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

Horstmann, Carl, b. 1851., Furnivall, Frederick James, 1825-1910.

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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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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. Page 2

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.

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,

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

Þat writen is þer-Inne of þe,

On Englisch tonge þorwh swynk of me.

Wyse men bi Olde dawes

Bokes made of goode lawes,

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,

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,

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,

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—

ffor whose hereþ of Beestes kynde

Mony wondrus he may þer fynde,

ffeole þinges seon and here

Wher-þorwh he may him-self lere

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, Page 3

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.

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.—

Ihesu louerd, þi loue to wynne

Ȝif me grace to bi-gynne,

Loue me sende to fordo synne,

Þat al monkynde was bounden Inne.

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.

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.

Habraham, Ysaak, and seint Ion,

Dauid þe kyng, and Salamon,

Þidere heo wenden, euerichon,—

Heo nedden þo no beter won.

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;

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.

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."

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. Page 4

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:

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.)]

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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."

140

Nolde Marie no lengore plede,

Þis wordes in hire herte heo sede: Page 5

"Lo me her Godus Mayde,

Wiþ me do God as þou hast sayde!"

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!

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.

152

Sone so þe Mayde Marie

Entrede þe hous of Ȝakarie,

Eliȝabeth In prophecie

Þe Maide custe and þus gon crie:

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.

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—

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!

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,

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.

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. Page 6

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.

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:

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.)]

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."

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

216

Þat swete couple at þat metynge

Of ffleschliche lust hedde no lykynge, Page 7

Bote holy wille and swete egginge

To Godus seruyse chyld forþ bringe.

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.

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.—

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.

232

¶ Þenne seiden his frendes alle

Ȝakarie heo wolden him calle.

Þat herde þe Modur, þer heo lay,

And onswerde and seide: "nay,

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.

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.

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."

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.

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!

256

*. [This stanza follows v. 266 in the MS.]And þou, child, schalt ben clept prophete,

Þou schalt greiþe godus strete, Page 8

Godus folk þou schalt . . . . .gete

And hem teche heor sunnes bete.

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

264

Hire lyf ladde wiþ-oute folye

Wiþ Eliȝabeth and hire cumpaygnye.

. . . . .

Wiþ hem þenne was heo þore

Þreo Moneþes, oþur more,

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

272

Ar heo say fulliche in dede

Eliȝabeth seint Ion fede.—

Þenne heo þonked god, ful of blisse,

Þat he wolde seo hire mekenesse

276

And hire a sone sende in swetnesse,

To taken in hire monnes liknesse.

"Þerfore me schal al Monkynde

Blisful telle in heore mynde,

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.

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.

288

Þe folk of Israel haþ vndurfonge

Þe child þat heo abide longe;

¶ Also him spac þe heuene kyng

To Abraham and his ofspring."

292

Whon Marie hedde i-seȝe þe dede

Of þe child and al þe neode, Page 9

Þe Mayden hire bi-gon to spede

And leue tok and hom heo eode.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)]

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:

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.

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." Page 10

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.—

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 . . . . .

340

In al þat lond nas . . . . .

Ouer al þat lond w . . . . .

He criede his ban . . . . .

To alle þat weren . . . . .

344

Þat vndur him no . . . . .

Þat were of eny oþu . . . . .

Whon Ioseph þus h . . . . .

Wiþ him tok þe Ma . . . . .

348

Out of Naȝareth h . . . . .

And to Bethlehem h . . . . .

In Bethleem he tok his wonynge,

ffor Marie was neih childynge,

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,

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:

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

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.)]

368

Heo leyden him in Bestes stalles,

I-loke bi-twene two olde walles— Page 11

Þenne was fuld þe prophecie

Þat bi-fore seide Ysayȝe:

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.—

376

So bi-fel þat ilke tyde

Þat in þe cuntre þerbisyde

Herdes wakede in a Mede,

Heore bestes and heore schep to fede.

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.

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.

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.

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.)]

396

Page 12

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,

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!

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!

ȝif eny sterynge wolde me stele

Out of þe cloos of þi clennesse,

Wise þou me, in woo & wele,

And kepe me from unkyndenesse!

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;

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!

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.

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. Page 13

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:

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

Dedly drauhtes þauh I drinke,

Of repentaunce ȝif me respit.

ffor on þi peynes hose þynke,

In worldly welþe haþ no delyt.

Auditui meo dabis gaudium.

To myn herynge þou schalt ȝiue

Gladnesse, to glade bones meke. Page 14

In louhnesse lere þou me to liue,

Leoue lord, I þe by-seke.

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.

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.

Sunnes fele þat me deface

Makeþ þat I ne con not say,

But crie Merci whon I trespace—

Ichot þer nis non oþur way.

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.

Allas þi tormentes for tene,

Þi bodi blak, þi bones bluwe!

Mekeful lord, þou make hit sene

Wiþ-Inne myn herte, þat hidous hewe.

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.

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.

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;

100

And as þou miht my langour lisse, Page 15

Þou brouhtest mon to gret bonchef,

So let me neuere þi Merci misse

Whon I am gret wiþ gostly greef.

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,

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Page 16

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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:

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. Page 17

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]:

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

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. Page 18

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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. Page 19

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.

In þi merci is myn affyaunce;

Of my folye þou haue pite,

Þat þou of me ne take veniaunce,

Lord, for þi benignite.

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]

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.

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.

In Pruide, in Envye, In lecherye,

In Sleuþe, In Wraþþe, In Glotenye,

In al þis worldus Couetyse,

Ichaue isunged In alle þyse.

I-broken Ichaue þi Comaundemens

Aȝeynes myn owne Conciens,

And not iserued þe to queme:

Lord Merci, ar þe dom is deme.

TO ofte ichaue in my lyue

Isunged in my wittes fyue,

Wiþ Eres I-herd, wiþ Eiȝen siht,

Wiþ sunful speche day and niht,

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: Page 20

And of alle my folye

Merci, lord Ihesu, Ich crye.

Al-þauh ichaue i-sunged euere,

Lord, i ne forsok þe neuere,

Ne oþur god ne tok i none,

ffadur of heuene, but þe one.

And þerfore, lord, i þe biseche

Wiþ rihtful hertliche speche,

Ne ȝif þou me none mede

Aftur my sunfule dede.

But aftur, lord, þi grete pite

Ihesu lord, asoyle þou me,

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.

And let me neuere eft biginne

To do no more dedly synne,

So þat I at myn endyng-day

Clene of synne dye may,

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.

Swete ladi seinte Marie,

fful of Alle Curtesie,

Modur of Merci and of pite,

Myn hope, myn help is al in þe.

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.

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;

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, Page 21

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;

And also alle cristene men.

God lord Ihesus, Amen AMEN.

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.

HOli Patriarkes and prophetes,

Alle i preye ow and bi-seches:

Preyeþ for me to vre ladi,

Þat Ihesus of me haue merci.

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.

SEint Steuene and seint Laurens

And alle gode Martires þat þoleden turmens,

Preyeþ for me to vre ladi,

Þat Ihesus of me haue Merci.

SEint Martin and seint Nicholas

And alle gode confessours þat euer was,

Preyeþ for me to vre ladi,

Þat Ihesus of me haue merci.

Seinte Katerine and seinte Mergrete

And alle þe virgines gode and swete,

Preyeþ for me to vre ladi,

Þat Ihesus of me haue merci.

Seinte Marie Maudeleyne,

To þe I preȝe and eke pleyne:

Preyeþ*. [r. Prey] for me to vre ladi,

Þat Ihesus of me haue merci.

Alle Halewen þat euere were,

Þat beoþ crist lef and dere,

Preyeþ for me to vre ladi,

Þat Ihesus of me haue merci.

Page 22

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,

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.

Ihesus þat diȝedest on þe Rode

ffor þe loue of me

And bouhtest me wiþ þi blode,

Þou haue Merci of me:

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.

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.

¶ 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.

¶ 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;

And of bodily godus : Mi lyf also wiþ leden. Page 23

HElp me, swete ladi : And alle frendes myne,

And schild us here from alle vr fos : And from helle-pyne;

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.

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.

¶ 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;

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

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;

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;

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;

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. Page 24

MArie, as my trust : Enterliche is in þe,

ffor þi leoue sones loue : Þeos preyers graunt þou me;

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.

Þou þat art In Trinite,

Lord, þow haue Merci of me

And schild þou me from schome.

Heil Ihesu, godus sone,

Holigost from heuene i-come,

Kyng þou art i-Coren;

Heil mon of most miht,

Godus sone þat art so briht,

Of Marie þou were boren.

Heil god, best þe be,

heil Blosme vppon tre,

Heried beo þi sonde!

Heil fruit, heil flour,

Heil be þou Saueour

Of watur and of londe.

Heil kyng, heil kniht,

heil mon of most miht,

Prince in þi Trone,

Heil Duyk, heil Emperour,

Heil beo þou gouernour

Of al þis worldus wone.

Heil flesch, heil blod,

heil mon of mylde mod,

Heil beo þow kyng;

Heil God ffeirest,

Heil beo þou, bern best,

Þow madest alle þyng. Page 25

Heil Rose vppon Rys,

heil mon of most pris,

ffor us þou were ded;

Heil God ful of miht,

Godus sone þat art so briht,

In fourme þou art of bred.

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.

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.

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,

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,

Wiþ ffadur and Sone and Holygost,

Þat Regneþ God In Trinite. Amen.

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

Þat crist wolde in þe aliht.

Help us, ladi, þorw þi miht

To habben his blessyng. Page 26

HAue Ioye, Marie, for þou were

Glad of Ihesu þo þou him bere,

And*. [r. al?] wiþ-outen pyning;

fful þou weore of Godus grace.

Help me, Ladi, to seo þi face,

ffeirest of alle þyng.

HAue Ioye, Marie, feole siþe,

ffor Ihesus a-Ros from deþ to lyue

In a morwenyng,

Þe þridde day þat he was ded.

Ladi, schild us from þe qued

And from his wikked tysyng.

HAue Ioye, Marie, for þou seȝe

Þat Ihesu crist to heuene steiȝe

In to his woniȝing,

And euere þou seȝe him at þi wille.

Help us, ladi, þat we ne spille,

Þorwȝ þi beo-seching.

HAue Ioye, Marie, þow were vp fet

And bi Ihesu crist I-set

Þer þat he is kyng;

Qween he made þe wiþ Croune.

Help us, ladi, þorwh þi bone,

And to blisse us bring. Amen.

¶ ffadur and sone and holigost,

Al þat is and nis þow wost,

And art wiþ-oute bigining:

Lord, for þi Modur loue

Graunt vs þe Ioye þat is aboue,

Þat neuer haþ endyng. Amen.

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, Page 27

And wysliche folewen euere þi wille,

Sikerliche knowen and folfulle

Þe louereden of þi nome and blis,

Mi stat ordeynen as þi wille is.

Al þin askyng and þi wille

Euere do me, lord, folfille;

As me may most in soule nede

Þi wissynge help to spede.

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,

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,

Ne serwe neuere bote for þing

Þat torne þe to mis-lykyng,

Ne þat I neuere desire to plesen

No mon falsliche ne displesen

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,

And alle þinges þat þyne be

Leof and deore mak hem me,

And þou al-one, Almihti kyng,

Out and ouer al oþur þyng

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.

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.

Euere myn herte to þe þou dresse,

Mi sunne to clanse wiþ serefulnesse.

Boxum me make wiþ-oute feyning,

And glad wiþ-outen ryotyng, Page 28

Serwhful wiþ-outen þat luþer last

To maken of my-self out-cast,

Meur wiþ-outen greuoushed,

And Murie wiþ-outen wyldehed,

Soþ wiþ-outen falshed

Or eny oþur doublehed

Of fikel word wiþ double entente

To bleenden þat þe sawe mente;

Dredful wiþ-outen wonhope,

And trust wiþ-outen ouer-hope;

Min euencristne to vndurnyme so

Þat þer ne beo no feynyng to,

And wiþ-outen eny pruyde

Hem to edefyen in alle tyde,

In word, ensaumple, and in dede,

To alle gode from alle quede;

Vmble wiþ-outen ȝein-siggyng,

Suffraunt wiþ-outen grucchyng.

Waker herte ȝif þou me

Euere, lord, a-bouten þe,

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.

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.

¶ Rihtful herte ȝif me also

Þat no wrong wit ne enclyne to.

¶ Lord, ffadur of alle Merci,

I þe bi-seche hertely

Cunnynge, þe to knowe ariht

Wiþ bisi sechinge day and niht,

Wiþ*. [r. wit?] þat I kunne fynde,

Mi þewes in þi lykyng bynde;

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?]Page 29

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,

Þyne Ioyes vsen and wiþ þe wone

In þi glorie, wiþ ffadur and sone. Amen.

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.

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,

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.

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,

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. Page 30

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

[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. Page 31

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

LAdi, for þe ioye : Þat þou þi-self were Inne

Whon þou seȝe Ihesu crist : fflour of al mon|kinne, Page 32

Steih in to his riche : Þer Ioye schal neuer blynne,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

¶ 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.

¶ 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.

¶ 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.

Page 33

[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.?] . . . . .

Marie, þat þou seȝe on Rode

Whon þou bi þi sone stode,

Marie, þat Ran out of his syde

fforte falle þe fendes pryde,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

Marie, in to blisse, wiþ þe to wone,

ffor Ihesu loue, þi deore sone. AMEN.

Page 34

[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,

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.

LOrd, for þe ȝifte of pite

Ȝif me grace sunne to fle,

Ȝif hit beo þi wille;

And þorwh þe ȝifte of drede also

Euere godnesse forte do,

And neuere to don ille.

IN wit, louerd, wys me make,

Worldus pruyde euere forsake,

ffor þi woundus fyue.

Ȝift of strengþe graunte þou me,

Out of sunne euer to be,

Whiles icham a-lyue.

IN-sihte ȝif þou me also

Þe to knowe, in weole and wo

Wheþer þat i beo Inne.

Ȝift of counseil put in me

Euere for to serue þe

Clene wiþ-oute synne.

SEnde me wisdam, forte se

Mi wrecchednesse and my frelete

Now and eueri day;

So þat at my lyues ende

To þat Ioye þow me sende

Þat lasteþ now and ay. A m e n.

[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, Page 35

Lord, as þou bede me;

I ȝaf no drinke þe þhursti,

Wiþ wille ne wiþ bodi:

Merci, lord, I crie þe.

ÞE naked, lord, I ne haue not clad

To my pouwer, as þou bad,

Nouþur wiþ dede ne wille;

Ne sek folk ne cumforted I:

Þerfore, lord, mak me sori

Þat I haue don so ille.

Dede bodies haue I graue non,

But heold despyt of vchon

Wher þat I hem sawe.

In myn herborwh herborwhed I non,

Pore Mon ne Pilgrym, of fflesch and bon,

To folfulle þe lawe.

Prisones þat harde i-bounden lay,

I ne visitede hem Niht ne day:

Lord, for-ȝiue hit me,

And alle oþur wikkedhed,

Þat I may comen aftur my ded

And wonen euere, lord, wiþ þe. Amen.

[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,

Wiþ myn Eres herd wikkede sawes

Of myn Euencristne a-ȝeyn þe lawes,

Boþe day and nihtes.

In tast haue I had gret lykyng

And passed mesure In Mete and drink:

Lord, for-ȝiue hit me;

And þat ichaue sunged in smellyng,

And also, lord, in synful felyng,

Ȝif þi wille be. A M E N.

Page 36

[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.

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.

Þi nome not nempned in worschupe,

Bute ofte-siþes in Idelschupe.

In holi-dayes haue I wrouht,

To holychurche eode I nouht.

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.

Wiþ wrong ichaue had muche þing,

Boþe of ȝifte and of stelyng.

Boren ichaue fals witnesse

And seldene i-don Rihtwysnesse.

In lecherie haue I sunged ille

Ofte-siþes aȝeynes skille.

I-chaue coueyted more þen me hihte

Mi neihȝebores god wiþ vnrihte,

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.

Page 37

[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

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!

or[emus.] Lord Ihesu, godus sone : Þat synful mon wolt not tyne, Page 38

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;

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.

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;

Þei spitteden in his feire face : Þe men wiþ-outen lawe,

Ne wolde þei neuere blinne : Til þei hedde him slawe.

