The minor poems of the Vernon ms. ... (with a few from the Digby mss. 2 and 86) ...

I. La estorie del Euangelie. (A FRAGMENT.) [Ed. before by me in Engl. Stud., viii. 2.]

(Title:) [folio Ciiib] I ceste liuere est escrit la estorie del Euangelie en engleis solum ceo ke ele est escrit en latin, et continue de la Anunciacion nostre seignour Ihesu crist. De la Natiuite be|nette. De sa Passion. De sa Resurexion. De sa Ascension e de sa Glorificacion. Et de soun Auenement a Jugement et de nostre presentement en cors en alme.

(Picture cut out.)

Sum-while ich was wiþ sunne i-bounde, And sunne me hath icast to grounde; Bote, swete Ihesu, þi swete woundus Leesed me haþ of harde stoundus. Line 4

Whon I to þe tornde my þouht, Pynes to þole ne greueþ me nouht; Þy Deþ me haueþ of serwe i-brouht And loue to þe in me haþ wrouht. Line 8

Þe to loue is al my blisse, Me longeþ sore þi woundus to kisse. Swete Ihesu, my þouht þou wisse, On þe to þenche þat I ne misse. Line 12

ffole þouhtes me were woned to tille, ffeole tymes to don ille, In word, In dede, In wikked wille, Niht and Day, al me to spille: Line 16

Bote whon I me vndurstod Þat þou for me scheddest þi blod, ffolye to leue me þhouhte good And to þe, Ihesu, I tornde my mood. Line 20

Bote ȝit I me bi-gon to drede Þat he þat eggeþ mon to quede Wiþ sunfol þouht me wolde lede To wikked wille or fool dede. Line 24

Line 24

Þerfore my þouht on þe i feste; ffor þer i wot to fynden reste— Of vche loue þou art þe beste, Þou art þe loue þat euere wol leste. Line 28 Nis no mon, Ihesu, bote in þe In whom bi-houeþ us I-borwed be.

Þi loue to winne, i wolde fonde, Ȝif I me mihte wel vndurstonde, Line 32 Sum þing of þe to write and rede, Þer-þorwh of þe to winnen mede.

And heo þat scholden hit iheren, Of þe Gospel mowe sumwhat leren Line 36 Þat writen is þer-Inne of þe, On Englisch tonge þorwh swynk of me.

Wyse men bi Olde dawes Bokes made of goode lawes, Line 40 Hou me scholde hem wiþ rihte leden And wys to ben in alle heor deden;

And þei no-þing ne wusten of þe, But goddus heo maden of ston and tre, Line 44 And þing þat ne mihte seo ne here ffor God heo honourede and heolde dere:

Sonne and Mone, Day and Niht, Sterre and al þat ȝiueþ lyht, Line 48 Þat Goddus weren alle þei wenden, And God of heuene no-þing ne kenden.

Of grete Clerkes also we fynde Þat Bokes made of Beestes kynde, Line 52 Of ffoul, of Ston, of Gras, of Treo, And al for Mon þeron to seo,

Solace to haue and techinge, And hem to holde from fool lykynge— Line 56 ffor whose hereþ of Beestes kynde Mony wondrus he may þer fynde,

ffeole þinges seon and here Wher-þorwh he may him-self lere Line 60 Hys lyf to lede wiþ more wynne, Good to do and hatyȝe synne.

A wys mon seiþ þat bestes weren, Hert and Eddre, þeos þreo, and Ern, Line 64

Line 64 Þat heore lyf chaungede þorwh here kynde— ffor þus of hem I-write we fynde: Þat kuynde ȝifþ vche mon eggynge, Of vche good þing haue ȝeornyng. Line 68

Bote beter þyng ne mai no mon fynde Þan þe, lord of alle þynge, Þat Beest and ffoul and alle wiht At wille beoþ vndur Monnes miht.— Line 72

Ihesu louerd, þi loue to wynne Ȝif me grace to bi-gynne, Loue me sende to fordo synne, Þat al monkynde was bounden Inne. Line 76

Ar Godus sone in þe Maiden alyhte, Aȝeyn þe deuel we nedde no mihte; ffor we weren vndur his mihte, Of good to don we loren þe sihte. Line 80

Þat tyme was sunne so ryf, In Old, In ȝong, In Mon, In Wyf: As sone as heo laften þe lyf, To helle heo wenden wiþ-outen stryf. Line 84

Habraham, Ysaak, and seint Ion, Dauid þe kyng, and Salamon, Þidere heo wenden, euerichon,— Heo nedden þo no beter won. Line 88

fforte Godus sone was don on Rode, Þidere [MS. þiderre] wente wikkede and goode, Þe wikkede to pyne, wiþ dreri mode, Þere to beo þe deueles foode; Line 92

Bote þulke soules swete Þat here on lyue heore synnes leete, In freo prisun þenne was heore sete, To abyde þe biheste of þe prophete. Line 96

Prophetes weren I-woned to grede: "Ow schal comen wiþ-oute drede Þat flesch schal taken in Maydenhede And us to Ioye of pyne lede." Line 100

Whon God of heuene herde þis cry, Of Monkynde he hedde mercy: And ches a Mayde of gret ferly, Clene in soule and in body. Line 104

Line 104

To hire he sende a swete fere, Þat him was swiþe leof and dere: Gabriel, wiþ swete chere, And hire gon grete on þis manere: Line 108

"Heil, ful of grace, God is wiþ þe, A-Mong wymmen I-blessed þou be!" Þe Maide was dred on him to seo, And þouhte what þis mihte beo. [(Here picture: Mary and angel.)] Line 112

ÞEnne him spac þe Aungel fre: "Marie, nouht ne dreed þou þe! A child schal beo boren of þe, Iesus schal his nome be. Line 116

He schal þe ffader of heuene qweme, In Dauid sete sitte and deeme, Þe folk of Israel he schal ȝeme And heore fon from hem fleme." Line 120

Þenne onswerde þat swete Mayde To þe Aungel Gabriel and sayde: "Hou schal þis be? nouȝwher I ne leide Mi þouht to luste of mon vpbreide." Line 124

Þen þe Aungel hire herte dihte, And of þis gretynge hedde in-sihte: "Þe holy gost (he seide) schal in þe alihte And in þe worche wiþ his mihte. Line 128

Þe chyld þat of þe schal beo bore, Godus sone he schal beon i-core; He schal þe folk, þat herbi-fore, To blisse bringe, þat heo hedden forlore. Line 132

And þat þou þe soþe lere, Þi nece Eliȝabeþ, lo here, Þat is in elde feole ȝere, Heo haþ chyld take of hire feere. Line 136

Þe sixte Moneþ now is anon Þat heo haþ wiþ chylde igon— ffor to God of heuene, þat is on, Nis word of vnmihte non." Line 140

Nolde Marie no lengore plede, Þis wordes in hire herte heo sede:

"Lo me her Godus Mayde, Wiþ me do God as þou hast sayde!" Line 144

As sone as þis was in hire þouht, In hire was Monnes kuynde i-wrouht And soþfast God was þerto i-brouht— Mon, þer-of ne dred þe nouht! Line 148

Þe Aungel Marie God bi-kende And to him eode þat him sende. And sone aftur þat mayde wende To Eliȝabeþ, hire kuynde frende. Line 152

Sone so þe Mayde Marie Entrede þe hous of Ȝakarie, Eliȝabeth In prophecie Þe Maide custe and þus gon crie: Line 156

"A," heo seide, "how may þis be Þat my lordus modur comeþ to me? As sone as ich herde þe steuene of þe, Þe Child in my wombe makede gle. Line 160 ¶ A-Mong wymmen I-blessed þou be, And blessed beo þe fruyt of þe!" [Here should follow v. 275 ff.]

Þer bilafte þat swete may Wiþ Eliȝabeth wel moni a day— Line 164 Ne louede heo no foles play, Bote louede God and þonked ay. [(Picture: Mary and Elizabeth.)]

ÞEnne þer was a swete metynge, Swete cluppinge and swete cussynge! Line 168 A Mayde þat bar þe lord of alle þinge, A wyf þat bar seint Ion in holy weddinge!

Þis was seynt Ion for whom bi-fore His ffader hedde his speche for-lore, Line 172 And to þe tyme þat he was bore, As þe Aungel seide bi-fore. ¶ Ȝakarie was his ffadre name; Gret mon he was and of good fame. Line 176

Tyme com of þe seruyse, Þat he don scholde in heore wyse: In þe temple he saih vp rise Bifore him a mon, and him gon agrise. Line 180

Line 180

HIt was an Aungel, Godes sonde, Þat gon at þe Auter stonde, And Ȝakarie he com to fonde, Don his seruyse bad him not wonde. Line 184

"Ȝakarie," he seide, "ne dred þou nouht! Bifore God þi bone is wrouht; Þat þou hast him bi-souht, Schal in Eliȝabeth ben i-wrouht: Line 188

A child þou schalt on hire winne, Þat schal ben Ioye to al his kinne, I-blessed he beo hire wiþ-Inne; Ion he schal hote, clansere of sinne. [(Picture: Zacharias and Angel.)] Line 192

At his Burth-tyme me schal gamen & pleye: He schal greiþen godus weye, To þe folk he schal soþ seye And mis-bileue he schal doun leye." Line 196

Ȝakarie onswerde wiþ dreri chere: "Hou may þis ben on eny manere? Boþe we beþ olde, ich and my fere, And forþ igon in feole ȝere." Line 200

Þe Aungel seide: "Þis schalt þou se. And for þat þou leuest not me, Þou schalt beo Doumbe, ich sigge þe, fforte þat child ibore be." Line 204

Þe Aungel bi-lafte no lengore þore, Ne Ȝakarie ne spac no more, Bote out he eode, sikynge sore— Þe folk hedde wondur wherfore hit wore. Line 208

Bote heo seiden alle by-dene Þat he haþ sum wondur i-sene Þat he so longe haþ i-bene In þe temple, as we wene. Line 212

Ȝakarie þenne dude his dede, Nout for his fleschliche nede, But child to wynnen, ȝif he miht spede, And so of God to wynne meede. Line 216

Þat swete couple at þat metynge Of ffleschliche lust hedde no lykynge,

Bote holy wille and swete egginge To Godus seruyse chyld forþ bringe. Line 220

A child he won þorwh godus mihte, Þorwh Godus heste, and hedde insihte: In Eliȝabeth þe holigost lihte And þat child in hire dihte. Line 224

Eliȝabeth ful glad was þo Þat heo gon wiþ chylde go! A-wey heo let al hire wo Þat heo hedde fourti ȝer and mo.— Line 228

Whon þat child scholde iboren be, His frendes aboute of þe cuntre Wiþ blisful chere, gamen and gle Alle he comen þe child to se. Line 232 ¶ Þenne seiden his frendes alle Ȝakarie heo wolden him calle.

Þat herde þe Modur, þer heo lay, And onswerde and seide: "nay, Line 236 "Mi leue frendes, doþ a-way! Ion he schal hote, ȝif I may." ¶ Alle heo seiden þat þer nas non In al heore kynde þat hihte Ion. Line 240

To Ȝakarie þe word heo brouhte And bad him sigge what he þouhte. And he a table sone souhte And þeron þe nome wrouhte. Line 244

On þe tablet he wrot anon Þe childes nome, he wrot Ion— "God bi-fore he schal gon [v. 247-8 should follow v. 196.] And to him torne mony on." Line 248

Wondur hedde þo al his kynde Hou he mihte þis nome fynde. Bote God his tonge let vnbynde; And he him louede wiþ al his Mynde. Line 252

"God," he seide, "i-blessed þou be, Þat of his folk wolde haue pite, And his Merci haþ i-sent to me, Þat þis child schulde i-bore be! Line 256

[This stanza follows v. 266 in the MS.] And þou, child, schalt ben clept prophete, Þou schalt greiþe godus strete,

Godus folk þou schalt . . . . .gete And hem teche heor sunnes bete. Line 260

Þis speche to godus folk Þou schalt preche, Þou hem schalt þe soþe teche Hou heo schulle to heuene reche." . . . . . [(Picture: Birth of John.)]

Also as ich er seyde, þe Maide Marie Line 264 Hire lyf ladde wiþ-oute folye Wiþ Eliȝabeth and hire cumpaygnye. . . . . . Wiþ hem þenne was heo þore Þreo Moneþes, oþur more, Line 268 Wiþ-outen sunne, wiþ-outen sore— Heo louede god, þat was hire lore.

As seiþ þe holy mon seint Bede: ffrom hire nece nout heo ne eode Line 272 Ar heo say fulliche in dede Eliȝabeth seint Ion fede.—

Þenne heo þonked god, ful of blisse, Þat he wolde seo hire mekenesse Line 276 And hire a sone sende in swetnesse, To taken in hire monnes liknesse.

"Þerfore me schal al Monkynde Blisful telle in heore mynde, Line 280 Þat he wolde in me Mekenesse fynde, Þat mihtful is to lame and blynde.

Of Merci he was leche ffrom kynde þat dredde his speche. Line 284 Of þe proude of herte he dude wreche, And dude þe Meke an heiȝ to reche;

Þe hungri in god he made stronge, And þe riche he lette al swonge. Line 288 Þe folk of Israel haþ vndurfonge Þe child þat heo abide longe; ¶ Also him spac þe heuene kyng To Abraham and his ofspring." Line 292

Whon Marie hedde i-seȝe þe dede Of þe child and al þe neode,

Þe Mayden hire bi-gon to spede And leue tok and hom heo eode. Line 296

Whon heo com hom, Iosep to queme Þat als his spouse hire hedde to ȝeme, In his herte he gon hire deme, Hou heo mihte wiþ childe seme. Line 300

Whar-of hit were, noþing he nuste, So as he neuere hire Mouþ custe Mid wille of sunne, ne neuer luste Hire Maidenhod fulliche vpbreste. Line 304

And for in him nas no falshede, In word ne in þouht ne in dede, In his herte nas no drede Þauh heo hedde ilore hire Maydenhede. Line 308

And for he neuere ne saiȝ wiþ eiȝe Þat heo to fool dede gon hire beyȝe, Loth him was on hire to lyȝe, Of [MS. Of of] fleschliche dede hire be-wrye. Line 312

ffor wel he wuste, nas þer no speche, Þorwh þe lawe of spousbruche, Bote hire þe domesmon bi-teche, Sone of hire to take wreche. Line 316

Aȝe þe lawe him lyked ille Þat me scholde a Mayde spille. ffor-þi bi-fel hit in his wille Þat Mayde lete and leuen hire stille. [(Picture: An Angel appears to Joseph in his sleep.)] Line 320

ÞO Ioseph in his herte wende Ho[u] þis scholde come to ende, A-slepe he fel, as god him kende, And to him his Aungel sende: Line 324

"Ioseph," he seide, "no-þing ne drede, Marie as þi spouse þou lede; Þat child in hire þo[u] schalt fede: Hit is þe holigostes dede. Line 328

Þe holigost hire haþ beo mylde And Marie haþ i-brouht wiþ chylde; God in hire haþ i-do vertu: His nome þou schalt clepe Ihesu." Line 332

Line 332

Whon Ioseph herde þis tyþinge, Marie he heold in clene weddynge And wiþ þe Maide in good lykinge Mayde bi-lafte to his endynge.— Line 336

Bi hem þat weore bi-fore Ioseph wuste whon god scholde be bore . . . . . ¶ Þat tyme was mih [Last words cut out with the picture on the front page.] . . . . . Augustus Cesar wa . . . . . Line 340 In al þat lond nas . . . . . Ouer al þat lond w . . . . .

He criede his ban . . . . . To alle þat weren . . . . . Line 344 Þat vndur him no . . . . . Þat were of eny oþu . . . . .

Whon Ioseph þus h . . . . . Wiþ him tok þe Ma . . . . . Line 348 Out of Naȝareth h . . . . . And to Bethlehem h . . . . .

In Bethleem he tok his wonynge, ffor Marie was neih childynge, Line 352 And for his kun and his ofspringe Weoren of Dauidþes hous, þe kynge.

In Bethlehem hous he tok, Luytel and pore, as seiþ þe Bok, Line 356 In an old cote and al to-falle— Nedden heo no bettere halle.

Seint Ierom a Mayde kende In a writ þat he hire sende: Line 360 Þat [þat] Mayde won hire bred Wiþ hire nelde and hire þred.

Whon þat child was forþ brouht, Luytel heo hedde oþur riht nouht Line 364 fforte leggen Inne þat Bern, But a luyte hei oþur vern; Heo wounden him wiþ þat heo mihten gete, And leyden him, þer bestes ete. [(Picture: Birth of Jesus.)] Line 368

Heo leyden him in Bestes stalles, I-loke bi-twene two olde walles—

Þenne was fuld þe prophecie Þat bi-fore seide Ysayȝe: Line 372

Þe Oxe and þe Asse hedde kennynge Of heore lord in heore stallynge. And Abacuc also haueþ i-seyd: By-twene two bestes he scholde be leyd.— Line 376

So bi-fel þat ilke tyde Þat in þe cuntre þerbisyde Herdes wakede in a Mede, Heore bestes and heore schep to fede. Line 380

Sone to hem an Angel wende And to hem brouhte a swete tyþinge— Heo bi-gonne to ben in doute Of liht þat was þer hem aboute. Line 384

Þe Aungel seide: "nouȝt ȝe ne drede! Ich wole ow telle a blisful dede: A child is boren for oure nede, Þat schal his folk of pyne lede. Line 388

And [þat] ich ou þe soþe bringe, Þat ich ȝiue ow to tokenynge: In Bethlehem he liht, i-wounde In cloþus, and in a Crubbe i-bounde. Line 392 [This stanza is corrupt.] In a Crubbe he is leyd, As ich ow habbe er i-seid. He schal his [folk] of sunne bringe, As crist and lord of alle þinge." [(Picture: An Angel appears to the Shepherds.). . . . .(The other leaves of this Poem are wanting in the MS.) [The Index to MS. Vern. gives the following description of the poem: CIIII Of þe Anunciacioun ihesu crist. Of his Natiuite. Of his circumcisioun. hou he [was] offred to Symeon. Of þe passioun. Of þe resurrexioun. Of þe ascen|syoun. Of þe sendynge of þe holi gost. Of þe comyngge to þe day of dom. ¶ And oþere diuerse Stories of ihesu crist and of his modur; þe whyche [be] in diuerse paneles in peyntur, and euery panel had his scripture acordaunt þerto, þe whiche peynture his table suffisaunt.—Then followed: fol. CXI Þe pyte of crist stondynge in þe sepulcre. Þe scheld off þe fey. Þe scheld of þe passioun. Diuerse orisones to þe fadur and to þe sone and to þe holy gost, whit peyntures. CXII Salutaciones to vre lady, wiþ peynture annex. CXIII Ȝyt salutaciouns to vre lady. Then Miserere &c.] ] Line 396

II. Verse Paraphrase of Psalm LI.

(From the Seven Penitential Psalms, by Rich. Maidenstoon. Ed. by Adler and Kaluza in Engl. Stud. 1887, X, p. 242 ff., from MS. Digby 18, with various readings from MSS. Rawl. A 389 and Ashm. 61; there are, however, several more MSS. In MS. Rawl. the poem is ascribed to Richard Maidenstoon, in MS. Digby to Rich. Hampole. The Psalm Miserere begins v. 385, MS. Vern. v. 407. Beginning wanting, supplied from MS. Digby 18.)

[Miserere mei, deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam:

Mercy, god, of my mysdede, [[Penit. Psalms, v. 385.]] ffor þi mercy, þat mychel is. Late þi pite springe & sprede, And of þi mercy þat I not mys, Line 4 And aftir þi goostly grace I grede. Now, dere god, þou graunte me þis, That I may lyue in loue & drede, And neuere eft to don amys! Line 8

Et secundum multitudinem miseracionum tuarum dele iniquitatem meam.

And aftir þi mercies þat ben fele, Lord, fordo my wickidnesse, And helpe me forto hide & hele Þe blames of my freelnesse! Line 12 ȝif eny sterynge wolde me stele Out of þe cloos of þi clennesse, Wise þou me, in woo & wele, And kepe me from unkyndenesse! Line 16

Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea, & a peccato meo munda me.

More-ouere þou wasche me fro [my] synne, And fro my filþis clense þou me; Enserche my soule wiþoute & ynne, That I no more defoulid be; Line 20 And as þin herte cleef atwynne Wiþ deolful deeþ on rode-tre,] So let me neuere werk bi-ginne, [[Penit. Psalms, v. 407.]] [vernon folio Cxiii] Lord, but ȝif hit like þe! Line 24

Quoniam iniquitatem ego cognosco &c.

ffor al my wikkednesse i knowe, And sunne is euere me aȝeyn. Þerfore let þi grace growe, Ihesus, þat were wiþ Iewes slayn. Line 28 Riche and pore, heiȝe and lowe, Smale and Grete, ich am certeyn, At domes-day whon þou schalt bowe, [MS. D: whan bemus blowe.] Of þi merci schul beo fayn. Line 32

Line 32

Tibi soli peccaui & malum coram te &c.

To þe only trespast haue I, Wrouht wikkedliche a-ȝein þi glori, Wiþ wordus and wiþ tricheri. Þou demest riht and hast victori: Line 36 Þerfore þi blis nou beo-seche I; ffor told hit is in moni stori Þat hose crieþ to þi Merci, Is endelesliche in þi memori. Line 40

Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus.

Bi-hold hou in sunne i was conceyued Of my Modur, as Men beon alle, And of my ffadur nouȝt receyued Bote flesch ful ffrele and fayn to falle. Line 44 Bote seþþhe þi flesch, lord, was parceyued And for vr sake strauht on stalle, Was neuer sinful mon deceyued Þat wolde to þi merci calle. Line 48

Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti.

Lo, for þow hast loued riht, Þe priue counseil of þi wit Þou hast me schewed þorwh þi miht: Twei kuyndes beþ to-gedere I-knit, Line 52 Þral is fre and knaue is kniht, God is mon, as gospel writ. Ȝif my soule in peril is piht, Merci, God, and help þou hit. Line 56

Asperges me domine ysopo & mundabor.

Wiþ holi watur þou schalt me sprinke, And as þe snouh I schal be whit. ffor þauh my soule in sunne sinke, Wiþ weopyng watur I [al. it] may ben quit. Line 60 Dedly drauhtes þauh I drinke, Of repentaunce ȝif me respit. ffor on þi peynes hose þynke, In worldly welþe haþ no delyt. Line 64

Auditui meo dabis gaudium.

To myn herynge þou schalt ȝiue Gladnesse, to glade bones meke.

In louhnesse lere þou me to liue, Leoue lord, I þe by-seke. Line 68 Þe þeoues gult hit was forȝiue, On Rode-treo [his] [MS. he^ore] bones breke. A serwful herte and clene i-schriue Saueþ soule and bodi eke. Line 72

Auerte faciem tuam a peccatis meis.

ffrom my sunnes þou torne þi face, Put al my wikkednesse a-way. Gret is my gult, grettore þi grace, And elles fayleþ al vr fay. Line 76 Sunnes fele þat me deface Makeþ þat I ne con not say, But crie Merci whon I trespace— Ichot þer nis non oþur way. Line 80

Cor mundum crea in me, deus.

Make in me, god, myn herte clene, Þat rihtful gost in me þou rewe. [r. newe] ffrom seuen sunnes [r. sunnes seuen] þou make hit schene, Wher so þou go I may þe suwe. Line 84 Allas þi tormentes for tene, Þi bodi blak, þi bones bluwe! Mekeful lord, þou make hit sene Wiþ-Inne myn herte, þat hidous hewe. Line 88

NE proicias me a facie tua & spiritum sanctum t.

Cast me not out from þi visage, Tac not from me þyn holigost! To bi-holde þat feir Ymage, Of alle murþus hit is þe most. Line 92 A blisful brid was brouht in Cage, Cauht [al. couþ] and Cud in eueri cost, Whon þou weore drawen in tendre age To driuen adoun þe fendes bost. Line 96

Redde michi leticiam salutaris tui.

Of heleþe ȝif me ioye and blisse, And strengþe me wiþ þi spirit chef, And al my fyue wittes wisse, Þat I may loue þat þe is lef; Line 100 And as þou miht my langour lisse,

Þou brouhtest mon to gret bonchef, So let me neuere þi Merci misse Whon I am gret wiþ gostly greef. Line 104

Docebo iniquos uias tuas: & impii.

Þe wikkede i schal þi weies teche, Þe sunfule schule to þe conuerte. Þou sunful soule, beo war of wreche, And þenk hou [r. on] crist is hed and herte, Line 108 Breste, bak and bodi bleche, Hou hit was bete wiþ scourges smerte. To rewe on him I wolde areche, Allas þer may no ter out sterte! Line 112

Libera me de sanguinibus, deus, deus.

Deliuere me from blameful blod, Almihti god, lord, myn heleþe: Þen schal my tonge wiþ mylde mood Apertly schewe þi seli selþe. Line 116 Þi rihtful blod ran doun of Rod, To wasschen vs from vr flescly fulþe, And mony a storm aȝeyn þe stood To wissen vs from þis worldly welþe. Line 120

Domine labia mea aperies & os meum.

Mi lippes, lord, þou schalt vndo, And my mouþ schal þi preisyng spelle: Þi merci and þi miht also Parfyt[li] may no tonge [r. no tonge may] telle. Line 124 ffor whon we dedly sunne do, Þi riht vs dampned anon [al. demeþ doun] to helle; But whon we sese and con sei ho, [sei ho, i. e. stop.] Þi Merci is vr wasschyng-welle. Line 128

Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium dedissem.

Weore sacrifice to þi likyng, I hedde hit ȝiue wiþ herte fre; But, certeynly, no such þing As in him-self plesaunt may be. Line 132 Þi-self were offred, a child ful ȝing, And afturward on Rode-tre, Whon of þin herte þe blod con spring: Þerfore myn herte I offre to þe. Line 136

Line 136

Sacrificium deo spiritus contribulatus.

To God hit is a sacrifice A greued gost þat serweþ sore, An huymble herte wol not despise, Whil repentaunce may hit restore. Line 140 I haue forloren [MS. R. forleten] þi seruice And luitel i-lyued aftur þi lore; But i repente nou and aryse: Merci, god, I wol no more. Line 144

Benigne fac domine in bona voluntate.

Wiþ meke wil do to syon, Ierusalem walles þat þei weore wrouht. Ierusalem, as seiþ seint Ion, Is [MS. In] holy churche þat erreþ nouht. Line 148 Two testamentes cordynge [al. acordeþ] in on Þe walles were to-gedere i-brouht, Whon him-self was Corner-ston Þat Monkuynde haþ so deore abouht. Line 152

Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iusticie.

Þenne schaltou sacrifice accepte Of rihtfulnesse [&] truþe entere, And calueren after þi precepte Þei schul beo leyd on þin Autere. Line 156 On Caluarie a calf þer crepte, Crist on Cros, boþe clene and clere. ffor teres þat his Modur wepte, He schylde vs alle from helle fere! Line 160

III. her biginneþ an orisun of þe trinite.

The same in northern dialect in MS. Thornton, ed. by Perry, Religious Pieces in Prose and Verse, E. E. T. S. 1867, No. 6, p. 75 ff.

FAdur and Sone and Holigost, Lord, to þe I crie and calle, Studefast god of mihtes most, My sunful lyf is steken in stalle: Line 4 I preye þe, lord, þat þou þe [MS. me] haste Me to helpe, þat I ne falle, And mak my soule clene and chaste Of dedly sunnes and vueles alle. Line 8

Line 8

Lord, haue Merci of my synne, And bring me out of al my care; Euele to do wol I nou [P T couthe neuer] blynne, I haue I-wrouht aȝeynes þi lawe [r. lare] : Line 12 Þou rewe of me [boþe] out and Inne, And hele me of my woundes sare; Lord, þat al þis world schal winne, Hele me ar i fonde and fare. Line 16

FAdur in heuene þat wel [P all] may, I preye þe, lord, þat þou me lede In rihte weyes of stable fay; At myn endynge whon I haue drede, Line 20 Þi grace ich aske [boþe] niht and day, And ȝif me merci of my misdede. Of myn askyng sei not nay, But help me, lord, at al my nede. Line 24

Swete Ihesu, for me was boren, Þou here my preyere loud and stille, ffor pyne þat me is leid bi-foren Ofte i sike and wepe my fille. Line 28 Ofte so haue I ben for-sworen Whon I haue don aȝeynes þi wille, Suffre neuere þat I beo loren, Lord, for myne dedes ille. Line 32

ÞE holygost, i preye to þe Niht and day in good entent, Of al my serwe cumforte me, Þin holi grace þou me sent, [P be to me sent] Line 36 And schild me, ȝif þi wille be, ffrom dedly sunne, þat I ne beo schent, ffor Marie loue, þat Maiden fre, In whom þou lihtest, verreyment. Line 40

I preye þe, ladi Meoke and mylde, Þat þou preye for my misdede, ffor [þe] loue of þi swete childe, As þou him sauh on Rode blede. Line 44 Euerȝite haue I ben wylde, Mi sunfol soule is euere in drede: Merci ladi, þou me schilde, And helpe me euere at al myn nede. Line 48

Line 48

Merci, Marie, Mayden clene! Þou let me neuere In sunne dwelle, Preye for me þat hit beo sene, And schild me from þe pyne of helle. Line 52 ffor certes, ladi, riht wel i wene Þat al my fomen maiȝt þou felle. ffor-þi my serwe to þe I mene, Wiþ ferful mod my tale i telle. Line 56

BI-þenk þe, ladi, euere and ay Of alle wimmen þou berest þe flour; ffor sunfol mon, as I þe say, God haþ don þe gret honour. Line 60 Receyue my preyere niht and day, Whon I þe be-seche in eny a Our; Help me, ladi, so wel þou may, Me bi-houeþ þou beo my counseilour. Line 64

Off counseil, ladi, i preye to þe Niht and day, in wele and wo; Of al my serwe cumforte me, And beo my scheld aȝeynes my fo. Line 68 ffor, certes, ȝif þi wille hit be, Al my fo-men maiȝt þou slo. Help me, ladi hende and fre, Þou take þat þe is fallen fro. Line 72

At myn endynge þou stonde bi me Whon I schal henne fonden and fare, Whon þat I quake and dredful be, And al my sunnus I rewe hem sare. Line 76 As euere myn hope haþ ben in þe, Þenk þeron, ladi, and help me þare, ffor [þe] loue of þat swete tre Þat Ihesu spradde [on] his bodi bare. Line 80

Ihesu, for þat ille [P ilke harde] stounde Þat þou woldest on Rode blede, At myn endynge whon I schal founde Þou haue merci of my misdede, Line 84 And hele me of my dedlich wounde, And help me in þat muchele nede; Whon deþ me takeþ and bringeþ me [om. me] to grounde, Þen schal i, lord, þi domes drede. Line 88

Line 88

LOrd, for my sunnes to do penaunce, ffor my dedes [P Be-fore my dede] þou graunte hit me A [P And] space of verrey Repentaunce In serwe of herte, I preye to þe. Line 92 In þi merci is myn affyaunce; Of my folye þou haue pite, Þat þou of me ne take veniaunce, Lord, for þi benignite. Line 96

LOrd, as þow art ful of miht And as þou alle þinges wost, My lyf amende, my dedes riht, [This verse added on the margin.] ffor mari loue þat maiden chost, [P chaste] Line 100 And bringe me sone in to þat liht Wiþ-outen ende þer ioye is most, On þe to seo þat swete siht, ffadur and Sone and Holigost. AMEN. Line 104

IV. A confessioun to Jhesu crist.

Swete Ihesu crist, to þe A gulti wrecche Ich ȝelde me ffor sunnes þat ichaue ido In al my lyf hider-to. Line 4 In Pruide, in Envye, In lecherye, In Sleuþe, In Wraþþe, In Glotenye, In al þis worldus Couetyse, Ichaue isunged In alle þyse. Line 8

I-broken Ichaue þi Comaundemens Aȝeynes myn owne Conciens, And not iserued þe to queme: Lord Merci, ar þe dom is deme. Line 12

TO ofte ichaue in my lyue Isunged in my wittes fyue, Wiþ Eres I-herd, wiþ Eiȝen siht, Wiþ sunful speche day and niht, Line 16 Wiþ Honden I-hondlet, wiþ feet I-go, Wiþ Neose i-smullet eft also, Wiþ herte sunfulliche i-þouht, Wiþ al my bodi vuel I-wrouht: Line 20

Line 20 And of alle my folye Merci, lord Ihesu, Ich crye.

Al-þauh ichaue i-sunged euere, Lord, i ne forsok þe neuere, Line 24 Ne oþur god ne tok i none, ffadur of heuene, but þe one. And þerfore, lord, i þe biseche Wiþ rihtful hertliche speche, Line 28 Ne ȝif þou me none mede Aftur my sunfule dede.

But aftur, lord, þi grete pite Ihesu lord, asoyle þou me, Line 32 And send me ofte, ar I dye, Serwe in herte, and ter in eiȝe, ffor sunnes þat ichaue i-do In al my lyf hider-to. Line 36

And let me neuere eft biginne To do no more dedly synne, So þat I at myn endyng-day Clene of synne dye may, Line 40 Wiþ Schrift and Hosul at myn ende; So þat my soule mowe wende In to þat blisful Empyre Þer þat þou regnest lord and sire. Line 44

Swete ladi seinte Marie, fful of Alle Curtesie, Modur of Merci and of pite, Myn hope, myn help is al in þe. Line 48 Wel ich wot, ibore þou were In help of al vs wrecches here; And wel ich wot þat alle þing Þi sone wol don at þi biddyng. Line 52 Bi-sech þi sone lef and dere ffor me synful wrecche here; Bi-seche him, for þe loue of þe Þat he haue merci of me; Line 56 And help me at myn ende-day ffrom þe foule fendes affray.

BI-seche also þe flour of alle, Þi sone, for my frendes alle, Line 60

Line 60 Þat he hem kepe wiþ his grace ffrom alle perels in vche place, And ȝef hem god lyf and god ende, And Ioye whon þei schul heþene wende; Line 64 And also alle cristene men. God lord Ihesus, Amen AMEN. Line 66

Seint Michel and seint Gabriel And alle þe Angeles [MS. Angls] also wel, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Line 70

HOli Patriarkes and prophetes, Alle i preye ow and bi-seches: Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Line 74

PEter and Poul, þe Apostles alle, Alle i beo-seche ou ȝerne and calle: Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Line 78

SEint Steuene and seint Laurens And alle gode Martires þat þoleden turmens, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue Merci. Line 82

SEint Martin and seint Nicholas And alle gode confessours þat euer was, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Line 86

Seinte Katerine and seinte Mergrete And alle þe virgines gode and swete, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Line 90

Seinte Marie Maudeleyne, To þe I preȝe and eke pleyne: Preyeþ [r. Prey] for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Line 94

Alle Halewen þat euere were, Þat beoþ crist lef and dere, Preyeþ for me to vre ladi, Þat Ihesus of me haue merci. Line 98

V. A prayer to þe fiue woundes.

Ihesu crist, my lemmon swete, Þat diȝedest on þe Rode-tre, Wiþ al my miht i þe be-seche, ffor þi woundes two and þre, Line 4 Þat also faste mot þi loue In to myn herte ficched be As was þe spere in to þin herte Whon þou soffredest deþ for me. Line 8

Ihesus þat diȝedest on þe Rode ffor þe loue of me And bouhtest me wiþ þi blode, Þou haue Merci of me: Line 12 What me letteþ of eny þing ffor to loue þe, Beo hit me lef beo hit me loþ, Þow do hit a-wey from me, AMEN. Line 16

VI. A preiere to vre ladi.

A similar poem in short verse, from a MS. of the 15th cent., see in Wright, Rel. Ant. II. 212. In the MS. the poem is written in half-lines; the colons (:) were added by me.

MArie Modur and Mayden : Euere wel þe be! Modur and Mayden mylde : Marie, þenk on me! Modur boþe and Mayden : Was þer neuere non To-gedere, ladi Marie : But þi-self al-on. Line 4 ¶ Marie Mylde, þat Modur art : And mayden hol and clene, To-day me schilde and euere : ffrom serwe and herte-tene; Marie, out of synne : Euere kep þou me, And from þe deueles cumbrement : And out of his pouste. Line 8 ¶ Marie ful of Merci : ffor þi Ioyes fyue Help me now and euere : To lyuen in clene lyue; And for þe deo[l]ful [MS. deoful] teres : Þou lettest vndur þe Rode, Send me in my lyue : Grace of gostly fode, Wher-wiþ I may my soule : Vche day her feden; Line 13 And of bodily godus : Mi lyf also wiþ leden.

HElp me, swete ladi : And alle frendes myne, And schild us here from alle vr fos : And from helle-pyne; Line 16 Swete ladi of heuene : Schild us from worldus schame, And from þe deueles wyles : And from wikkede fame, Nomeliche from dedly sunne : And from vilenye, And from alle-maner folk : Of wikked Cumpaignye. Line 20

Swete ladi Maiden : Godus Moder Milde, Aȝeynes þe fendus turnes : Þou vs euere schylde, Þat no wikkede þing : Neuere vs do dere; ffrom sunne, ladi, euere : þou saue vs and were. Line 24 ¶ In alle tymes, ladi : Boþe day and niht Help us, seinte Marie : Wiþ al þy [MS. my] meyn and miht. I preye þe for my frendes : And eke also for me, Þat we moten here : Amendet beo þorw þe; Line 28 As mest vr soule is nedful : And also to vr lyue, Marie, mak hit so : Wiþ us, for þi Ioyes fyue.

LAdi, for myn Enemys : I preye þe also, Þat heo in þis lyue : Moten her do so Line 32 Þat heo neuer in synne : Ne in wraþþe dye; Swete ladi Marie : Herteliche I þe preye.

And for alle þulke : Þat ben in clene lyue I preye þe, Marie : ffor þi serwes fyue; Line 36 Euere whil heore lyf laste : Þer-Inne þou hem holde, Boþe whil þei ben ȝonge : And eke whil þei ben olde.

FOr alle þo, ladi, i preye þe : Þat ben in dedly synne; Suffre hem neuere for no þing : Þat þei dye þer|Inne; Line 40 Swete ladi Marie : Heom wisse euere and rede, And do hem amenden, ar þei dyen : heere heore misdede.

MArie, for þi Ioyes : Þat blisful weren alle, Let me neuere here : In dedly sunne falle; Line 44 Preye þou þi deore sone : Ihesu heuene-kyng, He graunte me soþfast schrifte : Hosel and god endyng, And for his precious blod : And his holy grace In heuene-riche wiþ him-self : Þat I mowe hauen a place. Line 48

Line 48

MArie, as my trust : Enterliche is in þe, ffor þi leoue sones loue : Þeos preyers graunt þou me; Line 50 And beo myn help studefast : To gete me þat blisse Þat euermore schal lasten : Wiþ-outen eny misse AMEN.

VII. A preyer at þe leuacioun. [Title in the Index: Sixe salutacions to þe trinite in tyme of þe eleuacioun of godis body.]

WElcome, Lord, In fourme of Bred! In þe is boþe lyf and Ded, Ihesus is þi nome. Line 3 Þou þat art In Trinite, Lord, þow haue Merci of me And schild þou me from schome. Line 6

Heil Ihesu, godus sone, Holigost from heuene i-come, Kyng þou art i-Coren; Line 9 Heil mon of most miht, Godus sone þat art so briht, Of Marie þou were boren. Line 12

Heil god, best þe be, heil Blosme vppon tre, Heried beo þi sonde! Line 15 Heil fruit, heil flour, Heil be þou Saueour Of watur and of londe. Line 18

Heil kyng, heil kniht, heil mon of most miht, Prince in þi Trone, Line 21 Heil Duyk, heil Emperour, Heil beo þou gouernour Of al þis worldus wone. Line 24

Heil flesch, heil blod, heil mon of mylde mod, Heil beo þow kyng; Line 27 Heil God ffeirest, Heil beo þou, bern best, Þow madest alle þyng. Line 30

Line 30

Heil Rose vppon Rys, heil mon of most pris, ffor us þou were ded; Line 33 Heil God ful of miht, Godus sone þat art so briht, In fourme þou art of bred. Line 36

VIII. A preyer at þe leuacioun. [Title in the Index: An orysoun to godes body at þe leuacioun.]

I þe honoure wiþ al my miht In fourme of Bred as i þe se, Lord, þat in þat ladi briht, In Marie Mon bi-come for me. Line 4

ÞI fflesch, þi blod is swete of siht, Þi Sacrament honoured to be, Of Bred and Wyn wiþ word i-diht; Almihti lord, I leeue in þe. Line 8

I Am sunful, as þou wel wost: Ihesu, þou haue merci of me; Soffre þou neuere þat I be lost ffor whom þou diȝedest vppon þe tre, Line 12 Ac þorwh þat ladi of Merci most Mi soule þou bringe in blisse to þe; Repentaunce to-fore mi deþ, Schrif[t] and Hosul þou graunte me, Line 16 Wiþ ffadur and Sone and Holygost, Þat Regneþ God In Trinite. Amen. Line 18

IX. Þe fyue Joyes of vr ladi.

HAue Ioye, Marie, Modur and Maide, As þe Angel Gabriel Message to þe saide And brouhte þe tiþing Line 3 Þat crist wolde in þe aliht. Help us, ladi, þorw þi miht To habben his blessyng. Line 6

Line 6

HAue Ioye, Marie, for þou were Glad of Ihesu þo þou him bere, And [r. al?] wiþ-outen pyning; Line 9 fful þou weore of Godus grace. Help me, Ladi, to seo þi face, ffeirest of alle þyng. Line 12

HAue Ioye, Marie, feole siþe, ffor Ihesus a-Ros from deþ to lyue In a morwenyng, Line 15 Þe þridde day þat he was ded. Ladi, schild us from þe qued And from his wikked tysyng. Line 18

HAue Ioye, Marie, for þou seȝe Þat Ihesu crist to heuene steiȝe In to his woniȝing, Line 21 And euere þou seȝe him at þi wille. Help us, ladi, þat we ne spille, Þorwȝ þi beo-seching. Line 24

HAue Ioye, Marie, þow were vp fet And bi Ihesu crist I-set Þer þat he is kyng; Line 27 Qween he made þe wiþ Croune. Help us, ladi, þorwh þi bone, And to blisse us bring. Amen. Line 30

¶ ffadur and sone and holigost, Al þat is and nis þow wost, And art wiþ-oute bigining: Line 33 Lord, for þi Modur loue Graunt vs þe Ioye þat is aboue, Þat neuer haþ endyng. Amen. Line 36

X. An orisoun to god. [Title in the Index: An orysoun to god þe fadur.]

LOrd, my God al Merciable, I þe bi-seche wiþ herte stable Þat I mouwe euere wilne þat þing Þat most may beo to þy lykyng, Line 4

Line 4 And wysliche folewen euere þi wille, Sikerliche knowen and folfulle Þe louereden of þi nome and blis, Mi stat ordeynen as þi wille is. Line 8 Al þin askyng and þi wille Euere do me, lord, folfille; As me may most in soule nede Þi wissynge help to spede. Line 12 Mi wei to þe beo siker and riht, And harde i-fastnet wiþ þi miht, Þat I in weole þe þonke so And euere beo pacient in wo, Line 16 Þat I ne falle neuer mo In nouþur of hem boþe two; Ne þat I neuere glad ne be But in þing þat lykeþ þe, Line 20 Ne serwe neuere bote for þing Þat torne þe to mis-lykyng, Ne þat I neuere desire to plesen No mon falsliche ne displesen Line 24 Bote þe, deore lord, al-one, ffor no drede of monnes mone. ¶ Al erþliche þing beo vyl to me, Lord, for þe loue of þe, Line 28 And alle þinges þat þyne be Leof and deore mak hem me, And þou al-one, Almihti kyng, Out and ouer al oþur þyng Line 32 Euer beo most in my lykyng, And wiþ me derworþest ouer alle þing. ¶ Alle Ioyes beo nuyous to me Þat ben, lord, wiþ-outen þe. Line 36 In alle trauayles þat ben for þe Euer-more al my lykyng be. Restes alle þat ne ben in þe, Anuy and trauayle beo þei to me. Line 40 Euere myn herte to þe þou dresse, Mi sunne to clanse wiþ serefulnesse. Boxum me make wiþ-oute feyning, And glad wiþ-outen ryotyng, Line 44

Line 44 Serwhful wiþ-outen þat luþer last To maken of my-self out-cast, Meur wiþ-outen greuoushed, And Murie wiþ-outen wyldehed, Line 48 Soþ wiþ-outen falshed Or eny oþur doublehed Of fikel word wiþ double entente To bleenden þat þe sawe mente; Line 52 Dredful wiþ-outen wonhope, And trust wiþ-outen ouer-hope; Min euencristne to vndurnyme so Þat þer ne beo no feynyng to, Line 56 And wiþ-outen eny pruyde Hem to edefyen in alle tyde, In word, ensaumple, and in dede, To alle gode from alle quede; Line 60 Vmble wiþ-outen ȝein-siggyng, Suffraunt wiþ-outen grucchyng. Waker herte ȝif þou me Euere, lord, a-bouten þe, Line 64 Þat neuer non oþur curiousete Ne led my herte fromward þe. Ȝif me herte so noble and fre Þat no fals loue hit drawe fro þe. Line 68 Ȝif me herte þat neuermore fayle, Ne bi [= be] conqueret in no trauayle. ¶ ffreo herte, lord, ȝif me wiþ wynne, Þat vuel delyt naue kalange Inne. Line 72 ¶ Rihtful herte ȝif me also Þat no wrong wit ne enclyne to. ¶ Lord, ffadur of alle Merci, I þe bi-seche hertely Line 76 Cunnynge, þe to knowe ariht Wiþ bisi sechinge day and niht, Wiþ [r. wit?] þat I kunne fynde, Mi þewes in þi lykyng bynde; Line 80 Perseueraunce þe to abyde, Ȝif me, lord, in vche a tyde, Wiþ hope trewe and studefast, Þat þe, lord, ay bi-cluppe fast; [some vv. wanting?] Line 84

Line 84 Þorwh penaunce þat I mowe do Þi pyneful [l]yf [MS. pynefulyf] mowe lykne to; ¶ And whil me lasteþ lyues space, Gode werkes vsen þorwh þi grace, Line 88 Þyne Ioyes vsen and wiþ þe wone In þi glorie, wiþ ffadur and sone. Amen. Line 90

XI. An orisoun to vr lord Jhesu. [Title in the Index: An orysoun to god þe sone. In the MS. the poem is written in half-lines.]

LOrd, Swete Ihesu crist : Haue Merci of me, Þat out of heuene come : In to eorþe for me, And of þe Mayden Marie : Boren were for me, And on þe cros suffredest : Bitter deþ for me. Line 4 Of Merci I þe bi-seche : Þat mest of mihtes may, Swete Ihesu my cumfort : Mi solas and my play; Of alle vices me deliuere : And of pruide, I þe pray, Line 7 Þat I may þe louen as lord : And knowen for God verray. fful muchel ouhte i þe to louen : In stable treuþe and fay, Whon þou were god and art : And schalt ben euere and ay, Com in to eorþe for my loue : To take my kuynde of clay, In þe world to wynne [MS. wynnes] vs wele : Þou suffredest men worchen þe way. Line 12 In þe world, as I seide er : In bodi, fflesch and Bon, Hunger and ffurst heddestou boþe : In hot and Cold to gon, Blod and watur þou swattest boþe : And Teres Mony on, And seþþhen for þe loue of vs : Þi deþ þen hastou tan. fful hard and deolful was þi deþ : Hose hedde hit in þouht, Line 17 Whon þat þi blessede bodi : Þat neuere no sunne wrouht, Among þis false Iewes : Þi-seluen hast hit brouht, And seþþen wiþ þi blessed blod : ffrom bale þou hast us bouht. Line 20

Line 20 A Croune of þornes vppon þin hed : Þei setten scharp and fresch, Heo þe nayleden hondes and feet : Boþe þorwh bon and flesch; A spere þorwh þi syde stong : Þyn herte was ful nesch, Whon þe blod and watur sprong : Þat vs of synne wesch. Line 24 Þerfore, Ihesu, I preye þe : Þat ful art of pite, ffor my sunnes þat ichaue don : Let me neuere dampned be; But graunte me grace in to myn herte : Ihesu in Trinite, Of stable treuþe and rihtwys werkes : Loue and Charite. fful ofte ichaue þe wraþþed : And broke þi Comaunde|ment, Line 29 Wiþ al my fyue wittes : In lyf þat þou me hast lent, Vnwisliche hem dispendet : And not in good entent, Boþe þorwh myn owne wille : And oþure entisement. Line 32 Bote, swete Ihesu, woltou me here : wiþ schrift ichaue þe souht: In mony werkes, as I seide ere : Vuele ichaue I|wrouht, Non of hem schal ben vnpunissched— : Þeron is al my þouht; I take me al to þi Merci : ffor loue for-ȝet me nouht. Line 36 Wiþ Mylde mod and sikyng sore : I be-seche þe ffor my ffrendes, Ihesu crist : As wel as for me. On domes-dai whon þou schalt demen : Scheuh us þi face freo, And bring vs in to paradys : Þer endeles blisse schal beo. Amen. Line 40

[XII. An orison to vr lady.] [So the title in the Index. In the MS. the poem is written in half-lines.]

HEil beo þou, Marie: Mylde qwen of heuene! Blessed is þi Nome : And good hit is to nemene. [r. neuene] To þe i Make my mone : I prey þe, here my steuene, And let me neuere dye : In non of þe sunnes seuene. Line 4

Line 4

LAdi seinte Marie : Qween Corteis and hende! ffor þe Ioye þat þou were Inne : Whon god his Angel dude sende, And seide þat þe holygost : Schulde in þi bodi lende, Þou bringe me to þat blisse : Þat is wiþ-outen ende. Line 8

Ioyful was þin herte, ladi : —Þerof haue I no drede— Whon Ihesu crist was boren of þe : ffeirest of alle þede, And þou were Maiden biforn : And aftur, as we rede. Marie, for þe loue of him : Help us at al vr nede. Line 12

Swete ladi, þou rewe on me : And mak myn herte clene, Bring us out of sunne : Þat doþ us traye and tene; Wo hit vs byginneþ : In werkes as we han sene; Schild us from þe peynes : Þer non may oþur mene. Line 16

LAdi ful of grace : Ioyful was þi chere Whon Ihesu crist from deþ vp ros : Þat was þe lef and dere. Marie, for þe loue of him : Þat lay þyn herte so nere, Bring us out of synne and serwe : While þat we aren here. Line 20

LAdi ful of muche miht : Þat mylde art of mod! ffor his woundes fyue : Þat Ronnen alle on blood, ffor þe loue of swete Ihesu : Þat dyede on þe Rod, Get me heuene blisse : Ladi feir and god. Line 24

LAdi seinte Marie : Corteis, feir & swete! ffor loue of þe teres : Þat for þi sone þou lete Whon þou seȝe him hongen : Nayled honden and fete, Þou sende me grace in eorþe : Mi sunnes forte bete. Line 28

IN counseil art þou best : And trewest in eueri nede, To sunfol men ful prest : In saumple of good dede : ffor loue of þi deore sone : Þou seȝe on Rode blede, Line 31 Þou help us nou and euere : And schild us from mis-dede.

LAdi seinte Marie : So Rose in Erber rede, To þe i crie and calle : To þe I make my beode: Þou help me at myn ende : Whon I drawe to þe dede, And let me neuer falle : In bondes of þe quede. Line 36

LAdi, for þe ioye : Þat þou þi-self were Inne Whon þou seȝe Ihesu crist : fflour of al mon|kinne,

Steih in to his riche : Þer Ioye schal neuer blynne, Line 39 Of Bale þou beo my bote : And bring me out of synne.

LAdi, for þat Ioye : Þat þou to crist weore tan In to þe blisse of heuene : Wiþ Aungeles moni an, And set bi swete Ihesu crist : In ffel, in flesch and bon, Þou bringe me to þat blisse : Þat neuer schal beo gon. Line 44

LAdi ful of grace : Þat heiȝe sittest in trone, Loue of alle blisse : Send þou me my bone : Ihesus to louen and drede : My lyf to amenden sone, And comen to him þat hende : Þat weldeþ Sonne and Mone. Line 48

FOr þi Ioyes fyue : Ladi feir and briht, ffor þi clene Maidenhod : And for þi muchele miht, Þou ȝif me miht and grace : To come to þat liht, Þer Ioye is euere newe : And day wiþ-outen niht. Line 52

LAdi seinte Marie : Ȝif þi wille ware, As þou art ful of Ioye : And I am ful of care, Schild me from synne and schome : Þat I falle no mare, And send me hosul and schrift : Ar I heþene fare. Line 56

A. M. E. N.

[XIII. A confessioun of wyrschip in orysoun. [So the title in the Index.] ]

God þat al hast mad of nouht, ffor loue of mon þat þou hast bouht; Wher in þe world so þat i be, Wiþ al myn herte I þonke þe: Line 4 ¶ Þat þou me madest on of þyne, And bouhtest me wiþ bitter pyne. I þonke þe, lord, wiþ good entent Of wit and grace þou hast me sent. Line 8 ¶ Wiþ al myn herte and mylde moode I þonke þe, lord, of alle gode. I preye þe, lord, þou graunte me miht Wiþ al myn herte to loue þe riht. Line 12 ¶ I preye þe, lord, out and Inne Þat þou me schilde from dedly synne; I preye þe, lord, þat þou me wisse And bring me to þi muchele blisse. Amen. Line 16

[XIV.] [Another Prayer to the Virgin Mary.]

MArie Modur, Qwen of heuene, Þenk on me and here my steuene! Marie Meke and Mylde of mood, ffor loue of þat holy Rood, [r. blood? orig. 2 vv. om.?] . . . . . Line 4 Marie, þat þou seȝe on Rode Whon þou bi þi sone stode, Marie, þat Ran out of his syde fforte falle þe fendes pryde, Line 8 Marie, ȝif me knowynge of my synne, And let me neuere die þer-Inne; Marie, schild me from vueles alle, And let me neuere in fondynge falle. Line 12 Marie, prei for me þi sone Þat myn herte euere on him mone, Marie, to louen him ouer alle þyng Wiþ herte trewe to myn endyng. Line 16 Marie, i preye þe Meke and Mylde, ffor loue of þi swete childe, Marie, my scheld beo aȝeyn þe fende Whon I schal out of þis world wende. Line 20 Marie, of myn ende is al my drede, Of my sunnes and of my misdede: Marie, forþi þou rewe on me, Þat I þorwh þe may I-saued be. Line 24 Marie, Mi ffrendes, quike and dede, Þou hem wisse and þou hem rede, Marie, In to þat holy blis Þer Ihesu crist him-seluen is. Line 28 Marie, at my deþ whon I schal fare Out of þis world, droupe and dare, Marie, help me þenne as on of þyne, And bring me out of serwe and pyne, Line 32 Marie, in to blisse, wiþ þe to wone, ffor Ihesu loue, þi deore sone. AMEN.

[XV. Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.]

GOd þat art of mihtes most, Þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost I preye þat þou ȝiue me, Line 3 Þat I may þorwh þe grace of hem Wynne þi loue and of alle men, [By another hand on erasure.] And euere to qweme þe. Line 6

LOrd, for þe ȝifte of pite Ȝif me grace sunne to fle, Ȝif hit beo þi wille; Line 9 And þorwh þe ȝifte of drede also Euere godnesse forte do, And neuere to don ille. Line 12

IN wit, louerd, wys me make, Worldus pruyde euere forsake, ffor þi woundus fyue. Line 15 Ȝift of strengþe graunte þou me, Out of sunne euer to be, Whiles icham a-lyue. Line 18

IN-sihte ȝif þou me also Þe to knowe, in weole and wo Wheþer þat i beo Inne. Line 21 Ȝift of counseil put in me Euere for to serue þe Clene wiþ-oute synne. Line 24

SEnde me wisdam, forte se Mi wrecchednesse and my frelete Now and eueri day; Line 27 So þat at my lyues ende To þat Ioye þow me sende Þat lasteþ now and ay. A m e n. Line 30

[XVI. A Confessioun for necligence of þe dedes of mercy.] [So the Title in Index.]

Lord, I ȝelde me gulti Þat I neuere fedde þe hungri,

Lord, as þou bede me; Line 3 I ȝaf no drinke þe þhursti, Wiþ wille ne wiþ bodi: Merci, lord, I crie þe. Line 6

ÞE naked, lord, I ne haue not clad To my pouwer, as þou bad, Nouþur wiþ dede ne wille; Line 9 Ne sek folk ne cumforted I: Þerfore, lord, mak me sori Þat I haue don so ille. Line 12

Dede bodies haue I graue non, But heold despyt of vchon Wher þat I hem sawe. Line 15 In myn herborwh herborwhed I non, Pore Mon ne Pilgrym, of fflesch and bon, To folfulle þe lawe. Line 18

Prisones þat harde i-bounden lay, I ne visitede hem Niht ne day: Lord, for-ȝiue hit me, Line 21 And alle oþur wikkedhed, Þat I may comen aftur my ded And wonen euere, lord, wiþ þe. Amen. Line 24

[XVII. An orysoun for sauynge of þe fyue wyttes.] [So the Title in Index.]

LO[r]d, sunged haue I ofte In my fyue wittes, wiþ wille and þouȝte: In Lecherouse sihtes, Line 3 Wiþ myn Eres herd wikkede sawes Of myn Euencristne a-ȝeyn þe lawes, Boþe day and nihtes. Line 6

In tast haue I had gret lykyng And passed mesure In Mete and drink: Lord, for-ȝiue hit me; Line 9 And þat ichaue sunged in smellyng, And also, lord, in synful felyng, Ȝif þi wille be. A M E N. Line 12

[XVIII. An orisoun for negligens of þe X Comaundemens.] [So the Title in Index.]

INwardliche, lord, bi-seche i þe, Al my trespas for-ȝiue þou me: Þat I haue broken þi Comaundemens Aȝein þi wille and þi defens. Line 4 I haue not loued þe ouer alle þyng And worschiped as my lord, my kyng; Min Euencristen ne loued I nouht As my-self, in wil ne þouht. Line 8 Þi nome not nempned in worschupe, Bute ofte-siþes in Idelschupe. In holi-dayes haue I wrouht, To holychurche eode I nouht. Line 12 ffadur and Modur worschupet haue not I, But aȝeyn hem don vnboxumly. Men haue I slawen wiþ my wille, And Bakbited hem boþe loude and stille. Line 16 Wiþ wrong ichaue had muche þing, Boþe of ȝifte and of stelyng. Boren ichaue fals witnesse And seldene i-don Rihtwysnesse. Line 20 In lecherie haue I sunged ille Ofte-siþes aȝeynes skille. I-chaue coueyted more þen me hihte Mi neihȝebores god wiþ vnrihte, Line 24 His wyf, his seruaunt, his oþur þing. ffor-þi, Almihti heuene-kyng, ffor-ȝif me now, and alle men Þat haue broken þi comaundemens ten. Line 28

[XIX. Patris Sapiencia [

So the title in Index.

] sive Horae de Cruce.]

The Latin text is ed. in Daniel Thes. Hymnolog. I. p. 337. In the MS. the Engl. poem is written in half-lines.

PAtris sapiencia, veritas diuina deus homo factus est hora matutina, A notis discipulis cito derelictus, A Iudeis traditus, venditus, afflictus.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

[Oremus] D[omi]ne Ihesu criste, fili dei viui, qui pro nobis reis passionem in cruce ad mortem pie sustulisti, ob nostram vitam redimendam: In iudicio futuro animabus nostris & in hora mortis nostre succurrere digneris; prestando viuis misericordiam & graciam, defunctis veniam & requiem, ecclesie pacem et con|cordiam, & peccatoribus vitam & gloriam sempiter|nam. Qui uivis & regnas deus þer omnia secula seculorum. amen.

Erliche in þe morwenyng : Ihesu þe Iewes gunne take, His frendes and his diciples : Hedden him sone forsake; Þei blyndfelden him and Boffeteden : And al niht heold him wake: And al soffrede swete Ihesu : ffor monkunne sake Line 4 Þat sorwe. How may I for-ȝete Ihesu : At Euen or at Mor[w]e? v[ers.] Crist, honoured mote þou be, Þat bouhtest al þe world on tre! Line 8 or[emus.] Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat synful mon wolt not tyne,

Bi-twenen vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi Deþ now and euere : And at vre endyng-tyme Graunte liuynde men : Grace and Merci þyne; Line 12 To dede, reste and pardoun; To Churche, pes, loue in londe; : To sunful, contricioun. v[ers.] Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. Line 16

HOra prima ductus est Ihesus ad pilatum, ffalsis testimoniis tradunt accusatum, In Collo percuciunt manibus ligatum, Vultum dei conspuunt, lumen deo gratum.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At prime crist þe Iewes : Bi-fore Pilat gunne drawe, ffalslich þei him a-cuiseden : Wiþ mony a wikked sawe; Line 18 Þei spitteden in his feire face : Þe men wiþ-outen lawe, Ne wolde þei neuere blinne : Til þei hedde him slawe. Line 20 Ihesu, my dere lemmon, Blo for-bled was þi bodi : Þi brihte Rode was al won. v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo, Þat bouȝtest al þe world on treo. Line 24 or. Lord Ihesu, godes sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twenen vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne:

Þi Cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vre endyng-tyme Graunte liuinde men : Grace and merci þyne; Line 28 To dede, reste and pardoun; To Churche, pes, loue in londe : To sunful, contricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. Line 32

"Crucifige" clamitant hora terciarum; Illusus induitur veste purpurarum, Capud eius pungitur corona spinarum, Crucem portat humeris ad loca penarum.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At vndurne to do Ihesu on cros : loude gunne þei crie, And beoten him naked wiþ scourges : Whil þei mihte drie, Line 34 And crouned him wiþ þornes : Þe blod ron in to his eiȝe; And siþen maden him bere þe cros : To þe Mount of Caluarie Line 36 On his bac for-bete. ffor drede of deþ men mihte seo : Þe blod þat he gon swete. v. Crist, honoured mote þou be, Þat bouȝtest al þe world on tre. Line 40 or. Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bitwenen vre soules and þy dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi deþ now and euere : And at vre endynge-tyme Graunte lyuinde men : Grace and Merci þyne, Line 44 To þe dede, reste and pardoun; To churche, pes, loue in londe : To sunful, contricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. Line 48

HOra sexta cristus est cruci conclauatus Et est cum latronibus pendens deputatus, Pre tormentis siciens felle saturatus; Agnus crimen diluit sic deificatus.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At Midday Ihesu hondes : Þei nayleden to þe Rode, Bi-twene twey þeues : Þei him hengen as wode; Þei ȝeuen him galle and Eysel : Ihesu þat blisful fode. Serewful were boþe Marie an Ion : Þer þei bi him stode, As folk þat were mad. Line 53 Whose þenkeþ on Marie serwe : May he neuere be glad. v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo, Þat bouhtest al þe world on treo. Line 56 or. Lord Ihesu, godes sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twenen vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne; Þi cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vr endyng-tyme Graunte liuinde men : Grace and Merci þyne, Line 60 To þe dede, reste and pardoun; To churche, pes, loue in londe : To sunful, contricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. Line 64

HOra Nona dominus cristus expirauit, "Heli" clamans spiritum patri comendauit, Latus eius lancea myles perforauit. Terra tunc contremuit, & sol obscurauit.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At Non þer þurlede Ihesus herte : Longius, a Blynd kniht; Line 65 He wupte his Eiȝen wiþ his blod : Þorwh þat he hedde his siht. Þe eorþe quok, þe stones clouen : Þe sonne les his liht, Þe dede a-risen of heore graues : In tokene of godus miht Line 68 Þat us on Rode bouhte. Þe soules þat weren in helle : Ihesus sone out brouhte. v. Crist, honoured mote þou be, Þat bouȝtest al þe world on tre. Line 72 or. Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twene vr soules and þy dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vr endyng-tyme Graunte liuynde men : Grace and Merci þyne; Line 76 To þe dede, reste and pardoun; To churche, pes, loue in londe : To [MS. Wiþ] sunful, contricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. Line 80

DE Cruce deponitur hora vespertina, ffortitudo latuit in [MS. &] mente diuina. Talem mortem subijt vite Medicina! Heu, Corona glorie iacuit sub spyna.

v. Adoramus te, criste, & benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At Euensong Ihesus was taken : Doun of Rode-treo. Marie bi-heold hire deore sone : ffor wepyng miht heo not seo; Line 82

Line 82 "A, sone," heo seide, "wiþ þe fader : of heuene is þi pouste, But þou schalt rise from deþ to lyue : As þou er seidest me, Line 84 Boþe God and Mon; Þorwh [MS. Wher þorwh] þat deþ is blisse ibouȝt : Þat loren was þorwh Sathan." v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo, Þat bouhtest al þe world on treo. Line 88 or. Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twene vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi deþ now and euere : And at vre endyng-tyme Graunte liuinde men : Grace and Merci þyne, Line 92 To dede, reste and pardoun; To churche, pes, loue in londe : To sunful, Contrissioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. Line 96

HOra completorij datur sepulture Corpus cristi nobile, spes vite future; Conditur Aromate—complentur scripture. Iugis sit memoria mortis sue iure.

v. Adoramus te, criste, et benedicimus tibi, Quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

At Complin Crist was enoynt : And buried in a ston. Pilat bad his frendes : Þer scholde leue non; Line 98 He sette knihtes him to kepen : Þat he a-wey nere don: And ȝut he ros to lyue : ffor hem euerichon Line 100 Of þo, And schewede him to þe [overlined.] Maudeleyn : To peter and mony mo.

v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo, Þat bouhtest al þe world on treo. Line 104 Lord Ihesu, Godus sone : Þat synful mon wolt not tyne, Bi-twenen vr soules and þy dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Þi Cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vr endyng|tyme Graunte liuinde men : Grace and Merci þyne, Line 108 To dede, reste and pardoun; To Churche, pes, loue in londe : To synful, Con|tricioun. v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng, Line 111 Bring us to blisse þat is wiþ-outen endyng. Amen.—

ÞE Pope Ion haþ graunted : A ful feir pardoun To alle þat siggen þis Matyns : Wiþ good deuo|cioun: A ȝer in purgatorie : Of Remissioun, So þat heo ben clene i-schriuen : Wiþ verrey Con|tricioun, Line 116 Þorwh Grace. God sende us lyues fode : And in heuene a place. AMEN.

[Another poem on the same subject, in MS. Miscell. Lit. 104]

Another poem on the same subject, in MS. Miscell. Lit. 104, Bodl., fol. 50 (temp. Edw. III. or II.), has been edited by Morris, Leg. of the Holy Rood, p. 222. It is this, as given by Morris:

Hic incipiunt matutine de passione domini nostri ihesu cristi.

Antiphona: Patris sapiencia ueritas diuina, &c.

Vers. Adoramus te criste &c.

Or. Domine ihesu criste fili dei uiui pone passionem crucem et mortem tuam &c. Amen.

[In the be|ginning a stanza must be wanting.] Swete ihesu cryst, goddis sone of lyue, Þin passion, þin croys, þin ded, þin wondes five

Beelde us (!) houre sinful soules in [M. &] þin iugement, Nou and in tyme of ded þat we ne be y-schent. Line 4 [D]eyne to ȝeue myt an grace to hem þat moten lyuen, And to dede [M. dare] reste, here sinnes þou for-yyue; To holi chirche and kyndom loue and pes þou sende, And to vs wreche sinful, lif wyt-outen ende; Line 8 Þat leuest kyng god and man wyt-outen endingge, ffader and sone and holy gost to þulke bl[i]se us bringge.

Ad primam horam.

HOra prima dominum ducunt ad pilatum &c.

v. Adoramus te &c. or. Domine ihesu criste.

At prime ihesus was y-lad pilatus by-fore, Many false witnesse on hym were i-bore, Line 12 Hiis schines were y-beten, hiis honden weren y-bonden, Hiis face hy gonne on spete—lyt of heuene þey fonde.

Ad terciam horam, amen [leaf wanting]

Crucifige clamitant hora terciarum

v. Adoramus. or. Domine ihesu criste.

At hondren "do ihesu on rode [M. day on wde] " þe giwes gonne grede, In schorn he was i-wonden in purpil-palle wede. Line 16 . . . . . On his schulder he bar þe crois to þe piningge.

Sicut oculi ancille in manibus domine sue [&c.]

Hora sexta ihesus est cruce conclauatus

v. Adoramus te. or. Domine ihesu criste filij.

At midday was ihesus crist y-nailed to þe rode Bi-twixe tweye þeues he hongid for houre gode. Line 20 ffor þurst of stronge pine y-fuld he was wy[t] galle. Þe holi lomb [M. Ve holi louird] so god y-wrout þer buiȝt houre sinnes alle.

Deus in adiutorium.

Hora nona dominus ihesus expirauit.

v. Adoramus. or. Domine ihesu criste filij.

At none houre louerd crist of þysse lif he wende, Line 23 He gradde "hely," þe holi gost to his fader he sende. A knyt wit a kene spere þerlede his syde. Þe herþe quakede, þe sonne bi-com swart, þat erer schon wel wide.

Deus in adiutorium.

De cruce deponitur hora uespertina

v. Adoramus. or. Domine ihesu criste filij.

At euensong he was i-nome a-doun þat dere us hadde ibouȝt, His mytte, his [MS. hys his] stre[n]gþe lotede in heiȝe holi þout. Line 28

Swech deþ he under-feng, hele of alle wo. Alas þe croune of worschepe to lowe hy leide þo.

Conuerte nos deus salutaris noster.

Hora completorii datur sepulture

v. Adoramus. or. Domine ihesu criste.

He was y-ȝeue to beryyng ate laste tyde, Cristes body noble, hope of liue to byde, Line 32 In-oynt he was wyt aromat, holi writ to fulle. Ȝoruful meynde of his deþ bee in myne wille. Amen.

[XX. Veni Creator Spiritus, [So the Title in Index.] englisht.]

Veni, creator spiritus, mentes tuorum visita, imple superna gracia que tu creasti pectora.

Cum, lord vr makere, Holigost, Þe þouhtes of þyne forte sene; Þe hertes þat þou þi schaftus wost, fful hem of þi grace by-dene. Line 4

Qui paraclitus diceris, donum dei Altissimi, fons viuus, ignis, caritas, et spiritalis vnccio.

Clept art þou cumfort, and euer schalt be, [This v. in MS. written in half lines.] And ȝift of god þat al good sent, Quik welle, ffuir, and Charite, And also gostly Oynement. Line 8

Tv septiformis munere, dextre dei tu digitus; Tu rite promissum patris, Sermone ditans guttura.

Þou art in ȝifte seuenfold, Godus riht hond ffinger art þou; As us bi-het ffader al-wold, Richesse of word [MS. world] þou ȝiuest inouh. Line 12

Accende lumen sensibus, Infunde amorem cordibus, infirma nostri corporis uirtute firmans perpeti.

Lord, in vr [MS. þi] wittes tend þi liht, And in vr hertes þi loue sende; Vr bodi feblenesse þorwh þi miht Strengþe hit euere wiþ-outen ende. Line 16

Hostem repellas longius, pacemque dones protinus; ductore sic te preuio uitemus omne noxium.

Put fer from us þe fend, ur fo, And send us soþfast pees anon, Þat we þorwh þe þat laft (!) us so Blenchen sunnes euerichon. Line 20

PEr te sciamus, da, patrem, noscamus atque filium, te utriusque spiritum credamus omni tempore.

Of þe ffadur ȝif us witing, And of þe Sone knowyng also, Siker be-leeue and riht tokenyng Þat þou art god of boþe two. Line 24

Dvdum sacrata pectora tua replesti gracia: dimitte nunc peccamina et da quieta tempora.

Holi hertes sum-tyme was Þou fuldest, lord, þorwh grace þyne: ffor-ȝif now gultus and trespas, And ȝif us reste in alle tyme. Line 28

Sit laus patri cum filio, Sauncto simul paraclito, nobisque mittat filius carisma sauncti spiritus. Amen.

ffader and Sone and Holigost be Worschiped [MS. Worschipest] as þei mowe beo most, And send us schrift for his pite, Þe ȝiftus of þe holygost. Amen. Line 32

[XXI. The Sweetness of Jesus.]

[Same poem in MS. Lamb. 853, ed. by Furnivall, Hymns to the Virgin and Christ, p. 8, E. E. T. S. 1867; in MS. Thornton (best MS.), ed. by Perry, Rel. Pieces, 1867, N. 8; and in MS. Rawl., A. 389, 104. The poem was originally composed in the North.] Ihesu, þi swetnesse whose miht hit se And þer-of haue a clene [al. clere] knowyng, Al eorþly loue bitter schulde be But þin al-one, wiþ-outen lesyng. Line 4 I preye þe, lord, þat lore lere me: Aftur þi loue to haue longyng, And sadly set myn herte on þe, In þi loue to haue most lykyng. Line 8

SO lykyng loue In eorþe non is, In soule whos couþe him soþly se; Him to loue were muche blis, ffor kyng of loue called is he. Line 12 Wiþ trewe loue I wolde i-wis So faste to him bounden be, Þat myn herte weore holly his, Þat no þing lykede me but he. Line 16

ȜIf I for kyndenes schulde loue mi kinne, Þenne me þinkeþ in my þouht Bi kuynde skil I schulde bi-ginne At him þat haþ me maad of nouht: Line 20

Line 20 His semblaunt he sette my soule wiþ-Inne, And al þis world for me he wrouht; As ffader he fondeþ [r. fonded] my loue to winne, ffor to heuene he haþ me bouht. Line 24

AS Modur of him I make mynde, Þat bi-foren my burþe to me tok hede, And siþen wiþ Baptym wesche þat kynde [P. strynde] Þat suyled was þorwh Adam dede; Line 28 Wiþ noble mete he norsched my kynde, ffor wiþ his flesch he dude me fede— So good a foode may no mon fynde, To lastyng lyf he [al. it] wol us lede. Line 32

MI Broþur and Suster he is wiþ skyl, [This v. written in half lines.] ffor he seide and leret þat lore: Hose wrouhte his fadur wil Broþur and Suster to him þei wore; Line 36 Mi kuynde he tok also þer-til. fful trewely trust I him þerfore. He [al. þat he] þat wol neuere lete me spil, Wiþ [al. But wiþ] his Merci salue my sore. Line 40

[This stanza om. in P.] ÞE loue of him passeþ, i-wis, Al eorþly loue þat may beo here: God and Mon, my spouse he is— Wel ouhte I wrecche to loue him dere! Line 44 Boþe heuene and eorþe holliche is his, He is a lord of gret powere, And called he is þe kyng of blis— His loue me longeþ for to lere. Line 48

Afftur his loue bi-houeþ [P. me burde] me longe, ffor he haþ myn ful dere abouht: Whon I was went from him wiþ wronge, ffrom heuene to eorþe he me souht, Line 52 Mi wrecched kuynde for me he fonge And his nobley sette at nouht, Peynes he soffrede and pouert stronge, Aȝeyn to blisse or he me brouht. Line 56

Whon I was þral, to make me fre Mi loue from heuene to erþe him ledde; Mi loue al-one haue wolde he, Þerfore he leyde his lyf in wedde. Line 60

Line 60 Wiþ my fo he fauht for me, Woundet he was and bitterly bledde, His precious blod ful gret plente fful piteuously for me was schedde. Line 64

HIs sydes blo and blodi were, Þat sum-tyme were ful briht of ble; His herte was perced wiþ a spere; His wyde woundes were reuþe to se. Line 68 Mi Raunsoun, I-wis, he payed þere And ȝaf his lyf for gult of me. His deþ most beo to me ful dere [P. His dulefull dede burde do me dere] And perce myn herte for pure pite. Line 72

FOr pite myn herte most breke a-two, To his kyndenesse ȝif I tok hede: Enchesun I was of al his wo, He suffrede ful harde for my misdede; Line 76 To lastinde lyf þat I schulde go, He suffrede deþ in his Monhede. Whon his wille was to lyue also, He ros a-ȝeyn þorwh his godhede. Line 80

TO heuene he wente wiþ muche blis, Whon he [had] vencust his batayle. His baner ful brode displayed is, Whon so my fo wol me assayle. Line 84 Wel ouhte myn herte [þen] to ben his, ffor he is þat frend þat neuer wol fayle; No þing wol he haue, i-wis, But trewe loue for his trauayle. Line 88

Þus wolde he [al. my spouse] for me fiht, And for me was he woundet sore; ffor my loue his deþ was diht— What kyndenesses miht he do more? Line 92 To ȝelden his loue haue I no miht, But loue him trewely I schulde þerfore, And worche wel [P. his will] wiþ werkes riht Þat he haþ lered wiþ louely lore. Line 96

HIs louely lore wiþ werk [al. werkes] folfille Wel ouht I, wrecche, ȝif I were kynde, Niht and day to worche his wille, And euermore haue þat lord in mynde. Line 100

Line 100 Bote gostly fos greuen me ille, And my frelete[s] [al. frele flesch] maken me blynde: Þerfore his merci I take me tille, ffor beter bote con I non fynde. Line 104

Beter bote nis non to me Þen to his merci trewely me take, Þat wiþ his flesch haþ mad me fre And me wrecche his child wolde make. Line 108 I preye þat lord for his pite, Þat he for sunne neuer me forsake, But ȝif me grace from synne to fle, And him to loue let me neuer slake. Line 112

Ihesu, for þe swetnesse þat is in þis, Haue Mynde of me whon I henne wende; Wiþ studefast trouþe my wittes wis, And, lord, þou schilde me from þe fende; Line 116 ffor þi Merci forȝif me mi mis, Þat wikkede werk my soule ne schende; And led me, lord, in to þi blis, Wiþ þe to wone wiþ-outen ende. Amen. Line 120

[XXII. A Prayer to Jesus.]

IEsu, þat art heuene kyng, Sothfast God and mon also, Ȝif me grace of good endyng, And hem þat I am holden to. Line 4

Ihesu lord, þat madest me, And wiþ þi blisful blod hast bouht, ffor-ȝif þat I haue greued þe Wiþ word and wille and wiþ þouht. Line 8

Ihesu, in whom is al mi trust, Þat diȝedest on þe Rode-tre, Wiþ-drauh myn herte from flesches lust And from worldly vanite. Line 12

Ihesu crist, to þe i calle Þat art ffadur ful of miht, Kep me clene, þat I ne falle In flescly sunne as I haue hiht. Line 16

Line 16

Ihesu, for þi blisful blod Bring þe soules in to blis ffor [r. ffro] whom I haue had eny god, ffor-ȝiue hem þat þei han don amis. Line 20

Ihesu, for þat worþi wounde Þat wente to þin herte-Rote, ffor [r. ffro] sunne þat haþ my soule bounde Þi blisful blod mot beo my bote. Line 24

Ihesu, for þi woundes smerte Of feet and of þin hondes two, Mak me Meke and louh of herte, And þe to loue as I scholde do. Line 28

Ihesu, for þe deolful teres Þat þou weptust for my gilt, Heere and spede my pore preyeres, And saue me þat I ne beo spilt! Line 32

[XXIII. Psalterium b. Mariae. BY ALBERTUS MAGNUS.] (With the first Verse of every Psalm and Canticle.)

Title in Index: Of euery psalme of þe sauter þe furste vers. The Latin Quatrains, however, frequently refer to other verses of the psalm, or to other parts of the Bible quoted by the com|mentators as illustrative of the psalm. The Latin poem is mentioned in Mone, Latein. Hymnen des Mittelalters, 1854, II. p. 252, but still unprinted; other MSS. are at Darmstadt (No. 2242) and Munich (Tegernsee 2005).

Beatus vir qui non abijt in co[n]silio impiorum et in uia peccatorum non stetit et in cathedra pestilencie non sedit. [Beginning of Ps. 1.]

AVe uirgo uirginum, parens absque pari, Sine viri semine digna fecundari: ffac nos legem domini crebro meditari [refers to Ps. 1, v. 2.] Et in regni gloria beatificari.

Heyl Mayden ouer Maydenes vchon, Line 1 Modur wiþ-outen pere, Wiþ-outen knowyng of Mon A worþi chyld þow beere: Line 4 Mak vs vr lordus lawes kepe And ofte to haue in mende,

In to kyngdom of Ioye to lepe, Beo blessed wiþ-outen ende. Line 8

Quare fremuerunt gentes, et populi meditati sunt inania? [Ps. 2.]

Aue, cuius viscera natum ediderunt Cuius ad interitum gentes fremuerunt: Audi uoces supplicum qui te pie querunt, Mali causas remouens que nos inuenerunt.

Heil þe entrayles o whom Line 9 Brouhten forþ a sone At whos deþ boþe alle and som ffolk grucche bi-gone: Line 12 Heore [r. here] deuoute voices al-way Þat sechen þe here in grounde; Euel causes remoue a-way Þat vs here han I-founde. Line 16

Domine, quid multiplicati sunt qui tribulant me? multi insurgunt aduersum me. [Ps. 3.]

Aue virgo, speculum sauncti celibatus, Cuius est ex utero puer nobis natus Qui compassus mortuo, morte soporatus [refers to Ps. 3, v. 5.] Morte mortem terminat, expiat reatus.

Heil, Mayden and Mirour Line 17 Of holy heuenly lyuyng, Of whos wombe wiþ honour Is boren a child, vr kyng, Line 20 Þat hedde compassion of þe ded, Wiþ his dedliche slepyng Wiþ deþ [deþ] [om.] he termyned, Vr gult awey wassching. Line 24

Cum inuocarem exaudiuit me deus iusticie mee, in tribulacione dilatasti michi. [Ps. 4.]

Ave nati filia, parens genitoris, Preter modum [MS. mortem] generans consucti moris: Nos ad statum reuoca vite melioris, Quos tam diu tenuit vanitas erroris. [refers to Ps. 4, v. 2.]

Heil douhtur of þe sone, Line 25 Modur of þe getere, Hauyng child aȝeynes old wone Oþur elles comuyn manere: Line 28

Line 28 Calle us aȝeyn in to þat staat Þat is of better lyuyng, ffor us haþ holden longe al maat Vanyte of erryng. Line 32

Verba mea auribus percipe, domine; intellige cla|morem meum. [Ps. 5.]

Aue que [MS. qui] nos redimens ab Egipti luto Subvenire [MS. subvenite] satagis vicijs imbuto: Tu nos bene [r. bone] protegens voluntatis scuto [refers to Ps. 5, v. 11.] Coronatos gloria colloces in tuto.

Heil þou, buggyng us aȝeyn Line 33 Out of Egyptes cley, In vices wounden to helpe, certeyn, Þou art redi al-wey: Line 36 Þou defendyng us wel riht Wiþ þe scheld of wil, Vs Corouned in blisse briht Set sikerly wiþ skil. Line 40

Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me, neque in ira tua corripias me. [Ps. 6.]

Aue vite ianua, salus penitentis, Respice miseriam anime languentis; Ne in ira senciam uocem arguentis, Me peccatis exime simul et tormentis.

Heil, louelich ȝate of lyf, Line 41 Hele of þe forþinkyng: Bi-hold þe wrecchednesse so rif Of soule þat is serwyng; Line 44 Þat in wraþþe I ne feel Þe vois of repreyuing, [MS. repreyning] Clanse me from sunnes eueridel And eke from tormentyng. Line 48

Domine deus meus, in te speraui; saluum me fac ex omnibus persequentibus me, & libera me. [Ps. 7.]

Aue mater vnica, cura nostre spei, Tuis queso meritis sis miserta mei, Vt ab enigmatibus huius speciei Plena plene perfruar [MS. perfruat] visione dei.

Heil Modur, þou onliche Line 49 Hed art of vr hope:

Þorw þi merites specialiche Haue merci on me mope, Line 52 Þat from alle þe liknesse Of þis lyuyng heer I may haue wiþ fulnesse Þe siht of god so cler. Line 56

Domine deus [MS. dominus] noster, quam admirabile est nomen tuum in vniuersa terra! [Ps. 8.]

Aue virgo regia, summa gaudiorum, Per quam rex mirabilis, dominus cun[c]torum, Reuocat inmeritos in spem filiorum, Quos proscribit multiplex causa uiciorum.

Heil kynges Mayden, swete þing, Line 57 Somme of ioyes I calle, Bi whom þe wondurful kyng, Lord þat is ouer alle, Line 60 Calleþ us a-ȝeyn wiþ-oute deseruyng In to his sones hope, Þat aren ofte put in to flemyng, In vices whon we ben crope. Line 64

Confitebor tibi, domine, in toto corde meo, narrabo omnia mirabilia tua. [Ps. 9.]

Aue thronus gracie, Mater Ihesu cristi, Que sola concipere virgo meruisti: Confitebor domino quem sic genuisti, Quod nec nomen virginis mater amisisti.

Heil feir trone of grace, Line 65 Modur of Ihesu crist, Þat to conceyue in þi space Onliche Mayden deseruedist: Line 68 I schal knowleche to þat lord Þat þou so dust [= dudest] bi-gete, Þat þou þe name in dede ne word Of Mayden and Moder ne lete. Line 72

IN domino confido; quomodo dicitis anime mee, [Ps. 10 V (11).] transmigra in montem sicut passer?

Aue virgo virginum, per quam transmigratur Super vnum moncium in quo victimatur Vepre tentus aries, [cf. Gen. 22, v. 13.] vnde redimatur Prodigus qui rediens veniam precatur.

Heil Mayden ouer oþur met, Line 73 Beo whom is mad passyng Vppon on of hulles gret In whuch is don offring, Line 76 Þe weþer holden wiþ a Brer, Whuche was a-ȝeyn biggyng Of þe wastour þat was in wer, fforȝiuenes þat com askyng. Line 80

Saluum me fac domine, quoniam defecit sanctus, [Ps. 11 (12).] quoniam diminute sunt veritates a filiis hominum.

Aue mater domini, mater inquam aue, ffac ut cristi baiulem iugum presuaue, Quo beatitudinis particeps octaue [refers to the title of the psalm.] Liberari merear prime matris aue.

Heil Modur of vr lord, Line 81 Ȝit I sey Modur heil! Cristes ȝok in dede and word To bere mak me not fayl; Line 84 Þat I of þe eiȝteþe blisse Beo parciner me borwe, To beo diliuered and euer misse Vr furste modur sorwe. Line 88

Vsquequo, domine, obliuisceris me in finem? vsquequo auertis faciem tuam a me? [Ps. 12 (13).]

Aue uirgo nomine matris insignita, Graciarum fertili dote [MS. doce] premunita: Purga mentis aciem, quo sit expedita, Ne vmquam obdormiat in morte sopita. [refers to Ps. 12, v. 4.]

Heil Mayden feir of face, Line 89 Worschiped wiþ nome of Moder; So plentiuous I-douwed wiþ grace Was þer neuer non oþer: Line 92 Purge þe scharpnesse of vr þouht, So þat hit beo sped, And þat hit to longe ne slepe nouht In slep of sunful ded. Line 96

DIxit insipiens in corde suo: non est deus. [Ps. 13 (14).]

Aue templum gracie, templum sanctitatis, Templum sancti spiritus, tronus maiestatis:

Salua me, per graciam salua queso gratis, Vt sortiri ualeam regnum cum beatis.

Heil temple of grace most, Line 97 Temple of Sauntite, Temple of þe holygost, Trone of þe Maieste: Line 100 Saue me, be grace me saue, I preye þe nou, freliche, Þat I mowe þe kyngdom haue Wiþ seintes þat ben godliche. Line 104

Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo? aut quis requiesset in monte sancto tuo? [Ps. 14 (15).]

Aue tabernaculum regis manu fortis, Per quam cristus particeps factus nostre sortis, ffractis seris, [r. eris v.] uectibus & inferni portis Nos a morte reuocat, triumphator mortis.

Heil tabernacle Cleer Line 105 Of kyng strong in honde, Beo whom crist is maad parciner Of vre lot her in londe, Line 108 Þat brak þe bondes and þe loke Of helle foule ȝates, Called us fro deþ þer we weore stoke, Victor of deþ algates. Line 112

Conserua me domine, quoniam speraui in te. d[ixi] domino: deus meus es tu, quoniam b[onorum] meorum non eges. [Ps. 15 (16).]

Aue tronus gracie Regi preparatus, Ex qua nobis prodiit felix aduocatus: Nostra sit hereditas cristus ex te natus [cf. Ps. 15, v. 5.] Conseruetque seruulos, condonans reatus.

Heil, of grace þou art trone Line 113 Arayed for a kyng, Of whom sprong forþ for us vchone An Auoket lyking: Line 116 Crist nou beo vr heritage, Þat of þe is boren, And kepe his seruauns in alle age, Þat þei beo not for-loren. Line 120

Exaudi, domine, iusticiam meam, intende depreca|cionem meam. [Ps. 16 (17).]

Aue solis ciuitas, in quam introiuit Rex regum et dominus, qui te concupiuit: Per te nos exaudiat sibi quos vniuit, Suo vultu sacians quibus esuriuit. [cf. Ps. 16, v. 15.]

Heil of Sonne þe Cite, Line 121 In to whuche he [MS. þou] entrid Kyng of kynges, lord of pite, þe whuche þe coueyted. Line 124 Beo þe now he us here, Þulke þat he haþ oned; And þat he fulle hem wiþ his chere Þat he þrustyng be-mened. Line 128

DIligam te, domine fortitudo mea: dominus firma|mentum meum & refugium meum & liberator meus. [Ps. 17 (18).]

Aue virgo virginum, de qua mediator Ad nos venit, hostium vetus triumphator: Hostes nostros conterat fortis expugnator Et fiat per graciam glorie collator.

Heil of Maydenes Mayden clene, Line 129 Of whom a Mene of diuis [= device] Com to vs wiþ-outen wene, Victor of olde Enemys: Line 132 Vr Enemys he al to-tere, ffihtere þat is so strong, And beo grace beo he ȝiuere Of Ioye þat lasteþ long. Line 136

Celi enarrant gloriam dei, et opera manuum eius annunciat firmamentum. [Ps. 18 (19).]

Aue solis regia, de qua verus exit Veri solis radius, fraudes qui detexit Hostis & versucias quibus nos illexit; Ouem querens perditam, gregi quam reuexit.

Heil kynges sone (!) briht, Line 137 Of whom goþ forþ vche while Þe verrey sonnes bem liht, Þat huydeþ al þe gyle Line 140

Line 140 Of vr fon, and queyntises most, Þat drawen vs in to veyn; Seching þe scheep þat was lost To bringe to folde a-ȝeyn. Line 144

Exaudiat te dominus in die tribulacionis, protegat te nomen dei Iacob. [Ps. 19 (20).]

Aue plena gracie, speciosa tota, Virgo prudens, humilis, sine sordis nota: Nostrum sacrificium suscipe deuota, [cf. Ps. 19, v. 3.] Mores nostros ordinans, affectus & uota.

Heil ful of grace, eke Line 145 Speciouse at al, Mayden wys and þerto Meke, Wiþ-outen fulþe gret or smal: Line 148 In alle maner vr [MS. of vr] sacrifice Deuouteliche take þou now, Ordeyne vr Maners on þi wyse, Desires and eke a-vow. Line 152

Domine, in uirtute tua letabitur rex, & super salutare tuum exultabit uehementer. [Ps. 20 (21).]

Aue salus hominum, digna salutari, Salutare pariens, sola carens pari: Nostra spes & gloria sit in salutari, [cf. Ps. 20, v. 5.] C[u]ius participio credimus beari.

Heil hele of monkynde, Line 153 Worþiful to beo gret, Þou bar hele vs alle helynde, Sauncȝ pere þou art set. Line 156 Al vr hope and eke vr blis In hele beo vs be-tid; Þerof to haue part wiþ-outen mis We leeue to beo blessed. Line 160

Deus deus meus, respice me: quare me dereliquisti? longe a salute mea verba delictorum meorum. [Ps. 21 (22).]

Aue cuius vterus vermem procreauit Qui sub-mordens hederam Ione desiccauit; [cf. Ps. 21, v. 6, and Jon. 4, 6-7.] Dum quod legis littera clausum conseruauit, In apertum proferens nobis propalauit.

Heil whos wombe sikerly Line 161 Brouht forþ a worm þat dred, [r. died?]

Þat vnder-bityng priuely Þe Iuy of Ione dried; Line 164 Whon þe lettre of þe laue Þat al þing in clos keped, Aperteliche wiþ open sawe To vs forsoþe he schewed. Line 168

Dominus regit me & nichil michi deerit: in loco pascue ibi me collocauit. [Ps. 22 (23).]

Aue Iesse virgula graciarum donis Habundanter predita : tu correccionis Virga sis, & baculus consolacionis, [cf. Ps. 22, v. 4.] Quo nos criste pascuis collocet in bonis.

Heil þou ȝerde of Iesse, Line 169 Wiþ giftus of grace Maad riche wiþ plente; Of correccioun in vche place Line 172 Þou art staf, and eke ȝerde Of consolacioun, Þorwh whuche crist, þat is nouȝt ferde, Vs sette in pasture boun. Line 176

Domini est terra & plenitudo eius, orbis terrarum & vniuersi qui habitant in eo. [Ps. 23 (24).]

Aue terra glorie, terra non arrata, Rore tamen gracie plene fecundata, ffructum ferens cuius est gustu recreata Proles Ade veteris, diu captiuata.

Heil lond of blis, Line 177 Eorþe nouht hered, Wiþ þe deuh of grace i-wis ffulliche for euer wered, Line 180 Beryng fruit of whos sauour Reformed was verreyliche Olde Adames sone, þe furste synnour, Þat holden was wrecchedliche. Line 184

Ad te, domine, leuaui animam meam; deus meus, in te confido, non erubescam. [Ps. 24 (25).]

Aue cuius gloriam boant vniuersi, Per quam sursum redeunt in profundum mersi: [MS. merci] Per te fiat, domina, ne semel conuersi Redeant ad uomitum sibimet aduersi.

Heil on whos blisse certeyn Line 185 Alle crien and ben not feynt, Be whuche gon vp a-ȝeyn In depnesse þat weoren dreynt: Line 188 Þorwh þe, ladi of delyt, Heo þat ben conuerted ones Torn þenne a-ȝein not to vomyt, As hound þat haþ eten bones. Line 192

Iudica me domine, quoniam ego in innocencia mea in|gressus sum: & in domino sperans non infirmabor. [Ps. 25 (26).]

Aue Mater, populi prospice defectum, Et maternum filijs exibens affectum Mores nostros ordina, tollens inperfectum, Vt pes noster tendere qeat in directum. [cf. Ps. 25, v. 12.]

Heil Modur, bi-hold þou Line 193 Defautes of þe peple, Modres affeccion schewh þou now Þi sones þat ben feble; Line 196 Ordeyn þou vr maners so, Weyuyng inparfyt þing, Þat vr fot mowe þen go Streiht forþ wiþ-outen lettyng. Line 200

Dominus illuminacio mea & salus mea: quem timebo? [Ps. 26 (27).]

Aue mater domini suos protegentis, Qui cateruas hominum fregit in trecentis: [MS. increcentis. cf. Ps. 26, v. 3, et Jud. 7, 6-14 (application made to Gideon).] Queso nos respicias oculis attentis, Procul pellens tenebras erumpnose mentis.

Heil modur of þat lord al on Þat his men doþ defende, Þat wiþ þre hundred ouercom Gret cumpaignies and schende: Line 204 I preye þe, ladi, vs bi-holde Wiþ þyn eȝen clere, Derknesses fer fro us folde And kepe vr þouhtes here. Line 208

Ad te domine clamabo, deus meus ne sileas a me: ne quando taceas a me & as [similabor] d[escen|dentibus] in lacum. [Ps. 27 (28).]

Aue virgo domini mater illibata, Cuius est ex utero caro deodata,

Caro carnem liberans, caro mori nata, Caro que refloruit morte triumphata. [cf. Ps. 27, v. 7.]

Heil Mayden of a lord, Line 209 Modur saunȝ tecche I-þriue, Of whos wombe þorwh Godus word fflesch to god was ȝiue; Line 212 Þat flesch dilyuered flessche, Þat flesch boren was to dye, Þat flesch refloured þat was nessche, Of deþ þat hedde Maystrie. Line 216

Afferte domino filij dei, Afferte domino filios arietum. [Ps. 28 (29).]

Aue per quam filius fratres adoptauit, Quos & dei filios recte nominauit. Eant ergo filij quos ad se vocauit, Agnos Innocencie ferant quos mandauit.

Heil be whom godus sone, i-wis, Line 217 Breþeren him wolde purchase, To beo clept godus sones of blis Be rihte In vche place. Line 220 Goþ nou sones deuoutelye Þat he haþ called him to, Offreþ þe lombes of Innocensye, ffor he comaundet so. Line 224

Exaltabo te domine, quoniam suscepisti me, nec de|lectasti [Ps. 29 (30).] [MS. dilatasti] inimicos meos super me.

Aue tabernaculum cristo dedicatum, Supra Matres optinens sola principatum, Nostris aptans usibus saccum veteratum [cf. Ps. 29, v. 12, Gen. 37, 31.] Propter nostra vulnera gratis vulneratum.

Heil tabernacle of crist Line 225 Halewed worþily, Of alle Modrus i-wist To haue þe pris only: Line 228 Mak us redi [MS. ^gredi, r. greiþe?] to vr vs Þe olde sacke verreyly Þat for ur woundes as refus Was wounded wilfully. Line 232

IN te domine speraui, non confundar in eternum: [Ps. 30 (31).] in Iusticia tua libera me.

Aue nostrum gaudium, nostra fortitudo, Cuius est dulcedinis magna multitudo: In te nostra sit sita spei certitudo, Cuius piis laudibus libere desudo.

Heil vr Ioye of worþinesse, Line 233 And vr strengþe þerto, Whos noble swetnesse Is muchel and gret also: Line 236 In þe beo myn hope i-set Sadly, in certeyn, ffor in þin heriing nou I swet ffreoliche and nouȝt in veyn. Line 240

Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates, et quorum tecta sunt peccata. [Ps. 31 (32).]

Aue cuius utero deus est deorum ffactus homo, tollere spinas delictorum. O beatus vterus, & beati quorum ffecit se participem factor seculorum!

Heil of whos wombe verrey Line 241 God is of goddus alle I-maad mon, to don a-wey Þe þornes of synne and falle. Line 244 A, blessed is þat wombe so sad! And þei ben blessed also Þat god haþ partyng-felawes maad, To dwelle wiþ him euer-mo! Line 248

Exultate iusti in domino: rectos decet laudacio. [Ps. 32 (33).]

Aue per quam reuocat dominus eiectum, Que[m] [MS. Que, r. qui?] a solo patrio peregre profectum [MS. pro grege perfectum] Medicus dum reperit vicijs infectum, Morbi causas abstulit simul & effectum.

Heil bi whom God called a-ȝeyn Line 249 Hem þat weoren out cast, Þat from his ffadur seete certeyn Went forþ in gret hast, Line 252 Leche, þat monkynde þat was mad Parfyt, he fonde infecte, Causes of sikenes þen he forbad And eke þerof þe efecte. Line 256

Benedicam dominum in omni tempore: semper laus eius in ore meo. [Ps. 33 (34).]

Aue mater pariens fructum benedictum, Tactu cuius soluitur Eue maledictum, Que transgressa temere tangens interdictum Transtulit in posteros ulcionis ictum.

Heil Modur bringinge forþ Line 257 Þe feireste fruit i-founde, Þe touche of whuche was so muche worþ Þat Eues curs was vnbounde, Line 260 Þe whuche trespaced folilyche, Þat was forboden touchyng, Þe strok of veniaunce sikerliche Laft to hem þat were comyng. Line 264

Ivdica domine nocentes me, expugna inpugnantes me. [Ps. 34 (35).]

Aue per quam dominus apprehendens scutum [cf. Ps. 34, v. 2.] In extento brachio propulit astutum; Qui de scuto [r. sputo] proprio comiscendo lutum Ceco lumen homini reddidit acutum.

Heil beo [whom] þe lord of liht Line 265 A scheld tok priuely, And in his hond I-streyht ariht Put of his enemy; Line 268 Þat of his owne propre cheld (!), Mengyng þerwiþ cley, As moni men þo bi-heold, Maad a blynt mon se [MS. so] al-wey. Line 272

Dixit iniustus ut delinquat in semet ipso ; non est timor dei ante oculos eius. [Ps. 35 (36).]

Aue templum gracie, tronus deitatis, Torrens affluencie, domus vbertatis: [cf. Ps. 35, v. 9.] Per te-solam reddita spes est desperatis: ffluctuantis Anchoram rege nostre ratis.

Heil temple of grace, Line 273 Trone of þe godhed, Plenteuous ryuer in vche place, And eke hous of freohed: Line 276 Beo þe, hope is ȝolde aȝeyn To hem þat hedde dispeir:

Gouerne þe Anker in certeyn Of vr floteryng schip in Eir! Line 280

NOli emulari in malignantibus, neque zelaueris facientes iniquitatem. [Ps. 36 (37).]

Aue carens simili, nusquam malignata, [cf. Ps. 36, v. 9.] Dignitatis titulo triplicis [r. duplicis] ornata: Virgo mater diceris; iungis [MS. iunge] separata, Es vtrumque, docet hec fides oculata.

Heil þat hast non lyk to þe, Line 281 Wiþ vuel neuer ouer-come, Of þreo maner of dignite Wiþ title maad feir and nome: Line 284 Maiden and Modur þou art told, Disseuered ioy[n]e[st] [MS. ioye] þou goodlye; Þou art boþe two, as we be-hold— Vs techeþ vr feiþ at eȝe. Line 288

Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me, neque in ira tua corripias me. [Ps. 37 (38).]

Aue sancti spiritus fecundata rore, Conseruato pariens castitatis flore: Queso fac ne arguat iudex in furore Quos a morte proprio redemit cruore.

Heil wiþ deuh I-mad feir Line 289 Of þe holigost, parde, Þou beryng child wiþ-outen leir Kepst flour of chastite: Line 292 Mak þou þat he us not missey, Þe Iuge, in no woodnesse, Þat he bouht wiþ his blood verrey ffrom deþ, boþe More and lesse. Line 296

Dixi: custodiam vias meas, vt non delinquam in lingua mea. [Ps. 38 (39).]

Aue cuius filio psalmus decantatur, Et eiusdem habitus in quo figuratur Qui terrena transiens [cf. Ps. 38, v. 7.] in hoc delectatur Si uel mentis gressibus capud consequatur.

Heil of whos sone deuoutely Line 297 A psalm is songe wiþ cure, And of his habit ful sotily In whuche is suche figure Line 300

Line 300 Whos, laft þis world outerly, Dilyteþ him to take heed Wiþ steppes of good þouht holy To suwen crist, vr hed. Line 304

Exspectans expectaui dominum, et intendit michi. [Ps. 39 (40).]

Aue tabernaculum regis inpollutum, Per quam soluit dominus ope destitutum: Tuis iuua meritis sponte prouolutum In lacum miserie & in fecis lutum. [cf. Ps. 39, v. 2.]

Heil tabernacle of kyng Line 305 In-pollute, wondur clen; Þorwh þe þe lord of alle þing Þat hedden non help leosed men: Line 308 Help þorwh þi worþinesse Him þat is woundun al-wey In þe lake of wrecchednesse And in þe fulþe of cley. Line 312

Beatus qui intelligit super egenum & pauperem: [MS. pauperum] [Ps. 40 (41).] in die mala liberabit [MS. liberauit] eum dominus.

Aue solis [MS. solus] ciuitas quam dauid erexit, De qua sol iusticie nube tectus exit, Qui de summis pauperum causas intellexit Et egroto similis egros non despexit.

Heil of Sonne þe cite Line 313 Þat dauid reised on ende, Of whom þe sonne of riht, wuste Wiþ cloude, hit gan forþ wende; Line 316 To þe causes of pore and meke ffrom heuene heede he tok And made him lyk to þe seke And sek folk nouht forsok. Line 320

Quemadmodum desiderat ceruus ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat anima mea ad te, deus. [Ps. 41 (42).]

Aue de qua prodeunt vbertatis riui, De qua in-undans profluit aqua fontis uiui: Peto, mater, ueniam, qui per sordes [MS. sordis] iui; ffac ut fontem siciam magis quam sitiui.

Heil from whom [MS. whon] gon ay forþ Line 321 Riueers of plente rif,

Of whom floweþ of gret worþ Þe watres of welle of lyf. Line 324 Modur, ich aske nou þi merci: Bi fulþes haue I gon; Aftur þat welle mak me þursti Oftur þen I haue don. Line 328

Iudica me, deus, & discerne causam meam de gente non sancta, ab homine iniquo & doloso erue me. [Ps. 42 (43).]

Aue cuius thalamo iudex est egressus Causas qui determinat, uindicat ex[c]essus; Per quem mentis oculus tenebris oppressus Discat vt in lumine ponat suos gressus.

Heil from whos chaumbre her Line 329 A Iuge is forþ passet Þat determineþ vr causes cler And punisscheþ hem þat trespasseþ; Line 332 Beo whom of vr þouht þe eȝe, Wiþ derknes þat is ouer-fet, Mow lerne þenne wiþ liht in hyȝe His steppes forte set. Line 336

Deus auribus nostris audiuimus, patres nostri an|nunciauerunt nobis. [Ps. 43 (44).]

Aue cuius filius prouehit egentes Et affligit [MS. affugit] improbos in nos insurgentes: [cf. Ps. 43, v. 8.] Pie queso dirigat nostras in se mentes, Reprimendo turbinum motus iminentes.

Heil whos worþi sone Line 337 Bringeþ forþ neodful, certeyn, And proude puiteþ in tribulacione Þat risen vs aȝeyn. Line 340 Þat al vr þouhtes in to him He dresse, I þe preye, And refreyn of tempest grim Þe sturinges in þis weye. Line 344

Eructauit cor meum verbum bonum; dico ego opera mea regi. [Ps. 44 (45).]

Aue per quam genitor verbum eructauit, Verbum quod hominibus se contemperauit, Qui [r. Quod] dei & hominum federa dictauit Et pro nobis moriens mortem relegauit.

Heil be whom biȝetere Line 345 A word sum tyme forþ sende, Word þat to men here Him-self tempred and bende; Line 348 Þe whuche of god and of man Endited feire þe bonde, And for us alle diede þan And deþ put out of londe. Line 352

Deus noster refugium & uirtus, adiutor in tribulaci|onibus que inuenerunt nos nimis. [Ps. 45 (46).]

Aue tabernaculum domini virtutum, In quo sumens dominus nostre carnis lutum, Vt captiuum redimat ope destitutum, Arcum fortis conterit & comburit scutum. [Ps. 45, v. 9.]

Heil of þat lord þe tabernacle Line 353 Þat is of vertue al-way, In whom he tok wiþ-oute obstacle Of vr flesch þe Clay, Line 356 To Bugge aȝein þe wrecched wiht Þat non hope felede; Of þe strong he brak in fiht Þe bouwe and eke þe schelde. Line 360

Omnes gentes plaudite manibus, iubilate deo in uoce exultacionis. [Ps. 46 (47).]

Aue cuius filius regnat super gentes, Cuius psallunt nomini manibus plaudentes. Iubilemus igitur attollendo mentes, Indefesso capiti cristo adherentes.

Heil whos sone so gent Line 361 Ouer folk regneþ, parfey; To whos name men verrey[me]nt Syngyng wiþ hondes pley. Line 364 Make we nou Ioye wiþ al vr list, Vr þouhtes an heiȝ resynge To vr noble hed crist, To him euer cleuynge. Line 368

MAgnus dominus & laudabilis nimis, in ciuitate dei nostri, in monte sancto tuo. [r. eius] [Ps. 47 (48).]

Aue virgo generans regem sempiternum Quique noster deus est, deus in eternum,

Qui pro nobis moriens spoliat auernum, Solium nos faciens scandere supernum.

Heil Maiden bringinge forþ wiþ mood Line 369 Þe euerlastinge kyng, Þe whuche is vre god so good, God wiþ-outen endyng; Line 372 Þat for us whon he dude dye, Al to-spoyled helle, To his ffadur trone on hiȝe To make us stye to dwelle. Line 376

Audite hec omnes gentes, auribus percipite omnes qui habitatis terram. [Ps. 48 (49).]

Aue nostrum gaudium, nostre spes salutis, Per quam cecis redditur lux, & sermo mutis: Nobis innocencie uestibus exutis Redde queso graciam statumque salutis.

Heil vr Ioye þat art certeyn, Line 377 And eke hope of ur hele, Bi whom to blynde is ȝolde aȝeyn Siht, and word to doumbe at mele: Line 380 To us naked in þis place Of cloþes of innocencie, We preye þe gete us nou grace And staat of vertues hyȝe. Line 384

Deus deorum dominus locutus est, et uocauit terram. [Ps. 49 (50).]

Aue salutarium summa gaudiorum, Saluatorem generans & deum deorum, Qui misertus miseris & consors eorum Culpas lauans pertulit penas peccatorum.

Heil summe of honour, Line 385 Of heleful ioyes i calle, Þou brouhtust forþ vr saueour, God of goddus alle, Line 388 Þat on wrecches hedde Merci And wox heore felawe anon, Wasschynge heore gultus witerli And tok vr peynes him on. Line 392

MIserere mei deus, secundum magnam misericor|diam tuam. [Ps. 50 (51).]

Aue uirgo generans, nostri miserere, Languescentis animi morbos intuere; Tu miserta miseris et compassa vere, Morbi causas auferens mentibus medere.

Heil Maiden Mylde and meke, Line 393 On Monkuynde haue Merci, Eueles of soules þat beo seke Bi-hold þou witerly; Line 396 Of wrecches haue Merci verrey And eke Compassioun, Causes of vueles doynge a-wey To hele þouhtes beo boun. Line 400

Quid gloriaris in malicia, qui potens es in ini|quitate? [Ps. 51 (52).]

Aue was mundicie continens vnguentum, Veteris malicie comprimens fermentum: Cordis nostri comprime motum turbulentum, Tue nobis gracie conferens augmentum.

Heil vessel of Clannesse Line 401 Holdyng Oygnement I-nouh, Of þe olde wrecchednesse Holdyng doun sourdouh, Line 404 Þe mouinges þat ben troublus Of vr herte refreinynge, Ȝiuinge [r. ȝiue?] of þi grace to vs Euer-more echynge. Line 408

Dix[i]t insipiens in corde suo: non est deus. [Ps. 52 (53).]

Aue nostri generis presens ad tutelam: Audi quam effundimus gemitus loquelam: Tu corrumpi [MS. corrumpe] nescia tolle cor[r]uptelam Et morbosis mentibus adhibe medelam.

Heil þat euer art present Line 409 Vr kuynde forte defende: Here ur speche wiþ good entent Þat we forþ to þe sende: Line 412 Þou þat wost no corrupcioun, ffrom us do hit a-wey, To seke þouhtus loke þou beo boun Medicyn to do verrey. Line 416

Deus, in nomine tuo saluum me fac, & in uirtute tua iudica me. [Ps. 53 (54).]

Aue cuius filius patri coequalis Nobis se contemperans factus est mortalis. Nos experiencia doceat realis Quod in eius nomine saluemur a malis.

Heil whos sone glorious, Line 417 To his ffadur euene, Haþ [MS. þat] comformed [MS. confermed] him to us I-maad of dedly steuene: Line 420 Nou beo we tauht spiritualy Beo experience [MS. experimence] Real, Þat in his nome ful sikerly Saued we ben from eueles alle. Line 424

Exaudi, deus, oracionem meam, et ne despexeris de|precacionem meam; intende michi et exaudi me. [Ps. 54 (55).]

Aue secretarium exaudicionis, Nostre verba suscipe deprecacionis Nosque tue gracie predotatos donis Ad diuine transferas pacem visionis.

Heil þou holy sacrarie, Line 425 Vr askynges euer heryng, Vr [r. þe] wordus þou take deuoutly Al-wei of vre preying; Line 428 Vs also þat of þi grace Wiþ ȝiftus maade riche ariht, Of pees translate to þe place Of heueneliche siht. Line 432

MIserere mei deus, quoniam conculcauit me homo: tota die inpugnans tribulauit me. [Ps. 55 (56).]

Aue Mater venie, potens misereri: In tuorum numero fac nos recenceri, Et cum ventilacio [MS. ventulacio] ceperit haberi, Iram nobis tempera iudicis seueri.

Heil Modur of forȝifnesse, Line 433 Mihti to haue merci: Make us be founde þorwh þi godnesse Among þi seruauns herti; Line 436 And whon þe wynewyng schal be-ginne To parte euel from good,

Tempre þou þen to us wiþ þi ginne Of wraþþe þe Iewes [= juge's] mod. Line 440

MIserere mei deus, miserere mei, quoniam in te confidit anima mea. [Ps. 56 (57).]

Aue nostri generis potens aduocata: Miserere miseris, misereri nata; Nos qui per te canimus solui iudicata, [MS. medicata] Per te solui petimus: solue postulata.

Heil, for þou art of monkynde Line 441 An Aduoket mihti: Haue merci, and haue in mynde Of wrecches þou haue merci; Line 444 We þat syngen þat bi þe Þat iuged is to paye, We asken alle vnbounde to be, To [r. þou] pay þat asked is ayȝe. Line 448

SI uere utique iusticiam loquimini, recte [r. recta] iudicate filij hominum. [Ps. 57 (58).]

Aue que iusticiam semper es locuta, Cuius ope demonum fraus est imminuta: Senciat & sapiat per te plebs adiuta Libertati pristine quo[d] [MS. quo] sit restituta.

Heil þou þat rihtwysnesse Line 449 Hast i-spoken al-way, Þorwh whos help þe queyntenesse Of þe fend is lutled ay; Line 452 Þat þe peple holpen beo bi þe, ffeele þei hit in certeyn, Þat to þe furste liberte Þei beo restored a-ȝeyn. Line 456

Eripe me de inimicis meis, deus meus, et ab insur|gentibus in me libera me. [Ps. 58 (59).]

Aue mater nesciens in delicto thorum, Ad quam clamat iugite[r] turba filiorum: Nos a malis eripe, quos a uia morum Detorquere satagit tractus viciorum.

Heil modur þat nost sikerliche Line 457 Trespas don abedde, To whom þe peple bisiliche Crieþ and longe haþ gredde: Line 460

Line 460 Lyuere vs from eueles euerichon, Whuche from good maner Vs to wiþ-drawe is bisy mon Þe drauht of vices her. Line 464

Deus, repulisti nos & dest[r]uxisti nos, iratus es et misertus es nobis. [Ps. 59 (60).]

Aue per quam deitas carne palliata Idumeam [of. Ps. 59, v.9.] visitat corrigens errata: Tibi, mater, iugiter psallat plebs renata, Dei participio per te sociata.

Heil beo whom þe godhed Line 465 In vr flesch was laced, So Idumeam he visyted To mende þat hedde trespaced: Line 468 To þe, Modur of worschipe, Syngeþ peple þat cristen is, Þat to Godus felaschipe Þey mowe beo ioyned in blis. Line 472

Exaudi, deus, deprecacionem meam, intende ora|cioni mee. [Ps. 60 (61).]

Aue lux exposita loco preminenti, Lux illustrans omnia radio patenti: Nos a malis omnibus serues in presenti, Lumen verum conferens nubilose menti.

Heil, þou hast sent forþ liht Line 473 In place most principal, Liht euer schynynge briht Wiþ open bem ouer-al: Line 476 Kep us from vuel þat us haþ souht, Whil þat we dwellen here, Ȝiuynge to vre derke þouht Verrey liht and clere. Line 480

NOnne deo subiecta erit anima mea? ab ipso enim salutare meum. [Ps. 61 (62)]

Aue per quam deitas peregre profecta Visitauit exules, nube carnis tecta: Nostra per te deo sit anima subiecta, Ad soluendas domino grates circumspecta.

Heil beo whom þe godhed Line 481 Went forþ a-pilgrimage

And þe flemed visyted, Huled wiþ fflesch of age: Line 484 Þorwh þe vr soules to God, ladi, Soget beo þei and meke, To þonke vr lord ful hertily Ay to [r. þei?] beo bisy eke. Line 488

Deus deus meus, ad te de luce vigilo. [Ps. 62 (63).]

Aue vite pabulum, virginum lucerna, Quam plus ditat ceteris gracia superna: Pietate filijs subueni materna, Sanctitatis adipe sacians interna.

Heil, þou art code of lyf, Line 489 And Maydens cke lanterne; Whom bi-foren oþur riche and rif Haþ maad þe grace of heuene: Line 492 Help þi sones of þi godnesse As Modur of pite, ffullyng hem of þi fatnesse Of inward saunctite. Line 496

Exaudi, deus, oracionem meam cum deprecor: a timore inimici eripe animam meam. [Ps. 63 (64).]

Aue virgo generans per quem [MS. quam] defecerunt Hij qui velud gladium [MS. gladij] linguas acuerunt; [cf. Ps. 63, v. 3.] Qui tendentes laqueos, in quos inciderunt, Ex defectu proprio nobis p[r]ofuerunt. [MS. posuerunt]

Heil Mayden, him forþ bringynge Line 497 Be whom al þei dude fayle Þat hedden tonges of scharpynge As [MS. And] swerd þat kerueþ Mayle; Line 500 Þei maden panters for oþur men And fullen in to þe same; Of heor oune defaute þen To vs þe profyt came. Line 504

TE decet ymnus, deus, in syon, et tibi reddetur uotum in Ierusalem. [Ps. 64 (65).]

Aue per quam deitas, carnis indumento Tecta, curat morbidum gracie fomento: Queso fac ut centupli gaudens incremento Habundare valeam vallium [MS. valli non] frumento. [cf. Ps. 64, v. 13.]

Heil þorwh whom godhed i-wis Line 505 Of vre flesch tok cloþinge, fforte helen us of seknis Þorwh his grace helpynge. Line 508 Þat i mou, Ioynge, prei i þe, An hundredfold of encrece and hete, Haue plentiuouse charite Of þe valeye of whete. Line 512

IVbilate deo omnis terra, psalmum dicite nomini eius, date gloriam laudi eius. [Ps. 65 (66).]

Aue virgo generans plebis salutare, Cuius laudes resonent celum, terra, mare, Qui naturam hominis uolens exaltare Moriendo voluit mortem terminare.

Heil Mayden, bringyng forþ Line 513 Of folk þe helþe, parde, Of whos herying sounen in worþ Heuene, Erþe and Séé, Line 516 Him þat al monkynde Wolde en-haunce wel hiȝe, And so for us eke dyinge Put out deþes eiȝe. Line 520

Deus misereatur nostri & benedicat nobis: illuminet uultum suum super nos & misereatur nostri. [Ps. 66 (67).]

Aue per quam miseris deus miseretur, Per quam [r. quem?] nostri generis scelus aboletur: Per te sic miseria nostra releuetur Vt in finem gaudio uero permutetur.

Heil þorwh whom God haþ muynde Line 521 On wrecches and haþ merci, Þorwh whom al Monkynde Clansed is þat was gulti: Line 524 Beo þe al vr wrecchednis So beo releued a-wey Þat in to þe ende of [r. wiþ?] ioye and blis hit beo chaunged verrey. Line 528

Exurgat deus & dissipentur inimici eius, & fugiant qui oderunt eum a facie eius. [Ps. 67 (68).]

Aue de qua natus est triumphator mortis, Deus ex te particeps factus nostre sortis,

Qui captiuos eruens ab inferni portis Reddat nos consorcio celice cohortis.

Heil of whom boren was her Line 529 He þat deþ ouercom, God of þe vr parciner Was maad and vre lot nom. Line 532 He þat wrecches wiþ worschip Lyuered fro ȝates of helle, Restore vs to þe felaschip Wiþ heuenlich folk to dwelle. Line 536

SAluum me fac deus, quoniam intrauerunt aque usque ad animam meam. [Ps. 68 (69).]

Aue stella fulgida, stella salutaris, Stella de qua prodijt radius solaris: Mentis pelle tenebras, nec nos paciaris Absorberi fluctibus procellosi maris. [cf. Ps. 68, v. 16.]

Heil þou sterre schynyng briht, Line 537 Of vr hele þou art sterre; Sterre from whom went forþ riht Þe Sonne-Beem, our herre: Line 540 Þe derknesses of vr þouht Make þou a-wey to fle; Þat we be swolewed, suffre þou nouht, Wiþ tempestes of þe séé. Line 544

Deus in adiutorium meum intende, domine ad adiu|uandum me festina. [Ps. 69 (70).]

Aue vallis humilis, in quam cum descendit Deus verus, Abrahe semen apprehendit, Et sic adiutorium miseris inpendit Conterendo laqueos hostis quos tetendit.

Heil valeye of humilite, Line 545 In whom whon þer doun cam Verrey God þat tok of þe Þe seed of Abraham, Line 548 On such maner he ȝaf helpyn[g] To wrecches þat weoren in wer, Þe panters al to-brekyng Þat vre Enemy made heer. Line 552

In te domine speraui, non confundar in eternum; in [Ps. 70 (71).] iusticia tua libera me & eripe me.

Aue vite ianua, speciem [r. species?] virtutis, Protectorem generans ope destitutis: Nostrum sis refugium, nostre spes salutis, [cf. Ps. 70, v. 3 ff.] Per quam dure soluitur iugum seruitutis.

Heil ȝate of lyf wiþ honour, Line 553 Of vertues þou art spice, Bringyng forþ þe protectour To helples þorw vice; Line 556 Þou art refuyt to eueri age, Hope of hele i-founde, Þorwh whom now of bondage Þe harde ȝok is vnbounde. Line 560

Deus, iudicium tuum regi da, et iusticiam tuam filio regis. [Ps. 71 (72).]

Aue celi pluuia vellus iroratum, [cf. Ps. 71, v. 6.] Indumentum preparans regi purpuratum, Qui se nostri generis gerens aduocatum ffecit [MS. fferit] finem litibus, finem perbeatum.

Heil, of heuene þou art reyn, Line 561 And fleos wiþ dewh i-wet, Cloþing of purpre þou art, certeyn, To þat kyng arayed and met, Line 564 Þat him-self to vr kuynde Schewed him so Aduoket, Of alle stryues made an ende, In blisse vs forte set. Line 568

[This stanza refers to Ps. 71, v. 9-12, but is headed in the MS. by Ps. 72 (Quam bonus), and so the next Qua|trains till Ps. 78 have the wrong heading.] Aue cuius filio gens ab Oriente [Ps. 71, 9 ff.] Trina trino detulit, stella precedente; Sic iunctura fidei duos u[n]iente, Liberauit pauperem deus a potente. [cf. Ps. 71, v. 12.]

Heil [to] whos sone gent Line 569 Þreo kynges fro þe Est Comen feire wiþ heore present, A sterre hem ladde best; Line 572 So þe ioynture of þe fey Twiȝen þen onynge, God þe pore lyuered awey ffrom þe mihti nuwynge. [= ags. niowunga anew] Line 576

Quam bonus, israel, deus hijs qui recto sunt corde! [Ps. 72 (73).]

Aue virgo generans orbis architectum,

Qui dum mortis moriens terminat effectum, Mentis nostre gressibus iter parat rectum, Vt nequaquam transeant cordis in affectum. [cf. Ps. 72, v. 7.]

Heil Mayden, for þou him beer Line 577 Þat al þe world doþ keuere; Þat for vs alle dyȝinge heer deþ destruyed for euere; Line 580 Þe rihte wey a-rayed so to steppus of vr þouhte, ffor we schulde on nowyse go As men þat no-þing rouhte. Line 584

Vt quid, deus, repulisti in finem? iratus est furor tuus super oues pascue tue? [Ps. 73 (74).]

Aue cuius filius operans salutem In terrarum medio, [cf. Ps. 73, v. 12.] mouet ad uirtutem. Erumpnosam remoue, mater, seruitutem, Presens ut exilium gaudio permutem.

Heil whos sone has wrouht Line 585 Al vr hele sponnewe, Þat in þe myddes of eorþe vs souht To meoue us to vertue. Line 588 Remuwe þou, Modur gentil, Bondage from vr graunge, Þat we mowen vre exil Wiþ Ioye of heuene chaunge. Line 592

Confitebimur tibi, deus, confitebimur, et inuocabimus nomen tuum. [Ps. 74 (75).]

Aue cuius gracia ueniam meretur ffidem qui catholicam pie confitetur: Tuis, virgo, meritis precibusque detur Vt quod Eua perdidit per te reformetur.

Heil þorwh whos grace may haue Line 593 fforȝiuenes verreyliche He þat þe holy feiþ wol saue And knowleche hit mekeliche: Line 596 Þorwh þi merit, mayden dere, To vs beo hit iȝiue Þat hit beo refoormed here Þat lost was þorwh Eue. Line 600

NOtus in Iudea deus, in israel magnum nomen eius. [Ps. 75 (76).]

Aue per quam dominus pietate motus Humilis apparuit in iudea notus: ffortem redde spiritum, frangens carnis motus, Vt deuote seruiat tibi toti totus.

Heil þorwh whom þe lord of miht Line 601 Was stured wiþ pite, And schewed him meke to monnes siht And knowen was in Iudec: Line 604 Mak þou vs of spirit strong, Sturynges of flesche brekyng, Þat we ben alle wiþ herte and tong Deuout to þe seruyng. Line 608

VOce mea ad dominum clamaui; uoce mea ad deum, & intendit michi. [Ps. 76 (77).]

Aue mater gracie, gemmis redimita, Mater per quam pauperum uox est exaudita: Tuus nobis filius in presenti uita Via sit & veritas in futuro sita.

Heil modur of grace i calle þe þen, Line 609 Schinyng as precious stones, Modur þorwh whom of þe pore men Þe vois is herd at ones: Line 612 To vs þi sone of worþinesse In þis lyf hol and some Beo he boþe wey and soþfastnesse ffor lyf þat is to come. Line 616

Attendite popule meus legem meam, inclinate aurem uestram in uerba oris mei. [Ps. 77 (78).]

Aue terra glorie germinans frumentum, [cf. Ps. 77, v. 24 ff.] Animabus conferens uite nutrimentum, [cf. Ps. 77, v. 25.] Quod in crucis cornibus a iudeis tentum Moriendo centupli tulit incrementum.

Heil, þou noble lond of blis Line 617 Whete wel feir borionyng, To mennes soules þou ȝiuest i-wis Of lyf þe norisschyng, Line 620 Þat on þe hornes of þe Croys Iewes helden wiþ-outen les;

Dyȝinge he ȝaf wiþ-outen noys [MS. uoys] An hundred-fold encrees. Line 624

Deus, uenerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam, pollue|runt templum sanctum tuum, posuerunt ierusalem in p[omorum] c[ustodiam]. [Ps. 78 (79).]

[Latin Quatrain to Ps. 78 wanting.] Heil from whom went forþ þo Þe ffadur of fadurles, Whos temple defouled also Þe peple of corsudnes: Line 628 Ioyne þi seruauns euerichon To holi cumpaygnye; Þi sones take in possession Þat peyned ben heer to dye. [cf. Ps. 78, v. 11.] Line 632

Qui regis israel, intende; qui deducis uelud ouem Ioseph. [Ps. 79 (80).]

Aue lumen fidei, summa spei certe, Caritatis vinculum; veritatis per te Via nobis paruit: queso nos conuerte, [cf. Ps. 79, v. 4.] Et ne mala videant, oculos [MS. ouculos] auerte.

Heil, þou art þe liht of feiþ, Line 633 And vr heȝe hope, parde, And eke of Charite, men seiþ, Þe bond. Þerfore þorwh þe Line 636 Of soþnesse to us þe weye Was schewed. we preye þe now, Conuerte us, þat wiþ vr eiȝe Seo vueles we ne mow. Line 640

Exultate deo adiutori nostro, iubilate deo iacob. [Ps. 80 (81).]

Aue cuius filius dextera potenti Ab egipti cophino [cf. Ps. 80, v. 7.] suos in presenti Liberando reficit adipe frumenti, Et de petra saciat melle profluenti. [cf. Ps. 80, v. 17.]

Heil whos sone fyn Line 641 Wiþ his mihti honde ffrom Egiptus cofyn Diliuered us her in londe, Line 644 After þat vs refetyng Wiþ þe ter ['teer of flowre, amolum,' Pr. Parv.] of whete, And of þe ston hony flowyng ffulled vs at mete. Line 648

Deus stetit in synagoga deorum, in medio autem deos diiudicat. [Ps. 81 (82).]

Aue cuius filius stetit in deorum Synagoga, iudicans principes eorum; Qui pupillos refouens spes est egenorum, [cf. Ps. 81, v. 3.] Nos adoptans erigit in spem filiorum.

Heil, whos deore sone stod Line 649 In þe Synagoge of goddes And iuged þer wiþ stille mood Princis lyuynge as dogges; Line 652 And foode ȝaf to þe faderles, And hope eke to neodi; Vs to his sones he dude purches In to hope on hyȝ. Line 656

Deus, quis similis erit tibi? ne taceas neque com|pescaris, deus. [Ps. 82 (83).]

Aue per quam nobis est similis effectus Deus, iudex hominum paciens & rectus: Purga conciencias, ordinans affectus, Vt non nobis noceat noster inperfectus.

Heil þorwh whom, as we haue mynde, Line 657 To us is maad nou lyke God, þat iuge is of monkynde, Suffring and rihtful eke: Line 660 Purge þou vr concience, And ordeyne vre delyt, Þat us greue nouȝt vre offence Of wrecches in-parfyt. Line 664

Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, domine virtutum: concupiscit & deficit anima mea in atria domini. [Ps. 83 (84).]

Aue tabernaculum facta deitatis, In quo saluat seculum cristus a peccatis: Solue queso vinculum nostre prauitatis, Prestans habitaculum noue claritatis.

Heil tabernacle cler Line 665 Maade of þe godhed, In whom crist saued þe world her ffrom synne and wrecchedhed: Line 668 Þe bond, we preye þe, vnbynde Of vre schrewednesse,

And ȝif us place to vre dwellynge: Þat is of newe clernesse. Line 672

Benedixisti domine terram tuam, auertisti captiui|tatem iacob. [Ps. 84 (85).]

Aue terra gracie fecundata donis, Noue fructum proferens benediccionis: Nostrum desiderium facies in bonis, Nos a malis eximens praue nacionis.

Heil noble eorþe of grace Line 673 Þorwh ȝiftus wel arrayed, To bringe forþ fruyt in luytel space Of newe blessyng assayed: Line 676 Þou schalt make al vre desyr In godnesse to be stede; Of al vuel quenche þou þe fyr And eke of wikkedhede. Line 680

INclina domine aurem tuam & exaudi me, quoniam inops & pauper sum ego. [Ps. 85 (86).]

Aue uite speculum, uirginum regina, Quam lustrauit vndique gracia diuina: Aurem tuam pauperum precibus inclina, Quos inuoluit misere sordium sentina.

Heil þou cler myrour of lyf, Line 681 Of Maydens þou art queene, Whom grace of heuene ouer-al ful ryf Schynyng schewed schene: Line 684 Beende þyn eres bisyliche To pore mennes preyere, Þe whuche ben wrapped wrecchedliche In fulþe and serwe in-feere. Line 688

Fundamenta eius in montibus sanctis: diligit [Ps. 86 (87).] dominus portas syon super omnia tabernacula iacob.

Aue dei ciuitas, cuius fundamentum Samarites construit, qui nos in iumentum Semiuiuos [subleuans] plagis dat vnguentum, Viuo [r. vino: cf. Luc. 10, 34.] legis adhibens gracie fomentum.

Heil cite of god and man, Line 689 Of whuche þe foundement

Buylded þe Samaritan, Þat us vppon his iument Line 692 Sette þat br[o]uȝt was [r. war] neih [of] [MS. to] dawe, And ȝaf us vnement, Eching to hem þat lyuen beo lawe, Of grace help verrement. Line 696

Domine deus salutis mee, in die clamaui et nocte coram te. [Ps. 87 (88).]

Aue mater domini qui spes est [MS. &] salutis, Qui contriuit moriens iugum seruitutis: Iuua nos in tempore nostre senectutis, Nos in celum subleuans gradibus virtutis.

Heil Modur of [þe] lord and kyng, Line 697 Þat hope art of vr hele, Þe whuche brac in his dyȝing Of bondage ȝokkes fele: Line 700 Help us nou wiþ þi preying— We ben in ful gret age; In to heuene vs up liftyng Þorwh vertus, stage vp stage. Line 704

Misericordias domini in eternum cantabo. [Ps. 88 (89).]

Aue nostri generis terminans lamentum, Per quam rex disposuit uite testamentum: [cf. Ps. 88, v. 20.] Gregem tuis laudibus iugiter intentum Non pauere facias iudicis aduentum.

Heil of Monkynde ende makyng Line 705 Of alle serwe and stryf, Þorwh whom disposet haþ vr kyng Þe Testament of lyf: Line 708 Þis folk þat in þyn herying Heer trauayleþ day bi day, Mak þat þei haue no dredyng Whon Iuge schal come verray. Line 712

Domine, refugium factus es nobis, a generacione in generacionem. [Ps. 89 (90).]

Aue que refugium facta desperatis Procellose comprimis motus tempestatis: Paca nos & applica portubus optatis, Vultui [MS. Vultru] nos offerens summe trinitatis.

Heil, for þou art help ful good Line 713 To hem þat han non hope; Þou a-batest þe grete flood, In tempest whon we ben lope: Line 716 To þat hauene þou vs brynge Þat ay desyre schulde we, In to þe siht vs offringe Of þe heiȝe Trinite. Line 720

Qui habitat in adiutorio altissimi, in protectione dei celi commorabitur. [Ps. 90 (91).]

Aue quam inhabitat verbum caro factum, Qui collapsos uetiti ligni per contactum Nos fecisse condolens cum inferno pactum, Ligno vite reparat figuli was fractum. [cf. Ps. 2, v. 9.]

Heil in whom word made flesch Line 721 Dwelleþ, þat haþ mournyng Of fallyng of Monkynde so nesch, fforboden a treo touchyng; Line 724 Þat bouhte mon fro pyne of hel, Þat þer schulde haue bi stoke; Wiþ þe treo of lyf he heled wel Þe vessel þat was broke. Line 728

Bonum est confiteri domino, et psallere nomini tuo, [Ps. 91 (92).] altissime.

Aue per quam domino pie confitemur, Cuius pie veniam consequi meremur: Tuis sanctis precibus, mater, adiuuemur, Vt cum cristo iugiter tecum gloriemur.

Heil þorwh whom to god mekeliche Line 729 Men make confession, And aftur þat mercifuliche Graunteþ us remission: Line 732 Modur, þorwh þi preyere Beo we so holpen a-way, [r. al-way?] Þat wiþ crist and þe i-fere Ioye we mowe haue ay. Line 736

Dominus regnauit, decorem indutus est; indutus est dominus fortitudinem & precinxit se. [Ps. 92 (93).]

Aue per quam dominus induens decorem, Matris Eue moriens terminat merorem,

Prime nos originis uocans ad honorem, Immo statum reuocans multo meliorem.

Heil þorwh whom God cloþing Line 737 Of feirnesse tok at morwe, Of Eue, vr modur, for us dying He endet al þe sorwe, Line 740 Callynge aȝein vs to honour Of vr furst springyng forþ, And us sette, soffring hard schour, In staat muche more worþ. Line 744

Deus ulcionum dominus; deus ulcionum libere egit. [Ps. 93 (94).]

Aue mater domini miseracionum, Mea delens crimina spiritum da bonum, Vt astare valeam gaudens ante tronum, Cum in finem venerit deus vlcionum.

Heil modur of þe lord Line 745 Of Merci þat is parfyt: Do wey my synnes of dedes [r. dede] and word, And ȝif me good spirit, Line 748 Þat I may stonde wiþ cher gladyng To-fore þe trone of blis, Whon god schal come at þe endyng To venge dedes mis. Line 752

Venite, exultemus domino, iubilemus deo salutari nostro. [Ps. 94 (95).]

Aue mater inclita, [MS. indica; the translator read modica.] mater inquam dei, Per quem datur Sabbatum uere requiei; Hic est qui nos liberat anno iubilei: [cf. Ps. 94, v. 10, 11.] Vnde nec in-merito iubilamus ei.

Heil modur meke wiþ-oute debat, Line 753 Heil modur [MS. modur of modur of] of Ihesu crist, Þorwh whom to us þe Sabat Is ȝiuen of verrey rist [MS. riht] ; Line 756 He hit is þat lyuereþ vs In þe ȝeer of Iubilee: Þerfore vchon as men ioyus To him nou synge we. Line 760

Cantate domino canticum nouum, cantate domino [Ps. 95 (96).] omnis terra.

Aue per quam domino nouit decantare Nouum terra canticum laudans salutare; Qui nos, cum redierit orbem salutare, [r. indicare; cf. Ps. 95, v. 13.] Summi patris ouibus velit agregare.

Heil þorwh whom to vr lord Line 761 Men han lernd to synge A newe song wiþ vois and word Of heleþe hinf hery[i]nge, Line 764 Þat he [om. he?] wole, whon he comeþ aȝeyn Þe world forte grete, His ffadres schep þen in certeyn To-gedere he wol gete. Line 768

Dominus regnauit: exultet terra, letentur insule multe. [Ps. 96 (97).]

Aue cuius filius regnans sine fyne Egrotanti factus est auctor medicine, Qui naturam hominis vniens diuine ffit per mortis terminum terminus [MS. terminis] ruine.

Heil whos sone in pouste Line 769 Regneþ wiþ-outen ende, To syke men mad is he Medicyn, hem to mende; Line 772 Þe whuche of monkynde and diuyn Maade an onynge, And in his dyȝinge dude termyn Þe terme of vre fallynge. Line 776

Cantate domino canticum nouum, quia mirabilia fecit. [Ps. 97 (98).]

Aue que libidinis non sensisti motum, Per quam fecit dominus salutare notum, [cf. Ps. 97, v. 2.] Qui, quod erat hominis, assumendo totum Ergo se contemperat, sanet ut egrotum.

Heil þou þat of lecherie Line 777 ffeledest neuer no sturyng; Þorwh þe þe lord of glorie Maade hele to vr knowyng: Line 780 He tok al þing him vppon Þat was of Monkuynde eke, fforte helen hem euerichon Þat in soule weren seke. Line 784

Dominus regnauit: irascantur populi; qui sedet [MS. sedes] [Ps. 98 (99).] super cherubin, moueatur terra.

Aue que iusticie solem nube [Ps. 98, v. 7.] tegis, Tronus facta gracie, tronus summi regis: Nostri queso uigiles ad tutelam gregis, Vt in nobis uigeat plenitudo legis.

Heil þou þe sonne of rihtwysnes Line 785 Wiþ clene cloude huledest, Made trone of grace and goodnes, Trone of kyng hiȝist: Line 788 Vr flok forte defende We prey þe wake and dawe, Þat we mowe þriue and us amende Wiþ ffulnesse of þe lawe. Line 792

Iubilate deo omnis terra, seruite domino in leticia. [Ps. 99 (100).]

Aue mater, cuius est pietas in-mensa, Cuius ope languidis salus est inpensa: Mentis uota suscipe iubilumque pensa, Et perhenne gaudium nobis recompensa.

Heil Modur swete, whos pite Line 793 May no mon þenke ne telle; To seke men is ȝiue þorwh þe An hele, soþ as gospelle: Line 796 Tac þou deuocions of vr þouht, And of gladnesse tak hede; Þe ioye euerlastynge forȝete þou nouht To gete us to vr mede. Line 800

MIsericordiam & iudicium cantabo tibi, domine. [Ps. 100 (101).]

Aue Mater solitum gignens preter morem, Que gignendo retines virginis pudorem: [cf. Ps. 100, v. 2.] Iuris & iudicij feruidum rigorem per misericordie tempera [MS. tempora] dulcorem.

Hei[l] Modur child forþ bringynge Line 801 Aȝeynes comuyn custome, Of Maydenhod ȝit stille holdynge Clannesse wiþ-outen schome: Line 804 Of lawe and of þe Iuggement Þat ilke brennynge hardnesse Tempre þou wiþ good entent Of Merci wiþ swetnesse. Line 808

DOmine, exaudi oracionem meam, et clamor meus ad te veniat. [Ps. 101 (102).]

Aue per quam pauperum uoces exaudiuit Passer solitarius [cf. Ps. 101, v. 8.] qui post mortem viuit; Qui per penas diluens culpam quam nesciuit, Iugum mortis moriens opido contriuit.

Heil þorwh whom of pore men Line 809 Voyces heereþ of breþ Þe sparwe in þe euene soleyn Þat lyueþ aftur his deþ; Line 812 Þat wiþ peynes harde wassching Þe gultus þat he nouht kneuh, Þe ȝok of deþ for us dying He al to-brac and dreuh. Line 816

BEnedic anima mea domino, & omnia que intra me sunt nomini sancto eius. [Ps. 102 (103).]

Aue Mater titulo benediccionis Illustrata celitus gracieque [MS. graciaque] donis: Nos illustra cumulo miseracionis, Statum mutans misere conuersacionis.

Heil Modur þat aboute by-gon Line 817 Wiþ tytle of good blessynge, Wiþ grace and vertues mony on, Þorwh ȝiftus of vr kynge: Line 820 Resseyue þou vs þorwh þi goodnes Wiþ plenteuous merci, Chaungynge ur stat of wrecchednes In to lyuyng holy. Line 824

Benedic anima mea domino: domine deus meus, [Ps. 103 (104).] magnificatus es uehementer.

Aue Mater gracie, Mater Benedicta, Malediccionibus Eue non astricta: Moles queso criminum aufer & delicta, Vt seueri iudicis temperes edicta.

Heil þou modur of grace, Line 825 Modur al-wey blessid. . . . . [2 vv. wanting.] : Þe Moles of vr crym, we prey, Do wey, and vre trespas, Line 828 Þe Iuges harde biddynges verrey Tempre þou in luytel spas. Line 830

COnfitemini domino & inuocate nomen eius; Annun|ciate inter gentes opera eius. [Ps. 104 (105).]

Aue Mater filij, per quam [r. quem?] liberantur Qui sub mole criminum [MS. crimini] pressi condempnantur: Ipsi, per quem federa gracie ditantur, Pie nos confedera cum hijs qui saluantur.

Heil Modur of Sone i-blest, Line 831 Þorwh whom dyliuered beone Þei þat wiþ crymes ben opprest, And dampned wiþ-outen wene. Line 834 To him, þorwh hom [MS. him] euer-mo Bondes of grace ben maade, Meke [MS. Make] him þou bynde us to, Wiþ hem þat ben saue and glade. Line 838

COnfitemini domino, quoniam bonus, quoniam in seculum misericordia eius. [Ps. 105 (106).]

Aue cuius filio pie confitemur, Quod Egipti tenebris; [MS. tenebras] per hunc amouemur [MS. admonemur] Qui pro nobis gladium ponit super femur, [cf. Ps. 44, v. 4.] Quo accinctus dimicet, ne nos expugnemur.

Heil to whos sone in soþnes Line 839 We knowleche wiþ good fey, Þat of Egiptus derknes Þorwh him we ben [don] a-wey; Line 842 Þe whuche for vs haþ put a swerd Vppon his syde ful riht, And so igurt nis nouȝt a-ferd, ffor vs redi to fiht. Line 846

Confitemini domino, quoniam bonus, quoniam in seculum misericordia eius. [Ps. 106 (107).]

Aue Mater domini qui te preelegit, Qui cateruas hostium [MS. hominum] moriens confregit [ef. Ps. 106, v. 16.] Et inferna uisitans, predo quos abegit A predonis faucibus preda factus egit.

Heil Modur of þe lord of al Line 847 Þat þe to-fore oþur haþ chosun; Þat cumpaygnyes grete and smal [Of] þe fendes dyȝinge haþ brokun, Line 850 And aftur þat helle visityng, Þe [r. þat þe?] rauynour drof a-way,

And [om. And?] fro þe chekes of þe Rauyning Dyliuered us, whon he was pray. Line 854

PAratum cor meum deus, paratum cor meum: can|tabo & psallam in gloria mea. [Ps. 107 (108).]

Aue nostrum gaudium, nostra spes & vita, Cuius ope salus est egris inpertita: Generalem generis sortem non oblita, Ad eterne pabulum uite nos inuita.

Heil vr ioye and al vr blis, Line 855 Vr hope and eke vr lyf; Þorwh whom to seke men heer is Hele ȝiuen ful rif: Line 858 Þe comuyn lot nou of monkynde Loke þat þou nouȝt forȝete, And of þe lyf euer-lastinde Þou bidde us to þe mete. Line 862

Deus, laudem meam ne tacueris, quia os peccatoris & os dolosi super me apertum est. [Ps. 108 (109).]

Aue per quam dominus nostri miseretur, Cuius laus in filio digne recensetur; Qui dum pacis osculum ficte non veretur, Sibi laudem, gloriam nobis promeretur.

Heil þorwh whom þe lord of miht Line 863 On vs euere haþ merci, Whos herying in Sone is riht Reherced eft worþily; Line 866 Þe whuche whon he dredde no-þing Iudas feyned cos, To him-self he won heriing, And ioye and blisse to vs. Line 870

Dixit dominus domino meo: sede a dextris meis. [Ps. 109 (110).]

Aue cuius vterus factus est castellum Quod intrauit dominus properans ad bellum, Qui sibi de restibus faciens flagellum Inimicos posuit pedum sub scabellum. [cf. Ps. 109, v. 1.]

Heil whos wombe was mad wiþ riht Line 871 Castel of feir dwellyng, In whuche entred þe lord of miht Toward batayle goyng; Line 874

Line 874 Þat to him-self of wiþþes gret Smart scourge made and hot And his enemys so set Vndur þe stol of his fot. Line 878

Confitebor tibi domine in toto corde meo, in consilio iustorum & congregacione. [Ps. 110 (111).]

Aue per quam genitor filium premisit, Redimendi populi cui curam commisit; [cf. Ps. 110, v. 9.] In quem cum diabolus manum suam misit, Quos ad mortem traxerat nescius amisit.

Heil þorwh whom þe getere Line 879 His sone sende bi-fore, To whom he ȝaf þen powere Aȝeyn-bugge þulke þat weren lore; Line 882 On whom whon þe fend ful fawe His hond hedde set wiþ bost, Þulke þat to deþ he hedde i-drawe Vn-wityngliche he lost. Line 886

Beatus vir qui timet dominum, in mandatis eius volet nimis. [Ps. 111 (112).]

Aue stella nuncians veri solis ortum, De qua verum tenebris lumen est exortum [cf. Ps. 111, v. 4.] Quod in nostris mentibus reperis distortum, Tue participio lucis sit absortum.

Heil sterre to vs schewyng Line 887 Springynge of verrey Sonne, Of whom verrey lihtyng To derknesse is bygunne. Line 890 Wheþer hit beo croked oþur vnriht Þat þou fyndest in vr þouht, Wiþ sum partye of þi lyht Mak hit out beo brouht. Line 894

LAudate pueri dominum, laudate nomen domini. [Ps. 112 (113).]

Aue mater pueri per quem vita datur, Cuius laus a pueris digne predicatur. Per te nobis puritas uite conferatur, Que [MS. Qno] in puericie nomine signatur.

Heil Modur of þat childe Line 895 Þorwh whom is ȝiuen lyf;

Whos heryinge of children mylde Preched is wel ryf: Line 898 Clannes of lyf wiþ-outen blame To us be ȝiuen þorwh þe, Þat of childhode in þe name Beo-tokned is, parde. Line 902

IN exitu israel de egypto, domus iacob de populo barbaro [Ps. 113 (114).]

Aue cuius filius sudans in agone Mare nobis consecrat merso pharaone; Qui fit preda faciens predam de predone, Sicque predo uictus est vetus a tyrone.

Heil whos sone, whon he sweted Line 903 In his gret Agonye, Þe séé to vs he halewed, Pharao dreynt is at eiȝe; Line 906 He þat was maad preye, haþ preyed Mihtiliche his preyour, And so þe olde preyour is venquised Of a Champioun of honour. Line 910

DIlexi, quoniam exaudiet dominus uocem oracionis mee. [Ps. 114 (116).]

Aue norma fidei, pacis disciplina, Apis mella faciens, uitis fundens uina: Vini meri calicem filiis propina, Et de valle tristium transfer ad diuina.

Heil, þou art rule of feiþ, parde, Line 911 And of þe pees disciplyn, Makyng hony þou art þe Beo, A Vyne eke heldyng out wyn: Line 914 Þe chalys of þe wyn so clere ffulle to þi sones euene; Out of þis valeye of serwes here Translate us in to heuene. Line 918

Credidi propter quod locutus sum, ego autem humili|atus sum nimis. [Ps. 115 (116, v. 10).]

Aue uitis fertilis docta propinare Vinum quod inebriat, uinum salutare, [cf. Ps. v. 13.] Vinum de quo dominus risum fecit Sare Dum promisit Abrahe semen ampliare.

Heil þou plentiuous vyn, Line 919 Tauht to forþfulle and dele Wyn þat moysteþ men wyþ-in, Þat wyn is al vr hele; Line 922 Wyn of whuche vr lord made game And lauhtre eke to Saare, Whon he bi-hiht to Habrahame His seed schulde encrece mare. Line 926

LAudate dominum omnes gentes, laudate eum omnes populi. [Ps. 116 (117).]

Aue per quam factus est homo rex celorum, Cuius passim resonat laudes uox celorum: Te laudare iugiter summa sit uotorum, Donec nos suscipiat chorus angelorum.

Heil þorwh whom a Mon is maad Line 927 Kyng of heuene, and calle, On whos heriinge crien ful sad Of heuene þe voises alle: Line 930 Þe to herie bisi men hem make Wiþ herte deuoutelye, Til þat out of þis world us take Aungeles Cumpaygnye. Line 934

Confitemini domino, quoniam bonus, quoniam in seculum misericordia eius. [Ps. 117 (118).]

Aue vitis gracie, vitis salutaris, Quam vallauit vndique lapis angularis: [cf. Ps. 117, v. 22.] Nostram sepi uineam uallo quo vallaris, Ne nos ledat rabies feri singularis.

Heil, þou art vyn of grace, Line 935 And vyne of hele al-one; Þe whuche enuyround in al space He þat is kernere [r. corner] stone: Line 938 Hegge þou a-boute vr vyn-ȝard Now in þis valey here, Þat woodnes us hurte ne make aferd Of þe wylde best singulere. Line 942

BEati in-maculati in via, qui ambulant in lege domini. [Ps. 118 (119).]

Aue pia genitrix in-maculatorum, Quorum lex est currere viam mandatorum; [cf. Ps. 118, v. 4.]

Ne a via deuient pedes uiatorum, Quod nos grauat amoue, pondus peccatorum.

Heil þou bringere forþ so gent Line 943 Of men þat haue no synne, In [MS. In to] þe [wey] of good comaundement Whos law es [MS. lawes] for to rinne. Line 946 Out of riht wey þat þei ne go Þe [MS. Ne] feet of weyferynde, Þat vs sore greueþ remoue also, Þe burþun of hem þat synde. Line 950

Ad dominum cum tribularer clamaui: et exaudiuit me. [Ps. 119 (120).]

Aue de qua prodiit potens aduocatus, Culpe qui determinat veteres reatus; Cuius patrocinio noster incolatus [cf. Ps. 119, v. 5.] Transeat in gloriam melioris status.

Heil fro whom passed forþ ful fre Line 951 An [MS. And] aduoket mihti, Þat determyned wiþ humilite Vr olde dedes gulti; Line 954 Þorwh his help wiþ-outen mis We þat dwellen heer al maate, Beo we translated in to blis Of wel better state. Line 958

LEuaui oculos meos in montes, vnde ueniet auxilium michi. [Ps. 120 (121).]

Aue virgo regia, mundi luminare, Cece mentis tenebras potens propulsare: Nos in montem doceas oculos leuare Quo con[s]cendit Abraham, iussus immolare.

Heil þou kynges Mayden wrouht, Line 959 Of þis world þou art liht: Þe derknes of vr blynde þouht Put þou a-wey wiþ miht; Line 962 Tech us in to þat hul wiþ game Vr eȝen lufte on alle wyse, In to whuche steih Abrahame I-beden do sacrifice. Line 966

LEtatus sum in hijs que dicta sunt michi: in [Ps. 121 (122).] domum domini ibimus.

Aue que leticiam mundo retulisti Cum in verbo gracie verbum genuisti; Qui cum nos preceperit ad tribunal sisti, Ab auditu faciat non pauere tristi.

Heil þou, þat ioye and glad face Line 967 To þe world hast told, Whon þat þou in þe word of grace Brouht forþ a word ful bold; Line 970 Þe [MS. To] whuche whon he us bidde cum schal To-fore his Mageste, Of serwhful heryng boþe gret and smal Vs nouht to drede mak he. Line 974

Ad te leuaui oculos meos, qui habitas in celis. [Ps. 122 (123).]

Aue virgo thalamus summi facta ducis; Que de noctis tenebris miseros educis: Nostre mentis oculos leues a caducis, Vt intendant radio sempiterne lucis.

Heil Mayden maade chaumbre briht Line 975 Of Duyk þat sit an heih; Þow out of derknesse of niht Wrecches ledest wel sleih: Line 978 Þe eȝen of vr inward þouht Lyft vp from slideri þinge, Þat hit take hede wiþ al þe miht To lyht euer-lastynge. Line 982

NIsi quia dominus erat in nobis, dicat nunc israel, nisi quia dominus erat in nobis. [Ps. 123 (124).]

Aue virgo, gracie mater affluentis, Per quam cedit strepitus populi furentis: Muni queso fortiter pedes nostre mentis, Vt torrentem transeant aque [MS. aquam] uehementis. [cf. Ps. 125, v. 5.]

Heil Mayden, and Modur eke Line 983 Of grace, flowynge as flood, Þorwh whom is maad boþe softe and meke Þe noyse of peple wood: Line 986 We prey þe, kepe þou strongliche here Þe feet of [vr] þouhtes longe, Þat we mowe passe þe Riuere Of þe watur stronge. Line 990

Qui confidunt in domino, sicut mons syon; non com|mouebitur in eternum qui habitat in ierusalem. [Ps. 124 (125).]

Aue mons sanctissime speculacionis, In quo nostra sita est spes ascencionis: A carnalis strepitu nos commocionis Liberando, filios fac adopcionis.

Heil hul ful heih of met Line 991 Of holiust beo-holdyng, In whom vr hope is hollich set Of vre vp-steihȝing: Line 994 ffrom al flescliche lykynge And eke commocion Diliuere us, þi sones makynge So of adopcion. Line 998

IN conuertendo dominus captiuitatem syon, facti sumus sicut consolati. [Ps. 125 (126).]

Aue Mater affluens pacis vbertate, ffucta consolacio plebis captiuate: Nos ad portum applicans pacis preoptate, Plena plene perfrui presta libertate.

Heil Modur euer flowyng Line 999 Wiþ ful plente of pes; Þou art maad al counseylyng (!) Of wrecches wiþ-outen lees: Line 1002 Bring us to þat hauene hom Of pees þat we desyre, And ȝiue us alle ful fredom— ffor þat is vre best hyre. Line 1006

NIsi dominus edificauerit domum, in vanum labo|rauerunt qui edificant eam. [Ps. 126 (127).]

Aue domus regia, quam edificauit Rex qui pacis gaudia mundo nunciauit; Qui dum fortis atria forcior intrauit, ffortem ligans spolia fortis asportauit.

Heil kynges hous ful gay, Line 1007 Þe whuche a kyng haþ buylded Þat prince is of pees al-way And ioye to world haþ schewed; Line 1010 Þe whuche strengore in to þe halle Entred of þe stronge,

Þe stronge byndyng he tok preies alle Þat he hedde holden longe. Line 1014

BEati omnes qui timent dominum, qui ambulant in viis eius. [Ps. 127 (128).]

Aue Mater domini, genitrix beata, ffiliorum filijs plene uenustata: [cf. Ps. 127, v. 6.] Da timere dominum mente tranquillata, Vias nostras dirigens eius ad mandata.

Heil Modur of þe lord so gent, Line 1015 Of sones bringere forþ, Wiþ sones mad feir verrement Þou art fulliche, and worþ: Line 1018 Graunt us alle vr lord to drede Wiþ þouht peisiblement; Vr weys loke þei ben dressede To kepe his maundement. Line 1022

Sepe expugnauerunt me a iuuentute mea, dicat nunc israel. [Ps. 128 (129).]

Aue per quam uiribus hostes destituti Inbecilles facti sunt, debiles & muti: Nostre, uirgo, quesumus prospice saluti, Vt fiamus iugiter te tuente tuti.

Heil þorwh whom heore strengþes alle Line 1023 Vr enemys han lost, Vn-welde aren made and doun ek falle, ffeble and doumbe of bost: Line 1026 We preye þe, Mayden, swetliche, To vr hele tak hede; Mak vs siker verreyliche Of þi defence at nede. Line 1030

DE profundis clamaui ad te domine; domine exaudi uocem meam. [Ps. 129 (130).]

Aue floris baiula, cuius ad odorem Reuiuiscunt mortui: suscipe clamorem Ad te supplicancium, nosque per hunc florem Non pauere facias mortis ad honorem (!).

Heil þou berere of þe flour, Line 1031 Of hos swete sauerynge Tornen to lyf in an hour Þe dede: take þe criinge Line 1034

Line 1034 Of þulke þat preyen her to þe, And make vs bi þat flour Nouȝt to drede, but glad to bee [or. beo] Of deþ wiþ good honour. Line 1038

Domine, non est exaltatum cor meum, neque elati sunt oculi mei. [Ps. 130 (131).]

Aue cuius detulit rex humilitati Cum te verbi thalamum fecit incarnati; Qui pro nobis offerens se captiuitati Captiuatos reddidit prime libertati.

Heil to whos humilite Line 1039 Þe kyng so wolde obesch Þat þe chaumbre he made þe Of word þat is mad flesch; Line 1042 Þat him-self offred for vs And tok vr caytyf dom, Whon he ȝaf vs ful glorios Aȝeyn to furste fredom. Line 1046

Memento domine dauid, & omnis mansuetudinis eius. [Ps. 131 (132).]

Aue iesse uirgula, per quam exibetur Quod de dauid semine pater pollicetur: Per te quidem gracie tempus adimpletur, Quia per te filijs pater miseretur.

Heil ȝerde of Iesse good of pith, Line 1047 Þorwh whom is be-tyd Þat to þe seed of Dauid Sum-tyme þe fader heted: Line 1050 Þorwh þe þerfore þe tyme of grace ffolfulled is, serteynly, ffor þorwh þe in vche place ffadur of sones hath merci. Line 1054

Ecce quam bonum & quam iocundum habitare fra|tres in vnum. [Ps. 132 (133).]

Aue stella gracie stillans vnccionem [cf. Ps. 132, v. 2.] Que nostrarum mencium firmat vnionem: Nos vnitos mutuam per dilexionem Vite presta consequi benediccionem.

Heil, of grace þou art sterre Line 1055 An [MS. And] oynement droppynge,

Þat, for vr þouhtes schulde not erre, Makest [r. makeþ] studefast onynge: Line 1058 Vs alle on and of on wille To-gedere wel liuynge, Mak vs, ladi, come þe tille And of lyf haue blessynge. Line 1062

Ecce nunc benedicite dominum, omnes serui domini. [Ps. 133 (134).]

Aue nostrum gaudium, nostre spes salutis, Celi scandens solium gradibus virtutis: [refers to the title (Canticum graduum).] Queso fer presidium noxia secutis, Et a nobis excute iugum seruitutis.

Heil ioye of vs euerichon, Line 1063 Hope of old hele and newe, Steying vp to heuene-tron Be de-grees of vertue: Line 1066 Euere vs to helpe þou beo aboute, ffor we han ben outrage; And eke from vs loke þou schake oute Þe harde ȝok of bondage. Line 1070

LAudate nomen domini, laudate serui dominum. [Ps. 134 (135).]

Aue cuius filius gracie preconem Nondum natus docuit exultacionem: Doce nos per uicij supplantacionem Ad beatam tendere cristi visionem.

Heil whos sone, ar he weore bore, Line 1071 To make ioye him tauhte Þat schulde prechynge go him beo-fore, In wombe whon modur him auhte. Line 1074 Teche vs vices to don a-way And eke al vuel list, Þat we atteyne euere and ay To þe blessed siht of crist. Line 1078

COnfitemini domino, quoniam bonus, quoniam in eternum misericordia eius. [Ps. 135 (136).]

Aue virgo generans per quem liberatur Israel, & pharao persequens necatur. [cf. Ps. 135, v. 15.] Soluat quisque gracias & confiteatur Quod hic mirabilia solus operatur.

Heil Mayden, þou bar þat seynt Line 1079 Þat dilyuered Israel,

And Pharao, suwyng hem, dreynt, And his peple eueridel. Line 1082 Worschipeþ God now euerichon, And knowhlecheþ hertely Þat he con worche wondres al-on, ffor he is Almihti. Line 1086

Super flumina babilonis, illic sedimus et fleuimus, dum recordaremur syon. [Ps. 136 (137).]

Aue per quam principe uicto Babilonis Cantica resumimus iubilacionis: Per materne graciam miseracionis Reduc nos in patriam repromissionis.

Heil þorwh whom þe Prince so strong Line 1087 Ouercom his [= is] of Babilon, And we han taken vp þe song Of Iubilacion: Line 1090 Þorwh grace of þe Merci fre Of þy Moodurhede so swete Lede vs aȝeyn to þe cuntre Þat vs alle is by-hete. Line 1094

COnfitebor tibi domine in toto corde meo, quoniam audisti verba oris mei. [Ps. 137 (138).]

Aue Mater inclita, que sine pudoris Tactu nostri mater es facta saluatoris: Te laudantes muniat intus atque foris, Per te qui remedium nostri fit doloris.

Heil Modur deore wiþ honour, Line 1095 Þat wiþ-outen schame Maad Modur art of vr saueour, And þat is þi riht name. Line 1098 Keep he wel hem þat þe don herye, Wiþ-inne and eke wiþ-oute, Þorwh þe þat is remedie Of vr serwes al-aboute. Line 1102

Domine, probasti me & cognouisti me; tu cognouisti sessionem [MS. sensionem] meam & resurrexionem m[eam.] [Ps. 138 (139).]

Aue cuius filius habitu mendici Carnem gerens similem carni peccatrici Quasi dolo repulit dolos inimici, Cum se mortis legibus passus est addici.

Heil whos sone so deore Line 1103 In pore monnes cloþing, Beryng flesch among us here Lyk to vr flesch takyng, [r. synnyng?] Line 1106 And so queyntelich a-wey put he Vr Enemyes tricherye, Whon he him-self soffred to be Iugged þen forte dye. Line 1110

Eripe me domine ab homine malo; A uiro iniquo eripe me. [Ps. 139 (140).]

Aue Mater filij cuius ad congressum Mors eructa penitus abit in secessum: [MS. cecessum] Nos a malis eripe, nostre mentis gressum Ad paterne dirigens dextere consessum.

Heil Modur of þe Sone, Line 1111 At whos hard batayle Deth outurliche was ouercome And put a-louh saunȝ fayle: Line 1114 Liuere us from vueles heer in londe, And þe steppes of vr þyn[kyn]g [MS. þyng] Dresse þou, on þe ffadres riht honde And make þer vre sittyng. Line 1118

Domine, clamaui ad te, exaudi me; intende uoci mee dum clamauero ad te. [Ps. 140 (141).]

Aue per quam deitas carne palliatur, Vt ad vite semitas exul reducatur: Nostra sic [MS. sit] oracio per te dirigatur, Vt succedens accio uitam consequatur.

Heil þorwh whom þe godhed is Line 1119 Clad in flesch of Monkynde, To bringe aȝeyn to lyf, i-wis, Þe flemed and put be-hynde: Line 1122 Vr Orison nou euer-mo So dressed beo þorw þe, Þat vr dedes suwynge also Gete vs lyf of Charite. Line 1126

UOce mea ad dominum clamaui; uoce mea ad dominum deprecatus sum. [Ps. 141 (142).]

Aue de qua prodiens gigas manu fortis Dormientes excitat a sopore mortis:

Redde nos consorcio celice cohortis, Vt sit cum uiuentibus locus nostre sortis.

Heil from whom forþ goynge Line 1127 Þe geaunt of hond so strong, Þat [om. þat] wel a-wakeþ þe slepynge Of sleep of deþ so long: Line 1130 Bryng us a-ȝeyn to cumpaygnye Of felawschipe of heuene, Þat wiþ hem þat lyuen murie Vr place beo maad ful euene. Line 1134

Domine, exaudi oracionem meam, auribus percipe obsecracionem meam, in veritate tua exaudi m[e]. [Ps. 142 (143).]

Aue Mater, suscipe preces quas effundo Grauis, sterquilinij mersus in profundo; Munda cordis thalamum, hauriens a fundo Sordes quibus ceteris amplius habundo.

Heil Modur, tak wiþ mekenes Line 1135 Preyeres þat i out helde, Þat dreynt am in depnes Of dunghul, and am vnwelde; Line 1138 Clanse þe chaunbre of myn herte, Drawyng from þe grounde ffulþus þe whuche make me smerte, Of whuche I ful abounde. Line 1142

Benedictus dominus deus meus, qui docet [MS. doceȝ] manus meas ad prelium, & digitos meos ad bellum. [Ps. 143 (144).]

Aue de qua nascitur puer Naȝareus, Per quem dum in prelio ruit philisteus, [Goliath] Vite spem concipiens gaudet homo reus, Voce clamans: "libera benedictus deus."

Heil, for þe child of Naȝareþ Line 1143 Boren was feir of þe, Þorwh whom, as þe bok seiþ, Slayen was þe philistéé; Line 1146 Hope of lyf þer-of takyng Gulti mon wiþ glad mood, "Dilyuere me," wiþ voys criȝying, "I-blessed beo, vr god." Line 1150

Exaltabo te, deus meus rex, & benedicam nomini tuo in seculum & in seculum seculi. [Ps. 144 (145).]

Aue de qua prodijt rex vniuersorum, Regnum cuius omnium regnum seculorum: Rege nos & applica cetibus eorum Quorum summa gloria laus est eternorum.

Heil þou from whom riht forþ went Line 1151 Kyng of gret and smalle, Whos kyngdom is verreyment Kyngdom of worldus alle: Line 1154 Gouerne and applye aftur þis Vs to heore cumpaygnye Of whuche þe heiȝeste ioye is Euer-lastyng þyng to herye. Line 1158

LAuda anima mea dominum: laudabo dominum in uita mea, psallam deo meo quamdiu fuero. [Ps. 145 (146).]

Aue per quam populi factus est adiutor Rex qui dicit "ego sum deus, & non mutor"; Qui per mortis semitas mortis persecutor ffit collator glorie, libertatis tutor.

Heil, þorwh þe an [MS. and] helper good Line 1159 Nou to þe peple is maad, Þe kyng þat seiþ "I am god, Nouȝt chaungynge, but al sad"; Line 1162 Þat beo þe steppes of deþ is Of [om. Of] deþes pursuwere I-maad þe ȝiuere of blis, Of freodam defendere. Line 1166

Laudate dominum quoniam bonus est psalmus; deo nostro sit iocunda decoraque laudacio. [Ps. 146 (147).]

Aue cuius laudibus laus est delectari, Cuius nos confidimus partu salutari Post [MS. Per] hanc vitam glorie palma coronari, Si velimus domino pie conformari.

Heil in whos heryinge Line 1167 Gret dilyt men haue; Þorwh hos heleful childynge We bi-leeuen to beo saue Line 1170 And [after] þis lyf corouned to be Wiþ þe palm of blis, Ȝif to þe lord of al pite We us conforme as his. Line 1174

Lauda Ierusalem dominum, lauda deum tuum syon. [Ps. 147 (147, 12).]

Aue mater gracie, iugi laude digna, Per quam uictis hostibus ruit ars maligna: Captiuatis exibe pietatis signa, Nosque post exilium patrie resigna.

Heil Moder wiþ grace Inome, Line 1175 Worþi worschiped to be, Þorwh whom enemys ben ouercome And craft of malyngnite: Line 1178 To caytiues heer now wiþ good wil Of Pitéé scheuh þow þe signe, And vs þen aftur þis exil To good cuntre resynge. Line 1182

LAudate dominum de celis, Laudate eum in ex|celsis. [Ps. 148.]

Aue per quam tollitur hominum pressura, Cuius laudes reboat omnis creatura: Laudes quas offerimus [MS. offerrimus] acceptare cura, Nos beatitudine ditans permansura.

Heil þorwh whom a-wey is don Line 1183 Of monkynde oppressure; Whos heryinges alouwed don sum (!) Al-Maner creature: Line 1186 Þe heryinges þat we offren to þe, Tac good heede hem to take; In blessedhed þat euer schal be Riche men to dwelle vs make. Line 1190

COnfitebor tibi, domine, quoniam iratus es michi, conuersus est furor tuus & consolatus es me. [Canticles: Confitebor Isai. 12.]

Aue fons clemencie venieque uena, Per quam nobis redditur uite cantulena: A peccati[s] solue nos & peccati pena, Et beatitudinis perduc ad amena.

Heil welle of mekenes, certeyn, Line 1191 Veyne of forȝiuynge, Þorwh whom to us is ȝiuen aȝeyn Þe song of lyf to synge: Line 1194 Of sunnes vnbynd us euerichone, And of peyne of synne,

And to þat place þou lede us sone Þer Ioye and blisse is Inne. Line 1198

Ego dixi: in dimidio dierum meorum vadam ad portas inferi. [Isai. 38,10 (Song of Ezechias).]

Aue laus fidelium, iubar sanctitatis, Domini triclinium, tronus magestatis: Placa nobis filium precibus beatis, Seruos tuos munerans dono libertatis.

Heil heriinge of trewe men, Line 1199 Of holynesse þe clarte; Vr lordes chaumbre men þe callen, Trone of þe Maieste: Line 1202 Pese þou to us þi sone so dere Wiþ preyeres of pite, Rewardynge þi seruauns here Wiþ ȝiftus of liberte. Line 1206

Exultauit cor meum in domino & exaltatum est cornu meum in deo meo. [1 Regum 2 (Song of Anna).]

Aue celi gloria, terre fundamentum, Cuius fit in utero continens contentum: Tue nobis gracie prestet incrementum Quod ad tue scribimus laudis monumentum.

Heil, þou art þe blisse of heuene, Line 1207 Of eorþe þe foundement; Whos wombe is maad wiþ mylde steuene Conteynyng þat is content. Line 1210 Of þi grace graunte nou encresynge To vs euerichon Þat writen to þi worschipynge Wiþ god deuocion. Line 1214

[The following part has a separate Title in the Index: Cantemus domino gloriose.] C[a]ntemus domino: gloriose enim honorificatus est, equum & ascensorem deiecit in mare. [Exod. 15 (Song of Moses).]

Aue virgo generans moris fracto iure, De qua gigas prodijt gemine nature: Tu miserta miseris subueni pressure, Nos in lucem transferens glorie uenture.

Heil Mayden child beryng gent— Line 1215 Comuyn maner þer was be-hynde;

ffor a Geaunt from þe forþ went Þat is of double kynde: Line 1218 On wrecches haue merci wiþ miht, Help hem from oppressynge, And translate us in to þe liht Of blisse þat is comynge. Line 1222

Domine, audiui audicionem tuam et timui. [Song of Habac. 3. ]

Aue virgo supplices potens exaudire: Que sunt deo placita fac nos tecum scire, Et cum iudex uenerit atque dies ire, Iudicis ad dexteram iube nos uenire.

