Altenglische legenden ...

b. aus Ms. Egerton 1993.

Seint patrik com þorw god . to prechi in yrlonde, To teche þe riȝte bileue . of ihū to vnderstonde. So fol of wormes was þe lond, . þ^t mon ne miȝte gon In som stude for wormes, . þat nas wemmed an on. Seint patrik bad oure lord . þat lond deliuered were [Vor lond fehlt þe oder þat.] Line 5 Of þe foule wormes, . þat non ne come þere. Oure lord herde is bone, . vor þer miȝte neuer eft come No foul worm in þat lond, . þat is lif nas bi nome. Gras þat groweþ in þe lond, . ne erþe of þe lond al so, Ne þoleþ no venim in þe lond . neiȝ hem beo ido; Line 10 No worm ne comeþ þer, . þat he nis anon lif les, Bote alute schort euede, . & ȝut it is tail les. Muche clannesse and muche god, . whose vnderstonde, [folio 120] Vor þe loue of seint patrik . oure lord dude in þat londe. A god monnes schep was stole; . to seint patrik com tidinge; Line 15 He het, whose it hedde istole, . aȝen hit to bringe. þe gode mon het so ofte, . ac aȝen com hit nouȝt. [Am Rande : Miraculum.] In an heiȝ day, as þe folk . to chirche was ibrouȝt, Seint patrik het, ȝif in þe chirche . ani mossel were Of þe schep, þ^t it scholde blete . among hem alle þere. Line 20 þo gan it blete in is wombe . þ^t hedde þe schep istole, Among þe men, þat it ne miȝte . no leng ben ihole. Sore he was aschamed . þat men for þef him knewe; He bad milce and ore, . and bicom wel trewe. Now hadde seint patrik . awone, ofte ilome Line 25 To aloute to ech crois, . whar so he euer come. [Ueber crois ist im Ms. † geschr.] A day, as he wende aboute . prechinge in þe londe, Seint patrik aloute to ech crois . þ^t he seiȝ owhare stonde. A crois þer stod, þ^t men seiȝe, . ac he ne seiȝ it nouȝt, þer fore he loutede not þer to . . men wondrede in here þouȝt, Line 30 And ashte whi he loutede noȝt . to þ^t crois þere. þis holi mon bi heol aboute . and ashte whare it were: [bi heol st. bi heold.] He ne miȝte þis crois seo; . in gret þouȝt he stod. Gret wonder hedde þe volk, . and wende he were wod.

þo seide a vois to hem: . ne misbileue ȝe nouȝt! Line 35 þeiȝ he ne mowe hit iseo, . ne wondreþ in oure þouȝt, [oure = ȝoure, vgl. V. 259.] Vor hit is vor mi sunne . þat mine bones liggeþ here, And mid ȝow i speke, . þis holi mon to skere; A sarzin ich was on erþe, . mi soule in helle is; Vor mine bones liggeþ so neiȝ, . he siþ not þe crois iwis. Line 40 Euere þe gode mon prechinde . þe contrei out souȝte. A stude he fond bare, . þ^t no fruit forþ ne brouȝte; þauȝ me sewe and sette, . þer ne com forþ non þere. Seint patrik bad oure lord . tokninge, whi it were. In þe erþe mid is staf . he made a cerle aboute: [Ms. cerle st. cercle.] [Ms. he made a cerle he made; das 2. he made zu tilgen.] Line 45 þer bicom a deop put, . þat men hedden of gret doute. þis godemon wondrede whi it was, . ac angel him sede: [Vor angel fehlt an.] þat þer was apurgatorie, . þ^t ech mon miȝte of drede; [Ms. þat mit Zeichen der Abkürzung von er über þ.] Soulen weren þer inne ido, . here sunnes vorto bete þat heo ne betten not on erþe, . ar heo here lif lete; Line 50 And, were aman quik oþer ded . þ^t þer inne come, He ne scholde habbe oþer purgatorie . ar þe day of dome, Ac after he scholde to heuene, . ȝif he were god ifounde, And al so, ȝif he luþer were, . into helle grounde. Oure lord tok seint patrik a staf . wiþ is owne honde, [a staf auch in Ms. Bodl. (u. Laud).] Line 55 þat he fond wiþ purgatorie, . iheried beo godes sonde. In yrlonde is ȝet þat staf . wiþ nobleie inow, And vor relike iholde, . and elles were wow. Seint patrik in þulke stude, . as þis purgatorie is, Of religion bi gan an hous, . þat ȝut stont iwis, Line 60 And chanons made þer, . as ȝet beþ also. þe put he lette vaste close, . þat nomon come þer to. In þe chirchȝard þe put is, . toward þe est side, Est vram þe heiȝe weued, . as men scheweþ wide. Walled hit is aboute, . and vaste loke þe ȝat; Line 65 þe prior witeþ þe keiȝe, . þat non come þer at. [Ms. nom st. non.] Biseint patrikes daiȝe . men wende þer inne ilome, And suþþe also moni on, . ac fewe aȝen þer come. And þilke þat come aȝen, . of þat heo seiȝen, tolde, As hit is in þe hous iwrite . and priueliche iholde. Line 70 þe manere is of ech mon . þ^t þer inne went, þat it beo to amende is sunne, . ȝif oure lord him grace sent. To þe bischop of þe londe . he schal him vurst schriue, And bidde leue to go þat wei, . to amende is liue.

Ac þe bischop rat aȝen, . and resons wole schewe, Line 75 And seþ þat vele þider goþ, . ac aȝen comeþ bote fewe. ȝif þe mon be stable . of þat he haþ ibede, þe bischop wole lettres make . to þe priour of þe stude. þe priour wole eke rede . vorto change is þouȝt; Ac, whanne he siþ him studefast, . þat he nele leuen nouȝt, Line 80 Mid gret procession . to þe put he worþ ibrouȝt. And ȝif me ne mai þere . ȝut change is þouȝt, Into chirche hi wolen him lede . & setten him on kneo; þere he schal vif(t)ene dawes . in is orison beo. [Ms. vifene.]