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.

or. Lord Ihesu, godes sone : Þat sunful mon wolt not tyne,

Bi-twenen vr soules and þi dom : Puttest þe in hard pyne: Page 39

Þi Cros, þi deþ nou and euere : And at vre endyng-tyme

Graunte liuinde men : Grace and merci þyne;

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.

"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,

And crouned him wiþ þornes : Þe blod ron in to his eiȝe;

And siþen maden him bere þe cros : To þe Mount of Caluarie

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.

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,

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.

Page 40

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.

Whose þenkeþ on Marie serwe : May he neuere be glad.

v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo,

Þat bouhtest al þe world on treo.

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,

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.

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.Page 41

At Non þer þurlede Ihesus herte : Longius, a Blynd kniht;

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

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.

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;

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.

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; Page 42

"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,

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.

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,

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.

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;

He sette knihtes him to kepen : Þat he a-wey nere don:

And ȝut he ros to lyue : ffor hem euerichon

100

Of þo,

And schewede him to þe*. [overlined.] Maudeleyn : To peter and mony mo. Page 43

v. Crist, honoured mote þou beo,

Þat bouhtest al þe world on treo.

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,

108

To dede, reste and pardoun;

To Churche, pes, loue in londe : To synful, Con|tricioun.

v. Cristes passion, heuene kyng,

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,

116

Þorwh Grace.

God sende us lyues fode : And in heuene a place. AMEN.

Page 37

[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

Page 38Beelde us (!) houre sinful soules in*. [M. &] þin iugement,

Nou and in tyme of ded þat we ne be y-schent.

[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;

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,

Hiis schines were y-beten, hiis honden weren y-bonden,

Hiis face hy gonne on spete—lyt of heuene þey fonde.

Page 39Ad 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.

. . . . .

On his schulder he bar þe crois to þe piningge.

Page 40Sicut 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.

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.

Page 41

At none houre louerd crist of þysse lif he wende,

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.

Page 42Swech 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,

In-oynt he was wyt aromat, holi writ to fulle.

Ȝoruful meynde of his deþ bee in myne wille. Amen.

Page 43

[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.

Qui paraclitus diceris,

donum dei Altissimi,

fons viuus, ignis, caritas,

et spiritalis vnccio.Page 44

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dvdum sacrata pectora

tua replesti gracia:

dimitte nunc peccamina

et da quieta tempora.Page 45

Holi hertes sum-tyme was

Þou fuldest, lord, þorwh grace þyne:

ffor-ȝif now gultus and trespas,

And ȝif us reste in alle tyme.

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.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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: Page 46

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.

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;

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.

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;

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.

*. [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!

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.

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,

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.

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. Page 47

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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. Page 48

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

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.

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.

Ihesu, in whom is al mi trust,

Þat diȝedest on þe Rode-tre,

Wiþ-drauh myn herte from flesches lust

And from worldly vanite.

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. Page 49

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.

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.

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.

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!

[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,

Modur wiþ-outen pere,

Wiþ-outen knowyng of Mon

A worþi chyld þow beere:

Mak vs vr lordus lawes kepe

And ofte to haue in mende, Page 50

In to kyngdom of Ioye to lepe,

Beo blessed wiþ-outen ende.

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

Brouhten forþ a sone

At whos deþ boþe alle and som

ffolk grucche bi-gone:

Heore*. [r. here] deuoute voices al-way

Þat sechen þe here in grounde;

Euel causes remoue a-way

Þat vs here han I-founde.

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

Of holy heuenly lyuyng,

Of whos wombe wiþ honour

Is boren a child, vr kyng,

Þat hedde compassion of þe ded,

Wiþ his dedliche slepyng

Wiþ deþ [deþ]*. [om.] he termyned,

Vr gult awey wassching.

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,

Modur of þe getere,

Hauyng child aȝeynes old wone

Oþur elles comuyn manere: Page 51

Calle us aȝeyn in to þat staat

Þat is of better lyuyng,

ffor us haþ holden longe al maat

Vanyte of erryng.

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

Out of Egyptes cley,

In vices wounden to helpe, certeyn,

Þou art redi al-wey:

Þou defendyng us wel riht

Wiþ þe scheld of wil,

Vs Corouned in blisse briht

Set sikerly wiþ skil.

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,

Hele of þe forþinkyng:

Bi-hold þe wrecchednesse so rif

Of soule þat is serwyng;

Þat in wraþþe I ne feel

Þe vois of repreyuing,*. [MS. repreyning]

Clanse me from sunnes eueridel

And eke from tormentyng.

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

Hed art of vr hope: Page 52

Þorw þi merites specialiche

Haue merci on me mope,

Þat from alle þe liknesse

Of þis lyuyng heer

I may haue wiþ fulnesse

Þe siht of god so cler.

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,

Somme of ioyes I calle,

Bi whom þe wondurful kyng,

Lord þat is ouer alle,

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.

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,

Modur of Ihesu crist,

Þat to conceyue in þi space

Onliche Mayden deseruedist:

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.

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.Page 53

Heil Mayden ouer oþur met,

Beo whom is mad passyng

Vppon on of hulles gret

In whuch is don offring,

Þe weþer holden wiþ a Brer,

Whuche was a-ȝeyn biggyng

Of þe wastour þat was in wer,

fforȝiuenes þat com askyng.

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,

Ȝit I sey Modur heil!

Cristes ȝok in dede and word

To bere mak me not fayl;

Þat I of þe eiȝteþe blisse

Beo parciner me borwe,

To beo diliuered and euer misse

Vr furste modur sorwe.

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,

Worschiped wiþ nome of Moder;

So plentiuous I-douwed wiþ grace

Was þer neuer non oþer:

Purge þe scharpnesse of vr þouht,

So þat hit beo sped,

And þat hit to longe ne slepe nouht

In slep of sunful ded.

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

Aue templum gracie, templum sanctitatis,

Templum sancti spiritus, tronus maiestatis:Page 54

Salua me, per graciam salua queso gratis,

Vt sortiri ualeam regnum cum beatis.

Heil temple of grace most,

Temple of Sauntite,

Temple of þe holygost,

Trone of þe Maieste:

100

Saue me, be grace me saue,

I preye þe nou, freliche,

Þat I mowe þe kyngdom haue

Wiþ seintes þat ben godliche.

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

105

Of kyng strong in honde,

Beo whom crist is maad parciner

Of vre lot her in londe,

108

Þat brak þe bondes and þe loke

Of helle foule ȝates,

Called us fro deþ þer we weore stoke,

Victor of deþ algates.

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

113

Arayed for a kyng,

Of whom sprong forþ for us vchone

An Auoket lyking:

116

Crist nou beo vr heritage,

Þat of þe is boren,

And kepe his seruauns in alle age,

Þat þei beo not for-loren.

120

Page 55

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,

121

In to whuche he*. [MS. þou] entrid

Kyng of kynges, lord of pite,

þe whuche þe coueyted.

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.

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,

129

Of whom a Mene of diuis*. [= device]

Com to vs wiþ-outen wene,

Victor of olde Enemys:

132

Vr Enemys he al to-tere,

ffihtere þat is so strong,

And beo grace beo he ȝiuere

Of Ioye þat lasteþ long.

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,

137

Of whom goþ forþ vche while

Þe verrey sonnes bem liht,

Þat huydeþ al þe gyle Page 56

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.

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

145

Speciouse at al,

Mayden wys and þerto Meke,

Wiþ-outen fulþe gret or smal:

148

In alle maner vr*. [MS. of vr] sacrifice

Deuouteliche take þou now,

Ordeyne vr Maners on þi wyse,

Desires and eke a-vow.

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,

153

Worþiful to beo gret,

Þou bar hele vs alle helynde,

Sauncȝ pere þou art set.

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.

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

161

Brouht forþ a worm þat dred,*. [r. died?]Page 57

Þat vnder-bityng priuely

Þe Iuy of Ione dried;

164

Whon þe lettre of þe laue

Þat al þing in clos keped,

Aperteliche wiþ open sawe

To vs forsoþe he schewed.

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,

169

Wiþ giftus of grace

Maad riche wiþ plente;

Of correccioun in vche place

172

Þou art staf, and eke ȝerde

Of consolacioun,

Þorwh whuche crist, þat is nouȝt ferde,

Vs sette in pasture boun.

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,

177

Eorþe nouht hered,

Wiþ þe deuh of grace i-wis

ffulliche for euer wered,

180

Beryng fruit of whos sauour

Reformed was verreyliche

Olde Adames sone, þe furste synnour,

Þat holden was wrecchedliche.

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.Page 58

Heil on whos blisse certeyn

185

Alle crien and ben not feynt,

Be whuche gon vp a-ȝeyn

In depnesse þat weoren dreynt:

188

Þorwh þe, ladi of delyt,

Heo þat ben conuerted ones

Torn þenne a-ȝein not to vomyt,

As hound þat haþ eten bones.

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

193

Defautes of þe peple,

Modres affeccion schewh þou now

Þi sones þat ben feble;

196

Ordeyn þou vr maners so,

Weyuyng inparfyt þing,

Þat vr fot mowe þen go

Streiht forþ wiþ-outen lettyng.

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:

204

I preye þe, ladi, vs bi-holde

Wiþ þyn eȝen clere,

Derknesses fer fro us folde

And kepe vr þouhtes here.

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, Page 59

Caro carnem liberans, caro mori nata,

Caro que refloruit morte triumphata.*. [cf. Ps. 27, v. 7.]

Heil Mayden of a lord,

209

Modur saunȝ tecche I-þriue,

Of whos wombe þorwh Godus word

fflesch to god was ȝiue;

212

Þat flesch dilyuered flessche,

Þat flesch boren was to dye,

Þat flesch refloured þat was nessche,

Of deþ þat hedde Maystrie.

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,

217

Breþeren him wolde purchase,

To beo clept godus sones of blis

Be rihte In vche place.

220

Goþ nou sones deuoutelye

Þat he haþ called him to,

Offreþ þe lombes of Innocensye,

ffor he comaundet so.

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

225

Halewed worþily,

Of alle Modrus i-wist

To haue þe pris only:

228

Mak us redi*. [MS. ^gredi, r. greiþe?] to vr vs

Þe olde sacke verreyly

Þat for ur woundes as refus

Was wounded wilfully.

232

IN te domine speraui, non confundar in eternum:*. [Ps. 30 (31).]in Iusticia tua libera me.Page 60

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,

233

And vr strengþe þerto,

Whos noble swetnesse

Is muchel and gret also:

236

In þe beo myn hope i-set

Sadly, in certeyn,

ffor in þin heriing nou I swet

ffreoliche and nouȝt in veyn.

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

241

God is of goddus alle

I-maad mon, to don a-wey

Þe þornes of synne and falle.

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!

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

249

Hem þat weoren out cast,

Þat from his ffadur seete certeyn

Went forþ in gret hast,

252

Leche, þat monkynde þat was mad

Parfyt, he fonde infecte,

Causes of sikenes þen he forbad

And eke þerof þe efecte.

256

Page 61

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

257

Þe feireste fruit i-founde,

Þe touche of whuche was so muche worþ

Þat Eues curs was vnbounde,

260

Þe whuche trespaced folilyche,

Þat was forboden touchyng,

Þe strok of veniaunce sikerliche

Laft to hem þat were comyng.

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

265

A scheld tok priuely,

And in his hond I-streyht ariht

Put of his enemy;

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.

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,

273

Trone of þe godhed,

Plenteuous ryuer in vche place,

And eke hous of freohed:

276

Beo þe, hope is ȝolde aȝeyn

To hem þat hedde dispeir: Page 62

Gouerne þe Anker in certeyn

Of vr floteryng schip in Eir!

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,

281

Wiþ vuel neuer ouer-come,

Of þreo maner of dignite

Wiþ title maad feir and nome:

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.

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

289

Of þe holigost, parde,

Þou beryng child wiþ-outen leir

Kepst flour of chastite:

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.

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

297

A psalm is songe wiþ cure,

And of his habit ful sotily

In whuche is suche figure Page 63

300

Whos, laft þis world outerly,

Dilyteþ him to take heed

Wiþ steppes of good þouht holy

To suwen crist, vr hed.

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

305

In-pollute, wondur clen;

Þorwh þe þe lord of alle þing

Þat hedden non help leosed men:

308

Help þorwh þi worþinesse

Him þat is woundun al-wey

In þe lake of wrecchednesse

And in þe fulþe of cley.

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

313

Þat dauid reised on ende,

Of whom þe sonne of riht, wuste

Wiþ cloude, hit gan forþ wende;

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.

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

321

Riueers of plente rif, Page 64

Of whom floweþ of gret worþ

Þe watres of welle of lyf.

324

Modur, ich aske nou þi merci:

Bi fulþes haue I gon;

Aftur þat welle mak me þursti

Oftur þen I haue don.

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

329

A Iuge is forþ passet

Þat determineþ vr causes cler

And punisscheþ hem þat trespasseþ;

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.

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

337

Bringeþ forþ neodful, certeyn,

And proude puiteþ in tribulacione

Þat risen vs aȝeyn.

340

Þat al vr þouhtes in to him

He dresse, I þe preye,

And refreyn of tempest grim

Þe sturinges in þis weye.

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.Page 65

Heil be whom biȝetere

345

A word sum tyme forþ sende,

Word þat to men here

Him-self tempred and bende;

348

Þe whuche of god and of man

Endited feire þe bonde,

And for us alle diede þan

And deþ put out of londe.

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

353

Þat is of vertue al-way,

In whom he tok wiþ-oute obstacle

Of vr flesch þe Clay,

356

To Bugge aȝein þe wrecched wiht

Þat non hope felede;

Of þe strong he brak in fiht

Þe bouwe and eke þe schelde.

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

361

Ouer folk regneþ, parfey;

To whos name men verrey[me]nt

Syngyng wiþ hondes pley.

364

Make we nou Ioye wiþ al vr list,

Vr þouhtes an heiȝ resynge

To vr noble hed crist,

To him euer cleuynge.

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,Page 66

Qui pro nobis moriens spoliat auernum,

Solium nos faciens scandere supernum.

Heil Maiden bringinge forþ wiþ mood

369

Þe euerlastinge kyng,

Þe whuche is vre god so good,

God wiþ-outen endyng;

372

Þat for us whon he dude dye,

Al to-spoyled helle,

To his ffadur trone on hiȝe

To make us stye to dwelle.

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,

377

And eke hope of ur hele,

Bi whom to blynde is ȝolde aȝeyn

Siht, and word to doumbe at mele:

380

To us naked in þis place

Of cloþes of innocencie,

We preye þe gete us nou grace

And staat of vertues hyȝe.

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,

385

Of heleful ioyes i calle,

Þou brouhtust forþ vr saueour,

God of goddus alle,

388

Þat on wrecches hedde Merci

And wox heore felawe anon,

Wasschynge heore gultus witerli

And tok vr peynes him on.

392

MIserere mei deus, secundum magnam misericor|diam tuam.*. [Ps. 50 (51).]Page 67

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,

393

On Monkuynde haue Merci,

Eueles of soules þat beo seke

Bi-hold þou witerly;

396

Of wrecches haue Merci verrey

And eke Compassioun,

Causes of vueles doynge a-wey

To hele þouhtes beo boun.

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

401

Holdyng Oygnement I-nouh,

Of þe olde wrecchednesse

Holdyng doun sourdouh,

404

Þe mouinges þat ben troublus

Of vr herte refreinynge,

Ȝiuinge*. [r. ȝiue?] of þi grace to vs

Euer-more echynge.

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

409

Vr kuynde forte defende:

Here ur speche wiþ good entent

Þat we forþ to þe sende:

412

Þou þat wost no corrupcioun,

ffrom us do hit a-wey,

To seke þouhtus loke þou beo boun

Medicyn to do verrey.

416

Page 68

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,

417

To his ffadur euene,

Haþ*. [MS. þat] comformed*. [MS. confermed] him to us

I-maad of dedly steuene:

420

Nou beo we tauht spiritualy

Beo experience*. [MS. experimence] Real,

Þat in his nome ful sikerly

Saued we ben from eueles alle.

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,

425

Vr askynges euer heryng,

Vr*. [r. þe] wordus þou take deuoutly

Al-wei of vre preying;

428

Vs also þat of þi grace

Wiþ ȝiftus maade riche ariht,

Of pees translate to þe place

Of heueneliche siht.

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,

433

Mihti to haue merci:

Make us be founde þorwh þi godnesse

Among þi seruauns herti;

436

And whon þe wynewyng schal be-ginne

To parte euel from good, Page 69

Tempre þou þen to us wiþ þi ginne

Of wraþþe þe Iewes*. [= juge's] mod.

