Des ms. Bodl. 779 jüngere zusatzlegenden zur südlichen legendensammlung / ed. C. Horstmann.

Des Ms. Bodl. 779 jüngere Zusatzlegenden zur südlichen Legendensammlung. [Vgl. Altengl. Leg. 1875, p. XXXV ff., und South Engl. Legendary 1887, p. XX (wo ein paar Heiligentage unrichtig aufgeführt sind). Ms. Bodl. ist die einzige Hs.]

Mitgeteilt von C. Horstmann.

Þe feste of corpus day cristy.

Þe hyȝe feste of goddus blood: þat late was I-founde, good is to honoure: In euery a stounde: ffor þorwȝ þat dere blood: we be bouȝt echon; ȝif it ne hadde for vs be schad,: to helle we most ha gon. bonefas þe fourþe,: þat pope was in rome, [ 5] of þis presyouse blood: gan to nyme ȝeme, & for þe day nas I-hold: þat tyme in þe ȝer, þe pope þouȝt it was good: þat it I-holde wer: þerfore he leet cristene men: þorwȝ al cristindom [9 l. heet?] to honour þe feste: whan þe tyme com. [ 10] þe nexte þorsday it is: of þe trynyte, whan þis ilke holy blood: schal honourid be. ffor on scher-þorsday: me may entendy nouȝt for to do þe seruise,: þou it were þo wrouȝt; þilke day oure swete lord: it be-gan, I-wis; [ 15] but for seruise of þe passioun: þat þanne I-don is, & for þe fest of ester,: & whit-sonetyd al-so, þe fest of þat swete blood: raþer may nouȝt be do. þerfore þe pope bonefas: þat þe fourþe clepid was, of þis ilke sakrement: say þe noble cas; [ 20] gret wil he had: þat þis sacrement honourid were: þerfore he þouȝt in rome: among his breþerin þere, & grantid þat in stede of mede: þat in abbeyis grantid is, gret pardon to cristinmen: þat þis feste honouriþ, I-wis, þe nexte þorsday þat comyþ: after þe trinyte, [ 25] to alle cristene men: þat in cherche þanne wille be; þer his seruise þat day: clenliche schal be do, for þe holy apostlis: mad þer-of mende þo, after þat þe holy gost: to hem was I-come & in to preue orysonus: alle þey were nome: [ 30]