þe procession schal turne aȝen, . as riȝt is to done, Line 85 And after þe fiftene dawes(!) . bringen him þider eft sone. [Anders die and. Mss.] Bote he come in certein time aȝen, . wiþ gret deol and sore Heo torneþ aȝan, & siker beþ . þat he ne comeþ na more. [Ms. aȝan st. aȝen.]

HJt bi fel bi king steuens day, . þ^t now late was, [Ms. Eg. u. Bodl. haben hier eine Initiale.] Of akniȝt, þat het owein, . awel wonder cas. Line 90 To þe bischop to schrift . þat kniȝt owein com, And repentaunce of is sunne . & deol and serwe nom. þe bischop him gan to chide . vor þat he hedde mis do, And seide, he was manne worst, . vorto sunge so; Me ne miȝte do him such wo, . þat he nere worþi more. Line 95 þe kniȝt mid sor herte . wep and siȝte sore. Whanne, he seide, icham monne worst . & worst habbe ido, To þe sunne þat grettest is . mest penaunce mot þer to, Whanne among alle men . mest sunfol icham, alas, Strengest penaunce ichulle take . þ^t euere ifounde was: Line 100 Ichulle take godes grace . and in his name wende [folio 121] To seint patrikes purgatorie, . sende what god me sende. Ou, beu frere, quaþ þat bischop, . beo stille! whi seistou so? Crist for bede þat þou neuer . such folie ne do! Vnneþe comeþ ani aȝen . þat þider deþ wende; Line 105 Nolde god þ^t þou it dust, . bodi and soule to schende! And wend into religion, . & lef þer to þi liues ende: And þou schalt þi sunne bete, . such grace god wole þe sende. Certes, sire, quaþ þe kniȝt, . þow miȝt as wel beo stille, Vor ichulle þat dede do, . do god bi me is wille; Line 110 So muche as ichabbe iserued, . ine may habbe of wo; þer fore sei what ischal, . vor siker ichulle it go.

þe bischop prechede him faste, . vorte change is þouȝt; Ac ate laste, þo he saiȝ . þat it was al for nouȝt, To þe prior of þe stude . lettres he made sone, Line 115 þat he scholde bi him do, . as bi such was to done. þe priour of þe stude him prechede vaste . & seide resouns inowe, ȝif he miȝte chaunge is þouȝt, . þ^t he þer of wiþ drowe. Ac al was for nouȝt, . as seiþ(!) ate nende: [Vor seiþ fehlt hit.] He nolde for noþing leue . þat perylous wey to wende. [g in noþing überschr.] Line 120 þe priour him nom biþe hond . and to chirche him brouȝte. þer efel adoun akneo . & oure lordes grace bi souȝte; In fastinge and in orisons . viftene niȝt he lay, To bidde oure lordes grace; . & þe vifteneþe day, þe couent com abouten him, . & oþer prestes al so Line 125 And clerkes, wiþ procession, . þe seruise vorte do. Vor him heo songen an heiȝ masse. & on god crieden vaste, Oure lordes vlesch and is blod . heo ȝeuen him ate laste, And sprengden him mid holi water, . & here orisons sede. Wiþ crois and wiþ procession . to þe put heo gonnen him lede, Line 130 And heiȝe songe þe letanie, . & holi water bere, & alle godes halewen beden . þat heo is help were. þe prior vnlek þe puttes dore . among hem echon. Beufrere, eseide, her is þi wey . þat þ^u woldest gon; ȝif þow wolt do bi red, . þi þouȝt þou schalt wende Line 135 And oþer manere þi sunnes bete, . as god wole grace sende; Vor vewe þer comeþ aȝen . of hem þat wenden yn bifore, Ac for tormens and for wo . lif & soule for lore. Certes, sire, quaþ þe kniȝt, . rede what þow me rede, þe wei ich nime in godes name, . to amende mi mis dede; Line 140 Vor is loue þ^t vs bouȝte . biddeþ vor me echon! Lif & soule i^c him bitake . & in is name yn gon. He blessede him, & ȝeode yn, . & bitok vlesch and bon. [Nach bitok fehlt god.] þe prior sprengde holi water, . & lek þe dore anon. þis gode kniȝt wende forþ, . baldeliche and vaste, Line 145 Bi an holw wey vnder erþe, . on god is herte ecaste; He ne seiȝ not vor derkhede, . ac nouȝt he him agaste. So longe, him þouȝte, þat e saiȝ . vair liȝt ate laste; þideward ewende, so þat ecom . þere neiȝ. [Ms. þideward st. þiderward; auch 241.] þe faireste feld þat miȝte beo . ate weiȝes ende e seiȝ. Line 150 þer inne he wente murie; . amidde þe feld e fonde þe nobleste halle þat miȝte beo . a whare in ani londe. Riȝt cler nas þe weder nouȝt, . bote as it were neiȝ eue. To bi holde þat noble werk, . astounde he gan bi leue;

þe walles were lowe, . ac þer aboute iwis [steht unten am Rande.] Line 155 Cointe pilers þer weren, . as monkes cloistre is. In he ȝede a godes name, . & sat al one an heiȝ, And bi huld abouten . and þ^t werk iseiȝ. As he bi huld þus aboute, . þer com yn at þe on ende Twelf men in white vestimens, . swiþe fair & hende, Line 160 Heore croune vaire ischore, . & vaire heo him grette, And seten alle faire adoun, . & þis kniȝt bi hem sette. þo spak on, þat was maister, . mildeliche and stille: Beu frere, hered beo god, . þat sende þe such wille, And lete þat þou hast bi gonne . þorw is grace wel ende! Line 165 Beu frere, now þou wolt þis wey . vor þi sunne wende: Oþer þou most beo studefast . and nouȝt torne þi þouȝt,

Oþer þou worþ al ilore . & adeuelewey ibrouȝt; [Ms. ilorore.] Vor, whanne we goþ henne, . deueles luþere and þicke [Die Reime sind umzustellen.] Wolleþ come aboute þe . in þis hous wel wicke, [Die Reime sind umzustellen.] Line 170 And do þe tormens inowe, . & bihoten þe wel more; Joie heo wolleþ bi hote þe, . ȝif þou wolt leuen here lore; And heo mid bi heste . mowe þe ouer come, Siker þou worþ lif and soule . a deuele wei inome; ȝif þou art stable in þouȝt . and in ihū dest þenche, Line 175 Ne vor biheste ne vor no wo . vram him neltou blenche, þou worþ quit of þi sunnes, . þ^t þ^u hast euere iwrouȝt, And þou schalt seo þe ioie . þ^t gode soules beþ inne ibrouȝt, & þe pine þat luþere men . habbeþ for here misdede; Ac, in what wo þat þou art in, . þench on god, ich rede! Line 180 Whanne heo þe tormenteþ, . crie ihū milce and ore, And, ȝif þou beo studefast, . hi ne schule tormente þe na more;

