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

[How Jesus slew the Adder.]

¶ Not longe dwelled þei þere so But to bethleem flitted þo Þere wiþ ihesu woned þai Line 12519 Ioseph cald him on a dai His eldest son hett Iame And sende him to þe ȝard bi name For to geder hem som cale And ihesu aftir stilly stale Line 12524 Ioseph & mary vnwitonde whil þei were þat col gederonde

A nedder sprong out of þe sond And stong Iame in his riȝt hond He was hurt selly sore Line 12529 Ruly he gan to crie & rore He swal so faste & wondirly Þat almest bigon he for to dy Line 12532 For bitturnes doun he him leide And ofte weileway he seide Myn hond is stongen bitturly Whenne ihesu herde his reuful cry Þat þis wrecche Iames made Line 12537 To him he ȝede wiþouten abade Dud he þere noon oþere gyn But hent his hond & blew þerin So he made al hool his hond Deed bisyde þe worm þei fond