The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocryphal books,

SONG OF SOLOMON.

[Here biginneth the bok of the Songes of Songes [From EP. Here bigynneth the Song of Songes. G. No initial rubric in the other MSS.] .] CAP. I.

[verse 1] [The Chirche of the comynge of Christ spekith, and seith. X marg.] Kisse he me with the cos of his mouth [In this book the spouse is God; the spous|esse is hooli chirche, that comprehendith the staat of the Elde Testament and Newe; the chirche for the staat of the Elde Testament, is discryued in the vj. firste cha|pitris, and aftir|ward the staat of the Newe Testament, in vij. and viij. chapitris. This chirche is maad of dyuerse folkis, that is, of Jewis and hethen men, of iust men and of synneris, of prelatis and of sugetis. Hooli chirche took specialy the name of spous|esse, first in the ȝyuyng of the lawe, in the hil of Synay. The puple of Israel, signefied bi the name of spous|esse, seith to God, Kisse he me with the cos of his mouth; that is, Y wolde, that God schewe hym silf frendful to me bi signes and werkis, as a spouse to the spousesse. C.] . [verse 2] [The vois of the Fadir. X marg.] For thi tetis [thi tetis, etc.; that is, the fulnesse of Goddis mersi is swettere to mannus soule, than wyn most sauery among bodili thingis is swete to the tast. In Ebreu it is, for thi loues ben betere than wyn, etc.; that is, the loue of God is more sauery to a deuout soule, than ony bodili thing to bodili tast. Lire here. C.] ben betere than wyn, and ȝyuen odour with beste oyne|mentis. [The vois of the Chirche. X marg.] Thi name is oile [oyle; that is, good fame; for bi the meruels that God dide to the sones of Israel in Egipt, and in the Reed See, the fame of his name and goodnesse was spred abrood to othere puplis, for which many men weren conuertid to the feith of Jewis. ȝonge damesels; that is, othere folkis weren conuertid to thi loue. odour of thyn oynementis; that is, we schulen be drawun bi affecciouns of thi goodnesse; netheles these wordis in to the odour of thyn oynementis, is not of the text; for it is not in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] sched out; therfor ȝonge damesels loueden thee. [verse 3] [The vois of the Chirche to Crist. X marg.] Drawe thou me after thee; we schulen renne in to [Om. I.] the odour of thin oyne|mentis. [The Chirche seith of Crist. X marg.] The kyng ledde me in to hise celeris [celeris; that is, the kyng of heuens shewide to me hise priuytes, bi Moises. of thi tetis; ether of thi loues, as Ebreys seyen. tabernaclis of Cedar, etc.; bi Cedar ben vndurstondun Agarenus, that ben seid now Saracenus. Bi Salomon is vndurstondun God; hise skynnes ben seid the hiȝere hiling of the tabernacle. C.] ; we myndeful of thi teetis aboue wyn, schulen make ful out ioye, and [and we I.] schulen be glad in thee; riȝtful men louen thee. [verse 4] [The Chirche, of hir tribulaciouns. X marg.] Ȝe douȝtris of Jerusalem, Y am blak, but fair, as the tabernaclis of Cedar, as the skynnes of Salomon. [verse 5] Nyle ȝe biholde me, that Y am blak, for the sunne hath [the sunne hath, etc.; that is, brennyng of tribulacioun. C.] discolourid me; the sones of my modir fouȝten aȝens me, thei settiden [setten I.] me a kepere in vyners; Y kepte not my vyner [Y kepte not my vyner; that is, Y myȝte not ȝyue tent to my werkis, for ocupacioun in the werkis of Egipcians. C.] . [verse 6] [The voice of the Chirche to Crist. X marg.] Thou spouse, whom

my soule loueth, schewe to me, where thou lesewist, where thou restist in myd|dai [in mydday; that is, in the heete of tribu|lacioun. the flockis of thi felows; that is, where thou feedist thi feith|ful men, and restist bi feith formed with charite. aftir the flockis; that is, othere vn|feithful folkis. of thi felowis; that is, of hooli aungels, assign|ed to the keep|ing of vnfeith|ful men. A! thou fairest, etc.; that is, thou puple of Irael. knowist not; that is, if thou dredist for thi sike men to bowe awey fro riȝtful weye. Lire here. C.] ; lest Y bigynne to wandre, aftir the flockis of thi felowis. [verse 7] [The vois of Crist to the Chirche. X marg.] A! thou fair|est among wymmen, if thou knowist not thi silf, go thou out, and go forth aftir the steppis [aftir the step|pis, etc.; that is, of symple men bilyuynge; and siche weren Abel, Seth, E|nok, Noe, and liyk men. thi chekis ben faire, etc.; in Ebreu it is, thi chekis ben faire in ordris, that is, in ourne|mentis disposid in due ordre in thi face. restyng place; that is, propiciatorie. my narde, etc.; that is, encense of good odour. my tetis; that is, withinnemyn herte, by con|tynuel thenk|ing. a clustre, etc.; that is, he delitith me more goostli, than ony sa|uery thing and swete delitith bodili. Lire here. C.] of thi flockis; and feede thi kidis, bisidis the tabernaclis of scheep|herdis. [verse 8] Mi frendesse [leef I.] , Y licnede thee to myn oost of knyȝtis in the charis of Fa|rao. [verse 9] Thi chekis ben feire, as of a tur|tle; thi necke is as brochis. [verse 10] We schulen make to thee goldun ournementis, departid and maad dyuerse with silver. [verse 11] [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] Whanne the kyng was in his restyng place, my narde [or oynement boxe I marg.] ȝaf his odour. [verse 12] My derlyng is a bundel of myrre to me; he schal dwelle bitwixe [bitwene I.] my tetis. [verse 13] My derlyng is to me a cluster of cipre tre, among the vyneres of Engaddi. [verse 14] [The vois of Crist to the Chirche. X marg.] Lo! my frendesse [leef I.] , thou art fair; lo! thou art fair, thin iȝen ben the iȝen of culueris. [verse 15] [The vois of the Chirche to Crist. X marg.] Lo, my derling, thou art fair, and schapli; oure bed is fair as flouris. [verse 16] The trees of oure housis ben of cedre; oure couplis ben of cipresse. [verse 1] [The vois of Crist, of him and of the Chirche. X marg.] I am a flour of the feeld, and a lilye of grete valeis. [verse 2] As a lilie among thornes, so is my frendesse [my frendesse, etc.; that is, the puple of Israel among othere folkis, that ȝyuen hem silf to idolatrie. Lire here. C.] among douȝtris. [verse 3] [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] As an apple tre among the trees of wodis, so my derlyng among sones.

