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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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 20, 2024.

Pages

62 [Alle soulene day]

                      
                        Alle soulene-day on vrþe : riȝht is to holde heiȝe:
                      
                        For alle we schullen habben neode þar-to : for alle we schullen deiȝe.
                      
                        A fair siȝht þare-of al-so : þe Aungel þo gan bringue
                      
                        Þene Manne of Rome ase he ladde him : ase he lay in metingue.
                        Line 4 
                      
                        him þouȝte, he saiȝh manie men : liggen in beddes of golde,
                      
                        And manie sitte at heyȝe borde : and habbe al þat huy wolde;
                      
                        And manie gon nakede : and bidde þat sum man heom scholde bi|weue,
                      
                        And manie of-hongrede, and beden also : þat men sum guod heom eue.
                        Line 8 
                      
                        ¶ Þe Aungel him seide ȝwat it was : al þat he saiȝh þere,
                      
                        And þat it was purgatorie : and þe Men soulene were;
                      
                        Þulke þat weren at so noble bord : and in þe riche beddes also,
                      
                        Þat weren men for ȝwam þare was : muche guod on vrþe ido,
                        Line 12 
                      
                        Þat bi-lefden freond bi-hynde heom : þat Massene leten singue
                      
                        And duden guod for godes loue : heore soulene out of pine to bringue.
                      
                        Þulke þat weren a-cale and of-hongred : þat no guod ne miȝhten finde,

Page 421

                      
                        Þat weren þulke þat nadden on vrþe : none freond hem bi-hinde
                        Line 16 
                      
                        Ne for hem late masses singue : ne almes-dede for hem do; [folio 175b] 
                      
                        Þare-fore ase helplese men : in Misayse huy ȝeoden so.
                      
                        "Loke," quath þe Aungel, "þat þu telle : þe pope her-of sone,
                      
                        Þat men holden alle soulene-day : for it is wel to done;
                        Line 20 
                      
                        And also wide ase holie churche : þat he make is heste,
                      
                        Þene a-morewe aftur alle halewene-day : to holde þulke feste,
                      
                        Þat ech Man with guode wille : ase fer forth ase he may
                      
                        For alle þe soulene in purgatorie : bidde þat ilke day;
                        Line 24 
                      
                        So þat þe pouere þat nath no freond : þat for him bi name ouȝht do,
                      
                        Þo[ruȝ] biddingue of ech cristine Man : i-holpe huy mowen beo so."
                      
                        ¶ Þe guode Man a-ros up a-non : þo he i-saiȝ al þis,
                      
                        And þonkede god of þe siȝhte— : and so he wel auȝhte, i-wis.
                        Line 28 
                      
                        Þe pope he tolde þat þo was : al þat he saiȝh þere;
                      
                        So þat men holdeth þulke feste : herre þane heo er were.—
                        Line 30 
                      
                        Ore louerd bi-fond furst purgatorie : Men þuder in to wende
                      
                        Þat hor penaunce here on vrþe : ne brouȝhten nouȝt to ende,
                      
                        And þat Men for simple sunnes : of ȝwan i-schriue hy nere
                      
                        In þulke torment huy bi-lefden : for-to hy i-bette were;
                      
                        And Men al-so þat weren i-schriue : and heore schrift a-fengue also
                      
                        Of a fol preost, and nouȝht i-nouȝ : to þe sunne þat was i-do,
                        Line 36 
                      
                        Þulke schullen so to purgatorie : for-to huy habben to ende i-brouȝht
                      
                        penaunce a-cordinde to heore sunne : and aftur þe preostes nouȝht.
                      
                        Ȝif heo is more þane þe sunne : and a man it do, i-wis,
                      
                        Al it schal in heouene tuyrne : to echingue of his blis;
                        Line 40 
                      
                        Ȝif heo is euene to his sunne : þe sunne heo wole a-quenche,
                      
                        Ake nouȝht ȝif heo to luytel is. : þare-fore ech man him bi-þenche
                      
                        And to a fol preost ne triste nouȝht : þat to luyte penaunce him set;
                      
                        For soþe, here oþur elles-ȝware : ech sunne worth i-bet.
                        Line 44 
                      
                        Ȝwat, hou is hit þanne of Ianekin : and of robinet þe wilde,
                      
                        Of annot and of Malekin : þat wollez habbe þene preost so milde,
                      
                        And huy seggez, "þilke preost is to hard : god schilde us fram is lothþ;
                      
                        go we to sire Gilbert þe preost : he nis neuere wrothþ,
                        Line 48 
                      
                        ¶ he wollez schriue us nessche i-nouȝ : and ore sunnes al for-ȝyue."
                      
