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

35 Purgatorium sancti Patrici abb[at]is. [I have published this legend before in Altengl. Legenden, Paderborn, 1875, p. 177 ff, together with two other versious.]

SEint paterik þoru godes grace : makede ane put in Irlonde, Þat seint patrike purgatorie is icleoped : ȝeot, ase ich onderstonde. Ore louerd him bi-tok ane staf : mid is owene honde, Þat he fond þulke purgatorie with : i-hered beo godes sonde! Line 4 In Irlonde is ȝeot þilke staf i-wust : dereworþeliche i-novȝ, For gret relike he is i-holde : and elles it were wouȝ. Seint paterik in þulke stude : þat his purgatorie is, Of religion bi-gan an hous : þat ȝeot stant, i-wis, Line 8 Ant Chanoynes þare-inne he makede : ase ȝeot þare beoth al-so.

Þane put he let faste closi a-boute : þat noman ne come þar-to. ¶ In þe churche-ȝerd is þat ilke putt : riȝt toward þe Est-side, riȝt est fram þe heiȝe Auȝter : þat manie men ȝwylene souȝten wide. he is bi-walled faste a-boute [MS. abooute] : and faste i-loke þe ȝate, And þe prior haueth þe keiȝe in warde : þat no man ne mot In þar-ate. Line 14 Al bi seint paterikes daiȝe : men wenden þudere i-lome, And sethþe also mani on : and fewe aȝen þare come; Line 16 Ake þulke þat þare comen aȝen : of þat heo i-seiȝen, heo tolde, Ase it is in þe house i-write : and in priue conseile i-holde.— ¶ Þe manere is of euerech man : þat for-soþe þudere i-went, Þat it beo to bete is sunnes : ȝif ore louerd him grace [sent]. [folio 97] to þe bischope of þe lond : furst he schal him schriue, And bidde him leue þene wey to go : in amendement of is liue. Line 22 Ake þe bischop schal rede heom [r. him] þare-a-ȝein : and manie resones schewe, And segge þat manie þudere wendeth : and aȝein þare comieth fewe. Ake ȝif he is stable in is þouȝt : for al þat men him habbez i-bede, Þe bischop him wole is lettre make : to þe prior of þe stude. Line 26 ¶ Þe prior him wole al-so rede i-novȝ : for-to chaungi is þouȝt; And, ȝwane he siȝkz him studefast : þat he nele bi-leue it nouȝt, Line 28 In-to churche he wole him lede : and sette him a-doun a-kne; Fiftene dawes he schal þare : in is oresones beo. And ȝif heo ne mouwen for no-þing : maken chaungi is þouȝt, With gret procession [MS. precession] of preostes : to þe putte he worth i-brouȝt; Line 32 With þe croiz and with þe haliwatur : heo schullen blessi him ech-on, him-sulf he schal him blessi al-so : and þanne into þe putte gon; And þat procession schal tuyrne aȝen : ase riȝt is for-to done. A-moruwe In þulke tyme : heo schullen come þudere eft-sone, Line 36 And, bote heo finden him þanne aȝen i-come : with gret deol and sor heo schullen tuyrne a-ȝein, and sikere beoth : þat he ne comez aȝen non-more.— ¶ hit bi-fel bi þe kingus daiȝe steuene : þat novþe late was, Of a kniȝt, þat heiȝte sire Ovwayn : a swiþe wonder cas. Line 40 to þe bischop þis kniȝt eode : and to schrifte to him he cam, In grete repentaunce of is sunnes : deol and sorewe to him he nam.

Þe bischop bi-gan to chide faste : for þat he hadde mis-do, And seide þat he was manne worst : for-to sunegun so, Line 44 And seide þat he ne miȝte so muche schame a-fonge : þat he nere wuyrþe more. Þe kniȝt sat with careful heorte : he siȝte and weop ful sore. ¶ "Sire," seide þe kniȝt, "ȝwan ich habbe : manne worst i-do, to þe sunne þat grettest is : mest penaunce mot þar-to; Line 48 And ȝif ich a-mong alle men : mest sunful am, alas, Þe gretteste penaunce ichulle take : þat euere bi-founde was: Ichulle me take to godes grace : and in is name i-wende Into seint paterikes purgatorie : and take þat god me wole sende." Line 52 "Ov, beu frere," quath þe bischop : "be stille, ȝwi seistþo^v so? Crist for-beode þat þov euere : swuch folie do! Onneþe comez þare ani a-ȝen : þat doth þare-In i-wende; Nolde god þat þov þe dede dudest : bodi and soule to schende! Line 56 Ake wend into religion and bi-lef þare : to þine liues ende: Þine sunnes þou miȝt bete wel : ȝif god þe wole grace sende." "Certes, sire," quath þis kniȝt : "ase wel þov miȝt beo stille, For þulke penaunce ichulle do : ȝif it is godes wille; Line 60 For ase muche ase ich habbe of-serued : Ine mai nouȝt habe of wo. Þere-fore seiȝe ȝwat i schal : for þudere ichulle go." ¶ Þe bischop prechede him faste i-novȝ : for-to chaungi is þouȝt; Ake atþe laste, þo he isaiȝ : þat it was al for nouȝt, Line 64 To þe prior of þe stude : his lettres made sone, [folio 97b] Þat he scholde bi him do : ase bi swuch a man was to done. ¶ Þe prior prechede him faste i-novȝ : and schewede him resones i-nowe, Ȝif he miȝte changi is þouȝt : þat he him with-drowe; Line 68 bote is prechinge was al for nouȝt. : ase he saiȝ atþen ende Þat he nolde lete for no-þing : þene perilouse wei to wende, Þe prior nam him bi þe hond : and in-to churche him brouȝte. Þare he ful akne adoun : and ore louerdes grace bi-souȝte; Line 72 In fastingues and in oresones : fourtene niȝt he lai, Forte bidde ore louerdes grace. : and in þe fourteþe dai Þat Couent cam a-boute him : and oþere preostes al-so And clerkes, with procession : þe seruise for him to do. Line 76

