Altenglische legenden.

4. Seynt Katerine.

a) Ms. Auchinl. fol. 21.

He þat made heuen & erþe & sonne & mone for to schine, Bring ous into his riche & scheld ous fram helle pine! Herken, & y ȝou wil telle Line 5 Þe liif of an holy virgine, Þat treuli trowed in Jhesu Crist: Hir name was hoten Katerine.

Whilom it bitid so: In Grece it was an emperour; Line 10 He was king of mani palays, Castels gret & mani a tour. Þe riche men of þat lond Serued him wiþ gret honour. Maxens was his riȝt name, Line 15 Man he was of gret fauour.

Mahoun he held for his god: He trowed in þat fals lay; On Jhesu Crist no leued he nouȝt, Þat lord is & god verray. Line 20 Sarraȝin he was ful strong, Wiþ cristendom he seyd nay, For alle þat leued on Jhesu Crist He stroyd hem boþe niȝt & day.

When he hadde. XXXV. & þritti ȝer Line 25 (Ben) emperour & born þe croun, Ouer alle þe lond he sent his sond Wiþ messangers fram toun to toun; To þe borwe of Alisander He bad þe folk schuld be boun, Line 30 Riche & pouer, heiȝe & lowe, Wiþ her offrend to seke Mahoun.

He bad þat riche men schuld bring Schepe & nete to her offrinde, Þe pouer men he bad come Line 35 Wiþ quic foules on her honde; &, as þai wald her liues haue, For no þing no schuld þai wond. It was þe kinges comandment Þat he hadde comand in þat lond. Line 40

Þe folk com alle on þis maner — To wretþe þe king þai were fordred. Bifor his godes himseluen he stode, In riche cloþes was he cled. Glewemen were þer fele & gode, Line 45 He bad hem be bliþe & glad; Noise þai made swiþe miche, So þemperour hem badde.

Anoþer king was in þat lond: Costus his name was told. Line 50 A douhter he had, & no mo, XV. winter was sche old: Katerine was hir riȝt name, Of witt & wisdome was sche bold; Jhesu sche loued aldermest — Line 55 For his loue was hir liif sold.

As sche stode in hir fader court, Glewemen herd sche miri sing, Wiþ pipes & wiþ trompes boþe, Belles herd sche fast ring. Line 60 Sche axed at hir fader men What was þat noise & þat pipeing. Þai told hir of þat riche offring Þat Maxens dede his men to bring.

Sche heue vp hir holy hond Line 65 & blisced hir ful witterly, First hir brest & seþþen hir tonge — So seyt þe boke of hir stori. Sche seyd sche wald þider wende For to se þat melodye. Line 70 Wiþouten fere ȝede sche nouȝt: Þai ȝede hir wiþ þat stode hir bi.

When sche com to þat palays, Miche sche seyȝe of gamen & gle.

& al þat trowed on Jhesu Crist, Line 75 Wel sori men sche seiȝe hem be: Or þai schuld make sacrifise To his maumet, was maked of tre & of ston & of bras, Oþer elles schuld þai marterd be. Line 80

Sche com bifor þat emperour, Þer he made his sacrifise, & gret him on þis maner, Wordes had sche bold & wise: "Jhesus Crist be wiþ þe, Line 85 Riȝtwise king & heye Justise, Þat þoled ded opon þe tre & seþþen hadde pouwer forto rise.

Y speke of Jhesu, Marie sone, Of alle kinges he is flour; Line 90 Þat suffred deþ for al man kin, He is our alder creatour. Y hold þe ful wise of witt, Sir Maxens, our emperour, Ȝif þou makest alle þis folk Line 95 Him to seche wiþ swiche honour.

Bot now me þenke þou dost nouȝt so, Þou werchest on a wers wise: Þe folk, þat þou hast hider brouȝt, Þou dost hem do þe fende seruise. Line 100 Ȝif þai do more after þe, Forsoþe it is a cowardise; For þat þou hast ymaked here, Fikel it is & al feyntise."

Þis emperour forwonderd was Line 105 Of þat maidens fair vise, & of hir bold wordes also. "Maiden, he seyd, þou art vnwise. Whi mispraises þou our god & holdest hem of so litel prise? Line 110 So no sestow ous nouȝt do, Þat wereþ boþe fowe & grise.

Ȝif þou were lered on our lore & to our scole entendaunt, Þou wost say we dede ful wel, Line 115 & wiþ þi tonge þou wost it graunt; Jhesus Crist þou wost forsake Þat þou drawest to þi waraunt,

& our godes wostow seke, Boþe Mahoun & Teruagaunt. Line 120

Bot for we han bigonne here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Line 125 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . Line 130 . . . . . . . . . . "Þise ben quic deuelen alle [folio 22] Þat þis folk han here ysouȝt; It is no god bot on y-wis, Line 135 Þat me & te & alle haþ wrouȝt".

Þis emperour ful wiley was & ȝete he couþe anoþer croke: Letters dede he swiþe make Priueli, so seyt þe boke, Line 140 How þat a maiden was þer com "Þat our godes al forsoke". He seld it wiþ his owen ring Þat he of his finger tok.

He toke þe messanger þe letter Line 145 Þat seled was wiþ his ring, To þe wisest men of þat lond He bad hem go wiþouten duelleing. He hiȝt to don hem gret anour, As he was trewe kniȝt & king, Line 150 Ȝif þai miȝt wiþ her wisdom Ouercom þat may, þat was so ȝing.

Þe maiden was in prisoun don, Son þe messangers were went. An angel com to hir ful sone Line 155 Þat Jhesu Crist hir hadde ysent. He seyd: "mi lord greteþ þe wele Þat witt & wisdom haþ þe lent, & biddes þe be of hert strong & trow on him wiþ gode entent. Line 160

Line 160

Maxens haþ now sent his sond Ouer-al into þis cuntre After men þat ben ful wise, Wiþ þe to striue, astow schalt se. Bot bi þai han þi wordes herd Line 165 As Jhesus Crist schal wisse þe, Her trouþe worþ in god ful gode, & for his loue þai schal marterd be".

Ouer al þe lond, þat was so wide, His messanger(s) went ful ȝare. Line 170 Fifti men wiþ hem þai brouȝt, Grete clerkes & wise of lare. Of al þe wisdom of þe lond Men seyd þat þai redi ware Forto despute wiþ Katerine, Line 175 Þat Maxens hadde in prisoun pare.

Among hem was þe maiden brouȝt. Wroþly þai gun to hir bere, Her resouns þai seyden on & on, Euerich on his best maner. Line 180 Þis mayden, þat ich of told, Stode euer wiþ simple chere & herd her resouns euerichon— Godes angel was hir fere.

When þai hadde her ressouns seyd, Line 185 Euerichon more & lesse, Sche answerd hem at eueri point Wiþ ful michel mildenis, & seþþen seyd hir aviis Of god þat louerd was & euer isse, Line 190 Þat euer was & ay schal be— Þe godspelle sche tok to witnisse.

Sche schewed hem wiþ holy writ Of Jhesus incarnacioun, Hou he was of a maiden born, Line 195 & hou he suffred passioun, & hou he sent his apostles wide For our alder sauacioun— & alle þe bileue of cristen man Sche schewed hem wiþ gode resoun. Line 200

When þe maiden hadde seyd Hir resouns, þat wer gode,

Ful redi were þe maisters alle Forto chaungen her mode. Bot, þer Maxens himseluen sat, Line 205 For wretþe he wax wel ney wode & asked ȝif þai couþe ouȝt sain Oȝain þe maiden, þer sche stode.

