Cursor mundi (The cursur o the world). A Northumbrian poem of the XIVth century in four versions. Ed. by the Rev. Richard Morris ...

þe stori of iacob bigynneþ here And also of his sones dere

[[I in MS. covers 11 lines.]] IAcob was wondir riche of fe Of alle godis he hadde plente he was ful riche as we rede Trewe & loued of vche lede Line 4040 wel he loued his sones vchone But so wel as Ioseph noone he was fair wiþouten sake Of breþeren had he noon his make Line 4044 his breþeren alle were herdes I say But he dwelt at home al way þis was trewe Ioseph þat dredde his loue word wide spredde þat wise chaste þat gentile Line 4049 þat aftir suffered greet perile Of þo periles þat he was Inne Sumwhat to telle I shal bigynne Line 4052 how he coom out of his wo Into his wele here also Ioseph say auyȝt in sweuene þat is worþi for to neuene Line 4056

Line 4056 him þouȝte his fadir her corn shere þere his elleuen breþeren were him self was on þe felde bisyde To geder corn in heruest tide Line 4060 his breþer sheues he say loutynge To his allone þat was stondynge Anoþer he mett þer aftir soone him þouȝte boþe sonne & mone And of þe grettest þat were on heuen honoured him sterres elleuen Line 4066 Alle loutid him on her manere Riȝt as he her lorde were he hem tolde & þei seide how May þis bityde what wenes þow Line 4070 For to be lord ouer vs alle þat blisse shal þe neuer bi falle Fro þis tyme forþ neuer þe lees Wiþ ioseph were þei neuer at pees Line 4074 þei hadde enuye to him stronge þei souȝt to greue him ay with wronge wolde þei neuer vp on him se Fro þat day but wiþ enemyte Line 4078 At home moost was Ioseph þat childe his breþeren in widernosse wilde wiþ her fee þe lowes bitwene As þei were þenne wont to bene Line 4082 Bi þis story may men se Men lyued moost þo bi fe þese breþeren þat I spake of ere Among þe feldes dwellyng were Line 4086 þat noon couþe of hem tiþing telle Til on a day hit bifelle her fadir of hem wite walde Ioseph his son to him he calde Line 4090

Son he seide þou most algate Go wite of þi breþere astate

longe is siþþe I of hem herde Or of her fee how þei ferde Line 4094 Fadir he seide I wol ful fayn þi biddyng not to stonde aȝayn he went forþ & wiste not where Soþely þat his breþeren were Line 4098 But ar he to his breþer coom Whil he went he met a mon What sekestou here son seide he Mi breþer sir my fadir fe þenne vnswered þat mon to him [folio 26b:1] þou shal hem fynde in dothaim Line 4104 he went forþ & forþer past Til he hem fonde at þe last he went forþ & furþer souȝt Til he hem fonde lafte he nouȝt When þei sey Ioseph com her broþer vchone of hem seide to oþer Line 4110 Lo where þe dremer is comen Bi myȝti god he shal be nomen lete vs do him to þe dede Line 4113 loke what his dreme wol stonde in stede Fayn þei were þere him to fynde For to haue her wille blynde If þei bifore him ouȝt forbare Line 4117 Now wol þei him not spare ¶ Oon eldest of þe elleuen was þat Rubon hett in þat plas whenne he herde þei wolde him slo Line 4121 þerfore was him wondir wo Stinte hit wolde he if he myȝt þe foly þat his breþeren tiȝt Alle he say hem in o wille Line 4125 her broþer gultles to spille Breþer he seide doþ not so I rede ȝe not ȝoure broþer slo Line 4128

Line 4128 þat is ȝoure owne flesshe & blode To murþer him hit is not gode If ȝe do forsoþe my wille Shulȝe neuer haue þer tille Line 4132 If ȝe hit do I ȝou teche Siker may ȝe be of wreche And ȝoure shame shal be couþ Alle men to haue ȝou in mouþ Line 4136 þat baret rede I not ȝe brewe þat ȝe for euer aftir rewe he haþ no þing done why ȝe haue not to him but envy Wite his fadir he be slone his lif dayes telle I gone Line 4142 . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] For mon lyuynge þei seide ny wif Shal he skape wiþ his lif Whenne Ruben sey þer was noon oþere But algate þei wolde sle her broþere For goddes loue dowey he seide þat noon honde be on him leide Line 4150 þat no blode of him we shede But if he algate shal be dede Do hit þenne wiþ suche a wile þat ȝe not ȝoure hondes fyle Line 4154 In þis waast I woot a pit Driȝe & watirles is hit þer ouer stondes a mychel tre Cast him þerynne & lete him be Til þat he of lyue be brouȝt Line 4159 þenne may we say we seȝe him nouȝt his curtel wol we ryue & rende And blodi to his fadir hit sende And telle him þat we hit fonde Line 4163 In þe wildernes ligonde

Saye we þat he rent es Wiþ wilde beestis in wildernes þenne wol no mon saye vs by Line 4167 þat we haue sleyn him felonly Do seide Ruben as I ȝou say he þouȝte to stele him quyke away Anoon þei grauntide þat bihete Line 4171 þei hent Ioseph bi honde & fete Made him naked & kest him doun And laft him þere in prisoun Siþþe set hem doun & ete þei say þo comyng bi þe strete Line 4176 Marchaundes of oon vnkond londe Of egipte as we in bokes fonde Wiþ camailes þat grete burþenes bare Of spices and of oþere ware Line 4180 Among þese breþer oon þer was Whos name was calde Iudas What bote he seide were hit to vs To for do oure broþer þus Line 4184 Take we him out of þat den [folio 27a:1] And selle we him to þese chapmen þat þei may lede him to fer lond To be her þral euer lyuond If hit so be he deȝe þare Line 4189 hit is to vs but litil care And if he be þere lyuynge his fadir of him haþ no tiþinge þere was Ioseph to seruage solde Line 4193 For twenty besauntis taken of golde Now is Ioseph lad out of londe God holde ouer him his holy honde Ruben of hem moost was wys he wist not of þis marchaundis On þe morne he coom & souȝt Line 4199 þe pit but Ioseph fonde he nouȝt

he mourned more þen I con telle Almeste in swoun doun he felle To his breþeren went he soone Line 4203 And þei him tolde as þei had done What bote is hit to make mone For þing that coueryng of is none his fadir þei sent witturly Ioseph curtil al blody Line 4208

¶ Whenne his fadir þe kirtel knew Soone bigon he chaunge hew A beest he seide my son haþ rent Allas þat euer I him out sent Into þat wilde weye to wende þat al my loue on him gan lende Line 4214 Alas witles was I þat day Beestes of him han made her pray þis was his clooþ hit is wel sene A þis beest was ful kene þat haþ me refte my derlynge dere My ioye my gladnes & my chere Line 4220 Ioseph þou was my ioye allone Now art þou dede & I haue none Ioseph þat was fre and feir Of al myn auȝte shulde ha ben eir For þi godenes & þi feire hew Line 4225 Mi care shal be euer new I wolde sinke to helle depe wiþ my son þere to wepe Line 4228 But al his mournyng for to rede Ouþer to speke hit myȝt not spede his oþere sones coom vchone sere For to amende her fadir chere Line 4232 But for nouȝte þei comen alle To coumforte wolde he noon falle No þing may his mournynge mende Neuer to his lyues ende Line 4236