                        bi god, ȝwane huy habbez al ido : hom huy gothþ vn-schriue;

Page 422

                      
                        For heore penaunce schal beo so luyte : þat sire Gilbert and huy also
                      
                        Schullen gon a-deuelewey : bote god nime ȝeme heom to.—
                        Line 52 
                      
                        In purgatorie nis no confort : bote of one þingue :
                      
                        of þe hope of Ioye aftur-ward : þat ore louerd heom wole bringue.—
                      
                        Ȝwane Men in heore deth-beddes beoth : and heore penaunce heom is i-set,
                      
                        And huy ne mouwen nouȝht on eorþe beo : for-to heo beo ful bet,
                        Line 56 
                      
                        So repentaunt huy mouwen beo : þat ore louerd it wole for-ȝyue
                      
                        With-outen any purgatorie : ȝwan huy beoth wel i-schriue.
                      
                        Ake ȝif his penaunce him is i-ȝyue : ȝwane he mot heonne wende,
                      
                        Of þat he is i-schriue : and he ne may it bringue to ende,
                        Line 60 
                      
                        On of his nexte freond miȝhte : for him it swiþe wel do.
                      
                        Ake four þingus he moste habbe : þat scholde take on so : [folio 176] 
                      
                        Furst þare moste gret loue beo : bi-twene ȝwam so it were—
                      
                        For with-oute loue and deol of heorte : swuch þing nouȝht nere;
                        Line 64 
                      
                        Ake ȝif huy weren al-so of one blode : þe betere it were, i-wis—
                      
                        Ake studefast heorte of guod loue : þe maistrie þar-of is.
                      
                        ¶ Þat oþur þing is þat he schal : þoruȝh deþe heonne wiende
                      
                        And þat he ne may habbe no space here : his penaunce bringue to ende.
                        Line 68 
                      
                        Þe þridde þing is þat hit beo : þoruȝh þe preostes rede,
                      
                        For no man ne may þare-with-oute : wel endi swuch dede.
                      
                        Þe feorþe þing is þat men him take : penaunce more þare-to
                      
                        Þane him þat þe sunne dude : ȝif he miȝhte penaunce do;
                        Line 72 
                      
                        For ho-so wole for oþeres sunne : swuch penaunce here lede,
                      
                        More penaunce man mot heom sette : þane him þat dude þe dede.
                      
                        ¶ Þare-fore ȝwane anie of ouwer freond : hath i-brouȝht is lif to fine,
                      
                        I-seoth here hou ȝe mouwen bringue him : out of his pine;
                        Line 76 
                      
                        to biete is sunne in þis manere : sikerliche ȝe mouwen eou beode.
                      
                        For godus loue þenchez þaron : ȝwane ouwer freond habbez neode!—
                      
                        In ȝwuch stude is nouþe purgatorie : manie wolden fayn i-wite.
                      
                        hit [nis] nouȝht a stude to alle men : ake in fif studes, it is i-write :
                      
                        ¶ On is in þe firmament : þare gret brenningue is
                      
                        Of fuyr þat hath þare is stude : and of þe sonne, i-wis.
                        Line 82 
                      
                        Þat oþur is in þe Eyr a-bouen us here : þare luþere gostes fleoth
                      
                        Þat tormentiez heom nyȝht and day : and neuere in reste ne beoth.

Page 423

                      
                        Þe þridde is an vrþe a-mong us here. : þe feorþe in watere is.
                      
                        Þe fifte is onder vrþe deope : bi-side helle, i-wis —
                        Line 86 
                      
                        ¶ Seint patrik on vrþe ȝwilene : ane stude þar-of founde,
                      
                        Ase god wolde, bi-side þe hul : of seint brendan in his londe.
                        Line 88 
                      
                        For four þingus purgatorie : in þeos fif studen is :
                      
                        For sum Man scholde lasse torment : þane oþur habbe, i-wis;
                      
                        And þat men miȝhten þorouȝh god dede : þe sonore to Ioye heom bringue;
                      
                        And þat men weren þoruȝh hem i-war : bi a vision oþur metingue;
                        Line 92 
                      
                        And for men þat delitiez muche in sunne : in one place,
                      
                        Þare he schal þe sunne biete : for-to ore louerd him ȝiue grace.—
                      
                        ¶ One tale and one faire en-saunple : þare-of we findez i-write,
                      
                        Þat ore louerd schewez us swuch þing : for we scholden þe soþe i-wite.
                      