We bi takeþ þe ihū crist, . we redeþ þ^u do oure lore. þo nuste he war heo bicome. . he sat and siȝte sore, Elinge he sat al one, . ecriede on godes miȝte, Line 185 And armede him mid holi bedes, . aȝen þe deuelen to fiȝte; On þe holi gost e criede, . þat he him ne scholde faile. He lokede, whanne deuelen come, . him forte asaile. He sat in godes name, . bataile vorte abide. [folio 122] þer com a sori deolfol cri . abouten in eche side, Line 190 As al þe world to borste, . and, as him þouȝte, also: þeiȝ alle þe bestes of þe world . to gadere weren ido An as grisliche as heo miȝten . alle ȝellinge were,

Hi ne miȝte nouȝt alle make . so grisliche a bere; ȝif his hope & is herte . þe more in ihū nere, Line 195 He hedde wod bicome . and lore is wit for fere. Heo comen þicke abouten him . & grisliche þere, ȝellinge and grennynge . mid wel sori chere. Belami, quaþ on of hem, . þ^u hast ariȝt ido; We auȝten wel honure þe alle, . vor to vewe don so; Line 200 Oþer wolleþ abide, . vorte here lif be hem bi nome, And ȝet hit is aȝen here wille, . ar heo hidere come; Ac þou comest bi þi self, . & wiþ gode wille al so; Wel auȝte we þi wille ȝelden, . & gret þonk þe do; Whan þou hast bodi and soule . bitake vs liue, Line 205 Saunȝ faile we were vnkunde, . bote we it ȝolde bliue; ȝif þou wolt on erþe . ioie ȝet habbe more, Vor þ^u þus to vs art come . al bi þin owe lore, Sikere vs þ^t þou wolt . in oure seruise bileue, And we wolleþ aȝen þe lede, . ar it come eue; Line 210 þow schalt habbe ioie inow, . in halle and in boure, Vor non nis so murie þer . as þilke þat beþ oure; Noble mon þow schalt beo, . & men schulen honure þe; Whan þ^u art ded and hider comest, . þ^u schalt fare as wel as we. þis kniȝt þouȝte in ihū crist, . he nolde change is wille, Line 215 Vor þreting ne vor bi heste, . ac sat him euer stille. þo he nolde grante nouȝt . þat he wolde to hem wende, Heo grenneden on him foule, . & fuir heo gonnen tende. þe kniȝt heo bounden fot and honden, . & in þe fuir him caste; Wiþ irene hokes & newles . heo to drowen him faste. Line 220 þis kniȝt, þo he seiȝ nede, . loude criede anon: Ihū, ihū, help me now, . & schilde me vram mine fon! Anon þo þis was seid, . þe fuir aqueinte ech spronge; [Ms. spronge st. spronke.] þe deuelen drowe him na more. . oure lord he gan to þonke, And þe hardiere he was, . þo he þis iseiȝ, Line 225 And þe lasse þe deuelen dradde, . þ^t weren him so neiȝ. Grisliche þe schrewen ȝolle . þat hem failede here miȝte, Heo vlowen out of þe halle, . & drowe mid hem þe kniȝte. Heo drowen him aȝen þe grount . boþe fet and honde, Swiþe fer aboute . into a gret wast londe. Line 230 So blak and derk it was, . þat he noþing ne say Bote deuelen þat him to drowe, . þ^t were him þicke & neiȝ(!).

Ac a softe wind þer was, . þat he herde vnneþe; So scharp and cold it blew, . hit brouȝte him to deþe; Hit wende þorw is herte . and þorw bodi al so, [Vor bodi fehlt is.] Line 235 þ^t him were leuere þan al þe world, . & þe pine were ido. þus heo drowen him, as him þouȝte, . riȝt forþ est iwis, As þe sonne ariseþ, . whan þe day lengest is. þo heo comen, as him þouȝte, . riȝt to þe worldes ende, Heo tornden bi abrod valeiȝe, . & souþward gonnen wende, Line 240 þideward as þe sonne . at midwinter deþ arise; Wo was him for drawe . & pined on alle wise. þo þouȝte him þat he herde fer, . bifore him as it were, Swiþe deolfol cri . and swiþe reuþfol bere; Euer þe ner þat he com, . þe reulokere was þe cri; Line 245 So longe þat him þouȝte . þat heo weren þer bi. þo comen heo in to a feld; . more ne miȝte non beo, So long it was in eche side, . þ^t he ne miȝte non ende seo. Of men and wimmen þis feld . was fol in eche side, þe wombe toward þe grounde . abrod isprad wel wide, Line 250 Vet and honden al abrod . to þe erþe faste ibounde Wiþ nailes of yre, al furi, . ismite þorw to þe grounde. þes gostes þus ipined were . wiþ yrenes al of fure; So deolfol cri heo maden, . þat it was deol to hure; Heo crieden merci deolfoliche, . ac me nolde non hem do; Line 255 Vor anguise heo gnowe þe erþe . & here tonges al so. Deuelen ourne aboute . vpe hem al to grounde, Wiþ newles heo hem to drowe . wiþ moni a dep wounde. Alas, whi ne beo ȝe war, . oure sunnes her to bete, Ar ȝe come to purgatorie, . wiþ luþer gostes to mete? Line 260 Vor in purgatorie heo beþ . as wel as in helle, And worþeþ forte þe dai of dome, . telle what me telle. Heo seiden : as þou sist þese men pined, . þ^u schalt al so, Bote þ^u þi þouȝt turne . and after vs do. þo he nolde in no manere, . to grounde heo him caste, Line 265 To turmenten him, as oþer weren, . & to nailen him faste.