Line 4236 leue we now of iacobes care To telle of Ioseph & of his fare

¶ þese chapmen þat Ioseph bouȝt Into egipte han him brouȝt Line 4240 þere he was eftsones solde To a douȝty mon & bolde To putifar stiward wiþ þe kyng Line 4243 was he solde þat childe ȝing he helde Ioseph in menskeful lore þei her layes oon not wore For þei were of sarsynes lede Line 4247 And Ioseph helde his owne in dede Sir putifar wel vndirstode þat Ioseph was of gentil blode In alle þe dedes þat he wrouȝt Line 4251 God was euer in his þouȝt þe keping of al his auȝt haþ putifar Ioseph bitauȝt Ioseph was þenne loued & dred Line 4255 wiþ wisdome he his werkes led For he was curteys & hende Of alle folke fonde he frende Putifar went into cuntre Line 4259 Ioseph dwelled wiþ his meyne And haþ his godes vndir honde vndir him self al weldonde Ioseph was wondir faire in face Line 4263 And filled al wiþ goddis grace His ladi hir eȝe on him cast [folio 27b:1] Forwarde of fool is eeþ to last Foly hit was & so she fond Line 4267 hir loue to sette but hit wolde stonde She kid hit euer & on him souȝt And Ioseph lette he wist hit nouȝt He wist & helde hit stille as wise And euer she preysed his seruyse Line 4272

Line 4272 So longe she haþ in hert hit hidde At þe laste hit most be kidde For who so euer be glad or bliþe At þe ende wol priue loue out wriþe Line 4276 Ofte she mened to him her mone But euer she fonde him in one whenne she þat say hir hert was sore And longyng had she more & more In hir foly she was so fest Line 4281 þat nyȝt nor day had she rest What is more herte brest þen want of þing þat men loue best Into siche prisoun to be put þat reueþ mon myȝte & wit Line 4286 In prisoun I calle him bistad Of whom þe hert is neuer glad whenne herte haþ þe wille I wisse þe body may haue no more blisse Line 4290 Ne no more wo þen likyng wone wiþouten wille is likyng none . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in Trin. & Laud MSS.] Line 4294 þe strengþe of loue noon may stere þouȝe his herte al steel were herte of steel & body of bras Strenger þen euer sampson was Line 4298 þat loue ne may meke wiþ myȝt Sumtyme alone with oon eȝe siȝt Ful harde hit is wiþ him to dele Mannes flesshe he makeþ ful frele Line 4302 whenne his loke alone may brynge Into his þraldome þe kynge And maugre his do him loute For euer he ledeþ him wiþ doute þerfore if þou be suche a gome Line 4307 þat þou algate wolt loue ouercome

whenne þou seest him loue to þe Stalworþely fro him þou fle Fle & turne þou not þin eȝe Or elles but þou be ful sleȝe Line 4312 þourȝe þin eȝe þou shal be shent As þing wiþ wilde fir forbrent Firste to brenne þi hert wiþinne And siþen to strangle þe in synne Line 4316 Fle & folewe not I rede For elles maistou com to dede . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in Trin. & Laud MSS.] Line 4320 Bettur is bityme to be forborn þen folwe þe pray þat is lorn . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in Trin. & Laud MSS.] Line 4324 who so doþ shal rewe sore And venge his harm wiþ foly more So dud þis wif þat I of rede She folewed Ioseph where he ȝede Line 4328 And for she folwynge fonde a spurne She waited him euel turne hir self had þe grame & gilt Line 4331 Almest also she had him spilt how she bigan him to fonde For to telle I wol not wonde Line 4334 She souȝte on him mony a day And euer he vnswered hir wiþ nay Ioseph þat was hir purueour Line 4337 On a day wiþ mychel honour In chaumber grett hir hendely And seide madame to mete ȝe hy ȝus she seide but ar þou go Line 4341 Speke wiþ me a word or two Longe he seide may I not dwelle þenne bigon she þus to telle Line 4344

Line 4344

Ioseph lemmon for þi sake To þe now my mone I make Bitwene þi self alone & me Now wol I shewe mi priuete Line 4348 þat loue me haþ brouȝte to grounde þat I may neuermore be sounde But if my bote rise on þe [folio 28a:1] þat þou wolt my lemmon be Line 4352 worldes welþe to welde in wone Inowȝe þou shalt haue allone To my lord shal þou be dere Oþer noon shal be þi pere Line 4356 She toke him aboute þe necke wiþ þis And profered hir mouþ to kis And drowe him towarde hir bed But Ioseph þat mychel god dred Line 4360 Dowey he seide þi foly wille wolt þou þi self & me als spille Putifar me haþ bitauȝt Line 4363 Lond & liþe & al his auȝt And for he trusteþ my lente To kepe his godis he toke hem me Al is me take & nouȝt for gone But þou art his wif allone Line 4368 Of þe haue I no maner miȝt If I hadde hit were no riȝt he þat ȝaf me suche pouste To bitraye god forbede me wiþ no resoun we ne owe Line 4373 To oure lord suche tresoun showe leuer me is be pore & trewe þen falsely wynne catel newe Line 4376 þerfore lady wiþ myȝte & mayn Drawe þi foly wille aȝayn For who so bigynne wol siche þing Line 4379 him owe to þinke on þe endyng

¶ She seide allas Ioseph þis day hastou vnswered me wiþ nay If I lyue þou shalt me proue An euel frend to þi bihoue Line 4384 I shal þe make wiþ myn husbonde þe moost hated in al þis londe She drouȝe his mantel bi þe pane Whenne Ioseph say no bettur wane Line 4388 he drowȝe she helde þe tassel brak þe mantel lefte & he ȝaf bak þenne fel she into felony And soone souȝte a tricchery She made a cry alle to here Line 4393 þat þat tyme in þe pales were Lady þei seide what is ȝou She seide herde ȝe not how þat traitour iew wolde me shende þat my lord halt his frende he wolde haue forsed me in hy Line 4399 Nadde I þe souner made a cry whenne I cryed soone he fledde And lafte wiþ me a token in wedde his mantel is bilefte wiþ me here þe soþe may vche mon se Line 4404 here may men se þe vileny þat he souȝte on his lady Sir she seide to putifar lo Was neuer lady serued so Line 4408 þis shame he haþ me done in dede þe gedelynge of vncouþe sede þis Ioseph souȝte on me in bour To do me þis dishonour Line 4412 Suche hit was þe vilany þat he gon seche on my body þerfore as þou art mon for þe Loke þou on him wroken be Line 4416

