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

60 [Iohan ap.]

SEint Iohan þe ewangelist : þat Apostel is, was ore louerdes Aunte sone : and seint Iemes broþur, i-wis: his Moder was ore lauedie suster : Marie cleophe, I-wedded heo was to is fader : þat hiet zebede; Line 4 Þis Zebede hadde tweiȝe sones : bi Marie is wif: Þes seint Iohan and eke seint Ieme : þat ladden wel holi lijf. ¶ Seint Iohan was ȝonguore þane ore louerd: twelf monþe oþur þere-a-boute; For is kun he was þe betere Man : þar-of nis no doute: Line 8 And natheles he was, ich wene : þritti ȝer old neiȝh Are hee ouȝt muche of ore louerd wuste : oþer are he him muche iseiȝh. For ore louerd nas bote luyte i-knowe : ne he ne cudde him nouȝt Are he i-baptized were : and to cristine-dom i-brouȝt; Line 12 And ȝeot ne cudde he him nouȝt a-brod : are seint Iohan þe baptist were I-martred for þe lawe of holie churche : þat he gan heroudes lere. ¶ Ake þo seint Iohan i-martred was : ore louerd ne sparede nouȝht

Forto gon and prechi a-boute : til he was to deþe i-brouȝt. Line 16 To beon is desciples furst he ches : tweiȝe breþren þo : Seint petre and seint Andreu : ase he cam bi þe se go; And þare he saiȝh tweie breþren þo : seint Ieme and þes seint Iohan, with þe olde man Zebede : heore fader, a-fischeth gon : Line 20 ¶ heom he cleopede al-so to him : and huy bi-lefden a-non heore fader, and siweden him : and token þe betere won. Seint Iohan was best with him : of is desciples echon : Þat was i-sene þo he leonede : an^d slep ^opon is breoste-bon; Line 24 For þe ȝwile he made is cene : ase on schere-þores-day, Seint Iohan among is desciples : to is swete breste lay. A-morewe, ase on þe guode friday : ase he deide on þe rode, his swete moder and seint Iohan : faste bi him stode : Line 28 Þere in seint Iohanes warde : is swete moder he tok, [folio 170] To wardi ase hire owene sone : ase we findez i-write in bok. ¶ hire wardein he was aftur also : þat he to heouene i-wende, Al þe ȝwyle þat heo on eorþe was : for-to he aftur hire sende. Line 32 Riȝht it was to wardi hire : ȝwane heo is Aunte was, And for þare nas non oþur of heom : þat clene mayde was; Clene mayde to wardi oþur : riȝht it was i-do— Þare-fore in is swete warde : ore louerd bi-tok hire so.— Line 36 Aftur þat ore louerd was : to þe Ioye of heouene i-went, And his desciples a-witsonenday : þene holi gost hadde i-sent, ¶ huy wenden forth wel baldeliche : euerech in is side, A-boute in diuerse londes : and precheden wel wide. Line 40 In-to þe londe of Asye : seint Iohan þe ewangelist wende, to wissi þulke side : and prechede of Iesu crist. Line 42 To þe Cite of Efese : atþe laste he com, Þare he hadde him-sulue hous and hom : and prechede cristindom.— ¶ Þe Aumperour domician : þat luþur was i-novȝh, Alle þe cristine Men þat he fond : he tormentede oþur a-slouȝh. So þat seint Iohan was i-nome : þat longue hadde beo i-souȝht; Bi-fore þe Aumperores Iustise : ful sone he was i-brouȝt. Line 48 Þe Iustise þouȝhte anon : fram god to tuyrne is þouȝht. "Certes," quath þis holie Man : "þare-to ne bringest þou it nouȝt; For ichulle more don after god : þane aftur þe, i-wis."

Welle, wrothþ was þe Iustise : þo he i-heorde þis! Line 52 Ane tonne ful of Eoyle he nam : and liet it boylie faste, And al wallinde þesne holie Man : a-midde þe eolie he caste. ¶ Seint Iohan þare-inne sat : so longue so it was, he ne chaungede neuer ene his hiev : ne neuere þe worse him nas, Line 56 Ake al hol with-outen eni harm : out of þis eolye he a-ros— Þe Iustise þat him þer-inne brouȝte : þar-of wel sore a-gros. Þis was in rome bi-fore a ȝat : þat þis dede was i-do, Þat men cleopeden "þe porte latin" : and ȝuyt men doth also. Line 60 A-seint Iohanes day it was : in þe bi-ginningue of may. For þulke miracle men holdez ȝuyt : þoru al þe lond is day; And for þat ȝat hiet "porte latyn" : þare þe dede was i-do, Ȝuy[t] men holdeth þilke day : of seint Iohan al-so.— Line 64 ¶ Domician þe Aumperour : þo he i-saiȝh þis cas Þat seint Iohan nas no-þe worse : þat he in þe eolie was, wod-wroth he was and sori i-nouȝh : ake natheles he ne dorste nouȝt For cristine Men, þat he were : þoruȝ him to deþe i-brouȝht; Line 68 he hiet him fleo out of þe londe : þat non more he ne come þere. I-harled he was out of rome : ase þei he strong þeof were, And i-outlawed ase a þeof : þat he in þe contreye ne come. Into þe yle of patmos : he wende out of rome, Line 72 And wonede þare in penaunce : twelf monþes neiȝh. Of ore louerdes priuetez : wel muche he þare i-seiȝh, For ofte þe priuetez of heouene : ore louerd him schewede þere. [folio 170b] Ȝware-of he made þare ane bok : al-holi churche to lere, Line 76 þat men cleopeth "Apocalips" : þat men redez in churche al day; Muche is of godes priuetez : þat he þare i-saiȝ.— ¶ Þe furste ȝer þat seint Iohan: þus i-outlawed was, Of þe Aumperour þat him drof awey : þare bi-feol a sori cas : Line 80 For þe senatour him a-slovȝ : þat was þo of rome, In contek þat heom was bi-twene— : for huy conteckeden i-lome. Seint Iones pays was sone i-cried : and alle oþeres also Þat weren þoruȝ þe Aumperour : in outlawingue ido. Line 84 Seint Iohan him wende a-ȝeinward þo : mildeliche i-novȝ; Toward þe cite of Efese : to is owene hous he drouȝ— For he hadde þare hous and hom : and kun and freond i-nowe.