CAP. II.

I sat vndur the shadewe [Y sat vndur the schadewe; that is, Y dwellide vndur the piler of fier and of cloude, that ȝaf liȝt in the niȝt, and temperide the heete of sunne in the day. his fruyt; that is, manna ȝouun in desert fro heuene. wyn celer; that is, to the auter of brent sacrifices, for wyn was sched out in moist sacrifices. Lire here. C.] of hym, whom Y desiride; and his fruyt was swete to my throte. [verse 4] The king ledde me in to the wyn celer; he ordeynede charite in me. [verse 5] Bisette ȝe me with flouris [with flouris, etc.; bi these ben vndurstondun Goddis coumfortingis, that ben ȝouun to men hopinge in him; thouȝ God is had bi charite in this liyf; this bi hope, and not in blisful siȝt; therfor the absence of this good makith turment, which turment is seid here the siknesse of the spousesse.] , cumpasse ȝe me with applis; for Y am sijk for loue.

[verse 6] [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] His left hond is vndur myn heed; and [ȝe douȝtris of Jerusalem; that is, sike men of the pu|ple of Irael. bi capretis, etc.; that is, bi patriarkis. reise not; that is, that ȝe bowe not to ony orible synne, for which the coumfort of God schal be withdrawun, and al the pu|ple schal be disturblid. til sche wole; that is, the spousesse schal neuere wilne this. Lire here. C.] his riȝt hond schal biclippe me. [verse 7] [The vois of Crist, of the Chirche. X marg.] Ȝe douȝ|tris of Jerusalem, Y charge ȝou greetli, bi capretis, and hertis of feeldis, that ȝe reise not, nether make to awake [wake I.] the dereworthe spousesse, til sche wole. [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] The [verse 8] vois of my derlyng [my derling; pronounsinge x. heestis in the hil of Syna. Lire here. C.] ; lo! this der|lyng cometh leepynge in mounteyns, and skippynge ouer litle hillis. [verse 9] My derlyng is lijk a capret, and a calf of hertis; lo! he stondith bihynde oure wal [wal; that is, the thicke cloude. Lire here. C.] , and bi|holdith bi the wyndows, and lokith thorouȝ the latisis [latijs I.] . [verse 10] Lo! my derlyng spekith to me, My frendesse [leef I.] , my culuer, my faire spousesse, rise thou [rise thou; that is, reise thi soule to my wordis. come thou; to serue me aloone. wynter; that is, the hidouse tyme of thral|dom of Egipt. Flouris; that is, the myry tyme of fredom is comun, in which thou maist serue me frely. Lire here. C.] , haaste [verse 11] thou, and come thou; for wyntir is pass|id now, reyn is goon, and is [it is I.] departid awei. [verse 12] Flouris apperiden [han apperid I.] in oure lond, the tyme of schridyng is comun; the [verse 13] vois of a turtle is herd in oure lond, the fige tre hath brouȝt forth hise buddis; vyneris flourynge han ȝoue her odour. [The vois of Crist to the Chirche. X marg.] My frendesse [leef I.] , my fayre spousesse, rise thou, haaste thou, and come thou. [verse 14] My culuer is in the hoolis of stoon, in the chyne of a wal with out morter. Schewe thi face [Schewe thi face; in res|seyuynge gladli my lawe. thi vois sowne; in knoulechinge to kepe my lawe. Catche ȝe litil foxes, etc.; that is, sle ȝe per|soones that in|dusen bi gile the puple to idolatrie, for the puple of Israel hath flourid in de|uout resseuyng of Goddis lawe. Lire here. C.] to me, thi vois sowne in myn eeris; for thi vois is swete, and thi face is fair. [verse 15] [The vois of Crist to the Chirche, aȝens heretikis. X marg.] Catche ȝe litle foxis to vs, that destrien the vyneris; for oure vyner hath flourid. [verse 16] [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] My derlyng is to me, and Y [verse 17] am to hym, which is fed among lilies; til the dai sprynge, and schadewis be bowid doun. My derlyng, turne thou aȝen; be thou lijk a capret, and a calf of hertis, on the hillis of Betel [a calf of hertis on the hillis of Betel; that is, on the hil of Synay, where the Lord spak to Moyses. Betel; that is, Goddis hows, for he dwellide there with Moises; in Ebreu it is on the hillis of Bathar, that is, of departing; for there God was departid fro the puple, for idolatrie, but he was plesid fynaly, at the preyeris of Moyses. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. III.

