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

18 Franceys.

                      
                        SEint Fraunceys, þe frere Menour : þat guod man was i-novȝ,
                      
                        Marchaunt he was in his ȝonghede : and to eche treuwenesse drovȝ.
                      
                        his Marchaundise he maude a day : in þe cite of Asise;

Page 54

                      
                        And in almesdede he spendede an on pouere Men : muchedel is Marchaundise;
                        Line 4 
                      
                        For no loue of catel : he it nolde bi-leue,
                      
                        Ȝwane ani pouere man him bede : bote he him som-ȝwat ȝeue.
                      
                        ¶ Ase he cam a day bi þe wei : he gan mieten bi cas
                      
                        Ane kniȝt þat hadde Riche i-beo : and swiþe a-pouered was;
                        Line 8 
                      
                        vuele he was i-cloþed al-so : and bad him sum guod.
                      
                        Seint Fraunceys hadde reuþe of him : and one ȝwyle he with-stod,
                      
                        ¶ he strepte of is cloþes of is rug : and ȝaf þis pouere knyȝt.
                      
                        And þer-aftur ase he lay a-slepe : in is bedde a-nyȝt,
                        Line 12 
                      
                        A swiþe noble paleys : him þouȝte þat he i-seiȝ;
                      
                        he Axede was þat paleys were : þat so riche was and heiȝ;
                      
                        Men seiden him þat it was his : and is kniȝtes al-so.
                      
                        Þo þis holie Man a-wok : sum-ȝwat he þouȝte do.
                        Line 16 
                      
                        In þat paleys him þouȝte he saiȝ al-so : knyȝhtes Armes þere,
                      
                        And with afair creoiz þoruȝ-out : I-markede alle huy were.
                      
                        ¶ Þouȝte he, "ore louerd it wole : þat ich mi-seolf knyȝt beo,
                      
                        And swyþe feble ich am þare-to : bote ich me bet bi-seo."
                        Line 20 
                      
                        An Eorl þare was in poile : þat was corteys and hende :
                      
                        he þouȝte knyȝt beo i-maud of him : þuder-ward he gan wende.
                      
                        Ase he wende towar[d] þis Eorl : for-to beo i-maud kniȝt,
                      
                        Ore swete louerd in Auision : to him cam a niȝth;
                        Line 24 
                      
                        "Seiȝe me," he seide, "of þe louerd : and of þe hyne al-so,
                      
                        And of þe riche man and of þe pouere : ȝwuch may þe mest guod do?"
                      
                        "Bote þe louerd," quath þis oþur : "and he þat is riche."
                      
                        "Þou haddest almest i-chose," ore louerd seide : "þat ful oni-liche :
                      
                        For truste of þe hyne : þene louerd þou for-soke;
                      
                        Þov nome vuele þin Avision : þou most þe bet bi-loke.
                        Line 30 
                      
                        ¶ Þe Armure and þe paleis : þat þou so noble i-seiȝe,
                      
                        Elles-ȝware þov schalt finde : Ake þou ne comest nouȝt ȝuit so heiȝe;
                      
                        Knyȝtes þov schalt habbe onder þe : þulke Armes for-to lede.
                      
                        Þare-fore wend þe hom a-ȝein : and bi-þench bet þi dede!"
                      
                        ¶ Þis holi man, þo he a-wok : a-ȝein wende to Asise,
                      
                        And þouȝte al on Ihesu crist : and bi-lefde is Marchaundise,
                        Line 36 
                      
                        And bad ore louerd nyȝht and dai : þat he scholde him rede
                      
                        And some tokningue senden him : hov he scholde is lijf lede.

Page 55

                      
                        ¶ A day, ase þis holie man : with-oute Asise him drouȝ, [folio 42] 
                      
                        he mette a lodlich Mesel : þat revlich was i-nouȝ
                        Line 40 
                      
                        And bad him sum guod for godes loue. : seint Fraunceys a-liȝhte
                      
                        And bi-clupte and custe þane sike man : ase faire ase he miȝhte,
                      
                        And of is seluer him tok : and bad him habbe guod day.
                      
                        Þo nuste he ȝware he was bi-come : ne in none stude him ne say.
                        Line 44 
                      
                        ¶ Þo þouȝte wel ho it was : and aftur þulke dede
                      
                        he wep and cride on ihesu crist : þat he scholde him sum-ȝwat rede;
                      
                        And ofte he wolde bi costome : to Meseles fare
                      
                        And sechen heom at heore owene hous : bote he founde hem elles|ȝware,
                        Line 48 
                      
                        And cusse heore hondene and heore fet : and heore Mouth al-s[o]
                      
                        And ȝyue heom guod wel largeliche— : bi costome he wolde it do.
                      
                        ¶ Bi a churche of seint Damian : a day he cam gon,
                      
                        Þat ope þe poynte was to falle a-doun. : In he wende a-non
                        Line 52 
                      
                        And kneolede a-doun bi-fore þe croiz : ase he dude wel ofte.
                      