Þan spac a maister sone, Of heiȝe kin he was born: Line 210 "Sir, he seyd, we han gon mis, Sche haþ a resoun ous biforn. We wil trowe on Jhesu Crist, Þat bar þe croun was made of þorn, & do, so Katerine haþ ous told— Line 215 Loþ ous is to be forlorn".

Sone anon he axed hem Ȝif þai wald her mode amend. Þai seyd: "we trowe on Jhesu Crist, So Katerine ous haþ kende". Line 220 He bad make a gre(te) fer & bind hem fot & hende, & swore amidward þe borwe Ich a fot schuld þai be brende.

When men kest hem in fer, Line 225 Fair miracle men miȝt se: Her flesche, her cloþes & her here Of wem were quite & fre. For him þai suffred passioun Þat for hem dyed on tre; Line 230 To heuen were her soules born, In godes frari to be.

Þan bad þemperour his men Bring forþ þat fair may. & when sche was biforn him com, Line 235 He seyd: "welcom, parmafay! Hastow ȝete þi conseyl take For to trowe opon mi lay? Haue merci on þi feirhed! Y schal þe worþschip ich day. Line 240

Þou schalt be worþschiped as þe quen, Boþe in bour & halle; & in þi name schal be wrouȝt An ymage fair wiþ-alle, & in þis borwe it schal be sett, Line 245 Heiȝe & lowe to louten alle.

Of alle þe nedes of þis lond To þe we schal conseyl calle.

Heiȝe & lowe worþschipe þe. Katerine, do as y þe bede! Line 250 & ȝete we schal þe more do, Ȝif þou wilt wirche after mi red: A temple in þi worþschip make Of marble ston, when þou art ded; Among our godes þou schalt be sett Line 255 In siluer & in gold rede".

"Be stille, fole! whi seystow so? Þou redest me to do gret sinne. What man wald ydampned be For ani maner warldes winne? Line 260 Ich haue me taken to Jhesus Crist, Him to serue & trowen inne; Ich hope to com to his riche, Þer ioie & blis schal neuer blinne.

Min hope is in him aldermost, Line 265 Lord abouen in trinite, He is mi loue, he is mi spouse: To swiche a leman take y me. & ȝif it were ani bot, At þat conseyl wald y be Line 270 Þine maumettes to breke & brenne — Þou made hem, & þai nouȝt þe".

When þat Katerine hadde yseyd, Him þouȝt he schuld brest in fiue. Wiþ ire & wreþe he bad his men: Line 275 "Do as y ȝou bid swiþe! Wiþ schourges swiþe gret & scharp Beteþ hir al out oliue, & doþ hir seþþen in prisoun strong! Wat bote is it al day to striue?" Line 280

Þai made hir body blo & blac, Þat er was white so alpes bon. Seþþen seyd he to his men: "Prisouns hir swiþe anon! Honger schal sche han ynouȝ, Line 285 Mete no drink gif hir non,

Litel no miche — þat loke wel! — Til þis tvelue days be comen & gon.

Y mot fare out of þis lond — Bot y no schal nouȝt long duelle: Line 290 To heiȝe men & wise boþe Of þis auentour y schal hem telle; Conseyl y schal haue ful gode Hou y schal þat maiden quelle; Bot ȝiue sche take anoþer rede. Line 295 Sche mai be siker & wo to welle".

When þis emperour was went, Þe quen hir seyd to a kniȝt — Of alle kniȝtes he was chef: Porfir seyt þe bok he hiȝt: Line 300 "Þou do me speke wiþ Katerine, And, if þou may, þis ich niȝt! Longing haue y swiþe miche To speke wiþ hir, ȝif þat y miȝt".

Wiþin niȝt forȝat he nouȝt Line 305 To do þe quenes comandment: Vnto þe prisoun, as he hir hiȝt, Priueliche he wiþ hir went. Þai seiȝe þerin so michel liȝt, [folio 23] & god his angels þider sent, Line 310 Þat sete about þat swete wiȝt And anoint hir wiþ oinement.

Þei seiȝen angels anoinen hir cors, Ich wem & ich a wounde, & þurch þe miȝt of Jhesu Crist Line 315 Þan þai were boþe hole & sounde. No hadde þai stonden at þe prisoun Bot a litel wiȝtine(!) stounde, Of þat liȝt þai weren adrad: Aswon þai fel adoun to grounde. Line 320

Þe maiden aros & com to hem & spac to hem wiþ mild mode: "Ariseþ vp in godes name, & loke ȝe ben of confort gode!" Sche bad hem leue on Jhesu Crist, Line 325 Þat for mankin schadde his blod. And when þai herd þat maiden speke, Vp þai risen & bi hir stode.

Þan seyd þe quen ful sone: "A, Keterine, wele is þe! Line 330 Miche þou miȝt do wiþ Jhesu Crist, We han sen of þi priuete". Þan sche seyd: "ȝe; trowe on him Þat is lord of swiche pouste! His seriaunce no forȝet he nouȝt Line 335 Þat him serue wiþ hert fre.

Certes, dame, y rede þe wel: Forsake Maxens & al his miȝt For þat ich kinges loue Þat made þe day & eke þe niȝt, Line 340 Heuen & erþe, man & best, Sonne & mone to schine briȝt. Þe ioie of heuen schaltow haue. And al-so y say to þe, sir kniȝt".

Þan spak þe kniȝt to Katerine: Line 345 "What maner ioie may þis be?" Katerine seyd also sone: "Porfir, y wil telle þe: Þat is þe ioie wiþouten enden Þat ere no may here, no eiȝe se, Line 350 No tong speke, no hert þink— Lord it sende ȝou & me!

Þer nis non in þat riche Þat honger haþ, cold no þrest; Þer is liif wiþouten ende, Line 355 Þer is stede of ro & rest". Þurch þe wordes þat sche spac Er midniȝt þai weren al prest To suffre deþ for godes loue; Her hope was in his merci best. Line 360

Sche bitauȝt hem Jhesu Crist, & seþþen went boþe oway. To hundred kniȝtes serued hir: Sche told hem þat oþer day Hou godes angels sat abouten hir Line 365 In þe prisoun, þer sche lay. Þai trowed on god, as sche hem radde, & forsoken al her fals lay.

Þe maiden no most haue mete no dri(n)k Þourch comandment of þat king, Line 370 Tvelue days þurch & þurch Sche no most haue mete no dring. Angels com fram heuen to erþe Ich day to þat swete þing, Mete & drink ynouȝ plente Line 375 Þai brouȝten, of alle gode tiding.

& when þe tvelue dayes were gon, Þan com Jhesu, heuen king, Wiþ angels & maidens boþe, For to speke wiþ his derling. Line 380 He seyd: "þou hast ben for me ladde In miche striif & gret fonding: Loke, þou hert þe ful wele! Y ȝiue þe, douhter, mi bliscing.

Oft ichaue þi praiers herd, Line 385 When þat þou me bisouȝt; Þerfore schal y þe nouȝt fayl When þou art to iugement brouȝt. Loke, þou be stedefast & trewe! Of al her paines ȝiue þou nouȝt! Line 390 Of þe blis þou miȝt be siker Þat ichaue to min hondewerk wrouȝt".

& when he hadde þis wordes seyd, Out of prisoun he gan glide To heuen blis, þer he com fro, Line 395 & angels on ich a side.— When Maxens hadde his wil do, Hom he com wiþ michel prede, Wiþ erles & wiþ kniȝtes fele, And knaues ernand bi her side. Line 400

Opon þat oþer day ful sone He asked after þe maidens astat: "Ȝif sche be oliue ȝete, Sche is ful feble, wele y wat. Fet hir forþ, mi jaioler! Line 405 For hunger & þrost sche is wel mate". He ȝede anon & brouȝt hir forþ Bifor þe king, þer he sat.

