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

Horstmann, Carl, b. 1851.

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LEGENDS OF SAINTS IN MS. LAUD 108.

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37 [Vita sancti Nicholai]

SEynt Nicholas þe holie Man : þat guod confessour was, [folio 111]

Of heiȝe men he was i-come : In þe cite of patras :

For in patras he was i-bore— : nelle ich þar-of nouȝt lye;

his moder name was Ione : his faderes epiphanie.

Þe furste day þat he was i-bore : þat child, þat was so guod,

Ase it was in ane mele i-baþed : al one upriȝt it stod.

Ano[n] so he was i-bore : he*. [MS. and] gan to beo guod and clene;

he nolde fridai ne wodnesday : souke nouȝt bote ene.

Þo he couþe gon ant speke : he ne pleide neuere mo,

Ake ȝwane oþur children rageden*. [orig. raieden] faste : to churche he wolde go;

he nolde speke non ydel word : ase swuche children doth;

Leiȝingue and pleiȝes and ragingues : he bi-lefte al-so.

Þo he was sethþe of grettore elde : to scole he was i-set;

So wel he leornede : þat man nuste, no child leorni bet.

Sethþe þo he more*. [al. m. wit] couþe : al his studie he tok

to guodespelles ant to holi writes : and alle oþere bokes for-sok. Page 241

So clene lijf he ladde ȝong : þat deinte it was to wite;

More godnesse ne miȝte beo : þane we findeth of him i-write.

Þo is fader and is moder weren dede : þis holie child Nicholas

luyte tolde of heore guode : þei he heore eyr was :

to pouere Men he ȝaf it clene : ȝware he saiȝ neode;

And heo þat nolden bidde him non : stilleliche he gan hem beode.—

An heiȝ Man þare was bi-side : þat sethþe þoruȝ luþer cas

his guod was al-clene a-wei i-go : and al pouere bi-come he was.

he hadde þre douȝtren faire i-nouȝ : clene and guode al-so;

In so gret Meseise heo weren i-brouȝt : þat heo nusten ȝwat to do.

Þo heo nusten ȝware-bi libbe— : for heore guod heom was bi-nome—

heore red huy nomen alle þreo : fole wommen to bi-come

And raþer þanne heo in swuche houngur weren : to libbe bi hore|*. [MS. heore] dom.

Þe olde man, heor alre fader : gret deol to him he nom.

gret pite hadde in is heorte : þe guode seint Nicholas,

Þo he i-heorde þe deolfole mone : þat a-mong heom alle was.

Of is fader guode a nyȝt : ane beiȝ*. [al. weg] of gold he nam,

I-wounde in one cloute : and stilleliche to heore house he cam,

to a derne wyndouwe softeliche : seint Nicholas gan gon

And caste in þat gold priueliche : and wende a-ȝein a-non.

Þis housebonde a-ros a-Moruwe : ant þar-of nuste nouȝt :

he com and fond þane beiȝ of gold : þat seint Nicholas hadde i-brouȝt.

Þar-of he was glad i-nouȝ : þei he nuste ho it brouȝte;

he it nam and þonkede Iesu crist : þat on is meseise þouȝte.

Þare-with he conseilede swyþe wel : his eldeste douȝter sone

With fair bruydale and gret honour : ase riȝt was for-to done.

Seint Nicholas i-saiȝ al þis : and naþeles ȝuyt he þouȝte

Þat þis selie Man neode hadde : þat he more guod to him brouȝte.

A niȝt he a-waitede swyþe wel : ase ore louerd it wolde,

And at one fenestre caste In eft-sone : ane oþur beiȝ of golde. [folio 111b]

Þis housebonde a-morewe a-ros : þat gold he fond sone;

he þonkede god with guode heorte : þat hadde i-heord is bone.

And natheles him wondrede muche : ho is freond so wel were,

And þouȝte þat he a-waiti wolde : ȝif he more come þere.

he conseilede is oþur douȝter : swiþe wel with þis golde, Page 242

With gret nobleie and fayr bruydale : ase ore louerd it wolde.

Ȝeot þouȝte þis guode Nicholas : þo þis was al i-do,

Þat it were guod to conseili : þe þridde douȝter al-so :

A niȝt he wende wel stilledliche : to þat fenestre eft-sone

And caste In ane beiȝ of gold : ase he was i-woned to done.

Þis housebonde hadde i-waked longue : for-to wayti of þis cas :

So þat, þo seint Nicholas cam : wakiende he was.

Op he sturte and siwede him : and bi is cloþus heold him faste,

he ne let nouȝt go are þe guode man : i-kneuȝ him*. [al. was iknowe] at þe laste.

Ȝeorne bad seint Nicholas : þat he to no man ne sede,

Þe ȝwyle þat he a-liue were : of þis priue dede.

With þis gold þe þridde douȝter : wel i-conseilled was;

And alle þreo weren riche*. [al. gode] wiues : þoruȝ seint Nicholas.