Line 76 ¶ For him heo songun þe heiȝe-masse : and to ore louerd criden faste, And ore louerdes flechs and is blod : heo ȝeuen him atþe laste, And spreinden him with holi watur : and heore oresones heo seide. With Croiz and with procession : to þe put heo gonne him lede, Line 80 And heiȝliche songun þe letanie : and holi water with hem bere, And alle louerdes halewe beden : þat heo heore [r. his] help were. Þe prior on-lek þe puttes dore : bi-fore heom ech-on, And seide : "beu frere, lo here þe wei : þat þou wilnest for-to gon. Ake ȝif þou wolt bi ore rede do : þi þouȝt þou schalt wende And in oþur manere þine sunnes bete : ase god þe grace wole sende; Fewe here comen euere aȝen : þat wenden here-In bi-fore, Ake heo beoth for tormentingue and for wo : lif and soule for-lore." ¶ "Certes, sire," quath þis kniȝt : "rede ȝwat þov me rede, In ore louerdes name þane wei ich take : to bete mine misdede. Line 90 Ake for is loue þat us deore bouȝte : biddez for me ech-on! Lif and soule god ich bi-take : and In his name ichulle In gon." Line 92 he blessede him, and wende forth In : and bi-tok god is flesch and is bon; Þe prior spreinde him with holi water : and lek þe dore a-non. Þis guode kniȝt wende him forth : wel baldeliche and faste, In one holewe weie onder eorþe : and to god is heorte caste; Line 96 Swyþe deork it was, þat he ne say riȝt nouȝt : ne no-þing him ne a-gaste. So longe þat him þouȝte he i-saiȝ : wel feor liȝt atþe laste. Þuderward he wende baldeliche : so þat he cam þere neiȝ: Þe faireste feld þat miȝte beo : atþe weiȝes ende he iseiȝ. [Pulchra via.] Line 100 ¶ Þare-Inne he wende murie i-novȝ : and a-midde þe felde he fond Þe faireste halle and þe nobleste : þat miȝte beo in ani lond. Ake þet weder nas nouȝt cler : bote ase it were neiȝ eue. Forto bi-holde þat noble weork : ane stounde he gan bi-leue. Line 104 Þe walles neren nouȝt i-hole : ake al a-boute i-wis With pilers and with q^voynte Arches : ase þis Monekene cloistre is. In he wende a godes name : and sette him al one an heiȝ; he bi-heold a-boute in-to eche huyrne : and þat quoy[n]te weork he seiȝ. Line 108

Line 108 Ase he bi-heold al-so a-boute : þare come In at þe on ende Twelf men in ȝwite cloþes : swiþe faire and hende; [folio 98] Alle heore crounes weren newe schaue— : and suyþe faire heo him gretten, And alle heo seten faire a-doun : and þane [kniȝt] bi heom heo setten. ¶ Þo seide on of heom, ase þei it þe prior were : wel mildeliche and stille: "bev frere, i-hered beo Ihesu crist : þat on þe brouȝte swuche wille, And late þe þat þouȝ a-godes name hast bi-gonne : for is holi grace wel ende! leue broþur, ȝwane þou woldest þis wei : for þine sunnes wende, Line 116 Oþur þov most beon studefast and hardi : and in none manere tuyrne þi þouȝt, Oþur þov worst for-lore, lif and soule : and sone to þe deuel i-brouȝt. For also-sone ase we beth heonne i-went : þe feondes luþere and wicke heo wollez come a-boute þe : In-to þis hous ful þicke, Line 120 And don þe tormens and wo i-novȝ : and bi-hote þe wel more; And heo wollez also bi-hote þe Ioye i-novȝ : ȝif þov wolt leue heore lore; And ȝif heo mouwen þoruȝ ani bi-heste : oþur enie gile, þe ouer-come, For-soþe þov worst, lif and soule : a-deuele wei al clene i-nome. Line 124 Ake ȝif þov art studefast of heorte : and on Ihesu crist wolt þenche, Ne for bi-heste [MS. heste heste] ne for wo : fram him þou nelle blenche, Þou worst quit of alle þine sunnes : þat þov hast euere i-wrouȝt, And þov schalt i-seo alle þe Ioies : þat guode men beoth inne i-brouȝt, And al-so þe pine þat luþere men : habbez for heore mis-dede. Ake in ȝwat wo þat þov euere art : euere þench on god, ich rede, ¶ And euere ȝwane heo tormentiez þe : cri Iesu milce and ore, And, ȝif þou art studefast in gode bi-leue : heo ne schullen defouli þe non-more. Line 132 We bi-takez þe god of heuene : and ich rede þov do bi ovre lore." Þo nuste þe kniȝt ȝware heo bi-comen. : he sat and siȝte sore, Elinge he bilefte alone : and cride on godes miȝte, And Armede him with holie beden : aȝen þe deuelene to fiȝte, Line 136 On þe holi gost he cride faste : þat he ne scholde him faile;

he lokede euere ȝwane heo comen : him for-to a-saille. Ase he sat a-godes name : þe bataille for-to a-bide, Þare cam a sori reuful cri : a-boute in eche side, Line 140 Ase alþe world to-borste and to-breke : him þouȝte it was al-so, Þat, þei alle þe bestes of þe worlde : to-gadere weren i-do, Ase [al. & ase] loude and ase grisliche ase heo miȝten : ȝeollinde ech-one heo were. Ake [al. om.] heo ne miȝten a-mong heom alle : make so grisliche bere, Line 144 Þat [al. þat ȝif] is hope and is heorte on ihesu crist : euere-more heo were, [r. nere] Elles he hadde wod bi-come : and i-lore is wit for fere. ¶ Þo comen heo a-bouten him : þicke and grisliche þere, Ȝeonijnde and grenninde on him : with ful lodlich chere. Line 148 "bel ami," quath þe on of heom : "þou hast a-riȝt i-do, We owez wel alle a-nouri þe : for al to fewe doth so. For alle oþere men wollez a-bide : þat heore lif heom beo bi-nome, And ȝeot it is aȝen heore wille : þat heo schullen hidere come: Line 152 And þov art i-come al bi þine liue : and bi þine guode wille al-so; Wel ouȝte we þine mede ȝelde : and gre[t] þonk also þe do. Ȝwane þov hast boþe bodi and soule : iȝyuen us bi þine liue, [folio 98b] Saunt faille we ne beoth nouȝt so onkuynde : þat we it nellez ȝelde þe bliue, Line 156 For þe kundenesse þat þov to us come : al bi þine owene lore. Ake naþeles, ȝif þou wolt on eorþe : habbe Ioye more, Sikere us an hond þat þov wolt : In ore seruise bi-leue And we þe wollez aȝen to eorþe bringe : al sauf, are hit beo eue, Line 160 And þov schalt habbe þare Ioye i-nouȝ : in halle and eke in boure— For none men ne fareth so murie þare : ase þulke þat beoth ovre. heiȝ man and noble þov schalt beo : and alle men schullen honouri þe. Ȝwane þov art ded ant comest to us : þou schalt habbe ase guod ase we." Line 164 Þis kniȝt þouȝte euere on Iesu crist : and nolde chaungi is wille, For þretninge ne for fair bi-heste : ake sat him euere stille. Þo he nolde graunti nouȝt : to heom for-to wende, heo ȝollen and grenneden on him foule : and strong fuyr bi-gonne for-to tiende; Line 168

