȝtht for is guodnesse : and he bi-gan him vnderstonde: After him he sende a-non : þat he come a-ȝen sone And with him bi-leue is conseiler : of þat he hadde to done. Seint Dunston cam hom a-ȝen : and faire was vnder-fongue, And hadde his Abbeye al in pays : fram ȝwuche he hadde i-beo longue. Swyþe wel he was with þe king : and al his conseiller; Men speken muche of his guodnesse : wel wide feor and ner. ¶ Hit bi-fel þat þe Bischop : of wyrecestre was ded: Þe kyng and þe Erchebischop Eode : þar-of nomen heore red And þene holie Abbod seint Dunston : Bischop huy maden þere, For he scholde beo herre in godes lawe : þei it a-ȝein is wille were. Some men axeden at þe Erchebischope : of Caunterburi sire Ode Ȝware-fore þat he him Bischop maude : and ȝwy his graces weren so guode. "For he schal," seide þis guode Man : "aftur me here bee Erchebischop of Caunterburi : and þat Men schullen i-see." "Ȝwat wostþou?" þis oþere seiden : "þou spext folliche, i-wis, Þou nost non more þane þi fot : op-on god al it is." "Mine leue frend," seide þis holie Man : "ȝe ne dorre me blamie nouȝt, For ich wot wel ȝwat ore louerd crist : in mi Mouth hath i-brouȝt. And ho-so with-seith ouȝt of þulke þinge : þat ich eov habbe i-sed, Þe soþe he mai seo, ȝif he liueth : after þat ich am ded." ¶ Bischop he was of londone : seint Dunston, sethþe al-so, Of londone and of wyrecestre : and heold boþe to. hit bi-fel þat þe Erchebischop : of Caunterburi was ded: Þe pope and þe king Edgar : þar-of nomen heore red And mauden þane guode man seint Dunstan : Erchebischop þere. Guode men þat him i-knewen : wel glade þar-of were. Þe cristindom of Enguelonde : to guod stat he drovȝ And þe riȝtes of holi churche : he heold up faste i-novȝ. he fourmede þoruȝ al enguelond : þat ech person scholde cheose To witien him chaste fram lecherie : oþur his churche leose. Seint Athelwold was þulke tyme : Bischop of winchestre, And Oswold, þe guode man : Bischop of wurecestre: Þeos twei Bischopes with seint Dunston : weren al at one rede, And Edgar þe guode king : to done þat guode dede. Þeos þreo Bischopes wenden a-boute : þoruȝ al Enguelonde And euerech luþer person casten out : heom ne miȝhte non atstonde; heore churchene and heore oþer guod : clanliche heom bi-nome And bi-setten as on guode men : þoruȝ þe popes graunt of rome. Eyȝhte an fourti Abbeies : of Monekes and of nonnes Of þat tresur huy a-rerden in Enguelonde : þat of persones was so i-wonne.[Here a leaf is torn out in the MS., with the rest of this and the beginning of the following legend; only the first words of vv. 131-151 are preserved on a fragment of the leaf. MS. Vernon, which has the same text, continues:] [ffor so hit was bet biset : þen hit wereal. was er on schrewe— ffor whonne gode Maystres beoþ : sum goodnesse heo wolleþ schewe. Gode weoren þe þreo Bisschopes : þat þulke tyme weren þo— Þe betere hit is in Engelonde : for hem euere-mo. ¶ Vr lord ȝaf seint Dunston : on eorþe so feir grace Þat on a tyme, as he was : in a priue place, his ffader and his Modur ek : in þe Ioye of heuene an-heih, Aftur þat heo weoren dede : wel aperteliche he hem seih. Gret loue vr lord him kudde : whon he him schewede þere So muche of his priuyte : þe while he alyue were! ¶ As he lay a noþur time : in his reste a niht, he sayh þe Ioye of heuene : and þe place þer-inne wel briht; Aungels he herde syngen also : a Murie song þer-Inne, Þat me syngeþ in holy Chirche : whon me þe Masse bi-ginne: Kyrie leyson xpe leyson : was þat Murie song— Þe holi Mon þat þis i-herde : hit ne þhouhte him no-þing long. Wel ouhte he to heuene come : at his ende-day Þat, while he was alyue : so muche of heuene he say! ¶ harpe he louede swiþe wel : for of harpe he couþe i-nouh. A day he sat in his solas : and a lay þer-on he drouh. Þe harpe he heng vp bi þe wouh : þo hit was tyme to ete; Þo hit was redi þer-to ibrouht : he sat doun to his mete. Of heuene he gon þenche sone : of ioye þat was þere, Of þe Ioyful blisse þat þer was : among halewen þat þer were.] heThese beginnings of the next verses are extant in L. on a fragment of the fol. sat [as þeiȝ he weore i-nome : so muche þer-on he þouhte.] his h[arpe, þat heng so bi þe wouh : of whom he luyte Rouhte,] heo gan [to kuiþe his holy þouht : ded treo þeiȝ hit were,] Also it o[vr lordus wille was— : hire herden alle þat weoren þere.] Al bi hire-[self heo gon harpen : a Murie Antempne iwis] Þat men s[ingeþ ȝut in holy churche : þat on Englisch is þis]: "halewene s[oulen glade beoþ : þat in heuene beoþ i-do,] Þat siweden [vr lordes wey : and for him schedden also] heore blod for [his swete loue. : þerfore heo schulen wone] And kynguesVern. knyhtes be [wiþ-outen ende : wiþ crist Godus sone."] Þeal. þis Antenene þa[t murie is : as þis folk iherden alle,] Þe harpe song a[l bi hire-self : as heo heng bi þe walle.] Faire grace ore l[ord him schewede þer : whon þat dede treo] Scholde so singue [of þulke Ioye : þat he scholde Inne beo!] Louerd, i-hered beo [þi grace : & þi miȝte also] Þat woldest herMS. for [alyue for him : such miracle do.]Vv. 143-4, om. in Vern., are added from MS. Harl. ¶ þo þis holie man [hedde i-lyued : on eorþe mony a day] And his ende-dai [was neih i-come : as he him-self sayȝ,] An holi þoresdai [he wex sek : as hit fel in þe ȝere.] he liet him clep[e of his frendes : þat specials to hym were,] his men þat h[im serueden ek : he lette hem clepe also,] [And for-ȝaf hem heore trespas : þat heo him hedden misdo, And a-soylede hem of heore sunnes : as he in Godus bendes lay. And so he lay in þulke tyme : and eke þene ffriday. he lette clepe þe saturday : þe ffreres bi-foren him alle And bad hem alle haue god day : and seide what himr. hem scholde bi-falle; he let him don al his Rihtes : and vr lordus flesch he nom, And wende out of þis world : and to heuene wel sone com. Now, swete lord seint Dunston : þat vre Erchebisschop were, Bring vs to þe Ioye of heuene : as Angles þi soule bere. Amen. 12 Austyn. SEint Augustin, þat cristendom : brouhte in-to Engelonde, Riht is among oþere i-wis : þat we him vndurstonde. Seint Gregori þe holy Mon : pope was of Rome, Engelond he louede muche : þeih he þer neuer ne come. Me tolde þat þe lond was good : and þat hit heþene was. Wel sori was seint Gregori : þat hit cristene nas. him-self he wolde habben i-went : in-to Engelonde, Ac he ne moste for þe Cardinals. : ac he sende his sonde: Wiþ ffourti goode men : seint Austyn he nom And sende hym in-to Engelonde : to preche cristendom, Þat vchone Monkes weore : seint Austin and eke þe oþere. fforþ heo wenden euerichone : þat were alle as breþere— Aftur þat God was i-boren : ffyue hundred ȝer hit was Þat seint Austin wende in-to Engelonde : to do þis goode cas. he dredde him sore for he ne couþe : þe speche of Engelonde: he nom men wiþ him þat couþen : þe speche vndurstonde. ¶ heo duden hem forþ in þe séé. : þo heo þider comen, Toward þe heþene of Engelonde : þe rihte wey heo nomen. In an Ile bi þe Est : Riht atte on ende Þis Goode Men gonnen aryue : as God wol[d]e hem grace sende. Þer heo nomen furst heore In : and nomen hem sone to Rede hou heo mihten best on taken : to don þis holy dede. ¶ To þe kyng Aþelbert, þat was þo : kyng of Engelonde, Bi a qweynte Messager : feire heo senden heore sonde: Þat heo weoren Messagers : and from an heiȝ mon heo come To don to him a Message : from þe Court of Rome, Þat scholde to him world wiþouten ende : and to alle in his londe To gret prou ben and to gret Richesse : ȝif he hit wolde vndurstonde. ¶ Þo þe kyng þis word herde : he stod a while in þouht. "Goode tiþinges," he seide, "mot hit beo : þat heo me habbeþ i-brouht. vndurfongeþ hem feire inouh : and honoureþ hem also, And fyndeþ hem plente inouh : of þat heo habbeþ nede to, fforte ich habbe wiþ hem i-speke : and heore Message seo; God leue, as heo me bi-hoteþ : þat hit mote to my prou beo." his heste was ful wel i-holde : and me vndurfeng hem feire i-nouh. Þe kyng toward þulke Ile : sone þeraftur he him drouh.][Here L. continues, ] Þo he to þe .yle. cam : to seint Austyn he sende, Þat he to him with his felawes : to don is erende, i-wende. ¶ Seint Austyn him greiþede wel : and his felawes echon, For-to fiȝhte a-ȝein þe Deuel : and to batayle gon: huy mauden þe signe of þe croiz— : oþure Armes ne hadden huy non For-to done þis bataille : and to ouer-come heore fon. Ane Croyz of seluer with þe fourme : of god huy leten a-rere And in stude of Banere : bi-fore heom huy bere, And ȝeoden forth wel baldeliche : ase hardie knyȝtes and guode, huy siweden alle heore swete Baner : þe fourme of þe rode; Þe letanie huy gonne singue : for prov of þe londe, Þat ore swete louerd heom sende grace : heore prechingue to vnder|stonde. ¶ Þane kyng huy gretten swyþe faire : þo huy to him come, And seiden him þe erende : þat huy brouȝten fram þe court of Rome, And precheden him of cristindom : and of ore louerdes lawe, Þatr. to goddere hele him and alle his : ȝif huy wolden þare-to drawe; huy bi-heten him þe Ioye of heouene : þat so riche was and is, Þat he scholde after þis lijf : tuyrne into þulke blis And be þere with-outen ende : with god þat us bouȝte. Þe king stod, þo he heorde þis : ase þei he were in þouȝte. ¶ "Swyþe fair þing," he seide, "it is : þat þov bi-hotest me; Miȝhte ich beo siker þat hit sothþ were : ich wolde don after þe. Ake ich ne concenti nouȝt þer-to— : for it is ȝeot so neowe, Are ich habbe more vnderȝite : ȝweþur þis Message beo trewe. Ake for ȝe þus i-trauailede beoth : fram so ferre londe, And for ore guode, ase ȝe seggeth : and ȝe dothþ me onderstonde, Ich eov nelle greui nouȝt : ake wel faire bi eov do And onder-fonguen eov and finden also : þat ȝe habbez neode to; And ich graunti also þat alle þulke : þat wollez to eov torne, Guode leue ich [ȝiue ech]om. man : for i-nelle no man weorne." ¶ Seint Austin and alle his : A swyþe fair woniingue In þe toun of Douere he heom ȝaf : to makie inne heore prechingue. Seint Austin and is felawes also : bi-gonne to prechie faste, So þat some þat guode weren : to heom heore heorte caste And turnden heom to cristindom : and euere þe leng þe mo; So þat þut folk a-boute heom cam : ase þicke ase huy miȝten go. heore dede sprong so wide sone : þat to þe king it cam Þe faire miracles þat huy duden : as huy precheden cristindom. ¶ He wende and heorde eft heore prechingue : and seiȝ þat hit was guod; "To longue," he seide, "ich habbe a-bide : ar ich þis vnder-stod." he turnde him to cristindom : and liet him baptisen anon And biliefde on ihesu crist : and is Men ech-on. Erchebischop of Caunterburi : þe furste þat euere cam, Seint Austin huy maden þo : to holde up cristindom. ¶ Seint Austin brouȝte cristindom : þus into Enguelonde— Wel auȝte we his [dai] Anouri : ȝif we weren wel vnderstonde. ¶ His day is toward þe ende of May : for in þat day he wende Out of þis lijf to ihesu crist : þat after him þo sende. Bidde we ȝeorne seint Austin : þat cristindom so brouȝte, Þat we moten to þulke Ioye come : to ȝwan ore louerd us bouȝte. 13 Barnabe SEint Barnabe þe Apostle : þat guod was and hiende, I-Martred he was for godes loue : in strongue deþe atþenende. After þat ore swete louerd : to heouene gan i-wende, Þe Apostles precheden cristindom : ase he heom gan wit siende: ¶ Seint Barnabe i-saiȝ þo : þat his bi-leue nas nouȝt: he turnde sone to þe Apostles : and to ore louerd al is þouȝt. Of lond he hadde ane grete feld : and he it solde wel faste, to þe Apostles he wende anon : and to heore fet þe panes caste And for-sok al þis worldr. worldes guod : and heore felawe bi-cam, And I-martred he was with heom : for loue of cristindam. Sethþe þo seint powel : to þe Apostles wende, Þe Apostles ne lefden it nouȝt : þat ore louerd him to heom sende, Ake wenden þat he a gylur were : so þat hit was longue— For he hadde so luþur man i-be— : are huy dorsten him vnder|fongue. ¶ Seint Barnabe i-knev him ferst : so þat he formest brouȝte Þe apostles in cuthrade with him : and in riȝte þouȝte, And tolde heom hov ore swete louerd : bi weye to him cam And smot him and bi-nam him is siȝt : and brouȝte him to cristindom. ¶ Sethþe þo fram Ierusalem : þe Apostles gonne wende, For-to prechi godes lawe : þat so guod is and hende, And to þe londe of Cypre : seint Barnabe huy gonne þo sende:This v. om. in other MSS. Ase he wende forth in is wei : in one stude he fond A felauȝschipe of quoynte Men : þe wiseste of al þe lond. he spac with heom so quoynteliche : ase he bi heom cam, Þat þar nas non of heom alle : þat ne wondrede of his wisdam. "Sire sire," seide on of heom : þat was of grete fame, "Tel us of ȝwannes þou art : and ȝwat is þi name, And fram ȝwannes þou art hidere i-come : and for ȝwuche þingue; Þou comest here into ore lond : ich wot for sume tiþingue." ¶ Seint Barnabe þis holie Man : fondede in eche pointe to answerien heom wel quoynteliche : for huy weren heom-self so quoynte. "Sire," he seide, "þov axest wel : and ich ou wulle telle: Barnabe ich am i-cleoped : þe deueles fo of helle, Iesu cristes man ich am : þat me gan hidere siende, Fram Ierusalem ich am i-come : and þus a-boute wiende For-to prechi is holie name : þat brouȝte us out of biende. Bi-leueth on him and ȝe worþeth in Ioye : euere with-oute ende." he prechede so þis grete men : þat huy turnden heore þouȝt And weren þare to cristindom : þoruȝ seint Barnabe i-brouȝt And bi-liefden on Iesu crist : and heore heorte ope him caste, And prechede also of ihesu crist : and turnde þut folk wel faste. Seint Barnabe wende him forth : and to þe londe of cipre he com, to tuyrne men to ihesu crist : and to prechi cristindom. He cam and fond a foul dede : þat schendful was to do: Men vrne nakede al a-boute : and wummen al-so. Seint Barnabe was þar-of a-schamed : for it was a schenful dede Þat þe schrewene neren a-schamede nouȝt : to schewi heore wrechhede. To þe temple he wende a-non : ope ȝwan huy a-vouweden heore schame, And a-mansede þat sori temple : in ore louerdes name. A-non with þis mansingue : al þat on half dachste a-dovnn Þoruȝ grete wreche of þis temple : with gret noyse and soun. Þo þe schrewes i-seiȝen þe wreche : þat so schamelese were, huy bi-lefden þulke schendfole dede : huy ne dorsten non-oþur for fere. þis holie man wende him forth : ferrore in þe lond :MS. londe Tymon, þat was an holi man : in a stude he fond, Þat in a strong acces was of a feuere : and al atþe deþe neiȝ. Seint Barnabe of-þouȝte it sore : þo he him i-seiȝ. Þe godspelles of seint Mathev : with him euere he ber In a bok; ase god it wolde : with him he hadde as þer : Þis bok he leide ope þis man : ase he so sijk þer lay : he bi-cam anon hol and sound : ase al þat folk i-say,MS. i isay And wende forth with him a-boute : hol and glad i-novȝ, And prechede ȝeorne of ihesu crist : and folk fram sunne drovȝ. Of ore swete louerd of heouene : seint Barnabe hadde swich grace Þat, ȝif he founde ani sijk man : ase he wende in ani place, And he leide ope him þis bok : þat so holi and guod was Of þe godspelles of seint Mathev : so strong siknesse non nas Þat he þoruȝ ore louerdes grace : ne helde þar-of a-non; Þare-þoruȝ he maude mani men : to Iesu criste gon. Þoruȝ vertue of þis holie Man : and of þis holie bok al-so Muche fair miȝthte ore louerd hath : in his seriaunz ido. Þis holie man seint Barnabe : ȝet forþere he wende And prechede þe giwes faste : hore lijf for-to amende. Manie he tornede to cristindom : and þene holi gost on heom tende, Þoruȝ miracles þat he dude : and þoruȝ grace þat god him sende. ¶ Bareu was a luþur giv : þat euere weorrede faste Seint powel and seint Barnabe : and cudde it at þe laste : For þo he fond seint Barnabe : þat folk to ore louerd so wiende, To þe luþere Iustise of þe lond : þe tiþingue he gan siende. Þis holi man was sone i-nome : and to dome i-brouȝt. huy tormenteden him harde and stronge : forto torni is þouȝt Alle manere turmenz huy him duden : þat huy miȝthten on bi-þenche : huy ne miȝthten him nouȝt ȝeot enes make : fram god is þouȝt blenche. ¶ Ase huy weren with al heore miȝte : a-boute himal. om. faste and longue For-to defouli þis holie man : with tormenz harde and strongue, ¶ Þe Aumperores o cosin : þat of gret power was, In-to toune cam þulke time : ase it feol bi cas. Þe giwes weren so sore a-drad : laste he hem bi-nome Þoruȝ strencþe seint Barnabe : and ladde him to rome : A-niȝht huy nomen þis holie man : ase he was to-raunsed so, And teiden ane rop a-boute is necke : and knutten him faste þerto And drowen him out of heore synagoge : with seoruwe and pine i-novȝ, And sethþe al-so bi þe sweore : out atþe ȝate men him drovȝ And mauden a-boute him swiþe gret fuyr : and barnden him al-to nouȝte. his soule wende to þe Ioye of heouene : þat he wel deore a-bouȝte. ¶ Þo nomen þe luþere men heore red : ȝwanne huy miȝten atþe laste, his bones þat weren bi-left vn-barnd : a-midde þe .se. to caste. Ake cristine Men þat weren bi-side : stelen to bi niȝte And bureden as wel stilleliche : with ase gret honour ase huy miȝte. Nov bidde we ȝeorne ihesu crist : king of alle kinge, For loue of seint Barnabe : þat he us to heouene bringue. 14 Ioh[an] Baptist SEint Iohan was þe beste bern : þe holie baptist, Þat euere of womman was i-bore : with-oute ihesu crist. Ake of al þat he on vrþe was : we ne findez nouȝt i-write Þat he ani Miracle dude : þat man miȝhte vnder-ȝite. Mani men þinchez þerof wonder : so guod man ase he was; For manie miracles sum oþur dude : þat fulliche so holi man nas. Ake al it was for þe luþere giwes : þoruȝ ore louerdes wille so : For ȝif he hadde here on eorþe : ani miracle i-do, Þo giwes wolden habbe i-went : þat he ore louerd were, For he bi-gan ferst cristindom : and þat folk þer-to lere. Þare-fore ore louerd dude miracles : and ne liet him do non, For þe giwes scholden i-wite : ȝwuch he were ech-on. ¶ Seint Iohan for ore louerdes loue : was sethþe i-brouȝt of dawe, For-to holden up cristindom : and þe riȝhte lawe. Heroudes, þat was þo king : in a time to rome Wende to þe Aumperour : ase is wone was for-to done. So þat bi þe weie he wende : bi sire phelipe, his broþur; And maude gret feste, ase riȝt was : heore eiþur with oþur. So þat heroudes spac : mid is broþer wiue : Þer. þat he hire wolde to wiue habbe : þe ȝwuyle he were a-liue, And þat he wolde framward rome : þare-forth a-ȝein wende And nimen hire and leden hire forth with him : and holde hire is liues ende. At on a-cord huy weren sone : to don þis sorie dede— Ase twei schrewene a-cordiet sone : to ane luþere rede. ¶ Þis kyng heroudes wende forth : in is wei toward rome And þouȝte to take is broþer wijf : ȝwane he a-ȝeinward come. His owene wijf it vnder-ȝat : ase sum freond hire word sende : to hire fader, þat [was] king : of Damasche, sone heo i-wende, to beon þare forto heo wuste : hou þis dede wolde an-ende. Þe king heroudes bi is broþer : A-ȝeinward gan eft i-wende : And, also it was er bi-speke : þis wijf with him he nam And heold hire with strencþe ase is owene : in spous-bruche and horedam, And tiemde bi hire deolfolliche : in sunne and with gret wouȝ. his broþer and is wiues fader : weren with him wroþe i-nouȝ And duden him harm bi al heore miȝhte : and boþe weren is fon; Ake he heold him faste in his folie : and bi-lefde euere in on. ¶ So þat seint Iohan þe Baptist : to him a day com And calangede him of is sunneMS. sunnne : to ligge so in horedom, And seide, it was a-ȝein heore lawe : and a-ȝein cristindom. Heroudes þare-fore in wrathþe : seint Iohan wel faste nam And, for-to paye þe luþere hore : in strong prisun him caste— Þare-inne he lay al a ȝer : i-warded strangue and faste; And sethþe he liet smite of is heued : as ȝe i-hereth ofte telle, Also man redez in is daye in heruest : bi-foren eov in þe godspelle. ¶ In þe Castel of Arabie : is heued was of i-smite; Þe luþere quene it bi-nam hire douȝter : and liet it faste wite. his desciples wenden stilleliche : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace And bureden þis holie bodi : in a wel fair place: Bi-twe[ne] Abel and Elysee : þat prophetes ȝwilene were, Stille was is holie bodi : wel longue i-bured þere. ¶ Þis false quene þat heued wuste : þat men ne founden it nouȝt, laste it were in ani time : to þis bodie i-brouȝt And a rise fram deþe to liue : and bi-come at þe laste A prophete ase he was er— : þere-fore heo wuste it faste. A day ase heo bi-heold þat heued : inwardliche in þe face, heo feol a-doun ded a-non : as it was ore louerdes grace. Þulke wreche to hire cam : þat deth hire a-doun caste— Me þinchez heo ne ouȝte nouȝt bi-liȝhe : hire schreuhede atþe laste; Ne þat luþere best, hire douȝter, noþer. : for ase heo ȝeode a dai And pleide upon .yse. in hire game : ase mani a man itr. i- sai, Þat .ys. to-brak vnder hire : and heo a-dronk a-non And in þe deueles name (!) : boþe flechs and bon. Þis hadde moder and eke Douȝter : to heore Mede atþen ende, And also schal ech luþur man : ȝwanne vre louerd it wole him siende. ¶ Þat heued was sethþe wel priueliche : to Ierusalem i-brouȝt And i-bured stilleliche : þat Men ne founden it nouȝt. Of þis holi bodi, þare it lay : manie Miracles come, Grete and faire, nyȝht and day : ase þat folk i-saiȝ i-lome. A luþer Aumperour þere was þo : þe luþere Iulian, Þa[t] reneyede ore louerdes lawe : and was swyþe vuel Man. Þo Men tolden him of þis Miracles : In grete wrathþe and onde he liet nimen þis holie bones : and to-sprede into al þe londe And casten heom a-boute ech fram oþur : þat no man þare-neiȝ ne come Ne ne foundenr. founde heom to fette is bote : ase men duden er i-lome. Ake ȝut for al is felonie : ne bi-lefde ore louerd nouȝt Þat manie sike men þat comen þare-neiȝ : to hele weren i-brouȝt. ¶ Þo was þis luþere Iulian : wroþere þane he was er. Ase is bones weren er to-[s]prad : his men he sende þer And liet heom fette aȝein wel clene : and with-oute þe toun a-non he liet heom sette on strongue fuyre : and fur-berne echon, And þut doust þar-of wel wide : he liet blowe mid þe winde, For men ne scholden of him on vrþe : neuereft more i-finde. ¶ Ake his o finguer with ȝwan he teiȝhte : þo heMS. orig. ore louerd þo he him (so the other MSS.) ore louerd i|saiȝ Cominde toward baptisingue— : ase attwelfte day— Toward þe watere of Iordan : and loude gradde and cride and sede "lo here godes lomb, þat bi-nimeth : þe worldes mis-dede:" For-soþe no fuyr ne miȝte come : on þat fingur one; Ake elles was al to douste i-barnd : bodi and bones ech-one. No fuyr ne miȝhte þat finguer brenne : for none cunnes þingue, For þe holie dede þat he þare-with : teiȝhte to þe heiȝeMS. holie, on the margin heiȝe kingue, Ake he bi-lefde hol, and ȝuyt is : and þere nis non more bi-leued On vrþe of him bote þilke fingur : and his holie heued; For al is bodi was for-barnd : bote vnneþe þulke two. his day, ase falleth in heruest : þis dede was i-do ¶ Þat is bodi was þus i-barnd. : and also þulke day Þer-aftur longue men founden is heued : vnder vrþe ase it lay. Of þulke two þingues men holdeth is feste : þanne, þat ȝe it wite; For men ne mowen nouȝt on ore leuedi day : þo is heued was of i-smite. A manere martyrdom it was : is bones so to-drawe: Þare-fore men mouwe þanne holde : is feste bi riȝte lawe. ¶ His holie heued, þat þus was : at Ierusalem i-hud, Þoruȝ fair miracle of seint Iohan : formest was i-kud. For to tweie Monekus at Ierusalem : him-sulf he cam bi niȝhte And schewede heom ȝware is heued lay : ase it were in a siȝhte. huy wenden forth and souȝten itorig. is sone : and in þulke here i-wounde Þat he werede in wildernesse : atþe laste huy it founden; And þane fyngur huy founden al-so : þat was of him bi-leued. With gret honour huy beren forth : þat fingur and þis h[e]ued. ¶ For fair relike huy weren i-wust. : and ȝut atþe laste Eft-sone huy weren ȝuyt i-hud : and in a put i-caste: And leyen þare longue i-hudde : ase fewe þar-of þouȝte, Ake weren on vrþe al for-ȝite : ase no-man of heom ne rouȝte. Bote seint Iohan it nolde nouȝt : þat huy leiȝen to longue þere: To þe Abbod MarcelMS. Maroel he cam a nyȝht : in metyngue ase it were, And bad him nime is heued up : and seide ȝware it lay. Þis guode man a-ros up sone : and ne a-bod nouȝt forto day, Ake he openede is celle dore : and bi-heold a-boute. Ane steorre he fond bi-fore þe dore : houinde þare-with-oute, Þe clereste steorre þat miȝhte beo— : him wondrede þar-of i-novȝ. he þonkede god with guode wille : and toward þe steorre he drovȝ, And putte forth is hond and wolde hire take. : ake he ne miȝhte hire nouȝt a-reche, Ake þe steorre gan softe to glide forth : also it were þene wey to teche. ¶ þis Abbod hire siwede euere forth : and þe steorre bi-fore wel softe— Þe Abbot Anourede his ledare : fale siþes and ofte. Forth wende þe steorre, forto huy comen : ouer þat ilke place Þare his holie heue[d] lay : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace; Þo heo cam ouer þulke place : heo houede þare ane stounde, For-to Marcel þis holie Monek : hadde þis heued i-founde. ¶ To þe guode bischop Iulian : Marcel tolde þis cas. Þoruȝ heom boþe þat holie heued : I-nomen up of þe vrþe was. his heued ȝut, and is finguer al-so : boþe huy beoth hole and sounde. A-seint Iohanes day in heruest29 Aug. : þus huy weren i-founde. Þare-fore ȝuit þoruȝ heste of Rome : so wijd so is cristindom Men holdez þane dai in ho[nu]raunceMS. hor|aunce : of is holi martyrdom. ¶ For in ore leuedie daye in leynte : as he was to deþe i-brouȝt, For þe oþur festene þat þare beoth : of him men ne redez nouȝt. Nouþe seint Iohan þat in þe flym Iordan : baptisede godes sone, Lieue us þoruȝ ore cristindom : to þe Ioye of heouene come. 15 Iames. SEint Iemes þe holi Apostle : guod is to habbe in mone, Seint Iohanes broþur þe Ewangelist : and ore louerdes aunte sone; his Moder was ore leuedi soster : Marie cleophe— Of guode kunne he was i-come : non betere ne miȝhte be; he auȝhte wel him-self beo guod : ase ȝe mowe alle i-se. In þe londe of Samarie he prechede : and al-so in Ivde; Þoruȝ is prechingue mani on : he turnde to cristindom. To hermogenes þe luþere prince : þe tiþingue sone com. ¶ Þilke prince was wichche strong : and enchauntour also, Þoruȝ þe deuel he wolde al day : gret Miracle do. Ane desciple he hadde of is Art : philet was is name: him he sende to seint Ieme : to fondi to don him schame, Ȝif þat he miȝhte with is Art : seint Ieme ouer-come. To-gadere huy comen forto playdi : ase þe day was i-nome. Godes desciple and þe feondes : bi-gonne to playdi faste; Ac seint Ieme, þat was godes desciple : a-boue was atþe laste: Blinde men he ȝaf heore sijȝht : and maude hole in þe place Meseles and þe crokede al-so : al þoruȝ ore louerdes grace. ¶ Þo philet i-saiȝ him þus ouer-come : to is maister he wende sone, Hermogenes, and tolde him fore : ase is riȝhte was to done: "Sire," he seide, "ne hope þov nouȝt : to come seint Ieme with|Inne; For nauȝt it is, for þov ne schalt nouȝt : ouer-come him with al þi ginne. Þare-fore do ase ichulle þe rede : and go we to him, we tweiȝe, And crie him merci and bicome we : his desciples beye. For siker þou beo, ichulle it do : þei þou nelle nouȝt also." So wroth was þe prince þat he nuste : ȝwat for wrathþe do; Þoruȝ strencþe of þe deueles Art : he made philet a-non Þat he ne miȝhte non more þane a stok : a fot of þat stude gon. ¶ "Nov," he seide, "we schullen i-seo : ȝwat Iemes þe mai don here, Ȝweþer he þe mai a-ȝein me vndo : and a-ȝein mine godes pouwere." he liet him ligge þare ase astok : and forth a-wei fram him wende. Philet nam ane man a-non : and seint Ieme word sende hou faste þoru þe deueles miȝhte : he lai þer i-bounde, And bad him helpe his desciple : and bringue þene deuel to grounde. ¶ Seint Ieme him sende a luyte cloth : þat he with him ber, Þat he touchede him þare-with : and seide þeos two vers of þe sauter: "Ore louerd vn-bind þat beoth i-bounde : and ȝif þe blinde is siȝhte, Ore louerd riȝtht heom þat buth vn-riȝht : for þou louestal. oure louerd loueþ alle riȝhte." ¶ Þo philet hadde þis i-do : ase seint Ieme word him sende, On-bounde he was of þe deueles bendes : and ȝwodere he wolde he wende. he þrettnede faste hermogenes. : to seint Ieme sone he cam And godes desciple was and is : and aveng cristindom. Þo hermogenes i-herde þis : þat he was so vn-bounde And þat seint Ieme hadde i-brouȝt : al is dede to grounde, ¶ Manie deuelene he conIurede : þat huy to him wende. "Wel ȝe wutez," he seide, "ȝwi it is : þat ich after eov sende: Ore alre fo, Iemes, hath : mine desciple me bi-nome. Bote ȝe beon strengore þane ich am : i-wis we beoth ouer-come. Ich hote eov þat ȝe wenden a-non : and doth a god preiȝe, Nimeth and bringuet heom to me : faste i-bounde beiȝe. Certes, bote ȝe it mouwen do : ase ȝe wel i-seoth, Ouwer power nis nouȝt wurth an hawe : for ouer-come we beoth." ¶ "We schulle sone," þe deuelene seiden : "with heom on vrþeVern. a noþur pleiȝe, Faste i-bounde al to þine wille : we schulle heom bringue beyȝe. huy comen fleo oppe in þe loft : ouer þe apostle seint Ieme. And a-non so huy weren ouer him i-come : huy guonne to grenne and reme,al. feme Belewi and wel foule crie : "Iemes, Iemes, þin ore! We brennez here are it ore tyme be : and beth i-tormented ful sore." "Ho tormentedeal. tormenteþ eov," quath seint Ieme : "and ȝwat wolde ȝe nouþe here?" "Bote we buth i-come," þe feondes seiden : "to nime þe and þi fere; Hermogenes us made hidere wiende : þoruȝ is conIuringue, Þat we eov scholden faste i-bounde : beiȝe to him bringue. Bote a-non so we comen here ouer þe : Aungles to us come With brenninde raketeiȝene : and faste vs bounde and nome; here huy us beteth and tormentieth : with brenninde fuyre. A wey, wei, Iemes, ȝwat schulle we do? : we ne mowen nouȝt þis duyre. A, Iemes, Iemes, leoue louerd : of us wrechches haue reuþe, And neuereft we nelleth neiȝ þe come : pliȝhte we wolleth ore treouþe." ¶ "Ȝe wrechche foles," quath seint Ieme : "I not ȝwat ȝe wolden here. Of þat ȝe þouȝten me a-nuye : drawe ȝe schullen a-rere. Al on-bounde ich ȝyue eov leue : a-ȝein forto fleo, And bringuth him þat hidere eov sende : faste i-bounde to me— Þat ȝe ne don him non oþur harm!— : for icholde with him speke." "Wel is us nouþe," þe schrewen seide : "we worþet wel a-wreke." ¶ To hermogenes huy comen sone : and to grounde him caste, huy drowen him and is hondene bounden : bi-hinden him wel faste. Þusal. þef huy seiden, "þou sendest us : þare we gret wo i-fielde, In gret torment and brenningue : and nouþe we wollez þe ȝelde." huy harleden forth þusne wrechche : and to seint Ieme heo him brouȝte, And seiden, "lo sire, ȝware he is her : þat to swuche torment us wrouȝte. Ȝif us ferst leue þat we moten : ore tormens a-wreke And þe muchele vnriȝht þat he us hath ido : are þou with him speke!" ¶ "Nay, certes," quath þis holie man : "ȝe ne schullen nouȝt so, For ore louerd us hiet þat we scholden : guod for vuele do. Ȝwy ne come [ȝe] nouȝt neiȝ philet : þat stant here bi me?" "Wel þou wost," þis oþure seiden : "þat we ne moten for þe." "No. goth þanne," quath seint Ieme : "to eower kuynde stude, And ne cometh neuer-eft neiȝ no guod man : þei a fol eov habbe i|bede." ¶ Euere stod hermogenes : and criede milce and ore, he quakede for drede and for pine : And wep swiþe sore. ¶ "Philete, philete," quath seint Ieme : "þes hath þe schame ido, Þov schalt don him guod a-ȝein vuel : for mi louerd het me so. he bond þe þo þov were vn-bounde : and aȝein þulke luþere dedeThe last half-lines are transposed in the MS. Þov schalt vn-binde him þat is bounde : for so mi louerd sede."The last half-lines are transposed in the MS. Philet vn-bond þane wrechche : and dude him vuel for guod. Þe wrechche ne dorste nouȝwoder gon for fere : ake quakyinde þare he stod. "Go ȝware þov wolt," quath seint Ieme : "for mi louerd nele it nouȝt Þat euere ani man a-ȝein is wille : to him beo i-brouȝt." ¶ "A, merci," quath hermogenes : "þis deuelen me betehr. beten so sore Þat I-ne dar anne fot fram þe go : laste huy me nimen more; huy me wullez a-sle, ȝif huy me a-fongueth eft : and þare-fore ich bidde þe Þat þov me take sum þing þat ich mouwe : for heom bere with me." Seint Ieme him tok is staf on honde : "go nov forth," he seide, "Þere nis no deuel þat dorre nouþe : neiȝ þe come, for drede." Hermogenes wende him forth. : his bokes alle he nam Þat he hadde of his enchauntemenz : to þe Apostle a-ȝein he cam And bad þat he as for-brenne scholde. : þe Apostle sone heom nam And caste heom in þe deope .se : faste i-bounde echon. ¶ Hermogenes criede him merci : and wilnede cristindom; So þat he i-cristned was : and swiþe holi man bi-cam.— Abiatar, þat þo was : Iustise, luþur i-novȝ, For þis dede he was wroth : toward seint Ieme, with gret wouȝ. he nam him faste and swor is othþ : þat he it scholde a-bugge deore; to þe kyingue heroudes he liet him lede : a rop a-boute is swere. Heroudes ȝaf his dom a-non : his þrote to smite a-two, And Iosie þe quellare he was bi-take : þulke dede for-to do. Ane Rop he dude a-boute is necke : and ladde him toward is dome. Ane Man he helde of þe palasie : are heo þudere come. Þo Iosie þis isaiȝ : merci anon he criede; Seint Ieme þe holie Apostle : he bad wel sone a-bide And cristni him in þe place : a-non-riȝtes þere. A-seinte marie day in leinte : bi-haueded boþe heo were. Ake holie curche halt of ore leuedi : feste þat ilke day; Bi-fore lamasse seueniȝht : we holdeth is day þer-fore,MS. bi-fore For þulke daye is bodi was : in-to schrine i-bore. ¶ A-non so seint Ieme þe holie man : bi-haueded was þere, his desciples him wolden lede a-wei : ac huy ne dorsten for fere. heore tyme huy a-wayteden wel : ȝwanne none Men þare neiȝ nere, And þat bodi wel stilleliche : out of þe countreye bere. In a schip huy leiden it in þe se : and forth þare-withþ huy wende, And none ȝeme ne nomen ȝwoderward fare : bote ase god he[m] kende. Þat schip wende forth bi him-seolf : and hit cam on a day Into þe lond of Galeis : þare ase þe quene lay, Þat luþur [was] and schrewe inovȝ. : seint Iemes Men a-non Op of þe schipe nomen þat holie bodi : and leiden it opon a ston. Þe ston bi-gan to wexe a-brod : and holuȝ bi-cam a-midde, Ase euene i-maud to þe holie bodi : as ani man wolde bidde— ¶ Ne scholde no man so euene a þrovȝ : in lengþe and i[n] brede Toal. make to him ase þat ston bi-cam : ase ech man þat it i-saiȝ seide. his desciples, ase it was riȝht : to þe Quene erest wende : "Dame," huy seiden, "we habbeth i-brouȝt : þat ore louerd þe hider sende, Seint Iemes bodi his Apostle : of ȝwam þov nome ofte þi red To laten him nime þe ȝwyle he was quik : ase mani men it habbeth i-seid. Ore louerd him hath hidere i-sent : ase he him-seolf bed.orig. bad Loke ȝware þov him legge wolt : for i-come he is to þe ded." ¶ "Ey, traytours," quath þe luþere Quen : "ȝweþer ȝe beon of his? Ȝwane i-ne miȝhte of him beo a-wreke : of eov ichulle, i-wis." Þis guode Men he nam ech-one : and to þe king of spaygne heom sende, Þat he heom brouȝte to strong dethþe : oþur don heom heore lawe wende. Echone þe king nam a-non : and in strongue prisone heom brouȝte. Ac ore louerd ne for-ȝat heom nouȝt : ake wel sone on heom þouȝte : For an Aungel fram heouene cam : and þat prisoun brak wel sone. Þo þe kyng was þar-of i-war : he nuste ȝwat was to done. ¶ Knyȝhtes he liet siende i-nowe : aftur heom wel wide; Þat febleliche a-gonne in heore neodes : for schame heom gan bi-tide. For ase huy wolden ouer ane heiȝe brugge : after þis guode men gon, Vnder heom þe brugge brak : and huy a-drounken ech-on. ¶ Þo þe tyþingue to þe kingue cam : sori he was i-novȝ; Of is luþere [þouȝt]om. þat he þouȝte : for drede he him with-drovȝ. Mildeliche he to heom he sende : þat huy a-ȝein comen him to, And þat he heom wolde a-mendi faire : of al þat he hadde heom mis-do. Aȝein huy wenden to þe kyng : and he faire a-ȝein heom cam, Ȝware-þoruȝ he and al is Men : a-fenguen cristinedom. ¶ Þe king sende þe Quene word : þat heo scholde heore wille al do. Ful sori was þe Quene þo : and sore a-nuyd al-so; Ake heo ne dorste nouȝt beo aȝein is heste : nere hire no so [wo]. Wilde bollokes heo wuste fale : ope ane heiȝe hulle go : "Gothþ," heo seide, "ope þulke hulle : finde ȝe mowen þere Oxene and Bolen strongue inovȝ : forte leden with ouwer bere; Teiȝeth heom to þulke wayne : and þat bodi leggez þar-inne, And ledeth it ȝware eouwere wille beo— : godes leue ȝe habbe and minne." ¶ For þe Bollokes wilde were : þe luþere Quene so seide, For huy ne scholden heom temie nouȝt : eni-þing for-to lede. his desciples wenden forth : to þulke hulle heiȝe : A fuyr Drake þar-opon : a-ȝein heom cominde huy seiȝe. Swiþe ferliche he blaste fuyr : and a-sayllede heom faste— Mani a man he hadde a-slawe : and al þe contreie of him a-gaste. ¶ Þis desciples mauden þe signe sone : of þe Creoyz heom bi-fore : Anon hadde þis luþere worm : is pouwer al ilore, Þat hit ne miȝhte ane fot forþere passe. : þis desciples forth wende And to-pouneden it al to deþe : and ech lime fram oþur rende. Þe Bollokes and þe ȝoungue steores : þat weren er so wilde, Anon so huy touward heomsuperscribed. come : huy woxen tame and milde. Þe beste huy chosen þat huy wolden : and to þe wayne heom ladde; And huy drowen þat bodi so mildeliche : þat ech man þarof wonder hadde. ¶ Þis desciples nomen seint Iemes bodi : and opon þe wayne it leide, Þe bestes it drowen forth wel mildeliche : with-oute eche fole breide. huy comen and driue þane wayn : þare as þe Quene was. hire wondrede muche and dradde sore : þo heo iseiȝ þat cas. ¶ Heo for-sok hire false bi-leue : and tok hire to cristindom, For þe wonder þat heo iseiȝ : and guod womman bicom. Al hure paleys þat heo was inne : and al heore oþure bone, For-to honouri þat holie bodi : heo grauntede heom wel sone. A-midde þe paleys þis holi bodi : huy bureden with grete pruyte— Þare he hath euereft to þis dai i-beo : and so he is ȝuyte. ¶ Heo liet arere ane noble churche : and gret tresor he ȝaf þar-to, And gret lond, þat ȝuyt þare-to lijth : and grete rentes al-so : Ȝware-þoruȝ of religioun : a gret hous nouþe þare is Of Chanones, þat Men ȝeot i-seoth and sechethþ : at seint Iemes of Galys. A gret pilegrimage it is i-holde : ouer-al, ase ȝe i-seothþ, To sechen þat ilke holie stude : þare seint Iemes bones beothþ. Mani miracle is pilegrimes seggeth : þat þare hath ofte i-come. Þei we ne mouwen nouȝt alle telle : þenche we moten on some.— ¶ Þritti Men at one tyme : pilegrimes bi-come, To seint Iemes þe holie stude : alle þene wei huy nome. Ase huy wenden bi þe weiȝe : so gret loue huy hadden and trewe, And so guod heorte ech to oþur hadde : þat a foreward huy mauden newe Þat non ne scholde failli oþur : in perile ne in neode, Ake wed-breþerne huy bi-comen echon : ase huy þat wei eode. heore treuþes huy pliȝhten alle bote on : ake he nolde his nouȝt pliȝte, Ake þat foreward he bi-het to holde : treuweliche ope al is miȝhte. ¶ So þat it bi-feol bi þe weie : þat on i-vuelede a day And vnder þe hulle of seint Miȝhel : longue sijk he lay. his felawes þat hadde him treouþe i-pliȝht : fiftene dawes þere Abiden him; so þat heom þouȝte longue : for sore a-nuyde huy were, And seiden, "we ne mouwen no leng a-bide : late we him liggeligge on the margin. stille; Do we moten ore pilegrimage : god do bi him is wille." huy nomen heore leue and lieten him ligge : and wenden forth ech-on, Bote þilke þat nolde is treuþe pliȝhte— : he nolde nouȝt fram him gon. ¶ "Certes," he seide, "god do is wille : and lieue eov wel to wende, I nelle anne fot fram him gon : are ich wute of him sum ende." Mid him he bi-lefde al one : for-to þat he ded were. Betere is trewe dede þane fals word : as it was isene þere. Þis trewe Man þat was with þe bodi : ful sore a-drad he was, For he was so feor fram toune : and no man neiȝh him nas; For he was with þe dede al one : and it was neiȝh niȝhte, he nuste ȝwat with þat bodi to do : bote seint Ieme him helpe miȝhte: his help he bad with guode heorte. : and in þe eueningue riȝht Seint Ieme cam to him ride : in wel fair a-tyr of kniȝht. ¶ "Cum here," he seide, "forth with me : ne haue þou of no-þing drede, Bi-fore me cast þat bodi her : and ich it wolle hennes lede, And lupe þou up bi-hynde me." : and þo þis was al ido, Þis holie Man ladde þene dede forth : and þene quike al-so, Fyftene Iorneies grete are day— : in þulke luytele ȝwile,— To þe mount of Ioie : þat is bi-sides seint Iemes a mile. Þo huy comen to þulke Mount : seint Ieme gan a-bide, "Go," he seide to þe quike manne : "to mine churche here-bi-side And seiȝe mine Canones þat þarinne beoth : þat ich heom word bi þe sende, Mine pilegrim þat me was leof : þat in treowenesse mine wei wende, Þat huy him burien a-mong heom þere : with fair seruise and liȝhte— For ded he schal þudere come : ȝwane he a-liue ne miȝhte. And seie heom þat þine felawes were : þat heore wei is al i-lore, For heore treouþe þat huy breke : heore felawe, þat is nov bi-fore. And þine ȝwyle ichulle þe ȝelde : þat þou hast þus treowe i-beo." Mid þusse worde he wende forth : þat he ne miȝhte him none-more i-se. ¶ A-boute þat bodi for þis Miracle : folk cam þicke reke. Here man mai sum-del i-seo : ȝwuch [it is] treouþe to breke, And ȝwuch it is þane holie wey : to seint Iemes forto go. Þis Miracle is so Murie : ich mot ȝeot telle of mo.— ¶ Hit was a guod man and is sone : þat toward seint Iemes wende; To þe cite of Tolouse : a-ȝein eue huy hem kende. Al niȝht huy bi-lefden þere : at ane luþere mannes Inne. he þouȝte with ȝwuche tricherie : he miȝhte panewes winne. ¶ Nou was þe lawe in þulke stude : as þe schrewe wel onder-stod: Þat ho-so an-hengue aniner. anne man : he scholde habbe al is guod. Þe schrewe heom made fair semblaunt : ase is manere was to done, Þat huy were for-dronke beie : and a-slepe leiȝen sone. A coppe of seluer stilleliche : þis luþere Man gan bringue And dude in heore schrippe softeliche : a-mong heore oþur þingue. ¶ Þis guode Man a-wok and is sone : so sone so it dai was, And nomen heore leue and wenden forth : and nusten nouȝt of þat cas. Þo huy come with-oute toune a luyte : þis luþere man aftur cam, hotinde out, with grete siwte : and þis trewe men beie he nam And seide huy hadden is coppe i-stole : and in heore scrippe i-bounde. Þat folk þis i-liefde a-non : þo huy þe coppe founde. ¶ Þis pilegrimes, þei huy treowe weren : to dome weren i-brouȝt. Eche manere þeofþe huy fur-soken : ake þat folk ne liefde heom nouȝt, For huy weren i-nome hond habbinde : þe court lokede a-non Þat huy heore dom with heom beren : and hanguy scholde þat on. ¶ "Alas, alas," þe fader seide : "ȝweþur i schulle novþe hongue And are ich habbe seint Ieme i-souȝt : þis file dethþ a-fongue?" "Nai certes," quath is sone : "þat nolde ich graunti þe, For to beo louerd of al þe world : þat þov deidest bi-fore me. hanguy ichulle for us boþe : þene deth i-nelle nouȝt for-sake, And al-so wis ase we gultlese beoth : mine soule ich god bi-take." "A, mi leoue sone," quath þe fader : "so ne schal it nouȝt beo; Scholdest þou deiȝe and ich libbe : i-nelle neuere þane day i-seo. Swuch a child touward as þou art : i-loked it were wroþe, Þat þov scholdest hanguy and ich libbe! : ichulle hangy for us boþe." "A, fader, fader," quath þe sone : "be stille, ich bidde þe, For I nelle neuere þane day a-bide : þat þou schulle hongue bi-fore me; ¶ Ake go þane wey for us boþe : and ichulle hangy for us beye, And bide seint Ieme þat he me graunti : sum part of þine weye." Bi-twene þe fader and þe sone : þe striuingue laste longue— Þat ech man hadde deol þerof— : ȝweþur scholde þene dethþ a-fongue. So þat it ful atþenende : þei it were with wrongue, Þat þe sone for heom beiȝe : gulteles was an-hongue. ¶ Alas, alas, þe deolfole cas : to heore so muche falshede! Wel ȝeorne boþe fader and sone : seint Ieme help huy bede. Welle louerd, þe deol of þe fader— : grettore neuere non nas, Þo he isaiȝ is sone an-hongue : and for he gulteles was! he bi-teyȝte is soule Iesu crist : þo þare nas non oþur won, And is wei with sorewe i-nov : to seint Iemes he gan gon. Also wel for is sone ase for him : seint Ieme he bad faste; And wende, þo he hadde al ido : hamward at þe laste. Are he come þare is sone was : him þouȝte swyþe longue, Ȝif he miȝhte finde oþur i-seo : ani lime of him hongue— For þe lawe was þere þat euerech man : þat an-hangued were hanguy scholde þe ȝwyle i-lasteal. he laste : and for-to ech lime fram oþur to-tere. ¶ Þis ȝoungue Man sixe and þritti dawes : heng up-on þe galu-treo Are is fader a-ȝein to him come : þat i-roted he auȝte to beo. he cam and fond him ȝuyt : and ner him he gan teo, he weop and criede and wrong is hondene : þat deol it was to seo. ¶ "Leoue fader," þe sone seide : "ne weop þou nouȝt to bliue, For ich nam to bi-weope nouȝt : ȝeot ich am a-liue. Me nas neuere on eorþe so wel : ase me hath sethþe i-beo; Ich am ase þei ich were in heouene : þei ich hanguy here on þis treo. For seint Ieme me halt up : and Ioye i-novȝ me dieth make. Me of-þuncheth þat þou so sone come : laste þov me a-doun take." Louerd, þe Ioye þat þe fader : hadde þulke stounde, Þo he aftur al is sor : his sone a-liue founde! ¶ To toune he orn with Ioye i-nouȝ : and cleopede folk wel faste. Muche folk him siwede and al þe soþe : i-seiȝen atþe laste. Withþ gret Ioye huy nomen him a-doun : and to þe toune him brouȝten. Þene traitur þat him maude an-hongue : wel sone out huy souȝten And an-henguen him wel heiȝe a-non : and nouȝt bote he wuyrþe were. Þus seint Ieme þe holie man : is pilegrim halp þere.— ¶ In þe Cite of leouns : a ȝoung man þare was al-so Þat ofte wende to seint Iemes : and gret loue hadde þar-to. At one tyme ase he þudere wolde : he dude er ane folie Þat manie Men to helle bringueth : þe sunne of lecherie; Toward seint Iemes he wende forthþ : are he i-schriue were. Þe deuel was wel ȝeorne a-boute : ȝif he miȝhte him mis-lere. ¶ A-ȝein him he cam in þe wei : swiþe milde and softe, Riȝht ase it seint Ieme were : ase þe schrewe gyleth men wel ofte. "Ȝwost þou euere," he seide, "ho ich am?" : þe ȝoungue man seide nay. "Icham þilke," he seide, "þat þov hast : I-serued wel mani a day, Seint Ieme to-ward ȝwam þou art. : I ne may make no mone Of þe þat þov wel ne dest : of eche þingue bote of one : Þat þou dustMS. dẹust; dust=dudest lecherie : are þou wendest to me; Among alle men, ȝif þat nere : mest ich preisie þe." ¶ "Seint Ieme, merci," quath þis man : "ich crie þe milce and ore, Forȝif me þulke luþere sunne : i-nelle don as neuereft more." "Ov, beau frere," quath þe schrewe : "strong is þe mis-dede. Þov ne miȝht me neuere paye wel : bote þov do ase ich rede : Þe menbre þov most keruen of : ȝware-withþ þou i-sunegut hast; Þe sunne ichulle for-ȝiue þe þanne : ȝwanne he is fram þe i-cast; Ak next me þou scholdest in Ioye beo : in þe blisse of heouene a-boue, Ȝif þou woldest beon a martyr : and þi-seolf martri for mi loue." ¶ "A, louerd seint Ieme," quath þis man : "þov haue merci of me, Ichulle, mine sunnes to bete, mi-sulf martri : and forto payȝe þe." Þis wrechche Man carf of is membres : and a-wei fram him caste. And sethþe þoruȝ þe false þeues rede : him-self he a-slovȝ atþe laste. Ful redi was þe schrewe þer : þe soule he nam a-non And wel glad þare-with in his manere : to-ward helle he gan gon. Ne fur-ȝat nouȝt seint Ieme is pilegrim : for þat cas þat him gan bi|tide : A-ȝein þe deuel he cam a-doun : and bad þane schrewe a-bide, And seide, "þou berst more þane þin owe. : þat i schal kuyþe þe. Ȝwi hast þou mine pilegrim bi-traid? : gret schame þou dest me." "Ȝe, al for nauȝt," quath þe schrewe : "þou art hidere i-come : In his sunne him-sulf he a-slouȝ : and þare-with ich him habbe i|nome. Ne may no man in dedlich sunne : in-to heuene wende. Ase wel þou miȝht gon hom a-ȝein : he is min with-outen enden." ¶ "Bel amy," quath seint Ieme : "þou bi-traidest him with fals|hede And with tricherie þou to him come. : lat him gon, ich rede!" "Ich habbe leue," quath þe schrewe : "to bi-gyli and bi-traye al-so Mid eche quointise þat ich mai. : ȝwi wolde he aftur me do?" Þis strif i-laste bi-twene hem longue. : ake þo seint Ieme ne miȝhte habbe þe soule ne with-inne him come : with no resun ne riȝhte, "Þou schalt," he seide, "come with me : to an herre Iustise, Þat þe schal cuyþe þi tricherie : of ȝwam þe schal a-grise." Bi-fore ore leuedi swete and milde : þane schrewe he gan lede; he ȝal and quakede deolfulliche : þo he i-seiȝ hire, for drede. ¶ "Þov luþere þing," ore leuedi seide : "ȝwi fondeste in alle wise To bi-nime us and bi-traiȝe men : þat beth in ovre seruise? Þou ne schalt neuere þe soule brouke : for þine tricherie." "leoue leuedi," quath þe schrewe : "merci ich þe crie. Vnder-stond þat ich habbe leue : to bi-gylie men inouȝ, And þat ich fond him in dedlich sunne : and þare-inne him-sulf he slov; And no man neuere in swuch cas : to heuene come ne miȝhte. Ase he is min mid alle lawe : hold me, ich bidde, to riȝhte!" ¶ "Þov luþere best," ore leuedi seide : "to muche ower pouwer is. Alas þat men nellez beon i-war : are huy don a-mis! Ase þou mid þine tricherie : his lijf him bi-nome, Al-so ichulle him ȝiuen a-ȝein : is lijf with riȝhte dome. So þat þe ne tit of him no part : for guod man he wo[l] ȝeot be." Ore leuedi made þe soule a-non : to þe bodi aȝen fleo; Fram deþe to liue he a-ros : þoruȝ ore leuedi ore, And guod lijf ladde euere aftur-ward : and þe deuel doutede þe more. ¶ His menbres, þat he carf of : euer-eft he dude misse, Bote a luytel wise ȝware-þoruȝ he miȝhte : ȝwane he wolde, pisse. Manie Men for þulke miracle : seint Ieme louieth þe more. Nou bidde we ȝeorne euerech-one : seint Ieme milse and ore, Þat he for þat holie stude : þat he hath in galiz, helpe us and alle is pilegrimes : and bringue us to heouene blis. 16 Oswold. SEint Oswold þe holie king : of þe on ende of enguelonde King was, ase þulke tyme bi-feol : in northþ-homber-londe. Cristine man he was guod i-novȝ : and with al is pouwer he heold up þe lawe of cristindom : and teiȝte as feor and ner— For he was king are cristindom : puyrliche stable were. Al is men þar-to he brouȝte : so wijsliche he gan heom lere. To þe princes he sende of scoth-lond : and bad þat huy him sende Ane wise clerk, is men to wissi : heore lijf forto amende. huy senden him ane holie man : þat icleoped was aydan, Þat wende and prechede al is lond : and tornede mani a man ¶ Þoruȝ is prechingue and seint Oswold : þat to alle guodnesse hem drovȝ, Cristindom into al þat lond : stable was i-nouȝ. Seint Oswold maude þesne holie man : Bischop in is londe, And made him al is conseiler : and herede godes sonde; he ne dude noþing with-outen him : ake with him he heold him faste, And to-gadere al heore lijf huy weren : and in heouene atþe laste. ¶ A day ase he sat and eat is mete : seint oswold þe holie man, And þis holie man bi him : þe Bischop guode aydan, Þat o seriauntMS. seriannt seide þat þare withoute : manie pouere men were And beden sum guod for godes loue : and guod was þat men himr. hem bere. Þe king nam inovȝ of is mete : þat bi-fore him stod, And sende þar-of wel largeliche : heom þat beden him guod. Ane Dischs of seluer he nam also : þat bi-fore him was i-do, And to-brak it al to smale peces : and sende heom al-so. Þe Bischop sat and bi-heold : ase þei he were in þouȝte, Bi þe hond þe king he nam : and a swete word out brouȝte: "Ne for-rotie neuere þis hond : ake i-blessed be heo," he sede, "And euere hol and sound bi-leue : þat dude so guod a dede!" ¶ His bone was fole wel i-heord. : for it bi-feol atþe laste Þat heþene men come in-to is lond : and weorreden on him wel faste. he stod a-ȝein with al is miȝhte. : so bi-feol þat huy come And i-metten heom with heore host : and þe batayle nome. At þe tounne of Maserfeld : huy smiten to-gadere faste, And seint Oswold þe holie Man : a-slawe was atþe laste ¶ And I-martred of þis luþere men : for ore louerdes loue. Al huy to-heowen is bodi : þo huy weren a-boue; Ake huy ne miȝhten for no þing : makie none wonde In noþer of is holie hond : ake smiten as of hole and sounde. And so huy beoth ȝeot, of ase fair heuȝ : ase huy euerer were, And i-holde for fair relike : ase men mowe i-seo þere. ¶ He was of eiȝte and þritti ȝer : þo he i-martred was,[a. 642] And Nye ȝer he hadde king ibeo— : bote luytel ȝwile it nas. Nov seint Oswold þe swete Martyr : ore erinde to gode beode, Þat he us for-ȝiue ore sunnes : and us helpe at alle ore neode And ore soule for is swete loue : in-to blisse lede. 17 Edward. SEint Edward þe ȝungue : was kyng of Enguelonde. Wel ȝoung he i-martred was : þoruȝ tricherie and onde. Þo is Moder þe guode Quene : ase god wolde, was ded, his fader nam an oþur wijf : þat luþur was and qued; Þat sent Edward louede luyte : and euere radde luþur red. Bi hure he hadde ane oþur sone : þat i-hote was Atheldred. ¶ Þe Quene louede hire owene [sone]om. : ase ech man deth is blod; Ake seint Edward heo louede luyte— : for stepmoder is selde guod. heo wilnede more þane ani-þing : þat seint Edward ded were, Þat hire owene sone aftur þe king : þe heritage bere. Þo þe king wende out of þis world : seint Edward, andr. as? is sone, Aftur him was king j-mad : ase lawe was and wone. ¶ Þe guodnesse of þis ȝoungue king : ne may no man telle. he was meoke and milde inouȝ : and fair of flechs and felle, De-bonere for-to speke with : ant with pouere men mest, Chaste, and wis of conseil : and pruyte he louede lest; Wylde Men ne louede he nouȝt : þat rechelese weren of þouȝte, And wise Men to him he drouȝ : and aftur heom he wrouȝte. Aftur þe Erchebischope of Caunterburij : seint Dunston þat was þo, Ech dede þat he wolde do : þe meste del scholde go. Glad was þe holie man of him : and al þat lond also, Of swuch a king þat heore louerd was : þat alle þing wolde wel do. Guod pais þare was in Enguelonde : and loue and muruþe i-novȝ, Richesse and al oþur guod : elles it were ȝwovȝ— For ȝwanne þat heued hathþ godes grace : and loueth alle guode, Wonder it were bote alle his : þe betere heom onder-stode. ¶ To þe guodnesse of þis holie Man : þe deuel hadde envie, And is stepmoder þe luþere Quene : þat ful was of tricherie; For heo þouȝte Niȝht and day : ȝif heo miȝhte in ani manere Þat seint Edward were a-slawe : and hire sone kyng were— For he was eldest aftur him : and þe kingues sone al-so. Þis luþere wumman narewe hire bi-þouȝte : hou þis miȝhte beo do. To some þat weren hire conseilers : hire luþere þouȝt he= heo seide, þat huy holpen with some Gyle : to don þat luþere dede; Þis luþereMS. þuþere Men also forthþ with hire : weren in grete þouȝte With ȝwuche gyle huy miȝhten do : þat huy to ende [it] brouȝte. ¶ So þat heo hadde to hire conseil : I-nowe atþenende. For fellere þing nis non ase wumman : ȝware heo wole to vuele wende. Nadde þis ȝungue king i-beo : in is kynedom vnneþe Bote þreo ȝer and Eyȝhte dawes : þat he nas i-brouȝt to deþe. For a day he wente on hontethþ : with is kniȝhtes bi cas In a fayr wode in deorsete : þat bi-side waraygne was. Fair wode þare was þulke tyme : ake nouþe heo is al a-doune, Bote þornes and þunne boskes : þat stondeth bi-sides þe toune. ¶ Ase þis ȝoungue king wende on hontethþ : a gret wille him cam to For-te seo is ȝoungueMS. ȝonngue broþur : and in eche manere he wolde it do. For he was þere a luyte bi-side : ase is stepmoder was In a toun þat men clepeden Corf : þat bote þreo Mile þanne it nas. A strong castel þare is nouþe : ake þe ȝuyt nas non þere. Þis holie man þouȝte longue : are he at is broþur were; Ane fewe men with him he nam : and þuderward he gan ride. his Men pleiden and Arnden bi þe weie : and spradden a-boute ful wide, So þat with heomr. him ne bi-lefde non : al one he was sone; Ake naþeles forth he wende is wei : ase he þouȝte to done. Þe court he bi-heold a-fer : þare ase is broþer was: Þudere he wende wel mildeliche : ake no man with him nas— he ne þouȝte to no man bote guod : ne no man he nadde mis-do. To-war[d] is deþe forthþ he wende : and mildeliche al-so. Þo is stepmoder þe luþere Quiene : al one i-seiȝ him come, heo þouȝte to don hire wille of him : ase heo hadde hire red i-nome. Þe luþere Men heo cleopede sone : þat weren at hire rede, And bi-speken bi ȝwuche feolonie : to don þis luþere dede. ¶ þo þis holie Man was neiȝ i-come : þe Quiene a-ȝein him eode With fair Meyne and gret honour : and gret loue gan him beode— þe feste þat heo with him made : no tongue telle ne may— And swor þat he scholde a-liȝte : and with hire bi-leue alday. "Nai certes, dame," seide þis king : "so ne may it nouȝt beo. Ake lat me speke with mi broþur : for me longueth him to seo. For er þane ich him habbe i-seiȝe : Ine worþe nouȝt bliþe, i-wis, Min heorte is so muche opon him : and no wonder it nis." ¶ "A, sire," quath þe luþere Quiene : "ȝwane it ne mot oþur beo, Furst ichulle to þe drinke : and þu schalt him sethþe i-seo." I-redi was þe Botiler : and brouȝte him drinke a-non. Among þe oþere þat þare weren : o schrewe þare cam gon And wel-comede him with fair semblaunt : and made him Ioye i-novȝ And custe him Iudases cos : and sone him þere a-slovȝ : For ase he stoupede and custe him : redi he was i-novȝ, Þoruȝ is wombe he smot a knijf : and is gottes al-to-drovȝ Þis holie Man sat upriȝht : and bi-heold is deþes wounde. he ne rod bote wel luyte wei : are he feol to grounde And liet þere is swete lijf— : is soule to heouene wende. Alas, luytel vuel þouȝte he : þo þe schrewe is wombe rende! Ake he was luþur ase Iudas : þat so feolliche him custe And with tricherie is wombe rende : are he it euere wuste! Þo þis holie Man i-martred was : huy þat him brouȝten þer-to Bi-þouȝten hou huy miȝhten best : with þis holie bodie do : In-to a dierne stude huy wenden : and þar-inne is bodi huy caste Wel filliche and stilleliche : and bureden it þare wel faste. ¶ þo þis holie Man i-martred was : þe Quiene hadde hire wille; For liȝhtliche Men holdeth euere with þe quike : and þe dede is sone stille. Men nomen þo þat child Aþeldred : þat was þe Quiene sone, And aftur is broþur mauden him king : as riȝht was and wone. ¶ Þe heiȝe men alle of þe lond : with him heolden echon Ase with heore prince and heore louerd : and þene dede for-ȝete a-non. Ake among lowe Men and simple : deol þere was i-nouȝ, huy corseden alle with-oute god : þat heore louerd a-slouȝ. "Alas," huy seiden, "ȝwat schulle we nouþe? : ho schal for us beo? ho schal us nouþe fram weorre witeMS. us wite? : ȝwodere schulle we nouþe fleo? ho schal nou pais in londe holde? : ore ioye is al i-do! Of weorre and wo we mouwen beo sikere : al wrechhede comethþ us to." ¶ Grete wille hadden þe guode Men : of þe contreie bi-side In sum fair place þat bodi legge : and souȝten it wel wide; huy ortreuweden wel þat it were : in sum foul stude i-do, huy souȝten it ofte wide a-boute : and ne couþen nouȝt come þer-to. On a time ase þis guode men : of wareygne þare bi-side In þe contreye wenden and souȝten : þis holie bodi ful wide, huy stoden and bi-heoldenMS. bi-heoldem heom bi-side : þo iseiȝen huy gret liȝht And cler with-alle a-boute one place : ase apiler stonde upriȝht. ¶ Huy þouȝten þat þere was godes grace. : þudere huy wenden and souȝte, And founden þere þis holie bodi : and up of þe eorþe it brouȝten. Þare was wop and sor i-nov : þo huy seiȝen is grisli wounde! Ake ȝeot was heore heorte glad : and Ioyful, þo huy him founde. With wel fair procession : þis bodi forth huy bere In-to þe toun of warayne : and faire it bureden þere; In a churche-ȝerd of ore leuedi : bi este þe churche a luyte, Þare huy bureden þat swete bodi : with gret honur and pruyte. A chapele þare is arerd : ase þat holie bodi lai In þe toun of warygne : þat stant ȝeot to þis dai. Þe put þare he was feorst i-founde : a welle þare gan springue, Fair and cler, þat ȝeot i-last : and is ofte gret botningue, Þat Men cleopieth ȝeot to þis day : "seint Edwardes welle;" þare Mani Miracle hath i-beo : ase þe contreie dethþ telle. ¶ Þat holie bodi lay guode ȝwyle : þare it was i-do, In þe toune of waraygne : and Mani man cam þar-to. Þe tiþingue hov he i-martred was : sone sprong wel wide, And þe Miracles þat for him comen : a-boute in eche side. An heiȝ Eorl þare was a-londe þo : þat i-hoten was Alfez, Þat seint Edward louede muche : þe ȝwyle he liuede her : Þo he heorde of þe Miracles telle : þat ore louerd for him wrouȝte, Glad and bliþe he was i-nouȝ : ase ech Man wel ouȝte; him þouȝte it was wel vuele i-do : þat he lai so lowe þere, Þat he nere i-bured in herre stude : ase he wel wuyrþe were; Gret deol he hadde in is herte : þat he was a-morþred so, And swuch a creature ase he was : in so lowe stude i-do. In deorsete he wende wide a-boute : to þe heiȝe men alle þere, To Bischopes and to Abbodes al-so : þat in Enguelonde were, And bad heom of þulke holie bodi : þat huy it þannes bere To herre stude ase it was wuyrþe : and þat huy þare-a-ȝein nere. his Messagers he sende a-boute : for þis þing wel wide, And to þe Abbesse of wiltone : þat i-hote was wilfride, And to Eadithþe þe holie wumman : þat Nonne al-so was þar,orig. þer Þat was seint Edwardes suster : and þe kingus douȝter Edgar. So þat Bischopus and Abbodes : and heiȝe Men mani on To-gadere comen in a time : ase huy bi-speken echon. ¶ To þis holi bodi huy wenden. : and þo huy þer-to come, hol and sound huy founden it ligge : þo huy þat bodi up nome, Al-so hol it was with-oute weomme : ase it euer er a-liue was— Þare nas nouȝt on þat it i-seiȝ : þat glad and Ioyful þere-fore nas. Ake Eadithþe, is holie suster : to þat bodi orn a-non And bi-clupte þat bodi and custe it faste : bi-fore heom euerechon; For gladnesse heo lovȝ and weop : teres wel mani on, Þo heo saiȝ hire broþur so a-slawe : and so sovnd of flechs and bon— ho-so nadde neuere deol i-seiȝe : of hire he miȝhte þere. Þis heiȝe men with gret honur : þat holie bodi forth bere, With gret song and procession. : muche folk þuder-ward drovȝ. Ore louerd dude þare for is loue : fair Miracle i-novȝ. ¶ For tweie crupeles þat in heore limes : al fur-crokede were, Mid gret hope leien in þe wey : and a-biden þe bere : hore limes bi-gunne to rechchen a-riȝht : and hole bi-comen a-non; Þare was Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ : a-mong þis men ech-on. ¶ His stepmoder, þat him þare-to brouȝte : herof herde telle : hire of-þouȝte, þo he swuch man was : þat he= heo him let so quelle. Ope hire palefrey heo werth a day : aftur þat bodi to wiende, To bidde for-ȝiuenesse of hire misdede : ȝif god hire wolde siende. ¶ Ase heo wolde þuder-ward wiende : and with hire mani on, huy ne miȝhten make hire palefrey : þat it ane fote wolde gon; huy schouen it faste forthþe-ward and drowen : and neuere þe betere it nas. Þe Quiene þouȝte on hire misdede : þat al þare-fore it was : heo a-liȝhte of hire palefrey : and wolde a-fote gon To-ward þat holie cors. : ake heo nadde power non; A-ȝein-ward heo miȝhte wel gon : ake forthþe-ward for no-þing. Heo bi-lefte, þo it was non oþur : in gret deol and mournyng. Of hire misdedes heo repentede hire sore : ase manie Men habbeth i-sed, And cam to guod mendement : are þat heo were ded. ¶ Þis Men ladden þis holie bodi : with gret honur and pruyte To þe Abbeye of Schaftesburi : þare ase he lijth ȝuyte A-mong blake Nonnene þat þare beoth : and al-so þare weren þo, Þat fram þe toun of waraygne : is twenti Mile and mo; In þe northha[l]f of þe heiȝe Autere : in þe walle bi-side huy leiden þis holie bodi : þat manie men sechez wide. In-to þulke Abbeie of Schafteburij : seint Edward huy ladde, For þe kyng Alfred, is graunt-sire : þat hous a-rerd hadde And made þar-inne is douȝter Nonne : þat was i-hote alȝyue— For hire loue he hadde þat hous arerd : and muche guod þudere in i-ȝiue : An hondret hidenener. hidene of guod lond : with hire he ȝaf þer Þat hous, al-so freo in eche point : ase he him-sulf it heold er. In þis Abbeie seint edward : lai on and twenti ȝer, So þat huy i-seien tokningue ofte : þat he nolde nonmore beo þer. For ȝwane men comen ofte to is toumbe : ase liȝthliche up huy as bere And heuen as up and doun ase huy wolden : ase þei it liȝht treov were. ¶ Seint Edward cam al-so aniȝht : ase in a visioun To an holi man þat þere was neiȝ : in an oþur religion; "Go," he seide, "to Schafteburi : to þe Abbesse of þe house, Dame Aldred þat clene Maide : þat is godes spouse, And seie hire þat i-nelle nonmore : ligge þare ich nou do; Þat ich beo i-brouȝt in an oþur stude : and þat heo segge mi broþer so." ¶ Þis guode Man a-morewe a-ros : and ne fur-ȝat nouȝt þis cas : To þe Abbesse he wende of Schafteburi : and tolde al hou it was. Þis guode womman was glad i-nouȝ! : to þe kyngue heo wende sone And of is broþur tolde him al : and ȝwat þer-of were to done. Welle, þe kyng was one glad : þo he i-heorde telle So swete tiþingue of is broþur : þei is moder him liete a-quelle! ¶ He wolde habbe i-went to schafteburi : In shrine him to bringue, Ac he was so bi-set mid weorre : þat he ne miȝhte for no þingue : For is fon ornen so faste him up-on : þat he ne miȝhte þannes wiende. To heie Men a-boute in þe londe : wel sone he gan siende, And to wilfin þe guode bischop : þat was bischop þo, Þat huy scholden with gret honour : to schafteburie go And his broþur in schrine bringue : ase riȝth was forto done. ¶ Þe Bischop with þis oþur Men : to schafteburi comen sone. With swiþe fair procession : to is toumbe huy wende. A swiþe fair Miracle a-mong heom alle : ore louerd for him þere sende : For a-non so huy openeden þat lid : of is swete toumbe þere, Þare cam a-doun þoruȝ al þe churche : ase þei it a mist were, A-mong al þe prece þat þere was : þat huy i-seien alle with eiȝe, Fleuȝal. flen a-mon[g] heom al-so a myst— : so swote þing neuere huy er ne seiȝe. ¶ So swote was þe smul and guod : þat alle þat þere were For muruþe þouȝten þat huy stoden : in parays and nouȝt þere. Þis holi bodi up huy nomen : with gret honour and pruyte, And leiden it in a wel fair schrine : þare ase it lijth ȝuyte. In þis manere he was i-schrined : in þe on an twentiþe ȝere Þat þe heiȝe men him brouȝten fro waram : and bureden him furst þere; A þousend ȝer it was and on : after þulke stounde Þat ore louerd was on eorþe i-bore : and a-liȝhte for us to grounde. ¶ His broþur, þe king Aþeldred : guod man was i-nouȝ; Edward was is sone i-hote : þat to alle guodnesse drouȝ, Þat king was sethþe aftur him : and heiȝ halewe in heouene is, I-cleoped seint Edward aftur is vncle : at West-Munstre he lijth, i-wis. ¶ Op-on Miȝhel-masse fourtene-nyȝht : his day fallez in þe ȝere, And a-midde þe Monþe of luyde18 March : seint Edwardes dai þere.= þe ere Nov god for þe loue of heom boþe : þet swete kingues were, To þe Ioye of heouene þat huy beoth inne : with heom us bringue þere. 18 Franceys.This life is based on the Vita s. Fr. by S. Bonaventura, in Act. SS. Boll. Oct. 4, p. 742 ff. SEint Fraunceys, þe frere Menour : þat guod man was i-novȝ, Marchaunt he was in his ȝonghede : and to eche treuwenesse drovȝ. his Marchaundise he maude aal. al day : in þe cite of Asise; And in almesdede he spendede anom. an on pouere Men : muchedel is Marchaundise; For no loue of catel : he it nolde bi-leue, Ȝwane ani pouere man him bede : bote he him som-ȝwat ȝeue. ¶ Ase he cam a day bi þe wei : he gan mieten bi cas Ane kniȝt þat hadde Riche i-beo : andMS. and and swiþe a-pouered was; vuele he was i-cloþed al-so : and bad him sum guod. Seint Fraunceys hadde reuþe of him : and one ȝwyle he with-stod, ¶ he strepte of is cloþes of is rug : and ȝaf þis pouere knyȝt. And þer-aftur ase he lay a-slepe : in is bedde a-nyȝt, A swiþe noble paleys : him þouȝte þat he i-seiȝ; he Axede was þat paleys were : þat so riche was and heiȝ; Men seiden him þat it was his : and is kniȝtes al-so. Þo þis holie Man a-wok : sum-ȝwat he þouȝte do. In þat paleys him þouȝte he saiȝ al-so : knyȝhtes Armes þere, And with afair creoiz þoruȝ-out : I-markede alle huy were. ¶ Þouȝte he, "ore louerd it wole : þat ich mi-seolf knyȝt beo, And swyþe feble ich am þare-to : bote ich me bet bi-seo." An Eorl þare was in poile= Apoile : þat was corteys and hende : he þouȝte knyȝt beo i-maud of him : þuder-ward he gan wende. Ase he wende towar[d] þis Eorl : for-to beo i-maud kniȝt, Ore swete louerd in Auision : to him cam a niȝth; "Seiȝe me," he seide, "of þe louerd : and of þe hyne al-so, And of þe riche man and of þe pouere : ȝwuch may þe mest guod do?" "Bote þe louerd," quath þis oþur : "and he þat is riche." "Þou haddest almest i-chose," ore louerd seide : "þat ful oni-liche : For truste of þe hyne : þene louerd þou for-soke; Þov nome vuele þin Avision : þou most þe bet bi-loke. ¶ Þe Armure and þe paleis : þat þou so noble i-seiȝe, Elles-ȝware þov schalt finde : Ake þou ne comest nouȝt ȝuit so heiȝe; Knyȝtes þov schalt habbe onder þe : þulke Armes for-to lede. Þare-fore wend þe hom a-ȝein : and bi-þench bet þi dede!" ¶ Þis holi man, þo he a-wok : a-ȝein wende to Asise, And þouȝte al on Ihesu crist : and bi-lefde is Marchaundise, And bad ore louerd nyȝht and dai : þat he scholde him rede And some tokningue senden him : hov he scholde is lijf lede. ¶ A day, ase þis holie man : with-oute Asise him drouȝ, he mette a lodlich Mesel : þat revlich was i-nouȝ And bad him sum guod for godes loue. : seint Fraunceys a-liȝhte And bi-clupte and custe þane sike man : ase faire ase he miȝhte, And of is seluer him tok : and bad him habbe guod day. Þo nuste he ȝware he was bi-come : ne in none stude him ne say. ¶ Þo þouȝte wel ho it was : and aftur þulke dede he wep and cride on ihesu crist : þat he scholde him sum-ȝwat rede; And ofte he wolde bi costome : to Meseles fare And sechen heom at heore owene hous : bote he founde hem elles|ȝware, And cusse heore hondene and heore fet : and heore Mouth al-s[o] And ȝyue heom guod wel largeliche— : bi costome he wolde it do.a later hand adds als ¶ Bi a churche of seint Damian : a day he cam gon, Þat ope þe poynte was to falle a-doun. : In he wende a-non And kneolede a-doun bi-fore þe croiz : ase he dude wel ofte. Þo spac a voiz þare-inne : wel Mildeliche and softe And seide, "Fraunceys, go þe forth : and a-rer up min hous an heiȝ, Þat, þou sixt, fallez to grounde : and al destruyd is neiȝ." ¶ Seint Fraunceys, for þe churche was : a-done-ward al i-brouȝt, Wende þat ore louer[d] þare-bi seide— : ake þar-of nas it nouȝt: he wende and solde is cloþes a-non : and muche of is oþur þingue, And þe panes þat he nam þare-with : to þis church gan bringue. Þe pr[e]ost of þe churche he fond þere : þe panes he wolde him take, To arere up þe pouere churche. : and he heom gan for-sake; he ne dorste nouȝt for is fader : ne for is oþur freond, he seide, So muche tresor nime of him : bote it were bi heore rede. ¶ Seint Fraunceys nam þat tresor : þo þe oþur it for-sok, And in a fenestre leide it þere : and in ore louerdes warde it tok. Þo þe tyþingue cam to is fader : þat he hadde i-sold is guod, Toward him he wende anon : and for wrath was neiȝ wod. Seint Frau[n]ceys was i-war of him : and ne bi-lefte nouȝt bi-hinde, he wende and hudde him in a Dich : þat he ne miȝhte him nouȝt finde. In þis Diche wel longue he lay : in hunguer and wrech-hede, And euere cride on Ihesu crist : þat he scholde him betere rede. ¶ So longue he was þare in meseise : þat he for-ferde neiȝ, Þat vnneþe him couþe i-knowe : ani man þat him seiȝ. Atþe laste in meseise i-novȝ : he wende to Asise. Þat folk, þo huy seien him com[e] : heom gan ful sore a-grise And seiden "here cometh a wod Man" : huy harleden him wel faste And smiten and pulten here and þere : and dunge on him caste. Seint Fraunceis wende euere forth : ase þei him no-þing nere. ¶ his fader cam al-so bi cas : and i-mette him þere: he ladde him hom to is hous : and beot him sore i-novȝ, And bad him bringue hom þat catel : þat he er a-wei drovȝ. Þo he ne miȝhte habbe non oþur word : he bond him swiþe strongue; So þat þis guode man : in prisone lay ful longue. Atþe laste, þe ȝwyle is fader : out of toune gan i-wende, his Moder hadde reovþe of him : and brouȝte him out of bende. Þo he was out of bendes i-brouȝt : he ne bi-lefte no leng þer, he wende to þe Dich aȝein : fro ȝwannes he cam er. ¶ Þo þis housebonde cam hom : and ne founde him nouȝt þere, Swiþe sore he beot is wijf : and axede ȝware he were. To þe churche of seint Damian : þe housebonde wende þo, And fond þat tresor al-hol þere : ase he it hadde i-do. And sethþe he wende to þe Dich : and founde is sone þere. he axede at him for ȝwat þingue : þat tresor a-wei he bere; And þo he i-seiȝ al þen ende : þat he luyte þar-of rouȝte, he ladde Fraunceys forth with him : ant bi-fore þe Bischop him brouȝte, And bad, ȝif he alles wolde : þe worldes guod bi-leue, Þat he bi-fore þe Bischope þer : þat tresor up ȝeue. ¶ Seint Fraunceis with þulke worde : glad and Ioyful stod: Þare and bi-fore god he ȝaf up : al his eorþelich guod, And streopte of is cloþes : a-non to is bare liche And bi-fore þe Bischope tok is fader : and bad him beo guod and riche; he seide, "ich þe habbe fader i-cleoped : euere to þis day, And nouþe it is so feor i-come : þat non more i-ne may; Segge ich mot mi .pater-noster : heonne-forthþe-ward i-wis And to mi fader holde me : þat in heuene is." Nakede he wende fram is fader : bi-fore heom þare echon; Worldes guod aftur þulke tyme : ne bod he neuereft non. ¶ A seli vplondischse Man : þat nakede saiȝ him go, Gret deol in is heorte hadde : for is chele and for is wo: he ȝaf him ane olde Mantel : his bones þare-with to hele; Seint Fraunceis it vnder-feng : to witien him fram chele, his licame he heolede þare-with : and in myseise i-novȝ A-ȝen þare he was i-bore : to Asise he him drovȝ. ¶ Ase he hadde er i-beo so riche : and so wel was i-knowe, A beggare he cam a[n]d bad is mete : þere-aftur in a þrowe, Fram dore to dore he bad is mete : and wonede him þar-to; Some weren wroþe for is dedes : and no guod nolden him do. Of þe ordre of frere Menours : he ne made no-þing ȝuyte; he bi-gan in pouerte i-novȝ : and with luyte pruyte. ¶ Men of þe contreie weren : a-boute for-to a-mende Seint Damianes churche : þat al a-done-ward wende, Þare ase seint Fraunceys hadde i-beo : and tresor bi-left þere. Þo he ne miȝhte non oþur do : þe churche for-to a-rere, he wende þudere and sore swonk : and bar morter þar-to, And sethþe he eode and bad is mete : ȝwane he hadde al i-do. ¶ Ane churche sethþe of seint peter : men arerden elles-ȝ[w]are: Þis holie man in is miseise : wel sone he was þare And Morter and ston drouȝ þer-to : and sore swonk al-so, And sethþe eode and bad is mete : þo he hadde al i-do. Ȝwane he heorde of ani churche : þat ouȝwer was for-ta-rere, he wende þudere, and longue him þouȝte : are he were þere. ¶ To seinte Marie in desert : ate laste he wende wel stille And criede on ore louerd niȝht and day : þat he dude bi him is wille And þat he ȝeue him is grace þere : in ȝwat manere he best miȝhte his churche þat a-doneward was : best a-rere up and diȝhte. So þat god him ȝaf þe grace : þat he þare bi-gan Þe ordre of frere Menours : to saui mani a man. ¶ In þe bi-guynningue of þis ordre : ase ore louerd ȝef þat cas, Ane masse he i-heorde a day : þat of þe Apostles was; As man rat ȝuyt a-mong us : in þe godspelle it seide þo Þat ore louerd hiet is desciples : þo huy scholden a-boute go, Þat huy ne beren with heom gol[d] ne seluer : ȝwane huy wenden ouer lond, Ne baggue, ne tweie curtles noþur : ne schon, goinde with ouer londAshm. ne staf in hor hond— ¶ In þis manere ore louerd hiet : his Apostles gon. Þo seint Fraunceis i-heorde þis : he dude of is schon, And porueiȝede þat frere Menours : barefot scholden gon, With-oute bagge, with-oute staf : with-oute ani þing to spene— Bote ech frere Menour do al-so : he ne halt nouȝt is ordre, ich wene. In stude of is gurdel al-so : with rope he him bond— In þis manere frere Menours : scholden go ouer lond. ¶ Seint Fraunceis bi-þouȝte þus : to don þis holie dede And made þe ordre of frere Menours : al ase þe godspel sede. ¶ Bernard, þat was a guod scholer : formest to him cam And þe ordre of frere menours : of him formest he nam. he axede at him hov he scholde best : þe world clanliche for-sake. To seint Nicholas churche huy wenden : ane masse-bok huy gonne take. Þe bok was i-closed faste to : seint Fraunceis hine gan vndo, Al on-mundliche he on-dude þe bok : and þe furste þat he cam to Þat was a godspel þat seith : "ȝif þou wolt parfijt beo, Sul al þi guod and ȝif pouere men : and sethþe siwe me!" ¶ Al vn-Mundlingue he cam eft-sone : to a godspel þat seide : Þat man ne scholde seluer ne gold : bi þe weie lede. Þe þridde tyme al on-Mundlingue : þe masse-bok he wende : Þo cam he opon þis godspel : ase ore louerd him grace sende : "ho-so wole come after me : him-sulf he schal for-sake And is owene rode bere : and þene wei after me so take." ¶ "Þov i-fuxt here," quath seint Fraunceis : "hou ore louerd in a stounde Sent us grace ope ȝwuche þingue : we schullen þis ordre founde : Opon þeos þreo god-spelles, þov fuxt : þat we habbeth furst i-founde We schullen foundi al ore ordre : and opon þis strongue grounde." Opon þisMS. þis þis þreo godspelles he maudemaudre is ordre : and is riuleRyvle on the margin. for|sothþ— And þe frere Menor brekez is ordre : þat þare-aȝein ouȝt dothþ. ¶ Fre Gyles was þo þe ferste— : þat guod scoler hadde i-beo, Þat aftur frere Bernard þe ordre nam : and sethþe oþur þreo. So þat vnder heom alle sixe freres : to-gadere weren i-brouȝt. And þei þis ordre were i-maud : i-confermed nas heo nouȝt. ¶ Seint Fraunceys þe holie Man : þo god þe tyme sende, To confermi is ordre a-riȝht : toward Rome he wende. Ake swiþe sore he was of-drad : laste þe pope were Contrarious a-ȝein is Ordre : þat heo i-confermed nere. Ake forth he wende to fondi : he nolde nouȝt beo bi-hynde; And euere he bad Ihesu crist : þat he moste som grace finde. ¶ Þo þouȝte him in a wision : þat [he] i-saiȝ a gret treo, So heiȝ þat he was a-drad : toward þe coppe i-seo; And netheles on aunture he him dude : and nam þar-of a bovȝ Aboue in þe hexte stude : and toward him it drovȝ : hit beiȝ al a-doun to him : aftur is wille i-novȝ, For al þat him dradde furst : þat it was heiȝ and tovȝ. ¶ Þo þis holie man a-wok : on þis sweuene he þouȝte longue And þare-þoruȝ he hopede of þe pope : sum grace for-to afongue; For þe treo þat was so heiȝ : lijȝthtliche to grounde drovȝ, Also he hopede þene heiȝe pope : to is wille bringue i-novȝ. To þe pope Innocent : þo he to Rome cam, he bad graunti is Religion : to amendi cristindam, A[n]t þat he scholde is ordre preouen : and is Revle al-so Þoruȝ þe godspel of godes word : and þer-aftur do. ¶ Þo þe pope is Revle iseiȝ : þat heo was clene and guod, And ope þe godspelle i-founded al : ase he wel onder-stod, In is herte he grauntede it : ake nouȝt with is Mouth a-non, For he moste is cardinales : conseili þare-uppe ech-on. ¶ So þat a-Mong þis Cardinales : counseil þere was i-nome. Some heolden þare-aȝein : and also þare-with some. Þo was þer a Cardinal : þat Bischop was al-so, Maister Iohan of seint poul : þat faste heold þer-to And seide, "ȝif we destourbieth him : aȝein þe godspelle we beothþ, Ȝwane he spechut al vpe godes word : ase we wel i-seothþ." ¶ In Avisioun to þe pope : a-niȝht also it cam Þat he grauntede him is Reule : to saui cristindom. So þat þe pope grauntede him : al is Reule to do, And confermede þoruȝ al þe court : and bi-hiet him more þer-to. Þo wende forthþ þis holie Man : and is freres withþ him nam And prechede a-boute þe godspelles : to amendi cristindom. ¶ Þo þe contreiȝe i-seiȝ heom ferst : gret speche was þere, Some seiden þat Aunte-crist : oþur is desciples it were; So þat in wel manie studes : luyte guod men heom sende And huy weren ofte ofhungrede sore : ase huy a-boute wende. So þat huy comen into a stude : and ofhungrede weren sore, Þat some of þe freres hadden i-þouȝt : in þe ordre to beo non-more. Þo cam þere a wel fair man : and brouȝte heom mete i-novȝ— Sone huy nusten ȝware he bi-cam : ne ȝwoder-ward he drovȝ. Þis freres i-seiȝen fule þo : þat an Aungel it was : Þe studefastore in heore ordre : huy weren for þis cas And bi-hieten god þat huy nolden neuere : for miseise ne for wo In þe ordre bi heore miȝhte : pouerte fur-go. ¶ Bi-side þe toun of Asise : feor fram eche strete huy wenden alle to one stude : þat was al fur-lete. Miseyse huy hadden þare i-novȝ : and ofte wepen sore, For defaute of heore sustinaunce : and for defaute of bokes more. For huy ne hadde bokes none : ȝware-on huy miȝhten loke, In þe croiz huy bi-heolden al day : in-stude of heore boke, And beden godMS. guod, ȝif it were is wille : þat he scholde heom sum guod teche, For huy nadden non oþur bok : ne nusten ȝware-with any a-reche. ¶ To seinte Marie in desert : þannes huy gunne i-wiende, Ase huy bi-gunnen furst þe ordre : to bringue as þare to ende. Seint Fraunceis wende bi þe londe : and prechede a-boute þere. Men wenden, þo huy seiȝen him furst : þat of an oþur worlde he were; For he capede euere upward : toward heouene an heiȝ, Þat men wondreden and speken þar-of : euer-ech þat him i-seiȝ. Manie heolden him a truant : of þe deueles lore And harleden him here and þer : and ofte beten him sore. Þis holie man ne tok none ȝeme : ake criede ore louerdes ore, And ȝware men duden him mest schame : þudere he drovȝ þe more. ¶ Idel ne kepte he neuere beo : he ne louede no þin[g] so luyte Ne hatede so muche ase he dude Aise : and idelnesse and pruyte. "Frere Asse" he cleopede is owene flesch— : for ȝe wuten wel þat an Asse, Nabbe heo neuere so luyte mete : is trauail nis no þe lasse, For heo is i-harled here and þere : and to file weorke i-do, I-priked and i-scourget eke : and sackes heo berez al-so; Of ȝeomere þingue heo is i-fed : ȝwane heo alles comez þar-to, And selde heo is i-coureyd wel : with-ovte nail an scho. ¶ He seruede so is owene flesch : and cleopede it "frere Asse": Mete he ȝaf him luyte i-nov : and to cloþingue wel lasse; he prikede also and scourgede ek : and þoruȝ-out þe contreiȝe harlede it and deope wod : bare-fot in deope weye. Ȝwane he i-saiȝ ani idel Man : þat louede glotonie And ne trauailede nouȝt for is mete : he cleopede him "frere flie": For þe flie ne doth non oþur guod : bote fleoth feor and neor And a-waytez ȝwane men goth to mete : oþur to heore soper; A-non so þe Disch is i-set a-doun : heo wole beo ope þe brerde— Of trauail ne wo ne kep[t]hþ heo nouȝt : bote þat heo wel ferde; ¶ Ȝwane a Man hath al dai i-swounke : þei he it hadde i-swore, he ne schal to is Disch come so sone : þat þe flie nele beo bi-fore. ¶ Also farez manie idele Men : þat non oþer guod nelleth do, Bote ȝwanne oþur Men beth to-ward þe mete : ȝare huy beth þar-to; Atþe Dische huy wollez al-so sone beo : ase huy þat habbez i-swounke, And þanne is al heore weork i-do : habben huy i-ȝete and i-dronke; Þanne gothþ huy ligge slepe : oþur gothþ to some folie. Þare-fore seint Fraunceys cleopede : swuche men "frere flie". ¶ Of noþing nas þis holie man : so glad ase of edwijȝt: For ȝwane ani Man opbraid is pouerte : he was in gret deliȝt; Ȝwane Men cleopeden him hoxtare : oþur cheorl oþur cheorles sone— For port-Men beoth ofte boistouse : and hoxtares bi wone— "leue broþer," he seide : "certes, þov seist sothþ, I-blessed beo þou for þat word : and alle þat so dothþ! Presesr. Perses (Ash. Peres) sone Bernard : it bi-comethþ bi riȝthe lawe To heore telle of is riȝhte : ich auchȝte beo glad and fawe." And ȝwane men preiseden ouȝt of is cuynde : he nadde þare-of no deliȝt. Þare-fore ho-so wolde him paye : segge him sum edwiȝt; And bi-fore al folk a-brod : in is prechingue he seide his Miseise and is defaute : ofte and is wrechhede.— ¶ In poyle seint Fraunceis ȝeode : some time ouer lond, So þat a porsful of panes : bi þe weie he fond; he ne tok non more ȝeme þare-to : þane to so muche fen. his felawe bad him nimen heom up : and dele pouere men. "I nelle nouȝt," seide seint Fraunceis : "of oþur mannes dele." "Me þunchez," seide is felawe þo : "þat þov nart nouȝt fele, Þat þou ne louest nouȝt pouere men : ȝwane þou nelt heom don no guod." Þis holie man i-heorde þis : and one ȝwile in þouȝte stod; ¶ "Þou schalt," he seide, "sone i-seo : ȝ[w]at þis panes beoth ech-on." he wende and nam up þat pors : and openede him a-non: Þo crep þare out a naddre : þe fouleste þat miȝhte gon, And þe pors al amti was : and peni bi-lefte non; And þat was þe Deuel of helle : þat in þe fourme of panes lay, For-to bi-traye þis holie man : ȝwane he þe panes i-saiȝ. ¶ Þis holie Man seint Fraunceis : among ech manere best Muche he louede ȝoungue lambre : and a-nourede heom euere mest, For ore louerd euenede him-sulf to a lomb : þoruȝ seint Iohan þe Baptist, And for it is with-oute felonie : and milde ase ihesu crist; And ofte ȝwane men wolden heom quelle : fram deþe he heom brouȝte With biddingue and with is faire word : and fale siþes heom bouȝte. ¶ In þe Abbeye of seint verecunde : a ȝoung lomb he founde, A souwe a-strangli it a-non : and fret it in a stounde. Seint Fraunceis stod and bi-heold : "A-mong alle bestes," he seide, "A-corsed þou beo, luþere souwe : þat dudest þis luþere dede; Þat þi lijf beo schort and strong : and þi dethþ beo strong al-so, And þat no þing ne ete of þi flesch : ȝwane þou ert of liue i-do!" Þo bi-gan þe souwe a-non : ase he þis word seide, To beo ful of schabbe and of buyles : and of oþur wrechhede, Þat heo orn out al of quiture : and ase þat folk i-saiȝ, In wrechhede and in sorewe inov : heo deide þane þridde day, And fur-rotede and stonk foule i-novȝ. : no best þat it i-seiȝ, Rauon ne pie no oþur foul : nolde enes come þare-neiȝ. ¶ For seint Fraunceis louede lambreorig. lombre : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ, On of is freond for godes loue : a lomb him ȝef a dayȝ. Þis lomb wolde old and ȝoung : al dai neiȝ him beo And maken with him Ioye i-nouȝ : ȝwanne it him miȝhte i-seo. Seint Fraunceis hiet þis schep a day : ȝwanne it heorde freres singue, To churche gon at eche tide : and ne lete for none þingue. Þat schep aftur þulke time : selde wolde a-bide, Ȝwane hit i-heorde freres in þe queor : þat hit nas at eche tide; Blete it wolde a-ȝenes heom : for it ne couþe nouȝt elles do; And ȝwane it saiȝ þe freres sitten a-kneo : kneuli it wolde al-so, And ȝwane ani preost sacrede : kneoli it wolde þar-to And wel inwardliche bi-holde þudere : ase it saiȝ oþur freres do. Wel auȝte we onouri þe sacringue : ȝwane a swuch best wolde! A wonder bede-man it was : to come to godesA later hand adds: seruice so bolde! ¶ Ase seint Fraunceis þis holie man : ouer lond ofte him drouȝ, Wilde foules, smale and grete : honoureden him i-novȝ. For ase he wende in atyme : to prechie ouer lond, An hep of foules grete i-novȝ : In a stude he fond; huy songuen and maden noyse i-nov : euerech in is wise; Þe ȝuyt þe holie man a-mong heom cam : huy nolden nouȝt enes arise. ¶ "Beu frere," quath þis holie Man : "ore sustren þat beoth here honourieth god þat heom made : ech in his manere; Riȝht is þat we don also : are we fram heom gon." huy gonne to segge heore tidene : among þis foules ech-on. Þo maden þis foules so gret noise : þat huy ne miȝhten noþing i-here. "Sostrene," quath þis holie Man : "chaungiez eouwer manere, Beothþ nouþe stille and latehþ me segge : mine tidene with mi frere, And sethþe ȝe mouwen aftur us : euer-ech with is fere." ¶ Þis foules a-non-riȝht to is heste : stille weren al-so And seten and heorden heore tidene : for-to huy hadden al ido. "Nou sustren," quath þis holie man : "we habbuthþ i-seid ore tide, Bi-guynnez ouwer ȝwane ȝe wollez : ȝe ne þoruen no leng abide." Þis foules bi-gonne singue anon : þe leste and eke þe meste— Swiþe gret pouwer he hadde of god : þat foules weren at is heste! ¶ Þis holie man wende him forth : to prechi ouer lond: A gret hep eft-sone of foules : in on oþur stude he fond. he wende forthþ a-mong heom. : þis foules bi-gonne echon Louten to him wel mildeliche : and honouri him a-non. Þis holie Man at-stod ane ȝwile : and þouȝte heom sum guod teche, And riȝht ase it weren men of witte : þis foules he gan to preche: ¶ "Leoue sostrene," he seide, "for godes loue : honouriethþ ore creatur, For a-mong alle liues : ȝe auȝten him don honour: For he ȝifht eov nobleie i-nouȝ : wynguene for-to fleo, And feþerene to beren eov up-on heiȝ : wide for-to seo, And mete ȝware ȝe wollez a-liȝhte : with-oute eche-manere suynche, he ȝifth eov also muche pruyte and ayse : ase ȝe mouwen onne þenche; Delue ne diki ne þorue ȝe naþur : ase manie Men moten do, And ȝeot ȝe mouwen habbe mete i-novȝ : ȝwane oþere nabbeth nouȝt so." ¶ Þis foules heorkeneden him wel stille : þe ȝwile is prechingue i-laste, And fram wodes and fram oþur studes : þuder-word drowen faste. Þo þis holie man hadde i-do : he wende forth a-non And bi-teiȝte heom ihesu crist : and blessede heom ech-on; he pleide with heom murie i-nouȝ : ase he among heom gan gon,These vv. are out of order. And strokede heom with is longue fleue. : þere nolde a-rise nouȝt on, Are he wolde bidden heom wende forth : ȝware huy hadden to done. Þis foules, þo huy heorden þis : huy flouwen forth wel sone. ¶ Seint Fraunceis a-mong al oþur þingue : riȝht at is heorte grounde Ofte he þouȝte deope i-novȝ : of ore louerdes wounden; So studefast-liche in is þouȝt : non oþur þing he ne nam. hit bi-feol at þe holie rode-tid : þat a-ȝein Miȝhel-Masse cam, Opon þe hul of Auuerne : ase it was ore louerdes wille, Al one in is oresones : þere he lai wel stille, he þouȝte on ore louerdes woundene : so deope þat it nas non ende: An Aungel he i-saiȝ an heiȝ : riȝht fram heouene wiende, ¶ Six wingene him þouȝte he hadde : þat schinden briȝhte and wide, Þe tweie stoden up a-bouen is heued : and þe tweien bi is side, And þoruȝ-out ouer is wombe a-creoyz : tweien þere weren al-so, Ase men seothþ ofte in churche depeint : ho-so lokethþ þare-to; Þe Armes weren a-long i-sprad : ase huy weren on þe rode, And þe fet i-streitht a-long : al vrninde a-blode, Þoruȝ þe riȝht side he was i-smite : and þoruȝ fet and honde: hit was in fourme of an Aungel : ore louerd, ich onder-stonde. ¶ So gret Ioye hadde þis holie Man : of þis noble siȝhte Þat him þouȝte he was in an oþur world : and þonkede godes miȝhte; he nuste ȝwat for Ioye do : þe ȝwyle he þis fourme i-seiȝh. At þe laste he fleuȝ a-ȝein : in-to heouene an heiȝh. Seint Fraunceis was in Ioye i-nouȝ : for he hadde þat noble siȝth, And nameliche of ore louerdes wounden : þat he wilnede daiȝ and nyȝht. Þo bi-heold he is owene hondene : and is fiet al-so: Þo weren huy þoruȝ-out i-smite : and þe nailes þar-on i-do, And is riȝht side i-wounded al-so— : ake wel sore neren huy nouȝt; So þat he hadde þe woundene him-sulf : þat so muche weren in is þouȝt. ¶ Þe nailes weren blake i-nouȝ : þe hauedene rounde and grete, Þe poyntes weren euelongue : ase huy weren a-ȝei[n]ward-i-bete; Aboute þe nailes þat flesch stod up : ase it were al-to-swolle And ase it al a-boute were : for Anguyse to-bolle. In þis manere we mouwen beo sikere : þat ore louerdes woundene were— For bote ase a schewingue and Ansaumple : in seint Fraunceyse huy nere. So þat þis holie man hadde : ore louerdes woundene fiue; And bi-lefden on him aftur-ward : þe ȝwile he was a-liue. At þe holie rode-tid in Septembre : he gan furst þis þing i-seo; Ac ope þe hulle he hadde er : neiȝ a monþe i-beo, And fourtene niȝt þare-aftur-ward : he bi-lefte ȝuyt þere; So þat euene vnder al : fourti dawes þere were. ¶ Ase Moyses opon synay : was bi olde dawe Fourti daiȝes in priuete : to seon þe olde lawe, Also was þis holie Man : fourti dawes riȝht Opon þe hulle of Auuerne : to seo þat holie siȝht. So þat Aboute Miȝhelmasse : furst he wende to grounde; Ac he hudde is fet and hondene faste : þat Men ne i-seiȝen þe wounde. With þe woundene he liuede two ȝer : and prechede a-boute wide, And þe woundene ornen ofte a-blode : and nameliche of is side, And bi-bledde is cuyrtel ofte : and is briech al-so; he carede muche hou he miȝhte : stilleliche it a-wei do.— ¶ Sethþe þare cam in þe londe : a swyþe strong qualm of orue, Þat schep and reoþeren and oþur bestes : aldai leiȝen a-storue. A guod Man þat hadde muchel orf : bad ore louerd wel faste Þat he ne bi-nome him nouȝt al is guod : ake þat som him moste i-laste. Slepinde in ametingue : to him seide þoruȝom. þoruȝ? godes sonde Þat he scholde nime of þat watur : þat seint Fraunceis wusch inne is honde Oþur is fet and þere-with : a-mong þe bestes sprenge, And, ȝif him þouȝte þare were to luyte : with oþur watur it Mienge. ¶ Þis guode Man þare-afturward : a-waitede is point ofte And stal of þis watur stilleliche : in huydeles wel softe, And spreinde a-mong is owene orf : and a-mong oþure mani on: And oueral þare it was i-spreind : huy weren hole ech-on.— ¶ Seint Fraunceis was frere Menour : in þe ordre twenti ȝer, And two ȝer and al-mest þreo wyke : ore louerdes woundene he ber, So þat he drouȝ to-ward þe deþe : and feblischede ful swiþe faste. On him nas nouȝt bote fel and bon : bi-leued atþe laste. In torment he was strong i-novȝ : and ȝwane he was in worst stounde, his lene bones he wolde drawe : a-ȝein þe harde grounde, For-to make þe more is pine : and þe eorþe he custe al-so And þonkede god of alle guode : þat he him hadde i-do. he lay sijk and deide sone : seint Fraunceis þe holie man In ore leuedi churche : þare he furst þe ordre bi-gan. ¶ Þo he was þe deþe neiȝ : naked he liet him do, And to þe harde vrþe al bar : al nakede he lay so, And het heom þat a-boute him were : þat aftur þulke stounde huy leten him ligge longue also : nakede on þe grounde, Þat eorþe miȝhte on eorþe deiȝe : for þat were is riȝhte. he bi-gan to prechi is breþren : ope is feble miȝhte. ¶ Atþe laste, þo he þene dethþ i-saiȝ : and i-felde hine ful strongue, "Voce mea" he bi-gan : one saume of euesongue, And seide forthþ þe saume al out : and heold up is hondene heiȝe, And with þe laste word of þe saume : he bi-gan to deiȝe. he deide tweolf hundred ȝer : and sixe and twenti riȝht Aftur ore louerdes burtime : on a satur-day at niȝht. Þe sonendai he was i-bured— : he ne ferde nouȝt ase þis riche Þat for bobaunt of þe world : liggethþ longue a-liche. ¶ Þo þis holie man was ded— : þei it were bi niȝhte, A gret hep of lauerkene : opon þe churche a-liȝhte And murie sounguen al þe longue niȝht : a-boute þe bodie þere, Þo þe soule to heouene wende : aȝein kuynde þei it were— For þe lauerke is a foul : þat muche louez liȝht And herethþ þane dai with hire song : and restez hire a-niȝht. Aȝein kuynde huy sounguen þere : ase þei huy hadden in muynde hou muche he was anoured er : of foules a-ȝein hore kuynde. ¶ Frere Austyn, þat was ministre : under him i-do, Þo þis holie man was ded : atþe deþe he lai al-so In þe londe of labour[Terra di Lavoro] : þat feor was þare-bi-side. Wel longue he lai speche-les : þene dethþ forto a-bide, And riȝht ase seint Fraunceis deide : feor in an oþur londe, Þis frere Austin spac wel mildeliche : and heold up is two honden : "Abijd, broþur," he seide, "ane ȝwyle : ich come with þe a-non." his freres axeden him ȝwat it were— : for heom wondrede ech-on. ¶ "Bote frere Fraunceis," he seide, "ore fader : i-brouȝt hath is lif to ende And is nouþe toward heouene : and with him i-chulle wende." With þis word he gan deiȝe : and is soule al in pes To þe Ioye of heouene wende : with is maister seint Fraunceis, And þare huy [beoth] boþe : in Ioye with-outen ende. Nou god for þe loue of seint Fraunceis : late us alle þudere wende. AmeN. ¶ Vita sancti Albani.19 Albon. SEint Albon þe holie Man : was here of Enguelonde, I-martred he was for godes loue : þoruȝ Iesu cristes sonde. Formest he was heþene man : and of heþene men he cam, And sethþe, ase ore louerd it wolde : he tornede to cristindom. ¶ Þe luþere prince þat was þo : dioclician, And an oþur þat was al so : þat heiȝte Maximian, Cristine men þat huy miȝhten i-wite : huy brouȝten alle to grounde; In eche londe huy lieten heom seche : ȝware huy miȝhten beon i|founde, And to strongue deþe heom duden : swiþe manie and fale; huy ne spareden none þat huy miȝhten finde : noþur grete ne smale. ¶ A luþur Iustise þat with heom was : to enguelonde he cam, To Martri alle cristine men : and destruyen cristindom. A clerk, a guod cristine man þat was : heorde it telle wide Of tormens þat huy duden oþur men : he ne dorste no long a-bide, Ake he fleuȝ elles-ȝwodere : þat he i-Martred nere; To seint Albones house he cam : and bad is In þere. ¶ Seint Albon, þe ȝwile he with him was : a-waitede and i-saiȝ hov he was in is oresones : boþe niȝht and daiȝ: he þouȝte þat he was a fol : þat he was heþene so longue, he gan to leue on Ihesu crist : and cristinedom ta-fongue. ¶ Þe Iustise þane clerk liet seche : so þat it was i-kud hou at seint Albones house : with him he was i-hud. Kniȝhtes he sende to fechchen him : ȝif he i-founde were. To seint Albon huy comen : and echsten after him þere.[This v. is written on the margin; v. 25-6 are spurious.] huy comen and founden seint Albon : and axeden him a-non Ȝweþur ani swuch þere were. : "for gode," quath þis holie man, "For gode," seide þis guode Man : "I nelle it nouȝt for-sake, A swuch Man ich am mi-seolf : I nelle eou non oþur take." ¶ "A, þeof," seiden þis luþere men : "artþou i-come þar-to, Ȝwane þou wolt for þat strongue þef : to deþe beo i-do?" Þis holie man huy bounden faste : and to þe Iustise him brouȝte, And tolden him þat he pulte him forth : for þat oþur þef þat huy souȝten. ¶ "Bel ami," quath þe Iustise : "seie ȝwat is þi name And of ȝwat kunne þou art i-come : þat ore godes dost schuchr. swuch schame." "To þis Axingue," quath seint Albon : "ichulle answerie sone. Of ȝwat kunne ich am i-come : luyte þou hast to-done; Alban is mi name, i-wis : and ich honori al-so God þat schop alle þing : and euere-more wolle do." ¶ "A, traitur," quath þe Iustise : "artþou i-come þar-to, I schal don tormenti þi bodi : fram heued to þin ho. hastþou i-hud þane þef at-hom : þat doth us so muche schame, And pulst forthþ þi-self, þor. þou cheitif : to deþe in his name: Anoure ore godes, ich rede, a-non : and heom sacrefise, Oþur ichulle þe tormenti so : þat men schullen of þe agrise." "For nouȝt þou spext," quath Albon : "þar-aboute þou spillest þi brethþ, I-nelle neuere þene deuel honoure : for drede of þe dethþ." ¶ Þo was þe Iustise swyþe wroth : þane holie man he nam, Nakede, andal. he liet him faste binde : and ȝaf him sone is dom: With schourges he made is tormentours : leggen on him i-nowe. On him huy leiden þat huy werie weren : and al is bodi to-drowe. Þe harde scourgene in is tendre flechs : deope gonne wade; Þe more þat huy tormenteden him : þe gladdore he him made; [53-4 added in L.]he þonkede god þat he moste : þare for is loue To þe stat of cristindom : þoruȝ is torment come. ¶ þo þe luþere Iustise i-saiȝ : þat it was al for nouȝt, Þat he ne miȝhte fram Iesu crist : for no-þing torne is þouȝt, he hiet him lede with-oute toun : and is heued smite of sone. I-redie weren þe tormentours : for-to do is bone, huy harleden him wel filliche : þat schame it was to se, For-to huy comen to þulke stude : þare he scholde i-martred be. huy comen to an vrninde brok : þere huy mosten ouer wade: [63-4 added in L.]Þe tormentores woden ouer al a-brod : and no strencþe þar-of ne maden. ¶ Ake ore louerd for seint Albones loue : dude miracle þere, A-non so þe schrewe tormentores : ouer i-wade were: For þo þis holie Man to watere cam : þat watur him with-drouȝ And ouer þe broke made ane wei : druyȝe and clene i-nouȝ, þat he wende ouer al-so druyȝe : ase it a-londe were; And euere þat watur bi-hinden him : smot to-gadere þere And cam al a-ȝein ase it was er : þo he cam to londe. Louerd, muche is þi miȝhte : ho-so him wole onder-stonde! ¶ þe maister of þe tormentores : to ȝwam he was bi-take, Þo he i-saiȝ þe faire miracle : þene deuel he gan fur-sake, [73-4 spurious.]And seide he wolde to Ihesu crist : al is heorte wende, For þe Miracle þat he þare i-saiȝ : þat so fair was and hende; his sweord þat he on honde bar : wel feor fram him he caste And to seint Albones fet he feol a-doun : and criede him merci faste, Þat he moste for him deiȝe : oþur, bote it oþur were, Þat he moste in þe place : þene dethþ a-fongue þere. ¶ Opon an hul huy wenden an heiȝ : ase huy weren a-signet to Þis holie Man seint Albon : to þe deþe do. Seint Albon wilnede aftur watur : þare ope þe hulle on heiȝ; he bi-heold þat þare ne miȝhte : no watur come þare neiȝ: Ore louerd he bad with guode heorte : þat he sende is grace Þat som water moste to him come : in þat ilke place. [85-6 added in L.]Ore louerd heorde is bone : þare anon-riȝhte bi-fore alle þe tormentores : in heore alre siȝhte: ¶ For þo he hadde i-seid is oresun : and ore louerd i-bede, Þare sprong out of þat heiȝe [hul] : a fair welle in þulke stude, Of al-so guod water ase ani miȝhte beo— : þat ȝuyt lastethþ, ich wene. Euere was þo and al-so nouþe : ore louerdes miȝhte i-sene. Þis guode kniȝht þat bi-liefde on god : for þat he seiȝ er, Wel more he criede þo on him : for þulke miracle þer, And wilnede ȝeorne þat he moste : for him deiȝe þere. So þat in ore louerdes name : Imartrede boþe huy were. ¶ Ake þe tormentour þat smot of : seint Albones heued, Luyte he þorte þar-of ȝelpe : him were betere habbe bi-leued: For þo he smot of is heued : riȝht in þulke stounde his owene eyȝene out of is heued : þare riȝht fullen to grounde. Louerd, muche is þi miȝhte : ho-so him wole onder-stonde, Ase men mouwe bi is wiþer-wine : godes miȝhte fonde.g. m. f. on the mar|gin; puyrliche onder-stonde ex|punged. Seint Albon i-martred was : here in Enguelonde Bi-side ane toune þat widincestre : men cleopeden, ich onder-stonde. Þare is nouþe a churche a-rerd : and a gret Abbeye al-so, Þat men cleopieth seint Albones : ase he was to deþe i-do. Bidde we ȝeorne Ihesu crist : and seint Albon wel faste Þat we moten to þe Ioye come : þat euere schal i-laste. 20 Wolston SEint Wolston, bischop of wyrecestre : was here of engelonde, Swiþe holi man he was al is lif : ase ich me vnder-stonde. Þe ȝwile he was a ȝong child : clene lif he ladde i-novȝ; Ȝwane oþur children ornen to pleiȝe : toward churche he drouȝ. Seint Edward was kyng þo : þat nouþe in heouene is; And þe bischop of wyricestre : briȝttey heiȝte, i-wis. Of þis bischop Briȝtei : seint wolston is ordre nam, Ech aftur oþur, ase it fel : so þat he preost bi-cam. Þe bischop vnder-feng him sethþe : and Monek him makede i-wis In þe priorie of wiricestre : þat noble hous and gret is. Swyþe wel is ordre he heold : in þat priorie And al is wille was for-to payȝe : god and seinte Marie. In none bedde he nolde come : ake, ȝwane oþere ȝeoden þar-to, bi-fore on auter he wolde go : his oresones for-to do; Ȝwane þe dede slep him ouer-eode : þat he ne miȝte no leng gon, his heued he wolde legge a-doun : opon þe harde ston, Ope one grece bifore þe Auter : oþur is bok þare-vnder do, And liggen ane stounde in dweole Miengyngue— : al is slep scholde beon so. he nolde þreo dawes in þe wyke : no-þing eten with-alle, Ne no word speken bote his beden : for nouȝt þat miȝte bi-falle; þe oþur dawes wel luytel he spak : and wel luytel he eat al-so, bote it were a luyte potage— : holde he wolde him þer-to. So longue he leouede at wirecestre : in þat holie lijf wel stille, Þat he was imaked prior of þat hous : muche a-ȝein is wille. his Couent he wuste swyþe wel : and to alle guodnesse hem drouȝ; Of god and alle guode men : loue he hadde i-nouȝ. Þe prior[ie]MS. prior of wyricestre : seint oswold bi-gan er, Þat was bi-fore seint Wolston : neiȝ ane hondred ȝer; And þat he hadde er bi-gonne : þe oþur fulfulde, i-wis, So þat þoruȝ heore beire dede : strong weork and heiȝ þare is. Ase þis holie Man seint wolston : in a tyme liet a-rere A bel-hous of swiþe strong weork : bellen to hanguy þere, And Machouns a-boue and bi-nethe : þare a-boute were, Bi laddren cloumben up and doun : and þat weork bi-twene al bere, A man þare clemb up bi one laddre : an þo he was up on heiȝ Fram eorþe mo þane fourti fet : ase al þat folk i-seiȝ, Dounward he ful, ase he mis-stap— : Men weren sore a-gaste. Seint wolston stod and bi-heold : hou he was a-dounward faste: he made þe signe of þe croyz : ase he feol to-ward þe grounde: harmles he feol and hol man i-novȝ : his limes weren hole and sounde, And a-ros up and dude is weork : ase him no-þing nere. Louerd, muche is þi miȝte : and þat þou cuddest wel þere, Þat [he] so harde fram so heiȝe feol : and of eche harme was sker; Þou art a louerd þat wonderes dest : ase seith þe sauter. ¶ Hit bi-feol so þat briȝtey : þe Bischop of wyricestre, was ded: A clerk was bischop after him : þat Men cleopeden aldred, Þat seint wolston louede wel : and he louede him al-so— For ech guod man wole louien oþur : it were elles vuele i-do. Sethþe it bi-fel þat þe Erchebischop : of Euerwicke was ded: Erchebischop huy maden þar : þene bischop aldred, And þe bischopriche of wiricestre : vacaunt was and lere : Seint wolston was sone i-chose : and bischop i-maked þere. Bischop him made þe holie man : seint Edward þe king, And a-feng him in his dignete : and tok him is staf and ring. his bischopriche he wuste wel : and also is priorie, And a-forcede him to serui wel : god and seint Marie. Four ȝer he hadde bischop i-beo : and nouȝt fulliche fiue þo seint Edward þe holie kyng : wende out of þis liue. Gret reuþe it was to al engelond : so weilawei þe stounde! For straunge men þere comen sethþe : and brouȝten enguelond to grounde. ¶ Harold was þo riȝhtest eyr : for non oþur þere nas; Þe croune he bar of Enguelonde : ȝwuche ȝwile so it was. For willame Bastard, þat was þo : Eorl in Noremaundie, Þouȝte to winne Enguelond : þoruȝ strencþe and tricherie: om.he let him greiþi folk i-nouȝ : and gret poer with [him]1 nam And with gret strencþe in-to þe se he him dude : and to Enguelonde he cam. he liet ordeinie is fierd wel : and is banere up arer[d]e, And destruyde and nam al þat he fond : and þat folk sore a-ferde. ¶ Harold heorde herof telle : þe king of Enguelonde: he liet greiþie faste is ost : a-ȝein him for-to stonde. Þe baronie of Enguelonde : redi was wel sone Þe king to helpe and heom-sulue : ase riȝht was for-to done. Þe weorre was þo in Enguelonde : deolful and strong i-novȝ, And eyþur of oþeres Men : al-to grounde a-slouȝ. ¶ No strencþe ne hadden þis straunge men : þat were i-come so newe, Aȝeinest heom of enguelonde : þe ȝwyle huy wolden beo trewe. Ake alas þe muchele tricherie : þat þo was, and ȝeot is, þat brouȝte þo Enguelond : al-to grounde i-wis! For þe englische barones bi-comen some : on-treowe and false also To bi-traiȝe heom-seolf and heore kyng : þat so muche heom truste to. ¶ Þis Noremauns and þis Englische men : ane dai of bataile huy nome, Þare ase þe Abbeie of þe bataille is : ate daye to-gadere huy come, To grounde huy smiten and slowen al-so. : ake alas þulke stounde, Þat Enguelond was þoruȝ tresoun : þare i-brouȝt to grounde! For þulke þat þe king truste to : failleden him wel faste; So þat he was bi-neoþe i-brouȝt : and ouer-come atþe laste And to grounde i-brouȝt, and alle his : and al Enguelond also, In-to vnecouþe mannes honde : þat no riȝht ne hadden þar-to; And neuer-eft [it] ne cam a-ȝein : to riȝhte Eyres none— Vnkuynde Eyres ȝeot huy beothþ : ore kingues echone, And neiȝh-ȝwat alle þis heiȝe Men : and of þe loȝwe al-so. For willam liet [him] crouni king : þo þe bataile was al i-do, And bi-sette al enguelond : with men of oþere londe— Neuereft to is cuynde heritage : ne cam it, ich onder-stonde. ¶ Þis willam bastard, þat was king : sethþe him onder-stod Þat he mid vnriȝhte hadde i-sched : mani ane mannes blod: And þare as þe bataille was : ane Abbeiȝe he liet a-rere, Þat "þe Abbeie of þe bataille" is i-cleoped : þat wel noble stand ȝeot þere; for heore soulene he as liet a-rere : þat he with vnriȝhte þare a-slouȝ; Ake euere he heold forth þe kynedom : of enguelonde with wouȝ. ¶ Ake sone so he was king i-mad : and al enguelond bi-sette, Ase he wolde, with straunge men : and no man ne miȝhte him lette, Þis holie Bischop seint wolston : wel ofte him withseide Þat he with on-riȝhte hadde i-do : a swuch luþer dede, And spac a-ȝein him baldeliche : and ne sparede for no drede— For he was þo þe cuyndeste englische man : þat was of enie manhede, And for alle oþure weren deseritede neiȝh. : þe king was with heomr. him wrothþ Þat he was so luyte a-drad of him : and swor a-non is othþ To pulte him out of is bischopriche. : he liet [him] somoune al-so To westmunstre, to answerien him : of þat he him hadde mis-do. ¶ Nou nas nouȝt seint wulston : wel gret clerk in lore— For þo he scholde to scole gon : to churche he ȝeode wel more. To westmunstre he cam to is day : ase he was i-somoned er. Þe king was in grete wrathþe : wel prest to kepe him þer, And þe bischop of Caunterburi : lanfranc was is name, And þe bischop gondolf of Roucestre : alle to don him schame. Seint wolston bi-fore heom cam : þat a-ȝein him weren so strongue Ase a þeof bi-fore Iustise : his dom to vnder-fongue. ¶ Þe king and þe Erchebischop al-so : speken to him wordes grete, Þat he scholde, ase he wuyrþe was : is bischop-riche lete; For-to holden swuch dignete : to luyte he couþe of lore, And huy him hadden to longue i-þoled : And þo nolden huy nonmore, And grete foles huy weren þat swuch a fol : formest brouȝte in swch miȝhte, And ȝif he was folliche onder-fongue : huy wolden don him out with riȝhte. ¶ Seint wolston stod wel mildeliche : and herknede al þat huy sede— Nadde he noman bote god : to his answere him rede. "Sires," he seide, "riȝht it is : þat ich eoure heste do, For, sire king, þou art mi souerein : and þer. þu erchebischop al-so. Þe Croce ich habbe ȝare i-bore : þat ȝe i-seothþ here, lo, A-knowe ich am and wel ich wot : þat i-nam nouȝt wuyrþe þer-to; Ȝwane ȝe wollez þat ich as bi-leue : ase man þat vnwurþe is, Wel fain i-chulle eouwer heste do : ase mine souereines, i-wis. Vn-bouȝhsome to holie churche : i-wis i-nelle be nouȝt: To ȝelden hire up ase ȝe me hotez : ich habbe as here i-brouȝt. ¶ Ake, for ȝe ne token as me nouȝt : I nelle eou take non, Ake him þat as me bi-tok : bi-fore eov euerech-on: Þe guode Man þat as me bi-tok : ȝeonde he lijthþ wel stille, Ich as wulle him taken up : and þanne ich do eoure wille." ¶ To seint Edwardes toumbe he wende : þat was of Marbre-ston, Ar. and? nam up is croiz wel mildeliche : and smot þe point þar-on. Þe staf wende into þe marbreston : ase it were in nesche sonde, And þo heo was inne deope i-nouȝ : þe guode Man hine liet stonde. "Nou," he seide, "ich him habbe bi-take : him þat as tok me And bi-fore eov here : i-ȝollden op þe dignete. Takez as nouþe ȝwam ȝe wollez : som þat bet beo in lore, And habbez guod dai nouþe euerech-one—; ȝe ne mouwen esche me non-more." ¶ Þis holie Man wende forth : a-mon[g] heom alle wel softe. Þat folk stod ase it were i-nome : and bi-heolden þe croce wel ofte, hou heo stod in þe Marbre-ston : so deope and so faste; Of þe Miracle heom wondrede alle : and some weren sore a-gaste, Some wenden þar-to sone : þe croce up for-to drawe: Þare nas non so strong of heom : þat miȝhte hire enes wawe. huy porueiden er sire Gondolf : bischop of roucestre, Þat he scholde aftur seint wolston : beon Bischop of wirecestre: ¶ Þe Erchebischop aros him up : to saisi þe croiz a-non, Þe Bischop of Roucestre wel baldeliche : þudere-ward gan gon, Þe croiz he nam and faste he drouȝ : in þe Marbre-ston: he ne miȝhte hire nouȝt enes wawien. : þat folk wondrede ech-on, And þare-a-boute wel þicke ornen : þat wonder for-to seo. Þo þe king and þe Erchebischop i-seiȝen : þat non oþur it ne miȝhte beo, heom of-þouȝte heore dede : and after seint wolstan sende, And þat huy wolden in faire manere : heore trespas a-mende. ¶ Þe Messagers i-redie weren : and aftur him sone wenden. Ȝeot þis holie Man for al þe gult : is heorte to heom bende, And seide, "ich mot nede do : mine souereines wille;" To court he wende a-ȝein to heom : wel mildeliche and stille. Þo he was to court i-come : huy a-risen a-ȝein him þere, Þe king and þe Erchebischop al-so : and oþere þat þare were; With gret honur huy cleopeden him forthþ : and for-ȝiuenesse him bede, And boden a-mendi a-ȝein him : al heore grete misdede, And beden him nime a-ȝein is croce : and don bi heore rede, For he was bet wuyrþe þare-to : þane ani oþur, huy seide. ¶ "Nai certes, sires," quath seint wolston : "þat nere me nouȝt to do: Ich wot wel þat ȝe seiden soth : þat i-nam nouȝt wuyrþe þare-to; Ake nimeth ȝwam eower wille be : an oþur þat conne more." Þe kyng and þe Erchebischop also : beden him milce and ore And seiden þat þere nas non oþur : þat so wuyrþe were þare-to. Longue it was are þis holie man : wolde heore wille dodo added later.; Ake, for-to obeien is souereins : he wende forth atþe laste And nam þe croce wel mildeliche : þare he stikede hire er so faste. ¶ Also liȝhtliche ase ani-þing : þe croce he gan up drawe Þat so mani men fondeden er : and ne miȝhten hire enes wawe. Þicke orn þat folk a-bouten him : and no wonder it nas! Þe miracle was sone wide i-kud : þat so apert was. Men anoureden þis holie Man : al-so muche ase huy miȝhte. his power þat him was er bi-nome : he tok aȝein with riȝhte; A-ȝein to is bischopriche : with gret honour he him drouȝ; his Couent vnder-feng him faire : with grete nobleiȝe i-nouȝ. ¶ Þis holie Man ladde al is lif : swyþe faire and clene. Sijknesses þare weren wel fewe : þat man wolde him offe mene, Þat he ne brouȝte to hele a-non : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace; Sike men wel þicke comen : to him in eche place, Deue and doumbe and blinde al-so : he helde þoruȝ godes grace Ȝwane huy comen to him : ouȝwere in ani place. So longue he leouede on eorþe here : þat he was of grete elde. His bodi bi-gan to heuegy swiþe : grete feblesse he fielde. ¶ A slouȝ feuere him cam on : þat ne nam him nouȝt ful strongue, Ac heo made is bodi to melte a-wei— : þat laste swiþe longue. Seue niȝht bi-fore þat he deide : his breþren he liet fette alle And liet him alle is riȝhtes do : and seide ȝwat heom scholde bi-falle. Out of þis world to heouene he wende : þare he schal ay bi-leue, In þe Monþe of Ieneuer[19 Jan.] : a-seint Fabianes eue, ¶ A þousend ȝer and nie hundret : and foure þare-bi-fore It was þat ore swete louerd : on vrþe was i-bore, In þe teoþe ȝere also : of þe kinedom Of willam þe rede king : þat aftur willam bastard camThese two v. are written in one line. he hadde, are he heonne i-wende : foure and þritti ȝer And four Monþes and four dawes : i-beo in worlder. wolde? the other MSS. bishop Four-score ȝer he was old : and seuene al-so neiȝh Are he wende out of þis lijf : to þe Ioye of heuene an heiȝ. ¶ Þo þis holie man was ded : þe Monekes comen sone In þe priorie of wirecestre : and duden þat was to done: Wuschen þat bodi, ase it was riȝht : and to churche it bere; Þe Monekes alle with gret honour : þat is breþerne were, Þe seruise a-bouten him huy duden : ase it was wel riȝht, And to seggen heore sauteres al-so : þare-bi huy woken a-niȝht. ¶ Þo it was wel with-inne niȝht : ase huy seiden in heore boke, heom luste slepe swiþe wel : þat vnneþes huy miȝhten loke, And some ne miȝhten nouȝt fur-bere : ake leiȝen and slepen faste, Some ase it were in dweolkningue : heore eiȝene to-gadere huy caste. Þat holie bodi, þat lai þare ded : a-mong heom in þe bere, A-ros up wel mildeliche : ase þei it a-liue were, And a-weiȝhte heom euer-ech-on : and bi-gan atþon ende And al along þe rewe : þoruȝ þe queor he gan i-wiende; And euere ase he a-weiȝhte heom : sumdel hesuperscr. gan heom chide Þat huy nolden with heore slep : heore riȝhte tyme a-bide. ¶ So muche [was] is holi heorte : þe ordre for-to wite Þat he nolde, þei he were ded : his breþerne fur-ȝite! Þis Miracle was sone i-kud : ase riȝht was þat it were. At wirecestre he was i-bured : and ȝuyt he liht þere. Þare Man may for is holie bodi : mani fair Miracle i-seo. Nou god graunti þat we mote with him : in þe Ioye of heouene beo. 21 Matheu. SEint Matheu þe Ewangelist : apostel he was and is,al. i-wis Ewangelist and eke a-postle : for-soþe he was and is: Ewangelist, for he godspelles made : þat men doth ofte rede, Apostel, for ore louerd here on vrþe : seint Matheu with him gan lede. For ase ore louerd eode ouer lond : seint Matheu he saiȝ bi cas his mester don of walkingue : for a follareal. tollare he was, Fals and trichor of is werk : and liuede bi falshede. Ore louerd him hiet bi-leue is weork : "cum siwe me," he seide. And he bi-lefde þo is weork : and wiz ore louerd eode, And is false mester liet : for he nadde þer-to non neode. ¶ Fair forebisne ore louerd ȝaf : alle sunfole men þo, Ȝwane he ane so sunfole Man : het with him go! Seint Matheu is sunnes bette : and tok to cristindom, And siwede ore louerd swiþe faste : and is Apostel bi-com.— Sethþe þo ore louerd was into : heouene i-wend, Þe Apostles weren þo wel wide in londe : for-to prechie, i-send. In-to þe londe of Ethiope : seint Matheu sone ȝede, to prechie men to cristinedom : ase it was wel gret neode. ¶ He founde tweie luþere men : and strongue wichchene þere, Zaroen and Arphaxat : þat þe deueles limes were, Þat, ase huy wolden, in grete siknesse : manie men hadden i-do And manie men þoruȝ þe feonde : i-helde huy hadden al-so. Alle þat þe luþere men : in siknesse brouȝte, Seint Matheu heom helde a-non : and wel clene heom out souȝte. Sorie weren þis luþere Men : huy nusten ȝwat was to done: Tweie dragones, þat feondes weren : to heom huy cleopeden sone, Þat casten brumston and fuyr : and [slowe]om. ȝend al þe londe Mannesr. men and bestes þere-with wel þicke— : heom ne miȝhte no þing at|stonde. ¶ Þis luþere men nomen þe dragones to heom : for huy scholden to|drawe Þane Apostel seint Matheu : and bringue him of lijf-dawe. Þo seint Matheu þis i-heorde : baldeliche he gan gon, Þe signe he made of þe croiz : and to heom wende a-non. A-non so þe dragones him i-seiȝen : to is fet huy fullen a-doun, huy ne miȝhten heom wawien hider ne þuder : ane fot for al þe toun. "lo, ȝe wrechches," quath þe apostle : to þe luþere men tweie, "Ȝware is nouþe al eouwere miȝhte? : ouer-come ȝe beothþ beine. ¶ Ȝif i-nadde nouþe mine louerdes grace : for eou ȝeorne bi-souȝt, On eov-sulf it scholde nouþe bi-falle : ase ȝe hadden bi me i-þouȝt. Þis twei luþere dragones : þat ȝe habbuth hidere i-brouȝt, A-rereth heom ȝif ȝe mowen : oþur eower art nis nouȝt." ¶ Euere stoden þis wrechche men : riȝht ase huy weren i-nome, huy weren of seint Matheu a-ferde sore : and heolden heom ouer-come. Seint Matheu þis tweie dragones : þoruȝ Iesu cristes lore Out of þe londe heom drof a-non : þat huy ne comen þere non-more. he wende a-boute and prechede : and þe tweie schrewene liet go— Ouer-comene wrechches ase hui weren : nas heom neuer er so wo. ¶ Hit bi-feol þat þe kingues sone : of þe londe was ded. Sone þis tweiȝe deoueles limes : to-gadere nomen hore red And wenden þudere, ȝif huy miȝhten : þoruȝ heore art himorig. heom a-rere; And huy maden heore enchauntement : ase þe deuel heom gan lere. Ake þat child lai euere ded— : for heore miȝhte nas riȝth nouȝt. Þoruȝ þe kingue huy weren i-nome : and in strongue prisone i-brouȝt. ¶ Þe king sende aftur seint Matheu : ase men of him tolde, Ȝif he miȝhte is sone arere— : for he was so wis i-holde. Þo seint Matheu þudere cam : to ore louerd heMS. heo dude is bone And a-rerde þat child : fram deþe to liue wel sone; Þat child a-ros and herede god : i-bore of mayde marie. A-non so þe king þis i-seiȝ : wel loude he gan to crie : "For-soþe," he seide, "ich i-seo : þat Matheu a god is; Þei he beo here in mannes fourme : he is a god, i-wis! ¶ Anoure we him ase it is riȝht : with seluer and with golde." huy offreden to him tresor i-nouȝ : more þane he a-fongue wolde. "Nai certes," quath þis holie man : "god nam ich nouȝt, Ake godes seriaunt þat here on eorþe : to deþe was i-brouȝt. ho-so wole on him bi-lieue : to heouene he schal i-wiende, And ho-so nele nouȝt, he worth i-wis : in pine withþ-outen ende." So þat þe king and alle his : i-cristnede of him were. With þe tresor þat men him brouȝte : a fair churche he liet a-rere. ¶ In þritti dawes heo was arerd— : so gret hel[p] þare was to; Þare þe king and is heore beden bede : and alþe contreiȝe al-so. Aftur þe tueiȝeMS. treiȝe enchauntours : seint Matheu liet sende, Zaroes and Arphaxat : and made heom þannes wiende. Into þe londe of perce : huy wenden with schame i-nov; Þere þat folk mis-bi-leued : wel þicke a-boute heom drov. ¶ Sethþe seint symon and seint Iude : to perce þene wei nome And þulke two enchauntours : to grounde huy ouer-come, Þare huy neuereft cristine Men : non a-nuy ne wrouȝte, Ase Man mai in heore liue i-seo : ho-so þare-after souȝte.— Seint Matheu in Ethiope : þe kingues douȝter nam, Þat of hire-seolf was a clene þing : and ȝaf hire cristinedom, Ar. and? made hire a-uouwe chastete : and clene lif to lede. þat maide was wel a-paid euere-aftur-ward : of þat ilke dede. ¶ A king of an oþur londe : is loue on hire he caste And wolde ire habbe to his spouse : and wowede hire wel faste. Þo þis maide nolde is wille do : to seint Matheu he ȝeode Þat he scholde in his half beo : and bed him grete mede. ¶ "Cum," quath seint Matheu, "þilke dai : and ich hire wolle rede Þat heo heolde hire spoushod : and þare-inne hire lijf lede." Þe king was glad and wende wel : Þat he bi him it seide, Þat he wolde hire to him rede— : ake he nolde nouȝt don so to quede. Þe king cam aday, and muche folk : with him he gan bringue, And þis maide cam al-so : to hure seint Matheus prechingue. Seint Matheu stod and prechede : þat folk al a-brod : Mest he preisede of alle þingue : in is sarmun spoushod, And þat þere nas no lijf so guod : þare it was trewe and clene. Þe kyng was glad and hopede wel : þat he it dude bi him mene, For þat Maide scholde : to him i-wedded beo; Seint Matheu he louede muche : and hopede is wille i-seo. ¶ So þat sethþe seint Matheu : is prechingue forþere drouȝ And seide, "ȝif þe king hadde a wif : þat he louede i-nouȝ, And a fol come in spousbruche : and leiȝe bi is wiue, Þe king wolde beo wroth i-nouȝ : and bringue him of liue, For he him hadde is wijf bi-nome : and imad hire don amis. Of þe heiȝe king of heouene : also it fareth, i-wis : Ȝif he hathþ a guod spouse : þat ledeth clene lijf, And þare come forthþ a fol : and bi-nime him is wijf, To strongue deþe he wolde him bringue : and to þe pine of helle al-so. Þare-fore ech man beo i-war : þat he swuch þing ne do." ¶ Þo þe kin[g] i-heorde þis : sone he onder-stod Þat it was riȝht bi him i-seid. : for wrathþe he was neiȝh wod, And swor þat he nolde bliþe beo : are he wereMS. he were a were awreke. For[th]MS. for he wende and bi-gan a-non : seint Matheus dethþ bi-speke. Þis guode man nas no-þing aferd : he prechede euere faste And confortede þat clene maide : þat ire heorte opon him al caste. ¶ Þis Maide feol doun to is fet : and on him ȝeorne gradde; Euere þis guode man hire bi-souȝte : þat heo clene lijf ladde. Sethþe he wende and greiþede him : is masse forto singue. luþere Men i-redie weren : i-sende þoruȝ þe kingue. Riȝht ase he stod at is Masse : on of heom forthþ wende And smot him þoru-out with a swerd : and alle his gottes to-rende : For he smot him In atþe Rugge : and atþe wombe out. Þo þe guode Man a-slawe was : þe schrewe was wel prout. ¶ Þat folk þat cristine was : wel þicke it cam a-non Þe kingues paleis for-to brenne : and to a-quelle is men ech-on. Ake seint Matheus desciples : for-boden heom ech-one Þat huy ne duden no such þing : ake lieten god wurþe al-one. huy wenden and nomen þis holie bodi : and swiþe faire on eorþe it brouȝte.— Þe king ȝuyt bi al is miȝte : after þat maide ȝeorne souȝte. Ake þo he ne miȝhte in none manere : to is wille hire i-winne, he wende forth and sette a-fuyre : þat hous þat heo was inne. Ake seint Matheu ne for-ȝat nouȝt þat Maide : þei he ded were :orig. were ded Fram heouene he a-liȝhte a-doun to hire : and is help ire cudde þereadded : For þat fuyr he drof a-ȝein : to þe kingues paleis a-non And fur-brende it al-to nouȝt : and is Men echon; ¶ Vnneþe he him-sulf and is sone : a-scapeden with heore liue. he miȝhte segge, to wroþerhele : he wilne[de] aftur wiue. For suyþe sone þare-aftur-ward : Musel he bi-cam; And þo he ne miȝhte nouȝt beo hol : gret deol to him hee nam, With is swerd him-sulf he a-slouȝ : and is bodi al-to-rende— Nou god it wot and seint Matheu : ȝwodere is soule wende. Þat folk wende forth a-non : and made ane newe king wel bliue, Þe clene maidenes broþur i-wis : þat he wilnede so muche to wiue, Þat seint Matheu þe apostel hadde : i-cristned with is honde; Ȝware-þoru cristinedom : cam sethþe into al þe londe. Nou Iesu crist us ȝiue is grace : þulke Ioyȝe i-winne For þe loue of seint Matheu : þat he woneth inne. 22 Liger.