An A B C Poem on the Passion of Christ.
[Harl. MS. 3954, leaf 87. The A B C, etc., are not rubri|cated in the MS., but are made black here to catch the eye. The initial þ and y are the same.]
(1)
IN place as man may se,
Quan a chyld to scole xal set be,
A bok hym is browt,
Line 3
Naylyd on a brede of tre,
Þat men callyt an abece,
Pratylych I-wrout.
Line 6
(2)
Wrout is on þe bok with-oute,
.V. paraffys grete & stoute
Bolyd in rose red;
Line 9
Þat is set with-outyn doute,
[[No gap in the MS.]]
In tokenyng of cristis ded.
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(3)
Red letter in parchemyn
Makyth a chyld good & fyn
Lettrys to loke & se.
Line 15
Be þis bok men may dyuyne
Þat cristis body was ful of pyne
Þat deyid on rodë tre.
Line 18
(4)
On tre he was don ful blythe
With grete paraffys, þat be wondis .v.
As ȝe mou vnder-stonde.
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Loke in hys body, mayde & wyfe,
Qwon hee gun naylys dryue
In fot & in honde.
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