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

63 [Eadmund conf.]

SEint Eadmund þe confessour : þat lythþ at pounteneye, Of guode men and trewe he cam : þei huy neren nouȝht ful heiȝe; In Engelonde he was i-bore : in þe toun of Abindone. Glad miȝhtte þe moder beo : þat bar swuch a sone! Line 4 Mabile þe riche is moder [het] : þat guod womman was i-nouȝ, For boþe wif and wydewe : to holie lif heo drouȝ. Lustniez nouþe and i may telle : hou and in ȝwat manere Seint Eadmund was i-bore : ȝif ȝe it wollez i-here. Line 8 A-seint Eadmundus dai þe king : þis guode child was i-bore; So clene he cam fram is moder : with-oute ech-manere hore, And so clene, þat no cloth : þat neiȝh þe moder was Ne neiȝh þis ȝoungue child, þo it was i-bore : no-þing þe foulere it nas. ¶ A-seint Eadmundes dai he was i-bore : riȝht ase it was day; Fram erne morewe þat it was eue : ase a ded þing he layȝ, Line 14 Riȝht ase he were ded-bore : for no þing on him lif ne saiȝ;

Þe mide-wyues him wolden habbe i-bured : ac þe moder seide euere nay. Line 16 A-ȝein eue he cudde furst is lif. : to churche he was i-bore, And for seint Eadmundes day : he [was] Eadmund i-cleoped þare-fore. ¶ Þis child wax and wel i-þev— : elles wonder it were. Þo it was of ani elde : þe moder it sette to lere, Line 20 And Robert al-so, hire oþur sone— : for sones heo hadde to, And tweye maydenes clene i-nouȝ : hire douȝhtren were al-so, Dame Margerie and dame Alis : þat at catesbi weren i-do Line 23 And þare in religion Nonnes huy weren : and ȝuyt liggez þare boþe-to. ¶ Dame Mabile, heore guode moder : þeos children heo louede i-nouȝh, And wissede heom to clene liue : and to alle guodnesse heom drouȝh. Þe ȝwyle þe children ȝongue weren : heo ȝaf heom ofte mede For-to faste þane friday : to watur and to brede. Line 28 Þoruȝ mede and þoruȝ ire faire bi-heste : huy weren so þar-on i-brouȝt, Þat, þo huy weren of grettore elde : it ne grefde heom riȝht nouȝht. ¶ Þe moder werede þe strongue here : for ore louerdes loue, Fram þe scholdre to þe hele : and on haubark þare-a-boue— Line 32 In swuche manere he ladde hire lif : þe widewe þat was so wis. wel ȝongue heo sende boþe hire sones : to scole to paris, And bi-tok heom spense luyte i-nouȝ : ase heo it miȝhte bi-seo. huy senden hire word þat huy ne miȝhten : with so luyte beo. Line 36 "leoue sones," quath þe mode[r] : "ichulle beon a-ȝein eov hende; Ȝif ȝe wollez aftur me do : ich can eou more sende, And it schal eov like swiþe wel : bi þat ȝe wyteth þe ende; Ne spariez nouȝht, mi leoue sones : out of londe to wende." ¶ "Leoue Moder," queþen þe sones : "we schullen do aftur þi lore; Ake wel þou wost þat we ne mouwen nouȝt libbe : bote þou us sende more." [folio 180] ¶ Þe moder tok wel stilleliche : eyþur of heom ane here And bad heom boþe for hire loue : þat huy with heom as bere Line 44 And werie as twie oþur þrie : eche woke þere, And heo wolde heom sende spense i-nov : þe ȝwuyle huy at scole were. ¶ Þis children ȝeoden to scole þo : and duden heore moder heste And wereden þe here twie a wike : oþur þrie at þe leste. Line 48 So longe huy woneden heom þar-to : þat huy nomen as ofture þo,

So þat noþur nyȝht ne day : huy nolden heom for-go; ¶ huy woneden heom so wel þar-to : þat huy as wereden day and nyȝht. Þis was, for-soþe, a guod Moder : for heo teiȝhte hire children a-riȝht! And euere ȝwane heo sende heom cloþes : ase heo as miȝhte i-winne, Þare-with heo wolde herene sende : faste i-seuwede with-inne.— Line 54 ¶ Seint Eadmund þe ȝongue clerk : to eche guod-nesse drouȝ, Þat euerech clerk þat him i-knevȝ : hadde of him Ioye inovȝ; Line 56 For ore louerdes swete grace : with him was wel riue : And þat ore louerd cudde him wel : al bi is ȝongue liue. ¶ For ase þis child ȝeode a day : in a Mede to pleie, his felawes he bi-lefde ech-on : and ȝeode bi-side þe weiȝe, Line 60 And al one ȝeode up and doun : and is bedes seide. Þo cam þere gon a fair ȝwit child : to him in þis mede, "Felawe," he seide, "heil þou beo : þat þus one gest i-lome!" Seint Eadmund stod in gret þouȝht : fro ȝwannes þis child come. Line 64 ¶ "Ne knoustþou me nouȝht?" quath þis child. : seint Eadmund seide "no." "Ich am þi felawe," quath þat child : "ȝwodere þou euere go. At scole ich sitte euere bi þe : euere on þi riȝht side, And with þe ich go in euerech stude : ne go þou no so wide, Line 68 ¶ And þi plei-fere, for-soþe, ich am— : and ȝif þou nost nouȝt ȝwat ich beo, ¶ In mi fore-heued i-write : mi name þou miȝht i-seo. And al-so ase mi name is : in mi fore-heued i-do, Creoyce þare-with þi fore-heued : and þi breoste al-so Line 72 Euereche niȝhte are þou slepe : in þe muynde of me, ¶ And þe deuel ne schal habbe no pouwer : for-to greui þe." ¶ Seint eadmund nuste mit þusse worde : ȝware þis child bi-cam. he onder-stod þat it was ore louerd : and gret Ioye to him he nam; Line 76 And nolde fur-ȝite neuere ane niȝht : his lore forto do, to creoici þriȝes is fore-heued : and is breoste al-so ¶ And segge "ihesus of Nazareth" : ase he it saiȝ i-write— with no-þing ne scholde a man betere : fram þe deuel him wite.— Line 80 In penaunce, and in is lore : þis child dude al is þouȝt; For godes loue he þolede muche : þat deore him hadde a-bouȝht,