                        A preost was ȝwilene in one stude : þat dude him baþie i-lome
                      
                        In one stude priueliche : þare none men ne come.
                        Line 98 
                      
                        So þat þare cam ofte a man : ase hit were bi cas,
                      
                        And seruede him and wuchs him wel— : ake he nuste ȝwat he was.
                      
                        A day he made halibred : and þe manne hit bi-tok
                      
                        Ase for is mede for is swunch. : ake he it anon for-sok;
                        Line 102 
                      
                        ¶ "Sire," he seide, "ine may hit nouȝht : for it i-halewed is,
                      
                        And for i-nam nouȝht holi ȝuyt : i-ne may it nauȝt, i-wis."
                        Line 104 
                      
                        "A-godes name," quath þe preost : "ich hote and halsnie þe
                      
                        Þat þou me segge ȝwat þou art : þat þus ofte comest to me."
                      
                        "Ich was ȝwylene of þis stude : louerd," þis oþur seide, [folio 176b] 
                      
                        "In þis place ich delitede muche : to don a mis-dede,
                        Line 108 
                      
                        And al mi delift of þulke sunne : so was in þis place;
                      
                        I-ne bette nouȝht þe sunne a-liue : for ich nadde nouȝht þe grace,
                      
                        And aftur mi deth þere-fore : mi purgatorie here is,
                      
                        to biete mi sunne in þulke place : þare ase ich dude amis.
                        Line 112 
                      
                        And ȝif þou woldest for me massene singue : ich miȝhte habbe milce and ore;
                      
                        And þou miȝht i-wyte þat ich am sauf : ȝwane þou ne finst me nonmore."
                      
                        Þe preost song for him Massene fiue : and oþur guodnesse dude also.
                      
                        Sone he miste þat selie gost : ȝuyt are þe seuenyȝht weren i-do :
                        Line 116 
                      
                        For he wende to þe Ioye of heouene : þat he deore a-bouȝhte.

Page 424

                      
                        Þus Mani Man hath his purgatorie : þare he is sunne wrouȝhte.
                      
                        So may parauentur dame Aldith : þat nath non oþur blis
                      
                        bote athom in hire halle clene : þere ase hire Moker is,
                        Line 120 
                      
                        Þat, þei heo bidde hire beden at churche : hire þouȝht is athom more;
                      
                        parauenture heo schal it bete þare : and a-bugge hire loue ful sore!—
                      
                        Men habbuz here heore purgatorie : manie for swuche þingue,
                      
                        And manie to warni some men : to helpe heom þarof to bringue.
                        Line 124 
                      
                        Mani man his purgatorie : in wature hath al-so :
                      
                        Þarof ichulle one ensaumple segge : of þat ȝwilene was ido.—
                      
                        ¶ Seint Tebaud þe bischop hadde : in his fot ane hote goute,
                      
                        Þat poudagre icleopeod is— : he hadde þere-offe gret doute.
                        Line 128 
                      
                        Ase his fischares wenden a-fischez : in heruest al-a-boute,
                      
                        In heor net huy nomen ane clompe of .Is. : huy weren þare-with wel proute :
                        Line 130 
                      
                        For þat ys þat was so cold : i-leid to heore louerdes fote
                      
                        hit wolde aswagi þe hote goute : and bringue him sum bote.
                      
                        Þis bischop tebaut was wel glad. : þat ys huy leiden oft
                      
                        to is fot, and eche time : it made him liþe and softe.
                        Line 134 
                      
                        Þat ys was euere hol and sound : it ne malt for none hete.
                      
                        Seint tebaut þouȝhte þare-of wonder : for no-þing he nolde it lete.
                      
                        A luyte cri him þouȝhte a day : in þat ys he heorde þere.
                      
                        he coniourede hit a-godes name : to segge him ȝwat it were.
                        Line 138 
                      
                        "Ich am," quath þis oþur, "a seli gost : and in þis ys ich am her
                      
                        In mi purgatorie, forte ich beo : of mine sunnes scker.
                        Line 140 
                      
                        Ake ȝif þou woldest for godesloue : þritti masses singue
                      
                        For me, ich wot þat þu miȝhtest : of þis pine me bringue."
                      
                        Þe bischop grauntede him wel sone : and bi-gan a-non a-morewe
                      
                        Þe Massene for þis selie gost : to bringuen it out of soruwe,
                        Line 144 
                      
                        And ech day song so aftur oþur. : þe deuel hadde þerto gret onde
                      
                        Þe ȝuyt þat gost scholde of pine come— : his wrench he gan fonde.
                      