Heil Mayden, mihti of mood Line 1223 Meoke mennes preyeres to here: Þinges þat ben lykyng to god Wiþ þe knowe we in-feere. Line 1226 Whon þe Iuge schal come ful grim, And day of wraþþe and doom, On þe Iuges riht hond to hym Comaunde us þenne to cum. Line 1230

Audite celi que loquor, audiat terra verba oris mei. [Deuter. 32 (Song of Moses).]

Aue nostri generis parens & patrona, Supra cunctas possidens graciarum dona: Tuis sanctis precibus meritisque dona Ne mens nostra solitum sit in malum prona.

Heil kynnes-wommon of vr kynde, Line 1231 Vr patrun in vche place, Of alle wymmen þou art hauynde Ȝiftus alle of grace: Line 1234 Wiþ [þi] holy preyer [&] deseruyng Gete us nou witerly Þat vr þouht beo not to vuel doyng, As hit is wont, to redi. Line 1238

TE deum laudamus, TE dominum confitemur. [Te Deum.]

Aue cuius filio cetus angelorum "Sanctus" clamant iugiter: nos a uiciorum Labe munda; perfrui in regno celorum ffac nos cum feli[ci]bus premijs iustorum.

Heil to whos sone so dere Line 1239 Angeles Cumpaygnye

"Sanctus" crien wiþ vois ful clere, Bisiliche and heihe. Line 1242 ffrom vices clans vs eueridel; Þe kyndom eke of heuene Mak us haue, wiþ seintes to dwel— Gete us þat wiþ Mylde steuene. Line 1246

Benedicite omnia opera domini domino, laudate & superexaltate eum in secula. [Benedicite (in the Service of Morning Prayer).]

Aue dei genitrix! laudes acceptare Cura quas offerimus, nosque presentare Per has deo satagas, ut cum iudicare Venerit, nos ouibus uelit aggregare.

Heil godus Modur! nou at þe last Line 1247 Tac þou vre heryinge Þat we offren to þe so fast; To God vs presentynge Line 1250 Þorwh þi pitéé, beo þou bysi, Whon he schal come to dome, Þat he us gedere for his merci Wiþ his schep to beo nome. Line 1254

Benedictus dominus deus israel, quia uisitauit & fecit redempcionem plebi sue. [Benedictus (Song of Zacharias) Luc. 1, 68.]

Aue deum pariens, quem pater preconis Benedicens predicat resurrexionis Cornu quod promiserat erecturum bonis; [Luc. 1, 69.] Ad quod nostros dirigat pedes racionis.

Heil Mayden clene, God beryng, Line 1255 Whom ȝakarie to-foren Preched, him fulli blessyng, Of vp-risyng beo horn, Line 1258 To goode men þat beo-het To a-rise boþe more and lesse. Þat he of resun vre feet Þerto, þow preye, he dresse. Line 1262

MAgnificat anima mea dominum. [Magnificat. Luc. 1, 40.]

Aue cuius anima mutuo letata Dominum Magnificat, plus humiliata Quo fit [r. fis] maior generans deum; hinc beata Dicitur [r. diceris] a seculis, felix ad hoc nata.

Heil whos soule wiþ a word Line 1263 Wel gladed of Message, Magnifieþ vr aller lord, Þerfore meked in ȝong age. Line 1266 Þorwh þat mekenes þou were mad gret, God þou beere þerfore; Of þe world þou art seid and met Blessed and sely bore. Line 1270

Nunc dimittis seruum tuum, domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace. [Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) Luc. 3,29]

Aue cuius filius templo presentatur, Salutare gencium seni reuelatur, Sicque petit postmodum paci dimittatur— Que nostris laboribus tandem conferatur.

Heil, to þe temple whos sone is Line 1271 Presented feir and bolde, Helþe of folk schewed was i-wis To Simeon þe Olde; Line 1274 To pees him lafte he þouhte saunȝfayl, Wheþer he schulde dye or liue. To us þat pees aftur vre trauayl ffor euere beo hit I-ȝiue. Line 1278

Quicumque vult saluus esse, ante omnia opus est ut teneat catholicam fidem. [Quicumque vult (Athanasian Creed).]

Virgo sancta, suscipe mentis in conclaui Verba quibus tociens veniam rogaui, Et audito sepius aue tam suaui ffac me queso liberum prorsus a ue graui.

Holy Mayden, tak þou goodly Line 1279 Of þouht in priuete Þe wordes þorwh whuche so bisyli fforȝifnes i aske of þe, Line 128 And heer þe word þat i ofte sey, Þat is þe swete Aue; Mak me freo, nou I þe prey, ffrom heui serwe to be. AMEN. Line 1286

[XXIV. Psalterium b. Mariae, [Title in the Index: ffyfty salutaciouns to vre lady by þis word: Aue, Heyl be þou, &c. The Latin poem is mentioned by Mone, l. c. II, p. 257; another MS. is MS. Reichen. 36. In the MS. the poem follows No. XXVIII, but I place it here, because of its affinity to the preceding poem.] ascribed to Thomas Aquinas, comprising the 50 first psalms.]

AVe uirgo uirginum, per quam uir beatus [Beatus vir is the beginning of Ps. 1.] [Ps. 1.] Visitauit miseros, nobis ex te natus: Tu[is], Mater, meritis nostras miseratus Releuet miserias, deleat reatus.

Heil Mayde cheef of alle, Line 1 Þorw whom þe blessed Mon Of þe born was In a stalle, Vs wrecches so visyte con: Line 4 Modur, þorw þi worþinesse He mote vs so releue, Þat of vre gret wrecchednesse Þe gult no more vs greue. Line 8

Ave cristi domini mater illibata, [Ps. 2.] Cuius est hereditas in gen[te]s translata: [cf. Ps. 2, v. 8.] Ne nos ab hac dirimant conscios peccata, Cum furor exarserit, [cf. Ps. 2, v. 13.] subueni beata.

Heil Modur In Mariage Line 9 Of crist vr lord Ihesu, Of whom is flit þe heritage Til vs of gret vertu: Line 12 Þat us from hit not twinne Vre synnes þat we knowe, Help, ladi wiþ wynne, Whon wraþþe schal brenne and lowe. Line 16

AVe cuius filius mortis per soporem [Ps. 3.] Resurgentis meruit corporis honorem; [cf. Ps. 3, v. 5.] Quem per mortem colimus mortis destructorem, Colamus post funera uite collatorem.

Heil of whom þe sone so dere Line 17 ffrom slep of deþes stour In bodi and soule boþe ifere He ros wiþ gret honour. Line 20

Line 20 His deþ we worschipe nou i-wis, Vre deþ for hit con struye; Such lyf he graunte vs Þat deþ no more vs nuyȝe. Line 24

AVe verbi thalamus, de quo cum exiuit, [Ps. 4.] Voces inuocancium cristus exaudiuit: Consignet et muniat, sibi quos vniuit, Qui nos sui lumine vultus insigniuit. [cf. Ps. 4, v. 7.]

Heil of Crist þe chaumber derne, Line 25 Wher-of whon he out ede, Þe vois of hem þat called ȝerne He herde wiþ ful gret spede: Line 28 Til him-self he so vs Merke, And schilde vs also, Þat þorw his lyht from þe derke To-gedere mote we go. Line 32

AVe templum fidei, domus sanctitatis, [cf. Ps. 5, v. 8.] [Ps. 5.] Summe tabernaculum facta maiestatis: Scuto nos premuniens bone voluntatis [cf. Ps. 5, v. 13.] Coronet in patria cristus cum beatis. [MS. beatus]

Heil þe temple of vre feiþ, Line 33 Hous of holynesse, And þe logge, as dauid seiþ, I-mad of gret hihnesse: Line 36 Wiþ his scheld vs schilde mote he Of his owne good wille, Wiþ hem vs coroune in his cuntre Þat blesset ben, from ille. Line 40

AVe mater gracie, graciarum plena, [Ps. 6.] Tu spes penitencie, venieque vena: A culparum nexibus soluens & a pena Ad celestis patrie transfer nos amena.

Heil Modur ful of grace, Line 41 Þi grace may I not leyne; To repentaunt þou getest space, Of Merci þou art þe veyne: Line 44 Of alle þe bondes of vre synne Vn-bynd vs, from vr peyne, To þe blisse þat þou art Inne So mote we atteyne. Line 48

AVe per quam particeps nostre factus [MS. factis] sortis [Ps. 7.] Deus iudex iustus est, paciens & fortis: [cf. Ps. 7, v. 12.] Nos auertens reuocet a gehenne portis, [MS. mortis] Euasuros gladium, arcum, uasa mortis. [cf. Ps. 7, v. 13, 14.]

Heil þorw whom partiner Line 49 God is of vre chaunce, Þat Iuge is rihtwys fer and [MS. ferand] ner And vs may wel a-vaunce: Line 52 He mote vs torne and calle a-ȝeyn ffrom þe ȝate of helle, ffrom Bouwe and swerd, þat, as men seyn, Of deþ ben deop vesselle. Line 56

AVe per quam angelis se minorem fecit [cf. Ps. 8, v. 6.] [Ps. 8.] Cum se dei filius nostris interiecit, Cuius pater pedibus omnia subiecit, [cf. Ps. 8, v. 8.] Ex ore lactencium laudem cum perfecit. [cf. Ps. 8, v. 3.]

Heil bi whom, to þe ffader euene, Line 57 Crist hym-self maad^e lesse Þen þe Angeles þat ben in heuene, Til vs hym-self con dresse; Line 60 And ȝit þe fader put alle þinge In his sones pouweere, Whon he schewed his heryinge Bi hem þat soukynge were. Line 64

AVe Syon filia, de qua legislator [cf. Ps. 9, v. 21.] [Ps. 9.] Nobis constitutus est, saun[c]tus & saluator: Inimicum conterat fortis expugnator, Dei iam & hominum factus mediator.

Heil of syon douhter briht, Line 65 Of whom wiþ gret honour Þe lawe-ȝiuere til vs was diht, Þe holy sauiour: Line 68 Vre enemy mot he al to-drawe, Þat stronge werreour, Of God and Mon þat is bi lawe A skilful Mediatour. Line 72

AVe mons iusticie in quem transmigratur, [Ps. 10.] Vt in cristi nomine tota spes ponatur; A quo cuius vterus dum inhabitatur, Templum sanctum domini celumque vocatur. [MS. vacatur cf. Ps. 10, v. 5.]

Heil þou hul of Rihtwysnesse, Line 73 To whom þe wey is caste, Vre hope in [MS. and] cristes holynesse Stabliche to faste; Line 76 In þi wombe whon he wolde dwelle, He schewede ful gret loue; Þe holy temple men miht hit telle And heuene of God a-boue. Line 80

AVe uiri nescia virgo singularis, [Ps. 11.] Que salutem angelo salutante paris: Opem fer, presidij stella salutaris, Ne sanctus deficiat [cf. Ps. 11, v. 1.] inter fluctus maris.

Heil vnknowen to Monnes moon, Line 81 Mayden wiþ-outen make; Whon þe Angel þe grete con, Vre hele bi-gon to wake: Line 84 Þin help and þi swete socour, Þat we han ofte bi-souht, Þou graunte, þat in þe sees stour Þe holy ne fayle nouht. Line 88

AVe per quam dominus nostri non oblitus [Ps. 12.] Ne[c] auertens faciem, nobis est vnitus: Purus mentis oculus sit & expeditus, Ne vmquam obdormiat in morte sopitus. [cf. Ps. 12, v. 4.]

Heil bi whom þe lord of grace Line 89 Vs haþ not for-ȝeten Ne tornd a-wey his feire face ffrom vs, neor not forleten: Line 92 Myn Eȝe beo cler, þat hit not wepe, Of my soule so briht, And neuer-more mote hit slepe To deþ forte be diht. Line 96

AVe quam magnifice laudant vniuersa, [Ps. 13.] Vero sapiencie lumine respersa: Senciat & sapiat mens ad te conuersa Quod per te captiuitas gentis est auersa. [cf. Ps. 13, v. 7.]

Heil whom þei preisen hollich Line 97 Alle þat I con nemene, ffor þou art douwet richelich Wiþ þe liht of heuene: Line 100

Line 100 Vre þouht to þe beo torned so Þat hit may fele and saye Þat wrecchednesse from folk is gon And torned al a-waye. Line 104

AVe cuius filius mons est sancte spei, [Ps. 14.] ffactus tabernaculum uere requiei: ffac vt per iusticiam in-herentes ei Letemur in gloria coheredes dei.

Heil, þi sone of gret Miracle Line 105 Is hul of holy hope, Of reste he is vr tabernacle, To schilde vs from reyn-drope: Line 108 Do, ladi, þorw þi rihtwysnesse In him þat we mowe reste As heyres of his blisfulnesse— Þat wol be vr beste. Line 112

AVe per quam reddita spes est desperatis, [Ps. 15.] Quibus est hereditas restituta gratis: [cf. Ps. 15, v. 5.] Verus factus hostia cristus pro peccatis Pars sit nostri calicis, pars hereditatis. [cf. Ps. 15, v. 5.]

Heil þorw whom to gret vauntage Line 113 Crist wolde vs restore, To hope of vre heritage Þat was from vs forlore; Line 116 ffor he was mad þe offringe ffor vre synnes fele, And part was of vre suffrynge, Part til vs to dele (!). Line 120

AVe cuius vterum cristus cum intrauit, [Ps. 16.] Igne sancti spiritus cor examinauit [cf. Ps. 16, v. 3.] Et vt mater fieres dignam approbauit: Per te nos respiciat qui te visitauit.

Heil, wiþ-oute pomp or bost Line 121 Þi wombe whon crist com Inne, Wiþ fuir of þe holigost Assayet þin herte wiþ gynne, Line 124 And þat þou schuldest his Moder beo fful worþi he þe fonde: Þorw þe he mote vs al bi-seo Þat visited vs so in londe. Line 128

AVe cuius filius celos inclinauit, [cf. Ps. 17, v. 10.] [Ps. 17.] Tibi cum altissimi virtus obumbrauit: [cf. Luc. 1, 35.] Nos in celum subleuet saluans quos creauit, Per te qui terrigenis se contemperauit.

He[i]l to whom þi sone, þe beste, Line 129 Heuene bouwed doun lowe, Whon [MS. Whom] þe vertu of aller-hexte Bi-schadewed þe al, I trowe: Line 132 In to heuene he mot vp lifte Vs þat were for-lore, Þat him-self so wolde schifte Among þat in eorþe weor bore. Line 136

AVe cuius vterum regum rex ingressus, [Ps. 18.] Vt sponsus de thalamo cristus est egressus; Sic de tabernaculo [MS. tabernaculum] solis sol progressus, [cf. Ps. 18, v. 5, 6.] Nos in viam dirigat, corrigens [MS. dirigens] excessus.

Heil whos wombe þe sauiour, Kyng of alle, we Rede, As a Brid out of his bour Crist him-self out eode, Line 140 As þe sonne in Morwtyd grey Ȝeode out of his tente, To [r. he?] dresse vs in to Rihte wey, Þat we be not forschente. Line 144

AVe que auxilium de sanclo misisti, [cf. Ps. 19, v. 2.] [Ps. 19.] Dum sancta sanctissimum digne concepisti: Nostra sit saluacio fides vera cristi, Quem fide concipiens virgo genuisti.

Heil, þat help from holi place Line 145 Þou sendest to Monkynde, Whon þou holy bi godus grace Conceyuedest in þi Mynde Line 148 Him þat was most holy, Þat is vr sauyour, In ffeiþ Conceyuedest verreyli And bar hym wiþ honour. Line 152

AVe salutarium causa gaudiorum, [Ps. 20.] Pariens in tempore Regem seculorum, Sit [MS. Sint] corona capitis gloria membrorum, [cf. Ps. 20, v. 3.] ffinis non deficiens summaque virorum.

Heil vre gostly hele, Line 153 And cause of al vre bliss, Þat bar þe kyng of wele Of al þis world I-wis. Line 156 Whon þe hed is crouned feire, Alle þe limes ben fayne— Of heore worschip þat neuer schal peire, Þar vs neuer-more playne. Line 160

Ave de qua prodiit deus humanatus, [Ps. 21.] Nostros pie perferens in se cruciatus, Propter nostra vulnera gratis vulneratus: Nostros suo sanguine deleat reatus.

Heil from whom God almiht Line 161 Went forþ verrey Mon, Peyne for vs and gret dispyt He soffred mony on, Line 164 ffor vre woundes delfuly Woundet was he sore, His Blood vre gultes clanly Wusch for euer-more. Line 168

AVe quam rex omnium Matrem preelegit, [Ps. 22.] Vt sis locus pascue gregi quam collegit: Virga sis & baculus [cf. Ps. 22, v. 4.] illis quos elegit, Vt iam nichil desit [cf. Ps. 22, v. 1.] his quos electos regit.

Heil whom þe kyng of alle þing Line 169 Haþ chose þe [om. þe] to ben his Dame, And to a folle pasturyng To his herde wiþ game: Line 172 Ȝerde and staf þou art [r. be] boþe To hem þat he haþ chose, And nouȝt hem wante hem-self to loþe, He ruleþ hem nouȝt to lose. Line 176

AVe terra glorie, terra quam fundauit [Ps. 23.] Cum nobis rex glorie se contemperauit; Qui per mortem principes mortis triumphauit, [cf. Ps. 23, v. 7.] Nos a morte liberet morte quos saluauit.

Heil of blisse þe riche lond, Line 177 Þat foundet was bi reson Bi þe Ioyful kynges hond Þat to vs com in good seson, Line 180

Line 180 He þat þe prince of deþ Wiþ his deþ ouer-com And alle from þe harde Breþ Of deþ he vs out nam. Line 184

AVe cuius filius dulcis est & rectus, [Ps. 24.] Vt reducat exules peregre profectus, [cf. Ps. 24, v. 4, 5.] Vere nobis gracie legifer efectus: [cf. Ps. 24, v. 8, 12.] In se nostros ordinet mores & affectus.

Heil þi sone þat is so swete Line 185 And rihtful of entent, Þe Outlawes synnes forte bete On pilgrimage he went; Line 188 Til vs of grace certeyne Lawe-berer was i-kud: In vs he mote ordeyne Vre werkes and þouhtes hud. Line 192

AVe que [MS. quem] dominicum circumdas [MS. circumdans] altare [cf. Ps. 25, v. 6.] [Ps. 25.] Concludens in vtero dei salutare: Nostra purget [MS. purgeþ] crimina potens expiare, Pontifex & hostia sancte factus are.

Heil þat of vr lord of heuene Line 193 Þat Auter vmbiȝede, In þi wombe þou speredest heuene [= euene] Hele of god, vre mede, Line 196 Of vre synnes clansyng Þat haþ ful pouwere; Þat Bisschop him-self is offring Of þe holy Autere. Line 200

AVe Mater domini nos illuminantis, [Ps. 26.] Mater inquam filij per te nos saluantis: Tuis virgo meritis precibusque sanctis Mentis pelle tenebras ad te suspirantis.

Heil modur of [þat] lord so mylde Line 201 Þat lihtned vs alle ful schene, Þou art moder of þat childe Þat sauede vs alle bi-dene: Line 204 Maide, þorw þi worþinesse And preyeres þat holy be, Put hem from þe derknesse Þat sikyng longen to þe. Line 208

Line 208

AVe pudicicie titulis [MS. tutulus] ornata, [Ps. 27.] Mater facta filij, sed inuiolata, Corporis materia illi ministrata Cuius iam refloruit caro suscitata. [cf. Ps. 27, v. 7.]

Heil! of clene chastite Line 209 Þe worschipe nis not luitel, ffor Modur and mayde þouh þou be, Worschipful is þat tytel. Line 212 Þe mateer of þi swete bodi Crist, he tok of þe, And þouh he died delfuly, Aȝeyn to lyue ros he. Line 216

AVe nostri generis decus sempiternum, [Ps. 28.] Cuius scandens filius solium paternum, Residens in dextera rex est in eternum: [cf. Ps. 28, v. 10.] Affectum supplicibus exibe maternum.

Heil of vre kuynde, ladi, Line 217 Worschipe wiþ-outen ende; Þi sone in to heuene stih, Þat is so good and hende, Line 220 And on his ffader riht syde Sit for euere and O: A Moderes lappe þou open wyde To hem þat ben in wo. Line 224

AVe de qua gaudium fulsit matutinum, [cf. Ps. 29, v. 6] [Ps. 29.] Quod detersit hominis fletum uespertinum, Per concessum corporis sanctum cilicinum [cf. Ps. 29, v. 12.] Redemptis aperiens paradisi sinum.

Heil, of whom þe Morwenyng Line 225 Ioyful schon and briht, Þat wiped awey vre wepyng On Euen and of niht; Line 228 Wiþ þe bodi as a Sekke Þat is i-Maad of here, Of paradys he opened þe hekke To hem þat bouht were. Line 232

AVe regis omnium ciuitas munita, [cf. Ps. 30, v. 22.] [Ps. 30.] Ciuitas ab angelis digne custodita, Virtutum mirifice gemmis insignita: In te nostrum gaudium, in te sit [MS. sic] spes sita.

Heil þou kynges feir Cite, Line 233 Walled wel a-boute, Wiþ angeles þat in heuene be I-kept, wiþ mony a route; Line 236 Wiþ riche stones wonderly Of vertues þou art by-set: Vre Ioye in þe sikerly And vre hope ben met. Line 240

AVe cui non inputans dominus peccatum, [cf. Ps. 31, v. 2.] [Ps. 31.] Partum dedit glorie fructumque beatum: Cor gerens & corporis decus illibatum, Erumpnosas contere spinas voluptatum.

Heil to whom no-maner synne Line 241 Vre lord a-rette con, Þat ȝaf a burþe of blisse wiþ-inne, Þe ffruit of Blod and bon; Line 244 Herte wiþ-Inne nor bodi wiþ-oute Of ffulþe hedde no dispit: Þe woful þornes vs aboute Þow bruse of foul delyt. Line 248

AVe cuius anima in deo laudatur, [cf. Ps. 33, v. 2.] [Ps. 33. (Ps. 32 want|ing.)] Benedicens dominum per quam exaltatur: Tuis, virgo, benedic, & benedicatur Per quam [r. quem?] benediccio facta predicatur.

Heil whos soule worþily Line 249 In god is fully preysed, In Blessynde god ful hihly Þorw whom þou art vp-reiset: Line 252 Blesse alle þyne, Maiden dere, Þi-self also be Blesset, Þorw whom blessyng is preched here And from vs not lesset. Line 256

AVe de qua voluit nasci rex virtutum, [Ps. 34.] Non abhorrens tangere carnis nostre lutum; Apprehendens iusticie arma syue scutum [cf. Ps. 34, v. 2, 10.] Hominem eripuit ope destitutum.

Heil of whom he wolde be bore, Line 257 Þe kyng of alle vertuwe, And wlated nouȝt to touche þerfore Vr fflesch of Cleyȝes huwe; Line 260

Line 260 Þer-of (!) he made him-self a scheld Priueliche to dare, fforte rescouwe in þe feld Mon of help ful bare. Line 264

AVe fecundissime domus vbertatis, [Ps. 35.] Torrens indeficiens vere voluptatis. ffonte nos inebria sancte karitatis, Cor ad lumen exitans summe claritatis. [cf Ps. 35, v. 9, 10.]

Heil þou hous bi niht and day, Line 265 Þou art [r. þat is] of gret plente, And þe Brok þat rennes ay fful of likerouste: Line 268 Þou fulle vs alle of þat welle fful of Charite, Þat vr hertes mouwe euer dwelle In Brihtnesse wiþ þe. Line 272

AVe benignissima, nusquam malignari, [Ps. 36.] Nec in malignantibus uolens emulari; Cuius est in domino semper delectari: [cf. Ps. 36, v. 4.] Eius nos deliciis dona saciari.

Heil of wymmen mylde most, Line 273 Þat noldest no luþurnesse, Nor haddest in no luþur gost Loue nor swetnesse, Line 276 But in vr lord þe lyked wel, And euer-more þou schal: Þerof þou graunte vs sum del, To fullen vs þer-wiþ-al. Line 280

AVe mater vnicum generans dulcorem: [Ps. 37.] Venientis iudicis tempera furorem, Ne in ira senciam illum correptorem, Set vite perpetue per te largitorem.

Heil Moder of þe newe gyse Line 281 Þat bar þe swete childe: Whon he comeþ, þat hiȝe Iustise, ffrom his wraþþe vs schilde, Line 284 Þat we fele not þat harde snibbyng Þat mony mon schal drede, But of þe lyf euer-lastyng Mote we han vr mede. Line 288

AVe cui spiritus sanctus obumbrauit, [Ps. 38.] Dum carnis materiam caro ministrauit; Cum nostram substanciam sibi sociauit, [cf. Ps. 38, v. 8.] Ad suam nos gloriam deus exaltauit.

Heil whom of þe holigost Line 289 Þe schadewe haþ vmbicast, Of þi flesch, as wel þou wost, Þi sones flesch made in hast; Line 292 Whon he vr kuynde in þat manere Tok to his felawe, To his Blisse þat is so dere On heiȝ he con vs drawe. Line 296

AVe per quam reddita lux refulsit cecis, [Ps. 39.] Quam per Euam abstulit gustus ille necis: De lacu miserie & de luto fecis [cf. Ps. 39, v. 2.] Nos educat meritum tue sancte precis.

Heil þorw whom to þe blynde Line 297 Liht schon ful feire, Þat Eue, Modur of vre kynde, Wiþ tast of deþ con peire: Line 300 Out of þe Slouh of wrecchednesse And of þe dregge of cleye To lede vs to þi worþinesse, Þyn holi preyere seye. Line 304

AVe beatissima per quam nos respexit [Ps. 40.] Quando super pauperes deus intellexit; Egestatem hominis diues non despexit, Sed in nos carismatum munera conuexit.

He[i]l blesset beo þi mood, Line 305 Þorw whom God bi-held And on þe pore he vnderstod, In toune and in feld; Line 308 Vre neode nolde he dispise, Þouh he were riche i-nouh, But in mony a wyse His Richesse to vs drouh. Line 312

AVe quam fons glorie uoluit implere, [Ps. 41.] Vt in cristo fieres fons salutis uere: Nostre desiderium mentis intuere, Dans de plenitudine fontis nos gaudere.

Heil whom þe welle of bliss Line 313 Wolde fulle ful of wele, So þat þou weore Maad, i-wis, Þe welle of verrey hele: Line 316 Vr þouhtes and vre ȝernynge, Ladi, þou so bi-holde Þat of þe welles springe We mouwe beo glad and bolde. Line 320

AVe quam de gentibus dominus discreuit, [Ps. 42.] Cum in ventre uirginis verbum requieuit; Causam & c[h]yrographum pleniter [MS. plenum] deleuit Quam in primum hominem prima lex decreuit.

Heil whom God specialy Line 321 ffrom oþere wolde twynne, Whon he þi bodi priuely Wolde reste wiþ-Inne. Line 324 Þe cause of Obligacion Þat vs to helle bond, He brac wiþ gret fuson Of his riht hond. Line 328

AVe cuius uiscera cristum ediderunt, [Ps. 43.] Per quam [r. quem?] uicti subiacent qui nos afflixerunt: Salua nos in brachio, cuius uim senserunt Qui victrici dextere cristi restiterunt.

Heil of whom þe holi gutte Line 329 Crist haþ forþ sende, Bi whom þei ben vndurputte [orig. vndurpotte] Þat vs ȝerne wolde schende: Line 332 Saue vs alle in his miht, Þat þei han ofte feled Þat wiþ-stonden aȝeyn þe riht Þe hond þat haþ hem greued. Line 336

AVe stans ad dexteram domini Regina, [Ps. 44.] Quam ambit uarietas virtutum diuina: [cf. Ps. 44, v. 10.] Vide, regis filia, & aurem inclina, Natus ex te fructus sit nobis Medicina.

Heil þat stondest neuer loþ Line 337 On riht half of vr lord; Whom sondernesse vmbigoþ Of vertuwes in a-Cord: Line 340

Line 340 Bi-hold, þou douhter of þe kyng, And bouwe doun Ere þyne, Þe ffruit of þe spryngynge Beo vre Medicyne. Line 344

AVe tabernaculum, quam sanctificauit [Ps. 45.] San[c]torum sanctissimus, in te cum intrauit; Ex te nobis impetus fluminis manauit, Ciuitatem domini qui letificauit. [cf. Ps. 45, v. 5.]

Heil þou tente for þe schour Line 345 And for þe hete of Sonne, Whom god com in to þi bour, Wiþ þe for to wonne; Line 348 ffrom þe to vs in gret plente Þe water ron a-flod Þat gladed al þe grete Cite— Wher-of we mowe þink good. Line 352

AVe per quam filius dei cum descendit [Ps. 46.] Nos in sui nominis amore succendit; Particeps substancie nostre cum ascendit, [cf. Ps. 46, v. 6.] Ascendendi pariter nobis spem inpendit.

Heil þorw whom wiþ-oute blame Line 353 God dounward wolde beende, In þe loue of his name Vre hertes forto teende; Line 356 Of vre kuynde for he part hadde, Whon he steih vp in to Blis, Þe rihte wey he vs ladde— We hopen þider, i-wis. Line 360

AVe magna domina & laudanda nimis, [Ps. 47.] Regis magni ciuitas, mons syon sublimis: Tu magna, tu predita meritis opimis, Tuos ad celestia transfer ab hijs imis.

Heil þat art so gret ladi Line 361 And gretlych artou preised, Cite of þe kyng þat [sit] on hih, Hul Syon vp-reised; Line 364 Deserued þou hast gret Richesses Þat gostly ben, i trouwe: fflette us from þe wrecchednesses Þat we dwellen in so lowe. Line 368

AVe per quam homines [MS hominis] natos ad laborem [Ps. 48.] Ad amissum reuocans dominus honorem, De nostra substancia sumptum carnis florem Ipsis fecit angelis in se celsiorem.

Heil þorw whom, þat was boren Line 369 Mon to gret vnreste, To þe worschipe þat he hedde lore Whon he was lik a Beeste, Line 372 God restored hym a-ȝeyn And set Monkynde aboue Þe hexte Angeles, as we seyn— Þerfore we schulde him loue. Line 376

AVe mater filio digna nascituro, [Ps. 49.] Corporis materiam ministrans passuro: Purges [MS. purgans] consciencias, ut sic [MS. sit] corde puro Procedamus obuiam judici uenturo.

Heil Modur most worþi Line 377 To God þat schulde be bore, Of þe tok þe swete bodi Þat pyned was so sore; Line 380 Þorw þat peyne he clensed [r. clense] vs so, Þat wiþ herte schene Sikerly we mou go Aȝeyn vr Iugge bi-dene. Line 384

Ave nobis miserans, nostri miserere, [Ps. 50.] Quod misericordie mater dicta uere; Misereris omnium qui tuis scincere Laudibus & gaudijs gaudent inherere.

Heil, of vs þou haue merci, Line 385 Of Merci we þe prey, ffor Moder þou art witerly Of Merci, as we seye. Line 388 Þou hast merci of hem alle Þat wiþ deuocioun And wiþ preisyng on þe calle, Þou herest heore Orisoun. Line 392

[XXV. A salutacioun to vre lady.] [So the title in the Index.]

MAyden, Modur, and comely Qween, Þat art in heuene and euer schal ben, Euere beo þou blessed, Line 3 ffor þow sendes me help and grace, Whon I was in a place Þer Deth was to me dressed. Line 6

Mi lyf I wende me hedde forsaken, And drery deþ to me taken, To make wiþ him to wone: Line 9 Wiþ my tonge, als I couþe, I Criȝede, "Ladi, help me nouþe, Þow prey to þi swete sone!" Line 12

Þi grace com to me þat day In to a Castel þer I lay, Men seide I was but ded; Line 15 Ihesu, þat þou louedest dere, Com to me þorwh þi preyere In þe fourme of bred. Line 18

Marie, of ioye þou berest þe pris, ffor þou art ȝate of paradis, Þer Ioye is Murie and long. Line 21 ffeire Modur and Mayden swete, Wiþ fyue Ioyes I þe grete, Ladi, here my song. Aue Maria. Line 24

HEil beo þow, Marie Modur of crist, Þat Conceyuedest him al wyth lyst, Ihesu þat was so mylde; Line 27 He liht in to þe, soþ hit was, As dude þe Sonne þorwh þe Glas, And so þow wex wiþ chylde. Aue M. Line 30

Heyl Marie, of Maydens þe flour, Þow beer Ihesu, vr sauiour, Wiþ-outen eny peyne. Line 33 ffeir hit was, þat ilke [MS. ille] burþe, Þat in his ȝ uþe made murþe Wiþ þi pappes tweyne! Aue. [Some stanzas seem wanting.]

Heil Mayden, þat euer-more Schalt beo Qween, and hast ben ȝore, In heuene and in eorþe. Line 39 Þeos ben foure of power most: ffadur, and Sone, and holygost, And þou, Ladi, þe feorþe. Aue. Line 42

Heil gracious qween Mari, To þe vs neodeþ calle and cri Whon we ben sori and syke. Line 45 Heil hele in halle and boure; Þou louest men þat þe honoure, Þi loue is euere i-like. Aue. Line 48

Heil, sone boote þer bale is neih; Þauh þi wonynge beo an heih, Þou herknest to vs at nede. Line 51 Heil rest to weri bones; Whon I was stoned wiþ harde stones, Þow halp wiþ-outen mede. Aue. Line 54

Heil, to al Angeles Ioye and blis, Þow art Qwen þer, I wot, I-wis, Witnes of vr Bokes. Line 57 Heil witti and wys of werkes, Þou drawest boþe prestes and Clerkes Out of þe fendes hokes. Aue. Line 60

Heil fendes fo, feirest of alle! Þi Bed was In an Asse stalle Whon þi sone was Born. Line 63 Heil weddet wyf and Mayden eke, Of þe þis holy prophetes speeke An hundred ȝer bi-forn. Aue. Line 66

Heil mihtiest of Middel [MS. Mildel] ert, Of þe þe fendes ben a-ferd And douten þe ful sore. Line 69 Heil cumfort of Careful wyues; When þei ben ferd of heore lyues, Þou helpest hem euer-more. Aue. Line 72

Heil chyld boren In Naȝareth, Þou beere a child þat to[c] [MS. to] þe deth, As alle trewe telle. Line 75

Line 75 Heil Godus Modur gentyl and good, Þou [r. þat] let Adam and his blood Out of þe pit of helle. Aue. Line 78

Heil Modur Merciabel, He is þi sone wiþ-outen fabel Þat alle þynge wot. Line 81 Heil Meke marie of renoun, Þi sone haþ for vs I-leyd a-doun His herte-blood al hot. Aue. Line 84

Heil Mari þat to vs hiȝes! Þi Modur bar þreo Maries— So feire hire beo-tydde; Line 87 On was Marie Iacobe, And þat oþur Cleophe, And þou, ladi, þe þridde. Aue. Line 90

Heil Marie, wiþ most honour Corouned qween in heuene-tour Bi-fore þy sones face; Line 93 To alle neodful þou art couþ, Wel art þou cald wiþ Angeles Mouth, "Marie ful of grace." Aue. Line 96

"Heil Marie ful of grace, Heil beo þou in vche a place, ffor god is laft wiþ þe." Line 99 In heuene and eorþe þou beo honoured, ffor my lyf þou hast socoured And drawen deþ from me. Aue. Line 102

Heil feirest of alle floures, A-postles, [MS. Of postles] Martires an Confessoures Þe for ladi calle; Line 105 Heil brihtor þen þe sonne-beem, Þou beere Ihesu In Bedlehem, Wiþ Blood þat bouht vs alle. Aue. Line 108

Heil feirest of alle landes, To god þou hef vp þyn handes Whon Gabriel þe grette. Line 111 Heil clerore þen þe Cristal-ston, Þou art in heuene, Blood and Bon, ffor þer þi sone þe sette. Aue. Line 114

Line 114

Heyl Marie, Blessed kidde, A feir grace þe beo-tidde— Þi peere is nouhwher leued: Line 117 God him-self þi bodi chees, To sitte wiþ him on his dees And bere Coroune on heued. Aue. Line 120

Heil Marie as briht as day, Goddus sone wiþ-Inne þe lay His Burth to a-byde. Line 123 Whon he was two and þritti ȝeer old, He fauht for men as kempe bold, And baar ful blodi syde. Aue. Line 126

Heil Marie, þat art ay boun To kepe us from temptacion Of þe fendes Blake; Line 129 Heil riche Qween of vche a toun, Þi sone haþ soffred passioun ffor al Monkynde sake. Aue. Line 132

Heil briht Braunche of Rose rote, Of þe sprong a sauour swote Þat sauereþ ay so swete. Line 135 Heil Modur of al-holy Chirche, And alle þat euere wol wysly worche, I rede þat heo þe grete. Aue. Line 138

Heil Ioachyms Ioyful seed, Þou sayh whon Laȝarus was ded ffoure dayes and More; Line 141 Bi-fore Martha and Magdeleyn Ihesu called him to lyue a-ȝeyn And for him rewed sore. Aue. Line 144

Heil Marie, Mayden sleihe, Mony goode dedes þou seiȝe Of þulke þat Ihesu wrouhte: Line 147 A Mon was ded and lay on Bere, His Moodur wiþ ful reuþful chere Grace at Ihesu souhte; Aue. Line 150

Heil Marie, of gret pite, Ihesu for þe loue of þe Made þat wommon bliþe: Line 153

Line 153 To þe Bere he put his honde And bad þe Cors anon vp stonde; To lyue hit ros als-swiþe. Aue. Line 156

Heil Mayden, heil þou, Alle þi Ioyes I may not nou In my song telle; Line 159 Is mony an hundred ȝer a-gone Þou hast ben, ladi, queen þyn one Of heuene, Erþe and helle. Aue. Line 162

Holy Mayden, wel þe be, Þat was at þe feste of Galyle, Þer was wanted wyn: Line 165 Þi sone comaundet men in halle Wiþ watur fulle heor vessels alle By-fore Architriclyn; Aue. Line 168

Heil Marie, þat sauh al þat: Whon Ihesu on þi Barm sat And blessed hit wiþ his honde, Line 171 Al þe watur þat þer was brouht By-com red wyn al vn-souht, Þer nis no beter in londe. Aue. Line 174

Heil semlokest vndur sonne, Þorwh þe was a werk by-gonne By-twene God and Mon; Line 177 Blessed beo þou of alle wymmen, And þe fruyt of þi wombe, Amen, Þat such a werk bi-gon. Aue. — — Line 180

Blessed beo, ladi, þyn holy nome, Þat schilde[s] [MS. And schilde] vs from synne and schome, And Makes þe fend vnglad; Line 183 Þer þat nempned is Mari, Þe fendes by-gynnen a-wei to fly And diȝeþ neih for drad. Aue. Line 186

Blessed beo, ladi, þyn heued aboue, Þer god hath schewed his moste loue On heih riht in his halle: Line 189 Þe Coroune of heuene þer-on is set, Wiþ alle þe Angeles þou art gret As ladi of hem alle. Aue. Line 192

Line 192

Blessed beo, ladi, þat [r. þi] witti Brayn: Þou hast maad þe fend vn-fayn Þat deope in helle sit; Line 195 Monnes soules þat weore lost, Þou beer a child on þi Coste ffro helle-pyne haþ hem quit. Aue. Line 198

Blessed beo, ladi, þat holy frount, Þat holy is holden and sount, Þe cheef of al þi face; Line 201 Þer-in is set a bond of wit, Vndur þe croune comly knit Wiþ a louely lace. Aue. Line 204

Blessed beo, ladi, þi Brouwes bent: A feir grace God haþ þe sent, Þi lookyng is louely ay. Line 207 Ladi, for þi louesum chere Prey þi sone, þat we mowe here Serue him to pay! Aue. Line 210

Blessed be, ladi, þy Riht Ere: Þe holygost, he liht in þere fflesch and Blod to take; Line 213 God sende his sone adoun, To soffre pine and passioun And faiht wiþ þe Drake. Aue. Line 216

Blessed beo, Ladi, þyn oþur Ere, ffor hit herknes ay-where To Men þat haue to done; Line 219 Þyn Ere is open at vre callyng: Whon we preye for eny þing, Vr erende comeþ sone. Aue. Line 222

Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þyn Eiȝen, Þat þreo kynges offringes seȝen Þat kneled þe by-fforen. Line 225 Þou seost euer-more I-lyche Ioye and Blisse in heuene-riche— To godur hele þou weore boren! Aue. Line 228

Blessed be, [MS. be þou] ladi, a-mong þi wittes Þi ffeire Neose, þat comely sittes Amidde þi frount bi-neþen. Line 231

Line 231 Ladi, for þe loue of Anastas Let vs seo þi feire ffaas, Whon we wenden heþen! Aue. Line 234

Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þi chekes: Merci for vs to him þou sekes Þat þe for Modur Ches. Line 237 Ladi, as þou art Modur mylde, ffrom worldus schome þou me schylde, And gete vs grith and pes! Aue. Line 240

Ladi, I-blessed beo þi Mouth: Whon God þe sende in to þe south Þe Aungel Gabriel, Line 243 Þow onswerdest Mekelych and sayde, "I am heer Godus hond-Mayde"— Þis word is in gospel. Aue. Line 246

Blessed be, lady, þi trewe tonge: A-Mong wymmen olde and ȝonge Þat euerȝite han ben, Line 249 So treowe I-founden was neuer non; ffor-þi þou art in Blod and Bon Corouned heuene-Qween. Aue. Line 252

Blessed beo, ladi, þi Chin I-chose: þer-on schal neuer mon lose To blesse hit niht and day; Line 255 Hit schal reue him serwe and synne, And make him in his lyf to wynne Þe Ioye þat lasteþ ay. Aue. Line 258

Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte neb-schaft— Of kuynde he couþe ful wel his craft Þat hit hedde entayled! Line 261 Þe teres ron doun of [r. a?] floode Whon þou seȝe þi sone on Roode, ffeet and hondes nayled. Aue. Line 264

Blessed beo, ladi, þi white sweere: Ihesu, þat þou louest deere, Clupped hit ofte a-boute. Line 267 Whose wol his synne forsake And of þat cluppyng Ioye make, Hym þar no deueles doute. Aue. Line 270

Line 270

Blessed beo, lady, þi clere þrote: At neode euere þou dost vs note Whon Bale vs haþ I-bounde. Line 273 Ladi, þou neuere woldest ȝelpe, Prey þi sone þat he vs helpe ffor his Blessede wounde! Aue. Line 276

Blessed beo, ladi, þi scholdres two, And þi cleer Canel-bonus also Þat semely ben in siht: Line 279 As kyng, kniht or Champioun ffor Men þou art redi-Boun Wiþ þe fend to fiht. Aue. Line 282

Blessed beo, ladi, þyn Armes tweyne: In vche a gederyng þou art gayne To helpen vs at nede; Line 285 Vr wo þou tornest to weole, And sauest vs from wreches fele— Blessed beo þou to Mede! Aue. Line 288

Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þin hondes, Þat swaþeled him in swaþelyng-bondes Þat Monnes soule haþ wrouht, Line 291 Heuene and helle and alle londes, ffisch and ffoul, Séé and Sondes, Al he maade of nouht. Aue. Line 294

Blessed beo, [MS. beo þou] ladi, and feyre hem falle, Þi þhommes and þi ffyngres alle Þat genteliche are Maket, Line 297 On eiþer hond wiþ ffyngres fyue; Þow þat [r. Wiþ þat þow] hondelet him on lyue Þat helle-fuir has [MS. was] slaket. Aue. Line 300

Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte Brest: Ihesu tok þer-in [r. on?] Rest, Mon of miht most. Line 303 Was neuer non so clene of lyf As þow weore, boþe Mayden and wyf, To Resseyue þe holygost. Aue. Line 306

Blessed beo, ladi, þi stable herte: Whon þou seȝe þi sone smerte, Gret Care þou keptest; Line 309

Line 309 Whon þou sauh him Buffet and beten, Al his bodi of blood by-weten, No wondur þauh þou weptest. Aue. Line 312

Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte wombe: Þer-in was þe holy Lombe Þat bouht Adam and Eue, Line 315 And þe þridde day also blyue He ros vp fro deþ to lyue— Such is vre bi-leeue. Aue. Line 318

Blessed beo, ladi, þi softe sydes, In Ioye and blis þou vs abydes, Þer þou schalt beo founden; Line 321 Þi sone vs bouhte wiþ Raunsoun And drouh vs out of dungoun, Þer Lucifer liht i-boundun. Aue. Line 324

Blessed be, ladi, þi feire Bak, And þi leendes wiþ-outen lak, Þat dwellen ay in Blis. Line 327 Ladi, for þi muchel honour Þin holy help and þy socour Let vs neuere mis! Aue. Line 330

Blessed beo, ladi, þy Maydenhede: Neuer was in þe sowen sede As of wommon-kynde; Line 333 ffor-þi þou art coround Qween Of alle wymmen þat han I-ben Or euer schal Mon fynde. Aue. Line 336

Blessed beo, ladi, þi boþe þhiȝes, To help vs ay þat hiȝes ffrom þe vn-hold honde. Line 339 Ladi, to þi sone vs dresse, And preye hym þat he vs blesse And mayntyme in sonde! Aue. Line 342

Blessed beo, ladi, þi comely knen, Þat for vs alle kneolynge ben Boþe niht and day. Line 345 Hit is but on vs I-long, Wheþer we worche ille or wrong, Hou we schul haue vr pay. Aue. Line 348

Line 348

Blessed [beo], ladi, alle beo-dene Þi Schonkes and þi Schynes schene Þat are strong and styþe; Line 351 Ofte hast þow erly and late Don vr erende at heuene-ȝate And Maked vs ful bliþe. Aue. Line 354

Blessed beo, ladi, þi Maydenhede, Þyn haunches and þi feire fete, Þat for vs trauayle. [MS. doost tr.; doost overl. by another hand.] Line 357 Ladi, for þi grete grace A-Mong þi Ioyes of a place Let vs neuere fayle! Aue. Line 360

Blessed, ladi, beo al þi toos: Whon þou of Childbedde a-Ros, To þe Temple þow ȝeode, Line 363 fforte folfulle þat lawe Þat was vsud by Olde dawe— Symeon sauh þat dede. Aue. Line 366

Blessed beo, ladi, al at ones Þi fflesch þi blod, þi skyn þi bones, And þin Entrayles wiþ. Line 369 Ladi, for þi Muchel honour Prey Ihesu vr sauyour, He graunt vs pees and grith! Aue. Line 372

Blessed beo, ladi, þi grete strengþe: Þou hast drawen my lyf on lengþe And don an Almus werk; Line 375 Þow holdest þe fend vndur foote, Þow geete fro his herte-Rote Theophules lettre, þe Clerk. Aue. Line 378

Blessed beo, ladi, þi goode þewes, Þat kepen vs from þe blake schrewes Þat Mennes soules han craued; Line 381 Þe grete oþus þat Men han sworen Hedde I-maad þe world for-loren, But as þou hast hit saued. Aue. Line 384

Blessed beo, ladi, þi stable þouht: Vre neodes for-ȝetest þou nouht, Þow delest wiþ non hoket; Line 387

Line 387 Bi-fore þe kyng þat demes riht Þou pledest for men day and niht— Blessed beo þat voket! Aue. Line 390

Blessed beo, ladi, þi swetnes. Al Monkynde more and les To helle were þei gon, Line 393 Þei weoren alle in helle i-bounde, Til þi Sone wiþ blodi wounde Hed leesed hem out vchon. Aue. Line 396

Blessed beo, ladi, þi feirhede, Menget al wiþ whit and Rede, Wiþ brihtnes al bi-Ron. Line 399 Ladi, flour of alle londes, Bryng him out of carful bondes Þat hath þis song bi-gon! Aue. Line 402

Blessed ladi, Blesse I schal Þy Lyf, þi Soule, þi Bodi al Þat eeuene to heuene went. Line 405 As wis, ladi, beo vr frend And schild vs from þe foule fend, And let vs neuer be schent. A M. E N. Line 408

[XXVI. An orisoun to þe fyue woundes of ihesus cristus.] [So the title in the Index.]

Ihesus, þat diȝedest vppon þe tre And þoledest deþ for loue of me And for myn elder sake, Line 3 ffrom þe deuel and al his miht Þow kepe me, boþe day and niht, Wher I slepe or wake. Line 6

Lord, ȝif me grace to worche þi wille And þi Comaundement to forþfille, Þat heuene may beo my Meede. Line 9 Ihesu, bring me to þi Reste, Þat euere wiþ-outen ende schal leste, And help me at al my nede. Line 12

Line 12

Now God, þat died on þe Rode And þer-on schedde þin herte-blode, And of Marie was boren, Line 15 Heer me whon I to þe calle, And let me neuere in synne falle, Ne for my mis-dede be loren. Line 18

Ihesu, þi [MS. for þi] fyue woundes on þe Roode Þat þou þoledest for monnes goode, Moot my socour be. Line 21 In þe worschipe of þi wounde Þat þyn herte þolede in þat stounde, A Pater noster sei we. Pater. Line 24

In þe worschipe of þi riht honde Þat was woundet in þe holy londe And nayled to þe tre, Line 27 Heere to-day my preyere, As wis as þou bouhtest me dere Haue Merci, lord, on me. Pater. Line 30

Ihesu lord þat is so Mylde, ffrom dedly synne þou me schilde Boþe day and niht; Line 33 Cumforte me, Ihesu, wiþ þi sonde, As wisliche as þi luft honde Was nayled wiþ on-riht. Pater. Line 36

God, schilde my soule þat day fro care Whon hit schal from my bodi fare; Haue Merci, lord, on me, Line 39 As wis as I leue wel and wot Þat on þe goode ffriday þi riht fot Was nayled to þe tre. Pater. Line 42

As wis as harde to þe tre Þi lift ffoot was nayled for me, Graunte me þi grace, Line 45 Þat I may haue þi Ioyful reste, Þat wiþ-outen ende schal leste, And seo þi louely face. A M E N. Pater. Line 48

[XXVII. An orisoun to þe fyue ioyes of vre lady.] [So the title in the Index.]

MArie Modur, wel þe bee! Modur and Mayden, þenk on me ffor þi muchel miht! Line 3 Marie Mayden meke and mylde, ffrom mis-chaunce to-day me schylde, Þat me ne dere no wiht. Aue. Line 6

Marie, þou hast no peere, Heere to-day my preyere, Þouh I vn-worþi be; Line 9 To þe I clepe and calle: As þou art flour of alle Þou haue Merci of me. Aue. Line 12

Marie Modur and Mayden eke, ffor þat Ioye I þe by-seche Þat Gabriel þe grette, Line 15 Þat Ioye me kepe day and niht ffrom þe deuel and al his miht, And of mis-dede me lette. Aue. Line 18

ffor þe Ioye þat God was boren Let me not, ladi, beo forloren Þat þi sone bouht dere, Line 21 But vndurfong to-day my beode, Þat hit may stonde me in sum steode Þorwh þi preyere. Aue. Line 24

And for þe Ioye þat fro deþ to lyue God vp-Ros wiþ woundes fyue Vppon þe paske-day, Line 27 Beo-seche þi sone, ladi Mylde, ffrom mischaunce þat he me schilde As wis as he best may. Aue. Line 30

And for þe Ioye God steih to heuene On holy þoresday wiþ mylde steuene, Help me, ladi of miht, Line 33

Line 33 And beo boþe my scheld and spere, Þat no wikked mon me dere Ne deuel bi day no niht. Aue. Line 36

And for þe Ioye aftur þyn ende, Bi-fore [r. ffor?] to heuene þer þou dudest wende In Murþe and Iolyte, Line 39 Bryng me in to þat reste Þat euer wiþ-outen ende schal leste, Ȝif þi wille be. Aue. Line 42

Ladi, flour of wymmen-kynne, Ȝif me grace þi loue to wynne, Mayden feir and fre, Line 45 And let me neuer for no synne ffor-go þat Ioye þat þou art Inne, AMEN par Charite. Aue. Line 48

[XXVIII. A salutacioun to vre lady.] [So the title in the Index. The first 6 stanzas are printed in Warton, Hist. of Engl. Poetry, 1871, II. p. 283.]

Heil beo þow, Marie Moodur and May, Mylde and Meke and Merciable! Heyl follich fruit of soþfast fay, Aȝeyn vche stryf studefast and stable; Line 4 Heil soþfast soule in vche a-say— Vndur þi sone is non so able; Heil logge þat vre lord in lay, Þe formast þat neuer was founden in fable. Line 8 Heil trewe, trouþeful and tretable, Heil cheef i-chosen of Chastite, Heil homely, hende and amyable: Do prey for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 12

Heil sterre þat neuer stunteþ liht, Heil Busch Brennyng þat neuer was brent; [A simile used by Chaucer.] Heil rihtful rulere of eueri riht, Schadewe to schilde þat scholde be schent; Line 16

Line 16 Heil, Blessed beo þow, Blosme briht, To trouþe and trust was þyn entent; Heil Mayden and Modur most of miht, Of alle mischeues a-Mendement. Line 20 Heil spice sprong þat neuer was spent, Heil trone of þe Trinite, Heil soiourne [on erasure.] þat Godus [r. god is] sone to sent: Þow preye for vs þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 24

Heil hertely in holinesse, Heil hope of help to heihe and lowe, Heil strengþe and stal [on erasure.] of stabelnesse, Heil wyndouwe of heuene-wowe, Line 28 Heil reson of al rihtwysnesse, To vche a Caytyf cumfort to knowe, Heil Inocent out of Angernesse, Vr takel, vr tol þat we on trowe; Line 32 Heil frend to alle þat beoþ forþ flowe, Heil liht of loue and of lewte, Heil brihtor þen þe blod on snowe: Þow preye for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 36

Heil Mayden, heil Modur, heil Martir trewe, Heil kyndely I-knowe Confessour; Heil euenere of old lawe and of newe, Heil Buildere boold of cristes bour; Line 40 Heil Rose hiȝest of hyde and hewe, Of alle ffruytes feirest fflour; Heil Tortul trustiest and trewe, Of alle trouþe þou art tresour; Line 44 Heil puyred princesse of paramour, Heil Blosme of Brere, Brihtest of ble, Heil owner of eorþly honour: Þou prey for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 48

Heil hende, heil holy Emperesse, Heil quene [on erasure.] corteis, comely and kynde; Heil distruyere of eueri stresse, Heil mender of eueri monnes mynde; Line 52 Heil Bodi þat we ouhte to blesse, So feiþful frend may neuer mon fynde; Heil lenere and louere of largenesse, Swete and swettest þat neuer may swynde; Line 56

Line 56 Heil Botenere of eueri bodi blynde, Heil Borgun brihtes[t] of alle bounte, Heil trewore þen þe wode-bynde: Þou pray for us to þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 60

Heil Modur, heil Mayden, heil heuene-qwene, Heil ȝatus [r. ȝate] of paradys, Heil Sterre of þe Se þat euere is seene, Heil riche, Ryal and Riht-wys; Line 64 Heil Buyrde, I-blesset mote þow beene, Heil perle, of al perey þe pris, Heil Schadewe in vch a schour schene, Heil fayrore þen þe flour delys; Line 68 Heil cher chosen þat neuer nas chis, Heil chef chaumbre of Charite, Heil in wo þat euere was wys: Þow prey for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 72

Heil welle of merci, watur of lyf, Heil gentel ȝerde of Iesse Roote; Heil Mayde, heil Moodur, heil wedded wyf, Þi blessednes brouht us til vr bote; Line 76 Heil studefast stuntere of eueri strif, Þe feirest þat euer ȝeode vppon fote; ffrom vs vche a deuel þou deest drif; Heil swete, heil swettest, heil most swote; Line 80 Heil Mayden þat for vs most mote, Heil puired princes of pite, Heil Mirour vche mon on to tote: Þow pray for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 84

Heil holy herte, hope of hele, Heil fostrere of vre ful fay, Heil worchere of þis worldly wele, Heil wissere of vre rihtwys way, Line 88 Heil fallere of þe fendes fele, [or. frele] Heil logge þat vre lord in lay, Heil Chartre þat Ihesus gon a-sele: ffor vs, ladi, to þi sone þou pray Line 92 Þat at þe dredful domus-day Vre a-vokes þat ȝe may be, ffor non oþur þen help us may Saue þi-self and þi swete sone fre. Aue. Line 96

Line 96

Heil hed of worschip, cristes trone, Þe semely Temple of Salamon; Heil brihtest Sonne, vn-meued Mone, Heil ful fles of gedeon; [on erasure.] Line 100 Heil help to hem þat han to done, Loue of Angel, murþe of man: Þi socour, ladi, send vs sone And help vs, for we han mis-gan. Line 104 Charbokel neuer so cler schone As ȝe schyne in cristes see. To ȝow, ladi, I make my mone: Prey for vs to þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 108

[This stanza in the MS. written at the foot of the page.] Heil Archa federis euere I-loke, Cristes trewe tresorie; [MS. trosorie] Heil Archa of noe neuer to-broke, ffor worldli wawe þat neuer wolde wrie; Line 112 Heil esterne ȝate faste I-stoke Seþþe god þi sone eode out þer-bye; Heyl chosen chastite þe ȝoke, engendreer of vre gentrie; Line 116 Heil kuyndenesse, heil cortesye, Heil douweer of diuinite, Heil susteynour of Seyntuarie: Þou preye for vs þi sone so fre. Aue. Line 120

Heil lok, heil loue, heil Marie! I heile þe wiþ herte and þouht, I heile þe wiþ Mouþ and eiȝe, ffor my wilde werkes han beo nouht; Line 124 I heile þe and Merci crie, Wiþ al my bodi I haue mis-wrouht; I heile þe whon I schal dye, And help to blisse þat we be brouht. Line 128 Pray þi sone, þat vs deore bouht, Graunt vs grace for his pite, Þauh synnes haue vs þorwh-souht; Bring vs to þi blis þat euer schal be, Amen. Aue. Line 132

[XXIX. Miracles of oure lady.] [Ed. before by me in Herrig's Archiv, 1876. On the various collec|tions of Miracles of our lady see Mussafia, Sitzungsber. der Wiener Acad. der Wissensch., 1887-8.]

I. [hou þe cite off croteye was delyuered of þeir enemys by vre lady coote.] [(A Picture.)]

So the title in the Index.

The Index to MS. Vern. gives the following list of these Miracles; only the first 9 (the 9th unfinished) are preserved in the MS.

1.

hou þe cite off croteye was delyuered of þeir enemys by vre lady coote.

2.

hou þe Iewes, in despit of vre lady, þrewe a chyld in a gonge.

3.

hou an holy hermyt prayde a synful womman pray god for hym.

4.

hou a Iew putte his sone in a brennyngge ouene, for he was communed wit oþur cristene children on þe pask-day.

5.

hou a man, for ache, cut of his foot, and was heled aȝeyn by vre lady.

6.

hou a iew lente a cristenemon moneye, and took vre lady to borow.

7.

Of a prest þat lay by a nonne.

8.

hou vre lady ȝaf mylk off heore pappes to a man þat hadde þe squynacye.

9.

Of an incontinent monk, þat was drouned, and rered aȝeyn by vre lady to lyf.

10.

Of a clerk þat wolde euery day segge þe fyue ioyes of vre lady.

11.

hou vre lady dude þe offys of a sextresse fyftene ȝeer for a nonne.

12.

hou a god wyf by-nam fro an ymage of vre lady þe ymage of heore child.

13.

Of a deuout knyt off kyrkeby.

14.

hou a wommon slow heore doutour hosebonde, and was dampned to þe fuyr, and delyuered by vre lady.

15.

hou þe deuel took lyknesse of a wommon, and seyde he was godes modur.

16.

hou out of a monkes mouth, aftur his deeth, grew a lilie, and in euery leef was wryten wyt large lettres of gold: aue maria.

17.

hou a nonne furȝat to grete vre ladye, and ful in apostasye.

18.

hou seynt Bernard say twey children ydrouned for þeir inobedience.

19.

Of þys antynene: Salue regina.

20.

hou vre lady sauter bygan.

21.

hou vre lady was a medewyf in þe churche of seynt michel in monte tumba.

22.

hou þe feste of þe natiuite of vre lady by-gan.

23.

Of a deuout clerk þat died in drenkelenschipe, & was wyrned sepulcre.

24.

Of a þef þat was þre dayes hanget, and saued by vre lady.

25.

Of a prest þat coude non oþur masse but salua sancta parens.

26.

hou þe deuel, in liknesse of a bole and of oþur bestes, encumbrede a monk for he was ones drunke.

27.

Of a wommon off Rome þat conceyuede bi heore owne sone, & slou heore child.

28.

Off a child þat weddede an ymage of vre lady.

29.

hou at þe cite of Tholuse þe priuetes were knowe of Iewes.

30.

hou vre lady ȝaf to seynt Bonyte þe bisschoph holy vestemens.

31.

hou þe deuel, in fals liknesse of seynt Iame, made a man cutte of his priue menbres.

32.

Of a monk of Cisteus, þat vre lady took in heore armes, and custe hym.

33.

hou Constantyn þe Emperour ordeynede for euere-mor in seynt petre churche at Rome, in wyrschip of seynt petre, a lampe wyt Baume perpetuelly brennyngge.

34.

Of seynt fulbert þe bisschop, þat made þe storye, and þe legende and oþur tretys off þe natiuite of vre lady.

35.

Of a mayden þat was cald Musa.

36.

Of a malicious priour of seynt sauyours of þe cite of papye.

37.

Of seynt Ierom, bisschoph of papye.

38.

Of a whyth corporaus was in-tync wit red wyn, in seynt Micheles churche, þat his cald cluse.

39.

hou vre lady taute a clerk hou he schulde segge heore complyn.

40.

Of þe schrewednesse of Iustynyan þe emperour.

41.

And why þe feste of þe puryficacion was ordeyned.

42.

hou an ymage of þe child off vre lady taute anoþur child and preyde hym to come dyne wyt hym.

LOrdus, ȝif ȝe wol lusten to me, Of Croteye, þe noble Cite, ffurst hou hit bi-seget was And seþþen dilyueret þorw godus gras Line 4

Line 4 And þorw þe help of vre ladi, So witnesseþ Miracle of Mari. Out of peihtes lond þer came A kniht þat Rollo was his name; Line 8 He gederet wiþ him out of þe north Cost Of diuerse nacions a wel gret host, Out of Denemarch and North-wey, Of feolore folk þen I con sey. Line 12 Mony Cuntres he can destruye, Wel muchel pepule he gan anuye, In mony a Coost, bi Est and West, He won him londes bi Conquest. Line 16 ffurst he bi-gon in þe North Cuntre, And aftur he schipet ouer þe Séé. Sire Rollo wiþ al his host Ariuede in ffraunce vp in a cost. Line 20 Þat Cuntre gon he furst destruiȝe, Þerfore he called hit Northmondye, ffor þei dude men to deþe i-lome Þat out of þe North cost come; Line 24 Þerfore he called hit Northmondye, As writen I fynde in his storye: Of Bruit þe Cronicle witnesset wel Þis Conquest of Rollo eueridel. Line 28 Hit was þe furste Duik in þat lond, ffor he furst won hit wiþ his hond.

Whon Rollo þat kniht was þider I-comen And mony a toun þei hedde I-nomen, Line 32 Mony a Mon þei dude to deþe, fful fewe þei saueden, and ȝit vnneþe. And as he trauayled on his Iorney, He com to a Citéé, was called Crotey. Line 36 Þus sone Sire Rollo wiþ his Route Bi-sette þat Citéé wiþ sege a-boute. Wiþ-Inne þe Citéé men hedde gret drede: Heore Enemys weren so douhti of dede; Line 40 Of socour þei seȝen non oþur won But ȝelden þe Cite, or elles ben slon.

AN holi Bisschop þer was þer-Inne, Þat was called sire Waltelinne, Line 44 He was Bisschop of þat Citéé, A swuyþe noble mon was he. He tauhte heom ȝerne knele and crie To crist and to his Modur Marie; Line 48 Þorw help of hire þat bar vr lord He hopede þei schulden han sone cumfort. Seþen him-self goþ to þe Sextriȝe, Þat was þe Munstres treserye; Line 52 Vr ladi Curtel þer-Inne he found. Wiþ gret Reuerence he kneled to ground, Þer to Marie he beed his bone To sende þat Cite socour sone. Line 56 Wiþ peple and gret processioun He bar þat Relyk þorw al þe toun, fful deyntely diht vppon a spere, As lordus Baner displayet in werre. Line 60 Þe Bisschop heet cast vp þe ȝate And bad his folk folewe hym algate, Him-self bi-foren and þei be-hynde; He hoped in Marie help to fynde. Line 64 A-non as þei were þus out went, Heore enemys letten hem not but schent: ffor so a-stoneyd and ferede men Nere neuer worse þen þei were þen! Line 68 Whon on þat relyk þei caste heore siht, Þei woxe start [r. stare] -blynde anon-riht;

Þei mihten no more defenden heom þen Þen so mony blynde or drounkene Men. Line 72 Þe Citeseins token hem at heore wille, Summe to Raunsum, and summe to spille. Siþen þei turnen aȝeyn to þe Citéé Wiþ Murþe and gret solempnite, Line 76 And herieden heihly þat Mylde may Þat socourde and saued hem so þat day. And do we on þe same wyse Boþe glade and bliþe wiþ bisy seruise, Line 80 Þe same ladi forte qweme, Þat so in Mischeef to vs takeþ ȝeme To hire sone crist vre erende to bede, And socoureþ vs so at eueri nede. Line 84 Nou, ladi, preye þi sone on hih To alle cristene he graunte Merci! Amen.

II. [hou þe Fewes, in despit of vre lady, prewe a chyld in a gonge.] [(Picture.)]

WOse loueþ wel vre ladi, Heo wol quiten his wille wel whi, Oþur in his lyf or at his ende: Þe ladi is so freo and hende. Line 4 Hit fel [so] sum-tyme in Parys, As witnesseþ in holy writ Storys. In þe Cite bi-fel þis cas: A pore child was of porchas, Line 8 Þat wiþ þe Beggeri þat he con wynne He fond sumdel what of [r. for] his kinne, His ffader, his Moder, and eke him-self; He begged in Cite bi eueri half. Line 12 Þe child non oþur Craftus couþe But winne his lyflode wiþ his Mouþe. Þe Childes vois was swete and cler, Men lusted his song wiþ riht good cher; Line 16 Wiþ his song þat was ful swete He gat Mete from strete to strete. Men herked his song ful likyngly: Hit was an Antimne of vre lady, Line 20

Line 20 He song þat Antimne eueri-wher, I-Called Alma Redemptoris Mater, Þat is forþrihtly to mene: "Godus Moder, Mylde and Clene, Line 24 Heuene ȝate and Sterre of se, Saue þi peple from synne and we." Þat song was holden deynteous, Þe child song hit from hous to hous. Line 28 ffor he song hit so lykynglye, Þe Iewes hedde alle to hym Envye. Til hit fel on a seters-day Þe Childes wey þorw þe Iewerie lay: Line 32 Þe Iewes hedden þat song in hayn, Þerfore þei schope þe child be slayn. So lykingly þe Child song þer, So lustily song he neuer er. [vv. 33-34, 35-36 to be transp.?] Line 36

On of þe Iewes Malicious Tilled þe child in to his hous; His Malice þere he gan to kuyþe: He Cutte þe childes þrote alswiþe. Line 40 Þe child ne spared nout for þat wrong, But neuer-þe-latere song forþ his song; Whon he hedde endet, he eft bi-gon, His syngyng couþe stoppe no mon. Line 44 Þer-of þe Ieuh was sore anuyet. Leste his Malice mihte ben aspyet, Þe Ieuh bi-þouhte him of a gynne: In to a gonge-put fer wiþ-Inne Line 48 Þe child adoun þer-Inne he þrong. Þe child song euere þe same song; So lustily þe child con crie, Þat song he neuer er so hyȝe: Line 52 Men mihte him here fer and neer, Þe Childes vois was so heiȝ and cleer.

ÞE Childes moder was wont to a-byde Euery day til þe Non-tyde, Line 56 Þen was he wont to bringe heom mete, Such as he mihte wiþ his song gete. Bote þat day was þe tyme a-past. Þerfore his Moder was sore a-gast; Line 60

Line 60 Wiþ syk and serwe in eueri strete Heo souhte wher heo mihte wiþ him mete. Bote whon heo com in to þe Iewery, Heo herde his vois so cler of cry. Line 64 Aftur þat vois his Modur dreuh: Wher he was Inne, þerbi heo kneuh. Þen of hire child heo asked a siht. Þe Iew wiþ-nayted him anon-riht, Line 68 And seide þer nas non such child þrinne. Þe childes Moder ȝit nolde not blinne, But euer þe Moder criede in on. Þe Ieuh seide euere þer nas such non. Line 72 Þen seide þe wommon: "þou seist wrong, He is her-Inne, I knowe his song." Þe Ieuh bi-gon to stare and swere And seide þer com non such child þere. Line 76 But neuer-þe-latere men mihte here Þe child song euere so loude and clere, And euer þe lengor, herre and herre, Men mihte him here boþe fer and nerre. Line 80 Þe Modur coude non oþur won: To Meir and Baylyfs heo is gon, Heo pleyneþ þe Ieuh haþ don hire wrong To stelen hire sone so for his song; Line 84 Heo preyeþ to don hire lawe and riht, Hire sone don come bi-fore heore siht, Heo preyeþ þe Meir par Charite Of him to haue freo lyuere. Line 88 Þenne heo telleþ þe Meir a-Mong Hou heo lyueþ bi hire sone song. Þe Meir þen haþ of hire pite, And sumneþ þe folk of þat Cite. Line 92 He telleþ hem of þat wommons sawe, And seiþ he mot don hire þe lawe, And hoteþ hem wiþ hym to wende, To Bringe þis wommons cause to ende. Line 96 Whon þei cum þider, for al heore noyse Anon þei herde þe childes voyse, Riht as an Angeles vois hit were, Þei herde him neuer synge so clere. Line 100

Line 100 Þer þe Meir makeþ entre, And of þe child he askeþ lyuere. Þe Ieuh may nouȝt þe Meir refuse, Ne of þe child hym wel excuse, Line 104 But nede he moste knouleche his wrong, A-teynt bi þe childes song. Þe Meir let serchen hym, so longe, Til he was founden in þe gonge, Line 108 fful depe I-drouned in fulþe of fen. Þe Meir het drawe þe child vp þen, [2 vv. wanting?] Wiþ ffen and ffulþe riht foule bi-whoruen, And eke þe childes þrote I-coruen. Line 112 Anon-riht, er þei passede forþere, Þe Ieuh was Iugget for þat Morþere. And er þe peple passede in-sonder, Þe Bisschop was comen to seo þat wonder. Line 116 In presence of Bisschop and alle I-fere Þe child song euere I-liche clere. Þe Bisschop serchede wiþ his hond: Wiþ-inne þe childes þrote he fond Line 120 A Lilie flour, so briht and cler, So feir a Lylie nas neuere seȝen er, Wiþ guldene lettres eueriwher: Alma Redemptoris Mater. Line 124 Anon þat lilie out was taken, Þe childes song bi-gon to slaken, Þat swete song was herd no more; But as a ded cors þe child lay þore. Line 128 Þe Bisschop wiþ gret solempnete Bad bere þe cors þorw al þe Cite: And hym-self wiþ processioun Com wiþ þe Cors þorw al þe toun, Line 132 Wiþ prestes and clerkes þat couþen syngen, And alle þe Belles he het hem ryngen, Wiþ torches Brennynge and cloþus riche, Wiþ worschipe þei ladden þat holi liche. Line 136 In to þe Munstre whon þei kem, Bi-gonne þe Masse of Requiem, As for þe dede Men is wont. But þus sone þei weren i-stunt: Line 140

Line 140 Þe Cors a-Ros in heore presens, Bi-gon þen Salue sancta parens. Men mihte wel witen þe soþe þer-bi: Þe child hedde i-seruet vr swete ladi, Line 144 Þat worschipede him so on erþe her And brouhte his soule to blisse al cler. Þerfore i rede þat eueri mon Serue þat ladi wel as he con, Line 148 And loue hire in his beste wyse: Heo wol wel quite him his seruise. Now, Marie, for þi Muchele miht Help vs to heuene þat is so briht! Line 152

III. [hou an holy hermyt prayde a synful womman pray god for hym.] [(Picture.)]

GOd, þat al þis world haþ wrouht And formed alle þing of nouht, Seþþen alle þing wiþ-outen him Is deþ and dernesse and dim, Line 4 Graunt vs grace and space and miht Þat we mowe serue him so ariht: Whon we out of þis world wende, To wynne þe Ioye wiþ-outen ende. Line 8 To hele of soule is noble þing To louen and lyken holy talkyng Of holy men þat sum-tyme were, And of heore holy lyf to here. Line 12 ffor synne i[s] cald þe deueles.schakel, His net, his tool, his takyng takel; Wiþ lust he eeseþ his put-falle, To gylen wiþ cristene soules alle: Line 16 But grace a-ȝeynes þat is obstacle, Wiþ help of halewen, þorw Miracle Geten bi halewen specially, Bote souereynlokest þorw vre ladi, Line 20 Þat sikerest socour is at vr nede, Synful Monnes erende to beode; Whon we ben synfol and vn-clene, To wynne vs Merci, heo is Mene: Line 24

Line 24 As sum-tyme in Rome bi-fel, Þe storie i-writen witnesset wel. Þer was sum-tyme in þat Cite A wommon þat louede not chastite; Line 28 Hire lyf heo ladde in gret folye, In fulþe and lust of Lecherye; Wiþ no Mon spared heo forte do synne Of whom heo hoped Moneye to wynne. Line 32 Þat wommon greiþed hire queynt and gay, And wolk in þat Cite on a day. Heo mette wiþ an holy heremyt Þat in deuocion hedde gret delyt; Line 36 He bad his beodes deuoutely, And holi Aues to vre ladi. Þat wommon, as heo com hym bi And sayh hym cloþed Boistusli, Line 40 Of synne and folye heo talked him tille And temptede þe holy Monnes wille. Þe hermyte onswerde hire nouht, In his deuociun was al his þouht. Line 44 Whon he of hire tok no Reward, In scorn heo cleped hym papelard, And seide: "þou fol, þou dotel ffrere, What chaffest þou and chaterest þus here? Line 48 What is al þat pryue roun Þat þou whistrest her vp and doun?"— ffor he folewede nout hire dilyt Þe wommon hedde of him dispyt. Line 52

ÞE Hermite onswerde ful myldely: "Damesele, þis is þe cause why: I am my-self a synful Mon And of goodnes ful lutel I con, Line 56 To god I preye boþe day and niht ffor grace, to seruen hym ariht, And [for] alle þat habeþ hym ouht a-gult, And for þe, wommon, ȝif þow wolt, Line 60 Þat God graunte þe such grace To serue þi god, whil þou hast space. Boþe þou and I and alle oþur, ffor eueri cristene is oþeres broþer, Line 64

Line 64 In gode bedes we moten tristen, Boþe þou and I and alle cristen." ÞE wommon seide: "Biddestou for me?" Þen seide þe Hermyte: "damesele, ȝe, Line 68 I preye for þe as for my-self An alle oþere cristene in godes half, Þat god for-ȝiue vs vre misdedes; So verrey Charite techeþ vs nedes." Line 72 Þen seide þe damesele aȝeyn: "To preye for me þou worchest in veyn; Leoue ffrere, of me tac non hede, ffor to þi preyere haue I non nede." Line 76 Þo seide þe Hermite: "Damesel, Þe neodeþ me nouht, I leeue hit wel, Me, ne non preyere of myne. But mekeliche I preye þe of þyne Line 80 To Ihesu and his Modur Mari, To graunte me of my synnes Merci. Þe nexte chirche þat þou comest Inne, I preye þe, damesele, so bi-gynne; Line 84 Þat I þi bone þe bet may fele, I prey þe, damesele, þat þow knele; Wiþ herte and good deuocioun Of my synnes get me pardoun; Line 88 Mekely knelyng on þi kne Þreo Pater Noster preye to god for me, And to his swete Moder Mari Þreo Aues þerto, for my Merci." Line 92

ÞEn onswereþ þe damysel: "Þis nis but luyte, I graunte hit wel; Hose wuste þat hit mihte a-vayle, Þis nis bote a luytel trauayle." Line 96 Þenne onswereþ þe Hermyte: "Damysele, seþþe hit nis bote luyte, I preye þe do þis þing for me; Þi trauayle I-quit riht wel schal be Line 100 Or in þi lyue or afturward; I preie þe, damysele, hold foreward." Þenne seide þe damysel: "Þe foreward i hope to holde wel; Line 104

Line 104 Wher hit a-vayle oþur elles nouht, I wol don as þou hast bi-souht." Þe hermyte Mekely kneled adoun And þonked hire wiþ deuocioun. Line 108

ÞE Damysele wende forþ hire wey Abouten hire murþus and hire pley. And as heo streihte þorw a strete, Heo þouhte what heo þe Hermyte bi-hete; Line 112 And in a strete as heo com bi, Heo seih a Chapel of vre ladi: In to þat Chapel heo made entre. Þer was an ymage of Marie fre, Line 116 Of þat blisful Mayden Mylde, Vppon hire barm heo bar hire childe. Þe damysele caste on hire a siht And þouhte þat ymage swete and briht, Line 120 And þouhte, bi foreward hou heo was bounde To knele bi-foren hire on þe grounde; Heo tok to god non oþur reward But for schome to breke forward. Line 124 Heo kneled adoun vppon hire knes And seide þe paternostres and þe Aues, As was hire foreward furst bi-fore, And seide: "Ihesu, lord, þyn Ore! Line 128 ffor-ȝif þe Hermyte his trespas And graunt hym Merci, þorw þi gras, Of al þat euer he haþ mys-do In al his lyf ȝut hider-to." Line 132

ÞEnne þhouȝte þe damisele verreyly Þe Babe loked on hire wroþly, Hire þhouȝte þo he tornde his Bak, Such wordes to his mooder he spak: Line 136 "Moder, seostou hou ȝond neih hend Myn enemy preyeþ for my frend?" Hire þhouȝte þe Moder onswered aȝein Wiþ wordus Mylde, plat and pleyn: Line 140 "Sone, for þy ffrendes sake, What-euere þin Enemy haþ mis-take ffor-ȝiue hit, sone, of þi Merci, As þou art, lord, God almihti, Line 144

Line 144 And also, sone, for þe loue of me Hire synnes I preye for-ȝiuen be."

ÞE child onswerde wiþ louely chere: "Mi swete Modur, Mi norice dere, Line 148 Þi bone mot nedes I-graunted be, What þou wolt wol I not werne þe." Þenne seide Marie: "lo, Damysel, Þou schalt haue grace, þou hast herd wel; Line 152 But þow maiȝt sen riht wel bi þis Hou þou hast lad þi lyf amis, ffor þou hast liued in luþur lyue. Tac a prest and do þe schriue Line 156 Wiþ sereuful herte and repentaunce, And gladly vnderueng penaunce; ffor at þis fourti dayes ende Þou schalt out of þis world wende Line 160 And wone wiþ vs in murþe and play, Þat lasteþ in Ioye for euere and ay." Þis was þat synful wommons ende, Þorw help of Marie, þat Mayden hende. Line 164 Bi-seche we ȝerne þat swete may To helpen vs at vre laste day Of hol Remission of vre synne And to Ioye þat heo woneþ Inne. amen. Line 168

IV. [hou a Few putte his sone in a brennyngge ouene, for he was communed wit oþur cristene children on þe pask-day.] [(Picture.)]

The poem, most likely, was originally composed in 8-lined stanzas, which are still obvious in vv. 69, 117, 141, 157.

LOrd, Makere of alle þing, Almihti God in Maieste, Þat euer was wiþ-oute biginning And art and euermore schal be: Line 4 Graunte vs boþe miht and space So to serue þe to pay, Þat we mowe þorw þi grace Wone wiþ þe for euere and ay! Line 8 Of þe Miracles of vre ladi We ouhten wel to hauen in Muynde, Þat writen beþ in soþ stori, Hou helplich heo is euere to Monkynde. Line 12

Line 12 Sum-tyme fel in on Cite— Herkneþ wel, and ȝe may here— As Iewes weren I-wont to be Among þe cristen and wone I-fere: Line 16 Þe Cristene woneden in On halue Of þat Cite, as I þe hete, And alle þe Iewes bi hem-selue Were stihlet to wone in a strete. Line 20 Þe Cristene children in a Crofte I-mad hem hedden a wel feir plas. Þer-Inne a Iewes child ful ofte Wiþ hem to pleyen I-wont he was. Line 24 Þe childes ffader nom non hede, Ne to his child he sette non eiȝe, Þerfore þe child boþe com and eode As ofte as euere hem luste to pleye. Line 28 So ofte to pleyen hem fel i-fere Þe Iewes sone on heore pleyes coude, Þat riht as on of hem he were; Wiþ loue þerfore þei him alouwede. Line 32

At an Aster tyme bi-tidde, Whon cristen made solempnite— A Menskful Munstre was mad amidde, As semed best, in þat Citéé: Line 36 Þerto þe cristene peple can drawe, To here boþe Mateyns and eke Masse, As falleþ bi þe Cristene lawe Boþe to more and eke to lasse; Line 40 Eueri mon in his array, Boþe housbonde and wyf also, As falleþ wel for asterday And al as cristene men schul do. Line 44 Þe children foleweden heore fadres in-fere, As þei weore euere I-wont to do. Þe Iewes child wiþ wel good chere Wiþ hem wel fayn was for to go. Line 48 Wiþ-Inne þe chirche whon he was Riht, Him þouhte he nas neuer er so glad As he was of þat semeli siht, Such on bi-fore neuer seȝe he had: Line 52

Line 52 Boþe laumpes & tapers, brenninde briht, And Auters curiousliche de-peynt, IMages ful deinteousliche i-diht, And guld of moni a good corseynt. Line 56

Acomeli qween in O Chayer fful semeli sat, al greiþed in golde, A blisful Babe on Arm [r. barm, ef. v. 160.] heo beer, fful kyngly Corouned, as he scholde. Line 60 Of þat ladi þe child tok hede, And of þat blisful Babe also, Hou folk bi-foren heore bedes bede, As cristen Men beþ wont to do. Line 64 Þe Iewes child euere tok such ȝeme To alle sihtes þat he þer seiȝ, Him þhouȝte hem alle so swete to seme ffor Ioye him þouȝte I-Rauessched neih. Line 68 Whon heiȝ-Masse of þat day was do, Þe Prest bad alle men knelen a-doun: Wiþ Confiteor, as falleþ þer-to, He ȝiueþ hem Absolucioun; Line 72 He biddeþ hem More and lasse also, To vengen heor sauiour busken hem boun. Þe Iewes child tok tente þer-to, Among þe cristene he dude him doun. Line 76 AMong þe pres þauh he were poselet, He spared no-þing for no drede AMong þe cristene til he were hoselet; Of such a child me tok non hede. Line 80 To ende whon alle þing was brouht And eueri cristene drouh him hom, Þe Ieuh þorw toune his child haþ souht, And saih wher he from chirche com. Line 84 He asked his sone wher he hedde ben, Whil he hedde souht him al þat day. Al riht as he hedde i-don and seon, Þe child him rikenet al þe a-Ray. Line 88 His ffader þerfore wox wood-wroþ, And seide anon: "þou getest þi mede!" And to his houene al hot he goþ, Þat glemede as glowyng as a glede. Line 92

Line 92 In to þe houene þe child he caste: To askes he þouȝte þe child to brenne; And wiþ þe Mouþ-ston he stekeþ him faste, And þouhte þat neuer couþ scholde him kenne. Line 96 Þerof whon his moder herde, In a stude þer as heo stood, As ffrayed in ffrenesye heo ferde, ffor wo heo wente as waxen wood, Line 100 Eucr hotyng out, heo tar hire her, In eueri stret of þat Citee, Nou In, Nou out, so eueriwher; Men wondret on hire and hedde pite. Line 104

BOþe Meir and Bailifs of þe toun, Whon þei herden of þat cri, Þei aresten hire bi Resoun, A[nd] maden chalange enchesun whi Line 108 Heo criede so in þat Cite And putte þe Peple in such affray, To serwen in such solempnite, And nomeliche on heore Aster-day. Line 112 As sone as heo mihte sece of wepe, Þis was þe seyinge of hire sawe: "Sires, ȝe han þis Citéé to kepe, As lordus han to lede þe lawe: Line 116 Allas, Allas, I am i-schent, And help of ow me mot bi-houen, I prey ow of Iust Iuggement, Mi cause I schal bi-fore ȝou prouen: Line 120 Mi hosebonde haþ my child ibrent, I-stopped him in a glouwyng houen; Goth seoþ, sires, bi on assent, And I schal ȝiue ow gold to glouen." Line 124

BOþe Meir and Baylifs wiþ folk i-fere To þe Iewes houene ben gon. As sone as þei þider come were, Þe Meir Comaundet: "doþ doun þe ston." Line 128 Þer eueri Mon wel mihte i-seo Þe houene-Roof, þat was so round, Hou hit was Blasyng al of bleo As glouwyng glos, from Roof to grount. Line 132

Line 132 Þe child sat þere boþe hol and sound, Ne nouht I-harmet, hond ny her, A-Midde þe gledes of þe ground, As he seete in Cool Erber. Line 136 Þe childes Moder, whon heo þat seih, Hire þouhte heo nas neuer er so glad; In to þe houene heo sturte him neih, Þus sone wiþ hire him out heo had. Line 140 And al þe peple þere present Wondred on þat selly siht, And heried god wiþ good entent, ffor Miracle is more þen Monnes miht. Line 144 Hou he haþ non harmes hent Among þe brondes þat brenneþ so briht, Þei asken of him bi on assent. Þe child onswered a-non-riht: Line 148 "Of alle þe Murþes þat I haue had In al my lyf ȝit hider-to Ne was I neuere of gleo so glad As aftur I was In þe houene I-do! Line 152 Boþe Brondes and Gledes, trustily, Þat weren bi-neþen vndur my fote, As feire floures, feiþfully, As special spices me þhouȝte hem swote; Line 156 Þe Blisful Qwen, þat Maiden Milde, Þat sitteþ in Chirche in hih Chayer Wiþ þat comely kyng, hire childe, Þat Blisful Babe, on Barm heo ber, Line 160 ffrom alle þe schydes þei cunne me schilde, ffrom gledes and brondes þat brende so cler, ffrom alle þe flaumes þat flowen so wilde, Þat neuer non mihte neihȝe me ner." Line 164 Boþe Men and wymmen, al þat þer wore, Þei herieden God hertily, Boþe luytel and muche, lasse and more, Of þis Miracle, witerly. Line 168

ÞE Iewesse þorw hire sones sawe Was conuertet to crist a-non; Þe Child tok hym to cristes lawe, And alle þe Iewes euerichon. Line 172

Line 172 Þe Meir sat on þe Ieuh him-selue, fforte beo Iuge of his trespas; To siggen þe soþe i-sworen were twelue, To ȝiuen heore verdyt in þat caas. Line 176 Þei counseiled i-vere vppon þat caas, And comen aȝeyn bi on assent; Þe wordes of þat verdyt was: "In þat same houene he schulde be brent." Line 180 Þus is endet þis stori Of þe Miracle I-writen a-boue. God graunt vs Ioy Line 184 In heuene an hih, Ihesu, for þi Moder loue. Amen.

V. [hou a man, for ache, cut of his foot, and was heled aȝeyn by vre lady.] [(Picture.)]

[In the MS. the poem is written in half-lines.] IEsu, God and Godus sone : Þat were a Babe I-boren Of þe Mayden swete Marie : Kuynde Qween I|Coren: As þou rayled on þe Roode : On Crois, I-Crouned of þorn, To beete þe gultus of vre ffadres : Þat fer weren vs bi|foren; Line 4 And aftur þat þe þridde day : ffrom deþe þou vp a-Ros, To leesen hem out þat weren I-punt : ffor synne in helle clos— Þe soules, lord, þat weren in helle : Were glad of þin vp-Rys, Wiþ þe þou laddest hem whon þou rise : To B[l]isse of Paradys; Line 8 Þe ffourtiþe day þerafturward : Þou steih to heuene an [MS. and] heih, Þer þou sittest on his riht syde : Þi ffader swyþe neih; Þeraftur þenne þe tenþe day : Þou sendest doun wiþ þi sonde Þe holigost to þi disciples : To don hem vndurstonde Line 12 Wit and wisdam, resun and skil : To knowen þi godhede And preche þe bileeue among þe folk : And hem to good lyf lede:

Wel ouhte we alle to þonke þe, lord : Of alle þi goodnes, And eke þi Moder, swete Marie : Of whom com vre encres: Line 16 ffor riht as Eue, vre furste Moder : Of vre synnes was Roote, Riht so of Marie, þi swete Moder : Sprong hele of al vr boote. Þerfore we ouhten day and niht : To hauen þi Moder In Muynde, To louen hire eke wiþ al vr miht : And seruen hire as þe kuynde. Line 20

FOr hose loueþ þat ladi wel : Heo gladeþ him in his greef, Heo is solase in eueri serwe : And Medicyn in Mischeef, In eueri serwe or seknesse ouþer : Heo is souereynest leche; Line 23 No Mon fayleþ þat studefastlych : Vre ladi wol bi-seche. Þouȝ heo helpe nouȝt anon : Beo not þerof agast, ffor ofte heo tarieþ of hir help : To Make Mon studefast. [vv. 25-6 are repeated.] Þouh heo graunte not þi bone anon : Beo þou not in despeir: ffor, ȝif þou bidde hire studefastly : I fynde ensaumple feir, Line 28 What serwe or seknesse so þou soffre : Þorw hire þou schalt spede. To schewe þe þat bi good ensaumple : A ffeir Miracle I Rede.

[I]N þe Cite of Viuari : A Munstre I-foundet was In þe honour of vre ladi : Þer schewed was muchel gras: Line 32 Þer In muynde of vre ladi : Was a swete ymage, To whuch þe peple of þat cuntre : Made gret Pilrymage: ffor hose of serwe or seknesse hadde : Or eny oþur Mis|cheef, Line 35 Þorw help and socour of vre ladi : Þere he fond Releef. Þidere come seke Mesels monye : Halte, Croked, and Blynde; What-maner seknesse þat Mon soffred : Þer hele was wont to fynde.

AMong al oþere þer com a Mon : I-bootned forte be, His leg was brennyng as a fuir : ffrom fot vp to þe kne. Line 40 fful longe he dwelled in þat Cite : fforte a-byden grace, And eueri day in hope of hele : He visited þat same place, To Marie his boones he bed : His hele forte haue: He felede no leggaunce of his peyne : ffor al þat he may craue; Line 44 Him þhouhte þat he died almost : ffor serwe and peyne and wo. He was Counseyled hewe of his leg : Þen longe to suffre so. Hym þhouȝte euere so leng so wors : While he haunted þat stude, Line 47 Þerfore riht as counseiled he was : So bi his leg he dude; ffor al þe while he was so seek : He feled neuere lisse ne lith, Þerfore hym þouȝte beter legles : Þen so to suffre þer-wyþ. Whon his leg was smiten of : Þe kneo, þat was bi-laft, He heled hit vp wiþ salues and drunches : And plastres of leche-craft. Line 52 Þerafturward whon he was hol : He haunted þe same stude, He bad and offred to vre ladi : As he bi-fore þer dude. But as he kneled þer on a day : His Bedes for to bidde, Er he passet out of þe place : Þis feir Miracle bi-tidde: [Wiþ] [om.] wepe and wringyng serufoly : To Marie he made his pleynt: Line 57 "Allas, Marie, Modur of grace : In sum synne I am Cleynt! ffor alle þat soffren serwe and sor : Þe seke, þe Croked, þe blynde, In eny Mischef hose preyeþ to þe : Sum grace þei may fynde, Line 60 Saue I sunful Caytyf out-cast : In þe may fynde non." Wiþ syk and serwe, swounyng al-most : To Marie he makeþ his mon.

And as he was in such serwyng : And mihte not stunte of wepe,

A-Middes alle his moste serwe : He fel riht [s]ofte on slepe. Line 64 Him þhouȝte in sweuene, a fe[i]r ladi : Hondelede hym bi þe kne And drouh out þer-of a newe leg : As furst was wont to be. Whon he a-wok, he groped his leg : He feled hit hol and sount, In al his lyf neuer lihtore : Whon he wende on þe grount. Line 68 Þen alle Men mensken [r. mensked] þe Mylde ladi : Þat seȝen þis open Miracle. In alle Mischeues heo is Medecyn : Aȝeyn seknesse obstacle. Þerfore good is þat eueri mon : Serue vre swete ladi; In alle synnes and serwes eke : Heo geteþ to vs Merci. Line 72 Now, ladi Marie, qween of heuene : And Emperisse of helle, Help vs þat we mowe wiþ þe : ffor euere In Ioye dwelle!

VI. [hou a iew lente a cristenemon moneye, and took vre lady to borow.] [(Picture.)]

At Constantynnoble in þat Cite Dwelled a Marchaunt of herte fre, Sumtyme was riche, ful of lewte, And after fel in pouerte; Line 4 And, as þe Bokes telles vs, He was i-clept Teodorus. He louede god and vre ladi, And serued þat Mayden speciali. Line 8 And in þat Cite, soþliche, A Ieuh þer dwelled, was wonder Riche; In his lay he hedde good name, He was I-clepet Abrahame. Line 12 Theodorus he louede wele, Gret lykyng hedde wiþ him to dele. Theodorus hedde þouht and care, ffor he nedde not wiþ to chaffare; Line 16

Line 16 He caste him þerfore to borwe. To þe Ieuh he wente a-Morwe; Þer he told him his Mischeef And preiede hym of sum Releef, Line 20 Of his Gold him for to lene, And þus to hym he gon hym mene. Þe Ieuh onswerde wiþ gret honour: "Loke hou þou maiht make me seur Line 24 Me to paye at certeyn day, And þe to helpe I schal assay." Theodorus seide: "icham be-hynde, ffor me þer wol no Mon hym bynde; Line 28 He þat sum-tyme was my fere Me passeþ bi wiþ-outen chere. But ȝif þou dorstest be so hardi To take vr ladi seinte Mari Line 32 ffor my Borw, be Mi ffay, I schulde þe pay wel at þi day." Þe Ieuh seide: "my goode feere, I graunte þe, sire, þi preyere, Line 36 ffor I haue herd ofte-siþe Þat ladi is Corteis and Bliþe, Men seiþ heo wol hem neuer fayle Þat in hire seruise wol trauayle. Line 40 Þerfore go we in to ȝour chirche, And þer þis forward we wol worche; Þer is an ymage of hire iliche, A-Rayed wel wiþ Iuweles Riche: Line 44 Tac þou hire me þer bi þe hond! Of þe kep i non oþur bond."

Whon he hed seid, þei gonne to gon. To þat churche þei comen anon. Line 48 Theodorus In good Manere Kneled a-doun, bad his preyere, And aftur þat wiþ good visage Went hym vp to þat ymage, Line 52 And tok hit bi þat on hond, And bad þe Ieuh scholde to him fond, And seide: "sire, so god me saue, ffor my Borwh þis ladi haue, Line 56

Line 56 Þat i schal paye þe at my day Treweliche and wel al þi Monay Þat þou schalt me nou take, Al my disese wiþ to slake." Line 60 Þe Ieuh him tok a summe of gold, Good Moneye and wel I-told, And sette hym þer a certeyn day Him to paye hit wiþ-oute delay. Line 64 Þe Cristen Mon þen was ful fayn, Þey wenten hom ful fayn a-ȝayn. And he arrayed him ful fast A schip wiþ seil and eke a Mast: Line 68 To Alysaundre he gon sayle. Þer he a-Ryued wiþ-outen fayle. Þenne he bouȝte faste and solde, And eueri day þe pons tolde Line 72 He won faste day by day. Þe ȝeer passed sone a-way. He þouhte so muche on his wynnyng ffor-ȝat þe day of his paȝyng, Line 76 Til þe Euen was I-comen A-Morwe schulde paye þat he hedde nomen.

Hit fel in to his Muynde þon He schulde bi holde a fals Mon; Line 80 To þat Cuntre so fer a-twynne In so schort while miht he not wynne fforte holde his day of paye. Bote to vr ladi he gon to praye Line 84 Hym to counseyle and to rede What mihte þenne be his beste spede; And cast hit in herte outurly To truste in god and vre ladi. Line 88 He tok hym þenne a luytel kyst, Þer-Inne he putte, þat no wiht wist, Þe summe of gold, verreyment, Þat þe Ieuh hedde hym I-lent, Line 92 And a lettre, þat seide þus: "Þis to Abraham Ieuh sent Theodorus;" Aftur þat, wiþ his hond Aboute wiþ Iren he hit bond, Line 96

Line 96 In to þe séé þen he hit cast, Preied vr ladi ben Schip and Mast, Hit to saue In Godes nam To þe Ieuh Abraham. Line 100 Þe Ieuh a-Ros vppon þe Morn, As I ow telle, wiþ-oute scorn, And stilliche forþ gon he stalke To þe séé-syde, þer forte walke, Line 104 Þat Ebbet and flowed faste bi his house Þer he dwellede and his spouse. Soone he was war wel I-nouh Of a Cofre, touward hym drouh, Line 108 ffloterynge in þat salte séé. Gret wonder he hedde what hit miȝt be. fful sone to hym he hit vp nom, Vndur his arm he bar hit hom. Line 112 he fond þer-Inne, verrement, Þe gold þat he hedde furst and lent; Beo þe lettre he wuste also ffrom what Mon þat hit com fro. Line 116 He caste hit þenne in to an Ark, Þat was boþe styf and stark. To telle þerof no wiht him luste, But wente him forþ as no wiht wuste. Line 120 Longe afturward in Godes nome Theodorus was comen home. Wiþ him þer mette mony on Þat him welcomede swiþe son. Line 124 Wiþ Abraham þe Ieuh he mette, fful Corteysliche he hym grette And þonked hym of his fordede, And preied god schulde quite his Mede. Line 128 þe Ieuh seide þo: "so mot I þe, I trouwe þat þou scorne me; Whi hast þou broken þi terme-day Of þe payȝement of Mi Monay?" Line 132 Theodorus seide: "þou wost wel, I haue þe payed eueridel; I take my Borwh to my witnesse, I owe þe nouþer More no lesse; Line 136

Line 136 Go we to churche boþe i-fere, And þer þe soþe þou schalt here." "I graunte wel," quaþ þe Iewe; "But þou me paye þou schalt hit rewe!" Line 140 Þe Iew made hit wonder touh And wende hit hedde beo good I-nouh. Whon þei were bi-fore þat ymage Þat for þe gold was mad his gage, Line 144

Theodorus seide wiþ Mylde steuene: "Ladi, as þou art qween of heuene, Help me nou from worldly schome, I preye þe in þi sones nome; Line 148 Þou wost wel, ladi, þer þou sist, I putte þe gold in to a kist And, to þis Ieuh þat hit schulde wende, I preyed þe hit to him sende. Line 152 As I truste on þi sone and þe, Ladi, þe soþe scheuh for me."

ÞE ymage spac, as god hit wolde, And seide: "Ieuh, þou hast þi golde, Line 156 And in þe botme of þyn ark Þer þou hast leid eueri Mark." Þe Iewh wox a-schomed þo And graunted wel þat hit was so. Line 160 Alle þat leeued on his lay A-schomed weren þat ilke day. Þer he hedde saumple bi good dome Cristene mon forte bi-come.— Line 164 Þis ladi is ful gracius, Þat þenkeþ euere þus on vs. Þerfore to hire loke þou be trewe, And chaunge we hire not for non newe! Line 168 Heo wole vs helpe in vre Mischeef In þis world to vs [r. vr] Releef, And afturward wiþ-outen mis Geten vs heuene-riche blis Line 172 Þorw þe grace of hire sone, Wiþ him þere forte wone. And þat hit mote so be Seiþ alle AMen, Par charite. AMEN. Line 176

VII. [Of a prest þat lay by a nonne.] [(Picture.)]

IN Bok we fynde, as we Rede, Of a preest, was wylde of dede, Þat was I-wounde in mony a vice, But at þe laste he was not [? read so] nyce Line 4 And to synne so wel dude wone Þat wiþ a Nonne he hedde to done. Þerof wolde he him not schryue Til þat he schulde lete þe lyue. Line 8 Ȝit he serued vre Ladi Day bi day ful specialy, Matyns and vres day Bi day Of hire he seide wiþ-oute delay. Line 12 At þe laste he fel seek, And schulde be ded as we schulen ek. Vr ladi þat he hedde in Reuerence Wolde he schulde clanse his Concience, Line 16 And þat hym fel riht wel in Mynde, A trusti frend ȝif he mihte fynde. A prest þer was he louede wel, He tolde his lyf to Eueridel; Line 20 He sykede sore and criede Merci Þat god schulde on him haue pite forþi, And for his synnes was sori. He preyed þe prest ful feiþfuli Line 24 Þat, as þei hedden be felawes long, He schulde þenken on him a-mong His Masse and his Almes-dede, Þat God mihte quite hym his Mede Line 28 And þat his soule þat was vngeyne Þe sannore mihte passe out of peyne. Þat oþer, þat he wolde, he seide. After he dyȝede, In eorþe was leyde. Line 32

ÞE prest forsoþe for-ȝat hym nouht, But euere hedde hym in his þouht, Al þat ȝeer, day Bi day, He song his Masse, as I ow say, Line 36 Þat O day he song of vre Ladi, Þat oþer of Requiem, sikerli.

Al þe ȝer þis Charge he nom. Atte laste his Mynde-day com. Line 40 As he stod at his Masse þo, After þe sacryng In Memento, He sauh stonden him bi-fore Þe ffeireste ladi þat euere was bore, Line 44 Vppon þe Auter þer he stod. Heo seide to him wiþ Mylde Mod: "Þou hast me trauaylet wiþ þi preyere, Now at þis tyme to ben here. Line 48 As þou hast preyed in þi Messe, I haue geten forȝiuenesse To þi felawe of my sone dere Of al þat euere he mis-dude here; Line 52 Of his peyne he is releset, And his Ioye schal ben encreset; Lo wher he kneleþ þe bi-hynde: To ben I-hoselet he haþ in Mynde." Line 56

ÞE prest torned hym softely And sauh him knele faste by; Anon wiþ godes Bodi Hoselde him deuoutli. Line 60 Þen sauh þe prest vr ladi þer Come a-doun of þat Auter And take his felawe bi þe honde, Out of þe Chirche forte fonde. Line 64 Of þis siht he was ful fayn, And tornede to his Masse a-ȝayn; Þerof þenne he made an ende, Preyed god grace him to sende Line 68 Þorw preyere of his Moder dere, So to lyuen and to don here, After þis world þat is al wast To haue þe blisse þat euer schal last.— Line 72 Wel are we holden day and niht Worschipen hire wiþ al vr miht Þat euer is so redi diht To bringen vs alle to heuene-liht. Line 76 And þat hit mote so be, Seyeþ to hire an Aue!

VIII. [hou vre lady ȝaf mylk off heore pappes to a man þat hadde þe squynacye.] [(Picture.)]

A Mon of gret deuociun Was sum-tyme in Religiun, Þe Bok seiþ he was a Monk, And in godes seruise swonk; Line 4 To vr ladi he was deuout, Hire to serue euer was a-bout. Whon he herde of hire eny speche, Of al his dissese þat was his leche, Line 8 Þat hedde he leuere þen drinke or ete, ffor Ioye þe teres wolde he lete. Of oþer þinges rouht he nouht, So swete on hire was his þouht. Line 12 Þat tyme riht as men doþ floures Men gederede furst Matines and vres Þat men vsen now of vre ladi, And seiden hem deuoutly; Line 16 Whose mihte hem þenne gete, His (!) [r. Hit] was holde for Miracle grete.

Þis Monk hem hedde, I ow say, And seide hem riht wel eueri day, Line 20 And mony a special preyere Þat men han mad of hire here. Atte laste, as hit schulde falle, Þe Monkes þrote grete swalle, Line 24 Men called þat vuel Comuynli, Þat he hedde, þe Qwinaci. His vuel bi-gon so to encrese, Wiþ-outen eny relece, Line 28 Þat al þat þer abouten stood Seide he was ded, bi þe Rood! But neuer-þeles hit was not so. Vre ladi com to hym þo, Line 32 As he tolde aftur mony a Mon, His leche to ben, as heo wel con; Wiþ hire pappe in to his Mouþ Milk heo spreynt, þat is selcouþ! Line 36 And seide to him: "Mi seruaunt swete, I am comen þi bale to bete;

Wiþ my seruauns haue I be, lo: Þat Made me beo so longe þe fro. Line 40 Beo not a-ferd, þou schalt not dye, I schal þe hele of Maladye, Þi feire þrote þat me haþ serued I schal not soffre beo ouer-torned, Line 44 Þy vois þat þou dest wiþ me grete At þis tyme schaltou not forlete, And, for ichaue ben longe from þe, Þe sannore schaltou heled be." Line 48 Vnder his nekke heo putte hire Arm, Wiþ hire swete fyngres stroked his harm. Þe swellyng slaked, he feld no sore. He set him vp anon-riht þore. Line 52 Hym þouȝte verreliche i-nouh Þat heo aweiward from hym drouh: And after hire faste he rauhte, But he hire take mihte nauhte. Line 56 Þen he cried an heih al oute To hem þat weren hym aboute: "Vn-Corteis folk ȝe ben, I-wis, Whi worschiped ȝe not þe queen of Blis, Line 60 AMong ou alle a space i-lete Þat þe ladi mihte haue sete? Ne seih ȝe nouht hou louh heo went, Wiþ þe dost wel neih be-schent, Line 64 ffor to salue me of my sore Whon my lyf was wel neih lore? Wiþ ȝor noise, ȝe folk vn-þriue, Out of þis hous ȝe han hire driue." Line 68 Þerwiþ he wepte for Ioye wel glad; And euer was hire seruaunt sad, Worschuped hire Corteis and hende Euer to his lyues ende.— Line 72 Oþur help or oþur leche Vs nedeþ not no forþere seche But Mari, Modur and Maiden clene, In heuene þat is so briht and schene. Line 76 Preye we, heo preye hire sone Ihesus Þat euere he haue Merci on vs,

Þat to his blisse he take vs to Þat is and schal ben euer-mo. Amen. Line 80

IX. [Of an incontinent monk, þat was drouned, and rered aȝeyn by vre lady to lyf.]

A Sexteyn was in an Abbey Of þe Ordre of Monkes grey, Þat louede to worschipe vr ladi; But fallen he was In lecheri. Line 4 Whon his Breþren were to bedde i-gon, He wolde gon as stille as ston Out of Cloystre on his wilde-hede, fforte parfourne his misdede. Line 8 Þauh he hiȝed faste for his Corage, Euere he wolde grete þe ymage Þat in þe chirche was mad of vre ladi, As ofte as he passed hit by. Line 12 Hit bi-fel vppon a niht, To his walk he hedde hym diht, Bi þat ymage passed he And grette hit wiþ an Aue. Line 16 Vnder þe Abbeye a water Ron, Þer-ouer was a Brugge of ston: Ouer þat Brugge lay his pas. But him bi-fel a wondur cas: Line 20 As a mon þat hedde ben a-teynt He fel a-doun and was I-dreynt. Þer comen ffendes fers and felle To fecche his soule in to helle. Line 24 A Cumpaygnye of Angeles swete Þorw Godus pite dude wiþ him [r. hem?] mete, Ȝif þei mihte þorw godus gras Helpe þe soule of sum solas. Line 28 Þe ffendes criȝeden sone anon: "Ȝe wiþ þis soule haue nouȝt to don, He is Iugget wiþ vs to gon ffor þe Misdedes þat he haþ don." Line 32 Þe Angeles al astoneyet were, ffor þei mihte schewe no good werk þere Wherfore þei mihte him calange

And wiþ hem lede forþ in heore range. Line 36 But as þei stonden alle a-gast, Þer com vre ladi swiþe fast. Heo seide: "þis soule whi haue ȝe take, Ȝe foule ffendes blo and Blake?" Line 40 Þei onswerde sone schortly: "ffor he diede sodeynly Wiþ-outen eny gode dede; Þerfore we schulen him quite his mede." Line 44

Vr ladi seide: "ȝe sey falsly; Whon-euer he went and passed me bi, He grette me wiþ an Aue, And þus he tok leue of me, Line 48 Als euere he, [om. he] whon he com a-ȝeyn, To sey an Aue he was fayn. Ȝe schul not sei we take hym ow fro Wiþ strengþe ne Manas ner-þe-Mo: Line 52 Put we hit In þe Iuggement Of þe heiȝe kyng, verreyment." As þei þus striuen I-fere, Þorw Maries Mylde prey[er]e Line 56 Hit lyked God, of alle souereyn, Þe soule to þe bodi wende [r. sende?] a-ȝeyn, Þat he mihte here him-self aMende, Til god wolde aftur hym sende. Line 60 His breþeren þat slepten in here wyse Weren awaked and wolden aryse, Gret wonder þei hedden hem among Whi þe sexsteyn was so long Line 64 . . . . . [[rest of miracles wanting]] [

The next 40 leaves, f. CXXVI b—CLXVI b, are wanting, with the rest of Mary's Miracles (c. 7000 vv.), which, according to the Index, ended f. CXXXIIII, and the following poems, as given in the Index: f. CXXXIIII, þe seuene psalmes. To euery apostel an orysoun. An orisoun to alle þe apostles. An orison to seynt Michel. An orysoun to seynt Ion þe bap|tist. Salutacions to ihesu crist. An orysoun to þe Trynite. Salutacious to · vre lady. O vere beata & intemerata. An orysoun of bede off þe seuene wordes þat crist spak last in þe cros. Letanie off vre lady þat seynt bernard made. Oþur orisones to vre lady. Matyns of þe passioun. Orisons off seynt Anselmes Meditaciouns.

Then follow Þe Gospeles, f. CLXVI b—CCXXVII, on which see Altengl. Leg. N. F., p. LXXI ff; amongst them a later addition, the Sermon de festo corporis cristi.

]

XXX. De festo corporis cristi. [Panem angelorum manducauit homo. [om. in Vern.] ]

Ed. before in Herrig's Archiv LXXXII, p. 167 ff. Of the 3 MSS. of this homily, MS. Harl. 4196 contains an older, northern text, MSS. Dd 1, 1, and Vernon a southern transformation. MS. Dd was written before MS. Vernon, but adds an introduction of 38 vv.; MS. Vernon adds a 2nd homily: Septem Miracula de corpore cristi, from Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Synne. Cf. Altengl. Leg. N. F., p. LXVIII, LXXIII, LXXXII.

MS. Vern., f. CXCV b.

ȜE lewede Men, takeþ hede—^* [(See l. 39^* below.)] ffor þeos clerkes haþ non nede Þat I hem opene þis latyn, ffor heo hit conne wel a-fyn, Line 4

Line 4 ffor holy Churche hit singeþ meste, Nomeliche of þis newe feste. Ac noþeles hit is ful olde Þat Dauid in þe psauter tolde: Line 8 ffor þis is þe latyn þat Dauid sede Þat "Mon ete Angeles Brede;" And þat is soþ, for so hit wes Þe tyme of þe prophete Moyses. Line 12 [He] [om.] was in Egipte in gret truage, And godus folk in foul seruage, Vnder þe kyng Pharaon Þer was mony a þousund mon. Line 16 Longe hit were al to telle; But atte laste hit þus bifelle Þat god nolde soffre hit no more His owne folk in þraldam wore, Line 20 And god bad Moyses he scholde fle Wiþ his folk þorwh þe Rede séé. Þo Moyses to þe séé com, Al druye his folk wiþ hym he nom: Line 24 Þe séé stod vp-riht as a wal,

Til þei weore I-passed al. Kyng Pharao him suwed faste Wiþ his Chares and his hoste; Line 28 And whon þei weore alle in þe séé, God torned heore strengþe a-ȝe, So þat þei were ouer-seynt, And he and alle hise weren i-dreynt. Line 32 In þis place hit mai beo sede Þat mon ete Angeles brede: Þat tyme þat Moyses ladde þus His grete host In wildernus Line 36 God dude lete reyne a-doun As hit were flour gret foysun, Manna, so hit is I-write, And is I-clept Angeles Mete. Line 40 Heo hit gedrede and liueden þerbi, And sunged sore I wol telle ou whi: Þei gederde more, for drede of brede, Þen vche day þei hedde to nede; Line 44 And hit nolde not ben on Morwe fforte kepe ne for to Borwe.

Ich holde þis a badde store To vche Mokerere þat biddeþ [r. biggeþ] more Line 48 Of Catel þen he haþ to nede His owne Meyne forte fede; He buggeþ Corn aȝeyn þe ȝere And kepeþ hit til hit beo dere. Line 52 "Þer-of he doþ wysliche, Ȝif he departe hit skilfulliche." Nay, forsoþe, þenkeþ he nouht To pore men parten ouht; Line 56 Bouȝte he neuere so good chepe, He reweþ nout þe pore wepe; He ne rouhte how al þe world ȝode, So þat his owne bi-ȝete were goode. Line 60 ffor þis is þe Mokereres onswere: "Goþ or wey, Corn is dere!" And forsoþe, wiþ-oute gabbe, Þe same onswere he schal habbe Line 64 Whon alle þe Angeles in heuene beoþ And alle on eorþe þat þoleþ deþ Schul ben at a parlement:

Þen þe Mokerere schal be schent; Line 68 Þer he schal vbbreyded beo Of God him-self, þat is al freo, In what manere he haþ spent Þe godus þat God on eorþe him lent. Line 72 Þere god him-self schal ȝiue þe dome— He may beo adred er he þer come; ffor þis is þe word þat God wol say To þe Mokerere at Domes-day, Line 76 And Certeynliche to non oþur mon But to þe wrecche Mokerere þon: "I hungred whon þou wernedest me mete; I was a-ffurst, I coude not gete; Line 80 Herborweles, þou me forsoke; Seek, in prisun, þou ne come me to loke; A-Cold, Cloþeles also, Naked þou me lette go: Line 84 Þerfore, Mokerere, þou wende to helle, Wiþ alle þe deuelen þer euere to dwelle." Þe wrecche Mokerere onswere schal þan "Lord, whon sauh we þe neodi Man?" Line 88

Line 88 "Ȝus, whon ȝe warned þe leste of myne, Ȝe warned hit me wel a-fyne;" And þere hem [or. him] tit heore onswere: "Goþ to helle, for heuene is dere." Line 92 At Domes-day þe meste schennes Hit falleþ vppon þe nyþinges; ffor þei neuermore wole hem schryue Þat þei weore niþinges in heore lyue, Line 96 But euere heore onswere hit is þus "We ȝiuen more þen men ȝiuen vs."— Torne we to vre gospelle, Of þe folk of Ysraelle, Line 100 Hou þei gedrede Angeles brede More þen þei hedde to nede. Þerfore god wroþ was Þat þei trist not to his gras, Line 104 And let hem dye; and were I-slay ffourti þousund on a day, ffor þat gult and oþur eke, And godus heste þat þei breke; Line 108 Þat of sixe [hundred] [om.] and twenti [r. thirti? Cf. Num. 1, 46, Ex. 38, 25.] þousende— Þus muche was þe noumbre to toknynge— Þat þer come non to londe freo Saue tweyne, Calef and Iosue— Line 112

Line 112 And of þulke tweyne com al þe strene Of vre ladi, heuene-Qweene.— Now is wel sene to-day Þat he loueþ vs more þen þay. Line 116 ffor he ne sende hem but Angel brede, Þat lasteþ but a day to nede, He haþ send us a Ricchor sonde: His owne bodi, ich vndurstonde, Line 120 Þat wol laste euere þe soule wiþ-Inne Whil þou art out of dedly synne. Þat was I-pyned for vre nede To-day þou seost In ffourme of brede. Line 124 And þauh I wol ȝow schewe and telle Beo þis ensaumple hou hit bi-felle, Þat is writen In þe Legent Of þi[s] holy sacrament. Line 128

Videmus in altari formam panis, non carnis, & quare.

A Iew sum tyme and a Cristene mon Were felawes in þe wey vppon. And bi þe wey, as riht was, Þe Cristene Mon herde Rynge to Mas. Line 132 Þe Cristene Mon seide: "a-byd me here, Whil I go to my preyere!"

Þe cristene mon wente in to þe churche. And þe Iew bi-gon to grucche, Line 136 ffor hym þhouȝte his felawe was To longe biddinge [r. bidinge] atte Mas. Þe Iew ros vp and forþ ede In to þe Churche, to take hede. Line 140 Þen sauh he atte weuede Þe Prest holde ouer his heuede A ffeir child, I-woundet sore In ffot, in hond; ȝit sauh he more Line 144 Þat þer nas nouþur wyf nor mon Of alle þat in þe Chirche were on Þat ne helde vp here hondes and sat on kne; And from þat child sauh come fle Line 148 Anoþur such as he sauh stonde, A[nd] lihte bi-twene vche monnes honde. Þe Ieuh a-Bod, til þe Prest Vsede þe Eukarist, Line 152 Þen sauh he him ete þe child Þat he bi-twenen his hondes held; And al þat weore in þe churche þermide Þe Ieuh þhouȝte þat so heo dude. Line 156 Þe Ieuh was agrise and wente him hyde Þer his felawe him bad abyde, And bi him-self he seide þan: "A grisly lyf haþ Cristen Man!" Line 160

Line 160 Þe Cristene Mon aftur þe mas Com to þe stude þer þe Iew was. Þe Ieuh asked: "hou farestou?" Þe Cristene mon seide: "better þen þou; Line 164 ffor siþen ichaue my god seye, Þe lihtore ich holde al my weye." Þe Iew seide: "beo my scolle, Wel ouhte þi wombe be fulle! Line 168 Hedde I so muchel I-ȝete, Þis þreo dayes nolde I no mete." "fforsoþe," quaþ þe cristene mon, "To-day sayȝ I siht of non, Line 172 Non eorþliche kunnes mete Þat my Mouþ mihte ete." "Let beo! I sauh wiþ myn eȝen two Where þou and oþur mo, Line 176 Vche of ow heold a child blodie, And siþen ȝe eten hit, I nul not lye; Wherfore i seye þat oure [= ȝoure] lawe Is not good." bi þat sawe Line 180 Þe Cristen mon bi-gon to beo wroþ; "Þou lyest, Iew, þou art me loþ; Ȝoure lawe is fals, and so ȝe ben, Ȝe wol not leeue but þat ȝe sen. Line 184 Þerfore al-one I [om. 1?] go þe bi, I kepe no more þi cumpaygni."

Þe Iew seide: "ffelawe, greef þe nouht Þeih I telle þe what I sayh and þouht, Line 188 Ac tel me bi sum oþur preue Wher-bi I may þe soþe leue!" "Þis is þe skile," quaþ þe Cristene man, "Þat god nout soffreþ þe þan Line 192 Þat þou seȝe wiþ þin eȝe Þe sacremens þat ben so sleȝe, Þat his fflesch mihte so ben hud To vs cristene wiþ-inne þe bred. Line 196 And þy kun made hym dye, Þerfore al blodi þou hym seȝe." "ffelawe," quaþ þe Iew þon, "Help þat I were a Cristene mon; Line 200 ffor leuere ichaue cristned ben Þen euere seo such a siht aȝen." Þo was þe Iew cristned, and oþur mo, ffor þe Miracle þat fel þo.— Line 204 Þis Bred þat is godus flesch, What feiror preue wolde men esch Þat vche part is godus entere? Þeih hit weore parted in þreo quartere, Line 208 And þeih hit weore an hundred dole, Vche part is his bodi al hole. And þat loke bi skile, lo here: Bi-hold þi-self in a schewere: Line 212

Line 212 Þou ne sest but onliche þi faas, Þe while al hol is þe glaas; And brek þe glas in two or þre, And so moni formes [r. faces] þou miht se.— Line 216 Beo þe makyng of þe oblee Wel and skilfoliche me may se Of wȝuche we make Godus fflesch, Þis is þe saumple whose wol esch. Line 220 Hit is maad beo seuen skiles Aȝeyn þe seuene dedly synnes: Aȝeyn Lecherie hit is whit, Þat was Blak and stynkynge euere ȝit. Line 224 Hit is þunne a-ȝeyn Glotenye, Þat al to muche wole swolewye. Hit is round and liht to þrowe, Aȝeyn Sleuþe, þat makeþ men slowe. Line 228 Of swete whete mad hit is, Aȝeyn Wraþþe, þat is bitternis. Hit is mad wiþ-oute leueyn: Aȝeyn Envye hit stont aȝeyn, Line 232 ffor Envye makeþ Men swelle Whon he seoþ eny spede welle. Hit is also wiþ-oute Bryn Or eny oþur Corn þer-In: Line 236

Line 236 Hit [r. þat] is a-ȝeyn Couetyse, Þat ne reccheþ In what wyse Eny catel vndurfonge, Beo hit Riht beo hit wronge. Line 240 Hit is þerto clene and luyte, Aȝeyn Pruide, þat euer ȝute Wolde beo gret and heiȝ of wille, As Lucifer, þat furst felle Line 244 ffor his Pruide out of heuene. Do we þis Bred aȝeyn þis seuene!

Candida, triticia, tenuis, non magna, rotunda, Expers frumenti, [r. fermenti] non mixta sit hostia Cristi.—

And hou hit furst com and ede Þat mon ete Angeles Brede, Line 248 Hit is liht soþ to telle, ffor vche cristene mon wot hit welle. Þe laste soper wiþ-outen wene Was I-mad atte Ceene, Line 252 And God bad þe Apostles do so Whon he weore to heuene I-go; "Do þis in þe muynde of me; I go and come to ow a-ȝe." Line 256 Of þe Apostles þat God sent [tok] holichurche þe sacrament.—

Et dicitur Eukaristia Quasi bona gracia:

Þat is to siggen, eukarist As goode grace com from crist. Line 260 Wel may we seyen hit is good grace Whon hit is wardeyn in godus place! And grace is betere þen nature, Whose þerto wol take cure.— Line 264 I rede þe mon be in good entent Whose takeþ þis grace in sacrement: Seint poul seiþ, and siggen I may, In þe pistel of to-day [1 Cor. 11, 29.] : Line 268 "Whose vnworþiliche ȝode To fonge Godus fflesch and blode, Þere he fongeþ his owne dome"— Allas, hit falleþ so to lome! Line 272 Þerfore poul seiþ bi þat halue: "he [r. ho?] demeþ not God, he demeþ him-selue." In þulke whose i-take be, Schal he neuere beo dampned a-ȝe; Line 276 Ȝif we vre owne dom take, What oþur dom schal God vs make? Þerfore make ow alle Redi To take hit not as fool-hardi.— Line 280

Line 280 Þeih seint Poul vs þrete þus, Vr lord hym-self, swete Ihesus, Þis day in Markes [r. Johnes.] gospelle To his disciples he gon telle, Line 284 And to þe Iewes þat were ryue: "I am my-self Bred of lyue. [Joh. 6, 48.] [Joh. 6, 56-9.] "Mi fflesch soþfast mete is, And my Blod verrey drinke, iwis. Line 288 Whos eteþ mi flesch and drinkeþ my blode, [Here begins MS. Simeon.] I wone wiþ hym and he wiþ me. [vv. 290 & 291 transp. in the MS.] Mi ffader me sent and so I ȝode, To lyue for hym and he for me: Line 292 So [MS. ffor] whose me eteþ, for me schal libbe. Þis is þe Bred þat from heuene come, [vv. 293 & 294 transp. in the MS.] Not lyk Manna, þat flour be sibbe, Þei þat hit ete, weore dede bi dome, Line 296 And hose eteþ of þis brede, He schal hue wiþ-outen ende." Ihesu, graunt vs so to spede Wiþ [MS. þat; Sim. Wiþ] þulke bred to heuene wende. Amen. Line 300

Off þulke Bred in þe gospelle Seint Ion we here þus telle: [Joh. 6, 54.]

Þat ȝif we ne ete of þulke brede Ne drynke his blood, vr lyf were dede.— Line 304 And þeih we ete hit al þus here, Hit is in heuene al entere. So schaltou leeue, Cristene mon, Þat in no weere þi leue beo on! Line 308 ffor þi feiþ tit no mede Where þing of deþ takest hede; Hit is inpossyble to serue crist But þi be-leeue beo good and trist. Line 312 And eȝe of feiþ hit is ful kene Þat seoþ a siht þat is not sene. Þerfore alle þing þat we [ne] seoþ Leeue we as holychirche deþ, Line 316 ffor þat I holde þe rihte fey And to heuene þe nexte wey.— To telle more I mot nede Hou men ete Angeles Brede. Line 320 Of ffoles I herde herby-fore Þat wyse men toke of hem heore lore, And so a sek mon mihte teche A good skile perauenture bifore a leche. Line 324 Þis Bred mihte [r. may] neuermore be spende Til [r. ffor] God hym-self on eorþe hit sende, To saue mon fro pyne of helle, So þat he kepe hit welle. Line 328 Sum tyme such lawe þer was Þat vche sonday after mas

Eueri trewe wyf and Mon Schulde be hoseled or þei eode þon. [2 vv. wanting, ef. Harl. 387-8.] . . . . . And þat for þis enchesun, Line 333 I wol ow telle for what resun: On was, for þat folk mis-bere Hem-selue, whon þei hoseled were. Line 336 Þe toþer was, for þe grete trauayle Þat holy churche hedde be þat entayle, In nome of þat for Godus drede Me ȝiueþ nou þe holy Brede. Line 340 Þerfore þe pope ordeyned, þries in þe ȝere Vche mon I-hoscled were; And bote he were ones atte leste, Þe pope Comaundet be his heste Line 344 Þulke bodi þat so ne dede Schuld neuer be buried in holy stude. Þerfore beo redi, I ow Rede, fforte fonge Angeles Brede. Line 348 And beo þis Bred I wol ȝou telle A luytel ensaumple hou hit bi-felle.

De manu sacerdotis þer hostiam penetrata.

BE-fel sum tyme In Engelonde, Þer was a prest, ich vndurstonde, Line 352

Line 352 Þat ladde not his lyf, as was tolde, Also clanliche as he scholde. God wolde he scholde hym amende, And he hym a strong vuel gon sende, Line 356 So, he wende almost to dye. And on a day þis siht he seȝe: A child boþe he seih and herde, And [H. þat] asked hym hou he ferde; Line 360 In his hond bret-ful he beere Of bernynge Obeleis a paniere. Þe prest asked: "what is þat, And þou þat askest of my stat?" Line 364 He seide: "Ich am Godes Messagere, And þeos Obeleis þat ben here, Þus monye vnworþily þou fong, Whon þat þou þi Masse song; Line 368 And ȝif þat þou nult I-leue me, Scheuh forþ þyn hond, and þou schalt se." Þe prest heold forþ his hond anon, And þe child tok vp on Line 372 Of þe obeleys þat were so rede, And pult hit in þe prestes hond amidde. Hit fel þorwh þe prestes hond on, And þe child a-wey gan gon. Line 376 Þe prest let men come hym to And tolde hem whi he ferde so:

"Lo," quaþ he, "hou I am diht! Who sauh euere such a siht?" Line 380 Þat þorw his hond me mihte se As brod as was þat obele. And he not I-maymed nas, And afturward song mony a Mas, Line 384 And an hole þorwh his hond— Þus þat soþe men hit fond. After for a þousend pound of golde Þe prest no more synne wolde, Line 388 But serued god wiþ gret drede, And afturward to heuene ȝede.— I holde þe Mon more þen mad Þat takeþ þis bred and nis not drad Line 392 Of þe wreche þat mihte bi-falle. So worþi bred hit is wiþ-alle Þat for þe miht of þulke word Þat god seide at his owne bord, Line 396 Þe same miht þat word haþ here, To torne þe bred in oþur manere,

And to torne þe wyn in blode, Þe same þat was sched on Rode. Line 400 Þe wordus perauenture I coude telle, Ac I am not worþi and þerfore I nelle.

Ac oþur makyng of þe Mas I dar wel telle hou hit was. Line 404 Þe Apostles seide no more But what þei herde of cristes lore— No more to þe masse nolde þei do, And þe paternoster to, Line 408 vppe þe bred and vppe þe wyn— And so hem þhouȝt hit good and fyn. Non oþur vestimens vsud þay But as þei wereden vche day; Line 412

Line 412 And in vessels of treo— Non oþur chalys hedden heo.

Þenne þe pope vrban, Þat was a ful holy man, Line 416 Ordeynde þat þe Chalys scholde Ben of seluer or of golde, Wiþ a patin, to hule ouer al, Maked of þe same Metal. Line 420

ÞE pope Celestyne, ordeyned he, A psalme Men clepeþ Iudica me Þat vche prest þat is and was Schulde siggen hit er he eode to Mas. Line 424

ÞE Nyne kyries þat ben in Boke Þe pope Siluestre of gru hem toke.

Þcr-aftur comeþ Gloria in excelsis: Þe Angeles of heuene furst song þis; Line 428

Of [r. And? or þan?] seint hillari þat was Erche-bisschop of peytas, He made from laudamus te Þe remenaunt þen synge we. Line 432

Line 432

ÞEnne þe pope Tollophornus, And þat oþur pope Cynacus, Bi-twene hem boþe ordeyned was To synge þe Gloria to þe Mas [4 vv. wanting.] . . . . . Line 436

He hit Confermede, pope Gregori, And made þerto þe Offertori.

ÞEnne þe pope Anastasius Comaundet in lawe riht þus: Line 440 Þat no mon schulde sitte, he beede, Whil þe gospel were to Rede.

Constantinus þe pope (!) made þe crede, fforte siggen hit he bede. Line 444

Pope Steuene and pope Clemens Ordeyned þe holy vestimens.

Pope Ciluester ordeyned þe Corporas, In tokne þat godus bodi was Line 448 In clene lynnen cloþ I-wounde Þat tyme þat Iosep hit founde

In his owne toumbe of ston And leyde a-noþur gret vppon. Line 452

ÞEnne þe Pope Leouns Made alle þe Prefaciuns.

Alisaundre þe Pope ordeynde þis: To do watur and wyn In þe Chalis, Line 456 In tokne þat boþe com watur and blode Of Godus syde on þe Roode; Þe blood bi-tokneþ þat he vs bouht, Þe watur bi-tokneþ vre ffullouht. Line 460

Sixtus þe Pope ordeynde vs Þryȝes to synge Sanctus. Þe Pope [Harl. Ielasius] made þe Canoun þer,

And God made þe Pater noster. Line 464 [A]nd hou and what-maner bi-felle Þat God made þe paternoster, I wol telle. His Apostles seide hym on a day: "Teche vs, lord, how we schul pray." Line 468 And seint Ion [r. Luc (11, 2).] haþ tauht vs þis— Þat is on of his disciples—

Þat Ihesus tauhte hem þis preyer And bad hem seyen þe Pater noster. Line 472

And þus muchel to seyen hit is: "Vr ffadur þat in heuene is, Halewed mot þy nome beo. And to þi kyngdam þat we teo. Line 476 Þi wille in heuene and eorþe beo do. Vre vche-dayes bred send vs to. And vre dettes for-ȝiue vs, As we for-ȝiue vre dettours. Line 480 And lede vs in no fondynge, But saue us from vche vuel þinge. Amen."

Off þe holigost þe seuen ȝiftis In þe pater noster I-touched is; Line 484 Of whuche to God þer touched þre, And foure in on to þe. Þis preyere, þeih hit beo schorte, But hit beo seid wiþ a clene herte, Line 488 Hit is a-ȝein þulke man Þat in his herte wraþþe haþ tan.

ÞEnne þe pope Innocent, Pax domini he ordeynt, Line 492 Þat vche mon schulde cusse oþur And holden him for suster and broþur; In tokne þat god made pes wiþ man, Þerfore þat pes is ȝiuen þan. Line 496

ÞE laste word of þis heiȝe fest Is I-seid Ite Missa est, Þis is to seye "hit is i-sent To heuene for vs, þis sacrament"; Line 500 Bi-fore þe holy Trinite Þe furste part of þe þre, Þat oþur for hem þat þoleþ [r. þoled] deþ, Þe þridde for hem þat alyue beþ.—

Hit is riȝt þat furst inempned be Vr ladi in þe Canone: ffor God of hire þat flesch toke Þat neuer cristen mon forsoke; Line 508 Þat flesch he haþ take þe to fede, Þat is i-cleped Aungel Brede.

ÞE twelue Apostles I-nempned beþ, ffor heore prechynge þei þolede deþ— Line 512

Quia Apostoli dicuntur missi, & Martires testes apostolorum:

As þing i-sent ben þe Apostles, And Martires ben þe Apostles witnes; And alle þe Martires þat weore dede ffor þei weore witnesse of þis Brede, Line 516 Þat God diȝede for loue of vs, And þei for loue of Ihesus.

Petur and Andrew, Philip, þeos þreo weore don vppon þe Rode-treo. Line 520

Poul, Iames, and Mathew Were be-heuedet, and Bartholomew Was huld al naked quike ffor his witnesse of þis onlike. Line 524

And þat oþur Iamus, Symon, and Taddeus, Heore senewes for cristen lawe Out of heore bodi were i-drawe. Line 528

Line 528

And seint Ion þe Ewangelist, Þat was sib to Ihesu crist, He dronk venym, to make preue Þat we han of þe rihte be-leeue. Line 532

And seint Thomas Didimus, He was þorwh-stiked Riht þus. Þer-aftur comeþ þe xij Martiris Þat in þe Canoun Rikned is; Line 536 Of whuche summe Popes were, Summe Bisschops þat Mitre beere, Summe Dekenes þat weore half prest, Summe lewede þat leeuede on crist— Line 540 ffor alle Ordres and alle degres To þis sacrement bereþ witnes. Leouns, Clemens, and Cletus, Sixtus, and Cornelius, Line 544 Þeose weore Popus, þat þolede deþ ffor þulke Bred þat we nou seoþ. Ciprian was Bisschop of Cartiginus. Stephene, Laurence, Vincent weore Dekenus. Line 548

Line 548 Grisogon, Ion and Paulus, Þei weore in heore lyue knihtus; Cosma and Damianus, Þei weore leches, I-writen is þus. Line 552 Cecili, and Agnes, and Agace Diede for þis bred of grace. Þerfore is riht heore nomes to be Nempned in þe Canone: Line 556 ffor alle þeos diȝede In good entent ffor to Meyntyme þe sacrament.—

ÞE sacrament mot þe soule fede Þat is i-hote Angeles Brede. Line 560 Ȝif þou worþiliche hit fonge, Hit schal kepe þe þus longe, ffrom þulke day þat þou ded be Til þi bodi rise a-ȝe; Line 564 And þenne boþe bodi and soule i-fere Schal wende to þe graunt Mangere Where neuer-more tit no nede To non eorþliche Brede, Line 568 But þe siht of þe Trinite

Schal euermore þi fode be.

Seþþhe we han þe Modur to preye þe sone, We han þe sone to prey þe ffader, Line 572 Þe [MS. þo] holygost we han in wone— Þis enteere we haue to-gader: What letteþ vs forte wynne Þe Riche blisse is vs bi-hote, Line 576 Bote hit beo vr owne synne? Þer nis non oþur þyng, I wote. Of Pardoun I haue no pouste Non [r. Nou?] to ȝow forte graunte: Line 580 But, ȝif ȝe don now aftur me, I wol ow telle a quantite, Hou Muchel pardoun ȝe may habbe To ȝoure meste nede, Line 584 To come to honoure wiþ-oute gabbe Þis ilke Angeles Brede.

þulke þoresday þat next is Aftur þe Trinite, Line 588 Þe pope vrban ordeynde þis Þat hit schulde þenne be.

An hundred dayes of forȝiuenes He graunted alle þay Line 592 Þat come to þe Matynes Of þulke same day; ffourti dayes for vche a tyde, An hundred for þe Mas, Line 596 An hundred hose to þe Euensong abyde— He graunteþ hem no las. And al þat wike vche day Þis pardoun lasteþ so, Line 600 Hose al þe seruyse hauen may; And ȝit he schal han mo: ffor vche dayes seruyse An hundret dayes to bote— Line 604 Wel him ouȝte to seyen þise On hors and eke on foote. [The next vv., wanting in Harl., are a new addition.] Þe laste pope þat was nou, Of Ion [It is John XXII, 1316-34.] þat was hiht, Line 608 Al þe pardun he graunteþ ow And doubleþ hit wiþ his miht. Meilerous, [Miler le Poer, Bishop of Leighlin, Ireland, 1321-41 (cf. Cotton's Fasti II, 384).] þorwh godes grace

Bisschop of leihlinne, Line 612 He haþ mendet in þis cas Þorwh miht þat he ȝaf hymme: ffourti dayes to pardoun He haþ ȝiue þerto ȝete [orig. ȝite] Line 616 To alle wiþ good deuocioun Hereþ hit or hit rede. So hit a-mounteþ holliche On and ffourti ȝere Line 620 And sixcore dayes, treweliche, Whose hereþ his seruyse here. Ihesu graunte ow alle and some On eorþe so forte spede Line 624 Þat þis pardoun ow make come To þis Angeles Brede. Þat Mon eete Angel Brede, Þus furst we be-gon; Line 628 To heuene [hit] mot ow alle lede Boþe Wyf and Mon, In nomine patris wiþ ou go, Et spiritus sancti do also. Amen. Line 632

MS. Dd. 1, 1 Cambr. Univ. Libr., fol. 32 b.

Panem angelorum manducauit homo:

Dauid in psalmo.

In nomine summi saluatoris, gloriosissimi sublimis creatoris, indiuidue omnipotentis ineffabilis trinitatis, incomprehensibilis et incommutabilis veri dei & hominis, nostri principii, progreditur exordium : veri vbi christus est funda|mentum, nullum boni operis superest edificium: patebunt lingua materna, dei mediante gracia.

[The first 38 vv. are wanting in Vernon.] In þe name of oure souereyn sauyour, Þat is al-weldinge creatour, Þe heye holi trenyte Þer o god is & personis .iij., Line 4 Boþe veri god and man; & þe holi gost, alle .iij. but an, be a-mong vs in his grace to wone, to helpe þe speche þat is here begunne. and if þer eny man be here Line 9 Þat of his beleue haþ ben in a were or haþ errid her-be-fore wher-bi his soule myhte be lore, Line 12 swich word he mote now here to sauen him fro helle-fere; and alle þat ben in riht fay, Þat þei mote hold þe saf way. Line 16 and þer-for beseke we him Þat may sauen eueri lyme, to-berste, to-bete bon & felle, to saue vs fro þe fire of helle; Line 20 and þis day lete his bodi be bore, to techin vs þe riht wey before, and þat he to vs take hede & send vs þing þat we han nede. Line 24 ffor, as I seyde beforn in latyn, Þat no werk haþ no good fyn, It is nouht worth, verament, but if crist be þe fundament: Line 28 Þer-for wile we him beseche Þat he be founder of oure speche, and þat it ende in his name, & þat þe foule fend it schame Line 32 and profite to oure soulis alle, Þat non in mysbeleue ne falle. Þer-for alle þat ben here, preyth for me sum preyere, Line 36 ffor ihesu cristis owne loue, & also for ȝoure own behoue.— — ^*Ȝe lewid men, takiþ hede— for þe clerkis han no nede Line 40 Þat I hem opene þis latyn, for þei it knowe wel & fyn;

ffor holi chirche it singiþ meste, nameliche in þis newe feste. Line 44 But nertheles it is ful old Þat dauid in þe sawtere told: for þis it is þat dauid seyde Þat "Man etiþ aungelis brede;" Line 48 & þat is soth, for so it wes in tyme of þe prophete moyses. He was in Egipte in gret truage, & goddis folk in foul seruage, Line 52 vnder þe king pharao Þer was a þousand men & mo. Longe it were al to telle; but atte laste þus it befelle Line 56 Þat god ne wold suffren it no more his owne folk in thraldom thore, and god bad moyses he schuld fle wiþ his folk þorw þe rede se. Line 60 and whan moyses to þe se com, al drye his folk wiþ him he nom: Þe se stod vpriht as a walle,

til þei were passid alle. Line 64 King pharao him suyd faste wiþ al his meyne, & al in haste; and whan þei were alle in þe se wiþ-in, God turnid hire strengþe al aȝen, Line 68 so þat goddis folk was al ouer went & pharao & hise were alle schent. In þis place it may ben seyde Þat man ete aungelis brede: Line 72 Þe tyme þat moyses lad þus his gret ost in wildernes God fro heuene lete reyne adoun as it were a flour, gret foysoun, Line 76 Manna, so it is wrete, & it is seyd aungelis mete. Þei it gaderid & lyuid þer-bi, Line 79 & synnyd sore I wile telle ȝow whi: Þei gaderid mor of bred Þan eueri day þei had to ned; and it wolde not ben on morwe for to kepe ne for to borwe. Line 84

Line 84 I holde þis a badde stor to eueri mokerere þat wold han mor of catel þan he haþ to nede his owne meyne for to fede; Line 88 he bieþ corn aȝen þe ȝere & kepit it til it be dere. "But þer-of doþ he wiseliche, if he departe it skilfulliche." Line 92 Nay for soþe, þenkiþ he nouht to pore men departen ouht; Bouhte he neuere so good chepe, he ne rewiþ not þe pore to wepe; Line 96 he ne rouhte how al þe world ȝode, so þat his owne geting were gode. for þis is þe mokereris answere: "Go ȝoure wey, corn is ful dere," Line 100 also for soþe, wiþ-outen gabbe, Þe same answere he schall habbe whan alle þe aungelis, in heuene beth, & alle on erthe þat suffrid deth, Line 104 schul ben at on parlement:

Þer þe mokerere schal ben schent; Þer he schal vpbraydid be of god him-self, þat is so fre, Line 108 In what manere þat he ha þ spent Þe godis þat god on erthe him lent. Þer god him-self schal ȝeuyn þe dome— he may ben a-drad or he þer come; ffor þis is þe word þat god wile say Line 113 to þe mokerere at domys-day, and so harde to non other man as to þe vnkynde mokerere þan: Line 116 "I hungrid whan þou wernedist me mete; I wold haue had drink, I cowde non gete; herborwles, þou me forsoke; & sike, in prisoun, cam not me to loke; Line 120 . . . . . [[folios 34, 35, 36 wanting in Cambr. MS.]]

"lo," quod he, "how I am diht! who saw euere swich a siht?" Þorw his hond men myhte se als brod as was þat vble. Line 420 and he not maymed was, & afterward song many a mas, And þe hole al-wey þorw his hond— Þus þat soþe men it fond. Line 424 & after for a þousand pound of gold Þe prest no mor synne wold, But seruid god wiþ greet drede, & afterward to heuene ȝede.— Line 428 I hold þat man mor þan mad Þat takiþ þis bred & is not drad of þe wreche þat myhte befalle. so wurthi bred it is wiþ-alle Line 432 Þat for þe myht of þat word Þat god seyde at his bord, Þe same myht þat word haþ here, to turne þe bred in to other manere, Line 436

Line 436 & to turne þe wyn in to blod, Þe same þat was schad on þe rod. Þe wordis perauenture I coude the telle, but I am not worþi & þer-for I nelle. al oþer making to þe mas Line 441 I dar wel tellin how it was. Þe apostelis seyde no more but what þei herde of cristis lore— no mor to þe masse wold þei do, Line 445 and þe pater noster þer-to, vpon þe bred and þe wyn— & so hem þouhte it good & fyn. Line 448 non othere vestemens vsid þai but as þei werid eueri day;

and in vesselis of tre— Non oþer chaleys had he. Line 452 Than þe pope vrban, Þat was a ful holi man, ordeynid þat þe chaleys scholde ben of siluer or of golde, Line 456 wiþ a patene, to helin oueral, made of þe same metal. Þe pope Celestyn, ordeynid he, a psalme men clepe Iudica me Line 460 Þat eueri prest þat is & was schuld it seye or he ȝede to mas. Þe .ix. kiries þat ben in boke Line 463 Þe pope siluester of grew hem toke. Þer-after comiþ Gloria in excelsis, Þat þe aungelis of heuene first son[g], I-wis; Of seint hillari þat was Erchebischop of poytas, Line 468 he made fro laudamus te Þe remenaunt þan singe we.

Þan þe pope Tellophorus, & þat oþer pope Cinacus, Line 472 Be-twix hem boþ ordeynid was to singen gloria at þe mas. pope alisaundere ordeynid wel to redin Epistil and gospel. Line 476 Be Ierom & ambrose ordeynid was to make þe grayel to þe mas. al þis confermyd pope Gregori, & þer-to made þe offertori. Line 480 Þanne þe pope anastasius comaundid in lawe riht þus: Þat no man schuld sitte, he bed, whil þe Gospel were red. Line 484 Constantinus made þe Crede, to singe it he ȝaf þe rede. pope steuene & pope Clemens ordeynid holi vestymens. Line 488 pope siluester ordeynid þe corporas, in tokne þat goddis bodi was In clene sendel I-wounde whan Ioseph leyde it in toumbe Line 492

Line 492 in his owne graue of ston & leyde anoþer gret ston þer-on. Þanne þe pope leouns made þe prefaciouns. Line 496 alisaundere þe pope ordeynid þis: to don watir & wyn in þe chalis, in tokne þat þer com boþ watir & blod of cristis side þat heng on rod; Line 500 in blod is toknid þat he bouhte vs, in watir þat cristenid be houiþ vs. Þan ordeynid þe pope sixtus thryes for to singe sanctus; Line 504 & þan he made þe canoun þer, and god made þe pater noster. And how & in what maner befelle Þat god made þe pater noster, I wile telle. Line 508 Þe apostelis seyde to crist on a day: "teche vs, lord, how we schul pray." & seynt iohn haþ tauht vs þis— Þat is one of his disciplis— Line 512

Line 512 Þat ihesu tauht hem þis preyere & bad hem seyn þe pater noster. and þus moche to seyn it is: "Oure fader þat in heuene is, Line 516 halewid mote þin name be. to þi kingdom mote come we. Þi wil in heuene & in erthe be do. oure ech-days bred send vs þer-to. Line 520 and oure dettis forȝeue þou vs, as we for-ȝeuen oure detouris. & lede vs in to no fonding, but saue vs fro euil þing. amen." Line 524 Of þe holi gost þe .vij. ȝiftis in þe pater noster touchid is; of whiche to god þer touchin thre, & foure in one to the and me. Line 528 Þis preyere, þow it be schort, but it be seyd in clene hert, It is a-ȝen þat ilke man Þat in to his herte wraþþe haþ tan. Line 532

Line 532 Þer-for þe good pope Innocent Pax domini haþ ordeynt, Þat eueri man schuld kisse oþer Line 535 & holden hem for suster & brother; in tokne þat god mad pes wiþ man, Þer-for þat pes is ȝouen þan. Þe laste word of þis heye feste is clepid Ite missa est, Line 540 Þat is to sey "it is I-sent to heuene for vs, þe sacrament"; be-for þe holy trenyte Þe first part of þe thre, Line 544 Þat oþer for hem þat suffrid deth, Þe thridde for hem þat alyue beth.— It is riht þat first nemenid be oure ladi in þe Canone: Line 548 ffor god of hire flesch tok Þat neuere cristen man forsok; Þat flesch he haþ take the to fede, Þat is clepid aungelis brede. Line 552

Line 552 Þe .xij. apostelis nemenid beth, for hire preching þei suffrid deth—

Quia apostoli dicuntur missi, & martires testes apostolorum:

As þing þat is sent ben þe apostelis, and marteris ben to hem witnes; Line 556 & alle marteris þat were dede for þei were witnes of þis brede, Þat god deyde for loue of vs, & þei for þe loue of crist ihesus. Line 560 petir, andrew, philip, these .iij. were don vp-on þe rode-tre. poule, Iamys, and mathew were heuedid, & bartilmew Line 564 was helt al nakid quyk for his witnes of þis vnlik. and þat oþer lesse Iamys, and symon also, & thadeus, Line 568 hire senewis for cristen lawe out of hire bodi were drawe.

and seynt Iohn Euangelist, Þat was cosyn to ihesu crist, Line 572 he drank venym, to make preue Þat we han truþe and riht beleue. and seynt thomas didimus, he was þorw-stekid riht þus. Line 576 Þer-after comiþ .xij. marteris, Þat company in þe canoun reknid is; Of whiche summe popis were, Line 579 summe bischopis þat myter did bere, summe deknes þat were half prest, summe lewid men þat leuid on crist— ffor alle ordres & alle degres to þis sacrament bere witnes. Line 584 Leouns, Clemens, & Cletus, Sixtus, and Cornelius, these were popis, þat suffrid deth for þat bred þat ȝe a-days seeth. Line 588 Ciprian was bischop of Cartaginus. Steuene, laurens, & vincent were dekins.

Grisogon, Iohn and paules, Þei were on lyue knyhtis; Line 592 Cosmas and Damianus, Þei were lechis, wretin it is þus. Katerine, Mergrete, & agace deyden for þis bred of grace. Line 596 Þer-for it is riht hire namys to be nemenid in þe Canone: for alle these deyde in good entent for to mayntene þis sacrament.— Line 600 Þe sacrament mote þi soule fede þat is clepid aungelis brede. if þat ȝe worþiliche it fonge, it schal kepe ȝow þus longe, Line 604 fro þat day þat ȝe ded ben til ȝoure bodyes risen a-ȝen; and þan þe bodi & soule in-fere schul wende to þe gret mangere Line 608 where neuere-mor schal ben no nede to no maner of ertheli brede, But þe sihte of þe blisful trenyte

schal euere-mor þi fode be. Line 612 Þer we han þe moder to prey þe sone, & we han þe sone to prey þe fader, Þe holy gost we han in wone— Þis entre we han to-geder: Line 616 what lettiþ vs for to wynne Þe riche blis þat is vs behote, but it be oure owne synne? Þer is non oþer þing, I wote. Line 620 Of pardoun I haue no pouste to ȝow for to graunte of me: but, if ȝe don now after me, I wile ȝow tellin a quantite, Line 624 How moche pardoun ȝe may habbe, grauntid to ȝoure moste nede, to come to honour wiþ-outen gabbe, it is [om. it is] þis ilke aungelis brede. That same thursday þat next is Line 629 after þe feste of þe trenyte, Þe pope vrban ordeynid þis Þat þan þis pardoun schuld be. Line 632

Line 632 an hundrid dayes of forȝifnes he grauntid to hem alle in fay Þat come vn-to þe matynes on þat same thursday; Line 636 ffourti dayes for eueri houre þat tyde, & an hundrid for þe masse, an hundrid who-so þe euensong abide— he grauntid hem no lasse. Line 640 and al þat woke eueriday Þis pardoun lastiþ so, who-so al þe seruyse han may; & ȝet he schal han mo: Line 644 ffor eueri days seruise an hundrid days to bote— wel men auhte to seen therin [r. to seien] þise on horse and also on fote. Þe laste pope þat was now, his name Iohn hiht, al þis pardoun he grauntiþ ȝow & doubliþ it wiþ his myht. Line 652 Meylerus, þorw goddis grace

bisschop of leyȝ-lymme, he haþ amendid al þis cas Þorw myht þat god ȝaf hym: Line 656 ffourti days to pardoun he ȝaf þer-to, wiþ-out drede, to alle þat wiþ good deuocioun herin it or don it rede. Line 660 So it amountiþ holliche on and fourty ȝere & sex-score dayes, truliche, who-so heriþ his seruise here. Line 664 Ihesu graunte ȝow alle & some in erthe so for to spede that þis pardoun ȝow make come vn-to þis heuenlich brede. Line 668 Þat man ete aungelis brede, Þus first we began; to heuene it mote vs alle lede boþe wyf and man, Line 672 In nomine patris & filij wiþ vs go Et spiritus sancti do also. amen.

MS. Harl. 4196. Sermo in festo Corporis Cristi.

Panem angelorum manducauit homo

(Ps. 77, 25).

^*Laude men herto tak hede— ffor vnto clerkes it es no nede, In þaire bukes may þai se Þe gudenes of goddes preuete, Line 4 Gastly how he will vs fede With his body in fowrom of brede,

Als haly kyrk now most and lest Line 7 Mase mynde now in þis new-fun fest; Als dauid in þe sawter said, And þe haly gast had him puruaid By figures þe folk forto lere. Þar-fore he said on þis manere, Line 12 Als witnes beres in þis stede: "Man," he said, "etis angell brede." So was it in tyme of moyses Omang þe childer þat ihesu chese. Line 16 ffor when þai war in thraldom broght With farao þat þam wranges wroght— Þat war ful lang now forto tell; Bot at þe last so it bifell Line 20 Þat god wald suffer it namore Þat his folk in thraldom wore: He bad moyses þat he suld fle With his folk thurgh þe [rede] se. Line 24 And when þai to þe se war cumen, A dri way sone haue þai nomyn: Þe water stode vp als a wall,

vntill þai war past ouer all. Line 28 Kyng farao with ful gret boste pursued þam with all his oste, And wele þai wend þe way to hent Als þe childer oway had went: Line 32 Þe se closed and þam vmcast; Þaire liues might no langer last. Þare was he and his menȝe drownd, And goddes folk past hale and sownd. In wildernes þan was moyses Line 37 With childer þat god him-seluen chese. God sent to þam fra heuyn doune Als it war flowre ful gret foysowne; Line 40 Manna in clergi es it cald, Angell mete men may it hald. Þai gaderd it and lifed þar-by, And sinned I sall tell ȝow why: Line 44 Þai gederd more and broght to hend Þan þai had mester forto spend; And, if þai samind it on þe day, On þe morn wald it be oway Line 48

Line 48 And þar-in wald be no foysowne, Bot turn in to corrupciowne. Þai might wele se þan by þis thing: God was noght paid of þaire gedering. Þan may we se it es ill store Line 53 Of þir mokyrers þat bies more Corn or malt þan he has nede His menȝe fully forto fede. Line 56 He þat byes corn so here And ȝemes it till it be dere, And are will lat it lig and rote Or he it do till oþer note, Line 60 He greues god, trewly to tell, Als did þe childer of israel, Þat trowed noght with trew entent Þat fode Inogh suld þam be sent. Line 64 And þat corn gaders gude spede And will noght part in tyme of nede vnto þam þat fode has nane, Bot saues it to him-self allane, Line 68 fful hard rekining ȝeld sal he

At þe dome, when he sall demed be By-for god þat es high iustise And euyn domes-man & al rightwise, And bifor all his saintes sere Line 73 And his angels all in-fere; Þan sall he wit how he has spend Al þe gude þat god him send! Line 76 ffor in þis maner sall god say vnto nithinges on domes-day: "hunger I had and thrist ful grete: Þou gaf me nowþer drink ne mete; Line 80 And herberles þou me forsoke; In preson wald þou noght me loke; Nakid when [MS. whin] I was also, With-owten clath þou lete me go. Line 84 Þarfore now saltou wende to hell, Euer-more with deuils to dwell." Þan sal þe sinful say in hy: "lord, when saw we þe nedy Line 88 And did noght als vs fell to do?" Þan sal he answer þam vnto

And say: "when þat ȝe saw in pine Any of þe lest of myne Line 92 And helpid þam noght in þaire nede, vnto me did ȝe þat ilk dede." Þan thurgh dome he sal þam schende To won in wa with-owten ende. Line 96 Þus on domesday þe most hething Sall fall vnto þe hard nithing; ffor þarof will þai noght þam schriue, If þai be nithinges al þaire liue, Line 100 Bot euer-more þai answer þus: "We gif wele more þan men dose vs," And syn þai say þat it [es] nane To saue all to þam-self allane Line 104 And spare it all vntill þai dy— Þat bargan sall þai dere haby! Þarfore of nithinges lat we be And till oure mater turn will we: Line 108 More in þis tyme now will we tell Of þe childer of israel, How þai gaderd angell fode More þan neded to do þam gude. Line 112 Þai traisted noght in goddes grace: Þar-fore vnto þam wrath he was, He sufferd þam peris ilkane And with þaire enmys to be slane; Line 116 With were he was opon þam [MS. þan] wroken, ffor þai had his biding broken. Ofsex and twenty hundreth thowsand(!) Þat war þare in desert dweland, Line 120 To þe land of hest þare come nane fre Bot anly Calef and iosue—

And of þa twa come all þe strene Of milde mari, oure heuyn-quene.— Now in þis werld wele may we se Line 125 Þat lufed with god wele more er we: ffor he sent þam bot angels brede, Þat bot a day wald stand in stede, Line 128 And vntill vs here has he sent His awin body, verrayment, Þat euer-more will last vs in, If we be out of dedly syn. Line 132 Both his verray fless and blude Gifes he till oure gastly fode Þat for vs was pined on a tre; Ilk day oure-self may it se Line 136 In faire fowrom of erthly brede Þat for vs in erth sufferd dede And toke his hand-werk out of hell. Þarby a tale he[r] will I tell, Line 140 Þat wretin es in þe legent Towcheand þis haly sacrament.

Aaracio de iudeo & cristiano.

Sum tyme, als clerkes tell ȝow can, Was a iew and a cristen man; Line 144 Þai met togeder opon a day, And so ȝode samen by þe way. And, als in bokes beres witnes, Þe cristen man herd ring to mes. Line 148 He said to þe iew: "habide me here, Whils I go mak my prayere."

Þe iew said: "I will assent." Þe cristen man to kirk es went, Line 152 And made his prayers inwardly vnto oure lord god al-mighty. Þe iew þan in þe way him held And thoght his felaw ful lang dweld; Þarfore vnto þe kirk he ȝede, Line 157 preuely forto tak hede What maners was þam omang Þat his felaw dweld so lang. Line 160 And þan he saw, or euer he leuid, Þe prist hald vp ouer his heuid A knaue-childe, with wowndes sore In fete and hend; ȝit saw he more Line 164 Þat þare was nowþer wife ne man Of þam þat in þe kirk was þan [hend; Þat þai ne kneled and held vp þaire And fra þe child þan saw he wend To ilk man swilk a child to sight, And euyn bitwene þaire handes it light. Þe iew biheld þan to þe priste Bygan to vse þe ewkariste, Line 172 He saw him ett þe same childe Þat he bitwix [his] handes hilde; And on þe same wise thoght him þare Did all þat in þe kirk ware. Line 176 Þe iew þan went and stode þat tide Whare his felow bad him abide, And vnto him-self said he þan: "A lathly life ledes cristen men!" Line 180

Line 180 Þe cristen man, when mes was done, Come vnto þe iew full sone. Þe iew said: "how fars þou now?" Þe toþer said: "better þan þou. Line 184 ffor I haue sene my sauiowre, vnto wham be euer honowre; And sen þat I haue sene þat sight, All þe day I am more light." Line 188 Þe iew said: "so mot I the, Þi wombe aght wele full to be! ffor, and I might so mekill ette, Þir thre daies suld I ett no mete." Line 192 Þe cristen man þan said ful right: "Þis day come no mete in my sight; Als fer als I on may think, Þis day I saw no mete ne drink." Line 196 Þe iew said: "for schame, lat be! I saw both oþer men and þe Ilkone hald a child blody And ett it seþin, sekerly. Line 200 And sertes, me think by þis scill A lathly life ȝe gif ȝow till!" Þe cristen man þan wex all wrath, And said: "þou lies, with-owten ath. Ȝowre law es fals and so er ȝe, Line 205 Ȝe will noght leue bot þat ȝe se. Þarfore fare furth, opon þe fy! I will nomore þi cumpany." Line 208

Line 208 Þe iew said: "felaw, greue þe noght Al-if me here-of wonder thoght, Bot tell me by sum graither preue How I might þe sertayn leue." Line 212 Þe cristen man said: "þis es þe skill Þat god of heuyn noght suffer will Þat þi sinful eghen seghe Þe sacrament þat es so heghe, Line 216 He wald noght schew þe in þat stede How his body es hid in brede: Þi kin him slogh ogains þe law. ffor-þi þou him al blody saw, Line 220 And so sall all þi kin him se At þe dome when þai sal dampned be." Þe iew said: "felow, I prai þe þan Þat I war made a cristen man." Line 224 Þan was he cristend als I tell, Thurgh þis miracle þat þus byfell.

Exemplum per speculum.

A faire ensample may men se Of goddes body, how it may be In diuers parcels parted here Line 229 And ilkane be goddes body entere; And how þat of ane eucharist, Þat sakerd es þe cors of crist, Line 232 A hundreth men may haue þaire dale, And ilkone haue cristes body hale— Þat may men by ensawmple here. Bihald þi-self in a schewere: Line 236

Line 236 Þou sese bot a face, more ne les, Whils þe glas vnbroken es. Breke þan þe glas in two or thre: And so many faces sall þou se; Line 240 Breke in a hundreth peces þe glace And þou sall se a hundreth face. And if þat þe glas all hale ware, A face þou suld se and nomare. Line 244 So þe sacrament of goddes body May be departed in sere party, And in ilk part all hale es he, All-if it neuer so litill be.— Line 248 Also ȝit, þat þe sacrament Es ordand all by trew entent, Þat may ilk man him-seluen se By þe making of þe vble. By seuyn selles [r. scilles, of. v. 281.] it es made euyn, To stroy þe dedly sines seuyn. Þe eukarist aw to be white, fforto destroy flesly delite Line 256 And alkins lust of lichery, Þat blac es euer and ful vgly. Thin aw it to be al-gate, Glotony forto abate; Line 260 ffor þai couait þat glotons es Of mete and drink ay mekelnes. Rownd it es and light to thraw, Line 263 Ogains slewth, þat makes men slaw. And it es made with-owten leuaine, Wreth and enuy to stand againe; ffor enuy bolnes mans hert When he sese oþer men in quert. Line 268 It es also with-owten bran, And, als þir clerkes declare it kan,

Þat es ogaines couatise, Þat rekkes neuer on whatkin wise Line 272 Þat he may reches vnderfang, Be it right or be it wrang. Also it es litill and clene, Ogains pride, þat euer es kene Line 276 And couaites to be grete and fell, Als lucifer, þat went to hell And fell for pride fra þe blis of heuyn. Þe brede þus es ordand by seuyn Line 280 proper skils, forto reherce Als funden es here in þis vers:

Candida, triticia, tenuis, non magna, rotunda, Ex-pers frumenti, [r. fermenti] non mixta sit hostia cristi.—

And when crist made þis sacrament? Þat sal we trow with trew entent, Line 284 fful light it es in faith to fele, ffor ilka cristen man wate wele How þat crist sat at his sopere When þat his passiown neghed nere, And till his appostels gan he bid Line 289 fforto do als he þan did— And how he did, wele find men may In þe passion on gude friday; Line 292 He said: "on þis wise sall ȝe do, ffor I most wende my fader vnto; Þus sal ȝe do in mynde of me Als oft as it done sal be." Line 296 Þus of þe appostels þat god sent Toke haly kirk þis sacrament.—

Et dicitur sacramentum [Nota] Quasi sacre rei signum. Et dicitur eukaristia Quasi bona gracia.

Þe first tels with trew entent: A haly signe es sacrament. Line 300 And noght els menes þe eukarist Bot gude grace, cumen of crist. Wele may we se it es gude grace, Þat keper es in cristes place! Line 304 And grace es more worthi þan kinde, Als cristen men may haue in minde.— Men aw to be in clene entent Þat sall resayue þis sacrament, Line 308 ffor saint paule sais, & se men may In þe pystell of þis day: [1 Cor. 11, 29.] Þat what man so with euill mode Resaiues goddes fless and his blude, He cums to his confusiowne Line 313 And resayues his dampnacioune. Þarfore saint paule, ane of þe twelue, Sais þat a man here demes him-selue And of dampnacion takes his dome, vnclene to goddes burd and he come. Man þat dose so, wha-euer he be, Sall he neuer-more demed be; Line 320 ffor his awin dome wha-so will take, What oþer dome suld god him make? Þarfore suld na man reklesly Wend to resayue þat blisced body, Line 324 Þat life es, if þai wele it ta, And ded to þam þat dose noght swa.

And þarofe here we saint mark [r. John (6, 56-9).] say In þe godspell of þis day, Whare we may find wretin þus: Line 329 To his desciples said ihesus And also to þe iewes in-fere, Telland to þam on þis manere: Line 332

Euangelium secundum Marcum. [r. John (6, 56-9).]

Caro mea uere est cibus, & sanguis meus uere est potus:

"My fless," he said, "es brede of life And verray mete to man and wife, And my blude es drink verray Line 335 To all þat lifes in cristen lay. Wha ettes my fless and drinkes my blude, In me he dwelles with mayne & mode. And I in him am ay dwelland, Whils he in stabill trowth will stande. And als my fader lifand in blis Line 341 Has sent me, forto mend ȝowre mis, And, als he lifes in lith and lim, So lif I for þe luf of him: Line 344 And he þat ettes my body fre, He sall ay lif thurgh might of me. Þis es þe brede with-owten ende Þat fra þe hegh of heuyn descend; Line 348 Noght like to manna þat doun fell vnto þe childer of israel, ffor þarof ette þai in þat stede And neuer-þe-lese ȝit war þai dede. He þat þis brede ettes worthily, Line 353 He sall ay lif and neuer dy, Gastly life ay sall he haue, And in heuyn sall his saul be saue." [355-6 added.] Crist grante vs for his moder sake Line 357 Þat worthily we may it take. More of þis mete we may here tell How þat saint Iohn in his godspell [John 6, 54.]

Sais: bot if we ett cristes brede Line 361 And drink his blude, oureliueserded.— All-if it here be parted in smale, Crist cors in heuyn it es all hale, Line 364 And euer with-owten end sall last. Þus aw oure trowth to be stedfast— ffor no man may here serue crist, Bot if his trowth to him be trist. Line 368

Oculus fidei acutus est, Quia inuisibilia conspicit:

Þe eghe of faith es scharp and kene, It sese þat may noght here be sene. Þarfore vs aw to trow and wirk Efter kening of haly kirk, Line 372 ffor þat es here þe fastest fay, And vnto heuyn þe rediest way.— More will I tell ȝit in þis stede How þat men ettes angel brede. Line 376 Þis blisced brede may neuer be spend, ffor god him-self hider has it send ffra þe fende man saul to fend And giff þam blis with-owten ende. In þe bigining was ordand Line 381 A custum in ilk cristen land Þat men and wemen more & les Suld ilka sunday efter mess Line 384

Line 384 Be howseld all with gude entent And resaiue þis ilk sacrament. Seþen was þat custum casten doun, I sall ȝow tell by what chesoune. Line 388 ffor folk war howsild so comunly, Þai toke þe les reward þarby, Ne þam-self þai wald noght ȝeme Als to þe sacrament suld seme. Line 392 Anoþer was, for men wex irk With grete trauail in hali kirk, And þat none wise þai might forsake In tyme when folk suld howsil take. Þarfore þe pape on þis manere Line 397 Ordand: þat thrise in þe ȝere Suld men resaiue þat blisced brede Thurgh cristen land in ilka stede; Line 400 And who did noght anes at þe leste, He sall be halden bot als a beste, And he sal noght, whe[n] he es ded, Haue his beriel in haly stede. Line 404 Þarfore pray we god in-wardly Þat we in werk may be worthy Þat brede enterely forto take, Sen it may all oure sorows slake. Line 408 And by þis brede now will I tell Ane ensaumple þat sum tyme fell.

Narracio de presbitero.

A prest sum tyme in ingland In a cete was wonand; Line 412

Line 412 He had noght led, als sum men tolde, His life als clenly als he solde: A grete euil god to him send, ffor þat he suld his mis amend. Line 416 And als he lay opon a night, God of heuyn him schewed þis sight: A child him thoght he saw and herd, Þat asked him how þat he ferd; Line 420 A panier in his hand he broght fful of brenand oblis, als him thoght. Þe prest þan asked: "wha ertow? Line 423 And what es þat þou bringes now?" He said: "I am goddes messangere, And lo, oblis I bring þe here; Þus many vnworthi has þou tane At þi mes bi þe allane. Line 428 And if þou will noght leue me, Schew furth þi hand and þou sal se." Þe prest put furth his hand onone, And þe childe has ane vble tone Line 432 Of þam þat semid so brinand, And put it in þe prestes hand. When it was laid in a moment, A hole thurgh-out þe hand it brent. Þe childe þan went oway in hy, Line 437 And þe prest bigan to cry. Oþer men þan come him to And asked whi þat he fore so. Line 440

Line 440 "Lo," he said, "how I am dight! Wha saw euer swilk a sight?" A hole in his hand might men se Als brade als was þe vble. Line 444 Þe prest þan wele amendid es, And efterward sang many mes, And þe hole euer in his hand, Line 447 Þat men þe suth might vnderstand.

He serued god in word and dede, And seþin his sawl to heuyn ȝede.— I hald, þe man es more þan mad Line 451 Þat ettes þis brede and es noght rad ffor vengance of god and for wrake, If he vnworthily it take!— Wroght it was thurgh goddes worde Þat he said at his awin burde. Line 456 Þe same might has ilka prest: To turn þe brede till þe cors of crist,

And forto turn wine in to blude, Þe same þat was sched on þe rode. Line 460 Crist blisced þe brede, als sais þe boke, And till his appostels he it toke, And said to þam on þis manere: "Þis es my fless I gif ȝow here." Line 464 And efter he toke þe chalis, And on þe same wise gan it blis, And said to þam with mild mode: "Drinkes of þis, it es my blude. Line 468 And als oft-tymes als ȝe it take, Mynde of me luke þat ȝe make!" Þus ordand crist þis sacrament. And when he vnto heuyn was went, Þai did messes als he cumand, Line 473 Als þai went in ilka land. And when peter was pape of rome, Chef cownsailoure of cristendome, Line 476 Ne al þe oþer, whare þai lend, Said namore þan crist had kend; Ne did þarto none oþer thing, When þai suld þaire messes sing, Line 480 Bot þe pater noster gan þai say, Als crist had cumand þaim to pray. Þai had noght els bot brede and wine, And goddes wordes gude and fyne. Vestimentes none had þai Line 485 Bot als þai werid ilka day,

And vessels þat of tre war made— None oþer chalises þan þai hade. Line 488 Þan efterward þe pape vrban, Þat was halden a haly man, Ordaind þat þe chalis sulde Be made of siluer oþer els of gulde, With a patene, to hill ouer all, Line 493 Ordand of þe same metall. Þe pape celestiene alswa Ordand a salme hat Iudica Line 496 Þat ilk prest þat ordand es Sal say bifor he go to mes. Þe pape siluester toke out of grew Þe nien kyries, als clerkes knew; Line 500 Þe angell sang he did þar-to Gloria in excelsis deo. Saint hillary þan, als men hers, Erchebisschop was of paters, Line 504 All þe remnand ordand he Þat we sing fra laudamus te.