[2 Octob.] SEint leger a bischop was : and holi man i-nouȝ; Mani a man þoruȝ is prechingue : to godes lawe he drouȝ. A luþur Iustise þare was neiȝh : Ebromr. Ebroin was is name : Men tolden him, ase he wende a-boute : of seint legeres fame. he liet him wel sone nime : and bi-fore him bringue, And fondede for-to tuyrne is þouȝt : fram þe heuene kingue. þo he ne miȝhte þat don nouȝt : he was wroth inouȝ; Ane luþere man he cleopede sone : þat boþe is eiȝene ouȝt drouȝ. ¶ Þo is eiȝene in grete pine : weren i-holede out boþe, he gan þe more prechi of god. : þare-fore huy weren wroþe. A wei þer was of scharpe stones : and opward stoden echon : Þare-oppe þis holie man : barefot huy maden gon, huy driuen him barefot and a-blend : ope þis scharpe stones þere. Þis guode man eode wel baldeliche : ase þei him no-þing nere, And euere he prechede on Iesu crist— : he ne bi-lefte for no fere. ¶ For is longue prechingue þe luþere men : wroþest with him were : huy coruen of is tongue a-non : riȝht bi is þrote a-boue. Þare schewede ore swete louerd : fair Miracle for is loue : For þo is tongue was of i-corue : ȝeot he prechede faste And al-so wel as he dude er. : þo weren þe schrewes a-gaste. huy bi-speken to don him more schame : ake huy weren sumdel in doute. huy [sto]denunreadable. and bi-heolden is heued : and þoMS. þe? i-seiȝen huy þare|a-boute A ro[un]d croune and swiþe cler— : briȝhtore ne miȝhte non beo, Þat vnneþe huy miȝhten is holie heued : for þe leome i-seo. ¶ Þis luþere Iustise het a-non : þat men smiten of is heued, Four tormentores he was bi-take : þat it nere nouȝt bi-leued. huy ladden him with-oute toun : for-[to] don þat dede. Ase huy comen a-midde þe wei : þis holie man to heom seide : "Ȝwat neode is it for-to trauailli : ferrore me to lede? Dothþ anon þat ȝe scholden do : here riȝht, ich eou rede." Þe þreo quellares of þis word : anon weren in grete drede : To is fet huy feollen a-kneo : and for-ȝiuenesse him bede. Þare-fore was þe feorþe wroth : forth he hupte sone And smot of þe guode mannes heued : ase he hadde heste to done. ¶ Sone þare-aftur cam a fuir : ase it of helle were, And al quik fur-barnde him : and þe deuelene a-wei him bere. Seint leger was wel faire i-bured. : is soule to heouene wende, And for þat bodi, ase it on eorþe lai : fair miracle ore louerd sende. ¶ Þe luþere Iustise þat him liet a-quelle : þere-of heorde telle, two ȝer aftur þulke tyme : þat he him liet a-quelle : To is toumbe ane kniȝht he sende : þe soþe for-to fonde. Þo þe kniȝht to þe toumbe cam : þare-bi he gan stonde, "In schendnesse," he seide, "mote he deiȝe : and in strongue deþe al-so ho-so bi-lieuethþ þat dede men : ani miracle mouwen do!" Wel filliche also þe toumbe he smot. : and a-non-riȝht with þe dede Oppon him feol is owene bone : ase he bad and seide : For deuelene a-strangleden him a-non— : for al redie þare huy were, And is soule, ase it was riȝht : a-deuele wei huy bere. ¶ Þe Iustise sone þare-aftur-ward : to deþe was i-do And a-slawe in grete schendnesse : and a-deuele wei wende also. Þus was þe bischop seint leger : a-wreke of is fon, And he him-sulf to þe Ioie of heouene : after is deþe gan gon. Nou god for þe loue of seint leger : is swete grace us siende, Þat we aftur þusse liue : moten to þe Ioye of heouene wiende. 23 Seint fid[es][6 Octob.] SEinte Fey, þat holie Maide : of swiþe heiȝe men heo com. Swiþe ȝong in hire childhod : heo turnede to cristindom, And holi lijf i-nou heo ladde— : þat word sprong wel wide Of hire guodnesse and of hire holi lijf : a-boute in eche side. ¶ A luþer Aumperour þare was þo : þat hiet Dioclician, And is felawe þat was al-so : þe schrewe Maximian; A luþur Iustise huy hadden with heom : is name was dacian : To deþe huy brouȝten ȝware huy founden : ani cristine Man. ¶ Þe Iustise Dacian : wende in-tal= in-to al þe lond And a-slouȝ alle þe cristine men : þat he ouȝwere fond. So þat he heorde telle : ase he wende bi þe wey, Of þis holie maide and clene : and i-cristned, seinte Fey. ¶ To þe toune þare heo was inne : ase a wod man he wende, And burstinde in grete wrathþe : is bedeles a-boute he sende, To crie a-boute in eche strete : ȝif men miȝhte ani finde Cristine man oþur womman : þat huy heom scholden faste binde And bi-fore him bringue haste-liche— : þat huy ne sparede non!— And bote huy wolden heore [þouȝt] tuyrne : anoþur it scholde gon. ¶ Þo þe banne was þus i-cried : þare was Ioye I-nouȝ Among þe paeyns euerechone : þat Man cristine men so a-slouȝ; Ake seoruwe and sor and deol i-nouȝ : among cristine men þare was, Þo huy seiȝen heore deth i-come : and non oþur bote þare nas. ¶ Seinte Fey was furst i-souȝt : for men wusten of hire wel wide. Ioyful heo was and glad i-nouȝ : þo men þe banne criede; Ake forth heo wende wel baldeliche : nolde heo nouȝt longue a-bide, Ake profrede hire to þe tormentores : ase men souȝten hire wide. With hardie heorte heo wende forth. : þe tormentores hire nome And harleden hire wel filliche : forth toward hire dome. ¶ Þe Iustise for wrathþe wender. vemde þo : heo bi-fore him come. heo made þe signe of þe croiz : and blessede hire i-lome; heo bad ore louerd wel mildeliche : þat he ire ȝeue þere Studefaste bi-leue and strencþe of heorte : þat heo ouer-come nere, And in hire tormenz treowe heorte : and þat he ire ȝeue is grace To his onour answerie wel : þe Iustise in þat place. ¶ Þe Iustise bi-heold þat Maide : with ful sori chere, he grennede and femde touward hire : riȝht ase he wod were : "Dameisele," he seide, "ȝwat art þou? : ȝwat þencstþou for-to do? Tel me on ȝwam þou bi-lieuest : and ȝwat is þi name, al-so." "Sire," seide þis holie Maide : "Fey ich hote nouþe, And cristine womman ich habbe i-beo : sethþe ich ani guod couþe. Mi name nelle ich nouȝt for-sake : no mi cristindom noþur; Þou miȝht þretne al þat þou wolt : of me ne worth þe non oþur." ¶ Þo bi-gan þis Dacian : fair semblaunt to make, "Maide," he seide, "ich rede þe : þat þou an oþur red take. Þench þat þou art fair and noble : and þat þe bet bi-come A noble lauedi to beon and heiȝh : þane beo i-brouȝt here to dome. For ȝif þou wolt don aftur me : in grete Ioie þou worst i-brouȝt And in grete nobleie, ase þe bi-cometh— : þare-fore torne þi þouȝt." ¶ "Certes, sire," þis maide seide : "þou spext embe nouȝt, For i-nelle neuere him for-sake : þat so deore me hathþ a-bouȝt; For ich habbe to him mi vou i-maked : þat i-nelle neuere breke. Þarer. þare-fore do elles ȝwat þou wolt : bote þat þou þarof ne speke; For I-nelle nouȝt honouri þine false godes. : for in þe sautere it is i-write Þat alle swuche Deouele beoth : and þat may ech Man i-wite." ¶ Þo fierde þe Iustise ase he were wod : and made wel sori bere, And was neihȝ wod for þis Maide seide : þat is godes deuelene were. he liet fette a bed of bras : brod and heiȝh also, And dude strepe þis Maide naked : and in þis harde bedde ire do. ¶ Þis Maide, þo heo naked was : with glad semblaunt in wende; huy streiȝhten hire a-long and a-croiz : and gret fuyr þare-onder tende, And casten on grece riue i-nouȝ : þat drof up so gret leiȝe Þat þis maide þouȝte al a-fuyre : ase huy þat stoden þare i-seiȝe. Þe tormentores stoden þare-bi-side : with kene oules and strongue And tur[n]den þat Maide side and oþur : ouer þe fuyre wel longue, Þat heo þoruȝ strencþe of þe grece : ofte al a-fuyre stod. Euere lai þat holie Maide : ase hire nere nouȝt bote guod, hire heu heo nolde chaungi enes : ne tuyrne hire þouȝt; Alle men þat þe wonder i-seien : þe enchesun nusten nouȝt. ¶ Cristine men manie : þo huy herden telle Þat þe Iustise was þudere i-come : with tormenz heom to quelle, huy ornen out of toune hem for-to huyde : ech in is side, for doute, And leiȝen in puttes and in olde diches : ȝeont al þe contreie a|boute. An holi man þare hudde him so : þat men cleopeden capras, Þat in þe north-side of þe toun : in one olde roche he was. ¶ He lai and darede out of is hole : ase he dorste for doute, And i-saiȝ al þe torment of seinte Fey : ase he [biheold aboute,om. (so Ash.)] hou men rosteden hire with fuyr and grece : and to-drowen hire al-so— For it was a luyte þare-bi-side : þat þis dede was i-do. Ase þis fuyr bi-gan to brenne : þis holie man i-seiȝ, A coluere þare cam, so ȝwijt so milk : fram heouene fleo on heiȝ, ¶ A croune of guold heo bar a-doun : þat schinde swiþe briȝhte, Briȝhtore þane þe sonne leom. : oppe þe maidenes heuedAsh. maide heo aliȝhte And sette þe croune on hire heued : with þe winguen heo bleu faste Aȝein þat fuyr, ase him þouȝte : þat it ne miȝhte nouȝt i-laste— Fram-ward þat Maide heo bleu it euere : þat it ne cam hire no-þing neiȝh, And heo lai þare in alle Ioye : ase þis holie man i-seiȝh. Þare-fore oþure þat weren hire neiȝh : nusten nouȝt hou it was, Þat þouȝte þat heo was al a-fuyre : and neuere þe worse hire nas. ¶ Þis holie man seint capras : þat i-seiȝh al þis, to him-seolf he seide, "ich a-bide : nou sone to longue, i-wis;" he sturte out of þis deope Roche : and þudere or[n] wel faste; to þis tormentingue sone he cam : no-þing him ne agaste. Loude he gradde with folle Mouth : "Ich am cristine Man, I-nelle for-sake Ihesu crist : for drede of Dacian. To longue ich habbe heonne i-beo— : þat me for-þuncheth sore. here is Ioye and blisse i-nouȝh : þat schal bringue us to more." ¶ Tweie breþren þare comen þo al-so : seint Felician And seint prime : þat seide also to þis Dacian. Wod-wrothþ was Dacian þo : he dude heom nime ech-on, Seinte Fey and alle þe oþere : and smiten of heore heuedes a-non. Þe tormentores i-redie weren : and gonne þat maide take And hire felawes forth with hire : þat nolden ore louerd for-sake, And ladden heom forth to heore ende-day : and heore heuedes smiten of sone In gret wrathþe ech aftur oþur : and duden heore maistres bone. ¶ To þe Ioye of heouene a-non huy wenden : and þare bi-leue with|outen ende; Aungles þare weren to bere heom forthþ : þat ore louerd þudere gan siende. Þe luþere men leten þe bodies ligge : þo huy weren i-brouȝt of dawe, In a foul stude al on-bured : þare bestes heom scholden to-drawe. Ake cristine men þat þare weren neiȝh : þerto stelen bi niȝhte And bureden heom in a derne stude : ase nobleliche ase huy miȝhten. Nou seinte Fey and hire felawes : ore erinde beode so, Þat we moten to þe Ioye come : þare huy beoth inne i-do. 24 XI Millia Virg. Ondleuene þousend of virgines : for ore louerd i-martrede were; Telle i-chulle of heore martyrdom : and ho heom þar-to gan lere. A kyng þare was in Brutayne : sire Maur was is name; Ane douȝter he hadde þat hiet Ourse : þat was of noble fame; Cristine heo was and al hire kun : swiþe hende and quoynte, So fair womman Men nusten non : no so guod in euerech pointe. ¶ Of hire fair-hede and of hire guodnesse : men tolden in eche side, Þat þe word cam into Enguelond : and elles-ȝwoder wel wide. A kyng þare was þo in Enguelonde : and Man of gret poer; Gret nobleie he heorde telle : of þis maide feor and ner: his wille was gret þat is sone : þis Maide in spoushod hadde. Ake Men þe ȝuyt in Enguelond : cristinedom non nadden. ¶ Þe king of enguelond, þat was þo : to þe kyng of Brutayne gan siende For is douȝter to is sone : þat was is heyr so hende; And seide, ȝif þat he þare-aȝen were : þat þe dede nere i-do, him and alle his he wolde destruyȝe : and al his lond al-so. Þo þis Messagers comen to þis kyng : and heore erinde hadden i-seid, Sori and dreori was þis king : he ne couþe þare-of no red: For þe king of Enguelond : was heþene, and alle his, And for he wuste wel þat is douȝhter nolde : i-wedded beo, i-wis, And also, for þe kyng of Enguelond : was of so gret miȝhte Þat he no strencþe ne miȝhte habbe : aȝein him for-to fiȝhte. And naþeles Triwes of is answere : aȝein þe messagers he nam. Deol and sor and luyte gladnesse : in is heorte þare cam! ¶ He ne tolde no-þing is douȝter fore : of þis reuful cas; Ȝeorne he bad god niȝht and day : for he redles was, And criede on him swiþe reufulliche : þat he him scholde rede. A niȝht an Aungel to is douȝter cam : and þeos wordes to hire sede: "Ne beo þou nouȝht a-ȝein þis sonde : Ake, þine fader forto paye, Graunte i-wedded for-to beo : and bide þat he it delaiȝe Ane þreo ȝer, þat þou mouwe þe ȝwile : þi Maiden-hod anoure; And þat huy þe purchace clene maidenes : with þe to habbe in þi boure: ¶ And þat þe king of Enguelonde and is sone : and þi fader beon alle at one rede Þe for-to cheose ten clene Maidenes : with-oute eche wicke dede; Ȝwane ȝe Endleue to-gadere beothþ : þat huy eou finden ȝeot þer-to Euer-ech of eov a þousend maidenes : to serui eou al-so, Þat ȝwane ȝe alle to-gadere beoth : þat ech mouwe in is side honouri hire Maiden-hod and þin : þat it beo couth wel wide, So þat Men ne mouwen Maide non : alosed findefinde overlined aȝein þe; And þat he wolle cristine bi-come : þi louerd þat schal beo. In þis foreward graunte him : aftur þe þridde ȝere I-spoused to beon in godes lawe— : And ne haue þerof no fere!" Þo þat maide i-heorde þis : glad heo was of is lore, Þat heo wuste ȝware-with heo miȝhte : bringue hire fader of is sore. ¶ Sone heo wende to hire fader : and bad þat he ire telle scholde Ȝwy þat he so mourninde ȝeode. : he seide þat he nolde. "Ich wot wel þi þouȝt," þat maide seide : "þei þou it holde stille. Of þi sonde ne haue no doute : ichulle don al þi wille." Þo bi-gan heo tellen him in ȝwuche manere— : ase þe Aungel hire hadde i-seid— heo wolde habbe þene heiȝe Man : ȝif þat it were is red. ¶ Welle, glad was þe kyng : þo þat he iheorde þis! Þe Messagers he ȝaf Answere : sone with gret blis. Þo huy [it] brouȝten þe kingues sone : þe tiþingue wel him payde. Sone he liet Baptizen him : for loue of þat Maide; And þoruȝ is fader and þoruȝ him : and þoruȝ þe oþur kingue Endleue þousend of clene maidenes : to þis maide huy guonne bringue. heo was glad of þe compaygnie : þat so fair to hire cam! Sone heo bigan in priueite : telle heom of cristinedom; Þat for hire loue and for hire prechingue : alle cristine huy were. Louerd, ȝwuch a compaygnie : of clene maidenes was þere! ¶ So gret Ioye þe king of is douȝter hadde : and of ire faire ferrade, Þat he liet heom makien a quoynte schip : ofal. of gret lengþe and of brede, Þat huy scholden in þe se : pleiȝe, ȝwane huy wolde, Þat ech man a-londe and in watere : heore mayden-hod pre[i]sie scholde. huy sounguen ofte a-watere and eke a-lond : and treches huy gonne lede And oþur-manere faire pleies : and al was of clene dedes. Mete and drinke stilleliche : to þe schip huy lieten bringue To þreo ȝeres sustinaunce : with-oute leue of þe kingue. ¶ A dai huy wenten into þe se : and pleiden heom up and doun— For Ioye þere stoden, to bi-holden heom : Men of mani a toun. Ase huy weren in mest Ioye of plei : ore louerd ane wynd sende, Þat drof heom feor into þe se : þat men nusten ȝwodere huy wende. Welle, glade were þis maydenes þo! : þe wind heom drof wel bliue, Toal. ate þe cite of coloyne : formest huy gonne ariue. ¶ To Damoysele ourse, þe kyngues douȝhter : an Aungel cam þere And bad hire lede wel hire compaygnye : for-to huy i-martrede were; And seide þat huy scholden forþere fare : and alle a-ȝein wende, And in þulke toune for ore louerdes loue : imartrede beon atþenende. Glad was þat Mayde for þis word! : forthþ huy wenden a-non. Atþe cite of Basilie : huy a-riueden ech-on. ¶ Fram þulke Cite euerechone : a-fote huy wenden to Rome. Gret Ioye made þe pope with heom : þo huy þudere come— For manie of heom weren neiȝh him sibbe : and for he was of bru|tayne; Cyriac is name was. : huy weren of him wel fayne. An Aungel cam to þe pope a niȝht : and seide þat he scholde With þis Maydenes i-martred beo : for ore louerd it so wolde. After þat tyme þis holie man : honourede heom þe more, And prechede heom ofte of clannesse : and of ore louerdes lore. Tweolf monþe and endleue wokes : alle þis Maydenes were At Rome with þis holie pope : þat heom dude wel lere. ¶ Ake þe pope seint Ciriac : is conseil cleopie gan, His clerkes and is Cardinales : and Mani on oþer Man: Bi-fore heom al is dignete : he tok up atþen ende, And seide he wolde in-to an oþur lond : with þis maydenes wende. ¶ Þis Cardinales weren þare-a-ȝein : and seiden þat he gan reue With fole wummen for-to go : and is dignete bi-leue. Naþeles he wende forth with heom : al a-ȝein heore rede; Þe Cardinales and is clerkes : gret schame þare-fore him seide. Tweie luþere princes þare weren : Maximin and Affrican, Þouȝten þat þis Maydenes wolden : tuyrne mani a man: To heore Mey, þe prince of Coloyne : huy senden for-þen-one Þat he, ȝwane huy þudere comen : A-slowe heom euerech-one. ¶ Þat child þat scholde þis Mayde wedde : ase heo hadde i-seid, Kyng was i-maud of Enguelonde : þo is fader was ded; Þat ladde swiþe chaste lijf : and longuede swiþe sore With þat clene Maide to speke and beo : þoruȝ strencþe of godes lore. An Aungel cam to him and bad : þat he on alle wise his Moder and is ȝungueste soster : anon-riȝht liete Baptize And he with heom to Coloygne : wiende with al his mayne A-ȝein is trewe spouse, þat was : Mayde Ourse of brutayne; Þat heor. he him to hire leide faste : in wille and eke in dede, And endede heore lijf in godes seruise : ase heo heom wolde rede. ¶ þis ȝongue with gret ioye dude : þat þe Aungel him gan lere: his moder and is soster he nam : þo huy i-baptizede were, And þe Bischop Clement al-so : þat i-baptized heom hadde, Toward coloyne forth with him : a-ȝen þis Maydenes he ladde. Swiþe glad was þis ȝongue king : þo he to is lefMan cam! And also glad was þat Maide : þo heo saiȝh him in cristinedom! Mest Ioye heo made with is ȝongue soster : þat hiet Florentyne, Þat heo, clene Mayde, scholde : soffrie deþes pine. ¶ Ourse of Brutayne þene ȝoungue king : in grete Ioye of loue gan lere Þat he him heolde faste to hire : and ne bi-lefde for no fere, Þat huy miȝhten in trewe loue : to-gadere i-martred beo And wonye in heuene with Ihesu crist : þat bouȝte heom on þe treo. Alþis grauntede þis ȝoungue king : and is lefmane nouȝt ne wernde; his furste þouȝt into treowe loue : and into clannesse he turnde. ¶ Þe heþene prince i-redi was : þo huy to Coloyne come With manie luþere heþene Men : and al þis compaygnie huy nome, And huweden and crieden on heom a-schame : and to grounde heom a-slowe, And ase so fale wolues a-mong lambren : heore flechs huy to-drowe. Þo huy comen to þis clene þing : Maide Ourse of Brutayne, Þat huy founden so fair a creature : of hire huy weren wel fayne. Þe prince hire nam and hire bi-hiet : to laten hire gon a-liue And, for heo was so fair and noble : habbe hire to wiue. ¶ Þis Maide seide þat heo nolde to hire spouse : him ne non oþur take. Þe prince neiȝh for wrathþe wod : þo he was so fur-sake, he liet hire to deþe scheote : with Aruwene atþenende And þus heo and al hire compaygnie : to þe Ioye of heuene gan wiende; And þe ȝongue king of Enguelonde : and is Moder also, And is ȝongue soster Florentine : to deþe weren i-do, And þe pope Ciriac : and Bischopes mani on Þat for trewe hope of Martyrdom : with heom weren i-gon. Ore louerd hadde swiþeal. Ou louerd þe gret Ioye : of þat swete ferrede, þat swuch martyrdom for isal. þi loue : a-fenguen with-oute drede. In þe to hondrede ȝereal. om. : and eiȝte and þrittiþe ȝere After ore louerdes buyrtyme : þis maidenes i-martrede were. ¶ Þis endleue þousend of clene maydenes : and al þis compaygnie I-burede weren in Coloyne : in one Nonnerie.— An Abbot þere was bi-side : þat heorde of þis cas, And ofte of þis clene Maydenes : þat gret Miracle þere was: he bad þe Abbesse of Coloyne : þat heo him graunti scholde A bodi of þis clene Maydenes : and he wolde it don in golde. Þo þis bodi was him i-take : twelf Monþe he liet it beo With-oute seluer oþur gold : in one cheste of treo. ¶ Þo þe twelf monþes weren a-go : ase þe Monekes weren ech-one A nyȝt at Matines, þisMS. þis þis holie bodi : a-ros hire up allone, heo beuȝ hire to þe heiȝe weued : and wende mildeliche A-mong al þe Couent forthþ : and out wel stilledliche.r. stilleliche Þe Monekus, þo huy þis i-seiȝen : of-dradde and sorienr. sorie were: huy eoden to þe cheste þare heo [was] inne i-leid : and ne founden ire nouȝt þere. ¶ "Þis," quath þe Abbod, "is ore wreche : for we hire i-do nadde In a schrine of gold, ase we bi-heten : þo we ire hidere ladden." To þe Abbesse of Coloyne : þe Abbod wende a-non And tolde þis cas al-hou it was : of þat Maide i-gon. huy wenden forthþ to þulke stude : þare heo was i-leid inne er, And heuen up þe þrouwes lid : and founden hire ligge þer Faire and euene ase heo dude er— : so luyte lime þere nas Þat ne lai ase heo was furst i-leid. : a fair Miracle þere was! Þe Abbesse was þo swyþe glad : and þe Nonnes euerechon, And þonkede god of þat faire Miracle : and heiȝe sounguen a-non. ¶ Þe Abbot bad þat he moste habbe : þis holie bodi eft-sone, And seide he wolde honouri it faire : ase he auȝte for-to done. Ake þe Abbesse nolde graunti it nouȝt : ne þat couent noþur Þat eft it scholde habbe a-wei : þei he hadde i-beo heore broþur; For buy i-seiȝen þat it was godes wille : þat it bi-lefde þere. Þis Abbod wende him hom a-ȝein : with wel dreorie chere. Nou God us graunti, ȝif is wille is : þat we moten i-winne Þe heiȝe Ioye of heouene : þare alle þis Maydenes beoth inne, Ne þat we neuere þarof ne missen : for noneMS. nome sorie sunne. 25 Katerine. SEinte Katerine of noble kunne: cam, bi olde dawe; Hire fader was king, hire Moder Quyene : boþe of þe olde lawe, Þe king . Coste. hire fader het. : gret clerk þis Mayde was; Þare nas non of þe seue .Ars : þat heo maister of nas. Maxentius het þe Aumperour : In eche londe he let crie Þat ech kynerich under him : come to Alisaundrie, Euerech Man for is stat : to don to heore godes sacrefise; ho-so it lete, men scholde of him don : swyþe stronge Iustise. Þo ech lond was þudere i-come : to don heore lawe, Seinte katerine wel harde-liche : to-ward heom gan drawe; bi-halues heo stod and bi-heold : heore wrechche gydi-hede, heo saiȝ Anouri þe Maumates : and manie cristine Men for drede. Þo hadde heo gret deol in hire heorte : and blesse[de] hire a-non And forth anon to þe Aumperour : baldeliche heo gan gon. "Sire," heo seide, "riche Aumperour þou art : swiþe noble and hende, Þov scholdest þi wisdom and þi wit : to some guode wende. Þat i segge for þe folie : þat ich i-seo eov do— So muche feorrene folk : þov hast i-cleopet þar-to. Grete Ioie in ouwer heorte : þis temple ȝe makiez i-fo Þat is ymaud of lym and ston : and of ouwer Maumates also; Ȝwy ne bi-holde ȝe þe heiȝe temple— : for þer-of wondri ov mai— Of þe heie heuene þat geth a-boute : a-bouen eov niȝt and dai, Of sonne and Mone and steorrene al-so : fram þe este to þe weste Þat trauaillieth and neuere werie ne beoth : ne neuere ne habbeth reste? bi-þench þe wel and turne þi wit : to some wisdome, ich rede, And ȝwane þin owene In-wit it seith : þat nouȝwere nis swuch dede, Al-miȝti god þou him hold : þat swuch wonder can make; bi-fore alle oþere Anoure him : and þine Maumates for-sake." With oþere resones of clergie : þat mayde proffrede also Þat heore godes nauȝtes ne were : þat heo Anoureden heom to. ¶ Þe Aumperour stod and ne couþe þar-to : Answerie In none wise; Gret wonder him þouȝte of hire fair-hede : and of hire Quoyntise; "Mayde," he seide, "a-bijd here-with : for-to aftur ore sacrefise And we schullen more with þe speke : ich oþur mi Iustise." Þo þe sacrefise was i-don : þe Aumperour sat In is trone, And al is folk a-bouten him. : men brouten þat Maide sone. "Maide," seide þe Aumperur : "þou þinchest gent and freo; Of ȝwat kunrade art þou i-come? : gret wonder us þinchez of þe." ¶ "Sire Aumperur," þis Maide seide : "I-ne wilni bote luyte to tellen þe of mine kunne : for it were signe of pruyte; For In is boke þe wise Man : Catun seith al-so: Þat Man ne schal him-sulue preisi : ne blamie no-þe-mo, For so doth foles þat wilniez muche : of ȝelpingue and of sunne. Naþeles ichulle, ake for no pruyte : tellen eov of mine kunne: Ich am þe kingus douȝter coste : þat þou wost ȝwuch is. hidere ich cam to speke mid eov : of þat ȝe bi-leuez a-mis; Mid vn-riȝte heo beozþ i-cleped godes : þat o fot ne mouwen goMS. gon Ne no man helpe in none neode : ne heom-sulue no-þe-mo." ¶ "Maide," seideMS. seide seide þis Amperur : "ȝif þat þis sothþ were, Al þis world were fals and guydi : ȝif þou one heomMS. heom heom scholdest [lere]; And we schulle betere i-leue alle men : and more it wole beo note, Þane ani fol womman ase þou art— : for ouwer bolt is sone i-schote." "Sire," seide þis Maide þo : "þei þou luyte telle of me, Also guod mai beo mi reson : ase þat comez of þe. For, sire Aumperur, þouMS. ich þou art : ase ech man is al-so Þat hote mai and hys men moten : nede hys hestes do, Of bodi and of soule þou art y-maud : ase þi-sulf miȝt i-seo; Mid riȝte þi soule Maister is : and þi bodi is hyne schal beo. Ȝif þi bodi maister is : and þi soulesuperscribed later. is hyne, Aȝen kuynde it is : and þou worst sikur : þare-fore of helle pine." Þoruȝ hire clergie þat holi Maide : resones made so quoynte Þat þe Aumperour ne non of his : ne couþe hire ansuerie in none pointe. "Maide," he seide, "þou schalt a-bide : In warde here mid me And oþere ichulle bi tyme finde : þat schullen Answerie þe." Þis Aumperour sende anon : wide a-boute is sonde Þat þe gretteste maistres of clergie : to him comen In eche londe, grete Mede of him to habbe : to don a luytel Maystrie, And for-to susteinen op heore lawe : þoru strencþe of clergie. So þat þare comen fifti Maistres : þe gretteste þat man fond Also wide ase men miȝten seche : ouȝwere In ani lond. Þe Aumperour heom seide a-non : ȝware-fore he after heom sende: For-to desputi a-ȝein a ȝong womman : þat al heore lawe schende. "Nou is þis," þat .o. Maister seide : "gret schame, ich onder-stonde, An Aumperur to sende a-boute : so wide in eche londe After þe gretteste Maistres, for-to despuyti : a-ȝen a fol wenche, Ȝwane on of heore knaue miȝten sone : hire resones alle a-quenche!" "Nai," seide þis Aumperour : "heo is wisore þane ȝe wene; Ȝif ȝe mouwen ouȝt aȝen hire don : sone it worth i-sene. For ich habbe leouere þat ȝe hire ouer-come : with resones In some wise, Þane we with strencþe hire maden : to don þe sacrefise." "Lat bringue hiresuperscribed. forth," seide þat on : "and heo schal segge a-non Þat heo ne spac neuere wit wisore men : are heo fram us gon." ¶ An Aungel to þis maide cam : and bad hire of no-þing drede, And seide heo scholde heom alle þoru hire reson : to cristinedom lede, And heo alle scholden þoru hire reson : a-fonge martyrdam. Þo þat Maide i-herde þis : gret Ioie to hire heo nam, baldeliche heo eode forth : þo men aftur hire come. "Sire," he= heo seide to þe Aumperur : "ȝifst þou a wis dom Þat þus fale maistres of clergie : bringest and sest a-benche, And me-self to desputy a-ȝeines heom : þat nam bote a fol wenche? And ȝif þat heo me ouer-comez : þou bi-hast heom gret mede, And makest me mid strencþe with heom speke : and ne bi-hast me bote luyte! Þat þinchez me with on-riȝte it is : ȝwane ich am one a-ȝein heom alle. ¶ Nov ichulle, for god is min help : a-fonge þat me wole falle." "Seie, dame conIoun, ȝwat artþou?" : þis o legistre seide, "Þenchestþou speke a-ȝein ore clergie? : turne þi þouȝt, ich rede! Þov seist þat god al-miȝti : dethz on eorþe þolede here: I-chulle proui þat he ne miȝte a-liue beo : nouþe In none manere. For, ho-so deiez, he ne may : neuerefft to liue come, Ȝwane þe vertue of al is bodi : þoru deþe him is bi-nome; And þi god al-miȝti is ded : þou ne miȝt libbe nouȝt, Ȝif he þat scholde ȝiue þe lijf : is to deþe i-brouȝt." ¶ "Nai," seide þis holi mayde : "þou faillest of þin art, An-oþur þou most segge, ȝif þou þencst : of þine maistrie to habbe part. God hadde euere and euere he schal : mid him is god-hede, And for loue of us In ore flesche : he nam him man-hede: Of twei þingus he was þo imaked : eiþur moste þo is kuynde a-fonge. For þe kunde of man-hede us to bugge : he þolede deth wel stronge; Ake for-to bi-leue ded, a-ȝen kuynde it was : ase of is god-hede, Þare-fore he aros fram deþe to liue : þo he hadde i-don al is dede. For þe stronge deþe þat þoruȝ Adam : we weren to i-brouȝt, Þoruȝ is godhede, i-meynd In ore kuynde : nede moste beon i-bouȝt. Ȝif þou with-seist þis reson : an oþur i-chulle þe make Þat grete clerkes seiden In heore lawe : þat man ne may nouȝt for-sake. ¶ Platon, þe grete philosophe : þat was heþene of ouwer lawe, he seide þat god wolde deie : and him-selue to liue aȝen drawe. Lokiez In is boke,omit in is boke hov it miȝte beo soth : nouþe In ouwerer. oþer manere, bote þe muchele god of heuene : bi-come a luyte Man here. Also Balaam, ouwer prophete : þat heþene was al-so, In is bok he seide—ȝe wuten wel ȝware : ȝif ȝe wollez loki þer-to— Þat þare scholde of Iacobes kuynde : a steorre a-rise wel briȝt Þat scholde kinges and princes : al bi-nimen heom heore miȝt. Þat was þat ore louerd wolde : of Iacobes kuynde beon i-bore &added. ouer-comen alle þat euere weren : sethþe oþer bi-fore. And ȝuyt þre kinges of ouwer lawe : on þulke steorre þouȝten, For þe steorre þo god was i-bore : and þare-fore lok him brouȝten." Þo þeos Maistres heorden þis mayde speke : of so grete clergie, heo ne couþen answerie hire of neuere a word : and ȝeuen hire þe maistrie. ¶ Þo seide þe Aumperur In grete wrathþe : "nis non of eov þat can— A-mong so manie grete Maistres— : answerie a fol womman?" "Certes, sire," þis Maistres seiden : "so gret clerk nov nis Þat scholde to hire reson ȝiue answere : for heo seith soal. soþ i-wis, We seggeth, þe holie gost is with hire : and In hire mouþe, Þat we ne conne hire answerie nouȝt : ne we ne dorren þei we couþe. Þare-fore, bote we betere of oure lawe : þane we ȝeot i-seon, Alle we seggez with one mouþe : cristine we wollez beon." "Ey, trichours," seide þe Aumperur : "is it icome þer-to? Certes, ȝe schullen euerech-one : beo to stronge deþe i-do." he het þat Men scholden a-midde toun : fur-berne heom echone. And huy afenge þe deth for godes loue : with-oute anie mone, And muche reuþe heo maden to katerine : I-baptizede þat heo nere. Þat Maide heom confortede wel : and cristine lawes gan heom lere, And seide þat heore stronge martyrdom : þat heo þoleden þere, In stude of cristine-dom scholde beon : ȝif heo stude-faste were. ¶ Þis Maistres weren wel glade þo : gladliche forth heo eode And nomen þane deth for godes loue : þat men heom wolde beode; Heo maden þe signe of þe croiz : þo men in þat fuyre hem caste. And þo heo hadden longe i-barnd : and dede weren atþe laste And þat fuyr was al a-queynt : al-hole heo leien þere, Ȝwittore and wel fairore [of]om. heuȝ : þane heo euere er were; Þare nas so luyte wem on heom : þat þe leste of heore here Oþur of heore cloþus a-peirede weren— : heo leien with faire chere. Þis Aumperur let fette a-non : þat Maide katerine: "haue reuþe of þi-sulf," he seide : "and schild þe fram pine! haue reuþe of þi noble bodi : þat is so fair and hende! For þou schalt beon in grete nobleye : ȝif þou wolt þi þouȝt wende: In mi paleis ich schal þe make : hext after þe quene; After þi fourme ichulle þe make : An ymage, briȝt and schene, Ouer-guld and quoynte i-nov : and sette as a-midde þe cite, Þat ech man hire honouri schal : for honour of þe Ase men schullen to one god do. : þou ne schalt mid al þi lore So muche nobleie bi-þenche þe : þat I nelle don þe more." ¶ "Sire Aumperur," þis Maide seide : "let þi fole þouȝt, For þov nast non more ȝwile to spille : þane speken embe nouȝt. god almiȝties spouse ich am : and al þi blaundisinge Ne alle þine tormenz ne schullen min heorte : enes fram him bringe." Þe Aumperur hire let strep[e] naked : and to a piler faste hire bounden, With stronge schourges men beoten hire sore : and maden hire harde wounden. Þo heo ne miȝten þare-with-al : turnen hire þouȝt, In depe prisone and swiþe deorke : sone heo was i-brouȝt; Þat no man hire mete ne ȝaf ne drunch : þei heo scholde for hungur deie, For heo scholde to heore lawe hire þouȝ[t] tuyrne : and beon i-brouȝt out of teie. In þat prison þat Maide lai : twelf dawes and twelf niȝt, Þat heo noþer .et. ne dronk : ne i-saiȝ non eorþelich liȝt; A ȝwit coluere þare cam fram heuene : to hire euer-ech dai And brouȝte hire fram heuene mete : In-to prisone ase heo lai. A day ase þe Aumperur was : out of þe toune i-fare, Þe Aumperesse þouȝte on katerine : and hadde of hire gret care: Of hire bede wel priueliche : heo a-ros at mid-Niȝt, And nam with hire sire porfirie : þat was hire priue knyȝt. Þo heo to þe prisone come : heo i-seiȝen þare gret liȝt; gret wounder heom þouȝte ȝwar-of were : þe deorke stude so briȝt. Þo heo i-seiȝenal. seiȝen heo seinte katerine : was In þe prisone grounde And an Aungel of heuene with hire stonde : and smerede hire wounde: ¶ Þe Aumperesse cride a-non : "Katerine," heo seide, "þin ore! Mine riȝte bi-leue þov tech me : I nelle beo fol non more." Þe kniȝt al-so, sire porfirie : loude cride al-so, Þat muche folk þat þare-a-boute was : sone cam þer-to; Sire porfirie ful a-doun to hire fet : and merci he gan crie. With grete Ioye þis Maide prechede heom : of god and seinte marie; So þat Aumperesse and porfirie : þoruȝ þis Maide þere, And twei hondred of oþur folk : I-baptizede weren. ¶ Ore louerd him-sulf cam sethþe a-doun : to seinte katerine : "Lo," he seide, "here ich am : for ȝwam þou hast þis pine. In þine tormenz beo studefast : Ichulle beo mid þe; Þi sege is in heue[ne] i-maud : þare þov schalt wonien mid me." An oþur dai þe Aumperour : after þis Maide sende; Þat heo were ded, oþur al fur-fare : swiþe wel he wende. Þis Maide was bi-fore him y-brouȝt : swiþe fat and round. "Ȝwat," he seide, "hou geth þis? : heo is hol and sound? Ȝware beoth þis traitores," he seide : "þat hire In prisone wuste? Stilleliche heo hire habbeth i-fed : þat no man it nuste. bi þe treuþe þat i schal to Mahon : heo ne schullen so non-more!" he let nime alle þe gayholers : and tormenti heom ful sore. ¶ "Sire Aumperur," þis Maide seide : "is þis a guod Ivggement, gulte-lese Men for mine gulte : to bringe in swuche torment? he þat hath me i-fed : him ne drat of þe riȝt nouȝt: For an Aungel it was of heuene : þat mete me hath i-brouȝt. Do me ȝwat torment þat þov wolt : and lat heom quite gon: For-soþe, þatal. of þat þou on heom seist : gult heo ne habbez non." "Ey., hendie Maide Katerine" : seide þis Aumperour, "Þench op-on þi noble stat : of alle Maidenes þov art flour; Torne þi þouȝt and þou schalt beon : þe Aumperesse per; heo ne schal no-þing bi-fore þe habbe : bote þat heo me mot beo ner." "guode man," seide þis holie mayde : "þov spext embe nouȝt: For al þi pouwer þou ne schalt : fram ihesu crist wende mi þouȝt. Al þat torment þat þou miȝt þenche : And of alle [day longe,d. l. wr. by a later hand on an erasure.] Þov miȝt don me ȝif þou wolt : redi ich am to fonge; For ich ne wilni no-þing so muche : ase mi flechs and mi blod, i-wis, to ȝiue for mi louerdes loue : þat for me he ȝaf his." Þo was þe Aumperur so wroth : þat he was neiȝ i-swowe. Four ȝweles of Iren he let fullen : with rasores, kene I-nowe, And with ginne heom makede tuyrne a-boute : þe tweien on þat on half opward, Þe oþur tweine euene heom a-ȝein : In þat oþur half a-done-ward, Þat, ho-so bi-twene were : In none half ne miȝte him wende Þat þe rasores nolden al is flechs : to-drawen and to-rende. Sone so þis Maide was i-don þar-on : hire bodi for-to schende, Ore swete louerd fram heuene : an Aungel to hire gan sende: Þis Aungel with a drawe swerd : þe ȝweoles al-to-hev, Þat þe peces a-boute flowen : ase corn ȝwane man it sev, And smotal. smite of þis luþere men : wel harde to þe grounde; Four þousend þ[er]e weren a-slawe : In a lutel stounde. Þo nuste þe Aumperur ȝwat he miȝte don : for deol ne for sore. Þe Aumperesse nolde hele hire stat : lengore þo nam-more: ¶ "Sire," heo seide, "hou gez þis? : for godes loue, þin ore! Ich i-seo þat þis mayde is guod : and of holi lore, Ower Maumates ichulle for-sake : Inelle on hem bi-leue more." Þo gan þe Aumperur for wrathþe : loude ȝeolle and rore. he ne miȝte fram Ihesu crist : hire þouȝt no-þing wende: he het men þatr. þat men scholden hire lede : to þe tounes ende And hire bresten fram hire bodi : with Irene crokes rende And þare-after smiten of hire heued : þe more fortor. hire to schende. Wit guode heorte þe Aumperesse : þane deth gan a-fonge; Þe quellares heo bad hiȝen faste : and ne a-biden nouȝt to longe. Heo nomen þe kene crokes of Ire : þat hire flechs depe gnowe, And, also man draweth with combes wolle : hire tetes heo to-drowe Fram hire bodi mossel mele : and sethþe smiten of hire heued. Þat bodi, for houndes it scholden ete : vn-bured it was bi-leued. Ake porfirie it burede a-niȝt : þat holi bodi and guod. Þo þe Aumperur þat bodi miste : he was wroth and wod; he tormentede þare-fore manie Men : þat ne miȝten heom nouȝt skere. Þo eode porfirie forth : and seide, "sire, lo me here, Ich burede þat holie bodi : þat was cristus make; And to Ihesu crist ich habbe al-so : al min heorte i-take; For no pouwer þat þou miȝt don : I-nelle him for-sake." Þo gan þe Aumperur for deol and sor : alle is lymes to schake. ¶ "Mahun," he seide, "hou schal þis beo? : ȝwat schal ich nou do, Nov Ich habbe mi wif for-lore : and mi kniȝt porfirie al-so? And porfirie al min heorte was! : ȝwy neltþou me rede?" Þo wenden þis oþure knyȝtes forth : and loude heo gonne grede, "We nellez þane deth for godes loue : no leng bi-leue for drede." Þo gan þe Aumperur to-drawe is her : and sore siche and grone, "Mahun," he seide, "ȝwat schal ich do? : hov schal ich bi-leue allone? Ȝwi neltþou raþer fette me : and bringe me of þusse liue, Þane soffri alle mine men to leose : after mine leoue wiue? Þei þou nelle, mahun, helpe me : I-ne for-sake þe nouȝt, Þis foles þat habbez þe for-sake : to deþe heo schulle beo brouȝt." He let nime porfire þene guode knyȝt : and is felawes echone And smiten of heore heuedes with-oute toun : ase Mahones fon. Þo let he fette katerine : "Dameysele," he seide, Þei þov me bi-nome mi wijf : mid þine fole rede, I-chulle, ȝif þou wul torni þi þouȝt : fur-ȝiue þine misdede And with gret nobleie ase min Aumperesse : ouer-al with me þe lede." ¶ "Certes, sire," þis Maide seide : "þis wordes beoth alle for nauȝt: Þov ne schalt me neuere bringue fram him : þat hath min heorte i-cauȝt. Do þat þov wolt, and haue i-don : and bring þi wille to ende, For þou ne schalt neuere for no-þing : min herte fram Ihesu wende." "Ȝware beo ȝe, mine quellares?" : þe Aumperur þo seide, "Faste ȝe schulle þe wychche binde : and with-oute toune lede, And smitezr. smite of hire heued a-non : an don þe guode dede, Þat heo ne bringe us neuereft : In soruwe ne In drede." Þo þis Maide was i-brouȝt : to slene with-oute þe toun, hire preiere heo maude to god : a-knes heo sat a-doun: "Louerd," heo seide, "graunte þou me : þat ech man þat hath inom. in mone In ani neode oþur in ani anuy : of mine passione, graunte þat he mote to is wille : help a-fonge sone." Þo cam ore louerd him-self to hire : and grauntede hire bone. ¶ "Cum forth," he seide, "mi suete leman : mi leue spouse al-so: heuene-ȝat a-ȝein þe I-opened is : þare þou schalt comen to." A quellare hire heued of smot. : þat folk þat a-boute heom stode, Ȝwijt Milk heo i-seiȝen eorne out of þe wounde : and nouȝt o drope of blode. Aungles comen and nomen þat bodi : a-mong alle þe manne And to þe hul of synay it beren : tuenti Iorneies þanne, And bureden it þare In one faire place : wit grete nobleye and riche; Þare þoruȝ Ihesu cristes grace : hire bones restez ȝuyte. Þare-of ȝeot to þis day : þare eornez eoille wel riue, Ȝware-with manie sike Men : beoz to hele i-brouȝt and to liue; Wide In londe it is i-lad : þat ho-so it habbe mote, Noble relike it is al-so : sike Men to don bote. Þre hundred ȝer and twenti : after þat god was i-bore, I-Martred was þis holie Maide : of ȝwam we tolden bi-fore. Ihesu crist, for þe suete loue : of seinte Katerine graunti us þe Ioye of heuene : and schilde us fram helle pine. Amen amen, segge we alle : for is holie tyme. 26 Vita sancte Lucie uirginis. SEinte lucie, þat holie Mayde : In Cezile was i-bore; Ȝong heo bi-gan to serui god : and bi-lefde sunne and hore; Dame Evtice hire Moder het : þat hire to wommane brouȝte— Of hire childe wel glad heo was : ase heo suyþe wel ouȝte. So bi-feol þat on Dame Eutice cam a siknesse : swiþe greuous and long— Four ȝer he= heo hadde gret pine— : þe menison of blode wel strong. On leches heo hadde i-spendetMS. i spendedet : Muche del of hire guod, Ake þare nas non þat hire hele miȝte : þat heo ne bledde euere blod. So þat wide In þe londe Men tolden : of seinte Agace, Of Miracles þat comen at hire schrine : þoru ore louerdes grace In þe cite of Cathenes : þere þis holi womman lay; Folk wende þudere wel wide : boþe Niȝt and day bi manie scor to-gadere : of eche londe a-boute. Þo seinte lucie þis i-saiȝ : al dai so gret route, "Moder," heo seide, "þou hauest an vuel : ful greuous with-alle And we hereth of miracles al day : þat of seinte Agace doth falle: go we þudere forth mid oþure : to þe holie seint Agace, And þare þou schalt to hele come : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace." ¶ Nov was lucie stilleliche : I-torned to cristine-dom, Ake hire Moder heþene was : and al þat heo of com; Lucie to ane heþene manne : was i-weddet In hire ȝong-hede, Ake Naþeles clene Mayde heo was : with-oute eche fol dede. Hire Moder heo nam stilleliche : and with oþere Men heo wende To seinte Agace Toumbe : hire Moder for-to amende. vv. 25-6 are tr. in the other MS.And i-heorde þe Masse a dai : mid oþure þat þere were, Þo heo weren þudere i-come— : so longueal. a stounde heo lefden þere. So þat þe godspel was þat day : ase lucie onder-stod, Of a womman þat ȝwylene hadde : þe menison of blod And cam ant touchede þe lappe : of ore louerdes cloþes ene Ase he eode In grete prece : and was hol a-non and clene. "Leoue Moder," seide lucie : "ȝif þov bi-leuest on holi churche And þe wordes of þis godspel : and þer-after wolt wurche, Þoruȝ touchingue of seinte Agace toumbe : þouȝ schalt beo hol a-non, Ase þeo womman ȝwylene was : þat aftur ore louerd gan gon." Þo þat folk was al i-went : seinte lucie cam To seinte Agace holie toumbe : and ire Moder with hire nam; Þare heo leien In heore beden : heo nolden þannes gon. ¶ So þat lucie, þat clene Maide : werth a-slepe a-non. Seinte Agace, þat holie Maide : to hire fram heuene a-liȝte, With gret felauȝ-schipe of Aungles— : hire croune schon wel briȝte; "Lucie," heo seide, "leoue soster : ȝwy trauaillestþou so And ȝwy biddestþou me so ȝeorne þat þing : þat þou miȝt þi-self do For þine bi-leue, þat is so guod : helpez þi Moder, i-wis: And nov þoru þe and þine guod-nesse : þi Moder i-held is. And also ase þis cite is : i-wuyrþet muche þoruȝ me, Also schal þi contreie : Anoured beon for þe; For þi clene Maiden-hod : and for þi holie lif, i-wis, Þi woneingue is wel ȝare i-maket : with us in heuene-blis." Þo þis holie Maide a-wok : heo bi-gan to quakien sore; ¶ "Moder," heo seide, "þov art hol : ne þarfþe drede non-more. For þe loue of þat holie Maide : þat þe hath to hele i-brouȝt, Ne fonde þov neuere to bringue me : of mi clene þouȝt And ne soffre þou nouȝt mine spouse in folie : mi Maiden-hod a-spille, Ne lat me nouȝt leose þat longue lif : for a luytel fol wille! Ake al þat þou i-grauntet hast : for-to ȝiue him with me, Lat me it ȝiue þe pouere men : Moder, ich bidde þe." Þe Moder, þo heo hol was : guod womman bi-cam, And þe douȝter bi hire Moder wille : þat guod to hire heo nam; heo hit delte a-mong pouere Men : þe ȝwyle þare i-laste ouȝt. to him þat hire spouse was : þe teoþingue was i-brouȝt: he wende to seinte lucies norice : and axede hire wel stille Ȝwat lucie were on bi-come : heore guod for-to a-spille, ¶ And ȝwi heo dude it so a-wei : and ȝwodere heo dude it bere. Þis norice wel quoyntelich : ȝaf him a-non answere: "heo hath ifounde forto sulle : swyþe derewurþe þing, i-wis, Þat is suych a þousent more wurth : þanne al þat þing þat is; Þe beste chaffare it is i-bouȝt : þat euere Man to drouȝ; Woldestþou gon þare-Inne In part : riche man þou were i-nouȝ"— Þat was þe chaffare þe blisse of heuene : þat heo hadde i-bouȝt. gret wonder he hadde of þulke Answere : and stod in gret þouȝt. So þat he onder-ȝat sone : þat heo cristine was. In grete wrathþe he tolde fore : þe Iustice, þat het pakas.MS. þakas Lucie was sone i-fet : and bi-fore þe Iustice i-brouȝt. "Maide," seide þe Iustice : "ȝwat hast þou i-þouȝt? ¶ Let þi folie," he seide : "Ich rede, on alle wiffe, And to ore godes, ase riȝt is : do þine sacrefise!" "Ich habbe," quath þis holie Maide : "al þis þre ȝer i-do Mine sacrefise to Iesu crist : and ȝuyt i-chulle al-so: Al þat ich hadde ich habbe ispended : and bi-take In is lore; And þer-to ichulle mi bodi take : ȝwane me nis bi-leued nomore. Spenecorr. to spend by a later hand. i-chulle nou al mi bodi : fram þe fot to þe heued And euerech lime In is seruise : nov me nis more bi-leued; Ich ȝelde him op al mi bodi : sire Iustise, here bi-fore þe, to spenecorr. to spend by a later hand. ech lime In is seruise— : do ȝwat þou wolt bi me!" ¶ "Nov ich wot," quath þe Iustise : "ȝware-to þou tornest þi mod: For In hore-dom and In lecherie : þou hast i-spend al þi guod, Þar-on þou wolt þi bodi al spenecorr. to spend by a later hand. : and þar-of þou dest preche; Ȝwane þov nast non more to spenecorr. to spend by a later hand. : for-soþe þou worst a wrechche: For þov spext ase an hore strong : ȝwane þou wolt for-sake Þi louerd þat þou art to i-weddetcorr. to i-wedded. : and to lechours þe take." "I-wedded ich was to Ihesu crist" : þis holie maide him tolde "Þo ich was i-baptized : and þulke weddingue ichulle holde. Ake to hore-dome þov woldest me bringue : ȝwane þov me woldest make Mine spousede louerd Ihesu crist : for ani oþur man for-sake." "Þou schalt for-sake him," quath þe Iustise : "haddestþou it i-swore: For to þe commune bordel þov schalt beo : i-lad oþur i-bore, The following part of this legend is written as prose, in two columns on each page on f. 60b.And þare schal mani a moder-child : go to þi foule licame And ligge bi þe, alle þat wollez : in hore-dom and in schame." ¶ "Ne mai no wumman," quath þis maide : "of hire maiden-hod beo ido For no dede þat men deth þe bodie : bote ire herte beoa later hand adds consente. þerto. For þe more þat mi bodi a-ȝein mi wille : here defouled is, Þe clenoreMS. clenore is mi mayden-hod : and þe more mi mede, i-wis." ¶ Þe Iustise let wide a-boute : into al þe contreie crie : Þat alle þat wolden : bi a swuch fair wumman don anie folie, Comen to hire, alle þat wolden : for alle heo scholde heom take,a later hand adds consente. For in bordel heo scholde beo i-do : þare heo ne scholde non fur-sake. he hiet is men nimen hire faste : and to þe bordel hire lede anon Alle þat miȝhten neiȝh hire come : faste huy hire drowen ech-on, huy schoue and drowe al þat huy miȝhte : ake huy ne miȝhten hire anne fote i-winne Ne o fote uchchen of þe stude : þare as heo stod inne. Þo nomen huy ropes strongue i-nouȝ : ant to fet and hondene teide, And alle þat miȝhten þere neiȝh come : faste huy drowen and breide; A þousend men with al heore main : on hire gonne drawe : Ac euere heo lai stille a-ȝein : huy ne miȝhten hire enes wawe. ¶ "Ȝwat, hou goth þis?" quath þe iustise : "ȝwat resun mai þis beo Þat a þousend ne mouwen nouȝt þis womman : of þe stude enes teo?" ¶ "Sire iustise," þat Maide seide : "þou hontest a-boute nouȝt: For, þei þou haddest ȝeot to heom : ten þousend mo i-brouȝt, Ȝuit it scholde bi-foren eov alle : bi folfuld bi me her Þat holie vers þat seint Dauid : seithþ in þe sauter:[Ps. 90] Þat a þousend men scholden in mi side falle : and to grounde beon i-brouȝt, And ten þousend in mi riȝht side : and neiȝh me ne comen nouȝt. Þare-fore it is al for nouȝt : þat þou hontest here-a-boute; God is strengore þane þou be : and þare-fore i-nabbe no doute." ¶ "Þou art strong wichche," quath þe iustise : "and þar-of Man schal þe bringue, Mine clerkes and mine enchauntours : bi-nime schullen þi wich|chingue." His clerkes he let bringue forth : and his enchauntours echone: And huy maden heore coniurisones : a-boute þis Maide alone. And þo huy hadden al ido þat huy couþen : þat folk gan eft-sones drawe: Ake euere heo lai i-liche stille : huy ne miȝhten hire enes wawe. ¶ Þe Iustise, þo he þis i-seiȝ : for wrathþe he was neiȝh wod. "Certes," he seide, "hire wichchingue : ne schal do hire no guod." Strongue temene he liet fette : of Oxene mani on And bringue þere þis Maide was : and to hire teiȝen ech-on; He liet heom prikie and harli faste : and huy guonne drawe and pluchche: And euere lai þis Maide stille : huy ne miȝhten hire enes wawe. ¶ "Certes," he seide, "ore fare nis nouȝt : oþur-ȝwat we moten do, With oþer þing we schullen hire to nauȝte bringue : ȝwane we ne mouwen so. Makieth ope þe hore, þare heo lijthþ : ȝwane we ne mouwen hire winne heonne, Also strong fuyr ase ȝe conne : þat heo al-to douste brenne!" A strong fuir and gret i-nouȝ : þis tormentores wrouȝte Aboute þis holie clene maide : to brenne hire al-to nouȝte. Þo þis fuyr was wel strongue i-maud : heo sat a-midde ful stille; Þat fuyr ne miȝhte don hire non harm : þat were wurth a fille. Þo nomen huy pich and brumston : and welden it wel faste And ope hire nakede tendre bodi : al-fuyri it casten. ¶ Euere sat þis Maide stille : it ne greuede hire no-þing, Ake euere heo prechede with glade heorte : of Ihesu, heuene king. ¶ Þo nuste þis luþere iustise : ȝwat he miȝhte don more. Ȝwane he ne miȝhte þis clene þing : ouer-come mid al is lore, A scharp swerd and a kene : þoruȝ hire þrote he liet do, To bi-nimen hire speche : and hire lijf also. Þo heo was þoruȝ þe þrote i-smite : þe betere heo spac i-nouȝ, And prechede euere of Ihesu crist : and wel smere louȝ: ¶ "Ȝe þat beoth cristine : glade and bliþe ȝe beo, Of no-þing ne habbe ȝe drede : for gret ioy ich i-seo! Ane Ioyeful þyþingue ich eou telle : þat sothþ is and nouȝt les: Þat riȝht nouþe is holi churche : i-brouȝt in guod pes: For hire tweie wiþerwines : þat habbez i-beo so ȝare, Riȝht nouþe beoth to nauȝt i-brouȝt : ȝe þorue habbe of heom no kare. For þe luþere dioclician : þat so muche harm hath i-do, he is i-pult out of his kynedom : he ne cometh non-more þar-to; And also Maximian : þat so luþur hath i-beo, Riȝth nouþe he deide in luþur deth : ȝe schulle him non-more i-seo; So þat þe luþere wiþer-wines : þat a-ȝein holie churche were, Out of heore miȝhte beoth i-brouȝt : ne habbe ȝe none fere. ¶ Þus glade tyþingue ich eov bringue : þei huy feor heonne beo— I-hered beo god, þat ich moste : þis dai a-liue i-seo! I-chulle bi-teche ou ihesu crist : for fram eov ich mot wende. Bringuth me ore louerdes flechs and is blod : for þat schal beo micorr. to my ende." ¶ Þe preostes wenden forth anon : and folk þat þere stod, And fetten to þis holie maide : godes fl[e]chs and is blod. Þo heo it hadde under-fongue : and hire riȝhtes al-so, And þe oresones weren alle i-seid : þat bi-fullen þer-to, Mid þe laste [word]om. heo ȝaf þene gost : ase huy amen seide. Aungles þare weren redie I-nowe : hire soule to heuene lede. Þere heo is with ihesu crist : in Ioye with-outen ende. Nou god for seinte lucie loue : þudere us late i-wiende! Amen. 27 ¶ Ici poez oyer coment seint Thomas de Kaunterbures nasqui. e de quev manere gent de pere e de Mere. WOlle ȝe nouþe i-heore þis englische tale : þat is here i-write Of seint Thomas of Caunterburi : al-hou he was bi-ȝite? Of londone is fader was : A bordeysr. borgeys hende and fre, Gilbert Bekat was is name : þe bok tellez me. Ake is Moder was of heþenesse. : nov sone ȝe mouwen i-heore Al-hou heo cam into engelonde : are heo i-cristned were. Gilebert him bi-þouȝte : þe Croiz for-to fo In-to þe holie lond : his penaunce þe bet to do. So þat, þo he þudere cam : he was sone i-nome, Ase A sclaue forth i-lad : and i-don In prisone, And faste was i-gwiued : he and manie mo, And i-wust wel sikerliche : þat he ne scholde a-wei go. In þe Amirales prisoneorig. prisones : heo hadden i-beo so longue, To ȝeres and an half : In bendes swiþe strongue, So þat god ȝaf þe Amiral : boþe heorte and wille Þe more to louien Gilebert : for he was meoke and stille. Eche daie ȝwane þe Amiral : to is mete wolde go, he bad, Gilebert to is mete : scholde come also— gret auantage, for-soþe, it was : þat he miȝte so gon; Ake euere he hadde ane peire feteres : faste him up-on. And ofte-siþes þe Amiral : dude for Gilebardes loue Auantage to is felawes : þat with him weren In prisone. hit bi-feol þat Amiral : Ane faire douȝter hadde— Childrene of is owene : none mo for-soþe he nadde. priueliche heo dude for Gilebert : Auantages manie and fele. And ofte-siþe heo wolde speke with him : ȝwane heo miȝte to bi|stele— For heo ne dorste bi-fore hire fader : laste he it onder-ȝete Þat it were for gyle : þat heo with him speke. Ȝeot it bi-feol In a dai : þat heo saiȝ þo heo miȝte: to Gillebert heo eode priueliche : and echste him ȝwat he hiȝte And of ȝwat bi-leue he were : and of ȝwyche londe, And ȝif he wolde for is louerdes loue : þene deth a-fonge. Gilbert hire Ansuerede þo : In swiþe fair manere: "Of engelonde ich am, and cristine Man : þei ich beo nouþe here; Mi name is Gilbert beket : of Londene þe cite; gladliche icholde þane deth a-fongue : for is loue þatMS. þad. bouȝte me, And for-to saui mi cristine-dom : and mine trewe bi-leue al-so." Þis womman to Gilbert wel sone : þeos wordes heo seide to: "Cristine-dom ichulle onder-fonge : for þe loue of þe, And þou a-non aftur-ward : treweliche weddi me." Gilbert was ful sore a-drad : of þis wommane sawe, Laste heo wolde bi-Meldi him : ȝware-þoruȝ he were a-slawe. To ȝeres and an half he was sclaue : and þat him þouȝte longe: So þat he and is felawes : gonne heom onder-stonde Þat heo wolden þet prison breke : and A-weiward gon; Sore heo weren alle a-ferd : for traison of þat womman. Þat prison heo breken : riȝt þulke daie at eue; Forth heo wenden alle a-wei : þare nolde non bi-leue. In þe morewe-tide heo weren i-souȝt : bote þer nas non i-founde. Ak þo bi-þouȝte þat Maiden hire : In wel luyte stounde hov heo miȝte best on take : and ȝwat heo miȝte do; So þat heo porueide hire : and fort a-wei gan go. Al-bi nyȝte heo wende a-wei : men nusten ȝware heo bi-cam. Ne heo ne couþe nanne wei : bote god was hire lodes-man. Þoruȝ godes grace heo was i-lad : with men þat onder-stoden hire langage, So þat heo cam to þe se : and redi fond hire passage. Þane wei heo Axede In hire langage : In-to engelonde; So þat heo cam with pilegrimes : ase ich me onder-stonde, Ouer þe se sauf and wel : þoruȝ grace þat heo hadde Of Iesu crist, and socur of men : þat hire ouer ladden. heo ne couþe no-þing conteini hire : ne speken no-þe-mo; Ake euere heo axede In hire langage : to londone for-to go. Mid pilegrimes and þoru grace of god : to londone heo cam. And þo heo was þudere i-come : þare ne knev heo no man, Ne heo ne couþe speke ne hire bi-seo : bote ase a best þat a-strayed were. Þare-fore on hire gapede alday : swyþe muche fol[c] þere, boþe Men and wommen : and children suyþe fale— for hire continaunce was wonderful : and hire speche no Man ne couþe þare. In Manie stretes heo hadde i-wandret— : þat Man may wel i-wite, So þat bi-fore gilbertes house : þe Noyse was onder-ȝite. For þe knaue þat hadde with him : In heþenesse i-beo, to þe dore he orn swyþe : þe dune for-to i-seo. he i-saiȝ þat it was þe Amirales douȝter : þat al þe wondringue was on: hasteliche he tornede In a-ȝen : to is louerd a-non, And seide, þe Amirales douȝter was : In þe strete þare-oute, And suyþe gret prece of gurles and Men : comen hire al-a-boute; he seide, "al þe gredinge is for hire : þat ȝe doth nouþe i-heore." "Louerd," seide gilbert, "ȝweþur heo beo : al-one with-outen fere?" he het is knaue loki sothþeliche : ȝif þat heo it were; And bad hire leden to ane guode wyues house : and a-stunte with hire þere, And þat heo hire scholde finde i-nouȝ : of al þat heo hadde neode, riȝt ase heo wolde is owene bodi : and he hire þar-of bede. Al-so tyme ase þis knaue : to þis Mayde cam, For Ioye heo ful a-doun i-swowe : opon þe harde ston. Þo hire stat was a-ȝein i-come : þe knaue hire op nam, And heo wel gladliche with him eode : to þulke guode womman. And heo hire onder-feng swiþe faire : for gilberdes loue; heo makede hire wel an-Ayse : and was hire swyþe wel-come. Gilbert him bi-þouȝte : a-non so he hadde i-ete, To þe bischop for-to gon : with him forto speke, Þare he was at seint poules : of him to habbe red a-non Al-ȝwat him were of þat Maide : is beste forto don. Þane bischop of londone : for-soþe he fond þere, And fyue oþur bischopes : with him þare were; So þat he fond þare six bischopes : þe beste of Engelonde. And þo Gilbert i-saiȝ heom alle : bi-fore heom he eode stonde; he bi-gan to telle is tale : þoruȝ is owene Mouth, And are he hadde al i-told : heo was swyþe selcouth. he tolde hou he In þe Amirales prisone : in heþenesse hadde i-be And hov þe Amirales douȝter to him seide : þat was so fair and fre, Al-hov þat heo wolde cristine bi-come : for enchaison of him Ȝif he wolde weddi hire : and for-saken al hire kun; And hou he and is felawes : bi-twene hem alle bi-speke For drede of hire wordes : þat prison for-to breke, ȜIf þat heo miȝten grace habbe : a-wei for-to gon, laste heo weren alle for hire : to stronge deþe i-don; And al-hou heo was to londone i-come : and fram so fer i-gon, gret wonder þar-of he hadde : for language ne couþe heo non. Þo þis bischopes hadden i-heord : þat gilbert heom hadde i-told, Þe bischop of wynchestre it wel onder-stod : for he was wis and bold: Þat hit was al þoruȝ godes grace : þat heo was so fer i-come, Out of hire owene londe so fer : þat heo þoru miseise ne hadde i-be nome;MS. nonome. For heo ne couþe language non : with men for-to speke, With ȝwan heo miȝte i-winnen hire : herboruwe and drinke and mete. he seide, "with-oute faille : ȝif god hathþ i-porueid so þat heo for gilberdes loue : cristinedom wole onder-fo, And gilberd hire wolde weddi : sum blede of hire schal come Þat schal holie churche holde to riȝte : and serui godes sone. For we it mowen wel i-wite : and we wollen us onder-stonde: Þat heo is in-to þis londe i-come : it is godes sonde. for þat þing þat god helpe wole : ne schal nouȝt beo for-fare." Alle þeos oþure bischopes : a-cordeden to þis tale, And seiden þat gilberd scholde weddi hire : and holden hire to wiue, Ȝif heo wolde i-cristned be : and tuyrne to clene liue. So þat a-non-riȝt þene moruwe : i-porueid it was al-ȝare At seint poules churche, þat heo scholde : Icristned beo riȝt þare. Þo þe baptisterie was al-redi : to hire baptizingue, Þe bischopes beden þat Men scholden : þe womman bi-fore heom bringe. Þo heo cam bi-fore þe bischopes : heo axeden hire wel sone Ȝif heo wolde i-cristned beo : ase lawe was for-to done. heo answerede In hire langage : wel sone heom a-ȝen: Ȝif gilbert wolde hire weddi : i-cristned heo wolde ben And bote he hire weddi wolde : heo nolde cristinedom a-fongue, heo seide heo wolde raþer tuyrne aȝen : In-to hire owene londe. Gilberd couþe hire language. : þare he stod wel stille: to þe bischopus he seide : he wolde don heore wille. So þat heo i-cristned was : ase god hire ȝaf þe grace, Of alle þe six bischopes : and i-spouse in þe place. hire heþene name ne j nouȝt telle : for-soþe ȝwat heo hiet, Þe name þat heo of cristindom hadde : i-wute ȝe schullen ȝet: heo was i-nemd Alisaundre : as ich me onder-stonde; Seint Thomas was on hire bi-ȝite : pris-martyr of engelonde. Þo Gilbertorig. Gilberd hire hadde i-weddet : wel glad of him heo was. Þe furste Nijȝt þat he knovleiȝte hire : he bi-ȝat seint thomas. Fram þe tyme þat he was bi-ȝite : for-to þat he was i-bore he ne lai non more bi hire : þane he dude bi-fore. Anon-riȝtes a-morewe : so gret wille him nam to þe holi londe for-to gon : þat he cam erore fram, Þat him þoute deiȝe he scholde : bote he wende a-ȝenward sone. Ake he bi-þouȝte him of is wiues stat : ȝwat were of hire to done, laste heo wolde mourny swyþe : ȝwane he were a-gon, And gret deol to hire nime— : for langage ne couþe heo non Þat ani Man couþe onder-stonde : þat heo speke to, bote gilbert oþur [his] knaue. : þare-fore him [was] ful wo. So þat gilbert was in grete þouȝte : and bi-gan to sike sore, laste is wif gret harm habbe scholde : ȝwane he i-wend weore. Þare-fore gilbert mournede muche : and siȝte stille and softe, laste is wif fur-fare scholde : he bi-þouȝte him ofte. for þe mourningue þat he makede : is wif it onder-stod, And for he siȝte i-lomeliche : þat i-chaunged was is mod. his wif him axede swiþe ȝeorne : and a-raysonede him wel touȝte, Ȝif him mis-likede ani-þing : þat grefde him in þouȝte. So streitliche heo fraynede him : þat he ne miȝte no leng for-sake: he tolde hire hov gret wille he hadde : þene wei a-ȝein to take, For-to trauaili is bodi more : ase euerech man wel ouȝte, Al for-to honouri Iesu crist : þat him so deore a-bouȝte. Þo heo saiȝ gilbertus wille : þat it was so guod, heo nolde no-þing a-ȝen him beo : for-to chaungi is mod, Ake heo ȝaf him conseil þane wei to gon : þat he hadde In þouȝte, And forto queme Iesu crist : þat him deore bouȝte. Þare was i-sene þat heo was treowe : and of studefast mod! heo nolde letten hire louerd nouȝt to done : þat him þouȝte god, Ake euere heo bad him þane wei gon : þat he hadde In þouȝt For-to serui is creatour— : þare-a-ȝein heo nolde beo nouȝt, And ȝeorne he= heo bad for enchaison of hire : he ne scholde it nouȝt bi-leue. SaueMS. sone heo bi-souȝte gilbert : þat he one bone hire ȝeue: Þat heo moste is knaue with hire habbe : þat hire langage couþe, And for he scholde hire solas beo : and speke to hire with mouþe. heo truste so muche to Iesu crist : þat to cristinedom ire hadde i-brouȝt, Þat heo ne scholde nouȝt fur-fare— : so treowe was hire þouȝt. Gilebard lefde is knaue wit hire : his name was Richard Mone. he greiþede him wel haste-liche : and wende is wei wel sone. To þe holie londe he wende : In penaunce ase he dude er, And þare he bi-lefde þo : fulle furthþe-half ȝer. Þo he hadde þre ȝer þare i-be : and an half ȝer more, Into is owene londe : a-longued he was sore. Ȝif þat he was þare ouȝt i-knowe : I-ne can ou tellen non ende; bote, ase þe bok us tellez : hamward he gan þo wende. And þo he to londeneMS. londene cam : Ichot wel, þare he founde his wif and thomas, is ȝonge sone : boþe hole and sounde. Welle, muche was þe Ioie : þat he makede with is sone, And also he dude with is wif : þo he was hom I-come; And is wif gret Ioie made : with hire housebonde, For he was hire swiþe wel-come : In-to engelonde. Þat child heo setten to lore : are it were seue ȝer eld; Ich wot, it leornede swiþe wel : and wax swiþe quointe and beld. Þo þat he was wel i-woxe : of bodi and of clergise, Þat þe bischop of londone : wilnede is seruise, he nolde serui þe bischope nout : ake he bi-lefde at-hom, And preide is fader wel ȝerne : þat he moste to schole gon. Of is fader and of is moder : ȝe habbez i-heord telle, Acke of seint thomas him-selue : þat beste cometh nou to spelle. ¶ Hic Isci Comence la vie seint Thomas Erceeueske de Kaunterbury. ENgelond, wel glad þov beo : for þou miȝt wel eþe, And al-so holi churche : for one Mannes deþe, Þe erchebischop seint Thomas : þatal. þat ou wel deore bouȝte With is blod and with is brayn : þat þe scharpe swerd souȝte! Seint Thomas, þis holi Man : to Alle guodnesse he drovȝ. At londone he was i-bore : of guode Men i-nouȝ, For of londone is fader was : a wel guod emne Man. Þis child was ȝong to schole i-set : And swiþe wel he bi-gan. His Moder him wolde al day rede : and wel ofte on him crie Chaste lijf and clene for-to lede : and for-sake lecherie, And louien bi-fore al oþur þing : god and seinte Marie, And serui hem and holi churche : and bi-leuen alle folie. Þis child, þei it were ȝong : swiþe wel þis under-stod— For seli child is sone i-lered : þare he þenchez to beon guod. Þo þis child was bet in elde : and of to and twenti ȝer, his moder wende out of þis liue : þat so muchel him louede her. Þis child wolde lengore gon to scole : ake is fader him nolde finde— For þat child þat is modur for-leost : is help is muche bi-hinde. Þis child þoruȝ is fader heste : ase man þat oþur red not, Seruede A borgeys of þe toun : and his a-countes wrot. So longe þat he cam to court : and was in guod offiz With þe erchebischop of Kaunterburi : sire tebaud, guod and wis. He seruede him so hendeliche : þat In a luytel stounde he makede him his conseiller : so studefast he him founde; his ercedekne he makede him sethþe : and dude al bi is rede. Swyþe wel bi-gan þis Ercedekne : holi churche bi-lede, And stifliche heold op hire riȝte— : þat alle Men i-seie, An þar-of nolde he þolien no wrong : þei he scholde þare-fore deie. Wel ofte he wende to rome : for holi churche al-so— Swuche prelatus al-to fewe : beoth nouþe In office i-do! ¶ So þat henri king of Engelonde : after sire steuene þe blays— Duyk of Normandie— : y-maked was al In pays. Þis king henri þe ȝongue : þo he to londe cam, louede muche wel to do : and guode Men to him nam, And fondede to habben guod conseil : and wis bi al is miȝte, For-to holden riche and pouere : euerech man to riȝte. Of þe Ercedekne Thomas : Men tolden him sone i-nouȝ, hov he was stable Man and wis : and to alle guodnesse drouȝ: Þoruȝ þe Erchebischopes graunt : he makede him chaunceler— For euere Man mot him a-bouwie : þat hauez mest pouwer. Þo þis holi Man was i-torned : fram þe office of holi churche To a gret office of þe world : þare-after he moste wurche: Al-to nobleie of þe worlde : his continaunce he brouȝte— Of swuche porture neuere Man i-holde nas— : þei oþur were is þouȝte. With more nobleie he rod i-nouȝ : þane he was i-wonet to do: his loreins weren al of seluer : stirapes and spores al-so; pley he siwede of hauekus : and of houndes I-nouȝ; And ase men þouȝten, In euereche point : to alle pruyte he drouȝ. bote In is heorte it was an-oþur : hov-so he him bere; And euere he was chaste þoruȝ alle þing : hov-so it euere were. Ake euere he was for holi churche : and for pouere Men al-so, A-ȝen þe proute courteoures : þat a-ȝen heom wolden ouȝt do.Both verses were orig. transposed in the MS. ¶ To holden op holi churche riȝte : so muche wo he gan drie A-ȝen þe luþere courteours : þat a-nuyden him of is liue, Also he tolde þe Erchebischope : wepinde swiþe sore, And oþere ofte In priueite : þat loueden him þe more: he wilnede mest of alle þinge : and on ore louerd he gan crie, Þat he moste with honour : bi-leue þulke baillie And ech oþur seruise of court : with þe kingus gode wille, For he ne miȝte nouȝt is court paie : bote he wolde is soulle spille. Ake þe king him fond so stable : and so guod conseiller, Þat he nolde make for no-þing : non oþur chaunceler; he ne truste to no man so muche : ne þare nas non so heiȝ Þat he tolde is priueite so muche : ne þat him were so neiȝ. So muche he caste is heorte on him : þat In his warde he let do his eldeste sone sire henri— : he was is .Eyr. al-so— Þat he were is wardein : and al is ordeinour, Aftur is wille to wissi him : to þe kingus honur. Þe king wende In-to Normandie : for-to soiorni þere, And lefde is sone with seint Thomas : þat he is wardein were. ¶ boþe þe fader and þe sone : mest heore heorte heo caste Ope seint thomas þe holi Man : þe ȝwile it wolde i-laste; Þare nas Man In engelond : þat hadde so gret power Of þe reaume ase seint thomas : boþe fer and ner. Hit bi-fel þat sire Tebaut : ase god þe grace sende, Þe Erchebischop of Kaunterburi : out of þis liue wende. Þat word was sone wide couth : a-mong þeuwe and freo, Þat seint Thomas after him : scholde Erchebischop beo. Þe king al-so In Noremandie : þo men tolden him þat cas, A-non bar is heorte him mest : to don þare seint thomas; Þat couent of Caunterburi : desirede him also. So ase ech Man it wolde : i-brouȝt heal. it was þar-to. At West-munstre he was i-chose : to þat heie pouwer, Þe fifte ȝer þat he was i-mad : þe kingus Chaunceler; he was of elde þulke tyme : of foure and fourti ȝer— his owene deth he onder-feng : and is Martyr-dom þer. For þe king was In Normandie : Ipresented he was to henri, is sone, In Engelonde : þo non oþur kyng þere nas. Ake þei it were a-ȝen is wille : he nolde it nouȝt for-sake. ¶ ÞoMS. þo he Axede In ȝwuche Manere : þo Axede he in ȝwuche m. Axede he in ȝwuche manere : þe croiz he scholde take. Men seiden him þat he scholde a-fongue : holi churche so freo Þat heMS. heo ne scholde onder noman : bote onder þe pope beo, Ne no-þing þenche bote holden op wel : holi churche lawe. "In þis manere," quath seint thomas : "ich hire a-fongue fawe." Þis was riȝt at wit-sonentid : þat þis dede cam to ende. Þis guode Man to Caunterburi : a-non bi-gan to wende. Al þe contreie, to don him honour : a-ȝen him cam and drov; Þare was for him In Caunterburi : Ioie and blisse I-nov. Þat dai of þe Trinite : bischop i-sacret he was And onder-feng þis dignete : þe guode Man seint thomas. Sire henri, þe kingus sone : was at his sacringue, And sixtene bischopus al-so : þis dede to ende bringue. Þo þis dede was i-don : heo gonne sende sone Aftur is palliun to rome : ase riȝt was for-to done. Alisaundre, þat was pope þo : he was at Mount-pellers: Þudere wenden þis wise men : þat weren is Messagers. ¶ Þe Abbod Adam of Euesham : heore cheuenteyn huy nome, to þe pope Alisaundre : to Mount-pellers heo come. heore erinde heo hadden sone of him : for [he] hem no-þing ne wernde, And heo nomen heore leue of him : and hamward a-ȝein heo turnden. And þis pallion wel sone was : to seint thomas i-brouȝt: Þis holi Man it a-fonge : with wel milde þouȝt. ¶ Þo he was in is dignete : al clanliche i-do, he chaungede euerech-del is lif : and is maneres al-so. Þe here he dude on next is liche : is flesches maister to beo, Schuyrte and brech streit i-nov : a-non doun to is kneo— For him þouȝte þat he wel miȝte : of oþure habbe þe maistrie, Ȝif he hadde of is owene flesche : al-ovt þe seignorie; Ȝif is soule Maister were : and is flesch is hyne, him þouȝte he miȝte is dignete : bringue to guode fine. Sethþe on-ouewarde þe here : þe Abite of Monek he nam, And a-boue al þan clerkene Robe : ase to is stat bi-cam; So þat he was clerk with-oute : and with-Inne Monek al-so, Þoruȝ þe Abite þat he hadde on him : priueliche i-do. In penaunce and In fastingue : he was niȝt and dai, And In is oresones, bote som ȝwile : þat he slepe lai; And ȝwane he scholde eten is mete : for þat he moste nede, Euere he preide ore swete louerd : þat he moste wel spede; And euere ȝwane he Masse song : he wep and siȝte sore; he hastede euere þare-with faste : ne miȝte no man more. ¶ Swiþe faire he fedde him at is bord : with grete nobleie and pruyte And of þe beste him-sulf he et : ake ofte bote luyte. Of is ordres he was ful streit : and he was in grete fere For-to ordeinen ani Man : bote he þe betere were. Idul nolde he neuere beo : ake euere doinde he was; In eche manere of betere liue : neuere no bischop nas. Sire henri, þe kingus sone : þat with him was er i-brouȝt, bi-lefde euere In is warde : fram him nolde he nouȝt. Þe loue þat was hem bi-twene : nas neuere more i-seie, Ne of no Man þis child nadde : neuere more loue eiȝe.al. ne eiȝe Reditus regis.HIt bi-fel þat þe king : ovt of Noremandie cam In-to Enguelonde, þe stat to loke : and al-so is kynedom. Seint Thomas nam with him : sire hanri, is sone, And wel faire with honour : wende to south-hamptone. Þare was Ioie and blisse i-nouȝ : þo heo to-gadere come; heo custen and heo clupten faste : and hereden god i-lome. Þe king bi-lefde In Engelonde : to wardi is kynedom. Seint thomas to is priueitez : euere-more he nam And heold him euere ase he dude er : is hexte conseiller; bi is wille he nolde habbe i-haued : non oþur chaunceler. Euere ȝwane he ani-þing dude : þat were a-ȝen þe riȝte, Seint thomas it with-seide : euere with al is miȝte.— Hit bi-fel þat þe bischop of wirecestre : sone þere-after ded was, And þe bischop of hereforde al-so : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas. Þe bischopriches fullen boþe : In-to þe kingus hond, For-to onder-fonge al þe prov þare-of : ase lawe was in þe lond. ¶ Þe king heom nolde nouȝt ȝiue sone : bote heold heom swiþe longe In his hond, þat he miȝte þar-of : þe more prov a-fonge. Hit ne likede nouȝt seint Thomas : þat holi churche so Scholde for a luytel coueitise : In þe kingus warde beon i-do; he þouȝte þat it was swiþe muche : a-ȝen ore louerdes wille, And þat þe king miȝte In swuche manere : holi churche a-spille. he bad þe kinge In faire manere : þat he ne scholde it nouȝt bi-leue Þat þulke tweie bischoperiches : some guode Men he ȝeue. Þe king him grauntede mildeliche : and nas nouȝt a-ȝen is bone, Ake Þeos bischopriches boþe he ȝaf : twei guode Men wel sone. ¶ Seint thomas þouȝte wel : þat he ne miȝte nouȝt paie þe kingue ne his conseil : bote he wolde holi churche bi-traie; In gret care and in soruwe he was : hov he miȝte best do, For he ne miȝte nouȝt paien Ihesu crist : and þene kingue also. Seint Thomas halewede þat ilke ȝer : þe churche of Redinge, Þat i-founded was and a-rerd : þoruȝ henri þe oþur kingue, Þat ȝeot lith þare wel faire i-bured— : willames sone bastard. In þulke ȝere seint thomas : schrinede seint edward At westmunstre, þare he lijth : þat bi-fore king willame was; bote king harald heom was bi-tueone : for-to is power no leng nas. Þe loue was euere gret i-nouȝ : bi-tweone seint thomas And þe kinge, for-to þe feond : destourbede hit, allas! luyte an luyte þat contek sprong : for pouere Mannes riȝte: paie ore louerd and þe kinge : þis holi man ne miȝte. Þe furste tyme þat seint thomas : ovtliche him with-seide, hit was for þe king a-ȝen pouere Men : dude onriȝtful dede. ¶ Þe king nam fro ȝer to ȝere : þoruȝ Engelond wel wide After is wille ane summe of panes : i-deld bi-eche side, And sethþe þoru an-queste : he let þoruȝ þe contreies an-quere hov muche ech Man scholde paiȝe : and hov muche is riȝte were. So longue he nam taillage : þat he axede atþe laste Eche ȝere ane certeyne rente : þoruȝ al engelond wel faste. Ȝwat for eiȝe, ȝwat for loue : no man him ne with-seide; bote euere þouȝte seint thomas : þat hit was an onriȝtful dede. he þouȝte al on god and on is soule : and bi-lefde al his manhede, And wende forth wel baldeliche : to þe king with-outen drede: "Sire," he seide, "ȝif it is þi wille : þou art riche and hende, And king of gret pouwer i-nov— : ore louerd þe more sende. A taillage þov taxt fram ȝer to ȝer : þoruȝ-out al þi londe, And axest it for a certeine rente : with onriȝte, ich onder-stonde; For riȝte rente þov dest it take : at a certein daie in þe ȝere, A certeyn summe a-signed : And so ne dude no king ere. Ȝware-þoruȝ þat þat certein rente, me þinchez : þov ne miȝt it nouȝt make: A taillage it is, and sumdel : with vnriȝte i-take." ¶ "Thomas, thomas," quad þe king : "þou art mi chaunceler, Þou auȝtest more to holden op : þane to with-seggen mi power." ¶ "Sire," quath þis holi Man : "ich habbe i-beo with þe, And þou hast, ore louerd fur-ȝelde þe : gret guod i-don me: An oþur baillie ich habbe a-fongue : þei it were a-ȝen mi wille, And I ne mai nouȝt loki boþe wel : bote ich scholde min owene a-spille; For ich am to luyte wuyrth : þat on for-to loke: Þanne dude he gret folie : þat boþe me bi-toke. Þare-fore ich þe ȝelde up here : al-out þe chauncelerie, And take me al to holi churche : to god and to seinte Marie." Þo was þe king wel of I-nouȝ : wroþere þane he was er; Ake naþeles is heorte bar : euere to Thomas þer. Þat þridde þing ȝeot mest of alle : and sonest in wrathþe hem brouȝte: A preost, þatal. þer was a luþer Man : þat luyte of god rouȝte; Þat of Manslauȝt was bi-cleoped : and þare-fore i-nome also And In þe bischopes prisone of Salesburi : þare-fore he was i-do. Þe Mannes frend þat was a-slawe : siweden ope him so faste, So þat þe preost to Iuggement : Ibrouȝt was atþe laste. Men acuseden him faste of þe dede. : he ne answerede nouȝt þer-to, Acke heold him faste to holi churche : and ope none oþere he nolde him do. ¶ I-loked him was to puyrgi him : þoruȝ clergie, ȝif he miȝte, And dai him was þar-to i-set : þoruȝ holi churche riȝte. Þo þe dai was i-come : he ne miȝte him puyrgi nouȝt: he was sone i-lad a-ȝen : and into prisone i-brouȝt. Þo was þe bischop in grete care : ȝwat þer-of were to done; For-to habbe þe wisore red : to seint thomas he sende sone. And he him sente word a-ȝen : þat he scholde þene preost take And on-ordeini him of euerech ordre : and ase a lewede Man him make, And sethþe don him in strongue warde : þat he neuer-eft þar-of ne wende, In penaunce and in pine i-nouȝ : his sunnes for-to a-mende. Þe bischop of Salesburi : dude seint thomas heste; So þat þe preost was i-brouȝt : In tormenz bi þe meste. Þe tiþinge her-of sone : to þe kinge cam, Þat a luþer þef, a manquellare : hadde a so liȝt dom. him þouȝte þat it nas nouȝt riȝt : ne þat it ne miȝte nouȝt beo so. And phelipe de boys, a Chanoyne : him hadde al-so mis-do: Þare-fore was ech oþur clerk : þe more him a-ȝen wille; him þouȝte þat swuch lawe scholde : þe pais of þe londe a-spille. To westmunstre he let somony : alle þe bischopes of engelonde, And oþure, þe gretteste clerkes al-so : and þe hexte, ich onder-stonde. Ait Rex.¶ "Beav seignours," þe king seide : "I not ȝwat ȝe habbeth i-þouȝt; Ȝif ȝe goth forth with ower wille : ore pais ne worth riȝt nouȝt. Ȝif a clerk hath ane Man a-slawe : oþur strong þeffþe i-do, And he mouwe þanne desordeined beo : and to liue comen so, heo wollez þanne mis-don al day : and beon þare-oppe wel bolde, And so schal þe pays of þe londe : wel vuele beon i-holde. Luyte heom wolde rechche : to leosen heore ordre so, Ȝwane heo for heore ordre ne spariez nouȝt : þefþe for-to do! And euere þe herre heore ordre is : me þinchez bi puyr lawe, þe strengore scholde heore dom beo : ȝwane heo wolden to þefþe drawe." Ait Thomas.¶ "Sire, sire," quad seint Thomas : "ȝif it is þi wille, Lothz vs were any-þing to don : þi pays for-to a-spille. Þe clerkus þat beoth I-ordeynede : þov wost wel heo berez a signe Þat heo beoth lymes of holi churche : þat so noble is and digne; Ȝif heo weren with þulke signe : to vile deþe i-do, A-viled were al-holi churche : and foule i-schend al-so. And ȝif heo beoth formest onordeined : and for þulke sulue dede Sethþe þoruȝ dom to deþe i-brouȝt : it nere nouȝt wel to rede: For it nas neuere lawe ne riȝt : double dom to take For o trespas, ase ȝe wel wuteth : and sunne it were to make; And vnwuyrþere þane a lewed Man : holi churche were so: A lewed Man for o trespas : bote o Iuggement nis i-do. Þare-fore þine grace we biddeth þe : ȝif it is þi wille, Þat þov ne a-rere none newe lawe : holi churche to spille, For we biddez niȝt ant day : ase riȝt is for-to do, Þat god holde þe þine riȝte : and þine reavme al-so." Rex.¶ "beav sire," quath þe king þo : "þov seist wel i-novȝ. Ich hadde lothz bi mi concience : don holi churche wovȝ; For lawes þere beoth and costomes : þat habbethz euere beon i-holde Of bischopus þoruȝ al Engelond : ase ovre Aunceteres us tolde, And bi þe kingus daye henries : þat ovre graunt-sire was I-confermede weren and i-holde : And no man þare-aȝen nas. Woltþu þulke lawes holde? : do me to witene sone!" "We schullen do," seint Thomas seide : "al þat is to done—Thomas. Alle þe lawes and þe costomes : we schullen holde bi ore miȝte Þat beothz to holde and habbeth i-beo : sire,—sauue oure riȝte." Rex."Sauue ouwer riȝte?" quath þe king : "bev sire, ȝwi seistþou so? bi þulke worde Ine scholde no-þing : aȝen þine wille do Þat þov noldest segge þat it were : a-ȝen holi churche riȝte, And so þou miȝtest bringe al þat lond : In contek and In fiȝte. Ȝe moten holde þe lawes : for-soþe ich onder-stonde, Þat word me þinchez venimous : to þe pays of þe londe." Thomas."Sire," quath þis holi man : "ne meue ȝe ov riȝt nouȝt! Wel þov wost þat ech of us : are we weren here-to i-brouȝt, Trewenesse we þe sworen ase riȝt was : and eorþelich honour al-so, Sauue ore ordre and ore riȝte— : bote þat was out i-do. hou scholde we, sire, nouþe oþur do? : ȝe ne Auȝten it us nouȝt beode. For godes loue hold us to riȝte : for nouþe we habbez neode." Rex.¶ "Ich i-seo nouþe, thomas," quath þe king : "ȝware-to þou wult drawe; Þov art I-come to late : to bi-nimen us ovre lawe. Þov woldest makien me more wrechche : þane euere ani kyng was: Þare-to þov art i-come to late : þou cast aumbes as." þe king [aros] in wrathþe a-non : and let heom sitte ech-one; In-to is chaumbre he wende : and ne grette heom neuer one. Fram londone he wende sone : In wrathþe ase þei it were, he ne seide no man of is þouȝt : ake bi-lefde heom alle þere. Þe bischopus þouȝten þo ech-one : þat he was wroth i-nouȝ, Þare weren fewe bote seint thomas : þat toward him ne drouȝ. ¶ On seint Thomas heo criden faste : is þouȝt forte wende, Oþuer he wolde al þat lond : for þulke one worde schende. kniȝtes and oþure ofte comen : þat with þe kinge were And beden seint Thomas ententifliche : þat he þat word for-bere, And þat it were him gret folie : þe kinge In wrathþe bringe, And also destourbi al þat lond : for so luytel þingue. Seint thomas stod longe in þouȝte. : "leoue breþren," he seide, "A-ȝen þe kyngus honur I-ne schal : neuere don no dede, Ake euerech word ichulle bi-leue : þat a-ȝen is honur is." Þo weren þis oþure glade i-nouȝ : þo heo i-heorden þis, And radden him wende to þe kinge : is wrathþe for-to stille. "Lef me were," quath seint Thomas : "with riȝte to don is wille." He wende to þe kinge to Oxenford : and with him þare he fond grete Eorles and barones also : þe hexte of al þe lond. Þe king welcomede seint Thomas : ake he ne made him nouȝt fair chere; bischopes and Eorles he let cleopien : alle þat þere were. Rex.¶ "Bev sire," he seide, "ich am king : with riȝte of þis londe; Customes here weren bi-fore : I-vsed, ich onder-stonde, And so muche wrechche nam ich nouȝt : þat ich nelle þe lawes holde Þat ovre Auncestres heolden ȝwyle : ase ore conseil us tolde. Þare-fore ichulle þat þulke lawes : i-confermede beoth ech-on Of mine eorles and mine barones al-so : heo ne with-seggez non. Þare-fore ich hote ov euerechone : þat ȝe beon þat ilke dai At mi maner at Clarindone : with-outen ani de-lai, For-to confermi þis lawes. : ope peyne þat i schal ou sette, Ich hote þat ȝe beon þare ech-one— : þat non oþur ne lette." So departede þe court þo : and euerech to is In drouȝ; And euere was seint thomas : In care and soruwe i-nouȝ. Clarendon.¶ þis bischopes and þe baronie : alle comen to þe daiȝe to clarindone In wilte-schire : þe kingue for-to paye. Þo heo comen to þe parlement : þe king axede heom a-non Ȝweþur heo wolden holde þe lawes : ase heore Auncestres heolden ech-on. Thomas.¶ "Sire, sire," quath seint thomas : "ȝif it þi wille is, Ech man mot speke for him-selue : and ich for me, i-wis. For mi stat and for holi churche : Ich answerie þar-to Þat alle þe olde guode lawes : And þat ȝeot beoth al-so graunti ichulle for holi churche : for-to habben þin ore, Sauue ore riȝtes and ore ordre. : þou ne miȝt axi nonmore." ¶ Þe king was wod-wroth for þat word : þat him gan þo mislike, Seint Thomas wep In is heorte : and sore bi-gan to sike. Al-to blodi was þat word i-seid : and deore it was a-bouȝt: Þare-fore was seint Thomas : to stronge deþe i-brouȝt. Þe bischop of Salesburi : and of Northwiche al-so Wepinde knevleden to seint thomas : þat he scholde anoþur do And habbe revþe of al-holi churche : and of heom echone, "Þat we ne beon alle to grounde i-brouȝt : for þulke worde one." heiȝe Men þat with þe kingue weren : mani on al-s[o] wende And knevleden to seint Thomas : þat word for-to a-mende. ¶ "Louerdyngues," quath seint Thomas : "ich am ȝet a ȝong man And luyte ȝwule habbe bischop i-beo : and þar-on luytel ich can: Þare-fore of ower olde lawes : transcrit ȝe me take, And þare-oppe ichchulle conseillen me : ȝwuche beon to for-sake." þe king him let a traunscrit take : of þis customes echon. Seint Thomas grauntede some of heom : and with-seide mani on. Prima lex.¶ Þe lawes þat ichulle nouþe telle : he grauntede wel fawe: 'Ȝif a bonde-man hath ane sone : þat to clergie beo i-drawe, HeMS. Ne schal nouȝt with-oute is louerdes leue : noȝwere i-crouned beo, For þev-Man ne mai nouȝt beon i-maket : a-ȝen is louerdes wille freo.' Alia lex.¶ An oþur lawe he grauntede al-so : þat ȝe mowen nouþe i-seo: 'Ȝif ani man of holi churche : halt ani-þing of lay-fe, person, preost, oþur ȝwat-so he beo : he schal don þere-fore Þe seruise þat to þe kinge bi-fallez : þat is riȝte nere for-lore; And In plaidingue stonde in eche place : and In iuggement al-so, bote ȝware ani Man schal beon bi-leomed : oþur to deþe i-do.' Tertia lex.¶ He grauntede also, 'ȝif ani Man : þe kingues traytur were And ani man is chateus : to holi churche bere, Þat holi churche ne scholde nouȝt : þe chateus with strencþe lette, Ake þe king hem scholde wel baldeliche : ase is howene fette. For al þat þe kingus feloun hath : þe kingus catel it is, And ech man in holi churche : is owene take i-wis.' Seint Thomas grauntede bluþeliche : þeos and oþure mo, Ake þeos oþere he with-seide— : þat dude him muche wo: Ia contradicta.¶ 'Ȝif bi-twene tweie lewede men : were ani striuingue, Oþur bi-tuene a lewed man and a clerk : for holi churche þingue, Ase for Avouweson of churche : ȝweþur scholde þe churche ȝiue, Þe king wolde þat In his court : þat plai scholde beon i-driue, ¶ for ase muche ase a lewed Man : þe o partye, was clanliche onder þe kingue : and onder no bischop nas.' ija.¶ An oþur lawe was 'þat no bischop : ne clerk noþe-mo Scholde out of engelonde : with-oute þe kingus leue go, And þanne heo scholden swerien heore oth : opon þe boke, i-wis, Þat heo ne scholden purchaci non vuel : þe kingue ne none of his.' iija.¶ Þe þridde was, 'ȝif ani man : In mansingue were i-brouȝt And sethþe come to amendement : and a-ȝen riȝte nere nouȝt, Þat he ne scholde nouȝt swerie op-on þe boke : ake borewes finde he scholde to stonde to al þat holi churche : with riȝte him lokie wolde.' iiija.¶ Þe ferþe was 'þat no man : þat of þe kinge heolde ouȝt In chief oþur In seruise : in mansingue nere i-brouȝt, bote þe wardeins of holi churche : brouȝteal. þat br. him þer-to, Þatal. þe kyng s. seiden, oþur is baillifs : ȝwat he hadde mis-do, And lokede formest ȝweþer heo wolden : to amendement it bringe, And bote huy wolden, bi heore leue : þanne don þe mansingue.' va.¶ Þe fifte was 'þat no bischopriche : ne non Abbeie also,al. þat bischopriches: & abbayes also Þat were voyde with-oute prelat : In þe kingus hond were I-do And þe king scholde al þat lond : ase is owene take, For-to atþe laste þat him luste : ani prelat make; And þanne scholde þilke prelat : of is chapele i-chose beo, Of is clerkus ȝwuch þat he wolde : þat benefiz to bi-seo; And þanne ȝwane he were i-chose : In is chapele þere homage he scholde don to him : are he j-confermed were.' vja.¶ Þe sixte was, 'ȝif ani plait : to chapitle were i-drawe And ani man made ani apel : ȝif men duden him a-ȝen lawe, Þat to þe bischop fram þe Ercedekne : his apel [he]om. scholde make, And fram þe bischop to þe Erchebischop : and sethþe non herre take; bote þe Erchebischopes court : to riȝte him woller. wolde bringe, Þat he scholde fram þulke court : bi-cleopien to þe kinge, And fram þe kinge non herre'— : so þat atþenende Þe playdingue fram holi churche : to þe kingue scholde i-wende, And þe king a-mendi scholde : þe Erchebischopes dede And beon chief of holi churche— : ake seint thomas it with-seide. vija.¶ Þe seueþe was 'þat playdingue : þat of dette were, for-to ȝelde þoruȝ treuþe i-pliȝt : and nouȝt i-holde nere Al-þei it þoruȝ treuþe were : þe playdinge scholde beon i-brouȝt bi-fore þe kinge and is baillifs : and to holi churche nouȝt.' viija.¶ Þe eiȝteþe was 'þat In þe londe : citation non nere Þoruȝ bulle of þe pope of rome : Ake clanliche bi-leued were.' ixa.¶ Þe Ninþe was 'þat peteres panes : þat men gaderiez mani on, Þe pope nere nouȝt on i-send : ake þe kingue euerech-on.' xa.¶ Þe teoþe was, 'ȝif ani clerk : ase felun were i-take And for kingus felon j-proued were : and he ne miȝte nouȝt for-sake, Þat men scholden furst desordeini him : and sethþe þoruȝ riȝte lawe And þoruȝ riȝt Iuggement of þe londe : bringe him of lijf-dawe.' Þeos customes, and manie oþere : þe king pulte forth a-non, And het þoruȝ-out al þis lond : þat Men heom heolden echon. Þene feorþe dai bi-fore candelemasse : þo þis was ido, Þe king het seint thomas a-non : and þe oþere bischopus al-so On þis chartre heore seles sette : þat non aftur-tale nere, Þat þulke costomes weren i-holde : þoruȝ al þe londe þere. "Sire, sire," quath seint thomas : "for godes loue þin ore, to conseili us betere ȝif us furst : are we speken her-of more!" So þat respit was þar-of I-nome : and ech wende In his side. ¶ Seint thomas nam þat transcrit : and nolde no lengore a-bide, to winchestre he wende þanne : with soruwe and care i-novȝ hov he miȝte holi churche schilde : fram þis muchele wovȝ. ȝwane oþur Men weren faste a-slepe : he wep and siȝte sore, "And Iesusal. & bad god helpe holi churche" : and cride him milce and ore. he i-sai þat þer nas bote o wei : oþur he moste stif beo, Oþur holi churche was al bi-neþe : þat with riȝte was so freo. Sori and careful he was I-nov : þat he tok on so, For-to entri into Answere : þare he ne ouȝte nouȝt to do, Þat he a-feng þat transcrit : and respit hadde i-bede: For him þouȝte þat al-holi churche : In þat he misdude; For holi churche ne scholde : In none stude stonde to dome Ne Ansuerie kinge ne prince noþur : bote þe pope of rome. ¶ Þe deol þat thomas makede : no tounge telle ne may. "Louerd," he seide, "alas, alas : þat ich euere i-saiȝ þis day, Þat ich þe warde of holi churche : so folliche scholde take, And so freo ase heo was er : þus þeu sethþe hire make! heo þat was er so heiȝ and freo : bi mine Auncestres daye, Þat ich hire scholde bi-neoþe bringe : Allas! and so bi-traie, for þis Martyrs þat ȝwylene weren : for hire to stronge deþe i-do, heo is nouþe þev þoruȝ me i-maked! : Allas, ȝwi dude ich so? luytel wuyrth ich am of holi churche : wardein for-to beo, And al-so vnwurthþeliche þar-to i-nome— : þat ech man may i-seo: For ich nam nouȝt, ase riȝt was : fram none ordre i-nome, Ake fram heiȝe kingus court to holi churche : and þat wolde vuele bi-come. Of houndes ich was wardeyn : and of hauekes with þe king, And nov am wardein of soulene i-maked : and þat ne Ioyneth no-þing; Ich þat for-sok min owene : þe ȝwyle ich was chaunceler, So manie soulene habbe to loke : allas! ȝwat schal ich her? Ich drede þat god habbe me fur-sake : hov tok ich on, alas!" Þe deol þat þis holi man makede : with-outen ende it was: he wep and siȝte nyȝt and dai : and heold him al for-lore. Ȝif he miȝte a-soilled beo : to þe pope he wolde þer-fore, And wende toward Caunterburi. : sone þe kinge men tolde Þat þe Erchebischop nolde nouȝt : þe newe statuz holde. Þe king het his baillifs sone : and sende a-boute is sonde, Þat heo scholden greui seint thomas : ouer-al on is londes. ¶ Þis baillifs weren preste i-novȝ : and ope is maneres wel faste, Nomen is bodene and greueden him— : heo wenden þare-with him a-gaste. Seint thomas let heom al i-worþe : and op-on ore louerd is heorte caste, And wende him wel priueliche : bi nyȝte atþe laste to þe se, toward rome : þat none of is men it nuste, bote twey Men þat he tok with him : þat is priuete mest wusten. Sethþe þo is men him misten : and nusten ȝware he bi-cam, And seien þat heo with-oute louerd weren : euer-ech is red nam for-to don euerech is beste : ech wende In is side, Ase men þat weren louerdlese— : heo nusten ȝwat a-bide. Þis holi Man wende him forth : and dude him In schipe sone, And wende forþeward in þe se : ase he þouȝte for-to done. ¶ Þe wind cam ase ore louerd it wolde : and drof him a-ȝen to londe. Sethþe he wende eft in-to þe se : þe passage for-to fonde: Þe wind cam and drof him a-ȝein. : and ofteal. eft In he wende, And euere he was a-ȝen i-driue : ase ore louerd þe grace him sende. Þo i-saiȝ þis holi man wel : þat it nas nouȝt godes wille Þat he þe ȝeot of londe wende : he turnde aȝen wel stille. On of is seriaunz sat a niȝt : þe ȝwile þat men woke, In his chaumbre at caunterburiMS. caum|terburl : þe chaumbre for-to loke; In þe Eueninge he bad is knaue : to steken þe dore faste. Þis knaue eode toward þe dore : is eiȝene a-boute he caste: Þo i-saiȝ he þis holi man : In one huyrne stonde. he orn and tolde his maister fore : and þonkede godes sonde. Þe seriaunt ne lefde þat nouȝt : naþeles op he a-ros And fond seint Thomas In þe huyrne : and sum-del him a-gros. Þare was sone Ioye i-novȝ! : þat folk sone to him drovȝ And welcomeden him and maden him guod semblaunt : with Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ. ¶ Heo setten bord and spradden cloth : and bi-gonne to soupe faste. Seint thomas tolde hem þo : wel Mildeliche atþe laste Ȝwodere he þouȝte to habbe i-went : and ȝwuch cas god him sende, And hou it nas nouȝt godes wille : þat he þe ȝwyt forth wende. Þe tiþinge to þe kinge cam : þat þe guode Man sein thomas, Aȝen þe status of clarindone : of londe i-went he was— For þat o statuit was þat no bischop : ne scholde bi none ende With-oute leue of þe kinge : oute of londe wende. Ake þe king sende is men sone : to saisi al is lond And al-so al is bischopriche : ase is traitores, In-to is hond. Þis baillifs comen to caunterburi : ase heo i-hote were. ¶ Þo heo wenden to habben al heore wille : heo founden seint thomas þere: No-þing ne miȝten heo saisi þo : heore wei heo hadden for-lore; Also huy comen heo wenden a-ȝen : and tolde þe kinge fore.— Ȝuyt seint thomas him bi-þouȝte : þat he wolde fondi more Ȝif he miȝte of þe kinge habbe : betere grace and ore: he ȝarknede him wel mildeliche : and to him þane wei he nam, At is manere at wodestoke : to þe kinge he cam. Ase is erþeliche louerd : he grette him, faire i-novȝ. Þe king bi-heold him ful hokerliche : and a-scorn som-del louȝ. "thomas," he seide, "hou is þis? : beo we so grete fon Þat we ne mowen in one londe wonie? : thomas, hov schal þis gon?" "Sire, sire," quath seint thomas : "god ne late hit neuere so beo, Ake god us sende, and holi churche : betere grace to þe, And sende þe wille to louien hire bet : And Iesus for is miȝte Ne late me neuere a-ȝein þi wille : don þing with on-riȝte." ¶ Þe Erchebischop of Euerwyke : fondede for-to bringe A-cord and loue bi is pouwer : bi-twene thomas and þe king. Þe king swor a-non is othþ : þat non oþur a-cord he nolde bote þat þe status of clarindone : ech bischop holde scholde; And nameliche þeos bi-fore alle oþure : 'ȝif a clerk hath mis-do And he þe kingus felun i-preoued were : and for þeofþe also, Þat Men himMS. him him scholden desordeini : and sethþe a-non þoruȝ lawe to þe kingus baillifs deliueri him : to an-hangi oþur to-drawe.' Seint thomas i-saiȝ wel þo : þat þare nas wei bote on: Oþur he moste stif with-stonde : oþur is riȝtes for-gon. ¶ he þouȝte þat he nolde neuere : holi churche bi-traye, Ne þat heo ne scholde beo in suyche seruage : neuere bi is daye; Raþur he wolde, ase oþere weren : to Martyrdom beon i-do, Þane holi churche were so bi-neoþe— : I-redi he was þar-to. Neuere ne miȝten þe king ne he : no-þing a-cordi þer, Ake departeden al with wrathþe : ase heo hadden i-don ofte er. Þe king makede him wroth i-novȝ : þat so ofte in barate was For o man þat him with-seide : and non oþur a-ȝein him nas: In grete wrathþe he swor is oth : þat he wolde of him beon a-wreke, And þat þe holi Man scholde : anoþur with him speke. he let somony seint thomas : þat þe nexte þoresdaie he were At Norehamptoune bi-fore seint lucus dai : to ȝiuen him Answere; And alle þe bischopus of þe lond : And þe baronie al-so, he het beon þare at þulke daie : is hestes for-to do. Alle seint thomas londes : in-to is hond his men nome, Ase it were for-to destreynenMS. destruyen him : þat he to his court come. ¶ Ore louerd helpe nouþe seint thomas : for oþur frend nath he non, A-mong so manie tyraunz for-to come : þat weren alle is fon! bodi and soule he bi-tok : Iesu, godus sone, And to is daie ase he Isomoned was : wende to Norehamptone. In þe castel sat þe motinge : of þis tyraunz ech-on. Þis holi man a-godes name : a-mongMS. a mond heom wende a-non. ¶ "Sire king," he seide, "god þe loke : and saui þi dignite! Somounz ich hadde at þis daie : here to Ansuerien þe. Ake non Erchebischop of caunturburi : nas neuere i-somoned so, Ne so destreyned of no king. : I not ȝwat þov me þencst to do, I not ȝwat is þe newe statuit : þat þou þencst forth to drawe, bote hit beo on of clarindone : þat þou woldest bringe to lawe. On me nastþu power non : swych destresse for-to do: Heued of holi churche ich am i-maked : þei ich onwuyrth beo þer-to. And also ich am þi gostlich fader : þeiMS. þei þou of me luytel þov lete: It nas neuere riȝt ordre þat þe sone : is fader scholde bete, Ne þat desciple beote is maister. : al þis were a-ȝen lawe. Al þis, ho-so riȝt bi-halt : þov bi-ginnest forth to drawe. And þis bischopes al-so guod : þat wardeins beoth mid me to holde op þe honur of holi churche : and þe þi dignite, heo beoth nouþe a-boute hire forto schende : and bringe In-to vilte. gret reuþe it is þat Man schal so : hire bringe bi-neþe for me; Ȝif þov wolt ouȝt to me : þov wost wel i-ne may nouȝt fiȝte, Ich am ȝare deth for-to a-fonge : for holi churche riȝte." Rex.¶ "I-nelle no man," quad þe king : "for holi churche quelle. beau sire, þov spext ase a fol : a-noþur þov schalt me telle. Acke com to-morewe bi speche-tyme— : þat þov þinne dai ne breke!— And Ansuere me of oþur þinge : þat ichulle to þe speke." Þus departede þe court þo. : a-morewe, þene friday, Seint thomas wende þudere a-ȝen : þo he þe time i-sai. Þe king [sat] an hei in is sce : and a-coupede him wel faste. "Þov were," he seide, "mi chaunceler— : ake al-to longe it laste, Ich þe lende þo fif hondred pound : and þov ne ȝolde me nouȝt on: Sete me þar-of ane schorte day : for þov schalt heom ȝelde ech-on." Thomas.¶ "Sire, sire," quath seint thomas : "god sende us bet þin ore! I-ne wende neuere of þulke panes : i-heore a-countes more. For ich hadde þulke tyme : betere grace to ovȝ Þane ich habbe nouþe : and þat me þingchez wouȝ; guode grace ich hadde to þe : þou me louedest i-nouȝ þo, Þulke panes þo þov me ȝeue : and woldest ȝet wel mo. Sire, þar-of ich am suyþe wel a-knowe : þat ich heom a-feng of þe: Of þine ȝifte with guode heorte : for-soþe þov ȝeue hem me, And so heiȝ man ase þov art : it miȝte wel beo stille to Axi þing þat þov ȝeue er : with þine so guode wille." Þe king him axede ȝif ani man : þulke ȝifte i-saiȝ, And ȝweþur he miȝte prouen þe ȝifte. : Seint thomas seide nayȝ. Rex.¶ "Nov, louerdingus," quath þe king : "alle ȝe i-heorez þis, Þat of þat tresor þat he is a-knowe : þat ich him tok i-wis, Þe ȝifte ne mai he proui nouȝt : Ase alle ȝe mowen i-seo. Iugement ich axi of þis court : hou it þare-of schal beo." Þe court him lokede : ase he was : a-knowe of þat þing, And ne miȝte nouȝt þe ȝifte preoui : to ȝelden ech ferþing. Þe king him het þe panewes ȝelde : oþur sikernesse him make, Oþur is Marschales scholden swiþe anon : is bodi to prisone take. Þis holi man of is bischopriche : hadde wel luytel guod, Ake al helples a-mong is fon : with-oute conseille he stod. Þe Marchales i-redie weren : to prisone him lede a-non; heo heten him don heom sikernesse : oþur he scholde with hem gon. Þis holi man nuste non oþur red : bote soffri al heore wouȝ. ¶ Some guode men þat þare weren : hadden of him reuþe i-nouȝ: Fif kniȝtes nomen hem to rede : and wenden to þe kingue And token an hond for seint thomas : of alle þulke þinge, euerech of an hondret pound : for þis seli man to paie. Þo was þis guode Man quit I-nov : ase at þulke daie. ¶ A-Moruwe, þene saturdai : to court eft-sone he wende, For-to heore þe kingus wille : ȝif is heorte wolde ouȝt a-mende. Þe kyng sat a-doun In is sce : thomas bi-fore him stod. "bel ami, þou hast," quad þe king : "i-stole me muchel guod. Mi chaunceler þov were, al-to longe : and haddest In þin hond Abbeies and bischopriches : and muche del of þat lond, And þov ne ȝolde me þar-of none a-countes. : þat rewez me wel sore; Þar-of þritti þousent pound : þov me schalt, and wel more. Þare-fore make þe ȝare i-nov : þine a-countes to ȝelde, Sikur þov beo þov schalt it do : ȝif ich þe may a-welde." Alle þat heorden þeos demaunde : In grete wonder stoden þere, And toal. ech to o. oþur seide þo : þat heo ne heorden þer-of neuer er, And þat seint thomas was al bi-neþe : and ope þe pointe he was to beon i-cast In prisone : for non oþur wei þare nas. Seint thomas stod In þouȝte longue : and with riȝte þe kinge bed Þat he moste is conseil nime : of þat he hadde to him i-seid. Þe bischopes he nam to is conseil : þe king ne wernde him nouȝt. In one Chaumbre, faste i-loke : alle heo weren i-brouȝt, Þat he ne scholden a-scapien : are heo hore answere seide. "Nov, louerdinges," quad þis guode man : "her-of ȝe moten me rede. For, al-so god me bringe of care : Ine habbe þar-of gult non, Ake me for-to schende he axeth þis : with on-riȝte ech-on. For ich was with him er wel i-nov : and þat bringeth me nouþe in teone: Þare ne tok ich no witnesse : of þat us was bi-tweone." Consilium. episcopus Wincestrie.¶ Þe bischop henri of winchestre : furst bi-gan him rede. "S[i]re," he seide, "þus me þinchez : þov miȝt don of þis dede. For-soþe me þinchez with gret wrong : þe calangez þe king; Þo þov wendest of his seruise : he ne Axede þe no-þing, And þo þov þe bischopriche a-fenge : so clene and so freo Þat þov of none oþur þinge : ne scholdest i-charget beo; And he quath þe quit al clanliche : of ech oþur wike þer, An ne axede þe no-þing : of þat þov haddest i-don er. Ȝware-þoru me þinchez of none þinge : þou ne schalt ansuerien nouȝt bote to god and holi churche— : of alle oþere þov art i-brouȝt." episcopus london'.¶ Þe bischop gilbard of londone : seide þo his a-vis: "Sire," he seide, "ȝif þov þe bi-þenchest : ase a guod Man schal and wis, Ȝwat power þe king þe hath bi-take : and to ȝwuche guode i-br[o]uȝt, Al is wille þov most soffri : and a-ȝen him ne beo þov nouȝt! In muche wo þov bringst us alle : and holi churche also, And þin owene bodi In perile : bote þov is wille do. Ȝif þov þis wel onder-stode : me þinchez for-soþe, i-wis, Þov woldest fondi him to paye : and elles þov dudest a-mis." episcopus Wincestrie.¶ Þo seide þe bischop of wynchestre : "sire gilbert, beo stille! We sospendiez swuch conseil : for it nis nouȝt wurth a fille. Ȝif þe Erchebischop scholde beo : al to þe kynges wille, Þe honour of holi churche he lore : and is soule he miȝte so spille." episcopus Cicestrie.¶ Þe bischop hyllarie of Chichestre : bi-gan to speke þo: "Sire," he seide, "mi conseil is : hou-so it euere go, Forto fondi In faire manere : to paie þe kingues wille With faire bi-heste, for-to eft-sone : þat it were sumdel stille; Þanne we miȝten, ȝwane we weren : of þusse destresse i-brouȝt, Þe betere a-cheui In ore conseille— : for nouþe ne do we riȝt nouȝt." episcopus lincoln'.¶ Þe bischop Robert of lincolne : radde wel þare-to. "Sire Erchebischop," he seide : "for-soþe þov most it do; Oþur þov schalt leose þine bischopriche : and per-Auenture þi lif; Þanne bi-ȝete þov wel luyte : me þinchez, of þis strif." episcopus Exon'.¶ Þe bischop bartholmev of Eccetre : bi-gan to segge is þouȝt: "In al þe soruwe of þe world : and care we beoth i-brouȝt. betere it were þat on heued : In peril him brouȝte, Þane al-holie churche were bi-neþe : and i-do to nouȝte." episcopus Wigorn'.¶ Þe bischop Roger of wyrecestre : longe in þouȝte stod; "I-nelle ov segge on ne oþur : for i-not ȝwat is guod. Ȝif ich radde him for-ta-bouwien : al-to þe kingus wille, Min owene Mouth him-sulf demez : al-holi churche to spille; And ȝif ich rede aȝen him to beo : In þis place sum is Þat wolde telle þe kinge fore : and maken him mi fo, i-wis—" bi þe bischope of londone : þat ilke word he sede; for he was euere a-ȝein seint thomas : with wordes and with dedes. "Þare-fore," he seide, "on ne oþur : I-nelle segge i-wis. guod conseil god us ȝiue— : for muche neod it is." Þare nas non þat couþe is conseil : with menske bringe to ende, Ne þat wuste hov heo miȝten best : ovt of þe chaumbre wende. Thomas.¶ Atþe laste ope seint thomas : þis conseil moste al gon. Tweie eorles of þe kingus hous : he let cleopie a-non, "Louerdingus," he seide, "we habbez i-speke : faste of þusse þinge, And al-so fer forth ase we mowen : we wollez paye þe kinge. Ake for we nabbeth nouȝt i-redi here : ore conseil al-clene, For-to þe nexte daie we biddez furst : þat ȝe it graunti nouþe ene." So þat heom was respit i-graunted : and ech wende in is weiȝe. Manie of seint thomas men : bi-lefden him for eiȝe; And kniȝtes þat with him weren : alle fram him heo drowe. Seint thomas nam pouere men : bi þe weie i-nowe, And ladde hem to is Inne : and to þe mete heom sette; he seruede heom is owene bodi : And i-novȝ mete and drinke heom fette. "Þis beoth," he seide, "godes kniȝtes : þis oþur men me habbeth for|sake. Þeos kniȝtes ich loue more : to heom ichulle me take." Þene sonenday þare nas no court i-holde : for it was an heiȝ-day. And þe Monenday sore syk : þe bischop thomas lay, In þe syknesse of maldeflanke : þat to him ofte cam And for þe care þat he was Inne : wel þe worse him nam. Men seiden þat he makede him sik : for he ne dorste to court wende. Þe king in grete wrathþe i-novȝ : after him gan sende. "Wel ȝe i-seoth," quath seint thomas : "þat I-ne may come nouȝt, For-soþe to-moruwe ichulle : hov-so ich beo þudere i-brouȝt. Þei ich schulle beo þudere i-bore : In baruwe oþur In bere, Þudere ichulle, þoruȝ godes grace— : crist me helpe þere." A-morewe, þane tywesday : ore louerd him gan a-rere, Þe furste dai after seint lucus dai : ase it fallez In þe ȝere. Þat dai he auȝte onder-stonde : and mani an oþur al-so: For bi custome alle is grete a-nuy : bi twyesdai cam him to. Alle þe bischopes þane tywesday : erliche to him wende, And seiden, "sire, þov art in feble point— : god it þe a-mende. We habbez ore red þarof i-nome : and mid one mouþe ech-on to queme þe kinge we redez þe : hov-so it euere gon; Oþur he þe wole bere on hond : þat þov art is traitur, And fur-swore ȝworeal. ȝwane þu swore him to don : eorþelich honovr, And ne dost him non ake tricherie— : he þe wole bere on honde, And bi-nime þe þi stat : and perantur bringue þe out of londe." ¶ "Mine leoue breþren," quad seint thomas : "ȝe i-seoz wel echon Þat al þe world grat on me one : and alle [beoz] mine fon; And þat [is] ȝuyt mest reuþe of alle : þat ȝe þat mine breþren beoz, And me, þei ich sunful beo : ouwer fader In torment i-seoz, Ȝe beoz mine meste fon of alle : and also ȝe bez al-ȝare In seculer court to demen me : and þat nolde nouȝt wel fare. For ȝe habbez þis a-mong ov to-day : bi-speke swyþe i-lome. Nov god helpe al-holi churche : and take þar-to gome! Ake In obedience ich ov hote : þat ȝe þare-neiȝ ne beon Ȝif ich am i-brouȝt to Iuggement : ake þat ȝe raþur fleon. And ȝif ani man hond on oval. me set : ich ov hote al-so Þat ȝe þe sentence of holi churche : for swuche violence ȝeom. ȝe do; And holdez vp holi churche riȝte : þat ov is bi-take— Man ne schal for none drede of deþe : hire riȝtes for-sake." Þe bischopes weren þo wroþe i-nouȝ : ant wenden to court ech-one. Nou god helpe þis holi man : for he was þare al one! bote þe bischop of wynchestre : þere ne lefde with him nouȝt on, And Iocelin, þe bischop of Salesburi : þat ne weren alle fram him i-gon. ¶ Þis holi man truste muche to god : and greiþed him a-non, And song ane Masse of seinte steuene : are he come a-mong is fon. he song þulke masse i-lome : for al-so heo bi-ginnez, Þe furste offiz is propre inov : to þe stat þat he was Inne— Þe bi-ginninge of þulke masse : In englischs so is þis: "For ȝwane þe princes habbez i-sete : and aȝen heom men spekez,al. aȝen me speke i-wis, And luþere men pursiweden me : louerd, min help þov beo!"Ps. 119. Manie seiden þat þis i-heorden : "novþe we mouwen wel i-seo Þat he singuth þis Masse for þen-ones : for þe kinge and for alle his, And þat he halt heom alle luþere : þat aȝen him spekez, i-wis." Þis word cam to court wel sone— : ȝware-þoruȝ heo weren ech-on In þe more wrathþe a-ȝein him : and wel þe more is fon. ¶ Þo seint thomas hadde is masse i-songue : his chesible he gan of weue; Alle is oþur uestimenz : on him he let bi-leue— Oþur Armure nadde he non : for holi churche to fiȝte; A-boue he caste is cope : þat bi-feol to is riȝte. he tok godes flechs and is blod : with him swiþe stilleliche, Ane Creoyz he nam in is hond : and wende forth baldeliche. Þe uestimenz was is Armure : ase bi-feol to swuche ane kniȝte; Þe fourme of þe creoiz was is baner : for holi churche to fiȝte. Forth wende þis guode kniȝt : a-mong alle is fon— Swete Iesus beo is help : oþur frend nadde he non. Þe creoiz in is hond he bar forth : and a-rerde op is baner. Þe bischop Robert of hereford : bi-gan to gon him ner, "Sire," he seide, "ich crie þin ore : þi chapeleyn ich mote beo, bi-fore þe lat me bere þe croiz : for it ne fallez nouȝt to þe." "Þe ȝwyle ich hire bere," quad seint thomas : "and þe fourme i-seo, Ich ne drede me of no man : þe hardiore ich may beo." Þanne seide þe bischop of londone : þat euere was is fo: "I-ne rede nouȝt þat þou bi-fore þe kingue : In swyche manere go; For wrathi he wole him a-non : and a-wreken him In þe place." ¶ "Ich bi-take me," quath seint thomas : "al to godus grace." "Þov hast euere al þi lif," þis oþur seide : "a muche fol i-beo, And þi folie nelt neuere bi-leue : ase men mai nouþe i-seo." Curia.Þis holi Man wiz is creoiz : In-to þis court gan gon. Rex.And þo þe king i-saiȝ him so come : he wrathþede him a-non. ¶ "Louerdinges," he seide, "here ȝe i-seoz : hov þis man me schent! In ȝwuche manere is he In-to þis court : among us hidere i-went! Ase þei we ne lefden nouȝt on cristindom : ne In godes name. Ne mot ich nedes awreke me? : ne doth he me gret schame?" Þo seide al þe court a-non : "sire, wel ȝe mouwen i-seo Þat [he] is prouȝt and conteckor : and euere hath i-beo; In despijt of þe and alle þine : þis dede he hath i-do. For ȝif þou wolt, þou miȝt beon i-war : eft-sone to take on so, to bringe men In so gret povwer : swiche ase he is, to beon þe hexte of þine londe : ase þou madest him, i-wis. Þare-fore we ne bi-menez þe nouȝt : þou noldest beo i-war bi-fore. We seggez bi him echone : þat he is puyrliche for-swore: And ase bi a swuch Man þou do bi him : and ase bi þine fon! For he þe swor eorthþelich honur : and nele don þe non." Þe budeles and þe oþur schrewes : grenneden on him faste, And euere a-biden þe kinges heste : In prisone him to caste. ¶ Þe king let crie a-non a-boute : ȝif ani so wod were Þat stode In conseile wit seint thomas : oþur felauȝschipe him bere, Ase þe kingus traitour : Men scholden him nime a-non, And laten him al one stonde : and fondi ȝwodere he wolde gon (!). Þe bischop of Eccestre to seint thomas : he feol a-doun a-kne, "For godes loue þin ore! : for soruwes þat þov miȝt i-se, haue reuþe of þe and of us : oþur þou wolt us alle schende; Alle we worþez i-brouȝt to nouȝte : bote þov þi þouȝt wende." "Sire bischop," quad seint thomas : "ase wel þou miȝt be stille. go henne fram me ȝif þov wolt : and lat ech man don is wille." Þe bischopes wenden to-gadere ech-one : and heore conseil nome. And þo heo hadden heore fourme i-set : to þe kinge a-ȝen heo come. ¶ "Sire," heo seiden, "ȝe beoth a-nuyd : and þat us for-þinchez sore; For-ȝif us þat ȝe on us berez : we nellez þe mis-don non-more. Wel we wutez þat þis wrechche : þat scholde ore chief beo, he is fals and for-sworen : and [þat]om. mai ech man wel i-seo: For he suor to holde þe eorþelich honur : and hath i-broke is oth; And þat man mai wel proui on him : ȝif ȝe nellez nouȝt beo wroth. Fur-ȝif us þine wrathþe, we biddez þe : ant to rome we wollez wende to bi-nimen him is Erchebischopriche : and ase a wrechche him schende: Puyrliche for-suore we schullen him preoui : sire king, bi eovwer rede." Þe king bi-het heom gret honur : to don þat ilke dede. to seint thomas, þare he was : heo wenden alle a-non. Þe bischop hyllarie of Chichestre : tolde for heom ech-on. "Sire," he seide, "ore gostliche fader : þov were here-bi-fore, For fader we fur-saketh [þe] : þov art fals and for-swore. For þou suore þe kynge eorþelich honour : and nelt don him non. Þare-fore to þe court of rome : we bi-cleopiez þe echon, to ansuerien us bi-fore þe pope : of þat þov hast ido a-mis." "Louerdingus," quath þis holie man : "ich i-heore wel al þis." ¶ Nov suete Ihesu beo is freond : ȝwane alle oþure were is fon! Þe king him let cleopien faste : þat he come forth a-non. Þe Eorl Robert of lecestre : and oþur men mani on Comen after him and heten him sone : bi-fore þe kingue gon. "Louerdingues," quath seint thomas : "ȝe wuyten wel ech-on hou wel ich was with þe king : þei ich habbe nouþe manie fon: Erchebischop he made me— : for-soþe a-ȝein mi wille, For euere ich dradde for oncunninge : mi soule forto spille. ¶ Þo axede ich bifore al þat folk : In ȝwuche manere he me toke Þe Maistrie of holi churche : to wardi and to loke. holi churche me was bi-take : In eche manere so freo, Þat ich were quit of alle oþure courtes— : and ȝeot with riȝte it scholde so beo. And ȝwane holi churche is so freo : I-nelle ansuerien þe kingue Ne non oþur in his court : of none eorþeliche þinge. For gold ne passez nouȝt so muche : In bounte led, i-wis, Al-so dignete of þe preost : herre þane þe kingus is. And is gostliche fader ich am : ȝif he wolde nime ȝeme, And it nere no lawe þat þe sone : þe fader scholde deme. Þare-fore i segge at o word : þat I-nelle me no-þing take to Iuggement of kingus court : ake clanliche it wolle for-sake, And take me to holi churche : and to none erþeliche dome: And Ich bi-cleopie ov here ech-one : to þe court of rome. Al þe stat of holi churche : and al mi dignite ¶ Þoruȝ Ihesu crist it beo i-wardet : ȝwan it ne mai oþur beo. And ou bischopus ich bi-cleopie : to þe court of rome also, for ȝe Anourieth more ane erþeliche king : þane ȝe god al-miȝti do. And so þoruȝ þe riȝte of holi churche : fram þis court ich wende, to bringe þeos cause of holi churche : bi-fore þe pope to ende." Þis holi Man wel mildeliche : out of þis court gan gon. Þe king, and þat mid him was : wrathþeden heom a-non; heo criden on þis holi man : and beleweden ech-on Wit AlsoMS. Ahso grete noyse : ase anie Men miȝten don; heo ne miȝten makie non more cri : þei al þe toun were a-fuyre, Aseal. þane heo duden opon þis holi man : þat wide men it miȝten i-huyre. Þis guode man eode softe forth : ase him no-þing ne rouȝte— for ȝuyt more men schenden Ihesu crist : þo men him to deþe brouȝte. he werth opon is palefrai : and to is Inne he wende also. Vnneþe he miȝte with is hondene : þeos þre þingus do: blessi þat folk and bere þe croiz : and is bridel wisse. Þat simple folk orn a-bouten him : with Ioye i-novȝ and blisse; for heo wenden þat he hadde i-beo : atþe court faste i-nome, heo þonkeden muche Ihesu crist : þat he moste a-mong heom come. ¶ to is In, at seint Andreues : heo siweden him faste i-novȝ; Seint thomas alle þe pouere men : with him to þe mete he drovȝ, And seide, "comiez here forth with me : for mine freond ȝe beoth; Ine habbe none freond bote eov : ase alle men nouþe i-seoth." he let heom Alle fede wel : a gret hous-ful neiȝ; Þe guode man wel þe gladdore was : þat he heom alle i-seiȝ. Ase þis holi man sat at is mete : þei he grete wille þer-to nadde, Þis word þat ore louerd het : is redare bi-fore him radde: "Ȝif Men ov pursiwiet In one toune : In-to anoþur toun ȝe fleo." Þis holi man þouȝte þat bi him-self : þat word miȝte wel soth beo And þat it godes wille was : In-to An oþur londe gon, As þe holi godspel seith : a man for-to fleo is fon. Þis holi man was þo wel þe hardiore : of londe for-to wende, Ȝwane he miȝte a-schapie wel : and god wolde þe time sende. ¶ Þo it was to-war[d] eue : twei seriaunz þare come, Sore weopinde, and warneden him : þat he sum red him nome, For þe kyngus Men hadden i-swore : þoruȝ heste of þe kinge, Ȝware-so heo him miȝten finde : to stronge deþe him bringe. Seint thomas þouȝte an-oþur. : he let maken is bed aȝen niȝt Op Inþe heie churche : bi-twene twei weuedes riȝt. Þo alle oþur men weren a-slepe : and no man nas him neiȝ, he aros up and bi-heold : on þe ymage an heiȝ; bi-fore þe auter he feol don a-kne : and on ore louerd bi-gan to crie, And formest he seide þe seuen salmes : and sethþe þe letanie; Al wepind ech haluwe he bad : is help for-to beo; bi-fore ech ymage he op aros : and eft he sat a-doun a-kne. Þo he hadde iseid is beden : stilleliche he gan gon, A luyte bi-fore þe cockes crowe : out of þe churche a-non, And wende him out-ward of engelonde : þat no man with him nas bote a frere of Semplingham : þat wel priue to him was. Þis guode Man flev al Engelond : for holi churche riȝte; Of al is wo ne ȝaf he nouȝt : ȝif he it a-mendi miȝte. ¶ Þe tiþingue cam of þis cas : to þe kingue ful sone. Þe heiȝe men nomen heore red : ȝwat were þar-of to done. Þe king and al is baronie : and þe bischopes echon, Þat auȝten with seint thomas habbe i-be : and weren mest is fon, to þis conseil euer-ech-one : heo concenteden at þen ende: Þat þe king scholde of is hexte Men : to þe court of rome sende A-ȝen him ȝwane [he] þudere come : and þe pope don onder-stonde Þat he was fals and for-swore : and destourbour of þe londe. For-to don þis grete neode : þe wiseste Men heo nome, And þat is þing were al in pais : for-to heo aȝen come. Þe Erchebischop of Euerwike : and þe bischop of Eccestre to romeMS. rome rome heo wenden for þis neodes : and þe bischop of Cicestre And þe bischop of londone : and of winchestre al-so, And also eorles and barouns : and manie clerkes þer-to, to beren witnesse of þe fals-hede : ȝwane heo to court come. Noble ȝiftes and oþur Iueles : with hem al-so heo nome— Þare-with man mai ofte at court : þe riȝte bringe to wouȝ. Nouȝ crist helpe þis holi man : for he is ȝuyt pouere i-nouȝ! he nadde none ȝiftes forto ȝiue : to holden up is riȝte; Fram Norehamptone bar he eode : for holi churche to fiȝte. ¶ Fram seint Andreues þis holi man : of Norehamptone he wende With a frere of Semplingham : are god þane dai heom sende. Fiue and twenti mile he wende : to þe toune of graham Are he stunte in anie stude : with þe frere of Sempringham— Al North-ward he drouȝ him furst : a-wei al fram þe se, Þat þe kinges Men ne scholden him finde : to nimen ne for-to sle. Sethþe he wende fram graham : fiue and tuenti Mile al-so to þe tounadded later. of lincolne : are he wolde reste i-fo. Þene moruwe ope seint lucus day— : tiwes-dai it was þo, he departede fram þe kingus court : with much seoruwe and woMS. we; his wei þane wodnes-niȝt : out of þe toune he nam; Sone morewe þene þores-dai : to lincolne he cam: At one follares house : his In he nam riȝt þare.þare corr. to þere And bi niȝte euere he eode is wei : þat he a-waited ne ware. At lincolne he dude him into watere : are god þane dai sende, And þane fridai fourti mile : al bi watere he wende, to þe Ermitage of Sempling-ham : þat a-midde þe watere is; And þare he bi-lefde al hardiliche : þre dawes, i-wis. And sethþe he wende to seint botulf : þat was heonnes ouer ten mile: Þare he dude him eft In-to watere : and cam in a luytel ȝwile to þe hous of hauer-holt : þat of Simpling-ham is— Þe frere him ladde bi þulke house : þe sikerore to beon, i-wis. Fram þannes he wende to eistreþer. estreye : his o maner with riȝte, Þe Erchebischopes of kaunterburi : ȝif he hadde ani miȝte; Þare he was neiȝ þe se i-novȝ : he a-bod wel þere And a-waitede is point to passi ouer : ȝwane hit best tyme were. ¶ Seue-niȝt he bi-lefde þare : for-to alle soulene dai; In A Chaumbre riȝt bi þe churche : daiȝ and niȝt he lai, Þat no man no scholde him onder-ȝite : ne i-war of him beo; Þoruȝ þe churche he made an hol : þe sacringe for-to seo And for-to heren þare is masse— : and Men þat to churche come Nusten nouȝt þat he was so neiȝ : ne þer-of heo ne token none gome. An alle soulene dai, þene tywesdaiȝ : are god þene dai sende, he bi-tok god al holi churche : and In-to þe se he wende. heo roweden forth al þane dai : and a-ȝen þe eueninge bi-sides ane hauene heo a-riueden : þat men cleopez graueninge, In Flaundres, ase god it wolde. : bote hors ne hadde he non: Þis holi man al a-fote : forth is wei gan gon. Þat no man ne scholde him knowe : þe Abite of frere he nam And al-so a frere forth he eode : þo he to Flaundres cam. blac was is cope a-boue : is Cuyrtel ȝwijt blaunket; Opon is rugge is cope he bar : ȝif he miȝte go þe bet. Þe reyn was gret and suyþe st[r]ong : and þe wei ful deop: Swiþe weri was þe holi man : onneþe he bar up is fet. he was so trauailled In þe weie : and in þe se bi-fore, Þat he sat a-doun and ne miȝte no fer : bote he were i-bore. Þo wende forth a man, þat with him eode : and huyrde him a mere, For an Englichs peni, with an haltre : þis holi man to bere. Þe holi Man is cloþes tok : and op-on þe Mere heom caste, And werth op a-boue alle is cloþes : and rod him forth wel faste. ¶ Allas þat suych a noble man : vuele was it is riȝte So febleliche ouer lond to wende— : wel muche is godes miȝte; Vuele was it is riȝte to gon a-fote : oþur ope swuch a best to ride— holi churche he a-bouȝte deore : þat men tellez of wel wide! With one haltre ope þe mere : forth rod þis holi man As þei it were a frere, and let him cleopie : frere cristian; For he nolde nouȝt lie : þat cristian he was, And he was a-drad to beon i-knowe : ȝif man cleopede him thomas. At one gode mannes house : his In a-niȝt he nam; At þe bordes ende he sat : Ase vuele it him bi-cam, And al with-Inne seten is men : as þei he lowest were. his oste nam wel gode ȝeme : hov heo heom alle bere. he tok kepe of þe holi man : þat sat atþe bordes ende, hou milde he was a-mong alle : and mest corteis and hende, And hou hendeliche he delde is mete : heom þat bi-fore him stode, And hov luytel he .et. him-selue : with wel simple mode; his limes al-so he bi-heold : hou faire heo weren and freo, Þe hondene faire and longe fingres : fairore ne miȝten none beo; his face was brod and long al-so : his fore-heued large i-novȝ: And euere mest bi-fore alle oþere : is heorte to him drouȝ. ¶ Of þe Erchebischope of Caunterburi : he gan him vnderstonde, Þat it was couth ouer-al aboute : þat he was i-wend out of londe: his heorte him bar þat it was he. : In gret studie he was i-brouȝt; he rounede in is wiues ere : and tolde hire al is þouȝt. his wijf after þulke tyme : þat soþe al-so þouȝte: heo bi-gan to serui þis holi man : and deinteþes to him brouȝte, Applene. & peoren. and notes also : and fondede in alle manere A-mong alle þis oþur men : to gladien wel þene frere; heo bi-lefde to serui alle þe oþere : and opon him was al hire þouȝt. Seint thomas it vnder-ȝat : and þare-with ne paide him nouȝt. So þat he bi-heold a-boute : a-non after soper, Wel mildeliche he bad is oste : for-to comen him ner And to sitte bi him a-doun : for solaz, one stounde. "A, sire, merci," quad þis oste : "Ichulle sitte on þe grounde, And sat him a-doun at is fet. : seint thomas him bad arise. "Certes, sire," quad þis oste : "I-nelle In none wise. ¶ Nolde god þat ich bi þe sete! : mi louerd, i-hered þou beo, Þat In mine house þov scholdest come : and þat ich þane dai miȝte i-seo." "Luyte deinte," quat seint thomas : "of a swuch pouere man, Of swuch a frere ase ich am : i-cleoped frere cristian." "Sire, þin ore," quath þis oste : "wel ich onderstonde, Þov art Erchebischop of Caunterburi : i-wend out of engelonde." "Ȝwy seistþov so?" quad seint thomas : "þov hauest selde i-seiȝe Þene Erchebischop of caunterburi : wende in swuche manere bi weie!" "Sire," quad þe oste, "þov it art : al-so me seith mi þouȝt, And ich bidde þe for þe loue of god : ne with-sak it a-ȝein me nouȝt." Þis holi man him bi-þouȝte : þat oþur he moste lie Oþur beo bi-knowe þat heMS. heo it was : so heo gonnen on heomal. so þe oþer gan on him crie. Ate laste he was a-knowe : ake with him a-morewe he nam his oste, þat he ne scholde him wreiȝe : forto he afturr. a fer weie cam. to [þe] Abbeie of seint Bertin : þis holi man i-wende, And þare he bi-lefde : forto ore louerd oþur grace him sende.