In þis manere seint Nicholas : ase ich nouþe habbe i-sed,

Delde al is heritage : þo is fader was ded.

Ȝwane oþur Men eoden to habbe solas : he nadde þar-to no*. [MS. ne] wille :

to churche he wolde and in one huyrne : is beden bidde wel stille.—

¶ Hit bi-feol þat þe bischop : of Mirre was ded,

And folk cam to cheose ane oþur : and þar-of hy nomen heore red;

So þat heo weren in hore beden : nyȝt and dai wel faste

Þat ore louerd heom sende ane guode man. : and he herde heom ate laste.

For a nyȝt þare cam a voiz : ase it were in metingue,

to a bischop þat was maister þer : and tolde him þis tyþingue*. [al. of þe cheosinge]

And seide, "goth to-morewe to churche*. [to ch. on the margin.] sone : riȝt are hit dai beo :

Þe furste man þat ȝe þare mouwen : i-heore oþur i-seo

And þat hote Nicholas : takez him wel sone

And makez him bischop of Mirre! : god hath i-heord ower bone."

þe bischop and þat oþur folk : a-risen are hit dai were,

And comen to churche, and founden sone : Nicholas stonde þere :

In one huyrne he stod ful stille. : heo axeden ȝwat he was

And ȝwat were is riȝte name. : he seide hem "Nicholas."

heo nomen and ladden him with gret honour : to þe churche of Mirree

And sacreden him to bischop þere : and setten him in is se.

Þo he was heiȝ man i-maked : þis guode Nicholas, Page 243

More bouȝsum and milde he bi-cam : þane euer er [he] was;

luyte pruyte he hadde of is power : ȝwane men him wolden a-loute,

And ȝif it nere for eiȝe of god : leouere him were with-oute.

So prest he was to alle men : þat on him beden & cride,

And so muche for heom he dude : þat men speken þar-of wide.—

Muche folk In a time : In-to þe se i-wende [folio 112]

In a schip, to don heore neode : ȝif ore louerd þe grace heom sende.

So þat þere cam a gret tempeste : þat heo wenden alle a-drenche.

Alle guodnesse heo bi-heiȝten god : þat heo miȝten on bi-þenche.

So þat heo þouȝten, ase heore schip : toward þe grounde was,

On þe guodnesse þat men tolden : of þe bischop Nicholas :

"Leoue louerd Nicholas" : wel loude alle heo criden,

"Ȝif it is*. [MS. it] soth þat we habbez : i-heord tellen of þe wide,

In þis peril saue us nouþe : þat we ne beon a-dreint;

Louerd Nicholas, help us nouþe : are ore schip beo a-seint!"

100

Ase heo gradden, þare cam on eorne : on-owarde þe watere bi-side

A bischop in abite swiþe fair. : wel loude on him huy cride.

"Lo me here," quath þis holie man : "ȝe cleopeden me wel faste.

Seggez ȝwat ouwer wille beo : and ȝwarof ȝe beon a-gaste!"

104

"Louerd," heo seiden, "Nicholas : ȝif it is þi wille,

Saue us nouþe of þis tempeste : þat we he[re]*. [MS. he] ne a-spille"

"Ne habbe ȝe," quath þis holie man : "her-of none drede!"

Þat weder bi-cam þo stille inouȝ : þo he þeos wordes sede.

108

heo bi-heolden þo after him— : heo nusten ȝware he was;

And þonkeden muche ore swete louerd : and þene bischop Nicholas.

Þene wei stille and murie : toward þe londe huy nome;

With-oute eche destourbingue : to londe wel glade heo come.

112

Alle heo duden heom fort a-non : to þe bischope Nicholas,

Ase to a man þat heo neuere ne seiȝen : ne nusten ȝwuch he was.

Ech of heom bi-heolden him faste : þat to þis guode man com :

Alle heom þouȝte þat it was he : þat þene deth heom bi-nam.

116

"Louerd," heo seiden, "i-hered þou beo! : to þe we gradden bliue;

On-ouewarde þe se þo þou come : and brouȝtest us to liue.

I-hered beo þe tyme þat þou most : a-mong men on eorþe beo!

For swuche grace ne hadde neuere eorþelich Man : ase man may on þe i-se." Page 244

120

Þis guode Man, þo he i-heorde þis : þonkede and herede al-so

Ore louerd, þat wolde for is loue : suych miracle do.—

¶ hit bi-feol In ane oþur tyme : of þe bischop Nicholas,

Þat gret hongur al-a-boute : In is bischopriche was;

124

So luþere fullen þe ȝeres alle : þat no corn nouȝwere nas.

gret deol hadde þis guode bischop : of þat luþere cas.

Fram feorrene contreies*. [al. om.] þare comen schipes : with muche corn þare|bi-side :

Þis bischop wende a-ȝein heom sone : and bad heom one stounde a|bide,

128

"For þe loue of Iesu crist : leneth me," he sede,

"Ane hondret quarters of þat corn : þat ȝe þare doth lede,

to þis selie men þat beoth here : neiȝ for houngur dede;

heo ne habbeth no corn to libbe bi : to sede ne to brede."