Þan by þe pape it ordand es To sing þat Gloria at þe mes; Line 508 It confermed pape tellophorus, And scþin so did pape cinacus. Pape alisander ordand rath Þe pistell and þe godspell bath. Line 512 By ierom and ambrose ordaind es To sing þe graell at þe mes. It confermed pape gregori, And made þarto þe offertory. Line 516 Þan þe pape anastacius, In his tyme he ordand þus: Þat men suld stand, was his biding, Whils þe godspell was in reding. Line 520 Þe twelue appastels made þe crede: To sing it damacius þe pape bede. Pape steuen and pape clement, Þai ordand þe vestiment. Pape siluester ordand þe corporas, In tokining þat goddes body was In clene clathes lapped [MS. was lapped] and laid When it in þe graue was graid. Line 528

Line 528 Þan þe pape Leones Ordand þe preface at þe mes. Pape alisander ordand sine To do in chalis water and wine, Line 532 In takin þat both water and blude Come fra crist side on þe rode; Þe blude es tokin þat he vs boght, Þe water wassches all euill thoght. Line 536 Þan ordand þe pape Si[x]tus, Thrise þat men suld say sanctus. Ielasius made þe canon right, And crist þe pater noster dight. Line 540 And how þat praier ordand was, Þat sall I tell ȝow or I pas. His desciples said on a day: Line 543 "Lord, tell till vs what we sal pray." And saint Ion [r. Luc] sais he bad þam bid Þe pater noster, and it vndid,

How þat it es ordand euyn fforte destroy þe sines seuyn. Line 548 ffor seuyn askins er þar-in, And ilkone may for-do a syn If it be said in gude degre And clene life als it aw to be; Line 552 Els prayes a man him-self ogayne, And all his trauail es in vaine.

Pape Innocent þan next folowand, Pax domini þan he ordand, Line 556 ffor þat ilk man suld kis oþer And hald þam hertly als þaire broþer. In takining þat god ordand pese Bytwix him and man, neuer to sese. Þe last word þan of þe fest Line 561 Es said þus: Ite missa est, Þat es to say "now es it sent To heuyn for vs, þis sacrament." Line 564

Adhuc de canone misse.

IN þe canon aw neuyned to be ffirst mari, cristes moder fre: ffor [of] hir, maiden milde of mode, Toke he þat blisced fless and blude, Þat same fless þat sufferd dede Line 569 And þat es named ay-lastand brede.

Þe twelue appostels þan neuind err, ffor þai prechid both nere and ferr Line 572 Þe trowth als he had preched playne, And for his sake seþin war þai slaine. Þe apostelis of crist war sent, And martires, when þai war went, Line 576 Witnest þaire werkes fer and nere; Þarfore all done to ded þai were. Ihesus died for luf of vs, And þai died for luf of ihesus, Line 580 With mekill dole and diuers ded, ffor þai bare witnes of þis brede. Peter, Andrew, and philip, find we, War hanged on þe cros all thre; Line 584 Paul, more Iames, and Mathew War heuidded, and also bertilmew, Þat here was a ful haly man, He was flain quik and heuidded þan; Simon, and Iudas thadeus, Line 589 And les Iames, þai died þus, Als it es with clerkes knawen: Þaire sins war fra þaire body drawen.

And saint Ion þe euangelist, Line 593 Þat cosin was to ihesu crist, In a tonn ful lang he dweld And brinand ole þai on him held; Line 596 Venim he drank and dered him noght, And seþin he died when god gude thoght. Saint thomas þat es named of ynde, He was thurgh-stiked, als folk may Þan in þe canon neuind es [finde. Twelue þat war trew martires And died all with sorowis sere, Line 603 And sum papes and sum bisschops Sum dekines þat suld be prest, [were, And sum lawd men þat lifed on crist; And all þir marters more and les Of þis ilk brede þai bare witnes. Line 608 Saint leo, clemens, and cletus, Sixtus, and cornelius, Al þir war papes, and sufferd ded ffor þai bare witnes of þis brede; Line 612 Ciprian was bisschop of cartaginus; Dekens war steuen and laurencius,

And vincent was a dekin of mightes; Grisogon, Ion and paul war knightes, Saint Cosma and saint damiane Line 617 Þai war lechis by þam allane. Katerine, Mergarete, and agace, Þai died all for þis brede of grace; Line 620 Þarfore es reson þat þai thre Neuynd in þe canon be. Al toke þir [r. þair?] ded with gude entent fforto mayntene þis sacrament, Line 624 Þat named es here angell brede And saues man fro endles dede And bringes him to þe blis of heuyn, Whare more ioy es þan men may neuyn. Þe sight of god þare sal þam fede, Line 629

Line 629 And his lightnes sall be þaire wede, And werk þat þai sall wirk ilkane Sall be loueing of god allane. Line 632 God grant vs in þat blis to bilde, Thurgh prayers of his moder milde.

De indulgenciis inde concessis.

Grete nowmber of pardon granted es vnto all folk, both more and les, Þat þis seruis will say or here Line 637 Ans als it fals in ilka ȝere, Þat es þe next thursday to se Efter þe fest of þe trinite. Line 640 Þe pape vrban ordand þis fest, ffor cristen men both most & lest Suld in þat tyme with gude entent honore þis haly sacrament. Line 644

Line 644 He granted to all men at þe mes A hundreth daies of forgifnes; And at þe matins who wald be, A hundreth daies haue suld he; Line 648 And at þe first euin-sang byfore A hundreth daies by þe sex score; And for ilk oure he vowched-saue ffourty dais þat men suld haue; Line 652 And to þe euinsang folowand A hundreth daies he cumand;

And fourty at þe cumplin clere vnto all men þat it will here. Line 655 And forþermare, if men will luke, Þis same pardone es all þe woke To þam þat cums with gude entent, vntill þe vtas be all went. Line 660 God grant vs so, whils we lif here, Þis seruise forto say or here, Þat we may with þat pardon lend In life þat lastes with-owten end. Line 664

XXXI. Septem [Only 6 miracles are given in the text.] miracula de corpore cristi.

(From Robert of Brunne's Handlyng Synne, p. 306-333, ed. Furnivall, Roxb. Club, 1862. That this 2nd homily is part of a longer poem on the Ten Commandments, Vices and Virtues, with Narrations, appears from v. 381 ff., 497 ff.)

MS. Vern., fol. CXCVI b—CXCVIII, b.

GOd Almihti þat alle þing weldes, Wyndes, watres, wodes and ffeldes, And [Furn. As] soþly, as þou madest of nouht Alle creatures þat euer were wrouht, Line 4 ffor-ȝif vs, lord, þis day vr synne, Þis digne sacrament to bi-ginne, And also worschupe [F. & wurschypfully] þer-of to speke, Þat we neuere þe trouþe [F. beleue] breke, Line 8 Ne forte telle in þis Prolonge [F. þys long] (!) Þing þat falleþ to eny wronge, [F. fall-of may any wrong] But þat hit mihte beo þe to queme And vs in studefast trouþe to ȝeme.— Line 12 Godus sone in heuene a-boue, He schewed vs also [F. alle for] muche loue: ffor whon his passion neihȝed him neih, To his disciples þat weren him by Line 16 He ȝaf his bodi, hem to fede— More loue miht he not schewe in dede— Þat þei schulde muynde haue Of hym þat miht hem þenne saue. Line 20 Ȝit a-forward [F. aftyrward] he let hym slo Wiþ so gret [F. ful vyle] deþ-pyne and [and pynyng] wo. ffor vs and hem dude he þis, To bringe vs alle to his blis. Line 24 More loue miht he not do, Ne neuer mon mihte do so; ffor vs he dude hit, in certeyn, Þat we schulde loue hym wel aȝein. Line 28 Þouh we vr-self [ȝaf] an hundred siþe, O poynt of such loue miht we not kyþe

Lyk to þat loue he haþ vs done, ffor hit is vre saluacioune. Line 32 And of vs ȝit askeþ he nouht But þat may wel I-nouh be wrouht: Noþing bote loue wiþ good louyng, [F. but loue-longyng] To loue him ouer al oþur þing Line 36 And for his loue to leue synne— Wiþ [F. his] loue his blisse þen may we wynne. And [F. ffor] þou may neuere haue hym to þe But þou wolt furst synne fle: Line 40 Alle þing he loueþ, but synne he hates; Ȝif þou loue hym, wiþ synne þou bates. [F. wlates] Ȝif þou loue on, þou most nedes fforsake þat þyng þat he forbedes, Line 44 Elles hit is told for no loue, And nomeliche to vr lord aboue. Þou maiȝt not loue him, þe boc seiþ, [F. wyþ no greythe] But þou haue wiþ þe good feiþ, Line 48 Þat is to sey, leeue þou [F. to beleue] hit wel Al þat is writen of hym vchedel. Studefast treuþe of loue hit semes, [F. comes] And of trewþe loue men nemes: [F. nomes] Line 52 So is þat on wiþ þat oþur, Wiþ studefast treuþe loue, his [F. ys þe] Broþur. To whom ouȝte vr loue be went? To trouþe [F. But to þe beleue] of þis sacrament. Line 56 Þis schulde leeue vche cristen mon And lerne þe treuþe of on þat con: Þat þe bred þat sacrefyed is On þe Auter, is godus flesch, Line 60 fflesch and blod, þer hit is leid, Þorwh þe wordus þe prest haþ seid; Þat lihte wiþ-Inne þe virgine Marie And on þe Rode for vs wolde dye Line 64 And from deþ to lyue a-Ros, God and Mon, in Miht and loos. ffor hose troweþ not þis cler In þe sacrament of þe Auter, Line 68 He schal neuere þe blisse a-byde, ffor no þing þat him may be-tyde.

In þe Olde lawe þus is writen— Iewes and Cristene wel hit witen: Line 72 "God seide þat [F. and] hit was wrouht, He Comaundede alle þing of nouht"— Þis wordus aren verrey and cler, Dauid hem seide in þe psauter. Line 76 Seþþhe he made al of nouȝt þat [F. alle þat noȝt er] was, Lasse Maystrie were in þis caas fforte chaunge on liknes In to a-noþur þyng þen hit is, Line 80 Þat ilke liknesse in [F. of] Bred and Wyn In fflesch and blod to torne hit in. His fflesch and blood in Bred is wrouht; [F. Yn flesshe and blode þe brede be broȝt] Siþþe he made [al] be-fore of nouht, Ȝif þou seo hit not bodiliche in siht, Þi soule wiþ-Inne schal trouwe hit riht; And þauȝ þow fele no sauour But verrey wyn and bred of fflour, Line 88 Þis is wisdam of godus ordinaunce, To saue vs alle from þis Chaunce: ffor ȝif hit weore as flesch to take, Wiþ-stonde [F. wlate] we scholde and hit forsake; Line 92 And for he nolde we hit forsoke, Bot alle men hit vndurtoke, Þerfore his wisdam his owne rede Sauereþ hit in wyn and Brede. Line 96 Hit semeþ bred as to þe siht And as Bred hit sauereþ riht; Nouþur in siht ne in felyng Knowest þou of no certeyn þing. Line 100 What schal þenne þe most saue But studefast þouht þat þou schalt haue, Studefast trouþe of vch a del, Þat wol vs saue wondur wel. Line 104 And summe han hit seyen Bodily, To whom he schewed his Mercy. Lo her a tale al and sum [F. for of ȝow sum] Þat is In Vitas Patrum: Line 108

Line 108

1. Aarracio cuiusdam religiosi. [MS. Simeon: Quod corpus cristi est veraciter in sacra|mento altaris, realiter, & non figuratiue.]

Hit was a Mon of Religioun, Of alle Men [F. almes] he hedde gret renoun; And, [F. But] for þe fend wolde him haue schent, IIe leeuede not in þe sacrament, Line 112 And seide, hit was not Ihesu Þat Conceyued was þorwh gret vertu, Ne Ihesu was not þat Oble Þat was reised atte sacre Line 116 And þat þe folk honourede to; [F. And þo þat wurschep dede þarto] To leeue hit was not to do. Bi-fore two Abbotes þus he tolde— Þis Abbotes write þis tale to holde, Line 120 Hit scholde be told to eueriche mon [F. euery wham] Þat is aȝeyn þe Cristendom Til hit beo preued bi Clergye Wher hit beo treuþe or heresye. Line 124 Þis Abbotes schewed him þe rihte wey, Wiþ alle þe ensaumples þat þei couþe sey; And al he seide hit was lye, But ȝif he seȝe hit wiþ his eȝe Line 128 "Don [F. Doþe] þen so þat I hit seo, Þen wol I leue þat hit so be." Þis Abbotes preide a ful seue niht Þat he [F. god] wolde schewe him, to trouwe [F. þurghe] his miht, Line 132 In fflesch, in Blod on þe Auteer, To Conferme his trouþe cler. And him-self preide specialy Þat god wolde schewe hym in Body, Line 136 "Lord, [F. L. he seyde] for no mis-bileeue, Þat þow scholdest wiþ me [F. me þe] greue, But forte schewe þe riht soþnes Þat þow art sacrament of þe Mes, Line 140 Þat I may make oþer certeyne Whon I wiþ eȝen haue þe seyȝene." [F. seyne] Þis Abbotes lyȝe in orisoun Til þat þe seueniht were don. Line 144

Line 144 Þe Sonenday [F. seuenþe] to Churche þei come, Þat oþur Mon wiþ hem þei nome. A sege was ordeynt for hem þre, To bi-holde al þat priuite Line 148 Of þat holy Sacrament Þat scholde be schewed in here present. Bi-twene hem sat þis ilke mon Of whom þe Miracle furst bi-gon. Line 152 Whon þe oble was on þe Auter leid And þe prest þe wordes hed seid, Alle þre þouȝte hem [F. þan] verreylike By-fore þe prest a Child lay quik, Line 156 In feir forme, of fflesch and blod; Þis say þei þre þer þey stod. Whon þe prest scholde parte þe sacrament, An Angel [doun] from heuene was sent Line 160 And sacrefyed þe child riht þore: As þe prest hit brac, þe Angel hit schore, Þe Blod in to þe Chalis Ron Of þat child, boþe God and Mon. Line 164 Þe prest [F. þys man] ȝede to þe hiȝeste degre, To hosel him as hit fel to be; Hem [F. Hym] þhouȝte þe prest brouȝte on þe patin [F. pateyn] Mosseles of þat child newe slayn Line 168 And beed him a Mossel of þat fflesch, Wiþ al þe blod þer-on al fresch. Þen gan he crie wiþ loude steuene: "Merci, Godus sone of heuene, Line 172 Þe Bred I sauh on þe Auter lyȝe Hit is þi bodi, I seo wiþ eȝe; Of þe Bred þorwh sacrament To fflesch and Blod hit is went; Line 176 Þis I beo-leeue, and euere I schalle, ffor verreyliche we seon hit alle." Whon he and þei weore alle certeyne, In forme of Bred hit tornde aȝeyne. Line 180 He dude him hosel as oþur wore, And was a good mon for euer-more. And al oþure beo [F. beþ] þe bettre Þat hereþ þis tale or redeþ þis lettre.— Line 184

Line 184 Þe Prest þat sacreþ Godus bodi, He moste beo ful clene nedeli; A lewed mon þat schal hit receyue, Alle-Maner fulþe moot he [F. behoueþ hym] weyue. Line 188 But [om. in F.] beo þou neuere so good a prest Ne neuer so gret wiþ-Inne [F. Ne so grete wytte yn] þi Brest, I rede þou here hou þei [F. þe propertes] are schewed, Al-þauh þei [F. þe langage be but] ben of langage lewed. Line 192 Þou wost wel, in [F. þat] þe Oble Is [F. ys but] a luytel þyng to se: So schaltou beo luytel in wille, Luytel and Muchel [F. meke] wiþ-outen ille, Line 196 Nout in pride ne in heihþe, ffor no wisdam ne no sleihþe; Þe soþe hit is [F. þat we ne falle] wiþ Lucifer, Proude men schal wone [F. ffor pr. m. w. wyþ hym] þer. Line 200 Þe Oble is mad of whete, Þe Beste [F. louelyest] corn þat men of [om. in F.] ete: So schulde we beo meke and louely To alle þo þat ben vs by; Line 204 Þis Mekenes is a-ȝeyn þat [om. in F.] Ire Þat is wiþ Lucifer in þat [om. in F.] fyre. Þe paast of þe oble nouht ne owe Beo maad of no-maner sourdowe, Line 208 ffor þe sourdowe makeþ al soure Þe swettest [F. swetnes] þat comeþ of þe floure. Bi þis sourdowe is tokenynge Þat Envye is a wikked þinge, Line 212 ffor hit for-doþ alle swetnesse of dede, Þat god scholde ȝiue vr soules [F. ȝyue for soule] meede; Þerfore makeþ he non herburgrye Þer he fyndeþ biforen envye. Line 216 O vertue [F. A v. also] In þe whete is Þat is muche a-ȝein Slouhnes: Þer whete comeþ he wol [F. ffor whete-corne wyl] not prike, As Otes don and Barlike; Line 220 Ne we ne scholde not be [F. haue any] prikel In [F. Of] Idelnesse ouer-Mukel; [F. mykyl] Idelnesse gruccheþ and is heui of þouht And is [F. also] soone wroþ for nouht, Line 224

Line 224 And þat wraþþhe comeþ of sorwe, And [F. þat] of wonhope wol muche Borwe. Þis sacrament of þe Messe Loueþ not such Idelnesse, Line 228 Not wiþ non nul he dwelle Bute þer men of þe [om. in F.] Ioye spelle. Þe paast of þe oble seid beo-forn Schal not beo of medlet corn, Line 232 Bote al onliche of whete: ffoule desires [F. þe mastlyoun] schal men lete, Þat bi-meneþ, In no wyse We schal vs ȝiue to [F. medel wyþ] Couetyse, Line 236 Þat is also called [F. And namely wyþ] Aueryce, Þe whuche is a foul [F. ys tolde a] wikked vice. Also þou seost þe oble is þinne And muche honeste wiþ-Inne: [F. & grete dunhede ys noun þer-ynne] Line 240 And þat wol wel signefye Aȝeyn þe sinne of glotenye; Þer wol not þe sacrament reste, Ac [F. þere] glotenye wol him out keste. Line 244 And as [om. in F.] þou sest, þe oble is whit: So schul we haue no-maner delyt Of no-maner fflesches take, [F. of flesshely lak] ffor lecherie [F. Of l. þat] makeþ þe soule blake. Line 248 Þeos seuene partyes [F. propertes] beþ In þe Oble, as we seoþ, And eueri propurte þer-Inne Is aȝein an hed-synne. Line 252 A-ȝeyn þis sacrament do þo Þat aren in synne and þerto go, Or aren in wille aȝeyn to wende To synne and hem-self schende; Line 256 As [F. Also a] prest þat goþ to synge Mes Þat in dedly synne is; An hondred-fold he sungeþ more Þe[n] he a lewed mon wore. Line 260 Alle þat receyue þe sacrament In dedly sunne or wikked entent Or [om. in F.] in eny of þeose [F. þese yche] seuene Þat þou hast here herd nempne, Line 264

Line 264 Riht to [F. Hyt ys to] heore Dampnaciun, And þerfore vengaunce schal be don. And here I schal telle a tale Hou hit is to þat mon Bale: Line 268

2. Aarracio presbiteri parochialis. [MS. Simeon: Quod propter peccatum occultum communio non debet negari.]

A Parisch-prest was in a Toun, Of ful gret discrecioun, fful good and rihtful he was, And god sende hym of his gras: [al. F.: Dyscrecyun a ryȝt wyt ys On boþe partys ryȝtly to ges.] Line 272 Of his parischens he vndurstode Whuche wer vuel and wȝuche wer gode. Two he hedde forte gete Þat nolde neuere synne lete. Line 276 And hit felde [= fell] on an Asterne, Þat þe prest scholde non hosul werne But hit were for þe gretur synne, Inobedience or Corsyng Inne: [F. As yn cursyng or yn vnbuxyme] Line 280 Þis prest was in ful gret þouht Wher he schulde hosele hem or nouht. He preyede to God, heuene-kyng, Þat he wolde sende him tokenyng Line 284 Wheþer he scholde hem hosul [om. in F.] forbede; To ȝiue hit [F. To housel] hem he hedde gret drede. ffrom god he hedde þis onswere: Þat vch on scholde heor oune charge bere, Line 288 And þat he scholde werne hit none But ȝiue hit forþ to euerichone; "Do as Ihesu dude in dede, And þou schalt no mon hit forbede, Line 292 No more þen he dude Iudas Þat hedde I-don a gret trespas; Ihesu ȝaf alle wiþ mylde mood, Whon Bred was turned to flesch and blod. Line 296 ffor summe þat hit take hit schal hem saue, And summe þerfore peyne schal haue; Aftur þey aren of synne clene, Also schal hit on hem beo sene." Line 300

Line 300 Ȝit preyed he god of More grace: Þat he mihte knowe be þe face Whuche resceyued hit worþily, And wȝuche to haue hit not worþi. Line 304 And [god] [om.] graunted him his wille, To knowe þe goode from þe ille. Þe folk þat to þe prest went fforte receyue þe sacrament, Line 308 Of somme þe face was also briht As þe sonne In somer [F. on days] -liht; And summe þe [F. here] visage was also blak Þat noþing miht hit Blakore mak; Line 312 Of somme hit was [F. And some were] as red as blod, Starynge as þei weore wood; Of somme þe visage was bolled [And sum were swolle þe vyseges] stoute, As boþe heore eȝen welleden oute; Line 316 And summe nymped [F. gnapped] wiþ [F. here] feet and hondes, As dogges don þat gnawen heore bondes; And somme hedde visages of Meselri; And somme were lyk foul Maumetri. Line 320 Moni wondres weore on hem seene, Mo þen he couþe þenne deme. [F. se at þat tyme] Þe prest, whon he sauh alle þise, Of þat siht he gan to grise, Line 324 ffor þat siht he [om. in F.] was hidouse And dredful and Meruilouse. [F. perylous] Ȝit preȝede he god wiþ good entent Þat he mihte wite what al þis ment. Line 328 And god almihti louede him wel And wolde schewe him eueridel: "Þo Men þat weore so briht As þe sonne on day-liht, Line 332 Þo Men aren ȝit in Charite And clene of synne, and worschupeþ me. Þo Men þat were so blake Þat no þing mihte hem blakore make, Line 336 Þo weore [F. are] lechours foul wiþ-Inne And haue no wille to leue heor synne. Þo Men þat weore so red as blood, Þei are tirauns [F. Irus &] wikked of mood, Line 340

Line 340 Heore Euencristen for to slo Wiþ dede [F. deþ] and wiþ word also. [or wyþ pyne do wo] Þo þat þow sauh wiþ Bollen visage, Þo aren Envyous and [om. in F.] ouer-outrage. Line 344 And þo þat nymped her fingres and hendes, [F. finger endes] Are Bacbyteres bi-twene frendes. Þo þat þou sauh Meseles bi siht, Þey loue more good þen god almiht. Line 348 Þo þat þou sauh lik Maumetrie, On worldly þinges þei most affye, More loue þei catel þat he haþ sent Þen þei don hym þat al haþ lent. Line 352 Þeose-maner men are riht [F. ȝyt] in wille In heore synne to leue stille, And þerfore schal þe sacrament Of hem aske heor [F. harde] Iugement, Line 356 Þat þei haue resceyued him vnworþily And serued þe fend wiþ ful Envy." [F. hys enemy] Þis tale is told for loue of þo Þat in synne to hosul go, Line 360 Or ben in wille to torne aȝeyn; Al heore trauayle þei don in veyn. Ȝif þou wole [F. whan] þyn hosel saue [shalt] take, Beo in wille þi synne to forsake Line 364 Euermore in studefast herte; And ȝif [F. þoghe; And om.] þou synne in bodi [F. sone aftyr and] smerte, God takeþ hit nouȝt to so gret grim As þou in tresun Receyuede hym. Line 368 In no þing wot I more tresun Þen bringe þi lord on his felun, And ȝit men seiþ þe synne is to greue [F. here s. ys grefe] Þat bringeþ a trewe mon on a þeue. Line 372 Ȝif þou do þus þi witande, Þen chargen hit me [F. men hyt] moste on hande. Þerfore loke þou wite nouht Line 375 No synne I-hud In herte ne þouht! [F. has 2 vv. more.] ffor [F. Also] no Clerk þat is in synne, Til he leue and þer-of blynne He schulde not serue atte Auteer Ne hondle þing þat comeþ þer [F. Ne halewede þyng to come] neer. Line 380

Line 380 I touched er [See Furniv., p. 274-5.] of þis outrage Whon I spac of þe [om. in F.] sacrilage, Þat þe holigost schewed him nouht ffor þe Dekene syngede in þouht; Line 384 In þe tale of Ion Grisostomus Þis tale is told, for ow and vs. Als is he worþi to ben i-schent Þat sone aftur þe sacrament Line 388 To folye and to synne drawes— Luitel of Godus vengaunce hym awes! Ȝif þou forȝete or ouer-sittes Þe tyme of hosul þat þou wel wittes, Line 392 Luitel fors of him þou ȝeues, Nouþur þou louest hym ne leues. [F. þou louest hym nat þat þou by lyues] And ouer al he loueþ þe best; And þou ne wolt a nihtes gest Line 396 Leten hym herborwe in þin hous! Þou art vnkynde and [F. ryȝt] Meruylous, Þat al þe ȝer þou letest him weyue, Wiþ worschipe woltou not him resceyue. Line 400 God Manaseþ for þis chesun, ffor [F. And] riht hit wole and eke resun: ffor suche men aren holden vntrewe In þe Olde lawe and in þe newe. Line 404 Comaunded [F. Comaundement] In þe Olde lawe was Ones in þe ȝeer to schewe þi trespas. Þe newe lawe is of þe more honour, Ones in þe ȝeer [F. Ones to] resceyue þi creatour, Line 408 Ones a ȝer him to knoweleche, Þi lord to plese for doute of wreche. Þat prest i blame ouer alle þinge, Wiþ-outen gret skil þat letteþ to synge; Line 412 ffor mony a soule mihte I-saued be [F. be saued] Wiþ þat Masse þat þenne leueþ he. [F. he haþ leued] ffor alle þat in þe [om. in F.] peyne Is, Abydeþ socour of þe Mes, Line 416 ffor eueri Masse makeþ Memorie Of soules þat aren In purgatorie. Muche þonk schal he [F. þat prest] haue Þat helpeþ soules for to saue; Line 420

Line 420 No þing may so muchel avayle Of heore peynes and heore trauayle As þe sacrament of þe Auteer, Hit [F. Ne] makeþ hem of peynes cleer. [so c.] Line 424 And þat may I schewe apertely Bi a tale of seynt Gregori:

(3.) Aarracio felicis presbitcri.

Seint Gregori seiþ for þe same: Hit was a prest, ffelix his name; Line 428 Bi-syde he wonede [F. hys wonyng] in a paþe, Was a wassching In an hote baþe. Þis prest ofte þider ȝede, To wassche him whon he hedde nede. Line 432 Þis prest þer euer [redi] [F. redy] he fonde A Mon to wassche him, [F. þat serued hym] to foot and honde; He drouȝ his hosen of and his schon And redi was hem on to don; Line 436 At eueri tyme he þider com His herneis [F. Hys shone & hys hosen] feire of he nom, And seruede him at eueri tyde In þat watur and ofte [F. eke] beo-syde. Line 440 Þis prest þat com þider so ofte, Þat þis mon þer seruede so softe, He ne askede hym neuer-more Wheþen he was ne hou he com þore; Line 444 But eueri tyme he was redi And seruede him ful apertely. [F. peynybly (penyblely)] Þis prest þouȝte, "he serueþ me wel, His trauayle wol I quite sum-del." Line 448 On a day he þider þouhte And twey loues wiþ hym he brouhte. In to þat baþ ȝeode þat prest And wusch him as he dude nest; Line 452 Þis mon was þere him aȝeyn, To serue him wel he dude his Mayn. Þis prest, whon he scholde go, [F. furþe go] He ȝaf þis mon þis loues two, Line 456 And þonked him muchel his seruyse, And more he scholde haue [F. he wulde] oþurwyse.

Þis Mon onswerde þis prest a-ȝeyn: "Þis bred ȝe bringeþ to me in veyn, Line 460 ffor neuer-more schal I ȝete Bred ne non oþur mete: I am a Mon þat is ded, Þat neuer-more schal ete bred." Line 464 Þe prest asked: "on what manere Is hit þat þou wonest here?" Þis Mon onswerde in þat tyde: [F. a. & seyd] "I was lord here ar I dyede, [F. deyde] Line 468 And þis seruise þat I am Inne Is þe peyne for my synne. Bote I þe preye par charite, Offre on þe Auter þes loues for me; Line 472 And I beseche þe ouer alle þynge Þat sixe Masses for me þou synge; And heo weore songen, I hope to wende In to þe Ioye wiþ-outen ende. Line 476 And whon þe sixte masse is left, Ȝif þou ne fynde me her eft, Trouwe [þou] þenne forsoþe i-wis Þat for þi preyere I am in Blis." Line 480 Þis prest al þat wike longe ffor þis [F. þys same] mon preyede and songe. And whon þe wike was al gon, Þe prest com þidere, and fond non; Line 484 He hopede [F. beleuede þan] wel þat he was brouht To blisse, for he ne fond him nouht.— Beo þis tale ȝe may se Þat hit is gret Charite Line 488 Masses for þe dede to synge, Þe soules [out] of pyne forte bringe. Ouer [F. Passyng] alle þing hit haþ pouwer, Þe sacrament of þe Auter, Line 492 And nomeliche whon hit is don Wiþ good monnes deuocion; Him wol god sannore here Þen on þat is him nouht so dere. Line 496 In þe seueþe Comaundement Toucheþ to þis sacrament

In a tale of þat [F.a] kniht, Hou þe prest þat liueþ not riht, Line 500 Of his preyere is luytel prou, And þere hit telleþ wel hou. [See F. p. 72-76.] And I schal telle anoþur here Of a Masse of a good frere: Line 504

(4.) hou a man of Souþfolk was saued þorou a masse.

A Mon in Souþfolk ones dyed, Bi-sydes Sudburi, as men seid. ffor þat mon such grace was diht Þat him was graunted to come a niht Line 508 fforte speke wiþ his wyf, To mende þe fautes of his lyf. "Ȝef a Masse," he seide, [om. in F.] "were for me don Wiþ a good monnes deuocion, Line 512 I hope to Ioye for to go And beo dilyueret of al my wo. I preye þe, dame, par charite To trauayle so muche for me." Line 516 Heo graunted hym þat ilke bone, And ros vppon þe morwen sone And to þe ffreres sone heo code, Þer heo hopede best to spede. Line 520 Heo com and spac wiþ a ffrere And preyed heo moste his masse here, And for hire hosebondes soule to synge, And heo wolde ȝiue hym offringe. Line 524 Þe ffrere dude hire a Mes In Comuyn, as þe seruise is. Whon þis Masse I-songen was, Heo wente hom a good pas. Line 528 Þe niht aftur þenne com he. "Slepestou?" he seide. "nay," seide heo; "Are ȝe ȝit," heo seyde, "in blis? Þe Masse for ow I-songen is." Line 532 "Þe Masse," he seide, "þou dudest do, [F. be do] A parti hit helpeþ [F. halpe] me þerto; Mi part ich hedde of þat Mes As of þing þat Comuyn is. Line 536

Line 536 Ȝif on weore specialy for me seid, Of my peyne I were ful leyd, [al. F.] Ȝif þe prest were of lyf so good Þat God his preyere vndurstood; Line 540 I hope þenne grace to haue Þat his Masse mihte me saue;" Ofte he seide to his wyf: "A prest, A prest of clene lyf!" Line 544 On þe Morwen forþ heo eode To þe ffreres eft to [F. et god] spede, And schewed hit to þe priour, And preyed him of socour; Line 548 Ȝif he hedde eny broþur Þat he kneuh [F. hopede were] beter þen oþur, "Þat wol synge me a Mes ffor a Mon þat ded is, Line 552 At [F. And at] myn ese he schal haue To a pitaunce what he wol craue." Þe prior spac to [F. vn-to] a ffrere And preyed him on alle manere Line 556 Þat he wolde a Masse synge ffor þat soule heo made preyinge. Þe ffrere was an holy mon; And ar [þat] he his Masse bi-gon, Line 560 He preyed to god his orison, Wiþ [F. Yn] a gret deuocion, [afflyceyoun] Þat hit mihte ben him to pay, Þe Masse þat he scholde synge to-day. Line 564 Whon þe Masse was don to þe ende, He bad þe wommon hom [to] wende, "And whon þou more eft heres, Cum and sey to vre ffreres!" Line 568 Þe niht aftur—lustneþ now!— He com and seide: "slepestou?" "Nay," heo sayde, "hou fare ȝe?" "Wel," he seide, "and so worþ þe!" Line 572 "Sire, weore ȝe a-payed of þat Mas Þat for ow to-day songen was?" "Ȝe," he seide, "graunt Merci! Þat Masse to me is more worþi Line 576

Line 576 Þen al þe world an hundred siþe, Ne miht haue mad me neuer [F. half] so bliþe. His preyere was to god so dere, ffor al þat he preyede [F. þat he besoghte wyþ] he wolde here; Line 580 Þeih he hedde preiȝed for a þousund mo, ffrom peyne to blisse þei hedde i-go; [F. he had broȝt þo] ffor what þing he hedde asked bone, Line 583 God wolde ha [F. God hade] graunted him ful [as] sone. Haue good day! for now I wende To þat Ioye wiþ-outen ende. God lete þe [F. vs] neuere þer-of mis, Þou ne he, [F. Wyþ-outyn ende] to haue þat blis." Line 588 Þe wyf com sone on þe Morn And fel on knes þat ffrere bi-forn And tolde him þer eueridel Hou he for his preyere was wel. Line 592 And þat ffrere ful wel he [F. þarby] lette, And þonked God, for Ioye he grette. Wel weore hym at his endynge Hedde such a prest for him to synge!— Line 596 In þis tale schewed is: Of [F. Ouer] alle þing good is þe mes, Þe [F. For þe] sacrament on þe Auter Ouer alle passeþ his pouwer. In þe Masse þei hem a-fye Þe soules þat are in purgatorie. [2 vv. om.: ffor hyt makeþ mencyun of þe passyun As Iesu cryst to deþ was doun] Þe sone is offred to þe ffadur of heuene ffor þe soules þe prest wol nempne; Line 604 Þat is þus for to [F. Also þys tale wyl] mene: Ȝif þe prest beo good and clene, Þenne wol Ihesu crist hym heere, ffor what þyng he makeþ preyere; Line 608 Preye he for soule or for bodi, Þat aren in pyne or [F. or here] in nuy, Boþe wol god almihti saue What þe gode prest wolde haue. Line 612 Not only for soulus is he herd, Bote eke for vs here in þis world. Beo a Mon in seknesse or in prisun, Weyferynge, or in temptaciun, Line 616

Line 616 Or in eny oþur trauayle, Þe sacrament wol vs a-vayle; Hit wol delyuere vs out of peyn, Ȝif vr trouþe beo certeyn. Line 620 And þat was wel schewed in dede In Engelonde, so seiþ seint Bede: In his Bokes writen hit is, A feir Miracle of þe Mes: Line 624

(5.) Aarracio Bede. [Cf. Hist. Eccl. IV. c. 22.]

Þat [F. What] tyme seint Bede was liuonde, [man lyuande] Weore Mony kynges in þis londe. Bi-twene two was gret Batayle— Þerfore i telle þis Meruayle; Line 628 Þat on hiht Edfride, of North Cuntre, Þat oþur of lindeseye was he. Edfride hedde gret seygneri, Seynt Andreu hosbonde of hely. [F. Audre] Line 632 Þis Batayle was bi boþe heore a-sent Bi-sydes a watur men calleþ Trent. Sire Elfride [r. Edfrides] broþur hette Eleswynne, [F. Elfwynne] He was slayn þat Batayle Inne; Line 636 On boþe partys ne was non So feir a kniht of fflesch and bon, Ne non so douhti was of Armes— Þerfore seint Bede pleynede his harmes. Line 640 A-noþur kniht was [F. also was] feld doun Nerhonde ded, and fel in swoun; Þe nome of þis ȝonge kniht Ruyna, [F. Iumna] seiþ seint Bede, he hiht. Line 644 Whon þis Ruyna hedde long leyn, He keuerde, and seet vp aȝeyn, And stopped his woundes þei schulde not blede, And, as he mihte, þennes he ȝede, Line 648 To seche him help sumwher to haue, Of [F. Or] frendes fynde him to saue. As he wente wiþ muchel drede, He was taken wiþ kyng Coldrede; [F. Eldrede] Line 652 And brouht him [F. vn-] to a lordyng, An Erl, þat heold of þe kyng.

Þe Erl asked him what he was, And wher he hedde ben in hard cas. Line 656 ffor doute of deþ he was a-friht And dorste not seye he was a kniht; He seide: "sire, ȝif þi wille [MS. welle] be, I am an hosebonde-mon [F. om. mon] of þe cuntre, Line 660 I was wont to lede vitayle To knihtes þat weoren in Batayle; And nou I am a pore mon, Þus fro þis Batayle I com, [F. wan] Line 664 And wolde fonde to haue [F. saue] my lyf, Til I may come to my wyf." Þis Erl dude a leche bi stoundes To tente [F. Tende] to hym, to hele his woundes. Line 668 Þat tyme was here mony þeodes, Mony vsages, and [F. yn] mony leodes, ffor vche a kyng in þat dawes [F. dawe] Vsede his diuerse lawes: Line 672 Summe were cristene in vre fay, And summe leeuede in paynymes lay; Þerfore þat tyme was muchel þro, And ofte was boþe werre and wo. Line 676 Ȝif a kniht [F. kyng] miht oþer men take, He scholde hem sulle or in seruage make. Wherfore i telle so of þis kniht: Þe Erl let him bynde eueriche niht, Line 680 Þat he ne scholde from hym fle Ne stele a-wey to his cuntre. ffor al þat þei mihte him bynde, Ofte loos þei dude hym fynde; Line 684 Neuer so faste þeih heo him bounde, Loos a-noþur tyme þei him founde. Þis bounden kniht, Ruyna, Hedde a Broþur, þat hihte Tymma; [F. Tumna] Line 688 Þis Tymma was prest Religious, ffor he was Abbot of an hous, So longe he liuede in þat estre Þat his nome heet Tymmestre; [F. Tuncestre] Line 692 Þat tyme, [F. tounne] as ich vndurstonde, Hit was in Northhumberlonde.

Þis Abbot hedde tiþinges certeyne Þat Ruyna was in Batayle slayne. Line 696 He com to Trent, þis Abbot Tymma, And fond a bodi lyk to Ruyna; Honorabliche he dude hit graue In his chirche þer he wolde hit haue, Line 700 And song þerfore day and oþur: He wende hit hedde ben his broþur. Þauh Tymma hedde chosun wrong, His broþur hedde þe goodus [F. godenesse] of þe song— ffor God al wot, and wust hit þere Line 705 ffor whom he made his preyere:— Þeih men a-niht þis kniht bounde, A-Morwe þei hym loos founde, Line 708 Men mihte hym neuere bynde so fest [F. yn bondes so feste] Þat þei [[the bonds]] þat tyme nolde al to-berst. Þe men þat hedde þis kniht in holde, Þis wondur to þe Erl þei tolde. Line 712 Þe Erl hedde þer-of gret wondur Þat þis bondes weore so in-sondur; He seide, him-self wolde wiþ him speke And wite whi his bondes dude breke. Line 716 Bi-fore þe Erl was he set, [F. fette] And þe Erl feire he gret. "Sey me," he seide, "þou belamy, Const þou wel on sorcery? Line 720 Sum wicche-craft I trouwe þou bere Þat þi bondes þe not dere; fforsoþe," he seyde, "sumwhat þou dos Þat euer-more þei fynde þe loos." Line 724 He seide: "wicche-craft con I nouht, Ne for me schal non beo wrouht, Ne I nul be by fendes craft vn-bounde beo, [F. ne] bi no wicche-craft. Line 728 Sire Erl," he seide, "hit is a-noþur: In my cuntre I haue a Broþur, Þat leeueþ wel þat I beo slayn, ffor I com not hom aȝeyn; Line 732 ffor me he syngeþ vche day a Mes— prest, abbot forsoþe he is.

I wot wel, þat is þe enchesun Þat my Bondus here [F. are so] vndon; Line 736 ffor no þing ne haues pouwer Aȝeyn þe sacrament of þe auter. ffor, ȝif I weore ded, in oþur werld, His preyere for me weore I-herd, Line 740 To bringe me out of peyne and wo, And siþen to blisse forte go." Al þat Meyne and þat Erl Leeuede wel he was no cherl, Line 744 as [MS. And as] he to-fore hem hedde i-seid Whon þei on hym furst hond leyd; Bi his semblaunt and feir beryng Hym semed wel a gret [F. to be a] lordyng, Line 748 Bi his speche þei vndurstood Þat he was mon of gentil blod. Þe Erl tok him in priuite, Wheþen he was telle scholde he; Line 752 "Sey me soþ, and, as I am trewe [om. in F.] kniht, Þou schalt no skaþe haue, be my miht." [F. ne plyȝt] "Seþþhe þou me bi-hotest pes and griþ, I am þe kynges mon Eldriþ; [F. Edfryth] Line 756 Armes I bar in þat Batayle, Wiþ my pouwer him to auayle." "So me þhouȝte," seide þe Erl, "Þou [F. þe] semed not to ben a cherl. Line 760 Bote for þi knowlechyng her me bye [F. But for þat y here þe seye] Þou weore worþi for to dye, ffor þou halp [F. hylpe] þer to slo, Þat al my kynde is ded me fro; Line 764 Bote, for I er sikerde þe, Scha[l]t þou haue no skaþe for me." He eode and sold him for Raunsoun At Londone to a ffrisoun. Line 768 A ffrisoun, ȝe schul vndurstonde, Is a Mon of ffrys-londe. Þis ffrisoun scholde þis Mon forþ lede, And dude on him bondes for drede, Line 772 ffor a-skapyng bi þe weye He dude bondes on him leye.

Bot þat vaylede him no-þyng Neuer a day, þat byndyng: Line 776 ffor in þat tyme þe masse was songen, Þe bondes to-barst and al to-sprongen. Þis ffrison þhouȝte: "hou may þis beo? He may riht wel from me fleo; Line 780 Happyliche hit a-vayleþ [F. vayled] nouht Þe Catel þat I wiþ him bouht." Þe ffrison seide: "wolt þou wel Restore a-ȝeyn al my Catel, Line 784 And I schal ȝiue þe leue to go To þi Cuntre þat þou com fro. But furst þou schalt me trouþe pliht, And trewely hold hit wiþ al þi miht, Line 788 To bringe þe Catel I ȝaf for þe, And elles I graunte þe not fre." He graunted him al þat he seide, And trouþe in hond wiþ hym he leide. Line 792 Þis Ruyna wente to kyng loer, Þat was kyng of Caunturber— He was seint Andreas [F. Andre] suster sone, And Ruyna was wont wiþ hym [F. here] to wone; Line 796 Of al his stat, boþe wo and wele, Ruyna told him eueridele. Þe kyng ȝaf him his Raunsun; And [he] bar hit to londun to þat ffrisun. Line 800 Seþþe eode he hom, þis kniht Ruyna, To his broþur, Abbot Timma, And tolde him of al his wo-fare And of his cumfort in al his care. Line 804 Þis Abbot wel vndurstood Þat his Masse dude him gret good And þe sacrament gon hym borwe Out of seruage and out of sorwe. Line 808 Þis tale telleþ vs seynt Bede In his gestes þat we Rede.— Bi þis tale may men lere Þat Masses helpeþ vs wel here: Line 812 ffor vs liuynge hit makeþ Memorie, Also for þe soules in purgatorie.

Vche mon schal leeue þat riht Þat helpen hit wolle as [hit] dude [F. þat holpe wyl be as was] þe kniht. Line 816 Þis sacrament helpeþ not ȝit alone, Bote þe offrynges euerichone, Al þat we offre atte Mes, Al to vre saluacion hit is. Line 820 Not only forte saue þe dede, [F. þo þat dede beþ] Þe quike hit saueþ also and rede; [F. redeþ] As wel haue þe quike þe prou As þe dede þerof þe vertu nou [om. in F.] ; Line 824 Quike and dede, More and lesse Ben I-saued þorwh þe Messe. Þe Offringe is as a present, Þat helpeþ vs wiþ þe sacrament, Line 828 To þe ffadur of heuene tentefuly, ffor whom þou offerest to haue Merci. A tale I fond ones I-writen, And as I sauh hit, I wol ȝe witen, Line 832 And wel a-cordeþ in alle þinge Þat God is payed of good offringe.

(6.) Of a man þat was closed in a myne.

Hit was a Mon bi-ȝonde þe séé, A Mynour, wonede In a Citee. Line 836 Mynours, þei makeþ in hulles holes, As men don þat secheþ coles. Þe [r. þis] Mynour souht stones vndur molde Þat Men of maken seluer and golde. Line 840 He wrouhte and holede in þe hille. A perilous chaunce fel hym tille: A gret parti of þe Myne ffel doun þer and closed hym Inne. Line 844 His felawes alle þat weren hym hende, Þat he weore ded wel þei wende; Þei eode and tok hem alle to Rede, And tolde his wyf þat he was dede. Line 848 Þis wommon bi-menede hir hosebonde sore— God leeue þat mony such wymmen wore!— Heo helped his soule in alle þynge, In almes-dede and in offringe; Line 852

Line 852 Heo Offred for him atte Auter fful of wyn a picher, And [a] feir lof wiþ-al, Eueri day as [F. as for a] principal, Line 856 And al þat twelf-moneþ stabely, Bote o day þat passed forby. ffewe suche wymmen [now] we fynde Þat to heore hosebondes are so kynde! Line 860 Bote þis wyf wiþ al hire miht Dude for him [boþe [F. boþe; MS. Vern. om.] ] day and niht. Hit fel at þe twelfmoneþ ende, His felawes to þe hul gon wende, Line 864 And come to þat same stude eft Þer þei heore felawe in werk left. Riht þere þei furst bi-gon Þei percede þorwh in to þe Mon: Line 868 Þe Mon In good stat þei founde, Liuinge, wiþ-outen wem or wounde. Euerichone þei hedde ferly, And þat was gret Resun why! Line 872 Alle þo men weore in gret weer How he hedde lyued al þat ȝer. Bote þenne he tolde hem euerichon How he hedde lyued þer al-on: Line 876 "I haue I-liued gracious lyf Þorwh cortesye of my wyf: Eueri day heo haþ me sent Bred and wyn to present; Line 880 But o day, þenne eet I nouht, ffor my mete me nas not brouht." Þei ladde þe mon in to þe toun, And tolde þis Miracle vp and doun, Line 884 ffurst þorwh þe Citéé, And seþþe þorwh al þe contre. Hit com in spekyng [F. þey asked hym] atte laste Þat day þat he dude faste. Line 888 He tolde hem þe dayes name, And his wyf seide þe same: Þat day heo offrede neuer a del, Þe goode ffriday hit mihte be wel. Line 892

Line 892 Now may ȝe here þat almes-dede Gostlyche wole a mon fede, And so may ȝe wel vnderstande Þat God is payed of good offrande.— Line 896 ffor al þis tale in ȝor lyues Trustneþ not in ȝor wyues, Ne in ȝour children no-þing; Makeþ or-self ȝour offring! Line 900 So kynde a wommon as I of tolde Liueþ not now, beo ȝe bolde! Ne no clerk þat þis redes Schal fynde non nou of so kynde dedes.— Line 904 Ȝe men þat are nou In present, Þat hereþ rede þis sacrament, Ouer alle þing hit haþ power, Þe sacrament on þe Auter, Line 908 As I haue here to ow i-schewed, Not to lered bote to lewed. Ȝe lewede men, I telle hit ow— Þis clerkes con hit wel I-nouh. Line 912 Preiȝe we þenne vr creatour, Þat [om. in F.] þe sacrament, vr saueour, Þat Bodi and soule he wol vs saue, And we him to [om. in F.] loue and he us to [om. in F.] haue. Amen. Line 916

XXXII. Hou a man schal lyue parfytly. (A translation of the first part of St. Edmund's Speculum).

This treatise follows the Gospels without being separated from them, either by a larger Initial or special title; yet it is a separate treatise, being a translation of the first part of St. Edmund's Speculum; it was made perhaps from a prose translation such as is found in MS. Vern., f. ccclv., and Thornton (E. E. T. Soc. 1867, p. 15 seq.). The sense is frequently obscured and corrupted. Another translation of St. Edmund's Speculum is Þe Spore of Loue, p. 268 ff. The Speculum is printed in De La Bigne's Magna bibliotheca veterum patrum, ed. Col. 1618, vol. XIII, p. 355.

[The following Introduc|tion (1-50) agrees with the Index to the prose-transl. in MS. Vernon (but is want|ing in MS. Thornton).] IN nome of him Alweldyng [folio ccxxvii] Þat is vr heiȝe heuene-kyng, Takeþ hede here in alle wyse To fleo þe sunne of Couetyse Line 4 And alle þe dedly Synnes samed Þat her-aftur schul beo named.

[In the Spec. precedes: Quo|modo homo debet respicere ad statum suum.] Ȝe mouwe also here hardily Hou mon schal lyue parfytly; Þenne schul ȝe here also Line 9 What is þe wille of god euermo; Also schul ȝe here now rede What þing makeþ mon holy in dede; Line 12 Þen schul ȝe here, ȝif ȝe wol trouwe, Hou mon schal him-self knowe, In bodi and in soule also, Wher he liue treweli or ne do; Line 16 Also mowe ȝe here in hiȝ Þe godnesse of god þat is euer redi; Þen mowe ȝe heere in þis ryme How a Mon schal spende his tyme. Line 20 Also heere lerne we may Hou þat we schule vre lord pay. [Spec.: Quomodo homo debet contemplari Deum in creatura.] Herkneþ alle feire and stille: Heere schul ȝe so of godus wille, Line 24 As witnesseþ folliche hit Þe Bok þat is cald holi writ: Þe seuen dedlich synnus, þe braunches also, I wol ȝow telle, ar ȝe go; Line 28 Þe seuen vertuwes of Ion þe Ewangelist, [= the seven blessings, which however are given in Math. 5, 3. Spec.: De 7 virtutibus evangelicis.] Þat [MS. þas] was ful wel wiþ Ihesu Crist; Þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost, Þe whuche ben of mihtes most, And of heore strengþe also I-feere Sumwhat þenne mowe ȝe lere; Þen schul ȝe heere in presens Whuch ben þe ten Comaundemens; Line 36 Þe[n] schul ȝe heere feir and briht Of þreo [cf. v. 857 ff., where the 4 cardinal virtues (45-8) are included.] vertuwes and of heore miht, Þat is ffeiþ, good hope, and loue, Þat wol vs bringe to blisse aboue; Line 40 Of þe twelf Articles of þe ffey Schul we also sumwhat sey; Of þe seuen Sacramens, Þat euer ben in godus presens; Line 44 So schul ȝe heere sum or al Þe ffoure vertuwes Principal:

Prouwesse, Rihtwisnesse, and Meth, Strengþe also wiþ hem he geth; Line 48 Of þe seuen werkes [of merci] also— Lord, ȝif vs grace hem wel to do.—

Videte vocacionem vestram.

(Paul, 1 Cor. 1, 26.)

Þis wordus here þat I ow say, To Religious men longen þay; Line 52 Þus muche ben þei forte mene, As ȝe schul heere al bydeene: "Seo," he [sc. Poul] seiþ, "bi-holde ȝe To what þing ȝe cleped be." Line 56 Þat he seiþ, hem to redresse And to sturen hem to Parfytnesse. ffor [r. þerfor] eueri Mon þat lyueþ here Ouhte ha Ioye and Serwe I-fere: Line 60 Ioye for þe worþily wonynge Þat is ordeynt to wel lyuynge, [MS. Th.: Ioy for þe holy religion] Serwe also to haue þerbi ffor vre liuynge vnrihtfuli. Line 64 ffor her seiþ seint Eusebi Wordus þat ben ful dredfuly: "A Mon to Religiun him dresse Is aller-hext sikernesse; Line 68 Not parfyt liue þer-inne son Is aller-hext Dampnacion." In Religiun we to beo don Is aller-hext Saluacion: Line 72 Ȝif þow wolt þat saluacion proue, Al þat is good þou most loue, Þou most loue [r. leue] eke also Al þat Religius [r. þe world?] longeþ to; Line 76 Þou most al þi wille ȝiue Parfytly and sikerly to liue. And seint Bernard vs techeþ in hiȝ To liue Mekeli, loueli, and worschipfuli. Line 80 Þat "worschipfuli" is to mene, To Godus worschipe feir and clene, Þat þou do al þyn entent To don al his Comaundement; Line 84

Line 84 To don his biddyng þou not asterte In al þat þou may þenke wiþ herte, And loke þou no þing þer-of breke Wiþ al þat þou wiþ mouþ mai speke, Line 88 Or worche in dede wiþ-oute striue Wiþ eny of þi wittes fyue, Wiþ siȝt of Eȝe, wiþ Tonge tastyng, Smellyng of Neose, of Ere heryng; Line 92 What þou dost bi wei or strete Wiþ bodi worching, going wiþ feete, Liggyng, stondyng, þenkyng [r. sittyng] also, Loke ȝif hit beo godus wille or no. Line 96 Ȝif hit beo his wille, do hit son; Ȝif hit ne beo, hit not don, Do hit not þenne for no maystrie, Þouȝ þou scholdest þerfore dye.— Line 100 Þenne mony mon loud and stille Wol aske, what is godus wille. Hit is to vs boþe more and les To haue vs euere in holynes.— Line 104 Þenne is to wite what, and whi, Þat makeþ a mon þenne holi. Two þinges þer ben In worchyng: Þat on is loue, þat oþur knowyng; Line 108 Þat is knowyng of alle soþnes, And loue of alle grete goodnes. To knowyng of god þat is soþnes Maist þou not come in blod and flesch, Line 112 Bote to knowe [r. þorw knowyng] þin owne flesch, [r. self?] And also [r. to loue of] godus grete goodnes, Maistou not come, as I þe mene, Wiþ-outen loue of þin Euencristene. Line 116 To knowyng of þi-sel[f] maistou Come þorwh good þenkyng nou; [Sp. per frequentem meditacionem] Þou mayȝt come to godus knowynge Þorwh þin owne feire plesynge. [per puram contemplacionem] To knowe þi-self old or ȝinge Maistou come bi þis bithinkynge: Þenk bisiliche, I preye þe, What þou weore, art, and schalt be, Line 124

Line 124 ffurst as to þi bodi here, Seþþhe to þi soule þat is so dere. As to þi bodi: foulore hit is Þen euer was eny donge, I-wis— Line 128 Was neuer ȝit dounge so foule Þat wolde so stinke, rote and moule; Þou weore in so gret fulþe igete, Abhominable hit is þerof to speke; Line 132 Þou schalt beo dilyueret to frete To Todus and oþur wormes mete. What þou hast ben & art, haue in mynde, Þat þi soule beo not beo-hynde;— Line 136 What þi soule schal beo in tyme comyng, May no mon knowe but heuene-kyng. Þenk þou hast In chele and hete I-do mony wikkednesse and grete, Line 140 Þenk also, hem to redresse Þow hast laft mony gret goodnesse. Þenk also, þat þis beo not weyued, Þat longe hast lyued, and muche reseiued, Line 144 And hou þou hast spendet þat reseit; To þe þenne wol þis beo ful streit: ffor vch a tyme, drede þe nouȝt, Þat þou hast not on god I-þouȝt, Line 148 Þou hast so loren of þi dispens And don aȝeyn þi lordus defens— ffor hit is vr lordus biddyng To loue him ouer al oþur þyng. Line 152 ffor þou schalt ȝelde also a-counte What vch an Idel word wol amounte, Also to Acountes þou schalt beo brouȝt ffor euerich Idel werk and þouht; Line 156 And as vch an her on þin hed is wried Þat is saued schal beo glorifyed, Also schal no þing ascape Wiþ-outen a-counte erly or late. . . . . Line 160 ffor þe soule þer hit is holde, Is more þen al þis worldus molde— Here is muche of godus grace! Ȝit schal hit ocupye no place. Line 164

Line 164 Þe Bodi and þe soule ben al a-stray, Diuerse þouȝtes, willes, disires al day: Ho mihte þenne seche his herte so niȝ To ȝiue acountes al trewely Line 168 Of al þat euere he hedde mys-wrouht Or eny mis-dede hedde in þouht? Seoþ now, breþeren bi ten or twelue, How ȝe ha neode to knowe or-selue!— Line 172 Tac good ȝeme what þou [now] art To soule, and let hit not astart, Whon þou hast in þe luytel of goode, Luitel of wit and pouwer and moode, Line 176 Þis is þus muche forte say Þat þou coueytest vche a day Þing þat nouht is worþ in dede Ne þat þe helpe mai at gret nede. Line 180 Help vs god þat sitteþ on lofte, ffor elles beo we bigyled ofte, Oþurwhile þorwh Ragynge as vnwitti, And oþurwhile beo veyn [MS. veny] glori; Line 184 Now are we trauaylet in to drede I-lope, Now beo þe wey of fals hope. Þow art so chaungable be-hynde & bi-forn, Þat we wol to-day we wol not to-morn; Line 188 Ofte vr-seluen for to plese Are we aboute worldly ese, But we haue hem at vr wille We beo turmented, us þinkeþ wiþ [om. wiþ] ille: Line 192 Whon þou hem at þi wille most hast, Þen art þou wiþ hem agreued mast. Þenk wel ȝit, I rede þe, Hou liht þou art to tempted be, Line 196 ffebel and Brutel to stonde a-ȝeyn, Redi to asente wiþ al oure mayn. Of alle þeos Merueylous chaunces Vr lord haþ sent vs diliueraunces, Line 200 And vche oþur day þerfore [r. þerfro] He vs dilyuereþ more and more. [r. mo] Whon þou weore nouȝt, he formede þe, Þi soule to his liknesse to be, Line 204

Line 204 And þy stinkynde bodi also ffoormed he wiþ lymes two, So feir and noble and of gret prise Þat no Mon may no such deuise. Line 208 Þenk bisiliche, ȝe Þat loueþ or ffadres and modres fre, Whi ȝe louen hem so tenderly— I wolde wite þe resun whi. Line 212 Ȝif þou seist þus, as soþ hit is, ffor þou wer born and geten of her flesch: So don þe beestes, soþ to say, Þat breden of Mon and wommon al day. Line 216 Þe soþe ȝif þou wol lerne þen, Bodi ne soule nastou of hem, But bi him ful witterli Þat is vr lord, god Almihti. Line 220 What heddestou ben, I preye þe, Ȝif þou heddest stille such i-be In fulþe of synne as þou i-gete were? fful Abhomynable hit is to here. Line 224 Ȝif þou loue broþur or suster þan ffor þei ben of þat fflesch i-tan Þat þou weore þi-self also— Þerfore þat loue hast þou hem to: Line 228 Þou scholdust þen loue hard and nesch A pece of ffadur or Modur fflesch In þis Maner, þat I sei here, Al on Schornes [r. of-shorne] þeiȝ hit were. Line 232 Ȝif þou sigge in þis degre Þou louest hem, for flesch figured þei be To þi liknes, and for þei han Soule of god as þou hast tan: Line 236 Bi þis is he no more þi broþur But on as muche as is a-noþur, But in as muche neuer-þe-latur As ȝe hedde boþe on flesch-fadur, Line 240 And þenne þe biginnyng [MS. bigimyng] of vre flesch Is stynkynde fulþe neuerþeles. Of O flesch-ffadur alle we came, Adam was he cald bi name; Line 244

Line 244 And for he dude so gret folye, Scholde we neuer loue her fleschlye, Bute vche Mon þus scholde loue oþur Gostlich here as sustur and broþur.— Line 248 Ihesu, þat is vr aller kyng, As I seide atte bygynnyng, Whon þou weor nouȝt, þen formed he þe. Whon þou weore lore, þen fond þe he, Line 252 Whon þou weore sold in sorwe and sinne, Þen bouȝt he þe wiþ muchel wynne; Whon þou were diht, i-dampned also, Þen mihtfulliche he saued þe þo; Line 256 Whon þou weore boren in synne eke, He Baptised þe wiþ wordus swete. And whon þou sungest, al day to se, Þen Mekeliche he soffreþ þe, Line 260 And longe he wol ȝit þe abyde, Resseyue þe aftur, so may be-tyde, And putte þe in to his swete couent, Euer to beo to him present. Line 264 Whon þou mis-dost, he wol þe þrete, Longe he bydeþ ar he wol bete; Whon þou syngest wiþ wille fre, fful sone wol he for-ȝiue hit þe. Line 268 Whon þou mis-gost eke also, He þe Amendeþ wiþ wille ful þro, Whon þat þou in doute art ouht, In to þe techyng he haþ þe brouht; Line 272 Whon þou art hungri in eny neode, ffeire he ordeyneþ þe to ffeede; Whon þou hast colde, he warmeþ þe, Mon, Whon þou hast hete, he keleþ þe þon; Line 276 Whon þou wakest, [MS. walkest] he saueþ þe so, Whon þou slepest, he kepeþ þe to; Whon þou rist vp, he þe sosteyneþ, Whon þou fallest, he þe reiseþ, Line 280 Whon þou sittest, he halt þe ek, Whon þou stondest, he strengþeþ þi feet, And also, soþ for to say, He vndursitteþ þe euere and ay; Line 284

Line 284 Whon þou gost, he wol þe lede, Whon þou aȝeyn turnest, resseyueþ þe eke, Whon þou gost mis, a-ȝeyn calleþ he, [r. þe] Whon þou art seek, þi cumfort to [r. wol?] be.— Line 288 Such goodnesses in mony degre Haþ vr lord god I-do for þe. And goodnesse in þyn herte wore, Þou weore holden euer-more Line 292 Alle dayes to þenke [on him] I-wis, And alle tymes to þonke for þis, Alle dayes to speke to [him] Aboue And alle dayes him hertly loue, [= praise] Line 296 And also wel, ȝit i þe say, On niht as vppon þe day. Þerfore þou þat art þus wrouȝt, At euen and morwe haue þus þi þouȝt Line 300 Hou mony þousund men to say Han perisched in þat niht or þat day, Summe in bodi, soþ hit is, Summe in soule leosen her blis; Line 304 Summe in fuire and oþur maneere, Summe in water þat is so clere; Summe Robbed and woundet also; Summe sodeynly to deþ han go Line 308 Wiþ-outen schrif and hosul þen Þat hem þe rihte wei scholde ken, And for defaute of Confessiun Parauntur go to dampnaciun. Line 312

ÞEnk also, a-noþur is þis Þat niht and day moni mon is ffalle in peril of soule way, Þat þe fend haþ mad hem stray, Line 316 Þat is to sei þus forþi In þe seuen synnes dedly: In Glotenye and Lecherie, Monslauȝt also and Envye. Line 320 And of alle þeose wikkede chaunses Haþ crist mad þe diliueraunces, He haþ þe saued as mihti kyng Wiþ-outen þyn owne deseruyng! Line 324

Line 324 And what hastou don him and whare Þat haþ þe kept from al þis care? Ȝif þou toke þus goode kepe Whon þou awakest of þi slepe, Line 328 Hou mony goodnesses he haþ þe do, And euer is to þe aboute mo, Þow schuldest him loue souereynli Ouer al þis world, witterli; Line 332 Þou schalt him fynde so bisy now Euermore a-boute þi prow As non oþur þyng he aboute were But þe to kepe whil þou art here. Line 336 Whon þou hast þouȝt in þis wyse, A-Morwe soone vp arise And þonke þi lord of al þis goode, Þat for þe wolde dye on Roode, Line 340 And sei to him wiþ herte fre In þis maner þat i sei to þe:

Gracias ago tibi, domine Ihesu criste, qui me [mise|rum peccatorem] [so MS. Simeon] in hac nocte custodi[sti], [pro|texisti], visitasti, sanum saluum & incolimem ad hanc horam peruenire fecisti, & pro alijs vniuersis beneficiis que [MS. qui] michi tua sola bonitate contulisti. Qui viuis & regnas deus per omnia. [The English translation is omitted.] Sey þus, for hit is to þi by-heue, Line 343 Boþe on Morwen and at eue.

[vv. 355-362 are not in the Spec.] ÞEnk þenne, I rede, also, Ar þat þou to þi bed go, Hou þou hast spendet þi tyme honeste Whon þou vp ros til þou go to reste; Line 348 And whon þou hast bi-þouȝt þe wel, Bi-sech god merci eueridel Of al þe synnes þat þou hast wrouȝt, And goodnesse þou hast do nouȝt Line 352 Whil vr lord þe lante miht, In þat day ne in þat niht. And loke þou do non oþur dede Til þou haue þe Comaundet, I rede, Line 356 Þe and alle oþur goode eke In to þe hond of god ful meke,

And þenne schaltou þus [The Latin text (In manus tuas &c.) is omitted.] say In þis Manere, I þe pray. . . . . Line 360 What þeos wordus ben to mene, Ȝe schul on Englich here bi-dene:

"In to þin hondes, lord verray, And in to þin holy Aungeles ay, Line 364 I be-teche þis ilke niht Mi bodi and soule to þe be diht, Mi breþeren and my sustren alle, And al my frendes, what-so bi-falle, Line 368 And my nexte frendes eke, And al my gode doeres, i beo-seke, And also I be-seche at ene Alle oþur cristene for to mene. Line 372 Kep vs, lord, þis niht in hiȝe, Þorwh þe [MS. þi] beo-sechyng of þi Modur Marie And of al halewen also Þat euer weore on eorþe i-do, Line 376 ffrom vices and couetyse vn-hende And ffrom temptaciun of þe fende, Of sodeyn deþ vnwarned to telle, And also from þe pyne of helle; Line 380 Liht myn herte of þe holy gost, As þou art lord of mihtes most, And of þi grete grace þou me take, To þi Comaundemens me boxum make, Line 384 And neuer beo departet from þe Wiþ-outen ende, so mot hit be."— — Ȝif þou vse þis-Maner þing, Þen schaltou haue soþfast knowyng, Line 388 To knowe þi lord in whom is al, Þat haþ þe Mad and saue schal. Loke þenne þat þis beo þe rif, Her-wiþ to lede holy lyf.— — Line 392

Þreo Maners þer beo þen Of Contemplaciun vs to ken: Þe furste of hem þat þer is, In Creatures hit is, i-wis; Line 396 Þat oþur in holy writ, we fynde; Þe þridde in god and in his kynde.

Contemplaciun is, siker ȝe beo, Þe goodnesse of god for to seo. Line 400 Bi his [MS. þis] Creatures may þou seo þan Þreo þinges ben In god and Man; Þis þreo ben, vs to redresse: Miht, wit, and gret goodnesse. [2 vv. wanting (Miht is ap|propred to god þe Fader).] . . Wit to god þat is sone, Line 405 Goodnes to god holigost in wone. Þorwh his miht, þat wel was torned, Alle þinges þei ben formed; Line 408 Þorwh his wit, so wel demeyned, Alle þinges wysliche he [r. be] ordeyned; Þorwh his goodnesse, not denyed, Alle þeose þinges he [r. be] multiplyed. Line 412 His pouwer maistou seo þe laft Þorwh her gretnesse and here schaft; His wit also wiþ-outen distaunce Þorwh heore bounte [r. beaute] and ordynaunce; Line 416 His godnesse may we seo ful newe Bi heore Multiplicaciun and vertuwe. Heore gretnesse may we seo Wiþ foure propurtes [Lat. dimensiones] þat þer beo, Line 420 Þat is folliche for to say Þorwh heore heiȝnesse and depnesse ay, Þe oþur two ben of strengþe Þat is [MS. was] þorwh heore brede and lenge. Line 424 His wit maistou seo ful breme, Ȝif þou þerof take good ȝeme, Þer as he haþ ȝiue sum creature þore Beoyng wiþ-outen eny more, Line 428 Þat is as muche forte say As stones þat ben in world al day. [Some vv. wanting: (to sum being & liuing as to treon & grases).] . . . . . He haþ ȝiue to oþur þynge Lyf, beoynge, and fleoynge, [r. felynge] Line 432 And al þise ben bi his hestes To þat þing þat men callen bestes. To oþur haþ he ȝiuen also Lyf, beoynge, and fleoinge [r. felynge] bo, Line 436 And also more þing of Renoun: He haþ to hem [MS. him] I-ȝiue resoun;

Þis þing is I-ȝiuen þen Boþe to Aungel and to men. Line 440 Stones noþing may þei feele, Ne grases, and ȝit lyue þei [sc. grases] wele; Bestes lyuen and feleþ þe; Mon lyueþ and waxeþ as doþ þe tre, Line 444 And as a Best feeleþ, he doþ, And resun as Angel haþ he soþ. Þenk þou on þat dignite To creature of Mon is ȝiue so fre, Line 448 Hou þat his ȝift wiþ honoures Sormounteþ alle oþur Creatoures. Þerfore seiþ Austyn þus fol riht: "I nolde ben Aungel, þeiȝ I miht, Line 452 Heore stat wolde I forsake þan ffor þat stude was purueyed for man."

ÞEnk also, Mon is worþi Gret schenschipe, witerli, Line 456 Þat wol not liue at godus wille And his Comaundemens folfille, Whon alle Creatures þat ben and were Ben ordeynd for monnes mestere. Line 460 Þe goode bestes [r. creatures] þat meke beo þon, Beoþ maad for þreo þinges for mon: ffor to helpen vs wiþ-outen fayle, As schep, hors, kuyn, in vre trauayle; Line 464 And vs to feede, [r. hyde? cf. MS. Thornt.] and vs to cloþe, As leþer, fflesch [r. flax (Th. lyne).] and wolle boþe, [2 vv. om.? cf. MS. Thornt.] As Corn on eorþe and foules to be And also ffissches in þe Séé. Line 468 Þe nuyȝing graȝes [= grases] and bestes venimous Ben ordeynd for þreo þinges to vs: ffor chastisyng, and amendement, And for techyng wiþ good entent. Line 472 Chatised and punissched we ben in route Whon we ben hurt, and in such doute; [i.e. in doubt of being hurt] And þat is ful derworþli Of Godus owne grete merci— Line 476 Þerfore bodili he com To Chastise vs, boþe god and Mon, [MS. Th.: And þat es gret mercy of Godde þat he will chasty vs bodyly þat we be noght punescht lastandly.]

Þat we nere dampned wiþ-outen ende ffor to dwelle wiþ þe ffende. Line 480 We ben amendet whil we wol mynne Þat al vr wo comeþ fro vr synne; Whon we seo þe soþe þus So smale creatures may greuen vs, Line 484 Þen may we þinke þat we be fful of ffebelnesse and of ffrelete, We ouhten alle to beo ful Meke. Whon we godus werkes wol se and seke . . . . . [The 3rd point (teaching of noious creatures) is wanting.] Line 488 Whon þou hast þus monyfolde Þe werkes of god folliche beo-holde, Lift vp þyn herte wiþ wille liht And þenk þe Muchelnes of Godus miht, Line 492 Þat alle þing ordeyneþ in delyt, And al hit is for vre profyt. A, Lord, Merci! what schul we say Bot we þe serue to þi pay? Line 496 Al þat he vs ȝaf to Multiplie, Alle þo Bestes we distruye; Ȝif God ordeyne and forme hem, We beo bisi to struiȝe hem þen. [Some verses om.?] Line 500 Loue [al. þei l.; loue = praise] God for his goodnesse; Honoure him for his feirnesse; Glorifye him at þi redres And also for his grete prouwes.— Line 504 ÞEn is þer a-noþur degre Of Contemplaciun, I telle þe, Þe wȝuche trewe and soþ is hit: Þat is cald holy writ; Line 508 Þat wol teche þe wiþ-Inne, To drawe þe from peril of synne, Þe peyne forte douten ay, To loue þe Ioye þat come may. Line 512 And euer loke, aboute þou be To holde wiþ þe Charite, [513-14 ought to follow the 2 vv. om. after 518. The text is here very corrupt.] Þis world also in alle wyse Þou beo aboute to dispise; Loke þou what is to done, And also loke what is to schone. [2 vv. om., cf. Spec.: Quan|tum illuminat intellectum in cognitione veritatis, et quan|tum inflammat affectum in fervore caritatis.]

Of þis two þinges seruen hit Al þat is writen in holy writ: Line 520 Þis ben þo two, to trowe, Þat þou schalt boþe leeue [r. loue] and knowe [2 vv. om.; Spec.: Ex scriptura debes extrahere et cognos|cere:] Wȝuche ben þe seuen synnes dedly, And þe seuen vertuwes þerby, Þe ten Comaundemens al-wey, And þe twelf Articles of þe fey, And þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost, And þe seuen sacremens most, Line 528 And þe seuen werkes of Merci, And þe vertuwes of þe Ewangeli, [The 7 praiers of the Paternoster are om. here and in the poem.] And þe Ioyes also of heuen And þe peynes of helle to nemen. Line 532

Off þe seuen dedly synnes.

SEuen Sinnes þer ben dedly: Pruide, Wraþþe, Sleuþe, and Envy, Glotonye, and gredines [= couetise, cf. v. 605.] also, Line 535 Couetyse [om. Couetyse] and lecheri, wiþ hem to go. Pruide no-þing elles ne is Bote loue to muche monnes hihnes. And of him comeþ oþur seuene: Vnbuxumnes, þat draweþ from heuene, Line 540 Aȝeynes god, be þou serteyn, Or elles aȝeyn his souereyn; Þat is to sei, I telle þe son, To leue þat is hym beden don— Line 544 Þus is he peired and not mendet, He doþ [r. And do] þing þat him is defendet. Þat oþur þing is Auauntyng, [These vv. are corrupt; cf. V. pr. tr.: whon a mon avaunteþ him of good þat he haþ of a-noþer or of an vuel (Th. of ill) þat he haþ of himself.] Whon mon of oþur monnes þing And to him-self bi wikkednes He hateþ and bringeþ him in distres. Þe þridde spice is Ypocrisye, Whon mon feineþ him to haue in hiȝe Line 552 Holines þat he haþ nouht, And doþ [Vern. pr. tr. hut, Th. hydes.] his wikkednes in dede and þouȝt. Þe ffeorþe spice, hit is þen Dispit þat he haþ to oþur men, Line 556

Line 556 Whon mon [MS. men] reherceþ [r. repreueþ? (Th. lesses).] oþur mennes good dede, He wolde beo holde þe beter in leode. Þe ffyfþe spice is Arrogaunce boun, Whon a Mon Makeþ comparisoun Line 560 Bi-twenen his vuel doynges And oþur mennes for eny þinges, ffor his wikkednes and trespas Scholde seme muche þe las. Line 564 Þe sixte spice is boldnes [so V. pr. tr., Th. vnshamefulnesse] in nome, Whon a Mon haþ no schome Of his grete wikkednes forþi Þat he haþ don so openly. Line 568 Þe seuenþe Elaciun is to rede, Whon mon is proud of his vuel dede. Þou schalt wite boþe in and out Þat þis þreo þinges makeþ Mon prout: Line 572 Þat is to wite and haue in muynde Þe goodes þat he haþ of kuynde, Þat is of [om. of?] feirnes, or strengþe to say, Or souereyn wit, or Noblay— Line 576 Þat noblei calle I in þis stage He þat [r. þat he] is prout of hei lynage. Þat oþur þing is and euer was Þe godus þat men han of purchas, Line 580 As wittes, [Th. cunnynge, V. sciens, Sp. scientia.] vertuwes euerichane, Graces, [al. grace] Dignite, and eke good fame. Þe þridde is worldly godus þus, As Cloþinge, housynge, Rentes, possessions, Line 584 Meyne, and also gret honour Of þe worldly þinges in eueri stour.

Off Envye comeþ, haue we no care, Ioye of oþur mennes vuel-fare, Line 588 And also to make sweryng [r. serwyng] gret ffor oþur mennes wel-farynge and get. And þat may ben in herte stinkynge, [Sp. per afflictionem, Th. with lykynge] Or in Mouþ þorwh Bakbytynge, Line 592 Or in werkes of vuel entent Þorwh defaute of good entisement. [Sp. per subtractionem boni vel incitamentum mali.]

Chidyng waxeþ of Wraþþe þen, Swellyng of herte amonges men, Line 596

Line 596 Schomeful wordus þenke to seyn, Sclaundre, and also gret dedeyn. Of slouȝþe comeþ drerines, wikkednus, and swelling Of foul wille, wiþ gret þretyng, Line 600 Aboute godus comaundemens not to do, Wonhope, Rechelesnesse also, [vv. 601 and 602 to be transp. Sp. desperatio, negligentia erga dei præcepta.] Outrage wille of herte to sen Aboute þinges þat defendet ben. Line 604

Off gredines [= couetise] comeþ tresun prest, fforswerynges, and wikked rest, [so MS. Th. (V. feble rest); Sp. inquietudo.] Violence, and hardnes of herte Aȝeynes Merci wiþ muchel vnquerte. Line 608

ÞEnne þer comeþ of Glotonye Veyne gladnesse, and Lecherye, ffulþi, [r. fulþe, V. Pr. tr. fulþe, Sp. immunditia] Muche speche in hiȝing, And ful feble vndurstondyng. Line 612 Of Lecherie comeþ blyndnes of herte, In Orisun wiþ muchel vnqwerte— In al þe preyers he scholde in be Nis þer wiþ him no stabulte; Line 616 Of him comeþ fool-hastines also, Loue of him-self wol wiþ hym go, Hate of god þat vs bouht, Loue of þis world þat is nouht, Line 620 Drede of [r. and] dispeir Is al his wone Of þe world þat is to come. Þeose ben þe seuen dedly synnes forþi. Wel may þei ben cald dedli: Line 624 Þe furste þreo dispoyleþ þe mon, Þe ffeorþe abateþ hym as he con, Þe ffyfþe byndeþ him in bonde, [Sp. prosternit eum] Þe Sixte deseyueþ him in londe, Line 628 Þe seuenþe him put in þraldome, Him to muche harm and schome. ffor Pruide, beo þou þerof bolde, Bi-nymeþ a Mon his god [MS. good, cf. v. 652.] to holde; And Envye bi-nymeþ also him fro Line 633 His euencristen, [MS. owne self, cf. 654.] from god to go; Wraþþhe, þat is a schrewed delf, Bi-nymeþ a Mon his owne self; Line 636

Line 636 Of Slouþe þat ilke foule synne Euere hit tormenteþ hymme; [so Th.] Gredines in eueri toun Casteþ þe vnsely mon adoun; Line 640 Glotenye deseyueþ hym in luytel stage; Lecherie put him in foul seruage.

Seuen blessynges of god. [This passage, om. in MS. Thornt., agrees with the pr. tr. in MS. Vern.]

Aȝein þis seuene vices þus Ordeynt remedie sone Ihesus, Line 644 And send us seuen vertuwes in hihe In þe holy Ewangelye, [Math. 5, 3.] And seiþ þus in þis Manere As ȝe schul her aftur here: Line 648 "Blesset be þe meke of spirit euene, ffor heoren is þe kynedom of heuene"— Þis is aȝein pruide and mood, Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon his god so good. Line 652 "I-blesset beo þe deboner þen Aȝeynes heore euen-cristen men, ffor þei schul haue in to heore honde Þe lond þat is euer lastonde"— Line 656 Þis is aȝeyn þe foule Envye, Þat bi-reueþ mon his euencristen trie. "Blesset beo þo þat wepen ofte, ffor þei schul beo cumfortet on lofte"— Line 660 Þis is aȝeynes wraþþe to delue, Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon him-selue. "Blesset be þe Merciable men, ffor god schal haue Merci of hem"— Line 664 Aȝeynes gredynes þis mot be, Þat of no mon he haþ pite. "Blesset beo þo þat hungri be þen Aftur Rihtful, disyr forte ken, Line 668 ffor þei schul be fed in blisse"— Þis is aȝein Slouþe and rechelesnesse. "Blesset mote þe clene of herte be, Þe face of god schul þei se"— Line 672 Þis is a-ȝeyn glotenye doyng, Þat euer þenkeþ on flesch lykyng.

"Blesset be þe pesybles i-tald, Godus children schul þei be cald"— Line 676 Aȝeynes lecherie þis ordeynt wes, ffor þe lechour naþ neuer pes; He naþ no pes for his beste, He may in herte neuer ha reste. Line 680 Þeose ben þe vertuwes seuene Aȝeyn þe vices forte nempne. [The last part of the Chapter in the Speculum is omitted.]

Seuen medicines for þe seuen dedly synnes.

Afftur þis he wol vs teche, God þat is vr goode leche, Line 684 Þis seuen medicines, trie to vs, To helen vs of seuen Maledius, And þus he confermeþ [The poet or scribe took confermeþ for conformeþ.] hem [r. men.] In to [þo] seuen vertuwes þen Line 688 Bi vertue of þe holy gost, Þat is lord of mihtes most. Þeose þei ben to nempne þat þing: Þe holigost of wisdam and of vndurstondyng, Line 692 And also, wiþ-outen fayle, Þe gost of strengþe and of counsayle, Þe gost of wit and of pite, Þe gost of doute of god mot be. Line 696 Þorwh þis seuen ȝiftes god ȝaf mon Al þat he haþ neode of þon To his Bodiliche lyf And to his soule wiþ-outen strif. Line 700 Seo hou mon may in his mode Leue þe vuel and take þe gode: To leue þe vuel þat is forbod Techeþ þe gost of þe doute of god; Line 704 Þe gode to do, I telle þe, Þat techeþ þe gost of pite. Two þinges þer beo þan Þat letteþ good doinge of man: Line 708 Þat on is worldly riches, And also gret frouwar[d]nes [Sp. adversitas mundi, Th. tribulacion, cf. v. 718.] ; Riches, hit mon deseyueþ, ffrouwardnes from god him weyueþ. Line 712

Line 712 Þerfore a mon schal dispise Worldly richesse in alle wyse, Þat he beo not deseyuet beo hit: Þat vs techeþ þe gost of wit. Line 716 And þou schalt suffre stalworþli Tribulacions and anguyses worldli, Þat þou neuere ouercomen be: Þus techeþ þe gost of strengþe to þe. Line 720 Þeose foure ben souereynly To bodiliche lyf forþy. Þat oþur longen wiþ-outen strif Alle to þe gostly lyf. Line 724 ffor þreo maners bi resun Ben of Contemplaciun: On is [in] Creatures bi vre entent: Þat techeþ þe gost of entendement. Line 728 A-noþur in holi writ also, Þat þou seost what þou schalt do And what þing þou schalt lete: Þat techeþ þe gost of counseil swete. Line 732 Þe þridde is of him-self, god and Mon: Þat techeþ þe gost of wisdom. Now seo we now hou Ihesu þe lele Is euer aboute vr help and hele. Line 736

Þe ten comaundemens of god. [This passage agrees with MS. Thornton.]

Afftur þis schaltou witen þen Wȝuche ben þe comaundemens ten. Þe furste, hit is be þin a-cord: Worschipe to [r. þou] O god, vr lord. Line 740 Þen þe fend þe may not derue, Ȝif þou him only worschipe and serue. Worschupe him þorw feiþ and mode, And serue him wiþ werkes gode. Line 744 Þenk ȝif þou haue alle tym Trewely honoured hym, And ouer alle oþur þinges Serue[d] hym and his biddynges; Line 748 Þenk ȝif þou haue ȝolden him þi beo-hest Þat þou be-hiȝtest hym mest or lest:

Þou him be-hiȝtest feiþful trist Whon þou toke þi Baptist; Line 752 Or ȝif þou haue lasse penaunce don Þen þe was leyd penaunce vppon. Þorwh þis comaundement al-to-gader Mon is ordeynt to god þe ffader. Line 756

ÞAt oþur bi-heste is forto seyn: Nempne not godus nome in veyn. Þorw þat is defendet lesynge, ffalshede, and forswerynge. Line 760 Þorw þat is eueri good mon in wone Ordeynt touward god þe Sone, ffor he him-self bereþ witnesse And seiþ "I am soþnesse" expresse. Line 764

ÞE þridde heste is forte say Þat þou kepe wel þin haly-day. Þat is to sei, vch an heih fest Þat comeþ þe to, mest or lest, Line 768 Haue þin herte in pes and reste most. Þat ordeyneþ mon to þe holygost.— Þeose þreo hestes techeþ ow and me To beren vs to god þe Trinite, Line 772 To whos liknesse Mon is mad In soule, þat scholde be trewe and sad. Seuene oþure techeþ men Hou þei schul bere hem to her euen-cristen. Line 776

ÞE furste is: worschupe þou folly fflesch-fadur and modur and þi gostly. And þat in two Maner of þinges: In boxumnesse and for-berynges, Line 780 And help hem bi þi pouwer in dede Of alle þinges þat þei haue nede. Þen schalt þou beo of long lyf In eorþe here wiþ-outen stryf. Line 784 Ȝif þou wolt haue þe lyf longe, Worschupe þi god [al. hem or him (the scribe took "him" for god).] wiþ wille stronge, ffor he [r. þat] þe brouȝt, wite hit wel, Al þi lyf euerich a del. Line 788

Þat oþur heste, hit is þon: In no wey þat þou sle no mon.

Þenne schaltou wite here, Mon-slauȝt is in þreo manere, Line 792 In þreo manere hit is ful smerte: Of hond, of tonge, and of herte. Of hond hit is wiþ-outen meþ Whon a Mon wiþ wepene sleþ, Line 796 Or whon he putteþ him in dede [Sp. in loco mortis] In prisun or in oþur stede— Þat ilke doing cause may be Line 799 Of his deþ, as I sei þe. . . . . [Some vv. wanting (manslaughter by tongue).] Monslauȝt of herte is also here In oþur two vuel manere: Whon Mon coueyteþ oþures deþ in hiȝe, Or for de-faute leteþ him dye Line 804 And nil not helpen him in þat mester Ne him deliuere, ȝif he ha pouwer.

ÞEn is hit þe þridde heste: To do no lecherie, mest ne leste. Line 808 He þat wol lyue wiþ-outen dyȝing In þe blisse of heuene-kyng, Him weore neod to kepe ful boun His dedlyche lyf from corupcioun, Line 812 ffrom þat corupciun, sei I, Þat wol come of his bodi.

ÞE ffeorþe heste is, witerli: To do no þefþe ne Robberi. Line 816 He þat wol spare oþurmennes lyf, Bi-nyme him nouht wiþ no strif, Þorwh wȝuche bi-nymynge Þou maiȝt bi-reue his lyuynge. Line 820

ÞE ffyfþe heste þen is þis: Þow schalt bere no fals witnes Aȝeynes þin euen-cristen þen, Ne also þou schalt not cumforten hem Line 824 Þat wolden liue in reste and ro (!) [Cf. Th.: þou sall noght bere f. w. agaynes thyne euencristyn with hym þat will noye hym or sla hym.] Heore neihȝebors harm to do. ffor bi a fals witnesse i-bore A Mon may worldli beo forlore. Line 828 Ȝif þou no counseil in no res To him þat wolde liuen in pes

Wiþ hys euen-cristen to debate; ffor ȝif þou dost, hit torneþ to wrake. Line 832

ÞE sixte heste wiþ-outen strif: Coueite þou nouȝt þi neiȝebors wyf, Ne non of his seruauns also, Ne nouȝt þat him longeþ to. Line 836

ÞE seueþe heste is þus, I-wis: Coueyte þou not þi neiȝebors godis. Þis two hestes acordyng ben To þo bifore as ȝe may sen, Line 840 Þer he seiþ to þe in hiȝe "Do no þefþe, ne lecherie," ffor he þat haþ wikked wille and smert, Wikked entent is in his hert, Line 844 He may not longe for no þing Holden him from mis-doing. Þerfore I warne þe nou so, Þat þou lecherie ne do; Line 848 Ȝif þou wolt not stele nou, Oþur mennes good coueite not þou. Þeos ben þe ten hestes to say Þat god ȝaf Moyses in þe Mount of Synay. Line 852 Þe furste þreo, witeþ hit wel, Ben to godus honour eueridel; And to þi-self longen þe seuene, To louen alle cristene euene. Line 856

Þe seuen vertues of god.

Aftur scha[l]tou wite wȝuche ben Þe seuen vertuwes vppon to sen, Þat is to wite: ffeiþ, hope, and loue, Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes a-boue, Line 860 Temperaunce, and strengþe mest. Of O Matere ben þeos two [r. ten?] hest And þe seue vertuwes in presens, Saue þis is þe differens: Þe ten hestes techeþ hou [r. what] þou schalt do, Þe seuen vertuwes techeþ þe matere [r. manere Cf. Th.: The x comandmenteȝ kennes vs what we sall do, and þe vii vertus kennes vs how we sall doo.] also. Þe ffurste þreo þat ben aboue, Is to wite, ffeiþ, Hope, and Loue, Line 868

Line 868 Þise þreo, þei ordeyne hou þou schalt Touward god liue þat al walt; And þis oþere her-aftur scuene Teche þe to knowe þe wey to heuene. Line 872

ȜE [MS. Ze] wite wel, my leue ffrende, Alle beo we formed to on ende: Þat is to seye, god to knowe, Him to loue and honoure we owe. Line 876 Bote þreo þinges, ar we wende, Beon nedful to come to vre ende: And þenne is þis þat on To wite whodur we schulle gon; Line 880 Þat oþur, þat we ben willi To gon in trust ful treweli; And þenne is þe þridde þinge: To haue trust of wel goinge— Line 884 Gret folye hit were to fo or ffrende To bi-ginne þing he may not ende. A Mon þat wol wel do þer-tille, Meste ha miht, Connyng, and wille, Line 888 Þat is to say þus ȝow to: Þat he con, Mai, and wol [wel] do. But for we haue not vs ner Of vr-self Miht, [r. Wil] Wit, ne pouwer, Line 892 Þerfore haþ god ȝiuen vs tille ffeiþ, alle þise to folfille. [Sp.: ideo donavit nobis Deus fidem ad implendum defectum cognitionis, spem ad implendum defectum potestatis, charitatem ad ordinandum voluntatem ad unum & aliud.] ffeiþ ordeyneþ vs to god þe sone, To whom is a-propred wisdam in wone; Line 896 Hope ordeyneþ vs to þe ffadur riht, To whom is a-propred Miht; Loue to þe Holigost doþ vs dresse, To whom is a-propred alle goodnesse. Line 900 And þerfore of god wiþ-outen lesynge ffeiþ doþ vs to haue knowynge; And þat knowynge of [r. seiþ; cf. Th.: and þat knaweynge vs sayse þat he es wondyrfull[y] fre þat one þis manere and þus largely gyffes of his gudnes.] god wiþ mood Ȝiueþ vs frely and largeli of his good: And out of þat godnesse [r. knowyng] is i-crope And comeþ to vs þenne hope; Of þat knowyng, I vndurstod, Þer he seiþ vs þat he is good, Line 908

Line 908 Þer-of comeþ feir aboue Þe þridde vertue þat is loue, Line 910 ffor vch a þing, Resun whi, Schal loue þe goode kuyndeli. [The 4 cardinal virtues are treated separately v. 999, p. 247 ff, as in Th. and in the Spec.] Line 912

Þe twolue articles of þe fey. [This passage differs from Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr.]

ÞEn schaltou wite, as I þe sei, Whuche ben þe .xij. Articles of þe fei. ffurst, god is on in him-self for to lende, And þre persones, wiþ-outen ende, Line 916 And is verrey God and lord Þat alle þing made wiþ his word. Þat oþur article is ful trye: Þat he tok flesch and blod of Maide Marie. Line 920 Þe þridde Article [belongs to the 2nd in Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr.] : þat he was bore þon Of hire, soþfast god and mon. Þe fferþe Article, we sen hit red: Vndur Pilatus pouwer was he ded, Line 924 Not for nede, I sei ow tille, But vs to buye of his ffreo wille. Þe ffyfþe [belongs to the preceding in Spec. and V. pr. tr.; is om. in Th.] is, soþ to telle: Þat his soule wente doun to helle Line 928 And fet hem out in to his blis, Alle þo þat weren his. Þe Sixte: þat he ros wiþ-outen striue, God and Mon, from deþ to lyue. Line 932 Þe seueþe is in vre sawes: Aftur þe fulle fourti dawes Of his blisful and hard dyȝing He steih to heuene þer he is kyng; Line 936 He þat is lord of Séé and Sond Sitteþ þer on his fadur riht hond. [In the Spec. &c. these last articles belong to the preced|ing (5th), and the 7 sacra|ments form the 7 last.] Þe eihteþe is: he schal present Beon atte day of Iugement, Goode and wikkede schal he deme Line 941 And alle þing as him wol bi-seeme. Þe Niþe is wiþ-outen bost: Þat in god is þe holygost, Line 944 And euermore so wol be, Þe þridde persone [MS. persones] of þe trinite;

Of whom, þat is so heiȝ in blis, Al-holichirche halewed hit is. Line 948 Þe tenþe is of comynge [r. comonynge] of holi men, Þat is to sei fulliche of hem Þat ben lymes of holychirche And no dedly synne nul worche, Line 952 Han part of alle goode dedes sone Þat in holi chirche ben done. Þe Elleueþe is: þorw þe sacrament Of holichurche wiþ good entent Line 956 Þe goode schul haue forȝiuenesse Of heore synnes more and lesse. Þe twelfþe is þat Mon and wyue Schullen arise from deþ to lyue. Line 960 Þe þrettenþe is: þe goode schul haue Euerlastinde lyf þat schal hem saue, And þis oþure þenne schul wende To lastyng pyne wiþ-outen ende. Line 964

Þe Seuen sacromens of holy churche. [In Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr. included in the creed as forming the 7 last articles. The text is abridged.]

Afftur þis schul ȝe here bi-ginne Þe sacramens seuen þat fordon synne; He hem ordeynde synne to wiþ-stonde And þe gode to take on honde. Þe furste is cald Baptisme, Þat child takeþ er þen his crisme; Þat clanseþ mon of þat synne Þat vr forme-fader brouȝt us inne. Line 972 Þat oþur sacrament is of renoun And is cald Confirmacioun: ffor whon he is so cristned þon, He confermeþ þe holigost in mon. Line 976 Þe þridde is penaunce to biginne, Þat freteþ a-wei þe fulþe of synne. Þe feorþe is sacrament of þe Auter, Þat confermeþ mon hol and feer Line 980 And ȝiueþ him strengþe good wiþ-alle, Þat he eft-sones in synne ne falle; Þat sacrament reconsileþ him ay, Susteyneþ him, þat he ne falle may. Line 984

Line 984 Þe ffifþe is ordre, þat ȝiueþ power To Men ordeynet in heore mester Þe sacramens to make and worche, To serue wiþ god and holi churche. Line 988 Þe Sixte is Matrimoyne to bigynne, Þat defendeþ dedly synne In werkes of generaciun þon Bi-twene mon and wommon. Line 992 Þe seueþe is þe enoyling Of seke in perel of diȝing, And þat is in Aleggaunce Of Bodi and soules penaunce. Line 996 Þeos ben þe sacramens þen, [MS. teu] Þat longeþ to alle cristene Men.

Þe seuen [r. four, as in Spec.] principal vertues.

Aftur þis nou wite we schal Wȝuche ben þe iiij. vertuwes principal, Line 1000 Bi wȝuche vche monnes lyf here Is gouernet in þis world so dere: Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes bi chaunce, Strengþe, and also Temperaunce. Line 1004 Of þeos foure spekeþ þe holygost In þe Bok of wisdam most Þat no þing bi good delyt In eorþe to Mon doþ more profyt. Line 1008 ffor hose to do wel vndurstode, He moste knowe vuel from goode, Also, he seoþ here bi lettre, He moste knowe þe gode from þe bettre: Line 1012 Þat vs techeþ in alle wyse Þat þyng þat is called queyntyse. And whon þou hast þus i-chose, Þe wikked from þe goode to lose [Spec.: Et quando elegisti bonum de malo aut de duo|busbonis melius, & tune debes relinquere malum & facere bonum, & dimittere minus bonum & facere maius bonum: & haec virtus Iustitia appellatur.] Þat techeþ þe vertue to distresse Þat is cleped Rihtfulnesse. Two þinges þer ben in world ful þikke Letteþ mon do good and takeþ [r. forsake?] wikke: Line 1020 Þe riches of þis world is on, Þat alle weyes deseyueþ mon,

He disseyueþ mon in mony þinges, Line 1023 þorwh swete restynges; A-noþur is Contek of worldli strif [Spec. adversitas, Th. tribulacyon] Aȝeynes mon, doun hym to dryf. Aȝeynes richesse mesure þe in tide, Beo þou not risen to muche in pride: Line 1028 Þat vertu is wiþ-outen distaunce Þis þat men calleþ temperaunce. Aȝeynes worldly cuntek and strif Loke brennynge wille [Sp. audacia animi, Th. hardines] beo þe rif, Line 1032 Þat þou beo not so feble boun Þat þe world þe caste a-doun: And þat vertue in brede and lengþe Is þat þat is i-cleped strengþe. Line 1036

Seuen werkes of mercy.

Afftur schaltou wite redili Wȝuche ben seuen werkes of Merci. Þe furste is, ȝiue þe hungri mete; Þat oþur, drinke þe þrusti to gete; Line 1040 Þe þridde, cloþe þe naked bi tymes; Þe ffeorþe, to herborwe pilgrymes; Þe ffyfþe, prisons to visyte swete; Þe Sixte is, cumforte þe seke; Line 1044 Þe seueþe, in certeyn place [Tob. 1, 20.] we rede, Þat is to helpe burie þe dede.— Þen maistou sey in tour and toun: "I þat am in Religioun, Line 1048 I naue no pouwer to ȝiue no mete, Ne drinke ne herborwe to hem gete, Ne cloþing to hem haue I non, To visite prisones may I not gon: Line 1052 I am in oþur monnes pouwer; Þerfore me were beter seculer, Þat I mihte do trewely Alle þeose dedes of Mercy." Line 1056 Þenk not þus, I rede þe, Leste þou her-Inne deseyued be. Betere hit is to þe in eueri toun To haue pite and compassioun Line 1060

Line 1060 In þyn herte in alle weyse Of hem þat þou seost in Meseyse, Þen þou heddest al þe world wiþ þe Hit forth to dele for charite. Line 1064 Ȝif þi-self, as I sei nou, And more þen al þe world ȝiuestou. [Some vv. wanting. Spec.: Sed jam posses dicere: verum est quod melius est homini dare seipsum quam de suo; sed multum praevalet dare vnum cum alio quam vnum illorum per se. Dico quod non est ita: Vtrum praevalet vocari Dominus quam eius servus? Scis bene quod praevalet vocari Dominus. Sed illi qui &c.] ffor þei þat suffre in alle wyse Chele, hungur, defaute and Miseise, Ihesu seiþ wher-so he go And him-self he clepeþ þo; Þus he seiþ in his gospel— Hose wol hit seche, may fynde hit wel: Line 1072 "What to þe leste of myne don be, Ȝe hit don al to me." Wheþer weor beter or more sen Line 1075 To Iuge or elles Iugged to ben? [Spec. adds: Tu scis bene quod praevalet judicare: et hoc faciunt pauperes] Þerfore to pore make þe liche, ffor þe pore schul Iugge þe riche; As vr lord seiþ feire and wel In his owne goode gospel: [Math. 19, 28.] Line 1080 "Ȝe þat alle þynges haue to proue, Leueþ hem for me and for my loue, [Math.: Vos qui reliquistis omnia et secuti est is me &c.] And at þe grete day of dome, Whon I schal sitten in my trone— Line 1084 ffor þere þo men schul me se In þe Seete of my Maieste— Þei [r. ȝe] schul sitte on twelf seges wel And Iugge þe twelf kuyndes of Israel." Line 1088 Wheþer weore hit better at þe leste Haue heuene in possession or in bi-heste? [Spec. adds: Certum est quod in possessione: sic habent pauperes] ffor þus seiþ God, witeþ wel, In his holy Godspel: [Math. 5.] "Blesset mote þe pore of spirit be, Line 1093 ffor heoren is heuene," as I sei þe. He seiþ not þus in his steuen Heoren "schal beo" þe kyngdam of heuen, Line 1096 But he hem doþ to vndurstonde Þei ben in possessiun and in honde. Seint Bernard in a sarmoun seiþ euen: "Þe pore naþ not in erþe, ne riche in heuen." Line 1100

Line 1100 And ȝif þe riche wol heuene haue, At þe pore he mot hit buye and craue.— Nou is hit good for to sen Wȝuche þat verreylich pore ben, Line 1104 And also þulke oþere iliche Wȝuche þei ben, þat ben cleped riche. Summe ben þat han riches þikke And hem louen wiþ al heor witte: Line 1108 Þo ben þis riche gredi men, And euer coueyten þe world þen. Oþur þer ben in dede and þouȝt Wolde be riche, but þei may nouȝt; Line 1112 ffor and þei hadden worldus good, Þei wolden hit loue as þei were wod: Þulke ben þeose, soþ to telle, Þe caytyf beggers þat nouȝwher wol dwelle, Line 1116 But euer þei reyken aboute to craue, Al þat þei seon þei wolde hit haue; Also wiþ hem sette we moun Þis fals folk of Religioun. Line 1120 Þeos ben as riche in vnquerte As þeos oþure and as proude of herte; Crist spekeþ of hem in þe gospelle [Math. 19, 24.] And þus þe wordus doþ he telle: Line 1124 "A Chamayle mihte beter pase Þorwh anelde yȝe þenne in case, Þen miht such a riche mon In heuene come to þat kyndom." Line 1128 Summen þat richesse is to brouht, Han hit, but þei louen hit nouht, But neuerþeles, þe soþ to saue, ffayn þei ben riches to haue: Line 1132 Þos ben þese, to seye ow here, Þe goode men of þe world so dere, Þat al heore richesse wol dispende ffor loue of god þat hit sende. Line 1136 Bote þe more harm is forþi, Suche ben fewe, witerli! Oþur þer ben, soþ hit is, Þat haue not of þis worldus blis Line 1140

Line 1140 Ne no þing þerof doþ craue Ne nolde not, þauh þeiȝ mihte, hit haue: Þis ben holy religious þerfore And oþure, þat mai wel beo cald pore; [MS. þore] Line 1144 Heoren is þe Ioye euerlastonde Wiþ god and wiþ godus sonde. Þen may we here-of nou say: "Blesset beo þe pore in spirit ay, Line 1148 ffor heoren is þe kyndom Þer as dwelleþ God and Mon." Þenne drede we on þat oþur syde Leste þe wariing hem bi-tyde, Line 1152 To þis ilke riche men, Leste þei schulle in helle bren. Pore þei ben in heor herte Þat ben pore and louen pouerte, Line 1156 And þei ben pore in querte Þat han riches and louen pouerte.

[XXXIII.] þe visions of seynt poul wan he was rapt in to paradys. [Ed. before in Engl. Stud. I. p. 295-9. This piece seems intended to supply the place of the last article (Ioyes of heuen & Peynes of helle) of the preceding treatise, cf. p. 235, v. 531-2; it has no special initial or title.]

Lustneþ, lordynges, leof and dere, Ȝe þat wolen of þe sonday here! Þe sonday a day hit is Þat angeles and archaungeles Ioyen, I-wis, Line 4 More in þat ilke day Þen eny oþur, as l þe say. Þen wol we her ate dwelle Ho preyed furst rest for soules in helle. Line 8 Þat is to witen, I sei þe so, Poul and Michel Archaungel bo. ffor god of his grete miht Þe peynes of helle put in heore siht. Line 12 Poul sayh bi-foren helle ȝates Brennynge tres þat neuer slakes;

Mony on for heore synne þonne Weore I-pyned and honged þer-onne: Line 16 Summe bi hondes and bi feet þere, Summe bi þe her, summe bi þe ere, Summe bi þe Armes þat weore longe, And summe þer hengen bi þe tonge. Line 20 He sauȝ a caudren brennynge at enes Of diuerse colours wiþ seue lemes, And þer weore þei for heore synne Diuersliche I-pynet þer-Inne; Line 24 And seuen peynes weoren þer also Þat duden þe soules muche wo: Þe furste of snouȝ, þe secunde of ys, Þe þridde fuir in alle wys, Line 28 Þe ffeorþe blod, as I þe say, Þe ffyfþe Eddres of foul aray, Þe sixte leyt, as mon may þink, Þe seueþe peyne hit was of stynk. Line 32 At þat penaunces were þei in cast, Synful soules, and al for-þrast, Þe wȝuche þat nolden in no chaunce ffor heore synnes do no penaunce; Line 36 Þer weore þei turmented in þo ledes, And vche reseyued aftur his deedes. Summe wepten and ȝelled þenne, Summe gouleden, and summe dude brenne; Line 40 Þei disireden euere to dye— Hit miht not beo, wiþ-outen lyȝe, ffor þe soule, wher-so hit go, Schal neuer dyen, for weole nor wo. Line 44 Þerfore sore hit is to drede Þe places of helle for wikkedhede! In þe wȝuche þer is a whel brennynge, Wiþ muche serwe euer-lastynge; Line 48 Vndur þat wheol is þer þore A þousund grisly peynes sore, ffyue tyme vche day, to telle, Beo turmented wiþ þe Angel of helle, Line 52 In vche of þo fyue tymes Ben a þousund soules turmented in pynes.

Aftur þat sayh he, þer he stod, A wondur orible grisly flod, Line 56 And in þat flod say he þere Mony deueles bestes were: As ffissches þei were in þat flod þo, Todus, Neddres, Snakes, mony mo, Line 60 And þe synful soules in hiȝ Eten and gnowen wiþ-outen merci— Of hem tok I [r. þei] no more kep But as a Lyun doþ of a schep. Line 64 Ouer þat watur he sayȝ ligge A wondur long and an heiȝ brugge, And ouer þat brugge saf goon þen Þe soules of good rihtful men Line 68 Wiþ-outen harm of word or dede, And also wiþ-outen eny drede. Þe soules of synne[r]s, as I þe telle, ffallen doun þer, in pyne to dwelle, Line 72 Þer to take and resseyue so As þei on eorþe deserueden to. Be war of þis, I sei, beo-fore, As God seide in þe gospel þore: Line 76

Ligate per fasciculos ad comburendum:

Byndeþ hem in knucchenus forþi, To brenne, lyk to licchi, Spous-brekers wiþ lechours, Rauisschers wiþ rauisschours, Line 80 Wikked wiþ wikked also, ffor so schul þei to-gedere go. ffor eueri creature go schal Bi þat brugge sum or al, Line 84 And lasse or more schal he be deruet, Er aftur he haþ heer deseruet.

ÞEr sauh þe goode mon poule In þat pyne moni diuerse soule: Line 88 Summe to þe kne, and summe to þe hipes, Summe to þe nauel, summe to þe lippes, And summe he sauȝ bi-suyled as souwes In þat pyne vp to þe brouwes; Line 92

Line 92 And þei weore turmented euerlastyngly, Þei wept and gouled and weore sory. And Poules herte was so sor Þat for serwe he wepte þor. Line 96 And of þat Angel asked he Whi summe were þer in to þe kne. Þe Angel seide to him þen: "Heo ben Bacbyters of men, Line 100 Þat in word and dede, as I þe say, Hyndren heor euencristen þat þei may. And þo þat to þe nauel þou se, Spousbrekers and lechours þei be, Line 104 Þat aftur heore dedes, to vndurstonde, Nolde no penaunce take on honde. And þo þat weren up to þe lippes blake, Stryf and Iangelyng in chirche dude make, Line 108 Vche to oþur Iangled wiþ scorn— To heere godus wordus þei han forborn. And þo þat weren vp to þe briȝes In þat flod aboue þe eiȝes, Line 112 Þulke weore glade of þe mischeef Of heore neihȝebors and of heore greef."

And Poul wepte and seide þo: "Muche wo is hem I-come to Line 116 Þat so mony peynes grymme Ben ordeynt to for heore synne!" Seynt Poul þo bi-tornd his face And sayȝ anoþur derk place, Line 120 Moni Men and wymmen þer amongus Þat for-freten heore owne tonges. And Poul asked of him þere What-maner men þat þei were. Line 124 Þe Aungel seide to him ful sleih: "Þei vsuden Ocur and vsuri; Merciable weore þei nouht, Þerfore hit schal be dere abouht." Line 128

And Poul sauȝ þenne a-noþur plas, Þat moni peynes þer-in was; Þer he sauh dispitous þing: As Blake Maydens in Blac cloþing, Line 132

Line 132 And þei sodun euerichon In wellyng pich and Brumston; Brennyng dragouns and serpentes ifere Hongynge aboute heor nekkes were, Line 136 Gnawyng hem, to don hem schom, To-tere þe fflesch from þe bon. And þer weore foure Angeles to telle Þat weoren of þe hous of helle, Line 140 Brennynge hornes hedde þei on hed; Þei hem turmented and dude hem qued, ffaste þei wente þis pepul a-boute Wiþ moni turmentes grete and stoute, Line 144 Seying to hem, as was heore wone: "Knoweþ ȝe," þei seide, "godus sone, Þe wȝuche þat muche on ȝou þouȝt, Al þe world whon he bouȝt? Line 148 ffor ȝe nolde neuer knowen him Ȝe schullen han here þeos pynes grym."

Poul þis asked feire and wel. And þenne onswered þe Aungel: Line 152 "Þeos serued not chastite Til tyme of heor weddynge schulde be, But lyuede in heore lecherie, And heled heore children and dude hem dye Line 156 And ȝaf hem to swyn or to houndes Or drouned hem In flodes groundes, And schewed hem to þe worldus degre As þei maydens hedden i-be; Line 160 And in þis lyf þei lyueden ȝore And duden no penaunce þerfore." Aftur þis he sayȝ at ene Men and wymmen moni and lene, Line 164 Lene þei weore, wiþ-outen flesche; Þei soffred harde and noþing nessche: Muche lay bi-foren hem of Mete Þat hem deynet not of to ete. Line 168 Þo weore þeose þat weore not trewe And nolde not faste þat hem was duwe, And hedden of mony metes dedeyn, But hit weore likerous, be certeyn. Line 172

Line 172

ÞEn sauȝ poul a serwȝful siht— And he loked þer forþ riht: An Old mon sat þer wepynge Bi-twene four deueles foul ȝellynge. Line 176 Poul asked what he was. And þe Angel seide in plas: "He was Neclygent aȝeynes forbod And kepte not þe lawes of God, Line 180 He nas not chast of bodi i-souȝt Ne of herte ne of his þouȝt, But euer he was Couetous, Proud of herte and contrarius; Line 184 Þerof nolde he him not schriue Ne do no penaunce bi his lyue, Þerfore he schal beo pyned ay Wiþ-outen Noumbre til domus-day." Line 188

POul wepte and bigon to goule. Þe Angel seide: "whi wepustou, poule? Ȝit sayȝ þou not, as I þe telle, Þe strengest peyne þat is in helle." Line 192 Þe Angel him schewed wiþ-outen weoles A put a-scled wiþ seuen seles. He bad him stonde bac, for þat þing, Þat he mihte sustene þat stynk. Line 196 He opened þe Mouþ of þat put: Hit stonk foule wȝon hit was vnschut; Þe stynk þat com out of þat plas Passed al þe peynes and stinkes þer was. Line 200 Þen seide þat Angel, to biginne: "Hose comeþ þis put wiþ-Inne, Bi-fore God and vre ladi Schal neuer of him beo no merci." Line 204

POul askede: "wȝuche ben þo Þat schulen to þis peyne go?" He seide: "hose leeueþ not in wone Þat Iesu crist, Godus sone, Line 208 Tok fflesch and blod of þe virgine Marie And seþþe was boren of hire bodye; And also þulke, I telle hit þe, Þat neuer wollen Baptiȝed be, Line 212

Line 212 Þulke þat resseyue not worþily Þe flesch and blod of godus bodi."

POul loked forþur þen And sauȝ ful mony men and wymmen; Line 216 Wormes and serpentes on hem seeten, Euer as houndes þei on hem freeten. So mony soules þer weore in hold, Vchon on oþur, as schep in fold. Line 220 Hit was also dep to nemene As from þe eorþe vp to heuene. Of heore serwyng was muche wondur, Þei made a noyse as hit weore þundur. Line 224

And þenne poul loked touward heuene, And out of eorþe he herde a steuene; A synful soule he sauȝ comynge Among seue deueles waymentynge; Line 228 Þe wȝuche þat same day forþi Was itaken from þe bodi. Þe Angeles of God, þat ben vr frendes, Criȝeden faste to þe ffendes, Line 232 Seyȝinge allas, makynge heore mon: "What haþ þat wrecched soule i-don?" Þe ffendes seiden: "verreyment, He haþ seȝen his Iuggement; Line 236 He haþ ben muche mys-auyset, Godus Comaundemens he haþ dispyset, In eorþe he lyued in foly And þer dude he no remedi. Line 240 His owne cha[r]tre haþ he rad Þat his synnes were Inne I-sprad, And so forþ, we telle þe, His owne self þen Iugged he." Line 244 Þen tok þe deueles and him bounde, And caste hym in to þe derkeste grounde, Þer as was wepyng wiþ muche vnseeþe, Goulyng and grisbatyng of teþe. Line 248

ÞEn seide to poul þat Aungel: "Leeue þou hit and knowe hit wel: So as Mon doþ in his lyuing So schal he haue aftur his endyng." Line 252

Line 252 Aftur þat þis was forþ so sent, In-wiþ þe space of a moment, Aungeles of heuene saiȝ he come þon, Brouhten þe soule of a Rihtful mon. Line 256 Þer was Ioye wiþ loud steuene, ffor so þei beeren hit in to heuene; Of a þousund Angeles he herde þe vois, Ioynge wiþ a semely noys, Line 260 And seiden: "murie soule, blesset þou be, ffor euer murþe schal beo wiþ þe! Þou art i-blesset of God in trone: Þe wille of Ihesu hastou done." Line 264

ÞEn seide þe Angeles in heore seiȝing: "Ledeþ hym vp to-foren vr kyng! Glad may he ben of alle clerkes Þat schal him-self rede his goode werkes." Line 268 Aftur þat Mihel lede him in hiȝ To paradys to oþur holi. A Ioyful noyse was hem among Of Angeles and Archangeles wiþ song. Line 272

ÞEi þat in peyne bi-neþen lyȝe, Herden þis and al hit seiȝe; Þei ȝelleden wiþ lodly cry: "Poul, Michael, on vs ha merci! Line 276 Prei for vs wiþ good a-cord To vre god and to vre lord!"

ÞEn seide þe Angel to hem þo: "Weputh! poul and I wolen also, Line 280 Þat Almihti God, þat may best, Send ȝow sum refuit and sum rest." And þeose þat in peyne weore Cried on God wiþ delful beere; Line 284 Michael and poul also, And a Legioun of Aungelus mo. Þe soun of hem was herd ful euene Vp in to þe ffeorþe heuene, Line 288 Seiȝinge "haue merci on hem, Þe Sone of God and eke of mon."

And þenne þei þe heuene seih Open a-non ful sodeynly, Line 292

Line 292 Þe Sone of god com doun þo And herde hem preye, mony on mo, Þei preieden alle ful tenderli "Haue merci on vs, sone of Daui!" Line 296

ÞE vois þenne of vre heuene kyng Ouer al þe peynes was herd seying: "What good ha ȝe don herbifore Þat ȝe aske reste so sore? Line 300 I was don on cros for ȝou wiþ dere And smiten wiþ a ful scharp spere, I-nayled also wiþ nayles þree, Eysel and Galle to drynke bode me; Line 304 I ȝaf my-self for ȝou to be, ffor ȝe schulde ouer come wiþ me. Bote ȝe weore þeues, coueytous, Proude and wroþe and envyous, Line 308 Good neuer nolde ȝe do non Ne to schrift nolde ȝe not gon, Ne do penaunce for no þing Wiþ Almusdedes ne wiþ fastyng, Line 312 But ȝe weore lyȝers al ȝor lyf And liueden euere in serwe and strif."

ÞEn kneled Poul and Mihel And a Milioun Angeles wel Line 316 Bi-fore þe sone of God, to pray Þei moste ha reste þe sonenday. Þo weore þeos, as I ow telle Þat weoren in þe pynen of helle. Line 320

ÞEn seide vr lord to hem in spelle: "ffor Poul and also Michaelle And myn oþure Angeles on hiȝe, Þat ben in heuene so goode and triȝe, Line 324 And also of my grete goodnesse, Hem to ese of heore distresse, Þis rest I ȝiue ȝow ful soon ffrom þe seter-day at Non Line 328 Til þe secunde hour beo cum On þe Monenday, al and sum."

Anon þe soules hedden þer rest— He ȝaf hit hem þat mihte best. Line 332

Line 332 Þe soules criȝed euerichon: "Blesset beo þou, lord, sone of mon, Lord and God of Dauid kuynde! Þis rest bi þe haue we in Muynde."— Line 336 Þerfore, whos halweþ wel þe sonenday, He schal ha part of þe reste ay Þat þe Angeles in heuene Han þere wiþ mylde steuene. Line 340 Beo war of þe serwe and drede And of þe peynes þat we her rede, And torne we in alle wyse Vr lord to serue, þat hiȝe Iustise; Line 344 Bi wȝuche seruyse we may come To vre lord god and wiþ him wone.

XXXIV. þe Pope trental. [Ed. before in Engl. Stud. VIII, p. 275. The poem occurs again in the same MS. Vern. fol. CCCIII (V₂); other MSS. are Cott. Cal. A II (15th cent.), ed. by Furnivall, Pol., Rel. and Love Poems, London 1866, and MS. Lamb. 306; from these MSS. A. Kauf|mann has tried to give a critical text, based chiefly on MS. Cott., and retaining its spell|ing (Erlanger Beiträge 3, 1889). A different version is extant in MS. Edinb. Adv. Libr. 19, 3, 1, ed. by Turnbull, The Visions of Tundale, Edinb. 1843, and MS. Cambr. Univ. Libr. KK 1, 6, ed. by Kaufmann 1. c., which MSS. again differ greatly.]

I-writen I fynde a good stori, [Title in V₂: here bygunnet þe guldene trental þat ouȝte be loued swyþe wel.] Þe Pope hit wrot seint Gregori, [The name here, and v. 31, is a later introduction to the poem (cf. MS. Cott.). (Gregory is said to have instituted the Trental.)] Of his Modur and of hire lyf, Þat alle men heolden an holi hosewyf, So sad [V₂ good] of Maner, so mylde of Mood, Þat alle men heolden hire holi and good; De-boner, deuout, so milde of steuene, Þat alle men gesset [V₂ gessed 8] hire worþi to heuene.

As holi I-holden as heo was, Þe fend ȝit falled hire in a foul cas, He truyled [V₂ gylede] hire wiþ his tricherye And ladde hire in to lecherye, Line 12 Þat lust wiþ loue hire so be-gylede, So foule, til heo was wiþ childe. So priueliche noþeles heo hire bar Þat þer-of nas no wiht I-war. Line 16 And for no wiht schulde wite hire cas, Anon as hire child I-boren was, Þe Nekke heo nom, þe child heo woriede, And a-non þe child heo buriede. Line 20 Þus was heo cumbred in careful cas, Ne schewed neuer schrift þerof, allas! ffor heo wolde holy I-holde be, Heo tolde neuer prest hire priuite; Line 24 Al [V₂ Alle] folk fayn was of hire fame, So holy as heo was holden of name. Eft-sones hir fel þe same cas Riht as bi-foren bi-tyd hire was. Line 28 ffor heo was comen of prys parage, Of riche kun, [V₂ kin] of gentil lynage, Hire sone was seynt Gregori þe pope, Men heolden hire holy wiþ al heore hope, [vv. 31-2 om. in Cott.] Line 32 Þerfore heo schonede hir schrift to schowe, Leste by schrift hire cas weor [V₂ were] knowe. [vv. 35-8 later addition.] So schome makeþ men schone heor schrift And leose [MS. leoseþ] þe grace of godus ȝift, Line 36 And siþen to liuen so sunfulli [V₂ sinfulli]

And sorily dyen and sodeynli. Þis wommones dedes ner not aspyet, [V₂ neore . aspyed] And softly sone þer-aftur heo dyed. Line 40 Whon heo was seyen [V₂ seȝen] so softly dye, Men hopede heo weore in heuene ful hiȝe, [V₂ hie] Men heolden hir holy and so deuoute Þat of hire deþ men hedden no doute, Line 44 But wenden witerly alle to-wisse Þat heo weore set in souereyn blisse.

ÞEr-aftur wiþ-Inne a luytel tyme Vp-on a day sone aftur prime Line 48 Hire sone þe pope at Masse stood, And of his Modur trouwed bote good. Al sodeynliche a-Midde his messe Þer drouh touward him such a derknesse Line 52 Þat lakkede al þe dayes lyht And was derk [V₂ as derk as is at m.] as hit weore midniht; And in þat derknesse a myst among, Al stoneyd he was, such stunch þer stong; Line 56 Þer-of so grislich he was a-gast Þat al swounyng he was al-mast. Beo-syde he loked vndur his leor: A-Midde þe derknesse þer drouȝ on ner Line 60 A wonder grisli [V₂ grislich] creature, Riht aftur a fend ferde hire feture; So Ragget, [V₂ Ragged] so Rent, so elyng, so vuel, [euel] As hidous to bi-holden as helle-deuel; Line 64 Mouþ and Neose, Eres and Eȝes

fflaumed al ful of furi liȝes. [V2 leiȝes]

HE asked hit heiȝlich: "þorwh his miht Þat alle deueles schal dreden and diht, Line 68 And eke bi vertu of his blood Þat for Monkynde diȝed on Rod, Sey me a-non [V2 sikerly] þe soþe soone: What hastou in þis place to done? Line 72 What is þi cause, þou cursede wrecche, Þus me at Masse to derue and drecche?"

ÞE gost onswerde wiþ dreri cher: "I am þi Moodur þat þe beer, Line 76 Þat for vn-schriuene dedes derne In bitter peynes þus i berne."

ÞEn onswerd þe pope: "allas, Allas, my Modur, þis wondur cas! Line 80 Allas, my Modur, hou may þis be, In such aray I þe to seo? Men wenden witerli to-wisse Þou weore wel worþi to habbe blisse Line 84 And þat ful wel wiþ God þou were, To preyen for us þat liuen ȝit here. Sey me, modur, wiþ-outen feyne, Whi art þou [V2 artou] put to al þis peyne?" Line 88 Heo seide: "my sone, soþfastly I schal þe telle þe cause why: ffor I nas not such as I seemed, But wikked and worse þen men me demed, Line 92

Line 92 I sungede [V2 sunged] wikkedliche in my lyue, Of wȝuch I ne dorste for schome me schriue;" Heo tolde him trewely al hire cas ffrom ende to oþur riht as hit was. Line 96

"Sei me, Modur, for Marie flour, Ȝif ouȝt may beo þi socour, [V2 þi safs.] Wher penaunce of fasting mai ouȝt alegge, Beodes or Masses þi peynes abregge, Line 100 Or eny-maner oþur þyng Þat þe mai helpe of eny lissyng?"

"MI deore Blessede sone," seide heo, "fful wel I-holpen I mihte beo, Line 104 Holpen and saued I mihte beo wel Hose vndurtoke a trewe trentel Of ten cheef festes of al þe ȝer To synge for me in þis Maneer: Line 108 Þreo Masses of Cristes Natiuite, And of þe Ephiphan oþur þre, Þreo of þe Purificaciun, And þreo of þe Annunciaciun, Line 112 Þreo of þe Resurrexiun, And þreo of þe Ascenciun, Of þe Pentecost oþur þre, And þreo of þe holy Trinite, Line 116 Þreo of Maries Natiuite, And of hire Concepcioun oþur þre"—

Þeose weoren [al. ben] þe cheef festes ten Þat souereynliche socourde [al. socour(en)] synful men. "What godmon syngeþ þeos masses, saunfayle, Line 121 To synful soule [V2 soules] þei schullen auayle, Wiþ þe ȝeer wiþ-outen treyne Diliueren a soule ful out of peyne. Line 124 Let sei þeos Masses bi ȝoure hestes Wiþ-Inne þe vtaues of þe ffestes! And he þat schal þeos Masses do, Let sei þer-wiþ þe Orisun þer-to, Line 128 [vv. 129-146 a later paraphrase of the two vv. in MS. Cott.] Treoweliche wiþ-outen were Eueri day þorwh-out þe ȝere, Heet him sei [V2 seyen] hit eueri day, Oþur he þat doþ þe Masses to say." Line 132 Hose wol knowe þis orisun clene, Hit is on Englisch þus muche to mene: "God, vr verrey Redempciun, [Oracio] Vr soþfast soules sauaciun, Line 136 Þat chose al [V2 alle] oþur londes bi-forn Þe lond of bi-heste In to beo born, And þi deþ suffredest in þat same, [V2 þe s.] Diliuere þis soule from gult and blame, Line 140 Tak hit out of þe fendes bond, And þat lond from þe heþene hond, And peple þat leueþ not in þe Þorwh þi vertu amendet mote be; Line 144 And alle [V2 al] þat trusteþ In þi Merci, Lord, saue hem sone and soþfastli!"

"A Modur," he seide, "þat wol I do, ffor I am mon most I-holde [V2 holden (I- om.)] þer-to— Line 148 Þou weore my Modur, I was þi sone— To synge þe Masses I schal not schone [MS. schome] ;

God graunte me, Modur, þe stonde in stede [V2 stude] Aȝeynes þe synnes þat euer þou dude. [V2 Aȝeyn . sunnes . dede] Line 152 I halse þe heiȝliche, Modur deere, Þis tyme twelf-Moneþ [V2 a tw. m.] to me a-peere, Hol þin a-stat to me þou schowe, Þat, hou þou fare, I mouwe wel knowe!" Line 156

"Mi sone," heo seide, "I wole, in ffey," And wiþ þat word heo wente hir wey. So day from [V2 fro] day þe ȝer con passe, Þe pope for-lette neuer his Masse Line 160 Þe same dayes þat weoren [V2 were] asignet, To helpen his Modur þat was so pynet, [V2 pyned] And tok þe Orisun al-gate þer-to Als, as his Modur preiȝede him do. Line 164

ÞAt tyde twelf-Moneþ at Masse he stod Holyliche wiþ deuociun good: And in þat same tyde apliht He sayȝ a swiþe selli siht, Line 168 A comeli [V2 comly] ladi, so dresset and diht Þat al þe world of hire schon briht, Comeli Corouned [V2 crouned] as a Qweene, Tweyn Angeles ladden hire hem bi-twene. Line 172 He was so Rauischt of þat siht, Al-most for Ioye he swounede riht. He fel doun flat bi-foren hire feet, Line 175 Þe teres of his eȝen he doun leet, [V2 Deuoutli teres wiþ leores he leet]

He grette [V2 gret] hire wiþ wel mylde steuene And seyde: "ladi, Qween of heuene, Moodur of Ihesu, Mylde Marie, ffor my moodur Merci I crie." Line 180

"[D]O wey," heo seide, "I nam not heo Ne whom þou wenest [V2 þe wenest] þat I beo, Bote, soþlyche, as þou seost me her, I am þe [r. þi; V2 þi] Moodur þat þe beer. Line 184 Bi-foren i ferde, þou wustest wel, ffarynge as a fend of hel, [V2 helle] I am nou such as þou sest her, Þorwh help and vertu of þi preyer, Line 188 ffrom derknesse i-dresset [V2 om. i-] to blisse cleer. Þe tyme beo blesset þat I þe beer! And for þe kuyndenesse of þi deede Souereyn Ioye schal beo þy Meede. Line 192 And alle þat leteþ þeos Masses þus do, Schul saue hem-self and soules also. Þerfore, Sone, þis storie þou preche! Mi dere sone, god I þe be-teche." Line 196 Whon heo hedde endet þis wordes euene, Angeles token hire hom [V2 euene] to heuene. Þe same hom to [V2 om. to] god vs sende, To wone wiþ him wiþ-outen ende. Amen. [Then follows in MS. Vernon, William of Nassington's Mirrour of Life (translation of John de Waldeby's Speculum Vitæ), fol. CCXXXI—CCLXIIII b, extant also in a MS. of Lord Ashburnham (best MS.), MS. Reg. 17 CVIII (written 1418), Hatton 19; then Rich. Rolle's Pricke of Conscience, fol. CCLXIIII b—CCLXXXIII b; then Þe Spore of Loue.] Line 200

Trentale sancti gregorij.

MS. Cott. Cal. A II, fol. 86 (ed. in Furnivall's Polit., Relig. and Love Poems, E. E. T. S. 1866).

A nobull story wryte y fynde, A pope hit wrote to haue yn mynde, Of his modur & of her lyf That holden was an holy wyfe, Line 4 Of myrthes sadde & mylde of mode, Þat all men held her holy & gode; Bothe deuowte & mylde of steuen), Line 7 Þat all men helde her wordy heuen.

So holy as she was holde of name, All men were gladde of her fame. But as holy as she holden was, Line 11 Þe deuell browȝth her yn a foule cas, He trifeled her so with his trecherye And ledde her yn lust of lecherye, ffor with lust of lecherye he her begylde Tyll she hadde conceyued a chylde. Line 16 And also priuely she hit bare That þer-of was no man ware. And for no mon) shuld wyte of þat case, Anone as þe chylde born was, Line 20 The chylde she slowȝ & wyryede And pryuely she hit byryede. Þer was she combred yn a carefull case, And vnshryuen þer-of she was; Line 24 She ne tolde no preste her priuyte ffor she wolde holy holden be. Efte-sones she fell in þe same case Ryȝth as beforn her be-tydde was. Line 28 ffor she was comen of hyȝ parage, Of gentyll kynne & worþy lynage, Þerfor she wolde not her synne shewe Nor yn schryfte hit be-knowe, Line 32

Line 32 And so her dedes wer not a-spyed. But afturwarde sodenly she dyed. When she was seyn so sodenly dye, Men hoped she was yn heuen hye; Line 36 They helde her so holy & deuowte Þat of her deth þey made no dowte, But sykurly men wende y-wys Þat she was worþy heuen blys. Line 40 Then aftur with-Inne a shorte tyme, Vpon a day soone aftyr pryme, The pope as he at his masse stode, Line 43 Vpon his modur he hadde þowȝt goode, Prayng to god with conciens clere The soþe to knowe as hit were. And sodenly yn myddes his masse Line 47 Þer þrowȝ to hym such a derkenesse Þat he [om. he] lakkede ner þe dayes lyȝt, ffor hit was derke as mydnyȝt; In þat derkenes was myste among, Line 51 All a-stonyed he stode so hit stongke. Be-syde he loked vnþur hys lere: In þat derknes a þyng þrew hym nere, A wonþurfull grysely creature, Line 55 Aftur a fend fyred with all her feture, All ragged & rente, boþe clenge & euell, As orrybull to be-holde as any deuell; Mowthe, face, eres & yes

Brennede all full of brennyng lyes. Line 60 He was so agast of þat grysyly goste That yn a swonyng he was almoste. He halsed hit: "þorow goddes myȝte That þe fende he putte to flyȝte, Line 64 And be þe vertu of hys blode That for mankynde dyed on Rode, Sey me sykerly þe soþe soone Line 67 What þou hast yn þis place to done; What ys þy cause, þou cursed wreche, Thus at masse me for to drecche?" Þe gost answered with drury chere: "I am þy modur þat þe beere, Þat for vnschryuen dedes so derne Line 73 In byttyr paynes þus y brenne [r. berne] ." Then sayde þe pope: "alas, alas! Modur, þis ys to me a wondur case. Line 76 A, leef modur, how may þis be In suche paynes þe for to se? ffor all men wende y-wys That þou hadde ben wordy heuen blys, And full good [L well with god] þat þou were, To praye for vs þat ben here. Sey me, modyr, with-outen fayne, Line 83 Why art þou put to all þis payne?" She sayde: "sone, sykerly, I shall þe telle þe cause why: ffor y was not such as y semed, But myche worse þen men wened; Line 88

Line 88 I lyuede in lustes wykkydly in my lyfe, Of þe whyche y wolde me not shryfe;" And tolde hym trewly all þe case Line 91 ffro þe bygynnyng how þat hit wase. The pope lette teres a-down Renne, And to his modyr he sayde þen: "Tell me now, modur, for loue of mary flour, Line 95 If any þyng may þe help or sokour, Bedes or masse, þy penaunce to bye, Or ony fastyng, þy sorowe to aleye; What crafte or caste or any oþur þyng The may help or be þy Releuyng?" "My blessed sone," sayde she, Line 101 "ffull well y hope þat hit may be; Syker & saf myȝth y be well Who-so trewly wolde take a trentell Of ten chef festes of þe ȝere, Line 105 To syng for me yn þis manere: Thre masses of crystys natyuyte, And of þe xij day oþur þre, Line 108 Thre of our ladyes puryfycacion, And oþur þre of her Annunciacion, Thre of crystes gloryous Resurreccion, And oþur þre of his hyȝ Ascencion, And of pentecoste oþur þre, Line 113 And þre of þe blessed trinite, And of our ladyes Assumpcion oþur þre, And of her Ioyfull natiuite þre; Line 116

Line 116 These ben þe chefe festes ten That sokour þe sowles þat ben fro heuen. Who-so sayth þese masses, with-out fayle, ffor synfull sowles þey shall a-vayle; All a ȝere, with-outen trayne, They delyuere a sowle out of payne. Lette say þese masses be ȝour hestes With-Inne þe vtas of þe festes! Line 124 And he þat shall þese masses do, Sey he þer-with þis oryson also: Deus qui es nostra Redempcio, Line 127 With all þe oþur þat longen þer-to." The pope was gladde her-of in fay, And to his modur þen gon he say: "Modyr," he sayde, "þis shall be do, ffor y am moste bounde þerto— Line 132 Thou were my modur, I was þy sone— Thys same ȝere hit shall be done;

God graunte me grace to stonde in stede Aȝeyns all þe synnus þat euur þou dede. Line 136 I commaunde hooly, my moder dere, Þat þis tyme twelfmoneþ þou to me apere, And hooly to me þy state þou telle, That how þou fare y may wyte well." "My sone," she sayde, "y woll yn fay," Line 141 And with þat worde she wente her way. Day by day þe ȝer gon passe, The pope for-ȝate neuur his masse Line 144 The same dayes þat were a-syned, To helpe his modur þat was pyned, And toke þe orysons all-way þer-to Ryȝth as she bad hym for to do. Line 148 xij moneþ aftur as he at masse stode With gret deuocion & holynesse gode, At þat same tyme full Ryght He sawe a full swete syght: Line 152 A comely lady dressed & dyght, That all þe worlde was not so bryȝt, Comely crowned as a qwene, Twenty Angellys her ladde be-twene. He was so Raueshed of þat syght Line 157 That nyȝ for Ioye he swoned Ryght. He fell down flatte by-fore her fete, Þat [om. þat] deuowtly teres wepynge he lete,

And grette her with a mylde steuen And sayde þere: "lady, qwene of heuen, Modyr of Ihesu, mayde marye, ffor my modyr mercy I crye." Line 164 At þat worde with mylde chere She hym answered on þis manere: "Blessed sone, I am not she Line 167 Who wenest [r. Whom þ. w.] þou þat I be, But certes as þou seest me here I am þy modyr þat þe bere, That her-by-fore, þou wyste well, I was wordy payne yn hell, Line 172 And now y am such as þou seest her, Þorow help of þe vertu of þy prayer, ffro derknesse I dresse to blysse clere; Þe tyme be blessed þat y þe bere! Line 176 And for þe kyndenesse of þy good dede Heuen-blysse shall be þy mede. And all þo þat leten þese masses be do, Shall saue hem-self & oþur mo; Line 180 Þus may þey helpe her frendes all That Reche-lesly yn synne falle. Therfore, sone, þis story þou preche! And almyȝty god y þe be-teche." Line 184 At þe endyng of her wordes euen An Angell her ber yn to heuen. In to þat place god vs sende, Line 187 To dwelle with her with-outen ende.

Thys ys þe vertu, y þe telle, Of seynt gregory trentelle. But who so wyll do hit trewely, He moste do more, sykurly: Line 192 Þe preste þat þe masse shall synge, At eche feste þat he doþ hit mynge He moste say with good deuocion Ouer Euen þe commendacyon, Line 196 Placebo & dyryge also, The sowle to brynge out of woo; And also þe salmus seuene, Line 199 ffor to brynge þe sowle to heuen— Among oþur prayeres þey ben good To brynge sowles fro helle f[l]ode, ffor euery psalme qwencheth a synne, As ofte as a man þoth hem mynne. Loke with good deuocyon þou hem say! And to all halewes þat þou pray, To helpe þe with all her myȝte Line 207 The sowle to brynge to heuen bryght, Ther euur ys day and neuur nyght— Cryst graunt vs parte of þat lyght! Loke þese ben sayde all in-fere Euery day yn þe ȝere; Line 212 Neuer a day þat þou for-ȝete, These to say þou ne lette! Also in þe vtas of euery feste Also longe as hit doth leste— Line 216 viij^te dayus men callen þe vtas— Þe preste moste say in his masse— A nobull orysoun hit ys holde— Þe colette þat fyrst y of tolde. Line 220 And aftur þe fyrste orysoun Þer ys an-oþur of gret Renoun Þat to þe sowle ys wonþur swete, Menne calle hit þe secrete. Line 224 When þe preste hath don his masse, Vsed, & his hondes wasche, A-noþur oryson he moste say, Þat yn þe boke fynde he may, Line 228 Þe "post comen" men don hit calle, That helpeth sowles out of þralle. And þat þis be don at eche a feste Line 231 As þe trentall [corr. fr. trentell] speketh moste & leste; Then may þou be sykur & certayne To brynge þe sowle out of payne To endeles Ioye þat lasteth aye, Þat god dyed fore on good fryday. Line 236 To þat Ioye he vs brynge Þat ys in heuen with-oute endynge! Pray we all hit may so be, And say Amen for charyte. Line 240

Explicit.

[XXXV. þe Spore of Loue. [So the title in v. 21, 1081; in the heading the title is Þe Prikke of loue. A local reference, v. 163 ff., seems to imply that the poem was written in Leicester. The translation is very free, with frequent additions, omissions, and contractions.] ] [folio cclxxxiiib] (A free translation of St. Edmund's Speculum.)

Her beginneþ þe Prikke of loue, Þat profitable is to soule be-houe.

God þat art of miȝtes most, ffader and Sone and holigost, Þow graunte hem alle þi blessyng Þat herken wel to þis talkyng. Line 4 ffor, lewed and lered, more and lesse, Hit wol ow teche holynesse; To loue God wiþ fyn chere Hit wol ou teche, my leoue and dere. Line 8

Line 8 ffor mony a tyme ȝe cone me preye Þer-of a lesson ow to seye; Ȝoure dulnesse sum what to scharpe Ȝe han me preyed for to carpe. Line 12 ffor bisynes of worldli þing To monye hit is a gret lettyng, And eke ȝor owne frelete, Þat makeþ ow ȝeore heui to be Line 16 Of or-self and ȝoure liuinge, Þorw þe ffendes entysynge. Þerfore þis bok to ow I make Ȝoure discumfort for to slake, Line 20 Þat is cald "þe spore of loue," Þat stureþ or loue to god aboue. Riht as þe spore makeþ hors to renne, So schal þis bok sone god [MS. good] ou kenne, Line 24 Þat is souereyn holynesse. Ȝe schul fynde heer-in swetnesse: Loke ȝe take herto good hede! ffor I schal telle ȝou, as I rede. Line 28 Þis may be ȝor halyday werk, Hit wol a-vayle boþe lewed and clerk.

Of Meditacion of þi-self knowyng. [The poem begins with Chap. 3 of the Spec.]

Takeþ good hede, of alle þinge Þis tweyne to loue, good þei wil þe bringe: Line 32 Þe ffurste Is Meditacion, Þe toþer is Contemplacion; Þenk of þi-self þat is to say, And on God, eueriche day. Line 36 Þou maiȝt not loue God riȝt wel But ȝif þou knowe him furst sumdel, Ne þi-self neuer þe more. Þat God is best wite wel þerfore; Line 40 And wene not þi-self be best, Al þi while þen hast þou lost. Þi-self loke þat þou knowe, ffor þat schal make þe Meke & lowe Line 44 And able to knowe þe grete bounte Of God þat sitteþ in Maieste.

Bi-þenk þe þenne, whil þou hast quart, In Bodi and Soule what þou art. Line 48 Þi bodi was gendred of foul matere, Þat is wlatsum for to here. [vv. 51-86. This passage is wanting in the Spec.] Bi al þin Issuwes hit is wel sene Þat þou art not wiþ-Inne ful clene. Line 52 Nyne Issuwes þou hast, I wene, Ȝif þou loke hem al bi-deene: Tweyne Eren þou hast, ben ful of wore, Þyn Eȝen ben goundi whon þei ben sore, Line 56 Þi Neose-þurles ben ful of snit, And þi Mouþ of glet and spit, Þyn Issuwes þat aren in priuete ffor schome þou letest no mon hem se. Line 60 Þerfore, seint Bernard as he vs telles: [cf. The sayings of St. Bernard.] Þou proude mon, þou art nouȝt elles But of Muk bretful a sekke; Mon, schuldest þou not so muche rekke Line 64 Of þi-self þen of anoþer, ffor Rot is þi ffader, worm þi broþer, ffor gendred he is riht of þe same As þou. Proud mon, þou art to blame, Line 68 Þat þow berest þe so stoutli And hast þow non enchesun whi! Heddest þow be maad of stones riche, Sonne or Mone or bodi heuenliche, Line 72 How nobliche þow heddest be wrouȝt! As Lucifer þow miȝtest haue þouȝt. Of his beute proud he was: Þerfore him tidde a wel foul cas, Line 76 In heuene he durede but a while. Riht so pruide wol þe be-gyle And caste þe doun riht to grounde, Þi soule in peyne hit schal be bounde. Line 80 Þi bodi, þat now is hol and sounde, So foul rot hit schal be founde, Hit schal not turne to gras nor flour, But in to wlatsum and foul odour. Line 84 Þus maiȝt þou knowe þi bodily staate, Þi fleschli lust forto abate.

Meditacion of þe Soule.

Of þi soule ȝit þenke þow What staat hit is Inne now, Line 88 And what þou hast don her-bi-foren— Or elles þou maiȝt sone be loren. Þenk hou muche wikkednesse Þou hast don, and [left] [om.] goodnesse, Line 92 How luitel good þow hast wrouȝt, Þi tyme hast spendet aboute nouȝt; Of werk and word þat is gon And of þi tyme schal leue riht non Line 96 Þat þou ne schalt ȝelde ful streit acounte, Þou nost hou muche hit wol amounte. Ȝif þou weore bounde for to telle [exemplum] In þe séé þe smale grauelle, Line 100 Or sterres in þe ffirmament, Þow heddest gret neode, verrement, fforto a-vise þe wonder wel! So most þou rikene eueridel Line 104 Werk, and word, and þouȝtes alle, Þat ben wel mo þen grauel smalle; And of þi tyme þat is past. Þerof þou maiȝt ben sore agast Line 108 To þenke þus what þi soule haþ ben! What hit is now, is good to sen. So chaungeable is þi soule, my frende, Þat nouȝt þe pleset adai to þe ende; Line 112 Now art þow sori, now art þow glad, Now art in hope, now art adrad; Ȝit wilnest þow þing þat neuer ne was. Þou art more frele þen is þe glas: [vv. 116-121 wanting in the Spec.] Line 116 Wiþ-oute touche hit lasteþ ay, Þi soule is frelore atte assay: Þorw siht wiþ-oute & þouȝt wiþ-Inne Hit may be broken, wiþ dedly synne. Line 120 Þerto assentest þou lihtly, And for to be fondet þou art redi, And forte wiþ-stonde hastou no miȝt, But þorw þe grace of god almiht, Line 124

Line 124 Þat kepeþ þe vp whon þou schuldest falle. ·ffrom mony mischeues he con þe calle: Whon þou art loren he þe fyndes, Of Bondus of synne he þe vnbyndes; Line 128 To þe deuel whon we were sold, He Raunsound vs, boþe ȝonge & old; Dedly synne whon þou hast don, He vengeþ him not þer-on anon, Line 132 But Corteisliche he þe abydes; Þi schome & synne ȝit he hydes. He blames þe whon þou dost mys, And euere he techeþ þe, I-wys, Line 136 In hungur & þurst he þe fedes, Among þin enymys he þe ledes, In hete and chele he þe refresches, Slepyng, wakyng he þe redresses. Line 140 Heron þou þenke boþe Euen & morn! And eke, hou mony men han be lorn, Boþe be water and londe also, Þat God ne haþ not tendet to Line 144 As to þe so bisyli. And þerfore sei, "sire, graunt Merci," [The Spec. has a complete prayer, beg. Gratias ago tibi, &c.] Whon þow be-þenkest þe day or niht Hou god þe kepeþ wiþ-oute dispit Line 148 In Bodi or soule, erli or late.— Þus maiȝt þou knowe þin owne astate. To loue god bi alle resoun ffor þis fordede þou hast enchesoun. Line 152 Þis þouȝt is Meditacion. Now forþ to Contemplacion.

Of Contemplacion in creature.

Contemplacion is to seye: Siht of god and his nobleye. Line 156 Þat maiȝt þou se be þin Inwit In creature, and in holy writ, And siþen in his owne kynde. Of þeose ȝif we wol haue good mynde, Line 160 Þe nobleye of god [we se] in his werkes, As men mowe seo, Lewed & Clerkes.

Þou þat neuere seȝe Duyk Henri, [exemplum] Þat þe newe werk of Leycetre reised on hiȝ: Line 164 Þer-bi maiȝt þou wel wyte and se Þat he was lord of gret pouste Þat hit made of his owne cost— I hope he naue þeron not lost. Line 168 Þe makyng of vche a creature Such is [r. Schewis?] godes miȝt wiþ-oute Mesure. And bi þe ordre of vch a kynde His wit we sen but we be blynde; Line 172 And bi þe creatures meyntenyng Of his godnes we han witeryng. So long and Brod as is þis world, Heiȝ and dep, scheweþ him a lord Line 176 Of Miht and pouwer gret saunȝfaile, Al made of nouȝt wiþ-oute trauayle. [vv. 179-192 wanting in the Spec.] Eyr & ffuir on heiȝ ben founde, Water and Erþe heuy at grounde: Line 180 Of his wisdam hit scheweþ a part, And so to Ioyne hem a ful gret art. Hedde fuir and water to-geder ben set, Not wysli don men wolden han let, Line 184 Þat On þat oþer wolde distruye; Hedde Eir be Ioyned to eorþe so druye, Hit wolde for chyne, for to seye soþ, No fruit wolde bere as hit now doþ. Line 188 Water and Erþe are meynt to-gidere, ffor grene þing schulde not al to-whidere. Gret wit and wisdam, as I ow tolde In God ȝit ȝe may be-holde: [In the MS. vv. 189-190 & 191-2 are transposed.] How summe creaturs al-on Han beoynge of him, as stok and ston; And summe, as treo and gras and flour, Han lyf, but Ioye non ne no dolour; Line 196 Summe ben & liuen & fleon [r. felen] lykyng, As Beest and ffoul and ffisch fletyng; Ouer alle þeose Mon bereþ þe pris, ffor he haþ reson to make him wys— Line 200 Þat makeþ hym peringal lo here To Angeles of heuene, to ben heor feere.

So muche may ȝit be monnes grace Þat he mai passen an Angeles place. Line 204 Seynt Austyn, þe grete clerk, seiþ riȝt so: An Angeles place he wolde for-go ffor to haue þe worþi stede Þat God haþ ordeynd for Monhede. Line 208 Herof I rede þou take good keepe! Elles þou art worþi gret schendschip, But þou lyue aftur þi degre, Seþþe þou hast such a dignite Line 212 Alle þing to beo þin vnderloute, A-boue, bi-neþe, and al aboute. ffor al þing in eorþe, mon, in sum wyse Was maad of god for [MS. þor] þi seruyse: Line 216 Hors & Neet and eke Chamayle, Þe to ese in þi trauayle; Lyn, fforre, fflax, Selk and Wolle, Þat diuersliche God ȝeueþ at folle, Line 220 Þe to kepe from chele and hete; Beest, fisch & foul, & fruit, to þi mete. Þe þinkeþ par aunter hit is not so, ffor venymous bestes þei don vs wo. Line 224 Þe harmful creatures, verrement, Weore maad til vre amendement, Þei ben to vs a Chastisyng, And eke a wel feir techyng. Line 228 [vv. 229-234 wanting in the Spec.] Whil þou hast in þin hond a ȝerd, [exemplum] Þe Child þer-of is sore aferd, Of his vntiȝt [= Germ. Unzucht] ful sone slakes And to his lore good keep he takes; Line 232 Hit makeþ þe child boþe meke & lowe, A-Mendeþ him wel him-self to knowe. Þe venymous beestes wel muche we dreden: Þe beter þerfore vre lyf we leden. Line 236 ffor summe to vs þei beo nuyouse, Godes werk we knowe ful meruilouse— Of Godes wisdam a wonder cast! [240 ff. wanting in the Spec.] But of his goodnes be-hold atte last, Line 240 How Creatures þat ben Iure, [So V. and MS. Sim.] Þe Sky, Heuen, Sterres and heore nature

God haþ maad forte mowe endure Euermore wiþ-outen eny gendrure; Line 244 But þulke on eorþe eueri day þei rote, As on is ded, anoþur is gote— Such vertu in kuynde God con faste, Þat longe I-nowh so mihte þei laste, Line 248 Ȝif his wille were for euere and ay; So multiplye þei euer vche a day, Þat summe ben olde & summe be newe, Þorw þe godnesse of his vertue.— Line 252 Þus mowe ȝe knowe boþe more & lesse Godes Miȝt, his wit, and his goodnesse In creatures, as I haue told, How gret, how good, how monifold. Line 256 Seþþe he haþ maad for vs al þis, But we him loue we don amis. Ȝif þow loue ȝiftes in þin entent, Loue him wel raþer þat hit þe sent, Line 260 Þat is god al þing aboue. Þerfore me þinkeþ we schulde him loue; And for him-self ȝit wel more, Whon we be-þenken vs of þis lore. Line 264 Þis þe furste Contemplacioun In Creatures of gret Renoun.—

Þe secunde contemplacion In holy writ.

ÞE secunde contemplacion is hit Þat I seide, in holi writ. Line 268 Þei þow be lewed and con not rede, Noþeles ful wel ȝit may þou spede To herkene þe ffrere Sarmounyng And oþer priue Carpyng, Line 272 And loke ȝif þou mowe ouȝt þer lere Þin vnderstondyng to make more clere. Þer maiȝt þow lerne, as I trowe, Good from vuel for to knowe, Line 276 Sinne to hate, vertu to loue, And to ȝerne þe Ioye aboue, Þe pyne of helle for to drede, Nouȝt loue þis world but for þi nede; Line 280

Line 280 Alle þinges þat we of prechen, Summe of þeos poyntes forsoþe þei techen. Þerfore I prey ȝou, takeþ good hede After holi writ ȝoure lyf to lede, Line 284 Godes wille so to knowe þer-Inne Þat ȝe mowe hate dedly sinne. And þat ȝe mowe knowe wȝuch hit bene, I schal hem riken alle bedene, Line 288 And þe spices þat of hem launches. Pride þe furste, haþ six [7 in the Spec.] Braunches: [vv. 289 & 290 are transp. in the MS.] Þe furste is cald vnbuxomnes: Of herte hit is a gret hiȝnes, Line 292 Makeþ mon to leeten þat him is boden [orig. beden] And to don þat is forboden Of God or Mon, his ouerlyng. Þe secounde spice is Bostyng, Line 296 Þat makeþ mon forto him auaunte Of good þat he wolde neuere haunte. Þe þridde spice is Ypocrisye— Schewest þe beter to Monnes eiȝe Line 300 Þen þou art þi-self wiþ-Inne, And leetest as þou heddest neuer do synne. Þe feorþe is clept Arrogaunce, Þat schewes oþur mennes mischaunce Line 304 And openeþ al out heore wikkednes, So þat þyn may seme þe les; Of oþer mennes schendschipe To þe þow takest worschipe. Line 308 Þe ffyfþe spice, hit is dispyt, Oþer menne goodnes setteþ [r. settest?] luit, Þow seist hit is not worþ a Bore, So þat þin may seme þe more. [The 6th in Spec., impudentia, is om.] Line 312 Þe Sixte is cald Elacion, Boldnesse of vuel þat þou hast don; Þat makeþ mon for to fonde Correxion hou he may wiþ-stonde. Line 316 Þeos ben þe spices most comuyn of pride, Þat spreden in þis world ful wyde. Pruide in heuene furst bi-gon, And seþþen in eorþe to mony a Mon. Line 320

Line 320 Of þeos þreo þinges as I schal telle, Of Pruide moni on haþ þe smelle: Of godes of kuynde, or of grace, Or elles of worldes purchace. Line 324 Strengþe, feirnesse, good wit, or kynne Bi kynde þis mon haþ him wiþ-Inne; ffeiþ, Hope, Loue and Charite [al. Spec.: Scientia, virtus, gratia, bona fama, & dignitas.] Goodes of grace þei ben, parde; Line 328 ffeir Cloþes, Lond, Hous and Rent Worldes purchase ben, verrement. Of þeos þreo þinges pruide is born, Þat makeþ mony a mon to be forlorn. Line 332 Þe secunde synne, hit is Envy: Of oþur mennes wele hit is sori, And of heor harm hit is fayn. Þreo spices hit haþ, as men sayn: Line 336 In herte hit is furst, þorw vuel wille; In word: þi neiȝebor Bakbyte and spille; In werk, hit makeþ lered and lewed To his neiȝebor forte beo schrewed. Line 340 Wraþþe to þi soule Is mischaunce— Of þi neiȝebor hit wilneþ veniaunce; Ȝif þou in herte bere hit longe, Hattreden hit engendreþ swiþe stronge. Line 344 Herof comeþ cheste and Manasyng, Vileynous wordes, and eke grucching, Discord, Repref, deynous lokyng— Þeos ben alle a foul ofspring. Line 348 Þe ffeorþe is slouþe in godes seruise. [vv. 350-398 differ from Spec.] Þe Braunches þerof I wol deuyse: Þe furste is feyntise wiþ-oute likyng, Þat makeþ þe heui wiþ alle þing; Line 352 Þat toþer is a tendernesse, Þat suffreþ no disese nor duresse; Recheleschipe is þe þridde— Þou takest no kep what men þe bidde; Line 356 Þe feorþe is called Idelnesse, Whon þou ne wolt worche, more ne lesse. Þe ffyfþe is cald Auarice, Þat haþ mony a sori spice: Line 360

Line 360 Þerof comeþ treson, and Robberie, fforsweryng, Oker, and Symonye, Þefþe, Beryng of fals witnesse, Lyȝing, and of herte hardnesse, Line 364 Þat makeþ þe no reuþe to haue Of hem þat þe good craue. Glotonye is þe Sixte synne, Þat fouleþ mon wiþ-oute and wiþ-Inne. Line 368 Þe furste spice is of glotenye To ete more þen þou mayȝt defye, Whon þou art in hele nomeli; Anoþer is to ete to lustili. Line 372 Glotonye makeþ mon in hast To breke holychirche fast. Þe þridde makeþ bisili to þenche What maner of mete his lust may quenche. Line 376 Þe feorþe, þat makeþ mon as ded, Þat is foul drounkenhed— Þat is dedly, bi enchesoun Þat hit bi-reueþ mon his resoun; Line 380 But ȝif hit come wiþ-oute fayle Of feble brayn or gret trauayle, Or þe drinke be strengor þen men wenen, ffor venial synne we hit demen. Line 384 Lecherie is on of [MS. of of] þe seuene, Þat greueþ muche vr lord of heuene. In to þis synne whon tweyne falle Þat ben sengle, is lest of alle; Line 388 But ȝif þe wommon a Mayde be, Worse is þat, þe secounde degre; Þe þridde is clept Holorie, Þat wedlak brekeþ, is synne ful hye; Line 392 Incest þe ferþe, whon þou lyst bi Þi gostly kyn or bodili; Þe worste of alle is Sodomye, Vn-kyndely synne, foul Ribaudye— Line 396 Þerfore haþ God taken gret wreche. Of dedly synne her endeþ my speche.

Of þe Seuene blessynges of þe gospel, Seuene dedli Synnes remedie.

But of heore remedies nou wol I telle Þat crist seiþ in þe holi gospelle. Line 400 Þo ben þe benisouns seuene; Aȝeyn þeose synnes þei ben ful euene. "Þe Meke of spirit þei ben blest, ffor heoren is þe Ioye þat euer schal last:" Line 404 Þis Blessyng aȝeyn pride is riht, Þat be-reueþ mon God almiȝt. "Þe Mylde beþ [on erasure; r. ben] blessed þat loueþ no strif, ffor þei schul haue þe lond of lyf": Line 408 Aȝeynes Envye þat was sayd, Of oþur mennes hauyng þat neuer was payd, But of Mischef of his neiȝebore He is glad, and of his lore. Line 412 "Blessed ben þo þat Mournen I-wis ffor heore frendes þat þei mys; Þei schul ben cumforted wonder wel": Aȝeynes wraþþe hit is sumdel, Line 416 Þat discumforteþ mon him-selue And þo abouten him, ten or twelue. "Þe Merciful ben blessed, for-þi God of hem schal haue merci": Line 420 Þat is aȝeyn Couetyse, Þat to þe nedful wol not diuyse. "Þat hungren and þursten riȝtwysnesse, Þei [MS. þat] [schul] ben fulled more and lesse": Line 424 Aȝeyn þe Slowe þat nouȝt wol wirke; Of alle gode dedes him þinkes irke. "I-blessed ben alle of herte clene, ffor godes owne face þei schul sene": Line 428 Herof þe gloten may aske riȝt nouȝt, ffor of his foule wombe is al his þouȝt. "Þat louen pes þei blessed ben alle, ffor Godes children men schul hem calle": Line 432 Þe Lechour in herte he haþ no rest; Of þis [r. pes] þerfore his part is lest.

Aȝeyn þi woundes now hastou salue, Þe blessynges ȝiuen of godes bi-halue. Line 436 Ȝit ben þei spedful to lest [&] most, Seuen ȝiftes of þe holigost.

Of þe Seuen ȝiftes of þe holigost.

Whon þou art hol sound, þe to lede Tak heer furst þe spirit of drede, Line 440 Þat makeþ mon furst from vuel to wynne; Þe spirit of pite, wel forto bigynne Gode werkes; þat han a wel gret fo Of worldes wele and eke of wo: Line 444 Þe spirit [of] cunnyng techeþ vs dispise Þe worldes wele [ȝif we ben wyse]; [So MS. Sim.; V. and eke of wo] Þe spirit of strengþe, to suffre þe wo. Þeose foure to bisy lyf longen into, Line 448 Þat we callen Actyf lyf. Þe oþer þreo rulen Contemplatyf. In Creatures to knowen God verrement, Þe spirit vs techeþ of entendement; Line 452 Þe spirit of counseil, what is to do In writ, what is to leue also; To knowe god In his owne kynde, Þe spirit of wysdam vs bringeþ to mynde. Line 456

Of þe Seuene vertues. [In the Spec. the 10 Com|mandments precede.]

After þis ȝit is good to knowe Þe seuen vertues alle be rowe, ffor aftur þis lyf þei wol þe bringe To blisse þat neuer schal haue endynge. Line 460 ffeiþ, Hope, and Charite, Diuine vertues þei ben alle þre; Strengþe, Mesure, Riht, qweyntise Of kuyndelich vertues þei beren þe prise. Line 464 A bodilich Iurneye hose schulde go, [exemplum] Þreo þinges him were nedful þerto: ffurst, þat he wuste whoder he schulde; And wille, his Iurney to be forþ-fulde; Line 468 Þe þridde, Hope for to spede— Elles þer-of nolde he take hede.

ffeiþ of God ȝiueþ vs witerynge Of vr Iurney þat is endynge; Line 472 Hope vs ȝiueþ strengþe and miht To come to him as heo han tiht; But wille þen ȝiueþ vs Charite— How miȝte we þenne for-go þeose þre? Line 476 [The 4 cardinal virtues form a separate chapt. in the Spec.] Ne þe foure oþure neuer þe more. Her þou now þe skile þerfore! Þer may no mon God wel qweme But he cunne good from vuel deme, Line 480 Þe gode to hente, þe vuel forsake, Of twei godes þe better to take. Þat hit is good, vche mon troweþ, ffor to ȝelde alle þing þat him oweþ, Line 484 And for to wiþ-holde more or lesse Is vuel: þat techeþ vs Rihtwysnesse. [vv. 483-6 corrupted.] Of twey goodes þe beter to hente, Qweyntise vs techeþ, verremente. Line 488 Good þing men mihte mis-vse, I-wis: Þerfore Mesure neodful is. Vuel mihte mon to muche doun bringe: Strengþe þerfore is nedful þinge, Line 492 To [MS. Ta] make mon hard to suffre wo. To ten Comaundemens now wol I go.

Of þe ten Comaundemens.

ÞEose biddinges wol I not ouer-hippe. On God þou schalt worschippe. Line 496 His nome þou ne schalt in Idel munginge (!). [r. munge, minge] Halewe þin halyday, þe þridde biddinge. Þeose rulen þi lyf, alle þre, To þe holi Trinite. Line 500 A-ȝeyn þe furste biddyng þou mischeuest, On eny wicchecraft ȝif þou bileeuest. Aȝeyn þe secunde þi-self þou derest, Horible oþes whon þou swerest— Line 504 Ȝit maiȝt þou swere wiþ-outen synne ffalsede to dampne, þe riȝte to wynne. Aȝeyn þe þridde þou dost wronge Whon þou lyst in þi bed so longe Line 508

Line 508 Þat Matyns nor Masse herest þou non, To ffreres prechinge wolt þou not gon— Þer-Inne of swetnesse þou felest no tast; Bote to þe tauerne þe þinkeþ more hast Line 512 Þen to visyte þe seke or þe pore, Þat liggen a-tome or at þi dore; Ȝif þou dost þus, soþ to say, Þou halewest not wel þyn halyday. Line 516 Godes curtesye her maiȝt þow se: To him-self he ȝaf biddynges but þre; Þe seuen þat comen herafter nou To þe and to þi neiȝebores prou. Line 520 ffader and Moder þow most honoure; Wiþ foul cher not on hem to [om. to] loure; Ȝif heo of þyne habbeþ gret nede, But þou hem helpe, vuel schalt þou spede. Line 524 Loke þat þou sle no mon, Wiþ hond ne wiþ wepene non, Ne þorw þyn owne gilerye Nouȝwhere to puite him for to dye; Line 528 Sle no mon wiþ tonge, biddynge, Beo tisement ne bi procurynge; In herte Coueyte no mon to spille— To borwe him raþure is godes wille, Line 532 Ȝif þou hit may do lawefully, Elles of þis biddynge þow art gulti. Stele non oþure monnes good. ffrom fals witnes þow torn þi mood. Line 536 Þi neiȝebores good þow schalt not desyre, Wyf nor Mayde-child for heor white swire. Loke þou do no Lecherie, Line 539 Þi-self for þat wol most anuye. [vv. 539-40 ought to follow v. 534.] But i prei þe, þou seist, telle me þe skile Whi god forbed raþur vuel wille Of worldes good, and of Monnes wyf, Þen to bi-reue a Monnes lyf. Line 544 ffor, hose is in wille for to stele, Wiþ oþer monnes wyf or wiþ to dele, Hit is hardore him-self þer-from to holde Þen from monslauȝt, be þou bolde! Line 548

Line 548 ffor þerof kyndeliche vche monnes sone Haþ gret Abhomynacione; But wraþþe haþ him his resun raft, Wiþ him þerof horrour is laft, Line 552 After þe dede or elles be-foren— Elles mony mon schulde be for-loren.

Of twelue articles of vre be-leue.

But no mon may, þe Bok hit seiþ, Plese God wiþ-outen feiþ. Line 556 Þerfore mo þinges is good to meue: Þe twelue articles of vre bi-leue. Of alle þe twelue þis is þe most: Þat ffader & Sone and Holi gost Line 560 On God Almihti in Trinite Euer was, and is, and euer schal be; Heuene and eorþe he haþ wrouȝt, And al þis world he maade of nouȝt. Line 564 Þe ffader sende his sone Ihesu Þorw þe holygost vertu, God and Mon of Mayde Marie To be boren, and for vs to dye, Line 568 And buried was, þorw his good wille, To sauen vs alle þat we ne schulde spille. To helle he wente whon he was ded, Þe soule Ioyned to his godhed; Line 572 ffrom helle he hem fette swiþe blyue Þat him hedde serued in heore lyue. Vp he ros þe þridde day, As he was God and Mon verray; Line 576 Riht so schul we, as seiþ seint poule, Rysen vp in bodi and in soule At þe grete day of doom— Þerof I rede we take good goom! Line 580 Þen schal he demen al apert Vche mon after his decert. [orig. dicert] God and Mon to heuene he went; Þe holigost to þe Apostles sent. Line 584 Þorw him so mowe we heuene wynne, Ȝif we dyen out of dedly synne. [All these form 5 articles in the Spec.; the 7 last are the 7 sacraments.]

Of þe seuene Sacramens.

Off [r. On] þe seuene sacramens ȝit mote we trowe, Þat I schal rikene al be Rowe. Line 588 Þe ffurste, hit is cristendom, Þat cryst receyued in þe fflom; Hit makeþ vs clene of þat synne Þat we be boren vchone Inne, Line 592 And openeþ to vs heuene-ȝate, Elles may no mon come in þer-ate. But þorw gret temptacion Þat grace miȝte be struied soon: Line 596 Þerfore is Confirmacion— Þat non may but Bisschop don; Þe holigost hit stableþ riȝt In þe, aȝeyn þe fend to fiht. Line 600 But after þeose we sungen al day: Þerfore penaunce hit doþ a-way Dedly synne and venial, [orig. veniel] Þat is to seye gret synne and smal; Line 604 Þreo parties hit haþ, verrey penaunce, Þerof þe synful mai ha fyaunce: ffor-þinke þe synne wilfulliche, And schriue þe þenne verreiliche, Line 608 And make a-mendes to þi miht— Of al þi synnes þen art þow quiht. [= quit] But leste in penaunce mon schulde fayle, Him neodeþ cumfort in þat trauayle: Line 612 Hosul þerfore, in Bredes heuȝ Godes bodi, we tan, of gret vertu; Vre gostli strengþe hit holdeþ Inne, Þat we ne falle liȝtli aȝeyn to synne. Line 616 But in a wel-ruled halle, Þat ben þer-Inne þei serue not alle, Out of array for þenne hit were— In holichirche þe same manere: Line 620 Ordre of presthod is maad þerfore, Vs to serue lasse and more Of Sacramens and vre rihtynges— Presthod haþ power of alle þeos þynges; Line 624

Line 624 Gret worschip owen we alle þer-to: Prest sacres þat bodi, þat aungel ne may do. But god schop mon forte restore Þe noumbre of angeles þat is forlore, Line 628 Þorw kyndelich generacioun, And þerto he ȝaf his benisoun Þat Monkynde mihte multiplie, Wiþ-oute synne of Lecherye Line 632 Mon and wommon to-gedere Ioyne; Þerfore he ordeynde Matrimoyne, Þat dedli synne hit doþ a-wei— But þe venial wol I not sey. Line 636 But of þis world whon we schul wende, Gret peyne we han þenne at vr ende: Þerfore is holi Oynement, Þat vs aleggeþ, verreyment, Line 640 Of peyne we han þenne bodily, And of þat we dreden gostly; Such vertu God herto con lene To folfille þe penaunce þat naþ mad clene. Line 644

Of þe seuene dedes of Merci.

Bute at þe dredful domes-day Mon schal haue an hard a-say, ffor he schal þenne a-posed be Of þe dedes of Charite. Line 648 Þerfore is good now to witen Wȝuche hit ben, as hit is writen. Þe ffurste is, fede þe hungri. Ȝeue drinke to þe þursti. Line 652 Þe þridde, þe naked for to cloþe. To herborwe þe pore be þou not loþe. Visyte hem þat ben in prisoun bounde. Cunforte þat seknesse haþ cast to grounde. Line 656 Of þeose sixe þe gospel spekeþ. Þe seueþe Tobye vs he þat techeþ: To burie þe dede Is Charite— In Bodi and soule quit schal hit be. [The rest of the chapter in the Spec. is omitted. as well as the foll. chapter: De septem petitionibus orationis dominicae.] Line 660

Of þe seuene druweries [r. doweres] of Monnus bodi. [The Engl. text is more detailed than the Spec., which in 1 chapter contains: de dotibus corporis & anime & de penis inferni.]

ÞI Bodi schal haue druweries seuene, As Monye þi soule, boþe to in heuene, Of þe [whuch] schal rise þi grete blis— Þer-bi maiȝt wyte what heuene is. Þi bodi schal schyne so wondur feire, No foulnesse schal hit a-peyre; Seuenfold briȝtore þen is þe sonne Vche bodi schal be þat haþ hit wonne. Line 668 Ȝit was þer neuere foul of fliȝt As þi bodi so swift and liȝt, ffor in a twynclyng of an eiȝe ffrom erþe to heuene þou maiȝt styȝe. Line 672 In bodi þou schalt ȝit be so strong Þat al þe erþe, wyd, dep, and long, Þou schalt mowe posse hit as a bal; As þou wolt welde hit, þou schal. Line 676 Þou schalt ben fre, þat nou art bonde, Þat no þing schal a-ȝein þe stonde To lette þe to passe whoder þou schal, Erþe ne water ne stonene wal; Line 680 As oyle synkeþ þorw hol vessel, So schal þi bodi perse al þing wel. Vre bodies þat here ben seke and sore, Þei schul haue hele for euer-more; Line 684 We schul beo so wel atese Þat hunger ne ferst nor no dissese Nouþer wiþ-Inne ne wiþ-oute, Hurt nor langour we schul not doute. Line 688 Þerto gret lykynge in þat lyue We schul han in vr wittes fyue, Vche a wit wiþ-outen anguisch Schal haue his lykyng wiþ a wusch: Line 692 ffeir siht lyking to þin eiȝe; Þyn Eres ful of melodye; Tast, and Smel, and þy felyng, Þei schul be ful of gret lykyng; Line 696 And al þis Ioye schalt haue to-gider— Vr lord of heuene bring vs þider!

In þis lyf whon we best fare, Whon we be-þenk vs, we mai ha care Line 700 Þat mischef of deþ schal vs be-tyde; Þerfore vr blisse may not a-byde: But in heuene wiþ-oute stryf Bodi and soule schal euere ha lyf; Line 704 Þerof þou maiȝt þe wel affye, ffor bodi and soule þei schal neuur dye.

Of þe doweres of þe soule.

ÞI soule schal haue þis [MS. his] warisun: Of wit and wisdam so gret foysun Line 708 Þat creatures alle, hiȝe & lowe, In heuene & eorþe, þou schalt knowe; Gret Ioye schal þat be, sikerliche! ffor mon disyreþ kuyndeliche Line 712 To knowe þing þat is vnkud; ffrom þi knowyng nouȝt schal ben hud. ffrendschipe wiþ-outen enemyte, Þat schal ben a-noþer fe; Line 716 Such frendschipe in heuene among hem is Þat vs [Sim. vche] is fayn of oþeres blis. A-cord and pes wiþ-outen stryf, fforsoþe, hit schal be þere so ryf: Line 720 Þe bodi and soule, þat striuen here, Vche to oþer schal be so dere Þat þe bodi schal noþing wille But þat [þe] soule wol al be skille; Line 724 Þyn eȝen ben of so good assent, Þat on lokes nowher verreyment But ȝif þat oþer loke þer-wiþ; Þer schul ben alle in so good kiþ Line 728 Þat Bodi and soule vche wiþ oþer Schul to-geder no þing soþer. Worschipe wiþ-outen vileny Þer schul we haue, sikerly; Line 732 As kynges in trone sitte we schal, Crouned wiþ Angeles peryngal. Þe soule, þat her haþ luitel maystrie Or þauȝ þe bodi be in gret anuye, Line 736

Line 736 So gret miht þer schal hit haue Þat nouȝt aȝeynes hit schal quich nor quaue. But trust nis non in worldes wele, Nou art þou sek, nou art in hele, Line 740 Nou artou pore, now artou riche— Þe blisse of heuene nis þat not liche: ffor þe meste part of þy Blis Schal be sikernesse of al þis. Line 744 Þe seueþe blisse: þi soule in heuene Schal þonke God wiþ hiȝe steuene, As Angeles don wiþ gret likynge, "Holi, Holi, Holi" is heore syngynge. Line 748

Of þe peynes of helle, & amonesting.