¶ In penaunce he was so wel i-woned : and ȝong þar-on i-brouȝht, Þat, þo he was of grettore elde : it ne grefde him riȝht nouȝht. Line 84 At parys he was at scole longue : and at Oxenford al-so. he ne dude neuere lecherie : ne ensentede þar-to; Ase is schrift-fader wolde telle : ofte in priueite, he ne miȝhte neuere finde man : of so gret chastete. Line 88 ¶ Priueliche at oxenford : on a day he cam [folio 180b] To one ymage of ore lauedi : and bi þe hond hire nam And bi-hiet bi-fore hire treweliche : fram eche wummanes imone And with treuþe holden al is lif : clanliche to hire one. Line 92 ¶ Þulke ymage he weddede with a ring : ase a man dotþ is wif, Clanliche to holden in spoushod : to hire al is lijf; "Aue Maria, gracia plena" : þeos four wordes weren i-do And i-graued in þis ring : for huy a-cordeden wel þar-to. Line 96 ¶ Wel he huld is treuþe setþe : and his weddingue al-so, And trewe spouse was i-novȝ : nolde he nouȝt misdo. Ich wot wel, ȝuyt men miȝhten finde : ho-so souȝte bliue, Summan, þei it sielde beo : untreowore to is wiue, Line 100 And al ful beo of þe Mariage : ȝe and fayn it wolde un-binde! Ȝweþur ani of eou couþe ouȝwere : ani swuch hosebonde finde?— ¶ His hostasse hadde one douȝter : þere he was at inne, Þat louede muche þis holie child : ȝif heo miȝhte is loue i-winne; Line 104 heo ne couþe neiȝh non oþur wit : ake heo fondede for-to do Folie bi him nyȝht and dai : ȝif heo miȝhte bringue him þar-to. ¶ Heo bad him þat heo moste a-niȝht : to is bedde wiende. Þis holie clerk ne wernde hire nouȝht : and dude ase þe hende. Line 108 Þat Maide was þo glad i-novȝ : for erore heo bad wel of[te]. A-niȝht, þo heo hire tyme i-saiȝh : to is bed heo cam wel softe, ¶ hire cloþes heo dude of a non : ase it is riȝht of bedde, And made hire naked, to creopen in. : ake febleliche hire spedde : Line 112 For seint Eadmund hadde ane smarte ȝeorde : and þe cloþus a-doun spradde And beot hire on þe nakede rug : þat wel-neiȝh heo a-wedde; he ne sparede rug ne side noþur : are heo to grounde bledde— A-quenche he miȝhte hire fole wille : mid blode þat heo schedde! Line 116 ¶ And euere seide þis holie Man : ase he leide on faste,

"Maide, þou schalt leorni þus : a-wei forto caste Þi fole wille of þi flesch : with swuche discipline." heo þouȝhte wel luyte on folie : are þis guode clerk wolde fine! Line 120 ¶ Þis Maide wende softe aȝen : hire rug smert ful sore. he bi-ȝat so luyte þo : þat hire ne longuede þudere nam-more; Clene wumman heo bi-cam : with-oute flechsliche dede, And clene Maide deide setþe : ase hire schriftfader seide. Line 124 ¶ Þis Maidenes þat beotþ willeffole : folie forto do, I-cholde huy founden swuche lefmanes : þat wolden heom chastie so!— Þo Mabile, is swete moder : scholde of þis liue go, Seint Eadmund, hire guode sone : neiȝh hire was þo; Line 128 his Moder him ȝaf hire blessingue : þo heo scholde of liue fare. "Blesse mine broþur," quath seint Eadmund : "þei he beo elles|ȝware." ¶ "Leoue sone," quath þis wydewe : "boþe ȝe comen of me, And he is, ȝwane ȝe beoth o blod : i-blessed i-nouȝ with þe. Line 132 Ake ich bidde þe for godes loue : and for seinte Marie Þat þou sum-ȝware þine sostrene do : in-to ane nonnerie, [folio 181] So þat huy mouwen clene lif lede : in ore louerdes seruise; And ne soffre þou nouȝht þat huy beon : i-weddet in none wise. Line 136 Þe catel þat ich heom bi-queþe : þis dede for-to do, Al ich bi-take in þine warde : and heom þare-with also." ¶ Þis guode womman deide þus : þat of wydewene was flour; And in a chapel at Abindone heo was i-bured : with swyþe gret honour, Line 140 In a ston bi-fore þe croiz : in þe soutþ-side, i-wis; A luyte with-inne þe churche-hei ȝate: þat chapel a-rerd is. A-boue hire is i-write : "here lijthþ in þis ston Mabile, flour of wudewene"— : and lesingue nis it non, Line 144 For heo was womman of guode liue : ase Men miȝhten bi hire i-seo; And mani Miracle at Abindone : for hire hath sethþe i-beo. ¶ Ne for-ȝat nouȝht seint Eadmund : þat is moder him hadde i-bede : Þo is power was i-woxe : he purueide him ane stude, Line 148 Þat is sostren weren i-do : in one Nonnerie; Ake wel vnneþe he it fond : with-oute symonie.— ¶ Simonie so is i-cleoped : foreward for-to make

