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

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The early South-English legendary ; or, Lives of saints. I. Ms. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian library. Edited by Carl Horstmann.
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London,: Pub. for the Early English text society by N. Trübner & co.,
1887.
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Christian saints
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/AHA2708.0001.001
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"The early South-English legendary ; or, Lives of saints. I. Ms. Laud, 108, in the Bodleian library. Edited by Carl Horstmann." In the digital collection Corpus of Middle English Prose and Verse. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/AHA2708.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 16, 2024.

Pages

47 [Clement.] [folio 141]

SEint Clement was I-bore at Rome : I-furn bi olde dawe. Of þe hexte men he was i-come : þa[t] weren in þulke lawe. his Moder hiet Macidiane : his fader Faustinian. Twei breþren he hadde, eldore þane he : heore namen ich telle kan : Þat on hiet Faust, þat oþur Faustyn : twynnes boþe huy were; Line 5 Fader and moder weren glade of heom : þat heom bi-ȝete and bere. Swiþe fair womman heore Moder [added later.] was : þe faireste þat Men wuste; hire louerd heo louede treweliche— : non-oþur of heom men nuste. Line 8

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Line 8 For hire fair-hede hire louerdes broþer : fondede with al [overlined.] is miȝte To bringue hire in fole loue : bi daiȝe and eke bi nyȝte. Þis guode womman was [MS. wast] studefast : he nolde nouȝt don is wille; Ake euere Ansuerede him fayre i-nov : and bar hire faire and stille. Line 12 he of-souȝte hire so swiþe : þat no pais heo nadde. heo nust[e] ȝwat was hire beste red : ake sore of him heo dradde, And þouȝte ȝif heo tolde hire louerd fore : þat he wolde beo wroth And þe more hatie is broþer— : þat were hire swiþe loth. Line 16 heo þouȝte hou heo miȝte on take : þat heo ane ȝwyle nere Ovt of is siȝte in oþur stude : þat heo fur-ȝite were. heo hire bi-þouȝte of one quoyntise : þat to hire louerd heo seide. [MS. leide?] A niȝt In hire bed heo bi-gan to sike : ase þei heo of slepe a-breyde : "A, sire," heo seide, "merci, þin ore! : ich am in grete drede : Line 21 An hard metingue me hath i-mat : I-not ȝwat me is to rede : Me þouȝte þat on of ovre godes : cam here bi-fore þe And hiet me greiþi hastifueliche : mine twei sones and me Line 24 And wiende with hem and wonie : feor In an oþur londe, For-to ich oþur [MS. oþur oþur] heste hadde : of him oþur is sonde; And bote ȝif ich sone dude so : he swor with grete oþe, To luþere deþe he wolde do : us and ore children boþe. Line 28 Þare-fore, sire, bi-þench þe wel : ȝwat þar-of þov wolt rede : For bote it beo sone ido : for-soþe we beoth dede." Þis guode Man [overlined.] lai in grete care : And þene deth sore he dradde, bi-þouȝte him strete In swuche neode : þene beste red he radde : Line 32 "Dame," he seide, "ȝwane it is so : to schilden us fram care Þov schalt nime þine twei sones : a[n] to [MS. ato] Atenes fare. Þov schalt habbe with þe men I-nowe : And tresor al-so. Þov schalt, ȝwane þou þudere comest : þine sones to lore do, Line 36 Þat huy leornien of clergie. : and ȝwan ore god þe sent tokningue For-to comen hom a-ȝein : þov schalt heom with þe bringue."
Glad was þo þis guode wijf : of þat leoue rede. heo greiþede hire and wende forth : ase hire louerd sede : Line 40 heo gan hire twei sones : toward atenes lede. Ake seint clement athom with is fader : bi-lefde, for ȝong-hede, For he was onneþes fif ȝer old : and for þat he scholde beo his fader solas, and [al. om.] for he nadde : bote childrene þreo.— Line 44

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Line 44 Þo þis guode wijf was forth i-went : and hire louerdes broþer it wuste Þat hire louede in fole loue : no red þar-of he nuste; ¶ For wrathþe to is broþur he seide : "sire, hov geth þis? Is þi wijf fram þe I-went? : heo is strong hore, i-wis. Line 48 heo haueth me wel longue i-loued : ne [r. no] leng hele ich ne may, And to bringue me in fole dede : heo fonde[de] [MS. fonde] niȝt and day; Onneþe ich me miȝte with hire wite : for, siker, i-nolde it do, For sunne, ne for þe loue of þe : ne for mi treovnesse al-so. Line 52 Anon so heo it onder-ȝat : þat i-nolde don hire wille, On of þine hynene heo louede : In folie wel stille, Þat hath bi hire wel ofte i-leie. : ake, þat þov it ne onder-ȝete, heo þouȝte hov heo miȝte with him beo— : for heo nolde him nouȝt lete : Line 56 Þare-fore heo þouȝte ane feolle wrench : of wommanes kuynde lore, And is i-go with hire copiner : þov ne sixt hire nonmore. For ofte men seggez, and soth it is : þat þis wommen beoth Feolle and false, and þat [al. om.] me for-þinchez : þat we þe soþe i-seoth." Line 60 Sori was þis guode Man : þo he heorde þis, Þat his wijf, þat he louede muche : scholde so don a-mis, Ant þat heo was so fram him i-went : and þat heo ne bi-lefde bi-hinde his sones, þat him so leoue weren : ne he nuste ȝware heom finde. After he wolde habbe i-went : ake he ne dorste for care Of cleme[n]te, is ȝongue sone : laste he scholde for-fare. [al. 2 vv. more.] Forth wende þis wijf with hire sones : ase god hire wolde sende. In scipe heo dude hire in þe se : in-to an oþur londe to wende. [folio 142] Line 68 A-midde þe se a-ȝein ane roche : þat schip bi-gan to glide, Þat it alto-drof, and huy fullen out : euer-ech in is side. A wawe þare cam of þe se : þoru ore louerdes sonde, And caste þis guode wijf al quik : a-non-riȝt to þe londe. Line 72 A-non so heo was up i-cast : and to hire riȝte witte cam, And miste hire twei leoue sones : gret deol to hire heo nam; Into þe se heo wolde habbe i-lope : hire-seolf for-to a-drenche, Ȝif it nadde i-beo for grete hope : of þing þat heo gan þenche : Line 76 Þat þe se wolde some tyme : hire sones to londe caste— For men seggez heo wole ech ded þing : weorpen up atþe laste; hadde heo enes heore bodies i-seiȝe : hire þouȝte þat heo ne rouȝte.