Hit is no neod now for to telle More of þe peynes þat ben in helle. In bodi & soule þei han gret nuye, Of al þis Ioye þe contrarye.— Line 752 Ȝif þou be-þenke þe, my dere frend, wel Of al þis Ioye eueriche a del Þat god haþ ordeyned for þi solace Whon þou schalt sen him in his face, Line 756 Þou hast gret Matere, sikerliche, Him to loue souereynliche Þat such knowynge and such wit Ȝiueþ vs of him in holy writ. Line 760 Nou hast þou matere of holy speche Vnwysore þen þou for to teche; And whon þou spekest wiþ eny mon Þat more good con lere þen þou con, Line 764 Sum of þeos Materes þou maiȝt enqwere, Wel more good for to lere.—

Of þe þridde Manere of contemplacion in god him-self.

Tac hede nou & þou schalt se Of Contemplacion þe þridde degre, Line 768 Of God hym-self wiþ-outen doute, Of Godhed wiþ-Inne, monhed wiþ-oute. Þre þinges þou þenke, as I þe rede, Of crist vr lord in his monhede: Line 772

Line 772 Of þe Incarnacion þe grete Mekenes, And of his liuyng þe holynes, And of his passion þe charite. At ones þou maiȝt not þenke þise þre; Line 776 I schal departe hem, as I may, Be þe houres of niht and day; Wiþ double Contemplacione In vche an houre of god þou mone: Line 780 Ones of his passioun, And eft of oþer sesoun.

Contemplacion at Matines tyme.

At Mateynes þenk, aftur or bi-foren, Wȝat time & vre, place crist was boren. Line 784 Þe tyme was wynter, ȝif þou be-holde, Þe vre was midniȝt, wonder colde, Þe place, as doctours seyen and trowes, Was a toren hous wiþ-outen wowes. Line 788 In Riche cloþus was he not wrapped, In Cracche wiþ ragges he was happed, Bi-twene an Oxe and an As— Gret Meknes þer I-schewed was! Line 792 Be-þenk þe of þat cumpaignye Of Iosep and of swete Marie, Hou bisy þei weren to kepe þat fode Þat for us schulde dyen on Roode; Line 796 Of þe herdes deuocion, And of þe Angeles þat songen abouen "Ioye be to god þat is on hiȝ"— In herte so syng þou priuely.— Line 800 Þenk how Iudas also outrayde At midniȝt, whon he crist be-trayde; Hou þe Iewes þei him be-caste, And as a þeef þei bounden him faste, Line 804 And as a feloun þei forþ him lad. Whon þe traitour a Cos him bad, In speche he was so Meke & hende: His traytur he calde his dere frende. Line 808 In dede also he schewed non awe, fforbed al hise wepne to drawe,

And Malcus ere, þat Peter of smot, Line 811 Heled hit aȝeyn, not chid nor flot. [vv. 811-12 and 813-14 are transp. in the MS.] Biforen Anna i-lad and Cayphas Vileynesliche þer I-boffeted was, And petur þryes wiþ-Inne a þrowe ffor-sok him, ar cok hedde þries crowe. Line 816 And alle þe Apostles euerichon A-wey þei fledde, wiþ him lafte non. [vv. 817-18 ought to precede v. 813.]

Of contemplacion at prime: of þe passion, and of þe Resureccion.

Off þe passion þenk at prime, Of cristes vprist þe same tyme. Line 820 Crist in to a ȝard at prime him [r. he, cf. v. 826.] ladde And fals witnesse aȝeyn him hadde, Þat seiden hou he hedde god dispised, Þe cuntre al tornd and dyuised Line 824 ffrom Ierusalem to Galyléé. And in his face þen spitten heo, Þei hudden his face & bobed his hede And scorned him and bad hym rede Line 828 Ho him smot þo wiþ his fuste. Nout he ne seide, þouȝ he wel wuste.

Of þe Resurexion.

ÞEnk also at prime, whon crist vp ros— Þerof wydewhere sprong þe loos— Line 832 Vyue siþes apecred he þat day To his derlynges, soþ to say: ffurst to Maudeleyn, þat was him dere, Whon heo þhoute him a gardynere. Line 836 To hire and oþure, verrement, As þei comen from his Monument; And seide "al heil! God saue ȝow." And siþen to Peter—but we nute how. Line 840 Þe ffeorþe tyme as a straunge pilgrim To twey disciples, þat knew not him, Toward Emaus, þe goode Castel; In bred brekyng þen kneuȝ þei him wel. Line 844

Line 844 Þe ffyfþe tyme to þe apostles ten, But Thomas was not wiþ hem þen; But þat hit was he þei nouȝt bileeued, ffor a gost to hem he furst bi-semed, Line 848 Til he schewede boþe foot and honde Amiddes hem þer he con stonde, "Pees to ȝow" he seide þon— Þei kneuȝ him wel whon he was gon. [The Spec. adds the 5 other apparitions.]

Biforen vndurne: Of þe passion, and of Witsuntyd.

ÞEnk how crist at vndurne-tyde Was dispoyled, boþe bak and syde, And to a piler þenne was he bounde And skourged so sore wiþ mony a wonde Line 856 Þat from þe foot to þe heued Hol skin was on [him] luitel be-leued. Wiþ Mantel of Red þei him cladde, Bi-foren þe folk þei forþ him ladde, Line 860 ffor Septre a reod token him in honde, Crouned him wiþ þorn, I vndurstonde, [In the MS. vv. 867-8 precede v. 863.] And þenne þei kneled him be-forn And called him kyng al in scorn. Line 864 Vp-on Pilate þen gunne þei crye Ihesu on Rode to Crucifye. He bar his Cros wiþ gret anuye To þe place þer he schulde dye. Line 868

Bifore vndurne of þe holigost.

ÞEnk also at þis same vre Þe holigost wiþ gret honoure Crist his apostles sende amonge, So wonderliche to speke wiþ tonge Line 872 Þat folk þat weoren of oþur langage Heo[m] vnderstoden, & seiden outrage Þat of wyn dronken þey were. Þe holygost also schewed him ful clere Line 876 In fuir, to make hem hard and bolde, ffor þei schulde not in mischef folde.

At Midday: of þe anunciacion, And of þe passion.

At Middai be-þenk þe witerli Hou Gabriel grette vr swete ladi, Line 880 Þenne conceiued heo crist Ihesu Þorw þe holigost vertu. But whi wolde he take flesch & blode And siþen dye for vs on Rode, Line 884 Siþen he miȝte ha saued Monkynde Bi an Angel, as I fynde? But þen schulde we ha loued be riȝt Þe Angel more þen god Almiȝt; Line 888 He wolde we loued him be-foren al oþur: Þerfore him-self bi-com vr broþur.

Also of þe passion.

ÞEnk hou crist was don on Rode— His bodi þen ron al on blode; Line 892 Bi-twene twey þeues he hynged; Galle & Eysel to him þei menged To drinke, for þurst whon he him pleined. ffor vre gult so was he peyned. Line 896 In al þis world þow [MS. þorw] peynes alle Vpon o Mon miȝte falle And he miȝte suffre as muche more As alle men þat nou ben bore, Line 900 Þe same deþ twye or þrie Þat crist suffrede þouȝ he miȝt dye, Þat peyne ȝit were not so liche Nouþur neiȝ so as his so miche. Line 904 Hit semeþ wel þenne bi þat i telle His peyne passeþ þe pyne of helle Þat pure creature miȝte þole, i-wis, ffor euere so may neuer on his. Line 908

At Noon: of þe passion, and of þe Assencion.

BE-þenk þe at þe vre of noon: Whon crist hed seid þat al was don, Mildeliche wiþ-outen bost To his ffader he ȝeld his gost, [The Spec. here gives the 7 words of Christ on the Cross; the Engl. text follows the Horae de Cruce, No. XIX.]

And to him he made a cri Hely lamaȝabatani, Þat is to seye aftur þe Book "ffader, whiere þou me forsok?" Line 916 As hos seiþ, þus here for to spille; A, lord, for hit was þi wille. A blynd kniht þen atte laste A Spere þorw [his] [MS. þin] herte þraste, Line 920 Þat Blod and water þen out ȝede. Þerof we schulde take good hede: Þe blynde kniȝt þerof cauȝte his siht, And vre Bapteme þere hedde miȝt. Line 924 Lord, ȝif me grace day and niht To þenke how deolfulliche þou were diht! Þe sonne for deol þen lees his liht, ffor to be wreken of his dispiht; Line 928 Hulles and dales þei al to-schoken, And þe stones al to-broken.

At Non of þe Assencion.

ÞEnk also at þe vre of non Of Ihesu Assencion Line 932 On þe Mount of Olyuete, Whon al þe Apostles þer gunne mete, And his deore Moder Marie, In al heore siht vp gon he styȝe, Line 936 And sitteþ on his ffader riht hond, Þat weldeþ boþe Séé and Lond. Þe Apostles bi þe wey þat was geyn To Ierusalem þei torned a-ȝeyn, Line 940 In preyer & fastynge þer for to abyde, As he hem bad, til witsontyde.

At euensong-tyme: of þe passion, and of þe Maunde. [MS. Monhede]

At Euensong-tyme þenk verreyli: ffor ded was founden his swete bodi, Line 944 Ioseph þenne of Aramathi Tok him doun deuoutli, Of Pilat, þat þenne was heiȝ Iustise, He asked no more for his seruyse. Line 948

Line 948 Þi pouwer, lord, whon þow were ded, Hit was hud in þy godhed; [cf. XIX, v. 131.] As gras is stomped for medicyne, So were þou fruscht wiþ muche pyne; Line 952 Allas for deol, boþe euen and Morn, Þe Croune of blisse lai vnder a þorn! [Cf. XIX, v. 131: Heu corona glorie iacuit sub spina.]

Now of þe Maunde of Ihesu crist.

At euensong-tyme of his Maunde Þenk; wiþ hou gret Charite Line 956 He wuȝsch his owne apostles feete, And of his Bodi alle þei ete As he heom ȝaf in bredes heuȝ, And to Iudas, þat waried Ieuȝ, Line 960 Þauȝ he him wuste in synne derne, His flesch & blood ȝit nolde he him werne. Ensaumple herof þe prest may haue Non hosul to werne hose wol hit craue, Line 964 In priue synne þouȝ he him knowe— To warne hym stilly is best, I trowe.

At cumplin-tyme: of his passion, and of his buriinge.

At Cumplin þenk wiþ good entent Hou crist in to a gardyn went Line 968 After þe Maunde, forto prey His ffader þat passion to don a-wey; Þe Monhede of hym so sore dredde þat Þat blod & water þer so he swat Line 972 Þat hit dropped doun in þat place In to þe eorþe from his face.

Of þe buryinge of Ihesu crist.

ÞEnk at Cumplyn: þe bodi of crist Was leid in graue til his vpryst, Line 976 Þat Ioseph diȝte for him-self hadde; And in Sendel he him cladde, Wiþ Mirre and Aloyne, good oynement, He Baumede him, wiþ good entent.— Line 980 Lord, ȝif me grace swetnes to fynde Þeos Vres þus to haue in mynde,

Þat suffredest for me þis harde paas! At myn ende hit be my solas.— Line 984

Of Contemplacion of god in his owne kynde.

Þus schaltou þenke on his Monhed. Now schal I teche of his godhed, Þat from vr knowyng sumdel is hud, And in foure wise to vs is kud: Line 988 In Creature, and in holy writ— Þerof Ichaue my tale quit; Þe þridde be Reuelacion, Þe ffeorþe be monnes reson. Line 992 Bi Reuelacion God scheweþ him-selue As he dude to þe prophetes twelue And to oþere Mony on, Or be Miracle open I-don. Line 996 Bi reson þus God maiȝt þou kenne, Ȝif þou wolt þe be-þenke whenne Þou were nouȝt or þou boren were; Of oþer Creatures þe same manere, Line 1000 Þat comen & gon eueriche day; Þe soþe þer-bi wel wite þou may And bi reson vndertake Þat þei miȝt not hem-seluen make; Line 1004 Heore biginnynge seþþen þou maiȝt se, And of hem-self þei mowe not be, Þenne mostou nede grante sum þing Þat neuer hedde no bi-gynnyng, Line 1008 Oþur þynges of whom comen alle, God Almihti þat men calle. But twei goddes ȝif þat þer were, Þer moste nede be sum manere Line 1012 Of diuersete hem bi-twene— Al on elles moste þei bene; Þen moste þat on, as wel I wot, Sumwhat haue þat þe toþer hedde not; Line 1016 Þen hedde þat on, sikerliche, Ouþer to luyte or to muche; Ȝif þat he hedde to luitel, He were not god almihtful; Line 1020

Line 1020 And to muche ȝif þat he hadde, A sori god were and a badde Þat to muche miȝte not do him fro— To alle þing for þat is so. Line 1024 Siþen two goddes þenne mowe not be, On-lepi god þen graunte we. But Ioye is non here in no two afye (!) [r. in to affye] Wiþ-outen riht good cumpaynye. Line 1028 Siþen God is ful of Ioye and blis, In Godhed Cumpaynye þer is. Be-twene lasse þen two mai hit not be: Two persones in God þen mai we se. Line 1032 But cumpaignie were nouȝt, I wene, But þer were loue hem bi-twene: Þe þridde persone, I wol warante, In Trinite þen moste we graunte, Line 1036 To make loue and Charite In þe holy Trinite. And þus mowe we knowe anon Þreo persones and God but on. Line 1040 In þi-self þou maiȝt a-tame [exemplum] Open ensaumple of þis same: In þi soule þou seost ful wel Miht and Connynge þou hast sumdel; Line 1044 Þi miȝt & Connynge þe wiþ-Inne To loue hem boþe þou const not blynne; Þi miht is furst, and þenne cunnynge, And of hem boþe comeþ louynge. Line 1048 Þe same manere in god aboue: Miht and Connynge and eke loue. Þe ffader we callen þe furst Miht, Connynge þe Sone, of him comeþ riht; Line 1052 Þe holigost loue we calle, Þat comeþ of boþe, knowleche we alle. Al Monkynde [knoweþ] in toun and felde Þe ffader waxeþ feble in his elde, Line 1056 Þe Sone in his ȝouþe is not wys, Of Monnes gost comeþ Malys. In god lest men wolde wene þe same, Þe ffader haþ miȝt, þe Sone wisdame; Line 1060

Line 1060 His miht is euer gret inlike, Þe sones wisdam may nouȝt be swike. Þe Holigost he haþ goodnesse, Wiþ-outen Malys More and lesse. Line 1064 To knowe god þus furst men come Bi resun—so maiȝt þou, ȝif þou take gome Þin herte to god vp so to lifte, In þeose þreo wyse as I skifte: Line 1068 By his werk, and holy writ, And bi resun of monnes wit And of him-self in double kynde. Wel ouȝte we þenne haue him in mynde, Line 1072 Þat al þis world wiþ þat þer-Inne Ȝaf, and him-self, vr loue to wynne. Nou þou him knowest & his bounte, Loue him wel for Charite Line 1076 Euer-more to þi lyues ende! To Ioye & blisse þen schaltou wende, Þat he haþ ordeyned for vre solace. Lord, bring vs þider for þi grace. Amen. Line 1080 Þus endeþ þe spore of loue— God grant vs þe blisse of heuene aboue. [Then follows the well-known 'Disputacion bytwene þe bodi and þe soule,' ed. before by Th. Wright, Walter Mapes, p. 340 ff., and extant in 5 other, partly very old MSS. (MS. Auch., ed. in Owain Miles, Edinb. 1837, Laud 108, Digby 102, Reg. 18 A x, and Simeon), mostly printed, wherfore I omit it here. Cf. Anglia II. p. 225.]

[XXXVI. Þe Lamentacioun þat was bytwene vre lady and seynt Bernard.]

[So the title in Index. Title in D, 'Lamentacio sancti Bernardi de compassione beate Marie vir|ginis ex dulcissimi filii sui passione et eiusdem crudeli morte'; in T, 'La|mentacio sancte marie & beati Bernardi.'] Her is a gret lamentacion betwene vr ladi & seint Bernard, Of cristes passion, hire dere sone, þat was so pyneful & so hard.

Ed. before, at my suggestion, in Engl. Stud., 1885, vol. viii. p. 85 ff., by G. Kribel, from MS. Vernon and Cambridge Dd. 1, 1. I here give the text of MS. Vernon with various readings from MS. Dd. 1, 1, and two more MSS., Trin. Coll. Oxf. 57 f. (incomplete), and MS. L. 70. The poem is based on a Latin sermon attributed to St. Bernhard (ed. opp. Antw. 1616, col. 156, and in Migne Patr. Curs. Ser. II. vol. 182, col. 1133, Paris 1879; both edd. differ in some respects, the Engl. text rests more on that of the former ed.), with frequent addings from the Gospels (cf. v. 21-4). The poem is not to be ascribed to Richard Rolle, but to Richard Maidenstoon, the author of the Seven Penitential Psalms. Cf. Kribel, l. c. It is in 8-line stanzas of alternate rymes.

[folio cclxxxvi] Lewed men be not lered in lore, [D Lewid L Lewede. D arn T buþ L þat beoþ. T noȝt. D lerid L lente, om. in T.] As Clerkes ben in holi writ; [D clerkis. T beþ L beoþ. D writte.] Þauȝ men prechen hem bi-fore, [T þeȝ L þei, D & þouh. D preche L reden. TL before D euere-more.] Hit wol not wonen in heore wit: [DTL It. DL wile T may. T noȝt. D wone T dwellen. D hire T hare L here. D witte.] Line 4 Þerfore is þat I syke sore, [D ffor þis it is. T y. DTL sike.] ffor broþurhede, as God hit bit, [D bretherhed TL broþerhede. T it D vs, om. in L. D bitte.] And, ȝif cristes wille wore, [DL if. D Cristis T godis L godes. D wil it. T were.] Wel fayn I wolde amenden hit. [DTL om. Wel. TL Y wolde fayn. D amendin. D itte.] Line 8 Ȝif Crist haue send mon wit at wille, [T And ȝif. TL god. D sent TL lent. DTL vs. D witt &.] Craft of Clergye, for to preche, [DL & craft.] Alle hise hestes scholde we fulfille [DTL We schuld (L sholde T shullen) fayn his hestis (T his hestis fayn). T fulfelle.] As ferforþ as we mihten areche. [D ferfort TL fer. D has. DTL oure wit. L myghte T may D wold. TL reche.] Line 12 Ȝonge and olde, holdeþ ow stille: [D hold ȝow TL loude &.] ffor broþerhed I wol ow teche— [D As bretherin alle. DL wile T wil. DT ȝow L ȝou.] Þe Mon þat con, and teche nille, [D ffor he T ffor who so L Who so. DTL om. þat. DTL can. D & haþ no wille.] He mai haue drede of godes wreche. [L Him. DTL om. haue; T doute L douten D sore dowte. D Cristis T harde.] Line 16 Þerfore ichaue on Englisch wrouȝt, [DTL I haue. TL in. L englissh. D wrouht L wroughte.] Seint [al. As] Bernard witnesseþ in Latyn— [DTL As B. seyth (TL seiþ) in his l.] Mon may be glad in al his þouȝt [TL A man D He. L beo. T wel glad L blithe. TL om. al; T om. his. L thoughte.] Þat his wit haþ leid þer-In. [L al his. D besynes L tente. T haþ leyd his wit. D om. haþ; leyde.] Line 20 Þe gospel nul I forsake nouȝt, [D wile forsake it L wel forsake I T forsakeþ it.] Þauȝ hit be writen in parchemyn; [TL þat is wryten D ffor he it wrot.] Seynt Iones word, [al. bok] and hit be souȝt, [T Iohanes D Iohn his L Ion in his. DTL bok if it. L beo soughte.] Þer-of hit wole be witnes myn. [DL Herof. T Wil be þerof. TL om. hit. D ben. DT witnesse.] Line 24 While Ihesu crist on eorþe eode, [D þat while þat L þe while þat. DTL god inst. of Ihesu crist. DT erthe. T ȝede L ȝeode D ȝode.]

Mony of his Miracles writen þei were: [DTL Alle his. D myraclis T workes L werkes. D wretin. DTL om. þei.] Þer nis no mon þat mihte rede [DT is. L om. no. T man DL clerk. D om. þat; D in boke. D may T couþe L coude.] Þe goodnesse þat he dude here. [D goodnes T guodnesse L godenesse. DL dide. D to vs here. T þere.] Line 28 Men and wymmen, ȝe schulen haue mede, [TL Man. D women TL woman. D schul T may L mowe. D han.] Lusteneþ alle now me I-feere; [DTL If (TL And) ȝe me (om. in TL) listne (T wille lestyn) alle in fere (T yfere).] Ȝif I sigge mis, takeþ good hede, [DTL mys-say. D takiþ. T guod L goede.] And wisseþ me, þat hit betere were. [D om. And. DT wisse. D to telle þe beste to lere. L as inst. of þat hit. T y inst. of hit. L better.] Line 32 ffader and sone and holy gost, [D om. and(1).] Al-mihtiful god in Trinite, [T Almyȝtful DL Almyhti. DT trenyte L trinitee.] Myn hope is on þi Modur most, [D Mi mone TL My mynde. D to the. TL moder D modir.] fful of grace and of pite: [L mercy. T pete.] Line 36 Þouȝ I be synful, as þou wel wost, [L þauh T þeȝ. L beo. DT it inst. of wel.] Such grace þenne þow sende me [D Swich g. lord, T Lord such g., L Lorde sende suche g.; DTL om. þenne. L om. þow; T sende þou. DL to me.] Sum word to speken wiþ-outen bost, [L Som. DL speke. DL wiþ-out(e).] Þat sum men mowe þe beter be. [D sum man T many folk L mankynde. DT may, om. in L. DT betere L bettere. L beo.] Line 40

Gret del hit is to speke and say [DTL It is gret dool (T del L deol) to telle.] Of him þat dyed on þe Roode, [D god T ihesu. DT deyde L diede. DL vpon T oppon. DTL rode.] How he vppon þe gode ffriday [T om. he. L on. D good T guode.] ffor vs þenne schedde his herte-blode; [D vs alle. DTL om. þenne. D schad T shadde. D om. herte; L suete.] Line 44 Alle hise disciples flowen a-way, [DTL his. D disciplis T deciples. D fled T fledden L fledde.] ffor doute of deþ þei were neiȝ wode: [D But Marie & Iohn be him stode. TL drede. T neȝ L ney.] Þer nis no tonge þat telle may [DT is. L om. no. D tunge. D tellin.] Þe serwe of Marie, his moder gode. [T sorwe L sorwes D goodnesse. DL om. Marie. D good T guode.] Line 48 [Here begins the Latin text.] Heo him bar boþe god and Mon, [DTL ffor sche. DTL as inst. of boþe, DT man.] And siþen him clepede swete Ihesu, [L sithe T sethe D setthe. DTL clepid (T clepude) him. DTL om. swete.]

And offrede him to Symeon— [D Sche. D offerid. D Symean.] fful wel þe prophete him he kneuȝ! [TL om. fful. D Þat prophete ful wel. DTL his lord knew.] Line 52 An Angel warnede vre ladi þon [T þe. D aungil. D warnid. TL w. hem of þer (L here) fon. D þan.] Of kyng Heroude, þat was vntrewȝ, [T & of. TL Eroude (L heroude) þe kynge v. (þat was om.).] And bad hire in to Egipte gon [TL hem. D vnto T intil. D Egipt. D gan.] ffor doute of deþ of mony a Iewȝ. [DTL drede. D dr. of þat feloun Iew. TL many. T gew L gewe.] Line 56 Euer was Marie glad I-nowȝ [DTL wel inst. of glad. D anow.] Whon heo hire swete sone seȝe; [DL Whan T Whanne. DT sche. DTL seye.] Whoderward þat Ihesu drouȝ, [T Whyderward so D Whedir þat euere. D drow L drouhe.] He nas neuere out of hire eȝe. [DTL was. T here. DTL eye.] Line 60 Siþen men duden him gret wouȝ, [D Setthe T suthen. D þe Iewis. DL dide. D wow L wouh.] Harde peynes heo seiȝ hym dreiȝe, [D peynys. DTL sche. T seȝ L say D saw. T dreye DL drye.] His honden were [al. om.] nayled to a bouȝ, [D hand T handes L hondes. DTL om. were. D naylid. TL til D vpon. D bow L bouhe.] Vppon a treo honged wel heiȝe. [DTL & on. D þe cros L a cros. TL hongen D þei heng. DT him L on; wel om. in DTL. DTL heye.] Line 64 Þauȝ heo weore wo no wonder nas: [L þauhe T þeȝ D þow. DT sche. DTL were. L om. wo no. D wunder. DT was.] Heo seiȝ hym blodi, bodi and croun, [T Hy D Sche. T seȝ L seye D saw. T blede L bleden. D crowne L croune.] Hire sone þat so gultles was, [L Hire oune s. DT þat was so, om. in L; L al. DL gilteles.] Wiþ stremes of blod he ron a-doun. [D Stremyd of blod þat ran riht downe T Of blod þe strem ran adoun L On strem þe blode ran adoune.] Line 68 To sen his peynes was gret pres, [D seen L seon T se. D peynys L peyne. D þer was. D om. gret.] Wymmen folewede him þorw þe toun, [D women. DT him folewid (folwede) L foleweden him. T þorghe L þoruh. D towne.] Sore wepynge, wiþ-outen lees, [D weping T wepende. DL wiþ-oute. DT les.] ffor gret deol of his passion. [DTL And made (LT maden) dole (T del L deol) for. D passiowne.] Line 72 Ihesu tornde, þat was so meke, [TL turnede (tornede) him ful meke D him turnid ful mylde & meke.] And spac wordes [al. a word] of gret pite [D seyde. DTL a word.] To þe wymmen þat þer [al. he dide, or he] speke, [T And to L Ande þus to. D women. D he dide TL he, inst. of þat þer.]

And seide: "Wepeþ not for me! [L weopeþ D wepit T ne wepe ȝe. T nouȝt L nouhte.] Line 76 ffor ȝoure children ȝe mowe wepe, [TLD But (wepiþ D) for ȝow (T ȝow-selue) & ȝoure children (D childer) eke.] Þat doþ me schome, as ȝe mowe se." [D þei DTL don. TL shame D sorow. D may. L seo.] No wonder þouȝ hire herte breke, [TL om. No. T Wonder it was. D if TL þat. DTL Maries. D myhte br., TL ne br.] Þat seiȝ hir sone so beten be! [D saw. D betin. L beo.] Line 80 Whon he was beten wiþ scourges sore, [DL Whan T Whanne. D betin & scorgid s., TL beten swiþe s.] Alle his frendes were from hym gon; [T & alle D om. Alle. D frendis L freondes. T were fro him g., L fro him conne g., D fled fro him good wone.] Þreo dayes vre feiþ was lore [T þre. DTL oure. T siȝt. D ilore L forlore.] Saue in Marie, his moder, al-on. [D Saf in þe thef & Marye alone.] Line 84 Bernard bereþ witnesse þerfore, [DTL Seint B. witnessiþ (L wittenessede) it (om. in L) before.] Also doþ hire Cosyn Ion: [D And so TL & al-so. DL Iohn.] ffor serwe þat heo hedde þore [D sorwe TL þe sorwe. DT sche. D had TL hadde.] On swouȝ heo fel sone a-non. [D Out of hire eyen þe blod gan gone TL þe blod out of here (L hire) eyȝen ron.] Line 88 Þe blod out of hire eȝen ron, [TL Out of here eyȝen þe blod it (om. in L). DT ran.] Al-most hire herte clef a-two— [L Almest. DT in two.] Seynt Bernard, þat holy mon, [DTL þe holi man.] Witnesseþ wel þat hit is so. [D witnessiþ L wittenesseþ. L om. wel. DT was.] Line 92 Seint Bernard in to chirche wenden he con, [DTL om. Seint Bernard. L ffor in to. T Intil. DTL a temple. TL wende he D he wente. TL gan D þan.] To witen of þat Ladi wo. [T wite. T lefdy DL ladyes.] To him wel feire speken [MS. spenken] heo gon, [TLD & sche (L heo) ful (D him) faire fraynede him þan (D freyne gan).] Line 95 What was his wille to asken þo. [vv. 33-6 added by the poet.] [D To witen what his wil was þo. L aske T aske hire. L so.]

"LAdi, ȝif hit be þi wille, [D He seyde Ladi L Lauedy he seide. T Leuedy. L were ȝoure.] Tel me, as þou art heuene-qwene, [DL Telle.] Hou þat þou weope þin herte fille, [L Hou D If T Whanne; DTL om. þat. T wep D wepte.] Whon þei duden þi sone to scheme, [DTL Whan men. T dude DL dide. DTL þat tene.] Line 100

Line 100 Whon þei him bounden and beoten ille [DTL om. whon þei: Bounden (D Boundin) him & beten (DT betin) him (om. in L) ille.] And Corounden him wiþ þornes kene, [D crownid T crounede L crouneden. D thornis.] And [al. om.] [he] bar þe Crois meke and stille [DTL He. L his cros D him euere. D mylde L myldeliche T boþe mylde.] As þauȝ on hym non harm were sene. [D As non harm on him had bene TL As him were no sorwe sene.] Line 104 "Ladi," seide Bernard, "weore þou þere þo, [DTL Swete ladi (T lefdy L lauedy). DTL om. seide Bernard. DTL were.] Þer Men him bounden and beoten so fast? [DT Whan L þo. T þeȝ. DTL betin (L bete) & bounden. DTL om. so; L him. DL faste.] I wot þou weore not fer him fro, [D hope. DTL were. T noȝt.] Þin herte was stif and ful studefast! [DL is. DTL so. TL om. stif and. DTL om. ful. D stedfaste T stedefast L stedefaste.] Line 108 Allas! whi nere myn herte so? [D Allas allas whi dide þei so. TL my loue.] Whi is myn now so vnwrast? [DTL myn herte; now om. DL vnwraste.] Whi nolde hit cleue or breke a-two, [D Þat it ne wile cleue in two. TL breke (L berste) or cleue.] Or wepe while þat hit wolde last? [A stanza om.] [

T &. DTL whil my lyf may. DL laste.

DTL then have the following stanza: Ladi, I am in (om. in L) greet longing To seen (T se L seo) þat (T þe) sihte (T siȝt) þat þou there (om. in L) seye, Whan (L Hou) þou gan (T be-gan L gonne) þin handis (T honden L hondes) (to T) wring (wringe), Þe teris (TL teres) ran (L ronnen) doun be (L of) þin eye. Þou saw (T seȝ L seye) þi sone wiþ naylis (TL nayles) sting (T stynge L stronge), & (om. in L) on a tre (L treo) þei (om. in TL) heng (TL hongen) him (L on) heye. Whi ne were (TL nere) myn herte in (L on) þi mournyng, Whan (L þo) þou him saw (T seȝe L seye) swich (T þe L þo) peyne (T pynes L peynes) drye (TL dreye)?

] Line 112 "Tel me þi [al. Allas for] serwe þin herte was in, [DTL Allas for (TL þe) sorwe. L þat þou were. D þin h. myhte kyne. TL ynne.] Whon þou seȝe þin oune fode, [D saw L seye. D owne T herte.] Godes sone, his hed doun lyn, [D Goddis T Godis. D heuid. DL clyne T clynne.] Þer he hongede vppon þe Rode! [þer as. DTL heng. T oppon.] Line 116 Þeiȝ he weore God, his flesch was þyn, [T þeȝ L þei D þouh. DT were L beo. DTL þe f. T fles L flessh. D thyne.] His bodi ron doun al on Blode. [D Þat swete bodi þat ran on bl. TL Þou seȝe (L seyen) him renne (L rennen) al on bl.] Allas, whi nedde þi serwe be myn? [TL nere D ne were. DL þat. DTL sorwe. DTL om. be.] Whi nedde I stonden þer þou stode? [113-120 follow in TL the stanza wanting after 128.] [D Or I had stonde T Why ne myȝte y stonde L Whi ne stod I. D þer þat.] Line 120

Line 120 "Whon [þat] [MS. Vr ladi seide: Whon] he his lyf forsook, [DTL om. Vr ladi seide. DTL Whan þat. D forsoke.] He bowede his hed & lafte [al. les, lost] his siȝt, [D bowid. D heuid. TL les D lost. D sihte.] And nom his leue, his wey he tok [D His leue he nam T He nom his wey his leue he t. L nam. L & vp he t. D toke TL toke.] Vp to his fader ful of miht. [L om. Vp; T Op.] Line 124 Witnesse wole þe holy book, [DL As beriþ (bereþ) witnesse T As witnesseþ. D boke.] Þat day þe sonne les hire liht, [D sunne lost. T here D his. D sihte.] Þe Temple clef, þe eorþe qwok, [D claf. DT erthe. D quoke TL quoke.] Þe dede a-risen to lyue apliȝt. [A stanza om.] [

D þe dede men. TL risen. D þe soth to plyhte. T leue.

Then DTL have the following stanza: Ladi (T Leuedy L Lauedy) þi loue is (L was) naturel, & my (TL myn) loue (om. in TL) is swiþe (L swiþe wonder T wonder sore) lite; Be (L ffor be) þi weping (T wepynge) it semiþ (TL semeþ) wel No clerk þi sorwe ne may (LT may (myȝte) þi sorwe) write. Allas whi nadde (D no had) I (T ich) loue (L loued) sumdel (TL somdel), Þat to (TL in) myn (T my) herte it (om. in L) myhte smyte, Þat is hardere (T hardere is L harde is) þan (L so) any (TL ston or) stel (L steel), May no bale þerin (TL þer-ynne) bite.—In TL then follow v. 113-120.

] Line 128 "Ladi, tak hit not a-gref, [DTL Swete ladi (T lefdy). D take. DL om. hit. T noȝt. D to greef.] Þeiȝ I speke of his peynes so; [T þaȝ L þauh D If. D peynys mo.] To heren of him me is ful lef, [D speken T speke. L Of him to speke. DTL it (om. in L) were me (L me were) leef.] I ne may hit nouȝt for-go, [DTL ffor I. DTL om. ne. D wile not his loue f. L him note T noȝt it.] Line 132 I seo him hongen as a þef, [TL þou seȝe (seye). D se. D hangin T hange L honge. L so a theof.] Godes sone and þin also: [D Goddis T Godis.] Ladi, þe teres þat þou þer ȝef, [T Leuedy. D teris. TL þere. L geef.] Graunte me summe!" he seide þo. [al. er þan y go.] [T some L somme. D to han of tho TL er þan (L ar þat) y go.] Line 136 "As þou art queen of heuene-blisse, [D Ladi queen ful of bl. T þou art leuedy of h. bl. L Lauedy þou arte queen in h. bl.] And I am here in gret perile, [D As. L perille T fyl.] Swete ladi, þow me wisse, [T lefdy L lauedy.] Þouȝ I be synful mon and vyle. [T þaȝ L þauh. L beo. DT man, om. in L. T wyl.] Line 140 As þou art moder and Mayden I-wis: [141 DT mayden & moder. TL y-wisse.] What dude my lord in his exile? [DL dide T dede. DL þat; T om. his. T exyl L exille.]

Whon he was pyned wiþ-outen mis, [DT Whan L While. D pynid L peyne. D wiþ þe Iewis L wiþ-oute lisse. T mysse.] Whuche weren his wordes in þat while?" [D Whiche L What T Swilk. DT were. TL werkes D werkis. T whyl L whille.] Line 144

"Bernard, þe wordes of þi Mouþ [T Bernad. D wordis. D mouþe L mouhte.] To myn herte scheteþ a spere; [T my. DTL han (T hane) schotin (T shoten L smyten).] Þat speke of him bi norþ & souþ, [D His was al as mannys ȝouþe. TL Who-so spekeþ. TL be. T northe. TL or. L souhte.] I-wis, þei don myn herte dere! [D it TL he. DTL doth.] Line 148 Wepynge is me now ful couþ, [r. vncouþ? cf. Lat.: quia glorificata sum, ultra jam flere non possum.] [DT But (Bote) w. D not vnkouþe TL now vncouþ.] Now þow wolt my peynes lere. [D If þou TL And þou. D wile TL wilt. D of peynys TL of my peynes.] Mekeliche þow aske nouþe: [D Setthe of weping þou askist T Sethen wiþ wepynge askeþ L Sithe þou wepinge askest. T nouþ L nouhte.] Bernard, I wol þe onswere!" [DTL om. Bernard. T Y wil þe shortliche answ. DL I schal the tellin (L telle), D wiþ swete a. L if þou wilte here.] Line 152 Bernard seide and gon to speke: [DTL If I to the (TL sholde inst. of to the) of (his TL) peynys (TL peynes) speke.] "Mi rihte were to wepe sore: [DT riht. D wepin L weopen.] Min herte [is hard &] nul not to-breke, [DTL Myn h. is hard & may (L wil) not breke.] I seo not hit wole melte fore. [D It is no þing T Is noȝt þat L þer nis no thinge. DT wile. D meltin. T more.] Line 156 I wolde he [al. it] were in serwe steke, [DTL it were. TL sorwe. D a stede D to steke T be-steke L y-steke.] Wiþ me [r. ye] to wepe euer-more: [TL þe D eye. T wepen L mourne. DL for euere-more.] Hit nil not of [al. May no ter fro] myn eȝen reke [DTL May no tere (L teer T ter) fro. L om. myn. D eye. L reken.] To wepe, as my wille wore. [D wepin. TL so. D wil it L willes.] Line 160 "As þou art Qwene of heuene & helle [D Qvod Bernard Queen TL Lefdy (Lauedy) quen.] And baar him þat vs deore haþ bouȝt, [DL þou inst. of And. D bar TL bere. DT dere. DTL om. haþ. D bouhte T abouȝt L aboughte.] Hou hit is þou most me telle, [DTL How so it be (L beo). D must L moste.] Þing þat is now in my þouȝt: [DTL Of þing þat I haue the besouhte (T by-souȝt).] Line 164 Weore þou þere as men [wold] him qwelle, [D Where were þou. T om. as; D whan L þo. DT men wold(e) L men diden.] In Ierusalem, þer he was souȝt [D In I. þe fayre cite it was wrouhte. L whan inst. of þer.]

And nomen wiþ þe Iewes felle [D takin L token him T bounden. TL om. þe. D Iewis TL gewes.] And siþen bi-fore Cayphas brouȝt?" [L om. siþen; D setthe be nyhte. D beforn. T sire Cayphas. L him broughte.] Line 168

Ovre ladi seide: "I was þere þo, [T lefdy. L side T answerd.] Sore I wep and wrong myn honde; [D fful sore. D wepte L weope. D hond.] Whon þe Iewes him ladde me fro, [D led him L ladden him T hidden him.] To folwe him wepinge miȝt I not wonde. [TL Wepynge (L weoping) to folwe D To wepin sore. him om. in DTL. D I myhte. D wond L stonde.] Line 172 No wonder was þeiȝ me were wo, [D It was no wunder. L nas. D if. T y.] Ac hit was wonder I miȝte stonde, [DTL But (T Bote L Bot) wunder it (om. in TL) TL was D is. D þat I.] Whon I seiȝ hym to peyne go [D Whan, om. in TL. D saw T seȝ L seye. TL my sone. D peynis T peynes.] And beo bounden in hard bonde. [D & bounden & betin & don al schonde. L om. And. TL om. beo. L Bounde T wounden. L wiþ. TL ful harde. L bondes.] Line 176 "On Cene-þursday wiþ-Inne þe niht [T On þe. DTL scherthursday (L sherethoresday). D wiþin L in T at. T om. þe.] Cayphas him nom, him þhouȝte gome, [D þe Iewis toke him alle in same TL Cayfas & his (& his om. in L) men him nam.] Wiþ swerdes and wiþ lanternes briht, [TL Wiþ lanternes & wiþ (om. in L) swerdes br. D Þei souht him wiþ l. br.] And clepede him Ihesu by his nome. [T om. And. D callid T Calde. T ihesus ihesus. DL be. DL name T nam.] Line 180 He onswerde: 'I am her riht. [D Mi sone. D answerid T answerde L answerede. D hem in hire siht.] Do my disciples for me no schome!' [TL Doþ. D these men T deciples. L shame T sham D blame.] ffor alle þe peynes þat him were diht, [DL al þe peyne. DL þat þei him. L dyghte.] He nolde his frendes hedde no blame. [D wold TL wolde. L freondes D disciplis. D had TL hadde. T blam D schame.] Line 184 "ffor no chesoun of his takyng [DTL ffor þe (om. in T) encheson.] He wolde no mon þe worse were: [D þat non. TL man, om. in D. D werse.] Þat schewed he wel in alle þing, [TL Þat he schewede D He schewid þat. DTL om. wel. D al|maner.] Boþe here and elles-where. [D Thanne inst. of Boþe. DT there. D ellis.] Line 188 Peter, for soþe, made fihtyng [DTL om. for soþe. D stod vnto f., L stoed forþ wiþ f., T wiþ-stod al sittynge.] And smot sone of a Iewes ere: [D om. sone, T al smert of, L of smertly. TL gewes D mannys.]

Mi sone him blamed for þat þing [D But he leet be at his seyeng. TL blamede him.] And also-swiþe heled hit þere. [T om. And. D as sone T Als quike L also quyke. DL he helid T he it helede. L him.] Line 192 "Iudas was ful of þe ffend, [DTL þat was. L feond.] fful wel my sone his tresun wust: [D ȝet T þeȝ L Al, inst. of fful wel. L sones tresoun. DTL wiste.] Þer he cleped him his frend [D & callid him ȝet T ȝut he callede him L & ȝette he clepede him. D his dere L leoue. L freond.] And Mekeliche [al. myldeliche] he him cust. [D myldeli TL myldeliche. DTL kiste.] Line 196 Þe Iewes of harm hedde non ende, [L To done him harm þei coude n. e. D om. of. D had T hadde. D neuere non.] Mi sone to-beten and to-pust, [D my dere s. D to betin TL to bete. TL ne. TL to-biste D biste.] Wiþ strokes þei gunne to him wende [D wepenys L skourges. T þeȝ gan him to w., D aboute him þei gan w., L faste to him þei w.] And leyden on hym wiþ staf & fust." [T leyde D bete; D om. on. D stauys & wiþ. DTL fiste.] Line 200

" [vv. 201-8 added by the poet.] Ladi," seide Bernard, "God ȝelde hit þe! [D Seyde Bernard Ladi I prey the T Lefdy quod B. y praye þe L Swete lauedy pray I þe.] Tel me more of Myn askyng: [D ȝet telle. L nouþe inst. of more of.] Þi swete sone, what dude he? [DL dide.] Whi nolde he stonde wiþ fihtynge? [D Whi stod he not wiþ no f.] Line 204 Bi kynde skil I may wel se [DTL Be. D rihtful skile T riȝt wise L ryghte speche. D men. DL om. wel. L seo.] He mihte hem alle to deþe bringe. [D deth bring.] Swete ladi, tel þou me [T lefdy L lauedy. D now telle it me. L telle.] Al his semblaunt and his berynge!" [D bering.] Line 208

"A, Bernard, ȝif I teres had, [T om. A. D & I teris. TL hadde.] Nou miȝti wepe al my fille. [DTL myhte I. L weope. L om. al.] Of serwe nas I neuer sad, [DTL sorwe. T ne was L was D am.] Whon I þouȝte on his peynes ille. [D þinke T þenke. D peynys.] Line 212 Al [MS. And] -hou he was from me lad, [L om. And; DT But (Bote). T whan inst. of hou. TL my (deore L) sone was be-stad. D fro.] I haue told, and ȝit I wille, [DTL h. þe told. DL ȝet T ȝut.] And hou he was in serwe stad [D I was in greet sorwe bestad TL And whan (L Hou) þe gewes fro (T for) me him ladde (T bad).]

And I him folewede wiþ teres grille. [D But euere I folewid. DL om. him. DTL crieng (T criende L cryande) schille (L shrille).] Line 216 "Þei hudden his eȝen & boffetede him þo [D hid TL hidden. L hise. D buffet T smyten L smyte. L om. him.] And beden him reden ho hit wore, [MS. were] [D bad T bede. DTL rede. D what þat he. T were.] And duden hym peynes monie mo, [DTL And othere peynys (peynes) D dide him mo TL many mo.] Þer nis no tonge may telle fore. [DTL Ne (om. in TL) may no tunge (TL tonge) tellin (TL telle) T before D more L for sore.] Line 220 Þere stoden my sustren two [D Beside þer stod. TL myne. D susteris T sostres L sostren.] Þat hedden loued hym wel ȝore; [D had T hadde L hadden. D louid. D om. wel; TL ful. D longe before.] Marie Maudeleyn dude also, [DTL And M. DT Magdaleyn[e] L Magdeleyn. DTL om. dude.] Þat trewely louede him in hire lore. [D truli T triwely L treuliche. D louid L leoued. D him & his. L om. him; in his. T here.] Line 224 "Hire loue was studefast and trewe, [L He was. D was euere. D stedfast T stedefast L stede|faste. T newe.] And I hym louede ful trewelyche. [al. tenderliche] [D louid. TL om. ful. TL tenderliche (tendreliche) D tendirli.] [Strong] [MS. Good] is loue of ffrendes newe, [TL Strong D ffor strong. T om. is. D frendis. T triwe.] And of þe Moder nomeliche. [T namliche L nameliche D grettest namly.] Line 228 I seiȝ neuere my sone chaungen hewe, [L say DT saw. DTL him neuere. D chaungin T change his.] But euere in on, as lomb I-lyche. [D But as a lomb wiþ-outen cry. T om. euere. L a inst. of as T al-wey inst. of as lomb.] Sori þei were alle þat hym knewe, [DL Alle were sory T And was sory.] And wepte for him, boþe pore & riche. [D Riche & pore & alle him bi. T wep L wepten. L om. boþe.] Line 232 "ffrom Cayphas paleis þei him drouh [DT ffro L ffram. D drow.] Riht to Pilate, my sone to spille. [L Before. D him inst. of my sone.] He criȝede not, as men duden him wouȝ, [D Þei tok non hede þei d. TL He ferde. D dide L diden T dude.] He eode wiþ hem wiþ gode wille, [D þei. DT ȝede L ȝeode. D him. D good.] Line 236 Euere he was Meke I-nouȝ [T om. Euere. D was Ihesu. L mylde T meke and mylde.] And heold him boþe clos and stille. [D He suffrid hem & held him stille. T held L helde.] Pilat wolde not þat þei hym slouh, [D Pilate wold. T om. þat. DTL men. D slow.]

In his dedes he fond non skille. [DTL ffor in. D dedis T dede L dethe. T seȝ L say. TL no. D ille.] Line 240 "Þei stripte hym þat ilke stounde, [D stripid T streptyn L strepten. DTL him nakid. D on a L in þat T þat st.] To a piler bounden him þat day, [DT & bounde (bounden) him to (til) a pilere. D all day.] And beoten him whil þei warm him founde. [D om. And. D Bete T betyn L beten. T wel where þeȝ h. f.] Þen was my song weilaway! [DT þan L þo. D weleaway T welaway.] Line 244 ffour [r. ffif.] þousend & fyf hundred wounde [D ffyue þousand & iiij hunderid w. TL ffor þre (L a) thousand & sixe hondred w.] Þei maden on him, for soþe to say, [D On him þei mad. T made. D soth.] And seiden on skorn vppon þe grounde: [D On skorn þei seyde & fil to gr. TL on skornynge on.] 'Þi prophecye helpe þe ne may.' [D þat. T propheri. DL nouht (note) helpin (helpe) the may T helpen ne may.] Line 248 "Mi leue Bernard, gret was my care [L leoue D dere DTL frend (L freond).] Whon þei criede wel faste in on: [DTL Whan. D cride T criden L crieden. D alle þan T al at an L alle on one (wel faste om. in DTL).] 'Do Ihesu on þe Crois ful [ȝare [MS. raþe. al. ȝif him þe dom, þe crois is ȝare] ] [DTL ȝeue (T ȝif) him dom (T þe dom) þe cros (T crois) is ȝare.] And dilyuere vs Barraban!' [DTL delyuere. TL Baraban.] Line 252 Goddes sone to Iugge þare [D Goddis T Godis L Godes. T iuggen D deme. T ȝare.] And leten a þef to lyue gon, [253-4 & 255-6 transp. in TL.] [D ffor a thef þat þei wold han. T let. L theof. T gan.] Bernard, þis was a sori fare, [TL Lo B. DTL here was sori f.] Such dom hedde neuer no mon! [253-4 & 255-6 transp. in TL.] [D Swich a T Swilk L Suche. D had T herde L seye. DTL om. no. DTL man.] Line 256 "Þus þe Iewes steorne and stoute [D Iewis L gewes T þeues. DTL sterne.] Mi sone hedden in hard bonde. [T heldyn L helden D þei held. T &. TL harde. L bondes.] Pilate hedde of hem more doute [T Þat P. L And P. D had TL hadde. D mor.] Þan [MS. þat] he hedde of godes sonde: [D goddis T godis.] Line 260 Þat was I-sene, he [MS. þei] ladde him oute [D om. þat was Isene; ffor he led him þer-wiþout. L Hit. T sone L sene (I- om.). T þeȝ ladde L þei hadden.] And dude him to þe Iewes honde. [D & dampnid T & delyuerede L To deliuere. TL om. þe. D Iewis TL gewes.] Þe Iewes þrongen him a-boute, [D tuggid T wentyn L ronnen. DTL al-aboute.] And I for serwe mihte not stonde. [DTL sorwe. T noȝt.] Line 264

Line 264 "Whon he was dempt and out sent, [DTL Whan. D dampnid T iugged L Igged. T y-sent.] Alle þei duden hym gret dispite. [D dide; TL hadden, him om. DL despite T despyt.] He nom þe Cros and forþ [he] went, [DTL tok. TL his. T crois. DTL he wente.] Wiþ wraþþe þei driuen him, muche & lyte. [D Þei skornid him, wiþ wr. om., T Wiþ wo þeȝ folwede him L ffen threwen on him boþe. D mekil T mokel L mychel. T lyt.] Line 268 Allas þat lomb [þat] Innocent! [L He ȝeode forþ as a lomb i. DT þat i.] Wolues wolde him sore a byte. [D Þo wuluys T Whanne w. L & þei as w. D wilde L þat wolden. D so sore bite T þere a byt; L om. sore a.] Þe care was at myn herte lent, [D Þat sorwe T þe sorwe L His sorwe. DTL is in. D so bent.] Mi serwe mihte no mon wyte. [

D care TL wo. D I may hem alle wite TL ne wiste y (L I ne wiste) wham (L whom) to wyt(e).

After 272 DTL have the following addit. stanza: Þei mad (TL maden) game & (game & om. in L) gret lawhing (T laȝyng, L lauhinge), Whan þei betin him althermest (TL Þe cursede gewes wiþ þe mest(e)), Þei (TL And) bad (TL beden) him (om. in T) seye (T sithe) if (T ȝif) he were king, Þei (L þan) wolde (TL wolden) don þan alle at (T be at al L þei alle beon at) his hest (L heste). Mi sone answerid hem no þing (TL He noȝt answerde (L answered not) til (L to) hare (here) askyng), Þouh his peyne were wiþ þe mest (TL His wordes were (L weren) euere (L wiþ) þe lest(e)), But (L And T He) bar þe (L his) cros (T crois) til (L to) his parting, Mekeli (TL Myldeliche) as (L so) it were a beste (T best).

] Line 272 "I suwede, & swouhnede mony a siþe, [T Ne. T seuede L sewede D folewid. D swownid L swounede T shonede. D many a, L fele sithe T felesye.] Mi sustren comen a-bouten me; [D susteris T sostres L sostren. T euere ȝeden, D ȝedin L ȝeoden. D aboute TL vnder.] I spac to him [MS. hem] as I miȝte kiþe, [D I callid T And callede L & euere I clepede. T on him; L om. to hem. L I dorste T dorste y. T crye.] Whon I him [MS. hem] for pres mihte se. [DTL Whan I for pres myhte him ouht (T noȝt L note) se (L seo).] Line 276 Mi sone hiȝede him wel blyue [al. A, sone, why hyestou so swithe] [D Sone, I seyde, þou hiest þe swithe TL A, sone, why hyest (L hyestou) so swye (swithe).] And bar him-self þat heui tre, [al. & berist on bak so h. a t.] [DTL & berist (berest) on þi (om. in T) bak so heuy a tre (L treo).] And let me beo [al. & leuist Þi moder.] be-hynde vnbliþe: [DTL And leuist (leuest) þi moder. T vnblye.] Bernard, þen gomede me no gle." [DT þan L þo. D gamyde T gamede L gamenede. L gleo.] Line 280

[vv. 281—304 added by the poet.] "MErci," seide Bernard, "heuene queene, [TL Grant mercy. DT quod B., L he seide. T to h. q.] Þou hast so muche me i-told! [DTL Þat þou (om. in L) so (TL þus) mekil (L myche) hast me told.] Ȝit þer is wel more I-sene, [D ȝet L ȝette T ȝut. D moche inst. of wel. DTL I wene.]

Þat ful fayn witen I wold: [D Of þingis þat I witen wold. TL Þat y ful fayn L wite w. T ȝut here w.] Line 284 Hou bar my lord him, ladi schene, [T leuedy chene.] A-Mong þe Iewes breme and bold? [D Iewis TL gewes. T brym D stout] His harde peynes alle be-dene [D Ladi þi tellingis TL And þyne (L ȝoure) sorwes. T al.] But þou me teche, myn herte is cold. [DTL But I hem wite my care.] Line 288 "Ladi, of þe and of þi childe [DTL Of þe ladi (T lefdy). T þe. DT child.] I wolde wite a more strif: [D wold. L witen. D an ende of TL anoþer.] What dude my lord [al. If my lord were] meke and mylde [DTL If my lord were (L was). T myld.] To þe endyng of his lyf? [D Vnto. D ende TL laste ende. D of al his.] Line 292 I haue seȝen séé and watres wylde, [L ffor TL I am T in se in L sete in, D I haue seen manye in D wateris TL wateres. T wyld.] Stremes and wawes two and fyue; [D In stremys & wawis T In synne of wawes L In wawes of sinnes. D stoute & blyf L foure or fyf.] Swete ladi, from schome vs schylde [D But atte laste þei wold hem schilde. TL om. Swete; T Lefdy L Lauedy, TL fro shame þou me shild(e).] And to riȝte hauene þou [do] vs ryue! [D & wiþ al hire myht sauen hire lyf. T om. And. L & in ryghtful. T þou me dryf L do me ryue.] Line 296 "I haue seȝen men þat nolde not [al. wolde, not om.] loute [D seen TL seye. T om. men; D fele. L om. þat. DT wolde L wolden, not om. L aloute.] Til þat þei þe harde I-seȝe, [D Riht vnto þe erthe þat þei sye. TL seye (I- om.).] And siþen for drede of deþes doute [D ffor drede to deye þan had þei doute. L sithe. T for þe dethes d.] Heore herte a-rysen vp an hiȝe. [L Heuen here hertes al on h. D Hire T here. D hertis. D resin T risen; vp om. D þan on T al ouer. TL heye D hye. Before 301-2 TL have the following 2 vv.: And woxen (L weren) alle (L boþe) sterne & stoute, ffor þe (L here) deþ was hem so neye.] Line 300 Whon his enemys were him a-boute, [T godis enemyes D þe Iewis. L weren D com. L about.] Hou miȝt he al heor scornyng driȝe? [TL om. al; D alle. TL here D hire. T skornes D wordis. T dreye. 303-4 om. in TL.] In his face þei spitte and spoute: [D to spitte and to.] Whi wolde he suffre þat vilenye?" [D How myhte . suffere . vilanye.] Line 304

Oure ladi seyde: "His herte was stif, [D Bernard broþir TL A broþer Bernard. T he inst. of his herte. T stef.] And mekely suffrede al her fare; [D om. And; Mekeli he. TL myldely. D sufferid T þolede. D hire TL here.]

Monnus soule him was ful lef, [DT ffor L And. TL mannes D manye. D soulis L soules. DTL was him. D om. ful; TL so. L leof.] Wiþ his blod he bouȝte hem þare. [D He wolde his blod bouhte. T Þat wiþ. D hem alle TL it.] Line 308 He seiȝ me stonde in serwe & gref, [al. I saw him hangin as a thef,] [DTL I saw (L seye) him hangin (T hangen L honge) as a thef (L theof).] Wiþ wepyng and wiþ muche care [He saw I stod in mekil kare:] : [DTL He (L & he) saw (om. in L) I stod (TL me stonde) in mekil (TL in sorwe &) kare.] Mi serwe dude him more gref [DL ȝet T þat D dide my weping TL my wepynge (weopinge) dude (dide). D mor.] Þen alle þe peynes he suffrede þare. [DTL þan. T al. D þat he bare.] Line 312 "And þat was ful wel I-sene, [L om. And. D þat þing. D om. ful; L wonder wel T wonderly wel. D sene.] Whon he tok me to seynt Ion; [DTL delyuerid.] Meke he was, wiþ-outen wene, Þat tyme he loked me vppon. [D lokid TL lokede. T oppon.] Line 316 Þen wox my serwe couþ and grene, [DL þan T þanne. D wex T wax L was. D he boþe ȝelow & grene TL my sorwe nywe (L newe) & grene.] Of anguissche I mai make my mon. [D anguys T angwisch L anguisshe. DL now I make T now make y. DL mone.] I wol þe telle al be-deene [T Lest & y L Lithe I. DL wile T wille. T om. þe. TL om. al.] His harde peynes euerichon. [T Myne L Myn. DT euerilkone.] Line 320

"Lusten to me, my Broþer Bernard, [D Herkin T Herkne L Herkene. DT om. my. D broþir.] I wol þe telle of peynes more— [TL Whyl y speke of his. D I wile the tellin of peyne ȝet mor.] Þyn herte schal ben ful hard, [T It shel be wel wonder h. L beo. D swiþe.] But hit greue þe ful sore; [D But if. T it wile TL rewe.] Line 324 Þauh I haue a parti spard [D þouh T þoȝ. D I a parti haue it. D sparid TL spared.] Of his peynes herbifore, [DT my.] I wol þe telle her-afturward [DL schal T shel. D tellin. T om. her.] His harm an hundred siþe sore. [D A þousand part þat hardere wore TL Þat ere (arne) a þousand siþes (L sithe) more.] Line 328 "Bernard, I saiȝ my sone honge [D saw T seȝ L say. D þer hong T hange.] As þauȝ he were a Mayster-þef, [D As T Als L Also, þauȝ om. DL it. D had ben. L theof. 331-2 & 333-4 transp. in L.] His Bak and syden sore I-swonge [DT Wiþ sidis (sides) blo (T bleike) & sore, L His white sydes sore D beswong T beswonge L beswongen.]

Þat white were and me ful lef. [L White þei w. L leof.] Line 332 He was Crouned wiþ þornes stronge, [TL Crouned he was D Þei crownid him. D thornis strong.] In eueri syde þei duden him gref, [DTL On. T ilke a. T me. D dide T dude, L sore þei him greof.] And drowen him on þe cros a-longe, [DL þei inst. of And. D drow. T crois. L o-longe D al along.] His senewes to-bursten & to-dref. [D senewis T synes. D þei borstin TL borsten (to om.). D so þei dref TL þou may (myhte) me lef (leoue).] Line 336 "Þe blod ron doun bi Bodi and heued— [DTL ran. TL of D fro. D his heuid (bodi and om.).] Þat lykede þe corsede Iewes wel! [L þe. D likid. TL cursede D cursid. D Iewis TL gewes. D ful wel.] Wiþ spotel & blod he was be-weued, [L In. D spotil T spatel. D al beweuid.] Þat he was lyk a foul Mesel. [L ney lyke.] Line 340 He was to-drawen and to-dreued [D so drawin T to-drawe. D to-dreuid.] And Nayled wiþ þre Nayles of stel. [D om. And. D Naylid T nailled. L threo. D naylis T nailles.] Þen was my strengþe me be-reued, [DTL þan. D ioye T power L poer. D bereuid.] And al-most a-doun I fel. [

D þat sihte grovid my fol euel (gr. &c. by another hand) TL ffor sorwe as (L al) ded adoun (L doun) I fel.

After 344 TL have the following stanza: Þe tweye (L þe two nayles) were dryue(n) þorgh (þoruh) his honde (hondes), & þe þridde þorgh (boþe L) his fet. Me was so wo y myȝte noȝt stonde, Of (wepinge L) blod my hondes (L leres) woxen (L were) wet (weete). ffor al his sorwe (L peyne) wolde he (L he nolde) noȝt wonde, Þat he was (L nas) euere meke (L mylde) & swet; Was þer no reste for to fonde, Whanne þat he (om. in L) his lyf for-let.

Then follows in TLD: Allas þe (L þat) swete heued (L hed) allas (D Allas þin heuid þei al to-race), Þat (om. in T) was wonid (T wont, L woned was) lye (T to lye) to my brest, I saw (L seye þat) it honge (T hange, L om. it honge), it (D &) had (TL hadde) no plas (L place D space) Wher-on (L-onne) it myhte ouht (om. in TL) han (TL take) rest (D reste). To come to (T til) him (L him to) had (TL hadde) I no grace (T gras L space), Þat was wonid ben to him alþer-neste (TL Þat y was wont (L woned) to nyȝe (L neighe) nest (L nexte)). Þei heng (L henge T hangede) him by þe (D on an) hey (om. in T) pas (L pace D space), There as ȝede (TL þer al folk ȝede (L ȝeodes) boþe (om. in L) man (T mest) & beste (T leste).

Then in TL follows Vern. 345-352, which stanza is om. in D.

] Line 344 "I seiȝ where foure welles were [T saw L sauh TL þat. L þere were.] Out of his lymes ron o-blode. [L On his. TL body. T ronne L rennynge. TL on.] Bernard frend, my sone dere [TL Lo Bernard my s. L deore.] Þus him seruede þe Iewes wode! [L So serueden him. TL gewes.] Line 348 Ich hedde gret blisse whon I him bere, [TL I hadde blisse whan.] And of his þewes monye and gode: [L hise, om. in T. TL many.]

[Þen] [MS. ffor T þanne L þo] al wox won Bodi and leore, [T Þanne wax wan boþe hyde & lere L Þo wex he al wan liche & lere.] Þat feirest was of alle fode. [TL fairest.] Line 352 "So feir ȝit was neuer nomon, [L ffor so. D fayr a man. DL om. ȝit. T was ȝut. T noman D non L man.] As bereþ witnesse holy writ: [D beriþ T beriȝt. DL witnes. T in holy. D writte.] Þenne was his beute al a-gon, [D Þer TL Þus. T bewte L beaute D fayrhed. D þan al gon. T agan.] As þe gospel telleþ hit. [T Al-so. D þe apostelis tellin itte.] Line 356 I hedde a sone, nou haue [D þan had] I non, [D had TL hadde. D þan had.] Me wonteþ [D wantid] boþe weole and wit; [D wantid T wanteþ L wantes. DTL wele. D witte.] I not [al. ne wiste, nyste] in world whoder to gon [DTL Bernard (L And) I ne wiste (T y nyste) whedir (TL whyder).] ffor serwe þat in myn herte sit. [D Sorwe was in myn herte so knytte TL Þe sorwe ȝut (L ȝette) at m. h. sit.] Line 360 "Bernard, hedde I honged him bi, [DT But (T ffor) had þei (om. in D) hongid (T hanged) me (T my sone) him (T me) bi L Bot euery (!) I was him faste by.] Sum-tyme my serwe hedde be pas. [D Mi sorwe had ben in schortere spas L ffor any þat euere þer was T S. my sorwe myȝte pas.] I stod and loked vppon hiȝ, [L stoed. D lokid TL lokede. T op an. L hey.] Wher heng my ioye and my solas, [TL Where þat henge al my solas.] Line 364 Þe Iewes seiȝ me ful sori, [D saw L seyen T made. TL om. ful; D þan.] Þer as I stod in þe plas: [D þei bad me leue wiþ sori gras TL & skornede(n) me boþe (om. in L) more & las.] ffor þat I made sereweful cri, [D But euerc I was him ful ny. T And for. TL om. þat. TL so reuful.] Þei beede me schome and harde gras. [D ffor al my care I folewid his tras. T beden L bede. TL shame. L grace.] Line 368 "ffaste I criȝede in my manere, [T Mekel L Often D And often. DT cride L criede. DTL on.] Ȝut ne was I not I-herd; [DT But þer L Bot fer. DL om. ne; T no. L I was &. T noȝt L nought D noþing. DT herd.] Þo I criȝede, he mihte me [al. not] here, Witnesse boþe of lewed and lered [2 vv. om.: cf. D Wol febil I was, weping in fere, & of here vilenye aferd.] ; 'Merci!' I criȝede to my sone dere,

'Al-one þou leue[st] me in desert!' Þenne he bi-tok me til a fere And bad, I scholde not ben a-ferd. [vv. 375-6 al. om.] [371-6 D & whan I cride þei (r. he) wold not here, My pyne witnessiþ lewid & lerid. I seyde 'Merci, my sone so dere, Alone þou leuist me in deserd.' Wol febil I was weping in fere, And of hire vilenye aferd. T ffeble y was & wep in fere, & of here velenye aferd. Þat y cride þeȝ (r. he) myȝte noȝt here, My pyne witnesseþ boþe lewed & lerd. 'Mercy, my sone, my fader dere, Alone þou leuest me in þis desert.' L 'Mercy, sone, my fader deore, Alone þou leueste me in deserte, Contforteles & of feble chere Ande of þe gewes vilanye aferde.' Bot þat I criede men myghte not here, Þerof bere witnes lewed & lerede.] Line 376

"Allas, Bernard, þat I scholde se [TL om. þat. D schuld.] Mi sone hongen bifore my [al. naylid þorw hand &] feete! [DTL naylid þorw (T þorgh L þoruh) hand (TL honde) & fete (T fet).] I seide: 'Sone, let me dye wiþ þe, [DIT cride L Leoue. T lat. D deyen T deye.] Er þen þou þi lyf for-lete! [L Er þat DT Longe or (T er). D he his lyf. T forlet.] Line 380 Mi sone, my lord and al my gle, [L om. sone. TD om. and, T in alle gle D myn herte gle. L gleo.] Þou hast euere be Milde and swete: [T Þat were euere meke. D hast ben boþe, euere om. L om. be.] But þou haue pite now of me, [DT mercy. TL om. now. DTL on.] Þer may no mon my Bale bete.' [

D Who myht ellis my b. b. L om. þer; TL noman. T bot.

After 384 DTL have the following stanza: Sone (L A, sone) þou hast ben fayr & hende (T hast euere ȝut ben h., L hast beon euere h.), & bletheli (L gladliche) don al (om. in TL) þat I (þe TL) bad; If (T And ȝif) þou leue (L leuest T loue) me at (L atte) swich an (TL om. sw. an) ende, Of sorwe schal I neuere ben (TL ne (om. in L) worþ y neuere) sad. fful (om. in TL) loth is deth þer he wile (L wole T wolde) lende (T sende), But (om. in L, T And) now wold I (L I wolde) of him (T of him y wolde) ben (T be L beo) glad, He ne may so sone his (TL a) spere sende (L me s.), Þat (om. in L) soner (TL raþer) I wolde þerof ben stad (TL þat y it had).

] Line 384 " [vv. 385-432, the discourse with Magdalen, added by the poet. It was taken up by the Charta Christi in MS. Reg. 17 CXVII.] I criede: 'Maudeleyn, help now— [DT cride. DTL Magdaleyn. DL helpe T help me. T nowe.] Mi sone haþ loued ful wel þe: [DTL haþ euere ȝet (L om. ȝet T ȝut euere haþ) louid the.] Preie him þat I dye mow, [MS. now] [T And praye D And bidde. L to him. DT deye. D mow TL mowe.] Þat I nout for-ȝeten be! [TL y forȝeten (L forȝete) here noȝt (L ne). D forȝetin. L beo.] Seost þow, Maudeleyn, now, [DTL Magda|leyn (L Magdelyn) mylde (om. in TL) ne (om. in T) seest þou (T sestow L seostou) how.] Line 389 Mi sone is honged on a tre, [T My lord. D hangiþ T deyeþ L dieþ. DL vpon. TL þe D ȝone. L treo.] Ȝit alyue am I and þow, [DT And ȝet (T ȝut). D on lyue L oliue T on kneo. T er y D I am.] And þou ne preyest not for me!' [D þat I myht deye þou preye for me. TL om. ne. T noȝt L nothinge.] Line 392 "Maudeleyn seide: 'I con no red, [T Þo magdaleyne L þe Magdeleyn. DTL can.] Care haþ smiten myn herte sore; [DTL Sorwe. D smetin. T my.]

I stonde, I seo my lord neih ded, [D Her I stonde T ȝis stand. DTL & se (L seo). D him. DT ner.] And þi wepyng greueþ me more. [MS. sore] [L om. And; D But T & ȝut. D greuiþ. DTL more.] Line 396 Cum wiþ me! I wol þe lede [DL Come T Kom. TL wiþ me lady (T lefdy). D & I schal. T wil L wile. T led.] In to þe temple her be-fore. [D Vnto a stede þou saw not ore. T Intil. TL a.] Mi [al. þy] Mournynge is boþe feble & fede, [TD Þy. L om. boþe. TL faynt (feynte) & L fade T sed.] ffor þou hast now I-wept ful ȝore.' [399-400 D Þer may we morne wiþ|oute drede Stille oure loue as nouhte ne wore.] [TL weped (L wepen) now.] Line 400 "Ich askede þe Magdaleyn: 'wher is þat place, [DTL I. D askid. L om. þe Magdaleyn; DT hire. DTL was. DTL plas.] In pleyn, in valeye or in hille, [TL playn. T om. in D valey L vale. L oþer. T on. D hil.] [Þer] I mai me huyde for eny cas, [DTL Þer (TL þat) I myhte ben (T by L beo). T fore. L any.] Þat no serwe come me tille? [T Þat me ne come no sorwe. DL sorwe. D ne come.] Line 404 He þat al my Ioye was, [D Of him TL In him.] Now deþ of hym wol don his wille; [TL om. Now. DTL wiþ. T shel L shal D haþ.] Con I me no beter solas [D In no stede is my s. TL Wot y now (om. in L) no b. s.] Þen for to wepe al my fille.' [

D But. T wepyn L weopen. D euere al.

After 408 TL have the foll. stanza: I cride (L criede) to þe gewes ilkon (L echone): 'Why lat (L lete) ȝe me þus longe chyde? My voys (noyse) ȝe myȝte a-bate anon Longe er it were pas(s)ed tyde. I am a mayden (mayde), he is (& he) a man (mon): Why ne wille (L nile) ȝe hange (honge) me be his syde (him besyde. In L v. 3-4 & 5-6 are transp.). Þanne ȝe myȝte (L myghte ȝe) be (beo) awreke anon; Wherto wille (wole) ȝe lenger abyde?'

Then DTL the foll. stanza: I cride (on him D) 'Ihesu, sone (T sone ihesu) hende, Swete fader, me is wo (D what schal I do?), I may not bryng (TL bringe) the out of bende, Ne þou (L Ion) ne (om. in D) may (T myȝt) not (om. in T) come me (L þe) to, Ne þou wilt (L nilt) me no solas (T no solas wilt me) sende, Ne (TL Þe) Magdaleyn ne othere mo. Best (D And best) me were hom (L oute) to wende, But (T And) for sorwe I may not (TL y ne may (L I may note) for sorwe) go. In D v. 5-6 & 7-8 are transp.

] Line 408 "Þe Maudeleyn cumfortede me þo, [D om. þe. DTL Magdaleyn(e). D comfortid T confortide L confortede.] To lede me þenne, heo seide, was best. [D & seyde Go hom, þat were þe beste. TL hom inst. of þenne. TL she. T is.] Care hedde smiten myn herte so [D haþ smetin.] Þat I miȝte neuere haue no rest. [411-2 TL Bote (om. in L) wepynge dede (dide) me (MS. ne) wexe (L my body) wo, ffor sorwe ful neȝ my lyf was (L my lyf was ney) lest.] [D At hom schuld I fynde no r.] Line 412 'Soster, whoderward þat I go, [DTL I seyde to hir (T soster L sostren) whedir-so (T whider L whare) I go.]

Þe wo of hym is in my Brest; [D Al my ioye now haue I leste TL Ne (om. in L) shel (Shal) I neuere take rest.] While my sone hongeþ so, [D Whil þat TL ffor. T þat h. D hongiþ T hangeþ L hengeþ.] His peyne is in myn herte fest. [D Care comiþ neuere out of my brest TL Sorwe (T þe s.) is smyten þorghe (þoruhe) my brest.] Line 416 "'I seih [r. se] my sone, [my] ffader dere [D se L seo T saw. DTL my fader.] Heiȝe hongen vp-on a tre; [D Hie. T honge, D hange here. T oppon. D þis. L treo.] I hedde blisse whon I him bere, [D Wiþ-oute peyne I dide him bere. TL hadde. T whanne L þo.] And now deþ for-doþ my gle: [L om. And. DTL wile (T wil) deth fordon (TL fordo). L gleo.] Line 420 Scholde I leten him hongen here [DT How schuld (T myȝte). DL lete him T him lete. D hangen L honge.] And lete my sone al-one be? [DT & suffere (T soffren) him alone to be. L my child. beo.] Maudeleyn, þenne vnkynde I were, [D Ow Magdaleyn. DTL om. þenne.] Ȝif he schulde honge & I schulde fle! [D schuld TL sholde. DT hange L hongen. L om. schulde.] Line 424 "'Vnder þe Cros leuen I-schille [1. chille] [T crois. D beleuen T byleue. DTL I wille.] And seo my sone hongen þer-on; [DTL I inst. of And. DT se. DTL my flesch. D hongin T honge L hongeþ.] Of siȝt I nedde neuere my fille, [D Of þat sihte. T sich. T y hadde DL had(de) I.] Line 427 [al. Whan I him saw on erthe gon] Whon I loke[d] hym vppon.' [D Whil. DTL I saw him (TL him saw (L seye)) on erthe gon.] I bad hem gon wher was heore wille, [L go. T whyder þeȝ wille. D þer w.] Þe Maudeleyn and euerichon: [DT Magda|leyn(e) L Magdeleyne. T euerilkon L hem ilkon.] 'And my-seluen be-leuen I wole, [r. wold leuen stille] [TL And y my-self wil leue(n) stille D ffor I wold there beleue stille.] ffor I nil fle for no mon.'" [al. I wold not fle for Iewis non.] [DTL ffor om.; I wold (L nile) not (om. in TL) fle for Iewis (gewes) non.] Line 432

[vv. 433—448 added by the poet.] BErnard [seide] [MS. my sone] : "wordes swete Þe Maudeleyn also gon say; [433-4 TL Bernard seide þe wordis (wordes) were swete, Þat þe magdaleyne þer (om. in L) gan (can) seye (say). D Than spak Bernard wordis swete, ffor Magdaleyn gan he say.] Ladi, [heo seiȝ] [MS. we sen] þi serwe vn-meete [DTL om. Ladi; Sche (L Heo) saw (L sey) þi sorwe (L dedes weren) so (om. in L) vnmete.] And fayn [heo] wolde [MS. we wolden] han it a-way [L om. And; D fful fayn T þat fayn. L heo wolde þi sorwe delay T sche was þe soþe to seye D schuld haue mad þe lay (crossed out; by a younger hand: wold sche an (?) had a way).] Line 436

Line 436 And, deore ladi, þi bale to [om. to] beten; [Here in D a leaf (f. 26) is wanting, with v. 437-512. T And fayn she wolde L & blethely lady. TL om. to; bete.] But in riȝt resun was his [r. þi?] way. [L om. But. L resoun T skele. T hadde hy L he hadde. T no weye L no nay.] Ladi, ȝif I dorste þe be-sechen, [T Leuedy. L ȝou. L beseke T grete.] To aske þe more I wolde þe pray. [TD To wyte more. T ȝut wolde y. L ȝou. T preye.] Line 440 "Of angussche þou hast told me strong; [1 v. om., cf. notes.] [TL Of þyn angwisch þou hast me told, Leuedy (Lauedy), as y may vnderstonde (2 vv.).] Myn herte is not as Ich wolde, [T My. T y L I. T wold.] I ne may hit wiþ serwe fonge, [r. fonde] [TL om. ne. wiþ no sorwe. T fonde L wonde.] And [al. But] what my lord siggen wolde, [TL Bote. seye. T wold.] Line 444 To aske þe more nul I not wonde, [L asken. L om. þe more. T om. more. T wil y L I wolde. T noȝt.] Whon þe Iewes Breme and bolde [T Whanne L Whan. TL gewes. T bold.] Naylede him þorw feet and honde, [TL Dryue(n) nailles þorgh (þoruh) his.] Line 447 Aftur þat Iudas hedde hym solde." [This v. is superadded, to supply v. om.] [

om.

After 448 TL have the foll. stanza: And sithen (sithe) hangeden (hon|gede) him ful (L vpon) heȝe (heye), & crounede him (om. in T) wiþ thornes of tre (treo). Marie (L Lauedy), þou were him ful neȝe (neye), I wot it may non oþer be (beo). Al þe sorwe þat þou þer seȝe (seye), Swete leuedy (lauedy) tel þou me. Whanne (L While) þy sone þo (T þe) peynes (L peyne) dreȝe (L drye), What(e) wordis (wordes) seide he to þe (L þeo)?

]

"BErnard, I haue told my þouȝt: [T þe told L tolde þe.] Wolt þou now ȝit aske me more? [T What þynge wiltow aske L Wonder what wiltou a. L om. me.] Be I forþere in tales brouȝt, [L Beo. L it T þou. T ferþere. L tale T sorwe. TL y-broȝt.] I-wis, þou greues me ful sore. [TL greuest.] Line 452 Ac for þou hast me be-souȝt, [TL Bote (om. in L) louely (Loueliche) þou hast.] Bleþeliche I wol telle þe fore; [transp. in T.] [L Ande fayn I wole þe telle f. T To wyte what his wordis wore.] I wot, þow art in longyng brouȝt, [T And now art þou.] To witen wat his wille [al. wordes] wore. [transp. in T.] [L wite . his wordes. T & fayn y wille þe telle more.] Line 456 "Whon [al. Er þan] my sone deþ scholde han, [TL Er þan (L þat) he deyde (dyede) sone anon.] Delful wordes wiþ him þer were: [T Wel delful. L worde. TL om. þer.] ffurst he seide: 'be-hold, wommon!' [T fferst L ffirst. L womman.]

And siþen he seide: 'be-hold þou here [al. On Ion þy sone þat stondeþ h.] !' [TL On Ion (Iohn) þy cosyn (L sone) by þe (L þat stondeþ) here (L þere).] Line 460 And siþen he seide to seynt Ion: [TL om. And. T Sethen L Siþe.] 'Kep my moder leof and dere!' [L þi. L leoue T lef.] Me þouȝte myn herte al to-chon [T ffor sorwe þoȝte myn herte þan. L þat myn h. chon (al to om.).] Such wordes of hym for to here. [T Swilk L Suche. TL om. for.] Line 464 "He bed Ion, as he was hende, [L bad Iohn.] Kepe me and ben al at my bone [L Euere-more beo at my b.] Whoderward I wolde hym sende, As him-self was wont to done. [woned.] Line 468 'Heþen,' he seide, 'I mot wende, [He seide he myghte no lenger lende.] Mi tyme neiȝeþ swiþe sone, [His tyme neyghede.] I may her no lengor lende, [And saide þat he moste wende.] I mot in to my fader trone. [465-472 om. in T.] [On heye to his fader in throne.] Line 472

"'Moder, þe Bodi þat þou bere, In hard penaunce þou miht hit se, [TL Is hard (om. in L) pyned as þou maist (L myghte) se (seo).] [ffor] al Monkynde þat dede were [TL ffor al T man-kende L mankynde.] ffrom deþ schal areysed be. [TL Revsede (T Rysen) shulle (L sholde) to lyue be (beo).] Line 476 I seo [al. seke] a schep, þat was me dere, [T seke L seche. TL is.] Þat wiþ wronge was stolen from me: [T was wiþ wronge. TL fro.] I schal him bringe þer he was ere, [T shel. L it; it.] And of his þraldam make him fre. [T þraldom. L it freo.] Line 480 "'Þe schep be-tokneþ al monkynde, [TL þat. TL om. al. L mankynde T mannes k.] Mi fader wolde þat hit weore souȝt; [TL wile. be (L beo).] Wiþ-owten me may no mon [hit] fynde, [hit om. TL noman.] ffor wiþ my blod hit mot be bouȝt. [

T om. ffor. T moste. L beo.

In T the rest of the poem is wanting (last leaves torn out).

] Line 484 I wol hit bringe to riȝte mynde, [L I shal it seche & vnbynde.] To my blisse he [r. hit] mot be brouȝt, [& into blisse it shal beo b.] And þou [ne] schalt, moder, leue be-hynde: [moder shalt, ne om.] Swete Moder, ne wep þow nouȝt! [Ac suete m. . ne om. weope.] Line 488

Line 488 "'Þauȝ þou seo me hongen heiȝe, I prey þe, Moder, ne wep not sore; Al þe peyne, þou seost me drye, Hit is to saue mon þerfore. Line 492 Betere hit is þat on dye Þen al Monkynde euer-more. So longe schal I not lye Þat I [ne] schal wel my deþ restore.' [489-496 L reads instead: Moder, alone shaltou note beo, þauh þat I nouh wende þe fro. þou haste a sone shal loke þe. Iohn, þat for me now is ful wo. Loue him, moder, in charite, As þei he were þi sone also, And honure him as þou woldeste me, & weren þine children two.] Line 496 "Þus were his wordes loken in on [L weren . one.] Þat seint Ion scholde me loke. [He bade Ion sholde.] Þauȝ he were my kynnes-mon, [kynnesman.] Þerfore ich him [for] sone toke. [L ffor my sone I him þere toke.] [ffor my sone I him þere toke.] Line 500 Such wordes he speke con [Þe wordes þat he . gan.] Þat [r. ȝit?] al my Ioye I þer for-soke. [þat om. þere.] Bernard, þow most þis wordes tan [þese.] And craftliche writen hem in boke! [& craftily do write h. in a b.] Line 504 "Bernard, O þing dude me wo: [Bot o thinge ȝet dide.] He þursted, my sone, & gon to crie. [I am thurste my sone gan crie.] To ȝiuen him drinke þei þouȝte þo, [ȝeuen . þei were thro.] Þe Iewes ful of ffelenye: [gewes . felonye.] Line 508 Eysel and Galle þei mengeden also, [Aysel mengede wiþ galle also.] Wiþ a sponge þei brouȝt hit an hiȝe [In . spounge . broughten . hit om. on heye.] And wiþ a launce þei putte him to, [And om. pitten.] Þe Iewes ful of Ribaudye. [DL I cride sone drinke it n.] Line 512 "I [MS. þei] criede to hym: 'ne drynk hit nouȝt! [D Iewis L gewes. D for pyne to the it made. L on sk. it haue made.] Þe Iewes on scorn hit [haue] [MS. hedde.] I-mad: [D fful bitter to the thei it w. L of eysel.] Hit is Eysel and Galle I-wrouȝt, Ȝif hit stynke, þou miȝt be sad.' [D Þe stink to felin L To fele þe stynche. D ben L beo.] Line 516 Loueliche he me [MS. he hedde me] be-souȝt, [D Wol loueli þan. DL om. hedde. L besoughte.] Þat I scholde boþe be bliþe and glad: [L And bad me beo bl. D schuld stilli make me glad.]

'Þorw þis drynke Adam [is] [MS. was] bouȝt, [L þoruhe D ffor wiþ. D drink. D Adam is L is Adam.] I drynke hit as my ffader bad. [

D þis drink is. L for.

After 520 L has these 2 stanzas: Þis coppe is of my fader assente, I drinke it, moder, be his reede; þauhe it beo bitter & ful of stynche, I drinke it for Adam-is deede. And sone after þis bitter drinche Now shal deye my manhede, Þe thridde day wiþ-oute blenche, I shal arise fro þe deede.—Þerfore wite wel to wisse, Þe thridde day I shal arise, Al hol & sound wiþ-outen misse, As gode & man in alle wise. Alle my freondes to mychel blisse Þat haue y-louede my seruise. Þerfore, moder, take som lisse, Þi weopinge doþ myn herte agrise.

] Line 520 "'Þerfore I preye þe, Moder hende, [D prey.] Lef þi deol, ne wep no more! [L Leef D leue. D þi cri L þis sorwe. DL & wepe (weop). L namore.] And I schal to my ffader wende [DL To my fader I muste (L mote) w.] And bring hem vp þat were for-lore. [DL & bringe to him þat. D was.] Line 524 And after þe þen schal I sende: [L om. And; D And setthe for. L þe moder. DL om. þen. DL I schal.] But I mot, Moder, go bi-fore, [D om. But; L Ac. DL Moder I muste (L mote). D gon.] And after schalt þou wiþ me lende [D To ordeyne þer þou schalt l. L Þanne schaltou. L lenden.] In Ioye and blisse for euer-more.' [D ffor ioye & bl. schal euere ben thore.] Line 528

"ÞEnne þe Iewes ful of pride [L Þus D Bernard.] Two þeues þei hynge my sone bi; [D ij L tweye. D theuys L theoues. L om. þei. D heng L hengen. DL him by.] Þat on þat hengede bi his syde [DL On eueri (L eiþer) half his swete (L my sone) side.] Criȝede to my sone Merci. [DL Þat on began (L gan) to (om. in L) crien (L crie Ihesu) merci.] Line 532 Þat oþur onswerde in þat tyde: [DL oþer. D answerid L answerede.] 'He hongeþ herre þen þou or I [D hangiþ L hangeþ. DL heyere. þan.] On þe Croys wiþ woundes wyde, [D Vpon. DL a cros. D woundis.] To crie Merci, þow dost foly.' [DL To askin (L bidden) him help. D it is.] Line 536 "Þat oþur seide: 'Mon, þow art wod, [L He DL answerid man. D art þou. L woede.] Þis ilke Mon [al. Ihesu] [is dampned] þorw false red, [DL lhesu is dampnid wiþ fals r.] He haþ do noþing bote gode, [D He dide neuere nouht but. D good L goed.] He weore not worþi to be ded. [L were D is. D ben L beo.] Line 540 Ihesu as þou art mylde of mode, [D To Ihesu he seyde wiþ mylde mod. L Ihesu þat arte . moede.]

Whon þou comest to þi godhed, [DL whan. D comist L arte comen. L into.] Þorw vertu of þyn holy blode [D ffor. D blod L bloede.] Þe riȝte wey þat þou me lede!' [D To þi regne þe wey me lede.] Line 544 "Mi sone seide: 'Mon, þou art wys, [D þan seyde his avys. L man.] ffor þin askyng Blessed þou be! [D ffor þi trouþe wel schal þou be. L beo.] Þerfore I graunte þe paradys, [L ffor-þi.] Þis day þou schalt my Ioye i-se.' [D To-day. L ioy. D se L seo.] Line 548 I stod and lokede in heore Vys, [D lokid on hem iwis. L hem in þe vys.] Þo þei hongede [al. How þei deyde] vppon þe tre: [DL How þei deyde (dieden). D on. L treo.] Þat o þef wente to heuene-blis, [D one soule; L on, þef om. L to paradis.] Þat oþer gon to helle fle. [D Þat oþer thef to helle gan. L gan. L fleo.] Line 552 "Þis was, Bernard, my grete solas, [DL Bernard þis was to me gret (L a g.) s.] Þat O þef so sone heuene won; [L Þe theof (þat om.) D How sone þe thef. DL wan.] Þenne wuste I [MS. þei] wel in heore cas, [D þan L þanne. D wiste I L me thoughte. L om. wel. D be þat L in alle.] Mi sone was studefast [r. soþfast] God and Mon. [D Þat my s. D om. studefast; L sothfaste. DL man.] Line 556 And [as] I my-self stod in þe plas, [D And as L As. DL om. myself. L stoede. D in þat. L place.] Mi sone ful loude crie he con: [DL om. ful. D crien. DL om. he. D began L gan.] 'Heloy, heloy,' his criȝing was, [L Hely hely. D crieng.] 'Lamaȝabatani,' after þon." [D he seyde inst. of after. DL þan.] Line 560 Þis is now, as ȝe mowe [se], [MS. here] [DL Þis was a word of gret pite.] On Englisch to vnderstonde bi: [D To vnderstonde englisch þer-bi. L In. vnderstande.] "'ffader,' he seide, 'In Trinite, [DL god inst. of he seide. D trenyte.] Whi forsakest þou my Merci? [D forsakist þou L forsakestou. D me whi?] Line 564 Hider I com þorw red of þe, [DL Swete (om. in L) fadir, I prey to (L beseche) the] To þe I take my soule an hiȝ. [DL Take my soule fro my bodi.] Wiþ wrong I dye vppon þe tre, [D Þou wost wel þin schal it be L Þin it is siker þou beo.] To fulfille þe propheci.' " [al. DL.] [D Now is fulffillid L & fulffillede is.] Line 568

Line 568

" [vv. 569-592 added by the poet.] MErci, ladi," seide Bernard, [After 568 D (not L) has these 2 stanzas: Vnto helle his gost gan wende, As his faderis wil it was, To bring Adam out of bende, & for to bynde Sathanas. Sone þer com a lotheli fend, And sette him be my sonis fas, To take þe soule & to helle it sende, But no synne in his bodi was.—Þat sihte dide me werst of alle, ffor as ded I fel there doun; My susteris began aboute to falle Wepinge & made ruful soun. Iohn my cosyn gan me vp calle, And wold me lede toward þe toun. Now haue I told & brouht to stalle Þe peynes of his passioun. DL Seynt (om. in L) B. to (L þo to) Marie answerid (answerde).] "Swete Moder, God ȝelde hit þe! [DL Ladi (lauedy) blissid (y-blessede) mote þou be (beo).] On Serterday, [r. Scherthursday] I haue herd, [D Of. DL scherthursday. D now DL haue I.] How he was went a-wei from þe, [L taken awey D bounden & led (awei om.). DL fro.] Line 572 And on þe ffriday how he ferd, [D & also of good f. DL it.] Þer he hongede on þe tre. [D Whan þe Iewis heng him on. L Swetely hastou kennede me.] Al-how þe Iewes him bi-cherd, [D But how L After-warde hou, D þi sone was L he was DL beried.] Loueli ladi, lere þow me! [D My swete l. L Dere l. D telle; L lete me nou seo.] Line 576 "And how he was after taken adoun, [DL om. after. D takin doun.] Tel me, Moder Marie Mylde, [DL Telle. Marie modir.] Of [MS. On] þe Crois aftur þe passioun, [D Of L ffro. DL cros. DL after his.] How þou weope for þi chylde [2 vv. om.: L And Ioseph cam so redi-boun þe corps fro shame forto schilde] [D Þer þou were L & hou þo[u] weptest. After 581 DL read first: And (L & hou) Ioseph cam so (om. in L) redi & (om. in L) boun, D His bodi of þe cros doun to hilde L Þe corps fro shame forto shilde.] And geete him wiþ þis (!) [Orig. his] orisoun [D Wiþ preyere and wiþ good resoun. L wan. his.] Of Pilate and of þe Iewes wylde! [DL ffro. D & fro þe L & þe.] Þe holy lore of þis passioun Line 583 ffrom þe fend hit may vs schilde. [vv. 583-4 superadded.] [583-4 om. in DL.] " [1 v. om.: And how he was leyd in þe ston] Tel me, ladi briht and schene, [DL And how he was leyd in þe ston, Telle me ladi (L marie) briht and schene (2 vv.).] Wȝuche were þi frendes euerichon [D & whiche. L weren. DL his frendis (freondes).] Þat wolde at his buriing bene, [D wold L wolden. D beryeng L beryinge.] And how þou were saued from þi fon [L om. And. D þou kepedist the L he kepte þe, D whan þei were gon L fro þi foon.] Line 588 In þe Temple, wiþ-outen wene; [vv. 588-9 al. after 592.] [588-9 follow in DL after 591.] [D In t. fro þi sone I mene. L wiþoute.] Þe serwe of þe and of seint Ion [L sorwe D wordis.]

Tel me, ladi, al be-dene, [D I wold wite hem alle b.] Of þi sone bodi and bon!" [This v. superadded.] [om. in DL.] Line 592

Oure ladi seide: "Bernard, allas, [DL Marie. L seide to D answerd.] What woltou more aske me? [DL Whi. L wiltou D woldist þou. D mor aske ȝet of.] Tel I þe forþure of þis cas, [D And I telle ferthere þis harde cas. L in.] Þe swerd of deþ wol neiȝ me sle. [DL of sorwe. D in myn herte wile be L wile me sle (neiȝ om.)] Line 596 Ioseph a-non nom his pas [DL I. vnto (L to) Pilate tok his (L þe) pas.] And bed his bodi vppon þe tre. [L To bidde þe b. D To haue þe b. D doun of.] Pilate him grauntede and Cayphas, [L om. him; D it. D grauntid.] Line 599 Ȝif þat þei witen, þat he ded be. [L Bote þat D As sone so. D wiste. D þat ded was he. L beo.] [601-626 introduced by the poet.] "Pilate[s] kniȝtes steorne and stoute [D Pilatis L Pilates. D knightis. DL sterne.] fforþ wiþ Iosep gunne þei wende, [D Ioseph. L gonne D gan. L om. þei.] And oþure kniȝtes wiþ gret route, [D other L oþere. D Iewis L gewes. D felle & proude. L a inst. of wiþ.] Summe his fon and summe his frende. [L Somme D ffele. D fos. D & fewe.] Line 604 ffurst þis kniȝtes wenten aboute [r. ffurst þei went þe þeues aboute] [D Þei ȝede þe theuis al aboute L ffirste þei ronnen þe theoues aboute.] And bursten boþe Bak and lende; [L breken D dide brek. D hire boþe lende L here backes & here lendes.] [Bernard], þen was I [MS. heo] in gret doute, [D Bernard I was þan L Þo was I bernarde.] So han to [r. to han? al. þei wold so serue] serued my sone hende. [DL Þei wold(e) so serue my s. so h.] "I suwed after wiþ al my miht, [D folewid L wente.] Line 609 Ion and my sustren two. [D & also. L myne. D sisteris L sostren.] Here now, Bernard, al apliht, [DL Bernard þou schalt herin (heren) apliht.] Þe strengeste pyne [al. point] of al my wo. [D strengest. DL poynt.] Line 612 Be-syde þe Roode þen stod a kniȝt, [D Among hem DL þer stod.] Blynd he was and lome also, [Blind illegible in L. DL lame.] Alle þei seide Longeus he hiȝt: [D Þei seyde alle Longius L Longeus seiþ þe boke.] Vnder þe Roode þei dude him go. [D Þei dide him vnder þe cros to go. L cros. maden.] Line 616 "Þei token him a launce good [D Þei putte a l. in his hand.]

And sette hit to my sone syde, [al. 2 vv. more.] [L setten. D sonis. After 618 L And crieden on him as þei were wode, Shof vp þei seiden what so betide. D Þe Iewis on him were criand Put vp, Longius, now is þe tide.] And Longeus þruste wiþ gret mod [D þorw hem was Longius wel willand. L om. And: L. shef wiþ egre m.] To my sone herte gon glyde; [D sonis. DL it gan.] Line 620 Þe water & þe rede blod [D Blod & watir þer com rennand L Anon spronge oute water & blode.] Ron doun of his woundes wyde. [D Out of þat wounde þat was so wide L & ran doun enlonges be his side. 613-14 om. in DL here. After 624 DL have these 2 stanzas: Þan wax (L was) myn herte heuy so (L as) led, Whan (L ffor) I saw (seye) þat ruful (reuful) sihte, Þe (om. in L) watir wiþ þe (L & eke) blod so red, To Longius hand it ran doun rihte (L Ran oute of þe wounde aplighte). Doun I fel as I were ded, Lengere to stande (L stonde) had I no myht (cf. Vern. 623-4). Iohn my cosyn (my c. om. in L) comfort (counforte) me bed, & so dide (so d. om. in L) Ioseph, þat (L þe) trewe knyht.—Þe blod ran (L fel) doun to Longius hond (L londe), He wipid (L wipte) his eyen & wel he sey, L ffelde & wode water & londe, ffoul in firmamente on hey D þer is no creature in watir ne lond Þat myht suffre þe sorwe þat had I. DL On knes (L kneos) he þankid goddis (godes) sond(e), Toward heuene his heuyd (L hede) on hi (L he bey), Þat sihte my care (L of c.) mekil (L him) vnbond, So dide it (L & alle) my (L his) frendis þat were (weren) me (L him) bi.] Doun I fel al þer I stod, Line 623 No lengor stonde I ne miȝte þat tyde. [623-4 superadded.] "Þei weore [al. þe Iewis þan] went to sire Pilate, [DL þe Iewis þan (om. in L) wente(n) to P.] And we bi-lafte wiþ reuthful rou[n]. [MS. ron] [DL lefte (lafte) þer. D ruful L reuful DL roun.] Whon þei weore I-gon heore gate, [D And whan. L weren. D were alle. DL gon. D hire L here.] Line 627 [I bad] [MS. And] Ioseph nime [MS. nome] hym a-doun, [DL I bad I. takin (L take) him doun.] Til I hym hedde, me þhouȝte ful late, [L him haue D haue him. D þinkiþ L thinkeþ. DL om. ful.] Þe Iewes weoren alle ful feloun. [D ffor alle þe Iewis þat ben f. L aren ful f. (alle om.).] Ioseph seide to me wiþ þate: [al. we ben þer-ate] [DL I. seyde we ben (beoþ) þer-ate.] 'To bringe him þe we ben ful boun.' [D to the. D I am. L beoþ. L om. ful.] Line 632 "Nichodemus þe nayles out drowȝ, [D naylis. drow.] And Ioseph nom him in his Arm; [L Iosep. DL tok.] Mi sone he louede wel I-nouȝ, [D hem louid. inow.] He tok hym doun wiþ-outen harm, [D Þei L &.] Line 636 And nom him of þe heiȝe bouȝ [D ffayre & softe fro þat bow. L bar. fro.] And leyde him softe in my Barm. [D leyden. D om. softe; L gostly.]

His swete Mouþ on me hit louh, [L Þe. D vpon L þat on. DL om. hit. D low.] And ȝit ne was hit no-þing warm. [DL & (om. in L) I it (om. in L) kiste, it (L & it) was not (L nothinge) w. After 640 DL have the foll. stanza: An hunderid (L hondrede) tymys (L siþe) I dide (L gan) him kisse, Mouth & eyren, his chin also (L Hede & mouth & eyen two), & seyde 'sone, schal I the mysse, Glad ne worth (L shal) I neuere mo (L go).' And loseph faste abouten (aboute) is (L wes), His graue to dihte & him þer-to (L þat he were in graue y-do), & euere (L oftesiþe) I preyde him (L I criede) iwis (L þus) To beryen (L Iosep berie) me wiþ him (w. h. om. in L) also.] Line 640 "His loue hedde bounde me so faste, [DL om. hedde. L bonde D woundid.] Þo [al. þat] wepen I moste in alle wyse. [DL Þat. L wepe. D muste. D on al.] Hit was euere in my [gast] [MS. þouȝt] [D Nerþeles I trowid euere stedefast L My thoughte was myche on his beheste.] Þe þridde day he scholde aryse— [D thrid. þat he schuld vprise.] Line 644 Þe rihte be-leeue on me he caste, [D riht. L beleoue D feyth. D in. D cast.] And I Conceyuede þe rihte asyse; [L c. it in alle wise. D As it was al his deuyse.] Ich wuste ful wel atte laste [DL fful (om. in L) wel I wiste D it. D last.] I schulde hym seo a-mong alle hise: [D seen L seo. DL om. alle.] Line 648 "And ȝit miȝt I not for-bere, [DL But I myhte. D neuere me f.] Bernard, for to wepe sore; [DL om. for. D swiþe s. L y-liche s.] Myn hondes I wrong, myn her I tere, [D hondis. D to wringe L wringe. DL to tere.] Whon he lay ded me be-fore. [DL Whil. D þer inst. of ded.] Line 652 I seiȝ [al. wene] wel, I durste swere, [LD I wene wel (D if) I. L dorste. D it s.] Ȝif eny serwe In Angeles wore, [MS. were] [L any. DL sorwe. D aungelis L angels. DL wore.] Þei miȝte wepe mony a tere [L weope D a wept. DL many.] ffor þe del þat I [al. þei] seih þore. [D om. þe. DL sorwe. DL þei saw (seye) thore. After 656 L has the foll. st.: Whan þei seye Ihesu þe hende, Ihesu þe swete, Ihesu þe meke, Suche sorwe drien at his ende, Godes sone & maries eke, & hou þei gonne to graue wende, Hou his moder to him speeke, Ande sorwe myghte in angels lende, Þei myghte weope þat here herte breeke.] [MS. þere] Line 656 "Siþen heuene was maad & erþe also [D Setthe. L eorþe.] And wommon formed aftur mon, [D woman L womman. D formyd. DL man.] More serwe ne more wo [D Was neuere ere swich sorwe ne wo L Was neuere made so myche wo.] Neuere tonge telle con [DL þat any tunge of (om. in L) telle can.] Line 660

Line 660 Þen we maden whon we scholde go [D om. þen; L As. D mad sorwe. DL þei. L gonne.] To bere mi sone in to þe ston. [DL toward. D his stan.] Ion and my sustren two [L myne. D susteris L sostren.] fful mony siþen þei swoune gon. [DL Mony (Many) a tyme swownid þei (L we swounede) þan.] Line 664 "Euere I criȝede ful pitousliche: [D Bernard L And faste. L om. ful. L pitouliche D pitousli.] 'Lordynges, what haue ȝe I-þouȝt? [L Mercy lordinges wh. is youre. DL om. I-.] Hit is my sone I loue so muche, [L Þis. L I l. him myche D I cri ȝow merci.] ffor Godes loue, burie him nouȝt!' [L ffor my loue D ffor charite. L berieþ D grauiþ.] Line 668 Þei nolde not leue, þeiȝ l gon siche, [D Þei sparid no-þing for me sureli L ȝet þei ne sparede for al my shriche.] Til þat he were in graue i-brouȝt; [DL om. þat. D þei him to graue br.] Þei wounden him in cloþes riche [L &. D lappid L lappeden. D cloþis tendirli.] And euer Merci [I] hem [MS. him] be-souȝt. [D To leyen me there DL I hem.] Line 672 "Ioseph leide him in þe ston, Nichodemes halp him wel, [D And N. had woundin h. wele.] And riche oynemens leyde him vp-on [DL om. And. D Oynementis ful swete. DL þei leyde (L leiden) h. on.] And wounden him in clene sendel; [D dihte. L om. him. D ful clene L a cloth of. D sendele.] Line 676 Heo seiȝ þer was no beter won, [D Bernard, þer was non oþer w. L Þanne wepten we euerichone.] Bote [al. To] burie him þei were ful snel. [DL To berien. L om. ful. D snelle.] Þen loked I on my Cosyn Ion, [D þan, om. in L. L I lokede.] ffor serwe boþe a-doun we fel. [DL sorwe . doun. D felle.] Line 680 "Whon I stod vp and bi-held, [L Þo I ros I him b. D Whan we st. vp for sorwe vnweld.] In world I nuste what was best; [DL om. In world. DL ne wiste. D me was.] ffor gret serwe my fingres I feld, [= folded] [D ffingris to writhe none I ne felid. L om. gret.] ffor wepyng miȝt I haue no rest: [D Of w. koude. L Almest my lif was y-leste.] Line 684 Þe ouer-ston ouer him þei heold, [L þat. DL faste inst. of ouer him. DL I D beheld L helde.] Ioseph hit wolde in close fest, [L And Ios. D wolde haue had it fest L wolde closen it faste.] To him I fel þat was my child, [DL om. To him; I fel betwix (L betwene) as a (L & was his) scheld.]

His swete Mouþ wel ofte I cust. [D Til þat I his mouth had kest. L fol ofte . kiste. After 688 DL have the foll. stanza: I swownid (swounede) many a tyme wiþ-alle, Or (L Er) I of him myhte take my (om. in L) leue. Many a tere I lete doun falle, Þer (L þate) myhte no man it (om. in L) me bereue. I (L And) seyde 'sone, now (om. in L) gon I schalle, Now alle þi (L & oure) frendis schul the leue (L to-dreue). Come (L Com) now, deth, I wile (L gan) the calle, I wold þou myhtest myn herte cleue.'] Line 688 "Ion seiȝ I was in poynt to spille, In my bodi I was ful seke, Euere I stod In criȝyng schille, Þat neiȝ myn herte dude to-breke: Line 692 He heold his serwe in herte stille And myldeliche gon he to me speke: 'Marie, ȝif hit beo þi wille, Go we henne!' þe Maudeleyn eke. [689—696 DL Þan com (þ. c. om. in L) Iohn & (þe L) Magdaleyn eke, & (om. in L) saw (L Seyen) I was in poynt to spille. fful (om. in L) myldeli (Mildeliche) to me þei speke And held (helden) hire (here) sorwe in herte ful (om. in L) stille, But euere hem þouhte hire (here) hertis (hertes) breke, Þat þei durste not (L ne myghte) wepin (weope) hire (here) fille. Nerþeles (L Naþeles) to towne (L me to t.) þei (L þe) me (om. in L) wreke (L wreken), Mor wiþ strif (L be strengthe) þan wiþ (L at) my wille.] Line 696 "And whon we to toune come, [L om. And. DL to þe cite. L comen.] Þer as þe wey lay a-twynne, [L Þat. DL om. as. DL oure weyes schuld L twynne D vntwynne.] Vche mon leue at oþer nome, [L Euerich at oþer leue n. D I & othere oure l. n.] And wenten hom to heore [al. oure] Inne. [L & sithen wenten til. D wente. DL oure.] Line 700 Sore I sykede and I-lome, [DL om. Sore; DL I swownid L ma[n]y a tyme & lome D often and whilome.] Of wepyng miht I neuer blynne, [D koude.] To speke wiþ hem [MS. hym] [had I] [MS. in] no tome [D spekin to hem. DL had I no t.] ffor serwe þat myn herte was Inne. [DL sorwe. D in.] Line 704 "Þei ladde me to a Chaumbre þo [D Iohn led. L In to a chambre he ladde me þo.] Þer my sone was woned to be, [D wonid. L beo.] Ion and þe Maudeleyn also, [D Magdaleyn & my susteris two.] ffor no þing nolde þei from me fle. [L nolde fro me (fle om.) D wold þei departen fro me.] Line 708 I lokede aboute in eueri wro, [D Bernard L ffaste D I lokid aboute me tho L I l. in eche a wro.] I couþe nouȝwhere my sone se, [D But I c. L Coude I. D not. L seo.]

We set vs doun in serwe and wo [D setten vs L seten, vs om. D wiþ sori wo.] And gunne to wepe alle þre. [D gan L begonne. D wepin L weopen. L threo.] Line 712 "Þus, Bernard, we weren in care, [D were we Bernard L B. were we. D in greet c.] In serwe of herte & gret Mournyng, [L & DL sorwe. L & in. L om. gret; D long.] Til we wuste hou hit wolde fare [D Til þat. DL wiste . schuld.] At my sones vp-rysyng. [al. Euer we were in greet longing.] [DL Euere we were (L Eche of vs was) in greet long|ing. 717-18 & 719-720 transp. in L.] Line 716 Nou haue I told þe wiþ-oute spare [L om. þe. L wiþ-outen.] Alle his [al. my] peynes wiþ-oute [at his] partyng. [L om. Alle. DL my. D peynys. D at his parting L of his departynge.] Bernard, I was euer þare, [D But B., L Ac B. D redi inst. of euer. L euere I was ȝare.] Line 719 To witen after his vp-rysyng." [717-18 & 719-20 to be transp.] [L wayten him D kepin him. DL at.]

"Graunt Merci, dame, God ȝelde hit þe, [D Seynt Bernard seyde God L Lauedy quod he G. L om. hit.] Wyf and Maiden, Moder Milde, [DL & moder & mayden.] Þat þou hast so muche i-told me [L om. þou. DL so mekil (L þus myche) hast. DL told. D to me.] Of serwe of þe and of þi chylde! [L Þe inst. of Of. D Of þi sorwe; of þe om.] Line 724 Now am I siker, wher þat I teo, [D sekir. DL wher-so (L om. so) I be (beo).] In wode, in water or in felde, [D In toun or feld in ȝongþe or elde L In chirche in toun in fritthe in felde.] To make þe foule fend to fleo, [L fforto. D don. L om. foule. L feonde. D fle.] Þat euer was so wod and wylde. [D Þat euere to helle wold don me helde L Þat ȝore haþ beon wod & w.] Line 728 "Ladi, for þi muchele wo, [D Now ladi for þat ilke wo] Þat neuere no tonge may of telle, [Þat no tunge may half telle] Þe serwe of þe and him also [D om. þe serwe: Of the & of þi sone also.] Þat him dude þe Iewes felle: [ȝow dide. Iewis.] Line 732 Leeue [MS. And leeue] vs neuere skape þer-fro, [And om. Late neuere non of alle tho] But euer-more In ioye to dwelle; [Þat cristnid arn & in þis world dwelle,] Whon we schul dye and henne go, [Whan þei schul passen þe world al fro,] Schilde vs from þe pyne of helle! Amen." [729—736 om. in L.] [

To seen þe peyne þat is in helle.

After 736 D has 2 stanzas more: This ryme mad an hermyte, & dide it writen in parchemyn; Barfot he wente in gray habyte, He werid no cloth þat was of lyn. Þus on englisch he dide it write, He seyth he drow if of þe latyn; His mede lord Ihesu him quyte, & seynt Bernard, clerk of deuyn.—And we schul preye þat here it rede, ffor him now an orisoun, & don it smertlich in dede, Wiþ a ful good deuocioun, Þat Ihesu Crist his soule lede To blisse in his processioun, And there for to han his mede, Þorw vertu of his passioun Amen.—With the last stanza agrees the concluding st. in L: Eueriche wiþ goede deuocioun Grete wiþ an hertly steuene To oure lady an orisoun, Hire ioye may no tonge nempne: Þat for hire sones passioun Heo schilde vs fro þe sinnes seuene, & saue vs fro þe feonde feloun, & bringe oure soules into heuene. Amen.

] Line 736

XXXVII. A dispitison bitwene a god man and þe deuel. [Ed. before in Engl. Stud. VIII, p. 260—275.]

Swiþe muche neode hit is [folio CCLXXXVIII] Þat vche mon be war and wys To kepe him from þe fendes lore— ffor he fondeþ euer-more. Line 4 And þat we mowen alle I-witen As hit is in þe Bok I-writen, I wol ow telle, as I con, How þe fend tempteþ a Mon.— Line 8 Hit was vppon an haly-day: In an heiȝ feste of þe ȝere; [In the MS. written in half lines.] Muche folk was to churche gon: Godes word for to here; Þe Preost of þe chirche vndude þe gospel And lerede his parischens, as he couþe wel, Line 12 And bad hem openly nyme good ȝeme Hou þei scholden god wel queme And schenden þe foule fend of helle, Þat fondeþ euere iliche monnus soule to qwelle. Line 16 Whon þe prest hedde I-spoken & don what he wolde, Þe folk wente hamward, as riȝt was þei scholde. A good mon þer was, þat hamward gon rake, And þouȝte ful ȝeorne of þat þe prest spake; Line 20 He eode be him one wiþ-oute fere ȝerne, ffor no-mon of his þenkyng schulde hym werne.

ÞE wikked fend of helle þerof hedde onde And hastiliche sende to him his sonde. Line 24 His Messager redi was forte don his wille, Him to bi-swyke, queynteliche & stille. In þe wei he hym mette And feire þenne he hym grette— Line 28

Line 28 Was he no fend i-lyche, But as a mon feir and riche; Þe gode Mon was not war Of þe deuel, þat com þar. Line 32 Quaþ þe wikked Counseyler: "ffelawe, wel I-met her! Sei me, as nou mote þou þe, Wher hast þow now I-be?" Line 36 "I com from þe chirche, what woldestou þer-bi? What þou art & whi þou askest, tel me nou, belamy!" "I am a ferren mon and a wey-feryng, [From here the poem is extant in MS. Simeon.] Spek wiþ me feire, wiþ-outen grucchyng! Hastou atte churche I-herd eny sarmoun, Vndoynge of þe gospel or of lessoun? I preyȝe þe, gode felawe, ȝif þi wille be, Al þat þou herdest, tel hit nou to me! Line 44 ffor I con my-self, beo my lewete, Of alle-maner lore gret plente. I con wel I-knowe, I sei þe, for-þi, Wher hit were wisdam þat he spac, or elles foli. Line 48 Wys þow schalt fynde me and hende; ffor, ȝif he out fals haþ seid, I schal hit amende. Þauh þow to me haue no trist, I con more þen þe prest, Line 52 And better I wot, forsoþe I-wys, How men schulen come to blis, And also more I con telle Wherfore Men schule go to helle." Line 56

ÞE goode mon bigon his tale : þat oþur ȝerne con luste; Al couþe he not telle : But dude þat he wuste. "Ouer alle þing he vs tauhte : To loue god, ful of miht, And siþen vre euencristene : As we ouȝten wiþ riht. Line 60 He spac of dedli synnes : And seide þer weore seuene, And whose dyede þer-Inne : Scholde neuere comen in heuene: Pruide is þe furste : Envye is þat oþer, Wraþþe is þe þridde : Þat mon haþ to his broþer, Line 64 Þe feorþe is Couetyse : Þe fyfþe is Lecherie, Þe sixte is Sleuþe : Þe seueþe is Glotonye. Mest he spac of pride, and lered more and lasse

fforto leue pride and loue Buxumnesse; Line 68 ffurst, abouen alle þing, wiþ al vre miht Worschipen & louen god, boþe day & niht, And louen vre kunrede, as þe lawe wile, And alle cristene men, as hit is skile. Line 72 ffor alle we schulen wiþ riȝte louen vchon oþur Wiþ al vre miȝte, as suster doþ þe broþur; ffor breþeren we aren & sustren, as we schul al leue, Alle þat euere icome ben of Adam & of Eue." Line 76

ÞE wikked gost [MS. god] was ful ȝare And ȝaf þe gode mon onsware: "Þow spekest," he seide, "of louyng, Þat mon schulde furst of alle þing; Line 80 Þat loue god schal eueri mon, And siþen his neihȝebor, as he con. Bote hou miȝtest þou trewe loue Haue to him þat is aboue, Line 84 Whon he so ofte wraþþeþ þe And let þe in muche myschef be? He let þi catel from þe falle, Hors in stable and Oxe in stalle, Line 88 And oþer þing awey let go, And suffreþ þe be brouȝt in muche wo. Ȝif þou art sek in syde and Ribbe, Þat vnneþes maiȝt þou libbe, Line 92 Or þin hed sore akeþ And al þi bodi for serwe quakeþ, Þorw him þe comeþ al þis. Loue him not, I rede, I-wis! Line 96 Hou miȝtest þou loue him wiþ skile Þat miȝte þe helpe and ne wile?"

ÞE goode mon wel vnderstod Þat he seide was not good. Line 100 "After þi red wol I not do, ffor þe prest ne bad not so. I wot of alle þing, be hit what-so hit be, Boþe beter & wors, my lord sendeþ to me. Line 104 Þauh I oþur-while haue I-had wo, Þorw god þat hit sende hit haþ ouer-go; Hit was for my gode—þonked be he—

He wolde þat I scholde bi þat I-war be. Line 108 Þauȝ he me be-reue anon to my Ribbe, Þat I haue vnneþe wher-wiþ to libbe, Ne wol I not be wroþ þerfore, ne no riȝt hit nis: ffor al þat I haue, al hit is of his; Line 112 Al þat I haue, he leneþ me, I-wis, He mai taken hit aȝeyn, whon his wille is. So he haþ don ful ofte—I-blessed mot he be— And ȝaf me wel more þen he birafte me. Line 116 And þauȝ he of-pyne me in seknesse sore, Hit is for my gode, I loue him þe more; Þer-wiþ he me warneþ his comaundement to breke, And sent me such teone him for to wreke; [r. reke] Line 120 I mai þen amende me of þat I haue don ille, And beeten þat I haue agult aȝein godes wille. Þreo þinges þer beþ, as I haue herd telle, Seide me þe prest in his lore-spelle, Line 124 ffor whom I ouȝte loue Ihesu ful of miȝte, [r. mahte] And worschipe him as I con, as me wel iȝte: [r. ahte] Þe furste þing of þe þre, is þat he me wrouȝte After him-self, as hym best þouȝte; Line 128 Þat oþur, þat he bouȝte me on þe swete Rode Wiþ his oune flesch & wiþ his oune blode; Þe þridde, þat he cleped me to his oune feste In to þe blisse of heuene, þat euer schal i-leste. Line 132 ffor on of þise I ouȝte to louen him wel apliȝt, Betere I ouȝte for alle, & þat is good riȝt."

ÞE wikkede gost onswerde þo: "Lete we þis tale go, Line 136 Leue we þis disputyng And speke we of oþur þing. Þow spekest aȝeyn pruide And þer-of takest muche hyde. [r. hede] Line 140 Aȝeyn þe riȝte is þat þou says, And þerfore me mis-pays. Þou seist þe prest, þat syngeþ Messe, Lered þe to Boxumnesse; Line 144 He was wod, so art þou ek, And alle þo þat so spek. Leef þou nouȝt þat hit be soþ!

Hit nis no-mon þat so doþ. Line 148 I sigge þat pruide nis no synne: ffor þer-þorwȝ comeþ worldes wynne. Þat maiȝt þou witen, I-wis, Whon þou wost what hit is. Line 152 Ȝif þou be knowen for wys And holden art of muche prys And þat þou art riche mon and wlouȝ And of richesse hast inouh: Line 156 Þauȝ þou lyȝe, as mony mon doþ, Men wolleþ wene þat hit be soþ, And clepe þe forþ for heore euenyng, Bi-foren hem þat habbeþ no-þing. Line 160 Ȝif þou art proud and Modi And berest þe bold and hardi, Men þat stondeþ þe aboute Þenne of þe wolen haue gret doute, Line 164 Wiþ þe wolen þei comen and speke, Þi loue to haue and hem to wreke. [r. reke] Þou mayȝt for þi bolde beryng Be proud & riche in alle þing, Line 168 And ouur-al maiȝt þou comen and go, Whon a Moppe dasart schal not so; As a lord schalt þou be cald, Þer oþure schul stonde be-hynde vn-bald, Line 172 And oueral þer þou gost aboute Þe schal folewe ful gret route; Of þe schal vche mon stonde gret eiȝe, Wher þou wolt, þou miȝt go pleye. Line 176 Do nou as I haue I-counseyled þe: Proud & stout euer þat þou be! ffor ȝif þou drawe þe to cumpaigny Of pore wrecches þat wone þe by, Line 180 Vche a Mon þat beo þe wey goþ Of hem schalt þou be swiþe loþ, And alle wolle þei ful ȝare Lauhwhe þe to bisemare Line 184 And sigge: "lo, Men mowe wel se What Mon þat he þenkeþ to be! A wrecche sone wol he ben,

To wrecches he draweþ, as alle men sen; Line 188 Wel Men may seo alle bi þan Þat neuer-more wol he beo man."

ÞE gode Mon vnderstod Þat þat þe toþur seide was not good. Line 192 "Do wei," he seide, "þi lore : Ne spek no more of pryde: Hit doþ þe soule muche wo : And helpeþ þe bodi luyte. Whon I þenke on þinges þre : Boþe niht and day Pruide ne worldes blisse : Glade me ne may. Line 196 ffurst, whon I beo-þenke me : And am wel I-ware How I com in to þis world : Boþe naked and bare; Nedde I to myn hed houue ne hod, Ne Robe to my bac, badde ne good, Line 200 But a foul red clout, þat I was boren In, Þat tok I of my Moder, and was a foul skyn— Al is soþ þat I seye, þeiȝ I speke in Rym— Þei coruen hit of me & wosch awei mi slym. Line 204 In to þis world þus com I wrecched & bare, And so, wot I wel, I schal heþen fare. Þei wounden me in cloutes, for cold & for schame, ffor I ne scholde forfare, þei hulede mi licame. Line 208 Al-Maner quik þing þat is þorw Godes miht, Whon hit comeþ furst forþ, con him-self diht, Haþ of him-self kyndeliche wede, And con him-self purchase mete to his nede, Line 212 And haþ þorw kynde miȝt for to gon, Þer kynde of mon haþ riȝt non, Bute vn-miȝti wrecches alle are we. Hou scholde I be proud, whon I þis se? Line 216

Þat oþur is, whon I þenke on Adam and Eue, Hou þei weren in paradys wel & wiþ leue; Þer wiþ-outen synne þei miȝte haue ben in blis, Ȝif þei nedden agult aȝeyn god, i-wis; Line 220 Þer þei miȝten han I-wonet in murþe & in wynne: But sone þei were driuen out, for þei dide sinne. And þerfore ha we muche wo, serwe & vuel-fare, And wonen in þis middel-ert in serwe & in care. Line 224 Weilawei & weilawo, þat synne was I-wrouȝt! In muche peyne for sinne are mony men I-brouȝt;

Alle wo & seknes þat eny mon is Inne, Al is, for he haþ i-greuet ofte god wiþ synne. Line 228 Þer is in þis world muche falshede, Þer is no treuþe wel neiȝ, in word ne in dede, Þe sone be-gileþ þe fader, þe douȝtur þe moder, Þe sibbe þe frende, vche mon oþer. Line 232 Nis no worldes blisse þat nul ouur-go, Ne nout no [r. so] murie on eorþe þat nis meynt wiþ wo. But þe blisse of paradys, þat lasteþ euer-more, Whon I þenke þeron, me longeþ þider sore. Line 236 Hou scholde I þenne be proud for eny þing, Or eny oþer mon, þat is in longyng?

ÞE þridde þing is þat I þenke, þat I schal wende henne Out of þis world, but wot I neuer whenne, Line 240 Ne wot I whodur mi soule schal. þerfore sore i drede: ffor aftur mi werkes are, schal hit haue mede; Riht as I haue deseruet, þe weole or þe wo Certeinliche schal I haue, i mai not fle þer-fro. Line 244 Beo I in mi put leid, þer wormus schul eten me, Worþe to nouȝt schal I þenne, as neuer hedde I be; Þe her of myn hed, ȝeleuȝ so þe wex, Schal dwynen a-wey so doþ þe drex, Line 248 Mi feire eȝen schulen out renne, Mi white teþ schulen foule grenne, Mi feire hondes and fingres longe Schul rote & stynke swiþe stronge. Line 252 Men wol for mi good make striuyng And puyte me out of al my þing. Þulke þat weren I-wont ofte me to grete, Þei wol not her þonkes wiþ me meete. Line 256 Alle þe frendes þat I now haue, ffor me gladliche wol þei don al þat I craue; Weore I in mi graue, out of heore siht, Luite wolde þei for me do, be dai or be niȝt. Line 260 Nedde I neuere so muche good, al hit wolde go, Whon mi soule & mi bodi ar parted a-two. Mi bodi schal leuen her, mi soule faren henne, Al þe worldes pride luitel helpeþ þenne. Line 264 Viterde [MS. Vtterde? Sim. Vitrede, ef. fytered, Mirk Instr. v. 1146.] hodes and Clokes also, Al þat vile pride schal don hem ful wo;

Þei struye godes good þer-wiþ : And torne hit to fen, Þat muche mihte helpe : Sely pore men. Line 268 Now is non worþ a fart, But he bere a baselart I-honget bi his syde, And a swynes Mawe, & al is for pride. Line 272 Godus grame, stirap on his cappe is knit, Þat an vnche haþ he not on for to sit; Muche meschef and gret colde : On his hers he has, Men miȝte, ȝif his brech weore to-tore : Seon his genitras. Line 276 And also þis wymmen : Þat muchel haunteþ pride, Wiþ hornes on heore hed : Pinned on vch a syde, Maad of an old hat : And of a luytel tre, Wiþ selk scleyres I-set aboue : Apparisaunt to be; Line 280 Heore Reuersede gydes : On hem are streyt drawe— But al be of þe newe aget [= get fashion] : Hit is not worþ an hawe. Þei wenen a ben ful feire : And wonder foul þei be; And a wolden be-þenken hem : Of heore priuete Line 284 And hou foule þei are : In soule and in bodi, Þei ouȝte wiþ heore wepyng : Make heore chekes rodi. But þei leue pride, & oþur synnes mo, Schortly to telle, to helle schul þei go. Line 288 Whon I þenke her-vppon : Mi care is wel þe more; Luytel wonder is hit : Þauh I sike sore. Hou scholde I be proud or elles modi? Alle ouȝte we to be for synne sori.— Line 292 Ȝit þou counseildest me a luytel while ere Þat I scholde not be pore mennes fere; Þou seidest I scholde ben holden an vn-mon. No-mon wol sigge so þat eny good con. Line 296 Þauȝ I & a pore Mon, þat beggeþ his fode, Be not I-liche riche of þe worldes gode, Men mai seo þe soþe & þe skile riȝt Hou we schule bitwene vs vre loue diȝt: Line 300 Ȝif I do mi cloþus of anon to my liche Þat I am icloþed in, þat beþ gode & riche, And a pore beggere, þat haþ muche wo, Wiþ cloutede cloþes dude also, Line 304 And we stode naked boþen I-fere:

Boþe miȝte we þenne ben oþures pere; Hose vs seȝe and knewe vs neyþer, Þenne miȝt þei wene þat we were breþer. Line 308 Þenne most I louen him, and he louen me, Whon vre kynde robes beþ of o ble: Þo are þe Robes we were wiþ I-bore— Ar we liggen & rote, ne worþ þei to-tore; Line 312 Let us be lyk in sum þing, as wel I wot we are, Al-þauȝ I be riche, & he pore & bare."

ÞE wikked gost onswerde þo And bad let þat tale go, Line 316 "Lete we þis dispuytyng And speke we of anoþer þing. Þou spekest & seist þe prest haþ forbode Wraþþe & onde, þorw biddyng of gode. Line 320 Hit was neuer forbode of no wys mon, But of sum folte, [cf. folted, v. 606. O. Fr. folet, foolish.] þat no good ne con. Ȝif þou sest þi broþur or þi kun or a-noþur Þat he be feiror þen þou be, or wisor þen þou ouþur, Or ricchor or baldor or be of beter i-told: Þauȝ þin herte be wo & of-þinke þat hit is so, [vv. 326-7 in the MS. one verse.] Who mihte þe blame? Line 328 Wel miȝt þou þenne þinke schame And vuel may hit þe like Þat he schal be so heiȝ: And þou not so riche." [In MS. 2 vv.]

ÞE gode mon wel vnderstod Line 332 Þat þat þe toþur seide was not good. "Aftur þi counseil wol I not do, ffor þe prest seide not so. No mon haþ so muche good : Þat I wolde [r. nolde] he hedde more, Line 336 Ne so feir ne so strong ne so wys of lore, Hit of-þuncheþ me nouht : Ne þer-to haue I non onde, ffor al þe godes þat mon haþ : Is of godes sonde. Line 339 God, þorw whom comeþ alle þing : Con ful good skile, Alle worldes winne : He sendeþ, whon [r. whom] he wile. Whi scholde I for monnes god haue sorinesse, Whon I haue for him neuer þe lesse? God deleþ his dole : To pore and to riche, Line 344

Line 344 And ȝiueþ wit and auhte : But not alle I-lyche. Whon he haþ I-ȝiuen his þing : As Ichaue I-seyd, Vche mon of his del : Schulde holde him paid; No mon schulde grucchen : Of oþeres wel-fare, Line 348 And ȝif he doþ, for soþe : He mispayeþ god þare. ffor god wol ȝiue : To whom his wille is. Whose haþ envye þer-to : ffor soþe, he nis not wys."

ÞE false schrewe onswerde þore Line 352 And bad hym sigge so nomore. "Þou spekest of wraþþe in þi tale And seist hit is aȝeyn soule-hale. Þat is not soþ, but falshede; Line 356 Wraþþe was neuere synful dede. Ȝif eny mon a-gult aȝeynes þe, Smyteþ or elles puiteþ þe, Oþer seiþ þat þe is him loþ: Line 360 Ne most þou þenne nedes be wroþ? Ȝif Mon mis-seiþ þe or deþ þe schame: Ȝif þou be wroþ, ho schal þe blame? As he doþ bi þe, niȝt and day, Line 364 Quit him wel, ȝif þat þou may; Ȝif þou mowe, worse; in eny wyse Loke þou ȝelde him his seruyse; Ȝif þou forberest O bisemare, Line 368 He wol ȝiue þe two ful ȝare. Aȝeyn o word sei þou two And mak him wroþ, ar þou go, And spek wiþ hym baldeliche Line 372 And mis-seye hym schomefulliche! Ȝif eny Mon þe mis-deþ, Smyt þyn hond vnder his teþ, Wiþ Swerd, Knyf, Staf or Ston Line 376 Lei on faste, and þat anon, And bet him wel wiþ þe beste, Þat his teþ al to-breste; Or on þe hed ponne hard, Line 380 Þat he go wryȝinge þenneward. Ȝif he is strong or of miht heiȝ, Þat þou ne miht comen hym neiȝ, Tac þe felawes þe by-syde: Line 384

Line 384 Þe hardiloker maiȝt þou abyde, And go sech him be wei and strete, Stint þou nouȝt til þou him mete, Lei on faste, spare no-þing, Line 388 To grounde sone þou him bryng, Þat he þerfore grunte and grone; And warne al oþere bi him one! Þen may þi word springe ariht Line 392 Þat þou art hardi mon and wiht; Alle men of þe þenne schule be fert Þat bifore wolde mis-seye þe in þi bert; Þenne miȝt þou go boþe quit and sker Line 396 Wher þou wolt, fer and neer."

ÞE goode mon wel vnderstood Þat his counseil was not good. Line 399 "Ȝif I be wroþ and sore agreued Wiþ eny Mon alyue, Ich ouȝte seche pees of hym : fful hastiliche and blyue. Mi Pater noster ne my crede : Ne myn Aue Marie biddynge, Whyle ich am in wraþþe : Avayleþ me no-þhynge. Ȝif Mon be wroþ, hym is þe wors : And þat on mony syde— Line 404 Þat schul ȝe wite þat hit is soþ : Ȝif ȝe wolleþ abyde: Wraþþe and vuel wordes : Old sore neweþ, And makeþ to do þe dede : Þat eft ful sore reweþ. Wraþþe is a wikked þing : Hit mengeþ þe herte blod Line 408 And makeþ mon ofte out of wit : Þat he con no good, He [r. Hit] makeþ mon ofte do þe dede : Þat eft torneþ to grame, Bete Men and ofte sle : And do ful muche schame, Line 411 Wounde men and berne men : Robben and to-reuen; And euere are þei in serwe and wo : A-Morwen and at Euen. Whon he is wel a-wreken : Aftur his wille, Þen he is wel apayed : And goþ forþ wel stille, He weneþ to here þer-of : No more tiþinge: Line 416 Bote þe synne þer-after : Schal him to schome brynge; Ne schal he him no-wyse : So wel him schilde, [r. hyde?] Þat he (!) ne schal for þe synne : Sum schome be-tyde, But hit beo þorw schrift : And þe prestes rede Line 420

Line 420 Þat þe synne be bet : And a-Mended þe deede. Þe heiȝe kyng of heuene : Is riȝtful Iustise, Alle folk schal he deme : Boþe foles and wyse; Line 423 He haþ set his lawes— : No-Mon scholde hem breke, Þat no-mon in his wraþþe : Scholde him-self wreke.— Ȝit on oþur wyse ofte mon is wroþ And seiþ to his broþur þing þat him is loþ. Þe wysore of hem two : Þen schal holde him stille Line 428 And suffre þe more fol : Siggen al his wille. ffor he þat chydeþ al-one : Hit wol sone awey fare, Hit wol not longe lasten : Wiþ-outen onsware; Whon he haþ al seid : Þat he sigge wile, Line 432 He wol ben in pes : And cunne þe more skile, And [bid] [om.] for-ȝiuen his wraþþe : Þauȝ þei duden ille, And connen his felawe more þonk : ffor he heold him stille. Ȝif eny wikked wordes or dedes : Bi-fore weren I|wrouht, Line 436 Þei schul þenne þorw wraþþe : Ben al out I-brouht; Al þe worste þat þei cunne : Þenne wol þei speke, And dele grete strokes : ffor to ben a-wreke. Her-of is I-writen a word þat is couþ: Line 440 'He kepeþ a feir castel þat kepeþ wel his Mouþ.' "

ÞE wikked schrewe onswerde þon Þus to þe gode mon: "Ne forbed he neuere : Þat I þe plihte, Line 444 Mon to be riche : Ȝif he miht: Hou miȝte men on e[n]y wyse Be riche wiþ-outen couetyse? Þe riche Mon, wher he is, Line 448 Holden is boþe ȝep and wys, fforþ I-cald and muchel of told, ffor he haþ good mony-fold; He is holden of muche pris, Line 452 And al for good þat is his. Þe pore Mon al þat schal misse; Haþ he non such worldes blisse; His Meeles are ofte lene— Line 456 Luitel hit helpeþ, þauȝ he him mene— His Robes are badde and þinne,

Luitel he haþ of worldes wynne. Purueye þe wel on vche a syde, Line 460 Þat such teone þe ne be-tyde! Ȝif þou ne const, I wol þe teche Hou þou schalt good to þe reche And riche mon bi-come and wlouh Line 464 And haue of alle goodes I-nouh, And wiþ-outen eny synne Geten I-nouȝ of worldes wynne. Beo peny pound bi-twene two Line 468 Þou maiȝt gedere mo and mo, Al wiþ queyntise and wiþ ginne Muche good maiȝt þou wynne. Slep þou nouȝt to muche a-niht, Line 472 But win þe good, hou þou miht; Ren a-boute bi þe strete, Bi wey and bi weonlete; Ȝif þou seost in eny wyse Line 476 Wher eny bi-ȝete wol aryse, Tac sum, and lef I-nouh— Þouȝ þou do so, hit nis no wouh; Haue þou no doute, I rede, of þas, Line 480 No mon wot ho hit was. Þauh Mon make muche fare, Þer-of haue þou no care, Ne dred no-þing þe prestes curs— Line 484 Þerfore þou schalt neuere be þe wors. Ne spare non, þer þou gest, Nouþer þe parsun ne þe prest; Tac þe part of heore tyþinge Line 488 And bere hit hom to þi wonynge. And so þou miȝt muche good take And be riche monnes make. Whon þou hast þus wel bi-gonne Line 492 And muche good hast I-wonne, Þat þou hast, kep hit wel, Þerof ȝif þou neuer a del; But men bringe two for on, Line 496 Ȝiue hem not, but let hem gon! Þer wol come to þin hous

Mony on ful coueytous, ffor to haue of þi þinge, Line 500 To bere a-wei, and nouȝt to brynge:— So wole þei don eft-sone; Let hem gon riht as þei come; Let hem seche heor owne biȝete Line 504 As þou dudest, or elles lete; Let hem fare neer and ferre And for þe neuer be þe nerre!"

ÞE gode mon wel vnderstod Line 508 Þat at oþur seide was not good. "Couetyse is not good : ffor hit is forbode, So seiþ þe prest on his bok : Þorw biddyng of gode. Men mowe wel be riche : Whose hit may wynne Line 512 Wiþ rihte & wiþ treuþe : And wiþ-outen synne; Wiþ trewe craft and Marchaundise : Wel wynnen he may, But Robbe ne to-reue : Nouþer niht ne day. Mony on wiþ falsnesse : And wiþ Oker also Line 516 Haþ so muche good : Þat he not wher hit do; Þat may ben here his heuene— : At his endynge In to þe put of helle : Sone hit wole hym bringe. Ȝif Mon haþ eny þing : Bi-gete wiþ trewenesse Line 520 Of worldliche good : More oþer lesse, Tac to his nedfulnesse : Þer-of what he wile, And do to holi chirche : Þat riht wole and skile: Of al þat neweþ him be ȝere : Do his tiþinge, Line 524 And foure tyme in þe ȝere : Ȝif his Offringe; Þe pore schal he helpe : Also, þat haþ nede, Ȝif hem mete and drinke : And cloþe hem wiþ wede. Hose wol not tiþe : Þat god him haþ I-lent, Line 528 His lyf and his soule : Boþe schul be schent; He schal for þe synne : Haue Godes curs, And eke alle his goodes : Schul fare wel þe wors; His godes schulen at-falle : And faste a-wey go, Line 532 And for þat ilke synne : Mony on haueþ wo. Þat is in toune and felde : Seene, sikerli, Þat fewe aren in londe : Þat liuen rihtfuli: Þe eorþe ȝeldeþ not fruit : As hit wont was, Line 536 Of Corn of þe feld : Ne of þe Medewe Gras,

Ne non oþer-cunne fruit : Þe folk for to frore— I-wis, hit is for synne : Þat mony Mon is pore.— Haue þou neuer so muche : Of worldes good here, Line 540 Al schal passen a-wey : As fantum hit were. ffor to haue þin herte : To muche þer-Inne, Of þi mok to make þi god : Hit is dedly synne. And ȝit, ar þow war be : ffrom þe wol hit fare, Line 544 Þenne schalt þou haue þerfore : Boþe serwe and care, And ȝit at þin ende : Gret stryf in cas, And puite þe out : Of al þat þin was; Line 547 Þin Executours schul take : Þi goodes at heore wille And lete þi soule ligge : In pyne ful stille. Beo þou in þi put i-brouȝt : Wormes schul eten þe, And sone schalt þou be for-ȝeten : Siker mayȝt þou be. Þerfore I rede, as Salamon his sone bad, Line 552 Þat vche Mon skilfuli of his god mak him glad, Mete and drynke and cloþ : Catel and oþer þyng Þat nedful is to haue : Wiþ-outen wastyng; Þe pore schal he helpe : Wher þat is nede, Line 556 Of þat god haþ him sent : Don his Almes-dede, Ȝif him mete and drynk : And cloþe him wiþ wede— In al þi werkes, be þe [r. þou] syker : Þe better schalt þou spede; Ȝif him of þi Cuppe : Of þat is þer-in, Line 560 Water to drynke : Ale oþer Wyn; And ȝif he haþ nede : Clepe him þe neer And make him sitte & warme him : Bi þyn hote fuyr; Bedde hym esyliche : Ȝif þat he seek be, Line 564 And serue him wel, for his loue : Þat al haþ ȝeuen þe. Worldes wele is wonderful : Wel may I seyn, Lyk þe se þat floweþ : And ebbeþ a-ȝeyn; Þer nis no sikernesse : In þis worldes won, Line 568 No-mon not whon hit wole : A-wei from him gon, Ne how longe hit wol laste : Ne how luytel while— Þulke þat hit loueþ most : Ofte hit doþ hem gyle. He þat loueþ catel wel : And bounden is in Couetyse, He schal ben I-bounden : In þreo-kynne wyse: Line 573 Þouȝt and drede are þe two : Þat schul bynden hym faste, Þe þridde is muche serwe : Þat euermore schal laste.

Ofte for his catel : Mon moot wake of slepe, Line 576 Trauaylen in reyn and in snowh : Beo þe weyes neuer so depe, ffrom toune to toune : Boþe fer and neer, As Chapmen mote don : To heore mesteer; Ouer þe salte séé ofte þei fare Line 580 ffor heor Marchaundise, in gret peril and care, And ofte and mony a tyme : [leseþ] [MS. heore] Catel and heore lyf And makeþ vuel to fare : Boþe Chyld and Wyf. Line 583 Oþer Men dyke and delue : And gon to þe plouh, To Cart and to þreschynge : And oþur swynk I-nouh. Whon he wiþ his swynk : Haþ wonne gret be-ȝete, Euere he is afert : Þat he schal hit forleete; And ȝif he hit leten schal : Hym is wo þerfore, Line 588 And is so sori þenne : þat euer was he bore. Þouȝt and drede & sorinesse : Aren Monnes fo— He ouȝte neuere loue : Þing þat doþ hym so wo. Ȝif he leose eny þing : And he gret good con, Line 592 Beo-þenk hym of Iob : Þat was a good mon: He hedde of alle richesses : Swiþe muche won And in a luytel while : He nedde riht non; Þo he hedde riht nouȝt : But al was a-go, Line 596 Ne seide he for his harm : Enes 'me is wo,' But louede [= praised] God wel : And þonkede hym þon— He dude as þe wyse : So schulde eueri mon;— Nolde he not for his los : Noþing sori be, Line 600 'God,' he seide, 'hit me ȝaf : And bi-raft hit me;' Ne grucched he nouȝt, but þonked godes sonde And seide 'blesset be his nome, in water & in londe.' "

ÞE wikked gost onswerde þon Line 604 And seide þat he was a folted mon. "Þou spekest of Lecherie And of fewe wordes makest monye; ffalse wordes wolt þou leeue & here hem gladli— Line 608 Þou nost what þou menest, i sigge þe sikerli! Of luytel wit hastou Mynde: Ne mot a Mon don his kynde? Hit was ordeynd þorw Godes biddyng Line 612 At þe worldes be-gynnyng.

Beo þi tale þow woldest hit bringe Al to-gedere in to spousynge Or elles leue þat game, Line 616 Þat me nedde of God blame. Whose aftur þi counseil doþ, Repente him schal, I sei for soþ: He þat takeþ hym to spousyng, Line 620 Mai not lyuen for [r. fre?] no þing, Bote holden he mot to his wyf And ben in Cuntek and in stryf— Betere him were dihte and go— Line 624 ffor weddyng is þe longe wo. Whon he haþ a wyf I-take, He mai hire nouȝt forsake; He þat haþ a schrewe to wyue, Line 628 Of vche a day him þinkeþ fyue; Of muche Murþe he schal misse And euere ha serwe and neuer blisse, Þer anoþer mai leue and take Line 632 Wher he wole, and eke forsake; Lihtliche and glad may he go, Whon he þat is bounden schal be ful wo, And be liht and Iolyf Line 636 More þen on þat haþ a wyf. ffor-þi I rede þat men do so And lete weddynge a-wey go."

ÞE goode Mon wel vnderstod Line 640 Þat his counseil was not good. "He is a fol and noþing wys : Þat foleweþ þi Red: Þe Mon þat foleweþ his flesches lust : His soule schal be ded; But ȝif he do kuyndely : And wiþ spoused fere, Line 644 In helle he schal a-buggen : His flessches lyking here. Þer beoþ þorw godes lawen : Ten Comaundemens, Þat vche mon ouȝte kepe : Elles he brekeþ his defens; Spous-bruche, forsoþe : Is þe grettest of alle— Line 648 Þo þat aren I-weddet, kep hem wel : Þat þei þer-Inne ne falle; He þat wol folewen his flessches lust : And þe lawe breke,

Ne þinke him no wonder þenne : þauȝ god on hym a-wreke. Mon in Godes lawe : Mai wel haue a Make, Line 652 To do wiþ hire his wille : ffor childberynge sake, And louen eiþer oþer : Whon tyme is and leue, And holden hem wel to-gedere : As Adam dude and Eue. But hit beo in wedlac : In alle wyse lef þat game Line 656 And liue in chastite : And be wiþ-outen blame! Gret schome hit is and synne : I swere þe be heuene, To spende þi fyue wittes : In eny of þe synnes seuene, Þat God þe haþ I-ȝiuen : And þine lymes alle, Line 660 ffor to kepe þe wiþ : In synne þat þou ne falle. A foul chaunge hit is, forsoþe : And a gret vuel, To chaunge heuene for helle : And God for þe deuel; Þat dostou, as ofte as þou syngest dedli Line 664 And brekest godus comaundemens & dost a gret foli; Þe deueles þral þou be-comest : Whon þou dost þi miht To foule þi clene soule : Bi daye or be niht . . . . . [(some vv. om.)] Niht and day he studieþ : And casteþ his gynne Line 668 How he may bi alle weyes : A wommons loue wynne; Nil he neuer stunten : He swereþ his oþ, Ar he haue his wille i-don : Be god neuer so wroþ. Line 671 And heo wol haue him, heo seiþ : Euermore to dwelle, Raþer þen heo hym for-go : Ben [om. Ben] in þe put of helle. But wusten heo what hit were : Þe leste pyne þer-Inne, ffor al þe good in eorþe : þei nolde don dedly synne! ffor þei nolde not be war : Er þei coome þare, Line 676 In pyne schul þei euer be : In serwe and in care. Þo þat aren gode : Liuen in muche wynne; Þe gode gon a Godeshalf : Þe deueles limes to synne. Whon þei comen to-gedere : Eiþer on oþer wynkeþ; Þat þei ne hedde heor synne i-do : Longe þer-to hem þinkeþ; Whon þei seo heore tyme : Wol þei not longe dwelle, Bote þei do þe dede : Þat echeþ þe fuir of helle. Þe fuir þat is in helle : Is euer Brennynge, Line 684 Þe synful wrecche soules : Þer-Inne pynynge; Þe Mo þat are þer-Inne : Þe hattore is þe lye, And þe pyne hardore : Þat þe soules drye.

Heo beoþ grete foles : ffor soþe I sigge, I-wis, Line 688 Þat makeþ þe pyne more : And hattore þen hit is. Þulke þat brekeþ godes word : Þorw heor dedly synne, Þei lihten þe fuir : Þat þei schulen brennen Inne. Line 691 Godes Comaundement þei breke : Al þat doþ lecherie: In helle-fuir schul þei euer be : Heore peynes to drie"

ÞE wikkede gost onswerede þo And seide þat hit was not so. "So þou seist as false men do: Line 696 Þat Sleuþe is synne, and is not so. Men [r. Mon?] mot haue, ȝif þei may, Ese and reste, niȝt and day, In Bedde, in Mete beo al at his ese Line 700 And mak þe bodi euer wel at ese. After þi deþ wost þou not what, What þou schalt haue, þenk wel on þat! While þou miȝt, make þe glad and muri! Line 704 Lengor liueþ a glad mon þen a sori. Al knowe I wel þi resun And what be-tokneþ þi lessun: ffor Men scholde to chirche gonge, Line 708 To here Matins, Masse, and Euensonge, Heore pater noster to sigge, Aue Marie, & Crede, And ete of prestes holy brede. What, wenest þou for such þing Line 712 Þi soule in to heuene bring? Ho bi-gon furst to worche, And whi was maad, holichirche? Of Prestes couetise hit was biþouht Line 716 Þat churche was furst I-wrouht, ffor he wolde haue offryng And liue bi oþur mennes þing. He wole a-Morwe Belle rynge, Line 720 And þenne wol he Matyns synge; And ȝif þer luite folk comeþ þerto, He wol hiȝe faste and haue I-do; And ȝif þer muche folk come, I sigge þe, Line 724 He wol make gret solempnite: Reuesten him þenne wole he wel Wiþ riche pal and sendel,

He wol don on his canter-cope [ags. cantelcapa pallium] And gon as he were a Pope; Line 729 Siþen he wole wiþ springel-stikke Ȝiuen holy water a-bouten þikke, And syngen loude wiþ schil þrote, Line 732 And seiþ hit is þe soule note Þat þe prest seiþ and doþ— Þe folk weneþ þat hit be soþ; Bi-fore his Auter he wol stonden Line 736 And holde vp an heiȝ boþe his honden, He wol synge mony a þrowe, Sum-time heiȝe & sum-time lowe, He wole him turne & take good hede Line 740 Ȝif eny Mon him bringe mede. Ȝif muche folk come and þringe Offringe faste him to brynge, He wole amende faste his song— Line 744 Þat tyme þinkeþ him not long. And whon þei wole him no-þing brynge, Lust him no-þing for to synge, ffaste he hiȝeþ hym to spede Line 748 And ȝiueþ hem of his holy brede— Þat is þe beste of al his dede, ffor hit helpeþ to monnes nede; Þauȝ hit be luytel, hit turneþ to gode, Line 752 ffor hit helpeþ to Monnes foode. Whon he haþ al I-do, He ȝiueþ heom leue and let hem go; But euer a-Mong al oþur nede Line 756 His oune erende wol he bede, Þat þei brynge heore offrynges To Chirche, and heore tyþinges. Wel þou wost þat þis is soþ: Line 760 Al for his owne gode he hit doþ; Kepeþ he nouȝt of heore comynge, But ȝif þei wole him eni good bringe.— But, ȝif þou wolt on eny wyse Line 764 At Chirche here þi seruyse, A-tome þou maiȝt ful wel abyde Til he haue seid þe laste tyde;

And ȝit maiȝt þou lengore dwelle Line 768 And come be tyme to þe gospelle; A-tome maiȝt þow do good nede And come to þe Masse crede; And ȝif þe luste riȝt wel slope, Line 772 Cum whon he doþ of his Masse-cope; And þeiȝ þou ne come, ne ȝif no tale, Til he halibred be-ginne to dale: Þenne maiȝt þou ben al ȝare, Line 776 And hom wiþ þi neiȝebors fare."

ÞE goode Mon wel vnderstod Þat his techynge was not good. "Al þat þou spekest hit is nouȝt : Þow miȝtest wel be stille, Line 780 Al þat þe bodi lykeþ wel : Is aȝeyn þe soule wille. Ese and reste and muri lyf : Men lykeþ wel and wymmenne, But þei brynge þe soule in strif : Aȝeyn þei wenden henne. Þe bodi and þe soule beþ : Wel neih euere wroþ: ffor þat þe bodi lykeþ wel : Is to þe soule loþ. Line 785 Muche tale þou makest : Þe foule bodi to queme, But of þe seli soule : Takest þow no ȝeme. Aftur þat þe bodi doþ : Schal þe soule fynde Line 788 And in peyne or in Ioye : Euere þerof haue mynde. Ȝif Men loue to slepe : Whon þei scholden wake, Þenne schal þe soule : In stude of Ioye haue wrake. Monnes lyf nis bote schort : Sone wol hit go, Line 792 Bote þe sely soule : Duyreþ euer-mo; Þe soule schal faren his wey : Þe bodi schal a-byde And not nouȝt of þe soule : What hit schal be-tyde. But wel I wot, and soþ hit is : After monnes dede, Line 796 Whon he is forþ faren : He schal hauen his mede: Ȝif he haue loued god : And kept his biddynge, Þe blisse of heuene schal he haue : Wiþ-outen endynge; Ouþur in to peyne schal he be brouȝt, Line 800 Ȝif he haue þer-aftur wrouȝt.— Þerfore is ned on alle wyse Men to go to Godes seruyse And wake þe more and slepe þe lasse, Line 804

Line 804 To here Matyns, Euensong, and Masse. Whon men han aȝeyn god : In dedly synne falle, Heo ouȝten for to wepe : And Merci to God calle, And wenden to þe prest : Hastiliche and sone Line 808 And tellen him in schrif : What synne he haþ i-done. A fool he is þat a-bydeþ : Eny gret stounde, Til þer come more sor : And cleue to þe wounde. Also hit fareþ bi synne : I wot wiþ-outen wene, Line 812 As doþ be þe wounde : While hit is nowe and grene. Þe leche clanseþ þe wounde : Clene in þe ground And leiþ salue a-boue : And makeþ hit hol and sound; Mon may for a wounde : Or for a luitel sor, Line 816 Bote hit be sone I-heled : Be worse and wel mor: Ȝif o sor come to anoþer : Þenne are þer two, And ȝif he longe a-byde : Þen wol þer be mo; His owne bone mai hit be : Longe for to abyde— Line 820 Þerfore I rede, sech leche-craft : Soone, what be-tyde. Also hit fareþ bi synne : Ȝif hit I-hud is; Bote hit be to þe prest : Soone I-told, I-wis, Hit draweþ hem to helle-grounde : And byndeþ hem to peynes stronge; Line 824 Þe hardore peyne schal he haue : Ȝif he þer-Inne ligge longe. Þe lengor þat men a-byde : Þe latere comeþ bote; Þei stonde wel þe fastore : Whon þei haue take rote. Þauȝ Men fallen in synne : Gret wonder hit nis; Line 828 But ligge stille þer-Inne : Þat is wonder gret, I-wis! Ȝif þow liggest in þe fuir : And brennest on eny wyse, Who is for to wyte : Þi-self wolt nouȝt arise? Mynde haþ he non : Of God þat hym wrouhte Line 832 And on þe Roode-tre : Wiþ his passion him bouhte. Wel hit is I-seene : Þat þei are ful slowe Þat to þe prest nil not : Heore synnes ben a-knowe, And luytel þonk þei cunne god : ffor his goode seruyse, Whon þei wole not for his loue : Out of synne aryse. Þinke no mon wonder : Þauh god wiþ hem [MS. him] be wroþ And take vengeaunce on hem : Beo hem neuer so loþ! Schriueþ ow be-tyme : ffor loue or for feer, ffor God takeþ wreche : Heer or elleswher; Line 841 Bi-weopeþ ȝoure synnes : And criȝeþ God Merci,

And to alle his werkes : Beoþ euere redi! Whon hit is halyday : Vche Mon ouhte wiþ rihte Line 844 To heere his seruyse in chirche : Ȝif he on eny wyse mihte, And not in sleuþe ligge, : In bed a-tome abyde Til þe prest haue I-seid : Þe laste non-tyde. Ȝif þou go at morwe : And Matyns here erliche, Line 848 Hit is þe soule profyt : I sigge þe sikerliche; Þeih þi flesch grucche : Lette nouht þerfore— Þe ofter þow ouercomest hit : Þi Meede schal beo þe more; Ȝif þow herest Matyns and Masse : And takest haly brede, Line 852 To Bodi and to soule : Þow wynnest muchel Mede. After Mete loke þou go to þe prechynge, Ȝif eny beo in toune—lette for no þynge— And þat þe prechur precheþ : Vnderstonde hit wel, Line 856 And do as he þe techeþ : I rede þe, vche a del. Ȝif þer no prechyng be : Go visyte þe seke, Cumforte hem wiþ þin Almes : And wiþ þi wordes Meke. Aftur, whon þei rynge : Go to Euen-song, Line 860 And lette for no cumpaignye : Þat þow art aMong; Ȝif þow do not, for soþe : Þou dost þe deueles wille, Whon þou in ganglyng and drynkyng : Dwellest wiþ hem stille. Whon Euensong & cumplyn boþe ben ido, Line 864 Hom to þi soper þen wel maiȝt þou go. I rede þenne, ar þow go : ffulliche in to [overl.] þi bed, Þonke crist of þat day : Þat þow hast wel I-sped; And ȝif þou ouȝt hast mis-done, Line 868 Aske him merci, I rede, sone; Be-teche þi lyf and þi soule : To God Almihti: And þenne maiȝt þou slepe : wel and sikerly. Whon þow risest vp, þonke god : Inwardliche wiþ al þi miht, Line 872 Þat þe haþ saued from encumbrement : Of þe ffend þat niht; Be-teche al in godes hond : Þi preyers and þi dedes, Þi wittes and þi willes : And al þyn oþer nedes. Line 875

Line 875 Avise þe in al þi werkes : Þow saue þe from dedli synne, And do as I counseyle þe : And heuene schalt þou winne. In what werk, Mon, þat þou be : worche euer trewli, Or þou schalt haue peine þerfore : Ȝif þou worche falsli; Ȝif þow take here þi fulle huyre : And dost not fulliche þi werk þerfore, Line 880 In helle or in purgatorie : Þi peyne schal be wel þe more. Of what condicion so þou art : Trewe in alle þing þou be, And do so to vche mon : As þou woldest he dude to þe; And loke in al þat þou seist & dost : Þat God be euere apayd, Line 884 And lef sleuþe & al oþer synnes : As Ich haue I-seid!"

ÞE wikked gost onswerde þon And seide: "þou art a Mad mon! Þauȝ þou woldest now be-ginne Line 888 And sigge þat glotenye were sinne, Beter þe were þi Ianglyng lete. Men scholde dye, ȝif þei ne ete, And bote þei drinke wel, also; Line 892 No Mon mai liue wiþ-outen hem two. To Badde counseil art þou euer ȝare, To ffastyng and to vuel fare. What good comeþ of fastyng? Line 896 ffeyntyse, Idelnesse, & non oþur þing. Þat maiȝt þow wel wite be skil. Whon þe flesch haþ Mete & drinke at wil, Þen is he redi to fihte and chide Line 900 Wiþ alle þo þat gon and ride. Ho mai duire for to swynke, But ȝif he ete wel and drinke? Hunger makeþ men beo bi-hynde Line 904 In vche a werk, as I fynde. Gode drinkes & Metes wel I-diht Are wel I-loued, and þat is riht. Ȝif he beo a stout sweyn, Line 908 He eteþ til hit come vp aȝeyn. Al-þauh hit be so þat he caste— So he mihte, þauh he faste—

Hit nis for no dronkenesse, Line 912 But for oþer seknesse. Whon he is heled of þat sore, He may ete and drinke more, And make glad and bliþe chere— Line 916 ffor euere is ale and wyn good fere. Et faste and drink wel : And sleep euere a-mong: And þenne mayht þow lyue : Ȝeres monye and long."

ÞE gode Mon, þat in god was stable, Line 920 Vnderstod, þat he seide, was fable. "Wel I wot þat men mote liue : Be Mete and be drynk, As skile is and resun : And Mesure in alle þyng. Þei þat liuen as beestes : Aren wiþ-outen lay, Line 924 Þat erliche eteþ and drynkeþ : And holdeþ on al day. Þe beest doþ his kynde : And þe glotun synne Doþ aȝeyn his kynde : Þat wol neuer blynne. Suche foule glotounes : Doþ a-ȝeyn þe lawe. Line 928 Ar þe wombe be ful : Beo þei neuer fawe; Þenne wol þei chiden and fiȝten also— Serwe on heore hedes, but þei wel do! Mete and drynke is ȝiuen to mon : As salue to sore, Line 932 Þat neodful is to take þerof : And neuere a del more. Ȝif þow to muche salue : Leyst to þi sar, Hit wol beo þi deþ : Bote þow sone be war; So wol hit of Mete & of drinke be: Line 936 Þi soule bone, ȝif þou take mor þen nedeþ þe. Whon mon haþ at Meel-tyme : Such as he wile, Tak þat he haþ neode of : Be Mesure and bi skile, And parte wiþ þe pore : Of þat is on [his] [MS. þy] bord, Line 940 And not in his wombe : Make al his hord— ffor þer is foul tresorie : And al ful of stinke. Al þat þou takest mor þen neod is : In peyne þou schalt of-þinke. In þe Bok of priuetes : Glotons are Manased so: Line 944 'Aȝeyn O drauȝt þei drinke ouer-muche : Þei schul han þre or two Of hot led and walled bras. : Þei schul beo ful wo, ffor stynkyng brumston and for pich : Þat in heore þrotes schal go.' Þus seide þe prest þat god wol take wreche, Line 948

Line 948 But ȝif ȝe leue synne and do as I ow teche."

ÞE wikkede gost, þer he stood, Wox for wraþþe wel-neiȝ wood, ffor he was ouer-comen and be-hynde— Line 952 ffor mo onsweres couþe he not fynde. Þe gode Mon þenne was a-bascht And lokede on þe wikkede gast And seide: "now wot I, þow art non Line 956 Mon mad of flesch and bon; I vnderstonde wel be þi spelle Þat þou art þe deuel of helle. I þe Comaunde, foule þing, Line 960 In þe nome of heuene kyng, Þat þow me noþing drecche, But bi-cum now, foule wrecche, As foul as þou were Line 964 In helle wiþ þi feere." Ne mihte he no lengure a-byde, Bote bi-com þo also-tyde ffoul as helle-Sathanas, Line 968 As Blac as eny pich he was— How foul he was con I not telle, But foul he stonk as stunch of helle. Þe gode mon blessed him wiþ þe Crois Line 972 And criȝed on God wiþ loud vois, Bi-fore, be-hynde he blessed him fast, And Comaundede þat sori gast ffor to wenden: and so he dude þo, Line 976 To þat stude þat he com fro. Pouwer hedde he no lengore dwelle, But wente doun riht in to helle. Þe gode Mon wente hom his way, Line 980 And serued god wel to pay, And þonked him—so ouhte he wel— Þat him sauede from þe deuel. Ihesu Crist such grace vs sende Line 984 Hym to serue to vre lyues ende, And kep vs from þe synnes seuene, And graunt vs alle þe blisse of heuene! [Then follows in MS. Vern. þe riȝte put of helle, 3rd part of the legend of St. Michael in the South Engl. Legendary, fol. CCXCI, here written in half lines.]

XXXVIII. Castel of Loue. [folio CCXCII]

Ed. before by Weymouth, Philol. Soc. 1864, and from another (un|known) MS., by Halliwell, 1849. The poem is a very old translation of Rob. Groshed's († 1253) Chasteau d'amour, or Carmen de creatione mundi (ed. by M. Cooke, R. Grossetete Carmina anglo-normannica, Caxton Soc. 1852), and was made in the latter half of the 13th cent., in the dialect and perhaps by the author of the 'Harrowing of Hell' and 'Marina' (MS. Harl. 2253). The subject, with its personification of the 4 cardinal virtues, resting ultimately on Psalm 88, 11, became a great favourite in medieval literature: it is treated in the Cursor Mundi, in the Abbey of the Holy Ghost, and in Lydgate's Life of St. Mary, and his Court of Sapience. Later translations are extant in MS. Egerton 927, made by a monk of Sawley in Yorkshire (ed. in the Appendix), and in MS. Ashm. 61, fol. 78 (ed. in Altengl. Legenden, Neue Folge, p. 349-354), which contains only the first part (to v. 554). Cooke's ed. of the French text is quite insufficient, and full of mistakes.

Her byginnet a tretys Þat is yclept Castel off Loue, Þat bisschop Grosteyȝt made, ywis, ffor lewede mennes by-houe.

[vv. 1-18 cf. Fr. text:

Ky bien pense bien puet dire;Sanz penser ne peut suffireDe nul bien fet comencer.Deu nus doint a li penser,De ki, par ki, en ki suntTouz les biens ki sunt el mund,Deu le pere e deu le fizE deu li seinz esperiz,Persones treis en triniteE un sul deu en unite,Sanz fin, sanz comence|ment,A ki honur e gloire apent.Il nus doint ses oures fereE nus defende de contrere.

(The Engl. text does not give a favourable idea of the translator's intelligence.)] ÞAt good þenkeþ, good may do, And God wol helpe him þerto; ffor nas neuere good werk wrouȝt Wiþ-oute be-ginninge of good þouȝt, Ne neuer was wrouȝt non vuel þing Þat vuel þouȝt nas þe biginnyng. God ffader and Sone and Holigost, Þat alle þing on eorþe sixt and wost, Þat O God art and þrilli-hod, And þreo persones in on-hod, Wiþ-outen ende and biginninge; To whom we ouȝten ouer alle þinge Line 12 Worschupe him wiþ trewe loue, Þat kineworþe kyng art vs aboue; In whom, of whom, þorw whom beoþ Al þe goodschipes þat we here i-seoþ: Line 16 He leue vs þenche and worchen so Þat he vs schylde from vre fo. [vv. 19-37 cf. Fr.:

Tuz avum mester d'aie,E trestuz ne poeut mieSaver le langage en finD'Ebreu, de griu ne de latin,Pur loer son creat[e]ur,Ne la buche de chanteurNe soit clos de deu loerNe son seint nom nuncier.Ke chescun en son langageLe conuisse sanz folage

] Alle we habbeþ to help neode, Þat [r. þah] we ne beþ alle of one þeode Ne I-boren In one londe Ne one speche vnderstonde. Ne mowe we alle Latin wite, Ne Ebreu ne Gru þat beþ I-write,

Ne ffrench ne þis oþer spechen [

Son deu, e sa redempcinn.En romanz comenz ma rei|sonPor ceus ki ne sevent mieNe lettrure ne clergie.

] Þat me mihte in world sechen, To herie god, vre derworþe drihte; Ac [MS. As; om. in H.] vche mon ouȝte wiþ al his mihte Lof [MS. Loft] song syngen to god ȝerne Wiþ such speche as he con lerne; No Monnes Mouþ ne be I-dut Ne his ledene I-hud Line 32 To seruen [H. herien] his god, þat him wrouȝte And maade al þe world of nouȝte.

ON Englisch I-chul mi resun schowen, ffor him þat con not I-knowen Line 36 Nouþer ffrench ne Latyn. On Englisch I-chulle tellen him Wherfore [H. For why] þe world was [H. was furst] I-wrouht, Þer-aftur how he was bi-tauht Line 40 Adam vre ffader, to ben his, Wiþ al þe merþe of paradys, To wonen and welden to such ende, Til þat he scholde to heuene wende; Line 44 And hou sone he hit for-les; And seþþen, hou hit for-bouht wes [vv. 47-82 wanting in the Fr. poem, but taken from its Latin title or index.] Þorw þe heiȝe kynges sone, Þat here on eorþe wolde come ffor his Sustren þat were to-boren, And for a prison þat was for-loren, [vv. 49 & 50 to be transp.?] And hou he made, as ȝe schul heeren, Þat heo I-custe and sauht weren; Line 52 And to wȝuche a Castel he alihte Þo he wolde here for vs fihte— Þat þe Marie bodi wes, Þer [MS. þat, H. Therin; cf. v. 666.] he alihte and his in ches. And tellen we schulen of Ysay, [Is. 9, 6.] Þat vs tolde trewely "A Child þer is iboren to vs And a Sone I-ȝiuen vs, Line 60 Whos nome schal I-nempned beon Wonderful, as me may I-seon, And God, mihtful, and right wys, [Lat. consiliarius] Of þe world þat [to] [om.; Lat. Pater futuri secull.] comen is

LOrd þe ffader, and Prince of pes." [In the MS. written in 2 vv.] Alle þeos nomen, hou he wes, Ȝe schulen I-heren and I-witen. ¹And of domus-day hou hit is I-writen; Line 68 And of heuene we schulen telle, And sumdel of þe pynen of helle.¹ [1_1 This last part is om. at the end, but extant in H.]

ÞAuh hit on Englisch be dim and derk Ne nabbe no sauur bi-fore [a] clerk, Line 72 ffor lewed Men þat luitel connen On Englisch hit is þus bi-gonnen. Ac whose is witer and wys of wit And ȝerne bi-holdeþ þis ilke writ, Line 76 And con þat muchel of luitel [H. lintel. Cf. Fr. Latin Index: prudens lector qui norit sugere mel de petra oleumque de saxo durissimo, scriptum inveniet plenum dulcedine celesti.] vnlouken And Hony of þe harde ston souken, Alle poyntes he fynde may Of vre be-leeue and godes lay Þat bi-falleþ to Godes Godhede As wel as to his Monhede.—

Offte ȝe habbeþ I-herd ar þis Hou þe world I-maked is; Line 84 ffor-þi ne kep I nouȝt to telle Bote þat falleþ to my spelle: In Sixe dayes and seue niht God hedde al þe world I-diht; Line 88 And þo al was derworþliche I-do, Þe seueþe day he tok reste and ro.

Lustneþ to me, lordynges. Þo God atte begynnynges Line 92 Hedde I-maad heuene wiþ ginne, And þe Angeles so briht wiþ-Inne, And þe eorþe þer-after þer-wiþ, And al þat euere in hire bi-lyþ: Line 96 [vv. 94, 97-100 added to the French.] Lucifer in heuene wox so proud Þat [MS. And, H. That] he was a-non I-cast out, And mo Angeles þen eni tonge mai telle ffullen a-doun wiþ him to helle. Line 100 And ȝit was þe Sonne þo seuesyþe I-wis Brihtore forsoþe þen heo now is; Also schon þe Mone a-niht So doþ þe Sonne on day-liht. Line 104

Line 104 Ne holde ȝe hit not for folye, ffor so seiþ þe prophete Ysaye. Alle þe schaftes þat þo [H. shupte] weren More miȝt and strengþe beren Line 108 Bi-fore þat Adam þe world for-les. Allas, wȝuch serwe and deol þer wes!

Alle heo beoþ I-brouh[t] to grounde Þat of his of-springe beoþ I-founde; Line 112 Of heuene-blisse heo beoþ I-flemed And to deolful deþ I-demed,— Þe Reson is good and feir for whi, As I-chulle ow telle for-þi Line 116 Þat ȝe schule loue God þe more And him seruen and clepe to his ore.

ÞO God hedde al þe world I-wrouȝt, Þat þer ne faylede riȝt nouȝt, Line 120 Beest ne ffisch, ne ffoul to fleon, And vche þing as hit ouȝte to beon, Blosme on Bouȝ and Breer on Rys, And alle þing betere þen hit nou is; Line 124 And þo he hedde al wel I-don, He com to þe valeye of Ebron; Þer he made Adam and last [MS. laft, H. at the last, Fr. auderrain.] so Riche Line 127 Of eorþe, after hym-self I-liche, And aftur his holy þrilli-hod He schop his soule feir and good. How miȝte he him more loue schowen Þen his oune liknesse habben and owen? Line 132 To paradys he ladde him þo, And caste sleep on him al-so Þat of his syde A Rib he nom, And þer-of Eue, his feere, com, Line 136 He ȝaf Adam Eue to wyue, To helpen; he ȝaf him wittes fyue, [Fr. saveir. 139-144 added to the Fr.] To delen þat vuel from þe good, Ȝif he wel him vnderstood; Line 140 He ȝaf him ȝit more worschipe: [141, 143-4, 146, 150-1 added.] Of al þe world þe lordschipe, And alle þe schaftes of water and lond Scholden ben vnder his hond; Line 144

Line 144 ffeirlek, and freodam, and muche miht, And þe world to delen and diht, And paradys, to wonen In Wiþ-outen wo and serwe and pyn, Line 148 Wiþ-outen deþ, In goode lyue, Þer Ioye and Blisse is so ryue, And euere to libben I-liche ȝong, O þat [o þat, until, cf. 472, 1404, 1412, Marina 210, Harr. 128. 148.] of hem to weren and-sprong [r. at-sprong? Sim. at-sprong] Þe noumbre [H. tale] of þe soulen þat from heuene felle Line 153 Þorw Lucifer a-doun to helle; And whon hit forþ com al þe stren, So briȝt heo scholden I-Blessed [Fr. glorifiez] ben Line 156 So was þe Sonne, as I er tolde, Brihtore þen heo now is seuen-folde, And so heo scholden to heuene wende To þe Blisse wiþ-outen ende Line 160 Wiþ-outen drede of deþes dome; And al þe of-spring þat of hem come, ffrom þat ilke day to þis, Scholde so steyȝen to heuene-blis, Line 164 To þe heritage of wynne and wele, A-Mong þe Murþe of Aungeles fele.