to bugge liflode of holie churche : and a certein catel take. Line 152 A-mansede beotþ alle swuche : þat so wollez don; Ake naþeles to religion : manie comiez so!— ¶ Þis guode sone souȝhte wide a-boute : mani a Nonnerie, Are he miȝhte his sostren do : with-oute symonie; Line 156 Atþe laste he cam to Catesbi : in Norehamptone-schire, I-graunted him was þare a-non : al þat he wolde desire : ¶ boþe his sustren a-godes half : Nounnes he made þere; Þat leueden þare al heore lijf : and holie wommen were, Line 160 Þe eldore was sethþe prioresse : of þe lauedies ech-on— For heom hauez setþe ore louerd i-do : miracles mani on; And bi-fore þe heiȝe weuede : i-burede huy beoth þere In a chapele þat huy leten : of seint Eadmund a-rere.— Line 164 ¶ Seint Eadmund, þis holie man : werede strongue here; In strengore manere heo was i-maud : þane oþur mannes were : heo nas i-sponne ne i-weoue : ake i-broide strengus longue, And sethþe ase man knut a net : i-knut swiþe harde and stronge, Line 168 Of harde horses here i-maud— : þe knottes deope wode, Þat muche del of is bodie orn : of quiture and of blode. ¶ Þare-of he hadde schuirte and briech : fram necke to þe hiele; vn-ayseliche he miȝhte ligge : oþur ani ayse i-fele. Line 172 A strong rop þere was þanne : a-boue fram þe scholdre i-do to is bottokes, of horse-here : to holden it faste to; And setþe he was bi-neoþe is briech : i-gurd faste i-novȝ with a strong corde a-boue : þat þe here faste drouȝ. Line 176 ¶ So faste was in euerech side : þe here to him i-bounde, Þat vnneþ[e] he miȝhte bieȝe is rug : oþur stoupi touward þe grounde; And ȝwan he stoupede ani-þing : is flechs was so for-gnawe [folio 181b] Þat wonder was hou he it þolede : þat he ne hadde to deþe i-drawe. ¶ Fiet and hondene þat neren nouȝt : i-tormentede with þat here Necke and face and al is heued : þat with-oute were, he roddede a-niȝht with þe here : ȝwane no man ne miȝhte i seo; For he nolde þat no lime : un-pined scholde beo. Line 184 ¶ A dai he tok al priueliche : is Manne his olde here, Þat he as fur-brende stilleliche : for huy for-olde were. he caste as in gret fuyr i-novȝ— : ac it ne cam nouȝht þare-neiȝh,

Ake euere huy weren i-liche sounde : ase þis man i-seiȝh. Line 188 Þo he i-saiȝ þat huy ne brende nouȝht : he bond þer-to wel faste heuie stones to drawe a-doun : and in-to a deop watur heom caste. Þat fuyr nadde power non : to touchi þe holie here! Ake naþeles he tolde is louerd fore : þat huy i-brende were.— Line 192 ¶ Seint Eadmund and is felawe : ase it was ofte heore wone, In a day fram leukenore : wenden to Abindone. Ase huy comen in a gret ualeiȝe : blake foule huy seiȝe Ase it crowene and rokes weren : fleon bi þe Eyr wel heiȝe; Line 196 A luyte blac sak ase þei it were : þis foules a-mong heom bere, huy casten it up fram on to oþur : ase huy it al-to-drowe and to-tere. his felawe stod and bi-h^eold : and was neiȝh wod for fere. ¶ Seint Eadmund him ȝaf confort : ant tolde him ȝwat it were : Line 200 "Deuelene," he seide, "of helle it beoth : and þat huy berez so, i-wis, Ane Mannes soule here-bi-fore : of Chalgraue it is, Þat nouþe riȝht deide late— : heo ne cometh neuere in blis, he mai singue weylawei : þat he euere dude amis." Line 204 ¶ Forth huy wenden to chalgraue : þe soþe huy founden þere : Þe Man was ded a luyte bi-fore : and al hot ligge on bere. Neuere þe gladdore ne miȝhte he beo : þat deuelene him so to-tere; he miȝhte segge weilawey : þat euere is lifdawes were!— Line 208 ¶ Seint Eadmund, þe holie Man : louede wel is lore, And for is lore he louede ȝuyt : godes seruise þe more. Mest he louede on oresoun : þat was of ihesu crist And of ore leuedi, is swete Moder : and of sein Ioan þe Ewangelist, Þat ".O. intemerata" : bi-gvynnez on latyn; Þe bi-guynningue is wel guod : and al-so is þe fin. Line 214 Euereche dai bi custome : he seide þis oresun, he nolde bi-leue for no scole : ne for no lessoun. Line 216 ¶ In a dai he it fur-ȝat : he hadde so muche to done. Seint Ioan þe Ewangelist to him cam : þe niȝht aftur-ward ful sone And a paumerie bar on is hond : gret and strong i-nouȝh; Seint Eadmund he nam bi þe hond : and is paumerie op drouȝh, Line 220 So heiȝe and with so gret Eyr : ase he him wolde al-to-driue. Seint Eadmund lay and quakede : and drad was of is liue,