Line 168 ¶ Þis kniȝt heo bounden honden and fet : and a-midde þe fuyre him [Prima pena.] caste, With Irene Ovles and pikes : heo to-drowen him wel faste. Þis kniȝt hadde gret pine : wel loude he cride a-non: "Ihesus, Ihesus, help me nouþe : and do a-wei mine fon!" Line 172 A-non so [he] hadde þis word i-seid : þat fuyr a-queinte ech spronke, And þe deuelene ne miȝten him non more to-drawe. : ore louerd he gan þonke, And þe hardiore he was i-nouȝ : þo he þis i-seiȝ, And þe lasse he was of heom a-drad : þat weren him so neiȝ. Line 176 Wel grisliche heo ȝollen, þe schrewes : þo heom faillede heore miȝt, And flouwen echone out of þe halle : and drowen with heom þis kniȝt. A-ȝen þe grounde heo drowen him harde : boþe bi fet and honde, longe, him þouȝte, and swiþe feor : al-a-boute in a waste londe. Line 180 So blac and deork was al þat lond : þat no-þing he ne seiȝ bote þe feondes þat him to-drowen : þat so þicke weren him neiȝ. Ake swiþe softe wind þare was : þat he heorde onneþe, Ake so scharpe he bleuȝ and colde : þat brouȝte him neiȝ to deþe; Riȝt colde he wende þoruȝ is heorte : and þoruȝ al is bodi also, Þat him were leouere þane al þe world : þat þe pine were ido. Þus colde heo drowen him, ase heom [r. him] þouȝte : forth riȝt est, i-wis, Ase þe sonne a-rist in somer : ȝwane þe dai lengest is. Line 188 Þo heo comen, ase heom [r. prima Secunda¹ pena] þouȝte : riȝt to þe worldes ende, bi a brod valeie heo torneden heom : and southward gonne i-wende, toward þe stude þat þe sonne : In winter doth a-rise. Þis seli kniȝt was i-drawe : and i-pined in fale wise. Line 192 Þo þouȝte him þat he i-heorde feor : bi-fore him ase it were, Swiþe deolful cri and wop : and swyþe revful bere; Euere þe neor þat heo comen : þe revlokur was þat cri. So longe [heo] drowen him, þat him þouȝte : þat heo weren riȝt þer-bi. ¶ Þo comen heo into a wid feld : non more ne miȝte beo, So long and brod in eche side : þat he ne miȝte non ende i-seo. Line 198 Of men and of wummen þis feld was : ful in eche side, Þe wombene to-ward þe grounde : i-spradde a-brod ful wide, [folio 99] hondene and fet al a-brod : to þe eorþe faste i-bounde

With Irene nailles al fuyrie : i-smite þoruȝ heom to grounde. Þis wrechche gostes weren [al. om.] so i-pinede : with Irene and with fuyre. So deolful cri heo maden þare : þat gret deol it was to huyre; Line 204 heo criden merci deolfulliche : Ake no merci men nolde heom do; For Anguische þe eorþe heo freten : and hore tongene gnowen al-so. Þe deoulene ornen opon hem : and treden heom to þe grounde, And with Ovles swiþe kene : maden heom mani a wounde.— Line 208 Allas, ȝwy nellez men beon i-war : and heore sunnes here bete, Are heo comen to purgatorie : and with þe luþere gostes mete! For ase wel beth þe schrewes in purgatorie : and ouer-al, ase in helle, And schullen for-to þe daiȝe of dome come : telle ȝwat men telle.— Þe feondes seiden, "riȝt ase [þis] men beoth i-pinede : þov schalt beo also, bote þov wolle þi þouȝt wende : and after ovre rede do." ¶ And þo he nolde in none manere : to grounde harde heo him caste And tormenteden him ase þe oþere weren : and to þe eorþe naileden him faste. Line 216 Ake he criede a-non to ihesu crist : þo him smert so sore: Þare nas non of þe schrewes þo : þat miȝten serui him so more. [Tertia pena.] Þo þe schrewes i-seiȝen þat heo ne miȝten : heore wille habben þo, heo drowen him into an oþur felde : wel ful of more wo. Line 220 Of Men and wummen it was ful : op-riȝt i-sprad to grounde, Fet and hondene a-to i-drawe : and to þe eorþe faste i-bounde, With glowinde biendes al of Ire : i-nailede heo weren þer-to; Al fuyrie naddrene ope heom seten : and foule crapoudes al-so. Line 224 Some of þe naddrene bi-clupten heom : so faste al a-boute Þat heom þouȝte heo scholden to-berste : so streite heo gurden heom with-oute; Some seten ope heom : and heore flesch al-to-gnowe And with kene tieth al fuyrie : wombe and breoste to-drowe, Line 228 Some with hore scharpe tounges : þoruȝ þe heorte sore heom smite; Some heo gnowen, and some heo stounge : and some with scharpe tieth heom bite. Þe Crapoudes al-so, þat weren so foule : op-on heore breostene sete And stoungen heom þoruȝ heore heortene : with heore foule wrottes grete. Line 232

Line 232 Þe luþere gostes ornen al-so : a-boute heom i-nowe With hokes and with ouȝles : a[nd] [MS. a] with gret eir heom to-drowe. Þe wrechche gostes, so for-pinede : in swuch torment weren [al. om.] i-brouȝt, heo criden alle deolfulliche : ake hit ne halp heom nouȝt. Line 236 ¶ Þe feondes nomen þis seli kniȝt : and wolden him pini al-so: Ake anon so he cride on Ihesu crist : ne miȝten heo bringe him þer-to. Ȝeot þe feondes eft-sone him nomen : and to þe þridde feld him [Quarta pena.] brouȝte. In stronge pine he saiȝ þare wrechche gostes : þat of heom-self luyte rouȝte, Line 240 Þat weren i-spradde on þe eorþe abrod : and i-smiten þoruȝ-out ech-one with nailes þicke al abrod : ase þare miȝten stikie one, Þat man ne miȝte finde ane amtie place : on al heore bodie so luyte Þat man miȝte for þe þicke nailles : a fingres ende to heom puyte. ¶ A smart wind also to oþur wo : on heom bleuȝ wel faste, [folio 99b] Þat heom þouȝte heo weren i-barnd : þoruȝ-out with eche blaste. Þe feondes ornen faste a-boute : fram ech to oþur i-nowe And heore wrechche flesch with oþur wo : mid Ovles heom to-drowe. Þeos wrechche gostes, so fur-pinede : and in swuch torment i-brouȝt, Revliche heo criden ase heo miȝten : ake it ne halp heom riȝt nouȝt; For heo weren so clene ouer-come : þat heo ne miȝten onneþe Ani voiz out-bringe bote ase a man : þat were ope þe pointe of deþe: In heore þrote heo criden dimmeliche : for heore strencþe heom was bi-nome With muche pine, and no wonder it nas : þei heo weren ouer-come. Þe feondes nomen þis seli kniȝt : and to grounde him caste, And seiden, bote he wolde turne is þouȝt : heo wolden naili him þare wel faste. Line 256 Ake he cride on Ihesu crist : and nemde is holi name: Þe schrewes ne hadden none miȝte þo : to don him more schame. [Quinta pena.] Ȝeot heo nomen and drowen him : into þe feorþe felde, Ful of brumston al brenninde : with stronge leiȝe and spelde. Line 260 ¶ Ech manere pine þat miȝte beo : In þulke felde he seiȝ: Some with chaines of Ire : al fuyrie, hengen on heiȝ, Some bi Armes, some bi fet : and bi þe necke mani on,