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Wide and longue heo ȝeode a-boute : and heore bodies souȝte. Line 80 Þo heo ne miȝte heom finde : heo ȝal and weop ful sore, heo drovȝ of hire tressene and caste a-wei : for heo ne hopede to heom nonmore, hire hondene heo wrong and to-gnovȝ : þat flesch, riȝt to þe bone, And al-to-gnovȝ þe senewes : and made ful sori mone. Line 84 heo orn ase heo witles were : a-boute in-to al þe londe. Wimmen [MS. wumnen] hadden of hire gret revþe : þat heo to [al. om.] -gnov so hire honde, And fondeden ȝeorne to conforti hire : ake huy alle ne miȝten make Þat heo wolde into hire heorte : ani gladnesse take. Line 88 Into a wommanes hous heo cam : þat longue was bedrede, Þat gret revþe hadde þo heo i-heorde : hire so weope and grede : heo confortede hire, ȝwat so heo miȝte : and made hire bi-leue Line 91 with hire aldai, with glad semblaunt : for-to it was neiȝ eue. So heo confortede þis guode wijf : þat heo bi-lefte þare at [at superscr.] Inne, Mid [MS. And, al. And mid] weorke of hire hondene : hire liflode for [al. gan] -to winne, With spinningue and with sevwyngue : þat heo wel couþe do; Þare-with heo fedde hire swiþe wel : and hire ostesse al-so. Line 96 Sone þare-after þe senewes : of hire hondene bi-gonne to schrinke, For heo heom hadde er so for-gnawe— : þat heo ne miȝte non-more swinke; So þat heo ne miȝte i-welde : noþur Arm ne honde to pulte enes mete to hire mouth : ase hit was godes sonde. Line 100 Þat deol þat heo made [þo] : no tongue it telle may. "Alas," heo seide, "þus longue i-leoued : and þat ich euere a-bod þis day! For more sorewe þane me is on : neuere womman ne hadde. Þe Ioye of mi louerd furst i for-les : for sunne þat ich dradde, Line 104 And bi-lefde clement mi ȝongue : þat me was so leof, i-wis; And sethþe les mine tweie sones in þe se : þat weren al mi blis; And al one fram mine freond : þus feor in one-couþe londe Mit deol and soruwe ich habbe i-leoued : þoruȝ swunch of mine honde : Line 108 Novþe mine hondene me beoth bi-nome : þat I-ne may heom enes wawe. Alas, þus longue in care i-leoued : þat i-nere i-brouȝt of lijf-dawe!"

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Þat deol þat heo made : revþe it was to telle; Ofte heo was ope þe pointe : hire-sulf for-to a-quelle. Line 112 [folio 142b] Fram dore to dore hire mete heo bad : and with þat he miȝte I-winne, heo fedde hire-sulf and hire hostesse : ȝwane heo cam to hire Inne.—
HIre louerd athom aftur hire : of-longet was wel sore, And sente men to sechen hire : ake huy ne comen a-ȝein nonmore. Line 116 Oþere he sente into al þat lond : and þo huy hadden longue i-souȝt, huy comen a-ȝein and tolden him : þat huy ne miȝten hire finde nouȝt. Þo gan he Clement, is ȝongue sone : In-to guode warde take, And wend him-sulf into al þat lond : forto sechen is make. Line 120 he ne cam neuer-eft hom a-ȝein— : wel wide he hire souȝte, And ȝeode a-boute and bad is mete : þat of is lijf he ne rouȝte. ¶ Twenti ȝer he bad is mete : and is wijf ȝeot wel mo. he ful into feblesse of elde : þat vnneþe he miȝte go. [al. 2 vv. more.] Seint clement, þis ȝongue child : to clergie was i-do; Line 125 he i-werth sone a gret clerk : quoynte and guod al-so. Þoruȝ his clergie him þouȝte : þat heore lawe nas nauȝt: he wilnede muche to wyten of god : ȝif ani man him hadde i-tauȝt.
HIt bi-feol þat seint Barnabe : Into Rome cam, Line 129 And clement hyne heorde a day : prechi of cristinedom: So þat of þis holie Apostle : he lette him cristni a-non, And bi-cam þe beste prechur : þat miȝte on eorþe gon. Line 132 he heorde telle of seint peter : þat In þe londe of Iudee was: Are he to him were I-come : glad ne bliþe he nas: he bi-cam is o desciple : and a-boute with him wende For-to prechie cristine-dom : þoruȝ wit þat god him sende. Line 136
Symon Magus, þe luþere Man : ȝeode in Ane oþur londe, To prechi aȝein Cristinedom : þoruȝ þe deoueles sonde. Tweie desciples he hadde with him : þat, þo huy onder-ȝete Þe falshede þat with him was : huy gonne him sone for-lete; Line 140 To seint peter huy wenden a-non : and his desciples bi-come. glad was seint peter of heom : and þonkede god i-lome.
SEint Clement tolde a day : to seint peter wel stille hov hit of is freond bi-feol : as it was godes wille, Line 144 And al-hov is Moder ȝeode a-wei : with is breþren tweie,