For, ȝif he him smite ase he dunt drouȝ : he were ded a-non; [he quakede & cride dulfulliche : "louerd, merci, seint Iohn!" Line 224 ¶"Ich wole for-ȝeue þe," quaþ seint Ioh^an : "þu criest so sore; & þench bet on oure oreisoun : & neforȝet hit nomore!" he nefor-ȝat after þulke tyme : nomore þis oreisoun, For no studie nefor no neode : nefor þoȝt of lessoun.— Line 228 ¶ So wel lurnede þis holi man : & suche grace hadde, Þat he bigan at Oxenford : & of art þer radde. Of art he radde six ȝer : contynuelliche ynouȝ, & siþþe for-[to] beo more profound : to arsmetrike he drouȝ, Line 232 & arsmetrike radde in cours : in Oxenford wel faste & his figurs drouȝ aldai : & his numbre caste.— ¶ Arsmetrike is alore : þat of figurs al is & of drauȝtes as me draweþ in poudre : & of numbre, i-wis.— Line 236 ¶ A niȝt in avisioun : his moder to him wende, "Sone," heo seide, "to what figurs : woltou nou entende?" "Leoue moder," quaþ þis oþer : "suche as we iseoþ." "Leoue sone," quaþ þe moder : "betere figurs þer beoþ, Line 240 wherto þu most þin hurte do : & þenche her-on nomore!" heo nom forþ his riȝt hond : & wrot þer-on his lore : Þreo rounde cerclen heo wrot : in þe paume amidde, In þe tueye heo wrot fader & sone : & holigost in þe þridde; Line 244 "Sone," heo seide, "her-afterward : entende to þis lore!" To heuene aȝe þe moder wende : heneseȝ hire nomore. ¶ Þo iseȝ seint Edmund : þat hit was al of þe Trinite, & þat god wolde þat he schulde : ihure diuinite. Line 248 To diuinite, as god wolde : þis gode man him drouȝ; Þer nespedde non in Oxenford : so wel of ynouȝ. hit nas noȝt longe þer-afterward : þat þe Chanceler ne sede, & þe hexte maystres of þe toun : þat he schulde bigynne & rede. Line 252 he wiþsede & longe seide : þat he nas noȝt worþi þerto; So þat moche aȝen his wille : nede hi makede him hit do. So þat he bigan at Oxenford : of diuinite. So noble alosed þer nas non : in al þe vniuersite. Line 256 Of redinge he hadde so gode grace : þat meni on to him drouȝ; his scolers þat ihurde of him : gode men were ynouȝ. So pitousliche he wolde rede : & so gode grace hadde þer-to, Þat his scolers þat ihurde of him : nuste ofte what to do, Line 260 Ac sete as in anoþer wordle : & ofte hudde here eȝe

& wepe þat þe teres vrne adoun : þat men hit al-aboute iseȝe. vneþe eni ihurde of him : þat þe betere ne bicom, & meni bileuede al þe wordle : & to religioun nom.— Line 264 ¶ A dai as þis holi man : in diuinite Desputede, as hit was his wone : of þe trinite, In his chaire he sat longe : er his scolers come; Alutel he bigan to swoudri : as a slep him nome. Line 268 Þo þoȝte him in his swoudringe : þat a whit coluere com Fram heuene mid oure louerdes flesch : & þe wei to him nom, & þat swete flesch pulte in his mouþ : & siþþe fleȝ vp anheȝ; heuene openede hire aȝen : as þis gode man iseȝ. Line 272 Þe sauour of oure louerdes flesch : him þoȝte, was in his mouþe, And al þe clergie, him þoȝte, of god : þo he awok, he couþe, Of þe pure stat of crist : & of his mageste As [an] angel him þoȝte he couþe : & of his priueite. Line 276 ¶ he bigan so deope desputi : of þe trinite, Þat gret wonder me hadde : þurf al þe vniuersite; Þat þe gretteste clerkes þat were : in Oxenforde þo Ne þoȝte þat eni vrþlich man : so furforþ miȝte go Line 280 Ne wite so moche of godes stat : bote hit [an] angel were; Þer nere none maystres in Oxenford : þat in gret wonder þerof nere. Ac he miȝte of ihesu crist iwite : more þan was in boc, whan he vsede oure louerdes flesch : & in his mouþe toc!— Line 284 ¶ Ne þoȝte noȝt þis holi man : so moche in his lessoun Þat euere among his þoȝt nas mest : in godes passioun. O tyme he was in grete studie : of his lessoun anyȝt, Þat longe he sat þer-aboute : forte hit was neȝ dailiȝt. Line 288 Þo hit was toward þe dai : a-napped he was sore, he lynede adoun vpon his boc : þo he nemiȝte studie nomore; So þat he ful aslepe : & vnywar also, & neþoȝte noȝt on þe passioun : as he was iwoned to do. Line 292 Þe deuel com to him wel sone : noþing to siche he nas. Seint Edmund of him was iwar : in swoudring as he was he wolde him blesci wiþ þe deuel : his riȝt hond he gan forþ drawe : Þe deuel him nom þerbi anon : he nemiȝte him noȝt wawe. Line 296 Þo nom he forþ his lift hond : to blesci him wiþ also : Þe deuel him nom þerbi faste : þat he nemiȝte noþing do. vpe him he lai as a sak : þat he was al ouercome, he nemiȝte him wawe fot ne hond : his poer him was binome. Line 300 Ac delyure he hadde al his þoȝt : so þat he þoȝte sone

Of oure louerdes passioun : as he was woned to done. ¶ Þe deuel nemiȝte þo bileue : vpe him none þrowe, For drede he ful sone adoun : bituene him & þe wowe. Line 304 ¶ Seint Edmund aros vp anon : & þe deuel ouercom, Strangliche & harde ynou : bi þe þrote he him nom. "þurf oure louerdes passioun : tel nou," he seide, "me, Ich axi þe hou cristene man : mai best him witie fram þe." Line 308 "Me neschal wiþ noþing," quaþ þe deuel : "schulde fram mi poer So wel as þurf his passioun : þat þu nemnedest er." ¶ þer lurnede þis holi man : as we mowe ek echon, In whiche manere we mowe best : þe deueles poer forgon, Line 312 For he hatieþ godes passioun : as man doþ his fon,]