Line 4416 Putifar comaundide soone Ioseph for to take & done In kyngis prisoun for to ly wiþouten raunsoum for to by Line 4420 Alas Ioseph þe war & wise Euel is þe quit þi trewe seruyse For þi godenes & þi trewe dede Ful euel is ȝoulden þe þi mede Line 4424 Suche is tresoun of wommon Stronger in worlde is founden noon God amende hem þat siche ben And ȝyue men grace hem to flen

Now is Ioseph in prisoun stronge And lowe liþ wiþ mychel wronge And aftir liked him ful wele [folio 28b:1] Line 4431 For al was turned him to sele Soone was Ioseph holden dere wiþ þe maister Iailere þourȝe þe miȝte of goddes grace Line 4435 Ouer alle þe prisouns þat þer wase Alle þat in prisoun were in bonde Ioseph had hem vndir honde he ferde wiþ so mychel þrifte Line 4439 þat al was done as he wolde shifte þus con god helpe mon in nede þo þat wol him love and drede whil Ioseph þus ferde þere Twey men of þe kynges were Line 4444 To prisoun sende for her mys dede what hit was I con not rede þe spensere & þe botillere boþe þe kyng wiþ hem was ful wroþe But þe maister iaylere Line 4449 Toke hem Ioseph vnto fere whenne Ioseph say hem swiþe hem to coumforte he was bliþe

But as þei lay in þat prisoun Anyȝte þei mette a visioun Line 4454 Of a sweuene þei had sene Eiþer gan to oþere mene Ioseph say her dropenyng chere And asked whi þei mournyng were þe botillere for boþe vnswerde Line 4459 Sir he seide we ar aferde For two sweuenes we say in siȝt In oure slepe þis ilke nyȝt Line 4462 what were þo for þi lewete þin owne sweuene firste telle me Me þouȝte I saw a wyn tre And a bouȝe wiþ braunches þre Line 4466 On þis tre on vche bowȝe henge grapes þicke ynowȝe Of þo grapes þer þere hong In a coupe me þouȝte I wrong Line 4470 þe kyng was at his mete fast And In his honde þe coupe I þrast Ioseph seide wiþ myȝte of heuene Line 4473 I shal arede wel þi sweuene Or hit be þis þridde day Of prisoun shal þou be take away And ben a quit bifore Iustise Line 4477 And put aȝeyn in þi seruise whenne þou in wele art wiþ þe kyng For godde loue on me ha menyng þat I may bi helpe of þe Line 4481 Of þis prisoun delyuered be Furst solde was I fro my þede And now prisoun sacles of dede þe spensere seide me þouȝte I bere A leep as I was wont do er Line 4486

Line 4486 wiþ breed I bar hit on myn heued Me þouȝte rauenes hit me reued A mychel rauen my basket hent Line 4489 Aboute myn heed hit al to rent Ioseph seide hit beþ not longe Or þat þou on galewes honge hit shal wiþ me þre dayes be Line 4493 Shal no raumson go for þe Riȝt as Ioseph seide biforn he was honged þe þridde morn þe botillere scaped þe same day Line 4497 And Ioseph stille in prisoun lay wiþ mychel care & also wo longe he was forȝeten so wildenes of welþe of þis botillere Line 4501 For ȝat Ioseph his dreme redere For mon þat waleweþ al in ȝeles And for þat ioye noon angur feles þouȝe he haue frend þat is in wo Line 4505 Ofte he is forȝeten so ȝore was seid & ȝitt so beþ herte forȝeteþ þat eȝe not seþ But I dar saye god woot euer Line 4509 who so truly doþ forȝeteþ he nouer Iosep lay in þat longyng [folio 29a:1] Til þat pharao þe kyng Line 4512

Say in sleep a sweuen on nyȝt he commaundide to him bringe riȝt Clerke knyȝte Erle & baroun To telle to him his visioun Line 4516 To wite if any mon were Coude telle what ende hit bere But þer was noon of hem alle Coude say what shulde bifalle Line 4520 þenne bigon þe botillere speke Of Ioseph in prisoun steke

To þe kyng he seide þan Sir he seide I knowe a man Line 4524 þat if he were brouȝte in place I vndirstonde he haþ þat grace Of þi dreme wiþouten abide he shal þe telle þat wol bitide Line 4528 Sir whenne ȝe were wiþ me wrooþe And wiþ þe maister spensere boþe In prisoun were we done in bonde þerynne a iewes childe we fonde Line 4532 Eiþer of vs a dreme we sawe And he badde vs to him hem shawe And we bigon al to telle he tolde vs al þat aftir felle Line 4536 Go to þe prisoun seide þe kynge And do him swyþe to me bringe þat cloþing newe on him be done And þat he com bifore me soone þe botillere to þe prisoun went Line 4541 Soone þerof Ioseph he hent And dud on him new cloþing And brouȝt him siþen bifore þe kyng On Ioseph hit was wel sene Line 4545 þat he had longe in prisoun bene Lene he was & won in face As he þat longe was fro solace þe baronage wondir þouȝt Line 4549 þat he to kyngis counsel was brouȝt þe kyng called Ioseph nerre & seide I haue souȝte neer & ferre To fynde a mon my dreme to rede But hidurto myȝt I not spede Line 4554 Coudestou telle me what hit wore Mi grace I graunte þe euermore Sir he seide shewe hit þon And I shal rede hit as I con Line 4558

Line 4558 I am redy þi wille to do Line 4559 If god wol ȝyue me grace þerto

¶ Me þouȝte þat þis ȝonder nyȝt I coom in a medewe briȝt Floures & greses þerynne I fond Line 4563 And ky fourtene þer ynne goond Of þe seuen me þouȝte ferly þei were faire & fatte ky þe oþere seuen I ȝode to se And als mychel wondir þouȝte me Line 4568 her hide was clongen to þe bone So lene say I neuer none hongry & lene boþe were þai þei droof þe oþere seuen away Line 4572 In þat medewe so longe þei ware þei had eten to þe erþe bare þenne me þouȝte I folewed a sty Into a felde and sawe me by Fourtene eres stonde of whete Line 4577 Somme of hem were wondir grete Ful of corn were þei set þo But þe toþere were not so þei were clongen drye & tome Of þis Ioseph say me þi dome Line 4582 ȝyue me her of good counsaile And I shal þe neuer faile Good offis shal þou haue in plas And be forȝyuen al þi trespas Line 4586 ¶ þenne seide Ioseph leue sir kyng God haþ þe shewed fair warnyng þerfore owe þou bi riȝt Line 4589 To honoure him wiþ al þi myȝt Siþ he bifore haþ warned þe [folio 29b:1] Of þi woo saued to be Line 4592 For þourȝe þis ensaumple here wite þer shul be seuen ȝere