Two lawen Adam scholde I-wis Witen and holden In Paradis: Line 168 Þat on him was þorw kynde i-let, Þat oþer was clept lawe I-set. Þat on him tauȝte atte leste Þorw kynde to holden godes heste; Line 172 Þat oþur lawe þat [H. was that] him was set: "Of þe Appel þow neuer ne et Of þe tre þat is for-bode." So him [MS. he, H. hym] seide and [MS. þat, H. and] hiȝte Gode Line 176 Þat whon he of þe Appel ete, Þorw deþ he scholde þe lyf forlete, And al þe kynde þat of him com Scholde þole þulke dom; [179-180 added.] Line 180 And ȝif he heolde his heste riht, God ȝaf him so muche miht To welden al þis worldes winne, Wiþ-outen wo and serwe and sinne. Line 184

Line 184 Þe Seisyn hedde Adam þo To wonen in blisse euere and O. In Muche Murþe and Ioye he wes. A-wei, to sone he hit for-les, Line 188 His worschipe and his wel-fare, Brouȝte vs alle in muche care! Þo he of þe Appel eet, Godes heste he to-brek; Line 192 Þe kuyndeliche and þe set ek, Boþe his lawen he to-brek, And raþure he dude his wyues bode Þen he heold þe heste of gode. Line 196

Þus Adam þorw reuþful rage Was cast out of his heritage, And out of Paradys I-driue, In swynk and swot in world to liue. Line 200 Þe Blisse of lyf he haþ forsaken, And to deolful deþ I-taken. Carfuliche he haþ I-Coren! Now he þorw riȝt haþ I-loren Line 204 Þe Murþe þat he miȝte hauen, Whom mai he to helpe crauen Out of his heritage he is pult, ffor synne and for his owne gult. Line 208 [vv. 209-222 added to the Fr. (H. has same vv.)] Lucifer gon wel lyke þo Þo Adam was bi-swiken so— ffor alle þe ffendes hedden onde Þat he scholde come to þat blisful londe Line 212 Þat he hedde þorw pruide for-lore; Wel hit likede hem þer-fore. So muche wox heore miht þo Line 215 Þat al þe world moste after hem go; [same vv., 1313-4.] And whon mon hedde I-liued in care, Atte last he moste dyen & forþ-fare— Ne miȝte him helpe no good dede Þat his soule moste [H. ne most] to helle neede; Line 220 ffor so hit was to [MS. þo, H. to] Adam bi-speke, And god nolde no forward breke. ffor [H. ffull, Fr. Trop] eyle and hard and muche hit wes Þe synne þat þus þe world for-les, Line 224

Line 224 Þat vche þing vnder heuene-driht So muche les of strengþe and miht! God ne wrouhte neuer þat þing Line 227 Þat out [r. mi(h)t? cf. 653.] les þorw his wonyng [H. But hit peyred thowrgh his wonnyng. Cf. Fr.:

Deu ne fist chose si hauteNabessast pa[r] sa defaute.Ke terriene chose feust,Chescune chose son dreit eust,Ne feust pechie que tant grieue.Pechie, a parole brieue,Cest defaute apertement—Defaute e peche en un ses|tent.Par defaute ot tant de perte,Kar defaute fist aperte;Defaute apres defaute fineFet par droit perdre seisine.

] — ffor nis no wone on him I-long— Ȝif synne nere so hard and strong; ffor God ȝaf vche þing al his riht. Ac sunne wonede heore alre miht— ffor sunne and wone al is on. And wone dude Adam þo a-non Line 234 Þo he godes heste at-seet, And eke þo he þe Appel eet. Þorw wone he lees his seysyne, Þorw wone he brouhte him-self in pyne— In þe kynges Court ȝit vche day Me vseþ þulke selue lay. Line 240

NOw is Adam wiþ wo I-nome, Sunnes þral he is bi-come, Þat freore was er þen eny þing Þat liuede vnder heuene-kyng. He is þorw riht [his] þeuwe and þral To whos seruise he vnderstod wiþ-al [Cf. Fr.:

Nest il son serf apertementAu ki seruice il entent?Pus kil le seit, (est) en servageE sanz franchise a estage.H. vnderstondeth

] Line 246 Whon [H.

And when he him servid thorgh thewdome,He dede withoute fre|dome.

] he him serwede in þe-dome And diȝede [r. dede?] wiþ-outen fredome. And þeuwe and þral may not craue Þorw riht non heritage to haue: As sone as he is þral bi-come, His heritage is him bi-nome; Line 252 In Court ne in none londe Me ne ouȝte onswere him ne vndurstonde. Þenne he mot a-noþer seche ffor to schewe for him his speche, Line 256 Þat mowe his heritage craue; And þat he þe [r. his? H. that] kynde haue; Þat he beo I-boren fre, And þat he ne eete of þe tre; Line 260 Þat he habbe I-wust wiþ-Inne Þe þreo lawen wiþ-outen synne— Þulke two of Paradys, And þulke of þe Mount Synays Line 264

Line 264 Þat to Moyses I-ȝiuen was, Þat neuer ȝute I-holde nas Of non þat euer dude sunne. Who mihte þenne such Mon munne Line 268 Oþer þenchen or I-knowe Þat such wonder mihte schowe? Siggen I may in þis stude Þerof, þat ich er dude, ffor nou Ichul tellen of þe stryf Þat a-Mong þe foure sustren liþ. [Fr.

Ici reposera mun dit,Si vus dirrai un respitKi bien toche ma matyre,Por co le voil ci descrifre.

H.

Sey I may in þis stedeAs I before dede,ffor now is tyme that I hit telle,ffor it behovyth to our spelle.

]

HIt was a kyng of muche miht, Of good wille and gret in-siht. Line 276 And þis kyng hedde a Sone, Of such wit and of such wone, Of such strengþe and of such chere As was his ffader in his manere; Line 280 Of on wille heo weoren bo, And of on studefastschipe also, Of on fulnesse [Fr. substance] heo weoren out-riht And boþe heo weoren of on miht. Line 284 Þorw þe Sone þe ffader al be-gon [Fr. ordineit] Þat bi-lay to his kynedom; Wiþ wit was his be-gynnynge, Þe ffader wolde to ende bringe. [Fr.

Quankil voleit comenceirPar son fiz le vout cheveir.

H.

Alle that was of his b.The fadur hit wolde to ende b.

] Line 288

Foure douhtren hedde þe kyng, And to vchone sunderlyng He ȝaf a dole of his fulnesse, Of his miht and of his wysnesse, Line 292 As wolde bi-fallen to vch on; And ȝit was al þe folnesse on, Þat to him-self bi-lay; Wiþ-oute whom he ne mai Line 296 His kindom wiþ pees wysen, Ne wiþ rihte hit Iustisen. Good is to nempnen hem forþi. Þe furste douȝter hette Merci— Line 300 Þe kynges eldeste douȝter heo is; Þat oþer hette Soþ, I-wis; Þe þridde soster Is cleped Riȝt; Pees hette þe feorþe a-pliȝt. Line 304

Line 304 Wiþ-outen þeos foure wiþ worschipe Mai no kyng lede gret lordschipe.

Þis kyng, as þou herdest ar þis, Hedde a þral þat dude amis, Line 308 Þat for his gult strong and gret Wiþ his lord was so I-vet, [= i-fed, odiosus? Fr.: Ke ver son seignur ot fet] Þat þorw be-siht of riht dom To strong prison was I-don Line 312 And bi-taken to alle his fon, Þat sore him pyneden euerichon; Þat of no þing heo nedden onde [Fr. envie (forced meaning)] Bote him to habben vnder honde; Line 316 Heo him duden in prisun of deþ, And pyneden him sore wiþ-outen meþ.

De misericordia.

MErci þat a-non I-seiȝ; Hit eode hire herte swiþe neih, Line 320 Ne mai hire no þing lengore holde, By-foren þe kyng comen heo wolde To schewen forþ hire Resoun And to dilyuere þe prisoun. Line 324 "Vnderstond," quaþ heo, "ffader myn! Þow wost þat I am douȝter þyn, And am ful of Boxumnes, Of Milce and of Swetnes, Line 328 And al Ich habbe, ffader, of þe. I beo-seche þat þou here me, Þat þe [sorful] [so H.; Fr. dolent] wrecche prisoun Mote come to sum Raunsum Line 332 Þat a-Midden alle his fon In strong prison [þou] hast I-don. Heo him made agulte, þulke vnwreste, And bi-swikede him þorw heor feire beheste, Line 336 And seiden him ȝif he wolde þe Appel ete, Þat whon he hedde al I-ete, [H. And Goddis lawes forleten] He scholde habbe al þe miht of gode Line 339 Of þe treo þat him was forbode; [vv. 337-340 added to the Fr.] And be-gylen [Sim. begilede; H. lyed] him þerof, and heo [om. in H.] luytel rouȝten— ffor falshede euerȝite heo souhten.

And falshede hem I-ȝolde be, And þe wrecche prisun I-sold to me! Line 344 ffor þow art kyng of Boxumnes, Of Milce and of Swetnes, And I þi douhter alre eldest, Line 347 Ouer alle þe oþere beldest; [Fr.: Sur tuz tes oures nomee.] Neuere I þi douhter neore Bote Milce [H. my swetnesse. Fr. Si de celui pitie neusse.] toward him were. Milce and Merci he schal haue, Þorw Milce I-chulle þe prisun craue; [Fr. Ta merci le doit salveir] ffor þin owne swete pite Line 353 I [om. I? Fr.:

E ta tres doce pitieLe doit mettre a sauvete.

] schal him bringe to sauete. Þi Milce for him I crie euermore, And [And = until? or r. O þou? H. Tylle he have i-funde thyne ore. Fr. Tant ke merci troverai.] haue of him Milce and ore!" Line 356

De veritate.

ANon whon Soþ þis I-seiȝ Hou Merci, hire soster, hir herte beiȝ [Fr. se plie] And wolde þis þral of prisun bringe Þat Riht hedde him I-demet wiþ-outen endinge: Line 360 Al heo chaunged hire mood, And bi-foren þe kyng heo stood. "ffader, I þe bi-seche, herkne to me! I ne may for-bere to telle hit þe Line 364 Hou hit [om. in H.; cf. v. 645.] me þinkeþ a wonder þing Of Merci, my suster, [H. Of my syster Mercyes] wilnyng, Þat wolde wiþ hire Milsful sarmon Diliuere þe þral out of prison Line 368 Þat swiþe agulte, þer ich hit seih And tolde hit to Riht þat stood me neih. [al. Fr.; Right is here introduced by the Engl. poet.] ffader, ich sigge þe for-þi: Þou ouhtes nouȝt to heere Merci, Line 372 Of no boone þat heo bi-secheþ þe, Bote Riht [om. in Fr.] and Sooþ þer-mide be. And þow louest soþ and hatest lees, ffor of þi fulnesse I-comen Ich wes; Line 376 And eke þow art kyng Rihtwys, [vv. 377-8 added.] And Merci herte so reuþful is Þat, ȝif heo mai saue wiþ hire mylde speche Al þat heo wole fore bi-seche, Line 380

Line 380 Neuer schal be mis-dede abouht, And þou, kyng, schalt be douted riȝt nouht. Þou art also so trewe a kyng, [H. And thou art all sothefaste k. Fr.:

Mes tu es rois si veritables,De corage si estables,Ke rien ne quers fors verite.

] And stable of þouȝt in alle þyng. ffor-þi me þinkeþ Merci wilneþ wouȝ, And spekeþ to-ȝeynes Riȝt [H. me] I-nouȝ; ffor Riht con hym in prison bynde He ouȝte neuere Milce to fynde, [vv. 385-8 added.] Line 388 Milce and Merci he haþ for-loren— He was warned þerof bi-foren; Whi scholde me helpe þulke mon Þat nedde of him-self pite non? Line 392 His dom he mot habbe as Soþ con sugge, And al his mis-dede a-bugge."

De Iusticia.

RIht I-herde þis talkyng: Anon heo stod bi-fore þe kyng, Line 396 "Þi douȝtur," heo seiþ, "I am, I wot bi þon, ffor þou art, kyng, Riht domes-mon; Þe [MS. þer. (W. takes mitte = mid þe.)] beþ rihte domes mitte, Alle þine werkes beþ ful of witte. Þis þral of whom my sustren deeþ mene, [H. mevyn, Fr. dont parler oi] Haþ deseruet as at ene; [H. Hath dome deserved as ȝe ȝevyn. Fr. Iugement ad deserui.] ffor in tyme, while þat he freo wes, He hedde wiþ him boþe Merci and pees, Line 404 And soþ and riht he hedde bo, And wiþ his wille he wente hem fro And tyed hym to wraþþe and wouȝ, To wreccheddam and serwe I-nouȝ. Line 408 So þat, ȝif Riht geþ, He schal euere [H. for ever] þolyen deþ; ffor þo þow him þe heste hiȝtest, Þorw Soþ þou him þe deþ [MS. deþ him] diȝtest, [H. adds 2 vv.] Line 412 And I my-self him ȝaf þe dom, As sone as he hedde þe gult I-don; ffor Soþ bereþ witnesse þer-to, And elles nedde I no dom I-do. Ȝif he in Court bi-foren vs were, Þe dom þou scholdest sone I-here. [v. 409 ff. cf. Fr.:

Pur doit suffrir la mort,Kar tu anceis li promis.Ore soit en prison mis.Kar iustice le destine,Deske vienge le termineKe tu le voilles releverE devant ta cort iuger

]

ffor Riht ne spareþ for to Iugge What-so-euere Soþ wol sugge; Line 420 Þorw wisdam heo demeþ alle, As wole to his [r. heor] gult bi-falle."— SOþ and Riht, lo þus heo suggeþ, And þis þral to deþe Iuggeþ; Line 424 Neuer nouþer ne spekeþ him good, Ne [r. nes?] non þat [H. of hem. Fr.: Puiske pitie nest oie.] Merci vnderstood. Ac as a Mon mis-I-rad [H. As a diswaryed mon mysrad] On vche half he is mis-bilad. Ne helpeþ him no þing wher-so he wende, Þat his fo fetteþ [Fr. Ke l'ennemi nel assaut] him In vche ende And I-strupt him al start-naked, Of miȝt and strengþe al bare I-maked; Line 432 Him and al þat of him sprong He dude a þeuwedam vyl and strong And made agult[en] swiþe I-lome, And Riht com after wiþ hire dome; Line 436 Wiþ-outen Merci and Pees heo con Iugge, Euer aftur þat Soþ wol sugge. Ne Pees mot not mid hem be, Out of londe heo mot fle, Line 440 ffor pees bi-leueþ in no londe Wher þer is werre, nuy and onde; Ne Merci mot not a-Mong hem liue, Ac boþe heo beþ of londe I-driue. Line 444 Nis þer nout in world bi-leued Þat nis destrued and to-dreued, And dreynt, for-loren and for-demed, But Eiȝte soulen, þat weren I-ȝemed Line 448 In þe Schup, and þat weoren heo: Noe, and his sones þreo, And heore wyues þat heo hedden bi-fore— Of al þe world nas be-leued more. Line 452 Careful herte him ouȝte come Þat þencheþ vppon þe [r. þet? H. so] dredful dome! And al hit is þorw Riht and Soþ, Þat wiþ-outen Pees and Merci doþ. Line 456

Line 456

De pace.

SO þat Pees a last vp breek And þus to hire ffader speek: "I am þi douȝter sauȝt and some, And of þi fulnesse am I-come. Line 460 To-fore þe my playnt I make: Mi two sustren me habbeþ forsake, Wiþ-outen me heo doþ heore dom, Ne Merci a-mong hem nouȝt ne com. Line 464 [Fr.:

Onkes apelee ne feu,Pur co ne peut avoir refuNus home ke soit en vie:Pur co sui diloec fuie.

(The translator used a corrupted text.)] ffor no þing þat I [H. eny mon] miȝte do Ne moste Merci hem come to, Ne for none kunnes fey Ne moste ich hem come neyȝ, Ak þat dom is al heore owen. Line 469 ffor-þi Ich am of londe I-flowen, And wole wiþ þe lede my lyf, Euer o [MS. on; cf. v. 152.] þat Ilke stryf Line 472 Þat a-mong my sustren Is a-wake, Þorw sauhtnesse mowe sum ende take. Ac what is hit euer þe bet Þat Riht and Soþ ben I-set, Line 476 Bote heo wite wel pees [MS. þeos] ? Rihtes Mester hit is and wes In vche dom pees to maken. Schal I þenne beo forsaken Line 480 Whon eueriche good for me [MS. fourme] is wrouht And to habben me bi-þouht [orig. bitouht. H. be in thowght, Fr. retreit] ? And [Sim. Ac, H. But, Fr. Mes] he me [MS. ne] louede neuere to fere Þat Merci, my suster, nul not here. Line 484 Off vs foure, ffader, I-chul telle þe Hou me þinkeþ hit ouȝte to be. Whon ffoure [MS. þe ff.] beþ to-gedere I-sent To don an euene Iuggement, Line 488 And schul þorw skil alle and some Ȝiuen and demen euene dome, Þer ne ouȝte no dom forþ gon Er þen þe foure ben aton; Line 492 At on heo moten at-stonden alle And loken seþþen hou dom wol falle.

Be vs ffoure þis I telle: We beoþ not alle of on spelle; Line 496 Boþe Ich and Merci We be-clepeþ þe dom forþi; Hit is al as Riȝt and Soþ wol deme, Merci ne me nis hit not qweme. Line 500 Wiþ-outen vs þer is bale to breme: [vv. 500-1 om. in Sim. Fr.:

Sanz nus est trop flaellez,Pur co doit troveir pitiez.

] ffor-þi, ffader, þow nime ȝeme! [In the Fr. vv. 503-512 precede v. 485, and vv. 509-10 precede v. 503.] Of vche goodschipe Pees is ende, Ne fayleþ no weole þer heo wol lende, Ne wisdam nis not worþ an hawe Line 505 Þer Pees fayleþ to felawe; And hose Pees loueþ, wiþ-outen gabbe, Pees wiþ-outen ende he schal habbe. Line 508 Mi word ouȝte ben of good reles, [Fr. Mon dit doit porter grant fes.] ffor þou art kyng and prince of pes. ffor-þi þou ouȝtest to here me, And Merci my suster, þat clepeþ to þe Line 512 Þat þe þral, þe prisoun, Mote come to sum Raunsoun. Vre wille, ffader, þou do sone And here vre rihte bone! Line 516 ffor Merci euere clepeþ to þe Til þat þe prison dilyuered be, And I-chul fleon and neuere come Bote my sustren ben sauȝt and some." Line 520

ÞE kynges sone al þis con heren Hou his sustren hem to-beeren, And seiȝ þis strif so strong awaken, And Pees and Merci al forsaken; Line 524 Þat wiþ-outen help of his wisdome Ne mihten heo neuere to-gedere come. "Leoue ffader," quaþ he, "Ich am þi sone, Of þi wit and of þi wone, Line 528 And þi wisdam [me] clepeþ me; And so muche þou louedest [H. louest] me Þat al þe world for [r. þorȝ, Fr. par moi.] me þou wrouȝtest, And so þou me in werke bouȝtest; [H. in thy werk browghtest. Fr. Dont tes fez tuz me ovres sunt. r. brouȝtest, from brou|ken = use (forced form)?] ffor we beoþ on in one fulnesse, In miht, in strengþe, and in heiȝnesse; Line 534

Line 534 I-chulle al don þat þi wille is, ffor þou art kyng Rihtwis. Line 536 So muche, ffader, ich nyme ȝeme Of þis strif þat is so breme, Þat for þe tale þat Merci tolde þe fful sore þe prisun reweþ me; Line 540 ffor-þi he reweþ me wel þe more ffor Merci euere clepeþ þin ore. Þou art, ffader, so milsful kyng: Hire we schul heren of alle þing. [541-4 cf. Fr.:

Misericorde merci crie:Premerement serad oie.

] Al i-chul [MS. ȝe schulen, H. Alle here wyll I chull done. Fr. Trestut son uoler ferai.] And sauhten Soþ and hire ful sone. Nimen I-chulle þe þralles weden, As Soþ & Riht hit wolden and beoden, [Fr. En verite e en dreiture] Line 548 And al one I-chul holde þe doom As Iustise ouhte to don, [Fr.:

Sustendrai le iugementE kank 'a iustice apent,

] And maken I-chule Pees to londe come, [E peis en terre frai crier] And Pees & Riht cussen & be sauȝt & some, Line 552 And druyuen [r. dryuen] out Werre, Nuy and Onde, And sauen al þe [H. thi, Fr. ta] folk in londe."

HOse þis forbysene con, He may openliche i-seo bi þon Line 556 Þat al þis ilke tokenynge [Fr.

K'iceste signefianceEst en dieu une puissance.

] Is Godes in-siht, Almihti kynge. Wiþ-[out] [r. But?] God þe ffader nis maked nouht, Þorw God þe Sone is al þing wrouht, [Fr.:

De deu le pere est tute riens,Par deu le fiz sunt fet tuz biens,

] Line 560 And alle þing is folfuld out-riht Þorw God þe holigostes miht: And alle þreo beþ on, þouh hit be so, In one fulnesse and in no mo. Line 564 He ȝiue [MS. ȝiueþ, H. ȝeue] his Blessynge wiþ Mouþ & honde To alle þat þis writ vnderstonde.

ȜE habbeþ I-herd as ich ow tolde, ffor whi God þe world maken wolde, Line 568 And hou Adam forles þorw synne World and Heuene, and al Mon-kynne: Þat for miȝt ne strengþe ne for no þing No [om. in H.] mon nedde of him-self a Couryng, [Fr. recoverance] Line 572 Ne Angel miȝte Mon helpe on none wyse, Ne Mon miȝte him-self fro deþe aryse. [Fr.:

Ne angle nel pout rechaterNe home de mort relever.

]

Þenne moste nede beo þorw vche doom Þat God of heuene Mon bi-com, Line 576 Mon þe deþ þolen þorw serwen ryue, And God vp rysen from deþ to lyue— Elles were alle for-lore to nouht Þat God hedde in þe world I-brouht. [H. i-wrowght Fr.

Kar autrement peri feustTut quank'en siecle eust.

] Herkeneþ [whuch] [MS. vchone] Loue and Boxumnesse, Whuch Milce and eke Swetnesse, Line 582 Þat God from heuene alihte[n] chees [MS. and chees; H. to alyȝt ches; cf. v. 1404.] ffor O [seli shep] [MS. Mon, H. sele shepe, Fr. s'owaille.] þat he lees! [Ninti nine he leuede] [MS.

þritti ȝeer he liuede,H. His fadur blisse he leuede,

Fr.

Nonante noef i laissa;

see Weymouth.] and eode To sechen on in vncouþ þeode. Þenne nis þer such herde-mon non, Line 587 Ne non [om. in II.] so milsful [MS. miȝtful, Fr. merciable] lord as he is on! Whose wolde his herte on such lord holde Þat so muche loue him kuiþe wolde, Þat lyk him-self wolde him make And siþen deþ þolyen for his sake: Line 592 Er him ouȝte þe herte to springe Þen he scholde him wraþþe for eny þinge.

HErkeneþ now forþure atte frome How vr Saueor wolde come. Line 596 To Abraham þe tiþinges comen; Þe prophetes hit vnder-nomen, Þat is Moyses and Ionas, Abacuk and Helyas, Line 600 Daniel and Ieremye, Dauid and Ysaye, And Eliseu [MS. Elisen] and Samuel Siggeþ Godes comynge wel. Line 604 Wonder hit were hem alle to telle; Ac herkeneþ hou Ysaye con spelle: Puer natus est nobis, filius datus est nobis "A child þer is I-boren to vs, And a sone I-ȝeuen vs, Line 608 Þat schal vp holden his kynedome; And al þus schal ben his nome: Wondurful, God, and of miht, And redeful, and fader ariht Line 612 Of al þe world þat her-aftur schal ben,

Prince of Pees me schal him sen"— Þeos beþ þe nomen, as ȝe mowe leeuen, Þat þe prophetes him [H. to him] ȝeeuen. Line 616 Ȝif ȝe wolen heren, tellen I-chulle How þat child is wonderfolle. Such wonder nas neuer I-herd in sawe, Ne neuere schal bi none dawe Line 620 ffor no tyme [r. þinge? Fr. Pur riens ke peust avenir] þat euer schal come, As, God of heuene Mon bi-come. ffor hose now I-seȝe heere [Exemplum] A child þat riht I-limed nere, Line 624 Þat þreo ffeet and þreo honden beere; And a-noþer þat oþerweis weere, Þat hedde ffoot or Hond forlore; And heo weore boþe so I-bore: Line 628 Weoren heo wonderfol, þeose two? Nay, forsoþe, neoren heo, no, ffor þe on hedde kuynde ouer meþ, And þat oþer to luyte, and so hit geþ, Line 632 Ac hit is as hit mot nede ben, Of vn-mete kuynde a forschipte streon. [Fr. mustre, monster] Ak þat mihte Muche wonder ben [Exemplum] Ȝif me miȝte eny [mon] [H. seche a mon, Fr. un home] I-seon Line 636 Þat Monnes kuynde hedde al ariht, Þat him neore to luite ne to muche wiht, So þat he were al soþfast mon Þat no forschippyng weore him on, Line 640 And eke were good hors wiþ-alle! Such þing may neuer bi-falle; ffor [Fr. mes] hose seȝe a such gederyng, He mihte hit clepe a wonder þing. Line 644 And ȝit is more wonder a þousend-folde Of þe child þat Ysayȝe of tolde And clepede him wonderful, for þon Þat he is soþ God and soþ Mon. Line 648 ffor of Monhede ne wonteþ him nouht; And þorw him is al þing I-wrouht; And wiþ-outen him is synne [H. withoute synne he is Fr.:

D'umanite ne li faut rien,E kil est plein deu, co veum bien:Par lui tute rien est fet,E sanz li nule rien n'est,Kar en defaute n'est pas fetCom auant vous ai retret.

] euere, ffor wone [H. wone therof] dude he neuere, Ne no schaft þorw him miȝte lees,

As bi-foren I-rad wes. [cf. v. 228.] Oþur God nis þen he þat heuene dihte, [r. drihte? cf. v. 915.] Þat from heuene dude [H. to erthe] alihte Line 656 And vnder vre wede vre kynde nom And al soþfast Mon bi-com. And whon he wolde alles bi-come Mon, He moste be boren of a wommon, Line 660 Þulke schaft to vnderfonge wiþ-alle Þat ouȝte to Monnes kynde bi-falle.

GOd nolde [H. myȝht, Fr. pout] alihte in none Manere But in feir stude and in clere. Line 664 In feir stude and clene siker hit wes Þer god al-mihti his In ches: In a Castel wel comeliche, Muche and ffeir [r. fer or siker? Fr. Bien fermez] and loueliche; Line 668 Þat is þe Castel of alle flour, Of Solas and of Socour. [The same allegory of Mary as a Castle is treated in the Festial, 2nd sermon on Assumption-day.] In þe Merc [MS. Mere; merc = border. Fr. En la marche est assis.] he stont bi-twene two, Line 671 Ne haþ he ferlak for no fo: ffor þe tour [= Castel] is so wel wiþ-outen, So depe I-diched al-abouten, Þat none kunnes asaylyng Ne may him deruen for no þing. Line 676 He stont on heiȝ Roche and sound, Þat [MS. And] is I-planed in to þe ground, [Fr. E bien polie de ci quaval] Þat þer ne mai wone non vuel þing Ne derue no gynnes castyng. [Fr.:

Ne engin ni peut geterKi de rien le peust grever.

] And þauȝ he be so loueliche, Line 681 He is so dredful and hateliche To alle þulke þat ben his fon, Þat heo flen him euerichon. [681-4 om. in Fr.] Line 684 ffo[u]r smale toures þer [MS. þat] beþ abouten To witen þe heiȝe tour wiþ-outen. Seþþe beoþ þre Bayles wiþ-alle, So [om. in H. & Fr.] feir I-diht wiþ strong walle, Line 688 As heo beoþ here-after I-write— Ne may no mon þe feirschipe I-wite, Ne no tonge ne may hit telle, Ne þouȝt þenche, ne Mouþ spelle. Line 692 On trusti Roche heo stondeþ faste,

And wiþ depe diches beþ bi-caste; And þe carnels so [om. in H.] stondeþ vp-riht [Fr. E aurne de gran kerneaus] Wel I-planed and feir i-diht. Line 696 Seue Berbicans þer beoþ I-wrouht, Wiþ gret ginne al bi-þouht, And euerichon haþ ȝat and tour: Þer neuer ne fayleþ socour; Line 700 Neuer schal fo [Fr. Ne ja n'averat ennui Ki là veut quere refui. (the translator read ennemi).] him stonde wiþ Þat þider wol flen to sechen griþ. Þis Castel is siker and feir abouten, And is al depeynted wiþ-outen Line 704 Wiþ þreo heowes þat wel beþ sene. So is þe foundement al grene Þat to þe Roche faste liþ; Line 707 Wel is þat þer murþe I-sihþ! [Fr. De grant docour ni faut point.] ffor þe greneschipe lasteþ euere And his heuh ne leoseþ neuere. Seþþen a-bouten [r. aboue? om. in H.] þat oþer heuȝ So is Inde and eke Bleu, Line 712 Þat þe Middel heuȝ we clepeþ ariht, And schyneþ so feire and so briȝt. Þe þridde heuȝ an-ouemast, Ouer-wriȝeþ al and so is I-cast [Fr.

La tierce colur par ensonLes karneaus covre environ;Plus est vermeille que nest rose,E piert une ardante chose;Tant reflambeie environKe tut covre le dongon.

] Þat wiþ-Innen and wiþ-outen Þe castel lihteþ al-abouten, And is Raddore þen euere eny Rose schal, Þat [H. Hit] þuncheþ as hit barnde al. Line 720 Wiþ-Inne, þe Castel is whit schinynge So þe snowȝ þat is sneuwynge, And casteþ þat liȝt so wyde Line 723 After long [r. Andelong? H. Enlong on; Fr. De lung] þe tour and be-syde; Þat [H. Ther] neuer comeþ þer wo ne wouȝ, Ac swetnesse þer is euere I-nouȝ. A-Midde þe heiȝe [Fr.

En mi la tur plus hauteineEst surdant une fonteigne

] Tour Is springynge Line 727 A welle þat euere is eornynge, Wiþ foure stremes, þat strikeþ wel And erneþ vppon þe grauel And fulleþ þe diches a-boute þe wal. Muche Blisse þer is ouer-al! Line 732 Ne dar he seche non oþer leche

Þat mai riht of þis water cleche! In þulke derworþe feire tour Þer stont a Trone wiþ muche honour, Line 736 Of whit Iuori, and feirore of liht Þen þe someres-day whon hee [orig. heo] is briht; Wiþ Cumpas I-þrowen and wiþ gin al I-do [Fr.: Par engin est compassez.] ; Line 739 Seuene steppes þer beoþ þer-to, Þat oo [MS. so, H. oo] feire wiþ Ordre I-tiȝed [H. i-joyned] beoþ. ffeiror þing In world no mon seoþ: ffor heuene-bouwe Is a-bouten I-bent, Wiþ alle þe hewes þat him beþ I-sent. Line 744 Neuere so feir [H. so f. a] Chayȝere Nedde kyng ne Emperere. Muche more feirschupe I-nouȝ þer wes Þer God Almiȝten his In ches. Line 748 Þenne nis þer such Castel non, Ne neuer nas, but þulke on, Ne neuer-eft after be ne schal; ffor God of heuene hit dihte al Line 752 And wrouȝte hit him-self, and al dude To alihten in þulke feyre stude ffrom his kin[e]dam aboue [753 & 755 added to the Fr.] — He cudde þe stude muche loue! Line 756 Þis is þe Castel of loue and lisse, Of Solace, of Socour, of Ioye and blisse, Of Hope, Of Hele, Of Sikernesse, And ful of alle Swetnesse. Line 760

ÞIs is þe Mayden[es bodi] [H. maydons body, Fr. Cest le cors de la pucele] so freo; Þer [MS. þat] neuer nas non bote heo Þat wiþ so fele þewes I-warned [Fr. garnie] wes [r. nes] So þat swete Mayden Marie wes. Line 764 Heo stont in þe Merc [MS. Mere] bi-twene two: Heo schilde [= schilt, 3 pr. ind.; Fr. Si nus est escu e targe Contre tuz nos enemis] vs alle from vre fo Þat vs a-wayteþ day and niht, Heo vs helpeþ wiþ al hire miht. Line 768 Þe Roche þat is so trewe and trusti, [Fr. si bien polie] Þat is þe Maydenes herte, forþi Þat neuer synne þer-wiþ-Inne com, [Fr. Konques en mal ne mollist] Ac heo to seruen God al hire nom Line 772 And wuste hire [om. hire] wiþ muche boxumnesse,

Hire Maidenhod wiþ swetnesse. Þe ffoundement þat faste to þe Roche liȝþ, And þe feire greneschipe þer-wiþ, Line 776 [Is] þe Maydenes bi-leeue so riht, Þat haþ al hire bodi I-liht; ffor hire bi-leeue þat is so trewe, Þat euere is grene and euere newe, [Fr.

La verdour que tant est beleSa foi tut tens renovele.

H.

For here beleve is so trueThat ever hit is grene and newe.

] Line 780 ffor hire [om. in H. and Fr.] bi-leeue is apertement Of alle vertues foundement. Of þe Middel heuȝ Is to wite [Fr.

E puis est la meine colour,De si tres bele doucour.C'est la signefianceKe od tendrur [The translator read tendron. H. wes here lyvyng.] en esperanceServi tut tens son seignorEn humilite e en doucor

] Þe swetnesse and þe feirschipe; Þat is þe bi-tokenyng: In goode hope, as so ȝong þing, [The translator read tendron. H. wes here lyvyng.] [Heo] was oo [MS. so] bisy In swetnesse To seruen God In Boxumnesse. Line 788 Þe þridde heuȝ and þe on-ouemast, Þat haþ ouer-al his liht I-cast And as þauȝ hit barnde al hit is— Nis non of so muche pris: Line 792 Þat is þe clere loue and briht Þat heo is al wiþ I-liht, And I-tent wiþ þe fuir of loue, To serue god þat is hire aboue. Line 796

ÞE ffoure smale toures abouten Þat wi[te]þ [MS. wiþ, cf. v. 686.] þe heiȝe Tour wiþ-outen, ffoure hed-þewes þat aboute hire [me] i-seoþ, ffoure vertues cardinals þei [MS. þer, H. thei] beoþ: Line 800 Þat is Strengþe and Sleihschupe, Rihtfulnesse and Warschupe; [MS. worschupe, H. warship, Fr. temperance] Euerichon wiþ a ȝat wiþ ginne, Þat may non vuel come þer-Inne. Line 804

And whuche beoþ [þe] þreo bayles ȝet Þat wiþ þe carnels beþ so wel I-set, And I-cast wiþ cumpas and walled a-bouten, [Fr.

A beau compas environSi defendent le dongon

] Þat witeþ þe heiȝe tour wiþ-outen? [B]ote þe Inemaste [Fr. Cele a la plus haut estage] Bayle, I wot, Bi-tokneþ hire holy Maidenhod, Þat neuer for no-þing I-worsed nas— So ful of Godes grace heo was. Line 812

ÞE Middel Bayle, þat wite ȝe,

Bi-tokneþ hire holy chastite. And seþþen þe ou[t]emaste [Fr. foreine] Bayle Bi-tokneþ hire holy sposayle. Line 816 Riht me clepeþ hem Bayles, for-þi Þat heo habbeþ þis ladi in here Bayli, Þat hire-self one, Makeles, [sanz per] Is Mayden chast and weddet wes. Line 820 Þorw on of þeos bayles he mot teon Þat wol on ende I-borwed beon.

ÞE Seue [Berbicans] [MS. Carnels] abouten, Þat wiþ gret gin beon I-wrouȝt wiþ-outen Line 824 And witeþ þis Castel so wel Wiþ [= against, Fr. de] Arwe and wiþ Qwarel: Þat beþ þe seuen vertues wiþ winne To ouercome þe seuen dedly sinne. Line 828 Þat is: pruide, þe biginnynge And þe Roote of al vuel þinge, Al maat and ouer-comen wes Þorw Boxumnes þat heo ches; Line 832 And hire trewe loue ouer-com Envye; And hire Abstinence Glotonye; And Lecherye heo made fle Þo[r]uȝ hire holy chastite; Line 836 And was [MS. was was, H. all-so she] distruyed Couetyse Þorw hire Largesse in vche wyse; And euer [MS. eueri, H. evermore] wraþþe heo ouer-com Þorw Mekenesse [Fr. & H. pacience] þat heo nom; Line 840 And hire gostliche gladynge Destruyed Sleuþe þorw alle þinge.

ÞE welle springeþ of alle [H. alle of] grace Þat fulleþ þe diches in vche a place. [Fr.

La fontaigne isurt de grace,Ki tut le chastel embrace;Deu sa grace i ad doneE par mesure devise.

] Line 844 Godes grace to-deleþ þis [H. so deled is] Þorw Meth wiþ-al as his wille is. Ac he louede so þis mayden apliȝt Þe folle of grace he hire ȝaf out-riht; Line 848 Þorwh whom þe grace þat ouer-fleot Socoureþ al þe world ȝut. ffor-þi me may hire riht clepe and calle Line 851 O Blessed ladi [H. One i-blessed; ladi om. Fr. Sur tutes autres benuree.] ouer oþere alle. And what mowe þe diches be

But hire þolemode [Fr. volentrive] pouerte, Line 854 Þat nones kunnes [r. ginnes? cf. vv. 680, 675. Fr.:

Dont nul engin ne Þeut geterKe le chasteu peust rien grever.

] assaylyng Ne may derue þe tour for no þing— Þorw whom [r. whon?] þe fend is ouer-comen, And his miht al by-nomen. [Fr. has 4 vv. more.]

FOr þis is þe ladi so gent & fre Þat God seide of to þe Neddre on þe tre, Line 860 Þat þer scholde comen a wommon blyþe [H. blyve] Þat scholde al his pouste [Fr. chief, H. hed] to-dryue. I-blessed be þis Buyrde of prys, Þat ouer al oþure I-blessed is, Line 864 Þat so feir was and good so sone Þat of hir bodi [Fr. alme, H. soule] God made his trone To his owne gistenynge, And nom flesch & blod of hire, to bringe Line 868 His folk out of prisoun; Þat was vre Garysoun. [Fr.

Iceste dame est bele assezKant tant par ad de bontez,Plus ke nule creature;Meis quant li solaus de droiture,Deuz, son seint cors enumbrat,Mil itant embeli lad.

] Þis ladi is feir & good & fre Whon heo haþ so muche bounte, More þen eny schaft þat wes; ffor-þi [H. And tho] þe Rihtwys sone [H. the sonne of ryȝhtwesnes,] hire ches And schadewede on hire in wolde, [= in virtue; or r. holde = flesh? H. And on heere when he shadowe wolde] And [H. He] feirede hir more a þousend-folde. Line 876 Þoruȝ [MS. þoruȝ] þe faste ȝat he con in teo, And [om. in H.] at þe out-ȝong he lette [hit] faste beo. How so þat was beo we stille, ffor of alle þing God may don his wille. Line 880

A, derworþe qween so gent & fre, Þat helpest [MS. helpeþ] alle þat fleoþ to þe: Mi soule is comen to þe for nede; Þat at þi ȝate bat & loude doþ [H. con] grede, Line 884 Bat & gredeþ and loude gon [H. con] crye: "Helpe me, Swete Mayden Marie! Vndo, Ladi! I þe bi-seche. Þou lete me a luitel cleche Line 888 Of þulke [grace] þat alle [con] frouere Þat gostliche beoþ in herte pouere. Lo hou I am bi-set heer-oute Wiþ my þreo fon al-a-boute: Line 892 Þe fend, þat wiþ me fihteþ euere,

Þe world, my flesch—heo ne stunteþ neuere, Wiþ-outen eny Meþ on me heo foþ, [H. voth] Swiþe gret harm heo me doþ. Line 896 Gret parlement heo habbeþ I-nome. Þe fend furst is [H. is formest] forþ I-come, Wiþ þreo hostes he deþ me gret wo: Wiþ pruide, & wraþþe, & sleuþe also. Line 900 Þe world me haþ wiþ two hostes bi-stonde: Þat is wiþ couetyse and Onde. And my fflesch me fondeþ to spille Wiþ Glotenye and wiþ vuel [H. foule, Fr. fou delit] wille. Gret wraþþe [H. fyȝht; Fr. Grant damage (al. Bataile) m'ont esmu] heo habbeþ to me I-nome; I am as campion ouer-come [Fr. Champium sui ja recru.] ; But þou me helpe, Mayde Marie, Ichabbe I-lore þe Maystrie . . . . . [2 vv. om., cf. H.:

Thow that art to alle febulle leche,Thow let me of thy dyches cleche,

Fr.

Tu que fiebles redrescez,Fai me poser au fossez,Ou li chastel est estableE charite rest conestable.

] Þer þe Castel is faste & stable, And Charite is Constable."

Of þis castel ichabbe a luitel told, Ac more me miȝte a þousend-fold: Line 912 ffor alle þe godschupus þat in þe world is Out of þis Castel I-comen is. Þorw þis laddre God, heuene d[r]ihte, [H. God Allmyȝht] ffrom heuene in to eorþe alihte Line 916 And nom of hire his Monhede, Þorw whom [r. whom?] he wrey [Fr. covri] his Godhede. Þis is þe ȝard þat bereþ þe flour, Þat [H. The] Maiden þat bar hire creatour. Line 920 And þus þe "child is I-boren to vs, And such a Sone I-ȝeue to vs." And nis he "wonderful" þerfore, Whon he is þus for vs I-bore? Line 924 So muche wonder nis of no þinge As two kuynden to-geder bringe, And þat eiþer kuynde wiþ-alle Habbe þat wole to heom bi-falle, Line 928 Þat neuer nouþer ne wonte no wiht, Ac þat eiþer habbe al his riht. Þat Is Ihesu, Godes sone, Þat from heuene to eorþe wolde come Line 932 To sauȝten his sustren þat were to-boren,

And dilyueren þe prison þat was for-loren; Two kuynden he haþ, we witen bi þon, Line 935 Þat [H. for] he is soþ God and soþ Mon. . . . . [A passage of the Fr. text, vv. 845-912, is om. here and in H.]

BI-hold now, Mon, to Godes miht And his deden hou heo beoþ diht [Fr.

Regardez, homme, sa puis|sanceE sa grandor sanz flnance,Ou circumscrip n'est mie,E veez com il s'umilie.

] — Þat þou a-boute nouȝt fer se, [H. And this all-abowte thou well be-se] Ac [H. And] bi-hold hou Boxum he wolde be Þat he wolde be boren of wommon And for vre sake bi-comen mon. And seþþen be-hold hou he vs redeþ And in to sauete vs ledeþ, Line 944 On ful swete manere & on non oþur, And seiþ þus to vs: "leue broþur, I seo þe mis-lyken [H. myslyche i-gon] & al for-ȝemed [Fr. Io te voi ci esgarez] And out of þin owne lond I-flemed, Line 948 And þou seost wel þat for no þing Þow hast of þi-self no keueryng. Ne beo þou in wonhope non, Ac ful siker þou beo þeron: Line 952 Ȝif þou wole me louen [r. leuen, H. leve, Fr. crerre] and vnderstonde, I-chul þe bringe in to þin owne londe. Ententyfliche [Fr. Oez moi tut sulement] þou herken to me And do þat ich comaunde þe. Line 956 Mi ȝok is softe I-nowh to weren, And my burþene liȝt I-nouh to beren. To Merci bi-houe [ H. To mercies bone; Fr. Pitie pur toi m'ad esmu.] I am al I-nome, And þus I am for þe I-come. Line 960 And ich þe rede þou suwe me, I-chulle [H. And I-ch.] þe batayle nyme for þe. To ple I-chulle þis princes [i. e. Merci; Fr. Primes por toi voil pleider] hauen, And þi rihte I-chulle crauen. Line 964 ffor Icham of þi lynage: I may crauen þin heritage; And Icham of freo nacion: Me oute I-here my reson; Line 968 And Ichabbe I-wust wiþ wynne Þe þreo lawen wiþ-outen synne. [vv. 969-70 added.] ffor þe Ichulle to Batayle wende. siker [MS. ffor siker] beo þou of ful good ende: Line 972 ffor Ichulle an ende ouurcome þat fiht

And to-dreynen [= dereynen, prove] al þi riht. Ne darstou on erþe þenchen elles nouht Line 975 But God and þin euencristen to loue in trewe þouȝt."

Lord, wȝuch freschipe [MS. frenschipe. Fr. franchise] — hose nome ȝeme— Whon he þat welde [3 sgl. ind.] al þing & al mai deme, Vs schewed such frenschip & swetnes And a forbysne of Boxumnes! Line 980 Ac þulke forbisne me luitel telleþ to, And selden in þe world [is] I-seȝen, ne ȝore haþ do. [H. And selden in the world this vertu is do. Fr. Mes cele ensamp est poi tenue E trop reument el mund veue.] ffor þe worldlich mon euere I-liche Loueþ þing þat is worldliche, Ac þe gost of charite & of þolemodnesse Line 985 Loueþ euer goodschipe & Boxumnesse. ffor whon to þe world him ȝeueþ þe mon And þe worldes good him waxeþ on, Line 988 He ne þenkeþ on God ne non oþer þynge Bote worldes catel to-geder bringe; And whon þe catel haþ þe Maystrie a last, [H. om. a last] Hit [MS. þat hit] is in his cofre bi-loke so fast, [ H. Hit maketh mon so rebell and hye Fr. Si ferm enz ses laz le lie (laz = lacs; the translator understood laie = coffer)] Line 992 Þat al he bicomeþ ouergart proud And mis-doþ his neiȝebors boþe stille & loud; No-þing ne wilneþ he largesse, But lordschupe and heiȝnesse; Þe forbysne of Boxumnesse I-wys Al þorw pruyde forȝeten is. Þeose ne mowen Ihesus suwen wiþ, Line 999 ffor heore dede al to-lyth, [ cf. Fr.:

Icous ihesum ne siwent mie,Kar lur fet les contralie.

] Ne his red ne leeueþ heo nouȝt. Whi þenne wolden heo wilnen ouȝt Of heritage in his kyn[e]dom— Line 1003 Þauȝ he in Batayle þe ple bi-won [v. 1004 om. in Fr. H. That he thorgh plee & bataylle wane] — Whon heo doþ al þat he for-bat, [r. forbet] And no-þing doþ of þat he hat, [r. het] Ac euer secheþ pride and heiȝnesse, Line 1007 Ne biddeþ [Sim. kepeþ, H. loveth, Fr. voillent] heo nouȝt of boxumnesse? ffor-þi Lucifer, as ȝe habbeþ herd telle, ffel from heuene a-doun to helle; And also, I drede, heo scholden [r. schullen] anende, Þulke þat suche werkes doþ, aftur him wende. [H. adds 2 vv.] Line 1012 Ac I ne sigge hit not for þon

Þat mai ful wel eueriche goode mon Habbe gret lordschupe & heiȝnesse, Castels & toures & gret richesse, Line 1016 And may wel don [MS. welden] & godes wille holde And libbe God to queme, wel, ȝif he wolde, Ȝif he lyueþ in loue [MS. londe] & in Boxumnesse, In Soþschupe & in Rihtwysnes; Line 1020 ffor God wilneþ no-þing on eorþe her But al monnes herte wiþ trewe loue & cler.

Nou mihte sum Mon asken þus: Hou wolde God plede for vs, Line 1024 Hou he eny batayle nom And won vre riȝte & [þe] [MS. a] fend ouer-com. Lustneþ þenne to me nou, And I-chulle ow tellen hou. Line 1028 [Here is a change in the metre.] Þo Ihesu, Godes sone, in þe world was I-bore, So stille & derne he was þe fend fore Þat he of his come riht nouȝt nuste, Ac [MS. As] to beo lord and syre ȝit euere [r. eiwher? Fr. par tot] he truste Line 1032 As he hedde ben—ac his miht was bi-nome Þo þat Ihesu was I-bore & in to þe world I-come. [v. 1034 om. in Fr.] Wel þe fend him seiȝ In monnes weeden, Ac he nust what he was, ne wȝuch weren his deden. [H. ne of what dede. Fr.: E riens ne sout de quel affere] He him seiȝ wel Mon & [om. in Sim.] I-comen of Monkunne, Ac euere in þe world he liuede wiþ-oute sinne: Þe fend wondrede swiþe & seide: "what artou? Wher þou be Godes sone þat art I-comen nou? Line 1040 Al þis wyde world I-chul ȝeuen þe, So þat þou bouwe & honoure [r. adore; Fr. aorer, H. worship] me."

Respondit Iesus:

Þo seide Ihesu: "go a-wei, Sathan, go! Þi kuynde lord ne schalt þow fonde so." Line 1044

Diabolus dicit:

"What, wenestou I ne mowe vnderstonde Þat Icham prince & lord of þis londe, And in þe Seisyne habbe longe I-be, Þorw þe heiȝe kyng þat grant hit me? Line 1048 Alle þing I seo, and alle þing Ich wot, But one þi þouȝt no-þing I not.

Þou nymest ful muche an hond To be-nymen me eny þing in þis lond. Line 1052 Þauȝ I nabbe miht ouer þe, Wenestou my preie to be-nyme me? Nay, for þat foreward þorw Soþ & Riht Line 1055 ffaste in godes court is congraffet [Fr. cyrografez] apliht Þat hose passede godes heste, [MS. repeats Hose passede godes heste,] He scholde be myn and in sunne leste, An ende dyen þorw hard deþ I-nouh; And þe kyng of heuene nul do no wouh. Line 1060 What, wenestou such foreward breke [Fr.: Mes bien tendra le covenant] Þat was In Godes court I-speke?"

Respondit Ihesus:

And þo swete Ihesu him onswerde and tolde: Line 1063 "Þat foreward on ende wel [MS. god wel Fr.: Li covenanz fu bien tenu] was I-holde; Ac þou hit bi-gonne formast to breke, Þo þou þorw treson to Monkuynde speke And seidest þat treo him was forbode [vv. 1067-70 added.] Lest he hedde þe miht of Gode, Line 1068 Ac, wolde he of þe Appel ete, Þenne þou seidest he hedde I-gete, [H. And wolde Goddys beheste lete] ffor [om. in H.] he scholde konnen al þat god con, And he scholde neuer die for þon. Line 1072 He agulte þorw þe, & elles he wer skere. Vnderstond my reson: ȝif hit skile were Þat [MS. þauȝ] þou heddest alle forward of me, And þou noldest holden hem [om. hem?] as anont þe [H. adds 2 vv.] ?" Line 1076

Diabolus dicit:

"A, Ich am bi-trayȝed," quod [r. quaþ; MS. qd] þe fend þo, "Nou Ich am þorw ple ouercomen so. [Fr.

O, dist le diables, trai suiKant en pleidant sui vencui.

] Of whom & hou comeþ hit, Such reson & such wit, Line 1080 Þat þou so baldeliche darst nymen þe fforte dispute a-ȝeynes me? Þorw ple Ichabbe I-loren al anon. Ac [MS. And, H. But, Fr. mes] so ne may hit nouȝt gon, Line 1084 Algate he haþ mis-don, Þorw whon [MS. whom] he is in my prison; And bote he beo for-bouȝt of me, He ne ouȝte from wo disseysed be." [Fr.:

Ne sanz redempcion por liNe serrai a tort deseisi.

] Line 1088

Line 1088

Respondit Iesus:

Þo swete Ihesu to him con sugge: "And Ichulle him þenne for-bugge." [Diab.] "Ȝif þou wolt him bugge to his feore, [= price] He schal costen þe ful deore." Line 1092 [Jes.] "Hou deore?" quaþ Ihesu þo. [Diab.] "As he is worþ; er þenne he go Out of bonde of my prison." Line 1095 [Jes.] "Þat is skile," quaþ Ihesu, "and good reson; Ne kep I nouȝt to-ȝeynes riht Þorw Maystrie bi-nyme þe no wiht." [Fr. 2 vv. more:

"Fai me le donc volen|tiers!""Kest co donc ke tu quiers?"

]

Diabolus dicit:

"No; ac er he dilyuered be, Þou most also muche[worþ]delyuere me As al þis world is nou [worþ] atte frome, Wiþ alle þulke þat schulen heraftur come." [Fr.:

Rendez moi donc que tant vailleCom font ore tuz cil del mundE quanka pres tuz iurs vendrunt.

] Line 1102

Ihesus dixit:

"Bleþeliche," quod Ihesus, "al ichul don þis. ffor my luttel fynger more worþ is Line 1104 Þen such an hondred worldes ben, Wiþ al þat folk þat me may herafter sen."

Diabolus dicit:

Þe fend þo to Ihesu onswere con: Line 1107 "Þat is al soþ, I seo bi þon, ffor þou maiȝt al þe world demen & dihte; ffor [r. But] nou ouer þe nabbe I no mihte. [Fr.:

Kar tut le mund pus iustiser,Mes toi ne pus riens aprimer

] And woldestou þi fynger ȝeue, þauȝ þou so sugge, So vnworþ & so vyl chaffare to bugge?" Line 1112

Respondit Iesus:

"Ȝe, and al my bodi, for his raunsoun, But I-chul him habbe out of prisoun." [v. 1114 added.] [Diab.] "Þou most ȝit more do ar þou him habbe so: Þolen on eorþe wandreþe & wo; Line 1116 And, ȝif þou wole a-menden his wouȝ, Þou most deþ þolen þorw strong pyne I-nouȝ." [Fr. has 4 vv. more.] [Jes.] And þo swete Ihesu him onswerde to [MS. þo] : "Al þat þat þou hast seid, al schal be do,— Line 1120 ffor Soþ seide hit ouȝte ben so, And Riht com after [& ȝef] þe dom þo. [so H. Fr.:

Kar verite le deviseE puis si ad iuge iustise.

] And more þen þou hast i-seid I-chulle don,

To diliuere þe þral out of prison." Line 1124 Þo was þe fend siker, & wende wel eþe fforte haue bi-ȝeten þorw his deþe;— Ac he was cauȝt and ouer-comen, As fisch þat is wiþ hok I-nomen, Line 1128 Þat whon þe worm he swoleweþ a last He is bi þe hok I-tiȝed fast.

A, Mon, nim ȝeme & vnderstond þe Hou fynliche in herte god loueþ þe, [Fr.

Ore esgardez la doucorE le conseil al sauveor:Ke tant est leger a suffrirDont garisun peut venir.

] Line 1132 Þat wolde deþ þolen þorw pyne wiþ-outen meþ To saue þi soule from pyne of deþ! Al vre gult on him he wolde take, And lodliche was bi-lad al for vre sake. Line 1136 ffor he þat neuer no sunne dude Ne neuer nas wiþ fulþe I-founden in no stude In alle þe lymes þat haþ þe mon Seþþen Adam formest sunne bi-gon, Line 1140 Wolde þat his lymes alle I-pyned were, To maken vs of sunne al quit & skere. ffor vre vnwrestschupe [Fr. iniquite] here Þe coroune of þornes on his hed he beere [r. ber] ; Line 1144 And for vre folye [H. syȝht myspende, Fr. pur le nos fous regarz. r. fol eȝe] also His Eȝen weore blyntwharuet [H. blynwherued, Fr. bendez] bo; And al was his face bi-foulet wiþ spot, And eke grete boffetes among me him smot; Line 1148 And for vre speche vnwreste & vyl Atter heo him dude to drinke I-meynt wiþ Eisil; [H. adds 2 vv.] Þe otewyse werkes as þere-anonden [r. anonde, H. ffor vnlawfull werk us avonde (!) Fr.

Et pur nos mavois fez foreinsSe lessa percer piez e meins.

] He lette boþe þurlen his feet and honden [r. honde, plur.] ; Line 1152 And for vre woke þouȝtes he þolede smerte Þat me his syde þurlede riȝt to þe herte. What miht he þenne do for vs more? No tonge may tellen of þat fore [H. of his soore] Ne no monnes herte ne mihte þenche so As he þolede for vs pyne and wo. And ho is þat ne miȝte habbe pite Of such frendschupe & charite? Line 1160 Suche beo þe duntes of Batayle Þat he þolede for vs wiþ-outen fayle. Ac [þo] [om., Fr. Mes quant, H. And he] he þolede to deþe ben I-brouȝt

Vre deþ þorw his deþ he haþ for-bouȝt. Line 1164 ffor more þolede he an hundret-folde Serwe & pyne, þo he dyen wolde, Þen þe fend mihte for eny synne Line 1167 Leggen hond [om. in H. Fr.:

Ke diables neurent poeirA humeine nature charger.

] vppon monkunne. ffor þe soule loueþ þe bodi so Þat neuere heo nule him wende fro, ffor no pyne ne for [H. ne for no] sore, Þauȝ me hit to-hewe euermore, Line 1172 Er þe fyf wittes ben [r. han? Fr.:

Ainz ke le cors eit perduDe tuz cinc sens la vertu

] loren out-riht, Al heore vertue and al heore miȝt; Þat is, þe Siht and þe herynge, Þe speche and þe Smellynge, Line 1176 And þe felynge, he schal leosen an [Sim. and] ende Ar he wole from þe bodi wende; Kuynde ne may for no þinge Þolen her þe tiþelynge. [r. to-delinge? Fr.:

Kar nature ne peut soffrirL'alme einz del cors partir.

] Line 1180 Ac he þat alle þing mai welde, Doublede his peyne an hondred-felde: ffor þo he pynede [Fr. pendi, H. honged] on þe Crois, He ȝaf his soule wiþ loud vois. Line 1184 Þer he schewede þat he was God so, Vre Raunsum he dude þo; Þe bodi ȝit liuede wiþ-oute fayle, And so he ouercom þe Batayle. Kuynde ne mihte þole such peyne non, ffor þe fend ne miȝte hit neuer legen on. [1189-90 om. in H. Fr.:

Tant ne peut diable chargerNe nature endurer.

]

A, [MS. And] Marie, Mayden schene, Mihtful Moder and Milde Qwene, Line 1192 ffor deol mungen I ne may Þe pyne þat þou þoledest þulke day. Ac þe prophecye of Symeon Was folfuld þo bi þon, Line 1196 As wiþ swerd in þulke stounde Þou heddest þo ful bitter wounde. Ac þi Ioye doublede an hondrut-folde Þo he from deþ vp rysen wolde— Line 1200 ffor nouȝt worþ weore his passion, Neore his Resurexion. Þou seȝe openliche in alle þinge

Of his Batayle þe endynge, Line 1204 Þorw whom [r. whom?] þe fend was al mat And þe world for-bouȝt & brouȝt in stat. Þe trouþe of vs & þe be-leeue also Bi-leuede al in þe þo; [cf. XXXVII. v. 83.] Line 1208 In wonhope weore his disciples vchon, Ac þou weore studefast, euer In on— Ne miȝte þe no þing tornen out, In trewe bileue euere þou weore, stille & loud. Line 1212 Marie, Mooder of pite, Mayden ful of alle bounte, Vre bi-leeue was þo in þe, I-wis: And nou al vre hope is, Line 1216 Þat þou bi-seche þi sone for vs, Þat so on Rode for-bouȝt vs.—

ȜE habbeþ I-herd of swete Ihesu Hou he þorw his muchel vertu Line 1220 Vs redeþ to goode euer-more, And hou he wolde vs plede fore, And hou he wolde to Batayle wende, And hou he hit ouer-com an ende. Line 1224 Nas þis a good redes-mon Þat [MS. þas] vs so deore for-buggen con, And haþ I-rud [= prepare, so Hom. 2, 133.] vs þe way Þer vchone of vs þat wole he may Line 1228 To þe blisful Ioye come Þat so longe þorw adam [Fr. par Evain, through Eve.] was bi-nome?— Vnderstondeþ nou forþure noþeles Hou he is God, and euere wes: Line 1232 And ȝe mouwe openliche I-seon Þat hit ne may not elles ben. O God al þe world wrouȝte, And þulke god vs alle forbouȝte. Line 1236 Oþer God nis non þen he, Þe God of whom I seide er þe: Persones þreo in þrille-hod And o God cleped in on-hod. Line 1240 Men [al. Me] may also, Clerkes þat [om. þat. H. as clerkys con Fr.:

E ses fez peut hom saveirE la puissance deu veeir:

] conne reden, I-seon his godhede þorw his deden: ffor al þe deden þat he dude here

[Were] wiþ Godhede & Monhede I-meynt [H. he dede. Fr.:

Kar tuz ses fez furent mellezDe hommesce e de deitez

] I-fere. Line 1244 And nym nou ȝeme & þou miht sen [exemplum] Hou þat ilke [H. this thyng] mihte ben. Hose hedde a swerd here Þat wel I-steled and kene were, Line 1248 And he hit in to þe fuir dude, Þat hit were brennynge in þe stude: Ho is þat þenne mihte, Whon hit barnde so brihte, Line 1252 Þe fuyr to-delen þe stel fro Oþer þe Stel from þe fuir mo? And hose wiþ þe swerd smite, Two kuynden he miȝte sen and wite: Line 1256 Þe Stel þorw kuynde kerueþ apliht, And þe fuir brande, [H. barneth, Sim. brenneþ] and þat is riht; [Fr.:

L'ascer trenchant per droitureE le feu ardant par nature

] And al of O swerd hit come. Also is of Ihesu, Godes sone: Line 1260 Two kuynden he haþ, we witen bi þon, Þat he is soþ God and soþ Mon. ffor atte neces of þis princee (!) [Sim. ffor atte neoces of þis priuete; H. He shewed gret myraculle and privete; W. reads: ffor atte neces (r. no|ces) [he schewede] þis priuete. I think, þis p.—made is a later insertion.] At þe Caane of Galylee A Gistnynge he made, Architriclyn, Þer he torned water to wyn. [cf. Fr.:

As noces seint archit[r]eclinKant leawe changat en vin,Sis ydres i sunt poseE implir les deawe ad comande;Com homme emplir les roua,Com dieu leawe en vin changa.

] Sixe vessels þer weoren I-don: Of water he bad hem fulle son; As mon [MS. Anon, H. As by his monhede] he bad don water þer-In, And as God he turned hit to wyn; And þis ilke dede was al on [Fr.:

Et tut icest un oeur feuE domme e de verrai den.

] Of soþfast God and soþfast mon. Line 1272 And elles-wher þer he eode, Muche folk [Fr.: Ou tant de poeple siwi la] him suwede of feole þeode, Þat fyf þousend men he haþ I-set And wiþ fyue louus & twey fissches hem fed, Line 1276 And of þe Relef þat hem leuede bi-fore Twelf cupe-ful weoren vp I-bore: As Mon he hem þe bred to-breek, And as God he haþ hem I-fulled ek. Line 1280 Of Laȝar also þou miht i-seon eþe, Hou [Fr. Kant] he him arerede from þe deþe, Þat foure dawes he leiȝ a-long

In þe Buriles, [Sim. buriels] þat he stonk; Line 1284 Wiþ loud voys he clepede þus: "Laȝar, a-Rys and cum out to vs:" Riht as mon he clepede to him, And as God he arerede him. Line 1288 In alle his deden me may wel I-sen Þat he is God and euer schal ben. Þulke God alle þing dihte, Þat in þe swete Mayden alihte. Line 1292 Al vre be-leeue in him is, Vre treuþe, and vre hope, I-wis, Persones þreo in þrillihod, And O God þauȝ, in on-hod. Line 1296

Nou ȝe habbeþ I-herd witterly Hou he is god almihti. Ac his strengþe ne may non telle, Herte þenke, ne Mouþ spelle. Line 1300 ffor þe heiȝe nome Ihesu Haþ in him so muche vertu, Þat al þat is in heuene hiȝe, A-bouen [H. in erthe, Fr. E en terre] & bi-neoþen, feor and neiȝe, Line 1304 Bouweþ to þilke nome vchon. ffor-þi þer ne may hit telle non, His miht & his strengþe hou hit geþ, Line 1307 But as a Mon þe Rynde fleþ. [Fr.: Mes come en rongant lescorce] Sumwhat touchen Ichulle fonde [Tochier la voil apertement Solunc le mieux ke jentenc.] Of þat Ich may vnderstonde. Þo Adam hedde I-loren þorw synne Heuene & eorþe & paradyses winne, Line 1312 Þe ffend hedde such miht þo Þat al þe world moste after him go; ffor whom [MS. whon. Fr.:

Celui pur ki le mund fu fetEn son poeir out attreit

] þe world was furst wrouȝt Line 1315 He haþ him vnder I-brouȝt. Such strengþe he him þo ches Þat prince of al þe world he wes. [Fr.

Tant de poeir dones avoitKe prince du mund se clamoit.

] Þer nas non for his goodschupe, ffor penaunce ne for holyschupe, Line 1320 Þauȝ he pynede him-self in flesch and felle, Þat þe fend ne ladde him to helle. Ac [MS. And, H. But, Fr. Mes.] þe strengþe of Ihesu, Godes sone,

Hym haþ al mated and ouer-come. Line 1324 Ouercomen and I-mat he was ful sone, Þo he wende of him to done As he hedde don of oþer alle Þat he lette in to helle falle— Line 1328 [1329-30 added to the Fr.] Alle he ladde herbifore after his wille And in to helle con [MS. com] hem spille. [H. In helle that he myȝht hem spylle.] To þe croys he con come And wolde habben his soule I-nome. Line 1332 Ac he faylede, þe Traytour! He was a-bated of his tour! [H. anowre. Fr.: Il est de son torn abatuz] ffor Godes Godhede him haþ doun cast In to helle, and I-bounden fast. Line 1336 ffor [Fr.:

Ou il meimes est aleOd salme sa deite. 1339-40 added to the Fr.

] þorw his Godhede his soule eode Þidere, for hise þat hedden neode, Þat ȝore hedden him a-bide And sore longeden to gon him mide. Line 1340 Helle-ȝates he al to-breek, And to-daschte al þe fendes ek, [Fr. Le poer du diable a toleit,] A gret bite he bot, of helle nom [Fr.

A enfern fist un grant mors,Ke tuz les soens entreit hors.

] And drouh alle hise out, vchon, Line 1344 Þat leeueden his come [MS. nome; H. comyng; Fr. venue] & him knewe And serueden him wiþ herte trewe. Such strengþe nas neuer I-herd ar þis, Ne neuer schal, but of him, I-wis! Line 1348 ffor þe meste strengþe he al bi-reuede, Þat þe fend in þe world heuede. [Fr.

Ke tut le greingnor poeirKe feust el mund fist mater.

] He was en-Armed ful stronge, Þat his ȝat wuste ful longe: Line 1352 Ac þo þe strengore him [om. him?Fr.

Meis quant li plus fort sorveneit,Ses espoilles lui ad toleit.

] ouer com, Gret preye he him bi-nom. [Fr. 2 vv. more.] ffor-þi him seiþ wel Ysaye, Þat seiþ in his prophecye Line 1356 Þat he scholde "Myhtfol [MS. Myldefol] " I-cleped ben. His strengþe may no mon I-seon, Ne no tonge ne mihte reden Ne þouȝt þenken his mihtful deden. Line 1360 ffor his miht me ouȝte him drede, And for his swetnes him loue ful nede. Þis is vre [s]child [MS. child, H. shild] and vre help,

Vre strengþe and vre ȝelp, Line 1364 Vre be-leue and vre socour, Vre treuþe and vre honour; Þat so Boxum bi-com for vs, Line 1367 He ȝaf him-self to sauen vs. [Fr.

Ki tant se vout humilierE soi doner pur nus sauver.

] And al o God dude þis, ffader and sone and holigost, I-wis.

Sumdel ȝe habbeþ i-herd nou riht of his strengþe & of his miht. Line 1372 ac herkneþ ȝit forþure of Ysaye, Þat cleped him in his prophecie 'ffader of þe world þat scholde come [Fr.

Pere au poeple ki vendroit,Au siecle ke feut a venir.

] .'— ffor while he walkede her atte frome, Line 1376 He folfulde in alle þinge Alle holye prophetes biddynge. [MS. bigynnynge, H. byddyng] — Hou he Is ffader, ȝe schullen I-heren, And hou we alle of him I-streoned weren. Line 1380 Þorw Adam we [Fr. trestuz pecherent] sungeden furst vchon And eeten þe Appel wiþ him anon, And [Fr.

Kanque de lui en|gendre furentLa maleicon kil out eurent.

] alle we [H. that] of him I-streoned weoren, Þe cors þat he beer alle we [om. in H.] beeren; Þorw kuynde we hedden þe curs alle— Þorw Riht ne miȝt hit elles bi-falle. Line 1386 [Fr.

Kar Adam nostre pere estoitE charneument nus en|gendroit.

] Adam vr fader, þe forme mon, ffleschliche streoned vs euerichon: Ac þulke flescliche streonynge Beere vs Bale and Serwynge, Neore þe grace of swete Ihesu, Þat vs strenede [þorw] gostliche vertu. Line 1392 Þorw Adam we weore to deþe I-demet: Þorw Ihesu vp rered and al I-quemed; He is vre ffader ariht, And [H. That] so goodliche vs haþ I-diht Line 1396 Þat wiþ his blod he vs washed [MS. waked. Fr. lava] of sinne And brouȝt vs out of wo to winne— Neuer ffader for no childe Of fyn loue nas so freo ne mylde! Line 1400 Þat [r. þan? H. ffor Fr.:

Kant il nus out tuz rechatez,Par sa mort de mort delivrez,En enfern puis s'en ala.

] from þe Roode for vre neode Riht in to helle he eode, ffourti tymen þer he wes

O [MS. Þo] þat he vp risen ches— Line 1404 Þat was on þe þridde day, Erliche vppon a sonenday, Þo þe niȝt fro [r. for?] þe day to-brek— So seide seynt Austin þo he spek; Line 1408 Wiþ him he drouȝ out alle hise Þat diȝeden in his seruise, ffrom þe tyme þat he Adam wrouȝte [O] [om.] þat he vp ros and vs for-bouȝte. Line 1412 To his disciples he him schewede I-lome And Eet & dronk, eode and come. ffourti dawes he was heere fulliche, And prechede hem godes kineriche. Line 1416 Vppon [r. O þon = Till the Fr.:

Deskes a l'ascen|cionOu il estoient &c.

] holy þoresday, þer on his nome Heo weren I-gedered alle I-some Vppon a stude, þer he among hem com And of mis-bileue hem vndernom. Line 1420 In whonhope and doute heo weoren vchon, Ȝit [r. þet hed seȝen] heo seȝen him alyue, [r. aryse? cf. Fr.:

Kar tuz furent en dotance,Ki resuscite veu l'eurentE ne purkant nel creurent.

] a lyues mon, Þo [r. Þe ȝit] ȝit ne mihten heo for no wit Riht to soþe I-leeuen hit. Ac heore doute was vre bi-heue And fastnede ful wel vre bi-leeue, ffor muche vs dude sikernesse Of Thomas misbileuenesse, Line 1428 Þat nolde for no mon þat was Bi-leeuen þat he ded and [om. ded and] arisen was Ar he hedde hondlet þe wounde so wyde Line 1431 Þat longeus made in his syde, [Fr.:

Desk'en ses plaies sa mein mistKe Longis de lance fist.

] And seon þe woundes grene and weet [1433-6 added to the Fr.] Wȝuche þat weoren on honden & feet.

ÞO schewed Ihesus him his wondes wyde In hondes & feet, & þulke on his syde. Line 1436 "Þou art, I-chot," quaþ Thomas þo, "Mi God and my lord also." "Ȝe, Thomas," quaþ Ihesu crist, "Þou hit leuest for þou hit sixt: Line 1440 Alle heo moten I-blessed ben Þat hit leeuen þauȝ heo hit not sen." Openliche he made þulke day

ffaste and siker vre lay. [Fr.

A ceu iur vout apertementLa foi fermer de tute gent.

] Line 1444 Wiþ his disciples he set þo As he was er I-wont to do, And sette tweyne & tweyne to gon Ȝond al þe world, to prechen vchon Line 1448 To alle schaft and to alle wihte— Þat is to mon þorw rihte [1449-50 om. in H.Fr. A universe creature, (cf. Marc. 16)Cest a homme par droiture] — Þat heo bi-leeuen in godes sone—þat is, in him [r. he] — And þat vche mon folwede him, [r. fulwed be;Fr.

Kil en le fiz deu creus|sentE baptizez tuz feus|sent.

] Line 1452 In þe ffader [nome] and in þe sone also And in þe holy gost þat glit of hem bo; ffor hose neore I-boren eft at þe frome, In to heuene ne miȝte he neuer come; Line 1456 Ac þulke þat beþ I-fulwed in Riht bi-leeue Schulen beo brouȝt in Godes [r. gode Fr. Serrunt mis en sauvetez.] bi-heue. Wel openliche he scheweþ vs þerfore Þat vche mon mot eft ben I-bore. Line 1460 And ȝif we schulen eft I-boren ben, We mote comen of sume [MS. sunne; cf. Fr.:

Mes puske rene serrum,Eugendrure averum,Cest del ewe e del esprit,Ou nus engendra ihesu crist.

] streon: Þat is þe water of vertu, Þer vs gostliche streneþ swete Ihesu; Line 1464 And whon he vs haþ so strened, I-wis, fforsoþe vre ffader he is, And þenne we alle his children beþ. Sikerliche, vnwrestliche he deeþ Line 1468 Þat such ffader ne loueþ wiþ al his þouȝt! He ne eet of þe Appel riht nouȝt: Baldeliche we mouwe þorw him craue Vre Rihtes in heuene to haue; Line 1472 ffor he haþ alle þe lawen I-wyst, [or. wust] — Of O poynt ne haþ he mist,— Þat neuere neore I-wust ne I-holde Er [H. hent] he him-self comen wolde. Line 1476 Þe fforme Mon þat of eorþe com, Brouȝt vs werre, and pees bi-nom: Þat oþur Mon from heuene com wiþ meyn And haþ I-ȝolden vre pees aȝeyn. Line 1480 ffleschliche was þe forme mon, Þat muche wo vs brouȝte vppon, Þat was out of paradys I-pult,

And al his ofspring for his gult: Line 1484 Ac vre gostlych ffader, swete Ihesu, Vs bryngeþ aȝeyn þorw his vertu; He þat from heuene com, Line 1487 ffrom louh anheiȝ he vs vp nom. Þat from eorþe com, to eorþe he geþ; [Fr.

Ki de terre est a terre ala,Ki vint du ciel, a ciel munta.

] Þat from heuene com to heuene he steþ. On holy þoresday, þer al þe folk I-seiȝ Wȝuche þat stoden a-bouten him neih, Line 1492 Þe wey he made, vs to lede, Þorw þe skewes, þer he eode, Wiþ soþnesse, and wey of liþ [cf. Fr.:

La voie a ses seinz a fetPar les nuwes ou il vet—Vie, verite, et voie.

] ; Þe feire cumpanye [H. pray, Fr. proie] him ladde wiþ Line 1496 Þat he out of helle nom, Þat to muche blisse com. To þulke blisse he made hem wende Þat euer lasteþ wiþ-outen ende; Line 1500 Þer he woneþ as he dude er, Wiþ his ffader, O God þer, Persones þreo in þrillihod, And O God þauȝ in on-hod; Line 1504 Þat alle þing wrouȝte, as þou, mon, wost, ffader & sone & holygost; Þauȝ [H. And thawgh] vche nome of þise þre Sinderliche [be seid] [H. Byn syndry seyd; Fr.

E s'il i a distinctiunDe trois persones par nun,Ne purkant un sul deu dure

] as he ouȝte to be, Line 1508 O God hit is wiþ-outen care, Of alle schaftes schuppare; To whom Ioye & honour bi-come Wiþ-outen ende, þe holy gome. [In Halliwell's ed. here fol|lows a last part (see p. 403|6 below): on the 15 tokens, the day of doom, and the dowers in heven, in 308 vv.; and vv. 1513-24 are wanting.] — Now biseche we God for his Merci Such lyf her leden and so trusti, Þat we his heste holden so long, Þulke pes vs wonye among Line 1516 Þat he sende from heuene to monkinne, And þat he wone wiþ vs wiþ-Inne, And aftur þis lyf to Ioye wende. Þis writ in god nimeþ nou ende, Line 1520 Þer is ende and byginnynge, So holy writ seyþ, of alle þinge:

God leeue vs here so ende Þat we ben worþi to heuene wende. Amen. [Then follows Ypotys, fol. CCXCVI, ed. before in Altengl. Leg., N. F., p. 341-8, and from another MS., Cott. Calig. A II, with readings from Arund. 140, Ashm. 61, Cott. Tit. A XXVI, ib. p. 511—526; 2 other MSS., Ashm. 750 and Douce 323, were ed. in a dissertation, Berlin, 1887.] Line 1524

Various Readings to XXXVIII from Halliwell's MS. [Halliwell does not name the MS. he used; he only says: the text of his ed. was chiefly (!) taken from a MS. in private hands. His MS. is much younger; it omits final -e in miȝte, hiȝte, tauȝte, brouȝte, moste, wolde, wente, but adds it in come, breke, &c. Most readings are deteriorations or arbitrarily made to help the sense; some few contain the original reading or help to find it, where the Vernon-text is spoiled; none can with certainty be ascribed to a later or new revision with the French text.] (Ed. 1849 for private circulation.)

Title in verse om.

1

He that.

2

wille helpene

3

ffor ther was . i|wrowght

5

ther was . evyl

6

But evyl . wes . þe om.

7

ffadur

8

ever inst. of on eorþe . syst

9

oone . art in trinite

10

in unite

11

Withoute

12

ought ovre

13

Worshyp

14

crownyd kyng ys

15

throwgh . beth

16

Alle goodnesses . seth (i- om.).

17

graunt us to thencke & worken

18

fro.

19

Alle we to have helpe we nede

20

Thawgh we be not . alle om. thede

21

i-bore

22

oon

23

not inst. of we.

24

Ebru . that ofte beth wryte

25

ffrensh . spechyne

26

in this w. sechyne

27

dryht

28

As om. awght . is

29

Loovyng to synge . full ȝorne

30

syche . als . lorne

31

No mones ay ne be adrede

32

Ne his ledone shall not be hed

33

To herien God . hath wrowght

34

al om. thys w.

35

I wyl . shewe

36

hem . can . i-knowe

38

In . I-chul

39

ffor-why . was furst wrowght

40

And therafter

41

fadur hade to byn hys

42

The ioy and myrthe of p.

43

It to w. and it to welde . syche

44

shulde ther to hevyn

45

But . hit alle

46

And s. shall here how he f. w.

47

hye kyngessone sone

49

But ther werene fowre systren i-boren

50

And om. prisoner . wes

51

heryn

52

they cussyde . sawght

53

he sone lyght

55

This castel M.

56

Therin

57

telle forthe we shul

58

to us sayd wysly

59

þer om. i- om.

60

i-ȝevyn

61

name . I-nempned om. byn

62

men . I- om.

63

myȝhti . rihtwys

64

And of . to om.

65

Lord þe om.

66

Off all the nomes how

67

Whe shulle ȝow telle that ȝe shul wyten

68

domesday . I- om.

69

shulle

70

somdele . pyne

71

it be wrytene in Englysshe . dark

72

And have no savor aforen a clark

73

lewde . lytell

75

And who so . wytur . wyce

76

ȝorne

77

michel of lintel

79

fynden

80

fay

81

byfalle . Goddys

83

ȝef ȝe . er

84

made (I- om.)

85

Tho inst. of ffor-þi. I om.

88

hathe alle

90

seventh

91

Lusteneth to my talking (lordynges om.)

92

at the begynnyng

93

Hede i-wrowght h. w. so mychel gynne

94

þe om. angels so feyre and bryght and feyre (!) w.

95

þer om. aftur

96

in here

97

waxed

98

That . anonryȝht cast

99

ffelle

100

ȝet wes . þo om. sevyn sythe

101

Bryȝhtur . forsoþe om. she

103

And alle-so the mone shon

104

As the sonne dothe in

105

nowght

106

profyt

107

And alle . that shupte weren

110

whiche sorewe . dyel

111

they byth browght

112

osprynge

113

thay byth

114

dulfulle

116

And . telle ȝow

118

serve

119

Godhede al

120

fayled

121

flyne

122

shulde byne

123

Blossome . ryce

124

And om. bettur . yce

125

though . he om. alle welle done

126

valley . Ebrone

127

shope A. at the last

129

the holy Trynite

130

soul so f. and fre

131

showe

132

to have . owe

133

hyme

134

cast slepe . al om.

135

nome

136

come

137

ȝef . to byne is wyfe

138

h. hyme . ȝef hyme is wytte fyfe

139

dele the evyll fro . goode

140

hem wel

141

ȝef . ȝet . worship

142

lordship

143

That . londe

144

Shulde byne . his owne honde

145

And feyrelak . myche

146

And alle

147

wonyne inne

148

and ¹ om. sorowe

149

god

150

byth

151

lyven . ȝonge

152

And all tho that of hem two spronge

153

tale . sowles . fro hevyn

155-6

Tho Adam and hys osprynge shulle hevyne aȝeyne fulfylle, So blessed and bryȝht be thowrgh Goddys wylle

157

Ryȝht as the s. . told

158

Bryȝhtur . is nowe by s.

159

they . hevyn wynde

160

To ioy and bl. . eynde

161

dethis

162

alle

163

ffro . ilke om.

164

styen

166

Among gret myrthe . angels

167

To lawes

169

Thet . wes . thowgh

170

Thet . wes i-cleped

171

Thet . at l.

172

holde Goddys

173

Thet . was that to hym

174

appull he shuld never ete

175

Of that

176

So hym s. and hyȝht

177

Thet whensoever the appull he ȝete

178

that lyfe he shulde

179

alle the kynne . come

180

have the same dome

181

heoled . hest aryȝht

182

hym ȝef . mychel

183

welde . worldis

184

Withoute . sorewe

185

Seysone to Adam delyuerd wes tho

186

wonnen

187

myche

188

Away full s. hit all

190

And browght . myche

191

appul ȝete

192

Goddys hest he dede forlete

193-4

And sethyn his lawes he breke, The lawe of kynde and the lawe set eke

195

he om. dede aftur is wyfys

196

heoled . hest

197

Thus is . rufull

198

Was om. I-cast

199

i-dryven

200

in the w. to lyvyne

201

forsakyn

202

dylfull . himself i-takyne

203

hath hym boryne

204

Mirth wyth ryȝht he hath forloryn

205

That m. . þat om. welle have

206

shall he now . crave

207

Out om. i-pult

209

con

210

That A. had trespast so

211

hadyn hocowre

212

That mon shuld wonyn in the blessed honowre

213

Hit he hade . prude

215

mychel . here

216

alle . aftur

217

when . hade i-l. here longe in c.

218

At the l. dye

219

helpe here

220

ne most

221

to . bespekyn

222

wold not foreward brekyn

223

ffulle evull . mychel he

224

þus om. this w.

226

mychell

227

ne om.

228

But hit peyred thowrgh his wonnyng

229

But for the wonnyng of him hit was not long

230

Nere that synne was so.

231

ȝef . alle

232

And synne w. h. by all his myȝht

233

synne . is alle oon

234

And Adam dede wone

235

Goddys hest breke

236

the appul he ȝete

237

lost is

238

to pyne

239

þe om. kynkes . ȝet

240

usyth thilke

242

synnes

243

feyror wes . er om. thynk

245

Now is he . is servaunt and

246

understondeth

247

And when . servid thorgh thewdome

248

He dede withoute

249

And servise ne thrall they mow

250

eritage

251

is om.

252

So sone his er. is

253

Ne in curt. noo

254

Me owed not to answer ne him u.

255

mote

256

That myȝht swewe (!)

257

myȝht

258

that kynde

259

be boren

260

ne om. ȝete none of

261

And that have I-wyst with wynne

262

lawes withoutyn

263

Theke too

264

And the tother. M. of S.

265

Moysen ȝeven

266

ȝet i-holdyn nes

267

Of mon . evir dede synne

268

of syche mon mynne

269

thenk other k.

270

Who seche a wondur myȝht do or

271

Sey . stede

272

As I before dede

273

ffor now is tyme that I hit telle

274

ffor it be|hovyth to our spelle.

275

Ther wes . myche

277

hede

278

Of alle seche wyt of alle syche wone

279

And of all seche chere

280

his fadur dere (in his manere om.)

281

oone . they were

282

oone studfastnes

283

volnes . they were ful ryȝht

284

thei werene

285

fadur . alle begoon

286

belye . kyndome

287

Alle that was of hys b.

288

hit wolde

289

And foure dowghtryne hede this k.

290

And to uche he wes lovyng

291

ȝef one . fulnes

292

wit . wysnes

293

befalle

294

ȝet wes alle this volnesse

297

kyndam

298

hit om. iustisyn

299

nomen

300

dowghtur is M.

301

douȝter om.

302

Sothe

303

systur we clepon

304

And Pes . fourth

305

Withoute these . worship

306

Ther may . lordship

307

er

308

Hede . dede

309

bothe str.

310

wes

311

insyȝht . ryȝhdome

312

he wes

313

de|lyverd

314

That in sorewe h. pyned ichoon

315

And of . thei hadyn dowte

316

But hadde him in here rowte

317

And thei deden him

318

pyned . sore om. withoute. Title om.

319

she syȝh

320

The prison hede here hert swyth nyȝh

321

She myȝght here no lenger hold

322

Tofore . come sheo wold

323

shewe . here

324

ffor to

325

quod sheo . fadur myne

326

328

grace . goodnesse

329

alle I haue . thorgh the

331

sorfull wrecche p.

333

among

334

pyne thu hast him doon

335

Thei maden him a. in theke gret synne

336

Thorgh here feyre behest withoute blynne

337

him om. and inst. of ȝif . appulle eten

338

And Goddis lawes forleten

339

have alle . God

340

Therfore they seyde that tre wes him forbode

341

And lyed to him therof. heo om. rowghton

342

falsnes . they

343

Therfore let falsnes ȝelden be

344

wrecche om. prisoner thou ȝeve to me.

346

grace

347

And of alle thi dowghtryne I am the aldest

348

One hem alle I am baldest

349

They dowghtur I ne were

350

But my swetnesse

351

Grace

352

swetnes

353

And thorgh thy nowne pyte

354

I-chulle . to om. sanite

355

grace

356

Tylle he haue i-funde thyne ore. Title om.

357

So sone Sothe this werk syȝth

358

here sistur heore h. ȝyȝth

360

hade . him om. demyd (I- om.) . eynde

361

here mode

362

before . anon up stode

363

ffadur, I beseche the to here me.

364

ne om. may not. hit om.

365

hit om. a om.

366

Of my systere Mercyes w.

367

here wylsfull sermon

368

out om.

369

suche inst. of swiþe . that I hit syȝh

370

nyȝh

371

I sey . þe om.

372

owest not

373

she

374

Sothe and Ryȝht therwith

375

And om.

376

volnesse I-comyn I.

378

Mercies . rufull

379

ȝef sheo . saue om. here

380

Savyn alle . she . for besechyn

381

Then never mysdede shulde byn ab.

382

fadur shuldest be dreded

383

And thou art alle sothefaste k.

384

stabull . all

385

Therfore . wowgh

386

aȝeyns me i-nowgh

387

him con

388

That he never grace i-fynde

389

Grace he hath alle forlore

390

wes i-warned . before

391

shulde we . thike

392

That pyte of hymself hade non.

393

Hes dome he m. stonde to . sygge

394

alle . abygge. Title om.

395

i-hereth

396

And up her stode

397

I am heo seyth

398

kyng and ryȝht

399

Ryȝht domes byth with the

400

And alle thy werkys byth

401

deeþ om. mevyn

402

Hath dome deserved as ȝe ȝevyn

403

þat om. fre was

405

hede hem boo

406

went

407

betoke . wrath . wo

408

And to synne and wrecchedome his fo

409

for ever thole dethe

411

to him thy hest hestyst

412

Thorgh sothe then deth to him thou hettyst . After 412 H has 2 vv. more: And he dede thi hestes breke, And oon him thou wolldest by ryȝht be wreke.

413

ȝef

414

gylt

415

And Sothe beryth

416

And els nedlyche no d.

417

ȝef

418

Then dome . i- om.

419

not to

420

wolle sygge

422

Aftur here gult as hit heore doth befalle

423

this . syggeth

424

And allso . they iuggeth

425

Nere nowther . ne om.

426

Ne non of hem mercy u.

427

As a diswaryed mon mysrad

428

he his myslad

429

helpyth . whersere he wynde

430

And his foon fyȝhtyth with him in u. eynde

431

And han stripte . alle

432

him alle bare maked

433

And him . alle

434

They thenketh he shalle be in prison strong

435

His foon maden him agultyn wondur sone

436

comyth aftur . here

437

hym heo iuggeth

438

E. aftur Sothe that wolle sygge

439

And Pes with hem may not byn

440

he . flyn

441

ne bydyth

442

Ther as werre is nyȝh-honde

443

myȝht

444

And so of londe they byn i-d.

445

Ther where not in the w. i-levyd

446

Nothyng but it wes dystryed.

447

drownt

448

Save . soules . where

449

In Noeis flood in the shippe wer heo

450

sonys

451

haden

452

alle . is ther leved no more

453

owght to

454

on so drury dome

456

withoute. Title om.

457

So longe that . atte last

458

here fadur she

459

dowghtur and of the i-nome

460

volnesse . I am i-come

462

too systren . han

463

they

464

neuer come

465

ffor thing that eny mon may do

466

Mercy myȝht not hem.

467

And . no kynnes thyng

468

I myȝht not come hem amyng (!)

469

And the . alle . owne

470

Therfore I am owt of

472

tyll that

473

sustres

474

sawghtnes . so ende

475

And

476

Thawgh . byn set

477

wyten and knowe Pes

478

maystur sheo is

479

In reste and pes I con maken

480

Whi shalle

481

When eny g. dede . for me om.

482

have me be in thowght

483

But . ne om. lovyd me

484

systur nyll

485

I-chylle

486

He (!) . oweth

487

þe om. byth . i-send

488

a evyn

489

shullen

490

ȝevyn . demyn evyn

491

ne om. dome

492

we f. byn

493

stonden (at- om.)

494

loke sethin

495

foure fadur

496

ne byth not of

497

But I

498

We clepyn aȝeyne the d.

499

al om. Sothe and Ryȝht wold

500

To Mercy and me hit doth not q.

502

Therfore fadur myne thou hit

503

goodnesse

504

Ther wonteth . Pes woll

505

Wyt ne w. is

506

But Pes therwyth be f.

507

lovyth . withoute

508

withoute

509

oweth to byn . gret

510

lord of

511

Therfore . owest

512

systur that prayeth the

513—517

om.

518

Til om. d. shuld be

519

flyn

520

Tylle my systryn byn at oone

522

is . tho beren

523

sye

524

were inst. of al.

526

Thei myȝht never togedur c.

527

Leve fadur. I

528

wyt . wysdome

529

And om. Wysdam men

530

mychell . lovest

532

in thy werk browghtest

533

byth oon . volnesse

534

and strengthe and hyenesse

535

All I chull

536

kyng more of ryȝhtwesnys

537

In so myche fadur I take more ȝ.

539

furste inst. of for þe

540

of the p. rueth

541

And therfore me rueth well

542

cleputh

543

ffadur thou art . mekefulle

544

Heere . here over

545

Alle here wyll I chull don

546

And make at oone S. & heere.

547

Taken

548

wollen it . beden

549

And I alle one woll dome the dome

550

a i. oweth

551

make

552

to cusse . sawght sone

553

dryvyn . werre with myn honde

554

thi

555

Who so this afore bese con

556

openly i-se

557

betokenyng

558

Is the insyȝht of God

559

ffadur, withoute God is m. n.

560

hath alle

561

hath fulled utryȝht

563

thawgh

564

volnesse

565

ȝeve . blesseng

567

han . I owe t.

568

make

569

Adam om. forlest hit was

570

The world . alle

572

Mon myȝht not himself do keveryng

573

ne myȝht him . no

574

And . myȝht not

575

most it nede

576

Goddys sone shuld m.

577

And mon shuld deth tholyn with sorewe r.

578

shuld uprysen aȝeyn fro

579

ffor ells . forloren

580

i-wrowght.

581

wheche l. wych b.

582

grace and whiche s.

583

to alyȝht ches

584

ffor oon sele shepe

585

His fadur blysse he levede and ther-fro ȝeode

586

To seche theke shepe in uncowthe ȝode

587

Ther is not seche an h. non om.

588

non om. mercyfulle a l.

589

syche a

590

meche l. on him

591

ilyke . him wolde

592

sothen suffre deth

593

Sore he awght his handys to wrynge

594

That this lord wold greve for enythyng.

595

Herketh . at this frome

596

this sheperd

597

tydyngus comyn

598

prophetys

600

Elias

601

Ant D. . Ieromie

602

And D.

603

Eliseu

604

Thei seyn . ryȝht well

605

Long . of hem

606

But herkynth. The Latin quotation om.

607

I-boryn

608

son . i-ȝevyn

609

shulle

610

alle this shull byn

612

rewfull . of ryȝht

613

al om. byn

614

And prince . seyn.

615

These buth . nomes . nowe i-leven

616

to him ȝevyn

617

ȝef . wolle heryn telle

618

wondurfulle

619

Seche . wes . I- om. ny saye

620

Ne n. weryn by no monis day

621

Ne never shull come

622

As was when God mon b.

623

sye (I- om.)

624

I- om.

625

fete . bere

627

hede his fote or his hond forloren

628

he weren so bothe i-boren

629

Where thei . too

630

Nay sotheli, thei nere not soo.

631

ffor thawgh the toon hede of kynde to myche

632

And that o. to lytell and beth of diverse lyche

633

ȝet . nede om. byn

634

a forshapon lym

635

And . mychill . byn

636

myȝht seche a mon i-syn

637

That monkynde hade uwtryȝht

638

That he nere to mychill ne to lytyll in syȝht.

640

forshapon thyng

641

a good h.

642

Seche . befall

643

who-so isyȝh seche a shapyng

644

clepon . wonderfulle

645

ȝet is hit . thousondfold

647

clepud

648

sothefast . and monne

649

ne om.

650

And eke . all thyng is . I- om.

651

withoute synne he is e.

652

wone therof dede

653

Ne shap therto non nes

654

I-red

655

nys non then he that is of so gret myȝht

656

to erthe inst. of dude

657

ooure . nome

658

al om. wes become.

65

als wolde

660

boryn . wymmon

661

That same shap

662

mons

663

And God myȝht not in no m.

664

Alyȝht bote . stede . in om.

665

stede . siker om. he

666

Ther God inne to alyȝhte ches

667

that is comlyche

668

Mychell . and feir om.

670

This . c. mychell of the f.

671

meere . betwynnen too

672

He hath no feyrelac.

673

withowtyn

674

And so . aboutyn

675

no maner

676

harme

677

hie . sownde

678

And . I- om. from rofe to grownde(!)

679

Ther may non evyll thyng

680

Ther to do eny grevyng

681

And eke hit is so levelych

682

So dredfull and comlyche

683

tho . beth

684

thei fleth

685

ffoure s. toure ther beth abowte

686

wyte þe hole t. withowte

687

And allso ther beth . baylys

688

So om. stronge

690

Ther may . here feyrship. I- om.

691

ne om.

692

it thenk . it spelle.

693

trysti . fast

694

dyche buth all becast.

695

cornels . so om.

697

Seven barbacanes . byth

699

700

ne om. socoure

701

Ther shalle never fo stonde him wyth

702

thidur . fle seche

703

sycoure . abowte

704

alle peynted is abowte

705

colours . byth

706

The furst the fondement is all g.

707

fast lythe

708

is him that this myrthe sythe

710

colur lesseth (ne om.)

711

And sethyn . abouten om. hue

712

Is bothe . eke om. blue

713

cleputh

714

And hyt s. over all feyre and b.

715

ovenast

716

I- om.

717

withinne . withoute

718

abowte

719

raddur . euere om.

720

Hit semyth it barnede all

722

As is the swan when heo is swymbyng

723

the l.

724

After om. Enlong on the.

725

Ther never there comyth wo ny wowgh

726

But

727

Amyd the toure a walle dede sprynge

728

That never is drye but ernynge

729

stremys . strykyn

730

on

732

Mechell

733

That man nedeth non.

734

aryȝht . watur

735

thike toure

736

thorne . meche

737

As whyte as yuory

738

somers . when heo

739

all do

740

byth

741

oo feyre in order i-ioyned byth

742

So feyre thyng in erthe . i-syth

743

abowte it i-bend

744

to him . i-send

745

Ther nes never so feyre a chayere

746

To kyng ne to emperour.

747

But meche more worship . Inouȝ om.

748

Ther God to alyȝht ches

749

Suche a c. is ther non

750

wes . thyke

751

here-aftur . ne om.

752

dyȝht

753

hit om. and hit alle dede

754

a. himself in thilke . feyre om. stede

755

kyndam

756

that st. myche

757

That

759

and hele and sycornesse

761

maydons body . fre

762

Ther . nas om. hoe

763

I- om. was

764

As . mayde

765

mere betwynne too

766

That hoe shuld us shylde from

767

vs om.

768

Hoe . here. After 768 H has 2 vv. more: ffor hoe may allerbest, And hoe woll allerblyvest

769

true . trysti

770

maydons body. forþi om.

771

That therin never synne come

772

And to serve God alle here hert shoe nome

773

wyst here maydenhode . muche om.

774

With grace and wyth s.

775

to the roche fast

776

grenship

777

That is . maydonis

778

alle here

779

here . þat om. true

780

e. hit is grene and newe.

781

hire om. apertenent

782

To . and fundement

784

feyreshipe

786

That in good hope wes here lyvyng

787

Hoe wes

788

serve . with

789

and þe om.

791

brande

792

Ther is noon . mychill

794

hoe . alle

795

And shoe is i-tend . fyre

796

To servyn here God ab.

798

kepyn . hie . withowtyn

799

þat om. abowten heere me syth

800

thei byth

801

strenghe . slyȝhship

802

Ryȝht|wesnes . warship

803

hath inst. of wiþ.

804

That non evylle ther may com withinne

805

what . baylys

806

cornels byth . feyre.

807

throwen inst. of I-cast . abowte

808

the hoole toure withowte

809

bayli

810

That be|tokynth heere

811

nes

812

Goddys . she

813

myddyll bayly

815

otmast

816

Betokenyth here hoole spousayle

817

ffulle ryȝht me hem clepeth b. thre (forþi om.)

818

That hadyn . here om. bayle

819

ffor hoe here-self is m.

820

ffor shoe is . weddes (!)

821

these . in inst. of teon

822

to an ende . I- om. byn

823

And the sevyn barbacanes abowte

824

so gret . byth wr. withowte

825

kepyn these

826

aroo

827

byth sevyn vertuce that han wyth w.

828

To om.

829

Prude . begynnyng

830

evyll thyng

831

The whiche al matyd and overcome w.

832

sheo

833

heore true

834

heore

835

sheo m. to

836

heere

837

And all-so she dystried

838

hire om. largenes on iche

839

evermore . hoe

840

pacyens . sheo

841

heere gostly

842

Dystryed slowth in

843

walle . alle of g.

844

fylleth . a om.

845

so deled is

846

goodnes inst. of Meth . wiþal om.

847

And . lovyd

848

That he heere ȝeve full grace outryȝht

849

þe om. gr. withoute let

850

Socur alle the w. i-ȝet

851

Therfore . here

852

One i-blessed . ladi om.

853

whiche . byn

854

Bote heere poverte that heo wes inne

855

Ther was no mon-kynnes a.

856

That myȝht dere the castell of nothyng

857

fynde was overcome

858

him all benome

859

so om. freo

860

spak . neddur . treo

861

come . blyve

862

hed inst. of pouste

863

be heo this byrd

866

Therfore of here soule . is

867

And to . gestnyng

868

of hire so ȝyng

869

To brynge him out

870

gareson

871

feyre good

872

Whill . meche

873

then other that ever made was

874

And tho the sonne of ryȝht|wesnes here ches

875

And on heere when he shadowe wolde

876

He feyred . thowsonde

877

fast ȝate

878

And om. owt-goyng . l. hit fast

879

let we be st.

881

O

882

helpest . flyth

883

comyn

884

knocked . con grede

885

He knocketh & gredyth . con

886

Help . me om. mayde

887

888

And therof thou let me cleche

889

Of thilke grace that alle is thoor

890

To hem that in herte gostly byth poore

891

Be-se how

892

Of . alle

893

That is the fynd

894

And the w. and my f. they styntyth

895

Withoute ene mystre . voth

896

hoe

897

G. perlyment they han i-nomen

898

is formest forth i-comen

899

ostes . doth

900

prude . slowth

901

with too ostys hath me

902

with c. and hate he wold me fonde

904

gloteine . foule

905

G. fyȝht they han . i-nomen

906

as a champyon

907

swete mayde

908

I ha forloren alle the m. After

H. has 2 vv. more: Thow that art to alle febulle leche, Thow let me of thy dyches cleche.

908

I ha forloren alle the m. After

H. has 2 vv. more: Thow that art to alle febulle leche, Thow let me of thy dyches cleche.

909

Theras the c. is so stabull

910

And om. is there con|stabull

911

I have . i-told

912

And . by a thousond

913

goodnes

914

Out om. comyn (I- om.)

915

God Allmyȝht

916

alyȝht

917

And hyre he nome . monhed

918

he kend . Godhed

919

bar . floure

920

The mayde . heere creature

921

that child . I- om.

922

A . i-ȝevyn

923

I trowe this be w.

924

That he for us was thus i-b.

925

So mychill wondur I knowe of n.

926

too kyndys in oon to bryng

928

Hath that that shulde to him falle

929

And n. ne om. wonteth here myȝht

930

But ether of hem han here ryȝht

931

This . Goddys

932

fro

933

To make at oon his systryn that were at woore

934

ffor the prison that was forlore

935

To kyndes . I wotte

936

ffor he is sothefast . suthfast

938

And the ende of his dedyn i-dyȝht

939

And this all abowte thou well be-se

940

And . wold

941

boryn of a.

942

become

944

in to heele ever

945

other

946

And calleth mon his leve brother

947

myslyche i-gon and unȝemed

948

londe . i-flemyd

949

syst

950

mayst not of thiself ha k.

951

Ne om.

952

And syker be thou here-oon

953

That he that woll . leve

954

him brynge and lede to is o. lond

955

And soone herkyn thou to me

956

I

957

ffor my . weryn

958

is lyȝht . beryn

959

To mercies bone

960

forthe I am i-c.

961

I . þe om. sue

962

And I-chulle . take

963

have

964

I-chull crave

965

ffor now I am

966

Ther|fore I-chull crave

967

And am fre of byrth in every towne

968

Men owghton to here

969

ffor I have kept

970

lawes withowte

971

I-chylle . batell

972

And sycur make the of . ful om.

973

ffor I-chull over alle that fyȝht

974

And the maystry have alle with ryȝht

975

Ne on erthe thow nedest to thenk els n.

976

good

977

wheche frensship whose taketh

978

When God alle thys world shalle deme

979

That us sch. so meche swetnesse

980

And so gret vertu of

981

And theke bysenes . lytull tellit

982

And sylden in the w. this vertu is do

985

And . and pacyens

986

Lovyn . mekenesse &

987

ffor when a mon ȝevyth him to the worldys weele

988

And goodys fallyn to him mony and fele

989

He thenketh no good in maner thyng

990

to bryng

991

And when worldly godys han the mastri (a last om.)

992

Hit maketh mon so rebell and hye

993

That he waxeth wonder prowde

994

mysdyth . boþe om.

995

He wylneth no thyng of largenessse

996

lordship . hyenesse

997

vertu of

998

Alle . prude . forȝetyn

999

Thes synnes mow not Crist sue

1000

ffor thei beth of evyll vertue

1001

And whos his vertu levyth nowght

1002

Whi shuld he wyllen o.

1003

Of his . kyndome

1004

That he thorgh plee and bataylle wone

1005

And ever aȝeyns his byddyng woll do

1006

And aȝeyns here soulys allso

1007

And . prude . hienesse

1008

And loveth nothyng b.

1009

Therfore . han

1010

fro

1011

dowt for he that aftur hym don

1012

Lest they shullen the way aftur hym gon. After 1012 H. has 2 vv. more: But ȝef thei hem amende Of that that they dude God afende.

1013

But to this I graunte welle thou

1014

That hit may befalle to a mon

1015

To have . lordship & gret

1016

townes . ryches

1017

And may ȝet Goddis wylle don and holde

1018

And lyve well God to plese and he w.

1019

And byn in charyte and b.

1020

sothenesse . riȝhtwesnes

1021

wyllyt not els

1022

al om. and his love so clere

1023

How . aske

1024

How that . god om.

1025

And how

1026

And by whom oure ryȝht aȝeyn come

1027

Lusteneth

1028

ȝow telle

1029

Tho that . bor (I- om.)

1030

& so d. fynde

1031

riht om. nothyng wyst

1032

But forte ha be lord & s. was his tryst

1033

ere was, but

1034

þat om. boren (I- om.). to om. was come

1035

fynde sye hym mon and in monis wede

1036

But he wyst not . ne of what dede

1037

He sey him mon and knewe that he was of monkynde

1038

But never to synne Cryst had myende

1039

devyll . swiþe om. art thou

1040

Whether . comyn art

1041

Alle . wyde om. ȝeve.

1042

And thou wolle abowe & worship me. Latin om.

1044

I am thy Lord thou shalt fynde me so. Lat. om.

1045

What thenketh the, mayst thou not understond

1046

Seyde the fynde, I am Lord of alle this londe

1047

And therof in sesyne longe I ha be

1048

hie . ȝeve

1049

I knowe . I wot

1050

But of the ny of thy thowght.

1051

Sykur thou takyst full mychill on honde

1052

beneme . londe

1053

na no pouer

1054

Wenest thou . beneme

1055

þorw om.

1056

ffulle fast . thei con it dyȝht

1057

wo so breke . hest

1058

ever be myne . synne lest

1059

And on endeles dethe he shuld dye

1060

And the k. of h. of ryȝht nyl not wrye

1061

What woldest thou seche f. b.

1062

be|speke. Lat. om.

1063

onswered

1064

And seyde that f. myȝht not be holde

1065

Ac om. Thow thiself formest dedest hit b.

1066

monkynne

1067

seydes the tre was him

1069

And ȝef he wolde

1070

And wolde Goddys beheste lete

1071

ffor om. alle

1072

And om. He shuld deth suffer never non

1073

or ells he hede be

1074

I trowe reson hit nere

1075

That thou hadest.

1076

And woldest not holde anont the H 2 vv. more: The covenand that thou shuldest ha do, Thou foule fynde, monis fo. Lat om.

1077

O I am . fynd

1078

I am . overcome

1079

comyth

1080

Syche . seche

1081

so bold darst be

1082

To . aȝeyns.

1083

I have all i-l. anon

1084

But so hit may not.

1086

That is in my p.

1088

I wot not with whom I shuld desseysed be. Lat. om.

1089

Swete Ihesu tho con segge

1090

And om. I wolle . for-bygge

1091

buggen here (to his f. om.)

1092

shull cost . dere

1093

quod

1094

Bote as . heere that he go

1095

Vt

1096

ryȝht, quod . good om.

1097

Ne om. I kepe no thyng to-ȝeyns r.

1098

Ne thorgh mastry beneme the hit

1099

Lat. om. Quod the fynde and er he delyverd be

1100

Thu . as myche worth

1101

is worth at thys f.

1102

thyke . shulle. Lat. om.

1103

Blythelyche . al om. do.

1104

lytille fyngur

1105

seche a

1106

alle the . i-syn. Lat. om.

1107

fynde to Ihesu tho

1108

I wot

1109

ffor all the world deme thou myȝht

1110

ffor of the my pouere is lost by ryȝht.

1111

ȝeve thi fyngur . sygge

1112

So fowle and unworthy chaffere to bygge. Lat. om.

1113

O quod Ihesus and alle . to h. ransom

1114

han him

1115

ȝit om. don er . have him

1116

Thow most suffre on e. wondur & wo

1117

amende

1118

suffre dethe . strong om.

1119

onswered to

1120

Alle . i-sayde hit shall.

1121

to be

1122

aftur and ȝef the dome tho

1123

I woll ȝet

1124

that thrall

1125-6

Tho the fynde wyst well this That thorwgh is deth mon shulld ha blys

1127

And so the fynde wes overcome

1128

i-nome

1129

And the worme swolewe that the last

1130

Then he is . i-teyed

1131

O . take hede . me inst. of þe

1132

truly . loved

1133

thole deth and pyne withowte

1134

fro p. and

1135

misdede

1136

evyll inst. of lodliche . ur

1137

synne dede

1138

Ne with fylth was fownde . stede

1139

ffor alle . lymys . ever hade mon

1140

Seth A. to syenge furst b.

1141

He wolde . alle om. I- om.

1142

makyn . al om.

1143

ffor oure gret gult here

1144

A crowne . thorne

1145

oure syȝht myspende allso

1146

eynen . blynwherved

1147

alle . was om. de|fouled

1148

And allso with g. boffettys they him s.

1149

vnwreste & om. so vyle

1150

They ȝevyn him galle to dryng and eysile. After 1150 H has 2 vv. more: The Iewes deden this to him for gret vylny, Bote he suffred hit alle pacyently.

1151

ffor unlawfull werk us avonde

1152

He was peersed thorgh foot & honde.

1153

evyll thowghtys . ful smert

1154

A speere was smyte thorgh is syde to is hert.

1155

thonne for us do

1156

telle of his soore

1157

No mon is hit may thenk hit so

1158

Syche peyne he tholed and wo.

1159

is hit but he m. ha.

1160

Of seche a frynde that hade so gre cherite.

1161

Seche buth . dyntes

1162

suffred . withoute

1163

And he suffred . to be b.

1165

he suffred . hondred fold

1166

Of sorewe . when . dye wold

1167

eny fynd

1168

Legge . hond om.

1169

lovyd

1170

That he onnethe wold weynde hit fro

1171

ne for no

1172

That he wes hurt and peyned with ever|more

1173

Tyll his f. wyttys wer i-l. utryȝht

1174

strength

1175

his s. & his h.

1176

His . his

1177

his . he om. wes browght to an ende

1178

Er the soule fro . wolde wynde

1179

Kynde myȝht for no maner thyng

1180

Han suffred the halfondele of that peynyng

1181

But

1183

honged

1184

To the fadur his soule he ȝyf with mylde voyce

1185

showed

1186

payed

1187

withowtyn

1189-90

om.

1191

And ever M.

1192

Mercyfull

1193

ffor deyl I may not hit say

1194

peyne . hoe tholed theke

1195

But

1196

Wes fulfylled thon (þo bi om.)

1197

As hit were with a swyrde in theke stonde

1198

Thorghe here sowle she hade gret woonde

1199

But here . hondred

1200

Tho here sone fro d. aryse w.

1201

nowght nere the p.

1203

She sye oponly . in om. thyng

1204

and the endyng

1205

the whiche . fynde

1207

Oure trowth and oure b.

1208

Stode alle in oure Laydy tho

1209

the dysciplys were

1210

But oure Lady wes ever in on

1211-12

In fast beleve both stylle and lowde, Ther myȝht nothyng brynge here owte

1213

full of

1214

Mayde clene full of bewte

1215

Oure b. in heere tho wis (!)

1217

sheo . heere

1218

That us forbowght of thrall thus.

1219

Whan I herd now

1220

meche

1221

conselth

1222

he dede

1224

overcome hit to an e.

1225

Ther nes never no mon

1226

forbigge

1227

And he

1228

Ther we ichon come may

1229

abovone inst. of come

1231

nou om.

1233

i-syn

1234

he may . els byn

1235

But oon

1236

theke

1237

is

1238

þe God om. I er seyde . þe om.

1239

Thre persons in Trynite

1240

And oon God in Maieste

1241

Me may as clerkys con rede

1242

I-syn that he is God by his dede

1243

dedys . dede

1244

Wer om. . he dede inst. of I-meynt . in f.

1245

Now tak hede . myst i-syn

1246

That this thyng may well byn

1247

ffor who so hede . swyrd

1249

þe om. fyre dede

1250

Tyll hit w. red bernyng in that stede

1252

While . brande

1253

to-dele . styell

1254

steell fro the fyre to thro

1255

who so . þe om.

1256

Too kyendes he may syn and of w.

1257

steyll . kervyth

1258

barneth

1259

alle . one swyrde

1260

And allso hit faryth of.

1261

To kyndes . wyte

1262

very . very

1263

He shewed gret myraculle and privete

1264

chane

1265

gestnyng . he om.

1266

turned watur in to

1267

were

1268

With . bade fylle hem

1269

As by his monhede he bade do watur theryne

1270

And by his Godhede he t. the water to wyne

1271

And all this dede wes don

1273

owher that . ȝode

1274

Muche om. ffolk him sewed bothe evyll and goode

1275

þat om ffyve thousond folk he fed

1276

Wyth tweye fysshes and fyve loovys of bred

1277

relyf . left

1278

ther were

1279

that b. to-breke

1280

haþ om. fulfylled eke

1281

syn (I- om.)

1283

That foure dayes long

1284

Lay in is towmbe that he stonk

1285

lowde

1286

come

1287

Riht om.

1288

areysed

1289

dede . i-syn

1290

byn

1291

That God . made and dyȝht

1292

that sw. mayde aliȝht

1294

hope . trowthe

1295

He is thre persons in Trynite

1296

And oon God in unite

1297

han herd

1299

And . no mon may

1300

Ne thowght

1301

this hie

1302

myche

1303

hevyn heȝh

1304

In erthe & benethen fer & nyȝh

1305

Bowen . thike

1306

Therfore this vertu no mon telle con

1307

Of his m. ne of

1308

a om. that aryvede (!) fleth

1309

towchin

1310

that that I

1311

hade i-lore

1312

The blys of paradys and hevynne

1313

fynde hede syche

1315

But for monkynde the w. was wr.

1316

And the fynde . underbrowght.

1317

Seche

1318

alle

1319

was no mon . goodshipe

1320

holyshipe

1322

And ȝet the fynde ladde

1323

But

1324

Hath him

1325

Ouercome and shent

1326

with him to ha done

1327

he dede of

1329

herbifore om.

1330

In helle that he myȝht hem spylle

1331

crosce as Cryst honged he con c.

1332

his soule ha nome

1333

But ȝet

1334

of h. anowre

1335

the inst. of Godes.

1336

and there i-bonden him f.

1337

is g. is s. ȝode

1338

To helle for hem . hade

1339

longe hadyn

1340

longed to goon out of that styde

1341

ȝatys . alle to-breke

1342

te-dasshed alle . fyndes

1343

The maystri of helle he hede anon

1344

drowgh out alle hisen

1345

beleved his comyng

1346

servid . hert trysti and true

1347

Seche streyngthe wes . I- om. er

1348

shalle be

1349

moost

1350

fynd . this

1351

The fynde was armed f. strong

1352

And wyst f. long

1353

Bote Cryst with his strengthe him o.

1354

And his gret prey

1355

Therfore thus seyth Ysay

1356

And profecyeth

1357

myȝhtfull . byn

1358

no mon may thenk ny syn

1359

ne om. redyn

1360

hert thenk is . dedyn

1361

owt him to

1362

to love. ful om.

1363

He is . shild

1364

and all oure

1368

That he ȝif . savyn

1369

alle oon . dede

1371

han herd

1373

But

1374

clepud . profecy

1375

is to c.

1376

ffor om. Whill he on erthe here to walk nome

1377

fulfylled . thyng

1378

holy . byddyng

1379

Now . shull i-heryn

1380

i-holpe weryn

1381

synged . furst om.

1382

ete

1383

And all that thorgh Adamis kynde gete weryn

1384

bere . we om. beryn

1385

they hadyn his cors

1386

hit myȝht not els falle

1387

furst

1388

fflesshely of him we comy[n] uchon

1389-90

And for the synne that Adam in Paradys dede, All we that of him come shuld ha byn in sory stede

1391

grave (!)

1392

ȝeynbowght thorgh gostli

1393

to om.

1394

alle quemed

1395

by alle ryȝht

1396

That us so helpeth and us so hath dyȝht

1397

he om. wassheth

1398

And forbowght us hevyn to wynne

1399

Ther was never fadur to his child

1400

nas om. meke and myld

1401

ffor from

1402

ȝede

1403

tymes

1404

Er that he to aryse ches

1405

ȝet he rose up on the

1406

Erli in the marnyng on a Sonday

1407

When . to|breke

1408

This beryȝth Seynt Austyn wytnes and thus doth speke.

1409

And Cryst with him drow

1410

levedyn

1411

ffro

1412

And then he

1413

showed sone

1414

ȝete . drong and ȝode

1415

dayes . wes . fully

1416

his lawes sycurli

1417

Opon a day the dysciples were

1418

I-gedred to-gedre all in fere

1419

In a certeyn place ther hem among he come

1420

Of here m. hem he u.

1421

wonhope . they weryn

1422

And ȝet they syen him lyves mon

1423

þo om. ȝet myȝhten they

1424

Verely belevyn hit

1425

But ȝet here dowte to us doth be-heve

1426

ffor hit fasteneth.

1427

ffor to us this dowte is sicurnesse as I fynde

1428

Of the misbeleve of Thomas of Iynde

1430

Beleve that Cryst aȝeyn rysen was

1431

Tyll he hede i-hauled (!) is wondes wyde

1432

Longes

1433

i-syn his wondes . wete

1434

That he hade with nayles thorgh the fete.

1435-6

om.

1437

I wot.

1438

Lord . God

1440

Thu levyst this . syst

1441

I-blessed mote all tho byn

1442

That this belevyth and don hit not syn

1443

Oponliche thyke same day

1444

ffast and sycor he made oure fay.

1445

dysciplys . ȝete

1447

bad . togedur to gon

1448

Thorgh the w. to prechyn uche mon

1449-50

om.

1451

That they shuld be-levyn in God Allmyȝht

1452

And his lawes folewyn as hit is ryȝht

1453

ffadur nome. in₂ om.

1454

holigostys that precedit hem fro

1455

Thawgh mon were now i-boren (eft at þe frome om.)

1456

To h. he myȝht not comen, H. adds: But he beleve in God ryȝht welle, And that shall him save fro helle.

1457-8

ȝef he i-folewed be and be [of] good lyfe, Thawgh he dye his soule shalle be in no stryfe.

1459

ffulle opynly . showeth us beforen

1460

iche . most twyes be boren

1461

And ȝef he shull twyes boryn byn

1462

Onus of oure modur furst we mot be boryn

1463

And efte of the watur of vertu

1464

Therto us ordeyned s. I.

1465

And om. When we this Crystendam han i-wys

1466

Vr sotheli fadur then he is

1467

we alle then . byth.

1468

Sykor un|kyndely he dyth

1469

seche a. ne om. loveth not

1470

He of the appull ȝete never r. n.

1472

Oure herytage

1473

lawes

1474

Of oon p. therof he hath not m.

1475

Ther nere never i-wyst ne holden

1476

Hent he him|selvyn come w.

1477

furst . that ever

1478

He br. . us benome

1479

But another that come fro hevyn without feyn

1480

He hath us get

1481

fflesshely wes the furst m.

1482

myche . apon

1483

out om.

1485

But o. gostili fadur

1486

Browght us aȝeyn

1487

When he downe fro hevyn come

1488

to hye

1489

He that . to the erthe him beyȝh

1490

He that fro. he om. steyȝh

1491

hali . that all folk him seyȝh

1492

That by him stode full nyȝh

1493

The way to us he made i-wys

1494

When he steyȝh to hevyn that holi blysse

1495

A sothefast way and to ever-duryng lyfe

1496

His feyre pray he hadde him wythe

1497

out of h. with him nome

1498

To meche ioy and blys he made hem come

1499

To that ioy and blysse . wynde

1500

Ther to lyvyn w. eynde

1501

dede

1502

is . and byth oon God ther

1503

Thre persons in Trinite

1504

And oon God in unite

1505

well inst. of mon

1507

And thawgh . these

1508

Byn syndry seyd as they shuld be

1509

On . w. dowte

1510

Maker of alle this world withinne and without

1511

Ioy, honoure, worship and lovyng

1512

Be to that God oure hevyn kyng.

Instead of the last vv. in MS. Vernon, H. has the following further passage explaining how Jesus is prince of peace: [This passage is found in the French text, except the 15 tokens, which were added in the Engl. translation, the 2 last (vv. 1597-1612) being, however, adapted from a passage in the Fr., where vv. 1619-46 precede v. 1597.]

Lusteneth ȝet forther of Ysayes spelle, ffor now ȝe han herd me telle How swete Ihesu oure fadur wes: Herkenyth how he is now Prince of Pes. Line 1516 Beforen I tolde ȝow uchon How he is into hevyn i-gon: Ryȝht so, the sothe truly to syggen, He shalle aȝeyn come this world to iuggen, In bodi and soule and Godhede, Line 1521 To deme bothe queke and dede. [vv. 1523-96 added to the Fr.] But fyftene dayes before the dome ffyftene tokyns ther shull come. Line 1524 The furst day the see up ryse shall And stonden on hye as a wall, ffourti cupetys herre i-wys Then eny hill in the world is. Line 1528 That other day heo wole i-sonkyn byn, That eny mon unnethe may here i-syn. The thrid day heo woll be notheles As full as heo furst wes, Line 1532 And then woll whalles and grete fysshes with fynne And all other smale fysshes that byn ther-inne Gedryn hem on the watur uchone; But that wot no mon but God allone What is the betokenyng Line 1537 Of the loude cry and ȝeiyng Thet heo wolleth with loude stevyn ȝevyn and crye up to hevyn. Line 1540 And on the fourthe day heo shall With red fyre brennen alle, And alle other watrys in every stede Shullen brenne as red as eny glede. The fyfthe day the tren that don stonde And floures and erbis in uche londe, Blod thei shullen blede Line 1547 In stede of here dewe, withoute drede. The sixte day byth not bold Palyse ne pylere ne no strong-hold, Castell, toure, boure ne halle, But thei shulle to-skatur and down|falle. Line 1552 The sevynth day the stones uchon Wolle lepe to-gedre and fyȝht anon, That thorwgh the fyȝht that there woll byn Line 1555 The stones woll breke and all to-flyn. The eyȝhte day betokynth gret wrache, All ȝende the world the erthe shall quake, Line 1558 And men wolle flyn into uche hurne, The erthequake shall be so loude and sturne; And on thylke dredfull byttur day [vv. 1561-6 taken from the Fr.] The pepull woll crye weloway, Line 1562 And sey to monteynes: 'falleth on us! Erthe to-clyf and hyde us, That we this fere and erthequake ne syn, Line 1565 How wroth oure creature woll byn.' ffor in alle hye hevyn-blys Non so holi ne so good is, Line 1568 Patryarch, apostelle, ne martire, Confessor, ne virgine with so feyre attyre, Prynce, potestate, ne angell, Ne non so bryȝht archangelle, Line 1572 That nold never synne done, But he shall dredyn aȝeyne that dome; ffulle sore mowe heo then dreden That byth alle full of synfull deden! The nynthe day alle the valeis that byth, Line 1577 And the hylles that we so hye syth, Shull be made smethe and playn, And into here kynde shull they not turne aȝeyn. Line 1580 The tenthe day shull all manere men Gon out of here holes and of here den, And renne abowte as they were wod, As they cowthen nowther evyll ne good, Line 1584 Ne thawgh here hert shulde to-breke, On word myȝht not oon with other speke. The elevynth day the mone and the sterres alle Shulle adown to erthe falle. Line 1588 The twelfthe day the bones of uche ded mon Shull come togedre uchon, Line 1590 Thawgh they be dryvyn nere so wyde, At here byrynes [From A.-S. byrgen] here soules they shull abyde. The threttenyth day all maner men Shull dyen anoon that lyven then, That heo mowe togedre with other aryse Line 1595 And takyn here dome of God ryȝht|wyse. The fourteneth day, ther may no thyng werne, [In Fr., 1597-1618 follow after 1646.] But alle the world on fyre shall berne,

Hevyn and erthe shull byn aleyde, [Fr. enflambirunt] And the foure elementes shull be un|teyede; Line 1600 ffor thike fyre shall clansyn the eyre And makyn all thyng bryȝht and feyre, And all the world shan (!) i-clansed byn; Line 1603 But watur ther shall no mon eft i-syn, Ne never fyre in the world me syth, When that fyre shall ben aquenchith. The fyftenethe day God wol taken Hevyn and erthe, and all hit newe maken, Line 1608 Not otherweys then hem beforen wrowght— Loke thou thenke ne wylle hit nowght— But he wole newen hem i-wys Line 1611 In bettur state then heo weryn i-wys. Ther-aftur Ihesu wole his dome demyn. The angeles shulle come and blowe the bemyn. ffurst shull in body and soule aryse Alle that dyedyn in his servise, And all that eke that shull to the blysse fonde Line 1617 Shul furst aryse and on the ryȝht syde stonde. [In Fr. 1619-46 follow after 1522.] Then shall Ihesu come ryȝht this, And his body tornen and showe to us What peyne he suffred for ur sake Line 1621 And how lodlyche he was for us i-take, Wyth scorges i-betyn withoute gryth, That the blode barst oute on icha lyth, And how vylensli he wes ladde ȝet, With crowne of thornes on his hed set, And how he suffred that the nayles stode Line 1627 Thorgh fete and honden into the rode, And how the spere that him wonded smerte Browght blod and watur from his hert; And then Cryst woll clepe and calle And sey: 'thus myche I suffre[d] for ȝow alle.' Line 1632 Then helpeth ther no pledyng there, Ne forsakyng, ny answere; Ne helpyth us ther castell ne toure, Nowther palyse, halle, ne boure; Line 1636 All thyng then shall torne to nowght That is with monis hond i-wrowght. Ther shull the synfull quake And here tethe togedur hacke and shake. Line 1640 Ther may segge thenne no mon But that uchon shull seyn here mar|tyrdom, And beforyn hym his iuggement sycorly Shall byn i-wryten apertely, [al. Fr.] Line 1644 And allso his synnes ther shull be knowe Tofore alle maner men bothe hie and lowe. [In Fr. here follow 1651-6, 1597-1618.] Then woll swete Ihesu to hem be-syn That shull that day i-saved byn, Line 1648 And sey with mylde stevyn and swete: "When I was hongry ȝe ȝeve me mete, When I was afurst ȝe ȝeve me dryng, When I was nake ȝe ȝeve me clothyng, When I was herberlasse ȝe herberde me fayne, Line 1653 Bothe in heete, in cold, in wynde and rayne, And ȝe comforted me in prison eke, And loked to me when I was seke: Comyth, my blessed children uchon, And receyvyth the blysfull ioy anon That to ȝow byth rewarded withoutyn endenge ffro this worldis begynnyng." Line 1660 Then shulle the blessed byn receyved [r. reysed, Fr. raui] an hyȝhe In hevyn to walke Ihesu nyȝhe. And the cursede shull in erthe byn, Of hevyn-blys they shull no-thyng i|syn, Line 1664 But ȝet wyth the up-receyveng [r. reysyng, Fr. rauissement] they shulle agryse When the saved shull upryse, So wery, so wrecched, so lodlyche, I-charged with synne so hevyleche, That all hevyli on the erthe they shull steke, Line 1669 When [r. O þat? Fr. Deske] thei heryn the domesmonis speke. Wyth gret and grymfull wrathe full sone Thei shull heryn a full hard dome: "Goth with the develys and accurssed bestes, Line 1673 ffor ȝe heded not my lawes and my hestes, Into the fure that shall last for euere; ffor ȝe han disserved here non other!" [Fr. 4 vv. more.] The blessed shull blysfull gon In bodi and soule everichon, Line 1678 As bryȝht as ys the sonne, withoute fayle; Never hem nedeth to have travayle, But ioy and blys that shall laste ever|more. In good tyme the[i] were i-bore Line 1682 That to that feste mowe takyn That God wole with hem in hevyn makyn! So myche ioy shall byn at theke feste, That ever withouten ende shall leste: ȝe, more ioy then hert may thenkyn,

Or eye i-syn, or ȝere i-herkyn; Line 1688 Seche ioy God hath i-grethed there To hem that han loved him here. And when they byth so endeles, Line 1691 Thenne he is aryȝht Prince of Pes. But theke that byth into helle i-nome, Thei shull never out come, And in theke stynkyng deth [r. dep] -pytte Thei shull byn i-pyned and to peyne i-knytte. Line 1696 In gret sorewe and pyne thei byth full sore: ffor thei lyvyn in wanhope evermore [Fr. La premiere peine si ert tristesce] — Thei wolde dyen ȝef thei myȝhte, But ȝet here soule may not thorgh ryȝhte. [vv. 1699-1700 added.] Line 1700 Uchon others peyne shall i-syn, That here peyne shall dowble byn. Another peyne they shull have of derknes, With gret sore and gret hevynes. [Fr. La tierce sera peuur] And the four[th]e is fyre that may not be queynte, Line 1705 And in stynkynge watur they shulle be dreynte, [vv. 1706-8 added.] And pycche wallyng ever among. Wayleway ever shall byn here song. flor hidor or thidur wher-sere heo turne, [Fr. E puis hidur de ver le diable] They syn the foule fynde in uche horne; Line 1710 That he lothest were to syn, He shall ever to-foryn hem byn. And the stenche is over-alle there so strong, [vv. 1713 and 5 added.] And byttur wormys there styketh among, Neddris, snakys and taddis there strykyth, No place shall he there i-syn that him lyketh. Line 1716 Evermore withoutyn ende they shull be wepyng, And wrynge here hondes with gret weyl|yng. [Fr. Cruissant de denz reschinerunt] Then shall the systere sey to the brother, The fremed and the sybbe uchon to other: Line 1720 "A, waryed wrecche, what [H whad] doost thou here? A-cursed be the tyme thou i-boryn were! I may not for nothyng suffre the, So foule thy synne stynketh on me. ffor [mi]-nowne gret synne I styke in pyne, Line 1725 But a thousonde-fold more I suffer for thyne! Ȝe, but thou waryed wrecche forlore, Accurssed be the tyme that thou were i-bore! Line 1728 I am for-styfyd [= stifled] among, Thi synne stynketh on me so strong!" Thus shall uchon to other menyn his sorewe Ever withoutyn ende on evyn and morewe. Line 1732 [vv. 1733-6 added.] Thawgh the[r] sete [H the fete] a mon for the nonys And he myȝht lestyn [H leftyn] in flesshe and bonys, Half the sorewe he myȝht not telle Ne the peynes that byth in helle. Line 1736 Ther is nowther solace ne love i-wys, Ther is wepyng, pyne, and sorewe withoute blys. In theke foule stynkyng pytte Line 1739 They shull in sorowe for ever be knytte. Long is ever and long is oo, But thei shull never come out of wo. [1741-2 added.] The fynde shall here prince byn that they served er, Sore withowten ende peyned they shull be ther.— Line 1744 Ihesu in hevyn, as I seyde before, Is [H As] Pryns of Pes and shall byn ever|more; His pes shall falle [r. faile] never, And his ioy and his blys that is ever. Love, swetnesse, and pley Line 1749 In hevyn hit neweth fro day to day. The furst ioy that there shall byn, The blessed shall hit i-syn Line 1752 The swete face of his Lorde there, His God and his shapere; In his feyreship he may him showen, [Fr. s'esmirra] And all thyng in him may knowen. So full he shall byn of ioy and skyle That he shall have all that he wyle; What-sever he wylneth, withouten gabbe, Line 1759 Be-se on him and he may it habbe. Of hevyn he may i-se the wydnes, The feyreshepe and the heynes; And he may i-se the dereworth quene, Goddis modur so bryȝht and shene, The swete ma[i]de Seynt Marye, Line 1765 And all the feyre company Of angels so feyre and bryȝght, They woll makyn him ioye with here myȝht; Line 1768 The apostlys and the martiris, The confessors and the virginis, Alle wolle him ioy makyn— Well is him that thidur may takyn! And alle is fryndys he shall knowe there Line 1773 That he hede in this world here, ffadur and moder, syster and brother;

Miche ioy everichon shall make with other, Ȝe, more then eny hert may under|stonde, Line 1777 When thei hem syn in theke londe. So myȝhti thei shull byn everuchon That whidur thei wolle thei may gon. [1780 and 1784 to be transp.] And thei shull be so lyȝht and swyft That whidur-sever they thenk they may be lyft. And so slye and crafty [Fr. si sotils] they shull byn alle That thei shull do all thyng that in here hert doth falle. Line 1784 And where-sere the toon the tother metyth, With lovely chere thus he him gretyth: 'I-blessed be the Lord that the wrowght And hidur to this blysse and ioy the browght! Line 1788 I-blessed be the tyme that thou i-bore were, So myche ioy I have that i se the here; So myche blys I see on the That all my blisse neweth me!' Line 1792 Thet other answereth him anonryȝht: 'Ever i-blessed be God Allmyȝht, That seche ioy hath i-ȝeve to the; Therfore my ioy doubleth me. Line 1796 On the I se mychelle ioy and blys, That all my ioy newed is; And ever here is myrthe and gret song, And ever I se oure shapere among, That i-like himselvyn us hath wrowght Line 1801 And sethyn to this ioy us browght! Mi ioy is doubled an hondred-fold, ffor I have all that I wolde.' Line 1804 Meche is the murthe that is at that feste, That ever withoutyn ende shall leste. He that is lest feyre there Shall shyne as the sonne for ere [r. so clere] ; No nyd is thenne that sonne [H sinne] be there i-wys, [v. 1809-10 to be transp.] They shull [r. That shall] shyne seven-sythe bryȝhter then heo now is. When all thei shull be so bryȝht, Then by alle maner of ryȝht Line 1812 He most be feyre and bryȝht and more clere That more deserved that ioy here. So mony wonynges me may ther i-syn, And gret compani of angels that woll ther byn Line 1816 In the ioy so mony and so ryche: In diverse ioyes never oon other i-lyche. [The French text has 54 vv. more at the end.] In which ioyes God, of his hiȝ grace, In hevyn ȝeve ȝow alle a place. Amen.

Here endyth the Castel of Love,
Made i-wys for lewde mennis behove.

APPENDIX TO No. XXXVIII.

The Myrour of lewed men. [Edited before, but very imperfectly, by M. Cooke, R. Grosse|teste Carmina anglo-normannica, Caxton Soc. 1852.] A free version of Robert Grosseteste's Chateau d'Amour, by a Monk of Sawley, in Yorkshire. MS. Egerton 927 (Yorkshire dialect).

[This introduction is written in red. In the MS. final t, f, g have a thin tag (t, f), which I omit; ll is given by ll, h by h, d by d, k by k; don may be doun and done.—The MS., 8, vellum, written in the latter half of the 14th cent., only con|tains this poem, in 28 foll., each page à 24 lines; it is written in the large, clear northern type, is carefully executed, and is most likely a fair copy of the poet's own MS. It must, how|ever, be noted that the scribe frequently leaves out single words. "The Myrour of lewed men" is the title given at the end. The poem can hardly be called a translation: it condenses the narrative, adds from other sources, and introduces, not very happily, passages treating of points of Christian doctrine (10 Commandments, &c.).] IN the name of the fader and the son & the haly gast. Here begynnes a romance of englische of the begynnyng of the world and of al that a lewed man has nede for to knawe for hele of soule. this romance turned [a] [name om.?] Munk of sallay out of a frenche romance that sire Robert, Bisschope a [r. of] ly|coln, made; and eked mekel therto, as him thoght spedeful to edificacion and swettenes of deuocion, and lering of lewed men. And here is no thing sayd bot as haly writ says and grete doctours: and therfor thou that redys this, and any comfort has ther-Inne, pray god be way of charite to haue mercy on him that turned it in this maner. And if thou couayt to loue god and to plese him, take [this] mirrour and loke oft ther-Inne.

WHo-so wele thinkes, wele may say, ffor of gode thoghtes comes gode dedes ay. God send vs thoght to his plesyng, In whos fre wil hynges all thyng. Line 4

Line 4 He is god and lord of myȝtes mast, The fader and sone and haligast; In godhed are thise persones thre, And all are on god in trinite; Line 8 None is othir of thise persons thre, Bot alle are on god and ay sal be. Oure mede is to trowe this with stable thoght, Al-be-hit that mannes skil proues it noght; Line 12 Bot when we sal se god clerly, Than sal we knawe this witerly.

Of the begynnyng of the world.

GOd in vj dayes made bothe erthe & heuen, And, to make haliday, cessed at the seuen. Line 16 Heuen was occupid with angeles kynde, Euermore on god for to haue thair mynde— Bot many thorgh pride fel in to helle, Thar sal thei all with-outen ende dwelle. Line 20 Bothe sunne and mone [mor] briȝt thai ware Then seuenfold then thay now are, And all erthli thing more vertuous, Bi-for Adam thurgh synne was vicious; Line 24 And ilk a best sul[d] haue bowed to mannes will, Had he neuer bi way of synne don none ill. When god had the world so parfit made That no partie of hit defaut hade, Line 28 Then of erth he made Adam, of man age, To his liknes in saule he was & his ymage. Of a rib of Adam syde, when he lay slepand, God made Eue, that sho to him suld ay be kepand. Line 32 Of on god made al man-kynde, for ilkon suld loue other And non til other do wrong mor then til his brother. [vv. 33-4 added.] What lyf myȝt mor [r. mor ioyful?] be schewed to man in charite Then in saule make him lik to the haly trinite, Line 36 Make him lord of al the world, ful of vertueȝ, & wise, Make him eir of heuen-blis & sette him in paradis, Thare he and all that come of him myȝt leue with-outen deyng, If thay vse the frut of lif & kepe wel godes biddyng.

Of all the trees of paradis bi goddis biddyng thei suld ete, Line 41 But the frut of the tre of wetyng of gode & ille thei suld lete; What tyme as thei ete of that, thai suld forfet thair heritage & be oblischid to deth & helle-payne, thai & all thair lynage. Line 44 Bot, if thai had kepid wel all goddis biddyng, Thai suld haue leued ioyfully, & all thair ofspring, Til thai had ben tan til heuen, to fille that fair place That thurgh pride of lucifer & his feres voyde was; Line 48 Thare thai suld haue had mor ioye than hert may thenk or tunge telle, & neuer non of thair kynd suld haue suffride payn of helle.

Of the losyng of the world thurgh synne.

WHen adam & eue sesyn hade in the blis of paradys, The fende, for he hade that ioye lost, enuy had to thair delice. Line 52 Then he come in neddir liknesse to eue with a wommans face, & sayde: "whi bad god ȝe suld noȝt ete of all trees that ther was?" "Of all the trees," quad eue, "that thar is, we may ete at oure liking, Out-tan on that is forbod, paraunter for dred of deyng." Than sayde the fend: "ȝe sall noȝt deye therfore, god wot it wele, Line 57 Bot as god [r. godis, cf. v. 576.] sall ȝe be, knawand bothe gode & yuell." Eue sagh that the frut was gode & ful gretly lykand: Sho tastid sone, & gaf therof till her owen husband. Adam wolde noȝt greue his wyf, bot sone he ete with hir. Line 61 Alas, that synne oblisched vs al til wikkid hell-fire! Sone thai were put fro that place to sorow & to care, That neuer myȝt no creature recouer it mare. Line 64

Line 64 Alle thing vnder heuen made was to mannes solace, And therfor, syn he synned, all thai lesse vertue has. All man-kynde for-thi was put to thraldom of the fende, And bounden all to his prison ay with-outen ende. Line 68 How may thrall with riȝt clayme a thing of fre heritage? With his lord may he noȝt mote, ne non of his lynage. Thus was all this world lost; ther was no help in creature. Bot god wist what was his wil, that of all thing has cure. Line 72

Of the ten commaundements. [This passage is added to the Fr.]

THen with the x commandements god forbed all synne & taght man how he myȝt him gret mede wynne. The first is, to worschipe on god and no mo. This biddyng sal be vnderstanden so Line 76 That it forbedes all mamettrie, And also all maner of sorcerie. Mammentrie is, to do creature that honour That thou suld do all-onely to thi creatour, Line 80 That is, worschipe him for him-self ouer all other thing. A seint sal thou worschipe for he is his derlyng. Ymages in the kirk that thou on lokes, Are to the as to the clerk are his gode bokes: Line 84 Thou sal not worschipe thaim bot for thair [r. that?] sake That thei bringe to thi mynd thi prayer to make. The second is: tak not the name of thi god in vayn. Ilk fals oth, vnleful & idel [swering om.?] is ther-agayn; He is ay in peril of synne dedly Line 89 That sweres bi goddis hert or any party. This biddyng forbedes alle heresy, And also all feyned and fals ypocrisy. Line 92 The thrid is: thou sal kepe wel thi haliday. That is thus mekel openly for to say: Put fro the synne & bodely werkyng, And gif the to god with hertly prayng. Line 96 Tak kepe here that on halyday marchandyse Lettes man oft of goddes seruise. The ferd is: worschipe thi fader & thi moder.

Be way of kynde thes two may noȝt be the to dere; To thaim ogh thou buxumnes & honour, Line 101 And also in thair [nede] help and socour. And haly kirk is thi moder gastly, And the keper of thi saule thi fadir, sot[h]ly; Line 104 And who so is thi warldly lord or thi kyng, Is taken for thi fadir in this byddyng. The fift is: thou salt no man sle vnlaghfully. That is to say, nother bodely ne gastly; Line 108 ffor ille ensaumple, hate, & bakbityng Are ille to thi neghbur gastly sleyng; Hurtyng bothe gastly & bodely is forbed, And wernyng of mete to the pour in peril of ded. Line 112 The sext is: thou sal don non auoutrie. And this forbedes all maner of lecherie, Bot it be betwix the & thi wyf with gode entent, ffor to kepe the lagh of god in that sacrament. Line 116 The seuent biddes that thou sal no thing stele Ne non othir mannes gode agayns his wille dele. This forbedes fals cautels, deceit, and maystrie, That mas many to loise his gode vnriȝtwisly; Line 120 And who so harmes any man in this maner, Sal noȝt be saf, bot he make asseth at his power. The aghtend is: bere agayn no man fals witnes, And in tyme & maner skilful layne thou sothfastnes When it is noȝt lefful & nedful to say, Line 125 And al lesyng eschue as wele as thou may. The neyghend is: thi neghbur hous sal thou noȝt coueit. In this is forboden assent to wrang & deceit. Line 128 The tend is: thou sall noȝt ȝerne another mannes wyf, His seruant ne his other thing, that may helpe his lyue. Here is forbeden alle maner of wikked couetyse That myght harme thi neghbur on any-maner wise. Line 132 If slik thoght come to thi hert, thou sal noȝt assent, Bot euer agayn-stande with gode auysement: And then sal thou noȝt falle in dedly synne, Bot ilk a tyme a croun of gret ioye wynne. Line 136 Thurgh this ten thou may wynne gret ioye, & eschewe payn.

Bot more help mot open heuen-ȝates the agayn. Who-so suld agayn blis to man [r. mankynd?] wynne, Him behoued be a man that myȝt noȝt synne, Line 140 And he most ay fulfille alle goddes wille And neuer in thoght, word, ne dede don non ille; Slik on myȝt, if he wald, a gode raunson wage And bye agayn both man & [r. & mannis?] heritage. Line 144 Bot slik a man in erth myȝt neuer be made, If he of all creatours all vertues hade.

Of the restoring of the warld.

A Kyng ther was of souerayne worthines, fful of mercy & wysdam & all godenes. Line 148 A sone he hadde, knewe all his wille, And myȝt and wald al hit fulfille. Thai were ay bothe al on substaunce, And betwix theim was no distaunce; Line 152 What as the fader wald haue amendyd, By his sone godely hit suld be endid. ffour doghters hade this grete kyng, That fulfillid all his likyng; Line 156 Thai were of his substance ilkon, And all that substance was bot on. Thai foure doghters thurgh comune assent Parformed al his iugement. Line 160 Bot if thise foure vse ay wele thair myght, May neuer no rewme be rewled right. The names of thaim with-outen les Are: Mercy, Sothfastnes, Right, & Pes. Line 164 Mercy, when sho hade parceyued How all man-kynde was deceyued Thurgh the fende that be foul treson Has geten him to his prison Line 168 And euermore with enuy Will torment him as enemy, Sho was so stered to compassion That sho wald deliuere that prison. Line 172

Line 172

Here spak Mercy.

THus til her fader sho began To pray him for synful man: "Dere fader, kyng of myȝtes mast, Thi doghter y am, wele thou wast, Line 176 fful of myknes, swetnes and pite; Dere fader, all thes haue y of the. Now here my praier for this prison, That he may be put til his raunson. Line 180 His enemys with thair falshede Has put him to so gret nede That he may neuer saued be, Bot thurgh mercy and gret pite. Line 184 Thair falshed may gretly letted be, And that prison be ȝolden to me. Dere fader, mercyful is thi name, And y thin eldest doghter ame; Line 188 That y were thi doghter, myȝt y neuer say Bot y wald euer for sinful man pray. Thi mercy thurgh riȝt sall he haue, And thi gret mercy sal him saue. Line 192 I sal euer crie mercy to the Til that wreched prison deliuerd be. Dere fader, my praier may noȝt be lette, ffor y am ouer all thi werkes to sette." Line 196

Here spak Sothfastnes.

WHen the second sister, sothfastnes, Hade herd, mercy thurgh here swetnes Wold sone bye the synful prison agayn That sho hade iugged to ay-lastand payne, Line 200 Sho sayde: "dere fader, thi doghter am y, As ner sib to the as is my sister mercy. Mercy of no thing may wele gife the dome, Bot if y, sothfastnes, with her come; Line 204 Hir praier may noȝt be herd of the Bot if hit acordand be with me. If all hir prayers suld ay be herd, Neuer no shrewe for the sul be ferd, Line 208

Line 208 Ne neuer punist no wikkednes: That is gretly agayns riȝtwisnes; ffor he suld haue no mercy That is dampned riȝtwysly." Line 212

Here spak riȝtwysnes.

THen riȝtwisnes, the third sister, sayde: "Dere fader, in me is all dome laide; I ne may noȝt spare to say to the, All that sothfastnes telles to me Line 216 I mot dele to euer-ilk-one, Gode or ill after thei haue done. Thi wikkid seruant is in prison, As he was demed with gret reson. Line 220 I may noȝt fro this sentence vary Bot I to riȝt wald be contrary. Mercy ne pite is non [r. man?] worthi, ffor that he lost thaim wilfully."— Line 224 Alas catyf prison, now has thou no frende Bot mercy, that praies for a gode ende! Sothfastnes has accused the, And riȝtwisnes has dampned the; Line 228 Thou & all that of the come To helle-fire has herd ȝour dome. Thin enemy gret stired the to trespas, And riȝtwisnes of the no mercy has, Line 232 And mercy may noȝt be herd. Ther-for pece may be ferd. When no forgifnes may be, Thai may noȝt dwelle in cuntre. Line 236 All mankynde dyes and is put to payn, Bot Enok and Ely that sal come agayn. Gret dole is to think on this, How al mankinde fordone is; Line 240 Sothfastnes & riȝt has geuen thair iuggement, Bot mercy & pees were noȝt of that assent. If all go bi reddure of riȝt & sothfastnes, How sall mercy and pes shewe the kinges godenes? Line 244 If al be thaim one deme sothfastnes & riȝt, Mercy, pete & pece sal loise al thair myȝt.

¶ Here spake Pece.

NOw pece to the king begynnes to say: "ffaire gode dere fader, thou has loued me ay, Thou art endles of pece prince & also king, Line 249 And euer in pece salt thou be, for ther [is] thi dwellyng; If y for debate suld away fle, Thou suld haue no place lykand to the. Line 252 Mi two dere susters now haue thai me forsaken, And mercy with thaim two ȝit haue thai not taken; With-outen vs thai be thaim-self han gyuen a iuggement, That suld haue ben gyuen trewly with comen [MS. cōe, r. commune?] assent. Ther-fore hit sal noȝt ben of recorde Til we four ben all of on acorde. All erthly thing is made for gode pece, And with-outen [outen on the margin.] hit may ben non ese. Line 260 Iustisry is neuermore nedeful Bot when it is to pece spedeful. How suld right & sothfastnes auaile When thai wil noȝt call me to thair counsaile, Line 264 Ne mercy my sister that ay so gode is, That withouten hir no gilt amendid is [r. nis] ? Ther-fore out of cuntre wil I fle Til my thre sisters acorded be. Line 268 If sothfastnes mete with mercy, Then sall kis riȝtwisnes & y. The prison calles euer vppon mercy, And mercy for him wil ay to the, king, cry Line 272 Til for him be paied al his raunson And he be deliuered out of prison."

¶ Here spak the Kinges sone.

NOw the kinges sone has wele sene That debate is his sisters betwene Line 276 And hit may noȝt wele be amesed Bot in to his hande it be sesed. He says to that myȝty kyng anon: "Dere fader, thou and I are all on, Line 280 On substance, on wysdam, & on powere, And god, while the holy gast is oure fere.

All on in substance if we be, Neuer-the-les in persons we are thre. Line 284 Thurgh me the warld thou made of noȝt: Thurgh me agayn let hit be boght! Mercy has so mekel moued me That of that prison I haue pite. Line 288 Dere fader, I wil don al thi wille And punysch al that is don ill: I sal take the clething of that wretchid prison And priuily for him sal I paye raunson: Line 292 Of his kynde wil I become And for him wil y take dome; More payn then riȝt & sothfastnes wold haue Wil y suffre, that prison for to saue. Line 296 On this maner sothfastnes and mercy Sal sone be made gode frendes verraly; Also pece and riȝtwisnes Thai sal kis with gret swetnes." Line 300

¶ Here spak the autour.

WHo-so redes this romance, Trowe in god with on substance. Bot on is god & persons thre, Non othir thing in god may be. Line 304 ffour sisters that we before rede, Are foure vertues in the godhede: To foure doghters thai haue lyknyng, ffor thai procure all gode doyng; Line 308 Bot all thai are on god of myȝtes mast, He is fader and sone and haly gast. If thou trowe this wele & stedfastly, Thou may haue mede ay-lastan[d]ly. Line 312

¶ Here spak the king. [This passage is added.]

THe kyng has herd his awen sones speche, That of all the warld is a god leche; "Dere sone," he says, "thurgh the I made all thing, And all the warld hynges in thi keping; Line 316 Thou, & the haly gast, with me Dose all gode dede that done sal be;

Oure dede may neuer departid be, ffor all on god in kynde are we thre. Line 320 All only thou sal take manhede. Bot all we thre sall do the dede, Riȝt as two virgyns clethes the third And ȝit none of thaim bot on is cled. Line 324 Dere sone, this was oure al thre [r. althre?] purpos & curage When we made man to oure liknes & ymage; This hight y to Abraham and to dauid, And my prophetes acorded ther-with. Line 328 If mankynd sal out of his prison wynne, A man mot for him dye that has no-maner synne, That is of myȝt to ryse fro dede to the lyue, And his with him out of prison ryue; Line 332 And siche myȝt ther be neuer non Bot he were bothe god & man. Dere sone, if thou wil dye & suffre payne, Bothe aungel & mankynde may be ful fayne. Line 336 That souerayne grace and meknes Sall be so ful of swetnes, That neuer may man wele haue in his mynnyng Bot he be sterid to loue the ouer al thing, Line 340 And titter be reson his hert suld brest Then he for any thing suld breken thi hest."

¶ Of ysaies prophecies.

Off ihesu crist telles ysay To all mankynde verrayly: Line 344 How a child is born til vs, And a sone is gyuen til vs, His name sal be callid wonderful, Counsellour, & god, & strenghtful, Line 348 ffader of the warld that sal come, And prince of pece sal be his nome.

¶ Here spake the autour.

Iff any best in shap passed cours of kynde, A wonder in that wald many man fynde; Line 352 Bot if a parfit man were a parfit as, Mikel more meruayl wald man say it was;

Bot more maruayl may who so can How verraily is on bothe god & man. Line 356 ffor he wald saue mankynde that fouly was lorn, Child of a nerthly woman wald he be born. Syn god in erth for loue of man wald mak his halle, Nede it was to make it best & fairest of alle. Line 360

¶ How ihesus entred in to a castil.

THer-for a castel has the king made at his devys, That thar [= dar] neuer drede assaut of any enemys; He sette hit on a whit roche thik & hegh, With gode dykes al aboute, depe and dregh. Line 364 Men may neuer with no craft this castil doun myne, Ne may neuer do harme to hit no-maner engyne. This castil is euer ful of loue & of grace, To al that any nede has, socour & solace. Line 368 ffour toures ay hit has & kernels fair, Thre bailliees al-aboute that may noȝt apair. Nouther hert may wele thinke ne tung may wel telle Al the bounte & the bewte of this ilk castell! Line 372 Seuen barbicans are sette so sekirly aboute That no maner of shoting may greue fro with-oute. This castel is paynted with-out with thre-maner colours: Rede brennand colour is a-boue toward the fair tours, Meyne colour is ymyddes of ynde & of blewe, Line 377 Grene colour be the ground, that neuer changes hewe. Thes colours both [MS. beth.] [fer] & nere castes so mekil liȝt, That, when men behaldes thaim, comfort mekil thair siȝt. Line 380 The castel al with-in, who-so may hit knawe, Ay is blaunched als whit as any dryuen snawe. ffour fair stremes in hit out of a welle springes ffro myddes the hegh tour, thai fille the dykinges; Line 384 So fair and so gode that liquour ther is That he that drank oght therof myȝt haue mekel blis. A chaier of yuor ther was sette in this ilk tour, With seuen grees vpward, with worschipe & gret honour; Was neuer non half so fair in this warld sene, Line 389 Ne neuer non so semly hade prince ne quene;

Hit was made sotilly, & al be compas cast, The raynbowe enuyround it al stedefast. Line 392 The kynges sone has made it for his awne se— Was ther neuer non so fair ne neuer-more sal be.

¶ What betokenes this castil.

THis castil of solas & of socour Is hir blissed body that bar oure saueour; Line 396 Hit was made for refuyt to all manes kynde— Who-so fles ther-to, socour sal he fynde. The roche whit & fair with his stablenes Line 399 Is the hert of hir in al halynes, That sette hir to serue god with-outen any drede [The next leaves are misplaced.] In souerayne clene meknes & clene maydenhede. [folio 14] The grene colour bi the ground, that wil so wele last, Is the treuth of oure lady, that ay was stedefast. Line 404 The meyne colour in the myddest of this castil walle Was stable hope to come to grace, that saue mankynd sall. The rede colour abouen, brennand in the siȝt, Was brennand loue of god & man, that gyues mykil liȝt. Line 408 No wonder if [MS. of] this castil ware ful whit with-Inne, ffor the hert of that may was neuer foulyd with synne. The four toures gret & strong, that fair were to se, Ware gastly strenght & sobernes, riȝt & sutilte; Line 412 Thes four vertues stekes out al maner of wykkednes And kepes fast with-ynne al that is godnes. The baillies, on ay with-ynne a nother in thre stage, Are clene maydenhed, & moderhed, & in [om. in?] trewe spousage; Line 416 Woman with thes thre bot seint mary was ther neuer non; Bot who-so sal be sauf of synne, of thes he most haue on. Seuen barbicans fair seuen vertues calle we, That in oure lady suffred no vice for to be: Line 420 ffor gret meknes in hir hert venquist ay al pride; And hir gret charite enuy myȝt not abyde; Hir discrete abstinens fordid al glotonye;

And hir clene maydenhed suffred no lecherie; Line 424 Wikkid couetyse in hir hert myȝt neuer dwelle, ffor wilful pouert in hir hert keped the castil; Pacience in hir hert euer was so prest That synne of wrath ther-in myȝt neuer haue rest; Line 428 Ther was so mekil in hir hert of comfort gastly That ther myȝt neuer synne of slewth dwelle ther-by. The fair welle in the castil that filles ay the dykes, Is grace in goddes moder that synful man ay likes. Line 432 Thou that myster has of grace, go to this spring-welle; Who so help has of hir, sal neuer go to helle. [vv. 435-446 freely added.] Make the dykes of meknes & of gode wille And four stremes of that grace sal the sone fille: Line 436 On streme euermore sal the clene wasch of synne that is past, Another agayn temptacion sal make the stedefast, The thirde sal stere the to do werkes of charite, And the ferd sal bere the to blis that ay sal be. Line 440 This welle is euermore springand mercy & pite; If thou haue no part therof, it is al lange on the. The trone of yuor is the saule of oure swete lady; Seuen grees that lys therto, are werkes of mercy; Line 444 The raynbowe that bendes ouer with his colours thre, Is the myȝt that couers hir of the haly trinite. No wonder if this castel were ful fair in siȝt, When god, the sonne of riȝtwisnes, wald ther-in liȝt! He come thurgh the cloise ȝate, & when he went clois it was; Line 449 Riȝt as the briȝt sonne-beme comes & goos thurgh the glas. [folio 15] Al that man nede has of [is] in this ilk castell; He that help has of hit, has ynogh of wele. Line 452

¶ Here spak the autour.

GEntil lady of this castell, Let me my myscheue to the telle. Moder of mercy & qwene of pite, To synful man thou art ay avowe: Line 456 Ther-for at thi ȝates now y lye, Thi help and mercy for to crye;

Mercy sal y fast crie befor this louely tour, Euer til I fynde sum of thi socour. Line 460 Hope of help me made hider for to fle When thre gret enemys fast pursued me: On is the foule fende with al his companie, That puttes forth pride & wrath & gret enuye; Line 464 The secund is the fals warld with many schrewed gyse, That shotes ay at me sharply with all couetise; The third is myn awne flesch, to me a gret enemy, That prickes me with lecherie, sleuth, & glotony. Line 468 Welle of mercy, I be ded & sone al fordon Bot a streme of thi grace come to me sone. Lady, let me lye in thi castel dyke And wasch me wele ther to thi seruant like: Line 472 Then, if myn enemys wil me assaile, In traist of thi gode help y tak that bataile. In this castil ihesu crist tok of the mankynd: Line 475 Ther-for hope y euer her [MS. hir] socour for to fynde; Here hid god his gret power in mannes liknes & laide enbuschement for the fend & al his wikkednes. [MS. wilk|ednes] Thou art the ȝert of aaron that bar the faire flour, When thou in clene maydenhede bar thi creatour; Line 480 Thou art the stegh of iacob thurgh wham is gate to heuen— He may hope wele of help that deuoutly wil the neuen. The Kinges sone of al this world ligh the with-ynne ffor to saue & socour wel al synful man of synne.— Line 484 Now he has acorded alle his sisters foure, And pece is cryed for man heghe vp in the toure. Now god & man are to-geder both in O person; Now has man ynogh wharwith to bye him fro prison; Now on man more parfit & withouten lak Line 489 Than euer was Adam ar he goddis biddyng brak, He is fre to plede for vs & al oure riȝt dereigne, And no creature may haue cause vp-on him to pleyn. In token of the prince of pees, when he til vs come, Pees was ouer-al in the world, & reuling was in rome; Ioye is sungen now to god vpon hegh in heuen Line 495 And pes in erthe til al man that are of gode wil euen.

¶ How ihesus was gode counseillour. [folio 13]

NOw, man, behold thi saueour, Howe he was gode counseillour, To bringe the to thin heritage That was forfet thurgh outrage. Line 500 If thou wil ay folowe his rede, Thou sal eschue ay-lastand dede And so recouer the ioye of heuen, If thou wil folowe his counseill euen. Line 504 When he for the become man here, He fand the a thrall, of no power ffor to recouer that thou had lost, Bot he for thi riȝt wold pay the cost. Line 508 Then souerayn meknes and charite Schewed ihesu [MS. xprist] christ, thi lord, for the; "Dere brothir," he said, "of the I haue pite grete, That al thi fair heritage fouly is forfait. Line 512 Neuer-the-lees fal noȝt in despeir, ffor of that heritage y am heir; To double riȝt hit falles to me: [515-522 al. Fr.] The ton of thaim y may wele gyf the; Line 516 If thou wil kepe my comaundement, Thou sal ay haue it verrament. ffor I am god, blis is bounden to me so fast That y may neuer fro me hit cast; Line 520 ffor I am of adam kynde & with-outen synne, I may clayme his heritage & bi skil hit wynne. If thou wil [overlined.] ouer al thing riȝt hertly loue me, And loue thin euen-cristen for the loue of me, Line 524 All thin enemys the agayn sal no-thing auaile, And y sal sone for thi sake to me ta this bataile, If thou wil hald [in] thi hert how y for the sal fiȝt. Mi ȝok sal ay be swete to the, & my birthin ful liȝt. Lerne at me, for I am mylde & also meke of hert." Ther-to may mekel help ay wilful pouert: Line 530 Meknes is a verray token of him that is in grace, And pride an euidence of him that charite non has; He that settes his hert to mekel on riches, Line 533 Thai drawe him sone te pride fro vertue of meknes.

¶ Here spak the autour.

NOw sues that man his lordes counsail That al to the contrary dos trauail? Line 536 How may he socour seke of ihesu meknes, That settes him-self to mekel vpon heghnes? Ther-for drede he may that so wil him bere Of a foul falling doun with lucifere. Line 540 Neuer-the-lees a riche man with his riȝtwisnes, And he loue ay god wele in hertly meknes, He may wele saue his saule with fast fleyng of synne, [folio 12] And with werkes of mercy the Ioye of heuen wynne.

¶ How ihesus mot with the fende.

NOw here how thi lord mette [the fend] for thi riȝt, Atte last for thi loue put him to fiȝt. Line 546 When the godhede was hid in the mankynd And the fende in him no synne myȝt fynde, Line 548 He tempted him with thre thinges that made adam dede. [548-563 added.] "If thou be goddes sone," he said, "make of stones brede." "Noght only thurgh brede," quad ihesu crist, "leues man, Line 551 Bot thurgh ich word that comes of goddes wysdam." The fend sette crist on the temple & bad him lepe doun, [MS. don] Goddes aungeles to kepe him suld be redy & boun, If he were goddes sone, in handes thai suld him bere, So at no ston suld he stumble ne nothing suld him dere. "Writen," quad ihesu crist, "in haly writ y rede: Line 557 Thou suld not tempte god thi lord, when thou has no nede." The fend shewid him al the warld & saide: "this gif y the, If thou wil bowe doun to the ground & so adour me." "Writen it is," quad ihesu crist, "thi god sal thou adoure, Line 561 And only sal thou serue him with so mekil honoure. Go, satanas," quad ihesu crist, "for the am y noȝt ferd."

"And I am prince," quad the fend, "of this midlerd; I haue gode sesyn ther-ynne & of ful lange tyme, And be confermyng of god al mankynd is myne. Line 566 ffor man brak goddes bydding & of the appel ete, He sal be in payn with me euermore, I the hete; God wil not do so gret wrong to reue me my pray. If he haue any riȝt, let se what he can say! The couenant that god made, that sal I alway hold; No man for to breke it sal neuer be so bold." Line 572 "Man," quad ihesu, "hade keped al goddes biddyng, Hade he noȝt be lettid with [thi] betrayng, When thou saide til eue 'for that mete sal noȝt man dye, Bot ȝe sal be as goddes, bothe wyse & sle.' Line 576 How may thou couenant reioys [Fr. de c. jouir] be reson That thou made man to breke be thi foul treson?" "Alas," then quad the fend, "wher hade thou this connyng ffor to venquys me to-day thus with thi motyng? Line 580 Mote euermore how as thou mote will, Man sal euermore be in my prison stille, Bot if thou, be-fore he passe forth, Paye as mekil raunson for him as he is al worth." Line 584 "That is reson," quad ihesu crist, "& that ful verrailye, I wil noȝt tak man fro the with vnskilful maistrie. Loke what his raunson sal be skilfully, And I sal paye hit for him, & that ful largely." Line 588 "Better," then quad the fend, "sal his raunson be Then al this ilk warld is worth that thou now may se." [folio 10] "I graunt," quad ihesu crist, "to this couenant; ffor my lest fynger is mekil more vailiant Line 592 Then a thousand worldes, if that thai ware." "Certes," quad the fend then, "that is al my care; ffor of al this warld ay y haue sum skill, Bot in the is no thing sene at myn awen will. Line 596 And if thou wil gyue thi fynger him to bye, Than sal thou make a febil marchandie. And ȝit most thou suffre for him als mekil payn As he hade done & he in helle euer hade layn." Line 600 Ihesu said: "I sal do more than thou has ast, [= asked]

And this couenant betwix vs sal be made ful fast." Then the fend him to the dede as for his prison toke, And choked on the godhede as fisch dos on the hoke.

¶ Of cristes passion.

BEhald now the passion of cristes manhede, Line 605 How he gaf al him-self to socour the at nede, Both body & saul, & his lymes alle Lete punysch for the, when that thou was thrall. Line 608 [609-624 added.] Thre & thirty ȝere for the, to bye thi forfete, He suffred cold, hungur & thrist, & trauail wonder grete. Befor that he for synne of man til his passion ȝode, He prayed so hertly til his fader that he swette blode. He was tane as a thef, & bounden wonder fast, Line 613 & bette with hard knotty stringes whil thei wold last; ffro the croun of the hed to the fote-sole No pece of his skyn myȝt be founden hole. Line 616 ffete & hande were drawen out & nayled to the tre, As straitly, for more penaunce, as euer thai myȝt be; He was lifted vpon hegh & leten doun so fast That all the vaynes & the synnues in his body brast. All that blissed body stremed doun of blode, Line 621 ffor to wasch synne—ther was a noble flode! His saule [was] ful drery agayn the deyng, To make asseth for thi saule wikked likyng. Line 624 The sharpe croun of thornes crouned him so fast That the sharpnes of thaim in to the brayn brast, And then he henged doun his heued with mekel meknes, ffor to make asseth for mannes proudnes. [al. Fr.] Line 628 His eghen wex fade & dym & lost al thaire myȝt, ffor to make asseth alway for synne of mannes siȝt. His eres hard fals reproues with gret scornyng, ffor to make asseth fully for synne of oure hering. Line 632 His neys smelled of the Iewes snot & foul spitting That thei cast vpon his face to blode & sweting: This suffrance of ihesu crist that lord is of al thing May make asseth for all synne of oure smelling. Line 636 Bitter aisel and galle, when he was thristy, [folio 11] Drank he, to make fully asseth for mannes glotony.

When he was aght dayes old, with a culter of stone Thai karf his tendre membre away—that bi the lagh was don: Line 640 This penance of that child that was so worthi Miȝt make asseth for synne of mannes lechery. [639-42 added.] Al the body aboute with brising & beting Was punysched ynogh for synne of touching. Line 644 His hende nayled to the crosse al for thi sake May for synne of thin hend asseth ynogh make. His fete nayled thurg [MS. thurd] with yrne nayles Made asseth for al thi wikkid trauayles. Line 648 He prayed for man til his fader hyngand an the croys With bittir teres, & ȝeld the gast with a gret voys. He was both god & man ful verraily, That so ȝelded the gast lyueand the body: Line 652 ffor saule goos neuer fro the body be the cours of kynde Whyl thou may in the body fyue wittes fynde; Bot god strenghed his body to suffre more reddure Than euer myȝt haue suffred any other creature. Line 656 His hert that was clouen thurgh with a sharp spere, That may make asseth for al synne that may dere; His hert-blode & clene water was ther-out broȝt, To wasch away al enuy & al ille thoȝt. Line 660 This of ful gret mercy is sette on comon broche, And the welle of pite springes out of this roche. If thou wil forsake synne & cry mercy, Thou sal neuer faile ther-of, certaynly; Line 664 How that thou may synne with any lymme that is thine, A lymme of crist is punysched to thi medicine.— When god thus suffred dede, as we rede in boke, Line 667 The sunne sone with-drogh his liȝt, and the erthe whoke, [= quoke] And the vail of the temple euen brast in two, And the harde stones swiftly cleue also; Many a man rose than that were before dede, And al bare thei wittenes of his godhede. [vv. 667-672 added.] Line 672

¶ Of the sorowe of oure lady.

WHat sorowe hopes thou then hade his modur mary, When thing that has no reson for him was so sary!

Certes, lady, Symond swerd past thurgh-out thi hert, And the paynes of thi sone were in the ful smert, Line 676 That thi hert hade neuer lasted on non-kyn wyse Hade thou noȝt trewed stedfastly that he suld vprise. Lady, what nede was the for to make sorowe, ffor thi sone dyed synful man to borowe? Line 680 Thou wote that he sal ryse agayn thurgh his awen myȝt & with a body ful of ioye, apertely to thi siȝt. Thou wote the fend is venquist, & wetes it noȝt, Til thi sone out of helle haue al his chosen broȝt. [folio 16] ffro he dyed til he rose that [men] myȝt him se, Line 685 Alle the trewth of halikerk was stedfast in the; Alle his awen disciples of him thai were dredand, Bot the faith in thi hert ay it was lastand. Line 688 Dere lady, succour vs of dedly synnyng, ffor the ioye that thou hade of his vprising!

¶ How ihesus is almyȝti. [Fr. deus omnipotent]

HE rose by his awne myȝt, & that verraily, And shewed so that he was ihesus almyghti. Line 692 He that al this warld made first of riȝt noȝt, Man dampned agayn with his blode he boȝt. Thus has he gyuen vs a gode counsail, And thurgh riȝt venquist the fend in batail. Line 696 His lyf has shewed vs a ful redy gate ffor to entre, if we will, in-with heuen-ȝate. ffor we sul traist on him in al oure nede, He shewed vs the myȝt of god in his manhede. Line 700 Power of god and man was mellid in his dedis, And that to stablenes of oure treuth gretly spedis. Riȝt as a sharp swerd of the fire al glowand The egge kerues if he smyte, the hete is brennand, Line 704 So godhede & manhede in o person Shewed thair kyndnes [r. kyndes] to mannes reson. We rede: when he was called til a weddyng, Whan thaim failed wyne, sone at his bydding Line 708 Thai filled pottes of clene water in the stede of wyne: And thai were turned in to wyne, & that gode & fyne. When he bad fette water, he shewed his manhed, Line 711 And when he turned hit to wyne, he shewed his godhed.

ffor he myȝt haue made wyne with-outen water broȝt, Riȝt as he made, when he wald, al the warld a [r. of] noȝt. Also with fyue loues & only fisches two He fedde, as we rede, fyue thousand & mo; Line 716 When thai hade eten ynogh, all that ther were, Twelf lepes of relef ful away thei bere. His manhed to thaim all delt bret & fische, Bot his godhed ther multiplied al this. Line 720 Ȝit we rede that lazar hade [lain] four dayes in his graue When ihesu crist fro ded to lyue wald him vp haue; ffirst he grette & sithen he cryed to laȝar: That shewed that he was verray man thar; Line 724 When lazare rose fro the ded & died [r. did] mannes dede, Then was shewed that in crist was verray godhede.

¶ Of the sacrament of the auter. [This passage is added.]