— Þe bischopus of engelonde : and þe barones al-so, toward þe court of rome heo wenden : heore erinde forto do. to þe kinge of Fraunce heo comen : and lettres with heom bere fram þe king of engelond : þat þus muche an Englisch were : "to is louerd þoruȝ godes grace : sire lowis þe kinge, henri king of engelonde : sende loue and gretinge. ¶ Thomas, þat Erchebischop was : of caunterburi bi-fore, Out of mine londe he is i-wend : ase mi traitore and for-suore. Þare-fore ase min erþeliche louerd : ich bidde þe bi mine sonde, Þat þov ne suffri nouȝt þat he beo : Irecetted In þine londe." Þo þis king þis bone i-heorde : ane ȝwile in þouȝte he stod. "Certes," he seide, "ase me þinchez : þis bone nis no-þing god. So strong þeof nis non in engelonde : ȝif he in Fraunce come, Þat he ne miȝte In Fraunce duelle : ase heo doth i-lome; And wel raþur scholde a suych heiȝ man : ne come he no so sone. Ake noþur ich ne þe king of engelonde : with ore bischopes nabbez to done; For mine bischopes with holi churche : heore wille ich late heom do, And fairore were þe kinge anouri him : and late him i-worþe also." ¶ Ne miȝten þis heiȝe men of him : non oþur word a fonge; So þat heo wenden forth heore wei : þo heo hadden a-bide longe. Maister herebard of Boseham : and oþure sethþe i-wende to þe kinge lowis of Fraunce : ase seint thomas him sende, And tolden þe kinge of al þe wo : þat seint thomas hadde with wouȝ. Þe king weop, þo he i-heorde þis : and made deol inouȝ, And tolde heom hov þe kingus men : at him weren bi-fore, And ȝwuch ansuere he heom ȝaf : þat heore [wei]om. was for-lore. Þis gode men with ioie inov : heore leue of him heo nome, And þannes heo wenden sone i-nouȝ : to þe court of rome. Þare neren heo nouȝt faire onder-fonge : for þe bischopes comen bi-fore And desclaundreden seint thomas : þat he was fals and for-suore. Ake naþeles þe grace heo hadden : þat to þe pope heo miȝten go. him-sulue heo tolden in priuete : al seint thomases wo: Of þe status of clarindone : hou heo furst forth come, And hou he was i-brouȝt at norehamptone : bi-fore þe kinge to dome, And hov he wende out of engelonde : In muchele miseise and wo, And al-hov he chaungede is name : þe sikerloker forto go. papa.¶ Þe pope bi-gan to siche sore : andal. om. with ful dreori þouȝt, Þe teres fullen out of is eiȝene : he ne miȝte with-holden heom nouȝt, he þonkede god þat swuch a prelat : under him moste beo, So studefast to holi churche : and þat he miȝte þane dai i-seo.— A-morewe comen þis bischopes : and þe eorles also, To procuri seint thomas al þat vuel : þat heo miȝten do; bi-fore þe pope, ase [he] sat : ful nobleliche heo come, And bi-fore þe cardinales : and al þe court of rome. episcopus london'.¶ Þe bischop of londone : þat euere luþur was, bi-gan formest to telle is tale : a-ȝein seint thomas. he stod up bi-fore al þe court : "beu pere," a-non he seide, "To þe we comieth to make ore mone : of strong lif þat we ledez. Ower riȝte it is up to holde : alle þat guode beoth, And foles to bringuen of heore folie : ȝwane ȝe heom i-seoth. A destaunce þare is i-sproungue : liȝtliche in Engelonde, Þat destourbez al þat lond : with onriȝte, ich onder-stonde. Þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is al aȝein ore wille, Folliche he bi-gan In engelonde : holi churche for-to spille, And to bi-nime þe kynge is fraunchise : and is riȝtes also. Ake he ne miȝte us make for no-þing : concenti þer-to.This verse on the margin. And for wrathþe þat we nolden : alle is wille do, Op-on us he caste is owene gult : and opon þe kinge also. And atþe laste, ase þei it were : þut lond forto blende, Þo noman ne dude him strencþe : of londe he gan i-wende: for men nusten nouȝt þe soþe : þat heo scholden onder-stonde Þat þe king him dude onriȝth : and driue him out of londe." Þo he hadde al is tale i-told : and i-maked is grete wise, episcopus Chichestrie.he sat a-doun; an þe bischop of chichestre : sone gan op a-rise. ¶ "bev pere," he seide to þe pope : "me þinchez it fallez to þe To on-don ech þing þat fallez to harme : In þe communaute, Þat o Man ne beo i-soffred : to gon forth mid is wille, to bring al þat lond to schame : and holi churche to spille. Þat hath þe Erchebischop i-þouȝt : and þat is i-sene, i-wis, Ȝwane ech man of al þat lond : faste a-ȝein him is." Archiepiscopus Eboracensis.¶ Þe Erchebischop of Euerwike : þo he is tyme i-seiȝ, Aros op and bi-gan to telle : is tale al on heiȝ. "Sire," he seide, "no man ne knoweth : so wel ase ich do Þene Erchebischop of Caunterburi : ne þe bischopriche al-so. Þe Erchebischop is willesful : and ȝwane he is alles i-brouȝt In ani wille þat is luytel wuyrth : he nele bi-leue it nouȝt; Þat man ne may for no-þing : bringe him of is þouȝt. he is nouþe In swuyche folie— : þat we habbeth deore a-bouȝt; liȝtliche he is þare-Inne i-come : ake he it nele lete neuere mo, bot ȝe þoruȝ ower pouwer : bringe us out of wo." episcopus Exon'.¶ "Sire," quath þe bischop of eccetre : baldeliche he spac þo, "Þis cas ȝe moten a-mendi sone : hov-so it euere go. And ȝe ne leuen nouȝt þe soþe : þat men doth ov to onder-stonde, Send with us fot with fot : ane legat in-to Engelonde, And lat him of-gropi þe soþe þere : and þare-after þu lat him wurche. for-soþe, bote ȝe þaronal. oþer þenche : ȝe schendez holi churche." Comes Arondelie¶ Þe Eorl of Arundel aros op þo : a man of gret dignete. "Sires," he seide, "for godesMS. guodes loue : ane stounde herkneth me! Þe lewede Men þat here beoth : þat ne connen latin non, We ne onder-stondez nouȝt : of þat ȝe habbez i-told ech-on; Ake In langage þat we conne : swuche men ase we beoth, heiȝe barouns and noble kniȝtes : ase ȝe nouþe i-seoth, ¶ Tellen ichulle for us alle : ȝwy we beoth hidere i-wend. For ore louerd þe king of Engelonde : Þat hauez us hidere i-send to schewi furst þe reuerence : and grete loue also Þat he hath to eov i-bore : and euere he þenchez to do; And þare-of he sent þe word bi us : ase we bi-fore þe stondez, Eorles, barones, and bischopes : þe hexte of þe londe— Ȝif he hadde ani herre i-haued : hidere he hadden i-wend. Ake to one so heiȝe court ase þeos is : he hath us hidere i-sent, to schewi eov furst in his name : þat, also wid ase þe world is, So trewe prince nis onder god : ne þat so muche ov loueth, i-wis, Ne þat so muche Anoureth holi churche : and euere hath i-do. Þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is a noble man also, Þat, ȝif omanere of him nere : ase ich me onder-stonde, Þare nere no lond In cristinedom : a-ȝeinest engelonde,MS. engelonge Ne holi churche so wel i-wust : and i-schild fram ech wouȝ, Onder noble prince and prelat : boþe guode men i-nouȝ. Ake þes thomas, þis guode Erchebischop : so hath a luyte wille, Þat muchel a-peirez his guodnesse : and bi-guynneth þat lond to spille. his wille is suych þat, ȝwane he is : icomen in fole þouȝt,This verse on the margin. he nele þoruȝ conseil ne þoruȝ no rerd : þarof beo i-brouȝt. In swuche folie he is nouþe i-come— : ore louerd is þouȝt wende! bote men mouwen is þouȝt wenden : þat lond he wole al schende. Þare-for mi louerd þe king ov bit : þat ȝe with us sende Ane legat into engelonde : to ofgropi al þen ende, Oþur certus he is ope þe poynte : al þat lond to spille; And þat ȝe him chasti þoruȝ riȝte lawe : & bi-nime him is fole wille." Of alle þe clerkes þat þare seten : non of heom þar nas Þat ne preisede muche þis heiȝe man : for he so renable was. papa.¶ "Louerdingues," quath þe pope : "wel we onder-stondez i-nouȝ Þat [ȝe] to-ward þe Erchebischop tellez : with riȝte oþur with wouȝ. Ake we ne mouwen þar-of non dom ȝiue : bote him-sulue here were, For we ne mowen bi-hinden him no Iuggement ȝyue : ne no riȝt i-wis it nere." comes.¶ "Sire," quath þe Eorl of Arundel : "ȝe moten bet onder-stonde. A certein dai us is i-set : to come in-to engelonde, And þane dai ne dorre we nouȝt breke : for ore louerd þe kingue. Þare-fore ȝe moten us grace don : sumdel of þis þinge: Ȝe moten, ȝif it is ower wille : ane legat wisr. wiz us sende, And þene Erchebischope hoten also : to Engelonde i-wende; And ase þe legat þare enquereth : þar-aftur he mai do." ¶ "Certes, beu frere," quat þe pope : "I-nelle nouȝt take on so. Ȝwane þe erchebischop hidere comez : I-not ȝwat he wole telle; Þare-fore are ich i-heore him speke : no-þing don þar-of i-nelle." "Certes, sire," seide þis oþur : "we ne dorren a-bide nouȝt." "Nov de pardeus," quath þe pope : "doth ase ȝe habbeth i-þouȝt!" Þis oþure weren wroþe i-nouȝ. : wel faire heore leue heo nome And wenden heom forth in grete wrathþe : And to londone heo come.— Seint Thomas was þo In Flaundres : In huydinge ase þei it were, In þe Abbeie of seint Bertyn : and longe he hadde i-beo þere. Atþe laste he aros bi niȝte : and out of Flaundres wende Al priueliche In-to Fraunce : ase ore louerd him grace sende. Þe king of Fraunce þat was þo : louwis guod and hende, heorde telle of þis holi Man : he let sone after him sende. Þo þis holi Man to him cam : gret Ioye he gan him make, And het him in eche stude opon is lond : j-novȝ of his take, ¶ to spene to him and alle his : ȝware-so heo euere come. Nolde seint thomas nouȝt a-bide : are he come to rome. Þe king him fond spence i-novȝ : to him and alle his, And sende with him guod conduyt : to bringe him þare, i-wis. ¶ þo seint thomas to Rome cam : faire he was onder-fonge; And sumdel þe pope was anuyd : þat he hadde i-beo so longe. Men a-coupeden him of þulke trespas : þat þe bischopes tolden er, And beden him ansuerie for is stat : and aleggi þare-fore þer. Seint thomas wolde op arise : Men beden him sitte a-doun, And he bigan a-godes name : and schewede þis reson. "Sire," he seide, "ich am I-maked : þei ich onwuyrth beo, to wardi þe churche of Caunterburi : ase ȝe mowen iseo. Þulke churche was i-woned to beo : Ase lauedi, and schynde wide briȝte ase þe sonne a-mong alle oþure : of al þe west-side. Þe sonne þat was erore so cler : deork heo is bi-come, brode cloude and strongue i-nouȝ: þatom. þat? hire liȝt habbeth bi-nome; Ouer-cast heo is with þis cloudene: þat heo ne ȝifth lijȝt non And alle þe churchene of Engelonde: deorke beoth ech-on. Þe kyng, þat hire scholde up-holde: he bi-nimez al hire riȝte And ase þe cloudene hire ouer-cast: þat heo ne mai no leng liȝte. Ich þat scholde hire wardein beo: þare-aȝein ich mot fiȝte And stonde aȝen and with-segge: þe luþere costomes bi al mi miȝte. For þei ich hadde a þovsend liues: ase ich nabbe bote on, raþur þane ich it þolie wolde: ȝyue ich wolde ech-on. Þe costomes aȝen holi churche: þat þe king hath forth i-brouȝt, here ȝe mouwen heom i-heore: ȝif heo buth to graunti ouȝt." ¶ Þis holi man bi-gan to rede þe luþere lawene: ase he heom hadde i-write; he wep þat þe teres ornen a-doun: þat deol it was to wite. Þe pope and alle is cardinales: þat seiȝen him wepe so sore And heordene alle þe luþere lawene: heo ne miȝten for-bere non|more, Ake bi-gonnen to wepe faste ech-one: and hereden god al-so Þat heo miȝten finde a swuch prelat: ouer holi churche i-do, Þat holi churche so heold to riȝte: and ne soffrede no wovȝ; heo þonkeden god of swuch a Man: and honoureden him inovȝ. Þe pope het is clerkes alle: þatom. þat? þoruȝ al cristindome Þat heo wit-seiden suyche luþere lawes: ȝware-so huy euere come, Andom. And þat heo neren i-soffrede nouȝware: hov-so heo comen to ende, And þat heo ȝeuen heore lijf þare-fore: raþur þane holi churche schende. Thomas¶ Þo spac eftsone seint thomas: wepinde swyþe sore: "I-nabbe nouȝt," he seide, "so muche wo: þat i-nere wurþe wel more. For þoruȝ strencþe of eorþeliche manne: In þis pouwer ich am i-do, Ake ich me drede a-ȝen godes wille it be: for onwuyrth ich am þar-to; Þare-fore ore louerd for riȝte wreche: vuel biginninge me deth sende, And ich drede for mine wrechche gultes: þat worse worth þe ende. Þare-fore, þat holi churche: ne beo to grounde i-brouȝt For mine sunnes and for mine onmiȝte: þat I-ne may hire wardi nouȝt, Ich ȝelde ov op here þe bischopriche—: an oþer ȝe moten þare do Þat mowe bet loki holi churche: for onwuyrth ich am þarto." ¶ his Ryng he nam and bi-tok þe pope: and op ȝeld þe bischopriche. Þe pope swiþe deolfulliche: and wel Inliche bigan to siche. Þerof conseillede al þe court: ȝwat þe beste red were: to laten him witien holi churche: oþur to don a-noþur þere. "Me þinchez," quath a cardinal: "In swuch cas ase nouþe is, best it were to don an oþur: In his stude, i-wis, Forto paien bet þe kinge: and swuc[h] cas miȝte bi-falle Þat þe kyng wolde a-swagi and bi-leue: is luþere lawene alle. For betere it were In faire manere: ho-so it miȝte to ende bringue, Þane contec arere In swuche londe: and nameliche aȝen þe kingue. And man miȝte purveien þis gode manne: an al-so guod ase þat is. I-ne wot ȝwat conseil ȝe wollez rede: for i-chulle reden þis." Þo seide an oþur cardinal: "Ine rede nouȝt so, i-wis, For þat wolde ȝiuen men an-saumple: al dai to don a-mis; For ȝwane þe king were wroth with ani bischop: for anie cunnes þinge, to don þane bischop a-non a-doun: þe mo vuele lawene he wolde bringe, And þanne were holi churche i-schend: þat lauedi scholde be. For þis red me þinchez feble: a betere ȝe moten bi-seo." papa.¶ Þe pope nam þo seint thomas: and tok him a-ȝein is ring, to bi-leue erchebischop forth: and stable þoruȝ alle þing, studefastliche to holden up: al-holi churche riȝte, And he him wolde aȝen ech man: helpen bi is miȝte; Ake he ne scholde nouȝt þe ȝeot: to engelonde wend[e], Ake a-bide betere grace of þe king: ȝif god it wolde sende. To þe grete Abbeie to pountenie: forto soriourni þere, he sende þis holi Man: for-to it betere were. With luytel folk and luytel aise: þare he dude bi-leue, For he nadde him-sulf nouȝt to spene: bote ase heo him ȝeue. his men he broȝte In seruise: heore mete to wynne þere, And him-sulf he was al one neiȝ: þei he heiȝ Man were. hard lijf he ladde i-novȝ!: And he hadde of harde here Schuyrte and brech streit i-novȝ: hardore neuere nere; Þe strapeles weren swiþe streite: with mani a knotte al-so; A-non to is þies þe schuyrte tilde: þe brech riȝt to is to; Þe knottes gnowen al is flechs: a-boute bi eche side. Swiþe on-aisi was is brech: a-boute for-to ride; harde miȝte he sitte a-doun: and harde ligge al-so. Louerd, deore a-bouȝte he heuene: wel auȝte he come þer-to!— ¶ Þe bischopes of Engelonde: þat a-ȝein him weren at rome, Þe Eorles and þe oþere heiȝe Men: þo heo to Engelond come, heo tolden þe kinge al heore cas: hov heo hadde i-sped. Þo was þe king boþe sori and wroth: þat he was neiȝ a-wed. ¶ "A," he seide, "þilke traitour: þat ich habbe forth i-brouȝt, Þat he me schal swuch schame don nouþe!: Ine may it þolie nouȝt. And he fleuȝthr. fleuȝch? out of londe: þat Ine may to him come, I-chulle me of is cunne a-wreke: heo schullen a-bugge some." he let seche out clene al is kun: and is oþur frend ech-on: Ovt of Engelonde he let heom driue: þat þare ne moste leue non, Sike ne feble, . ȝung ne old: ne womman þat was with childe, Ne þe children þat soukinde weren: —muche was he on-milde! In hire Armes þe moder bar þat child: and In heore wombene some. Þare hadde þe king, ase me þinchez: a feble wreche i-nome! I-harlede heo weren in grete Miseise: out of londe, alas! Ech guod man hadde revþe of heom: þat heorden of þat cas, And seiden stilleliche bi-twene heom: þat he a luþur king was. Mo luþere dedene þe king bi-þouȝte: ȝeot ope seint thomas: Þeos Men þat he of londe drof: were heom lef oþur loth, Ech aftur oþur he made heom swerie: opon a boke gret oth Þat heo ne scholden in none stude: bi-leue none stounde Are heo to þe Erchebischope comen: ȝware-so heo him founden, And tellen him fore hov heo weren: out of londe i-brouȝt, to bringue him jn þe more sor: ȝif heo miȝten tuyrne is þouȝt. ¶ Ȝeot þe king bi-þouȝte a luþer dede: more ope seint thomas: he for-bed þoruȝ al Engelond: ase fer ase his pouwer was, Þat no man ne scholde for him bidde: In churche ne elles ȝware, Ase men doth nouþe for Erchebischopes: and habbez i-don wel ȝare. Louerd, muche was þe schame þo: þat holi churche bi-tidde, Ȝwane heo ne moste a-mong oþur men: for so holi a man bidde!— Þat folk of seint thomas kunne: wel þicke a-bouten him drouȝ— Aldai heo weren i-flemde for him—: In miseise and soruwe i-nouȝ; Heo weopen and criden deolfulliche : and tolden him al heore cas, hov heo weren for him defoulede : and ȝwuch hore soruwe was. Seint thomas bi-heold heom deolfolliche : and bi-gan to siche sore; And euere he makede fair semblaunt : to conforti heom þe more, And seide þis word to gladie hem : þat men onder-stoden wel longe: "Ech lond," he seide, "is owene contreie : to þulke þat beoth stronge"— Ase Man þat seith, þei ȝe beon here : In vnkouþe londe i-brouȝt, Ȝif ȝe beoth stronge in godes lawe : it ne schal ov greui nouȝt. Alle þe heiȝe men of þe londe : þat heorden of þat cas, Corseden þe kinge, and seiden al-so : þat he a luþur man was. Þis selie men a-boute men nomen : for loue of seint thomas And founden heom liflode i-nouȝ : þat in miseise neuer on nas.— Þo þeos tiþinges to þe kingue : of Engelonde cam þat þis folk was wel onder-fonge : gret deol to him he nam. "Certes," he seide, "ȝwane I-ne may : in þis manere is heorte buye, In more miseise ichulle him bringe : þat is lijf him schal a-nuye." ¶ Greye Monekes of Cistevs : fram ȝere to ȝere A Chapitre makeden generale : of Abbodes þat þere were; For euerech Abbod of greie Monekes : to þulke chapitle cam With-Inne þre ȝer,al. a terme ase [huy] ȝuyt doth : þoruȝ al cristindom. Þo þe chapitle plenere was : þudere þe king sende to þe Abbotus alle plenereliche : þat to þulke chapitle wende, And sende heom word þat him þouȝte wunder : more þane i-nouȝ Þat heo wolden him so muche do : on-kuynde dedes and wouȝ for-to susteiny is wiþerwyne : a-mong heom and is fo In þe house of pounteneye : þat brouȝte him in swuch wo; And bote heo wolden him bi-leue : and ne susteyni him non-more, Alle þe greye Monekes of Engelonde : a-bugge it scholden sore; For heo susteineden is fo : ner. no wonder he seide it nere Þei he awreke him of þat hous : þat ine his londe were. Þo þeos lettres to Cisteus : a-mong þis Abbotes come, Of þe þretningue heo dradden heom sore : and conseil þarof heo nome. So þat heo beden seint thomas : his heste forto do, For heo ne dorsten nouȝt aȝen þe kingus wille : non-more holden him so. Þo seint thomas þis i-heorde : he gan forto siche sore, And bad Ihesu crist him helpe þo : and cride him milce and ore. ¶ "Louerdingus, ȝe þat habbez me : I-susteyned mani a dayThomas. In mine grete neode, Ihesu crist it ov ȝelde : þare ich mi-sulf ne mai. Þe king þretnez ov so faste : þat ȝifr. ȝif þat? ȝe holdez me here ouȝt longe: Ȝif crist wole, ȝe ne schullen neuere : for me harm a-fongue; Ȝware-so ich euere mai on eorþe beo : fram eov ichulle wende, Þat ȝe ne beon for me a-peirede— : ore louerd is grace me sende. Þat ȝe habbeth on me i-spend : after me cometh on Þat swyþe wel it woleMS. it wole it wole a-quiten : hou-so it euere gon.v. 1523-4 al. om. For ich mai ȝuyt mine mete bidde : I-nam nouȝt to guod þer-to, Ore louerd þat fedeth þe wilde bestes and foules : he mai me fede al-so. Ake hov-so it euere of me bi-come : god, ȝif it is his wille, holde up þe riȝtes of holi churche : þat heo fulliche naspille." Ase þis holi man in þouȝte stod : ȝwodere he miȝte wende, Þe king of Fraunce, þat was so guod : sone he gan him word sende Þat he wolde bi-leue op-on is londe— : ȝware is heort best drouȝ Cheose he him-sulf, and he wolde : finden him spense i-nouȝ. For it is soth i-seid, ȝwane a man is : In mest soruwe and teone, Þanne is ore louerdes grace next— : ase it was þare i-sene. ¶ Þis holi man nam is leue þare : mildeliche and softe, And sore wepinde he wende forth : he ȝoxede and siȝte wel ofte. Abbas ponten'.Þe Abbot of pounteneye : sumdel forth-ward him brouȝte, And Axede him ȝwi he were : In so deolfule þouȝte. "Ichulle þe telle," quath seint thomas : "ȝwi ich carie so— bot þat þov ne telle no man fore : are mine ende-day beo i-do! Ich am siker þat i schal ȝeot : deie in Martyrdom. Sompnium.For to-niȝt ase ich was a-slepe : a wonderMS. ȝonder metinge me com. ¶ In þe churche of Caunterburi : me þouȝte i stod, i-wis, And striuede for holi churche : aȝen þe kinge and his : Þo comen þere four kniȝtes gon : and smiten me opon þe croune Ech after oþur, þat mi brayn : schedde al a-brod þare doune. For [me] nouþeal. me ich þonki Ihesu crist : þat i schal deiȝen so, Ake for mine Men i siche sore : I-not ȝwat heo schullen do." Þis holi man wende forth : In care and deol bi weiȝe, Forto he cam to senouns : twelf mile fram pounteneie. ad Senon'.¶ Þare he bi-lefde In soiourninge : alþe ȝwile þat he wolde, And þe king him fond to spene i-novȝ : of seluer and of golde. Þis guode Man bi-lefde þere : In pais and reste i-novȝ; An euere he carede for holi churche : þat þe king dude hire wouȝ. he sende to þe kinge of Engelonde : þat he scholde late beo stille And ne weorri non more op-on holi churche : ȝif it were is wille. Sone þasal. seþþe þe king of Engelonde : ase is wille him nam, Ouer se wende, ase god it wolde : and in-to Fraunce he cam. ¶ Þe king of Fraunce was a-boute : ȝif god wolde him grace sende, A-cordi him and seint thomas : ȝif he miȝte it bringe to ende. So þat heo weren to-gadere i-brouȝt : at one daiȝe I-set. Seint thomas cam bi-fore þe king : and ase is louerd him gret, And to is fet fel a-kne : he wep and cride is ore, "haue reuþe of holi churche : and ne weorre þov hire non-more, And þine wille i-chulle do : ase ich seide er, bi mine miȝte, Saue mine louerdes honur : and holi churche riȝte." ¶ Þe king makede him wroth i-novȝ for þat word : ase he hadde ofte i-beo. "Novþe ȝe movwen," he seide, "ech-one : his falshede i-seo, For manal. i-ne ne miȝte don ope isal. þis worde : noþing aȝen is wille Þat he ne wolde segge þat icholde : al-holi churche spille And þat ital. ic were aȝen godes lawe— : and In swyche manere he miȝte Þat lond destourbi and me bi-nime : mi fraunchise and mi riȝte. And gode bischopes þare habbez i-beo : bi-fore him ase [ȝe] wyten, i-wis; Ake, þat ȝe i-seon alle mine treowenesse : and þat al þe wronge is his : Andal. as þe wiseste and þe beste bischopes : þat bi-fore him were, A-ȝen þe meste fole kinge þat bi-fore me was : faire heo heom bere: Do he al-so aȝen me nouþe : and ich me paiȝe wel i-novȝ; And ȝif he is aȝen þis fourme : me þinchez he hauez wouȝ: Oþur him þinchez þat neuere bischop : so wis ase he non nas, Oþur he me halt þe meste wrechche king : þat euere i-bore was." rex francie.¶ Þo seide þe king of Fraunce : and alle þat heorden þis: "Certes, þov bedest him loue i-novȝ : al þat wrong is his." thomas.¶ Seint thomas stod and bi-þouȝte him : and gan to siche sore, "Þei ichabbe i-haued a-nuy : to come me is wel more. "Ȝif þe bischopus," he seide, "bi-fore me : hadden i-do heore miȝte, hit ne hadde i-beo nonr. nou? neod þare-fore : to contecki ne to fiȝte, For are þis it were stable i-novȝ : þoruȝ gode mannes siȝte. Nouþe god for is grace : sende holi churche hire riȝte! For þat þe bischopus bifore me weren to nesche : ase ich nouþe i-finde, Þe studefastore i mot beo : oþur it worth al bi-hinde. Ich wot wel þat heo habbeth here-bi-fore : þe customes in engelonde .I.-vsed heom al-to muche : holi churche to schonde; And þei heo habben i-beon suffred longe : and to custome i-drawe, Þare ne may no man for-soþe segge : þat heo beoth riȝt ne lawe. For ore louerd louez riȝt and sothnesse : and none vuele costomes, i-wis, And þat he schewez wel bi o word : þat In þe godspel is: For ore louerd euenez him-self : to sothnesse þere, Ake he ne eueneth him in none stude : to costome þat aȝein þe riȝte were. Þare-[fore] me þinchez riȝt it is : þat we to sothþnesse drawe, And destourbi þe vuele costomes : þat beth a-ȝein þe lawe; Þare-fore i-nelle none costomes : soffri bi mine miȝte Þat aȝein sothnesse beoth : and a-ȝen holi churche riȝte." here man mai i-se þat vuele lawes : no guod Man nele a-fonge, Ake destourbi heom mid al is miȝte : þei heo habben i-beo i-holde longe; For he þat sosteinez vuele lawes : ase wel he haueth sunne, bote he heom a-legge ȝif he may : ase he þat heom deth bi-gynne.— Þo þe king of Fraunce i-heorde : and oþure þat þare were, Þat seint thomas ne dude þe kinges wille : no-þing apayd heo nere. rex francie.¶ "Sire bischop," quath þe king of Fraunce : "Ich i-seo wel novþe þi wrong: Þe king þe beot loue i-nov : þet strif is nov on þe i-long. Woltr. wost þov nouþe is lawes him bi-nime : þat neuere him nere bi-nome, Þe kingus heo[m] habbeth alle i-holde : þat bi-fore him habbeth i-come, gret Maister þov woldest a-londe beo : to muche were þi power. to muche ich habbe honouret þe : In mine londe her; bote þov suffri him is riȝte lawes : Ichulle bi-come þi fo, And ȝif we beoth þine fon boþe : I-not ȝwodere þov miȝt go." ¶ Seint thomas heold him euere In on. : þe kingues heom makeden wroþe, And departede fram himMS. heom so : In grete wrathþe boþe; huy þretneden and maden noyse i-nov : seint thomas heold him stille, Raþur he wolde deth a-fonge : þane þolie heore luþere wille. Nov help crist seint thomas : for neode he hath þere-to! Nov boþe þe kingus beoth is fon : ȝware may he nov go? I-flemd he was out of Engelonde : and out of Fraunce also. Alle is men maden deol i-nov : heo nusten ȝwat forto do, And nameliche is cunnes-Men : þat for him i-flemd were. "Louerd," heo seiden, "allas, allas : þat we lifles nere! For i-driue we beoth out of Engelonde : and neiȝ of Fraunce al-so; Louerd, ȝwat scholde more sorewe : þane us is i-come nouþe to?" ¶ Seint thomas made him glad i-nov : and confortede is men a-non; "beth stille," he seide, "ȝe makiez deol : neodeles nouþe ech-on;" And seide "ȝe mouwen of-swinke ouwer mete : ase guode men doth mani on; For beo ȝe fram me, huy wollez beo ouwer freond : þat nouþe beot ower fon. Ȝe ne habbez hate of no man : bote for me, with wouȝ, And beo ȝe fram me i-wend : men wollez louien ov i-nouȝ." "A, sire, merci," þis oþure seiden : "we wuten wel al þis, For us-sulf nis us nouȝt : bote for þe, i-wis; We schullen wel nouþe ore mete i-winne : ake we nuten ȝwat þov schalt do, bote þov schulle for honger deiȝe. : louerd, ȝweþer þov schulle so?" "Ich mai bidde mine mete," quath seint thomas : "for i-nam nouȝt to guod þer-to; Ore louerd it ȝelde heom alle þat ani guod : for his loue me habbezr. wollez i-do. bi-twene borgoyne and prouence : ase men doth me onder-stonde, gvode men beoth and al-mes-fole : þoruȝ kuynde of þe londe: Ȝif I-ne mot In Fraunce beo : þudere ichulle i-wende And bidde mine mete for godes loue : ȝif he me wole it sende. Ȝeot sumMS. sun guod man me may i-seo : and it beo godes wille, And habbe revþe of me and beon min help : þat miseise me ne spille." His men for him and for hemMS. him sulf : makeden deol i-novȝ; Þe guode man among al is wo : confortede heom and louȝ. Allas þe deol þat þare was : þat swuch an heiȝ man bi-tidde, Þat þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is mete scholde bidde! Deore a-bouȝte he holi churche : and holi churche riȝte! Wel auȝte ech man here-after drede : a-ȝen holi churche to fiȝte.— Ase ech man at oþur is leue nam : a-boute for-to wende, And þe holi man In his side : ȝwodere god him wolde sende, Þare ase god wolde to bidde is mete : fort god him sende betere won, god sende is grace a-mong heom alle : þat sorie weren ech-on. ¶ Þe kingus Messager of Fraunce : to seint thomas cam gon, And seide þat is louerd him bad : come to him a-non. ¶ Forth wende þis holi man : ake he nuste for ȝwuche þinge; he tok him al-to godes wille : and cam bi-fore þe kinge. ¶ A-non so þe king him saiȝ come : a-ȝen him he gan gon And ful a-doun to is fote a-kne : and cride him merci a-non; "blind," he seide, "ich habbe i-be : and þat novþe ich onder-stonde. Al mi lond to þine wille : ich take þe an honde; Þe ȝwule ich am in Fraunce king : ichulle finde þe i-novȝ, For ich onder-stonde þe soþe nouþe : þat þe king hath al þe wouȝ." ¶ Þe king sende þis holi man a-ȝen : to Senouns, i-wis, And fond him þere spense i-nouȝ : him and alle his. More he dude is miȝte ȝeot : and bi-tuene he sende is sonde For-to bringue a-cord bi-twene him : and þe kinge of enguelonde. At Momartre In Fraunce : þis dai was i-nome, Þudere weren þis kingues boþe : and seint thomas i-come. Þe king of Fraunce dude is miȝte : þat heo weren to a-cord i-brouȝt; Ake þo heo hadden to-gadere i-speke : al it was undo for nouȝt: For þe king swor euere grete oþus : þat a-cord he nolde non bote þe status of Clarindone : i-holde weren euerech-on; And seint thomas swor þat bi is daiȝe : he nolde þarof holde non, Raþur he wolde deth a-fonge : bote þare were oþur i-won. So þat heo departeden with wrathþe : þo heo nolden non oþur do. Seint thomas bi-gan to siche sore : and Inliche wep al-so, "Louerd," he seide, "help me nouþe : for þine swete fif wounde, Oþur holi churche is ope þe pointe : to beon i-brouȝt to grounde." Maister bernard of bosham : þatMS. þaf is .o. clerk was, In priueite bi-twene heom to : seide to seint thomas: "Sire," he seide, "þe mount-martre : þis hul i-cleoped is Þare ase ȝeMS. ase ȝe ase ȝe habbez pais bi-speke : of holi churche i-wis: And ase þe name seith of þis hulle : ase ich douti in mi þouȝt, Þoruȝ þi martyrdom holi churche : worth formest to pais i-brouȝt." ¶ Sore sichinde seint thomas seide : "god wolde þat it were so And þoruȝ mine deþe holi churche : Into riȝt pais were i-do, And þat ich hadde with mine blode : and with mine liue i-bouȝt Þat heo were in riȝte lawe : and Into guod pais i-brouȝt!"— A-ȝein Midsomer it bi-ful : þat þe king him gan onderstonde And In wrathþe of seint thomas : wende In-to engelonde, For-to saisi sire henri is sone : mid al is kinedom And for-to crouny him—longe him þouȝte : are he þare-to com. And is conseil seide þat it was : mest of alle þinge Holi churche and seint thomas : In vnriȝte for-to bringe; For þe Erchebischopes riȝte it were : þat of Caunterburie is To crouny þene kyng of Engelonde : and non oþur bischop, i-wis. Þe king in preIudice of him : and to bi-nimen him is riȝte, Let oþur bischopes crouni is sone : and [cud]de a luyte miȝte. ¶ Four bischopus him crouneden : a-ȝen riȝte and a-ȝein þe wone: Þe Erchebischop of Euerwyke : and þe bischop of londone And þe bischop of salesburi : and of roucestre al-so; In seint peteres churche at west-Munstre : þeos dede was ido. Þe fader seruede þe sone : at þe mete a-dai, And with [þe] reaume saisede him : ase al þat folk i-sai. Þe tyþingus of þusse þingue : to seint thomas huy come: Of þulke on-riȝte he sende sone : to þe court of rome. Þe pope him sende lettres aȝen : and bulle þat he scholde A-mansi þe king and is conseil : ȝwuch tyme þat he wolde, And suspendi þe bischopes : þat swuch on-riȝt duden þere, And entre-diten al engelond : for-to it a-mendet were. ¶ Seint thomas heold þe lettres to him : for-to god him grace sende Þat he miȝte him-sulf þe neodesal. dede do : ȝwane he to engelond wende.— Ȝuyt cam king henri þe olde : eft-sone into Fraunce. Þe king of Fraunce was euere a-nuyd : of þulke desturbaunce And wende a-boute to makien a-cord : and bi-tweone he sende faste; So þat heo weren, ase god it wolde : a-cordut at-þe laste. A-seinte Marie dai Maudeleyne : Idon was þis dede, In ane Mede þat men cleopiez ȝuyte : "þe traitores mede"— Al-so ferde þulke a-cord : ase þe Mede i-cleoped was, For þer-aftur a luyte stounde : no-þing i-sene it nas. Muche heo speken In priueite : and in grete loue heo wenden a-two, And seint thomas wende þat þe king : al is wille wolde do. Maister herebard of boseham : to þe kinge he sone wende For þe foreward þat heo hadde bi-speke : ase seint thomas him sende, And bad him hote ȝelde a-ȝen : ase forth ase he miȝte Þat is baillifs in is bischopriche : nomen with onriȝte. "Ȝe," quath þe king, "wolde he so? : ȝeot he schal a-bide, Ichulle i-wite hov he wole him bere : formest In oþur side; par-auntur so faire he may : bere him a-ȝen me, Þat ichulle ȝelden him ech feorþing. : þare-fore cheose he." ¶ Maister herebard wende a-ȝein : ant tolde seint thomas fore. "Ȝe," þouȝte seint thomas : "þis pais is al-for-lore." Sethþe seint thomas him-sulue : to þe kinge he wende, to speken more of þe a-cord : ȝif he it miȝte a-mende. Þe king him welcomede al liȝtliche : ase he ne heolde nouȝt þer-to, And wende him forth to heren is masse : and seint thomas al-so. he was i-woned to habbe is masse : ase it ful to þe daiȝ,MS. daiȝe And þo he let singen him þe soule-masse : þat no-þing þare-to ne laiȝ, For he nolde nouȝt atþe peis : cussen seint thomas. Þe holi Man þouȝte wel : ȝwat þe Anchaisoun was. Wel narewe þe king him gan bi-þenche : to derne is luþere þouȝt, Ake to him þat wot ech derne þing : þingom. þing it nas [to] hele nouȝt. Þo þe Masse was i-do : In conseil longue heo stode; Wel ofte þe king him opbraid : þat he dude him er of guode, And ȝwuch a lovȝ man he cam to him : and In ȝwuche pouwer he him brouȝte, And þat he auȝte vuele a-ȝein him beo : ȝif he him wel bi-þouȝte. So þat heo weren to-gadere longe : and þo heo hadden al i-do, Þei it luytel ȝwile i-laste : with loue heo departeden ato.— ¶ Seint thomas bi-gan to sike sore : þo he gan him onder-stonde reprimacio thome.Þat he hadde longe i-beo : oute of engelonde; Þei it were a-ȝein is wille : it þouȝte him luþer dede Þat is bischopriche so longe was : with-oute conseille and rede: to þe king of Fraunce he wende furst : and to oþere guode and hende And faire he tok is leue at heom : to engelond for-to wende; he þonkede heom of alle honur : þat heo him hadden i-do; With fair conduyt and gret loue : fram heom he wende so. Fram Fraunce he wende with gret honour : toward engelonde; At one hauene he gan a-bide : þat Men cleopiez ȝwit-sonde.[near Calais] Þe lettres þat he hadde of rome : to Engelond he sende, to don þe sentence al a-brod : bi-fore him ase he wende. Þe Erchebischop of Euerwyke : In sentence he let do And þene bischop of salesburi : and of londone al-so; for heo hadden i-crouned þene ȝonge king : a-ȝen þe dignete With onriȝte In is bischopriche : he a-mansede hem alle þre. ¶ Þo þe tiþinge to heom cam : heo maden heom wroþe i-novȝ, And þretneden þis holi man : þei it were with wouȝ. Seint thomas eode toward þe schipe : In-to engelonde for-to wende: A man þare cam fram engelonde : aȝen heom,r. him guod and hende. "A, sire," he seide, "for godesloue : ne passe nouȝt þe se, For þare beoth kniȝtes in Engelonde : Iporueide þe for-to sle; At eche hauene Men a-waytiez : to kepe þe, mani on; Ȝif þou comest a-mong heom ovȝt : þov worst a-slawe a-non." "Certes," quath þis holi Man : "Inelle no leng a-bide, to Engelonde Ichulle me drawe : tide ȝwat bi-tide; Þei ich beo drawe lime mele : I-nelle bi-leue non-more, to longe ich habbe þaunes i-beo : þat rewez me wel sore. Þe soulene þat ich habbe þare for-to loke : six ȝer and more, i-wis, With-oute wardein habbez i-beo : allas! to longe it is. A-slawe ich worþe, wel ich wot : þare, are come ouȝt longe, Ichulle for holi churche riȝte : gladliche þene deth a-fonge. Ake biddez for me Ihesu crist : i bidde eov par charite! bi-fore alle oþere nameliche : o þing biddeth for me: Þat god for is holi grace : to Caunterburi me sende, Þat ich mote a-liue oþur ded : In-to mine owene churche [wende]; Ȝif i-ne mai þudere a-liue come : are ich i-martred beo, Þat mi bodi mote ȝwan ich am ded— : god it graunti me." his leue he nam wel deolfolliche : and to schipe he wende so; he þonkede heom al honour : þat Men him hadden i-do, And bi-teiȝte al Fraunce Ihesu crist : and blessede it wel faste; Þat folk wep and makede sorewe gret : heore deol longe i-laste.— ¶ At douere were kniȝtes ȝare : þat heorden of him telle, Sone ase he come op þere : al aredi him to quelle: Sire Reinaud of wareygne : and sire Randolf þe brok; And also Gerueis þe schyrreue : gret folk with him tok, to kepe þis holi Man at douere : ase he come op of þe se, And bote he wolde heore wille do : al-ȝare him for-to sle. to þe hauene of sandwiche : þat schip wel euene drouȝ— Þe oþere a-biden him alle at douere : with þretninge and bost i-nouȝ. In þe schipes seile an heiȝ : þis holi man let do Ane Croiz, þat Man fer isaiȝ : Iseuwed faste þer-to: Þat was signe of is baner : oþur ne kepte he non. Men stoden at sandwich and bi-heolden : þe Croiz wel manion, And seiden, "we i-seoth nouþe hider-ward come : oure bischop thomas;" Þe ȝuyt he was fer in þe se : heo wusten ȝwat he was. Þat cri was sone wide couth : þat folk orn faste i-novȝ, And are he were to londe i-come : muche folk a-ȝein him drouȝ. heo criden and þonkeden Ihesu crist : þat heo mosten him a-liue i-seo, And welcomeden him with Ioye i-novȝ : non more ne miȝte beo. Þene þridde day of þe Aduent : bi-fore cristemasse it was Þat he to Engelonde cam : þe guode man seint thomas; Þe seuenþe ȝer þat he wende furst : out of engelonde— Six ȝer and a Monthþe he was fleme : ase ich me onder-stonde. Þis was endleue hondret ȝer : and sixti ȝer and tene After þat ore swete louerd : In is moder a-liȝte, ich wene.— Accusatio militum.¶ Þat word to þe kniȝtes cam : to douere of þis cas, hov seint thomas þe holi man : at sandwych a-riued was: to sandwich heo wenden faste. : seint thomas heo founden a-non; WithMS. withith luþer semblaunt and fals heorte : heo welcomeden him ech-on, And seiden, "hou hauestþov þene wei : to engelonde i-nome, Þat destourbest al þat lond : sone so þov art i-come, And al-so al-holi churche : ase we alle i-seoth, Þat þov a-mansest þus þeos bischopes : þat þine felawes beoth! Þov auȝtest mid alle lawe : loue and pais a-rere, And þare nas neuere a-londe pais : sethþe þov bischop were! Ȝif þov wenest wel for-to do : with-drauȝ þine dede sone; Oþur Man schal bi þe do : ase with swuch a man is to done." Responsio thome.¶ "Mine leue freond," quath seint thomas : "sothþ it is i-novȝ þe mansinge þat ich let do : it was with riȝte and nouȝt with wouȝ, And bi mine louerdes leue þe king : þat ech man in riȝte were, Þat so gret trespas ne wende forth : þat it a-mendet nere, And were eft-sone after-ward : with on-riȝte and a-ȝein lawe In desertison of mine churche : to costome iMS. it-drawe." Þo þe kniȝtes heorden þat þe king : consentede þer-to, heo bi-leueden al heore grete mod : and heore þretningue al-so, And in faire Manere beden him : ondon is Mansingue, to norisi loue with is felawes : and bi-twene him and þe kinge. So þat respit bi-tuene heom : of þis Ansuere heo nome, For-to seint thomas a-moruwe : to Caunterburie come. Aduentus Cantuar.¶ Seint thomas a-moruwe : to Caunterburi him drouȝ. Al þe contreie a-ȝein him cam : with Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ. Ech preost somonede is paroche : clanliche in euerech ende to beon alle ȝare a-ȝein him : with procession for-to wende: So þat with processiones : manie and faire i-novȝ, With croyz and with taperes : þe contreie a-ȝein him drouȝ. Þare was Ioie and blisse i-nouȝ : more ne miȝte non beo; heo þonkeden ȝeorne Ihesu crist : þat a-liue him mosten i-seo. Of bellene and of tabours : so gret was þe soun, Of eche manere gleo and of song : þo he cam into toun, Þat man ne miȝte i-heore non oþur þing : bote þe noise þat was so gret; Non more ioie ne miȝte beo : þane þare was In euereche stret. ¶ Ase ore louerd a-palme-sonenday : honovred was i-novȝ Þo he rod into Ierusalem : and toward is deþe drovȝ, Al-so was þis holi man : ase men miȝten i-seo þere; For ore louerd wolde þat is deth : semblable to his were. Are seint thomas þe holi man : to is churche come, Þe Monekus with procession : a-ȝein him þene wei heo nome. Of is palefrai he liȝte a-don : and custe þe Monekes ech-on; to þe weuede wel mildeliche : heo ladden him a-non. Þo he hadde at churche i-do : al þat him was to done, With is men wel mildeliche : to is In he wende sone.— Milites retro veniunt.¶ Seint thomas ne hadde i-beo : at is paleis nouȝt longe, Þat þe kniȝtes ne comen : heore answere forto afonge. heo beden him ase heo beden er : on-don is mansinge And a-soilli þe bischopesMS. bischepes : þat he let þare-Inne bringe. "bev freres," quath seint thomas : "þat ne mai i do nouȝt, For heo beoth In mansinge : þoruȝ þe pope i-brouȝt, And .I.-ne mai nouȝt on-do is dede : ȝe wuten wel, in none place. Ake nouȝt-for-þan ich truste wel : so muche In his grace, Þat ichulle a-soilli heom : In þusse fourme fawe: Þat heo don sikernesse for-to stonde : at holi churche lawe And to þe lokinge of holi churche— : ake in oþur fourme non." Þe knyȝtes, þo heo herden þis : chidden faste ech-on, And þo heo nadden non oþur word : in wrathþe forth heo wende And tolden þe bischopes heore ansuere : þat heom þudere sende. Þe bischopes maden heom wroþe i-nouȝ : ant þretneden him wel faste. Ake naþeles þe tweyne of heom : with-drowen heom atþe laste: ¶ Þe bischop of salesburi : and of londone al-so; to holi churche heo wolden stonde : and to is lokinge al-so. ¶ Ake þe Erchebischop of Euerwik : a-non-riȝt heom with-sede: "Daþeheit habbe þat so atstonde : so folliche at ower rede, For-to don us in is grace : þat euere hath i-beon ore fo And hath i-don us mani a schame : and þanne he wolde wel mo! Þei he habbe ouer ov power : ouer me ne hauez he non, For erchebischop ich am, wel ȝe wutez : ase wel ase he is on. Ich habbe a luytel Coffre : þat stant hol and sount, Atþe leste þare beoth Inne ȝeot : Eiȝte hundret pound: Ȝare ich am to spene þat : and ȝeot me þinchez to luyte, For-to a-wreken us wel of him : and for-to a-legge is pruyte. Wende we to þe kinge a-non : and telle him of is dede, Þat him ne tit neuere pais : bote he þarof him rede." hic ueniunt ad regem.¶ Þeos þreo bischopus hasteliche : ouer se þene wei nome. A luyte bi-fore cristemasse : to þe kinge heo come, And founden him in Normandie. : a-doun heo fullen a-kne, heo beden him holden op his honour : stifliche hore help to beo, And tolden him hov þis holi Man : þo he to londe cam, Destourbede al-holi churche : and is kynedam And hov he hadde with gret pruyte : In mansinge i-do Al þat maden is sone king : and consenteden þare-to, And hov in despit of him : he dude swuch luþer dede, And þat he ne scholde neuere in pais beo : bote he nome an-oþur to rede. Rex iratus.¶ Þe king, þo he heorde þis : for wrathþe he was neiȝ wod, he eode op and doun ase witles : and ofte in þouȝte stod. "Ȝif he a-mansez alle þat maden : mine sone king," he seide, "Mid þe furste he a-mansez me : for it was min owene dede. Þe traitur a-spillez al þat lond : and bringez us in wrechhede, ho miȝte In swuch soruwe : longe eni lif lede?" Ofte he corsede alle þeo : þat he hadde forth i-brouȝt, Of þe false preost and is fo : þat heo ne a-wreke him nouȝt, Þat destourbede al þat lond : and brouȝte in wrechhede; Ase he eode op and dounMS. don doun : ofte þat word he seide. ¶ Þe kniȝtes þo [heo] heorden þis : stoden some stille, And bi-þouȝten heom wel priueliche : to paie þe kinges wille. Þe foure þat mest schrewes weren : bi-þouȝten hem of guyle: Sire reynaud le fiz ovrs : and sire huwe de moruile And sire willam traci : and sire Richard de bruiz— heore names for heore schrewehede : ne beoth nout for-ȝite ȝuyt. huy nomen heom to rede stilleliche : to passi þe se, to paie þe kingus wille : seint thomas for-to sle. Stilleliche heo wenden forth : þat no man it nuste; heo weren neiȝwat atþe se : are þe king it wuste. Þo þe king it onder-ȝat : After heom he sende Þat heo bi-lefde heore folie : and aȝenward to him wende. Ake þis messager ne miȝte nouȝt : ouer-take heom for none ginne, For are he cam to þe se : heo weren fer with-Inne. Þo made þe king deol i-nov : þat heo weren forth i-wend And þat is messager ne ouer-tok heom nouȝt : þat he after heom hadde i-send.— Predicatio thome.¶ Seint thomas at Caunterburi : a-midewynteres dai Stod and prechede al þat folk : þat mani a man i-sai. In is prechingue he bi-gan : to siche swiþe sore, And deol and sorewe made i-nov : ne miȝte no man more; Swiþe sore he gan to wepe : þe teres ornen a-doun. Þare was mani wepinde Eiȝe : wel sone ȝeont al þe toun. "Mine leue freond," quath þis holi man : weopinde suyþe sore, "Ouwer preost ich habbe ane ȝwyle i-beo : ake i-ne mai no lengore more,This v. added on the bottom. For min ende-dai is neiȝ i-come : I-ne worþe here nouȝt longe; Ich am redi for holi churche riȝte : deth for-to afonge. biddez for me for godes loue : and for holi churche al-so, Þat geth al-mest nouþe to grounde : bote god nime ȝeme þar-to. Deth ichulle wel fain take : ȝwan it is godus wille, For þe riȝte of holi churche : raþur þane heo spille." bok and candele he nam a-non : and a-mansede riȝt þere Alle þat werredenMS. weṛrṇeden holi churche : and a-ȝein hire riȝtes were, And nameliche sire randolf þe brok : and sire robert de bruyzr. Brok also, Þat þe Erchebischope of Caunterburi : gret on-riȝt habbez i-do. For þe ȝwuyle þat he was out of londe : þe king henri bi-tok Þe bischopriche al for-to loke : sire Randolf þe brok, And he mad Robert de brok : is clerk þat was þo, Of al þis wardein onder him. : þat dude is londe wel wo; For he destruyde al þe bischopriche : and to him-sulf nam i-novȝ, And dude him fair bold a-rere : of þat he nam with wouȝ. Þer-inne a-criste-masse dai : þo þe mansinge was i-do, he sat and .et. wel nobleliche : and manie with him al-so. Seint thomas (!)r. he (so the other MSS.) caste houndes of is bred : þat bi-fore him lai, And euerech hound it for-sok : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ. Þo handlede he oþur bred : and let menge hit at þe laste Wit oþur bred þat lai bi-side : and to þe houndes let it caste. Al þat he i-handlet hadde : þe houndes al for-lete, And chosen out þat oþur þare-a-mong : and wel clanliche it ete. Þe guodnesseal. mansinge was on him i-sene : a-non-riȝt þat ilke dai, Ȝwane þe houndes þat bred for-soken : þat bi-fore him lai. ¶ bi a fridai þulke ȝeres : was cristemasse-dai, Milites.Þare was gret miracle of god : þat al þat folk i-sai.— ¶ Þis four luþere kniȝtes : of ȝwuche we gunne telle, to engelonde wel sone comen : seint thomas to quelle. to þe castel of salt-wode : a-seint Iohanes dai heo come, Six milene fram caunterburi : and þare heore In heo nome; And sire Randolf þe brok : to hem cam wel sone. heore conseil heo nomen þulke niȝt : þe luþere dede to done. Þene morewe, a-childre-masse dai : þo god þene dai sende, Sire Randulf þe brok wel stilleliche : to Caunterburi he wende, For-to enqueri of seint thomas : ȝware heo miȝten him finde, Þat he ne drowe him nouȝt a-wei : ne hudde him noȝwere bi-hinde. Milites.¶ Þis kniȝtes þene Tywesdai : no lengore nolden bi-leue, Ake wenden heom to Caunterburi : wel are it were eue. A luyte bi-fore compelin : to seint thomas heo come; Þene riȝte wei ful baldeliche : In-to is chaumbre heo nome. heo comen and founden him stilleliche : In is chaumbre stonde With priue clerkes : and gret conseil hadden on honde. Sire Reynaud le fiz ours : grimliche forth i-wende, "Sire," he seide, "ore louerd þe king : in message us hidere sende, Fram him out of Normandie : Ane heste we habbez i-brouȝt, Þat þov do is heste— : ne bi-lef þov it nouȝt, And þat þou wende sone to is sone : þat ȝong king i-maked is, For-to a-mendi aȝeinest him : þat þov hast is fader i-don a-mis, And swer þene othþ to beon him trewe : and of þe baronie al-so Þat þou halst of him in chef : do þat þo[u] auȝtest him for-to do. Þe clerkes þat þov bringest with þe : ȝif here-ate heo wollez at-stonde, Schullen suerie þe kinge trewe to beo : oþur heo schullen out of londe." Thomas.¶ "Bev frere," quath seint thomas : "I-nelle þe no-þing lie, Þe kinge ichulle don riȝt and lawe : of þe baronie. Ake nolde it god þat holi churche : onder fote were so Þat ich oþur mine clerkus : scholden ani othþ þe kinge do. For þov wost wel alle þe lewede Men : þat beoth In his londe, Ne sweriez him nouȝt þene oth : as ich me onder-stonde. Nov wolde ȝe holi churche : In grete seruage do, In more þane ani lewede man beo? : nai, it ne worth nouȝt so." Miles.¶ "Me þinchez wel," quath sire Reynaud : "þat þov nelt do no-þing Of þe heste þat we bringez : fram ore louerd þe king! Al-so in is half we hotez þe : þat þov a-soili al-so his bischopes þat þov hast : In mansinge i-do." thomas.¶ "bev frere," quathþMS. quathy seint thomas : "it nis mi dede nouȝt, Ake þoruȝ þe popes owene mouthþ : in sentence heo beoth i-brouȝt: ¶ And þou wost wel it ne fallez nouȝt to me : þe popus dede on-do." Miles."Þei þe pope it hete do," quat sire Reynaud : "þoruȝ þe it is i-do." ¶ "ȝif þe pope hath," quath thomas : "In sentence i-brouȝtthomas. heom þat habbez me mis-don : he ne mis-paiez me nouȝt." Miles.¶ "In eche manere þov schewest wel" : sire Reinaud seide þo, "For-to a-nuye ore louerd þe king : and þat þov art is fo. Ȝware-þoruȝ we i-seoth wel : þat þov wilnest to don him wo, And woldest beo king in is stude— : ake þou ne worst neuere so— And ȝif þou miȝtest, bi-nime him is crovne— : ake so ne schal it nouȝt go."both lines transposed in other MSS. ¶ "Certes, bev frere," quath seint thomas : "I-ne þenche no-þing þer-to, Ake raþur ichulle him þer-to helpe : so muche so ich mai, And for him and for his honour : ich bidde niȝt and dai. For þare nis nouþe man on eorþe : þat ich louie, i-wis, So muche ase him, sauue is fader : þat ȝeot mi louerd is. A-seinte Marie dai Maugdeleyne : for-soþe i segge þe, Þo þe a-cord was formest i-maked : bi-twene mi louerd and me, he seide me þat ich lete a-mansi : alle þat hadden mis-do Mine churche þat is his owene Moder— : and ich habbe idon so." ¶ "A-voy, sire preost," quath þis oþur : "to muche þov spext neiȝ, Þov desclaundrest þin owene louerd : þov ne art noþer guod ne sleiȝ! Miles.Seistþov þat mi louerd þe king : In mansinge let do Alle þat maden is sone king? : ne consentede he þer-to? Nas it al is owene dede : and bi none oþur mannes lore? A-voy, sire preost, bi-þench þe bet : ne seie þov so namore." ¶ "Certes, sire," quath seint thomas : "þou wost wel it was so,thomas. For þou were þare þi-self þo : and manie oþere þer-to, bischopus and Erchebischopus ek : and oþere grete and heiȝe, Ȝe fif hundred men and mo : al-so þov wel i-seiȝe." Miles.¶ "beo stille," quath þis luþere kniȝt : "hold þinne mouthþ, ich rede, Þov mis-seist mi louerd þe king : daþeit alle þat it seide! ho miȝte soffri swuch sclaundre : bote he nome þar-of wreche? bi þe fei þat schal to god : man schal þe an-oþur teche!" his felawes euerechone : heore Armes a-brod caste And ferden ase Men þat weren wode : and þretneden him wel faste. to þe Monekus heo wenden a-non : "comieth here forth," he seide, "Ȝe holdeth here þe kingus fo : witiez him wel, ich rede; Þat ȝe to þe kingus wille : is bodi ȝeom. ȝe habben al-ȝare, Oþur he schal ouwer londes aboute : and ower maneres maken wel bare!" thomas.¶ "Sire Reynaud," quath seint thomas : "wenstþou þat ichulle fleo? Nai par deu, nouȝt a fote : for þe king ne for þe." Miles.¶ "bi god, sire bischop," quath þis oþur : "bi þat þou wost þen ende, Þi fleoinge schal beo luyte wurth : þou ne schalt nouȝt wel fer wende." Þis kniȝtes in grete wrathþe þo : wenden heom forth ech-on, And leten heom army swyþe wel : and comen a-ȝen a-non, W[i]th suerdes and with axes : and with oþere armes mo; Robert de brok, þe luþere clerk : he was with heom þo. Into þe cloistre of Caunterburi : with grete noyse heo comen weue, Þe Monekus songen Euesong : for it was wel-neiȝ eue. Some for þe grete noyse : fullen a-doun for fere, And some bi-gonne to fleon a-boute : ase men þat witlese were. Seint thomas nam ane Croyz : ake oþure armes non, And þare-with wel baldeliche : he eode a-ȝein is fon. Þis Monekus ornenMS. ornem to him some : "sire, merci," heo seiden, "For godes loue a-bid ȝut here : ore louerd þe mai ȝuyt rede; Soffre þat we helpen þe : oþur þat we with þe deiȝe." Some wolden makien þe doren : þo heo þat folk i-seiȝe. "bi-leuez," quath þe holie Man : "ȝe ne doth nouȝt as þe wise, Singuth forth ower auesong : and doth ore louerd is seruise. Man ne schal of holi churche : castel maken non. latez foles ane stounde a-wede : and in heore folie gon!" Þe kniȝtes comen reken In : heore folie for-to do, And seiden, "ȝware is nouþe þis traitour : and þis false bischop also?" thomas.¶ Seint thomas bar þe Croiz on honde : and answerede is fon : "Ich am here, godus preost : ake traitour nam ich non. Sechez him þat wole ov fleo : oþur þat drede ovwer þretninge : Non rediore ne beoth ower swerdes : me to deþe bringue Þat min heorte prestore nis : þene deþ for-to take; For þe riȝtes of holi churche : I-nelle nouȝt det for-sake." Þare wende forth on of heom : and is huyre of him drouȝ, And is mantel a-non after-ward : with gret uilte i-nouȝ. Sire Reynaud le fiz ours : pursiwede him anon. ¶ "Sire Reynaud," quat seint thomas þo : "hov schal þis nouþe gon? Ofte ich habbe þe guod i-do : and manie oþure mo." "Þov schalt sone," quath þis oþur : "i-wite hou it go. Traitour, þou art ded a-non : non oþur nelle ich do." "For-soþe," quath þis holi man : "wel prest ich am þer-to, For þe riȝtes of holi churche : deiȝe ichulle wel fawe, Ȝif heo miȝte þere-after-ward : in pais beo and in lawe. Ak ich ov bidde ȝif ȝe sechez me : in ovre louerdes name, Þat ȝe ne comen neiȝ non oþur man : harm ne do ne schame; For non oþur gulti nis : of þat ȝe witez me, heo buth alle gultlese bote ich one : þar-of sikere ȝe beo; And al-so ase heo gultlese beoth : harmles latez heom wende." Þe guode man sat a-doun a-kneo : þo he sai al þe ende; Forto a-fonge þene stronge deth : is heued he buyde a-doun, And softe, ase some i-herden : he seide þis oresoun : Oratio thome.¶ "Ore louerd and seinte Marie : and seint Denis al-so And alle þe avouwes of þis churche : In ȝwas ore ich am i-do, Ich bi-take mine soule here : and holi churche riȝte." Ȝeot he bad for holi churche : þo he nadde non oþur miȝte! Sire Reynaud le fiz ovrs : mest schrewe of ech-on, For-to smite þis holi man : is swerd he drouȝ a-non. ¶ Ake Edward grim, þat was is clerk : in g[ra]unte-brugge i-bore, his louerd to helpe ȝif he miȝte : his Arm he pulte bi-fore. he woundede is Arm swyþe sore : þat blod orn faste a-doun. W[i]th þulke dunte he smot al-so : seint thomas ope þe croun, Þat blod orn biMS. bi corr. to to is face a-doun : In is riȝt half of þe wounde. Lovde gradde þis luþere kniȝt : "smitez alle to grounde!" Edward grim andMS. and and alle is men : þat þo a-boute him were, At-ornen a-boute ech in is side : ope þe weuedes for fere. Ase it bi ore louerd ferde : þo þe giwes him nome : his desciples flovwen anon : men nusten ȝware heo bi-come; For in þe godspel it is i-writen : þat ore louerd him-self seide "Ȝwane a man smit þene schepherde : þe schep wollez to-sprede"; And ore louered bad for is desciples : þat men ne scholden hemMS. him non harm do. Þaron þouȝte seint thomas : he bad for is men al-so. An oþur kniȝt smot seint thomas : in þulke sulue wounde, And made him bouwie is face a-doun : and loke toward þe grounde. Þe þridde in þulke sulue stude : þare-after him smot a-non, And makede him loute a-doun : is face to þe ston. In þulke stude þe feorþe smot : þare þe oþere hadden er i-do, Þat þe point of is swerd brak : In þe Marbre ato.— ¶ Ȝeot þat ilke point at Caunterburi : þe Monekus doth wite, For honour of þe holi man : þat þare-with was i-smite.— With þulke stroke he smot al of : þe scholle and þe croune, Þat þut brain ful on þe pauement : al a-brod þare doune. þat ȝwite braynMS. braym was i-meind : with þe rede blod þere, Þat colur was wel fair to seo : þei ichal. hit reulich were. Al round it orn a-boute is heued : ase it were a dyademe, And al-round þare-a-bouten it lay : ȝware-of men token grete ȝeme. For ȝwane men peyntiez an Anletnesseal. halewe : ȝe ne seoth it nouȝt bi-leued Þat þere nis depeint a Roundel : al-a-boute þe heued: Þat rondel men cleopiez þe diademe. : for manie i-seien þat cas,al. as me seȝ þer a fair cas bi þe diademe of is brayne : þat he holi was. Þo þis holi man i-martret was : þis kniȝtes graden ech-on, "Þis traitour is to deþe i-brouȝt : wende we henne a-non. Siwieth us ȝe kingus men alle : and alle þat with him beoth! Of þis traytur ȝe beoth a-wreke : ase ȝe nouþe i-seoth. he þouȝte beo herre þane þe king : and bi-nimen him is croune And bringe to nouȝt al engelond : ake nouþe he lijth þare doune." Ase þe giwes bi ore louerd seiden : þo heo wolden him to deþe do, Þat he made him kin[g] and non nas : and godes sone al-so. Þo þis luþere kniȝtes weren : fram þis holi man igon, Robert de brok him bi-þouȝte : and turnede him a-ȝen a-non And þoruȝ þe scolle smot is swerd : deope with-Inne is heued, Þo þe scolle al amti was : and no brayn Inne bi-leued. Ase þe giwes leten smite ore louerd : to þe heorte grounde After þe deþe with a spere : and maden þe fifte wounde. ¶ Þis luþere men alle in one stude : smiten seint thomas, In þe scolle riȝt euene a-brod : þare is croune was. he nas nouȝt þe man þat he wolde : is heued enes with-drawe Ne fondi for-to fleo heore strokes : ne enes a-weiward wawe, Ne nouȝt enes groni ne makien cri : bote mildeliche and softe Euere he heold is heued forth : al-þei heo smiten him ofte.— Þis luþere kniȝtes wenden a-non : to is tresorie, breken is doren and is coffres : and duden gret robberie; heo nomen is cloþes and is hors : and is tresor al-so. Chartres and oþur priue writes : þat in is coffres weren i-do, heo it bi-token sire Randolf de brok : þat he þare-with wende to þe kinge in-to Noremandie : and segge þat heo him sende And þat he dude þare-with ȝwat he wolde : and ȝif þare ani were Aȝen is wille oþur is fraunchise : þat heMS. heo sone to-tere. A-mong is tresor heo founden al-so : tweie wel stronge heren : Wel filliche heo casten heom a-wei : ase þei heo nouȝt wurth nere. Ake naþeles heo bi-þouȝten heom þo : and weren somdel in fere, And seiden bi-twene heom stilleliche : "guod man we wenez he were." Sire willam traci tolde sethþe : of þis guode man seint thomas Þe bischope of Eccetre in is schrifte : ase he of him i-schriue was: Þat þo þe guode man was a-slawe : and heo ovtward were, So sore heom a-gros þat heo weren : neiȝ witlese for fere; For heom þouȝte euere ase heo eoden outward : ne wenden heo no so bliue, Þat þe eorþe openede onder heom : for-to swolewen hem a-liue.— ¶ Þo þis guod man i-martred was : and þe kniȝtes weren out i-gon, In-to al þe toun of Caunterburi : couth it was anon. Þat folc cride deolfulliche : and to churche heo drowe And onovreden þat holi bodi : and custen it ofte i-nowe. Þe Monekus comen sone þer-to : and þis holi bodi toke And leiden faire In one bere : and bi-fore þe Autere it bi-woke. Þat face was ȝwyȝt and cler i-nouȝ : and no blod nas þar-inne, bote fram þe riȝt half of is frount : toward þe left chinne A smal rewe þere was of blode : þat ouer is nose drouȝ; More blod þar nas in al is face : ase folk i-saiȝ i-nouȝ. Þe woundene bledden al þe niȝt : and men henten þare-of, i-wis— And In þe churche of Caunterburi : of þulke blode ȝeot is. Ake he nas neuere of þe worse hewe : for al þat he bledde þere, bote in guode heowe and cler inov : riȝt ase he liues were, And somdel leyȝinde with þe mouþe— : he lai ase þei he slepe. Muche folk was a-boute him : þat blod for-to kepe, And forto gaderi of þe blode : þat i-sched was on þe grounde, And of þat eorþe þat was bi-bled : and glade weren ȝwan heo it founden— ¶ For þat nolde heom noman werne— : þicke a-wei men it drouȝ; And ho-so miȝte enes þat bodi cusse : he was glad i-nouȝ. A-morewe þe luþere kniȝtes : Armeden heom eft-sone And with-oute toun nome heore red : ȝwat heom was to done; heo bi-radden for-to nime þat holi bodi : and with wilde hors to-drawe And sethþe hangen it on a waritreo— : heo seiden þat it was lawe, For he nas nouȝt wuyrþe to beon i-bured : In churche ne In churche|ȝerd. Þe Monekus þouȝten þis swiþe wel : and weren ful sore a-ferd: heo bureden þat holi bodi : hasteliche þere-bi-side With luyte solempnete i-novȝ : for heo ne dorsten no leng a-bide: Þis holi bodi was i-bured : In þe munstre of ihesu crist, bi-fore seint Austines weuede : and seint Iohanes þe baptist. heo ne dorsten nouȝt so longue : for-to þat bodi i-wasche were, Al ongreiþet to leggen it In : [heo] heiȝeden bliue for fere. Ase heo strepten of is cloþes : al a-boue heo founde Clerkene cloþes ase him to bi-feol : and oþere bi þe grounde: Monekene Abite with-Inne : ase heo founden þere, boþe Covele and stamin : he founden next is here. So þat he was Monek with-Inne : and seculer with-oute— Nuste no man is priueite : of þa[t] him was a-boute. And next is flesche þe here was : with knottes mani on, Þat deope in is flesche seten : some riȝt to þe bon; Þar-of he hadde schurte and brech : luytel aise he miȝte i-fele, So þat he was þare-inne i-bounde : fram þe scholdre to þe hele; With luytel aise he miȝte sitte : and ful on-aisi-liche ride, And on-aisiliche ligge also : opon eþur side.This v. on the margin. Ful of wormes was is flesch : to al oþur wo, In none creature, ich onderstonde : neuere ne weren i-seie mo; For in euereche stude of is flesche : so þicke heo weren i-sete, Þat þe grete ne miȝten for þe smale : comen to heore mete; Faste heo schouen and cropen al-so : ase ameteneformice overwr. al a-boute, Ake þe smale cleoueden faste to : þe grete bi-lefden with-oute. ¶ he deide endleue houndret ȝer : and seuenti and on After þat ore swete louerd : of is moder nam flesch and bon. Of þreo and fifti ȝeres elde : him-sulf he was þo— Mani a fair dai he hadde i-leoued : in care and in wo.— Þe king was in normandie : and her-of nuste nouȝt: he made deol and sorewe i-nouȝ : þo þe tiþinge him was i-brouȝt. In þe Castel of Argenteyn : he soiornede þo; With-oute þe ȝates ne cam he nouȝt : fourti daiȝes ne mo, Ake euere he heold him in priuete : In wepinge and oþur wo; For none neode þat Man miȝte habbe : with-oute he nolde go; Ne rouȝte he no-þing of þe world : wel luyte he eat al-so; Þe sorewe and þe deol þat he made : ne miȝte neuere beo i-do. he sende a-non to Caunterburi : for þis deolful dede And bad þe Monekus pitousliche : þat heo for him bede; And sende heom þat it nas : no-þing bi is rede, Ake þat þe kniȝtes wenden forth : and no-þing him fore ne seide, And þat he sende after heom : for-to comen a-ȝe, ¶ And are þe messeger were to heom i-come : huy weren fer in þe se. to þe pope al-so god : þe king sende sone And bad is conseil pitousliche : ȝwat him were to done, he bad him for þe loue of god : In swyche anguise him rede, Þat he were i-schriue and a-soilled : of so luþer a dede. Þe pope hadde ful gret pite : þat he swuch word him sende, ¶ And gret Ioye for he hadde wille : is lif for-to amende. twei cardinales he sende him : wise men boþe to, to schriuen him of þulke sunne : and a-soilli him al-so, And þe bischopus for-to a-soilli al-so : þat weren in mansinge. Welle, þat þe Cardinales : welcome weren þe kinge! Þe king bad heom deolfulliche : to schriuen him of þe dede, And bi-het heom studefastliche : to stonden al-to heore rede. he swor on þe halidom : þat þoruȝ him nas it nouȝt, Ne bi is wille, ne bi his heste : þat he was to deþe i-brouȝt; And ȝet he seide þat for is fader deþe : so sori man he nas, Ne for is moderes no-þe-mo : Ase he for is deþe was; And he seide he wolde with guode heorte : alle þe penaunces a-fonge Þat heo wolden on him legge : ne weren heo no so stronge: For he was enchaison of is deþe : and of is anuy al-so: Þe kniȝtes, for-to paien him : brouȝten him þer-to. ¶ Þo þe Cardinales i-seiȝen þis : þat he to repentaunce drouȝ. heo a-soileden him and setten on him : stronge penaunce i-nouȝ, In priuete ase riȝt was : þat no man þar-of nuste, And þis al-so þat ichulle novþe telle : þat alle Men of wusten. his priue penaunces some weren : fastinge for-to make, vv. 2261-2 om. in the other MSS.And In fale tymes linne cloth and schurte of selk : for is sunnes for-sake. In-to þe holie londe he scholde finde : to hundret knyȝtes, to fiȝte Al ane ȝer with þe templers : for holi churche riȝte; ¶ And þat he scholde þe status of Clarindone : al clanliche with|drawe, Þoru ȝwuche statuz þis holi man : i-brouȝt was of lijf-dawe; And þat he clanliche ȝolde a-ȝein : al þat bi-nome was Þe bischopriche of Caunterburi : for wrathe of seint thomas; And þat he scholde is vuele wille : also clanliche for-ȝiue Alle þat he hadde out of londe : for wrathe of him i-driue. Þe king grauntede al heore wille : weopinde swiþe sore, And seide þat it was to luyte : and bad on him legge more, And ȝeot, "al to ouwer wille here : mi bodi ich bi-take, Ȝiueth me penaunces i-nowe : I-nelle neuer on for-sake." he wende out atþe Churche dore : a-soiled forto beo, And seide þat he nas nouȝt wurthe : þat men scholde him with-inne i-seo; And with-oute churche pitousliche : he sat a-doun a-kne. Ake þe Cardinales nolden nouȝt : is bodi al on-wreo, And somdel a-boue is cloþes : heo a-soileden him riȝt þere; For deol heo weopen pitousliche : and manie þat þare were. his sone al-so made one bi-heste : with wel dreorie chere: Þe faderes penaunce to folfulle : ȝif he of power nere Oþur ȝif he felle in-to feble stat : þat he ne miȝte it nouȝt ful-ende, Opon him-self þe charge he nam : and dude ase guod and hende. Þus was þe holi man : i-brouȝt to martyrdom; Mani was þe fair miracle : þat for him sone com.Both verses are written in one line.— Jerusalem.¶ For In Ierusalemes londe men wusten : of is martyrdom With-Inne þe furste fourtene-Niȝt : þat he þe det nam. For a Monek in þulke londe : In is deþe vuele lai, And is Abbod cam to him : bi-fore is ende-daiBoth verses are written in one line. And conIurede himMS. him þat him þat he scholde : after is deþe þere to him comen and tellen him fore : in ȝwuch stat he were. So þat þis Monek deide sone : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas. to is Abbod sethþe he cam : ase he I-conioured was, And seide þat he i-saued was : In þe Ioie of heuene an heiȝ; he tolde him muche of þe Ioye : þat he þare i-seiȝ. he tolde him þat þulke tyme : þat he to heuene cam Þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : þolede martyrdom, And þat is soule þulke tyme : to heuene wende a-non; "Fair was þat processioun : þat a-ȝen him cam gon Of Aungles and of patriarks : and of apostles al-so, Of Martirs and of confessours : and of virgines þer-to. heo nome alle þeos holi soule : And bi-fore ore louerd sone brouȝten hire with Ioye and blisse : ase he sat in is throne. his croune was al of i-smite : and blodi was is heued, And is brayn was al i-sched : þare nas nouȝt bi-leued. ¶ 'Thomas, thomas,' quath ore louerd : 'þus it fallez to þe To þine louerdus court to come : In swuche manere to me! For þi seruise ich þe ȝyue : ase muchel Ioie and blis Ase ich ȝaf seint peter : þat min Apostel is.' he sette ane Croune op-on is heued : of golde cler and guod, Swyþe wel bi-cam þat briȝte gold : op-on þe rede blod. More Ioie ne miȝte non beo : þane In heuene for him was, For þe Erchebischope of caunterburi : is name was seint thomas. Þe Tywesdai after Cristemasse : þe furste þat þere cam, Þis holi man in Engelonde : þolede martyrdom; And ȝwan þov i-heorst of is deþe telle : of Men of Engelonde, Þov i-leue me of þis tale : and þe soþe onder-stonde." Þe Abbod sone a-morewe : ne fur-ȝat nouȝt seint thomas, Ake þe patria[r]cke of Ierusalem : he tolde al hov it was. So þat forþere in þe ȝere : it was wel onder-stonde, Þo pilegrimes þudere comen : out of Engelonde, In ȝwat manere he was a-slawe : and ȝwuch tyme he was ded: Þe pilegrimes tolden al þe soþe : ase þe Monek hadde er i-seid. Þus was i-kud In Ierusalem : þe deth of seint thomas With-Inne þe furste fourtene nyȝt : þat he i-martred was.— Guerra regum.¶ þe fifte ȝer, ich onder-stonde : after is martyr-dom bi-twene kyng henri and is sone : gret contek þare bi-com. Þe sone bi-cam prout a-non : for is kynedom, And of is fader tolde luyte : and werre ope him nam. Þe meste del was with is sone : of al Engelonde, And þe kyng of Fraunce al-so : and þe king of scotlonde. So þat þis seli oldeman : In sorewe was I-novȝ. Al he it wuste þe luþere dede : þat man seint thomas a-slouȝ. he wende him out of Normundie : to-ward Engelonde, Are he come to Caunterbiri : he nolde nouȝwere at-stonde; And þo he cam fer w[i]th-oute þe toun : he gan to liȝte a-doun, Al a-fote and bare-fot : he wende into þe toun. In is Curtel one and on-gurd : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ, Riȝt so he wende to þe stude : þere seint thomas lai. At is toumbe he feol a-doun a-kneo : wepinde wel sore, he heold op is hondene deolfolliche : and cride him milce and ore. ¶ Wepinde in is oresones : al fastinde he lai At þis holi mannes toumbe : a nyȝt and al a dai; Of euerech Monek of þe hous : he tok is discipline With a smart ȝeorde, and ȝeot him þouȝte : þere was to luyte pine. he bad heom alle deolfulliche : bidden for him one, And swor he wolde legge a-doun : þe luþere lawene ech-one. ¶ So þat he let singe ane masse : are he þannes wende, In þe honour of seint thomas : þat he is grace him sende. Þe ȝwyle men þe masse songe : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas, Þe kyng of Scotlond was i-nome : þat mest is fo was; And manie oþere also with him : þat weren is stron[ge] fon; So þat heo þat weren vn-nome : to him nadden power non. his folk dude þe bataille : þe ȝwyle þe masse i-lasteMS. staste; Þar-to heo hadden luyte help : and weren wel sore agaste, Ake ore louerd for seint thomas loue : his grace wel sone him caste, So þat heore fon weren somem MS. sone i-nome : and some flouwen wel faste. So þat þis seli olde king : þat al bi-neþe er was, Al a-boue was sone i-brouȝt : þoruȝ bone of seint thomas; And is sone was al bi-neþe : and so he bi-ȝat wel luyte For-to weorri aȝein is fader : for is sori pruyte. bi him men mowen nime ensaumple : to beon to hastiue: to ȝiuen heore sones op heore lond : þe ȝwyle heo hem-sulue beoth a-liue. Þe kingus sone þare-after-ward : prouede vuele i-novȝ, And wel longe bi-fore þe fadere : toward þe deþe he drouȝ And fur-pinede in þe menisone : þat is lif him þouȝte long; he deide sethþe deol-folliche : in gret pine and strong. his broþer also, sire Geffrei : þat Erl of brutayne was, Deide al-so in þe menison : In þulke sulue cas. So þat after is fader deþe : þare ne lefde eir non bote heore ȝongue broþer king Richard : and sethþe þe king Iohan— Ake sire Geffreies child : with riȝte lawe of londe Þe heritage scholde habbe i-bore : ase ich me onder-stonde.— Mors Militum.¶ Þeos luþere kniȝtes alle foure : þat slowen seint thomas Deiden in stronge deþe i-nouȝ : ase wel riȝt itMS. it it was. heo weren echone repentaunt : ne miȝten none men more, euere heo criden on seint thomas : to ȝiuen heom milce and ore. Sone after-ward þat he was a-slawe : al heore guod huy lete And wenden to þe holi lond : heore sunnes for-to bete. Ake sire Willame traci ne wende nouȝt : forth with þe oþere þreo, he hopede here In Engelonde : Inouȝ repentaunt to beo. These two verses are tr. in the MS.Þare-after-ward he bi-cam : in grete meseise and strong: his flesch bi-gan to breken out : and rotede an fovle stonk, So longue þat he stonk so foule : þat deul it was to se, Þat onneþe ani man miȝte : for stunche neiȝ him beo. his flesch rotede on him al-so : and al dai ful awei, Þat is bones weren al bare— : þo ne likede him no plei! Wit is hondene he to-drouȝ al-so : his flesch atþe laste, pece and oþur al a-brod : a-wei fram him he caste; hondene and Armes he to-drovȝ : mest of ech-on, Þat þere nas no flesch bi-leued : bote senue and bare bon. Manie men it þouȝten wel : þat bi is wille it were, Al for-to bieteMS. biete is sunnes here : þat is soule in helle nere. Wrechchedore gost ne miȝte non beo : þane þis prisun was; And euere he cride deolfulliche : "merci, seint thomas." Atþe laste he let is lijf : In wel stronge pine, And ȝif ore louerdes wille was : he cam to guode fine. Þis kniȝtes aftur heore luþere dedeneal. dede : deiden sone ech-on, So þat with-Inne þe þridde ȝere : a-liue ne lefde þer non. For þe sauter seith þat swuche men : þat of tricherie beoth, Ne schullen nouȝt halue heore dawes libbe : ase ȝe alda[i] i-seoth; Þei heo beon swyþe repentaunt : ase þis kniȝtes weren, ich wene, Ȝuyt ne libbeth heo nouȝt half heore lif : ant þat was bi heom i-sene.— ¶ Seint thomas þis holi man : onder eorþe he lay, Are þat he I-schrined were : wel mani a long day; he lai þere nineal. inne and fourti ȝer : and half a ȝer þer-to And a-boute ane Eiȝte dawes : are he were of eorþe i-do. god wolde a-bide ane guode tyme : to don so noble þing: Þat þare weren boþe guode : Erchebischop and king. For þe king Iohan þat longue was : euere of luþere rede, luyte þouȝte bi is daie : to don so guode dede. ¶ Ake þe king henri, is ȝonge sone : nolde nouȝt longe a-fine, After þat he was king i-mad : are seint thomas were in schrine. he nas nouȝt þrettene ȝeres old : þo he dude þis noble þing, And it was in þe feorþe ȝere : þat he was i-mad ȝong king. Þe guode Erchebischop steuene : radde faste þer-to: So þat bi hore boþe redes : þis dede was i-do. Þe pope honorie, þat was þo : hidere he gan sende Ane legat fram Rome, þat het pandulf : to bringe þis dede to ende. Þe pope ȝaf alle pardon : þat þudere wolden gon, Þat men nusten in Engelonde : suuych pardon non. Þare-fore, for-to honouri þis holi man : þere cam folk i-novȝ; Of bischopes and of Abbodes : mani on þudere drouȝ, Of priores and of persones : and manie oþur clerkes al-so; Of Eorles and of barones : and manie kniȝtes heom to; Of seriaunz and of squiers : and oþere house-bondes i-nowe; And þe simple men of þe londe : so þicke þudere drowe Þat al þe contreie þare-a-boute : þe tounes wide and longeMS. londe Vnneþe miȝten al þat folk : þat þudere cam a-fonge. ¶ So þat þis heiȝe men : þat scholden þis dede do Weren in care hov heo miȝten : for prece comen þer-to; So þat Erchebischop steuene : of ȝwam ich er ov seide, And þe bischop Richard of Salesburi : þar-of heom nomen to rede, And prior water of þe house : and þe couent al-so, Wenden heom in priuete : þis dede for-to do. bi niȝte, þo men weren a-slepe : and luyte þar-on þouȝte, heo nomesr. nomen op þe holi bones : and in one cheste brouȝte, And setten heom in a priue stude : for-to þe time was i-come þatMS. hit was i-crid into al þat lond : þat heo scholden beo up i-nome. It was in þe monþe of Iulie : euene þene seuenthe dai, bi a tiwesdai it was þo : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ. Þo þe dai was i-come : to þe munstre heo wenden a-non, Kyng henri þat ȝonge child : an þe heiȝe men ech-on; A-boute onderne of þe daie : to þis holi bones heo come. PAndulf wende furst þer-to : þat legat was of rome, And þe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : and þe Erchebischop of reins al-so, Þat for þulke þinge cam : fram bi-ȝeonde se þer-to, And sire hubert de boruȝ : þat þo was heiȝ Iustise. Þeos foure grete louerdes : þat noble men weren and wise, On heore scholdres huy nomen up : þis holi bodi a-non; ¶ Bischopus and Abbodes al-so : it beren ful mani on. to þe heiȝe weuede of þe trinite : þe holie bones heo bere, And leiden þe Cheste al þare-with : In a noble schrine þere. Þis king henri was so ȝong : þat he ne dorste nouȝt With þe oþere bere þat holi bodi : laste men him hurten ouȝt. It was bi a tiwesdai : þat heo þe bones op nome; Alle is chaunces þat he hadde : bi tiwesdawes him come. In a tiwesdai he was i-bore : and of is moder wombe he cam; And also ase men bringuth ane þeof : for-to a-fonge is dom, bi-fore þe kynge at Norehaumptone : op-on a tiwes-daiȝ Wit gret schame he was i-brouȝt : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ— Filloker þane ani þef : folk him þare schende; bi tiwesday he was i-flemd al-so : and out of londe he wende; And bi a tiwesdaiȝ at pounteneie : ore louerd to him com And seide to him þat swete word : of is martyrdom— ¶ "Thomas," seide ore swete louerd : "ȝeot schal of þine blode Al mi churche honoured beo—" : þis wordes weren wel guode; bi a tiwesdai also gud : to engelonde he cam, After þat he was i-flemd : to a-fonge is martirdom; bi a tiwesdai at Caunterburi : to deþe he was i-do; And sethþe bi a tiwes-dai : Ischrined he was al-so. Þeos seuen Auntres bi tiwesday : him comen atþe leste: Þare-fore we i-seoth manie men : makien one bi-heste to bi-leue flesch þene tiwesdai : oþur to o mel faste, For-to heo comen to Caunterburi : oþur þe ȝwyle heore lif i-lastez. Nov Iesu crist for þulke loue : þat seint thomas on þouȝte, Ȝyue us part of þulke Ioie : þat he so deore a-bouȝte. 28 [Prologue] Fabian Sebastian. AL þis bok is i-maked of holi dawes : and of holie mannes liues Þat soffreden for ore louerdes loue : pinene manie and riue, Þat ne spareden for none eiȝe : godes weorkes to wurche; Of ȝwas liues ȝwane heore feste fallez : men redez in holi churche. Þei ich of alle ne mouwe nouȝt telle : ichulle telle of some, Ase euerech feste after oþur : In þe ȝere doth come.— Þe furste feste þat in þe ȝere comez : we cleopiez ȝeres-dai, Ase ore louerd was circumciset : In þe giwene lay, For to fulfullen heore lawe : and for cristinedom non nas Are longe þare-afturward : þat he I-cristned was. ¶ He was Nyne and twenti ȝer : and þrettene dawes old Are he i-baptized were : ase þe bok us hath i-told: Al-so it fel a twelfte-dai : seint Iohan þe baptist Baptizede in þe flum Iordan : ore louerd Ihesu crist. In þat dai a twelf-monþe : ore louerd was at one feste, Þare he turnde water to win : þoruȝ is moder heste. We holdez al-so þat dai feste : of þe þridde þinge: Ase þe þre kingues to ore louerd : presaunt dude bringe; to him heo comen ase is moder : a-child-bedde lay, After þat he i-bore was : þane þretteþe day, Ase it fallez a-twelfte-dai— : longe heo erore him souȝten, gold. and. mirre. and An-sens : In presaunt heo him brouȝten.— Seint Fabian þrettene ȝer : pope wasMS. was was In rome; he turnede mani men þat luþere weren : in-to cristine-dome. Decius, þat prince was : of heþenesse þo, he let him martri þere-fore : and oþere with him mo. Vita sancti Sebastiani. Telle ichulle of þe holi man : seint Sebastian. he seruede ane heþe amperour : þat het dyoclician; hext maister he was onder him : to don al is wille. Cristine Man he was bi-come : bote þar-of he heold him stille, for no doute of Martyrdom : ake for þat he wolde longe Serui god almiȝti, are he wolde : deth onder-fonge. Alle þe men þat cristine weren : þat þe Aumperor ouȝwer founde Sone he let to deþe bringe : with fuyre oþur mid wounde. Ȝwane ani man for cristindom : to deþe scholde beon brouȝt, Seint Sebastian heom confortede : þat heo ne dradden heom nouȝt Deth a-fonge for godes loues : Ake þat heo studefaste were; Mani he heold in þe riȝte bi-leue : þat flechchi wolden for fere. ¶ Marcus and Marcellian : breþren weren tweie, Þe Aumperour for cristinedom : I-nome hadde heom beiȝe: he let heom binde to-gadere faste : boþe to o piler, And to þe Eorþe naylli heore fet : þat heo ne miȝten fer ne ner. So heo stoden al ane day and a niȝt : þat non ne miȝten fram oþer; Eiþur of heom ofte to oþere seide : "here is ioye, leue broþer!"— guod it is and murie : breþren to wonie i-fere! Euere heo precheden cristindom : mid wel glade chere. Þe Aumperor let nimen ane spere : ase heo stoden to-gadere i-bounde, Þoruȝ heore heortene he let heom smite : þat heo deiden in a luyte stounde. Sebastian was þo i-wreid : þat he heom ȝaf þane red to holden op faste heore cristindom : þei heo scholden beo ded. Þe Aumperor let him cleopie : "Sebastian," he sede, "to þe al mi truste was : mi lond to wissi and rede, Of alle þing þat min is : Ich ȝaf þe mest power, to holden op min honour : and to saui it fer and ner: Ich habbe to þe suspecion : Ake for-soþe i-ne segge it nouȝt, Þat þov a-ȝen me and a-ȝen min honour : Itorned hast þi þouȝ[t]." Sebastian seide, "sire Aumperour : Aȝen þe neuere I nas, Ake mid þe and al þine þinge : to þin honour ich was, And ofte ich habbe niȝt and daiȝ : godes sone bi-souȝt, Al-so wisliche ase he with is heorte blode : deore us hauez i-bouȝt, Þat he þe ȝyue power gret : and wille and eke þouȝt to leten þine false godes— : for heo ne helpeth þe nouȝt." ¶ Wod-wroth was þis Aumperor. : "Sebastian," he seide, "habbe ich þus i-holde þe? : turne þi þouȝt, ich rede! bote þov honouri ore godus : to swuche pine i schal þe take Þat, are þov beo to deþe i-brouȝt : ech lime þe schal ake." "Sire," seide Sebastian : "þine þretningue ne drede i nouȝt, More me greuez þat þou nelt : habbe reuþe in þi þouȝt And honouri him þat made þe man : ant þine maumates bi-leue, Þat ne mouwe helpe nouȝt : for heo beoth doumbe and deue." Þe Aumperour in grete wrathþe was : þesne holi man he let take, And dude him leden into þe feld : and binde him to a stake, he let archers to him scheote : ase it were to one marke; With quareles and with Arewene : heo maden him woundes starke. Mani on wende þoruȝ-out him : in a luytel ȝwyle heo stikeden al-so þicke on him : so yrichon deth of piles. Þo heom þouȝte þat he was ded : hom heo gonne i-wende; On-bured heo bi-lefden him þare : his bodi for-to schenden. A cristine womman, þat heiȝte Yreine : wende þudere bi niȝte Forto burien þat holi bodi : ȝif heo it finde miȝte. heo cam and fond him hol and sound : he nadde nouȝt one wounde; With gret Ioye heo ladde him to hire hous : and glad was þat heo him founde. ¶ Þene feorþe dai Sebastian : wende to þe Aumperour. "Sire," he seide, "ichulle þe telle : þat fallez to þin honour: Ȝe mis-bi-leuez, and men doth eov : a-mis to onderstonde Þat cristine men scholden harm do : to þe and to al þine londe. For i-sosteyned and i-saued : it is þoruȝ heore bone More þane þoruȝ ouwer Maumates : þat ne beoth nouȝt wurhþ a spone. For we biddez nyȝt and day : god, þat me hidere sende, Þat he eov ȝiue long lijf : ȝif ȝe eov wollez a-mende." "hou is þis?" quath þe Aumperour : "ȝweþur þov a-liue beo? Nartþou nouȝt Sebastian : þat ich a-felde let sle?" "Ȝe," he seide, þis holi man : "a-liue ich am nouþe her, hol and sound, with-oute wounde : to schewen þe godus pouwer, And to schewen þat ȝe onriȝt doth : cristine Men to sle, For heore bi-leue is riȝtful and guod : and ouwere nis wuyrth a stre. Þare-fore on þine soule þench! : ne bi-lef þou nouȝt on a stone, Ake on him þat us deore a-bouȝte : þat is godes sone al one." ¶ "Ovȝ," seide þe Aumperovr þo : "ȝware is ovre miȝte? Schal þis þeof þoruȝ is wichchinge : a-ȝen us with wordes fiȝte?" he let nimen sebastian : and hom to is paleis lede. For no miracle þat he dude : to wide scholde sprede, Laste Men torneden to cristindom : In-to a priue stude he him ladde, With staues he let him to deþe beten. : and þo heo a-slawe him hadde, In one Chaumbre foreine : a-midde þe fuylthþ-hede he let him honge with a rop— : and þat was a vil dede— Þat bodi forto schende : for he hadde drede Þat cristine Men him wolden stele : and is bodi a-wei lede. bi niȝte cam þis holi Man : to a womman, þat het lucine, And tolde hire hou he ymartred was : and in ȝwuche pine, An hou filliche is bodi heng : and þat heo ase sone ase heo miȝte his bodi fette, and burien it : a-mong cristine men bi niȝte. Þis guode womman at Midniȝt : dude ase he hadde i-bede: Fette þat bodi and burede hit : In a wel fair stude. Þus seint sebastian þe holi man : is lif brouȝte to ende, And fram þe pine of is liue : to þe blisse of heuene he gan iwende. 29 Vita sancte agnetis. SEint Anneis, þat holi Maide : wel ȝong heo bi-gan to serui god al-miȝti : to beon cristine womman. heo nas bote of þrettene ȝer : þo heo was to deþe i-brouȝt For þe loue of Ihesu crist : þat deore us hath i-bouȝt. In rome, þare he wonede : so fair creature nas non Ase was þis maide forthward : of felle noþer of bon. Ase þis Maide-child cam a dai : goinde fram schole, Þe constables sone hire i-saiȝ : and heold hire for fole; he gan to louien hire in folie : and for hire was in mourninge, And carede hov he miȝte best : to ende his fole þouȝt bringe. For stille mourninge þat he hadde : he i-werth swuyþe lene. Þar-of wondrede muche is frend : and ȝerne him duden bi-men[e]. heo axeden him a dai in priuete : hov he dude fare. he gan to telle fram on to oþur : ȝware-of was is care, And hou he wolde him-self a-sle : bote he þat maide hadde. Þe consta[b]le non oþur ne saiȝ : is sone forth he ladde; heo comen to Anneyse, þat Maide hende : and nomen hire bi þe honde. Þe fader seide : "lo here mi sone : þat wurth riche heyr of londe: ¶ A fair grace þe is i-come : he hath is heorte to þe i-take; Riche womman þou worst i-nouȝ : he schal habbe þe to make; hext þov worst of al þi kun : of londe and oþur þinges, gold and seluer þe worth i-nouȝ : broches and eke ringus." Þat maide seide : "go fram me : þov luþe[r] deþes fode! Woldestþov defouli mi bodi? : þov ne bringest me neuere in þat mode. Ich habbe me one spouse i-nome : þou ne wost nouȝwer swuch non, briȝtore þane þe sonne oþur ani liȝt : þat euere on eorþe schon. Of ȝwas kuynde wondri may ech þing : for is moder is clene mayde, his fader of womman neuere ne wuste : so þe prophetus us saide; Al þene world he made of nouȝt : and ȝaf us ovre fode; Wel deore with is swete blod : he bouȝte us on þe rode. Ane marke he hathz on me i-do : þat I-ne scholde non oþur take, Deorewurþe þing he hath me bi-hote : I-nelle him neuere fur-sake." ¶ Þe Constable het Symproni. : "hov geth þis," he seide, "Ȝweþur þov bi-leue on þe false gode? : torne þi þouȝt, ich rede And nim þis child to þi spouse : and þenk on þine owene guod, Oþur ischal do þe so tormenti : þat þov schalt neiȝ beo wod." "beo stille," seide þis maide þo : "be stille, þou deueles lime, Þov ne schalt to-dai for no þretning : mi guode þouȝ[t] me bi-nime. Ich am redi for is loue : þat deore me hath i-bouȝt tormenz a-fonge, and þe deth al-so : for Ine drede me riȝt nouȝt." þe Constable let somony al þe cite : and brouȝte þis mayde heom bi-fore; hire for-to schiende, he dude hire strepe : so naked so heo was i-bore, Þat ech man scholde i-seon hire derne limes : þe more hire to schende. "Onwreste man," þis mayde seide : "schame þe worth atþenende. ¶ Ne schameth þe no-þing in þi þouȝt : bi womman þus to do, Ȝwan þou of womman art i-come : and ech man is al-so?" Þatal. þat maide was notags. hnot for hire ȝong-hede : are hire smok were of i-nome, Þare wasMS. was was on hire swete heued : so muche fair her i-come, Þat hudde al hire swete bodi : þat it tilde bi-neothe hire kneMS. kneo; Þo ne miȝten men for here : of hire bodi nouȝt i-se. An hous þat seruede of bordel : þare was bi-side: Þare-Inne þe constable hire let do : and sethþe het crie wide Þat alle þat wolden folie don : þudere scholden wende And finde þare a fol womman : of bodie fair and hende. Þo þat Maide was þare-Inne i-do. : so ful was þat hous of liȝte Þat no man for brijȝt-hede : þat Mayde i-seo ne miȝte. Þat Maide sat a-doun a-kneo : and seide hire oresun þere: "Louerd," heo seide, "ȝong ich am : a-mong mine fon i-brouȝt here, Euerech fondeth to don me schame : þat he[r]-a-boute wendez: Louerd, ne ȝif neuere no luþer man power : mi bodi for-to schende!" Þis Maide sat euere in hire beden : to ore louerd heo gan crie: hire ne miȝte no man for liȝte i-seo : þat come þere-In for folie, Ake euere ȝwane heo comen In : to don heore fole þouȝt, heo heorden hire crie on ore louerd so ȝerne : and hire ne seiȝen nouȝt.Vv. 63, 64 are tr. in the MS. ¶ Þo bi-gan ech after oþur : ase euer-ech with-Inne cam, For Miracle þat heo seiȝen þere : tuyrne to cristindom, And bi-gonne forth with hire : to ore louerd ȝeorne crie— Þo was þat an hous of beden : þat raþer was of folie. Ase þat maide sat and bad hire beden : an Aungel þare cam gon, A Roket he brouȝte on is hond to hire : ȝwittore nas neuere non. Þat [maide]om. dude on þis Roket. : al naket heo was er, Naþeles heo ne miȝten nouȝt hire bodi seo : for liȝte ne for her; Þo heo hadde ido þis Roket on : non-more i-hud heo nas; Fairore lijf nas neuere i-seie : þane þis ȝonge maide þo was. Þe constables sone cam for-to don with hire : ase he hadde er i-seid: And are he miȝte þat Maiden handli : he fel a-doun stan-ded. his felawes þat with him comen : with-oute heo weren wel stille, And hopeden, for he so longe was : þat he dude is wille. ¶ Naþeles, þo he to longe was : is o felawe gan in gon, And fond þat child ligge ded : so cold ase a ston. he leop him out in-to þe strete : loude he gan to grede: "Comiez hidere, men, and sleth þis wichche : for heo hath i-do a luþer dede: Þe Constables sone heo hath a-slawe : here ȝe mouwen i-seo. Comiez nouþe bliue and nimeth hire : þat heo a-wei ne fleo!" Þat folk cam reke a-boute þis hous : and founden þat it was ded. Alle þe baillifs þudere comen : to nimen þar-of red. Some seiden þat heo wichche was : some þat heo was guod, And alle for þe childes deþe : wroþe weren in heore mod; heo stoden and Iuggeden hire a-mong heom alle : þat quelle heo wolden hire sone. Þat maide sat a-doun on hire knes : and made to god hire bone: "louerd," he seide, "ȝif þi wille beo : ȝif meȝif me al. om. þine miȝte and þine grace: Þov kuythþ þine miȝteþ. m. al. om. and send þis child : lijf here In þis place, Þat þis folk þat here is luyþur : þine miȝte mouwen i-seo; Ne lat none mo men deth a-fonge : for enchesun of me." ¶ A-doun þar cam an Aungel : "mayde Anneis," he seide, "Ore louerd hath i-heord þine bone : þat þou to him bede." heo blessede þat child, and hit aros : fram deþe to liue, And þonkede god, and orn him out : at þe dore wel bliue; he cam out a-mong al þat fo[l]k : loude he gan to crie: "On god þatom. þat is In heuene : þat was i-bore of þe Maidene Marie, Þat is fader and sone and holi gost : louerd of alle þinge, Þat wille hadde þoruȝ is miȝte : fram deþe to-day me bringe. Fur-sakez eovwer false godes : for heo nabbeth miȝte non Forto meoui heom enes of þe stude : non more þene a ston." Þe childes fader and mani oþure : swiþe glade bi-come, Þo heo i-seiȝen þe Miracle : and cristindom hem nome. Wod-wroþe weren þe luþere men : heo gonne bi-twene heom telle In ȝwuche martyrdome heo miȝten : þis holi maide a-quelle. heo leten makien a gret fuyr : þare a-midde þe place, For-to brenne seinte Anneis. : and þarMS. þat ore louerd cudde is grace. ¶ For þo þat Mayde was þudere i-brouȝt : In þe fuyr men hire þrevȝ: Þat fuyr clef a-middes a-to : and þe luyþere men it wel i-knevȝ, For þo it smot in eiþur side : and barnde heom al-clene. Þat Maide nas i-wemned nouȝt : for it ne touchede hire nouȝt ene; bote heo sat hire a-doun a-kne : and in eiþur half was þe leiȝe. "Louerd," heo seide, "ȝif þi wille it beo : þat ich here schulle deiȝe, I-redi ich am for-to a-fonge þat fuyr : þat is me In eyþur side, Ȝif ich schal here I-martred beo : oþur lengore a-bide." Þo heo hadde þis word i-seid : þat fuyr a-queinte a-non, Non more hete nas in þe place : þane in þe colde ston. Ȝeot þulke þat bi-lefden a-liue : on god þat neom. þat bi-lefden nouȝt, And Iuggeden hov heo miȝten don : þat heo were to deþe i-brouȝ[t]: heo leten nime a kene suerd : and þoruȝ hire þrote it smite; Þat rede blod orn a-doun : on hire limes so ȝwite. Fairore ne miȝte no-þing [be] : þane was þat ilke blod On hire limes þat weren so ȝwite : þo hit þaron stod. Þus þis Mayde seinte Annes : brouȝte hire lijf to fine, And wende to þe Ioye of heuene : after hire muchele pine. 30 Vita sancti vincentij Martyris. SEint Vincent In spayne : to a cristine bischop cam, Þat men cleopeden valentin : and cristindom of him nam. Þe kingal. iustice of þe londe— : Dacian was is name— For þe bischop cristine was : he þouȝte to don him schame: he let him nime and binde : and don him in grete pine. Þe bischop cride ȝerne on god : he nolde oþur fine. With heom þat him tormenteden : he spac with milde speche. Seint Vincent was þare-fore wrath : and seide: "ich mot þe teche; Ȝwy spext þov so mildeliche : ase þei þov a-drad were? Wenstþou þat heo þine Maistres beon? : ȝwar-of hauest þov fere? Spec hardiliche, and conforte wel : oþure þat cristine beoth, Þat heo mowe to þe deþe hardie beon : ase heo þe i-seoth!" "hov is þis?" seide þe king : "ȝweþur þes þef wene fiȝte And with-segge us al a-brod? : Ich him schal euene diȝte. Lateth þene bischop a-wei gon : for is milde speche, Nimez vincent and bindez a-non : we schullen him oþur tech[e]. With scourges and with staues : faste ȝe him bete, Þat he ne mouw i-wielde neuere a lime : are þat ȝe him lete!" "Ȝe," seide vincent, "þov paiȝest me wel : þi word ne þinchez me nouȝt ille, I-ne fond neuere Man þat so wel : a-cordede to mi wille: ¶ Nov ich hopie to habbe game : for erore me þouȝte longe; hit schal me tuyrne to Ioye and gleo : and þe toMS. to þe pines stronge." Þe tormentores nomen þane holie Man : and to a piler him bounde, With staues and scourges heo leiden on himal. him on : and maden him mani a wounde. Þo heo ȝeuen him sorest duntes : leiȝen he gan wel smere; Þe tormentores seten a-doun and cleopeden help : þo heo werie were, And seiden : "we beoth nouþe ouer-come : ore Armes aketh sore; he[l]pez us and betez þesneMS. þesne þesne þeof : for we ne mowen nonMS. nou more." Þo was þe king wroth with heom : he let heom a-nou take, Some he let tormenti sore : þat ech bon heom gan Ake, And some he let to deþe bringue : and some in oþur turment. Euere he let ferschi and nevnyr. nevuy? : tormentores to seint Vincent. Ȝwane heo weren werie of bete : þe holi man bi-gan to speke: "Louerd, i-wuyrþed beo þi name : nouþe ich am swiþe wel a-wreke: Þe more þat heo betez me : þe betere me is, i-wis; to heom i[t] torneþ to pine and sor : and me to Ioie and blis." ¶ "Ne mowe we novȝt," seide þe king : "with no-þing þar-to it bringe Þat þov nelt nemme þine false god : for no luþur betinge?" "Þov luþere Man," seide Vincent : "ȝeot þou most tormenti more, I-ne habbe nouȝt ȝeot tormenz i-nouwe : þar-after me longez sore." Þo he was i-scourget so : þat men miȝten i-seo ech bon And euerech Ioynt and senue : þe king gan ner him gon, "Vincent," he seide, "haue of þi-self : revþe and merci, Ne lat þov non-more þi fa[i]re bodi : þus defouli! bi-lief on ovre godes and torne anon : þi þouȝt and þi mod And i-schal þe ȝiue ope al mi lond : pouwer gret and guod." "beo stille," seide seint vincent : "al Atter is þi lore, beo stille a-non, þou deueles tonge : þou makest me drede sore: hit me greueth þat þov feinest þe : more þane al þe pine And alle þe tormens þat þov me dest : þov and alle þine; Þat þov bi-leuest þine tormenz so sone : and art bi-neoþe i-brouȝt. Ȝeot þou most more Ioye : bringen in mi þouȝt." "Þov schalt ȝeot," seide þe king : mo tormenz a-fonge." he let him lede with-oute þe toun : and on a gibet him honge. Vincent for Ioie bi-gan to eorne : þo he i-heorde þis dom, Þare nas non þat him miȝte ouer-take : are he to þe gibat com. Þo þat he an-hengut was : gret Ioye he made and blisse, Euere he prechede ase he heng : godes wordes to wisse; Þe lengore þat he þare heng : þe more Ioie he made. Þo gradden þe tormentores : "we ne schullen neuere ouer-come þis tade." ¶ Atþe laste he nomen him a-doun : and ladden bi-fore þe kinge, And seiden þat heo ne miȝten him : for noþing to deþe bringe. "Alas," seide þe king þo : "is ore miȝte us bi-nome? Ȝware-of seruieth ovre godes : þat þes þeof us schal ouer-come? Ledez him with-oute þe toun : a gret fuyr ȝe þare make; And þat he beo a-midde i-brouȝt : and i-bounde to one stake; For-brenne he schal euerech lime : ne schal he þus him wer[e]: And ȝwane he is to douste I-barnd : we beoth i-brouȝt of care." Þe tormentores nomen seint Vincent : and duden þe kingus heste. Þe holi man wende in-to þe fuyr : ase gladliche ase to one feste. Þo heo wenden þat seint vincent : to douste i-brend were, heo ornen hom and tolden þe kinge fore : gladdore neuere heo nere. heo ne miȝten so sone hom come : þat seint vincent nas er At home and stod bi-fore þe kinge— : mani sori man was þer! ¶ Þe tormentores tolden þe kingue : hov he i-barnd was. "Alas! alas!" þe king seide : "neuerer i-schend i-nas! Schal þeos þef us ouer-come? : Mahun, nou þin ore! Þei he grete tormenz habbe i-haued : ȝeot ich can bi-þenche more." he let nime platus of Ire : sum-del þunne and brode, And let heom legge amidde þe place : wel neiȝ ane cartes lode; gret fuyr he let þar-on make : and þo heo glowinde were, Þat wode-fuyr heo duden al a-wei : þane guode man þudere heo bere And on þe berninde plates him casten : and some þarof heo toke And leiden an-ouewarde is holi bodi : mid one Irene croke. Al he was þar-on ihud— : þe ȝut nadde he none fere! Þat grece of him orn a-brod : ase þei it frijnge were. Þe swyþere þat he barnde : þe gladdore he him made; he louȝ smere, ȝwane þe plates : In is flesch gonne wade; Atþe bi-ginningue he was glad : and gladdore atþenende. "Alas! alas," þe king seide þo : "þes þef us wole schende! Þis torment ne helpez us nouȝt : an-oþur we moten bi-þenche." he let maken a swyþe gret fuyr : þat no-þing ne miȝte a-quenche: ¶ Seint Vincent huy lei[den] a-mide-warde : and sethþe salt heo nome And Mid ladeles on is wondene it casten : inal. & in þe fuyr i-lome, So þat þe salt scholde is woundene frete : with þe brenninde fuyre; Þe spranglinge of þe blode i-selt : wide men miȝten i-huyre. "Ȝe," seide þis guode man : "þis is a swete feste! Mani Ioye ichabbe i-haued : ake þis is on þe meste." Ȝwane is blod spreinde In þe rof an heiȝ : he gan to leiȝen smere. Þanne was þe king and alle is men : In swyþe grete fere, And seiden : "þes þef us wole ouer-come. : Mahun, ȝware is þi miȝte? Schal þes þef with is wichchinge : aȝen þi power fiȝte?" "Ȝeot Ich þenche," seide þe king : "of one pine stronge; beo þes þef þar-on i-do : he ne schal nouȝt libbe longe." heo setten him in a swyþe deork put : þat in þe gayhole was, So ful of sweordes pointes i-piȝte : ase Mede is ful of gras: Þare-oppe þanne holi man : heo casten, faste i-bounde, Þat þe pointes of þe swerdes scholden : ȝiuen him deþes woundes. Faste heo loken alle þe dore : and leten him longe þere beo Ope þe swerdes pointes in deorkhede : he ne miȝte noþing i-seo. Þare cam an Aungel with a taper : brenninde in is hond, Of his pine he bar him op— : and þare was godes sonde! ¶ Þe Aungel was þar with him : ase longe ase he þare was, Mid a brenninde taper, and Ioie gret : þat neuere more nas. Þo it was longe þare-afturward : þis men comen þerbi-side, And wende þat he were ded : ane stounde heo gonne a-bide: Þo i-heorden heo þis holi man : loude and murie singe And herede god in heuene. : heo tolden þat þe kinge. Þo was þe þing neiȝ i-swowe : and seide, sichinde wel sore: "Alas, we beoth nouþe ouer-come : I-ne canMS. cam þenche non more; Ovre godes ne helpez us nouȝt : þat alle þing habbeth to wolde. I-nelle neuere-eft a-ȝein him fiȝte : creaunt ichulle me holde. ¶ Ȝwane no pine ne mai him sle : oþur þing ichulle fonde: "goth," he seide, "and maketh a bed : þat softeste in anie londe, Of quoiltene and of materasz : of cheisel and of palle, And þanne leggez him þar-on : swiþe softe with-alle." Þo þat bed was i-maket : to þe gayhole heo wende, And founden þare þat lijȝt of heuene : þat ore louerd þudere sende. Wel softe heo nomen þis holi man : and custen is sore wounden, to Relikes heo gadereden stilleliche : þat heo of is blode founden; heo leiden him in þat nesche bed. : and þo he was þaron, his preiere he dude to ore louerd crist : and deide þo a-non. Þo þe king isaiȝ þis þat he deide : so mildeliche in is bedde, "tormenz," he seide, "we him habbeth i-do : vuele þarof us spedde: Ded we wolleth him ouer-come : ȝwane we ne miȝten a-liue. Into þe wilde felde : þat bodi ȝe beren wel bliue, Wilde bestes and foules : to-drawe heo schullen it sone." Þis men brouȝten þat bodi þare : and duden þe kingus bone. Þare cam fleo a Rauon : and a-doun þare-bi he a-liȝte, Kene and suyþe dredful : i-redi he was to fiȝte; ȝif þare come ani foul to : þat þis bodi i-seiȝe, Þe Rauon smot to grounde : ne mosten þare come non neiȝe, ¶ Ake Euere he drof heom a-wei : þudere ȝwane heo come; Ne miȝte þare come none so kene : þat o mossel þarof nome. A wolf cam also þuder-ward : is mete for-to fette, And wolde of þat bodi nime. : þe Rauon a-ȝein him sette, he flev and smot with bile and fot : þat þe wolf atþen ende blodi was and ouercome : aȝen hamward he gan wende. Þe Rauon wuste þis bodi longe : Iwemmed nouȝt it nas. Þo þe king it onder-ȝat : þat þe bodi i-hol was, hom he let it fette aȝen : and seide, "ȝwat may beo ovre red, þat we ne mouwen him ouer-come : noþer quik ne ded? Ȝif we ne mouwen quik ne ded : ouer-come him a-londe For noMS. ne quoyntise þat we mouwen do : a-watere we wollez fonde." he let it lede fer into þe se : and bonde þarto mani a ston, And casten it out of a schip. : it bi-gan to sinke a-non. þo þe Mariners i-seien þis : glade heo weren and bliþe; For-to telle þe kinge fore : heo hiȝeden hom wel bliue. heo ne miȝten so sone to londe come : þat heo ne founden a-londe Þis holi Man wel faire ligge : a-bouen þe se-sonde. Sore a-gremed and a-schamed : hom huy gonne wende; Þe kinge heo tolden al heore cas : fram þe furste to þe ende. "Alas, alas," þe king seide : "þe schame and þe schonde! We ne mowe him neuere ouer-come : quik ne ded, a-watere ne a-londe. ¶ Do we him out of ovre þouȝt : we ne mouwen us neuere a-wreke; Ich drede þat he mi bane worþe : I-here ich more of him speke." A-niȝt In slepe seint Vincent cam : to A womman þare-bi-side And tolde hire ȝware is bodi lai : and bad hire nouȝt to longe a-bide Ake þat heo it scholde burie sone : for him longuede after reste. Þis guode womman it onderstod : þo heo a-wok, with þe beste: heo wende and souȝte þis holi bodi : and fond it swiþe sone; heo dude it burie with gret honour : ase riȝt was for-to done. Þus seint vincent þe holie man : in Spayne endede is lif And wende to þe blisse of heuene : after þis pines and strif. Men nusten neuere martyr non : þat hadde more torment Ne þat with som pine ouer-come nas : bote þe gode man seint vincent. 31 Vita sancti Pauli. SEint powel was a luþer Man : are he i-couerted were. Alle þe cristine Men of þe lond : hadden of him gret fere, For he was muche and strong and feol. : ȝware-so he eni founde, In chaumbre ne in bedde he ne sparede nouȝt : þat he ne slovȝ heom alle to grounde. Þo he hadde a-boute Ierusalem : In eche stude i-souȝt And alle þe cristine men þat he fond : to stronge deþe i-brouȝt, he cam to þe souereyns of þe lawe : and seide, "ich habbe i-mad al clene Al þis lond of cristine Men : [ȝe]om. ne dorre of heom more mene: Wende ichulle to Dam[a]sche : and clansi þat lond al-so; Alle þat ich a-liue finde mai : to deþe ichulle heom do, Oþur ichulle heom faste binde : and hidere to eov sende; Alle þat ich a-liue finde may : ichulle a-sle oþur schende." ¶ Saul was þo is riȝte name. : he gan forth i-wende, I-Armed, and mani a man with him : to bringe is þouȝt to ende. Ase he cam a-midriȝt þe wei : a liȝt him cam a-boute, Þat he ne miȝte for liȝte i-seon. : þo gan him sore a-doute; he stod ase þei he a-stoned were. : þo cam þare in a stounde A drem ase þei it a þondre were. : þare-with he ful to grounde And lai, þat he ne miȝte him wawie nouȝt. : þo herde he a uoiz telle : "Saul, ȝwi werrestþov opon me : mine Men for-to quelle?" "ho art þov?" seide saul : "louerd, artþov þare?" A voiz seide, "ȝe, ich am þi god : þat þov hast i-weorred so ȝare. to wynci aȝein þe pricke : swiþe strong it is þe." "Louerd," seide Saul þo : "ȝwat woltþov do mid me?" "Þov schalt," seide ore louerd þo : "In-to þe toune wende; Þine riȝte bi-leue þe schal teche : a man, to ȝwam i-schal þe sende."— Þis was þene fourteoþe ȝer : aftur þulke stounde Þat Ihesu crist soffrede on þe rode : for us deþes wounde.— Þo Saul hadde longe i-leie : wel softe he op a-ros And stod op—he ne miȝte i-seo neuere a del : ful sore him a-gros. he let him lede to þe toun. : it was þane þridde dai Are he .et. oþur dronk : oþur ani siȝt i-saiȝ. ¶ Ore louerd cam to a guod preost : is name was ananye, "go," he seide, "in-to þe toun : and to Iudases hous þov hiȝe: Saul þov schalt þare finde : þat i-weorred me hauez longue; Ȝif him cristindom in mine name : and he it wole onder-fonge. seiȝe þat god þe þudere sende : þat In þe weie a-ȝein him cam Þo he wolde aȝein him weorri : and is power him bibi overlined-nam." 'Louerd," seide Ananie : "ich habbe muche i-heord telle Þat Saul was a luþer man : and cristine men dude quelle." "Ne dred þe nouȝt," ore louerd seide : "lomb he is bi-come, him þinchez longe are he habbe : cristinedom i-nome. to beo prechour of mi word : i-chose ich him habbe; he schal beo wis and studefast : nanne betere i-nabbe." Þo Ananie i-heorde þis : hardiliche forth he wende. he cam to Saule and seide him so : þat ore louerd him þudere sende Þat he scholde cristine beo. : saul was þo wel bliþe, And er þane he i-baptized was : ech ȝwyle him þouȝte fiue. Þo he i-baptized was : powel was is name. Wel auȝten men herien þane god : þat of þe wilde makez þe tame! A-non so he I-baptized was : þare feol out of eiþer eiȝe Fuylþe ase þei it were slym : þat alle þe men it seiȝe. þo miȝte he swiþe wel i-seo. : he heold op is honde, ¶ A-knevwes he sat in his bedes : and þonkede godes sonde. tendre metes men greiþede him : and ȝaf him þar-of wel ofte, Ȝif he miȝte is strencþe coueri : heo beddeden him wel softe. Þo seint powel i-couered was : and hadde strencþe of Manne, he purueide him of prechingue : and wende a-non riȝt þanne Into þe giwene synagogue : and prechede cristindom. Ech man wondrede þat him i-saiȝ : þo he prechour bi-cam, And seiden : "nis þis þilke man : þat weorrede alle þeo In þe londe of Ierusalem : þat he miȝte oȝwere cristine men I-seo?" Manie Men he tornede to cristinedom : and manie him þouȝten quelle And bi-speken hov heo miȝten do : for he bi-gan a-ȝein heom telle. he ne let for no drede : þat he ne prechede wel bliue. For euere þoru ore louerdes grace : he ascapede with þe liue. he souȝte ȝware þe Apostles weren : to heom he cam wel sone, to prechi mid heom godes word : ase hore riȝte was to done. Þe apostles weren formest a-ferd of him : and leueden him wel vnneþe, For he so muche cristine folk : hadde i-brouȝt to deþe; Ake þo heo wusten hou it was : to felawe [heo] him toke— For þare ne i-werth non so wis : holi churche to loke. Seint powel to cristinedom : cam In þusse manere. god us graunti for is loue : In heuene to ben is fere. 32 Vita sancte Brigide virginis. Seinte Bride of heiȝe men : In scotlond heo cam, Of riche men and of gret power : In lawe of cristindom. Þis Maide bi-gan wel ȝong : to beo of porture hende; Þare ne scholde vil dede ne word : neuere fram hire wende. heo bigan ore louerd crist to serui : in worde and in dede; Ȝwane hire ȝongue felawes weren atþe pleiȝ : hire oresones heo seide. ¶ hire moder louede hire swiþe wel : þat, þo heo was of elde, Al hire chese and al hire milk : heo bi-tok hire to welde, And al þet ȝwijt þat In þe court was : heo scholde ope hire helde, At a certeyn dai þarof : trewe a-countes ȝelde. Þat Maide let gaderi swiþe clene : þe Milk ant þe chese, botere and al þat þarof cam : nolde heo nowiȝt leose : Ȝwane heo seiȝe anie pouere Men : heo delde it heom wel clene— hire deierie was euere of chese and botere : bar and swiþe lene. Ȝwan hire daiȝ was neiȝ i-come : a-countes forto ȝelde, Of hire moder heo was a-ferd : glad heo was ful selde. Ȝeorne heo bad ore louerd crist : þat he scholde beo hire red, he nadde ȝwarof a-countes ȝelde : ase hire moder hadde i-seid. Þo þe day was i-come : heo nuste ȝware-with hire a-quite, For þare nas in þe deierie : nouȝt adel of none ȝwite. Naþeles þe moder eode þudere : to loke hou it ferde : heo fond ech lome i-heped ful : al a-boue þe brerde, Of chese and of botere : and of oþur ȝwijte also. he ne may neuere is ȝwyle leose : þat for þe guode wole ouȝt do. hit bi-feol þat þis Maydenes frend : nomen heom to rede Þat heo i-weddet scholde beo. : and heo anon-riȝt heom with-seide. to þe bischope heo wende a-non : and a-vouwede chastete, And seide heo nolde neuere man habbe : þe sikerore for-to beo. For Ioye þat þe bischop hadde of hire : he seide þa[t] he wolde ete, And alle is Men, a dai with hire : he bad hire maken heore mete. Þarof was þis Maide glad : and naþeles sore heo hire dradde, For bote bred and Ale and one kou : non more mete heo nadde. heo bi-gan to milken þis cov : and muche milk of hire heo namMS. mam; Þe lengore þat heo hire Milkede : þe more milk þare cam : Þis kov ȝaf so muche Milk : þat þare-mide heo fedde Þene bischop and alle is Men þat dai : and muche þonk þarof hadde. ¶ hit bi-feol þare-after-ward : þat Maide a-feld wende, Forto loki to hire schep. : so gret rein ore louerd to eorþe sende Þat hire cloþes al wete weren. : and a-ȝen homMS. heom heo gan gon. heo wolde hangi hire cloþus forto druye : and heo ne saiȝ nouȝt ȝwaron. Þe sonne schon In at one hole : and ope þe bem of þe sonne hire wete cloþes heo heng forto druyȝe : þat þe stremes a-doun ronne. Museles comen to hire adai : of-hongrede and of-cale, heo beden hire mete and drinke for godes loue. : he nadde nouȝt a spone-ful ale. A fat þare stod fol of baþe-water : heo ȝaf it hire blessinge : Þe beste Ale a-liue it bi-cam : he ȝaf it þe Museles drinke. A womman cam and bad hire salt : and heo ne hadde non : With hire blessingue heo turnede to salte : ane wel grete ston. Þre sike men beden hire guod : ase heo to hire come. A seluerne coppe heo [heom] ȝaf : and gladliche heo hire nome; And bi-gunne for-to striui : hov heo hire dele miȝte. "Abidez," seide þis Maide : "and ichulle it euene diȝte." Þis Coppe heo smot aȝen a ston : þat heo to-brak aþre; Euerech heo ȝaf iliche muche : ase euene ase it miȝte beo. Þeos miracles, and manie oþure : seinte Bride wrouȝte; Þe blinde and þe doumbe : to guode hele heom brouȝte. Þe furste dai of feuerer : hire lijf heo brouȝte to ende. god us graunti alle forth with hire : ter. to þe blisse of heuene wende. 33 Vita sancte Agathe. SEinte Agace, þat guode Maide : In cisile was i-bore; Wel ȝong heo bi-gan cristine to beon : þat hire soule nere fur|lore. Of faire porture þis Mayde was : and stable in godes lore. Þe Duyk of þe londe it onder-ȝat : it him of-þouȝte sore. he ne miȝte for revþe don hire in pine : Al for hire ȝonghede; And for heo so fair was : he hopede hire out of þulke bi-leue lede. An old quene þare was bi-side : strong hore and baudestrote; heo hadde Niȝe douȝtren liȝt wummen. : þe Duyk bi-gan hire gret mede bi-hote, Þat heo scholde þat maide wite : and mis-techen hire and rede, And fondi ȝif heo miȝte hire bringe : in fol þouȝt oþur in fol dede. Þis clene þing was to þis hore i-brouȝt : þat heiȝte Affrodose. heo, and hire douȝtren al-so : maden hire þe glose, And bi-hete hire quoynte þingus fale : of seluer and of golde, Richesse and oþur Ioye i-nouȝ : þat heo hire þouȝt chaungi scholde; heo seiden : "hov miȝte a swuche creature : þus gent and þus freo, hende and milde and swete i-novȝ : with-oute Iolifte [beo]? Þi ȝongue blod nolde it þolie nouȝt : scholde þi Ioie beon þe bi-nome; In þis lond nis prince so heiȝ : þat þov ne miȝtest him wel bi-come." ¶ Þis Maide, þei heo were ȝong : bi-gan to Answerie a-non, And seide, "beo stille, þou deueles bouk! : þe ne worth here non i-won. Þe hexte prince þat is ani : In loue ich habbe i-take, In mine ȝonghede and euere-more : to holde him for mi make. Swete and hende and milde he is : on him is al mi þouȝt, Ich am so faste to him i-bounde : þar-of ne bringuest þou me nouȝt." Þis luþere wummen weren ech-one : studefastliche Niȝt and daiȝ A-boute to bringue luþer þouȝt : In-to þis swete ȝounge mayȝ; Þritti dawes heo was with heom : þat heo fondeden euere to bringue hire into þe deueles lore : Ake heo ne spedden neuere. Þis wychche wende to þe Duyk þo : þat het quincian, And seide, "sire, i-ne mai chaungi nouȝt : þe þouȝt of þis womman; Liȝtloker man may þane hardeste ston : make nesche ase wolle Þane þat Maide þoruȝ any gin : of hire þouȝt bringe schulle." Þe Duyk let a-non þis mayde fette : and Axede ȝwat heo were. "godes schulchone," heo seide, "ich am" : heo nadde none fere. he Axede of ȝwat kunne heo were. : heo seide, "of gent and freo." Þe Duyk seide, "hov miȝt þov gentil womman : and eke a schulchone beo?" "Ȝus," seide þat maide þo : "hit is more fraunchise to beon gode[s]schulchene oþer is þral : þane king oþur Iustise." "Anovre ovre godes!" seide þe Duyk : "ne spec of þi god non-more, Oþur ichulle þe swuch pine do : þat it schal þe rewe sore." "I-ne schal so sone," þat maide seide : "In pine beo i-brouȝt Þat it nele a-swagi ȝif ich habbe : on ihesu crist mi þouȝt; Ȝif þou bringest me in ani fuyre : and ich me bi-þenche On þe pine þat he þolede for me : a-non it wole a-quenche." Þe Duyk let nime þat maide a-non : and In-to þe gayhole lede; Þat maide was þo also glad : ase þei men hire to feste bede. In stronge prisone heo was i-do : þar-inne longe heo lay. Þe Duyk let þare-after-warde : at-fore him þat mayde bringe a day. ¶ "Agace," he seide, "bi-þench þe wel : bi-lef þi fole þouȝt, Anovre oreMS. ore ore godes þat mowen þe helpe : are þou beo in pine i-brouȝt." Þat maide seide, "þou spillest þi breth : and þou tellest embe nouȝt. Ake ich rede þat þou Anouri him : þat deore us hath i-bouȝt, And bi-lef þine false godes : þat power nabbez non, Þat beoth i-mad of an old stoc : oþur of þe harde ston." "Neltþou [nou]ȝtMS. Neltþouȝt," seide þe duyk : "þine folie ȝuyt bi-leue, In stronge pine þov schalt beo i-don : to-day are it beo eue." hokes and witthene he let nime : and faste to hire breoste binde, And let is tormentores with þe withþene : hire breostene of wynde. "Þov onwreste bouk," þis Maide seide : to þe duyk quincian, "Ne hastþov no schame in þine heorte : defouli þus ani man Þat lyme þat þov þi moder of soke : and þe hath forth i-brouȝt? Do þov þin owene confusion : and ne dred þe riȝt nouȝt." ¶ gret pine þolede þis clene [may] : are heo weren of i-drawe; So muche was hire þouȝt on gode : þat it ne greuede hire nouȝt an hawe. Þo heo weren of i-drawe : In-to prisone heo was eft i-do. Þe Duyk let witie þat prison faste : þat no man ne come hire to hire woundene to hele with ani-þing : oþur hire pines forto lisse. Ake ore louerd ne for-ȝat nouȝt hire : þo ne þorte he misse. Ase heo in prisone al one was : an old man þare cam gon, boxes fulle of Oygneme[n]z : he brouȝte mani on And seide þat he hire hele wolde. : "þov ne schalt," heo seide; "I-ne kepe no man bote god : þat me hele and rede." "Ich am," seide þe olde man : "In his name hidere i-wend, For ich am his apostle— : to þe he me hath i-send Þine woundene forto hele : þat þov hast for him stronge. In þe Ioye of heuene : þine mede þou schalt afonge." Þe woundes he gan smeorie : heo weren hole in one stounde. Þat Maide nuste ȝware heMS. heo bi-cam : þo he hadde i-held hire wounde. Þe Duyk let þat maide bi-fore him bringe : þene feorþe day, he seide, "hastþov ȝeot i-chaunget þi þouȝt?" : þat mayde seide "nay. Þi word," heo seide, "ne doth non oþur : ȝwane þov spext þus to me, bote fuylez swiþe foule þe eyr : þat it deth inne fleo. he is wod þat stok oþur ston : wole to helpe calle, And nouȝt to god of heuene : þat hath i-heled mine wounden alle." "Darstþou ȝeot," seide þe Duyk : "of þine false gode more telle? Beo þov so wod to nemmen him more : in stronge deþe Man schal þe quelle." "Onwreste bouk," þat Maide seide : "I-nelle it lete nouȝt, Þe ȝwyle þat ich libbe may : to nemen him with worde oþur with þouȝt." Þe Duyk het men hire for-brenne : a gret fuyr he let make. Þo heo [hire] wolden þar-inne do : þe eorþe bi-gan to quake, ¶ Ase wide ase þe cite was : and felde a-doun þe dom-halle; Twei men þat hire Iuggeden to deþe : a-slawe weren with þe walle. Þat folk of þe cite was a-drad. : to þe duyke heo seiden: "Þis Mayde is guod, and we beth for hire : In grete perile and in drede. gret pine þov hast [hire] i-don : þou ne schal so non-more." Þo þe Duyk i-herde þis : a-drad he was wel sore; Þat Mayde he let to prisone lede : and he him-seolf a-scapede a-wey bi one posterne stilleliche : þat no man him ne seyȝ. Þo þat mayde into prisone cam : a-doun heo sat a-kneo, "Louerd," he seide, "fram mani pine : þou hast i-saued me, fram fuyr and fram woundes stronge : þou me hast i-brouȝt, And fram mi child-hod þou me hast i-wust : þat ine mis-bi-lefde nouȝt: Lat me, louerd, to reste wende : for here me þinchez long, Tyme it is to endi mi lijf : mine soule þov onder-fong." Mid þusse worde bi-fore al þat folk : heo bi-gan to deiȝe. Þare was mani a sori man : and mani a wepinde eiȝe. Þat folk þat hire louede : siwede hire wel faste, hire bodi heo nomen with gret honour : and bureden it atþe laste. Þo heo bureden þat holi bodi : a felawe-schipe þare cam go Of þe faireste children þat miȝten beo : þre hondret and wel mo, Ȝonge þingus of on age : in ȝwite cloþus of palle; Ane table of Marbre In is hond : þe on bar at-fore heom alle: ¶ heo Ioyneden it to seinte Agace toumbe : þo heo comen þer-to, Wel sweteliche heo wenden aȝen : þo heo hadden so i-do— Angles it weren þat þare a-liȝten : for seinte Agace to grounde. Clerkes bi-heolden þe table ȝeorne : þare-Inne i-write huy founde: "Þis Maide hadde holi þouȝt : god heo dude honour, A-serued heo hath to alle þe contreie : deliueraunce of langour." For-soþe heo miȝten þis laste word : þar-after onder-stonde: þulke time a twelf-Monþe : of an hul in þe londe Strong fuyr þare cam eornen out : ase water doth of welle, And barnde al þat þare was a-boute : quic þing it gan a-quelle; hit spradde wide into al þat lond : þat folk hadde grete fere, And barnde þe hard roche of ston : ase þei it Col were. heo ne dorsten bi-leue at no toun : ake ornen ase men þat were wode: At seinte Agace Toumbe : þare heo formest at-stode. Al-so it bi-feol in hire daye : ase sone ase heo weren þere, Þat fuyr queinte a-non in-to al þat lond : ase þei it neuere nere; And bi-fore it hadde six dawes i-last : and six Nijȝt al-so, And orn ase þei it water were : for-barnde al þat him cam to. Þo schewede ore louerd þat it was soth : þat þe maide seinte Agas A-seruede deliueraunce to al þe Contree— : þare wel i-sene it was. Al-so w[i]sliche we schullen hire bidde : ase heo þe contreie ȝaf bote, Þat we to þe Ioye þare heo is Inne : with hire come we mote. 34 [Scholace] SEinte scholace, þat holie mayde : heo was of clene liue, Leouere heo hadde to beon Nonne : þane beon i-widdet to wiue. Seint Beneit hire broþer was : and þe Ordre furst bi-fond Of Nonnes and of blake Monekus : þat is ȝuyt into al þat lond; Of blake Monekus at Duyn : An Abbeye he let a-rere, him-sulf þe Abite furst he nam : þe ȝongore for-to lere. Seinte Scholace, his soster : blac Nonne he let hire make, And teiȝte hire penaunce forto don : to faste and to wake. Þeos tweiȝe holie creatures : eche ȝere hadden ane wone to comen to-gadere some Tyme : and tellen of godes sone; Ake heore noþer in oþeres Abbeye : bi-leue come ne miȝte Ne duelle for none þinge : oute of heore celle bi Niȝte. ¶ Þo þis guode holi mayde : i-brouȝt was in grete Elde, hire longuede with hire broþer to speke : feble heo hire felde. Þo heo hadde to him i-sent : and to-gadere heo weren i-come, Al dai heo tolden of godes priuetez : seinte Marie sone, Of þe Ioye of heuene : hou holi men heore [lif] ladden; Þare-of al heore Ioye was : þat heo to-gadere hadden. Sorie weren þis holie þingus boþe : for it was sumdel neiȝ Eue. Seint Beneit to is soster seide : þat he ne miȝte no leng bi-leue. Seinte scholace sori was. : "broþur," heo seide, "þin ore, Þis holie wordus so murie beoth : ȝeot we moten telle more; Ȝwane we In godes seruise beoth : we ne doz nouȝt ore ordre breke. Ich am so feble þat ich ne wene : neuer-eft more with þe speke; bi-leue we þis one Niȝt to-gadere : for his loue þat deore us bouȝte, Ich wot þat he it wole us for-ȝiue : ȝwane we it doth in guode þouȝte." "beo stille," seide seint beneit : "loke ȝwat þou dest telle, Wel þov wost þat ine mai beo : bi niȝte fram mine celle." Þo scholace i-saiȝ þat it ne heold : to bidde hire broþur more, hire heued he hangede a-doun : and bi-gan to wepe sore. "Louerd," heo seide, "þat þov art : ful of milce and ore, Lat me, louerd, ȝif þi wille it beo : i-heore more of þi lore; ¶ Ne lat nouȝt mi broþur to-Niȝt : fram me, louerd, wende, Ake soffre us with tales of þe : bringe þis niȝt to ende." Ase þis Maide loker. lokede opward : þo heo hadde i-don hire bone, Þat weder þat was so cler and fair : bi-gan to chaungie sone; hit bi-gan to þondri and hauli : leiȝten and eke rine, Þat feor with-Inne Niȝte it was : er þat weder wolde a-fine. ¶ Þo ne miȝte seint beneit : for þe wedere þannes i-wende. "Soster," he seide, "ȝwat hastþov i-don? : þou fondest me to schende; Ȝif it nere ore louerdes wille : wel ne dost þov nouȝt, Þat i-schal mine ordre breke : so nadde ich neuere i-þouȝt." "Leue broþer," þat maide seide : "ich bad þe swiþe ȝerne Þat þou þis niȝt bi-lefdest here : and euere þov dudest me werne: Ich bad mi louerd of heuene : and he me i-herde a-non. Cheos nouþe ȝwaþer þov bi-leue wolt : oþur heonnes for-to gon, bi-lef me alone ȝif þov miȝt : for no þonk ne can ich þe, Ake ich þonki god of heuene : þat so sone i-heorde me." Þo heo ne miȝten departi nouȝt : to-gadere al niȝt heo woke, And tolden of godes suettnesse : and of is miȝte : In tale and eke in boke. Þe Niȝt heom þov[ȝte] suyþe schort : and sorie at þene ende heo weren þo heo þane daiȝ i-seiȝen : ȝwane heo scholden a-to i-wende. heo ne dorsten no lengore to-gadere beo : ac wenden to heore celle, heo weren boþe swiþe sorie : þat heo ne miȝten no leng to-gadere duelle. Þo þat Maide was hom i-come : sore sik heo layȝ, And ase it godes wille was : heo deide þane þridde daiȝ. Seint Beneit in is celle eode : his soster soule he i-seiȝ In fourme of a ȝwiȝt Coluere : fleon op into heuene an heiȝ; heouene openede a-ȝeines hire : þe Coluere gan in fleo. glad was þis holi man : þat he it miȝte i-seo! A-moruwe he and is couent : þudere wenden sone And bureden þat holi maide : ase it was riȝt to done. bidde we suete Ihesu crist : þat is so fair and hende, Þat we moten þudere comen : ase scholace dude i-wende. 35 Purgatorium sancti Patrici abb[at]is.I have published this legend before in Altengl. Legenden, Paderborn, 1875, p. 177 ff, together with two other versious. SEint paterik þoru godes grace : makede ane put in Irlonde, Þat seint patrike purgatorie is icleoped : ȝeot, ase ich onderstonde. Ore louerd him bi-tok ane staf : mid is owene honde, Þat he fond þulke purgatorie with : i-hered beo godes sonde! In Irlonde is ȝeot þilke staf i-wust : dereworþeliche i-novȝ, For gret relike he is i-holde : and elles it were wouȝ. Seint paterik in þulke stude : þat his purgatorie is, Of religion bi-gan an hous : þat ȝeot stant, i-wis, Ant Chanoynes þare-inne he makede : ase ȝeot þare beoth al-so. Þane put he let faste closi a-boute : þat noman ne come þar-to. ¶ In þe churche-ȝerd is þat ilke putt : riȝt toward þe Est-side, riȝt est fram þe heiȝe Auȝter : þat manie men ȝwylene souȝten wide. he is bi-walled faste a-bouteMS. abooute : and faste i-loke þe ȝate, And þe prior haueth þe keiȝe in warde : þat no man ne mot In þar-ate. Al bi seint paterikes daiȝe : men wenden þudere i-lome, And sethþe also mani on : and fewe aȝen þare come; Ake þulke þat þare comen aȝen : of þat heo i-seiȝen, heo tolde, Ase it is in þe house i-write : and in priue conseile i-holde.