heo weren an-hangede in stronge fuyre : of pich and eke brumston; Some hengen bi stronge crokus : I-pulte þoruȝ eiþur Eyȝe, Þoruȝ þe þrote some also : and þoruȝ eiþur ere wel heiȝe, Line 266 And some þoruȝ heore derne limes : and some þoruȝ þe tete, Þat leuere heom were þane al þe world : heore lyf to habbe i-lete. Some op-on grediles of Ire : i-rostede weren also, Some ase gyes, þe spites of Ire : þoruȝ-out heom i-do; Some leyen opriȝt a-ȝein þe grounde : ȝeonijnde wel faste, Þe feondes welden led and bras : and in heore mouþes caste. Line 272 he ne miȝte bi-þenche no manere pine : þat he ne saiȝ mo þer. him þouȝte he saiȝ þare mani on : þat he knev on eorþe her. Þe feondes him casten a-midde þis pine : a-mong þis oþere ech-on: And he cride on Iesu crist : and was deliured a-non. Line 276 [Sexta pena.] ¶ Ȝeot þis feondes þis selie kniȝt : into an oþur place huy drowe. Þare-Inne he i-saiȝ a grislich ȝweol : with spokene longe i-nowe; Þat on ende hangede toward þe grounde : þat oþur op-on heiȝ, Ful it was of hokes and pikes : wel þicke, ase he i-seiȝ; Line 280 Þis hokes and þis pikes weren : faste i-riuen al-so, With wrechche gostes al-a-boute : þat þaron weren i-do. Al brenninde was þis sorie ȝweol : and stinkinde of brumston; Þe wrechche gostes þat þar-on hengen : brenninde weren ech-on. Line 284 Þis feondes wenden forth a-non : and heore hokes þaron caste In eiþur side, a[nd] [MS. a] tur[n]den a-boute : þis sori ȝweol so faste, Þat of þe gostus þat þaron hengen : no-þing heo ne seiȝe— So faste heo torneden þat ȝweol a-boute— : bote þe brenninde leiȝe; Ake deolfulliche heo criden and ȝollen : euer-ech in is ende.— Alas, ȝwi nellez men beon i-war : are heo heonnes wende, [folio 100] Ȝwane he miȝten here with a luytel pine : bete heore mis-dede And þare heo schullen so bitere a-bugge : alas, þe wrechhede!— Line 292 Þis feondes nomen þis seli kniȝt : and on þis ȝweol him caste And with þis oþere wrechche gostes : torneden him a-boute faste: Sone he cride on Ihesu crist : deliuered he was a-non; Þe feondes stoden and bi-heolden : with dreori mod ech-on. Line 296 [Septima pena.] ¶ Eft heo nomen him bitterliche : and ferrore ȝuyt him ladde, And harleden him forth wel revfulliche : and loude ȝollen and gradde. bi-fore him he saiȝ an hous stonde : long and brod i-novȝ;

stunch and hete þat þarof cam : him þouȝte al-mest [him] a-slouȝ. Line 300 he with-stod, and nolde, is þonkes : for stunche gon non ner; "Ferrore þov schalt," þe fendes seiden : "þou ne schalt nouȝt a-bide her; A bath it is þat þov isijcst : and þar-inne þov schalt beo Line 303 And baþi with oþere þat þare beoth : ne schalt þov nouȝt so fleo." Þe gostes þat þare-inne weren : wel deolfulliche cride And ȝollen loude, ase he i-heorde : a-boute in eche side. Þis kniȝt with þis foule wiȝtes : Into þe grete house cam. Of tormens þat he þare isaiȝ : gret gome with-alle he nam. Line 308 ful of puttes and of diches : þat hous with-inne it was; More seoruwe ne more stunch : neuere i-seiȝe nas: heo weren folle of stronge tormens : boillinde euer-ech-on Of wallinde led, and i-fulde heo weren : of piche and brumston. Line 312 Wrechche gostus þare-inne seten : þe torment tilde wel heiȝe: Some a-boue þe heued : and some riȝt to þe Eyȝe, Some to þe nose, and some to þe mouth : and some op to þe swere And some to heore breostene : and a-bouȝten heore sunnes ful deore, And some to heore nauele : and some neþerrore more, Line 317 And some stoden op to heore knen : and criden and weopen sore, And some stoden In with boþe fet : and some with þat on; Deolfolliche heo weopen and criden : and ȝollen euerechon. Line 320 ¶ "Nov þov i-sixt," queþen þe feondes : "ȝwoder-In þov schalt gon, bote þov wolle an-oþur speke : and to us tuyrne a-non." heo nomen and casten him In a putte. : on Iesus a-non he cride: Op he cam a-non a-ȝen : and no lengore he ne moste þare a-bide. Line 324 [[Octaua pena.]] heo nomen him in grete wrathþe : and harleden him ferrere more, And brouȝten him opon a swyþe gret hul : ful of sorewe and sore. he stod and bi-heold a-boute : þo he cam þare-op an heiȝ; him wondrede of þe manie gostes : þat he þare i-seiȝ. Line 328 Alle þe pinene [al. þat alle] þat he hadde er i-seiȝe : þare-aȝen nouȝt nere: I-cluiȝte heo seten ope heore ton : and quakeden revliche for fere. In þe south-half of þe hul : a deop water þare was and louȝ, Þat foule stonk, and caldore was : þane ani ys oþur snovȝ. Line 332 A norþerne wind faste blevȝ : þat him þouȝte is flesch to-rende; Euere þare seten gostes : and a-ȝein þe winde heom wende,

