sungun in the Passion Weke in Lent. For ther yn aftir that long speche is mad to the cros, which is not other than a creature, and whiche spechis mowe not be trewe saue as seid to a creature oonli, it is seid thus: O cros, the oon hope in this tyme of passioun, encrece thou riȝtwisnes to piteful men and ȝeue forȝeuenes to gilti men. ["O crux, ave spes unica!Hoc passionis tempore,Piis adauge gratiam,Reisque dele crimina."
These are the concluding words of the hymn beginning "Vexilla Regis prodeunt," which is still retained in the Roman Breviary for the Eve of Passion Sunday. The Salisbury Breviary, (Lond. 1555), which Pe|cock follows, badly reads:"Auge piis justitiam,Reisque dona veniam."
] Wherfore the ije. pre|misse in this principal xiije. argument is trewe.
Also in the Feest of the Crossis Fynding at the first euensong, whanne this response: O crux, viride lignum, et cætera, is sungun, aftir that manye spechis ben mad to the cros being a creature, (and whiche spechis mowe not be verified but as seide to a pure creature,) it is seid in the prose forth with therto fol|ewing thus: Thou, which barist the Lord, make the patroun (that is to seie, Crist) forto be to vs inclin|able or boweable or redi to heere us: and thou stok, which were [weren, MS. (first hand).] worthi to bere [be, MS.] the price of the world, ȝeue and graunte to this peple of Crist the beneficie of the crosse. [The Salisbury Breviary, May 3, (Lond. 1555) has the 'response' "O crux viride lignum, quia super te pependit Salvator, Rex Israel," &c., followed by the prose:"Crux fidelis, terras cœlisMiro nectens fœdere:"
which ends thus:"Nobis pronum fac patronum,Quem tulisti Dominum;Salve lignum vitæ, dignumFerre mundi pretium!Confer isti plebi ChristiCrucis beneficium."
] Wherfore the seid ije. premysse in this present principal xiije. argument is trewe.
Also in the anteme: O crux splendidior, et cætera, sungun at the ije. euensong in the same feeste, it is seid thus: O sweete stok, bering sweete nailis and