— ¶ Þe manere is of euerech man : þat for-soþe þudere i-went, Þat it beo to bete is sunnes : ȝif ore louerd him grace [sent]. to þe bischope of þe lond : furst he schal him schriue, And bidde him leue þene wey to go : in amendement of is liue. Ake þe bischop schal rede heomr. him þare-a-ȝein : and manie resones schewe, And segge þat manie þudere wendeth : and aȝein þare comieth fewe. Ake ȝif he is stable in is þouȝt : for al þat men him habbez i-bede, Þe bischop him wole is lettre make : to þe prior of þe stude. ¶ Þe prior him wole al-so rede i-novȝ : for-to chaungi is þouȝt; And, ȝwane he siȝkz him studefast : þat he nele bi-leue it nouȝt, In-to churche he wole him lede : and sette him a-doun a-kne; Fiftene dawes he schal þare : in is oresones beo. And ȝif heo ne mouwen for no-þing : maken chaungi is þouȝt, With gret processionMS. precession of preostes : to þe putte he worth i-brouȝt; With þe croiz and with þe haliwatur : heo schullen blessi him ech-on, him-sulf he schal him blessi al-so : and þanne into þe putte gon; And þat procession schal tuyrne aȝen : ase riȝt is for-to done. A-moruwe In þulke tyme : heo schullen come þudere eft-sone, And, bote heo finden him þanne aȝen i-come : with gret deol and sor heo schullen tuyrne a-ȝein, and sikere beoth : þat he ne comez aȝen non-more.— ¶ hit bi-fel bi þe kingus daiȝe steuene : þat novþe late was, Of a kniȝt, þat heiȝte sire Ovwayn : a swiþe wonder cas. to þe bischop þis kniȝt eode : and to schrifte to him he cam, In grete repentaunce of is sunnes : deol and sorewe to him he nam. Þe bischop bi-gan to chide faste : for þat he hadde mis-do, And seide þat he was manne worst : for-to sunegun so, And seide þat he ne miȝte so muche schame a-fonge : þat he nere wuyrþe more. Þe kniȝt sat with careful heorte : he siȝte and weop ful sore. ¶ "Sire," seide þe kniȝt, "ȝwan ich habbe : manne worst i-do, to þe sunne þat grettest is : mest penaunce mot þar-to; And ȝif ich a-mong alle men : mest sunful am, alas, Þe gretteste penaunce ichulle take : þat euere bi-founde was: Ichulle me take to godes grace : and in is name i-wende Into seint paterikes purgatorie : and take þat god me wole sende." "Ov, beu frere," quath þe bischop : "be stille, ȝwi seistþov so? Crist for-beode þat þov euere : swuch folie do! Onneþe comez þare ani a-ȝen : þat doth þare-In i-wende; Nolde god þat þov þe dede dudest : bodi and soule to schende! Ake wend into religion and bi-lef þare : to þine liues ende: Þine sunnes þou miȝt bete wel : ȝif god þe wole grace sende." "Certes, sire," quath þis kniȝt : "ase wel þov miȝt beo stille, For þulke penaunce ichulle do : ȝif it is godes wille; For ase muche ase ich habbe of-serued : Ine mai nouȝt habe of wo. Þere-fore seiȝe ȝwat i schal : for þudere ichulle go." ¶ Þe bischop prechede him faste i-novȝ : for-to chaungi is þouȝt; Ake atþe laste, þo he isaiȝ : þat it was al for nouȝt, To þe prior of þe stude : his lettres made sone, Þat he scholde bi him do : ase bi swuch a man was to done. ¶ Þe prior prechede him faste i-novȝ : and schewede him resones i-nowe, Ȝif he miȝte changi is þouȝt : þat he him with-drowe; bote is prechinge was al for nouȝt. : ase he saiȝ atþen ende Þat he nolde lete for no-þing : þene perilouse wei to wende, Þe prior nam him bi þe hond : and in-to churche him brouȝte. Þare he ful akne adoun : and ore louerdes grace bi-souȝte; In fastingues and in oresones : fourtene niȝt he lai, Forte bidde ore louerdes grace. : and in þe fourteþe dai Þat Couent cam a-boute him : and oþere preostes al-so And clerkes, with procession : þe seruise for him to do. ¶ For him heo songun þe heiȝe-masse : and to ore louerd criden faste, And ore louerdes flechs and is blod : heo ȝeuen him atþe laste, And spreinden him with holi watur : and heore oresones heo seide. With Croiz and with procession : to þe put heo gonne him lede, And heiȝliche songun þe letanie : and holi water with hem bere, And alle louerdes halewe beden : þat heo heorer. his help were. Þe prior on-lek þe puttes dore : bi-fore heom ech-on, And seide : "beu frere, lo here þe wei : þat þou wilnest for-to gon. Ake ȝif þou wolt bi ore rede do : þi þouȝt þou schalt wende And in oþur manere þine sunnes bete : ase god þe grace wole sende; Fewe here comen euere aȝen : þat wenden here-In bi-fore, Ake heo beoth for tormentingue and for wo : lif and soule for-lore." ¶ "Certes, sire," quath þis kniȝt : "rede ȝwat þov me rede, In ore louerdes name þane wei ich take : to bete mine misdede. Ake for is loue þat us deore bouȝte : biddez for me ech-on! Lif and soule god ich bi-take : and In his name ichulle In gon." he blessede him, and wende forth In : and bi-tok god is flesch and is bon; Þe prior spreinde him with holi water : and lek þe dore a-non. Þis guode kniȝt wende him forth : wel baldeliche and faste, In one holewe weie onder eorþe : and to god is heorte caste; Swyþe deork it was, þat he ne say riȝt nouȝt : ne no-þing him ne a-gaste. So longe þat him þouȝte he i-saiȝ : wel feor liȝt atþe laste. Þuderward he wende baldeliche : so þat he cam þere neiȝ: Þe faireste feld þat miȝte beo : atþe weiȝes ende he iseiȝ.Pulchra via. ¶ Þare-Inne he wende murie i-novȝ : and a-midde þe felde he fond Þe faireste halle and þe nobleste : þat miȝte beo in ani lond. Ake þet weder nas nouȝt cler : bote ase it were neiȝ eue. Forto bi-holde þat noble weork : ane stounde he gan bi-leue. Þe walles neren nouȝt i-hole : ake al a-boute i-wis With pilers and with qvoynte Arches : ase þis Monekene cloistre is. In he wende a godes name : and sette him al one an heiȝ; he bi-heold a-boute in-to eche huyrne : and þat quoy[n]te weork he seiȝ. Ase he bi-heold al-so a-boute : þare come In at þe on ende Twelf men in ȝwite cloþes : swiþe faire and hende; Alle heore crounes weren newe schaue— : and suyþe faire heo him gretten, And alle heo seten faire a-doun : and þane [kniȝt] bi heom heo setten. ¶ Þo seide on of heom, ase þei it þe prior were : wel mildeliche and stille: "bev frere, i-hered beo Ihesu crist : þat on þe brouȝte swuche wille, And late þe þat þouȝ a-godes name hast bi-gonne : for is holi grace wel ende! leue broþur, ȝwane þou woldest þis wei : for þine sunnes wende, Oþur þov most beon studefast and hardi : and in none manere tuyrne þi þouȝt, Oþur þov worst for-lore, lif and soule : and sone to þe deuel i-brouȝt. For also-sone ase we beth heonne i-went : þe feondes luþere and wicke heo wollez come a-boute þe : In-to þis hous ful þicke, And don þe tormens and wo i-novȝ : and bi-hote þe wel more; And heo wollez also bi-hote þe Ioye i-novȝ : ȝif þov wolt leue heore lore; And ȝif heo mouwen þoruȝ ani bi-heste : oþur enie gile, þe ouer-come, For-soþe þov worst, lif and soule : a-deuele wei al clene i-nome. Ake ȝif þov art studefast of heorte : and on Ihesu crist wolt þenche, Ne for bi-hesteMS. heste heste ne for wo : fram him þou nelle blenche, Þou worst quit of alle þine sunnes : þat þov hast euere i-wrouȝt, And þov schalt i-seo alle þe Ioies : þat guode men beoth inne i-brouȝt, And al-so þe pine þat luþere men : habbez for heore mis-dede. Ake in ȝwat wo þat þov euere art : euere þench on god, ich rede, ¶ And euere ȝwane heo tormentiez þe : cri Iesu milce and ore, And, ȝif þou art studefast in gode bi-leue : heo ne schullen defouli þe non-more. We bi-takez þe god of heuene : and ich rede þov do bi ovre lore." Þo nuste þe kniȝt ȝware heo bi-comen. : he sat and siȝte sore, Elinge he bilefte alone : and cride on godes miȝte, And Armede him with holie beden : aȝen þe deuelene to fiȝte, On þe holi gost he cride faste : þat he ne scholde him faile; he lokede euere ȝwane heo comen : him for-to a-saille. Ase he sat a-godes name : þe bataille for-to a-bide, Þare cam a sori reuful cri : a-boute in eche side, Ase alþe world to-borste and to-breke : him þouȝte it was al-so, Þat, þei alle þe bestes of þe worlde : to-gadere weren i-do, Aseal. & ase loude and ase grisliche ase heo miȝten : ȝeollinde ech-one heo were. Akeal. om. heo ne miȝten a-mong heom alle : make so grisliche bere, Þatal. þat ȝif is hope and is heorte on ihesu crist : euere-more heo were,r. nere Elles he hadde wod bi-come : and i-lore is wit for fere. ¶ Þo comen heo a-bouten him : þicke and grisliche þere, Ȝeonijnde and grenninde on him : with ful lodlich chere. "bel ami," quath þe on of heom : "þou hast a-riȝt i-do, We owez wel alle a-nouri þe : for al to fewe doth so. For alle oþere men wollez a-bide : þat heore lif heom beo bi-nome, And ȝeot it is aȝen heore wille : þat heo schullen hidere come: And þov art i-come al bi þine liue : and bi þine guode wille al-so; Wel ouȝte we þine mede ȝelde : and gre[t] þonk also þe do. Ȝwane þov hast boþe bodi and soule : iȝyuen us bi þine liue, Saunt faille we ne beoth nouȝt so onkuynde : þat we it nellez ȝelde þe bliue, For þe kundenesse þat þov to us come : al bi þine owene lore. Ake naþeles, ȝif þou wolt on eorþe : habbe Ioye more, Sikere us an hond þat þov wolt : In ore seruise bi-leue And we þe wollez aȝen to eorþe bringe : al sauf, are hit beo eue, And þov schalt habbe þare Ioye i-nouȝ : in halle and eke in boure— For none men ne fareth so murie þare : ase þulke þat beoth ovre. heiȝ man and noble þov schalt beo : and alle men schullen honouri þe. Ȝwane þov art ded ant comest to us : þou schalt habbe ase guod ase we." Þis kniȝt þouȝte euere on Iesu crist : and nolde chaungi is wille, For þretninge ne for fair bi-heste : ake sat him euere stille. Þo he nolde graunti nouȝt : to heom for-to wende, heo ȝollen and grenneden on him foule : and strong fuyr bi-gonne for-to tiende; ¶ Þis kniȝt heo bounden honden and fet : and a-midde þe fuyre himPrima pena. caste, With Irene Ovles and pikes : heo to-drowen him wel faste. Þis kniȝt hadde gret pine : wel loude he cride a-non: "Ihesus, Ihesus, help me nouþe : and do a-wei mine fon!" A-non so [he] hadde þis word i-seid : þat fuyr a-queinte ech spronke, And þe deuelene ne miȝten him non more to-drawe. : ore louerd he gan þonke, And þe hardiore he was i-nouȝ : þo he þis i-seiȝ, And þe lasse he was of heom a-drad : þat weren him so neiȝ. Wel grisliche heo ȝollen, þe schrewes : þo heom faillede heore miȝt, And flouwen echone out of þe halle : and drowen with heom þis kniȝt. A-ȝen þe grounde heo drowen him harde : boþe bi fet and honde, longe, him þouȝte, and swiþe feor : al-a-boute in a waste londe. So blac and deork was al þat lond : þat no-þing he ne seiȝ bote þe feondes þat him to-drowen : þat so þicke weren him neiȝ. Ake swiþe softe wind þare was : þat he heorde onneþe, Ake so scharpe he bleuȝ and colde : þat brouȝte him neiȝ to deþe; Riȝt colde he wende þoruȝ is heorte : and þoruȝ al is bodi also, Þat him were leouere þane al þe world : þat þe pine were ido. Þus colde heo drowen him, ase heomr. him þouȝte : forth riȝt est, i-wis, Ase þe sonne a-rist in somer : ȝwane þe dai lengest is. Þo heo comen, ase heomr. prima Secunda1 pena þouȝte : riȝt to þe worldes ende, bi a brod valeie heo torneden heom : and southward gonne i-wende, toward þe stude þat þe sonne : In winter doth a-rise. Þis seli kniȝt was i-drawe : and i-pined in fale wise. Þo þouȝte him þat he i-heorde feor : bi-fore him ase it were, Swiþe deolful cri and wop : and swyþe revful bere; Euere þe neor þat heo comen : þe revlokur was þat cri. So longe [heo] drowen him, þat him þouȝte : þat heo weren riȝt þer-bi. ¶ Þo comen heo into a wid feld : non more ne miȝte beo, So long and brod in eche side : þat he ne miȝte non ende i-seo. Of men and of wummen þis feld was : ful in eche side, Þe wombene to-ward þe grounde : i-spradde a-brod ful wide, hondene and fet al a-brod : to þe eorþe faste i-bounde With Irene nailles al fuyrie : i-smite þoruȝ heom to grounde. Þis wrechche gostes werenal. om. so i-pinede : with Irene and with fuyre. So deolful cri heo maden þare : þat gret deol it was to huyre; heo criden merci deolfulliche : Ake no merci men nolde heom do; For Anguische þe eorþe heo freten : and hore tongene gnowen al-so. Þe deoulene ornen opon hem : and treden heom to þe grounde, And with Ovles swiþe kene : maden heom mani a wounde.— Allas, ȝwy nellez men beon i-war : and heore sunnes here bete, Are heo comen to purgatorie : and with þe luþere gostes mete! For ase wel beth þe schrewes in purgatorie : and ouer-al, ase in helle, And schullen for-to þe daiȝe of dome come : telle ȝwat men telle.— Þe feondes seiden, "riȝt ase [þis] men beoth i-pinede : þov schalt beo also, bote þov wolle þi þouȝt wende : and after ovre rede do." ¶ And þo he nolde in none manere : to grounde harde heo him caste And tormenteden him ase þe oþere weren : and to þe eorþe naileden him faste. Ake he criede a-non to ihesu crist : þo him smert so sore: Þare nas non of þe schrewes þo : þat miȝten serui him so more. Tertia pena.Þo þe schrewes i-seiȝen þat heo ne miȝten : heore wille habben þo, heo drowen him into an oþur felde : wel ful of more wo. Of Men and wummen it was ful : op-riȝt i-sprad to grounde, Fet and hondene a-to i-drawe : and to þe eorþe faste i-bounde, With glowinde biendes al of Ire : i-nailede heo weren þer-to; Al fuyrie naddrene ope heom seten : and foule crapoudes al-so. Some of þe naddrene bi-clupten heom : so faste al a-boute Þat heom þouȝte heo scholden to-berste : so streite heo gurden heom with-oute; Some seten ope heom : and heore flesch al-to-gnowe And with kene tieth al fuyrie : wombe and breoste to-drowe, Some with hore scharpe tounges : þoruȝ þe heorte sore heom smite; Some heo gnowen, and some heo stounge : and some with scharpe tieth heom bite. Þe Crapoudes al-so, þat weren so foule : op-on heore breostene sete And stoungen heom þoruȝ heore heortene : with heore foule wrottes grete. Þe luþere gostes ornen al-so : a-boute heom i-nowe With hokes and with ouȝles : a[nd]MS. a with gret eir heom to-drowe. Þe wrechche gostes, so for-pinede : in swuch torment werenal. om. i-brouȝt, heo criden alle deolfulliche : ake hit ne halp heom nouȝt. ¶ Þe feondes nomen þis seli kniȝt : and wolden him pini al-so: Ake anon so he cride on Ihesu crist : ne miȝten heo bringe him þer-to. Ȝeot þe feondes eft-sone him nomen : and to þe þridde feld himQuarta pena. brouȝte. In stronge pine he saiȝ þare wrechche gostes : þat of heom-self luyte rouȝte, Þat weren i-spradde on þe eorþe abrod : and i-smiten þoruȝ-out ech-one with nailes þicke al abrod : ase þare miȝten stikie one, Þat man ne miȝte finde ane amtie place : on al heore bodie so luyte Þat man miȝte for þe þicke nailles : a fingres ende to heom puyte. ¶ A smart wind also to oþur wo : on heom bleuȝ wel faste, Þat heom þouȝte heo weren i-barnd : þoruȝ-out with eche blaste. Þe feondes ornen faste a-boute : fram ech to oþur i-nowe And heore wrechche flesch with oþur wo : mid Ovles heom to-drowe. Þeos wrechche gostes, so fur-pinede : and in swuch torment i-brouȝt, Revliche heo criden ase heo miȝten : ake it ne halp heom riȝt nouȝt; For heo weren so clene ouer-come : þat heo ne miȝten onneþe Ani voiz out-bringe bote ase a man : þat were ope þe pointe of deþe: In heore þrote heo criden dimmeliche : for heore strencþe heom was bi-nome With muche pine, and no wonder it nas : þei heo weren ouer-come. Þe feondes nomen þis seli kniȝt : and to grounde him caste, And seiden, bote he wolde turne is þouȝt : heo wolden naili him þare wel faste. Ake he cride on Ihesu crist : and nemde is holi name: Þe schrewes ne hadden none miȝte þo : to don him more schame. Quinta pena.Ȝeot heo nomen and drowen him : into þe feorþe felde, Ful of brumston al brenninde : with stronge leiȝe and spelde. ¶ Ech manere pine þat miȝte beo : In þulke felde he seiȝ: Some with chaines of Ire : al fuyrie, hengen on heiȝ, Some bi Armes, some bi fet : and bi þe necke mani on, heo weren an-hangede in stronge fuyre : of pich and eke brumston; Some hengen bi stronge crokus : I-pulte þoruȝ eiþur Eyȝe, Þoruȝ þe þrote some also : and þoruȝ eiþur ere wel heiȝe, And some þoruȝ heore derne limes : and some þoruȝ þe tete, Þat leuere heom were þane al þe world : heore lyf to habbe i-lete. Some op-on grediles of Ire : i-rostede weren also, Some ase gyes, þe spites of Ire : þoruȝ-out heom i-do; Some leyen opriȝt a-ȝein þe grounde : ȝeonijnde wel faste, Þe feondes welden led and bras : and in heore mouþes caste. he ne miȝte bi-þenche no manere pine : þat he ne saiȝ mo þer. him þouȝte he saiȝ þare mani on : þat he knev on eorþe her. Þe feondes him casten a-midde þis pine : a-mong þis oþere ech-on: And he cride on Iesu crist : and was deliured a-non. Sexta pena.¶ Ȝeot þis feondes þis selie kniȝt : into an oþur place huy drowe. Þare-Inne he i-saiȝ a grislich ȝweol : with spokene longe i-nowe; Þat on ende hangede toward þe grounde : þat oþur op-on heiȝ, Ful it was of hokes and pikes : wel þicke, ase he i-seiȝ; Þis hokes and þis pikes weren : faste i-riuen al-so, With wrechche gostes al-a-boute : þat þaron weren i-do. Al brenninde was þis sorie ȝweol : and stinkinde of brumston; Þe wrechche gostes þat þar-on hengen : brenninde weren ech-on. Þis feondes wenden forth a-non : and heore hokes þaron caste In eiþur side, a[nd]MS. a tur[n]den a-boute : þis sori ȝweol so faste, Þat of þe gostus þat þaron hengen : no-þing heo ne seiȝe— So faste heo torneden þat ȝweol a-boute— : bote þe brenninde leiȝe; Ake deolfulliche heo criden and ȝollen : euer-ech in is ende.— Alas, ȝwi nellez men beon i-war : are heo heonnes wende, Ȝwane he miȝten here with a luytel pine : bete heore mis-dede And þare heo schullen so bitere a-bugge : alas, þe wrechhede!— Þis feondes nomen þis seli kniȝt : and on þis ȝweol him caste And with þis oþere wrechche gostes : torneden him a-boute faste: Sone he cride on Ihesu crist : deliuered he was a-non; Þe feondes stoden and bi-heolden : with dreori mod ech-on. Septima pena.¶ Eft heo nomen him bitterliche : and ferrore ȝuyt him ladde, And harleden him forth wel revfulliche : and loude ȝollen and gradde. bi-fore him he saiȝ an hous stonde : long and brod i-novȝ; stunch and hete þat þarof cam : him þouȝte al-mest [him] a-slouȝ. he with-stod, and nolde, is þonkes : for stunche gon non ner; "Ferrore þov schalt," þe fendes seiden : "þou ne schalt nouȝt a-bide her; A bath it is þat þov isijcst : and þar-inne þov schalt beo And baþi with oþere þat þare beoth : ne schalt þov nouȝt so fleo." Þe gostes þat þare-inne weren : wel deolfulliche cride And ȝollen loude, ase he i-heorde : a-boute in eche side. Þis kniȝt with þis foule wiȝtes : Into þe grete house cam. Of tormens þat he þare isaiȝ : gret gome with-alle he nam. ful of puttes and of diches : þat hous with-inne it was; More seoruwe ne more stunch : neuere i-seiȝe nas: heo weren folle of stronge tormens : boillinde euer-ech-on Of wallinde led, and i-fulde heo weren : of piche and brumston. Wrechche gostus þare-inne seten : þe torment tilde wel heiȝe: Some a-boue þe heued : and some riȝt to þe Eyȝe, Some to þe nose, and some to þe mouth : and some op to þe swere And some to heore breostene : and a-bouȝten heore sunnes ful deore, And some to heore nauele : and some neþerrore more, And some stoden op to heore knen : and criden and weopen sore, And some stoden In with boþe fet : and some with þat on; Deolfolliche heo weopen and criden : and ȝollen euerechon. ¶ "Nov þov i-sixt," queþen þe feondes : "ȝwoder-In þov schalt gon, bote þov wolle an-oþur speke : and to us tuyrne a-non." heo nomen and casten him In a putte. : on Iesus a-non he cride: Op he cam a-non a-ȝen : and no lengore he ne moste þare a-bide. [Octaua pena.]heo nomen him in grete wrathþe : and harleden him ferrere more, And brouȝten him opon a swyþe gret hul : ful of sorewe and sore. he stod and bi-heold a-boute : þo he cam þare-op an heiȝ; him wondrede of þe manie gostes : þat he þare i-seiȝ. Alle þe pineneal. þat alle þat he hadde er i-seiȝe : þare-aȝen nouȝt nere: I-cluiȝte heo seten ope heore ton : and quakeden revliche for fere. In þe south-half of þe hul : a deop water þare was and louȝ, Þat foule stonk, and caldore was : þane ani ys oþur snovȝ. A norþerne wind faste blevȝ : þat him þouȝte is flesch to-rende; Euere þare seten gostes : and a-ȝein þe winde heom wende, heo quakeden and chyuereden faste : in grete pine and stronge, Ase ho-so seith a-bidet þare heore time : heore deth for-to a-fonge. "lo," seide on of þe feondes : "þov nost nouȝt ȝwat istis; bote þov torne þi þouȝt sone : þou schalt i-wite, i-wis." Ne hadde he bote þis word i-seid : þat þare ne cam a wind blowe And drof alle þis wrechche gostes : into þe deope watur ful lowe; ¶ Þe Norþerne wynd drof heom a-doun : al mid one blaste, And alle þe gostes, and þene kniȝt : a-midde þe watere hem caste. More pine ne miȝte non beo : of stronge chele ne of stunche Þane þis gostes þarinne hadden : þare ne miȝte non at-blenche. Þo þe kniȝt þe stronge pine : of þis water i-felde, he gan to crie on Ihesu crist : þat faillede him ful selde: A-non-riȝt with-oute lette : op of þis watere man himal. he (man om.) drovȝ. Ake þis wrechche gostes lefden þere : with sorewe and wo i-novȝ. For in þat water, þat was so cold : and so foule stonk also, Þis gostes swymden op and doun : in muche sorewe and wo; Þe feondes ornen opon þe watere : so men doth on þe londe, And ȝwane ani wolde couerial. cleueri op : with fote oþur with honde, heo pulten him a-doun a-ȝen : þat þare ne a-scapede non; Þare was wo and sorewe i-nouȝ : a-mong heom euerechon. ¶ Þis feondes wenden forth a-non : and þe seli kniȝt eft nome, And drowen him into a sori stude : þare neuer er heo ne come. heo comen and stoden ouer a put : wyd it was and deop i-novȝ; A brenninde smoke, þat foule stonk : op of þe putte drovȝ, Þat onneþe þe knyȝt miȝte stonde : for sori stunch þare-neiȝ. Wrechche gostes in þis put : in þat sori smoke he seiȝ Fleo op and doun al brenninde : ase speldene doth of fuyre, And in-to þe putte eft fullen a-doun : þo heo ne miȝten no leng duyre. him þouȝte he was al ouer-come : for þe stunche þat þar-op of drovȝ; Þare-bi him þouȝte þat in þe grounde : was soruwe and deol i-novȝ. "Ȝwy stanst þov so?" þe fendes seiden : "þinchþ þe þarof wonder, Of þis swete smoke þat here bloweth : and ȝwat put beo þare-onder? Puteum Inferni.¶ In þis put is ovre woneingue : for þe put of helle it is; And, for þov us hast i-serued wel : here þov schalt wonie, i-wis, For alle þat us seruieth wel : hidere heo schullen wende; And, ȝif þov comest here-in with us : þov worst here with-outen ende. Þare-fore i rede torne þi þouȝt : and do us here man-rede And we schullen þene wei ase we comeMS. conne : al sauf a-ȝen þe lede; Þov schalt on eorþe al þi lijf habbe : richesse, and Ioye al-so, For we schullen on eorþe þe finde i-novȝ : ase riȝt is þat we do." Þo þe kniȝt for-sok heore bi-heste : ase he hadde er i-lome, heo smiten heom a-doun into þe putte : and þene kniȝt with heom nome. Þe deoppore þat heo comen : þ[e] braddere þe put was; Akeal. þat al þe wo þat he isaiȝ er : a-ȝein þat nouȝt it nas. Of stunch, of brenninge, and of oþur wo : þe kniȝt was so ouer-come Þat is þovȝt toward Iesu crist : neiȝ him was bi-nome; So muche pine nas neuere i-seiȝe— : him þouȝte ase þei he felde Þat he was neiȝ ope þe pointe : þene gost op to ȝelde. Ake ore louerd a-mong al is wo : grace him ȝaf atþe laste Þat he þouȝte on Ihesu crist : and to him cride [faste].MS. atþe laste A smoke þare cam smite up a-non : mid one wel stronge blaste Þene kniȝt an heiȝ a-boue þe putte : and manie oþereal. om. gostes, caste. Þe kniȝt ȝwirlede op in þis blast : ase speldene doth, wel wide, Atþe laste he liȝte a-doun : a-boue þe putte bi side. Þare he stod and bi-heold a-boute : ase man þat witles were, Þat for þe pine þat he hadde i-haued : he nuste hov he cam þere. Þo he hadde longe i-stonde al one : and bi-holde a-boute, Þare comen blaste op of þe putte : deuelene a gret rouȝte And [stoden] bi him al a-boute : al newe as þei heo were; Ase him þouȝte, he ne saiȝ hem : neuer er bote þo þere. heo bi-heolden him wel grisliche : and grenneden on him al-a-boute, And seiden, "ȝwi stanst þov here al one? : þov most come into ovre rovte." heo seiden, "tolden ore felawes þe : þat þis was þe put of helle? hit nis nouȝt so, ake we wollez sone : for riȝte soþe þe telle. Nostþov nouȝt þat it is ore riȝte : to liȝen euere-mo, And þat we with lesingues bi-traieth men : bote it mowe oþur go? And so ore felawes louwen þe : þat þis was þe put of helle; Ake þov schalt come þudere with us : and þe soþe we wollez þe telle." ¶ Þis deouelene harleden þane kniȝt forth : þat wo was him to-drawe, Þat him were leouere þane ani-þing : þat he hadde i-beo of lif-dawe. So þat heo comen to a swyþe gret watur : deop and brod i-novȝ; A strong mist, þat foule stonk : op of þis watere drovȝ Of brumston and of oþur wo— : so strong stunch neuere he ne seiȝ, Þat mid al þe pine of þe world : onneþe he stod þere-neiȝ. A brugge þare was ouer þat watur : smallere ne miȝte non beo; Þe smoke was so þicke al-a-boute : þat onneþe he miȝte [it] i-seo. þo seiden þe sorie fendes : "we seggez þe i-wis Þat onder þis deope watere : þe put of helle so is. And þat þov schalt sone i-wite : for þov schalt sone a-non ouer þis watur, þat is so deop : opon þis brugge gon, And we schullen þe sende swuch a wynd : þat schal þe amidde caste, And ore felawes þat beoth bi-neothe : schullen þe nime wel faste And drawe þe doun forth with hem : Into helle grounde a-non. Cum novþe forth and þouȝ schalt : op-on þis brugge gon." heo nomen þis seli kniȝt : and op-on þis brugge drowe, And maden him go þere, is on-þonkes : with wrechhedes i-nowe. Þreo þingus vuele i-nowe : on þis brugge were: Þat on was, for heo was so heiȝ : þat no gost neal. vnneþe me miȝte for fere Þare-oppe gon and so deope a-doun : habbe so grisliche siȝte; Þat oþur was, for heo was so narovȝ : þat onneþe ani-þingal. me miȝte Þare-oppe sette ani fot : þat he ne fulle a-doun a-non; Þe þridde, þat heo was so slider : þat man ne miȝte þare-oppe gon bote he slide and felle a-doun : so sleiȝ man neuere nere. Þeos þreo þinges þesne selie kniȝt : brouȝten in grete fere, For heo was narovȝ, and slider, and heiȝ : þat he ne scholde him so bi-telle, Ȝif þat he glufteal. glide in ani half : þat he ne fulle in-to helle. ¶ Þare-oppe he was with strencþe i-brouȝt : and þare-oppe i-maket to gon. So gret drede, ase him þouȝte : ne hadde he neuer er non. Ake sone he þouȝte on ihesu crist : þat so ofte him sauede er, And cride on is holie name : þat he were is helpe þer. he eode forth we[l] baldeliche : and þe innore þat he cam Þe hardiore him þouȝte he was : and þe betere heorte to him he nam, And þe braddore was is wei— : so longe forth he eode, Þat it was so brod þat þere miȝte : a carte gon for neode, And so longe, þat tuei cartes miȝte : meten heom wel i-novȝ. Þe kniȝt þo wel baldeliche : ase a maister forth him drouȝ. Þe feondes stoden bi-neþe þe brugge : and seiȝen him so faste gon, And for al þe wo þat heo him duden : ne ouer-cam him nouȝt on; heom þouȝte, it was al for nouȝt : after him to honten more: grisliche heo gonne forto ȝeolle : ant to crie and wepe suyþe sore, Þat for þe ȝeollinge þat heo maden : he hadde wel more fere Þane of al þe pine þat he hadde er : so lodlich was þe bere; ¶ heore Oules heo nomen and heore hokes : and toward him casten an heiȝ; Ake þare nas non þat him touchi miȝte : ne no-þing come him neiȝ. So þat al sauf with alle Ioye : ouer þis watere he him drovȝ, And þe feondes lefden bi-hinde : with grete soruwe ant sor i-nouȝ— In helle is heore kuynde heritage : and elles for-soþe it were wovȝ! heo leten him go ȝwodere he wolde : and ne fondeden him non more, And heolden heom cleneliche ouer-come : for al heore false lore. Þis kniȝt wende him forth, sauf i-nouȝ— : þat he hadde erore deore a|bouȝt, And þonkede ȝeorne Ihesu crist : þat þe feondes ne siweden him nouȝt. Þat watur he passede sauf inovȝ : and forþere þene wey he nam. Þe contrie him þouȝte murie i-nouȝ : þare-forth þat he cam; Þe forþere þat he wende : þe more murevþe he seiȝ. So [longe] þat he i-saiȝ ane wal : swiþe noble and heiȝ— So riche weork nas neuere i-seiȝe : ase him [þouȝte] þat þar-on was; And swyþe fair ȝat þaron he saiȝ : þat neuere swuch i-seiȝe nas; Þat ȝat schon swyþe briȝte : ase þei it al gold were, Folle of derewurþe stones i-piȝte : none richere neuere nere. him þouȝte, are he þudere cam : is wei ful longe laste. Þo he cam forþere a luytel wiȝt : he stod and bi-heold it faste. Þat [ȝat]om. wende op aȝen him : and a-non-riȝt with þe dede Þare cam smite out a swote smel : and wide a-boute gan sprede, Þat him þouȝte, þei al þe world : swote spices were, So muche swotnesse ne miȝte ȝiuen : ase þat suote smul dude þere. In so gret Ioye him þouȝte he was : þat þei he hadde beo i-brouȝt In-to al þe soruwe þat he was er : it ne schulde him habbe i-greued nouȝt. he bi-heold in at þis ȝate : þo he cam þer-neiȝ: More clernesse nas neuere i-seiȝe : him þouȝte, þane he þere i-seiȝ. Ase he wolde þare-In wende : aȝein him þare cam gon A procession fair i-novȝ : of noble men ech-on, with creoiz and with taperes : and with baneres clere; I-reuested faire muche folk was : and ech hadde is fere, Some were bischopus and Ercedeknes : and some Monekes and freres, And euerech, him þouȝte, hadde þe Abite : þat heo wereden here. with þe meste Ioye þat miȝte beo : þis kniȝt was onder-fonge, And i-lad In with Ioye i-novȝ : mid solas and murie songe. Þo þis murie song was i-do : to him sone þare come Tweien ase it maistres weren : and bi þe honde him nome, And welcomeden him wel mildeliche : and þonkeden ore louerd faste, Þat him sende so guode bi-leue : so stableliche for-to laste. heo ladden him a-boute and scheweden him : þat lond fer and ner: So muche Ioie and clernesse : him þouȝte he ne saiȝ neuer er. ¶ Ase þe sonne bi-nimez þe liȝt : of Candle a-boute Midday, Also it bi-nam þe sonne hire leom : him þouȝte, aseal. þe liȝt þat he þare i-saiȝ. So long and brod þe place was : þat he ne miȝte non ende i-seo: A fair Medwe he saiȝal. Al murie med with swete floures : swottere ne miȝte non beo, Treon al-so with noble fruyt : þat smulde swote Inovȝ; And þeal. So gret swotnesse of euer-ech stude : al a-boute op drouȝ, Þat þare with-oute mete and drunch : him þouȝte, euere-mo he miȝte libbe with alle Ioie : ȝif he moste þare-Inne go. It was þere euere i-liche liȝt : and euere it was dai. So muche folk in none place, him þouȝte : neuer er he ne saiȝ. Ech Compaygnie to oþur drovȝ : and ech bi oþur stod, With murie song and Melodie : and gladnesse in heore mod, Þat ech of oþur þe more Ioye : to-gadere heo miȝten a-fonge; Al-miȝti god, þat heom schop : heo hereden In heore songe. And ase sum steorre þat ȝe i-seoth : briȝtore þane oþur is, Also was bi heom, for some weren : clerore þane some, i-wis; Ake þulke þat mest dosk was : him þouȝte, was more cler And briȝtore schon, þane ani gold : þat he i-saiȝ euer er. ¶ Ech werede cloþes of þe en-taile : þat heo wereden on eorþe here: Monekes ase it to Monek bi-feol : and freres ase to frere; So þat heo hadden heore riȝte fourme : ake wel briȝtore was hore hev, Ant ȝwat men heo were on eorþe : bi heore cloþinge he knev. Some hadden þe croune of golde : an-ouewarde þe heued ido, And some beren in heore hond : ȝeordene of golde al-so. And alle heo þonkeden Ihesu crist : þat so studefast heorte him sende, Þe kniȝt, for al þe pine þat he hadde : is heorte enes ne wende; Ech-one heom þouȝte þat for him : In þe more Ioye heo were. he stod and bi-heold al þis Ioie : as þei no wit on him nere. Þe on, ase it heore maister were : is Mouth ondude wel softe And welcomede him wel mildeliche : and þonkede ore louerd ofte, Þat swuch porpos him hadde i-send : and studefast heorte al-so, Þat he ne chaungede nouȝt is þouȝt : for al þat him was i-do. "bev frere," he seide, "i-herd beo god : þat þe hauez hidere i-brouȝt And a-mong alle þine stronge fon : studefast i-wust þi þouȝt! Of þe pine of sunfule gostes : I-fondet þov hauest i-nouȝ, And þare-with þine sunnes i-bet : and elles it were wouȝ. ¶ Þov miȝt here sumdel i-seo : þat þov wilnest more, Of þe Ioye þat guode soulene habbez : þat comieth to milce and ore. Þis place þat we inne beoth : ich wene þov ne knowest nouȝt: It is eorþelich parays : þat Adam was Inne i-brouȝt And þat he was Inne ymad : and sethþe for is mis-dede he was i-cast out þar-of, and we also : on eorþe into alle wrechchehede; ¶ Al þe Ioye þat þov i-sixt her : he hadde to is wille, Ake he ne miȝte, þo he was out i-cast : þar-of i-seo wurth a fille. Of wrechhede we beoth i-kened : and of sunful blode i-come: And þat us is þoruȝ godes grace : ant þoruȝ ore cristinedom bi-nome. Ak þat we aftur ore cristindom : of sunne on eorþe wrouȝte, On eorþe oþur in purgatorie : wel deore we it bouȝte: For we alle þat þou here i-sixt : þare-forth hidere come And ore sunnes þare betten : and harde penaunce nome, Ne miȝte we elles here come. : ase guod bi þe it is: For ȝif þine sunnes nere for-ȝiue : þov ne come nouȝt here, i-wis. And alle þat þov þare i-seiȝe : to us þudere heo schullen wende, And al dai doth some, ȝwane heo habbez : heore penaunce i-brouȝt to ende. Neuer on not hov longe he schal : þare bi-leue, i-wis; For ho-so ani freond on eorþe hath : mid him þe betere it is: Þoruȝ massene and þoruȝ oþur beden : and þoruȝ almes-dede Man mai hore pine muche a-legge : and þe sonore ovt þar-of heom lede. And ȝwane ani of heom hidere comez : aȝen him we wendez ech-on, Ase we duden a-ȝein þe, with Ioye : and ledez him In a-non. Ake non of us nis ȝuyt wuyrthþe : in-to heuene for-to wende, Ne neuere on not ȝwane ovre louerd : after ani of us wole sende; For ech man þat in-to heuene schal : þoruȝ purgatorie mot And sethþe into eorþeliche parays : ase we beoth novþe, wel ich wot. For þis is ovre kuynde heritage : i-wrouȝt we weren þar-to, Al for-to ore furste fader it a-gulte : and for-to he hadde mis-do; here we scholden alle habbe i-beon i-bore : and i-leoued ore lif al-so, For ore louerd wold þat we weren : In þe more Ioye i-do. Þei men beon ovt heonnes i-cast : here-forth heo moten wende Andom. and aȝen, ar heo to heouene come : aftur heore liues ende. Ake al þe Ioye þat is here : nis no-þing, i-wis, A-ȝein þe leste Ioye of heouene : wel muche þe meste is. Sum-þing þov schalt of heuene i-seo : In a place here-neiȝ." he ladde him op-on an heiȝ hul : and bad him bi-holde on heiȝ, And axede him of ȝwuch colur were : heuene op-riȝt þere. he seide, him þouȝte riȝt ase gold : þat puyr wallinde were. "Ȝe," seide þis oþur, "þis is þe wei : þat geth riȝt to heuene blis, And þat is þe ȝat of parays : þat with-oute heuene ȝeond is. ¶ Ech day some of purgatorie : comez hidere us to, And some of us to heuene wendez : euer-eche daye also; So þat [we] wexez eche daie : and waniez, þov sixt lo; We nutez ȝwuch of us it schal beo next : bote as god wole habbe i-do. Ech dai þe ȝwuyle we here beoth : ore louerd us fedez ene with riche metes of heuene : þat swete is and clene; ȝwuche þulke metes beon : are þov heonnes wende with us þov schalt sone i-wite : ȝwane god it wole us sende." Ne hadde he bote o word i-seid : þat þare ne cam a-liȝte A manere brez fram heouene a-doun : þat schon wel clere and briȝte, Þat ouer-spradde al þat lond : and a cler leome þare-with-oute, Andal. om. opon euereches heued a-liȝte a-doun : wel faire, with-outen doute,al. clerore þane aboute And op-on þis kniȝtes heued al-so : an þoruȝ him smot a-non, And þoruȝ euerech lime and lith of him : þat swete liȝt gan gon; Þa[t] so muche willer. winne? and Ioye : him þouȝte, neuere he nadde. he stod, ase þei he were i-nomen : for Ioye þat he þo hadde, Ȝweþur he were quik oþur ded : bote ase he in metingue were. louerd, murie is þe Ioye of heuene : ase he i-felde wel þere! Ake it ne laste heom bote luytele ȝwile : þat þe leome ne with|drovȝ; And naþeles, þei it luyte laste : þar-of heo weren fulle i-novȝ. Þe kniȝt stod and bi-heold a-boute : and is riȝte stat onder-stod. So fol he was of þat holi leome : þat so swete was and guod: him þouȝte, þei he leouede euere-more : and neuereft more ne ete, Ne scholde him neuer-eft to mete luste : so guod was þe leome and swete. "Lo," seide þis oþur gost : þat schewede him al þis place, "Sum-del þov hast nouþe iseiȝe : of ore louerdes grace ¶ Of þe pine þat þe wrechche gostes : habbeth for heore mis|dede, And of þe Ioye þat guode gostes : in parays doth lede, And sum-del of þe grete Ioie : þat in þe riȝte heuene is. Eche daiȝe we beoth i-fedde : ones with swuche Ioie and blis, And þanne beo we al dai fulle i-novȝ : for-to ore louerd more us sende: In swuche Ioie heo beoth þat beoth in heouene : and worþez with|oute ende, And ȝuyt sum-del in more : it ne faillez heom neuere mo, And we ne beoth a day bote enes : for-to we þudere go; And ȝwan þat we þudere comieth : we schulle with-outen ende, And þou, ȝif þov a-seruest heuene forth : þudere for-to wende. Þov miȝt don ase þov wolt : ȝwane þov comest to eorþe, i-wis, And þudere anon a-ȝen þou most— : for-soþe, at þe time it is; And ȝif þov wolt guod lif lede : þine mede þov miȝt i-seo; And ȝwat pine heo habbez, þov hast i-seie : þat luþere wollez beo. A-ȝein þou most wende a-non : go forth a-godes name! For sikerliche þov miȝt gon : þe feondes ne mowen don þe no schame; heo beoth a-dradde wel sore of þe : and a-schamede in eche side. A-godes name go forth þi wei : þov ne miȝt no leng here a-bide!" "A, sire, merci!" quath þis kniȝt : "bi-tide ȝwat me bi-tide, A fote i-nelle fram eov go : for wrechche-hedeMS. hedede goth so wide. ¶ Ake soffriez me bi-leue here with ov! : for, ȝif ich fram eov wende, A-drad ich am of þe feondene miȝte : laste heo with sunne me schende." "Do wei, beu frere," þis oþur seide : "ase wel þov miȝt beo stille, A-ȝen þov schalt to eorþe a-non : andal. om. þov miȝt don þare þine wille; And ȝif þov seruest wel ore louerd þere : siker þov miȝt beo to comen a-ȝein hidere to us : and sethþe to heuene fteo. A-godes half wend a-ȝen a-non : for-soþe, þov schalt so." "Alas, alas!" quath þis kniȝt : "ȝwat schal ich nouþe do? Al þe Ioye þat ich habbe nouþe iseiȝe : it worth me bi-nome, And to þe wrechhede of þe worlde : alas, schal ich novþe come!" Ovt ate ȝate heo brouȝten him : wepinde, at þe laste, And beden him gon wel hardiliche : and herien ore louerd wel faste; A-non so he was with-oute i-gon : þat ȝat heo maden wel bliue. With dreori mod he wende a-ȝen : and was a-drad of is liue; Ase he cam er, with careful mod : þene wei a-ȝein he nam. And, ȝwane ani deuel þat him pinede er : ouȝwere a-ȝen him cam, Ase wode schrewene heo flouwen faste : and ne dorsten a-bide him nouȝt. So atþe laste þis kniȝt was : to þe halle a-ȝein i-brouȝt Þare as þe holie compaygnie : þuder-ward to him wende; And sat him a-doun wel softe þere : for-to ore louerd him grace sende. Ase he sat and bi-heold a-boute : to him heo comen þere, Al þat faire compaygnie : þat a-ȝein him cam er, And honoureden him wel faire : and conforteden him wel faste, And þonkeden Iesus, godes sone : þat his bi-leue so wel i-laste. ¶ "bev frere," heo seiden, "ȝwane þov hast : swuch penaunce i|driue, Siker beo þou þat þine sunnes : al clene þe beoth for-ȝiue. loke, ȝwane þov comest to eorþe a-ȝen : þat þov clene lif lede, So þat þov neuer-eft in pine ne come : for sunne ne for mis-dede! Þov most don þe heonnes a-non : for at hom in þine londe hit dawez clere and is neiȝ dai : ase ich me onder-stonde, And þe prior with procession : to þe ȝate comez wel sone to loki ȝweþur þov beo i-come : ase riȝt is forto done, And, bote he þe finde þere : he wole maken þat ȝat a-non And wole beo siker þat þou ne comest non-more : and sori wole a-ȝen gon."This verse on the margin. Þene kniȝt heo brouȝten out of þe halle : and blesseden him ech-on And bi-teiȝten god boþe lif and soule : fel and flesch and bon. Forth he wende wel dreoriliche : bote ase he nede moste it do. And riȝt ase he cam to þe ȝate : þe prior cam al-so A-ȝein him with procession : to loke hou it were. A-non so he hadde þe ȝate on-loke : þene kniȝt heo founden þere. Þare was Ioye and blisse i-novȝ : þo huy to-gadere come! With song and oþur melodie : þane knyȝt þare-out huy nome, Ant ladden him forth to churche a-non : ant þonkeden god wel faste. Þis kniȝt bi-fore þe heiȝe auctere : a-knes wel sone him caste, Ant stableliche in his oresones : fiftene dawes he lay, And þonkede ore louerd & on him cride : boþe nyȝt and day. And sethþe on his bare flesch : þe holie croiz he nam And wende to þe holie lond : ant suyþe holi man bi-cam. he ne tolde neuere-eft nouȝt of þe world : bote ase he were euere in þouȝte, Ake wende euere forth wel stillelicheal. simpleliche : as he of no-þing ne rouȝte. Ofte he tolde of alle þe men : þat in parays were; As him þouȝte, greiȝe Monekes : mest Ioye hadden þere, None-manere men in so gret Ioye : ne in so grete honour he ne seiȝ— hit nis no wonder sikerliche : for þe ordre is noble and heiȝ.— Novþe ȝe habbez alle i-heord : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace, hou seint paterik þulke purgatorie : founde in þat place, For-to warni men a-boute : heore sunnes here to bete. For þe loue of Iesu crist : and of is moder swete Alle ower sunnes betez here : as god ov wole grace sende, Þat ȝe mouwen with-oute pine : to parays hennes wende. god leue us ovre sunnes here so biete : for is holie wounde, Þat we ne þoruen in purgatorie : bi-leue bote luyte stounde. 36 Vita sancti Brendani, Abbatis de Hybernia. SEint brendan, þe holi man : was here of ovre londe. Monek he was of harde liue : as ich me under-stonde, Of fastingue and oþur penaunce i-nov : and Abbot he was þere Of a þousend Monekes : þat alle under him were. hit bi-feol in a day : as ore louerdes wille was, Þat beryn,al. barint an oþur Abbot : to him cam bi cas. Seint brendan him bi-souȝte anon : him don onder-stonde Ant tellen him ȝwat he hadde i-seiȝe : a-boute in oþur londe. Þis guode man, þo he i-heorde þis : sichingues he made i-nowe Ant in grete þouȝte bi-gan for-to weope : and fel a-doun i-suowe. bi-twene his armes seint brendan : þis holie man op nam & custe him faste, & cride on him : al for-to is wit him cam; "Fader," he seide, "par charite : oþur red þov most take; hidere þou come for ovre solas : and nouȝt suych deol to make. tel us ȝwat þou hast i-seiȝe : a-boute as þou hast i-wend In þe .se. of Occean : as ore louerd þe hath i-send." Nou is þe .se. [of] Occean : grettest and mest al-so: heo goth a-boute al þe world : and alle oþere cometh þer-to. So þat berin, þis olde man : riȝt of is heorte grounde Al weopinde he hem tolde : ȝwat he hadde i-founde. he seide, heal. ic hadde a wel guod sone : and Mernok was is name, "A Monek he was, as we beoth : and man of grete fame; his heorte him ȝaf for-to wende : in-to a priue stude and stille, Þare he miȝte beo al one : to a-serui godes wille. So þat bi mine wille he wende : ase ich it telle ov, to an yle fer in þe se : þat delitable was i-nov, bi-side þe Montayne of stones : þat is couth wel wide. Þe Monek likede þare wel : and longue gan þare a-bide, And hadde þare under him : Monekes mani on. Þo ich heorde tellen þat : þuder-ward ich gan gon. So þat in auision : ore suete louerd him sende, Þat a-ȝen me, are ich to him come : þre Iorneies he wende. And in a schip we duden us sone : and Astward euere kenden In þe .se. of Occean : as ore louerd is grace us sende. toward þe est so fer we wenden : þat we comen ate laste In suyþe þuyster stude : and clouden us ouer-caste; Al ane tide of þe daye : we weren in deorkhede. Ate laste ore suete louerd : forþere us gan lede. So þat we i-seiȝen a newe lond : þuder-ward ore schip drov; briȝttore it þouȝte þane þe sonne : Ioye þare was i-nov, Of treon and herbes, þikke j-novȝ : bi-set in eche side, And of suete preciouse stones : þat briȝtte schynen and wide; Euerech herbe was ful of floures : and ech treo was ful of fruyt; bote it were in heuene : nas neuere more duyt. Þare-Inne with Ioye and blisse I-novȝ : longue we duden i-wende; Ȝeot us þouȝte luytel ȝwyle : ne miȝte we finde non ende So þat we comen to a watur : cler and briȝt I-novȝ, þat euere fram-ward þe est : toward þe west it drovȝ. We stoden and bi-heolden a-boute : for we ne miȝten ouer i-wende: Þare cam to us a ȝong ȝomman : swiþe fair and hende, And welcomede us euerech-one : wel mildeliche and swete; he nemnede euerech is riȝtte name : and faire gan us grete, And seide þat we ouȝtenal. ȝe aȝte Ihesu crist : þonki suyþe wel with riȝte 'Þat schewez eov is priuete : and al-so of is miȝte. Þis is þat lond þat he wole : ȝuyt are þe worldes ende [his dernelinges an erþe ȝyue : ȝ hyder he schalheo scholle, on the margin. wende.This verse added by a later hand in the text and on the mar|gin.] Þis lond is half in þusse half : ase ȝe i-seoz wel wide, And bi-ȝeonde þe watere haluen-del : al bi þat oþur side— Þat watur ne mowe ȝe passi nouȝt : þat oþur del to seo. Foral. om. here ȝe habbez al a ȝer : meteles i-beo, Þat ȝe ne eten ne dronken : ne slepen nouȝt with eyȝe, Ne chele ne hete ne greuede ev nouȝt : noþur lowe ne heiȝe. Þisal. For þis is ore louerdes priue stude : and þoruȝ him it is þus liȝt; Þare-fore it is [her] euere day : and neuere-more niȝt. ȝif Adam a-ȝein godes heste : ne hadde no-þing mis-do, here-Inne he hadde ȝuyt i-beo : and is of-sprung al-so. Ȝe ne mowen no leng here bi-leue : a-ȝen ȝe moten fare;[Here 2 fol. are torn out in the MS. I supply the gap from MS. Harl. 2277.] [Þeȝ hit ne þenche ȝou bote a while : ȝe habbeþ ibeo her ȝare.' Þat soal. So þat he brouȝte ous in oure schip : & faire his leue nom; & þoMS. þe we were hamward in þe see : we nuste whar he bi-com— Aȝe-ward he wende aȝen oure wille : þat of-þoȝte ous sore ynouȝ. Aȝen to þis oþer monekes : þis schip wel euene drouȝ. ¶ Þis monekes vrne aȝen ous : þo hi ous miȝte iseo, & sori were & wroþe ynouȝ : þat we hadde so longe ibeo. we seide hem þat we hadde ibeo : in gret ioye & feste, Bifore þe ȝates of parays : in þe lond of biheste, Þat oure suete louerd haþ bihote : hem þat he loueþ her, Þer is euere dai & neuere niȝt : & euere liȝt suyþe cler. ¶ 'Certes,' quaþ þis monekes : 'þis we mowe iseo Bi þe suete smyl of ȝou : þat ȝe habbeþ þer ibeo.' "— ¶ Þo seint Brendan ihurde þis : he þoȝte & stod stille; [he þoȝte fondi more her-of : ȝif it were godes wille.]This verse, om. in H., is taken from Ashm. he wende aboute his monekes : & tuelue out he nom, Þat he triste to mest of alle : whan eni neode him com. Þuse he nom in consail : & in priueite [hem] sede: ["I þenche do a priue þing : þer-of ȝe mote me rede, To seche þat lond of biheste : ȝif god wolde ous þuder lede.]These 2 v. om. in H. Siggeþ what ȝoure consail is : to do such a dede." "Leoue fader," quaþ þis oþere : "oure wille we habbeþ forsake, ¶ Oure freond & al oure oþer god : & clanliche to þe itake: & whan al oure dede is on þe : & þu wolt þat hit beo, we schulle bliþeliche wiþ þe wende : godes grace to seo." So þat hi faste fourti dawes : & gret penance dude also, & bede ȝurne oure louerdes grace : þulke veyage to do. hi leten hem diȝte a gret schip : & aboue hit albiMS. abbi-caste wiþ bole-huden stronge ynou : ynailed þerto faste, & siþþe ipiched al abou[t]e : þat þe water [in] necome. hi wende to here breþeren : & wel faire here leue nome, And siþþe in oure louerdes name : to schipe wende anon; here breþeren þat bihynde were : sori were echon. & þo hi were in þe schip : after þer come goal. om. tuo & bede faste þat hi moste : þane wei mid hem go. "Ȝe mowe wel," quaþ seint brendan : "ac ȝoure on schal atta[n] ende Repenti er he come aȝe : & al quic to helle wende." Þideral. vorþ him wende þis holi man : whoder oure louerd hem sende; & þis tuei monekes þat come last : also wiþ hem wende. ¶ In þe grete see of occian : forþ hi rewe faste, & triste alto oure louerdes grace : & noþing nere agaste. Þe see drof here schip after wil : þe wynd was gret ynouȝ; As þe wynd hem drof est forþ : wel euene þe schip him drouȝ, Euene aȝe þat þe sonne ariseþ : a-midsomeres day— Nou nuste non of hem whar he was : ne no lond he nesay. Euene forþriȝt fourti dayes : þe wynd hem drof faste: So þat hi seȝe in þe norþside : a gret yller. yle atte laste, Of harde roche & gret ynou : in þe see wel heȝe; Þreo dayes hi wende þer-aboute : er hi miȝte come þer-neȝe. ¶ A lute hauene hiMS. he fonde þo : alond hi wende þere; hi wende alond as maskedeal. masid men : hi nuste whar hi were. Þer com go a wel fair hound : as hit were hem to here; At seint Brendanes fet he ful adoun : & makede him faire chere. ¶ "Beau freres," quaþ seint brendan : "ȝe neþore noþing drede: Ich wot þis is a messager : þe riȝte wei ous to lede." Þis hound ladde þis holi man : to an halle, fair ynouȝ, Gret & starc & suyþe noble : euene in he drouȝ. Þis monekes fonde in þis halle : bord & cloþ isprad, & bred & fisch þer-vppe ynouȝ— : þer nas non þat nas glad. hi sete adoun & ete faste— : for hem luste wel þerto. Beddes þer were, al ȝare ymaked : er here soper were ido: After here soper to bedde hi wende : to resten hem, as þe wise. Þo hi hadde alle islepe ynouȝ : sone hi gonne arise, & wende to here schip : as hi hadde er ibeo. In þe see wel longe hi were : er hi miȝte lond iseo. ¶ Þo hi seȝer. seȝe hi as bi þoþer side : an ylle fair ynouȝ, Grene & [wiþ] wel fair lese. : þiderward here schip drouȝ. Þo hi come on þis faire lond : & bihulde aboute wide, Þe faireste scheep þat miȝte beo : hi seȝe in eche side; A scheep was grettere þan an oxe : whittere ne miȝte non beo. Gret ioye hi hadde in here hurte : þat hi miȝte þis iseo. Þer comal. þo com þer go a wel fair man : & grette hem wiþ faire chere, & seide, "ȝe beoþ hider icome : þer ȝe neuere nere. ¶ Þis is icliped þe lond of scheep : for scheep wel faire her beoþ, Mochele & white & grete ynouȝ : as ȝe aldai iseoþ; Fairere hi beoþ þan ȝoure scheep : & grettere vnyliche, For murie weder is her ynouȝ : & lese suyþe riche. her nis neuere wynter non : for her nis nonal. ne non hei ifounde, Ac hi eteþ þerbes nue : as hi springeþ of þe g[ro]unde. Ne me ne gadereþ noȝt of here mulc : þat hi scholde þe worse beo; ¶ For þis þing, & meni oþer : þe bet hi mowe iþeo. To a stede ȝe schulle hunne wende : þurf oure louerdes grace, Þat is foweles parays : a wel ioyful place : Þer ȝe schulle þis ester beo : & þis wit-sonedai also. Wendeþ forþ a-godes name : þat þis veyage were ido!" SEint Brendan & his breþeren : to schipe wende anon, & rue forþ faste in þe see : wiþ tempest meni on. So þat hi seȝe in anoþer side : an ylle gret ynouȝ. here schip þurf godes grace : þiderwardes drouȝ. Þo hit cam almest þerto : vpe þe roche hit gan ride, Þat hit ne miȝte noȝt to þe yle come : ac bileuede biside. Þis monekes wendeal. wode vp to þis yle : ac seint brendan noȝt. Þis monekes gonne makie here mete : of þat hi hadde ibroȝt : hi makede fur & soden hem fisch : in a caudroun faste. Er þis fisch were isode [I-nouȝ] : somdel hi were agaste : For þo þis fur was þurf-hot : þe yle quakede anon & wiþ gret eir hupte al vp— : þis monekes dradde echon, [& þe wei toward hor schip : ech after oþer nom, God leuest hem þoȝte he was : þat sonest þuder com.]om. in H. hi bihulde hou þe yle : in þe see wende faste & as a quic þing hupte vp & doun : & þat fur fram him caste; he suam more þan tuei myle : while þis fur ilaste. Þe monekes iseȝe þe fur wel longe : & were sore agaste : hi cride ȝurne on seint brendan : what þe wonder were. "Beoþ stille," quaþ þis gode man : "for noȝt ȝe nabbeal. habbeþ fere. Ȝe weneþ þat hit beo an yle : ac ȝe þencheþ amis : hit is a fisch of þis grete see : þe gretteste þat þer is. Iastoni he is icleped : & fondeþ niȝt & dai To pulte his tail in his mouþ : ac for gretnisse he nemai."— Forþ hi rue in þe see : euene west wel faste, Þreo dayes, er hi seȝe lond : hi were somdel a-gaste. ¶ Þo seȝen hi a wel fair lond : of floures þikke ynouȝ— wel glade hi were þo hi seȝe : þat here schip þider drouȝ. In þis faire lond hi wende : lengere þan ic telle : So þat hi fonde in a place : a suyþe noble welle. Bi þe welle stod a treo : brod & round ynouȝ; Foweles white & faire ynouȝ : were in euerechal. so þicke were in ech bouȝ, Þat vneþe eni leef : hi miȝte þeron iseo— Þer was ioye & blisse ynouȝ : to lokie on suche o treo. ¶ Seint Brendan for ioye wep : & sat adoun akneo And bad oure louerd schowi him : what such a cas miȝte beo. Þo fleȝ þer vp alute fowel : þo he gan to fleo,al. & toward him gan te As a fiþele his wynges furde : þo he to him-ward gan teo.al. þo he gan to fleo Murie[re] Instrument neuere nas : þanMS. þat his wyngen were! he bihuld seint brendan : wiþ wel faire chere. "Ich hote [þe,]" seide seint brendan : "if þu ert messager, Þat þu sigge me what [þu] ert : & what ȝe doþ her." Þeȝ hit þoȝte aȝe cunde : þis fowel ansuerede anon : "We were," he seide "sum-tyme was : angles in heuene echon. Asr. ac sone so sone as we were ymaked : oure maister was so prout, Lucefer, for his fairhede : þat he ful sone out, & mid him also meni on : as here dede was; ¶ & we fulle also a-doun : ac for no synne hit nas, forMS. Ac for noþing þat we assentede : to his foule vnriȝt, Bote soulement forto schewe : oure louerdes sueteal. suete louerdes miȝt. Ne we ne beoþ her in pyne non : ac in ioye ynouȝ we beoþ, And somdel oure suete louerdes : miȝte we seoþ. & bi þe vrþe we fleoþ : & bi þe lifte also, As gode angles, & liþere ek : riȝt is for-to do, Þe gode [for]-to do men god : þe liþer liþere makieþ. ¶ & sonedai, þat is dai of rest : such forme we takeþ :MS. makeþ Þe forme of suche white foweles : as þu miȝt iseo, [&] honureþ god þat ous makede : her on þis brode treo. Tuelf-monþ hit [is] ipassed nou : þat ȝe gonne out wende, & alle þis six ȝer ȝe schulle fare : er ȝe schulleal. om. bringe ȝoure wille to ende; For whan ȝe habbeþ iwend soue ȝer : oure louerd wole ȝou sende A siȝt þat ȝe habbeþ longe isoȝt : anon after þe soue ȝeres ende. Eche ȝer ȝe schulle her mid ous : holde ester-feste, As ȝe nou doþ, forte ȝe come : to þe lond of biheste"— Nou was hit an ester-day : þat al þis was ido. ¶ þe fowel nom his leue of hem : & to his felawes wende þo. Þe foweles, þo hit eueal. time was : bigonne here euesong— Muriere song nemiȝte beo : þeȝ god silf were among. Þe monekes wende to bedde & slepe : þo soper was ido; & þo hit was tyme of matyns : hi arise þerto. ¶ Þe foweles sunge ek here matyns : wel riȝt, þo hit was tyme, & of þe sauter seide þeal. om. uers : & siþþe alsoMS. alto prime, & vnderne siþþe, & middai : & afterwardes non, & eche tyde songen of þe dai : as cristene men scholde don. Þis monekes were in þe lond : eiȝte wyke also, Forto alþe feste of ester : & of witsonedai were ido. ¶ Þo com atte trinite : þis gode man to hem þer Þat spac wiþ hem in þe lond of scheep : & ladde aboute er : he chargede here schip suyþe wel : mid mete & drinke ynouȝ, & nom his leue wel hendeliche : & aȝeward drouȝ. ¶ Þo seint brendan was in his schip : & his breþeren also, Þis fowel, þat spac wiþ hem er : wel sone com hem to; he seide, "ȝe habbeþ her wiþ ous : þis heȝe feste ibeo; Gret trauayl ȝou is to come : er ȝe eftsone lond iseo. Ȝe schulleþ after soue monþes : iseo a wel fair yle. Þat abbey is icliped : þat is hunne meni a myle; Ȝe schulleþ beo mid holie men : þis myde-wynter þere. Ȝoure ester ȝe schulle holde þer : as ȝe dude to-ȝere : Vpe þe grete fisches rugge : þer þi monekes were in-fere, & ȝoure ester [be] mid ous : riȝt as ȝe nou were." Seint brendan a-godes name : & his breþeren echon, In þe grete see of occian : forþ wende anon. Þe wynd hem harlede vp & doun : in peryls meni on. So weri hi were of here lyue : þat hi nuste whoder gon. Four monþes hi wereal. wende in þe see : in þis grete turment,][Here L. goes on again.] Þat huy ne yseiȝen no-þing bote þe se : ant þe firmament. Þo huy yseiȝenal. seie hi fer fram heom : ane yle ase þei it were; heo criden faste on Ihesu crist : þat huy mosten a-riuie þere. Ȝeot after þat seint Brendan : þis yle furst y-seiȝ,MS. saiȝ Fourti dawes heo wenden in þe se : er huy comen þere neiȝ, Þat heom þouȝte heore lif was heom loz. : þe Monekes weren a-gaste, heo criden ȝeorne on Ihesu crist : and is help heo beden faste. A luytel hauene and swyþe streit : huy founden atþe laste, Þat vnneþes heore schip miȝte þerinne come : AunkerMS. Annker for-to caste Þis Monekes wenden a-lond þo : wel longue heom þouȝte er. huy bi-heolden al-a-boute : murie heom þouȝte þer. Þo yseiȝen heo twey faire wellene : þat on was suyþe cler, And sumdel wori and þicke þat oþer was. : þe Monekes ȝeoden ner, to drinken of þat faire welle. : seint Brendan it i-seiȝ, And seide, "with-oute leue of oþur men : ne come ȝe nouȝt þere neiȝ, Of olde men þat here-inne beoz : al þoruȝ godes willeal. for mid gode wille; Forom. heo wollez party þar-of mid us : and þare-fore beoz ȝeot stille." A fair old man and swiþe hor : a-ȝein heom þere cam gon; he wel-comede heom faire i-novȝ : and seint Brendan he custe a-non, And ladde heom forth with him : bi a wel fair wei A-boute in many a murie stude : and sethþe in-to on Abbey. Seint Brendan bi-heold a-boute : and axede ȝwat it were, And ȝwat-manere men weren þare-inne : and ho þareal. om. woneden þere. Stille was þis olde man : and ne ȝaf him none Answere. Þo cam þere gon a fair couent : and ane croyz bi-fore heom bere, With taperes in eyþur side— : Monekes it weren ech-on, And yreuested faire and in queor-copes : a-ȝein heom huy comen gon, With procession faire i-nouȝ. : þe Abbod bi-hinde com, And wel faire custe seint Brendan : and bi þe hond him nom. he ladde him and is monekus : in-to a noble halle, And settenal. sette heom a-doun alle on a rewe : and wuchs heore fet alle; Of þe worie welle heore fet he wuchs : þat huy er i-seiȝe. In-to þe freytore he ladde heom þo : and sette heom wel heiȝe, I-medlede with heoreal. his owene couent. : and þo heo weren alle i-sete, Þare cam on and seruede : and brouȝte heom alle mete : And ane wel faire ȝwite lof : he sette bi-twene to & to, Ȝwite moren, ase it of herbes were : bi-fore heom he sette al-so— Swettore mete ne miȝte non beo : huy ne knewen it nouȝt on; Of þe clere welle þat huy er i-seiȝen : þe Monekes dronke ech-on. "beoz nouþe glade," þe Abbot seide : "and drinkez nouþe i-novȝ In charite of þulke welle : þat ȝe wolden er with wouȝ— Betere it is drinke in charite : ȝwan it is ov i-brouȝt, Þane ȝe it þeofliche nomen : ase ȝe hadden i-þouȝt. Þis bred þat we eteth of : we nuten of ȝwan it is : An straunge man eche daye it bringuth : In-to ovre celere, i-wis, We nutez nouȝt bote ope godes grace : wanne it is ibrouȝt— For ho-so trust to ihesu crist : him ne schal failly nouȝt. We beoz foure-ant-twenti freres : and ȝwane we beoz i-sete, twelf ȝwite Michesal. suche loues men brynguth us : eche daye to ore mete; Ate feste of eche hali-daye; and ȝwan it sonen-day is, Foure-and-twenti loues us comieth : so þat euerech man hath his; Þat euerech frere of þat him leuez : witiez to is soper. I-doublet it worth nouþe for ov : ase ȝe i-seoth wel her : Alal. vor al ore couent nis nouȝt here : ake mucheal. muchedel it hath vn-ete. So þat ore louerd þoruȝ is grace : sent us alle mete. Fram seint paterikes Abbeyeal. dai : & seint ailbi also : þat in yrlonde is al-so, Four-score ȝer we habbez i-beon here : þat no man ne cam us to; euere-eft ore louerd þoruȝ is grace : I-fed us hath ech-on. And þis weder is euere murie i-nouȝ : syknesse here nis non. And ȝwane we schullen ore seruise don : ore louerd sent us liȝt; Ore taperes ne beoz no-þe lasse : þei huy brenne day and nyȝt." heo a-risen op and wenden to churche : þo heo hadden yȝete : And twelf oþere freres heo i-metten : Inward to þe mete. "hov is þis?" quath seint Brendan : "ȝwy neren þeose nouȝt with us?" "Leoue fader," quath þe Abbot : "nede it mot beo þus; Þer ne mouwen bote foure-and-twenti Monekes : in ore freitore beon ido, And ȝwane ȝe weren þare-inne with us : þeos ne miȝten nouȝt al-so. Þe ȝwile we singuth euesong : heo schullen sitte and ete, And heore euesong huy schullen syngue : ȝwane heo habbez i-ȝet[e]." Seint brendan bi-heold þat weued : him þouȝte þat hit was al, weued and chaliz and Cruettes : þoruȝ-out cler cristal. Seue taperes weren in þe queor : for þare ne weren non mo, And foure-and-twenti segene : þat Monekes scholden to— For þare weren foure-and-twenti Monekes : and euerech hadde his; And þe Abbodes sege was : a-midde þe queor, i-wis. Seint Brendan axede þe Abbode : "do seiȝe me, leue broþur, hov holde ȝe so silence : þat neuer on ne spekez with oþur?" "Ore louerd it wot," þe Abbot seide : "þatal. om. we habbez here i-beo Four score ȝer in swuche lyue : ase ȝe mowen here i-seo, And þare nas neuere a-mong us alle : yspeke in none wise Are þis tyme non oþur word : bote ore louerdes seruise; Ne we neren neuer-eft in feblesse : ne sike of us nouȝt on." Seint brendan, þo he i-heorde þis : for Ioyȝe he weop a-non. "Leoue fader," he seide : "mote we bi-leue here?" "Þov wost wel," þe Abbot seide : "ȝe ne mowen in none manere. Ne haueth ore louerd i-schewed ov wel : ȝwat ȝe schullen do? Come þov schalt to yrlonde i-wis : and þine twelf breþren al-so; And fram þe to þe yle of Ankres : þe þreotteoþe schal i-wende, Þe fourteoþe al quic to helle : and beon þare with-outen ende." Þo camorig. com þare-In a fuyri Arewe : at a fenestre a-non, Ase þei heo fram heouene come : and þe taperes tende ech-on, And flevȝ out a-ȝein ase heo cam In : bi þulke fenestre þere. Þe taperes barnden longue Inov : and no-þe lasse huy nere. "Louerd crist," quath seint brendan : "Ich wondri In mi þouȝt houȝ þis taperes bernez þus : and ne waniez nouȝt." "Ne hastþou," quath þe Abbod : "In þe olde lawe i-founde hov Moyses say A þorn berne : fram þe toppe to þe grounde, Þe More þat þe þorn barnde : þe grenore þe leues were? Ne wenestþou nouȝt þat ore louerd beo : ase miȝti here as þere?"— Þeos Monekes weren to-gadere : for-to Midewynter was al i-do, For-to after twelfte-day : are huy departeden a-to. Anon to seint hyllaries day : seint Brendan forth i-wende With is Monekus in þe se : þoruȝ grace þat god heom sende. huy floten op and doun in soruwe I-novȝ : þe se heom caste heiȝe; Fram þulke tyme forto in leinte : no lond huy ne i-seiȝe. So þat a-boute palme-sonenday : heo bi-heolden a-boute faste : heom þouȝte heo i-seiȝen swiþe fer : ase a cloude ate laste. Þis Monekes hadden wonder þar-of : ȝwat þe cloude were. "beoth stille," seide seint brendan : "ȝe habbez i-beon þere : Þare is ore procuratour : þat muche guod us hath i-do In [þe] foulene parays : and In þe lond of schep al-so." So þat heore schip ate laste : to þat yle drouȝ— A-schereþores-day huy comen þudere : in gret trauaile inouȝ. Þis procuratour heom cam aȝein : and welcomede heom a-non, Ant custe seint brendanes fet : and þe Monekes echon; And sette heom sethþe to þe soper : for þe day it wolde so, And sethþe he wuchs hore fet alle : þe maunde for-to do. huy heolden þare heore maunde— : and þare heo gounnen bi-leue A-gode friday al þe longue day : for-to an ester eue. An ester eue heore procuratour : bad heom heore schip take And heore resurrection : opon þe fisches rugge make, And aftur heore resurrection : he bad heom euene teo to þe foulene parays : ase heo hadden er i-beo. Þis holie men wenden forth : and ore louerdes grace nome, Þatal. so þat to þis grete fischse : þulke daye huy come, Þat houede ase it were a lond. : heore caudron heo founden þere Ase heo it bi-leften opon is rugge : in þat oþere ȝere. Louerd crist, þat swch a best : scholde houi so stille And soffri men op-on him gon : and don al heore wille! Þis Monekes op-on þe fisches rugge : bi-leften al þe nyȝt, And songuen matynes and euesong : and sethþe, þo it was liȝt, Op-on is rugge huy sounguen : heore massene echon;MS. echone And euereMS. eueuere houede þis muche fichs : stille so eny ston. Þo heore resurrection was : with gret honour i-do And þis Monekus hadden i-songue : heore Massene al-so, A-boute onderne of þe daye : to þe schipe huy heom nome, And to þe foulene parays : þat ilke day huy come. Þo þis foules i-seiȝen heom come : huy gonne singue ech-one Aȝenest heom with gret melodie : ase it were for þenone. Þe foul þat spac with [heom] er : a-ȝein hemorig. him sone he drouȝ— þe drem of is winguene murie was— : he welcomede heom faire ynouȝ. "Ȝe Auȝten," he seide, "ore louerd crist : þonky mid þe beste, Þat porueiez ou þeos four studes : to habben on ouwer reste : With ouwer guode procratour : ouwer maunde for-to do, And sethþe ouwer resurrection : ope þe fisches rugge al-so, And sethþe with us þis eiȝte wokes : a-non to witsonen-day, And fram Mide-winter to candele-masse : In þe yle of Abbey.MS. Aylbey In þe se [of] Occean : in gret peril ȝe schullen i-wende In trauail al þat oþur tyme : for-to þe seuen ȝeres ende : And sethþe þat lond of bi-heste : god wole þat ȝe i-seon, And fourti [dawes] sethþe þar-inne : In ioyȝe ȝe schullen beon. And to þe contreye þat ȝe beoz of : sethþe ȝe schullen i-wende With-oute trauail al aisieliche : and þare ower lif ende." Þis holi men bi-lefden þare : for-to þe trinite : heore procratour to hem cam : andal. þat was euere in plente, he brouȝte heom mete and drinke i-nouȝ : ase he hadde er i-do, And chargede heore schip þere-with : and let heom wenden so. Þis holie men wenden forth : ase god heom wolde sende— For godes grace was with heom : þe betere huy miȝten wenden.— Al-so huy wenden In a tyme : In strong tempeste j-nouȝ,Pissis mala. A gret fisch huy seiȝen and grislich : after þe schipe he drouȝ; brenninde fom out of is mouth : after heom he caste, Þat water was herre þane heore schip : bi-fore heom at eche blaste; he cam wolchi after ase an hous : and porsiwede heom so faste; Soal. so faste he schef with is breostene : þe Monekes weren a-gaste, And criden ȝeorne on seint brendan : and on ore louerd al-so. After heore schip so swyþe he schef : þat he cam al-mest þer-to. And þo he heom hadde al-mest ouer-take : [&] huy ne tolden nouȝt of hore liue, An oþur fisch out of þe west : þare cam swymme bliue, he gan i-mete þis luþere fisch : and smot to him faste, Þat he for-clef is foule bouk : in þre partyes atþe laste; Þat ilkeal. & þane wey þat he cam er : wel euene a-ȝein he drouȝ. Þis monekes þonkeden iesu crist : and weren [gladde]added later; al. ioyful ynouȝ.— Longueal. So longe wenden þis gode men : in þe se forth so, Þat huy weren of-hongred sore : and heore mete was al i-do. Auis paradisi.Þo cam þare fleo a luytel foul : and brouȝte a gret bouȝ Fol of grapus swyþe rede : and euene to heom he drouȝ.A v. om.: þis grapes he tok s. brendan : þis gode man som|del louȝ. Þare-bi heo liueden fourtene niȝt : and hadden mete i-nouȝ. Þo þis grapes weren i-don alle : of-hongrede huy weren sore : bi þone side huy i-seiȝen an yle : and mete þar-inne more. Þe yle was ful of faire treon : and so ful was euerech bouȝ Of swuche grapes ase huy hadden er : þat on þe grounde it drouȝ. Seint brendan wende op of þis schip : þe grapes he nam faste And bar into þe schipe, to libbe þer-bi : þat fourti dawes ital. i-laste laste.— Sone þare cam a gryp fleoinde : after heom in þe se And a-saillede heom in heore schip : and fondede heom to sle. Þis Monekes criden deolfolliche : and tolden luyte of heore lyue. Þo iseiȝen huy come þat luytel foul : toward hem wel bliue Þat heomal. om. in foulene parays : so ofte heom hadde irad. Þo seint brendan i-saiȝ himMS. heom come : he nas nouȝt a luytel glad. Þis luytel [foul]added later. smot to þis gryp : and nam is dunt so heiȝe And at þe furste dunte : he smot out eyþur eyȝen; Sone he a-slouȝ þis luþere best : þat he fel doun in-to þe se— Þing þat god wole habbe i-wust : ne schal it no wiȝtorig. man, al. þing sle.— Þis holie Men wenden in þe se : a-boute here and þere : In on of þe four studes : þe heyȝe festes huy were. In a seint peteres day : gret feste huy maden with heore tounge And swiþe murie of seint peter : In þe se huy sounge. In a stude of þe se : so cler þe se huy founde, A-boute heo i-seiȝen in eche side : clerliche to þe grounde : heom þouȝte þe ground was on eche halfal. iheled was : with fisch al on hepe. Þis Monekes beden seint brendan : þat he softe speke, So þat he ne a-weiȝte nouȝt þe fisches : laste huy heore schip breke. Alle þe fisches leiȝen stille : ase þei heo weren a-slepe.This v. follows after 448 in the other MSS. "beo ȝe a-ferde?" quath seint brendan : "ȝwarof beo ȝe a-drad? Opon þe maisteres rugge of alle fisches : ȝe habbez i-beon wel glad And fuyr i-maked op-on is rugge : and doth fram ȝere to ȝere!" Þis holie Man þe luddere song : for þes onesal. þen one ase þei it were. Þe fisches sturten op with þis song : ase þei huy a-woken a-slepe, And comen a-boute þis monekes : alle to one hepe; So þicke huy floten bi eche side : no water man ne i-seiȝ,MS. sạeiȝ And bi-setten þat schip al-a-boute : Ake no wateral. ac hi ne cam þare neiȝ. So þicke huy weren a-boute þis schip : And euere syweden it so, Þe ȝwyle brendan is Masse song : for-to heo was al ido; And þo þe Masse was alMS. all ido : ech fisch wende in is ende— Muche ȝwounder man may i-seo : þat wide wole i-wende.— Þe wynd was boþe strong and stif : and drof heore schip so faste; Al-so feor ase heo miȝten seue-nyȝt wenden : þat clere water i-laste, þat heo iseiȝen in þe se : ase clerliche ase huy miȝten a-londe— gret wonder hadden þis gode Men : and þonkeden godes sonde. Þo cam sone a souþerne wynd : and northþe-ward drof heom faste; Riȝt euene with heom he was : and eiȝte dawes he laste. Þo i-seiȝen huy feor in þe north : a lond deork i-nouȝ, Smoke stynkinde fouleal. smokie as it smythes were : and þuder-ward heore schip drouȝ. Þo i-heorden heo gret blowynge : of manie beolies þere And gret betynge and noyse i-nouȝ : þondre ase þei it were. þo was brendan sori j-nouȝ : and blessede him wel faste. Þo cam þare out a luþer wyȝt : ful Atelich ate laste, Þoru-out swart and brenninde— : ope heom is eiȝene he caste And tornede him anon a-ȝen— : þis Monekes weren a-gaste. Þat luþere wiȝt ȝaf a cri : þat Men miȝten i-heore him wide. Þo come þare out swuche schrewes mo : þicke on eche side, With tongenorig. tongene and with hameres : brenninde mani on; Op-on þe watere heo ornen fasteal. To þe brimme h. o. of þe se : After þat schip ech-on. þo huy ne miȝten þare-neiȝ come : huy gounnen to ȝeolle faste, heore hameres al brenninde : after þis men huy casten, Þat men ne miȝten no-þing bote fuyr : noþer iseo ne huyre;MS. hẹuọyre Þe se was brenninde al-a-brod : ase þei heo were a-fuyre. euer-ech caste is owel op oþur : and some huy þrewen an heiȝ, huy þrewen alle a-boute þat schip : ake non ne cam þare-neiȝ. Ate laste heo torneden alle aȝein : þo huy ne spedden nouȝt þere, And al þat lond þouȝte of heom : a-fuyre ase þei it were, And al þe se þare a-boute : barnde and smokede faste— Strong was þe stunch and þe smoke : and longe, i-wis, it laste. Þo þe smokeal. monekes was sum-del feor : þat heo ne iseiȝen non more, Ȝeot heo i-heorden heore ȝeollinge : þe þeoues weopen sore. "hou þinchez ou," quath brendan : "was þis a murie pas? We nellez non-more come þare-neiȝ— : þat on ende of helle it was, And þe feondes hopeden suyþe wel : habbe i-haued a wel god cas; Ake i-hered beo swete ihesu crist : huy casten Aumbes as!"— Þe souþerne wind laste ȝuyt : and ȝuyt drof heom forth. So þat huy i-seiȝen ane hul : wel feor in þe north, glowinde and brenninde smoke : gret stunch so was þere; Þe leiȝe stod op an heiȝ : ase þei it a wal were; Ȝif þare was muche in þat oþur stude : þare was ȝeot wel more. On of þe monekes þo bi-gan : to weope and ȝeollen sore : For is tyme was þo i-come : he ne miȝte no leng bi-leue. he hupte out of þat schip : and amidde þe se he gan weue And orn faste op-on þe watere : to-ward þat ilke fuyre. he cride ȝeorne and ȝal deolfulliche : þat gret deol it was to huyre; "Alas," he seide, "mi wrechche lijf! : for nou i seo min ende. In ioye ich habbe with ou i-beo : ake i-ne may nouȝt aȝen wende. A-corsed beo þat me bar : and þe tyme þat ich was i-bore, And þe fader þat me bi-ȝat! : for ich am nouþe for-lore." Þe feondes comen him a-ȝein : and nomen þat wrechche faste And defouleden him stronge Inouȝ : and a-midde þe fuyre him caste. Þo fond he soth þat seint brendan : seide, þo he out wende : him failede grace, hou-so it was : his sunnes for-to a-mende.— So faste barnde þe Montayne : þat no-þing huy ne i-seiȝe, Þe ȝuyt heo weren feor þare-fram : no-þing bote leyȝe. Þo tornede þe wynd in-to þe North : and drof heom south-ward faste, In þulke side stronge Inouȝ : þat seuen-Niȝt fulle he laste. So longe huy wenden euene south : þat huy i-seiȝen at þen endeJudas. One harde roche In þe se : and þe se þare-ouer wende; Þare-ouer þe se caste i-lome : and ofte he was bar. Ant þo heo comen þe roche neiȝ : of a gost heo weren i-war : heo i-seiȝe on-ouewarde þe roche sitte : ȝwane þe se with-drouȝ, A wrechche gost, naked and bar : in stronge meseise j-nouȝ; A-boue him was a cloth i-tildal. teid : with tweie tonguene faste, to is chin tilde þe neoþer ende— : þe wynd it wide caste, Þat euere ȝwane þat water him with-drouȝ : þat cloth, þat heng heiȝe, beot him,al. om. ase þe wynd him blevȝ : þat wrechche gostal. om. in þen eiȝe; Þe wawes of þe se beoten also : bi-fore and bi-hynde— A ȝeomerore gost þane he was : ne miȝte no man finde. Seint Brendan him bad a-godes name : telle ȝwat he were And ȝwat he hadde ore louerd mis-don : and ȝwi he sete þere. "Ich am," he seide, "a deolful gost : ich hote wrechche Iudas, Þat ore louerd for panewes solde : and on eorþe with him was. Þis nis nouȝt mi riȝte stude : ake ore louerd doth me grace to habben mi parays : here in þis place, For no guodnesse þat ich dude : bote ore louerdes ore. I-ne habbe nouȝt so muche pine : þat ich nere wurþe more. For in þe brennynde hulle : þat ech of eov i-saiȝ, Mi riȝte is to brennen Inne : boþe nyȝt and dayȝ; Þare ich was þis ȝeondere daiȝ : þo ower broþer þudere cam And was into pine i-lad : and þare hadde is dom. Þare-fore helle was so gladorig. gled : and makede so grete leiȝe, For þat he was þudere i-come : and so neiȝ himal. þat ȝe so ver i-seiȝe— So huy doz ȝwane ani soule : is formest þudere i-come. Þoruȝ godes heiȝe milce : þare-fram ich am i-nome : For here ich am euer-ech sonenday : and fram saterdayȝes eue For-to euen-song tyme þane sonenday : here i schal bi-leue; Ant at Midewinter al-so : for-to twelfte-dai beo ido, Ant fram þe bi-guynninge of estur : þat ȝwit-sonenday come, al-so, Ant al-so at ore lauedi festes— : so ful of milce heo is; Ake alle oþure tymene : In helle ich am, i-wis, With pilatus. ant with heoroudus : and al-so withal. Anne and cayphas— A-corsed beo þe tyme : þat ich i-boren was! Ich bidde þe for þe loue of god : fonde on alle wise For-to bi-leuenal. þat ich bileue here al þisal. niȝt : þat þe sonne a-rise, And þat ȝe wyten me fram þe feondes : þat sone comieth aftur me." Seint Brendan seide, "þoruȝ godes grace : we schullen schilde þe. tel me nouþe ȝwat is þat cloth : þat so heiȝe hanguth herorig. here." "Þo ich was on eorþe : and godes panewes ber, Þis cloth ich ȝaf a musel : and min owene it nas nouȝt, For it was with ore louerdes panes : ant mine felawes i-bouȝt. Ant for ich it ȝaf for godes loue : nouþe it is me bi-fore— So luyte ne schal man for him do : þat schulle beo i-lore. For it was of oþur mannes : ase ich me under-stod, Þei it hangy bi-fore me : it doth me more harm þane guod : In mine eiȝene it bat sore : ant doth hem harm i-nouȝ."— Man mai i-seo ȝwuch it is : to ȝyuen oþur mannes þing with wouȝ; As wollez manie of þis riche men : with onriȝte al day take Of pouere men here ant þer : and almesse þar-of make. Þat heo doth for godes loue : ne schal nouȝt beo for-ȝite, Ake to pine it heom turne schal : ant þat huy schullen i-wite!— "Þe tonguene al-so," quath Iudas : "þat ȝe so heiȝe i-seoth, tweye preostes ich ȝaf on eorþe : and þare-fore here heo beoth— For man schal clanliche ech þing finde : þat he doth for is loue. Þe ston þat ich op-on sitte : and makez me sitte a-boue, In one weiȝe ich hyne fond : þare non neode nas no ston : In a fenni dich ich it caste : þat men miȝten þare-ouer gon. Fewe goddedes ich haue i-don : of ȝwan ich nouþe may telle; Nis non so luyte þat man ne may fynde : in heuene oþur in helle." Þo it was .eue. þe sonenday : þe feondes comen blaste, For-to leden to helle þat sori gost— : huy weopen ant ȝollen faste. "Wend heonne," heo seiden, "þou godeal. godes man : þou nast nouȝt here to done; Lat us habbe ore felawe : ant to helle leden him sone : For we ne dorren ore mayster i-seo : are we himMS. him him habben i-brouȝt. Þou wend fram him, for it is tyme : and ne lete us nouȝt!" "Ich ne lette ov nouȝt," quath seint brendan : "to don ouwer mester, Ake doth ore louerd iesu crist : þat is of more pouwer." "hou darst þou," þe feon[des] seide : "bi-fore him nemme is name? Ne bi-trayde he him and solde him al-so : to deþe with grete schame?" Seint Brendan seide, "in his name : ich hote ov, ase ich may, Þat ȝe ne derien him to-nyȝt : are to-morewe þat hit beo day." Reuliche þe feondes ȝollen þo : ant hamward gonne fleo. Iudas þonkede reufolliche : þat it was deol to seo. A-morewe, a-non so þat it was day : þe feondes comen blaste. Grysliche heo ȝollen ant weopen : ant gonnen to chide faste. "A-wey," huy seiden, "gode man! : a-corsed beo þe stounde Þat þou come here us so neiȝ : and þat we þe here founde : Ore Maister us haueth i-pyned : bitterliche al þis nyȝt Ant swyþe strongue, for we ne brouȝten : with us þis sorie wiȝt. Ake we wollez þeos six dawes : doubli al is wo And so we wollez a-wreken us : for on him-sulf it schal go!" Þat wrechche gost quakede þo : þat reuþe it was to seo oþur telle. Þe fendes nomen þo þis gost : ant ladden in-to helle; Ant seint Brendan hem for-bed : In ore louerdes name Þat heo ne scholden for þat nyȝt : don him þe more schame.— Seint Brendan and is Monekus : In þe se forth wende Þre dawes euene south : ase ore louerd hem graceal. om. sende. Þe feorþe dai heo i-seiȝen ane yle : albi souþe an heiȝ. Seint Brendan siȝte sore : þo he þat [yle] i-seiȝ. "Powel þe heremite : is in þe yle þat ich i-seo, here he haueth with-oute mete : fourti ȝer i-beo." Þo heo comen to þis yle : heo wenden in ech-on. Þis heremite, þat was so old man : a-ȝein hem cam a-non. his her tilde doun to is fet : of berde and of heued, and helede is bodi al-a-boute— : riȝt nouȝt þare nas bar bi-leued; None oþur cloþes nadde he on : is limes weren al hore. Brendan stod and bi-heold : and weop swiþe sore,A v. om.: Alas, he sede, ichabbe so ȝare: in stude of monek ibe, "And nouþe In liue of Aungele : ane man ich i-seo." "beo stille," quath þe hermite : "for god doth wel bi þe; For he schewez þe more þane ani oþur : of is priuete. For a Monek liuez muche : bi swunche of mannesal. is owe honde, Ant þou liuest bi godes grace : ant þoruȝ is owene sonde. In þe Abbeye of seint paterich : Monek ich was, i-wis And of is churche a wardein : þare is purgatorie is. A day þare cam a man to me : ich eschte him ȝwat he were. he seide, 'ich am þin Abbot : ne haue of me no fere.' 'Non oþur man þane seint paterik : min Abbot nis,' ich sede. 'Ich it am,' quath he a-ȝein : 'ne haue of me no drede. to-morewe,' he seide, 'ȝwane it is day : to þe se þou most i-wende : Al-ȝare þou schalt finde a schip : þat god þe wole sende; Ant do þe forth in þe se : in þine schipe wide : hit wole þe lede to þe stude : þare þou schalt a-bide.' Sone morewe ich oup a-ros : to don is holie bone : And þo ich cam to þe se : þat schip ich fond wel sone. Mid me ich badr. let þat schip i-worþe : wel euene forth it wende. Þe seuenþe dai to þis yle : ore louerd me hydere sende. Þo ich was out of þat schip : þane wei a-non ichal. aȝen it nam Riȝt euene þoruȝ godes grace : so þat ichal. riȝt as it hidere cam. Elinge ich ȝeode here al one : confort nad-ich non : So þat on is hindore fet : An .Otur. þare cam gon, Bi-twene is forþere fet he brouȝte : a fuyr-Ire ant a ston, Þare-with to smite me fuyr : and fisch he brouȝte sethþe guod won. Þis [otur] wende sone a-ȝein. : ich makede me fuyr faste Ant seth me fisch a-godes name— : þre dayes it i-laste. So þat euere þene þridde day : þis .Otur. to me drouȝ And brouȝte me mete, þat ich hadde : þre dawes þar-on i-nouȝ. Watur of þis harde stone : þoruȝ ore louerdes sonde Þare sprong out of eche dayeal. ech sonedai : to drinke and wasche min honde. Þis welle bi-gan furst hire to schewen : þat þou miȝt i-seo, hereal. þo ich haddeMS. habbe þritti winter : In swuche liue i-beo;both vv. are transp. in other MS. bi þis welle ich habbe I-leoued : fourti ȝer and on, And fifti ȝer ich was old : are ich gan hidere gon; So þat of an hondred ȝer : and twenti ȝer þare-to Ich am nouþe bi þis time— : ore louerd is wille bi me do. And mi deth ich a-bide here : ȝwane god it wole sende, Ȝwanne mi louerd wole þat ich come to him : and of þis world i-wende. Ake nim with þe of þis watur : þat þou hast neode to, And wiend þe forth in þe se : for þi wei nis nouȝt al i-do. For þou schalt ȝeot in þe se : fourti dawes fare, And þanne þou schalt þine Ester holde : ase þou hast i-don are, And fram þanne þou schalt wiende forth : to þe londe of bi-heste And þare þou schalt fourti dawes : bi-leuen atþe leste, And to þin owene londe aȝein : þou schalt wiende so." Þis guode men with deol i-nouȝ : þus de-parteden a-two.— Þis holie men wenden hem forth : in tempesteal. in þe se wel faste, Fourti dawes euene south : þe ȝwile þat leinte i-laste. to heore guode procratour : an ester eue huy come. With heom he made ioie i-nouȝ : ase he dude er i-lome. he ladde heom to þis grete fisch. : þudere huy comen an eue; Þe Ester niȝt for-to a-moruwe : þare huy gounne bi-leue; Þare huy songuen heore matynes : and heore masse al-so. Þe fisch bi-gan to meouen him : þo þe masse was al i-do, And bar þis Monekes forth with him : And swam swiþe faste In þe se wel stuyrneliche— : þe monekes weren a-gaste. A wonder þing it was to seo : ho-so it hadde i-seiȝe, A so gret best a-boute wiende : ase it were a gret contreie! Riȝt to foulene parais : þis monekes he ladde ech-on, And sette heom up hole and sounde : and wende a-ȝein a-non. Þis monekes, þo huy þudere comen : wel glade and bliþe huy were. For-to aftur þe trinite : huy bi-lefden þere. For heore guode procuratour : þulke tyme brouȝte heom mete and drink i-nouȝ, Ase he hadde er ido— : into heore schip he it drouȝ, And al-so he wende forth with heom : ȝwodere-so god heom sende. Riȝt euene toward þe est : fourti dayes huy wende. Þo þe fourti daiȝes weren a-gon : hit gan to hauli faste; A wel deork mijst þare com al-so : þat swiþe longue i-laste. "beoth glade," seide þis procuratour : "and makiez grete feste, For ichot wel þat ȝe beoth : inal. nei þe londe of bi-heste." Þo huy comen out of þis Mijst : and miȝten a-boute i-seo, Inal. vnder þe faireste lond huy weren : þat euere miȝte beo. So cler and so liȝt it was : þat Ioye þare was I-nouȝ; Treon þare weren fulle of fruyt : wel þicke euer-ech bouȝ. Þicke it was i-set with treon : þe treon wel faire were,al. & þe treon þicke bere Þe Applene weren ripe inouȝ : riȝt ase it heruest were. Fourti dawes in þis londe : a-boute huy gounne i-wiende, In none half huy ne miȝten finde : of þis lond non ende. hit was euere-more day : heom þouȝte, and neuere-more nyȝt, huy ne founden in none stude : neuere so muche liȝt; Þe eyr was euere in o stat : naþur to hot ne to cold— Ȝwat [ioie] huy þere founden : ne may neuere beon i-told. So þat huy comen to a fair watur. : huy nolden nouȝt ouer i-wiende.A v. om.: Ac ouer hi miȝte þe lond ise : vair wiþ-outen ende. Þo cam to heom a ȝonglich man : swiþe fair and hiende, Fairore ne miȝte neuere non beo : ase god him gan þareMS. þure siende. he wel-comede euerech bi is name : and custe heom ech-on, Faire he honourede seint Brendan : and on is hond him nam a-non. "Lo," he seide, "here þe lond : þat ȝe habbez i-souȝt so wide. For ore louerd nele nouȝt : þat ȝe here-Inne longue þus a-bide, Ake ȝe schullen in þe se : is priuetez i-seo,These vv. are corrupt. Chargiez ower schip with of þis fruyt : for ȝe ne mouwen no leng here beo." to seint Brendan he seide And spak : þis ȝounge man fair and hende :This v. al. om. "Þou most to þin owene lond : a-ȝeinward a-non i-wiende : For þou schalt sone out of þis world : þi lijf is neiȝ atþende. Þis watur þat ȝe here i-seoth : delez þis world a-two; Þeos half ou þinchez fair i-novȝ : and bi-ȝeonde half al-so. Ȝe ne mouwen nouȝt comen a-ȝendMS. ȝende half : for itis nis nouȝt riȝt. Ake þis fruyt is euere i-liche ripe : and þis lond i-liche briȝt. And ȝwane ore louerd eche-manere men : to him haueth i-drawe And ȝwane alle-manere men knowez him : and vnder-stondez is lawe, Þat lond he wole þanne schewe : toward þe worldes ende heom þat beth to him i-core : are huy heonnes i-wiende." Seint Brendan a[n]d is Monekes : of þis fruyt token faste, And of preciouse stones al-so : and into hore schipe it caste; And faire and wel heore leue nomen : þo al þis was i-do, And with wop and sor and deol i-nov : departeden a-two; And wenden hamward in þe se : ase ore louerd heom sende. Wel sonere, ich wot, hom huy come : þane huy outward wende. heore breþren, þo huy comen hom : Ioyfule weren i-nouȝ. Seint Brendan, þe holie man : sone to deþe drouȝ— For neueref[t] aftur þulke tyme : of þe world he ne rouȝte, Bote as a man of an oþur worlde : and ase he were in þouȝte— And deide sone in yrlaunde : aftur þulke stounde. Mani fair miracle men habbez sethþe : for him þare i-founde; And a fair Abbeie þare is a-re[r]d : ase is bodi was i-do. God bringue us to þulke Ioye : þat is soule wende to. AmeN.[Fol. 110 b is left vacant.] 37 [Vita sancti Nicholai] SEynt Nicholas þe holie Man : þat guod confessour was, Of heiȝe men he was i-come : In þe cite of patras : For in patras he was i-bore— : nelle ich þar-of nouȝt lye; his moder name was Ione : his faderes epiphanie. Þe furste day þat he was i-bore : þat child, þat was so guod, Ase it was in ane mele i-baþed : al one upriȝt it stod. Ano[n] so he was i-bore : heMS. and gan to beo guod and clene; he nolde fridai ne wodnesday : souke nouȝt bote ene. Þo he couþe gon ant speke : he ne pleide neuere mo, Ake ȝwane oþur children ragedenorig. raieden faste : to churche he wolde go; he nolde speke non ydel word : ase swuche children doth; Leiȝingue and pleiȝes and ragingues : he bi-lefte al-so. Þo he was sethþe of grettore elde : to scole he was i-set; So wel he leornede : þat man nuste, no child leorni bet. Sethþe þo he moreal. m. wit couþe : al his studie he tok to guodespelles ant to holi writes : and alle oþere bokes for-sok. So clene lijf he ladde ȝong : þat deinte it was to wite; More godnesse ne miȝte beo : þane we findeth of him i-write. Þo is fader and is moder weren dede : þis holie child Nicholas luyte tolde of heore guode : þei he heore eyr was : to pouere Men he ȝaf it clene : ȝware he saiȝ neode; And heo þat nolden bidde him non : stilleliche he gan hem beode.— An heiȝ Man þare was bi-side : þat sethþe þoruȝ luþer cas his guod was al-clene a-wei i-go : and al pouere bi-come he was. he hadde þre douȝtren faire i-nouȝ : clene and guode al-so; In so gret Meseise heo weren i-brouȝt : þat heo nusten ȝwat to do. Þo heo nusten ȝware-bi libbe— : for heore guod heom was bi-nome— heore red huy nomen alle þreo : fole wommen to bi-come And raþer þanne heo in swuche houngur weren : to libbe bi hore|MS. heore dom. Þe olde man, heor alre fader : gret deol to him he nom. gret pite hadde in is heorte : þe guode seint Nicholas, Þo he i-heorde þe deolfole mone : þat a-mong heom alle was. Of is fader guode a nyȝt : ane beiȝal. weg of gold he nam, I-wounde in one cloute : and stilleliche to heore house he cam, to a derne wyndouwe softeliche : seint Nicholas gan gon And caste in þat gold priueliche : and wende a-ȝein a-non. Þis housebonde a-ros a-Moruwe : ant þar-of nuste nouȝt : he com and fond þane beiȝ of gold : þat seint Nicholas hadde i-brouȝt. Þar-of he was glad i-nouȝ : þei he nuste ho it brouȝte; he it nam and þonkede Iesu crist : þat on is meseise þouȝte. Þare-with he conseilede swyþe wel : his eldeste douȝter sone With fair bruydale and gret honour : ase riȝt was for-to done. Seint Nicholas i-saiȝ al þis : and naþeles ȝuyt he þouȝte Þat þis selie Man neode hadde : þat he more guod to him brouȝte. A niȝt he a-waitede swyþe wel : ase ore louerd it wolde, And at one fenestre caste In eft-sone : ane oþur beiȝ of golde. Þis housebonde a-morewe a-ros : þat gold he fond sone; he þonkede god with guode heorte : þat hadde i-heord is bone. And natheles him wondrede muche : ho is freond so wel were, And þouȝte þat he a-waiti wolde : ȝif he more come þere. he conseilede is oþur douȝter : swiþe wel with þis golde, With gret nobleie and fayr bruydale : ase ore louerd it wolde. Ȝeot þouȝte þis guode Nicholas : þo þis was al i-do, Þat it were guod to conseili : þe þridde douȝter al-so : A niȝt he wende wel stilledliche : to þat fenestre eft-sone And caste In ane beiȝ of gold : ase he was i-woned to done. Þis housebonde hadde i-waked longue : for-to wayti of þis cas : So þat, þo seint Nicholas cam : wakiende he was. Op he sturte and siwede him : and bi is cloþus heold him faste, he ne let nouȝt go are þe guode man : i-kneuȝ himal. was iknowe at þe laste. Ȝeorne bad seint Nicholas : þat he to no man ne sede, Þe ȝwyle þat he a-liue were : of þis priue dede. With þis gold þe þridde douȝter : wel i-conseilled was; And alle þreo weren richeal. gode wiues : þoruȝ seint Nicholas. In þis manere seint Nicholas : ase ich nouþe habbe i-sed, Delde al is heritage : þo is fader was ded. Ȝwane oþur Men eoden to habbe solas : he nadde þar-to noMS. ne wille : to churche he wolde and in one huyrne : is beden bidde wel stille.— ¶ Hit bi-feol þat þe bischop : of Mirre was ded, And folk cam to cheose ane oþur : and þar-of hy nomen heore red; So þat heo weren in hore beden : nyȝt and dai wel faste Þat ore louerd heom sende ane guode man. : and he herde heom ate laste. For a nyȝt þare cam a voiz : ase it were in metingue, to a bischop þat was maister þer : and tolde him þis tyþingueal. of þe cheosinge And seide, "goth to-morewe to churcheto ch. on the margin. sone : riȝt are hit dai beo : Þe furste man þat ȝe þare mouwen : i-heore oþur i-seo And þat hote Nicholas : takez him wel sone And makez him bischop of Mirre! : god hath i-heord ower bone." þe bischop and þat oþur folk : a-risen are hit dai were, And comen to churche, and founden sone : Nicholas stonde þere : In one huyrne he stod ful stille. : heo axeden ȝwat he was And ȝwat were is riȝte name. : he seide hem "Nicholas." heo nomen and ladden him with gret honour : to þe churche of Mirree And sacreden him to bischop þere : and setten him in is se. Þo he was heiȝ man i-maked : þis guode Nicholas, More bouȝsum and milde he bi-cam : þane euer er [he] was; luyte pruyte he hadde of is power : ȝwane men him wolden a-loute, And ȝif it nere for eiȝe of god : leouere him were with-oute. So prest he was to alle men : þat on him beden & cride, And so muche for heom he dude : þat men speken þar-of wide.— Muche folk In a time : In-to þe se i-wende In a schip, to don heore neode : ȝif ore louerd þe grace heom sende. So þat þere cam a gret tempeste : þat heo wenden alle a-drenche. Alle guodnesse heo bi-heiȝten god : þat heo miȝten on bi-þenche. So þat heo þouȝten, ase heore schip : toward þe grounde was, On þe guodnesse þat men tolden : of þe bischop Nicholas : "Leoue louerd Nicholas" : wel loude alle heo criden, "Ȝif it isMS. it soth þat we habbez : i-heord tellen of þe wide, In þis peril saue us nouþe : þat we ne beon a-dreint; Louerd Nicholas, help us nouþe : are ore schip beo a-seint!" Ase heo gradden, þare cam on eorne : on-owarde þe watere bi-side A bischop in abite swiþe fair. : wel loude on him huy cride. "Lo me here," quath þis holie man : "ȝe cleopeden me wel faste. Seggez ȝwat ouwer wille beo : and ȝwarof ȝe beon a-gaste!" "Louerd," heo seiden, "Nicholas : ȝif it is þi wille, Saue us nouþe of þis tempeste : þat we he[re]MS. he ne a-spille" "Ne habbe ȝe," quath þis holie man : "her-of none drede!" Þat weder bi-cam þo stille inouȝ : þo he þeos wordes sede. heo bi-heolden þo after him— : heo nusten ȝware he was; And þonkeden muche ore swete louerd : and þene bischop Nicholas. Þene wei stille and murie : toward þe londe huy nome; With-oute eche destourbingue : to londe wel glade heo come. Alle heo duden heom fort a-non : to þe bischope Nicholas, Ase to a man þat heo neuere ne seiȝen : ne nusten ȝwuch he was. Ech of heom bi-heolden him faste : þat to þis guode man com : Alle heom þouȝte þat it was he : þat þene deth heom bi-nam. "Louerd," heo seiden, "i-hered þou beo! : to þe we gradden bliue; On-ouewarde þe se þo þou come : and brouȝtest us to liue. I-hered beo þe tyme þat þou most : a-mong men on eorþe beo! For swuche grace ne hadde neuere eorþelich Man : ase man may on þe i-se." Þis guode Man, þo he i-heorde þis : þonkede and herede al-so Ore louerd, þat wolde for is loue : suych miracle do.— ¶ hit bi-feol In ane oþur tyme : of þe bischop Nicholas, Þat gret hongur al-a-boute : In is bischopriche was; So luþere fullen þe ȝeres alle : þat no corn nouȝwere nas. gret deol hadde þis guode bischop : of þat luþere cas. Fram feorrene contreiesal. om. þare comen schipes : with muche corn þare|bi-side : Þis bischop wende a-ȝein heom sone : and bad heom one stounde a|bide, "For þe loue of Iesu crist : leneth me," he sede, "Ane hondret quarters of þat corn : þat ȝe þare doth lede, to þis selie men þat beoth here : neiȝ for houngur dede; heo ne habbeth no corn to libbe bi : to sede ne to brede." "Certes, sire," þis schipmen seiden : "þat ne dorre we nouȝt : For al þis corn þat þou i-sixt : þat we habbez here i-brouȝt, With swyþe schars met with-alle : bitauȝt it is us echone Þat we it leden þe Aumperour— : ne dorre we make no lone." "With-oute faille," quath þis gode man : "ne dredez ou riȝt nouȝt, Ȝif ȝe me wollez þar-of lene : þat eov schulle faili ouȝt; Þe folle ȝe schulle ȝelden þe Aumperoure : ase men token ou for-to lede, No-þing ne schal ou failli : ne þarf ov no-þing drede." Þe schipmen ope truste of is word : wel largeliche him mete And token þe bischope wel i-metene : Ane houndred quarteres ȝwete; And wenden forth to þe Aumperour : and is corn him ladde; And beden is stiwardes meten wel : ȝif heo þe folle hadden. huy meten, and founden al þe fulle : and wel more þare-to. For wonder heo axeden þe schipmen : ȝwi it woxe so. heo þonkeden a-non þane gode bischop : þat is neode to heom mende, And tolden fore þe Aumperoure : hou muche corn heo him lende, And hou he bi-het heom þat it ne scholde : þare-fore ne wanie nouȝt, And hou heo hadden bi large met : wel more corn i-brouȝt. Þis guode bischope heo hereden swiþe : and þonkeden muche also, Þat hadde þoru ore louerdes grace : swche miracle i-do. Al þe contreie hadde i-nouȝ : to mete and to sede, To ȝer and more, of þat corn : þat heo gonne þare lede.— ¶ In an oþur tyme þis guode bischop : bi a fair treo com : he fond þare men þat duden þing : a-ȝein heore cristine-dom : heo stoden þare, ase heo ofte duden : and maden heore sacrefise to þe deuel onder þis treo : þat mensuperscribed. miȝten þar-of a-grise. Seint Nicholas heom tornede echone : gode men for-to be, And dude heom for-sake þe feondes lore : and hewe a-doun þat treo. Þe deuel after þulke tyme : to him hadde gret onde : For-to a-batien is pouwer : in alle manere he gan fonde.— pilegrimes weren in þe se : to seint Nicholas for-to wende, For þe guodnesse þat huy of him herden : ȝif god heom wolde þe grace sende. In fourme of a fair womman : þe deuel cam heom to And seide, "louerdingues, wel is eou : þat ȝe mouwen ouwer wille do For-to seche þis holie man : þat so milsful is and hende! Leouere ich hadde þane ani-þing : miȝte ich with ou wende : For ich ne wilni no-þing so muche : ase þane holie man to seo. A luyte þing ȝe moten for me don : ȝwane it ne may oþur beo : Nimeth here þis guode oygnement : þat deorewurþe is with-alle, And ȝwane ȝe into is churche comiet : smeorieth in eche walle, For-to wurthschipien þane guode man : þat is of so gret pouste; And ȝwane ich ne mai to him come : doth þat In þe muynde of me!" Þis pilegrimes with glade heorte : þis oynement to heom nome, to smerien with þis holie churche : ȝwane heo þudere come. Ase he wenden forth in þe se : sone it dude bi-falle Þat þare cam to heom a schip : with faire men with-alle; A bischop þare was a-mong heom : swiþe fair man and hende. he grette heom faire and axede a-non : ȝwodere heo þouȝten wende. heo seiden þat heo wolden : ȝif it godes wille were, to þe churche of Mirree : for-to Anouri seint Nicholas þere. "Ȝwat was þe womman," þe bischop seide : "þat ȝwile er eou cam to, And ȝwat was it þat heo eou bi-teiȝte? : ȝwat schulle ȝe þare-with do?" "Sire, it is an oynement" : þeos pilegrimes seden, "Þe guode womman ȝeorne us bad : to þe holie churche it lede And þare-with in muynde of hire : ȝwane it were þudere i-brouȝt, Smeorie þe holie churche wowes— : þat we ne leten it nouȝt!" "Ȝe, ȝe," quath þis holie man : "ȝe nuten nouȝt ȝwat heo is. takez me þat oynement : and ȝe schullen i-seo, i-wis." Þis guode man nam þat oynement : and a-midde þe se it caste. Þat watur bi-gan to berne a-non : a-ȝein is kuynde, wel faste; Fram stude to stude þat fuyr orn : and barnde þe se, i-wis. Þo seide þe guode man, "here ȝe iseoth : ȝwat ouwer oynement is. hadde ȝe ani-þing þarof : on þe churche-walles i-do, Al þe churche hadde for-barnd : and al þe toun al-so. hit was þe foule feond of helle : þat it ou tok with honde For-to brenne þulke churche : for he haueth þar-to onde." Forth wende þis bischop and alle his : anon-riȝt þoruȝ godes sonde. Þe pilegrimes rowedenorig. rewe þene nexte wey : so þat huy comen to londe. to seint Nicholas heo wenden þo : þat heo so wide souȝte. A-non so heo i-seiȝen þis guode man : heo stoden in grete þouȝte; heom þouȝte þat it þe bischop was : þat in þe se to heom cam, Þat schewude hem þat oynement : and þe feondes swykedam. "Louerd," heo seiden, "nov þin ore! : muche is þi pouwer : Þat we i-seiȝen in þe se : are we comen her." heo hereden muche þene holie man : as it wel riȝt was. Þe guode man faste heom for-bed : þat heo ne tolden nouȝt þis cas. Fairore Miracle on eorþe : ne miȝte we neuere i-wite Þane we of seint Nicholas : findeth ofte i-write!— In a tyme luþere men weorreden : þene Aumperour of rome And destruyden is londes faste : and bataille a-ȝein him nome. Þe Aumperour nam þre grete louerdingues : and oþere wel mani on, For-to wenden, I-armede swyþe wel : to fiȝten a-ȝein is fon. Þis þreo princes with heore men : in þe se forth i-wenden, to fiȝten a-ȝein is wyþerwynes : ase þe Aumperour heom sende. So þat þe wynd heom drof : ase it were bi cas, to þe contreie of Mirree : þare þis bischop was. Þe bischop heorde of hem telle. : aȝen heom he wende sone, And bad heom come and ete with him : and huy graunteden is bone. Þis [þe]om. guode man dude for heo ne scholden : none robberie do. he made hem suyþe wel an ayse : and fair semblaunt al-so; So þat þoruȝ þis holie bischop : heo and heore fon With-oute dunt oþur blod i-sched : a-cordedorig. acordet weren a-non, Al-to þe Aumperores guode : ant to his honour al-so. Þeos þre maistres wenden hamward : þo þis dede was i-do. heo comen and tolden þe Aumperour : hov heo hadden on i-take. Þe Aumperour was wel a-payd : and gret feste gan heom make. heore luþere felawes comen sone : and þare-to hadden envie, And seiden heo hadden þe Aumperoure : i-don gret tricherie And with is fon imaked a fol pays : and with grete feolonie, to þe deseritisun of þe Aumperour : ope heom heo gunne lye. Þe Aumperour in grete wrathþe : let heom nime faste And binden þeos þre princes : and in strongue prisone caste. So faste weren þis luþere men : ope þis princes þreo Þat þe Aumperour swor is oth : A-slawe heo scholden beo. he let somony is knyȝtes alle : þat heo a-morewe come For-to bringuen þeos þreo princes : to deþe þoruȝ heoreal. his dome. A-non so þe tiþingue was i-brouȝt : to þis princesal. prisons þreo, heo weopen and criden deolfulliche : þat reuþe it was to se, heo weopen and heore cloþes teren : and heore her al-so; And þouȝten on þe grete godnesse : þat seint Nicholas hadde i-do.vv. 241-2 al. om. "Louerd," heo seiden, "Nicholas : fro ȝwam wel glade we eode, And also wis ase we gultelese beoth : help us in ore neode, Ne lat us neuere þus gulte-lese : to deþe beon i-brouȝt!" Þe holie bischop Nicholas : ne fur-ȝat heom nouȝt :vv. 245-6 al. om. For a nyȝt, ase þe Aumperour : ase a louerd lay and ase a sire, In-to is paleis, þat was so strong : and i-barred al with ire, to him riȝt bi-fore his bed : þis holi bischop com,orig. caom And seide, "sire Aumperour, ȝwat þencst þou : with þi false dom? Ȝwi hast þou þis gultelese men : In þi prisone i-brouȝt And gulteles þenchest heom a-quelle? : ich rede, with-drauȝ þi þouȝt! A-ris op sone, ich rede þe : and lat heom of prisone wende, Oþur ichulle mine louerd bidde : þat he þe weorre sende,al. schal þe schende Þat þare-inne þou worst al-to-boned : and i-brouȝt of lijf-dawe, Þat foules schullen and wilde bestes : þi caroyne al-to-drawe."vv. 255-6 al. om "Ȝwat artov," quath þe Aumperour : "oþur of ȝwat pouste, Þat in þis tyme art i-come : in-to mi paleys to me And swuche bolde wordes spext? : wonder me þinchez of þe!" "Ich am," quath þis Nicholas : "bischop of mirree." ¶ Seint Nicholas wende al-so : to þe Aumperoures heiȝe Iustise, Þare he lai bi-side in þe paleys : and made him sum-del a-grise : "Þov witlese wrechche," he seide : "ȝwat hauestou i-þouȝt? Rastov þat þis gultelese men : to deþe beon i-brouȝt? With-drauȝ þi red, ich þe rede, sone : oþur þou schalt al for-dwyne And for-leose al þi guod : and deyȝe in strongue pine." "Ȝwat artou," þis oþur seide : "þat spext wordes þus grete And þe Aumperores heiȝe Iustise : þus baldeliche darst þrete?" "Ich am," he seide, "Nicholas : bischop of Mirree. bote þou with-drawe þi red sone : þou schalt i-leue me." Þe Aumperour lai and quakede sore : and sende after is Iustise, Þat was al-so sore a-drad : and soruful in eche wise. Eyþur tolde oþur fore : hou he to heom seide And wel baldeliche þretnede heom. : ȝware-fore heo weren in drede. For-to schilden heom fram is wrathþe : an-oþur heo mosten rede : Þis þre prisones heo leten up nime : and sone bi-fore heom lede. Swiþe sore heo weren a-dradde : for heo wenden a-non beo dede; To þe bischop Nicholas : reuliche heo gonne grede. "beaus amis," quath þe Aumperour : "ȝwat-manere men beo ȝe, Þat þus þoruȝ ouwer enchauntement : a-niȝt drechchethal. derieþ me?" "A, sire, merci," þis oþure seide : "ȝwi wolle ȝe seggen so? Of anchauntement ne couþe we neuere : ope god we wollez us do. Ake gultelese men we buth : with onriȝte hidere i-brouȝt; Al-so wis god schilde us fram þe deth : ase we ne beth gultie nouȝt." "I-knowe ȝe ani Man," quath þe Aumperour : "þat hote Nicholas?" Þare nas neuere on, for þis word : þat in gre[t] hope ne was! heore hondene heo heolden op on heiȝ : and wel loude gradden to þe bischopeMS. bi bischope Nicholas : þat he reuþe of heom hadde. "Þoruȝ him," quath þe Aumperour : "ȝe beth to liue i-do, Ich ou ȝiue lijf and lime : and ouwer chateles al-so. goth nouþe hasteliche to him : and tellez him wel bliue hou þat for þe loue of him : ich let ov gon a-liue; biddeth þat he for-ȝiue me is wrathþe : and non harm for eu me do, Ake þat he bidde god for me : and for mi kynedom al-so."vv. 293-4 al. om. Þis prisones wenden with glade heorte : to þe bischope Nicholas, And þonkeden him, ase heo auȝten wel : of þis Ioyfule cas. Ich wene, þere nas neuere haluwe : seint Nicholases i-per, Þat so manie faire Miracles : bi is liue dude her; For to come into so strong paleis : and gon op-on þe se al-so, gret wonder was þat ani-bodi : swuch miracle miȝte do! Muche of þe kuynde of heuene : ore louerd here him sende, Aungles dede a-liue to do : are he hennes i-wende.vv. 297-302 al. om.— Þo ore louerdes wille was : þat he scholde hennes wiende, he bad ore louerd þat he scholde : aungles to him sende. Þo he i-say þe Aungles to him come : he þonkede ore louerd faste. Þe þrittiþe saume of þe sauter : he bi-gan þus ate laste "In þe, louerd, ich habbe i-hoped : þat ich i-confundet ne beo, Þine holie ere beiȝ a-doun to me : heiȝe and deliuere me." he deide ate sixte vers : þat on e[n]glichs to seggen is "Mine soule, louerd, ich bi-take þe : þou bouȝtest hire, i-wis." Þe soule out wende with þulke worde : and þe Aungeles forth hire bere; Alle þe felaweschipes of heuene : wel glade þere-with were. he deide þre houndret ȝer : and in þe þreo and fourtyþe ȝere After þat god was i-bore : as þe bok us deth lere. In one toumbe of Marbre he was i-leid : swyþe faire with-alle. Out of þe harde Marbre-ston : þe oyle gan out walle; A welle of eoyle þare sprong out : riȝt at is heued a-non, And at is fet a welle of water : of þe harde Marbre-ston.vv. 317-8 al. om. Sike men þare gonnen sone : wel þicke þudere gon. Þar-of men beren wide a-boute : and ȝeot men doth al-so; gret botningue þar is ȝuyt : of men þat comieth þare-to— For þe welle of eoyle and of watur : ase manie men i-seoth, In þe harde ston lastez ȝeot : þare is holie bones beoth.— Many fair Miracle þareom. þare hath of him : sethþe he deide, i-come. Þei we ne mouwen nouȝt tellen alle : we moten tellen of some.vv. 320-5 al. om.— ¶ To a gyv at one tyme : a cristine man ȝeode For-to borewi gold of him : to is muchele neode. he ne miȝte finden him nanne boruȝ : ne wed nadde he non : Þane gyv to seint Nicholas churche : he bad with him gon; Op-on seint Nicholases auter he swor : at one certeyne daye, So god him helpe and seint Nicholas : his gold him for-to paye. Þis giv for seint Nicholas loue : his oth nouȝt ne for-sok, Ake seint Nicholas to borewe he nam : and þat gold him bi-tok. Þis luþere cristine man : þo it cam to is daye, Þat gold nolde he ȝelde nouȝt : ake þouȝte þane giv bi-traye. Þe giv cam and axede him : ȝwanne he it ȝelde wolde. "Þov false schrewe," þe oþur seide : "ich it þe habbe i-ȝolde." Þe giv seide nay, and he ȝus : bote al ne heold it nouȝt. Þe giv let him somoni : þat he was to court i-brouȝt. Ake þis false cristine man : þouȝte op one feolle gynne : Ane staf he nam op-on is hond : —holuȝ he was with-inne— Þare-inne he dutte al þat gold : þat he scholde þe giwe ȝelde, And feolliche dutte hine and faste : þat men ne scholden him bi|melde. bi-fore þe bayllifs huy comen : þe giv and he boþe. he with-sok þe giwes dette : and was i-don to ane oþe. Þo he scholde is oth do : is false staf he bi-tok Þe giwe, and bad him ȝwitie þe ȝwile : he leide is hond on þe bok; And seide, "al-so muche gold al-so ich borewede : of þe giv þat here is, So helpe me crist and seint Nicholas : ich tok him a-ȝein, i-wis." Þis luþere man with is fals oth : swiþe wel i-leued was, And þe oþur, for he was a giv : no-þing i-leued he nas. "Ȝwane þou me hast bi-giled : with þi false cas, Ich bidde þine borouȝ þat he it me ȝelde : þe guode seint Nicholas." Þe giv with wel sorie chere : wende him forth a-non, And þe false man nam is staf : and hamward bi-gan to gon. Al-so he wende bi þe weie hamward : to slepe he hadde grete wille : Þare twei weiȝes to-gadere comen : a-doun he lai wel stille. As þis false man lay and slep : a cart þare cam gon, And al-to-bruysde is false bones : þat he deide a-non. Þat o ȝweol to-brak þane false staf : ase mani a man i-saiȝ :[Here a fol. is wanting; MS. Harl continues :] [Þat gold schadde out al-abrod : & amidde þe weye lay. ¶ þe gyw, þo he þis iseȝ : loude he gan to crie & þonkede seint Nicholas : þat schewede his tricherie. For þe miracle men him radde : cristene forto beo. "Certes, ynelle," quaþ þis oþer : "er ic more iseo; Ac if god & seint Nicholas : wolde þis liþer manesal. man is lyf sende, Cristene ic wolde þanne beo : & serui hem to mi lyues ende." ¶ Fram deþe to lyue þis false man : þurf seint Nicholas com. Anon so þe gyw þis iseȝ : he wilnede cristendom, & bileouede on ihesu crist : & god man euereft was. Þis me þinȝþ a fair miracle : of seint Nicholas! her ȝe seoþ hou hit goþ bi men : þat wiþ gyle swerieþ, iwis; Þeȝ he þurf gyle swerie soþ : iwis forswore he is.— ¶ A god man þer was in a tyme : þat longe was mid his wyue, Þat no childe nemiȝte habbe : þat euere cam to lyue. To seint Nicholas ofte hi bede : achild hem to sende, & bihete him, if hit so were : to him forto wende. ¶ Seint Nicholas ihurde here bone : —for god he is & mylde : hit biful þer-after sone : þat his wyf was mid chylde, & brouȝte forþ afair sone. : glad þis gode man was! he let ȝarki a fair coupe : to seint Nicholas. So faire was þe coupe of golde : þo heo was ȝaru iwrouȝt, & þis hosebonde heo was so leof : þat he nolde leue hire noȝt, Ac athuld hire in his owe hous : him-silue þer-of to drinke; Anoþer to seint Nicholas : þe goldsmyth he let biswinke. ¶ Þo þe coupe was ymaked : to þe louerd seint Nicholas, he wiste hire wiþ gret drueri : ac þoþer fairere was. ¶ Þo his sone was wel i-woxe : & hadde strenȝþe & miȝte, To þe pelgrimage of seint Nicholas : þis gode man him diȝte, & nom wiþ him his leoue sone : & þe coupen beye, Þe furste, þat him was so leof : to serui him bi þe weye, Þoþer, to ofri seint Nicholas : whan hi þider come. hi greiþede hem a-godes name : & þe holi wei hi nome. ¶ So þat hi come in þe see : as hi þane wei wende. After water of þe see : þis gode man his sone sende : "Fech me," he seide, "of þe water : in myn owene coupe!" Þat child dude his fader heste : & to þe water gan stoupe. Þe coupe ful out of his hond : & anon to grounde sonk; Þe child ful in afterward : & in þe water adronk. Gret deol makede þis gode man : þo he seȝ þis cas, Þat he nadde bote þat o child : & he adronke was. "Awei," he seide,al. þat ic schal "þis dai abide! : leoue louerd, allas! wel ic wot, ic haue agult : þe louerd seint Nicholas, Þat ic bynom him þe furste coupe. : louerd, what schal ic do? Þerfore ic habbe ilore nou mi child : & þe coupe also. Seint Nicholas, forȝif hit me : & ynelle noȝt bileue, iwis, Þat ynelle siche þe : þeȝ me beo bifalle þis!" ¶ Þis gode man [him] wende forþ : in deol & sori þoȝt; Er he to seint Nicholas com : he neturnde aȝe noȝt. Þo he to þe weued com : þat he hadde wide isoȝt, Þe coupe he offrede þerto : þat he hadde þider ibroȝt. þe coupe hipte anon aȝe : he nolde astinte þere, Ac hipte into þe flor : wreche as þeȝ hit were. Þis gode man hire nom vp : & offrede hire eft þere. Eftsone heo hipte fram þe weued : forþere þan heo dude ere. ¶ Þo was þis gode man agrise : & þoþere aboute also. "Louerd," he seide, "seint Nicholas : ic haue þe moche misdo. Ich wolde offri þoþer coupe : ac ynemai þerto come : vnderfong þus, if hit beo þi wille : for þoþer me is bynome. vnderfong þoþer of mi sone : for þu wost wher he is; Let mi sone to þe offri þulke : & let me offri þis."— For no hope of his sones lyf : þe gode man þis nesede, Ac for he scholde his soule helpe : & þe whatlokere do what he bede.— ¶ Mid þis word þer com in : his sone, þat was adronke, & bar þe coupe on his hond : þat was mid him asonke; To þe weued he ȝeode & offrede : to seint Nicholas. wele, louerd, þe grete ioye : þat of þe miracle was! Gladliche þe fader & þe sone : here offring vp bere; & wende hom wiþ gret ioye : & leuede þe coupen þere, & herede moche seint Nicholas : as hi wel auȝte, iwis.— Meni is þe faire miracle : þat of seint Nicholas is!— ¶ A gyw was while in a tyme : þat i-hurde meni o tale Of þe miracles of seint Nicholas : þat he dude so fale. So [þat], þeȝ he were a gyw : vpe him his hurte he caste, & honurede him ynouȝ : & biþoȝte him atte laste : An ymage priueiliche he makede : of seint Nicholas & honurede hit in his hous : þo hit ȝare was. ¶ In a tyme hit biful : þat he hadde to done In þe contrai þer-aboute : to come aȝe wel sone. he nuste wham his god bitake : forte he aȝe come : Seint Nicholas ymage he bad : nyme þer-to gode gome. "Ich þe habbe," he seide, "iloued ynouȝ : do me som god þerfore : wite mi god forte ic come : þat hit ne beo forlore! For, bi seint Nicholas þat ic louie : if hit beo awei ibore whan ic come aȝe, þu schalt : sore abigge þerfore." Þe gyw wende forþ his wei : & tok al his god to wite Þe ymage, forte he come aȝe : as hit is iwrite. Siþþe hit biful þat liþere men : & þeoues þer come[Here L. goes on again.] And toal. om.-breken þe giwes hous : and is guod a-wei nome. Þo þe giv cam hom a-ȝein : and miste al is gvod,orig. good gret deol he made and seoruwe i-novȝ : and ferde ase he were wod. to þane ymage he wende a-non : ase he bi þe walle stod : "Seie," he seide, "ȝwat hauest þou i-do? : þou hauest i-set harm a-brod. Ich bi-tok þe to witene al mi guod : þat god lente me : hit is nouþe al i-bore a-wei : and þat ich wite þe, Ȝwan ich it bi-tok þe in warde : and þou were of pouste to witen it wel, ȝif þat þou woldest. : þare-fore þou haue maugre.vv. 456-7 al. om. For ȝwane ich truste so muche to þe : and þou noldest do mi bone, bi riȝte lawe, ase ich þe bi-het : þov schalt a-bugge sone, Ȝwane þou ȝolde mine godhede : so vuele atþe laste." harde scourgene he nam and stronge : and beot þis ymage wel faste, Þat grete peces borsten a-wei— : he ferde ase he were wod, And euere he bad þat seli treo : bringue aȝen is guod. Seint Nicholas þare-afterward sone : to þe þeoues wende, Al for-woundet and to-drawe : ase þe giv him to-rende; "Lo," he seide, "hov ich am for ov : I-woundet and for-gnawe, blok and blodi, ase ȝe i-seoth : and al mi bodi to-drawe. bringez a-ȝen, ich red ov, sone : þat ȝe habbez a-weiorig. a-ȝen i-bore And istole of þe giwes guode : oþur ȝe schulle hangi þare-fore.vv. 466-9 al. om. For-soþe i segge, ȝe schullen hangen : bote ȝe it hom anon lede, Ȝe schullen some a-bugge with me : ouwer foule mis-dede." Þeos þeoues weren sore of-dradde : heo nomen heom to rede And ladden hom a-ȝein þe giwes guod— : huy ne dorsten oþur for drede,orig. fere And weren a-knowe of al hore gult : and þe Miracle him sede hov seint Nicholas to heom cam : with is sidene blod-rede. Þe giv, and þe þeues al-so : to seint Nicholas bede Þat he for-ȝeue heom heore gult : and nolden more don to quede. Þe þeues bi-comen trewe men : and ne stelen neuereft more, And þe giv him let cristny sone : and tok him al-to godes lore, And euereft more euerechone : loueden seint Nicholas. Me þincheth, a-mong alle oþere : a fair Miracle þat was!vv. 480-1 al. om.— ¶ In anoþur time a guod man was : þat hadde a clerk to sone; Eche ȝere he wolde for is loue : a-seint Nicholas dai bi wone Of manie clerkus gret feste holden : and wurthschipienal. om. seint Nicholas al-so, with offringue and seruise at churche : gret honur him do. Þe feond hadde þar-to onde. : a dai heMS. ase he cam þere A-seint Nicholas day to þe ȝate : ase þei it a beggare were, And bad, for seint Nicholas loue : þat man sum guod himorig. heom ȝeoue. Anon so þat child wuste him þere : he nolde no leng bi-leue Ake bred he nam in is hond : þane schrewe forto beode. And þo þat child cam toward þe ȝate : þe schrewe aweiward ȝeode; Þat child eode euere after-ward : to ȝiuen him of þe brede, Ake he ȝeode euere forth, ase it were : a-weiward þat child to lede : And þo he cam in-to a derne stude : he bi-turnde him ate laste, Ase it were to nime þat bred : and anon he nam wel faste Þat child bi is seli þroteMS. þr ote : and a-stranglede him a-non; Þat child lai þare and deide sone : and þe schrewe a-wei gan gon. Þe guode man, þo he miste is child : he souȝte it wel wide; Ake þo he fond it ligge a-slawe : wel deolfulliche he cride. "Louerd," he seide, "seint Nicholas : ich bidde þe milce and ore! honoured ich þe habbe mani a dai : ant ȝeot ich hopie more, And for anchaisun of mi sone : þe more, and for is lore, Þat þou me sendest Ioie of him : and schildest me fram sore : Ȝwi ȝelstov mine ȝwyle þus? : louerd, ȝwi dest þou so? hov miȝtþou þus, seint Nicholas : for reuþe bi me do? Ȝif me gladnesse of mi child : þat ich mote him a-liue i-seo, And ich him bi-hote to þine seruise : and þat he schal guod man beo." Ase he was þus in is beden : þat child a-ros op allone, And herede god and seint Nicholas : a-mong heom euerechone, Þat him hadde lijf i-sent : for is fader bone þer; And he tolde al-hou þe deuel hadde : him a-strangled er, For al-so muche ase he honourede so : þane guode seint Nicholas. Þis, me þinchez, a-mong alle oþere : a fair Miracle it was! Louerd, [þat] for þe loue of seint Nicholas : mani Miracle hast i-do, Þou schild us fram þe pine of helle : and fram dedliche sunne also. 38 Vita sancti Iuliani confessoris. SEint Iulian þe confessour : was i-bore at rome; Muche folk þoruȝ is prechingue : cristine heo bi-come. Of noble kunne he was i-come : and renable he was i-nouȝ; After þe Apostles he cam sone : and muche folk to guode droȝ. In-to a cite he was i-sent : þe prechour guod and trewe, Ase a-postel for-to prechi : þe ȝwile cristinedom was newe. Cristinedom was þo vnwurþe : in þulke cite þere : gret scorn heo hadden of alle þulke : þat icristnede were, And alle þat speken of cristinedom : heo defouleden heom i-nouȝ. In Aunter him dude þis holie man : and þuder-ward ȝuyt him drouȝ, And a-mong heom he cam wel mildeliche : and prechede faste a-non. Þat folk drof to busemare : þe meste del ech-on; Ake ore louerd sende him grace : and fair miracle for him wrouȝte, And þat folk þoruȝ is prechingue : to cristinedom he brouȝte. Ore louerd him ȝaf so fair grace : þat with one worde he miȝte helen Meoseles and guidie Men : and þe blinde ȝiuen heore siȝte; Þare nas no-manere vuel : nouȝwer þare he cam gon, Þoruȝ þe vertue of þe croiz : þat he ne helde heomal. om. a-non. So þat he tornede to cristine-dom : al þat folk þare-a-boute; And siweden him al-so in-to al þat lond : of heom wel grete route. So þat heo comen in one stude : a-þurst heo weren wel sore; heo nusten ȝware to drinke come : it greuede heom ful sore :al. þe more heo criden alle on seint Iulian : þat he sum drinke heom founde. Þis holie man nam op is staf : smot doun in-to þe grounde And piȝte þane poynt a luyte in þe eorþe. : þare cam walle out a-non Þet beste water þat miȝte beo : a-mong heom euerech-on, And fond heom alle drinke i-nouȝ : þare neuer er welle nas, Þoruȝ vertue of þis holie man— : fair miracle þare was! So mani fair Miracle ore louerd dude : for loue of seint Iulian, Þat muche del of þat folk : heolden him a god a[nd] no man. In godes seruise ate laste : his lijf he brouȝte to ende And a luyte bi-fore candel-masse : to heouene he gan i-wende, In þe latere ende of Ieneuer : þis confessour so hende. Nou god for is swete loue : us þudere alle sende.— An oþur seint Iulian þare is : þat men biddeth wel faste After guod .In. in onecouth stude : ȝwane heo beoth sore a-gaste. Vita sancti Iuliani boni hospitis. SEint Iulian þe guode herebeger : of noble kuynde com; stalewarde and strong man he was : and louede wel cristin|dom; he louede al-so game i-nouȝ : of hauekes and of houndes— A noblere bodi þane he was : nouȝwere nas non i-founde. Ase he hountede In a dai : In Iolifte j-nouȝ, A swyþe fair heort he i-saiȝ : and þare-after faste he drouȝ. he strencþede him to nime þat best : and siwede after faste. Þo þis heort hadde longe I-orne : he bi-turnde him ate laste, And spak with him, ase god it wolde : "Iulian, Iulian," he sede, "Ȝwi siweste me so faste?" he seide : "þou schalt don anoþur dede : boþe þi fader and þi moder : þou schalt ȝeot a-quelle. Ake ne beo þou no-þe wroþure with me : þei ich it þe telle." Þo þis guode man þis i-heorde : him bi-gan wondri, and drede, For þat wilde best so spack : and for wordes þat he sede; him wondrede, ase him miȝte wel : for it spak a-ȝein kuynde, he was a-ferd for þatsuperscribed. he him bi-het : and ofte it hadde in muynde, Þat he scholde fader and moder sle. : And to fleo þat dede, he wende out of contreie stilledliche : ase god him wolde lede. Into feorrene contreie he wende. : so þat he cam bi cas to a gret prince of a lond : and in seruice wiz him was. So wel he paide is louerd in Armes : and in alle oþur dedes, Þat he made him maister of is ferd : al for-to gwie and lede; And sethþe he made him weddi wijf : riche and noble al-so, A lauedi of a gret contreieal. castel gret : and of grete moruȝiue al-so.al. Þerto bi-twene him and is guode lauedie : loue þare was i-novȝ; For to alle guodness bi heore miȝte : eyþur to oþur drouȝ. Ake is guode fader and is Moder : þat he bi-lefte him atom bi-hinde, Swyþe sorie weren for heore sone : þat heo ne miȝten him nouȝwer finde. heo wenden forth in atyme boþe : and souȝten him wel wide, Fram o contreie to oþur faste : a-boute in eche side. So þat heo i-heorden of him tellen : þei it were longue. to is castel huy drowen heom a-non : and faire weren onder-fongue : heo ne founden nouȝt him-seo[l]f athom : ake is wijf, heo was þere, Fair semblaunt heo made heom : þo heo wuste ȝwat heo were! heo honourede heom þe more : for hire louerd ne was nouȝt þare, And leide heom in heore owene bed : and hire-seolf lay elles-ȝware. A-morewe, are hit were dai : heo a-ros op wel softe And to churche ȝeode wel stilleliche : ase heo was i-woned ofte. Þo cam hire louerd hom : In þe moreweningue sone, And drouȝ him to chaumbre toward is bed : ase he was i-woned to done. Þo i-heorde he wel softe slepe : and sweiȝen þar-inne tweie, Ase Men and wommen nede moten : þat beoth werie of weie. he ȝeode ner and i-saiȝ þare ligge : Man and womman al-so. "Ȝe," þouȝte he, "þis is mi wijf : and sum gering is i-comen hire to; I seo wel nouþe þat þe hore : is i-wonet here-to. huy ne schullen neuereft ete mete : ne more schame me do." he slouȝ is fader and is moder : mid is swerde þere And wende bi heom þat is wijf : and hire horeling it were. Wel softe he ȝeode out aȝein : þo þis dede was i-do, And ȝeode him toward churche : And tuynde þe dore to. Ase he toward churche was : his wijf hamward he mette. "Louerd, merci," he þouȝte, "hou is þis?" : with gret wonder he ire grette; "Dame," he seide, "hou goth þis? : ȝwat dost þou nouþe here? ho liggez in ore bedde athom : Man and womman i-fere?" "A, sire," quath þis guode leuedi : "wel glad miȝt þou beo, I-hered beo ore louerdes grace : þat þov most þis day i-seo : Þi fader and þi moder it is : þat wide þe habbez i-souȝt, I-hered beo ore louerdes sonde : þat hidere heom hath i-brouȝt! Leoue sire, hiȝe þe hom : þou schalt heom faire a-fonge And make with heom Ioie i-nouȝ : me þinchez er wel longe." "Nai, certes," quath þis Iulian þo : "ȝif þat it is so, Al mi blisse of þusse liue : and mi Ioye is al i-do. Alas þat ich habbe þus longe i-leoued : þat i-ne hadde er i-beo ded! habbe ich a-slawe fader an Moder! : louerd, ȝwat mai beo mi-red? Al-to soth me seide þat wilde best : alas þulke stounde; Þei ich habbe i-folewedal. i-flowe his bi-heste : þe soþe ich habbe i-founde. haue nouþe, dame, wel guod day : for i-nelle habbe no reste Er ich habbe mine penaunce ido— : god leue me don mi beste." "A, sire, merci," seide is wijf : "ȝware-fore seistþou so! Sikerliche þou schalt athom bi-leue : and þine penaunce do." "beo stille, dame," Iulian seide : "þou spext al embe nouȝt, certes, I-nelle neuere a-stunte : are ich me habbe of londe i-brouȝt. Ake haue guod dai, mi treowe spouse : and god þe leue wel do; led clene lijf; and bide for me : for I-ne wene neuere come þe to." "Alas," seide þis guode wijf : "sire, ȝwi seistþou so! Ȝif god wole, þe ȝwyle we a-liue beoth : ne schulle we departi atwo; bote þou wolle bi-þenche þe bet : And at hom bi-leue here, Certes, ȝwodere þou euere i-wenst : i-chulle beo þi fere And parti with þe of þi wo : ase ich dude er of þi blis— For ho-so deth þat on, he schal þat oþur : þou wost wel þat riȝt it is." ÞIs guode Man and is trewe wijf : wel stille forth heo i-wende And leten lond and leode : and al þat god heom sende. So þat heo wenden feor and longue : þat atþe laste heo come to a deop watur and perilous : þare Men a-dreinten i-lome. Þis guode Men [a-stynteMS. adreinten expunged, a stynte by a later hand.] þer : and leten heom sone a-rere A luytel hous—bote hit was guod i-nouȝ— : bi-side þe watere þere. Alle Men þat þare-forth comen : And with-oute he[r]borewe were, he fond heom hereborewe, guod i-nouȝ : þat with-oute none nere, bed and cloþes guode i-nowe : and wel aysiliche heom diȝte; heore fet he wuchs and baþede heom : and dudenal. dude al þat heo miȝte— For is fader soule and for is moder : he dude al þis dede; he bad alle þat to him come : þat for heore soulene huy bede. he porueide him of a schip : and ouer þe watere ladde euer[e]ch tyme, daiȝ and nyȝt : alle þat to him gradde— Þare-with he swonk sore i-nouȝ : of noman ne tok he nouȝt. Ȝwane he hadde ani miseise man : ouer þe watere i-brouȝt, he ne let him nouȝt fram him gon : are huyr. he a-mendede were : he ladde heom in-to is house a-non : and aisede heom swiþe wel þere. Al heo dudenr. he dude for-to bete þe sunne : of þat cas þat him bi-tidde, For is fader soule and is Moder : and bad Men for heom bidde.