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

441

An Aduoket mihti:

Haue merci, and haue in mynde

Of wrecches þou haue merci;

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.

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

449

Hast i-spoken al-way,

Þorwh whos help þe queyntenesse

Of þe fend is lutled ay;

452

Þat þe peple holpen beo bi þe,

ffeele þei hit in certeyn,

Þat to þe furste liberte

Þei beo restored a-ȝeyn.

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

457

Trespas don abedde,

To whom þe peple bisiliche

Crieþ and longe haþ gredde: Page 70

460

Lyuere vs from eueles euerichon,

Whuche from good maner

Vs to wiþ-drawe is bisy mon

Þe drauht of vices her.

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

465

In vr flesch was laced,

So Idumeam he visyted

To mende þat hedde trespaced:

468

To þe, Modur of worschipe,

Syngeþ peple þat cristen is,

Þat to Godus felaschipe

Þey mowe beo ioyned in blis.

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

473

In place most principal,

Liht euer schynynge briht

Wiþ open bem ouer-al:

476

Kep us from vuel þat us haþ souht,

Whil þat we dwellen here,

Ȝiuynge to vre derke þouht

Verrey liht and clere.

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

481

Went forþ a-pilgrimage Page 71

And þe flemed visyted,

Huled wiþ fflesch of age:

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.

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,

489

And Maydens cke lanterne;

Whom bi-foren oþur riche and rif

Haþ maad þe grace of heuene:

492

Help þi sones of þi godnesse

As Modur of pite,

ffullyng hem of þi fatnesse

Of inward saunctite.

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

497

Be whom al þei dude fayle

Þat hedden tonges of scharpynge

As*. [MS. And] swerd þat kerueþ Mayle;

500

Þei maden panters for oþur men

And fullen in to þe same;

Of heor oune defaute þen

To vs þe profyt came.

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.]Page 72

Heil þorwh whom godhed i-wis

505

Of vre flesch tok cloþinge,

fforte helen us of seknis

Þorwh his grace helpynge.

508

Þat i mou, Ioynge, prei i þe,

An hundredfold of encrece and hete,

Haue plentiuouse charite

Of þe valeye of whete.

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

513

Of folk þe helþe, parde,

Of whos herying sounen in worþ

Heuene, Erþe and Séé,

516

Him þat al monkynde

Wolde en-haunce wel hiȝe,

And so for us eke dyinge

Put out deþes eiȝe.

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

521

On wrecches and haþ merci,

Þorwh whom al Monkynde

Clansed is þat was gulti:

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.

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,Page 73

Qui captiuos eruens ab inferni portis

Reddat nos consorcio celice cohortis.

Heil of whom boren was her

529

He þat deþ ouercom,

God of þe vr parciner

Was maad and vre lot nom.

532

He þat wrecches wiþ worschip

Lyuered fro ȝates of helle,

Restore vs to þe felaschip

Wiþ heuenlich folk to dwelle.

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,

537

Of vr hele þou art sterre;

Sterre from whom went forþ riht

Þe Sonne-Beem, our herre:

540

Þe derknesses of vr þouht

Make þou a-wey to fle;

Þat we be swolewed, suffre þou nouht,

Wiþ tempestes of þe séé.

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,

545

In whom whon þer doun cam

Verrey God þat tok of þe

Þe seed of Abraham,

548

On such maner he ȝaf helpyn[g]

To wrecches þat weoren in wer,

Þe panters al to-brekyng

Þat vre Enemy made heer.

552

In te domine speraui, non confundar in eternum; in*. [Ps. 70 (71).]iusticia tua libera me & eripe me.Page 74

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,

553

Of vertues þou art spice,

Bringyng forþ þe protectour

To helples þorw vice;

556

Þou art refuyt to eueri age,

Hope of hele i-founde,

Þorwh whom now of bondage

Þe harde ȝok is vnbounde.

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,

561

And fleos wiþ dewh i-wet,

Cloþing of purpre þou art, certeyn,

To þat kyng arayed and met,

564

Þat him-self to vr kuynde

Schewed him so Aduoket,

Of alle stryues made an ende,

In blisse vs forte set.

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

569

Þreo kynges fro þe Est

Comen feire wiþ heore present,

A sterre hem ladde best;

572

So þe ioynture of þe fey

Twiȝen þen onynge,

God þe pore lyuered awey

ffrom þe mihti nuwynge.*. [= ags. niowunga anew]

576

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

Aue virgo generans orbis architectum, Page 75

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

577

Þat al þe world doþ keuere;

Þat for vs alle dyȝinge heer

deþ destruyed for euere;

580

Þe rihte wey a-rayed so

to steppus of vr þouhte,

ffor we schulde on nowyse go

As men þat no-þing rouhte.

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

585

Al vr hele sponnewe,

Þat in þe myddes of eorþe vs souht

To meoue us to vertue.

588

Remuwe þou, Modur gentil,

Bondage from vr graunge,

Þat we mowen vre exil

Wiþ Ioye of heuene chaunge.

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

593

fforȝiuenes verreyliche

He þat þe holy feiþ wol saue

And knowleche hit mekeliche:

596

Þorwh þi merit, mayden dere,

To vs beo hit iȝiue

Þat hit beo refoormed here

Þat lost was þorwh Eue.

600

Page 76

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

601

Was stured wiþ pite,

And schewed him meke to monnes siht

And knowen was in Iudec:

604

Mak þou vs of spirit strong,

Sturynges of flesche brekyng,

Þat we ben alle wiþ herte and tong

Deuout to þe seruyng.

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,

609

Schinyng as precious stones,

Modur þorwh whom of þe pore men

Þe vois is herd at ones:

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.

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

617

Whete wel feir borionyng,

To mennes soules þou ȝiuest i-wis

Of lyf þe norisschyng,

620

Þat on þe hornes of þe Croys

Iewes helden wiþ-outen les; Page 77

Dyȝinge he ȝaf wiþ-outen noys*. [MS. uoys]

An hundred-fold encrees.

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:

628

Ioyne þi seruauns euerichon

To holi cumpaygnye;

Þi sones take in possession

Þat peyned ben heer to dye.*. [cf. Ps. 78, v. 11.]

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,

633

And vr heȝe hope, parde,

And eke of Charite, men seiþ,

Þe bond. Þerfore þorwh þe

636

Of soþnesse to us þe weye

Was schewed. we preye þe now,

Conuerte us, þat wiþ vr eiȝe

Seo vueles we ne mow.

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

641

Wiþ his mihti honde

ffrom Egiptus cofyn

Diliuered us her in londe,

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.

648

Page 78

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

649

In þe Synagoge of goddes

And iuged þer wiþ stille mood

Princis lyuynge as dogges;

652

And foode ȝaf to þe faderles,

And hope eke to neodi;

Vs to his sones he dude purches

In to hope on hyȝ.

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,

657

To us is maad nou lyke

God, þat iuge is of monkynde,

Suffring and rihtful eke:

660

Purge þou vr concience,

And ordeyne vre delyt,

Þat us greue nouȝt vre offence

Of wrecches in-parfyt.

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

665

Maade of þe godhed,

In whom crist saued þe world her

ffrom synne and wrecchedhed:

668

Þe bond, we preye þe, vnbynde

Of vre schrewednesse, Page 79

And ȝif us place to vre dwellynge:

Þat is of newe clernesse.

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

673

Þorwh ȝiftus wel arrayed,

To bringe forþ fruyt in luytel space

Of newe blessyng assayed:

676

Þou schalt make al vre desyr

In godnesse to be stede;

Of al vuel quenche þou þe fyr

And eke of wikkedhede.

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,

681

Of Maydens þou art queene,

Whom grace of heuene ouer-al ful ryf

Schynyng schewed schene:

684

Beende þyn eres bisyliche

To pore mennes preyere,

Þe whuche ben wrapped wrecchedliche

In fulþe and serwe in-feere.

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,

689

Of whuche þe foundement Page 80

Buylded þe Samaritan,

Þat us vppon his iument

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.

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,

697

Þat hope art of vr hele,

Þe whuche brac in his dyȝing

Of bondage ȝokkes fele:

700

Help us nou wiþ þi preying—

We ben in ful gret age;

In to heuene vs up liftyng

Þorwh vertus, stage vp stage.

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

705

Of alle serwe and stryf,

Þorwh whom disposet haþ vr kyng

Þe Testament of lyf:

708

Þis folk þat in þyn herying

Heer trauayleþ day bi day,

Mak þat þei haue no dredyng

Whon Iuge schal come verray.

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.Page 81

Heil, for þou art help ful good

713

To hem þat han non hope;

Þou a-batest þe grete flood,

In tempest whon we ben lope:

716

To þat hauene þou vs brynge

Þat ay desyre schulde we,

In to þe siht vs offringe

Of þe heiȝe Trinite.

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

721

Dwelleþ, þat haþ mournyng

Of fallyng of Monkynde so nesch,

fforboden a treo touchyng;

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.

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

729

Men make confession,

And aftur þat mercifuliche

Graunteþ us remission:

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.

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,Page 82

Prime nos originis uocans ad honorem,

Immo statum reuocans multo meliorem.

Heil þorwh whom God cloþing

737

Of feirnesse tok at morwe,

Of Eue, vr modur, for us dying

He endet al þe sorwe,

740

Callynge aȝein vs to honour

Of vr furst springyng forþ,

And us sette, soffring hard schour,

In staat muche more worþ.

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

745

Of Merci þat is parfyt:

Do wey my synnes of dedes*. [r. dede] and word,

And ȝif me good spirit,

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.

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,

753

Heil modur*. [MS. modur of modur of] of Ihesu crist,

Þorwh whom to us þe Sabat

Is ȝiuen of verrey rist*. [MS. riht];

756

He hit is þat lyuereþ vs

In þe ȝeer of Iubilee:

Þerfore vchon as men ioyus

To him nou synge we.

760

Cantate domino canticum nouum, cantate domino*. [Ps. 95 (96).]omnis terra.Page 83

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

761

Men han lernd to synge

A newe song wiþ vois and word

Of heleþe hinf hery[i]nge,

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.

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

769

Regneþ wiþ-outen ende,

To syke men mad is he

Medicyn, hem to mende;

772

Þe whuche of monkynde and diuyn

Maade an onynge,

And in his dyȝinge dude termyn

Þe terme of vre fallynge.

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

777

ffeledest neuer no sturyng;

Þorwh þe þe lord of glorie

Maade hele to vr knowyng:

780

He tok al þing him vppon

Þat was of Monkuynde eke,

fforte helen hem euerichon

Þat in soule weren seke.

784

Page 84

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

785

Wiþ clene cloude huledest,

Made trone of grace and goodnes,

Trone of kyng hiȝist:

788

Vr flok forte defende

We prey þe wake and dawe,

Þat we mowe þriue and us amende

Wiþ ffulnesse of þe lawe.

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

793

May no mon þenke ne telle;

To seke men is ȝiue þorwh þe

An hele, soþ as gospelle:

796

Tac þou deuocions of vr þouht,

And of gladnesse tak hede;

Þe ioye euerlastynge forȝete þou nouht

To gete us to vr mede.

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

801

Aȝeynes comuyn custome,

Of Maydenhod ȝit stille holdynge

Clannesse wiþ-outen schome:

804

Of lawe and of þe Iuggement

Þat ilke brennynge hardnesse

Tempre þou wiþ good entent

Of Merci wiþ swetnesse.

808

Page 85

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

809

Voyces heereþ of breþ

Þe sparwe in þe euene soleyn

Þat lyueþ aftur his deþ;

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.

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

817

Wiþ tytle of good blessynge,

Wiþ grace and vertues mony on,

Þorwh ȝiftus of vr kynge:

820

Resseyue þou vs þorwh þi goodnes

Wiþ plenteuous merci,

Chaungynge ur stat of wrecchednes

In to lyuyng holy.

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,

825

Modur al-wey blessid. . . . .*. [2 vv. wanting.]:

Þe Moles of vr crym, we prey,

Do wey, and vre trespas,

828

Þe Iuges harde biddynges verrey

Tempre þou in luytel spas.

830

Page 86

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,

831

Þorwh whom dyliuered beone

Þei þat wiþ crymes ben opprest,

And dampned wiþ-outen wene.

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.

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

839

We knowleche wiþ good fey,

Þat of Egiptus derknes

Þorwh him we ben [don] a-wey;

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.

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

847

Þat þe to-fore oþur haþ chosun;

Þat cumpaygnyes grete and smal

[Of] þe fendes dyȝinge haþ brokun,

850

And aftur þat helle visityng,

Þe*. [r. þat þe?] rauynour drof a-way, Page 87

And*. [om. And?] fro þe chekes of þe Rauyning

Dyliuered us, whon he was pray.

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,

855

Vr hope and eke vr lyf;

Þorwh whom to seke men heer is

Hele ȝiuen ful rif:

858

Þe comuyn lot nou of monkynde

Loke þat þou nouȝt forȝete,

And of þe lyf euer-lastinde

Þou bidde us to þe mete.

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

863

On vs euere haþ merci,

Whos herying in Sone is riht

Reherced eft worþily;

866

Þe whuche whon he dredde no-þing

Iudas feyned cos,

To him-self he won heriing,

And ioye and blisse to vs.

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

871

Castel of feir dwellyng,

In whuche entred þe lord of miht

Toward batayle goyng; Page 88

874

Þat to him-self of wiþþes gret

Smart scourge made and hot

And his enemys so set

Vndur þe stol of his fot.

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

879

His sone sende bi-fore,

To whom he ȝaf þen powere

Aȝeyn-bugge þulke þat weren lore;

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.

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

887

Springynge of verrey Sonne,

Of whom verrey lihtyng

To derknesse is bygunne.

890

Wheþer hit beo croked oþur vnriht

Þat þou fyndest in vr þouht,

Wiþ sum partye of þi lyht

Mak hit out beo brouht.

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

895

Þorwh whom is ȝiuen lyf; Page 89

Whos heryinge of children mylde

Preched is wel ryf:

898

Clannes of lyf wiþ-outen blame

To us be ȝiuen þorwh þe,

Þat of childhode in þe name

Beo-tokned is, parde.

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

903

In his gret Agonye,

Þe séé to vs he halewed,

Pharao dreynt is at eiȝe;

906

He þat was maad preye, haþ preyed

Mihtiliche his preyour,

And so þe olde preyour is venquised

Of a Champioun of honour.

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,

911

And of þe pees disciplyn,

Makyng hony þou art þe Beo,

A Vyne eke heldyng out wyn:

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.

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.Page 90

Heil þou plentiuous vyn,

919

Tauht to forþfulle and dele

Wyn þat moysteþ men wyþ-in,

Þat wyn is al vr hele;

922

Wyn of whuche vr lord made game

And lauhtre eke to Saare,

Whon he bi-hiht to Habrahame

His seed schulde encrece mare.

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

927

Kyng of heuene, and calle,

On whos heriinge crien ful sad

Of heuene þe voises alle:

930

Þe to herie bisi men hem make

Wiþ herte deuoutelye,

Til þat out of þis world us take

Aungeles Cumpaygnye.

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,

935

And vyne of hele al-one;

Þe whuche enuyround in al space

He þat is kernere*. [r. corner] stone:

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.

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.]Page 91

Ne a via deuient pedes uiatorum,

Quod nos grauat amoue, pondus peccatorum.

Heil þou bringere forþ so gent

943

Of men þat haue no synne,

In*. [MS. In to] þe [wey] of good comaundement

Whos law es*. [MS. lawes] for to rinne.

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.

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

951

An*. [MS. And] aduoket mihti,

Þat determyned wiþ humilite

Vr olde dedes gulti;

954

Þorwh his help wiþ-outen mis

We þat dwellen heer al maate,

Beo we translated in to blis

Of wel better state.

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,

959

Of þis world þou art liht:

Þe derknes of vr blynde þouht

Put þou a-wey wiþ miht;

962

Tech us in to þat hul wiþ game

Vr eȝen lufte on alle wyse,

In to whuche steih Abrahame

I-beden do sacrifice.

966

LEtatus sum in hijs que dicta sunt michi: in*. [Ps. 121 (122).]domum domini ibimus.Page 92

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

967

To þe world hast told,

Whon þat þou in þe word of grace

Brouht forþ a word ful bold;

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.