heo quakeden and chyuereden faste : in grete pine and stronge, [folio 100b] Ase ho-so seith a-bidet þare heore time : heore deth for-to a-fonge. "lo," seide on of þe feondes : "þov nost nouȝt ȝwat istis; bote þov torne þi þouȝt sone : þou schalt i-wite, i-wis." Ne hadde he bote þis word i-seid : þat þare ne cam a wind blowe And drof alle þis wrechche gostes : into þe deope watur ful lowe; Line 340 ¶ Þe Norþerne wynd drof heom a-doun : al mid one blaste, And alle þe gostes, and þene kniȝt : a-midde þe watere hem caste. More pine ne miȝte non beo : of stronge chele ne of stunche Þane þis gostes þarinne hadden : þare ne miȝte non at-blenche. Line 344 Þo þe kniȝt þe stronge pine : of þis water i-felde, he gan to crie on Ihesu crist : þat faillede him ful selde: A-non-riȝt with-oute lette : op of þis watere man him [al. he (man om.)] drovȝ. Ake þis wrechche gostes lefden þere : with sorewe and wo i-novȝ. For in þat water, þat was so cold : and so foule stonk also, Line 349 Þis gostes swymden op and doun : in muche sorewe and wo; Þe feondes ornen opon þe watere : so men doth on þe londe, And ȝwane ani wolde coueri [al. cleueri] op : with fote oþur with honde, Line 352 heo pulten him a-doun a-ȝen : þat þare ne a-scapede non; Þare was wo and sorewe i-nouȝ : a-mong heom euerechon. ¶ Þis feondes wenden forth a-non : and þe seli kniȝt eft nome, And drowen him into a sori stude : þare neuer er heo ne come. Line 356 heo comen and stoden ouer a put : wyd it was and deop i-novȝ; A brenninde smoke, þat foule stonk : op of þe putte drovȝ, Þat onneþe þe knyȝt miȝte stonde : for sori stunch þare-neiȝ. Wrechche gostes in þis put : in þat sori smoke he seiȝ Line 360 Fleo op and doun al brenninde : ase speldene doth of fuyre, And in-to þe putte eft fullen a-doun : þo heo ne miȝten no leng duyre. him þouȝte he was al ouer-come : for þe stunche þat þar-op of drovȝ; Þare-bi him þouȝte þat in þe grounde : was soruwe and deol i-novȝ. "Ȝwy stanst þov so?" þe fendes seiden : "þinchþ þe þarof wonder, Of þis swete smoke þat here bloweth : and ȝwat put beo þare-onder? [Puteum Inferni.] ¶ In þis put is ovre woneingue : for þe put of helle it is; And, for þov us hast i-serued wel : here þov schalt wonie, i-wis, Line 368 For alle þat us seruieth wel : hidere heo schullen wende; And, ȝif þov comest here-in with us : þov worst here with-outen ende.

Þare-fore i rede torne þi þouȝt : and do us here man-rede And we schullen þene wei ase we come [MS. conne] : al sauf a-ȝen þe lede; Line 372 Þov schalt on eorþe al þi lijf habbe : richesse, and Ioye al-so, For we schullen on eorþe þe finde i-novȝ : ase riȝt is þat we do." Þo þe kniȝt for-sok heore bi-heste : ase he hadde er i-lome, heo smiten heom a-doun into þe putte : and þene kniȝt with heom nome. Line 376 Þe deoppore þat heo comen : þ[e] braddere þe put was; Ake [al. þat] al þe wo þat he isaiȝ er : a-ȝein þat nouȝt it nas. Of stunch, of brenninge, and of oþur wo : þe kniȝt was so ouer-come Þat is þovȝt toward Iesu crist : neiȝ him was bi-nome; [folio 101] Line 380 So muche pine nas neuere i-seiȝe— : him þouȝte ase þei he felde Þat he was neiȝ ope þe pointe : þene gost op to ȝelde. Ake ore louerd a-mong al is wo : grace him ȝaf atþe laste Þat he þouȝte on Ihesu crist : and to him cride [faste]. [MS. atþe laste] Line 384 A smoke þare cam smite up a-non : mid one wel stronge blaste Þene kniȝt an heiȝ a-boue þe putte : and manie oþere [al. om.] gostes, caste. Þe kniȝt ȝwirlede op in þis blast : ase speldene doth, wel wide, Atþe laste he liȝte a-doun : a-boue þe putte bi side. Line 388 Þare he stod and bi-heold a-boute : ase man þat witles were, Þat for þe pine þat he hadde i-haued : he nuste hov he cam þere. Þo he hadde longe i-stonde al one : and bi-holde a-boute, Þare comen blaste op of þe putte : deuelene a gret rouȝte Line 392 And [stoden] bi him al a-boute : al newe as þei heo were; Ase him þouȝte, he ne saiȝ hem : neuer er bote þo þere. heo bi-heolden him wel grisliche : and grenneden on him al-a-boute, And seiden, "ȝwi stanst þov here al one? : þov most come into ovre rovte." Line 396 heo seiden, "tolden ore felawes þe : þat þis was þe put of helle? hit nis nouȝt so, ake we wollez sone : for riȝte soþe þe telle. Nostþov nouȝt þat it is ore riȝte : to liȝen euere-mo, And þat we with lesingues bi-traieth men : bote it mowe oþur go? And so ore felawes louwen þe : þat þis was þe put of helle; Line 401 Ake þov schalt come þudere with us : and þe soþe we wollez þe telle." ¶ Þis deouelene harleden þane kniȝt forth : þat wo was him to-drawe, Þat him were leouere þane ani-þing : þat he hadde i-beo of lif-dawe.