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Þat he wende þat huy a-dronke weren : oþur i-storue bi þe weie, And hov is fader wende to sechen heom : þo he ne saiȝ oþur red; And [he] [om.] wende þat he were a-dreint : oþur for deole ded; Line 148 And hov frendles he was op i-brouȝt : Into [al. & to] swyche lore. Þo seint peter i-heorde þis : he gan to weope sore.— Ase seint petur ȝeode a dai : prechinde ouer lond, Ane womman, þat him þouȝte gent and freo : In grete miseise he fond, Line 152 Ȝware heo ȝeode and bad hire mete. : he Axede hire a-non Ȝwy heo ne miȝte hire mete I-winne : and ȝwy heo wolde so gon.
ÞIs womman seide, "swuch day was : Ich couþe minne mete I|winne, Ake nouþe mine hondene me beoth bi-nome : þat Ine may sevwy ne spinne. Line 156 More sorewe þane me is on : neuere nas i-founde; Alas þat ich nadde me a-dreint : a-wei, þat ilke stounde!" [folio 143] ¶ "Womman," seide seint peter þo : "folliche þov dest telle: For þe Man þat him-seolfue a-slowe : his soule scholde into helle." "Sire," heo seide, "wuste ich þe soþe : þat soulene libbe scholde After þusse liue, I-nolde bi-leue : þat me-seolf a-quelle i-nolde, Þat Ich miȝte one stounde : mine sones i-seo; I-ne rouȝte sethþe, þei ich scholde : euer-eft in helle beo. Line 164 For mi louerd and mi [overlined.] ȝongore sone : ich [MS. þat ich] bi-lefte at rome And wende forth with mine tweie sones : ake þo we in þe se come, Þat schip brak, and mine leoue sones : ne miȝten neuereft beo i|founde; Ake me heo caste to londe al quik : allas þulke stounde! Line 168 Ine mai for feblesse wende a-ȝein : ne Ine habbe no man þat me lede, And not ȝweþer mi louerd and mi ȝongue sone : beon quike oþur dede."
"Clement," seide seint peter : "þat min o desciple nouþe is, Seith þat is fader and is moder : þis cas bi-feollen, [al. bifel] i-wis." Þis womman feol a-don i-swowe : þo heo i-heorde þis. Þo heo a-ros, heo cride ȝeorne : and weop for Ioie and blis, Line 174 And seide, "sire, þat is mi sone. : tech me ȝware he beo! Ine wilne mi lijf no leng to habbe : bote þat ich him enes i-seo."

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Seint peter seide, "cum forth with me : to him ichulle þe lede. Ake ne beo þov nouȝt a-knowe to him : erore þane ich þe rede." Line 178 he nam þis wommane bi þe hond : and to hire sone hire brouȝte. Þo seint Clement i-saiȝ him lede ane womman : vuel bi him he þouȝte, And seide, "nouþe In þine olde liue : woltþou with wommane beo?" So wroth he was þat vnneþe he wolde : toward him bi-seo. Line 182 ¶ Þis guode wijf stod bi hire sone : heo ne miȝte for-bere non-more, heo bi-cluppte him faste and custe a-non : for Ioye heo weop ful sore. hire hondene þat hire weren bi-nome : anon-riȝt hole huy were, For Ioye, and for grete vertue : of þe holie men þere. Line 186
SEint Clement was wroth with hire : for heo bi-clupte him and custe, [MS. clupte] And in grete wrathþe hire pulte a-wei : and to þe grounde upriȝt þruste. "Clement," seide seint peter þo : "darstþov þine moder pulte? Þov cri hire Merci and lat þe schriue : for þine foule gulte!" Line 190 "Louerd," seide seint cleme[n]t [þo] : "ȝweþur þis mi moder beo? Louerd, i-hered beo þi miȝte : þat ich moste þis day i-seo!" To is moder he ful a-doun : and bi-clupte hire and custe. Welle, þe Ioye þat þare was : þo eiþur of oþur wuste! Line 194 Þis wyf seide, "leoue sone, þin ore : ȝweþur þi fader a-liue beo?" "Certes, moder," he seide, "i-not : Ine wene neuer-eft him i-seo. Twenti ȝer it is ago : þat he After þe i-wende, Line 197 Þat neuer-eft Ine heorde word of him : ne he ne cam ne sende." Þis guode wyf bi-gan to weope sore : ake natheles for blisse Of hire sone þat heo hadde I-founde : hire seoruwe heo gan to lisse.
Euere stoden bi seint peter : his oþere desciples tweie Line 201 Þat fram symon Magus weren i-come to him : and ȝeorne bi|heolden beie; huy i-heorden hou þis guode wyf tolde : to clemente, hire sone, þere, [folio 143b] hov hire tweie leoue sones : in þe se a-dreinte were. Line 204 Þo huy hadden þis tale i-heord : huy weren swiþe glad, For Ioye huy stoden ase þei huy weren : witlese oþur [orig.and] a-mad.