                        For ase þe bischop þene tenþe day : bi-gan is masse to singue,
                      
                        Al þe toun þe feondes hadde : i-brouȝt on a fiȝhtyngue.
                        Line 148 
                      
                        Þe guode man bi-lefde is masse a-non : and orn a-mong heom faste,
                      
                        And harmles þoruȝh godes grace : a-passede heom atþe laste.
                      
                        Ase he bi-gan a-morewe is masse : a gret cri þare cam al-a-boute
                      
                        Þat þe toun bi-seged was : with gret ferd al with-oute, [folio 177] 

                        Line 152

Page 425

                      
                        Line 152 
                      
                        And Men ornen into al þe toun : ase witlese for doute.
                      
                        Þe bischop lefde is masse a-non : and orn to-ward þe route;
                      
                        He made pays a-ȝein þat fierd : þat huy no-þing ne reueden.
                      
                        Ake natheles so þeo tuey dawes : his masse he bi-leuede.
                        Line 156 
                      
                        ¶ Ase he bi-gan is masse þene þridde day : men heten out al-a-boute,
                      
                        For is court and muche of þe toun : a-fuyre was with-oute.
                      
                        "Þei it al fur-berne," quath þe bischop : "and ich mi-sulf also,
                      
                        I-nelle to-day fram þis weued : are þis masse beo i-do."
                        Line 160 
                      
                        So þat he song is masse forth : and muche folk was bisi with-oute
                      
                        to lauien watur and quienche þat fuyr : þat orn so wide a-boute.
                      
                        Þo þe Masse was i-do : þat fuyr a-queynte anon;
                      
                        Þare nas a-peired nouȝht an hous : ake hole stoden echon.
                      
                        ¶ Þulke þreo dawes þe deouel hadde : al þulke wo i-do
                      
                        his masse forto lette : and pini þe soule so.
                        Line 166 
                      
                        Þe bischop fond þat .ys. athom : i-molten al to nouȝhte :
                      
                        Þo wuste he þat þoru is Masse : to Ioye þe soule he brouȝhte.—
                      
                        Manie þingus one soule helpez : þat in purgatorie is;
                      
                        Ake þreo þingues heom helpez mest : bi-fore alle oþere, i-wis :
                        Line 170 
                      
                        beden of Men, and almes-dede : singuingue of Masses al-so—
                      
                        Þeos þreo þingues beoth best, i-wis : and mest guod huy wollez do.—
                      
                        ¶ Þat biddingue of beden beoth guode : þe soþe ȝe mouwen i-wite
                      
                        bi a tale of a clerk : þat we findez i-write.
                        Line 174 
                      
                        A clerk hadd[e] ȝwilene ane wone : bi churche-heyȝe ȝwane he come,
                      
                        to segge for alle cristine soulene : þe "deprofundis" i-lome.
                      
                        In a churche-ȝerd ones he cam late : þeoues him comen a-boute
                      
                        And a-saileden him to robbi : he nuste ȝwat do for doute.
                        Line 178 
                      
                        Þe bodies þat weren i-burede þare : his beden ȝolden a-non :
                      
                        huy comen with wepnen him forto helpe : and sturten forth echon,
                      
                        euer-ech with swuch-manere wepne : ase huy uyseden here a-liue,
                      
                        plouȝ-Man with his Aker-staf : Archer mid bouwe and knyue;
                        Line 182 
                      
                        A-boute þis þeoues huy comen ech-one : and guonne heom sone to-driue,
                      
                        And to heore puttes wenden sethþe a-ȝein : þis clerk hamward wel bliue.
                      
                        Þus weren is beden i-ȝolde : þat he bad erore and ofte.
                      
                        Ich am siker, þe þeoues ne ȝeoden nouȝht : aweywardes ful softe :

                        Line 186

Page 426

                      
                        Line 186 
                      
                        For ich wot wel þat non of us : ne hadde heom so sore a-gast!
                      
                        A wonder bataille it was on : hadde it longue i-last;
                      
                        Ich wene, þei ani chaumpiun : þare hadde i-beo,
                      
                        Sone he wolde habbe i-nome is red : hamward for-to fleo!—
                        Line 190 
                      
                        Almes-dede deth þe soule also : swiþe gret guod with-alle :
                      
                        Þat ȝe mouwen bi a cas i-seo : þat ane knyȝhte dude bi-falle.
                      
                        ¶ A guod man ȝwyle, þat heiȝte steuene : to is endingue drouȝ.
                      