                        Þo spac a voiz þare-inne : wel Mildeliche and softe
                      
                        And seide, "Fraunceys, go þe forth : and a-rer up min hous an heiȝ,
                      
                        Þat, þou sixt, fallez to grounde : and al destruyd is neiȝ."
                        Line 56 
                      
                        ¶ Seint Fraunceys, for þe churche was : a-done-ward al i-brouȝt,
                      
                        Wende þat ore louer[d] þare-bi seide— : ake þar-of nas it nouȝt:
                      
                        he wende and solde is cloþes a-non : and muche of is oþur þingue,
                      
                        And þe panes þat he nam þare-with : to þis church gan bringue.
                        Line 60 
                      
                        Þe pr[e]ost of þe churche he fond þere : þe panes he wolde him take,
                      
                        To arere up þe pouere churche. : and he heom gan for-sake;
                      
                        he ne dorste nouȝt for is fader : ne for is oþur freond, he seide,
                      
                        So muche tresor nime of him : bote it were bi heore rede.
                        Line 64 
                      
                        ¶ Seint Fraunceys nam þat tresor : þo þe oþur it for-sok,
                      
                        And in a fenestre leide it þere : and in ore louerdes warde it tok.
                      
                        Þo þe tyþingue cam to is fader : þat he hadde i-sold is guod,
                      
                        Toward him he wende anon : and for wrath was neiȝ wod.
                        Line 68 
                      
                        Seint Frau[n]ceys was i-war of him : and ne bi-lefte nouȝt bi-hinde,
                      
                        he wende and hudde him in a Dich : þat he ne miȝhte him nouȝt finde.
                      
                        In þis Diche wel longue he lay : in hunguer and wrech-hede,
                      
                        And euere cride on Ihesu crist : þat he scholde him betere rede.

                        Line 72

Page 56

                      
                        Line 72 
                      
                        ¶ So longue he was þare in meseise : þat he for-ferde neiȝ,
                      
                        Þat vnneþe him couþe i-knowe : ani man þat him seiȝ.
                      
                        Atþe laste in meseise i-novȝ : he wende to Asise.
                      
                        Þat folk, þo huy seien him com[e] : heom gan ful sore a-grise
                        Line 76 
                      
                        And seiden "here cometh a wod Man" : huy harleden him wel faste
                      
                        And smiten and pulten here and þere : and dunge on him caste.
                      
                        Seint Fraunceis wende euere forth : ase þei him no-þing nere.
                      
                        ¶ his fader cam al-so bi cas : and i-mette him þere:
                        Line 80 
                      
                        he ladde him hom to is hous : and beot him sore i-novȝ,
                      
                        And bad him bringue hom þat catel : þat he er a-wei drovȝ.
                      
                        Þo he ne miȝhte habbe non oþur word : he bond him swiþe strongue;
                      
                        So þat þis guode man : in prisone lay ful longue.
                        Line 84 
                      
                        Atþe laste, þe ȝwyle is fader : out of toune gan i-wende, [folio 42b] 
                      
                        his Moder hadde reovþe of him : and brouȝte him out of bende.
                      
                        Þo he was out of bendes i-brouȝt : he ne bi-lefte no leng þer,
                      
                        he wende to þe Dich aȝein : fro ȝwannes he cam er.
                        Line 88 
                      
                        ¶ Þo þis housebonde cam hom : and ne founde him nouȝt þere,
                      
                        Swiþe sore he beot is wijf : and axede ȝware he were.
                      
                        To þe churche of seint Damian : þe housebonde wende þo,
                      
                        And fond þat tresor al-hol þere : ase he it hadde i-do.
                        Line 92 
                      
                        And sethþe he wende to þe Dich : and founde is sone þere.
                      
                        he axede at him for ȝwat þingue : þat tresor a-wei he bere;
                      
                        And þo he i-seiȝ al þen ende : þat he luyte þar-of rouȝte,
                      
                        he ladde Fraunceys forth with him : ant bi-fore þe Bischop him brouȝte,
                        Line 96 
                      
                        And bad, ȝif he alles wolde : þe worldes guod bi-leue,
                      
                        Þat he bi-fore þe Bischope þer : þat tresor up ȝeue.
                      
                        ¶ Seint Fraunceis with þulke worde : glad and Ioyful stod:
                      
                        Þare and bi-fore god he ȝaf up : al his eorþelich guod,
                        Line 100 
                      
                        And streopte of is cloþes : a-non to is bare liche
                      
                        And bi-fore þe Bischope tok is fader : and bad him beo guod and riche;
                      
                        he seide, "ich þe habbe fader i-cleoped : euere to þis day,
                      
                        And nouþe it is so feor i-come : þat non more i-ne may;
                        Line 104 
                      
                        Segge ich mot mi .pater-noster : heonne-forthþe-ward i-wis
                      
                        And to mi fader holde me : þat in heuene is."

Page 57

                      
                        Nakede he wende fram is fader : bi-fore heom þare echon;
                      
                        Worldes guod aftur þulke tyme : ne bod he neuereft non.
                        Line 108 
                      
                        ¶ A seli vplondischse Man : þat nakede saiȝ him go,
                      
                        Gret deol in is heorte hadde : for is chele and for is wo:
                      
                        he ȝaf him ane olde Mantel : his bones þare-with to hele;
                      
                        Seint Fraunceis it vnder-feng : to witien him fram chele,
                        Line 112 
                      
                        his licame he heolede þare-with : and in myseise i-novȝ
                      
                        A-ȝen þare he was i-bore : to Asise he him drovȝ.
                      
                        ¶ Ase he hadde er i-beo so riche : and so wel was i-knowe,
                      
                        A beggare he cam a[n]d bad is mete : þere-aftur in a þrowe,
                        Line 116 
                      
                        Fram dore to dore he bad is mete : and wonede him þar-to;
                      
                        Some weren wroþe for is dedes : and no guod nolden him do.
                      