— Þare-fore Men ȝeot to þis day : þat ouer lond doth i-wende, heo biddeth to seint Iulian faste : þat he guod .In. heom sende; And seint Iulianes pater-noster : ofte heo seggez al-so For is fader soule and is Moder : þat he bringue heom þar-to.— Þo þis holie Man seint Iulian : In þis trauail haddeMS. hadden i-beo longe And mani Miseise Man in is hous : wel loueliche vnder fonge, A day, ase he hadde i-beo : in trauaile strong i-nouȝ, Ase ladde þis men ouer : and into is Inne heom drouȝ, And a-ȝein middel nyȝt to is bed : ȝeode atþen ende, For-to habbe sum reste þere : ȝif ore louerd it wolde him sende : Atþe mid-nyȝt, ase he bi-gan : sum-del reste a-fongue, A ȝeond half þe watere þare cam on : in grete forste and strongue : "A-ris, Iulian, a-non," he gradde : "hider-ward þou most go And bringue me ouer þis watere sone : oþur ich deiȝe for wo." Þis guode man heorde sone þis : and þei he weri were, he wende to þis seli man : and ladde him ouer þere. him þouȝte þat he was onneþe a-liue : for he was al ouer-come, Mid chele and mid oþur wo : is limes him weren bi-nome; A lodlich musel he þouȝte al-so : and þe fouleste þat miȝte beo— A Miseisiore man þane he þouȝte : no man ne miȝte iseo. Seint Iuliane ladde þis seli man : In-to is house bi niȝte And fondede to maken him an-Ayse : bi al is trewe miȝte : gret fuyr he dude him makien and guod : þat he were of chele i-brouȝt, And leide [him] þare-bi wel softe— : ake al it was for nouȝt. Ake þo he ne miȝte with fuyre him hete : ne with none oþur ginne, his owene bed he let faire spreden : and brouȝte him þare-Inne; cloþes i-nowe opon him he spradde : and heledeMS. holede (corr.?) him wel faste. Ȝeot he þouȝte ful sore of cale : for al þat he on him caste. Swyþe sori was þis guode man : and sore him a-gaste, Þo he him dude al þat he miȝte : and þe chele so longe i-laste. he stod and bi-heold þis selie man : a Musel ase he wende : Sone so ore louerd it wolde : is hevȝ bi-gan a-mende, Atþe laste he werth so fair a man : ase euere any miȝte beo, And so cler he bi-cam sone : þat vnneþes men miȝten him seo. "Iulian," he seide, "god it þe ȝelde : þat þou me hast i-do! In ore louerdes erinde of heuene : i-come ich am þe to : Ore louerd þe sente word bi me : þat þou art clanliche i-schriue And þine penaunce hast wel i-do : and þine sunnes beoth for-ȝiue; Swyþe wel þou him hast i-paid : þou and þi wijf al-so, And boþe ȝe schullen with alle Ioye : newene come him to." Þo he hadde þis word i-seid : he nuste ȝware he bi-cam. Þis guode man seint Iulian : to godes seruise him nam And to his bi-hofþe him makede al-ȝare : he and is wijf al-so. Sone after-ward in his seruise : heo deiden boþe-to And wenden to þe blisse of heuene : þare heo schullen euere beo. guod it is to hereborewi Miseise men : bi heom þat men mowen i-seo, For þare-with þis holie man : his sunnes bette inouȝ, And a gret haluwe in heouene he is : þei he fader and moder a-slouȝ. bidde we ȝeorne sein Iulian : þat he ore erinde beode Þat ore louerd us ȝiue milce and ore : and alle þat habbez neode, Þat ȝwanne we oþur any cristine man : ouer lond schullen wende, For is fader soule and is moder : þat he guod hereborewe us sende, And atþe laste þoruȝ godes wille : þat we moten teo Into þe blisse of heuene : and þare with-outen ende beo. 39 Vita sancte Marie Egiptiace. SEinte Marie egyptiane : In egypte was i-bore; Al hire ȝounge lijf heo liuede : in sunne and in hore. Vnneþe heo was tweolf ȝer old : are heo dude folie : hire bodi and al hire wille heo dude : to sunne of lecherie. Þaron heo hadde so gret delijt : þat in hire owene londe heo ne miȝte fulfulle hire owene willeal. al hire : þo bi-gan heo hire vnder|stonde, heo wende into Alisaundrie : and þare heo wonede longue. Alle þat bi hire ligge wolden : gladliche he dude a-fongue; heo ne sparede leinte ne oþur tyme : preost ne oþur non, riche ne pouere, ne oþural. om. weddede men : þat heo ne let to hire gon. Men þat ne hadden none wille : swuch sunne forto do, with faire wordes and fol semblaunt : heo brouȝte heom ofte þer-to; Þare nas man in no mester : so gleu ne so quoynte al. om.Þat heo nas to bringue men to sunne : wel prestore in eche poynte. For þulke dede heo ne tok : of no man mede ne wunne— for non ne scholde for defaute : bi-leue þe foule sunne; Oþur anyal. om. mede bote hire foule wille : heo kepte of no man; with spinningue and with seuwingue : hire liflode heo wan. hit is sunne and schame to ani man : to þenche oþur to wite Þe fuylþe of þe wrechche sunnes : þat we findeth of hire i-write. For to hire-sulue one heo seide : þat schame it was to huyre, Ȝwaþur ani womman euere on eorþe were : so sunful a creature; hit was wonder þat þe eorþe i-opened nadde : ase heo hire-sulf gan telle, And i-swoluwe hire ase heo þar-on ȝeode : into þe putte of helle.— In Alisaundrie heo liuede þis foule lijf : ȝeres seuentene, Þat so muche vildede of womman : nas neuere i-seiȝe, ich wene. On a day in heruest : as þis womman bi-heold a-boute, bi þe weiȝe heo saiȝ muche folk : and manie grete route. heo þouȝte, for heo was so i-knowe : in Alisaundrie in euer-eche ende, Þe lasse sockne heo hadde of hire folie : þannes heo wolde i-wende; heo þouȝte, "a-mong þis straunge men : so fale ase ich i-seo, Mi wille ich miȝte muche of heom habbe : with heom i-chulle beo." A-mong heom heo cam and axede heom : ȝwodere huy alle þouȝte. heo seiden, heo wolden to Ierusalem : for þe swete rode heo souȝten Þat scholde op-on þe holie rode-day : eche manne i-schewed beo, And þat euer-ech guod man þudere wolde : for-to honouri þat swete treo. "Mot ich," seide þis womman : "with eov þudere wende? And of þat craft þat ich i-leorned habbe : to eov ichulle beon prest and hende." "Ȝe," seide on of heom, "hastþou ȝwarof : to a-quiti þi schip-huyre, A-mendet worth muche ore compaygnie : for swuch a creature." "Non oþur Moneye," heo seide, "ich ne habbe : bote mi-self her : Ichulle beo corteis of þat ich habbe : aȝein þe mariner; to him, and to eov al-so : so prest i-chulle beon and hende, Þat hit ne schal for-þunche ov nouȝt : þei ich with eov wende." Þis womman wende forth with þis men : In muche sunne, alas! to alle þat with hire sunegy wolde : euere redi heo was. Þo heo cam to þe se : atþe furste þingue heo ȝaf þe Marinere hire bodi : ouer þe se forto bringue; to þe Mariner, and to alle his : þat in þe schipe were, I-redi heo was forto sunegun with : alas, heo nadde none fere. Iesu, muche is þi merci : and muche þou þoledest þere, Þat water oþur schip wolde heom bere : þat heo a-dreinte nere!— bi-fore þe holie rode-day : to Ierusalem heo cam. Alle þat folie wolden do : gladliche to hure heo nam. Þo þe holie rode-day was i-come : þat men scheoweden þat swete treo, Mani on to þe temple eoden : þe rode forto seo. Þo Marie was with þe oþere : to þe temple-dore i-come, Anne fot heo ne miȝte þare-Inne go : hire miȝte was hire al bi-nome; hire þouȝte, ȝwane heo wolde In go : þat sum man hire a-ȝen-drouȝ.1 For heo fram alle oþere stod with-oute : of-schamed heo was j-nouȝ. Ȝeot heo wolde in-ward go : and hire þouȝte þat men a-ȝen hire pulte. heo weop for scame, and hire bi-þouȝte : þat it was for grete gulte. In-to one huyrne heo wende al one : fram hire ferene alle. heo i-saiȝ þe fourme of ore leuedi : depeint þare on þe walle : heo weop and ful a-doun a-kneo : and seide : "leuedi, þin ore! Sunful womman ich habbe i-beo : so nelle ich neuere-eft more; Þe sunnes þat ich habbe i-do : heo me reweth sore : Ȝif me grace heom for-to bete : þoruȝ holie churche lore, And ȝif me grace in to go : þe swete rode forto seo : Þoruȝ grace of hire and of þe : þe betere womman i schal beo. here ich for-sake mi sunful lijf : and alle mine luþere dede, In clenesseorig. clanesse and in penaunce i-chulle : mi lijf here-afturward lede." Þo heo hadde to þulke ymage : longue i-crid and i-bede, Mildeliche, with careful heorte : heo eode fram þulke stude And eode hire to þe temple dore : ac ȝuyt heo was sore of-drad. With-oute lettingue In heo ȝeode— : welle, þat heo was þo bliþe and glad! heo ȝeode In bi-fore þe rode : and þo heo hire miȝte i-seo, Sore wepinde heo cride on hire : and feol a-doun a-kneo, And bad for-ȝyuenesse of hire sunnes : þe rode, þat was so swete; Þe worldes blisse þare heo for-sok : hire sunnes for-to bete; Ofte heo custe þe pauement : þare þe rode hadde on i-stonde. to ore lauedie ymage heo wende aȝen : weopinde and wrong hire honde. Þare miȝte ech man deol i-seo : ho-so of pite couþe, Of deol and soruwe þat heo made : with heorte and with mouþe. heo bad ore leuedi þat heo hire teiȝte : ȝif it were hire wille, Ȝware heo miȝte hire sunnes bete : priueliche and stille. heo ne saiȝ no man, ake a uoiz heo heorde : þat þis word to hire sede : "Þe flum Iordan þou schalt passi : and in pays þi lijf lede." heo þouȝte þe wordes weren to hire iseid : al for hire guode; heo a-ros and þonkede ore leuedi ȝeorne : and þe swete holie rode. bi-for þe none heo wende : toward þe flum Iordan, biddinde hire beden. þo gan heo i-mete : In þe wey a man, Þat ȝaf hire þreo rounde panes : and heo nuste ȝware he bi-cam. Þare-with heo bouȝte hire þreo loues : and forth with hire heom nam. ¶ Heo cam to þe watere : a luytel are hit were eue. In seint Iohanes chapele þe baptist : al þe niȝt heo gan bi-leue. heo let hire schriue and hoseli also : swyþe wel þoru godes grace, And with þe watur of þe flum Iordan : heo wusch hire in þat place. A-morewe heo carf ane lof atwo : and et þat haluen-del, Of þe flum heo dronk þer-to : and made hire a murie mel. Heo wende into wildernesse : ouer þe flum Iordan : Þare heo liuede mani a ȝer : þat heo ne saiȝ best ne man. Þe tweie loues and þe halue lof : þat heo with hire nam, bi-come so harde so ani ston : þo heo ouer þe watere cam : Þare-bi he liuede in wildernesse : ȝeres seuentene. hire cloþes roteden and feollen hire fram : clout mele in þe grene. Ȝeot heo leouede twenti ȝer : after þe seuentene bi-fore Þat heo ne et no mannische mete : bote weodes and wilde more. Þe ȝwyle hire loues i-lasten : heo was ofte and sore I-fondet of hire hote flesch : þoruȝ þe feondes lore : hire longede after mete and drinke : and aftur oþur wede, And on lecherie heo þouȝte muche : ase heo hire-sulf sede; Ake þo heo ne et nouȝt bote weodes and mores : of alle þe twenti ȝer, Enes heo nas of hire flesch : i-fondet ase heo was er, Of mete ne of drinke ne of folie : of hete ne of colde; heo ne þouȝte on no-þing bote on god : ase hire-sulfue tolde. Of alle þe seuene-and-þritti ȝer : þat heo leouede þere heo ne saiȝ noþur best ne man. : bote in þe sixe-and-þrittiþe ȝere A Monuk cam to hire, are heo deide : as þe bok us doth lere— For ore louerd wolde þat hire lijf : a-mong Men i-kud were.— ANMS. SN Abbeye þare was in paleisr. palestine? : of ordre swiþe strongue; heore ȝat was swiþe faste i-mad : þoruȝ al þe ȝere longue, For no Monuk ne scholde gon out þar-of : þe worldes weole to seo : Þene furste sonenday of leinte : þat ȝat scholde i-opened beo, For ech Monek scholde þat ilke day : beon i-hoseled and i-schriue, ech Monek scholde oþeres blessingue afongue : and euerech to oþur it ȝiue, And wenden al one in-to wi[l]dernesse : andal. om. euer-ech in is ende, to bieten heore sunnes; ake huy scholden : alle at ester hom wende. On holi man was þare-inne : is name was frere Zosime, Þat wel and treoweliche is ordre heold : ase bi-feol to euerech time. Sone so þat ȝat was vndo : and þat þe leinte com, he wente forth þene wei : toward þe flum Iordan. Þo he þat watur i-passed hadde : feor he wende and longue, Þat he ne saiȝ noþer best ne man : confort of to fongue; Twenti daiȝes þar-inne he ȝeode : ake euere hope he hadde Þat ore louerd wolde him some Miracle schewen : and no drede he nadde. Þene twentiþe dai a-boute noon : a-kneo he sat a-doun, he tornede him estward ase he was i-woned : and seide is oresoun : On is riȝt side him þouȝte he saiȝ : in a wonderal. wilde stude and derne Ase þei it a mannes schadewe were : ligge al plat in one huyrne. he wende it were sum foul wiȝt : and blessede him a-non. Þo bi-cam he hardiore in godes name : and þare-ner he gan gon. him þouȝte þat hit a womman was : naked, and swiþe broun, Ase heo was with þe sonne i-brent : al plat heo lai a-doun; hire her was hor and swiþe ȝwijȝt : as þei it were wolle, Þunne and schort, þat it miȝte : onneþe helie hire scholle. Þo was þis Monek swiþe glad— : for he nadde nanne Man I-seiȝen, sethþe he i-passed hadde : þat watur of flum Iordan. toward þis womman he ȝeode : and þis womman up a-ros, estward heo gan eorne bliue— : þe Monek ful sore a-gros. Naþeles he orn euere aftur hire : ake þis womman was euere bi-fore; Þe Monek so weri nas of orne : neuere sethþe he was i-bore. "Abijd," he seide, "ȝwi fleuȝstþou me : þat am with-oute miȝte, Old and feble? ne dred þe nouȝt : þat ich with þe wulle fiȝte!" Ȝeot nolde þis womman with him speke : Ake ganal. þo gan he to weope sore.2 vv. om. here "haue reuþe of me and spek sum-ȝwat : with me of godes lore, Ȝif þou art a-godes half : womman of flesch and felle; Ich coiuri þe þat þov a-bide : and of þi stat me telle." ¶ Þis womman bi-gan þo for-to speke : "Frere Zosime, þin ore," he sede, "Ne wilne þou nouȝt þat ich þe a-bide : for ich am with-oute wede; Ne wilne þou nouȝt þat ich schewie þe : oþur wummen forto schende, Mi licame, for ich naked am : ake lat me a-wei fram þe wende." Þis Monek weop and cride ȝeorne : nolde he stunte nouȝt; For heo is name nemde so : he was a-ferd in is þouȝt. Þis womman seide, "ȝif þou wolt : i-wite ȝwat ich beo, Cast me sum þing to helieMS. holie; r. heolie? me with : and on oresun bide for me!" With guode heorte þis Monuk hire caste : A luytel wede þo, Ȝware-with to helie hire derne limes. : and to him heo gan go, And seide, "Frere Zosime, ȝwi wilnestþou : a sunfol wrechche to seo? graunte me þat ich mote : in þine beden beo." Þis Monek ful a-doun a-kne : and heo a-ȝein him al-so, And eyþer bad oþures blessingue : and noþur nolde it do. Ase heo leien longue to-gadere : bi-twene heom oþur word huy ne sede bote "blesse þu me," "ake blesse þou me"— : þe Monek swatte for drede. Þo seide þis womman, "i-blessed be god : þat bringueth þe soule bote." "Ȝe," seide þe Monek, "god us graunti : þat we þarof parti mote." Þis womman, þo heo weren a-rise : to þe Moneke sone heo sede : "Frere Zosyme, ho gan þe hidere : to a swuch wrechche lede? hou is þe stat of holi churche : i-loked, and cristine-dom, And hou is it of þe heþene prince : þat heore riȝtes heom bi-nam?" "LEoue Moder," þis Monek sede : "þe betere is in eche stude holi churche and cristine-dom : i-loked for þine bede. bide for me for godes loue : nouþe ich bi-seche þe!" Þis womman seide, "for þou art preost : þou schalt bidde for me. Ake þat ich onbouȝsum ne beo i-seie : þei ich sunful beo, I-chulle bidde for þe, mi leoue fader : þat þou schalt i-seo." Þis womman tornede hire estward : and a-knes heo sat a-doun, hire eiȝene and hire hondene opward heo heold : and seide hire oresoun. A-non so heo bi-gan hire oresun : wonder men miȝten i-seo : Fram þe eorþe heo was op i-houe : þe heiȝþe of fet þreo; Þare heo houede stilleliche : as þei heo were with-oute breþe, heo ne wawede leome non : bote hire lippene vnneþe Ȝware-with heo seide hire oresun— : and no-þing hire op ne bar bote ore swete louerdes grace— : fair Miracle was þar! Þis Monek stod and bi-þouȝte him : gret wonder he hadde and fere : he ne heold hire no womman : ake treouwede þat hit sum gost were, For heo houede so a-boue. : ake after hire oresun Þis holi þing wel stilleliche : to þe eorþe aliȝte a-doun; "Leoue fader," heo seide, "ȝwat is þe? : ȝwy chaungest þou þi þouȝt? Ich am a womman of sunful flesch : a gost nam ich nouȝt." "Moder, þin ore!" þe Monek seide : and feol a-doun a-kne, "to schewi ore swete louerdes miȝte : þi lijf tel þou me!" Þis guode womman nam him up : "leoue fader," heo sede,MS. seide "Schame it is to heore telle : of mine sunful dede. Ake for þou me i-seiȝe naked er : and þat mi bodi was al bar, Þat was for schendnesse of mine foule dedes : of sunne beo euere i-war. So foule beth mine sunfole dedes : þat, bote god þe ȝiue is grace, Ȝwane þou i-heorst me hem telle : fleo þou wolt out of þis place. Naþeles, leoue fader, bide for me : þat god heom me for-ȝiue; Ich hopie, it is godes wille : þat ich beo of þe i-schriue." Heo bi-gan þo telle alle hire dedes : to þe Monek Zosime, Þat heo dude sethþe heo was i-bore : forto þat ilke tim[e]. "Leoue fader," he seide, "for godes loue : ich bi-seche þe Þat þou here-of ne schewe noman : are þat ich ded beo. go nouþe hom, and led clene lijf : as þou hast er ido : And eft in þis tyme a twelf-monþe : hidere cum to me. For þat ower ordre is swuch : þat ech Monek schal oute be Þe furste sonendai of leinte : ake þou ne schalt nouȝt so : Þei þou habbe wille out forto go : ȝwile ne tit þe non : Ake a-schere[þore]sMS. scheres-day at eue : hidere þou schalt gon; Ore louerdes flesch and is blod : hidere bring with þe, Þat ich enes, are ich deiȝe : mouwe i-hoseled beo, Þat time þat ore swete louerd : a-schere-þores-day at eue A-mong his desciples made is cene— : þat þou it nouȝt bi-leue! For i nas neuereft I-hoseled : sethþe ich passede þe flum Iordan, Þat is nouþe seuene-and-þritti ȝer : þat I-ne sayȝ neuereft man. do þat ich þe habbe i-bede : mi leoue fader Zosime, And blesse me, for ich mot heonne wende : for it is nouþe al time." ¶ Þo þe Monek hire i-blesset hadde : Astward heo gan gon. Þe Monek custe þe wey þare heo eode : þo he nuste non oþur won; Ȝeorne he bi-heold after-ward : þe ȝwile he ire miȝte i-seo, And þo he ne saiȝ hire nonmore : weopinde he gan hom teo; Þo he cam hom, in penaunce : clene lijf he gan lede; Of al þat he haddeorig. hath oute i-founde : no-þing he ne sede. Ake þe ȝer, are he were ido : him þouȝte swiþe longue, Þat he miȝte of þat holi womman : sum confort eft afongue. Þo leinte cam, and euerech Monek : wende out in is side, A strong feuere nam frere Zosime : þat he moste athom a-bide. Þo þouȝte he on þat word : þat Marie to him seide er : Þat, þei he wolde out i-wende : he scholde habbe no power. Þe feuere him heold, ase heo seide : a-non to þe schereþores-dai at eue. A-non so he was hol, he wende forth : no lengore he nolde bi-leue; he nam godes flesch and is blod : and to þe flum is wei he nam. Þat schereþores-dai aȝenorig. at eue : to þe watere he cam. Ake he ne miȝte finde no schip : him ouer for-to lede. he sat and weop and bi-heold ouer-ward : and bad ore louerd him rede. "Alas," he seide, "þe defaute of schip! : hou schulle we to-gadere wende?" Euere he waytede, ȝif ore louerd : ani grace him wolde sende. Þo saiȝ he Marie : bi-ȝeonde þe watere stonde. he heold op is hondene and sat on is knes : and þonkede godes sonde. Þo Marie hadde i-blessed : þat watur with hire honde, With-oute wetingue þare-ouer heo ȝeode : ase it were on druyȝe londe; heo orn and ne watte neuere a to. : wel briȝte þe Mone schon. Þis Monek wolde kneuli a-ȝeinest hire : þo heo toward him cam gon. "Stond op," heo seide, "þou art a preost : kneuli ne schalt þouȝ nouȝt, for reuerence of þat holi þing : þat þou hast with þe i-brouȝt. Ake, leoue fader, blesse þou me : for i-ne may a-bide nouȝt longue; bide for me þat ich beo wuyrþe : þat holi þin[g] a-fongue!" Þis womman sat a-doun a-kne : to ore louerd heo gan crie, heo seide hire crede and hire pater-noster : andoverlined. þe holie aue Marie, heo custe þe Monekes hond in-stude of pays : and seide hire oresun, And nam godes flesch and is blod : with gret deuociun. "louerd," heo seide þo heo hadde i-do : "ȝif it is þi wille, Þat þou bi-leue þine schulchene : in pays swyþe stille, for mine eyȝene habbeth nouþe i-seiȝe : þine swete miȝte And ore hele þat þou i-ȝarket hast : al mankun for-to liȝte. "fader Zosime, god it þe ȝelde : þat þou hidere woldest gon! bide for me and for mine foule sunnes : and go þou hom a-non. An-oþer ȝer in þis time : loke þat þou hidere to me wende, And ore louerd þe wole bi þulke tyme : of me oþur tyþingues sende. haue nouþe guod day, mi leoue fader : aȝen ich mot a-non." "Ore louerd it wolde," þis monek seide : "þat ich miȝte with þe gon! bide for me, ȝif it is þi wille : and al-so for holi churche, And for alle cristine men : þat heo moten cristes wille wurche." Marie blessede eft þat watur : al druye heo wende a-boue— Mani fair Miracle ore louerd schewez : for cristine mannes loue! Þane nynþe day of Aueril : þis Miracle was i-do, Þat Marie and frere Zosime : with wop departeden a-to. Þis Monek bi-heold after hire : and þo he ne saiȝ hire nonmore, A-ȝein he wente to is Abbeie : wepinde swiþe sore. Sorest him rev þat he nuste : ȝwat hire name was, And þat he nadde i-axed hire— : ofte he seide alas. ¶ Longue him þouȝte are þulke ȝer : were icome to ende. Anon so leinte was icome : a-ȝein he gan i-wende. Þat watur he passede of flum Iordan : into wildernesse wel wide he ȝeode, þat he ful weri was : for he nadde ȝwaron to ride. Ne miȝte he nouȝwere þis womman i-seo : a-watere ne a-londe; he nolde stunte are þat he cam : þare ase he furst hire founde. Ake þo þat he ne fond hire nouȝt þare : he gan to weopen sore, For he nuste ȝwoderward gon : hire for-to sechen more. Ase he lokede est-ward : him þouȝte þat he i-seiȝ Ase þei it a briȝt sonne wereMS. it were : In þe heir houi an heiȝ. Þuder-ward he ȝeode in grete Ioye : for him þouȝte þar-of wonder. Þo fond he þis womman ligge ded : In one diche þare-onder, hire heued i-torned estward. : þe Monek bi-gan to weope sore, At hire fet he feol a-doun : for he ne miȝte stonde more. SO sore he weop þat he wusch hire fet : with teres of is eie. And euere houede þis clere lijȝt : ouer hire faire and heiȝe. Þis Monek nuste ȝwat he miȝte do : with þat holi bodi þere, And mest him for-þouȝte þat he nuste : ȝwat hire name were. bi-side hire he saiȝ ligge a writ : and he it nam up on is hond. Þeos wordes, þat ich ou wolle nouþe telle : þaron i-write he fond : "Frere Zosime, bure þat bodi : of þis wrechche wommane Marie, And prey to god þat he hire for-ȝiue : hire sunnes and hire folie, Þat deide anon-riȝt after hire hosel : þe nynþe dai after Aueril; And ȝeld to eorþe þat to hire bi-falle : and þanne heo hath hire wil." glad was þe Monek, þat he wuste : ȝwat he scholde do with þat bodi þat þare lay : and ȝwat heo het, al-so; Ant gret Ioie he hadde of þe faire Miracle : þo he þat writ dude rede, And of þe womman þat twelf Monþe hadde i-leie : ded, ase it sede, And þat heo, a-non so heo i-hoseled was : bi-ȝeonde þe flum Iordan, Deide þare in wildernesse : þat so feor was þare-fram, And þat heo eode bi-fore hire deþe : In a stounde of þe dayMS. daye Twenti dawene Iorneies : þare ase heo dedorig. det lay. Ake hou hire put miȝte beon i-maket : gret care þar-of he hadde : for þe eorþe was hard, and he was old : and none spade he nadde. Ake naþeles he fond ane staf : þat was scharp atþe ende : Þare-with he dalf. ake luyte he miȝte : þare-with þe eorþe wende, for he was feble for fastingue : and for gret trauail al-so. Þo he i-saiȝ ane leon licke þat bodi : and þare-a-boute go. Sore was þe Monek a-drad : þo he saiȝ þat best so gon, And for Marie him hadde bi-fore i-seid : þat heo neuere ne i-saiȝ þare non, And for it was a stuyrne best— : he hadde þar-of gretorig. gred doute. Þis leon boþe with heued and bodi : to him he gan a-loute. Þo was þis Monek hardi a-non : and to þe leon he sede : "For þou art þoruȝ god hidere i-sent : cum help me to þis dede, Þat þis put were wel i-maket!" : and þo þe leon i-heorde þis, Mildeliche þane put he schrapede : wel euene and nouȝt a-mis— for it was a-cordinde to þe bodi : in lengþe and in brede; he fourmede euene þane put : with-oute ani mis-dede. Þo þe put was imaket : þis Monek and þe leon Mildeliche nomen þis holi bodi : and leiden it þare-inne a-doun. huy nadden nouȝt ȝ[w]are-inne hire winde— : bote a pece þare was i-leued of þulke wede ȝware-with heo hadde : hire derne limes bi-weued : Þare-with huy heoleden þat huy miȝten : and casten eorþe hire a-boue, Þis holie man and þat best : and bureden hire with grete loue. Þo þis bodi was i-bured : þe leon ȝeode is wei, And þe Monek wel mildeliche in penaunce : aȝen to his Abbei. Al clanliche he tolde is breþren fore : al þat he fond oute, And liet write þis holie wommanes lif : and despeopli hit al-a-boute. Þus seinte Marie egyptiane : out of hire fole dede Wende to heouene blisse : þoruȝ penaunce þat heo gan lede. 40 Vita sancti Cristofori. SEint Cristofre was a saracen : in þe londe of canaan. In none stude bi is daie : nas so gret a man : Foure-and-twenti fet he was long : and þicke and brod i-nouȝ : A scwuch bote he were strong : me þinchez it were wouȝ! Al a contreie þare he were : for him wolde fleo. Þare-fore him þouȝte þat noman : aȝen him scholde beo : He seide, he nolde with no man bi-leue : bote with on þat were hext louerd ouer alle men : and onder non oþur nere. Swuch a Man he wente to seche. : and so þat men him tolde Of þe hexte manne þat on eorþe was : and of mest power i-holde. Seint Cristofre souȝte feor : and atþe laste he cam him to. Þe king axede him a-non ȝwat he were : and ȝwat he souȝte also. Cristofre him seide ȝwat he was : and þat he serui wolde Þene hexte Man þat ouȝwere were : and þat non oþur abouwie ne scholde, Ȝif he miȝte ani scwychorig. scwuch finde. : þis king to him sede Þat he ne heold of no man : ne a-bouwie he nolde ne drede. Eiþur was of oþur glad. : Cristofre him seruede longue. Þe kyng louede muche Melodie : of fieþler. fiþele and of songue : So þat is Iugelour a day : bi-fore him pleide faste, And nemde in is ryme and in is song : þene deuel atþe laste. Anon so þe kyng þat i-heorde : he blessede him a-non. Seint Cristofre nam wel guode ȝeme : and nolde ane fot feor gon Are he wuste ȝwi it were. : þe king was ful loth to telle. Cristofre seide, "bote þou me segge : no leng serui þe I-nelle." Þo þe kyng ne i-saiȝ non oþur : "leoue Cristofre," he sede, "Ich blessede me þo ich heorde him nemme : for ich habbe of him gret drede." "Þanne he is," quath Cristofre : "herre Maister þane þou?" "Þat ne may ich," quath þe kyng : "for-soþe for-sake nov." "Haue guod day," quat Cristofre þo : "Inelle neuereft with þe beo. Ichulle seche þane deuelMS. feond; deuel on the margin. and serui him : ȝif ich him owere iseo." Þe kyng was sori, and alle his : þat huy ne miȝten him make a-bide. Forth he wende þene deuel to seche : ake natheles nouȝt wel wide— For þe schrewe wole euere a-redi beo : to heom þat beoth to him i-nome. Þo Cristofre cam with-oute toun : gret folk he saiȝ come wel on horse, with grete nobleye : swyþe fierce and proute. Cristofre heom mette we[l] baldeliche— : he nadde of heom no doute. Þe maister, fiers with-alle : cam and mette with him a-non, "Beu sire," he seide, "ȝwat art þou? : and ȝwodere þenxt þou gon?" "Ich am a ma[n] opon mi seruiz : and noman serui i-nelle Bote mi louerd þat ich seche : þe heiȝe deuel of helle." "Beu frere," quath þe oþur, "ich it am : wel-come ar þov to me! Þe beste seruiz þat þou wolt cheose : man schal deliueri þe." Cristofre saiȝ is grete folk : and þat he was of gret pouwer : Of swuch a louerd he was wel glad : and al-so of þat grete mester. Þe Maister heiȝte al is folk a-wei : bote heom-seoluen tweie, To teche him is mester priueliche : ase huy wenden bi þe weie. Ase huy wenden taleȝinde forth : of þis luþere seruise, In þe wei heo iseien one croiz stonde. : þe deuel gan þarof a-grise : his wei in breres and in þornes : wel feor bi-side he nam; Þo heo þe croiz i-passede hadden : a-ȝein to þe weie he cam. Cristofre him Axede ȝwi it were. : and him was loth to telle. "Certes," he seide, "bote þou me segge : no leng serui þe i-nelle." "Cristofre, mi leoue freont," quath þe deuel : "ichulle þe telle fayn, with þat þou serui me after-ward : þe betere with al mi mayn : with a swuch croiz ase we þare i-seien : þe heie god þat was here Ouer- cam and in soruwe brouȝte : me and alle mine fere." "Þanne is he herre," quath Cristofre : "and hath power more?" "Þat ne may ich nouȝt for-sake," þe feond seide : "and þat me for|þinchez sore." "Daþeit þanne," Cristofre seide : "þat leng beo in þine seruise, Ȝif ich of þane heie manne may oȝt i-wite : in anie kunnes wise!" Forth he wende and souȝte ore louerd. : wel wide he gan gon. Atþe laste he fond ane hermite : to him he wende a-non, he tolde him clanliche al-hou it was : and hou he a swych man souȝte. "Ȝe," seide þe heremite, "ihered he beo : þat þe in swyche wille brouȝte! Leue broþer," seide þe heremite, "he is þi louerd : for to manne he þe wrouȝte, And with is owene flechs and is blod : wel deore he þe a-bouȝte. Þou most sum-ȝwat soffri for him : and festen eche friday." "Ine faste neuere," seide Cristofre : "ne, certes, ȝeot Ine may." "Þou most," seide þe heremite, "to churche gon : and þine beden bidde also." "I-not," seide Cristofre, "ȝwat it is : ne i-ne can hit nouȝt do." ¶ "No," seide þe heremite, "þou art strong : and here is a water bi|side Þat no man may þare-ouer come : bote he þe herre ride: Þou most in lesnesse of þine sunnes : habbe þine woneȝingue þere And ȝwane ani man to þe neode hath : þare-ouer þou most him bere, In furȝiuenesse of þine misdedes." : he grauntede þat a-non. Þe heremite ȝaf him cristine-dom : and het him þudere gon. ¶ CRistofre bi-side þulke watere : one hole he made him þere. In his hond a long perche he bar : is staf as þei it were; Ȝwane any man wolde ouer þat watur : opon is rug he him caste And tok is perche and bar him ouer : he stap hardeliche and faste, For he was boþe strong and long— : þare ne cam so heui non Þat Cristofre ouer þe deope watere : ne bar heom ouer ech-on. A niȝt in þe oþur half of þe watur : a uoiz þare cam and gradde "Hale, hale," to seint Cristofre : þat he him þare-ouer ladde. Cristofre a-ros him op a-non : is perche on honde he nam And wod ouer þe watur—and ne fond no man : þo he to londe cam. he nas bote i-come hom a-ȝen : þat on ne gradde eft-sone þer. Cristofre wod ouer, and ne miȝte finde : non more þane he dude er. Ȝuyt it gradde þe þridde tyme : þo he cam hom to londe. And with is rodde wod a-ȝen. : a luyte child he fond þare stonde; Þat child bad him par charite : ouer þe watere him lede. "Cum forth, ȝif þou wolt here ouer" : cristofre to him sede; Swyþe liȝtliche þat child he nam : and in is Armes it caste. Euere ase he was ouer-ward : it gan to heuegy faste; And þat watur wax al-so : þat Cristofre sore agaste To a-drenche þat child þat was so heui— : vnneþe he stod atþe laste. Neuere so clene he nas ouer-come : at eche stape he grunte and blaste; And laste þat child hadde a-dreint : he ne dorste it a-doun caste. Þo he was to londe i-come : ase him þouȝte ful longue er, Þat child he sette a-doun to grounde : and stod op, to reste him þer. "Ȝwat art þou, þat art so luyte : and so heui bi-come, So heui þat ich was ope þe poyinte : to habbe a-dreint i-lome? Þei al þe world hadde ope me i-leie : me þinchez so heui it nere." "No wonder, cristofre," seide þat child : "þei icMS. it heuiore were Þane al þe world, for ich [am] more— : and no wonder it nisand—nis on an erasure.: For ich made al þe world of nouȝt : and al oþur þin[g] þat is. And for þou schalt þe soþe i-seo : þine staf piche in þe grounde: And he schal bere lef and blowe : and fruyt bere in luyte stounde." With þis word þat child wende forth. : Cristofre is staf nam And piȝte hit in þe grounde a-morewe : and riȝt soth it þare bi-cam. Þo was he sikerore þane he was er : and ore louerd he louede more. Forth he wend[e], to siwi him : and forto prechi is lore. he heorde telle ȝware Cristine men : In torment weren ibrouȝt: To conforti heom he wende þudere : þat heo ne scholden flechchie nouȝt. "Beoth hardie," he seide, "and studefaste : and doth as ich ou lere!" Þe Iustise sturte forth a-non : and smot him vnder þe Ere; "Artþou," he seide, "on of þulke : þou it schalt a-corie sore." "Site þou wel stille," Cristofre seide : "and ne smijt þou me non|more! For ȝif ich a cristine man nere : Ich me wolde a-wreke a-non. Ȝe bi-leuez on ouwer Maumates," he seide : "I-maket of treo and ston, Þat none Miracles ne mouwen do : non more þane a treo. Sum of þe power þat mi louerd hath : bi mi staf þou schalt i-seo:" his rodde he piȝte in þe grounde : and heo bi-gan a-non To leui and blowe and bere fruyt : bi-fore heom euerech-on. "On swuch a god ȝe schullen bi-leue : þat swuch Miracle mai do." Þe Iustise ne dorste, for he was muche : a bold word segge him to. For þe faire Miracle of is staf : and for is prechingue al-so, To god heo[m]MS. heo torneden in þe place : seuen þousende and mo. Toward a-maner wildernesse : seint Cristofre wende, In godes seruise to lede is lijf : ase ore louerd him grace sende. Þe Iustise tolde þe kyngue fore : of swych a man þat he i-seiȝ Turne þat folk and he ne dorste : for strencþe come him neiȝ. Þe king het sone to hundret kniȝtes : seche forto heo him founde, And þat huy scholden him nimen and leden : bi-fore him, faste i-bounde. Forth wenden þis knyȝtes : wel I-armede, a-non. Toward Cristofre huy comen a luyte : and bi-heolden him echon: huy alle ne dorsten come him neiȝ : ake hamward huy gonne fleo, And tolden, þo huy comen hom : þat huy ne miȝten him noȝwere i-seo. "Ouȝ, ȝe cowardes," quath þe king : "nabbe ȝe him nouȝt i-founde? Ichulle, ȝif he a-liue is : habbe him, faste i-bounde." he sende to hundret oþur knyȝtes : þat hy him wide souȝte, And þat huy ne comen neuere a-ȝen : are huy him with heom brouȝte. Wel I-armede heo wenden forth. : and a-non so huy Cristofre i-seie, huy stoden and ne dorsten gon him ner : oþur vnneþe bi-holden him with eiȝe. ¶ Cristofre stod and himr. hem bi-heold : and axede hem ȝwat huy wolden. "For no-þing ne dorre we," þe knyȝtes seiden : "bi þe don þat we scholden: Þe king us het bringue þe to him : and þine hondene faste binde. Ȝif þou wolt, we wollez him segge : þat we ne mouwen þe finde." "Nay, certes," seide Cristofre þo : "ȝe scholden beo i-blamede so; Ake with ou ichulleMS. ichulle ichulle gon : and loki ȝwat he wulle habbe i-do." he made heom al a-ȝein heore wille : ase a þef, faste him binde, þat heo neren i-blamede, and leden him forth : his hondene him bi-hinde. Of godes lawe bi þe weie : Cristofre heom gan so lere,MS. lerere Þat echone, are huy comen hom : faire i-cristnede were. Natheles huy ladden him forth : bi-fore þe kyngue, faste i-bounde, And seiden, "here is godes knyȝt : nouþe we him habbeth i-founde." þe king sat an heiȝ op-on is sege. : and a-non so he Cristofre i-seiȝ, For drede he feol doun to grounde : þat is necke to-barst neiȝ. his knyȝtes nomen him up a-non. : and ase tyme ase is wit him cam, he bad Cristofre to him take : and leten beo is cristindam. "þou miȝt, guode man," seide cristofre : "al-so wel beo stille. Mi bodi þou hast here faste i-bounde : þou miȝt don al þi wille." ¶ "Certes, sire," þis kniȝtes seiden : þat hadden him þudere i-brouȝt, "Cristindom we habbez itake : and we nelleth it bi-leue nouȝt." þe king let þo in grete wrathþe : Cristofre in prisone do, And binden alle þe knyȝtes faste : and heore heuedes smiten of al-so. þo þeos knyȝtes bi-hauedede weren : þe king sone bi-þouȝte And tweyen faire wommen with-alle : to cristofre he brouȝte— Þat on het Nice, þat oþur Aquiline— : for-to tornen is mod. Þo þis wommen iseien Cristofre : ase he in prisone stod, heom þouȝte is face wel briȝtore schine : þane þe sonne oþur þe Mone. "Cr[i]stofre, merci," loude heo gradden : "make us cristine sone!" Cristofre heom teiȝte þe riȝte bi-leue : and cristnede heom a-non þere. A-morewe þe kying let heom fette : to lokie hou it were; he hopede heo hadden þane guode man : in lecherie i-brouȝt. þe wommen Answereden to his Axingue : as huy ne tolden of him noȝt. "Ȝwat, hou goth þis," quat þe kyng : "habbe ȝe i-turnd ower þouȝt? honourieth mine godes, ich rede : þe ȝwyle ou is wel i-þouȝt."al. idoȝt "Ouwer godes beoth wurþe," þis Maydenes seiden : "in fa[i]r stude honoured to beo: þare-fore lat swope þe stretes faire : þat al folk mouwe i-seo, And we heom wollez honouri, i-wis : ase riȝt is and lawe." þe king let don ase heo seiden : swiþe sone and fawe. þo þis Maumates weren i-brouȝt : in þe strete at þe laste, þis maydenes nomen heore gurdles boþe : ant to heom teiden faste And to-drowen heom in-to al þe strete : and heowen heom to peces þere. "Goth," heo seiden, "ant fechchiez heom leches : þat heo i-helede were!" Þe kying was neiȝ for wrathþe wod : þat o maide he let hongue And to hire fet bynden heuie stones : þat hire deþes þrowes weren strongue. A-non so þis mayde was up i-drawe : hire leomes borsten with-inne, Necke and senewes and oþur limes— : wel auȝte heo heuene i-winne. he let don þat oþur in strong fuyr— : ake þare ne miȝte non come hire neiȝ: Ake sethþe he let hire heued of smite : þo he þat oþer cas i-seiȝ. Þus þis twei holie maydenes : to þe blisse of heuene i-wende, Þoru þe grace þat ore swete louerd : for seint Cristofre heom sende. ¶ Þe king let þo cristofre fecche : and axede him a-non Ȝweþur he wolde his Maumates serui : oþur to þe deþe gon. Cristofre for-sok heore Maumates : and heore seruiz also. Þe king het a-non þat Men him scholden : op-on a strong gredile do And with strong fuyr and pich rosti him. : and þo he was i-leid þar-on, As wex þat gredile malt a-wei : and þat fuyr a-queynte a-non, And he a-ros up with-oute harme. : wroth was þe kyng þo. To a piler he let him binde faste : and knyȝtes a-boute him go, For-[to] scheoten him to deþe : with Mani a kene flo. With bouwe and Areblast þare schoten to him : four hondret knyȝtes and mo: Ake þare nas non Arewe þat neiȝ him cam : ake alle heo gliden bi-side And heo[n]gunMS. heogun in þe Eyr a-boute him : and þare huy gunne a-bide. A-non so þe king þis i-saiȝ : for wratþe þudere he wende. An Arewe þat ouer þis guode man heng : a-ȝein him sone kende, Boþe is eȝene heo smot out : and deope into þe heued. Þe king stod for Anguysche and for drede : ase is wit him were bi-reued. "Þou onselie wrechche," seide cristofre : "ȝwat is nouþe wurth þi miȝte? A-ȝein him þat þov hauest bi-gonne : feble þou art to fiȝte! Of þi wrechhede ich habbe reuþe : And þat i schal cuyþe þe: For to-Moruwe mi louerd soffri wole : þat þou schalt laten a-quelle me, And þanne smeore þine eiȝene with mi blod : and fonde mi louerdes miȝte: And ȝif þou wolt a-riȝt bi-leue : þou schalt habbe þi siȝte." Þe blinde kyng þar-to hopede : and swiþe wel it onder-stod: A-morewe he let is heued of-smyte : and smeorie him with is blod: he hadde is siȝt guod and cler : þoruȝ godes grace wel sone. þoruȝ þe bone of seint cristofre : he tournede to cristine-dome. he let burien faire seint Cristofre : and bi-liefde on god a-non and let him cristni in godes lawe : and is men ech-on. Þus seint Cristofre þene hexte louerd : at þe laste of-souȝte. God us bringue to þulke Ioye : þat he is soule brouȝte. 41 ¶ Vita sancti Dominici confessoris. SEint Domenic, þe holie frere : in spayne was i-bore, In þe toune of Caylre— : wel guod was þe more: Sire felice is fader het : is moder dame Ione. glad was þe Moder of þe sone : þat for him gan ofte grone. Þeo ȝwile þat þis holie child : in is Moder wombe was, hire þouȝte, ase heo lay a-slepe : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas, þat heo bar in hire wombe a best : þat faireste in any lond, And þat best bar riȝt in is Mouth : ane berninde brond; þe brond in þusse bestes mouth : þo it was of hire i-bore, Schon so þat al cristine-dom : þe briȝtore was þare-fore, And so wide so was cristinedom : And þare was so deork so nyȝt þe brond in þe bestes Mouþe : hire þouȝte ȝaf gret liȝt. þo þat child was i-bore : and i-brouȝt to cristin-dom, Al-so bi-feol þat a guod lauedi : þat him of watere nam, þouȝte þat þare was a steorre : In his fore-heued so briȝt, þat þoru-out al cristine-dom : schon and ȝaf gret lijȝt. Ȝwat was þis schiningue of þis child : bote þat he scholde bringue to godes lawe Mani a man : þoruȝ is guode prechingue, And þat he scholde an ordre make : of frere prechours, þat ȝet is; þat þare-þoruȝ al cristine-dom : a-mendi scholde, i-wis? þis child, þeo ȝwyle it was ȝong : to guode drouȝ a-non, to fastingue and to almes-dede : and wolle werieVern. wolleward to gon; In is bedde he nolde beo : bote wel luyte stounde, Ake ligge in is oresones : op-on þe harde grounde. þo he was sethþe to scole i-set : a deore ȝer þare cam: his bokes he solde and al is guod : and alle þe panes he nam And delde heom alle to pouere men : ant ne lefde him-sulf riȝt noȝt. þe tyþingue of is godhede : was sone wide i-brouȝt: So þat þe bischop of þe lond : louede him wel i-nouȝ And enqueorede of is dedes : þat to alle guode he drouȝ: heiȝ man he made him sone : and chanun seculer— Wel luyte tolde þe holie Man : of is grete power. Þare weren false cristine Men : a-boute in þe londe, þat nolden nouȝt clanliche : þe riȝte bi-leue onder-stonde, Ne huy ne bi-lefden nouȝt þat ore louerd were i-bore : of þe maide Marie— Swuch manere fals bi-leue : Men cleopeden heresie. A-ȝein heom þis holie man : despuytede alday faste, And manie of heom þoruȝ godes grace : into riȝte bi-leue heom caste. An Eorl þare was in þe londe þo : þat guod Man was i-nouȝ: Sire Symon de Mountfort : þat to alle guodnesse drouȝ, his fader þat was here a-slawe : a-mong us in Engelonde Atþe batayle of Euesham : þat longue worth onder-stonde. Þis guode knyȝt sire Symon : strong knyȝt was i-nouȝ And a-ȝein þis vuele cristine Men : to batayle al day he drouȝ. Seint Domenic al-so a-boute ȝeode : and prechede aȝein heom wel faste: So þat þis tweye guode Men : to-gadere heore heorte caste, Þat huy weren boþe at one rede : þe on with his prechingue, Þe oþur with strencþe of bataille : þat folk to guode bringue. And þe guode Erolr. Eorl syre symon : þe ȝwile is lijf i-laste, Euere heold op with his power : seint Dompnic wel faste; And þoruȝ is pouer muche-del : þe ordre he bi-gan Of frere prechours, þat ȝeot is : for-to saui mani a man.— bi-twene þis men for heore heresie : þe striuingue ofte was And þe holie Manne seint Domenic. : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas, Op-on þe hul of vittorie : A day þare was i-nome Of desputisun bi-tweone heom : and þo þe day was i-come, Seint Domenic cam forth þo : and In a writ he brouȝte his resones for cristin-dom : and þis luþere Men it bi-tauȝte, to counseilie heom þare-upon bet : and Answerien þare-to Oþur beon studefastore in heore bi-leue : bote huy heom couþen ondo. þis Men of heore heresie : louȝwen þo wel smere;A v. om. A gret fuyr huy maden a-non : and þat writ heo casten In þere, And seiden, ȝif it barnde þo : of none vertue it nere. Þat writ lay longue in þat fuyr : and neuere þe weorse it nas, Ne nouȝt i-wemned of one lette[r] : and þat was a fair cas! Þo þe luþere Men i-seien þis : a-nuyde huy weren sore; huy nomen þat bok and seiden a-non : þat huy wolden ȝeot fondi more: huy casten eft-sone in-to þe fuyr : and þe þridde tyme al-so: And euere þat writ was al-so sound : as it was þare-inne i-do. þis Men of heore heresie : i-schende heom heolden þo— And nolden nouȝt ȝeot al clanliche : out of heore folie go. Seint domenic þis holie Man : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas, In þe Cite of tolouse : ten ȝer to-gadere he was. he þouȝte bi-guynne a-godes name : ȝif he miȝte it bringue to ende, An ordre of Men to prechi faste : and a-boute þe world to wende, þat miȝten þoruȝ-out cristindom : Men wissi and rede; Ȝeorne he bad to Iesu crist : helpe him to þis dede. So þat þe pope Innocent : a gret counseil I-nouȝ Makede at rome þulke tyme : and muche folk þudere drouȝ. Seint Domenic wel mildeliche : þudere gan to wende, Ȝif he miȝte anie grace habbe : to bringue is ordre to ende. he cam and bad þe pope leue : swuch þing for-to do. þe pope makede him dauncherous : and nolde ensenti þer-to. ¶ A niȝt, as þe pope lai a-slepe : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas, him þouȝte þat þe churche of rome : al a-doneward was Of "seint Iohanes de lateran" : and as he lai þere he lokede euere and al þat folk : ȝwane huy ouer-falle were; And seint Domenic heold up a-ȝen : and faste schef with-oute, Wal ant tymber he pulte a-ȝein : and faste orn a-boute. þe pope, þo he a-wok : In grete þouȝte lay Ȝwat þis bi-tocningue miȝte beo : þat he slepinde i-saiȝ. he þouȝte þat þe stat of holi churche : swuyþe i-febled were And þat cristine-dom in Manie studes : in riȝt guod stat it nere, And þat seint Domenic þoruȝ is ordre : hire scholde helpe a-rere þoruȝ his prechingue wide in londe : cristine men to lere. þe pope a-morewe sente aftur him : and grauntede him wel fawe to maken is ordre a-godes name : and folk to guode drawe; bote þat hehe on the margin. heom scheowede is ruyle : to alle is cardinales þere, And þat huy weren i-prouede guode : are huy i-confermede were. So þat þe ordre of frere prechours : seint Domenic bi-gan þo, þat hath i-saued wel mani a man : and ȝeot it schal wel mo. clerkes huy onder-fenguen sone : þat þe Abite nome; So þat euere mo and mo : freres þere bi-come. SEint Domenic matte þo In a niȝt : þat seint petur him bi-tok Ane staf, ase he cam to him : and seint powel ane bok. Þo porueide he in is ordre : ȝwane freres wenden ouer lond, to bere ane bok at heore rugges : and ane staf in heore hond. Sethþe him þouȝte a-slepe al-so : þat he saiȝ þe freres go þoruȝ þe londe, two and two : and to-gadere non mo. In-to Tolouse he wende þo : and bi-lefte him-sulf þere, And soneV. summe he sente is freres a-boute : þat huy de-partet were; In-to spaynne he sente some : and to paris al-so, And þat þridde Couent to boloygne : heore ordre forth to do; he het heom wende to and two : and prechi in þat lond, At heore rugge bere ane bok : and ane staf in hore hond. ¶ A wonder sweuene seint Domenic : In his slep i-seiȝ: Ore louerd him wrathþede swiþe : op in þe eyr an heiȝ, þreo launcene he heold in is hond : þe poynt toward þe grounde, Riȝt ase he wolde al þene world : þoruȝ smyte In one stounde; So ferelich he was to bi-holde : þat it nas non ende. þo cam ore leuedi liȝte a-doun : þat is so milde and hende; "A, mi sone," heo seide, "ȝwat þenest þou? : mcrci and þin ore!" "I-nelle," seide ore louerd : "þis sunne : þolie more." he seide, "al þis world is ful of sunne : and ful ȝare hath i-beo, And þare-fore i-chulle al þene world a-sle : with þeose launces þreo." Ore leuedi heold up hire hondene : and sat a-doun a-kneo, And seide, "leoue sone, nouþe þin ore! : þov most þe bet bi-seo, þou most þine wratþe mienge : with milce and with ore, And þenche þat þou most milsful beo : And þat þou bouȝtest man ful sore." "Moder," seide ore louerd þo : "hov miȝte ich don þi lore? Ne sixtþou hou men me mis-doth : þat I-ne mai hit þolie more?" "Leoue sone," ore lauedi seide : "a-bijd ȝeot one stounde: Ich habbe ane guode Caumpiun : to þine bi-hofþe i-founde, þat schal muche del of þat folk : onder þine wille do; And anne felawe i-chulle him bi-take : þat schal helpe him þer-to." "Lat me iseo," ore louerd seide : "i-chulle loki ȝweþer huy beon ouȝtes." Ore leuedi nam þo seint domenic : and bi-fore [ore] louerd him brouȝte, And seint Fraunceis al-so guod : "mi sone," heo seide, "lo Mi chaumpiun and his felawe : þat schullen þis dede do." "Ȝe," seide ore louerd, "þeos beoth boþe : strongue and guode þer-to : I-chulle heom helpe in heore dedes : and ȝiue heom grace al-so." ¶ Seint Domenic a-morewe a-ros : ant to churche wende sone, And on is sweuene þouȝte muche : ȝwat him was to done. he stod and bi-heold a-boute : his felawe he gan toV. of seo þat ore lauedi him brouȝte a-niȝt : is felawe for-to beo. he ne hadde neuer er him i-seiȝe : he descreuede him faste a-non, his face and is bodi al-so : andom. in V. him þouȝte it was swych on. he tok and custe him a-non : ase it was wel riȝt, And tolde him alV. of al þat cas : hov him matte a-niȝt; And Eyþer bi-gan to schewi oþur : heore wille and heore þouȝt; So þat huy weren, ase god wolde : in o consent i-brouȝt, And eiþur dude bi oþeres rede : and þeos tweie ordres wrouȝte, Of frere prechours and of frere Menores : ase ore leuedi heom on brouȝte : ¶ Seint Domenic þe ordre of frere prechours : ase ich habbe i-seid, And seint Fraunceis of frere Menores : eiþer bi oþeres red. And sire Symon de Mount-fort : þat guod kniȝt was and hende, Sosteinede þis holie Men : to bringue þis dede to ende.— Ich wene, ich may for soþe it segge : ȝif huy nadden i-beo bi-founde, þe world hadde for grete sune i-beo : are þis i-brouȝt to grounde! Ȝeot, for al þat heo mouwen a-boute go : to prechi and to schriue, Sunne is ȝeot into al þis lond : and wrechhede, al-to riue! here mouwen þis luþere men i-seo : þat euere spekez to quede, In ȝwuche manere þis guode men : bi-gunne furst þis dede. Manie of þis deoueles limes : bi-twene heom seggez al dayȝ : "Wel murie was þe world and guod : are man ani frere i-sayȝ." Al-so huy spekez, heom bi-fallez : for ore louerd seide, i-wis : "bi þe fruyt man may i-seo : ȝwat-manere treo it is : For þare ne may of no luyþur treo : no guod fruyt springue;" vnneþe may a luyþur man ani guod word : out of him-sulue bringue. huy mouwen loki ȝwanne ore louerd : heom smyt, harde i-nouȝ, with one of his launces þreo : þat he to heom drouȝ, þat was for þis tweie holie men : þulke tyme on-do; Fondi heo mouwen heore wyþer-wine [ȝwan]om. huy comiez þar-to. Ake hit ne worth neuere fals : þat ore louerd him-self sede : þat his desciples scholden i-blessede beo : ȝwanne men hem spekez to quede And seggez heom scorn and bysemare : for ore louerdes name. bi þe freres þus it is : of Men þat seggez heom schame; Ake ore louerd him-sulf wole wreche nime : þei it were þo with-drawe For seint Domenic þe holie Man : and seint Fraunceis, is felawe.— þis holie Man seint dominic : In-to his ordre he nam Ane ȝoungue clerk at one tyme : þat frere prechour bi-cam And sethþe þoruȝ þe feondes lore : with-drouȝ him atþen-ende And seide þat he wolde a-ȝein : to þe worlde wende; he dude of is Abite : and is schurte on him caste. Seint Dominic sat a-doun a-kneo : and for him bad wel faste. Ase he seide is oresones : þe clerk bi-gan to weopen sore And pitou[s]liche bi-gan to crie : "a! nouþe merci, louerd, þin ore! þis schurteMS. schrurte þat is a-boute me : for-brennez me to grounde; Drawez hire of for godes loue : oþur ich deie in luyte stounde." So þat þoruȝ ore louerdes grace : him þouȝte he was for-brent, Are he nome a-ȝein is Abite : and hadde is heorte i-wend. BI a frere al-so at boloyne : bi-feol swych a cas þat of þe feond i-fondet was : and with-inne him al-so he was. Seint Domenic it of-þouȝte sore : and het a-godes name þene feond to helle wende a-non : and seide, "ȝwi dostþou me schuch schame?" "þov ne þart me blamie nouȝt : for with riȝte ich am here,"Diaboius. þe feond Answerede seint Domenic : ase he was in þe frere, "For þes frere cam ȝursterday to toune : and dronk with-oute leue. Ase a luyte mot þare-Inne ich lay : and bi-gan with-inne him weue; For he ne blessede nouȝt is drinke : and with-oute leue it nam, Wit lawe ich mai in him beo : and with lawe in him ich am." "Certes," seide þis frere, "he seith soth : and riȝt so it is. Ichot, i dronk ȝurstai in toune : with-oute leue, i-wis, And Ine blessede nouȝt mi drinke : and a swuch mot þare was Inne, And with þat drinke þat ich dronk : it schet me sone with-Inne. Euer-eft he hath I-greued me. : ore louerd fram me him bringue!" Ase huy tolden here-a-boute : to Matynes huy gonne ringue. ¶ "Out, out," quath þe deuel þo : "a-wei ich mot gon : þis þeues with þis wide hodes : a-rise wollez a-non, And I-ne dar nouȝt a-bide heore song : adrad ich am wel sore." he fleu out of þis selie man : and ne cam neiȝ him non-more.— As þe holie man seint Domenic : and his felawes come with-oute Tolouse bi a watur : ase huy hadden er i-lome, heore bokes fullen into þe watur : and sonken a-non to grounde. huy wenden forth in heore wei : þo huy ne miȝten beon i-founde. þare cam þane þridde day : a fischare with is ginne And caste is nettes in þat watur. : þo felde he heui with-Inne. þouȝte he, "here is fisch i-nouȝ" : and bi-gan to drawe faste : þe holie manness bokes it weren. : þo huy comen forth atþe laste, Also sounde huy weren and druye : ase huy euerer were; For al þat huy leien in þat watur : no-þing þe worse huy nere.— ¶ At one tyme seint Domenic : at rome was i-sete, And fourti of is freres al-so : with him to þe mete. huy nadden bote a luyte bred— : wel luyte was þe lestes, And alle huy maden heom also Ioifole : ase huy weren at one feste. Ake natheles huy weren of-hungrede sore : þei huy so glade were. þo comen þare tweie children In : with wel milde chere; Abite of freres huy hadden up-on : fairore neuere nere : In heore lappene huy brouȝten mete : ant to seint Domenic hit bere. þo huy hadden him þis mete i-take : huy nusten ȝware huy bi-come. þis freres maden heom glade I-nouȝ : and wordeliche forth it nome.— ¶ A dai, as þis holie Man : in þe Contreie we[n]de, þat lodlokeste weder þat miȝte beo : ore louerd ouer him sende. he bi-gan to maken is oresun : his felawe was in doute. þat weder bi-gan to reinie faste : in eche side a-boute; Ake sone it ȝaf him roumeV. Ac hit bigon to ȝiue him wei : and al-a-boute with-drawe, þat bi fif fet it ne cam nouȝt him neiȝ : ne al-so neiȝ his felawe. BI-side þe Cite of Toluse bi a watur huy come. A man ladde heom ouer In a schip : ase he dude oþere i-lome. Seint Domenic wolde wende is wei : þo he to londe cam. þe passour him het a-bide : and bi þe cope him nam, And seide, he scholde him paye is huyre : were him leof þe loth, he nolde him serui so for nouȝt : and þarto he swor is oth. "Lat me," seide þis holie Man : "par charite forth quijt gon, And god wole ȝelden þi trauail : for i-ne habbe seoluer non." "Al for nouȝt," seide þes oþur : "bi þe fei þat i schal to þe, Mi trauail þou schalt me paie : oþur þi cope bi-leue with me." "Ȝwane þou nelt," quath þe holie man : "for godes loue nouȝt do, Ich bidde god, ȝif is wille beo : þat he helpe me þer-to." þo lay bi-side þe schipe þere : a peni, fair I-novȝ. þe passour beuȝ a-doun a-non : and þane peni to him drouȝ. "NIm þare," seide þis holie man : "ase ore louerd sende þe. For i-nabbe mi-sulf nouȝt : ore louerd a-quitez me." Ore suete louerd nolde nouȝt : þat þe freres i-lette were; him-sulf he sende heom heore schip-huyre. : fair miracle was þere!— ¶ Al-so þis holie man a niȝt : In his oresones lay bi him-sulf in priueite : ase he dude niȝt and day, þe deuel cam and stod bi him : In Abite of frere. "Womme," seide þe holie man : "ȝwat dost þov nouþe here? Ȝwy nartþov In þine bedde a-slepe : In þe dortour with þine fere? þov wost wel it nis nouȝt ordre : ne non riȝt guod manere." þe Deuel stod and made him signe : ase ho-so seith "i-nelle nouȝt speke Ne so muche mis-don a-ȝeines god : is ordre for-to breke."V. has 2 vv. more. ¶ Seint Domenic hadde wonder þar-of : ȝwat frere it miȝte beo þat so wel is ordre heold. : he þouȝte he wolde i-seo : he wende and liȝte ane candle : and bi-heold þis frere. þo he wuste ȝwat he was : he þouȝte ȝwat dost þou here; he blamede himMS. hẹiọm suyþe muche : ȝwat he dude þo þere, For it were betere is riȝte : þat he in helle were. diabolus.¶ "þou mis-dest more," þe deuel seide : "þin ordre for-to breke : For þou wost wel þis tyme : it ne fallez þe nouȝt to speke." Dominicus.¶ "þou ne seist nouȝt riȝt," quath seint Domenic : "for þe prior may, For-to wissi is ȝoungue freres : speken niȝt and day. Ich hote þat þou me telle : nouþe þou art allingues here, Ȝware-with þou fondest mest : In churche ani frere." ¶ "bote ich makie," seide þe deuel þo : "late to churche gon,diabolus. And ȝwane he alles þare-inne is : out þannes to wiende a-non." Dominicus.Of þe dortore he axede him : ȝwat were þare is dede. diabolus.¶ "bote ich makie freres to ligge longue : in heore bedde," he sede, "And þe [ȝwile]om. huy þarinne beoth : huy þenchezV. þenken on vuel þouȝt. hit is on of Mine beste hous : Inelle bi-leue it nouȝt." Dominicus.¶ Seint Domenic axede of þe freitore : "ȝwat is þi dede þere?" diabolus."bote ich fondi þe dedes þere : of glotonie for-to a-rere; Ich makie freres to muchel ete : and to drinke al-so, For-to maken heom feble : godes seruise to do." Dominicus.¶ "Ȝwat In þe parlore?" seint Domenic seide : "beo nouþe soth a-knouwe!" diabolus."A, beo stille," seide þe schrewe þo : "þat hous is al min owe : For ich heom makie telle þere : euerech oþur tyþingue, And make heom þenche and speke al-so : of folies and lesinge." Dominicus.¶ "And ȝwat þe chapitle?" seint Domenic seide : "miȝt þou þare ouȝt winne?" diabolus."A, beo stille," þe schrewe seide : "neuere Ine cam þare-Inne. Longue, for þou it hast i-nemd : þe worse me schal beo. God ne suffri me neuere þare-inne come : ne enes it i-seo! Al þat ich habbe i-wonne a-day : and þe niȝt bi-fore, Sone so þine freres þudere comieth : al ich habbe i-lore; I-wyped it is alV. as clene a-wey : ase it neuere nere. A-corsed is al þulke stude : ne come ich neuere þere." þo wende þe schrewe is wei : and luyte hadde i-wonne, And þe holie man is beden seide : ase he hadde bi-gonne.— LOngue leouede þis holie man : in guode liue i-nouȝ, And is ordre in guod poynt brouȝte : are he to deþe drouȝ; At þe laste, ase god it wolde : þat he scholde heonnes wende, AV. Atte frere prechur[s] of boloygne : [he] drov toward is ende. he hadde a couent of [twelue] freres : þo he drou toward þe deþe. hisV. þis twelf freres bi-fore him comen : him-seolf was þe þretteþe :The half-lines transp. in V. he prechede heom faire i-nouȝ : to siwi godes lore, For-to holden þe ordre wel : and to echen as more and more. Of þreo þing he made is testamentV. quide : riȝt bi-fore his deþe : pouerte,. and loue,. and Meoknesse : his breþren he dudeom. in V. bi-queþe; þat huy weren euere in guode loue : and in Meoknesse al-so, And þat huy ladden heore lijf in pouerte : and euere heolden þer-to. For he foundede hore ordre furst : ope þeos þingues þreo And bi-quath sethþen alle þo : þat wolden is breþren beo. he ȝaf alle godes curs and his : þat his ordre fuylden ouȝt with grete richesse and worldes feo : for þe ordre it nolde nouȝt. þo he hadde imaked is testament : he deide riȝt in þe place And bi-teiȝte þe ordre and is soule : al In ore louerdes grace. he deide twelf hundred ȝer : and four-scoreV. twenti ȝer and onorig. two Aftur þat ore louerd nam : of is moder flechs and bon. And endleue houndret ȝer : and four-score ȝer and tene Aftur þat ore louerd on eorþe cam : he bi-gan þe ordre, ich wene. Wel auȝte we blessi þe tyme : þat euere he was bi-gunne : For mani a soule, ichot, he hath : to godes bi-hofþe i-wonne.— ¶ þo þis holie Man seint Dominic : bi-gan of þis liue gon, Into þe Ioye of heuene : his soule wende a-non. For ase þe prior of bixeV. Bride : þo in is bedde a-slepe lay, hym þouȝte riȝt þulke tyme : þat he a gret laddre i-say, þe laddre schon swyþe briȝte : into heuene an heiȝ; Ore louerd on-ouewarde : and ore leuedi he i-seiȝ, Al bi-neoþe sat a frere : in is scapelori ȝwijt, his hod i-drawe ouer is eiȝen : riȝt in his Abijt; Ase he sat on þis laddre lowe : on þe neþemeste roungue, Aungles þare eoden up and doun : And swiþe murie huy songue. Ore louerd heold þis laddre an heiȝ : and ore leuedi also, And drowen þane frere up þare-bi : þat þar-on was i-do, In his Abijte huy drowen him up : in-to heouene an heiȝ; And al þat clere lijȝt of heouene : him þouȝte þat he i-seiȝ, And heouene smot to-gadere a-non : þo he was with-Inne i-brouȝt. Þo þis prior a-wok : he lay in grete þouȝt; his breþren he let cleopie a-non : and seide, "ichot, i-wis, Þat þis holie man seint Domenic : out of þis liue he is; For i saiȝ him riȝt nouþe," he seide : "to þe Ioye of heuene go." Þe soþe huy of-Axeden sethþe : þat he deide riȝt þo.— bidde we ȝeorne seint Dominic : þat þe ordre hath i-wrouȝt, Þat we beon forth with him : to þe Ioye of heuene i-brouȝt. bidde we ore louerd and ore lauedi : for seint Dominikes loue Þat we moten aftur ore ende-day : to þe blisse of heuene come. 42 [Teofle.] TEofle was a swyþe gret man : And guod clerk he was al-so, hext Maister bi-fore alle oþere : under þe bischope i-do. Þo þe bischop was ded : Teofle was forth ibrouȝt to beon bischop aftur him. : ake natheles he nolde [nout],nout added later. And seide þat he nas nouȝt wuyrþe þare-to : and guod he couþe to luyte. Þat folke made ane oþerne sone : with grete nobleye and with pruyte. Þo þe bischop inMS. is his power was : to teofle wrathþe he caste, For he was raþur to bischope i-chose : and with þe oþur bischope heold faste : he dude him out of his mester : and is guod him bi-nam. So þat Teofle þare-aftur-ward : in-to grete pouerte bi-cam; Al-so riche man ase he was er : ase pouere he was þo; So þat he nuste ȝware-bi libbe. : welle, þat him was wo! Þo he was in Miseise i-brouȝt : him schamede swiþe sore : Men þat him honoured er : þo nolden huy non-more; Ech man tolde luyte of him— : for of þe pouere Men wollez so. he ne miȝte for schame a-mong men come : he nuste ȝwat for-to do, Þene deth he wilnede þingue mest. : so þat he him bi-þouȝte Þat, ho-so þene feond serui wolde : in grete richesse he him brouȝte. to a giv he wende a nyȝt : þat wonede þare-bi-side; he bad him helpe of þat cas : þat gan him þare bi-tide, And him to serui for richesse : þene deuel a-boute wel wide. "Wel, it schal beo," þe giv seide : "ake ȝeot þou most a-bide; Cum oþur nyȝt þis tyme : In þis stude here to me And i-chulle þe swuch red do : þat wel schal liki þe." ¶ Teofle ne fur-ȝat nouȝt þis. : to þe giv he eode In þat ilke stude þat oþur niȝt : to beten is grete neode. "Cum forth with me," quath þe giv : "ase ich þe wolle lede. Ake of ȝwat þu iseo oþur heore : ne haue þou none drede, Ne make no signe of þe creoyz : ne þeron ne þench riȝt nouȝt, And in swuche richesse nere þou neuere : ase þov worst sone i-brouȝt." TEofle wende forth with him : and dude ase he him sede. Into a priue stude he cam sone : ase þe giv gan him lede : Þene heie feond he fond þere : Maister of alle quede, And al his maynie a-boute him : for-to a-counti heore mis-dede. "Ȝwat is he þat ilke," quath þe schrewe : "þat þov bringuest with þe?" "he schal beon of þine," quath þe giv : "and for neode he cam to þe. A man he was of gret pouwer : þat is nouþe him bi-nome, And for-to bringue him into richesseal. him in a-ȝein : þi Man he schal bi|come." "Wel-come, beu frere," þe feond seide : "nouþe þou dost wel, i-wis! haddest þov i-don þus mani day : riche þou were are þis. bi-com mi Man, and do me homage : and þov schalt beo riche i-novȝ; For I-nelle no man helpe bote mine owene : and elles I dude wovȝ." ¶ "Ich bi-come þi man," quath Teofle : "and clanliche to þe take."al. 4 vv. more. "Certes, beau frere," quath þe Deuel : "wel muche þov most for|sake : Þov most fur-sake god þat þe schop : and alle halewene also." "And ich heom for-sake," Teofle seide : "for þine wille ichulle do." "Saunz faille, beu frere," þe Deuel seide : "þou ne miȝtest speke no bet. Þou art nouþe sone riche man I-novȝ. : ake oþing ȝeot þe let; bote þou it do, it is for nouȝt : al þat we habbez i-do : Þou most for-sake for-withal. forþ mid god : Marie, is moder, al-so; For bote þou it wolle do : i-nam siker of þe nouȝt— For manie þat weren in Mine se[r]uise : heo hath fram me ibrouȝt." "And ich fur-sake," Teofle seide : "hire sone, and hire al-so, And þe ich bi-take lijf and soule : al þine wille to do." "Ov, beu frere," þe deuel seide : "ȝeot ich am a-drad : For Marie so ofte hath : mine Men fram me i-lad; Word nis a-ȝein hire bote wind : for þei a man hire for-sake, Ȝif he wole a-ȝein to hire i-wende : gladliche heo wole him take. Þare-fore ichulle beon siker of þe : er ich mongy with þe : guode chartres of þis foreward : þou schalt makie me, And writen hire with þine owene honde : and a-selen hire al-so. Ȝwan þou hast i-don al þis : þine wille ichulle do." Teofle grauntede þis a-non : þe chartre he wrouȝte sone And a-selede hire with is ryng : ase foreward was to done; he sat on kneo and tok is maister : and custe is fet al-so. "Nouþe, teofle," þe schrewe seide : "þov hast al wel i-dc. Þis chartre ichulle so faste bibi superscrbd.-louke : In helle, ȝwanne ich hom come, Þat I ne drede me nouȝt þat heo worþe : þoruȝ Marie me bi-nome. And wiend þou hom, and beo studefast : ase ichulle aȝein þe : So riche man nere þou neuere : ase þou worst sone þoru me." Þe feond wende hom to helle : and teofle hom al-so, And þonkede þe gywe alle guode : þat he him hadde ido. A-Morewe, so sone ase hit was day : þe bischop after teofle sende, Þat he to him wel hasteliche : with-oute ani defaute wende. Merci he criede wel deolfulliche : þo he to him cam, And bi-tok him aȝein is power : þat he er him bi-nam. Teofle bi-cam a-non so riche : þat so riche man non nas; Ase louerd and sire ech man him heold : wel muche is power was; Eche man was glad to queme him. : Men wondreden of þat cas, And seiden, "it nis in þis world : bote si haut e si bas." Worldes richesse he hadde i-nouȝ : and worldes blisse al-so. Alas, þat ani cristine Man scholde : in þat manere come þare-to! ¶ Hit bi-feol þare-after-ward : In wel luyte stounde Þat þe giv þat him þere-to brouȝte : with tricherie was i-founde; I-nome he was and to dome i-brouȝt : and to strongue deþe i-do : Fur-barnd he was þoru Iuggement : and to late he was so! ¶ Þo teofle him onder-stod—: In is heorte he þouȝte Þat þe Deuel, with ȝwam þe giv was : to þulke deþe him brouȝte. Þouȝte he, "nam ich al-so with him? : and þei ich beo riche ane stounde, Ne schal ich neuere i-wite þe tyme : are he me bringue to grounde : Þanne were ich fur-lore lijf and soule! : and ich am to him i-bounde So faste, þat Ine may me with-drawe. : alas þat ilke stounde! Alas, ȝwy ne hadde ich i-beo raþur ded : þaneMS. þanne i-don þulke dede! Nabbe ich fur-sake heom echone : þat me scholden helpe and rede? hou miȝte ich hopie of grace : ȝwane ich heom habbe fur-sake? A sunful wreche ich am, alas : nas neuere i-seie mi make! god is so riȝtful þat to him : ne hopie ich nouȝt þere-fore. bote ich habbe ore leuedie grace : certus, ich am fur-lore. For heo was euere ful of milce : and þei ich hire habbe for-sake, hou ich euere þare-of spede : to hire grace ichulle me take." To churche he wende to ore leuedi auter : and cride hire milce and ore, his kneon he beot a-ȝein þe eorþe : weopinde swyþe sore On hire he cride and weop ful sore : boþe nyȝt and day, Out of þe chapele nolde he nouȝt : ake euere þare-inne he lay. FOurty dayes and fourty nyȝt : on hire he criede faste. hire milce, þat euere was so guod : heo scheowede him at þe laste : For ase he criede on hire so ȝeorne : þat swete mayde so hende cudde hire milde-hede, and fram heouene : to him a-doun gan wende. "hov miȝte ich," heo seide, "þou wrechche Man : eny grace þe take, And hou miȝte ich to mi sone for þe bidde : ȝwane þou hast him for-sake?" "A, leuedi, leuedi," teofle seide : "nouþe, leuedi, þin ore! Ich habbe i-sunegut manne mest : þat rewez me wel sore. haue merci of þis sunfule wrechche! : I-nelle do sunne non-more, Ake, ȝif þou wolt me þine grace ȝiue : Ichulle don al þi lore." "Þov sunfule man," ore leuedi seide : "ase muche ase on me is, to þe ichulle beo milde I-novȝ : and to alle cristine men, i-wis : For ich louie muche cristine Men : And norichi heom al-so, and euere am redi to heom a-liȝte : heore bone forto do; And swiþe muche ich þolie ofte : mine sone to maken liþe, Þat he ne nimez of heom grete wreche : ase he wolde ofte-siþe. Ake sch[r]yf þe to him of þine sunnes : þat was i-bore of me And þat þolede deth for sunfule men : and ichulle bidde for þe." "Leuedi, merci," Teofle seide : "vnwuyrþe ich am þer-to, with þat Mouth þat ich him for-sok : swuch schrift to him do." "Ȝus, hardiliche," ore leuedi seide : "for he is milde and softe; Wel þou wost þat sunfule men : gret loue he cuth wel ofte. For he was for sunfule Men i-bore : and to deþe for heom i-do, he mot nede to heom beo milde : for riȝt kuynde it wole so." Teofle bi-gan þo weope and crie : "louerd, merci," he sede, "to þe ich me schriue with deolful heorte : for mi luþer mis|dede. haue merci of me, al-so wisliche : ase þou were for me i-bore And for us þoledest deth : þat we ne scholden beo fur-lore! Þench nouþe, louerd, on mine wrechhede! : swete Ihesu, þin ore! Do me þine milce, ich bidde þe, louerd : i-nelle do sunne neuere-eft more." ¶ "Teofle, teofle," ore leuedi seide : "for þi cristine-dom, An for pite þat ich habbe of cristine men : sethþe mi sone mi flesch nom, I-chulle bidde on mine bare kneon : mi sone for þeMS. me wel sone. beo studefast, ase þou hast bi-gonneMS. bi-goume : and he wole i-heore þi bone." with þis word Teofle nuste : ȝware ore leuedi bi-com. he weop and cride euere ȝeorne : and al to hire grace him nom. Þreo dawes with-oute mete and drinke : þare he gan a-bide In wop and sor and deol j-nouȝ : on ore leuedi euere he criede. Ore lauedi cam þo al liȝinde : and with glade semblaunt also, "Teofle," heo seide, "þou hast nouþe sone : penaunce i-nouȝ i-do; beo glad and bliþe, for ich habbe i-bede : mine sone milce and ore, Þat he hath þine sunnes þe fur-ȝyue. : ne sunegue þov nonmore!" "I-hered beo þov," teofle seide : "and þi holie grace, And i-blessed beo þe tyme þat ich to þe : criede in þusse place! Leuedi, euere ich am a-drad : and siker nam ich nouȝt, Are þe chartre þat ich himom. him made : leuedi, to me beo i-brouȝt : Leuedi, þou art ful of milce : þat þou me schewest in þis place : Ȝwane þi milce, leuedi, is so muche : do me þerof þine grace!" "Nov sone, theofle," ore leuedi seide : "ȝeot ichulle þe milde beo," with þis word heo wende forth : þat he ne miȝte hire more i-seo. hire milce heo scheowede, for heo cam : to him þene þridde day And brouȝte þe chartre and bi-teiȝte as him : ase he a-slepe lay, And wende a-ȝein wel stilleliche— : and þo Theofle a-wok, Þe chartre he heold in is hond : þat ore leuedi him bi-tok. glad and bliþe he was i-nouȝ : and me þunchez þat he wel ouȝte! Ore lauedie he þonkede and hire grace : þat to swuche guodnesse him brouȝte.al. 2 vv. more. ¶ Þis cas bi-feol in leinte : on a satures-day at niȝt. A-morewe, þene sonenday : þe day was cler and briȝtal. as þe day was liȝt, Þe bischop and is clerkes : and muche folk al-so to churche comen, ase riȝt was : godes seruise to do. Riȝt þo godspel was i-rad : Theofle forth him wende, To þe bischopes fet he feol a-doun : and þene Deuel more he schende : he tolde þe bischope euerech del : and al þe folke al-so, Þat forewardMS. fereward and þe sikernesse : þat he hadde þe Deuele i-do, And hov of þe Deueles miȝte : ore swete leuedi him caste And brouȝte him þe chartres þat he made : þat bi-loke was in helle faste. Þe chartre bi-fore al þat folk : he let þe bischope rede, Þat ech man i-seiȝe is luþere sunne : and ore leuedie mildhede. Þa[t] folk wolde þe chartre witen : for miracle, þatal. as huy bede. "A, Merci, merci, for godes loue" : Theofle ofte seide, "For þe ȝwyle þe chartre is i-hol : ȝeot euere-more me dredeth; Are heo beo to douste i-brent : siker lijf ne mai ich lede." Þe chartre huy barnden bi-fore heom alle : þat ech man miȝte i-seo. "Certes, nouþe ich hopie," theofle seide : "þat siker ich mouwe beo." ¶ Þo þe bischop hadde is masse i-do : þat folk cam mani-folde A-boute Theofle in eche side : þat wonder to bi-holde. briȝtore þane þe sonne, heom þouȝte : he schon in-to al is face, Þat non ne miȝte for briȝthede : bi-holde him in þat place. he liet dele and ȝiue pouere men : þatal. his guod wel clene þere, And seide þat he out of churche nolde : þe ȝwile he a-liue were. To þe stude he wende a-non : þatal. þer ore leuedi to him a-liȝte And brouȝte him þe chartres of is sunnes : þoruȝ hire swete miȝte. A-non-riȝt he bi-gan to sikni : and þare riȝt a-doun lay; his breþren he custe echone : and deide þene þridde day. þat folk dude bi him þat was to done : and bureden him riȝt þere. his soule wende to heueneMS. henene anon : þare I-cholde we alle were. For he is a seint in heuene an heiȝ : and his day fallez in þe ȝere A luyte bi-fore Aueryl : ase þe bok us doth lere. Wel fair Miracle ore leuedi dude : þat brouȝte him of þulke wo, Ase heo hath manye oþere i-don : and ȝeot heo wole wel mo. 43 [George] SEint George þe holie man : ase we findez i-write, In þe londe of Cappadoce : he was i-bore and bi-ȝite. þe false godes he for-sok : and tornede to cristine-dom, And louede Iesu crist swiþe wel : and holi man bi-com. Dacian, þe luþere prince : þat was in þulke stounde, Alle þe cristine men þat he fond : he let bringue to grounde. A day, ase he honourede is false godes : and oþere manie on, Seint George I-saiȝ al þis : ase he cam þare-forth gon. þe signe he made of þe croiz : and blessede him al-a-boute And Armede him þoruȝ þe holie gost : with-Inne and with-oute, he wende him forth wel baldeliche : and wel loude bi-gan to grede To Dacian and to Alle his : and þeose wordes sede : "Alle false godes so beoth : deuelschine, i-wis; For ore louerd made heuene : ase in þe sautere i-writen it is." þo Dacian i-heorde þis : he grennede and femde faste, And lourede with sori semblaunt : and þeos wordes out he caste : "Belamy, ȝwat art þou : þat so gret fol art and so bold, þat in ovre power and bi ovre godes : swuche wordes hast i-told? þov ne dost us nouȝt one schame : ase we alle I-seoth, Ake ore godes and us, ȝwane þou seist : þat huy deuelene beoth. Tel me sone of ȝwannes þou art : and ȝwat is þi riȝte name, þat darst us segge and ore godes : þus baldeliche swchMS. schwch schame." "George, ich hote," þis oþur seide : "and cristine man ich am, And out of þe lond of cappadoce : hidere to eov ich cam." "bel amy," seide Dacian : "torne þi word a-non And honoure here ovre godes : oþur it schal an-oþur gon." "Beo stille, þov fol," seint George seide : "þou spext embe nouȝt, For ich habbe on Iesu crist : I-fastned al mi þouȝt." "A, traytour," seide Dacian : "wolt þov take on so? þov schalt in oþere ribaudies : sone daiȝes beo i-do." he liet him hangi up an heiȝ : In one-manere rode And þare-to him binde faste al naked : with ropes strongue and guode. with kene Owles þer-under : þe tormentores stode And to-drowen is holie lymes : þat faste huy ronne on blode; Al huy to-teren is te[n]dre flesch : þe peces fullen to grounde; Brenninde eoyle huy nomen sethþe : and casten In þe wounde. þo huy hadden him so longue to-drawe : þat reouþe it was to seo, huy bi-þouȝten heom of more wo : and nomen him a-doun of þe treo : with smarte scourges huy leiden on him : and wounde op-on oþur made— to þe bare bon þe scourgene comen : ase þe Owles hadden i-wade; þe woundene huy selten sethþe : and salt ful þicke caste, And sethþe with a clout of here : roddeden þe woundes faste. louerd, muche was þe pine þat he hadde : ech ope oþur þere, þo men selten so is quike flesch : and roddeden so with here! Reuþe it was swuch pine to se : ho-so ouȝt of reuþe were; And euere lay þe guode Man : ase þei him noþing nere. ¶ þo Dacian i-saiȝ þat he ne miȝte : ouer-comen him so, he let binde þene holie man : and in strongue prisone do. þare he lai al þe longue niȝt : to oþur wo þat he hadde. A-morewe þe tormentores eft-sone : bi-fore Daciane him ladden. In eche manere huy fondeden þo : ȝif huy miȝten tuyrne is þouȝt. Ake þo huy i-seiȝen euerech-one : þat it was al for nouȝt, Dacian let makie a weol of bras : so strong ase he miȝte, And scharpe sweordes wel þicke a-boute : þare-on faste he piȝte : he let nime þis holie man : and þare-aboue him do, þat þe swerdes scholden is bodi to-rende : and to-drawe al-so. So sone ase huy þis guode man : a-boue þusse ȝweole brouȝte, þat ȝweol to-brac, ase god it wolde : and to-bruysde al-to nouȝte; So þat þis holie man : harmles þarof he was. Dacian was swiþe wroth : þo he i-saiȝ þat cas. ¶ A forneis he let makenal. nyme of bras : and fullen it ful of led; he let maken a strong fuyr i-novȝ : ase he nam sone is red. Þo þat led was al i-molte : and boylede swiþe faste, he let nimen þis holie man : and riȝt a-middes caste. SEint George nam up is hond : and þe croiz bi-fore him made, And in þe wallinde led : baldeliche he gan wade. þare-Inne he sat wel softe a-doun : ase þei him noþing nere, And leonede to þe brerde stille : ase þei he a-slepe were; he lai ase þei he in reste were : for-to þat led atþe laste was al in-to þe colde i-turnd : þat boylede er so faste. Louerd, muche is þi miȝte : ase men miȝten þare i-seo, þat ani man miȝte in þe wallinde led : so longue harmles beo! ¶ þo Dacian þis i-seiȝ : his wit him was neiȝ bi-nome; "Mahun," he seide, "hov geth þis? : ȝware is novþe þi miȝte bi-come? Ȝwane I-ne may þis foule þeof : ouer-come in þusse wise, I schal bi-nime him sone is lijf : þare he ne schal neuere a-rise." his dom he gan to ȝiue a-non : þat huy seint George nome And drowen him þoruȝ-ovtout superscribed. al þe toun : for-to-huy with-oute come, [& þat]om. in the MS. huy smiten of his heued : with-oute þe toun atþe laste, And is bodi þare in sum foul place : to wilde bestes it caste. Þo þis dom was þus Iȝyue : hit nas nouȝt i-lete : huy nomen and drowen þis holie man : villiche þoruȝ þe strete, Forto huy comen with-oute toun : þare huy wolden is heued of smite. heore wepne huy drowen forth and ȝwetten hem : kene forto bite. "Leoue breþren," seint George seide : "one stounde a-bidez ȝuyte, For-to ich habbe to Iesu crist : mine bone i-bede a luyte." ¶ his hondene he heold up on heiȝ : a-doun he sat on kneo, And seide, "swete louerd Iesu crist : þat alle þing miȝt i-seo, graunte me, ȝif þi wille is : þat, ho-so in guode manere halewez mine day in Aueril : for mi loue on eorþe here, þat þare ne falle in þat hous : no qualm in al þe ȝere, Ne gret sijknesse ne hongur strong : þat þarof beo no fere; And ho-so in perile of þe se : to me bit is bone, Oþur in any oþur stude perilous : louerd, þov helpe heom sone!" ¶ þo i-heorden huy a voiz in heuene : þat to him seide, i-wis : "Mi blessede child, cum here forth to me : þi bone i-heord is." þo is heued was of i-smite : ase al þat folk i-seiȝ, Aungles nomen is swete soule : and to heuene beren on heiȝ. þare he is in grete Ioye : þat last with-outen ende. Nov god for seint Georges loue : late ore soule þudere wende. 44 Vita sancti Eadmundi regis. SEint Eadmund þe holie kyng : i-bore was here bi esteThe half-lines al. transposed. In þe on ende of Engelonde : of ȝwam Men makiez feste; For of southfolke he was kyng : and of þe contreie wel wide. Þare weren in Enguelonde þo : kyngus in fale side. Swyþe fair knyȝt and strong he was : and hardi and quoynte, Meoke and milde and ful of milce : and large in eche poynte. Twey princes of an oþur lond : þat weren in luþere þouȝte, Nomen heore red to-gadere faste : to bringue enguelond to nouȝte; hubba was þat on i-hote : and þat oþur heiȝte hynguar. Into enguelond huy comen with gret fierd : are ani man were i-war : In North-humberlond huy bi-gunne : and þare huy slowen to grounde And robbeden and barnden al to nouȝt : and destruyden al þat huy founde. þo huy hadden north-humberlond : clanliche a-doun i-brouȝt, Al-so huy wolden al enguelond : and þouȝten huy nolden blinne nouȝt : hynguar, þat þe o. maister was : his felawe he bi-lefde þere, hubba, [&] wende here bi este : to quelle þat þare were. Of þe guodnesse of seint Eadmund : he heorde muche telle : Into is lond he wende a-non : to fondi him to quelle. Into is hexte toune he cam : er any man were i-war, And robbede furst al þat he fond : and made þane toun wel bar; And al-so he slov þat folk to grounde : al þat he miȝte of-gon, Ȝong and old, wyf and Mayde : he ne sparede neuere on. children fram heore moder breste : he drov and let heom quelle And al-to-hewe bi-fore þe moderes : þat reuþe it was to telle; ¶ þare-After he let þe Moderes a-sle : sorewe þare was I-novȝ! þane toun he barnde al to douste : and al þat folk a-slovȝ. he axede at some of þe men : ȝware heore kyng were; And huy teiȝten him ȝware he was : huy ne dorsten non-oþur for fere : In þe toune of Eglesdone : a guod wei þannes, he was. þo þe luþere prince heorde þat : he ne made no softe pas, Ake wende him þudere ful hastifliche : with is luþere men ech-one. huy comen and metten þane holie kyng : with-oute þe ȝate al one. A-non so hynguar wuste þat it was he : he let him nime þere, And bi-segi is Men alle : þat with-Inne were. ¶ þis holie kyn[g] was faste Inome. : and In a luyte stounde Bi-fore þe prince he was i-lad : naked and faste i-bounde, vv. 37-8 are to be transposed.For-to a-fongue þare is dom : and non so men him nome (!),al.: þo his dom was iȝyue, faste me him nom Riȝt as men ladden ore louerd bi-fore pilatus : for-to a-fongue is dome. In a wode as he was i-lad : to a treo huy him bounde And with smarte scourges beoten him sore : and maden him many a wounde. þis holie man stod euere stille : he ne grochchede nouȝt ene, Ake euere he cride "god, þin ore!" : and non oþur he nolde him mene. So þat þis luþere tormentores : þat beoten him so sore, þouȝten þatal. þei huy him schame duden : andal. om. hov huy miȝten don him more. huy benden heore bouwene and stoden a-feor : and heore Arewene riȝten : Ase to ane marke huy schoten to him : ase euene ase huy miȝten. þe Arewene stikeden on him ful þicke : and al is bodi to-drowe; And euere stod þis holie man : riȝt stille, ase þei he lowe. Ase ful ase is an Irchepil : of piles al-a-boute, So ful he stikede of Arewene : with-Inne and with-oute, So ful, þat in none stude : on Arewe ne miȝte In wende bote he for-korue some oþure : more is bodi to rende. Ase þe holie man i-Martred was : seint sebastian, Also huy serueden is holie bodi : and schoten þane holie man, þat euerech pece fram oþur fleu : þat wonder was of is liue. And euere he stod ase him no rouȝte : and cride on god wel bliue. þo hynguar i-saiȝ þat huy ne miȝten : þare-with ouer-come him nouȝt, A-non he let is heued of smyte : þat he were of liue i-brouȝt. Ase þis holie man is beden bad : a man smot of is heued; Andal. ac is bodi wasal. was er al-to-rend : and nouȝt i-hol bi-leued. And for it was so al-to-drawe : huy leten it ligge þere. Ake, for men ne scholden nouȝt finde is heued : forth with heom huy it bere Into þe wode of Eglesdone : aneMS. ane ane derne stude huy founde : A-mong þicke þornes huy it casten : and hudden it in þe grounde. þo heo hadden of þis holie kyng : al heore wille þere, glade and bliþe huy wenden forth : luþere Men ase it were. þat heued huy hudden derneliche : þat no cristine man ne come, Ȝif þat þare ani bi-lefte a-lyue : and with him þannes it nome. A wilde wolf þare cam sone : and to þe heuede he drovȝ, And þare oppe he lai and wuste it faste : a-ȝein is kuynde i-nouvȝ— For is kuynde were more to for-swolewen it— : and lickedeMS. lickeden it ofte and custe, And riȝt ase he wolde is owene ȝwelp : with wilde bestes it wuste. ¶ Sethþe þare comen cristine Men : and in sum power weren i-brouȝt : þat holie bodi huy founden sone : for it nas i-hud riȝt nouȝt. Ake for huy ne founden nouȝt þat heued : a-boute huy wenden wide And souȝtten it longue, In manie studes : euerech in his side. huy ne miȝten it finde for no þyng. : so þat huy comen ane day bi-sides þulke þicke þornes : þare ase þat heued lai. huy nusten nouȝt þat it was þere. : þo bi-gan þat heued to grede, Ase it a-mong þe þornes lay : and riȝt þeose wordes sede : ¶ "Here, here, here," with swete voyz : ase þei he were a-liue. þo þat folk i-heorde þat : þuder-ward huy wenden bliue : þat heued huy founden in þulke stude : ase hit him-sulf sede. Louerd, i-hered beo þi miȝte : þat þare was a fair dede! þat heued huy beren to þe bodi : and setten it euene þare-to, And beren it forth with gret honovr : ase riȝt was forto do.al. 4 vv. more. TO seint Eadmundesburie huy ladden him : ase men cleopiez nouþe þene toun— þare is on Abbeie of blake Monkes : ase huy setten him a-doun. In swyþe noble schrine huy brouȝten him : ase riȝt was for-to do. þare he lijth ȝeot hol and sound : ase heo i-seoth þat comieth him to : For is bodi þat was so to-drawe : hol bi-cam a-non And sound, as þe ȝwyle he a-liue was : boþe of flesch and bon; ¶ þat heued al-so faste to þe bodi : ase it was euerer. In al is bodi nas o weom : þat man miȝte i-seo þer, bote ase is heued was of I-smyte : ase ore louerd it wolde, A smal red line is al-a-boute : schininde ase of golde. A swyþe fair pilegrimage it is : þudere forto fare, For-to honouri þat holie bodi : þat þare hath i-leie so ȝare. Novþe god for þe loue of seint Eadmund : þat was so noble king, graunte us þe Ioye þat he is Inne : aftur ovre ending. Amen. 45 [Miȝhel].This legend I have published before in 'Lemcke, Jahrbuch für rom. und engl. phil., 1874.' SEynt MIȝhel þe Archaungel : and is felawes also, huy beoth bi-tweone ore louerd and us : to schewi ȝwat we schulle do. Ane day huy habbez in þe ȝere : þoruȝ al cristinedom. þoruȝ fair miracle of seint Miȝhel : þe day a manal. me furst nom. In þe one ende of Apuyle : a gret hul þare was and heiȝ þat þe hul gargan is i-cleoped : for a man þat þare was neiȝ, þat gargan i-cleoped was— : þe hul þare-fore hatte so. þis gargan was wel riche man : and in gret power i-do. hit bi-feol þreo hundret ȝer : and euene twenti riȝt Aftur þat ore louerd for us : In is Moder was a-lijȝt, Þat garganes reoþeren : and oþure bestes I-nowe A Morewenes op-on þe heiȝe hulle : to heore lesewe heom drowe. An eue þis ruþerene wenden hom : as heore wone was, ech-one. Bote o bole, þat he louede muche : was bi-hynden al one : Opon þe hexte toret of þe hul : þe bole wel euene drovȝ. And þo þe louerd hine miste an euen : a-nuyd he was i-novȝ; With him he nam men i-nowe : and souȝte into al þat lond : Opon þe hexte hurste of al þe hulle : atþe laste he him fond. he nam one aruwe envenimed : in grete wrathe I-novȝ And schet to þis selie bole : and with grete strencþe i-novȝ.al. drouȝ Ake þis Arewe tornede euene a-ȝein : to him þat hire schet, And smot him, ase it in wreche were : deope wounde and gret. Nov was þat a wonder Arewe : and wonder wei heo souȝte! I-ne kepte nouȝt leorni so forto scheote : ne swuch arewe þat man me brouȝte. A wonder schere-wynd heo was on : womme ȝwat heo þouȝte! Ake euere me þinchez he þat hire schet : þe game sore a-bouȝte.— þat folk þat þare-a-boute stod : in grete wonder was; to þe bischope huy wenden anon : and tolden him al þat cas. þe bischop was in grete fere : and in grete þouȝte stod; A tokningue it was, he wuste wel : of vuele oþur of guod : he hiet al þe contreye a-boute : In oresones anon-riȝt to beo And þre dawes in fastingue al-so : þis tokningue forto seo. Seint MIȝhel after þene þridde day : to þe bischope he com, And seide, "hou þinchez þe of þis dede? : was it a wonder dom? Ne þinche ov no wonder þar-of : for mi wille it was, i-wis : For Ichulle witie wel þulke stude : þat in mine warde is; And In þusse manere ich it schewi eov : þat ȝe þe soþe i-seo, And þat ȝe honouri þulke stude : for is wardein ichulle beo." ¶ þe bischop with procession : swyþe fair and hende, For-to honouri þulke holie stude : mildeliche he gan i-wende. A noble churche huy founden þare : with walles faire and proute; huy ne dorsten nouȝt þare-neiȝ come : heore preiere huy duden with-oute.v. 41-2 spurious? þare-aftur-ward al þat folk of þe lond : þat I-cristned were Aldai comen to þulke hulle : heore beden to bidde þere.— Sethþe [it ful]om. þare-after-ward : þat Saracines þare come And weorreden þe cristine men : and bataylle a-ȝein heom nome : þo het þe bischop ofal. al þat folk : þulke dayes þreo to seint MIȝhel bidden faste : and in fastingue al-so beo. þe þridde nyȝt seint Miȝhel : to þe bischope cam eft-sone,MS. eft ftsone And seide, "lat ȝarki al þi folk : þe bataille for-to done. þat ȝe to-day þare-Inne beon : riȝt atþe feorþe tyde, And with eov Ichulle þare beo : sum-ȝware þare-bi-side." þe bischop was þo glad i-nouȝ. : þat folk was sone ȝare, þe tyme þat he hadde i-set : to þe batayle forto fare. TO-gadere huy smiten opon þe hulle : ake it was ido a-non : for þare cam a gret deork cloude : and ouer-caste heom ech-on, And þe leitingue smot þere and þere : þe luþere men to grounde; Six hundret it a-slov of heom : in wel luytel stounde. heore felawes flowen faste a-non : and ascapeden onneþe; þare nas non þat ne was longue sijk : oþur deide in strongue deþe. þus seint Miȝhel sturede him þo : a-mong heom feor and ner. þo was it soth þat seint Dauid : seide in þe sauter : "þat ore [louerd] makez is Aungles : ase gostes fleojnde, And heom þat beoth is ministres : ase fuyr berninde." Godes ministres aungles beoth : seint Miȝhel and oþere mo; þat ase gostes flowen þo vn-seie : in fourme of fuyre þo. A wonder game huy pleiden þere— : þat miȝte segge heore fon; Betere heom hadde at hom i-beo : and i-piked heore ton! ¶ þis cristine Men a-morewe : ȝarkeden heom fule wel And wenden to þis holie hul : to þonki seint Miȝhel. þo founden huy ane churche þere : swyþe quoynte a rerd. þe bischop was þo glad I-novȝ : and sumdel he was a-ferd : he nuste hou þe churche cam : ne ho hire hadde a-rerd þere, Ne ȝweþer seint Miȝhel wolde : þat heo i-halewed were— For him þouȝte þat hit was riȝt : to halewi churchene newe. Seint Miȝhel wel ȝeorne he bad : þat was is freond wel trewe, þat he heom sende sum tokningue : ȝwat he scholde þarof do; þreo dawes he let þat folk fasten : and heore beden bide al-so. Ȝeot cam seint Miȝhel eft-sone : to þe bischope þere, And seide, "ne þench nouȝt on mine churche : þat ich let mi-seolf a-rere! For ich habbe þe churche a-rerd : and I-halewed al-so. And þar-of þov schalt signe i-finde : ȝwane þov comest þere-to: For wiend In atþe est-porche : and ase ich habbe i-gon Mine fet þov schalt finde I-sene : riȝt in þe Marbre-ston. Sing þare þine heiȝe-masse : and ȝif þat folk also Ore louerdes flesch and is blod : ȝwane þe masse is ido!" ¶ Þe bischop wel sone a-Morewe : to þe churche him drovȝ, And þis folk al-so with him : with offringue fair I-novȝ. At þe est-porche huy wenden In : and in þe Marbre-ston þe stapes huy founden I-sene : ase seint Miȝhel hadde igon. Innore-more huy wenden ȝuyt : weouedes huy founden þreo, With rede palles huy weren i-heoled : þe faireste þat miȝten beo: Ore swete lauedies was þat on : þat men scholden to bidde, þat oþur seint Iohanes þe baptistMS. bastist : And seint peteres þat þridde. ¶ þe bischop song is masse þere : and sethþe atþen ende þat folk he dude hoseli al : are he wolde þanne wende. þat folk to þulke holie stude : aldai faste drouȝ; And ore louerd dude þare ofte a-day : fair Miracle I-novȝ. So þat þe pope, þat was þo : þoruȝ þe Cardinales rede For honour of þulke stude : and seint Miȝheles holie dede, And also for þe Miracle : [þat] þoruȝ seint Miȝhel com, Miȝheles-masse-day he hiet halewi : þoruȝ al cristin-dom.— Seint MIȝhel In nouembre : hath ȝeot an-oþur dai, bi-fore þe feste of seint Luc : as ich ou telle mai. þoruȝ seint Miȝheles wille : riȝt ase þe oþur was, And þoruȝ is heste he was bi-founde : i-hereth þoruȝ ȝwat cas. Hit bi-feol seue hundred ȝer : and in þe teoþe ȝere riȝt After þat ore swete louerd : in is Moder was a-lijȝt, Þat to þe bischope Albert : seint Miȝhel cam a-niȝt Bi-side þe Montaygne of Toumbe : ase it were in a sijȝt: Opon þe hulle of Toumbe : ane churche he him lieter. het a-rere, Riȝt swuch one ase ope þulke of gargan : and þat it bi-tyme were. þe bischop axede in ȝwuche stude : he scholde þe churche make. "I-chulle þe," quath seint Miȝhel : "guode tokne þarof take: Ane bole þov schalt þare finde : þat þeoues habbet þare i-hud, Opon þe heiȝe hulle of toumbe : þat nis nouȝt ȝeot i-kud. þare ase þou finst þe bole I-hud : þov schalt mine churche a-rere." þe bischop þat wel onder-stod : and bi-gan is churche þere, And þare a-rerde hire faire I-nov : to þe helpe of mani a man, In þe honour of seint Miȝhel : ase hulr. þulke of gargan. Opon heiȝe hulles þis churchene weren : boþe of seint Miȝhel— heiȝ man me þinchez he wolde beo : for he louede hulles wel. he dude wel, for he miȝte beo : at hom opon is owe And sittinde a-boute him wide i-seo : and þe contreie bet i-knowe, And hom a-ȝein þe sonere fleo : ȝwane þat he liȝte lowe; he ne þurte carie of non oþur weork : noþur to ripe ne mowe. For he let opon eiþer hulle : areren a chapel, Muche folk þat ȝeot on eorþe is : onder-stant þat wel, And ȝwane huy a-rereth anie churche : to massi Inne oþur rede godspel, Opon an hul bi custome : huy makiez of seint Miȝhel, Ase þe Mount of seint Miȝhel : and þe Mount a-gv al-so, And also oþere in fale studes : ho-so nimez ȝeme þar-to. IN þe grete se of Occean : þe hul of Toumbe is, þat geth a-bouten al þe world : In þat on ende, i-wis. Al-a-boute þe hulle geth þe se. : and In þe feste-daie euere-mo þe se. with-drauthMS. hire w. hire hire twies aday : þat ech man may druyȝe gon Forto honouri þulke holie stude— : and in non oþur tyme it nis þat þe .se. ne geth al-a-boute : bote on þe feste-daie, i-wis. ¶ So bi-feol In one time : þat þe se hire with-drouȝ In þe feste-daiȝe of þulke stude : and folk þare wende In I-novȝ: So þat a womman grete with childe : cam In atþen ende, And nas nouȝt so swift ase oþere weren : a-ȝeinward forto wende: þe .se. for-closede hire sone : and heo bi-lefte with-Inne; heo floterede þare in luyte reste : and in wel feble wunne. So þat heo bi-lefte þare : In wonder cas I-novȝ, For-to it was on oþur ȝer : þat þe .se. hire with-drouȝ; And hadde child þare In þe .se. : and at þe ȝeres ende hol and sound with hire childe : þudere heo gan i-wiende— I-saued heo was in þe deope .se. : þoruȝ þe grace of seint Miȝhel. For-soþe, nis nouþe no man aliue : þat hire couþe habbe i-wust so wel, Ne so hire i-fed and hire child : þat ne costnede nouȝt a stravȝ: For þei heo hadde fisch and drinke : ȝe wuten wel it was ravȝ. And so to floteri in þe grete .se! : wounder, þat heo nadde i-beo ded. Seint Miȝhel was a guod wardein : ȝwane we habbeth al i-sed; Icholde ech man me hadde ane peny i-ȝyue : þat no couþe nouȝt witen hire so! Atþe feste-day at þe hul of Toumbe : þis dede was i-do.— þe hul of Toumbe he is i-cleoped : for he is sumdelMS. sundel nare And long, ase Man may i-seo : ane Mannes burieles fare þat mannes bodi is Inne I-leid : ȝwane huy beoth here dede; Also þilke hul is long : and nouȝt wel large In brede. And þat is, ase þe .se. hath i-bete : faste on eiþur side And hath þat sond a-rerd up on heiȝ : þat men mouwen i-seo wel wide, And þar-of Imaket ane hul : narv and long i-wis; More þane four hondret fet : þe hul so heiȝ is.— MEn synguez a-Miȝheles-masse-day : In holie churche also Of one bataile þat seint Miȝhel : with a dragun scholde do: þat was þe luþere lucifer : þo he wasal. þat was is felawe And sumdel is souerein : for-to he gan mis-drawe, Ake þo he þat Aungel was : þoruȝ is wicke pruyte Bi-cam to a luþer feond— : he bi-ȝat þare-with luyte! he feol out of is heiȝe sege : þat he ches a-mis, To þe deope putte of helle : þare is wonijngue is. fram þe hexte stude þat is : with one swenge he cam To þe loweste stude, i-wis— : ane wonder wei he nam! Nov sori beo he! ȝwat was him? : ȝwi ferde þe schrewe so? he pleyde with þe fallingue tourn : so wel he couþe hine do, Iaumbe leue he cam swenge : Into helle grounde. A muregore In he hadde bi-fore : þat worse þare he founde! A wonder sweng, me þinchez, he made! : his bi-ȝete was ful luyte; he may corsi euere-more : his mis-farinde pruyte. for al-so sone as ore louerd I-maud : heouene and eorþe and helle, he makede him furst and is felawes : ase ich ov mai here telle. And he ase-sone ase he was imaud : he bi-gan to smite in pruyte: Al-so heiȝ ase ore louerd he wolde beo : he bi-ȝat þare-with wel luyte. Manie heolden faste with him : and nouȝt alle of one lore: Andal. om. manie likeden wel is dedene : some lasse and some more, Some ferden ase huy ne rouȝten : noþer of on .ne of oþur. þare ne bi-lefte in heouene non of heom : ne heore maister noþer. Seint Miȝhel was maister to driuen heom : out of heuene a-doun: þat was þe batayle þat he made : with þe luþere dragoun. þe maister-dragoun lucifer : and is riȝte felawes ech-on þat faste heolden with is pruyte : he drof heom to helle anon. Ake huy þat heolden sumdel with him : and nouȝt fulliche so faste, Out of heouene he drof heom : and In-to þe lofte heom caste, Al here bi-neþe toward þe eorþe : þare mest tempeste is: And þare heo schullen in tempest andin t. and al. om. in pine beo : to þe daye of dome, i-wis; And ase hore gult þe more was : heore pine wasal. is al-so, þe worse stude heom [was] i-take : heore penaunce for-to do. Ake to helle huy ne schullen nouȝt : are domes-day i-wende; Ak þare huy schullen after-ward : bi-leue with-outen ende. Oþure þare weren þat for heomr. him : sumdel in mis-þouȝte weren, Ake natheles huy heolden betere with god : andal. ac vnneþe fur-bere: þulke wenden out of heouene al-so : and a-boue þe oþure beoth, An heiȝ onder þe firmament : and godes wille i-seoth, And so schullen sumdel in pine beo : a-non to þe worldes ende, Ake huy schullen at domes-day : a-ȝein to heouene wende. In eorthþeliche parays : some beoth ȝeot al-so, And in oþur studes on eorþe : heore penaunce for-to do.— For heore defaute in heouene : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace Man was formest on eorþe i-wrouȝt : to fulfulle þulke place. ¶ For ten ordres of Aungles : þare weren i-makede þo, And þe teoþe ordre ful a-doun : In-to pine and wo: And ȝeot þare beot ordres Nyne : and þare-fore man is i-wrouȝt, To fulfulle þe teoþe ordre : þat was out of heouene i-brouȝt. SOne so man was i-wrouȝt : sunne he bi-gan to do And fur-gulte þe murie Ioie : þat he was i-maket to: In helle he was with lucifer : and with oþure luþere fode, For-to ore louerd it bouȝte : In flesch and in blode. þe luþere gostes beoth a-boute : with heore luþere pouwer To bi-traye wrechche men : and bringue into heore paunter; And þe guode beoth al-so a-boute : with power þat heore is For-to witien men fram sunne : þat huy ne wurchen a-mis. Boþe þe luþere and þe guode : a-liȝteth ofte a-doun And to men in hore slepe comieth : ase In a visioun, And scheowieth in metingue : mani a wounder dede, Þe guode of guode þingues : and þe luþere euere of quede, And deriez men in heore slep : and bodieth seoruwe and care, And ofte huy ouer-liggez [men] : andal. þat men cleopiet þe niȝt-mare— For þat is al heore deliiȝt : ȝwane huy mowen don men wo. Ase þeoues huy cheoseth þe niȝt : a-boute to fleo and go. Mest huy greuieth selie men : ȝwane huy liggez upriȝt; heuie huy liggez on heom i-nov : nere heom erore so lijȝt: huy liggez ase an heui stok : þat wolde ane Man a-stoffe, þat he ne may him wawie fot ne hond : ne vnneþes ani-þing poffe. ¶ Daþeheit a swuch luþer Caumberleyn : þat a-wakez men so sore, And god him ȝiue sorewe I-nouȝ : and euere so leng þe more, And alle þat louiez is compaygnie! : for he nas neuere hende. Ȝif ani man him louez wel : ore louerd hyne him sende.— þe schrewene wollez also ofte : mankun to bi-traiȝe, A-liȝte a-doun in mannes forme : bi niȝte and bi daye, And liggez ofte bi wommen : ase huy weren of flesch and of blode— Ake þulke bi-ȝete þat huy bi-ȝitez : neuere ne cometh to guode. And ofte in fourme of womman : a-day and eke a-nyȝt huy latez men ligge heom bi : and bi-trayez heom ouȝt-riȝt— for huy wutez wel ȝwuche beoz þe men : þat to folie habbeth wille: Al-one in some deerne stude : huy stondez þanne wel stille, And Mani fol heom lijth so bi : In wodes and in mede. Ake þare nis non þat deth so : þat huy ne acoriez þe dede: heore membres to-swellez sone : and some a-scapieth onneþe, And some for-dwynez al awei : for-to huy beon i-brouȝt to deþe; More wonder it is, for-soþe : hov ani a-scapiez a-liue— for a swiþe attri þing it is : to lefman oþur to wyue. And ofte in fourme of wommane : In many derne weye grete compaygnie men i-seoth of heom : boþe hoppie and pleiȝe, þat Eluene beoth i-cleopede : and ofte heo comiez to toune, And bi daye muche in wodes heo beoth : and bi niȝte ope heiȝe dounes. þat beoth þe wrechche gostes : þat out of heuene weren i-nome, And manie of heom a-domesday : ȝeot schullen to reste come. Ake þeo schrewene þat beoth in tounein t. al. om. : bi niȝte and bi dayȝe fondieth with ȝwuche feolonie : huy mouwen mest men bi-traie.— For þulke tyme þat þe feond : ore furste fader i-wan þoruȝ þat appel þat he him ȝaf : mayster he was of man; he hadde faste al to him men i-bounde : for-to ore louerd us bouȝte: And for men weren so alle his : þe lasse of heom he rouȝte, Ne noþing he nas ginful : ase þe schrewene nouþe beoth— for plente nis no deinte : ase we al day i-seot. he fierde ase doth a port-doggue : I-norischet in port-toun: for he geth ofte in prece of Men : a-mong heom op and doun, Ne ȝeme ne nimeth he to men : to beorken on heom nouȝt ene, Ake a-mong men he goth stille I-novȝ : bote ani man him hene: Al-so fierde þe deuel þo : for mankun was al his, And hadde of himal. hem so gret plente : he ne tolde nouȝt þar-of, iwis. he nas no-þing clib to heom : for-to a-sailli heom with wouȝ, Non more þane þe port-hound : þat neiȝ men geth I-nouȝ; Ne he nisal. nas noþing grim to bi-gyli men : ase he was bi-fore,al. nouþe is Er þaneal. Siþþe ore swete louerd : of Marie was i-bore. Hadde he i-beo swuch bi-fore : ase he was eral. haþ siþþe i-wis, Onneþe was þare ani Man : þat ne hadde i-beon al his. Ake ore louerd after is deþe : In harde logge him brouȝte And teide þane schrewe faste Inovȝ : and daþeheit þat hit of-þouȝte! A teie doggue is clib I-nov : ȝwane man comez In is siȝte, And grennez and beorkez faste I-nov : and drauȝth with al is miȝte; Ake ȝif ani man cometh so neiȝ : þat he sette on him is toth, for-soþe he bitez sore I-novȝ : ase all[e] swuche doth; he is clibbest op-on heom : þat arriet him with ston: Ake neiȝ no man ne may he come : bote þat to neiȝ him wollez gon. Nouþe late, sethþe he was iteid : þe deuel farez al-so: he beorkez and grennez toward Men : ake he ne may heom nouȝt do; In is owene wrathþe he brennez : him-sulf he doth mest wo, Ake he ne mai no man a-reche : bote ho-so wole allingues to him go.vv. 289-290 al. om. And ȝwane ani Man cometh him so neiȝ : þat he mouwe him a-reche, Bite he wole harde I-novȝ : and is lessun him teche, Þat, bote he tuyrne to amendement : and take to godes leche And of preoste beo wel i-schriue : him worth i-don gret wreche. ¶ Hardest þe deuel bitez þe men : ȝwane ani comez him to Of heom þat arreden him er : and guodnesse habbez i-do— for þare-with Men him arrieth mest— : and ȝwuch so him wole with|drawe And comez so neiȝ þat he him mouwe a-reche : he cachchez him wel fawe And opon is pouwer harde bit— : his bitingues beoth wel ille. he ne may no man, ase ȝe i-seoth : taken a-ȝein is wille, Nonmore þane a teiȝ doggue : þat is in strongue teiȝe. And ȝwane he ne may a-reche Men : ful wide he cast is eiȝe Ȝif he may ani man i-seo : þat toward him wole drawe; he bi-guynnez a-non for-to tolli him : ase man doth his felawe— for ȝwane a man ne mai : his felawe bringue him nere, with is hond he tollez him : ase man þat seith "Ich am here." ¶ þe Deuel tollez with is hond : ase wel as doth a man, And fif fingres þare-on he hath : þat he wel bi-sette can. Ech of is fingres hath is name : ase we cleopiez ovre al-so. þe leste hatte "luttle man" : for he is lest þere-to. þe nexte finguer hatte "leche" : for ȝwane þe leche makez ouȝt, with þat finguer he wole hit tasti : ȝif it is a-riȝt i-wrouȝt. ¶ "Longueman" hatte þe midleste : for he lenguest is. þe feorþe finguer hatte "techere" : for þere-with men techez i-wis, Ase a man þat seith "lo he þere : of ȝwam we speken er longue." for mannes þoumbe strenguest is : þare-fore he hatte "þe strongue." þanne hatte þe leste luttle man : and þe nexte hatte leche, And sethþe þat oþur longueman : þe techare for he doth [teche], Strongue is þe þoumbe I-cleoped : þou wost wel ȝwy it is: þeos fif fingres þe deuel hath : and heore names, i-wis. þare-with he tollez men to him : ȝwanne men stondez feor a-to And with fol þouȝt toward him lokiez : and nutez ȝwat he wollez do, And heore Inwit heom seith : þat swyþe gret sunne it were, And grete wille huy habbez þer-to : ȝif huy dorsten for fere. ¶ þe deuel stant and wolde fain : henten heom bi þe polle: with "luttle man," is leste finguer : he bi-guynneth heom furst to tolle And seith, "ȝware-of art þou of-drad? : a luyte sunne it is"— he makez þe sunne luyte Inovȝ : for þe finguer is luyte, i-wis. Ȝif he ne may with is luytel finguer : ane man to sunne teche, with is felawe he tolleth next : þat men cleopieth "leche," And seit, "ȝe, god is leche guod : and ful of milce and ore, he wole wel hele and fur-ȝiue : þei þe sunne were wel more; he nis nouȝt so wrechful ase men weneth : he hath þe deore a-bouȝt; wel more sunne he wole fur-ȝyuen : þare-fore ne dred þe nouȝt." And bote he mouwe þare-with i-winne : he pult forth is felawe, þe "longue finguer," þat sit him next— : þat alle weren huy to|drawe!— And seith, "man, þov art ȝung I-nov : þou miȝt libben ȝeot wel longue And þine sunnes bieten wel : þei huy weren ten so strongue. Scholdestov nouþe þine wille lete : ȝwat scholde þi ȝungue blod? þou miȝt libbe longue I-novȝ : and a-mendi al þi mod." Bote heMS. ȝe mouwe ȝeot makie man : þare-with don a-mis, he tollez him with þe "techare" : þat is nexte felawe is. And seith, "lo þere þilke preost : and þilke knyȝt al-so And þilke person, and manie oþure : þat more sunne habbez i-do, And natheles huy beoth guode men : and guod lijf ledez i-nouȝ. þilke man nas neuere I-bore : þat oþur-ȝwile ne dude sum wouȝ. Seint powel with is owene hond : Manie men he slovȝ, And þe Marie Maudeleine : þatal. om. to lecherie drovȝ, Seint peter þries in one nijȝt : for-sok ore louerd al-so; And al-so loke þis oþur helewe : ȝwat sunne huy habbez i-do: Ake þei huy beoth In heouene nouþe : ne worst þou neuere so heiȝe. More sunne þane þou wolt do : þov miȝt biete, are þou deiȝe: þou woldest beo holiore þane ani man. : bi-holt þe al-a-boute: A misdede wole beo sone ibet. : ȝware-of hast þou doute?" Ȝif he ne may with is techare : maken is wei roume, with is "strongue" he tollez þanne : with is schrewe þoume, And seith, "þov art strong i-nov : more sunne to biete; woldest þou bi-leue so murie þing? : þench þat it is swete,al. 2 vv more. And biet þine sunnes aftur-ward : for þe ne faillez strenþe non; And wel fieblore þane þou art : ofte wolleth mis-don And sethþe doth heore penaunce : ake natheles nouȝt wel strongue, For ore louerd is euere ȝare : sunful Man to fongue." In þis manere þe luþere schrewe : ȝwane he vnder-ȝit ouȝt þat men lokiez touward him : and sumdel chaungiez heore þouȝt, he tollez heom euere ner and ner : with is fingres a-rewe. Nouþe luþer þrift on al is hond : for euere he was a schrewe! Daþeit þat sori wolde beo : þei he were al-to-hewe! For he bringuez to sunne mani on : and to amendement wel fewe. Þare-fore þenchez, ȝwane he wole : eou to sunne puyte And with is fingres tollez eov : and seiz þe sunne is luyte And þat ore louerd is guod leche and milsful : and þat þou schalt libbe longue And þat oþure sunegiez more : þat ne beoth nouȝt so strongue: A-non so ȝe þenchez swuch a þouȝt : bi-þenchez ov þer-to hou þe schrewe tollez eov : and with wuch finguer al-so: Seggez him þat he lyȝth loude : ho-so it dorste him telle, Saue þat he is maister : in þe deope putte of helle; Þat god holde him is dignete : and is grete maistrie For-to sum riche man ȝiue al is guod : to bi-nimen him is baylie. For-soþe, he deoth vuele I-nouvȝ : þat comez in his tollingue: He wole him bringue euere ner ant ner : In deoppore suneguyngue, Atenende In-to þe putte of helle : þare euere he worth fur-lore, þat onneþe him worth þe grace : to with-drawen him bi-fore.— þei we ne mouwen nouȝt þe feondes i-seo : a-mong us huy beoth wel þicke; And þei huy ovte of helle beon : heore pinene beoth strongue and wicke. For huy farez ase doth þe man : þat in ane hacheal. acces of þe feueres is: Beo he in house oþur in fielde : is brenningue i-last, i-wis; Feor and neor he may go : ake euere i-last is pine. Hit is bi þe Deouele here : al-so and bi is hyne: For þei huy ovte of helle beon : huy ne schullen nouȝt so at-route þat huy þe brenningue of helle : with heom ne bereth a-boute.— 46 ÞE riȝte put of helle is : a-midde þe eorþe with-Inne, þat ore louerd it made i-wis : þat quoynte was of ginne. heouene and eorþe he made furst : and seothe alle þing þat is. þe Eorþe nis bote a luytel hurst : a-ȝein þe riȝte heouene, i-wis. Heouene geth al-a-boute þe eorþe : euene it mot weyȝe; A-midde riȝt heouene þe eorþe is : ase þe streon a-midde þe Eyȝe. Muche is þat on þanne more þane þat oþur : for þe leste steorre is In heouene, ase þe bok us tellez : [more] þane al þe eorþe, i-wis. For ho-so were an heiȝ bi ane steorre : ȝif it so miȝte beo, So luyte wolde þe eorþe þinche : þat vnneþe he scholde it ouȝt i-seo. þe heouene geth ene a-boute : þoruȝ daiȝe and þoruȝ nyȝt; þe Mone and þe steorrene with him heo berth : and þe sonne þat is so briȝt: For þat is euene a-boue þin heued : riȝt atþe nones stounde, Ounder þine fet euene it is : at midniȝt onder þe grounde, And cometh up ȝwane þe sonne a-rist : and [o]uer þe is at none; heo makez euene þus hire cours : and comez a-boute wel sone. Ase an Appel þe eorþe is round : so þat euere-mo half þe eorþe þe sonne bi-schineth : hov-so it euere go, And Noon it is bi-nethen us : ȝwane it is here mid-niȝt; Ase man may þe soþe i-seo : ho-so hauez guod In-siȝt: Ase ȝif þov heolde ane clere candele : bi-side an Appel riȝt, Euene half þe Appel : heo wolde ȝiuen hire lijȝt. firmamenta.EIȝte firmamenz þare beoth : swuche ase we i-seoth. þe Ouemeste is þe riȝtte heouene : in ȝwan þe steorrene beoth— for godes riche is þare a-boue : þat last with-outen ende; þarto we beoth i-maked— : god leue us þudere i-wende. ¶ þare-bi-neoþe beoth seoue firmamenz : þat euerech of heom, i-wis, planete.One steorre hath with-oute mo : þat planete i-cleoped is. Ichulle nemmen heore seoue names : and formest bi-guynne hext: Saturnus is al a-boue : and Iupiter sethþe next, þanne Mars bi-neoþen him : and sethþe þe sonne is, Venus sethþe, þe clere steorre : Mercurius þanne, i-wis, þat wel selden is of us i-seiȝe : þe Mone is next þe grounde. þoruȝ gret wit of clergie : heore names weren furst bi-founde: for euerech of þeos seouene mouwen : gret wonder on eorþe do, boþe of wederes and of fruyt : ase heore power ȝif þare-to. And al-so man,r. men þat beoth ȝwane he is i-bore : onder heore power, i-wis, Schullen habbe diuers lijf : euere ase heore vertue is : Some lechours, some glotones : and some of oþur manere. And natheles a man of guod Inwit : of alle he may him skere : for þe planetes ne doth non oþur : bote ȝiuez in mannes wille, To beon luþur oþur guod : ase heore uertue wole to tille, And ȝiuenr. ȝiuez him al-so qualite : to don so and so; Ake nouȝt-for-þan after is inwit : ech wys man may do : for swuch qualite no man ne hath : to beon lechor oþur schrewe, þat he þare-with ne may him wite— : ake natheles so doth fewe. Of þe seoue planetes al-so guod : heore power ȝe i-seoth, for þe seoue Dawes in þe wyke : þare-aftur I-nemde beoth : Of Saturnus so is satur-day : and sonen-day of þe sonne, And of þe Mone Monen-day : ȝif ȝe wel rikeni konne; Of one planete euerech day : In þe wike i-cleoped is, On englisch oþur latyn : bote ȝe telle a-mis. And for mars and saturnus : In heore power luþere beoth And luyte guod on eorþe doth : ase þis clerkes i-seoth, þare-fore Men schoniez muche : þene satur-day bi-guynne, And þene tywesday, euerech [werc]om. : to guode ende it forto wynne. Among alle þe planetes : þe sonne a-midde heom is Ase is þe kyng a-Midde is men : to conseili heom i-wis : Al-so þe sonne, þat heo mouwe : schyne a-boute eche-on : for alle habbez lijȝt of hire : and with-oute hire nouȝt on. Ase man may bi þe Mone i-seo : þe ȝwyle heo is neowe riȝt : A luyte rondel ase a sikel : Men seoth þar-on liȝt, And al þat oþur del with-Inne : swiþe blak as a rauonas a r. on the margin. it is. Riȝt so blac is al þe mone : of hire-sulf, i-wis, Bote þare ase þe sonne schynez : þat hire liȝt ȝif hire al And Makez hire schyne a-boute : briȝtore þane ani cristal. for ȝwanne þe sonne schynez on cristal : oþur in watere cler, A gret leome it ȝif out a-ȝein : and schynez feor and ner : Al-so fareth þe Mone, i-wis : þe sonne schynez doun riȝt Euene on hire and heo aȝein : and a-mong us sent hire liȝt. And for þe sonne is feor a-boue : riȝt at-fore þe prime, bi-neoþen hire þe Mone is euene : and þe sonne schyne[z] bi-tyme Al In þe ouere side of þe Mone : and hider-ward nowiȝt : þanne ne seo we nouȝt of hire : ne heo ne ȝifth no liȝt. So þat þe sonne bi-fore geth : luyte and luyte, i-wis, And schyneth on þe hiderore half : on þulke þat ner him is: Heo makez þe Mone wexe so : luyte and luyte bi stounde, So þat þe Mone is heiȝful : ȝwane þe sonne geth to grounde. þe Mone bi-gynnez bi este a-rise : euene a-ȝen hire riȝtriȝt on the margin., þat in þulke half to-ward us : þe sonne sent hire lijȝt : þanne is þe ouere half deork : and þe hiderore half al briȝt And sent hire leome hidere to us : and schinez al þe niȝt. So þat heo drauth hireon the margin. feor þe sonne : and luyte and luyte is blak,al. a-bac And euere is cler toward þe sonne : and þat oþur del is blak; And ate laste toward us is al blac : atþe monþes ende And cler a-boue ase is þe sonne : þat to hire liȝt deth sende. So þat þe sonne in þe haluendele : schinez euere-mo, Ȝwat a-boue and ȝwat bi-neoþe : hov-so hit euere go— Ase man may i-seo bi ane candele : þat is bi-side ane balle, þat ȝifth liȝt on þat haluendel : hov-so it euere falle. And ȝwane þe sonne is onder þe eorþe : and þe Mone a-boue a-nyȝt, bi-side þe eorþe in þat on half : ȝeot þe sonne sent hire liȝt.— ¶ An hundret siþe and fiue and sixti : ase it is i-write, þe sonne is more þane þe eorþe : ho-so it wole i-wite; And þe eorþe is more þane þe Mone : nye siþe, i-wis. þe Mone þinchez wel þe more : for heo so neiȝ us is. þe sonne is herre þane þe Mone : More þane schwche þreo þane it beo heonnes to þe Mone— : þe lasse heo is to seo. Muche is bi-twene heouene and eorþe : for þe man þat miȝte go euereche daye fourty mile : and ȝeot sumdel mo, He ne scholde nouȝt to þe hexte heouene : þat ȝe alday i-seoth, comen in eiȝte þousende ȝer : þere ase þe steorrene beoth; And þei adam, ore furste fader : hadde bi-gonne a-non þo þat he was furst i-mad : and toward þe heouene i-gon And hadde eche daie fourti mile : euene opriȝt i-go, he ne hadde nouȝt ȝeot to heuene i-come : bi a þousende mile and mo. Sikere ȝe beon isegge ȝeov soth : I-leue ho-so i-leue— hov schulle we þat comiez so late : after Adam and eue? Ake ȝwane a man is on eorþe ded : and is soule beo guod, heo nath with hire non heuinesse : of flescheMS. of flechs of flesche ne of blod : Ȝif heo is þanne with-oute sunne : heo hath Aungles cuynde And mai beo nouþe here and þer : ase quik ase mannes muynde. for ase ȝe I-seoth þe liȝtingue : out of þe cloudene i-wende þat comieth of þat on half of þe world : and al-so sone in þe oþur ende, wel smart-loker scheot ane mannes soule : ȝe more þane swuche seuene, Ȝif heo is oute of sunne : þene riȝte wei into heouene. Ake wel sonere he may to helle come— : þare-fore it is i-sene þat wel mo to helle wendez : ȝe ich drede swuche tene. Elementa.BI-neoþe þe loweste heuene : þat þe mone is on i-brouȝt, so beoth þe foure Elemenz : of ȝwan we beoth i-wrouȝt. Next þe Mone þat fuyr is hext— : ech-one huy beoth rounde— þe eir is þanne next bi-neothe : and tillez riȝt to þe grounde, Sethþe is watur, and sethþe þe eorþe— : þeos beoth foure, i-wis; of ȝwan man and eche quic þing : for-soþe I-maked is. Ore louerd in ech-on of þis foure : al dai scheweth is miȝte, Ase ȝe mowe in þe stude of fuyre : I-seo a wonder siȝte, Scheote as þei it a steorre were : bi þe lofte an heiȝ, Ake þe steorrene beoth feorre a-boue : for þat is sumdel neiȝ. þe sonne may here a-mong us : gret strencþe and miȝte do : heo drauth up þe kuynde of þe watere : and of þe eorþe al-so, he drauȝth up ofMS. op þe eorþe in druye wedere : ase it were a druye breth, So þat þoruȝ hete of þe sonne : a-boueMS. aboute þe eir it geth, And ȝwane it comez a-mong þe fuyre : sone it bi-gynnez forto tiende And al berninde it scheot forth : þat hit beo i-bar[n]d to ende. þare-fore men ne i-seoth no swuch þing : bote it beo in hete. Fuigur.¶ Liȝtingue comez al-so þare-of : ȝwane it comez to wete : for al þat ilke druye breth : þat is so i-drawe an heiȝ þoruȝ hete þat was bi-fore : and a cloude þatal. om. þare wasal. is neiȝ, A-non so it is a-fuyre : it scheot þoruȝ þe cloude, And þe ȝwile it is in þe watere : it goþeleth swyþe loude. Ase ȝif a man nome ane sclabbe of Ire : þat glowynde were a-fuyre And pulte in watere, it wolde goþeli loude : þat men miȝten it feor i-huyre.Tonitruum. Al-so þat fuyr up an heiȝ : þat bi þe cloude is i-tend; hit goþelez in þe watere loude : as it þoruȝ-out I-went— And þat is þe þondre, i-wis : and siker non oþur þing; And ȝwane þat fuyr scheot þoruȝ-out : þat is þe liȝting, And þat scheot a-brod þoru al þe world— : þat comez aftur þe dunte; And natheles it þinchez bi-fore : for it ne may nouȝwere at-stunte. Ȝif here were an heiȝ stepel : and a man a-boue sete And men i-seiȝen him smiten al an heiȝ : guode duntes and grete, þou miȝtest him seo wel longue smite : þe duntes with þine eiȝe Are þov scholdest þene dunt i-heore : ȝif he were ouȝt heiȝe— for man mai i-seo wel feor a þing : a-non so it is ido, Ȝif þare nis no-þing bi-tweone : ake man ne may nouȝt i-heore so. Ȝwane þat fuyr comez into þe ȝwater : gret noyse a-non þare is, Ake men ne heorez it nouȝt a-non : for it is so feor, i-wis; ¶ þe liȝtingue we i-seoth a-non : ȝwane it is þoruȝ i-brouȝt— þare-fore men þinchez it comez bi-fore : bote natheles it ne doth nouȝt : for ȝwane þe liȝtingue is i-come : A-non we habbez þe siȝte, Ake þet sovn ne may nouȝt : so sone a-doun to us a-liȝte.— Novþe nis þe druyȝe breth of eorþe : neuere with-oute hete Idrawe up, þat comez bi-fore : ne a-queint with-oute wete : þare-fore bote after hete : man ne schal no þondre i-seo, And þat þe weder smite in wete : for non-oþur ne mai it beo. So þat man schal in puyr somer : selde þondre i-huyre : For þer is þanne selde wete : to maken quenchingue of fuyre; Ne in puyr winter no-þe-mo : for þanne nis non hete To drawe up þe drouȝþe of þe eorþe : for þe muchele wete. þare-fore Men seggez þat wynter-þondre : selde man schal guod i-seo, For he ne may neuere come : bote þat weder onkuynde beo. Ake bi-tweone somer and wynter : ase in Aueril and may, And eft-sone fram heruest : forto seint Clementes day, þanne is þe þondre kuynde Inov : and liȝtingue al-so : For þanne is þat weder wet : and ofte hot þar-to.— Ȝe mouwen axi, ȝwane ital. om. þundre is : I-meingt of fuyr in wete, hov is þat hit a-quellez men : ofte bi weye and strete, And smit a-doun wel grete treon : and deth wel mani a wonder? þare-fore ich mot eov more telle : of kuynde of þe þonder. ÞO ore louerd þolede on eorþe deth : and bond þene deuel for man A[n]d debruysde helle-ȝates : with þondre þudere he cam. þare-fore euereft Aftur-ward : ȝware-so þe deouelene beo, Of þondre huy beoth so sore a-ferd : þat huy nutez ȝwodere to fleo; And huy þat woniez in þe lufte : and oþure ase wel so heo, In strongue fere comieth a-doun : and nutez ȝwodere teo, And huy slez men bi þe weie : ase man may ofte I-seo— þat muche fere god heom ȝyue : and no-þe worse us ne beo! In oþur manere þare comez ȝeot harm : of þe þondre a-mong : For þare ase þat weder is : þe tempeste is ful strong, Of wynd, . of watur,. and of fuyr : þat þei þare wereMS. weren þere A Mulleston, he scholde al-to-driue : þei he of molten bras were. Ȝwane þe tempeste is þare so strong : me þinchez, it nis no wonder þei þare come leome ofte a-doun : with þe dunte of þe þonder; Ȝwane þe wynd and þat fuyr smiteth : þoruȝ þe watur-cloude, with swyþe grete strencþe it liȝt a-doun : ase man mai i-huyre loude, And smit ase it were a dunt : oþur blast of grete miȝte— No wonder þei it smite harde : ȝwane it so deth a-liȝte— And brekez treon and quellez men : and deth gret oþur wonder. In þis manere comez þe harm : þat men i-seoth of þe þonder. Men I-seoth ofte liȝtingue : brenne hous and schrenche, þat vnneþe mai ani watur : þat fuyr þarof a-queenche;— For of þe watur-cloude a-boue : þat fuyr is out i-brouȝt And for it out of þe watere comez : þat fuyr nele quenche nouȝt.— Nouþe mouwe ȝe Axi in ȝwuche manere : ȝwater comez so heiȝe, And ȝwarof comez rein and snovȝ : þat ȝe i-seoth with eiȝe. ¶ þe sonne, þat is al maister here : sent a-doun hire hete And makez þe wateres breþi up-riȝt : as þei huy scholden swete, Boþe þe .sees. an ferchse wateres : and drauȝth op so þane breth, So þat a-boue in þe lufte : þilke mist euene geth. Novþe is þare uppe in þe lufte : a swyþe cold stude, i-wis, For bi-tweone heoue and eorþe : so cold non þare nis, þare ase þe blake cloudene beoth : and oþur wederes al-so— hit nis up-riȝt fram þe eorþe : bote Ane mile oþur two. Plunia.Ȝwane þe sonne hath þudere i-drawe : þene mist for hete, It ne may no feor for þe colde : ake bi-cometh al to wete, And gaderez þare to one watur-cloude : and houeth þare ane stounde, For-to þe tyme come þat it Ryne : and droppinde falle to grounde. Ȝif it is cold up an heiȝ : þe dropen bi-cometh to snowe,Nix. And þanneal. As Grando. huy freosez adoneward : are huy comen here ouȝt lowe; And ȝif it is þoruȝ-out cold : þat huy alleal. al i-frozen beo, Þanne it is haul puyr : ase ȝe mouwen al day i-seo. ¶ þe breth of þe watere þat þe sonne : drauȝth op a-ȝein eue, ȝwane þe sonne is to grounde i-go : it ne may nouȝt bi-leue, And ȝwane no-þing ne halt it up : and þe hete is al i-do, Ros.þanne it fallez softe adoun : and to dewe bi-comez riȝt so, And hangueth on leues and on gras : for-to þe hete a-morewe come And þe sonne luyte and luyte : it habbe eft-sone up i-nome. ¶ þe hore-forst cometh ȝwane it is so cold : þat it freoseth a-nyȝt, And þe Dev freose a-doneward : ȝwane he is a-doun a-liȝt. ¶ Ȝif þe Devȝ is al-so up i-drawe : and a-doneward i-falle al-so And þare come a þicke myst : and a cold forst þer-to, þanne freost þe þicke Myst : and cleouez an heiȝ on þe treo: pruyna.And þarof comez þe Rym-forst : ase þilke Mist deth fleo; he cleouez on hegges al a-bovte : and In þe wodes al-so, On treo, on stones, on bestes al-so : þare it may cleouien to— I-chot wel, on mi fore-top : it hauez wel ofte i-do—. In þis manereMS. manere manere ȝe mowen i-seo : þe kuynde of reyne and snowe, Of hawel., of snovȝr. dev., of Rym-forst : of hore-forst þat freost lowe, Of cloudene and of Mist al-so— : for al o þing it is: For alle huy comiez of water-breth : þat þe sonne drauȝth up, i-wis.