132

"Certes, sire," þis schipmen seiden : "þat ne dorre we nouȝt :

For al þis corn þat þou i-sixt : þat we habbez here i-brouȝt,

With swyþe schars met with-alle : bitauȝt it is us echone

Þat we it leden þe Aumperour— : ne dorre we make no lone." [folio 112b]

"With-oute faille," quath þis gode man : "ne dredez ou riȝt nouȝt,

Ȝif ȝe me wollez þar-of lene : þat eov schulle faili ouȝt;

138

Þe folle ȝe schulle ȝelden þe Aumperoure : ase men token ou for-to lede,

No-þing ne schal ou failli : ne þarf ov no-þing drede."

140

Þe schipmen ope truste of is word : wel largeliche him mete

And token þe bischope wel i-metene : Ane houndred quarteres ȝwete;

And wenden forth to þe Aumperour : and is corn him ladde;

And beden is stiwardes meten wel : ȝif heo þe folle hadden.

144

huy meten, and founden al þe fulle : and wel more þare-to.

For wonder heo axeden þe schipmen : ȝwi it woxe so.

heo þonkeden a-non þane gode bischop : þat is neode to heom mende,

And tolden fore þe Aumperoure : hou muche corn heo him lende,

And hou he bi-het heom þat it ne scholde : þare-fore ne wanie nouȝt,

And hou heo hadden bi large met : wel more corn i-brouȝt.

Þis guode bischope heo hereden swiþe : and þonkeden muche also,

Þat hadde þoru ore louerdes grace : swche miracle i-do.

152

Al þe contreie hadde i-nouȝ : to mete and to sede, Page 245

To ȝer and more, of þat corn : þat heo gonne þare lede.—

¶ In an oþur tyme þis guode bischop : bi a fair treo com :

he fond þare men þat duden þing : a-ȝein heore cristine-dom :

156

heo stoden þare, ase heo ofte duden : and maden heore sacrefise

to þe deuel onder þis treo : þat men*. [superscribed.] miȝten þar-of a-grise.

Seint Nicholas heom tornede echone : gode men for-to be,

And dude heom for-sake þe feondes lore : and hewe a-doun þat treo.

Þe deuel after þulke tyme : to him hadde gret onde :

161

For-to a-batien is pouwer : in alle manere he gan fonde.—

pilegrimes weren in þe se : to seint Nicholas for-to wende,

For þe guodnesse þat huy of him herden : ȝif god heom wolde þe grace sende.

164

In fourme of a fair womman : þe deuel cam heom to

And seide, "louerdingues, wel is eou : þat ȝe mouwen ouwer wille do

For-to seche þis holie man : þat so milsful is and hende!

Leouere ich hadde þane ani-þing : miȝte ich with ou wende :

168

For ich ne wilni no-þing so muche : ase þane holie man to seo.

A luyte þing ȝe moten for me don : ȝwane it ne may oþur beo :

Nimeth here þis guode oygnement : þat deorewurþe is with-alle,

And ȝwane ȝe into is churche comiet : smeorieth in eche walle,

172

For-to wurthschipien þane guode man : þat is of so gret pouste;

And ȝwane ich ne mai to him come : doth þat In þe muynde of me!"

Þis pilegrimes with glade heorte : þis oynement to heom nome,

to smerien with þis holie churche : ȝwane heo þudere come.

176

Ase he wenden forth in þe se : sone it dude bi-falle

Þat þare cam to heom a schip : with faire men with-alle;

A bischop þare was a-mong heom : swiþe fair man and hende.

he grette heom faire and axede a-non : ȝwodere heo þouȝten wende.

heo seiden þat heo wolden : ȝif it godes wille were, [folio 113]

to þe churche of Mirree : for-to Anouri seint Nicholas þere.

182

"Ȝwat was þe womman," þe bischop seide : "þat ȝwile er eou cam to,

And ȝwat was it þat heo eou bi-teiȝte? : ȝwat schulle ȝe þare-with do?"

184

"Sire, it is an oynement" : þeos pilegrimes seden,

"Þe guode womman ȝeorne us bad : to þe holie churche it lede

And þare-with in muynde of hire : ȝwane it were þudere i-brouȝt, Page 246

Smeorie þe holie churche wowes— : þat we ne leten it nouȝt!"

188

"Ȝe, ȝe," quath þis holie man : "ȝe nuten nouȝt ȝwat heo is.

takez me þat oynement : and ȝe schullen i-seo, i-wis."

Þis guode man nam þat oynement : and a-midde þe se it caste.

Þat watur bi-gan to berne a-non : a-ȝein is kuynde, wel faste;

192

Fram stude to stude þat fuyr orn : and barnde þe se, i-wis.