                        Of þe ordre of frere Menours : he ne made no-þing ȝuyte;
                      
                        he bi-gan in pouerte i-novȝ : and with luyte pruyte.
                        Line 120 
                      
                        ¶ Men of þe contreie weren : a-boute for-to a-mende
                      
                        Seint Damianes churche : þat al a-done-ward wende,
                      
                        Þare ase seint Fraunceys hadde i-beo : and tresor bi-left þere.
                      
                        Þo he ne miȝhte non oþur do : þe churche for-to a-rere,
                        Line 124 
                      
                        he wende þudere and sore swonk : and bar morter þar-to,
                      
                        And sethþe he eode and bad is mete : ȝwane he hadde al i-do.
                      
                        ¶ Ane churche sethþe of seint peter : men arerden elles-ȝ[w]are:
                      
                        Þis holie man in is miseise : wel sone he was þare
                        Line 128 
                      
                        And Morter and ston drouȝ þer-to : and sore swonk al-so,
                      
                        And sethþe eode and bad is mete : þo he hadde al i-do. [folio 43] 
                      
                        Ȝwane he heorde of ani churche : þat ouȝwer was for-ta-rere,
                      
                        he wende þudere, and longue him þouȝte : are he were þere.
                        Line 132 
                      
                        ¶ To seinte Marie in desert : ate laste he wende wel stille
                      
                        And criede on ore louerd niȝht and day : þat he dude bi him is wille
                      
                        And þat he ȝeue him is grace þere : in ȝwat manere he best miȝhte
                      
                        his churche þat a-doneward was : best a-rere up and diȝhte.
                        Line 136 
                      
                        So þat god him ȝaf þe grace : þat he þare bi-gan
                      
                        Þe ordre of frere Menours : to saui mani a man.
                      
                        ¶ In þe bi-guynningue of þis ordre : ase ore louerd ȝef þat cas,
                      
                        Ane masse he i-heorde a day : þat of þe Apostles was;
                        Line 140 
                      
                        As man rat ȝuyt a-mong us : in þe godspelle it seide þo
                      
                        Þat ore louerd hiet is desciples : þo huy scholden a-boute go,

Page 58

                      
                        Þat huy ne beren with heom gol[d] ne seluer : ȝwane huy wenden ouer lond,
                      
                        Ne baggue, ne tweie curtles noþur : ne schon, goinde with ouer lond—
                      
                        ¶ In þis manere ore louerd hiet : his Apostles gon.
                      
                        Þo seint Fraunceis i-heorde þis : he dude of is schon,
                        Line 146 
                      
                        And porueiȝede þat frere Menours : barefot scholden gon,
                      
                        With-oute bagge, with-oute staf : with-oute ani þing to spene—
                        Line 148 
                      
                        Bote ech frere Menour do al-so : he ne halt nouȝt is ordre, ich wene.
                      
                        In stude of is gurdel al-so : with rope he him bond—
                      
                        In þis manere frere Menours : scholden go ouer lond.
                      
                        ¶ Seint Fraunceis bi-þouȝte þus : to don þis holie dede
                        Line 152 
                      
                        And made þe ordre of frere Menours : al ase þe godspel sede.
                      
                        ¶ Bernard, þat was a guod scholer : formest to him cam
                      
                        And þe ordre of frere menours : of him formest he nam.
                      
                        he axede at him hov he scholde best : þe world clanliche for-sake.
                      
                        To seint Nicholas churche huy wenden : ane masse-bok huy gonne take.
                      
                        Þe bok was i-closed faste to : seint Fraunceis hine gan vndo,
                        Line 158 
                      
                        Al on-mundliche he on-dude þe bok : and þe furste þat he cam to
                      
                        Þat was a godspel þat seith : "ȝif þou wolt parfijt beo,
                        Line 160 
                      
                        Sul al þi guod and ȝif pouere men : and sethþe siwe me!"
                      
                        ¶ Al vn-Mundlingue he cam eft-sone : to a godspel þat seide :
                      
                        Þat man ne scholde seluer ne gold : bi þe weie lede.
                      
                        Þe þridde tyme al on-Mundlingue : þe masse-bok he wende :
                        Line 164 
                      
                        Þo cam he opon þis godspel : ase ore louerd him grace sende :
                      
                        "ho-so wole come after me : him-sulf he schal for-sake
                      
                        And is owene rode bere : and þene wei after me so take."
                      
                        ¶ "Þov i-fuxt here," quath seint Fraunceis : "hou ore louerd in a stounde
                        Line 168 
                      
                        Sent us grace ope ȝwuche þingue : we schullen þis ordre founde :
                      
                        Opon þeos þreo god-spelles, þov fuxt : þat we habbeth furst i-founde
                      
                        We schullen foundi al ore ordre : and opon þis strongue grounde."
                      
                        Opon þis þreo godspelles he maude is ordre : and is riule for|sothþ—
                      
                        And þe frere Menor brekez is ordre : þat þare-aȝein ouȝt dothþ.
                      
                        ¶ Fre Gyles was þo þe ferste— : þat guod scoler hadde i-beo,

Page 59

                      
                        Þat aftur frere Bernard þe ordre nam : and sethþe oþur þreo. [folio 43b] 
                      
                        So þat vnder heom alle sixe freres : to-gadere weren i-brouȝt.
                        Line 176 
                      
                        And þei þis ordre were i-maud : i-confermed nas heo nouȝt.
                      
                        ¶ Seint Fraunceys þe holie Man : þo god þe tyme sende,
                      
                        To confermi is ordre a-riȝht : toward Rome he wende.
                      