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"louerd," huy seiden, "ȝweþer þis beo soth : þat we i-heorez nouþe telle, oþur us þinchez ase in metingue : oþur in manere of spelle?" Line 208 "hit is soth," seint peter seide : "oþur me þinchez ȝe beoth wode." huy nusten ȝweþur to beon stille oþur speke : bote ase gydie men huy stode. ¶ "Louerd," huy seiden, "here is ore Moder : þat a-dreint was ase we wende, I-hered he beo þat hire hath to liue i-brouȝt : And þat hire to us sende! Line 212 And þis is Clement, ore ȝongue broþur : þat longue hath i-beo ore fere; Nuste we neuere er ȝwat he was : are þoruȝ godes grace nouþe here." Louerd, þe Ioye þat þe[re] was : And þat manie Miȝten i-seo, bi-twene þe guode wyf and hire sones : þe swete breþren þreo! Line 216
ÞIs guode wyf axede hire tweye sones : hov huy to liue come. "Dame," huy seiden, "ase god it wolde : a bord of þe schype we nome And þar-on we hienguen, and hit bar us forth : into þe se wel wide. Marineres us token into heore schipe : ase we floten heom bi-side. Are huy us hadden to londe i-brouȝt : huy nolden neuere a-fine. Line 221 To Ane holie wydewe huy solden us : þat hiet dame Iustine; Þat us lokede nesche I-novȝ : as þei we hire sones were, And, god ȝielde it hire! of clergie : heo liet us sone lere. Line 224 So þat we beoth nouþe godes desciples : and with his Apostle here. Ore broþur clement we knoweth nouþe furst : þat ȝare hath i-beon ore fere. And nouþe we beoth here to-gadere come : we mowen i-seo godes miȝte, Þat euere wole mannes ȝwyle ȝelde : þat seruez him with riȝte." Line 228 Ech man wot wel þat þis I-heorth : þey we ne seggen it i-lome, gret Ioye bi-twene heom alle was : þo huy to-gadere come. ¶ þis guode wyf heom tolde of hire hostesse : þat Innede hire bi nyȝte, Þat heo was a guod womman and was bedrade : ȝif huy hire hele miȝten. Line 232

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Line 232
SEint petre hire let fette : and þoruȝ ore louerdes grace Made hire hol, bi-fore al þat folk : anon in þulke place.— Ase seint petre prechede a day : he seide in his prechingue Line 235 Þat, ho-so seruede ore louerd wel : scholde habbe guod endingue. ¶ Þo stod þare op a swiþe old man : his lockes weren ful hore; pouere and stoupinde and miseise. : he bi-gan to siken sore. "gret revþe," he seide, "ich habbe of eov : þat ȝe bi-trayez men so; Ech man bi-fallez ase his ȝwate is : ȝwat-so he euere do. Line 240 ¶ For þei a man swyncke and crie on god : and bidde ȝeorne is bede, him schal bi-falle, guod oþur vuel : ase it is him i-queþe. Þei mani man beo wis and euere swynke : he ne may neuere bate; And þei manie don vuele and euere folie : ȝeot he hath guod ȝwate." ¶ Seint petre hiet þe þreo breþren : þat is desciples were, Line 245 Despuyti aȝein þis olde man : of þat he tolde þere. huy stoden and heore [r]esones [orig. oresones] seiden : þat ech man scholde a-fongue After þat he wurche wolde : And elles it were with wrongue; [folio 144] Line 248 "For, ho-so nath no guod, ne swinke nele : ne of porueance beo, Ȝwat-so-euere man beo Iqueþe : he ne may it neuere fleo; [r. i-þeo] And [ho]-so is wys to winne guod : and wel it witie can, Ȝwat-so-euere is ȝwate beo : he worth riche man. Line 252 For ore louerd wole here and elles-ȝware : ȝelden ane mannes seruise After þat he him-seolf wurche wole : ake aftur ȝwate in none wise."
GRet clerk was þis olde Man : he desputede wel faste A-ȝein þe þreo breþren with gret reson. : þat playt wel longue laste. Line 256 Seint Clement was grettest clerk : þare-fore atþenende Maister he was, þoruȝ grace : þat ore louerd him wolde sende. Atþe laste þis olde Man : bi-gan to sike and grone, And seid[e], "wel, icholde i-leue : ower resones ech-one, Line 260 Ȝif I-ne hadde to muche i-fondet : of þinge þat geth bi ȝwate. Alas þulke soruful tyme : for mi confort cometh to late! Line 262 Riche man ich was elles-ȝware : þei ich beo nouþe a wrechche here; Ich hadde þreo ȝoungue children : and a guod wif þat was mi fere. Mine tweie sones heo ladde awei : þo we heom hadden al bi-swonke : Ine heorde neuereft word of heom : Ich wot huy beoth a-dronke. Alle myne freond and al mi guod : Ich bi-lefte me bi-hynde