GOd of all his meruailes made vs a gode mynd When he wold in forme of brede dwell with mankind. Line 728 Thurgh the vertue of cristes wordes of the sacrament That the prest reherces at his messe with gode entent, Brede in to cristes flesch, & wyne in to his blode, [folio 17] Sudanly is turned, for mannes gastly fode; Line 732 Nother brede ne wyne is after sacryng in the messe, Bot verray goddes flesch & blode, in thair liknes. Ther is of brede & wyne sauour, colour, & figure, Lastand thurgh goddes wil agayn cours of nature; Line 736 But vnder this liknes is non other substance Bot goddes body & his blode with thair purtenance. In crist god & man, saul & body, flesch & blode Are so fast knyt to-geder with kynde & loue gode Line 740 That whar that is any party of cristes awen body Ther will god be & thai all verraily. Ther-for vndir liknes both of wyn & brede Is verray both god & man that for vs was dede. Line 744 This is goddes dede, & passes mannes wit— He has mekel mede that trewly trowes hit. In this liknes gyues hit vs god, that is so gode, ffor we wald be escheu of rawe flesch & of blode. Line 748 Brede & wyne in the stomak taken to mete

Turnes in to flesch & blode thurgh kyndly hete: Whi may noȝt god then, that al thing made of noȝt And as haly writ sais many wonder wroȝt, Line 752 Turne sone in to flesch & blode both brede & wyne, ffor to be to cristen man gastly medicine? If thou receyue his flesch & blode worthily, Thou sal be as [a] quik lym of his body; Line 756 And if thou kepe the so out of dedly synne, As a cosyn of his thou sal heuen wynne. The pask-lambe in the ald lawe that al men suld ete, And man [i. manna, Hebr. man.] that god send fro heuen til his folk [to] mete, & blod that was euer offrid for clensyng of synne: Line 761 Was taken of his sacrament that oure help is ynne. All the tokens of this sacrament that we ay can fynd In the old lawe, t[h]rugh trouth of this comes til oure mynd, Line 764 & all the maruailes that god [wroȝt] ar he man ware & [comen] [om., or r. boren?] of that clene mayden & modir that him bare. If man wil with al his myȝt loue this sacrament & vse hit out of dedly synne ay with gode entent, Line 768 Nother tunge may wel telle ne hert may wel think The noble and gastly profit of this mete & drink.

¶ How ihesus is al strenghty.

NOw hast thou herd wele how ihesus is almyȝty; Here now how he is ouer al other strenghty. Line 772 This name of ihesus has so gret in him [r. in him so gret] vertu & myȝt That all in heuen, erth & helle suld til him loute with riȝt; Oft in this name god mannes prayer spedes Agayn the fend that hit ful mekil dredes. Line 776 This name is mirthe in hering, & comfort in siȝt, Triacle in mouth & in hert, that is of mekil myȝt, Socour to all synful men, & to seke solace, To him that is repentant ay ful of grace. Line 780 The fend was prince of this warld & hade man in prison Ay til our [lord] ihesu crist hade suffred passion; Ther was non so hely [= haly] that myȝt in erth dwell Bot his saule, qwen he died, suld go to hell. Line 784 Hely men were in merknes ther thai no payn feld, Bot the fend fro thair ioye agayn thair wil thaim held,

And the ȝate of paradys was agayn thaim stoken, Til ihesus with his passion hade made it open. Line 788 When the fende sagh him wele on the crois hyngand, He wend to haue made him forth ay in hell lengand; Bot sone the saul with the godhede as a fere lyon And a kyng of al the warld, & noȝt as a prison, Line 792 Come to hell & brast thair barres with his will fre, And toke out all anon with him that dyed in charite. Him calles men a lord strong and myȝty That has ay when he wil in batail the maistry. Line 796 Sone he venquist the fend & cuttyd his power, That he suld noȝt tempt vs more then we miȝt bere. Thus is ihesus our refut, strenght & socour, Our help & our hele, our ioye & our honour. Line 800

¶ How crist is oure fader gastly.

HEre now how crist was oure formfader gastly, Riȝt as adam was to man formfader fleschly. All that was of adam born, lost heuen for his synne, And all that cristes children will be bi him may hit wynne; Line 804 Baptisme has the vertu of cristes hert-blode, To make thaim his childer that wil take hit with [wil om.?] gode. Thus riȝt as al men dyed thurgh adam, So may al be quikned agayn in cristes name. Line 808 Was neuer no fader that any son so dere hade boȝt As crist, that man wesch of synne & out of prison broȝt. In fourty houres after his ded herged he helle [[1 verse wanting.]] Line 812 And apered to his disciples in many-maner wyse, To proue soth that he said that he suld vprise. He ete & drank with thaim ichon, riȝt in thair siȝt, And spak that was nedeful to thaim, mekel of gastli liȝt. And elleuen of thaim he blamed sithen Line 817 ffor thei trowed noȝt that he was vprisen. Bot it was til our faith ful heply That Thomas of ynde trowed lattly, Line 820 Til he in to crist[es] hert-wond hade put his hand; Than said he: "thou art my god & my lord lyuand."

"ffor thou has sene me," quad crist, "now thou trowes riȝt; Blissed be thai [that] trowes wele with-outen any siȝt!" When our faith was thus confermed as thou has wele hard, Line 825 Then bad crist thei suld it preche thurgh-out al the warld, And [baptize] all that wald be in trouth stedfast, In the name of the fader & the son & the haligast; Line 828 ffor ther [may] neuer non in heuen-blis wone Bot he thurgh baptyme be made cristes awen sone. In this fader was neuer no wemme of synne, The-for be him may [we] blis clayme & wynne. Line 832 Adam come of erth & band vs all to prison: Crist then come fro heuen & payed for vs raunson. When he stegh vp agayn to heuen-riche blis, He tok al the ded with him that was his. Line 836 Ther he haldes sesyn in his heritage To al that wil folow him of his lynage. Thar fader & sone & haligast Are all on god of myȝtes mast. Line 840 In siȝt of this thre persons in on godhede Sal be in heuen our gret ioye & our mede; Then sal we se in that ioyfulnes How crist, our dere fader, is verray prince of pees.— [vv. 845-954 added.] When ihesu crist of heuen had wonnen his gret riȝt, Then was sent the haligast anon, as he hade hiȝt; His disciples hertes anon he wald enspire In the fader liknes with tunges of fire. Line 848 So the haligast was send & sest thaim aboue, That of the fader & the sone is the gode loue, And is al on god with thaim in verray vnite, Bot he is third person in the trinite. Line 852 When thei were thus fulfilled of the haligast, Thai couth wele al langage & speke hit sone in hast; Thai were so confermed in trouth & al ful of grace Line 855 That for to preche goddes lawe thai dred no kinges face.

¶ Of the articles of trouth.

HEre now of the articles of our trouth that we al traist Inne, & the seuen sacramentȝ that soccours vs of synne. We sal trowen in on god of myȝtes alther-mast, That is the fader & the sone & the haligast; Line 860 None is other of this persones thre, Bot all are on god in the [MS. thre] trinite: Thes thre are on god & on verray nature, That made first of riȝt noȝt al-maner creature. Line 864 We trowe in haly kirk, & haly mannes dedes, That god ay with his grace thaim strenghtes wel & spedes In trouth & sacramentȝ & dedes of charite, Line 867 Thurgh whilk to the repentant forgifnes of synne sal be. He that trowes noȝt as halikirk, is in dedly synne, And mede in heuen in that state may he neuer wynne. At day of dome sal al mankynd vprise, [This point is re|peated in v. 891.] ffor to take ay-lastand dome on many diuers wise; Line 872 The gode sal go to heuen to ay-lastand blis, And the wikkid to helle-fire that ay-lastand is. The aghtend article is of cristes manhede: How mary conceyued him in clen maydenhede; Line 876 When the aungel gabriel come & gret hir with gode, The haligast made a body of hir clennest blode, & put a saul in to hit that al wysdam can; Then god the sone toke that & become man. Line 880 The neghend is that he of maiden mary was born & no-thing of hir maydenhede ther-for was lorn. The tend is that he suffred paynes wilfully, Al to ded op-on the crois & biryng of body. Line 884 The elleuend that crist in saule went doun to hell & toke out al his awen chosen that with him suld dwell. The twelft is that he rose fro dede on the thrid day And apperyd qwik in flesch with many tokens verray. The thrittend is that he stegh vp hegh in to heuen, Ther he sittes in manhed with his fader euen. Line 890 The fourtend is that he sal come vpon domesday And gyue riȝtwis dome to qwik & dede, that sal last ay.

¶ Of the seuen sacraments.

ȜEt the seuen sacramentȝ are nedful to kenne. ffor baptyme of al synne may soccour all men; For who as taas hit lawefully, Of synne is clensed al fully. Line 896 The secund sacrament is confermyng: That agayn the fend is a gret strenghting. The third is the sacrament of the auter, That is declared a litel befor here. Line 900 The ferth is penance ordaynd for mannes synne; This lawefully has thre parties him with-Inne: Sorow of hert, schrift of mouth, & asseth making— This thre of mede & grace bringes agayn taking. Line 904 The fift sacrament is for seke men anoynting: This is soccour agayn al uenial synnyng. The sext is ordour that clerkes has on diuerse wise, And ther-thurgh has diuerse power in goddes seruise. That seuend betwix man & womman is wedding, Line 909 ffor remedie of lecherie & childer nurishing. Thurgh gode & laweful vsyng of any of this seuen May men wele escheu payn & liȝtly come til heuen. Grace in this seuen heles man of al gastly sore; Line 913 And seuen vertues ables him that thou red be-fore. [v. 421 ff.] Seuen giftes of the haligast helpes ay his dede, And seuen maner of blis parfourmes his mede. Line 916

¶ Of the seuen giftes of the haligast.

THe first gift, dred of god, puttes fro man pride mast & makes him wele-manerd, pouer in hert and tast; & that are thus meke in hert, & pouer gastly, Crist blesses thaim alway, & heuen is thaires, treuly. The second gift is pite, that puttes out enuy Line 921 & makes man to worschipe god, his fader gastly, & goddes lawe & his neghbour for goddes awen sake, & thes gode dedes gode, benigne & myld wil him make; Thai that has vertuously that ilk myldnes, Line 925 Ay sal haue lyuyng in mekil blissednes. The third gift is cunnyng, that puttes away wrath & mas man to loue godenes, & with wikkednes to wlath,

And haue sorow for his synne & taryyng of blis; Line 929 ffor this is man blissed, & heuen sal be his; This gift of cunnyng may noȝt ful longe be With-outen gastly ioye & gret charite. Line 932 The ferth gift is gastly strenght, that puttes away slouth & to eschape all perils mas man to haue trouth; Hit mas man to suffre wel, & long to bide riȝt, & riȝt be done to god & man ȝerne with al his myȝt; & who-so has this ȝernyng & hungres riȝtwisnes, Line 937 Thai sal be ful-filled of hit & haue gret blissednes. That fift gift is counsail, that fordos couetise & in hegh thing & hard mas man of gode auyse; Line 940 Hit mas man ay gode & benigne in alkyn thinge, And rewles hym wele in warkes of mercy doyng; & all that warkes of mercy dos deuoutely, Are blissed of ihesu crist & ay sal haue mercy. Line 944 The sext gift is vnderstanding, that glotery fordos & stires to certayn [= make certain] trouth that him gastly behose, & makes him of all synne clene in hert to be; Suche men are blissid of crist, for thai sal god se. Line 948 The seuent gift is wysdam, that fordos lecherie & confortes man in Ioye of god & pes swetly, And mas man to kepe & make pees with gret besines; Siche are called goddes childer, & sal haue blissednes. In suffring oght for riȝt standes the aghtend blis, & who as euer suffres so, the rewme of heuen is his.

¶ Of antecristes commyng. [This passage is added.]

THat tyme when god wil suffre, before the [day] of dome Line 955 To tempte & pursue cristen men anticrist sal come; He sal be born in babiloyn of the kynd of dan That sum tyme here in erth of Iacob childer was an; He sal regne in Ierusalem & him-self [crist] call. Line 959 Then many of ther wretched Iewes sal fast til him fall. When he mas him god, his gode aungel sal him forsake, Then the fend sal him enspire & hede of wikkednes make; He sal feyne thurgh fendes craft nere al cristes meruailes,

Bot ay in him charite, mercy & meknes failes. Line 964 Simple men sal he deceyue with miracles doyng, Couetous with gret giftes, & gode with punysching, He sal make men as god to adour his ymage Line 967 & on thair [forehede] [a word om.: right hand or forehede, cf. Apoc. 13, 16.] bere a mark of his seruage; Who-so has noȝt that mark, sal nouther bye ne sell, Bot antecristes tyrant sal thaim to ded quell. Be reson & in haly writ it is goddes sawe: Thurgh payn sal god neuer stresse man to forsake his lawe, Line 972 Bot what as any man dos here with his fre will, Sal turne him, after it is, to gode or to ill. Betwix antecristes comyng & his gret ill doyng Sal Ely & Ennok com preche for mennes sauyng; Line 976 Then antecrist sal sle thaim in Ierusalem, & god sal raise thaim to lif & tak thaim to his leme. Bot thre ȝere & a half sal antecrist haue maistry— ffor to saue his chosen that ordayns goddes mercy. Line 980 Then thurgh goddes myȝt sal that wikked be slayn, & all chosen that trespast then sal turne agayn. The[n] ful many Iewes sal turne to cristes lawe, & halikirk sal liue in pes out of tyrantȝ awe, Line 984 Shortir tyme or lenger, til that crist wil come, To make the worldes ende & gif his grete dome.

¶ Of the day of dome.

IN the same fourme in whilk crist suffrid payn, To deme both qwhik & ded he sal come agayn. Line 988 Then sal he shewe his body stremand al on blode, & his hert clouen in two as he henge on rode, & say: "for ȝow suffred I al this gret payn. Telles now what ȝe to me has done ther-agayn!" Line 992 Allas, what may then til him synful man say That neuer wele with-outen synne spendes on day? Man sal ȝelde acompt then of al that god him sende, Body & saul, witte & gode, how he has it spende, Line 996 & of ilk a nydel word that euer he here spak; In wikked word & wikked dede then sal be gret lak. After that degre of synne or of charite That any man dyes Inne, sal he domed be. Line 1000

Line 1000 Than sal clere conscience be mekil more of told Than any gret lordship with a world ful of gold: ffor al sal then perisch that we here now make, & synful man sal for drede sore tremble & qwak. Line 1004 All synne for whilk is noȝt worthily asseth made here, Bes shewed ther al openly, to shame & gret lere. Ilk a man then sal se his dome verraily & for gret drede of god thus sal thei all cry: Line 1008 "Montayns, falles doun on vs, for to hid vs, That we se noȝt the wrath of god that is so hedous! Allas that euer were we born any thing to craue, ffor with-outen ende we are lorn, for nothing may vs saue. Line 1012 Alas, alas, & wele-away, wher-of may we ȝelp? Whe are shent for euer & ay, for no thing may vs help." Haly writ sais that befor this dome Ouer al this wide warld a huge fire sal come; Line 1016 Seint Peter sais [2 Petr. 3, 10.] that then al sal brenne Erth & water & al the warld, & al that is ther-Inne. Heuens & ayr & all the elements ffire thurgh brennyng then sal clens. Line 1020 ffire sal noȝt touche heuen in the whilk is blis, Bot other heuens that vnder hit is. The fire sal purge venial synne, Line 1023 & ful hard pyne thaim that dedly [syn] is lnne; [1021-4 added.] Hit sal fordo thing that sal noȝt endure, And make al the remanant of fairer figure. [1027-42 added.] Then al the qwik bestes sal tak thair endyng, That were made bot for a tyme of mannes leuyng. The four elements sal be fairer seuen-fold Line 1029 Then euer thai were any tyme, other newe or old. Ther sal be no chaunging fro cold to the hete, Ne non other tempest of wynd & wedirs gret; Line 1032 Al cold & hete, foul venum, fylth & stynk, ffor to punish thaim in hell, sal doun then synk. [cf. v. 1095.] The heuens sal noȝt turne aboute, bot stand ay in rest, The sunne ay in the est, the mone in the west; Line 1036 Ilkon sal be more clere seuen-fold than he was, Bot[h] to goddes worschipe & to mannes solas.

This sais god bi ysaie, that his wil wele knewe: "Lo, I make both heuens & erth all span-newe." Line 1040 This fairnes of the warld sal dampned men noȝt se, ffor thai sal be in helle-payne or that fairnes sal be. ffirst, when god wil, sall aungeles a gret noyse make, & crist thaim that are in blis sal with him take, Line 1044 Then the remanant that sal be in that blis faire, Sal be rauyst him agayn vp in to the aere. All sall ryse fro ded to lyf of Adames lynage Als in thair awen statur of thritty ȝer age; Line 1048 All goddes chosen then sal ful parfit be, With-outen any foulnes or superfluite. Then sal crist say to thaim on his riȝt honde A gode word, of all wordes comfortande: Line 1052 "Come ȝe, my fader blissed, & haues the reume of heuen, That, befor the warld was made, [was] ordaynd ȝow ful euen. Ȝe gaf me mete whan I was hungry, Ȝe gaf me drynk whan y was thristy; Line 1056 When I hade nede ȝe harbard me; When I was naked ȝe cleded me; Ȝe visit me when I was seke, And in prison ȝe wald me seke. Line 1060 That ȝe did for my loue to the lest of myne, That same ȝe did to myself, theron sal ȝe noȝt tyne." Then wikked men for heuenes of synne Sall noȝt agayn crist in to the aier wynne, Line 1064 Bot thai on the erth [sal] cristes wordes here, That sal be to thaim with-outen ende a lere, When he sais: "go, waried, in to the fire of helle, Thar ȝe in payne with-outen ende with the fend sal dwell. Line 1068 Ȝe serued neuer ioye aylastandly, ffor ȝe fulfilled noȝt the warkes of mercy."— [1071-1090 added.] Take now gode kepe here, wardly cristen man, [MS. men] & do thi saule profit als wele as thou can! Line 1072 Thurgh warkes of mercy may men heuen wynne, & thai that dos thaim noȝt, sal noȝt come ther-Inne.— Bot ther are seuen warkes of mercy bodely,

& also other seuen warkes of mercy gastly; Line 1076 Thurgh trewe kepyng of any of this seuen May a trewe cristen man wel come to heuen. Sex bodely warkes has thou befor redde, The [seuent] taght Tobie when he beryd the dede. Seuen gastly warkes, that are of more mede, Line 1081 May thou hald in thi mynd to thin awen spede: The first is for to teche the vncunnand. The second is to counsail the doutand. Line 1084 The third is to confort him that is sorowful. The ferth is to chasty him that is in synne wilful. The fift is to forgif him that has ill wratthed the. The sext is to support him that irksum is to the. Line 1088 The seuent is to pray to god for all thes hertely, That he amend thaim of thair faute thurgh his gret mercy.

¶ Of the paynes of hell. [The next passages are treated freely: most of the particulars are added.]

TVrne we now agayn, sum-what for to telle Of the orrible paynes that ay are in helle. Line 1092 Helle is a depe pit stynkand, with all myrknes: Ther the dampned ay sal be halden in gret distres. All that is in the warld of filth & of stynk, At day of dome sal doun thedir synk, Line 1096 ffor to eke thair stynkand payne, al be hit gret. ffor ther sal be of hell-fire wondir huge hete; That brennand fire with-outen ende so gretly hit glowes That al the watur in the warld may not sloken his lowes. Line 1100 Ther is als gret cold on another side: Ther sudanly for more payne in to hit sal thei glide. Thai sal noȝt haue no roume ther on be-side another, Bot all be cast on a hepe as of turf a fother; Line 1104 Ilkon sal stynk on other & double his payne, & ilkon ay to greue other sall be ful fayne. Ther sal be gnasting of teth for gretnes of payne, And euer in the hert a sorowe souerayne Line 1108 That thai haue lost for a litil lykyng of synne The ioye of the siȝt of god that al godenes is Inne;

& this worme of conscience sal bit thaim euermore & ouer all paynes ay be to thaim a sore. Line 1112 No likyng sal thai haue, shortly for to say, Bot al thing agayn thair wil that thaim gref may. & thus sal thai be punist aylastandly, With-outen hope of mercy or any remedy. Line 1116

¶ Of the ioyes of heuen.

THair ioye in heuen sal wele more be Then any hert may think or any egh se, Ne non ert[h]ly mannes ere may wele here The Ioye that god has ordaynd til his awen dere. Line 1120 This ioye sall haue then aylastand sekirnes, ffor crist, kyng of ioye, sal then be prince of pes. Ilk mannes body of thaim that god wil saue ffour fair dowers of ioye in heuen sal haue: Line 1124 ¶ ffirst the body sal be [so] parfit there, That no thing in al the warld myȝt him there [dere], All the fir of hell myȝt him neuer brenne, If he neuer so lange were laide ther-Inne. Line 1128 ¶ The second dower of the body sal be briȝtnes That man sal haue that dede [= died] in gastly clennes; Ilk a body sal be there seuen-[fold] [om.] more briȝt Then the sunne is here when it most liȝt; Line 1132 & this gret briȝtnes of the body Sal euermore cleth hit fair & honestly. ¶ The third dower of the body sal be sutilnes, ffor hit sal be so clensid of all rudnes Line 1136 That non erthly body may lette hit to passe, More then the sunne-beme is lettid be the glas. ¶ The ferth dower of the body sal be deliuernes, ffor hit sal be clensid so wel of alkyn heuynes Line 1140 That sudanly, whedir as the saul has ȝernyng, Thedir sal the body glide with-outen more letting. In thes four dowers sal thi body be so parfit Line 1143 That of all erthly ioye of hit sal be delit. [1145-1172 added.] Thre gastly parties of thi saul ioye sal fulfill: Thes are vnderstanding, a mynd, & a will. Vndirstanding that here was in trewth stedfast Line 1147 Of poyntes of oure faith that manes [reson past], [om.]

Sal in clere siȝht of god al that he trowed se, & in that souerayn fair siȝt al ful of blis be. All wysdam, al godenes, all fairnes, al myȝt Sal rauysh man to the loue of god in that fair siȝt. Man sal se in god as in a myrour Line 1153 All that he wil or may be to his honour. Ilk man as he deserued mor or lesse here, Sal haue ther ay the siȝt of god more or lesse clere; Bot al sal be so fully payd in that siȝt Line 1157 That couayt clerer siȝt non sal haue no myȝt. And thus in the saul the vnderstanding Sal ay be fulfilled of ioye & likyng, Line 1160 And this sal be in mannes saul the first dower, After that he deserued when that he was here. His will that here loued god ouer al thing & his euen-cristen for goddes bidding, Line 1164 In the loue of god ther sal be so parfit That al his ȝernyng sal be ful of delit; That loue sal be ay so gret, so gode, & so faire That nothing that may befall sal hit oght empaire. His mynd that hoped to haue ioye thurgh grace & mercy Line 1169 & dyed stedfast in trouth with-outen synne dedly, Sal haue mekil more ioye then he euer wend, & sikirnes that hit last ay with-outen end. Line 1172 So sal ilk blissed saul be fulfillid of blis That hit may nothing ȝern thare that hit may mys. He has parfit blis that has al his will, & so be that he then [MS. tben] nothing will ill. Line 1176 Ther sal nothing be that may greue, bot al liking, That sal ay last sikirly with-outen endyng. Sothly, [thes] thre dowers of the saul are the gret blis, And mannes ioye is mesurd after he has of this. Line 1180 This gret ioye is of gode loue & likyng & siȝt. Al other ioye toward this [is] of litil myȝt, As he that has the sunne-liȝt vpon a fair day, ffor many torches if he liȝt no better se he may; Line 1184 Noȝt more liȝt, bot more maners of liȝt he has, & that may be to him a maner of solace. Clere siȝt of god sal ther be mannes fode

And briȝtnes of body sal be clething gode. Line 1188 Wark sal be thare, of god a mery louyng, That neuer with-outen end sal haue irking. If adam hade lyued to the warldes ende And al the wittes of all men god had him send, Line 1192 Ȝit myȝt he noȝt haue told fully The lest poynt of that ioye, verraily. Ther sal be nothing that may displese, Bot al honeste & gode that may ese. Line 1196 [Thre] [MS. ffour] maner of men sal haue a ioye special, That is callid in haly writ of ioye a coronale; Thes thre maners are: verray martires, Alle-clene uirgines, & haly techers. Line 1200 Ilkon sal haue ther als [mekil] ioye of othir Als he were a thousand sith his brothir; Ilkon of other ioye sal haue a liking, & that sal be [to] thaim of ioye a doubling; Line 1204 This doubling sal be in noumbre a gretnes, Noȝt to the ioye before euen mykilnes. After degre of loue of god that man hade here Sal his ioye be mesurd, with-outen any were. Line 1208 Man sal haue souerayne ioye in siȝt of godhede, And sithen a gret ioye of crist[es] manhede, That he is both god & man that boȝt him with his blode & deyned to shewe to man so hertly mekil gode; Line 1212 That his brother sal euer be his lord & his god, That sal be a confort to him with-outen make od. In him-self he has his ioye of al the dowers Both of body & of saul, as clerkes vs leres. Line 1216 Of the qwene of heuen, our lady mary, That is goddes moder & well of mercy, fflour of all uirgines & avowe to mankynd, May all that are in heuen gret confort fynd; Line 1220 Amang all creatures sho has wele of all weles, ffor sho is moder of the king that al ioye deles. Sithen ix. ordres of aungeles comfortes man in blis, With thair gret myrth & ioyfulnes that thai may neuer mys; Line 1224 Sithen al maner of men that to blis wendis, And specialy all gode men frendes

Ekys [MS. Ek ys] his ioye & confort when thai are mette, And that sall ay last with-outen any lette. Line 1228 Ȝit heuen & erth & all creatures Sal be to mannes ioye, whiles hit endures. All the sorow & paynes of hell ay-lastandly Sall confort him that eschaped thaim thurgh mercy. Thus sal man in heuen ay fynd ioye & leth, Line 1233 Aboue him, with-Inne him, aboute & beneth. Ay, sais seint austyn sothfastly, Man suld forsake resonably Line 1236 All the welthes of this warld euermore & ay, ffor to haue the ioye of heuen only a day. How mekil more then suld man ay forsake synne While he lyued in erth, that blis for to wynne? The godenes of god, the fairnes, the wysdam, the myȝt, The ioye, the solace, the confort that ay is In his siȝt, Passes all mannes mynd, vndirstanding & wit, Bot if he may come to blis fully & clerly se hit. Line 1244 Ther-for he that all creatures first made of noȝt And with his awne hert-blode al mankynd boȝt, Thurgh his grace & mercy graunt vs that ioye to se, How thre persones are all on god in trinite. Line 1248

Amen.

Here endes the myrour of lewed men.

A Munk made this myrour, only for lewed mennes sake.
Thou that will se saule-hele, this thi myrour thou take!

[XXXIX. Of þre messagers of deeth. [So the title in Index. The poem was ed. before in Herrig's Archiv LXXIX, p. 432. It is an old imitation of the "Sayings of S. Bernhard," XLV.] ]

Her biginneþ a tretis Of þreo Messagers of deþ, I-wis.

ÞE Mon þat is of wommon I-bore, His lyf nis heere but a þrowe— So seiþ Iob vs heer-bi-fore Al in a Bok þat I wel knowe. Line 4

He hedde is Muynde al of his deþ, Wel sore he con grone and grunte, And seide his lyf nas bote a Breþ, Heer mou we none stounde stunte. Line 8

ffrom deþ may no mon be fre, ffor his riȝte wol he not lete. Now beoþ þer Messagers þre A-Mong Monkuynde for to meete: Line 12

Auentures, Seeknesse, and Elde— Þeos beoþ Messagers of deþ; To hem we moten vs alle ȝelde And louten þer vr Maystres geþ. Line 16

Whon Deth comeþ þat is so derk, Þer May no Mon him wiþ-stonde; I take witnesse on a noble Clerk Þat wrot þeos vers wiþ his honde: Line 20

Mors necat athletas, [MS. vetat ath letas] Ego mortis nescio metas, I[n]ter [MS. Iter] Res letas, Caueat sibi quelibet etas— Line 24

"Deþ, he sleth þis kempes kene, And kynges in heore worþly won, Riche & pore alle bi-dene, Ȝong ne Old spareþ he non." Line 28

Line 28

Þer is on of þis Messagers Þat of no mon wol take mede; He is so hardi and so fers Þat alle Men of him haue drede: Line 32

ÞE [r. Þis] Messager hette Auentours; Aȝeynes him may beo no strif; Whon he comeþ to a Monnes hous, He takeþ boþe hosebonde & þe wyf. Line 36

He takeþ þe child In his Cradel, Þeih he beo bot o niht old; Þe kniht and horse in his sadel I-a[r]med, beo he neuer so bold. Line 40

Of him beo vche Mon I-war And mak him clene, ar he beo hent; ffor þer nis no ȝeyn-char, Whon Auentures comeþ to turnement. Line 44

Mony mon lihþ in dedly synne And weneþ þat he beo not veyȝe, And Auentures comeþ wiþ his ginne And hontuþ til he haue his preye. Line 48

In dedly sunne ho [MS. he] is I-founde Wiþ-outen schrift and repentaunce, He geþ in to helle-grounde, Þer to suffre his penaunce. Line 52

Seint Poul bit we schulden awake— Þis Clerkes witen as wel as I— Þat we schulden vs clene make And of vr sinnes ben sori; Line 56

And bote we ben, we schulen abugge; Þer schal no pledur plede þat; Þer God vs fynt, he wol vs Iugge— Nou vche Mon be war bi þat. Line 60

ffor Auentures wol come as a þef Be nihte, whon men ben aslepe, And taken awey þat him is leef— Nou awakeþ, þat ȝe mowe him kepe. Line 64

ANoþer Messager þer is Of Deþ, whon crist wol him sende: Seknesse, Ichaue I-herd ar þis, Þe Messager is swiþe hende. Line 68

Line 68

Whon seeknesse comeþ to a mon, He may be war ȝif he is sleih, And greiþen his In, ȝif þat he con, And þenken þat deþ is swiþe neih. Line 72

ffor seknesse comeþ apertely, He ne dareþ not in his den; Hit is vre lordes Cortesy Wiþ seknesse for to warne men. Line 76

Mony Men, whon þat heo beoþ seke, To Ihesu Crist a clepen and criȝe And to his Mylde Mooder eke And sigge: "now þou help, Marie! Line 80

Ȝif þat we mowe be sound and saue And keuere, þat we mowen habben vr hele, Al þe good þat we haue ffor Godes loue we wolen hit dele." Line 84

We loue wel God in al vr þouȝt While we beo seeke & sore smerte; Whon we beoþ hol, we louen him nouȝt, He nis no lengor in vre herte— Line 88

Cum fero langorem, ffero Religionis amorem; Expers langoris Non sum memor huius amoris. Line 92

Of crist ne takeþ he non hede, He naþ no more wiþ him to donne; To þonken him for his goode dede, He þenkeþ no more þer-vpponne. Line 96

Suche men ben ofte al-one I-let To pleye as þe foul in þe lift, Til Auentures haue wiþ hem met, Be-Reueþ hem boþe hosel and schrift. Line 100

Men ouȝten holden vp boþe heore honden To God, while heo ben hol and feere, To sende, whon he wol hem fonden, Seeknesse to ben heore Messagere. Line 104

Seynt poul seiþ, vre lordes kniht, In a pistel þat he wrot, Þat he was strengest & most of miht Whon god him wiþ seknesse smot. Line 108

Line 108

NOw ichulle siggen ou of Elde, Of Messagers he is þe þridde. Whon Monnes hed biginneþ to elde, He may not do but beodes bidde. Line 112

And he leoneþ vppon his Crucche, Whon deþ him bekneþ, comen he mot; Hit helpeþ nouȝt þauh he grucche, He schal wiþ-stonde neuer a fot. Line 116

Also fareþ Elde as doþ a sweyn Þat stondeþ at his lordes ȝate And mot not wenden in aȝeyn, ffor þe po[r]ter þat is þer-ate; Line 120

ffor no ȝiftes þat he may ȝiuen, Ne feire wordes þat he mai speken; He worþ out atte ȝate I-driuen, Anon þe ȝate for him is steken. Line 124

Ȝif a Mon may libben heer And ben of pouwer for to go Þe Elde of ffoure-score ȝer, Þat oþer del is serwe and wo. Line 128

ffor hose wole his lyf be-holde ffrom biginnynge to þe ende, Wel ofte may his herte colde Þat not what wey he schal wende; Line 132

Wel we witen we schule be ded, Vr dwellyng her nis bote a while— Ihesu crist vs wisse and rede, Þat neuer þe ffend ne do vs gyle.— Line 136

Nou is deþ a wonder þing And grislich for to þenken on; He ne spareþ Emperour ne kyng, Ne Pope for al þe good þat he con. Line 140

Wher ben heo þat biforen vs weoren, Þat weore so mihti in heore deden, Houndes ladden and haukes beeren [Same v. in Sayings of St. Bernhard, v. 182,] An hontyng heiȝe vppon heore steeden? Line 144

Deþ hit haþ hem al by-raft, Wiþ hem þer nis no more pley. And al þat bereþ monnes schaft, Schal go þat ilke selue wey. Line 148

Line 148

Vche Mon may be sore aferd Þat haþ a soule for to saue, Whon he geþ bi a Chirche-ȝerd And seoþ wher dede men beþ I-graue. Line 152

Riche men habbeþ riche stones, Þat alle men mouwe biholde: Þer-vnder liggeþ foule bones, I-beddet al in Cloþ of colde. Line 156

Wel pore halle þer is I-maked, Wiþ-outen eny worldes winne; Saue a Clout, men beoþ al naked, Whon deþ is comen I-cast þer-Inne. Line 160

Þe halle-Roof is cast ful lowe, Þer beoþ none Chaumbres wyde; Me may reche þe helewowe And þe wal on vche a syde. Line 164

Heore bodies [r. bodie] þat weoren so softe I-baþen [strong form, analog. to laden] And I-brouȝt forþ wiþ Mete and drynk, Þer hit schal crepe ful of Maþen— In al þis world nis foulore stynk. Line 168

A Mon þat such a bodi seȝe Whon wormes hit haþ þorw-souht, He ouȝte wepe wiþ his eȝe And euere haue him in his þouht. Line 172

Þer nis non so luyte ne so muche Þat is of fflesch, blod and bon, Þat we ne schule ben alle suche, Whon we ben huled vnder a ston. Line 176

Hou may eny mon be proud ffor eny þing þat he may gete, Whon he is huled vnder a schroud, Þat þing þat is wormes mete? Line 180

Þat þing þat is vr moste fo, Þerfore we don a gret folye To loue þat þing þat doþ vs wo, And eke vr dedliche enemye. Line 184

Ȝif a Mon may libben heer As longe as dude Matussale— Niȝene hundred & nyne & sixti ȝer So longe on eorþe liuede he— Line 188

Line 188

Þat nis not also muche tyme Aȝeynes þe tyme þat comeþ afterward As fro þe sonne-rysing to prime— To sunfol men þat is ful hard. Line 192

Þat I schal seye nou takeþ kepe, I drawe to witnesse seynt Austyn: Þat a Mon schal more wepe Þat dampned is to helle-pyn, Line 196

Þen is water vnder þe sonne, And he wepe vche day a ter. Auiseþ ow now, ȝif þat ȝe cunne, And doþ þat ȝe ne come not þer! Line 200

A Mon þat dampned is to helle, His peyne may not ben for-bouȝt, Ac endeles he schal þer dwelle; Almes-dede helpeþ him nouht. Line 204

Þei alle men þat libbeþ nouþe Weore prestes Masses to synge, And duden al þat þei euer couþe, Ne scholden him of pyne bringe. Line 208

Þat ilke soule þat is dryuen Wiþ fendes in atte helle-ȝate, And his Iuggement be him ȝiuen, To bidde Merci hit is to late. Line 212

Heuene hit is vre heritage, To vre bihoue hit is diht, [Ȝif] [om.] we han do feute and homage To vre lord, as hit is riht. Line 216

Synful mon, ȝif þat he falleþ, A-Rys vp and mak þi pees, And cum to crist, whon þat he calleþ To Ioye þat is endeles. Line 220

He þat is al-mihti kyng, Þat heiȝe sitteþ In Trinite, Graunt vs alle his blessyng, AMEN AMEN par charite. Line 224

[XL. Two Songs of Love-longing.] [Title in Index: An orisoun to crist, Songes to vre lady, Orisones to vre lady rehersinge of crist what he dude and suffrede for mankynde. The two first poems (from v. 5) are extant in MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 75 and 77 (ed. in Wright, Specimens of Lyric Poets, Percy Soc. 1842, p. 57 and 68, and Böd|deker, Altengl. Dicht. 1878, p. 191 and 198); the 2nd, an imitation of St. Bernard's 'Jesu dulcis memoria' (Daniel Thes. hymn. I, p. 227), has, in MS. Vern., been divided into several parts, each headed by a stanza to St. Mary (MS. Harl. 2253 has a separate French song to St. Mary, f. 77: Marie mere al Salveour, ed. Wright), and expanded, by various additions (v. 17-44, 57|80, 141-191 &c.) and ingredients (f. i. from Testam. Christi, v. 173 ff.) into a history of the Passion, forming at the same time a corollary to St. Mary. The original poems were composed in the South, the additions in the North (by Rich. Rolle?). Another love-song of this kind, in alliterative long-lines, is contained in the prose-part of MS. Vernon.]

[I.]

Swete Ihesu, now wol I synge [folio CCXCVII] To þe a song of loue longinge: Do in myn herte a welle springe Þe to louen ouer alle þinge. Line 4

[v. 5-60 occurs as a separate poem in Harl. 2253 (ed. Wright).] Swete Ihesu, kyng of blisse, Min herte loue, Min herte lisse: In loue, lord, þou me wisse, And let me neuere þi loue misse. [7-8 H Þou art suete myd-y-wisse Wo is him þat þe shal misse.] Line 8

Swete Ihesu, myn herte liht, Þow art day wiþ-oute niht: Ȝiue me boþe Grace and [H Þou ȝeve me streinþe & eke m.] miht ffor to loue [H louien] þe ariht. Line 12

Swete Ihesu, my soule [H huerte] bote, In myn herte þou sette [H sete] a Roote Of þi loue þat is so swote, And weete hit [H Ant lene] þat hit springe mote! Line 16

Swete Ihesu, myn herte gleem, Brihtore þen þe sonne Beem: As þou weore boren [H Ybore þou were] In Bethleem, Þou make in me þi loue-dreem. [H Þou m. me here þi suete d.] Line 20

Swete Ihesu, þi loue is swete— Wo is him þat hit [H þe] schal leete! Ȝif me grace for to wepe ffor my synnes teres wete. [23-4 H Þarefore me shulden ofte þe grete Wiþ salte teres & eȝe wepe.] Line 24

Line 24

Swete Ihesu, kyng of londe, Mak þou me to vnderstonde, [H Þou make me fer v.] Þat I may In myn herte fonde [H Þat min herte mote f.] Hou swete is [H bueþ] þi loue-bonde. Line 28

Swete Ihesu, me reweþ sore Of my misdedes I haue don ȝore: ffor-ȝif me, lord, I wol no more, But I þe aske Milce and ore. Line 32

Swete Ihesu, Lord [H louerd] myn, Mi lyf, my soule is al [H myn huerte al is] þin: Vndo myn herte and liȝte [H liht] þerin, And saue [H wite] me from wikked [H fendes] engyn. Line 36

[In H precede 45-8, then follows: Suete ihesu, me reoweþ sore, Gultes þat y ha wroþt ȝore, Þarefore y bidde þin mylse & ore, Merci, lord, ynul na more.] Swete Ihesu, lord good, ffor me þou scheddest þi blessed blod [H Þou me bohtest wiþ þi blod] — Out of þin herte hit com [H orn; hit, om. in H.] þe flod— Þi Moder hit sauȝ wiþ druyri mod [H seh þat þe by stod] : Line 40

Swete Ihesu, Briht and Schene, Heere me, lord, for I me mene, [H Y preye þe þou here my bene] Þorw preyere of Marie, Milde qweene, [Þourh erndyng of þe heuene-q.] Þat þi loue on me be sene. [H Þat my bone be nou sene.] Line 44

Swete Ihesu, Mi soule foode, Alle werkes of þe ben goode; [H Þin werkes bueþ bo suete & gode] Þou bouȝtest me vppon þe Rode And scheddest þeron þi swete blode. [H For me þou sheddest þi blode] Line 48

Swete Ihesu, Barn [H berne] Best, Þi loue þou in myn herte fest; [H Wiþ [þe] ich hope habbe rest] Whon I go North, Souþ, Est or West, [H Wheþer y be souþ oþer west] In þe al-one fynde I rest. [Þe help of þe be me nest] Line 52

Swete Ihesu, wel may him be Þat þe schal [H may] in þi [om. in H] blisse se! Wiþ loue-cordes drauȝ þou me, Þat I may comen and wone wiþ þe. [55-6 H: After mi soule let aungles te, For me ne gladieþ gome ne gle.] Line 56

Line 56

Swete Ihesu, heuene-kyng, ffeir and best ouer [H of] alle þing: Bring me in to þat loue-longyng [H Þou bring me of þis longing] To [H &] come to þe at myn endyng. [H adds: Suete ihesu, al folkes reed, Graunte ous er we buen ded, Þe vnderfonge in fourme of bred, Ant seþþe to heouene þou vs led.] Line 60

[II.]

MArie Moder, Mylde Qween, Send vs grace synne to flen, Þat we mowe þi sone i-sen And euere wiþ hym in Blisse ben. Line 4

[This is a 2nd poem in Harl. 2253, fol. 77b, with the title: 'Dulcis ihesu memoria.'] Ihesu, swete is þe loue of þe; Ne may no þing so swete be, [H Noþing so suete may be] Nouȝt þat mon may þenke or se, [H Al þat [me] may wiþ eȝen se] Ne haue [H Haueþ no] swetnesse aȝeynes þe. Line 8

Ihesu, no song [H noþing] mai be swettore, [H suettere] Ne þouȝt [H noht] in herte [eorþe] Blisfollere, Nouȝt may be feeled lihtsomere [H lykerusere] Þen þou, so swete a louyere [H alumere] ! Line 12

Ihesu, þi loue was vs [H wes ous] so fre Þat hit [H we] from heuene brouȝte [H brohten] þe, ffor loue ful deore bouȝtest þou [H Þou deore bohtest] me, ffor loue þow henge [H hong] on [MS. or] Roode-tre. Line 16

[The next 7 stanzas om. in H.] Ihesu, to þi disciples dere Þou seydest wiþ ful dreri chere As þei seeten alle I-feere A luytel ar þou taken were— Line 20

Ihesu, þou seydest þat þou wore fful of serwe and herte-sore, And beed hem dwellen a while þore While þou beo-souȝtest þi ffader ore; Line 24

Ihesu, þou eodest on þi feete To þe Mount of Olyuete,

And to þi ffader, er þou leete, Þow madest a boone wiþ herte swete: Line 28

To him þou seidest: "ȝif hit may be, Deore ffader, I preye þe, Þis peyne passe a-wey from me; As þow wolt so moot hit be!" Line 32

Ihesu, þou tornedest to hem þan: And founde hem slepen vch a man; Þow beede hem waken, &, er þou blan, A-non aȝeyn þe wey þou nam. Line 36

Ihesu, þus eft þe selue boone Þat þou beo-fore bi-gonne to done, And eke þe þridde tyme sone Þow madest, wiþ a Milde mone. Line 40

Ihesu, wiþ þat þou preye gon, Þe swot of blood from þe ron. ffrom heuene an Angel lihte þon And þe cumfortede, God and Mon. Line 44

[This st. is om. in H.] MArie Mylde, freo and gent, Preye for me—þou art present— Whon my soule is from me went, Þat hit haue good Iuggement. Line 48

Ihesu, for loue þou soffredest [H þoledest] wrong, Woundes sore and peynes [H pine] strong; Þi peynes reuþful weore and long, [H Þine peynes rykene hit were long] Ne may me hit telle in spel [H Ne may hem tellen spel] ne song. Line 52

Ihesu, for loue þou suffredest so [H dreȝedest; so, om. in H.] wo Þat [om. in H.] bloodi stremes Ronne þe fro; Þi white bodi was bleyk [H Þat þi bodi wes blak] and blo— Vre sunnes hit made, weylawo [H For oure s. hit wes so] ! Line 56

[The next 6 stanzas om. in H.] Ihesu, þi Coroune sat þe sore, Þe scourgyng whon þow scourget wore; Hit was for me—Ihesu, þin ore!— Þe peynes þat þow þoledest þore. Line 60

Ihesu swete, þow heng on tre Not for þi gult, but al for me,

ffor sunnes and gult aȝeynes þe— Swete Ihesu, for-ȝif hem me. Line 64

Ihesu, whon þow streyned wore, Þi peynes woxen more and more. Þi Mooder euer wiþ þe was þore, Wiþ serweful sikynges and wiþ sore. Line 68

Ihesu, whi weore þou pyned so Þat neuer wrouȝtest wrong ne wo? Hit was for me, and moni mo, Þat þou so harde were bi-go. Line 72

Ihesu, what sauh þow on me Of ouȝt þat neodful was to þe, Þat þou so harde on Roode-tre ffor me woldest pyned be? Line 76

Ihesu, whi weore þou so gelous, So feruent and so disirrous To buggen wiþ pris so precious Wrecche Mon so vicious? Line 80

Ihesu, for vs þou henge [H for loue þou stehe] on Rode, ffor loue þou ȝeeue [H seȝe] þin herte-blode; Loue þe made [H þou madest] vre soule foode, Þi loue vs brouhte to alle goode. Line 84

Ihesu my lemmon, þou art so fre, Þat al [om. in H] þou dedest [H deȝ|edest] for loue of me: What [H Whet] schal I for þat [H þarefore] ȝeelde þe? Þow kepest not but þe loue of me. [H Þar nys noht bote hit loue be,] Line 88

Ihesu my god, my lord, [H ihesu] my kyng, Þou askest [H ne askesd] me non oþer þyng But trewe loue and herte longyng [H & eke seruyng] And loue-teres and stille [H wiþ suete] mournyng. Line 92

Ihesu my deore, my loue, my liht, [H I. my lyf, ihesu] I wol þe louen, [H Ich loue þe] and þat is riht. Do me þe louen [H loue þe] wiþ al my miht, And after [H for] þe Mourne [H mournen] dai & niht! Line 96

Ihesu, do me so loue [H seruen] þe Þat my þouht ay on [H Þat euer mi þoht vpon] þe be;

Wiþ þin eȝen lok on me, [H Wiþ þine suete eȝen loke towart me] And Myldeliche my nede se! [H Ant myldeliche myne, y preie, al þat þou se] Line 100

[This stanza om. in H.] MArie ladi, Mooder briht,— Þou darst, þou wolt, þou art of miht,— Myn herte loue, my lyf, my liht, Þou prey for me boþe day & niht. Line 104

Ihesu, þi loue is [H be] al my þouht, Of oþer þing ne recche I nouht, But þat I haue a-ȝeyn þe wrouht [H Y ȝyrne to haue þi wille ywroht For þou me hauest wel d. yb.] And þou hast me so deore a-bouht. Line 108

Ihesu, al- [om. in H.] þauȝ I synful be, fful longe hastou spared [H Wel longe þou hauest y-sp.] me; Þe more owe I to loue [H oh ich to louie] þe Þat þou wiþ [om. in H.] me hast [H hauest] ben so fre. Line 112

[The next 6 lines om. in H.] Ihesu, forsoþe now nis no þing In al þis world of such lykyng, Þat con so muche of loue-longyng, As þou Ihesu, my deore swetyng. Line 116

Ihesu, wel ouȝt I loue þe, ffor þou me schewest þi Rode-tre, Þi Coroune [H bac] of þornes, and [H þy] nayles þre, Þe scharpe spere þat þorw-stong þe. Line 120

Ihesu, of loue I seo tokenyng: [H of l. soth tocknynge] Þin Armes spradde to loue-cluppyng, [H spredeþ to mankynde] Þin hed bouwede [H heued doun boweþ] to swete cussyng, Þi syde al opene to loue-schewyng. [H openeþ to loue-longynge] Line 124

Ihesu, whon I [H when ich] þenke on þe And loke vppon þe Roode-tre, Þi swete bodi bi-bled [H to-toren] I se: Lord, do þat siht to wounde me! [H Hit makeþ heorte to smerte me.] Line 128

Ihesu, þi Moder [H þe quene] þat bi þe stood, Of loue-teres heo wepte [H weop] a flood; Þy [H Þin] woundes and þyn holy blood Heo maden hire haue a [H Made hire huerte of] dreri mood. Line 132

Line 132

Ihesu, loue þe dude to wepen, [H I. suete l. þe d. gredyn] Loue þe dude [H made] þi [om. in H.] blod to sweten, ffor loue þou were sore beten, [H y-b.] Loue þe dude þi lyf to leten. Line 136

[The whole next section, lines 137-192, is left out in H.] MArie, I prei þe, as þou art fre, Of þi serwe parte wiþ me, Þat I mowe serwe here wiþ þe And partiner of þi blisse be. Line 140

Ihesu, þi loue þou tauhtest me Wiþ swete wordes of herte fre Þat þou speek on Roode-tre— So ful of loue ne mihte non be. Line 144

Ihesu, þe furste word was, as I rede, Þat þou þi deore ffader beede Þat he forȝaf hem heore misdede, Alle þat duden þe to dede. Line 148

Ihesu, þat oþer was I-wis Þat þou seidest, as writen is: Þat þe þeef schulde haue blis Wiþ þe þat day in paradis. Line 152

Ihesu, þe þridde was of Mon: Whon þi Mooder þe schulde forgon, A Sone þou hire be-tauhtest on, And seidest: "wommon, tak heer Ion!" Line 156

Ihesu, as þou weore pyned more, Þe ffeorþe word þou seydest þore: "A," seydest þow, "me þursteþ sore"— Hit was for hem þat dampned wore. Line 160

Ihesu, þe ffyfþe word Reweþ me Þat þow seidest on Roode-tre: "Mi God, Mi God, hou may þis be Þat þou hast al forsake me?" Line 164

Ihesu, þe Sixte word hit was Whon þou seidest "In manus tuas," Be-tauhtest þi ffader in þat plas Þi soule, as his wille was. Line 168

Ihesu, In al þi peyne mest Neuere was so meke best—

Þou seydest "Consummatum est," Þyn hed fel doun, þou ȝelde þe gost. [r. gest] Line 172

Ihesu, þou seidest; "alle ȝe Þat passen be þe wey bi me, A while a-bydeþ, comeþ and se Line 175 Ȝif eny serwe is lyk to me." [cf. Testamentum Christi, vv. 93-6.]

Ihesu, þou seidest: "tel þow me, Mi deore folk, what hit may be, What haue I gult aȝeynes þe Þat þou so bitter art to me?" Line 180

Ihesu, þou seydest þenne more: "Mi deore folk, ȝe tel me ȝore, Haue I wiþ myn holi lore And gode dedes I-hurt so sore?" Line 184

Ihesu, þou seidest after ȝet: "Mi deore wynȝard, ne haue I þe set, Mi ffader blisse þe bi-het, Wiþ al my-self—what woldest þou bet?" Line 188

Ihesu, þou seidest: "hou is þis, Mi Swete, what haue I do mis Þat þou wiþ-outen eny lis Me ȝeldest schome aȝeyn Mi blis?" Line 192

[This st. om. in H.] MArie, þat slakest alle wo, Helle-peynes schild me fro, And ȝif me grace her do so Þat I from henne to heuene go. Line 196

Ihesu, ffyue welles [H woundes] I fynde in þe, Þat loue spring to drawe me [H Þy loue-sprenges tacheþ me] ; Of Rede blod [H Of blod & water] þe stremes be, Mi soule of synnes wasschen heo. [H Vs to whosshe from oure fon þre.] Line 200

Ihesu, my soule drauȝ [H saule drah] þe to, And mak myn herte [H Min heorte opene &] wyde vndo; Ȝif hit þi loue [H Þis hure of l.] to drynke so, Þat flessches lustes ben [H fleyssliche lust be al] fordo! Line 204

[The next 2 stanzas om. in H.] Ihesu, Muchel Ich owe þe: Who schal hit al ȝelde þe?

Me bi-houeþ þi-self hit be, As þou pyne suffredest for me. Line 208

Ihesu, þi loue ȝef me follyke, In myn herte þat hit stike, Mi soule hit þurle Inwardliche, Þat hit be þyn enteerliche. Line 212

Ihesu, [H Ihesu crist] do me loue þe so Þat, wher I beo or what [H & what-so] I do, Þat I for weole ne for wo [H Lyf ne deþ, weole ne wo] Ne let [H do] myn herte torne þe [H þe turne] fro. Line 216

[The next 3 stanzas om. in H. (Similar vv. occur in Rich. Rolle's 'Fourme of parfit liuing.')] Ihesu lord, Mi swetyng, Hold me euere in þy kepyng, Mak of me þi derlyng, Þat I þe loue ouer alle þing. Line 220

Ihesu, my weole and al my wynne, Al my Ioye is þe wiþ-Inne: Now and euere kep me from synne, To do þi wille let me not blynne! Line 224

Ihesu, mihtful Heuene-kyng, Þi loue beo al my lykyng, Mi mournyng and my longyng, Wiþ swete teres wepyng. Line 228

Ihesu, ȝif me [H do me þat] for þi name Pacience In peyne [H Me likeþ to dreȝe pyne] and schame, Þat to my soule is [H Þat is þy s.] note and frame; And mak myn herte Mylde & tame. Line 232

Ihesu, Al þat is feir to se, [MS. þe, H se] Þat to þe fflessches lykyng may be, [H Al þat to fleyhs mai likyng be] Al worldes blisse do me fle [H b. to leten, me] And al my tent ȝiue [Graunte, for þe loue of þe.] to þe. Line 236

[In H this stanza precedes the last 2 stanzas.] MArie, Swete Mayden [H mayde] fre, ffor Ihesu [crist] be-seche I þe: Þi swete sone do loue [H louie] me, And mak me worþi þat hit [H y] so be. Line 240

Ihesu, in þe beo al my þouȝt—

Of oþer þyng [H blisse] ne recche I [H recchy] nouȝt; Whon I of þe may felen ouȝt, Þen is my soule wel of þouȝt. [H wel y-wroht] Line 244

Ihesu, ȝif þou for-lete [H forletest] me, What may me lyken [H mi likyng] of þat I se? Blisse may non [H Mai no god blisse] wiþ me be, Til þat [H O þat] þou come aȝeyn to me. Line 248

Ihesu, þat me hast deore abouht, [249-252 H Ihesu, ȝef þou bist ȝeorne by|soht: When þou comest, ant elles noht, No fleishlich lust ne wicked þoht In to myn heorte ne be y-broht.] Al þat to synne draweþ ouht Holliche puyt out of my þouȝt, So þat I ne wraþþe þe nouȝt. Line 252

Ihesu, my soule is weddet [H spoused] to þe— Wiþ rihte hit ouhte þin owne to be [H Ofte ych habbe misdon aȝeynes þe;] , Þauȝ I haue synget aȝeynes þe, [H Ihesu, þi merci is wel fre; Ihesu, merci y crie to þe.] Þi Merci is euere redi to me. Line 256

Ihesu þi Merci, bi-leue [H I., wiþ herte þi loue] I craue— Me bihoueþ þat [H Hit bihoueþ nede] I hit haue; Þe deuh of grace vppon me laue, And worþi me make þi loue to haue. [H Ant from alle harmes þou me saue] Line 260

Ihesu, þou be al my ȝernyng, [H I., from me be al þat þyng Þat me (r. þe) may be to mislik|yng; Al þat is nede þou me bryng; To haue þi loue is my ȝyrnyng.] In þe be, lord, al my lykyng, Mi þouȝt, my dede, and my Mournyng To haue þe Euere in loue-longyng. Line 264

Ihesu, my leof, [H lif] Mylde of mood, [H of milde] Mi soule haþ neode [H gret n.] of þi good: Mak hit clene [H Tak hire treufole] and þolemood, And ful hit [H hire] of þi loue-flod. [H blod] Line 268

Ihesu, my soule preyeþ [H bidde y] þe, Let hit nouȝt vncloþed be [H Eueremore wel vs be] ; [Lines 271-284 om. in H.] Cloþe hit wiþ þi loue fre, Wiþ goode werkes þat lyken þe. Line 272

Ihesu, Beute ne aske I þe nouȝt, Ne proude cloþes nobli wrouȝt,

Londes ne Rentes, deore bouȝt, But hertly loue and clene þouȝt. Line 276

Ihesu, whonne so hit lykeþ þe, Loue-sparkes send þou me; Mak myn herte al hot to be, Brennynde in þe loue of þe. Line 280

MArie, þi sone preye hertely ffor me, wrecche vnworþy, Þat he wole enterly Graunte me his Merci. Line 284

Ihesu almihti, [H al myhtful] heuene-kyng, Þi loue is a ful [H wel] derne þing; May no mon hit witen þorw knowyng, But he hit feele þorw herte þenkyng. [287-8 om. in H.] Line 288

[The next 2 st. om. in H.] Ihesu, ȝif me þat I may see Þe Muchele good þou hast do me. And I vnkynde aȝeyn haue be, ffor-ȝif me, lord, þat art so fre. Line 292

Ihesu, þi loue and fleschly þouȝt Wonen to-gedre ne mouwe þ[e]i nouȝt, As Hony & galle to-gedre brouȝt; Swete and Bitter a-cordeþ nouȝt. Line 296

[H Ihesu, wel mai myn herte se Þat milde & meoke he mot be, Alle vnþewes & lustes fle, Þat felen wole þe blisse of þe.] Ihesu, wiþ herte I þonke þe. Þouȝ I wrecche and sunfol be, In trewe hope I preye þe, Þi Blisse & Merci graunte þou me. Line 300

Ihesu, þauh I be vnworþi To loue þe, lord Almihti, Þi godnesse [H loue] me makeþ [H m. to ben] hardi Mi soule to don [H Ant don me al] in þi Merci. Line 304

Ihesu, þi Merci cumforteþ [H þi mildenesse froreþ] me: ffor no mon may so synful be, Þat synne wol leue [H ȝef he let sunne] and to þe fle, Þat Merci ful redi fyndeþ he. [H Þat ne find socour at þe.] Line 308

Ihesu, for synful, as writen is, [H For sunful folk, suete ihesus] Þou lihtest from þin heiȝe blis [H þe h. hous]

[H Pore & loȝe þou were for ous, Þin heorte loue þou sendest ous.] In to Marie wombe, I-wis, To ȝiuen vs alle reste and lis. Line 312

[The next st. om. in H.] Ihesu, þauȝ I synful be, I haue euere trust hope in þe; Þerfore, lord, I preye þe Þat of my synnes amende þou me. Line 316

[In H this st. follows v. 384.] Ihesu, þou art so good a mon, Þi loue desyre I as [H y ȝyrne al-so] I con; Me to lette suffre þing non, [H Þare-fore ne lette me nomon Þah ich for loue be blac ant won.] Swete Ihesu, my deore lemmon. Line 320

Ihesu, euere [H forþi] beo-seche I þe, Þin Inward [H Þi suete] loue þou graunte me; Þouȝ I þerto vnworþi [Þat ich þare-to worþi] be, Þou [om. in H.] mak me worþi, þat art so fre. Line 324

[This st. om. in H.] MArie Milde, ful of pite, Prey þi deore Sone for me Þat he graunte me to be Euere in blisse wiþ him and þe. Line 328

Ihesu al swete, þat art [H ihesu] al good, Do þi loue drynke [H Þi loue drynkeþ] myn herte-blod. Þi loue me makeþ so swete [H swiþe] -wod Þat wonder blisful is my mood. [H Þat y ne drede for no flod.] Line 332

[H Ihesu, do me to seruen þe, Wher in londe so y be; When ich þe fynde, wel is me, ȝef þou ne woldest awey fle.] Ihesu, do me do þi wille, Nou and euere, loud and stille; Wiþ þi loue my soule fulfille And soffre neuere þat I do ille. Line 336

[In H this st. precedes v. 393.] Ihesu, þi loue is swete and strong, Mi lyf is al þer-on [H on þe] I-long: Tech me, lord, [H ihesu] þi loue-song, Wiþ swete teres euer a-mong. Line 340

Ihesu, ȝif þou be from me go, Min herte [H soule] is ful of serwe & wo; What may I sey [H sugge] but weylawo, Whon þou, my swete, art went me fro [H When mi lif is me at-go.] ? Line 344

Line 344

Ihesu þin ore, þou rewe on [H of] me! Whon schal my soule [H For whenne shal ich] come to þe? [347-8, 351-2 om. in H.] Hou longe schal hit here be, Þer I ne may þe, my lemmon, se? Line 348

Ihesu, þi lore techeþ [H biddeþ] me Wiþ al myn herte to loue [H louie, to om.] þe: Þorw þi miht mak hit so be, Þat þerto, lord, constreyne me. Line 352

Ihesu my lef, my lord, [H lif, ihesu] my kyng, To þe my soule haþ gret longyng, [H My s. haueþ to þe ȝyrnyng.] Þou hast hit weddet wiþ þi Ryng: [H When þi wille is, to þe hire bryng, Þou art suetest of alle þyng.] Whon þi wille is, to þe hit bring. Line 356

Ihesu, þat deore bouȝtest me, Mak me worþi to [om. in H.] come to þe; Alle my sunnes forȝif þou me, Þat I may comen & wone wiþ þe. [H Þat ich wiþ blisse þe mowe se.] Line 360

Ihesu al [H so] feir, my lemmon [H ihesu so] briht, I þe [H Þat i] be-seche wiþ al my miht: Bring my soule in to þi [H þe] liht, Þer is day and neuer [H day wiþ-oute] niht. Line 364

Ihesu, þin help at myn endyng, Tac my soule at my diȝyng, [H Ant ine þat dredful out wendyng.] Seende hit socour & cumfortyng, [H Send my soule god weryyng] Þat hit [H y] ne drede no wikked [non eouel] þing. Line 368

Ihesu, ffor þi Merci fre [H I., þi grace, þat is so fre!] In siker hope do þou me To [H At] scapen peyne & come to þe And euere in blisse wiþ þe be. [H To þe blisse þat ay shal be.] Line 372

Ihesu, Ihesu, Blessed [H ful wel] ben heo [H he] Þat in þi blisse mowe þe se [H mowen be] And haue folliche [H fulliche habbe] þe loue of þe: Swete Ihesu, þou graunte hit me. Line 376

Ihesu, þi Blisse [H loue] haþ non endynge; [H endyng] Þer nis no serwe ne no wepynge,

But pees & Ioye wiþ gret lykynge: [H Bote ioie & blisse ant lykyng] Swete Ihesu, þerto vs bringe. Amen. — — Line 380

[Last stanza om. in H.] Hose ofte seiþ þis wiþ good wille, Schal fynde grace his loue to fille; Holygost his herte schal tille, ffrom synne him bringe & ffendes ille. Line 384

XLI. A luytel tretys of Love. Of godes passyon. [Title in Index om.]

Ihesu Crist, þat is so fre, To Monnes soule spekeþ he: "Ichaue," he seiþ, "I-weddet þe, And in myn honden I-writen þe. Line 4

"Al þat in þis world is ouȝt, ffor þi loue I-chaue hit wrouȝt; And siþen after so deore þe bouȝt Þat of my lyf ne rouȝte I nouȝt. Line 8

"What miht I more don þen þis: Þen comen out of my ffader blis And suffren [MS. suffred] mony a schome, I-wis, ffor to bringe þe to blis? Line 12

"Þritti wynter on eorþe I ȝode, In pyne & penaunce, for þi gode; Atte laste I dyȝede on Roode And ȝaf for þe myn herte-blode. Line 16

"Al my bodi was riuen and rent, Mi face was al bi-spit and schent, To saue þe, Mon, þer þou were dempt— ffor al þat was myn entent. Line 20

"ffrom myn herte þorw my syde Blod and water gon þorw glyde And clanse þe of fulþe and pride— So wolde non don In world so wyde! Line 24

"In al þis world nis no mon So muche loueþ his lemmon, Þat wolde suffre pyne on Þat I for þe þolede mony on! Line 28

Line 28

"Myn herte forsoþe clef in-two ffor muche pyne and muche wo— Al for þe I þolede so, Þat þou ne scholdest to helle go. Line 32

"Mi soule, þat was wiþ-outen synne, Ede for þe to helle-pynne And leesede þe out, þat was þer-inne In serwe & care þat neuer schulde blinne. Line 36

"Whon I was sprad on þe Rode-tre, Muche was þe loue Ich hedde to þe, Elles hed ich I-leten al be; Bote loue wolde not suffre me. Line 40

"ffor loue me brouȝte out of my rest, ffor loue I restede In Marie brest; ffor loue I þolede pynes werst, ffor loue made myn herte berst. Line 44

"Whon Ich heyng vppon þe Roode, ffor loue I schedde al my blode— Þenk þeron, synful, In þi mode, Lef þi sunne and do sum goode! Line 48

"Loue made [MS. makeþ] me al forȝete Harde pynes and duntes grete, Whon I was for þi loue I-bete And as a þef bounden lad in þe strete. Line 52

"Loue made me bere þe Rode-tre On my bare scholde[r] for þe. Þe blod doun stremede bi bac & þe, Whon I dude hongen vppon þe Rode-tre. Line 56

"Mon, Mon, for þe loue of þe Mi peynes dude queme me, Þat for delyt hit þouȝte me. Do nou kuyndeliche & quit hit me! Line 60

"More for þe I-chaue don ȝete: I-chaue I-mad me þi mete And ȝiue þe my-self at ete, ffrom helle-pyne þe to gete. Line 64

"Loke what wolt þou ȝelde me ffor al þat Ichaue don for þe! Non oþer þing kep I of þe But onliche þat þou loue me. Line 68

Line 68

"Cum to me and haue my blis, And I þe wole cluppe and cus. Ich ȝiue þe al my-self, I-wis, To do wiþ what þi wille is. Line 72

"Ȝif þou hast ben fouled wiþ synne, Torn aȝeyn to me and blynne: And I þe ȝiue heuene-wynne— So loþ me is þat we a-twynne." Line 76

Now and nomeliche at myn endyng, Swete Ihesu, heuene-kyng, In þi wille ȝif me lykyng, Wiþ studefast hope & hol louyng. Line 80

Ihesu, þat art of gode forȝelde, fforȝite me nouȝt in myn elde; Ȝif me studefast hope and belde To haue þe, lord, euer in my welde. Line 84

Swete Ihesu, Lyon strong, Þow þat neuere louedest wrong, Chastise me wiþ myn owne wande And let me neuere to helle gande. [for gange] Line 88

Swete Ihesu, loþles lombe, Þat swettor is þen hony-Combe, And was boren of Marie wombe: Þou bring vs to heuene on þi riȝt honde. Line 92

Swete Ihesu, þe feireste wiht, As þou art Rihtwysnesse and riht, Ȝiue vs for þin holy miht Alle comen to heuene briht. Amen. Line 96

[XLII. Of Clene Maydenhod.] [Title in Index: Þat crist is called lemman to a clene soule. This poem was edited before by Furnivall, The Sta|cions of Rome, E. E. T. S. 1867.] Of clene Maydenhod, To be weddet clanly to god.

(1)

Off a trewe loue clene & derne I-chaue I-write þe a Ron,

How þou maiȝt, ȝif þow wolt, lerne [[line repeated in MS.]] ffor to loue þi lemmon, Line 4 Þat trewest is of alle berne And most of loue chacche con. Beo war, for he is sumdel steorne, His eȝe is euere þe vppon. Line 8

(2)

Þou art wrouht of such a kynde: Wiþ-outen loue maiȝt þou not be; And neuermore schalt þou fynde Þat is so swete and feir as he. Line 12 Ȝif þou miht hym to þe bynde Wiþ trewe loue-bondes þre, Wiþ al þin herte, wille, & mynde, ffrom þe wol he neuer fle. Line 16

(3)

Heddest þou founden such a feere [on erasure.] Þat weore so feir as Absolon, And þer-to so strong to tere As in his tyme was Sampson, Line 20 So Riche þer-to þat he were And so wys as Salomon; I-wis, to him riht nouȝt hit were [r. nere] Þat þou hast chosen to þi lemmon. Line 24

(4)

ffor monnes loue, ȝif þou beo-holde, Hit lasteþ but a luytel res, And wiþ gyle is al bi-folde, Hit is ffikel, ffals and les; Line 28 Whon þou wenest hit best to holde, Hit wendeþ a-wey as wyndes bles, And bi-comeþ wrest and colde— ffor trewe loue hit neuer nes. Line 32

(5)

Loue þat wol not wiþ þe a-byde, And þou hit desyre, þou hast wouh; Ar þou beo war, hit wol to-glyde, Hit is fikel, ffals and ffrouȝ; Line 36

Line 36 Hit is a-weyward In vche [MS. In vche in vch] a syde, Whiles hit lasteþ, vnwrest & wouh— Beo war and seo what wol be-tyde: Hit wol to-dryue as lef on bouh. Line 40

(6)

Þe loue þat wole to serwe wende, Þou do hit al out of þi þouȝt: And his loue in þin herte bynde Þat haþ þi loue so deore a-bouȝt. Line 44 ffor ȝif þou heddest al to þe ende Heuene & eorþe þorwȝ-out souht, To fynde a feere þat weore so hende As he, I-wys hit weore for nouȝt. Line 48

(7)

He is of Mood wel Meke and Mylde, ffreo of herte, strong of miht, Of glade chere, of wordes vn-wylde, Of louesum leore and Eiȝen briht. Line 52 Ȝif þou wolt do þe in his mylde And him al-one loue ariht, Wiþ-Inne þin herte wol he bylde And wone wiþ þe, boþe day and niht. Line 56

(8)

Wel more murþe is in his steuen Þen herte may þenke or tonge neme; As be þe swan þe blake Rauen, Also be him þe sonne-gleme; Line 60 No more is no þing to him I-lyche Þen Galle is to þe hony-streme. Of him is al þe Ioye of heuene-riche, Þat wiþ his grace alle þing wol leme. Line 64

(9)

Ȝif Mon be ded and he him Ryne, [= hrine, touch] He reiseþ him to lyue anone— ffor wele & wynne, serwe and pyne Al is Buxom to him one. Line 68 Ȝif þow him wole in herte wel tyne And kepe, þat he not from þe gon,

Holde him wiþ loue-lyne— ffor oþer bond holdeþ him non. Line 72

(10)

Is non founden here in londe Þat is so Riche Mon of ffee, ffor more good he haþ in honde Þen herte may þenke or eiȝe mai se; Line 76 Nis kyng, kniht, sweyn ne bonde Þat heo to him mote Boxum be. He haþ I-send a derne sonde And desyreþ to haue þe loue of þe. Line 80

(11)

He askeþ wiþ þe nouþer lond ne leode, Gold ne seluer ne precious stone— To such þinges haþ he no neode, Al þat is good is wiþ hym one. Line 84 Ȝif þou wiþ him þi lyf wolt lede And graunte to ben his owne lemmon, I wot ful wel what worþ þi meede: fforsoþe, þe heuene-riche won. Line 88

(12)

Þe weyes ben alle þere I-bete Wiþ Riche gold þat schyneþ briht; Þe Ioyful song in vche a strete— Þer is day and neuer-more niht; Line 92 To synge wol þei neuer lete, To worschupe god wiþ al heore miht. Þat Blisse forsoþe schal be þe mete, Ȝif þou Ihesu crist loue ariht. Line 96

(13)

Ȝif þou wolt þi lemmon qweme And to his brihte boure be brouȝt, In Chastite kep þou þe clene, Þat þou ne be I-wemmed nouht. Line 100 Non hony-Com þat renneþ on streme Was neuer ȝut so swete wrouht, Ne neuere so briht sonne-gleme Þen Mayden þat is clene of þouȝt! Line 104

Line 104

(14)

While þou art clene vnder gore, Bi-fore God þou art ful heiȝe— Þer is no þing he loueþ more Þen Maidenhod to wonen him neiȝe. Line 108 Ne lerne þou neuere þat ilke lore Wher-þorw þou leose Mayden Beiȝe— Þe þing þat mon may fynde no more, Bot he hit kepe, he is vn-sleȝe. Line 112

(15)

Þauȝ al þe gold of Arabye, Riche Rynges and ȝymmes-stone, And al þe tresour of Asye, Of oþer londes euerichone, Line 116 Weore bi-taken in þi Baylye, To welden and hauen in þi wone: Hit neore nouȝt to þe druwerie Of clene Maidenhod al-one! Line 120

(16)

Hose þis ȝeem-ston miht Louken in a swete loue-ryng, He schulde schyne also briht As sonne doþ, wiþ-outen endyng, Line 124 And beo holden a ful swete wiht Bi-fore god, [for] al Monkynde Þat wolde in a Mayden liht— fful swete hit is of hire þe Muynde! Line 128

(17)

Lord, ȝif us miht and grace Chaste lyf [to lede] þat we ne spille, Verrey compungcion and space, Repentaunce of dedes ille; Line 132 And ȝif vs miht to folwe þi trace Euer-more, boþe loude & stille, Þat to þe siht of þi swete face On domes-day we may come tille. Line 136

XLIII. A Mournyng Song of the loue of God. [folio CCXCIX] [Title in Index: Þat god is ouer alle þyng to be loued.]

(1)

TO loue I-chulle beginne Ihesu boþe day and niht; Of ffleschlich loue to blynne I-chul don al my miht. Line 4 Ihesu wiþ-outen synne In a Mayden he liht; Mi loue al for to wynne, Ihesu bi-com my kniht. Line 8

(2)

He fauȝt a-ȝeyn my fo, A-wey he haþ me led Þat me wrouȝte ful wo In care þer I was sted; Line 12 Þorw ferly fiht and þro Þe ffeloun is from me fled, Mi lemmon let him slo, In loue to make my bed. Line 16

(3)

Mi lemmon is ful trewe Of loue, and ful studefast, Alle dayes I-liche newe He loueþ al on a þrast. Line 20 I wolde þat alle him knewe And on him loue cast— Scholde non of hem alle rewe, Nouþer furst no last. Line 24

(4)

Mi lemmon is so meke, So hende, so swete, so stille; fful Mylde he is in speche, Wiþ-outen wordes grille; Line 28 Þe gode he wole al eche, fforȝeten he wole al ille.

Ȝif I fleo, he wol me seche, And wiþ loue he wole me tille. Line 32

(5)

Þeroute al-þauh he stonde Callynge at my ȝate Til him frese fot and honde, ffaste vn-to a stake, Line 36 He ne takeþ staf ne wonde Wiþ wraþþe me for to wake; Mi loue him byndeþ as bonde, Ȝif I him murþes make. Line 40

(6)

He wol me loueliche a-byde Al-þauh I dwelle ful longe, He wol me no-þing be-chide Al-þauȝ I-chaue þe wronge; Line 44 He seiþ: "bi-hold my syde, And whi on Rode Ich honge. ffor my loue lef þi pride, And I þe wole vnderfonge." Line 48

(7)

Ihesu, þat art so hende, So swete and so þolemood ffrom þe whon so we weende: Allas, þat we hit vnder- stod, Line 52 And to þe couþe leende And loue wiþ miht and mood, To haue wiþ-outen ende Heuene, þat is so good! Line 56

(8)

Ihesu for me is herte Let þurle þorw-out his syde, And duntes þolede smerte And woundes deope and wyde; Line 60 Wo and al vnquerte He þolede, to fordo pride, Þe foule synne þat me gerte In helle from him me hyde. Line 64

Line 64

(9)

Ihesu, my lemmon swete: Of loue þat þou art trewe, Þat is seene in hondes and fete, In heued, in huyde and hewe, Line 68 Þi bodi of blod al wete, Whon þou gon on me rewe And me brouȝtest from grete And from my foule loue vntrewe. Line 72

(10)

So deore hastou me bouht To bringe me out of pyne, Þer I was Inne I-brouht, I and mo of myne. Line 76 Ihesu, so fer þou me souȝt, Me and mo of þyne, Þat of þi lyf was þe nouht— So loþ þe was vs tyne. Line 80

(11)

Mi lemmon let him take, Putte & Bete and Bynde, So sore as him mihte ake, His hondes him behynde: Line 84 And al was for my sake, Mi loue so he heold In mynde. Ich ouȝte euere serwe make, Vn-trewe ȝif he me fynde. Line 88

(12)

Wiþ pyne vppon þe Rode Me bouȝte my deore lemmon, Swete Ihesu þe goode, So muchel of loue he con! Line 92 Þe teres he lette of blode ffor me whon he bi-gon. Madde þei aren and woode To leuen him for Sathan! Line 96

(13)

On Roode he wolde abyde,— He wolde nouȝwher fer fle,

Nouþer go ne Ryde, ffor nayled he is to þe tre. Line 100 He spredeþ his Armes wyde, ffor loue as we mowe se; His herte þoruȝ-out his syde He ȝiueþ vs, he is so fre! Line 104

(14)

Mi lemmon haþ so sprad His Armes þat beþ so longe: ffor-þi am I nouȝt dred, He wol me vnderfonge. Line 108 Whon I was from hym fled, On hym he tok þe wronge, To deþe til he was bled, ffor my loue wolde he honge. Line 112

(15)

He bekeneþ vs to blisse Wiþ louynde chere so swete, His Mouþ he beodeþ to cusse; ffor vs his lyf he leete Line 116 To lere vs and to wisse, And nayled þorw-out his feete, Of Mede þat we ne misse His hondes beoþ þorw weete. Line 120

(16)

Swete Ihesu, þi ore! Þat al hast in þi miht, What mihtest þow do more ffor me, þi wrecched wiht? Line 124 Of loue þou art my lore, To come to heuene briht. Þat herte may be ful sore To loue þe þat is not diht! Line 128

(17)

Now wol I crie and grete— ffor serwe hit is neiȝ þat I berste, Min herte-blod to blede ffor my lef þat is þus feste. Line 132

Line 132 Ihesu, ȝif þat I schal spede, Þi-self þenne is bote beste. ffor grymly grete I drede, Wiþ þi bodi ȝif I reste. Line 136

(18)

How mihti but I grete Til I eode out of my wit? I seo my lemmon blede To deþe, to liggen in put; Line 140 His syde is schoren as schrede, His herte a spere haþ hut— And al for my misde[de] Was he so felli smit! Line 144

(19)

Now wot I me no won, Lemmon, what I do miht. I seo Marie and Ion, Þi Mooder and þy kniht, Line 148 fful druri is hire mon ffor þe þat weore so briht— Nou is þer deolfolore non Ne vnlikkore in siht. Line 152

(20)

Þyn eȝen briht as Sonne, Mone and Sterres alle, Þei woxe deske and dimme, Þi feire Rode dude falle; Line 156 Þi blod was al out Runne. To drinke whon þou gonne calle, Þe wikked men beoden þe Eysel & atter, Bitterore þen þe galle. Line 160

(21)

Wiþ spittyng and wiþ fen And blod out-beten sore Þow weore al out of ken, A Laȝer as þow wore. Line 164 Þei beote þe, þi foo-men, Of loue to lere vs lore—

Þou be blessed, amen, Now and euer-more! Line 168

(22)

Sore I seo þe buye Al my loue-plawe— Al is for my folye Þat þou driȝest heer a þrawe. Line 172 Allas þen may I crie, And her and huyde to-drawe, I seo my lemmon dyȝe On Roode wiþ-outen lawe! Line 176

(23)

Allas, Allas, out ay, Þat euer was I boren! His deþ is Iewes play, His Coroune is of þorn. Line 180 Mi lemmon, weylaway! ffor me is lyf haþ lorn, His bodi is al blodi Be-hynden and bi-foren. Line 184

(24)

I seo in eorþe synke, Lemmon, þin herte-blode, Þat þow wiþ pyne and swynke ffor me scheddest on þe Roode. Line 188 Þerof whi ne moste I drynke, Þat is so swete and goode, On þe þat I mihte þinke ffor loue ay til I eode wode? Line 192

(25)

Allas, þat I ne couþe, Lemmon, don al þi wille Wiþ werk, and word of mouþe, Boþe loude and stille! Line 196 Almihti god hit ouþe I mihte þe to me tille, So briht so sonne in Souþe, Of þe þat I mihte haue my wille. Line 200

Line 200

(26)

Marie Mooder Milde, Mi lemmon is þi sone— Wiþ him þou eodest wiþ childe, ffor me wiþ him to wone. Line 204 I haue ben wood and wylde: Þou preye him þat I cone Loue him, & þat he me schilde, Or eny oþer to mone. Line 208

(27)

Alle oþere I-chulle forsake And don out of my þouȝt, To þe, Ihesu, I me take— So deore þou hast me bouht! Line 212 Al oþer loue wol make Endynge and waxe to nouȝt: Þi loue nul I forsake, ffor þat bringeþ vs alle o-loft. Line 216

(28)

To wone wiþ þe, bi-leue Lemon, vnder þi tre— May no pyne me greue Ne do me fro þe fle. Line 220 I wol in at þi sleue, Al in þin herte to be, Myn herte schal berste and cleue, Vn-trewe ar þou me se. Line 224

(29)

fful hard hit is, þi bed: A treo þat stondeþ stille, In wo and weder sted; Þeroute he hongeþ on hille, Line 228 ffor-beten and for-bled Wiþ Men þat wolden hem spille. Al þus haþ loue þe led, Þi lemmon for to tille. Line 232

(30)

Þi-self þou maiȝt not schelde, Ne torne, so art þou fest;

Þou hast nout on to helde Þin hed, on for to rest, Line 236 Almihti kyng to welde Al þat is worst and best. Hou miht [orig. mihti] I euer þe ȝelde Þe loue þat þus wol lest? Line 240

(31)

Cloþing hast þou non— ffor scorn men makeþ þe bare; Þi ffrendes aren from þe gon, And flowen þat wiþ þe ware, Line 244 Alle bote Marie and Ion, fful of serwe and care— fful dreri is here mon, Þi pyne is al þe mare! Line 248

(32)

Ihesu Crist, my lemmon swete, Þat dyȝedest on þe Rode-tre, Wiþ al my miht I þe bi-seche ffor þyne woundes two and þre, Line 252 Þat as depe in to myn herte Mot þi loue I-stiked be As was þe spere in to þyn herte, Whon þou suffredest deþ for me. Line 256

XLIV. Her is a luytel Sarmoun, þat is of good edificacioun. [Title in Index: A luytul sermoun of good edificacioun.]

[Ten 8-line stanzas; after the first, ab, cb, db, eb.]

At a Sarmoun þer I seet A comely clerk [k over line.] Ich herde crauen, Wyse wordes he þer speek Þe Mon þat wolde in herte hauen; Line 4 Ich herde ffrere Henri spellen: "Lete no sunnes in ow dwellen; Þe Mon þat is taken in dedly synne, He may wel witen In wo to wellen. Line 8

Line 8 "A þing hit is þat we schul do, Þe Mon þat þenkeþ to liuen in le: Schrift to taken, and þat be tyme— We haue no Borwes heer to be; Line 12 Whon we hauen, to holde faste, We ne mowe raples þorw þo þre To Bere þe croune to-fore þe kyng Þat for vs þolede deþ on tre. Line 16 "He [om. He] þat for vs þolede deþ on tre, Þou Rihtwys lord, þou deme so: Wis vs to þat ilke stude Þat [r. þer] euere is wele and neuer wo. Line 20 God, lete neuere vr wille vr wit be-swiken, ffor whi, vr soule for to slo. Ihesu crist, þou mihtful kyng, Þou haue merci on me and mo. Line 24 "Mon on Molde, þou mak þe ȝare A-ȝeyn þi deþ on domes-day; Þenk vppon þi muchele neode, Wher þi soule resten may— Line 28 Heuene or helle wher hit be-tydeþ, Þou maiȝt wel witen þou liuest þer ay. Crist schild vs from þat ilke stude, Þer no mon oþer ne mene ne may. Line 32 "Mai no mon oþer hem bi-menen, ffor sek and sori heo þer se; Þer is hot and cold and hunger wiþ And þretes—þo beoþ vuele þre, Line 36 ffurst and hunger and þesternesse, Þat euere schal lyue wiþ-outen lee. [orig. leo, corr. to lee.] Crist schild vs from þat ilke stude, ffrom Bale þer neuere no bote ne be. Line 40 "Ne miht þou seo, synful Mon, So doþ þe ffisschere wiþ his hok: Hou he teseþ on þe Banke A brodly breyd I þe Brok; Line 44 Comeþ þe ffisch and fongeþ hit, So wroþly wrieþ on þe Crok, Þe ffisch is be-wyled þorw þe worm— So wo is þe ffisch þat he hit tok. Line 48

Line 48 "Hok bi-tokeneþ helle-pyne— What helpeþ hit to hele wiþ þe? Wommon is worm, þer heo is wikke— May no mon þorw his sunnes se. Line 52 Þe Mon is ffisch and fongeþ hire— Him weore wel betere to leten hire be, To huyden his hed and hiȝen a-wey, ffrom dedly synne þer-with fle. Line 56 "Þis prechours þat bi-foren vs speken, Wel liht a Beren heore tonge in wold To wissen vs to þat ilke stude, So holy writ hit haþ hem told. Line 60 Ȝif we wol lusten to heore lore, We ouȝten be fayn, and ful bold To wonen in þat ilke stude Þer Ihesu crist þe [r. þat? Cf. Lay Folks' Mass-Book, v. 407:

And so þe leuacioun þou be|halde,for þat is he þat iudas salde,And sithen was scourged & don on rode, &c.

] Iudas solde. "Þer Ihesu crist þe Iudas solde He lene vs lust in lawe to lyuen, Wit and wisdam to vnderstonden, Wiþ schrift al for to schruden vs here. Line 68 Ȝif we haue wille to wikkedlek, God lete vs þere stunte and stere; He deme so lord at domes-day Þat we mote, lord, in þi wey fere. Line 72 "In þi wey fere, lord, I wolde ben, To wonen in þat worþli won. Heo þat on þi lift hond leuen, Wel grislych hit is whon þou art gon: Line 76 A ben I-haried in to helle-pyne, To Bale þer neuer ne bote nis non. He þat al þis world schal demen, Þou Rihtwys lord, þou rewe on Mon. Amen." [Then follows Roberd of Cicyle, fol. 299 (ed. in Sammlung altenglischer Legenden 1878, p. 209, from 5 MSS.).] Line 80

XLV. Her is a disputison bi-twene chi[l]d Jhesu & Maistres of þ^e lawe of Jewus.

Ed. before by Horstmann in Altengl. Leg., 1875, p. 211-14. Miss A. F. Parker collates the text with the MS. henceforward.

[Twenty-five 8-line stanzas, one 12: ab, ab, ab, ab.

[folio 300] Lustneþ lordes, leoue in londe: Soþeli sawes I wol ȝou telle Of gentyl Ihesu, I vnderstonde, Þe ffalse ffei fonded to felle. Line 4 ffor wo ne wrake ne wolde he wonde Of Trinite trewe to Iewes telle, He sat in see, he nolde not stonde, As best of barnes þat bar þe Belle. Line 8 Þe gospel seiþ In þis manere: Whon Ihesu was of twelf ȝer age, In to þe Temple he com to lere Wrangful wrecches þat wrouȝt outrage. Line 12 Maystres wondrede, þat þer were, Þat lawes lerede in heore langage, And seide: "child, what destou þere? Þou sittest stalled in vre stage." Line 16 A Mayster seide to Ihesu: "Þou scholdest lerne, and nouȝt teche; Þou spillest speche; what seystou? Þi wrangful wordes worcheþ wreche, Line 20 Þou repungnest in pres a-ȝeyn vr prou; As preised prophete, þe peple preche. Stunt a stounde þi sawe of Gru! Þi wit to teche may not reche. Line 24 "Þow schuldest lerne A. b. c, ffor þe fayleþ a foundement; Þou tellest tales of Trinite! In wonderwyse þi wit is went. Line 28 Ȝif þou wolt leorne, þou miht þhe, ffor wonder wit on þe is sent; Of Bales Boote þou miht be, Ȝif þou neore In errour hent." Line 32

Ihesu seide: "I may wel se Þi Bok is blynt, and þou art blent;

Þou farest foule, so þynkeþ me, ffor lewed lore on þe is lent. Line 36 Whi is A Bi-fore b? Tel me, þat spekest in present, Or I schal tymeli teche þe Þi Reson raþe þe schal Repent." Line 40 Þe Maister wiþ wel wikked wille Spak in pres of people a-pliht; "Ihesu, þou art a grameful gille, I Rede Raþe þou lerne a-Riht; Line 44 And bote þou stonde a stounde stille, To Betyng Bare þou schalt be diht." Qwaþ Ihesu: "þat is no skille, I com not hider for to fiht. Line 48

"Ȝit," quaþ Ihesu, "of myn askyng Þou ne ȝiuest non onswere. I am ful Old, þeih I be ȝing. A louely lore I wol þe lere— Line 52 Tak þis tale of my teching: A Is prys, wiþ-oute pere, lettre of þreo and is o þing; Þreo partyes A haþ knet I-fere. Line 56 "Bi A Biginneþ þe lettrure, ffo[r] A is lyk þe Trinite. Þreo partyes A haþ of Mesure, Knet in knotte on A wol be. Line 60 Ȝif þou wolt lerne, þou miht hure Hou A is lyk þe deite. Þe Deite is, þis is sure, Þreo and on, In Maieste, Line 64 And euer her after heo schul dure In-departable alle þre. Nou hastou lerned, tac þou cure, Hou A is most of dignite." Line 68 Þe Maister seide in þat stounde: "What artou, lettrure to lere? Bi Moyses lawe, nis not founde Þe lawes þat þou tellest heere. Line 72 Þou seist in þis ilke grounde 'Þou art old and ȝong I feere';

Þi sawe soþli nis not founde; Þerfore þou art me no-þing dere. Line 76 "Stond þou stille swiþe, I seye, And louely lustne to my lore, And þou miht bi alle weye Beo ful wys for euer-more. Line 80 Þou hast wit In memorie And wel ȝong þi wit is core; Hit is medlet wiþ ffolye, And þat greueþ me grimly sore. Line 84 "Of Moyses vr lawe we had And nou newe þow wolt teche. Of þi sawe swiþe am I sad, Of þe Trinite to spille speche. Line 88 Þou greuest me, I am not glad, With luþer lawes þou luþer leche; Þou spekest of godhed as child al mad, fforþer þen þi wit wol reche." Line 92 A-noþer Mayster seide in hiȝe: "Child, her is a wonder þing! Þow kennest comeli Clergye, And ȝit to teche þou art to ȝyng; Line 96 Þou hast not lerned, as men seye: Hou hastou þenne þi connyng? Deueles demeþ Mon to dyȝe: Þi tonge haþ tast of heore teching. Line 100 "Þi wrongful wordes worcheþ wrake. Þow seist þat god is on and þre. I Bede þin errour þou forsake, Þou spekest of þing þat mai not be. Line 104 As ouer-come þou worth of-take, Þat al þis peple hit schal se. Þis qwestion to þe I make: Tel me what is þe Trinite?" Line 108

Ihesu, as best þat bar þe belle, Wolde wite riht a-non, Ȝif he couþe o þing telle Of prechynge prophetes wonder won, Line 112 "Þat seide crist scholde dwelle Her on eorþe a-mong his fon,

Alle ȝor lawes to fulfelle; Þis wol ȝor lawes euerichon. Line 116 "Crist is liht of god Almiht And of Godes liht I-core. Ysaye spac her-of a-pliht: Of a Mayden he scholde be bore. Line 120 Þou miȝt wel wite hit is riht, He schal bugge þat is for-lore. God is þe ffader, Crist sone & liht; Þe sone is geten wiþ-outen hore. Line 124 "ffor as þe sonne ȝiueþ his leem Ȝif he wiþ cloudes is not let, So com crist as sonne-Beem In to þat Buirde þat Bales bet. Line 128 Ȝif þou take wel good ȝeem Hou þe sonne-Beem euere is set Vndeparted, so is þe strem Of crist with God mid knottes knet. Line 132 "Now tak herto good entent: Þe ffader liht in þe sone schal be, Þe ffader liht ȝit nis nouȝt blent, Al is o liht In Deite. Line 136 Þen is hit proued bi Argument, Þat ffader and sone, o liht beoþ he; Þe holy spirit wiþ hem present, Heo þreo Beoþ God In Trinite. Line 140 "ffor þe Trinite, I þe seye, A is lettre of alle cheef; Þerfore he is in alle weye Put bi-fore: her is good preef! Line 144 Þe Trinite þei schal seo wiþ eȝe, Alle Men þat ben him leof; Þen is mon A preised preiȝe, Þat to þe Trinite doþ no greef!" Line 148 Þe Maistres seide of þe lawe, Þat deueles tauhte him clergye; "A Mayde," þei seide, "bi prophetes sawe, Schal bere crist, kyng of glorie. Line 152 Wel we witen, and wel is knawe, Þe Olde Ioseph weddet Marie;

Oþer record cunne we non drawe, He nis not crist bi prophecie." Line 156

Ihesu spac with Mylde chere To Iewes þat gonne grede & crie: "ffareþ feire, ffrendes deore, ȝe ffareþ foule wiþ folye. Line 160 And o þing a-non ȝe schul heere: What seiþ þe prophete Ysaye? Heo schal be weddet wiþoute pere, Þe Mylde Mooder of Messye. Line 164 "Ysaye seiþ a-noþer þing: Crist in þe lawe schal be bore— And þat mot ben In weddyng, And elles cristes lawe is lore. Line 168 Prophetes speeke of his comyng At Iesse bi-gon þe more. Ȝit haþ crist no bi-gynnyng, Al-þauȝ þat crist be mon I-core. Line 172 Ioseph uirga floruit fatu Ysaye; Coniunx, lex ut monuit, mater fit Messye." Þe Maystres And Iewes mo, Of ȝonge Ihesu hedde meruayle, Line 176 Hou þat he was comen hem to, Wiþ wit and clergye to assayle. Of hem hedde Ihesu mony a fo, ffor heore wit gon sone fayle; Line 180 Monye with-drawe and gonne go, Whon heore clergye hem nolde vayle. In-to þe Temple com Marie: Heo sayȝ hire sone In see was set, Line 184 And tauȝte þe peple bi clergye Of loueli lawe wiþ-oute let. To him heo seide Riht in heiȝe: "Now is my Bale myd boote I-bet! Line 188 Þi ffader and I wel sorie Þe haueþ souȝt, & nouȝwher met. Ego & pater tuus dolentes querebamus te."

Ihesu seide in þat stounde: Line 192 "Mi ffader wille is þat I do; I wol vn-bynde þat was bounde:

Mi ffader wole þat hit beo so. Þe peple I preche wiþ facounde Line 196 And I teche ffrend and fo; Mi sarmoun is boþe soþ & sounde; On me is ffader and sone also. "Mi ffader lawe I wol fulfelle, Line 200 Þerfore I am hider I-sent; Douȝter and Moder, to þe I telle, Elles weore þe world I-schent. Mi ffader wol with-oute dwelle, Line 204 Þat I teche ow In present; Þe ffendes fare doun to felle Þat haþ with wrong þe world went." Romayns þer were wonder won Line 208 Þat cunnynge were of Clergye; Bi prophecie heo wusten vchon Þat he was crist with-outen lye; Honourede him for crist anon, Line 212 ffor his miht & his maistrie. Preye we crist þat we so don, To geten þe gle in his glorie. Amen. Line 215

XLV. A disputison by=twene a cristenemon and a Jew.

Ed. before in Horstmann's Sammlung altengl. Leg., Heil|bronn 1878, p. 204 ff.; three stanzas, vv. 145-192, are printed in Warton's Hist. of Engl. Poetry, ed. Hazlitt, III, 181-3.

[Twenty 16-line stanzas: aaab, cccb, dddb, eeeb.]

(1)

Alle Bliþe mote þei be, Þat folyes bleþeliche wole fle. How hit bitidde bi-ȝonde séé, Þe soþe I wol ȝow say. Line 4 In þe Toun of Parys— Þat is A Citéé of Prys— Twey men mette þat weore wys, And wente bi þe way. Line 8 Þei weore Clerkes of Diuinite,

Crafti Men in heore degre. Eiþer, Maister wolde be, ffoondeþ ȝif þei may. Line 12 Þus þei desputed so faste, While þe day mihte [MS. mihti] laste, Nouþer oþer couþe caste, Beo Rihtwys lay. Line 16

(2)

Þe ton was of Engelonde, A Cristene Mon, Ich vnderstonde; He hedde I-souht ouer þe sonde, Wondres to se; Line 20 He hedde I-lernd of Clergys, As Men doþ þat beoþ wys: Þe mon þat most is of prys, Maister moste be. Line 24 Þe toþer was A Ieuȝ riht, A Mon muchel of his miht; To his trouþe hedde he tiht, Trewe as þe tre:— Line 28 Þat wol I apertly preue: Þulke lay þat he on leeue, ffor no gold þat [me] mihte him ȝeue, Chaunge wolde not he. Line 32

(3)

Þe Cristene Mon seide as he þouȝt: "Lo, ȝonde vr god þat vs bouȝt! Oþer trouwe þou hit nouȝt, Bi daye nor bi niht? Line 36 Certeynliche, ȝonde is he Þat for vs diȝede on þe tre, And also bouwed him to be In A Buyrde Briht, Line 40 As heo wemles was, Seþþe cler as þe glas; Bi-twene Oxe and an As I-bore was þat kniht, Line 44 At þe ȝol ful ȝare, Al for vr wel-fare.

Woldest þou leeue on my lare, Þi lykyng were liht!" Line 48

(4)

Þe Ieuȝ sone seide þare: "Ar we fforþere fare— Þer is O god, and no mare, Heiȝly in holde, Line 52 And, as I trowe, in þe trone, He schop þe sonne and þe Moone; But he hedde neuer no sone ffor synful was solde. Line 56 Þe grete god calle we— Þat is semely to se: Oþer may þer non be, Ȝonger ne Olde. Line 60 Wharto makestou þi mone? I trouwe, þi wit beo þe wone; Al mis artou gone Heer on þis wolde." [r. molde] Line 64

(5)

Þe cristen Mon stondeþ stille, And seþþen he talkeþ him tille And seiþ: "þat [om. þat?] þi wikked wille Schal worche þe ful wo. Line 68 Þou leuest not in þe Mes, Þat euer God þer in Is [r. es] : ffor-þi lyking is þe les, And loren artou so, Line 72 And al þi careful kynde Þat euer bi-com of his strende. Men schal in Baret þe bynde, And bete þe ful blo. Line 76 Whon þou schalt of þis world wende, Þou schalt be tauȝt to þe fende, And euermore wiþ-outen ende In-to þe pyne go." Line 80

(6)

Þe Ieuȝ bi-gon him to greue: "Þat wol I apertly preue,

Boþe of Adam and of Eue Of hem we weore alle I-wrouht. Line 84 And I dar wage wiþ þe Tonnes of wyn þre Þat I schal lete þe him se, Þou seist þat þe bouht, Line 88 Boþe þe vuel and þe gode: Hou he was don on þe Roode; And alle þat bi him stoode Whon he to deþe was brouht. Line 92 So const þou not do ffor al þi clergye; þerto, As haue I reste oþer Ro, Þi Reson is nouȝt." Line 96

(7)

Þe cristen mon Mildely gon malt: "I telle þe, truwaunt for-talt: Men schal in prison þe palt, And putte þe to pyne; Line 100 But ȝif þou lete me him se Þat for vs dyede on þe tre, Seþþe þe Maystrie ȝeue I þe, To þe and alle þyne. Line 104 Loke þow holde þat we say! To morwe, set we þat day, We schal wende on vr way To winne vs þe wyne. Line 108 Þe Mon þat fayles of his fare, Al loren is his lare; He may droupe and dare Þat schal his trouþe tyne." Line 112

(8)

Þus þei woke al þe niht, Til on þe Morwen at day-liht Þe cristene mon Ros Riht, And radly gon say Line 116 His Matyns in þe Mornyng; Seþþe his Masse gon he syng; He þonked vr lord in alle þing, As he þat most may. Line 120

Line 120 Soone þei metten, as þei miht. "Haue I-don," he seide, "artou diht ffor to holde þat þou hiht? Þis is vr day. Line 124 Oþer a nay, or A ȝa? Soone tel þou me swa!" Him grauntes for-to ga, And went on heore way. Line 128

(9)

Þe Cristen mon seide son, Whon his Masse was don: "I wol take god me vppon, And bere him wiþ me: Line 132 Boþe in lond and in leode, Al þe lasse is my drede: Þe mon þat to him takeþ hede, Þe better he may be. Line 136 Þer nis non enemy in helle, Non so fers ne so felle, And he here of vre lord telle, Þat on Is in þre: Line 140 ffor al þe gold in þe grounde, He wolde not byde him a stounde Þat he nolde freschly founde, And a-wey fle." Line 144

(10)

fforþ heo wenten on þe ffeld To an Hul þei bi-heold. Þe eorþe cleuet as a scheld On þe grounde grene. Line 148 Sone fond þei a stih: Þei went þer-on radly; Þe Cristene mon hedde ferly What hit mihte mene. Line 152 After þat stiȝ lay a strete, Clene I-pauet wiþ grete. Þei fond a maner þat was meete Wiþ Murþes ful schene, Line 156 Wel coruen and wrouht, Wiþ halles heiȝe vppon loft.

To a place weore þei brouht, As paradys þe clene. Line 160

(11)

Þer was foulene song, Muche Murþes a-mong— Hose lenge wolde long, fful luitel him þouht. Line 164 On vche a syde of þe halle, Pourpul, pelure and palle; Wyndouwes I þe walle, Was wonderli I-wrouht. Line 168 Þer was dosers on þe dees, Hose þe cheef wolde ches, Þat neuere Ricchere wes In no sale souht. Line 172 Boþe þe Mot and þe molde Schon al on red golde. Þe cristen mon hedde ferli on þat folde Þat þider was brouȝt. Line 176

(12)

Þer was Erbes growen grene, Spices springynge bi-twene; "Such hedde I non sene, ffor-soþe, as I say." Line 180 Þe þrestel song ful schille, He newed notes at his wille; ffeire ffloures to fille, ffeire in þat ffey. Line 184 And al þe Rounde table good, Hou Arthur in eorþe ȝod, Sum sat and sum stod O þe grounde grey— Line 188 Hit was a wonderful siht: . . . . . As þei weore quik men diht, To seo hou þey play. Line 192

(13)

Þe Iewȝ sone in þat tyde, He spak þer a word of pryde:

Hose wol lenge and abyde May lusten and lere. Line 196 Til a Nonnerie þei came; But I knowe not þe name: Þer was mony a derworþe dame In Dyapre dere. Line 200 Squiȝers in vch a syde In þe wones so wyde. "Heer schul we lenge and abyde, Auntres to heere." Line 204 Þenne swiþe spekeþ he Til a ladi so fre And biddeþ: þat he welcome be, "Sire Water, my feere." Line 208

(14)

Þer was Bordes I-cloþed clene Wiþ schire cloþes and schene. Seþþe a wasschen, I weene, And wente to þe sete. Line 212 Riche metes was forþ brouht, To alle men þat good þouht; Þe Cristen mon wolde nouht Drynke nor ete. Line 216 Þer was wyn ful clere In mony a feir Maseere, And oþer drynkes þat weore dere In Coupes ful gret. Line 220 Siþþe was schewed hem bi, Murþe and Munstralsy, And preyed hem do gladly Wiþ Rial Rehet. Line 224

(15)

By þe Bordes vp þei stode. Or þei forþere ȝode, So weore þei war of a Rode fful Raþe, as I Rede, Line 228 And a bodi þer-vppon, Þat woundes hedde mony on; Bi him stod Marie and Ion, Wepynde good spede, Line 232

Line 232 Oþur Apostles of prys, Poul and Peter þe wys, And seint Ion þe Baptys, Was douhti of dede. Line 236 Whon he was schewed to þe siht, Boþe of leom and of liht Þe Mon þat most was of miht, His woundes gon blede. [folio 302:3] Line 240

(16)

Þe Ieuȝ, sone seide he: "Holden is þat I hihte þe." Þe toþer seide: "þat schal I se, Certeynly, ful sone." Line 244 Þe Cristen Mon hedde a derworþ þinge, On his Bodi, he gon hit brynge: Þat a prest schulde wiþ synge Whon Masse schulde be don. Line 248 "Ȝif þou be god so fre Þat for me diȝed on þe tre, Here þi sone mai þou se," And heold him a-bouen. Line 252 Whon he was schewed to þe siht, He barst þe Buyldynge so briht. Boþe was derk as þe niht, Heore sonne and heore mone. Line 256

(17)

Al þe gere þat was gay Was þenne I-wasted a-way. Þe Cristene Mon gon say: "Beon þeos þi godes here?" Line 260 Þe Ieuh onswerde him wiþ 'nay' And ofte Merci gon him pray: "I wol leue my lay, And on þi lore lere. Line 264 Sore I doute me of dred. I haue i-lost my wed: Þo þat are forþ fled Was fendes in feere, Line 268 Non good, but al ille." No more he tented hem tille.

Heo þo stoden o þe hulle Þer þey furst were. Line 272

(18)

Þus he ȝeldes him ȝare, Al for his wel-fare. He seide: "of Blisse I haue be bare Seþþen I was furst born. Line 276 Now knowe I wel þat hit mai be Þat O-fold god Is in þre: Whuch þat þou brouȝt wiþ þe Þis day at Morn. Line 280 He is vre heuene kyng, Makere of alle þyng, And schop þe fruit for to spryng, Boþe Curnel and Corn." Line 284 Þus he Rapes of his res, To vre God he him ches, Let al his luþernes, Was poynt to be lorn. Line 288

(19)

Seþþe þei wente to þe Cite, A-cordet, as þei scholde be. Who was payed bote he, And eiþer of oþer! Line 292 He þonked god his swete sonde Þat he hedde brouȝt out of bonde, Wel I-wonne to his honde, Bliþely his Broþer. Line 296 Mete and drynke þei hedde at wille, Wiþ-outen grucchyng or grille In trouþe tente þei þer tille, And lafte al þat oþer. Line 300 Þe Mon þat haþ synne I-wrouȝt And siþen repentes him ouȝt, God is a-payed, þat vs bouȝt. Leeue we non oþer. Line 304

(20)

What was þe Monnes nome I-lyk But Sir Water of Berewyk?

He was wonynge I þe Ryk, At Roome was called. Line 308 Þe pope ȝaf him pouste— Þat mony mon mihte se— Penitauncer for to be Of ȝonge and of olde, Line 312 Seþþe to soyle and to schriue Boþe to Mon and to [MS. two] wyue, Eke to mende heore lyue And to þe trouþe holde. Line 316 Þenne tok þei þe Ieuȝ, Anon cristend hym neuȝ; Þus to vre God he hym kneuȝ And ȝeply him ȝolde. Line 320

[XLVII. How to hear Mass. [So the title in Index. The poem was ed. before by Canon Simmons in "The Lay Folks' Mass Book," 1879, E. E. T. S., p. 128 ff. (His sidenotes are reprinted here.) It is a free Mid|land version of Dan Jeremy's Massbook for Laymen, a northern translation of which was ed., from 4 MSS., by Simmons, l. c. The liturgical prayers are mostly omitted in MS. Vernon, either because prayers of that kind were given before in MS. Vernon, or because the uses were different in different churches.] ]

Her techeþ þys tretys þenne [folio 302b:1] Hou mon scholde here hys masse; Hit is ful nedful to alle menne, To more and eke to lasse.

Ȝong & olde, More and lasse, fful god hit is to here a Masse, Þat Cristendam haþ tan. Line 3 Hit was mad for soule-hele, Þe Pater noster wiþ bedes [MS. dedes] fele, And de profundis Is on. Line 6 Þe Pater noster Is pris preyere, Wiþ oþer orisons mony and sere. Holdeþ ow stille as ston: Line 9 And ȝe schul here þe beste þing Þat euer ȝe herde of Olde or ȝyng As wyde as mon haþ gon. Line 12

Line 12

Lustneþ here, & ȝe wol lyþe: Of a talkyng I wol ȝou kiþe, Cumfort to al Mon-kynde: Line 15 Þat is þe Meedes of þe Masse. Eueri mon boþe more and lasse Schulde haue hit in his mynde, Line 18 Hou þat ȝe scholde ȝor seruise seye And priueliche ȝor preyers preye To him þat may vn-bynde, Line 21 In saluyng of ȝor synnes seuene, To þe mihtful kyng of heuene, Vr ffader þat we schal fynde. Line 24

And hou vr ffader schal be founde To vche a mon þat is I-bounde In sunne, as I ow say. Line 27 His suffrance we may se, Hou þat he suffreþ þe and me Wiþ miht al þat he may, Line 30 And euere is redi vr bales to bete, To loke what tyme þat we wol leete, In-to vr laste day; Line 33 Ȝif we ben in wille to leue vr synne, He techeþ vs wel hou we schal wynne To heuene þe heiȝe way. Line 36

What mon wolde now suffre so His sone I-slayen, and hedde no mo, But ȝif he miȝte lyue a-ȝeyn; Line 39 Ȝif he for traytrie weore take, Sone he schulde be forsake Or elles soþli slayn. Line 42 Whon þou dost a dedly synne, Al þe while þat þou dwellest þer-Inne Þou puttest to his payn; Line 45 Þe same he suffred for vr sake, Þen most merci a-mendes make Boþe wiþ miht and mayn. Line 48

Þorw his Merci and his miht He reweþ of vs, a-ȝeynes þe riht, As Rihtwysnes wol rede. Line 51

Line 51 Rihtwysnes wolde, assone As we dedly synne haue done, To dampne vs to þe dede: Line 54 Þen most Merci be Mayster most Þorw þe miht of þe holy gost, And stonde wiþ vs in stede; Line 57 And lenge wiþ vs in leo and lede, Til we beo don out of þat dede Þorw bone of holy bede. Line 60

Wiþ ȝor leue, I wol be-gynne Of a Mater for to mynne, A good þing for to make, Line 63 On þe hexte þing hit is Þat euer was mad: þat is þe Mes, Monnes sunnes to slake. Line 66 Eueri day þou maiȝt se Þe same bodi þat diȝed for þe, Tent ȝif þou wolt take, Line 69 In figure and in fourme of Bred, Þat Ihesu dalte, er he weore ded, ffor his disciples sake. Line 72

On þe hexte þing to here, And þe lihtest for to lere, ffor lewed men In lare, Line 75 Hou þat ȝe schul ȝor seruise say, And priueliche ȝor preyers pray, [folio 302b:2] In churche whon þat ȝe are. Line 78 I do ow wel to witen wiþ-outen drede, Þe Masse was mad for monnes nede, ffor al folk lasse and mare. Line 81 As þe prest seiþ his preyere, So schulde vche mon þat him gon here, And þei wuste what hit ware. Line 84

Ȝif I seide þis word wiþ my wit, Wiþ-outen witnesse of holi writ Wisdam weore hit non; Line 87 Þerfore I wole þat ȝe hit witen, Hou þat we fynde hit writen Wiþ Auctours mony on. Line 90

Line 90 Of Austin, Ambrose, Bernard, and Bede, Ȝit heore Resons wol I rede A-Mong ȝow euerichon. Line 93 Þei make muynde of mony a mede Þat we schul haue for vre good dede, To churche whon þat we gon. Line 96

What tyme þat þow biginnest to go Ouþer to þe churche or fro, To here a Masse ȝif þou may, Line 99 Eueri fote þat þou gas, Þyn Angel poynteþ hit vch a pas, Þe Prince of heuene to pay. Line 102 Þat day schalt þou elde nouȝt, Ȝif þou beo studefast in þi þouht On God þat is verray; Line 105 Not Blynt þat day schalt þou not be Þat þou þi sauiour hast se, Þorw him þat mihtes may. Line 108

A ffair grace God haþ þe ȝiuen, Of þi sunnes and þou be schriuen Þat day þou hast god se: Line 111 Ȝif þou be ded þe same day, Þou schalt be founden I þe fay, Hoseled as þou hed be. Line 114 Baldely maiȝt þou swete and swynke ffor to wynne þe Mete and drinke Wiþ-outen tray or tene; Line 117 And ȝif þou be in eny drede, Al þe better schalt þou spede To keuere of cares kene. Line 120

Ȝif þou haue eny wey to wende, I rede þou here a masse to ende In þe Morennynge ȝif þow may; Line 123 And ȝif þou may not do so, I rede, beo vnderne ar þou go, Or elles be heiȝ midday. Line 126 Serteynliche wiþ-outen fayle Þou schalt not leose of þi trauayle Not half a foote of way; Line 129

Line 129 O þi bodi þou schalt be lihtore, And þi weyes wende þe Rihtore, Þorwh him þat mihtes may. Line 132

ÞOuh he be nouȝt at þi lykynge, Þe prest þat schal þy masse synge, Þerfore lette þou nouht: Line 135 His Masse schal be as [altered from a to as by another hand.] good to heere As Monk, Chanoun, Hermyte or ffrere,— Þus þenk hit in þy þouht,— Line 138 Þauȝ his preyere and his bone Bi-fore God come not so sone As he þat neuer synne wrouȝt: Line 141 Ihesu crist, souereyn of al, He may deeme boþe gret and smal, Þus Doctours han I-souht. Line 144

Seynt Ambrose seiþ, hose redeþ riht: Þe Masse Is of so muche miht, Þer nys no mon þat May, Line 147 Wheþer þat he be old or ȝonge, Þe tenþe part telle wiþ tonge, Þeiȝ he schulde liue for ay. Line 150 Þe Exposission is so expres, Wiþ al þe priuete of þe Mes, Serteyn wiþ-oute delay, Line 153 Þat, couþe a mon neuere so muche of art, He mihte not telle þe tenþe part, Þauȝ he hedde þouȝt to say. Line 156

Seynt Ierom seiþ: for soules sere, [folio 302b:3] Þauh a Mon wolde a þousent ȝere Do a Masse for to synge, Line 159 Hit [MS. His] is nouþer more ne las But vch a soule schal haue a mas— Hit is so heiȝ a þinge. Line 162 Ȝit I Rede ow go to chirche, Godes werkes for to worche, In-to vr laste endynge: Line 165 Haue we no doute of vr dole, Vch soule schal haue a masse al hole, Þorw help of heuene-kynge. Line 168

Line 168

fful hard hit were to vre bi-houe Vch a prouerbe for to proue Of þeos Auctours alle; Line 171 Serteynliche wiþ-outen lees Of sum of hem þen wol I sees ffor þing þat may be-falle; Line 174 Ȝif I drouȝ hem on lengþe, I trou no mon schulde haue þe strengþe To stonde and heere hem alle. Line 177 Lewed men, and ȝe wol list, fful fayn I wolde þat ȝe hit wist On Crist whon ȝe schulde calle. Line 180

To calle on Crist wiþ mylde chere, Lewed Men, I schal ȝou lere. Whon þat þe prest bi-ginnes, Line 183 Whon he seiþ his Confiteore, ffeire he louteþ þe Auter bi-fore, To schriue him of his synnes. Line 186 Serteynly, wiþ-oute delay And ȝe for þe prest pray, And he atte Masse ȝou mynne, Line 189 Sikerli I dar wel say, Þer nis no tonge þat telle may What Mede þat ȝe may wynne. Line 192

But ȝit I telle ȝou, sikerly: And ȝe preye but only ffor ȝor owne hele, Line 195 I do ȝow to witen wiþ-outen drede Ȝe beo not worþ so muche meede, Not be þe haluendele, Line 198 As þi kuynde puttes þe to To don vuele he biddes þe do. Ȝif þou wol wone in weole, Line 201 Prey for þe prest, and he for þe: Þat Is a preyere of charite, Þen maiȝt þou synge of loue lele. Line 204

Loue is trewe in vche a leede; Ȝif þou do ille, vuel schalt þou spede ffor al þe craftes þat þou con. Line 207

Line 207 Whon þat þou comest þe chirche with-Inne And þou sest þe prest bi-gynne, Take his vestimens on: Line 210 Loke þou do as I sey þe, Knele a-doun vppon þi kne, Noyse þat þow make non; Line 213 Seþþe stond vp at þi seruise, And serue god on þis wyse, Al folk euerichon: Line 216

Þou schalt say: "þi drihten And deore god almihten, And In Marie I me a-seure, Line 219 Þat heo saue vs alle, Boþe grete and smalle, Of sunnes we beþ vn-pure; Line 222 And þat I may me schriue Of al my wikked lyue To Prest þat bereþ þe cure, Line 225 Þat I haue I-wrouȝt And in herte I-þouȝt As vnkuynde creature. Line 228

"I was vn-kuynde, And was þenne blynde, To worche a-ȝeynes his wille Line 231 Þat fust me wrouȝt, And seþþe me bouȝt ffro peynes he was put to ille. Line 234 Þer-fore we pray To þe to-day, Þat knowes boþe good and ille: [folio 303:1] Line 237 Graunt vs lyue, We may vs schriue, Vr penaunce to folfille." Line 240

We schal preyȝe Ihesus Þat he forȝiue vs Vr sunnes, þat we may synge, Line 243 Þat we may pray Þe Prince to-day, Schop eorþe and alle þinge, Line 246

Line 246 Þat in Clannesse We may þe Messe Þorw miht of heuene-kynge, Line 249 So deorliche to do, To torne þe to Vs alle to good endynge. Line 252

Certes, sires, ful good hit is To stonde stille at þe Mes, Sum good word for to say; Line 255 Whuche þat ȝe wole preye fore, Þauh ȝe do for mony a score, At a Masse ȝe may; Line 258 Alle þo þat ȝe nempne nouȝt, But only þenke in ȝor þouȝt Þat ȝe wolde fore pray, Line 261 I do ow to wite wiþ-outen doute, Þer nis no soule a Masse wiþ-oute, But he haue helle for ay. Line 264

Wust I my ffader in flesch and felle Weore holliche I-holden in helle, Þer weore non hope of hele, Line 267 To preye for him I couþe no Red, No more þen for a Dogge were ded, But let hem wiþ him dele. Line 270 Ȝit I rede we go to chirche, Godes werkes for to worche, Ȝif we wole wone in wele; Line 273 Seþþe hit is vnknowe to vs, We schul preye for alle ffidelibus To Rewe soules þat beþ lele. Line 276

Ȝit I bidde ȝou takeþ good tent Þat ȝe holde no parlyment Wiþ no cristen mon, Line 279 Whon ȝe come þe Churche with-Inne, And ȝe seo þe prest bi-ginne Take þe vestimens on: Line 282 Þe foule fend so fel is, He writ ȝor wordes I-wis On a Rolle euerichon. Line 285

Line 285 Also witnesseþ seynt Austine, Þat furst wit in Engelond gan lene, And preche [MS. preched] þe treuþe bi-gon. Line 288

[The Mass-Book does not contain this anecdote. It is in R. Brunne's Handlyng Synne, p. 287-8.] Ar seynt Austin In Engelond come, Wiþ pope [pope erased.] Gregori of Rome fful long tyme gon he dwelle. Vppon a day for worschupefulnesse Þe Pope [pope erased.] wolde synge a Messe As him ful fayre bi-felle: Line 294 He made a signe to seynt Austyne, ffor he schulde ben his dekne digne To Rede þe gospelle. Line 297 And as he radde, þen sauh he þen Two wyues, as ȝe may witen, Tales þen gonne þei telle. Line 300

Seynt Austin herde þis wordes alle; In A wyndow on þe walle Þer bi-fore his face Line 303 A foul fend he sauȝ þer-In, Wiþ penne & enke & parchemin, As God ȝaf him þe grace; Line 306 He wrot so faste til þat he want, ffor his parchemyn-skin was so scant, To speken þei hedde such space; Line 309 Wiþ his teeþ he gon hit togge, And so radli he gon hit Rogge Þat al þe Rolle gon race. Line 312

So harde raced he þat Rolle, Þat he chopped his Cholle Aȝeyn þe Marbel-ston. Line 315 Al þe folk I þe chirche About Was a-stoneid of þat clout [folio 303:2] And herden hit euerichone. Line 318 Seynt Austin seiȝ hou faste he drouh: He barst on lauhtre, and loude louh. Þe Pope [Pope erased.] ful sore gon grone, Line 321 ffor serwe neiȝ þe Pope [Pope erased.] wept. After masse, Austyn he met, And Mekely made his mone. Line 324

Line 324

He made his mone wiþ mylde mod: "Whi weore þou so wikked and wod ffor to do þat dede? Line 327 A worse dede miht þou neuer done." Austin onswerde him ful sone— Þerof he hedde gret drede: Line 330 "Lord, greue ȝe nouȝt til þat ȝe wite. A foul fend I say site— Serwe mot ben his mede!— Line 333 Two wyues sat ȝonder langare, Alle heore wordes wrot he þare Vppon a Rolle to rede. Line 336

"Þei tok no tent til heore Mas: Al heore wordes more and las, He wrot hem euerichon; Line 339 ffor to speke þei hedde such space, Þe fend wrot wiþ a foul face Til his Parchemyn was al gon. Line 342 Whon his parchemyn was al spende, He rauhte þe Rolle bi þe ende, Wiþ his teth a-non Line 345 He logged, þat al in-synder gon lasch, And wiþ his hed he ȝaf a dasch Aȝeyn þe Marbel-ston. Line 348

"Lord, greue ȝe not for þat dunt! He stoneyd me, and made me stunt Stille out of my steuene. Line 351 I wol sigge as I seȝe, ffor a word wol I not lyȝe, Be Mihtful kyng of heuene." Line 354 He ladde him forþ, as I trowe, Til he com to þe wynt-douwe Þat I be-fore gon nemene: Line 357 ffoul þei fond þer I-sched, As blac as pich was I-spred Vppon þe Aschelers euene. Line 360

Þis is wonder þing wiþ-outen drede; Þer was neuer fend blod mihte blede, He haþ nouþer flesch ne bon; Line 363

Line 363 But god wolde þat hit were so, To chastise hem and oþer mo Þat to churche gun gon. Line 366 Til a Masse was seid to ende, A Mon schulde talke with fo nor frende, But holde him stille as ston; Line 369 Þat hous was mad for preyere To Ihesu and to his Moder dere, To þonke hem al heore lon. Line 372

At þe wyues gon þei witen What þei seiden whon þei siten Seynt Austyn hem bi-syde, Line 375 Bi heore onswere þei wuste ful wel Þat þei hedde spoken muchel vncel, And in heore hertes gun hyde. Line 378 Þerfore, sires, I rede ȝe loke, God tent I wolde ȝe toke, ffor þing þat may bi-tyde, Line 381 Þat ȝe mesure ȝou þe mare, Of speche þat ȝe ow spare, At Masse whon þat ȝe byde. Line 384

Þe Pope [Pope erased.] greued him wel þe lasse; He let comaunden at þe Masse Of þat Miracle to mynne, Line 387 And also bad wiþ ful good wille Þat eueri Mon schulde stonde stille Whon he comeþ þe churche with-Inne; Line 390 And þenke [MS. þenne] hou wel þat god may wreke Euerich a word þat we speke; We do ful muche synne: Line 393 A Prest miȝt be let of his mes, Al þis world miȝt fare þe wers, Vs alle to wo to wynne.— Line 396

"Vr ffader vre al-weldyng is, [folio 303:3] God let vs neuere his murþes mis. Lord, halwed be þi name. Line 399 In heuene and eorþe þi wille Be don, and þat is skille, Or elles we ben to blame. Line 402

Line 402 Vr vche-dayes bred ȝif vs to-day. Þat we may trustily whon we schul away To come to þi kyndame. Line 405 God kepe vs to vre laste endynge, Let neuer þe fend wiþ fals fondynge Cumbre vs in no schame." Line 408

Þis pater noster schulde ben vsed And for non orison beo refused, I schal ȝow telle for whi: Line 411 Of his Mouþ hit was maad, Þat al þis world long and braad Out of Bale gan buyȝe. Line 414 Leeue hit wel, and not wene hit, Þe pater noster contened Alle þing hollye Line 417 Þat vs neodeþ, and non oþer, Boþe for þis world and þat oþer, Quik whon we schal dye. Line 420

At þe gospel, were ful good Studefastliche þat ȝe stod, ffor no þing þat ȝe stured hit; Line 423 Al ȝor lykyng þer-on leiþ To wite what þe prest seiþ, Holliche þat ȝe here hit. Line 426 Þauȝ ȝe vnderstonde hit nouȝt, Ȝe may wel wite þat god hit wrouȝt, And þerfore wisdam were hit Line 429 ffor to worschupe al godes werkes, To lewed men þat ben none clerkes. Þis lesson, now go lere it. Line 432

And whi ȝe schulde þis lessun lere, Herkneþ alle and ȝe may here. Þer a Neddre hauntes, Line 435 Ȝe may wel fynde, and ȝe wol seche, He vnderstond noþing þi speche Whon þou hire enchauntes, Line 438 Neuerþeles heo wot ful wel What is þi menynge eueri-del Whon þat þou hire endauntes. Line 441

Line 441 So fareþ þer vnderstondyng fayles, Þe verrey vertu ȝow alle a-vayles Þorw grace þat god ȝow grauntes. Line 444

Whon þe gospel is I-don, Ȝit wolde I, gode men euerichon, Þat ȝe couþe ȝor crede; Line 447 What tyme þat þe prest say Þat ȝe miȝte ȝor-self pray, fforsoþe hit were gret nede; Line 450 And seþþe trewely trouwe þer-Inne, And fulliche out of ȝor mouþ hit mynne, Þer-to liht muche mede. Line 453 And ȝif ȝe trowe and wol not telle, So dude þe fend þat from heuene felle, And doþ hit nouht in dede, Line 456

Þouȝ þou neuere so trewely trowe, Wiþ-oute dede ful luytel hit douwe, So doþ þe deuel þat dredes. Line 459 But seynt Iacob, Iosepes broþer, Seiþ þat we schal don non oþer, In his pistel whose redes. Line 462 Such þing as þou seyst and doos, Þi Neiȝebor wol þerof make Roos What lyf þat þow lede. Line 465 Wiþ-In a storie in þat stede He seiþ þat trouþe is but dede But hit be don in dede. Line 468

Ȝit beo þer mo men lyuing in lede Þat I wolde couþe heore crede, And whon þei couþe ken hit. Line 471 I haue I-seid as I con: Ȝif þer beo euer eny mon Þat seiþ he con a-mende hit, Line 474 ffaute þer-Inne ȝif þat he fynde, Mak no scornynge me be-hynde But aȝeyn to me he sende hit, [folio 303b:1] Line 477 Or elles help þat I may here hit. Þus an Englisch as I lernde hit I haue I-þouht to ende hit. [The Engl. text is, however, omitted.] . . . . . Line 480

Line 480

A Resun I schal reden ow riht Whi þe day bi-fore þe niht Was ordeynt for to be. Line 483 ffor Adam of þe Appel eete, Ihesu Crist vr bales con beete, Þat dyed vppon þe Tre; Line 486 Out of liht þat he was Inne, In-to helle for his sinne, Holliche þer was he; Line 489 He was banischt out of blis In-to helle, boþe he and his, Bi-foren þat was so fre. Line 492

Ȝit a Resun I schal ȝou say: Whi þe niht bi-fore þe day Was ordeynt, I schal ȝou telle: Line 495 ffor Ihesus suffred woundes fyue, And siþþe a-Ros fro deþ to lyue, And after herwede helle; Line 498 Out of þesternes þorw his miht Aȝeyn he put him to þe liht Whuch þat he fro felle, Line 501 And dude him aȝeyn in paradis Þat he hedde lost boþe he & his, Wiþ speche as I ow spelle. Line 504

Aluytel bi-fore þe prest wasch Let him not his offryng asch Ȝif þou þenke for to offre; Line 507 Whon he torneþ a-non þe tille, Go vp to him with ful good wille And þi peny him profre. Line 510 Þauȝ þou be not þer-to in dette, Þou schalt þinke hit ful wel bi-set, I swere bi seynt Cristofre; Line 513 Of sinnes hit wol make þe to sese, And þi catel also encrese Of seluer in þi Cofre. Line 516

But fayn I wolde þat þou þus seide Whon þou in his hond hit leide, Or þenk hit in þi þouht: Line 519

Line 519 [Similar prayer in Mass|Book, v. 247.] "God, þat was In Bethleem bore, Þreo kynges kneled þe beo-fore, And heore offryng brouȝt; Line 522 Þou tok heore offryng of alle þre: So receyue þis of me, And forȝete me nouȝt, Line 525 Þat I may euere wiþ þe wone, And kuyndelich clepe þe godes sone, On þe Roode as þou me bouȝt." Line 528

Whon he haþ waschen, þen he walkes, Priueliche and stille he stalkes To his Auter aȝeyn. Line 531 Þe furste þing he doþ, wiþ-oute doute, To his weuede þen wol he loute, Þe soþe is nouȝt to leyn; Line 534 Seþþe he stondeþ vp-riht, His hondes heueþ vppon hiht Him-self for to sayn, Line 537 Þenne he torneþ him to ȝow. Cristene men, herkeneþ now And preyeþ wiþ al ȝor mayn . . . . . [(Prayer omitted.)] Line 540

Þen he biginnes his secre; Adoun þenne knele ȝe A luyte while way, Line 543 Til þat he seþ per omnia, And seþþe Sursum corda. [cf. Mass-Book, v. 306-7.] What is þat to say? Line 546 Hit is a nedful note to nemen: "Hef vp ȝor hertes in to heuen To him þat al mihtes may." Line 549 Seþþe schul ȝe þonke him þus Of bodi and soule has ȝiuen vs, And þus-maner schul ȝe pray . . . . . [(Prayer omitted.) cf. Mass-Book, v. 314-326.]

Lustneþ alle to þis þing. Bi-twene þe sanctus and þe sakeryng Ȝe schal preye stondynge— Line 555 Hit semes wel in þat whyle Þat god in his Exyle In þis world was wonynge. Line 558

Line 558 Seþþe schul ȝe knele a-doun And þenke vppon his passioun Þat he hedde heer suffrande, Line 561 Hou þat he suffrede woundes fyue, And seþþe he ros from deþe to lyue And nou has heuene in hande. Line 564

Ȝit schul ȝe preye for eny þing Bi-twene þe sanctus and þe sakeryng Til þat þe belle knelle. [The Mass-Book, v. 336-397, contains the prayer.] Line 567 Ȝif eny mon haþ scorn to here hit, Be my trouþe, wisdam weore hit Þat he heolde him stille; Line 570 Þe same mon ȝe lauȝwhe to scorn Was of a Mayden in Bethleem born, Me þinke ȝe don ful ille. Line 573 Whose has hoker gas hame; To telle hit ȝou me þinkes no schame, I preue hit bi a Bille. Line 576

Godes fflesch he reiseth o lofte And his blod feir and softe In þe chalis wiþ-Inne: Line 579 Þen schul ȝe knele a-doun And sey a luyte orisoun, [cf. Mass-Book, v. 428-436.] ffor no þing þat ȝe blynne. Line 582 God þat on þe Rode was slon, Þo two and he beoþ boþe on, Þat dyed for al monnes synne. Line 585 After þe prest his Armes spredeþ he, In toknynge he dyed vppon þe tre ffor me and al mon-kunne. Line 588

Whon þe pater noster is don, To þe Agnus dei he goþ ful son— Herkneþ hende in halle— Line 591 "Godes lomb" hit is to sei, "Þis worldes sinne to don a-wey [cf. Mass-Book, v. 516 ff.] And haue merci on vs alle. Line 594 Þe same lomb hit is to minne, To don a-wei þis worldes synne, To þe we crie and calle, Line 597

Line 597 Ihesu, for þi miht and grace A-bate vr synnes In vch a place, Þi pes mot on vs falle." Line 600

Whon he haþ vsed, he walkeþ riht To Lauatorie þer hit is diht, ffor to wassche his hende. Line 603 So gostly he comes a-geyn, Vn-to god for to preyen Sum special grace hym sende, Line 606 ffor al þe folk þat þer wore Whuch þat he haþ preyed fore Þat a Masse may mende. Line 609 Þen to knele hit is best, Til hit cum to Ite Missa est Be seid in to þe ende. Line 612

Þenne schul ȝe knele a-doun And sei a luytel Orisoun Riht on þis Maneere— Line 615 Þe Orisoun is of seynt Ambrose, Þat he properly in prose Made in his preyere; Line 618 Þen to preye is ful good tyme. I con not wonder wel ryme On latin ȝou to lere, Line 621 But noþeles I wol assay As neiȝ þe text as euer I may— Herkne and ȝe may heere. Line 624

"God þat diȝed vppon þe tre, Þat þe prest receyuede bodile Vppon þe Auter-ston, Line 627 Graunt vs grace, whon we hennes go, Þat we may worþily don al so, In vre concience al-on. Line 630 After vr dedes & we be demed, ffrom his blisse we schal be flemed, Out of þat worþli won. Line 633 God graunt vs grace In wille & word We may be worþi to his bord, Vr lord leue vs þat lon." Line 636

Line 636

Ȝit prei vr ladi, as I ow telle, [folio 303b:3] Þat ȝe forȝete not þe god-spelle, ffor no þing þat may bi-falle; Line 639 Tac a good entent þer-to: Hit is þe In principio On latin þat men calle. Line 642 A ȝer and fourti dayes atte lest ffor verbum caro factum est To pardoun haue ȝe schalle; Line 645 Mon or wommon schul haue þis Þat kneles doun þe eorþe to kis— ffor-þi þenk on hit alle! Line 648

Now haue I endet so as is Þe Maner and þe Mede of þe Mes, Þerof I am ful bliþe, Line 651 Ne more þerof to mele wiþ mouþe, I haue seid as I couþe, I þonke god fele siþe. Line 654 Of my trauayle is me nouȝt; Wolde ȝe þenke hit in ȝor þouȝt And in þe chirche hit kiþe, Line 657 Þen were hit lykynge of ȝor mynde, And gret cumfort to al Monkynde, Hose wol lusten and lyþe. Line 660

Ȝit is þer þreo þinges on þe Bok, Sikerly þat I out tok And neuer dar make in Mynde; Line 663 Hit was wel þouȝt at my likynge I ches hit out bi heuene-kynge, Þe toþer is ȝit bi-hynde. Line 666 But better þing þen I haue told, Herde ȝe neuere of ȝong ne old, On ground þat men may fynde; Line 669 Saue fyue wordes, wiþ-outen drede, Þat no mon but a prest schulde rede Is comen of cristen kynde. Line 672

God þat dyȝed vppon þe Roode, Þat bouȝt vs wiþ his blessed blode Vp-on þe harde tre, Line 675

Line 675 Ȝiue vs grace, boþe more and lasse, Þorw þe vertu of þe Masse Vr soules mai saued be. Line 678 ffader & Sone and Holigost, As þou art lord of mihtes most And sittes In Trinite, Line 681 Whon we schal dye, no lengor dwelle, Kep vs from þe pyne of helle, AMEN ffor charite. [Then follows, fol. 303, Þe guldene trental—Pope Gregory's, p. 260-7 above—repeated, with quite the same text.] Line 684

[XLVIII. Savings of St. Bernard: Man's three foes.] [Title in Index: Þat a man had þre enemys. The same poem is extant in MS. Laud 108 (together with the Vision of St. Paul), ed. by me in Herrig's Archiv 1874, and MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 106, ed. in Wright, Spec. of lyric poetry, p. 101.]

Her telleȝ seynt Bernard Mon haþ þreo enemys hard.

Seint Bernard seiþ in his Bok Þat Mon is worm & wormes Cok, And wormes he schal feden; Line 3 Whon his lyf is him bi-reued, In his Rug and in his heued Wol foule wormes breden. Line 6

Line 6

Þe fflesch schal melten from þe bon, Þe Senewes sundren euerichon, Þe Bodi schal de-fyen; Line 9 And ȝe þat wolen þe soþe sen, Vnder þe graues þer þey ben, And lokeþ hou þei lyȝen. Line 12

ÞI fflesch fiȝteþ aȝeyn þi gost. Whon þou schalt dyen þou hit nost, Wheþer day or niht; Line 15 Woltou niltou, þou schalt dyȝen, Ne may no Raunsoun þe for-buyȝen— Þou greiþ þe whil þou miht! Line 18

Mon, þou art of feble fom, Þow ne hast her no siker hom, Ȝif þow bi-seo þe ariht; Line 21 Vre riht wonynge were elles-where. Lord let vs comen þere ffor his muchele miht. Line 24

Line 24

Of feble froþ, Mon, is þi lyf, Whon deþ draweþ his kene knyf, I rede þat þou þe schryue; Line 27 ffor ȝif þou be-seo þi-self a-riht, ffinstou not her but flit & fiht, Whiles þou art in þis lyue. Line 30

Vnstable is þi lyf I-diht, Nou art þou heuy, nou artou liht, Sturtynde as a Ro; Line 33 Nou þou richest, & now þou porest, Nou art þou sek, now þou rekeuerest, In wandreþ and In wo. Line 36

Þi fflesch seiþ Niht and day "I wole haue ese while I may," Þi soule seiþ "nay, Line 39 Ac ȝif þou bere hit to muchel meþ, Hit wol þe worchen soule deþ And wo þat la[s]teþ ay." Line 42

Line 42

Þus striueþ euer more þei two, Þat on eggeþ to, þat oþur fro, Ne conne þei neuer blynne; Line 45 Ac, wel we mowen vs-seluen i-sen, Þe soule ouȝte Maister ben Al þe pris for to wynne. Line 48

Mon, I rede þat þou be wys, And ȝif þou falle, sone arys, Ne ligge þou none stounde. Line 51 ffor ȝif þou worche wel wiþ þis, Þe godspel seiþ, and soþ hit is, Þat þou hast blisse I-founde. Line 54

Mon, beo nouȝt þi-self vn-couþ, Ac loke what comeþ out at þi Mouþ And elles-wher a-bouten; Line 57 And ȝif þou nyme rihtliche keep, ffyndest þou non so vyl donge-hep, Wiþ-Innen no wiþ-owten. Line 60

Ac þou hast in þat vyle hous A þing þat is ful precious, And dere it was I-bouht; Line 63

Line 63 Ac I þe holde for wylde and wood, Ȝif þou ȝiue so muchel good To þe ffeond for nouht. Line 66

Mon, þou hast þreo luþer fon, Heore nomes con I wel vchon Ȝif I schal touchen alle: Line 69 Þyn oune flesch, þe world, þe fend. Ac he þat schulde best be þi frend Doþ þe raþest to falle, Line 72

And þat is þi flesch, þi furste fo, Þat þou pamprest and seruest so, Ȝif ich hit dorste seyen. Line 75 Þou dost þi soule muche wrong, Whon þou makest his fo so strong To fihten him aȝeyn. Line 78

Line 78

[From here MS. Vernon differs from the other MSS.] Of þe furste fo so fel Muche wonder hit is to tel, Hose schulde riht be-gynne: Line 81 Þat such a foul stinkynde sek Haþ such a burþen in his nek Of serwe and of synne. Line 84

Þis Careyn þat þou berest a-bouten, So vyl wiþ-Innen and wiþ-outen, A luytel wormes mete; Line 87 Euer þe bet þat þou him do, Siker be þou, euer-mo Þe worse he wol þe gete. Line 90

And ȝif þou þenke her-vppon Hou vyl a vessel hit is on, ffor al þe metes and drynkes, Line 93 Hou hit schal foulore smelle & smake Þen eny careyne þat is forsake Of best þat breþe stinkes. Line 96

ffor hose bi-heolde þi bodi ariht After þi deþ a fourtene niht, Neore he þi frend neuer so good, Line 99 Þat he nolde hiȝen him away And þynken seuen ȝer of a day Þat he bi þe stod.— Line 102

Þyn oþer fo Is a wonder þing, Þis world, wiþ diuerse fondyng Tempteþ þe more & more; Line 105

Line 105 ffals hit is and feir hit semeþ, And whon hit aller best þe qwemeþ, Hit greueþ þe ful sore. Line 108

Þis ffo haþ so ablendet þe Þat þou miȝt nouȝt bi-fore þe se How vyl þou art and pore, Line 111 Hou bare in to þis world þou come, Ne hou bare þou wendest home In to þi puttes ore. Line 114

He scheweþ þe wele & worldes wynne And dilyces so mony kinne, And eggeþ þe þer-to; Line 117 He reueþ þe mony a nihtes rest. fforsake schuldestou such a gest Þat þe con seruen so. Line 120

ffor whon þou hast gedred al þi pride, Comeþ deþ on þat oþer syde And reueþ þe al I-feere. Line 123 And whon he haþ þe doun I-cast, He wol deceyuen þe atte last, As hit þin neuer nere. Line 126

Ac to þi put he wol þe leden, And leue þe þere wormes to feden— Loke whuch a seruise! Line 129 He serueþ þe of & of no more; Þat al þi lyue lustnest his lore, He quyteþ þe on þis wyse. Line 132

And riȝt so schaltou go þi wey Naked and bare—weylawey! Wrecche, hou hastou sped! Line 135

Line 135 And ȝif þou haue eny good wrouȝt In word, in werk or in þouȝt, Þat berest þou to þi bed. Line 138

ÞE þridde fo, I may þe telle, Þat is þe foule fend of helle, Þe worste fo of alle. Line 141 Vnderstonde, he loueþ þe nouȝt, He wol chaungen al þi þouȝt And maken þe foule to falle. Line 144

Vnderstonde, he nolde þe no good, He wolde marren al þi mood— Þow war þe from his hok! Line 147 And ȝif þou do as I þe seye, Al his wrenches miht þou leye Al mid his oune crok.^* Line 150

Line 150

Ȝif þe fend þorw his fondyng Or for defaute of wiþ-stondyng In eny synne haþ þe cast, Line 153 A-Rys vp as a Champioun, Stond stif and fal no more a-doun ffor such a wyndes blast. Line 156

Þow go In to þe feire feld And tak vr lord to þi scheld, Þin hond þou strecche and fonde, Line 159 And þenk vppon him wiþ mylde mod Þat for þe ȝaf his herte-blod And get þat lyflich londe. Line 162

Þow take þe crois to þi staf And þenk on him þat þeron ȝaf His lyf þat was so lef; Line 165 Wite wel þi fot wiþ staues ord And mak þe traytur speke þe word And wrek þe on þat þef. Line 168

ffiht faste for þyn owne riht And get þe heuene-blisse briht, While þou hast tyme þer-to; Line 171 Þin owne heritage hit is, And þerof schaltou neuer mis But ȝif þou hit fordo. Line 174

Line 174

Ac ȝif þow haue wel in muynde Hou feble þat þou art of kuynde, And hou þou gost to nouȝt, Line 177 Hit mihte wel þin herte whetten And of fflesches lustes letten, Weore þou wel bi-þouȝt. Line 180

Where ben heo þat bi-foren vs weren, Þat houndes ladden & haukes beeren And hedden feld and wode; Line 183 Þis Riche ladys in heore bour, Þat wereden gold in heore tressour, Wiþ heore brihte rode? Line 186

Þei eeten and dronken & maden hem glad, In Ioye was al heore lyf I-lad, Men knelede hem bi-foren: Line 189 Þei beren hem here so stout and hiȝe, Ac in twynklyng of an eiȝe Heore soules were for-loren. Line 192

Wher is þat gomen and þat song, Þat traylyng & þat comelich ȝong, Þo haukes and þe houndes? Line 195 Al þat Ioye is went a-wey, Heore weole is comen to weilawei, To monye harde stoundes. Line 198

Heore paradys þei hedden hyr, [r. her] And now þei liggen in helle-fyr, [r. fer] Þer pit and peyne is euere; Line 201 Strong is þere in peyne and wo, Ac hopen þar hem neuer-mo, ffor out ne comen þei neuere. Line 204

Allas, þat þei euere were boren or bred Þat heer on eorþe such lyf han led And deserued such meedes, Line 207 To brennen in þe fuir of helle, Euer-more þer-Inne to dwelle And glowen in þo gledes! Line 210

Line 210

Ac Moder & Mayden, heuene-Qween, As we hopen þat þou wol ben Vr warant from þe fende: Line 213 Þou help vs dedly synne to fleen, And þat we mote þi sone seen World wiþ-outen ende. AMEN. [Then follows 'Kyng of Thars,' ed., with MS. Auchinl., in Engl. Stud.] Line 216

MS. Laud 108, fol. 198 a.

HErkniez me a luytel þrowe, Ȝe þat wollez ou-self i-knowe, Wise þei ȝe beo: Line 3 Ichulle ou telle, ase ich can, Ȝwat holie writ spekz of Man, Ȝif ȝe wullez i-heore me. Line 6

Seint bernard seith in his bok Þat man is worm and wormes cok, For he schal wormes fede; Line 9 Ȝwan his lijf him is bi-reued, In his rug and in his heued Schullen grisliche wormes brede.

Þi fleschs schal melte fram þe bon, Þi senues sundriez euerech-on, Þi bodi schal al to-sie. Line 15 Ȝe þat wollez þe soþe i-seo, Vndoz þe burieles þare hi beoz, And lokiez ȝwat þare lie. Line 18

Man, þu art a feble fom; Here nast þou no siker hom, I segge it þe wel stille. Line 21 Þi riȝhte hom is elles-ȝwer— Ihesus us graunti to come þer, Ȝwan it is his wille. Line 24

Þi flesch stant a-ȝein þi gost; Ȝwanne þu schalt deiȝe, þu it nost, Noþur day ne nyȝht. Line 27 Nedescostes þou most deiȝe, Ne may no raunchoun þe fur-buye— Striue þe ȝwile þou miȝht! Line 30

Line 30

Of feble wynd, man, is þi lijf, Ȝwanne dez drawez is scharpe knyf, Þou do þe sone to schriue; Line 33 For, ȝif þat þou canst loken ariȝht, Ne hast þou here bote fiȝht, Þe ȝwile þou ar aliue. Line 36

Nov þu art wrong, nov þu art ryȝht, [folio 198b] Nou þou art heuy, nou þu art lyȝht, Þou lepest also a ro; Line 39 Nov þu art sik, nou þou art coueret, Nov þou art riche, nou þu art pouere— Ne is þis muche wo? Line 42

Þi flesch þe seith boþe niȝht and day: "Ichulle habbe ayse þe ȝwile i may." Þi soule seith a-ȝein him "nay! Line 45 Ȝif ich am aȝein þe of muche meth, Þou bringust me to helle to þe deth, And to wo þat lastez ay." Line 48

Line 48

Þus it farez bi-twene heom to, Þat on seith "let," þat oþur seith "do," Ne connen huy neuere blinne. Line 51 Ake wel ȝe mouwen ov-self i-seo: Þe soule ouȝhte maister to beo, Þe maistrie for to winne. Line 54

A, man, ne beo nouȝht þi-sulf vnkouth, Loke ȝwat comez out of þi mouth, And elles-ȝware with-oute. Line 57 Ȝif þou wolt nime wel guod kepe, Þou ne findest bote a foul doung hepe, Þei þou loke þe al a-boute. Line 60

Man, þu hast in þi foule hous A deoreworþe þing and precious, And ful deore it was a-bouȝht. Line 63

Line 63 Ich holde þe more þane wod, Ȝif [þou] letest so muche guod Þe feond habbe al for nouȝht. Line 66

Man, beo þou i-war and eke wys: Ȝif þou doun fallest, sone aris, Ne lie þou none stounde. Line 69 With al þi miȝht ȝif þou dost þis, Þi soule þe seyth, and soth it is, Þat blisse þou hast i-founde. Line 72

Man, þou hauest þreo wicke fon. Heore names i can nemme echon, Ȝif ich schal tellen hem alle: Line 75 Þin owene flechs, þe world, þe feond. And he þat best scholde beo þi freond, Maketh þe raþest doun falle. Line 78

Þou cloþest him with fair[e] schroud, Þou makest þi fo fat and proud, To fyȝhte þe a-ȝein; Line 81 Þou dost þi-sulf wel muche wronk: Þou makest þi fo fat and strong, Ȝif ich it dorste seyen. Line 84

Line 84

Man, do þu bi conseil and bi red And with-drauȝ þou him of is bred, And watur ȝif him to drinke; Line 87 Ne lat him no-þing Idel gon, Ake do him pines mani on, And ofte forto swynke. Line 90

To coueitise of mani þing Þe world þe drawez a misliking; A-ȝeynes þe more and more. Line 93

Line 93 Fals he is and fayr he semez; Alre best ȝwane he þe quemez, He þe bindez sore. Line 96

Þou wost þis world schal gon to nouȝht; Ne hast þou no þing hidere i-brouȝht, Ne nouȝht ne schalt bere with þe. Þou schalt al one gon þi wey, Line 100 With-outen stede and palefrey, With-oute gold and feo. Line 102

Line 102

Þi þridde fo is þe foule wiȝht, Þat fondeth boþe day and nyȝht With his guyles alle. Line 105 Wel þou wost he ne louez þe nouȝht, He fondez ay to chaungen þi þouȝht, And makez þe forto falle. Line 108

Þou wost wel he nele þe no guod, He wolde hauen þin herte-blod— Beo iwar of his hok! Line 111 Ake do ase ich þe habbe i-seid, And þine þreo fon worþez a-leyd With heore owene Crok.^* Line 114

Ȝif þu seist "þis spel is hard, I ne may nouȝht holde þis foreward, Holde ne wel it driȝe," Line 117 A luytel þing ich axi þe— Þou seie it me par charite— Þat þou me nouȝht ne lye! Line 120

Ȝware beoth nou þei þat bi-fore us weren, Þat houndes ladden and hauekes beren And hadden field and wode? Line 123 Þis riche leuedies in heore bour, Þet wereden gold on heore tressour, With heore briȝhte rode? Line 126

Line 126

Huy eten and dronken and maden hem glad, Here lyf was al in Ioye a-lad, Men knevleden hem bi-fore; Line 129 Huy beren heom here so swiþe heyȝe Þat þoruȝ twinklingues of heore eyȝen Heore soules beon alle for-lore. Line 132

Ȝware beoz þulke þat couþen so wel With vnriȝhte and wrongliche echdel Winne rentes and londes, Line 135 And nolden nouȝht here beon aknowe Þat it was unriȝhtfulliche heore owe, For þe worldes schonde? Line 138

Þulke þat deiden on vrþe here And wonnen ouȝht in swuch manere, Londes oþur rente, Line 141 For soþe i segge it eou to-wisse, Huy ne comiez neuere in heuene|b[l]isse, Ake in helle huy schullen stunte.

Þei huy ligge sike longue And in heore dez-bedde þienchez "mid wronge To þulke þing we come," Line 147 Fain huy wolden, hadden huy space, Ake manie nabbez þer-to no grace, To ȝelden a-ȝein eft-sone. Line 150

Þare seith þe bok a-pliȝht Þat eorl ne baroun cler[c] ne knyȝht, Bacheler ne sweyn, Line 153 Noþing ne mouwe huy with onriȝht. In þis manere habbe no wiȝht, Bote huy it ȝelden aȝein. Line 156

Ȝware is þis hoppingue and þis song, Þis ridingue and þis proute ȝong, Þis hauekes and þis houndes? Line 159 Al þat weole is went awey; Þat Joyȝe is come to weilawey, And to mani harde stoundes. Line 162

Þole þou, man, ȝif þat þou miȝht, A luyte pine þat man þe bit; With-drauȝh þine ayses ofte. Line 165 Þei þine pines þe þinchen on-lede, Þou þench opon þe muchele mede: Hit schal þe liken softe. Line 168

Line 168

Ȝif þe feond, þat foule þing, With wicke roun oþur vuel egging Hauez þe ene a-kast, Line 171 Op stond and beo guod Chaumpiun, And ne fal þou non more a-doun For a luytel blast. Line 174

Þou tak þe rode to þi staf, And þenk on him þat þaron ȝaf His lif þat was so leof; Line 177 He ȝaf it for þe, þou ȝeld it him; A-ȝein is fo a staf þu nim And awrek him on þat þeof! Line 180

Line 180

Marie, moder, houene-quen, Þou canst, and miȝht, and owest to ben Ore help aȝein þe feonde: Line 183 Help us sunnes forto fleon, Þat we moten þi sone i-seon In Joye with-outen ende. Amen. Line 186

MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 106 a.

Lustneþ alle a lutel þrowe, Ȝe þat wolleþ ou-selue y-knowe, Vnwys þah y be: Line 3 Ichulle telle ou ase y con Hou holy wryt spekeþ of mon— Herkneþ nou to me. Line 6

Þe holy mon sayþ in is bok Þat mon is worm & wormes kok, Ant wormes he shal vede; Line 9 When is lif is hym by-reued, In is rug & in ys heued He shal foule wormes brede. Line 12

Line 12

Þe fleyhs shal rotie from þe bon, Þe senewes vntuen eueruchon, Þe body shal to-fye. Line 15 Ȝe þat wolleþ þat soþe y-suen, Vnder grases, þer hue buen, By-holdeþ whet þer lye. Line 18

Mon is mad of feble fom, Ne haþ he no syker hom To stunte alle-wey stille; Line 21 Ys ryhte stude is elles-wher— Ihesu, bring vs alle þer, Ȝef hit be þy wille. Line 24

Þe fleysh stont aȝeyn þe gost When þou shalt deȝe, ner þou nost, Nouþer day ne nyht; Line 27 On stede ne sitte þou ner so heȝe, Ȝet a-last þou shalt deȝe— Greyþ þe whil þou myht. Line 30

Line 30

In false wonyng is monnes lyf, When deþ draweþ is sharpe knyf, Do þe sone to shryue; Line 33 ffor ȝef þou const loke a-riht, Nast þou noþyng bote fyght Whil þou art a-lyue. Line 36

Nou þou hast wrong, & nou ryht, Nou þou art heuy & nou lyht, Þou lepest ase a roo; Line 39 Nou þou art sekest & nou holest, Nou þou art rychest & nou porest— Nis þis muche woo? Line 42

Þy fleysh ne swy[n]keþ nyht ne day, Hit wol han eyse whil hit may, Ant þe soule sayþ: 'nay, Line 45 Ȝef ich þe buere to muche meþ, Þou wolt me bringe to helle-deþ, Ant wo þat lasteþ ay." Line 48

Line 48

Þus hit geþ bi-tuene hem tuo, Þat on saiþ "let," þat oþer seyþ "do." Ne wune hue nout lynne;" Line 51 Wel we mowe alle y-se Þe soule shulde maister be, Þe pris forte wynne. Line 54

Ne be þe nout þi fleysh vncouþ, Loke whet comeþ out of þy mouþ, And elles-wher wyþ-oute; Line 57 Ȝef þou nymest wel god keep, Ne fyndest þou non so fyl dung-heep, Ant þou loke a-boute. Line 60

Nou þou hast in þat foul hous A þyng þat is ful precious, fful duere hit ys a-boht; Line 63

Line 63 Icholde þe ful wilde & wod, Ȝef þou lesest so muche god, And ȝeuest hit for noht. Line 66

Mon, be war & eke wis Ȝef þou fallest, sone a-rys, Ne by þou none stounde; Line 69 Wiþ al þi myhte þou do þis, Þy soule sihþ, & soþ hit ys Blysse ichaue y-founde. Line 72

Mon, þou hauest wicked fon, Þe alre-worst is þat on (!), Here nomes y shal telle; Line 75 Þyn oune fleysh þy worst is fend (!); Þat best shulde be þy frend, Þat most doþ þe to quelle. Line 78

Þou cloþest him in feir[e] shroud, Ant makest þy fomon fat & proud, Ȝef y durste seyn; Line 81 Þou dest þy-selue muche wrong, Þou makest him bo fat & strong, To fyhte þe aȝeyn. Line 84

Line 84

Do my counsail & my reed: Wiþ-drah hym ofte of is breed, Ant ȝef him water drynke; Line 87 Ne let hym noþing ydel go, Bote pyne do hym & wo, Ant ofte let hym swynke. Line 90

Coueytise of mony þyng Þe world þe bringeþ in fleish lykyng, Ant ȝeueþ þe more & more; Line 93

Line 93 ffals he is & feyr he semeþ, Alre-best when he þe quemeþ He byndeþ þe fol sore. Line 96

Þenne shal he go to noht: Nast þou noþing hyder y-broht, Ne nout shalt buere wyþ þe; Line 99 Þou shalt al one go þy wey, Wiþ-oute stede & palefrey, Wiþ-oute gold & fee. Line 102

Line 102

Lucifer, þat foule wyht, Þat wes him-selue so feyr & bryht, Þurh prude fel to helle; Line 105 Wiþ foule wille & foul þoht He fondeþ bringe þe to noht, Ant þe forte quelle. Line 108

Þench þat he þe nes nout god, He wolde haue þyn huerte-blod— War þe for his hokes! Line 111 Do nou ase ichaue þe seyd, Ant alle þre shule ben a-leyd Wiþ huere foule crokes.^* Line 114

Ȝef þou seist "my spel ys hard," Þat þou ne miht þis foreward Holde ne dreȝe, Line 117 A lutel þyng y aske þe— Sey me soþ, par charite, Þer-of þat þou ne leȝe! Line 120

Wher beþ hue þat by-foren vs were, Lordes, ledyes, þat hauekes bere, Haden feld & wode? Line 123 Þe ryche ledies is huere bour Þat wereden gold on huere tressour, Wiþ huere bryhte rode? Line 126

Line 126

Hue eten & dronken & maden huem glad, Huere lyf al wiþ ioie y-lad, Me knelede huem by-fore; Line 129 Hue beren huem so swyþe heȝe, And in a twynglyng of an eȝe So hue weren for-lore. Line 132

Wher bueþ hue, þy wedes longe? Þis muchele murþe, ioie, & songe? Þis hauekes & þis houndes? Line 135 Al þat weole is wend a-way, Ant al is turnd to weylaway, To monye harde stoundes. Line 138

Huere parais hue maden here Ant nou hue liggeþ in helle yfere, Þat fur huem berneþ euer; Line 141 Stronge y-pyne & stronge in wo, Longe is ay & longe ys o, Out ne comeþ hue neuer. Line 144

Line 144

Ȝef þe feond, þe foule þyng, Þourh wycked werk oþer eggyng A-doun haþ þe y-cast, Line 147 Vp, & be god champioun, Stond & fal no more a-doun For a lutel blast, Line 150

Tac þe rode to þy staf, Ant þenke on him þat for þe ȝaf His lyf þat was so luef; Line 153 He hit ȝef, þou þonke hym; Aȝeyn þy fo such staf þou nym, Ant wrek þe on þat þuef. Line 156

[XLIX. Prouerbes of diuerse profetes and of poetes and of oþur seyntes.] [So the title in Index. Similar collections of sayings of fam|ous men, in prose, are frequent in northern MSS. (f. i. Rawl. A, Bodl. 938). A collection, comprising all the sayings of 'Philo|sophers' under each name, is Caxton's 'Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers,' fol. (1st ed. Westm., 1477, 2nd ed. Westm., 1480?, 3rd ed. Westm., 1490?—the 1st ed. being the 1st book printed in England; it was reproduced from Christie Miller's perfect copy by W. Blades, London 1877). These were originally compiled in Latin ab. 1350, and in 1410 translated into French by Guilleaume de Tignonville, from which version Earl Rivers made the English transl. ed. by Caxton: (it contains Sayings of Sedechias, Hermes, Tac, Zalquinus, Omer, Solon, Sabyon, Ypo|cras, Pitagoras, Dyogenes, Socrates, Platon, Aristotle, Alexander Tholome, Assaron, Legmon, Anese, Sacdarge, Thesille, S. Gre|gorie, Galyen). Lord Tollemache has a varying MS of the Dictes.]

Cher amys, receuez de moy [folio cccvi] Vn ben present ke vous enuoy, Nunpas de or ne de Argent, Mes de bon enseignement; Ki en escripture ai troue Line 5 E de latin translate En comun langage pur amis Ke de clergie ne ount a-pris. Trestut est sen e verite Ke issi trouereȝ en Romaunce. Line 10

Line 10 Ki ben len entent e souent list, [folio 307:2] Line 11 Prou en auera e delist; Dount cely seit de dieu benet Ki sa entente bien i mest.

DAUID.

Inicium sapiencie timor domini.

Li sages dit en soun lyuere Line 15 Ke comencement de bien viuere Sour tote rien est de doter Dampne dieu e honourer.

Þe wyse mon in his bok haþ þis seying Line 15 Þat þe biginnyng of good liuyng Ouer alle þing is God to drede And him to worschupe wiþ al vr spede. Line 18

SALOMON.

In bonis sit cor tuum in diebus iuuentutis tue.

Le Auctor dit ke vostre entente Line 19 Deueȝ mettre en ta iuuente De touȝt pecches vous retrere, E bones heueres [= oevres] vser e fere.

Þis Auctor seiþ verreyment Line 19 Þat in þi ȝouþe þou schalt do þin entent To wiþ-drawe þe fro sinnes euer-mo, And goode werkes vse and do. Line 22

Audendo crescit virtus, tardando timor.

Cum plus targeþ de bien ouerer Line 23 Plus serreȝ pourous de comencer; Par comencement vertu acrest, E par targer retret est.

Þe lattor þou art of good worching Line 23 Þe more feruol þou schalt be of bi-ginnyng; ffor þorw bi-ginnyng vertu encresceþ, And þorw latschipe hit is wiþ-drawe & ceseþ. Line 26

ISAYAS.

Sola vexacio dabit intellectum.

En trauaile metteȝ cors e quer Line 27 Pur la parole dieu oyer; Kar par parole len quert sen, E par sen se garde len. Line 30

Line 30

In trauayle set bodi and herte i-fere Line 27 Godes word ay wel to here; ffor þorw word lernen wit men, And be wit Men kepen hem þen. Line 30

SALAMON.

Qui odit correpcionem insipiens erit; melius est enim a sapiente corripi quam a stulto adulari.

Si vous hayeȝ de estre reprys, Line 31 Ne serreȝ iammes ben a-pris; Meuȝ vaut tenson de veir disour Ke deceyte de lonsengour.

Ȝif þou hate to be repreyuet auht, Line 31 Schalt þou neuer be wel I-tauht; Bettre is chidyng of a soþ seyere Þen deceyuyng of a losyngere. Line 34

IEREMIAS.

Confessori monstra delictum.

Si vous aueȝ de ren mesfet Line 35 E puis defendeȝ vostre fest, Pluis est dieu de ceo greue Ke eynȝ ne fust del pecche.

Ȝif þou hast don aȝeyn god auis Line 35 And after defendest hit I-wis, God is more greuet of þat defendyng Þen of þe furste sungyng. Line 38

IACOB.

Non est hic aliud nisi domus dei & porta celi.

Souent haunteȝ les mosters Line 39 E la dieu prieȝ volunters; la porte de ciel oy nomer, par ou vus couent le cel entrer.

Ofte to churche loke þow sterte Line 39 And prei þer to god wiþ al þin herte; Þe ȝate of heuene I haue herd hit cald, Be þe wȝuche in to heuene entre þou schalt Line 42

SALAMON.

Vis habere imperium, impera tibi.

Si vous desireȝ graunt honour, Line 43 Ieo vous fray Emperour:

Emperour le dey nomer Ki sei meymes set Iusticer.

Ȝif þou desyre gretliche honour, Line 43 I schal þe make an Emperour; An Emperour I schal him calle Þat con him-self Iustifie (!) ouer alle. Line 46

Noli [MS. Volo] auertere faciem tuam ab vllo paupere.

Si vus desireȝ de dieu la grace, Line 47 De nuly poure turneþ la face, Ke dieu ne turne sa face de vous— Si dit le sage a nous tous.

Ȝif þou desyre of god to haue grace, Line 47 ffrom no pore mon turne þi face, Leste god turne his face from þe— Þe wise mon techeþ alle þus, parde. Line 50

TOBIAS.

Si multum tibi fuerit, habundanter tribue.

Si poy as, poy durras, Line 51 E durras mout si mout as; Si rien ne as mout durras Quaunt de doner la volunte as.

Ȝif þou haue luytel, luitel ȝiue and do; Line 51 Ȝif þou haue muchel, muche ȝiue also; Ȝif þou haue nouȝt, muche þou schalt ȝiue And þi wille be to ȝiue ȝif þou were I-þriue. Line 54

RAPHAEL.

Elemosina purgat peccata & facit inueniri vitam eternam.

Bon est estre augmoners; Line 55 Deuȝ bens est pur ce apparaylers: De ces pecches remissioun, E vye perdurable en guerdoun.

Hit is good to don almes-dede, Line 55 ffor twei godes ben ordeynt to þi mede: On is of þi sunnes remission, Þat toþur euer-lastinge lyf to þi gerdon. Line 58

SENECA.

Auarus nullis est bonus, in se pessimus.

Mal est estre trop auers, Line 59

Line 59 Deuȝ mauls est pur ce aparrayles: De sa malice longe record, E peyne horible a-pres la mort.

Hit is euel to ben auerous, Line 59 Tweyn euel þingus þerfore ben ordeynt to vs: Long record of þat malice, And horible peyne for suche vice. Line 62

SENECA.

Conscienciam pocius quam famam time; nullum magis time quam te ipsum: alium effugere potes, te ipsum numquam.

Plus doteȝ ta conscience Line (63) Ke de nul autre la presence; Ta conscience ne eschapereȝ, Autri presence bien porreȝ.

Loke þou doute more þi concience Line 63 Þen oþer mennes presence; Þin oune concience maiȝt þou not skap, Oþur mennes presence þou maiȝt in hap. Line 66

SENECA.

Non viuas aliter in solitudine quam in foro.

Vseȝ de fere priuement Line (67) Cum fere voleȝ de-vaunt la gent, Ou par cas vous eschapera ffet ou dit ke mes auendra.

Vse þe to do priueliche Line 67 As þou wolt do to-fore men openliche, Or elles paraunter þe may askap Word or dede or sum mis hap. Line 70

SENECA.

Quid communicabit cacabus ad ollam.

Ne vous boteȝ trop auaunt Line (71) De quere greuaunce al puissaunt; Rien ne vaut au pot de tere Countre le Caudron tener guere.

Put þe not to ferforþ, I rede now, Line 71 To greue him þat is mihtyore þen þow; Hit nis not worþ an old Botoun An eorþene pot to fihte wiþ a Caudroun. Line 74

Line 74

SERAFYN.

Pondus super se tollit qui diciori se socius fuerit.

Ne trop ne quereȝ especiaute Line (75) De homme ki est en dignete; Vos beaus presens receiuera, Si rien ne ly doneȝ il vous greuera, Si poure deueneȝ il vous mokera— De autre bounte ne espereȝ ia. Line (80)

Drauȝ vppon þe no specialte Line 75 Of Mon þat is of gret dignite; Þi feire presentes he wole receue, Ȝif þou ȝiue nouȝt he wole þe greue, Ȝif þou waxe pore he wol skorne þe— Wayte of him neuere oþer bounte. Line 80

SALOMON.

Melius est vicinus iuxta quam f[r]ater procul.

De vostre veisyn pres de vous Line (81) Seyeȝ tendre e gelous; Kar meuȝ vaut bon veisyn Ke ne fet frere loynȝ tayn.

Of þi neiȝebor þat neiȝ is to þe Line 81 Be þou tendre and haue him in cherte; ffor bettre is a neiȝebore neiȝe Þen a broþur fer fro þin eiȝe. Line 84

SENECA.

Acceptum beneficium eterne memorie est inserendum.

Ne meteȝ iammes en obly Line (85) Vn bien-fet de vostre amy; En quer vus soit tut-Iours tenu Le bien ke aueȝ vne feȝ receu.

ffor-ȝete þou neuere out of þi mynde Line 85 A benfet don of þi frende; In herte loke þou holde stedefast Þe benfet þat þou ones hast. Line 88

SERAFYN.

Stude meditari, si bene velis fari.

Si vne pense vous saut enquer, Line (89) Ne seyeȝ pas primesauter

De fere ou dyre ceke penseȝ, De-vaunt ceke vus seieȝ bien auyseȝ

Ȝif in þin herte falle a þouȝt, Line 89 To hasti loke þat þou be nouȝt To do oþer speke þin entent, Til þou haue take good auysement. Line 92

SENECA.

Ne petas quod negaturus es, Nec neges quod petiturus es.

Ne prieȝ iammes a vostre amy Line (93) Chose ke vous ne freȝ a ly; Ne vous ne deueȝ pas nyer, [MS. vyer] Ce ke est a demaunder.

Prei not þi frend to bisilye Line 93 Of þing þat þou woldes him denye; Ne denye þou not þat is asked þe, Ȝif hit be couenable asked to be. Line 96

SENECA.

Qui beneficium dare nescit in-iuste petit.

Ki mout ad e rien ne doyne, Line (97) Pur demaunder mot ne soyne; En demaundaunt quert hountage Ki ne fet a autres nuil auauntage.

Hose haþ muche and nul not ȝiue, Line 97 Ouȝt to aske he nis not þriue; In his askyng he geteþ hountage Þat to non oþur wole do auauntage. Line 100

SENECA.

Beneficium accipere est libertatem vendere.

Cil est franc pur fere dreyt Line (101) Ki doun ne present ne receyt; Ky doun receit sanȝ soun desert, Sa fraunchise vent e pert.

ffreo he is to do men riht Line 101 Þat ȝift ne present takeþ of no wiht; He þat ȝiftes [takeþ] wiþ-outen decert, His freodam he sulleþ & leoseþ apert. Line 104

Line 104

SALOMON.

Multi quasi inuencionem estimant fenus et prestiterunt molestiam hijs qui se adiuuerunt; dum accipiunt manus osculantur, & in tempore redicionis loquntur verba tedij.

Perneȝ garde en vostre a-prest Line 105 A ky vous presteȝ queus il est; Tels se fet auant amy [Thus far the poem is in the Simeon MS.] Ki par toun prest tei ert enemy. Quant il receyt yl beise ta meyn, Quant rendre deit tei apele vileyn, E voȝ rent pur vos ben-feȝ Vile represes alautre meȝ.

Whon þou lenest þi þing, tak hede of þis Line 105 To whom þou lenest and what he is; Such mon to-fore scheweþ him þi frende, Þat schal be þin enemy at þe ende; Line 108 Whon he receyueþ he wol cusse þin honde, Whon he schulde paie he wol cal þe cherl bonde; He wol þe ȝelde for þi gode dede ffoul repreyuynge to þi mede. Line 112

SENECA.

Amici quidem graues sunt, inimici leues.

Vous poyeȝ auer tel amy Line 113 Ke plus vouȝ vaudreit vn enemy; De voȝ deuers lun nad cure, Lautre ne seit poynt de mesure De a-prompter ne de venir, De soiourner a soun pleiser; Dount plus vous greuera tel ameste Ke de lautre le enemiste. Line 120

Such a frend þou miht haue sikerli Line 113 Þat þou were bettre haue an enemy; Þat on of þi moneye haþ hede ne cure, Þat oþur naþ wiþ hym no mesure Line 116 To Borwe of þe ne of ofte comyng Ne to soiourne at his likyng. Such frendschupe þe greue schal more parde Þen þat oþeres enemiȝte. Line 120

Line 120

SAULUS.

Admone illos non litigiosos esse, set mansuetos ad omnes.

Si vous aueȝ vos seruauns Ki vous sount contrariauns, Ne les tenseȝ pas souent— Seint Eglise le defent;— Mes ki ne cert a soun auenaunt, Prenge conge e vous auaunt.

SAMUEL.

Loquere domine quia audit seruus tuus.

Mout est li seruaunt de mal escole Line 121 Ki soffri ne peut la parole Soun seignour a ky il sert, Quant par sa parole rien ne pert.

He is vuel worþi Cloþ or bord Line 121 Þat may not suffre a luytel word Of his lord þat he serueþ to, Whon for such a word leoseþ neuur þe mo. Line 124

SERAFYN.

A ȝelantibus te absconde consilium.

Ne moustreȝ pas tut vostre quer Line 125 A vostre seruaunt; kar de leger Ky ore est prest, ert loyns de vous; Ke auaunt set vn, donke sauerunt tous.

Schewe not þin herte outerliche Line 125 To þi seruaunt. for-whi lihtliche To-day he is wiþ þe, to-morwe he flit; Þat tofore wuste but on, þen moni schul wit. Line 128

SENECA.