                        A knyȝht, his freond, for is deth : made gret deol i-nouȝ
                        Line 194 
                      
                        And dude for him grete almes-dede : boþe niȝht and day.
                      
                        Þarof he i-saiȝ a fair bi-tokningue : ase he a-slepe lay :
                        Line 196 
                      
                        him þouȝhte he saiȝ a sluper brugge : swyþe fayr and heiȝ, [folio 177b] 
                      
                        A deop watur and swart bi-neoþe : a fair mede þare was neiȝ
                      
                        with swote smul and faire floures. : and ope þe brugge he seiȝ gon
                      
                        with grete Misayse mani Men : þat fullen into þat watur a-non,
                        Line 200 
                      
                        And manie he saiȝ þare-oppe gon : al-sauf with-oute drede,
                      
                        And manie with Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ : pleyinde in þe Mede.
                      
                        Ope þe brugge him þouȝhte he saiȝ : gon in wrechhede
                      
                        Steuene, for ȝwam þat he dude : þe grete almes-dede;
                        Line 204 
                      
                        Blake men þare weren bi-neoþe : þat a-doneward him drowe,
                      
                        And oþere þare weren in ȝwite cloþes : þat opward him heolden i-nowe;
                      
                        bi-twene heom laste þe noyse longue : aȝein oþur ech drouȝ faste,
                      
                        Ake euere hadden þe ȝwite Men : þe maistrie at þe laste.
                        Line 208 
                      
                        Þat weren þe almesdedes : þat for him weren i-do,
                      
                        Þat þe knyȝht for is soule dude : þat drowen him opward so.
                        Line 210 
                      
                        ¶ Þe blake þat him a-doneward drowen : þat weren is luþere dedes,
                      
                        Þat wolden him to pine drawe : ȝif huy miȝhten for almes-dede.—
                      
                        Massene also doth gret guod : boþe þe quike and dede :
                      
                        Þat ȝe mouwen i-heore bi þis tale : and bi oþure þat ich er sede.
                        Line 214 
                      
                        ¶ Men weren ȝwilene in a contreye : þare a gret ston-roche stod,
                      
                        And Men wenden þat þare-onder were : gret tresor and guod :
                      
                        So þat huy doluen þare-aftur : ake to wroþerhele ate laste :
                      
                        For opon hem ful þe roche adoun : and heom alle ouer-caste,
                        Line 218 
                      
                        And a-slouȝ heom alle, bote anne Man : þat, ase it were bi cas,
                      
                        In a-manere dich fel and lay : and þe roche a-boue him was;
                      
                        So þat he ne miȝhte of þe stude : ase i-putted he lay þere.
                      
                        his wyf nuste nouȝht of is lyf : ake wende þat he ded were :

                        Line 222

Page 427

                      
                        Line 222 
                      
                        to churche heo wende euerech day : ane masse to leten singue,
                      
                        A lof and wyn and a candel of wex : to þe weued heo wolde bringue,
                      
                        And al for hire louerdes soule— : heo ne bi-lefde nouȝht a day.
                      
                        Þe deuel hadde þarto gret onde : þo he þat i-saiȝ :
                        Line 226 
                      
                        ¶ Ase þis wyf ȝeode a day toward churche : þe deuel cam hire to
                      
                        And seide þat heo ȝeode for nauȝht : for þe Masse was i-do.
                      
                        Þat guode wyf ȝeode hom a-ȝein : and wende þat he soth sede.
                      
                        A-morewe he made hire al-so gon hom : mid þulke sulue dede;
                        Line 230 
                      
                        And þane þridde day al-so guod. : ake þat wyf þane feorþe day
                      
                        Sone a-ros and to churche ȝeode : þo heo þane day i-saiȝh.
                      
                        Ȝuyt cam þe schrewe and seide : þat þe Masse was i-do.
                      
                        Þis wyf i-liefde him er fule wel : ake þo nolde heo nouȝht so,
                        Line 234 
                      
                        Ake wende to churche, and fond þe soþe : of þat þe schrewe hire mette,
                      
                        Þat it was to bi-trayen hire : and guodnesse to lette.
                      
                        ¶ Sone hit bi-feol þare-afturward : þat Men of þe toune
                      
                        wenden to bete op þulke roche : þat so lay þare a-doune,
                        Line 238 
                      
                        And wenden to finde sum tresor. : huy doluen and beoten faste.
                      
                        Þe selie Man bi-neoþe was of-drad : þat huy more opon him caste;
                        Line 240 
                      
                        "Deluez," he seide, "warliche : þat ȝe ne slen me nouȝht!"
                      