— NOvþe is watur here on eorþe : wel more þane þe londe: For sum o see, with-oute mo : is more, ich onder-stonde. For þe gret . se . of occean : In þe on ende, i-wis, Is more þane al þe eorþe beo : and gret wonder it is.r. nis For a-boute al þe eorþe heo geth : and brod heo is þare-to, Ase þe ȝwyte of þe Eye goth a-boute þe ȝeolke : and more is al-so. Ech oþur . se . a-mong us here : ne beo heo so gret non, Nis bote a lime of þulke se : and þudere In huy goth ech-on. ¶ Wellene comiez of grete wateres : and muche del of þe se þoruȝ veynes al vnder eorþe : and to þe se wendez aȝe. For þare beoz ase it veynene weren : onder eorþe mani on, þat sikeniez out of þe se : and þarof springueth þis wellene ech-on; And þare-þoruȝ eornth þat watur faste : a-boute fram þe se, And þare-ate wellen springuth out : and eft eorneth In aȝe. So þat for alle þe grete wateres : þat to þe se goth echon Vnne[þe] is þe se eni-þing þe more : ake euere heo is bi on. For ase swiþe it geth under eorþe : ase it comez in-to þe se, And euere to wellene it geth a-brod : and eft-sone ernth in aȝe; And al-so sone ase ech watur comez : to þe se in is ende, To þe grete se of occean : ase swiþe it deth i-wende. Þare-fore [for] alle þe wateres : þat to þe se doth gon, þe se mot nedlingus beo : euere-more bi on. þat heo flowez and ebbez : and wexet In a þrowe, þat is þoruȝ kuynde of þe mone : and riȝt nouȝt þoruȝ hire owe. Terra.ÞE eorþe a-midde þe grete se : ase a luy[te] bal is round, And puyr helle a-midde þe eorþe : ho-so souȝte þene ground. And ȝeot ase gret ase þe eorþe þinchez : and ase luyte ase heo is, þare nis bote þat seouenþe del : þat Men woniez on, i-wis. For In þe north side here : ho-so lie nele, For it is feor fram þe sonne : no Man ne wonez for chele, Ne In þe south half noþe-mo : for þe grete hete Of þe sonne þat is a-boue— : þe leomene beoth so greteal. kete; And manie oþur studes al-so : þei men miȝten wonien þare-Inne, huy ne berez noþur corn ne fruyt : Manne is mete to wynne. And þei þe eorþe were al to-delt : ho-so miȝte bi Art, Ȝeot nis þare, to wonien Inne : onneþe þe seuenþe part.— Of þis foure elemenz : ech quic þing I-make is: Of eorþe., of watur., and of þe eyr : and of fuyre, i-wis. MAn hath of eorþe al is bodi : and of watere he hauez wete, Of þe Eyr he hath breth and wind : of fuyr he hath hete. Ech quic þing [hath] of alle þeos foure : of some more and lasse. Ho-so hath of þe eorþe mest : he is slouȝ ase þe Asse, Of fade colur, of hard huyde : boistous fourme and ded strong, Of muche þouȝt, of luyte speche : stille groyninde and wrath long, Of slouȝ wreche and Aruȝ mouthal. fereblet : fast. and loth to gyue guod, Sone old and nouȝt willesfol : stable and studefast of mod. Ho-so hath of þe watere mest : he schal beo ȝwit and fat al-so, Of nesche her and no-þing crips : gret slepare and slovȝ þar-to, Snvuelinde nose and wet mouth : of fewe wordes : and luyte drinke, Of schorte wrathþe and de-bonere : Arvȝ. al. ferebletand luyte luste swinke. ¶ ho-so haueth of þe eir mest : he is of guod colour, Fat and of nesche her : wel large and gret lechour, LiȝInde and of glad semblaunt : and somdel of pruyte; Habbe he mete and drinke I-novȝ : he carez elles luyte; Wrathþe he berth luytel ȝwyle : he wole beo ballede sone; glad and bliþe, and onstable : of þat he hath to done. ¶ ho-so hath of fuyre mest : he is smal and red, Oþur he is blac with cripse here : lene and sumdel qued, Hinderfulal. hinder and of bost I-novȝ : hardi and ofte lie, Sweriare and of manie word : and fol of lecherie, Proud and wemod, and drinkare : and in wrathþe al-mest wod, Hardi and liȝt and stalewarde : and wakiare wel guod. Ake euerech of þeos foure elemenz : en-tempriez oþur, i-wis, So þat vnneþe In ani Man : any riȝ[t] puyr maister is. Akeal. ase ȝif þov nimst riȝt puyr hot watur : and dost cold þar-to, þov miȝt it makien euene wlach : and entempri it so.— ¶ þo ore louerd formest made man : he made him, i-wis, Of alle foure Elemens : ase man ȝeot i-mad is. þo made he þe kuynde in eche manne : ase ȝe mouwe i-wite, bi-twene Man and womman : of ȝwan we beoth bi-ȝite. A swyþe foul þing is þat sed : of ȝwan Man is i-spreind; boþe Man and womman : to-gadere huy beoth i-meind. Of ȝwijȝt colour it bi-leuez : ase it is i-write, for-to a-boute þe twelfte day : þat it was bi-ȝite. FOrmest þare keniez þar-of : smale bollene þreo, Ake euerech hangez faste on oþur : ho-so it miȝte i-seo. Of þe hexte bolle comez þat brayn : þe heorte of þane a-midde, þe liuere, þat is neþemest : heo comez of þe þridde. þis beoth þe þreo hexte limesMS. limest : þat formest i-kenede beoz, And In heom is al ane Mannes lijf : ase [ȝe] nouþe i-seoth; þare nis non of þulke þreo : þat hadde any wounde, þat euereft miȝte I-held beo : to libbe anie stounde. Aftur þe twelf formeste dawes : þat þet sed hath ȝwijȝt i-beo, hit bi-comez to a þicke blod : and chaungez al is bleo. Hit þickez toal. so Nye dawes : for-to þe on and twentyþe day : þanne it tornez formest to flesch : ase þe kuynde may. Aftur eiȝte and twenti dawes : fourme it bi-gynnez to nyme, So þat In-with fourti dawes : it haueth euerech lime, And in lasse ȝif it is a knaue : for he is of more hete. Ȝwane þe limes beoth formest i-mad : huy ne beoz nouȝt ful grete. A smal weob it bi-cluppez al-a-boute : to holden it to-gadere faste, Fram þat hit is formest i-kened : forto hit beo i-bore atþe laste. ¶ Al round it lith in þe wombe : and i-bouwed ase an hare Ȝwane þat heo in fourme lith : for is .In. is sumdel nare. Al I-buyd þe leggues beoz : it nolde nouȝt elles feiȝe,al. veie þe helene to þe bottokes : þe kneuwene in eiþur eiȝe; þat heued is i-buid a-doneward : þe Armes al with-Inne, þe elbouwes riȝt in þe schere : þe fustus to þe chinne; Al i-buyd is þe rug : so þat neiȝ round it is. Man, ȝwar-of cometh þi pruyte? : for þare nis non, i-wis! So heiȝ þov makest þe here : and to no man þou nelt a-buye : Loke hov crekeder. croked þov were þare : and nouþe to no man þov nelt a-buye (!). þou ne miȝtest nouȝt þo holde up þin heued : ne enes on-do þin eiȝe; Fraorig. fram ȝwam cam it sethþe þe : to beren þin heued so heiȝe? Ȝif man him wolde bi-þenche : and riȝt him onder-stonde, he scholde beo meoke, and milde of heorte : and to no man habben onde.vv. 734-5 al. om. IN eche manne þreo soulene beoth : ake nouȝt alle I-liche guode, Anime.Ase ich seide eov er of þreo bollene : ȝif ȝe it onder-stode. In þe Neþemeste bolle : þat þe liuere deoth of springue, þare comez o-manere soule : at þe bi-guynningue Ase it were a-manere lijf : þat sent norischingue To þe limes al-a-boute : and bi-ginnezal. bringeth in is wexingue; So þat ane mannes norischingue : and is wexingue al-so Of þulke furste soule comez : and of þe liuere þer-to. þulke manere soule is : in ech wexinde þingue, In treon and in gras al-so : huy ne miȝten nouȝt elles springue. þoruȝ vertue of þulke soule : ȝwane it is þer-to i-brouȝt þat mannes lymes i-fourmede beoth : þat þare ne faillez nouȝt, þanne comez þare In þe heorte : þat þe oþur bolle was, A soule þat bringuz þat lijf : þare it neuer er nas. þat child is þanne quick a-non : ake strencþe nath it nouȝt Enes for-to wawie him : are hit beo feorrore i-brouȝt. Of þulke soule hath ech man : þat he mai wawi an gon In is bi-guynningue,al. Is velynge and al is lijf : and is fif wittes ech-on. þulke soule hath ech þing : þat vuelal. vele may oueral. oþer -go, Best, . and foul, and fisch al-so : worm and oþure mo. þeos soule þat bringuez þat lijf : is ate heorte grounde : þare-fore ho-so is þare i-smyte : he deiȝez in luyte stounde. þeos soule comez of mannes cuynde : and þe oþere bi-fore al-so : þare-fore, ȝwane a man deiȝez : huy deiȝez boþe-to. Ȝeot þare is þe þridde soule : þat al heore maister is : For ȝwane a child hath alle is limes : [&]om. quike huy beoth, i-wis, In þe ende of þe feorþe monþe : þat it was bi-ȝite, Oþur sone þar-aftur-ward : ase we findez i-write : ÞE cuynde þat ore louerd made : and porueide al-so þo he hadde Man formest I-mad : and in parays i-do, To myenge þe kuynde of heuene : to mannes kuynde her, Andal. Ane soule of witte and of liue : þat is Aungelene i-pier, heo comez fram þe kuynde of Aungles : and in þis fourme a-liȝt And miengez with þis wrechche flesch : ase ore louerd it hath i-diȝt, And makez þe kuynde þat nas er : bote ase a best onneþe þe kuynde of aungles with him bere : for-to he come to deþe. þulke soule nimth hire In : and bi-leuez, i-wis, In þe childes brayn an heiȝ : þat is hexte lime is. þulke soule i-last euere : and ne deiȝe[z] neuere mo, And went, ȝwane a man schal deiȝe : to weole oþur to wo. Al þat man hath bi-fore a best : oþur more resun can, Al he it hath of þulke soule : ȝware-þoruȝ he is man. And ȝwane man went out of þis liue : þulke soule, i-wis, Bi-guynnez departi fram þe bodieMS. soule : þe ȝwile he a-liue is, And wend, ase heo hauez of-serued : to Ioye oþur to pine; þe soulene þat hire ferene weren : beoth sone i-brouȝt to fyne. þulke þat halt ane Mannes lijf : and stikez in þe heorte, Ȝwane heo schal with þe bodie [deiȝe] : þat in strong Anguysche deth smeorte, Ȝif he onder-ȝit his felawe : to Ioye fram him i-wende, þare-fore heo maketh signe of Ioye : and deth as þe hiende; And [ȝwan] heo deiez with þe bodie : fair chere heo makez and softe, And bi-lef þat bodi in swych point : ase man may i-seon wel ofte : þe eiȝene I-closede faire i-novȝ : þe mouth of faire chere, Ech lyme al-so faire i-streiȝt : In guod poynt ase he were. þe þridde soule al-so ȝeot : þat deiez atþen ende, þat norischingue to al þat bodi : ant to þe limes deth sende, he deth aneal. ek signe in þe bodie : ȝif is felawe geth to guode, And bi-lefth þat bodi in fair hev : ȝwijȝt oþur red of blode. þeos souleneal. soule deiȝez in a man : ȝwane þe hete is al i-do, þe raþur þatal. þe erore whan he leost is breth : and waweȝIngue al-so. Ȝwane huy i-seoz heore felawe : to torment i-brouȝt, Luþur semblaunt huy makiez boþe : as it ne likede heom nouȝt, And bi-leueth þat bodi in foule heowe : þe eiȝene stareInde, And þe mouth of foul semblaunt : and ofte isal. om. grenninde. Swuche signes þat fereliche beoth : þat man may ofte i-seo, Beoth signes þat þe wrechche soule : in luþere weie beo. Nov Iesu crist, þat us soule ȝaf : graunte us þat we hire moten so here rede þat seint Miȝhel hire mote a-fongue : and bi-fore to Ioye lede. Amen. 47 [Clement.] SEint Clement was I-bore at Rome : I-furn bi olde dawe. Of þe hexte men he was i-come : þa[t] weren in þulke lawe. his Moder hiet Macidiane : his fader Faustinian. Twei breþren he hadde, eldore þane he : heore namen ich telle kan : Þat on hiet Faust, þat oþur Faustyn : twynnes boþe huy were; Fader and moder weren glade of heom : þat heom bi-ȝete and bere. Swiþe fair womman heore Moderadded later. was : þe faireste þat Men wuste; hire louerd heo louede treweliche— : non-oþur of heom men nuste. For hire fair-hede hire louerdes broþer : fondede with aloverlined. is miȝte To bringue hire in fole loue : bi daiȝe and eke bi nyȝte. Þis guode womman wasMS. wast studefast : he nolde nouȝt don is wille; Ake euere Ansuerede him fayre i-nov : and bar hire faire and stille. he of-souȝte hire so swiþe : þat no pais heo nadde. heo nust[e] ȝwat was hire beste red : ake sore of him heo dradde, And þouȝte ȝif heo tolde hire louerd fore : þat he wolde beo wroth And þe more hatie is broþer— : þat were hire swiþe loth. heo þouȝte hou heo miȝte on take : þat heo ane ȝwyle nere Ovt of is siȝte in oþur stude : þat heo fur-ȝite were. heo hire bi-þouȝte of one quoyntise : þat to hire louerd heo seide.MS. leide? A niȝt In hire bed heo bi-gan to sike : ase þei heo of slepe a-breyde : "A, sire," heo seide, "merci, þin ore! : ich am in grete drede : An hard metingue me hath i-mat : I-not ȝwat me is to rede : Me þouȝte þat on of ovre godes : cam here bi-fore þe And hiet me greiþi hastifueliche : mine twei sones and me And wiende with hem and wonie : feor In an oþur londe, For-to ich oþurMS. oþur oþur heste hadde : of him oþur is sonde; And bote ȝif ich sone dude so : he swor with grete oþe, To luþere deþe he wolde do : us and ore children boþe. Þare-fore, sire, bi-þench þe wel : ȝwat þar-of þov wolt rede : For bote it beo sone ido : for-soþe we beoth dede." Þis guode Manoverlined. lai in grete care : And þene deth sore he dradde, bi-þouȝte him strete In swuche neode : þene beste red he radde : "Dame," he seide, "ȝwane it is so : to schilden us fram care Þov schalt nime þine twei sones : a[n] toMS. ato Atenes fare. Þov schalt habbe with þe men I-nowe : And tresor al-so. Þov schalt, ȝwane þou þudere comest : þine sones to lore do, Þat huy leornien of clergie. : and ȝwan ore god þe sent tokningue For-to comen hom a-ȝein : þov schalt heom with þe bringue." Glad was þo þis guode wijf : of þat leoue rede. heo greiþede hire and wende forth : ase hire louerd sede : heo gan hire twei sones : toward atenes lede. Ake seint clement athom with is fader : bi-lefde, for ȝong-hede, For he was onneþes fif ȝer old : and for þat he scholde beo his fader solas, andal. om. for he nadde : bote childrene þreo.— Þo þis guode wijf was forth i-went : and hire louerdes broþer it wuste Þat hire louede in fole loue : no red þar-of he nuste; ¶ For wrathþe to is broþur he seide : "sire, hov geth þis? Is þi wijf fram þe I-went? : heo is strong hore, i-wis. heo haueth me wel longue i-loued : ner. no leng hele ich ne may, And to bringue me in fole dede : heo fonde[de]MS. fonde niȝt and day; Onneþe ich me miȝte with hire wite : for, siker, i-nolde it do, For sunne, ne for þe loue of þe : ne for mi treovnesse al-so. Anon so heo it onder-ȝat : þat i-nolde don hire wille, On of þine hynene heo louede : In folie wel stille, Þat hath bi hire wel ofte i-leie. : ake, þat þov it ne onder-ȝete, heo þouȝte hov heo miȝte with him beo— : for heo nolde him nouȝt lete : Þare-fore heo þouȝte ane feolle wrench : of wommanes kuynde lore, And is i-go with hire copiner : þov ne sixt hire nonmore. For ofte men seggez, and soth it is : þat þis wommen beoth Feolle and false, and þatal. om. me for-þinchez : þat we þe soþe i-seoth." Sori was þis guode Man : þo he heorde þis, Þat his wijf, þat he louede muche : scholde so don a-mis, Ant þat heo was so fram him i-went : and þat heo ne bi-lefde bi-hinde his sones, þat him so leoue weren : ne he nuste ȝware heom finde. After he wolde habbe i-went : ake he ne dorste for care Of cleme[n]te, is ȝongue sone : laste he scholde for-fare.al. 2 vv. more.— Forth wende þis wijf with hire sones : ase god hire wolde sende. In scipe heo dude hire in þe se : in-to an oþur londe to wende. A-midde þe se a-ȝein ane roche : þat schip bi-gan to glide, Þat it alto-drof, and huy fullen out : euer-ech in is side. A wawe þare cam of þe se : þoru ore louerdes sonde, And caste þis guode wijf al quik : a-non-riȝt to þe londe. A-non so heo was up i-cast : and to hire riȝte witte cam, And miste hire twei leoue sones : gret deol to hire heo nam; Into þe se heo wolde habbe i-lope : hire-seolf for-to a-drenche, Ȝif it nadde i-beo for grete hope : of þing þat heo gan þenche : Þat þe se wolde some tyme : hire sones to londe caste— For men seggez heo wole ech ded þing : weorpen up atþe laste; hadde heo enes heore bodies i-seiȝe : hire þouȝte þat heo ne rouȝte. Wide and longue heo ȝeode a-boute : and heore bodies souȝte. Þo heo ne miȝte heom finde : heo ȝal and weop ful sore, heo drovȝ of hire tressene and caste a-wei : for heo ne hopede to heom nonmore, hire hondene heo wrong and to-gnovȝ : þat flesch, riȝt to þe bone, And al-to-gnovȝ þe senewes : and made ful sori mone. heo orn ase heo witles were : a-boute in-to al þe londe. WimmenMS. wumnen hadden of hire gret revþe : þat heo toal. om.-gnov so hire honde, And fondeden ȝeorne to conforti hire : ake huy alle ne miȝten make Þat heo wolde into hire heorte : ani gladnesse take. Into a wommanes hous heo cam : þat longue was bedrede, Þat gret revþe hadde þo heo i-heorde : hire so weope and grede : heo confortede hire, ȝwat so heo miȝte : and made hire bi-leue with hire aldai, with glad semblaunt : for-to it was neiȝ eue. So heo confortede þis guode wijf : þat heo bi-lefte þare atat superscr. Inne, MidMS. And, al. And mid weorke of hire hondene : hire liflode foral. gan-to winne, With spinningue and with sevwyngue : þat heo wel couþe do; Þare-with heo fedde hire swiþe wel : and hire ostesse al-so. Sone þare-after þe senewes : of hire hondene bi-gonne to schrinke, For heo heom hadde er so for-gnawe— : þat heo ne miȝte non-more swinke; So þat heo ne miȝte i-welde : noþur Arm ne honde to pulte enes mete to hire mouth : ase hit was godes sonde. Þat deol þat heo made [þo] : no tongue it telle may. "Alas," heo seide, "þus longue i-leoued : and þat ich euere a-bod þis day! For more sorewe þane me is on : neuere womman ne hadde. Þe Ioye of mi louerd furst i for-les : for sunne þat ich dradde, And bi-lefde clement mi ȝongue : þat me was so leof, i-wis; And sethþe les mine tweie sones in þe se : þat weren al mi blis; And al one fram mine freond : þus feor in one-couþe londe Mit deol and soruwe ich habbe i-leoued : þoruȝ swunch of mine honde : Novþe mine hondene me beoth bi-nome : þat I-ne may heom enes wawe. Alas, þus longue in care i-leoued : þat i-nere i-brouȝt of lijf-dawe!" Þat deol þat heo made : revþe it was to telle; Ofte heo was ope þe pointe : hire-sulf for-to a-quelle. Fram dore to dore hire mete heo bad : and with þat he miȝte I-winne, heo fedde hire-sulf and hire hostesse : ȝwane heo cam to hire Inne.— HIre louerd athom aftur hire : of-longet was wel sore, And sente men to sechen hire : ake huy ne comen a-ȝein nonmore. Oþere he sente into al þat lond : and þo huy hadden longue i-souȝt, huy comen a-ȝein and tolden him : þat huy ne miȝten hire finde nouȝt. Þo gan he Clement, is ȝongue sone : In-to guode warde take, And wend him-sulf into al þat lond : forto sechen is make. he ne cam neuer-eft hom a-ȝein— : wel wide he hire souȝte, And ȝeode a-boute and bad is mete : þat of is lijf he ne rouȝte. ¶ Twenti ȝer he bad is mete : and is wijf ȝeot wel mo. he ful into feblesse of elde : þat vnneþe he miȝte go.al. 2 vv. more. Seint clement, þis ȝongue child : to clergie was i-do; he i-werth sone a gret clerk : quoynte and guod al-so. Þoruȝ his clergie him þouȝte : þat heore lawe nas nauȝt: he wilnede muche to wyten of god : ȝif ani man him hadde i-tauȝt. HIt bi-feol þat seint Barnabe : Into Rome cam, And clement hyne heorde a day : prechi of cristinedom: So þat of þis holie Apostle : he lette him cristni a-non, And bi-cam þe beste prechur : þat miȝte on eorþe gon. he heorde telle of seint peter : þat In þe londe of Iudee was: Are he to him were I-come : glad ne bliþe he nas: he bi-cam is o desciple : and a-boute with him wende For-to prechie cristine-dom : þoruȝ wit þat god him sende. Symon Magus, þe luþere Man : ȝeode in Ane oþur londe, To prechi aȝein Cristinedom : þoruȝ þe deoueles sonde. Tweie desciples he hadde with him : þat, þo huy onder-ȝete Þe falshede þat with him was : huy gonne him sone for-lete; To seint peter huy wenden a-non : and his desciples bi-come. glad was seint peter of heom : and þonkede god i-lome. SEint Clement tolde a day : to seint peter wel stille hov hit of is freond bi-feol : as it was godes wille, And al-hov is Moder ȝeode a-wei : with is breþren tweie, Þat he wende þat huy a-dronke weren : oþur i-storue bi þe weie, And hov is fader wende to sechen heom : þo he ne saiȝ oþur red; And [he]om. wende þat he were a-dreint : oþur for deole ded; And hov frendles he was op i-brouȝt : Intoal. & to swyche lore. Þo seint peter i-heorde þis : he gan to weope sore.— Ase seint petur ȝeode a dai : prechinde ouer lond, Ane womman, þat him þouȝte gent and freo : In grete miseise he fond, Ȝware heo ȝeode and bad hire mete. : he Axede hire a-non Ȝwy heo ne miȝte hire mete I-winne : and ȝwy heo wolde so gon. ÞIs womman seide, "swuch day was : Ich couþe minne mete I|winne, Ake nouþe mine hondene me beoth bi-nome : þat Ine may sevwy ne spinne. More sorewe þane me is on : neuere nas i-founde; Alas þat ich nadde me a-dreint : a-wei, þat ilke stounde!" ¶ "Womman," seide seint peter þo : "folliche þov dest telle: For þe Man þat him-seolfue a-slowe : his soule scholde into helle." "Sire," heo seide, "wuste ich þe soþe : þat soulene libbe scholde After þusse liue, I-nolde bi-leue : þat me-seolf a-quelle i-nolde, Þat Ich miȝte one stounde : mine sones i-seo; I-ne rouȝte sethþe, þei ich scholde : euer-eft in helle beo. For mi louerd and mioverlined. ȝongore sone : ichMS. þat ich bi-lefte at rome And wende forth with mine tweie sones : ake þo we in þe se come, Þat schip brak, and mine leoue sones : ne miȝten neuereft beo i|founde; Ake me heo caste to londe al quik : allas þulke stounde! Ine mai for feblesse wende a-ȝein : ne Ine habbe no man þat me lede, And not ȝweþer mi louerd and mi ȝongue sone : beon quike oþur dede." "Clement," seide seint peter : "þat min o desciple nouþe is, Seith þat is fader and is moder : þis cas bi-feollen,al. bifel i-wis." Þis womman feol a-don i-swowe : þo heo i-heorde þis. Þo heo a-ros, heo cride ȝeorne : and weop for Ioie and blis, And seide, "sire, þat is mi sone. : tech me ȝware he beo! Ine wilne mi lijf no leng to habbe : bote þat ich him enes i-seo." Seint peter seide, "cum forth with me : to him ichulle þe lede. Ake ne beo þov nouȝt a-knowe to him : erore þane ich þe rede." he nam þis wommane bi þe hond : and to hire sone hire brouȝte. Þo seint Clement i-saiȝ him lede ane womman : vuel bi him he þouȝte, And seide, "nouþe In þine olde liue : woltþou with wommane beo?" So wroth he was þat vnneþe he wolde : toward him bi-seo. ¶ Þis guode wijf stod bi hire sone : heo ne miȝte for-bere non-more, heo bi-cluppte him faste and custe a-non : for Ioye heo weop ful sore. hire hondene þat hire weren bi-nome : anon-riȝt hole huy were, For Ioye, and for grete vertue : of þe holie men þere. SEint Clement was wroth with hire : for heo bi-clupte him and custe,MS. clupte And in grete wrathþe hire pulte a-wei : and to þe grounde upriȝt þruste. "Clement," seide seint peter þo : "darstþov þine moder pulte? Þov cri hire Merci and lat þe schriue : for þine foule gulte!" "Louerd," seide seint cleme[n]t [þo] : "ȝweþur þis mi moder beo? Louerd, i-hered beo þi miȝte : þat ich moste þis day i-seo!" To is moder he ful a-doun : and bi-clupte hire and custe. Welle, þe Ioye þat þare was : þo eiþur of oþur wuste! Þis wyf seide, "leoue sone, þin ore : ȝweþur þi fader a-liue beo?" "Certes, moder," he seide, "i-not : Ine wene neuer-eft him i-seo. Twenti ȝer it is ago : þat he After þe i-wende, Þat neuer-eft Ine heorde word of him : ne he ne cam ne sende." Þis guode wyf bi-gan to weope sore : ake natheles for blisse Of hire sone þat heo hadde I-founde : hire seoruwe heo gan to lisse. Euere stoden bi seint peter : his oþere desciples tweie Þat fram symon Magus weren i-come to him : and ȝeorne bi|heolden beie; huy i-heorden hou þis guode wyf tolde : to clemente, hire sone, þere, hov hire tweie leoue sones : in þe se a-dreinte were. Þo huy hadden þis tale i-heord : huy weren swiþe glad, For Ioye huy stoden ase þei huy weren : witlese oþurorig.and a-mad. "louerd," huy seiden, "ȝweþer þis beo soth : þat we i-heorez nouþe telle, oþur us þinchez ase in metingue : oþur in manere of spelle?" "hit is soth," seint peter seide : "oþur me þinchez ȝe beoth wode." huy nusten ȝweþur to beon stille oþur speke : bote ase gydie men huy stode. ¶ "Louerd," huy seiden, "here is ore Moder : þat a-dreint was ase we wende, I-hered he beo þat hire hath to liue i-brouȝt : And þat hire to us sende! And þis is Clement, ore ȝongue broþur : þat longue hath i-beo ore fere; Nuste we neuere er ȝwat he was : are þoruȝ godes grace nouþe here." Louerd, þe Ioye þat þe[re] was : And þat manie Miȝten i-seo, bi-twene þe guode wyf and hire sones : þe swete breþren þreo! ÞIs guode wyf axede hire tweye sones : hov huy to liue come. "Dame," huy seiden, "ase god it wolde : a bord of þe schype we nome And þar-on we hienguen, and hit bar us forth : into þe se wel wide. Marineres us token into heore schipe : ase we floten heom bi-side. Are huy us hadden to londe i-brouȝt : huy nolden neuere a-fine. To Ane holie wydewe huy solden us : þat hiet dame Iustine; Þat us lokede nesche I-novȝ : as þei we hire sones were, And, god ȝielde it hire! of clergie : heo liet us sone lere. So þat we beoth nouþe godes desciples : and with his Apostle here. Ore broþur clement we knoweth nouþe furst : þat ȝare hath i-beon ore fere. And nouþe we beoth here to-gadere come : we mowen i-seo godes miȝte, Þat euere wole mannes ȝwyle ȝelde : þat seruez him with riȝte." Ech man wot wel þat þis I-heorth : þey we ne seggen it i-lome, gret Ioye bi-twene heom alle was : þo huy to-gadere come. ¶ þis guode wyf heom tolde of hire hostesse : þat Innede hire bi nyȝte, Þat heo was a guod womman and was bedrade : ȝif huy hire hele miȝten. SEint petre hire let fette : and þoruȝ ore louerdes grace Made hire hol, bi-fore al þat folk : anon in þulke place.— Ase seint petre prechede a day : he seide in his prechingue Þat, ho-so seruede ore louerd wel : scholde habbe guod endingue. ¶ Þo stod þare op a swiþe old man : his lockes weren ful hore; pouere and stoupinde and miseise. : he bi-gan to siken sore. "gret revþe," he seide, "ich habbe of eov : þat ȝe bi-trayez men so; Ech man bi-fallez ase his ȝwate is : ȝwat-so he euere do. ¶ For þei a man swyncke and crie on god : and bidde ȝeorne is bede, him schal bi-falle, guod oþur vuel : ase it is him i-queþe. Þei mani man beo wis and euere swynke : he ne may neuere bate; And þei manie don vuele and euere folie : ȝeot he hath guod ȝwate." ¶ Seint petre hiet þe þreo breþren : þat is desciples were, Despuyti aȝein þis olde man : of þat he tolde þere. huy stoden and heore [r]esonesorig. oresones seiden : þat ech man scholde a-fongue After þat he wurche wolde : And elles it were with wrongue; "For, ho-so nath no guod, ne swinke nele : ne of porueance beo, Ȝwat-so-euere man beo Iqueþe : he ne may it neuere fleo;r. i-þeo And [ho]-so is wys to winne guod : and wel it witie can, Ȝwat-so-euere is ȝwate beo : he worth riche man. For ore louerd wole here and elles-ȝware : ȝelden ane mannes seruise After þat he him-seolf wurche wole : ake aftur ȝwate in none wise." GRet clerk was þis olde Man : he desputede wel faste A-ȝein þe þreo breþren with gret reson. : þat playt wel longue laste. Seint Clement was grettest clerk : þare-fore atþenende Maister he was, þoruȝ grace : þat ore louerd him wolde sende. Atþe laste þis olde Man : bi-gan to sike and grone, And seid[e], "wel, icholde i-leue : ower resones ech-one, Ȝif I-ne hadde to muche i-fondet : of þinge þat geth bi ȝwate. Alas þulke soruful tyme : for mi confort cometh to late! Riche man ich was elles-ȝware : þei ich beo nouþe a wrechche here; Ich hadde þreo ȝoungue children : and a guod wif þat was mi fere. Mine tweie sones heo ladde awei : þo we heom hadden al bi-swonke : Ine heorde neuereft word of heom : Ich wot huy beoth a-dronke. Alle myne freond and al mi guod : Ich bi-lefte me bi-hynde And habbe here i-walke in onkovþe londe : ȝif ich heom miȝte i-fynde. Mi ȝongeste child ich bi-lefte athom : Ich wene þat he beo ded. Worse ȝwate nadde neuere man : Inot ȝwat is mi red. And ich am,overlined.þare no man me ne knoweth : mid miseise ouer-come; honguer and chele hath myne leomes : and elde, me bi-nome. Seggez ov-sulf ȝif ȝe euere I-heorden : Ani so deolful cas! ho is þat ne may i-leue : þat luþur ȝwate it nas?" ¶ Þo þis þreo breþren hore fader i-knewen : þoruȝ þat he hadde i-sed, Sturten huy wolden and cussen him. : ake seint petre heom for-bed, And seide, "ȝif ich bringue bi-fore þe i-hole : þine children and þi wijf, Woltþov for-hote þine mis-bi-leue : and a-mendi þi lijf And i-leue þat þingMS. þing þatcomez ase god wole : and no-þing after ȝwate?" "Ȝe, sire," seide þis olde man : "Ake þat worth so wel late. Also ase it neuere ne worth : þat ich i-seo heom alle, Andal. om.so ne worth hit neuere þat muche þing : nele bi ȝwate falle." ¶ "Lo," seide seint petre þo : "þis beoth þine sones þreo, Þat, for-to bringue þe in godes lawe : plaidiez aȝein þe." Þo þis olde Man i-heorde þis : his limes him bere nolde, huy nescheden ase doth wex a-ȝein þe fuyre : And ful a-don on þe molde; he lai al cold with-oute breþe : ase þei he no lyf nadde. his [sones] him clupten a[n]d custen him : sore huy weopen and gradde; huy beren him a-boute and bleowen on him : ȝif huy him miȝten in stat bringue. Longue it was are heo miȝten : i-seo of liue : Ani riȝt tokningue. Þo is stat him was i-come : he axede a-non-riȝt þere hov huy weren a-liue forth i-brouȝt : so freondlese ase huy were. Euerech tolde in his wise : ore swete louerdes miȝte, Þat he on heom i-schewed hadde : ho-so onder-stode þe riȝte. Ase huy tolden of heore lijf : euerech in his side, Þis guode wif orn ase heo were wilde : and swiþe loude heo cride: "Ȝware is mi louerd? ȝware is mi spouse? : schewez him me a-non!" huy bi-clupten heom and fullen a-doun : a fote ne miȝten huy gon. More Ioye ne miȝte beo i-seiȝe : bi none mannes liue, Þane was, þo huy to-gadere comen : a-mong heom alle fiue. here we mouwen alle i-seo : ore swete louerdes miȝte, Þat euere atþenende he wole ȝelde : þe manne þat him seruez with riȝte.— HIt bi-ful þat þe Aumperour : ouer-al sende is sonde, Symon Magus, þe luþere man : to sechen him into al þe londe, For-to sleen him, ho-so him miȝte I-finde : al for his luþer-hede. And þo symon Magus i-heorde þar-of : he was in grete drede. On feolonie he þouȝte for wrathþe : of þe breþren tweie, Faust and Faustin, þat weren with him : and departed fram him beiȝe. bi hore fader he cam a day : ase þe deuel him gan lere, And caste on him is owene fourme : ase þei it him-sulf were, Þoruȝ is foul enchauntement— : ho-so þene olde manne i-seiȝe, wenden þat symon magus it were. : þare was þe deuel to sleiȝe, For þe Ioye þat his sones hadden : of him þare in one stounde; And for he scholde beon for him a-slawe : ȝif he miȝte beon i-founde. For euere þe deuel, and alle his : of feolonie doth þenche; Ake atþe laste huy worþeth bi-traid : with heore feolle wrenche. ¶ Symon Magus wende a-weiorig. aȝen : þo al þis i-don was. Þis guode [man] ȝeode forth to is children : he nuste nouȝt of þat cas : he cam and wolde gret Ioye make : with heom and with is wiue. huy spatten on him, euerechone : and heten him a-wei wel bliue, For he was þe deueles lyme : huy nolden nouȝt with him dele, Ake bote he þe sonere fram heom ȝeode : him to wroþer hele. " Alas," seide þis olde Man : "Mine leoueoverlined. children þreo, Ȝwi wolle ȝe ouwer fader þus pulte and bete? : nelle ȝe me nonmore i-seo?" "Nay," seiden þis breþren þreo : "þov nart ore fader nouȝt, Þov art symon Magus, godes trichor. : to deþe þov worst i-brouȝt; Ȝif þe Aumperores [men] þe mouwen finde : þat wide þe habbez i-souȝt, Þov worst to-drawe ase þe deueles lime : for falshede þat þou hast i|wrouȝt." ¶ "Louerd, merci," seide þis olde man : "ȝwodere may ich nouþe iwende, Nouþe mi wijf ne mine sones me nellez i-knowe : o dai to þenende? Mest wrechche ich am of alle men : nouþe Ine habbe freond non bote heom, and huy me wollez a-sle. : ȝwodere may ich nouþe gon?" ¶ Symon Magus þare-at-fore : in Auntioche aseal. om. he wende, And seint petre bi-fore al þat folk : with lesingues foule he schende; he seide þat he man-quellare was : and wichche, and eke for-swore : Þat folk a-waytede him for-to sle : In Auntyoche þare-fore. ¶ Seint petre þis onder-ȝat : he wolde beon a-wreke, he þouȝte. he cam to þis seli oldeman : þat him wel longue souȝte; "beo stille," he seide, "and do Aftur me : and soffre a luytel þrowe, And Ichulle makien þat þi wijf : and þine sones : þe schullen sone i-knowe. Þov schalt gon In-to Auntioche : þare symon Magus was, Ase he me desclaundret hath : and segge of þis ilke cas In his name, ase ech man weneth : þat þov he him-sulue beo, And segge þat hit lesingue is : þat þov seidest op-on me, And line al-so þine owene Mouth : as þei it beo in his name, And þat hit was al les þat þov seidest : to bringue me in luþer fame, And þat þov art þarof repentaunt : sori, and swiþe wel I-schriue, Of þe lesingue þat þov bi me seidest : and bide heom it þe for-ȝyue." ÞIs olde Man ȝeode him forth : In-to Auntioche a-non, And ȝede a-boute to Mani a stude : þare symon hadde I-gon; "Guode Men," he seide, "ȝif ich habbe i-told : bi seint petre eni|þing bote guod and gret trewenesse : for-soþe, it is lesing; here bi-foren eov euerech-one : ich lixni minne owene Mouth. For he is treowe and studefast : and is guodnesse is wide couth. For-to saui al þat lond : ore louerd him hath i-sent : bi-lieueth and wurcheth aftur him : oþur ȝe beoth alle I-schent! For ȝe eov-seolf and Al eower guod : þoruȝ ore louerdes wreche hit schal for-fare, bote ȝe don : ase he eov wole lere ant teche. Ȝif ich euere-eft more am so : in þe deoueles weorke I-brouȝt Þat Ich ani-þing oþur bi him segge : ne leuez me þar-of nouȝt, Ake doth meoverlined. schame and betez me : ant bringuez me of dawe, Ase men schullen a strong liare : and man of false lawe." ¶ Þare-Aftur-ward he cam to seint petre : and he is leomen riȝte And brouȝte him a-ȝein to is owene fourme : al þoruȝ godes miȝte. Þo was þere gret Ioye bi-tweone [is sones]om. : and him and eke is wiue, þo huy weren in riȝte fourme : to-gadere alle fiue. Euere is strengore ore swete louerd : þane þe deuel atþende! And symon Magus-is tricherie : op-on him-sulf it gan i-wiende. Alal. for Auntioche wel gret loue : opon seint petre caste, And sore heom longuede after him : and leten him seche faste. ¶ Seint Petre cam to Auntioche : ase he hadde er I-lome : Men and wommen of þe lond : wel glade a-boute him come, And Anoureden him suyþe muche : ase ane prince of godes lawe And Ase heore maister and heore louerd— : huy weren of him wel fawe; In riche chayre huy setten him : and knevlede him bi-fore, And beden wel ȝeorne him wardi heom : and techen, þat heore soulene neren for-lore. ¶ Þis was a-seint petres day : þat comez in feuerer, Þat for þe honour of þulke dede : men helewiez feor and ner. Þo þis dede was al I-don : and seint petre þannes i-wend, Symon Magus hyede þudere : and heold him foule I-schend. bi-fore al þis folk he cam : "Muche wonder me þinchez," he sede, "Þat ich ouwer soule-bote here-bi-fore : and to eouwer guod gan eov rede, Þat ȝe ne flouwen petre, þane trichour : þat he a-mong eov ne come; And nouȝt one neal. ȝe Anoreden him : ake wit grete nobleie him nome And an heiȝ in chaireMS. in chaire In chaire setten him : ase he eouwer crist were. Fleoth fram him, ȝif ȝe wollez i-sauede beon : and doth ase ich eov lere!" ¶ Þo al þat folk i-heorde þis : for wrathþe heo weren neiȝ wode; "False trichour," huy seiden, "þis oþur day : bi-fore us here þov stode And seidest þat he was treowe and guod : and þat we after him do scholde, And seist nouþe þat he is luþer and fals! : þi ȝwile worth sone i-ȝolde," huy sturten forth and beoten þis foule þeof : þat he was neiȝ a-slawe; Nadde he þe revlocur i-cried on heom : heyr. huy wolden him habbe to-drawe. Ase he miȝte, he crep a-wei : with many a luþur strok. Þare he him-seolf, ase euerech swyke doth : him-seolf he bi-swok! Seint petre ȝeode to rome : with his desciple þreo. he wuste þat is tyme was neiȝ : þat he Imartred scholde beo : Seint Clement al bi is daye : he made him pope at rome, Þat he guode ȝeme after him : to holie churche nome. ¶ Þo seint petre I-martred was : seint clement him bi-souȝte :al. biþouȝte vv. 401-4 are corrupted. Ȝif he bi-lefte pope forth : ase þat folk him bi-souȝte, Þat noal. om. pope neal. om. miȝte aftur him : Ane oþurne pope make, Ȝwam so huy wolden, þoruȝ heore wille : oþur foron the margin. eni mede take; Þat he him bad for godes loue : þat no pope bi is daye Non oþur pope ne scholde maken so : holie churche to bi-traye;vv. 403-4 added. For a wardein of holie churche : þoruȝ is godnesse man schal take, Þatal. om.; r. and? nouȝt, ase it were bi heritage : þat o freond þat oþur make. he tok up is dignete : for al þat man him bad, And seint lyn, þat was a guod man : was pope in his stude Imad. After seint lynes daye : alle þe men wolde Seint clemente habbe pope Imad : ake for no-þing ȝeot he nolde; Se[int]MS. Se Clete huy maden pope þo. : ake after is daiȝe a-non Þat folk heold seint clement faste : huy nolden him nouȝt for-gon; hAlflingue with strencþe huy maden him pope. : and þo hit cam þar-to, he fondede to paye euer-ech Man : riche and pouere al-so. he honourede more þe pouere Men : þane he dude þe riche, to helpe more isal. þe soule þane isal. þe bodi— : for huy ne beot nouȝt Iliche. Sisyme, þe Iustise of þe lond : hadde a swiþe guod wijf, Þat þoruȝ se[int] cleme[n]t I-cristned was : for-to amendi hire lijf. Ȝwane heo miȝte, fram hire louerd [heo stole] : al with-oute fiere. A day, aseon the margin. heo wolde to churche gon : he siwede hire wel swiþe.2 vv. om. Sone so heo to churche cam : and hire hovse-bonde onder-ȝat,MS. it onder-ȝat A-drad heo was, and hudde hire : in one [derne] stude heo sat. Þo seint clement seide is oresun : and is clerkes amen seide, Þe Iustise i-werth boþe def and blind. : wel loude he gan to grede : "Ȝware beo ȝe nouþe, mine men? : ovt ȝe moten me lede, For Ine mai mi-seolf I-seo ne heore. : ȝwat mai ich to-rede? cometh forth to me euerechone : and out heonnes ȝe me leden!"vv. 426-7 al. om. his Men sturten forth And nomen him op : huy swatten alle for drede. huy beren him al-a-boute þe churche : huy ne miȝten þe dore finde : Ȝwane huy wenden atþe dore to beo : þanne weren huy feor bi-hinde. Sore was þis guode wijf a-drad : þo heo i-saiȝ heom so fare : heo Axede ȝwat hire louerd were— : for no leng ne miȝte heo spare. huy seiden, "for he woldeorig. huy wolden I-seon and I-heore : oþur þane to him bi-come, bi-come he is blijnd and def : here in þe churche of Rome." Þis guode wijf bad ore louerd ȝeorne : þat huy mosten þannes ovt wende : Þo founden þis men þe dore a-non : and wenden out atþenende. Þis guode wijf bad Clement ȝeorne : to hire louerd come And amendi him þoruȝ godes grace : of is limes, þat him weren bi-nome. ¶ Seint clement and þis guode wijf to þis luþere man gonne teo : huy founden him loki swiþe brode : and no-þing ne miȝte i-seo.vv. 439-40 al. om. Seint clement bad ore louerd for him : and þo he i-don hadde, his heoringue and is siȝt him cam a-ȝein. : ake neuere þonk he ne hadde. For a-non so he i-saiȝ seint clement stonde : bi is wiue, he wende And seide þat he hadde bi hire i-leie : and þare-fore he him a-blende. Þis guode wijf ȝeode into hire preuetez : and Iesu crist [bad] wel faste Þat hire louerd þoruȝ is grace : in-to betere bi-leue him caste. SEint petre fram heouene : to hire a-liȝte a-doun And s[e]ide, hire louerd scholde i-saued beo : þoruȝ hire oresun; "For seint powel seide MS. seide seide; al. For me saiþ þat a luþer man : scholde i-saued beo Þoruȝ guodnesse of a godwomman : And so it worth bi him and þe." Þis guode wyf eode to hire louerd : and prechede him of cristine-dom : So þat he þoruȝ godes grace : in-to guode bi-leue he com. he liet him cristni sone a-non : and al is may[n]e þere, Þre hondret men and tweolue : with him i-cristnede were. ¶ TraIan, þe luþere Amperour : herof he heorde speke : he swor he wolde for his Iustise : of seint clement beo a-wreke. he comaundede Mamertyn : þat was an oþur Iustise, Þat he scholde maken clement þe pope : to don heomal. om. sacrefise Oþur maken him out of londe fleme— : þat he ne lete it nouȝt, Laste heore lawe and heore godes weren : þoruȝ him to grounde i-brouȝt. ¶ Þis Iustise wende þo wiþMS. þouȝ gret power : And seint clement he nom;orig. nam And for he nolde don heore godesh. g. al. om. sacrefise : he ȝaf him an oþur dom : Þat he scholde beon out of londe i-driue : into wildernesse. Ase a þeof he was i-harlet forth : in wel fyl destresse. Þo he into wildernesse cam : to þousende he fond þere Of cristine Men, þat hadden þer : longue i-woned for fere, Laste þe Aumperoures men : In torment heom hadden i-brouȝt; And huy for drede of strongue deþe : weren in feble þouȝt.— For manie men bi þulke daie : for drede of þulke þingue Ase bestes huy leoueden in wildernesse : þo cristinedom bi-gan furst springue.— Wel glade weren þis guode men : þo huy seint clement i-seiȝe : heo ȝeoden a-ȝein him and þonkeden god : weopinde with heore eie. huy maden seint clement heore Maister þere : pope ase he was. Þare nas non þat in studefast lijf : for him a-mendet ne was. Water huy nadden neiȝ heom non : bi six Mile wei wel longue, Al heore drinke huy fetten þare : in weiȝe swiþe stronge. Seint clement [bad] ore louerd crist : ȝif hit is wille were, Þat he holpe is trewe couent : and sende heom watur þere. he i-saiȝ a lomb stonde and marki : with is riȝt fot ane stude : he i-saiȝ þat hit ore louerd was : to don þat he hadde i-bede. ¶ Seint clement ȝeode and smot in þulke stude : as þat lomb markede er : Þare sprong a welle fair and guod— : wel gret Ioye was þer. Þis Miracle was widen i-cud : fif hondret men þare-fore bi-comen cristine and blesseden þe time : þat seint clement was i-bore. Þo ȝede he forþere a-mong þe men : and so fair Miracle wrouȝte, Swiþe muche folk to guode bi-leue : and to Iesu crist he brouȝte. Fyf hondred of Maumates : to grounde he brouȝte þere; And sixti churche and fiftene : in heore studes he liet a-rere. So þat traIan þe Aumperour : her-of heorde telle : Ane duyk of gret power he sende þudere : þane guode man for|to quelle. Þis duyk him nam and liet tooverlined. him binde : greteorig. and gr. stones wel faste, And ladden him feor in-to þe deope se : and riȝt a-midde him caste. Welle, muche was þe deol : þat is desciples for him made! In-to þe se huy ornen to sechen him : ase feor ase huy dorsten wade. Þo huy ne miȝten neiȝ him come : ore louerd wel ȝeorne huy beader. bade to ȝiuen heom a siȝt of seint clement : þe more to beon glade. Ase huy seten opon þe .se : and crieden on him wel faste and ȝeorne, Þe .se. wel swiftliche hire with-dravȝal. wiþdrouȝ : and with gret eyr In gan eorne : So þat with-inne þe deope .se : þreo grete Milene and more A swiþe fair wei and druye þare was : i-here[d] beo godes ore! Þis guode men bi þis faire wei : In-to þe .se. gonne to wende : Ane churche hui founden, of Marbre i-maud : riȝt atþe weies ende. With-Inne þe churche huy founden ane cofre : of seluer and of golde And þarinne seint clementes bodi : ase ore louer[d] it wolde. Welle, louerd, muche was þe Ioye : þat þis guode Men inne were, For þe faire Miracle of seint clement : þat huy founden þere! huy beden heore beden ȝwat-so huy wolden : and wenden aȝen at|þenende : euere orn þe se after heom wel faste : at heore helene bi-hinde, For-to heo cam to hire riȝte stude : and þare heo gan atstonde. Þis guode men serueden god þe bet : and þonke[den] ȝeorne is sonde. Longue þer-aftur it bi-feol : þoruȝ ore louerdes heste, fram ȝer to ȝere seue dawes : at seint clementes festes þat þe se ire wolde so with-drawe : and makie ane wei wel druye To þe holie chapele of seint clement : þat no watur ne scholde man a-nuye; Þat ech Man alle þe seuen dawes : al druye wende and clene, For-to honouri þat holie bodi : ase it bi-feol eche ȝere ene; And Anon-riȝt þe se wende a-ȝein : with watur and with slyme After þe eiȝte dawes, and heold him so : for-to an oþur ȝer þat tyme. Awommon camMS. cam cam þudere at one tyme : and a child þat was hire sone, For-to A-novri þat swete bodi : as it was mannes wone. hit feol atMS. þat þe endingue : of þe seueþe daiȝe þat þe se cam eorne & rotte ȝeorne : ase þat child a-slepe laye. Þat folk, þat þare was bi-leued : bi-gonne ateorne faste; Þis womman louede hire lyf al-so : þat heo nas nouȝt þe laste. Þo heo was to londe i-come : and hire soneoverlined. mid hire nadde, Muche was þe deol þat heo made : loude heo weop and gradde. gredinde heo orn and longue souȝte : a-boute bi þe se-side, Ȝif þe .se. him hadde up i-cast— : heo souȝte a-boute wel wide. Þo heo ne miȝte him nouȝwere i-finde : weopinde hom heo wende, And bad seint clement, of hire childe : þat he sum gladnesse hire sende. heo bi-lefte al þe ȝer : in gret sor and in care. Anoþur ȝer at seint clementes tid : þuder-ward heo wolde fare.al. was ȝare To þe chapele ȝeorne heo orn : þo þe se was In i-weved :orig. i-wend hIreMS. Ire; h added. sone heo fond in þulke stude : þare heo hine hadde bi-leued. Sone þis womman nam him up : and wende þat heMS. heo ded were. Þat child, ase þei it woke of slepe : Axede ȝwat heo wolde þere. Þis womman for Ioie gradde loude : þat folk a-boute hire wende, And þonkeden god with grete Ioye : þat swuche miracle him sende. huy axeden hov he hadde so longue i-leued : And ȝif he were ouȝt i-dreiȝt. "hit nis novȝt longue," þat child seide : "ake to sone ȝe meMS. me me habbez a-weiȝt; Softe and swote i habbeMS. ȝe habbez i-slepe : onneþe me þinchez o nyȝt. Moste ich lengore habbe i-leiȝe : me hadde i-beo wel i-diȝt." With gret Ioye huy ladden þis child hom. : þis miracle was couth wel wide. Mani fair Miracle seint clement dude : bi þe sees sides. ¶ þe se with-drovȝ hire wel mani a ȝer : to maken men druye i-wende; And þulke miracle for mannes [sunne] : bi-lefde sethþe atþen ende. Þo Men founden þis holie ȝwuchche : In a fair place stonde with þis holie bodi a-boue þe se : al on druye londe; Muche folk with fair procession : þis holie bodi nome And ladden it forth with gret honour : to þe churche of rome. Þare is nouþe seint clementes churche : I-mad with quoynte gynne. god ȝiue us part of þulke Ioyȝe : þat seint clement is inne. 48 [Laurence.] SEynt laurence guod man was : and in strong Martyrdom he endede here on eorþe is lijf : and to þe Ioye of heuene he com. Decius þe Aumperour : þat luþur was i-novȝ, And is Iustise Valerian : þat to alle schrewe-hede drovȝ, huy wenden and souȝten cristine Men : and ȝwane huy enie founde, huy pineden heom with gret torment : and brouȝten heom sone to grounde. huy comenMS. comenen and founden þene bischop sixte : and a-slowen him with gret wouȝ. Seint laurence was is Ercedeckne : þat guod man was i-novȝ. ¶ þo þe bischop scholde beon i-nome : and he þat cas i-seiȝ, Seint laurence, is Ercedekne : he cleopede, þat was him neiȝ : Al þat tresor of holie churche : þat he to-gadere drovȝ Seint laurence he it bi-tok : to witien it wel i-novȝ. þe tormentores, þat þis i-seiȝen : heom boþe huy nome faste, Seint sixte and seint laurence : and strongue biendes on heom caste. huy ladden seint sixte to heore false godes : and is tweie felawes al-so, And scheweden heom heore false hymages : and beden heom a-loute þar-to; Þo þis guode men nolden don so : ake on ore louerd huy crieden faste, huy smiten of heore heuedes sone : and heore bodies þare caste. Þe Aumperoure huy senden word : al ȝwat huy hadden i-do, And hov seint laurence in prisone was : in strongue bendes, al-so, And hou he al þat tresor hadde : of churchene to him i-drawe.A v. om. Þe Aumperov[r] i-heorde þis : he was glad þarof and fawe : For he þouȝte þat tresor al habbe : þei it were a-ȝen lawe. ¶ Þane holie Man he liet fette : and bi-fore him lede, And bi-heold him wel stuyrneliche : and wrotþelicheMS. wortþeliche to him sede : "Ȝware is þat tresor of þe churchene : þat þe was i-brouȝt?" Seint laurence stod wel stille : and ne ansueredeMS. ansueredede him riȝt nouȝt. Þe Aumperour was swiþe wroth : þo he ne ȝaf him non Answere; A-non he wolde habbe defouled him : vnneþe he ital. om. niȝte for-bere. he liet cleopie valerian : þat was is heiȝe Iustise, "Nim," he seide, "þeosne Man : wel faste in alle wise And win of him þat tresor : and make him don sacrefise, Oþur bring him in swuch torment : þat oþure of him a-grise." Þe Iustise nam þene holie Man : and liet him binde faste, And bi-tok him Ypolite, þe knyȝt : In strong prisone to caste. he brouȝte [him] in strong prisoun : and bi-lek him faste al-so, with þeoues and with luþere Men : þat hadden þe Aumperoure mis-do.— On heþene man þare was Inne : lucille was is name, Þat hadde þare-inne so muche i-wope : for seoruwe and for schame, Þat he weop out boþe is eiȝene : and al blynd was bi-come. Seint laurence hadde reuþe : þat is siȝt him was bi-nome : "bi-lief," he seide, "on Iesu crist : þat for us schedde is blod, And afong cristinedom : ant þov schalt habbe þi siȝt wel guod." "Ich bi-lieue," þis oþur seide : "on him with al mi þouȝt, And for-sake alle þeos false godes : þat ne mowen me helpe nouȝt." ¶ Seint laurence baptizede him : and a-non-riȝt with þe dede his siȝt him cam wel cler and guod. : þo bi-gan he a-non to grede : "I-hered beo swete Iesu crist : þat here hath i·cud is miȝte And þoruȝ is seriaunt, seint laurence : me hath i-sent mi siȝte! For ase ȝe wuten euerechone : mi siȝt me was bi-nome, And þoruȝ Iesu crist and seint laurence : it is me aȝein i-come." Þis tyþingue sprong sone wide : so þat oþore i-nowe Þat wide a-boute blinde weren : þuder-ward faste huy drowe. ¶ Þo Ypolite þis i-saiȝ : þat ore louerd hadde swuch miȝte Þat alle þe blinde þat þudere comen : anon hadden heore siȝte, "Merci!" he criede, "seint laurence" : and to IesuMS. Iusu. crist him nam, And he, and al is maynie : nomen cristine-dom. Valerian þare-after-ward sone : ase it cam in is þouȝte, Sende to ypolite þe knyȝt : þat he seint laurence him brouȝte. "Nov, laurence," quath ypolite : "forth ich mot þe lede." "Ȝe, go we forth," seide laurence : "ne schal us no-þing drede : Þe Ioye of heouene is al-ȝare : to us boþe in alle wise." Þo ladde ypolit laurence forth : bi-fore þe luþere Iustise. Valerian þe Iustise : bi-heold laurence faste, And seide, "bel ami, hov longue : schal ower folie i-laste? Tuyrn þi þouȝt, ich rede, sone : and schewe us þat tresour Of churchene þat þe was bi-take : and de-liuere it þe Aumperour!" ¶ "Sire Iustise," seint laurence seide : "ȝif þov onder-stanst resoun, Þov wost wel þat ich habbe i-leye : longue in þat prisoun, So þat i-ne habbe nouȝt þat tresor : of churche here nov ȝare; Ake ȝif me þreo dawes furst : þat ich mouwe a-boute fare, And ich it wolle to-gadere bringue : and here bi-fore þe lede." Þo was þe Iustise swyþe glad : of wordes þat he sede; For hope oforig. op þat grete tresor : and for none oþurMS. oþur þur þingue, he ȝaf him respit of þreo dawes : þat tresor forth to bringue, And bi-tok him ypolite in warde : þat he him aȝein brouȝte. Forth huy wenden wide a-boute : and guod tresor huy souȝte : Alle þe men þat huy miȝten finde : þat pouere and feble were, In sicnesse oþur in miseise : to-gadere huy brouȝten þere, And in ypolitus house hudden heom : And wenden to þe Aumperour. Þe Aumperour heom Axede sone : ȝware were þat tresour. ¶ "Sire," seide seint laurence : "redi it is a-non." he wende out after þe selie Men : and bad heom with him gon. In-to þe paleisorig. palais he ladde heom forth : bi-fore þe Aumperour, "Lo, sire," he seide, "ich habbe i-brouȝt : holi churche tresour. Þis tresour is swiþe holi and guod : and euere it wole i-laste, hit ne schal neuere wanie : ake euere wexe faste; In eche londe it is redi : ȝwodere-so ani man wiende; Þare-with Man may þe blisse of heouene : bugge with-outen ende."al. 2 vv. more. "Ei, traitre," seide þe Aumperour : "is it i-come here-to? hastþov us þus to scorn i-driue? : þov ne schalt non-more so." he liet him streope nakede a-non : and with smarte scourgene him bete, Þat blod orn bi is limes a-doun : boþe in lengþe and in grete (!). Þo seide þis holie man : "louerd, ich þonkie þe Þat a-mong þine holie compaynie : þi wille is to bringue me. And þov, wrechche luþere þing : þov art in gret torment i-wis, In wrathþe and soruwe of heorte : and neuere þe worse me nis." "A, traytour," seide þis luþere Man : "neltþov non-oþur singue?" Alle manere of tormenz : bi-fore him he liet bringue, Hokes of .Ire., and ȝweoles also : with rasores al-a-boute, And a bed of Ire with kene pikes : al brenninde with-oute, Scourgene of led and raketeiȝes : and oþere wel mani on, Þat we ne conne nouȝt alle tellen : on eorþe nouþe nis swuch non. "Lo," seide þe Aumperour : "bi-hold nouþe al-a-boute, And honovre ore godes, ich rede, a-non : oþur herto þov schalt loute;al. route For alle þe tormenz þat þov i-sixt : and ȝeot wel mo þer-to, bote þov tuyrne þi þouȝt a-non : on þi bodi schullen beo i-do." ¶ "Þov wrechche," seide þis holie man : "mi wille hath euere i-beo For-to come to þis murie solas : þat ich here nouþe i-seo. Wel mo tormenz þane here beoth : to þe beoth i-mad al-ȝare In þe pine of helle : ȝwane ich schal to þe Ioye of heuene fare." Decius þe Aumperour þo : fierde ase he were wod. Þe compaynie of tormentores : wel prest bi-fore him stod : he het heom with grete staues : leggen on him to grounde. Þe tormentores leiden on him : and maden him mani a wounde. Ase huy beoten þis holie bodi : seint laurence him sede : "Þou wrechche, nouþe þov miȝt i-seo : þat I-nabbe of þe no drede." "Nimez a-non," quath þe Aumperour : "and makiez is torment more!" Wel redie weren þe schrewes alle : to don aftur is lore : Irene plates al brenninde : In is woundes huy duden so sore. "Swete louerd," þis holi man seide : "ich bidde þe milce and ore : For þo ich was harde a-coupet : I-ne for-sok þe nouȝt, Ake þo me Axeden me, ich was a-knowe of þe : with worde and with þouȝt." Þo decius i-heorde þis : for wrathþe he gan grede, And liet nime scourgene : with grete botteneal. battes of lede And liet beten þis holi man : þat is bones breken some; Þat he was op-on þe pointe of deth : and is strencþe neiȝ bi-nome. ¶ "Louerd," he seide, "Iesu crist : þat þoledest deth [foradded later] me, Onder-fong, ȝwane ich heonnes wiende : mine soule, ich bidde þe!" Þo cam þare a swete voiz : a-doun fram heuene anon, Þat þeos wordes to him seide : þat huy heorden ech-on : "Ȝeot þe beoth for godes loue : tormentesMS. tormentores to come wel mo." ¶ Þo Decius i-heorde þis : for wrathþe he gradde and wo : "Lo," he seide, "mine barones : þat mi conseileres ȝe beoth, Conseil nimez here-ofal. To con|seile me in mine court : of þingue þat ȝe i-seoth : Ȝe i-heorez wel hov þe deuele[n] : with him spekez nov here— For of þing þat ȝe i-heorez alle : he ne may him nouȝt skere. huy comieth here and confortiez him : ase ȝe i-heorez ech-on. Strong wichche [he] is, þat ne doutez : of ore godes ech-on; Wel hardi he is, for he ne tellez : of alle ore tormenz non. bi þe fei þat ich owe to mahun : an-oþur it schal gon!" Scourgene he liet nime of Ire : þat harde weren i-novȝ, And is flesch, þat was er bi-leued : þare-with heal. me to-gnovȝ. Þo is flesch þus defouled was : þat reovþe it was to seo, "Þeof," he seide, "ȝeot þov schalt : In wel more torment beo." his chekene and is mouth a-boute : he lietMS. liete bete with stones, And daschte þe tiez out of is heued : and to-breken is bones. "Þov wrechche," he seide, "bi-þiench þi-seolf : and torne sone þi þouȝt!" ¶ "Sire Aumperour," laurence seide : "þov spext al embe nouȝt : I-nelle honovri none oþur godes : þane Iesus, in none wise; For him ich louie, and euere wolle : don him sacrefise." Þo Decius him hadde i-do : al þat he couþe bi-þenche, "Certes," he seide, "þov schalt beo ded : ne schaltþov nouȝt so at|blenche." Strong fuyr he lieth maken and gret : and a gredire þar-on sette, Þene holie Man, seint laurence : þar-to he liet fette And al-a-long opon þe gredire : ouer þe fure him caste. Þe tormentores stoden al-a-boute : and bleowen þat fuyr wel faste; with Irene pikes huy pulten him : and schouen Inal. him faste a-boue. Louerd, muche was þe pyne : þat he soffrede for þi loue! Þat fuyr bi-neoþe rostede him : al quic mid flesch and blode, And þe Irene pikes in is flesch : ful bitterliche huy wode. Seint laurence bi-gan to speke [þo] : and to þe Aumperore he sede : "Þov luþere wrechche, it ne deriez me nouȝt : al þine luþere dede. Nim ȝeme þat þine fuyrie coles : wel muche a-kelez me, And into þe strongue fuyre of helle : huy schullen bringue þe. "LOuerd Iesu crist, þov it wost : I-ne habbe þe nouȝt for-sake, Ake clanliche mi bodi and al mi þouȝt : þe ich habbe bi-take." Þo bi-heold he þene Aumperour : with fair semblaunt and louvȝ : "Þov wrechche," he seide, "þou hast i-rosted : þulke one side i-nouȝ : Torne hire opward and .et. hire nouþe : for ȝare heo is þare-to; And wiend and roste þat oþur side : þat heo beo i-novȝ al-so."al. 2 vv. more. ¶ Þo bi-heold he up on heiȝ : and toward heouene is Eyene caste, And seide : "swete Iesu crist : Ich þonki þe wel faste Þat ich it habbe of-serued : at þine ȝates In to wiende." With þulke worde he deide þo : and broute is lijf to ende.al. 2 vv. more. Ypolit, þe guode knyȝt : þat he brouȝte to cristine-dom, And þat him wuste in prisone .er : swyþe sori bi-com : bi niȝte he wende stillede-liche : and þis holie bodi he nom And burede hit wel stillede-liche : after is harde dom. Louerd, muche was þe pine : þat he þolede here : hitMS. his is wel riȝt þat he beo : Apostles i-fere. Novþe, Iesu, for þe grete pine : þat seint laurence here hadde, Vs bringue to þulke Ioye : þat þine Aungels his soule ladde. Amen. 49 Vita sancti Kenelmi. Regis. SEint Kenelm, þe ȝongue kyng : þat holi martyr is, he was kyng in Engelonde : of þe Marche of Walis. Kyng kenulf his fader hiet : he was kyng þare also; Þe Abbeie of wynchecoumbe he liet arere : And þare-inne monekes do; And Aftur is deþe he was þare i-bured : and ȝeot he lijth þere In þe Abbeiȝe, þat ȝeot stant : þat he him-seolf liet a-rere. Þo was wynchecombe gret cite : and mest of i-novȝ Of al þulke half of Engelonde : so feor so his lond drouȝ. Fyf kingues þare weren þulke tyme : In engelonde i-do, For Enguelond was guod and long : and sum-del brod al-so. A-bouten eiȝte hondret mile : Engelond long is FramMS. fran þe South into þe North : and to houndret brod i-wis Fram þe Est into þe West. : al-so þare-inne beoth Manie wateres guode i-nowe : þat men al dai i-seoth. bote þreo wateres principales : of alle ne beoth, i-wis : Þat .on. is homber, þat oþur seuerne : and temes þe þridde is. To þe North-se hombur geth : þat is on of þe beste, And Temese into þe est-se : and seuerne into þe weste. ¶ Þeos fijf kyngus of Engelonde : þat weren bi olde dawe, hadden heore part ech bi him-seolf i-deld : ase it was riȝt and lawe. Þe kyng þat was of þe March : he hadde al þat beste : Muche del he hadde of Engelond : þat on half al-bi weste, Wyrecestre-schire, and ware-wike-schire : and þe schire of gloucestre— Þat is neiȝwat al o bischopriche : þe bischopes of wyrecestre. he hadde þar-to chastre-schire : and derbi-schire al-so, And stafford-schire—þat beoth alle : toal. in one bischope-riche i-do, In þe bischop-riche of Chastre : and ȝeot heo beoth þar-to, Schrobbe-schire sum : and warewyke-schire haluen-del al-so. Þis king hadde al-so hereforde-schire : þat o bischopriche is, Ake Schrob-schire fallez haluendel : to þulke schire,al. bischopriche i-wis, And sum of warewike-schire : and of gloucestre-schire al-so. Sethþe hadde þe king of þe March : wel more lond þer-to : Nore-hampte-schire, and boking-ham-schire : and þe schire of Oxen|ford, Leycestre-schire, . lincolne-schire : and þe schire of hert-ford— Þat is al o bischopriche : þat of lincolne nouþe is, Þat ȝwuylene was of deorkcestre : bi-side Oxenforde, i-wis. Sethþe hadde þe king of þe March : Notingham-schire þer-to— In þe bischopriche of Euerwike : bote þo nas it nouȝt so. Þo was al þis lond i-cleoped : þe Marche of Walis : Of al þis seint kenelmes fader : he was king, i-wis. Non of alle þe oþere kyne-riches : a-ȝein þis kinedom nas; And wynche-coumbe of al þis lond : chef Cite þo was. Þis fijf kyngues þat weren þo : þat on was of kent, i-wis, And þe oþer, ase ich ou seide er : of þe Marche of walis, Of Esex,r. Westsex and of North-homberlond : and of est-lond al-so— Þis fijf kynedomes in engelond : in þat time weren i-do. Þe king of west-sex hadde þo : al wilte-schire, i-wis, And Deorkecestre,al. Dorsete and barroke-schire : þat al o bischopriche is, Toal. om. þe bischopriche of salesburi— : ake þo nas it so nouȝt,orig. nouȝt so For þe chief stude of þe bischopriche : at schirbourne was i-wrouȝt. Sethþe hadde þe kyng of west-sex : south-sex al-so, Þe welde and al þe bischopriche : of Cicestre þer-to; And southampte-schire and soþereye : þat of þer. o bischopriche is, Þe bischopriche of wynchestre : þat ȝuyt is þere, i-wis; And somer-sete [þat] to welles : þulke tyme drouȝ— Nov it is þe bischopriche of baþe : ȝe schullen i-wyten.al. ȝe witeþ wel inouȝ vv. 63-4 are transp. in the MS. ¶ Þe kyng of west-sex hadde sethþe : al deuene-schire, i-wis, And Cornwaile, þat in þe bischopriche : of Eccestre nouþe is.— Þe king of kent was þo kyng : of al þe londe of kent, Þat weren inne tweie bischopriches : and ȝeot nis it nouȝt i-went : Þe bischopriche of Caunterburi : þat in Engelonde ȝeot is hext, And þe bischopriche of Roucestre : þat inþe west-side is next.— Þe king þat was of ast-londe : king was of North-folk, Þe bischopriche of Northwich : and al-so of south-folk And al þe bischopriche of hely : þat þe Yle of hely ȝeot is, And grauntebrugge-schire : þare-to fallez, i-wis; Seint Eadmund was of þat lond : kyng bi olde dawe— For he was in is owene lond : for is guodnesse a-slawe.— Þe kyng of North-humber-lond : was kyng, ich onder-stonde, Of al þe londe bi-ȝeonde houmber : A-non into scotlonde, Þe bischopriche of Eouerwik : and of Duyrham, i-wis; Seint Oswold bi olde dawe : was kyng of al þis. Þus manie kyngues weren : ȝwylene in Engelonde, And heore londes de-partede weren : þus, ich under-stonde.— Þe kyng þat was of þe march : ase ich telle bi-gan, Kenulf kyng he was i-cleoped : swiþe holi and guod man : Seint kenelm was is sone : and is eir al-so; Borewenild and quendrith : weren is douȝtrene two. In þe foure-and-twentiþe ȝere : of is kynedom Þe kyngon the margin. kenulf deide : and to þe IoIe of heuene he com— hit was afftur þat ore louerd : in his moder a-liȝte Eiȝte hundret ȝer and Nyntene : bi a-countes riȝte. ¶ Seint kenelm, is ȝonge sone : In is seuenþe ȝere kyng was I-mad aftur him : al-þei he ȝong child were. his [o] soster Borewenild : louede him i-nouȝ And in eche manere : to alle guod-nesse heo drouȝ. Quendrith, þe oþur soster : of hire maneres nas nouȝt, For heo tornede to feolonie : andorig. ant to quede hire þouȝt. ¶ heo i-saiȝ þat hire ȝungue broþer : þat nas nouȝt of seue ȝer, kyng was i-mad of al þat lond : þat heore fader hadde er : to him heo hadde gret onde : þat he scholde so riche beo And eir of hire fader lond : and of more power þane heo; heo þouȝte, ȝif heo miȝte bringue : þis child of lijf-dawe, Þat heo wolde of is heritage : beo quene with lawe. Al hire þouȝt was niȝt and day : to bi-þenche sum outrage, Þat þis child were i-brouȝt of dawe : for-to habbe is heritage. heo porueide hire riȝt feolonliche : A poysun, strong i-nouȝ, For-to ȝiue þis ȝongue child : to slen him with wouȝ. Þo þat poysun him was i-ȝiue : þat so strong and luþer was, Ore louerdes miȝte was so muche : þat no-þe worse him nas. Þo þe luþere quene þat i-sai : þat hit was al for nouȝt, Þat no poysun ne miȝte him sle : heo þouȝte an oþur þouȝt. Þis ȝongue child ane maister hadde : þat his wardein was— Askebert he was i-cleoped : a strong trichour, alas! For noman ne may to oþur : sonere tricherie do Þane þilke þat is him euere neiȝ : and þat he trist mest to. ¶ Þis luþere quene bi-þouȝte hire : of one false wrenche— Men seith þat feolonie nas neuere non : þat womman ne can bi-þenche. with þis Askebert heo spac : þis child to slen and spille; heo bi-het him mede and guod i-novȝ : and of eche þing don is wille. So þat þis to luþere þingues : weren at one rede, And bi-speken hou huy miȝten best : don þe luþere dede. Þe ȝwyle huy bi-speken boþe : þis ȝongue child to quelle, Þis swete sweuene þis child matte : þat ich ov wolle nouþe telle : him þouȝte þat þare stod a treo : riȝt bi-fore is bedde, Þat a-non to þe steorrene it tilde : and swyþe wide it spradde; Þis treo was fair and noble i-novȝ : And schon wel briȝte and wide, Ful of blostmene and of fruyt : and mani a riche bouȝ bi-side, berninde wex and laumpes al-so : þicke brenninde and liȝte— So noble treo nas neuere i-seiȝe : ne non þat schon so briȝte. him þouȝte he c[l]amMS. cam op-on þat treo : to þexte bowe an heiȝ And bi-heold a-boute in-to al þe world : and a-pertelicheal. prute inouȝ i-seiȝ. Þe ȝwyle he stod opon þis treo : and bi-heold a-boute so, him þouȝte þat on of is nexte frend : and þat he truste mest to, On þe grounde stod bi-neþe : and smot a-to þis treo, Þat it feol a-doun to grounde : þat deol it was to seo. to aluyte foul heMS. ich bi-cam : non fairore ne miȝte nonom. non beo, And bi-gan with Ioye i-novȝ : riȝt into heouene fleo. Þo þis child þouȝte so : at wynchecombe he lay : he a-wok and [in] grete þouȝte was : boþe niȝt and day. he nuste ȝwat tockninge it was : wel þe more was hisMS. hire þouȝt; Are he þarof sum-þing wuste : bliþe nas he nouȝt. his norice, þat him hadde i-fed : and with hire milk forth i-brouȝt, Þat child heo louede euere muche : with dedes and with þouȝt; To hire þat child triste mest : —woluene hire name was : Þis child tolde hire priueliche : of is metingue al is cas. Þo þis Norice hadde i-heord : þe sweuene, þat was so guod, heo bi-gan to siche sore : and in grete þouȝte stod; "Alas," heo seide, "þat ich scholde : euere þis day a-bide, Þat mi child, mi swete heorte : swych cas schal bi-tide! Alas, mi child, mi swete fode : þat ich habbe forth i-brouȝt, Þi soster, þatal. om. bi-spekez þi deth : to quelle þe heo hath i-þouȝt. Ake þe foul, þat þou bi-come to : and to heuene gan i-wende, Þat was þi soule, þat þudere schal : aftur þi liues ende."— Þis metyngue bi-cam soth i-nouȝ : þat he fond atþe laste. For is soster and Askebert : bi-speken is deth wel faste. Askebert seide a day : þat þis child scholde wende An hontingue, to pleiȝen him : bi þe wodes ende, And he with him, ase hit was riȝt : to witien him bi þe weiȝe. he= heo, huy wende to þe wode of clent : ase it were heom for-to pleie. Ase huy wenden a-boute þe wode : ase ore louerd ȝaf þe grace, grete wille þat child hadde : þare to slepen in one place; A-doun he lai wel soffteliche : and gan to slepe a-non. Askebert ne þouȝte nouȝt : þat he scholde þannes gon. bi-side in one derne stude : he gan to deluen faste Ane put, ȝwane þat child were ded : þare-inne him to caste. Þat child bi-gan a-wakien sone : ase þei it were bi cas, After is maister he bi-heold : and ne saiȝ nouȝt ȝware he was. Ake ore louerd him ȝaf þe grace : þei he nuste nouȝt of is dede, Þat he spac to his maister : and þeos wordes sede : "Þou trauailest," he seide, "a-boute nouȝt : and þine ȝwyle þou dost spille, For in ane oþure stude i schal deie : ȝware hit is godes wille; And þoruȝ tokningue of þis ȝeorde : þou schal wel i-seo Þareal. whane al þi wille þou miȝt do : þat ich i-martred beo." Forth wende þis luþere man : and þis child also. huy comen to on oþur stude : þare þe dede was i-do. Þis maister nam þe ȝeorde : and sette hire on þe grounde : And heo bi-gan to leui þare : in wel luyte stounde, And a swyþe gret Asch bi-cam sethþe : and ȝeot stant in þulke place, to schewi þe miȝte of seint kenelm : and ore louerdes grace. Þes luþere man nam þis child : in þe wode of klent And ladde him, ase men doth a þeof : to a-fongue is Iuggement, he ladde him into a priue stude : al out of þe weiȝe, bi-twene [twei]om. hulles heiȝe : into a deop ualeie. ¶ Þis child þoruȝ þe holi gost : þei þe oþur it nolde him telle, Wuste wel is luþere þouȝt : þat he him wolde a-quelle; And þo he targede a luyte : þis luþere dede to done, Þat child seide wel mildeliche : "ȝwy ne dost þou sone?" he bi-gan Ane saume þat men singuth : in holie churche a-day, Þat was "te deum laudamus" : are þat he a-doun lay. Riȝt ase he scide an holi vers : þat þare-inne was and is, A-latyn i-write, as alle þe oþure : and þe englisch so is þis "Þe faire compaygnie of Martyrs : louerd, herieth þe :" Riȝt ase he hadde þat fers i-seid : as þe boc tellez me, Þe luþere man smot of is heued : onder an hawȝþorn-treo, Þare ase godes wille was : þat he i-martred scholde beo. A coluere, ȝwiȝt so eni milk : out of him gan teo And riȝt euene heo was i-seiȝe : into heouene fleo. Onneþe he was seue ȝer old : are he i-martred were— Alto soth is sweuene was : ase [men] miȝten i-seo þere! ¶ Þis luþere man þat him a-slovȝ : bi-gan to delue faste And made ane put, deop i-nouȝ : and þare-inne þis child caste; he burede hit þare faste i-nou : þat he i-founde nere, And wende hom a-ȝein in is wei : and liet him ligge þere. To Quendrith, his luþere soster : a-non-riȝt he gan i-wende And tolde al þis luþere dede : hou he was i-brouȝt to ende. Þeos womman was þo glad i-nouȝ! : A-boute heo sende a-non For-to saisi alle his londes to hire : and þe maneres euerech-on, And liet hire makien quiene of þe Marche : ase hire broþur was king. A schrewe lauedi heo was i-novȝ : and wicke þoruȝ alle þing! heo wende a-boute ope al hire lond : and nam hire manrede,orig. manrade And bi-cam stuyrne and bi-ladde hire men : harde with muche wrech-hede.al. 2 vv. more. heo liet hote into al þat lond : þat no man so wod nere to nemmen hire broþer name : for loue ne for fere; And ȝif man miȝte ani i-wite : þat nadde it nouȝt bi-leued, Þat he were sone i-nome : and i-smiten of is heued. Þus fierde þis luþere womman : and sturede hire wel faste; Þat no man ne dorste hire broþur bi-mene : huy weren so sore a-gaste. And euere lai þis holie bodi : i-bured swiþe stille, Þat no man ne dorste of him speke : a-ȝein þe quiene wille. So longue, þat he was al for-ȝite : þo men ne moste of him speke. Ake hit nas nouȝt þat atþe laste : ore louerd him nolde a-wreke. Þane no man nolde, þat witti was : of him þenchen ene, Ore louerd nolde nouȝt þat he were : allingues for-ȝite so clene; Ȝwane no man, þat witti was : of him ne hadde muynde, A doumb best, þat is with-oute witte : hadde, a-ȝein kuynde. For a wydewe hadde ane ȝwite kov : þat wonede þare-bi-side, Þat ȝeode a-dai to fetten hire mete : in þe wode wel wide Þo seint kenelm was i-bured : in þe valeie þare doune. Þis kou wolde eche daye : ȝwane heo come fram toune to gaderi hire mete, with oþure kuyn : heo wolde gon al one Fer a-doun into þis valeie : and hire felawes bi-leue ech-one, And sitte bi þis holie bodi : al þe longue dai, Ase it were for-to honouri him : for hit so one lay; And so heo sat with-oute mete : al þe day to þen ende, And ȝwane hit atþe eue was : hamward heo wolde wende. Ȝwane heo cam hom at eue : fair and round heo was, And swyþe Mielch al-so : —þat was a wonder cas! For þare ne was no oþur kov : þat half so muche milk ȝeoue; heo ne ȝaf a-morewe noþe lasse : þei heo were i-milked an eue.al. 2 vv. more. Folk þat þis wonder i-saiȝ : guode ȝeme alle huy nome And a-waiteden wel a dai : ȝware þe kou bi-come. Heo seien hire sitte al þe day : in þe valeie þare doune, Stille in one stude, meteles : for-to heo eode an eue to toune. Ake ȝwi heo sete þare so : heo ne miȝten i-wite noþing; bote in heore heorte huy onder-stoden : þat it was sum tokning. For þis kov wonede so þere : and adai drouȝ hire þare-to, Þe ualeye men cleopeden "koubache" : and ȝeot men doth al-so.— In kovbache þat holie bodi : lai wel mani a ȝer, Þat men nusten of him no-þing : ase ich ov seide er : For is soster, þat was so forthal. fers : and : in grete pruyte i-brouȝt, So gret þretningue for him heo made : þat men ne dorsten him nemme nouȝt.— Þo þis bodi ne moste beo : i-founde in Engelonde, Ore louerd, þat wot alle þing : to him he sende is sonde.al. þerto sette is honde Ase þe pope stod at rome : in his masse a day At seint peteres weouede : ase muche folk þat i-sai, A coluere, ȝwiȝt so ani snov : cam fram heouene fleo And leide on þe weuede a luyte writ : and sethþe aȝen gan steo, he flevȝ op into heouene an heiȝ : ase ore louerd it wolde. Þat writ was ȝwijt and schon wel briȝte : þe lettres weren of golde. Þe pope þonkede ihesu crist : and þat folk dude al-so. he nam þe lettre on his hond : and þo heo was ondo, he nuste ȝwat it was to segge : ne non in-siȝt he ne couþe i-wite— For he ne couþe englisch non : and on englis it was i-write. he liet cleopie eche-manere men : of eche diuerse londe, ȝif any covþe of þis holie writ : Ani-þing onder-stonde. Þo weren þare men of Engelonde : þat wusten ȝwat it sede, And onder-stoden wel þat writ : þo heo i-heorden it rede. ¶ Þat writ was puyr on Englisch i-write : ase men it radden þere; And for-to tellen with-oute ryme : þeos wordes it were : "In klent covbache kenelm, kyngues sone,al. bern lijth onder ane þorne, isal. om. heued himal. om. bi-reued." Þis writ was wel nobleliche : i-wust and up i-do, And i-holde for gret relike : and ȝeot it is al-so; Þe nobleste relike it is on þar-of : þat is in þe churche of rome— So it ouȝte wel ho-so it under-stode : fram ȝwanne þat it come: For ȝwane it out of heouene cam : fram ore louerdes honde, Ȝwat noblere relike miȝte beo? : I-ne can non onder-stonde. Þare-fore seint kenelmes day : ase þe pope makede is heste, At rome huy holdez heiȝliche : and makiez wel heiȝ feste.— ¶ Þe pope, þo he þe soþe wuste : þat it was swuch tockningue, his messagers in-to Engelonde : he sende wit þis tiþingue; To þe Erchebischope of kaunterburi : wolfred þat was þo, his lettre he sende, þat he scholde : of swuche þingue onder-go And seche after þe wode of klent : ȝif ani man miȝte i-wite, And seche ane þorn in kovbache : ase it was in þe write, And for-to seche þat holie bodi : þat derneliche lay þere, And nimen it up with gret honour : þat hit i-schrined were. Þo þe lettre fram þe pope : to þe Erchebischope cam, Of bischopes and of clerkus : conseil þar-of he nam: So þat in þe wode of klent : þat in wyricestre-schire is, he liet seche þat holie bodi : and fond it out, i-wis, Onder þe þorne at covbache : ase þat writ seide of rome. For þe contreie-men bi-side : manie þudere huy come,al. & for þe miracle of þe cou : þe what|loker þerto hi come. Þoal. For men of þare-bi-side : onder-ȝetenal. þat o. þat cas, Ortreweden wel ȝware it lay : for þe miracle so fair was. A-non so þat bodi was op i-nome : þe ȝwile þat folk þare stod, Þere sprong a welle, þare he lay : þat ȝeot is fair and guod. A welle þare is cler i-nouȝ : and eucreft hath i-beo, In þe stude þare he lai on : ase man mai þare i-seo, Menal. þat me cleopieth "seint kenelmes welle"— : þat mani man hath i-souȝt, And manie þoruȝ þe watere : of grete Anguisse beoth i-brouȝt. Of þe cite of wynchecumbe : and of þe contreie þare-bi-side Þe men weren þat souȝten so : þat holie bodi so wide: Andal. for þe bischopes hadden er i-loked : þat it scholde to winchecumbe beo i-bore And i-schrined, þare is fader lai : þat a-rerde þat hous bi-fore. Þis men nomen up þat holie bodi : þat of gloucestre-schire were, And nobleliche toward wynchecumbe : with procession it bere. Þat folk of wyricestre-schire : þat woneden þare-bi-side, Nomen heom to rede manie : to maken þat bodi a-bide, And sworen þat huy it wolden habbe : and noman ne scholde it heom bi-reue, For in þe schire þare it i-founde was : huy seiden, it scholde bi-leue. bi þe watere of pireford : þis two schirene hem mette, And conteckeden for þis holie bodi : and faste to-gadere sette. So þat huy nomen ane fourme of pays : to don bial. vp godes grace, Ȝif god heom wolde is wille sch[e]wen : are huy wenden fram þat place. Feor huy weren i-trauailed and sore : so þat heom luste slepe ech-on: huy maden ane fourme þat huy scholden alle : ligge slepe a-non, And ȝweþur of þis twei schires : miȝten sonore a-wake huy scholden sauf i-novȝ wenden forth : and þat bodi with hemMS. him take. ¶ Stille huy leiȝen slepe faste : þis schirene boþe-to, And resten heom of hore werienesse— : for ore louerd it wolde so. [So] þat huy of gloucestre-schire : a-woken sone ech-on At one tyme alle, ase god it wolde : and of wyricestre-schire nouȝt on. In pais huy wenden forth heore wey : and þis bodi with heom toke. Wel fif mile wei huy weren i-wende : are þe oþere a-woke. Þis oþere i-seiȝen heom bi-gylede : anon so huy bi-gounne a-wake: And siweden þis oþere swiþe faste : ake huy ne miȝten heom nouȝt of-take.— Þis men toward wy[n]checombe : þat holie bodi huy bere. Are heo miȝten it þudere bringue : swyþe werie huy were. So þat huy comen into one wode : a luyte bi este þe toune, And resten heom, þo huy weren so neiȝ : op-on ane heiȝe doune. A-þurst huy weren for werienesse : so þat it nas non ende. huy beden ore louerd for seint kenelmes loue : þat he scholde heom drinke sende. A fair welle þare sprong op : an heiȝ op-on þe doune— Þat ȝuyt is þare, cler and cold : half a mile fram toune; heo is nouþe wel faire i-heoled : with freo ston, ase riȝt is, I-redi ech man to drinken of : þat cometh þare-forth, i-wis. ¶ Þe Monekes of Wynchecombe : arerd habbez þare-bi-side A fair chapele of seint kenelm : þat men sechez ful wide.— Quendrith, þe luþere womman : at wynchecumbe þo was; bote heo nuste nouȝt hire broþer so neiȝ : ne no-wiȝt of þat cas. In seint peteres churche heo sat : bi-side þe Abbeie-ȝate, In a soler inþe est-side : and lokede out þare-ate. heo i-saiȝ al þis grete folk come : a-doneward of þe doune heiȝe Toward wynchecumbe : a-luyte fram suyd-leiȝe. heo Axede ȝwat men it weren : and ȝwat huy þouȝten þere. Men seiden þat huy to churche wolden : and þat huy hire broþer bere. Þo was þis Quiene sori i-novȝ! : in grete deole and fere hire sauter heo nam on honde : ase þei heo witles were. Of þe sauter þe laste saume : bi-fore þe Euesongus, i-wis, of corsingue andal. om. of luþere men : and of mansingue i-maked heo is: "Deus laudem" [heo] is i-cleoped. : þis saume þe Quiene radde, For-to a-corsi hire broþur bodi : and alle þat him þudere ladde. Þo heo cam to þe Ninteoþe vers : ase þe mansingue endez, i-wis, Þat "hoc opus eorum" : a-latin i-cleoped it is, Þat seit þatal. what men it beo scholden : þat dudenal. afongeþ þat ilke dede: Opon hire owene heued it cam : ase heo þat vers gan rede: For riȝt ase heo þat vers radde : out-borsten boþe hire eiȝe And fullen a-doun op-on hire sauter : ase manie men i-seiȝe.al. 2 vv. more. Þe sauter is ȝuyt at wynchecombe : and ho-so come wole þare-to, Aperteliche man may þare i-se : ȝware þe dede was i-do.—al. 2 vv. more. Þis holie bodi was forth i-bore : with gret honour ate fine, And in þe Abbeie, þare he lijth ȝuyt : i-don in wel noble schrine. Þis luþere Quiene deide sethþe : in schrewedenesse i-nouȝ; Þat bodi, ase a corsede wrechche : into ane diche man it drovȝ, Into þe fouleste þat was þare a-boute : and þare-inne man it slong— bote hire endingue sunfulal. scenfol were : me þinchez elles it hadde i-beo wrong! Nov god for þe loue of seint kenelm : is swete grace vsMS. it sende, Þat we moten to þulke Ioie : þare he is inne,i-wiende. AmeN. 50 Vita sancti Gregorij. SEint Gregori þe confessour : in Ciscile was i-bore. In holienesse he ladde is lijf : þat is soule nere for-lore. gret clerk he was and guod prechour. : in Cycile he liet a-rere Sixe Abbeies of Monekes : with-inne a fewe ȝeres, Se seouenþe he dude a-rere : in þe Cite of rome; Þare he and manie oþur with him : þe Abite of monekes nome. In so gret fastingue he was : and so luyte he wolde ete, Þat al is wille he for-les : of drinke and of mete; For defaute he scholde raþur deie : þane beo of-houngred ene— So he was to fastingue i-woned : his lijf he ladde so clene. Wel sielden for al is feblesse : Idel he beo scholde,r. wolde. Þat of ore louerdes seruise : rede oþur singue he [no]ldeMS. wlde, w over an erasure. Oþur writen oþur telle : oþur rimes þar-of make, Oþur he wolde bidde is beden : þe ȝwyle he miȝte wake. Þe pope is guodnesse under-ȝat : þei he þare-of were stille : At rome he made him cardinal : al a-ȝein is wille. So wijs and holi he was in þouȝte : and so riȝtful of is dede, Þat þe conseil of holie churche : muche was bi is rede.— Out of is paleys in a day : þis holie man gan i-wiende : he founde Marchauns at rome : with Mercerie wel hiende. to sullen huy ladden on heore hond : swete children þreo, Fairore þingus þane huy weren : ne miȝte no man i-seo. Seint Gregori ȝeorne heom bi-heold : a stounde he gan at-stonde, And axede ȝwat þe childre weren : and of ȝwuche londe. Þe Marchaunz seiden, "Englische huy beoth : of Engelonde i-nome, And swuch is þe kuynde of alle þe men : þat of þat lond doz come." "Wel auȝte," seide þis holie man : "þat lond beo guod and riche, Foral. om. huy beoth Englische swyþe wel i-cleoped : engles huy buth i-liche. Ȝif þat [lond]om. is swuch ase [þe]om. men beoth : name it hauez with riȝte, Englene lond it auȝte wel beo : and engles þare-inne a-liȝte; And swuch folk auȝte in heouene : beon englene i-fere." Þo Axede he ȝwat bi-leue : in engelonde were. Þe marchaunz seiden, "al engelond : is puyr heþenesse." "Alas," seide seint Gregori : "a-las, þe sorienesse Þat þe prince of þe deorke helle : schal habbe in powere A lond fol of so fair folk : þat auȝten beo Engles i-fere!" he wende a-ȝein in-to is paleis : with wel dreorie chere, And carede muche þat in Engelond : cristinedom i-brouȝt nere. At þe commuyn conseil a day : seint Gregori a-ros sone, And bad þe pope and is cardinales : graunti him ane bone, Þat huy him senden in-to engelond : to prechie cristinedom. Þoal. om. þe pope mid is cardinales : gret conseil þar-of nam; Nolden huy him graunti nouȝt. : ake euere he bad so faste, Þat huy dorsten werne none lengore : and graunteden atþe laste. Seint Gregori was þo glad i-nouȝ! : he nolde a-bide non lengore more, Þo wende he toward engelonde : to prechie godes lore. A-non so he was fram rome i-wend : defaute of him men hadde; Þat folk cam to þe pope al dayom. al day : and echone on him huy gradde, Ase he to seint peteres munstre i-wende : þo in ane daiȝe, "Þou þencst," huy seiden, "with þi conseil : al rome to bi-traiȝe; he þat halt op þe conseile of Rome : heonnes þou hast i-send; bote þou him of-sende sone : al rome worth i-schend." Þe pope hadde gret loue eiȝe : of þat þe folk him seide.A v. om. he nas nouȝwer neiȝ atþe se : are he him of-sende. With wel dreorie chere þo : þis holie man aȝen wende.— Ase god it wolde, þare-aftur-ward : sone it dude bi-falle Þat þe pope wende out of þe world : so we schullen alle. Þe cardinales and þe bischopes : and al þat conseil of rome, Ane pope to cheose afturward : alle to-gadere huy come. huy hieten þat ech man þat of þe conseile was : eche daiȝe faste scholde And in heore bedes beon niȝt and day : ȝif ore louerd heom sende wolde Ani tokningue a-mong heom : ȝif ani of heom wuyrþe were In rome pope for-to beo : cristine men wel to lere. Þo huy hadden in heore oresones i-beon : þreo daies and þreo niȝt, In þe huyrne of one chapele : huy seiȝen swyþe gret liȝt, Þat stod ase þei hit a piler were : into heouene up-riȝt— huy ne i-seiȝen neuer er no þing : so cler ne so briȝt. Þo huy comen to þe place : onder þe liȝte huy founde Þane holie man, seint Gregori : plat i-falle to grounde; For werinesse of is oresones : he lai alal. as in suoddringue. Þat folk bi-gan to herien god : and loude huy guonne si[n]gue; huy nomen þesne holie man : and maden him pope a-non. Fair and swete was þat liȝt : þat op-on him schon!— Swiþe wel he wuste cristine-dom : and holie lijf he ladde. Of þe mis-bi-leue of Engelonde : gret deol and care he hadde. Seint Austin was a Monek þo : him and oþere he nam And sende heom in-to engelonde : to prechi cristindom. ¶ Seint Austin and is Monekus : þo huy weren in Engelonde, wide huy precheden cristindom— : i-hered beo godes sonde. Seint Austin wende to þe kingues court : and so he prechede þere,v. 80-3 al. om. Þat þe king and alle is men : sone i-baptizede were. Þo huy hadde i-brouȝt in-to godes lawe : þene kyng and is pouwer, Þ t folk tornede þoruȝ godes grace : to him feor and ner. So longue þat þis holie men : heore wille hadden at þen ende, Þat al folk of eche toune : to cristindom gan i-wende. Þo wende seint Austin a-ȝen. : þe pope he tolde at romev. 86-95 al. om. hou alle þe men of engelonde : cristin-dom nome. Þo was þe pope seint Gregori : i-brouȝt in grete blisse, And liet seint Austyn wende a-ȝen : þat lond more to wisse And make Bischopes and Ercedeknes : and oþure prelatus al-so, Cristin-dom to witie in engelonde : þat men ne scholde neuere ondo. Seint Austin wende a-non a-ȝen : and þo he to engelonde cam, Twelf bischopes þare-inne he made : to witien cristin-dom, And oþere prelates of holi churche : þat we a-mong us i-seoth. In þis manere to cristindom : alle i-brouȝt we beoth Þoruȝ þe bone of seint gregori : þat hidere sende is sonde; Þare-fore we cleopiez him in holie bok : Apostul of Engelonde, For he us sende ore riȝte bi-leue : þat weoverlined. holdez ȝuyte,The text is corrupted here. And in his daiȝe sette children to lore : þe ȝwyle huy beoth luyte— God for þe loue of seint gregori : þulke lore us leue so wite, Þat he us sende bi seint Austin : and neuereft hire for-ȝite. Wel auȝten cristine men to louien him : þat in riȝte bi-leue heom brouȝte; For he was þe furste man : þat cristin-dom to hem bi-souȝte.This v. is corrupted.— Muche folk þare was in Rome : þat in guode bi-leue nere Ne bi-lieueden nouȝt þat þe sacringe : ore louerdes licame were. Þare-fore þe pope seint Gregori : prechede heom a day, And þare-of schewede heom fair miracle : þat ech of heom it saiȝ : Of ore louerdes licame a luyte he brac : bi-fore heom ase huy stode: Sone it bi-cam to a luyte childes fingur : al wringuyndeal. vrninge a-blode. huy bi-liefden wel þo aftur-ward : on ihesu crist ech-on, And onder-stoden þet sacrement : þoruȝ lore of þat holie mon.110-1 al. om. Þus þe holie man seint Gregori : pope was in rome, And sende us in-to engelonde : þe lawes of cristindome. holi churche and cristindom : þoruȝ him was so i-loked here, Þat he is nouþe in heouene : with Aungles i-fere.v. 114-5 al. om. Bidde we þanne þene holie man : apostle of Engelonde, Þat he bi-fore ihesu crist : ore neode ounder-stonde. 51 Vita sancti Cuthberti. SEint Cudbert was i-bore : here in Engelonde. god dude for him gret miracle : ase ȝe schulle under-stonde. Þe ȝwyle þat he was a ȝong child : and in is eiȝteteoþe ȝere, With ȝounge children he pleide atþe bal : þat is felawes were. Þare cam gon a luyte child : hit ne þouȝte þreo ȝer old, A swete creature and fair : milde it was and bold; to þe ȝonge Cudbert he ȝeode : "leue broþer," he sede, "Ne þench nouȝt on swuche idele games : þanne dost þou a guod dede." Seint Cudbert ne tok none ȝeme : to þe childes rede, And pleide forth with his felawes : ase huy alle him bede. Þo þis ȝongue child i-saiȝ : þat he is red for-sok, A-doun he feol to grounde : and gret deol to him tok, And bi-gan to weopen sore : and his hondene forto wringue. Þe children hadden alle deol of him : and bi-lefden heore pleiingue, huy gladeden him ase huy couþen : sore huy gonne to siche; And euere made þis ȝoungue child : reulich deol i-liche. "A weilawei," þis Cudbert seide : "ȝwi weopest þou so sore? Ȝif we þe habbez ouȝt mis-don : we ne schullen none more." Þanne spac þis ȝounge child— : for sore huy weopen beiȝe, "Cuthbert," he seide, "it ne falleth þe nouȝt : with ȝongue children to pleiȝe; None swuche idele games : ne bi-cometh þe for-to wurche, Ȝwane god hath i-porueid þe : on heued of holie churche." With þusse worde men nusten : ȝwodere þat ȝongue child i-wende— An Aungel of heouene it was : þat ore louerd þudere sende. Þo bi-ganMS. bigan gan seint Cudbert : to weope and siche sore, And lette a-wei is idele games : þo nolde he pleiȝe more: he made his fader and is freond : setten him to lore, And in his ȝonghede nyȝt and day : of-seruede cristes ore. Þo he in grettore eolde was : ase þe bok us hauez i-seid, hit bi-feol þat þe bischop seint Aydan : sone þare-Aftur was ded. Cudbert a-felde was with schep : Aungles of heouene he i-seiȝ Þe bischopes soule seint Aydan : to heouene bere an heiȝ. "I-nelle schep wite," seint Cudbert seide : "fol ich am to longue, Schep i-nelle wite none lengore nouþe— : a-fongue ho-so heomal. om. a|fongue." he wende to þe Abbeye of Gireuaus : greiȝ monek he bi-cam— gret Ioye mauden þe Monekes alle : þo he þe Abite nam. Swiþe wel he is ordre heold : he was of grete penaunce, Þe holieste monek he was i-holde : in engelonde oþur in Fraunce.— hit bi-feol þare-aftur-ward : þat þare cam a goute In is kneo, of Anguische gret : ȝware-of he hadde doute; So longue, þat is kneo to-swal : gret Anguysche he i-fielde, Þe senewes in is hamme schronken : he ne miȝte þanne leg i-wielde, Ne strechche forth is leg bi-neoþe : þat Ioynede to is þiȝ; Ase a crupel lame he was—: he i-werth swiþe sori. No man ne couþe him þare-of rede : þat is leg i-seiȝ; Ake nathþeles euere was is hope : to iesu crist a-heiȝ. In A day, solas for-to habbe : he liet him bere a-boute, And in þe fielde he i-mette a wel fair knyȝt : with loreins swiþe proute. Þe knyt bad heom one stounde a-bide : þat seint Cudbert bere; he bi-heold and handlede þane sore leg : ase þei he leche were. "Nim," he seide, "þe milk of one kov : þat is of o colour, Iuys of smal-Ache do þar-to : and clene ȝwetene flour; Seoth it to-gadere swiþe wel : and leie it al hot þar-to, A-brod ase þei hit a plastre were : and guod it schal þe do." Þo he hadde þis i-seid : þe knyȝt is wei forth wende— An Aungel of heouene it was : þat ore louerd þudere sende. Are seint Cudbert þe plastre hadde : longue, him þouȝte,om. him þouȝte to is legge i-bounde, his leg and is senewes : bi-comen hole and sounde.— hit nas nouȝt longue þare-aftur-ward : ase þe bok us doth telle, Þat þe Abbot sende him out : to one of heore celles; hostiler he was þare i-mad : gistes to onder-fongue. god dude fair miracle for him : are he hadde i-beo þare ouȝt longue. Aungles þare comen to him ofte : and with him huy ete Ase þei it oþure gistes weren— : þe gistningue was ful swete! gistes wel gladliche þene mete he ȝaf : he nolde no man werne, heom þat beden par charite : for he nas noþing stuyrne. him-seolf he wolde ȝiue heom watur : to waschen with hirer. here hond, And serui heom of alle þe mes : and bi-fore heom stonde.— hit bi-feol þat an hiendi gist : and a wel fair þare cam And bad þe mete par charite : and Cudbert In him nam; watur to is hondene he him ȝafal. largeliche : andom. on þe heiȝe deis him sette, Mete and drinke he him ȝaf : and with guod heorte it fette, to þe bachouse he ȝeode him-seolf : ase þe bakares hadden i-bake, hi[s] giste to fetten bred al hot : þe gladdore him for-to make. Þo he cam a-ȝein with þe hote bred : his gist ne fond he nouȝt; Þare-of hadde þis holie man : gret wonder in is þouȝt. Þicke snovȝ was þare-oute : he ne miȝte nouȝt finde is fore, ȝware-forth he wende a-wei : in snowe ne in þe flore. Ase he souȝte þeosne holie man : a[n] wende a-boute wel wide, he smulde a suyþe swote smul : in a chaumbre þare-bi-side. Þo he into þe caumbre cam : he fond a bord i-sprad, And þreo loues þare-op-on al hote. : þo was he wel glad, And seide, "þis was godes Aungel : þat hath þis hidere i-brouȝt; he cam hidere us for-to fede : and him-seolf ne beo i-fed nouȝt."— eche niȝte ȝwane þeos monekes : to bedde weren i-gone, Cudbert wel stilleliche : wende him forth al one, In-to þe colde se he ȝeode : a-non op to þe chinne; For-to hit was midniȝt neiȝ : so he stod þare-inne. Þanne he wende up þare-of : and þoal. whan he cam to londe, For feblesse he lai a-doun : he ne miȝte nouȝt wel stonde. Þanne comen þare op of þe se : tweie oteres wel grete; Ouer-al huy lickeden þis holie man : are huy him wolden lete. Ȝwane huy him hadden i-lickede so : huy wenden in-to þe se, And seint Cudbert hol and sound : in-to is celle a-ȝe; with oþure he ȝeode to matynes : ȝeorne he song and radde, Þe Monekes wenden euer-echone : þat he come fram is bedde. A monek þat þare-inne was : onder-ȝat it ech del, Ake ase seint Cudbert him bad : heMS. þat he it for-hele[de]MS. for hele swiþe wel.— Ase ore louerdes wille was : þare-aftur it dude bi-falle Þat þe bischop of Duyrham deide : al-so we schullen alle: Men nomen þo seint Cudbert : and maden him bischop þere. Swyþe wel he wuste is bischopriche : þat folk he dude wel lere. þo was þat soþe to ende i-brouȝt : þat þe Aungel him seide, Þat he scholde an heued of holi churche beo : þo he atþe bal pleide. þo he hadde god i-serued longue : aftur him he sende: In þe Monþe of luyde : of þis worlde he wende to þe Ioye of heouene. : and god us graunti al-so, Þoruȝ þe bone of seint cudbert : þat we moten comen þar-to. 52 Vita sancti Marci ewangeliste. SEint Marc, þe holie godspellare : wide wende in londe For-to prechi cristine-dom : þoruȝ ore louerdes sonde. In egypte he prechede longue : and sethþe at þen ende Into þe lond of Alisaundre : þannes he gan i-wiende. Þo he into Alisaundre cam : his on newe scho with-oute hurtingue of ani-þing : gan to berste a-two. Þo was þis guode man of-drad : longue he stod in þouȝt, And seide, "mi porpos and mi wei : is nouþe to ende i-brouȝt! Ȝif it mi louerdes wille were : þat he me wolde þane deth sende, Ich am redi his wille a-fongue : ȝwodereal. & wh. he wole þat ichal. to wiende." he wende forth to a soutere : ȝif he is scho makie miȝte. Þe soutare atþe furste stiche : ful vuele is hond he p[r]iȝte.MS. piȝte Sori and wroth þis soutare was : for him smert so sore. Seint Marc bi-gan to prechi þo : and tolde him of godes lore, And bad him bi-lieue on Iesu crist : and cristine-dom vnder-fongue, And he is hond hele wolde : þat i-hurt was so strongue. Seint Marc with is spottle : watte a luyte vrþe on þe grounde And þare-with he smeorede his sore hond : and heo werth hol in a stounde. Þe soutere, and alle his, bi-gonne þo : and euerech þat in þe strete cam, to bi-lieue on crist, godes sone : and a-fenguen cristine-dam.— Seint Marc ȝeode wide in londe : to prechi godes lawe. Þe prince of þe londe it onder-ȝat : and þouȝte to don him of dawe. he liet him seche into al þat lond : and þo he him hadde i-founde, "Ich hote eov," he seide to is men : "þat he beo faste i-boundev. 24 corrupted. For-to he to þe prisone come : and þare-inne ȝe him caste a-non." Ouer-al is flechs was to-drawe : riȝt to þe bare bon, with Irene crokes,as men him drowe : þe mosseles leiȝen wel grete; And al blodie weren of is blod : þe stones in þe strete. A-niȝt, ase he in prisone lai : ore louerd to him cam, In fourme þat he on eorþe was : þo he manhede nam; "Marc," he seide, "beo wel glad : and ȝarkne þe wel bliue, For þi name is i-write : in eche boke of liue :al. in þe b. of eche l. Þov schalt to-morewe for mi loue : soffri deth wel strongeMS. stronde And sethþe mine blisse of heouene : with-outen ende a-fongue." Seint Marc þonkede ore louerd ful ȝeorne : ase heal. and in his bedes lay. A-morewe þe prince him liet up fette : sone so it was dai. A strong rop he liet nime : and a-boute is swere binde, And teidenr. teien him sethþe to a wilde hors : at þe taile bi-hinde; he liet him drawe þoruȝ al þe toun : þat ech lime fram oþer wende. Þus seint Marc þe holie man : his soule to ore louerd sende. In þe Monþe of Aueril þis was. : men scholden faste is eue; Ake for þe heiȝe feste of eastur-dai : men it doth bi-leue. his dai men fastez þoruȝ al þat lond : for him-seolf nis it nouȝt, Ake for reuerence of þe baneres : [þat] in þat dai beoth fort i-brouȝt. For men berez heom eche ȝere a-boute : ase red is þare-of i-nome,vv. 45-50 om. in most MSS. (except MS. Vernon). to bidden for þe eorþe blede : þat it mote wel forth come. Men fastez, ȝwane huy formest berez heom out : a-seint Marcus dai þare-fore, And þreo dawes a-ȝein halewe-þoresday : ȝwane huy bez forþer i-bore. bidde we nouþe seint Marc : ȝwas lijf we habbez i-heord to þe ende, Þat ore soule mote þoruȝ his Arndingue : into heouene i-wiende. 53 Apostolorum Philippi et Iacobi. SEint phelipe and seint Iacob : Apostles weren tweiȝe: Þe formeste dai þat comez in may : deth huy þoleden beiȝe. Aftur ore louerdes passione : in þe twentiþe ȝere Seint phelipe prechede in Sythie : to men þat luþere weren. Þis men nomen seint phelipe : and to heore Maumatesal. maumet him ladde. And sone so he bi-foren hem cam : þis maumates loude gradde; Fuyr huy bleuwen out of heore Mouþes : þat þare-with huy brouȝten of dawe Þe princes sone of þe lond : and tweie constables of þe lawe; And manie men þat þare-neiȝ weren : wel grete siknesse to heom nome, Some fullen in-to þe dropesie : and some meoseles bi-come. Muche reuþe was into al þat lond : of þis misauenture. "Wulle ȝe," seide seint phelip þo : "mi conseil alle i-huyre, And ichulle þoruȝ godes grace : helen eov euer[e]ch-on." Glad was þis folk of þat word : and graunteden him a-non. "berez awei," he seide, "þis foule wiȝt : þat ȝe habbez to i-bede, And nimez þe fourme of þe holie croiz : and settez in his stude!" Þat folk was fayn of his bi-heste : i-redie þare weren i-nowe, Ane rode huy setten up on heiȝ : þe maumates huy al-to-drowe. Seint pheolip þoruȝ godes grace : drof out bi-fore heore eiȝe A foul deouel of þat on : þat huy alle i-seiȝe. Þo þis rode was up i-set : and þe Maumet i-brouȝt to grounde, Alle þe sike men þat þare-neiȝ weren : bi-comen hole and sounde, And þe þreo men þat weren a-slawe : a-ȝein to liue come— Muche was þe Ioye into al þat lond : þat men þare-of nome. Cristinedom huy guonne a-fongue : and Anouri þe swete rode, And bi-lieueden on him þat bouȝte us alle : þare-on with is blode. Þoruȝ þe vertuwe of þis faire miracle : muche folk of þe londe bi-gan cristine for-to beo : and þe riȝte bi-leue onder-stonde; After þe wissingue of seint phelip : alle heore lijf huy guonne lede— For prophesie and riȝt-w[i]snesse : huy heolden al þat he seide. Þo phelipe was sixti ȝer : and seouene and twenti old, In pays he deide in his bed : ase þe bok us hath i-told. Gret deol þat folk made þo : and wel faire huy him nome And bureden him with gret honour : ase a swuch man to bi-come. 54 Vita sancti Iacobi. SEint Iacob was ore louerdes kun : and ore lauedie soster sone. telle i-chulle sum-ȝwat of ore louerdes kunne : nouþe it is mi þouȝt i-come.al. nou it me comeþ in mone Seinte Anne, ore leuedie Moder, : housebondes hadde þreo: Ioachim, and cleophas : and þe þridde hiet salomee; heo hadde euer-ech aftur oþur : for heo was i-wedded þrie; bi euerech of heom ane douȝter heo hadde : and euerech hieȝte marie. Ioachimes douȝter : was eldest of þe þreo, And Iosep hadde i-wedded. : þe Marie cleophe, Þat was cleophases douȝter : and þe Midleste i-bore, I-wedded heo was to Zebede : þat was hire louerd i-core. Ake þe ȝongeste of alle þreo : þe Marie salomee, to a guod man i-wedded heo was : his name was Alfe. bi him heo hadde seint Iacob : and al-so tweie oþure: Seint symon and seint Iude : þat alle þreo weren i-broþre. Þe midleste soster : þe Marie cleofe, hadde tweie holie sones : bi hire louerd Zebede: Seint Ieame þe holie man : and seint Iohan þe ewangelist, Þat was, ich wene, berne best : with ore louerd crist. Þe eldeste soster of alle þreo : ore lauedi swete and milde. heo bar ore louerd Iesu crist : best of alle childe. So þat heo þat eldest was : ne hadde child bote on, And þe midleste hadde tweie sones : seint Ieame and seint Iohan, And þe ȝoungueste of þe þreo : sones hadde þreo— huy weren ore louerdes cosines : ase ȝe mouwen i-seo. Ech of heom fiue Apostle was : and swiþe holi man. telle ichulle of seint Iacob : of ȝwam ich formest bi-gan.— A-mong men of pharise : þat luþere weren, he cam. heom þouȝte þat he scholde beo : A man of gret wisdom: Þare-fore þe prince of heom : in Ane Ester-day bad him prechi al þat folk : a-ȝein godes lay. Op-on A laddre he sette him heiȝe : þat men him scholden wide i-seo And i-heoren him prechi swyþe welhim—wel al. om. : þat is word þe bet i-scholde i-leued beo. Þo he was op on heiȝ i-set : and al þat folk him camal. om. a-boute, Godes wordes he bi-gan to prechie : he nadde none doute; he prechede hov he hadde dez i-þoled : and hou he in þulke daie Fram deþe to liue a-ros : þat þe feond us ne scholde bi-traie, And hou he us þe Deuele bi-nam : þat in his power us hadde longue, And hou ech man in þulke daiȝe : godes flesch scholde a-fongue. "hou geth þis?" þe prince seide : "beo stille, i þe bi-seche. Ich bad þe wanieVern. weyue þir. þis fole þouȝt : and þou bi-guynnest it more to eche!" "Nay," seide seint Iacob to þe prince : "I-ne eche no folie, Ake ower fole þouȝt ich wolde ou bi-nime : to seggen soth and nouȝt liȝe." Þe prince for wrathþe of his prechingue : þe laddre a-doun gan felle— And seint Iacob þare-opon was : þare-fore he him wolde a-quelle. Fram swiþe heiȝe he ful a-doun. : Ake þo he was i-falle, Þat ech man wende þat he were ded : he a-ros up a-mong heom alle, And prechede eft-sone with glade heorte : ase he er i-don hadde. Þat folk him nomen swiþe faste : and to þe prisone him ladde. Þare he was in biendes strongue : fram þat was eastur-dai For-to cam þare-afturward : þe furste dai of Mai. Þo he out of þe prisone cam : he bi-gan to prechi bliue, he ne liet for eiȝe ne for dez : þe ȝwyle he was a-liue. Mid one follares precher. perche : þat men tesieth opon cloth, Opon þe scolle he was i-smite : þat is brain out drof. his soule, þo he was ded : to heouene he gan i-wiende. Þus seint Iacob þe holie man : brouȝte is lijf to ende. Apostel he was, and martyr al-so : faste men scholden is eue, bote for þe heiȝe Easter feste : men moten it nede bi-leue.al. 2 vv. more. 55 Vita sancti Bartholomei. SEint Bartelmev þe holie man : cam of kingues blode; Swyþe fair man and noble he was : and glad & of swete mode. he siwede ore louerd on eorþe here : are he deide on þe rode, And i-saiȝ is priuetez : with þe oþere Apostles guode. Þo ore louerd was to heouene i-went : he prechede of him wel faste And wende wide in mani a lond : þe ȝwyle is lijf i-laste. So þat to þe londe of .Inde : he cam þoruȝ godes wille; At þe onende of þe lond : he bi-lefde wel stille. Ase an vncouth pilegrim : he ȝeode up and doun, he ne seide neiþer on ne oþur : bote bi-heold þane toun. In þe temple was a fals god : a maumet luþur i-novȝ, Þare-inne was þe feond of helle : and muche folk to him drovȝ— ¶ huy cleopeden þat Maumet Astaroth. : þat þoruȝ þe deoueles miȝte Ofte he wolde Answerie men : and manieMS. nanie he bi-nam heom heore siȝte, heore speche and heore limes al-so : and dudeMS. duden men wo i-novȝ; & ȝwane he a-ȝen ani sick man camom. cam : of his vuele her. him with-drouȝ, Þanne was þe sike man hol anon : ase he moste nede a-mende Ȝwane he ne hadde non oþur vuel : bote ase þe schrewe him sende; And he with-drovȝ him of is vuel : he moste nede hol beo. Þe schrewe tolde þe men þanne : þat þis wonder miȝten i-seo, Þat he hadde þoruȝ is miȝte : þe men i-maud hol i-novȝ— And þeir. Al-þei? þe schrewe ne dude non oþur guod : bote of is vuele him with-drouȝ. Þare-fore sike men al dai : ful þicke a-boute him souȝte And criden on him wel deolfulliche : þat he to hele heom brouȝte. ¶ Of þingue þat was al-so for-to come : men axeden him feor and neor And he heom tolde of alle þing : þoruȝ þe deoueles pouwer; Folk cam þicke a-bouten him : bi daiȝe and bi niȝte, And he ansuerede heom of al þat huy wolden— : muche is þe deoueles miȝte! Ake after þat seint Bartelmev : to þulke cite com, Þe power of þat false god : clanliche he bi-nom: For he ne miȝte aftur þulke tyme : withal. for no man speke riȝt nouȝt Ne ȝiuen Ansuere of no-þing : so he was bi-neoþe i-brouȝt; Þat folk cam þicke a-boute him : to witen at him heore wille Of þingues, ase huy weren bi-fore i-woned : and euere he was puyr stille. Þare-fore was wonder inovȝ : deol and sor al-so, huy weren a-ferd to beon for-lore : and þat huy hadden ouȝt misdo: to atoun huy wenden þare-bi-side : þoruȝ heore alre wit, to an oþur Maumet þat was his felawe : þat huy cleopeden berit; huy crieden on him wel deolfulliche : þat he heom tolde fore Ȝwi Astaroth, heore owene god : his speche hadde for-lore. "Ȝe, ȝe," seide þis luþere best : "ȝe ne witen nouȝt hou it is? with strongue chaines al fuyrie : he is i-bounde, i-wis, For Bartelmev, godes seriaunt : þat is þudere i-come And in þe cite geth wel stilledeliche : andal. om. is power him hath bi-nome And i-bounde him so faste þat he ne may : enes drawe is breth, Ake þoruȝ Anguische is clene ouer-come : ase þei he hadde i-þoled deth." ¶ "Ȝwat is [he] þilke Bartelmeuȝ" : þeos oþere him axeden a-non, "Þat mai makien ore almiȝtie god : ded so any ston?" "he is," seide þis Maumat : "of gret pouwer, ase ȝe i-seoth, he mai do with us al þat he wole : for bi-neothþe him we beoth. Eche daie an hundret siþe : and oþur swuch bi niȝte he knevleth to is god in guode entente : þat ȝifth him al is miȝte; Aungles with him i-nowe he hath : ȝware-þoruȝ þat he may do Al þat he wole with us alle : and alle þing he wot al-so— For he wot nouþe þare ase he is : al ore speche and ore þouȝt. Þare-fore ich rede eov alle wel : þat ȝe ne wrathþi him nouȝt. ech-manere speche þat is : he knoweth and speket al-so, bote at one worde, alle þing : he wot ȝwat is i-do. Ȝif ȝe him sechez, þei ȝe come : riȝt bi him ase he is, Ȝe ne schulle him nouȝt i-seo : bote him-seolf wolle, i-wis. Ake þus ȝe him mouwe i-knowe : ȝif ȝe him i-seo : he is swiþe long of bodi : of riȝt fair fourme and freo, Opriȝt he geoth and euene i-novȝ : and swiþe ȝwijȝt is his bleo, his her is broun and swiþe crips : non ne mai cripsore beo, Muchele eyȝene and euene nose : i-streiȝt a-doun a-long, his berd is long and sid i-nouȝ : and sum-del hor a-mong; In a ȝwijȝt Golioun he geth : he nath cloþes non mo— Alle þis sixe-and-twenti ȝer : þar-inne he hath i-go Þat fram him it neuer-eft ne cam : ne hit ne a-peirez nouȝt of hewe Ne for-oldeth nouȝt with-alle : ake is euere i-liche newe. Wel he wot al þat ȝe spekez : and ȝwat ȝe doth alle here; Þare-fore, ȝif he eou axeth ouȝt : ȝe ne mowen eou nouȝt skere. Ake ȝif he him sewial. schewe so : þat ȝe him mowe i-seo, biddez him for his louerdes loue : þat he beo milde to me, Þat he ne come nouȝt here neiȝ me : þat ich beo to grounde i-brouȝt And i-tormented ase mi felawe is— : for i-nelle mis-don him nouȝt." ¶ Þo þis fole men þis i-heorden : huy weren in gret þouȝt, And longue heom þouȝte are huy hadden : seint Bartelmevȝ i-souȝt. huy wende aȝen to heore owene temple : ake huy weren alle blinde : twei daiȝes huy souȝten him faste : and ne miȝten him nouȝwere i-finde. A dai ase al þat folk : to þe temple was i-brouȝt, for-to honouri heore false god : þat ne miȝte heom helpe nouȝt, A guydi man þare cam al-so : þat þe deuel hadde i-beo longue In him and bi-nomen him is wit : and i-tormented him ful strongue. A-non so þis gidie man : in-to þis temple cam, Þe deuel þat in him was : gret deol to him nam, wel loude he gradde, "seint Bartelmeuȝ : ich bi-seche þe, Þine oresones brennez me al : þou haue merci of me!" ¶ Þis holie man stod þare-bi-side : and answerede him a-non : "beo doumb!" he seide, "ich þe rede : þat þou out of him gon." Þe deuel fleuȝ a-non with þat word : out of him in þulke place, And þe sike manal. om. bi-cam hol and sound : a-non þoruȝ godes grace. Þat folk stod al in gret wonder : þo huy i-seiȝen þis cas, And bi-heolden þene holie man : þat of swuch power was, And tolden wide þis holie dede : þat ne miȝte nouȝt beo i-hud. In þusse manere seint Barthelmevȝ : was formest in Inde i-kud. Pollimius hiet þe kyng : þat of þulke contreie was : Sone þe tiþingues to him comen : of þat faire cas. he hadde ane douȝter þat was lunatyke : þat þe deuel hadde muche with to done And made hire witlesal. biwit euerech monthþe : ase hit feol in þe stat of þe mone. he sente to þis holie man : seint Barthelmevȝ wel sone, Þat he of is douȝter hadde reouþe : and hele hire þoruȝ is bone. Þudere wende þis holie man : and þis mayde founde Bitinde alle þat neiȝ hire come : and grenninde, faste i-bounde. Þis holie man stod and bi-heold : þene deuel he made out wiende; hire riȝte wit heo hadde a-non : euer-eft to hire liues ende. Welle, glad was hire fader þo : and elles it were with wouȝ. he liet fette forth riche cloþus : and gold and seluer inouȝ, And liet chargi Camailes þare-with : and with riche ȝimstones al-so, to presenti with þis holie man : þat swuch dede hadde i-do. Ake þare nas non þat miȝte him finde : þo huy comen with al þis pruyte— Þare-bi he miȝten onder-stonde : þat he þar-of tolde luyte. And þo no man ne miȝte him finde : hit of-þouȝte sore þe kyngue. Ake nathþeles þis holie man : ne for-ȝat him of none þingue. A niȝt ase he lai in his bed : and on him faste þouȝte, Þis holie man stod him bi-fore : he nuste ho him þudere brouȝte; "Sire king," he seide, "ȝwat was þe : to siende me swuch pruyte? Þov ne paidest me riȝt nouȝt þare-with : for ich tolde þar-of luyte; Ake þat tresor þat ich of telle : þat is heouene riche, Þat ne roustez ne a-peirez nouȝt : ake euere worthþ i-liche. And forto techen eov of godes lawe : hidere ich am i-come, And makie eov leten eouwer false godes : and lieuen on godes sone;v. 121-2 al. om. For-to techen eov þulke lawe : hidere ich am i-brouȝt, And maken eov leten ouwer false godes : þat ne mouwen eov helpe nouȝt. And ȝif þou nelt nouȝt of þusse þingue : i-lieue þat hit soth beo, Cum with me to ouwer false god : and þov schalt þe soþe i-seo." Þe king wende þo forth with him : to hore false god a-non. heore luþere preostes huy founden þere : bi-fore him mani on And duden to him heore sacrefise : ase huy weren i-woned to done. Þe deuel þat wit-inne him was : wel loude he gradde sone, And seide, "ȝe wrechches, leteth a-non : and ne Anourieth me riȝt nouȝt, laste ȝe beon in swuch torment : ase ich am inne, i-brouȝt! For Iesu cristes Aungeles : þat þe giwes to deþe brouȝte, here beoth faste a-boute me : and bringueth me al-to nouȝte; with brenninde raketeiȝes : huy habbeth me faste i-bounde, Þoruȝ power of heore heiȝe louerd : þat þe giwes ȝeuen deþes wounde And he þare-aftur þane þridde day : so weilawei þe stounde, Fram deþe to liue he a-ros : and brouȝte us alle to grounde, And in eche side his apostles sende : to prechie godes name, And on of heom is nouþe here : þoruȝ ȝwam ich habbe þis schame." ¶ Þat folk stod and bi-heold a-boute : and nusten ȝwuch he was. Seint Barthelmevȝ stod and siȝte sore : and ofte seide alas, And seide, "nouþe ȝe mouwen i-seo : ȝwuch lijf ȝe ledeth her, And in ȝwuch a god ȝe bi-lieueth : and ȝwuch is his pouwer! Ȝif ȝe wollez þat ich bidde for eov : mine louerd þat us bouȝte, Draweth a-doun ouwer Maumat : ant to-brekez him al-to nouȝte!" Þo þe king i-heorde þis : his men he hiet ech-on A-bouten him casten strongue ropes : and drawen him a-doun a-non. Þat folk was þo redi a-non : and ropes casten on him i-nowe. Ake huy ne miȝten him nouȝt enes wawie : for al þat huy alle drowe. "Doth a-wei," quath seint Barthelmev : "and ouwer ropes nimez a-doun!" And þo þe schrewe on-bounde was : seint Barthelmevȝ seide is oresoun : "Þou deuel," he seide, "þat hast bi-traid : þus muche folk ech-on, Ȝif þou wolt þat I-ne make þe nouȝt : to þe putte of helle gon, wiend out a-non midal. of þulke fourme : and brec hit al-to nouȝte!" Þe deuel a-non with þulke worde : wel narewe is wei he souȝte, And to-bruysde al þat wrechche maumat : and wiendeMS. wiend þe out þarof a-non; And alle þe maumates of þe temple : heo to-daschten euerech-on. Al þat folk stod and þis i-seiȝ : and wel loude bi-gonne to crie, And seiden, "þare nis bote on al-miȝti god : i-boren of þe mayde marie!" Seint Barthelmeu criede on Iesu crist : and bad is oresoun. An Aungel cam so briȝt so sonne : fram heouene liȝte a-doun, to þe four huyrnes he fleuȝ a-boute : and in euereche he drouȝ with his finger a wel fair croiz : apert and cler inouȝ. "Mi louerd," he seide, "me sende hidere : and ase he him-seolf me sede, Þis temple i-chulle bi-fore eou alle : clansi of eche fuylþe-hede. Ake ichulle nouþe formest þene deuel : to eov alle schewen, i-wis, Þat ȝe mouwen þe soþe i-sco : ȝwuch ouwer bi-leue is. Ake þei he beo grislich for-to bi-holde : ne habbez of him no doute, Ake swuch signe ase ich habbe i-maud : in þeos four huyrnes a-boute, Makiez þulke sulue signe : in ouwer fore-heued ech-on, And ech luþur þing euereft schal : fram eou fleon oþur gon." Þo maden huy alle in heore fore-heued : þe fourme of þe rode; And þe Aungel heom scheuwede al a-brod : þene deuel ase huy stode, Þe fourme of a grislich man : þat al for-broide were And swarttore þane euere ani blouȝman : with foule farinde chere; A scharp face he hadde and al for-kroked : his berd atelich and long, Eiȝene brode al brenninde : red and swart a-mong; A-non to is fiet tilde is her : and after þe schrewe sum it drouȝ; his hondene bi-hinden him at his rug— : huy weren þare wel i-nouȝ! Fuyrie speldene al stinkende : out of is mouth he blaste, And fuyr of brumston at his nose : þat stonk al-so foule and faste; Croked was boþe nose and mouth : wrechchede was his bone— And bote ital. þis were andr. ane hendi bacheler : a-bid for-to eft-sone! Daiþet habbe swuch a louerding : and alle þat him wel loue! Ȝeot, þei þe schrewe gret pouwer habbe : god is euere a-boue. ¶ "Þou luþere þing," quath þis Aungel : "þat here art nouþe onder me, For þou dudest Barthelmeus heste : ichulle habbe reuþe of þe : Ichulle þe onbinde, and late þe fleo : on eorþe in eche ende, For-to þe dai of damer. dome come : þat þou to helle i-wiende." Þo þis luþere best onbounde was : with wel grisliche bere he fleuȝ a-wei a-mong heom alle : and neuereft ne cam þere. Þo þe Aungel hadde al þis ido : to heoueneMS. heouene heuene he wende an heiȝ. Ȝeorne criede ech of heom : þat al þis wonder i-seiȝ, And hereden god, and þene Aungel al-so : þat þare a-mong heo[m] cam; huy crieden euere on seint Barthelmev : þat he ȝeue heom cristindom. So þat al þat ilke lond : to cristine-dom was i-brouȝt þo, Þoruȝ þe Aungele and seint barthelmev— : i-blessede beon huy bo!v. 197-8 al. om. Pollimius with is Quene : alle is childrene he nam And liet heomon the margin. baptizen of seint barthelmevȝ : and sethþe al is kinedom; So þat al þat ilke lond : to cristinedom was i-brouȝt. Þe king for-sok al is lond : and ne tolde þarof riȝt nouȝt, And wende and siwede seint Barthelmeuȝ : and prechede with him wel faste, And bi-cam swiþe holi man : and was bischop at þe laste. ¶ Ane broþer, herre kyng þane he was : he hadde, of grete pruyte, Astriages was is name : þare-bi-side a luyte. Þe tyþingue of seint Barthelmeuȝ : wel sone to him cam, Al-hou he hadde þene king is broþer : i-turned to cristinedam : A þousend men wel j-Armede : After him he sende For-to enqueri in-to al þat lond : ȝwoder-ward he wende. huy wenden and souȝten him ful stuyrneliche : and þo he was i-founde, bi-fore heore kingue Astriages : huy brouȝten him, faste i-bounde, And swiþe ofte he was with heom i-pult : þat he feol a-doun to grounde.v. 213 al. om. ¶ "Bel ami," seide Astriages þe king : "hou hauest þou on i-take? hast þou mine broþur with tricherie : i-maked mi godes for-sake, bi þe fei þat i schal to mahun : ichulle serui þe al-so And make þe bi-leue þine false god : oþur to strongue deþe þe do. And ȝeot, þeof, more schame opon oþur : ase ich i-heoreich iheore al. om. bi mannes sawe, Þov hast ore godes elles-ȝware : defoulet and al-to-drawe." ¶ "Sire king," quath seint Barthelmeuȝ : "þou ne seist nouȝt as þe hiende, Þat i scholde with tricherie : þine broþeres heorte wiende; with no tricherie ne wende ich him : ake with sothþenesse and with riȝte, Ich brouȝte him out of mis-bi-leue : to him þat [hath]om. alle miȝte, Fram þe godes þat beoth al-so miȝte-lese : ase is þat dede treo Þat ich liet al-to-drawe. : and ȝif þou wolt þe soþe i-seo, bring me to þine oþur god : and ȝif ich mai don swuch dede, I-lief wel þat he is miȝteles : and for-sak þou him, ich rede. And with þulke god þat ich on bi-lieue : ȝif þou miȝt so on take, Ich rede þat þou a-cordi þe : and þine owene god for-sake;al. Ich þe bihote truliche : þat ich him wole forsake. And ȝif þat ich mai þoru strencþe of mi louerd : þinne god ouer-come, For-sak þe wrechches ase huy beoth wuyrþe : for heore miȝte heom is bi-nome." Nadde he bote þis word i-seid : þat þare ne cam to þe kingue A messager wel hasteliche : þat brouȝte him ful sori tiþingue : Þat berit is owene god : þat he wel ofte souȝte, was i-falle of þe temple a-doun : and al to-dascht to nouȝte. ¶ Þo þe king i-heorde þis : sori he was i-nouȝ, he fierde ase a man þat witles were : and is cloþes al to-drouȝ. he liet nime seint barthelmeu : and tormenti him wel faste And with grete staues legge on him : þe ȝwyle huy wolden i-laste. Þo he was defoulet so : þat reouþe it was to wite, Ase we findez in some stude : of his liue i-write, ¶ He liet him don on a rode : is heued toward þe grounde, Fiet and hondene to þe treo : i-nailled and fasteal. oþer i-bounde; And seth, to don him more pine : ase we findez i-w[r]ite al-so, Þo he hadde þeron i-honged longue : he liet him a-doun do And liet huylden is fel al fram is flechs : al quik with kene knyue; Riȝt ase men huyldeth a ded oxe : men hulden him a-liue. Alas, hou miȝten huy habben þe heorte? : alas, þe deolfulle pine! louerd, muche is þi miȝte : ase þov scheoudest þare bi þine hine! Atþe laste þo he was i-huld : ase we findez i-writen al-so, huy smiten of is holie heued : are huy miȝten him to deþe do— Vnneþe huy miȝten mid al þis wo : bringue is lijf to fine. Muche wonder was þat ani lijf miȝte : on eorþe þolie swuch pine!v. 252-3 al. om. his bodi was þoruȝ cristine men : i-bured faire i-nouȝ. Wel þicke, ase huy dorsten : þat folk þudere-ward drouȝ : For ore louerd anon-riȝt for is loue : fair miracle þare sende; Ȝware-fore guode men þare-a-boute : wel þicke þudere wende. ¶ Þe luþere king Astriages : þat him liet so a-quelle, he dradde him sumdel of þe miracles : þo he heorde þar-of telle : Þane þreotteoþe dai þare-afterward : þat he liet him martri þere, Alle þe grete maistres he nam with him : þat of þe temple were, And to is toumbe huy wenden alle : þare ase þat holie bodi lai. Anon so huy þudere comen : ase al þat folk i-say, Þe deuel, þat heore maister was : tormentede heom a-non : For wreche of þat holie man : huy bi-comen guydie ech-on,MS. æchon And ase for-lorene wrechches huy deiden þo : he ne liet heom no leng gon; Into helle þe soulene with him he nam : þare ne liet he nouȝt on. ¶ Þe tyþingue was sone wide i-brouȝt. : huy dradden heom wel sore Þat of mis-bi-leue weren : huy ne dorsten þo non-more, Ake huy for-soken hore false lawe : and beden ore louerdes ore, And lieten heom cristni euerech-one : þoruȝ seint Barthelmeus lore. POllonius, þat kyng was er : and þat to ore louerdes lawe him nam, bischop huy maden him ouer heom alle : to holden op cristin|dom. he was bischop twenti ȝer : are he dude heonne i-wiende; to þe Ioye of heouene is soule wende : atþe twenti ȝeres ende.v. 276-311 om. in Ashm. & Vern.— Þare was of seint Barthelmeuȝ : Miracles euere i-nowe, And wel þicke al-a-boute to is toumbe : muche folk euere drowe. Ȝeot þare weren luþere men bi-leued : and hadden þa[r]to envie, Þat he bi-liefden nouȝt þat ore louerd was i-bore : of þe maidene Marie : A veteles huy maden al of led : and þare-inne huy caste Þis holi bodi wel fijlliche : and dutten it swyþe faste, And amidde þe se casten hit : and wolden deliueren heom so. Ake ȝeot ore louerd cudde is miȝte : ase he hath ofte i-do : For þat ilke led a-ȝein is kuynde : þei it vuele were is riȝte, Aboue þe watere it gan to fleote— : þare was godes miȝte!— For þat watur nadde power non : to holden it to þe grounde. to þe cite of lupar it flet : and þare it was furst i-founde, And of cristine men op I-nome : and faire on eorþe i-brouȝt. Ȝeot ore louerd, þei he were þare : he ne for-ȝat him riȝt nouȝt : For he sende miracles riuedeliche : a-boute þe bodie þere. Atþe laste some luþere men : þat in þe londe were hadden þar-to ȝeot gret onde : and in a tyme bi-stelen þare-to And nomen þe bones up fram þe stude : þat huy weren inne i-do, And in þe contreie a-boute heom bere : and casten euerech in his side, Some in one stude and some in oþur : and to-spradden heom so wel wide, For huy ne scholden neuereft to-gadere come : ne more miracle do. Soal. om. longue, ase godes wille was : defoulede huy weren so. SEint Barthelmeuȝ cam sethþe : to a monek þare-bi-side : "Mine bones," he seide, "beoth i-cast : and al-to-spradde wel wide : I-nelle non-more þat huy beon so : þare-fore þou most gon Þis nyȝt a-boute þare huy beoth : and to-gadere heom bringue ech-on." "A, sire, merci," þis Monek seide : "hou scholde ich i-knowe heom nov?" "Swiþe wel," seide þis holie man : "and ichulle þe tellen hou : Euerech of heom þare huy liggez : þei it deork niȝt beo, Schyne schullen ase briȝte ase sonne : þat wel feor þou schalt heom i-seo." ¶ Þis Monek wende forth bi niȝte : he ne fond of heom nouȝt on Þat huy ne schinen ase clere ase ani sonne. : and so he gaderede heom ech-on. In a schip he brouȝte heom in þe se : with gret honour at-þenende, Þat ȝwodere-so ore louerd wolde : þoruȝ is wille [he] heom sende. A wynd þare cam and drof þat schip : softe and euene i-nouȝ; So þat to þe londe of a-puyle : þat schip wel euene drouȝ. Þare weren þe bones faire onder-fongue : and faire in schrine i-do. Mani fair Miracle þare comen sone : And ȝeot þare doth al-so. Bidde we nouþe seint Barthelmevȝ : þat heiȝ Apostle is, Þat we moten þoruȝ his bone : come to heouene blis. AmeN! 56 [Thomas ap.] SEint Thomas þe guode Apostle : I-martred was in .Inde; Of is lif we moten rede : ase we in boke dothþ finde. Þe ȝwyle ore louerd on eorþe was : with him he wende a-boute. Men cleopeden him sethþe ane to-nome : "Thomas longue in doute :" For þo ore louerd fram deþe to liue a-ros : In doute þar-of he was; Þe Apostles it leueden ech-one wel : bote þis ilke seint Thomas, Bote he seide þat he it nolde i-leue : bote he seiȝe is wounde And handlede as and þerinne pulte : is finguer oþur is þombeal. to þe grounde— For þis Mis-bileue men him cleopeden : "Thomas longue in doute," Ase men redeth ȝeot in holie churche : ȝwan is dai cometh a-boute. ¶ Sethþe cam ore louerd crist : mid is woundes al a-blode To him and to is desciples : þare huy to-gadere stode; Ore louerd seide, "Thomas, hider þi finguer : ant pult here into mi side, And ne beo nouȝt in mis-bi-leue : for mine woundene þou sixt wide." Þo bi-liefde he wel þat it was soth : and al-so euereft more; "Mi louerd," he seide, "and mi god : ich bidde þe milce and ore!" Þo þat he þe soþe i-saiȝ : ore louerd he louede faste, And prechede is manhede and cristinedom : þe ȝwile is lif i-laste.