Men and wimmen of þe toun : wel þicke a-ȝein him drowe, Line 88 To wel-comien him with grete Ioye : and in-to toune him brouȝte, with swiþe gret procession : ase huy ful wel ouȝten. ¶ Ase huy wenden þoruȝ þe toun : with grete Ioye þere, Men and wimmen a-ȝein heom comen : with ful dreorie chere : Line 92 For drusiane, a ded womman : toward vrþe huy bere; Þare was for hire deol i-novȝ : and wel sorie alle huy were. Gret loue þare hadde er i-beo : bi-tweone hire and seint Iohan. Ase sone ase þat folk him i-saiȝ : þe gladdore alle huy were a-non; Line 96 huy gonne on him to crie faste : "sire," huy seiden, "þin ore! Þis is drusiane, þi guode freond : þat was vnder þi lore. Þou wost wel heo hath þe muche i-loued : nov ne may heo nonmore, here heo is in þis bere ded : heo makez us carie sore. Line 100 ¶ Heo ne wilnede non oþur þing : þe ȝwile heo sik lay, Bote þat he moste þe i-seon : are hire ende-day : And nouþe it is so ase þou sixt : þat, þei þou beo here, heo ne may! Þench on þe loue þat heo þe louede : sethþe heo þe furst i-say; Line 104 And ȝif þou woldest us swuch grace do : and a-ȝein to liue hire bringue, Euere we scholden herie þe : and þe kingue of alle kyngue." ¶ seint Iohan bi-gan to sichen sore : ase he in þouȝhte were; he bad heom ane stounde a-bide : and setten a-doun þe bere. Line 108 he sat a-doun wel softe a-kneo : and criede to ore louerd þere, Þis woman þat him so muche louede : ȝif it were is wille, a-rere. Þo he hadde i-seid is oresun : anon-riȝht in þe place Þis womman a-ros up hol and sound : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace, Line 112 And herede faste ihesu crist : and þene holie man sein Iohan— Þare was prece of alle þe men : þat þudere miȝhten gon. Seint Iohan bad hire go hom a-non : and greyþi som-þing to mete Athom in hire owene hous : þat he miȝhte with hire ete. Line 116 ¶ Þeos drusiane wente forth : and ȝa[r]kede mete i-novȝ, And made seint Iohan fair semblaunt : and elles it were wouȝ.— In þe cite of Efese : seint Iohan bi-lefde longue, And prechede þat folk to gode tuyrne : and cristindom a-fongue, Line 120 And ordeinede preostes : and churchene liet a-rere, Bischopes he made beste Men : þat folk for-to lere.

Þis guode Men þat vnder him weren : bischopes and oþere also, Fondeden boþe niȝht and day : aftur is wissingue do. Line 124 huy crieden on him with al hore miȝhte : alle of one cite : For he wuste so muche and vnder-ȝat : of ore louerdes priuete Þe ȝwile he with him on eorþe was : and next him euere also, Þat he scholde of is holie lijf : in sum guode bok do, And of is kuynde ȝwat he was : and þat folk don to lore, Þat huy miȝhten þe betere iwite : ȝwat ore swete louerd wore. Line 130 ¶ Seint Iohan bi-souȝte þat folk ȝeorne : for him þat huy bede In fastingue and in orisones : to don a swuch holi dede; Line 132 And wende into a derne stude : and bad ore louerd faste Þat he scholde þene holie gost : into is heorte caste, Þe holie Godspel of him to make : al-holie churche to lere, Ȝware-þoruȝ euerech cristine man : þe betere bi-lieued were. Line 136 he bad al-so þat þare ne scholde : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace wind. ne reyn. ne oþur weder : come neiȝhim in þat place To letten him of is holie dede : þe ȝwyle he þare-a-boute were. Ore louerd heorde is bone wel : þat no weder ne lette him þere, Line 140 Ne cam no wynd ȝeot to þis day : ase þe holie Man it bad, Ne oþur tempeste in þulke stude : as þe bok was i-mad, Ne miȝhte neuereft come tempeste : ase þe holie man it bad. A-non so seint Ion bi-gan : to don þis holie dede, I-tend he was of þe holie gost : þat ech del þat he seide he sek of ore louerdes breoste : ase he þar-to lay Þe ȝwile he made is swete cene : a-schere-þoresday; Þare he sek out þat holie wit : of þe holie godspelle Line 148 Þat he made sethþe in Efese : a-mong cristine Men to telle. he was þe feorþe Ewangelist : and herre nas þare non; And is godspel he made last : of heom euerechon. Seint Matheu and seint Mark : and eke seint luc, i-wis, Line 152 heore god-spelles huy hadden longue i-maud : are he bi-guonne his. Ake seint Iohan bi-gan his hext : for þare-on he bi-gan Of ore louerd al ȝwat he was : are þat he were Man; he bi-gan so heiȝe is godspel : of ore louerdes kuynde, i-wis, Line 156 Þat vnneþe ani Man eorþelich : entendeth ȝwat it is. For he souȝhte so deope is kuynde : and of him bi-gan so heiȝe,