Þo seide þe guode man, "here ȝe iseoth : ȝwat ouwer oynement is.

hadde ȝe ani-þing þarof : on þe churche-walles i-do,

Al þe churche hadde for-barnd : and al þe toun al-so.

196

hit was þe foule feond of helle : þat it ou tok with honde

For-to brenne þulke churche : for he haueth þar-to onde."

Forth wende þis bischop and alle his : anon-riȝt þoruȝ godes sonde.

Þe pilegrimes roweden*. [orig. rewe] þene nexte wey : so þat huy comen to londe.

to seint Nicholas heo wenden þo : þat heo so wide souȝte.

A-non so heo i-seiȝen þis guode man : heo stoden in grete þouȝte;

heom þouȝte þat it þe bischop was : þat in þe se to heom cam,

Þat sche^wude hem þat oynement : and þe feondes swykedam.

204

"Louerd," heo seiden, "nov þin ore! : muche is þi pouwer :

Þat we i-seiȝen in þe se : are we comen her."

heo hereden muche þene holie man : as it wel riȝt was.

207

Þe guode man faste heom for-bed : þat heo ne tolden nouȝt þis cas.

Fairore Miracle on eorþe : ne miȝte we neuere i-wite

Þane we of seint Nicholas : findeth ofte i-write!—

In a tyme luþere men weorreden : þene Aumperour of rome

And destruyden is londes faste : and bataille a-ȝein him nome.

212

Þe Aumperour nam þre grete louerdingues : and oþere wel mani on,

For-to wenden, I-armede swyþe wel : to fiȝten a-ȝein is fon.

Þis þreo princes with heore men : in þe se forth i-wenden,

to fiȝten a-ȝein is wyþerwynes : ase þe Aumperour heom sende.

216

So þat þe wynd heom drof : ase it were bi cas,

to þe contreie of Mirree : þare þis bischop was.

Þe bischop heorde of hem telle. : aȝen heom he wende sone,

219

And bad heom come and ete with him : and huy graunteden is bone.

Þis [þe]*. [om.] guode man dude for heo ne scholden : none robberie do.

he made hem suyþe wel an ayse : and fair semblaunt al-so;

So þat þoruȝ þis holie bischop : heo and heore fon Page 247

With-oute dunt oþur blod i-sched : a-corded*. [orig. acordet] weren a-non,

Al-to þe Aumperores guode : ant to his honour al-so.

Þeos þre maistres wenden hamward : þo þis dede was i-do. [folio 113b]

heo comen and tolden þe Aumperour : hov heo hadden on i-take.

Þe Aumperour was wel a-payd : and gret feste gan heom make.

228

heore luþere felawes comen sone : and þare-to hadden envie,

And seiden heo hadden þe Aumperoure : i-don gret tricherie

And with is fon imaked a fol pays : and with grete feolonie,

to þe deseritisun of þe Aumperour : ope heom heo gunne lye.

232

Þe Aumperour in grete wrathþe : let heom nime faste

And binden þeos þre princes : and in strongue prisone caste.

So faste weren þis luþere men : ope þis princes þreo

Þat þe Aumperour swor is oth : A-slawe heo scholden beo.

236

he let somony is knyȝtes alle : þat heo a-morewe come

For-to bringuen þeos þreo princes : to deþe þoruȝ heore*. [al. his] dome.

A-non so þe tiþingue was i-brouȝt : to þis princes*. [al. prisons] þreo,

heo weopen and criden deolfulliche : þat reuþe it was to se,

240

heo weopen and heore cloþes teren : and heore her al-so;

And þouȝten on þe grete godnesse : þat seint Nicholas hadde i-do.*. [vv. 241-2 al. om.]

"Louerd," heo seiden, "Nicholas : fro ȝwam wel glade we eode,

And also wis ase we gultelese beoth : help us in ore neode,

244

Ne lat us neuere þus gulte-lese : to deþe beon i-brouȝt!"

Þe holie bischop Nicholas : ne fur-ȝat heom nouȝt :*. [vv. 245-6 al. om.]

For a nyȝt, ase þe Aumperour : ase a louerd lay and ase a sire,

In-to is paleis, þat was so strong : and i-barred al with ire,

248

to him riȝt bi-fore his bed : þis holi bischop com,*. [orig. ca^om]

And seide, "sire Aumperour, ȝwat þencst þou : with þi false dom?

Ȝwi hast þou þis gultelese men : In þi prisone i-brouȝt

And gulteles þenchest heom a-quelle? : ich rede, with-drauȝ þi þouȝt!

A-ris op sone, ich rede þe : and lat heom of prisone wende,

253

Oþur ichulle mine louerd bidde : þat he þe weorre sende,*. [al. schal þe schende]

Þat þare-inne þou worst al-to-boned : and i-brouȝt of lijf-dawe,

Þat foules schullen and wilde bestes : þi caroyne al-to-drawe."*. [vv. 255-6 al. om]

256

"Ȝwat artov," quath þe Aumperour : "oþur of ȝwat pouste,

Þat in þis tyme art i-come : in-to mi paleys to me

And swuche bolde wordes spext? : wonder me þinchez of þe!" Page 248

"Ich am," quath þis Nicholas : "bischop of mirree."

