For Iake Napes Sowle, Placebo and Dirige.
(A.D. 1450.) [MS. Lambeth 306, fol. 51, in John Stowe's hand.]
HERE FOLOWYTHE A DYRGE MADE BY THE COMONS OF KENT IN THE TYME OF THER RYSYNGE WHEN JAKE CADE WAS THEYR CAPPITAYN.
(1)
¶ In the moneth of may whan gres growes [MS. Cott. Vesp. B. xvi, leaf 1, back, gresse growes.] grene,
fragrans in there floures with A swet [Flagrant in her flowres with swete] savor,
Iake napis in [wold ouer] the see, A maryner for to bene,
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with his clogge and his cheyne, to sell [seke] more tresowr.
(2)
¶ suche A thynge [Swyche a payn] prykkyd hym, he axid [asked] A con|fessowr:
nycolas of the towre seyd "I am redy here to se;" [Nicolas said 'I am redi | thi confessour to be']
he was holde so hard, he passyd the same [holden so | that he ne pasade that] howre;
for Iake napes sowle, placebo and dirige.
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(3)
¶ who shall execute ye fest of [his exequies. | With a] solempnite? [folio 51b]
bysshoppis and lords, as gret reson is,
Monkes, chanons, and prestis, with al ye [ch . . pr . . & other] clergy,
prayeth for [pray for this Dukes soule | þat it might] hym that he may com to blys,
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(4)
¶ And that [let] nevar such Anothar come aftar this!
his intersectures, [interfectours,] blessid mot [mighte] they be,
and graunt them [them for ther dede] to reygne with aungellis!
for [and for] Iake napys sowle, placebo & dirige.
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