When sche was biforn him come, He seyd: "welcom, damisele! Line 410 Þou hast ben strongliche ygreued In iren bounden & in stiel; Bot ȝete me þenkeþ þou miȝt liue— & þat likeþ me ful wel. Jhesu, þat þou of speke, Line 415 Him forsake þou euerichadel!

For y nold nouȝt þi liif spille, To prisoun y dede þe do. Bot, certes, þou most now nede Chesen on of þis þinges tvo: Line 420 Oþer trowe opon mi godes & cristendom þou do þe fro, Oþer we schal ous biþenke Wiþ strong paines þe to slo".

Þan spac þe maiden, þer sche stode Line 425 Among þe sarraȝins so blake— Jhesus Crist hir haþ ytauȝt, Hir wordes were wiþouten lake: "Þei ine may liue, wite þou wel God schal y neuer forsake; Line 430 For his loue am y ful prest Wiþ wille mi deþ for to take.

Þei þat ȝe alle biþenke ȝou Of pines hard & sore, Þerto icham now ful prest, Line 435 Hem to suffre icham al yare. Neuer-more, while y liue, Mi flesche no blod wil y spare To spende for mi lordes loue— For me he suffred wele mare. Line 440

Bleþeliche wil y martird be Wiþ gret pines & wiþ smale: He haþ me to his frari cald, Þat schal be bot of mi bale". Sche stode euer wiþ mild mode Line 445 Bifor Maxens, to telle hir tale. Bot, þer he sete opon his des, For tene he grent & wex al pale.

As he sat & couped hir, Þer com a Sarraȝin gon: Line 450

Line 450 Cursates, seyt þe boke, he hiȝt. "King, he seyd, icham þi man. Ȝete y can a turnament make: Swiche no herdestow neuer nan; Bi þan it be wrouȝt & sche it se, Line 455 Anoþer þouȝt sche schal þenke on.

Four wheles schal y make, Þe to schal turn oȝain to, Ful þicke þai schal be driuen Wiþ wiþerhokes mo & mo. Line 460 Among þe four sche schal be don, Hir bodi forto wirche wo: To smale peces sche schal be rent, On erþe schal sche neuer go".

Þan bad Maxens his iayoler Line 465 Þat he schuld þat maiden take Into prisoun forto lede, Þerwhile he schul þe wheles make. & er þe þridde day at ende Þai were wrouȝt for hir sake; Line 470 So grisely were þai on to se: Mani a man þai maden quake.

When þo wheles weren prest, Amid þe borwe þai were sett Wiþ sarraȝins bifor þe king— Line 475 Hard was þe maiden þrett. Þan bad þemperour his men Þat sche were out of prisoun fett. Wele he wend wiþouten faile Þat his tene schuld be bett. Line 480

Þai ladden hir to þat stede Þer sche schuld on hem be don. Mani a moder child þer was, For to loke þe maiden opon. Sche sett hir doun opon hir knes, [folio 24] Line 485 To god of heuen sche bad a bon. Bot herkneþ now wat bitid! Godes help þer com ful sone.

Þe wheles for to brese & breke Our louerd bad an angel gon. Line 490 Of þe wicked sarraȝins Veniaunce he tok anon.

Among þe folk þai gun driue: Four þousend þer wer slawe Line 495 Of heþen men þat þider wer come — Bot iuel had þat maiden non.

Cristenmen þat þer weren For þis miracle were wel glad. Þe king no wist wat he dede: Line 500 So sori he was & so madde. Þe sarraȝins þat miȝt aschape Wel sori þai were & adrad For þe periil þat þai seyȝen; Of sorwe were þai neuer (so) sad. Line 505

When þat alle þis folk was slawe, To him seyd his wiif, þe quen: "Waileway, þou wreche man! Wherof makestow þe so kene? He kiþes wele þat he is king, Line 510 Þat born was of þe maiden schene. Y sorsake þe to day And þine werkes al bidene.

Oȝein þe lord þat ous schope No helpeþ þe nouȝt to chide; Line 515 Þat cristen men leueþ on, His miȝtes haþ he ful wide. Do cri him merci of þi gilt! Ȝif þou wilt long abide, On of þis days when þou art dede Line 520 Helle pine schal þe bitide".

He wex swiþe wroþ & wode, To þe quen he seyd anon: "Now y wot, þou art desceyued Þurch wichecraft of þat woman. Line 525 Y þe swere bi min godes & bi al þat y swere can: Bot þou raþer wende þi mode, To wicked ded þou schalt be don.

Bot þou forsake Jhesu Crist, Line 530 Þis schal be þi iugement: First þine pappes of þi brest Wiþ iren hokes schal be rent;

Biheueded schaltow þan be, Þi bodi on þe feld ysent, Wiþ houndes & wiþ foules to-drawe. Line 535 And þis schal be mi comandment".

When þis emperour was war Þat sche nold wenden hir þouȝt, Þan bad he on þis maner Þat sche were out of toun ybrouȝt. Line 540 Sche loked opon Katerine, & mildeliche sche hir bisouȝt Þat sche schuld hir erande bere To Jhesu Crist, þat ous haþ bouȝt.

Þan spac þe maiden, þer sche stode: Line 545 "Forsoþe, dame, y telle it þe: Of þe ioie wiþouten ende Trust & siker may þou be. In his name þou take þe ded Þat sprad his bodi on þe tre, Line 550 As his swete wille was, For to maken ous alle fre".

Men drouȝ hir tates of hir brest & heueded hir, as y ȝou told. & seþþen hete þat emperour Line 555 Þat noman schuld be so bold Hir bodi to hilen in erþe: Houndes schulc han it in wold. Þe soule com bifor Jhesu, Er þe bodi were cold. Line 560

After þat he hadde hir slawe Wiþ þis strong passioun, Þan com Porfir, þe gode kniȝt, Þer sche lay, wiþ wel gode deuocioun & brouȝt hir to cristen biriel, Line 565 Þer sche lay wiþouten þe toun, Oȝain þe kinges comandment — To suffre deþ he was al boun.

Sone opon þat oþer day Men told þemperour ful ȝare Line 570 Þat sche was to erþe brouȝt. Þan spac he wordes wraþe: "Enquere now who haþ þis don Of min men þat y fede & cloþe!"

Mani man wiþouten gilt Line 575 Þerfore was slawe & prisound boþe.

Bifor þis crowel emperour Ful baldelich com sir Porfir & seyd to him, þer he sete Ful of felonie & ire: Line 580 "Icham godes comfessour, & ich haue birid þat martir; Y wil wele þat þou it wite, Seþþen þou hast so gret desir.

Þou were ful wode & out of witt, Line 585 & litel þouȝtes of þi dede, When þat þou haddest hir slawe Þe erþe when þou hir forbede. In helle pine beþ þi play Wiþouten ende wiþ þe quede. Line 590 Y take me to Jhesu Crist & do þe al out of mi rede."

Þan he gan forto crie & cleped him-selue caitif, As þei he hadde wounded be Line 595 Wiþ swerd, wiþ spere oþer kniif. "Now haþ Porfir me forsake, Þat was wardain of al mi liif!" Oft he seyd allas allas Þat euer was he born o wiif! Line 600

He haþ so michel care & diole: Men þouȝt þat he wald wede. He seyd: "now ichaue forelorn Þe best kniȝt of al mi þede! He was min help & mi rede, Line 605 Ouer-al at al mi nede. Þe wiche schal it abigge de(re) Þurch whom he haþ don þis dede!"