Quod uis esse tacitum nemini dixeris.

Si vus blameȝ petit ou graunt Line 129 Ki vostre conseil est mys auaunt, Ki ne blameȝ vous vostre quer, Ki vostre counseil ne set celer.

Ȝif þou blame luitel or muche Line 129 ffor þi counseil is outet openliche, Blame þou maiȝt þin oune herte wel, Þat couþe not hele þin oune counseil. Line 132

Line 132

SALOMON.

Sicut sagitta in femore canis, sic verbum in corde stulti.

Sete e counseil a-cordent bien Line 133 En quer de fol e en quise de chen; Leun e lautre fount courte soiour, Par bouche pasent saunȝ restour.

An arwe in an houndes buttoke Line 133 And counseil in a foles herte istoke A-cordeþ wel, for nouþur makeþ soiourning; Þorw mouþ þei passen wiþ-outen restreyning. Line 136

IOB.

Noli de seruis querelam facientibus credere priusquam facti veritas aperte discernatur.

Si vous oyeȝ encusement Line 137 De akun de vostre gent, En quereȝ prymes la verite, De-vaunt ke en seyeȝ trop greue.

Ȝif þou here eni accusacioun Line 137 Of eni of þy peple in feld or toun, Enquere furst þerof þe verite Or þou þerfore in herte greue þe. Line 140

AUGUSTINU[S].

Qui enim credit verba loquencium, cum ceteri per risus gaudent decorem, per doloris cruciabitur merorem.

Souent auent de meynte bon fet Line 141 Par medisaunȝ bestorne est; Kyke tut creyt quant-ke homme li dist, Il ert mourneȝ quant autre rist.

Ofte hit falleþ þat mony good ded Line 141 Wiþ euel-siggers is ouer-torned; Hose leeueþ vche monnes seying, Whon oþur lauȝwhen, he schal make murning. Line 144

IEREMIAS.

Erubescere nescierunt, propterea cadent inter ruentes.

Si vous perdeȝ curtesye [&] bounte, Line 145 Vous cheyereȝ tut en vyle hounte; Hounte, curteisye e seyntete Par a-cord sount freres iure.

Ȝif þou lese curtesye and bounte Line 145 To falle in foul schame hit bi-houeþ þe; Good schame, holynesse, & curtesye As Breþuren ben sworen, witterlye. Line 148

SENECA.

Enormiter petit qui se beneficium dedisse dicit.

Vileynement quert il louer Line 149 Ky sei auaunte de soun doner; Ky a prodomme doyne doun, Asseȝ receyt saunȝ autre guerdoun.

In foul maner he askeþ a louwaunce Line 149 Þat of his ȝifte makeþ bobaunce; Hose ȝiueþ a ȝift to a good man, I-nouh he takeþ wiþ-oute reward þan. Line 152

IPOCRAS.

Cui non videtur bona sua esse amplissima, miser est, quamuis sit dominus tocius mundi.

Yl est bien cheytif apeleȝ Line 153 Ky se pleynt e ad a-seȝ: Mes ky tut le mond fust le suen, Yl vus dirroyt ki il nust ren.

A wrecche forsoþe me may hym cal Line 153 Þat pleyneþ him and haþ i-nouȝ at al; ffor þouȝ al þe world were only his, He wolde seie he hedde nouȝt, i-wis. Line 156

SERAFYN.

Non credas inimico tuo in eternum, & si inimicus tuus uadat tibi obuiam, firma animum tuum & custodi te ab illo.

Vostre enymi ne creieȝ ia Line 157 De nuyl ren ke il vous dirra; Cum plus vus mostre bien sembla[n]t, Plus doteȝ le fet suaunt.

Leef neuer þin enemi, ho-so hit be, Line 157 Of no þing þat he spekeþ to þe; Whon he þe makeþ fe[i]rest spekyng Þen drede þou most his dedes suwyng. Line 160

Line 160

SENECA.

ffrequencia peragit deesse locum remedio dum vicia mores sunt.

Si vous byeȝ de estre prodomme, Line 161 Retreeȝ vus de mal custume; Kar par custume de mes-fere Maueyse tecche comense plere.

Ȝif þou caste þe good mon to be, Line 161 ffrom euel custom euer drawe þe; ffor bi wone of vuel doyng Vuel tecches turneþ in to plesyng; And whon þing pleseþ þe þat þou scholdest hat, Better þe hedde ben to-fore forsaken þat. Line 166

SALOMON.

Honor est homini cum separat se a contencionibus, stulti autem miscentur contumelijs.

Mout est honeste vileynye Line 167 Estre vencu en tenserye, E mout est vileyne curteysye Empromter de ylek la Mestrye.

Hit is a wel honeste vileynye Line 167 In chydyng to be ouercomen, sikerlye, But hit is a vileyn curtesye Þerof to bere a-wey þe maystrie. Line 170

SENECA.

Cum inferiori contendere sordidum est, cum superiori furiosum.

Si vous tenseȝ vostre soget, Line 171 Ceo est graunt vileynye e led; Si vous tenseȝ ton cumpaynon, Par tant freȝ discencion; Si vous tenseȝ ton souereyn, Se est deuerye tut pleyn.

Ȝif þat þou chyde þi soget, Line 171 Hit is to þe vileynye gret; Wiþ þi felawe ȝif þou chyde, Discencion þou schalt make þat tyde; And ȝif þou chyde þi souereyn, Men mow seye þou art wod, certeyn. Line 176

Line 176

SERAFYN.

Risus dencium & incessus hominis enunciant de illo.

Seyeȝ tuȝ iours de beau semblaunt, Line 177 Meȝ ne mye trop haut ryaunt; Ly fous est conu par sa rise, E ly sages par sa meurte.

Loke þou euere be of feir chere, Line 177 Lauhwe not to muche as nyce of geere; Þe fol is knowen bi his lauhwhing, And þe wyse bi his sad beryng. Line 180

SENECA.

Remedium iniurie est obliuio, ingenuitas non recipit contumeliam.

Si nully fous vous sourdye, Line 181 Vous ne aueȝ meyllour remedye Ke de mettre en oblyaunce Les soties de sa parlaunce; Kar si vous voleȝ mettere a uoyr Line 185 Au Matin ceoke yl dist al seir, Vous procureȝ par tel espreue A vous meymes hounte neue.

Ȝif a fol speke to þe vilenye, Line 181 Þen is þe beste remedye ffor to forȝete alle-maner wreche Of þe folyes of his speche; Line 184 ffor ȝif þou woldest hit putte to soþing Þat he seyde ouur niȝt vppon þe morwening, Þou miȝtest procure wiþ such prouyng To þi-self newe schamyng. Line 188

ECCLESIASTES.

Melior est canis viuus leone mortuo.

Meuȝ vaut vn chyen seyn e fort Line 189 Ke vn leon tut freyt mort, E meuȝ vaut pouerte od bounte Ke ne fet richesse od maueysete.

Better is a quik and an hol hounde Line 189 Þen a ded lyon liggyng on grounde, And better is pouert wiþ godnes Þen richesse wiþ wikkednes. Line 192

Line 192

SALOMON.

Melius est vocari ad olera cum caritate quam ad vitulum saginatum cum odio.

Meuȝ vaut potage saunȝ autre mes Line 193 Od charite e od bone pes, Ke graunt delyces od tensoun— Ceo dist ly sages en sa resoun.

Bettre is potage wiþ-outen oþur mes Line 193 Wiþ charite and good[e] pes, Þen mony delyces wiþ chydyng— Þis is þe wyse monnes seying. Line 196

ECCLESIASTES.

Melius est ire ad domum luctus quam ad domum conuiuij.

Meuȝ vaudreit ver homme mort Line 197 Ke noble feste de Iolyf port; Le vn vus presente vostre fyn, Le autre vous fest a folye enclyn.

Bettre hit were a ded mon to se Line 197 Þen a feste of gret noblete; Þat on presenteþ þi laste dawe, Þat oþer þe makeþ to folye drawe. Line 200

SENECA.

Optimum est obliuisci quod non potest recuperari, & sine murmure pati quod non potest emendari.

Graunt sen est de oblyer Line 201 Chose perdu saunȝ recouerer, E de soffrer saunȝ groundiler Ceo ke vous ne poyes amender.

Hit is wisdam to putte in forȝetyng Line 201 Þing þat is lost wiþ-outen rekeueryng, And to suffre not grucchinde Þing þat þou maiȝt not amende. Line 204

RUBEN.

Puer non comparet & ego quo ibo? puer, id est inno|cencia, non comparet.

Les fous se pleynent de lour estat, Line 205 Ke il par tut sount greueȝ e mat;

Quident bien fere de chaunger luy E par tut treuen[t] ennuy.

ffoles playnen hem of here astat, Line 205 Þat þei ben greuet and al mat; Hit to chaunge þei wene be wel, After is a-nuy eueridel. Line 208

ECCLESIASTES.

Omnis animus deponendus est, non ante placebit tibi vllus locus.

Ky male tecche en ly a, Line 209 Chaunger lu ne ly vaudra ia; Sa vye amende e ly vaudra En checun lu la ou il demora.

Þat in him-self haþ eny chalaunge, Line 209 Hit nul not profyte ofte to chaunge; Amende þi lyf & profyte hit wole wel, ffor in eueri place þen þou mayȝt dwel. Line 212

SERAFYN.

Non des filio nec fratri tuo potestatem super te in vita tua; nec des alijs possessionem tuam, ne forte peniteat te.

Taunt cum poyeȝ aleyne trere, Line 213 Ne vus demetteȝ de vostre tere, Pur vous mettre en autri garde; Meuȝ vaut ke toun fiȝ seit garde Ke vus seyeȝ en soun daunger, A ky vous solyeȝ comaunder.

As longe as þou mayȝt holde in honde, Line 213 Dismette þe nouȝt of þi londe To ben oþur mennes vnderlyng; Hit is better hit be in þin owne kepyng Þen to ben in his daunger Whom þou were wont bidde go fer or ner. Line 218

SENECA.

Non propter amorem fac tibi executorem heredem essendum nec medicum viuendum.

Ne feteȝ ia pur nuyl amour Line 219 De vostre heyr executour, Ne vostre heyr ficiscien, En esperaunce de viuere seyn.

ffor loue ne nouþer for honour Line 219 Mak not þin heir þin executour, Ne mak þin heir no ficiscian, [orig. ficiscien, as on p. 538.] In hope to liue euer hol man. Line 222

SAMPSON.

Abij in terram philistini, videns-que mulierem hanc assumpsi michi, quia placuit oculis meis.

Sy vous byes femme prendre, Line 223 Nest pas bon loyns enprendre, De prendre femme desconue Ne touȝt a-fermer a la premere vue.

Ȝif þow þenke a wyf to take, Line 223 Of ferre cuntre wommon forsake; An vnknowen to take anon-riht Is nouȝt to Aferme at þe furste siht. Line 226

SALOMON.

Non sis ȝelotes, hoc est dictu: non ȝeles mulierem sinus tui.

Si vous aueȝ femme bele Line 227 E la desireȝ [orig. disireȝ] auer lele, Ne la reproueȝ de cumpaygnye De nul autre par gelosye; Kar vous la freȝ partaunt amer Cely ke auaunt ne voit [r. vout] regarder.

Ȝif þou haue a feir wyf Line 227 And wolt þat heo be trewe of lyf, Repreue hire for no Cumpaygnye Of no mon for gelesye; Him to loue so þou maiȝt make hire bolde On whom to-fore heo nolde be-holde. Line 232

SYRAC.

Qui parcit virge, odit filium; si non percusserit eum virga, morietur.

Si vus ameȝ vostre enfaunt, Line 233 A-seȝ ly doneȝ de verge silaunt, E ly freȝ conquere los Saunȝ de bruser en ly nul os.

Ȝif þi child be not a-fert, Line 233 Ȝif him i-nouh of þe ȝerd;

Þou schalt him so make a good mon Wiþ-outen brekynge of eny bon. Line 236

SYRAK.

ffilie tibi sunt : serua corpus earum & ne ostendas hila|rem faciem ad illas.

Ne mustreȝ pas especiaute Line 237 A vostre file desmarie; Plus serreyt baut de mes-fere, Si ele [MS. eole] quidast ta grace conquere.

Schewh þou nouȝt to muchel specialte Line 237 To þi douȝter, ȝif heo vn-maried be, Leste heo waxe to bold of face Vuel to do in hope of grace. Line 240

SALOMON.

Trade filiam tuam & grande opus feceris.

Si ta file mesface, vous teneȝ perdu Line 241 Quant-ke aueȝ en ly despendu; Dount bone bosoygne freȝ Si par tens la marieȝ.

Ȝif þi douhter falle in mis-doyng, Line 241 Þen holdest þou lost al þi spendyng; A good dede þerfore hit were Be tyme for to marie hire. [r. here = hire] Line 244

SENECA.

Crudelem medicum facit intemperans.

Si vous haunteȝ beueries, Line 245 Vous en prendres maladyes; Retteȝ donke a vostre meyn La duresce del ficiscien.

Ȝif þou be wont drynke muche wiþ-alle, Line 245 In to gret seknesse þou maiȝt falle; Þou maiȝt wyte þin oune hond þen Þe hardnesse of þi ficiscien. Line 248

SYRAC.

Noli pro amico inimicus fieri proximo.

Si veysyn autre meȝ-dit de bouche, Line 249 E la chose ne vous touche, Ne vous faceȝ ia partye. . . . .

Od le vn od lautre saunȝ mester, Ky par cas vus puet greuer.

Ȝif þat neihȝebors to-gedere chyde Line 249 And þat þing touche not þe þat tyde, Loke þou make þe no partye Wiþ on ne oþur for heore folye; Line 252 ffor cuntek comeþ to acord, And þenne scholdestou be at discord Wiþ on or oþur and haue repreue Of him par cas þat mihte þe greue. Line 256

SYRAC.

Odia multorum sub osculo latent.

Ne eyeȝ ia trop affiaunce Line 257 En beleȝ paroles ne en contynaunce; Tel se profre de vous beyser Ke vous het formen[t] de quer.

Loke þou haue nouȝt to gret affyaunce Line 257 In feire wordes and in cuntinaunce; Such mon parauntre profreþ þe to kis Þat in herte ha[te]þe [r. hateþ] þe, I-wis. Line 260

SENECA.

Odia que latuerunt panduntur si titubaueris.

Ceo troueres bien: si vous cheyeȝ Line 261 En angusse de aduersiteȝ, De qy vous quydeȝ auer amy, Lors vous serra fort enemy.

Ȝif þou falle in aduersite, Line 261 Þou schal fynde and wite, parde, Of whom þou wendest a frend haue had, Þen wole to þe be enemy sad. Line 264

SALOMO

Non omnem [MS. omni] hominem inducas in domum tuam ad secretum cordis tui.

ffort serreyt a homne sey garder Line 265 De touȝ ke ly sount contre quer; Pur ce ne seyeȝ trop apert De mustrer counseil a descouert.

Hard hit were to mon him kepe or asterte Line 265 ffrom al þing þat is aȝeynes his herte;

Be þou nouȝt þerfore to redy Þi counseyl to schewe openly. Line 268

SYRAC.

Multi interierunt per linguas suas.

Meynt homme chet en graunt damage Line 269 Ke ia ne vendreit a tel ryuage Ne fust sa lange demeyne Ke ly chace a tele peyne.

Mony mon falleþ in gret damage Line 269 ffor of his speche he is outrage, His owne tonge he may hit wyte Þat driueþ him to such dispyte. Line 272

IACOBUS.

Nullus hominum linguas domare potest.

Lange est norice de hounte e blame, Line 273 Ke met plusours en male fame; De touȝ mals est Reyngne e dame, Kar souent honist cors e alme.

Þe tonge is noryce of alle blame Line 273 And mony mon putteþ in vuel fame; Of al eueles hit is queene & ladi And fordoþ boþe soule and bodi. Line 276

SENECA.

Quietissime viuerent homines si tollerent ista duo verba : meum et tuum.

Si deuȝ mos neeȝ ne fusent, Line 277 Bone pes trestous vssent; Meen e vostre, ces deuȝ mos ffount entre plusours graunt descors.

Ȝif twey wordes neuer hedde be mad, Line 277 Eueri mon good pes miȝt ha had; Myn and þyn, heore eiþer word Bi-twene mony men makeþ discord. Line 280

AZARYAS.

Non est officij tui, sed illorum qui constituti sunt ad huiuscemodi misterium. [? ministerium]

Si vous estes en cumpaygnye Line 281 Ou checun ad sa Baylye,

Ne seyeȝ ia entremettour De lour offys maugre lour.

Ȝif þou be in cumpaignye Line 281 Wher vche mon haþ his baylye, Maugre of hem be not so nyce To entremete þe of heore offyce. Line 284

IERONIMUS.

ffrustra niti & nichil aliud querere nisi odium, extreme demencie est.

De quere maugre sanȝ nul pru Line 285 haute deuerie est tenu; Si vous ne poyeȝ ambedeuȝ fere, Le sages dist qe vous deueȝ tere.

To gete þe maugre wiþ-outen prou, Line 285 A wood mon I-holde be schaltou; Ȝif þou maiȝt not geten boþe at on res, Þe wyse mon biddeþ þe holde þi pes. Line 288

IHESUS CRISTUS.

Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis alijs, remecietur vobis; dimitt[it]e & dimittetur vobis.

Si nuli mesfeȝ vous eit, Line 289 E puis par autre greue seit; Si tele greuaunce bien vous plest, Pur vous abesser dieu est prest.

Ȝif eny mon haþ þe misdo, Line 289 And a-noþur haue greued him also: Þerof ȝif þou be proud and fayn, God wol þe meke, in certayn. Line 292

SAULUS.

Omnem [MS. omnium] filium quem recipit deus corripit & castigat.

Penseȝ touȝiours ke dieu vus cleyme Line 293 Pur le sen, e vous eyme, Si vous aveȝ vn [MS. in] greuaunce, Pur auer aylours alleggaunce.

Þenk euere, god cleymeþ þe his to be, Line 293 And þat for loue he visyteþ þe, Whon he þe seendeþ eny greuaunce, Elleswher hit is to haue alleggaunce. Line 296

Line 296

IHESUS CRISTUS.

ffili, recordare quia recepisti bona in vita tua. [MS. sua]

Touȝ Iours eyeȝ pour en quer Line 297 Ke dieu vous voylle en fyn dampner Si vous aueȝ saunȝ contredist En ceste secle tut vostre delist.

Eueriday ha þou in herte dredyng Line 297 Leste god þe dampne at þe endyng Ȝif þow haue al þe world at wille Wiþ-oute wiþ-stondyng loud or stille. Line 300

IUDYTH.

Omnes qui placuerunt deo, per multas tribulaciones transierunt.

E touȝ les seinȝ passeȝ sount Line 301 Par dure greuaunce de ceste mound: E vous, ky estes peccheur, Quideȝ passer saunȝ nul estur?

Siþen þeos seyntes ben passed euerichon Line 301 Out of þis world wiþ tribulacion, Þou, þat art a sinful man, Wenest þow wiþ-outen to passen þan? Line 304

NABUGODONOSOR.

Contra omnes precipue qui contempserunt me egredere, nec parcet oculus tuus.

Cum plus vous a-forceȝ de bien fere, Line 305 De le maufe auereȝ plus forte guere; Mes len ne scet en a-saut Ki chet bas ne ky mounte haut.

Þe more þou peynest þe wel to do, Line 305 Þe strengor werre þe fend meueþ þe to; But in a-saut men wite not wel-neih Ho falleþ doun, ho clymbeþ an heih. Line 308

LABAN.

Quare abiecisti me, & me ignorante fugere voluisti?

Ky se retret de vanite Line 309 E ce doyne a bounte, De male gent serra mesdit, Mes a deu ert le plus parfit.

Whose [whoso: see 'Hose,' l. 437.] him wiþ-draweþ from vanite Line 309 And ȝiueþ him-self to bounte, Euel men him wole edwyt, But to god he schal be þe more parfyt. Line 312

SENECA.

O quam magnum est non laudari & esse laudabilem!

A bone houre fut il ne Line 313 Ky est preysable e poy preyse; Cum meyns receit ici de honour, Plus ly vaudra a chef detour.

In good tyme he was boren, I-wis, Line 313 Þat preisable is and not preised is; Þe lasse he takeþ her of honour, Þe more parfyt is at þe chef doctour. Line 316

IHESUS.

Maledicam benediccionibus vestris.

Icil est dist [r. dit] malure Line 317 Ky est maueys e mout preyse; De tel honour vent hountage, Ou paraler en graunt damage.

He is called corsed verreyliche Line 317 Þat euel is and preised is muche; Of such worschupe comeþ hountage, And also spekyng of gret damage. Line 320

OLYUA.

Nunquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam quam diu homines vtuntur.

Homme ke ad a-seȝ dount viuere Line 321 E de charge est delyuere, Merueyle est ke yl veut guerper Soun repos pur homme seruer.

Þe mon þat haþ i-nouh to his liuyng Line 321 And delyuered is of gret chargyng, Wonder hit is he wole forsake His rest, & to monnes seruyse him take. Line 324

FICUS.

Nunquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam, ut nec lingua promouear?

Plus est merueyle del encloysterer, Line 325 Ky taunt de douceour put enbracer, Ke desyre forayne prelacie Ke peut toler sa [MS. sy] douce vye. Cil ke meyns vaut plus desyre Prelacye, de estre vn syre; Rien ne pense de ceo ke apent ffors soul de quere honour de gent.

Hit is merueyle of þe cloysterer, Line 325 Þat so gret swetnesse may fynde þer, Þat desyreþ outward prelacye Þe whuche his swete lyf mai distruye. Line 328 He þat is lest worþ most wole desyre Of prelacye, to ben a syre; No þing he þenkeþ to good profyt, But honour of þe world is his delyt. Line 332

AMALEK.

Conduxit sibi viros inopes et vagos ad interficiendum.

Par la Meynee put len conustre Line 333 De quele tecches est lour dustre; Le sage tret a ly les sages, E ly volage [MS. vologe] les volages.

Be þe ledyng a mon may knowe, i-wis, Line 333 Of what tecches his leder is; Þe wyse mon draweþ to him þe wyse, And þe wilful mon to [om. to] mon [r. men] of his gyse. Line 336

SENECA.

Quantum aleator est doctior in arte, tantum est nequior.

Cil ke meuȝ scet iuer a des, Line 337 ffet a preiser le meyns de aseȝ; Cum plus est sotil en cel art, Plus est tenu de mal part.

He þat pleyeþ best at þe des, Line 337 Preyseþ faste þe hondes of hasarderes; Þe more sotil he is of þat art, Þe more he stont on euel part. Line 340

SENECA.

Nocet bonis qui parcit malis.

Cil ke maueys sauue de hounte, Line 341 Les bone gens de bonte afrounte; Quant ly leres passe quyte, Ly leaus ad hounte, quant homme len dyte.

He þat saueþ a schrewe from schame, Line 341 To gode men he scheweþ blame; Whon þe þef passeþ quyt a-way, Þe trewe mon haþ schome, what-euer men sai. Line 344

SENECA.

Parcit pecunie qui non parcit mense.

Ki sauuer veut soun doner, Line 345 Corteis seit de soun manger; Ou il li [c]ustra a-seȝ plus, Si de sa table seit gelous.

He may saue moneye and gete Line 345 Þat wol be curteys of his mete; After gret spendyng he may wayt Þat of mete & drink is to strayt. Line 348

IONAS.

Qui custodit vanitates, frustra misericordiam dei querit.

Ky en pecche sa vye meyne Line 349 E de ben fere a ceo se peyne, La merci deu demaund en veyn, Si yl de pecche ne eit de-deyn.

Hose ledeþ his lyf in sinne Line 349 And of euel dedes wol not blinne, Godes merci he askeþ in veyn, But he forsake his synne, certeyn. Line 352

SYRAK.

Non te pigeat visitare infirmos, quia proinde dileccione dei amaberis.

Ne lesseȝ pas de visiter Line 353 Le malades de bon quer; Par taunt serreȝ le plus parfit En lamour douce Ihesu crist.

Loke to visyte þat þou be smert Line 353 Þe seke folk wiþ gode hert; Þerfore þou maiȝt be þe more parfyt In þe loue of Ihesu crist. Line 356

Line 356

SALOMON.

Sine consilio nichil facito graue, et post factum non penitebis.

Saunȝ counseil ne faceȝ ren: Line 357 E a-pres le fet vous sauereȝ ben Ky bon counseil vous valut, Meske il auaunt vous desplut.

Wiþ-outen counseil do no gret þing; Line 357 Aftur þat dede þou schal haue good knowing Þat gode counseyl dude þe profyte, Wiþ-outen whuche þou scholdest had [[= ha had]] lyte. Line 360

ECCLESIASTES.

Per tristiciam vultus corrigitur animus delinquentis.

Si parler oyeȝ le destretour, Line 361 Mustreȝ semblaunt de tristour; Quaunt lautre verra ke il vous desplet, Il se retrera de parler si led.

Ȝif þou herest speke a bacbitour, Line 361 Contenaunce to him mak of irrour; Whon he seoþ hit likeþ not þe, Cece of his speche anon wol he. Line 364

SENECA.

Amicis prestabis fidem, subditis pietatem, omnibus equi|tatem.

A vos amys doneȝ fey, Line 365 A tote gent dreyture en sey, plyaunce a vos souereyns, E mesure a vos vileyns.

To þi frendes tak þou credence, Line 365 Do vche mon riht be concience, Be meke to hym þat aboue þe is set, And haue mesure to þi soget. Line 368

SENECA.

Priusquam promittas delibera, ut quod promiseris facias.

De-vaunt ke vus prometteȝ ren, Line 369 Si fere le voleȝ auiseȝ vous bien; Kar mout promettere e ren doner ffet meynt homme a chalanger.

Or þou bi-hote enydel, Line 369 Wher þou wolt do so, bi-þenk þe wel; ffor muche to bi-hote & ȝiue but softe, Makeþ mon to be chalanged ofte. Line 372

SENECA.

Qui cito dat, mutuum recipit.

Meynt homme tent de greinour fes Line 373 Vn petit doun saunȝ promes, Ke grant chose, quaunt il le prent A-pres promes de long atent.

Mon holdeþ a luite ȝift more dere Line 373 Wiþ-outen be-heste wiþ gode chere, Þen he wolde of a gret þinge Of bi-heste wiþ long tariinge. Line 376

SALOMON.

In multiloquio non deest peccatum; qui custodit linguam suam custodit animam suam.

En mout desparoles sourt folye; Line 377 Ky gard sa lange gard sa vye; Ky sa lange ne scet tener, En cumpaygnye se fet hayer.

Muche speche nis not wiþ-outen strif; Line 377 Hose kepeþ his tonge kepeþ his lyf; He þat his tonge con not holde, In cumpaygnye a schrewe is tolde. Line 380

GREGORIUS.

Cum venter reficitur, lingua relaxabitur.

Large table e plentiuouse Line 381 Norist Iangle sourfetouse; Quaunt la cors ben refest est, De mesparler la lange est prest.

Large table and plentyuouse Line 381 Makeþ men of Ianglyng surfetouse; Whon þe bodi I-fuld is, Þe tonge is redi to speke amis. Line 384

SALOMON.

Stultus si tacuerit, sapiens erit.

Si vn fol ne parlat ren, Line 385 Len quideroyt ke il scet graunt ben;

Mes quant il comence a Iangler, Arere tourne il cel quider.

A fol ȝif he speke no þing, Line 385 Men wene he beo wys in doyng; Whon he bi-gynneþ to Iangle fast, Þen men knowen wel his cast. Line 388

SENECA.

Anus cum nubit, morti delicias facit.

Quant femme se marie en graunt age, Line 389 A soun estat fet hountage, E soun cors ad oblyge ffere vn present a pecche.

An old wommon þat takeþ hosebonde, Line 389 Heo worcheþ hir-self schome and schonde To hire a-stat, & hire bodi bounde is wiþ-Inne A present for to bere to synne. Line 392

SYRAK.

Quanto maior es humilia te in omnibus, et coram deo inuenies graciam.

Cum plus vous senteȝ meuȝ valer Line 393 Plus vous deueȝ humilier; [MS. humilieȝ] E cum plus vous humilieȝ Vostre bounte plus enhauceȝ.

Þe herre of stat þat þou be Line 393 Þe more meke haue þou þe; Þe more þou hast of mekenesse Þe fastore þou encresest of goodnesse. Line 396

SENECA.

Miserum te iudico qui nunquam fuisti miser.

Cyl est cheitifs a droyt nome Line 397 Ke vnke ne soffri cheytiuete; Ia ne vendreȝ a bon los Si vous ne perdeȝ souent repos.

A Caytif forsoþe he i-called may be Line 397 Þat neuer soffred caytyfte; Good los neuer þou gest But ȝif þou leose oftesyþe þi rest. Line 400

Line 400

SAULUS.

Ad magna premia non poteris venire nisi per magnos labores.

Repos e los, cum il me semble, Line 401 Ne a-cordent pas bien en-semble; Ou yl vous couent perdre los Ou souent lesser vostre repos.

Gret los & reste, me þinkeþ wel, Line 401 A-corden to-gedere neuer a del; Oþur þou most þi loos lese Or ofte-tymen for-go þyn ese. Line 404

IOSEPH.

Cum dixit mulier: dormi mecum; qui non adquiescens relicto pallio fugit.

Ne entreȝ iammes sanȝ cumpaygnye Line 405 Ou femme est soule de male vye; Si vous ne a-cordeȝ a sa luxure, Ele vous mettra la rage sure.

Entre þou neuere wiþ-outen conpaygnie Line 405 Þer wommon al-one is of vilenye; ffor ȝif þow parfourne not lecherye, On þe heo wol þenne sette a crie. Line 408

SENECA.

Laus & lasciuia non habent concordiam.

Envye destruit bone vye, Line 409 E los est perdu par lecherie; Lecherie & bon los Ne serrount Iammes ensemble clos.

Envye good lyf wol distruye, Line 409 And loos is lost þorw lecherye; Lecherye and good loos Ne mowe not euere to-geder be clos. Line 412

SENECA.

Miserrima est fortuna que caret inimico.

Dure cheaunce vent a cely Line 413 Ky est de tut sanȝ enemy; Kar si eust grace de byen vyuere, De enemiste ne serroyt delyuere.

Harde chaunce is hym be-fal Line 413 Þat haþ non enemy at al; ffor ȝif grace of good lyf hedde he, He nere not dilyuered of enemyte. Line 416

SENECA.

P[r]incipium discordie est ex com[m]u[n]i suum facere.

Enchesun est de bon acord Line (417) Quant checun se paye de soun sort; Induccion est a discord A-proprier comoune atort.

Þe cause of acord is, god hit wot, Line 417 Whon vche mon is payed of his lot; But of discord þe cause nou is Whon mon wol make comun þing his. Line 420

SALOMON.

Melior est vir paciens viro forti, et qui dominatur animo suo expugnatore vrbium.

Meuȝ vaut celi ky fet destresse Line (421) A ly meymes en hastiuesse, Ke cely ky peut conquere Tut vn pays par force de guere.

He is more worþ þat con distresse Line 421 Him-self, and refreyne in hastinesse, Þen he þat may fulli conquerre Al a cuntre bi strengþe of werre. Line 424

CONSTANTINUS.

Vicisse naciones est virtus populorum, vincere autem vicia est virtus [MS. est v. est] morum.

Ky tere ou cite en guere prent, Line (425) Par force le fest de sa gent; Mes cyl qui amestrie soun quer demeyne, Soul deit auer los souereyne. Sages est tenu ky scet fere mal, Sen ne symplesse ne ount poynt degal: La meyn senestre est mys a destre, E tort en dreyt pur gayn a crestre.

He þat bi werre takeþ lond or cite, Line 425 Be strengþe of his peple þat doþ he;

But he þat haþ maystred his owne herte clos, He haþ onliche a souereyn los. Line 428 He þat con euel is holde wys and worþ, Symplesse & wit ne mowe not forþ; Þe lufthalf is put vppon þe riht, And wrong for wynnyng ouur riȝt haþ miht. Line 432

SYRAC.

Melior est vir simplex in simplicitate sua ambulans, quam diues in vijs prauis.

Meuȝ vaut folye de symplesse, Line (433) Ou nule cautele le alme blesse, Ke les grauns senȝ de cest mound, Ky la lei deu souent defount.

Better is folye þat falleþ of symplesse, Line 433 Þer as cautel in soule nis more ne lesse, Þen of þis world al þe wit, ffor ofte-tyme þe lawe of god distruieþ hit. Line 436

SALOMON.

Qui calumpniatur pauperem ut arguatur [MS. arguatur] diuicias, dabit ipse diciori se & egebit.

Ky fet a pours duresce ou peyne, Line (437) pur encrestre ces biens demeyne, Il durra a-ceȝ plus a souereyns E de touȝ biens il auera le meyns.

Hose doþ to pore duresse or peyne, Line 437 To encrese his richesse, certeyne, An herre mon schal parte wiþ his riches, And of alle godes he schal haue þe les. Line 440

SALOMON. [Follows after the 2nd Fr. v.]

Omnia mea mecum sunt, Iusticia et prudencia &c.

Ne quideȝ ia ke chose seit uostre Line (441) Dont autres dyent cest la nost[re]; Vostre est ou mal ou ben Ke fet aueȝ, saunȝ autre rien.

Trouwe þou neuere þat þing be þin Line 441 Þat oþur mon seiþ 'þis is myn;' Þyn is þyn euel oþur good doyng Þat þou hast wrouȝt, wiþ-outen oþur monnus þing. Line 444

Line 444

SENECA.

Bona mea intacta fero.

Si vus aueȝ tere e meson, Line (445) Ceo ne dure fors ke vne seson; Od vous irrount voȝ ben-fes, Mes la meson demert en pes.

Ȝif þou haue lond, hous or yle, Line 445 Þelke nul dure but a while; Wiþ þe schal go þi gode dede, Þin hous abit, wiþ-oute drede. Line 448

ECCLESIASTES.

Breuis oracio penetrat celum.

Mout escrire e nent lyre Line (449) Poy uaut, pour veyr dyre; De touȝ orisons le alme est puwe Ke par delyt sount conseuwe.

Muche to write & no þing rede, Line 449 Luitel is worth, wiþ-outen drede; Orisouns helpen soules of men Þat wiþ delyt conseyued hem. Line 452

CATO.

Legere & non intelligere est necligere.

En teu manere la lettre lyseȝ Line (453) Ke la sentence entendre sacheȝ; Kar nent entendre e mout lyre, Ceo dit Caton, fet a despyre. Purce voyl ieo ici lesser De plus prouerbes translater, Ke ceus ky lysent cest escrit En countre [[? courte]] parole eyent delyst.

Lettres þou schalt rede on such manere Line 453 Þat þou vnderstonde þe sentence clere; Muche to rede wiþ-outen vnderstonding, Caton seiþ hit is a dispysyng. Line 456 Þerfore I wole after þis resoun Of þes prouerbes cesse of þe translacioun; ffor he þat wol rede þis wrytyng, In schorte wordes may haue lykyng. Line 460

Line 460

AUGUSTINUS.

Qui pro alijs orat, pro se ipso laborat.

Ore prieȝ tous pur le houm Line (461) Ke vus presente ceste lessoun, Ke il par vostre oreisoun Vygne a bone sauuacioun. Ore deu, ky est pleyn de cen, Nous doyne bone fyn, Amen.

Nou preyeþ alle wiþ deuocion Line 461 ffor hym þat made þis lesson, Þat he þorw ȝoure orisoun Line 463 Mouwe come to sauacion. And god, þat made alle þing, Ȝif vs alle good endyng. Line 466

A. M. E. N. Amen.

[Cato]

[Parvus Cato]

L. Her bi-ginneþ luytel Caton. [The Engl. text was ed. by Goldberg, Anglia 1884, VII, p. 165 ff. It is a translation of Monk Everard's French transl., extant in MS. Arund. 292, f. 88-105, ca. 1250 (ed. by Stengel, Ausg. und Abh. d. Roman. Phil. XLVII, Marburg 1886); MS. Paris Bibl. Nat. 477 (ed. by Le Roux de Lincy, Livre des Prov. Franc., 2nd ed. 1859, II, p. 439 ff.; readings given by Stengel l. c.), and MSS. Vernon and Simeon. [Other, perhaps earlier, Fr. translations are that by Elie de Wincestre in MSS. St. John's Coll. Oxford 178, 13th cent., Corp. C. C. Cbr. 405, Harl. 4388, ed. by Stengel l. c., and that of an anonymous in MS. Harl. 4657, ed. by Stengel l. c.; cf. P. Meyer, Romania VI, 20.] Everard le moine is most likely the one mentioned by Tanner: "Everardus, Scotus, in canonicatu Kirkham (Yorkshire) socius primusque abbas Monasterii de Holme Cultram in Cumbria: scripsit Vitam S. Adam|nani lib. 1, Vit. S. Cumenei Albi lib. 1, Vit. S. Waltheni lib. I; claruit A. MCXLV; Dempster" (see, however, Wright, Biogr. Brit. II, 123 ff., who rejects this identity).—Other Engl. translations are that in MS. Arund. 168, in royal stanzas, and that ed. by Caxton: Parvus Cato, Magnus Cato (a transl. by Benedict Burgh, undertaken on behalf of Will. Bourchier, son of the Earl of Essex), 1st ed. Westminster? ante 1479? (unique in Cambr. Univ. Libr.), 2nd ed. Westm.? ante 1479? (unique at Chatsworth), 3rd ed. fol. Westm.? 1481? (The same Caxton ed. an elaborate commentary on Cato's Distichs, translated by him from the Fr. in 1483, Westm. 1484?).]

Almihti god in Trinite leeue vs wel to spede, Send vs of his holy grace And help vs at vr nede. Line 4 Now hose wole, he may here In Englisch langage

How þe wyse mon tauhte his sone, Þat was of tendere age. Line 8

1.

CAtun estoyt payen E ne sauoyt rien De cristiene ley, E ne-pur-quaunt ne dist Riens [MS. Biens] en soun escrist [MS. estrist] En-countre nostre fey.

Catun was an heþene mon, Line 9 Cristned was he nouht: In word ne in werk aȝeynes vr fey No techyng he non tauht. Line 12

2.

Kar tut se encord, [al. concorde] E ren ne se descord, Al [S A, P A la] seynt escripture; Amender len porrat Cely qui vodrat Mettre [i] sa cure.

To holy writ al in his bok Line 13 A-cordyng was he euere; Of god of heuene com his wit, Of oþer com hit neuere. Line 16

3.

Issi cum ieo quit, Del seynt espirit La grace en ly estoyt; Kar ne sen ne sauer Nul nest pur veir Ky de deu ne seyt.

4.

Kar [al. Par] len-seignement Ke danȝ Catun despent En soun fiȝ aprendre, Me semble ke il aprent Moy e tote gent, Si le volum entendre. [

2 st. om.

Si oir le volez,Ver mei escutezAmiablement.Priez sanz essoinePur auerard le moineKi cest ouvraige enprent.Priez pur le moineKe deu sun quer aluineDe mal e de peche,E ke li doint sa graceKe ceste chose faceSelung la uerite.

]

Þe lore þat he tauȝte his sone, Line 17 Is neodful to vs alle; Vnderstond [MS. Vnderstonstond] hose wole, ffor caas þat may be-falle. Line 20

[21-8 = Fr. 5 & 6.] Whon þat he sauȝ eny mon Out of rihtful weye, Hem to teche as hit was best He letted for non eiȝe, Line 24

Þat þei mihte lerne and here Siker heore lyf to lede And gedre wit in heore ȝouþe And God to loue and drede.— Line 28

Cum animaduerterem quam-plurimos homines graui|ter errare in via morum, succurrendum opinioni eorum & consulendum forte existimaui, [existinaui] maxime ut gloriose uiuerent et honorem contingerent.

5 (7).

Cum ie moy a-parceuoye plusours de la voye de mours forueyer, Auis pur voyr mestoyt ke graunt ben serroyt de eus conseyler,

6.

Pur ce nomement [al. memement] ke gloriousement en le [al. el] mound vesquisent E par tel affere digneteȝ en tere E honour conquisent.

Nunc te, fili carissime, docebo quo pacto animi tui morem [al. mores] componas.

7.

Ore, beu fiȝ trescher, Te voyl enseigner, Ke vous [al. tu en] seyes sage, Par quel couenaunt Tu purras eneuaunt [al. en auant] Aorner toun corage.

Deore sone, I schal þe teche Line 29 Þe maners of my wille,

Hou þou schat hem ordeyne And godes lawe to folfille. Line 32

Igitur mea precepta [ita] legito, vt intelligas: legere & non intelligere est negligere.

8.

Pur ces enchesons, Beuȝ fiȝ, tey somons Ke tu me preceps lyceȝ; Mes nent entendre e lyre Ceo fet a despire, Si voyl ke tei en chastieȝ.

Mi biddyng and my teching Line 33 In herte hem vnderstonde; Ofte to here & nouȝt lerne Hit is boþe schame & schonde. Line 36

Ideoque deo supplica. parentes ama. cognatos cole.

9 (11).

Deu aoreȝ, [A. ameras, P. amez] A ly requereȝ Dount as mester. Pere e Mere ameȝ, Vos parens honoures, E mout les eiȝes cher.

Worschupe god, & him biseche Line 37 Of þing þou hast mestere. ffader & Moder loue þou wel And hold hem leoue and dere. Line 40

Datum serua. foro te para.

10.

Mout seit ben garde Chose ke tey est done Par deu ou par gent. Al marche quant aleȝ, Ben [al. Bel] vous atorneȝ E enseygnement. [A. acemement, P. ascemeement]

Keep þat þing þat þe is ȝiuen Line 41 Þorw God or þorw mon. Whon þou schalt to market, A-tyre þe as þou con. Line 44

Mutuum da. cum bonis ambula.

Cui des videto. ad consilium ne accesseris antequam voceris.

11.

A leaus presteȝ. Od les bons aleȝ. Sy veyeȝ a ky faceȝ douns. A counseyl ne aprocheȝ, Avaunt-ke vous seyeȝ Apeleȝ ou somouns.

Lene þi good to trewe men, Line 45 Þat þer-of falle no wrake. Loke þat þou go wiþ þe goode, And wikked men forsake. Line 48

To hem also þou ȝiue þi þing Þerof þe wole bi-seke. Neuer to counseyl þat þou come, But ȝif þou cleped be eke. Line 52

Conuiua raro. mundus esto. Quod satis est dormi. saluta libenter.

12 (14).

Relement [r. Rerement] gesteȝ, E chaste [al. Net e ch.] seieȝ. Dormeȝ aseȝ saunȝ plus. Volunters les [om. les] salueȝ, Ces ke vous veyes Vener a-countre vous.

Mak þi gestnyng seldene, Line 53 And be chast and clene. Ȝif i-nouh with-outen more. Grete men feire by-dene. Line 56

Coniugem ama. cede maiori.

13.

Ta femme par amour Ameȝ. a greynour Tut tens doneȝ lu; Kar quant nas le pouer Ke puisseȝ encountrer [A. Quel pusses cuntre ester] Cum il vous seyt tenu. [Nest pas bel le giu.]

Loue þi wyf, and ȝif stude to þe grete Line 57 Whon þi pouwer is lesse; And whon þou metest hem in þe wey, Þou drede of heore distresse. Line 60

Magistrum metue. vino te tempora. verecundiam serua.

14.

Toun mestre chescun vre Doteȝ sy eieȝ mesure Quant beyure vyn deuras. Gardeȝ ke tu seyeȝ Hountous a la feeȝ, [al. tute veies] E donke ben le fras.

A-Mesure þe in drynkynge; Line 61 To fleo folye be snelle. Gedere wit of wyse men, And let hit wiþ þe dwelle. Line 64

Libros lege; quod legeris memento. rem tuam custodi.

15.

Lyueres enliseȝ [A. Tes livres lirras, P. Livres lisez] ; E ceo ke lu auereȝ, Ne metteȝ en obly. Gardeȝ ben ta chose: Ceo est fest [al. Ceo faut] en poy de pose Ke long tens est quili. [al. cuilli]

Bokes lere; þat þou hast herd, Line 65 And hold hem in þi þouht. Keep þi þing, & sone hit not spende In long tyme deore was bouht. Line 68

Lib[e]ros erudi. diligenciam adhibe. Blandus esto. iusiurandum serua.

16 (18).

Tes enfaunȝ apren Ben sauer e sen. [MS. seen] Si seieȝ diligent. Seies douce e suef, E ne mye gref. Gardeȝ toun serment.

Wit & wisdam, bleþeliche Line 69 Þi children þat þou teche! Swere þou not but hit be soþ, ffor drede of godes wreche. Line 72

ffamiliam cura. irasci ab re noli. Neminem irriseris. [MS. irasceris.] meretricem fuge.

17.

Ta meyne chastie, E ne seyeȝ mye Pur petist irreȝ. Ne-scharnyeȝ nulli—

Ceo vous comaunt e pri. [MS. epri] La puteyne fueȝ.

C[h]astise [MS. Castise] feire þi seruauns. Line 73 ffor luitel beo not wroþ. Hordam þou forsake, And scornyng be þe loþ. Line 76

In iudicium adesto; ad pretorium stato.

18.

Volunters eydeȝ A tuens, quant [al. A ceus ke vus p.] poyes, Quant es [A. uent, P. estes] al Iugement; A la prouosterie Esteyes, e ne fleccheȝ mye Pur Or ne pur Argent.

Bleþeliche þou hem helpe Line 77 Þat stonden in Iugement; fflecche not for no bi-heste, ffor ȝifte ne for rent. Line 80

Literas disce. consultus esto.

19 (21).

Par escripture Tut tens a-seure Tes diȝ e tes feȝ. E counsayl perneȝ, Nent sages enseigneȝ, [A. A sages e a senez, P. Des s. e des s.] Quant il tent pleȝ. [A P. Quant deis tenir les (P tes) plez.]

Let holy writ beo þi mirour Line 81 In word and eke in dede. Of wyse men tak þi counseyl, Þat con þe wisse and rede. Line 84

Bonis benefacito. virtute vtere. Tutis [r. tute] consule. maledicus ne esto.

20.

ffetes bens [al. ben] a bons, E nomement a tuens. E vseȝ tes vertuȝ. Seur counsayl doneȝ. Maudyt ne seyeȝ, Ne maudieȝ nuls.

Bere þe wel to alle gode men; Line 85 And schrewes, forsake hem alle.

Haunte gode werkes & warie not, Þat hit not on þe falle. Line 88

Troco lude; aleas fuge.

21.

Si Iuer voleȝ, Al tupet iueȝ, E nent ala [A. al, P. a] hasard; Le tables fueȝ, Ke tenu ne seyeȝ Ne fol ne [A. Na fous na, P. A fol ne a] musard.

Tak a Toppe, ȝif þou wolt pleye, Line 89 And not at þe hasardrye. ffleo þou foles in alle wyse, And vse no vileynye. Line 92

Existimacionem retine.

22.

Si vous quideȝ ren De mal ou de ben Dount tu nes mye cert, Donkes fetes come sage, Le reteneȝ en toun corage, Ke ne seit descouert. [[The Engl. transl. wanting.]] [In the MS. v. 81-4 follow here, but belong to the next proverb.]

Patere legem quam ipse tuleris.

Equ[u]m iudica. nil mentire.

23 (25).

Soffreȝ en dreit de tei Meymes cele ley Ke tu as done. Dreyt tut tens iuggeȝ, E rien ne menteȝ, Kar ceo ert equite. [A. est hunte, P. est vice]

Such lawe as þou hast brouȝt Line 93 And haunted hast bi-fore, Þou most hit mekely suffre, ffor winnyng or for lore. Line 96

Beneficij accepti memor esto. Pauca in conuiuio [MS. comunio] loquere. minime iudica.

24.

Benefice ke as resceu En remembrer eieȝ deu, Pur fere en guerdon. E[n] comune [A. conuiuie, P. feste] poy parleȝ.

Homme pur nent [A. Hume nul ne] iugeȝ, Kar ce[o] est trayson. [al. detrasciun]

Þe godnesse þat men do þe, Line 97 Þou haue hit ofte in mynde; Riȝt skile hit wole eke, Or elles þou art vn-kynde. Line 100

Illud stude agere quod iustum est. pugna pro patria.

25.

Taunt cum es en vye, De fere estudye Ceo ke a dreyt apent. E si tu veyes la guere, Cumbateȝ pur la [r. ta] tere E toun pays defent.

Þenk þou euere in þi lyue Line 101 Þing þat falleþ to riht. Ȝif þat Batayle come in to londe, Defende hit faste wiþ fiht. Line 104

Aliena noli concupiscere. parem pacienter vince.

26.

Ne voyles [or. voylles] en toun quer Autri ben coueyter Pur nul auenture. Veindre e sormounter [MS. e esorm.] Voyleȝ uostre per Par soffraunce e mesure.

Oþer mennes þing with wronge Line 105 Coueyte hit nouȝt in herte. Haue mesure al of þi-self, Þat wrong þe not smerte. Line 108

Minorem ne contemseris. Noli confidere in tua fortitudine.

27 (29).

Ky est meyndre de tey, Tut [al. Me(s) ke] seyeȝ vous rey, Vnkes ne despiseȝ. E si tu force ne [al. om.] as, En tey ne affyeȝ pas, Ne trop ne [te] preyseȝ.

Ȝif þou beo a strong mon Line 109 And riche of worldes good,

Dispyse þou no luytel mon, Ne hate hym in þy mod. Line 112

Nichil arbitrio uirium feceris, [Libenter amorem ferto.] [MS. Noli confidere in tua fortitudine.]

28.

Par propre volunte Ren ne seit ouere De quant ke tu fras. Volunters e de gre Suffrez amiste Quaunt purchase le as. [. . . . .[English wanting].]

Here endet petyt caton.

[Magnus Cato]

Incipit liber catonis.

Si deus est animus, nobis ut carmina dicunt, Hic tibi precipue sit pura mente colendus.

29.

Si deu a cultifier Est od pure pencer, Cum dient les dyteȝ, E seit toun corage fferm en son estage, Saunz estre remueȝ.

ffor god is lord of alle þing, Line 113 As prophetes tellen i-mene, Þou schalt him in werk honoure, And wiþ þi þouȝtes clene. Line 116

Plus uigila semper: ne sompno deditus esto: Nam diuturna quies uicijs alimenta ministrat.

30.

Tut tens gardez vous Ke tu veylez plus Ke ne prengez sompne; Kar par trop dormer Veum souent cheir En vices meynt homme.

Loke þou wake more þen sleple, [? slepe] Line 117 And god in alle þing drede; Long rest and luitel swynk To vices hit wol þe lede. Line 120

Virtutem primam esse puta compescere linguam: Proximus ille deo est qui scit racione tacere.

31.

La vertu premere Ke a tey seit chere, Est lange refreyner; A deu est procheyn Ke par reson certeyn Sceet tere e parler.

Kep þi tonge skilfulliche: Line 121 Þe furste vertu forsoþe hit is; He is next vnto god Þat kepeþ hit wel i-wis. Line 124

Sperne repungnando tibi tu contrarius esse: Conueniet nulli qui secum desidet ipse.

32.

A sey meymes nul ne seyt Contrarius en soun dreyt Ne endist ne enfance; Kar ky ke descorde a sey, Od nul autre, cum ieo crey, Ne auera concordaunce.

Be not frouward to þi-self Line 125 In word ne in werk: Wiþ such a mon may non acord— So telleþ þe wyse clerk. Line 128

Si uitam inspicias hominum, si denique mores, Cum culpas alios nemo sine crimine viuit.

33.

Quaunt autre blameras, Tey meymes Iugeras Tut premerement; Kar nul nest ke vit, Ne graunt ne petit, Ke mout ne mesprent.

Whon þou blamest oþer men, Line 129 Þyn oune Iuge þou ne be! Þer nis no mon with-outen lak, As men may wel ofte i-se. Line 132

Que nocturna tenes, quamuis sint cara, relinque: Vtilitas opibus preponi tempore debet.

34.

Ceo qe vous auez cher, Dount quidez enpeirer, De tey osteras; Kar il est profyt Richesse en despyt Luer deueras.

Þing þat wole apeire þi stat, Line 133 Beo hit þe neuer so lef, Hastiliche do hit þe fro, Or þou þole þe gref. Line 136

Constans & lenis ut res expostulat esto: Temporibus mores sapiens sine crimine mutat.

35.

Red e suef seyez Solum ce ke tu veyez Cum les choses ount; Ly sages saunz blamer Ces mours fet atemprer Solum ke les choses sount.

Studefast & stille þou be, Line 137 As þi catel wol aske: Þe wyse mon liueþ withouten blame, ffor he con wel hym taske. Line 140

Nil temere uxori de seruis crede querenti: Sepe etenim mulier quem coniux diligit odit.

36.

Ne errez folement Ta femme, quaunt souent De tes seruauns se cleyme: Kar souent eschet Ke la dame het Ceus ky ly syre eyme.

Leeue not þi wyf fulliche Line 141 Of þi seruans pleynande: Ofte falleþ, þe wyf hit hateþ Þat loueþ þe goode hosebande. Line 144

Cumque mones aliquem nec se uelit ipse moneri, Si tibi sit carus, noli desistere ceptis.

37.

Si de ces folies A kuns chasties

E il ne voyl entendre, Ne deyez pur ceo cescer, Pur quey le eyez cher, Mes plus eplus reprendre.

Ȝif þou wolt chastise eny mon, Line 145 Þouh he loue not þi lore; Ȝif he be dere, leue him nouȝt, But vndertake hym more. Line 148

Contra verbosos noli contendere verbis: Sermo datur multis, animi sapiencia paucis.

38.

En-countre ianglour, Ke ne eyez deshonour, Ne voylles estriuer: Kar meynt homme ad iangle En vertu de sa lange, Est poy de sauer.

Aȝeynes men ful of wordes Line 149 Stryue þow riht nouht: Wordes is ȝiuen to alle men, And wisdam selden brouht. Line 152

Dilige sic alios ut sis tibi carus amicus; Sit bonus esto bonis ne te mala dampna sequantur.

39.

Les autres issi amez Ke tu a tey meymes seyez Cheir a-mys; Si seyes bon a bons E taunt donez a tuens, Ke tey ne seyt le pys.

Loue so wel oþure men, Line 153 Þin oune frend þat þou be; Beo so good to alle men, Þat harm from þe fle. Line 156

Rumores fuge, ne incipias nouus auctor haberi: Nam nulli tacuisse nocet, nocet esse locutum.

40.

Noueles fuez, Ke troue ne seyes Blaundour ne tenu; Tere ne nuist pas,

De parler haut ou bas Mal vener ay veu.

Of newe tales þou ne be Line 157 ffurst makere I-founde: Wikked tales a-mong men Bringeþ loue to grounde. Line 160

Rem tibi promissam certam promittere noli: Rara fides ideo quia multi multa locuntur.

41.

Chose a tey promise, A autre en nule guise Ne le promettez auaunt: En le mound y ad poy de fey, Meynt homme est dreyt en sey ffauours e blaundiaunt.

Þing þat þe by-hoten is, Line 161 Loke on none wyse Þat þou bi-hote hit to non oþer, ffor þer mihte strif aryse. Line 164

Cum te aliquis laudat iudex tuus esse memento: Plus alijs de te quam tu tibi credere noli.

42.

Quaunt tu tey orras loyer, Iuggez en toun quer Ly quel est veir ou noun, Eia autre ne creyez De vertu ke tu eyez. Plus ke ta resoun.

Ȝif men preise þe for godnesse, Line 165 Þin oune herte þou tast; Leeue non bettre þen þi self, Wheþer þou þat vertu hast. Line 168

Officium alterius multis narrare memento, Atque alijs cum tu benefeceris ipse sileto:

43.

A autri seruisez Voyl ke tu preysez De-uaunt tote gent; Mes quant tu bien fras, Ia nent enparleras Par moun loement.

Þou maiȝt oþur mennes goodnesse Line 169 Preisen wiþ-outen blame, But not þin owne be-fore men, ffor hit were but a schame. Line 172

Multorum cum facta senex & dicta recenses, ffac tibi succurrant iuuenisque feceris ipse.

44.

Seiez en ta iuuente E metez vostre entente De ben dyre e fere; Kar quaunt veyllard regeies En ces fez e diz, Le tuen puissez retrere.

Sun, do her in þi ȝouþe Line 173 Þing þat þe mouwe helpe; Whon þou art an old mon aftur, Þerof þenne maiȝt þou ȝelpe. Line 176

Ne cures siquis tacito sermone loquatur: Conscius ipse sibi de se putat omnia dici.

45.

Si homme nuil ren A vous parout ben, Ia ne eizes enui; Ky ke mauueis se sent, Il quide ke tote gent Parlent de ly.

Ȝif þou seo men speke stille, Line 177 A-Meoued beo þou nouȝt: Þe wikked mon weneþ þat alle men Haue him in heore þouht. Line 180

Cum fueris felixque sunt aduersa caueto: Non eodem cursu respondent (vltima) primis.

46.

Taunt cum es benure, En-countre aduersyte Deuez vous eschure; Kar le comencement E le defynement Ne sount pas de vne mesure.

Ȝif þou, mon, be meke and mylde, Line 181 ffleo al frouward þing;

Þe laste tale to þe furste Ȝif non onsweryng. Line 184

Cum dubia & fragilis sit nobis uita tributa, In mortem alterius spem tu tibi ponere noli.

47.

Kant si est dotouse E freille e perilouse Vostre vye ici, Mout est graunt enfance Pur mettre sei en esperance En la mort de autri.

¶ Siþen þat vre lyf is frele Line 185 Þat to vs alle is ȝiuen, In non oþur monnes deþ Hope þou nouȝt to liuen. Line 188

¶ Exiguum munus cum det tibi pauper amicus, Accipito placide, plene laudare memento.

48

Kant vn petit doun Tei ad en baundoun De toun poure amy, Reseueȝ le bonement, E plenerement Teneȝ par tut dely.

Ȝif eny of þi pore frendes Line 189 Ȝiue þe a ȝift smal, Receyue þou hit bleþeliche, And þonk him feire þou schal. Line 192

¶ Infantem nudum cum te natura creauit, Paupertatis onus pacienter ferre memento.

49.

Kant en le mound venistis vif, Poure e cheytif, E nu e dolent, Le charge de pouerte, De meseyse e de pite Suffreȝ le bonement.

¶ Siþen þat kynde haþ þe formed Line 193 A luytel naked chylde, Þe charge of pouert loke þou bere, And beo boþe meke & mylde. Line 196

¶ Ne timeas illam que uite est ultima finis: Qui mortem metuit amittit gaudia uite.

50.

Kant tei estut morir E a ta fyn vener, Ne deyeȝ la mort doter; Kar ky doute la mort, Ia ioye ne desport Ne put en le mound auer.

¶ Whon þou schalt nedelich ones dye Line 197 And heþene awey to wende, Doute hit not, for þouȝt þer-of Mihte þe fulliche schende. Line 200

¶ Si tibi pro meritis nemo respondet amicus, Incusare deum noli, set te ipse coerce.

51.

Si nul amy en fei Ne respoygne a tey De bens ke fet li as, Ne uoylleȝ deu blamer; Tei deueȝ refrener, E ly ne blameras.

¶ Ȝif no mon onswere to þe Line 201 ffor þi goddede bi nome, Wraþþe þe not þerfore wiþ god, Bote þi-seluen blame. Line 204

¶ Ne tibi quid desit quesitis, vtere parce; Vt-que quod est serues, semper tibi deesse putato.

52.

Le tuen purchas despent Esparniablement Solum ceo qe vous veyeȝ mester; E quydeȝ tote veys, Ke tu ren ne eyeȝ, Pur ben le meuȝ garder.

¶ Spene þi good mesurabliche, Line 205 Purchased þauȝ þei be; And hope alle þinges þat þou hast Awey mihte falle from þe. Line 208

¶ Quod prestare potes, ne bis promiseris vlli, Ne sis uentosus dum vis bonus esse videri.

53.

Ne prometteȝ pas souent, Doneȝ mout doucement Ceo ke voleȝ doner, Kar ne seyeȝ auauntour Dount vous voylleȝ honour E los epris auer.

¶ Þing also þat þou may ȝiue, Line 209 Twyes bi-hote hit nouȝt; Beo not ful of wikked wynt And leose not þi fore þouȝt. Line 212

¶ Qui simulat verbis, nec corde est fidus amicus; Tu quoque fac simile: sic ars deluditur arte.

54.

Si acuns par parler, E ne mye de quer, Se feyne toun amy, Deceyueȝ art par art, E de la tue part ffaceȝ a-taunt dely.

¶ Hose feyneþ him frend with word Line 213 And not wiþ herte stable, With such a seruyse serue þou him, And telle him tale of fable. Line 216

¶ Noli homines blando nimium sermone probare: ffistula dulce canit volucrem dum decipit auceps.

55.

Ne voylles losenger Ne homme trop loer, ffors ke solum le dreit; Doucement chaunte le frestel, Quant le oysellour le oysel Trait a deceit.

¶ Preyse no mon but in his riht Line 217 With no losengerye; Þe foulere chaccheþ briddes feole Wiþ swete melodye. Line 220

¶ Cum tibi sint nati nec opes, tunc artibus illos Instrue, quo possint inopem defendere vitam.

56.

Si vous ne eyes manans E aueȝ mout enfauns,

ffetes les aprendre Acune menestraucie, Par vnt ke il pussent la vye de pouerte defendere.

¶ Ȝif þou haue children monye Line 221 And goodes none bute smale, Sone þou hem to craft sette, Þer-wiþ to beeten heore bale. Line 224

¶ Quod vile est, carum; quod carum, vile putato: Sic tibi nec cupidus, nec auarus nosceris vlli.

57.

Dount autres vnt cherte Ceo eyeȝ en vilte, E le vil eyeȝ cher: E ia nyers blame Pur escharcete Ne pur coueyter.

¶ Þat is good chep may beo dere, Line 225 And deore good chep also; Loke þou beo not coueytous Ne gredi ek þer-to. Line 228

¶ Que culpare soles, ea tu ne feceris ipse: Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum.

58.

Ceo ke tu veus blamer, Ne voylleȝ pas amer Ne fere pur nul plet: Il ne auent a nuly De blamer autry De ceo ke il meymes fet.

¶ Þing þat þou art wont to blame, Line 229 Loke þou do hit nouht! Schome hit is a mon to blame Þing þat he haþ wrouht. Line 232

¶ Quod iustum est, petito, vel quod videatur honestum: Nam stultum est petere, quod possit iure negari.

59.

Si fere veus requeste, Penseȝ come honeste Tu le pusseȝ fere; Kar ceo ke len pardreyt

En-countre dyre deit, Ne fet pas a requere.

¶ Aske þing þat rihtful is Line 233 Or honest in þi siht: ffolye hit is to aske þe good Þat is to werne wiþ riht. Line 236

¶ Ignotum tibi tu noli preponere notis: Cognita iudicio constant[i], incognita casu.

60.

Tut tens eyeȝ tu Plus priue le conou Ke le trespassaunt; Ta chose ne quereȝ Quant auer le deueȝ Purueyeȝ tei ben auaunt.

¶ Loue bettre a knowen frend Line 237 Þen mon of fer cuntre: Þorw de-faute of knoweleching Þou maiȝt i-greued be. [[Lines 245-8, 'Sum tyme . . . . .in riht' follow wrongly here in the MS.]] Line 240

¶ Cum dubia in certis uersetur vita periculis, [[periclis, V. R.]] Pro lucro tibi pone diem, [[MS. qui . . . . .]] quocumque laboras.

61.

Quant vie est en peril En I-cest exil Ce est dolour a pert, Ki ke vnkes es en labour ffacet ke checun iour de gayner seies cert.

¶ Siþen dredful is deþ, diliueret Line 241 In eorþe to al monkunne, Do þi labour eueri day Sum good forte winne. Line 244

¶ Vincere cum possis, interdum vince ferendo; [[cede sodali, V. R.]] Obsequio quoniam dulces retinentur amici.

62.

¶ Quant veindre en puras, Souent len durras A toun cher cumpaynoun; Kar nyert la mort parfyt Si renes est fet ou dyt Ki de-plese a hom.

¶ Sum tyme spare þi felawe [[The MS. has l. 245-8 after l. 240.]] Line 245 Þouȝ þou ouercome him miht; Parfyt loue is þer non Whon ȝe striue in riht. [[Lines 249-252, 'To ȝeue luitel . . . . .lete,' wrongly follow here in the MS., and are also repeated in their proper place.]] Line 248

¶ Ne dubites, cum magna petas, impendere parua: Hiis etenim rebus coniungit gracia caros.

63.

¶ Ne doteȝ pas ou tu oses, Ou tu requers graunt choses Le petis doner; Kar veises amis Solum ce ke mest auis Par taunt entre amer.

To ȝeue luitel, dred þe nouȝt, [[See note above.]] Line 249 Þer þou askest grete Of þi frendes and neihebors— Þat costum wol not lete. Line 252

¶ Litem inferre caue, cum quo tibi gracia iuncta est: Ira odium generat, concordia nutrit amorem.

64.

Ne moueȝ ia toun corn En-vers toun compaynon Ne en-vers toun bien veilaunt; Kar Ire engendre haiour, E concorde amour— Gardeȝ vous partaunt.

¶ To þi felawe wel willynge Line 253 Sture þou no chidynge; Wraþþe gedereþ gret hate, Loue norisscheþ sauȝtynge. Line 256

¶ Seruorum ob culpam [[Servorum culpa, V. R.]] cum te dolor vrget in Iram, Ipse tibi moderare, tuis ut parcere possis.

65.

Si tu pur mesfet, Ki toun seruaunt ad fet, As del Ire al quer, Tei meymes a-mesure, Ki puisset a cel houre A tuens esparnier.

¶ Ȝif serwe of gult of seruauns Line 257 Wol þe bringe in care,

I rede þou tempre þe so wel Þat tyme þat þou hem spare. Line 260

¶ Quem superarepotes, interdum uince ferendo; Maxima etenim morum est [[Maxima enim morum, V. R.]] semper paciencia virtus.

66.

Quaunt tu aueras pouer De autre sourmounter, Donke vendras par suffraunce; Kar estre pacient Est graunt a-faitement, E meynt homme auaunce.

Þe mon þat þou maiȝt ouergo, Line 261 Wiþ suffrance him ouercome; Meknes is vertu gret Wiþ pure riht of dome. Line 264

¶ Conserua pocius, que sunt iam parta labore: Cum labor in dampno est, crescit mortalis egestas.

67.

Ce gardeȝ sagement Ki tu nomement As conquis par labour; Quant est en perte, Donke crest mortele pouerte E anguisse e dolour.

¶ Þinges þat þou hast gederet Line 265 Wiþ gret bisynesse, Wysliche þou hem spene, ffor pereles more and lesse. Line 268

¶ Dapsilis interdum notis & carus amicis; Cum fueris felix, semper tibi proximus esto.

68.

A tei conuȝ dieȝ Seieȝ a tote feeȝ Large a Mesure; Mes plus seieȝ amy A tei ke a autri, Tant cum ben tei dure. [[four English lines omitted: also out of Addit. 22,283.]]

[ [[Harl. MS. 4657]] Telluris si forte u]elis cognoscere cultus, [ [[Harl. MS. 4657]] Virgilium le]gito; quod si mage nosse laboras

69.

[Si tu [[Addit. 22,283, [folio 120:3] ]] ] voles sauer, [Dois ta t]eres cultifier

[Ke] ble ne fayle mye, Virgile lisetȝ, En sauer enpurreȝ A-seȝ de gramarie.

¶ Ȝif þou wolt knowe þe tilþe of eorþe, Line 269 Þat þe fayle corn none, Go and red virgiles bok— Þe craft he tauȝte vchone. Line 272

¶ [Harl. MS. 4657, leaf 40 back, at foot, prefixes this spurious line: 'Humanos si forte uelis depellere morbos;' but MS. Harl. 116, leaf 106 back, of B. Burgh's Cato, has, rightly, only the one line of the text above.] Herbarum vires, Macer tibi carmine dicet.

70.

Si vous voleȝ ffisicien Estre e sauer bien Doner les medicines, Macer, ke ne ment, Les grauns vertues aprent De herbes ede Racynes.

Ȝif þou wolt ben a ffisicien, Line 273 ffor vueles to ȝiuen bote, Macer þe strengþe of grases telles, Boþe of crop and Rote. Line 276

¶ Si roma[na] cupis & punica noscere bella, Lucanum queras, qui martis prelia dicet. [[dixit, V. R.]]

71.

Si voil ke tu ne fayles, De sauer les batayles De Aufrike e de Rome, Lucan aperneȝ, Kar i-leok troueres De Batayle la somme. Ȝif þou wolt knowe þe Batayle Line 277 Of Aufrik or of Rome, Red a Bok þat hette Lucan, He wol þe telle vchone. Line 280

¶ Si quid amare libet, uel discere amare legendo, Nasonem petito: [sin autem tibi cura [[cura tibi, V. R., and Addit. MS. 22,283.]] hec est, (Harl. MS. 116, lf. 107)]

72.

Si voleȝ sauer amours, Come ly plusours,

Liseȝ les Ouides, E tost saueras amer, E plus des amiȝ aueres Ki tu ne quides.

Ȝif þou wolt witen of derne loue Line 281 And haue þi fflessches wille, Sech Ouide: he con þe telle Þe Maners loude and stille. Line 284

¶ ¹ Sin autem cura tibi hec est, ¹ [[1_1 This belongs metrically to the last couplet, as in Addit. 22, 283: see p. 575.]] ut sapiens uiuas, audi, que discere possis.

Per que semotum uiciis deducitur eu[u]m.

73.

E si de cest nas cure, Mes sen e mesure, Voyleȝ aprendre Par ount come sage Puisset toun corage De uices defendre.

Ȝif þou wolt liue wisliche, Line 285 In ȝouþe þi lyf amende; In þin elde þow maiȝt betere ffrom vices þe defende. Line 288

¶ Ergo ades; & que sit sapiencia, disce legendo.

74.

Verieȝ [[? Venez]] donke auaunt, Si orras en lisaunt, Si voileȝ entendre, Syre, coynteyse, Ben e bone a-prise Voyl en tei despendre. . . . . . [[English wanting, as in Addit. 22,283.]]

¶ Si potes, ignotis eciam prodesse memento: Vtilius regno est, meritis adquirere amicos.

75.

Si vous poyeȝ, a touȝ A cuns e meylours Penseȝ de profiter; Kar ben e honour freȝ E les amis conquereȝ, Ke uaut meuȝ qe regner. . . . . . [[English wanting, as in Addit. 22,283.]]

Mitte archana dei, celum [[coelumque, V. R.]] inquirere quit sit; Cum sis mortalis, que sunt mortalia, cura.

76.

Quant tu es mortel, Les estres de ciel Ne deueȝ vous enquere; A dampne deu lesses Auer les priuites De ciel e de tere.

¶ Enquere not of priuites Line 289 Of God ne eke of heuene; Siþen þat þou art dedliche, Keep þe in þi weies euene. Line 292

¶ Linque metum leti; nam, stultum est tempore in omni; Dum mortem metuis, amittis [[amittere, V. R.]] gaudia vite.

77.

Ne dotes pas la mort, Quant ceo est nostre sort; Kar mout serreit folye Pur pour de la mort De perdre le desport Ki est en ceste vye.

¶ fforsak þow þe drede of deþ, Line 293 Siþen hit þin Auntur is; He leoseþ þe Ioye of his lyf Þat douteþ hit, I-wis. Line 296

¶ Iratus de re incerta contendere noli: Impedit ira animum, ne possit cernere uerum.

78.

Quant tu es irreȝ, De chose ne estriueȝ Dount nestes certifie; Kar Ire le corage Desturbe, ke il ne seit sage De entendre verite. ¶ Striue no þing in þi wraþþe Line 297 ffor þing vn-certeyne; Wraþþe destruyeþ monnes wit, Whon soþ may not beo seiȝene. Line 300

ffac sumptum propere, cum res desiderat ipsa; Dapsilis interdum, [[Dandum etenim est aliquid, V. R.]] cum tempus postulat aut res.

79.

Tes despenses despent Mout corteisement En beyuere e en viaunde, Kar tei estot despendre Solum ke poyeȝ entendre Ke le tens demaunde.

Sum-while spend Mete and drink Line 301 Hastiliche, I rede; Hit falleþ mon to spende his good Whon tyme hit wole in stede. Line 304

¶ Quod nimium est, fugito, paruo gaudere memento; Tuta magis [[mage est, V. R.]] puppis, modico que flumine fertur.

80.

De Mesure hayes, De petit seieȝ lees, Kar ceo est mesure; La nef ke veut sor le vnde Ke guerres nest parfounde, Plus est enseure.

¶ To make murþe of luitel þing; Line 305 To muche, þou hit fleo; Schip is more siker in luitel water Þen in þe deope séé. Line 308

¶ Quod pudeat, socios prudens celare memento: Ne plures culpent id, quod tibi displicet uni.

81.

Coyntement celeȝ Ke ne seit vergondeȝ Les feȝ ton compaynoun; Kar plusours partey Blamerunt en dreit de sei Ces mesfeȝ en comun.

¶ Hele þing þat schameþ men, Line 309 Qweynte mon ȝif þou beo, Þat oþer men blame not Þing þat greueþ þe. [[Harl. MS. 4657, [folio 91b] ]] Line 312

¶ Nolo putes, prauos homines peccata lucrari: Temporibus peccata latent, & [[sed, V. R.]] tempore parent.

82.

Ne voyl qe vous guideȝ [[quidez. Addit. 22,283.]] [[Ne dais quider ke male gent] Ke homme par pecches

[ [[MS. torn away. Supplied from Addit. MS. 22,283.]] Puisse ren] gayner [

ke pecche aiment, e le funt suuent,ke pru emporterunt;Ne pot ester ke tus peccheske or sunt cuuers, e celéés;En aucun tens se mustrunt.]

] [Kar pecche]s escapisent [E en tens] arere issent [E renden]t mal louer.

[I nul n]ot þat þou hope Line 313 Wicked men sunnes winne; Sunnes askapen ofte in tounes, And schewen In tyme and blinne. Line 316

Corporis [[MS. corpus]] exigui vires contempnere noli: Consilio pollet, cui uim natura negauit.

83.

Ne eieȝ en despit La force del petit, Kar se ne uaut guere; Kar la ou force faut, Bon counseil vaut, Quant homme ad a fere.

¶ Ne haue þou not in dispit Line 317 Þe bodi of luitel mon: In pes and werre þer strengþe is wone, Good wisdam ofte he con. Line 320

¶ Quem [[Cui, V. R.]] scieris non esse parem [te [[tibi, Addit. 22,283.]] tempore cede: Victorem a uicto superari sepe videmus.

84.

Souent desporteras Cely ke pluis bas De tei est, e mynour: Kar nous aoums veu Souent le vencu Reueyndre le vencour.

¶ Þouh a mon be not þi peere, Line 321 ffor-bere þou him in cas: Ofte we seon þe strengor falle Þorw him þat feblore was. Line 324

¶ Aduersus [[MS. Aduersum]] notum noli contendere verbis: Lis minimis verbis interdum maxima cressit.

85.

A conu ne od pier Ne voiles estriuer, Ne en Ieu ne adecertes; Kar graunt cuntek souent

De poy sourt entre gent, Dount venent graunt pertes.

¶ Aȝeines knowen mon ne frend, Line 325 Loke þat þou ne striue; Gret contek of smale wordes Waxeþ ofte ful ryue. Line 328

Quod [[Quid, V.R.]] deus intendat, noli perquirere sorte; Quod [[Quid, V.R.]] statuit [[statuat, V. R.]] de te, sine te deliberat ipse.

86.

Ne voileȝ pas enquere Par sort ke deu voyl fere De tei ne de autri; Mes serf tei faceȝ Souent les salueȝ, E tut tei mettes en ly.

¶ Aske not what god wol do Line 329 Of þe world bi cas; Wiþ-outen þe and oþur alle He mai worche wiþ his gras. Line 332

¶ Inuidiam nimio cultu uitare memento; Que si non ledat, [[ledit, V. R.]] tamen hanc sufferre molestum est.

87.

Pur eschure envye, Gardeȝ ke ne seyes mye Trop noble de vesture; Si homme ne nust grauntment, ffolye fust ne quident E envye sa porture.

¶ Envye, wiþ gret bisinesse Line 333 Beo-þenk þe forte fleo; Of oþer mennes euel fare, Envye makeþ him gleo. Line 336

¶ Esto forti animo, [[animo forti, V. R.]] cum sis dampnatus inique: Nemo diu gaudet, qui iudice uincit iniquo.

88.

Si dampne es a tort, Gardeȝ ke seieȝ fort E ferm en toun corage; Nuil homme sen Ioyet longement Ky par mal Iugement Vit e par outrage.

¶ Ȝif þou be dampned falsliche, Line 337 Loke þou beo of wille strong; No mon Ioyeþ long aftur, Þat ouer-comeþ wiþ wrong. Line 340

¶ Litis preterite, noli maledicta referre; Post inimicicias iram meminisse, malorum est.

89.

De tensoun trespasseȝ, Puis ke il est pardoneȝ, Ne deiȝ le diteȝ retrere; A pre amistes Nest Ire acordes Par homme debonere.

¶ Of Contek ones forȝiuen, Line 341 Reherce no wikkednesse; Þe wikked mon þe wikked dedes Recordet, boþe more and lasse. Line 344

¶ Nec te collaudes, nec te culpaueris ipse: Hoc faciunt stulti, quos gloria vexat inanis.

90.

Tei ne deueȝ loyer Ne tei meymes blamer, Ceo eyeȝ en memorie; Kar se fount i ceus Ke sount bricons e fous E pleyn de veyne glorie.

¶ Preise no mon him-seluen, Line 345 Ne blame him-self also; So don foles, þat veyn glorie Trauayleþ euer-mo. Line 348

¶ Vtere quesitis modice: cum sumptus abundat, Labitur exiguo, quod partum est tempore longo.

91.

Doneȝ e dispent Mesurablement, Si cum la chose est; Kar il est fest en poy detens, Quant nest garde par sens, Ke long tens quili est.

¶ Ȝif and spend a-tempreliche Line 349 Þe good þat þou may winne;

Catel is long in gederyng, And sone a-wei wol renne. Line 352

¶ Insipiens esto, cum tempus postulat, aut res: Stulticiam simulare loco prudencia summa est.

92.

ffol voil qe tu seieȝ, Solum ceo ke tu veieȝ Coment la chose vet; Kar cointise est graunt Defendre sei noun-sauaunt Pur soun esplet.

¶ ffeyne þe fol, þei þou be wys, Line 353 Þer fooles aren beo-deene; A Mon to feynen him on þat wyse Is wismon, als I wene. Line 356

¶ Luxuriam fugito, simul & vitare memento Crimen Auaricie; nam sunt contraria fame.

93.

ffueȝ lecherie E ne ameȝ mye Nuil de ces delyces; E Auarice ausy; Kar ce sacheȝ de fy, Ke ceus doynent graunt vices.

¶ Lecherie and Glotenie, Line 357 ffleo hem boþe bi name; Þei ben two wikked vices, And bringe men ofte in fame. Line 360

¶ Noli tu quedam referenti credere semper: Exigua est tribuenda fides, quia multa locuntur. [[loquuntur]]

94.

A ces counteous Ne creyeȝ mye a tous Ke countent meynt a fere; Kar mout I ad paroles ffauces e foles, E poi de fei entere.

¶ Leeue þou not alle mennes tales, Line 361 Deceyuet þat þou ne beo; Mon þat telleþ mony þinges, ffals most nede sum beo. Line 364

¶ Quod potu [[Quae potus, V. R.]] peccas, ignoscere tu tibi noli; Nam nullum crimen uini est, set culpa bibentis.

95.

A tey ne seit il pardone Quant tu es en-yuere De beiuere ke mout vaut; Kar en le vyn neiȝt il pas Ne en la coupe le trespas, Mes en le trop beuaunt.

¶ Ȝif þou sunge in drinkyng, Line 365 Bi-þenk þe of þat cas; Þe gult is not in þe ale ne wyn, But is þyn oune trespas. Line 368

¶ Concilium archanum tacito committe [[MS. committere.]] sodali: Corporis auxilium medico committe fideli.

96.

De ta priuite A cumpaynoun cele Dyeȝ, e ueyeȝ ke il ne seit volage; Toun cors a mediciner A Mire deueȝ bayler Ke seit lel e sage.

¶ Counseil þer no foly is, Line 369 Of þi felawe þou hele; Put þi body, whon þou art seek, To leche þat is lele. Line 372

¶ Successus dignos noli tu [[Noli successus indignos, V. R.]] ferre moleste: Indulget fortuna malis, ut ledere possit.

97.

Si par ta deserte Tei auygne mal ou perte, Nel preygneȝ trop ases; Kar fortune esleue Les maueis, qe ele les greue Plus apren lent apres. . . . . . [[No English given.]] [[Lines 373-6, p. 584, 'To suffre . . . . .drede,' wrongly follow here in the Vernon MS., and in the Simeon, Addit. MS. 22,283, leaf 121, col. 2.]]

¶ Prospice, qui ueniunt, hos casus esse ferendo[s]: Nam leuius ledit, quicquid preuidimus ante.

98.

Les mals pur meuȝ suffrer Ke poyent auener, Coyntement puruei;

De taunt purrount le meyne Quant il sount priue dens Greuer a tei.

¶ To suffre wo þat is to comen, [[Lines 373-6 are a repetition of those on page 583, after no. 97 of the French.]] Line 373 Porueye þe for nede; Hap þat we han seiȝen ar þis, Doþ us more to drede. Line 376

¶ Rebus in aduersis animum submittere noli; Spem retine: spes una hominem nec morte relinquid.

99.

Ne seieȝ sourmounte Par nul aduersite, Ke vous neieȝ tort, Mes de bone cheuaunce, E eies en esperaunce Quant es al poynt de mort.

¶ Dred no tribulacion, Line 377 Þer þou hast þe riht; Of good hope euer þou be, And stonde with al þi miht. Line 380

¶ Rem, tibi quam noscis aptam, dimittere noli; ffronte capillata, post est occasio calua.

100.

Chose profitable— Kar fortune est changable— Ne seit de tei lesse; Le frount od peil est bel Quant le hatirel Chauf y ert epele.

Par la frount pelu De vous seit entendu De riche comensail; E par la chef de riers Ke tot est auf eres Le poure defynail.

¶ Profitable þing to þe, Line 381 Leeue hit not to ȝare; Þat forehed is lodly Þat is calouh and bare. Line 384

¶ Quod sequitur specta: que quod [[specta: quodque, V. R.]] imminet ante, videto; Illum imitare deum, partem qui spectat vtramque.

101.

I ceo qe pert deuaunt Seieȝ entendaunt, E ceo ke suyt apres; E li deu tot dreit, Ke le vn e lautre veyt, en sueȝ a des.

¶ Ende and beginnynge of þi werk Line 385 Boþe þou hem bi-holde; Þulke god folewe bisiliche Þat alle þing haþ in wolde. Line 388

¶ fforcius [[Fortior, V. R.]] ut ualeas, interdum parcior esto: Pauca uoluptati debentur, plura saluti.

102.

Mesurable deyes Estre a cune feyeȝ, Tut seieȝ Mout pussaunt; Mout deyt homme a sante, E poy a Iolifte, Estre entendaunt.

¶ Þe hardiore þou holde þi good, Line 389 Þe strengore þat þou be; Mony þing to hele [MS. helle.] falle, And fewe to Iolyte. Line 392

¶ Iudicium populi numquam contempseris vnus: Ne nulli placeas, dum uis contempnere multos.

103.

Iammes Iugement Ou le peple se consent, Ne despiseȝ soul; Kar ky mout despit Par fet ou par dit, Ne ert ame de nuil.

¶ To Iugement of þe peple Line 393 Dispise þou neuere al-one; He þat dispiseþ mony men, He is loued of none. Line 396

¶ Sit tibi precipue, quod primum est, cura salutis; Tempora ne culpes, cum sit [[sis, V. R.]] tibi causa do[lo]ris.

104.

Tut premerement A ta sancte entent,

Quant feiȝtes toun labour; Le houre ne blameȝ, Kar deu par uos peccheȝ Le chaunge tot en iour.

¶ Ȝif þe bi-fallen serwe on honde, Line 397 Þe tyme ne blame þou nouht; God, for vre sunnes alle, Chaunged werk and þouȝt. Line 400

¶ Sompnia ne cures; nam mens humana quod optat, [[optans, V. R.]] Dum vigilat, sperat, per sompnum cernit id Ipsum.

105.

De songe ke vous songeȝ, Counte ne counteȝ; Kar quant homme est veilaunt, Ce ke il coueit e espeir, E puis le veut auer Cel meimes en dormaunt.

¶ Þing þat þe mette in sweuene, Line 401 Telle hit not wakand; Hit is þing þat þou coueyted Er longe bi-fore-hand. Line 404

¶ Hoc quicumque uelis carmen cognoscere lector, Hec precepta feras [[Quum p. ferat, V. R.]] que sunt gratissima uite, [[Commoda multa feres: sin autem spreveris illud, Non me scriptorem, sed te neg|lexeris ipse.]]

106.

Kar ki ke vnkes serras Ki cest dit vodras En lysaunt entendre, Veieȝ toun corage A tei ke seieȝ sage E coueiteȝ a prendre.

REdere, who-so þat hit be, Line 405 Þat þis dite wol knowe, Þe Comaundement with him bere And nouȝt to hyȝe ne lowe. Line 408

¶ Instrue preceptis animum, ne [[nec, V. R.]] discere cesses; Nam sine doctrina uita est quasi mortis ymago.

107.

Ne cesses en toun corage De aprendre ke seieȝ sage Mout amyablement; Kar si cum morte ymage

Est homme en checun age Ky nul ben a prent.

¶ fforþure þi wille wiþ wisdam Line 409 And sese not for to lere; Monnes lyf is lyk a ded ymage, Witles ȝif hit were. Line 412

¶ Commoda multa feres; sin autem spreueris illud, Non me scriptorem, sed te neglexeris ipsum.

108.

Mout aueras profit, Si tu a cet escrit A prendre met ta peyne; E si tu ne les lyseȝ Pas ne dispiseȝ E ffras toun prou demeyne.

¶ Ȝif þou wolt don aftur me, Line 413 Proffyt þou schalt haue; Ȝif þow wolt dispise me not, Þin oune worschupe þou saue. Line 416

¶ Cum recte uiuas, ne cures verba malorum; Arbitrii nostri non est quod quisque loquatur.

109.

Cum vous uiueȝ dreit e ben, Ne tei seit de ren Ky ly maueis dient; Kar nad nul de pouwer Les bouches estoper A ceuȝ ke mal vous leyent.

¶ Mekeliche þou suffre chidyng Line 417 Of fool oþer of moppe; Hit is not in vre pouwer Vche monnes mouþ to stoppe. Line 420

¶ Productus testis, saluo tamen ante pudore, Quantumcumque potes, celato crimen amici.

110.

Quant es auaunt mene Testemonier verite, Sauueȝ le tuen honour Toun amy sauueras, Quant qi tu purras,

De blame de soun seygnour. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Sermones blandos blesosque cauere memento: Simplicitas veri fama est, fraus ficta loquendi.

111.

Paroles bleysauntes E les blandiauntes Deueȝ vous despire; Kar nuil homme ne deit A nuly par dreit ffeyntement verite dire.

Dyre verite En simplicite, Ceo est bone fame; ffeyntement parler E verite celer Ceo est boydie e blame.

¶ Swete wordes of losengri, Line 421 Þouȝ þei beo likande, Eueriche mon ouȝte hem to fle, And fals hem vnderstande. Line 424

¶ Segniciem fugito, que uite ignauia fertur; Nam cum animus languet, consumit inercia corpus.

112.

Si tu ne fueȝ peresse Par dreite destresse, Maueis ert ta vye; Kar ly quer languirat Par taunt cum peresce ad Le cors en sa bailye

¶ Ȝif þou ne wolt sleuþe forsake Line 425 Wiþ ful gret bisynesse, Þi lyf is badde, þi bodi sone Schal falle in seknesse. Line 428

¶ Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis, Vt possis animo quemuis sufferre laborem.

113.

Entermettre deueȝ De Ioyous estre a la feȝ E heiter ta nature, Ke puisses saunȝ damage

Suffrir en toun corage Le trauayl ke vous vent sure.

¶ Sum tyme to þi studiing Line 429 Þou puit Ioye euere among; Þou schalt betere afturward Suffre trauayle strong. Line 432

¶ Alterius dictum aut factum ne carpseris unquam, Exemplo simuli ne te derideat alter.

114.

Autri dyt ne fet Ne voylles par nuil plet Reprendre ne blamer; Kar si autre de tey Le face en dreyt de cey, Il te veut peiser.

¶ Oþur monnes word ne werk Line 433 Loke þat þou ne blame, Þat he ne mouwe in such a caas Scorne þe bi þe same. Line 436

¶ Quod tibi sors dederit tabulis supprema notato, Augendo serua, ne sis, quem fama loquatur.

115.

Ce ke tei chet en sort Quant toun Ancestre est mort, Entenk le pur ben garder; E pur sauuer ta fame, Ke tu ne eyeȝ blame, Penseȝ de ceo anoyter.

¶ Þing þat Aunter haþ þe ȝiuen Line 437 Aftur þi frend is ded, Kep, and saue þi gode los, And beo I-holden no qued. Line 440

¶ Cum tibi diuicie superant in fine senecte, Munificus facito uiuas, nec parcus amicis.

116.

Si a la fyn de ta veilesse Tei abounde ta richesse, Escars ne seies pas, Mes en tens despent E dones largement, Taunt cum tu purras.

¶ Ȝif in þin ende of þin elde Line 441 Þe falle richesse strong, Beo not to scars, freliche dispende Þer neod is euer among. Line 444

¶ Vtile consilium dominus ne despice serui; Nullius sensum, si prodest, tempseris vnquam.

117.

Ne seieȝ despisaunt Le counseil toun seruaunt, Si il est profitable; Ne lesseȝ le sen de nuly Quant tu veieȝ desi Ke il seit couenable.

¶ Dispise no counseil of þi mon, Line 445 Ȝif he beo profitable; Ne þe wit of oþur men, Ȝif hit beo resonable. Line 448

¶ Rebus & in censu si non est, quod fuit ante, ffac viuas contentus eo, quod postulat vsus. [[q. tempora praebent, V.R.]]

118.

Si tu ne seieȝ manaunt Cum as este deuaunt, Cum ly plusours sount, A tei seit suffisaunt Le petit e le graunt, Solum ke le tens respount.

¶ Ȝif hit beo not in þi catel Line 449 As sum-tyme was bi-fore, Hold þe payed of þin hap And haue non herte sore Line 452

¶ Vxorem fuge ne ducas sub nomine dotis, Nec retinere velis, si ceperit esse molesta.

119.

ffemme prendre ne deieȝ Pur bien ke seit, mes veies Ke ele te seit honeste; Ne pur nuil desyr Ke voleȝ reteyner Si ele te seit moleste . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Multorum disce exemplo, que facta sequaris, Que fugias; uita est nobis aliena magistra.

120.

Le ensaumple receyueȝ De mouȝ, ke vous sacheȝ qey fere e quey lesser; Kar quel ke il seit, Autri sauer vous deit A prendre ou chastier.

¶ Ensaumple tak of mony men Line 453 What werkes þe folewe schal; Þe lyf of oþure goode men Is Maistres to us alle. Line 456

¶ Quod potes, id temptes, [[tenta, V.R.]] operis ne pondere pressus Succumbat labor, & frustra temptata relinquis.

121.

Ce ke tu poyes fere, Dount quides a chef trere Asaieȝ en meynte guise, Ke tey ne tut a pres Pur le anuy del fes Guerper la tue aprise.

¶ Þat þou may assaye wel, Line 457 I rede, no more, þou bere; Ȝif þou dost, þou lest þi swik, And ouer cark wol þe dere. Line 460

¶ Quod nosti factum non recte, noli silere, [[haud recte factum, nolito tacere, V.R.]] Ne videare malos imitari uelle tacendo.

122.

Ce ke toun cen veit Ouerer en-countre dreit, Tere pas ne deies; Ke homme ne seit quidaunt Ke voyles enteysaunt, En suere le maueis.

¶ Þat þou wost is euel wraþþe, Line 461 ffor-hele þou hit nouȝt, Þat þou suwe no wikked mon In wille nouþer in þouht. Line 464

¶ Iudicis auxilium sub iniqua lege rogato; Ipse etiam [MS. eniam] leges cupiunt, ut iure regantur.

123.

Eliseȝ Iuge a tei, Quant tu veyeȝ ke la ley Passe outre gre; Kar les dreite leis Voylent tote feis A dreit estre gouerne.

¶ Aske to þe help of Iuge, Line 465 Vnder wikked lawes; Þei wol be gouernet al with riht, Beo nihtes and bi dawes. Line 468

¶ Quod merito pateris, pacienter ferre memento, Cumque reus tibi [[tibi reus, MS.]] sis, ipsum te iudice dampna.

124.

Seieȝ pacient, Suffres bonement Ceo ke as deserui; Si tu tei veies coupable, Iuges tei a dampnable, Nel le meteȝ a autri.

¶ Þin harme suffre mildeliche Line 469 Þat þou serued wiþ riht, And þou gulti deme þi-self And non oþer wiht. Line 472

¶ Multa legas fac[i]to: perlectis, perlege [[neglige, V.R.]] multa; Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda, poete.

125.

Lyseȝ mout de dytes E plus reliseȝ Autres mout auere; Merueiles dyent grauns Ly poyetes en lour chauns, Si len les peut crere.

¶ Gedere þinges in þin herte Line 473 Þat beon to þin biheue; Þis poete telleþ of merueyles Þat aren not alle to leue. Line 476

¶ Inter conuiuas fac sis sermone modesta, [[modestus, V.R.]] Ne dicare loquax dum vis vrbanus haberi.

126.

Gard tei tote feeȝ Ke tu a get ne seyeȝ

fforfetous in parole, Ke pur Iangleour Ne tey tignent ly plusour, Enent pur enseigne.

¶ Among þi gistes alle Line 477 A-tempre be of word, Beo corteis and Iangle not Þer þou art set at bord. Line 480

Coniugis irate noli tu uerba timere; Nam lacrimis struit insidias, dum [[Nam str. ins. lacr., quum, V. R.]] femina plorat.

127.

Quant ta [femme] est yree E dit sa rampone, Ne teneȝ vers ly plet; Mes quant ele ploure, Gard tei a cel houre, Kar donke est en get.

¶ Drede not þi wyf whon heo is wroþ, Line 481 Mak heo hit neuer so stoute; Whon heo weopeþ and makeþ deol, Of hire þenne is more doute. Line 484

¶ Vtere quesitis, sed ne videaris abuti; Qui sua consumunt, cum deest, aliena secuntur.

128.

Ta chose despent Mesurablement, Ke ele ne tei fayle; Kar kike liseon gaste, De autri en haste Conquera sa vitayle. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ ffac tibi proponas, mortem non esse timendam: Que bona si non est, finis tamen illa malorum est.

129.

ffeteȝ taunt en ta vye Ke ne estut mye Doter mort ne peyne; ffyn est de tuȝ mals Mort, e taunt ly vals A ben de soun demeyne. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

Vxoris linguam, si linguam si frugi est, ferre memento; Namque malum [est] nil uelle pati, nil [[non v. p., nec, V. R.]] posse tacere.

130.

Soffreȝ ta mulier Quant la oyeȝ ben parler, En tote repose; Kar nent voyler soffrir E a voyl poy teyser, Ceo est male chose. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

Dilige non ega [[Aequa diligito, V. R.]] caros pietate parentes, Nec matrem offendas dum uis bonus esse parenti.

131.

Ameȝ te chere parens De quer parfit de-dens, E nent malement; Ne offendeȝ ta mere, Si voylles pleiser toun pere E seruer a talent.

¶ ffader and moder loke þou loue Line 485 Wiþ parfyt herte wiþ-inne; Loke þat þou ne wraþþe hem nouȝt, Heore benison to winne. Line 488

¶ Securam quicumque cupis deducere vitam, Nec uiciis aderre animum, que [[haerere animos, qui, V. R.]] moribus obsunt.

132.

kike vnkes vie pure Honeste e a mesure Desireȝ amener, En toun corage Trestut toun age De vices deueȝ garder.

Siker lyf hose wole Line 489 In þis world abyde, put his wylle in gode þewes, And alle wikked let slyde. Line 492

¶ Hec precepta tibi semper relegenda memento: Invenies aliquid, quod te vitare magistro.

133.

Eieȝ en memorie Le vers de cest estorie Souernelement;

Kar chose y troueras Ke eschure deueras pur toun amendement. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

Despice diuicias, si uis animo esse beatus; Quas qui suscipiunt, mendicant semper auari.

134.

Richesce despiseȝ, Si benure estre voleȝ En toun corage; Les coueitous ount Petit, e poures sount En trestut lour age. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Comoda nature nullo tibi tempore deerunt, Si contentus eo fueris, [[Si fueris c. eo, V. R.]] quod postulat vsus.

135.

Ia ne serra le houre Kaunt a ta nature Ke ne es a plente, Pur quei ke sen te dure Euoyleȝ de mesure Estre apaye.

¶ Þe propertes of nature Line 493 Redi to þe þei be, Ȝif þou beo payed of þat þing Þat god haþ sent þe. Line 496

¶ Cum sis in-cautus, nec racione gubernas, Noli fortunam, que non est, dicere cecam.

136.

Si fous es e bricoun E ceo qe as par reson Ne gouerneȝ mye, Ne deies blamer nul houre Pur ta mesauenture, Mes meymes ta folye.

¶ Ȝif þou beo no queynte mon Line 497 To gouerne þi bailye, Blame not Aunter afterward, But wite hit þi folye. Line 500

¶ Dilige denarium, [[denari, V. R.]] set parce dilige, formam, Quem nemo sanctus nec honestus captat habere. [[ab aere, V. R.]]

137.

Nent pur sa beute, Mes pur la necessite, Ameȝ le dener; Kar ceo est la somme, Nuil seint ne honest homme Nele coueit a auer.

¶ Loue þe peny for þe nede, Line 501 ffor oþer beute non; Þe holy mon coueiteþ hit not No more þen a ston. Line 504

¶ Cum fueris locuples, corpus curare memento; Eger diues habet nummos, set non habet ipsum.

138.

Pur garer toun cors, Despent tes treshors, Graunt ben a tei fra Prenk ke poies auer, Le riche nad nuil dener Quant sey meimes na.

¶ Spene þi tresour, feyne þe not, Line 505 Þi bodi for to hele; What prou may þi catel do, But hele wol with þe dele? Line 508

¶ Verbera cum tuleris discens aliquando magistri, ffer patris imper[i]um, [[ingenium, V. R.]] cum verbis exit in iram.

139.

Quant acun houre Suffres la batoure Del meiȝtre pur aprendre, Ben deis toun pere en Ire Soffrir de tei mesdire, E ne mye tei defendre. ¶ Ȝif þou haue soffred betyng Line 509 Of Maister for þi lore, Do þi fader comaundement Boþe lasse and more. Line 512

¶ Res age, que prosunt: rursus uitare memento, In quibus [[quis, V. R.]] error inest, nec spes est certa laboris.

140.

ffetes ceo ky profyte; Mes iceo ke delyte Ou il y ad trespas, I ceo dount nestes seur, Ke sauf seit toun labour; Si tu me creies, lerras.

¶ Do þing þat þe profite may, Line 513 Or helpe þe atte last; Oþere wikkede errours A-wei from þe þou cast. Line 516

¶ Quod donare potes, gratis concede roganti; Nam gratis fecisse bonis, in parte [[recte f. b., in parte. V. R.]] lucrosum est.

141.

Ceo qi poies doner, Doneȝ de bon quer A ly ke quert aye; kar fere debonerement Ben a bone gent, Gayn est enpartye.

¶ Þat þou maiȝt with rihte ȝef, Line 517 To pore þou graunte at nede; And ȝif þou not þe riche mon, Þer is no soule mede. Line 520

¶ Quod tibi suspectum est, confestim discute, quid sit; Namque solent, primo que sunt neglecta, nocere.

142.

Enquere chose entendeȝ, Souent la recordes, Pur ben sauer la cure; Kar pas nest petit Pur auer en despit Les choses ke pount nure. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Cum te detineat veneris dampnosa uoluptas, Indulgere gule noli, que ventris amica est.

143.

Si a countre toun profit Le maueis delyt Tei tent de lecherie, Donke voyl sor tote ren Ke tu tei gardes bien De Glotonerie.

¶ Ȝif þou wolt fihte with flessches lust, Line 521 Aȝeynes lecherie, Þou most with-drawe of diuers metes, And vse no glotenie. Line 524

¶ Cum tibi preualide fuerint in corpore vires, ffac sapias; quo [[sic, V. R.]] tu poteris vir fortis haberi.

144.

Si fort es euaylaunt De cors e ben puissaunt, Od tut ceo seyeȝ sage, Si purras estre pruȝ E a fort tenuȝ En tut vostre age:

¶ Ȝif þou be mon of bodi strong, Line 525 Auyse þe wel in þi þouȝt, Puyt þi strengþe in-to prou, And elles hit helpeþ þe nouȝt. Line 528

¶ Cum tibi preponas animalia cuncta timere, Vnum precipio tibi plus hominem [[MS. hom. plus.]] esse timendum.

145.

Quant taunt frele estes Ke vous dotes les bestes E le serpens, Mout deueȝ doter Homme de feloun quer, E fuer le tut tens.

¶ Siþen þou art so frele of kuynde Line 529 Wilde bestes to doute, Doute wel more wikked men, And come not in heore route. Line 532

¶ Auxilium a notis petito, si forte laboras; Nec quisquam melior medicus, quam fidus amicus.

146.

Si tei sourt mester De tes amys requer Socours e aye, Meillor nul ne say Myre qe amy veray En tote ceste vye.

¶ Aske in trauayle help of frende, Line 533 To wisse þe and to rede,

Beter leche knowe I non Þen trewe frend is at neode. Line 536

¶ Cum sis ipse nocens, moritur cur uictima pro te? Stulticia in [[est, V. R.]] mortem alterius sperare salutem.

147.

Salu en autri mort Espeirer, ceo est tort E folye e vice. Par quele resoun prouable Quant tu es coupable De toun sacrifice. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

Cum tibi uel socium, uel fidum queris amicum, Non fortuna tibi [[tibi fortuna, V. R.]] est hominis, sed vita petenda.

148.

Su tu as desyr De lel amy choiser Ou bele cumpaignye, De enquere lauenture De homme neyeȝ cure, Mes de la bone vye. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

Vtere quesitis opibus; fuge nomen auari. Quid tibi diuicie prosunt, si [[Quo tibi divitias, si semper, V. R.]] pauper abundas?

149.

Ceo ke tu as purchase, Vseȝ en honestete, ffueȝ le noun de escars. Dount sert ta richesce, Quant tu viues en destresce, Ke nuil ben ne as? . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Si famam seruare cupis, dum uiuis, honestam, ffac fugias animo, que sunt mala gaudia uite.

150.

Si uoleȝ garder ta fame De vilenye ede blame, Taunt cum es uiuaunt, En Ioyes de ceste mound Ke mout maueis sount Ne seieȝ consentaunt.

¶ Ȝif þou wolt kepe þi gode loos Line 537 ffrom wiked sunne and blame, To veyne ioyes of þis world ffor-sak hem alle bi name. Line 540

¶ Cum sapias animo, noli irridere senectam; Nam quocumque sene, [[quicumque senet, V. R.]] puerilis sensus in illo est.

151.

Pur quei ke seieȝ sage, Ia homme de veilage Ne serras gabaunt; Kar kaunt homme enueillist, Le sen ly enfeblist E si deuent enfaunt.

¶ In old mon is childes wit, Line 541 Soþ þou schalt hit fynde; Ȝif þou be wys, scorn him not, Hit falleþ to his kuynde. Line 544

¶ Disce aliquid; nam, cum subito fortuna recedit, [[recessit, V. R.]] Ars remanet uitamque hominis non deserit vnquam.

152.

Aperneȝ a-kun art, Ke, si fortune senpart de tei sodeynement, le art od tei remeyndra, Ke trop ne tei lerra Esguare entre gent.

¶ Leorn sum good, whil þou miht; Line 545 Auenture haþ no make; Mester wol not fayle þi lyf, Hit nul þe neuere forsake. Line 548

¶ Prospicito cuncta [[Perspicito tecum, V. R.]] tacitus, quod quisque loquatur: Sermo hominum mores celat, set & indicat idem.

153.

A chekun parlement seyeȝ E entendaunt tote feȝ, Mes teisaunt tei couere; Kar la parole a plusours hommes Lour mours e lour custumes Clerement descouere. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

Exerce studium, quam-uis perceperis artem: Vt cura ingenium, quoque sic [[sic et, V. R.]] manus adiuat usum.

154.

Le estudie haunteras, Ia seit I ceo ke tu as Le art aperceu; Estudie engein encuse, E la meyn homme vse Meynte tel aum veu.

Haunte studie, þauȝ þou haue Line 549 Wel conceyued þi craft, Þat wille and wit and þin hond To-gedere ben i-laft. Line 552

¶ Multum uenturi ne cures tempora fati: Non metuit mortem qui s[c]it contempnere uitam.

155.

Ne eies pas graunt cure De penser a quel hure Tu as a morer; La mort ne doteȝ mye Cyl ke veut sa vye En despit auer. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

Disce, set a doctis: indoctos ipse doceto; propaganda est etenim [[etenim est, V. R.]] rerum doctrina bonarum.

156.

De aseygnement apren, E tu de toun sen Autres deis aprendre; Soun sen e soun sauer Pur ben multiplier Deit chescun despendre.

¶ Heeren þou schalt of wyse men; Line 553 And loke wel in þi mood Þi wit to spene wysliche, And eke þin oþer good. Line 556

¶ Hoc bibe quod possis, si tu uis viuere sanus: Morbi namque mali causa [[M. causa mali nimia, V. R.]] est quecumque voluptas.

157.

Si tu veus viuere seyn, Beueȝ ke tu seyes pleyn E ke bien puisaunt; Kar chescun delyt est vein,

E encheson certeyn De maladye graunt.

¶ Drink þat þou beo meþful, Line 557 And lyue in hele good; ffoul delyt in drunkennesse Makeþ men ofte ful wood. Line 560

¶ Laudaris quodcumque palam, quecumque probaris, Prospice, [[Hoc vide, V. R.]] ne rursus leuitatis crimine dampnes.

158.

Ceo ke tu as lowe En comunite Par tei derechef, Ne seit a redampner Pur nul regreter, Taunt seieȝ sage e gref.

¶ Þing þat þou hast ones preised Line 561 Be-fore þe folk ouer al, Blame hit not þer-afturward, Beo hit gret or smal. Line 564

¶ Tranquillis rebus, que su[n]t aduersa caueto: [[timeto, V. R.]] Rursus in aduersis, melius sperare memento

159.

Quant es ben a eise, Penseȝ donke de meseise, Pur tei humilier; Quant es en aduersiteȝ, Mout graunt bens esperes, pur tei cumforter.

¶ In þi weolþe þou þenk of wo, Line 565 So maiȝt þou þe meke; In wo also haue hope of helpe, So maist þou cumforte þe seke. Line 568

[Discere ne cesses: cura sapientia crescit: Rara datur longo prudentia temporis usu.]

¶ Parce laudato; nam, quem tu sepe probaris, Vna dies, qualis fuerit, demonstrat, [[ostendet, V. R.]] amicus.

160.

Mesurablement Loyeȝ tote gent De kes al esprouer; Kar vn Iour ver tei fra

Ky amy tei serra, Quant aueras graunt mester.

¶ Preise a mon so scarsliche, Line 569 Whom þat þou wolt him proue; He schal sum tyme schewe openliche Wher he þe hate or loue. Line 572

¶ Ne pudiat, que nescieris, te uelle doceri: Scire aliquid laus est; turpe [[culpa, V. R.]] est, nil discere uelle.

Hounte ne eieȝ, Ceo ky uous ne saueȝ En-quere e a prendre; Los est de sauer ben, E mal, de nuile ren Voler entendre.

¶ Þat þou ne const, schome þe not Line 573 Of oþere to ben I-tauht; He þat nout con, ne nout wol lerne, May neuer ben I-sauȝt. Line 576

¶ Cum uenere & bacho lis est, coniuncta [[sed iuncta, V. R.]] voluptas. Quod lautum est, animo complectere, set fuge lites.

De-sour beuerie Sourt tensoun e folye, Sens nul ou petit, E de lecherie Estryf e briconye, Mes mout vnt graunt folye.

Le maueis delyt Eyeȝ en despit, E fueȝ le tensoun; Vnkes despiseȝ Les bens ke tu preiseȝ En ta discrecioun. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Dimissos animo tacitos que cauere [[ac tacitos vitare, V.R.]] memento: Quo [[Qua, V.R.] flumen placidum est, forsan latet alciori [[altius, V.R.]] vnda.

En checun tens elu Tel homme eschu Ke tut Iour est tensaunt; Kar il auent ke lounde,

Ke est plus parfounde Ou eole est meyns mouaunt.

¶ In vche stude, in vche tyme, Line 577 Þe stille mon þou drede and fle; Þer water is most deope, Þe lasse þer þen steres he. Line 580

¶ Cum tibi displiciat rerum fortuna tuarum, Alter[i]us specta, quo sis discrimine peior.

Si en nule ren Tei ne achese ben Cum fet a autre gent, Veieȝ si tu eieȝ tecche Ou vice en quey ceo pecche, E taunt tost tei ament.

¶ Ȝif auenture nul not þe serue Line 581 As he doþ oþer men, Bi-hold þi tecches or þi sunne, Wher þou beo gulti þen. Line 584

¶ Quod potes, id tempta: litus nam [[nam litus, V.R.]] carpere remis Tucius est multo, quam uelum tendere in altum.

A-sayeȝ en a-prise ben Ke tu ne prengneȝ ren Ke ne pusseȝ acheuer; Plus est seur a fere De nager pres de tere Ky en haute mer sigler.

Aȝeyn þe strem ne striue þou nouȝt, Line 585 Ne nuiȝe þe not wiþ wrong; ffor eueri werk wronglich wrouht God wol venge a-mong. Line 588

¶ Contra hominem iustum praue contendere noli: Sepe [[Semper, V.R.]] enim deus iniustas vlciscitur iras.

A countre homme dreiturer Ne voyleȝ estriuer A tort, ne ly mesdire: Kar totes houres prent Deus gref vengement De torcenouse yre. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Ereptis opibus, noli tu flere [[maerere, V.R.]] dolendo: Set gaude pocius, si te contingat [[tibi si contingit, V.R.]] habere.

Si tu perdes auer, Ne uoyles pas doler Pur doubler toun damage; Mes si deule te reueyt, Recef le gayn od heit— Si freȝ ke mout sage.

¶ Ȝif þou leosest þi worldes good, Line 589 To gret deol mak þou nouȝt, Raþer, ȝif þe fayle þe chaunce, Haue Ioye in þi þouȝt. Line 592

¶ Est iactura grauis, que sunt, amittere dampnis: Sunt quedam, que ferre decet pacienter amicum.

Damage gref e fyer Dount homme deit doler, Ceo est perdre soun amy; Mes meynt est damage Pur quei ia ly sage Ne ert dolent ne mari. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Tempora longa tibi noli promittere vite: Quocumque ingrederis, sequitur mors, corporis vmbram.

Ne vous prometteȝ mye Tens de longe vye, Ke bricoun tenu ne seieȝ: Ou ke vnkes uas eyns ou hors, Le vmbre de toun cors Ensuit mort tote feȝ.

¶ Haue non hope to liuen longe, Line 593 But diht þe euere on hiȝe; Wher-so þou gost, niht or day, Þi deþ foleweþ þe neihe. Line 596

¶ Ture deum placa: vitulum sine crescat aratro; Ne credas placare deum, cum cede litatur.

En tens a deu celestre Offreȝ, e soffres crestre Le vel a la charue; Crere ne voyleȝ

Ke dieu de ceo seit leȝ Ke homme les bestes tue. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Cede locum lesis fortune, [[laesus Fortunae, V.R.]] cede potenti; Ledere qui poterit, prodesse aliquando valebit.

Doneȝ lu a graunt, E suffreȝ le pussaunt Quant il fet mal a tey; Kar cil ke peut blesser, Purra profyter Acune feȝ, ceo crey.

¶ Ȝif þou stude to grete men, Line 597 Þauh ofte þei greueþ þe; Oþer-tyme þei may þe profyte— And her-of loke þou leeue me. Line 600

¶ Cum tu [[Quum quid, V.R.]] peccaris, castiga te ipse subinde: Vulnera dum sanas, dolor est medicina doloris.

Si vous pecches par folye, Tey meymes enchastye, E ceo ben aprement; Kar dolour est medecyne De dolour ke ne fyne De tous dolours lentent.

¶ Ȝif þou sum tyme dost a sunne, Line 601 Sone þou hit amende; Serwe is medicine of þi gult, And God is wonder hende. Line 604

¶ Dampnaris nunquam post longum tempus amicum; Mutauit mores: sed pignora prima memento.

Si toun amy change Soun corage pur vyl hange, Ne le voilles dampner; Mes ke il ad samour Chaungeȝ en Amour Vers tey deis remembrer. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Gracior officijs, quo sis mage carior, esto: Ne nomen subeas, quod dicitur, officij perdi. [[officiperdi, V.R.]]

Cum vous cher tey eies De taunt pener tey deyes Pur seruer plus a gre, Ke vous ne seyes nome Maueis, ne a-pele A uostre eyn degre.

¶ Ȝif þou beo holden deore with frend, Line 605 Him þou serue þe more to gre, Þat wikked reson bi good enchesun Beo not put on þe. Line 608

¶ Suspectus caueas, ne sis miser omnibus horis: Nam timidis & suspectis aptissima mors est.

Les suspecious Sount tut tens pourous, Lour vye est en meseyse; A teus vaut meuȝ morir Ke tel mal suffrer Od tote lur ese. . . . . . [[English wanting, space left.]]

¶ Cum seruos fueris proprios mercatus in vsus Et famulos dicas, homines tamen esse memento.

Si a ta volunte Serfs as achate, Pur auer a toun vsus, E quaunt ke vus seruerunt, Penseȝ ke hommes sount Ansy ben cum vous.

¶ Ȝif þou haue seruauns mony on, Line 609 To werk and don vsage, Beo-þenk þe wel þat þei beo men And lyk to þin ymage. Line 612

¶ Quam primum rapienda tibi est occacio prima: Ne rursus queras, que iam neglexeris ante.

Les bens ke poyes erraunt prendre en auaunt, Ne les mettes en respyt; Oum tu y fauderas Quant auer les voderas Issi cum ieo quit.

¶ Tak what þing þe profred is Line 613 Whon þou maiȝt redi haue; He þat nul not whon he may, Ofte haþ not whon he wol craue. Line 616

¶ Morte repentina noli gaudere malorum: ffelices obeunt, quorum sine crimine uita est.

En-ioyer ne te deis Quant tu veies le maueis Morer sodeynement; Kar les benures Ke neȝ sount enpecches Vount a defynement.

¶ Of sodeyn deþ of wikked men Line 617 Ioye ne make þou none; Holy men and of lyue clene Diden so als maiȝt þou done. Line 620

¶ Cum coniux tibi sit, nec [[Quum tibi fit conjux, ne, V.R.]] res & fama laborat, Vita ne [[Vitandum, V.R.]] ducas inimicum nomen amici.

Si femme as ou amye E homme la sordye De acun toun amy, Ia pur ceo ne enuyeȝ, De-uaunt ke cert seyes, Mal quer vers ly.

¶ Ȝif men tellen harm bi þi wyf Line 621 Or oþer ffrend beo name, Til hit beo proued, leeue hit nouȝt; Empeyre þou nouȝt hire fame. Line 624

¶ Cum tibi contigerit studio cognoscere multa, ffac discas multa; culpa est nil velle [[et vita nescire, D.]] doceri.

Mout seieȝ ententyfs Tut eieȝ vus mout apris En estudiaunt, E plus e plus a-pren Sauer e sen, Taunt cum es uiuaunt.

¶ Þouh þat þou knowe fele þinges Line 625 Be studie and bi lore,

Let not o Bok, bisiliche Beo lernynge euer-more. Line 628

¶ Coueyte not to muche good, And do aftur my red; Þe ouerdon gredi mon Beggeþ ofte his bred. [G. E. Weber says, in Corpus Poet. Latin., 1833, p. 1198: 'Additur denique distichon satis ineptum: Miraris verbis nudis,' &c. The Various Readings above are from his text.] Line 632

¶ Mireris verbis nudis me scribere versus? Hos breuitas sensus fecit congungere [[coniungere, V.R.]] binos.

Tu as merueyle se quit Ke ieo ay ces vers escrit Issy nuement; Mes ceo est lenchesoun Ke ieo deisse ma Resoun En deus vers breuement.

¶ Þe merueyles of þise nakede vers Line 633 Beoþ maked bi two and two: Þe schortnesse of my luitel wit Dude me en-Ioynen hem so. Line 636

¶ Wise men may a-mende þis ieste, And resouns puten and eche: Þo þat reden on þis bok, Þerof I hem biseche. Line 640

¶ Alle þat reden and wolle recorden Þis smale techinges bi-dene, God hem graunte, þorw his grace, Of heore sunnes be clene. Amen! Line 644

LI. The Stacions of Rome. [The Prolog only.]

LOrd Ihesu crist In Trinite, [folio 314] Þreo persones In vnite, Þat on God is in makynge, Þat is and was of alle þinge, Seende us grace now so biginne, Þat we mowe so heuene winne,

Þat mowe we not don here, Bot ur soules ben of sunne clere. Line 8 Hose wot his soule In synne bounde, I wol him techen In a stounde, Where he may medicyn fynde His soule of sunne to vnbynde, Line 12 And from pyne him saue sikerly, Þat in þe fuir of helle is redy; And also from þe fuir of helle, Wher-of þe peynes no mon con telle. Line 16 ¶ To grete Rome gon he mote, Þer is þe Medicyn, crop and Rote, Þat men clepeþ pardoun. Ȝonge and Olde in eueri toun, Line 20 Þer is forsoþe welle of grace To alle þat visyteþ þat place, And ben in loue and charite Touward vche mon what so he be, Line 24 And kepeþ him clene to his ende, Nedes to heuene moste he wende Wiþ-outen peyne lasse or more, His soule to dwellen euere þore. Line 28 Þat may vche mon at Rome fynde, And clene his soule of synne vnbynde, As I her-after ow schal telle. In diuerse churches, and ȝe wol dwelle, Line 32 An holy lyf is in þat place, Men may hit leeue, hose haþ grace. Seouen hundret and fifti ȝer be-foren Þat vr lord Ihesu was boren, Line 36

Two knihtes come from troye In-to Itayle with muchel Ioye, Is cleped Remous and Romilus, As olde Cronycles telleþ þus. Line 40 Þei weoren breþeren of muchel miht, And muchel douted in fiht, And foundeours of Rome, þat grete citéé, Þat is ful of grace and dignite, Line 44 And cleped is Rome after hem, As cronicles telleþ alle men.

Al was heþene þat was þer-Inne, fful of wikkednes and of sinne, Line 48 Til peter and poul, and seynt Ion, And oþer holye mony on, Þider come wiþ godes miht To cristene þe peple day and niht, Line 52 To teche hem cristes lore, Boþe þe lasse and eke þe more. Þer weore þei mony a gret stounde, So harde in meschef and sunne I-bounde, Line 56 Þat cristendam ne wolden take, Ne heore Maumetrie forsake; And slowen Peter and poul also, And oþer seintes mony mo: Line 60 Mony Miracle of hem gon falle In þe Cite of þe heiȝe halle, Of þe Martires þat þei hedde made, Þat coude no better rade, Line 64 And cristned bi-comen mony one Of heþene men þat weren in Rome. Þe moredel þat weore þer-inne, And also al þat þei mihte winne. Line 68 ¶ And þo þat wolde not cristned be, Weore he bonde, weore he fre, To deþe anon was he don, Moste þer no gold for him gon; Line 72 In-to Rome þus com cristendom, And for vr alre sauacion. ¶ Now þis schal beo þe parclose, No more to speken of þis prose, Line 76 But of holynesse and dignite, Graunted in chirches of þat cite. Line 78 HOse wole his soule leche . . . . . [[The rest of the poem, after 1. 78, is printed in No. 25 of the E. E. Text Society's Original Series, 1867, pages 1-24, and is therefore not repeated here. Had I recollected that the next poem—the 'Disputation'—had been printed by our late lamented friend, Dr. Richard Morris, in his Legends of the Holy Rood, E. E. T. Soc., 1871, p. 131-149, and (from the Royal MS. 18, A 10) p. 197-209, it would not have found place here; but I'd forgotten all about it till the revise came, and therefore do not cancel it.— F., 14 June, 1894.]]

LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.

[40 Alliterative Stanzas: nos. 1 and 40, either nine lines with 2 central rymes, aaaa, bcccb; or 17 lines, aab, aab, aab, aab, cdddc; nos. 2-39, thirteen lines abab, abab, cdddc.]

(1)

Oure ladi freo, on Rode treo, made hire mon: [folio 315b:3] Heo seid, "on þe, þe fruit of me, is wo bigon; Mi fruit I seo, in blodi bleo, among his fon; Serwe I seo, þe veines fleo, from blodi bon. [These 4 lines might each be set in 4 threes, aab, as those in stanza 40 (p. 626) are in the MS, the printed below as single lines.] Cros, þou dost no trouþe, Line 5 On a pillori my fruit to pinne. He haþ no spot of Adam sinne: fflesch and veines nou fleo a-twinne; Wherfore I rede of routhe. Line 9

(2)

Cros, þi bondes schul ben blamed, Line 10 Mi fayre fruit þou hast bi-gyled, Þe fruites Mooder was neuere a-famed, Mi wombe is feir, founden vn-fuyled. Line 13 Chyld, whi artou not a-schamed On a pillori to ben I-piled? Grete Iewes þus weore gramed, And dyede for heore werkes wyled. Line 17 In mournyng I may melte; Line 18 Mi fruit þat is so holi halwed, In a feeld is fouled and falwed; Wiþ grete Iewes he is galwed, And dyeþ for Monnes gelte. Line 22

(3)

FOr grete Iewes, galwes weire greiþed, Line 23 Þat euer to Robbyng Ronne ryf. Whi schal my sone on þe beo leid, Þat neuer nuyȝed mon nor wyf? Line 26 A drinke of deþ, soþliche seid, Cros, þou ȝeuest þe lord of lyf,

His veynes to-bursten wiþ þi breid. Mi fruit stont nou in a strong stryf; Line 30 Blod from hed is hayled; Line 31 ffouled is my fayre fruit, Þat neuer dude tripet ne truit. Wiþ þeues þat loueden ryot and ruit, Whi schal my sone be nayled? Line 35

(4)

Þoruȝ Iugement þou art en-Ioynet Line 36 To bere fooles ful of sinne. Mi sone from þe schulde beon ensoynet, And neuere his blod vppon þe rinne; But nou is truþe wiþ tresun teynet, Line 40 Wiþ þeoues to honge fer in fenne; Wiþ feole nayles his limes ben feynet; A careful Moder men mai me kenne; In Bales I am bounde. Line 44 Þat fruit was of a Mayden born, On a þeoues tre is al to-torn. A Broche þorw-out his brest [is] born, His holi herte haþ wounde. Line 48

(5)

Tre! þou art loked bi þe lawe, Line 49 Þeoues, traitours, on þe to dye; [[? deye]] But now is trouþe wiþ tresun drawe, And vertu falleþ in vices weye; But loue and treuþe in soþfast sawe Line 53 On a treo traytours hem teye; Vertu is wiþ vices slawe. Of alle vertues my sone is keye, Vertu swettore þen spices; Line 57 In fot and hond bereþ blodi prikke, His hed is ful of þornes þikke; Þe goode hongeþ a-mong þe wikke; Vertu dyeþ wiþ vices. Line 61

(6)

Tre vnkynde, þou schalt be kud; Line 62 Mi sone step-Moder, I þe calle.

Mi fruit was born wiþ beestes on bed, And be my flesch my flour gan falle. Wiþ my brestes, my brid I fed; Line 66 Cros! þou ȝeuest him Eysel and Galle. Mi white Rose Red is spred, [folio 316:1] Þat fostred was in a fodderes stalle. ffeet and fayre hondes Line 70 Þat nou ben croised, I custe hem ofte; I lulled hem, I leid hem softe. Cros! þou holdest hem hiȝe on lofte, Bounden in bledyng bondes. Line 74

(7)

Mi loue i-lolled vp in þe eyr, Line 75 Wiþ cradel bond I gan him bynde. Cros! he stikeþ nou on þi steir, Naked a-ȝeyn þe wylde wynde. ffoules fourmen heor nestes in þe eyr; Line 79 Wolues, in den, reste þei fynde; Bot Godes sone, in heuene heir, His hed nou leoneþ on þornes tynde. Of mournyng I may mynne: Line 83 Godes hed haþ reste non, But leoneþ on his scholder bon; Þe þornes þorwh his flesch[e] gon; His wo I wytte hit sinne. Line 87

(8)

Cros! to slen, hit is þi sleiht; Line 88 Mi fayre fruit þou berest fro blis. Cros! þou holdest him so heih on heiȝþ, Mi fruites feet I mai not kis. Mi mouþ I pulte, my sweore I streiȝt Line 92 To cusse his feet, soþ þing hit is. Þe Iewes from þe cros me keiȝt; On me þei made heore mouwes amis, Heore games and heore gaudes; Line 96 Þe Iewes wrouȝten me ful wo. Cros! I fynde þou art my fo. Þou berest my brid beten blo, Among þeose fooles fraudes." Line 100

Line 100

(9)

Cristes cros ȝaf onswere: Line 101 "Ladi, to þe I owe honour; Þi brihte palmes nou I bere; Mi schyning scheweþ þorw þi flour; Þi feire fruit on me ginneþ tere; Line 105 Þi fruit me florischeþ in blod colour. To winne þe world þat lay in lere, [[MS. lure]] Þat Blosme Blomed vp in þi bour, Ac not for þe al-one, Line 109 But for to winne al þis werld Þat swelte vndur þe deueles swerd; Þorw feet and hond God let him gerd, To a-mende monnes mone. Line 113

(10)

Adam dude ful huge harmes Line 114 Whon he bot a bite vndur a bouh; Wherfore þi sone haþ sprad his Armes On a treo tyed wiþ teone I-nouh. His flesch is smite wiþ deþes þarmes, Line 118 And swelteþ heer in a swemly swouh. His Breste is bored wiþ deþes swarmes; And wiþ his deþ, fro deþ he drouh Alle his leoue freondes, Line 122 As Oȝie spac in prophecie; And seide, 'þi sone, seinte Marie, His deþ slouȝ deþ on Caluarie, Ȝaf lyf wiþ-outen endes.' Line 126

(11)

Þe stipre [[? MS. scipre]] þat is vnder þe vyne set, Line 127 May not bringe forþ þe grape; Þeih þe fruit on meþ [[? for me]] beo knet, His scharpe schour haue I not schape. Til grapes to þe presse beo set, Line 131 Þer renneþ no red wyn in rape; Neuere presse pressed bet. I presse wyn for kniht and knape, Vp-on a Blodi brinke. Line 135 I presse a grape with strok and stryf;

Þe Rede wyn renneþ ryf; In Samaritane, God ȝaf a wyf Þat leof licour to drinke. Line 139

(12)

LAdi! loue doþ þe to alegge! Line 140 Þi fruit is prikked wiþ speres ord; On Cros, wiþ-outen knyues egge, I kerue fruit of godes hord: Al is al red, Rib and Rugge; Line 144 His bodi bledeþ aȝeyn þe bord; I was piler and bar a brugge; God is weie, witnesse of word, God seiþ he is soþfast weye. Line 148 Mony folk slod to helle slider; To heuene, mihte no mon þider, Til god dyed, and tauȝte whider Men drawen whon þei dye. Line 152

(13)

Moyses haþ fourmed in his figour, Line 153 A whit lomb, and non oþer beste, Schulde be sacred vr saueour, And be mete of mihtes meste. I was þat cheef chargeour; Line 157 I bar flesch for folkes feste, Ihesu crist vre saueour, He fedeþ boþe lest and meste; Rosted a-ȝeyn þe sonne, Line 161 On me lay þe lomb of loue; I was plater, his bodi a-boue; Til feet and hondes al to-cloue, Wiþ blood I was bi-ronne. Line 165

(14)

Ȝit Moyses in Rule haþ rad, Line 166 We schulde ete vr lomb in sour vergeous; Sour vergeous mai make vr soules glad, To serwe sore for sunnes ours. Line 169 Sour vergeous schal make þe deuel adrad, [folio 316:2] ffor he fleccheþ fro godes spous.

Beo a staf stondeþ sad, Whon ȝe fongen flesch in godes hous. Þat staf is Cristes Crouche; Line 174 Stondeþ stifli bi þat stake, Whon þat ȝe fongen flesch in Cake; Þen schal no feond maystri make, Ȝoure soules for to touche. Line 178

(15)

For pardoun scheweþ be a shrine: Line 179 Wiþ nayl and brede, on bord is smite Rede lettres write be lyne, Bluwe, Blake, among men pite. Vr lord I likne to þis signe: Line 183 His bodi vppon a bord was bite; In Briht[e] blod, his bodi gan schyne: Hou wo him was, may no mon wite, Red vp on þe Roode. Line 187 Vr pardoun, brede from top too to, Writen hit was wiþ wonder wo; Wiþ Rede woundes and strokes blo, Vre Book was bounden in bloode. Line 191

(16)

Adam stod vp in stede; Line 192 In Bitter galle, his gost he dreint: A-ȝeyn þat galle, God ȝaf vs mede; Wiþ swete Merci, Bitter is queynt. His Bodi was Book, þe Cros was brede, Line 196 Whon Crist for vs þeron was cleynt. [[or weynt]] No mon gat pardoun wiþ no bede, Weor he neuere so sely a seynt, Til book on bord was sprad, Line 200 Wiþ sharpe nayles dunted and driue, Til feet and hondes al to-riue; His herte blod, vre book haþ ȝiue, To make vr gostes glad." Line 204

(17)

Cristes Cros ȝit spac þis speche: Line 205 "ffurst was I presse, wyn to wringe;

I bere a Brugge, wei to teche, Þer semely Aungeles sitte and synge. Lord of loue and lyues leche, Line 209 ffor þe was set sely sacrynge; To winne þe world þat was in wreche, Þe cros was brede, pardoun to bringe. Pardoun In book is billed: Line 213 What is pardoun, vppon to minne? Hit is forȝiuenes of dedly sinne: Whon blod was writen on cristes kinne, Pardoun was fulfilled." Line 217

(18)

Oure ladi seide, "Cros! of þi werk, Line 218 Wonder þe not, þeiȝ I be wroþe. Þus seide Poule, Cristes clerk: Þe feolle Iewes, wiþ false oþe, Iewes ston-hard in sinnes merk, Line 222 Beoten a lomb wiþ-outen loþe, Softer þen watur vndur serk, Meode or Milk [i-]medled boþe. Þe Iewes weoren harde stones: Line 226 Softur þen watur or eny licour, Or dewȝ þat liþ on þe lilie flour, Was cristes bodi, in blod colour: Þe Iewes wolden ha broken his bones. Line 230

(19)

And mony a prophete gan make mon, Line 231 And seide: lord! send us þi lomb Out of þe wildernesses ston, To fende vs from þe lyon cromp Of mylde mount of Syon; Line 235 Be-com mon In a Maydens womb, Made a bodi wiþ blessed bon, In a Maidens blod þi bodi flomb; At Barreres weore debate: [folio 316:3] Line 239 Þorwȝ stones In þe wildernes, Men miȝte better ha crepet I-wis, Þen bored in-to heuene blis, Til blod brac vp þe ȝate. Line 243

Line 243

(20)

Sin monnes sone was so nedi Line 244 To beo lad wiþ lomb[e] mylde, Whi weore gylours so gredi ffor to defoule my faire childe? Cros! whi weore þou so redi Line 248 To rende my fruit feor in fylde?" "Ladi, to make þe deuel dredi, God schop me a scheld, schame to schilde, Til lomb of loue dyede, Line 252 And on me ȝeld þe gost wiþ vois. I was chose a Relik chois; Þe signe of Ihesu cristes crois, Þer dar no deuel abyde. Line 256

(21)

Moni folk I fende from heore fos,— Line 257 Cristes Cros þis sawes seide:— Heuene ȝates weore closed clos, Til þe lomb of loue dyede; Þis is write in tixt and glos; Line 261 After Cristes deþ, prophetes preide Til þe lomb of loue dyed and ros, In helle pyne, monkynde was teyde. At houre of his none, Line 265 Þe lomb of loue seyde his þouȝt: Nou is folfuld, þat wel is wrouȝt; A mon is out of bondes brouȝt, And heuene dores vndone. Line 269

(22)

Wiþ þe ffader þat al schal folfille, Line 270 His sone to heuene is an help; I was piler, and stod ful stille; After oþur ȝiftes now gostes ȝelp. Þe fend þat al þis world wolde kille, Line 274 His swerd he pulte vp in his kelp; To helle he horlede from þat hille, Beerynge as a Beore whelp. A beore is bounden and beted, Line 278 Cristes Cros haþ craked his croun;

Þe lomb haþ leid þe Lyoun a-doun; Þe lomb is lord in eueri toun, So cristes blod haþ pleted. Line 282

(23)

In holy writ þis tale is herde, Line 283 Þat goode ȝiftes god vs ȝaf. God seiþ himself he is schepherde; And vche an heerde bi-houeþ a staf: Þe Cros I calle þe heerdes ȝerde; Line 287 Þer-wiþ, þe deuel, a dunt he ȝaf, And wiþ þe ȝerde, þe wolf he werde; Wiþ duntes drof him al to draf. Þe Cros þis tale tolde, Line 291 Þat he was staf in þe heerdes hond; Whon schep breken out of heore bond, Þe wolf he wered out of lond, Þat deuoured cristes folde." Line 295

(24)

Ȝit seide þe Meke Marie: Line 296 "Roode! þou reendest my Rose al red, Þreo Iewes coomen from Caluari Þat day þat Ihesu þoled ded; Alle þei seiden þei weore sori; Line 300 ffor-dolled in a dronknyng dred, Þei tolden hem alle wherfore and whi Heore hertes were colde as lumpyng led; Þe furste heore tale tolde: Line 304 'Whon crist was knit with corde on a stok, His bodi bledde aȝein þat blok; [folio 316b:1] Þorw feet and hondes nayles gan knok, Þen gan myn herte to colde.' Line 308

(25)

Þe Secounde seide: 'nay, not þat! Line 309 Þat dude serwe in-to myn herte schete, But whon þe Roode ros, & doun was squat, Þe nayles renten him hondes and feete; Þorw-out his helm, þe harde hat, Line 313 Þe þornes, in-to his flesch gan crepe;

His Ioyntes vn-Ioynet, I tok good gat; Þo weop I water, and teeres leete, To care I was enclyned; Line 317 In cloddres of blod, his her was clunge; Þe flesch was from þe bones swonge; Druiȝe drinkeles was his tonge; His lippes to-clouen and chyned.' Line 321

(26)

Þe þridde seide: 'þis þouhte me lest [[? MS. left]] Line 322 Of þeose peynes and oþer mo, Þis peyne þouhte me peyne mest, Al his flesch he let of flo. His Mylde Moder stod him nest, Line 326 Loked vpward, And hire was wo. A swerd swapped hire þorw þe brest; Out of þe cros þe knyf com þo; Þis siht sauh I my-selue; Line 330 Þe swerd of loue þorw hire gan launce; Heo swapte on swownyng þorw þat chaunce: To scornen hire þei gan daunce, Iewes bi ten and twelue.' Line 334

(27)

Sin Iewes made so muchel mon Line 335 To seon my brid bounden in brere; In sad serwyng moste I gon, To seon blodi my chyldes chere. ffadres & Modres þat walken in won, Line 339 Schul loue heore children beo skiles clere; Þeose two loues weore in me al on, ffor fader and moder I was here; Þeose two loues in me weore dalt; Line 343 I was fader of his flesch; His Moder hedde an herte nesch; Mi serwe flowed as water fresch; Weopyng and wo I walt. Line 347

(28)

IN me weore tacched sorwes two: Line 348 [I]n þe fader mihte non abyde,

ffor he was euere in reste and Ro, Ioyned in his Ioyes wyde. I serwed sore for to sei so; Line 352 I say whon þat my derlyng dide; Wiþ duntes he was to deþe i-do; Vp-on a tre his bodi was soyled. Whon trouþe is told and darted, Line 356 Of alle Ioyes God is welle, Þer mihte no serwe in him dwelle, I serwed sore, as Clerkes telle; Mi pyne was not departed. Line 360

(29)

ÞE hattore loue, þe caldore care, Line 361 Whon frendes fynde heore fruit defoyled; Þe dispitous Iewes nolde not spare Til trie fruit weore tore and toyled. Neuer Mayden Mournede mare; Line 365 I sauh my child ben surded and soyled, Myn herte to-clef wiþ swerd of care; I sauȝ my brid with blod bem [[MS. ben]] -oyled. As Symeon seide beo-forn, Line 369 Þe swerde of serwe, scharp I-grounde, Schulde ȝiue myn herte a wounde: In more wo þen I was bounde, Neuere buirde haþ born. Line 373

(30)

Þe dede worþily gan wake; Line 374 Þe dai turned to nihtes donne; Þe Merke Mone gan Mournyng make; [folio 316b:2] Þe lyht out leop of þe sonne; Þe temple walles gan chiuere & schake; Line 378 Veiles in þe temple, a-two þei sponne. Cros! whi noldestou not crake, Whon rihtful blod on þe was ronne, And kuyndes losten heore kende? Line 382 Whon my fruit on þe was fast, Cros! whi weore þou not agast? Þow stod stif as eny mast, Whon lyf left vp his ende. Line 386

Line 386

(31)

Whon þat Prince of Paradys Line 387 Bledde boþe brest and bak, An heþene clerk was seint Denys: He seide, þis world wente al to wrak; He sauȝ þe planetes passen out of here pris; Line 391 Þe brihte sonne gan waxen blak: Þe clerk þat was so wonderly wys, Wonder wordes þer he spak. Denys, þis grete Clerke, seide, Line 395 'Þe day of doom draweþ to an ende; Al vr kuyndes haþ lost vr kende, Til God þat dyed for vch a kuynde, ffor Monnes kuynde deyde.' Line 399

(32)

Foules fellen out of heore fliht; Line 400 Beestes gan Belwe in eueri binne. Cros! whon Crist on þe was cliht, Whi noldestou not of mournyng minne?" Þe Cros seide, "ladi briht! Line 404 I bar ones þi fruit for monnes sinne, More to amende monnes riht, Þen for eny weolþe þat I gan winne; Wiþ blod, God bouȝte his broþer. Line 408 Whon Adam, Godes biddyng brak, He bot a bite þat made vs blak, Til fruit weore tied on treo wiþ tak; O fruit for anoþer. Line 412

(33)

Sin Cristes Cros þat kepeþ ȝifte, Line 413 Graunted of þe fadres graunt, I was loked I schulde vp lifte Godes sone and maydenes faunt, No Mon hedde scheld of schrifte; Line 417 Þe deuel stod lyk a lyon raumpaunt, Mony folk In-to helle he clihte, Til þe crosses dunt ȝaf him a daunt. Mi dedes are bounden and booked; Line 421 Alle þe werkes þat I haue wrouht,

Weore founden in þe ffaderes fore-þouht; Þerfore, ladi, lakkeþ me nouht, I dude as me was looked. Line 425

(34)

Þorw Blod & watur, cristendam was wrouht, Line 426 Holy writ witnesseþ hit wel, And in wille of soþfast þouht A Mon mai be cristened skil; Þat blod þat us alle bouht, Line 430 Digne cristenyng gan vs del. At cristenyng, crist for-ȝat vs nouht, His blessede blod whon we gan fel. Maiden, Moder, and Wyue, Line 434 Þi fruit haþ ȝiuen vs baptem: Cristened we weore In Red[de] rem, Whon his bodi bledde on þe Beem Of Cipresse and Olyue. Line 438

(35)

As Ihesu seide to Nichodemus, Line 439 'But a Barn be twyȝes born, Whon domus-day schal blowen his bemus, He may elles liggen loddere for-lorn. ffurst of a wombe þer reuþe remus; Line 443 Siþþe in a font þer synne awey is schorn.' I was cros to monnes quemus, I bar þe fruit þow bar bi-forn ffor þi beryng Al one. Line 447 But ȝif I hedde I-boren him eft, ffrom riche reste mon hedde beo-reft. In a loren logge I-left, Ay to grunte and grone. Line 451

(36)

Þou art I-Crouned heuene quene, Line 452 Þorw þe burþe þat þou beere; Þi garlond is al of graces grene, Helle, Emperesse, in heuene Empere; I am a Relyk þat shineþ shene, Line 456 Men wold wite wher þat I were.

At þe parlement wol I bene, On domes-day prestly a-pere, Whon Ihesu schal seye riht þere, Line 460 'Trewely, vppon þe Roode tre, Mon, I dyede for þe. Mon, what hastou don for me To beon my frendly feere?' Line 464

(37)

At þe parlement, shul putten vp pleynyng, Line 465 Hou Maydenes fruit on me gan sterue, Spere & spounge and sharp nayling Þorw þe harde hat þe heued shal kerue, Shul preie to þat rihtful kyng; Line 469 Vche mon schal haue as þei a-serue; Rihtful schul ryse to riche restyng, Truyt and tripet to helle shal sterue. Mayden, Meoke and Mylde, Line 473 God haþ taken in þe his fleschly trene; I bar þi fruit leoþi and lene; Hit is riht þe Roode helpe to a-rene Wrecches þat wraþþe þi chylde." Line 477

(38)

ÞE queen a-cordet wiþ þe cros, [folio 316b:3] Line 478 And aȝeyn him spak no more speche. Þe queen ȝaf þe Cros a cos; Þe ladi of loue, loue gan seche, Þeiȝ hire fruit on him were diȝt to dros, Line 482 Whon rendyng ropus gan him reche. Cristes cros haþ kept vs from los, Maries preyers, And God, vr leche, Þe qween and þe Cros acorde. Line 486 Þe qween bar furst, þe cros afturward, To fecche folk from helleward, On holy stayers to steyen vpward, And regne wiþ God vr lorde. Line 490

(39)

ÞE Clerk þat fourmed þis figour, Line 491 Of Maries wo to wite som,

He saih him-self þat harde stour, Whon godes armus weore rent aroun. Þe Cros is a cold Creatour, Line 495 And euere ȝit haþ ben def and dom. Þeiȝ þis tale beo florisshed with faire flour, I preue hit on Apocrafum, ffor witnesse was neuer foundet Line 499 Þat neuere cristes cros spak; Oure ladi leide on him no lak; Bot to pulte þe deuel abak, We speke hou crist was woundet. Line 503

(40)

IN ffleschly wede, God gan [MS. gam] him hede, Of Mylde May, Was bore to blede, As Cristes Crede Soþly wol say; On a stokly stede He Rod, we Rede, In Red Array; ffrom deueles drede, Þat Duyk vs lede, At domes-day, [These 4 lines are written as 4 stanzas, aab, in the MS. See st. 1.] Whon peple schal parte and pace Line 508 To heuene halle, or to helle woode, Cristes cros and cristes blode, And Marie preiers þat ben ful goode, Grant vs þe lyf of grace! Amen! Line 512

Explicit disputacio inter Mariam
Et Crucem, secundum Apocrafum.

LIII. Susannah, or Seemly Susan.

[28 alliterative Stanzas of thirteen: abab abab, cdddc, the last adding a couplet aa.]

(1)

Þer was in Babiloine a bern, in þat borw riche, [folio 317:1] Þat was a Ieuȝ ientil, & Ioachin he hiht; He was so lele in his lawe, þer liued non him liche; Of alle riche arayes, þat renke [MS. þat renke arayes (Gollancz)] he was riht; Line 4 His Innes & his orchardus were with a dep dich, Halles & herbergages, heiȝ vppon heiht. To seche þoru þat cite, þer nas non sich, Of erbus, and of erberi, so auenauntliche I-diht Line 8

Line 8 Þat day, Line 9 Wiþ-Inne þe sercle of sees Of Erberi, and Alees, Of alle Maner of trees Soþely to say. Line 13

(2)

¶ He hed a wif hiȝt Susan, was sotil and sage; Line 14 Heo was Elches douȝtur, eldest and eyre, Louelich & liliewhit, on of þat lynage, Of alle fason of foode, frelich and feire; Line 17 Þei lerned hire lettrure of þat langage, Þe Maundement of Moises þei marked to þat may, To þe Mount of Synai þat went in Message Þat þe Trinite bi-tok of tables a peire Line 21 To Rede. Line 22 Þus þei lerne hire þe lawe, Cleer Clergye to knawe; To God stod hire gret awe, Þat wlonkest in weede. Line 26

(3)

¶ He hedde an orchard newe, þat neiȝed wel nere, Line 27 Þer Iewus with Ioachim priueliche gon playe, For he real & riche, of rentes euer þere, Honest and auenaunt, and honorablest aye, Line 30 I-wis þer haunted til her hous, hende, ȝe mai here, Two demers [[MS. do|mus]] of þat lawe, þat dredde were þat day, Preostes and presidens, preised als peere, Of whom vr souerein lord sawes gan say, Line 34 And tolde Line 35 How heor wikkednes comes, Of þe wrongwys domes Þat þei haue gyue to gomes, Þis Iuges of olde. Line 39

(4)

¶ Þus þis dredful demers on daies þider drewe, Line 40 Al for gentrise and Ioye of þat Iuwesse, To go in his gardeyn, þat gayliche grewe: To fonge flourus and fruit, þouȝt þei no fresse; Line 43

Line 43 And whon þei seiȝ Susan, semelich of hewe, Þei weor so set vppon hire, miȝt þei not sese, Þei wolde enchaunte þat child, hou schold heo eschewe; And þus þis cherlus vnchaste, in chaumbre hir chese Wiþ chere. Line 48 Wiþ two Maidenes al on, Semelyche Suson, On dayes in þe merion, Of Murþes wol here. Line 52

(5)

¶ Whon þeos perlous prestes perceyued hire play, Line 53 Þo þouȝte þe wrecches to bewile þat worly in wone; Heore wittes wel wai-wordus þei wrethen awai, And turned fro his teching, þat teeld is in trone. Line 56 ffor siht of here souerayn, soþli to say, Heore hor heuedus fro heuene þei hid apon one; Þei cauȝt, for heor couetyse, þe cursyng of kai; ffor riȝtwys Iugement recordet þei none, Line 60 Þey two. Line 61 Euery day bi day, In þe Pomeri þei play, Whiles þei mihte Susan assay, To worchen hire wo. Line 65

(6)

¶ In þe seson of somere, with Sibelle and Ione, Line 66 Heo greiþed hire til hire gardin, þat growed so grene; Þer lyndes and lorers were lent vpon lone, Þe sauyne and sypres, selcouþ to sene, Line 69 Þe palme and þe poplere, þe pirie, þe plone, Þe Iunipere ientel, Ionyng bi-twene, Þe rose ragged on rys, richest on Rone, I-þeuwed with þe þorn, trinaunt to sene, Line 73 So tiht. Line 74 Þer weore Pope-iayes prest, Nightyngales vppon nest, Bliþest Briddes o þe best, In Blossoms so briht. Line 78

Line 78

(7)

¶ Þe Briddes, in Blossoms, þei beeren wel loude, Line 79 On olyues and amylliers, and al kynde of trees: Þe popeiayes perken, and pruynen for proude; [folio 317:2] On peren and pynappel, þei ioyken in pees, Line 82 On croppus of canel, keneliche þei croude; On grapes þe goldfinch þei gladen and glees. Þus schene briddus in schawe schewen heore schroude; On ffirres and fygers, þei fongen heore seetes Line 86 In ffay. Line 87 Þer weore growyng so grene, Þe Date wiþ þe Damesene; Turtils troned on trene, By sixti, I sayȝ. Line 91

(8)

¶ Þe fyge and þe filbert were fodemed so fayre, Line 92 Þe chirie and þe chestein, þat chosen is of hewe, Apples and Almaundus, þat honest are of ayre, Grapus and garnettes, gayliche þei grewe. Line 95 Þe costardes comeliche in cuþþes þei cayre, Þe Britouns, þe Blaunderers, Braunches þe bewe, ffele flourus and fruit, frelich of flayre, With wardons winlich, and walshenotes newe, Line 99 Þey waled. Line 100 Ouer heor hedes gon hyng Þe wince and þe wederlyng; Spyces speden to spryng, In Erbers enhaled. Line 104

(9)

¶ Þe chyue and þe chollet, þe chibolle, þe cheue, Line 105 Þe chouwet, þe cheuerol, þat schaggen on niht; Þe persel, þe passenep, poretes to preue, Þe pyon, þe peere, wel proudliche I-piht; Line 108 Þe lilye, þe louache, launsyng wiþ leue, Þe sauge, þe sorsecle, so semeliche to siht; Columbyne and Charuwe, clottes þei creue, With Ruwe and Rubarbe, Ragget ariht, Line 112 No lees; Line 113 Daysye and Ditoyne,

Ysope and Aueroyne, Peletre and Plauntoyne, Proudest In pres. Line 117

(10)

¶ Als þis schaply þing, ȝede in hire ȝarde Line 118 Þat was hir hosbondus, and hire þat holden with hende, "Nou folk be faren from us, þar us not be ferde; Aftur myn oynement warliche ȝe weende; Line 121 Aspieþ nou specialy þe ȝates ben sperde, ffor we wol wassche us I-wis bi þis welle strende." ffor-þi þe wif werp of hir wedes vn-werde; Vndur a lorere ful lowe þat ladi gan leende Line 125 So sone. Line 126 By a wynliche welle, Susan caste of hir kelle; Bote feole ferlys hire bi-felle Bi Midday or none. Line 130

(11)

¶ Nou were þis domus men derf drawen in derne, Line 131 Whiles þei seo þat ladi was laft al hire one; fforte heilse þat hende, þei hiȝed ful ȝerne; With wordus þei worshipe þat worliche in wone: "Wolt þou, ladi, for loue, on vre lay lerne, Line 135 And vndur þis lorere ben vr lemmone? Ȝe ne þarf wonde for no wiȝt vr willes to werne; ffor alle gomus þat scholde greue, of gardin ar gone In ffeere. Line 139 Ȝif þou þis neodes deny, We schal telle trewely, We toke þe wiþ a-voutri Vnder þis Lorere." Line 143

(12)

¶ Þen Susan was serwful, and seide in hire þouȝt, Line 144 "I am with serwe bi-set on eueriche syde: Ȝif I assent to þis sin, þat þis segges haue souȝt, I be bretenet and brent in baret to byde; Line 147 And ȝif I nikke hem with nai, hit helpeþ me nouȝt: Such toret and teone takeþ me þis tyde.

Are I þat worthliche wrethe, [[MS. wreche]] þat al þis world wrouȝt, Betere is wemles weende of þis world wyde." Line 151 Wiþ þis, Line 152 Þo Cast heo a Careful cri, Þis loueliche Ladi: Hir seruauns hedde selli, No wonder I-wis. Line 156

(13)

¶ Whon kene men of hir court comen til hir cri, Line 157 Heo hedde cast of hir calle, and hire keuercheue; In at a priue posterne þei passen in hi, And findes þis prestes wel prest, her poyntus to preue: Þo seide þe loselle a-loude to þe ladi, [folio 317:3] Line 161 "Þou hast gon wiþ a gome, þi god to greue, And ligge with þi lemon In a-voutri: Bi þe lord and þe lawe þat we onne leeue," Line 164 Þey swere. Line 165 Alle hire seruauns þei shont, And stelen a-wey in a stont; Of hire weore þei neuer wont Such wordes to here. Line 169

(14)

¶ Hir kinrede, hir cosyns, and al þat hire knewe, Line 170 Wrong handes I-wis, and wepten wel sore, Sykeden for susan, so semeliche of hewe; Al onwyse of þat wyf, wondred þei wore. Line 173 Þei dede hire in a dungon, þer neuer day dewe, While domus men were dempt, þis dede to clare, Marred in Manicles þat made wer newe, Meteles, whiles þe Morwen to Middai & mare, Line 177 In drede. Line 178 Þer com hir fader so fre, Wiþ al his affinite; Þe prestes sauns pite, And ful of ffalshede. Line 182

(15)

¶ Þo seide þe Iustises on bench to Ioachim þe Iewe, Line 183 Þat was of Iacobus kynde, gentil of dedes;

"Let senden aftur Susan, so semelych of hewe, Þat þou hast weddet to wif, wlankest in wedes. Line 186 Heo was in trouþe, as we trowe, tristi and trewe; Hir herte holliche on him þat þe heuene hedes." Þus þei brouȝt hire to þe barre, hir bales to brewe. Nouþur dom ne deþ, þat day heo ne dredes Line 190 Als þare. Line 191 Hir hed was ȝolow as wyre, Of gold fyned wiþ fyre; Hire scholdres schaply and schire, Þat bureliche was bare. Line 195

(16)

¶ Nou is Susan in sale, sengeliche arayed Line 196 In a selken schert, with scholdres wel schene. Þo Ros vp with rancour þe Renkes reneyed; Þis comelich accused with wordes wel kene: Line 199 Homliche on hir heued, heor hondus þei leyed,— And heo wepte for wo, no wonder I wene,— "We schul presenten þis pleint, hou þou euer be paied, And sei sadliche þe soþ, riȝt as we haue sene, Line 203 O Sake." Line 204 Þus wiþ cauteles waynt, Preostes presented þis playnt; Ȝit schal trouþe hem a-taynt, I dar vnder-take. Line 208

(17)

¶ "Þorw-out þe pomeri, we passed us to play,— Line 209 Of preiere and of penaunce was vre purpose;— Heo com with two Maidens, al richeli þat day, In riche robus arayed, red as þe rose. Line 212 Wylyliche heo wyled hir wenches a-way, And comaunded hem kenely þe ȝates to close. Heo eode to a ȝong mon in a valay, [[alterd from valey]] Þe semblaunt of Susan wolde non suppose, Line 216 ffor soþ. Line 217 Be þis cause þat we say, Heo wyled hir wenches a-way; Þis word we witnesse for ay, Wiþ tonge and wiþ toþ. Line 221

Line 221

(18)

¶ Whon we þat semblaunt seiȝ, we siked wel sare, [[alterd from sore]] ffor sert of hir souureyn, and for hir owne sake; Vr copus weore cumberous, and cundelet vs care, But ȝit we trinet a trot, þat traytur [to] take. Line 225 He was borlich and bigge, bold as a bare, More miȝti mon þen we, his Maistris to Make. To þe ȝate ȝaply þei ȝeoden wel ȝare, And he lift vp þe lach, and leop ouer þe lake, Line 229 Þat ȝouthe. Line 230 Heo ne schunte for no schame, But bouwed aftur for blame. Heo nolde cuyþe vs his name, ffor craft þat we couþe." Line 234

(19)

¶ Nou heo is dampned on deis, with deol þauȝ hir deu[e], And hir domus men vnduwe do hir be with-drawen: Loueliche heo louted, and lacched hir leue, Line 237 At kynred and cosyn þat heo hed euere i-knawen, [[alterd from knowen]] Heo asked Merci with mouþ in þis mischeue: "I am sakeles of syn," heo seide in hir sawen; "Grete god of his grace, ȝor gultus for-ȝiue, [folio 317b:1] Þat doþ me derfliche be ded and don out of dawen Wiþ dere. Line 243 Wolde god þat I miht Speke wiþ Ioachim a niht, And siþen to deþ me be diht, I charge hit not a pere." Line 247

(20)

¶ Heo fel doun flat in þe flore, hir feere whon heo fond, Carped to him kyndeli, as heo ful wel couþe: Line 249 "I-wis I wraþþed þe neuere, at my witand, Neiþer in word ne in werk, in elde ne in ȝouþe," Heo keuered vp-on hir kneos, and cussed his hand, "ffor I am dampned, I ne dar disparage þi mouþ." Was neuer more serwful segge, bi se nor bi sande, Line 254 Ne neuer a soriore siht, bi norþ ne bi souþ, Þo þare. Line 256 Þei toke þe ffeteres of hire feete,

And euere he cussed þat swete: "In oþer world schul we mete:" Seide he no mare. Line 260

(21)

¶ Þen Susan þe serwfol seide uppon hiȝt, Line 261 Heef hir hondus on hiȝ, bi-held heo to heuene: "Þou maker of Middelert þat most art of miht, Boþe þe sonne and þe see, þou sette vppon seuene; Alle my werkes þou wost, þe wrong and þe riht, Line 265 Hit is nedful nou þi names to nempne Seþþe I am deolfolich dampned, and to deþ diht. Lord, herteliche tak hede, and herkne my steuene So ffre! Line 269 Seþþe þou maiȝt not be sene Wiþ no fleschliche eyene, Þou wost wel þat I am clene; Haue Merci nou on me!" Line 273

(22)

¶ Nou þei dresse hire to deþ with-outen eny drede, And lede forþ þat ladi, louesum of lere. Grete god, of his grace, of gultes [[? gyftes, G.]] vngnede, Help with þe holi gost, and herde hir preyere. Line 277 He directed þis dom, and þis delful dede, To Danyel þe prophete, of dedes so dere, Such ȝiftes god him ȝaf in his ȝouþehede: Ȝit failed hit a fourteniht ful of þe ȝere, Line 281 Nouht layne. Line 282 Þo criede þat freoly foode, "Whi spille ȝe Innocens blode?" And alle þe[i] stoteyd and stode, Þis ferlys to frayne. Line 286

(23)

¶ "What signefyes, gode sone, þese sawus þat þou seis?" Þus þese Maisterful men [with] mouþes can mele. "Þei be fendus, al þe frape, I sei hit in feiþ; And in folk of I[s]rael be foles wel fele. Line 290 Vmbiloke ȝou, lordes; such lawes ben leiþ; Me þinkeþ ȝor dedes vnduwe, such domus to dele. Aȝein to þe ȝild-halle ȝe [[MS. þe]] gomes vn-greiþ; I schal, be proces apert, disproue þis a-pele Line 294

Line 294 ffor nede. Line 295 Lat twinne hem in two, For now wakneþ heor wo; Þei schal graunte, ar þei go, Al heore falshede." Line 299

(24)

¶ Þei diseuered hem sone, and sette hem sere; Line 300 And sodeynly askede, þei brouȝt in-to þe sale; Bi-fore þis ȝonge prophete þis preost gon apere, And he him apeched sone with chekes wel pale, Line 303 "Þou hast I-be presedent, þe peple to steere; Þou dotest nou on þin olde tos in þe dismale. Now schal þi conscience be knowen, þat euer was vnclere; Þou hast in babiloygne on benche brewed muche bale, Wel bolde. Line 308 Nou schal ȝor synnes be seene, Of ffals domes bi-deene, ffor þeose In Babiloyne han bene Iugget of Olde. Line 312

(25)

¶ Þou seidest þou seȝe Susanne sinned in þi siht. Line 313 Tel nou me trewly, vnder what tre?" "Mon, bi þe muche god, þat most is of miht, Vndur a Cyne, soþli my-seluen I hir se." Line 316 "Nou þou lyest in þin hed, bi heuen vppon hiht! An Angel with a naked swerd þe neiȝes wel nere; He haþ brandist his brond brennynde so briȝt, To Marke þi middel at a Mase in more þen in þre, No lese. [folio 317b:2] Line 321 Þou Brak godes Comaundement, To sle such an Innocent Wiþ eny fals Iuggement Vn-duweliche on dese." Line 325

(26)

¶ Nou is þis domus-mon with-drawen with-outen eni drede, And put in-to prison aȝeyn in-to place. Þei brouȝten þe toþur forþ, whom þe barn bede, To-fore þe folk and þe faunt freli of face: Line 329

Line 329 "Cum forþ, þou corsed caytif, þou Canaan!" he sede; "Bi-cause of þi couetise þou art in þis case. Þou hast disceyuet þi-self with þin oune dede; Of þi wit for a wyf, bi-wiled þou wase Line 333 In wede. Line 334 Þou sey nou, so mote þou þe, Vnder what kynde of tre, Semeli Susan þou se Do þat derne dede? Line 338

(27)

¶ Þou gome of gret elde, þin hed is grei hored; Line 339 Tel hit me treweli, ar þou þi lyf tyne." Þo þat roþli cherl ruydely rored, And seide bi-fore þe prophet, "þei pleied bi a prine." "Nou þou liest loude, so helpe me vr lord! ffor fulþe of þi falshed þou schalt ha euel pine; Þou and þi cursed cumpere, ȝe mou not a-corde. Ȝe schul be drawen to þe deþ þis dai ar we dine Line 346 So Raþe. Line 347 An Angel is neih honde, Takes þe domes of ȝor honde, Wiþ a Brennynge bronde To byte ȝou baþe." Line 351

(28)

¶ Þen þe folk of Israel felle vppon knes, Line 352 And lowed þat loueli lord þat hire þe lyf lent. Alle þe gomus þat hire god wolde gladen and glees, Þis prophete so pertli proues his entent. Line 355 Þei trompe bifore þis traiturs, and traylen hem on tres Þorow-out þe Cite, bi comuyn assent. Hose leeueþ on þat lord, þar him not lees, Þat þus his seruaunt saued þat schold ha be schent In Sete. Line 360 Þis ferlys bi-fel In þe days of Danyel: Þe pistel witnesseþ wel Of þat profete. Line 364 Ihesu crist, wiþ mylde steuene, Graunt us alle þe blisse of heuene! Amen!

LIV. Testamentum Christi.

MS. Vernon, Fol. 317 b.

"Jhesu, kyng of heuene and helle, Mon and wommon, I wol þe telle What loue I haue I-don to þe; Loke what þou hast don to me!

Of alle Joye þou weore out pult With resoun and wiþ þin oune gult; Pore þou weore I-dryuen a-way, As a best þat goþ on-stray. Line 8 ffrom my kindome I com doun, Te seche þe from toun to toun; Min heritage, þat is so fre, In þi mischef to ȝiue hit þe. Line 12

Line 12 And whon þat ȝifte I ȝiuen þe scholde, I dude as þe lawe wolde: To a Mayden I meked me, ffor no chalange schulde be; Line 16 wel dernely I kepte þe and me Til I my tyme wolde se, ffourti wokes and fourti dawes, To folfulle þe olde lawes. Line 20 þe Mayden was trewe, mylde & fre, Heo receyued me for þe. þorw my monhede and my grace, þus com sesyng furst on place. Line 24 And whon þe sesyng was do so, fful gret envye hedde þenne þi fo; þenne Belsebub and Sathanas Hedde gret wonder whi hit was; Line 28

Line 28 þei fondede me wiþ felony, wiþ pride, couetyse and gloteny, And wel þei wuste I was a mon; But synne in me founde þei non. Line 32 Harde þei þreted me in her þouȝt, þat ilke sesyng schulde be deore abouȝt; þei sende heore sergeauns with maystrie, with wo and serwe me to distruye, Line 36 And wel þei founde hem geyned nouȝt. Anoþur help was in my þouȝt: More siker þe to make Aȝeyn þi foos, ful of wrake, Line 40 Heuene and eorþe in present To make a chartre of feffement; In such a maner þen moste hit be þat I moste ȝiue my lyf for þe: Line 44

Line 44 ffor þou art ded, and I am lyf, And I moste dye to ȝiue þe lyf. Mony a wei haue I go In hongur and þurst, colde and wo, Line 48 þritti winter and more þen two, Or my dede weore al I-do Ne mihte I fynde no parchemyn ffor to laste wiþ-outen fyn; Line 52 Bote, as good loue bad me do, Min oune skin I tok þer-to. To gete me frendes, I ȝaf good mede; So doþ þe pore þat haþ gret nede: Line 56

Line 56

On a þoresday a soper I made, Boþe frend and fo to maken glade, wiþ mete and drynk to soulus fode, with holi word my flesch and blode: Line 60 And þis I made for Monkynde, Mi loue-dedes to haue in mynde: Hoc facite in meam commemoracionem. Or I fro þe bord a-ras, Of my frend bi-trayed I was; Line 64 He fond me goande in þe way, As þe Leoun goþ to his pray:

Susceperunt me sicut leo paratus ad predam. A curtul I hedde and cloþus mo, And sone I hedde hem alle for-go: Line 68 So hedde I þis chartre writen, þo was I naked, wel may ȝe witen; þei casten lot as wolde bi-falle, wheþer on schulde haue hem or parten alle. Line 72 ffrend and fo þat with me metten, In my neode alle me for-letten; And to a piler I was I-piht, Togget and tauwed al þe niht, Line 76 And wasschen in myn owne blode, And strayte I-streynet on þe Rode, Streyned to druye on Rode-tre, As parchemyn oweþ for to be. Line 80

Line 80

Here now, and ȝe schul witen Hou þis chartre was I-writen. Vppon myn neb was mad þe ynke wiþ þe Jewes spittyng on me to stynke. Line 84 þe penne þat þe lettre was wiþ writen, weore scourges þat I was wiþ smiten. How mony lettres þeron beon, Red, and þou miht wite and seon: Line 88 ffif þousend foure hundred fyfti and ten woundus on me, boþe blak and wen. To schewen on alle my loue-dede, Mi-self I wole þis chartre rede. Line 92 Ȝe Men þat gon bi þis weye, A-bydeþ a luytel, I ow preye, And redeþ alle on þis parchemyn, ȝif eny serwe beo lyk to myn: Line 96 O nos omnes qui transitis per uiam, Stondeþ and hereþ þis chartre red, whi I am woundet and al for-bled.

'Sciant presentes & futuri, wite ȝe þat are and schal be-tyde, þat Jhesu crist wiþ blodi syde, Line 100 þat was boren in Bedleem And offred in to Jerusalem, þe kynges sone of heuene aboue, with mi ffadres wille and loue Line 104 Made a sesyng whon I was born, To þe, Monkynde, þat was forlorn. wiþ my cha[r]tre here present I make nou a confirmament: Line 108 þat I haue graunted and ȝiuen To þe, Monkynde, with me to liuen In my Rewme of heuene-blis, To haue and to holden wiþ-outen mis, Line 112 In a condicion, ȝif þou be kynde And my loue-dedes haue in Mynde; ffre to haue, and fre to holde, wiþ al þe purtynaunce to wolde, Line 116

Line 116 Myn heritage þat is so fre. ffor homage ne for feute No more wol I aske of þe, But a foure-leued gras ȝeld þou me: Line 120

Olef is soþfast schrifte, þe toþur is for synne herte-smerte, þe þridde is "I wol no more do so," þe feorþe is "drede god euermo"; Line 124 whon þeose four leues to-geder ben set, A "trewe loue" men clepen hit. Of þis Rente boo nouȝt be-hynde, ffor þorw þe ȝer þou may hit fynde; Line 128 Elles mai þou not fynde hit in my wounde, ffor þer mai "trewe loue" wel be founde. And ȝif þou falle and gretly mis-take, Mi dede I wole neuer forsake; Line 132 And ȝif þou amende þe, and Merci craue, þin heritage ȝut schalt þou haue.'

Þe seles þat hit was seled wiþ, þei were grauen vp-on a stiþ; Line 136 Of gold nor seluer weore þei nouȝt, Of stel and Iren were þei wrouȝt: with þe spere of stel myn herte þei stongen þorw myn herte and þorw my longen; Line 140 Iren nayles þurleden me þorw feet and hondes to þe tre. Þe selyng-wax was deore abouȝt, At myn herte rote hit was souȝt, Line 144 And tempred al wiþ vermiloun Of my rede blod þat ran doun:

Factum est cor meum tanquam cera liquescens in medio ventris mei. ffyue seles weore I-set þeron: ffader and sone, god and mon; Line 148 þe fyfþe is for to leeue most, þat icomen of þe holygost. In pleyn pouwer þi stat to make, A croune on myn hed [I gon] to take Line 152 Of þornus, in toknyng þat I am kyng And freoly may ȝiue þe þi þing: þis witnesseþ þis Jewes alle; On kneos þei gonne to me falle, Line 156 And seiden loude on heore scornyng, "Heil be þou, lord, and Jewes kyng!"

Bi-twene two men þis [chartre] was seeled; þei boþe weore seke; þat on I heled, Line 160 Bi-twene two þeues on hih I-piht, In toknyng þat I am mon of miht, þat Norþ and West on heiȝ hille þat I may deme boþe gode and ille, Line 164 Quia neque ab oriente neque ab occidente.

A-þhurst I was ful sore I-swonken, þe beuerege moste nede be dronken: A loue-drynke I asked of þe; Eysel and galle þou ȝaf to me: Line 168 þis witnesseþ Matheu and Jon, Luk and Mark and monyon,

And nomeliche my moder swete; ffor heo lafte neuere teres to lete: Line 172 Ar þis chartre writen was, fful ofte heo seide allas allas! So bare I was of worldes gode, whon I schulde dye on þe Rode, Line 176 þat I hedde nouȝt wher-of to take, Mi testament wher-of to make, But of my leoue moder dere: heo stod bi me with serwful chere; Line 180

Line 180 And whon I my cosyn hire bi-toke, heo caste me mony a serwful loke. In knowleching I made a cri, "Pater, pater, lamaȝabatani." Line 184 Bi-hold þou, mon, with herte and eȝe, ffor þi loue hou I schal dye:

Consummatum est, þis chartre is doon. Mon, þou hast ouercome þi foon! Line 188

Line 188 To helle I wente, þis chartre to schewe Bi-fore þi fo, Sathanas þe schrewe;

þo he was schent and brouht to grounde, wiþ nayles bored and speres wounde, Line 192 A strayt couenaunt I-mad þer was Bi-twene me and Sathanas: Al my catel to haue away, þat he me refte with false pray. Line 196

A ȝein I com, and made a feste AMong þe leste and þe meste: A parti þo gunne knowe me, þat I was mon of gret pouste. Line 200 þe feeste laste fourti dawes, To do men knowe my newe lawes; þat feeste was al of ioye and blis, þat Esterday ȝit cleped is. Line 204

Line 204

On endenture I lafte wiþ þe, þat euer þou schuldest siker be: In preostes hondes my flesch and blode, þat for þe dyede on þe Rode. Line 208 A by-keye I tok þe also: þe token þat I was on I-do, To bere with þe wher þat þou go; þenne þar þe not drede of þi fo. Line 212

Line 212

To my fader I moste gon, ffor al his wille haue I don. A cote-armour I bar with me, ffor þat I tok of þy liuere; Line 216 þe cloþ was riche and ful fyn, þe chaumpe hit was of red camelyn. A ful feir mayden to me hit wrouȝt; Oute of hire boure I hit brouȝt; Line 220 Poudret with fyue roses rede, ffyf woundes þat I þoled dede. whon I come eft aȝeyn to þe, þer-bi þou maiȝt knowe me. Line 224 Þeose þat beoþ of rente be-hynde, And þeose dedes haue not in mynde, fful sore may þei ben a-dred whon þis cha[r]tre schal be red: Line 228 Alle þeose schul go to helle-pyne; And with me to blisse schul go alle myne.