[verse 1] [The vois of the Chirche, gaderid togidere of Gentilis. X marg.] In my litle bed [In iij.c^o. is set the letting of the puple, that bi|felde bi aspieris of the lond of biheest, that maden the pu|ple so myche aferd, that thei wolden forsake Moises, and the arke of the Lord, and turne aȝen in to E|gipt; and the spousesse bi|weilith this letting, and seith, in my litle bed; that is, in the taber|nacle of Moises. bi nyȝtis; that is, in the tyme of tribulacioun, reisid bi thilke aspieris. Moises and Aaron in the tabernacle preyeden the Lord for the puple, that the forseid sentence schulde be tem|perid, ether re|uokid, but for thei weren not herd, it sueth, Y souȝte him, and foond not. cum|passe the citee; that is, the de|sert bi xl. ȝeer. the wakeris; that is, Moises and Aaron. founden me; and tolden the sentence of God; and for the puple re|pentide of that rebelte, and was redi to stie in to the lond of biheest, and so thei souȝten the good wille of God, it sueth, wher ȝe sien him, etc. where the spousesse spekith to Moi|ses and Aaron, and for they answeriden not to her desir, but more to the contrarie, and seiden, Nyle ȝe stie, therfor here is set noon answer to the forseid axing. Lire here. C.] Y souȝte hym bi niȝtis, whom my soule loueth; Y souȝte hym, and Y foond not. [verse 2] I shal rise, and Y schal cumpasse the citee, bi litle stretis and large stretis; Y schal seke hym, whom my soule loueth; I souȝte hym, and Y foond not. [verse 3] Wakeris [Wacche men I.] , that kepen the citee, founden me. [The Chirche seith of Crist to the Apostlis. X marg.] Whether ȝe sien hym, whom my soule loueth? [verse 4] A litil whanne Y hadde passid hem, Y foond hym, whom my soule loueth; Y helde hym, and Y schal not leeue hym [Om. C.] , til Y brynge him in to the hous of my modir, and in to the closet of my modir. [verse 5] [The vois of Crist, of the Chirche. X marg.] Ȝe douȝtris of Jerusalem, Y charge you greetli, bi the capretis, and hertis of feeldis, that ȝe reise not, nether make to awake the dereworthe spousesse, til sche wole. [verse 6] [The synagoge, of the Chirche. X marg.] Who is this womman, that stieth [stieth up I.] bi the deseert, as a ȝerde of smoke [as a ȝerde of smoke, etc.; that is seid for encence maad of many swete smellinge spices, that signefiede deuocioun of the puple, bi which thei desserueden to be brouȝt in to the lond of biheest. sixti stronge men; that is, sixti sithis ten thousinde that maken vj. hundrid thousynde of werriours, aboute the bed of Salomon, that is, the tabernacle of pees of the Lord. Lire here. C.] of swete smellynge spices, of mirre, and of encence, and of al poudur of an oynement makere? [verse 7] [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] Lo! sixti stronge men of the strongeste men of Israel cumpassen the bed of Salomon; [verse 8] and alle thei holden swerdis, and ben moost witti to batels; the swerd of ech man is on his hipe, for the drede of nyȝtis. [verse 9] [Of Crist, and of the Chirche, chosen of Gentilis. X marg.] Kyng Salomon [Kyng Salomon; that is, God a king to ȝou, specialy in the ȝyuyng of lawe. a goldun resting place; that is, the pro|piciatorie, that was the seete of God was al of pure gold. stiyng of purpur; that is, a veil of purpur hanginge bitwixe the pileris, and was reisid vp, whanne me entride in to the hooly of hooli places. the myddil thingis with charite; for in the hooli of hooli places on the pawment was the arke of testament, with the tablis of lawe, and manna, and the ȝerde of Aaron, that weren signes of Goddis charite to the puple. Lire here. C.] made to hym a seete, of [verse 10] the trees of Liban; he made the pilers therof of siluer; he made a goldun rest|yng place, a stiyng [stiyng up I.] of purpur; and he arayede the myddil thingis with charite, for the douȝtris of Jerusalem. [verse 11] [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] Ȝe douȝ|tris of Sion, go [goth I.] out, and se [se ȝe I.] kyng Salo|mon

in the diademe, bi [with I.] which his modir [his modir; that is, the pu|ple of Jewis. of his spous|ing; that is, in ȝyuyng of the lawe. Lire here. C.] crownede hym, in the dai of his spous|yng, and in [Om. A.] the dai of the [Om. CM.] gladnesse of his herte.

CAP. IV.

[verse 1] [The vois of Crist to the Chirche. X marg.] Mi [In iiij. c^o. the goostli fairnesse of the spousesse is sig|nefied by this parable; the heed of the spousesse was the patriark Jacob; the heeris ben xij. patriarkis; the iȝen ben Moises and Aaron, rul|inge the puple; the teeth ben werriouris, schapli to de|uoure aduer|saries; lippis, that bryngen forth swete speche, ben dekenes and singeris, seiynge Goddis heri|yngis; the rodi chekis ben othere dekenes, mynystringe aboute the au|ter of brent sa|crifices; the throte ben stu|diouse men in the lawe, licned to the tour of Dauith, maad strong with scheeldis; for whi armuris aȝenus impyng|neris of Goddis lawe, ben had bi sich studie; twey tetis ben twey tablis of witnessing, of whiche the mylk of kun|nyng and deuo|cioun is sokun out; til the day, of the newe tes|tament; scha|dewis, for the figuris of the elde lawe cees|sen in the newe testament, of which thei weren scha|dewe. Lire here. C.] frendesse, thou art ful fair [fair, thou art ful fair C.] ; thin iȝen ben of culueris, with outen that that is hid with ynne; thin heeris ben as the flockis of geete, that stieden [stieden up I.] fro the hil of Galaad. [verse 2] Thi teeth ben as the [Om. C.] flockis of clippid [schorn I.] sheep, that stieden [stieden up I.] fro waisch|yng; alle ben with double lambren, and no bareyn is [ther is I.] among tho. [verse 3] Thi lippis ben as a reed lace, and thi speche is swete; as the relif of an appil of Punyk, so ben thi chekis, with outen that, that is hid with ynne. [verse 4] Thi necke is as the tour of Dauid, which is bildid with strengthis maad bifore for defense; a thousynde scheldis hangen on it, al armure of stronge men. [verse 5] Thi twei tetis ben as twey kidis, twynnes of a capret, that ben fed [verse 6] in [among C.] lilies, til the dai sprynge, and shadewis ben bowid doun. Y schal go to the mounteyn of myrre [to the moun|teyn of myrre, etc.; that is, to the lond of Ju|dee, that is ful of hillis, and hath myche myrre and encense. Lire here. C.] , and to the litil hil of encense. [verse 7] My frendesse [leef I.] , thou art al faire, and no wem is [ther is I.] in thee. [verse 8] My spousesse, come thou fro the Liban; come thou fro the Liban, come thou; thou schalt be corowned fro the heed of A|mana [heed of Amana; in Ebreu it is, biholdinge fro the heed of Amana. Lire here. C.] , fro the cop of Sanyr and Hermon, fro the dennys of liouns, fro the hillis of pardis. [verse 9] My sister spousesse, thou hast woundid myn herte; thou hast woundid myn herte, in oon of thin iȝen [oon of thin iȝen; that is, Moises. heer; that is, Joseph. Lire here. C.] , and in oon [an I.] heer of thi necke. [verse 10] My sistir spousesse, thi tetis ben ful faire; thi tetis ben feirere than wyn, and the odour of