And ȝwane men it habbuth in muynde : he mot fleo a-non.— [folio 182] Line 314 Euerech tyme of daye and nyȝht : seint Eadmund him gan bi-seo Þat he diȝhte wel to godes wille : þat he nolde idel beo; Oþur he was in is oresones : oþur at is bok, Oþur he .Et. oþur slep : oþur to oþur þingus he him tok. Line 318 Þreo tymes him þouȝte þat he for-les : ȝwene he cam þar-to : Ȝwane he rod, and ȝwane he slep : and ȝwane he .Et. al-so; For he nas þanne in studie : ne in is beden no-þe-mo; Ech oþur tyme, ase him þouȝte : to sum prou him scholde go.— Line 322 ¶ So longue þat þis guode man : to eche holienesse drouȝ, Þat is guodnesse was wide couth : and men speken þar-of i-novȝ. Þe beste prechur he was i-holde : þat man ouȝware under-stod— For ho-so hath with him godes grace : is dede mot nede beo guod. So þat of þe Creoycerie : þe pope sente fram rome To þe bischopus of Enguelond : þat huy ane wise man nome Line 328 For-to prechi of þe creoycerie : ase riȝht was for-to do. Seint Eadmund, þe holie man : i-chose was þare-to, To prechi of þe creoicerie : a-boute in þe londe, Þat men wenden to Ierusalem : oþur senden heore sonde. Line 332 ¶ procracies huy ȝeuen him also : ase he wende a-boute, Of persones to nime largeliche : þat non nere with-oute. bote þat nolde he do for noþing : of no man spence take; And ȝwane persones it boden him : he it wolde for-sake. Line 336 For ȝwane he seruede ore louerd crist : to is owene spense he tok;

Of persones and of oþur men : ȝiftus he fur-sok. ¶ he ne ferde nouȝt ase þis Ercedeknes : ne as oþure na-þe-mo, Þat persones and þeos pouere preostes : ouer-al doth ful wo!— Line 340 Ase he prechede a day : of þe creoiz wel longue, A ȝung man wende a-mong þe oþure : þe creoiz for-to a-fongue. A womman þat him louede : so heo i-saiȝh þis, heo hente him bi-hinde faste : and drovȝ him a-ȝein, i-wis. Line 344 ¶ Also stif ase ani hard bord : hire hond bi-cam a-non, Þat heo ne miȝhte as a-welde : noþur senuwes ne bon; And þe hond was al-so fur-crokud. : heo made revlich bere. Seint Eadmund bi-heold a-boute : and axede ȝwat it were. Line 348 "Sire, merci," quath þis womman : "wrechchede ich am i-novȝ! Ase þis ȝongue man wolde take þe croiz : a luyte ich him with-drouȝ : And min hond is al for-croket : ȝware-with ich him nam. In alle wrechhede ich am i-brouȝht : alas, þat ich here cam!" Line 352 ¶ "Womman," quath þis holie man : "woltþu þe croiz take? "Ȝe, louerd," he seide, "ȝif ich miȝhte : i-nelle hire nouȝt for-sake." Þis wumman sat a-doun a-kneo : and of him þe creoiz he nam : And hire crokede hond streiȝhte forthþ : and a-non-riȝht hol bi-cam; heo cride and hered Ihesu crist. : þis was couth a-non; Line 357 For þis miracle þare token þe creoiz : þe mo wel mani on.— ¶ In a time atþe gang-dawes : þis holie man al-so prechede a day at Oxenford : ase he ofte hadde i-do, Line 360 In alle halewene church-ȝerd : In þe norþure side, with þe Baneres at onderne : a-se men doth a-londe wel wide. Ase þis holie man with al þis folk : in is prechingue was best, Þat lodlokeste weder þat miȝhte beo : cam al fram bi west, Line 364 Swart and dreok and grislich : and ouer-caste al þene toun; Þe wynd blevȝ al-so swiþe grisliche : ase þe world scholde al a-doun; So deork it was bi-come al-so : þat men miȝhte vnneþe i-se— Lodlokur wedur þane it was : ne miȝhte neuere be. Line 368 ¶ Þat folk for drede of heore cloþus : faste bi-gonne to fleo. "A-bidez," quath þis holie man : "ore louerd is guod and freo. Þe deuel it is þat bringuth þis wedur : for-to destourbi godes lore; Ore louerd is strengore þane he : ne drede ȝe eov nouȝt to sore!" Line 372 he bi-heold upward toward god : and cride him milce and ore,

Þat he schilde hem fram þe deueles miȝhte : þat he ne grefde hem nammore. Þo he hadde i-seid þis oresun : þat wedur bi-gan to glide In þe oþur half of þe churche : al in þe souþere side; Line 376 Þare it bigan to falle a-non : and nolde no leng a-bide, Þat vnneþe þoruȝh þe heyȝe stret : miȝhte ani man go oþur ride— Ake in þe northhalf of þe churche : þare þis holie man stod, Ne fel neuere a reynes drope : for-to destourbi a mannes Mod; Line 380 In þe southhalf þoruȝ al þe heiȝe strete : it leide on for wod, Þat al þe stret a-watere orn : ase it were a gret flod. ¶ Þat folk þat fram þe prechingue : for drede of þe wedere drovȝ And þat wenden bi þe heiȝe strete : hadden þar-of i-novȝ; Line 384 Ake huy þat bi-lefden þare : druyȝe and clene were— louerd, muche is þi miȝhte! : and fair miracle was þere!— In þe toun of wyricestre : bi-tidde þat selue cas, Ase þis holie man seint Eadmund : in is prechingue was; Line 388 Swuch wedur þare cam ouer him : he drof it a-wey al-so. Me þinchez, ase bi is liue : fair miracle it was i-do!— ¶ So wide sprong is guode los : a-boute, feor and ner, Þat men ne hulden nouȝt in engelonde : of guodnesse is per. Line 392 At salesburi he was i-maket : Canoun seculer; prouendes of churches he hadde : and was tresurer. Þo he was auauncet so : he tolde þar-of ful luyte, he spendede a-boute on pouere Men : þat oþure duden in pruyte; Line 396 he spendede so muche for godes loue : in is almes-dede Þat vnneþe he miȝhte mid is rentes : half ȝer is hous lede. ¶ To þe Abbeye of stanle : he wende swiþe i-lome And suiournede þare for defaute : for-to is crop him come— Line 400 For Maister steuene of lexintone : þat was þo Abbot þere, his desciple hadde i-be : þe ȝwyle huy at scole were. Line 402 his fulle .net. he neuere mo : þat ani Man miȝhte i-seo, bote ase muche ase he nede moste : þet wolde in ani poynt be; [folio 183] Of him wondrede euer-ech Man : þat isaiȝ him ete, hov he miȝhte holde is lijf : with so luyte mete. Line 406 Of guode metes ne kepte he nouȝt : þei men it wolde him bringue; Ȝwat lutles it was, þat he et : was al of grete þingue.