In þe fourme of Ane Ern he is de-peint : ase we ofte i-seoth with eiȝe. For þe Ern is swiftest of alle foules : and hext he may fleo: Line 160 For ȝwane he is in þe lofte an heiȝh : þat herre ne may non beo, Ȝuyt he may here in þe grounde : ane luttle worm i-seo; Also he may so heiȝe fleo : and þe firmament so neiȝh, Þat almest is wyngene brenneth : ȝwane he is so heiȝh. Line 164 ¶ Se Iohan þat is þe fourme of Ern : is godspelles wel heiȝe bi-gan, Þare-inne he tolde al is lif : þe ȝwile he was on eorþ man. his godspel is swiþe heiȝ i-holde : ase wel riȝht it is, For muche del of holi churche : þer-þoruȝh i-loked is. Seint Iohan cudde þis godspel sone : and prechede it faste al-so; Ȝeot þare weren luþere men : þat onde hadden þare-to.— Line 170 ¶ On atyme manie luþere Men : to-gadere heom hadden i-nome And to seint Iohan þe ewangelist : in grete wrathþe come And heten him wende forth with heom : to heore maumates a non And a-nouri as forth with heom : oþur it scholde an-oþur gon. Line 174 "Beu freres," quath þis holie Man : "ichulle segge eou a sothþ— Ich habbe reuþe of eov in mine heorte : þat ȝe nutez ȝwat ȝe dothþ. Ichulle don eou chois of tweiy þingues : and þarof cheose ȝe: To gon with eou to eower temple : oþur ȝe to churche with me; Line 178 ¶ Ȝwane Ȝe to godes churche comieth : ȝif ȝe þoruȝ eower godes lawe Mouwen make þe churche to falle : bi-lieue ichulle on heom fawe; And ȝif ich may bi eower temple : bi-fore eower owene siȝhte, Bi-leueth on Ihesu crist, ich rede : ȝwane ȝe i-seothþ is miȝhte." Line 182 "We grauntiez wel," þis oþure seiden : "þou schalt furst bi-guynne To cuyþe þine louerdes miȝhte : þe maistrie forto wynne." Line 184 To þe false temple huy wenden furst : and þo huy weren þare-neiȝh alle, Seint Iohan bad heom stonde fer : þat huy ne weren of-falle. ¶ Þo huy weren alle with-drawen a-feor : seint Iohan a-feor stod; "I-seo ȝe," he seide, "þis temple alle : þat ȝe holdeth so guod? Line 188 Ich hote hire in mine louerdes name : þat heo falle a-non, Þat ȝe mowen þe soþe i-seon : bi-fore eou here ech-on." Ne hadde he bote þat word i-seid : þat heo ne ful up þe doun, Fram ende to oþur, al þis temple : with swiþe grislich soun. Line 192

Line 192 ¶ Þo al þat folk þat þare stod : þis miracle i-seiȝh, huy gonne to crien on Ihesu crist : and on seint Iohan an heiȝh; Twelf þousend Men þare torneden : echone to cristindom, with-oute children and wimmen : þat turneden also mani on.— Line 196 ¶ ARistodimus, þe Bischop : and Maister of þe lawe, Ȝuyt ne miȝhte nouȝht seint Iohan : to ore louerd is herte drawe: For þo he isaiȝh þis faire miracle : þat þe temple ful so þere, Ȝeot nolde he it nouȝht i-leue : þat ani miracle it were; Line 200 he nolde i-lieue in none manere : þat ore louerd were of miȝhte. Seint Iohan stod and þouȝhte longue : hou he him miȝhte bringue best to riȝhte, ¶ And seide, "seiȝe þou me ȝwat i schal do : þat þou bi-fore þe i-seo; And bote ȝif ich it do, ne lief þou nouȝht : þat mi louerd al-miȝhti beo." Line 204 "Par fey," quath þis luþere Man : "nov ichulle herkni þe; Do nouþe þat ichulle þe segge : and þou schalt winne me. Line 206 Venim ich habbe, strong i-novȝh : þat ho-so þarof nimeth ouȝt, Ne come þere with-inne him neuere so luyte : to deþe he worthþ i-brouȝt; Drink þare-of bi-fore mine eyene : and ȝif it ne greueth þe nouȝht, To Ihesu crist, þat is þi god : ichulle take al mi þouȝht." [folio 171] "Þou seist wel i-nouȝ," quath seint Iohan : "bring nouþe hidere to me Þat strongue venym, and ichulle : hit drinke bi-fore þe." Line 212 ¶ Þe false Bischop him bi-þouȝthe : for-to a-gasten him þe sarrore þere, And also to seon þe soþe : þat his god of pouwer were: Twey men þare weren, to deþe i-dempt : for heore luþere dede, Þe false bischop dude hem boþe : bi-fore seint Iohan lede Line 216 And made heom drinke of þat venym : riȝth bi-fore is eyȝe. A-non so it ouȝt with-inne hem cam : boþe huy gonne deyȝe. ¶ Seint Iohan sethþe þe coppe tok : þo he isaiȝh al þis cas, And dronk þare-of ane grete drauȝt : and neuere þe worse him nas, Ake euere þe lengore þare-aftur-ward : þe more Ioye he made and blis Þat folk stod al in gret wonder : þo huy i-seiȝen al þis. Line 222 ¶ huy stoden and bi-heolden sein Iohan longue : þre tidene and more,