Þe king tok his kniȝtes anon, To asken hem in priuete Line 610 Þurch whom it was & was conseyl Þat he wald cristned be. Þai said sone at a voice: "Þurch godes miȝt. & so be we: We take ous to cristendom, Line 615 For drede of deþ wil we nouȝt fle.

Oft he was wroþ & wode, Bot neuer ȝete as he was þo! Her heuedes he dede of smite — Þer-of ȝaf he nouȝt a slo. Line 620 Þe bodis on þe feld wer cast, Wiþ houndes & wiþ bestes also. Her soules come sone þider Þer ioie & blis is euer & oo.

Þerafter on þat oþer day Line 625 Þe king was sett in his chayer; Þe sarraȝins þat wiþ him held On ich half þai sete him ner. Katerine he hete forþ bring. To fechen hir went his iayoler. Line 630 Bifor him com sche swiþe sone Wiþ bliþe mode & glad chere.

Ful sternliche loked he hir on And spac to hir wiþ gret enuie: "Miche wo þou hast ous wrouȝt, Line 635 Þou wiche ful of felonie, Þou hast me don mi folk forlese. Þat þou schalt ful dere abie! No schaltow neuer, ȝif y may, Bitray ous wiþ þi sorcerye. Line 640

Bot þou trowe on mi godes, Þat al þis warld schal wake & weld, And to hem make sacrifise, Fram wicked deþ þou miȝt þe schilde; Oþer men schal þine heued of smite Line 645 Wiþouten toun in þe feld Þis ich day, ar euen com — So men schal þi seruise ȝeld."

Þis maiden no forbar him nouȝt, Sche said: "þou tirant, nay. Line 650 Schalt þou neuer þe day abide Þat y schal leue opon þi lay. Graced be þe king of heuen, Þat me haþ lent so stable fay!

Bleþelich wil y for his loue Line 655 Þoly deþ þis ich day.

Do now forþ, þou fendes lim! Of þe no am y nouȝt agast. For al þat þou canst biþinke, Y will suffre al in hast. Line 660 — — — — — So weit Ms. Auchinl.

Ms. Caj. Coll. enthält folgenden Schluss:

For Jhesu loue, my spouse gay, Line 665 Þat born was off a maydyn chast. My soule to hym beteche I ay, For I haue louyd hym alþer-mast."

Þanne þat sareȝyn bad hys men Þat þey scholden lede þat maydyn gent Line 670 Out off þe burghe-ȝates þen And geuen here þere here jugement. Ful blyþe & glad þat fayre may Out off þe tounward sche went. Wiþ many a man þat ylke day Line 675 In þe toun sche was be-ment.

Whan sche was led to þe place for soþe Þere sche scholde I-hedyd be, Wyues fele & maydenys boþe Folewyd here off þat cyte, Line 680 Makyng sorewe & wepynge harde For þat maydyn ffayr & ffree. Sche turnyd anon vnto hem-warde And sayde, as I schal telle þe:

"I pray ȝow alle þat ȝe gon hom, Line 685 Ȝe wyuys & ȝe maydenys bryȝt! Dystourbles nouȝt my martyrdom! But bes fful glad: ffor he me hyȝt, Þat lord þat is ouer alle þynge, Soone afftyr when I martyryd be, Line 690 To heuene blysse he schal me brynge." Sche knelyd doun & vp gan see,

To heueneward, þere sche hadde tyȝt, Sche sayde: "Jhesu, my loue ffre, Off al þat I leue in þe ryȝt, Line 695 Lord, þis day I þanke þe.

A voys fro heuene oure lord dede sende, Þat alle it herde þat þer werej: Line 730 "My ȝatys ben open, my leue ffrende, Come to me, my douȝtyr dere!

To suffre þe deþ in þe name off me, Douȝtyr, drede þou no-wyȝt! Be-ffor me schalt þou corownyd be: Line 735 For hedyr hast þou longe I-tyȝt. Þe cumpany off aungelys schene Schal come agayn þy soule bryȝt And brynge þe to þis place clene, Þer euere is day & neuere nyȝt. Line 740

Come, my douȝtyr! come now smerte! For herd is now þyn orysoun. For alle þat þe haue in here herte And blely here þy passyoun, And alle þat on þe calle in nede Line 745 Wiþ hertely deuocyoun, Off here prayer schole þey spede And þer-to haue my benysoun."

Off þis answere, when it was herd, I-wundryd was many a man. Line 750 Sche stoupyd doun vndyr þe swerd — Here swyre was whyt as ony swan. Swyþe he smot here hed off þere — But for þe blood þe mylk out ran. Aboue here stood þat manquellere, Line 755 He was ful blak, he was ful wan.

Anon come aungelys from þe ayr And flowe awey wiþ here body, And beryyd it, þat swyþe was fayr, In þe mount off Synay, Line 760 Þere gaff þe lawe god off heuene Vnto þe prophete Moysy.

b) Ms. Cajus Coll. 175, p. 107.

Incipit vita s. Katerine virginis.

He þat made boþe sunne & mone In heuene & erþe for to schyne, Brynge vs to heuene, wiþ hym to wone, And schylde vs from helle pyne! Lystnys, & I schal ȝow telle Line 5 Þe lyff off an holy virgyne, Þat trewely Jhesu louede wel: Here name was callyd Katerine.

I vndyrstonde, it be-tydde soo: In Grece þer was an emperour; Line 10 He was kyng off landes moo, Off casteles grete & many a tour. Þe ryche men off þat land Þey seruyd hym wiþ mekyl honour. Maxenceus was his name hotand, Line 15 A man he was ful sterne & stour.

Mahoun heeld he for hys god: He trowyd in þe false lay; On Jhesu Cryst leuede he not, Þat lord is & god verray. Line 20 He was a sareȝyn ful tryst, Wiþ crystyndom he werrede ay, For alle þat trowyd on Jhesu Cryst He stroyyd boþe be nyȝt & day.

Whenne (he) hadde fyue & fyffty ȝer Line 25 Ben emperour & born þe corown, Þorwȝ al þe land hys messanger He sente aboute, fro toun to toun; To Alisaundyr, he sente hys sawe And bad, þo folk scholde come wel sone, Line 30 Ryche & pore, heyȝe & lawe, Wiþ here offryng to seke Mahone.

He bad þe ryche men scholde brynge Neet & scheep to here offerande, And pore men vp alle þynge Line 35 Quyke foulys in here hande; And, as þey wolde here lyuys hente, For noþyng ne scholde þey wonde. Þis was þe kyngys comaundement Þat he sente þorwȝ al hys londe. Line 40

Þe folk vp-on þis manere ȝood — To wraþþe þe kyng þey weren adrad. Beforn hys goddys hym-seluen stood, In ryche cloþyng was he clad. Alle(!) men were þere, boþe false & fykil, Line 45 He bad þat þey scholde be ful glad; Noyse þey maden wundyr mekyl, As here emperour hem bad.

Anoþer kyng in þat lande was þoo: Costus was hys name calde. Line 50 A douȝtyr he hadde — chyldryn no moo — Off XVIII^e wyntyr was sche alde: Kateryne was here ryȝte name, Off wyt & wysdom was sche bolde; Sche louyd Jhesu, þouȝ sche bar blame — Line 55 For hys loue was here lyff solde.