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

975

Of Duyk þat sit an heih;

Þow out of derknesse of niht

Wrecches ledest wel sleih:

978

Þe eȝen of vr inward þouht

Lyft vp from slideri þinge,

Þat hit take hede wiþ al þe miht

To lyht euer-lastynge.

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

983

Of grace, flowynge as flood,

Þorwh whom is maad boþe softe and meke

Þe noyse of peple wood:

986

We prey þe, kepe þou strongliche here

Þe feet of [vr] þouhtes longe,

Þat we mowe passe þe Riuere

Of þe watur stronge.

990

Page 93

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

991

Of holiust beo-holdyng,

In whom vr hope is hollich set

Of vre vp-steihȝing:

994

ffrom al flescliche lykynge

And eke commocion

Diliuere us, þi sones makynge

So of adopcion.

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

999

Wiþ ful plente of pes;

Þou art maad al counseylyng (!)

Of wrecches wiþ-outen lees:

1002

Bring us to þat hauene hom

Of pees þat we desyre,

And ȝiue us alle ful fredom—

ffor þat is vre best hyre.

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,

1007

Þe whuche a kyng haþ buylded

Þat prince is of pees al-way

And ioye to world haþ schewed;

1010

Þe whuche strengore in to þe halle

Entred of þe stronge, Page 94

Þe stronge byndyng he tok preies alle

Þat he hedde holden longe.

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,

1015

Of sones bringere forþ,

Wiþ sones mad feir verrement

Þou art fulliche, and worþ:

1018

Graunt us alle vr lord to drede

Wiþ þouht peisiblement;

Vr weys loke þei ben dressede

To kepe his maundement.

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

1023

Vr enemys han lost,

Vn-welde aren made and doun ek falle,

ffeble and doumbe of bost:

1026

We preye þe, Mayden, swetliche,

To vr hele tak hede;

Mak vs siker verreyliche

Of þi defence at nede.

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,

1031

Of hos swete sauerynge

Tornen to lyf in an hour

Þe dede: take þe criinge Page 95

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.

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

1039

Þe kyng so wolde obesch

Þat þe chaumbre he made þe

Of word þat is mad flesch;

1042

Þat him-self offred for vs

And tok vr caytyf dom,

Whon he ȝaf vs ful glorios

Aȝeyn to furste fredom.

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,

1047

Þorwh whom is be-tyd

Þat to þe seed of Dauid

Sum-tyme þe fader heted:

1050

Þorwh þe þerfore þe tyme of grace

ffolfulled is, serteynly,

ffor þorwh þe in vche place

ffadur of sones hath merci.

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

1055

An*. [MS. And] oynement droppynge, Page 96

Þat, for vr þouhtes schulde not erre,

Makest*. [r. makeþ] studefast onynge:

1058

Vs alle on and of on wille

To-gedere wel liuynge,

Mak vs, ladi, come þe tille

And of lyf haue blessynge.

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,

1063

Hope of old hele and newe,

Steying vp to heuene-tron

Be de-grees of vertue:

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.

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,

1071

To make ioye him tauhte

Þat schulde prechynge go him beo-fore,

In wombe whon modur him auhte.

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.

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

1079

Þat dilyuered Israel, Page 97

And Pharao, suwyng hem, dreynt,

And his peple eueridel.

1082

Worschipeþ God now euerichon,

And knowhlecheþ hertely

Þat he con worche wondres al-on,

ffor he is Almihti.

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

1087

Ouercom his*. [= is] of Babilon,

And we han taken vp þe song

Of Iubilacion:

1090

Þorwh grace of þe Merci fre

Of þy Moodurhede so swete

Lede vs aȝeyn to þe cuntre

Þat vs alle is by-hete.

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,

1095

Þat wiþ-outen schame

Maad Modur art of vr saueour,

And þat is þi riht name.

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.

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.Page 98

Heil whos sone so deore

1103

In pore monnes cloþing,

Beryng flesch among us here

Lyk to vr flesch takyng,*. [r. synnyng?]

1106

And so queyntelich a-wey put he

Vr Enemyes tricherye,

Whon he him-self soffred to be

Iugged þen forte dye.

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,

1111

At whos hard batayle

Deth outurliche was ouercome

And put a-louh saunȝ fayle:

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.

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

1119

Clad in flesch of Monkynde,

To bringe aȝeyn to lyf, i-wis,

Þe flemed and put be-hynde:

1122

Vr Orison nou euer-mo

So dressed beo þorw þe,

Þat vr dedes suwynge also

Gete vs lyf of Charite.

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:Page 99

Redde nos consorcio celice cohortis,

Vt sit cum uiuentibus locus nostre sortis.

Heil from whom forþ goynge

1127

Þe geaunt of hond so strong,

Þat*. [om. þat] wel a-wakeþ þe slepynge

Of sleep of deþ so long:

1130

Bryng us a-ȝeyn to cumpaygnye

Of felawschipe of heuene,

Þat wiþ hem þat lyuen murie

Vr place beo maad ful euene.

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

1135

Preyeres þat i out helde,

Þat dreynt am in depnes

Of dunghul, and am vnwelde;

1138

Clanse þe chaunbre of myn herte,

Drawyng from þe grounde

ffulþus þe whuche make me smerte,

Of whuche I ful abounde.

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

1143

Boren was feir of þe,

Þorwh whom, as þe bok seiþ,

Slayen was þe philistéé;

1146

Hope of lyf þer-of takyng

Gulti mon wiþ glad mood,

"Dilyuere me," wiþ voys criȝying,

"I-blessed beo, vr god."

1150

Exaltabo te, deus meus rex, & benedicam nomini tuo in seculum & in seculum seculi.*. [Ps. 144 (145).]Page 100

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

1151

Kyng of gret and smalle,

Whos kyngdom is verreyment

Kyngdom of worldus alle:

1154

Gouerne and applye aftur þis

Vs to heore cumpaygnye

Of whuche þe heiȝeste ioye is

Euer-lastyng þyng to herye.

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

1159

Nou to þe peple is maad,

Þe kyng þat seiþ "I am god,

Nouȝt chaungynge, but al sad";

1162

Þat beo þe steppes of deþ is

Of*. [om. Of] deþes pursuwere

I-maad þe ȝiuere of blis,

Of freodam defendere.

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

1167

Gret dilyt men haue;

Þorwh hos heleful childynge

We bi-leeuen to beo saue

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.

1174

Page 101

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,

1175

Worþi worschiped to be,

Þorwh whom enemys ben ouercome

And craft of malyngnite:

1178

To caytiues heer now wiþ good wil

Of Pitéé scheuh þow þe signe,

And vs þen aftur þis exil

To good cuntre resynge.

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

1183

Of monkynde oppressure;

Whos heryinges alouwed don sum (!)

Al-Maner creature:

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.

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,

1191

Veyne of forȝiuynge,

Þorwh whom to us is ȝiuen aȝeyn

Þe song of lyf to synge:

1194

Of sunnes vnbynd us euerichone,

And of peyne of synne, Page 102

And to þat place þou lede us sone

Þer Ioye and blisse is Inne.

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,

1199

Of holynesse þe clarte;

Vr lordes chaumbre men þe callen,

Trone of þe Maieste:

1202

Pese þou to us þi sone so dere

Wiþ preyeres of pite,

Rewardynge þi seruauns here

Wiþ ȝiftus of liberte.

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,

1207

Of eorþe þe foundement;

Whos wombe is maad wiþ mylde steuene

Conteynyng þat is content.

1210

Of þi grace graunte nou encresynge

To vs euerichon

Þat writen to þi worschipynge

Wiþ god deuocion.

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—

1215

Comuyn maner þer was be-hynde; Page 103

ffor a Geaunt from þe forþ went

Þat is of double kynde:

1218

On wrecches haue merci wiþ miht,

Help hem from oppressynge,

And translate us in to þe liht

Of blisse þat is comynge.

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

1223

Meoke mennes preyeres to here:

Þinges þat ben lykyng to god

Wiþ þe knowe we in-feere.

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.

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,

1231

Vr patrun in vche place,

Of alle wymmen þou art hauynde

Ȝiftus alle of grace:

1234

Wiþ [þi] holy preyer [&] deseruyng

Gete us nou witerly

Þat vr þouht beo not to vuel doyng,

As hit is wont, to redi.

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

1239

Angeles Cumpaygnye Page 104

"Sanctus" crien wiþ vois ful clere,

Bisiliche and heihe.

1242

ffrom vices clans vs eueridel;

Þe kyndom eke of heuene

Mak us haue, wiþ seintes to dwel—

Gete us þat wiþ Mylde steuene.

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

1247

Tac þou vre heryinge

Þat we offren to þe so fast;

To God vs presentynge

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.

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,

1255

Whom ȝakarie to-foren

Preched, him fulli blessyng,

Of vp-risyng beo horn,

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.

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.Page 105

Heil whos soule wiþ a word

1263

Wel gladed of Message,

Magnifieþ vr aller lord,

Þerfore meked in ȝong age.

1266

Þorwh þat mekenes þou were mad gret,

God þou beere þerfore;

Of þe world þou art seid and met

Blessed and sely bore.

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

1271

Presented feir and bolde,

Helþe of folk schewed was i-wis

To Simeon þe Olde;

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.

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

1279

Of þouht in priuete

Þe wordes þorwh whuche so bisyli

fforȝifnes i aske of þe,

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.

1286

Page 106

[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,

Þorw whom þe blessed Mon

Of þe born was In a stalle,

Vs wrecches so visyte con:

Modur, þorw þi worþinesse

He mote vs so releue,

Þat of vre gret wrecchednesse

Þe gult no more vs greue.

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

Of crist vr lord Ihesu,

Of whom is flit þe heritage

Til vs of gret vertu:

Þat us from hit not twinne

Vre synnes þat we knowe,

Help, ladi wiþ wynne,

Whon wraþþe schal brenne and lowe.

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

ffrom slep of deþes stour

In bodi and soule boþe ifere

He ros wiþ gret honour. Page 107

His deþ we worschipe nou i-wis,

Vre deþ for hit con struye;

Such lyf he graunte vs

Þat deþ no more vs nuyȝe.

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,

Wher-of whon he out ede,

Þe vois of hem þat called ȝerne

He herde wiþ ful gret spede:

Til him-self he so vs Merke,

And schilde vs also,

Þat þorw his lyht from þe derke

To-gedere mote we go.

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,

Hous of holynesse,

And þe logge, as dauid seiþ,

I-mad of gret hihnesse:

Wiþ his scheld vs schilde mote he

Of his owne good wille,

Wiþ hem vs coroune in his cuntre

Þat blesset ben, from ille.

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,

Þi grace may I not leyne;

To repentaunt þou getest space,

Of Merci þou art þe veyne:

Of alle þe bondes of vre synne

Vn-bynd vs, from vr peyne,

To þe blisse þat þou art Inne

So mote we atteyne.

Page 108

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

God is of vre chaunce,

Þat Iuge is rihtwys fer and*. [MS. ferand] ner

And vs may wel a-vaunce:

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.

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,

Crist hym-self maad^e lesse

Þen þe Angeles þat ben in heuene,

Til vs hym-self con dresse;

And ȝit þe fader put alle þinge

In his sones pouweere,

Whon he schewed his heryinge

Bi hem þat soukynge were.

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,

Of whom wiþ gret honour

Þe lawe-ȝiuere til vs was diht,

Þe holy sauiour:

Vre enemy mot he al to-drawe,

Þat stronge werreour,

Of God and Mon þat is bi lawe

A skilful Mediatour.

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.]Page 109

Heil þou hul of Rihtwysnesse,

To whom þe wey is caste,

Vre hope in*. [MS. and] cristes holynesse

Stabliche to faste;

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.

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,

Mayden wiþ-outen make;

Whon þe Angel þe grete con,

Vre hele bi-gon to wake:

Þin help and þi swete socour,

Þat we han ofte bi-souht,

Þou graunte, þat in þe sees stour

Þe holy ne fayle nouht.

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

Vs haþ not for-ȝeten

Ne tornd a-wey his feire face

ffrom vs, neor not forleten:

Myn Eȝe beo cler, þat hit not wepe,

Of my soule so briht,

And neuer-more mote hit slepe

To deþ forte be diht.

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

Alle þat I con nemene,

ffor þou art douwet richelich

Wiþ þe liht of heuene: Page 110

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.

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

105

Is hul of holy hope,

Of reste he is vr tabernacle,

To schilde vs from reyn-drope:

108

Do, ladi, þorw þi rihtwysnesse

In him þat we mowe reste

As heyres of his blisfulnesse—

Þat wol be vr beste.

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

113

Crist wolde vs restore,

To hope of vre heritage

Þat was from vs forlore;

116

ffor he was mad þe offringe

ffor vre synnes fele,

And part was of vre suffrynge,

Part til vs to dele (!).

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

121

Þi wombe whon crist com Inne,

Wiþ fuir of þe holigost

Assayet þin herte wiþ gynne,

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.

128

Page 111

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,

129

Heuene bouwed doun lowe,

Whon*. [MS. Whom] þe vertu of aller-hexte

Bi-schadewed þe al, I trowe:

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.

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,

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.

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

145

Þou sendest to Monkynde,

Whon þou holy bi godus grace

Conceyuedest in þi Mynde

148

Him þat was most holy,

Þat is vr sauyour,

In ffeiþ Conceyuedest verreyli

And bar hym wiþ honour.

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.Page 112

Heil vre gostly hele,

153

And cause of al vre bliss,

Þat bar þe kyng of wele

Of al þis world I-wis.

156

Whon þe hed is crouned feire,

Alle þe limes ben fayne—

Of heore worschip þat neuer schal peire,

Þar vs neuer-more playne.

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

161

Went forþ verrey Mon,

Peyne for vs and gret dispyt

He soffred mony on,

164

ffor vre woundes delfuly

Woundet was he sore,

His Blood vre gultes clanly

Wusch for euer-more.

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

169

Haþ chose þe*. [om. þe] to ben his Dame,

And to a folle pasturyng

To his herde wiþ game:

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.

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,

177

Þat foundet was bi reson

Bi þe Ioyful kynges hond

Þat to vs com in good seson, Page 113

180

He þat þe prince of deþ

Wiþ his deþ ouer-com

And alle from þe harde Breþ

Of deþ he vs out nam.

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

185

And rihtful of entent,

Þe Outlawes synnes forte bete

On pilgrimage he went;

188

Til vs of grace certeyne

Lawe-berer was i-kud:

In vs he mote ordeyne

Vre werkes and þouhtes hud.

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

193

Þat Auter vmbiȝede,

In þi wombe þou speredest heuene*. [= euene]

Hele of god, vre mede,

196

Of vre synnes clansyng

Þat haþ ful pouwere;

Þat Bisschop him-self is offring

Of þe holy Autere.

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

201

Þat lihtned vs alle ful schene,

Þou art moder of þat childe

Þat sauede vs alle bi-dene:

204

Maide, þorw þi worþinesse

And preyeres þat holy be,

Put hem from þe derknesse

Þat sikyng longen to þe. Page 114

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

209

Þe worschipe nis not luitel,

ffor Modur and mayde þouh þou be,

Worschipful is þat tytel.

212

Þe mateer of þi swete bodi

Crist, he tok of þe,

And þouh he died delfuly,

Aȝeyn to lyue ros he.

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,

217

Worschipe wiþ-outen ende;

Þi sone in to heuene stih,

Þat is so good and hende,

220

And on his ffader riht syde

Sit for euere and O:

A Moderes lappe þou open wyde

To hem þat ben in wo.

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

225

Ioyful schon and briht,

Þat wiped awey vre wepyng

On Euen and of niht;

228

Wiþ þe bodi as a Sekke

Þat is i-Maad of here,

Of paradys he opened þe hekke

To hem þat bouht were.

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.Page 115

Heil þou kynges feir Cite,

233

Walled wel a-boute,

Wiþ angeles þat in heuene be

I-kept, wiþ mony a route;

236

Wiþ riche stones wonderly

Of vertues þou art by-set:

Vre Ioye in þe sikerly

And vre hope ben met.

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

241

Vre lord a-rette con,

Þat ȝaf a burþe of blisse wiþ-inne,

Þe ffruit of Blod and bon;

244

Herte wiþ-Inne nor bodi wiþ-oute

Of ffulþe hedde no dispit:

Þe woful þornes vs aboute

Þow bruse of foul delyt.