thi clothis is aboue alle swete smellynge oynementis. [verse 11] Spousesse, thi lippis ben an hony [thi lippis ben as hony; this is seid of deuout preyeris of the hiȝeste prest,and of dekenes, that weren maad in the persoone of al the chirche. Lire here. C.] coomb droppynge; hony and mylk ben [Om. C pr. m.] vndur thi tunge, and the odour of thi clothis is as the odour of encence. [verse 12] Mi sister spousesse, a gardyn closid togidere; a gardyn closid togidere, a welle aseelid. [verse 13] Thi sendingis out ben paradis of applis [paradiys of applis, etc.; that is, strondis flowinge forth therfro maken the lond myrie, at the maner of paradiys of pumgranatis. Lire here. C.] of Punyk, with the fruytis of applis, cipre [verse 14] trees, with narde; narde, and saffrun, an erbe clepid fistula, and canel, with alle trees of the Liban, myrre, and aloes, with alle the beste [beste, ether firste X marg.] oynementis. [verse 15] A welle of gardyns, a pit of wallynge [wellynge, ether quike K marg.] watris, that flowen with fersnesse fro the Liban. [verse 16] Rise thou north [northerne A sec. m.] wynd, and come thou, south [southerne A sec. m.] wynd; blowe thou thorouȝ my gardyn, and the swete smellynge oynementis [oynmentis, etc.; alle these thingis ben seid in preising of the lond of bi|heeste, to reise the desir of the spousesse. Lire here. C.] therof schulen flete.

CAP. V.

[verse 1] [The Chirche seith of Crist. X marg.] Mi derlyng, come [come he I.] in to his gardyn, to ete the fruyt [to ete the fruyt, etc.; that is, make me to ete in pees the fruyt of the lond grauntid to me. Lire here. C.] of hise applis. [Crist seith to the Chirche. X marg.] Mi sister spousesse, come thou in to my gar|dyn. Y have rope [repe I.] my myrre, with my swete smellynge spices; Y haue ete an hony combe, with myn hony; Y haue drunke my wyn, with my mylk. [Crist seith to the Apostelis. X marg.] Frendis, ete ȝe, and drynke [drinketh I.] ; and derewortheste [most dere I.] frendis, be ȝe fillid greetli. [verse 2] Y slepe [Y slepe; that is, punysche not synnes at a tyme. wakith; that is, Y bifor se du tyme of punysching. knockinge; bi profetis and techeris, to clepe me to penaunce aftir idolatrie doon. frendesse; in tyme passid of thyn inno|cence. opene to me; bi con|sent of good. myn heed is ful, etc.; God spekith here bi the maner of a spouse, desiring to be recoun|celid to the spousesse, and sparith not for hardnesse of trauel; but the vnkynde spous|esse, yuele for|sakinge, this answerith. Y haue vnclothid, etc.; that is, Y haue left Goddis reli|gioun. hou schal Y be clothid ther ynne; for the puple nolde turne aȝen to Goddis religioun, at the monestingis of profetis. waische my feet; this is seid bi the gessing of the puple, that dide idolatrie, and arettide the worschipinge of God to be vnclene, and the worschiping of an idol to be clene. his hond; that is, the hond of his riȝtfulnesse, to punysche me. tremblide; for the puple that was smytun of God, conseyuede drede. Lire here. C.] , and myn herte wakith. [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] The vois of my derlyng knockynge; my sister, my frendesse [leef I.] , my culuer, my spousesse vn|wemmed, opene thou to me; for myn heed is ful of dew, and myn heeris ben ful of dropis of niȝtis. [verse 3] I have vnclothid me of my coote; hou schal Y be clothid ther ynne? I haue waische my feet; hou schal Y defoule tho [hem I.] ? [verse 4] Mi derlyng putte [sente CEF pr. m. GHIKMNPQRSUXaç.] his hond bi an hoole; and my wombe tremblide at the touchyng therof. [verse 5] Y roos, for to opene [Y roos for to opene, etc.; that is, Y souȝte to be recouncelid to him, and so to be delyuerid of peyne.] to my derlyng; myn