260

¶ Seint Nicholas wende al-so : to þe Aumperoures heiȝe Iustise,

Þare he lai bi-side in þe paleys : and made him sum-del a-grise :

"Þov witlese wrechche," he seide : "ȝwat hauestou i-þouȝt?

Rastov þat þis gultelese men : to deþe beon i-brouȝt?

264

With-drauȝ þi red, ich þe rede, sone : oþur þou schalt al for-dwyne

And for-leose al þi guod : and deyȝe in strongue pine."

"Ȝwat artou," þis oþur seide : "þat spext wordes þus grete

And þe Aumperores heiȝe Iustise : þus baldeliche darst þrete?"

268

"Ich am," he seide, "Nicholas : bischop of Mirree.

bote þou with-drawe þi red sone : þou schalt i-leue me."

Þe Aumperour lai and quakede sore : and sende after is Iustise, [folio 114]

Þat was al-so sore a-drad : and soruful in eche wise.

272

Eyþur tolde oþur fore : hou he to heom seide

And wel baldeliche þretnede heom. : ȝware-fore heo weren in drede.

For-to schilden heom fram is wrathþe : an-oþur heo mosten rede :

Þis þre prisones heo leten up nime : and sone bi-fore heom lede.

276

Swiþe sore heo weren a-dradde : for heo wenden a-non beo dede;

To þe bischop Nicholas : reuliche heo gonne grede.

"beaus amis," quath þe Aumperour : "ȝwat-manere men beo ȝe,

Þat þus þoruȝ ouwer enchauntement : a-niȝt drechcheth*. [al. derieþ] me?"

280

"A, sire, merci," þis oþure seide : "ȝwi wolle ȝe seggen so?

Of anchauntement ne couþe we neuere : ope god we wollez us do.

Ake gultelese men we buth : with onriȝte hidere i-brouȝt;

283

Al-so wis god schilde us fram þe deth : ase we ne beth gultie nouȝt."

"I-knowe ȝe ani Man," quath þe Aumperour : "þat hote Nicholas?"

Þare nas neuere on, for þis word : þat in gre[t] hope ne was!

heore hondene heo heolden op on heiȝ : and wel loude gradden

287

to þe bischope*. [MS. bi bischope] Nicholas : þat he reuþe of heom hadde.

"Þoruȝ him," quath þe Aumperour : "ȝe beth to liue i-do,

Ich ou ȝiue lijf and lime : and ouwer chateles al-so.

goth nouþe hasteliche to him : and tellez him wel bliue

hou þat for þe loue of him : ich let ov gon a-liue;

292

biddeth þat he for-ȝiue me is wrathþe : and non harm for eu me do,

Ake þat he bidde god for me : and for mi kynedom al-so."*. [vv. 293-4 al. om.]

Þis prisones wenden with glade heorte : to þe bischope Nicholas, Page 249

And þonkeden him, ase heo auȝten wel : of þis Ioyfule cas.

296

Ich wene, þere nas neuere haluwe : seint Nicholases i-per,

Þat so manie faire Miracles : bi is liue dude her;

For to come into so strong paleis : and gon op-on þe se al-so,

gret wonder was þat ani-bodi : swuch miracle miȝte do!

300

Muche of þe kuynde of heuene : ore louerd here him sende,

Aungles dede a-liue to do : are he hennes i-wende.*. [vv. 297-302 al. om.]—

Þo ore louerdes wille was : þat he scholde hennes wⁱende,

he bad ore louerd þat he scholde : aungles to him sende.

304

Þo he i-say þe Aungles to him come : he þonkede ore louerd faste.

Þe þrittiþe saume of þe sauter : he bi-gan þus ate laste

"In þe, louerd, ich habbe i-hoped : þat ich i-confundet ne beo,

Þine holie ere beiȝ a-doun to me : heiȝe and deliuere me."

308

he deide ate sixte vers : þat on e[n]glichs to seggen is

"Mine soule, louerd, ich bi-take þe : þou bouȝtest hire, i-wis."

Þe soule out wende with þulke worde : and þe Aungeles forth hire bere;

Alle þe felaweschipes of heuene : wel glade þere-with were.

312

he deide þre houndret ȝer : and in þe þreo and fourtyþe ȝere

After þat god was i-bore : as þe bok us deth lere.

In one toumbe of Marbre he was i-leid : swyþe faire with-alle.

Out of þe harde Marbre-ston : þe oyle gan out walle; [folio 114b]

316

A welle of eoyle þare sprong out : riȝt at is heued a-non,

And at is fet a welle of water : of þe harde Marbre-ston.*. [vv. 317-8 al. om.]

Sike men þare gonnen sone : wel þicke þudere gon.