Pay þi rente, keep þe from gylt, Cum and cleyme whon þat þou wilt, Line 232 þe blisse þat loste oure frende." to þe whuche blisce, crist vs bringe withouten ende!

A. M. E. N. Amen.

MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 111, back).

Wo-so wil ouer-rede this boke, and with gostly eyen ther-on loke, to other scole dare he not wende, to saue his soule fro þe fende, Line 4 .;. Then for to do as this boke tellith; for holi wryt for-sothe it spellith. ther-for y pray yow for charite that this boke shal rede or se, Line 8 that your herte & al your mynde kep derworthly that ye here fynde; and ful-filleth it in dede that ye shal in this boke rede!— Line 12 .;. Now ye shal here anon-righte, your sauyour speke to yow as-tyte wordes of a chartour þat he hath wroght, Line 15 that ye may knowe in al your thoght. and who this boke can vnderstonde, teche it forth thurgh al the londe. Vntil other þat this hath not sene, Line 19 to saue here soules right as here owne; els ye shal not with-outen Strif fro this world passe to þe lond of lyf. ¶ Now y wil be-gynne to rede þeron; his pes he yeue vs euery-chon! Line 24 "Ihesu, lord of heuene and hell, man & womman, y wol yow tell, loke what loue y do to the, and loke what thu has do to me! Line 28

Line 28 .;. ffro paradise thu were out pilt, with care & sorwe þ^u were out spilt, forth thu were drawe a-way, [folio 112] as a beste that goth astray. Line 32 ffro my right y cam a-doun, to seke the fro toune to toun, to helpe the in thy myschef— Derworth soule, þ^u art me lef!— Line 36 myn heritage, that is so fre, in thi myschef to yef it the.

And when this sesyng y yeue shulde, y dud as the Jewys wolde: Line 40 .;. Til a mayde y be-toke me, when þat y conceuyd shuld be. the mayde was trewe, mylde & fre, she me receuyd for þe loue of the. Line 44 nyne mo[n]thes with here y was, to make a-mendys for thi trespas, or y in to this world was born to saue man-kynde þat was forlorn. thurgh my vertu & my grace Line 49 thus cam the sesyng first in place. .;. Virgyn Marie, mayden mylde, with me went thus gret with childe. and when this sesyng was al y-do, Line 53 fful grete envy had thy foo, that cursed fende Sathanas, had gret wonder whi it was, Line 56 whi y loued so moche the, that so vnkynde has ben to me;

wroth he was, (it helped hym noght,) the to helpe was al my thoght. Line 60 he tempted me in so gret foly, [folio 112b] pride, couetise and glotony, and well he wist y was a man; but synne in me found he nan. Line 64 for-sothe, right hard he thretid me that y shold dere abye for the, to destroye me thurgh his myght and put the for euer out of my sight. .;. Now, derworth soule, herken to me [[Carta feoffamenti, in margin]] and a new ioye shal y telle the: to make a charter of feffement, heuene & erthe shal be present; Line 72 but in soche a maner it most be þat y shal yelde my lyf for the; and when y am ded, man, be þ^u kynde, and haue this charter in þⁱ mynde. Line 76

Line 76 for an enmy that hath the soght; but yet shal y the lese noght, for y wol dye for thy [MS. for thy for thi] foly, and bryng þe in to my company. Line 80 I am a-lyue and thu art ded, y wol yeue my lyf ayenst þe qued; for to helpe the y am redy, to saue the euer fro thyn enmy. Line 84 for many a way, [man,] haue y go, in hunger, thurste, colde & wo, xxx^ti wynter and thre þerto, or my disese were [MS. well] al y-do. Line 88 parchement to fynde wyst y none, to make a charter ayenst þi fone that wil leste with-oute ende: .;. herken now to my word hende! Line 92 But, as trewe loue bade me do, [folio 113] my owne skynne y toke þerto. and when y had so y-do, wel fewe frendis had y tho; Line 96 to gete me frendis y yeaf gret mede, as doth þe pore þat hath gret nede. .;. but to yeue the y had no more, for þⁱ soule that was for-lore, Line 100 then my soule to yeue for the, that for the dyed apon a tre.

Apon a thursday a soper y made to frend & foo, to make hem glade, of bred & wyne the sacrament, Line 105 for euer to be my Testament, [[Nota bene de sacramento in margin.]] which is my flesh & my blode, to tho that lyuen in mylde mode, Line 108 And to þo that dyen out of charite their dampnacion euer to be. Line 110 .;. Here wol y foure wordes yow teche; and to þe peple loke ye hem preche: Hoc facite in meam commemoracionem; that they haue hem euer in mynde, here mede in heuene shal they fynde. thes wordes twocheth þe sacrament that men receueth, verrament. Line 116 it semeth many, & is but one; it semeth bred, & it is none; [nota bene] it is quyk, & semeth ded: it is my body in fourme of bred. Line 120 .;. This made y only for mankynde, my wonderful dedis to haue in mynde: who-so receueth it in clennes, [folio 113b] Saued shal be, & com to blys; Line 124 and to haue in mynde my passion, that shal be thi saluacion. .;. Or y fro the borde aros, of my disciple be-trayed y was. when y had soped, he ros anone; to grete maistris he gan gone, Line 130 and brought them with hym in þe way, as a lyon þat goth a-boute his pray:

Susceperuut [me] sicut leo paratus ad predam. [textus] .;. Anone they be-gunne to spoile me, and seid y shuld dye on a tre; Line 134 my mantylle and other clothes mo, alle y had them sone for-go; they cast lot emonges them alle Line 137 wheþer one shuld haue them, or parte hem alle. but [al. So or Sone] alle my clothes fro me thei token; and alle my frendis sone me for-soken; naked y Stod emong my fone; for other socoure had y none; Line 142 redy they were me to despise, [r. dysese] but none þer were me for to plese. .;. They made scourges hard & grete, ther-with my body shuld be bete; and thogh y wold haue pleyned me, ther shuld to me no socour haue be. ful sore a-ferd, for-sothe y was, Line 149 when they led me so gret a pas! To a piler y was bound al þe nyght, togged & betyn til day-light, [folio 114] and wasshen with myn owne blode, that al the erthe aboute cold stode. and so y stod bounden al the nyght, til on the morwe þat it was bright they Strayned me hard apon a tre, as parchement auxhte to be. Line 158

Line 158 .;. hereth now, & ye shal wetyn how this charter was y-writen: Line 160 ouer al my face felle the enke, thornes in my hed gan to synke. the pennys that þe lettris writen. Line 163 were scourges þat y was with smyten. How many lettris that ther-on bene, rede, and thu may wete & sene: Line 167 V thousant thousant V.Cl & x then [nota de vulneribus Christi (in margin).] wondes in my body, boþe red & wan. ffor to shewe the of my loue-dede, my-self y wol here þe charter rede. O vos omnes qui transitis per viam, attendite & videte si est dolor sicut meus: [textus (in margin)] .;. Ye men that goth forth bi þe way, be-holde & se bothe nyght & day. and redith apon this parchemyn, yf any sorowe be as gret as myn. Stondeth & herkeneth þe charter red, why y am wonded & al for-bled. Line 175

Line 175 Sciant presentes & futuri. [Carta Christi.] .;. 'Wetyn þo here & tho þat be to come that Ihesus of naȝareth, god-is sone, Vnderstondeth wel & þo þat wol abide that Iesus hath a blody Syde, [folio 114b] that born was in Beth[l]ehem Line 181 and ouer-more offred in to Ierusalem, the kyngis sone of heuene a-boue, a mercyful fader that wel y loue. Line 184 I made a Seisyng when y was born, to saue man-kynde that was forlorn. But with my charter here in present y make to mannys soule a feffement: that y haue y-graunted & yeue Line 189 to mankynde, with me to lyue In my kyngdom of heuene-blys, to haue & holde with-outen mys, Line 192 with this condicion, þat thu be kynde and my workes to haue in mynde, frely to haue, and frely holde, with al the purtenaunce to be holde,

and in my blisse euer to dwelle Line 197 for the rente þat y shal the telle. .;. Myn heritage that is so fre, [nota hie de libero redditu Christi (in margin).] for homage or els for fewte, Line 200 no more wol y aske of the, but a iiij-levid gras yeld þ^u me: that one lef is verry shrifte; Line 203 þat other is, for þⁱ synne þe smerte; the thirde is, wille no more do so, the fourthe, þⁱ penance mekely do; When thes levis to-geder ben set, a "trew-loue" men callen hit. Line 208 Of this rent be not be-hynde: the way to heuene then may þ^u fynde; yf þ^u this rente truly pay me, [folio 115] my gret mercy I shal shewe to the. for if thu falle in gret mystake, Line 213 my charter wol I þe not forsake; yf thu amende, and mercy craue, thyn heritage then shalt þ^u haue.'

.;. Thes selys that it is selyd with, they were made alle at a Smyth; Line 218 of golde ne Siluer were thei noght; of Stile and yren were they wroght: with a spere of Stile myn hert was stonge Line 221 thurf my syde & thurf my lunge; apon my side they made a wonde, myn herte-blode ran doune to grounde; with yren nayles they smyten me thurghe fete & handes on þe rode-tre. .;. The selyng-wax was dere y-boght, at myn herte rote it was sought, Line 228 al tempred with fyne vermylon of my red blode that ran adoun.

Factum est cor meum tanquam cera liquessens [euangelium] in medio ventris mei. .;. My sealis bene y-set ther-on: fader & sone, god and man, Line 232 the firste, that is be-leve most, that y cam of the holy gost. ther-for here may thu now se þat y am a kyng of gret poste; Line 236 in playn power thi state to make, a crowne of thornes on my hed y take: .;. This croune be-tokeneth y am a kyng Line 239 and frely may yeue thyn owne thyng: this wittenesseth wel þe Iewys alle, [folio 115b] on kneys they gonne be-fore me falle and lowde seyd in here Scornyng "al haylle thu lord, of Iewys kyng."

.;. Be-twene ij thevis þe charter was selyd, Line 245 bothe were syke, þat one was helyd, be-twene ij thevis high y-plight, in token that I was lord of myght; this be-tokeneth bothe good & ill, atte day of dome to saue or spill. .;. fful dry y was & thursted sore; but of soche drynke y myght no more: for aysel & galle they yeaf to me. but one drynke aske y of the: that þ^u be louyng toward þⁱ foone— other drynke of þe aske y none; Line 256 yf thu me loue, haue this in mynde: to þⁱ enmyes thu be right kynde. ensample þ^u mayst take here of me: for loue of the y hong on a tre, Line 260 But [seid] "my fader, y pray now the, apon myn enmyes thu haue pite;" And as y do, do thu to thyne, and saued shalt þ^u be fro helle-pyne. .;. Here [of] be wittenesse mo then on: Mark, Mathew, Luke and Iohn, Line 266

Line 266 and namely my moder swete, that for me blody terys gan lete. Line 268 for, there she stode vnder the rode, she sawe my body al on blode that fro my fete vnto my hede y was not els but al blode-rede; Line 272 No word to me þer myght she speke, [folio 116] it semed ny here herte wold breke; no wonder was thogh she were woo when she sawe me on þe crosse y-do. .;. ffor sorwe of here y made a cry and seid ful lowde "heli lamaȝaba|thany." anone she fell doune in sownyng, right be-fore me at myn endyng. Line 280 the peynes that y suffred were ful sore, but for my moder they were the more. when y layd my hed here & there, my moder chaunged al here chere; ful fayn she wold haue holpe me, Line 285 but for the Iewys it myght not be. my peynes were tho fulle smerte, the swerd of sorwe perced here herte;

when to seynt Iohn y here be-toke, She cast on me a drewry loke, Line 290 as y had here all forsake and to a-nother sone y had here take; And or this charter writen was, ful ofte she sayd alas alas. .;. Apon my shulder y leyd my hed when y drow fast to my ded; Line 296 for so bare was y of worly good, when y shold [dye] apon the rood, that y ne had where-of to take, rest of my hed where-of to make. Line 300 pore & riche, haue euer in mynde, when ye in this world no rest may fynde, what rest y han only for the, when y hong nayled apon a tre! Line 304 wel may þ^u knowe þat y had non, [folio 116b] for þer y stode amonge my foon. when thu amonge thi foen art broght, be redy to suffre with alle thi thoght. to stande at barre it is wel harde, as ye be worthy to haue rewarde: thu [þat] for me suffrest wrong, Line 311 þ^u shal be sothely on my right hond; thu þat vengest the apon thi brother, thou standest not þer, but on þat other; and yf thu wilt the sothe knowe: right as þ^u sowest, so shalt þ^u mowe. .;. I fele me now so ful of woo, Line 317 that out of this world y most go; with peynes of deth, hard am y bounde; my soule shal passe here in þis stounde. Line 320 be-hold now, man, with herte & eye, for thi loue how y shal dye.

y hong on crosse for loue of the: forsake thi synne for loue of me, Line 324 mercy aske, and amende þ^e sone and y foryeue þ^e that is mysdone; for ful of mercy y am, truly, to alle tho that cryen mercy. Line 328 What shal it greue to repente the and in endeles ioye to dwelle with me? .;. ffor tho that wil no mercy crye, they shal to helle when they dye. now when y haue one word spoke, myn eyen to-geder most y loke: thu Synful man, haue pite on me, for thyn owne sowle for charite! Line 336 Thes wordes y most nedis speke, [folio 117] and then my herte shal to-breke: .;. Consum[m]atum est; þis charter is don. man, þ^u hast now ouer-come al þ^í foon.

Anone y went to helle, þat charter to shewe Line 341 be-fore Sathanas, þat olde shrewe:

there y hym shent & broght to grounde thurgh my nayles pitous wounde. and after a cownant made þer was be-twene me and Sathanas: Line 346 alle my catelle to haue away, that he be-rafte me with his pray. .;. The thirde day y made a fest to the moste and to the lest: Line 350 the fest was of ioye & blys, that Ester-day called ys.

one indenture y left to the, where-of þ^u shalt euer syker be: Line 354 In prestys handes my fleshe & blode, that for the was hanged on þe rode. [nota bene in margin.] who-so-euer be-leveth ther-on, endeles payn shal he fynde non; al-thogh y dyed, yet dyeth not he, for he shal rise & lyue with me. Line 360 .;. A wel faire thyng y tok þ^e also: a token of the crosse y was on do, to bere with the so where thu go, to kepe the euer fro thy foo. Line 364

Line 364 to my fader y most gone, for al his wille haue y done: I take my lef, ye haue me seyne; atte day of dome y come ageyne, Line 368 man to deme after his wirke— [folio 117b] this is the wille of al-holi kyrke— and euer after in ioye to dwelle, Saue to be fro the peyn of helle. Line 372 .;. A cote-armuur I bere here with me, the which y toke of thy lyuere; this cote is riche & wel fyne, Line 375 the champe is now of red satyne; a wel faire mayde me it be-tought and out of here boure I it broght; poudred it is with v. roses red, Line 379 wondes y suffred with peynes of ded. .;. And when y come ageyn to the, bi this clothyng thu may know me. tho þat ben of this rent be-hynde, and my wondes wilnot haue in mynde, wel sore shal they bene a-dred when this charter shal be red; Line 386 of the hy Justice be they ful ware, for-sothe thene shal he none spare,

for alle þe synnes þat thu has wroght fram þⁱ youthe, shalle be soght. Line 390 for power of my fader y haue to saue alle thoo þat mercy craue. .;. Now pay thi rent, while þ^u has space, yf thu wilt of me haue grace; Line 394 and yf thu dye ful sodenly, apon þⁱ soule y shal haue mercy. A cownant is made betwene vs two: as I haue done, so most thu do. [nota in margin: line 400 begins leaf 118.] Loke what þⁱ pater noster seith to the: "right as y foryeue, foryef þ^u me;" Line 400 and do ther-after, yf thu wilt, so that thi soule be not spilt. .;. Apon al holi writ y may put me, where y be curteyse or no to the; be thu lerid or be thu lewde, Line 405 the way to heuene y haue þe shewde by the texte of holy writ, in what place þ^u wilt seke it. Line 408 ther-for y byd the pay thy rent, that with the fend þ^u be not shent; with me to blisse then shalt þ^u come, and in my blisse þ^u shalt wone. Line 412 To that blisse y may the bryng, that of myght made al thyng."

Explicit Testamentum Christi.

[[MS. much faded in parts, and hardly legible. When y stands for þ, it is printed þ.]] Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf 112, back).

He þat wyll rede ouer þis boke & with hys gostly high þer-in loke, To þer scole thare hym noȝt wende To sawe hys saule fro þe fende Line 4 þan for to do as þis boke spelles, ffor holy wryte for sothe it telles. Ware-fore I pray ȝow for charyte, Ȝe þat þis bok sall rede or se, Line 8 Wyt all ȝoure hart & al ȝoure mynd kepe dernely þat ȝe þer-in fynd, And ful-fylles it in dede [folio :2] Line 11 þat ȝe sall in þis boke fynd & rede! Now sal ȝe here with-outyn delyte ȝoure sawyour spek to ȝou als-tyte A charter how mans saule as boght, þat ȝow most kepe with al ȝoure toght. to mak a charter be-heves mek thynge: parchemyn forsothe, pen, & ynke, Wax & cele, wytnes also, þe rent þat þu sal to þi lord do. Line 20 [folio 113] Wen ȝe þis charge knaw vndyrstand, Telles it forthe in all þis land to oþer þat as it noȝt sene, Line 23 to sawe þer saules & ȝoures be dene! fo[r] ȝe þat can & wyll noȝt teche Oþer men þer sawles to leche, Ȝe sal noȝt pase wiþ-outyn stryfe fro þis warlde to þe land of lyfe. Line 28 Now wyl I begyn to rede þer-on— Ald youre pese now euer-ilkon!— "Ihesu, lord of heuen & helle, Man & woman I wyll þe tell, Line 32 loke wat luf I af done for þe, & lok wat þu as done for me!

After my-self þu was þe best, Line 35 Of all creatures þou was þe fayrest; A fayrere creature myght neuer non be: Aftyre my-selfe made I þe. A place I toke þe þat was of charge, Paradyse, to play in at þi large. Line 40 Bot for þou was vnbuxum to me, And toke a napull of þe tre þat I forbed þou suld noȝt take, Line 43 þu was drywyn oute, & eue, þi make; Oute of paradys was þou qwytte; wiþ soro & care þan was þou knytte, And forthe þou was drywyn away, Als wauand best þat gos on stray. Line 48 My holy aungell cherubyn, wiþ a burnyng swerde, þeder I sent hym; he ex[p]ellyd þe fro þen þedyre, And drawe þe out, þu wyst neuer wyder, Line 52 bot trawylt aboute fro place to place, chargyd with sore, wyt-outyn solauce. Helpe þam-self sum-wat can ilk beste; bot of al oþer þu cowthe þe leste. Line 56 And wen þou was so law kest, [folio 113:2] þat of any helpe þou hadyst þe lest, No to whan þou suld plene þe, In so mykyl thoght sette I þe, Line 60 þat for þe ful fast my ded by-soght, for al þat I had to þe wroght: fro heuen to herthe I come don, to seke þe fro towne to town, Line 64 to helpe þe in þi myschef, dere-worthy saule, þat was me lef; My blysful body þat [es] so fre, In þi myschef to gyf it þe. Line 68

Line 68 Bot ar I þat grace gyf þe suld, fyrst for þi luf dy I wold. vntyl a madyn I be-tak me fyrst wen I wold consawed be;— Line 72 to knaw hyre name with-outyn mys, Mary, godes moder, called scho is.— þe maydyn was myld, trew & fre, Scho consaywed me for luf of þe. Line 76 [The next lines are damaged by wet.] [Nyne monthes with hyr I was], to make amendys [for þi trespas], ar [I in to þis world was born] Line 79 to sawe þe [man þat was forlorn]. throght my [vertu & my grace] þus come þe [sesyng fyrst in place]. vergyn mary, maydyn myld, Line 83 wiþ me þus went scho gret with chyld. wen gabryell gret hyre [so] gentilly, Scho answerd with 'ecceancilla domini.' Anon scho was with chyld þore, a maydyn as scho was before. Line 88 Bot wen þis was broght to hende, gret enwy þer-at had þe fende; þat cursyd fende, wyckyd satanas, Had gret wonder why it was Line 92 þat hy suld do so mykyll for þe [folio 113b] þat so vnkynd has bene to me.

wrothe was—it helpys hym noght:— to dystroy þe was hys thoght. Line 96 ad he ouer-come þee, þou may wele knawe he wolde af halden þe full law! He temp[t]yd me to gret foly, Pryd, cowetys, & glotony, Line 100 for [he] wyst I [[MS. I wyst I was I]] was a man; Bot syn in me [ne] fonde he nan. for sothe, ful hard thert he me, þat bargan dere boght suld be; Line 104 To put þe for euer out of my syght, He purpose hym bothe day & nyght. Bot, ²dere saule, her-kyn² [[2_2 MS. dere worthy saule hye kyn]] to me, And gode techyng I sal telle þe. Line 108 I wyll mak a charter of feoffefment, Hewen & erthe sall be present. Bot in þat maner most it made be þat me most gyf my lyfe for þe; Line 112 for leuer me has to dy, I-wysse, & bryng þe to my endles blysse, þan þu be lost euermore me fro, & to endles payne þe fende þe to. Line 116 Bot wen I em ded, saule, be þou kynd, & af þis charter in þi mynd!

for I wyll dy for þi foly, to bryng þe to my company. Line 120 to helpe þe I em ay redy, & fayne to sawe þe fro þi enmy. Line 122 Bot many a way, saule, af I gone, In hungyre & thyrst, & cald as stone, thyrty wynter & [[MS. fully &]] iij fully, wen my dysese was done trewly. to mak þi charter of þi wele-fare, Line 127 parchemen to fynde wyst I neuer ware þat wyld last to þe warldes end;— harkyns now to my wordes hend!— Bot as trew loue [MS. lyue] bad me do, loke ware I af not done so. Line 132 þis wordys are þus to vnderfong to lewed men in ynglys tong: My flesche trewly es mans fode, Line 135 þat for mans saule dyed on þe rode; My blode for sothe þi drynk sal be, þat for þe was sched on þe rod[e] tre. wo-so it resaywes wyt-outyn mys, Sawyd sal he be, & cum to blys; Line 140 he þat takys it vnworthy, & not for|thy[n]k, hys awne Iuggement he etys & drynk. for þou vnworthe resawes me, Line 143 þu belewys noȝt þat I suld be he.

Belewe þis wordes as ye say, Or þu ert damned for euer & ay; Bot þu belewe þis þat I þe telle, Body & saule þu gose to helle. Line 148 My wordys ere þis þat I em he; wo be-lewys, blyssyd he be; wyt me sall dwel for euer I-wysse, þat sese me noȝt, & lewys in þisse. Line 152 thynk on þis wordys, I charge þe, Als euer þu wyll sawed be; And put in þi mynd my passyon, wylk sall be þi saluacyon. Line 156 At ilk a tyme thynk þu so, And so sall þu ouer-come þi fo; It es þe best leson þat þou may lere— þi gostly enmy aw to fere;— Line 160 for þe grettest temptacyon, wyt þis þou may lay all don. af it in mynde stedfastly, And þu sall af þi purpos, trewly. Line 164 þus dyd my dyscipulles þat supped wiþ me; And als I bad þam do, so do ȝe! Bot or þat I fra þe borde rase, Line 167 Of my dyscypulle [MS. dyscypulles] betrayd I was: Wen he had supyd, he rase o-none; [folio 114] To þe maysteres of law gun he gone, And broght þam wiþ hym in þat way, Als a lyon þat gase about hys pray.

And wen þai were þedyre comen, Line 173 þai layd hande on me, & me nomen. Onone þai be-gan to spoyle me, And sayde I suld dye on tre; Line 176 My mantyl & oþer clothes mo, þai had þam sone tane me fro; þai cast lotys how it suld falle, Line 179 wylk on suld af, or parte þam halle. Sone al my clothes þ[a]i fro me toke, & all my frendes me for-soke; Nakyd I stode emong my fone, for oþer socur had I none; Line 184 Redy þai were [me] for to dysese, bot no þer was me for to plese. þai made schourge scharp & grete, ware-wiþ þai suld my body bete. Line 188 be-syde I stod, & saw all þis; ful sore I gan me drede I wys; Gyf þat I wold af plened me, to me suld no socure af be. Line 192 Sone me to slo, acordyd þai ware. to my fader I made my prayere: 'fader of mercy! comforte af I none; Al my dyscypules fro me ere gone; þe iewes cry fast I sall be dede: Line 197 do þi wyll, fader, I can no noþer rede! to þe I mak my mone, I em welle spylte;

to-morne sall I dye for mans gylte.' þan myght I noþer spek nor gon; Line 201 I was so sore bette, I fell don onon. þai sayd: 'spede vs fast in þis stond, þat he to a pelere fast were bound!' Al ful of mys-comfort for sothe I was, wen þai led me forthe so gret pase. To a pelar þai band me sore, Line 207 On me þai had no pyte þore; [folio :2] 'be mery,' þai sayd, '& mak gode chere! we are þi frendes all þat stande here; we ere þai þat sall þe noȝt forsak tyll on a cros þi dede þu tak; Line 212 we sall neuer forsak þe, to þu to a tre nayled be.' þe soro I had, myght no tong tell: Al þat I dyd, was to sawe fro hell. So stode I bondyn all þat nyght, Line 217 to of þe morne þat it was day-lyght: to me þai come & sayd: 'gode morne! Mak mery, for ded es sworne.' Line 220 Onone þai bet me full rewfully,

And als a ded man þai lefe me, trewly. A, saule, for þe tholyd I þis lasche! My [blod] ran oute at ilka dasche, þat fro my fot vnto my hede Line 225 was not els bot all blode rede; for bathe by-hynd & als be-fore, all for-betyn was I þore. Line 228 wo loked on my wysage, þai myght se a refull ymage; I telle here in gode trewthe, þai myght of me a had rewthe! Line 232 wen I was lesyd fro þat pylere, for sothe I had a rewful chere, for alle aboute me, þer I stode, Line 235 þer was no thyng bot lyuered blode. to me þai spak with boste chere: 'þis cros to þe mounte þou sal bere!' were-opon þai strened me Als gode parchemen aw to be. Line 240 here now, & ȝe sall wyttyn how þis charter was þus wrytyn. On al my face fell blak ynk, Line 243 wen þe thornes in my hed gan synk.

þis pennys þat þis lettyrs wrytyn, was þe scorcheges þat I was wiþ smytyn. [folio 114b:1] How many letters on þe charter be, Byde & þu may wyte & see: Line 248 v Ml iiij c lx, als I telle can, [[5,460]] were wondys blody rede & wan. And for to schaw þe my luf-dede, My self wylle þe charter rede." Line 252 goddis son of heuen, þe sothe to say, þis wordy[s] spake on gode fryday, pyned on þe mounte of calwery, to þe pepull þat passyd hym by: Line 256 "Ȝe all þat passe here by me, takys hete, & lok vp with ȝoure hee, And rede opon þis parchemyne, If any soro be lyke to myne. Line 260 tak hete, & here þis charter be redde, how I am wondyd & fo[r]bledde. 'knaw ȝe þat here ere, & forto come, þat I, ihesus of naȝaret, godys sone, as gyn for euer, & grauntyd, Line 265 and be þis charter confermed, how mans sawle in my ioy to belde, wyt all þe purtenance þer-with to welde,

to af & to hald with-outy[n] mysse þat for-sayd place, heuen-blysse, In þat blyssed place for euer to dwell, for þe rent þat I sall þe tell, Line 272 þat blysfull place þat is so fre, with-outyn omage or fewte. for, sone, I aske of þe no more, bot a foure-lewed gyrsse pay me þer|fore: Line 276 þe fyrst lewe es schryft so smert; þe secund, for þi syn, soro of hart; þe thyrd es 'I wyll no more do so'; þe ferthe es penance ewened þer-to. wen þis lewes ere to-geder knytte, Line 281 a 'trew-luf' men may calle itte. Of þis rent be þu noȝt be-hynd, þe way to heuen if þu wyll wynd! And als þou þis rent treuly pays me, My gret mercy sall I gyf þe. If þou fall, & gretely mystake, ȝit þis charter will not I forsake; Line 288 for wo so mendes, & mercy wyll crafe, My blystful ioy trewly sall he hafe. Bot many ere now lywyng here þat pays not þer rent be ȝere, Line 292 Bot labures ful fere in dyuerse warke;— þis knawes bothe lewde & clarke;— þerfore in wat a-state god has þe sent, Do trewly þi labure, þan pays þou þi rent. Line 296 þi gostly warkes þat þou sal werke, Are þe sacrementes of haly kyrke:

þe fyrst, þat þou af þe baptysacyon; þe secund es þi confirmacyon; Line 300 þe thyrd: wat ordyr or degre þou hawe, kepe it reght, & þan ert þou sawe; þe fowrth es wedlak, for soth I-wys, So þat þou sal not do a mys; Line 304 þe fyfte es penance, if þou it work Of þe prest of haly kyrk; þe sexte es þat þou be-leue on my flesche & blod, þe sacriment on þe auter þat dyed on rode; Line 308 þe sewent es þi laste endyng, to sawe þe fro þi enme at þi passyng. do þu þus þis warke ȝere be ȝere, And dred þe neuer of fyndes fere; And wo so dose here þe warkis of mercy, he squenches þe fyre in purgatory. Opon þe cros me thyrstyd sore, Line 315 bot of swylk drynk myght I nomore: Aysyl & gall gaf þai me. Bot a noþer drynk ask I of þe: þu luf þi foo in worde & thoght: oþer drynk af þe ask I noght. Line 320 Als þu me lufes, af þis in mynde: [folio 115:1] Be þu noȝt to þi enmy vnkynde; Ensawmpull þu sall take of me: ffor luf of my fo I hang on a tre, Line 324

Line 324 And prayd my fader of mercy, Of my enmys to af pety; & als I dyd, do þu to þame, Line 327 If þou wyll be sawed fra hell-payne! wo so dose as I now telle, In heuen for euer with me sall dwelle. here-of ere wyttnens many one: Marke, Mathu, Luke, & Ione, Line 332 And namely my moder swete, þat for my blode teres gan grete. ffor þer scho stode vnder þe rode; Scho saw my body al on blode, Line 336 ffor al þe partyce of my body were brokyn at þe pelere, treuly. ffor me sho was þerfore ful wo. And so were wemen many mo: Line 340 þer stode for-sothe be syde me, My moder, Magdalan, & Cleophe; þer stode be syde þe crose al-so, Ion euangelyst, ful fulle of wo. Line 344 & I sayd to my moder mary: 'Be-halde þi sone þat standes þe by!' To Ion I spak wordes of pyte: Line 347 'Be-hald þi moder! hy tak hyre to þe.' Wen I spak þis wordes þere, Vntyll hyre hart þai went ful nere; wen I to Ion my cosyn h[i]re toke, Scho cast on me a rewfull loke, Line 352 Als I had hyre all for-sakyn And tyll a nothere hyre sone takyn;

Onone scho fell downe in swounynge Be-for þe cros at my dyynge. Line 356 þe paynes þat I hade were full sore, Bot for my moder þai were wel more! ffor soro of my passion I made a cry, And cryed 'hely lama ȝabatany.' Line 360 it semed my moder hart wald brek; No worde to me þer myght scho speke; No wonder was if hyre were wo, [folio :2] wen sho saw me dyght so! Line 364 wen I layde my hede now here & þare, My moder chaunged all hyre chere; Scho wold fayne af hulpon me, Line 367 Bot for þe Iewe[s] it myght not be. þe paynes of hyre were full smerte; þe swerd of soro perchyd hyre harte; Bot or þis charter þus wrytyn was, Many tymes scho sayd alas! Line 372 ffull wo hyre was, as þu may se: af it in mynde for luf of me! wen hyre payns were sumwat ouer-gon, vp to my face scho lokyd onon, Line 376 & saw I dro fast to myne endyng: Ouer scho felle ofte in swonyng, & sayd: 'alas! weder sall I gone? Sumtyme had I a sone, now af I none.' My moder payns gan me sore rew; ffor strong es luf of frendes trew; ffor þer luffes none so tendyrly As dos þe modyre namely. Line 384 wen hyre payn[e]s were paste, To mary magdalan scho spak in haste: 'Mary magdalan, helpe þou me! hy se my sone dye on ȝon tre.' Line 388

Line 388 Magdalan sayd: 'I can no noþer rede, I knele & se my lorde nere dede; ffull grete soro has smytyn my harte, And ȝit me rewes þi payn[e]s smarte; ffor me were lewer to dy onone Line 393 þan for to se þe mak þis mone. Cumme with me! I sall þe bryng ffro þis wo & þis mornyng Line 396 In-tylle a tempull here be-fore; ffor þu has wepyd here full sore.' My moder answerd to magdalayn: 'Walde þou af me a-way so fayn? Line 400 I had gret ioy wen I hym bare: Suld I now lewe hym hanga[n]d þare, And sofur hym so for to be, þat was my myrthe & al my gle? Line 404 Magdalan, for sothe vnkynde I were to go away & lefe hym þere. þerfore be crose here lyf I wyll, Line 407 ffor hys syght had I neuer my fyll; Sum-tyme wen he lokyd me on, [folio 115b] It was my most ioy of ilkon. he was þe fayrest þat euer was borne, & now es crowned with a garland of thorne!' Line 412 I prayd hyre go were hyre wylles was, for I wold byde & syng alas! I prayd þam go weder þai wolde, Line 415 ffor a song of murnyng syng I sulde. Scho sette hyre down be syde þe rode, & lokyd o-pon hyre blody fode: & als scho stode & lokyd me on, Scho saw my lyfe was nere gon. Line 420 Alas, alas! gan sho syng; ffull fast hyre handis gan scho wryng; wyt grete soro þus all þe day, hyre song was euer 'walaway!' Line 424 'A, my dere-worthy chyld, now cal I þe vnto þi fadyre in trinyte;

ffader of mercy, now dyes my son, wyt me may he no lenger won. Line 428 ffader, I pray þe, lat me dye onon, þat we may bothe ly vnder a ston! Now pas he, fadyre, as it es þi wyll, I wate he es dede, he hyngis soo styll. Alas, wat sal I do? forsothe, I wate neuer, Line 433 Bot for to gret my fyll, wyls he es þus nere.' A wyle scho sat & spak rete noghte, It semed as scho had gret toghte. Line 436 O-none scho gan tremul huglely, And forto gryse gretly with hyre body; þer scho swoned & wex nere dede, hyre face wex wane & nothyng rede, hyre hene were blody, h[y]re lyppys were blo, Line 441 hyre brest gan ryse, hyre hart was wo, hyre fayre wysage was all blody, hyre tethe were lokyn, scho was rewly. Magdalan sayd scho was dede þare; Ion euaungelyst had mekyll kare, & to magdalan sayd in haste: Line 447 'lat hyre not loke on hym so faste! [folio 115:2] þe syght of hym, it es so rew, Makys hyre euer-more soro new.' Ione & magdalan full lang þer satte Or þai of hyre any worde gatte. Line 452 Pure I was, as þu may knaw; My hede I bowed þer ful laaw: So bare I was of warldely gode, Wen I sul dye opon þe rode, Line 456 þat I had noȝt were-of to take, Reste vnto my hede to make. Pure man, af þis mynde Line 459 Wen þu no rest in warlde may fynde, Wat reste I had onely for þe Wen I hange nayled opon a tre. Wele may þu knaw þat none I had, Emang my enmys þer I was stad! Wen þu emang þi enmys ert broght, Be redy to sofure wyt all þi thoght.

To frande at bare it [es] full hard, As þu as wroght to be reward. Line 468 He þat sofures dyses for luf of me, On my reght hand wend sall he; And he þat wengys hym on hys broþer, Sal not do so, bot go on þe toþer. Line 472 He þat wyll þe sothe knaw, Swylk as he owes, swylk sall he maw; Swylke as þi warkis here in þi lywyng, Swylk sal be þi reward at þi endyng. I fele me now so ful of wo, Line 477 þat oute of þis warld me most go; Wyt paynes of dede I am bonde; My saule sal passe now in þis stonde. Be-hald now, man, with þi gostely hee, Now for þi luf [how] I sall [[MS. sall sall]] dye. I hyng on crosse for luf on þe: for-sake þi syn for luf of me; Line 484 Mercy aske, Amende þe sone, And I for-gyf þat þu as mys done; fful of mercy I am, trewly, [folio 116] To all þase þat askys mercy. Line 488 Wat sal it grefe þe to repent þe, In hendeles Ioy to dwelle with me? for þai þat wyll no mercy crye, þai sall to helle wen þai dye. Line 492 þu þat wyll my blys wyn, Nedes þe must forsak þi syn. Now wen I af a worde spokyn, My nehen sall to-geder be lokyn: Line 496 þu synfull man, af pyte on me, ffor here I dye for luf of þe. þis wordes must me nedys speke, And þer-wyt my hart wyll breke: Line 500 Consummatum est: Now es all done! þe lyght was lost of sone & mone; Gret wonder þer men myght hawe: dede men ryse oute of þer grawe; Line 504 þe stones brast, þe erth gan quake, ffendys þer ware þat ware ful blake, þe wayle of þe tempull in two it felle: All þis was done, I þe telle. Line 508

Line 508 Bot, dere saule, be þou reght glade! Be-twyx þe & me pese es made. Hy went to helle þis charter to schew, To satanas þat es so mekyll a schrew; þer I hym schent & broght to grounde Thrught my nayles, spere & wounde, And after a conant made þer was Be-twene me & satanas: Line 516 Alle my catell to af a-way, þat he refte me with hys fals pray. þe thyrd day I rase, & made a fest Vnto þe most & vnto þe lest: Line 520 þe fest was of ioy & blyse; Pasche-day called it ese. þe seles þat þe charter es seled with, [folio 116:2] þai ware made at a smythe; Line 524 Of golde nor syluur were þai noght: Wyt a spere to my hart þai soght; Wiþ Iryn nayles þai nayled me Thrugh fote & hand vntyl a tre; Line 528 On þis maner was I stong Thrugh my scynne & my long; In my reght syde þai mad a wonde; þe blode ran downe to þe grownde. þe selyng-wax was dere boght; Line 533 At my hart-rote þai it soght, Als it were tempurde wiþ vermy[ly]on Of my hart blode þat ran þer don.

ffywe selys here set þer opane: Line 537 ffader & son, god & mane, þe fyrst es to belewe most, þat I come of þe holy gost. Line 540 And þerfore here now may þou se þatt I am kyng of gret pouste. In playne powere þi state to make, A crowne of throrne to me gon I take: þis crowne betakyns þat I am kyng, And frely may gyf my nawne thyng. þis wyttyns wele of þe iewes all: On kne be-for me gan þai fall, Line 548 & lowde þa cryed on þer cryyng, 'Hayle be þou, þe iewes kyng!' Be-twene two thefes þis charter was celyd— þai bothe were seke, þe tone was helyd;— Line 552 Be-twene þe thefes vppe was I dyght, In tokynnyng þat I was kyng of myght. þis betokyns bothe gode & ylle, At þe day of dome to sawe & spylle. þis charter þus celyd, lewe I wyll þe, ware-by þu sall ay sekyr be: Line 558 [folio 116:1] My precyus body, of þe preste hande for to resaywe, þu sall vnderstand. My precyus body es þe sacrament, þat [at] many a autyre verament þe prestes sakyre at þer messe, Wedyre þai can more or lesse. Line 564 he þat faythefully lewes þer-opon, endeles pyne sall he fele non; All if he dye, ȝit dyes not he; Vppe sal he ryse, & lyfe wyt me.

To my fader wyll I now sone, Line 569 ffor all hys wylle now af [I] done; I take my lewe at alle & summe: On þe day of dome, agayn I comme, Men to deme after þer warkys, Line 573 þis es þe belewe of haly kyrkys,— And euer more after in ioy to dwelle, Sawyd to be fro þe payns of helle. Bot a cote-armur I bere with me, þat I toke of þi lyuer so fre; þe cote es ryche & wnder fyne, Line 579 þe chaumpe es now of rede satyne. A ful fayre maydyn me it worgh; Out of hyre bure to me it brogh. þis cote es poudered with fywe ros rede, wondis þat I sofurd wen I suld be dede; ffywe: wen I comme agayn to þe, Line 585 Be thys clethyng þou may ken me. þai þat ere of þer rent be-hynde, And þis wordes wyl not af in mynde, fful sore may þai be adrede Line 589 Wen þis charter sall be rede; Of þe hee iustys be þai wele ware, ffor þan forsothe I sall noȝt spare;

ffor alle þi syns þat þu as worght [folio :2] ffro þi ȝongthe þai sall be soght. And of my gret mercy I forgyf þe Line 595 Syns þat þu schrywen of wyld be. Pay þis rent, wo so has space, Als he of me wyll gete grace; Repent hym, wo so dyes sodanly, for of hys saule I may af mercy. Line 600 A cownant es made be-twyx vs two: Als I af sayd, loke þat þu do so! Loke wat þi pater noster spekes to þe: 'Als I forgyf, lorde, for-gyf me!' Line 604 Do þer-after reght as þu wyllt, So þat þi saule be not spylt. On holy wryte I may put me, Wedyre I be curtas or noȝt to þe; Line 608 Be þe texte of holy wrytte, In wat place þu wyll seke itte,— Be þou lered, be þu lewed,— þe way to heuen I af þe schewed. Line 612 þerfore I byd þe pay þi rent, þat with þe fende þu be not schent! Wyt me to blys þan sall þu comme, And in my blys þan sall þu wonne." Vnto þat blys he vs bryng, Line 617 þat of noght made alle thyng!

LV. Thirty Poems, most with Refrains. MS. Vernon, fol. 407

(3 of them, ed. Furnivall, Phil. Soc. Trans., 1872, Part II; the first 13 of them, ed. Varnhagen, Anglia, vii, 1884, p. 282-315).

1.

Mercy passes all things, p. 658.

2.

Deo Gracias I, p. 664.

3.

Against my Will, I take my Leave, p. 666.

4.

God is Love, p. 668.

5.

Deo Gracias II, p. 670.

6.

Each man ought himself to know, p. 672.

7.

Think on Yesterday, p. 675.

8.

Keep well Christ's Commandments, p. 680.

9.

Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent, p. 683.

10.

Fy on a faint Friend! p. 686.

11.

Thank God of all, p. 688.

12.

This World fares as a Fantasy, p. 692.

13.

Ay, Mercy, God! p. 696.

14.

Truth ever is best, p. 699.

15.

Charity is no longer dear, p. 701.

16.

Of Women cometh this World's Weal, p. 704.

17.

Mary, Mother of Christ, p. 708.

18.

The Fleur de Lys, Maiden Mary, p. 711.

19.

Seldom seen is soon forgot, p. 715.

20.

Warning to be ware, p. 719.

21.

Love Holy Church and Priests, p. 721.

22.

Try to say the best, p. 723.

23.

To-morrow, p. 725.

24.

Make Amends for thy Sins, p. 727.

25.

Suffer in Time, and that is best, p. 730.

26.

Mane nobiscum, Domine! p. 733.

27.

A Prayer to the Virgin Mary, p. 735.

28.

A Prayer to the Trinity, p. 740.

29.

But thou say Sooth, thou shalt be shent, p. 740.

30.

Thanks and Prayer to God, p. 744.

1. Mercy passes all Things. [Printed by Furnivall from the Simeon MS., with collations from the Vernon, in Early English Poems and Lives of Saints, p. 118, Philolog. Soc. Trans. 1872.]

(16 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1)

BI west, vnder a wylde wode-syde, In a launde, þer I was lente, Wlanke deor on grounde gunne glyde, And lyouns Raumping vppon bente, Line 4 Beores, wolues wiþ Mouþes wyde, Þe smale Beestes þei al to-rente; Þer haukes vn-to heore pray þei hyde, Of whuche, to on .I. tok good tente: Line 8 A Merlyon, a Brid had hente, And in hire foot heo gan hit bringe; Hit couþe not speke, but þus hit mente: How Merci passeþ alle þinge. Line 12

Line 12

(2)

¶ Merci was in þat Briddes muynde, But þerof kneuȝ þe Hau[e]k non, ffor in hir foot heo gan hit bynde, And heold hit stille as eny ston; Line 16 Heo dude after þe cours of kynde, And fleiȝ in-to a treo anon. Þorw kuynde þe Brid gan Merci fynde: ffor on þe morwe heo let hit gon. Line 20 fful stille .I. stod my-self al-on, To herken hou þat Brid gan synge: A-wey wol wende boþe Murþe and moon, And Merci passeþ alle þinge. Line 24

(3)

¶ How Merci passeþ strengþe & riȝt, Mony a wyse seo we may. God ordeyned Merci, most of miht, To beo aboue his werkes ay. Line 28 Whon deore Ihesu schal be diht To demen vs at doomes-day, Vr sunne wol beo so muche in siht, We schul not wite what we schul say; Line 32 fful fersliche Riȝt wol vs affray, And blame vs for vr mis-lyuing: Þen dar non prese for vs to pray, But Merci þat passeþ alle þing. Line 36

(4)

¶ Riht wolde sle vs for vr synne, Miht wolde don execucion; And Riht-wyse god þen wol be-gynne fforte reherce vs þis resoun: Line 40 "I made þe, Mon, ȝif þat þou minne, Of feture lich myn owne fasoun, And after crepte In-to þi kinne, And for þe suffred passioun; Line 44 Of þornes kene þen was þe croun fful scharpe vppon myn hed standyng; Min herte-blood ran from me doun; And I for-ȝaf þe alle þing. Line 48

Line 48

(5)

¶ "Myn herte-blood for þe gan blede, To buye þe from þe fendes blake, And I for-ȝaf þe þi misdede. What hast þou suffred for my sake? Line 52 Me hungred, þou woldest not me fede, Ne neuer my furst ne woldestou slake; Whon I of herborwe hedde gret nede, Þou woldest not to þin hous me take; Line 56 Þou seȝe me a-mong todes blake, fful longe in harde prison lyng. [[lying]] Let seo what onswere constou make, Wher weore þou kynde in eny þing? Line 60

(6)

¶ "And hou .I. quenched al þi care, Lift vp þin eiȝe and þou maiȝt se Mi woundes wete, blodi al bare, As .I. was rauȝt on Roode-tre. Line 64 Þou seȝe me for defaute forfare, In seknes and in pouerte: Ȝit of þi good woldestou not spare, Ne ones come to visyte me. Line 68 Al eorþli þing .I. ȝaf to þe, Boþe Beest and fisch & foul fleoyng, And tolde þe hou þat charite And Merci passeþ alle þing. Line 72

(7)

¶ "Hou mihtou eny merci haue Þat neuer desyredest non to do? Þou seȝe me naked and cloþes craue; Barehed and Barefot gan I go: Line 76 On me þou vochedest no þing saue, But beede me wende þi wones fro. Þou seȝe me ded aboue to graue On Bere seuen dayes and mo: Line 80 ffor luitel dette I ouȝte þe þo, [folio 407:2] Þou forbed my buriȝing. Þi pater noster seyde not so, ffor Merci passeþ alle þing." Line 84

Line 84

(8)

¶ Þeos are þe werkes of Merci seuene, Of wȝuche crist wol vs areyne, Þat alle schul stoney wiþ þat steuene Þat euer tresoun miȝte a-teyne. Line 88 ffor heer but ȝif we make vs euene, Þer may no miht ne ȝiftes ȝeyne. Þenne to þe kyng of heuene, Þe Bok seiþ þat we schul seyne: Line 92 "Wher hastou, lord, in prisoun leyne? Whonne weore þou in eorþe dwellyng? Whon seȝe we þe in such peyne? Whon askedest þou vs eny þing?" Line 96

(9)

¶ "Whon ȝe seȝe ouþer Blynd or lame Þat for my loue asked ȝou ouȝt; Al þat ȝe duden in myn name, Hit was to me, boþe deede & þouȝt. Line 100 But ȝe þat hated cristendame, And of my wraþþe neuer ne rouȝt, Ȝour seruise schal ben endeles schame Helle-fuir þat slakes nouȝt. Line 104 And ȝe þat wiþ my blood .I. bouȝt, Þat loued me in ȝoure lyuynge, Ȝe schul haue þat ȝe haue souȝt, Merci þat passeþ alle þinge." Line 108

(10)

¶ Þis tyme schal tyde, hit is no nay, And wel is him þat haþ þat grace ffor to plese his god to pay, And Merci seche while he haþ space! Line 112 ffor beo vr mouþ crommed with clay Wormes blake wol vs enbrase: Þen is to late, Mon, in good fay, To seche to A-Mende of þi trespace. Line 116 With mekenes þou may heuene purchase: Oþer Meede þar þe non bring, But knowe þi god in vche a case, And loue him best of any þing. Line 120

Line 120

(11)

¶ To god and non weore holden meste To loue, and his wraþþe eschuwe. Now is non so vnkuynde a beeste Þat lasse doþ þat weore him duwe; Line 124 ffor Beestes and foules, more & leeste, Þe cours of kynde alle þei suwe. And whonne we breken Godes heste, Aȝeynes kuynde we ben vn-trewe: Line 128 ffor kuynde wolde þat we him knewe And dradde him most in vre doing. Hit is no riht þat he vs rewe, But Merci passeþ alle þing. Line 132

(12)

¶ Now harlotrye for murþe is holde, And vertues tornen in-to vice, And Symonye haþ chirches solde, And lawe is waxen Couetyse; Line 136 Vr feiþ is frele to flecche & folde, ffor treuþe is put to luytel prise; Vre God is glotenye and golde, Dronkenes, Lecherye and dyse: Line 140 Lo heer vr lyf and vre delyce, Vr loue, vr lust and vre lykyng. Ȝet, ȝif we wole repente and ryse, Merci passeþ alle þinge. Line 144

(13)

¶ Vn-lustily vr lyf we lede, Monhod and we twynne in two; To heuen ne helle take we non hede, But on day come, a noþer go. Line 148 Who is a mayster now but meede, And pruide, þat wakened al vr wo? We stunte, neiþer for schame ne drede, To teren vr god from top to to, Line 152 ffor-swere his soule, his herte also, And alle þe Menbres þat we cun Mynge: fful harde vengeaunce wol falle on þo, But merci passeþ alle þinge. Line 156

Line 156

(14)

¶ And corteis knihthod and clergye, Þat wont were vices to forsake, Are nou so Rooted in Ribaudye Þat oþur merþes lust hem not make. Line 160 A-wei is gentyl cortesye, [folio 407:3] And lustines his leue haþ take; We loue so slouþe and harlotrie, We slepe as swolle swyn in lake. Line 164 Þer wol no worschupe wiþ vs wake Til þat Charite beo mad a kyng: And þen schal al vr synne slake, And Merci passeþ alle þing. Line 168

(15)

¶ .I. munge no more of þis to ȝou, Al-þauȝ .I. couþe ȝif þat .I. wolde, ffor ȝe han herd wel whi & hou Bi-gon þis tale þat I haue tolde. Line 172 And þis men knowen wel .I.-nouh, ffor Merlyons feet ben colde; hit is heor kynde on Bank and bouh A quik Brid to hauen and holde, Line 176 ffrom foot to foot to flutte and folde, To kepe hire from clomesyng; As .I. an hauþorn gan bi holde, .I. sauȝ my self þe same þing. Line 180

(16)

¶ Whon heo hedde holden so al niht, On Morwe heo let hit gon a-way: Wheþer gentrie tauȝt hire so or nouȝt, I con not telle ȝou, in good fay! Line 184 But, God, as þou art ful of miȝt, Þouȝ we plese þe not to pay, Graunt vs repentaunce and respiȝt, And schrift and hosel, or we day; Line 188 As þou art God and mon verray, Þou beo vr help at vre endyng, Bi-fore þi face þat we mai sai: 'Now Merci passeþ alle þinge.' Line 192

2. Deo Gracias I.

(11 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

IN a Chirche, þer .I. con knel Þis ender day in on Morwenynge, Me lyked þe seruise wonder wel; ffor-þi þe lengore con .I. lynge. Line 4 .I. seiȝ a Clerk a book forþ bringe, Þat prikked was in mony a plas; ffaste he souȝte what he scholde synge: And al was Deo Gracias. Line 8

(2)

¶ Alle þe queristres in þat qwer, On þat word fast gon þei cri. Þe noyse was good, & .I. drouȝ neer And called a prest ful priueli, Line 12 And seide: "sire, for ȝor curtesi Tel me, ȝif ȝe habbeþ spas, What hit meneþ, and for whi Ȝe singe Deo Gracias?" Line 16

(3)

¶ In selk þat comeli clerk was clad, And ouer a lettorne leoned he; And wiþ his word he maade me glad, And seide: "sone, I schal telle þe: Line 20 ffader and Sone In Trinite, Þe holy gost, ground of vr graas, Also oftesiþe þonke we As we sei Deo Gracias. Line 24

(4)

¶ "To þonke & blesse him we ben bounde With al þe murþes þat mon mai Minne: ffor al þe world in wo was wounde Til þat he crepte in to vr kinne: Line 28 A louesum buirde he liȝte with-Inne, Þe worþiest þat euer was, And schedde his blod for vre sinne: And þerfore Deo Gracias." Line 32

Line 32

(5)

¶ Þen seide þe preost: "sone, be þi leue .I. moste seie forþ my seruise, .I. preye þe tak hit nouȝt in greue; ffor þou hast herd al my deuise, Line 36 Bi-cause whi hit is clerkes wyse, And holychirche muynde of hit maas, Vnto þe prince so muchel of prise, fforte synge Deo Gracias." Line 40

(6)

¶ Out of þat chirche .I. wente my way, And on þat word was al my þouȝt, And twenti tymes .I. con say, "God graunte þat .I. for-ȝete hit nouȝt! Line 44 Þouȝ I weore out of bonchef brouȝt, what help weore to me to seye allas? In þe nome of god, what-euer be wrouȝt, I schal seie Deo gracias. Line 48

(7)

¶ "In Mischef and in bonchef boþe, [folio 407b] [The leaf-numbers here are modern, and on the general wrong plan of making each leaf a folio, instead of the double open page, the back of the left leaf and the front of the right one, which the old numbering always rightly adopts.] Þat word is good to seye and synge, And not to wayle ne to bi wroþe, Þauȝ al be nouȝt at vre lykynge. Line 52 ffor langour schal not euer lynge, And sum tyme plesaunse wol ouer-pas, But ay in hope of a-mendynge, .I. schal seye Deo Gracias." Line 56

(8)

¶ A-Mende þat þou hast don amis, And do wel þenne, and haue no drede, Wheþer so þou beo In bale or blis! Þi goode suffraunce schal gete þe mede, Line 60 Ȝif þou þi lyf in lykyng lede. Loke þou beo kuynde in vch a cas, Þonk þi god, ȝif þou wel spede, Wiþ þis word, Deo Gracias. Line 64

Line 64

(9)

¶ Ȝif god haþ ȝiue þe vertues mo Þen he haþ oþure two or þre, Þenne I rede þou rule þe so Þat men may speke worschupe bi þe. Line 68 Be fert of pruide, & bost þou fle, Þi vertues let no fulþe de-faas, But kep þe clene, corteis & fre, And þenk on Deo Gracias. Line 72

(10)

¶ Ȝif þou beo mad an Offycer, And art a Mon of muche miht, What cause þou demest, loke hit be cler, And reue no mon from him his riht, Line 76 Ȝif þou beo strong and fers to fiht. ffor envye neuer mon þou chas, But drede þi god boþe dai & niȝt, And þenk on deo gracias. Line 80

(11)

¶ Ȝif we þis word in herte wol haue, And ay in loue and leute leende, Of crist bi couenaunt we mow craue Þat Ioye þat schal neuer haue ende, Line 84 Out of þis world whon we schul wende, In-to his paleys for to paas, And sitte a-mong his seintes hende, And þer synge Deo Gracias. Line 88

3. Against my Will, I take my Leave.

(8 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc)

(1)

Nou Bernes, Buirdus bolde and blyþe, To blessen ow her nou am .I. bounde; .I. þonke ȝou alle a þousend siþe, And prei god saue ȝou hol and sounde; Line 4 Wher-euer ȝe go, on gras or grounde, He ow gouerne with-outen greue ffor frendschipe þat .I. here haue founde; A-ȝeyn mi wille .I. take mi leue. Line 8

Line 8

(2)

¶ ffor frendschipe & for ȝiftes goode, ffor Mete & Drinke so gret plente Þat lord þat rauȝt was on þe Roode, He kepe þi comeli cumpayne; Line 12 On see or lond, wher þat ȝe be, He gouerne ow wiþ-outen greue; So good dispest ȝe han mad me, Aȝein my wille .I. take my leue. Line 16

(3)

¶ Aȝein mi wille al-þouȝ .I. wende, .I. may not al-wey dwellen here, ffor eueri þing schal haue an ende, And frendes are not ay .I.-fere; Line 20 Be we neuer so lef and dere, Out of þis world al schul we meue; And whon we buske vn-to vr bere, Aȝeyn vr wille we take vr leue. Line 24

(4)

¶ And wende we schulle, .I. wot neuer whenne, Ne whoderward þat we schul fare; But endeles blisse, or ay to brenne, To eueri mon is ȝarked ȝare. Line 28 ffor-þi .I. rede vch mon be ware, And lete vr werk vr wordes preue, So þat no sunne vr soule forfare Whon þat vr lyf haþ taken his leue. Line 32

(5)

¶ Whon þat vr lyf his leue haþ lauht, Vr bodi lith bounden bi þe wowe, Vr richesses alle from vs ben raft, In clottes colde vr cors is þrowe. Line 36 Wher are þi frendes ho wol þe knowe? Let seo ho wol þi soule releue? .I. rede þe, mon, ar þou ly lowe, Beo redi ay to take þi leue. Line 40

Line 40

(6)

¶ Be redi ay, what euer bi-falle, [folio 407b:2] Al sodeynli lest þou be kiht; Þou wost neuer whonne þi lord wol calle, Loke þat þi laumpe beo brennynge briht; Line 44 ffor leue me wel, but þou haue liht, Riht foule þi lord wol þe repreue, And fleme þe fer out of his siht, ffor al to late þou toke þi leue. Line 48

(7)

¶ Nou god, þat was in Bethleem bore, He ȝiue vs grace to serue him so Þat we mai come his face to-fore, Out of þis world whon we schul go; Line 52 And for to a-mende þat we mis-do, In Clei or þat we clynge and cleue, And mak vs euene wiþ frend and fo, And in good tyme to take vr leve. Line 56

(8)

¶ Nou haueþ good dai, gode men alle, Haueþ good dai, ȝonge and olde, Haueþ good day, boþe grete and smalle, And graunt-Merci a þousend folde. Line 60 Ȝif euere .I. miȝte, ful fayn .I. wolde Don ouȝt þat weore vn-to ȝow leue. Crist kepe ow out of cares colde, ffor nou is tyme to take my leue. Line 64

4. God is Love.

(7 stanzas of 8, abab abab.)

(1)

Deus caritas est: A, deore god, omnipotent, Lord þou madest boþe foul & best, On eorþe to mon þou here hit sent. Line 4 .I. warne ȝow alle, boþe more & lest, Charite .I. rede þat ȝe hent; ffor hit is cristes hest, Þat schal come to þe Iugement. Line 8

Line 8

(2)

¶ ffor whon he comeþ a domes-day Þat al þis world hit schal wel se, Þe wikked he biddeþ to gon heor way, In bitter penaunce for euere to be; Line 12 And to þe goode wol þat lord say: "Ȝe schul alle wende wiþ me In-to þe blisse for euere and ay; Et qui manet in caritate." Line 16

(3)

¶ God þat made boþe heuene & helle, Vre swete lord of Naȝareþ: Adam þat was so feir of felle ffor his folyes he suffred deþ. Line 20 In God forsoþe he schal dwelle, In charite ho so geþ, Hit is soþ þat I ou telle, Bi-hold and seo:—In deo manet. Line 24

(4)

¶ Crist was toren vch a lim, And on þe Roode he was .I.-do. Þe fend þat was so derk and dym, To þe crois he com þo,— Line 28 Crist, al charite is in him— Þere he ouer-com vs to. Charite .I. rede þat þou nym, And þenne Deus est in eo. Line 32

(5)

¶ Let Charite nou awake, And do hit þer neod is; Heuene forsoþe þen maiȝt þou take And come to þat riche blis: Line 36 Nou crist, for his Moder sake, Let vs neuere þis place mis, And schild vs from þe fendes blake, And Sit deus in nobis. Line 40

Line 40

(6)

¶ And charite .I. rede þat we be-ginne As bi-fore alle oþer games, And schriue vs clene of vre synne, ffor so dude Peter, Ion and Iames, Line 44 And þerfore god hem dwelled wiþ-Inne, ffor þei weoren alle wiþ-outen oþer blames. Crist, let vs heuene wynne, E(t) nos ipso maneamus. Line 48

(7)

¶ God þat dwelleþ in gret solas In heuene, þat riche regnyng, And for vs þolede gret trespas Wonder muche at vre muntyng, Line 52 On þe Roode don he was, In gret dispyt .I.-cleped a kyng. Þenkeþ nouþe On Deus caritas, And bring vs alle to good endyng. Line 56

5. Deo Gracias II.

(6 stanzas of 8; one abab baba; five abab bcbc.)

(1)

M .I. word is Deo gracias, In world wher me be wel or wo; Hou scholde I lauȝwhe or sigge Allas [folio 407b:3] ffor, leeue me wel, hit [ne] lasteþ o, Line 4 And þouȝ hit greue, hit wol ouer go, As þouȝt chaungeþ, for such is graas. Þerfore, wher me beo wel or wo, I sey not But deo gracias. Line 8

(2)

¶ Þouȝ I beo riche of gold so red, And liht to renne as is a Ro, Anoþur is boun to begge his bred Wiþ brestes blak and bleynes blo. Line 12 Whon .I. seo good de-parted so: To sum Mon God sent gret solas, And sum Mon ay to liuen in wo, Þen sei .I. Deo Gracias. Line 16

Line 16

(3)

¶ Þou he beo pore and lyue in peyn, Anoþer mon proudeþ as doþ a poo, Whon murþe is his & Mourning myn, As may be-falle to me and mo, Line 20 Ȝif fortune wolde be so my fo ffrom me to turne hir freoly faas; Seþþe god may sende boþe weole & wo, I sei not but Deo Gracias. Line 24

(4)

¶ A lord of worschup ȝif .I. ware, And weore falle doun in a wro, Siknesse sitteþ me so sare, And serwe wol neiȝ myn herte slo, Line 28 Þus am I bounde from top til to, And I turmente so for my trespas: Ȝif God may loose me of þat wo, And þenne I sey Deo Gracias. Line 32

(5)

¶ Whon I hedde spendyng her-be-forn, Þer wolde no felauschip fonde me fro, But herkne & hiȝe to myn horn, ffor in myn hond þer stod non ho. Line 36 Nou a-peereþ non of þo; So pouert a-peired haþ my plas. Ho may haue wele wiþ-oute wo? Þerfore I sey Deo gracias. Line 40

(6)

¶ Almihti, corteis, Crouned kyng, God, graunt vs grace to rule vs so Þat we may come to þi wonyng, Þer is wele wiþ-outen wo. Line 44 Milde Mayde, prey þi sone also, Þat he for-ȝiue vs vre trespas, And afterward in-to heuene go, Þer to synge Deo gracias. Amen. Line 48

6. Each Man ought himself to know.

(9 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1)

IN a Pistel þat poul wrouȝt, .I. fond hit writen, & seide riht þis: Vche cristne creature knowen himself ouȝt His oune vessel. and soþ hit is. Line 4 Nere help of him þat vs deore bouȝt, We weoren bore to luytel blis; Whon al þi gode dedes beþ þorw-souȝt, Seche, and þou schalt fynden A-mis. Line 8 Eueri mon scholde .I.-knowen his, And þat is luitel, as .I. trowe; To teche vs self, crist vs wis; flor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. Line 12

(2)

¶ Knowe þi-self what þou ware, Whon þou were of þi moder born, Ho was þi moder þat þe bare, And ho was þi fader þer-bi-foren; Line 16 Knowe hou þei beþ forþ fare; So schaltou þeiȝ þou hed sworen. Knowe þou come hider wiþ care; Þou nost neuer ȝif þou byde til morn; Line 20 Hou lihtly þou maiȝt be forlorn, But þou þi sinne schriue & schowe; ffor lond or kiþ, Catel or corn, Vche mon oute him-self to knowe. Line 24

(3)

¶ Knowe þi lyf; hit may not last, But as a blast blouh out þi breth; Tote, and bi a noþer mon tast; Riht as a glentand glem hit geth. Line 28 What is al þat forþ is past? hit fareþ as a fuir of heth. Þis worldes good awey wol wast, ffor synnes seeknesse þi soule sleþ. Line 32 And þat is a ful delful deþ, [folio 408] To saue þi soule and þou be slowe,

Wiþ þi Maystrie medel þi meþ, ffor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. Line 36

(4)

¶ Ȝif þou þi-self knowe con, ¶ Sit doun, and tac Countures rounde, Seþþe furst þou monnes wit bi-gon Hou ofte sunne þe haþ .I.-bounde. Line 40 And for vch a synne lei þou doun on, Til þou þi synnes haue .I.-souȝt vp sounde; Counte þi goode dedes euerichon, Abyd þer a while and stunte a stounde; Line 44 And ȝif þou fele þe siker and sounde, Þonk þou þi god, as þou wel owe; And ȝif þou art In sunne .I.-bounde Amende þe, and þi-self knowe. Line 48

(5)

¶ Knowe what god haþ for þe do: Made þe after his oune liknes; Seþþe, he com from heuene also, And diȝede for þe wiþ gret distres. Line 52 ffor þe he soffrede boþe pyne and wo; Knowe þou him and alle his: Who-so greueþ him Is worþi to go To helle-fuir, but he hit red[r]es, Line 56 And he be demed bi rihtfulnes; But his grace is so wyde .I.-sowe, ffrom his wraþþe .I. rede vs bles, ffor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. Line 60

(6)

¶ Knowe þi-self þat þou schalt dye, But what tyme, þou nost neuer whenne; Wiþ a twynklyng of an eiȝe, Eueri day þou hiȝest þe henne; Line 64 Þi fleschly foode þe wermes wol fye: Vche cristen mon ouȝte þis to kenne. Loke aboute and wel a-spye, Þis world doþ bote bi-traye menne; Line 68 And beo war of þe fuir þat euer schal brenne, And þenk þou regnest her but a þrowe;

Heuene-blisse þou schal haue þenne, ffor vche mon ouȝte him self to knowe. Line 72

(7)

¶ Knowe þi flesch, þat wol rote; ffor certes, þou maiȝt not longe endure; And nedes dye, hennes þou mote, Þei þou haue kyngdam [MS. kyngdan] and Empyre. Line 76 And sone þou schalt beo forgote; So schal souereyn, so schal syre. Hose leeueþ not þis, I. trouwe he dote, ffor eueri mok most in-to myre. Line 80 Preye we to god vr soules enspire, Or we ben logged in erþe lowe, Heuene to haue to vr huire; ffor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. Line 84

(8)

¶ Knowe þi kuynde Creatoure, Knowe what he for þe dide; Knowe þis worldly honoure, Hou sone þat hit is forþ .I.-slyde. Line 88 Ende of Ioye Is her doloure; Strengþe stont vs in no stide, But longyng & beoing in laboure; Vr Bost, vr Brag is sone ouerbide. Line 92 Arthur and Ector þat we dredde, Deth haþ leid hem wonderly lowe. Amende þe, Mon, euene forþ mide, ffor vche mon ouȝte him-self to knowe. Line 96

(9)

¶ Þi Concience schal þe saue and deme Wheþer þat þou beo ille or good; Grope aboute, and tak good ȝeme, Þer maiȝt þou wite, but þou beo wood, Line 100 Þer schalt þou þe same seone. Aske Merci wiþ Mylde mood, AMende þe, þou wot what .I. mene. Vche creatur þat beres bon and blood, Line 104 Preye we to god þat dyed on Rode, Ar vre breþ beo out .I.-blowe,

Þat cristes face mai ben vr foode, ffor vche mon ouȝte him self to knowe. Line 108

7. Think on Yesterday.

(15 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1)

Whon Men beoþ muriest at heor Mele, iþ mete & drink to maken hem glade, [iþ] worschip & wiþ worldlich wele Þei ben so set, þey conne not sade; Line 4 Þei haue no deynte for to dele [folio 408:2] Wiþ þinges þat ben deuoutli made, Þei weene heor honour & heore hele Schal euer laste & neuer diffade. Line 8 But in heor hertes .I. wolde þei hade, Whon þei gon ricchest men on array, Hou sone þat god hem may de-grade, And sum tyme þenk on ȝusterday. Line 12

(2)

¶ Þis day, as leef we may be liht Wiþ al þe murþes þat men may vise, To Reuele wiþ þis buirdes briht, Vche mon gayest on his gyse; Line 16 At þe last, hit draweþ to niht, Þat slep most make his Maystrise. Whon þat he haþ .I.-kud his miht, Þe morwe he boskeþ vp to rise, Line 20 Þen al draweþ hem to fantasy[s]e; Wher he is bi-comen, con no mon say,— And ȝif heo wuste þei weore ful wise,— ffor al is tornd to ȝesterday. Line 24

(3)

¶ Whose wolde þenke vppon þis, Mihte fynde a good enchesun whi To preue þis world al-wei .I.-wis Hit nis but fantum and feiri, Line 28 Þis erþly Ioye, þis worldly blis Is but a fikel fantasy;

ffor nou hit is, and nou hit nis, Þer may no mon þer-inne affy. Line 32 Hit chaungeþ so ofte & so sodeynly, To-day is her, to-morwe a-way. A siker ground ho wol him gy, I rede he þenke on ȝuster-day. Line 36

(4)

¶ ffor þer nis non so strong in stour, ffro tyme þat he ful waxen be, ffrom þat day forþ, euer-vch an hour, Of his strengþe he leost a quantite; Line 40 Ne no buryde so briht in bour, Of þritti wynter, .I. enseure þe, Þat heo ne schal fade as a flour, Luite and luite leosen hire beute. Line 44 Þe soþe ȝe may ȝor-self I-se, Beo ȝor eldres in good fay; Whon ȝe ben grettest in ȝour degre, I rede ȝe þenke on ȝesterday. Line 48

(5)

¶ Nis non so fresch on fote to fare, Ne non so fayr on fold to fynde, Þat þei ne schul a bere be brouȝt ful bare: Þis wrecched world nis but a wynde; Line 52 Ne non so stif to stunte ne stare, Ne non so bold, Beores to bynde, Þat he naþ warmynges to beo ware, ffor god is so cortys and so kynde. Line 56 Bi-hold þe lame, þe bedrede, þe blynde, Þat bit ȝou be war whil þat ȝe may; Þei make a Mirour to ȝor mynde, To us þe schap of ȝesterday. Line 60

(6)

¶ Þe lyf þat ony mon schal lede, Beþ certeyn dayes atte last, Þen moste vr terme schorte nede; Be o day comen, anoþer is past. Line 64 Herof and we wolde take good hede And in vr hertes a-countes cast,

Day bi day, wiþouten drede, Toward vr ende we draweþ ful fast. Line 68 Þen schal vr bodies in erþe be þrast, Vr Careyns chouched vnder clay; Her-of we ouȝte beo sore agast, And we wolde þenke on ȝesterday. Line 72

(7)

¶ Salamon seide in his poysi, He holdeþ wel betere wiþ an hounde Þat is lykyng and Ioly, And of seknesse hol and sounde, Line 76 Þen be a Leon, þouȝ he ly Cold and ded vppon þe grounde. Wherof serueþ his victori, Þat was so stif in vche a stounde? Line 80 Þe moste fool, I herde respounde, Is wysore whil he lyue may, Þen he þat hedde a þousend pounde And was buried ȝuster-day. Line 84

(8)

¶ Socrates seiþ a word ful wys: [folio 408:3] Hit were wel betere for to se A Mon þat nou parteþ and dys, Þen a feste of Realte; Line 88 Þe feste wol make his flesch to ris, And drawe his herte to vanite; Þe Bodi þat on þe Bere lys, Scheweþ þe same þat we schal be. Line 92 Þat ferful fit may no mon fle, Ne wiþ no wiles win hit a-way; Þerfore a-mong al Iolyte, Sum tyme þenk on ȝusterday. Line 96

(9)

¶ But ȝit me merueyles ouer al Þat god let mony mon croke and elde, Whon miht & strengþe is from hem fal, Þat þei may not hem-self a-welde; Line 100 And now þis beggers most principal, Þat good ne profyt may non ȝelde.

To þis purpos onswere .I. schal, Whi god sent such men boote & belde; Line 104 Crist, þat Made boþe flour & felde, Let suche men lyue, forsoþe to say, Whon a ȝong mon on hem bi-helde, Scholde seo þe schap of ȝesterday. Line 108

(10)

¶ A noþur skile þer is, for whi Þat God let such men liue so longe: ffor þei beþ treacle and remedi ffor synful men þat han do wronge. Line 112 In hem þe seuen dedes of Merci A Mon may fulfille a-monge; And also þis proude men may þer-bi A feir Mirour vnderfonge. Line 116 ffor þer nis non so stif ne stronge, Ne no ladi [so] stout ne gay, Bi-hold what ouer hor hed con honge, And sum tyme þenk on ȝusterday. Line 120

(11)

¶ I. haue wist, sin I. cuþe meen, Þat children haþ bi candel liht Heor schadewe on þe wal i-sen, And Ronne þer-after al þe niht; Line 124 Bisy a-boute þei han ben To cacchen hit wiþ al heore miht, And whon þei cacchen hit, best wolde wene, Sannest hit schet out of heor siht; Line 128 Þe schadewe cacchen þei ne miht, ffor no lynes þat þei couþe lay. Þis schadewe .I. may likne a-riht To þis world and ȝusterday. Line 132

(12)

¶ In-to þis world whon we beþ brouȝt, We schul be tempt to couetyse, And al þi wit schal be þorw-souȝt To more good þen þou may suffyse. Line 136 Whon þou þenkest best in þi þouȝt On Richesse, fo[r]te regne and ryse,

Al þi trauayle turneþ to nouȝt, ffor sodeynly on deþ þou dyese; Line 140 Þi lyf þou hast .I.-lad wiþ lyȝes, So þis world gon þe be-tray. Þerfore .I. rede þou þis dispys, And sum tyme þenk on ȝuster-day. Line 144

(13)

¶ Mon, ȝif þi neiȝebor þe Manas Oþur to culle or to bete, .I. knowe me siker in þe cas Þat þou wolt drede þi neiȝebores þrete, Line 148 And neuer a day þi dore to pas Wiþ-oute siker defense and grete, And ben purueyed in vche a plas Of sekernes and help to gete; Line 152 Þin enymy woltou not for-ȝete, But ay beo afert of his affray: Ensaumple herof .I. wol ȝou trete, To make ȝou þenke of ȝuster-day. Line 156

(14)

¶ Wel þou wost wiþ-outen fayle Þat deþ haþ manast þe to dye; But whon þat he wol þe a-sayle, Þat wost þou not, ne neuer may spye. Line 160 Ȝif þou wolt don be my counsayle, Wiþ siker defence beo ay redye! ffor siker defence in þis batayle, Is clene lyf, parfyt and trye. Line 164 Put þi trust in godes Mercye, [folio 408b] Hit is þe beste at al assay, And euer among þou þe en-nuye In-to þis world and ȝuster-day. Line 168

(15)

¶ Sum men seiþ þat deþ is a þef, And al vnwarned wol on him stele; And .I. sey nay, and make a pref, Þat deþ is studefast, trewe and lele, Line 172 And warneþ vche mon of his greef, Þat he wol o day wiþ him dele:

Þe lyf þat is to ow so leof, He wol ȝou reue, and eke or hele; Line 176 Þis poyntes may no mon him repele. He comeþ so baldely to pyke his pray, Whon men beoþ muryest at heor Mele: I rede ȝe þenke on ȝusterday. Line 180

8. Keep well Christ's Commandments.

(13 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

I warne vche leod þat liueþ in londe, And do hem dredles out of were, Þat þei most studie and vnderstonde, Þe lawe of crist to loue and lere. Line 4 Þer nis no mon fer ne nere Þat may him-seluen saue vn-schent, But he þat casteþ wiþ concience clere To kepe wel Cristes Comaundement. Line 8

(2)

¶ Þow most haue o God, and no mo, And serue him boþe with mayn and miht; And ouer alle þinges loue him also, ffor he haþ lant þe lyf and liht. Line 12 Ȝif þou beo nuyȝed day or niht In peyne be meke and pacient, And rule þe ay be reson riht, And kep wel Cristes Comaundement. Line 16

(3)

¶ And let þi neiȝhebor, frend and fo, Riht frely of þi frendschupe fele, In herte þat þou wilne hem so Riht as þou woldest þi-self weore wele; Line 20 And help to sauen hem from vncele, So þat heore soules beo not schent, And also heore care þou helpe to kele, And kepe wel Cristes comaundement. Line 24

Line 24

(4)

¶ In Idel, Godes nome tak þou nouȝt, But cese, and saue þe from þat synne; Swere bi no þing þat God haþ wrouht; Be war his wraþþe, lest þou hit wynne; Line 28 But bisy þe her bale to blynne Þat blaberyng are wiþ oþes blent, Vncouþe & knowen & of þi kynne, And kep wel cristes comaundement. Line 32

(5)

¶ In clannes and in cristes werk Haue mynde to holden þin haly day, And drauh þe þenne from dedes derk, Wiþ al þi meyne, Mon and may; Line 36 And men vnsauȝte, loke þou assay To sauȝten hem þenne at on assent, And pore and seke þou plese & pay, And kepe wel cristes Comaundement. Line 40

(6)

¶ Þi ffader, þi Moder, þou worschupe boþe, Ȝif þou wolt boteles bale escheuwe; With counseil cumforte him, with mete & cloþe, As þou sest hem neodeþ newe; Line 44 And ȝif þei talke of tales vntrewe, Þou torn hem out of þat entent, And cristes lawe help þat þei knewe, And kep wel cristes Comaundement! Line 48

(7)

¶ Sle no mon wiþ wikked wille, Be war, and vengeaunce tak þou non; In word ne dede, loude ne stille, Bakbyte þou no mon, blod ny bon, Line 52 But ay let gabbynges glyde and gon A-wey wher þei wol glace or glent, And help þat alle men ben at on, And kep wel cristes comaundement. Line 56

(8)

¶ Stele þou nouȝt þi neiȝebors þing, Nouþur with stillnes ne wiþ strif,

Nor with no-maner wrong getyng, Þi self, þi seruaunt, child ne wyf; Line 60 To sulle & buye ȝif þou be ryf, Wayte al-way þat wrong be went; As þou wolt lyue þe lastyng lyf, Þou kepe wel cristes comaundement. Line 64

(9)

¶ ffals witnesse loke þow non bere, [folio 408b:2] Ȝif þow wolt in blisse a-byde, Þi neiȝebore wityngly to dere, Ne no mon nouþer in no syde; Line 68 But loke þat no mon be anuyȝed, And þou may him from harmes hent, And help þat falshede beo distruiet, And kep wel cristes comaundement. Line 72

(10)

¶ Sunge þou not in lecherie; Such lust vn-leueful, let hit pas; Consente þou not to such folye, Þat founden is so foul trespas, Line 76 And loke þat nouþer more ne las Þi lykyng on þat lust be lent, Leste þou synge þis songe 'allas, ffor brekyng of cristes comaundement.' Line 80

(11)

¶ Þi neiȝhebors wyf coueyte þou nouȝt Vnleuefully aȝeynes þe lawe, Wiþ hire to sunge in word ne þouȝt, And from þat deede euer þou þe drawe, Line 84 And neuer sey to hire no sawe To make hire to synne assent, Ne plese hire not with no mis-plawe, But kep wel cristes comaundement. Line 88

(12)

¶ Þi neiȝhebors hous, wenche ne knaue, Vnskilfully coueyte þou nouht, Ne ȝit his good with wrong to haue; ffor hit lest þou to bale be brouht. Line 92 ffor whon þe soþe schal vp be souht, Ȝif þou in-to þis sunnes assent,

fful bitterly hit mot be bouȝt, ffor brekyng of cristes Comaundement. Line 96

(13)

¶ Vche mon þat wol þis lessun lere And loueþ a laweful lyf to lede, He may not misse on none manere Þe merþe of heuene to his mede; Line 100 ffor crist him here wol helpe & hede, And heþene in-to heuene hent. ffor-þi .I. preye þat crist vs spede Kuyndely to kepe his comaundement. Line 104

9. Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent. [See the after poem, "But thou say sooth, thou shalt be shent," no. 29, p. 740.]

(8 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1)

ÞE Mon þat luste to liuen in ese Or eny worschupe her to ateyne, His purpos I counte not worþ a pese, Witterli, but he ordeyne Line 4 Þis wikkid world hou he schal plese Wiþ al his pouwer and his peyne; Ȝif he schal kepe him from disese, He mot lerne to flatere and feyne; Line 8 Herte & mouþ loke þei ben tweyne, Þei mowe not ben of on assent; And ȝit his tonge he mot restreyne, ffor hos seiþ þe soþe, he schal be schent. Line 12

(2)

¶ Þus is þe soþe .I.-kept in close, And vche mon makeþ touh and queynte To leue þe tixt and take þe glose; Eueri word þei coloure and peynte. Line 16 Summe þer aren þat wolden suppose ffor no tresour forte ben teynte: Let a mon haue not to lose, He schal fynde frenschipe feynte. Line 20

Line 20 Summe þat semen an Innocent, Wonder trewe in heore entent, Þei beoþ agast of eueri pleynt, ffor hos seiþ þe soþe, he schal be schent. Line 24

(3)

¶ Þe wikked wone we may warie, Þat eueri man þus Inward bledes. Let a lord haue his Corlarie, he schal wel knowe of al his dedes; Line 28 Þauȝ he be next his sacratarie, Wiþ flaterynge his lord he fedes, And wiþ sum speche he most him tarie, And þus wiþ lesynges him he ledes; Line 32 To gabben his lord most him nedes, And wiþ sum blaundise make him blent: To leosen his offys euere he dredes, ffor ȝif he þe soþe seiþ, he schal be schent. Line 36

(4)

¶ And al is wrong; þat dar .I. preue; ffor let a mon be sore .I.-wounde, Hou schulde a leche þis mon releeue, But ȝif he miȝte ronsake þe wounde? Line 40 ffor þauȝ hit smerte & sumdel greue, [folio 408b:3] Ȝit most he suffre a luitel stounde. Ȝif he kneuh of his mischeue, Wiþ salues he miȝte make him sounde. Line 44 Were grace at large, þat lippe i-bounde, Hap and hele mihte we hent; Lac of leche wol vs confounde, ffor hos seiþ þe soþe, he schal be schent. Line 48

(5)

¶ ffor let a frere in Godes seruise Þe pereles to þe peple preche, Of vre misdede & vre quyntise, Þe trewe tixt to telle and teche; Line 52 Þauȝ he beo riht witti and wyse, Ȝit luytel þonk he schal him reche, And summe þer ben þat wol him spise, And bleþely wayte him wiþ sum wreche. Line 56

Line 56 Þis pore prechour þei wolen apeche At counseyl and at parliment; But ȝif he kepe him out of heore cleche, ffor his soþ sawe he schal be schent. Line 60

(6)

¶ Seþþe þe tyme þat god was boren, Þis world was neuer so vntrewe; Men recchen neuer to ben for-sworen, To reuen þat is hem ful duwe; Line 64 Þe peynted word þat fel bi-foren, Be-hynde, hit is anoþer hewe. Whon Gabriel schal blowe his horn, His feble fables schul hym rewe: Line 68 Þe tonges þat such bargeyn gon brewe, Hit weore non harm þouȝ þei were brent. Þus þis gyle is founde vp of newe, ffor hos seiþ soþ, he schal be schent. Line 72

(7)

¶ Siþen þe soþe dar no mon say, ffor drede to gete him a fo, Best .I. holde hit, in good fay, Let o day come, anoþer go Line 76 And mak as murie as we may, Til eueri frend parte oþur fro. .I. drede hit draweþ to domes-day, Such saumples we han, & oþer two: Line 80 Now knowes a child boþe weole & wo Þat scholde ben an Innocent, Whil hit is ȝong, is norissched so; But hos seiþ soþ, he schal be schent. Line 84

(8)

¶ Þis world wol han his wikked wone, ffor soþe, hit wol non oþer be; His cursede cours þat is bi-gonne, Þer may no mon from hit fle Line 88 Þat haþ longe a-mong vs ronne, His oune defaute mai he not se. Þe fader trust not to þe sone, Ne non to oþer in no degre; Line 92

Line 92 ffalshede is called a sotilte And such a nome hit haþ hent. Þis lesson lerneþ alle at me: Ho seiþ þe soþe, he schal be schent. Line 96

10. Fy on a faint Friend!

(9 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

Frenschipe faileþ & fullich fadeþ; ffeiþful frendes fewe we fynde, But glosers þat vche mon gladeþ Wiþ feire bi-hesteþ and wordes as wylde. Line 4 But let a mon ones be cast be-hynde, And wiþ þis world turmented & tenet, He schal ful sone ben out of mynde. And þere, fy on a feynt frend! Line 8

(2)

¶ Þe while þat þou ledest þi lyf in ese And goodlich gouernest þyn astate, Þe fyndest Inouwe þat wol þe plese And folwe þi wil boþe erliche & late. Line 12 Ȝif þi los bi-gynne to abate, And þy good from þe gon wende, Þei schul be þe furste þat þe wol hate: And þer, fy on a feynt frende! Line 16

(3)

¶ Þus þou schalt, ar þou haue nede, Al þi frendes folly I-knowen And seyen heo dor not helpen þe ffor drede, for fere þei lost her owen. Line 20 Þei þat sum tyme wente ful lowe, hem luste no lengore wiþ þe to lende, Beo-hynde þi bak heo makeþ a Mouwe. And þer, fy on a feynt frende! Line 24

(4)

¶ To þi-self trust al-wei best, [folio 409] ffor as þou dost, so schaltou haue. Brek þe leste bouȝ of þi nest, Þe fyndest .I.-nouwe wol hit þe bi-raue, Line 28

Line 28 And wole dispise þe and repraue, And sakeles wayte þe schame and schende: In such a cas, so god me saue, And euere, fy on a feynt frende! Line 32

(5)

¶ Ȝif þou wolt not ben frendles, Lern to kepe þat þou hast; Loke þou be not penyles, Ne spend þou nouȝt þi good in wast. Line 36 Or þou haue nede, þi frendes [MS. frendest] a-tast, Wȝuche be stif & wȝuche wol bende; And þer þou fynde bouwynde or bast, And euer, fy on a feynt frende! Line 40

(6)

¶ In feiþ, þat ffrendschip hold .I. nouȝt To profer þe, whon þou hast no nede; But ȝif þou weore in daunger brouȝt, Hose helpeþ þe þenne is worþi meede. Line 44 Hose wolde þe nouþer profre ne beode, He serueþ þonk wiþ-outen ende; Such frendes are fewe I-laft in leode. And þerfore, fy on a feynt frende! Line 48

(7)

¶ Ho scholde eny frendschupe ben .I.-founde? Good feiþ is flemed out of þis londe; Þer is more treuþe in an hounde Þen in sum mon, .I. vnderstonde. Line 52 Knackes & mowes þei han In honde Witterli to plese þe fende. He þat furst þat frendschip fonde, Euer fy on him, for a feynt frende! Line 56

(8)

¶ Eueri mon .I. counseile To gouerne him in such a wyse, Ȝif hit so beo þat frendschup fayle, His owne deden wol maken him ryse; Line 60 Hold him In a mene asyse Euer to beo corteys and hende;

Þen baldely may he dispise, Euere fy on a feynt frende. Line 64

(9)

¶ Þi[s] lessun loke þat ȝe leore, Whon ȝe haþe soþe souȝt and seid; Trust on non such frendschup here; Ho sannest do, is tytes bi-trayed. Line 68 Loke al ȝor loue on him beo leyd, ffor vs on Rode was prikket & prenet; Do we so þat crist beo payet And þenne we hauen a syker frend. Line 72

11. Thank God of all.

(17 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

BI a wey wandryng as .I. went Sore .I. syked for serwyng sad; ffor harde happes þat .I. haue hent, Mournyng mad me al-most mad. Line 4 Vn-til a lettre al-one me lad Þat wel was writen on a wal; A blisful word þer .I. rad Euere to þonke god of al. Line 8

(2)

¶ Þauȝ þou waxe blynd or lome, Or eny seknesse on þe be set, Þenk riht wel hit is no schome, Wiþ such grace god haþ þe gret. Line 12 In serwe & tene þou art .I.-knit, And þi catel bi-ginneþ to fal; .I. not neuere hou þou myst do bot, But euere to þonke god of al. Line 16

(3)

¶ Ȝif þou welde worldes goode, Ryally rayed in þi rest, ffeir of face, freoly of foode, Nis non þe lyk, bi Est ne West, Line 20

Line 20 Ȝit god may senden as him lust, Riches to torne as a Bal. In vche a maner .I. holde hit best, Euere to þonke god of al. Line 24

(4)

¶ Ȝif þi catel be-ginne to pase, And after waxest a pore mon, Tak good cumfort & bere good face, And trust on hym þat al good won. Line 28 In God furst al goodnes bi-gon; He may vs reue boþe bour and hal. Better cumfort .I. non con, But euer to þonke god of al. Line 32

(5)

¶ Þenk on Iob þat was so riche, [folio 409:2] Hou he wox pore from day to day; His beestes doun dyȝeden in eueri diche His catel vanischt al a-way; Line 36 .I.-put he was in pore array Nouþer in purpul ne in pal, But in symple wede, as clerkes say, And euer he þonked god of al. Line 40

(6)

¶ ffor faute of Catel, Iobpus floures ffaded and fel clene him fro; In seknesse he soffred scharpe schoures Wiþ honger, chele, repreof & wo. Line 44 God sende him hele and catel bo, Toun and tour, and steede in stal, ffor he neuer grucched in wele ne wo, But euer þonked God of al. Line 48

(7)

¶ Hose serueþ crist wiþ trewe entent, Þe ffend þerto wol han Envye, Þorw mis-beeleeue to make him schent, And he him cacche in his baylye. Line 52 Þauh he þin hele and catel struye, Let studefast herte stonde in stal,

And trustne to God þat sit so heiȝe And euer to þonken him of al. Line 56

(8)

¶ Ac mony mon comeþ vp of nouȝt, And geteþ godes gret plente; Þorw pruide & bost he makeþ touȝt, And clene for-ȝit his pouerte. Line 60 Þen grete wronges worcheþ he To hem þat he may ouer cal, ffor þat þei mowe no forþer fle, But euer to þonke god of al. Line 64

(9)

¶ Me prikeþ þe Oxe in þe plouh, Whon he is ȝong, vntoun and wylde, He wol Rore and make hit touh, And of his drauȝt ben vn-bylde; Line 68 Þe more he torneþ out of his tylde, Þe driuere wole him boxe and Bral: So god wol þe, but þou be mylde, And euere to þonken him of al. Line 72

(10)

¶ Aȝeyn God to grucche is gret trespas, Þat such sondes may sende bi est & west; Þi worldlich wo may turne to solas Whon þou lyst clongen & closed in chest, Line 76 Whon þou schalt wenden to trauayl or rest, Þi worldlich weole hit is but smal. In vche a maner, hit is þe best, Euer to þonke God of al. Line 80

(11)

¶ ffor goddes loue, so do we, ffor he may boþe ȝiue and take; In what meschef þat euer we be, he is mihti I-nouȝ vr serwe to slake. Line 84 Good amendes he wol vs make, And we to him wol crie & cal, What weole or wo þat we in wake, And euer to þonken god of al. Line 88

Line 88

(12)

¶ Þeiȝ þou be in prisun cast Or eny distresse men doþ þe beode, ffor godes loue þou beo studefast And haue good mynde vppon þi crede. Line 92 Þenk God feyleþ þe neuer at neode, Þat derworþe duyk vs deme schal. Whon þou art wo, þerto tak hede, And euer to þonken him of al. Line 96

(13)

¶ And þei þi frendes from þe fayle And deþ ha raft hem of heore lyue, Wharto schuldestou wepe or waile? Hit is no boote wiþ god to striue. Line 100 God maade boþe Mon and wyue; hit is skil he tak vs; we ben his þral. What-so þou þole or elles to þryue, Euer to þonke god of al. Line 104

(14)

¶ Diuerse sondes crist haþ .I.-sent Boþe here and eke in oþer place: Tac we hit wiþ trewe entent, Þe sannore he wole sende vs grace. Line 108 Þauȝ þat vr bodies ben brouȝt in bace, Let not ȝor hertes ben vn-tal, And þenk þat god is þer he was, And euer to þonken him of al. Line 112

(15)

¶ ffor Godes loue be not to wylde, [folio 409:3] Reule ȝow in Reson alle to Route, And tak wiþ trewe tent & mylde, Diuerse sondes crist sent a-boute: Line 116 Þen dar .I. seyen wiþ-outen doute, In heuene-blisse is maad vr stal, To Riche & pore þat lowe wol loute, Euer to þonke God of al. Line 120

(16)

¶ Þis world is good & nouȝt in gesse To hem þat wolen kuynde be,

And parte aboute of heore richesse To hem þat ben In pouerte. Line 124 A wonder þing hit is to se Þat kuynde loue adoun schal fal. Better cumfort non con .I. me, But euer to þonke god of al. Line 128

(17)

¶ Ȝit .I. radde forþer-more— Trewe entent I tok þertil,— Þat crist may riht wel vr stat restore, Hit nis nouȝt to striuen aȝeines his wil. Line 132 He may vs saue, he may vs spil; Þenk riht wel we ben his þral. Þouȝ we haue not al vr wil, Euermore þonke we god of al. Line 136

12. This World fares as a Fantasy.

(11 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1)

I wolde witen of sum wys wiht Witterly what þis world were. Hit fareþ as a foules fliht, Now is hit henne, now is hit here; Line 4 Ne be we neuer so muche of miht, Now be we on benche, nou be we on bere, And be we neuer so war and wiht, Now be we sek, now beo we fere; Line 8 Now is on proud wiþ-outen peere, Now is þe selue .I.-set not by; And whos wol alle þing her[t]ly here, Þis world fareþ as a ffantasy. Line 12

(2)

¶ Þe sonnes cours we may wel kenne, Aryseþ Est and geþ doun West. Þe Ryuers in-to þe séé þei renne, And hit is neuer þe more al-mest. Line 16 Wyndes Rosscheþ her and henne, In snouȝ and reyn is non arest.

¶ Whon þis wol stunte, ho wot, or whenne, But only god on grounde grest? Line 20 Þe eorþe in on is euer prest, Now bi-dropped, now al druyȝe. But vche gome glit forþ as a gest; Þis world fareþ as a ffantasye. Line 24

(3)

¶ Kunredes come, & kunredes gon, As Ioyneþ generacions; But alle heo passeþ, euerichon, ffor al heor preparacions, Line 28 Sum are for-ȝete clene as bon A-mong alle-maner nacions. So schul men þenken vs no-þing on, Þat nou han þe ocupacions, Line 32 And alle þeos disputacions Idelyche all vs ocupye, ffor crist makeþ þe creacions, And þis world fareþ as a fantasye. Line 36

(4)

¶ Whuch is Mon, ho wot, and what, Wheþer þat he be ouȝt or nouht? Of Erþe & Eyr groweþ vp a gnat, And so doþ Mon whon al his souht. Line 40 Þauȝ mon be waxen gret and fat, Mon melteþ a-wey so deþ a mouht; Monnes miht nis worþ a Mat, But nuyȝeþ him-self and turneþ to nouȝt. Line 44 Ho wot, saue he þat al haþ wrouȝt, Wher mon bi-comeþ whon he schal dye? Ho knoweþ bi dede, ouȝt bote bi þouȝt? ffor þis world fareþ as a fantasye. Line 48

(5)

¶ Dyeþ mon, and beestes dye, And al is on Ocasion: And alle o deþ, hos boþe drye, And han on Incarnacion; Line 52 Saue þat men beoþ more sleyȝe, Al is o comparison.

ho wot ȝif monnes soule styȝe, And bestes soules synkeþ doun? Line 56 Who knoweþ Beestes entencioun, [folio 409b] On heor creatour how þei crie, Saue only god þat knoweþ heore soun? ffor þis world fareþ as a fantasye. Line 60

(6)

¶ Vche secte hopeþ to be saue, Baldely bi heore bi-leeue, ¶ And vchon vppon God heo craue: Whi schulde God wiþ hem him greue? Line 64 Vchon trouweþ þat oþur Raue, But alle heo cheoseþ God for cheue, And hope in God vchone þei haue, And bi heore wit heore worching preue. Line 68 Þus mony maters men dou meue, Sechen heor wittes hou and why, But Godes Merci vs alle bi-heue, ffor þis world fareþ as a fantasy. Line 72

(7)

¶ ffor þus men stumble & sere heore wittes, And meueþ maters mony and fele; Summe leeueþ on him, sum leueþ on hit, As children leorneþ for to spele. Line 76 But non seoþ non þat a-bit, Whon stilly deþ wol on hym stele. ffor he þat hext in heuene sit, He is þe help and hope of hele; Line 80 ffor wo is ende of worldes wele: Vche lyf loke wher þat .I. lye. Þis world is fals, fikel and frele, And fareþ but as a fantasye. Line 84

(8)

¶ Wharto wilne we forte knowe Þe poyntes of Godes priuete? More þen him lustnes forte schowe, We schulde not knowe in no degre, Line 88 And Idel bost is forte blowe A Mayster of diuinite;

Þenk we lyue in eorþe her lowe, And God an heiȝ in Mageste. Line 92 Of Material Mortualite Medle we & of no more Maistrie. Þe more we trace þe Trinite, Þe more we falle in fantasye. Line 96

(9)

¶ But leue we vre disputisoun, And leeue on him þat al haþ wrouȝt; We mowe no[t] preue bi no resoun Hou he was born þat al vs bouȝt. Line 100 But hol in vre entencioun Worschipe we him in herte & þouȝt, ffor he may turne kuyndes vpsedoun Þat alle kuyndes made of nouȝt. Line 104 Whon al vr bokes ben forþ brouht, And al vr craft of clergye, And al vr wittes ben þorw-out souȝt, Ȝit we fareþ as a fantasye. Line 108

(10)

¶ Of fantasye is al vr fare, Olde & ȝonge and alle I-fere. But make we murie & sle care And worschipe we god, whil we ben here, Line 112 Spende vr good and luytel spare; And vche mon cheries oþeres cheere, Þenk hou we comen hider al bare, Vr wey wendyng is in a were. Line 116 Prey we þe prince þat haþ no pere, Tac vs hol to his Merci And kepe vr Concience clere, ffor þis world is but fantasy. Line 120

(11)

¶ Bi ensaumple men may se: A gret treo groweþ out of þe grounde; No þing a-bated þe eorþe wol be Þauȝ hit be huge, gret and rounde. Line 124 Riht þer wol Rooten þe selue tre, Whon elde haþ maad his kuynde aswounde;

Þauȝ þer weore rote suche þre, Þe eorþe wol not encrece a pounde. Line 128 Þus waxeþ & wanteþ Mon, hors & hounde; ffrom nouȝt to nouȝt þus henne we hiȝe And her we stunteþ but a stounde, ffor þis world is but fantasye. Line 132

13. Ay, Mercy, God!

(12 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

As I wandrede her bi weste ffaste vnder a forest syde, I seiȝ a wiht went him to reste, Vnder a bouȝh he gon a-byde; Line 4 Þus to crist ful ȝeor[n]e he criȝede, And boþe his hondes he held on heiȝ: "Of pouert, plesaunce & eke of pruide. Ay, Merci, God, And graunt-Merci. [I take Merci to be used in this poem in the twofold sense of Mercy and Thanks.] Line 8

(2)

¶ God, þat I haue I-greuet þe In wille & werk, in word and dede, Almihti lord, haue Merci of me Þat for my sunnes þi blod gon schede! Line 12 Of wit & worschupe, weole & wede I þonke þe, lord, ful Inwardly; Al in þis world, hou euere I spede, Ay Merci, god, And graunt Merci. Line 16

(3)

¶ Graunt Merci, god, of al þi ȝifte, Of wit & worschupe, weole & wo; In to þe, lord, myn herte I lifte, Let neuer my dedes twynne. vs a-two. Line 20 Merci þat I haue mis do, And sle me nouȝt sodeynly! Þouȝ ffortune wolde be frend or fo, Ay Merci, God, And graunt Merci. Line 24

Line 24

(4)

¶ I am vnkuynde, and þat I knowe, And þou hast kud me gret kuyndenes; Þerfore wiþ humbel herte and lowe, Merci and for-ȝiuenes Line 28 Of Pruyde and of vnboxumnes! What eueri sonde be, þus sey I, In hap and hele, and in seknes, Ay Merci, god, And graunt Merci. Line 32

(5)

¶ Graunt Merci, God, of al þi grace, Þat fourmed me wiþ wittes fyue, Wiþ ffeet and hond, & eke of face And lyflode, whil I am alyue. Line 36 Siþen þou hast ȝiue me grace to þryue, And I haue Ruled me Rechelesly, I weore to blame, and I wolde striue, But Merci, God, And Graunt Merci. Line 40

(6)

¶ Merci þat I haue mis-spent Mi wittes fyue! þerfore I wepe; To dedly synnes ofte haue I asent, Þi Comaundemens couþe I neuer kepe; Line 44 To sle my soule In sunne I slepe, And lede my lyf in Lecheri, ffrom Couetyse couþe I neuere crepe; Ay Merci, God, And Graunt Merci. Line 48

(7)

¶ Of oþes grete and Gloteny, Of wanhope and of wikked wille: Bacbyte my neiȝhebors for enuy, And for his good I wolde him culle; Line 52 Trewe men to Robbe and spille, Of Symony and with surquidri; Of al þat euere I haue don ille, Ay Merci, God, And graunt Merci. Line 56

(8)

¶ Bi lawe I scholde no lengor liue Þen I hedde don a dedly synne;

Graunt Merci þat ȝe wolde forgiue, And ȝeue me space to mende me Inne! Line 60 ffrom wikked dedes & I wolde twynne, To Receyue me ȝe beo redi In-to þi blisse þat neuer schal blynne. Nou Merci, God, And graunt Merci. Line 64

(9)

¶ Graunt Merci, for þou madest me, Merci, for I haue don a-Mis; Min hope, Min help is hol in þe, And þou hast ȝore bi-heiht me þis: Line 68 Whos euere is Baptiȝed schal haue Blis, And he Rule him Rihtwysli. To worche þi wille, lord, þou me wis! Nou Merci, God, And graunt Merci. Line 72

(10)

¶ Soþfast god, what schal I say, how schulde I amendes make, Þat plesed þe neuere in-to þis day Ne schop me nouȝt mi sunnes forsake? Line 76 But schrift of mouþe mi sunnus schal slake, And I schal sece and beo sori, And to þi Merci I me take. Nou Merci, God, [And] Graunt Merci. Line 80

(11)

¶ ffader & sone and holigost, Graunt Merci, God, wiþ herte liht, ffor þou woldest not þat I weore lost. Þe ffader haþ ȝiuen me a miht, Line 84 Þe sone a science and a siht And wit to welde me worschupely, Þe Holigost vr grace haþ diht. Nou Merci, God, And graunt Merci. Line 88

(12)

¶ Þis is þe Trone þat twynned neuere, And preued is persones þre, Þat is and was and schal ben euere, Only God in Trinite; Line 92

Line 92 help vs, Prince of alle pite, Atte day þat we schal dy, Þi swete face þat we may se. Nou Merci, God, And Graunt Merci. Line 96

14. Truth ever is best.

(9 stanxas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

HOse wolde him wei a-vyse Of þis wrecched world, I weene, I hope ful wel he schulde dispise Þe foule falshede þat þer-in bene. Line 4 Certes, sum day schal be sene, Much eorþly labour schal be lest; Whon good and vuel vr dedes schal deme, We schal wel fynde þat treuþe is best. Line 8

(2)

Treuþe is best for kyng and kniht, Certes, hose riȝt wol rede; Among þis ladyes feir and briht Hit schulde be loued in vch a leode; Line 12 Þis Marchauns worþli vnder wede, To buyȝe & selle þei ben ful prest, Among hem alle schuld no falshede, But vsen trouþe, þat euere i[s] best. Line 16

(3)

Sikerli, I dar wel say, In al þis world nis heo ne he, Þat þei wolde fayn, ȝif þat þei may, Leden heore lyf in prosperite, Line 20 And als swiþe as þei schulde dyȝe, Til heuene þat þei mote come ful prest. Þat noble plase þei neiȝe ner neih But ȝif þei meyntene trouþe for best. Line 24

(4)

Trouþe schal deme vs alle be-dene, He wol do trewely and no wrong;

I hope we schal boþe seye and sene Þat we han contraried him al to long. Line 28 And þerfore, lordes boþe stout and strong Þat may deeme her riht as þé lest, ffor Godes loue wis þou so among, Þat trouþe be meyntened for þe best. Line 32

(5)

And þerfore haue þis in ȝour muynde, Hose medleþ wiþ þe lawe: Let neuer falshed aȝeynes vnkuynde ffordon trouþe ne soþ sawe. Line 36 ffor falshed euermore schal stonde awe On trouþe þauȝ he be neuer so prest. ffor godes loue let neuer gold þe drawe Aȝeynes trouþe þat euer is best. Line 40

(6)

Wolde we rule us al wiþ trouþe, And mak him hollych vr gouernour, We schulde keuere out of synne & slouþe, And of Chiualrye bere þe flour: Line 44 ffor trouþe in were may most endour, And euer is biggest at þe lest. ffor godes loue, graunt we him socour, And mayntene trouþe þat euer is best. Line 48

(7)

Trouþe was sum tyme here a lord; wiþ him alle vertues, as I wene; Ȝit Spayne, Brutayne wol bere record, And oþer diuerse londes be-dene, Line 52 Þat we endouwed hem as þei schulde bene, And made hem lordes to lyue in rest: Þer dorste no falshede with hem be sene, So loued þei trouþe, þat euer is best. Line 56

(8)

Wolde we ȝit lete trouþe aȝeyn Be lord, and bere his heritage, Al oþer londes schuld be ful fayn To don vs feute and homage: Line 60

Line 60 Baldelych þis dar I wage, And falshede & his lore weore lest, Þei schulde not dure vn-to a page To werre with trouþe þat euer is best. Line 64

(9)

ffalshed may wel regne a while Þorw Meyntenaunce of couetise; Atte last his grount wol him be-gyle, A while þouȝ he be neuer so wyse. Line 68 ffalshed haþ ben most in pris Boþe bi North and eke bi West: We schul him hunte as Cat doþ mys, Whon trouþe him cheues þat euer is best. Line 72

15. Charity is no longer dear.

(14 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

HOse wolde be-þenke him weel Ou þis world is went, I-wis, And couþe enterly grope & feel Þe foule falshede þat þer-in is, Line 4 I durste be bold, so haue I blis, Þat mony good mon schuld haue mateere Te meue & mourne and fare a-Mis, ffor charite is no lengor cheere. Line 8

(2)

Mony a Mon, riht as him seemeþ, A þing þat he neuer kneuh ne wist, Boþe lordes & Mene Men he demeþ, And spekeþ of hem riȝt as him list. Line 12 Allas! for ȝif a mon nou trist His broþer or his cosyn neere, He schal be deceyued in his fist, ffor charite is no lengore cheere. Line 16

(3)

Þo þat spekeþ most, as I leeue, And demen men so al aboute,

Wher no faute vppon hem cleue, Ȝus, be my trouþe, hit is no doute, Line 20 Such Men may not ben wiþ-oute, No more þen hecgh wiþ-outen Brere; Envye is wiþ hem so stoute, Þat charite is no lengore chere. Line 24

(4)

ffor þreo lettynges þat þer bene, A Mon mai not deeme rihtwislye: Þe furste lettyng, as I wene, A þing þat is to fer from eiȝe, Line 28 Or elles a þing may beo to neiȝ, Schal lette his siht, þauȝ hit be clere; Þe þridde is, þat he demeþ bi, Whon charite is no lengore chere. Line 32

(5)

Ȝe mai in feelde sum tyme i-se A bosck þat stondeþ ful fer þe fro, Þat ȝe schal deme hit schal be Mon or Beest, hors, on of þo: Line 36 And al is wrong to deeme hit so, Certes, as ȝe schal after lere. So demes a Mon ofte be his ffo, Whon charite is no lengore chere. Line 40

(6)

Ȝif þou hast an huge envy, And hatest a mon wiþ al þi miht, Liue þat mon neuer so rihtwisly, Ȝit schaltou deme he liueþ not riht; Line 44 Envye stoppeþ þer þi siht, And makeþ fer, þat schulde be neere, And lac of loue letteþ þi liht, Whon charite is no lengore chere. Line 48

(7)

Vppon þin Eȝe-lide þer mai ley A spot or elles a mote, I-wis, And for bicause hit is so neiȝ, Þou maiȝt not seo hit, so haue I blis, Line 52

Line 52 To deme treuly what hit is; Þerfore þi doom falleþ in a weere. So demeþ a mon ofte syþes a-mis, Whon þat his herte is set from cheere. Line 56

(8)

Ȝif þou louest þi broþer so Þat þi loue passeþ al a-syse, What þat euer þi broþer do, Euel or wrong in eny wyse, Line 60 Al is wel to þin avise, Bi cause þou louest him so entere; His defaute constou not spise, ffor þer þin herte is set to chere. Line 64

(9)

Let a lechour heere a-spye A ȝong mon with a wommon rage, And nouþer of heom ne þenke folye, But wel may falle of o linage, Line 68 Ȝit wol þat lechour þinke outrage, And deeme þei wolde do mis I-fere: Such deemyng askeþ sliper wage, ffor charite þer is no-þing cheere. Line 72

(10)

And riȝt so fareþ hit, be my trouþe, Wiþ a proud Mon & a Couetous, A wrecche þat liueþ al in Slouȝþe, And eke a mon þat is vicyous; Line 76 He wenes vch mon þat is vertuous Vseþ his wyse and his maneere; So fareþ Men þat beþ Envyous, Whon Charite is no lengor chere. Line 80

(11)

Let a trewe mon bi þe Rood, Þat is good, honest and sad, He weeneþ þat vche mon be good, He nolde not demen a mon weore bad. Line 84 But wrecched fooles þat beoþ mad, Þat con not wel heore tonge steere,

To deme þe worste þei ben ful glad, Whon Charite is no lengor cheere. Line 88

(12)

I leeue þer beo no mon alyue, Ȝif he his warison scholde winne, Þat couþe enterliche knowe & skreue Þe lyf þat is sum mon wiþ-Inne; Line 92 ffor summe þat semeþ most wiþ synne, In hap of synne may beo most clere. Of such demyng I rede ȝe blynne, ffor Charite þer is no-þing chere. Line 96

(13)

And þo þat leouest is to lak, And demeþ men so al bideene, Vn-bynt þe burþen on ȝor bak, And loke furst þat ȝor-self be clene. Line 100 Al such demyng, as I wene, Schulde beo reseruet to godes poueere; So me þinkeþ hit best to beone, ffor þen schal charite ben most cheere. Line 104

(14)

Certes, and ȝe loke ariht, A good word no more wol weye Þat hit liþ on ȝor tonge as liht, As þe worste þat ȝe con seye. Line 108 Such Idel wordes, I ou preye, Ȝe louke hem faste in ȝoure forcere, And let concience bere þe keye; ffor þen schal charite be most chere. Line 112

16. Of Women cometh this Worldes Weal.

(10 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1)

In worschupe of þat Mayden swete, Mylde Marie, Moder and May, Alle gode wimmen wol I grete, Þat god fende hem from vch afray; Line 4

Line 4 With muche menske mote þei mete, And wel worþe alle wymmen ay! Al vr Bale þei may beete, Serteynliche, I dar wel say; Line 8 And hose blameþ hem niht or day, Wiþ Bale mot heore tonge belle. I preue hit wel, ho-euer seiþ nay: Of wimmen comeþ þis worldes welle. Line 12

(2)

But moni vn-witti wiht is woode, Vn-wysliche wimmen wol dispyse, Þat ben I-boren of wimmen blode: I-wis, such wihtes ben vn-wyse, Line 16 ffor þei defoule heor oune foode. Such grimly goostes may agryse, wiþ þulke þat dude god on þe Rode: At dredful dom such schal aryse, Line 20 Be Iugged wiþ þe heiȝe Iustise To folewe þe false feendes fele, And rikene wiþ þe vnrihtwyse, Þat of wymmen comeþ worldes welle. Line 24

(3)

Sum seiþ wimmen haþ be-gilt Adam, Sampson and Salamon, And seiþ þat wimmen haþ I-spilt Mony a wys worþi mon: Line 28 Þus þei greggen wymmens gilt; Of Monnes riken þei neuer on. And monnes falshed weore fulfild, I trowe þer weore twenti aȝeynes on, Line 32 Of Macabeus, Iudas and Ion, Alisaundre and oþer feole, Þat with monnes gult was fordon; But of wimmen comeþ þis worldes wele. Line 36

(4)

And Iudas gentil Ihesu solde Þat saued alle þat was forlore! And monnes falsed weore I-tolde, Men miht rikene moni a score. Line 40

Line 40 Wommon wrouȝte riht as god wolde: Þat gult made god to ben I-bore: And þerfore beo ȝe neuer so bolde To blame wymmen neuer-more Line 44 ffor nouȝt þat þei haue don bifore, ffor monnes schome I rede ȝe hele! Wimmen for Men ofte suffreþ sore, But of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. Line 48

(5)

Wimmen wrouȝte neuer no wrong But þorw Monnes entysement. Men secheþ wimmen so strong, And sei in Bale þei mote be brent, Line 52 And ligge aboute hem so long, To bringen hem til heore a-sent; And þus þorw monnes false song, Ofte wymmen haþ be schent. Line 56 Ȝif eny such be in present, Stille holde him, I rede he stell, And preise wimmen in good entent, ffor of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. Line 60

(6)

God worschuped wimmen in his lyue, And kept hem in his cumpaygnye, Boþe widewe, wenche and wyue Þat was wiþ-outen vilenye. Line 64 Hose luste with wymmen striue, I rede he drede him for to dye, And of þat synne sone him schriue, And to vr ladi Merci crye; Line 68 And in worschip of Marie Such vn-Redines þat ȝe repele! Defendeþ ȝou alle from such folye, ffor of wymmen comeþ al þis worldes wele. Line 72

(7)

I holde þat Brid muche to blame Þat defouleþ his oune nest; Þou wost wel a wommon was þi dame, I-Boren and fed of hire Brest. Line 76

Line 76 But moni gabben on heore dame; To blame wymmen þei þinke hit best. Stunteþ for ȝor owne schame; Of such resouns I rede ȝe rest; Line 80 To preyse wymmen þat ȝe be prest! Wymmen ben hende in hete and chele, Wimmen gladeþ vch a godly gest, ffor of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. Line 84

(8)

Wymmen wrappen vs in wede Whon we beo naked boren and bare, And of hire flesch fostreþ and feede, And ȝarken vs whon we ben ȝare. Line 88 Whon we ben old, þei moste vs hede, And keuere vs out of mony a care; Whon we be nasti, nouȝt at neode, Neore wimmen help, hou schulde we fare? Line 92 At dredful dom whon we schal dare ffor fere of false fendes feole, Whon vche mon schal his speche spare, Þen wommon help is al vr weole. Line 96

(9)

ffor God and Mon was fer atwinne Whon he made Monkuynde of Séé-flod: I wolde wite, whon þat Eue gon spinne, Bi whom þat ȝoure gentrie stod? Line 100 Hou be-come ȝe godes kinne, But barelych þorw þe wommones blod? Allas, hou may men for synne Speke bi wymmen ouȝt bote good! Line 104 Wimmen beoþ so mylde of mood, Louesum, loueli, lyf and lele. Witnes on him þat died on Rood, Of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. Line 108

(10)

God, þat made boþe Sonne and Mone, To alle wymmen Socour he sende, In alle þe dedes þat þei haue done, Kepe hem from þe false fende. Line 112

Line 112 And to Marie I bidde a bone: Warde wymmen, wher-so-euer þei wende, ffrom synne and serwe schylde hem sone, Wher in londe þat euer þei lende! Line 116 I warne alle þat be wimmenes frende, I con not preise hem þe haluendele, Þouȝ I þus schortliche make an ende: Of wymmen comeþ þis worldes wele. Line 120

17. The Praise of Mary, Mother of Christ. [Note the effective repetitions in lines 57 and 101.]

(13 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

Off alle floures feirest fall on, And þat is Marie, Moder fre, Þat bar þe child of flesch and bon, Ihesu, Godes sone in Maieste. Line 4 A loue-likyng is come to me To serue þat ladi, qwen of blis, Ay better and better in my degre, Þe lengor þat I liue, I-wis. Line 8

(2)

So hertly I haue I-set my þouȝt vppon þat buyrde of buyrdes best; ffor al-þauh I seo hire nouȝt, Min herte schal fully wiþ hire be fest. Line 12 Ihesu þat sek milk of hire brest, To ȝou boþe I be-heete: Mi loue schal holly wiþ ȝou rest, Þauȝ I be not worþi ne meete. Line 16

(3)

Sertes, swete, on ȝou is al Min helpyng at myn endyng-day; Þat I be not þe fendes þral, Marie, to ȝor sone ȝe pray. Line 20 Hou schal I do, my swete may, But ȝif I loue ȝou souereynly?

Elles miht men boldly bi me say Daunger mad vnskilfuly. Line 24

(4)

Hose beþenkeþ him, I-wis, Of ȝor gret goodnesse and ȝor grace, He scholde neuer wilne to don amis, Ne luste to loue in oþer place. Line 28 In hope to seo ȝor blessed face, And dwelle wiþ ȝou at myn endynge, And haue relese of alle trespace, Ladi, þauȝ I mourne I synge. Line 32

(5)

Lentun-dayes, þei ben longe, And nou weor good tyme to amende Þat we be-foren han do wronge; Þis world nis noþing, as I wende. Line 36 In sori tyme my lyf Isspend; Þis world is fals, and þat I feel; But Marie Moder me amende, A-Mis I fare, and noþing wel. Line 40

(6)

But þat swete worþli wyf, Hire goodly loue þat I may gete, Al my Ioye wol turne to strif, And I may syke with wonges wete: Line 44 Whon þat I þenke on þat swete, Me þinkeþ hit is so good a þouȝt, I sey to eueri mon þat I meete "Gode, go wey, and let me nouȝt!" Line 48

(7)

Loue me haþ in Bales brouȝt, ffor on such þat I suppose, Þat is so studefast in hire þouȝt, Þat couþe neuere gabbe ne glose. Line 52 Hose hire loueþ, he schal not lose, ffor ȝit be-giled heo neuer no wiht. I likne þat ladi to þe Rose: I-blessed beo þat buirde briht! Line 56

Line 56

(8)

Me longede neuere so sore, so sore, To seo my loueli ladi deere. Ȝif heo neore, we neore but lore, Þat ladi lofsum most of lere. Line 60 And wite hit wel wiþ-outen weere: Whon I þenk on hire semblaunt sad, Þer wol no wys mon blame me here, Þauȝ þat I go murie and glad. Line 64

(9)

A louely lyf to loken vp-on, So is my ladi, þat Emperys; Mi lyf I dar leye þer-vppon, Þat princesse is peerles of prys, Line 68 So feir, so clene, so good, so wys, And þerto trewe as eny steel, Þer nis no such to my deuys: Lor God, þat I loue hire wel! Line 72

(10)

To þis newe ȝer, my ladi sweete, Wiþ al myn herte in good entent, Wiþ fyue Aues I ow grete, And preye ou take þis feire present; Line 76 And schape so þat I beo not schent, Seþþen of ȝou Merci gon springe. ffor al my loue is on ȝou lent, Sweete, swettest of alle-skunnes þinge! Line 80

(11)

Þis is þe remenaunt of my lust, Þat I not wheþer my ladi mylde To my loue haue inly trust, Bicause Monkuynde is frele and wylde. Line 84 But, ladi, for ȝoure blisful childe, Siþen al my loue is leyd on þe, In heuene help me a boure to bylde, Ladi, ȝif þi wille be. Line 88

(12)

Þe loue þat I haue ȝeorned ȝore, Þe kyng of loue graunt hit me!

In eorþly loue is luytel store, ffor al þat nis but vanyte. Line 92 Wher I schal euer þat day I-se, To plese my ladi ones to pay? Heo is of colour and beute As fresch as is þe Rose In May. Line 96

(13)

Hose lust not loue, let hym be-leue, ffor I wol holde þat I haue hiht; Þat lust schal no mon from me reue Þat I nul loue my ladi briht. Line 100 Loue, loue, do me riht, Marie Mooder, Mayden clene, In heuene of þe to haue a siht, Ladi, to þe my mone I mene. Line 104

18. Maiden Mary and her Fleur de Lys.

(17 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

MArie Mayden, Moder Mylde, Þat blisful Bern in bosum beere, Cheef & chast þou ches of chylde Of alle wymmen In world þat were: Line 4 Saue vs sound, and socur vs here, As princes is preised & proued for prys. What leode þis lesson lykes to lere, Be token hit is þe fflourdelys. Line 8

(2)

Þat freoli flour weore fair to fynde, what gome wolde go þer as hit greuȝ. As Maacer herof made in his Mynde; Þus kenned him Catoun, his craftes he kneuȝ, Line 12 What segge on soil þat þat seed seuȝ, Hit is holy at myn avys; Aboue þe Braunches beþ Blosmes neu, Þe lele cheses faire þe fflourdelys. Line 16

Line 16

(3)

Þou lele ladi, I likne to þe Þe flour, to þi semeli sone also Þe blisful Blosme þat euer mihte be, Treuly þat was be-twix ȝou to. Line 20 Whon we weore wrapped al in wo Þorw werkes þat we had wrouȝt wrongwys, Þi godnes gert vs graiþly go Þorw vertu of þi fflourdelys. Line 24

(4)

fful greiþli was þe graunted grace Whon Gabriel from god þe gret, Þat fel to þi feet bi-fore þi face, Þe Murieste meetyng þat euer was met. Line 28 So sittyngli hire sawes heo set, As a wommon boþe war and wys: "To seo þi seruaunt and þi soget;" And þer bi-gon furst þi fflourdelys. Line 32

(5)

In hond þou haddest & heold vr hele; Þorw him þat hadde heiȝ heuene in holde What Murþe was mad no Mouþ miȝt mele, Whon þou þat worþly hed wonnen in wolde. Line 36 He com to keuere vs of cares colde, His pepul he put in paradys, Þat tyde and tyme þe Angel tolde, Of þe schulde springe þe fflourdelys. Line 40

(6)

Þat Blisful Barn of þe was born Þat suffred trauayle, boþe trey and tene, Throly þhrusten, & throng wiþ þorn, Of his cunreden vnkuynde and kene, Line 44 ffrom top to-torn al bi-deene, Þe Iewes þei Iugged his Iuwys, And dyȝed for Adam deedes bi-deene, And þenne was sprongen þe fflourdelys. Line 48

(7)

A studi steer þer stod ful steere ffor steeres-men þat bi stremes gun stray,

And neore his worþly wille weore, Þei wolde haue went a wilful way; Line 52 No feyntysenes þei founden in fay, Þat burth was buried In Marbel bys, And whon god wolde he went his way, And þenne was sprad þe fflourdelys. Line 56

(8)

Where his worþli wilnyng was, Hit weore to wite whoder he went; Þe geynest gate greiþli he tas, Til derknes dipt doun he decent; Line 60 Þe ȝates he russchede, and al to-Rent, Þer Lucifer, þat luþere, lys; Adam and Eue bi hond he hent, And tauȝte hem faire þe fflourdelys. Line 64

(9)

Þus haþ þis heende herewed helle, Al Adames of-spring out haþ tan; Þe fend, þat was boþe fers and felle, He tiȝed til a stok, stille as stan. Line 68 Vp of his graue þen is he gon, As God and Mon to-gedere gon Rys, Bodily boþe in blod and bon To þe Maudeleyn he schewed þe fflourdelys. Line 72

(10)

Þus purchased he þe pepul heor pees And goodly for-ȝaf hem al heore gilt, And seide, "Adam, eft nou I þe sese In blisse, þat for blod was buld; Line 76 No wey wonde, but wurch what þou wilt." Þus haþ he now bitauȝt þat wyse, And þus feole prophecies ben folfild Of Marie wiþ þi fflourdelyse. Line 80

(11)

Of bounte berestou þe þe best; Was neuer no buirde such beute bare; Crist of þe com, vre cumfort to kest, To ȝelde þe þat we ȝerned ȝare. Line 84

Line 84 At his steiȝynge, þei stod to stare How cleer in Clouden he cloumben is; What wy in þat worþily wonyng ware, Þer miht he fynden þe fflourdelys. Line 88

(12)

Þus was al þis world in weere; Þen seide two wyȝes in weedes whyt: "To heiȝ heuene what be-holde ȝe here? Is Ihesu take from ȝow þus tyd? Line 92 A-peere he schal in propre plyt As he in werk[e] con vanys; Her afturward hit weore to wite, Of hire þat bar þe fflourdelys. Line 96

(13)

So lelly his loue on þe was lent, Þi longyng, ladi, for to lete; So semely sondes after þe he sent, Be-sydes him self to sitte in sete; Line 100 Þei song al samen with soun ful swete, As schewen and stand in þistoris; Wiþ more murþes miȝt neuer mon meete, But þer to fynde þe fflourdelys. Line 104

(14)

Siþen þou þi worþly wones hast wonnen, And wones In worschipe at þi wille, Vre grith was graunted, vr grace bigunnen, ffor vs þat was ordeyned þertille. Line 108 Puire dette proueþ bi proper skille Þou schalt vs socour in þi seruys, Þat greiþes was for greuaunce to grille, And for to bere þe flourdelys. Line 112

(15)

Of al þe floures bi ffrith and ffelde, Hit is þe freolokest for to fynde, Þat weole & wit and wisdam welde, And al þis word haþ wrouȝt In wynde. Line 116 Nou, comely kyng, Corteis and kynde, Þat halp vs heere from vre enemys,

Þe mon þat þis matere made in mynde Seide: non is lich to þe fflourdelys. Line 120

(16)

Hedde not Adam don þat dede, Vr bitter bales hed neuer ben bouȝt On no maner, for no-kenes nede, Ne for no werkes we schuld haue wrouȝt. Line 124 Al þus I þenk hit in my þouȝt, Monkynde for vs bi-com so chys; his blisful Blod þorw him þei souȝt; Vs ouȝte to prey to þe fflourdelys. Line 128

(17)

Nou Marie Mayden, Moder clene, Þi semeli Sone þat beres þe fflour, Ȝif vs grace ow to qweme And plese Ihesu, vr saueour. Line 132 Bryng vs out of dette & dedly synne, To liue and dye in þi seruys, Heuene blisse þat we may wynne And wone þer wiþ þi fflourdelys. Line 136

19. Seldom seen is soon forgot. (On Edward III, his Sons, and Richard II. [Printed from the Simeon MS., Brit. Mus., Addit. 22,283, leaf 132, in T. Wright's Political Poems and Songs, Rolls Series 14, vol. i, p. 215-218.]

(14 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

Adere God, what mai þis be, Þat alle þing weres & wasteþ awai? ffrendschip is but a vanyte, vnneþe hit dures al a day; Line 4 Þei beo so sliper [cliper, Wright, and in l. 79, p. 721.] at assai, So leof to han, and loþ to lete, And so fikel in heore fai, Þat selden I-seiȝe Is sone forȝete. Line 8

(2)

I sei hit not wiþ-outen a Cause, And þerfore takes riht good hede,

ffor ȝif ȝe construwe wel þis Clause, I puit ȝou holly out of drede Line 12 Þat for puire schame ȝor hertis wol blede, And ȝe þis Matere wysli trete: He þat was vr moste spede, Is selden I-seye and sone forȝete. Line 16

(3)

Sum tyme an Englisch Schip we had, Nobel hit was and heih of tour; Þorw al cristendam hit was drad, And stif wolde stande In vch a stour, Line 20 And best dorst byde a scharp schour And oþer stormes, smale and grete: Now is þat schip þat bar þe flour Selden seȝe and sone forȝete. Line 24

(4)

In-to þat schip þer longed a Rooþur, Þat steered þe schip & gouerned hit; In al þis world nis such a noþur, As me þinkeþ In my wit; Line 28 Whyl Schip and Roþur to-geder was knit, Þei dredde nouþer tempest, druyȝe nor wete: Nou be þei boþe In-synder flit: Þat selden seyȝe is sone forȝete. Line 32

(5)

Scharpe wawes þat Schip has sayled, And sayed alle sees at auentur; ffor wynt ne wederes neuer hit fayled, Whil þe Roþur mihte enduir; Line 36 Þouȝ þe séé were rouh or elles dimuir, Gode hauenes þat Schip wolde gete: Nou is þat Schip, I am wel suir, Selde I-seye and sone for-ȝete. Line 40

(6)

Þis goode Schip, I may remene To þe chilualrye of þis londe: Sum tyme þei counted nouȝt a Bene Beo al ffraunce, Ich vnderstonde, Line 44

Line 44 Þei tok & slouȝ hem with heore honde, Þe power of ffraunce, boþ smal & grete, And brouȝt þe king hider to byde her bonde: And nou riht sone hit is forȝete. Line 48

(7)

Þat Schip hadde a ful siker mast, And a sayl strong and large, Þat made þe gode schip neuer agast To vndertake a þing of charge; Line 52 And to þat Schip þer longed a Barge, Of al ffraunce ȝaf nouȝt a clete, To vs hit was a siker targe: And now riht clene hit is forȝete. Line 56

(8)

Þe Roþur was nouþer Ok ne Elm, Hit was Edward þe þridde, þe noble kniht; Þe prince his sone bar vp his helm, Þat neuer scoumfited was in fiht. Line 60 Þe kyng him rod and Rouwed ariht, Þe prince dredde nouþur stok nor strete. Nou of him we lete ful liht: Þat selde is seȝe is sone forȝete. Line 64

(9)

Þe swifte Barge was Duk henri, Þat noble kniht & wel assayed, And in his leggaunce worþili He a-bod mony a bitter brayd; Line 68 Ȝif þat his enemys ouȝt outrayed, To chartis hem wolde he not lete. Nou is þat lord ful lowe I-leyd: Þat selde is seȝe is sone forȝete. Line 72

(10)

Þis gode comunes, bi þe Rode, I likne hem to þe Schipes mast, Þat with heore catel & heore goode Meyntened þe werre boþ furst & last. Line 76 Þe wynd þat bleuȝ þe schip wiþ Blast, hit was gode preȝers, I sei hit a trete.

Nou is deuoutnes out I-cast, And mony gode dedes ben clen forȝete. Line 80

(11)

Þus ben þis lordes I-leid ful lowe, Þe stok is of þe same Rote, An Ympe bi-ginnes for to growe And ȝit I hope schal ben vr bote, Line 84 To holde his fomen vnder fote And as a lord be set in sete. Crist leue þat he so mote, Þat selden I seȝe be not forȝete! Line 88

(12)

Weor þat Impe ffully growe, Þat he had sarri sap and piþ, I hope he schulde be kud and knowe ffor Conquerour of moni a kiþ; Line 92 He is ful lyflich in lyme and liþ, In armes to trauayle and to swete. Crist leeue we so fare him wiþ, Þat selden seȝe be neuer forȝete! Line 96

(13)

And þerfore holliche I ou Rede; Til þat þis Ympe beo fully growe, Þat vch a Mon vp wiþ þe hede, And Mayntene him boþe heiȝe and lowe. Line 100 Þe ffrensche men cunne boþe boste & blowe, And wiþ heore scornes vs to-þrete, And we beoþ boþe vnkuynde & slowe: Þat selden seȝe is sone forȝete. Line 104

(14)

And þerfore, gode sires, takeþ reward Of ȝor douhti kyng þat dyȝede in age, And to his sone Prince Edward, Þat welle was of alle Corage: Line 108 Suche two lordes of heiȝ parage In not in eorþe whon we schal gete, [[I know not]] And nou heore los biginneþ to swage: Þat selde I-seȝe is sone forȝete. Line 112

20. A Warning to be ware. (On the Earthquake of 1382. [Printed from the Simeon MS. by T. Wright in Polit. Poems and Songs, Rolls Series, i. 250-2.] )

(11 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

Yit is God a Curteis lord And Mekeliche con schewe his miht; ffayn he wolde bringe til a-cord Monkuynde, to liue in treuþe ariht. Line 4 Allas! whi set we þat lord so liht, And al to foule wiþ him we fare? In world is non so wys, no wiht, Þat þei ne haue warnyng to be ware. Line 8

(2)

We may not seye, but ȝif we lyȝe, Þat god wol vengaunce on vs stele, ffor openly we seo wiþ eiȝe, Þis warnynges beoþ wonder & fele. Line 12 But nou þis wrecched worldes wele Makeþ vs liue in Sunne and care. Of Mony Merueyles I may of Mele, And al is warnyng to be ware. Line 16

(3)

Whon þe Comuynes bigan to ryse, Was non so gret lord, as I gesse, Þat þei in herte bi-gon to gryse, And leide heore Iolyte in presse. Line 20 Wher was þenne heore worþinesse, Whon þei made lordes droupe & dare? Of alle wyse men I take witnesse, Þis was a warnyng to be ware. Line 24

(4)

Bi-fore, ȝif men hedde haad a graas, Lordes mihte wondur weel Han let the rysing þat þer was, But þat god þouȝte ȝit sumdel Line 28 Þat lordes schulde his lordschup feel, And of heore lordschipe make hem bare.

Trust þer-to as trewe as steel, Þis was a warnyng to be ware. Line 32

(5)

And also, whon þis eorþe qwok, Was mon [non.—Wright.] so proud, he nas a-gast, And al his Iolite for-sok, And þouȝt on god whil þat hit last; Line 36 And alsone as hit was ouer past, Men wox as vuel as þei dude are! Vche mon in his herte may cast, Þis was a warnyng to be ware. Line 40

(6)

ffor soþe, þis was a lord to drede, So sodeynly mad Mon agast! Of gold & seluer þei tok non hede, But out of her houses ful sone þei past. Line 44 Chaumbres, Chimeneys al to-barst, Chirches & Castels foule gon fare, Pinacles, Steples to grounde hit cast; And al was warnyng to be ware. Line 48

(7)

Þe Meuyng of þis eorþe I-wis, Þat schulde bi cuynde be ferm & stabele, A pure verrey toknyng hit is, Þat Mennes hertes ben chaungable, Line 52 And þat to falsed þei ben most Abul; ffor wiþ good feiþ wol we not fare: Leef hit wel wiþ-outen fabel; Þis was a warnyng to be ware. Line 56

(8)

Þe Rysing of þe comuynes in londe, Þe pestilens, [Possibly the 5th plague,—the Black Death of 1348-9 being the First, the plague of 1361 the Second, that of 1368-9 the Third, and that of 1375 the Fourth, while that of 1390-1 was the Fifth.—Creighton, i. 206-219. But a less Plague was in 1382.] and þe eorþe-quake, Þeose þreo þinges, I vnderstonde, Beo-tokenes [Beoth tokenes.—Wright.] þe grete vengaunce & wrake Line 60

Line 60 Þat schulde falle for synnes sake, As þis Clerkes conne de-clare. Nou may we chese to leue or take, ffor warnyng haue we to ben ware. Line 64

(9)

Euere I drede, be my trouþe, Þer may no warnyng stande in sted; We ben so ful of synne and slouþe, Þe schame is passed þe sched of hed, Line 68 And we liggen riht heuy as led, Cumbred in þe ffendes Snare. I leeue þis beo vr beste Red To þenke on þis warnyng & be ware. Line 72

(10)

Sikerliche, I dar wel saye, In such a plyt þis world is in: Mony for wynnyng wolde bi-traye ffader and Moder and al his kin. Line 76 Nou were heih tyme to be-gin To A-Mende vr mis & wel to fare; Vr bagge hongeþ on a sliper [cliper, Wright.] pyn, Bote we of þis warnyng be ware. Line 80

(11)

Be war, for I con sey no more, Be war for vengauns of trespas, Be war and þenk vppon þis lore, Be war of þis sodeyn cas, Line 84 And ȝit Be war while we haue spas, And þonke þat child þat Marie bare Of his gret godnesse and his gras Sende vs such warnyng to be ware. Line 88

21. Love Holy Church and its Priests.

(8 stanzas of 8; nos. 1 and 2 abab cdcd; nos. 3-8 abab abab.)

(1)

Crist ȝiue vs grace to loue wel holichirch, Or elles, certes, we don riht nouht,

And let vs neuere aȝeynes hit worche: ffrom þenne vre cristendom is brouht. Line 4 Preostes weore at vre biginnynge; Wȝuche God haþ graunted hem pouete ffor vs to rede I-wis and synge, Is non so gret a dignyte. Line 8

(2)

Þei ȝaf vs vre Cristenynge, And at vr buriinge þei moste be. To worschipe hem in alle þinge, Muchel þerto holden beo we. Line 12 Godus bodi may no mon make But preostes al-one, as we rede: Kyng ne Emperour, I non out-take, ffor alle heore richesses of lond or leode. Line 16

(3)

Of alle Ordres he beres þe prys, Kyng, Duyk, oþer Emperour, Þouh heo weren þe fflourdelys, Þat is richest of alle colour. Line 20 In Matynes and vses þei ben wys, To bringe vs to vr longe bour, And vche day syngeþ a Masse to þis, And scheweþ vs Ihesus, vre sauiour. Line 24

(4)

In Matyns and Masse þei beren þe prys, And in heore orisons for vs þei pray: Þer is no mon þat is wys Þat oþur record bi heom may say. Line 28 Hose loueþ þis ordre, I holde him wys, ffor certeyn soþ and in good fay, In holy chirche þei don seruys Boþe bi nihtes and bi day. Line 32

(5)

But hose euer wole þis ordre bere, Wys and witti moste he be, Grete oþes may he non swere, Ne falshede nouþer don ne se; Line 36

Line 36 By-fore þe Bisschop receyueþ he þere, And takeþ þe ȝok of chastite. A-vyse hem wel hou he hit were, Oþer elles him schal rewe oþer me. Line 40

(6)

Whon we ben falle in eny mischef, Wiþ serwe In dedly synne I-bounde, Þen is þe prest vs ful leef, ffor he may helen vs of þat wounde. Line 44 ffor þer is non so strong a þeef Þat euer tok cristendom on godes grounde, Þat he most haue a preest bi-foren his deþ, Or elles he schal warie þe stounde. Line 48

(7)

On domes-day whon we schul meete Þat dredful Iuge forte se, Þen is schrift to vs ful seete: Þe prest þerof record beres he. Line 52 Of alle bales he may beete Vnder god In Trinite; Þenne Schrift & hosul is ful swete, And hit trewely holden be. Line 56

(8)

Þis ordre I rede þat we honoure, And so I counseyle þat we do, And take penaunce for sunnes oure Whuche þe prest haþ Iuned vs to; [[or Inned]] Line 60 Þen schal we come to þat boure Þer euere is Ioye wiþ-outen wo. Ihesu bring vs and socoure. Out of þis world whon we schal go. Line 64

22. Try to say the best. Control your Tongue.

(7 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

Qween of heuene, Moder and may, Saue hem alle nou þat ben here.

A noble word haue I herd say, fful profytable þat is to lere, Line 4 Bi-twene God and Mon In fere To wynne worschupe hose euer lust: Now þenk vpon þis word so dere And fond euermore to seye þe best. Line 8

(2)

Spek non euel in no place, But kepe þi tonge and get þe a frend; Þat wikked word from þe nou pace, Hit is but tysyng of þe fend. Line 12 Ȝif þou beo in eny euel tent And k[n]owe hit for an euel geste, Keep þi tonge curteys and gent, And fond euermore to sey þe beste. Line 16

(3)

Now, for his loue þat bouȝte þe dere, Let not þi tonge haue al þe wil! What artou þe bettre or þe more nere, Wiþ a wikked word þi neiȝebor to spil? Line 20 ffor Mari loue, tak tente þer-tille, Wheþer þou gost bi Est oþur Weste, Euur to kepe þi tonge stille Oþur elles to fonde to sey þe beste. Line 24

(4)

Ȝif þou sey þe beste wiþ al þi miht, Men wol esschewe by-fore þe To speke evel bi eny wiht, ffor þou wolt not heore felawe be; Line 28 Þer þou spekest, þou maiȝt se Wordes þat ben wikked and preste. Nou, for his loue þat dyed on tre, ffonde euermore to sey þe beste! Line 32

(5)

In halle oþur in chaumbre wher þow gos, What þou here and what þou se, Euure þou kepe þi tonge clos, Þat men frayne nouȝt at þe. Line 36

Line 36 Ȝif þou heere faute oþer eny fole, As þou may here bi mony a geste, Nou, for his loue þat dyed on tre, ffonde euer more to sey þe beste! Line 40

(6)

Wiþ eny mon ȝif þou haue ben eke In his seruyse bi niht oþer day, Alle þe good þat þou may, speke, Whon þat þou art went a-way: Line 44 Þenne wol men bi þe say, Þat þou art curteys and wel I-bleste. Ȝif þou knowe ouȝt þat disese may, ffonde euur more to sey þe beste! Line 48

(7)

Ȝif þou beo riche mon of mony a beeste, And stifli þou may stonde in stede, Pore men disese nouȝt bi doing ne cheste; Nouþer for word ne for dede, Line 52 But help hem wel in alle heore nede, So crist þi soule bringe to reste. Nou to þis word ȝe take good hede: ffor Marie loue to seye þe beste. Line 56

23. Tarry not till to-morrow.

(9 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc)

(1)

Ilke a wys wiht scholde wake And waite, with werk heuen to wynne, Sadliche, for goddes sake, And set ȝoure soule sauely fro synne. Line 4 Ȝif þou haue kynges of þi kynne, And in þi clos, catel and corn, Amende þi misses more and minne, And mak no tarijng til to-Morn. Line 8

(2)

Þou leod þat liues as lord in londe, Þenk hou lowe þou schalt aliht,

Þauȝ þou haue hundredus at þin honde To holde þin heste in herte has hiht. Line 12 Ȝif þou bragge for þi Beȝanus briht, Bi-holde hou bare þat þou was born; Þis dai þou dresse þi dole and diht, Leste þat þou dye longe er to-Morn. Line 16

(3)

Þou freike þat art in frendschupe fast And þinkest no foot mon is þi fere; Whon þi pompe and pride is past, A pore renaunt schal beo þi pere. Line 20 Loke in londe, and þou mai lere Hou liȝtly þat þi lyf is lorn; Whon þi bodi is brouht on bere, As þou hast browen, þou broukest to-Morn. Line 24

(4)

Gome, er þou giue vp þi gost, Bi-greiþ ho schal gripe þi goode: He schal hit haue þou hatest most: So fares hit ofte, be myn hode! Line 28 Þen al þi fee fonges but foode. ffor-þi ordeyne þi fare be-forn, And with a-boue mende þi mis in mode: [[or a bone]] Hit wol þe menske aȝeyn to-Morn. Line 32

(5)

Parte with ȝor godes in priuete Vn-to þe pore with-outen pride: Hit wol þe brynge in blisse to be, Wiþ-outen bale to buylde & byde. Line 36 Þou sette þi seketur fro þi syde, He wol þe swyke þouȝ he be sworn, Þin hord, whon he may, hent oþur hyde, Trust him not after to-Morn. Line 40

(6)

Þe Sikernes of þi Seketoure, Þis is þe soþe to seo and say; Þauȝ he for þi loue lurke and loure, Þat he has lauht he wol nouȝt lay, Line 44

Line 44 But skelpe and scrope al þat he may; He lettes nouþer for skaþe ne skorn; Þi goodes whon he has geten a-way, Trust nouȝt on hem after to-Morn. Line 48

(7)

Mony a wiht wenes ful wel Out of þis world þei schal neuur wende; ffor feole lykinges þat þei feel, Þei make no fors of fo nor frende. Line 52 Now trust riht wel þei schal be tenede, Ar bodi and soule a-two be torn. Of erþly ese þis is þe ende, Here to-day, a-wey to-morn. Line 56

(8)

Ihesus þat on þe Rode was don, ffrom wo and wondreþ þou vs wisse! Gladly graunte us vre bone And bryng us blessedly to þi blisse! Line 60 ffor vre loue, Soþ hit is, Þi syde wiþ scharpe spere was schorn: Þou saue us þat we ben not his Þat wolde þat we weore tynt to-Morn. Line 64

(9)

Marie Moder, Mayden Mylde, On al mon-kuynde ȝe haue Merci! In feole fulþes we ben fuylede; Þis world vseþ þe flessches foly; Line 68 Vn-to þi sone þou calle and cry, Crist crounet wiþ kene þorn, He ȝiue vs grace to wone him by! Þen schal vs tyde no teone to-Morn. Line 72

24. Make Amends for thy Sins.

(12 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

Bi a wode as I gon ryde. walkynge al mi-self alone,

A boske of briddes bad me abyde Bi-cause þer songe mo þen one. Line 4 Among þo foules euerichone, To on, gret hede I gan take, ffor he seyde wiþ reuþful mone, "ffor þi sunnes a-Mendes make!" Line 8

(2)

"Make amendes, mon, trewely," Seide þat foul wiþ feþeres blake. In myn herte i-went, wo was I, ffor he me bad amendes make. Line 12 I stod and studied al þat day; Þat resun made me a niht to wake: Þen fond I þreo skiles in good fay Whi he me bad a-mendes make. Line 16

(3)

Þe furste skile þat I gan fynde, As hit bi-semes in my witte, Is a þing þat comes of kynde: Þat eueri mon schal haue a pitte. Line 20 Whon top and to to-gedre is knitte, Þen schal þi proude wordes aslake. ffor-þi in eorþe er þou be ditte, Mon, of þi synnes a-mendes make! Line 24

(4)

Þat oþer skile is: þat þou schalt dye, Whuche tyme þou wost nere. And þou wustest witerly, Þow woldest fle þi deþ for fere. Line 28 Þi laste bour schal ben a Bere, Ȝif þi frendes þe may take. Þerfore do wel while þou art here, And for þi sunnes a-Mendes make! Line 32

(5)

Þe þridde skile wol do þe wo Whon þou þenkest þer on I-wis: Whon þi lyf is clene I-go, Þou wost nere whoder to bale or blis. Line 36

Line 36 I fynde no clerk con telle me þis; Þerfore my serwe bi-ginnes to wake. Whon þou þenkest to don a-mis, Haue mynde of þis & amendes make! Line 40

(6)

Ensaumple we may sen al day As crist schewes among vs alle: To-day ȝif þou be stout and gay, To-morn þou lyst ded bi þe walle. Line 44 Merci þenne to crie and calle, Hit is to late þi leue to take. Be war of folye er þou falle, And for þi sunnes amendes make! Line 48

(7)

Ȝif þou haue don a dedly synne wher-þorw þi soule scholde be schent, Al þe ȝer þou wolt lye þer-Inne In derknes til hit beo lent; Line 52 Þen a ffrere þou wolt hent, Þi parisch prest for schame forsake. Of alle suche dedes, verament, I rede þe beo wys, & amendes make! Line 56

(8)

Ȝif þou be kyng and croune bere, And al þis world be at þi wil, Ȝit schaltou be pore as þou was ere, And þat þou knowest bi puire skil: Line 60 A schete schal þi body hule And huyde þi cors for sinnes sake. Þerfore repente þou hast do ille, And for þi synnes amendes make! Line 64

(9)

Ȝif þou beo a fryk mon in þi floures, And haue vn-bouȝt boþe purpel & pal, At Masse ne Matyns ne at houres Þou kepes not come with-in þe chirche wal, Line 68 Þer-in þi Sauor is ful smal, Of sleuþe may þou nouȝt awake:

On day þou schalt leue hit al; Þerfore I rede, Amendes make! Line 72

(10)

Þauȝ þou haue riches gret plente, In world while þou liuest here, God made þi neiȝebur as wel as þe, And bouȝt ȝou boþe I-liche dere; Line 76 Þauȝ he be nouȝt þi worldes pere, Do him no wrong, for synnes sake! To nouȝt shal turne þi proude chere: Þerfore I rede, þou amendes make. Line 80

(11)

Loke þou bere þe feir and euen, Þauȝ þou be lord, Bayli oþur Meire, ffor ofte men meten at vn-set steuen; Coueyte not þi neiȝebor to peyre. Line 84 Þis world nis but a chirie feire, Nou is hit in sesun, nou wol hit slake, To-day artou lord, to-morn is þin heire: Þerfore I rede, þou amendes make. Line 88

(12)

Nou god, þat was in bethleem boren, And siþen died vppon þe tre, Let vs neuer ben for-loren, Lord, ȝif þi wille be. Line 92 Marie Moder, Mayden briht, Preye for vr synnes sake, In heuene of þi sone to haue a siht, And heer in eorþe, Amendes make. Line 96

25. Suffer in Time, and that is best.

(6 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc, and one of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

Whon alle soþes ben souht and seene, Euerichone at heore deuys, Euer among, in tray and tene, Murþe is meyt wiþ malys; Line 4

Line 4 Aȝeynes cumfort comeþ cares kene, Aȝeynes vche a uertu is a vys. Of alle þe vertues þat þer beone, To suffre, hit is a þing of prys. Line 8 Þerfore he þat wol be wys, And loue to rule him siker in rest, Loke þat he beo not to nys, But suffre in tyme, and þat is best. Line 12

(2)

Ȝif þou beo mon of mene a-syse Or gret lord in duresse, And þi stat may not suffise Of þi wronge to gete red[r]esse, Line 16 Þen mostou worchen on þis wyse, And schewe to him such boxumnesse, Þat rouþe in his herte may ryse And wiþ-drawe his grete distresse; Line 20 Ȝif he be Mesured wiþ Mekenesse, Þen pite in him hit wol be preste. Among alle þing, as I gesse, To suffre in tyme and þat is beste. Line 24

(3)

Ȝif þou be mon of gret degre, And a pore mon in his place fful wrongfully has greued þe, And don þe gref wiþ his trespace, Line 28 Þe cuntrey con wel knowe and se Þou mai be venget in þat case; Ȝif þou be perset wiþ pite, Ȝit woltou spare him for a space. Line 32 Ȝif þou so goodly schewe þi grace, Þe holigost is in þe feste: Þen godes blessyng schaltou in-brace, And suffre [in] tyme and þat is beste. Line 36

(4)

Hit is luytel worþ, seiþ Socrates, A glasen pot, is wayk and liht, To puiten him self to fer in pres A-ȝeynes a caudrun for to fiht. Line 40

Line 40 Þe soþe al day is seene in siht: Þe weikest ay bi-neoþe is cast. Þerfore sei I, bi god almiht, To suffre [in] tyme and þat is best. Line 44

(5)

Mon, ȝif þou wolt þe state meyntene. Wiþ lordes In counseil forte sette, Þer euer mon moste in certeyne Schewe his wisdom and his witte: Line 48 Þen, what-so-euer hapnes þe to seyne, Let al þi wordes to wisdam knitte, Or summe of þe feeres wol taken in deyne, And for pruyde reson hitte. Line 52 Ȝif þou here hem so chyde or flitte, Þer wol no reson in hem reste, Holt þi tonge and þi mouþ ditte, And suffre [in] tyme and þat is beste. Line 56

(6)

And aftur, whon þou woldest not wene, Whon alle soþes ben souȝt and sayd, Þi wordes þei wole take by-deene, And of þi speche þei wol holde hem payd: Line 60 Þen schul þei abassched beone, And of heer errours ben dismayed, Whan þi wisdam schal be set and sene And alle heore folys ben displayed. Line 64 Hasti men ben ofte outrayede Whon heore tonges ben to preste. Hose haþ ben ofte of sore hokes braide, Soffre [in] tyme and þat is beste. Line 68

(7)

Ȝif hit bi-tideþ be niht oþer day To falle in-til a cumpaignye Þer nyse folk wiþ folyes play, And out of reson þei ȝelle and crie, Line 72 Þen mostou worchen wiþ þis assay, And holde vp oyl by and by, Til þou mowe priuely go þi way; Þen kuiþest þou wel þat þou art slih; Line 76

Line 76 I holde hit riht a gret foly To schewe reson þer non wol reste. Þer bi God and vre ladi, Suffre in hym and þat is beste. Line 80

26. Mane nobiscum, Domine!

(10 stanzas of 8; 9 abab bcbc; the 10th abab baba.)

(1)

IN Somer bi-fore þe Ascenciun At Euensong on a Sonundai Dwellyng in my deuociun ffor þe pees fast gon I prai: Line 4 I herde a Reson to my pai, Þat writen was with wordes þre, And þus hit is, schortly to say: Mane nobiscum domine! Line 8

(2)

What þis word is forte mene On Englisch tonge, I schal ȝou telle: In Concience and we be clene, Digne þi, lord, with vs to dwelle,— Line 12 Þe feondes pouste for to felle,— Þat for vs. diȝede vppon þe tre; In wit and worschipe, wei and welle, Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 16

(3)

Whon þou from deth was risen and gon, Þen as a Palmere forþ gon pas, Þo met þou pilgrimes makyng moon, But ȝit þei wust neuer who þou was. Line 20 Þus þen Carpes Cleophas: Þe Niht is neih as we may se, Þe liht of þe dai is waxen las: Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 24

(4)

Dwelle with vs, vr fader dere, Þi bidyng is in heuene-blis,

And euure þi name be halewed here. Þi kyngdom let vs neuere mis. Line 28 In heuene þi wille folfuld is, And heere in eorþe þat hit so be! Þe Rihtwys weyes ȝe wolde vs wis, Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 32

(5)

Vr bred, vr vche dayes foode, Drihten deore, þou vs diht. Vr dette, God þat is so goode, ffor-ȝiue vs for þi muchele miht, Line 36 As we schul heom wiþ herte liht Þat in vr dette or daunger be. Leste we Rule vs not a-riht, Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 40

(6)

Dwelle wiþ vs, lord, leste we haue teene, Lede us to no temptacion. In eny synne ȝif we beo seene, We prey þe of Merci and pardoun; Line 44 Wiþ al þe Mekenes þat we moun, We schal crye, knelyng on kne: Vppon bere whon we beo boun, Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 48

(7)

Lord, dwelle with vs in al ur neode; Wiþ-outen þe we haue no miht, Vr hondes vp til vr hed to beode, Wit nor weole sauereþ no siht. Line 52 In eny caas ȝif we ben cliht, We con not but we crie to þe, In al vr neode boþe day and niht, Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 56

(8)

Ho dwelleþ wiþ þe, þar haue no doute ffor no synne ne sodeyn chaunce. But ay þe fend is fast aboute To putte vs, lord, fro þi plesaunce; Line 60

Line 60 Whon we beoþ out of gouernaunce, Vr flesch is frele, we can not fle: Keep us out of al cumbraunce, Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 64

(9)

Dwelle wiþ us, lord of loue and pes, And make þi wonynge vs wiþ-inne, In Charite þat we encres, And kep vs out of dedly synne; Line 68 Torn neuer þi face from us to twynne; ffor Marie loue, þat Mayden fre, Whon we schal eny werk beo-gynne Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 72

(10)

Mane nobiscum, domine! Wiþ-outen þe we ben riht nouht. What Ioye or Blis weore þat to þe, To þeose þat þou hast deore abouht? Line 76 In word, In wille, In herte and þouht, We schul preye to þe Trinite: Out of þis world whon we be brouȝt, Mane nobiscum, domine! Line 80

27. A Prayer to the Virgin Mary.

(14 stanzas of 12, abab abab cdcd.)

(1)

AVe Maris stella, dei Mater Alma, Atque semper virgo, felix celi porta. Heil, sterre of þe Séé so briht! Þow graunt vs to ben vr gyde; Godes holi Moder riht, Þi worschipe walkeþ wyde; Line 4 Al-wey Mayden þorw his miht, Þow sittest bi his syde; Blesset ȝate of heuene liht, Þow rede vs riht to ryde! Line 8 Ladi, we ben maked al glad: ffor þou weore meoke I-founde,

Godes Moder weore þou mad, I-Blesset beo þat stounde! Line 12

(2)

Liknet artou to sterre of séé, To lihten vs, grete and smale; Godes Moder ay to be, ffor vs þou telle vr tale; Line 16 ffor þi Maydenhod so fre, Þou bring vs out of bale; Help us in-to heuene fle Out of þis wopes dale. Line 20 Ladi, bring vs out of wo! ffrom Bales þou vs borwe! Godes Moder and Mayden also, Þou saue vs out of sorwe! Line 24

(3)

Sumens illud Aue Gabrielis ore, ffunda nos in pace, mutans nomen eue. Takyng þat word Aue— Þat sonde sat þe seete— Of Gabriels mouþ so fre, Þorw God he gon þe grete. Line 28 Prei for us in pes to be, Wiþ murþes mo to meete; Eues name i-tornd for þe Þat sit us softe and swete. Line 32 Ladi blisful, Meoke and Mylde, Þat word in Ioye us pultus; Godes Moder, prei þi childe Þat he for-ȝiue vr gultus. Line 36

(4)

Aue worþily þe fel, Þat was þe ȝarked ȝore Of þat Angel Gabriel, Þorw ȝift of Godes lore. Line 40 Prey us pes, þer to be snel, Þou salue us of vr sore; Siþ þat Eue is tornd so wel, vr blisse is wel þe more. Line 44

Line 44 Ladi, qween of paradys, To þe we schullen calle, Godes Moder, wommon wys, And Mekest most of alle. Line 48

(5)

SOlue vincla reis, profer lumen cecis, mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce. Gulti bondes here vnbynd, Vr gultes ben to fele; Seend hem siht þat here aren blynd, Þou bring vs to þi wele; Line 52 Put a-wey vr wikked wynt, Vr synful lyf þou heele; Alle goodes aske and grynt, And sent vs of þat Meole. Line 56 Ladi, nou þat hit is þus, Help we weore vnbounde; Godes Moder, prei for vs To him wiþ blodi wounde! Line 60

(6)

WE han agult, vnbynd us here, Wiþ Merci fond vs fede; Send þe blynde, lokyng clere, To hele us here tak hede; Line 64 Put a-wei vr wik in weere, Þat doþ us driȝe and drede; Aske us God wiþ-outen peere, Þat holliche heuene meede. Line 68 Laydi, nou þin help a-non, Þer of þat we ne fayle; Godes Moder, a-ȝein vr fon Þou most be Countur tayle. Line 72

(7)

MOnstra te esse matrem, sumat par te precem qui pro nobis natus tulit esse tuus. Scheuh þat Moder art, enclyn To him þat dyȝed on Roode; He, þorwȝ þe, tak preyer myn, Þat bouȝt us wiþ his bloode; Line 76

Line 76 Boren for us was he so fyn, Hit com al vs to goode; He bi-com heere sone þyn, Þi Milk þen was his foode. Line 80 Godus Modur, þou him beere, Þi Milk nas non Ilyche, Ladi, him to fostren heere; Þat Burþe was ful riche. Line 84

(8)

MOdur, scheuh þat þou art fre; Þe may no murþe misse; Do þat we ben herd þorw þe, Þou bring us to þi blisse. Line 88 I-boren for us forsoþe was he, Þe synful men to wisse, He þat tok þi child to be, Þi Mouþ wiþ his to kisse. Line 92 Ladi briht, wiþ eiȝen gray, Such cos þou geete with winne; Godus Modur, Niht and day Þou help vs out of sinne. Line 96

(9)

Virgo singularis, inter omnes mitis, nos culpis solutos mites fac & castos. One, peereles Maide now, Þin help adoun þou seende; A-mong vchone, Meoke artou, Aȝeyn þe we ben vn-heende; Line 100 Sinne bond vs, þow wost hou, Þis world vs wol a-bleende; Make vs meoke, cast in a vou In-to vr lyues ende. Line 104 Ladi, bring vs out of strif, Vs geyneþ nouht to ȝelpe; Godus Modur, al vr lyf We spillen, bote þou helpe. Line 108

(10)

Mayden al-one, buyrde briht, Wel brihtor þen þe Sonne;

Mekest Mayden, most of miht, Vr gatus þou bi-gonne; Line 112 Sinne bond vs day and niht, We spillen þat we sponne: Mak vs meke and clene in siht, Þen is vr game I-wonne. Line 116 Ladi, lene vs of þi liht, ffor ȝit we ben to blynde; Godes modur, send vs miht, Þe rihte wei to wende. Line 120

(11)

VItam presta puram, iter para tutum, Vt videntes Ihesum semper colletemur. And leen vs clene lyf also, Þis lyf is serwe and sake; Diht vs siker wei to go, Þis sunful lyf þou slake; Line 124 Get vs Ihesus to seo þer-to, Þorw siht of him to a-wake, vs to gladschupe euer-mo, Þin help vs þou by-take. Line 128 Ladi louelich, feir and fre, Þou lilye whyt of face, Godus Moder briht of ble, We tristen to þi grace. Line 132

(12)

Clene lyf ȝif vs to-day And forþward euer-more, Greiþ vs here a syker way; We stomble ofte and sore; Line 136 Siht of Ihesu, wel þou may, Ȝif hit þi wille wore, Þorw þat siht to glade vs ay, So lyking is þi lore. Line 140 Ladi al in liht I-schrud, Þeos wordes ben ful soþe; Godus Modur, Qween I-kud, Tak þi seruauns to þe. Line 144

28. A Prayer to the Trinity.

(2 stanzas of 12, abab abab cdcd.)

(1)

Sit laus deo patri, summo christo decus, spiritui sancto, tribus, honor vnus. Amen. In God ffader heryng sit, Þer aftur schul we calle; To þe Sone al ful of wit On kneo we schullen falle; Line 4 Þe Holigost, to vs þou flit In graces for to walle; Wit and Grace and strengþe hit, We schul hem herie alle. Line 8 On is God of mihtes most ffeiþ fully for to fonde, ffader and Sone and Holigost Al on is vnderstonde. Line 12

(2)

ÞE ffader was, and ay schal be, And is wiþ-outen ende; Þe Sone dyede vppon þe tre, Vr falce foon to schende; Line 16 Þe holygost, þat makeþ þre, Þat may vs grace seende: Al is on In Trinite, What wey þou turne or weende. Line 20 I may sei wiþ-outen bost Þe holy Book leyh neuere. ffader and Sone and holygost Beo wiþ us nou and euere! amen. [[The Vernon MS. ends here. Nos. 29-30 are from the Simeon MS., Addit. 22,283, Brit. Mus., leaf 134.]] Line 24

29. But thou say Sooth, thou shalt be shent. [See the former "Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent," p. 683.]

(9 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)

(1)

Who so loueth endeles rest, Þis false world þen mot he fle,

And dele þer-wiþ bot as a gest, And leue hit not in no degre. Line 4 Hit is but trouble & tempest, ffals fantasye & vanite; In þat þraldom who so is I-þrest Him mot eschewe al charite. Line 8 Þat day þat eueri mon schal se His dedes schewed & his entent, What maner mon so þat he be, But he sey soth, he schal be schent. Line 12

(2)

Seyth now dauid in his sawe In þe sauter book openly, Þat whoso to þe worldus lust drawe, In his lyf is leef to lye Line 16 Þat he ne leueþ not on godus lawe, But forsakeþ hit wylfully. And, for him stont of god no awe, In bremful bale he schal hit by, Line 20 When concience his werk schal wrye; And as he doþ, he dom schal hente: Whit-outen restores or remedye, But he sey soth, he schal be schente. Line 24

(3)

A lesyng is with-outen doute Wel worse þen sommen taken hede, ffor, haue þe tonge onus told hit oute, Abrod þen schal hit sprynge & sprede, Line 28 And renne ful ryf in eueri route; And be hit onus so blowen on brede, Þey men wolden aftur knele & loute; Men may not stoppe hit with no mede. Line 32 Such lesyngus þen I rede ȝe drede, Lest ȝe in bittur bales ben brent. ffor þer nis non so styf on stede, But he sey soth, he schal be schent. Line 36

(4)

Þou miht als chep robbe a mon As with a lesyng lese his name.

What so þou spekest, where or whanne, Loke þat þou no mon diffame. Line 40 Sey þe sothe, ȝif þat þou kan, Þou suppose to here a blame, fful sore þe stonde elles schal þou ban When truthe þi tales schal a-tame. Line 44 To greue god, hit is no game, Þat lust & lykyng haþ þe lent; ffor outh þat þou const forge or frame, But þou sey soth, þou schalt be schent. Line 48

(5)

Ȝif þou be þrat to take þe deth ffor seyng soth, be not agast; Let not þe sothe be set be-neth, But truthe to mayntene, be ay studefast. Line 52 Þenke þi lyf is but a breth, Þenke þou schalt passen, as mo han past. Clottes of clay þi cors schal cleth, [folio :2] Þi careyne vn-to wormes cast, Line 56 When Gabriel schal blowe his blast, ffor soth sawe schaltou neuer repent. Þen leue hit lely, at þe last But þou sey soth, þou schalt be schent. Line 60

(6)

Alas! what corsed lyf is þis, Þat men dreden more þe world now here Þen him þat wrouȝte þe world I-wys, And al þing haþ in his pouwere. Line 64 As men in questus seyn ofte a-mys, And stoppen quereles otrewe & clere; Such men þenkeþ not on heuen blys, Þat ȝeuen verdites in such manere. Line 68 Truthe & kuyndenesse knyt in fere, God askeþ of vs non oþer rent; Þenne wyte hit wel withoute were, But þou sey soth, þou schalt be schent. Line 72

(7)

Þey þou kacche blame a þrowe ffor seyng sooþ more or lasse,

Þenne aftur wþen þe treuþe is I-knowe Among goode men, as I gesse, Line 76 Þou schalt be leef vch mon to trowe And worschyp for þi sothfastnesse. Þerfore I rede boþe hye and lowe, Sey soth and lette for no dystresse. Line 80 Þyn owne wordus schul bere witnesse A-ȝeyn þe at þi Iuggement; When grete god þat doom schal dresse, But þou sey soth, þou schalt be schent. Line 84

(8)

Hold vp no monnus oyl, I rede, When he wenduþ out of þe wey, ffor such glosyngus makeþ mony quede, When non þe soþe dar to him say. Line 88 Such flaterynge schal luyte stond in stude When god þe grete doom schal aray; And he þat best now here con plede, I leue he schal be lewede þat day, Line 92 Whan crist schal his woundes dysplay, Þat for vs was on rode I-rent, And vche mon schal take his pay, But þou sey soth, þou schalt [be] schent. Line 96

(9)

ffor seyng soþ, þou miht not synne, But ȝif þou sclaundre eny wyȝth; Sclaundre no mon more ne nynne, ffor sclaundre stynkeþ in godus syȝth. Line 100 Elles what quarel þou art ynne, Sey þe soþe, ay meynteyne þe ryȝth; And on þis wyse þou miht wynne Þe blysse a-boue þat blesseþ bryȝth, Line 104 And endeles lyf þat lasteþ lyȝth. Þus I am sure þat þou miht hent, And elles, when deþ þi doom schal dyȝth, But þou sey soþ, þou schalt be schent. Line 108

30. A Morning Thanksgiving and Prayer to God.

(11 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)

(1)

Iþonke þe, lord god, ful of miht, Wiþ al þat euer I con & may, Þat hast me sauet þis ilke niht And suffret me forto abyde þis day. Line 4 I-blesset be þou euer & ay, And halewed be þin hyȝe name; And worschypet be þou, lord, al-way, Wiþ hyȝe & lowe, wylde & tame. Line 8

(2)

In þe name of god þat al þing wrouȝth, Heuen & erþe and vche creature; In þe name of ihesu þat me dere bouȝth, Þat is god, godus sone so pure; Line 12 Þe holygost, god in o figure, To þe, o god in persones þre, I be-take þis day of me cure, And wiþ þi tokene I marke me: Line 16 In nomine patris & filij & spiritus sancti, Amen. Pater noster. Aue maria. Et Credo.

(3)

Lord god, þat þis day woldust make, Line 17 And schope me to lyue þer-ynne, My body & soule I þe be-take. Þis day, lord, kep me out of synne, Line 20 Wiþ trouþe þis day my lyflode to wynne, So þat I do þe non offens, ffrom þi lawe þat I ne twynne, Ne breke þi ten commaundementes. Line 24

(4)

Lord god Ihesu, as þou were boren in a dawynge, Of a virgyne pure & clene, Kepe me, lord, þis morewenynge, Þis day in dedly synne þat I not byn lene, Line 28 ffor wyninge of erþelyche godus: [folio 134:3] ffrom flessch[ly] lustus & lykynge,

Kepe me, lord, wiþ þi pressyos blod, ffrom temptacions of þe fende. Line 32

(5)

And as þou were turmentud sore In þat selue tyde of niht, Wiþ bobbyng, scorny[n]ge & wel more, ffort hit were dayes light Line 36 [. . . . . ight] Sende me þis day do sum good dede In lettyng wrong & doyng riht, Þat þou, lord, mouwe quyte me my mede. Line 40

(6)

As þou were lord, when hit was day, Ofte examnet wiþ wordus grete, Wiþ bysschopes of ful gret aray, Wiþ proude prynces þat þe con þrete, Line 44 Sende me þis day drynk & mete, And susteyne me in þi seruise; Ȝif I be mys-hap, lord, þe fo[r]ȝete, Þorw þe, lord, let me aryse! Line 48

(7)

Lord I be-take þe my fiue wyttes; Myn yȝen, þat I synge not in syȝth. Lord, my mouth open hit in þi werkes, Þer-wiþ þat I may speke truþe & riȝth. Line 52 Myn heryng, lord god, dele & dyȝh To here noþing aȝeyn þi wille; My nese, lord ihesu ful of myȝth, Kepe hit þat I non vuel smel. Line 56

(8)

Lord, kep & lede my feet also Þat heo don þi seruyse, Þat with hem I not mys go. Myn honden, lord, kep on alle wyse, Line 60 And set hem, lord, in such asyse Þat I, [o] lord, with hem not synne. And ȝif I do, lord, let me aryse, And let me not longe lygge þerynne. Line 64

Line 64

(9)

Þeyȝ I haue syngut her-be-fore, Let me not for-garte þi grace. I crye þe mercy, lord, euer more; Of amendement, lord, sende sum space, Line 68 And sende my soule for my trespace. Þenke, lord, I am þi creature, And sende me, lord, help now in þis cas Þi mercy out ouer al mesure. Line 72

(10)

Lord, wharto woldust vengaunce take On me þat ȝelde me þus gulty? I may not amendus make, But put me holly in þi mercy, Line 76 And for my synne I am sorye: Þenk, of my self no myȝth I haue; But þou me help, in synne I dye: Þi grace, mercy, [? for 'grete mercy'] lord, may me saue. Line 80

(11)

My soule, my body, lord god ihesu, I now by-take in þi kepynge; Kepe me, lord, in þi vertu, In al my werk & al my worchynge. Line 84 In þi nome be al my doynge! In þe nome of Ihesu I be-gynne: Lord god ihesu al weldynge, Þis day kepe me out of synne! Amen! [[The rest of the leaf is blank.]] Line 88