                        Ake swiþe sore he was of-drad : laste þe pope were
                        Line 180 
                      
                        Contrarious a-ȝein is Ordre : þat heo i-confermed nere.
                      
                        Ake forth he wende to fondi : he nolde nouȝt beo bi-hynde;
                      
                        And euere he bad Ihesu crist : þat he moste som grace finde.
                      
                        ¶ Þo þouȝte him in a wision : þat [he] i-saiȝ a gret treo,
                        Line 184 
                      
                        So heiȝ þat he was a-drad : toward þe coppe i-seo;
                      
                        And netheles on aunture he him dude : and nam þar-of a bovȝ
                      
                        Aboue in þe hexte stude : and toward him it drovȝ :
                      
                        hit beiȝ al a-doun to him : aftur is wille i-novȝ,
                        Line 188 
                      
                        For al þat him dradde furst : þat it was heiȝ and tovȝ.
                      
                        ¶ Þo þis holie man a-wok : on þis sweuene he þouȝte longue
                      
                        And þare-þoruȝ he hopede of þe pope : sum grace for-to afongue;
                      
                        For þe treo þat was so heiȝ : lijȝthtliche to grounde drovȝ,
                        Line 192 
                      
                        Also he hopede þene heiȝe pope : to is wille bringue i-novȝ.
                      
                        To þe pope Innocent : þo he to Rome cam,
                      
                        he bad graunti is Religion : to amendi cristindam,
                      
                        A[n]t þat he scholde is ordre preouen : and is Revle al-so
                        Line 196 
                      
                        Þoruȝ þe godspel of godes word : and þer-aftur do.
                      
                        ¶ Þo þe pope is Revle iseiȝ : þat heo was clene and guod,
                      
                        And ope þe godspelle i-founded al : ase he wel onder-stod,
                      
                        In is herte he grauntede it : ake nouȝt with is Mouth a-non,
                        Line 200 
                      
                        For he moste is cardinales : conseili þare-uppe ech-on.
                      
                        ¶ So þat a-Mong þis Cardinales : counseil þere was i-nome.
                      
                        Some heolden þare-aȝein : and also þare-with some.
                      
                        Þo was þer a Cardinal : þat Bischop was al-so,
                        Line 204 
                      
                        Maister Iohan of seint poul : þat faste heold þer-to
                      
                        And seide, "ȝif we destourbieth him : aȝein þe godspelle we beothþ,
                      
                        Ȝwane he spechut al vpe godes word : ase we wel i-seothþ."
                      
                        ¶ In Avisioun to þe pope : a-niȝht also it cam
                        Line 208 
                      
                        Þat he grauntede him is Reule : to saui cristindom.
                      
                        So þat þe pope grauntede him : al is Reule to do,

Page 60

                      
                        And confermede þoruȝ al þe court : and bi-hiet him more þer-to.
                      
                        Þo wende forthþ þis holie Man : and is freres withþ him nam
                        Line 212 
                      
                        And prechede a-boute þe godspelles : to amendi cristindom.
                      
                        ¶ Þo þe contreiȝe i-seiȝ heom ferst : gret speche was þere,
                      
                        Some seiden þat Aunte-crist : oþur is desciples it were;
                      
                        So þat in wel manie studes : luyte guod men heom sende
                        Line 216 
                      
                        And huy weren ofte ofhungrede sore : ase huy a-boute wende.
                      
                        So þat huy comen into a stude : and ofhungrede weren sore,
                      
                        Þat some of þe freres hadden i-þouȝt : in þe ordre to beo non-more.
                      
                        Þo cam þere a wel fair man : and brouȝte heom mete i-novȝ— [folio 44] 
                      
                        Sone huy nusten ȝware he bi-cam : ne ȝwoder-ward he drovȝ.
                      
                        Þis freres i-seiȝen fule þo : þat an Aungel it was :
                        Line 222 
                      
                        Þe studefastore in heore ordre : huy weren for þis cas
                      
                        And bi-hieten god þat huy nolden neuere : for miseise ne for wo
                        Line 224 
                      
                        In þe ordre bi heore miȝhte : pouerte fur-go.
                      
                        ¶ Bi-side þe toun of Asise : feor fram eche strete
                      
                        huy wenden alle to one stude : þat was al fur-lete.
                      
                        Miseyse huy hadden þare i-novȝ : and ofte wepen sore,
                        Line 228 
                      
                        For defaute of heore sustinaunce : and for defaute of bokes more.
                      
                        For huy ne hadde bokes none : ȝware-on huy miȝhten loke,
                      
                        In þe croiz huy bi-heolden al day : in-stude of heore boke,
                      
                        And beden god, ȝif it were is wille : þat he scholde heom sum guod teche,
                        Line 232 
                      
                        For huy nadden non oþur bok : ne nusten ȝware-with any a-reche.
                      
                        ¶ To seinte Marie in desert : þannes huy gunne i-wiende,
                      
                        Ase huy bi-gunnen furst þe ordre : to bringue as þare to ende.
                      
                        Seint Fraunceis wende bi þe londe : and prechede a-boute þere.
                        Line 236 
                      
                        Men wenden, þo huy seiȝen him furst : þat of an oþur worlde he were;
                      
                        For he capede euere upward : toward heouene an heiȝ,
                      
                        Þat men wondreden and speken þar-of : euer-ech þat him i-seiȝ.
                      
                        Manie heolden him a truant : of þe deueles lore
                        Line 240 
                      
                        And harleden him here and þer : and ofte beten him sore.
                      