— ¶ It bi-feol, longue after þe tyme : þat ore louerd to heouene wende, Þat Gondofre, þe king of Inde : wel wide a-boute sende Ȝif man miȝhte ani Carpenter : finde, quoynte and sleiȝh, In anie londe, þat him couþe a-rere : a paleys noble and heiȝh. In þe londe of cesaree : seint Thomas was þo : ovre louerd a-liȝhte a-doun fram heouene : and aȝein him cam go, "Thomas," he seide, "þe king of Inde : haueth i-sent here-neiȝh To furieal. seche after a Carpenter : þat were quointe and sleiȝh : Cum here with me, and ichulle : þudere to him þe sende." "A., louerd, þin ore," quath seint Thomas : "I-ne rechche ȝwodere ich wiende, Bote þat I-ne come nouȝt in Inde : for þar-of me deth a-grise; Siend me elles ȝwodere þou wolt : ac þudere in none wise!" ¶ "Þou schalt wiende þudere," ore louerd seide : "and ichulle beon with þe. And ȝwane þou hast þoruȝh þi prechingue : þat lond-folc i-brouȝht to me, Þou schalt þare i-martred beon : and to me þanne i-wiende. Go we to þis Messager : and þudere ichulle þe siende." huy come and metten þis Messager : þat brouȝte þis tyþingue, Ase he cam furst op of þe se : a-middes þe Chepingue— Aben he was i-hote. : ore louerd hine þare mette, And axede ȝwat he þere souȝhte : and wel faire he him grette. ¶ "Mi louerd Gondofre," quath Aben : "þat is kyng of Inde, Sende me hidere ȝif þat ich miȝhte : ani quoynte Carpenter finde And þat [ich], hou-so ich euere on toke : in alle manere him brouȝte : Þat [ich] with Catele, ȝif he were þral : of is louerd him bouȝte And þat ich him,om. him ȝif he freo man were : huyrde him deore i-nouȝh; And for-to do sum-ȝware mi neode : hider-ward ich drouȝh." ¶ "Ich habbe ane man," ore louerd seide : "þat riȝht min owene is, Þat ȝwanne ich him ofte a-boute sende : wel he wrouȝhte, i-wis, And dude is mester swiþe wel : ȝwodere he euere i-wende, And euere al þat he miȝhte bi-ȝiteMS. ȝẹite : he brouȝte me oþur sende. For quoyntore bold he can make : þane euere in Inde were; Ne swuch man nis þare in Inde non : þat swuch bold couþe a-rere."al. 2 vv. more. Ore louerd tok seint Thomas : Aben bi þe honde; Þat ope þe forewarde þat he made : ladde him to is londe.al. 2 vv. more. ¶ Aben ope þis forewarde : glad and bliþe was; Into schipe he wende a-non : with þe guode man seint Thomas. Sone he axede seint Thomas : ase huy in þe se i-wende, Ȝweþer he puyrliche is man were : þat him þudere sende. "Ȝif ich nadde," quath seint Thomas : "puyrliche is man i-beo, Mi manhe[de]al. his manrede ich wolde habbe for-sake : þo he bi-tok me þe." "Seiȝe þou me," quath Aben, "ȝeot : ȝwat is þi seruise? Ȝware-of seruest þou þat heiȝe Man : þat ȝe beon boþe so wise?" ¶ "A carpenter," quath seint Thomas : "ich am, quoynte and sleiȝh, paleys and bold ich can arere : swiþe noble and heiȝh, strong and liȝt and swiþe fair : with-outen and with-inne, Þat no man ne may it felle a-doun : with strencþe ne with ginne, Ne so strong wynd ne tempeste : þat greuie mouwe it ouȝt; So quoynte bold nas neuere on eorþe : to no prince i-wrouȝt." "Deu merci," quath þis Aben : "þat þi louerd gret Man is, Þat so quoynte Men hat onder him : i-not non swuch, i-wis!" ¶ "Heiȝh Man he is," quath seint Thomas : "and an heiȝ kyngues sone. Ope ane heiȝe Montayngne his wonijngue is : þare he wole euere wone; Þare he halt is heritage : and is fader kynedom an heiȝh; Þare nis non of is fon so strong : þat mouwe come þere-neiȝh. Sik man ne pouere nis þare non : so riche þat lond is; So murie lond nas neuere i-seiȝe : ne of swuch solas ne blis." Tellinde, huy rouweden forth in þe se : so þat þoruȝ guod winde Þene seueþe day huy comen a-lond : wel a þeos half Inde. ¶ At ane heiȝe toune huy a-riueden : þare a kyng inne lay Þat liet weddi to an heiȝh Man : his douȝhter þat ilke day. At þis bruydale was plei i-nouȝh : song and gret hoppingue, Tabours and fiþele and symphanye : stiues and harpingue. Seint Thomas and þis Aben : wenden to þis feste, So Manie Men wel ofte doth : with liȝt biddingue oþur heste. ¶ A Taborere song atþe mete : ase it isal. om.; r. ire? riȝhte was. Ase he eode singuynde op an doun : he bi-heold on seint Thomas : hireMS. him þouȝhte þat he was cristine man : to paiȝen him he gan singue "Cristine men habbez ane god : louerd of alle þingue." Þo seint Thomas þis i-heorde : he bad hire singue eft-sone. Þis taborere song up an doun : and dude seint Thomas bone. Þe Botiler chidde with seint Thomas : for he made hire singue more, And smot him a boffat onder þe Ere : þat him smert ful sore. ¶ "I-nelle nouȝt a-rise," quath seint Thomas : "heonne fram mi fere Are ich i-seo an hound bringue þulke hond : a-mong al þis folke here." Þo þat folk hadde al-mest i-ȝete : þe Botiler wende sone Out to ane welle to fechche in watur : ase he hadde þare-with to done. Þo he out to þe welle cam : a leon þere cam gon Ant hente þene botiler bi þe þrote : and a-stranglede him a-non, And to-drouȝh ech lime fram oþur. : an hound þere cam bi cas And kipte up þe hond in is mouth : þat he smot with seint Thomas, And bar as in bi-fore al þat folk : and so bi-fore þe kingue. Þare nas non þat þis i-saiȝh : þat ne wondreden of þat þingue, And seiden, "þis is an holi Man : þat god deth fore swuch dede : For bi þe botilere it is icome : riȝht ase he er seide." ¶ Þe kyng liet cleopie bi-fore him : seint Thomas a-non, And seide, "þou art an holi man : þat þus a-wrecxt þe of þine fon : Þou schalt with me to mi douȝter : into hire chaumbre wende And blessi hire, and hire spouse : þat huy habben þe bettere ende." Seint Thomas with þe king : in-to chaumbre gan gon; Þat ȝongue wif and hire spouse : a-ȝein him come a-non. Seint Thomas is holie hond : ope beiȝe heore heuedes leide And blessede heom a-godes name : and is oresun seide. ¶ he nam is leue and wende a-ȝein : and þe ȝongue spouse ladde him forth & þonkede him : þat he cam in þe house.This verse on the margin. A ȝeord of palm cam in is hond : he nuste hou it cam, Ase he ladde seint Thomas— : wel gladliche he it nam : Þe ȝeord was ful of Dates : wexinde ase þei huy were. Gret wonder and ioye huy [hadden] : of þis miracle þere. Þis ȝounge Man bar is ȝonge wif : þis fruyt so guod and suete; Of þat fruyt huy nomen boþe : and gladliche þar-of ete. ¶ Sone þo huy hadden þarof i-ete : huy ne miȝhten no feor gon, Ake ayþer lai a-doun bi oþur : and softe slepen a-non. Men beddeden heom ase softe ase huy miȝhten : and palles on heom caste, And wenden alle out bote heom-suluen two : and þe doren maden faste. Ase huy leiȝe boþe and slepen : a fair king to heom cam, And bi-twene heom stod, in fair Abite : and bi-tweone is Armes heom nam; "Mine leoue children," he seide : "min apostle þat was her Blessede eov for þat ȝe scholden : of heouene beo parteners : Dothþ aftur him, and ȝe schullen beo : þare with-outen ende." Stille he liet heom ligge and slepe : and wel softe aȝein gan wende. ¶ Þo huy a-woken, huy leiȝen and tolden : hou þat it beo miȝhte; gret wonder huy hadden for huy nusten : nouȝht of þis noble siȝhte. Ase huy leiȝen and herof tolden : seint Thomas to homMS. him wende; "Þe kyng," he seide, "þat with eov spak : hidere to eov me sende— Þei ȝates and doren beo faste imade : he hath [me] in i-brouȝt. Ȝif ȝe wollez þe Ioye a-fongue : þat he haueth to eov i-wrouȝht, And his blessingue þat ich eov ȝaf : þoruȝ me witez al-so, In Ioye and blisse with-outen ende : of heouene he wole eov do. For ȝe habbez ȝeot ouwer Maiden-hod : þat of eche guodnesse is quene, Þat neuere ne a-dwynet bi-fore god : ac euere is briȝt and schene." Þis ȝonguesal. ȝonge þinges feollen a-doun : to seint Thomas a-kneo, And crieden on him þat he heom teiȝte : in guode liue to beo. ¶ Seint Thomas heom prechede anon : hou it of ore louerd is, And brouȝte heom boþe to cristindom : and þe kingue and alle his. On of his desciples sethþe he nam : þat het dyonis, And made him maister of þat folk : þat huy ne wrouȝten amis; Þesne dyonis he made preost : and ane churche he liet arere. Þat folk cam eche daye : and heor[d]eMS. heore seruise þere. Þo þat lond was al i-brouȝt : in guod stat i-nov, Seint Thomas is leue nam : and toward Inde him drov.— ¶ Anon so Aben, þat cam aftur him : to Inde miȝhte him bringue, with gret Ioye he ladde him forth : and brouȝte him bi-fore þe kingue. To a fair place þe kyng him ladde : and axede him on alle wise Ȝif he couþe þere swuch bold a-rere : ase he him couþe deuise. Seint Thomas bi-heold þis noble place : "sire," he seide, "ȝe, So fair bold nis in al þis lond : ase ich can here arere þe." Ane perche he nam, and mat a-boute : houal. as ech hous scholde beo. ¶ "Sire," he seide, "mi deuis : þou schalt here i-seo : Þe halle ichulle furst arere : in þis place in alle wise, Est-ward þe dore and þe proche : riȝht ase þe sonne arisez, Þat þe sonne ȝwane heo a-rist : atþe dore in schine; here ȝond ichulle þe chaumbres habbe :A v. om. : : ymete by myne lyne, Here ȝond ichulle þe kuchen habbe : And a conduyt þare-bi-side." he deuisede [al] euene inov : and longue i-nouȝ and wide, So noble bold ne miȝhte non beo : ase he gan þare deuise. ¶ Þe kyng of is sotilte : bi-gan sum-del a-grise, And seide, "certus, ich ȝiue þe pris : of þe beste Carpenter And þe quoynteste þat ich euere i-knev : and best deuisedal. deuisest her." he toc him catelal. gareisoun i-novȝ : swuch bold with to rere; And wende him-sulf out of þe lond : þat to ȝer ne cam he þere. Seint Thomas þis tresor nam : and wide wende in londe And prechede Men of cristindom : and of god to vnder-stonde; Þat tresor he delde pouere men : euere ȝware he heom founde. ¶ Muche folk he brouȝte to cristindom : a-boute into al þat londe; ¶ Churchene he arerde mani on : and preostes he sette þere— Swich quoynte bold and noble it was : þat he wolde þe kyngue a-rere. Þe þridde ȝer þe king cam hom : and wende al-ȝare to finde his bold ase he hadde bi-speke. : and þo was it al bi-hinde. After seint Thomas he sende a-non : þat bi-traide him so, he seide. Sone Men tolden him hou it was : and al of is dede. Þe king liet him nimen a-non : and in strongue prisone him do,A v. om.: & Aban þat him þuder broȝte : bi him he dude also, And swor othþ þat he scholde : al quik i-huld beo And sethþe i-barnd al-to douste : and with þe wind a-wei fleo. ¶ Þe kingus broþer, þat heiȝte Gad : al atþe deþe lay : Þe kyng al for-ȝat seint Thomas : for deol þat he i-saiȝh; he hiet is Men witen him wel : and is felawe also, For-to is broþur were in betere point : þat he miȝhte heore dom heom do. ¶ So þat is broþur deide sone. : þe kyng made deol I-novȝh; he liet him a-greiþi swiþe fayre : and elles it were wouȝh; Four dawes he heold him inne : þat he faire a-greyþed were In pourpre and cheisel and guode ȝimmes : þat no defaute þare nere. Þo he [was]om. imaudal. agreiþed with grete nobleye : þene feorþe day huy him nome And with gret compaygnie of heiȝe men : to is burijngue come. ¶ Ase huy wolden þis dede man : in is putte do, With grete nobleiȝe and pruyte i-nov : and with wop and sor also, he a-ros up fram deþe to liue : a-mong heom euerech-one. Þo mauden huy Ioye and blisse i-novȝ : þat lusten er betere grone. "Broþer," he seide, þo he a-ros : "þou dudest ane vuele dede, Þat seint Thomas þe holie man : into prisone liete lede, For mid god of heouene he is wel— : and þoruȝh him ich am nov To liue ibrouȝt ase ȝe iseothþ : and i-chulle ȝou tellen hov. ¶ For Aungles comen, þo ich was ded : and mine soule bere, And scheuwede me þe Ioye of heouene : þei ich vnwuyrþe were. Þis noble bold he schewede meal. me ek : þat seint Thomas liet arere with þat tresor þat þou him toke— : god ȝeue þat ich were þere! I-maud it is ase he deuisede þe : and noblelokur, ȝif it may, Of ȝimmes and stones preciouse— : so noble neuere i-ne saiȝ. 'Lo,' seide þe Aungel þo : 'sixt þou þis noble bold? Þis hath seint Thomas a-rerd : of þat seluer and of þat gold Þat þi broþur him bi-tok : elles-ȝware to bi-guynne; Ake þi broþur vnwuyrþe is : forto come þare-inne.' 'Ore louerd it ȝeue,' ich seide þo : 'þat it ouwere wille it were þat ich moste here porter beo— : for non betere wuyrþe ich nere.' ¶ 'we schullen,' seide an Aungel þo : 'to ore louerd for þe bi-seche Þat þi soule wende to eorþe a-ȝein : þi lijf for-to eche, For-to libben on eorþe more : to don al þine wille. Ake buye out Thomas of prisone : ich rede, þat he ne a-spille.' " Þo he hadde þis tale i-told : he orn to seint Thomas, And feol to is fiet and þonkede him : ase he in prisone was, And tolde al of him hou it was : and bad him ȝeorne al-so To for-ȝiue is broþur, þe king : þat he him hadde mis-do. ¶ Þe kyng cam al-so eorne a-non : and criede him milce and ore, To for-ȝiuen him þat he hadde mis-do : and seide he nolde non-more. Out of prisone huy brouȝten him sone : with Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ. Þat folk honourede him ase a god : and wel þicke a-boute him drouȝ. "Muche hath ore louerd," quath seint Thomas : "for eov alle i-do, Þat schewede eov þus is priuete : ȝwane ȝe ne beoth nouȝt wuyrþe þer-to. Þat paleis is noble and riche i-nov : þat ich þare habbe i-wrouȝt: with þet tresor þat þe king me tok : to ende it is i-brouȝt; Ech man þat wole don aftur me : þudere he schal wende And louerd and prince þare beo : euere with-outen ende. Ȝe mouwe wienden in-to al þat lond : and i-seon al-a-boute Ech contreie ful of churchene : þar-of ȝe mowen beo proute: Sire king, alle huy beoth a-rerd : of tresur þat þou me toke. Ȝif þou nelt nouȝt i-leue me : wiend a-boute and loke!" Þe kyng, and al þat oþur folk : þat þicke a-boute him com, Bi-lieueden on god for þis miracle : and turnden to cristindom ¶ Fourtene þousend of men : to ore louerd tur[n]den þere, with-oute children and wummen : þat Manie al-so were. Seint Thomas heom teiȝhte þe riȝhte bi-leue : and made heom þar-of wise; At eche churche he sette ane preost : to don heom heore seruise. Þo huy weren alle in guod point : his leue wel faire he nam, And wende ferrore into þe lond : to prechi cristindom.— ¶ In-to an oþur contreie he cam : þare he a-stunte ane stounde; he pulte him forth wel baldeliche : and prechede to grounde; Deue and blinde and oþere al-so : þat in sicknesse weren i-bounde, he helde a-non þoruȝ godes grace : ȝwane he anie founde. Swuche Miracle ase he dude : þoruȝ ore louerdes sonde, Nas neuere a-mong heom i-seiȝe : in none stude of þe londe. ¶ Þat word sprong of him wide : fale Iorneis þanne Þat god was into Inde i-come : in a fourme of manne; he was gladdore þane ani Man : þat þudere miȝhte wende To habbe enes a siȝth of him : a-boute in eche ende; Gret prece cam a-bouten him : of þe contreie feor and neiȝh, And heolden him god in Mannes fourme : euerech þat him i-seiȝh. ¶ Þe riche men þat weren neiȝh : ane noble croune wrouȝten Of gold and of Riche ȝymmes : and to þis holie Man huyal. om. brouȝten, And ech-manere cloþingue also : þat a kyng werie scholde, For-to cloþi him ase an heiȝh kyng : and crouni him with golde.A v. om.: Grete tresour hi broȝte him ek : ȝif he it fonge wolde. ¶ Seint Thomas stod and bi-heold : no-þing þar-of he nolde; "Mine leoue freond," he seide, "ȝe weneth : þat ich beo þat i-nam nouȝt: I-nam no kyng swuch þing to habbe : ase ȝe me habbuth i-wrouȝt, I-nam nouȝht god, ase some weneth : ake ich am is hine, And he me hath hidere i-sent : to bringue eou fram helle pine And techen eov fur-sake eower false godes : þat ne mouwen eov helpe nouȝt, And to bi-leue on ore riȝhte louerd : þat us alle hath i-wrouȝt. ¶ Bi-leueth on him, ich eov rede : and to Ioye ȝe schullen wende. Þat tresour þat ȝe bringueth me : pouere men ȝe it sende, For riȝht nouȝht i-nelle þare-of : ake deleth it heom a-boute; And bi-lieuez on Ihesu crist : and no-þing ne schulle ȝe doute."v. 266-7 al. om. Sike men þare comen þicke : a-boute in euerech side, Blinde and Doumbe and oþere al-so : heore hele fort-abide, Museles and crokede ek : and þat weren in palasye;v. 270-1 al. om. Ful þicke huy stoden in þe place : on þis holie man to crie. ¶ Seint Thomas alle þeos sike Men : brouȝhte in one place, And a-mong heom sat a-doun a-kneo : and bad ore louerdes grace Þat he cudde is miȝhte and is grace : and heore hele heom sende þere, So þat al þat folk þe soþe i-seiȝe : þat al-miȝhti god he were. Þo he hadde ore louerd þus i-bede : a-mong heom þare cam So gret liȝht and cler schinyngue : þat heore siȝht heom almest bi|nam; ¶ hit ouer-spradde furst seint Thomas : ase he lai in is beden, And þe sike Men alle, þat huy fullen a-doun : euerech in his stede, And leiȝen þare al plat to grounde : þe mountaunce of half a tide, Þe ȝwile þis grete liȝht i-laste : ech bi oþeres side. A-non so þat liȝht i-passed was : þat ech miȝhte oþur i-seo, Ech-one huy a-risen up hole and sounde : holore ne miȝhte none men beo. ¶ Þare was Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ : þere ne miȝhte beo non more; huy honoureden seint Thomas : and criden him milce and ore. Þare turnden þo neiȝh a þousend men : and i-baptizede were, with-oute children and wummen : þoruȝ is miracle þere. Þat cri was þo þarof so muche : þat al þat lond wel wide Þar-of spac, and þudere ornen : ful þicke in euerech side.— ¶ Carik hiet þe kingues mei : þat of þulke londe was, Migdonia heiȝte is wif : þat ore louerd ȝaf swiþe fair cas. For Migdonia, þis guode wif : to a wumman cam Þat heo knevȝ erore and was þo : i-turnd to cristindom, Þat hadde six ȝer blynd i-beo : and guod siȝht heo hadde þo; "Leoue soster," quath þis Migdonie : "hou is þis i-go Þat þov hast so longue blind i-beo : and nou art i-held so? Ȝwat is þilke wise Man : þat swuch miȝhte may do?" ¶ "Certes, Dame," þis oþur seide : "þe nobleste Man it is Þat euere on vrþe a-mon[g] men cam : with-oute god sulf, i-wis; For he heleth þe sike þat wollez beon hole : and þar-of ne faillez he neuere. haddestþov enes him i-seiȝe : þe gladdore þou woldest beo euere." "Dev merci," quath þis guode wijf : "hou may ich bestal. om. on take Þat ich haddeal. nadde i-seiȝe þis holie man : þat swuch wonder may make?" ¶ "Wel, þou schalt do," þis oþur seide : "for to-morewe, ase he me tolde, he wole come and prechi al þat folk : hov huy schullen heore bi-leue holde; Þou schalt with me þudere go : wel priueliche, ich rede, And huyd þi face, withal. þi face ihud & in oþur cloþus : þat no man ne wite þi dede!" Þat guode wijf ne fur-ȝat nouȝt þis : ake dude ase he ire radde, Chaungede hire cloþus and hudde ire face : and wende ase heo ire ladde. ¶ To þis holie prechingue heo cam : þat no man ne knev hire þere, And i-heorde þane holie man : hov he gan þat folk lere; Þe grete miracles heo i-saiȝh also : þat ore louerd for him wrouȝhte. heo nuste ȝwat heo miȝhte for Ioye do : ake stod in grete þouȝhte; heo wilnede more þanne ani-þing : to speke with him a þrowe, Ake heo ne dorste for no-þing : laste heo were i-knowe. ¶ heo wende hom al i-hud : ake euere heo hadde in þouȝhte Anoþer time with him to speke : ȝwane ore louerd þe time brouȝte. Bi-fore hire bedde heo lay anyȝht : and on ore louerd criede longue Þat heo moste þoruȝ seint Thomas : cristindom a-fongue. ¶ Atþe mid niȝht seint Thomas cam : and bi hire stod atþe laste— Nuste heo neuere ȝware he cam In : þe doren weren alle faste. "Beo glad," he seide, "Migdonie : god hath i-heord þine bone: Þou hast muche i-wilned after me : ich come to þe here ful sone. God wole þat þou beo on of his : and þat þou come þoruȝ me To þe lif þat euere schal i-laste : and þat ich beo a-slawe for þe. For þe ich schal i-martred beo : and boþe we schullen wiende To þe Ioye of heuene, and þare beo : to-gadere with-outen ende." ¶ Seint Thomas ȝaf hire cristindom : are he þannes wende, And teiȝte hire al godes lawe : hire lif for-to a-mende. Þis wif bi-cam a guod womman : and nolde neuer-eft mo After þat tyme for no-þing : to hire louerdes bedde go. hire louerd was þar-of sore a-nuyd : and þo he ne miȝhte for no þingue Maken hire enes neiȝh him come : he playnede him to þe kingue. ¶ Þe kyng hiet þe Quiene a-non : þat he= heo scholde to hire wiende And reden hire to honouri hire louerd bet : and don ase þe hende— For wummen conne of oþeres rede : þare-fore þe Quiene he sende. Þe Quiene adai wel mildeliche : to þis guode wumman wende And radde hire to hire louerd go : to schilden hire fram vilenie, And no-þing ne lieue þane false man : þat radde hire to schuche folie. ¶ "A, dame, merci," quath þis oþur : "þou nost nouȝt hou it is; Ȝif þou wustest al þat ich wot : þou noldest nouȝt so segge, i-wis. For so noble a man ase he is : nas neuere on eorþe ido; haddestþou him enes i-seiȝe : þou woldest segge al-so. And ȝif þou iseiȝe nouþe þat ich seo : þe wolde wondri, i-wis. For symphor þe heiȝe knyȝt : þat Maister of knyȝhtes is, ¶ To-dai was his sone ded : and symphor wel ȝeorne him souȝte, Þane holie Man seint Thomas : and to is sone nouþe him brouȝte: And þare he hath him riȝht nouþe : [arerd] fram deþe to liue; And þare he sit nouþe in is hous : and prechez þat folk bliue; A-boute him al-so sike men : wel þicke comez nov gon, Crokede and blinde and oþure al-so : and [he] heom heleth ech-on." ¶ "Leoue soster," quath þis Quiene : "ȝweþur þis mouwe soth beo?" "Ȝe, Dame, certes," quath þis oþur : "and ȝif þou it wolt i-seo, Go we þudere and þou schalt : þe soþe finde a-non." Þe Quiene þouȝte þo ful longue : are heo were þudere i-gon. huy come and founden seint Thomas : riȝht ase þis womman seide. Þe Quiene stod and him bi-heold : and alle is holie dede: ¶ To is fiet heo ful a-doun : heo ne miȝhte no leng a-bide, And bad him ȝiuen hire cristindom : and merci faste him cride. Sone þo heo i-cristned was : hamward þane wei heo nam To þe kyngue, and longue hire þouȝte : are heo to him cam. "Sire," heo seide, "ich habbe i-founde : þis guode wijf Migdonier. þare-fore; al. so þat In grete wisdome, and ich wende er : to finde hire in folie; And, gode þonk, of hire wisdom : heo partede with me: And þarer. þare-fore; al. so þat i-nelle in þine folie : non-more siwe þe." Þo was þe kyng sori inovȝ : he nuste ȝwat þar-of to do. For-to quelle is wif þare-fore : none heorte he nadde þar-to. ¶ He cleopede Carik, is cosyn : "we beoth bi-traide," he seide, "Mine Quiene ich sende, ase þou wel wost : þi wif for-to rede, To bringue hire out of fole þouȝt : ase þou me for loue bede, And nouþe ich habbe hire for-lore : forth with hire, ich drede, For loue of þe one i-lore boþe : alas, þe wrechhede! we moten us a-wreken of þat þeof : þat bringueth heom in swuch dede." ¶ He liet sienden aftur seint Thomas : ȝif Men him miȝhten finde; And þo þis holie Man i-founde was : faste men him guonne binde, And harli him forth bi-fore þe kyng : his hondene him bi-hinde: So þat he was to deþe i-brouȝt : in þe londe of Inde. For þo he was bi-fore þe kyngue i-brouȝt : þe kyng him hiet a-non For-to honouri heore false godes : þat weren of treo and ston,a v. om. Oþur he wolde laten him tormenti : and to-drawe is flechs fram þe bon. ¶ Þis holie Man for-sok þo : is heste forto do. Irene plates he liet nime : brode and longue also, And liet heom caste a-midde þe fuyre : þat al glowinde huy weren a-non, And sethþe he hiet þane holie Man : þar-uppe bare-fot gon. A-non so þis holie Man : sette is fet þare-on, A welle with watur þare sprong out of þe vrþe : so cold so ani ston,al. out : of þe harde ston And a-queinte þat fuyr a-non : þat so hot and strong was; Þe guode man eode forth þar-on : þat neuere þe worse him nas. ¶ Þo was þe king neiȝh out of witte : an Ouene he liet hete, Þat heo was al glowinde fuyr : are huy wolden lete : Þene holie Man huy nomen anon : and a-midde þe Ouene him caste. And þo he was þare-inne i-do : þat fuyr no leng ne laste, Ake it bi-gan to quienche a-non : þat so gret hete er of drovȝ; Þe holie Man þare-inne was : in Ioye and Muruþe i-novȝ. ¶ Þo þe kyng þis i-saiȝh : he nuste hou on take; "Carik," he seide, "hou geth þis? : ore godus us habbuth for-sake; we ne mowen nouȝt þis luþere þeof : with none þingue quelle." "Certus, sire," quath Car[i]k : "anoþur ichulle þe telle: we schullen nime þis [luþere]om. Man : and [to] ore godes him lede And maken him forto honouri heom : mid eiȝe and for drede, Þoruȝh ȝwan he schal is louerdes wrathþe : habben out and out, And is merueile him beo bi-nome : þoruȝ ȝwan he is so prout." ¶ To þis Maumates þis holie man : i-brouȝt was wel sone Mid strencþe forto honouri heom : ase huy weren i-woned to done. Seint Thomas bi-heold þis maumates : ase he bi-fore heom stod; "Ich coniouri eov," he seide, "in his name : þat for us schedde is blod, Ov deuelene þat þare-inne beoth : and with foles wolleth speke, Þat ȝe sone þarof out fleon : and þe Maumates to-breke." ¶ A-non so he hadde þis word i-seid : þe maumates ne miȝhte no leng duyre, Ake bi-gunnen al to melte awei : ase wex deth aȝein þe fuyre, Þat huy weren so alle to nauȝht i-brouȝht : riȝht ase huy neuere nere. In gret wonder stod al þat folk : þat in þat paleisal. place were; Ech-one huy gonne with one mouþe : wel loude grede and crie: "O. god is al-miȝhti one : i-boren of Mayde Marie, Of ȝwam seint [Thomas] hath i-speke— : to him we wollez alle us take And þeos wrechches false godes : clanliche alle for-sake." ¶ Þo þe kyng and Carik : and þe false preostes al-so Þat wusten þe Maumates, i-heorden þis : huy nusten ȝwat to do. Þe kyng and Carick for fyn wo : out of þe place wenden, Þo huy i-seiȝen hou þis holie Man : heore godus so foule schende; huy ne dorsten for cristine Men : setten on him non hond, Ne al-so for þe grete Miracle : þat Man alday with him fond. ¶ Ake þe preostes of þe false lawe : in grete wrathþe huy stode; Þat on hente in is hond a strong swerd : with ful wroþe mode: "Of þis þeof ichulle," he seide : "mine godes anon a-wreke, Þat heom hath swuch schame i-do : ho-so it euere bi-speke," he leide on þis holi Man : with is swerd to grounde Into al is bodi and made him sone : manie eouele woundes, And a-martrede so þane holie Man : and a-slouȝh him in a stounde. Þe cristine Men weren wroþe i-nouȝh : þo huy hine ded founden; Þane preost huy wolden habbe i-barnd— : ake he fleuȝh a-non; And þe king and carik habbe a-slawe— : ake huy weren a-wei igon. ¶ Þis holie bodi huy nomen a-non : and to churche it bere, And bureden it with gret honour : and with grete nobleye þere. So þat strencþe of holie churche : wexinde euere was. Þus cam into Inde cristindom : formest þoruȝh seint Thomas. Nov seint Thomas þat Cristindam : formest into Inde brouȝte, B[r]ingue us to þe Ioye of heouene : to ȝwan ore louerd us bouȝte. 57 [Mathie ap.] SEint Mathie Apostle is : ase ȝe schullen alle i-wite; Þoruȝh lot he was apostel i-maud : ase it is i-write. Ivdas þat Apostel was : þo he hadde ore louerd i-sold, Þare [nas]om. non longue in is stude : þat Apostel were i-told. Aftur þe tyme þat ore louerd : in-to heouene was i-stiȝe, Þe Apostles weren alle to-gadere : and ore lauedi seinte marie: ¶ So þat seinte peter heom radde : ase ore louerd hadde i-bede, For Ivdas þat Apostle was : to nimen on in is stude. So þat huy nomen and casten lot. : and ope seint Mathie it gan falle; So þat he, and seint powel : þe laste weren of heom alle.— Seint Mathie cam of heiȝe Men : þat nouþe apostel is; In þe londe of Bedlehem : i-bore he was, i-wis. Seothþe, þo he Apostel was : and huy wenden alle wide And precheden Menoverlined. to cristindom : euerech in his side, Into þe londe of Iudee : seint Mathie þene wei nam; Þare he prechede to manie Men : and brouȝhte to cristindom. he helde also þat sike weren— : ne may no man rikeni alle; Þoruȝh him þat folk into cristindom : swiþe wide it gan falle. ¶ Þare was a maister in þat lond : þat a swuch drunch made þere Þat alle þat þar-of dronken : anon-riȝht a-blende were. Of þat drunch men brouȝten to seint Mathie : and he it dronk anon: And him nas þare-fore neuere þe worsse : ake al hol he gan forth gon. Þat folk hadde þer-of wonder gret : þat he ne les anon is siȝhte. "Alas, mine leoue freond," quath seint Mathie : "ȝe ne seoth nouȝt godes miȝhte. Þat ȝe i-seon sothþliche godes miȝhte : þat he on us sende, Latez bringue here bi-fore me alle þulke : þat þare-with weren a-blende!" Men leten heom sechen wel widen out : and bringue þere into place. Þis holie Man heo[m] helde a-non : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace; ¶ Þreo hundred men and moal. to (=two) : þoruȝh ore louerdes miȝhte Þat þoruȝ þat drunch weren a-blende : he ȝaf heom þare heore siȝte. Þat folk criede ȝeorne on him : and þicke a-bouten him cam, And bilieueden on god þoruȝ is techingue : and turnden to cristin|dom. ¶ Þe luþer Iustise of þat lond : her-of heorde telle: he liet nimen þis holie man : and in strongue deþe a-quelle. Ake it nis nouȝhwere in boke i-founde : ȝwat deth he hadde þere; Ake i-martred he was in strong torment : ase alle þe apostles were. ¶ Guode Men comen aftur-ward : and þat holi bodi nome And fram þe londe of Iudee : ladden it sethþe to Rome, And bureden it þere with gret honour : þare ase men schewez ȝuyte In seinte Marie churche ofte : his heued with grete pruyte. Nov god for þe loue of seint Mathi : us leue ore lif so wisse Þat we, ȝwanne we heonnes wiendeth : comen to heouene blisse.MS. blissa AmeN. 58 hic incipit uita sancti Siluestri. SEint Siluestre pope was : þe furste þat þare cam þat euere hadde Rome in pes : to holde up cristindom; For alle þat comen bi-fore him : luþere Men to-drowe And harleden heom out of þe londe : and with tormens manie huy slowe. Ake ore louerdes miȝhte euere wax : and þe strencþe of cristindom, So þat it was in betere pays : þo seint siluestre cam. ¶ It bi-fel þat he prechede þe Aumperoure : Costantin þat was þo; þat he grauntede him þe churche of Rome : in pays with-outen wo. Ake erore he hadde wo i-nouȝh : are it miȝhte þar-to astonde: For in prisone he was ofte ido : and ofte i-driue out of londe. ¶ A luþur Iustise cam in a time : in-to þe contreye a-boute For-to tormenti cristine men : and tooverlined. harli with gret route; he liet martri ane holie Man : þat hiet thymothe, And liet him sethþe in a foul stude : casten with gret vilte. Seint siluestre wente a-niȝht : and þat bodi þannes drouȝh And burede it with gret honour : in a fair place i-nouȝh. ¶ þe Iustise sethþe it vnder-ȝat : siluestre faste he nam, And seide, "þeof, þou schalt habbe : þat ilke sulue dom Ȝwy laddest þou a-wei þanne þeof trichour? : ȝwodere hastþou him -brouȝt?" "Certes, sire," quath siluestre : "þeof ne trichour nas he nouȝht; Ake þou art swuch on, ich wot it wel : and godes martyr he is. And þat þou þare-of þe soþe i-seo : to-niȝht þou schalt, i-wis, In strongue deþe a-strangled [be] : and wiende to þe pine of helle." "A, þeof traitour," quath þe Iustise : "raþer ichulle þe a-quelle." ¶ He liet nime þis holie man : and in strong prisone caste, For-to he bi-seiȝe him in ȝwat deþe : he were i-brouȝt ate laste. his soper he liet greiþi faire : ase he was i-woned to do, And with grete pruyte and nobleiȝe : he eode and sat þar-to. A fisches bon schet in is þrote : ase he sat and .et., þat neuereft ne cam out a-ȝein : are he is lijf fur-liet; For he was a-choked a-non : and toward þe deþe he drouȝh, Vnneþe he liuede for-to mid-niȝht : with pine and seoruwe i-nov. ¶ His Men þat weren is conseilers : comen eorninde faste Into þe prisone to siluestre : and sore huy weren a-gaste, And seiden, "leoue louerd, fur-ȝif us : þat we þe habbez mis-do! Gret wreche to ore Maister cam for þe : ne lat nouȝht to us so! Louerd, graunte us þi guode wille : we nelleth mis-don þe non-more; Go forth ȝware þi wille is : we biddeth þe milce and ore." ¶ þis guode man wende out of prison : with honour i-novȝ, Riȝht ase Men þane luþere Iustise : to-ward þe eorþe drovȝ. þat folk bi-leueden heore owene prince : þat huy heolden er so heiȝe, And alle siweden þis holi man : for miracle þat huy seien. Sorie weren þe luþere Men þo : for heore lawe eode al-to nauȝhte; And þe cristine Men weren glade i-nouȝ : for al þe pris huy cauȝhte. Mani heþene Man þare-fore : tornede to cristindom, And wel þe betere pais þoruȝ al þe lond : a-mong cristine men bi-cam. ¶ Seint siluestre bi-lefde pope : in guod pais þo i-novȝ And muche folk wide a-boute : to godes lawe þare drouȝ. Preostes he made and deknene al-so : and he him-sulf furst bi-founde þe ordres to maken a-ȝein midewynter : þat men halt ȝuy[t] in al þe londe. Al-so he bi-fond þat Men scholden : maken þe seruise with linnene cloth clene i-wasche : ope þe weuede in alle wise, And helie with clene linnene cloth : ore louerdes flechs and is blod, And noþer in pal ne in seolke : nere it no so guod— ¶ And þat was, for, þo ore louerd : bouȝte us with is blode, Iosep of Aramathie : nam him a-doun of þe rode And wond him in ȝwiȝht linnene cloth : ase þe godspel hath i-seid, Ake noþur in seolke ne in sendel : þo þat swete flesch was ded. In swuch cloth ase is swete flechs : was i-wounde þo, his swete flechs schal ope þe weued : beon i-wounden euere-mo. þis guode Man þreo-and-twenti ȝer : pope was at rome And þreo monþes and endleoue dawes : are is ende-day him come. And þo he deide in godes seruise : ase he hadde longue þare-in i-beo, I-bured he was bi-side rome : for-soþe, Milene þreo. Nou god for is swete loue : us graunti þulke blisse þat seint siluestre is inne : þat we þar-of ne misse. 59 [Eustas.] laweSEint Eustas þe noble knyȝt : of heþene laweMS. londe was; Ake are he i-cristned were : men cleopeden him placidas. he was with Traian þe Aumperour : hext of alle is kniȝhte, Maister he was of al is ost : at eche bataile to fiȝhte. he wilnede to wite godes lawe : and of cristindom; Ake no man þar-of him ne teiȝhte : ne ȝeme þare-to ne nam: ¶ his heorte him ȝaf þat is lawe nas nouȝt : and þare-fore almes-dede Ofte he dude for godes loue : þat he him scholde þe bet rede. A wif he hadde and twei sones : þat swiþe ȝoungue were; heo wilnede ȝeorne þat sum man : of god hire wolde lere.— þis heiȝe kniȝhtes wenden a day : on honteth mani on with heore cheuenteyn placidas : to cachche hert and bocke and don. ¶ A-mong oþur game huy founden ane heort : swiþe fair best with-alle: placidas him siwede a-non : ȝif he miȝhte maken him falle. Fram is felawes he wende al one : þis best orn with gret pas, And he siwede him fer in vncouþe stude : þat al weri he was. þo huy comen opon a fair hul : þis best with-stod atþe laste. þis kniȝht ne dorste ner him wiende : ake bi-heold him stikele and faste. Bi-twene is hornes he i-saiȝh : ane creiz schine briȝhte with gret leome ase it were of sonne : þat vnneþe bi-holde he it miȝhte. ¶ "Placidas," seide þe heort : "ȝwy woltþou weorri with me? I-cham god þat þou ne knowest nouȝt : ichulle schewi me to þe. þine almesse-dedes þat þou hast i-do : a-mountede me bi-fore; þat þou ne canst nouȝt, i-chulle þe teche : þat þi soule ne beo for-lore. þov were a-boute to cachche me : ichulle þe cahche al-so." "Louerd," seide placidas : "seiȝe me ȝwat i schal do." ¶ "Bote go," seide ore louerd þo : "hom to þine wiue, And nim hire and evwere twei sones : and lat eou cristni bliue. þus time to-moruwe cum aȝein : and ich þe wolle wisse hou þou schalt leden here þi lijf : to of-serui heouene blisse." þo nuste he ȝware þe heort bi-cam. : þis kniȝht in grete þouȝte wende hom and þonkede god : þat swuch tiþingue him brouȝhte. his wiue he tolde it priueliche. : "sire, merci," heo seide, "To-niȝht ore louerd cam al-so to me : and riȝht so he gan me rede." ¶ Huy nomen heore twey sones with heom : and to a bischop huy wende And lieten heom cristni alle foure : heore lif for-to amende; þis knyȜth liet is name tuyrne : and liet him cleopie Eustas. With oþure kniȝhtes he wende eft an hontez : þudere ase he er was. þis holie best he saiȝh þo eft-sone : aftur he wende al-so, For-to he cam in-to a priue stude : ase he hadde er i-do. þo criede he and fel a-doun a-kneo : "louerd," he seide, "þin ore, Tel me hou i schal mi lif lede : to saui me þoruȝh þi lore." Ore [louerd] spac þo in þe heortes mouþe : "loke þat þou do after me! For þov hast þene deuel ouer-come : he armeth him aȝen þe: þolie þou schalt wo and sor : ase Men schulle in bataylle; Ȝif þou wolt þolie and a-ȝein him fiȝhte : of is wille he schal faille. he schal þe, ase he dude Iob : mid alle wo þe fonde; Seie me ȝif þou it þolie wolt : and faste a-ȝein him stonde!" ¶ "Louerd," seide þis guode kniȝht : "ȝif me studefast-hede, þat ich mouwe is fondingue þole : ase þou me wolt wisse and rede." "Ope þi-sulue it is ȝif þou wolt beo : studefast," ore louerd seide; "Ake ȝif þou wolt so, ichulle in þi care : boþe witie þe and lede." Mid þusse worde ore louerd wende : he nuste ȝware he bi-cam. þis kniȝht in grete þouȝhte of heorte : þene wey hamward nam; his wiue he tolde al hou it was : and bad hire studefast be. To is louerdes court, þe aumperoures : nolde he nonmore teo. ¶ þo comen þeoues and robbeden him : of al þat euere he hadde; his Orf deide al-so to grounde : nouȝht o best a-liue he nadde; his hinene deiden euerechone— : þare bi-lefde non a-liue Bote he and [is] tweie ȝongue sones : and is leoue wiue. þo ne bi-lefde heom non more guod : þane heom hieng a-boute— huy þonkeden god of alle is sondene : ȝuyt nadden huy none doute. For schame þat huy beggares weren : heore hous huy liete stonde And bi niȝhte stelen a-wei : to-ward an oþur londe, ¶ Eustas al-one and is wijf : and is sones tweiȝe; So ȝungue weren þis children two : þat he bar heom ofte bi weiȝe. Gret deol made þe Aumperour : þo he miste sire Eustas, And liet him seche al-a-boute : ake men nusten ȝware he was. Toward Egypte huy passeden þe se : for huy mosten so don nede. Þo huy þe se ipassede hadden : þe schipman axede is mede. huy seiden þat huy noþing nadden : ake þat huy beggares were. Þe schipman bi-heold þat guode wif : and þouȝte him of faire chere; ¶ he seide, "ichulle for mi mede : þis wumman with me at-holde." Þe kniȝht weop and criede ȝeorne : ake hit ne mihȝte no-þing holde, Þis schipman namMS. nan him and is sones : and out of þe schipe heom þraste, And liet heom wienden ȝwodere huy wolden : and heoldMS. beold þis womman faste. Þe knyȝht bi-heold after-ward : ake þo it non-oþur nas, Sore he weop and wrongMS. wrond is honden : longue i-swowe he was. "Leue sones," he seide, "ȝwat schulle ȝe nou? : ȝoungue ȝe beoth, help-les, In vncouþe londe; ho schal ou wite : nouþe ȝe beoth moder-les? ¶ Mi-sulf ich couþe mine mete bi-swynke : ake inot ȝwat ȝe schulle do; A feble norice ich am, alas! : i nas neuere i-teiȝht þer-to." Wel softe he ladde is sones forth : and wel ofte he heom bar. To a deop watur he cam : and no schip ne fond he þar: he bar is o sone ouer þat watur : and þare a-doun him sette.[Here a fol. is wanting in the MS.Only a little fragment is left, with the beginning of the first verses : þeo ȝwyle he . . . . þo he was f . . . . And nam þ . . . . A leon c . . . And . . . . ¶ þis . . . — The text in MS. Ashm. 43 is frequently abridged, therefore I fill the gap from MS. Cott.; MS. Cott. Iul. D ix. continues;] [þe while he wente ouer aȝen : his oþer sone to fette, a-midde þe water as he was : a wolf þer com vrne & nom þat child & ber hit ford : touard þe wode ȝerne. A leon com in þe oþer half : & þis oþer child [he] nom & bere hit ford touard þe wode : ar þe faþer to him com. ¶ þis kniȝt stod a-midde þe water : no wonder þe him wo were, whan he sei þat þis wilde bestes : his sones awei bere; he wep & his hondes wrong : & tar him be þe here; him-sulf he wolde habbe a-dreint : ȝif þat oþing nere: he þoȝte on þat our lord sede : þat he scholde þolie sore. he þolede, him þoȝte, sorue y-nou : noman ne miȝte more. "lord," he sede, "whiþer schal ich nou?" : & wente bi an vncouþe weie; "kniȝtes ich was y-woneþ to haue : wit me of gret nobleie: ¶ Ich les hom suþþe, & al my good : þat ich scholde bi leþe mi lif; Mene bileueþe oþer solas non : bote my sones & my wif. þo mi wif me was by-nome : nas me wo y-nou? ȝif ich dorste sigge, ich was : ibroȝt in more wo wit wou. Me nas bileueþ bote mi sones : þat al myn herten were: þo sei ich whare wilde bestes : awei to wode hom bere, & icham a wrecche & frendles : bileueþ nou alone, al nakeþ & bar of alle gode : as ich sprong out of þe stone! ¶ wel ichot þat iob hadde : y-nou of care & sore; a lone wrecche as icham : me þincþ ichaue more: for he hadde frend & wif also : him forto bimene, me nis bileueþ wif ne frend : to solaci me ene. a dunghupel warup he him reste : him was also bileueþ: of al my god so moche y naue : þat ich mow rest op my hed. of al men þat euer were : me þinch icham mest wrecche— ac whan god wol so þat ich schal : of noþing I-ne recche." þo he hadde al y-mad his mone : þat reuþe hit was y-nou, In sorue & care spitoslicheAshm pitosliche : touard toune he drou. ¶ þer he ȝede & beþ his mete : þat al folc reuþe hadde þat so fair man & stalworde : in meseise his lif ladde. hai-ward hi made him of þe toun : hor corn forto wite, þat he miȝte in treunesse : his liflode be-ȝite. his lordinges he paide wel : & al oþere also— for ho-so haþ wit him godes grace : he ne schal neuer mis-do. for he ne couþe noȝt his mester : gret sorue he hadde ynou; his wo he nom in pacience : to eche godnesse he drou. heyward he was fiftene ȝer : in gret sorue & care; ne com noman nei him þat him kneu : his frend himAshm. frendes, him om. were wel bare.— ¶ acom. in Ashm. hit bifel þat þe emperour : þat his lord er was, y-worreþ was of a noþer king : þorou a luþer cas. sone him misseþe þis gode kniȝt : & ofte he sede alas. to many lond he sente aboute : to seche seint eustas. tuei kniȝtes þat his felaues were : þat soȝte him suiþe wide, In his baille hi mette him : as hi come þer-ford ride. seint eustas i-kneu hom wel : & hi him noȝt wit-alle— for ho-so is in meseise & in sor : his heu wole sone falle. ¶ "knowest," hi sede, "eni man : þat hatte placidas?" he sede nai, & sede soþ : for he het eustas. þo gonne þis kniȝtes sike sore— : & hit was nei eue: þis haiward hom baþ suiþe faire : al niȝt wit him bileue. þo hi come hom to his In : he made hom faire chere & cortesliche serueþe hom : quinte man as he were. ac euer whan he from hom turneþe : þe teres ourne of his eie; ac fair semblant he made y-nou : euer whan hi him seie. ¶ þis kniȝtes þoȝte wonþer gret : þat a such heiward of so quinte seruise was : as he were eny stuard. þe lengor þat hi him bihulde : þe bet hom þoȝte [hi] him kneue— for whan man is fol of mete & drinke : hitMS. his soteleþAshm. so teleþ in his hwe. "þis man," sede þe on to þe oþer : "ilich is placidas, loke we where he haue þe wounde : þat on his hed was, þat he hente in þe bataile? : for ȝif he haþ þilke wounde In þilke stude, siker we beþ : þat we him haueþ i-founde." þo hi founde þis soþe tokne : in gret ioie hi were ibroȝt, hi sede, "þu art placidas : þat we longe haueþ isoȝt. ¶ þe emperour sente after þe : to him þu schalt come, for his fon haueþ moche of his lond : for þe fauter. defaute of þe y-nome." sein eustas made gret daunger : & naþeles ate nende to þe emperour of rome, his lord : wit hom he gan wende. glad tiþing com to þe emperour : þo he him isay! he let him greidi in fair atir : as noble kniȝt & hei, he let ȝarki his ost also : mony kniȝt & sueyn, & made eustas, as he was er : of hom alle cheuenteyn. ¶ hi wente & worreþe op hor fon : to grounde fer & ner; hi þat er al maistres were : nadde do no poer. more prouesse ne miȝte be : þan was of þis kniȝte, for he was of bodi strong : & moche couþe of fiȝte, & he hadde wit him godes grace : be dai & by nyȝte; þer-fore non heden man : aȝen him stonde ne miȝte. þo þe king hor fo vnþer-ȝet : þat his poer noding nas, & þat he ne miȝte worre holde : aȝen sein eustas, ¶ he flei hom in-to his owe lond : vnneþe wit þe liue. seint eustas wit his gode route : after sueþe bliue; of his men he let ek mony nyme : & slou ek of hom riue, he let sle al oþer nyme : oþer out of londe hom driue. ȝut he suor he wolde awreke be : of þe gret schonde þat hi hadde his lord y-worreþ : in his owe londe. ¶ gret maister he wex anon— : what, whare was þo his horn? he ne ȝede noȝt in þe feld afote : to wite manr. mannes corn! a maister heiward he was on : wit such men to fiȝte, to porswy in-to his owe lond : a king of so gret miȝte! he let ordeine wel his ost : & parti hit a-þre,] Cheuenteynes he liet [chese]om. tweie : vnder him to beo. ¶ Þare weren ȝoungue tweie : faire menMS. manc with-alle, with red heued, ȝeolu and cripsAshm. Rede men wiþ ȝelou her— : fair cas þare gan bi-falle: For þere nere none into al þe Ost : þat so staleworþe men were Ne of so gret prouwesse in þe bataile : ne þat so wel armes bere, Þare-fore Evstas vnder him : cheuenteynes heom made þere, Eyþer is owene compay[ni]e : swiþe wel to lede and lere. huy siweden heore fo in-to is lond : no-þing a-dradde huy nere; And þo huy þe se i-passed hadden : heor baneres huy lietenMS. leieten a-rere, ¶ Into al þat lond huy wenten a-boute : and nomen alle þat huy founden, heore fon huy slowen þat heore pouwer : was sone i-brouȝt to grounde; For huy nomen some and ladden forth : with heom, faste i-bounde, Some huy raymeden for heore lif : of manie harde poundes. Are huy heom hadden so ouer-come : huy ȝeuen manie woundes; Gult-lese men þat weren of pais : huy lieten beo hole and sounde. huy come and nomen a gret cite : and þare-inne huy a-liȝhte; Ase louerdes huy resten þere— : so fareth þat habbeth miȝhte. ¶ Þis two cheuenteynes þat weren : onder sire Eustas, huy casten of heore helmes heom for-to auente : heore bodi ful weri was; Vnder a chaumbre huy resten heom : in a wel fair herber, huy tolden of heore grete prouwesse : þat huy duden feor and ner. "Wonderliche," þat on seide : "ich am forth i-gon. Mi fader was knyȝht of gret pouwer : nis nouȝh were nouþe schuch on; ¶ he and mi moder stilleliche : lieten heom cristni beye, And me and mi ȝoungue broþurMS. broþus : þat weren his sones tweye.orig. bey ȝe A niȝht he nam is wif and us : þat his sones were, And ladde us into anoþur lond : þare we neuerer nere. Þo we þe se i-passede hadden : þe Mariner for is huyre Drof us out of is schip . and ore moder ladde awey : þat us was leof and duyre. ¶ Ore fader nam us and ladde us forth : swiþe gret deol he made. To awater we comen þat was so deop : þat we ne miȝhten nouȝht wade : Mi fader bar ouer mine ȝounguere broþer : and in þat oþur half him sette, And cam a wolf and bar him forth : þe ȝwyle he [me] wolde fette; And are he miȝhte to me come : a leon þare cam eorne And kipte me and bar me forth : to-ward þe wode wel ȝeorne. ¶ Schepherdes ornen him a-ȝein : with hornes and with hounde, And crieden and schoten to-ward him : þat he me liet falle to grounde; huy nomen and ladden me to heore hous : and lieten me forth bringue. Of fader ne of moder ne can ich : telle eov no tyþingue." ¶ "Louerd crist," seide þat oþur : "i-hered beo þi miȝhte, Þat ich moste of mine leoue broþur : habbe one siȝhte! Certes," he seide, "ich am þi broþur : þat þe wolf a-wei bar; Ake Aker-men weren in þe feld : þat weren of him i-war, with staues and with stones al-so : aȝen him huy ornen bliue And maden him legge me a-doun : so þat ich cam to liue." louerd, muche was þe Ioye : þat bi-twene heom was þere! Mest huy bi-menden fader and moder : þat huy nusten ȝware huy were. ¶ Heore Moder sat and heorde þis : In ane chaumbre þare-bi-side: welle, louerd, þat he= heo was glad : þat heo miȝhte þane day a-bide! Sori heo was þat heo ne miȝhte out : with hire sones to speke— Ake heo was bi-loke ase a prison : ne heo ne miȝhte þat hous breke; For heo and manie oþer : in ostage weren itake. Bi-fore þe prince heo was sethþe i-brouȝt : hire fin for-to make. Þo isaiȝ heo ȝware hire louerd was— : a-doun heo feol to grounde, "I-hered beo þou, ihesu crist!" heo seide : "mine louerd ich habbe i-founde!" ¶ Þis guode kniȝht [gan]om. for ioýe to wepe : he clupte hire and custe; More Ioye þane [was heom]om. bi-twene : no man neuerer nuste. "Sire, merci," heo seide : "ne haue þou no mis-þouȝt, For god it wot, ich am clene : and i-wemmed nouȝt. For also-sone as þe luþere man : me hadde fram þe i-brouȝt, he vuelde, and deide sone : bi god þat ich habbe i-souȝt!" Þo was þis guode kniȝht gladore : bi muche þane he er was! "Dame," he seide, "of ore leoue sones : quite we beoth, alas! For a leon bar þat on a-wei : and a wolf þat oþur also; Wel ich wot þat huy to-drawe beoth : inot ȝwat we schullen do." ¶ "Sire," seide þis guode wif : "make gret Ioye with-alle, Among alle þe men þat euere weren : fairest us is bi-falle: For ase ich in a chaumbre sat : kniȝhtes ich heorde tweiȝe Tellen of us so þat ichwot : þat it weren ovre sones beiȝe. Lat of-sechen ȝwuche huy beoth : for soþe, huy beoth of þine. Beo glad and in alle Ioye : for we habbez ouer-come ore pine." ¶ Þis kniȝht for Ioye liet sende a-boute : þe messagers neren nouȝt bi-hynde; he liet seche and crien ouer-al : ȝif men miȝhten anie swuche i-finde. he fond þat is sones weren : onder him cheuentey[n]s, Þat he him-sulf made for heore prouwesse : of þe ostes souereins. Glade huy hadde er i-beo : ake so glade neuere huy nere, Þo fader and moder and þe sones : to-gadere i-come were; Þat þe fader and þe sones : þe maistrie a-wei berev. 256-7 seem spurious. And maistres weren of al þat folk : to ordeinen heom and to lere. ¶ Louerd, muche is þi miȝhte : and þat þou cuddest þere— For þat þou i-saued habbe wolt : no-þing ne schal fur-pere.— ¶ Þo þis guode kniȝht and is sones : and heore ost atþen ende Þe Maistrie hadden of alle heore fon : hamward huy guonne wiende with gret Ioye and nobleye— : of no man heom ne dradde; Alle þe hexte men of þe londe : ase prisones with heom huy ladde. Muche pris þare was of heom : ase huy wenden toward rome. Ake deolfole tiþingues huy founden þere : þo huy þudere come: For huy founden hore louerd ded : þene Aumperour traIan, And an oþer huy founden imad after him : þat hiet Adrian, Þat muche schame dude cristine men : ȝware anie weren i-nome. Gret Ioye he made with þis kniȝhtes : þo huy weren þudere i-come, For heore prouwesse, and for heore prisones : þat huy mid heom brouȝhte. hext prince of þat lond vnder him : sire Eustas makie he þouȝhte; Bote it were bi is red : no-þing don he nolde, And ȝwane he wende into anie stude : euere mid him he scholde. ¶ A dai huy comen bi heore temple : þat heore maumates inne were: Þe Aumperour liȝhte a-doun : to don þare is preiere. Sire Eustas nolde nouȝt þare-inne come : ake bi-lefde þere-with-oute. Þe Aumperour in wrathþe axede a-non : ȝware-of he hadde doute And ȝwi he ne a-liȝhte, ase riȝht were : and to is godes a-loute. "Sire," seide sire Eustas, "it is for nouȝt : þat þou art þare-a-boute; I-ne rechche a-liue ho it wite : cristine ich am, i-wis. Of swuch a prince ase þou art, gret deol is : þat so schal bi-leue a-mis." ¶ "Ov!" seide þe Aumperour : "hast þou þus i-seid? habbe ich þus i-loued þe : and þou me hast bi-treid? Ȝif þou louest þin owene stat : torne þi þouȝt, ich rede, Oþur þou schalt segge þat þou ne dudest : neuere so luþer dede." "Certes, sire, for nouȝt it is" : þis guode kniȝht a-ȝein seide, "holde ichulle þat ich habbe i-take : I-ne bi-leue it for no drede." wod-wroth was þe Aumperour : he liet him binde faste And leden hom to is paleis : and among leones him caste, Þat huy scholden for-swolewen euerech lime : of þis guode kniȝhte. huy a-lutten to him and lickeden him— : þare was godes miȝhte! ¶ þo is sones and is wif : herof heorden telle Þat þe Aumperour heore louerd nome : him for-to a-quelle, huy comen eorne with gret eyr : and axeden ȝware he were, And seiden huy wolden for godesMS. guodes loue : mid him deiȝe þere.v. 300 is to follow here. he schok is heued and criede loude : and ter him bi is here; he liet makie ane tonne of bras : for-to berne heom þare-inne. Wel wusten þis guode kniȝhtes : ȝwat huy scholden þare-with iwinne. ¶ Þo was þe luþere Aumperour : wroþere þane he was bi-fore.r. ere Sire Eustas sat a-doun a-kneo : and seide, "nouþe, louerd, þin ore! Graunte us to þe Ioye of heouene : comen aftur þis sore, And þat ore þouȝt studefast beo : and treowe euere-more.v. 303 added. Graunte us þat alle guode men : þat us habbuth in muynde And of us bi-sechez help to þe : þat huy it moten finde, Þat huy of peril beon i-brouȝt : and of alle oþure vuele al-so, Þat þou, ȝif it is þi wille : into þe Ioye of heouene heom do. we foure þat muche of ore lif : i-liued habbeth in wo, Graunte us one stude to ore martyrdom : and to ore burijngue al-so, Þat we in one stude forto domes-day : to-gadere resten mote, Þat þe sike of bodie and of soule : at us habben bote." ¶ Þo cam þare a uoyz, and seide : "Eustas, glad þou beo, Al þat þou i-bede hast : god hath i-graunted þe." Þis tormentores nomen þis guode kniȝht : and is sones and is wif, And duden heom in ane tonne of bras : to leten þare heore lijf; Gret fuyr huy þare-aboute maden : bi-neoþe and a-boue: And þare huy þoleden martyrdom : for ore louerdes loue. ¶ Þo þis fuyr hadde longue i-barnd : a-boute þe brasene tonne, And þat bras was muche i-molte : and to-gadere i-ronne, huy eoden ner, and þis holie men : wel faire liggen huy founde, So ȝwijht schininde so eni milk : þe bodies hole and sounde And þe soulene ore louerd bi-taiȝt— : for þare nas of cloþe ne of here, Ne of no stude of alle heore bodies : þat of þe fuyre i-weommede were. ¶ Cristine men a-wayteden heore point : and stelen þare-to bi niȝhte And þeos holie bodies ladden a-wey : and longue þare-to huy tiȝhte And bureden heom faire in one stude : to ȝwuche huy weren i-brouȝt— For ore louerd wolde þat it were : ase huy hadden him erore bi-souȝt. An hondred ȝer i-passede weren : and twenti also Aftur ore louerdes buyrtyme : þat huy weren to deþe ido. Þus seint Eustas mid is wif : and mid is sones cam To þe heiȝe Ioye of heouene : þoruȝ strong martyrdom. 60 [Iohan ap.] SEint Iohan þe ewangelist : þat Apostel is, was ore louerdes Aunte sone : and seint Iemes broþur, i-wis: his Moder was ore lauedie suster : Marie cleophe, I-wedded heo was to is fader : þat hiet zebede; Þis Zebede hadde tweiȝe sones : bi Marie is wif: Þes seint Iohan and eke seint Ieme : þat ladden wel holi lijf. ¶ Seint Iohan was ȝonguore þane ore louerd: twelf monþe oþur þere-a-boute; For is kun he was þe betere Man : þar-of nis no doute: And natheles he was, ich wene : þritti ȝer old neiȝh Are hee ouȝt muche of ore louerd wuste : oþer are he him muche iseiȝh. For ore louerd nas bote luyte i-knowe : ne he ne cudde him nouȝt Are he i-baptized were : and to cristine-dom i-brouȝt; And ȝeot ne cudde he him nouȝt a-brod : are seint Iohan þe baptist were I-martred for þe lawe of holie churche : þat he gan heroudes lere. ¶ Ake þo seint Iohan i-martred was : ore louerd ne sparede nouȝht Forto gon and prechi a-boute : til he was to deþe i-brouȝt. To beon is desciples furst he ches : tweiȝe breþren þo : Seint petre and seint Andreu : ase he cam bi þe se go; And þare he saiȝh tweie breþren þo : seint Ieme and þes seint Iohan, with þe olde man Zebede : heore fader, a-fischeth gon : ¶ heom he cleopede al-so to him : and huy bi-lefden a-non heore fader, and siweden him : and token þe betere won. Seint Iohan was best with him : of is desciples echon : Þat was i-sene þo he leonede : and slep opon is breoste-bon; For þe ȝwile he made is cene : ase on schere-þores-day, Seint Iohan among is desciples : to is swete breste lay. A-morewe, ase on þe guode friday : ase he deide on þe rode, his swete moder and seint Iohan : faste bi him stode : Þere in seint Iohanes warde : is swete moder he tok, To wardi ase hire owene sone : ase we findez i-write in bok. ¶ hire wardein he was aftur also : þat he to heouene i-wende, Al þe ȝwyle þat heo on eorþe was : for-to he aftur hire sende. Riȝht it was to wardi hire : ȝwane heo is Aunte was, And for þare nas non oþural. noþer of heom : þat clene mayde was;al. nas Clene mayde to wardi oþur : riȝht it was i-doal. to do— Þare-fore in is swete warde : ore louerd bi-tok hire so.— Aftur þat ore louerd was : to þe Ioye of heouene i-went, And his desciples a-witsonenday : þene holi gost hadde i-sent, ¶ huy wenden forth wel baldeliche : euerech in is side, A-boute in diuerse londes : and precheden wel wide. In-to þe londe of Asye : seint Iohan þe ewangelist wende, to wissi þulke side : and prechede of Iesu crist. To þe Cite of Efese : atþe laste he com, Þare he hadde him-sulue hous and hom : and prechede cristindom.— ¶ Þe Aumperour domician : þat luþur was i-novȝh, Alle þe cristine Men þat he fond : he tormentede oþur a-slouȝh. So þat seint Iohan was i-nome : þat longue hadde beo i-souȝht; Bi-fore þe Aumperores Iustise : ful soneal. to rome he was i-brouȝt. Þe Iustise þouȝhte anon : fram god to tuyrne is þouȝht. "Certes," quath þis holie Man : "þare-to ne bringest þou it nouȝt; For ichulle more don after god : þane aftur þe, i-wis." Welle, wrothþ was þe Iustise : þo he i-heorde þis! Ane tonne ful of Eoyle he nam : and liet it boylie faste, And al wallinde þesne holie Man : a-midde þe eolie he caste. ¶ Seint Iohan þare-inne sat : so longue so it was, he ne chaungede neuer ene his hiev : ne neuere þe worse him nas, Ake al hol with-outen eni harm : out of þis eolye he a-ros— Þe Iustise þat him þer-inne brouȝte : þar-of wel sore a-gros. Þis was in rome bi-fore a ȝat : þat þis dede was i-do, Þat men cleopeden "þe porte latin" : and ȝuyt men doth also. A-seint Iohanes day it was : in þe bi-ginningue of may. For þulke miracle men holdez ȝuyt : þoru al þe lond is day; And for þat ȝat hiet "porte latyn" : þare þe dede was i-do, Ȝuy[t] men holdethal. writ þilke day : of seint Iohanal. of porte latyn al-so.— ¶ Domician þe Aumperour : þo he i-saiȝh þis cas Þat seint Iohan nas no-þe worse : þat he in þe eolie was, wod-wroth he was and sori i-nouȝh : ake natheles he ne dorste nouȝt For cristine Men, þat he were : þoruȝ him to deþe i-brouȝht; he hiet him fleo out of þe londe : þat non more he ne come þere. I-harled he was out of rome : ase þei he strong þeof were, And i-outlawed ase a þeof : þat he in þe contreye ne come. Into þe yle of patmos : he wende out of rome, And wonede þare in penaunce : twelf monþes neiȝh. Of ore louerdes priuetez : wel muche he þare i-seiȝh, For ofte þe priuetez of heouene : ore louerd him schewede þere. Ȝware-of he made þare ane bok : al-holi churche to lere, þat men cleopeth "Apocalips" : þat men redez in churche al day; Muche is of godes priuetez : þat he þare i-saiȝ.orig. i saiȝh— ¶ Þe furste ȝer þat seint Iohan: þus i-outlawed was, Of þe Aumperour þat him drof awey : þare bi-feol a sori cas : For þe senatour him a-slovȝ : þat was þo of rome, In contek þat heom was bi-twene— : for huy conteckeden i-lome. Seint Iones pays was sone i-cried : and alle oþeres also Þat weren þoruȝ þe Aumperour : in outlawingue ido. Seint Iohan him wende a-ȝeinward þo : mildeliche i-novȝ; Toward þe cite of Efese : to is owene hous he drouȝ— For he hadde þare hous and hom : and kun and freond i-nowe. Men and wimmen of þe toun : wel þicke a-ȝein him drowe, To wel-comien him with grete Ioye : and in-to toune him brouȝte, with swiþe gret procession : ase huy ful wel ouȝten. ¶ Ase huy wenden þoruȝ þe toun : with grete Ioye þere, Men and wimmen a-ȝein heom comen : with ful dreorie chere : For drusiane, a ded womman : toward vrþe huy bere; Þare was for hire deol i-novȝ : and wel sorie alle huy were. Gret loue þare hadde er i-beo : bi-tweone hire and seint Iohan. Ase sone ase þat folk him i-saiȝ : þe gladdore alle huy were a-non; huy gonne on him to crie faste : "sire," huy seiden, "þin ore! Þis is drusiane, þi guode freond : þat was vnder þi lore. Þou wost wel heo hath þe muche i-loued : nov ne may heo nonmore, here heo is in þis bere ded : heo makez us carie sore. ¶ Heo ne wilnede non oþur þing : þe ȝwile heo sik lay, Bote þat he= heo moste þe i-seon : are hire ende-day : And nouþe it is so ase þou sixt : þat, þei þou beo here, heo ne may! Þench on þe loue þat heo þe louede : sethþe heo þe furst i-say; And ȝif þou woldest us swuch grace do : and a-ȝein to liue hire bringue, Euere we scholden herie þe : and þe kingue of alle kyngue." ¶ seint Iohan bi-gan to sichen sore : ase he in þouȝhte were; he bad heom ane stounde a-bide : and setten a-doun þe bere. he sat a-doun wel softe a-kneo : and criede to ore louerd þere, Þis woman þat him so muche louede : ȝif it were is wille, a-rere. Þo he hadde i-seid is oresun : anon-riȝht in þe place Þis womman a-ros up hol and sound : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace, And herede faste ihesu crist : and þene holie man sein Iohan— Þare was prece of alle þe men : þat þudere miȝhten gon. Seint Iohan bad hire go hom a-non : and greyþi som-þing to mete Athom in hire owene hous : þat he miȝhte with hire ete. ¶ Þeos drusiane wente forth : and ȝa[r]kede mete i-novȝ, And made seint Iohan fair semblaunt : and elles it were wouȝ.— [fol. not numbered]In þe cite of Efese : seint Iohan bi-lefde longue, And prechede þat folk to gode tuyrne : and cristindom a-fongue, And ordeinede preostes : and churchene liet a-rere, Bischopes he made beste Men : þat folk for-to lere. Þis guode Men þat vnder him weren : bischopes and oþere also, Fondeden boþe niȝht and day : aftur is wissingue do. huy crieden on him with al hore miȝhte : alle of oneal. þe cite : For he wuste so muche and vnder-ȝat : of ore louerdes priuete Þe ȝwile he with him on eorþe was : and next him euere also, Þat he scholde of is holie lijf : in sum guode bok do, And of is kuynde ȝwat he was : and þat folk don to lore,al. aboute lere Þat huy miȝhten þe betere iwite : ȝwat ore swete louerd wore. ¶ Seint Iohan bi-souȝte þat folk ȝeorne : for him þat huy bede In fastingue and in orisones : to don a swuch holi dede; And wende into a derne stude : and bad ore louerd faste Þat he scholde þene holie gost : into is heorte caste, Þe holie Godspel of him to make : al-holie churche to lere, Ȝware-þoruȝ euerech cristine man : þe betere bi-lieued were. he bad al-so þat þare ne scholde : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace wind. ne reyn. ne oþur weder : come neiȝhim in þat place To letten him of is holie dede : þe ȝwyle he þare-a-boute were. Ore louerd heorde is bone wel : þat no weder ne lette him þere, Ne cam no wynd ȝeot to þis day : ase þe holie Man it bad, Ne oþur tempeste in þulke stude : as þe bok was i-mad,al. a v. more: Holi is þe bok when so holi is þe stede Neal. þat þer ne miȝhte neuereft come tempeste : ase þe holie man it bad.hadde ibede A-non so seint Ion bi-gan : to don þis holie dede, I-tend he was of þe holie gost : þat ech del þat he seide he sek of ore louerdes breoste : ase he þar-to lay Þe ȝwile he made is swete cene : a-schere-þoresday; Þare he sek out þat holie wit : of þe holie godspelle Þat he made sethþe in Efese : a-mong cristine Men to telle. he was þe feorþe Ewangelist : and herre nas þare non; And is godspel he made last : of heom euerechon. Seint Matheu and seint Mark : and eke seint luc, i-wis, heore god-spelles huy hadden longue i-maud : are he bi-guonne his. Ake seint Iohan bi-gan his hext : for þare-on he bi-gan Of ore louerd al ȝwat he was : are þat he were Man; he bi-gan so heiȝe is godspelMS. godspell : of ore louerdes kuynde, i-wis, Þat vnneþe ani Man eorþelich : entendeth ȝwat it is. For he souȝhte so deope is kuynde : and of him bi-gan so heiȝe, In þe fourme of Ane Ern he is de-peint : ase we ofte i-seoth with eiȝe. For þe Ern is swiftestr. sucth (= seoth) best of alle foules : and hext he may fleo: For ȝwane he is in þe lofte an heiȝh : þat herre ne may non beo, Ȝuyt he may here in þe grounde : ane luttle worm i-seo;al. a v. more : & ate se-gronde a smal fisch : to chese wider to teo. Also he may so heiȝe fleo : and þe firmament so neiȝh, Þat almest is wyngene brenneth : ȝwane he is so heiȝh. ¶ Seal. Seint (Se) Iohan þat isal. is in þe fourme of Ern : is godspelles wel heiȝe bi-gan, Þare-inne he tolde al isal. our louerdes lif : þe ȝwile he was on eorþ man. his godspel is swiþe heiȝ i-holde : ase wel riȝht it is, For muche del of holi churche : þer-þoruȝh i-loked is. Seint Iohan cudde þis godspel sone : and prechede it faste al-so; Ȝeot þare weren luþere men : þat onde hadden þare-to.— ¶ On atyme manie luþere Men : to-gadere heom hadden i-nome And to seint Iohan þe ewangelist : in grete wrathþe come And heten him wende forth with heom : to heore maumates a non And a-nouri as forth with heom : oþur it scholde an-oþur gon. "Beu freres," quath þis holie Man : "ichulle segge eou a sothþ— Ich habbe reuþe of eov in mine heorte : þat ȝe nutez ȝwat ȝe dothþ. Ichulle don eou chois of tweiy þingues : and þarof cheose ȝe: To gonal. þat ich go with eou to eower temple : oþur ȝe to churche with me; ¶ Ȝwane Ȝe to godes churche comieth : ȝif ȝe þoruȝ eower godes lawe Mouwen make þe churche to falle : bi-lieue ichulle on heom fawe; And ȝif ich may bial. so eower temple : bi-fore eower owene siȝhte, Bi-leueth on Ihesu crist, ich rede : ȝwane ȝe i-seothþ is miȝhte." "We grauntiez wel," þis oþure seiden : "þou schalt furst bi-guynne To cuyþe þine louerdes miȝhte : þe maistrie forto wynne." To þe false temple huy wenden furst : and þo huy weren þare-neiȝh alle, Seint Iohan bad heom stonde fer : þat huy ne weren of-falle. ¶ Þo huy weren alle with-drawen a-feor : seint Iohan a-feor stod; "I-seo ȝe," he seide, "þis temple alle : þat ȝe holdeth so guod? Ich hote hire in mine louerdes name : þat heo falle a-non, Þat ȝe mowen þe soþe i-seon : bi-fore eou here ech-on." Ne hadde he bote þat word i-seid : þat heo ne ful up þe doun, Fram ende to oþur, al þis temple : with swiþe grislich soun. ¶ Þo al þat folk þat þare stod : þis miracle i-seiȝh, huy gonne to crien on Ihesu crist : and on seint Iohan an heiȝh; Twelf þousend Men þare torneden : echone to cristindom, with-oute children and wimmen : þat turneden also mani on.— ¶ ARistodimus, þe Bischop : and Maister of þe lawe, Ȝuyt ne miȝhte nouȝht seint Iohan : to ore louerd is herte drawe: For þo he isaiȝh þis faire miracle : þat þe temple ful so þere, Ȝeot nolde he it nouȝht i-leue : þat ani miracle it were; he nolde i-lieue in none manere : þat ore louerd were of miȝhte. Seint Iohan stod and þouȝhte longue : hou he him miȝhte bringue best to riȝhte, ¶ And seide, "seiȝe þou me ȝwat i schal do : þat þou bi-fore þe i-seo; And bote ȝif ich it do, ne lief þou nouȝht : þat mi louerd al-miȝhti beo." "Par fey," quath þis luþere Man : "nov ichulle herkni þe; Do nouþe þat ichulle þe segge : and þou schalt winne me. Venim ich habbe, strong i-novȝh : þat ho-so þarof nimeth ouȝt, Ne come þere with-inne him neuere so luyte : to deþe he worthþ i-brouȝt; This verse is doubled in the MS.Drink þare-of bi-foreMS. b : atfore mine eyeneEyȝen : and ȝif it ne greuethgreuez þe nouȝht, To Ihesu crist, þat is þi god : ichulle take al mi þouȝht." "Þou seist wel i-nouȝ," quath seint Iohan : "bring nouþe hidere to me Þat strongue venym, and ichulle : hit drinke bi-fore þe." ¶ Þe false Bischop him bi-þouȝthe : for-to a-gasten him þe sarrore þere, And also to seon þe soþe : þat his god of pouwer were: Twey men þare weren, to deþe i-dempt : for heore luþere dede, Þe false bischop dude hem boþe : bi-fore seint Iohan lede And made heom drinke of þat venym : riȝth bi-fore is eyȝe. A-non so it ouȝt with-inne hem cam : boþe huy gonne deyȝe. ¶ Seint Iohan sethþe þe coppe tok : þo he isaiȝh al þis cas, And dronk þare-of ane grete drauȝt : and neuere þe worse him nas, Ake euere þe lengore þare-aftur-ward : þe more Ioye he made and blis Þat folk stod al in gret wonder : þo huy i-seiȝen al þis. ¶ huy stoden and bi-heolden sein Iohan longue : þre tidene and more, And euere þe leng þe gladdore : huy seiȝen him for al his sore: To Ie[s]u crist huy gonne tuyrne : and criden merci a-non; So þat huy to cristine-dom : þare turnde, wel many on. ¶ Ake Aristod[i]mus þe Bischop : was euere in luþere þouȝte, And ne bi-liefde nouȝht in Iesu crist : for al þat he þare wrouȝte. "Ȝwat fayllez þe ȝuyt?" quath seint Iohan : "me þunchez it is with wouȝh Þat þou ne leuest ore louerdes miȝhte— : ne sixt þou nouȝt ȝuyt i-novȝ?"This v. on the margin. "Bote þou most ȝuyt," quath þe Bischop : "þe dede to liue a-rere Þat to deþe with þis venym : a-poysoned nou riȝht were." "Þou seist nouþe ful wel," quath seint Iohan : "ake þat þou þe soþe i-seo, I-nelle nouȝt mi-sulf ney hemMS. him come : ake ope þe it schal al beo. Nim mine cuyrtel here to þe : and leiȝe ope hem a-non,MS. anom And in þe name of Iesu crist : hot heom a-rise a[nd]MS. a gon." ¶ Þe bischop nam seint Iohanes Cuyrtel : bi-fore riȝht þe Iustise, And leide ope þe dede and het heom þo : in ore louerdes name a-rise. A-non so he hadde þis word i-seid : þis men a-risen a-non And ȝeoden forth hole and sounde : and þonkeden seint Iohan. ¶ Þe bischop, þo he þis i-seiȝh : and þe Iustise al-so, Criden merci Iesu crist : of þat huy hadden misdo, And torneden þare to cristinedom : and oþur folk also i-nouȝh, For þe faire miracle þat huy seyen : and elles it were wouȝh.— ¶ Þe Miracle þat seint Iohan dude : no toungue telle ne mayȝ; Þare-fore folk him siwede faste : þat is miracle i-sayȝ. Tweye Ioliue louerdingues and wilde : þat ȝoungue and Ioliueal. stronge were, Siweden him and duden al-so : ase he gan heom lere: ¶ Furst huy solden al heore god : þat heom ne bi-lefde nouȝth, And turnden hem al to Iesu crist : heore heorte and al heore þouȝht, And siwedenMS. siwenden sein Iohan swiþe faste : þat þare-to heom hadde i-brouȝht; And he heom prechede of Iesu crist : þat deore heom hadde i-bouȝht. ¶ Þis tweiȝe ȝongue men ase huy ȝeoden : swyþe riche men and heiȝe with grete nobleye and pruyde i-nouȝ : bi þe weye huy seiȝe; Þouȝten huy, "swuch nobleye : we weren i-woned to lede In Iolifte and in pruyte i-nouȝ : and nouþe we beoth in wrech-hede, In Miseyse and in pouerte : and riche weren bi-fore! vs þinkez, sorie mouwe we beonMS. bieon : þat we euere weren ibore." Seint Iohan wuste al heore heorte : þei he ne heorde þare-of nouȝht: "Ȝe foles," he seide, "ȝwat is eou nouþe? : ȝwi chaunge ȝe eouwer þouȝht? Bowes and ȝeordene fechchiez me : and stones al-so!" Þis ȝongue Men weren þare-a-boute a-non : þat þe dede were i-do. ¶ Seint Iohan tornede þis ȝeordene sone : in-to puyr gold and cler, And þe stones to ȝimmes preciouse : þoruȝh ore louerdes pouwer, And þis twei wilde Bachilers : he ȝaf it euer-ech del; "Here-with," he seide, "ȝe mouwen : habbe wel manie guode Mel, And also muche lond eou bugge a-ȝein : and more þane ȝe solden bi-fore; For ȝe habbuth, bote ȝe betere do : þe Ioye of heouene fur-lore." ¶ Þis ȝongue Men nomen þis tresour : and wel glade þar-of were, And to manie goldsmiþes : wel wide-a-bouten it bere. Þis goldsmiþes sworen euer-ech-on : þat þis gold i-seiȝen, Þat so clene gold ne so puyr : huy ne seiȝen neuere with eiȝen. ¶ Hou miȝte fairore miracle beo : oþur fairore poer, Þatal. þen bowes and ȝeordene tornedeal. torne þare : in so puyr gold and cler?— ¶ Al-soal. As seint Iohan þe Ewangelist : ferrore wende þere, And þe twey men forth with him : þat so riche of golde were,This v. on the margin. A ded man toward burijngue : Men brouȝhten ope one bere. Þe Moder criede opon sein Iohan : þat he him scholde arere, "Louerd," heo seide, "ich bidde þe : þat þou habbe reuþe of me And of mi sone þat is ded : ibrouȝt here a-ȝein þe; haue reuþe of him, ich bidde þe : for Iesues woundes fiue, Ase þou haddest of Drusiane : þo þou a-rerdest hire to liue!" ¶ Þo gan seint Iohan to weope sore : and bad a-stunte þe bere, And bad ore louerd for is grace : þat dede bodi a-rere. Þis ȝongue man a-non with þis word : to liue a-ros þere. Þo was Ioye and blisse i-nouȝh : a-mong alle þat þare were! ¶ "Ich hote þe nouþe," quath seint Iohan : "þat ded hast i-beo ȝare, Þat þou telle þis men sum-þing : of þat þou seiȝe elles-ȝware, And nameliche here to þis twei men : þat nouþe beoth for-lore, Þat beoth itornede to þe deuele a-ȝein : to ȝwam huy serueden bi-fore." ¶ Þis ȝongue Man þat was to liue a-rerd : bi-heold þeos oþure tweiȝe; "Allas," he seide, "þe wrechhede : þat ich i-seoal. isei bi eou beiȝe! Þulke time þat ȝe for-soken : þis holie Mannes lore, Aungles þat eou wusten er : weopen for eou ful sore, And ȝuyt huy doth ase ich nou riȝht i-seiȝh : and þe deuelene in heore ende ¶ Mauden for eou Ioye i-nouȝh : to ȝwam ȝe gonne wiende. Allas, wrechches, þe muchele pine : þat to eou is al-ȝare, Þat in helle ich saiȝh to eouwer bi-hoffþe : to ȝwan ȝe schullen fare!" Þo þis twei Men i-heorden þis : huy bi-gonne to crie a-non, Deol and seoruwe huy mauden i-nouȝh : and gradden opon seint Iohan. "Allas, ȝe folesȝe f. overlined.," quath seint Iohan : "ȝe nuteth ȝware ȝe wollez beo. Ȝif god wolle habbe merci of eou : ȝe mouwen sone i-seo. To ech sunful man he is redi : þat to him wole i-wiende; Þare-fore criez ȝeorne on him : for-to he eou milce siende: And þe soþe ȝe mouwen sone under-ȝite : ȝwane he hath eou milce i-sent, Ȝwane þis gold and þeos ȝimmes : to heore kuynde beoth a-ȝen i|went." ¶ Huy crieden ȝeorne on ore louerd þo : and in penaunce huy were, In fastingue and in oresones : þritti dawes þere. Þo tur[n]de þat gold bi-fore heore eiȝene : into bowes of treo, And þe ȝymmes into harde stones : ase huy hadden er i-beo. ¶ Þo þis ȝongue men þis i-seiȝen : glade huy weren i-nouȝh! Þudere a-ȝein ase huy fetten heom er : huy beren euer-ech bouȝh, And for-soken al þe worldes pruyte : and duden ase þe wise, And endeden heore lif atþe laste : in ore louerdes seruise.— Perdrix.¶ In a time ase þis holie man : wende in þe contreye, A ȝong partrich he bar on his hond : and þare-with he gan pleye. A wylde louerdyng þare cam gon : a-ȝein him bi þe weye, I-wepned swiþe baldeliche : he nadde of no man Eyȝe. A-bysemare he bi-heold seint Iohan : þo he him saiȝh bere on honde Þis ȝongue foul and þare-with pleye— : þare-to he hadde onde. "Loke," he seide, "þis olde conIoun : in his olde liue, Þat men holdez swuch prophete : alle oþur men to schriue! wel bi-trufleth he þat folk. : here men miȝhten i-seo hou he pleiȝez with þis ȝongue brid : he ne miȝhte nouȝt wys beo." ¶ "Leoue broþur," quath seint Iohan : "ich bidde tel þou me Ȝwat is þat þou berest on honde : and ȝware-offe it seruez þe." "Ane bouwe ich bere," quath þis oþur : "and Arewen also þer-to, To scheoten wilde bestes with : and wilde foules also." ¶ "Biend þine bouwe," quath seint Ioan : "to loke ȝwat he can do!" Þis ȝongue Man nam and bende is bouwe : and bar it longue so. Þare-aftur sone he nam is bouwe : and unbende it ase he couþe. "Ȝwy dost þou so?" quath sein Iohan : "ȝwat schal he vnbend nouþe?" "For he wole," quath þis oþur : "þe smartore dryue eft-sone And þe betere dunt ȝyue to euerech þing : þat ich habbe with to done; ¶ For, ȝif ich hire bere longue i-bend : þe feblore heo wolleal. wolde beo And euerech drauȝht þe worse driue— : þat may ech manMS. man may i-wite and seo." "Leoue broþur," quath seint Iohan : "al-so it farez, i-wis, Bi mannes heorte here on eorþe : þat feble and leoþi is. Ȝif he is toward IesuMS. Iusu crist : i-bend faste euere-mo, Febli he schal and beo a-sadal. al sad : and is strencþe alsoal. al a-go; And ȝif he is oþur-ȝwile onbend : and itorned to solaz, he wole bieon eft-sone, ȝwane he is i-bend : stifore þane he er was, And in godes seruise þe bet driue & duyre : and þare-to beon stif and strong. Þare-fore mot ech holi man : solaci him a-mong And tuyrne is herte to some truyfle : ȝwane he may ani i-se, Þat he mouwe to godes seruise : þe stifore and þe strengore be.This v. on the margin. Þe Ern is foul of alle foules : þat heyȝest may fleo, And ȝuyt he mot nede, to resten him : a-ȝein to grounde teo; hou miȝhte he euere fleon on heiȝh : bote he reste him atþe grounde? Nammore ne may mannes bodi : bote he reste him sum stounde. Þare-fore, bel amy, þou miȝht : herebi þat soþeMS. þe soþe herebi þat soþe. ise, Þat for solaz man may þe betere : in godes seruise be."— ¶ Seint Iohan wende a-boute wide : and churche he liet a-rere, And maude preostes and bischopes : þat folk for-to lere. Ake Aristod[i]mus þe bischop : þat he tornede er to cristindom, In þe Cite of Ephese : swiþe holi man bi-cam, And ane churche of seint Iohan : in Ephese he arerde bliue— And seint Iohan sethþe in þulke churche : wende out of þis liue.— ¶ A day ase þis holie man : his seruise hadde i-do, A ȝoung man he say þare-bi-side : staleworþe and fair al-so; Ake a liȝht red he was, and of þunne wit. : seint Iohan bi-heold him faste, And opon a bischop þare-bi-side : his eiȝene a-non he caste: "Ich bi-take þe," he seide, "in warde to wite : þis man here lo, Þat þou him loke and norichi wel : þat he nouȝt ne mis-do; So þat þou me ansuerie of is warde : ȝwane þou me comest eft to; witnesse ich take on ihesu crist : and on holie churche al-so." ¶ "Sire, wel fawe," þe bischop seide : þis ȝongueman he tok wel softe. Seint Iohan him chargede of is warde : and muneguede him wel ofte Þat he him wuste swiþe wel : ase he answerie wolde; And bi-teiȝhte heom boþe Ihesu crist : and wende ȝwodere he scholde. Þis bischop nam þis Ioliue man : and ladde hom to is inne, And norichcede him softe and wel : seint Iones loue to winne, And prechede him ȝeorne of Ihesu crist : to bi-nimen him his folie; So þat þis ȝoungue man to guode turnde : and merci gan to crie, And faire bar him and louede wel : god and seinte marie, And dude al þat þe bischop wolde : and guodal. hard lif gan driȝe. ¶ Atþe laste þis bischop : sumdel is heorte gan wiende— Ase ofte verlich bi-guynninge : flechchez atþen ende; he soffrede þis ȝonge man to pleye : ant to muche habbe is wille, And luyte and luyte don folie : and liet him al a-spille. Formest he gan haunti wakes : and for compaygnie he wax a syutor of tauernes : and siwede to glotonie; Þo ne miȝhte he nouȝht beon with-oute : and turnde to lecherie And bi-cam an holer strong : and tornede al-to folie. ¶ So longue, to holden up his folie : smale þingues he nam, Aftur þe smale he tok þe grete : and strong þef he bi-cam; So þat he hadde gret de-deyn : smale þefþes to do, For bote it were þe grettore þing : he ne tornede nouȝht þer-to. Atþe laste to þeal. a compaygnie of Outlawes : sone he gan gon; Vnder non oþur he nolde beon : ake hext maister a-non; Oþure þat erore maistres weren : bi-comen is men ech-on. he robbede ouer-al to grounde : and slowȝhorig. slowen al-so mani on, More soruwe ne miȝhte beo : þane he dude in eche ende. For of[te]MS. of vuel chastingue : to folie wolieal. wole wiende. ¶ So þat seint Iohan in a time : to þat Bischop cam, Aftur ȝwam he bi-tok him er in warde : guode ȝeme a-boute he nam. "Sire bischop," he seide, "ȝeld me up : þat guode tresor, ich rede, Þat in warde ich þe bi-tok : and a-countes of is dede!" ¶ Þo was þe bischop sore a-drad : "sire, merci," he seide, "I-ne may him þe ȝelde nouȝht : for he is ded, ich dred[e]." "Alas," quath sein Iohan, "ȝweþur he beo? : in ȝwat manere is þis?" "Certes, sire," þe bischop seide, "a-ȝein god ded he is, his soule is ded, þei is bodi : ȝuyt a-liue beo; For he is outlawe strong bicome : ase al þe contreye may seo. Opon an heiȝh hul he wonez : with outlawes mani on, And lat a-quelle and robi also : alle þat he may of-gon." ¶ Þo bi-gan þis holi man : to sike and weope sore, For deol is cloþus he to-drouȝ : "louerd," he seide, "þin ore, Ane feble tresorer ich me ches : and þoruȝh is feble lore Mi deorewuyrþe tresur ich habbe [i-lore]! : ine truste to him non|more. Alas, sire bischop, þi feble warde! : ine þonki þe nouȝht þarc-fore. Ȝwane it non oþur nis, ich mot seche : þat þou me hast i-lore. ¶ Lat greyþi me an hors a-non : and ane man in ane stounde, Þat heal. om. me mouwe þane wey teche : forto ich him habbe i-founde." Þis holie man, þat feble was : and ouer-come neiȝh with elde, Opon a strong hors he Arnde forth : ouer mor and ouer felde. So þat, þare þe outlawes weren : he cam atþe laste; And some of þe schrewes weren al-ȝare : and nomen him wel faste, To robbi him and to sle : and heten him holde him stille. "Ov, beau freres," quath seint Ioan : "ich mot nede don ouwer wille; ¶ Ake ich bidde eou for eouwer cortesie : eouwer mayster latez [me] seo, And latez him-sulf with me do : ȝwat is wille beo." Wel i-Armed þe maister cam : prikie and ride faste; And a-no[n] so he on þis holie man : his eiȝene a-feor caste, And wuste wel þat he it was : him gan to schamie, so sore Þat he bi-gan to fleo a-non : and ne kepte i-seo him non-more. ¶ A-non so sein Ioan þis i-seiȝh : he Arnde aftur a-non And siwede him al-so stiflicheal. [h]asteliche, r. hastifliche : ase his hors miȝhte gon; he Arnde ase þei he a ȝung man were. : "mi sone," he seide, "þi ore, Ȝwy fleustþou me? nam ich þi fader? : ne dred þe nouȝt so sore! Spek here with þi feble fader : vn-Armed and in elde! Abid me nouþe, and ichulle for þe : ore louerd resun ȝelde. Ich am ȝare þene deth a-fongue : for þine strongue pine.A v. om.: As our louerd dude for us : & mi soule ȝiue for þine. Spek with me, bote þou more wolle : ich hote a-godes name!" Þe oþur a-stunte and vnneþeal. om. a-bod : he ne miȝhte no[n] oþural. vnneþe he miȝte for schame; ¶ He a-liȝhte and vn-armede him : and weopinde ful sore he ful to seint Iones fet : and cride him milce and ore, And bi-hiet him stifliche a-godes name : þat he nold [misdo] namore, Ake louien god and holi churche : and libbe al bi is lore. So þat he was euereft more : guod man and stable i-nouȝ, And bi seint Iones rede ladde is lif : and to alle guodnesse he drouȝ.— ¶ Seint [Iohan] leouede here so longue : and so mani his dawes were, Þat he ne miȝhte nouȝht ouer þe eorþe go : bote ase is desciples him bere; huy beren him, for feblesse and for elde : to churche withal. mid alle teone, And euere-more he prechede hem : þat loue heom were bi-tweone. Þo he was of an hondred ȝer : bote o ȝer wane vnneþe, And seuene and sixti ȝer it was : aftur ore louerdes deþe, ¶ Ore louerd with is desciples cam to him : fram heouene up an heiȝh, "Cum forth," he seide, "mi frend, to me : þi time is comen neiȝh; hit is neiȝh time þat þou come : to mine riche feste with þine breþren in mine riche : for ital. þat (for om.) schal euere i-leste. For þou schalt nouþe a-sonenday : þat þene fifte day heonne is, Þe day of mine oprisingue : to me comen, i-wis." ¶ Þis holie man hiet his desciples : þat huy him to churche bere— Þat of him and in his name : Aristod[i]musMS. Aristodinus liet a-rere. Þat folk cam sone þicke þudere : with deol and sor i-nouȝh, For hit was couth swiþe sone : þat he toward is ende drouȝh. ¶ Þene sonen-nyȝht wel tyme : his seruise he gan to do, And sethþe he gan þat folk to wisse : and to prechi al-so; Atþe furste cocke þat creuȝ : he gan to prechie faste, And for-to heiȝh vnderne of þe daye : his prechingue i-laste. Þo hiet he is desciples þat huy ane put : four-huyrned him made, Faste bi-side þe heiȝe weuede : with schouelene and with spade, And þat huy casten out at þe churche-dore : þe eorþe, ȝeorne he bad. With weop and with soruwe i-nouȝh : þe put was þare i-mad. ¶ Þo þe put was al-ȝare i-maud : In alle heore eyȝene siȝhte Þis holie man wel softeliche : þudere in gan a-liȝhte; his hondene he huld up on heiȝh : "swete louerd," he seide, "Ich am cominde to þine feste : ase þou me erore bede. ¶ Louerd, muche ich þonki þe : þat it þi wille is To þine gistningue cleopie [me] : for muche ich it wilni, i-wis. Þine sones ich bi-take [þe] to loke : ȝwane i-ne may no lengore heom wite, Þat holie churche, þine clene spouse : þoruȝ me þe hath bi-ȝite. Vnder-fong me with mine breþren : þat þou brouȝhtest with þe Þo þou me bede to þine holie feste : and come aftur me." ¶ Þo cam þare a-boute þis holie man : so muche liȝht a-liȝthe, Þat no man ne miȝhte for cler leome : habbe of him no siȝhte. Þis holie man him blessede : and wel softe a-doun he lay; "Mine breþren," he seide, "i-blessede ȝe beon : and habbez nouþe guod day!" ¶ Þis guode man wende out of þis world : al-clene with-oute ech pine, Ase he was clene in mayden-hod— : he cam to a swete fine. Þat clere liȝht þat a-boute him was : laste almest ane tyde; Þat folk ne seiȝen nouȝt of him— : faste huy weopen and cride. Þo þis liȝth a-passed was : huy [lokede] in þe put to grounde: Þare-inne of þis holie Man : no-þing huy ne seiȝen ne founde; Þare nas inne nouȝht bote smale greynes : þat heo miȝhten vnder-ȝite— Þat is holi þing and is i-cleoped : Manna in holi write, Þat ore louerd woleal. wule, while in fourme of reyn : fram heouene to vrþe sende Þe children of Israhel to heore mete : þo huy ofMS. to Egypte wenden. ¶ Þis Manna, þat holie greyn : ȝuyt to þis day dez springue Op of þat put, þat manie men : bringuez to botningue. Non oþur þing of seint Iohan : men ne miȝhten on eorþe finde; Al-clene, ich wene, in heouene he is : þare nis no leome bi-hinde. Of euerech haluwe men founden for-soþe : þat bodi bi-leue here, Bote of ore lauedy and of him : þat maydenes weren so clere. Fayr a þing is Maiden-hod : ase it is on heom i-sene! In þis Manere seint Iohan wende : of þis eorthþelich lif, ich wene.— ¶ Seint Edward þat was nouþe late : In enguelonde ore king, Þis holie seint Iohan þe Ewangelist : he louede þoruȝh alle þing; Men ne scholde him no-þing bidde : for þe loue of seint Iohan Þat he miȝhte do with-oute blame : þat he ne grauntede a-non. A day þare cam a pouere man : with ful dreori mod And bad him for seint Iohanes loue : þat he ȝeue him sum guod. ¶ Seint Edward him bi-þouȝhte : þo, he ne hadde þare no-þing For-to ȝyue þis pouere Man : bote ane guyldene ring. Þane ryng he louede wel i-nouȝ : and for þe loue of seint Iohan Ȝuy[t] he hine ȝaf þe pouere manne. : and he wende him forth a-non. ¶ Þare-aftur sethþe seint Iohan cam : to a knyȝht of Enguelonde, Ase he was bi-ȝeonde se : Auntres for-to fonde; "Wiend," he seide, "ȝwane þou hom comest : to Edward, eower king, And seiȝe þat he for ȝwas loue : he ȝaf þeosne ryng Sende him here his ryng a-ȝeyn : and þonki him also." Þo þis knyȝht cam to enguelonde : his erinde he gan do. ¶ Seint Edward i-kneuȝh wel þane ring : and þare-bi onder-stod anon Þat þe pouere man þat he him ȝaf : was þe guode seint Iohan.Harl. adds: Nouþe seint Iohan þe Ewangelist : ȝyf it þi wille is, Beode ore Erinde, þat we moten : come to heouene blis. AMEN. Þulke ring is ȝut at westmynstre : for relik ido, As me scheweþ pelegrims : þat ofte comeþ þerto. 61 [Alle halewene day] Alle halewene-day we holdez : one time in þe ȝere; For manie enchesones holie churche : þare-to us gan lere. On is, for þe grete noumbre : þat of alle halewe is, Þat euerech ne mai nouȝt at is feste : ane day habbe, i-wis. An oþur is, þat we beoth feble : þat we ne mouwen nouȝht alle Þe festene bi heom-sulf holde : ase huy in þe ȝere doth falle. Þe þridde anchesonal. om. is, for þe ȝer is schort : ase ech ne may nouȝth allone Þeal. Ane feste habbe in þe ȝere : þare huy habbez i-mone. Þe feorþe enchesun is, i-wis : for guod riȝht it is with-alle Þat we of heom maken feste : ȝwane þe time doth falle, For gret feste huy makiez in heouene : and in grete Ioye beoth Ȝwan huy any a-mendement : of us on vrþe i-seoth; For þe guod-spel seith of swich gret Ioye : þat a-mong heom in heouene is Ȝwane ani of us a-mendi wole : of þat we doth a-mis.vv. 13-14 al. om. ¶ þe fifte enchesun is, for þare was : a forbuysne þar-of bi-gonne Longue are þe strencþe of cristinedom : on vrþe were i-wonne: For þe heyȝe maystres of saresins : þat on vrþe weren þo herMS. here Maden ech maumat bi heom-sulf : at rome on Auter; Ac natheles of eche ne miȝhte he nouȝt : for here godes so fale were, And huy nolden nouȝth þat ani god were : with-oute honour þere: Þare-fore huy maden on Auter : commuyn to ech-one, For-to honouri alle heore godes þare : ase it were al i-mone. And sethþe þo cristinedom cam : and swyþe wide spradde, At rome and eke elles-ȝware : clanliche þe maystrie hadde, ¶ Bonefas, þe guode pope : to þe false Auteres cam And of þe Autere of alle godes : grete ȝeme he nam: In forebuysne þar-of : ane churche he liet a-rere Of ore lauedi and of alle haluwene : in þulke place þere— Ake six hundret ȝer and fiue : ore louerd [þer-]bi-fore of marie, is suete moder : on vrþe was i-bore. ¶ Þe churche þat of ore lauedi was : and of alle halewene þo bi-founde, Stant ȝeot at rome, and is i-cleped : "Marie la rounde." Þe pope al-so Bonefaz : ane day in þe ȝere In þe honour of alle halewene : he liet halewi þere, And hiet al-so þoruȝh al cristinedom : halewi þilke day; Ake þulke tyme he was i-holde : þe endlefte dai of may. Ake þe pope Gregori : þat þare-aftur longue cam, I-sayȝ þat þe day to halewi was : ope al cristindom And þat riȝht was þat ech man : þe hexte and leste, In þe honour of alle haluwene : made þane day feste; And inal. om. a skars tyme of þe ȝere : ase we wyten, it was in May So gret feste forto holde : ase ful to þadr. þat day: Þare-fore he liet þane day tuyrne : ase we him holdez ȝuyte, In þe furste dai of nouembre : ȝwane ech guod nis nouhȝt so luyte; ¶ "Me þinchez, ȝuyt," quath þe guode man : "þe feste feble were bote Men hadden ȝware-with : þe wombe Ioye a-rere."— ¶ Þe furste ȝer þare-aftur-ward : þat men þane day þus nome, Of a fair cas ich may telle : þat bi-feol in þe churche of rome. Þe wardein of seint peteres church : þat ȝuyt in rome is, Þe feste honourede swyþe muche : of alle halewene, i-wis: on alle halewene-day in churche : to ech auter he gan gon And honourede ech aftur oþur : he ne liet nouȝht on. To þe heiȝe auter of seint petre : ate laste he wende, And þare he lay a-doun an slep : ase god him grace sende. him þouȝte, þare cam an Aungel : and ladde him to heouene on heiȝh. In a chayere with gret Ioye : ore louerd, him þouȝhte, he seiȝh with grete heiȝhnesse sitte : and Aungles him al-a-boute. ¶ Þo cam þare a fair leuedi : with Maydenes a gret route— Þat was ore lauedi with virgines— : and ore louerd faire heo grette; Ore louerd a-ȝein hire a-ros : and bi him fayre hire sette. Þo cam þare a Man in o sclaueyn : ase hit of a Camayle were, And olde hore Men aftur him : and honoureden god þere— Þat was seint Iohan þe baptist : and þe profetes olde And also þe patriarkes : þat of ore louerd ȝwylene tolde. ¶ Þo comen þare twelue in one route : ase bischopes it weren ech-one, Þe furste ase he pope wereMS. huy popes weren : bi-fore he ȝeode al one— Þat was seint petre : and his felawes endleuene; Alle huy honourede ore louerd : þare he sat in heouene. ¶ Þo comen þare ase hit knyȝhtes weren : redie for-to fiȝhte, Al-blodie, for-to defendi ore louerd : and holie churche riȝhte— Þat weren Marty[r]s þat for god : and holie churche al-so Ȝeuen heore lif ase godes knyȝhtes : and to deþe weren ido. ¶ Þo cam þare a gret compaygnie : preostes ase þei it were— Þat weren þe confessours : þat hadden holie churche to lere, Ase bischopes and Abbodes : and oþur guode men al-so. Ore louerd huy honoureden alle : ase heore riȝhte was to do; Of feste þat Men on vrþe maden : huy þonkeden him and bade For alle þat a-riȝht heore day heolden : and feste of heom made. ¶ Þo gonneMS. goune huy singue heore Matines : swyþ[e] murie with-alle, For alle þat honouriez heore day here : ase heo in þe ȝere doth falle.— wel ouȝhte we þane day honouren : ȝwane huy þat ilke day Swuch Ioye for us in heouene maden : ase þe guode Man i-say. Nou bidde alle halewene : þat we heore feste holden so Þat huy us bringuen to þe heyȝe Ioye : þare huy buth inne i-do. 62 [Alle soulene day] Alle soulene-day on vrþe : riȝht is to holde heiȝe: For alle we schullen habben neode þar-to : for alle we schullen deiȝe. A fair siȝht þare-of al-so : þe Aungel þo gan bringue Þene Manne of Rome ase he ladde him : ase he lay in metingue. him þouȝte, he saiȝh manie men : liggen in beddes of golde, And manie sitte at heyȝe borde : and habbe al þat huy wolde; And manie gon nakede : and bidde þat sum man heom scholde bi|weue, And manie of-hongrede, and beden also : þat men sum guod heom eue. ¶ Þe Aungel him seide ȝwat it was : al þat he saiȝh þere, And þat it was purgatorie : and þe Men soulene were; Þulke þat weren at so noble bord : and in þe riche beddes also, Þat weren men for ȝwam þare was : muche guod on vrþe ido, Þat bi-lefden freond bi-hynde heom : þat Massene leten singue And duden guod for godes loue : heore soulene out of pine to bringue. Þulke þat weren a-cale and of-hongred : þat no guod ne miȝhten finde, Þat weren þulke þat nadden on vrþe : none freond hem bi-hinde Ne for hem lateal. To lete for hem masses singue : ne almes-dede for hem do; Þare-fore ase helplese men : in Misayse huy ȝeoden so. "Loke," quath þe Aungel, "þat þu telle : þe pope her-of sone, Þat men holden alle soulene-day : for it is wel to done; And also wide ase holie churche : þat he make is heste, Þene a-morewe aftur alle halewene-day : to holde þulke feste, Þat ech Man with guode wille : ase fer forth ase he may For alle þe soulene in purgatorie : bidde þat ilke day; So þat þe pouere þat nath no freond : þat for him bi name ouȝht do, Þo[ruȝ]MS. þo biddingue of ech cristine Man : i-holpe huy mowen beo so." ¶ Þe guode Man a-ros up a-non : þo he i-saiȝ al þis, And þonkede god of þe siȝhte— : and so he wel auȝhte, i-wis. Þe pope he tolde þat þo was : al þat he saiȝh þere; So þat men holdeth þulke festeal. festen : herre þane heo er were.— Ore louerd bi-fond furst purgatorie : Men þuder in to wende Þat horMS. for penaunce here on vrþe : ne brouȝhten nouȝtMS. non to ende, And þat Men for simple sunnes : of ȝwan i-schriue hy nereMS. were In þulke torment huy bi-lefden : for-to hy i-bette were; And Men al-so þat weren i-schriue : and heore schrift a-fengue also Of a fol preost, and nouȝht i-nouȝ : to þe sunne þat was i-do, Þulke schullen so to purgatorie : for-to huy habben to ende i-brouȝht penaunce a-cordinde to heore sunne : and aftur þe preostes nouȝht.al. 4 vv. more. Ȝif heo is more þane þe sunne : and a man it do, i-wis, Al it schal in heouene tuyrne : to echingue of his blis; Ȝif heo is euene to his sunne : þe sunne heo wole a-quenche, Ake nouȝht ȝif heo to luytel is. : þare-fore ech man him bi-þenche And to a fol preost ne triste nouȝht : þat to luyte penaunce him set; For soþe, here oþur elles-ȝware : ech sunne worth i-bet. Ȝwat, hou is hit þanne of Ianekin : and of robinet þe wilde, Of annot and of Malekin : þat wollez habbe þene preost so milde, And huy seggez, "þilke preost is to hard : god schilde us fram is lothþ; go we to sire Gilbert þe preost : he nis neuere wrothþ, ¶ he wollez schriue us nessche i-nouȝ : and ore sunnes al for-ȝyue." bi god, ȝwane huy habbez al ido : hom huy gothþ vn-schriue; For heore penaunce schal beo so luyte : þat sire Gilbert and huy also Schullen gon a-deuelewey : bote god nime ȝeme heom to.— In purgatorie nis no confort : bote of one þingue : of þe hope of Ioye aftur-ward : þat ore louerd heom wole bringue.— Ȝwane Men in heore deth-beddes beoth : and heore penaunce heom is i-set, And huy ne mouwen nouȝht on eorþe beo : for-to heo beo ful bet, So repentaunt huy mouwen beo : þat ore louerd it wole for-ȝyue With-outen any purgatorie : ȝwan huy beoth wel i-schriue. Ake ȝif his penaunce him is i-ȝyue : ȝwane he mot heonne wende, Of þat he is i-schriue : and he ne may it bringue to ende, On of his nexte freond miȝhte : for him it swiþe wel do. Ake four þingus he moste habbe : þat scholde take on so : Furst þare moste gret loue beo : bi-twene ȝwam so it were— For with-oute loue and deol of heorte : swuch þing nouȝhtal. noȝt worþ nere; Ake ȝif huy weren al-so of one blode : þe betere it were, i-wis— Ake studefast heorte of guod loue : þe maistrie þar-of is. ¶ Þat oþur þing is þat he schal : þoruȝh deþe heonne wiende And þat he ne may habbe no space here : his penaunce bringue to ende. Þe þridde þing is þat hit beo : þoruȝh þe preostes rede, For no man ne may þare-with-oute : wel endi swuch dede. Þe feorþe þing is þat men him take : penaunce more þare-to Þane him þat þe sunne dude : ȝif he miȝhte penaunce do; For ho-so wole for oþeres sunne : swuch penaunce here lede, More penaunce man mot heom sette : þane him þat dude þe dede. ¶ Þare-fore ȝwane anie of ouwer freond : hath i-brouȝht is lif to fine, I-seoth here hou ȝe mouwen bringue him : out of his pine; to biete is sunne in þis manere : sikerliche ȝe mouwen eou beode. For godus loue þenchez þaron : ȝwane ouwer freond habbez neode!— In ȝwuch stude is nouþe purgatorie : manie wolden fayn i-wite. hit [nis]om. nouȝht aal. in o stude to alle men : ake in fif studes, it is i-write : ¶ On is in þe firmament : þare gret brenningue is Of fuyr þat hath þare is stude : and of þe sonne, i-wis. Þat oþur is in þe Eyr a-bouen us here : þare luþere gostes fleoth Þat tormentiez heom nyȝht and day : and neuere in reste ne beoth. Þe þridde is an vrþe a-mong us here. : þe feorþe in watere is. Þe fifte is onder vrþe deope : bi-side helle, i-wis — ¶ Seint patrik on vrþe ȝwilene : ane stude þar-of founde, Ase god wolde, bi-side þe hul : of seint brendan in his londe.al. Irlond For four þingus purgatorie : in þeos fif studen is : For sum Man scholde lasse torment : þane oþur habbe, i-wis; And þat men miȝhten þorouȝh god dede : þe sonore to Ioye heom bringue; And þat men weren þoruȝh hem i-war : bi a vision oþur metingue; And for menr. man þat delitiez muche in sunne : in one place, Þare he schal þe sunne biete : for-to ore louerd him ȝiue grace.— ¶ One tale and one faire en-saunple : þare-of we findez i-write, Þatal. for ore louerd schewez us swuch þing : for we scholden þe soþe i-wite. A preost was ȝwilene in one stude : þat dude him baþie i-lome In one stude priueliche : þare none men ne come. So þat þare cam ofte a man : ase hit were bi cas, And seruede him and wuchs him wel— : ake he nuste ȝwat he was. A day he made halibred : and þe manne hit bi-tok Ase for is mede for is swunch. : ake he it anon for-sok; ¶ "Sire," he seide, "ine may hit nouȝht : for it i-halewed is, And for i-nam nouȝht holi ȝuyt : i-ne may it nauȝt, i-wis." "A-godes name," quath þe preost : "ich hote and halsnie þe Þat þou me segge ȝwat þou art : þat þus ofte comest to me." "Ich was ȝwylene of þis stude : louerd," þis oþur seide, "In þis place ich delitede muche : to don a mis-dede, And al mi deliftal. delit of þulke sunne : so was in þis place; I-ne bette nouȝht þe sunne a-liue : for ich nadde nouȝht þe grace, And aftur mi deth þere-fore : mi purgatorie here is, to biete mi sunne in þulke place : þare ase ich dude amis. And ȝif þou woldestal. Ac woldestou for me massene singue : ich miȝhte habbe milce and ore; And þou miȝht i-wyte þat ich am sauf : ȝwane þou ne finst me nonmore." Þe preost song for him Massene fiue : and oþur guodnesse dude also. Sone he miste þat selie gost : ȝuyt are þe seuenyȝht weren i-do : For he wende to þe Ioye of heouene : þat he deore a-bouȝhte. Þus Mani Man hath his purgatorie : þare he is sunne wrouȝhte. So may parauentur dame Aldith : þat nath non oþur blis bote athom in hire halle clene : þere ase hire Moker is, Þat, þei heo bidde hire beden at churche : hire þouȝht is athom more; parauenture heo schal it bete þare : and a-bugge hire loue ful sore!— Men habbuz here heore purgatorie : manie for swuche þingue, And manie to warni some men : to helpe heom þarof to bringue. Mani man his purgatorie : in wature hath al-so : Þarof ichulle one ensaumple segge : of þat ȝwilene was ido.— ¶ Seint Tebaud þe bischop hadde : in his fot ane hote goute, Þat poudagre icleopeod is— : he hadde þere-offe gret doute. Ase his fischares wenden a-fischez : in heruest al-a-boute, In heor net huy nomen ane clompe of .IsMS. ys?. : huy weren þare-with wel proute : For þat ys þat was so cold : i-leid to heore louerdes fote hitMS. þat wolde aswagi þe hote goute : and bringue him sum bote. Þis bischop tebaut was wel glad. : þat ys huy leiden oft to is fot, and eche time : it made him liþe and softe. Þat ys was euere hol and sound : it ne malt for none hete. Seint tebaut þouȝhte þare-of wonder : for no-þing he nolde it lete. A luyte cri him þouȝhte a day : in þat ys he heorde þere. he coniourede hit a-godes name : to segge him ȝwat it were. "Ich am," quath þis oþur, "a seli gost : and in þis ys ich am her In mi purgatorie, forte ich beo : of mine sunnes scker. Ake ȝif þou woldest for godesloue : þritti masses singue For me, ich wot þat þu miȝhtest : of þis pine me bringue." Þe bischop grauntede him wel sone : and bi-gan a-non a-morewe Þe Massene for þis selie gost : to bringuen it out of soruwe, And ech day song so aftur oþur. : þe deuel hadde þerto gret onde Þe ȝuyt þat gost scholde of pine come— : his wrench he gan fonde. For ase þe bischop þene tenþe day : bi-gan is masse to singue, Al þe toun þe feondes hadde : i-brouȝt on a fiȝhtyngue. Þe guode man bi-lefde is masse a-non : and orn a-mong heom faste, And harmles þoruȝh godes grace : a-passedeal. paisede heom atþe laste. Ase he bi-gan a-morewe is masse : a gret cri þare cam al-a-boute Þat þe toun bi-seged was : with gret ferd al with-oute, And Men ornen into al þe toun : ase witlese for doute. Þe bischop lefde is masse a-non : and orn to-ward þe route; He made pays a-ȝein þat fierd : þat huy no-þing ne reueden. Ake natheles so þeo tuey dawes : his masse he bi-leuede. ¶ Ase he bi-gan is masse þene þridde day : men heten out al-a-boute, For is court and muche of þe toun : a-fuyre was with-oute. "Þei it al fur-berne," quath þe bischop : "and ich mi-sulf also, I-nelle to-day fram þis weued : are þis masse beo i-do." So þat he song is masse forth : and muche folk was bisi with-oute to lauien watur and quienche þat fuyr : þat orn so wide a-boute. Þo þe Masse was i-do : þat fuyr a-queynte anon; Þare nas a-peired nouȝht an hous : ake hole stoden echon.MS. achon ¶ Þulke þreo dawes þe deouel hadde : al þulke wo i-do his masse forto lette : and pini þe soule so. Þe bischop fond þat .ys. athom : i-molten al to nouȝhte : Þo wuste he þat þoru is Masse : to Ioye þe soule he brouȝhte.— Manie þingus one soule helpez : þat in purgatorie is; Ake þreo þingues heom helpez mest : bi-fore alle oþere, i-wis : beden of Men, and almes-dede : singuingue of Masses al-so— Þeos þreo þingues beoth best, i-wis : and mest guod huy wollez do.— ¶ Þat biddingue of beden beoth guode : þe soþe ȝe mouwen i-wite bi a tale of a clerk : þat we findez i-write. A clerk hadd[e] ȝwilene ane wone : bi churche-heyȝe ȝwane he come, to segge for alle cristine soulene : þe "deprofundis" i-lome. In a churche-ȝerd ones he cam late : þeoues him comen a-boute And a-saileden him to robbi : he nuste ȝwat do for doute. Þe bodies þat weren i-burede þare : his beden ȝolden a-non : huy comen with wepnen him forto helpe : and sturten forth echon, euer-ech with swuch-manere wepne : ase huy uyseden here a-liue, plouȝ-Man with his Aker-staf : Archer mid bouwe and knyue; A-boute þis þeoues huy comen ech-one : and guonne heom sone to-driue, And to heore puttes wenden sethþe a-ȝein : þis clerk hamward wel bliue. Þus weren is beden i-ȝolde : þat he bad erore and ofte. Ich am siker, þe þeouesþe þ. on the margin. ne ȝeoden nouȝht : aweywardes ful softe : For ich wot wel þat non of us : ne hadde heom so sore a-gast! A wonder bataille it was on : hadde it longue i-last; Ich wene, þei ani chaumpiun : þare hadde i-beo, Sone he wolde habbe i-nome is red : hamward for-to fleo!— Almes-dede deth þe soule also : swiþe gret guod with-alle : Þat ȝe mouwen bi a cas i-seo : þat ane knyȝhte dude bi-falle. ¶ A guod man ȝwyle, þat heiȝte steuene : to is endingue drouȝ. A knyȝht, his freond, for is deth : made gret deol i-nouȝ And dude for him grete almes-dede : boþe niȝht and day. Þarof he i-saiȝ a fair bi-tokningue : ase he a-slepe lay : him þouȝhte he saiȝ a sluper brugge : swyþe fayr and heiȝ, A deop watur and swart bi-neoþe : a fair mede þare was neiȝ with swote smul and faire floures. : and ope þe brugge he seiȝMS. gan gon with grete Misayse mani Men : þat fullen into þat watur a-non, And manie he saiȝ þare-oppe gon : al-sauf with-oute drede, And manie with Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ : pleyinde in þe Mede. Ope þe brugge him þouȝhte he saiȝ : gon in wrechhede Steuene, for ȝwam þat he dude : þe grete almes-dede; Blake men þare weren bi-neoþe : þat a-doneward him drowe, And oþere þare weren in ȝwite cloþes : þat opward him heolden i-nowe; bi-twene heom laste þe noyse longue : aȝein oþur ech drouȝ faste, Ake euere hadden þe ȝwite Men : þe maistrie at þe laste. Þat weren þe almesdedes : þat for him weren i-do, Þat þe knyȝht for is soule dude : þat drowen him opward so. ¶ Þe blake þat him a-doneward drowen : þat weren is luþere dedes, Þat wolden him to pine drawe : ȝif huy miȝhten for almes-dede.— Massene also doth gret guod : boþe þe quike and dede : Þat ȝe mouwen i-heore bi þis tale : and bi oþure þat ich er sede. ¶ Men weren ȝwilene in a contreye : þare a gret ston-roche stod, And Men wenden þat þare-onder were : gret tresorMS. trosor and guod : So þat huy doluen þare-aftur : ake to wroþerhele ate laste : For opon hem ful þe roche adoun : and heom alle ouer-caste, And a-slouȝ heom alle, bote anne Man : þat, ase it were bi cas, In a-manere dich fel and lay : and þe roche a-boue him was; So þat he ne miȝhte of þe stude : ase i-putted he lay þere. his wyf nuste nouȝht of is lyf : ake wende þat he ded were : to churche heo wende euerech day : ane masse to leten singue, A lof and wyn and a candel of wex : to þe weued heo wolde bringue, And al for hire louerdes soule— : heo ne bi-lefde nouȝht a day. Þe deuel hadde þarto gret onde : þo he þat i-saiȝ : ¶ Ase þis wyf ȝeode a day toward churche : þe deuel cam hire to And seide þat heo ȝeode for nauȝht : for þe Masse was i-do. Þat guode wyf ȝeode hom a-ȝein : and wende þat he soth sede. A-morewe he made hire al-so gon hom : mid þulke sulue dede; And þane þridde day al-so guod. : ake þat wyf þane feorþe day Sone a-ros and to churche ȝeode : þo heo þane day i-saiȝh. Ȝuyt cam þe schrewe and seide : þat þe Masse was i-do. Þis wyf i-liefde him er fule wel : ake þo nolde heo nouȝht so, Ake wende to churche, and fond þe soþe : of þat þe schrewe hire mette, Þat it was to bi-trayen hire : and guodnesse to lette. ¶ Sone hit bi-feol þare-afturward : þat Men of þe toune wenden to bete op þulke roche : þat so lay þare a-doune, And wenden to finde sum tresor. : huy doluen and beoten faste. Þe selie Man bi-neoþe was of-drad : þat huy more opon him caste; "Deluez," he seide, "warliche : þat ȝe ne slen me nouȝht!" Þo weren þis Men sore a-dradde : and stoden in gret þouȝht; Ake naþeles huy doluen bi-side : so þat huy to him come. huy founden him ligge hol and sound : and with Ioye hine up nome. huy axeden him hou he hadde i-leoued : þat hongur him ne a-slouȝ. "Certes," he seide, "ich habbe i-haued : mete and drinke i-nouȝ : For a lof and a picher wyn : Mi wyf me sende ech day, And a brennind candle : þat me liȝhte þe ȝwile ich here lay. bote þreo dawes þis oþur wike : no-þing heo me ne sende; Ich was neiȝh for hongur ded.: ake heo gan sone a-mende And sende me ase heo dude er : and fedde me wel with-alle. Of alle wyues worþe hire best : and best hire mote bi-falle!" bi þis Miracle man may i-seo : and bi manie oþure al-so, Þat Massene and almes-dede : gret guod þe soule wollez do.— Þis guodnesses nellez nouȝht helpe : alle i-liche, i-wis; For of Men þat heonne wiendez : mani-manere þare is : Oþur riȝht guode, oþur riȝht vuele : oþur riȝhtom. riȝht bi-tweone two. goddede helpez some ful luyte : þat man wole for heom do, Ȝif þat huy riȝht guode beoz— : huy ne habbuth none neode mid-alle to none erþeliche guodnesse : þat heom miȝhte þare bi-falle; For in þe Ioye of heouene huy buth : ase huy weren bi-fore. Ake naþeles þat men for heom doth : ne worth nouȝht for-lore : For it schal him-sulf helpe muche : þat þulke guodnesse deth, And alle cristine soulene also : þat in purgatorie beoth. ¶ Þreo-manere men þare buth riȝht guode : þat to heouene wiendez a-non Ȝwane huy out of þis worlde farez. : ȝung child is þat on Þat deide aftur is cristinedom : are hit dude to quede; And Martyrs þat for godes loue : in strong torment weren dede; Þe þridde manere so but clene men : þat are þat huy heonnes wende, Alle heore sunnes betten here : ase ore louerd heom grace sende. Þis þreo-manere men ne mouwen nouȝht : in purgatorie bi-leue, Ake smitez þoru-out quiclokur : þane þe leyte doth an eue; huy ne mouwen nouȝht bi-leue þare : for er heo wenden heonne, Clene huy weren of alle sunne : and ne habbut noþingMS. noþint to brenne. For ase wode and col fedez : þat fuyr þat here is, Al-so sunne fet þat fuyr : in purgatorie, i-wis; And ȝwan þe sunne is i-brend a-wey : þe soule to heuene geth, Ake wel sone þoruȝ he flieth : þat in clannesse þolede deth. Also doth [þe]om.; H þulke þreo-manere Men : of ȝwan ich eou er seide : For heouene openez aȝenes heom : so sone ase heo beoth dede.— And þat it beo soth of alle þreo : ensaumple ȝe mouwen i-seo. Þat aȝein children i-baptizede : heouene i-opened beo : For ore louerd was nyne-and-twenti ȝer : and twelf daywes old Are he i-baptized were : ase þe bok us hath i-told : Of al þat tyme non eorþelich Man : ne miȝhte enes i-wite Þat heouene openede ouȝwere aboue : þat we findez i-write; bote þo he was i-baptized : of þe holie Man seint Iohan, A-boue his heued with gret liȝht : heouene openede a-non. Ȝwat bi-tocknede þulke openingue : þat þo was and er nouȝht, bote þat þoruoverlined. cristindom : Man was to heouene i-brouȝt, And þat heouene-dore was faste i-mad : for-to cristindom were, And þat a-ȝein þe furste cristindom : heouene openede þere; And þat heouene-dore i-opened is : to cristine Men al-so, And to ȝongue children forto huy habben : þoruȝ sunne it fur-do? For huy schullen, ȝwane huy heonnes wiendez : heouene-dore opene finde, For huy ne berez with heom no sunne : þat drawe heom bi-hinde; Also quicliche ase liȝhttingue : þoru purgatorie huy doz gon, And heouene-dore findez opene : and wiendez in anon. gret folie it is to weope : ase Men beoz i-wonet to done, For ȝongue children þat deiȝez so : þat in heouene buth so sone! "Awei, mi child," seith þe damme : and suouȝnez a-ȝein þe wowe; bi crist, heo auȝte þonki god : þat nam hit ase his owe!— ¶ A-ȝein þe Martyrs þat guode buth : heouene i-opened is : Þat Man may bi þe Martyrdom iseo : of seint steuene, i-wis. For þo men him to deþe þreowen : he bi-heold to heouene an heiȝh : An heouene openede a-non : ase he þare i-seiȝh— "Lo," he seide, "nouþe ich i-seo : þoruȝ ihesu cristes sonde heouene opene, and godes sone : in is fader riȝth hond stonde." And þe furste martyr he was : þat euere on vrþe cam Aftur godes passion : to holde up cristindom : heouene openede aȝen him : ase he þene deth nam, to bi-tokni þat he wolde al-so : aȝen ech þat þolede guod Martyrdom. And þei he were sum-del in sunne : heore deth þat huy nome And heore blod heom wolde wasche : are huy to purgatorie come.— Þulke also of clene liue : þat in clennesse here lif endiez, heouene openez a-ȝein heom : ȝwane huy heonne wiendez : Þat Man may i-seo bi ensaumple : of seint Iohan þe wangelist. Clannore þane he was, no man nas : with-oute Iesu crist. he seith in þe Apocalips— : þat a wel guod bok is, Þat he i-seiȝh heouene-dore : a-ȝen him opene, i-wis. Ȝwat bi-toknede þat bote þis : huy scholden i-seo also A-ȝein heom, alle þat clene weren : heouene-dore vndo?— Erþelich guodnesse helpez luyte : swyche Men, i-wisse, For huy nabbuth þare-to non neode : ȝwane huy beoth in heuene|blisse. Ake þanne it helpez him-sulf muche : þat deth þulke goddede, And alle þat beoth in purgatorie : ase ich erore sede. ho-so is al-so in helle pine : it hellpez him luytel al-so Any guod-nesse þat Man may : on vrþe for him do; ¶ For seint Austyn seith, ȝif he wuste : þat is fader in helle were, Non more he nolde for him bidde : þane for ane deuel þere. Ake euere it helpez him þat it dothþ : and cristine soulene al-so; For no guodnesse ne worth fur-lore : þat Man may on vrþe do.— Ake beden oþer oþureal. om. almes-dedes luyte helpuz : of fremde oþur of kunne, bote he with-oute wrathþe beo : and with-oute dedlich sunne. Ake a masse nis noþe-worse : forr. of ȝwam þat heo is i-do, Þei it beo of a sunful preost— : of non oþur þing it nis so. For þat dede is so heiȝh : þat heo ne may a-peyri nouȝht Ofal. For no wrechche preost þat it dez : þei he beo in sunne i-brouȝht. Ake þei þe Masse ne beo þe worse : þe preost, bi mi swere, Þat hire singuth in dedlich sunne : a-corie it schal ful deore! For ȝwane sire Gileberd i-massed hath : his lif he wole so diȝhte Atþe tauerne to beon a-day : and bi is quene bi nyȝhte; he seith, ȝwane Men cleopiez him preost : "sittez stille, mine guode i-fere, Þe preost hanguez at churche : and ich am nouþe here"— ¶ his cope oþur is surplis : þe preost he seith it isse; Ake his cope schal bi-leue at hom : ȝwane he schal to helle, i-wisse!— ho-so wole ȝwane he is dedal. þat a ded man, : toof his guodnesse a-fongue, do it bi-time for þe dede : þare-aftur þinkez longue. And þat it beo soth, man may i-s[e]oMS. so : bi a wonder cas Þat ȝwylene bi a knyȝht bi-feol : þat with þe heiȝe kyng charles was. ¶ Þe kyng Charles his Ost aday : to strongue batayle gan lede. his .O. knyȝht þat with him wende : of þe deþe gan him drede. A cosyn he hadde in þe route : to him he þouȝhte he miȝhte best truster. truste to of alle Men : and so he auȝhte with riȝhte; "Cosyn," he seide, "ȝif ich am : here to deþe i-brouȝht, Sul Mi stede and dor. do guod? for mi soule : ne bi-lef þou it nouȝht!" Þis kniȝht truste wel to is word : þat grauntede don is bone; And in-to þe batayle wende forth : ase riȝht was for-to done, And fauȝht þe ȝwyle he miȝhte : and a-slawe was at þen ende. his cosin nam his stede sone : and hamward he gan wiende, And to is owene bi-hofþe faste ire heold : and þouȝhte forto done Also muche guod for þe knyȝhtes soule : ȝwane he miȝhte eft-sone. ¶ Þe knyȝht cam to him eft-sone : gostliche in priuete, "Cosyn," he seide, "late þou dudest : þat þou bi-heiȝhtest me! Þou madest me beon in purgatorie : seue nyȝht, mid-i-wisse. And nouþe ich am in heouene : and þarof þou schalt misse, For þou schalt in þis ilke day : to þe pine of helle wende, For þe treson þat þou me dudest : and beon þare with-outen ende." Þis gost wende forth a-non : and þe false Man wel sone deide, and wende a-deuele wey : ase he of-seruede to done. here mouwen þis false esecutores : beonMS. bieon i-warre bi þis tale, Þat muche habbez of dedes godes : and deleth þare-of ful smale, Ake þenchez, ȝwane huy riche beoth : to ȝelden it wel, i-wis; Þe soule longueth þare-aftur-wardal. þerafter sore : þat in purgatorie is, heo a-bidez longue heore richesse : þe guode is euere bi-hinde— huy schullen gon a-deouele wey : and þare heore miede finde. Nou Ihesus, þat us deore bouȝhte : þei we don ofte a-mis, On alle cristine soulene haue merci : and bring us to heuene blis, And led us to oure riȝhte heritage : for þou bouȝhtest us þar-to; Ne leos nouȝht þat þou deore bouȝhtest : þei we sumdel mis-do! 63 [Eadmund conf.] SEint Eadmund þe confessour : þat lythþ at pounteneye, Of guode men and trewe he cam : þei huy neren nouȝht ful heiȝe; In Engelonde he was i-bore : in þe toun of Abindone. Glad miȝhtte þe moder beo : þat bar swuch a sone! Mabile þe riche is moder [het] : þat guod womman was i-nouȝ, For boþe wif andMS. and and wydewe : to holie lif heo drouȝ. Lustniez nouþe and i may telle : hou and in ȝwat manere Seint Eadmund was i-bore : ȝif ȝe it wollez i-here.vv. 7-8 al. om. A-seint Eadmundus dai þe king : þis guode child was i-bore; So clene he cam fram is moder : with-oute ech-manere hore, And so clene,al. drie þat no cloth : þat neiȝh þe moder was Ne neiȝh þis ȝoungue child, þo it wasþo—was al. om. i-bore : no-þing þe foulereal. isoilled it nas. ¶ A-seint Eadmundes dai he was i-bore : riȝht ase it was day; Fram erne morewe þatal. forte it was eue : ase a ded þing he layȝ, Riȝht ase he were ded-bore : for no þing on him lif ne saiȝ; Þe mide-wyues him wolden habbe i-bured : ac þe moder seide euere nay. A-ȝein eue he cudde furst is lif. : to churche he was i-bore, And for seint Eadmundes day : he [was] Eadmund i-cleoped þare-fore. ¶ Þis child wax and wel i-þev— : elles wonder it were. Þo it was of ani elde : þe moder it sette to lere, And Robert al-so, hire oþur sone— : for sones heo hadde to, And tweye maydenes clene i-nouȝ : hire douȝhtren were al-so, Dame Margerie and dame Alis : þat at catesbi weren i-do And þare in religion Nonnes huy weren : and ȝuyt liggez þare boþe-to. ¶ Dame Mabile, heore guode moder : þeos children heo louede i-nouȝh, And wissede heom to clene liue : and to alle guodnesse heom drouȝh. Þe ȝwyle þe children ȝongue weren : heo ȝaf heom ofte mede For-to faste þane friday : to watur and to brede. Þoruȝ mede and þoruȝ ire faire bi-heste : huy weren so þar-on i-brouȝt, Þat, þo huy weren of grettore elde : it ne grefde heom riȝht nouȝht. ¶ Þe moder werede þe strongue here : for ore louerdes loue, Fram þe scholdre to þe hele : and on haubark þare-a-boue— In swuche manere he ladde hire lif : þe widewe þat was so wis. wel ȝongue heo sende boþe hire sones : to scole to paris, And bi-tok heom spense luyte i-nouȝ : ase heo it miȝhte bi-seo. huy senden hire wordal. seide aȝe þat huy ne miȝhten : with so luyte beo. "leoue sones," quath þe mode[r] : "ichulle beon a-ȝein eov hende; Ȝif ȝe wollez aftur me do : ich can eou more sende, And it schal eov like swiþe wel : bi þat ȝe wyteth þe ende; Ne spariez nouȝht, mi leoue sonesal. ȝif ȝe dorre mid so lute : out of londe to wende." ¶ "Leoue Moder," queþen þe sones : "we schullen do aftur þi lore; Ake wel þou wost þat we ne mouwen nouȝt libbe : bote þou us sende more." ¶ Þe moder tok wel stilleliche : eyþur of heom ane here And bad heom boþe for hire loue : þat huy with heom as bere And werie as twie oþur þrie : eche woke þere, And heo wolde heom sende spense i-nov : þe ȝwuyle huy at scole were. ¶ Þis children ȝeoden to scole þo : and duden heore moder heste And wereden þe here twie a wike : oþur þrie at þe leste. So longe huy woneden heom þar-to : þat huy nomen as ofture þo, So þat noþur nyȝht ne day : huy nolden heom for-go; ¶ huy woneden heom so wel þar-to : þat huy as wereden day and nyȝht. Þis was, for-soþe, a guod Moder : foral. þat (heo om.) heo teiȝhte hire children a-riȝht! And euere ȝwane heo sende heom cloþes : ase heo as miȝhte i-winne, Þare-with heo wolde herene sende : faste i-seuwede with-inne.— ¶ Seint Eadmund þe ȝongue clerk : to eche guod-nesse drouȝ, Þat euerech clerk þat him i-knevȝ : hadde of him Ioye inovȝ; For ore louerdes swete grace : with him was wel riue : And þat ore louerd cudde him wel : al bi is ȝongue liue. ¶ For ase þis child ȝeode a day : in a Mede to pleie, his felawes he bi-lefde ech-on : and ȝeode bi-side þe weiȝe, And al one ȝeode up and doun : and is bedes seide. Þo cam þere gon a fair ȝwit child : to him in þis mede, "Felawe," he seide, "heil þou beo : þat þus one gest i-lome!" Seint Eadmund stod in gret þouȝht : fro ȝwannes þis child come. ¶ "Ne knoustþou me nouȝht?" quath þis child. : seint Eadmund seide "no." "Ich am þi felawe," quath þat child : "ȝwodere þou euere go. At scole ich sitte euere bi þe : euere on þi riȝht side, And with þe ich go in euerech stude : ne go þou no so wide, ¶ And þi plei-fere, for-soþe, ich am— : and ȝif þou nost nouȝt ȝwat ich beo, ¶ In mi fore-heued i-write : mi name þou miȝht i-seo.Ashm. has 4 vv. more. And al-so ase mi name is : in mi fore-heued i-do, Creoyce þare-with þi fore-heued : and þi breoste al-so Euereche niȝhte are þou slepe : in þe muynde of me,This v. on the margin. ¶ And þe deuel ne schal habbe no pouwer : for-to greui þe." ¶ Seint eadmund nuste mit þusse worde : ȝware þis child bi-cam. he onder-stod þat it was ore louerd : and gret Ioye to him he nam; And nolde fur-ȝite neuere ane niȝht : his lore forto do, to creoici þriȝes is fore-heued : and is breoste al-so ¶ And segge "ihesus of Nazareth" : ase he it saiȝ i-write— with no-þing ne scholde a man betere : framal. wiþ þe deuel him wite.— In penaunce, and in is lore : þis child dude al is þouȝt; For godes loue he þolede muche : þat deore him hadde a-bouȝht, ¶ In penaunce he was so wel i-woned : and ȝong þar-on i-brouȝht, Þat, þo he was of grettore elde : it ne grefde him riȝht nouȝht. At parys he was at scole longue : and at Oxenford al-so. he ne dude neuere lecherie : ne ensentede þar-to; Ase is schrift-fader wolde telle : ofte in priueite, he ne miȝhte neuere finde man : of so gret chastete. ¶ Priueliche at oxenford : on a day he cam To one ymage of ore lauedi : and bi þe hond hire nam And bi-hietal. forhet bi-fore hire treweliche : framal. om. eche wummanes imone And with treuþe holden al is lif : clanliche to hire one. ¶ Þulke ymage he weddede with a ring : ase a man dotþ is wif, Clanliche to holden in spoushod : to hire al is lijf; "Aue Maria, gracia plena" : þeos four wordes weren i-do And i-graued in þis ring : for huy a-cordeden wel þar-to. ¶ Wel he huld is treuþe setþe : and his weddingue al-so, And trewe spouse was i-novȝ : nolde he nouȝt misdo. Ich wot wel, ȝuyt men miȝhten finde : ho-so souȝte bliue, Summan, þei it sielde beo : untreowore to is wiue, And al ful beo of þe Mariage : ȝe and fayn it wolde un-binde! Ȝweþur ani of eou couþe ouȝwere : ani swuch hosebonde finde?— ¶ His hostasse hadde one douȝter : þere he was at inne, Þat louede muche þis holie child : ȝif heo miȝhte is loue i-winne; heo ne couþe neiȝh non oþur wit : akeal. om. heo fondede for-to do Folie bi him nyȝht and dai : ȝif heo miȝhte bringue him þar-to. ¶ Heo bad him þat heo moste a-niȝht : to is bedde wiende. Þis holie clerk ne wernde hire nouȝht : and dude ase þe hende. Þat Maide was þo glad i-novȝ : for erore heo bad wel of[te]. A-niȝht, þo heo hire tyme i-saiȝh : to is bed heo cam wel softe, ¶ hire cloþes heo dude of a non : ase it is riȝht of bedde, And made hire naked, to creopen in. : ake febleliche hire spedde : For seint Eadmund hadde ane smarte ȝeorde : and þe cloþus a-doun spraddeal. þis womman anon he redde And beot hire on þe nakede rug : þat wel-neiȝh heo a-wedde; he ne sparede rug ne side noþur : are heo to grounde bledde— A-quenche he miȝhte hire fole wille : mid blode þat heo schedde! ¶ And euere seide þis holie Man : ase he leide on faste, "Maide, þou schalt leorni þus : a-wei forto caste Þi fole wille of þi flesch : with swuche discipline." heo þouȝhte wel luyte on folie : are þis guode clerk wolde fine! ¶ Þis Maide wende softe aȝen : hire rug smert ful sore. heheo. bi-ȝat so luyte þo : þat hire ne longuede þudere nam-more; Clene wumman heo bi-cam : with-oute flechsliche dede, And clene Maide deide setþe : ase hire schriftfader seide. ¶ Þis Maidenes þat beotþ willeffole : folie forto do, I-cholde huy founden swuche lefmanes : þat wolden heom chastie so!— Þo Mabile, is swete moder : scholde of þis liue go, Seint Eadmund, hire guode sone : neiȝh hire was þo; his Moder him ȝaf hire blessingue : þo heo scholde of liue fare. "Blesseal. Blesse ek mine broþur," quath seint Eadmund : "þei he beo elles|ȝware." ¶ "Leoue sone," quath þis wydewe : "boþe ȝe comen of me, And he is, ȝwane ȝe beoth o blod : i-blessed i-nouȝ with þe.þe added later. Ake ich bidde þe for godes loue : and for seinte Marie Þat þou sum-ȝware þine sostrene do : in-to ane nonnerie, So þat huy mouwen clene lif lede : in ore louerdes seruise; And ne soffre þou nouȝht þat huy beon : i-weddet in none wise. Þe catel þat ich heom bi-queþe : þis dede for-to do, Al ich bi-take in þine warde : and heom þare-with also." ¶ Þis guode womman deide þus : þat of wydewene was flour; And in a chapelal. seint Nicholas churche at Abindone heo was i-bured : with swyþe gret honour, In a ston bi-fore þe croiz : in þe soutþ-side, i-wis; A luyte with-inne þe churche-hei ȝateal. wiþoute þe abbay-ȝate: þat chapel a-rerd is. A-boue hire is i-write : "here lijthþ in þis ston Mabile, flour of wudewene"— : and lesingue nis it non, For heo was womman of guode liue : ase Men miȝhten bi hire i-seo; And mani Miracle at Abindone : for hire hath sethþe i-beo. ¶ Ne for-ȝat nouȝht seint Eadmund : þat is moder him hadde i-bede : Þo is power was i-woxe : he purueide him ane stude, Þat is sostren weren i-do : in one Nonnerie; Ake wel vnneþe he it fond : with-oute symonie.— ¶ Simonie so is i-cleoped : foreward for-to make to bugge liflode of holie churche : and a certein catel take. A-mansede beotþ alle swuche : þat so wollez don; Ake naþeles to religion : manie comiez so!— ¶ Þis guode sone souȝhte wide a-boute : mani a Nonnerie, Are he miȝhte his sostren do : with-oute symonie; Atþe laste he cam to Catesbi : in Norehamptone-schire, I-graunted him was þare a-non : al þat he wolde desire : ¶ boþe his sustren a-godes half : Nounnes he made þere; Þat leueden þare al heore lijf : and holie wommen were, Þe eldore was sethþe prioresse : of þe lauedies ech-on— For heom hauez setþe ore louerd i-do : miracles mani on; And bi-fore þe heiȝe weuede : i-burede huy beoth þere In a chapele þat huy leten : of seint Eadmund a-rere.— ¶ Seint Eadmund, þis holie man : werede strongue here; In strengore manere heo was i-maud : þane oþur mannes were : heo nas i-sponne ne i-weoue : ake i-broide strengus longue, And sethþe ase man knut a net : i-knut swiþe harde and stronge, Of harde horses here i-maud— : þe knottes deope wode, Þat muche del of is bodie orn : of quiture and of blode. ¶ Þare-of he hadde schuirte and briech : fram necke to þe hiele; vn-ayseliche he miȝhte ligge : oþur anial. & lutel ayse i-fele. A strong rop þere was þanne : a-boue fram þe scholdre i-do to is bottokes, of horse-here : to holden it faste to; And setþe he was bi-neoþe is briech : i-gurd faste i-novȝ with a strong corde a-boue : þat þe here fasteal. þe here: þat faste to d. drouȝ. ¶ So faste was in euerech side : þe here to him i-bounde, Þat vnneþ[e] he miȝhte bieȝe is rug : oþur stoupi touward þe grounde; And ȝwan he stoupede ani-þing : is flechs was so for-gnawe Þat wonder was hou he it þolede : þat he ne hadde to deþe i-drawe.al. to beo so to-drawe ¶ Fiet and hondene þat neren nouȝt : i-tormentede with þat here Necke and face and al is heued : þat with-oute were, he roddede a-niȝht with þe here : ȝwane no man ne miȝhte ir. it seo; For he nolde þat no lime : un-pined scholde beo. ¶ A dai he tok al priueliche : is Manne his olde here, Þat he as fur-brende stilleliche : for huy for-olde were. he caste as in gret fuyr i-novȝ— : ac it ne cam nouȝht þare-neiȝh, Ake euere huy weren i-liche sounde : ase þis man i-seiȝh. Þo he i-saiȝ þat huy ne brende nouȝht : he bond þer-to wel faste heuie stones to drawe a-doun : and in-to a deop watur heom caste. Þat fuyr nadde power non : to touchi þe holie here! Ake naþeles he tolde is louerd fore : þat huy i-brende were.