¶ Þat dai þat he masse song : flechs nolde he non, Ne þat dai next bi-fore : for man þat miȝhte gon; Line 410 Fram þat Men loke alleluya : for-to cam estur-day, he ne .Et. nouȝht, þat þolede deth : ase muche folk isaiȝh, Ne in þe aduent na-þe-mo. : ake þat was luyte i-novȝ A-ȝein is oþur penaunce : þat he al day forth drovȝ.— Line 414 ¶ Hit bi-fel þat þe Erchebischop : of caunterburi was ded : Seint Eadmund þar-to was chose : ase Commuyn nam heore red. Þo þe Eleccioun was i-maud : in þe chapitle at Caunterburi, A-non huy senden heore messagers : to him to salesburi. Line 418 huy wenden toward salesbury : ake þare nas he nouȝt; huy founden him at Calne : þo huy longue hadden i-souȝt. ¶ In is chaumbre he sat priueliche : at is boke ful stille : No man ne dorste come him neiȝh : to letten him of is wille. Line 422 Ake naþeles on þat was him next : ase it were is chaumberlein, Guode tiþingue he þouȝhte him bringue : and þarof was wel fain : he tolde him þat he was ichose : Erchebischop to beo. Þis holie man gan him chide faste : and hiet him fram him fleo, Line 426 "Be stille, þou fol! ich hote þe" : he seide, "and go out heonne a-non, Make faste þe dore aftur þe : and ne lat þou no man in gon For-to lette me of mi studie : ake lat me in pays beo!" Of þat tiþingue he tolde luyte : ase þare men miȝten i-seo. Line 430 ¶ Þis Messagers bi-lefden þare oute : and carefole weren of þouȝht, For þe day passede swiþe : and heore erinde ne duden [huy] nouȝht. huy wenden for heore guode tiþingue : nobleliche beon onder-fongue, For þe muruþe of is semblaunt : ȝuyt þare hem þouȝhte longue! Line 434 heore ȝiftus huy miȝhten eþe a-bere : þat þis holie man heom caste! huy bi-menden, and it of-þouȝhte heom sore : heore hiȝingue þuder so faste. Line 436 ¶ he ne a-ros nouȝht a fote fram is bok : are god þe tyme sende, Ase he was an oþur day i-woned— : ake forthþ þo ful softe he wende. Þo he cam out of is chaumbre : þe messagers come And seiden heore erinde hou it was. : þar-of he tok luyte gome. Line 440 Þo þe lettres weren i-radde : "beu freres," he sede, "I-chulle loke ȝwat mine felawes : of þis þing wollez rede

In þe chapitle of salesburi : ase riȝht is þat ich do." huy nadden of him non oþur word : þo it alles cam þar-to. ¶ Þe chapitle at salesburi : i-holde was plener; Alle þe chanouns of þe ordre : þudere come fer and ner, Line 446 To conseili heom of þis þing. : þe red was sone i-take: Gladliche at one worde : alle huy stoden þare-ate. "buth stille!" quath þe guode man : "ȝwat schal þat i-sed? [folio 183b] wuyrþe nam ich nouȝt þar-to : nimez an oþur red!" Line 450 ¶ "Certes," quath þe bischop þo : and þe Canones al-so, "Þov ne miȝht nouȝht beo þare-a-ȝein : þou most it nede do." Seint Eadmund seide euere nay : and bi-gan to wepe sore. Þe Chanones wepen with him al-so : and criden cristes ore; Line 454 To is fiet huy fullen a-kneo : and heolden up heore honde And beden him for þe loue of god : betere him under-stonde And habbe reuþe of holie churche : and of him-sulf al-so, And þenche, ȝwane holie churche it wolde : he moste it nede do. Line 458 ¶ Þe bischop also weop on him : and on him cride faste, And in vertue of obedience : hiet him at þe laste Þat he ne scholde it nouȝht bi-leue : godes wille to wurche And beo bouȝsum to al þe lond : and nameliche to holie churche. Line 462 Þo bi-gan þis holie man : to wepe and sike sore; "Nov god," he seide, "us ȝiue is grace : is milce and eke is ore! ¶ And ich take god to witnesse : and ore leuedi al-so Þat, ȝif ich ne wende suneguy dedliche : i-ne scholde it neuere do." Line 466 Þo huy heorden þis word of him : Ioyfole i-nouȝ huy were, And nomen him up with ioye i-nov : and to þe heiȝe autere him bere, And 'Te deum laudamus' songuen : swyþe murie and heiȝe; Euere wep þe holie Man : ase þe chanones i-seiȝe. Line 470 ¶ So þat he cam to caunturburi : and dude ase riȝt was þere, And Erchebischop was i-maud : is vnþonkes þei it were. Ne þarf no man þar-of esche : ȝweþur he toke on wel i-nouȝ And wel wissede holie churche : and to eche guodnesse drouȝ! Line 474 Ȝif is lyf was holi er : wel betere it was þo; In strong penaunce he was i-novȝ : of fastingue and oþur wo. he hadde euere of selie bonde-men : pite and deol i-novȝ, For him þouȝte þat þe heiȝe men : duden hem al day wouȝ.— Line 478