hondis droppiden myrre, and my fyngris [droppiden myrre; that is, Y dresside me to penaunce. the wiket of my dore; herbi it is signefied, that penaunce in the begyn|nyng is vnper|fit; therfor it sueth, and he bowide awey; for not anoon at the cry of the puple he de|lyueride hem fro peyne. Lire here. C.] weren ful of myrre moost preued. [verse 6] Y openede the wiket of my dore to my derlyng; and he hadde bowid awei, and hadde passid [passid forth I.] . My soule was meltid [My soule was meltid; as fatnesse in a panne; therfor it is seid of a man left in tur|ment, he is fried in his blood. foond not; for he delyueride not the puple anoon, but suf|fride hem to be turmentid of aduersaries. Lire here. C.] , as the derlyng spak; Y souȝte, and Y foond not hym; Y clepide, and he answerde not to me. [verse 7] Keperis [The keperis I.] [Keperis; that is, the princes of hethen men, that weren in the cumpas of Jude. smytiden; in doynge anoye to persoones. tokun awey; in spuylynge me of my goodis. douȝtris of Jerusalem; that is, deuout persoones of the puple of Israel. han founde my derling; gracious to ȝon in ȝoure prey|eris. that ȝe telle to him; in bi|seching for me. that Y am siyk for loue; that is, for desir to be recouncelid to him. derling of a derling; that is, worthi to be loued, more than alle; ether this is seid to signefie the comyng forth of dyuyn persoones; for the Sone cometh forth of the Fadir, as the derling of a derling, and the Hooli Goost of euer either to other cometh forth of bothe. Lire here. C.] that cumpassiden the citee founden me; thei smytiden [smeten I.] me, and woundiden me; the keperis of wallis token awey my mentil. [verse 8] Ȝe douȝtris of Jerusalem, Y biseche ȝou bi an hooli thing, if ȝe han founde my derlyng, that ȝe telle to hym, that Y am sijk for loue. [verse 9] [The vois of frendis seith to the Chirche. X marg.] A! thou faireste of wymmen, of what manner condicioun is thi der|lyng [of a derlyng CGHINPQRSUVXç.] `of the louede [Om. EM.] ? of what manner condicioun is thi derling of a derling? for thou hast [hast so I.] bisouȝt vs bi an hooli thing. [verse 10] [The vois of the Chirche of Crist seith to the frendis. X marg.] My derling is whyt and rodi [whit and rody; that is, benygne to iust men, and wroth to repreuable men. chosun of thousindis; in Ebreu it is, banerid in thousyndis, that is, hauynge many thousyndis of aungels in his oost. His heed is best gold; that is, maad fair, with a goldun coroun, to signefie that he is King of kingis, and Lord of lordis. hise heeris; this signefieth, that his wisdom, and goodnes, and strength failen neuere. fulleste ryueris; that bi o symple loking he seeth alle thingis, and his vndirstonding wexith not foul, bi the knowing of tho thingis that ben with out him. Hise chekis; that is, his vertu, to drawe to him bi feith and loue chosun men. Lire here. C.] ; chosun of thousyndis. [verse 11] His heed is best gold; hise heeris ben as the bowis of palm trees, and [and thei I.] ben blake as a crowe. [verse 12] Hise iȝen ben as culueris on the strondis of watris, that ben waischid [weishe I.] in mylk, and sitten be|sidis fulleste ryueris. [verse 13] Hise chekis ben as gardyns of swete smellynge spices, set of oynement makeris; hise lippis ben lilies, droppynge doun the best [thei firste X marg.] myrre [the beste myrre; this signefieth his vertu to open priuytes, and that his wordis ben cleene, and kepen fro corrupcioun of synne. Hise hondis; signefien his power of worching; and alle the workis of God ben perfit. ful of iacyntis; that is, of sterris, that ben of the colour of iacynt. his wombe; is whiyt and cleene, that is, the biholding of Goddis preuytes makith the coold of drede withdrawen men fro synne. Hise lippis, etc.; that is, ben stronge, as siche pileris, and ben set on feet schood with gold, in the hiȝere part of schoon; this signefieth, that his power berith vp alle thingis. his schaplinesse, etc.; for his fairnesse is word delitable, and hiȝnesse vncomprehensible. His throte is moost swete, etc.; as Goddis vertu, bi which he makith feithful men his membris bi grace, is signefied bi his chekis, so his vertu bi which he makith chosun men membris of his bodi bi glorie, is signefied bi his throte.] . [verse 14] Hise hondis ben able to turne aboute, goldun, and ful of iacynctis; his wombe is of [Om. I.] yuer, ourned with safiris. [verse 15] Hise lippis ben pilers of marble, that ben foundid on foundementis of gold; his schapplinesse is as of [Om. C.] the Liban, he is chosun as cedris. [verse 16] His throte is moost swete, and he is al desirable. Ȝe douȝ|tris

of Jerusalem, siche is my derlyng, [faireste of wymmen; that is, of alle folkis, in tyme of thi spousing toGod, bi resseyuyng of thi lawe. whidur ȝede thi derling; this lettre is re|ferrid to the tyme of taking of the arke bi Filisteis, and of translating ther of in to the lond of Filisteys. we schulen seke, etc.; this is referrid to the tyme wher|ynne Dauyth brouȝte the arke of the Lord so|lempneli in to Jerusalem. Lire here. C.] , and this is my freend. [verse 17] [The vois of hooli soulis, of the Chirche. X marg.] Thou faireste of wymmen, whidur ȝede thi derlyng? whidur bowide thi derlyng? and we schulen seke hym with thee.

CAP. VI.