Of plente in þi kyngriche þat is þese seuen fatte beestes liche Line 4596 þeese oþere seuen woful neet Bitokeneþ seuen ȝeer hongur greet þat oþere ȝeres shul be folwonde Line 4599 þat neuer were suche bifore in londe Suche defaute shal ben of breed þe folke shal be for hongur deed Sir Kyng þis is þi avisioun Line 4603 Loke þi self bi al resoun For boþe þi dremes ben as oon þerfore I rede þou anoon Gete þe a good purueour þat in þis nede may þe socour Line 4608 In vche londe men for to set To geder vche fifte met Of þat tyme þat is plente Certis he seide so shal hit be Line 4612 Ioseph þou art mychel of pris And þerto boþe war & wis Noon I se is founde þe liche here in al my kynryche Line 4616 Stiwarde þou shal be & heȝe Iustise For wel I truste in þi seruyse Nay sir he seide take not to spit For furste wol I make me quyt Line 4620 Of gulte of putifares wif Dowey he seide þer of no strif Sackeles sir haue I dere abouȝt I woot þou tellest hit me for nouȝt Line 4624 þis sacles shame sene hit is God is wiþ þi werkes I wis Whenne þe baronage of egip Say him haue suche worship Line 4628 wondir þei hadde how þat he To þe kyng was made priue

For he was a mor vnseene And had in greet mislikynge bene Line 4632 we wende he had ben deed þing Nay god forbede seide þe kyng he was prisounde wiþ fals reede So haþ he lyued in mychel drede Line 4636 þat is wel sene in his visage Men han him done greet outrage Of my dremes now haþ he Tolde me what of hem wol be Line 4640 For I woot nowhere his make I wol þat he here vndirtake Al þe worshipe of my londe þat I wol ȝe vndirstonde Line 4644 And al be wrouȝte bi his counsaile For al my londe hit shal availe þe seuen craftis wel he can he is a wondir wise man Line 4648 Al his baronage him biforn To Ioseph han an oþ sworn To him as her kepere to tent And to done his commaundement Line 4652 Of his owne hond toke þe kyng And dud on Iosepis his ryng Cloþing on him he lete falle Line 4655 Suche as him self was clad wiþ alle To ride & go wiþouten lettyng And knele bifore him as kyng þenne seide þe kyng Iosep lo þou woost þat I am pharao Line 4660 Shal noon so bolde be in my lond wiþouten þe stire foot or honde . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] his nome þei chaunged for þat honour And calde him þe worldes saueour

þe kyng him made a wyf to take hiȝt asseuer a douȝty make Line 4668

¶ Ioseph þouȝte on his mistere Made gider him seruaunt & squyere To gete him wriȝtes in a stounde where euer þei miȝte be founde Line 4672 Bernes he made in þat ȝere [folio 30a:1] A þousande sett in studes sere And aftir he commaundide him selue Depe seleres for to delue Line 4676 And bi grace wiþ his witty dede Filled hem of wynes white & rede whenne þe folke þus saw him dele Line 4679 wiþ wyn & corn flesshe & mele And filled þo bernes here & þore . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] þe londis of egipte lesse & more Line 4684 þus ferde he þo seuen ȝeres þat moo þen a þousande seleres Filled he wiþ wynes newe & fresshe And larderes wiþ salt flesshe Line 4688 Graunges gerneres filde he wiþ sede Moo þan I wiþ tonge con rede In euery stud lafte a wardeyn þenne went he to þe kyng aȝeyn Line 4692 For to reste him wiþ þe kyng Aftir his greete trauailyng whenne þo seuen ȝeer were oute Plowemen ouer al þe lond aboute Line 4696 As þei were wont her seed dud sawe But al welþe bigon wiþdrawe þe erþe clang for hete & drye And so þe wo bigon vp hye Line 4700 For þat drouȝte þat was so strong Corn ne gras on erþe noon sprong

þe beestis deȝed vp al bi dene For þat hongur was so kene þat bi þe furst ȝeer was goon Line 4705 vnneþe was þer beest laft oon þe wrecched pore fond no fode þei were so fele beggyng þei ȝode To gider þei flocked in þat lond Line 4709 Bi hundrides & bi þousond þei souȝte hem rotes as done swyn Sorwe hit was to se þat pyn þe childre & þe men of elde Line 4713 For hongur lay deed in þe felde Bifore þe kyng þei coom wiþ cry And seiden lord þou haue mercy Of þi folke for hongur is deed was neuer more nede of breed Line 4718 þei men ouer al sewe feldes Of corn nouȝt hit vp ȝeldes þe qualme haþ beestis ouergon But if sum bote be þe on þe folke shul deȝe al bi dene Line 4723 wiþ qualme þis hongur is so kene

¶ þe kyng say þis & wepte sore how mennes bodies bolned wore wite we wel in þat tide had he in his herte no pride Line 4728 Lordinges he seide wel wite ȝe Ioseph my stiwarde fedeþ me Forder worþely is he þer tille he is a lord þat is skille Line 4732 But goþ & falleþ him to fote And preye him to do ȝou bote þat he ȝyue ȝou of his corn Or ȝe for hongur be forlorn Line 4736 To Ioseph went þei criyng þon Rewe on vs þou blisful mon

And lene vs sum what of þi sede was neuer eer so mychel nede Line 4740 Sum wat lene vs bi þi skep I shal ȝou lene seide Iosep

¶ Ioseph was ful of pite Line 4743 lete þresshe soone in þat cuntre whenne þe seed was al boun he solde vchone his porcioun So þat þei myȝte skilfuly þei & her meyne lyue þerby Line 4748 In bokes fynde we of a wile þat Ioseph dud þat was sotile þe chaf of corn he cast oþer while Into a watir men callen nyle Line 4752 For þat watir þat ran þare To Iacobus hous hit had þe fare þis hongur þat I here of telle [folio 30b:1] In londes al aboute hit felle Line 4756 Men miste hit no where in no lond Seuen ȝeer hit was lastond þenne Iacob & his sones ware wiþ hongur in poynt to forfare Line 4760 Sorweful þei were no selcouþ Nouȝt hade þei to put in her mouþ Siluer þei had & golde rede But þei myȝte fynde to bie no brede For hongur sore þese childer dud grete Line 4765 Iacob wist not how hit to bete Ofte he helde vp his hende To god him for to helpe sende And þat he myȝte menskly deȝe Ar he þat hongur longe shulde dreȝe Line 4770 But oure lord god of myȝt hereþ monnes preyere in riȝt For þouȝe he preue his frend with pyne þerfore wol he not him tyne Line 4774

Line 4774 Whenne iacob was moost in fray God him coumfortide þat al do may Line 4776

Soone aftir in a litil while Iacob ȝode bi þe watir of nyle he say vpon þe watir glem Chaf com fletyng wiþ þe streem Line 4780 Of þat siȝte wex he ful bliȝe And to his sones tolde hit swiþe Childre he seide ȝe luste & lete I saw chaf on þe watir flete Line 4784 Wheþon hit comeþ con I not rede But doun hit fleteþ ful good spede If hit be comen fro fer lond Line 4787 Loke whiche of ȝou wol take on hond For vs alle to trauaile herof is good we take counsaile Aȝeyn þe flum to fynde þe chaue Corn þere shul we fynde to haue Line 4792 ¶ Ruben seide to his resoun Lo I am al redy boun Oure aller nedes to take in place ȝyue me tresour & lete me pace Line 4796 his broþer seide go we alle In goddes name & so we shalle Tresour ynouȝe wiþ ȝou ȝe take And I ȝou preye for godde sake Line 4800 When ȝe founden han þat þing þat ȝe make not longe dwellyng But gooþ wisely in vncouþe londe Line 4803 God holde ouer ȝou his holy honde þese breþer went fro canaan For þere was Iacob wonyng þan her ȝongest broþer þei lefte at home Beniamin was his nome Line 4808 þei hiȝed hem vpon her wey Soone to egipte comen þey