— ¶ Seint Eadmund and is felawe : ase it was ofte heore wone, In a day fram leukenore : wenden to Abindone. Ase huy comen in a gret ualeiȝe : blake foule huy seiȝe Ase it crowene and rokesal. chowen weren : fleon bi þe Eyr wel heiȝe; A luyte blac sak ase þei it were : þis foules a-mong heom bere, huy casten it up fram on to oþur : ase huy it al-to-drowe and to-tere. his felawe stod and bi-heold : and was neiȝh wod for fere. ¶ Seint Eadmund him ȝaf confort : ant tolde him ȝwat it were : "Deuelene," he seide, "of helle it beoth : and þat huy berez so, i-wis, Ane Mannes soule here-bi-fore : of Chalgraue it is, Þat nouþe riȝht deide late— : heo ne cometh neuere in blis, he mai singue weylawei : þat he euere dude amis." ¶ Forth huy wenden to chalgraue : þe soþe huy founden þere : Þe Man wasal. om. ded a luyte bi-fore : and al hot ligge on bere. Neuere þe gladdore ne miȝhte he beo : þat deuelene him so to-tere; he miȝhte segge weilawey : þat euere is lifdawes were!— ¶ Seint Eadmund, þe holie Man : louede wel is lore, And for is lore he louede ȝuyt : godes seruise þeon the margin. more. Mest he louede on oresoun : þat was of ihesu crist And of ore leuedi, is swete Moder : and of sein Ioan þe Ewangelist, Þat ".O. intemerata" : bi-gvynnez on latyn; Þe bi-guynningue is wel guod : and al-so is þe fin. Euereche dai bi custome : he seide þis oresun, he nolde bi-leue for no scole : ne for no lessoun. ¶ In a dai he it fur-ȝat : he hadde so muche to done. Seint Ioan þe Ewangelist to him cam : þe niȝht aftur-ward ful sone And a paumerie bar on is hond : gret and strong i-nouȝh; Seint Eadmund he nam bi þe hond : and is paumerie op drouȝh, So heiȝe and with so gret Eyr : ase he him wolde al-to-driue. Seint Eadmund lay and quakede : and drad was of is liue, For, ȝif he him smite ase he dunt drouȝ : he were ded a-non;[Here a fol. is wanting in the Laud MS.; MS. Harl. continues:] [he quakede & cride dulfulliche : "louerd, merci, seint Iohn!" ¶"Ich wole for-ȝeue þe," quaþ seint Iohan : "þu criest so sore; & þench bet on oure oreisoun : & neforȝet hit nomore!" he nefor-ȝat after þulke tyme : nomore þis oreisoun, For no studie nefor no neode : nefor þoȝt of lessoun.— ¶ So wel lurnede þis holi man : & suche grace hadde, Þat he bigan at Oxenford : & of art þer radde. Of art he radde six ȝer : contynuelliche ynouȝ, & siþþe for-[to] beo more profound : to arsmetrike he drouȝ, & arsmetrike radde in cours : in Oxenford wel faste & his figurs drouȝ aldai : & his numbre caste.— ¶ Arsmetrike is alore : þat of figurs al is & of drauȝtes as me draweþ in poudre : & ofMS. in numbre, i-wis.— ¶ A niȝt in avisioun : his moder to him wende, "Sone," heo seide, "to what figurs : woltou nou entende?" "Leoue moder," quaþ þis oþer : "suche as we iseoþ." "Leoue sone," quaþ þe moder : "betere figurs þer beoþ, wherto þu most þin hurte do : & þenche her-on nomore!" heo nom forþ his riȝt hond : & wrot þer-on his lore : Þreo rounde cerclen heo wrot : in þe paume amidde, In þe tueye heo wrot fader & sone : & holigost in þe þridde; "Sone," heo seide, "her-afterward : entende to þis lore!" To heuene aȝe þe moder wende : heneseȝ hire nomore. Theologia.¶ Þo iseȝ seint Edmund : þat hit was al of þe Trinite, & þat god wolde þat he schulde : ihure diuinite. To diuinite, as god wolde : þis gode man him drouȝ; Þer nespedde non in Oxenford : so wel of ynouȝ. hit nas noȝt longe þer-afterward : þat þe Chanceler ne sede, & þe hexte maystres of þe toun : þat he schulde bigynne & rede. he wiþsede & longeal. longe & seide : þat he nas noȝt worþi þerto; So þat moche aȝen his wille : nede hi makede him hit do. So þat he bigan at Oxenford : of diuinite. So noble alosed þer nas non : in al þe vniuersite. Of redinge he hadde so gode grace : þat meni on to him drouȝ; his scolers þat ihurde of him : gode men were ynouȝ. So pitousliche he wolde rede : & so gode grace hadde þer-to, Þat his scolers þat ihurde of him : nuste ofte what to do, Ac sete as in anoþer wordle : & ofte hudde here eȝe & wepe þat þe teres vrne adoun : þat men hit al-aboute iseȝe. vneþe eni ihurde of him : þat þe betere ne bicom, & meni bileuede al þe wordle : & to religioun nom.— ¶ A dai as þis holi man : in diuinite Desputede, as hit was his wone : of þe trinite, In his chaire he sat longe : er his scolers come; Alutel he bigan to swoudri : as a slep him nome. Þo þoȝte him in his swoudringe : þat a whit coluere com Fram heuene mid oure louerdes flesch : & þe wei to him nom, & þat swete flesch pulte in his mouþ : & siþþe fleȝ vp anheȝ; heuene openede hire aȝen : as þis gode man iseȝ. Þe sauour of oure louerdes flesch : him þoȝte, was in his mouþe, And al þe clergie, him þoȝte, of god : þo he awok, he couþe, Of þe pure stat of crist : & of his mageste As [an] angel him þoȝte he couþe : & of his priueite. ¶ he bigan so deope desputi : of þe trinite, Þat gret wonder me hadde : þurf al þe vniuersite; Þat þe gretteste clerkes þat were : in Oxenforde þo Ne þoȝte þat eni vrþlich man : so furforþ miȝte go Ne wite so moche of godes stat : bote hit [an] angel were; Þer nere none maystres in Oxenford : þat in gret wonder þerof nere. Ac he miȝte of ihesu crist iwite : more þan was in boc, whan he vsede oure louerdes flesch : & in his mouþe toc!— ¶ Ne þoȝte noȝt þis holi man : so moche in his lessoun Þat euere among his þoȝt nas mest : in godes passioun. O tyme he was in grete studie : of his lessoun anyȝt, Þat longe he sat þer-aboute : forte hit was neȝ dailiȝt. Þo hit was toward þe dai : a-napped he was sore, he lynede adoun vpon his boc : þo he nemiȝte studie nomore; So þat he ful aslepe : & vnywar also, &om. &? neþoȝte noȝt on þe passioun : as he was iwoned to do. Þe deuel com to him wel sone : noþing to siche he nas. Seint Edmund of him was iwar : in swoudring as he was he wolde him blesci wiþ þe deuel : his riȝt hond he gan forþ drawe : Þe deuel him nom þerbi anon : he nemiȝte him noȝt wawe. Þo nom he forþ his lift hond : to blesci him wiþ also : Þe deuel him nom þerbi faste : þat he nemiȝte noþing do. vpe him he lai as a sak : þat he was al ouercome, he nemiȝte him wawe fot ne hond : his poer him was binome. Ac delyure he hadde al his þoȝt : so þat he þoȝte sone Of oure louerdes passioun : as he was woned to done. ¶ Þe deuel nemiȝte þo bileue : vpe him none þrowe, For drede he ful sone adoun : bituene him & þe wowe. ¶ Seint Edmund aros vp anon : & þe deuel ouercom, Strangliche & harde ynou : bi þe þrote he him nom. "þurf oure louerdes passioun : tel nou," he seide, "me, Ich axi þe hou cristene man : mai best him witie fram þe." "Me neschal wiþ noþing," quaþ þe deuel : "schulde fram mi poer So wel as þurf his passioun : þat þu nemnedest er." ¶ þer lurnede þis holi man : as we mowe ek echon, In whiche manere we mowe best : þe deueles poer forgon, For he hatieþ godes passioun : as man doþ his fon,] And ȝwane men it habbuth in muynde : he mot fleo a-non.— Euerech tyme of daye and nyȝht : seint Eadmund him gan bi-seo Þat he diȝhte wel to godes wille : þat he nolde idel beo; Oþur he was in is oresones : oþur at is bok, Oþur he .Et. oþur slep : oþur to oþur þingus he him tok. Þreo tymes him þouȝte þat he for-les : ȝwene he cam þar-to : Ȝwane he rod, and ȝwane he slep : and ȝwane he .Et. al-so; For he nas þanne in studie : ne in is beden no-þe-mo; Ech oþur tyme, ase him þouȝte : to sum prou him scholde go.— ¶ So longue þatal. om. þis guode man : to eche holienesse drouȝ, Þat is guodnesse was wide couth : and men speken þar-of i-novȝ. Þe beste prechur he was i-holde : þat man ouȝware under-stod— For ho-so hath with him godes grace : is dede mot nede beo guod. So þat of þe Creoycerie : þe pope sente fram rome To þe bischopus of Enguelond : þat huy ane wise man nome For-to prechi of þe creoycerie : ase riȝht was for-to do. Seint Eadmund, þe holie man : i-chose was þare-to, To prechi of þe creoicerie : a-boute in þe londe, Þat men wenden to Ierusalem : oþur senden heore sonde. ¶ procracies huy ȝeuen him also : ase he wende a-boute, Of persones to nime largeliche : þat non nere with-oute. bote þat nolde he do for noþing : of no man spence take; And ȝwane persones it boden him : he it wolde for-sake. For ȝwane he seruede ore louerd crist : to is owene spense he tok; Of persones and of oþur men : ȝiftus he fur-sok. ¶ he ne ferde nouȝt ase þis Ercedeknes : ne as oþure na-þe-mo, Þat persones and þeos pouere preostes : ouer-al doth ful wo!— Ase he prechede a day : of þe creoiz wel longue, A ȝung man wende a-mong þe oþure : þe creoiz for-to a-fongue. A womman þat him louede : so heo i-saiȝh þis, heo hente him bi-hinde faste : and drovȝ him a-ȝein, i-wis. ¶ Also stif ase ani hard bord : hire hond bi-cam a-non, Þat heo ne miȝhte as a-welde : noþur senuwes ne bon; And þe hond was al-so fur-crokud. : heo made revlich bere. Seint Eadmund bi-heold a-boute : and axede ȝwat it were. "Sire, merci," quath þis womman : "wrechchede ich am i-novȝ! Ase þis ȝongue man wolde take þe croiz : a luyte ich him with-drouȝ : And min hond is al for-croket : ȝware-with ich him nam. In alle wrechhede ich am i-brouȝht : alas, þat ich here cam!" ¶ "Womman," quath þis holie man : "woltþu þe croiz take? "Ȝe, louerd," he= heo seide, "ȝif ich miȝhte : i-nelle hire nouȝt for-sake." Þis wumman sat a-doun a-kneo : and of him þe creoiz he= heo nam : And hire crokede hond streiȝhte forthþ : and a-non-riȝht hol bi-cam; heo cride and hered Ihesu crist. : þis was couth a-non; For þis miracle þare token þe creoiz : þe mo wel mani on.— ¶ In a time atþe gang-dawesal. roueisouns : þis holie man al-so prechede a day at Oxenford : ase he ofte hadde i-do, In alle halewene church-ȝerd : In þe norþure side, with þe Baneres at onderne : a-se men doth a-londe wel wide. Ase þis holie man with al þis folk : in is prechingue was best, Þat lodlokeste weder þat miȝhte beo : cam al fram bi west, Swart and dreokr. deork and grislich : and ouer-caste al þene toun; Þe wynd blevȝ al-so swiþe grisliche : ase þe world scholde al a-doun; So deork it was bi-come al-so : þat men miȝhte vnneþe i-se— Lodlokur wedur þane it was : ne miȝhte neuere be. ¶ Þat folk for drede of heore cloþus : faste bi-gonne to fleo. "A-bidez," quath þis holie man : "ore louerd is guod and freo. Þe deuel it is þat bringuth þis wedur : for-to destourbi godes lore; Ore louerd is strengore þane he : ne drede ȝe eov nouȝt to sore!" he bi-heold upward toward god : and cride him milce and ore, Þat he schilde hem fram þe deueles miȝhte : þat he ne grefde hem nammore. Þo he hadde i-seid þis oresun : þat wedur bi-gan to glide In þe oþur half of þe churche : al in þe souþere side; Þare it bigan to falle a-non : and nolde no leng a-bide, Þat vnneþe þoruȝh þe heyȝe stret : miȝhte ani man go oþur ride— Ake in þe northhalf of þe churche : þare þis holie man stod, Ne fel neuere a reynes drope : for-to destourbi a mannes Mod; In þe southhalf þoruȝ al þe heiȝe strete : it leide on for wod, Þat al þe stret a-watere orn : ase it were a gret flod. ¶ Þat folk þat fram þe prechingue : for drede of þe wedere drovȝ And þat wenden bi þe heiȝe strete : hadden þar-of i-novȝ; Ake huy þat bi-lefden þare : druyȝe and clene were— louerd, muche is þi miȝhte! : and fair miracle was þere!— In þe toun of wyricestre : bi-tidde þat selue cas, Ase þis holie man seint Eadmund : in is prechingue was; Swuch wedur þare cam ouer him : he drof it a-wey al-so. Me þinchez, ase bi is liue : fair miracle it was i-do!— ¶ So wide sprong is guode los : a-boute, feor and ner, Þat men ne hulden nouȝt in engelonde : of guodnesse is per. At salesburi he was i-maket : Canoun seculer; prouendes of churchesal. prouendre of þe hous he hadde : and was tresurer. Þo he was auauncet so : he tolde þar-of ful luyte, he spendede a-boute on pouere Men : þat oþure duden in pruyte; he spendede so muche for godes loue : in is almes-dede Þat vnneþe he miȝhte mid is rentes : half ȝer is hous lede. ¶ To þe Abbeye of stanle : he wende swiþeal. þanne i-lome And suiournede þare for defaute : for-to is crop him come— For Maister steuene of lexintone : þat was þo Abbot þere, his desciple hadde i-be : þe ȝwyle huy at scole were. his fulle .net. he neuere mo : þat ani Man miȝhte i-seo, bote ase muche ase he nede moste : þet wolde in ani poynt be; Of him wondrede euer-ech Man : þat isaiȝ him ete, hov he miȝhte holde is lijf : with so luyte mete. Of guode metes ne kepte he nouȝt : þei men it wolde him bringue; Ȝwat lutles it was, þat he et : was al of grete þingue. ¶ Þat dai þat he masse song : flechs nolde he non, Ne þat dai next bi-fore : for man þat miȝhte gon; Fram þat Men loke alleluya : for-to cam estur-day, he ne .Et. nouȝht, þat þolede deth : ase muche folk isaiȝh, Ne in þe aduent na-þe-mo. : ake þat was luyte i-novȝ A-ȝein is oþur penaunce : þat he al day forth drovȝ.— ¶ Hit bi-fel þat þe Erchebischop : of caunterburi was ded : Seint Eadmund þar-to was chose : ase Commuyn nam heore red. Þo þe Eleccioun was i-maud : in þe chapitle at Caunterburi, A-non huy senden heore messagers : to him to salesburi. huy wenden toward salesbury : ake þare nas he nouȝt; huy founden him at Calne : þo huy longue hadden i-souȝt. ¶ In is chaumbre he sat priueliche : at is boke ful stille : No man ne dorste come him neiȝh : to letten him ofal. forto wite is wille. Ake naþeles on þat was him next : ase it were is chaumberlein, Guode tiþingue he þouȝhte him bringue : and þarof was wel fain : he tolde him þat he was ichose : Erchebischop to beo. Þis holie man gan him chide faste : and hiet him fram him fleo, "Be stille, þou fol! ich hote þe" : he seide, "and go out heonne a-non, Make faste þe dore aftur þe : and ne lat þou no man in gon For-to lette me of mi studie : ake lat me in pays beo!" Of þat tiþingue he tolde luyte : ase þare men miȝten i-seo.al. 2 vv. more. ¶ Þis Messagers bi-lefden þare oute : and carefole weren of þouȝht, For þe day passede swiþe : and heore erinde ne duden [huy] nouȝht. huy wenden for heore guode tiþingue : nobleliche beon onder-fongue, For þe muruþe of is semblaunt : ȝuyt þare hem þouȝhte longue! heore ȝiftus huy miȝhten eþe a-bere : þat þis holie man heom caste! huy bi-menden, and it of-þouȝhte heom sore : heore hiȝingue þuder so faste. ¶ he ne a-ros nouȝht a fote fram is bok : are god þe tyme sende, Ase he was an oþur day i-woned— : ake forthþ þo ful softe he wende. Þo he cam out of is chaumbre : þe messagers come And seiden heore erinde hou it was. : þar-of he tok luyte gome. Þo þe lettres weren i-radde : "beu freres," he sede, "I-chulle loke ȝwat mine felawes : of þis þing wollez rede In þe chapitle of salesburi : ase riȝht is þat ich do." huy nadden of him non oþur word : þo it alles cam þar-to. ¶ Þe chapitle at salesburi : i-holde was plener; Alle þe chanouns of þe ordre : þudere come fer and ner, To conseili heom of þis þing. : þe red was sone i-take: Gladliche at one worde : alle huy stoden þare-ate. "buth stille!" quath þe guode man : "ȝwat schal þat i-sed? wuyrþe nam ich nouȝt þar-to : nimez an oþur red!" ¶ "Certes," quath þe bischop þo : and þe Canones al-so, "Þov ne miȝht nouȝht beo þare-a-ȝein : þou most it nede do." Seint Eadmund seide euere nay : and bi-gan to wepe sore. Þe Chanones wepen with him al-so : and criden cristes ore; To is fiet huy fullen a-kneo : and heolden up heore honde And beden him for þe loue of god : betere him under-stonde And habbe reuþe of holie churche : and of him-sulf al-so, And þenche, ȝwane holie churche it wolde : he moste it nede do. ¶ Þe bischop also weop on him : and on him cride faste, And in vertue of obedience : hiet him at þe laste Þat he ne scholde it nouȝht bi-leue : godes wille to wurche And beo bouȝsum to al þe lond : and nameliche to holie churche. Þo bi-gan þis holie man : to wepe and sike sore; "Nov god," he seide, "us ȝiue is grace : is milce and eke is ore! ¶ And ich take god to witnesse : and ore leuedi al-so Þat, ȝif ich ne wende suneguy dedliche : i-ne scholde it neuere do." Þo huy heorden þis word of him : Ioyfole i-nouȝ huy were, And nomen him up with ioye i-nov : and to þe heiȝe autere him bere, And 'Te deum laudamus' songuen : swyþe murie and heiȝe; Euere wep þe holie Man : ase þe chanones i-seiȝe. ¶ So þat he cam to caunturburi : and dude ase riȝt was þere, And Erchebischop was i-maud : is vnþonkes þei it were. Ne þarf no man þar-of esche : ȝweþur he toke on wel i-nouȝ And wel wissede holie churche : and to eche guodnesse drouȝ! Ȝif is lyf was holi er : wel betere it was þo; In strong penaunce he was i-novȝ : of fastingue and oþur wo. he hadde euere of selie bonde-men : pite and deol i-novȝ, For him þouȝte þat þe heiȝe men : duden hem al day wouȝ.— ¶ In a time on of is pouere Men : wende of lif-dawe, And is beste best to heriet : men brouȝte him, ase it was lawe. Þo cam þis selie mannes wif : þat careful widewe was, And mette with þis holie man : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas : heo cride on him deolfulliche : merci and is ore, And seide him, bote þat o best : luyte guod heo hadde more; heoal. Ne heo nuste in ȝwat manere : ne houal. for meseise heo miȝhte liue, heo bad him for þe loue of god : þat best a-ȝein hire ȝiue. ¶ "Guode womman," seide þe holie man : "þou wost wel hou it is, Þat þat chief louerd habbe þe beste ayȝte : ȝwane is man is ded, i-wis." To is clerkes he seide a-latyn : þat þe widewe it ne under-stod : "Me þinchez it a luþur lawe : and noþur riȝhtful ne guod. Þis guode wif hath i-lore hire louerd : þat al hire guod forhtþ drouȝ, And to leose þare-aftur ireorig. is beste best : me þinchez it is wouȝ; In þat on were lureorig. luþur i-nouȝ : þei heo ne lore þat oþur al-so. Þe deueles lawe it is of helle : and þoruȝh god neuere i-do. ¶ "Guode wif," he seide, "ȝif ich [þe] take : a-ȝein þi best to lone, Woltþou it witie to mine bi-hofþe : for-to ich it axi eft-sone?" "Ȝe,al. A ȝe sire," quath þe widewe : "god ȝelde þe þin ore!" Þe widewe nam hom hire best : and ne ȝeld it him nammore. Þis Auntur bi-fel ofte siþe : ȝwane men him wolden bidde ouȝt; heriot of pouere men : he ne wilnede riȝht nouȝht.— ¶ We ne mowen rikeni nouȝtal. nowhar neȝ : alle is guode dedes. For euere in strong penaunce i-nouȝ : is lif he gan lede, And treuliche heold up holi churche : and wuste hire fram ech wouȝ. Þare-fore hadde þe deuel of helle : to him onde i-nouȝ : he bi-gan for-to a-rere contek : bi-tweone him a-non And þe king hanri þat was þo : þe kingues sone Ioan. Þe king and muche del of is folk : a-ȝein holie churche was, Ase king henri, is graunt-sire : hadde a-ȝein seint Thomas; And þat couent of caunturburi al-so : a-ȝein him hul[d] wel faste; Ofte huy nomen louedai : ake þet contek euere i-laste. ¶ A legat was þo in engelonde : þat a-ȝein him was al-so. Ake studefast was euere þis holie man : þei he luyte help hadde þar-to. huy ne miȝten a-cordi for no-þing : ake þe lengore þe worse it was; Ake euere nam þis holie man : ensaumple of seint thomas. Wel ofte he bad þe kingue and his : ȝif it were heore wille, Þat huy ne weorreden nouȝt a-ȝein holi churcheal. H. ch. to werri noȝt : ake laten hire beo stille In hire fraunchise and in pays : ase heo hadde i-beo ȝare. Þe king þretnede þene holie man : bote he bi-lefde is fare. ¶ "Of þi þretningue ich telle luyte" : seide þis holie man, "For ȝif þou me drifst out of þi lond : an oþur red ich can : Ich can rede at parys : ase ich are þis habbe i-do, And þare-with winne me mete i-novȝ : and cloþingue al-so. Ȝif þou me dest to deþe bringue : þou paist me wel i-novȝ; Þou ne miȝhtest don me non more honour : þane slen me þoruȝ þi wouȝ." ¶ Ȝuyt eft, ase he ofte dude : to þe king he sende; And he answerede þe leng þe wors : and no-þing nolde a-mende. Þo þis holie man i-saiȝh : þat non-oþur it nolde beo, Þoruȝh holi churche he gan to fiȝhte : and a-corsede alle þeo Þat weorreden a-ȝeinal. om. þe churche of caunturburi : and with on-riȝhte duden schame; And some þat he gulti wuste : he a-mansede bi name. ¶ To þe king and to is conseil : þis word wel sone drouȝ. Ne þarf no man esche : weþur huy weren wroþe i-novȝ! Þare was þretningue and bost i-novȝ. : seint Eadmund heold him stille, And stifliche heold forth þe sentence : and liet heom speke heore wille. Seint Thomas cam and spak with him : and gostliche fram heouene a-liȝhte, And bad him beo stif and studefast : to holde up þe churches riȝhte, And for non eorþelich anuy : ne for deþe, ne flechchie nouȝht, Ake nime ansaumple of him and oþure : þat so deore as hadde a-bouȝt. ¶ Seint Eadmund feol a-doun a-kneo : and is hondene heold up al-so To cusse þis holie mannes fiet. : ake he ne moste it nouȝht do. Þo bi-gan he to weope sore i-novȝ : and seide "louerd, þin ore!" "beo stille," quath seint Thomas to him : "and ne weop þou so non|more! Ȝwi wilnestþou to cusse mine fiet? : it nere þe no riȝht to do, Þou schalt newene þine wille habbe : and cusse mine mouth al-so." ¶ Seint Eadmund aftur þulke tyme : studefast was i-novȝ, To deiȝe raþur for holie churche : þane men duden hire any wovȝ. he þouȝhte muche on seint Thomas : þat out of londe wende Þe ȝwyle þe kyng was in mest wrathþe : ȝif he wolde ouȝt amende: Of him he nam ensaumple : and priueliche i-novȝ he wende out of Enguelonde : and into Fraunce he drouȝ. And þouȝhte he was at pounteneye : swiþe faire under-fongue And isusteyned in his anuy : þat i-laste longue; ¶ Also steuene of languetone : þat Erchebischop was, Six ȝer he was at pounteneye : in þat sulue cas. Þoal. so þat seint Eadmund under-stod : of is Auncetres i-nowe, Ȝwane huy weren in contek for holie churche : to pounteneye heom drowe: Also dude seint Eadmund— : to pounteneye he wende, For-to a-bide þe stat of holie churche : ȝwane ore louerd it wolde amende. honoured he was faire i-nov : of alle þat þare were, And euere a-bod a-mendement : fram ȝere to ȝere. langor.¶ Hit bi-fel, ase god wolde : þat seint Eadmund atþe laste Fielde is bodi heui i-novȝ : and fieblede swiþe faste; So longue, þat he was so feble : þat men ne radde him nouȝht beo þere, Ake for-to soiorni elles-ȝware : þare betere eir to him were. Þis holie man is leue nam : elles-ȝwodere to wiende; Þe Monekes mauden so muche deol : þat þar-of nas non ende. ¶ "beth stille," quat þis holie man : "for ichulle þoru alle þing Comen hidere aȝein to eou : a-seint Eadmundes day þe kyng." Louerd, in swuche siknesse : wuch a word þat was i-seid! Ake, ȝwane he ne miȝhte bi is liue : forewar[d] he heold heom ded! Forth he wende with is men : þudere ase guod eir were: To þe toun of Soysi : and bi-lefde þere. ¶ So longue so it was, þare he eode : in grete siknesse i-novȝ, So longue þat he lay a-doun : and toward þe deþe drovȝ. So þat he Axede ore louerdes flechs : and it was him i-brouȝht. he sat and bi-heold it faste i-nouȝ : in gret studie and in þouȝht, Longue are he seide ani word : and þo spak he wel inliche: "louerd," he seide, "þou it art : þat ich habbe i-loued treweliche, ¶ And treweliche on þe ich [habbe] bi-leue[d]al. bileued, ich habbe om. : and i-preched of þe al-so, And þou treweliche at min ende-day : art i-come me to. Ich take þe, louerd, to witnesse : þe ȝwyle ich habbe on vrþe i-beo, Þat i-ne wilnede neuere aftural. om. no-þing on vrþe : louerd, so muche ase aftural. om. þe." A,. louerd, þat ital. þis was an heiȝh word : and he þat so sede Guod and holi moste he be : and swiþe holi lif lede! Þo he hadde i-nome ore louerdes flechs : he sat longue in þouȝhte, And al leiȝhinde on Englichs : þeos wordes forth he brouȝhte: "Men seggez þat game goth in wombe : ake i segge game goth in heorte."A v. om.? Of ore louerd þat he hadde i-nome : wel Ioyful he was þo, And al is game was in is heorte— : for is bodi was ful of wo. Þe more is bodi i-pined was : þe ner he was þen ende; And þo is ende-day was i-come : he wuste ȝwodere wiende. ¶ Euere þe more þat he was : in sicknesse and in wo, Þe gladdore he was, for he wuste : ȝwodere he scholde go, And þe more he wasal. loȝ in Ioye : and þe muregore him gan like. Men nuste him nouȝht enes ligge a-doun : to groni ne to siche, Ake euere he sat glad i-nouȝ : and lenede al-so wel ofte Opon cloþes oþur opon is hond : and deide faire and softe. Fair semblaunt he maude i-novȝ : ase he drov to þen ende; In þe moreweningue ase þe sonne a-ros : out of þis world he gan wiende. ¶ He deide twelf hundred ȝer : and to and-fourti riȝht Aftur þat ore swete louerd : in is moder was a-liȝht. Men leten openi him a-non : & is gottus take And burie heom þare ase he was ded : in þe Munstre of seint Iake; Men nomen is holie bodi : and wel faire gunne it lede To þe Abbeye of pounteneye : ase he him-sulf er sede. A-seint Eadmundus dai þe king : þudere he was i-brouȝht— he heold þe Monekes foreward : and ne failede heom nouȝht: ¶ For þo he ne cam nouȝht a-liue aȝein : ded he dude, i-wis! And þare he was i-brouȝht on vrþe : and i-schrined al-so he is; he lith þare faire i-novȝ : and with gret honour al-so. Mani is þe faire Miracle : þat god hath for him i-do. Nou god for þe loue of him : and þat us deore bouȝhte, To þulke blisse us bringue : þat he is soule brouȝhte. AmeN 64 [Martyn] SEint Martyn was i-bore : in þe londe of sabarie; Wel ȝong he was i-noriced : in þe londe of papie. A noble knyȝht is fadur was : and Maister of þe fierde, Vnder Costantyn þe Aumperour : and al is .Ost. he stierde. Foral. om., r. forth? into batayle he brouȝhte is ȝoungue sone : þar-of him to lere. None heorte nadde he þer-to : for huy heþene were; his heorte bar him euere to Iesu crist : þei he i-cristned nere, he i-saiȝh þat heore bi-leue nas nauȝht : þat huy bi-lefden þere. ¶ To churche, þo he was Twelf ȝer old : stilleliche he wende And bi-hiet ore louerd cristine to beo : ȝwane he þe time him sende. ¶ Þe Aumperour hetMS. hiet? into al þat lond : to euereche olde kniȝte Þat heore sones scholden into batayle comen : and for heore faderes fiȝhte. So þat þe ȝungue seint Martin : nas bote of fiftene ȝer Þo he [þe armes]om. in eche bataile : for is fadere ber. A winter ase þis child rod : bi þe weye al one, A Miseise man he mette naked : sore sike and grone. Seint Martyn drovȝ out is swerd : ase we findeth in þe bok,MS. boke And carf is Mantel half a-to : and þe pouere Manne it bi-tok. ¶ Sone aftur-ward, ase he bi-heold : to-ward heouene an heiȝh, with is halue Mantel i-heled : ore louerd crist he seiȝh: "lo," he seide to is Aungles : "þis ne worth me nouȝht bi-reued; Martin, þat is heþene ȝuyt : here-with me hath bi-weued." Þo Martin þis i-herde : and ore louerd he saiȝh þere, Glad ne bliþe nolde he beo : are he i-cristned were. ¶ Eiȝhtetene ȝer he was old : þo he i-cristned was; Þat he hadde so longue a-bide : ofte he seide alas. Ake al þe to ȝer þare-afturward : in-to batailes he wende For is fader wide a-boute : ase þe Aumperor him sende. hit bi-fel of a gret bataile : þat þe Aumperor hadde i-nome, he het alle is knyȝhtes in is lond : þat huy scholden to him come; he hetorig. hiet Martyn with heom wende : and Armure with him take. "Certes, sire," Martin seide, "þine Armes ich habbe for-sake, ¶ Ich am Iesu cristes knyȝht : and so ich habbe i-beo longue, And none oþure Armes bote his : i-nelle vnder-fongue." "Ei, couward," seide þe Aumperour : "nouþe þou sparest for fere For-to fiȝhte with þine felawes : ase þi riȝte were?" "Sire," seide Martin þo : "þe soþe þou schalt i-se, Of þine Armes ne kepe i nouȝht : ake þe furste ichulle beo Al one bi-fore al þi folk : naked to þe bataile; Mine louerdes miȝhte þou schalt i-seo : for he me nele nouȝt faile." ¶ Þo þat ferd al-ȝare was : seint Martin wende a-non Vn-armed with is swerd a-drawe : among alle is fon. Þo he a-mong hem was i-come : þare nas of hem nouȝht on Þat miȝhte ani more hebbe up is hond : þane it were a ston; huy ȝolden him þe maistrie a-non : bote þat he let hem a-liue. Seint Martin clepede is felawes : and het hem hom wel bliue. "Sire Aumperour," he seide, "nouþe þou sixt : ȝwuch is mi louerdes miȝhte; Are ȝe alle it hadden þar-to i-brouȝht : longue ȝe mosten fiȝhte! ¶ Nov þou hast alle þine fon i-wonne : þonke god, and nouȝht me, And haue guod day, for i-nelle : no lengore serui þe." he nam is leue and wende forth : —he nolde no leng a-bide— To þe holie bischop hyllari : þat wonede þare-bi-side. Of him he was i-maud a-colite : and dude al bi is rede. Ore louerd cam to him a niȝht : and þeos wordes to him seide : ¶ "Ich hote þe, Martin, þat þou go : wel ofte to þine kunne, And spec with hem, ȝif þov miȝht : bringue hem out of sunne; Þei þat huy heþene beon : ne let heom nouȝht þare-fore, For ech guod man schal Anouri þat kun : þat he was of i-bore. Ake gret a-nuy þov schalt habbe : þe ȝwile þou gest a-boute; Þe ȝwyle þou mine grace hast : þe þarf no-wiȝht doute." Þis guode Man, ase ore louerd him het : to-ward is kun wende.orig. hiet Strongue outlawes bi þe wei he mette : heore bouwes sone huy bende, Þis guode man huy nomen : and maden him mani a wounde, Forth huy ladden him for-to sle : is hondene faste i-bounde. Þe outlawes axede him ȝif he were : so sore a-drad euere. "Nai, certes," quath þis holie man : "þatal. so siker nas ich neuere. ¶ Ore louerdes help was euere neiȝh : þe manne þat was in care : So muche is þar-to min hope : þat i-ne rechche hou ich fare." Of Ihesu crist he tolde so : with heom þat him nome, Þat huy ful sone leten him go : and cristine for him bi-come. Ase þis guode Man eode forth al one : þe deuel a-ȝein him cam; In faire manere he axede him : ȝwodere þene wei he nam. Þis guode Man seide, "ichulle go : ase mi louerd wole lede me." "Ȝwodere þou go," þe oþur seide : "þe deuel wole aȝein þe beo." ¶ "Ȝe," seide þis guode Man : "þou most wel al-so; For ȝwane ore louerd is min help : i-ne rechche ȝwat oþure do." Þis guode Man eode a-mong is freond : is moder cristine he made; his fader nolde cristine be : for al þat huy him bede.— Seint Martin fond a ȝong man ded : þat swiþe wel with him was, Þat bi-lefde on ore louerd for him : ake i-cristned nouȝt he nas. ¶ Gret deol made þis holie man : þat he nadde ibe i-cristned er : To is burieles he eode, and bad for him : and weop wel mani a ter. Þe dede Man bi-gan a-non : fram deþe arise to liue; "Martin," he seide, "i-hered beo þou : and ore louerdes woundes fiue! Mi soule was to helle i-lad : ase alle beoth of oure kuynde, Ake tweye Aungles þoruȝ godes grace : hadden me in muynde And seiden ore louerd þat ich hadde : ouwer desciple i-beo; Þare-fore ore louerd me dude a-rise : for þe honour of þe And dude mi soule to mi bodi : for þi loue hider bringue. Cristine-dom par charite : ich esche bi-fore alle þingue." ¶ Gret Ioye hadde þis holie Man : of þis swete cas; he nolde departi fram him nouȝht : are he i-cristned was.— Þat folk nam sethþe seint Martin : for he was so guod, And maden him bischop of turoyne : muche a-ȝein is mod. To mile with-oute þe cite : an Abbeye he liet a-rere; Four-score Monekes of guode liue : him-sulf he dude þere. with heom he wonede al in pays : ase he heore soueren were; he ne wende nouȝht out bote ȝwane it neod was : þat folk for-to lere.— ¶ So holi lif seint Martin ladde : þat he hadde to is heste Fuyr., and treo., and þe kuynde of worm : of foules and of beste. a v. om.A strong wind blevȝ a fuyr : þat to seint Martines house it wende, And are þis guode man it onder-ȝete : i-barnd was þat on ende. Seint Martyn hiet a-godes name : þat fuyr a-ȝein wiende : For is heste þat fuyr flevȝ : a-non a-ȝein þe wynde To þe stude þare it cam fram : and ne bi-lefde no-wiȝht bi-hinde, And dude a-ȝein þe kuynde of fuyre : a-ȝein þe wynde to fle. Þare was i-sene þat fuyr ne miȝhte : a-ȝein is heste be.— ¶ To is heste he hadde, ase ich seide er : þe kuynde of þe tre, Ase ȝe mouwen bi a fair miracle : of him nouþe i-seo. On a dai ase he stod under a treo : to prechi godes lawe, Þe luþere men þat þare-bi stoden : þouȝhten him bringue of dawe : huy gunne sawie þat treo a-to : to-ward þis holie Manne, Þat it scholde ouer-falle him— : for þare nadde he freond nanne. Þoruȝ noyse of þe crakeȝingue : þe guode man i-heorde Þat þut treo fel touward him. : a-ȝein wel sone he it cherde; ¶ he het þat treo a-godes name : opward a-ȝein tuyrne. Þat treo a-ros up-riȝht i-nouȝh : for it nolde is heste werne, And ouer-fulMS. ouerfalle in þat oþur side : [m]anieMS. anie of is fon. huy þat leoueden, lieten heom sone : cristni euerech-on.— Þe worm dude is heste al-so. : for ase he cam bi a wateres brimme, A lodlich Naddre he i-saiȝh : stifliche aȝein him come swymme. "Ich hote þe," seide þis holie Man : "þat þov aȝeinward wende, A[n]t þat þou neuereft here ne come : ne nouȝwere in þis ende." Þis worm turnede a-ȝen a-non : ase þis holie Man him het, And swam in-to an oþur lond : and þulke contreiȝe fur-let.— ¶ Foules duden is heste al-so. : for on a time ase he gan gon, he saiȝh douedoppene fisches cachche : and swolewen heom in a-non. "Alas!" seide þis guode man : "þis is þe feondes manere : GultleseMS. gultlesse þingus and vnwarre : to cachchen, ase huy doth here, And þing þat non harm ne doth : bote wenth in pay[s] to beo; So farez þe deuel, a-waytez euere : for-to he is preiȝe i-seo." he het þe foules a-godes name : ech-one þannes teo And þat huy scholden in-to wildernesse : out of þat watere fleo, Þat huy neueref[t] þare ne comen : gultlese þingues to take. Þis foules a-non with þis word : awei huy gonne schake.— ¶ bestes duden al-so is heste. : for ase he wende a-boute, Aftur ane hare he saiȝh vrne : grehoundes a gret route; "Alas," he seide, "þis seli best : þat no-þing ne doth a-mis! Þis foule houndes it wollez to-drawe : gultles ase it is." he het þe grehoundes a-bide a-non : and ne do þat best no wo; huy at-stunten a-non, and eoden a-ȝein : and lieten þat best forth go.al. 2 vv. more. ¶ On atyme kene houndes comen : a-boute one of is manne; he ne miȝhte him wite, so kene huy were : ne help nadde he nanne: "Ich hote eov," he seide, "a-godes name : and on seint Martines al-so, Þat ȝe me laten a-pais wende : Min erinde for-to do." Þe houndes a-non with þat word : bi-gonne to stonde stille, And wenden euerech in is wey : to do seint Martines wille. ¶ A kov al-so þat was gidi : a-boute orn in þe londe, Þat fale men slov, and bestes al-so : ȝware heo fond anie stonde; hire ne miȝhte no-þing atstonde a-ȝein : so strong þat foule þing was. A-ȝein seint Martin heo cam eorne : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas; Sore weren is Men a-dradde. : þis guode Man hire het a-non A-godes name stonde stille : and [n]aneMS. ane fot forþere gon. Þat best, þei it gidi were : a-non it gan a-bide. Seint Martin þene deuel i-saiȝ : opon hire rugge ride. ¶ "Þov luþere þing ȝwat dostþov þer? : for euere þou dost to quede. Ȝwy trauailest þou þat selie best : þat ne loueth no misdede? A-corsede þing, þou wend a-wei : ne cum neiȝh hire non-more!" Þe deuel wende a-wei a-non : ȝeollinde suyþe sore— he moste nede is heste do : ase wel ase þe kov. Þo heo of him deliured was : ase ȝe i-hereth hov, Mildeliche heo eode to seint Martyn : to is fet heo feol a-kneo a-non, And schok hire heued, to þonki him : he nolde fram him gon. ¶ Seint Martin hire het a-risen up : and to ire felawes wende. heo lottede on him and eode forth : hom to ire owene ende.— Seint Martin was apostlene pier : for þe holie gost a-liȝhte In him ase in þe Apostles : in fourme of fuyr wel briȝhte. A dai ase þis guode Man sat : allone in is celle, his priue Men a-biden him þare-oute : and heorden him loude telle; Al-so ase þei it wummen were : huy heorden with him speke. Þare-of hem þouȝhte wonder gret : ne dorsten huy nouȝt in breke. ¶ Sethþe þo þe guode man cam out : huy fullen a-doun a-kneo, And axeden ȝwat þe speche were : þat with him hadde i-beo. Þe guode man seide, "ich may eou telle : for ȝe me beoz priue: It was ore lauedi and seint Anneis : þat þare-inne weren with me, Of þe Ioye of heouene huy speken : and ofte huy doth so. Seint petre and seint powel : to me comiez ofte al-so."— Seint Martin at parayplace left vacant, paray on the margin; al. paris : mette ane Musel bi cas. he custe him, and anon aftur-ward : þe Musel al hol was.— ¶ Men ne seiȝe him neuere wroth : ne liȝe no-þe-mo, And ȝwat-so-euere is Men duden : he wolde euere bi on go. In wel pouere wede a day : he rod out on ane Asse; heiȝe Men he mette bi þe weie : þat tolden of him þe lasse. heore hors weren of him a-drad le : for is pouere cloþes, And ornen a-bach, and felden hem a-doun. : huy weren with him ful wroþe, huy sturten up and nomen þis holie Man : and beoten him ful sore. Euere he was stille and ne spak no word : for þi huy beoten him þe more. ¶ Þo huy him hadden so i-bete : huy bi-lefden [him] atþen ende ligginde þare, and worþen on heore hors : forth heore wei to wende. Ake heore hors nolden gon of þe stude : for al þat huy donal. om. miȝten, Ȝuyt huyȝuyt huy al. om. smiten with ȝeorde and with spore : are þat huy a-liȝhten And criden merci þis guode Man : þat huy him hadden mis-do. heore hors hem bere forth a-non : þo huy token on so.— And in an hous þe ȝwile it barnde : he slep wit-oute harm; his cloþes fur-barnden al-to cole : he ne fielde it no-þing warm.— ¶ At a gret feste, ase he scholde : þe heiȝe masse singue, To churche he wende with is men : men gunne a-ȝein him ringue. Ane pouere Man he mette nake : þat no schroud him nadde a-boue, And bad him sum-þing to helien him with : for ore louerdes loue. Seint Martyn bad is Ercedekne : þat he him ȝeue sum cloth. Þe Ercedekne tolde þarof luyte : and nolde, he swor is Oth. Seint Martin bote anne Cuyrtel : on him-sulf þo nadde: To þe pouere Manne he hine ȝaf : in an hous þare he him ladde. ¶ he ne bi-lefde on him no cloth of wolle : bote is Cope al-one. Þe masse ne miȝhte he bi-guynne nouȝht : þat folk made þar-of mone. "Ȝwy neltþou," seide þe Ercedekne : "þine masse bi-guynne?" "For þou most er ane pouere Manne : sum cloth to him i-winne." "Nov is þiserased? al. hit," seide þe Ercedekne : "gret a-nuy with þe, For j-ne seo no pouere Man : nouȝwere a-boute þe be." "No," seide þis holie man : "it nele faillie þe nouȝht, Al redi þou findest a pouere Man : habbe þou þat cloth i-brouȝth." ¶ Þe Ercedekne in grete wrathþe : eode into chepingue, A lodlich cloth he bouȝhte for fif panes : to þe bischope he gan it bringue. Þe bischop eode into þe vestiarie : is Cope he gan of strepe. he nadde under is vestimenz : to habbe on bote þisorig. is Iuype, Vnneþe it heolede is derne limes : and nouȝht folliche is elbouwes; For is bare Armes atþe masse : þis guode man hadde gret houwe— For þe uestimenz wide weren : and is Armes smale and lene; laste is Armes nakede weren i-seiȝe : he ne dorste hebbe op is hond ene. ¶ Ake þo he nedlingus at þe sacrement : is hondene hebbe up scholde, An Aungel schrudde is nakede armes : with tweie sleuene of golde.Harl. 3 vv. more. Þe ercedekne cride and bi-hiet : þat neuere-eft mis-don him he nolde.— Þe deuel hadde to þis holie man : gret onde with-alle. he cam in a time him to bi-traye : in riche cloþus of palle, with hosen and schon of briȝte golde : swyþe fair he was of face. "Martin," he seide, "wel þe beo : i-founde þou hast mine grace: Ich am þilke þat þou seruest wel : ichulle me schewi to þe; Þov most sone chaungi þi lif : and bi-time come to me." ¶ Þis guode Man sat in gret þouȝht : no word he ne sede. "Martyn," he seide, "ich am þi freond : ȝwar-of hastþou drede, Ȝwane þin owene god spekez with þe : here mouth with mouþe? Euere þou hast of guode bi-leue i-beo : ne lat it nouȝt faili þe nouþe! For ich blessi alle þat on me bi-leuez : þei huy me nouȝht ne seo, And er þis þei þov ne seiȝe me nouȝht : in þulke blessingue þou woldest be." ¶ "I nuste neuere," quath þis guode man : "þat mi louerd euere sede Þat he wolde on vrþe come : in swuche riche kingene wede; And bote ich mouwe of mine louerdes woundes : on þe signe i-se Oþur of is croyz, inelle i-leue : þat þou mi louerd be." Þe foule þing wende a-wey : and was adrad of ane boule; Þe stude þare-Aftur swiþe longue : stonk of him riȝht foule.al. 2 vv. more.— ¶ Þis guode Man seide his ende-day : him was swyþe wel come.al. wel longe er hit come his desciples weopen sore : and gret deol to heom nome. "Leoue fader," huy seiden, "ȝwat schulle we do : þat þov us wolt for-sake? Vs fader-les with-oute confort : ȝwam woltþu bi-take? Nov wollez wilde wolues come : and alle þine schep a-spille." "Ich mot nede," seide þis guode man : "don mine louerdes wille." Of Askene and of is here he madehe m. on the margin. : a bed at is ende-day, And þaron feble aȝen is deþe : opriȝht adoun him-sulue he lay; And toward heouene lokede ay : so longue þat it nas non ende. his Men þouȝhten it dude him harm : and wolden him helpe to wende. ¶ "A-bideth," seide þis holie man : "ȝwy wolle ȝe don so? latez me ane ȝwyle bi-holde þe stude : þat mi soule schal to!" Þo i-saiȝh he þene deuel aftur is soule : stonde þare with is feren. "A-wey," he seide, "þou luþere best : þou nast nouȝt to don here! with me nastþou nouȝt to done : for mi louerd me wole onder fongue; In is name to him ich wende : þat bouȝhte me swiþe strongue." ¶ With þusse worde he ȝaf þene gost— : Aungles i-redie were, Þat folk heorde heore murie song : ase huy þe soule bere. Four hondret ȝer it was : and in þe sixe-and-sixtiþe ȝere Aftur ore louerdes buyrtyme : þat þis guode Man deide þere. Four-score winter he was old : are he was ded al-so. God ȝiue us part of þulke ioye : þat is soule wende to. 65 [Leonard conf.] SEint leonard þe confessour : a-londe eode her Aftur ore louerdes buyrtyme : a-boute fif hundred ȝer. his freond and is cunnes-men : þe gretteste maystres were In þe kyngus house of Fraunce : grettore none þare nere; And seint leonard al-so was : a gret maister with þe king; Of þat he him bidde wolde : he wernde him no-þing. he grauntede him alle þe prisones : þat he fore bidde wolde, Aftur is bone ope al is lond : þat men himal. hem deliueri scholde. ¶ Þis holie man wende a-boute faste : prisones forte glade; And ȝwane he fond ani of luyte gult : deliuered sone he made. For-þi Men him cleopeden "prisones louerd" : and ȝuyt men doth al-so, For non oþur halewe for prisones : so fair miracle nath i-do.— Þe king of Fraunce him bi-souȝhte : ȝeorne ope al is miȝhte Þat he scholde with him beo : bi dayes and bi nyȝhte, For-te þare fulle ani bischopriche : þat he him miȝhte bi-take. Seint leonard nolde it graunti nouȝht : ake outriȝht it gan for-sake, And wende forth a-ȝein is wille : and bad him habbe guod day. Formest he wende to Orlians : to prechie godes lay. ¶ Longue he prechede þare-a-boute : þat folk for-to lere; And sethþe he wende to Aquitayne : for-to prechie þere. Eche daye he wolde at toune beo : to prechi godes lawe, And eche niȝhte he wende to þe wode : ȝwane it to eue gan drawe, In is oresones to beon al one— : ac so sone so it was day, In-to þe contreye he wolde a-boute : and prechi godes lay.— ¶ Þe king hadde in þulke wode : a tour of grete bolde, Þat he miȝhte soiourni þer : ȝwane he euere wolde. Þe Quene was with childe grete : þudere men gonne hire bringue, Ȝif heo þe betere miȝhte for solas : ouer-come hire childingue. Þo he was in trauail : heo ne miȝhte ouer-come it nouȝht; So sore heo pinede þat heo was : wel neiȝh to deþe i-brouȝht. ¶ Þe king, and alle his, gret deol maden : þat crie men heorde hem wide; And þo seint leonard herde þar-of : he gan heorkni and a-bide. Þo he i-heorde þat it was of men : þudere he gan wende, Ȝif god wolde ani a-mendement : þoruȝ is bone hireal. om. sende. To þe king he wende a-non : and axede ȝwat him were. "beo glad," he seide, "for of þi Quene : ne haue þou none fere!" "A, Merci, sire," quath þe king : "al mi lond ichuldeorig. ichulle ȝyue ho-so miȝhte [it] þar-to bringue : þat þe Quene moste liue! ¶ For of þe childe ne rouȝhte i nouȝht : miȝhte ich habbe hire lif." "Sire," seide þis holie Man : "lat me i-seo þi wif, Ȝif ich hire may to liue bringue : and þat child al-so, Þoruȝ mine louerdes swete grace— : nere it wel i-do?" Þis holie Man was to þe Quene i-brouȝht : þat lai ȝare to deþe; So clene heo was with pine ouer-come : þat vnneþe heo miȝhte breþe. ¶ Seint leonard sat a-doun a-kne : and is preiere made, Þat ore louerd hire deliueri scholde : hire freond forto glade, And þat heo moste to liue come : and al-so þat child þere, Þat Men miȝhten seo þat þe grace : of ore louerd muche were. ¶ Þe Quen a-non þoruȝh is bone : deliuered was of childe, In guod lif, and hire child al-so— : þare was ore louerd wel milde! ¶ Þo þe king i-say þe Quene sauf : and þat child al-so, For ioye he nuste ȝwat he miȝhte : with þat holie man do; he bad he scholde of al is guod : nime ȝwat he wolde. Seint leonard seide, "ne kepe i nouȝht : of þi seluer ne of þi guolde, Bote a place þat ich mowe : in godes seruise inne liue." "Certes," seide þe king, "and ichulle : al þis wode þe ȝiue." "Ne kepe ich," quath seint leonard : "nouȝht more of þe i-bide Bote þat ich may in one niȝhte : with min Asse ouer-ride." ¶ "Ich graunti it þe," seide þe king : "ne wende þou no so wide, Þei heo were quickore þane ani best : þat is bi þis wode-side." Þis guode man a-boute þis wode wende : opo[n] is Asse wel stille And bi-rod al-so muche place : ase it was is wille. Þe king, þo it i-marked was : liet wal makie a-boute, And Aftur is wille he liet a-rere : noble hous and proute. ¶ Þare seint leonard Monk bi-cam : ase it an Abbeye were, And mani oþere he nam in to him : ore louerdes lawe to arere. he bi-gan þare a religion : of ordre swiþe strongue; Clerkus þat wolden guode men beo : to him he gan hem fongue. Nier þane a gret Mile wei : no watur nadden huy þere; Seint leonard hopede amendi þat : ȝif godes wille it were : he bi-gan openi þe eorþe a luyte : and is oresones he made. A swiþe fair welle þare sprong up : þat þare-inne men miȝhte wade. Þo miȝhten huy habbe watur i-novȝ : þe ȝwile þat hous i-laste, Þoruȝȝ godes grace and seint leonardes bone : þat heore miȝhteon the margin. þare|to casten.— ¶ "prisones louerd," seint leonard : ful wide i-cleopud was: Ore louerd him schewede fayr miracle : for some þingue it wasal. & noȝt for noȝt it nas! For ȝwane prisones criden to him : manie with dreorie chere, heore biendes borsten alle a-to : and huy deliurede were; Manie comen to þonki him : and heore feoteres with heom bere, And manie to serui ore louerd crist : bi-lefden with him þere. ¶ Seue Men with alle heore freond : þat weren of is kunne, Þo huy heorden of is guodnesse telle : huy solden lond and wunne, And wenden and woneden þare with him : holi lif to lede; Þis holie Man of godes lawe : gan heom wissi and rede. So fair Miracle ase of him was : no man nouȝwere nuste; Mani sik Man þare hadde bote : þat to him wel truste.— ¶ Atþe laste þoMS. þe he scholde heonne fare : longue at-fore he it wuste; his breþren he cleopede alle to him : and wel mildeliche hem custe, And wende to þe Ioye of heouene : þo god aftur him sende. Gret deol alle is breþren maden : þo he þannes wende. Ȝif ore louerd fair Miracle dude : on eorþe bi is liue, Aftur þat he was heonne i-wend : he dude swuche fiue. ¶ For miracle þat þare was : muche folk þudere gan falle, Þat þe place ne miȝhte nouȝht : bi manie holden alle. ¶ Þat folk cride on ore louerd ȝeorne : þre daiȝes and þre niȝht, Þat he scholde, ȝif is wille were : þar-of don insiȝht. huy i-seiȝen þo þe contreie al-a-boute : i-heoled al mid snowe, And a place a-midde fair and grene : Men miȝhten þaron mowe. Þo iseien huy þat ore louerd wolde : þat þis guode man leiȝe þere: huy lieten him bere þudere a-non : and a wel fair churche a-rere; Þat al þe folk þat þudere cam : ne miȝhte fulle þe place Þat ore louerd him hadde i-chose : þoruȝ is swete grace.— ¶ Þe scherreue of leouns : feteres made strongu[e] And in þe hexte tour of þe castel : þare he liet heomMS. heom heom hongue, So heiȝe, þat ech man heom miȝhte i-seo : þat bi þe weyȝe scholde wiende, And euerech man þat þar-on were : þe more him for-to schende; Þat Men þat schuuych torment iseiȝen : þe more scholden drede, Laste huy weren þaron i-brouȝht : to don ani mis-dede. So þat he nam ane trewe Man : for a luyte lesingue And dude him binde swiþe faste : and in þulke feoteres bringue. With pine and sorewe þis seli man was : almest i-brouȝt to deþe; To seint leonard he cride ȝeorne : ase he miȝhte speke onneþe. ¶ Seint leonard cam a niȝht to him : in swiþe ȝwite wede: "For þou hast to me ȝeorne i-bede : here ich am," he seide; "Þine strongue feteres bring with þe : ne haue þou none drede, And a-ris up sone a[nd] cum forth with me : for henne ichulle þe lede."vv. 115 & 116 al. transposed. ¶ Op a-ros þis selie man : with wel glade chere; his feteres borsten sone a-two : for huy bi-comen ful sere, And seint leonard ladde him forth : ase he is felawe were, To þe churche þat he inne lay : and hanguede is feteres þere. Euere ase huy bi þe weye eoden : þis holie man with him tolde, Ase þey he hadde is felawe i-beo : bi þe hond he gan him holde. Þe schirreue cam an oþur day : and is feteres souȝhte: he saiȝh þat he tolde luyte of him : þat heom þudere brouȝhte.al. 2 vv. more.— ¶ A luþur Man in gret power : in an oþur stude was also, Ane gultelese Man he hadde i-nome : and in strong prisone ido. he heorde telle of seint leonard : þat þe prisones help was, And þouȝhte fram him is prisun wite : with som quoynte cas: he liet maken of lim and ston : a wonderliche deop put, And wit strongue dores of Ire and stiel : swyþe faste he was i-dut; On-ouewarde þe fallinde dore : þo þe guode Man was þar-inne, A strong ȝwuchche of Ire he liet maken : with wel quoynte ginne: Þare-inne he dude staleworþe Men : þane prison for-to wite, Þat seint leonard ne scholde neiȝh him come : bote he were underȝite. Þe selie Man þat bi-neoþe was : in so strong warde i-brouȝt, Criede ȝeorne on seint leonard : þat he ne fur-ȝete him nouȝht. ¶ A nyȝht cam þis holie man : And þe ȝwuchche he fond þere: Sone he ȝweluede hire op þe doun : and heom þat þare-inne were, And sethþe he brac þe Irene dore : and ase a maister he wende a-doun, with swyþe gret lyȝht of heouene : and spac with þat prisoun: "Slepestþou?" he seide, "ich am i-come : þat þou hast i-cleopud so, Godes desciple leonard. : ȝwat woltþou habbe i-do?" "louerd," seide þis selie man : "al-so wis ich bidde þe Ase ich am gultles here i-do : þat þou helpe me." A-non-riȝht þis holie Man : þe Gyues he to-brac, And bi-tweone is Armes he bar him forth : no man a-ȝein him ne spac, And so hom to is owene hous : bi-twene is Armes him bar, he bad him beon a guod man : and sette him a-doun þar. ¶ Þis luþere men wit alle hore ginnes : fiebleliche habbuth a-guonne, huy miȝhten hangen up heore Ax : and leuen weorka. l. w. al. om. : for luyte huy þare wonne!— ¶ A luþer man in Alemaygne : an onkouth pilegrim nam And brouȝhte him into strong prisoun : and ȝaf him swiþe hard dom, Þat bote his freond him wolden out bugge : he scholde bi-leue þere. Þis selie Man nadde no freond : and Maude wel reulich chere, he bad for seint leonardes loue : þat he merci of him hadde; And he nolde him oþur merci do : bote into þat strong prisone him ladde. ¶ To þe louerd of þat Castel : seint leonard a-niȝht cam And [hiet] him late gon is seriaunt : þat he with vnriȝhte nam. An oþur niȝht eft-sone he cam : and þe þridde niȝht also, And hiet him deliuri his seriaunt. : ake neuere he nolde it do. ¶ Seint leonard ladde þis selie man : fram þe prisone a-mong heom alle; Þe heiȝe tour of þat Castel a-non aftur him : a-doun gan falle And a-slov al þat folk þat þare was : bote þene louerd one; Ake boþe is leggues breken a-two : with fallingue of ane stone, Þat neuereft ne miȝhte he beon hol : noþur of flechs ne of bone; Croked he was al is lif : he nuste to ȝwam mene is mone.— ¶ Also in Brutayne was a knyȝht : þat in strong prisone was i-brouȝht; To seint leonard he cride faste : þat he ofte hadde i-souȝht. Streite wardeines ouer him þare weren : boþe nyȝht and day, Þare he with strongue feteres : in prisone i-bounde lay. Seint leonard a-mong alle þe wardeins : in-to þe prisone cam Ase a maister þoruȝ heom alle : þisne selie knyȝht he nam, his biendes he brac formest a-two : and ladde him bi þe hond A-mong alle is wardeins : hom in-to is owene lond; ¶ his feoteres he tok him in is hond : þat he forth with him bar To seint leonardes Chapele : and a-mong oþure hieng heom þar. Þo ne dorste non of þe wardeines : a word speke with mouþe. Swuch a man may wel mayster hote : þat so heom a-gaste couþe! Þe Miracles þat he for prisones dude : ne may no man telle. Nov god for þe bone of seint leonard : us schilde fram þe pine of helle. 66 [Magdalena.This legend has been edited before in my "Sammlung altenglischer Legenden," Heilbronn, 1878; two other MSS. of the same text, Trin. Coll. Cambr. R 3, 25 and Lambeth 223, in Herrig's Archiv, 1882. It is a very old poem, in stanzas with mid · rhymes, originally in the East-Midland dialect, perhaps by the author of Gregorius; the text is greatly corrupted.—All other MSS. contain a different text.] Sleiȝe Men and egleche : and of redes wise and bolde, Lustniez nouþe to mi speche : wise and vnwise, ȝongue and olde : No-þing ich eov nelle rede ne teche : of none wichche ne of none scolde, Bote of a lif þat may beo leche : to sunfule men of herte colde. ¶ Ich nelle eov noþer rede ne rime : of kyng ne of Eorl,al. Telle nelle ic of no man: of knyȝht ne of swein, Ake of a womman ichchulle ov telleal. also ic can : þat was sunful and for-lein : A swyþe fol wumman heo bi-cam : and þoruȝ godes grace heo was i-brouȝht aȝeyn, And nouþe heo is to crist i-come : þe fayre Marie Maudeleyn. Of hireal. h. name ichulle ȝeou telle nouþeal. om. : al-hou and ȝware heo was i-bore, Ȝif ȝe to me wullez i-heoreal. lusten & dwelle : and habben of god þonk þare-fore. ¶ Þis word Marie so is briȝh[t]nesse : and bi-tokneþeMS. bitokne þe steorre of þe se, And soruwe also and biturnesse : ase þe bok tellez me; For ȝwane a man fielez in is heorte : þat he hauez muche mis-do, And him þare-fore biguynnez to smeorte : þat is to himal. þan is him bitur and wo, he mournez and he sikez ofte— : þis ilke Marie fierde al-so, Þat þing þat was hire leof and softe : was sethþe hire fulle fo. ¶ In þe Castel of Magdale : þis faire wumman was i-bore : heo was icleoped in propre name : "þe Maudeleyne" riȝht þare-fore. To speken of hire ich am wel fous : and it likez me ful murie. Ire fader was hoten sire Titus : and hire moder Dame Euchirie; hire broþur was cleoped lazarus : and Martha was hire soster— heo was debonere and pitiuous : and heo was a seli foster. heore fader and heore moder boþer. bo : comen of riche kunne, Of bolde kyngus and of Quienessup. also : Men of muchele wunne : ¶ Of castles and of tounesr. toures : of londes and of þeodes, Of halles and of boures : of palefreiȝes and of stedes; large huy weren of heore metes : to heom þat hadden neode, To men goinde and eke sittindeal. ysete : þat heore bonene wolden heom beode. Wyse men and sleyȝe : oueral huy weren i-tolde. Þo þat huy scholden deiȝe : and so huy weren i-holde : ¶ Heore londes and heore leodes : huy delden alle a-þreo, Tounes and heore þeodes : heore guodr. gold and heore feo, To feoffen heore childrenal. Here ch. to dyȝte : þare-wiz echon, For huy ne scholden nouȝt striuefyȝte : ȝwane huy heom weren at-gon. wel sone þere-aftur : þo huy nede scholde, Deiden fader and Moder : ase iesu crist it wolde; ¶ Bi heom Men duden sone : ase huy ouȝten to done, And to heore longue home : brouȝten heom ful sone— Iesu crist of heouene : of heom habbe merci And for is names seouene : fram helle heom waraunti! huy diȝhten heore londes : a-mong heom, alle þreo, And with heore hondene delden : heore gold and heore feo : To Marie bi-lefdeal. gan falle : þe castel Magdale, ¶ Þare-fore Maudeleynesup. of alle : formest i-cleoped was heo;vv. 43-44 are wr. in one line. Lazarus hadde þat haluen-delal. chaumpart : of al Ierusalem, Of wodes and fieldes and of sart : al-mest to bedlehem; Martha was i-feoffed : with þeal. om. Betanie And al-so with genezarez : bote þe bok us lie. ¶ Marie, heo ne tolde nouȝt : bote al of hire pruyde, Ake þar-on was al hire þouȝht : and faire hire to schruyde, And sethþe for-to walke a-bouteal. om. : to don hire flechses wille, To gon and eorne feor and neoral. & to stalke : boþe loude and stille; For-soþe, heo was riche i-nouȝhal. sekirly : and so heo moste nede : Manie riche Men hire leiȝen bi : and ȝeuen hire gret mede. ¶ Lazarus spendede al is þouȝht : op-on his chiualerie, Of oþur þingus ne tok he no ȝeme : ne toal. Ac at o word he tolde noȝt: of housebondrie. Þe selie Martha, þat oþur suster : heo was of redes guode, Ase þei heo and hire soster : neren nouȝt of one blode : ¶ Martha nam hire broþur lond : and hire sustres al-so, And dude heom teolien wel i-nouȝ : ase wys man scholde do; Þare-with heo fedde alle heore men : and cloþede heom al-so, [&] pouere men and wummen : þat weren neodfole and in wo. ¶ So fair womman nas þare non : in none kunnes londe, Ase marie was of bodieal. lycam : and of fote and honde; So more fairore þat heo bi-camal. was hir fax : þe more of hire was prys,MS. pryis Þe more fol womman heo wax : and sunful and unwys : ¶ Hire riȝhte name marie : ouer-al heo les þare-fore, Sunfole wumman men cleopeden hireal. gan hire clepy : bi-hinde hire and bi-fore. Þo þis wumman hadde i-heord : þat hire name was ilore, Þat heo was so bi-gyled and bicherd : wo was hire þare-fore; Þo Men hire cleopeden sunfule : and lieten hire riȝhte name, heo wax kareful and dreori of þouȝhtal. drery & carful : and gan sore to schame : Þo nolde heo no-more : bi-fore þe riche men come; In-to hire castel for soreweal. sore : heo hauez hire i-nome, For-to ore louerd cam and prechede : ouer al in þat londe. Martha hire suster ofte bi-fore op-braidr. apechede? : hire schame and hire schonde, And chidde hire ful ofte : for hire lecherie, boþe fastinde and eke ful : þat vnneþe he miȝhte it drie. ¶ A man of þat contreye : þat heiȝhte symond leperous, Al-so þe bok us tellez : bad ore louerd to is hous, And is deciples tweolue : with him, to þe mete, For he ne miȝhte nouȝht him-sulf : fram heom alle ete. ¶ Marie þis i-heorde : and þarof was ful glad; A smeorieles to greiþi : þar-to he was ful rad; heo wende to symundes hous : þat no man hire ne bad, To ore louerd Iesu crist.al. crist Iesus : and ful sore heo was of-drad, ¶ For þat he was so sunful : bi-fore ore louerd to come, Careful heo was, and sore a-ferd : forto beon i-nome; heo ne dorste ore louerd repie nouȝhtal. om. : bi-hinde ne bi-fore, Ne no Man hire nolde cleopie : and þat hire grefde sore. ¶ Þo ore louerd was i-sete : in symundes house þere, And his Apostles to þe mete : þat with him þo were, Ore louerd sat and þouȝhte muche : ake bote luyte he ne eet.orig. eat Marie þat was so sunfulal. þat of hirself ne roȝt : heo crep doun to is fiet, ¶ heo custe is fiet and wusch al-so : with hire wete teres, And wipede heom aftur-ward : with hire ȝeoluwe heres, Out of hire boxe heo nam : Oynement ful guod And smeorede ore louerdes heued : with ful blisful mod. ¶ Iudas was þare bi-side and smulde hit : and þare-fore he was neiȝh wod,— Þat swote smul him culde neiȝh : and gremede is sorie blod,— Andal. he bad don up þat riche þing : þat heo ore louerd gan with smeore; To spene it so in wasting : he seide, it was gret lure; And seide, "it mai beon i-sold ful deore : to bugge with muchel mete, pouere Men þare-with to freueri : of drunch and of mete."on the margin, to drinke and to ete ¶ Þo saide ore louerd to Iudas : "lat þou þis wumman beo! Ful guod weork it was and is : þat heo wurchez in me; For ai schulle ȝe pouere with eov habbe : and so ne worth eov me— Þi toungue moste bien i-schaue : to speche heo is to freo." ¶ Symund leprous i-heorde þis : he þouȝhte wel mani-fold Þat, ȝif þes profete were al-so wys : ase he is fore i-told, he nolde soffri þis fole wumman : his bodi enes to reppe, For no weork þat heo can doal. do can : to-ward him enes steppe. ¶ Ore louerd wuste is luþere þouȝht : ake þarof stod him non eyȝe: "Symund, þou þenchest muche for nouȝht. : sum-þing ichulle þe seiȝe." "Maister, seye," seide symound : "ich it bidde þe! For þou noldest for no þingal. C pound : segge on-riȝht to me." ¶ "An vsurer was ȝwilene : þat hadde dettores tweyne, Þat swyþe longue ȝwyle : dette him scholden beyne: Þat on him scholde fifti panes : and twenti þar-to,al. fyf siþe twenti Þat oþur him scholde of dette : fifti panewes al-so.al. panes : fulle fifty ¶ And noþur of heom nadde : ȝware-of þe dette for-to ȝelde: huy ȝolden, þo he it creuedeal. He forȝaf hit hem : (the MSS. are corrupt) : ase þe bok us telde. Ȝweþur of heom tweine : cudde him more loue þo?" "Maister, he þatal. þat he more ȝafforȝaf : me þinche, so mote i go." ¶ "For soþe, symund leperous : þou hauest i-demed a-riȝht. For sethþe ich cam into þin hous : þou ne custest me no-wiȝht, Ne þou ne wusche nouȝt mine fiet : with watur ne with teres Ne þou ne wypedest heom nouȝht ȝuyt : with cloþe no with heres,orig, here, s added later. ¶ Min heued on none halue : with no-manere Oynement Ne smeordestMS. smeredest smeordest, with none salue : ne with no piement; Sethþe ich cam in-to þin hous : þis wummanMS. wumnan nolde blinne Mine fiet to wasche and cusse : with-outen and with-inne, ¶ And to wipen heom sethþe aftur-ward : with hire faire here, Min heued also to smeorien : with riche Oynement and dere. Op aris, þou wumman, þine sunnes þe beoth for-ȝyue! Al-so ich nouþe can and mayr. may and can : of me þou art i-schriue." ¶ Marie þe Maudeleyneal. M. þat was in fere : ore swete louerd hire schrof, Swete Iesu crist out of hire : seue deuelene heMS. heo drof. Ore louerd makede hire is procuratour : his leof and is hostesse; heo louede him with gret honour : in pays and in destresse. ¶ Martha, hire suster, was ful sik : and so heo hadde i-beo ful ȝore, At hire bi-hinde heo hadde i-bled : seuen ȝer and more; heo ne miȝhte for no-þing : no leche-craftcraft on the margin. a-fongue, Are ore louerd, heouene king : a-mong heom þare gan ȝongue, And ȝaf hire is swete blessingue : and helde hire of hire sore And bad hire beon hol and sound. : and so heo was euer-eft more. ¶ Heore beire broþur lazarus : was swyþe sikel aoverlined. man. Iesus hereborewede at heore hous : ȝwane he bi heom cam, And his Apostles alle : ȝwane huy þare-forth come, heore In huy gonne cleopie : anal. þat wolde to hem by falle: ase heore owene it nome; ¶ Al swuch ase þare-inne was : huy eten and huy drounke— Men habbez ofte note of þing : þat luytel it habbut swounke. Þo Iesus hadde þare i-beo : ase longue ase he wolde, he wente to an oþur contreye : for men i-seon him scholde; ¶ Marie he ȝaf is blessingue : and Martha and lazarus, Muchele and luttle, elde and ȝongue : þat woneden in heore hous. Aftur þat he was i-wend : Marie wasal. wax egleche: Crist hire hauede a-boute i-sent : to sarmoni and to preche: ¶ To sunfole men he was ful rad : to wissi and to teche,MS. toche And to sike men heo wa[s] ful glad : to beon heore soule leche; Mani on to cristinedom : heo brouȝhte, and out of sunne, Fram lecherie and hore-dom : þorual. to schrift, to Ioye and alle wunne.— ¶ Aftur ore louerdes passione : in þe þritten þe ȝere Giwes weren proute and grimme : olme and of luþere chere, Seint steuene to deþe huy stenden : þat was ore louerd ful deore, And manie Men huy flemden : þat cristes limes were; ¶ Non Apostle ne moste liue : in Giwene londe, Alle huy weren of londe i-driue : with wrathþe and nyþe and onde. Seint Maximus was þo : with godes apostlesal. þo was w. g. a. : s. M. bi-come; Sixti .ant. Ten deciples : to-gadere heom hadden i-nome; ¶ Marie þe Maudeleyne : and hire broþur lazarus, And heore suster Martha : and þe bischop Maximus, Mani mo of cristine Men : wel mo þane i can nemne, weren i-hote fleme : and some to quelle and brenne. ¶ Huy weren in .A. schip i-pult : with-outen ster and ore, Þat huy scholden beon fur-farenal. i-spilt : and ne libben no-more; Þare nas noþur ido with heom : noþur watur ne bred, For huy scholden of-hongrede beon : and sone þare-aftur-ward ded. ¶ Huy schypeden in þe salte se : ase Iesu crist it wolde, For-to þat tyme scholde beo : þat huy a-riui scholde. To Marcile þe wynd heom drof : a gret name-couth cite; Euer-ech of heom oþur schrof : are huy comen out of þe se. ¶ Huy ne founden þare no freondal. frend non : þat wolde heom hereboruwe, Cristine man ne no givNoþer gywe ne cr. man : an eue noþur a-moruwe, Ne ȝyuen heom mete ne drinke noþural. om. : ne lissen heore soruwe, Ne no man, for loue ne for swunch : þat huy miȝhten of bugge ne borewe: ¶ In one olde porche : huy stunten al þat nyȝht, with-oute liȝht of torche : with-oute fuyr and candle briȝht. Þe porche was an oldMS. hold hous : of olde weorke i-wrouȝt; Þudere in huy weren alle wel vouse : þat of þe se weren i-brouȝht, ¶ For huy nusten elle-ȝware : þat huy stunte miȝhte; Bote huy hadde gre[t] schame and teone : and giwes with heom to fiȝhte. Þare huy duelden al þat nyȝht : forto it was day a-moruwe. Þe sarasins heom boden fiȝht : to echen heore soruwe. ¶ Alle þe Men þat fram þe se : þuder weren i-come, huy nusten ȝwodere huy miȝhte fleo : for-þi huy weren i-nome. huy weren i-hote ope lyf and limeal. on here lyf : Iesu crist fur-sake, And, with þretningue and with strif : to heore false godus take. ¶ Þe Marie Maudeleine : heo saiȝh þat folk a-rise, Riche and pouere, knyȝht and sweyn : to don þat sacrefise: heo was a-nuyd and of-drad : þat hire bi-gan to grise; To speken of god heo was ful rad : and so dude on hire wise. ¶ Op heo stod with wordes bolde : with briȝht neb and glade chere, And seide, "herkniez to me, ȝunge and elde : þat wullez beon cristes:rhyme om.; al. þat in þis place ben here Ne bi-lieuez nouȝht opon Mahun : ne on teruagaunt, is fere, For huy beoth boþe deue and doumbe : and huy ne mouwen i-seo n i-here, ¶ Ne huy ne mouwen eov helpe nouȝht : of none kunnes þingue Þei men of heom ȝelpen ouȝt : ne no guod to eu bringue: For huy bez doumbe and deue : crokede and eke blinde, heore miȝhte is fallen to grounde : bi-foren and bi-hinde. ¶ Ake ȝe schulle lieuen on iesu crist : oure heiȝe heouene kyng, Þat al þis worldes maister is : with-oute ani ending: For he may don is willeal. He ou wole dyȝt (of om.) : of euereche cunnes þing Þat ȝe wilniez with riȝhte : and with-outen suneguyng; ¶ He is with-oute þe bi-guynningue : and he is with-outen ende, with-oute fuylþe and sunegyng : so corteys and so hende Þat al þing þat man with skile him biddez : he wole him ȝyue and sende, To Man þat goth and eke rit : þat wole to him wende; ¶ He is wuryter. wuyrte of alle þing : he makede heouene and helle, Ne may no kayser ne no kyng : his vertues alle telle; Þe man þat him seruez wel : ne may him no feond cwelle,orig. dwelle Ake huy þat wullez a-ȝein him fiȝhte : to grounde he wole heom felle; ¶ He makede day and eke nyȝht : steorrene and sonne and Mone; Þe man þat trewe is and louez him ariȝt : he wole graunti him is bone And þat he biddez him with treouþe : he it grauntez him ful sone, he helpez boþe king and knyȝht : þe pouere alle mididone." ¶ A riche prince of sarazins : þudere was i-come, with him is wyf and his mayne : þat with him he hadde i-nome: To Maries prechingue : he lustnede ful sone; For þat heo was so fair a þing : to hire huy token guod gome. ¶ Þe sarazins onvele : weren fulle of nyþe and hete, þo it was time of mele : huy wenden to heore mete; þo huy comen hom vnsele : and þar-to weren i-sete, Cristes Men to delen guod : ful clene huy hadden for-ȝete. ¶ Þare weren of cristine men : mo þane sixti and tene; No man nadde reuþe of heom : and þat was þare i-sene: huy weren wit-oute mete and drunch : in gret hongur and in teone, Ne huy ne duden no weork ne swunch : ne no-þing men nolde heom lene. ¶ Hit was in one nyȝhte : aftur þe þridde day, þat þis riche princes wif : in hire bedde lay: Þare cam Marie Maudeleyne : and bi-foren hire heo stod: "Dame, me þinchez þou art vnhendeal. vilayne : for þou hast muche guod, ¶ Of þe ich habbe gret feorlich : and muche me þinchez wunder Þat þou last Iesu cristes folk : þus steorue for hungur! Bote ȝif þou oþur þi louerd : lissi heore kare, Wite ȝe mid-i-wisse : sorewe eou schal beon ful ȝare: ¶ Swuch a fierd schal op-on eov come : þat schal eov soal. om. fur-fare And a-quellen eou and eouwer folk : huy nellez eov no-þing spare." Þis riche princes wif þis word : nolde hire louerd nouȝht telle— For-soþe, heo was puyrliche vnwys : in sawe and in spelle. Þe oþur nyȝht þe Maudeleyne : eft-sone ȝeode hire to, And spak to hire wel stuyrneliche : and þe þridde nyht al-so; And ȝuyt heo nolde hire erinde : to hire louerd do.a v. om.; al. Alle suche messageres : crist hem worche wo. ¶ Marie cam þe feorþe nyȝht : and bi-fore þe prince heo stod: "Slepestou, tyraunt, þou deueles knyȝht : of sathanasses blod? þi wif, þe Naddre, heo is a-mad : ich holde hire puyr wod: heo nolde þe telle þat ich bad : for vuele ne for guod. ¶ Þou hauest mete and drunch i-novȝ : and luytel oþur care, And soffrest cristes men with wouȝh : for hungur þus fur-fare! Bote þou a-mendi heore stat sone : þe is sorewe al-ȝare, þare schal so strongMS. stronk folk come þe a-ȝein : þat wollez þe luytel spare, ¶ with sweord and spere huy schullen þe sle : and al þi folk fur-fare." þe Maudeleyne ȝeode fram him : and liet him ligge þare. þe Quieneal. prince a-wok and siȝhte sore : and tolde hire louerdþe quene so; þo þouȝhte him þat he i-warned wasal. þoȝte heo, so dyde me: : þreo nyȝhtes and mo. ¶ Heo tolde him þat hire was i-seidorig. i-said : and al-so i-hote to do: Feden Iesu cristes men : and lissi heom of heore wo, Oþur heom scholde sorewe i-novȝ : and kare comen heom to. þo seide þe prince : "Dame, ȝwat schulle we do Of þisse opene warningue : þat is i-come us to?vv. 269-70 are written in one line. v. 270 al. om. Betere is þat we Cristes men : swyþe wel heom fiede and schruyde, þene we tellen luyte of heom : In vilte oþur in pruyde." ¶ huy token Iesu cristes Men : and ladden homal. hem to heore inne; Al þat heom was neod, huy founden heom : with loue and alle wunne. Þe Maudeleyne heom radde wel : to witien heom fram sunne, So þat heom ne þorte neuere drede : of sathanases kunne. ¶ Opon a day heo bi-ganal. Heo bigan vpon a day : godes word forto preche And of godes lawe, with gret witWiþ grete witte of godes lay : ase heo þar miȝhte a-reche; To leden heore lyf in guod fey : alle heo gan heom teche, And for-to louie god and don a-wey : wrathþe and onde and wreche. ¶ Þe prince saide þo to hire : with egleche wordes and bolde: "Miȝht þou proui with treuþe : þat þou prechest may beo wel i-holde?" Þe Maudeleyne saide,corr. to seide "ȝe : ich am redi eov to teche, Bi ore maistres conseile : and mid is holie speche— Þat is seinteMS. seinte? petre of rome— : hov ȝe schullen on take Þe blisse of heouene for-to afongue : and þe feondes lore for-sake." ¶ Þo seide þe prince a-non : and is wyf al-so: "We beoz boþe redie a-non : þine wille forto do, So ase þi louerd is : of so muchel miȝhte Þat he may, ȝwane he wole : at is wille alle þingus diȝhte. ¶ Bide þine louerd, heoue king : þat is us alle a-boue, So ase he may don alle þing : and al-so for is moder loue, And for þine bi-sechingueal. bisokne : þat he ȝyue a child, þat beo a sone: And at þane forewardetokne : we wollez with eov wone, Ore kinedom also forth with us : his owene we wollez bi-come, And we wollez ȝelden a-ȝein to is Men : þat we heom habbez bi-nome. ¶ Þo seide Marie þe Maudeleine : "þat nelle ich nouȝht bi-leue, A preiere to mi louerd to make : nele me no-þingMS. þinging greue. "Ich bidde þe, swete Iesu crist : þat makedest sonne and mone, Þat þou þis prince siende a child : and þat it beo a sone." heo bad with guode heorte and milde. : heo was i-heord ful sone: ¶ Þat ilke nyȝht huy geten a child : ase god heom ȝaf grace to done. ¶ Þo þe prince wuste : þat is Quiene was with childe, A-non-riȝht toward Iesu crist : he wax meoke and milde; huy leten heore vuele dedes : þat weren so wikke and wilde, And aftur godes dedes : huy wrouȝhten a[nd] gonne buylde. ¶ Þo swor þe prince and seide, "bi heued min : wiende ichulle to rome And bi-come a pilegrim : and don aftur þe holie dome, And with seint petur ichulle speke : and don aftur is redes, ȝif it is so ase Marie seiz : of Iesu cristes dedes; And ȝif þat ich him finde : at þe court of rome, Of him ichulle vnder-fongue : fulloutht and cristindome." ¶ Þo seide þe lauedi : "ichulle wiende with þe, And, þare þou art i-cristned : ichulle al-so beo; And ȝwane þou comest hidere a-ȝein : ich may come with þe." Þo seide þe prince leiȝinde : to is wif a-game: "And beo nouþe ase þou seist : mi leoue swete dame, ¶ Bote in schipe wexez ofte soruweal. om. : peril and teone and grame; And þou art nouþe with childe : couth is þat guode fame, In þe .se. þou miȝhtestal. þou m. in þe se wilde : ful sone hente schame— Ȝuyt hadde ich leouere ich were i-huld : and euere to ligge lame. Ake bi-lef þou athom and reste þe welal. om. : and ȝem alle ore þingues; At mine aȝein-come god siende me : of þe guode tiþingues!" ¶ Þo spak þe lauedi, þe Quiene : and feol a-doun to is fote: "Leue louerd, þou let beo þat : and graunte me þat ich mote! Þis ilke sorewe wole me a-slen : bote þou do me bote." ¶ Ȝeot seide þe leuedi : and weop wel swiþe sore, Deolful and dreori heo ful a-doun : and seide ofte, "sire, þin ore! hov miȝhte ich libbe and beon glad : bote we to-gadere woreorig. were? we loueden us so ȝoungue : and nouþe we beoth sumdel hore." ¶ So longue and ȝeorne þis lauedi bad : hire louerd þat was so hende, Þat he hireorig. him grauntede, and was ful glad : with him for-to wiende. For neodfole bi-sokne : of heom and heore men, Þe holie blessingue with hire hond : Marie makede on heom, For no wickede gost : bi þe weye ne scholde hem derie, Þe holie rode tokningue : fram seoruwe heom scholde werie. ¶ Þe Marie heo mauden wardein : of heom and of heore schipe,r. lordschipe? Þe swete holie Maudeleyne : in cristes wurthschipe, For heo was þe kingue of heouene : leof and deore and queme, And bi-token hire ech-del : to witien and to ȝeme. ¶ huy nomen with heom into heore schip : bred i-novȝ and wyn, Venesun of heort and hynd : and of wilde swyn, huy nomen with heom in heore schip : al þat hem was leof, Gies and hennes, crannes and swannes : and porc, motoun and beof; For huy scholden passi : þe grickische se, And for þat huy nusten hou longue : huy scholden þare-inne be. ¶ huy drowen op seil and ore : and schipeden a-non-riȝht, Alle, þe lasse and þe more : Eorl, baroun and knyȝht. huy nadden bote seue nyȝht : i-seiled in þat flod, Þat huy neren sore of-dradde : þe se wax stuyrne and wod; Þe se bi-gan to flowen : and þe wawes forto a-rise: Some bi-gonne to swounen : and heore heortene sore a-grise; ¶ Þe se bi-gan to ebbial. route : and þe wynd ful stuyrne to blowe. Ase þe Quiene on hire bedde layal. And þe q. for doute: : hire token ful strongue þrowes, heo swounede ful i-lomelicheal. ylome : and harde pinede þare-fore, So for-to þat hire ȝoungue sone : were of hure i-bore. Þo þat child i-bore was : þe Moder bi-gan to deye, Þat folk gradde "allas allas" : and weopen with heore eye. ¶ Þo þe leuedi was ded : aftur þat þet child was i-bore, huy ne miȝhten it bi-leue : toal. þer was wiþ hem non oþer red : but make deol þare-fore. Þat child wolde souke : and it nuste ȝwam, Þare nas no milk a-boute : ne no mielch wumman. ¶ "Allas," quath þe prince : "þat ich euere was i-bore! Wo is me for þis ȝunge child : and for mi Quien þat ich habbe i-lore, And nouþe it mot nede deye : for souke ne hath i[t] non, Ne i-not in none halueal. Wote ic neuer sikerly : ȝwat me is best to don." ¶ Þe schipmen hieten with stuyrne mod : þat men ne schulden nouȝht spare Þe dede Quien to casten in þat flod : oþur elles huy mosten fur-fare: "Þe ȝwyle þat bodi is here with us : þe stormes beoth so kete, To quellen us huy þenchez : and þat huy nellez lete." ¶ huy nomen up þadr. þat dede bodi : in-to þe se for-to caste. "Abidez ȝuyte and herkniez me!" : þe prince gradde faste; "Ȝif ȝe nellez for mi loue it leteom. it lete : ne for loue of mi wif, spariez for mi luytel sone : so þat he mouwe habbe is lyf! For ȝif is moder mouwe ȝuyt : of hire suoweningue awake, Þanne may mi luytel sone : to hire tete take." ¶ huy lokeden heom bi-side : and seiȝen an heiȝh hurst Swiþe feor in þe seal. In þe se wyde : and þe prince it i-saiȝ furst; him þouȝte þat wel more wisdom : to þe bodie it were to burien it opon þet heiȝe hurst : þane fisches it eten þere. ¶ Þo huy comen þudereal. were þ. ycome : huy ne miȝhten make no put: Þe hurst was al of harde stone : ech faste in oþur i-knut; huy nomen þe Quiene and hire child : and wounden in a mantel, And leide opon þe heiȝe hurste : in a grene cantel; huy leiden þat childes mouth : to þe moder tete— Þo þe prince þat i-saiȝh : with wepingue is neb he gan wete. with gret deol þe Quiene and hire Child : þare huy gonne lete Opon þet hurst þat was so heiȝh : and hard and wilde and kete. ¶ Þe prince wep and wende forth : with his schip in þe se; "Marie Maudeleyne," quath þe prince, "alas : þat euere kneu ich þe! To don þis pelrimage : ȝwy raddest þou me? Þov bede þi god a bone : þat mi wif with childe scholde be: And nouþe is ded þus sone : boþe hire child and heo! ¶ Al mi lond and al mi þing : ich habbe i-take þe To witen and to wardi : ȝwi schal it þanne þus be? Mi wif and mi ȝungue child : marie, ich bi-take To Ihesu crist, þi owene louerd : þat alle þing of nouȝht gan make, Þat, ȝif he is so corteys and miȝhtful : ase þou seidest to me, he saue mi wif and mi child : fur-fare þat ich ne be." ¶ To his schyp he wende : and so forz in þe se. God hem to Rome sende : for þudere wolden he. Seinte petur wuste wel : þat þe prince cam: With milde mod and fair compaygnie : a-ȝeines him he nam. Petur Axede him fram ȝwanne he cam : and ȝwodere he wiende wolde. "To Rome," he seide, "þen wey ich takeal. nam : and speke with þe ischolde;" he tolde of marie Maudeleyne : hou he to hire cam, And hou he cristus sixti men : and tene to him nam, he tolde him of is child : he tolde him of is wif, hov he with milde heorte : for heom þolede strif. ¶ Seinte petur creoysede him : opon is riȝht scholder, Of þat Marie hauede i-seid : he hauede game and wonder, And seide, "prince, wel-come þou be : and þine kniȝhtes alle! pays and grace with þe beo : and Ioye þe mote on falle In bour and in halle : in field and in toun al-so, In castel noþur in boure : ne worþe þe neuere wo, In watur and in londe : and in alle stude God þe fram harme schilde— : and þat ich habbe i-bede. ¶ Þey [þi] wif slepe nouþeal. nou slepe : and þi sone him reste, Loke þat þou ne weope nouȝt for hemn. f. h. om. : ne make deol ne cheste : Mi louerd is swiþe miȝthful : he wole don is wille, And he is also quoynte and sley : boþe loude and stille, he can ȝyuen and bi-nimen : borewi and eke ȝielde For soruwe blisse, ȝwane his wille is : in toune, in watere, in fielde; Ȝwane he is wroth, he doth wreche : ake þat fallez ful sielde; Ake of[te] gret fuyr and eke stuyrne : wext of a luytel spielde." ¶ Petur ladde þene riche man : aȝeinal. om. to Ierusalem, And fro þannes þene wey he nam : with him to bedlehem, Fram þannes to þe flym Iordan : an long bi þe strem— I segge it ase ich ov telle can : In boke and nouȝht in drem. he schewede him caluarie : þare god was don on rode, his fiet and is hondene : al-hou huy ronnen on blode, he tolde him of þe þornes : þat on his heued stode, And of þe nailes þat in is fiet : and in his hondene wode, And ȝet he tolde him of þe spere : þat to þe heorte him stong, And hou he an heiȝh opon þe rode : deide with muche wrong, hou he into helle cam : with Sathanas to fiȝhte, And is folk þat þare-inne was : hou he it gan out diȝhte, hou he a-ros, and to heoue steuȝ : to is fader sete And sat him þare-inne, for he was gleuȝ : and was him swyþe i-mete. ¶ Þo þe prince hadde i-heord : seint peteres lore, he carede laste he were bi-cherd : for he hadde i-beo þareal. was fol so ȝore; he hadde i-leorned swiþe wel : al clanliche his bi-leue, his oures and is sauter ech-del : þo seide he, "god it ȝeue Þat ich were sone : in mine owene contreye And al mi folk, with flechs and blod : riȝht ase ich wolde, seiȝe!" Seint petur he bad par charite : cristni him a-non And al is oþur mayne : and laten heom wende hom And þanne habben guod day : "and ȝif us þine blessingue! we wollez so bliue so we mouwen : don us to schipijngue." ¶ "Þou schalt with-outen cristindom : wienden into þine londe; Ne drede þe nouȝth, for þou miȝht it don : with-oute schame and schonde. Þe Maudeleyne schal beon with þe : and to þe heo schal fongue, Lazarus and Martha, al þre : bi þe huy schullen stonde; Þare þou schalt i-cristned beo : þoru Iesu cristes sonde, And muche folk al-so of þine contreye : ne þinche þe nouȝt to longue! ¶ An holi man schal cristni eov : þe bischop Maximus, Þat can is mester don swiþe wel : in Ihesu cristus hous, he wole beo ȝep and eke rad : sley and eke vous, To cristni manie he wole beo glad : to is louerd Iesous— he were a fol and un-wis : þat ne were of glad and bliþe." Þe prince tok leue of seint petur : and þonkede him fale siþe. Þe prince saide, "holie fader : haue nov wel guod day! Ichulle wienden hamward : so bliue so ich may." he dude him into þe salte flod. : his schip bi-gan to go So bliue, for þe wind was guod : a[s] swaluwe swiftal. om. oþur flo; with-inne þe seuenniȝhtte : þudere he was i-come Þare he,overlined. aȝein is wille, bi lefde : is wif and is sone. ¶ huy i-seiȝen bi þe stronde : a luytel child gon pleye with publes on is honde : bi-fore hem in þe weye. Þe prince stap out of þe schipe : of hem alle he was þe furste, Opon þe stronde he ȝaf a lupe : he hiȝede him to þe hurste. Þat child was swiþe sore of-drad : þo þe prince cam, To his moder he was wel rad : and a-boute þe necke hire nam. ¶ Þe leuedi lai wel stille and slep : opon a grene cantel, Þat child for fere orn to hire and crep : under hire mantel. Þo saide þat child, "hiderward : a þing, me þouȝhte, i saiȝ come, Of him ich am ful sore a-drad : laste we beon i-nome." "Beo stille, mi sone, mi leoue child : he is mi worldes fiere; For gladnesse wepe he wole : þat [he] us findez here." ¶ Þe prince cam and fond hire þer : ligginde on þe hurste, Þare ase he bi-lefde hire er : and þat chil sek hire breste. For Ioye he weep and sat on is knen : and heold up his honde : "Þat ich euere moste þis i-seo : ich þonki ore louerdes sonde. A, swete Marie Maudeleine : þat me wolde nou riȝht þinche murie Miȝhte þis wumman quikie a-ȝein : and liuen and hire sturie!" ¶ Þo he hadde þat word i-seid : his wif bi-gan to wake,al. quake Of a swume heo schok and braid : and sone bi-gan a-wake; And [seide], "þe hende Marie Maudeleyne : heo hath i-ȝiue me space,orig. grace Fram deþe to liue heo hauez me i-brouȝt : þoru hire louerdes grace; heo hauez i-fed me and mi sone : and i-don us alle guode— To seggen it þe ȝwi scholde ich schone? : þat ȝelde hire þe rode! heo hauez i-beon min hou[s]wif : mi mayde and mi norice, And bote ich þe [seide] hou heo heold mi lif : for-soþe ich were nice. ¶ Al þat seint petur hathal. peter : haþ : sethþe i-schewed þe, Þe swete marie Maudeleyneal. M. M. swete : it hauez i-schewed me : heo me hauez on hire hond i-lad : ouer þe salte strem, And setþe forþere-more : to Ierusalem, And setþe heo me ladde : bedlehem for-to seo, Þudere ase seint petur : bi-fore ladde þe, And sethþe to þe flum Iordan : heo ladde me ful raþe, with-oute harme and siȝht of man : and with-oute schame and scaþe, And ouer-al heo me ladde : mi louerd, þare þou were; And, for þou scholdest Ioyful beo : nouþe riȝht heo brouȝhte me here." ¶ Quath þe prince, "ich þonki god al-miȝhti : þat ich eov habbe a|liue. A-risez boþe, ȝif ȝe mouwen : and go we to schipe ful bliue!" huy duden heom to þe watere : and schipeden alle a-non, Þe wynd was blowinde swiþe wel : and heore schip bi-gan to gon; huy gonne to seili swiþeal. Hij hyed hem to seyle : in þat salte fom, And hiȝeden heom ful bliue : þatal. Hem þoȝt longe & eyle : or huy weren at hom. With-inne a quartron of þe ȝere : huy comen to Marcilie. Mani Men of feor and ner : of heom gonne speke and spilie, Manie hem hadden to-gadere i-nome : Eorl, baron, knyȝht, and swein, Are huy weren to londe i-comen : for-to wenden heom a-ȝein, Sarazins, and þe Giwes some : and þe Marie Maudeleyn; ¶ Martha cam and lazarus : of heom huy weren ful glad, And þe holie Bischop Maximus : to heom he was ful rad, And manie of cristine Men— : huy neren noþing of-drad To comen and gon a-ȝeinest him : and don þat he heom bad. Þo þe prince and is wyf : weren i-come to londe, Þe Maudeleyne with-oute strif : i-reuested þare huy founde; And þo huy comen fram schipes bord : marie huy founden stonde For-to prechen godes word : to heom þat were on londe. ¶ Þe prince tokMS. tok tok is wif and is sone : with heorte guod and swete, To þe Maudeleyne huy comen : and fellen doun to hire fete, And tolden hire al heore lijf : þat heom bi-feol in þat weye; Pays and loue, harm and strif : al huy gonne hire seiȝe. huy lieten þane Bischop Maximus : cristni heom a-non, Marie and Martha and lazarus : huy brouȝhten heom þaron. Þe children and þe wummen alle : þat weren in þe londe, Alle huy nomen cristindom : and þat was þoru godes sonde. ¶ Ich wot, huy nomen heore false godes : and casten heom þare doune And brenden al-to poudre : feor fram euerech toune; huy duden a-rere churches : ouer al þe contreies, And priories wurche : and manie guode Abbeies, And preostes huy gonne makienal. Hij dude hede prestes : ouer-al in þe londe, Sudecknes and oþur clerkus : to serui heom to honde. huy mauden lazarus bischop : þe Maudeleynes broþer; Þe holie bischop Maximus : maude al-so mani anoþur.— ¶ Þo al þat lond cristine was : and al þat folc þare-inne, Marie bi-þouȝhte a wonder cas : and stal a-wey fram hire kunne, In-to wildernesse he wende : al for-to wonien þere. Swuch grace god hire sende : heo was þare þritti ȝeres. Þare nas no watur a-boute : ne þare ne wax no treo Þat ani best miȝhte onder at-route : þe betere an ayse to beo. For-soþe ichulle ȝeov telle : of a ferliche wonder : Aungles comen euer-eche day : riȝht a-bouten ondern, And nomen swiþe softelicheal. softe : þe Marie Maudelein And beren hire op in-to þe lofte : and brouȝhten hire eft a-ȝein. ¶ Men nusten hou heo leouede : for noman ne saiȝh hire ete; Ake some huy onder-stoden : þat heo liuede bi Aungelene mete. A preost þare was in marcilie : þat wilned swiþe muche For-to leden elinge lif : þe betere fram sunne him wite; he maude him a wonijngue : in þat wildernesse Þare Marie, þe swete Maudeleineal. þing : wonede in clennesse; he ne bulde nouȝht fram Marieal. hire stede : bote a wel luyte mile— For-to quemen god he it dude : and he ȝeld wel is ȝwile. he hadde wunder for þat he saiȝh : þat þe Aungles comen ofte A-boute onderne eche daye : ase he stod in is crofte, And hou huy beren þe Maudeleyne : an hei op on lofte, And al-so hou huy brouȝhten hire a-ȝein : and setten hire a-doun wel softe. ¶ Þe preost a-ros op-on a day : and wende neor þe stude, he wolde i-wite ȝwat he i-saiȝh : and þare-fore he it dude; To þulke stude he cam so neiȝh : al bote a stones caste : Þo bi-gonne hise þeon to schrinke : and to croki swiþe faste; A-drad he was, and turnde a-ȝein : and so he moste nede— Ne knev he nouȝt þe Maudeleyne : ne hire guode dedes. Eft-sone he ȝeode him þude-ward : is fiet bi-gonne folde, his heorte and his Inneward : him gonnen al to colde. he þouȝhte it was sum derne þing : oþur som holi priuete, I-comen fram þe heuene king : þat he ne scholde it nouȝht i-seo : ¶ he sat a-doun opon is kneon : and bad ore louerd þere Þat he moste i-wite and seon : ȝwat þat feorlich were; he gradde on eornest and on game : "þou best in þine celle, Ich halsni þe a-godes name : of þi stat þat þou me telle!" heo bi-gan to tellen : wordes him a-ȝein : "I segge it þe for-soþe : ich am Marie Maudeleyn, Þat to þe kingue of heoue : of mine sunnes ich me schrof, And foule deuelene seouene : out of me he drof. Ich habbe i-woned nouþe here : fulle þritti ȝer, Ake i-ne saiȝh neuere no man þus neiȝh : bote þe nouþe her. ¶ Of no-þing þat ani man : of þe eorþe euere bi-swonk, I-ne .et., sethþe ich hidere cam : no mete, ne no drunch neoverlined. dronk; Godes Aungles euer-ech day : habbe me here i-nome An ibore me alne wey : ȝwane ischolde come, An heiȝh to heouene lofte : euere ȝwane iMS. it ete scholde, And hidere aȝein wel softe : ȝwane ich mi-sulf wolde. Ich halsni þe a-godes name : þat þou wende to Marcilie, And with mine freond with-oute blame : loke wel þat þou spilie : Þou gret wel Martha, mi soster, ofte : and mi broþer lazarus, And al-so gret ofte swiþe wel : þene bischop Maximus, And seie hem wel ichulle comen : a-sonenday at eue, with heom for-to wonie : and euere with heom bi-leue— For ischal to paradis : newene fram heom fare, Ake mi bodi, for-soþe i-wis : bi-leue schal with heom þare; Seiȝe heom þat huy kepen me : aftur þe mid-niȝhte, For þare ich hopie for-to beo : þoru godes swete miȝhte." ¶ Þis holie preost him wende forth : and dude hire herinde anon To þe bischop maximus : ase heo bad him don. Þe holie bischop Maximus : was glad of þat sonde, And for þat tiþingue he þonkede godal. t. ioyus : he helde : and to him heold up is honde; hire soster and hire broþer : weren þar-of wel fayn : "Nou comez oure Maister sone : þe marie Maudeleyn!" Of þis ilke tyþingues : huy weren swiþe glad Þat huy hadden i-heord— : ake some weren of-drad Þat huy bi-trayde weren. : ake þe bischop Maximus wuste wel þat hit was sothz— : to seon hire he was Ioyous, And to witen hire stat euer-echdel : he was wel coraIous. ¶ For-to seon þane Messager : þene sonen-nyȝht he wakede, And al nyȝht was in heore queor : and his oresones he makede, bi-fore þe heiȝe Auter ore louerd he bad : þat he moste i-seo Þe Maudeleynes face : þat he þe gladdore miȝhte beo. Sone aftur þe Midniȝht : are ani koc him crev, Þare cam a wonder muche liȝht : ake no wynd þare ne blev, Þe Aungles comen fram heouene : and brouȝhten þe Marie, huy seiden þe salmus seouene : and þe letanie; Fram þe eorþe huy gonne hire holdenal. helden here : swiþe longue stounde, Þe ȝwyle heo makede hire preyere : and sethþe lieten hire to grounde. Þo cam wit hire swuch a smul : among heom euerech-on, In churche, in halle and in bour : þat swuch ne smulden huy neuerer non. ¶ Þe bischop, for þe muchele lijȝht : and for þat swote smullingue,al. smak Sumdel þare-fore he was a-ferd : and a luyte him drovȝ bi-hinde.abak Marie turnede, of wordes freo : and of vilenie quijt and sker, And seide, "fader, ȝwy woltþou þi douȝter fleo? : a-bid and cum me ner!" he saiȝh hire neb, and turnde a-ȝein : so briȝht so sonne-bem, Of þat swete Maudeleine : so lijȝht so ani leom. ¶ heo saide, "fader Maximus : par seinte charite, Schrift and hosel ich ȝuyrneal. To ben ihoseled ic am vous : sone þou graunte it me!" huy cleopeden alle þe preostes : and þe clerkus euerech-on And alle þe oþur ministres : and duden hire wille a-non. heo it a-ueng wepinde : with guod deuotion, And wel sore sichinde : heo lay hire-sulf a-doun, ¶ And seide, "Ihesu, þat deidest opon þe trco : al mi stat þou wost; Into þine hondene ich bi-take þe : mi lijf and mi gost." Anon-riȝht heo ȝaf up hire lijf : and hire gost, i-wis. heo was i-lad with-outen strif : anon-riȝht to paradys. Þe bischope þouȝhte murie : and þe clerkes echon, And a-non-riȝht gonne hire burien : in a Marbre-ston. ¶ Seue niȝht þare-aftur-ward : þat day þat heo i-bured was, Niȝht and day þat smul was þare— : it was a wonder cas. Þe bischop þouȝhte murie : and bad, ȝwane he ded were, Þat Men him scholden burien : bi-siden hire riȝht þere. Of þe Maudeleine : þis is þe riȝhte endingue. God us schilde fram peyne · and to heouene us bringue! AmeN 67 [Ypolyt] SEint ypolyt þe Martyr : knyht was of gret honour, Þat wuste seint laurence in prisone : þoruȝ heste of þe Aumperour, And þoruȝh him turnde to cristindom : and his maine al-so, And burede him ful stilleliche : þo he was to deþe i-do. ¶ Þo he hadde seint laurence i-bured : and hit was vnder-ȝite, Men ortreuweden þat he cristine were : ase huy miȝhten wel þo i-wite. Þene þridde day aftur : þat seint laurence i-bured was, Ypolyt wende to is owene hous : ase it were bi cas; Al his mayne he grette fayre : and ȝaf heom part al-so Of þe milsfole dede þat he hadde : on seint laurence i-do. ¶ his meyne, þat al cristine was : fair semblaunt him made i-nouȝh, And sone þo it time was : toward þe mete him drovȝ. Þo þat bord was i-leid : and he was þarto i-sete, And his mete bi-fore him i-brouȝht : er he hadde ouȝt i-ȝete, Þe knyȝhtes comen in ate ȝate : luþere men i-nowe, bi-fore decius þe Aumperour : wel filliche him drowe. ¶ Þo decius i-saiȝh him furst : a-busemare he louȝ, And seide : "ypolyt, hou gez þis? : turnste to þe wouȝh? honoure ore godes, ich [þe] rede : and do ore heste sone, And do, ase þou art hiende kniȝht : ase þou auȝtest for-to done!" ¶ "Sire, ich habbe," quath ypolyt : "in folie longue i-beo And in vnconnesse mi lijf i-leoued : ase man þat ne couþe ise; Ake nouþe ich am to god i-turnd— : to late i dude so! Þou do bi me al þat þou canst : for non oþur i-nelle do." ¶ "No? neltþou?" quat þis Aumperur : "þou schalt i-leue me, Ase we serueden laurence er : we schullen nou serui þe!" "Ȝe, god ital. om. ȝeue," quath þis holie man : "þat it were bi me nouþe Ase it mid him is þat þou nemmest : riȝht nouþe with luþere mouþe!" ¶ "Goz forth," quath þis Aumperour : "mine tormentores, a-non, And streputh naked þis luþere þef : riȝht to flechs and bon!" Þis tormentores wel ȝare were : to don þat sorie dede. Þe holie man, þo he was naked : to þe Aumperour he seide; Þis holie man seide,þis—seide al. om. "wenstou, wrechche, to make me naked? : nay þou, i-wis, Ake þou bi-guinnest raþur to cloþie me : with Ioye of heouene blis." ¶ "Nimez a-non," quath þe Aumperour : "and tormentiez him wel faste!" Þe tormentores al redie weren : and heor cloþes of huy caste, Wiþ scourges and with staues al-so : huy beoten him ase huy weren wode, And al defouleden is holie bodi : þat is limes ronnen a-blode; So longue, þat huy [werie] weren : and þare-fore stille huy stode. Þe Aumperour bi-heold heom faste : with ful sorie mode. ¶ Þis holie man, þo him smert sore : lude to grede he gan : "Ich þonki þe, louerd iesu crist : for ich am cristine man." "Nimez him," quath þe Aumperour : "and ledez him up on heiȝh!" huy brouȝhten him up-on an heAsh. hei de-grece : þat mucheal þat folk him i-seiȝh, And duden on him is nobleon the margin. robe : þat he werede er Þe ȝwyle he was so noble knyȝht : and of so gret power. ¶ Þo he stod al-so quoynteliche : ase men him greþi miȝhte, "Ypolyt," quath þe Aumperour : "nouþe þou hast þine riȝhte. bi-þench þe wuch a man þou art : and ȝwuch a knyȝhta k. om. in Ash. þou hast i-beo, Noble and hende, ase þou ȝuyt schalt : ȝif þou wolt þe bi-seo; bi-þench þe of þat þou hast i-haued : of þi noble dignete, And bi-lef here in ore compaynie : ase þou were er with me!" ¶ "Sire Aumperour," quath [þis] holie Man : "for nouȝht þou spext so : For a newe knyȝht ich am bi-come : niewe batayle to do; Godes knyȝht of heouene ich am : and al mi wille so is Þat ich in his batayle beAsh. were : sone i-martred, i-wis." Þo was þe Aumperour wroth i-novȝh : he cleopede Valerian, his Iustise, þat was schrewe i-novȝ : and a swiþe luþer man; "Nim," he seide, "þis foule þef : and with a strong torment bring him of liue, ase þou miȝht : with hard Iuggement; And wiend furst hom to is þingue : and nim al his guod, For euerech del ich ȝiue it þe : and his flechs and his blod." ¶ To þis holie mannes hous : þe Iustise wende a-non, Al his maynie he fond þare : cristine euerechon; Ech aftur oþur he liet heom nime : and tormenti sore i-novȝ; And bi-fore þis holie man : ech aftur oþur drouȝ And ech aftur oþur bi-fore his eiȝene : with gret torment heAsh. me slovȝ : he liet alle heore hauedene smiten of : with schendnesse and wouȝ. ¶ Þo huy weren bi-fore þis holie man : alle to deþe i-brouȝht, And þe Iustise i-saiȝh þat he ne miȝhte : þare-with tuyrne is þouȝht, wilde coltes and strongue : he liet fette atþe laste And bi þe fet þisne holie man : to heore tayle he bond faste, And liet þe coltes eorne forth. : wel luyte huy wolden a-bide, Ake ornen and drowen þene holie Man : al-a-boute wel wide, Þoruȝ scharpe breres and þornes : and ope manie an harde stone; Þe peces fullen þicke a-boute : of his flesche fram þe bone. So longue, þat he liet þat lif— : his deth was strong i-novȝ, Ȝwane ech of þis wilde coltes : at heore tayle him drovȝ! ¶ Ore louerd hat ofte for his loue : fair miracle i-do On hors þat weren to him i-mete : and on coltes al-so. Manie Men habbuth i-said þare-fore : ȝwane huy ȝeme to hors toke : "Ore louerd and seint ypolyt : þis hors saue and loke!" bidde we nouþe seint ypolyt : þat he ore erinde beode, Þat merci heal. god habbe of us alle : and off alle þat habbuth neode.After the Saints' Lives, follow in MS. Laud: 68. Sayings of St. Bernard. 69. Vision of St. Paul (both ed. by me in Herrig's Archiv, 1874). 70. Debate of body and soul. 71. Havelok. 72. King Horn (ed. in Herrig's Archiv, 1873); after this, 3 more legends written by a later hand, of which I add two in the Appendix. AmeN. APPENDIX. [The following two Legends are added at the end of MS. Laud by a later hand.] 73 Vita & passio sancti Blasii martyris. Seynt blase wel clene lyf ladde, wiþoute any hore; In þe lond of capadoce þis godeman was I-bore. ffor his godnesse cristenemen bisschop him wolde make; Nolde he nat of swich power, ac gan it anon for-sake. ffor he it nolde in none manere, he fley out of þe londe In wildernesse to a dep valeye, .ȝ.ȝ = &. þer he gan to astonde. Pryueliche he wonede þer, .ȝ. hudde him swiþe longe, And seruede god wel; in penance he duelde swiþe stronge. Wilde bestes þat þer were, a-boute him comen þikke, [ȝ] solaseden him, for he was one; his lymes þei wolden likke. Whan any of hem sike were, to him he= heo, hi wolden a-non, And arst ar he hem blessede, nane fot fro him nolden gon. Ech sik beste sone hol was whan þei hadde his blessinge; Þoru godes grace fro fer to him he comen for þis þingge.v. 13-14 al. om.— Þe luþer iustise of þe lond, þat het agrycolas, his men to hunten owt he sente, þer þis gode man was. As þei wenden, hem þoute wounder þt he so fewe deer founde. he be-hulde into þe depe : þo seye þei on þe grounde Swiþe fele der a-boute aman, þat heal. om. sat hem a-mydde A-kne, ȝ be-held to heuene-ward, his beden forto bydde; Þese bestes a-louten alle to him-ward. In gret þout þes honten were; he wenten ȝ tolde þe Iustise al þat þei seye þere. he het hem a-ȝen wende ȝ. himal. om. seche, ȝifr. ȝ ȝif þei himal. om. fonde þer gon, Any cristene man, þat hi scholde to-fore him bringge a-non. Þo ȝe= he, heo comen .ȝ. seint blase founde, he seyden : "þou schalt aryse ȝ. come wiþ ous, ȝ speke anon wiþ þe heye Iustise." "Mine leue sones," seint blase seyde, "ȝe ben to me welcome; ffor now ich wot þat Ihesu crist to me haueþ ȝeme I-nome. Go we nou forþ in his name, Ich wot he wile vs lede; Ne leueþ nat to don be me al þat he ȝoual. ȝoure maister sede." As þei ladde þis holy man toward þe Iustise, Prechinde he turnede many on to oure louerdes seruise; Blynde .ȝ. deue .ȝ dombe also .ȝ. þt oþer siknesse hadde, Many on to hele he brouȝthe, als me him forþ ladde; Wilde bestes þat sike were, ourne to him also As men him ladde, .ȝ. fette here hele als þei hadde arst i-do.— A ȝong child, als he etMS. het his mete, a bon schet in his þrote; Al astrangled ȝ ded it lay, þo it was in i-schote. his moder nadde no child bote þat; greth doel ȝe made wiþ-alle, To-fore seint blase ȝe bar þis child .ȝ. as wod gan doun falle, ȝ bad he scholde hire sone hele. þis god man his hond vp nom ȝ. blesse[de] it : ȝ þat bon out schet, ȝ þat child hol be-com. "Louerd," seyde þis gode man, "grante me a bone : Þat man in what yuel biddeþ to me, I-here him wel sone Ȝif he seye þese wordes to þe : 'louerd cryst, þin ore! ffor loue of seint blase, þi sergeant, help [me] of þisMS. his sore!' " In worschipe of godes holy name, who-so him bid þis bone ffor loue of seint blase in good entente, he worþ i-herd wel sone.— A pouere wif-man þer was also, þat bote on sowe hadde; a wolf awey to wode it ber. on seint blase loude ȝe gradde Þat he scholde of hire swyne helpe. seint blase low a-non. "Ne dred te noþing of þe wolf, þei he be an yuel swon! "A-byd, mayster, ȝ com aȝeyn ȝ bring þis swyn a-noworig. a-non, corr. to a-now al. nou To þis pore wifman, þat haþ þerto betere ryȝt þan þou!" Þe wilde beste com aȝen ȝ þat swyn doun ar. adoun leyde Al harmles ate wydewe fot, as þe holy man him seyde. ffor þer nas no wilde beste þat he nadde to his heste, ffor he hymr. hem held, as ȝe habbeþ i-herd, ȝ made wiþ hem gret feste.— Þo he at-fore þe iustise cam, "wel-come, blase," he seyde, "Þou louest oure godes ȝ art here frend; he willen þe wisse ȝ rede." "heil be þou, iustise," seint blase seyde, "ȝ alle þat þe i-seþ! Ne clepe nat þes godes so fair a name, for pure deflen he beþ. ffor who þt euereal. hi & hoso on hem beleueþ, schullen intoal. in helle pyne Ene ȝ. euere tormentud be, þe lord ȝ ek his hyne." Þis iustise for wraþþe anon let hym strepe al nakud, [ȝ] wiþ harde skourges on hym legge; many wounde on him was makud. Euere he seyde, as men hym beet : "ȝe ne turneþ nat my þout; My louerd ihesu is al myn help, .I ne drede ȝou ryȝt nowth." Þo he hym hadde longe i-bete þat he wery were, he him deden in strong prison, to tormenten him þere. Þat wifman þat seint blase hadde þe swyn þe wolf be-nome, Þo þat he in prison was, ȝ þe tidinge to hire icome, Ȝe slou þat swyn, ȝ bar toal. om. seint blase boþe heued ȝ feet To þe prison, welMS. wel wel y-sode; ȝ þe godeman þar-of eth. "Wifman," he seyde, "for þe kyndenesse þou hast me her I-do, wexe ȝ eche þine bestes schulle, ȝ þin oþer þing also. Ȝ euerich [man] her-afteward þat me haueþ in mynde ȝ honoureþ me wiþ any of his orf, al þulke beste kynde prouen it schal þe bet wiþ him, ȝ al þat him comeþ to;" Akne he bad to oure louerd crist þat it moste ben so.— Atfore þe iustise an oþer day seint blase was i-brout. Þo he i-say þat he ne myȝtte aȝen god torne his þout, Mid ropes him hengenal. hi h. him on a tre. be-neþe þer stode I-nowe Tormentours wiþ oules kene, ȝ al his fless to-drowe; as men wiþ combes wolle to-drauþ, his fless þer-wiþ he tere. Euere prechede þis holy man, as þei him noþing nere. Þo he hym ne myȝtten so ouer-come, to prison aȝen him bere— ffor his lymes him nolde bere, so he to-drawe were. as me bar þe godeman, he stremede al o-blode. seue wifmen þat cristene were, be-helde [þis]om. as þei stode : Þei ȝeden ȝ gadereden of þe blod, for it was holden relik, Þer-wiþ hem smere ȝ sum to wyte, to smere þerwiþ þe sike. Þo þe luþere men þis i-seye, . faste he hem toke, ȝ bad hem honure here godes; .ȝ al þat he for-soke. Þei seyde : "ȝour godes vn-clene beþ, þerfore ȝe vs hem lene, ȝ bring hem to þe faire water, we schullen hem wassche clene, ȝ we hem willeþ honure, als ȝe vs willeþ rede." Þis [iustise] was ryȝth glad; his godes to þe water he let lede. Þes wifmen nomen þese maumettes, wan þider ȝecorr. to he? were bi-swonke, ȝ casten hem into þe depe water; a-non þe schrewen sonken. "Nou we biddeþ ȝou selue helpuþ,al. Biddeþ hi seide hom sulue helpe oþer ȝoureal. hore myȝtte is schronke. Why nelle he nat comen vp to helpe ȝou? Ich wene he beþ a-dronke." Þes wreches wiþ poles ȝ wiþ hokes here godes a-non soute; wiþ drery chere ȝ vnneþe he hem to londe broutthe. Þis Iustise was for wraþþe wod, loude he gradde ȝ chidde; A wel strong fur he let þer make .ȝ caste þes wifmen amydde. welled led ȝe þrewen on hem, vnneþe it þoute hem warm; Þat fur be-gan to quenche a-non; non of hem nadde harm. wel wroþ was þis Iustise þo, ȝ wel loude gradde; he hem let honge opon a tre, as he arst seint blase hadde. wiþ oules he to-drowen here fless, as he be-neþe stode; Non oþer þan whyt mylk out of hem com, in stede of here blode. Euere þe more men hem to-drowe, þe gladdere he were; "Sire Iustise, it is for nout, þusr. þu ne quellest vs nat to-ȝere. Ȝif þou vs wilt don oþer þing, bringge it sone to ende, Þat we mowe to Ihesu crist; we wilneþ þider wende." Þis Iustise het þat me scholde here heuedes of smyte anon. Þese wyfman to-ward here martirdom glade gonne gon. Þat on wifman hadde tweye sones, þat cristene were also; he wepe for here moder deþ, he nuste neuere elles what do; Þei hengen on hire, ȝ nolden hire fro nat o fote gon, Ȝe sworen ȝe wolden þan deþ a-fonge wiþ hire þer a-non. Gret doel hadde þe moder of hem, for ȝe of elde nere; Ȝe neMS. ne ne myȝtte it for noþing se þat þei martired were,al. 2 vv. more. he criede opon þe tormentoures þt he hem ne sscholde sle: ȝ he hem let here wey so ȝonge alyue gon aȝe, And nome ȝ smyten þe heuedes of þese wifmen alle seuene. Aungles þere soules alle ladde to þe blisse of heuene. Þe children gret dol for here moder maden in alle wyse; Þo me nolde hem asle, he ronne to þe iustise, Ȝ seyde þat ȝe cristene were, ȝ þat his lawe nas nawth, Ȝ þat he scholde myd his godes to pyne of helle ben brouth. Þe iustise let þes children nyme, þei ȝe ȝonge were; In depe prison ȝe weren i-cast, to tormenten hem þere. Wel glad were þes ȝunge, þo ȝe were y-nome, ffor he hopeden y-martired be, ȝ to heuene-blisse come. Þo let þe Iustise anon after seint blase sende, Ȝ het himMS. hem honure here godes, ȝ his þout sone wende. "It is for naut," seint blase seyde, "þou ne schalt it nat make Þat ich wreche stones honure, ȝ Ihesu crist for-sake. Do wiþ my body what þou wilt, of whom þou hast power; Of my soule ne hast þou [non], it nis nat in þi power." Þer was a water swyþe depe : þe iustise atte laste, ffor-to adranche þis holy man, amyddes he let him caste. Signe of þe crois seint blase made : vpMS. vp fro þe water he ȝede dreye, Vp ȝ doun als vpe druye lond, ne myȝte þe water him nuye. "Wreche," he seyde, "her þou myȝt se wich is godes myȝth! Loke ȝif ȝoure godes so hardi be þat þeial. Beþ ȝe so hardi vp ȝoure godes : þat ȝe doren here a-lyȝth!" ffifue ȝ sixti of proute hynen lupen into þe water a-non, Ȝ treste to meche to here godes, ȝ adreynten euerichon. Þo weren þo þat stode a-rowe,al. þe oþere þe arwere ech be oþer as þei stode, Þer ne dorste non of hem to þem go for depe of þe flode. Seint blase ȝede vp ȝ doun, ȝ an aungel to him com Ȝ seyde : "þou take þe blisse of heuene þoru þi martirdom!" Þis godeman þonkede ihesu crist, þt his aungel to him sende; Ȝ þo his [fon]om. al. þe oþer ne dorste comen hym ney, aȝen to londe he wende. he seyde : "nou ȝe ben agast forto comen to me, I come to ȝou in godes name, for I ȝou nelle fle." Þo schon his face as þe sonne, wiþ leme swiþe bryȝthe; Þer nas [non] þat for bryȝthnesse his face senMS. þt sen myȝthe. Þer were eyȝtte ȝ twenti men .ȝ sixti men also Þat leueden in god for þe miracle þat þere was I-do. I-nome he were wiþ þis gode man, to-fore þe iustise ben brouth. Þe iustise bad seint blase ȝ hem change here þout. Þo he sey þei nolde it do, he hetMS. let his men a-non to smyten of wiþoute þe toun here hefdes euerichon. Þes twey children in prison were; loude he gonne grede Þat me hem scholde to martyrdom wiþ seint blase lede, Ȝ seyden : "wharto wilie= wil ȝe vs wyte, wreches, in þis hurne? ffor nawth it is þat ȝe weneþ oure þout fro gode turne." Me nomen þe children ȝ ladden hem forþ wiþ oþere to martirdom. Seint blase him sat doun akne, þo he þider com: "Louerd ihesu, ȝif it is þi wille, ane bone bidde I. þe: Ȝif þat any man in his annuy habbe mynde of me, In cas of peryl oþer of yuel, oþer ȝif þer is I-schote Bon oþer stre, oþer oþur þing I-comenal. into eny in mannes þrote, Ȝ he bidde myn help to þe, be daye oþer be nyȝtte, Graunte me þis bone, swete ihesu, for þin holy miȝtte. Ȝif any man assigneþ aut of his in þe honour of me, Of corn, of orf, of oþer þing, Louerd, ich bidde þe Þat al his þing moteal. om. þe betere preue, for þi swete myȝthe." Þer cam fram heuene a bryȝth myst ȝ an-oward him a-lyȝthe; Þer-inne oure louerd lyȝtte adoun, to þis holy man he seyde: "Blase, my leue frend, be glad, of deþ haue þou no drede! Al þi bone i þe graunte þat þou hast beden here. heye þe nou, ȝ comeþ wiþ me, þou ȝ þine tweyal. triwe fere!" he was so glad þat god wiþ him spak ȝ grauntede him his bone, "Doþ," seyde he to þe tormentores, "al þat ȝe habbeþ to done." Þe tormentores smyten of his heued, .ȝ alle his feren also, Ȝ þe twey childre, þat glad were he myȝtten come þer-to. Sebast hyȝtte þat cite þer seint blase was i-bore, Ȝ þer his heued was of y-smyte—him schamede nat þerfore. Þe bone þat he hadde i-bede, cristenemen it vnderstode: In þe honurance of seint blase he parteden of here gode: Þe betere preuede al hereon the margin added oþer god, .ȝ. ȝeth it doþ al-so, In þe stede wher his ymage is, . þei findeþ it wel y-do. Ȝ who is in stable beleue, ȝ wille to sein blase crye, Ȝ ȝifue of his good in honur of hym, god nelle nat for him lye. God leue þat we parti mote of þe heye blisse Þere þat seint blase is Inne i-brout, þat we þer-offe ne mysse. amen 74 Vita & passio sancte Cecilie virginis & martiris. Seinte Cecilie, of noble kynde I-bore ȝe was at rome; Oure louerd crist ȝe louede wel ar ȝe fram cradel come. Stilleliche ȝe hire let baptiȝe, as we fynden I-wryte; To oure louerd crist ȝe bad ȝerne hire maydenhod to wyte. So þat þoru strengþe of hire frendes I-spoused ȝe was to a man Of gret nobleye ȝ of richesse, his name was Vallerian. Þis mayde werede robe of pal ȝ cloþes swiþe riche, Garlaundes ȝ tressoures of gold—þe here next hire liche. Whane ȝe herde menstrales song, . ȝe song in hire menstralcie,Ash. Wen þe m. songe hor song: of hor m. Þis mayde stiliche song of god ȝ of his moder marye. A vers of þe psalter hire song was, wer-on was mast hire þout: "Lat, louerd, myn herte wiþoute wem be, þt it confundet be naut!" A-nyȝt as ȝe was in riche bed wiþ hire lord i-brouth, Sone he hadde of folye þis clene mayde be-sout. "Swete herte," þis mayde seyde, "for loue þou hast to me, Graunte me y mowe þe telle a litel pryuete, Þat ich me mowe þerof schryue, ȝ. þt þou it wille hele." "Certes, lemman," þis ȝungman seyde, "noþing telle I nele." "Suete lemman," þis mayde seyde, "in warde icham I-do: An aungel of heuene is my wardeyn, ȝ my lemman þer-to. Wel faste he stant her bi me. ȝif he vnderȝete Þat þou be-nome my maydenhod, noþing nolde he lete Þat he ne wolde harde smyte, ȝ be-nyme þe þi myȝtte Of þi ȝungnesse ȝ of noble stat, for þou ne myȝth wiþ him fyȝtthe. Ac ȝif he wiste þou louedest me in gode loue ȝ clene, WytteMS. wytie? he wolde þe als he deþ me, ȝ al yuel fro þe ȝene." "Ȝif þou wilt," seyde Vallerian, "þat ich I-leue þis, Þen angel þou most me schewe, þat I se hym I-wis; Ȝ wanne I þat soþe i-se, þat þou hast soþ i-seyd, In clenesse for-soþe þi wille I do, al after þi red. Ȝif I se þat in folye þou louest anoþer þan me, No-þing ne schal ȝou helpe, þat I ne sle him ȝ þe." "Swete herte," seyde þat mayde, "ȝ þou wile þe aungel se, Þou most bileuen on Ihesu crist ȝ I-cristned be, Ȝ sen him þou schalt ȝif þou wilt so; he þe wile wytteMS. wytie? fro helle, So gret ioye of oure loue schal be þat no tunge ne may telle. Ac henne ouer þre myle þou most gon þe wey toal. of apye; Þere [pore] men þou schalt fynde on Ihesu crist faste crye, Sey þt ich to hem þe sende, ȝ þt he þe teche anon Whar is seint vrban þe holi old man, for þou most to him gon, ffor priue counseil þou wilt wiþ him speke. ȝ he þe schal baptiȝe. Ȝ þanne þou schalt þan angel se, ȝ do as he þe wile wise." Vallerian a-ros a-non, as oure louerd him ȝaf wille, To þe stede þe mayde bad he wende forþ wel stille. Þes pore men him taute a-non to þe olde seint vrban; he fond him in an old for-late stede, þatr. þer wonede neuere man, Among puttes ȝ burieles als men cristene men þreu After þat he martired were, men anye kneu(!) To his feet he ful a-doun a-kne, als-sone asoverlined. [he] to him come, Ȝ seyde þat cesilie send him þider to asken cristendome. "Louerd, I-herd be þi myȝtte," seyde seint vrban, "Weþer þis be þat Luþere werreor men clepuþ vallerian? Were cecilie haue him now y-mad, him þt was so wilde Ȝ more tyrant þan any wolf, als a lomb he isom. he is now mylde?" Þo com þer go a swiþe old man a lyȝtthe fro heuene þer, hor, wiþ whyte vestemens, a swiþe fair wryt he ber. Þo vallerian ital. him I-sey, a-doun he fel for drede; Seint vrban nom him vp aȝen . ȝ gan him forþ lede. Þis halewe of heuene tok him þat wryt, ȝ bad him forto rede. Vallerian tok it anon, & þus þe wordes sede: "OnMS. Oure louerd is, .ȝ. on bi-leue, .ȝ on baptiȝingge, On god .ȝ fader of alle þat beþ, þt oueral is .ȝ in eche þingge." "I-leuestou þis," quaþ seint vrban, "þat þou dost her I-se?" "Þer nis noþing," quaþ þis oþer, "þat bet to leue be." After þis whyte man he be-held; he nuste wher he be-cam. Seint vrban him nom a-non, ȝ ȝaf him cristendom. To sein Cecilie he wente aȝen, þo he was þare is fulle: he fond hire chambre lyȝth wiþ-inne, .ȝ swiþe swote smulle. he fond cecilie, his gode spouse, ȝ an aungel wiþ hire stonde, Bryȝttere þan any lemeMS. lome; twey garlondes he hadde on honde, Of rose ȝ of lilie swote; þat on, cecilie he tok, Ȝ þat oþer, vallerian, as we fynden in bok. "Wyteþ þis wiþ trewe loue, wiþ chaste body ȝ clene, Ich hem habbe fro heuene i-brouȝth, oure lord hem doþ ȝou lene; ffor-falewe ne olde wille þei nat, ac euere he willeþ laste. Two manere floures þer beþ on, nelle neuere here heu caste; Þe lilie be-tokneþ ȝoure maydenhod, þt is so whyt ȝ swote, Þe rose be-tokneþ ȝoure martirdom; for þer-on deye ȝe mote. And for þou dest, vallerian, cecilie red so sone, What þou be-sekest of my lord, he wille þe graunte sone." "I ne willeal. wilny noþing so miche," seyde vallerian, "Boteal. As þat Tiburs,MS. Tiburft my broþer, wiþ me were cristeneman." "Mi lord," quaþ þis aungel, "wile ȝiuen þat ilke grace, Ȝ boþe ȝe schulle I-martired be at o tyme, in o place." Þe aungel [wende] wiþ þis word, he nuste wher he be-com. Þis two clene þingges ioye I-now ech of oþer nom. Tiburs com to chambre ȝ spacal. to speke wiþ his broþer þere: he stod ȝ be-held al-a-boute als he nuste wher he were; "Broþer," he seyde, "hou goþ þis? þis tyme of þe ȝere So swote smul ne smelde I neuere, me þinkþ, as I do here! Þei þis hous were ful of newe roses ȝ of lylie also, I ne myȝtte hem versschere smelle, me þinkþ, þan I now do. So ful ich am al of þe smul, ȝ so muche it is in my þout, Þat Ich am for-soþe in an-oþer wytte I-brouth." "Leue broþer," quaþ vallerian, "garlandes we habbeþ here Of floures þat þou ne myȝt i-se bote þou were oure fere. als þou hast þane swote smel þar-of for oure bone, Ȝif þou wilt be-leue as we, þou myȝt sen hem sone." "Leue broþer," seyde þis oþer, "wheþur it be soþ þis, Oþer I stonde in matyngge .ȝ mete þat so it is?" "In metyngge," quaþ vallerian, "we habbeþ euere I-be; Nou we ben ferst of slepe a-waked, nou we mowe ferst i-se." "Sestow nou bet," quaþ þis oþer, "þan þou hast er I-do?" "Ȝe," seyde vallerian, "wel soneal. om. me be-houeþ so, ffor my lordes aungel of heuene haþ I-ȝoue me syȝth; Ȝ for oure loue he þe schal also, ȝif þou wile leue a-ryȝth." Þo seyde þis holy mayde: "tibors, leue broþer, What ben maumettes bote wrechedhede? þou sest on hem non oþer. Ne sestou þat þese maumets ben mad of old tre? Þing þt ne may him-sulf helpe, hou myȝte it hel[p]e þe?" "No-þing nis soþere," quaþ tiburs,MS. tiburus "þanne þat þou hast i-seyd; Gydiere he were þan any beste þat nolde don þi red." Seinte cecilie him custe a-non: "leue tiburs," he seyde, "To-day þou schalt my broþer be, for þou wilt don be rede. Þoru clene loue ȝ good be-leue þi broþer my spouse is, Þar-þoru þou schalt be-come also my broþer when þou art his. Mid Vallerian þou most go to þe bisschop Vrban Ȝ be cristned, ȝ do also as he þe rede can." "Is þat vrban," quaþ tiburs, "þat so ȝerne haþ be souȝth, Þat ȝare haþ be fleme ȝ hud? ȝ ȝif he were forþ brouȝth, ffor-berne he scholde, ȝ we also, ȝif we wiþ him were; Ȝ so þe while we heuene souȝthen, for-barnd we scholde ben here." "Ȝif þer nere," quaþ þis mayde, "onliche bote þis lyf, ffol he were þat it wolde [lese] for any-maner strif; Ȝ seþe þer is so mury lif þer þat we schulle after a-fonge, ffol is þat nelle a whyle ben wo, to be in ioye so longe." "Leue broþer," quaþ tiburs, "þou haue merci of me Ȝ led me to þat gode man, ich be-seche þe." Þat o broþer þat oþer ladde to þe bisschop Vrban; Þar he for-sok his foule lawe, ȝ be-cam cristene man. Tiburs, þo he com aȝen, þan aungel sey a-non Þat cecilie him hadde be-hote, in þe chambre wiþ hire gon.— Cecilie, for ȝe wyfman was, at hom ȝe moste a-byde; Ak þese breþeren, þat men were, a-boute wenten wyde, And whane me martyreden cristenemen, þider he wolden gon Ȝ stele to whanMS. whom he myȝtte best, ȝ burien hemMS. him a-non. Als þei burieden twey godemen þat y-martired were, Come þe emperoures men .ȝ nomen hem ryȝt þere. To-fore þe Iustise he weren i-brouth. þeial. me askede hemMS. him a-non: "Who made ȝou so hardi to burie þe emperoures foon, Þe mys-bi-leuede trichours þt were aȝen oure lawe, Þat wiþ ryȝth Iugement of þe lond were i-brout of dawe?" "Sire, we wolde," þis oþere seyde, "þat we worþi were here knaues forto habbe I-be, þat þou let quelle þare! he leften þing þat nas nawt, þei it semblance hadde, Ȝ toke good þing þat was ȝ worþ .ȝ. no semblance nadde. Þe worldes ioye, þat haþ semblance, for so[þe] nawt it nys; And þei þe blisse of heuen þinke lite, . mechul ȝ swete it is." "Beaus amys, me þynkþ þat ȝe ben wode: worþe he is to habbe wo, who-so ne keput nat of gode." "In wynter," quaþ Vallerian, "Idel men sitten ȝ drynkun, To bismere he leyen hereal. erþe tilien þat a-boute sowynge swynkeþ; In heruest, whan þe swynkeres moweþ fair schef ȝ good ȝ rype, al. erþeIn meseyse ȝe mowen gon vp ȝ doun, he nabbeþ neuere agripe: Als we schulle for oure trauayl In blisse rype atte ende, whanne ȝe schulle for ȝoure ioye to helle wepynde wende." "Ek heal. we," seyde þe Iustise, "þat Lordes scholde be, Beþ lasse worþ þan swiche wreches, þat nolde neuere þe?" "Certes," quaþ vallerian, "þou art lasse i-told Þan is a saly beggere aȝen god, ne be þou neuere so bold." "Bel amy," quaþ þe Iustise, "yne kepe nat of þi Ianglyngge. Doþ ȝoure sacrefise a-non, oþer me schal ȝou to deþe bringge." "Certes," quaþ þis godeman, "þou ne bringgest me neuere þerto." Þe Iustise hem let a-non in strong prisone do. Maxime þe gayler [het] þat hem in warde nom; So þat he ȝ alle his þorw hem cristene bi-com. Seinte cecilie com be þe prison; loude ȝe gan grede : "What do ȝe, godes knytes? kuþeþ ȝour staleworthede! Fyȝteþ nou staleworþliche, to leue þis derkhede, Þat ȝe were in þe weye i-brouth þt to cler lyȝt schal ȝou lede." Opon þe morue, to þe maumets þis gode men were brouth. Þe Iustise het hem don sacrifise; ac þei ne wolde nat. here heued he let of smyte, ȝ maxime ital. om. I-sey Whare aungles here soules nome ȝ to heuene baren an hey. To þe Iustise he ȝede anon : "cristene ich am," he sede, "Ich i-sey þe godemannesal. menne soule aungles to heuene lede." Þe Iustise him let nymen a non, naked he let him bete Wiþ stronge skourgen, faste i-bounde, forto he gan þat lif lete. Þe body þei casten wiþoute þe toun. þo gan cecilie forþ gon : Þese þre holy martires ȝe burede to-gydere a-non. [Ȝe was sone i-nome ȝ ilad before þe Iustise þo.]This v. om. "What," sede he, "hou goþ þis? beþ þer ȝet schrewen mo? artou Vallerianus wif? be þe fey Ich owe mahoun, Bote þou oþer do, þi wythal. wite heu worþ sone I-brouth a-doun. Of what kynne artou of y-come, þt þus foleliche wiltal. þe doþ lere?" "Of betere kunne," quaþ cecilie, "þan þou euere were." "In wich-maner lif," quaþ þis oþer, "þenkest tou to lyue?" "ffor-soþe þou axest as a fol, ȝ swich ansuere me schul þe ȝiue. for al þi poer, þou schalt i-se, be þat þou wost þen ende, Þat þou ne schalt fro ihesu cryst ones myn herte wende." "hou comeþ it þe," seyde þe iustise, "to be so hardy her, To clepe me fol þat am þi maister? ne sixte nower my per.al. poer" "Þi per,al. poer wreche," quaþ þis mayde, "worþ sone i-brouȝth be-hynde, for it nis bote a bladre I-blowe fol of a wreche wynde; be it wiþ a litel prikke I-priked, a-wey it schrinkeþ al : Als þi caroigne wiþ siknesse, wreche, a-dwyne schal. Þi poer þat þou ȝelpest of, boþe is þenne ȝ lite." "hou goþ þis, dame?" seyde þe Iustise, "whenne comeþ al þis prute? I may þe ȝiue deþ ȝ lif, as þou sixt myd þin eye." "Certes," quaþ þe mayde þo, "þou lixt þer-of wel heye : a wreche caroyne þou myȝth ȝiue, ȝal. om. deþ þat wel schort is, Ak of lyf ne myȝtte no-þing ȝiue þi-selue nat, i-wis. Seþe þou myȝth ȝiue deþ ȝ no lif, me þinkþ be pur ryȝtte Þat þou art deþes seriant, for of lif hasto no myȝtte. fforal. & whan þou deþes sergeant art, deþ þi louerd is, Ȝ in deþ wiþ-outen ende þou wilt be, I-wis." "Dame," quaþ þe iustise, "of þi gydihede ne kepe ich ryȝth nowth. Do sacrifise to oure godes, oþer þou worst to deþe i-brouth!" "Þou seist þat ich gydi am," seinte cecilie sede, "Ac þou art gydi, ȝ ek blind, i-sene is on þi rede. Scholde I honure þine [godes] ymad of ston ȝ tre? I nelle it do, for-soþe, for þou ne myȝt nat I-se. Bote þou myȝth i-se þat art blyndal. Bote þu Þu blynd, Þu miȝt ise, . þat þis þing soþ is; Ȝif þou sixt .ȝ. ne leuest it naut, gydi þou art, I-wys, for gydi he is þat nelle I-leue þat he seþ myd his eye; Gydi ȝ blind þou schalt deye, in helle pyne deye." Þo ferde þe schrewe as he were wod, he het þis mayde take Ȝ leden in-to an out-hous, ȝ a greth fur make, Ȝ þer-ouer a led-ful of water, ȝ al amydde hire caste, To seþe hire þer while any Lime hol on hire I-laste. Þo þis Iuggement was I-ȝiue, ȝ men hire forþ ladde, Wifmen ȝ men þat [it] i-seye, loude ȝe wopen ȝ gradde, "Allas," þei seyde, "þat þis ȝongge þing,MS. þis þus fair a creature, Schal nou lese hire ȝongge lif, ȝ deye þoru þe fure!" "Beþ stille," quaþ þis holi mayde, "for me ne wepeþ nout! Mi ȝongge lif ne lese I nowth, ac to lyue Icham i-brouth. Ane schorte deþ I schal a-vonge, ȝ lif wiþ-outen ende; ffol he were þat nolde also. god heal. om. me sone hyne sende." Men casten hire in þe seþing water. þar-Inne al nyȝt ȝe seeþ; Þe lengere ȝe þer-inne sat, þe ferþere ȝe was hire deeþ; Wiþ þe welmes ȝe sat ȝ pleyde, ȝ prechede of godes grace. Mo þan four hondred be-come cristene in þat place. Þe Iustise sey þat he myȝtte in swich deþ hire quelle naut : he het of smyte hire heued, þat ȝe were to deþe i-brout. Þe quellere hire smot wiþ al his mayn þre siþe in þe swere, he ne smot it nat fulliche of, hire deþ was bouth to dere! No quellere ne moste be þulke daye smyte oftere þan þrie; half-slawe he leuede hire so; a-weyward he gan hye. Nou an yuel stede gon he mote, for he was a schrewe! Wo dede he þat holy mayde, gulteles hire so to hewe, Ȝ bi-lefteal. beleue hire so half a-lyue; welle, wo him be! ffor who-so nuste of no doel, þer men myȝtte it se : Þis holi mayde ȝede a-boute, hire heued half of-smyte, Ȝ was half quik ȝ half ded, þat rewþe it was to wyte; Ȝ pouere men mechel of hire good ȝe delde wiþ hire honde— It was a wel fair grace of god þat ȝe aut myȝtte stonde. Ȝe prechede, ȝ to Ihesu cryst many a god man wende, Ȝ alle to seint vrban þe bisschop to baptiȝe ȝe hem sende, Ȝ bad þat he scholde hire hous þat ȝe hadde woned Inne halewen in oure louerdes name ȝ a churche þer bigynne, And burien þere hire swete body, ȝ þat oure louerdes seruise Vpe his poer þer-inne were i-do on alle-kynne wyse. Þe þridde day after hire martirdom þe mayde a-doun lay, And prechede to þe cristenemen, ȝ bad hem habbe god day, Ȝ seyde : "now ich habbe i-do al þat my wille is to, Wende I wile to Ihesu crist, ȝ ȝe schulle also." Þis was two hundred ȝer ȝ þre ȝ twenti ryȝth After þat oure louer[d] was in his moder a-lyȝth. Nou bidde we oure swete louerd, for hire martirdom, To bringge vs to þat ioye þat hire soule to com.After this there follows: 75. S. Alexius, in six-lined stanzas, ed. by me in Herrig's Archiv, 1873, and by Furnivall for the Early English Text Society, Original Series, no. 69.—Amen.