                        Þo weren þis Men sore a-dradde : and stoden in gret þouȝht; [folio 178] 
                      
                        Ake naþeles huy doluen bi-side : so þat huy to him come.
                      
                        huy founden him ligge hol and sound : and with Ioye hine up nome.
                      
                        huy axeden him hou he hadde i-leoued : þat hongur him ne a-slouȝ.
                      
                        "Certes," he seide, "ich habbe i-haued : mete and drinke i-nouȝ :
                      
                        For a lof and a picher wyn : Mi wyf me sende ech day,
                      
                        And a brennind candle : þat me liȝhte þe ȝwile ich here lay.
                        Line 248 
                      
                        bote þreo dawes þis oþur wike : no-þing heo me ne sende;
                      
                        Ich was neiȝh for hongur ded.: ake heo gan sone a-mende
                      
                        And sende me ase heo dude er : and fedde me wel with-alle.
                      
                        Of alle wyues worþe hire best : and best hire mote bi-falle!"
                        Line 252 
                      
                        bi þis Miracle man may i-seo : and bi manie oþure al-so,
                      
                        Þat Massene and almes-dede : gret guod þe soule wollez do.—
                      
                        Þis guodnesses nellez nouȝht helpe : alle i-liche, i-wis;
                      
                        For of Men þat heonne wiendez : mani-manere þare is :
                        Line 256 
                      
                        Oþur riȝht guode, oþur riȝht vuele : oþur riȝht bi-tweone two.
                      
                        goddede helpez some ful luyte : þat man wole for heom do,

Page 428

                      
                        Ȝif þat huy riȝht guode beoz— : huy ne habbuth none neode mid-alle
                      
                        to none erþeliche guodnesse : þat heom miȝhte þare bi-falle;
                        Line 260 
                      
                        For in þe Ioye of heouene huy buth : ase huy weren bi-fore.
                      
                        Ake naþeles þat men for heom doth : ne worth nouȝht for-lore :
                      
                        For it schal him-sulf helpe muche : þat þulke guodnesse deth,
                      
                        And alle cristine soulene also : þat in purgatorie beoth.
                        Line 264 
                      
                        ¶ Þreo-manere men þare buth riȝht guode : þat to heouene wiendez a-non
                      
                        Ȝwane huy out of þis worlde farez. : ȝung child is þat on
                      
                        Þat deide aftur is cristinedom : are hit dude to quede;
                      
                        And Martyrs þat for godes loue : in strong torment weren dede;
                        Line 268 
                      
                        Þe þridde manere so but clene men : þat are þat huy heonnes wende,
                      
                        Alle heore sunnes betten here : ase ore louerd heom grace sende.
                      
                        Þis þreo-manere men ne mouwen nouȝht : in purgatorie bi-leue,
                      
                        Ake smitez þoru-out quiclokur : þane þe leyte doth an eue;
                        Line 272 
                      
                        huy ne mouwen nouȝht bi-leue þare : for er heo wenden heonne,
                      
                        Clene huy weren of alle sunne : and ne habbut noþing to brenne.
                      
                        For ase wode and col fedez : þat fuyr þat here is,
                      
                        Al-so sunne fet þat fuyr : in purgatorie, i-wis;
                        Line 276 
                      
                        And ȝwan þe sunne is i-brend a-wey : þe soule to heuene geth,
                      
                        Ake wel sone þoruȝ he flieth : þat in clannesse þolede deth.
                      
                        Also doth [þe] þreo-manere Men : of ȝwan ich eou er seide :
                      
                        For heouene openez aȝenes heom : so sone ase heo beoth dede.—
                        Line 280 
                      
                        And þat it beo soth of alle þreo : ensaumple ȝe mouwen i-seo.
                      
                        Þat aȝein children i-baptizede : heouene i-opened beo :
                      
                        For ore louerd was nyne-and-twenti ȝer : and twelf daywes old
                      
                        Are he i-baptized were : ase þe bok us hath i-told :
                        Line 284 
                      
                        Of al þat tyme non eorþelich Man : ne miȝhte enes i-wite
                      
                        Þat heouene openede ouȝwere aboue : þat we findez i-write;
                      
                        bote þo he was i-baptized : of þe holie Man seint Iohan, [folio 178b] 
                      
                        A-boue his heued with gret liȝht : heouene openede a-non.
                        Line 288 
                      
                        Ȝwat bi-tocknede þulke openingue : þat þo was and er nouȝht,
                      
                        bote þat þoru cristindom : Man was to heouene i-brouȝt,
                      
                        And þat heouene-dore was faste i-mad : for-to cristindom were,
                      
                        And þat a-ȝein þe furste cristindom : heouene openede þere;
                        Line 292 
                      
                        And þat heouene-dore i-opened is : to cristine Men al-so,

Page 429

                      
                        And to ȝongue children forto huy habben : þoruȝ sunne it fur-do?
                      