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And habbe here i-walke in onkovþe londe : ȝif ich heom miȝte i-fynde. Line 268 Mi ȝongeste child ich bi-lefte athom : Ich wene þat he beo ded. Worse ȝwate nadde neuere man : Inot ȝwat is mi red. And ich am, [overlined.] þare no man me ne knoweth : mid miseise ouer-come; honguer and chele hath myne leomes : and elde, me bi-nome. Line 272 Seggez ov-sulf ȝif ȝe euere I-heorden : Ani so deolful cas! ho is þat ne may i-leue : þat luþur ȝwate it nas?" ¶ Þo þis þreo breþren hore fader i-knewen : þoruȝ þat he hadde i-sed, Sturten huy wolden and cussen him. : ake seint petre heom for-bed, And seide, "ȝif ich bringue bi-fore þe i-hole : þine children and þi wijf, Line 277 Woltþov for-hote þine mis-bi-leue : and a-mendi þi lijf And i-leue þat þing [MS. þing þat] comez ase god wole : and no-þing after ȝwate?" "Ȝe, sire," seide þis olde man : "Ake þat worth so wel late. Also ase it neuere ne worth : þat ich i-seo heom alle, And [al. om.] so ne worth hit neuere þat muche þing : nele bi ȝwate falle." ¶ "Lo," seide seint petre þo : "þis beoth þine sones þreo, Þat, for-to bringue þe in godes lawe : plaidiez aȝein þe." Line 284 Þo þis olde Man i-heorde þis : his limes him bere nolde, huy nescheden ase doth wex a-ȝein þe fuyre : And ful a-don on þe molde; he lai al cold with-oute breþe : ase þei he no lyf nadde. his [sones] him clupten a[n]d custen him : sore huy weopen and gradde; Line 288 huy beren him a-boute and bleowen on him : ȝif huy him miȝten in stat bringue. Longue it was are heo miȝten : i-seo of liue : Ani riȝt tokningue. Þo is stat him was i-come : he axede a-non-riȝt þere hov huy weren a-liue forth i-brouȝt : so freondlese ase huy were. Line 292 Euerech tolde in his wise : ore swete louerdes miȝte, [folio 144b] Þat he on heom i-schewed hadde : ho-so onder-stode þe riȝte. Ase huy tolden of heore lijf : euerech in his side, Line 295 Þis guode wif orn ase heo were wilde : and swiþe loude heo cride: "Ȝware is mi louerd? ȝware is mi spouse? : schewez him me a-non!" huy bi-clupten heom and fullen a-doun : a fote ne miȝten huy gon.

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More Ioye ne miȝte beo i-seiȝe : bi none mannes liue, Þane was, þo huy to-gadere comen : a-mong heom alle fiue. Line 300 here we mouwen alle i-seo : ore swete louerdes miȝte, Þat euere atþenende he wole ȝelde : þe manne þat him seruez with riȝte.—
HIt bi-ful þat þe Aumperour : ouer-al sende is sonde, Line 303 Symon Magus, þe luþere man : to sechen him into al þe londe, For-to sleen him, ho-so him miȝte I-finde : al for his luþer-hede. And þo symon Magus i-heorde þar-of : he was in grete drede. On feolonie he þouȝte for wrathþe : of þe breþren tweie, Faust and Faustin, þat weren with him : and departed fram him beiȝe. Line 308 bi hore fader he cam a day : ase þe deuel him gan lere, And caste on him is owene fourme : ase þei it him-sulf were, Þoruȝ is foul enchauntement— : ho-so þene olde manne i-seiȝe, wenden þat symon magus it were. : þare was þe deuel to sleiȝe, Line 312 For þe Ioye þat his sones hadden : of him þare in one stounde; And for he scholde beon for him a-slawe : ȝif he miȝte beon i-founde. For euere þe deuel, and alle his : of feolonie doth þenche; Ake atþe laste huy worþeth bi-traid : with heore feolle wrenche. Line 316 ¶ Symon Magus wende a-wei [orig. aȝen] : þo al þis i-don was. Þis guode [man] ȝeode forth to is children : he nuste nouȝt of þat cas : he cam and wolde gret Ioye make : with heom and with is wiue. huy spatten on him, euerechone : and heten him a-wei wel bliue, For he was þe deueles lyme : huy nolden nouȝt with him dele, Line 321 Ake bote he þe sonere fram heom ȝeode : him to wroþer hele.
" Alas," seide þis olde Man : "Mine leoue [overlined.] children þreo, Ȝwi wolle ȝe ouwer fader þus pulte and bete? : nelle ȝe me nonmore i-seo?" Line 324 "Nay," seiden þis breþren þreo : "þov nart ore fader nouȝt, Þov art symon Magus, godes trichor. : to deþe þov worst i-brouȝt; Ȝif þe Aumperores [men] þe mouwen finde : þat wide þe habbez i-souȝt, Þov worst to-drawe ase þe deueles lime : for falshede þat þou hast i|wrouȝt." Line 328 ¶ "Louerd, merci," seide þis olde man : "ȝwodere may ich nouþe iwende,

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Nouþe mi wijf ne mine sones me nellez i-knowe : o dai to þenende? Mest wrechche ich am of alle men : nouþe Ine habbe freond non bote heom, and huy me wollez a-sle. : ȝwodere may ich nouþe gon?" ¶ Symon Magus þare-at-fore : in Auntioche ase [al. om.] he wende, And seint petre bi-fore al þat folk : with lesingues foule he schende; he seide þat he man-quellare was : and wichche, and eke for-swore : Þat folk a-waytede him for-to sle : In Auntyoche þare-fore. Line 336 ¶ Seint petre þis onder-ȝat : he wolde beon a-wreke, he þouȝte. he cam to þis seli oldeman : þat him wel longue souȝte; [folio 145] "beo stille," he seide, "and do Aftur me : and soffre a luytel þrowe, And Ichulle makien þat þi wijf : and þine sones : þe schullen sone i-knowe. Line 340 Þov schalt gon In-to Auntioche : þare symon Magus was, Ase he me desclaundret hath : and segge of þis ilke cas In his name, ase ech man weneth : þat þov he him-sulue beo, And segge þat hit lesingue is : þat þov seidest op-on me, Line 344 And line al-so þine owene Mouth : as þei it beo in his name, And þat hit was al les þat þov seidest : to bringue me in luþer fame, And þat þov art þarof repentaunt : sori, and swiþe wel I-schriue, Line 347 Of þe lesingue þat þov bi me seidest : and bide heom it þe for-ȝyue."
ÞIs olde Man ȝeode him forth : In-to Auntioche a-non, And ȝede a-boute to Mani a stude : þare symon hadde I-gon; "Guode Men," he seide, "ȝif ich habbe i-told : bi seint petre eni|þing bote guod and gret trewenesse : for-soþe, it is lesing; Line 352 here bi-foren eov euerech-one : ich lixni minne owene Mouth. For he is treowe and studefast : and is guodnesse is wide couth. For-to saui al þat lond : ore louerd him hath i-sent : bi-lieueth and wurcheth aftur him : oþur ȝe beoth alle I-schent! Line 356 For ȝe eov-seolf and Al eower guod : þoruȝ ore louerdes wreche hit schal for-fare, bote ȝe don : ase he eov wole lere ant teche. Ȝif ich euere-eft more am so : in þe deoueles weorke I-brouȝt Þat Ich ani-þing oþur bi him segge : ne leuez me þar-of nouȝt, Line 360 Ake doth me [overlined.] schame and betez me : ant bringuez me of dawe, Ase men schullen a strong liare : and man of false lawe." ¶ Þare-Aftur-ward he cam to seint petre : and he is leomen riȝte