So þat heo comen to a swyþe gret watur : deop and brod i-novȝ; A strong mist, þat foule stonk : op of þis watere drovȝ Line 406 Of brumston and of oþur wo— : so strong stunch neuere he ne seiȝ, Þat mid al þe pine of þe world : onneþe he stod þere-neiȝ. Line 408 A brugge þare was ouer þat watur : smallere ne miȝte non beo; Þe smoke was so þicke al-a-boute : þat onneþe he miȝte [it] i-seo. þo seiden þe sorie fendes : "we seggez þe i-wis Þat onder þis deope watere : þe put of helle so is. Line 412 And þat þov schalt sone i-wite : for þov schalt sone a-non ouer þis watur, þat is so deop : opon þis brugge gon, And we schullen þe sende swuch a wynd : þat schal þe amidde caste, And ore felawes þat beoth bi-neothe : schullen þe nime wel faste And drawe þe doun forth with hem : Into helle grounde a-non. Cum novþe forth and þouȝ schalt : op-on þis brugge gon." Line 418 heo nomen þis seli kniȝt : and op-on þis brugge drowe, And maden him go þere, is on-þonkes : with wrechhedes i-nowe. Line 420 Þreo þingus vuele i-nowe : on þis brugge were: Þat on was, for heo was so heiȝ : þat no gost ne [al. vnneþe me] miȝte for fere Þare-oppe gon and so deope a-doun : habbe so grisliche siȝte; Þat oþur was, for heo was so narovȝ : þat onneþe ani-þing [al. me] miȝte Line 424 Þare-oppe sette ani fot : þat he ne fulle a-doun a-non; [folio 101b] Þe þridde, þat heo was so slider : þat man ne miȝte þare-oppe gon bote he slide and felle a-doun : so sleiȝ man neuere nere. Þeos þreo þinges þesne selie kniȝt : brouȝten in grete fere, Line 428 For heo was narovȝ, and slider, and heiȝ : þat he ne scholde him so bi-telle, Ȝif þat he glufte [al. glide] in ani half : þat he ne fulle in-to helle. ¶ Þare-oppe he was with strencþe i-brouȝt : and þare-oppe i-maket to gon. So gret drede, ase him þouȝte : ne hadde he neuer er non. Line 432 Ake sone he þouȝte on ihesu crist : þat so ofte him sauede er, And cride on is holie name : þat he were is helpe þer. he eode forth we[l] baldeliche : and þe innore þat he cam Þe hardiore him þouȝte he was : and þe betere heorte to him he nam, And þe braddore was is wei— : so longe forth he eode, Þat it was so brod þat þere miȝte : a carte gon for neode, Line 438

Line 438 And so longe, þat tuei cartes miȝte : meten heom wel i-novȝ. Þe kniȝt þo wel baldeliche : ase a maister forth him drouȝ. Line 440 Þe feondes stoden bi-neþe þe brugge : and seiȝen him so faste gon, And for al þe wo þat heo him duden : ne ouer-cam him nouȝt on; heom þouȝte, it was al for nouȝt : after him to honten more: grisliche heo gonne forto ȝeolle : ant to crie and wepe suyþe sore, Þat for þe ȝeollinge þat heo maden : he hadde wel more fere Line 445 Þane of al þe pine þat he hadde er : so lodlich was þe bere; ¶ heore Oules heo nomen and heore hokes : and toward him casten an heiȝ; Ake þare nas non þat him touchi miȝte : ne no-þing come him neiȝ. So þat al sauf with alle Ioye : ouer þis watere he him drovȝ, Line 449 And þe feondes lefden bi-hinde : with grete soruwe ant sor i-nouȝ— In helle is heore kuynde heritage : and elles for-soþe it were wovȝ! heo leten him go ȝwodere he wolde : and ne fondeden him non more, And heolden heom cleneliche ouer-come : for al heore false lore. Þis kniȝt wende him forth, sauf i-nouȝ— : þat he hadde erore deore a|bouȝt, Line 454 And þonkede ȝeorne Ihesu crist : þat þe feondes ne siweden him nouȝt. Þat watur he passede sauf inovȝ : and forþere þene wey he nam. Þe contrie him þouȝte murie i-nouȝ : þare-forth þat he cam; Þe forþere þat he wende : þe more murevþe he seiȝ. Line 458 So [longe] þat he i-saiȝ ane wal : swiþe noble and heiȝ— So riche weork nas neuere i-seiȝe : ase him [þouȝte] þat þar-on was; And swyþe fair ȝat þaron he saiȝ : þat neuere swuch i-seiȝe nas; Þat ȝat schon swyþe briȝte : ase þei it al gold were, Line 462 Folle of derewurþe stones i-piȝte : none richere neuere nere. him þouȝte, are he þudere cam : is wei ful longe laste. Line 464 Þo he cam forþere a luytel wiȝt : he stod and bi-heold it faste. Þat [ȝat] [om.] wende op aȝen him : and a-non-riȝt with þe dede Þare cam smite out a swote smel : and wide a-boute gan sprede, Þat him þouȝte, þei al þe world : swote spices were, Line 468 So muche swotnesse ne miȝte ȝiuen : ase þat suote smul dude þere. In so gret Ioye him þouȝte he was : þat þei he hadde beo i-brouȝt [folio 102] In-to al þe soruwe þat he was er : it ne schulde him habbe i-greued nouȝt.

he bi-heold in at þis ȝate : þo he cam þer-neiȝ: Line 472 More clernesse nas neuere i-seiȝe : him þouȝte, þane he þere i-seiȝ. Ase he wolde þare-In wende : aȝein him þare cam gon A procession fair i-novȝ : of noble men ech-on, with creoiz and with taperes : and with baneres clere; Line 476 I-reuested faire muche folk was : and ech hadde is fere, Some were bischopus and Ercedeknes : and some Monekes and freres, And euerech, him þouȝte, hadde þe Abite : þat heo wereden here. with þe meste Ioye þat miȝte beo : þis kniȝt was onder-fonge, Line 480 And i-lad In with Ioye i-novȝ : mid solas and murie songe. Þo þis murie song was i-do : to him sone þare come Tweien ase it maistres weren : and bi þe honde him nome, And welcomeden him wel mildeliche : and þonkeden ore louerd faste, Þat him sende so guode bi-leue : so stableliche for-to laste. heo ladden him a-boute and scheweden him : þat lond fer and ner: So muche Ioie and clernesse : him þouȝte he ne saiȝ neuer er. ¶ Ase þe sonne bi-nimez þe liȝt : of Candle a-boute Midday, Line 488 Also it bi-nam þe sonne hire leom : him þouȝte, ase [al. þe liȝt þat] he þare i-saiȝ. So long and brod þe place was : þat he ne miȝte non ende i-seo: A fair Medwe he saiȝ [al. Al murie med] with swete floures : swottere ne miȝte non beo, Treon al-so with noble fruyt : þat smulde swote Inovȝ; And þe [al. So gret] swotnesse of euer-ech stude : al a-boute op drouȝ, Þat þare with-oute mete and drunch : him þouȝte, euere-mo he miȝte libbe with alle Ioie : ȝif he moste þare-Inne go. It was þere euere i-liche liȝt : and euere it was dai. Line 496 So muche folk in none place, him þouȝte : neuer er he ne saiȝ. Ech Compaygnie to oþur drovȝ : and ech bi oþur stod, With murie song and Melodie : and gladnesse in heore mod, Þat ech of oþur þe more Ioye : to-gadere heo miȝten a-fonge; Line 500 Al-miȝti god, þat heom schop : heo hereden In heore songe. And ase sum steorre þat ȝe i-seoth : briȝtore þane oþur is, Also was bi heom, for some weren : clerore þane some, i-wis; Ake þulke þat mest dosk was : him þouȝte, was more cler Line 504 And briȝtore schon, þane ani gold : þat he i-saiȝ euer er. ¶ Ech werede cloþes of þe en-taile : þat heo wereden on eorþe here: Monekes ase it to Monek bi-feol : and freres ase to frere;