Whenne þei say of corn plente Gladder men miȝt none be Line 4812 Breed to sille þei fond & bouȝt And to Ioseph soone þei souȝt Men hem tauȝte whiche was he Doun þei kneled on her kne Couþe þei of him no knowleche take And vncouþely to hem he spake Line 4818 Childre he seide wheþen are ȝe Sir þei seide of a cuntre þerynne is mony a nedy man Line 4822 þe londe men calleþ canaan Line 4821 þenne seide Ioseph ful vncouþly what are ȝe comen þis lond to spy Nay þei seide lord vs forbede But we are comen for greet nede Line 4826 For bittur hongur þat is bifalle Oon monnes childer are we alle þer is hongur in oure kingriche Was þer neuer noon hit liche Line 4830 þe folke deȝeþ vp al by dene Suche hongur was neuer eer sene þerfore haue we hidur souȝt A party of money wiþ vs brouȝt Redy pens haue we to telle [folio 31a:1] Line 4835 If we may fynde corn to selle þerfore we pray þi lordhede þat þou vs helpe in þis nede Of þi muchel plente here To selle vs be hit neuer so dere Line 4840 haue ȝe lord no mys trowyng þat we shulde com for oþere þing

¶ I shal ȝou selle hit telleþ me What maner mon ȝoure fadir is he Sir iacob is oure fadir nome Line 4845 An olde mon we lefte at home

Elleuen breþere are we lyuonde Oon at home & ten in þis londe what he seide is he þe leest Sir beniamin het þe ȝongest whenne he bihelde hem on rowe Line 4851 Wel vchone he coude hem knowe his fadir care þouȝte he on þore And þerfore he siked ful sore Line 4854 For siluer he toke & ȝaf hem corn And to her ynne dud hit be born he lete waite at a priue tide And dud his siluer coupe to hide Line 4858 In a secke biside her corn And bad hem bide to mete þat morn Whenne þei had eten & were boun For to wende hoom out of toun Line 4862 Ioseph bigon to sermoun go And þus shewed hem his resoun þo Gode men he seide ȝe shal fare But of oure kyng I warn ȝou ȝare I am not kyng ouer þis londe Line 4867 vche man shal vndirstonde Oure kyng hette pharao And al his wille con make be do Line 4870 Ouer al I drad and also riche was neuer eer mon him liche Of him I telle ȝou witterly Of þeof wol he haue no mercy Line 4874 Who so is taken wiþ stolen þinge he wol him do soone to hinge I say not þis but þat ȝe Seme trewe men to be Line 4878 God graunte ȝou wel to founde And bringe ȝou hoom hoole & sounde ȝoure fadir to se hool and fere Line 4881 God ȝou graunte lorde dere

God ȝou forȝelde seide þai To alle ȝoure gode & haueþ good day ¶ whenne þei alle forþ were goon Line 4885 Ioseph seruauntis called anoon Childre he seide we serue þe kyng We misse sumwhat of his þing If he wite he wol be wrooþ God hit forbede þat were vs looþ ȝondir be þeues we trowe wende Line 4891 And he a þeof hem hider sende Folweþ hem & ransakeþ her ware Or þei forþer fro vs fare If in her seckes be ouȝte founde Line 4895 Loke þei alle be take & bounde . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] þe seriauntis þenne breme as boor Ran & ouer toke hem þor þeues þei seide ȝe shul abide Wende ȝe þe kyngis tresour to hide he þat ȝou haþ done socour Line 4903 Stolen ȝe haue of his tresour In euel tyme dud ȝe þis dede For suche þerof wol be ȝoure mede ¶ Certis þei seide leue lordyngis haue we not stolen þe kyngis þingis we are trewe men & lele Line 4909 Were we neuer wont to stele we haue wiþ vs trussed nouȝt But þing þat we truly bouȝt And so is oure t[r]ewe geten þing Line 4913 For goddes loue do vs no lettyng vpon her sackes leide þei hond þe coupe þei souȝt & soone fond Traitours þei seide now is sene [folio 31b:1] Wheþer ȝe be foule or clene Line 4918

Line 4918 Anoon were þei bounden harde And brouȝte bifore þe stiwarde And prisound to þe þridde morn Line 4921 þat mo folke miȝt þei com biforn þat while Ioseph sent þen To kepe her harneis of his men Line 4924 ¶ þe þridde morn commaundide he A gederyng of þe lond to be Forþ were brouȝte þe breþeren ten Were þer neuer soriere men Line 4928 þei fel doun at Iosepes fete And Mercy souȝte wiþ reweful grete þe folke asked what þei shulde be Line 4931 þeues quad [(sic)] Ioseph of a cuntre þat is hennes fer as þei me tolde So is sene on her dedes bolde Whil I solde hem of my sede Line 4935 My coupe þei stale awey to lede Seriauntis I sende soone on honde And in her gere my coupe þei fonde I serued hem & warned nouȝt Of al þat þei me bisouȝt Line 4940 Mete & drynke I ȝaf hem boþe And bad hem kepe hem ay fro loþe Siþen I preyed god al weldonde Lede hem sauely to her londe Line 4944 here vpon þei stale my þing If ȝe ȝyue doom men shal hem hing ¶ þenne spake Ruben þe eldest broþer Stille menyng to þese oþere Line 4948 Now is comen oure aller sake Into woo synne & wrake I seide ȝou so þis oþere ȝere ȝe wolden not my resoun here As of Ioseph oure broþer lele Line 4953 wiþ wronge ȝe solde him for catele

ȝe solde him out of myn assent þat fynde we now here present Line 4956 Done ȝe haue þis synne in ȝou ȝoure repentaunce late comeþ now Furþer may we not stere her wille mut we suffer here Line 4960 helpe lord þat al haþ wrouȝt In oþere helpe me truste I nouȝt he mened him þus with mournyng chere And wende Ioseph miȝt hit not here Allas þei seide þat euer we ware Born if we shul þus forfare Line 4966

Ioseph roos vp fro his stede To galwes þei wende he wolde hem lede Ioseph herde her mournyng sore And left hem as nouȝt ne wore his wille was but to make hem gast Line 4971 And aftir rewe on hem at þe last Whenne he saw her mournyng mone To þe court he spake anone Listeneþ alle þat hidur beþ come Ar ȝe ȝyue here any dome Line 4976 A word he seide soþ may falle Al þouȝe þei be þeues alle whenne þei were breþer alle at home þei menged me þe ȝongest nome Line 4980 I wolde do to hem þat grace þat þei þe ȝongest bringe in place þat þei lafte at her fadir In Whiche is called beniamin Line 4984 þe while wol I haue oon of ten þat þei ȝyue to nome ruben To dwelle in hostage here wiþ me Til þat þe ȝongest comen be þis terme is fourty dayes set Line 4989 þat þei þis commaundement not let