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And brouȝte him a-ȝein to is owene fourme : al þoruȝ godes miȝte. Þo was þere gret Ioye bi-tweone [is sones] [om.] : and him and eke is wiue, þo huy weren in riȝte fourme : to-gadere alle fiue.
Euere is strengore ore swete louerd : þane þe deuel atþende! Line 367 And symon Magus-is tricherie : op-on him-sulf it gan i-wiende. Al [al. for] Auntioche wel gret loue : opon seint petre caste, And sore heom longuede after him : and leten him seche faste. ¶ Seint Petre cam to Auntioche : ase he hadde er I-lome : Men and wommen of þe lond : wel glade a-boute him come, Line 372 And Anoureden him suyþe muche : ase ane prince of godes lawe And Ase heore maister and heore louerd— : huy weren of him wel fawe; In riche chayre huy setten him : and knevlede him bi-fore, And beden wel ȝeorne him wardi heom : and techen, þat heore soulene neren for-lore. Line 376 ¶ Þis was a-seint petres day : þat comez in feuerer, Þat for þe honour of þulke dede : men helewiez feor and ner. Þo þis dede was al I-don : and seint petre þannes i-wend, Symon Magus hyede þudere : and heold him foule I-schend. Line 380 bi-fore al þis folk he cam : "Muche wonder me þinchez," he sede, "Þat ich ouwer soule-bote here-bi-fore : and to eouwer guod gan eov rede, Þat ȝe ne flouwen petre, þane trichour : þat he a-mong eov ne come; [folio 145b] And nouȝt one ne [al. ȝe] Anoreden him : ake wit grete nobleie him nome And an heiȝ in chaire [MS. in chaire In chaire] setten him : ase he eouwer crist were. Fleoth fram him, ȝif ȝe wollez i-sauede beon : and doth ase ich eov lere!" ¶ Þo al þat folk i-heorde þis : for wrathþe heo weren neiȝ wode; "False trichour," huy seiden, "þis oþur day : bi-fore us here þov stode Line 388 And seidest þat he was treowe and guod : and þat we after him do scholde, And seist nouþe þat he is luþer and fals! : þi ȝwile worth sone i-ȝolde," huy sturten forth and beoten þis foule þeof : þat he was neiȝ a-slawe;

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Nadde he þe revlocur i-cried on heom : hey [r. huy] wolden him habbe to-drawe. Line 392 Ase he miȝte, he crep a-wei : with many a luþur strok. Þare he him-seolf, ase euerech swyke doth : him-seolf he bi-swok!
Seint petre ȝeode to rome : with his desciple þreo. he wuste þat is tyme was neiȝ : þat he Imartred scholde beo : Line 396 Seint Clement al bi is daye : he made him pope at rome, Þat he guode ȝeme after him : to holie churche nome. ¶ Þo seint petre I-martred was : seint clement him bi-souȝte : [al. biþouȝte vv. 401-4 are corrupted.] Line 399 Ȝif he bi-lefte pope forth : ase þat folk him bi-souȝte, Þat no [al. om.] pope ne [al. om.] miȝte aftur him : Ane oþurne pope make, Ȝwam so huy wolden, þoruȝ heore wille : oþur for [on the margin.] eni mede take; Þat he him bad for godes loue : þat no pope bi is daye Non oþur pope ne scholde maken so : holie churche to bi-traye; [vv. 403-4 added.] Line 404 For a wardein of holie churche : þoruȝ is godnesse man schal take, Þat [al. om.; r. and?] nouȝt, ase it were bi heritage : þat o freond þat oþur make. he tok up is dignete : for al þat man him bad, And seint lyn, þat was a guod man : was pope in his stude Imad. After seint lynes daye : alle þe men wolde Line 409 Seint clemente habbe pope Imad : ake for no-þing ȝeot he nolde; Se[int] [MS. Se] Clete huy maden pope þo. : ake after is daiȝe a-non Þat folk heold seint clement faste : huy nolden him nouȝt for-gon; hAlflingue with strencþe huy maden him pope. : and þo hit cam þar-to, he fondede to paye euer-ech Man : riche and pouere al-so. Line 414 he honourede more þe pouere Men : þane he dude þe riche, to helpe more is [al. þe] soule þane is [al. þe] bodi— : for huy ne beot nouȝt Iliche. Sisyme, þe Iustise of þe lond : hadde a swiþe guod wijf, Þat þoruȝ se[int] cleme[n]t I-cristned was : for-to amendi hire lijf. Ȝwane heo miȝte, fram hire louerd [heo stole] : al with-oute fiere. A day, ase [on the margin.] heo wolde to churche gon : he siwede hire wel swiþe. [2 vv. om.] Line 420 Sone so heo to churche cam : and hire hovse-bonde onder-ȝat, [MS. it onder-ȝat] A-drad heo was, and hudde hire : in one [derne] stude heo sat. Þo seint clement seide is oresun : and is clerkes amen seide, Line 423 Þe Iustise i-werth boþe def and blind. : wel loude he gan to grede : "Ȝware beo ȝe nouþe, mine men? : ovt ȝe moten me lede, For Ine mai mi-seolf I-seo ne heore. : ȝwat mai ich to-rede?