[verse 1] [The vois of the Chirche, of Crist. X marg.] My derlyng ȝede doun in to his or|cherd [my derling ȝede doun in to his orcherd,etc.; that is, in to the tabernacle, that Dauyth arayede to the settyng of the arke. in or|chardis, that is, in sacrifices and offringis offrid bi feith and deuocioun. lilies; that is, dresse cleene mynystris to his seruyce. Y to my der|lyng; that is, Y wole serue him aloone. to me; in help|inge my nedis. Turne awey; this is declaring of loue of ech to other; ether this is seid of studiouse men in the lawe, whiche sum tyme enqueren ouer curiously dyuyn thingis, and so God with drawith him fro hem; therfor bi this that is seid, turne awey, etc. is forbedun cu|riouse seking of dyuyn thingis. Lire here. C.] , to the gardyn of swete smellynge spices, that he be fed there in orcherdis, and gadere lilyes. [verse 2] Y to my derlyng; and my derlyng, that is fed among the [Om. plures.] lilies, be to me. [verse 3] [The vois of Crist to the Chirche. X marg.] Mi frendesse [leef I.] , thou art fair, swete and schappli as Jerusalem, thou art ferdful as the scheltrun of oostis set in good ordre. [verse 4] Turne awei thin iȝen fro me, for tho [thei I.] maden me to fle awei; thin heeris ben as the flockis of geet, that apperiden fro Galaad. [verse 5] Thi teeth [teeth ben C sec. m. IV.] as a [the EV.] flok [flockis V.] of scheep, that stieden fro [up fro I.] waischyng; alle ben with double lambren, `ether twynnes [Om. CI.] , and no bareyn is [ther is I.] among tho [hem I.] . As the rynde of a pum|granate, so ben thi chekis, without thi priuytees. [verse 7] Sixti ben [ther ben I.] queenys [queenes; that is, synagogis of citees, wher ynne the puple cam togidere, to here the lawe of God, and to make preyeris. secundarie wyues; that is, synagogis in lesse townes. Bi oon which is seid culuer and spousesse, is vndirstondun the tabernacle in Jerusalem, wherynne was the arke, and in Jerusalem oneli was maad the offryng of sacrifices; the modir of Jerusalem is the chirche hauyng victorie. Lire here. C.] , and eiȝti ben secundarie wyues; and of ȝong dame|sels is [ther is I.] noon noumbre. [verse 8] Oon is my cul|uer, my perfit spousesse, oon is to hir modir, and is the chosun of hir modir; the douȝtris of Syon sien [sawȝen I passim.] hir, and prech|iden hir moost blessid; queenys, and secun|darie wyues preisiden hir. [verse 9] Who is this, that goith forth, as the moreutid risynge, fair as the moone, chosun as the sunne, ferdful as the scheltrun of oostis set in good ordre? [verse 10] [The vois of the Chirche, of the synagoge. X marg.] Y cam doun in to myn orcherd [in to myn orcherd; that is, in to the temple of Salomon. applis, etc.; that is, goode werkis of meke men. vyneris; that is, the hows of Israel. pumgranate trees; that is, prestis and dekenes. Y knew not; here is set the state aftir the tyme of Salo|mon, til to the caitifte of Ba|biloyne. Y knew not; that is, Y koude not bi|holde Goddis benefices ȝouun to me in tymes passid. my soule distur|blide me, etc.; that is, Jero|boam induside the ten lynagis to idolatrie, for drede of leesing of the rewme, if the puple ȝede to Jerusa|lem, leste it wolde turne aȝen to the rewme of Juda, signefied bi A|mynadab. E|breis seien, this is the veri lettre, My soule hath set me the car|tis of the puple hauing prinse|hed, that is, my wille, that brouȝt me in to do idolatrie, for whiche Y was conquerid, made me the cartis of Assi|riens and of Ba|biloynes, that ledden the sones of Israel in to caitifte, and leiden on hem, as cartis charg|id, greuouse birthuns to bere in the weye. turne aȝen; that is, fro cai|tifte, in to the hool staat of thi feith. Sunamyte; ether Sulamyte, bi Ebreu lettre, that signefieth hool ether per|fit. Lire here. C.] , to se the applis of grete valeis, and to biholde, if vyneris hadden flourid, and if pumgranate trees hadden buri|owned.

[verse 11] Y knew not; my soule dis|turblide me [Om. I.] , for the charis of Amyna|dab. [verse 12] [The vois of the Chirche, to the feith of the natyuyte. X marg.] Turne aȝen, turne aȝen, thou Su|namyte; turne aȝen, turne aȝen, that we biholde thee. [The vois of Crist to the Chirche, of the synagoge. X marg.] What schalt thou se in the Sunamyte, no [Om. I.] but cumpenyes of oostis?

CAP. VII.

[verse 1] [The vois of Crist to the Chirche. X marg.] Douȝtir of the prince [Douȝtir of the prince; here is descryued the loue of the spouse and of the spousesse for the staat of the newe testament. Douȝter of the prince; that is, hooli chirche, which is the spousesse and douȝter of Crist. thi goingis; bi the councels of the gospel. in schoon; that is, in the myndis of Crist and martris. the ioyncturis of thyn hipis; that is, the ioynyng togidere of Jewis and of hethen men in o chirche of Crist, maad bi the hond of Crist. Bi nawle and wombe is vndurstondun the plenteouse childbering of the chirche, to bringe forth the children of Crist goostly, not fleisly; therfor it sueth, biset with lilies of charite. a round cuppe; in Ebreu it is, as a cleer basin. Lire here. C.] , thi goyngis ben ful faire in schoon; the ioyncturis of thi heppis ben as brochis, that ben maad bi [with I.] the hond of a crafti man. [verse 2] Thi nawle [lippis A pr. m. nable E. naule GPQ. nauele Rca. nauel S.] is as [Om. a.] a round cuppe, and wel formed, that hath neuere nede to drynkis; thi wombe is as an heep of whete, biset aboute with lilies. [verse 3] Thi twei teetis [twei tetis; ben twey testamentis, of whiche mylk is sokun, wherynne children, gendren in Crist, ben nurschid and encreessid. thi necke; that is, feith formed with charite. the iȝen; ben Cristis vertu of knowing, bi which he biholdith hise sones bi appreuyng. as cisternes; for the iȝen ben full of watris of mersy. the nose; is doom of discrecioun. the heed; is Crist; the hiȝnesse of his hed is Cristis Godhed. the heeris; ben apostlis. as purpur; for thei weren maad reed in her blood, for the loue of Crist. ioyned to trowȝis; that is, put in trouȝis to be waischid, aftir dryingis. Lire here. C.] ben as twei kidis, twynnes of a capret. [verse 4] Thi necke is as a tour of yuer; thin iȝen ben as cisternes in Esebon, that ben in the ȝate of the douȝter of multitude; thi nose is as the tour of Liban, that bihold|ith aȝens Damask. [verse 5] Thin heed is as Car|mele; and the heeres of thin heed ben as the kyngis purpur, ioyned to trowȝis [to be bathid ynne F marg. sec. m.] . [verse 6] Dereworthe [Most dere I.] spousesse, thou art ful fair [ful fair; bi feith and oneste of conuersacioun. a palme tree; in streiȝtnesse of riȝtfulnesse, and in heiȝthe of deuout contemplacioun. clustris of grapis; for abundaunce of goostly mylk, ether doctryn. Lire here. C.] , and ful schappli in delices. [verse 7] Thi stature is licned to a palm tree, and thi tetis to clustris of grapis. [verse 8] [Crist of the hooli crosse seith. X marg.] I seide, Y schal stie [stie up I.] in to a palm tree [Y schal stie in to a palm tre, etc.; that is, seith the spouse, Y schal make parfit men in the chirche, to stie in to the hiȝnesse of contemplacioun, and make hem to take swetnesse and deliting, which is feelid in the hiȝnesse of contemplacioun. thi tetis schulen be, etc.; that is, bi abundaunce of mylk of hooli doctryn. odour of thi mouth; that is, the fame of teching. Lire here. C.] , and Y schal take the fruytis therof. [The vois of Crist to the Chirche. X marg.] And thi tetis schulen be as the clustris of grapis of a vyner; and the odour of thi mouth as the odour [verse 9] of pumgranatis; thi throte schal be as beste wyn. [The Chirche seith of Crist. X marg.] Worthi to my derlyng for to drynke, and to hise lippis and teeth to