So þat heo hadden heore riȝte fourme : ake wel briȝtore was hore hev, Ant ȝwat men heo were on eorþe : bi heore cloþinge he knev. Some hadden þe croune of golde : an-ouewarde þe heued ido, Line 510 And some beren in heore hond : ȝeordene of golde al-so. And alle heo þonkeden Ihesu crist : þat so studefast heorte him sende, Þe kniȝt, for al þe pine þat he hadde : is heorte enes ne wende; Ech-one heom þouȝte þat for him : In þe more Ioye heo were. Line 514 he stod and bi-heold al þis Ioie : as þei no wit on him nere. Þe on, ase it heore maister were : is Mouth ondude wel softe [folio 102b] And welcomede him wel mildeliche : and þonkede ore louerd ofte, Þat swuch porpos him hadde i-send : and studefast heorte al-so, Line 518 Þat he ne chaungede nouȝt is þouȝt : for al þat him was i-do. "bev frere," he seide, "i-herd beo god : þat þe hauez hidere i-brouȝt And a-mong alle þine stronge fon : studefast i-wust þi þouȝt! Of þe pine of sunfule gostes : I-fondet þov hauest i-nouȝ, Line 522 And þare-with þine sunnes i-bet : and elles it were wouȝ. ¶ Þov miȝt here sumdel i-seo : þat þov wilnest more, Line 524 Of þe Ioye þat guode soulene habbez : þat comieth to milce and ore. Þis place þat we inne beoth : ich wene þov ne knowest nouȝt: It is eorþelich parays : þat Adam was Inne i-brouȝt And þat he was Inne ymad : and sethþe for is mis-dede Line 528 he was i-cast out þar-of, and we also : on eorþe into alle wrechchehede; ¶ Al þe Ioye þat þov i-sixt her : he hadde to is wille, Ake he ne miȝte, þo he was out i-cast : þar-of i-seo wurth a fille. Of wrechhede we beoth i-kened : and of sunful blode i-come: Line 532 And þat us is þoruȝ godes grace : ant þoruȝ ore cristinedom bi-nome. Ak þat we aftur ore cristindom : of sunne on eorþe wrouȝte, On eorþe oþur in purgatorie : wel deore we it bouȝte: For we alle þat þou here i-sixt : þare-forth hidere come Line 536 And ore sunnes þare betten : and harde penaunce nome, Ne miȝte we elles here come. : ase guod bi þe it is: For ȝif þine sunnes nere for-ȝiue : þov ne come nouȝt here, i-wis. And alle þat þov þare i-seiȝe : to us þudere heo schullen wende, Line 540 And al dai doth some, ȝwane heo habbez : heore penaunce i-brouȝt to ende. Neuer on not hov longe he schal : þare bi-leue, i-wis;

For ho-so ani freond on eorþe hath : mid him þe betere it is: Þoruȝ massene and þoruȝ oþur beden : and þoruȝ almes-dede Line 544 Man mai hore pine muche a-legge : and þe sonore ovt þar-of heom lede. And ȝwane ani of heom hidere comez : aȝen him we wendez ech-on, Ase we duden a-ȝein þe, with Ioye : and ledez him In a-non. Ake non of us nis ȝuyt wuyrthþe : in-to heuene for-to wende, Line 548 Ne neuere on not ȝwane ovre louerd : after ani of us wole sende; For ech man þat in-to heuene schal : þoruȝ purgatorie mot And sethþe into eorþeliche parays : ase we beoth novþe, wel ich wot. For þis is ovre kuynde heritage : i-wrouȝt we weren þar-to, Line 552 Al for-to ore furste fader it a-gulte : and for-to he hadde mis-do; here we scholden alle habbe i-beon i-bore : and i-leoued ore lif al-so, For ore louerd wold þat we weren : In þe more Ioye i-do. Þei men beon ovt heonnes i-cast : here-forth heo moten wende Line 556 And [om. and] aȝen, ar heo to heouene come : aftur heore liues ende. Ake al þe Ioye þat is here : nis no-þing, i-wis, A-ȝein þe leste Ioye of heouene : wel muche þe meste is. Sum-þing þov schalt of heuene i-seo : In a place here-neiȝ." Line 560 he ladde him op-on an heiȝ hul : and bad him bi-holde on heiȝ, [folio 103] And axede him of ȝwuch colur were : heuene op-riȝt þere. he seide, him þouȝte riȝt ase gold : þat puyr wallinde were. "Ȝe," seide þis oþur, "þis is þe wei : þat geth riȝt to heuene blis, Line 564 And þat is þe ȝat of parays : þat with-oute heuene ȝeond is. ¶ Ech day some of purgatorie : comez hidere us to, And some of us to heuene wendez : euer-eche daye also; So þat [we] wexez eche daie : and waniez, þov sixt lo; Line 568 We nutez ȝwuch of us it schal beo next : bote as god wole habbe i-do. Ech dai þe ȝwuyle we here beoth : ore louerd us fedez ene with riche metes of heuene : þat swete is and clene; ȝwuche þulke metes beon : are þov heonnes wende Line 572 with us þov schalt sone i-wite : ȝwane god it wole us sende." Ne hadde he bote o word i-seid : þat þare ne cam a-liȝte A manere brez fram heouene a-doun : þat schon wel clere and briȝte, Þat ouer-spradde al þat lond : and a cler leome þare-with-oute, Line 576