But þei me þenne my couenaunt bringe Elles her hostage shal I hynge Line 4992 And if þei couenaunt holde I-wis I shal for-ȝyue hem al þis mis And þus wol I hem preue now Line 4995 Sir þei seide god ȝelde ȝow For if þat we haue lif þer to [folio 32a:1] ȝoure commaundement shul we do Line 4998 her leue þei toke & were bliþe And hyȝed in her weye swiþe Oure lord lad hem in her fare þei coom to her fadir ȝare Line 5002 þei him cussed swiþe soone And dude her sackes to be vndone Say me quad Iacob how is þis þat of my childre oon I mis Line 5006 He is in egipte allas why For þere vs toke þe heȝe baily To skape wiþ gile were we fayn what hope ȝe shal he be slayn Nay þei seide god hit shilde him shal delyuer ȝoure ȝongest childe how shal beniamin com þare Sir elles þei wol Ruben forfare ȝoure eldest son to hede or honge haue ȝe terme he seide how longe Fourty dayes we drede hit sare ȝe most haste ȝou on ȝoure fare Line 5018 hadde þei soiourned but a stounde Iacob seide tyme is to founde Fetteþ me home ruben blyue O elles holde ȝe not my lyue Line 5022 Ledeþ wiþ ȝou beniamyn God graunte ȝou grace þider to wyn ¶ Lord myȝtful kyng he seide þat paradis to mon purueide Line 5026

Line 5026 and gaf hit adam of lenght and wide. and eue þat wroȝt was of his side. of flode þou saued noe fere Line 5029 and tempted abraham þat was þe dere of his sone offerande to make. and he hit walde do for þi sake. he was my fader ysaac. til þe angel to him spac. Line 5034 and saued me my broþer fra. esau þat me walde sla. saue my childer hale to me. and of Ioseph saule haue pite Line 5038 ¶ þer childer quen þai had to spende þai toke þaire way for to wende sa lange þai went a-pon þaire way atte in-til egipte sone come þai. Line 5042 þai soȝt and sone þe stiwarde fande atte a grange place soiournande. he made del[i]ueraunce þer of corne Line 5045 þai hailsed him knelande him be-forne quen Ioseph con his breþer se. mykil ioy in hert had he Line 5048 and ruben þat for ham was nommyn þonked god atte þai ware commyn ¶ Ioseph be-helde beniamyn. þen stired al his blode wiþ-in. Line 5052 quen he saghe ham alle þere na langer muȝt he for-bere. ¶ he hent ham in his armes þare. [folio 30a:1] Line 5055 and kissed ham wiþ-outen mare. and grette on ham ful tenderly and on benke sete ham by. Line 5058 how fares he saide our fader state. our fader fares wele we wate. knaulage of ȝoures haue we nane parfai leue breþer alle ys ane. Line 5062

Line 5062 And adam tauȝte þere to abyde with eue þat wrouȝte was of his syde Fro flood þou sauedest noe here Line 5029 And Abraham temptidest to þe dere Of his o son offryng to make And he hit grauntid for þi sake þat was my fadir Isaac Line 5033 Til þe aungel for him spak And sauedest me my broþer fro Esau þat wolde me lord slo Saue my childre hool to me Line 5037 And haue of Iosephes soule pite ¶ þese childre toke wiþ hem to spende And redied hem forþ to wende So longe þei went in her wey Into egipte soone coom þey Line 5042 þei souȝte & soone þe stiwarde fond At a gerner him stondond þere he lyuerey made of corn þei grette him alle on kne biforn Line 5046 Whenne gan his breþeren se Muchel ioye in herte hadde he Ruben þat for him was nomen had muchel ioye whenne he was comen Muchel ioye was Ioseph wiþinne Line 5052 he bihelde þenne beniamynne Line 5051 For whenne þe ton þe toþer seȝe No lenger myȝte þei nouþer dreȝe But bent hem in armes þore Line 5055 And cussed sixty siþe & more Ioseph wepte ful tenderly And siþ on benche set him him by how fareþ he seide oure fadir fre Mi fadir sir fareþ wel seide he Line 5060 knowyng of ȝoures haue I noon Mafay broþer and al is oon

knowes þou not me he seide nay I sawe ȝou neuer bifore þis day We are not sibbe sir seide he Line 5065 ȝus he seide I telle to þe Furst wolde þei ha slayn me þes ten Siþ me þei solden to vncouþe men Al was for I tolde a dreme Line 5069 þat now is comen to good teme I hatt Ioseph ȝoure broþer am I þei fel in swoun & cryed mercy þo þei wende wiþouten wene Line 5073 To haue ben honged al bidene But Ioseph coumfortid her chere And wepyng seide breþeren dere ȝoure gult I haue forȝyuen ȝow [folio 32b:1] Line 5077 Forȝyue me myn I preye ȝou now Forȝyue me þat I dud ȝou take In to bondes wiþouten sake Line 5080 þe coupe in to ȝoure secke put I And pursewed ȝou dispitously And shamed ȝou in mennes siȝt I am a-knowe I dud vnriȝt Line 5084 Mi wraþþe is clene fro me goon To me I preye ȝou ȝe haue noon Bi hyȝe ȝou swiþe hoom to go I wol algate hit be so Line 5088 Makeþ ȝoure gere redy to drift ȝoure sackes shal I fille of ȝift To fette my fadir shul ȝe founde Line 5091 Seiþ him I am hool & sounde For ȝitt haue we to com & bide Fyue ȝeer of þis hongry tide þat make shal mony mon & wyf Ar þei be done lese her lyf Line 5096 Beþ not ferde but makeþ good chere For ȝoure hele god sende me here

Not ȝoure reede but goddes sonde was I sende in to þis londe For pharao kyng haþ made me Line 5101 lord of al þis londe so fre ¶ Sir gladly at ȝoure biddyng Shal hit be to vs a commaundyng Als soone as we may be purueide Line 5105 we wol do as ȝe haue seide Oure mis dede we repente ay Forȝyue vs lord we ȝou pray Siþ god wolde suche caas shulde falle he seide I haue forȝyuen ȝou alle To ȝoure fadir now hiȝe ȝe Line 5111 And telle him þat ȝe sounde be he makeþ deol for ȝoure sake þis tiþing shal his sorwe slake we shul þei seide make no dwelling Line 5115 Til þat we him to ȝou bring Takeþ ruben hoome wiþ ȝow And leueþ me beniamyn now he clad him wiþ pal of affrik here And siþen ȝaf hem ȝiftis riche & dere Line 5120 he cussed hem alle in token of sauȝt And siþen to god hem bitauȝt þenne ȝede he hoom to his In wiþ his ȝonge broþer beniamin Line 5124 he dud on him pal cloþing And on his hond sett riche ring þese breþer ȝode forþ her way Line 5127 To her fadir soone coom þay Siluer & golde þei wiþ hem ledde And cloþing als for backe & bedde Forȝeten haue þei al þat care Line 5131 þat Ioseph had done hem þare hoome þei coom not prisoners liche But as þei were knyȝtis riche Line 5134