                        For huy schullen, ȝwane huy heonnes wiendez : heouene-dore opene finde,
                      
                        For huy ne berez with heom no sunne : þat drawe heom bi-hinde;
                      
                        Also quicliche ase liȝhttingue : þoru purgatorie huy doz gon,
                      
                        And heouene-dore findez opene : and wiendez in anon.
                        Line 298 
                      
                        gret folie it is to weope : ase Men beoz i-wonet to done,
                      
                        For ȝongue children þat deiȝez so : þat in heouene buth so sone!
                        Line 300 
                      
                        "Awei, mi child," seith þe damme : and suouȝnez a-ȝein þe wowe;
                      
                        bi crist, heo auȝte þonki god : þat nam hit ase his owe!—
                      
                        ¶ A-ȝein þe Martyrs þat guode buth : heouene i-opened is :
                      
                        Þat Man may bi þe Martyrdom iseo : of seint steuene, i-wis.
                        Line 304 
                      
                        For þo men him to deþe þreowen : he bi-heold to heouene an heiȝh :
                      
                        An heouene openede a-non : ase he þare i-seiȝh—
                      
                        "Lo," he seide, "nouþe ich i-seo : þoruȝ ihesu cristes sonde
                      
                        heouene opene, and godes sone : in is fader riȝth hond stonde."
                        Line 308 
                      
                        And þe furste martyr he was : þat euere on vrþe cam
                      
                        Aftur godes passion : to holde up cristindom :
                        Line 310 
                      
                        heouene openede aȝen him : ase he þene deth nam,
                      
                        to bi-tokni þat he wolde al-so : aȝen ech þat þolede guod Martyrdom.
                      
                        And þei he were sum-del in sunne : heore deth þat huy nome
                      
                        And heore blod heom wolde wasche : are huy to purgatorie come.—
                      
                        Þulke also of clene liue : þat in clennesse here lif endiez,
                      
                        heouene openez a-ȝein heom : ȝwane huy heonne wiendez :
                        Line 316 
                      
                        Þat Man may i-seo bi ensaumple : of seint Iohan þe wangelist.
                      
                        Clannore þane he was, no man nas : with-oute Iesu crist.
                      
                        he seith in þe Apocalips— : þat a wel guod bok is,
                      
                        Þat he i-seiȝh heouene-dore : a-ȝen him opene, i-wis.
                        Line 320 
                      
                        Ȝwat bi-toknede þat bote þis : huy scholden i-seo also
                      
                        A-ȝein heom, alle þat clene weren : heouene-dore vndo?—
                      
                        Erþelich guodnesse helpez luyte : swyche Men, i-wisse,
                      
                        For huy nabbuth þare-to non neode : ȝwane huy beoth in heuene|blisse.
                        Line 324 
                      
                        Ake þanne it helpez him-sulf muche : þat deth þulke goddede,
                      
                        And alle þat beoth in purgatorie : ase ich erore sede.
                      
                        ho-so is al-so in helle pine : it hellpez him luytel al-so

Page 430

                      
                        Any guod-nesse þat Man may : on vrþe for him do;
                        Line 328 
                      
                        ¶ For seint Austyn seith, ȝif he wuste : þat is fader in helle were,
                      
                        Non more he nolde for him bidde : þane for ane deuel þere.
                      
                        Ake euere it helpez him þat it dothþ : and cristine soulene al-so;
                      
                        For no guodnesse ne worth fur-lore : þat Man may on vrþe do. [folio 179] —
                      
                        Ake beden oþer oþure almes-dedes luyte helpuz : of fremde oþur of kunne,
                      
                        bote he with-oute wrathþe beo : and with-oute dedlich sunne.
                        Line 334 
                      
                        Ake a masse nis noþe-worse : for ȝwam þat heo is i-do,
                      
                        Þei it beo of a sunful preost— : of non oþur þing it nis so.
                        Line 336 
                      
                        For þat dede is so heiȝh : þat heo ne may a-peyri nouȝht
                      
                        Of no wrechche preost þat it dez : þei he beo in sunne i-brouȝht.
                      
