The early South-English legendary ; or, Lives of saints. I. Ms. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian library. Edited by Carl Horstmann.

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London,: Pub. for the Early English text society by N. Trübner & co.,

1887.

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Subject terms

Christian saints

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"The early South-English legendary ; or, Lives of saints. I. Ms. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian library. Edited by Carl Horstmann." In the digital collection Corpus of Middle English Prose and Verse. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/AHA2708.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 24, 2024.

Pages

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.
                        Line 392 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 396 
                      
                        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;
                        Line 401 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 404 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 408 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 412

                      
                        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.
                        Line 416 
                      
                        ¶ þare-bi-neoþe beoth seoue firmamenz : þat euerech of heom, i-wis,
                      
                        One steorre hath with-oute mo : þat planete i-cleoped is. [folio 137] 
                      
                        Ichulle nemmen heore seoue names : and formest bi-guynne hext:
                      
                        Saturnus is al a-boue : and Iupiter sethþe next,
                        Line 420 
                      
                        þanne Mars bi-neoþen him : and sethþe þe sonne is,
                      
                        Venus sethþe, þe clere steorre : Mercurius þanne, i-wis,

Page 312

                      
                        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:
                        Line 424 
                      
                        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, ȝwane he is i-bore : onder heore power, i-wis,
                      
                        Schullen habbe diuers lijf : euere ase heore vertue is :
                        Line 428 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 432 
                      
                        And ȝiuen 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.
                        Line 436

                      
                        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;
                        Line 440 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 444 
                      
                        þare-fore Men schoniez muche : þene satur-day bi-guynne,
                      
                        And þene tywesday, euerech [werc] : 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 :
                        Line 448 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 452 
                      
                        And al þat oþur del with-Inne : swiþe blak as a rauon 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.
                        Line 456 
                      
                        for ȝwanne þe sonne schynez on cristal : oþur in watere cler,
                      
                        A gret leome it ȝif out a-ȝein : and schynez feor and ner :

Page 313

                      
                        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.
                        Line 460 
                      
                        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 : [folio 137b] 
                      
                        þanne ne seo we nouȝt of hire : ne heo ne ȝifth no liȝt.
                        Line 464 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 468 
                      
                        þe Mone bi-gynnez bi este a-rise : euene a-ȝen hire riȝt,
                      
                        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.
                        Line 472 
                      
                        So þat heo drauth hire feor þe sonne : and luyte and luyte is blak,
                      
                        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.
                        Line 476 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 480 
                      
                        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;
                        Line 484 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 488

                      
                        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;
                        Line 492 
                      
                        And þei adam, ore furste fader : hadde bi-gonne a-non
                      
                        þo þat he was furst i-mad : and toward þe heouene i-gon

Page 314

                      
                        And hadde eche daie fourti mile : euene opriȝt i-go,
                        Line 495 
                      
                        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 flesche ne of blod :
                        Line 500 
                      
                        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
                        Line 503 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 508

                      
                        BI-neoþe þe loweste heuene : þat þe mone is on i-brouȝt, [folio 138] 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 512 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 516 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 520 
                      
                        he drauȝth up of þe eorþe in druye wedere : ase it were a druye breth,
                      
                        So þat þoruȝ hete of þe sonne : a-boue 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.
                        Line 524 
                      
                        þare-fore men ne i-seoth no swuch þing : bote it beo in hete.
                      
                        ¶ 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 þat þare was neiȝ,
                        Line 528 
                      
                        A-non so it is a-fuyre : it scheot þoruȝ þe cloude,
                      
                        And þe ȝwile it is in þe watere : it goþeleth swyþe loude.

Page 315

                      
                        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.
                        Line 532 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 536 
                      
                        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
                        Line 539 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 543 
                      
                        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;
                        Line 546 
                      
                        ¶ 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 :
                        Line 552 
                      
                        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 : [folio 138b] 
                      
                        For þer is þanne selde wete : to maken quenchingue of fuyre;
                        Line 556 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 560 
                      
                        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.—
                        Line 564 
                      
                        Ȝe mouwen axi, ȝwane it þundre is : I-meingt of fuyr in wete,

Page 316

                      
                        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.
                        Line 568

                      
                        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,
                        Line 571 
                      
                        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!
                        Line 576 
                      
                        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 were þere
                      
                        A Mulleston, he scholde al-to-driue : þei he of molten bras were.
                        Line 580 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 583 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 588 
                      
                        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
                        Line 591 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 596 
                      
                        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, [folio 139] 
                        Line 600 
                      
                        þare ase þe blake cloudene beoth : and oþur wederes al-so—

Page 317

                      
                        hit nis up-riȝt fram þe eorþe : bote Ane mile oþur two.
                      
                        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,
                        Line 604 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 607 
                      
                        And þanne huy freosez adoneward : are huy comen here ouȝt lowe;
                      
                        And ȝif it is þoruȝ-out cold : þat huy alle 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,
                        Line 612 
                      
                        And ȝwane no-þing ne halt it up : and þe hete is al i-do,
                      
                        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.
                        Line 616 
                      
                        ¶ 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,
                        Line 620 
                      
                        þanne freost þe þicke Myst : and cleouez an heiȝ on þe treo:
                      
                        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—
                        Line 624 
                      
                        I-chot wel, on mi fore-top : it hauez wel ofte i-do—.
                      
                        In þis manere ȝe mowen i-seo : þe kuynde of reyne and snowe,
                      
                        Of hawel., of snovȝ., of Rym-forst : of hore-forst þat freost lowe,
                      
                        Of cloudene and of Mist al-so— : for al o þing it is:
                        Line 628 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 632 
                      
                        Is more þane al þe eorþe beo : and gret wonder it is.
                      