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cometh forth to me euerechone : and out heonnes ȝe me leden!" [vv. 426-7 al. om.] his Men sturten forth And nomen him op : huy swatten alle for drede. [folio 146] Line 428 huy beren him al-a-boute þe churche : huy ne miȝten þe dore finde : Ȝwane huy wenden atþe dore to beo : þanne weren huy feor bi-hinde. Sore was þis guode wijf a-drad : þo heo i-saiȝ heom so fare : Line 431 heo Axede ȝwat hire louerd were— : for no leng ne miȝte heo spare. huy seiden, "for he wolde [orig. huy wolden] I-seon and I-heore : oþur þane to him bi-come, bi-come he is blijnd and def : here in þe churche of Rome." Þis guode wijf bad ore louerd ȝeorne : þat huy mosten þannes ovt wende : Þo founden þis men þe dore a-non : and wenden out atþenende. Line 436 Þis guode wijf bad Clement ȝeorne : to hire louerd come And amendi him þoruȝ godes grace : of is limes, þat him weren bi-nome. ¶ Seint clement and þis guode wijf to þis luþere man gonne teo : huy founden him loki swiþe brode : and no-þing ne miȝte i-seo. [vv. 439-40 al. om.] Line 440 Seint clement bad ore louerd for him : and þo he i-don hadde, his heoringue and is siȝt him cam a-ȝein. : ake neuere þonk he ne hadde. For a-non so he i-saiȝ seint clement stonde : bi is wiue, he wende And seide þat he hadde bi hire i-leie : and þare-fore he him a-blende. Þis guode wijf ȝeode into hire preuetez : and Iesu crist [bad] wel faste Þat hire louerd þoruȝ is grace : in-to betere bi-leue him caste. Line 446
SEint petre fram heouene : to hire a-liȝte a-doun And s[e]ide, hire louerd scholde i-saued beo : þoruȝ hire oresun; "For seint powel seide [MS. seide seide; al. For me saiþ] þat a luþer man : scholde i-saued beo Line 449 Þoruȝ guodnesse of a godwomman : And so it worth bi him and þe." Þis guode wyf eode to hire louerd : and prechede him of cristine-dom : So þat he þoruȝ godes grace : in-to guode bi-leue he com. Line 452 he liet him cristni sone a-non : and al is may[n]e þere, Þre hondret men and tweolue : with him i-cristnede were. ¶ TraIan, þe luþere Amperour : herof he heorde speke : he swor he wolde for his Iustise : of seint clement beo a-wreke. Line 456

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Line 456 he comaundede Mamertyn : þat was an oþur Iustise, Þat he scholde maken clement þe pope : to don heom [al. om.] sacrefise Oþur maken him out of londe fleme— : þat he ne lete it nouȝt, Laste heore lawe and heore godes weren : þoruȝ him to grounde i-brouȝt. Line 460 ¶ Þis Iustise wende þo wiþ [MS. þouȝ] gret power : And seint clement he nom; [orig. nam] And for he nolde don heore godes [h. g. al. om.] sacrefise : he ȝaf him an oþur dom : Þat he scholde beon out of londe i-driue : into wildernesse. Ase a þeof he was i-harlet forth : in wel fyl destresse. Line 464 Þo he into wildernesse cam : to þousende he fond þere Of cristine Men, þat hadden þer : longue i-woned for fere, Laste þe Aumperoures men : In torment heom hadden i-brouȝt; And huy for drede of strongue deþe : weren in feble þouȝt.— Line 468 For manie men bi þulke daie : for drede of þulke þingue Ase bestes huy leoueden in wildernesse : þo cristinedom bi-gan furst springue.— Line 470 Wel glade weren þis guode men : þo huy seint clement i-seiȝe : heo ȝeoden a-ȝein him and þonkeden god : weopinde with heore eie. huy maden seint clement heore Maister þere : pope ase he was. [folio 146b] Þare nas non þat in studefast lijf : for him a-mendet ne was. Water huy nadden neiȝ heom non : bi six Mile wei wel longue, Al heore drinke huy fetten þare : in weiȝe swiþe stronge. Line 476 Seint clement [bad] ore louerd crist : ȝif hit is wille were, Þat he holpe is trewe couent : and sende heom watur þere. he i-saiȝ a lomb stonde and marki : with is riȝt fot ane stude : he i-saiȝ þat hit ore louerd was : to don þat he hadde i-bede. Line 480 ¶ Seint clement ȝeode and smot in þulke stude : as þat lomb markede er : Þare sprong a welle fair and guod— : wel gret Ioye was þer. Þis Miracle was widen i-cud : fif hondret men þare-fore bi-comen cristine and blesseden þe time : þat seint clement was i-bore. Line 484 Þo ȝede he forþere a-mong þe men : and so fair Miracle wrouȝte, Swiþe muche folk to guode bi-leue : and to Iesu crist he brouȝte. Fyf hondred of Maumates : to grounde he brouȝte þere; And sixti churche and fiftene : in heore studes he liet a-rere. Line 488