                        Ake þei þe Masse ne beo þe worse : þe preost, bi mi swere,
                      
                        Þat hire singuth in dedlich sunne : a-corie it schal ful deore!
                        Line 340 
                      
                        For ȝwane sire Gileberd i-massed hath : his lif he wole so diȝhte
                      
                        Atþe tauerne to beon a-day : and bi is quene bi nyȝhte;
                      
                        he seith, ȝwane Men cleopiez him preost : "sittez stille, mine guode i-fere,
                      
                        Þe preost hanguez at churche : and ich am nouþe here"—
                        Line 344 
                      
                        ¶ his cope oþur is surplis : þe preost he seith it isse;
                      
                        Ake his cope schal bi-leue at hom : ȝwane he schal to helle, i-wisse!—
                      
                        ho-so wole ȝwane he is ded : to his guodnesse a-fongue,
                      
                        do it bi-time for þe dede : þare-aftur þinkez longue.
                        Line 348 
                      
                        And þat it beo soth, man may i-s[e]o : bi a wonder cas
                      
                        Þat ȝwylene bi a knyȝht bi-feol : þat with þe heiȝe kyng charles was.
                      
                        ¶ Þe kyng Charles his Ost aday : to strongue batayle gan lede.
                      
                        his .O. knyȝht þat with him wende : of þe deþe gan him drede.
                        Line 352 
                      
                        A cosyn he hadde in þe route : to him he þouȝhte he miȝhte
                      
                        best truste of alle Men : and so he auȝhte with riȝhte;
                      
                        "Cosyn," he seide, "ȝif ich am : here to deþe i-brouȝht,
                      
                        Sul Mi stede and do for mi soule : ne bi-lef þou it nouȝht!"
                        Line 356 
                      
                        Þis kniȝht truste wel to is word : þat grauntede don is bone;
                      
                        And in-to þe batayle wende forth : ase riȝht was for-to done,
                      
                        And fauȝht þe ȝwyle he miȝhte : and a-slawe was at þen ende.
                      
                        his cosin nam his stede sone : and hamward he gan wiende,
                        Line 360 
                      
                        And to is owene bi-hofþe faste ire heold : and þouȝhte forto done

Page 431

                      
                        Also muche guod for þe knyȝhtes soule : ȝwane he miȝhte eft-sone.
                      
                        ¶ Þe knyȝht cam to him eft-sone : gostliche in priuete,
                      
                        "Cosyn," he seide, "late þou dudest : þat þou bi-heiȝhtest me!
                        Line 364 
                      
                        Þou madest me beon in purgatorie : seue nyȝht, mid-i-wisse.
                      
                        And nouþe ich am in heouene : and þarof þou schalt misse,
                      
                        For þou schalt in þis ilke day : to þe pine of helle wende,
                      
                        For þe treson þat þou me dudest : and beon þare with-outen ende."
                      
                        Þis gost wende forth a-non : and þe false Man wel sone
                      
                        deide, and wende a-deuele wey : ase he of-seruede to done.
                        Line 370 
                      
                        here mouwen þis false esecutores : beon i-warre bi þis tale,
                      
                        Þat muche habbez of dedes godes : and deleth þare-of ful smale,
                        Line 372 
                      
                        Ake þenchez, ȝwane huy riche beoth : to ȝelden it wel, i-wis;
                      
                        Þe soule longueth þare-aftur-ward : þat in purgatorie is,
                      
                        heo a-bidez longue heore richesse : þe guode is euere bi-hinde—
                      
                        huy schullen gon a-deouele wey : and þare heore miede finde.
                        Line 376 
                      
                        Nou Ihesus, þat us deore bouȝhte : þei we don ofte a-mis, [folio 179b] 
                      
                        On alle cristine soulene haue merci : and bring us to heuene blis,
                      
                        And led us to oure riȝhte heritage : for þou bouȝhtest us þar-to;
                      
                        Ne leos nouȝht þat þou deore bouȝhtest : þei we sumdel mis-do!
                        Line 380

Notes

al. To lete for hem

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MS. þo

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al. festen

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MS. for

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MS. non

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MS. were

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al. 4 vv. more.

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al. noȝt worþ

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om.

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al. in o

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al. Irlond

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r. man

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al. for

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al. delit

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al. Ac woldestou

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MS. ys?

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MS. þat

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al. paisede

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MS. achon

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þe þ. on the margin.

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MS. gan

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MS. trosor

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om. riȝht

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MS. noþint

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om.; H þulke

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overlined.

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al. om.

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r. of

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al. For

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al. þat a ded man,

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of

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MS. so

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r. truste to

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r. do guod?

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MS. bieon

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al. þerafter sore

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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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Pages

62 [Alle soulene day]

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