Þar-of men beren wide a-boute : and ȝeot men doth al-so;

320

gret botningue þar is ȝuyt : of men þat comieth þare-to—

For þe welle of eoyle and of watur : ase manie men i-seoth,

In þe harde ston lastez ȝeot : þare is holie bones beoth.—

Many fair Miracle þare*. [om. þare] hath of him : sethþe he deide, i-come.

324

Þei we ne mouwen nouȝt tellen alle : we moten tellen of some.*. [vv. 320-5 al. om.]—

¶ To a gyv at one tyme : a cristine man ȝeode

For-to borewi gold of him : to is muchele neode.

he ne miȝte finden him nanne boruȝ : ne wed nadde he non :

328

Þane gyv to seint Nicholas churche : he bad with him gon;

Op-on seint Nicholases auter he swor : at one certeyne daye, Page 250

So god him helpe and seint Nicholas : his gold him for-to paye.

Þis giv for seint Nicholas loue : his oth nouȝt ne for-sok,

332

Ake seint Nicholas to borewe he nam : and þat gold him bi-tok.

Þis luþere cristine man : þo it cam to is daye,

Þat gold nolde he ȝelde nouȝt : ake þouȝte þane giv bi-traye.

Þe giv cam and axede him : ȝwanne he it ȝelde wolde.

336

"Þov false schrewe," þe oþur seide : "ich it þe habbe i-ȝolde."

Þe giv seide nay, and he ȝus : bote al ne heold it nouȝt.

Þe giv let him somoni : þat he was to court i-brouȝt.

Ake þis false cristine man : þouȝte op one feolle gynne :

340

Ane staf he nam op-on is hond : —holuȝ he was with-inne—

Þare-inne he dutte al þat gold : þat he scholde þe giwe ȝelde,

And feolliche dutte hine and faste : þat men ne scholden him bi|melde.

bi-fore þe bayllifs huy comen : þe giv and he boþe.

344

he with-sok þe giwes dette : and was i-don to ane oþe.

Þo he scholde is oth do : is false staf he bi-tok

Þe giwe, and bad him ȝwitie þe ȝwile : he leide is hond on þe bok;

And seide, "al-so muche gold al-so ich borewede : of þe giv þat here is,

348

So helpe me crist and seint Nicholas : ich tok him a-ȝein, i-wis."

Þis luþere man with is fals oth : swiþe wel i-leued was,

And þe oþur, for he was a giv : no-þing i-leued he nas.

"Ȝwane þou me hast bi-giled : with þi false cas,

352

Ich bidde þine borouȝ þat he it me ȝelde : þe guode seint Nicholas."

Þe giv with wel sorie chere : wende him forth a-non,

And þe false man nam is staf : and hamward bi-gan to gon.

Al-so he wende bi þe weie hamward : to slepe he hadde grete wille :

Þare twei weiȝes to-gadere comen : a-doun he lai wel stille.

357

As þis false man lay and slep : a cart þare cam gon,

And al-to-bruysde is false bones : þat he deide a-non.

Þat o ȝweol to-brak þane false staf : ase mani a man i-saiȝ :*. [[Here a fol. is wanting; MS. Harl continues :]]

360

[Þat gold schadde out al-abrod : & amidde þe weye lay.

¶ þe gyw, þo he þis iseȝ : loude he gan to crie Page 251

& þonkede seint Nicholas : þat schewede his tricherie.

For þe miracle men him radde : cristene forto beo.

364

"Certes, ynelle," quaþ þis oþer : "er i^c more iseo;

Ac if god & seint Nicholas : wolde þis liþer manes*. [al. man is] lyf sende,

Cristene i^c wolde þanne beo : & serui hem to mi lyues ende."

¶ Fram deþe to lyue þis false man : þurf seint Nicholas com.

368

Anon so þe gyw þis iseȝ : he wilnede cristendom,

& bileouede on ihesu crist : & god man euereft was.

Þis me þinȝþ a fair miracle : of seint Nicholas!

her ȝe seoþ hou hit goþ bi men : þat wiþ gyle swerieþ, iwis;

372

Þeȝ he þurf gyle swerie soþ : iwis forswore he is.—

¶ A god man þer was in a tyme : þat longe was mid his wyue,

Þat no childe nemiȝte habbe : þat euere cam to lyue.

To seint Nicholas ofte hi bede : achild hem to sende,

376

& bihete him, if hit so were : to him forto wende.

¶ Seint Nicholas ihurde here bone : —for god he is & mylde :

hit biful þer-after sone : þat his wyf was mid chylde,

& brouȝte forþ afair sone. : glad þis gode man was!

380

he let ȝarki a fair coupe : to seint Nicholas.

So faire was þe coupe of golde : þo heo was ȝaru iwrouȝt,

& þis hosebonde heo was so leof : þat he nolde leue hire noȝt,

Ac athuld hire in his owe hous : him-silue þer-of to drinke;

384

Anoþer to seint Nicholas : þe goldsmyth he let biswinke.