Ac he criede to ihū crist, . þo him smart so sore: þer nas non of hem þo, . þ^t miȝte greuen him more. þo þe schrewen ne miȝte . here wille habbe þo, Heo drowen him into anoþer feld, . ful of more wo, Line 270 Of men and wimmen fol, . vpriȝt sprad to þe grounde,

Vet and honden vpriȝt . to þe erþe ibounde, Wiþ furi nailes of yre . nailed vaste þer to; [folio 123] Eddren furi vpen hem sete, . and toden grete al so [vpen st. vpon. Die and. Mss. crapoudes st. toden.] Somme eddren hem bi clipte . so vaste al aboute, Line 275 þat hem þouȝte hem scholde berste, . so hei grunte(!) wiþ oute; [hem vor scholde st. heo.]

Somme sete anowarde, . and here vlesch to gnowe, And wiþ al furi teþ . wombe & breste to drowe; Summe bounde, somme gnowe, . & somme stronge bite. Line 280

þe todeden, þat weren so foule, . vpe here hertes sete, [Ms. todeden st. toden.] And stongen in þe hertes . wiþ here hertes grete. [das 2 ^te hertes st. wrottes verschrieben.] Luþere gostes ourne al so . abouten hem inowe, Wiþ newles and wiþ scorges . þe wrecches al to drowe. þe wrecche soules, þat weren . in þe pines brouȝte, [in überschr.] Line 285 Heo ȝollen & crieden deolfoliche, . & hem help riȝt nouȝte. þe deueles nome þe kniȝt, . & wolden him pine also, Ac, þo he criede on ihū crist, . heo brouȝten him not þer to. ȝut deuelen him nome . & to þe þridde veld him drowe. þer he seiȝ in tormens . wrecche gostes inowe Line 290 I preoned to þe erþe . & ismite þorw out echon, As þicke nailes in ech stude, . as þer miȝte stiken on, [Im An|fang fehlt wol wiþ.] þ^t me ne miȝte finde place . in here bodi so lute, þat me ne miȝte for þicke nailes . afingres ende pute. [ne, auch in Ms. Bodl., ist zu tilgen.] A smart wind to oþer wo . on hem blew wel faste, Line 295 þat hem þouȝte heo for barnden . þorw out mid eche blaste. Deuelen orne aboute . vram on to oþer inowe, And here vlesch to oþer wo . mid newles al to drowe. So weren þe wrecches ipined . & in tormens brouȝt; As heo miȝten heo crieden; : vnneþ^c me herde hem ouȝt, Line 300 Vor heo weren so ouercome, . þat heo ne miȝten vnneþe Bringen out ani vois, . bote as aman vpe þe point of deþe: Al in þe þrote heo crieden, . as here strengþe were bi nome

Mid muche pine, & no wonder . þei heo weren ouer come. Deuelen nomen þis kniȝt . and to grounde him caste; Line 305 Heo sworen, bote he tornde is þouȝt, . heo wolden him naile faste.

Ac he criede on ihū crist, . and nempnede is name; þe deuelen nadden no power . to don him more schame. Heo nomen & drowen him . in þe ferþe felde, Of brimston al berninge, . heiȝe sprong þe spelde. Line 310 Ech pine þat miȝte beo . in þilke felde he seiȝ: Somme wiþ irene cheines, . al furi, henge an heiȝ, Somme bi arme, somme bi fet, bi þe necke mani on, And henge in strong fuir . of pich and brimston; Sume hunge bi hokes, . iput in eiþer eiȝe, Line 315 And þorw þe þrote somme . weren ihonged heiȝe, Somme þorw þe derne limes, . & somme þorw þe tete; Hem were leuer þan al þe world, . here lif to lete; Somme on gredirens of yren . irosted weren al so: Summe as gees in spites, . þorw out hem ido, Line 320 Somme leiȝen vpard, . ȝeninde wel faste, Deuelen wellinge led and bras . in here hei (!) caste. He ne miȝte no pine þenche, . þat he ne seiȝ þere. Him þouȝte he seiȝ monie þer . þ^t he knew on erþe here. Deuelen him casten a doun . among þe oþere echon, Line 325 Ac he criede on ihū crist, . & deliuered was anon. ȝut deueles þis kniȝt . to anoþer place drowe. þer inne he seiȝ agrisliche whel . wiþ longe spoken inowe, þe on ende toward þe grounde, . þe oþer vp an heiȝ, Aboute was fol of pikes, . as he þere iseiȝ. [Vor was fehlt hit.] Line 330 þese hokes & þes pikes . weren riuen al so Wiþ wrecche gostes also (!), . þer on weren ido. [Statt also haben die and. Mss. aboute. Vor þer on fehlt þat.] Al berninge was þe wheol, . & stinkinge of brimston; þe gostes þat þer on were . berninge were echon. þe deuelen wenden forþ . & hokes þeron caste Line 335 In eiþer side, and wheol . turnde aboute so vaste, [Vor wheol fehlt þe.] þat þe gostes þ^t þeron honge . nouȝt heo ne seiȝe, So vaste turnde þe wheol . aboute(!) berninge leiȝe; [Nach aboute fehlt bote. Ms. scheinbar beiȝe st. leiȝe.] Ac deol foliche heo crieden . & ȝolle ech in is ende. Allas, whi nelle men beo war, . ar heo henne wende? Line 340 Her heo mid lute pine . miȝten beten here mis dede, & þere heo schulen deore abugge, . alas, þ^t wrechede. Vendes nomen þis kniȝt . & on þe wheol him caste, And mid oþer gostes him turnde aboute vaste; He criede on ihū crist, . and deliuered was anon. Line 345 þe deuelen stoden & him bihelde . mid dreri mod echon.