And euere þe leng þe gladdore : huy seiȝen him for al his sore: Line 224 To Ie[s]u crist huy gonne tuyrne : and criden merci a-non; So þat huy to cristine-dom : þare turnde, wel many on. ¶ Ake Aristod[i]mus þe Bischop : was euere in luþere þouȝte, And ne bi-liefde nouȝht in Iesu crist : for al þat he þare wrouȝte. Line 228 "Ȝwat fayllez þe ȝuyt?" quath seint Iohan : "me þunchez it is with wouȝh Þat þou ne leuest ore louerdes miȝhte— : ne sixt þou nouȝt ȝuyt i-novȝ?" "Bote þou most ȝuyt," quath þe Bischop : "þe dede to liue a-rere Þat to deþe with þis venym : a-poysoned nou riȝht were." Line 232 "Þou seist nouþe ful wel," quath seint Iohan : "ake þat þou þe soþe i-seo, I-nelle nouȝt mi-sulf ney hem come : ake ope þe it schal al beo. Line 234 Nim mine cuyrtel here to þe : and leiȝe ope hem a-non, And in þe name of Iesu crist : hot heom a-rise a[nd] gon." ¶ Þe bischop nam seint Iohanes Cuyrtel : bi-fore riȝht þe Iustise, And leide ope þe dede and het heom þo : in ore louerdes name a-rise. A-non so he hadde þis word i-seid : þis men a-risen a-non And ȝeoden forth hole and sounde : and þonkeden seint Iohan. Line 240 ¶ Þe bischop, þo he þis i-seiȝh : and þe Iustise al-so, Criden merci Iesu crist : of þat huy hadden misdo, And torneden þare to cristinedom : and oþur folk also i-nouȝh, For þe faire miracle þat huy seyen : and elles it were wouȝh.— Line 244 ¶ Þe Miracle þat seint Iohan dude : no toungue telle ne mayȝ; Þare-fore folk him siwede faste : þat is miracle i-sayȝ. Tweye Ioliue louerdingues and wilde : þat ȝoungue and Ioliue were, Siweden him and duden al-so : ase he gan heom lere: Line 248 ¶ Furst huy solden al heore god : þat heom ne bi-lefde nouȝth, And turnden hem al to Iesu crist : heore heorte and al heore þouȝht, And siweden sein Iohan swiþe faste : þat þare-to heom hadde i-brouȝht; And he heom prechede of Iesu crist : þat deore heom hadde i-bouȝht. ¶ Þis tweiȝe ȝongue men ase huy ȝeoden : swyþe riche men and heiȝe with grete nobleye and pruyde i-nouȝ : bi þe weye huy seiȝe; Line 254 Þouȝten huy, "swuch nobleye : we weren i-woned to lede [folio 171b]