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

249

In god is fully preysed,

In Blessynde god ful hihly

Þorw whom þou art vp-reiset:

252

Blesse alle þyne, Maiden dere,

Þi-self also be Blesset,

Þorw whom blessyng is preched here

And from vs not lesset.

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,

257

Þe kyng of alle vertuwe,

And wlated nouȝt to touche þerfore

Vr fflesch of Cleyȝes huwe; Page 116

260

Þer-of (!) he made him-self a scheld

Priueliche to dare,

fforte rescouwe in þe feld

Mon of help ful bare.

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,

265

Þou art*. [r. þat is] of gret plente,

And þe Brok þat rennes ay

fful of likerouste:

268

Þou fulle vs alle of þat welle

fful of Charite,

Þat vr hertes mouwe euer dwelle

In Brihtnesse wiþ þe.

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,

273

Þat noldest no luþurnesse,

Nor haddest in no luþur gost

Loue nor swetnesse,

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.

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

281

Þat bar þe swete childe:

Whon he comeþ, þat hiȝe Iustise,

ffrom his wraþþe vs schilde,

284

Þat we fele not þat harde snibbyng

Þat mony mon schal drede,

But of þe lyf euer-lastyng

Mote we han vr mede.

288

Page 117

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

289

Þe schadewe haþ vmbicast,

Of þi flesch, as wel þou wost,

Þi sones flesch made in hast;

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.

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

297

Liht schon ful feire,

Þat Eue, Modur of vre kynde,

Wiþ tast of deþ con peire:

300

Out of þe Slouh of wrecchednesse

And of þe dregge of cleye

To lede vs to þi worþinesse,

Þyn holi preyere seye.

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,

305

Þorw whom God bi-held

And on þe pore he vnderstod,

In toune and in feld;

308

Vre neode nolde he dispise,

Þouh he were riche i-nouh,

But in mony a wyse

His Richesse to vs drouh.

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.Page 118

Heil whom þe welle of bliss

313

Wolde fulle ful of wele,

So þat þou weore Maad, i-wis,

Þe welle of verrey hele:

316

Vr þouhtes and vre ȝernynge,

Ladi, þou so bi-holde

Þat of þe welles springe

We mouwe beo glad and bolde.

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

321

ffrom oþere wolde twynne,

Whon he þi bodi priuely

Wolde reste wiþ-Inne.

324

Þe cause of Obligacion

Þat vs to helle bond,

He brac wiþ gret fuson

Of his riht hond.

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

329

Crist haþ forþ sende,

Bi whom þei ben vndurputte*. [orig. vndurpotte]

Þat vs ȝerne wolde schende:

332

Saue vs alle in his miht,

Þat þei han ofte feled

Þat wiþ-stonden aȝeyn þe riht

Þe hond þat haþ hem greued.

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

337

On riht half of vr lord;

Whom sondernesse vmbigoþ

Of vertuwes in a-Cord: Page 119

340

Bi-hold, þou douhter of þe kyng,

And bouwe doun Ere þyne,

Þe ffruit of þe spryngynge

Beo vre Medicyne.

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

345

And for þe hete of Sonne,

Whom god com in to þi bour,

Wiþ þe for to wonne;

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.

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

353

God dounward wolde beende,

In þe loue of his name

Vre hertes forto teende;

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.

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

361

And gretlych artou preised,

Cite of þe kyng þat [sit] on hih,

Hul Syon vp-reised;

364

Deserued þou hast gret Richesses

Þat gostly ben, i trouwe:

fflette us from þe wrecchednesses

Þat we dwellen in so lowe.

368

Page 120

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

369

Mon to gret vnreste,

To þe worschipe þat he hedde lore

Whon he was lik a Beeste,

372

God restored hym a-ȝeyn

And set Monkynde aboue

Þe hexte Angeles, as we seyn—

Þerfore we schulde him loue.

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

377

To God þat schulde be bore,

Of þe tok þe swete bodi

Þat pyned was so sore;

380

Þorw þat peyne he clensed*. [r. clense] vs so,

Þat wiþ herte schene

Sikerly we mou go

Aȝeyn vr Iugge bi-dene.

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,

385

Of Merci we þe prey,

ffor Moder þou art witerly

Of Merci, as we seye.

388

Þou hast merci of hem alle

Þat wiþ deuocioun

And wiþ preisyng on þe calle,

Þou herest heore Orisoun.

392

Page 121

[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,

ffor þow sendes me help and grace,

Whon I was in a place

Þer Deth was to me dressed.

Mi lyf I wende me hedde forsaken,

And drery deþ to me taken,

To make wiþ him to wone:

Wiþ my tonge, als I couþe,

I Criȝede, "Ladi, help me nouþe,

Þow prey to þi swete sone!"

Þi grace com to me þat day

In to a Castel þer I lay,

Men seide I was but ded;

Ihesu, þat þou louedest dere,

Com to me þorwh þi preyere

In þe fourme of bred.

Marie, of ioye þou berest þe pris,

ffor þou art ȝate of paradis,

Þer Ioye is Murie and long.

ffeire Modur and Mayden swete,

Wiþ fyue Ioyes I þe grete,

Ladi, here my song. Aue Maria.

HEil beo þow, Marie Modur of crist,

Þat Conceyuedest him al wyth lyst,

Ihesu þat was so mylde;

He liht in to þe, soþ hit was,

As dude þe Sonne þorwh þe Glas,

And so þow wex wiþ chylde. Aue M.

Heyl Marie, of Maydens þe flour,

Þow beer Ihesu, vr sauiour,

Wiþ-outen eny peyne.

ffeir hit was, þat ilke*. [MS. ille] burþe,

Þat in his ȝ uþe made murþe

Wiþ þi pappes tweyne! Aue.*. [Some stanzas seem wanting.]Page 122

Heil Mayden, þat euer-more

Schalt beo Qween, and hast ben ȝore,

In heuene and in eorþe.

Þeos ben foure of power most:

ffadur, and Sone, and holygost,

And þou, Ladi, þe feorþe. Aue.

Heil gracious qween Mari,

To þe vs neodeþ calle and cri

Whon we ben sori and syke.

Heil hele in halle and boure;

Þou louest men þat þe honoure,

Þi loue is euere i-like. Aue.

Heil, sone boote þer bale is neih;

Þauh þi wonynge beo an heih,

Þou herknest to vs at nede.

Heil rest to weri bones;

Whon I was stoned wiþ harde stones,

Þow halp wiþ-outen mede. Aue.

Heil, to al Angeles Ioye and blis,

Þow art Qwen þer, I wot, I-wis,

Witnes of vr Bokes.

Heil witti and wys of werkes,

Þou drawest boþe prestes and Clerkes

Out of þe fendes hokes. Aue.

Heil fendes fo, feirest of alle!

Þi Bed was In an Asse stalle

Whon þi sone was Born.

Heil weddet wyf and Mayden eke,

Of þe þis holy prophetes speeke

An hundred ȝer bi-forn. Aue.

Heil mihtiest of Middel*. [MS. Mildel] ert,

Of þe þe fendes ben a-ferd

And douten þe ful sore.

Heil cumfort of Careful wyues;

When þei ben ferd of heore lyues,

Þou helpest hem euer-more. Aue.

Heil chyld boren In Naȝareth,

Þou beere a child þat to[c]*. [MS. to] þe deth,

As alle trewe telle. Page 123

Heil Godus Modur gentyl and good,

Þou*. [r. þat] let Adam and his blood

Out of þe pit of helle. Aue.

Heil Modur Merciabel,

He is þi sone wiþ-outen fabel

Þat alle þynge wot.

Heil Meke marie of renoun,

Þi sone haþ for vs I-leyd a-doun

His herte-blood al hot. Aue.

Heil Mari þat to vs hiȝes!

Þi Modur bar þreo Maries—

So feire hire beo-tydde;

On was Marie Iacobe,

And þat oþur Cleophe,

And þou, ladi, þe þridde. Aue.

Heil Marie, wiþ most honour

Corouned qween in heuene-tour

Bi-fore þy sones face;

To alle neodful þou art couþ,

Wel art þou cald wiþ Angeles Mouth,

"Marie ful of grace." Aue.

"Heil Marie ful of grace,

Heil beo þou in vche a place,

ffor god is laft wiþ þe."

In heuene and eorþe þou beo honoured,

ffor my lyf þou hast socoured

And drawen deþ from me. Aue.

102

Heil feirest of alle floures,

A-postles,*. [MS. Of postles] Martires an Confessoures

Þe for ladi calle;

105

Heil brihtor þen þe sonne-beem,

Þou beere Ihesu In Bedlehem,

Wiþ Blood þat bouht vs alle. Aue.

108

Heil feirest of alle landes,

To god þou hef vp þyn handes

Whon Gabriel þe grette.

111

Heil clerore þen þe Cristal-ston,

Þou art in heuene, Blood and Bon,

ffor þer þi sone þe sette. Aue. Page 124

114

Heyl Marie, Blessed kidde,

A feir grace þe beo-tidde—

Þi peere is nouhwher leued:

117

God him-self þi bodi chees,

To sitte wiþ him on his dees

And bere Coroune on heued. Aue.

120

Heil Marie as briht as day,

Goddus sone wiþ-Inne þe lay

His Burth to a-byde.

123

Whon he was two and þritti ȝeer old,

He fauht for men as kempe bold,

And baar ful blodi syde. Aue.

126

Heil Marie, þat art ay boun

To kepe us from temptacion

Of þe fendes Blake;

129

Heil riche Qween of vche a toun,

Þi sone haþ soffred passioun

ffor al Monkynde sake. Aue.

132

Heil briht Braunche of Rose rote,

Of þe sprong a sauour swote

Þat sauereþ ay so swete.

135

Heil Modur of al-holy Chirche,

And alle þat euere wol wysly worche,

I rede þat heo þe grete. Aue.

138

Heil Ioachyms Ioyful seed,

Þou sayh whon Laȝarus was ded

ffoure dayes and More;

141

Bi-fore Martha and Magdeleyn

Ihesu called him to lyue a-ȝeyn

And for him rewed sore. Aue.

144

Heil Marie, Mayden sleihe,

Mony goode dedes þou seiȝe

Of þulke þat Ihesu wrouhte:

147

A Mon was ded and lay on Bere,

His Moodur wiþ ful reuþful chere

Grace at Ihesu souhte; Aue.

150

Heil Marie, of gret pite,

Ihesu for þe loue of þe

Made þat wommon bliþe: Page 125

153

To þe Bere he put his honde

And bad þe Cors anon vp stonde;

To lyue hit ros als-swiþe. Aue.

156

Heil Mayden, heil þou,

Alle þi Ioyes I may not nou

In my song telle;

159

Is mony an hundred ȝer a-gone

Þou hast ben, ladi, queen þyn one

Of heuene, Erþe and helle. Aue.

162

Holy Mayden, wel þe be,

Þat was at þe feste of Galyle,

Þer was wanted wyn:

165

Þi sone comaundet men in halle

Wiþ watur fulle heor vessels alle

By-fore Architriclyn; Aue.

168

Heil Marie, þat sauh al þat:

Whon Ihesu on þi Barm sat

And blessed hit wiþ his honde,

171

Al þe watur þat þer was brouht

By-com red wyn al vn-souht,

Þer nis no beter in londe. Aue.

174

Heil semlokest vndur sonne,

Þorwh þe was a werk by-gonne

By-twene God and Mon;

177

Blessed beo þou of alle wymmen,

And þe fruyt of þi wombe, Amen,

Þat such a werk bi-gon. Aue. — —

180

Blessed beo, ladi, þyn holy nome,

Þat schilde[s]*. [MS. And schilde] vs from synne and schome,

And Makes þe fend vnglad;

183

Þer þat nempned is Mari,

Þe fendes by-gynnen a-wei to fly

And diȝeþ neih for drad. Aue.

186

Blessed beo, ladi, þyn heued aboue,

Þer god hath schewed his moste loue

On heih riht in his halle:

189

Þe Coroune of heuene þer-on is set,

Wiþ alle þe Angeles þou art gret

As ladi of hem alle. Aue. Page 126

192

Blessed beo, ladi, þat*. [r. þi] witti Brayn:

Þou hast maad þe fend vn-fayn

Þat deope in helle sit;

195

Monnes soules þat weore lost,

Þou beer a child on þi Coste

ffro helle-pyne haþ hem quit. Aue.

198

Blessed beo, ladi, þat holy frount,

Þat holy is holden and sount,

Þe cheef of al þi face;

201

Þer-in is set a bond of wit,

Vndur þe croune comly knit

Wiþ a louely lace. Aue.

204

Blessed beo, ladi, þi Brouwes bent:

A feir grace God haþ þe sent,

Þi lookyng is louely ay.

207

Ladi, for þi louesum chere

Prey þi sone, þat we mowe here

Serue him to pay! Aue.

210

Blessed be, ladi, þy Riht Ere:

Þe holygost, he liht in þere

fflesch and Blod to take;

213

God sende his sone adoun,

To soffre pine and passioun

And faiht wiþ þe Drake. Aue.

216

Blessed beo, Ladi, þyn oþur Ere,

ffor hit herknes ay-where

To Men þat haue to done;

219

Þyn Ere is open at vre callyng:

Whon we preye for eny þing,

Vr erende comeþ sone. Aue.

222

Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þyn Eiȝen,

Þat þreo kynges offringes seȝen

Þat kneled þe by-fforen.

225

Þou seost euer-more I-lyche

Ioye and Blisse in heuene-riche—

To godur hele þou weore boren! Aue.

228

Blessed be,*. [MS. be þou] ladi, a-mong þi wittes

Þi ffeire Neose, þat comely sittes

Amidde þi frount bi-neþen. Page 127

231

Ladi, for þe loue of Anastas

Let vs seo þi feire ffaas,

Whon we wenden heþen! Aue.

234

Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þi chekes:

Merci for vs to him þou sekes

Þat þe for Modur Ches.

237

Ladi, as þou art Modur mylde,

ffrom worldus schome þou me schylde,

And gete vs grith and pes! Aue.

240

Ladi, I-blessed beo þi Mouth:

Whon God þe sende in to þe south

Þe Aungel Gabriel,

243

Þow onswerdest Mekelych and sayde,

"I am heer Godus hond-Mayde"—

Þis word is in gospel. Aue.

246

Blessed be, lady, þi trewe tonge:

A-Mong wymmen olde and ȝonge

Þat euerȝite han ben,

249

So treowe I-founden was neuer non;

ffor-þi þou art in Blod and Bon

Corouned heuene-Qween. Aue.

252

Blessed beo, ladi, þi Chin I-chose:

þer-on schal neuer mon lose

To blesse hit niht and day;

255

Hit schal reue him serwe and synne,

And make him in his lyf to wynne

Þe Ioye þat lasteþ ay. Aue.

258

Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte neb-schaft—

Of kuynde he couþe ful wel his craft

Þat hit hedde entayled!

261

Þe teres ron doun of*. [r. a?] floode

Whon þou seȝe þi sone on Roode,

ffeet and hondes nayled. Aue.

264

Blessed beo, ladi, þi white sweere:

Ihesu, þat þou louest deere,

Clupped hit ofte a-boute.

267

Whose wol his synne forsake

And of þat cluppyng Ioye make,

Hym þar no deueles doute. Aue. Page 128

270

Blessed beo, lady, þi clere þrote:

At neode euere þou dost vs note

Whon Bale vs haþ I-bounde.

273

Ladi, þou neuere woldest ȝelpe,

Prey þi sone þat he vs helpe

ffor his Blessede wounde! Aue.

276

Blessed beo, ladi, þi scholdres two,

And þi cleer Canel-bonus also

Þat semely ben in siht:

279

As kyng, kniht or Champioun

ffor Men þou art redi-Boun

Wiþ þe fend to fiht. Aue.

282

Blessed beo, ladi, þyn Armes tweyne:

In vche a gederyng þou art gayne

To helpen vs at nede;

285

Vr wo þou tornest to weole,

And sauest vs from wreches fele—

Blessed beo þou to Mede! Aue.

288

Blessed beo, ladi, boþe þin hondes,

Þat swaþeled him in swaþelyng-bondes

Þat Monnes soule haþ wrouht,

291

Heuene and helle and alle londes,

ffisch and ffoul, Séé and Sondes,

Al he maade of nouht. Aue.

294

Blessed beo,*. [MS. beo þou] ladi, and feyre hem falle,

Þi þhommes and þi ffyngres alle

Þat genteliche are Maket,

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.