ȝut heo nome bitterliche . & ferþere him ladde, Heo harleden him forþ, . & loude ȝolle and gradde. A gret hous he seiȝ stonde, : long and brod inow; þe stench & hete, þ^t þer out com, . him þouȝte almest him slow. Line 350 He wiþ stod, & nolde is þonkes . vor stench go no ner. Vorþ þ^u schalt, þe deuelen seide, . þ^u ne schalt abiden her; A baþ it is þat þ^u sist, . þer inne þou schalt beo And baþie mid oþere þere, . þou ne schalt not vleo. þe gostes þat þer inne were, . deofoliche heo criede Line 355 And loude, as he herde, . abouten in eche side. þe kniȝt mid deueles . into þis hous com. Of tormen þat he þer seiȝ . gret ȝeme he nom; Vor vol of puttes & of diches . þ^t hous wiþ inne was, And al fol of tormens, . empti non þer nas: Line 360 He weren fol of well(i)nge led, . and of brimston, [Ms. wellnge st. wellinge.] [folio 124] Of bras, and of oþer tormens, . berninge euer vchon. Wrecche gostes þer inne he seiȝ, . turmens tilde so heiȝe: [heiȝe mit unorgan. h, vgl. v. 322.] Somme al aboue þe heued, . & somme to þe heiȝe, Somme to þe nese, somme to þe mouþ, . & summe to þe swere, Line 365 And somme to þe brestes, . heo bouȝten here sunnes dere, Somme to nauele, . and somme dounere more, And somme to þe kneo, . heo crieden and wepten sore.

Now þou sist, þe deuelen seden, . whoder þou schalt gon, Bote þou anoþer speke . & to vs torne anon. Line 370 Heo casten him in a put; . on ihū anon he criede, And com vp al sound, . him ne luste no leng abide. þe fendes in grete wraþþe . harleden vorþere more [fehlt him nach harleden.] And brouȝten him vpon agret hul, . ful of sorwe and sore. He bi huld al aboute, . þo he com vp an heiȝ; Line 375 Him wondrede of so fele gostes . þat he þer iseiȝe, þat alle þat he seiȝ raþere . þer aȝen noȝt nere; Vpe here ton heo seten i cluȝt, . & quakeden for fere. In þe souþ half of þe hul . a dep water was & lowe, þat voule stank & caldere was . þan ani ys oþer snowe; Line 380 A norþere wind þer blew, . him þouȝte is vlesch rende. [fehlt þat vor him.] Euere sete þe gostes . & aȝen þe wind hem wende, And quakeden vaste . vor drede & pine stronge, And abide as who seiȝ (!) time, . þe deþ vorte afonge. Lo, quaþ a foul fend, . þ^u nost not what þis is; Line 385 Bote þ^u þi þouȝt turne, . þ^u schalt wite iwis.

He nadde bote þat word sed, . þ^t þer ne com awind blowe And smot alle þe gostes . into þe water al lowe. þe norþerne wind hem blew adoun, . alle mid one blaste, þe gostes & þe kniȝt . a midde þe water caste. Line 390 More pine ne miȝte beo . of chele and of stenche, þan þe gostes þer hedde, . þer ne miȝte non ablenche. þo þe kniȝt þis stronge pine . of þis water felde, He gan to crie on ihū crist, . þat failede him wel selde: Anon wiþ oute lette out of þe water edrow. [fehlt . nach der Halbz.] Line 395 Ac þe gostes bi leuede þer in wo and serwe inow, [fehlt . nach der Halbz.] Vor in þe water, so colde, . & so stinkinge al so, þe gostes swommen vp & doun, . here wo was neuer ido. Deuelen orne on þe water, . as men doþ on londe, And, whanne ani clambrede vp . mid vet and mid honde, Line 400 Anon heo drowen hem adoun,.þ^t þer ne miȝte ascape non; þer was wo and serwe inow . among hem echon. ȝut þe deuelen wenden forþ, . & þis kniȝt heo nome And drowe him in to astude, . þer heo nouȝt er ne come. Heo comen and stoden ouer aput, . wid & dep inow; Line 405 Berninge smoke, þat voule stonk, . out of þat put drow, þat þe kniȝt vnneþe stod . vor sori stench ney. Wrecche gostes vpe þe put . in þat smoke he sey Vlen vp and doun, berninge, . as sparkles doþ of fure, And in to þe put wenden aȝen, . whan heo ne miȝten no leng dure. Line 410 Him þouȝte he was neiȝ ouercome . vor þe blast þ^t þer of drow, þer bi he wuste þat in þe ground . was wo and sorwe inow. þe deuelen asshden þe kniȝt: . þinkeþ þe her of wonder, Of þe swartnesse(!)þ^t her bloweþ, . & what beo her vnder? In þis put is oure woning, . vor helle þer vnder is, Line 415 And, for þou art come hider, . her þou schalt wone iwis, Vor, who þat serueþ vs wel, . hider he schal wende, And, be þ^u her inne brouȝt, . þou worþ wiþ outen ende; þer fore torn þi þouȝt . & do vs here manrede, And þe wei as þou come . al saf we schulen þe lede; Line 420 And þe tit on erþe al þi lif . richesse & ioie al so, Vor we þe schulen finde, . as riȝt is þat we do. Ac þo he vor sok here bi heste, . as he hedde do lome, Heo smiten doun in þis put, . & þe kniȝt mid hem nome. þe deppore þat heo þer inne come,.þe braddore þe put was, Line 425 þ^t al þe wo þ^t he er sey . þer aȝen noȝt nas. Of stench & of oþer wo . þis kniȝt was so ouercome, þat is wit toward ihū crist . him was almest binome;

So muche pine nas neuere, . him þouȝte, as he felde, þ^t he was vpe þe point . þe gost vorte ȝelde. Line 430 Ac oure lord in is wo . grace him ȝaf ate laste, So þat he þouȝte on ihū crist . & on him criede vaste. A smoke þer com out smite, . and mid stronge blaste þis kniȝt aboue þe put, . & moni gostes, caste; þe kniȝt wirlede in þe wing, : as sparclen doþ, wide, [Ms. wing st. wind.] Line 435 Ate laste he liȝte a doun . aboue þe put biside. þer he stod and bihuld . as man þ^t witles were, Vor pine þ^t he hadde . he nuste how he com þere. þo he hedde longe stonde . & biholde aboute, þer com vp of þe put . od deuelen a gret route, [Ms. od st. of, durch Assimilation?] Line 440 And alle abouten him stode, . al newe as þeiȝ e were; He seiȝ hem, as him þouȝte, . neuer bote þere. Heo bi hulden him grisliche, . & grenneden al a boute. Whi stanstou þer? heo seiden, . com forþ to oure route! What, tolden oure felawes . þ^t þe put of helle was þis? Line 445 Hit nis not so, ac þou schalt . wite whare it is;