As sche stood in here fadyr coort, Gle-men herde sche lowde synge, Wiþ pypys & trumpys þey maden de|spo(rt), & bellys herde sche lowde rynge. Line 60 Sche fraynyd of here fadir men What was þat noyse & þat pypyng. Þey tolde here of þat offryng þen Þat Maxcens garte his folk to bryng.

Sche hooff vp here hand, þat mayden ȝungge, Line 65 & blyssyd here fol wyttyrly, Ferst here brest & þanne here tungge — So says þe book off here story. Þedyr, sche sayde, alone sche þouȝte, For to se þat melody. Line 70 But al alone wente sche nouȝte: Þey wente wiþ here þat stood here by.

Whenne sche com to hys palayse, Sum sche sawȝ make game & glee.

Þat leuyd on Jhesu, weren euele at ayse, Line 75 Sory men sche dede hem see: For eyþir þey scholde don sacrefyse To hys mawmettys I-maad off tree, Off ston & bras, on alle wyse, Eyþir þey scholde Imartyryd be. Line 80

Sche com before þe emperour þere, Þere as he made hys sacrefyȝe, And grette hym al on þis manere, Wordys sche spak boþe bolde & wyse: "Jhesu Cryst be wiþ þe þen, Line 85 Ryȝtwyse kyng & heyȝe iustyse, Þat þolyd deþ ffor synful men And hadde pousty for to ryse.

I speke off Jhesu of heuene wiþ-In; Off alle kyngys he is fflour; Line 90 Þat suffryd deþ for alle man kyn, He is oure alle creatour. Behold Jhesu, þe welle off wyt, Sere Maxence, kyng & emperour! Þis sacrefyse to hym doo it Line 95 And seke hym wiþ þus mekyl honour!

But now me þynkiþ doost þou so nouȝt, Þou wyrkyst on a werse wyse: Þis folk, þat þou hast hedyr brouȝt, Þou doost hem make þe deuyl seruyse. Line 100 Al þat þey doo, wiþ-outen were, To þese mawmettys vpon þis gyse, A dysseyuaunce is to hem here, Fykyl & fals & al fayntyse."

Þis emperour awondryd was Line 105 Off þis maydyn, fayr off vyse: Here stedefastnesse in herte he has, And sayde to here wurdys ful nyse: "Why dyspraysyst þou oure goddys so And holdyst hem off so lytyl pryse? Line 110 Iwis, so scholdyst þou nouȝt doo, Me þynkiþ þou art no-þyng wyse.

Ȝyff þou were leryd off oure lay lel And to oure scoles were entendaunte, Þou woldyst saye we deden ful wel, Line 115 And wiþ þy tungge þou woldist it graunte. To myȝteful goddes þou þe take, Swylk as Mahoun & Termagaunt,

And Jhesu Cryst look þou forsake Þe whylke þou holdyst þy waraunt! Line 120

And for we haue now on hande Þis ryche feste, as þou mayst see, Come now forþ wiþ þyn offerande, And holde it for no vanyte! For to oure goddes, so good at nede, Line 125 Ȝiff þat þou wylt buxum be, Ryche gyfftys schal be þy mede And þat þou sayde forgeue I þe."

Þenne bespak here Kateryne — God off heuene forgat sche nouȝt; Line 130 Þat schoop here wymman & virgyne, Sente grace in-tyl here þouȝt —: "Þese aren quyke deuelys to calle Þat þis peple haue here souȝt; Þer is no god but on off alle, Line 135 Þat þe & me & al haþ wrouȝt."

Þis emperour wiþ woo gan wake, And þouȝte on wylys & queynte crokes. Lettres gart he swyþe make And preuyly, as saiþ þe bookes, Line 140 Ou a maydyn was come ful ȝyng, Þat here goddys alle forsook. He selyd hem wiþ hys owne ryng Þat he off hys ffyngyr took.

He took þe messanger in hande Line 145 Þe lettrys selyd for gret tokenyng To alle þe wyse men of hys lande, And bad hem come wiþ-outen dwellyng. Ful gret honour he hyȝte hem ȝyt, As he was trewe knyȝt & kyng, Line 150 Ȝyff (þey) wiþ here wysdam & here wyt Myȝten ouyrcome þat maydyn ȝyng.

Þat maydyn was in presoun done, Soone as þe messanger was went. An aungyl com to here fol sone Line 155 Þat Jhesu Cryst here hadde Isent. He sayde: "my lord gretes þe weel Þat wyt & wysdam has þe lent — And þat þyn herte be strong as steel And þynk on hym wiþ good entent! Line 160

Line 160

Maxence haþ Isent hys sonde Ouyr-al aboute in þis cuntree Afftyr men wysest in londe, Wiþ þe (to) stryue, as þou schalt see. Be þat þy wurdys þey haue herd tel Line 165 As Jhesu Cryst schal wysse þe, Here trowþe schal ben in god ful wel, And for hym schole þey martyryd be."

Ouer al þe world, þat was so wyde, Hys messanger wente ful ȝare. Line 170 Fyffty men he brouȝte þat tyde, Grettest clerkys & wys of lare. In al wysdom & eke latyne Men sayde þat þey ryȝt redy wore For to dysspute wiþ Kateryne, Line 175 Þat Maxcense hadde wiþ-holden þore.

Amonges hem was þat mayden anon. Þey desputyd wiþ here of many matere, Here resouns sayde þey on be on, Ylkon on hys beste manere. Line 180 Þis maydyn, þat I haue off tolde, Sche stood wiþ a stedefast chere, In herte here resouns gan beholde— Goddys aungyl was here fere.

Whenne þey hadden here resouns sayde, Line 185 Euerylkone boþe more & lesse, To ylke a poynt wiþ-Inne a brayde Sche answerde wiþ wol gret mekenesse; Al here deuys þenne sayde sche Off god off heuene, þat oure lord ysse, Line 190 Is & was & euere schal be— Þe gospel took sche to wytnysse.

Of holy wryt sche tauȝte hem þore And off Crystys Incarnacyoun, And off a maydyn hou he was bore, Line 195 And hou he suffrede passyoun, And hou he sente hys postelys wyde To brynge men to saluacyoun— And crystene trowþe sche tolde þat tyde And preuyd it hem wiþ pure resoun. Line 200

Whenne þis mayden hadde Isayde Alle here resouns, þat were so goode,

Fol weel were þese maystrys payde & þey begunne to chaunge here moode. But, þere Maxcence sat, in fay, Line 205 For yre off herte he wax nyȝ wood & askyd: or þey cowde ouȝt say Agayn þat maydyn, þat þere stood.

Þenne bespak a maystyr anon, Off ryche kynrede was he bore: Line 210 "Sere kyng, I wene we haue mysgon, Oþere resouns beþ betere vs fore. For we schole trowe on Jhesu Cryst Þat bar þe corowne maad off þorn, As Kateryne haþ Itold fol tryst— Line 215 Ful loþ vs were to be fore-lorn."

Alle to-gedere hem askyd he Wheþer þey wolde here þouȝt ouȝt wende. Þey sayden, on Jhesu þat deyde on tree Þey wolde beleue wiþouten ende. Line 220 He wax agreuyd, þat stoute syre, He bad hem bynden feet & hande; He swoor he scholde quyte here hyre, Þey scholde(be) brend as brennyng brande.

He garte hem caste al in gret feer. Line 225 Gret myracle men myȝt þer see; Here fax(!), here cloþis & here her Off wem were þey quyt & ffree. Martyrdom þey suffryd þore For hym þat deyde vpon þe tree; Line 230 To heuene were here soulys bore, In goddys frayry forto be.