                        Þis holie man ne tok none ȝeme : ake criede ore louerdes ore,
                      
                        And ȝware men duden him mest schame : þudere he drovȝ þe more.
                      
                        ¶ Idel ne kepte he neuere beo : he ne louede no þin[g] so luyte
                        Line 244 
                      
                        Ne hatede so muche ase he dude Aise : and idelnesse and pruyte.

Page 61

                      
                        "Frere Asse" he cleopede is owene flesch— : for ȝe wuten wel þat an Asse,
                      
                        Nabbe heo neuere so luyte mete : is trauail nis no þe lasse,
                      
                        For heo is i-harled here and þere : and to file weorke i-do,
                        Line 248 
                      
                        I-priked and i-scourget eke : and sackes heo berez al-so;
                      
                        Of ȝeomere þingue heo is i-fed : ȝwane heo alles comez þar-to,
                      
                        And selde heo is i-coureyd wel : with-ovte nail an scho.
                      
                        ¶ He seruede so is owene flesch : and cleopede it "frere Asse":
                        Line 252 
                      
                        Mete he ȝaf him luyte i-nov : and to cloþingue wel lasse;
                      
                        he prikede also and scourgede ek : and þoruȝ-out þe contreiȝe
                      
                        harlede it and deope wod : bare-fot in deope weye.
                      
                        Ȝwane he i-saiȝ ani idel Man : þat louede glotonie
                        Line 256 
                      
                        And ne trauailede nouȝt for is mete : he cleopede him "frere flie":
                      
                        For þe flie ne doth non oþur guod : bote fleoth feor and neor
                      
                        And a-waytez ȝwane men goth to mete : oþur to heore soper;
                      
                        A-non so þe Disch is i-set a-doun : heo wole beo ope þe brerde—
                      
                        Of trauail ne wo ne kep[t]hþ heo nouȝt : bote þat heo wel ferde;
                      
                        ¶ Ȝwane a Man hath al dai i-swounke : þei he it hadde i-swore,
                        Line 262 
                      
                        he ne schal to is Disch come so sone : þat þe flie nele beo bi-fore.
                      
                        ¶ Also farez manie idele Men : þat non oþer guod nelleth do,
                        Line 264 
                      
                        Bote ȝwanne oþur Men beth to-ward þe mete : ȝare huy beth þar-to; [folio 44b] 
                      
                        Atþe Dische huy wollez al-so sone beo : ase huy þat habbez i-swounke,
                      
                        And þanne is al heore weork i-do : habben huy i-ȝete and i-dronke;
                      
                        Þanne gothþ huy ligge slepe : oþur gothþ to some folie.
                      
                        Þare-fore seint Fraunceys cleopede : swuche men "frere flie".
                      
                        ¶ Of noþing nas þis holie man : so glad ase of edwijȝt:
                        Line 270 
                      
                        For ȝwane ani Man opbraid is pouerte : he was in gret deliȝt;
                      
                        Ȝwane Men cleopeden him hoxtare : oþur cheorl oþur cheorles sone—
                      
                        For port-Men beoth ofte boistouse : and hoxtares bi wone—
                      
                        "leue broþer," he seide : "certes, þov seist sothþ,
                        Line 274 
                      
                        I-blessed beo þou for þat word : and alle þat so dothþ!
                      
                        Preses sone Bernard : it bi-comethþ bi riȝthe lawe
                      
                        To heore telle of is riȝhte : ich auchȝte beo glad and fawe."
                      
                        And ȝwane men preiseden ouȝt of is cuynde : he nadde þare-of no deliȝt.
                      
                        Þare-fore ho-so wolde him paye : segge him sum edwiȝt;

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                        And bi-fore al folk a-brod : in is prechingue he seide
                        Line 280 
                      
                        his Miseise and is defaute : ofte and is wrechhede.—
                      
                        ¶ In poyle seint Fraunceis ȝeode : some time ouer lond,
                      
                        So þat a porsful of panes : bi þe weie he fond;
                      
                        he ne tok non more ȝeme þare-to : þane to so muche fen.
                        Line 284 
                      
                        his felawe bad him nimen heom up : and dele pouere men.
                      
                        "I nelle nouȝt," seide seint Fraunceis : "of oþur mannes dele."
                      
                        "Me þunchez," seide is felawe þo : "þat þov nart nouȝt fele,
                      
                        Þat þou ne louest nouȝt pouere men : ȝwane þou nelt heom don no guod."
                        Line 288 
                      
                        Þis holie man i-heorde þis : and one ȝwile in þouȝte stod;
                      
                        ¶ "Þou schalt," he seide, "sone i-seo : ȝ[w]at þis panes beoth ech-on."
                      
                        he wende and nam up þat pors : and openede him a-non:
                      
                        Þo crep þare out a naddre : þe fouleste þat miȝhte gon,
                        Line 292 
                      
                        And þe pors al amti was : and peni bi-lefte non;
                      
                        And þat was þe Deuel of helle : þat in þe fourme of panes lay,
                      
                        For-to bi-traye þis holie man : ȝwane he þe panes i-saiȝ.
                      
                        ¶ Þis holie Man seint Fraunceis : among ech manere best
                        Line 296 
                      
                        Muche he louede ȝoungue lambre : and a-nourede heom euere mest,
                      
                        For ore louerd euenede him-sulf to a lomb : þoruȝ seint Iohan þe Baptist,
                        Line 298 
                      
                        And for it is with-oute felonie : and milde ase ihesu crist;
                      
                        And ofte ȝwane men wolden heom quelle : fram deþe he heom brouȝte
                      
                        With biddingue and with is faire word : and fale siþes heom bouȝte.
                      