In Iolifte and in pruyte i-nouȝ : and nouþe we beoth in wrech-hede, In Miseyse and in pouerte : and riche weren bi-fore! vs þinkez, sorie mouwe we beon : þat we euere weren ibore." Line 258 Seint Iohan wuste al heore heorte : þei he ne heorde þare-of nouȝht: "Ȝe foles," he seide, "ȝwat is eou nouþe? : ȝwi chaunge ȝe eouwer þouȝht? Line 260 Bowes and ȝeordene fechchiez me : and stones al-so!" Þis ȝongue Men weren þare-a-boute a-non : þat þe dede were i-do. ¶ Seint Iohan tornede þis ȝeordene sone : in-to puyr gold and cler, And þe stones to ȝimmes preciouse : þoruȝh ore louerdes pouwer, And þis twei wilde Bachilers : he ȝaf it euer-ech del; Line 265 "Here-with," he seide, "ȝe mouwen : habbe wel manie guode Mel, And also muche lond eou bugge a-ȝein : and more þane ȝe solden bi-fore; For ȝe habbuth, bote ȝe betere do : þe Ioye of heouene fur-lore." ¶ Þis ȝongue Men nomen þis tresour : and wel glade þar-of were, And to manie goldsmiþes : wel wide-a-bouten it bere. Line 270 Þis goldsmiþes sworen euer-ech-on : þat þis gold i-seiȝen, Þat so clene gold ne so puyr : huy ne seiȝen neuere with eiȝen. Line 272 ¶ Hou miȝte fairore miracle beo : oþur fairore poer, Þat bowes and ȝeordene tornede þare : in so puyr gold and cler?— ¶ Al-so seint Iohan þe Ewangelist : ferrore wende þere, And þe twey men forth with him : þat so riche of golde were, Line 276 A ded man toward burijngue : Men brouȝhten ope one bere. Þe Moder criede opon sein Iohan : þat he him scholde arere, "Louerd," heo seide, "ich bidde þe : þat þou habbe reuþe of me And of mi sone þat is ded : ibrouȝt here a-ȝein þe; Line 280 haue reuþe of him, ich bidde þe : for Iesues woundes fiue, Ase þou haddest of Drusiane : þo þou a-rerdest hire to liue!" ¶ Þo gan seint Iohan to weope sore : and bad a-stunte þe bere, And bad ore louerd for is grace : þat dede bodi a-rere. Line 284 Þis ȝongue man a-non with þis word : to liue a-ros þere. Þo was Ioye and blisse i-nouȝh : a-mong alle þat þare were! ¶ "Ich hote þe nouþe," quath seint Iohan : "þat ded hast i-beo ȝare, Þat þou telle þis men sum-þing : of þat þou seiȝe elles-ȝware, Line 288 And nameliche here to þis twei men : þat nouþe beoth for-lore,

Þat beoth itornede to þe deuele a-ȝein : to ȝwam huy serueden bi-fore." ¶ Þis ȝongue Man þat was to liue a-rerd : bi-heold þeos oþure tweiȝe; "Allas," he seide, "þe wrechhede : þat ich i-seo bi eou beiȝe! Line 292 Þulke time þat ȝe for-soken : þis holie Mannes lore, Aungles þat eou wusten er : weopen for eou ful sore, And ȝuyt huy doth ase ich nou riȝht i-seiȝh : and þe deuelene in heore ende ¶ Mauden for eou Ioye i-nouȝh : to ȝwam ȝe gonne wiende. Line 296 Allas, wrechches, þe muchele pine : þat to eou is al-ȝare, Þat in helle ich saiȝh to eouwer bi-hoffþe : to ȝwan ȝe schullen fare!" Þo þis twei Men i-heorden þis : huy bi-gonne to crie a-non, Deol and seoruwe huy mauden i-nouȝh : and gradden opon seint Iohan. Line 300 "Allas, ȝe foles," quath seint Iohan : "ȝe nuteth ȝware ȝe wollez beo. [folio 172] Ȝif god wolle habbe merci of eou : ȝe mouwen sone i-seo. To ech sunful man he is redi : þat to him wole i-wiende; Þare-fore criez ȝeorne on him : for-to he eou milce siende: Line 304 And þe soþe ȝe mouwen sone under-ȝite : ȝwane he hath eou milce i-sent, Ȝwane þis gold and þeos ȝimmes : to heore kuynde beoth a-ȝen i|went." ¶ Huy crieden ȝeorne on ore louerd þo : and in penaunce huy were, In fastingue and in oresones : þritti dawes þere. Line 308 Þo tur[n]de þat gold bi-fore heore eiȝene : into bowes of treo, And þe ȝymmes into harde stones : ase huy hadden er i-beo. ¶ Þo þis ȝongue men þis i-seiȝen : glade huy weren i-nouȝh! Þudere a-ȝein ase huy fetten heom er : huy beren euer-ech bouȝh, Line 312 And for-soken al þe worldes pruyte : and duden ase þe wise, And endeden heore lif atþe laste : in ore louerdes seruise.— ¶ In a time ase þis holie man : wende in þe contreye, A ȝong partrich he bar on his hond : and þare-with he gan pleye. Line 316 A wylde louerdyng þare cam gon : a-ȝein him bi þe weye, I-wepned swiþe baldeliche : he nadde of no man Eyȝe. A-bysemare he bi-heold seint Iohan : þo he him saiȝh bere on honde