Or felawes lowen, . þis nis not þe put of helle, Ac þ^u schalt þider wiþ vs, . as soþ as we þe telle. Vendes harleden him forþ, . wo was him to drawe: [folio 125] Him were leuere þan ani þing, . he were of lif dawe. Line 450 So heo comen to awater, . dep and brod inow; A strong mist, þat stonk voule, . out of þe water drow Of brimston & of oþer wo, . such stench he neuer seiȝ, Mid alle þe pine of þe world . he miȝte stonde þer neiȝ. [Nach he fehlt ne.] A brugge was ouer þe water, . smallere miȝte non beo; Line 455 þe smoke was so þicke, . vnneþe he miȝte it seo. Lo, seide þe deuelen, . we siggeþ þe iwis þat vnder þis depe water . þe put of helle is; And þou schalt iwite, . vorþ þ^u schalt anon [Nach And fehlt þat.] And ouer þis swete water . on þat brugge gon; Line 460 We þe schulleþ sende awind, . amidde þe to caste, And oure felawes bi neþe . schulen þe holden vaste And drawe þe wiþ hem . to helle grounde anon; Cum forþ, & þou schalt . vpe þe brugge gon. Heo nomen þe kniȝt anon . & to þe brugge drowe, Line 465 And bede him go þer on . wiþ wrecchede inowe. þreo þinges luþere inow . on þis brugge were:

þ^t on was þ^t it was so heiȝ, . þ^t vnneþe me miȝte for fere þer vpe go for heiȝ . to habbe þat grisli siȝte; [for heiȝ, mit unorgan. h, = for eie vor Furcht.] þ^t oþer þat (it) was so narw, . þ^t vnneþe me miȝte [Nach oþer fehlt was, nach þat : it.] Line 470 þer vpe setten afot, . þat he ne felle anon; þe þridde þ^t heo was so slider, . þ^t me ne miȝte þer on gon, Bote he slide and felle, . so wis neuer he nere. þese þinges brouȝten . þe kniȝt in grete fere: Narw it was, slider, and heiȝ; . how so me euer telle, Line 475 ȝif he slide bi ani side, . he fulle into helle. þer vpon he was brouȝt . & mad þer on to gon. Such drede, as him þouȝte, . nadde neuer mon non. Ac he þouȝte on ihū crist, . þ^t ofte him sauede er, He criede on is holi name, . þ^t he him holpe þer. Line 480 He ȝeode forþ baldeliche, . & þe innore þ^t ecom, þe hardiore he was, . & þe betere herte he nom, And þe braddore was is (wei). . so longe vorþ he ȝeode: [Nach is fehlt wei. Die Verse 485—567 fehlen im Ms. Bodl. 779.] Hit wax so brod, þ^t þer miȝte . gon acart for nede, And so longe þ^t twei cartes miȝten . meten wel inow. Line 485 þis kniȝt wel baldeliche . vorþ as maister him drow. Deuelen stoden bi neþe . and seiȝe him vaste gon. Of al þe wo þ^t heo him duden . him ouer com not on. Hoe þouȝten, it was for nouȝt . after to honti more; Grisliche heo gonnen ȝelle, . heo crieden & wepten sore. Line 490 Of þe ȝellinge þat heo made . he hedde grettore fere, þan of al þe oþer pines, . so grisliche was þe bere. Neules & hokes heo nome . & to him casten an heiȝ, Ac non miȝte him touche, . ne non come him neiȝ. So þat al saf wiþ ioie . ouer þe water he drow. Line 495 Deuelen were bi hinde . wiþ serwe & sori inow;

Heo letten him go forþ, . & fondeden him na more, And hulden hem ouer come, . & þat hem of þouȝte sore. þe kniȝt wende al saf, . þat he er deore abouȝte, And þonkede ȝerne ihū . þat heo him ne siwede nouȝte. Line 500 þe water he passede wel, . & vorþ is wei nom; þe contrei him þouȝte murie . þ^t he ouer com; þe vorþere þat he wente, . þe more ioie he seiȝ. So longe þat he seiȝ awal, . swiþe noble and heiȝ; Such werk nas neuer seiȝe, . him þouȝte, as þat was; Line 505 A noble ȝat he seiȝ þer on, . noblere neuer non nas;

þe ȝat schinede briȝte, . gold as it were, ffol of preciouse stones, . þat none richere nere. Him þouȝte, ar he þider com, . his wei longe laste. þo he com alutel ner, . he stod & bihuld vaste. Line 510 þe ȝat opnede aȝen him, . & mid þat selue dede þer sprong out aswete smel, . þ^t wide gan to sprede, þat him þouȝte, in al þe world . such spices nere þ^t suc swetnesse miȝten ȝeue, . as þat breþ þere. In such ioie him þouȝte he was, . þ^t, þeiȝ ehedde be brouȝt Line 515 In al þe wo þat he seiȝ euer, . hit ne scholde him greue nouȝt. In he bihuld ate ȝate, . þo he com þer neiȝ: More clernesse ne miȝte beo, : him þouȝte, þan e seiȝ. As he wolde in wende, . aȝen him þer com gon A prosession fair inow, . of noble men echon, Line 520 Wiþ crois and wiþ tapres, . wiþ baners swiþe clere, þat volk bihinde reuested, . euer vch bi is fere: Bischops & erchedeknes, . monkes & eke frere, And ech in þat abit . þ^t he werede on erþe here. Mid þe meste ioie þat miȝte be . þis kniȝt heo gonnen afonge, Line 525 And him yn mid ioie nome . of solas & of songe. þo þe song was ido, . to him sone þer come Tweiȝe, as heo maistres were, . & bi þe hond him nome, Heo welcomeden him faire, . & þonkeden oure lord faste, þat ȝaf him such bileue, . þ^t so studefastliche laste. Line 530 Heo ladden him to schewe . þe lond fer & ney: So muche clernesse and ioie . him þouȝte he neuer seiȝ; [folio 126] As þe sonne binimeþ þe liȝt . of þe candel at midday, Also bi nom þe sonne lem . þe liȝt þ^t he þer say. So muche þat place was, . þat he ne miȝte non ende se: Line 535 A meri mede wiþ floures, swettore miȝte non be, [fehlt . nach der Halbz.] Tren al so wiþ fruit, . þat smellede swete inow. So gret swetnesse aboute . of ech place þer drow, þat þer wiþ oute ech mete, . him þouȝte, euer mo He miȝte euer libbe wiþ ioie, . ȝif he miȝte þer among go. Line 540 Hit was euer iliche liȝt, . & euere þer was day. So muche folk in o place . neuer he ne say; Ech companie þer . murie to oþer drow Wiþ song & wiþ melodie . & oþer ioie inow, þat ech of oþer miȝte . þe more ioie afonge. Line 545 Al miȝti god heo herieden . ofte in here songe. And, as somm sterre briȝtere . þan anoþer is, Al so of hem somme schinede . briȝtere þan an oþer iwis;