                        ¶ In þe Abbeye of seint verecunde : a ȝoung lomb he founde,
                        Line 302 
                      
                        A souwe a-strangli it a-non : and fret it in a stounde.
                      
                        Seint Fraunceis stod and bi-heold : "A-mong alle bestes," he seide,
                      
                        "A-corsed þou beo, luþere souwe : þat dudest þis luþere dede;
                      
                        Þat þi lijf beo schort and strong : and þi dethþ beo strong al-so,
                      
                        And þat no þing ne ete of þi flesch : ȝwane þou ert of liue i-do!"
                      
                        Þo bi-gan þe souwe a-non : ase he þis word seide,
                        Line 308 
                      
                        To beo ful of schabbe and of buyles : and of oþur wrechhede,
                      
                        Þat heo orn out al of quiture : and ase þat folk i-saiȝ, [folio 45] 
                      
                        In wrechhede and in sorewe inov : heo deide þane þridde day,
                      
                        And fur-rotede and stonk foule i-novȝ. : no best þat it i-seiȝ,
                        Line 312 
                      
                        Rauon ne pie no oþur foul : nolde enes come þare-neiȝ.

Page 63

                      
                        ¶ For seint Fraunceis louede lambre : ase al þat folk i-saiȝ,
                      
                        On of is freond for godes loue : a lomb him ȝef a dayȝ.
                      
                        Þis lomb wolde old and ȝoung : al dai neiȝ him beo
                        Line 316 
                      
                        And maken with him Ioye i-nouȝ : ȝwanne it him miȝhte i-seo.
                      
                        Seint Fraunceis hiet þis schep a day : ȝwanne it heorde freres singue,
                      
                        To churche gon at eche tide : and ne lete for none þingue.
                      
                        Þat schep aftur þulke time : selde wolde a-bide,
                        Line 320 
                      
                        Ȝwane hit i-heorde freres in þe queor : þat hit nas at eche tide;
                      
                        Blete it wolde a-ȝenes heom : for it ne couþe nouȝt elles do;
                      
                        And ȝwane it saiȝ þe freres sitten a-kneo : kneuli it wolde al-so,
                      
                        And ȝwane ani preost sacrede : kneoli it wolde þar-to
                        Line 324 
                      
                        And wel inwardliche bi-holde þudere : ase it saiȝ oþur freres do.
                      
                        Wel auȝte we onouri þe sacringue : ȝwane a swuch best wolde!
                      
                        A wonder bede-man it was : to come to godes bolde!
                      
                        ¶ Ase seint Fraunceis þis holie man : ouer lond ofte him drouȝ,
                        Line 328 
                      
                        Wilde foules, smale and grete : honoureden him i-novȝ.
                      
                        For ase he wende in atyme : to prechie ouer lond,
                      
                        An hep of foules grete i-novȝ : In a stude he fond;
                      
                        huy songuen and maden noyse i-nov : euerech in is wise;
                        Line 332 
                      
                        Þe ȝuyt þe holie man a-mong heom cam : huy nolden nouȝt enes arise.
                      
                        ¶ "Beu frere," quath þis holie Man : "ore sustren þat beoth here
                      
                        honourieth god þat heom made : ech in his manere;
                      
                        Riȝht is þat we don also : are we fram heom gon."
                        Line 336 
                      
                        huy gonne to segge heore tidene : among þis foules ech-on.
                      
                        Þo maden þis foules so gret noise : þat huy ne miȝhten noþing i-here.
                      
                        "Sostrene," quath þis holie Man : "chaungiez eouwer manere,
                      
                        Beothþ nouþe stille and latehþ me segge : mine tidene with mi frere,
                      
                        And sethþe ȝe mouwen aftur us : euer-ech with is fere."
                      
                        ¶ Þis foules a-non-riȝht to is heste : stille weren al-so
                        Line 342 
                      
                        And seten and heorden heore tidene : for-to huy hadden al ido.
                      
                        "Nou sustren," quath þis holie man : "we habbuthþ i-seid ore tide,
                      
                        Bi-guynnez ouwer ȝwane ȝe wollez : ȝe ne þoruen no leng abide."
                      
                        Þis foules bi-gonne singue anon : þe leste and eke þe meste—
                        Line 346 
                      
                        Swiþe gret pouwer he hadde of god : þat foules weren at is heste!
                      
                        ¶ Þis holie man wende him forth : to prechi ouer lond:
                      
                        A gret hep eft-sone of foules : in on oþur stude he fond.

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                        he wende forthþ a-mong heom. : þis foules bi-gonne echon
                        Line 350 
                      
                        Louten to him wel mildeliche : and honouri him a-non.
                      
                        Þis holie Man at-stod ane ȝwile : and þouȝte heom sum guod teche,
                      
                        And riȝht ase it weren men of witte : þis foules he gan to preche:
                      
                        ¶ "Leoue sostrene," he seide, "for godes loue : honouriethþ ore creatur,
                      
                        For a-mong alle liues : ȝe auȝten him don honour:
                      
                        For he ȝifht eov nobleie i-nouȝ : wynguene for-to fleo, [folio 45b] 
                        Line 356 
                      
                        And feþerene to beren eov up-on heiȝ : wide for-to seo,
                      
                        And mete ȝware ȝe wollez a-liȝhte : with-oute eche-manere suynche,
                      
                        he ȝifth eov also muche pruyte and ayse : ase ȝe mouwen onne þenche;
                      
                        Delue ne diki ne þorue ȝe naþur : ase manie Men moten do,
                        Line 360 
                      
                        And ȝeot ȝe mouwen habbe mete i-novȝ : ȝwane oþere nabbeth nouȝt so."
                      
