Alphabet of tales : an English 15th century translation of the Alphabetum narrationum of Etienne de Besançon, from Additional MS. 25,719 of the British Museum / by Etienne de Besançon

DI.
Monachus in habitu suo debet mori.

Cesarius tellis how in an abbay of Ceustus ordur þer was a monk̘ þat was gretelie vexid̛ with sekenes, & he doffid̛ his cowle & did on̛ his skaplorie, and so he dyed̛. And he was born̛ in-to þer oratorie, & þe monkis began̛ att say þer psalters for hym̛. And sodanlie he rase vp̛ & callid̛ þe abbot vnto hym̛. And his brethur war ferd̛ & ran̛ away, & þe abbott come vnto hym̛. And he said̛ vnto þe abbott; "Sur, I shryfe me vnto you þat I dyed̛ withowten̛ my cowle vppon̛ me. And when̛ I trowed̛ frelie to hafe entred̛ into paradice, Saynt Bennett come vnto me & said̛; 'Whar is þine abbett? Here may þou nott enter̛ withouten̛ itt.'" & one, he said̛, axked̛ hym̛ whatt he was, and he tolde hym̛ þat he was a monke of Ceustus ordur. And he said̛, "'& þou be a monke,

whar̛ is þine abbett?' and with þat oþer þat was aboute prayed̛ for me, and þus I was suffred com̛ agayn̛ vnto my bodye at I mott resayfe myne abbett of þe, and at I mott so be wurthie to entre into paradice."