Line 5134 Clad þei were wiþ riche wede her camailes charged alle wiþ sede her fadir lay vnhol in bedde Line 5137 he miȝte not sture of þat stedde To him coom a messangere And tolde him soþely in his ere Line 5140 Sir he seide here good tiþinge þi sones are knyȝtis here comynge þou lyest he seide bi god so dere Ar þei no knyȝtis ny knyȝtis fere Sir bi þe feiþ I owe to ȝow Line 5145 þei are knyȝtis as I trow For þei are clad in riche pal And riche ȝiftis ȝyuen ouer al Line 5148 Siluer & golde þei haue plente Seistou soþ he seide sir ȝe If þou trowe not my tale Line 5151 Rise vp & se þi seluen shale I may not rise he seide for lame wiþ þat word þei coom alle hame In at þe dor vp on a route heilsynge her fadir for to loute Sir þei seide tiþingis here [folio 33a:1] Fro þi tweyne sones dere Oon fro beniamyn oure broþer Line 5159 And fro Ioseph is þe toþer whenne iacob in bed þat lay herde Ioseph named þat day Anoon his herte bigon to liȝt And in his bed sat he vpriȝt Line 5164 his heed was al bare for elde Vpon his sones he þenne bihelde And say hem clad in riche pal Seiþ me he seide now ȝe shal Line 5168 what makeþ ȝou to mene now Of my son Ioseph bitwixe ȝow

þritty ȝeer hit is agone Line 5171 Siþ he of beestis wilde was slone ȝe gabbe & also done greet synne Of him to me for to mynne Line 5174 Fadir þei seide mis trowe nouȝt þat we any gabbynge haue brouȝt For ioseph hool & sounde lafte we lorde he seide I wolde him se Line 5178 Certis þei seide þat may god ȝyue I wolde he seide no lenger lyue ȝe shul haue lif longer þen þider haue ȝe brouȝte him wiþ ȝou hider Line 5182 Nay sir but ȝe mot to him fare he haþ sent aftir þe his chare we shul ȝou make þerynne abed In to egipte ȝe shul be led Line 5186 þo wex iacob swiþe fayn his body bigon to quyke aȝayn ȝyue me my cloþes þenne seide he hastily þat we redy be Childer he seide go we stronge Line 5191 Into egipte þinke me longe Israel wiþ þis vp leep þat myȝte bifore stire no step Wiþouten helpe of any son Line 5195 þat quake with vche a lymme was won . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in Trin. & Laud MSS.] Line 5198 Iacob hiȝed as he ȝong were þenne seide ruben fadir dere I rede studfastliere þou go Line 5201 what art þou þat biddest so Ruben ȝoure son & what þing Is of Ioseph wiþouten lesing Line 5204

Line 5204 Of egipte sire þat riche londe Line 5205 he is maistir al weldonde how so is þere noon oþer kyng ȝus sir but he tenteþ no þing þe warde he haþ of þat kyngriche Line 5209 Pore & riche to deme I liche he deleþ þe corn of þat cuntre þis is þe soþe leue ȝe me Line 5212

Israel mad oon offringe swiþe As þei were wont in þat siþe God coom to him in a visioun And seide to Iacob his resoun Line 5216 Iacob he seide listen to me wiþ þi fadir I was & I am wiþ þe . . . . . [no gap in Trin. & Laud MSS.] wende to egipte among þat lede Line 5220 For I my self shal þe þere fede . . . . . [no gap in Trin. & Laud MSS.] And þere forsoþe shal þou dreȝe Ioseph þi son shal louke þin eȝe Line 5224 þenne was Iacob redy ȝare wiþ his meyne redy to fare his sones alle & her flittyng Line 5227 wyf & childe & oþere þing In weynes were þei put to lede þat Ioseph sent hem ful of sede his meyne þat him folewed þider whenne þei were gedered alle to gider Line 5232 Six & sixti somme on lyues þei were wiþouten sones wyues And Ioseph hadde sones twyn Manassen and effraym Line 5236 þo in egipte his wif him bare whiche þe kyng had geten him þare whenne iacob coom egipte nere he sende Iudam his messangere Line 5240

Line 5240 To telle Iacobes coome to londe [folio 33b:1] And bere Ioseph þerof tiþonde Line 5242 whenne Ioseph þerof herde wiþ his court aȝeyn him he ferde whenne þei had cussed a mile & more his blessyng ȝaf he him riȝt þore whenne Ioseph wiþ his fadir met Line 5247 Tenderly wiþ eȝe he gret þei grett for gladnes as I trowe Iacob seide to Ioseph nowe Of dede wol I me neuer mene Line 5251 Now I þi face son haue sene But certeynely þe soþe to say who so had be bistad þat day And had þat swete metyng sene Line 5255 þei he þre dayes had fastyng bene Of mete ne drynke bi myn entent he shulde haue had no talent Son he seide longe is gone Line 5259 I wende wilde beestis hade þe slone wherfore I fel in greet sekenes Blessed be god þou lyuynge es Son whi helde þou þe fro me Line 5263 what clooþ was hit brouȝte me to se þat blody was & I noot how Not of me fadir þat se ȝe now Into sichen whenne I þe sent Line 5267 To seche þi breþeren þat þider went So dud I fadir mys-trowe hit nouȝt her mete to hem I redy brouȝt But soone as I þere was comen wiþ euel counsel was I nomen Line 5272 whi leue son I shal ȝou say þenke ȝe not how mony a day Of a dreem is gone ful ȝore Line 5275 leue son were þou take þerfore

ȝe fadir vnneþes scaped I Til marchaundis coom me for to by To þis londe þei me con bringe Line 5279 And siþen solde me to þe kynge In prisoun aftir is not to leyn was I done to suffer peyn And was þourȝe putifares wif Line 5283 þat wolde haue brouȝte me of lif To prisoun so whenne I was gone Me borwed noon but god allone he þat to his in nede is best Line 5287 In him I haue my hope fest he haþ delyuered me of my woo And put me to welþe no mon so þe lordshipe of al þis lond Line 5291 To reule & kepe is in myn hond þerfore fadir lete ȝe nouȝt Al ȝoure wille hit shal be wrouȝt Boþe for my breþer & ȝow For I ouer alle haue pouste now Line 5296 To my lord ȝe com wiþ me I shal ȝou do aqueynted to be I shal ȝou aske sum rescet wel I woot I shal ȝou get Line 5300 Gladly son go we soone To þanke him þat haþ for þe done knele I shal al bifore þe kyng Line 5303 And þanke him of his grete helping As his owne in al þat I may And þou shal bene his seruaunt ay I shal to þe kyng þe biteche And siþen þe my blessynge reche Line 5308 þenne I wol me leye to deȝe To lyue may I no lenger dreȝe