Line 576 And [al. om.] opon euereches heued a-liȝte a-doun : wel faire, with-outen doute, [al. clerore þane aboute] And op-on þis kniȝtes heued al-so : an þoruȝ him smot a-non, And þoruȝ euerech lime and lith of him : þat swete liȝt gan gon; Þa[t] so muche wille [r. winne?] and Ioye : him þouȝte, neuere he nadde. Line 580 he stod, ase þei he were i-nomen : for Ioye þat he þo hadde, Ȝweþur he were quik oþur ded : bote ase he in metingue were. louerd, murie is þe Ioye of heuene : ase he i-felde wel þere! Ake it ne laste heom bote luytele ȝwile : þat þe leome ne with|drovȝ; Line 584 And naþeles, þei it luyte laste : þar-of heo weren fulle i-novȝ. Þe kniȝt stod and bi-heold a-boute : and is riȝte stat onder-stod. So fol he was of þat holi leome : þat so swete was and guod: him þouȝte, þei he leouede euere-more : and neuereft more ne ete, Line 588 Ne scholde him neuer-eft to mete luste : so guod was þe leome and swete. "Lo," seide þis oþur gost : þat schewede him al þis place, "Sum-del þov hast nouþe iseiȝe : of ore louerdes grace ¶ Of þe pine þat þe wrechche gostes : habbeth for heore mis|dede, Line 592 And of þe Ioye þat guode gostes : in parays doth lede, And sum-del of þe grete Ioie : þat in þe riȝte heuene is. Eche daiȝe we beoth i-fedde : ones with swuche Ioie and blis, And þanne beo we al dai fulle i-novȝ : for-to ore louerd more us sende: Line 596 In swuche Ioie heo beoth þat beoth in heouene : and worþez with|oute ende, And ȝuyt sum-del in more : it ne faillez heom neuere mo, And we ne beoth a day bote enes : for-to we þudere go; And ȝwan þat we þudere comieth : we schulle with-outen ende, Line 600 And þou, ȝif þov a-seruest heuene forth : þudere for-to wende. Þov miȝt don ase þov wolt : ȝwane þov comest to eorþe, i-wis, And þudere anon a-ȝen þou most— : for-soþe, at þe time it is; And ȝif þov wolt guod lif lede : þine mede þov miȝt i-seo; Line 604 And ȝwat pine heo habbez, þov hast i-seie : þat luþere wollez beo. A-ȝein þou most wende a-non : go forth a-godes name! [folio 103b]

For sikerliche þov miȝt gon : þe feondes ne mowen don þe no schame; heo beoth a-dradde wel sore of þe : and a-schamede in eche side. Line 608 A-godes name go forth þi wei : þov ne miȝt no leng here a-bide!" "A, sire, merci!" quath þis kniȝt : "bi-tide ȝwat me bi-tide, A fote i-nelle fram eov go : for wrechche-hede [MS. hedede] goth so wide. ¶ Ake soffriez me bi-leue here with ov! : for, ȝif ich fram eov wende, A-drad ich am of þe feondene miȝte : laste heo with sunne me schende." Line 613 "Do wei, beu frere," þis oþur seide : "ase wel þov miȝt beo stille, A-ȝen þov schalt to eorþe a-non : and [al. om.] þov miȝt don þare þine wille; And ȝif þov seruest wel ore louerd þere : siker þov miȝt beo to comen a-ȝein hidere to us : and sethþe to heuene fteo. Line 617 A-godes half wend a-ȝen a-non : for-soþe, þov schalt so." "Alas, alas!" quath þis kniȝt : "ȝwat schal ich nouþe do? Al þe Ioye þat ich habbe nouþe iseiȝe : it worth me bi-nome, Line 620 And to þe wrechhede of þe worlde : alas, schal ich novþe come!" Ovt ate ȝate heo brouȝten him : wepinde, at þe laste, And beden him gon wel hardiliche : and herien ore louerd wel faste; A-non so he was with-oute i-gon : þat ȝat heo maden wel bliue. Line 624 With dreori mod he wende a-ȝen : and was a-drad of is liue; Ase he cam er, with careful mod : þene wei a-ȝein he nam. And, ȝwane ani deuel þat him pinede er : ouȝwere a-ȝen him cam, Ase wode schrewene heo flouwen faste : and ne dorsten a-bide him nouȝt. Line 628 So atþe laste þis kniȝt was : to þe halle a-ȝein i-brouȝt Þare as þe holie compaygnie : þuder-ward to him wende; And sat him a-doun wel softe þere : for-to ore louerd him grace sende. Ase he sat and bi-heold a-boute : to him heo comen þere, Line 632 Al þat faire compaygnie : þat a-ȝein him cam er, And honoureden him wel faire : and conforteden him wel faste, And þonkeden Iesus, godes sone : þat his bi-leue so wel i-laste. ¶ "bev frere," heo seiden, "ȝwane þov hast : swuch penaunce i|driue, Line 636 Siker beo þou þat þine sunnes : al clene þe beoth for-ȝiue. loke, ȝwane þov comest to eorþe a-ȝen : þat þov clene lif lede,

So þat þov neuer-eft in pine ne come : for sunne ne for mis-dede! Þov most don þe heonnes a-non : for at hom in þine londe Line 640 hit dawez clere and is neiȝ dai : ase ich me onder-stonde, And þe prior with procession : to þe ȝate comez wel sone to loki ȝweþur þov beo i-come : ase riȝt is forto done, And, bote he þe finde þere : he wole maken þat ȝat a-non Line 644 And wole beo siker þat þou ne comest non-more : and sori wole a-ȝen gon." [This verse on the margin.] Þene kniȝt heo brouȝten out of þe halle : and blesseden him ech-on And bi-teiȝten god boþe lif and soule : fel and flesch and bon. Forth he wende wel dreoriliche : bote ase he nede moste it do. Line 648 And riȝt ase he cam to þe ȝate : þe prior cam al-so A-ȝein him with procession : to loke hou it were. A-non so he hadde þe ȝate on-loke : þene kniȝt heo founden þere. Line 651 Þare was Ioye and blisse i-novȝ : þo huy to-gadere come! [folio 104] With song and oþur melodie : þane knyȝt þare-out huy nome, Ant ladden him forth to churche a-non : ant þonkeden god wel faste. Þis kniȝt bi-fore þe heiȝe auctere : a-knes wel sone him caste, Ant stableliche in his oresones : fiftene dawes he lay, Line 656 And þonkede ore louerd & on him cride : boþe nyȝt and day. And sethþe on his bare flesch : þe holie croiz he nam And wende to þe holie lond : ant suyþe holi man bi-cam. he ne tolde neuere-eft nouȝt of þe world : bote ase he were euere in þouȝte, Line 660 Ake wende euere forth wel stilleliche [al. simpleliche] : as he of no-þing ne rouȝte. Ofte he tolde of alle þe men : þat in parays were; As him þouȝte, greiȝe Monekes : mest Ioye hadden þere, None-manere men in so gret Ioye : ne in so grete honour he ne seiȝ— Line 664 hit nis no wonder sikerliche : for þe ordre is noble and heiȝ.— Novþe ȝe habbez alle i-heord : þoruȝ ore louerdes grace, hou seint paterik þulke purgatorie : founde in þat place, For-to warni men a-boute : heore sunnes here to bete. Line 668 For þe loue of Iesu crist : and of is moder swete Alle ower sunnes betez here : as god ov wole grace sende, Þat ȝe mouwen with-oute pine : to parays hennes wende.

god leue us ovre sunnes here so biete : for is holie wounde, Line 672 Þat we ne þoruen in purgatorie : bi-leue bote luyte stounde.