Þoo bad þe emperour hys men: "Bryngys forþ þat fayre may!" And whanne sche com beforn hym þen, Line 235 "Welcome, he sayde, par ma fay! Hast þou ȝit þy counseyl tan For to turne vpon my lay? Haue mercy on þy fayre pan! Me longis nouȝt don it away. Line 240

Þou schalt be menskyd as a qwene, Boþe in boure & eke in halle; And in þy name I schal do clene An ymage make, ryȝt fayr wiþ-alle, And in þis burgh þenne schal it stande, Line 245 And heyȝe & lowe schole loute it alle.

Off alle þe nedys of þis land We schole þe vn-to counseyl calle.

Heyȝe & lowe schal serue þe soo. Kateryne, doo as I þe bede! Line 250 And ȝit (I) wole þe more doo, Ȝyff þou wylt doo afftyr my rede: Off marbylston schal I do make A ryche temple, whenne þou art ded; Among oure goddys þou schalt be take Line 255 And layde in syluyr & gold so red."

"Be stylle, þou fool! I saye to þe, Þou redes me to ful mekyl synne. What man wolde I-dampnyd be In helle, for ony worldys wynne? Line 260 I haue to Ihesu Cryst my loue: He is my spouse, boþe oute & Inne; I hope to come to his heuene aboue, Þere ioye & blysse schal neuere blynne.

He is myn hope, my ioye mest, Line 265 My lord, my god in trynyte, My leeff, my lyff, my loue best: To swylke a lemman take I me. And ȝyff me were boote to speke, Off þy(s) counseyl now wolde I be Line 270 Þy goddys for to brenne & breke— For þou madyst hem, & þey nouȝt þe."

Be þat sche hadde here wurdys sayde, Hym þouȝte hys herte scholde breke on fyue; For yre & wraþþe he styrte & brayde Line 275 And bad hys men hastely & blyue: "Wiþ whyppys & scourgys doþ here sterte, Byndiþ & betiþ, whyl sche is on lyue! And in presoun þen doþ here smerte! What boote is þus-gate for to stryue?" Line 280

Þey maden here body al red blood ren Þat fyrst was whyt as whales bon. And afftyr sayde he to hys men: "Prysouns here now swyþe anon! Hungyr schal sche hastely ffeel, Line 285 Mete ne drynk ne geuiþ here non,

Lytyl ne mekyl — now wete þou weel — Tyl twelue dayes be comen & gon!

Out off þis land I wole forsoþe — Me be-houes nouȝt longe dwelle: Line 290 To grete men & wyse boþe Off þese auntrys forto telle; Counseyl I haue wiþ-outen dred Hou I schal þis maydyn quelle; But sche take anoþer red, Line 295 Sche schal wete off woo ful welle."

Whenne þe emperour was Iwent, Þe qwene sayde vntyl a knyȝte — Off knyȝtys he was cheeff & gent: Porphurye, seys þe book, he hyȝte — Line 300 Þe qwene sayde: "wiþ Kateryne Doo me speke, ȝyff þat þou myȝt! Longyng I haue in herte myne To speke wiþ here þis ylke nyȝt."

Þat ylke nyȝt forgat he nouȝt Line 305 To doo þe qwenys comaundemente: Vnto presoun þo he here brouȝt And preuyly wiþ here he wente. Þey sawȝ þer-Inne ful mekyl lyȝt: Goddys aungelys þedyr were sent, Line 310 Þat seten aboute þat swete wyȝt, Anoyntyd here wiþ oynement.

Aungelys þey seen here cors anoynte, Ylke a wem & ylke a wounde, Þorwȝ Jhesu myȝt in euery ioynte Line 315 Þey maden here boþe heyl & sounde. Þey hadde nouȝt at þe presoun dore Istonden but a lytyl stounde, Off þe lyȝt þey were adred so sore: In swownyng fel þey to þe grounde. Line 320

Þe maydyn ros & to hem came And spak to hem wiþ mylde mood: "Rysys vp in goddys name, And loke ȝe ben off counfort good!" On Jhesu Cryst sche bad hem leue, Line 325 Þat for man-kynde schedde hys blood. And whanne sche hadde þis counseyl geue, Vp þey resen & by here stood.

Þenne bespak þe qwene sone anon: "Kateryne, fol weel is þe! Line 330 Wiþ Jhesu Cryst meche mayst þou don, We haue seen al þy preuyte." "Looke þou, sche sayde, vpon hym trowe Þat lord is off swylke pouste! He nele forgete, he wole hem knowe Line 335 Þat serue hym wiþ herte ffree.

I rede þe, dame, for þy behoue, Forsake Maxence & al hys myȝt For þat ylke kyngys loue Þat made boþe day & nyȝt, Line 340 Heuene & erþe, beste & man, Sunne & mone þat schynys bryȝt. Þe ioye off heuene schalt þou han, And þou al-soo, I say, sere knyȝt!"

Þenne spak þat knyȝt to Kateryne: Line 345 "What-kyn ioye may þat be?" Kateryne sayde weel & fyne: "Porphyrye, I wole telle it þe: It is þe ioye wiþ-outen ende Þat eeren ne eyȝen may here ne see, Line 350 No tungge off speke, herte þynke in mende; Þat louiþ god lel, þis ordeyniþ he.

Þer is non in þat ryche empere Þat hungyr has, cold ne þreste; Drede ne wraþþe is þer non þere, Line 355 But loue & lykyng, ioye & reste." Þorwȝ þe wurdys þat sche spake Or mydnyȝt þey were ful preste To suffre deþ for goddys sake; Þey leuyd in Jhesu al-þer beste. Line 360

Þey here betauȝte Jhesu, oure lord, And siþþen wenten boþe away. Two hundryd knyȝtys seruyd hym at bord. Whan sche tolde hym þat oþir day Hou goddys aungelys here seruyd had Line 365 In presoun, þat fayre may, Þey leuyd on Jhesu, as sche hem bad, And forsoken here false lay.

For sche ne moste haue neyþer mete ne drynk Þorwȝ comaundement of þe emperour, Line 370 Twelue dayes, neuere a pynk, Sche hadde a betere vyaundour: Cryst sente to here goostly foode Fro heuene, þat is oure saueour, Aungelys, þat brouȝten here lyfflode Line 375 Þer sche sat presounnyd in a tour.

And whenne þe twelue dayes were gon, Þenne com Jhesu, heuene kyng, Wiþ aungelys & maydenys manyon, For to speke wiþ hys derelyng. Line 380 He sayde: "ffor me þou hast ben led In ful gret stryff & gret fandyng: Looke þat þou be nouȝt adred: I geue þe, douȝtyr, my blessyng.

Offten I haue þy prayers herde, Line 385 Whenne þat þou hast me besouȝt; I schal nouȝt fayle þe — be nouȝt aferde— To iugement whenne þou art brouȝt. Looke, þou be stedefast, trewe & sekyr! Off alle here peynys geue þou nouȝt! Line 390 For off þe blysse þou may be sekyr Þat I haue to myn handwerk wrouȝt."

Whenne he hadde sayde þese wurdis þoo, Out off þe presoun gan he glyde To heuene blysse, þer he com froo, Line 395 Hys aungelys vpon ylke a syde.— Whenne Maxcense hadde Idon his dede, Hom he come wiþ mekyl pryde; Wiþ dukes, eerlys & knyȝtys he ȝede, And pagys rennyng be here syde, Line 400

Vpon þat oþer day ful sone He askyd off þe maydenys staat, Ȝiff þat sche were on lyue or none: "Sche is ful feble, weel I waat. Fette here forþ now, my gayler! Line 405 For hungyr & þyrst sche is ful mate." Þe gayler brouȝte here to hym þer, Þer as he sat in ryal sate.