chewe [schewe A pr. m. MRU.] . [verse 10] Y schal cleue by loue to my der|lyng, and his turnyng schal be to me. [verse 11] [The vois of the Chirche to Crist. X marg.] Come thou, my derlyng, go we out in to the feeld [go we out in to the feeld; bi spreding abrood of feith in to the world. dwelle we togidere, etc.; in bild|inge chirchis in citees and townes. Rise we erly, etc.; that is, to conuerte hethen puple. if the vyner hath flourid; that is, for he|then puple hath flourid in res|seyuynge ioy|fulli Goddis word. if pum|granatis, etc.; that is, the fulnesse of martris in the firste chirche. Y schal ȝeue to thee my tetis; that is, Y schal ordeyne the teching of euer ether testament to thi glorie. Mandragoris han ȝoue, etc.; that is, excel|ent men in Cristis chirche han ȝoue the odour of good fame, bi hooli liyf and hool|sum techyng in the chirche of God. alle applis, newe and elde; that is, Y haue ordeynd to thyn onour the wit|nessingis of the elde and newe testament. Lire here. C.] ; dwelle we togidere in townes. [verse 12] Ryse we eerli to the vyner; se we, if the vyner hath flourid, if the [Om. CV.] flouris bryngen forth fruytis [fruyȝt AS.] , if pumgranatis han flourid; there I schal ȝyue to thee my tetis. [verse 13] Mandrogoris han ȝoue her odour in oure [ȝoure CEFGHIKMNPQRSUXaç.] ȝatis; my derlyng, Y haue kept to thee alle applis, new and elde.

CAP. VIII.

[verse 1] [The vois of patriarkis, of Crist. X marg.] Who `mai grante [Hooly chirche axith here to be delyuerid fro schenschepis and dispitis doon therto, in the bigynnyng therof, aftir Cristis ascen|cioun. my bro|ther; for the re|soun of manhed takun. soukinge the tetis of my modir; that is, of the Virgyn Marie, whiche is seid modir, bothe of Crist and of al hooli chirche. Y fynde thee aloone; onourid with onour, that perteyneth oneli to God; bi this word thee alone, the Fadir and the Hooli Goost ben not excludid, but the seruyce of idols is excludid herbi. without forth; that is, opinly, with out the drede of vnfeithful men. Y schal take thee; bi deuocioun of feith. schal lede; that is, bi preyeris Y schal make thee to come, bi condessending of thi goodnesse. in to the hows of my modir; that is, in to chirchis halewid to the blessid Virgyn and othere seyntis. there thou schalt teche me; in schewinge priuy mysteries to the mynystris of the chirche. of wyn; that is, of deuocioun of feithful men. must; that is, deuocioun of men newly conuertid. his left hond, etc.; thanne he schal schewe frenschip to me, as a spouse doith to a ful dereworthe spousesse. nether make the derworthe to awake; that is, whanne the spouse hath gete reste and pees, ȝe do not ony thing wherbi the spouse be offendid, and the reste of the spousesse be brokun. that stieth fro desert; that is, fro the scharpnesse of persecucioun fro tirauntis. Y reiside thee vndur a pumgranate tre; thus it is in Ebreu, tho summe doctours taken this vnkun|nyngly of the tre forebodun to Adam and Eue; that is, Y clepide thee inwardly, bi the vertu of the hooly cros, and of thi passion. there thi mo|dir was cor|rupt; in Ebreu it is, there thi modir childide thee. there; that is, bisidis the cros. thi modir childide thee; that is, the blessid Vir|gyn Marie hadde sorewe for thee, as a woman beringe child hath so|rewe; for there sche was persid with the swerd of sorewe for her sone, as Symeon bifor|seide, in ij. c^o. of Luyk. there thi modir was defoulid; that is, the syna|goge, seid the modir of Crist, for he took mankynde of the puple of Jewis. was cor|rupt there; for the obseruaun|ces of Moises lawe ceessiden, as slayn in the passion of Crist. as a signet on thyn herte; in louynge me perfitly. on thyn arm; in defendinge me bi the arm of thi power. Lire here. C.] to me [shal ȝeue to E. schal ȝiue HPUV.] thee [Om. CFGIKMNQRSXaç.] , my brother, soukynge the tetis of my modir, that Y fynde thee aloone without forth, and [Om. C.] that Y kisse thee, and no man dis|pise me thanne? [verse 2] Y schal take thee, and Y schal lede thee in to the hous of my modir, and in to the closet of my modir; there thou schalt teche me, and Y schal ȝyue to thee drink of wyn maad swete, and of the must of my pumgranatis. [verse 3] His lefthond vndur [shal be vnder I.] myn heed, and his riȝthond schal biclippe me. [verse 4] [The vois of Crist, of the Chirche. X marg.] Ȝe douȝtris of Jerusalem, Y charge ȝou greetli, that ȝe reise not, nether make the dereworthe spousesse to awake, til sche wole [wile I.] . [verse 5] [The vois of the synagoge, of the Chirche. X marg.] Who is this spousesse, that stieth [stieth up I.] fro desert, and flowith in delices, and restith on hir derlynge? [The vois of Crist to the synagoge, of the hooli crosse. X marg.] Y reiside thee vndur a pum|granate