Line 478 ¶ In a time on of is pouere Men : wende of lif-dawe, And is beste best to heriet : men brouȝte him, ase it was lawe. Þo cam þis selie mannes wif : þat careful widewe was, And mette with þis holie man : ase ore louerd ȝaf þat cas : Line 482 heo cride on him deolfulliche : merci and is ore, And seide him, bote þat o best : luyte guod heo hadde more; heo nuste in ȝwat manere : ne hou heo miȝhte liue, heo bad him for þe loue of god : þat best a-ȝein hire ȝiue. Line 486 ¶ "Guode womman," seide þe holie man : "þou wost wel hou it is, Þat þat chief louerd habbe þe beste ayȝte : ȝwane is man is ded, i-wis." To is clerkes he seide a-latyn : þat þe widewe it ne under-stod : "Me þinchez it a luþur lawe : and noþur riȝhtful ne guod. Line 490 Þis guode wif hath i-lore hire louerd : þat al hire guod forhtþ drouȝ, And to leose þare-aftur ire beste best : me þinchez it is wouȝ; In þat on were lure i-nouȝ : þei heo ne lore þat oþur al-so. Þe deueles lawe it is of helle : and þoruȝh god neuere i-do. [folio 184] Line 494 ¶ "Guode wif," he seide, "ȝif ich [þe] take : a-ȝein þi best to lone, Woltþou it witie to mine bi-hofþe : for-to ich it axi eft-sone?" "Ȝe, sire," quath þe widewe : "god ȝelde þe þin ore!" Þe widewe nam hom hire best : and ne ȝeld it him nammore. Line 498 Þis Auntur bi-fel ofte siþe : ȝwane men him wolden bidde ouȝt; heriot of pouere men : he ne wilnede riȝht nouȝht.— ¶ We ne mowen rikeni nouȝt : alle is guode dedes. For euere in strong penaunce i-nouȝ : is lif he gan lede, Line 502 And treuliche heold up holi churche : and wuste hire fram ech wouȝ. Þare-fore hadde þe deuel of helle : to him onde i-nouȝ : he bi-gan for-to a-rere contek : bi-tweone him a-non And þe king hanri þat was þo : þe kingues sone Ioan. Line 506 Þe king and muche del of is folk : a-ȝein holie churche was, Ase king henri, is graunt-sire : hadde a-ȝein seint Thomas; And þat couent of caunturburi al-so : a-ȝein him hul[d] wel faste; Ofte huy nomen louedai : ake þet contek euere i-laste. Line 510 ¶ A legat was þo in engelonde : þat a-ȝein him was al-so. Ake studefast was euere þis holie man : þei he luyte help hadde þar-to. huy ne miȝten a-cordi for no-þing : ake þe lengore þe worse it was; Ake euere nam þis holie man : ensaumple of seint thomas. Line 514

Line 514 Wel ofte he bad þe kingue and his : ȝif it were heore wille, Þat huy ne weorreden nouȝt a-ȝein holi churche : ake laten hire beo stille In hire fraunchise and in pays : ase heo hadde i-beo ȝare. Þe king þretnede þene holie man : bote he bi-lefde is fare. Line 518 ¶ "Of þi þretningue ich telle luyte" : seide þis holie man, "For ȝif þou me drifst out of þi lond : an oþur red ich can : Ich can rede at parys : ase ich are þis habbe i-do, And þare-with winne me mete i-novȝ : and cloþingue al-so. Line 522 Ȝif þou me dest to deþe bringue : þou paist me wel i-novȝ; Þou ne miȝhtest don me non more honour : þane slen me þoruȝ þi wouȝ." ¶ Ȝuyt eft, ase he ofte dude : to þe king he sende; And he answerede þe leng þe wors : and no-þing nolde a-mende. Line 526 Þo þis holie man i-saiȝh : þat non-oþur it nolde beo, Þoruȝh holi churche he gan to fiȝhte : and a-corsede alle þeo Þat weorreden a-ȝein þe churche of caunturburi : and with on-riȝhte duden schame; And some þat he gulti wuste : he a-mansede bi name. Line 530 ¶ To þe king and to is conseil : þis word wel sone drouȝ. Ne þarf no man esche : weþur huy weren wroþe i-novȝ! Þare was þretningue and bost i-novȝ. : seint Eadmund heold him stille, And stifliche heold forth þe sentence : and liet heom speke heore wille. Seint Thomas cam and spak with him : and gostliche fram heouene a-liȝhte, And bad him beo stif and studefast : to holde up þe churches riȝhte, And for non eorþelich anuy : ne for deþe, ne flechchie nouȝht, Ake nime ansaumple of him and oþure : þat so deore as hadde a-bouȝt. Line 538 ¶ Seint Eadmund feol a-doun a-kneo : and is hondene heold up al-so [folio 184b] To cusse þis holie mannes fiet. : ake he ne moste it nouȝht do. Þo bi-gan he to weope sore i-novȝ : and seide "louerd, þin ore!" "beo stille," quath seint Thomas to him : "and ne weop þou so non|more! Line 542 Ȝwi wilnestþou to cusse mine fiet? : it nere þe no riȝht to do, Þou schalt newene þine wille habbe : and cusse mine mouth al-so."