Whenne sche was before hym led, He sayde: "welcome, damyseel! Line 410 Þou hast ben ful harde Isted Boþe in yryn & in steel; But ȝit me þynkiþ þat þou leue may— And þat me lykiþ swyþe wel. Jhesu, þat þou hast spoken off ay, Line 415 Þe behouiþ forsaken euery del.

For I wolde nouȝt do þe to dede, To my presoun I dede þe goo. But sertys now þou mostyst nede To chese þe on off þyngys twoo: Line 420 Oyþer vpon my goddys leue And Cryst forsake for euere-moo, Or we schal þynke boþe morwe & eue Wiþ stronge paynys þe to sloo".

Þenne spak þe maydyn, þere sche stood Line 425 Among þe sareȝynys so blak, As Jhesu here tauȝte, þat is so good, Wiþ mylde wurdys wiþ-outen lak: "Þouȝ I schole deye, þou may me trest Jhesu ne schal I neuere forsake; Line 430 For Jhesu loue I am ful prest Gladly here my deþ to take.

For þouȝ þat þou beþynke þe Afftyr peynys grete & sare And doo hem alle to pyne me, Line 435 To suffre hem I wil be ȝare. Neuere in my lyff, be god aboue! My flesch, my blood ne wole I spare To spende hem for þat lordys loue— For me he suffryd mekyl mare. Line 440

Blely wole I martyryd be For hym wiþ peynys grete & smale: He has me callyd to hys ffrayre, Þat schal be boote off al my bale." Sche stood wiþ a ful blyþe mood Line 445 Before Maxence, to tellen here tale. But, þere he sat, he wex nyȝ wood, For tene & angyr he was al pale.

He skypte & styrte & sore gan grame. Þer com a sareȝyn forþ anon: Line 450

Line 450 Cursates, þe book saiþ, was his name. "Sere kyng, he sayde, I am þy mon. Ȝit I can a turnement make: Off swylke on herdyst þou neuere er telle; Whanne sche it seeþ, I vndyrtake, Line 455 Anoþer lessoun sche wole spelle.

Foure wheles make schal I, Þe twoo schole turne agayn þe twoo, Ful þykke I-dreuen by & by Wiþ wyþir-hokes, here to sloo. Line 460 Among þe foure sche schal be went, Here body schal haue meche woo: In smale peses sche schal be rent, On erþe schal sche neuere efft goo."

Þenne bad Maxcence hys gayler Line 465 Þat he scholde þe mayden take And leden here in-to presoun þer, Þe whyles he scholde þe wheles make. And or þe þrydde day were gon, Þey weren Iwrouȝt al for here sake; Line 470 So grym þey were to loke vpon, Þat many a man þey garte quake.

Whenne þe wheles weren al ȝare, In þe cyte were þey set. Many sareȝyn before hem ware, Line 475 Þe maydyn was ful gretly þret. Þanne bad þe emperour hys men Þat sche were out off presoun ffet. To ben awreke weel wende he þen Off þat maydyn wiþ-outen let. Line 480

Þey ledde here to þat ylke stede Þere sche scholde in hem gon. Many a modyr chyld þer ȝede For to loken here vpon. Sche knelyd adoun þat place amydde, Line 485 To god off heuene sche bad here bone. But lystnes now what hap betydde! Goddys help here com ful sone.

Þe whelys for to breke asundyr, Aungelys were sent fro god anon. Line 490 On sareȝynys þat were þer vndyr Veniaunse took he sone vpon.

Among þe folk þey gunne to dryue, Foure þousand þere dede þey slon. Line 495 Off heþene men were ded ful ryue — But euyl hadde þe maydyn non.

Þe crystene men þat þere were Off þis myracle þey were ful glad. Þe kyng ne wyste what he dede þere: Line 500 So sorweful was he & so mad. Þe sareȝynys þat askape myȝte Hyyd hem faste — þey weren adrad For þat ylke perylous syȝte; Off sorewe were þey neuere so sad. Line 505

Soone afftyr þis folk was flowe þan, Vntyl hym sayde hys wyff, þe qwene: "Weylaway, þou wrehche man! Wher-off makys þou þe so kene? He haþ weel kyd þat god is he, Line 510 Þat born was off þe maydyn schene. I forsake alle þyne & þee And al þy myȝt for euere clene.

Agayn þe lord þat þou woldyst greue Þy stryuyng is nouȝt wurþ a schyde; Line 515 Þat þese crystene men on leue, Hys myȝtynesse it goþ ful wyde. Crye hym mercy off þy gylt! For, ȝyff þat þou to longe abyde, When þou art ded, þou schalt be pylt Line 520 In helle pyne for al þy pryde."

He wex for wroþ boþe wood & wylde Ande to þe qwene he sayde þen: "Þou art dysseyuyd — þe deuyl þe hylde — Þorwȝ wyhche-crafft off crystene men. Line 525 I swere þe be my goddys goode And be al þat I can sayn: But þou þe sunnere chaunge þy moode, Wiþ wykkyd deþ þou schalt be slayn.

But þou forsake Jhesu ful prest, Line 530 Þis schal be þy Iugement: Fyrst þy pappys off þy brest Wiþ yrene hookes schole be rent;

And afftyrward wiþ-Inne a þrawe Þou schalt be heuedyd, ar euere I stent, Wiþ houndys & foules al to-drawe, Line 535 Þorwȝ myn owne comaundement."

Whenne þis emperour was war Þat sche nolde nouȝt turne here þouȝt, On alle maner þan bad he þar Þat sche schoolde out off towne be brouȝt. Line 540 Þenne lokyd sche to Kateryne, And myldely sche here besouȝt To don here erende in þat pyne To god off heuene, þat al haþ wrouȝt.

Þenne sayde Kateryne, here trewe ffrende: Line 545 "For soþe, dame, I telle it þe: Off þe ioye wiþ-outen ende Trust & sekyr may þou be, Ȝiff þou þy deþ in hys name has Þat spredde hys body vpon þe tree, Line 550 As hys swete wylle was, Forto maken oure soules ffree."

Men drowen here pappys off here brest And hedyd here, as I haue told. Þan bad þe emperour ful feste Line 555 Þat noman scholde be so bold For to beryyn here body — For houndes scholde haue it at wolde. Þe soule com ful hastyly Before Jhesu, þat it fore was solde. Line 560

Þenne afftyrward, whenne it was nyȝt, Afftyr þys stronge passyoun, Com Purphurye, þe goode knyȝt, And ffond here lye wiþ-outen þe toun; In crystene beryeles wiþ good entent Line 565 He beryyd here wiþ deuocyoun, Agayn þe kyngys comaundement — To suffre deþ he was ful boun.

Þenne afftyr on þat oþir day Men tolden þe emperour ful raþe Line 570 Þat sche was beryyd, soþ to say. Þan spak he wurdys grymme & wraþe: "Enserches faste who þis haþ don, My seriauntys þat I cloþe & fede!"

Many a man þat gylt hadde non Line 575 Was flemyd & prysounnyd for þat dede.

Before þis cruel emperour Ful boldely com sere Purphury And seyde hym, þere he sat ful sour, Ryȝt ful off yre & felony: Line 580 "I wole þe telle who dede þis dede, Siþþe þou hast so gret desyr: I, goddys seruaunt, wiþ-outen drede, I haue beryyd hys martyr.