300

Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte Brest:

Ihesu tok þer-in*. [r. on?] Rest,

Mon of miht most.

303

Was neuer non so clene of lyf

As þow weore, boþe Mayden and wyf,

To Resseyue þe holygost. Aue.

306

Blessed beo, ladi, þi stable herte:

Whon þou seȝe þi sone smerte,

Gret Care þou keptest; Page 129

309

Whon þou sauh him Buffet and beten,

Al his bodi of blood by-weten,

No wondur þauh þou weptest. Aue.

312

Blessed beo, ladi, þi brihte wombe:

Þer-in was þe holy Lombe

Þat bouht Adam and Eue,

315

And þe þridde day also blyue

He ros vp fro deþ to lyue—

Such is vre bi-leeue. Aue.

318

Blessed beo, ladi, þi softe sydes,

In Ioye and blis þou vs abydes,

Þer þou schalt beo founden;

321

Þi sone vs bouhte wiþ Raunsoun

And drouh vs out of dungoun,

Þer Lucifer liht i-boundun. Aue.

324

Blessed be, ladi, þi feire Bak,

And þi leendes wiþ-outen lak,

Þat dwellen ay in Blis.

327

Ladi, for þi muchel honour

Þin holy help and þy socour

Let vs neuere mis! Aue.

330

Blessed beo, ladi, þy Maydenhede:

Neuer was in þe sowen sede

As of wommon-kynde;

333

ffor-þi þou art coround Qween

Of alle wymmen þat han I-ben

Or euer schal Mon fynde. Aue.

336

Blessed beo, ladi, þi boþe þhiȝes,

To help vs ay þat hiȝes

ffrom þe vn-hold honde.

339

Ladi, to þi sone vs dresse,

And preye hym þat he vs blesse

And mayntyme in sonde! Aue.

342

Blessed beo, ladi, þi comely knen,

Þat for vs alle kneolynge ben

Boþe niht and day.

345

Hit is but on vs I-long,

Wheþer we worche ille or wrong,

Hou we schul haue vr pay. Aue. Page 130

348

Blessed [beo], ladi, alle beo-dene

Þi Schonkes and þi Schynes schene

Þat are strong and styþe;

351

Ofte hast þow erly and late

Don vr erende at heuene-ȝate

And Maked vs ful bliþe. Aue.

354

Blessed beo, ladi, þi Maydenhede,

Þyn haunches and þi feire fete,

Þat for vs trauayle.*. [MS. doost tr.; doost overl. by another hand.]

357

Ladi, for þi grete grace

A-Mong þi Ioyes of a place

Let vs neuere fayle! Aue.

360

Blessed, ladi, beo al þi toos:

Whon þou of Childbedde a-Ros,

To þe Temple þow ȝeode,

363

fforte folfulle þat lawe

Þat was vsud by Olde dawe—

Symeon sauh þat dede. Aue.

366

Blessed beo, ladi, al at ones

Þi fflesch þi blod, þi skyn þi bones,

And þin Entrayles wiþ.

369

Ladi, for þi Muchel honour

Prey Ihesu vr sauyour,

He graunt vs pees and grith! Aue.

372

Blessed beo, ladi, þi grete strengþe:

Þou hast drawen my lyf on lengþe

And don an Almus werk;

375

Þow holdest þe fend vndur foote,

Þow geete fro his herte-Rote

Theophules lettre, þe Clerk. Aue.

378

Blessed beo, ladi, þi goode þewes,

Þat kepen vs from þe blake schrewes

Þat Mennes soules han craued;

381

Þe grete oþus þat Men han sworen

Hedde I-maad þe world for-loren,

But as þou hast hit saued. Aue.

384

Blessed beo, ladi, þi stable þouht:

Vre neodes for-ȝetest þou nouht,

Þow delest wiþ non hoket; Page 131

387

Bi-fore þe kyng þat demes riht

Þou pledest for men day and niht—

Blessed beo þat voket! Aue.

390

Blessed beo, ladi, þi swetnes.

Al Monkynde more and les

To helle were þei gon,

393

Þei weoren alle in helle i-bounde,

Til þi Sone wiþ blodi wounde

Hed leesed hem out vchon. Aue.

396

Blessed beo, ladi, þi feirhede,

Menget al wiþ whit and Rede,

Wiþ brihtnes al bi-Ron.

399

Ladi, flour of alle londes,

Bryng him out of carful bondes

Þat hath þis song bi-gon! Aue.

402

Blessed ladi, Blesse I schal

Þy Lyf, þi Soule, þi Bodi al

Þat eeuene to heuene went.

405

As wis, ladi, beo vr frend

And schild vs from þe foule fend,

And let vs neuer be schent. A M. E N.

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,

ffrom þe deuel and al his miht

Þow kepe me, boþe day and niht,

Wher I slepe or wake.

Lord, ȝif me grace to worche þi wille

And þi Comaundement to forþfille,

Þat heuene may beo my Meede.

Ihesu, bring me to þi Reste,

Þat euere wiþ-outen ende schal leste,

And help me at al my nede. Page 132

Now God, þat died on þe Rode

And þer-on schedde þin herte-blode,

And of Marie was boren,

Heer me whon I to þe calle,

And let me neuere in synne falle,

Ne for my mis-dede be loren.

Ihesu, þi*. [MS. for þi] fyue woundes on þe Roode

Þat þou þoledest for monnes goode,

Moot my socour be.

In þe worschipe of þi wounde

Þat þyn herte þolede in þat stounde,

A Pater noster sei we. Pater.

In þe worschipe of þi riht honde

Þat was woundet in þe holy londe

And nayled to þe tre,

Heere to-day my preyere,

As wis as þou bouhtest me dere

Haue Merci, lord, on me. Pater.

Ihesu lord þat is so Mylde,

ffrom dedly synne þou me schilde

Boþe day and niht;

Cumforte me, Ihesu, wiþ þi sonde,

As wisliche as þi luft honde

Was nayled wiþ on-riht. Pater.

God, schilde my soule þat day fro care

Whon hit schal from my bodi fare;

Haue Merci, lord, on me,

As wis as I leue wel and wot

Þat on þe goode ffriday þi riht fot

Was nayled to þe tre. Pater.

As wis as harde to þe tre

Þi lift ffoot was nayled for me,

Graunte me þi grace,

Þat I may haue þi Ioyful reste,

Þat wiþ-outen ende schal leste,

And seo þi louely face. A M E N. Pater.

Page 133

[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!

Marie Mayden meke and mylde,

ffrom mis-chaunce to-day me schylde,

Þat me ne dere no wiht. Aue.

Marie, þou hast no peere,

Heere to-day my preyere,

Þouh I vn-worþi be;

To þe I clepe and calle:

As þou art flour of alle

Þou haue Merci of me. Aue.

Marie Modur and Mayden eke,

ffor þat Ioye I þe by-seche

Þat Gabriel þe grette,

Þat Ioye me kepe day and niht

ffrom þe deuel and al his miht,

And of mis-dede me lette. Aue.

ffor þe Ioye þat God was boren

Let me not, ladi, beo forloren

Þat þi sone bouht dere,

But vndurfong to-day my beode,

Þat hit may stonde me in sum steode

Þorwh þi preyere. Aue.

And for þe Ioye þat fro deþ to lyue

God vp-Ros wiþ woundes fyue

Vppon þe paske-day,

Beo-seche þi sone, ladi Mylde,

ffrom mischaunce þat he me schilde

As wis as he best may. Aue.

And for þe Ioye God steih to heuene

On holy þoresday wiþ mylde steuene,

Help me, ladi of miht, Page 134

And beo boþe my scheld and spere,

Þat no wikked mon me dere

Ne deuel bi day no niht. Aue.

And for þe Ioye aftur þyn ende,

Bi-fore*. [r. ffor?] to heuene þer þou dudest wende

In Murþe and Iolyte,

Bryng me in to þat reste

Þat euer wiþ-outen ende schal leste,

Ȝif þi wille be. Aue.

Ladi, flour of wymmen-kynne,

Ȝif me grace þi loue to wynne,

Mayden feir and fre,

And let me neuer for no synne

ffor-go þat Ioye þat þou art Inne,

AMEN par Charite. Aue.

[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;

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.

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.

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; Page 135

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.

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.

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,

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;

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.

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;

Heil Rose hiȝest of hyde and hewe,

Of alle ffruytes feirest fflour;

Heil Tortul trustiest and trewe,

Of alle trouþe þou art tresour;

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.

Heil hende, heil holy Emperesse,

Heil quene*. [on erasure.] corteis, comely and kynde;

Heil distruyere of eueri stresse,

Heil mender of eueri monnes mynde;

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; Page 136

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.

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;

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;

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.

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;

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;

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.

Heil holy herte, hope of hele,

Heil fostrere of vre ful fay,

Heil worchere of þis worldly wele,

Heil wissere of vre rihtwys way,

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

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. Page 137

Heil hed of worschip, cristes trone,

Þe semely Temple of Salamon;

Heil brihtest Sonne, vn-meued Mone,

Heil ful fles of gedeon;*. [on erasure.]

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.

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.

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;

112

Heil esterne ȝate faste I-stoke

Seþþe god þi sone eode out þer-bye;

Heyl chosen chastite þe ȝoke,

engendreer of vre gentrie;

116

Heil kuyndenesse, heil cortesye,

Heil douweer of diuinite,

Heil susteynour of Seyntuarie:

Þou preye for vs þi sone so fre. Aue.

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;

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.

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.

132

Page 138

[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.

hou þe cite off croteye was delyuered of þeir enemys by vre lady coote.
hou þe Iewes, in despit of vre lady, þrewe a chyld in a gonge.
hou an holy hermyt prayde a synful womman pray god for hym.
hou a Iew putte his sone in a brennyngge ouene, for he was communed wit oþur cristene children on þe pask-day.
hou a man, for ache, cut of his foot, and was heled aȝeyn by vre lady.
hou a iew lente a cristenemon moneye, and took vre lady to borow.
Of a prest þat lay by a nonne.
hou vre lady ȝaf mylk off heore pappes to a man þat hadde þe squynacye.
Of an incontinent monk, þat was drouned, and rered aȝeyn by vre lady to lyf.
Of a clerk þat wolde euery day segge þe fyue ioyes of vre lady.
hou vre lady dude þe offys of a sextresse fyftene ȝeer for a nonne.
hou a god wyf by-nam fro an ymage of vre lady þe ymage of heore child.
Of a deuout knyt off kyrkeby.
hou a wommon slow heore doutour hosebonde, and was dampned to þe fuyr, and delyuered by vre lady.
hou þe deuel took lyknesse of a wommon, and seyde he was godes modur.
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.
hou a nonne furȝat to grete vre ladye, and ful in apostasye.
hou seynt Bernard say twey children ydrouned for þeir inobedience.
Of þys antynene: Salue regina.
hou vre lady sauter bygan.
hou vre lady was a medewyf in þe churche of seynt michel in monte tumba.
hou þe feste of þe natiuite of vre lady by-gan.
Of a deuout clerk þat died in drenkelenschipe, & was wyrned sepulcre.
Of a þef þat was þre dayes hanget, and saued by vre lady.
Of a prest þat coude non oþur masse but salua sancta parens.
hou þe deuel, in liknesse of a bole and of oþur bestes, encumbrede a monk for he was ones drunke.
Of a wommon off Rome þat conceyuede bi heore owne sone, & slou heore child.
Off a child þat weddede an ymage of vre lady.
hou at þe cite of Tholuse þe priuetes were knowe of Iewes.
hou vre lady ȝaf to seynt Bonyte þe bisschoph holy vestemens.
hou þe deuel, in fals liknesse of seynt Iame, made a man cutte of his priue menbres.
Of a monk of Cisteus, þat vre lady took in heore armes, and custe hym.
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.
Of seynt fulbert þe bisschop, þat made þe storye, and þe legende and oþur tretys off þe natiuite of vre lady.
Of a mayden þat was cald Musa.
Of a malicious priour of seynt sauyours of þe cite of papye.
Of seynt Ierom, bisschoph of papye.
Of a whyth corporaus was in-tync wit red wyn, in seynt Micheles churche, þat his cald cluse.
hou vre lady taute a clerk hou he schulde segge heore complyn.
Of þe schrewednesse of Iustynyan þe emperour.
And why þe feste of þe puryficacion was ordeyned.
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 Page 139

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;

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.

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.

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.

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;

Þerfore he called hit Northmondye,

As writen I fynde in his storye:

Of Bruit þe Cronicle witnesset wel

Þis Conquest of Rollo eueridel.

Hit was þe furste Duik in þat lond,

ffor he furst won hit wiþ his hond. Page 140

Whon Rollo þat kniht was þider I-comen

And mony a toun þei hedde I-nomen,

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.

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;

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,

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;

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;

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.

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.

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.

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!

Whon on þat relyk þei caste heore siht,

Þei woxe start*. [r. stare]-blynde anon-riht; Page 141

Þei mihten no more defenden heom þen

Þen so mony blynde or drounkene Men.

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,

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,

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.

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.

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,

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.

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;

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, Page 142

He song þat Antimne eueri-wher,

I-Called Alma Redemptoris Mater,

Þat is forþrihtly to mene:

"Godus Moder, Mylde and Clene,

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.

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:

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.?]

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.

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.

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

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:

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,

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; Page 143

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

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.

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.

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. Page 144

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,

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,

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.

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.

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

120

A Lilie flour, so briht and cler,

So feir a Lylie nas neuere seȝen er,

Wiþ guldene lettres eueriwher:

Alma Redemptoris Mater.

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.

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,

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.

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: Page 145

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,

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,

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!

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,

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.

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.

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:

But grace a-ȝeynes þat is obstacle,

Wiþ help of halewen, þorw Miracle

Geten bi halewen specially,

Bote souereynlokest þorw vre ladi,

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: Page 146

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;

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.

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;

He bad his beodes deuoutely,

And holi Aues to vre ladi.

Þat wommon, as heo com hym bi

And sayh hym cloþed Boistusli,

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.

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?

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.

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,

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,

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, Page 147

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,

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."

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."

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

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;

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;

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."

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."

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

100

Or in þi lyue or afturward;

I preie þe, damysele, hold foreward."

Þenne seide þe damysel:

"Þe foreward i hope to holde wel; Page 148

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.

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;

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,

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,

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.

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!

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."

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:

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:

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, Page 149

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,

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;

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

156

Wiþ sereuful herte and repentaunce,

And gladly vnderueng penaunce;

ffor at þis fourti dayes ende

Þou schalt out of þis world wende

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.

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.

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:

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!

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. Page 150

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

At an Aster tyme bi-tidde,

Whon cristen made solempnite—

A Menskful Munstre was mad amidde,

As semed best, in þat Citéé:

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;

Eueri mon in his array,

Boþe housbonde and wyf also,

As falleþ wel for asterday

And al as cristene men schul do.

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.

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: Page 151

Boþe laumpes & tapers, brenninde briht,

And Auters curiousliche de-peynt,

IMages ful deinteousliche i-diht,

And guld of moni a good corseynt.

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Page 152

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.

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,

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.

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

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.

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:

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:

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."

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."

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. Page 153

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.

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.

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.

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:

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!

152

Boþe Brondes and Gledes, trustily,

Þat weren bi-neþen vndur my fote,

As feire floures, feiþfully,

As special spices me þhouȝte hem swote;

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,

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."

164

Boþe Men and wymmen, al þat þer wore,

Þei herieden God hertily,

Boþe luytel and muche, lasse and more,

Of þis Miracle, witerly.

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. Page 154

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.

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."

180

Þus is endet þis stori

Of þe Miracle

I-writen a-boue.

God graunt vs Ioy

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;

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;

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

Wit and wisdam, resun and skil : To knowen þi godhede

And preche þe bileeue among þe folk : And hem to good lyf lede: Page 155

Wel ouhte we alle to þonke þe, lord : Of alle þi goodnes,

And eke þi Moder, swete Marie : Of whom com vre encres:

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.

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;

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,

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:

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,

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. Page 156

AMong al oþere þer com a Mon : I-bootned forte be,

His leg was brennyng as a fuir : ffrom fot vp to þe kne.

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;

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,

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.

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:

"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,

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, Page 157

A-Middes alle his moste serwe : He fel riht [s]ofte on slepe.

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.

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.

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;

And, as þe Bokes telles vs,

He was i-clept Teodorus.

He louede god and vre ladi,

And serued þat Mayden speciali.