                        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,
                        Line 636 
                      
                        Nis bote a lime of þulke se : and þudere In huy goth ech-on.

Page 318

                      
                        ¶ 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,
                        Line 640 
                      
                        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
                        Line 644 
                      
                        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, [folio 139b] 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 648 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 652 
                      
                        þat is þoruȝ kuynde of þe mone : and riȝt nouȝt þoruȝ hire owe.

                      
                        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,
                        Line 656 
                      
                        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
                        Line 660 
                      
                        Of þe sonne þat is a-boue— : þe leomene beoth so grete;
                      
                        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,
                        Line 664 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 668 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 672 
                      
                        Of muche þouȝt, of luyte speche : stille groyninde and wrath long,

Page 319

                      
                        Of slouȝ wreche and Aruȝ mouth : 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,
                        Line 676 
                      
                        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. and luyte luste swinke.
                      
                        ¶ ho-so haueth of þe eir mest : he is of guod colour,
                        Line 680 
                      
                        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;
                        Line 684 
                      
                        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,
                      
                        Hinderful and of bost I-novȝ : hardi and ofte lie,
                        Line 688 
                      
                        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. [folio 140] 
                      
                        Ake euerech of þeos foure elemenz : en-tempriez oþur, i-wis,
                        Line 692 
                      
                        So þat vnneþe In ani Man : any riȝ[t] puyr maister is.
                      
                        Ake 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,
                        Line 696 
                      
                        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;
                        Line 700 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 704 
                      
                        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 limes : þat formest i-kenede beoz,
                        Line 708 
                      
                        And In heom is al ane Mannes lijf : ase [ȝe] nouþe i-seoth;

Page 320

                      
                        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,
                        Line 712 
                      
                        hit bi-comez to a þicke blod : and chaungez al is bleo.
                      
                        Hit þickez to 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,
                        Line 716 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 719 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 724 
                      
                        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.
                        Line 728 
                      
                        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 crekede þov were þare : and nouþe to no man þov nelt a-buye (!).
                        Line 731 
                      
                        þou ne miȝtest nouȝt þo holde up þin heued : ne enes on-do þin eiȝe;
                      
                        Fra 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.
                        Line 735

                      
                        IN eche manne þreo soulene beoth : ake nouȝt alle I-liche guode,
                      
                        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
                        Line 740 
                      
                        To þe limes al-a-boute : and bi-ginnez in is wexingue;
                      
                        So þat ane mannes norischingue : and is wexingue al-so
                      
                        Of þulke furste soule comez : and of þe liuere þer-to.

Page 321

                      
                        þulke manere soule is : in ech wexinde þingue,
                        Line 744 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 748 
                      
                        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
                        Line 752 
                      
                        In is bi-guynningue, and al is lijf : and is fif wittes ech-on.
                      
                        þulke soule hath ech þing : þat vuel may ouer -go,
                      
                        Best, . and foul, and fisch al-so : worm and oþure mo.
                      
                        þeos soule þat bringuez þat lijf : is ate heorte grounde :
                        Line 756 
                      
                        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 :
                        Line 760 
                      
                        For ȝwane a child hath alle is limes : [&] 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
                        Line 764 
                      
                        þo he hadde Man formest I-mad : and in parays i-do,
                      
                        To myenge þe kuynde of heuene : to mannes kuynde her,
                      
                        And soule of witte and of liue : þat is Aungelene i-pier,
                      
                        heo comez fram þe kuynde of Aungles : and in þis fourme a-liȝt
                        Line 768 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 772 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 776 
                      
                        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 bodie : þe ȝwile he a-liue is,

Page 322

                      
                        And wend, ase heo hauez of-serued : to Ioye oþur to pine;
                        Line 780 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 784 
                      
                        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,
                        Line 788 
                      
                        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 ane signe in þe bodie : ȝif is felawe geth to guode,
                        Line 792 
                      
                        And bi-lefth þat bodi in fair hev : ȝwijȝt oþur red of blode.
                      
                        þeos soulene deiȝez in a man : ȝwane þe hete is al i-do,
                      
                        þe raþur þat he leost is breth : and waweȝIngue al-so.
                      
                        Ȝwane huy i-seoz heore felawe : to torment i-brouȝt,
                        Line 796 
                      
                        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 is grenninde.
                      
                        Swuche signes þat fereliche beoth : þat man may ofte i-seo,
                        Line 800 
                      
                        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.

Notes

firmamenta.

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planete.

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r. men þat beoth

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r. ȝiuez

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om.

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as a r. on the margin.

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riȝt on the margin.

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on the margin.

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al. a-bac

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MS. of flechs of flesche

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Elementa.

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MS. op

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MS. aboute

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Fuigur.

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al. om.

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al. is

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Tonitruum.

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al. om.

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MS. weren

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Plunia.

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Nix.

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al. As Grando.

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al. al

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Ros.

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pruyna.

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MS. manere manere

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r. dev

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r. nis

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Terra.

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al. kete

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al. fereblet

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al. fereblet

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al. hinder

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al. ase

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MS. limest

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al. so

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al. veie

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r. croked

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orig. fram

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vv. 734-5 al. om.

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Anime.

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al. bringeth

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al. Is velynge

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al. vele

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al. oþer

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om.

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al. Ane

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MS. soule

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al. ek

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al. soule

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al. þe erore whan

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al. om.

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The early South-English legendary ; or, Lives of saints. I. Ms. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian library. Edited by Carl Horstmann.

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