Þis ȝongue foul and þare-with pleye— : þare-to he hadde onde. Line 320 "Loke," he seide, "þis olde conIoun : in his olde liue, Þat men holdez swuch prophete : alle oþur men to schriue! Line 322 wel bi-trufleth he þat folk. : here men miȝhten i-seo hou he pleiȝez with þis ȝongue brid : he ne miȝhte nouȝt wys beo." ¶ "Leoue broþur," quath seint Iohan : "ich bidde tel þou me Ȝwat is þat þou berest on honde : and ȝware-offe it seruez þe." "Ane bouwe ich bere," quath þis oþur : "and Arewen also þer-to, To scheoten wilde bestes with : and wilde foules also." Line 328 ¶ "Biend þine bouwe," quath seint Ioan : "to loke ȝwat he can do!" Þis ȝongue Man nam and bende is bouwe : and bar it longue so. Þare-aftur sone he nam is bouwe : and unbende it ase he couþe. "Ȝwy dost þou so?" quath sein Iohan : "ȝwat schal he vnbend nouþe?" Line 332 "For he wole," quath þis oþur : "þe smartore dryue eft-sone And þe betere dunt ȝyue to euerech þing : þat ich habbe with to done; ¶ For, ȝif ich hire bere longue i-bend : þe feblore heo wolle beo And euerech drauȝht þe worse driue— : þat may ech man i-wite and seo." Line 336 "Leoue broþur," quath seint Iohan : "al-so it farez, i-wis, Bi mannes heorte here on eorþe : þat feble and leoþi is. Line 338 Ȝif he is toward Iesu crist : i-bend faste euere-mo, Febli he schal and beo a-sad : and is strencþe also a-go; And ȝif he is oþur-ȝwile onbend : and itorned to solaz, he wole bieon eft-sone, ȝwane he is i-bend : stifore þane he er was, And in godes seruise þe bet driue & duyre : and þare-to beon stif and strong. Þare-fore mot ech holi man : solaci him a-mong Line 344 And tuyrne is herte to some truyfle : ȝwane he may ani i-se, Þat he mouwe to godes seruise : þe stifore and þe strengore be. Þe Ern is foul of alle foules : þat heyȝest may fleo, [folio 172b] And ȝuyt he mot nede, to resten him : a-ȝein to grounde teo; hou miȝhte he euere fleon on heiȝh : bote he reste him atþe grounde? Nammore ne may mannes bodi : bote he reste him sum stounde. Line 350 Þare-fore, bel amy, þou miȝht : herebi þat soþe ise,

Þat for solaz man may þe betere : in godes seruise be."— Line 352 ¶ Seint Iohan wende a-boute wide : and churche he liet a-rere, And maude preostes and bischopes : þat folk for-to lere. Ake Aristod[i]mus þe bischop : þat he tornede er to cristindom, In þe Cite of Ephese : swiþe holi man bi-cam, Line 356 And ane churche of seint Iohan : in Ephese he arerde bliue— And seint Iohan sethþe in þulke churche : wende out of þis liue.— ¶ A day ase þis holie man : his seruise hadde i-do, A ȝoung man he say þare-bi-side : staleworþe and fair al-so; Line 360 Ake a liȝht red he was, and of þunne wit. : seint Iohan bi-heold him faste, And opon a bischop þare-bi-side : his eiȝene a-non he caste: "Ich bi-take þe," he seide, "in warde to wite : þis man here lo, Þat þou him loke and norichi wel : þat he nouȝt ne mis-do; Line 364 So þat þou me ansuerie of is warde : ȝwane þou me comest eft to; witnesse ich take on ihesu crist : and on holie churche al-so." Line 366 ¶ "Sire, wel fawe," þe bischop seide : þis ȝongueman he tok wel softe. Seint Iohan him chargede of is warde : and muneguede him wel ofte Þat he him wuste swiþe wel : ase he answerie wolde; And bi-teiȝhte heom boþe Ihesu crist : and wende ȝwodere he scholde. Þis bischop nam þis Ioliue man : and ladde hom to is inne, And norichcede him softe and wel : seint Iones loue to winne, Line 372 And prechede him ȝeorne of Ihesu crist : to bi-nimen him his folie; So þat þis ȝoungue man to guode turnde : and merci gan to crie, And faire bar him and louede wel : god and seinte marie, And dude al þat þe bischop wolde : and guod lif gan driȝe. Line 376 ¶ Atþe laste þis bischop : sumdel is heorte gan wiende— Ase ofte verlich bi-guynninge : flechchez atþen ende; he soffrede þis ȝonge man to pleye : ant to muche habbe is wille, And luyte and luyte don folie : and liet him al a-spille. Line 380 Formest he gan haunti wakes : and for compaygnie he wax a syutor of tauernes : and siwede to glotonie; Þo ne miȝhte he nouȝht beon with-oute : and turnde to lecherie And bi-cam an holer strong : and tornede al-to folie. Line 384

Line 384 ¶ So longue, to holden up his folie : smale þingues he nam, Aftur þe smale he tok þe grete : and strong þef he bi-cam; So þat he hadde gret de-deyn : smale þefþes to do, For bote it were þe grettore þing : he ne tornede nouȝht þer-to. Line 388 Atþe laste to þe compaygnie of Outlawes : sone he gan gon; Vnder non oþur he nolde beon : ake hext maister a-non; Line 390 Oþure þat erore maistres weren : bi-comen is men ech-on. he robbede ouer-al to grounde : and slowȝh al-so mani on, [folio 173] More soruwe ne miȝhte beo : þane he dude in eche ende. For of[te] vuel chastingue : to folie wolie wiende. ¶ So þat seint Iohan in a time : to þat Bischop cam, Line 395 Aftur ȝwam he bi-tok him er in warde : guode ȝeme a-boute he nam. "Sire bischop," he seide, "ȝeld me up : þat guode tresor, ich rede, Þat in warde ich þe bi-tok : and a-countes of is dede!" ¶ Þo was þe bischop sore a-drad : "sire, merci," he seide, "I-ne may him þe ȝelde nouȝht : for he is ded, ich dred[e]." Line 400 "Alas," quath sein Iohan, "ȝweþur he beo? : in ȝwat manere is þis?" "Certes, sire," þe bischop seide, "a-ȝein god ded he is, his soule is ded, þei is bodi : ȝuyt a-liue beo; For he is outlawe strong bicome : ase al þe contreye may seo. Line 404 Opon an heiȝh hul he wonez : with outlawes mani on, And lat a-quelle and robi also : alle þat he may of-gon." ¶ Þo bi-gan þis holi man : to sike and weope sore, For deol is cloþus he to-drouȝ : "louerd," he seide, "þin ore, Line 408 Ane feble tresorer ich me ches : and þoruȝh is feble lore Mi deorewuyrþe tresur ich habbe [i-lore]! : ine truste to him non|more. Alas, sire bischop, þi feble warde! : ine þonki þe nouȝht þarc-fore. Ȝwane it non oþur nis, ich mot seche : þat þou me hast i-lore. Line 412 ¶ Lat greyþi me an hors a-non : and ane man in ane stounde, Þat he me mouwe þane wey teche : forto ich him habbe i-founde." Þis holie man, þat feble was : and ouer-come neiȝh with elde, Opon a strong hors he Arnde forth : ouer mor and ouer felde. Line 416 So þat, þare þe outlawes weren : he cam atþe laste; And some of þe schrewes weren al-ȝare : and nomen him wel faste, To robbi him and to sle : and heten him holde him stille.