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Line 488
So þat traIan þe Aumperour : her-of heorde telle : Ane duyk of gret power he sende þudere : þane guode man for|to quelle. Line 490 Þis duyk him nam and liet to [overlined.] him binde : grete [orig. and gr.] stones wel faste, And ladden him feor in-to þe deope se : and riȝt a-midde him caste. Welle, muche was þe deol : þat is desciples for him made! In-to þe se huy ornen to sechen him : ase feor ase huy dorsten wade. Þo huy ne miȝten neiȝ him come : ore louerd wel ȝeorne huy beade [r. bade] to ȝiuen heom a siȝt of seint clement : þe more to beon glade. Line 496 Ase huy seten opon þe .se : and crieden on him wel faste and ȝeorne, Þe .se. wel swiftliche hire with-dravȝ [al. wiþdrouȝ] : and with gret eyr In gan eorne : So þat with-inne þe deope .se : þreo grete Milene and more A swiþe fair wei and druye þare was : i-here[d] beo godes ore! Line 500 Þis guode men bi þis faire wei : In-to þe .se. gonne to wende : Ane churche hui founden, of Marbre i-maud : riȝt atþe weies ende. With-Inne þe churche huy founden ane cofre : of seluer and of golde And þarinne seint clementes bodi : ase ore louer[d] it wolde. Line 504 Welle, louerd, muche was þe Ioye : þat þis guode Men inne were, For þe faire Miracle of seint clement : þat huy founden þere! huy beden heore beden ȝwat-so huy wolden : and wenden aȝen at|þenende : euere orn þe se after heom wel faste : at heore helene bi-hinde, Line 508 For-to heo cam to hire riȝte stude : and þare heo gan atstonde. Þis guode men serueden god þe bet : and þonke[den] ȝeorne is sonde.
Longue þer-aftur it bi-feol : þoruȝ ore louerdes heste, fram ȝer to ȝere seue dawes : at seint clementes festes Line 512 þat þe se ire wolde so with-drawe : and makie ane wei wel druye To þe holie chapele of seint clement : þat no watur ne scholde man a-nuye; Þat ech Man alle þe seuen dawes : al druye wende and clene, For-to honouri þat holie bodi : ase it bi-feol eche ȝere ene; Line 516 And Anon-riȝt þe se wende a-ȝein : with watur and with slyme [folio 147] After þe eiȝte dawes, and heold him so : for-to an oþur ȝer þat tyme.
Awommon cam [MS. cam cam] þudere at one tyme : and a child þat was hire sone,

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For-to A-novri þat swete bodi : as it was mannes wone. Line 520 hit feol at [MS. þat] þe endingue : of þe seueþe daiȝe þat þe se cam eorne & rotte ȝeorne : ase þat child a-slepe laye. Þat folk, þat þare was bi-leued : bi-gonne ateorne faste; Þis womman louede hire lyf al-so : þat heo nas nouȝt þe laste. Line 524 Þo heo was to londe i-come : and hire sone [overlined.] mid hire nadde, Muche was þe deol þat heo made : loude heo weop and gradde. gredinde heo orn and longue souȝte : a-boute bi þe se-side, Ȝif þe .se. him hadde up i-cast— : heo souȝte a-boute wel wide. Line 528 Þo heo ne miȝte him nouȝwere i-finde : weopinde hom heo wende, And bad seint clement, of hire childe : þat he sum gladnesse hire sende. heo bi-lefte al þe ȝer : in gret sor and in care. Anoþur ȝer at seint clementes tid : þuder-ward heo wolde fare. [al. was ȝare] Line 532 To þe chapele ȝeorne heo orn : þo þe se was In i-weved : [orig. i-wend] hIre [MS. Ire; h added.] sone heo fond in þulke stude : þare heo hine hadde bi-leued. Sone þis womman nam him up : and wende þat he [MS. heo] ded were. Þat child, ase þei it woke of slepe : Axede ȝwat heo wolde þere. Line 536 Þis womman for Ioie gradde loude : þat folk a-boute hire wende, And þonkeden god with grete Ioye : þat swuche miracle him sende. huy axeden hov he hadde so longue i-leued : And ȝif he were ouȝt i-dreiȝt. "hit nis novȝt longue," þat child seide : "ake to sone ȝe me [MS. me me] habbez a-weiȝt; Line 540 Softe and swote i habbe [MS. ȝe habbez] i-slepe : onneþe me þinchez o nyȝt. Moste ich lengore habbe i-leiȝe : me hadde i-beo wel i-diȝt." With gret Ioye huy ladden þis child hom. : þis miracle was couth wel wide. Mani fair Miracle seint clement dude : bi þe sees sides. Line 544 ¶ þe se with-drovȝ hire wel mani a ȝer : to maken men druye i-wende; And þulke miracle for mannes [sunne] : bi-lefde sethþe atþen ende. Þo Men founden þis holie ȝwuchche : In a fair place stonde with þis holie bodi a-boue þe se : al on druye londe; Line 548 Muche folk with fair procession : þis holie bodi nome And ladden it forth with gret honour : to þe churche of rome. Þare is nouþe seint clementes churche : I-mad with quoynte gynne.

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god ȝiue us part of þulke Ioyȝe : þat seint clement is inne. Line 552
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