Ak he þat derkest was, . him þouȝte, was more cler And briȝtere þan ani gold . þat he sei euer er. [fehlen 4 Verse, s. Ms. Laud.] Line 550

Somme hadden crounen of gold . on þe hed ido, Somme in honde beren . ȝerden of golde also. Alle þonkeden ihū crist, . þat studefast herte him sende, þat þe kniȝt mid no pine . is herte ne wende. Echone þo for him . in þe more ioie were. Line 555 He bi huld þat ioie, . as þei no wit in him nere. þo bi gan agret maistere . vndo is mouþ softe, [Ms. meiste mit der Abkürzung für er.] & welcomede him faire, . & þonkede oure lord ofte, þat such þouȝt him hedde send, . & such herte al so, þat he ne changede noȝt . vor al þat him was do. Line 560 Beu frere, ihered be god, . þ^t þe haþ hider ibrouȝt, And among alle þine fon . so stude fast were of þouȝt. [Nach And fehlt wol þat þou.] Of þe pine of sunfol men . fonded þ^u hast inow; þine sunnes beþ alle ibet, . vor elles it were wow; þow miȝt here somdel seo, . þat þou wilnest more, Line 565 Of þe ioie of gode soulen, . þ^t comeþ to milce & ore. þis place, þ^t we inne beþ, . þ^u ne knowest nouȝt: Hit is erþliche paradis, . þ^t adam was inne brouȝt; Her inne he was ipult, . ac suþþe for his mis dede I cast he was out vram henne . in alle wrechede; Line 570 Al þe ioie, þat her is, . he hedde to is wille, Ac, þo he was henne idriue, . hit nas not worþ afille. Of þe wrechede we beþ kend, . & of is sunfol blet come, Ac þat vs is bi godes grace . þorw godes grace(!) binome. [þorw godes grace st. þorw oure cristendom verschrieben.] And after oure cristendom . þe sunnes þat (we) wrouȝte, [Vor wrouȝte fehlt we.] Line 575 On erþe oþer in purgatorie . we it wel deore abouȝte: Vor we alle, as þou sist, . þer forþ hider come, And oure sunnes þer bette, . & harde penaunce nome, We neren not elles her; . as god biþe it is;

And alle þ^t þ^u þer iseiȝe . hider schulleþ iwis, Line 580 Ac non not how longe . his bileuing is; Ac, whose in erþe frendes haþ, . þe bet efareþ iwis,

Vor mid massen, & gode bedes, . & mid almesdede Me mai here pine alegge . & þer of hem lede. Whan ani hider comeþ, . aȝen him we wendeþ echon, Line 585 As we come aȝen þe, . & ledeþ him anon. [Nach him fehlt in.] Ac non of vs nis wurþe . ȝut to heuene wende, [Vor wende fehlt to; so auch Ms. Bodl.; vgl. v. 658.] Ne non not whanne oure lord . after him wole sende: Ech þat to heuene schal . þorw purgatorie mot, And suþþe to erþliche paradis, . þer we beþ, ichot; Line 590 Vor þis (is) oure eritage, . we weren wrouȝt þer to, [Nach þis fehlt is.] Vorte oure furste fader agulte; . &, ȝif he nedde mis do, [Vor agulte fehlt it.] Here we scholden habbe be bore, . & liued oure lif also, Vorte oure lord vs wolde . in more ioie habbe ido. Ac, whanne men beþ out cast, . her forþ heo moten wende Line 595 Aȝenward toward heuene, . after here liues ende. Ac al þe ioie, þ^t her is, . amounteþ not iwis Aȝen þe leste ioie in heuene; . wel muche þe meste is. Of heuene þ^u schalt somwhat seo . in aplace her neiȝ. He ladde him on an heiȝ hul, . & bad him loke an heiȝ, Line 600 And aschte of what colour . heuene were þere. He seide: it þouȝte as gold, . þat wellinge were. þei seiden: þat it was . þe ȝat of heuene, [fehlen in Ms. Laud und Bodl.; sie sind Zusatz.] þer þe soulen, þat gode weren, . scholden in fol euene; [fehlen in Ms. Laud und Bodl.; sie sind Zusatz.] þat is þe ȝat of paradis, . þat wiþ oute heuene is. Line 605 þe oþer seide: þis is þe wei . þat geþ to heuene blis. Ech dai somme of purgatorie . comeþ hider vs to, And somme of vs ech day . to heuene went al so, So þ^t we waxeþ ech day . & wanieþ þer to; We nuten of vs whoch is next, . bote as god wol haue do. Line 610 Ech day, while we beþ her, . oure lord vs fet ene Wiþ delicious mete of heuene, . þ^t swete is & clene; What þilk mete is, . ar þow henne wende, Wiþ vs þ^u schalt wite, . whan god it wole sende. Nadde he bote þ^t word seid, . þ^t þer ne com a liȝt Line 615 A maner breþ of heuene, . þat schinede swiþe briȝt, þat ouer spradde al þat lond, . & a cler leme þer wiþ oute; [folio 127] Vpe ech hed it liȝte . clerore ȝet þan aboute, And vpe þe kniȝt eke . þe leme smot anon, þorw ech lime, him þouȝte, . & þorw ech liþ gan gon, Line 620 þ^t in so muche delit and ioie, . him þouȝte, neuer e nas.