"Ov, beau freres," quath seint Ioan : "ich mot nede don ouwer wille; Line 420 ¶ Ake ich bidde eou for eouwer cortesie : eouwer mayster latez [me] seo, And latez him-sulf with me do : ȝwat is wille beo." Wel i-Armed þe maister cam : prikie and ride faste; And a-no[n] so he on þis holie man : his eiȝene a-feor caste, Line 424 And wuste wel þat he it was : him gan to schamie, so sore Þat he bi-gan to fleo a-non : and ne kepte i-seo him non-more. ¶ A-non so sein Ioan þis i-seiȝh : he Arnde aftur a-non And siwede him al-so stifliche : ase his hors miȝhte gon; he Arnde ase þei he a ȝung man were. : "mi sone," he seide, "þi ore, Ȝwy fleustþou me? nam ich þi fader? : ne dred þe nouȝt so sore! Line 430 Spek here with þi feble fader : vn-Armed and in elde! Abid me nouþe, and ichulle for þe : ore louerd resun ȝelde. Line 432 Ich am ȝare þene deth a-fongue : for þine strongue pine. Spek with me, bote þou more wolle : ich hote a-godes name!" Þe oþur a-stunte and vnneþe a-bod : he ne miȝhte no[n] oþur for schame; ¶ He a-liȝhte and vn-armede him : and weopinde ful sore he ful to seint Iones fet : and cride him milce and ore, And bi-hⁱet him stifliche a-godes name : þat he nold [misdo] namore, [folio 173b] Ake louien god and holi churche : and libbe al bi is lore. So þat he was euereft more : guod man and stable i-nouȝ, Line 440 And bi seint Iones rede ladde is lif : and to alle guodnesse he drouȝ.— ¶ Seint [Iohan] leouede here so longue : and so mani his dawes were, Þat he ne miȝhte nouȝht ouer þe eorþe go : bote ase is desciples him bere; huy beren him, for feblesse and for elde : to churche with alle teone, And euere-more he prechede hem : þat loue heom were bi-tweone. Þo he was of an hondred ȝer : bote o ȝer wane vnneþe, Line 446 And seuene and sixti ȝer it was : aftur ore louerdes deþe, ¶ Ore louerd with is desciples cam to him : fram heouene up an heiȝh, Line 448 "Cum forth," he seide, "mi frend, to me : þi time is comen neiȝh; hit is neiȝh time þat þou come : to mine riche feste

with þine breþren in mine riche : for it schal euere i-leste. For þou schalt nouþe a-sonenday : þat þene fifte day heonne is, Line 452 Þe day of mine oprisingue : to me comen, i-wis." ¶ Þis holie man hiet his desciples : þat huy him to churche bere— Þat of him and in his name : Aristod[i]mus liet a-rere. Þat folk cam sone þicke þudere : with deol and sor i-nouȝh, Line 456 For hit was couth swiþe sone : þat he toward is ende drouȝh. ¶ Þene sonen-nyȝht wel tyme : his seruise he gan to do, And sethþe he gan þat folk to wisse : and to prechi al-so; Atþe furste cocke þat creuȝ : he gan to prechie faste, Line 460 And for-to heiȝh vnderne of þe daye : his prechingue i-laste. Þo hiet he is desciples þat huy ane put : four-huyrned him made, Faste bi-side þe heiȝe weuede : with schouelene and with spade, And þat huy casten out at þe churche-dore : þe eorþe, ȝeorne he bad. With weop and with soruwe i-nouȝh : þe put was þare i-mad. ¶ Þo þe put was al-ȝare i-maud : In alle heore eyȝene siȝhte Line 466 Þis holie man wel softeliche : þudere in gan a-liȝhte; his hondene he huld up on heiȝh : "swete louerd," he seide, Line 468 "Ich am cominde to þine feste : ase þou me erore bede. ¶ Louerd, muche ich þonki þe : þat it þi wille is To þine gistningue cleopie [me] : for muche ich it wilni, i-wis. Þine sones ich bi-take [þe] to loke : ȝwane i-ne may no lengore heom wite, Line 472 Þat holie churche, þine clene spouse : þoruȝ me þe hath bi-ȝite. Vnder-fong me with mine breþren : þat þou brouȝhtest with þe Þo þou me bede to þine holie feste : and come aftur me." ¶ Þo cam þare a-boute þis holie man : so muche liȝht a-liȝthe, Line 476 Þat no man ne miȝhte for cler leome : habbe of him no siȝhte. Þis holie man him blessede : and wel softe a-doun he lay; "Mine breþren," he seide, "i-blessede ȝe beon : and habbez nouþe guod day!" ¶ Þis guode man wende out of þis world : al-clene with-oute ech pine, Ase he was clene in mayden-hod— : he cam to a swete fine. Þat clere liȝht þat a-boute him was : laste almest ane tyde; Line 482 Þat folk ne seiȝen nouȝt of him— : faste huy weopen and cride. [folio 174] Þo þis liȝth a-passed was : huy [lokede] in þe put to grounde: Line 484

