CCLXXIX.
Dominicus ordinem per beatam virginem
predicatorum impetrauit.
We rede how on̛ a tyme when̛ Saynt Dominyk was in his prayers at Rome, and laburd̛ beselie vnto þe pope for confirmacion̛ of his ordur, on̛ a tyme he saw in his spiritt almyghti God in þe ayre, shakand iij speris like as He wold̛ hafe destroyed̛ aƚƚ þis werld̛. And our Ladie, His meke moder, come vnto Hym̛ and askid̛ Hym̛ whatt He wuld̛ do; & He sayd̛ þat [Latin MSS. "Mundum," inquit, "tribus vicijs corruptum, punire uolo."] He wolde destrow þis werld̛, with iij vicis þat was corrupte; þat was, with pride, concupiscens & avarice. And þan̛ sho sayd̛; "Dere Son! Meng þi rightwusnes with mercie! For I hafe a trew servand̛ at saƚƚ caƚƚ þis werld̛ agayn̛ vnto þe; & in euer-ilk place shaƚƚ destroy vicis." And þan̛ hur Son̛ was soberd̛ & sayd̛; "I wold̛ se hym̛ at sulde be ordand̛ vnto suche ane offes." & þan̛ our Lady shewid̛ Hym̛ ffurst Saynt Dominyk, & þan̛ Saynt Frauncys; & hur Son̛ commendid þaim gretelie. And after þis vision̛ Saynt Dominyk mett Saynt Frawncis þat he neuer saw befor̛ bod in þe vysion̛, & he kend hym̛ wele enogℏ, & kissyd̛ & sayd̛; "þou erte my felow; latt vs stond̛ bothe samen, & none aduersarie saƚƚ prevayle ayeyns vs."