¶ Þo þe coupe was ymaked : to þe louerd seint Nicholas,

he wiste hire wiþ gret drueri : ac þoþer fairere was.

¶ Þo his sone was wel i-woxe : & hadde strenȝþe & miȝte,

388

To þe pelgrimage of seint Nicholas : þis gode man him diȝte,

& nom wiþ him his leoue sone : & þe coupen beye,

Þe furste, þat him was so leof : to serui him bi þe weye,

Þoþer, to ofri seint Nicholas : whan hi þider come.

392

hi greiþede hem a-godes name : & þe holi wei hi nome.

¶ So þat hi come in þe see : as hi þane wei wende.

After water of þe see : þis gode man his sone sende :

"Fech me," he seide, "of þe water : in myn owene coupe!"

396

Þat child dude his fader heste : & to þe water gan stoupe.

Þe coupe ful out of his hond : & anon to grounde sonk;

Þe child ful in afterward : & in þe water adronk.

Gret deol makede þis gode man : þo he seȝ þis cas,

400

Þat he nadde bote þat o child : & he adronke was.

"Awei," he seide,*. [al. þat i^c schal] "þis dai abide! : leoue louerd, allas! Page 252

wel i^c wot, i^c haue agult : þe louerd seint Nicholas,

Þat i^c bynom him þe furste coupe. : louerd, what schal i^c do?

404

Þerfore i^c habbe ilore nou mi child : & þe coupe also.

Seint Nicholas, forȝif hit me : & ynelle noȝt bileue, iwis,

Þat ynelle siche þe : þeȝ me beo bifalle þis!"

¶ Þis gode man [him] wende forþ : in deol & sori þoȝt;

408

Er he to seint Nicholas com : he neturnde aȝe noȝt.

Þo he to þe weued com : þat he hadde wide isoȝt,

Þe coupe he offrede þerto : þat he hadde þider ibroȝt.

þe coupe hipte anon aȝe : he nolde astinte þere,

412

Ac hipte into þe flor : wreche as þeȝ hit were.

Þis gode man hire nom vp : & offrede hire eft þere.

Eftsone heo hipte fram þe weued : forþere þan heo dude ere.

¶ Þo was þis gode man agrise : & þoþere aboute also.

416

"Louerd," he seide, "seint Nicholas : i^c haue þe moche misdo.

Ich wolde offri þoþer coupe : ac ynemai þerto come :

vnderfong þus, if hit beo þi wille : for þoþer me is bynome.

vnderfong þoþer of mi sone : for þu wost wher he is;

420

Let mi sone to þe offri þulke : & let me offri þis."—

For no hope of his sones lyf : þe gode man þis nesede,

Ac for he scholde his soule helpe : & þe whatlokere do what he bede.—

¶ Mid þis word þer com in : his sone, þat was adronke,

424

& bar þe coupe on his hond : þat was mid him asonke;

To þe weued he ȝeode & offrede : to seint Nicholas.

wele, louerd, þe grete ioye : þat of þe miracle was!

Gladliche þe fader & þe sone : here offring vp bere; [folio 182]

428

& wende hom wiþ gret ioye : & leuede þe coupen þere,

& herede moche seint Nicholas : as hi wel auȝte, iwis.—

Meni is þe faire miracle : þat of seint Nicholas is!—

¶ A gyw was while in a tyme : þat i-hurde meni o tale

432

Of þe miracles of seint Nicholas : þat he dude so fale.

So [þat], þeȝ he were a gyw : vpe him his hurte he caste,

& honurede him ynouȝ : & biþoȝte him atte laste :

An ymage priueiliche he makede : of seint Nicholas

436

& honurede hit in his hous : þo hit ȝare was.

¶ In a tyme hit biful : þat he hadde to done

In þe contrai þer-aboute : to come aȝe wel sone.

he nuste wham his god bitake : forte he aȝe come :

440

Seint Nicholas ymage he bad : nyme þer-to gode gome.

"Ich þe habbe," he seide, "iloued ynouȝ : do me som god þerfore : Page 253

wite mi god forte i^c come : þat hit ne beo forlore!

For, bi seint Nicholas þat i^c louie : if hit beo awei ibore

444

whan i^c come aȝe, þu schalt : sore abigge þerfore."

Þe gyw wende forþ his wei : & tok al his god to wite

Þe ymage, forte he come aȝe : as hit is iwrite.

Siþþe hit biful þat liþere men : & þeoues þer come*. [[Here L. goes on again.]]

448

And to*. [al. om.]-breken þe giwes hous : and is guod a-wei nome. [folio 115]

Þo þe giv cam hom a-ȝein : and miste al is gvod,*. [orig. good]

gret deol he made and seoruwe i-novȝ : and ferde ase he were wod.

to þane ymage he wende a-non : ase he bi þe walle stod :

452

"Seie," he seide, "ȝwat hauest þou i-do? : þou hauest i-set harm a-brod.

Ich bi-tok þe to witene al mi guod : þat god lente me :

hit is nouþe al i-bore a-wei : and þat ich wite þe,

Ȝwan ich it bi-tok þe in warde : and þou were of pouste

456

to witen it wel, ȝif þat þou woldest. : þare-fore þou haue maugre.*. [vv. 456-7 al. om.]

For ȝwane ich truste so muche to þe : and þou noldest do mi bone,

bi riȝte lawe, ase ich þe bi-het : þov schalt a-bugge sone,

Ȝwane þou ȝolde mine godhede : so vuele atþe laste."

460

harde scourgene he nam and stronge : and beot þis ymage wel faste,

Þat grete peces borsten a-wei— : he ferde ase he were wod,

And euere he bad þat seli treo : bringue aȝen is guod.

Seint Nicholas þare-afterward sone : to þe þeoues wende,

464

Al for-woundet and to-drawe : ase þe giv him to-rende;

"Lo," he seide, "hov ich am for ov : I-woundet and for-gnawe,

blok and blodi, ase ȝe i-seoth : and al mi bodi to-drawe.

bringez a-ȝen, ich red ov, sone : þat ȝe habbez a-wei*. [orig. a-ȝen] i-bore

And istole of þe giwes guode : oþur ȝe schulle hangi þare-fore.*. [vv. 466-9 al. om.]

For-soþe i segge, ȝe schullen hangen : bote ȝe it hom anon lede,

470

Ȝe schullen some a-bugge with me : ouwer foule mis-dede."

Þeos þeoues weren sore of-dradde : heo nomen heom to rede

472

And ladden hom a-ȝein þe giwes guod— : huy ne dorsten oþur for drede,*. [orig. fere]Page 254

And weren a-knowe of al hore gult : and þe Miracle him sede

hov seint Nicholas to heom cam : with is sidene blod-rede.

Þe giv, and þe þeues al-so : to seint Nicholas bede

476

Þat he for-ȝeue heom heore gult : and nolden more don to quede.

Þe þeues bi-comen trewe men : and ne stelen neuereft more,

And þe giv him let cristny sone : and tok him al-to godes lore,

And euereft more euerechone : loueden seint Nicholas.

480

Me þincheth, a-mong alle oþere : a fair Miracle þat was!*. [vv. 480-1 al. om.]—

¶ In anoþur time a guod man was : þat hadde a clerk to sone;

Eche ȝere he wolde for is loue : a-seint Nicholas dai bi wone

Of manie clerkus gret feste holden : and wurthschipien*. [al. om.] seint Nicholas al-so,

484

with offringue and seruise at churche : gret honur him do.

Þe feond hadde þar-to onde. : a dai he*. [MS. ase he] cam þere

A-seint Nicholas day to þe ȝate : ase þei it a beggare were,

And bad, for seint Nicholas loue : þat man sum guod him*. [orig. heom] ȝeoue.

488

Anon so þat child wuste him þere : he nolde no leng bi-leue

Ake bred he nam in is hond : þane schrewe forto beode.

And þo þat child cam toward þe ȝate : þe schrewe aweiward ȝeode;

Þat child eode euere after-ward : to ȝiuen him of þe brede,

492

Ake he ȝeode euere forth, ase it were : a-weiward þat child to lede :

And þo he cam in-to a derne stude : he bi-turnde him ate laste, [folio 115b]

Ase it were to nime þat bred : and anon he nam wel faste

Þat child bi is seli þrote*. [MS. þ^r ote] : and a-stranglede him a-non;

Þat child lai þare and deide sone : and þe schrewe a-wei gan gon.

Þe guode man, þo he miste is child : he souȝte it wel wide;

498

Ake þo he fond it ligge a-slawe : wel deolfulliche he cride.

"Louerd," he seide, "seint Nicholas : ich bidde þe milce and ore!

honoured ich þe habbe mani a dai : ant ȝeot ich hopie more,

And for anchaisun of mi sone : þe more, and for is lore,

Þat þou me sendest Ioie of him : and schildest me fram sore :

Ȝwi ȝelstov mine ȝwyle þus? : louerd, ȝwi dest þou so?

504

hov miȝtþou þus, seint Nicholas : for reuþe bi me do?

Ȝif me gladnesse of mi child : þat ich mote him a-liue i-seo, Page 255

And ich him bi-hote to þine seruise : and þat he schal guod man beo."

Ase he was þus in is beden : þat child a-ros op allone,

508

And herede god and seint Nicholas : a-mong heom euerechone,

Þat him hadde lijf i-sent : for is fader bone þer;

And he tolde al-hou þe deuel hadde : him a-strangled er,

For al-so muche ase he honourede so : þane guode seint Nicholas.

Þis, me þinchez, a-mong alle oþere : a fair Miracle it was!

513

Louerd, [þat] for þe loue of seint Nicholas : mani Miracle hast i-do,

Þou schild us fram þe pine of helle : and fram dedliche sunne also.

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