Iacob went þen wiþ his route his sones twelue him aboute Line 5312

Line 5312 his berde was side with myche hare On his heede his hatt he bare Line 5314 As mon of elde longe for-lyuen Many baret tofore had dryuen whenne þei were comen tofore þe king þei loutide him alle wiþ hailsyng Of his come þe kyng was fayn Line 5319 And of his sete him roos aȝayn Kust & sett him on benche him by [folio 34a:1] And honoured him ful dere worþely þe kyng lete write lettres ȝare Line 5323 To gider alle wiþ hasty fare þe beste in þat londe vnliche And dud to make a feest riche whenne Iacob say alle plentees were Line 5327 & alle aboute to make him chere he preied þo þat þere were lent To here a litil of his entent þe kyng to alle bad pees þan Line 5331 þus Iacob his tale bigan Pees haue Pharao þe kyng God ȝyue him his brood blessyng Gode men I am as ȝe may se Line 5335 An olde man þei ȝe knowe not me Nor I ȝou to vndirstonde For I am here in vncouþe londe Out of ebron born am I. Line 5339 þere liþ oure eldres & so shal I þere liþ Adam þe formast mon And eue of whom we alle bigon þe folke þat of hem furst was bred For þei noþing god ne dred Line 5344 On hem he toke vengeaunce sore But eiȝte on lyue he lefte no more Oon was noe riȝtwis of wham Bicoom oure feiþful Abraham Line 5348

Line 5348 þat dredde god & loued him so þat for his loue his son wolde slo þat was Isaac his childe dere whoos son I am þat ȝe se here Line 5352 I am sixe score & ten ȝere olde Mi fadir het Isaac as I tolde Whenne he was to his endinge boun Line 5355 I hadde of him my broþer benesoun Mi broþer esau me bisouȝt To disherite me if he mouȝt he flemed me out of my londe Line 5359 þourȝe I haue hit ȝitt in honde þese twelue are my sones vchone þritty ȝeere hit is ful gone þat I had lost my son so dere Ioseph þat I haue founden here Line 5364 Of his fyndynge þonke I god so he saue him fro þe fende his fo he ȝaf hem alle his blessing And to iacob seide þe kyng Line 5368 I wis mon is þi son Ioseph In al egipte is noon so ȝep his witt haþ saued me & myne Fro mychel nede & mychel pyne Line 5372 Furst was he here as oure þral Now vndir me maistir of al I ȝyue him wonynge stud to lende For euermore wiþouten ende Line 5376 To him & his breþer elleuene To chese where þei wol hit neuene Iacob whenne he leue had lauȝt Line 5379 wiþ his sones & her auȝt went to a stud hem to plese Of pasture greet & hett ranese In þat stud her lif þei ledde Ioseph hem ȝaf wher of to be fedde Line 5384

Line 5384 Faute of breed þat ilke tide was ouer al þe world so wide But in no londe so mychel wan As in egipte and canaan Line 5388 . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] So longe had þei bouȝte her sede þat her siluer wex al gnede Line 5392 whenne þei hadde no þing ȝare þat þei myȝte to her lyuelode spare þe folke of egipte coom bidene Bifore Ioseph hem to mene Line 5396 lord þei seide to þe we sey Al oure auȝt hit is awey Now haue we noon wher wiþ we may lengþe oure lif fro day to day Line 5400 No þing is lefte vs but erþe bare And alle oure bodyes ful of care [folio 34b:1] Londes & liþes wiþ body we bede þat þou vs take in þi bondehede Line 5404 In þraldome take oure londes ȝe shal For seed þenne may we sowe wiþ al þei solde her londis al for nede Ioseph bouȝte hem al for sede In al egipte laft he no londe Line 5409 vnbouȝte into þe kyngis honde Outake þe londe of þat lede þat was bitauȝte prestes to fede To kepe hemself for her holde þe kyng hem fonde as hit is tolde Line 5414 ¶ þus coude Ioseph as I seide ȝou A wayte his lord þe kyngus prow his lord he profited erly and late Line 5417 And halpe þe nedeful in her state whil hem lasted þat sesoun dere Iacob þere lyued seuentene ȝere Line 5420

Line 5420 In a cuntre þat hett Iessen Of him was bred mony men whenne hit drowȝe to his last day To Ioseph þus gon he say Line 5424 If I fonde euer grace in þe Lay þi honde vndir my þe And hete me truly bi couenonde þat I not grauen be in þis londe But hete me truly þou þi selue Line 5429 Shalt me wiþ myne eldres delue Fadir I bihete þe riȝt hit shal be done wiþ al my myȝt þerto þere an oþ he sware Line 5433 Now liþ Iacob in bed of care he draweþ faste to his endynge And Ioseph dud tofore him bringe Boþe effraym & manasse Line 5437 To blesse his childer preyed he Iacob in bed him leide vp riȝt For elde al dym wex his siȝt he leide aboute hem eiþer arm Line 5441 And kust hem ofte vpon his barm Mi swete son Ioseph he seide Of þe am I not vnpurueide þi fruyt I se bifore myn eȝe Now rekke I neuer whenne I deȝe Line 5446 he leide his honde vpon her croun And ȝaf hem dyuerse benesoun Son he seide to Ioseph now Line 5449 Moste I passe god take I ȝow God þat was oure eldres wiþ Graunte ȝou goynge into ȝoure kiþ Line 5452 þei ȝe be flemed here a while he wol ȝou bringe fro þis exile his sones he bifore him calde And mony resouns to hem talde Line 5456

Line 5456 Boþe þat þei shulde ouer bide And in her laste dayes bi-tyde whenne he endide of his sawe his sones he blessed on a rawe Line 5460 To vche he ȝaf dyuerse benesoun And aftir leide his heed a-doun he went out of þis wrecched werd And to his formaste fadir ferde Line 5464 And brouȝte is in to grace of griþ lord vs graunte to dwelle him wiþ Nyȝe seuen score ȝeer of elde was þis iacob at his doun helde Line 5468 But þre ȝeer þerof was wan his sones him bere to canaan And leide him þere his eldres by þere he desired for to ly Line 5472 Bi Isaac and bi Abraham In ebron bisyde olde Adam þis Iacob þat I of melle het boþe iacob & israelle Line 5476 þe folke of israel of him sprong þat pharao kyng helde in wrong In egipte helde he hem ful harde As I shal telle soone aftirwarde Line 5480 Siþen he deȝed Ioseph þe wise And endede in oure lordes seruyse Siþen born to his londe was he [folio 35a:1] For firste was he buryed in þat cuntre Line 5484 þe ospringe þat of Ioseph bredde was mychel in þat londe spredde what of him & his breþer sede were þritty þousande as we rede Line 5488 half six score was Ioseph þat day whenne he of wolde went away whil þat Ioseph regned þere his breþeren in egipte þei were Line 5492

Line 5492 Aftir þei lyued had mony a day Dede & doluen þere were þay Line 5494