¶ Seint Eadmund aftur þulke tyme : studefast was i-novȝ, To deiȝe raþur for holie churche : þane men duden hire any wovȝ. Line 546 he þouȝhte muche on seint Thomas : þat out of londe wende Þe ȝwyle þe kyng was in mest wrathþe : ȝif he wolde ouȝt amende: Of him he nam ensaumple : and priueliche i-novȝ he wende out of Enguelonde : and into Fraunce he drouȝ. Line 550 And þouȝhte he was at pounteneye : swiþe faire under-fongue And isusteyned in his anuy : þat i-laste longue; ¶ Also steuene of languetone : þat Erchebischop was, Six ȝer he was at pounteneye : in þat sulue cas. Line 554 Þo þat seint Eadmund under-stod : of is Auncetres i-nowe, Ȝwane huy weren in contek for holie churche : to pounteneye heom drowe: Also dude seint Eadmund— : to pounteneye he wende, For-to a-bide þe stat of holie churche : ȝwane ore louerd it wolde amende. Line 558 honoured he was faire i-nov : of alle þat þare were, And euere a-bod a-mendement : fram ȝere to ȝere. ¶ Hit bi-fel, ase god wolde : þat seint Eadmund atþe laste Fielde is bodi heui i-novȝ : and fieblede swiþe faste; Line 562 So longue, þat he was so feble : þat men ne radde him nouȝht beo þere, Ake for-to soiorni elles-ȝware : þare betere eir to him were. Þis holie man is leue nam : elles-ȝwodere to wiende; Þe Monekes mauden so muche deol : þat þar-of nas non ende. Line 566 ¶ "beth stille," quat þis holie man : "for ichulle þoru alle þing Comen hidere aȝein to eou : a-seint Eadmundes day þe kyng." Louerd, in swuche siknesse : wuch a word þat was i-seid! Ake, ȝwane he ne miȝhte bi is liue : forewar[d] he heold heom ded! Forth he wende with is men : þudere ase guod eir were: To þe toun of Soysi : and bi-lefde þere. Line 572 ¶ So longue so it was, þare he eode : in grete siknesse i-novȝ, So longue þat he lay a-doun : and toward þe deþe drovȝ. Line 574 So þat he Axede ore louerdes flechs : and it was him i-brouȝht. he sat and bi-heold it faste i-nouȝ : in gret studie and in þouȝht, Longue are he seide ani word : and þo spak he wel inliche:

"louerd," he seide, "þou it art : þat ich habbe i-loued treweliche, ¶ And treweliche on þe ich [habbe] bi-leue[d] : and i-preched of þe al-so, And þou treweliche at min ende-day : art i-come me to. Line 580 Ich take þe, louerd, to witnesse : þe ȝwyle ich habbe on vrþe i-beo, Þat i-ne wilnede neuere aftur no-þing on vrþe : louerd, so muche ase aftur þe." Line 582 A,. louerd, þat it was an heiȝh word : and he þat so sede Guod and holi moste he be : and swiþe holi lif lede! [folio 185] Þo he hadde i-nome ore louerdes flechs : he sat longue in þouȝhte, And al leiȝhinde on Englichs : þeos wordes forth he brouȝhte: Line 586 "Men seggez þat game goth in wombe : ake i segge game goth in heorte." Of ore louerd þat he hadde i-nome : wel Ioyful he was þo, And al is game was in is heorte— : for is bodi was ful of wo. Þe more is bodi i-pined was : þe ner he was þen ende; Line 590 And þo is ende-day was i-come : he wuste ȝwodere wiende. ¶ Euere þe more þat he was : in sicknesse and in wo, Þe gladdore he was, for he wuste : ȝwodere he scholde go, And þe more he was in Ioye : and þe muregore him gan like. Line 594 Men nuste him nouȝht enes ligge a-doun : to groni ne to siche, Ake euere he sat glad i-nouȝ : and lenede al-so wel ofte Opon cloþes oþur opon is hond : and deide faire and softe. Fair semblaunt he maude i-novȝ : ase he drov to þen ende; Line 598 In þe moreweningue ase þe sonne a-ros : out of þis world he gan wiende. ¶ He deide twelf hundred ȝer : and to and-fourti riȝht Aftur þat ore swete louerd : in is moder was a-liȝht. Men leten openi him a-non : & is gottus take Line 602 And burie heom þare ase he was ded : in þe Munstre of seint Iake; Men nomen is holie bodi : and wel faire gunne it lede To þe Abbeye of pounteneye : ase he him-sulf er sede. A-seint Eadmundus dai þe king : þudere he was i-brouȝht— Line 606 he heold þe Monekes foreward : and ne failede heom nouȝht: ¶ For þo he ne cam nouȝht a-liue aȝein : ded he dude, i-wis! And þare he was i-brouȝht on vrþe : and i-schrined al-so he is; he lith þare faire i-novȝ : and with gret honour al-so. Line 610

Line 610 Mani is þe faire Miracle : þat god hath for him i-do. Nou god for þe loue of him : and þat us deore bouȝhte, Line 612 To þulke blisse us bringue : þat he is soule brouȝhte. AmeN

Notes

• MS. and and
• vv. 7-8 al. om.
• al. drie
• þo—was al. om.
• al. isoilled
• al. forte
• al. seide aȝe
• al. ȝif ȝe dorre mid so lute
• al. þat (heo om.)
• Ashm. has 4 vv. more.
• This v. on the margin.
• al. wiþ
• al. forhet
• al. om.
• al. om.
• al. þis womman anon he redde
• heo.
• al. Blesse ek
• þe added later.
• al. seint Nicholas churche
• al. wiþoute þe abbay-ȝate
• al. & lutel
• al. þe here: þat faste to d.
• al. to beo so to-drawe
• r. it
• al. chowen
• al. om.
• on the margin.
• [Here a fol. is wanting in the Laud MS.; MS. Harl. continues:]
• MS. in
• Theologia.
• al. longe &
• om. &?
• al. om.
• = heo
• = heo
• al. roueisouns
• r. deork
• al. prouendre of þe hous
• al. þanne
• al. forto wite
• al. 2 vv. more.
• al. Ne heo
• al. for meseise
• orig. is
• orig. luþur
• al. A ȝe
• al. nowhar neȝ
• al. H. ch. to werri noȝt
• al. om.
• al. so
• langor.
• al. bileued, ich habbe om.
• al. om.
• al. om.
• al. þis
• A v. om.?
• al. loȝ