tre; there thi modir was corrupt, there thi modir was defoulid. [verse 6] Set thou me as a signet on thin herte, as a signet on thin arm; for loue is strong as deth [loue is strong as deth; that is, thouȝ thi loue is so strong in the perfit sones of hooli chirche, that they dreden not to suffre deth for thee, as it is opyn in martris, netheles enuye, that is, persecucioun of tirauntis, that cometh forth for enuye and hatrede of Cristen men, is hard as helle to feble men; and therfor thei han nede of the help of thi proteccioun, and to the benefice of pees. the laumpis therof; that is, of thi loue, in the soulis of perfit men. of fier; that is, so strong, that it may not be borun doun bi the persecuciouns of tirauntis, but not so in feble men. many watris; that is, persecuciouns of tirauntis. he schal despise that catel as nouȝt; as if he seye, men, ȝhe, feble men, moun dispise outermere goodis for thi loue, but thei moun not so dispise her owne liyf, in suffringe martirdom. Oure sister is litil, and hath no tetis; that is, hooli chirche is meke, and cast out among men of this world, and hath not fredom to schede out the mylk of hooli doctryn, bi preching of Cristen feith. be spokun to; of princes, as of Constantyn, and other princes in his tyme, that grauntiden pees to hooli chirche. siluerne touris; in Ebreu it is, a siluerne paleis, that is, ioyne we to it the princes of the world, bi resseyuyng of feith to the defence of syke men. ioyne we it to, etc.; that is, make we it strong with hooli techeris, clepid cedris; for the hiȝnesse of liyf and kunnyng, and for the hoolnesse of feith. Lire here. C.] , enuy is hard as helle; the laumpis ther|of ben laumpis of fier, and of flawmes. [verse 7] Many watris moun not quenche charite, nether floodis schulen oppresse it. Thouȝ a man ȝyue [ȝyueth C et ceteri.] al the catel of his hous for loue, he schal dispise [dispise, or rette it I.] `that catel [Om. I.] as nouȝt. [verse 8] [The vois of Crist to the synagoge of hooli Chirche. X marg.] Oure sistir is litil, and hath no tetys; what schulen we do to oure sistir, in the dai whanne sche schal be spokun to? [verse 9] If it is a wal, bilde we theronne siluerne touris [touris, ethir britagis V.] ; if it is a dore, ioyne we it togidere with tablis of cedre. [verse 10] [The vois of the Chirche answerynge. X marg.] I am a wal, and my tetis ben as a tour; sithen Y am maad as fyndynge pees [Y am maad as fyndynge pees, etc.; that is, Y haue fredom to preche Cristis feith opinly, for Constantyn, in the iij. day of his baptym, puplischide his lawe, that who euer dide wrong to a Cristen man, he schulde lease the half of his goodis. to keperis; that is, to Petre and hise successours. a man, etc.; that is, Con|stantyn ȝaf many costis for the fruyt of chirche. The vyner is bifor me; that is, seith Crist, Y stonde nyȝ bi my presence, to kepe the chirche principaly. and ij. hundrid, etc.; that is, myche mo thankingis ben due to Crist pesible, for the keping of hooly chirche, than to prelatis, that ben keperis of the chirche vndur him. to here; that is, aungels herken thee, spousesse, in chirchis spred abrood bi the world. thi vois; that is, the declaring of thi desir. Lire here. C.] bifore hym. [verse 11] [The synagoge of the Chirche seith. X marg.] A vyner was to the pesi|ble; in that citee, that hath puplis, he bitook it to keperis; a man bryngith a thousynde platis of siluer for the fruyt therof. [verse 12] [Crist to the Chirche seith. X marg.] The vyner is bifore me; a thousynde ben of thee pesible, and two hundrid to hem that kepen the fruytis therof. [verse 13] Frendis herkene thee, that dwell|ist in orchertis; make thou me to here thi vois. [verse 14] [The vois of the Chirche to Crist. X marg.] My derlyng, fle thou [My dirling, fle thou; bi this fliȝt is not vndurstondun departing of the spouse fro the spousesse, but bi this fliȝt is vndurstondun swift translating of the spousesse with the spouse to heuenly blis; which the spousesse desirith souereynly; therfor the spousesse seith, my derling, fle thou, that is, lede thou me with thee, out of wrecchidnesse of present world. be thou maad liyk a caperet, etc.; that is, do this swiftly. on the hillis of swete smellinge spices; that is, in beringe me ouer with thee to heuenys, where is swetteste feeding of chosun men. Lire here. C.] ; be thou maad lijk a capret, and a calf of

hertis, on the hillis of swete smellynge spices.

Here endith the Songe of Songis, and here bigynneth Sapiens [Here endith the book of Songis, and here bigynneth the book of Wisdom. CUX. Here endith the book of Songis, and here bygynneth Wisdom. FH. Here endith the book of Songis, and bigynneth a prolog on the book of Wysdom. G. Heere endith the book of Songis, and biginnith the book of Wisdom. IQS. Here endeth the book of Songis; se now the booc of Sapiens or Wisdom. K. Here endith the book of Songis, and here bigynneth the book of Wisdom, which is red in holi cherche in lessouns of the masse; for the mater therof is goostli, and profecie of thingis to comynge. M. Here endith Songis of Songis, and bigynneth Sapiens. N. Here endith the book of Song of Songis, and bigynneth the book of Wysdom or Sapiens. V. Here eendith Cantica Canticorum, and biginneth the prolog on Sapiens. a. No final rubric in EPRY.] .