Þou was ful wood, wytles, sertayn, Line 585 And lytyl þouȝtyst þou on þy dede, Afftyr þat þou haddyst here slayn Þe erþe whan þou here forbede. In helle pyne schal be þy play Wiþ-outen ende for þy qwed. Line 590 To Jhesu Cryst I take me ay And I forsake þy false red."

Þanne he began to crye & rore And offten he callyd hym-selff caytyff, As he hadde be woundyd þore Line 595 Wiþ swerd, wiþ spere, or wiþ knyff. Offten he sayde: "allas, allas, Þat euere I was born off wyff! Now Purphurye forsake me has Wardayn off myn owne lyff." Line 600

He hadde sorwe & care most, Wundyr woo he was in wede. He sayde: "now I haue hym Ilost, Þe beste knyȝt off al my lede, My beste help boþe fer & nere: Line 605 Ouer-al he was at my moste nede. Þe wyhche schal it abye ful dere Þorwȝ whom he haþ don þis dede!"

Hys knyȝtys drowȝ þe knyȝt saunfayle To & ffrom in preuyte: Line 610 Þorwȝ whom it was & whos counsayle Þat he wolde I-crystenyd be. When þey hadde counsayllyd to & fram Þe knyȝtys sayden: "now so wil we: We take vs vnto crystyndam, Line 615 For drede off deþ wole we nouȝt fle."

Offten he was in ful wroþ plyte, But neuere so wroþ as he was þoo! Here hedes he bad anon off smyte — But þer-off gaff þey nouȝt a sloo. Line 620 Here bodyys he bad in feeld be caste Wiþ houndys to gnawe & bestys þoo. Here soules come ful swyþe in haste Þere ioye & blysse is euere-moo. — Pray we now boþe fyrst & laste, Line 625 Lytyl & mochyl, I rede þer-too, Þat, whanne þat we be hens I-paste, Þat oure soules mowe do soo. —

Þenne afftyr on þat oþir day Þe kyng was set in hys chayere; Line 630 Sareȝynys þat heelden here lay On ylke a syde þey sat hym nere. Kateryne he bad forþ brynge. To fetten here wente hys iayler. Beforn hym com þat holy þynge Line 635 Wiþ blyþe mood & gladful cheer.

Wroþly on here þan lokyd he And spak to here wiþ gret enuye: "Mekyl woo hast þou do me, Þou wyhche ful off ffelounnye, Line 640 Þou hast maad my folk forlorne. And þat þou schalt ful dere abye! Ne schalt þou neuere efft me scorne, Betraye me wiþ þy sorserye.

But þou wylt leue on alle wyse Line 645 Vpon my goddys þat al may weelde, And mekely don hem sacrefyȝe, Knele & vp þyn handes helde, Þis ylke day, & þat als tyte, Wiþ-owten þe toun ryȝt in þe ffelde Line 650 My men schole þere þyn hed off-smyte, And so schole we þy seruyse ȝelde."

Þis mayde forbar hym nouȝt þat tyde, Sche sayde: "nay, þou teraunt, nay! Þat day ne schalt þou neuere abyde Line 655 Þat I schal leue vpon þy lay. Blessyd be heuene kyng aboue, He haþ me lent fful stable fay.

Blely wole I for hys loue Þole deþ þis ylke day. Line 660

Doo fforþ faste as þou began, Þou fendes leme, þou ffendes gaste! For al þat euere þou þynke kan, I wole hem(!) suffre al in haste,

Ms. Caj. Coll. enthält folgenden Schluss:

I þanke þe, lord, now, ful off myȝt, For þou hast maad me on off þyne, To wone among þy maydenys bryȝt, In heuene þer neuere schal be no pyne. Line 700

Heuene & erþe, boþe lyȝt & derk, Watyr & land, sunne & mone, And al þis world þis was þy werk Þat heyȝe syttyst in holy trone. I beseke þe to-day Line 705 Þat þou graunte me a bone, Out of þis world ar I go away — For þat I wot schal be ful soone:

Alle þat in þe name off my My passyoun wole here or rede Line 710 Or haue me in good memory, In ony lond or ony lede: Lord, ȝyff þey praye in ryȝtful case, In poynt off deþ or oþer nede, Þou graunte hem for þyn holy grace Line 715 Off here prayer weel to spede.

To suffre deþ I am here, loo, Ful prest, lord, for loue off þe; Þis mace-greff is here al-soo Wiþ drawen swerd, to hede me — Line 720 My soule greue he ne may For þer-off haþ he no pouste: Tak it to þe now, I þe pray, In-to þe blysse þat euere schal be!"

Soone as sche hadde maad an ende Line 725 Off here orysoun & here prayer For alle þat here hadde in mende And ffor here-self in þis maner,

Þe soule com to Jhesu euene Wiþ moche merthe & melody.

Þat day sche deyde — wetiþ weel it! — Line 765 Syxe aungelys deden here body lende In-to þe mount, þere it is ȝit And schal be to þe worldes ende. Off syke folk were þer neuere so fele: Alle þat euere wolde þedyr wende, Line 770 Oure lord sente hem boote & hele, Þat alle bales may amende.

Þe toumbe þat sche was layd in þer, It was al maade off marbyl-ston. A strem off oyle fayr & cler Line 775 Sprong þer-off ryȝt ful good won — And so it haþ don seþþyn euere, Euere siþþe þat sche was slawe. Alle crystene folk þat þedyr keuere Here body wurschepiþ wundyr fawe. Line 780

Here day it falliþ in Nouembre, In world as sche was martyryd here, On þe seuynþe kalendes of Decembre, As wreten is in kalendere. He þat wrot here lyff þus, Line 785 And alle þat it rede & here, Þe ioye off heuene hem ȝeue Jhesus, For Maryes loue, hys modyr dere!

Þe heyȝe kyng off alle men kynne, Þat spredde hys body vp-on tree, Line 790 Brynge vs out off dedly synne And sende vs loue & charyte, Þat we mowe to þat stede wynne, Wiþouten ende in ioye to be, Þat seynt Kateryne is Inne, Line 795 Amen, amen, pur charyte!

Explicit.

Notes

• Nach 121 sind 11 Verse mit der Initiale der Rückseite ausgeschnitten.
• Ms. messangers mit auspunkt. s.
• Ms. him he corr. in hem þai.
• Ms. loured, r ist überschr.
• Ms. mirache.
• l. þe we schal to.
• schal fehlt.
• Ms. þif.
• blo steht auf der Rasur eines längeren Wortes, welches auf te endete.
• alpes = elpes; elp — elephant.
• Dieser Vers ist unten nachgetragen. & = an = on.
• l. fest st. best?
• 369 ff.) Die Stropfe ist in Auch. verderbt.
• Ms. fonging.
• V. 406 ist in 2 Zeilen geschr.
• Ms. urspr. Sche.
• loke aus leke corr.
• Ms. scheinbar periis.
• im Ms. fehlt so.
• 507—520) Die Versanfänge sind verwischt.
• Die letzte Silbe von tates ist verwischt.
• Ms. þine st. pine.
• Ms. abiggede.
• oo = ever.
• Ms. On st. ou = hou.
• Ms. brend.
• Ms. fax od. fay? st. face.
• Im Ms. steht hier doppelter Vers: In heuene he schal me wedde aboue, u.: I hope to come to his heuene aboue, u. a. R. steht Elige
• Ms. my my lyff.
• þy st. þys.
• þou u. I überschr, I þe nach say aus|gestrichen.
• Ms. hym st. here.
• hym plur.
• sche it seeþ überschr, it is wrouȝt auspunctirt.
• skypte aus stypte corr.
• we in sorewe überschr.
• Ms. be be.
• Ms. or or.