He stod, as he were inome, . he nuste whare ewas, Ne, ȝif he were quic oþer ded, . bote in meting as he were. Lord, muche is þi miȝte, . as þo was sene þere! Hit ne laste bote astounde, . þ^t þe leome ne wiþ drow; [541-625 fehlen in Ms. Ashm.] Line 625 Ac, þeiȝ it lute while laste, . heo weren ful inow. þe kniȝt stod & bihuld, . & is stat vnderstod; So fol he was of þe leme, . þ^t delicious was & god: Him þouȝte, þeiȝ he liuede euer . & no mete ne ete, He schulde to no mete luste . vor þe lem so swete. Line 630 Lo, seide þis maister . þat him schewede þat place, Now þou hast somdel iseiȝe . of oure lordes grace: Of pine what wrecche gostes . habbeþ for here misdede, [Ms. of of pine.] And of þe ioie þat gode soules . in paradis doþ lede, And somdel of þe ioie . þat in heuene is; Line 635 Eche day we beþ ones fed . mid such ioie & blis, þanne we beþ folle inow, . vorte god vs more sende; And heo þat in heuene beþ . han such wiþ outen ende, & ȝut in more, . vor it waneþ neuer mo; [in vor more ist zu tilgen.] We beþ bote enes ved adai, . vorte þ^t we þider go; Line 640 Whanne we þider comeþ, . we schulen wiþ outen ende, And ȝif wolt(!) deserui, . þider vorto wende; As þou wolt þou miȝt do, . whan þ^u comest to erþe iwis; þider þou most anon aȝe, . vor al time hit is; ȝif þou wolt god lif lede, . þi mede þou miȝt seo, Line 645 And also, whoche pines, . ȝif þou wolt luþer beo. Aȝen þow most wende, . go vorþ in godes name! Go baldeliche, for no deuel . ne schal do þe no schame: Adrad hi beþ of þe, . & aschamed bi eche side; [Vor und nach ȝif fehlt þou.] A godes name go þi wey, . þ^u ne schalt no leng abide! Line 650 Sire, merci, quaþ þe kniȝt, . what so me euer bitide, A fote inelle henne go, . wrechede geþ so wide; Lat me bi leuen her, . vor, ȝif i^c from ȝou wende, Adrad icham of þe deuelen . mid sunne wolleþ me schende. [In der 2. Halbz. fehlt þat oder heo.] Beu frere, quaþ þis oþer, . þou miȝt as wel be stille, Line 655 Vor þ^u schalt to erþe go, . þer þow miȝt do þi wille; ȝif þou seruest oure lord, . siker þou miȝt beo Aȝen to come to vs, . & suþþe to heuene vleo; In godes half wende aȝen, . vor siker þou schalt so. Alas, alas, quaþ þe kniȝt, . what schal i now do? Line 660 þe ioie þ^t ich now iseiȝe . worþ me now bi nome, To þe wrecchede of þe world, . alas, ischal come.

Al wepinge out ate ȝate . brouȝt e was ate laste.

þo he was wiþ oute, . heo maden þe ȝate faste. As he com þideward, . þe wei aȝen he nom. Line 665 Ac, whanne ani deuel . aȝen him owhare com, As wode schrewen heo flowen . & dorsten abide nouȝt. þe kniȝt was ate laste . to þe halle aȝen brouȝt, þer þe holi companie . to him þere wende. A doun e sat softe, . vorte god him grace sende. Line 670 As he sat and bihuld, . sone þer comen yn þere Al þe noble companie, . comen as heo duden ere(!). [comen überflüssig.] Heo honoureden him faire, . & hereden god faste, Ihū crist, godes sone, . þ^t his bi leue so wel laste. Beu frere, he seide, now þou hast . such penaunce idriue, Line 675 Siker be þe þ^t þi sunnes . beþ clanliche for ȝiue; Loke, whanne þ^u comest hom, . clene lif þou lede, þat þ^u neuer in pine come . vor no misdede; þou most þe hiȝen, vor atom in þi londe [fehlt . nach der Halbz.] Hit daweþ cler, & is day, . as ich vnderstonde; [Vor day fehlt nei.] Line 680 þe prior wiþ procession . to þe ȝate comeþ sone, To loke ȝif þou beo come, . as riȝt is to done; ȝif he ne findeþ þe nouȝt, . he makeþ þe ȝat sone anon And lokeþ after þe namore, . ac dreri hamward gon(!). [Trotz der Veränderung der ganzen Stelle ist gon stehen geblieben.] þis kniȝt heo brouȝten forþ, . & blesseden him echon, Line 685 And bitauȝten him god, . soule, bodi, and bon. Vorþ he wende his wey, . he moste nede do. Riȝt as he com to þe ȝate, . þe priour com al so Aȝen him wiþ procession, . to loken hou it were. þo he hedde þe ȝat vnloke, . þe kniȝt he fond þere. Line 690 þer was ioie and blisse, . þo heo to gedere come. Wiþ song & wiþ orisons . þe kniȝt out heo nome, And ladden him to chirche, . & hereden god faste. þe kniȝt bi fore þe weued . anon on kneo him caste, And stabliche in orisons . viftene dawes he lay, Line 695 And heriede oure swete lord . vaste niȝt and day. And suþþe on is bare vlesch . þe holi crois enom, He ȝeode into þe holi londe, . & holi mon bicom; And tolde not of þe world, . ac euere he was in þouȝte; He ȝede euer simple liche, . as him nouȝt ne rouȝte. Line 700 Ac ofte he tolde of þe men . þ^t in paradis were;

As him þouȝte, greiȝe monkes . in mest ioie he seiȝ þere, None in so grete ioie, . ne in so gret honour eseiȝ: [folio 128] No wonder nis sikerliche, . vor þe ordre is so heiȝ. [Vor nis fehlt it.] Now ȝe habbeþ iherd, . hou oure lord sende is grace Line 705 Seint patrik, to finden . þe purgatorie in þat place, Vor to warnie men aboute . here sunnes to bete, An to leue on ihū crist, . & on is moder swete. Bete we our sunnes her, . as god wole grace sende, þ^t we wiþ oute oþer pine . to paradis henne wende. Line 710 God vs lete oure sunnes bete, . vor is holi wounde, So þat we in purgatorie . bileue lutel stounde. Amen.