And in þat Cite, soþliche,

A Ieuh þer dwelled, was wonder Riche;

In his lay he hedde good name,

He was I-clepet Abrahame.

Theodorus he louede wele,

Gret lykyng hedde wiþ him to dele.

Theodorus hedde þouht and care,

ffor he nedde not wiþ to chaffare; Page 158

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,

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

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;

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

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,

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.

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:

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.

Theodorus In good Manere

Kneled a-doun, bad his preyere,

And aftur þat wiþ good visage

Went hym vp to þat ymage,

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, Page 159

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."

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.

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:

To Alysaundre he gon sayle.

Þer he a-Ryued wiþ-outen fayle.

Þenne he bouȝte faste and solde,

And eueri day þe pons tolde

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,

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;

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

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.

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,

And a lettre, þat seide þus:

"Þis to Abraham Ieuh sent Theodorus;"

Aftur þat, wiþ his hond

Aboute wiþ Iren he hit bond, Page 160

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.

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,

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,

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.

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.

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.

120

Longe afturward in Godes nome

Theodorus was comen home.

Wiþ him þer mette mony on

Þat him welcomede swiþe son.

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.

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?"

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; Page 161

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!"

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,

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;

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.

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,

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.

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.—

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!

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

172

Þorw þe grace of hire sone,

Wiþ him þere forte wone.

And þat hit mote so be

Seiþ alle AMen, Par charite. AMEN.

176

Page 162

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

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.

Ȝit he serued vre Ladi

Day bi day ful specialy,

Matyns and vres day Bi day

Of hire he seide wiþ-oute delay.

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,

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;

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

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

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.

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,

Þat O day he song of vre Ladi,

Þat oþer of Requiem, sikerli. Page 163

Al þe ȝer þis Charge he nom.

Atte laste his Mynde-day com.

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,

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.

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;

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."

ÞE prest torned hym softely

And sauh him knele faste by;

Anon wiþ godes Bodi

Hoselde him deuoutli.

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.

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

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.—

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.

And þat hit mote so be,

Seyeþ to hire an Aue!

Page 164

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;

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,

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.

Þat tyme riht as men doþ floures

Men gederede furst Matines and vres

Þat men vsen now of vre ladi,

And seiden hem deuoutly;

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,

And mony a special preyere

Þat men han mad of hire here.

Atte laste, as hit schulde falle,

Þe Monkes þrote grete swalle,

Men called þat vuel Comuynli,

Þat he hedde, þe Qwinaci.

His vuel bi-gon so to encrese,

Wiþ-outen eny relece,

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,

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!

And seide to him: "Mi seruaunt swete,

I am comen þi bale to bete; Page 165

Wiþ my seruauns haue I be, lo:

Þat Made me beo so longe þe fro.

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,

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."

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.

Hym þouȝte verreliche i-nouh

Þat heo aweiward from hym drouh:

And after hire faste he rauhte,

But he hire take mihte nauhte.

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,

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,

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."

Þerwiþ he wepte for Ioye wel glad;

And euer was hire seruaunt sad,

Worschuped hire Corteis and hende

Euer to his lyues ende.—

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.

Preye we, heo preye hire sone Ihesus

Þat euere he haue Merci on vs, Page 166

Þat to his blisse he take vs to

Þat is and schal ben euer-mo. Amen.

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.

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.

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.

Hit bi-fel vppon a niht,

To his walk he hedde hym diht,

Bi þat ymage passed he

And grette hit wiþ an Aue.

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:

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.

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.

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."

Þe Angeles al astoneyet were,

ffor þei mihte schewe no good werk þere

Wherfore þei mihte him calange Page 167

And wiþ hem lede forþ in heore range.

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?"

Þei onswerde sone schortly:

"ffor he diede sodeynly

Wiþ-outen eny gode dede;

Þerfore we schulen him quite his mede."

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,

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:

Put we hit In þe Iuggement

Of þe heiȝe kyng, verreyment."

As þei þus striuen I-fere,

Þorw Maries Mylde prey[er]e

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.

His breþeren þat slepten in here wyse

Weren awaked and wolden aryse,

Gret wonder þei hedden hem among

Whi þe sexsteyn was so long

. . . . . *. [[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.

Page 168

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, Page 169

ffor holy Churche hit singeþ meste,

Nomeliche of þis newe feste.

Ac noþeles hit is ful olde

Þat Dauid in þe psauter tolde:

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.

[He]*. [om.] was in Egipte in gret truage,

And godus folk in foul seruage,

Vnder þe kyng Pharaon

Þer was mony a þousund mon.

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,

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:

Þe séé stod vp-riht as a wal, Page 170

Til þei weore I-passed al.

Kyng Pharao him suwed faste

Wiþ his Chares and his hoste;

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.

In þis place hit mai beo sede

Þat mon ete Angeles brede:

Þat tyme þat Moyses ladde þus

His grete host In wildernus

God dude lete reyne a-doun

As hit were flour gret foysun,

Manna, so hit is I-write,

And is I-clept Angeles Mete.

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;

And hit nolde not ben on Morwe

fforte kepe ne for to Borwe. Page 171

Ich holde þis a badde store

To vche Mokerere þat biddeþ*. [r. biggeþ] more

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.

"Þer-of he doþ wysliche,

Ȝif he departe hit skilfulliche."

Nay, forsoþe, þenkeþ he nouht

To pore men parten ouht;

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.

ffor þis is þe Mokereres onswere:

"Goþ or wey, Corn is dere!"

And forsoþe, wiþ-oute gabbe,

Þe same onswere he schal habbe

Whon alle þe Angeles in heuene beoþ

And alle on eorþe þat þoleþ deþ

Schul ben at a parlement: Page 172

Þen þe Mokerere schal be schent;

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.

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,

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;

Herborweles, þou me forsoke;

Seek, in prisun, þou ne come me to loke;

A-Cold, Cloþeles also,

Naked þou me lette go:

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?" Page 173

"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."

At Domes-day þe meste schennes

Hit falleþ vppon þe nyþinges;

ffor þei neuermore wole hem schryue

Þat þei weore niþinges in heore lyue,

But euere heore onswere hit is þus

"We ȝiuen more þen men ȝiuen vs."—

Torne we to vre gospelle,

Of þe folk of Ysraelle,

100

Hou þei gedrede Angeles brede

More þen þei hedde to nede.

Þerfore god wroþ was

Þat þei trist not to his gras,

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;

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— Page 174

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

132

Þe Cristene Mon seide: "a-byd me here,

Whil I go to my preyere!" Page 175

Þe cristene mon wente in to þe churche.

And þe Iew bi-gon to grucche,

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.

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

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

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,

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.

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!" Page 176

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;

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!

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,

172

Non eorþliche kunnes mete

Þat my Mouþ mihte ete."

"Let beo! I sauh wiþ myn eȝen two

Where þou and oþur mo,

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

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.

184

Þerfore al-one I*. [om. 1?] go þe bi,

I kepe no more þi cumpaygni." Page 177

Þe Iew seide: "ffelawe, greef þe nouht

Þeih I telle þe what I sayh and þouht,

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

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.

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;

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.—

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,

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: Page 178

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.—

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.

220

Hit is maad beo seuen skiles

Aȝeyn þe seuene dedly synnes:

Aȝeyn Lecherie hit is whit,

Þat was Blak and stynkynge euere ȝit.

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.

228

Of swete whete mad hit is,

Aȝeyn Wraþþe, þat is bitternis.

Hit is mad wiþ-oute leueyn:

Aȝeyn Envye hit stont aȝeyn,

232

ffor Envye makeþ Men swelle

Whon he seoþ eny spede welle.

Hit is also wiþ-oute Bryn

Or eny oþur Corn þer-In: Page 179

236

Hit*. [r. þat] is a-ȝeyn Couetyse,

Þat ne reccheþ In what wyse

Eny catel vndurfonge,

Beo hit Riht beo hit wronge.

240

Hit is þerto clene and luyte,

Aȝeyn Pruide, þat euer ȝute

Wolde beo gret and heiȝ of wille,

As Lucifer, þat furst felle

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,

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,

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."

256

Of þe Apostles þat God sent

[tok] holichurche þe sacrament.—

Page 180Et dicitur Eukaristia

Quasi bona gracia:

Þat is to siggen, eukarist

As goode grace com from crist.

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.—

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.]:

268

"Whose vnworþiliche ȝode

To fonge Godus fflesch and blode,

Þere he fongeþ his owne dome"—

Allas, hit falleþ so to lome!

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;

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.— Page 181

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,

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.

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:

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,

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.

300

Off þulke Bred in þe gospelle

Seint Ion we here þus telle:*. [Joh. 6, 54.]Page 182

Þat ȝif we ne ete of þulke brede

Ne drynke his blood, vr lyf were dede.—

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!

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

328

Sum tyme such lawe þer was

Þat vche sonday after mas Page 183

Eueri trewe wyf and Mon

Schulde be hoseled or þei eode þon.*. [2 vv. wanting, ef. Harl. 387-8.] . . . . .

And þat for þis enchesun,

333

I wol ow telle for what resun:

On was, for þat folk mis-bere

Hem-selue, whon þei hoseled were.

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.

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

344

Þulke bodi þat so ne dede

Schuld neuer be buried in holy stude.

Þerfore beo redi, I ow Rede,

fforte fonge Angeles Brede.

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, Page 184

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,

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;

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?"

364

He seide: "Ich am Godes Messagere,

And þeos Obeleis þat ben here,

Þus monye vnworþily þou fong,

Whon þat þou þi Masse song;

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

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.

376

Þe prest let men come hym to

And tolde hem whi he ferde so: Page 185

"Lo," quaþ he, "hou I am diht!

Who sauh euere such a siht?"

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,

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,

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

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,

396

Þe same miht þat word haþ here,

To torne þe bred in oþur manere, Page 186

And to torne þe wyn in blode,

Þe same þat was sched on Rode.

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.

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,

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; Page 187

412

And in vessels of treo—

Non oþur chalys hedden heo.

Þenne þe pope vrban,

Þat was a ful holy man,

416

Ordeynde þat þe Chalys scholde

Ben of seluer or of golde,

Wiþ a patin, to hule ouer al,

Maked of þe same Metal.

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.

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;

428

Of*. [r. And? or þan?] seint hillari þat was

Erche-bisschop of peytas,

He made from laudamus te

Þe remenaunt þen synge we. Page 188

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.] . . . . .

436

He hit Confermede, pope Gregori,

And made þerto þe Offertori.

ÞEnne þe pope Anastasius

Comaundet in lawe riht þus:

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.

444

Pope Steuene and pope Clemens

Ordeyned þe holy vestimens.

Pope Ciluester ordeyned þe Corporas,

In tokne þat godus bodi was

448

In clene lynnen cloþ I-wounde

Þat tyme þat Iosep hit founde Page 189

In his owne toumbe of ston

And leyde a-noþur gret vppon.

452

ÞEnne þe Pope Leouns

Made alle þe Prefaciuns.

Alisaundre þe Pope ordeynde þis:

To do watur and wyn In þe Chalis,

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.

460

Sixtus þe Pope ordeynde vs

Þryȝes to synge Sanctus.

Þe Pope*. [Harl. Ielasius] made þe Canoun þer,

And God made þe Pater noster.

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."

468

And seint Ion*. [r. Luc (11, 2).] haþ tauht vs þis—

Þat is on of his disciples— Page 190

Þat Ihesus tauhte hem þis preyer

And bad hem seyen þe Pater noster.

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.

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.

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;

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,

488

Hit is a-ȝein þulke man

Þat in his herte wraþþe haþ tan. Page 191

ÞEnne þe pope Innocent,

Pax domini he ordeynt,

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.

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";

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;

508

Þat flesch he haþ take þe to fede,

Þat is i-cleped Aungel Brede. Page 192

ÞE twelue Apostles I-nempned beþ,

ffor heore prechynge þei þolede deþ—

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,

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.

520

Poul, Iames, and Mathew

Were be-heuedet, and Bartholomew

Was huld al naked quike

ffor his witnesse of þis onlike.

524

And þat oþur Iamus,

Symon, and Taddeus,

Heore senewes for cristen lawe

Out of heore bodi were i-drawe. Page 193

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.

532

And seint Thomas Didimus,

He was þorwh-stiked Riht þus.

Þer-aftur comeþ þe xij Martiris

Þat in þe Canoun Rikned is;

536

Of whuche summe Popes were,

Summe Bisschops þat Mitre beere,

Summe Dekenes þat weore half prest,

Summe lewede þat leeuede on crist—

540

ffor alle Ordres and alle degres

To þis sacrement bereþ witnes.

Leouns, Clemens, and Cletus,

Sixtus, and Cornelius,

544

Þeose weore Popus, þat þolede deþ

ffor þulke Bred þat we nou seoþ.

Ciprian was Bisschop of Cartiginus.

Stephene, Laurence, Vincent weore Dekenus. Page 194

548

Grisogon, Ion and Paulus,

Þei weore in heore lyue knihtus;

Cosma and Damianus,

Þei weore leches, I-writen is þus.

552

Cecili, and Agnes, and Agace

Diede for þis bred of grace.

Þerfore is riht heore nomes to be

Nempned in þe Canone:

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.

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;

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,

568

But þe siht of þe Trinite Page 195

Schal euermore þi fode be.

Seþþhe we han þe Modur to preye þe sone,

We han þe sone to prey þe ffader,

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,

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:

580

But, ȝif ȝe don now aftur me,

I wol ow telle a quantite,

Hou Muchel pardoun ȝe may habbe

To ȝoure meste nede,

584

To come to honoure wiþ-oute gabbe

Þis ilke Angeles Brede.

þulke þoresday þat next is

Aftur þe Trinite,

588

Þe pope vrban ordeynde þis

Þat hit schulde þenne be. Page 196

An hundred dayes of forȝiuenes

He graunted alle þay

592

Þat come to þe Matynes

Of þulke same day;

ffourti dayes for vche a tyde,

An hundred for þe Mas,

596

An hundred hose to þe Euensong abyde—

He graunteþ hem no las.

And al þat wike vche day

Þis pardoun lasteþ so,

600

Hose al þe seruyse hauen may;

And ȝit he schal han mo:

ffor vche dayes seruyse

An hundret dayes to bote—

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,

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 Page 197

Bisschop of leihlinne,

612

He haþ mendet in þis cas

Þorwh miht þat he ȝaf hymme:

ffourti dayes to pardoun

He haþ ȝiue þerto ȝete*. [orig. ȝite]

616

To alle wiþ good deuocioun

Hereþ hit or hit rede.

So hit a-mounteþ holliche

On and ffourti ȝere

620

And sixcore dayes, treweliche,

Whose hereþ his seruyse here.

Ihesu graunte ow alle and some

On eorþe so forte spede

624

Þat þis pardoun ow make come

To þis Angeles Brede.

Þat Mon eete Angel Brede,

Þus furst we be-gon;

628

To heuene [hit] mot ow alle lede

Boþe Wyf and Mon,

In nomine patris wiþ ou go,

Et spiritus sancti do also. Amen.

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.,

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

Þat of his beleue haþ ben in a were

or haþ errid her-be-fore

wher-bi his soule myhte be lore,

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.

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;

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.

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:

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

and profite to oure soulis alle,

Þat non in mysbeleue ne falle.

Þer-for alle þat ben here,

preyth for me sum preyere,

ffor ihesu cristis owne loue,

& also for ȝoure own behoue.— —

^*Ȝe lewid men, takiþ hede—

for þe clerkis han no nede

Þat I hem opene þis latyn,

for þei it knowe wel & fyn; Page 169

ffor holi chirche it singiþ meste,

nameliche in þis newe feste.

But nertheles it is ful old

Þat dauid in þe sawtere told:

for þis it is þat dauid seyde

Þat "Man etiþ aungelis brede;"

& 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,

vnder þe king pharao

Þer was a þousand men & mo.

Longe it were al to telle;

but atte laste þus it befelle

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.

and whan moyses to þe se com,

al drye his folk wiþ him he nom:

Þe se stod vpriht as a walle, Page 170

til þei were passid alle.

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,

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:

Þe tyme þat moyses lad þus

his gret ost in wildernes

God fro heuene lete reyne adoun

as it were a flour, gret foysoun,

Manna, so it is wrete,

& it is seyd aungelis mete.

Þei it gaderid & lyuid þer-bi,

& 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. Page 171

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;

he bieþ corn aȝen þe ȝere

& kepit it til it be dere.

"But þer-of doþ he wiseliche,

if he departe it skilfulliche."

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;

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,"

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,

104

schul ben at on parlement: Page 172

Þer þe mokerere schal ben schent;

Þer he schal vpbraydid be

of god him-self, þat is so fre,

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

113

to þe mokerere at domys-day,

and so harde to non other man

as to þe vnkynde mokerere þan:

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;

120

. . . . . *. [[folios 34, 35, 36 wanting in Cambr. MS.]]

Page 185"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.

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.

424

& after for a þousand pound of gold

Þe prest no mor synne wold,

But seruid god wiþ greet drede,

& afterward to heuene ȝede.—

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

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, Page 186

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

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,

445

and þe pater noster þer-to,

vpon þe bred and þe wyn—

& so hem þouhte it good & fyn.

448

non othere vestemens vsid þai

but as þei werid eueri day; Page 187

and in vesselis of tre—

Non oþer chaleys had he.

452

Than þe pope vrban,

Þat was a ful holi man,

ordeynid þat þe chaleys scholde

ben of siluer or of golde,

456

wiþ a patene, to helin oueral,

made of þe same metal.

Þe pope Celestyn, ordeynid he,

a psalme men clepe Iudica me

460

Þat eueri prest þat is & was

schuld it seye or he ȝede to mas.

Þe .ix. kiries þat ben in boke

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,

468

he made fro laudamus te

Þe remenaunt þan singe we. Page 188

Þan þe pope Tellophorus,

& þat oþer pope Cinacus,

472

Be-twix hem boþ ordeynid was

to singen gloria at þe mas.

pope alisaundere ordeynid wel

to redin Epistil and gospel.

476

Be Ierom & ambrose ordeynid was

to make þe grayel to þe mas.

al þis confermyd pope Gregori,

& þer-to made þe offertori.

480

Þanne þe pope anastasius

comaundid in lawe riht þus:

Þat no man schuld sitte, he bed,

whil þe Gospel were red.

484

Constantinus made þe Crede,

to singe it he ȝaf þe rede.

pope steuene & pope Clemens

ordeynid holi vestymens.

488

pope siluester ordeynid þe corporas,

in tokne þat goddis bodi was

In clene sendel I-wounde

whan Ioseph leyde it in toumbe Page 189

492

in his owne graue of ston

& leyde anoþer gret ston þer-on.

Þanne þe pope leouns

made þe prefaciouns.

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;

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;

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.

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— Page 190

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,

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.

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."

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.

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. Page 191

532

Þer-for þe good pope Innocent

Pax domini haþ ordeynt,

Þat eueri man schuld kisse oþer

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,

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,

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:

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. Page 192

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;

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.

560

petir, andrew, philip, these .iij.

were don vp-on þe rode-tre.

poule, Iamys, and mathew

were heuedid, & bartilmew

564

was helt al nakid quyk

for his witnes of þis vnlik.

and þat oþer lesse Iamys,

and symon also, & thadeus,

568

hire senewis for cristen lawe

out of hire bodi were drawe. Page 193

and seynt Iohn Euangelist,

Þat was cosyn to ihesu crist,

572

he drank venym, to make preue

Þat we han truþe and riht beleue.

and seynt thomas didimus,

he was þorw-stekid riht þus.

576

Þer-after comiþ .xij. marteris,

Þat company in þe canoun reknid is;

Of whiche summe popis were,

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.

584

Leouns, Clemens, & Cletus,

Sixtus, and Cornelius,

these were popis, þat suffrid deth

for þat bred þat ȝe a-days seeth.

588

Ciprian was bischop of Cartaginus.

Steuene, laurens, & vincent were dekins. Page 194

Grisogon, Iohn and paules,

Þei were on lyue knyhtis;

592

Cosmas and Damianus,

Þei were lechis, wretin it is þus.

Katerine, Mergrete, & agace

deyden for þis bred of grace.

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.—

600

Þe sacrament mote þi soule fede

þat is clepid aungelis brede.

if þat ȝe worþiliche it fonge,

it schal kepe ȝow þus longe,

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

608

where neuere-mor schal ben no nede

to no maner of ertheli brede,

But þe sihte of þe blisful trenyte Page 195

schal euere-mor þi fode be.

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:

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.

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,

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

629

after þe feste of þe trenyte,

Þe pope vrban ordeynid þis

Þat þan þis pardoun schuld be. Page 196

632

an hundrid dayes of forȝifnes

he grauntid to hem alle in fay

Þat come vn-to þe matynes

on þat same thursday;

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.

640

and al þat woke eueriday

Þis pardoun lastiþ so,

who-so al þe seruyse han may;

& ȝet he schal han mo:

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.

652

Meylerus, þorw goddis grace Page 197

bisschop of leyȝ-lymme,

he haþ amendid al þis cas

Þorw myht þat god ȝaf hym:

656

ffourti days to pardoun

he ȝaf þer-to, wiþ-out drede,

to alle þat wiþ good deuocioun

herin it or don it rede.

660

So it amountiþ holliche

on and fourty ȝere

& sex-score dayes, truliche,

who-so heriþ his seruise here.

664

Ihesu graunte ȝow alle & some

in erthe so for to spede

that þis pardoun ȝow make come

vn-to þis heuenlich brede.

668

Þat man ete aungelis brede,

Þus first we began;

to heuene it mote vs alle lede

boþe wyf and man,

672

In nomine patris & filij wiþ vs go

Et spiritus sancti do also. amen.

Page 168

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,

Gastly how he will vs fede

With his body in fowrom of brede, Page 169

Als haly kyrk now most and lest

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,

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.

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

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.

And when þai to þe se war cumen,

A dri way sone haue þai nomyn:

Þe water stode vp als a wall, Page 170

vntill þai war past ouer all.

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:

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

With childer þat god him-seluen chese.

God sent to þam fra heuyn doune

Als it war flowre ful gret foysowne;

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:

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 Page 171

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

Of þir mokyrers þat bies more

Corn or malt þan he has nede

His menȝe fully forto fede.

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,

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.

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,

fful hard rekining ȝeld sal he Page 172

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

And his angels all in-fere;

Þan sall he wit how he has spend

Al þe gude þat god him send!

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;

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.

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

And did noght als vs fell to do?"

Þan sal he answer þam vnto Page 173

And say: "when þat ȝe saw in pine

Any of þe lest of myne

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.

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,

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

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:

108

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,

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,

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.—

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

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.

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.

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.

Þouh we vr-self [ȝaf] an hundred siþe,

O poynt of such loue miht we not kyþe Page 199

Lyk to þat loue he haþ vs done,

ffor hit is vre saluacioune.

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

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:

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,

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,

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]

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.

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,

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

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,

He schal neuere þe blisse a-byde,

ffor no þing þat him may be-tyde. Page 200

In þe Olde lawe þus is writen—

Iewes and Cristene wel hit witen:

"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.

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,

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,

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;

And for he nolde we hit forsoke,

Bot alle men hit vndurtoke,

Þerfore his wisdam his owne rede

Sauereþ hit in wyn and Brede.

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.

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.

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: Page 201

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,

112

And seide, hit was not Ihesu

Þat Conceyued was þorwh gret vertu,

Ne Ihesu was not þat Oble

Þat was reised atte sacre

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,

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.

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

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,

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,

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,

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. Page 202

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

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.

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,

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

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.

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

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,

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;

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.

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.— Page 203

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.

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.

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,

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.

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;

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,

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,

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.

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;

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, Page 204

224

And þat wraþþhe comeþ of sorwe,

And*. [F. þat] of wonhope wol muche Borwe.

Þis sacrament of þe Messe

Loueþ not such Idelnesse,

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,

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,

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]

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.

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.

248

Þeos seuene partyes*. [F. propertes] beþ

In þe Oble, as we seoþ,

And eueri propurte þer-Inne

Is aȝein an hed-synne.

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;

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.

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, Page 205

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:

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.]

272

Of his parischens he vndurstode

Whuche wer vuel and wȝuche wer gode.

Two he hedde forte gete

Þat nolde neuere synne lete.

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]

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

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,

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,

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.

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." Page 206

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.

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,

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;

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;

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.

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,

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.

328

And god almihti louede him wel

And wolde schewe him eueridel:

"Þo Men þat weore so briht

As þe sonne on day-liht,

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,

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, Page 207

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.

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.

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.

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,

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,

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

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.

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.

372

Ȝif þou do þus þi witande,

Þen chargen hit me*. [F. men hyt] moste on hande.

Þerfore loke þou wite nouht

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. Page 208

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;

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

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,

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

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.

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.

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,

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;

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,

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; Page 209

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.]

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;

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.

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;

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.

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;

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."

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;

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,

456

And þonked him muchel his seruyse,

And more he scholde haue*. [F. he wulde] oþurwyse. Page 210

Þis Mon onswerde þis prest a-ȝeyn:

"Þis bred ȝe bringeþ to me in veyn,

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."

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]

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;

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.

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."

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;

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

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,

492

And nomeliche whon hit is don

Wiþ good monnes deuocion;

Him wol god sannore here

Þen on þat is him nouht so dere.

496

In þe seueþe Comaundement

Toucheþ to þis sacrament Page 211

In a tale of þat*. [F.a] kniht,

Hou þe prest þat liueþ not riht,

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:

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

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,

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."

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.

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.

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.

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."

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. Page 212

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;

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!"

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;

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,

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

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,

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.

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!"

568

Þe niht aftur—lustneþ now!—

He com and seide: "slepestou?"

"Nay," heo sayde, "hou fare ȝe?"

"Wel," he seide, "and so worþ þe!"

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 Page 213

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;

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,

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."

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.

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!—

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;

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;

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.

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, Page 214

616

Or in eny oþur trauayle,

Þe sacrament wol vs a-vayle;

Hit wol delyuere vs out of peyn,

Ȝif vr trouþe beo certeyn.

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:

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;

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]

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;

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.

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.

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,

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]

652

And brouht him *. [F. vn-]to a lordyng,

An Erl, þat heold of þe kyng. Page 215

Þe Erl asked him what he was,

And wher he hedde ben in hard cas.

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,

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]

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.

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:

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.

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,

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;

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]

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]

692

Þat tyme,*. [F. tounne] as ich vndurstonde,

Hit was in Northhumberlonde. Page 216

Þis Abbot hedde tiþinges certeyne

Þat Ruyna was in Batayle slayne.

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,

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

705

ffor whom he made his preyere:—

Þeih men a-niht þis kniht bounde,

A-Morwe þei hym loos founde,

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.

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.

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?

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."

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.

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;

732

ffor me he syngeþ vche day a Mes—

prest, abbot forsoþe he is. Page 217

I wot wel, þat is þe enchesun

Þat my Bondus here*. [F. are so] vndon;

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,

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,

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,

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;

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]

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.

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;

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.

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,

772

ffor a-skapyng bi þe weye

He dude bondes on him leye. Page 218

Bot þat vaylede him no-þyng

Neuer a day, þat byndyng:

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;

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,

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,

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.

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;

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.

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.

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.

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:

812

ffor vs liuynge hit makeþ Memorie,

Also for þe soules in purgatorie. Page 219

Vche mon schal leeue þat riht

Þat helpen hit wolle as [hit] dude*. [F. þat holpe wyl be as was] þe kniht.

816

Þis sacrament helpeþ not ȝit alone,

Bote þe offrynges euerichone,

Al þat we offre atte Mes,

Al to vre saluacion hit is.

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.];

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,

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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; Page 220

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,

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!

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,

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:

868

Þe Mon In good stat þei founde,

Liuinge, wiþ-outen wem or wounde.

Euerichone þei hedde ferly,

And þat was gret Resun why!

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:

876

"I haue I-liued gracious lyf

Þorwh cortesye of my wyf:

Eueri day heo haþ me sent

Bred and wyn to present;

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,

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.

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. Page 221

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.—

896

ffor al þis tale in ȝor lyues

Trustneþ not in ȝor wyues,

Ne in ȝour children no-þing;

Makeþ or-self ȝour offring!

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.—

904

Ȝe men þat are nou In present,

Þat hereþ rede þis sacrament,

Ouer alle þing hit haþ power,

Þe sacrament on þe Auter,

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.

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.

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

And alle þe dedly Synnes samed

Þat her-aftur schul beo named. Page 222

*. [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

What is þe wille of god euermo;

Also schul ȝe here now rede

What þing makeþ mon holy in dede;

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;

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.

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,

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;

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;

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;

Of þe twelf Articles of þe ffey

Schul we also sumwhat sey;

Of þe seuen Sacramens,

Þat euer ben in godus presens;

So schul ȝe heere sum or al

Þe ffoure vertuwes Principal: Page 223

Prouwesse, Rihtwisnesse, and Meth,

Strengþe also wiþ hem he geth;

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;

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."

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:

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.

ffor her seiþ seint Eusebi

Wordus þat ben ful dredfuly:

"A Mon to Religiun him dresse

Is aller-hext sikernesse;

Not parfyt liue þer-inne son

Is aller-hext Dampnacion."

In Religiun we to beo don

Is aller-hext Saluacion:

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;

Þou most al þi wille ȝiue

Parfytly and sikerly to liue.

And seint Bernard vs techeþ in hiȝ

To liue Mekeli, loueli, and worschipfuli.

Þat "worschipfuli" is to mene,

To Godus worschipe feir and clene,

Þat þou do al þyn entent

To don al his Comaundement; Page 224

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,

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;

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.

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.—

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.—

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;

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,

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.

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, Page 225

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—

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;

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;—

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,

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,

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,

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.

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;

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. . . . .

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. Page 226

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

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!—

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,

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.

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;

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;

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:

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,

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,

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, Page 227

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.

208

Þenk bisiliche, ȝe

Þat loueþ or ffadres and modres fre,

Whi ȝe louen hem so tenderly—

I wolde wite þe resun whi.

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.

216

Þe soþe ȝif þou wol lerne þen,

Bodi ne soule nastou of hem,

But b

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

II. Verse Paraphrase of Psalm LI.

III. her biginneþ an orisun of þe trinite.

IV. A confessioun to Jhesu crist.

V. A prayer to þe fiue woundes.

VI. A preiere to vre ladi.

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

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

IX. Þe fyue Joyes of vr ladi.

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

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.]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[XIX. Patris Sapiencia* So the title in Index. sive Horae de Cruce.]

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

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

[XXI. The Sweetness of Jesus.]

[XXII. A Prayer to Jesus.]

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

[XXV. A salutacioun to vre lady.]*. [So the title in the Index.]

[XXVI. An orisoun to þe fyue woundes of ihesus cristus.]*. [So the title in the Index.]

[XXVII. An orisoun to þe fyue ioyes of vre lady.]*. [So the title in the Index.]

[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.]

[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.)]

II. [hou þe Fewes, in despit of vre lady, prewe a chyld in a gonge.]*. [(Picture.)]

III. [hou an holy hermyt prayde a synful womman pray god for hym.]*. [(Picture.)]

IV. [hou a Few putte his sone in a brennyngge ouene, for he was communed wit oþur cristene children on þe pask-day.]*. [(Picture.)]

V. [hou a man, for ache, cut of his foot, and was heled aȝeyn by vre lady.]*. [(Picture.)]

VI. [hou a iew lente a cristenemon moneye, and took vre lady to borow.]*. [(Picture.)]

VII. [Of a prest þat lay by a nonne.]*. [(Picture.)]

VIII. [hou vre lady ȝaf mylk off heore pappes to a man þat hadde þe squynacye.]*. [(Picture.)]

IX. [Of an incontinent monk, þat was drouned, and rered aȝeyn by vre lady to lyf.]

XXX. De festo corporis cristi. [Panem angelorum manducauit homo.*. [om. in Vern.]]

MS. Vern., f. CXCV b.

MS. Dd. 1, 1 Cambr. Univ. Libr., fol. 32 b.

MS. Harl. 4196. Sermo in festo Corporis Cristi.

XXXI. Septem*. [Only 6 miracles are given in the text.] miracula de corpore cristi.

MS. Vern., fol. CXCVI b—CXCVIII, b.

XXXII. Hou a man schal lyue parfytly. (A translation of the first part of St. Edmund's Speculum).

Videte vocacionem vestram.(Paul, 1 Cor. 1, 26.)

[XIX. Patris Sapiencia
^*So the title in Index.
sive Horae de Cruce.]

Videte vocacionem vestram.

(Paul, 1 Cor. 1, 26.)