Line 484 Þare-inne of þis holie Man : no-þing huy ne seiȝen ne founde; Þare nas inne nouȝht bote smale greynes : þat heo miȝhten vnder-ȝite— Þat is holi þing and is i-cleoped : Manna in holi write, Þat ore louerd wole in fourme of reyn : fram heouene to vrþe sende Þe children of Israhel to heore mete : þo huy of Egypte wenden. ¶ Þis Manna, þat holie greyn : ȝuyt to þis day dez springue Op of þat put, þat manie men : bringuez to botningue. Non oþur þing of seint Iohan : men ne miȝhten on eorþe finde; Line 492 Al-clene, ich wene, in heouene he is : þare nis no leome bi-hinde. Of euerech haluwe men founden for-soþe : þat bodi bi-leue here, Bote of ore lauedy and of him : þat maydenes weren so clere. Fayr a þing is Maiden-hod : ase it is on heom i-sene! Line 496 In þis Manere seint Iohan wende : of þis eorthþelich lif, ich wene.— ¶ Seint Edward þat was nouþe late : In enguelonde ore king, Þis holie seint Iohan þe Ewangelist : he louede þoruȝh alle þing; Men ne scholde him no-þing bidde : for þe loue of seint Iohan Line 500 Þat he miȝhte do with-oute blame : þat he ne grauntede a-non. A day þare cam a pouere man : with ful dreori mod And bad him for seint Iohanes loue : þat he ȝeue him sum guod. ¶ Seint Edward him bi-þouȝhte : þo, he ne hadde þare no-þing Line 504 For-to ȝyue þis pouere Man : bote ane guyldene ring. Þane ryng he louede wel i-nouȝ : and for þe loue of seint Iohan Ȝuy[t] he hine ȝaf þe pouere manne. : and he wende him forth a-non. ¶ Þare-aftur sethþe seint Iohan cam : to a knyȝht of Enguelonde, Line 508 Ase he was bi-ȝeonde se : Auntres for-to fonde; "Wiend," he seide, "ȝwane þou hom comest : to Edward, eower king, And seiȝe þat he for ȝwas loue : he ȝaf þeosne ryng Sende him here his ryng a-ȝeyn : and þonki him also." Line 512 Þo þis knyȝht cam to enguelonde : his erinde he gan do. ¶ Seint Edward i-kneuȝh wel þane ring : and þare-bi onder-stod anon Þat þe pouere man þat he him ȝaf : was þe guode seint Iohan. Nouþe seint Iohan þe Ewangelist : ȝyf it þi wille is, Line 516 Beode ore Erinde, þat we moten : come to heouene blis. AMEN. Þulke ring is ȝut at westmynstre : for relik ido, As me scheweþ pelegrims : þat ofte comeþ þerto.

Notes

• al. noþer
• al. nas
• al. to do
• al. to rome
• al. writ
• al. of porte latyn
• orig. i saiȝh
• = heo
• [fol. not numbered]
• al. þe
• al. aboute lere
• al. a v. more: Holi is þe bok when so holi is þe stede
• al. þat þer ne
• hadde ibede
• MS. godspell
• r. sucth (= seoth) best
• al. a v. more : & ate se-gronde a smal fisch : to chese wider to teo.
• al. Seint (S^e)
• al. is in
• al. our louerdes
• al. þat ich go
• al. so
• This verse is doubled in the MS.
• MS. b : atfore
• Eyȝen
• greuez
• This v. on the margin.
• MS. him
• MS. anom
• MS. a
• al. stronge
• MS. siwenden
• MS. bieon
• al. þen
• al. torne
• al. As
• This v. on the margin.
• al. isei
• ȝe f. overlined.
• Perdrix.
• al. wolde
• MS. man may
• MS. Iusu
• al. al sad
• al. al
• This v. on the margin.
• MS. þe soþe herebi þat soþe.
• al. hard
• al. a
• orig. slowen
• MS. of
• al. wole
• al. om.
• al. [h]asteliche, r. hastifliche
• A v. om.: As our louerd dude for us : & mi soule ȝiue for þine.
• al. om.
• al. vnneþe he miȝte
• al. mid
• al. þat (for om.)
• MS. Aristodinus
• al. wule, while
• MS. to
• Harl. adds: