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

56 [Thomas ap.]

SEint Thomas þe guode Apostle : I-martred was in .Inde; [folio 161] Of is lif we moten rede : ase we in boke dothþ finde. Þe ȝwyle ore louerd on eorþe was : with him he wende a-boute. Men cleopeden him sethþe ane to-nome : "Thomas longue in doute :" For þo ore louerd fram deþe to liue a-ros : In doute þar-of he was; Þe Apostles it leueden ech-one wel : bote þis ilke seint Thomas, Line 6 Bote he seide þat he it nolde i-leue : bote he seiȝe is wounde And handlede as and þerinne pulte : is finguer oþur is þombe [al. to þe grounde] — Line 8 For þis Mis-bileue men him cleopeden : "Thomas longue in doute," Ase men redeth ȝeot in holie churche : ȝwan is dai cometh a-boute. ¶ Sethþe cam ore louerd crist : mid is woundes al a-blode To him and to is desciples : þare huy to-gadere stode; Line 12

Line 12 Ore louerd seide, "Thomas, hider þi finguer : ant pult here into mi side, And ne beo nouȝt in mis-bi-leue : for mine woundene þou sixt wide." Þo bi-liefde he wel þat it was soth : and al-so euereft more; Line 15 "Mi louerd," he seide, "and mi god : ich bidde þe milce and ore!" Þo þat he þe soþe i-saiȝ : ore louerd he louede faste, And prechede is manhede and cristinedom : þe ȝwile is lif i-laste.— ¶ It bi-feol, longue after þe tyme : þat ore louerd to heouene wende, Þat Gondofre, þe king of Inde : wel wide a-boute sende Line 20 Ȝif man miȝhte ani Carpenter : finde, quoynte and sleiȝh, In anie londe, þat him couþe a-rere : a paleys noble and heiȝh. In þe londe of cesaree : seint Thomas was þo : ^ovre louerd a-liȝhte a-doun fram heouene : and aȝein him cam go, Line 24 "Thomas," he seide, "þe king of Inde : haueth i-sent here-neiȝh To furie [al. seche] after a Carpenter : þat were quointe and sleiȝh : Cum here with me, and ichulle : þudere to him þe sende." "A., louerd, þin ore," quath seint Thomas : "I-ne rechche ȝwodere ich wiende, Line 28 Bote þat I-ne come nouȝt in Inde : for þar-of me deth a-grise; Siend me elles ȝwodere þou wolt : ac þudere in none wise!" ¶ "Þou schalt wiende þudere," ore louerd seide : "and ichulle beon with þe. And ȝwane þou hast þoruȝh þi prechingue : þat lond-folc i-brouȝht to me, Line 32 Þou schalt þare i-martred beon : and to me þanne i-wiende. Go we to þis Messager : and þudere ichulle þe siende." huy come and metten þis Messager : þat brouȝte þis tyþingue, Ase he cam furst op of þe se : a-middes þe Chepingue— Line 36 Aben he was i-hote. : ore louerd hine þare mette, And axede ȝwat he þere souȝhte : and wel faire he him grette. ¶ "Mi louerd Gondofre," quath Aben : "þat is kyng of Inde, Sende me hidere ȝif þat ich miȝhte : ani quoynte Carpenter finde Line 40 And þat [ich], hou-so ich euere on toke : in alle manere him brouȝte : Þat [ich] with Catele, ȝif he were þral : of is louerd him bouȝte And þat ich him, [om. him] ȝif he freo man were : huyrde him deore i-nouȝh; And for-to do sum-ȝware mi neode : hider-ward ich drouȝh."

¶ "Ich habbe ane man," ore louerd seide : "þat riȝht min owene is, Þat ȝwanne ich him ofte a-boute sende : wel he wrouȝhte, i-wis, [folio 161b] Line 46 And dude is mester swiþe wel : ȝwodere he euere i-wende, And euere al þat he miȝhte bi-ȝite [MS. ȝẹⁱte] : he brouȝte me oþur sende. For quoyntore bold he can make : þane euere in Inde were; Ne swuch man nis þare in Inde non : þat swuch bold couþe a-rere." [al. 2 vv. more.] Ore louerd tok seint Thomas : Aben bi þe honde; Þat ope þe forewarde þat he made : ladde him to is londe. [al. 2 vv. more.] Line 52 ¶ Aben ope þis forewarde : glad and bliþe was; Into schipe he wende a-non : with þe guode man seint Thomas. Sone he axede seint Thomas : ase huy in þe se i-wende, Ȝweþer he puyrliche is man were : þat him þudere sende. Line 56 "Ȝif ich nadde," quath seint Thomas : "puyrliche is man i-beo, Mi manhe[de] [al. his manrede] ich wolde habbe for-sake : þo he bi-tok me þe." "Seiȝe þou me," quath Aben, "ȝeot : ȝwat is þi seruise? Ȝware-of seruest þou þat heiȝe Man : þat ȝe beon boþe so wise?" Line 60 ¶ "A carpenter," quath seint Thomas : "ich am, quoynte and sleiȝh, paleys and bold ich can arere : swiþe noble and heiȝh, strong and liȝt and swiþe fair : with-outen and with-inne, Þat no man ne may it felle a-doun : with strencþe ne with ginne, Line 64 Ne so strong wynd ne tempeste : þat greuie mouwe it ouȝt; So quoynte bold nas neuere on eorþe : to no prince i-wrouȝt." "Deu merci," quath þis Aben : "þat þi louerd gret Man is, Þat so quoynte Men hat onder him : i-not non swuch, i-wis!" Line 68 ¶ "Heiȝh Man he is," quath seint Thomas : "and an heiȝ kyngues sone. Ope ane heiȝe Montayngne his wonijngue is : þare he wole euere wone; Þare he halt is heritage : and is fader kynedom an heiȝh; Þare nis non of is fon so strong : þat mouwe come þere-neiȝh. Line 72 Sik man ne pouere nis þare non : so riche þat lond is; So murie lond nas neuere i-seiȝe : ne of swuch solas ne blis." Tellinde, huy rouweden forth in þe se : so þat þoruȝ guod winde Þene seueþe day huy comen a-lond : wel a þeos half Inde. Line 76 ¶ At ane heiȝe toune huy a-riueden : þare a kyng inne lay Þat liet weddi to an heiȝh Man : his douȝhter þat ilke day.

At þis bruydale was plei i-nouȝh : song and gret hoppingue, Tabours and fiþele and symphanye : stiues and harpingue. Line 80 Seint Thomas and þis Aben : wenden to þis feste, So Manie Men wel ofte doth : with liȝt biddingue oþur heste. ¶ A Taborere song atþe mete : ase it is [al. om.; r. ire?] riȝhte was. Ase he eode singuynde op an doun : he bi-heold on seint Thomas : hire [MS. him] þouȝhte þat he was cristine man : to paiȝen him he gan singue "Cristine men habbez ane god : louerd of alle þingue." Line 86 Þo seint Thomas þis i-heorde : he bad hire singue eft-sone. Þis taborere song up an doun : and dude seint Thomas bone. Þe Botiler chidde with seint Thomas : for he made hire singue more, And smot him a boffat onder þe Ere : þat him smert ful sore. Line 90 ¶ "I-nelle nouȝt a-rise," quath seint Thomas : "heonne fram mi fere [folio 162] Are ich i-seo an hound bringue þulke hond : a-mong al þis folke here." Þo þat folk hadde al-mest i-ȝete : þe Botiler wende sone Line 93 Out to ane welle to fechche in watur : ase he hadde þare-with to done. Þo he out to þe welle cam : a leon þere cam gon Ant hente þene botiler bi þe þrote : and a-stranglede him a-non, Line 96 And to-drouȝh ech lime fram oþur. : an hound þere cam bi cas And kipte up þe hond in is mouth : þat he smot with seint Thomas, And bar as in bi-fore al þat folk : and so bi-fore þe kingue. Þare nas non þat þis i-saiȝh : þat ne wondreden of þat þingue, Line 100 And seiden, "þis is an holi Man : þat god deth fore swuch dede : For bi þe botilere it is icome : riȝht ase he er seide." Line 102 ¶ Þe kyng liet cleopie bi-fore him : seint Thomas a-non, And seide, "þou art an holi man : þat þus a-wrecxt þe of þine fon : Þou schalt with me to mi douȝter : into hire chaumbre wende Line 105 And blessi hire, and hire spouse : þat huy habben þe bettere ende." Seint Thomas with þe king : in-to chaumbre gan gon; Þat ȝongue wif and hire spouse : a-ȝein him come a-non. Line 108 Seint Thomas is holie hond : ope beiȝe heore heuedes leide And blessede heom a-godes name : and is oresun seide. Line 110 ¶ he nam is leue and wende a-ȝein : and þe ȝongue spouse ladde him forth & þonkede him : þat he cam in þe house. [This verse on the margin.] A ȝeord of palm cam in is hond : he nuste hou it cam,

Ase he ladde seint Thomas— : wel gladliche he it nam : Line 114 Þe ȝeord was ful of Dates : wexinde ase þei huy were. Gret wonder and ioye huy [hadden] : of þis miracle þere. Þis ȝounge Man bar is ȝonge wif : þis fruyt so guod and suete; Of þat fruyt huy nomen boþe : and gladliche þar-of ete. Line 118 ¶ Sone þo huy hadden þarof i-ete : huy ne miȝhten no feor gon, Ake ayþer lai a-doun bi oþur : and softe slepen a-non. Men beddeden heom ase softe ase huy miȝhten : and palles on heom caste, And wenden alle out bote heom-suluen two : and þe doren maden faste. Line 122 Ase huy leiȝe boþe and slepen : a fair king to heom cam, And bi-twene heom stod, in fair Abite : and bi-tweone is Armes heom nam; "Mine leoue children," he seide : "min apostle þat was her Blessede eov for þat ȝe scholden : of heouene beo parteners : Line 126 Dothþ aftur him, and ȝe schullen beo : þare with-outen ende." Stille he liet heom ligge and slepe : and wel softe aȝein gan wende. ¶ Þo huy a-woken, huy leiȝen and tolden : hou þat it beo miȝhte; gret wonder huy hadden for huy nusten : nouȝht of þis noble siȝhte. Ase huy leiȝen and herof tolden : seint Thomas to hom [MS. him] wende; Line 131 "Þe kyng," he seide, "þat with eov spak : hidere to eov me sende— Þei ȝates and doren beo faste imade : he hath [me] in i-brouȝt. Ȝif ȝe wollez þe Ioye a-fongue : þat he haueth to eov i-wrouȝht, And his blessingue þat ich eov ȝaf : þoruȝ me witez al-so, In Ioye and blisse with-outen ende : of heouene he wole eov do. Line 136 For ȝe habbez ȝeot ouwer Maiden-hod : þat of eche guodnesse is quene, [folio 162b] Þat neuere ne a-dwynet bi-fore god : ac euere is briȝt and schene." Þis ȝongues [al. ȝonge þinges] feollen a-doun : to seint Thomas a-kneo, And crieden on him þat he heom teiȝte : in guode liue to beo. Line 140 ¶ Seint Thomas heom prechede anon : hou it of ore louerd is, And brouȝte heom boþe to cristindom : and þe kingue and alle his. On of his desciples sethþe he nam : þat het dyonis, And made him maister of þat folk : þat huy ne wrouȝten amis; Line 144 Þesne dyonis he made preost : and ane churche he liet arere.

Þat folk cam eche daye : and heor[d]e [MS. heore] seruise þere. Þo þat lond was al i-brouȝt : in guod stat i-nov, Seint Thomas is leue nam : and toward Inde him drov.— Line 148 ¶ Anon so Aben, þat cam aftur him : to Inde miȝhte him bringue, with gret Ioye he ladde him forth : and brouȝte him bi-fore þe kingue. To a fair place þe kyng him ladde : and axede him on alle wise Ȝif he couþe þere swuch bold a-rere : ase he him couþe deuise. Line 152 Seint Thomas bi-heold þis noble place : "sire," he seide, "ȝe, So fair bold nis in al þis lond : ase ich can here arere þe." Ane perche he nam, and mat a-boute : hou [al. as] ech hous scholde beo. ¶ "Sire," he seide, "mi deuis : þou schalt here i-seo : Line 156 Þe halle ichulle furst arere : in þis place in alle wise, Est-ward þe dore and þe proche : riȝht ase þe sonne arisez, Þat þe sonne ȝwane heo a-rist : atþe dore in schine; Line 159 here ȝond ichulle þe chaumbres habbe : [A v. om. : : ymete by myne lyne, Here ȝond ichulle þe kuchen habbe :] And a conduyt þare-bi-side." he deuisede [al] euene inov : and longue i-nouȝ and wide, So noble bold ne miȝhte non beo : ase he gan þare deuise. ¶ Þe kyng of is sotilte : bi-gan sum-del a-grise, And seide, "certus, ich ȝiue þe pris : of þe beste Carpenter Line 164 And þe quoynteste þat ich euere i-knev : and best deuised [al. deuisest] her." he toc him catel [al. gareisoun] i-novȝ : swuch bold with to rere; And wende him-sulf out of þe lond : þat to ȝer ne cam he þere. Seint Thomas þis tresor nam : and wide wende in londe Line 168 And prechede Men of cristindom : and of god to vnder-stonde; Þat tresor he delde pouere men : euere ȝware he heom founde. ¶ Muche folk he brouȝte to cristindom : a-boute into al þat londe; ¶ Churchene he arerde mani on : and preostes he sette þere— Line 172 Swich quoynte bold and noble it was : þat he wolde þe kyngue a-rere. Þe þridde ȝer þe king cam hom : and wende al-ȝare to finde his bold ase he hadde bi-speke. : and þo was it al bi-hinde. After seint Thomas he sende a-non : þat bi-traide him so, he seide. Line 176 Sone Men tolden him hou it was : and al of is dede. Þe king liet him nimen a-non : and in strongue prisone him do, [A v. om.: & Aban þat him þuder broȝte : bi him he dude also,] And swor othþ þat he scholde : al quik i-huld beo And sethþe i-barnd al-to douste : and with þe wind a-wei fleo. Line 180

Line 180 ¶ Þe kingus broþer, þat heiȝte Gad : al atþe deþe lay : Þe kyng al for-ȝat seint Thomas : for deol þat he i-saiȝh; [folio 163] he hiet is Men witen him wel : and is felawe also, For-to is broþur were in betere point : þat he miȝhte heore dom heom do. Line 184 ¶ So þat is broþur deide sone. : þe kyng made deol I-novȝh; he liet him a-greiþi swiþe fayre : and elles it were wouȝh; Four dawes he heold him inne : þat he faire a-greyþed were Line 187 In pourpre and cheisel and guode ȝimmes : þat no defaute þare nere. Þo he [was] [om.] imaud [al. agreiþed] with grete nobleye : þene feorþe day huy him nome And with gret compaygnie of heiȝe men : to is burijngue come. Line 190 ¶ Ase huy wolden þis dede man : in is putte do, With grete nobleiȝe and pruyte i-nov : and with wop and sor also, he a-ros up fram deþe to liue : a-mong heom euerech-one. Þo mauden huy Ioye and blisse i-novȝ : þat lusten er betere grone. "Broþer," he seide, þo he a-ros : "þou dudest ane vuele dede, Þat seint Thomas þe holie man : into prisone liete lede, Line 196 For mid god of heouene he is wel— : and þoruȝh him ich am nov To liue ibrouȝt ase ȝe iseothþ : and i-chulle ȝou tellen hov. ¶ For Aungles comen, þo ich was ded : and mine soule bere, And scheuwede me þe Ioye of heouene : þei ich vnwuyrþe were. Line 200 Þis noble bold he schewede me [al. me ek] : þat seint Thomas liet arere with þat tresor þat þou him toke— : god ȝeue þat ich were þere! I-maud it is ase he deuisede þe : and noblelokur, ȝif it may, Of ȝimmes and stones preciouse— : so noble neuere i-ne saiȝ. Line 204 'Lo,' seide þe Aungel þo : 'sixt þou þis noble bold? Þis hath seint Thomas a-rerd : of þat seluer and of þat gold Þat þi broþur him bi-tok : elles-ȝware to bi-guynne; Ake þi broþur vnwuyrþe is : forto come þare-inne.' Line 208 'Ore louerd it ȝeue,' ich seide þo : 'þat it ouwere wille it were þat ich moste here porter beo— : for non betere wuyrþe ich nere.' ¶ 'we schullen,' seide an Aungel þo : 'to ore louerd for þe bi-seche Þat þi soule wende to eorþe a-ȝein : þi lijf for-to eche, Line 212 For-to libben on eorþe more : to don al þine wille. Ake buye out Thomas of prisone : ich rede, þat he ne a-spille.' " Þo he hadde þis tale i-told : he orn to seint Thomas,

And feol to is fiet and þonkede him : ase he in prisone was, Line 216 And tolde al of him hou it was : and bad him ȝeorne al-so To for-ȝiue is broþur, þe king : þat he him hadde mis-do. Line 218 ¶ Þe kyng cam al-so eorne a-non : and criede him milce and ore, To for-ȝiuen him þat he hadde mis-do : and seide he nolde non-more. Out of prisone huy brouȝten him sone : with Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ. Þat folk honourede him ase a god : and wel þicke a-boute him drouȝ. "Muche hath ore louerd," quath seint Thomas : "for eov alle i-do, Þat schewede eov þus is priuete : ȝwane ȝe ne beoth nouȝt wuyrþe þer-to. Line 224 Þat paleis is noble and riche i-nov : þat ich þare habbe i-wrouȝt: with þet tresor þat þe king me tok : to ende it is i-brouȝt; Ech man þat wole don aftur me : þudere he schal wende [folio 163b] And louerd and prince þare beo : euere with-outen ende. Line 228 Ȝe mouwe wienden in-to al þat lond : and i-seon al-a-boute Ech contreie ful of churchene : þar-of ȝe mowen beo proute: Sire king, alle huy beoth a-rerd : of tresur þat þou me toke. Ȝif þou nelt nouȝt i-leue me : wiend a-boute and loke!" Line 232 Þe kyng, and al þat oþur folk : þat þicke a-boute him com, Bi-lieueden on god for þis miracle : and turnden to cristindom ¶ Fourtene þousend of men : to ore louerd tur[n]den þere, with-oute children and wummen : þat Manie al-so were. Line 236 Seint Thomas heom teiȝhte þe riȝhte bi-leue : and made heom þar-of wise; At eche churche he sette ane preost : to don heom heore seruise. Þo huy weren alle in guod point : his leue wel faire he nam, And wende ferrore into þe lond : to prechi cristindom.— Line 240 ¶ In-to an oþur contreie he cam : þare he a-stunte ane stounde; he pulte him forth wel baldeliche : and prechede to grounde; Deue and blinde and oþere al-so : þat in sicknesse weren i-bounde, he helde a-non þoruȝ godes grace : ȝwane he anie founde. Line 244 Swuche Miracle ase he dude : þoruȝ ore louerdes sonde, Nas neuere a-mong heom i-seiȝe : in none stude of þe londe. ¶ Þat word sprong of him wide : fale Iorneis þanne Þat god was into Inde i-come : in a fourme of manne; Line 248 he was gladdore þane ani Man : þat þudere miȝhte wende

To habbe enes a siȝth of him : a-boute in eche ende; Line 250 Gret prece cam a-bouten him : of þe contreie feor and neiȝh, And heolden him god in Mannes fourme : euerech þat him i-seiȝh. ¶ Þe riche men þat weren neiȝh : ane noble croune wrouȝten Of gold and of Riche ȝymmes : and to þis holie Man huy [al. om.] brouȝten, And ech-manere cloþingue also : þat a kyng werie scholde, For-to cloþi him ase an heiȝh kyng : and crouni him with golde. [A v. om.: Grete tresour hi broȝte him ek : ȝif he it fonge wolde.] Line 256 ¶ Seint Thomas stod and bi-heold : no-þing þar-of he nolde; "Mine leoue freond," he seide, "ȝe weneth : þat ich beo þat i-nam nouȝt: I-nam no kyng swuch þing to habbe : ase ȝe me habbuth i-wrouȝt, I-nam nouȝht god, ase some weneth : ake ich am is hine, Line 260 And he me hath hidere i-sent : to bringue eou fram helle pine And techen eov fur-sake eower false godes : þat ne mouwen eov helpe nouȝt, Line 262 And to bi-leue on ore riȝhte louerd : þat us alle hath i-wrouȝt. ¶ Bi-leueth on him, ich eov rede : and to Ioye ȝe schullen wende. Þat tresour þat ȝe bringueth me : pouere men ȝe it sende, For riȝht nouȝht i-nelle þare-of : ake deleth it heom a-boute; Line 266 And bi-lieuez on Ihesu crist : and no-þing ne schulle ȝe doute." [v. 266-7 al. om.] Sike men þare comen þicke : a-boute in euerech side, Blinde and Doumbe and oþere al-so : heore hele fort-abide, Museles and crokede ek : and þat weren in palasye; [v. 270-1 al. om.] Ful þicke huy stoden in þe place : on þis holie man to crie. Line 271 ¶ Seint Thomas alle þeos sike Men : brouȝhte in one place, [folio 164] And a-mong heom sat a-doun a-kneo : and bad ore louerdes grace Þat he cudde is miȝhte and is grace : and heore hele heom sende þere, So þat al þat folk þe soþe i-seiȝe : þat al-miȝhti god he were. Þo he hadde ore louerd þus i-bede : a-mong heom þare cam Line 276 So gret liȝht and cler schinyngue : þat heore siȝht heom almest bi|nam; ¶ hit ouer-spradde furst seint Thomas : ase he lai in is beden, Line 278 And þe sike Men alle, þat huy fullen a-doun : euerech in his stede, And leiȝen þare al plat to grounde : þe mountaunce of half a tide, Þe ȝwile þis grete liȝht i-laste : ech bi oþeres side. A-non so þat liȝht i-passed was : þat ech miȝhte oþur i-seo, Line 282

Line 282 Ech-one huy a-risen up hole and sounde : holore ne miȝhte none men beo. ¶ Þare was Ioye and blisse i-nouȝ : þere ne miȝhte beo non more; huy honoureden seint Thomas : and criden him milce and ore. Line 285 Þare turnden þo neiȝh a þousend men : and i-baptizede were, with-oute children and wummen : þoruȝ is miracle þere. Þat cri was þo þarof so muche : þat al þat lond wel wide Line 288 Þar-of spac, and þudere ornen : ful þicke in euerech side.— ¶ Carik hiet þe kingues mei : þat of þulke londe was, Migdonia heiȝte is wif : þat ore louerd ȝaf swiþe fair cas. For Migdonia, þis guode wif : to a wumman cam Line 292 Þat heo knevȝ erore and was þo : i-turnd to cristindom, Þat hadde six ȝer blynd i-beo : and guod siȝht heo hadde þo; "Leoue soster," quath þis Migdonie : "hou is þis i-go Þat þov hast so longue blind i-beo : and nou art i-held so? Line 296 Ȝwat is þilke wise Man : þat s^wuch miȝhte may do?" ¶ "Certes, Dame," þis oþur seide : "þe nobleste Man it is Þat euere on vrþe a-mon[g] men cam : with-oute god sulf, i-wis; For he heleth þe sike þat wollez beon hole : and þar-of ne faillez he neuere. Line 300 haddestþov enes him i-seiȝe : þe gladdore þou woldest beo euere." "Dev merci," quath þis guode wijf : "hou may ich best [al. om.] on take Þat ich hadde [al. nadde] i-seiȝe þis holie man : þat swuch wonder may make?" ¶ "Wel, þou schalt do," þis oþur seide : "for to-morewe, ase he me tolde, Line 304 he wole come and prechi al þat folk : hov huy schullen heore bi-leue holde; Þou schalt with me þudere go : wel priueliche, ich rede, And huyd þi face, with [al. þi face ihud & in] oþur cloþus : þat no man ne wite þi dede!" Þat guode wijf ne fur-ȝat nouȝt þis : ake dude ase he ire radde, Line 308 Chaungede hire cloþus and hudde ire face : and wende ase heo ire ladde. ¶ To þis holie prechingue heo cam : þat no man ne knev hire þere, And i-heorde þane holie man : hov he gan þat folk lere; Line 311 Þe grete miracles heo i-saiȝh also : þat ore louerd for him wrouȝhte. heo nuste ȝwat heo miȝhte for Ioye do : ake stod in grete þouȝhte;

heo wilnede more þanne ani-þing : to speke with him a þrowe, Ake heo ne dorste for no-þing : laste heo were i-knowe. ¶ heo wende hom al i-hud : ake euere heo hadde in þouȝhte Line 316 Anoþer time with him to speke : ȝwane ore louerd þe time brouȝte. [folio 164b] Bi-fore hire bedde heo lay anyȝht : and on ore louerd criede longue Þat heo moste þoruȝ seint Thomas : cristindom a-fongue. ¶ Atþe mid niȝht seint Thomas cam : and bi hire stod atþe laste— Nuste heo neuere ȝware he cam In : þe doren weren alle faste. "Beo glad," he seide, "Migdonie : god hath i-heord þine bone: Line 322 Þou hast muche i-wilned after me : ich come to þe here ful sone. God wole þat þou beo on of his : and þat þou come þoruȝ me To þe lif þat euere schal i-laste : and þat ich beo a-slawe for þe. For þe ich schal i-martred beo : and boþe we schullen wiende Line 326 To þe Ioye of heuene, and þare beo : to-gadere with-outen ende." ¶ Seint Thomas ȝaf hire cristindom : are he þannes wende, And teiȝte ^hire al godes lawe : hire lif for-to a-mende. Þis wif bi-cam a guod womman : and nolde neuer-eft mo Line 330 After þat tyme for no-þing : to hire louerdes bedde go. hire louerd was þar-of sore a-nuyd : and þo he ne miȝhte for no þingue Maken hire enes neiȝh him come : he playnede him to þe kingue. ¶ Þe kyng hiet þe Quiene a-non : þat he [= heo] scholde to hire wiende Line 334 And reden hire to honouri hire louerd bet : and don ase þe hende— For wummen conne of oþeres rede : þare-fore þe Quⁱene he sende. Þe Quiene adai wel mildeliche : to þis guode wumman wende And radde hire to hire louerd go : to schilden hire fram vilenie, Line 338 And no-þing ne lieue þane false man : þat radde hire to schuche folie. ¶ "A, dame, merci," quath þis oþur : "þou nost nouȝt hou it is; Ȝif þou wustest al þat ich wot : þou noldest nouȝt so segge, i-wis. For so noble a man ase he is : nas neuere on eorþe ido; Line 342 haddestþou him enes i-seiȝe : þou woldest segge al-so. And ȝif þou iseiȝe nouþe þat ich seo : þe wolde wondri, i-wis. For symphor þe heiȝe knyȝt : þat Maister of knyȝhtes is, ¶ To-dai was his sone ded : and symphor wel ȝeorne him souȝte, Line 346 Þane holie Man seint Thomas : and to is sone nouþe him brouȝte: And þare he hath him riȝht nouþe : [arerd] fram deþe to liue; And þare he sit nouþe in is hous : and prechez þat folk bliue;

A-boute him al-so sike men : wel þicke comez nov gon, Line 350 Crokede and blinde and oþur^e al-so : and [he] heom heleth ech-on." ¶ "Leoue soster," quath þis Quⁱene : "ȝweþur þis mouwe soth beo?" "Ȝe, Dame, certes," quath þis oþur : "and ȝif þou it wolt i-seo, Go we þudere and þou schalt : þe soþe finde a-non." Line 354 Þe Quiene þouȝte þo ful longue : are heo were þudere i-gon. huy come and founden seint Thomas : riȝht ase þis womman seide. Þe Quiene stod and him bi-heold : and alle is holie dede: ¶ To is fiet heo ful a-doun : heo ne miȝhte no leng a-bide, Line 358 And bad him ȝiuen hire cristindom : and merci faste him cride. Sone þo heo i-cristned was : hamward þane wei heo nam To þe kyngue, and longue hire þouȝte : are heo to him cam. Line 361 "Sire," heo seide, "ich habbe i-founde : þis guode wijf Migdonie [r. þare-fore; al. so þat] In grete wisdome, and ich wende er : to finde hire in folie; [folio 165] And, gode þonk, of hire wisdom : heo partede with me: Line 364 And þare [r. þare-fore; al. so þat] i-nelle in þine folie : non-more siwe þe." Þo was þe kyng sori inovȝ : he nuste ȝwat þar-of to do. For-to quelle is wif þare-fore : none heorte he nadde þar-to. ¶ He cleopede Carik, is cosyn : "we beoth bi-traide," he seide, Line 368 "Mine Quiene ich sende, ase þou wel wost : þi wif for-to rede, To bringue hire out of fole þouȝt : ase þou me for loue bede, And nouþe ich habbe hire for-lore : forth with hire, ich drede, For loue of þe one i-lore boþe : alas, þe wrechhede! Line 372 we moten us a-wreken of þat þeof : þat bringueth heom in swuch dede." ¶ He liet sienden aftur seint Thomas : ȝif Men him miȝhten finde; And þo þis holie Man i-founde was : faste men him guonne binde, And harli him forth bi-fore þe kyng : his hondene him bi-hinde: So þat he was to deþe i-brouȝt : in þe londe of Inde. Line 377 For þo he was bi-fore þe kyngue i-brouȝt : þe kyng him hiet a-non For-to honouri heore false godes : þat weren of treo and ston, [a v. om.] Oþur he wolde laten him tormenti : and to-drawe is flechs fram þe bon. Line 380 ¶ Þis holie Man for-sok þo : is heste forto do. Irene plates he liet nime : brode and longue also,