                        ¶ Þis foules heorkeneden him wel stille : þe ȝwile is prechingue i-laste,
                      
                        And fram wodes and fram oþur studes : þuder-word drowen faste.
                      
                        Þo þis holie man hadde i-do : he wende forth a-non
                        Line 364 
                      
                        And bi-teiȝte heom ihesu crist : and blessede heom ech-on;
                      
                        he pleide with heom murie i-nouȝ : ase he among heom gan gon,
                      
                        And strokede heom with is longue fleue. : þere nolde a-rise nouȝt on,
                      
                        Are he wolde bidden heom wende forth : ȝware huy hadden to done.
                      
                        Þis foules, þo huy heorden þis : huy flouwen forth wel sone.
                      
                        ¶ Seint Fraunceis a-mong al oþur þingue : riȝht at is heorte grounde
                      
                        Ofte he þouȝte deope i-novȝ : of ore louerdes wounden;
                      
                        So studefast-liche in is þouȝt : non oþur þing he ne nam.
                        Line 372 
                      
                        hit bi-feol at þe holie rode-tid : þat a-ȝein Miȝhel-Masse cam,
                      
                        Opon þe hul of Auuerne : ase it was ore louerdes wille,
                      
                        Al one in is oresones : þere he lai wel stille,
                      
                        he þouȝte on ore louerdes woundene : so deope þat it nas non ende:
                      
                        An Aungel he i-saiȝ an heiȝ : riȝht fram heouene wiende,
                      
                        ¶ Six wingene him þouȝte he hadde : þat schinden briȝhte and wide,
                      
                        Þe tweie stoden up a-bouen is heued : and þe tweien bi is side,
                      
                        And þoruȝ-out ouer is wombe a-creoyz : tweien þere weren al-so,
                        Line 380 
                      
                        Ase men seothþ ofte in churche depeint : ho-so lokethþ þare-to;
                      
                        Þe Armes weren a-long i-sprad : ase huy weren on þe rode,
                      
                        And þe fet i-streitht a-long : al vrninde a-blode,
                      
                        Þoruȝ þe riȝht side he was i-smite : and þoruȝ fet and honde:

                        Line 384

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                        Line 384 
                      
                        hit was in fourme of an Aungel : ore louerd, ich onder-stonde.
                      
                        ¶ So gret Ioye hadde þis holie Man : of þis noble siȝhte
                      
                        Þat him þouȝte he was in an oþur world : and þonkede godes miȝhte;
                      
                        he nuste ȝwat for Ioye do : þe ȝwyle he þis fourme i-seiȝh.
                        Line 388 
                      
                        At þe laste he fleuȝ a-ȝein : in-to heouene an heiȝh.
                      
                        Seint Fraunceis was in Ioye i-nouȝ : for he hadde þat noble siȝth,
                      
                        And nameliche of ore louerdes wounden : þat he wilnede daiȝ and nyȝht.
                      
                        Þo bi-heold he is owene hondene : and is fiet al-so:
                        Line 392 
                      
                        Þo weren huy þoruȝ-out i-smite : and þe nailes þar-on i-do,
                      
                        And is riȝht side i-wounded al-so— : ake wel sore neren huy nouȝt;
                      
                        So þat he hadde þe woundene him-sulf : þat so muche weren in is þouȝt.
                      
                        ¶ Þe nailes weren blake i-nouȝ : þe hauedene rounde and grete,
                        Line 396 
                      
                        Þe poyntes weren euelongue : ase huy weren a-ȝei[n]ward-i-bete;
                      
                        Aboute þe nailes þat flesch stod up : ase it were al-to-swolle
                      
                        And ase it al a-boute were : for Anguyse to-bolle.
                      
                        In þis manere we mouwen beo sikere : þat ore louerdes woundene were—
                        Line 400 
                      
                        For bote ase a schewingue and Ansaumple : in seint Fraunceyse huy nere. [folio 46] 
                      
                        So þat þis holie man hadde : ore louerdes woundene fiue;
                      
                        And bi-lefden on him aftur-ward : þe ȝwile he was a-liue.
                      
                        At þe holie rode-tid in Septembre : he gan furst þis þing i-seo;
                        Line 404 
                      
                        Ac ope þe hulle he hadde er : neiȝ a monþe i-beo,
                      
                        And fourtene niȝt þare-aftur-ward : he bi-lefte ȝuyt þere;
                      
                        So þat euene vnder al : fourti dawes þere were.
                      
                        ¶ Ase Moyses opon synay : was bi olde dawe
                        Line 408 
                      
                        Fourti daiȝes in priuete : to seon þe olde lawe,
                      
                        Also was þis holie Man : fourti dawes riȝht
                      
                        Opon þe hulle of Auuerne : to seo þat holie siȝht.
                      
                        So þat Aboute Miȝhelmasse : furst he wende to grounde;
                        Line 412 
                      
                        Ac he hudde is fet and hondene faste : þat Men ne i-seiȝen þe wounde.
                      
                        With þe woundene he liuede two ȝer : and prechede a-boute wide,
                      
                        And þe woundene ornen ofte a-blode : and nameliche of is side,
                      
                        And bi-bledde is cuyrtel ofte : and is briech al-so;
                        Line 416 
                      
                        he carede muche hou he miȝhte : stilleliche it a-wei do.—

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                        ¶ Sethþe þare cam in þe londe : a swyþe strong qualm of orue,
                      
                        Þat schep and reoþeren and oþur bestes : aldai leiȝen a-storue.
                      
                        A guod Man þat hadde muchel orf : bad ore louerd wel faste
                        Line 420 
                      
                        Þat he ne bi-nome him nouȝt al is guod : ake þat som him moste i-laste.
                      
                        Slepinde in ametingue : to him seide þoruȝ godes sonde
                      
                        Þat he scholde nime of þat watur : þat seint Fraunceis wusch inne is honde
                      
                        Oþur is fet and þere-with : a-mong þe bestes sprenge,
                        Line 424 
                      
                        And, ȝif him þouȝte þare were to luyte : with oþur watur it Mienge.
                      
                        ¶ Þis guode Man þare-afturward : a-waitede is point ofte
                      
                        And stal of þis watur stilleliche : in huydeles wel softe,
                      
                        And spreinde a-mong is owene orf : and a-mong oþure mani on:
                        Line 428 
                      
                        And oueral þare it was i-spreind : huy weren hole ech-on.—
                      
                        ¶ Seint Fraunceis was frere Menour : in þe ordre twenti ȝer,
                      
                        And two ȝer and al-mest þreo wyke : ore louerdes woundene he ber,
                      
                        So þat he drouȝ to-ward þe deþe : and feblischede ful swiþe faste.
                        Line 432 
                      
                        On him nas nouȝt bote fel and bon : bi-leued atþe laste.
                      
                        In torment he was strong i-novȝ : and ȝwane he was in worst stounde,
                      
                        his lene bones he wolde drawe : a-ȝein þe harde grounde,
                      
                        For-to make þe more is pine : and þe eorþe he custe al-so
                        Line 436 
                      
                        And þonkede god of alle guode : þat he him hadde i-do.
                      
                        he lay sijk and deide sone : seint Fraunceis þe holie man
                      
                        In ore leuedi churche : þare he furst þe ordre bi-gan.
                      
                        ¶ Þo he was þe deþe neiȝ : naked he liet him do,
                        Line 440 
                      
                        And to þe harde vrþe al bar : al nakede he lay so,
                      
                        And het heom þat a-boute him were : þat aftur þulke stounde
                      
                        huy leten him ligge longue also : nakede on þe grounde,
                      
                        Þat eorþe miȝhte on eorþe deiȝe : for þat were is riȝhte.
                        Line 444 
                      
                        he bi-gan to prechi is breþren : ope is feble miȝhte.
                      
                        ¶ Atþe laste, þo he þene dethþ i-saiȝ : and i-felde hine ful strongue, [folio 46b] 
                      
                        "Voce mea" he bi-gan : one saume of euesongue,
                      
                        And seide forthþ þe saume al out : and heold up is hondene heiȝe,
                        Line 448 
                      
                        And with þe laste word of þe saume : he bi-gan to deiȝe.
                      
                        he deide tweolf hundred ȝer : and sixe and twenti riȝht
                      
                        Aftur ore louerdes burtime : on a satur-day at niȝht.
                      
                        Þe sonendai he was i-bured— : he ne ferde nouȝt ase þis riche

                        Line 452

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                        Line 452 
                      
                        Þat for bobaunt of þe world : liggethþ longue a-liche.
                      
                        ¶ Þo þis holie man was ded— : þei it were bi niȝhte,
                      
                        A gret hep of lauerkene : opon þe churche a-liȝhte
                      
                        And murie sounguen al þe longue niȝht : a-boute þe bodie þere,
                        Line 456 
                      
                        Þo þe soule to heouene wende : aȝein kuynde þei it were—
                      
                        For þe lauerke is a foul : þat muche louez liȝht
                      
                        And herethþ þane dai with hire song : and restez hire a-niȝht.
                      
                        Aȝein kuynde huy sounguen þere : ase þei huy hadden in muynde
                      
                        hou muche he was anoured er : of foules a-ȝein hore kuynde.
                      
                        ¶ Frere Austyn, þat was ministre : under him i-do,
                      
                        Þo þis holie man was ded : atþe deþe he lai al-so
                      
                        In þe londe of labour : þat feor was þare-bi-side.
                        Line 464 
                      
                        Wel longue he lai speche-les : þene dethþ forto a-bide,
                      
                        And riȝht ase seint Fraunceis deide : feor in an oþur londe,
                      
                        Þis frere Austin spac wel mildeliche : and heold up is two honden :
                      
                        "Abijd, broþur," he seide, "ane ȝwyle : ich come with þe a-non."
                        Line 468 
                      
                        his freres axeden him ȝwat it were— : for heom wondrede ech-on.
                      
                        ¶ "Bote frere Fraunceis," he seide, "ore fader : i-brouȝt hath is lif to ende
                      
                        And is nouþe toward heouene : and with him i-chulle wende."
                      
                        With þis word he gan deiȝe : and is soule al in pes
                        Line 472 
                      
                        To þe Ioye of heouene wende : with is maister seint Fraunceis,
                      
                        And þare huy [beoth] boþe : in Ioye with-outen ende.
                      
                        Nou god for þe loue of seint Fraunceis : late us alle þudere wende. AmeN.

About this Item

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18 Franceys.

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Notes

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

About this Item

Pages

18 Franceys.

description Page 54

description Page 55

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description Page 59

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description Page 61

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Notes

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