And liet heom caste a-midde þe fuyre : þat al glowinde huy weren a-non, And sethþe he hiet þane holie Man : þar-uppe bare-fot gon. Line 384 A-non so þis holie Man : sette is fet þare-on, A welle with watur þare sprong out of þe vrþe : so cold so ani ston, [al. out : of þe harde ston] And a-queinte þat fuyr a-non : þat so hot and strong was; Þe guode man eode forth þar-on : þat neuere þe worse him nas. Line 388 ¶ Þo was þe king neiȝh out of witte : an Ouene he liet hete, Þat heo was al glowinde fuyr : are huy wolden lete : Þene holie Man huy nomen anon : and a-midde þe Ouene him caste. And þo he was þare-inne i-do : þat fuyr no leng ne laste, Line 392 Ake it bi-gan to quienche a-non : þat so gret hete er of drovȝ; Þe holie Man þare-inne was : in Ioye and Muruþe i-novȝ. ¶ Þo þe kyng þis i-saiȝh : he nuste hou on take; "Carik," he seide, "hou geth þis? : ore godus us habbuth for-sake; we ne mowen nouȝt þis luþere þeof : with none þingue quelle." "Certus, sire," quath Car[i]k : "anoþur ichulle þe telle: Line 398 we schullen nime þis [luþere] [om.] Man : and [to] ore godes him lede And maken him forto honouri heom : mid eiȝe and for drede, Þoruȝh ȝwan he schal is louerdes wrathþe : habben out and out, And is merueile him beo bi-nome : þoruȝ ȝwan h^e is so prout." Line 402 ¶ To þis Maumates þis holie man : i-brouȝt was wel sone Mid strencþe forto honouri heom : ase huy weren i-woned to done. Seint Thomas bi-heold þis maumates : ase he bi-fore heom stod; "Ich coniouri eov," he seide, "in his name : þat for us schedde is blod, Line 406 Ov deuelene þat þare-inne beoth : and with foles wolleth speke, [folio 165b] Þat ȝe sone þarof out fleon : and þe Maumates to-breke." ¶ A-non so he hadde þis word i-seid : þe maumates ne miȝhte no leng duyre, Ake bi-gunnen al to melte awei : ase wex deth aȝein þe fuyre, Line 410 Þat huy weren so alle to nauȝht i-brouȝht : riȝht ase huy neuere nere. In gret wonder stod al þat folk : þat in þat paleis [al. place] were; Ech-one huy gonne with one mouþe : wel loude grede and crie: "O. god is al-miȝhti one : i-boren of Mayde Marie, Line 414

Line 414 Of ȝwam seint [Thomas] hath i-speke— : to him we wollez alle us take And þeos wrechches false godes : clanliche alle for-sake." ¶ Þo þe kyng and Carik : and þe false preostes al-so Þat wusten þe Maumates, i-heorden þis : huy nusten ȝwat to do. Line 418 Þe kyng and Carick for fyn wo : out of þe place wenden, Þo huy i-seiȝen hou þis holie Man : heore godus so foule schende; huy ne dorsten for cristine Men : setten on him non hond, Ne al-so for þe grete Miracle : þat Man alday with him fond. Line 422 ¶ Ake þe preostes of þe false lawe : in grete wrathþe huy stode; Þat on hente in is hond a strong swerd : with ful wroþe mode: "Of þis þeof ichulle," he seide : "mine godes anon a-wreke, Þat heom hath swuch schame i-do : ho-so it euere bi-speke," Line 426 he leide on þis holi Man : with is swerd to grounde Into al is bodi and made him sone : manie eouele woundes, And a-martrede so þane holie Man : and a-slouȝh him in a stounde. Þe cristine Men weren wroþe i-nouȝh : þo huy hine ded founden; Þane preost huy wolden habbe i-barnd— : ake he fleuȝh a-non; Line 431 And þe king and carik habbe a-slawe— : ake huy weren a-wei igon. ¶ Þis holie bodi huy nomen a-non : and to churche it bere, And bureden it with gret honour : and with grete nobleye þere. So þat strencþe of holie churche : wexinde euere was. Þus cam into Inde cristindom : formest þoruȝh seint Thomas. Line 436 Nov seint Thomas þat Cristindam : formest into Inde brouȝte, B[r]ingue us to þe Ioye of heouene : to ȝwan ore louerd us bouȝte.