bred þey brek among hem: & drouȝ to mynde þat bred þat crist brek: to bygge alle mankinde. þerfore þilke holy fest: þo he þouȝte do, &, so ȝe ofte haue herd,: ȝaf moche pardon þer-two. ffor to hem þat comyþ at masse: he ȝaf an hondrid dayis, [ 35] & hem þat comyþ to matinus: he ȝaf þe same layis, þat þey schold an hondrid dayis,: at matinus habbe, & to euinsong an hondrid dayis: wit-outin eny gabbe, to mydmorw, vndrin & mydday,: non, & complin in hyȝ ffor ech tyd fourty dayis: þe good man gan grantyȝ, [ 40] & to þe last euinsong: þe good man grantid al-so an hondrid dayis of pardoun: who-so wold þedir go; & after þe seueþe day: who-so herde þe seruise, he grantid an hondrid dayis: to men þat were wyse. ffayr was þe pardon þat þe pope: to man grantid þo! [ 45] I wene me ne schal grant: fayrere neuere-mo. but mon moot in herte: þenk swyþe wel þat pardon to hem þat beþ in dedly sinne: helpiþ no del. þerfore mon moot ferst: let hym clene chryue & afong penauns: for his wrecched lyue; [ 50] ellis pardon helpiþ nauȝt: to non forȝeuenesse, nouþer her ne ellis-wher—: holychirche beriþ witnesse. pardoun is of gret myȝt,: who-so wyte wold: for beter is o day in purgatory: þan an hondrid pound of gold. ffor who-so were to purgatory: for his sinne dyȝt, [ 55] & he hadde on erþe: pardon wonne aryȝt, ech day of pardon: þat he hadde wonne here schold asclake his peyne: of on day þere. þerfore I holde þat mon: more þan wood þat ne wille purchase pardon: on erþe wit his good.— [ 60] of mony men̄ me telleþ: þat beþ hard of mood, þat nele nouȝt leue: þat it is goddus blood: ffor Jewis & saraȝynus: & some þat cristin is be-leueþ nouȝt þat it is: goddus blood I-wis. þerfore good vs telliþ: sum-what of þe olde lawe, [ 65] [65 vs st. is we.] to proue aȝen þe iewis: þe soþe of oure sawe. for þey segge þat here lawe: betere þan oure is, ffor þey han manna: þat comyþ fro heuin I-wis; god of heuin it made: & to þe (e)rþe it sente to þe iewis in desert,: þat wit good wille it hente; [ 70] þat was aungelus bred: þat men etin þo— In þe sauter-book it is: I-write also. for þe merakle þat god dede: to hem in þat tyme, þey despysid cristindom: & nele neuere fyne. but ȝif þey ondir-stood a-ryȝt: þis holy blode, [ 75] ffor al þat ilke manna: hem schold be wel gode. for manna þat to hem com: nold nouȝt twey dayis laste, but vp hem euere þat oþer day: it rotid faste; ac þat flesch & þat blood: rotiþ neuere-mo. þis me þinkiþ an answere: to seyȝe þe iewis two. [ 80] an oþer answere me myȝt segge: to hem, who-so wold: who-so et of manna: þat he deyȝe schold boþe in body & soule,: non I-sparid nas, þat alle men wente to helle—: þis was an hard cas! ȝif any Jewȝ wit-segge: þe soþe of þis sawe, [ 85] I woot he schal finde it write: In bokus of here lawe:

In Adamus lyf: he may finde þis, I woot to soþe wel,: who-so it secheþ I-wis. but þo crist hadde vs: wit his blood I-bouȝt, þe gode men of here lawe: fro helle were brouȝt. [ 90] þerfore þey moot grante: þat here eldris beþ ȝit in helle or wit þat holy blood bouȝt,: as I ȝow telle— ffor þe knyȝtus þat kepte Jhesu: þo he in toumbe was, toldin to þe iewis: þe soþe of þe cas. wel myȝt þe iewis wit: treuly be þan, [ 95] who-so etiþ his flesch & blood treuliche: he is goddus man. tak kep wheyþer is beter: þat flesch & þat blood þat for mannus synnus: deyde on þe rood, þan aungelus breed: þat manna clepid is. ȝif þou take good kep,: þou myȝt vndirstond þis. [ 100] þat flesch & þat blood: god on erþe nom þo he þouȝte bigge mon: þorwȝ þe cristindom; þe prophetus of iewin lawe: longe to-fore it sede þat god wold, to bigge mon,: on erþe tak manhede; barlam it tolde: & so seyde ysayȝe, [ 105] [105 Ms. se st. so.] Abacuk, eȝechiel,: & ek ieromyȝe— þese beþ þe prophetus: þat of here kinde cam— þat god for mannus synne: flesch on erþe nam. of manhed & of godhed: man he made on: but manna fro heuin: wel I woot þat þon. [ 110] [110 þon st. ron?] crist made heuin: & al þat þer-inne is: a party of heuin: manna is I-wis. crist is herre þat is lord: & weldiþ alle þing [113 Ms. þan st. þat.] þan manna aungelus bred: þat is his ondirling— ffor to alle mon-kin: moche wondir it were, [ 115] ȝif þe bred more mayster were: þan þe bakere. þe Jewis þer-two dronke water: þat com of þe ston, but hem gan þer-after þurste: swyþe sore anon. by þat ston we ondirstondiþ,: þat þe water of com, [119 Ms. but st. by.] Jhesu crist, þat for vs here: flesch & blood nom. [ 120] of þat ston dauiþ wrot: in þe sauter-book, þat þis is to segge,: who-so wole it look: 'þe stoon þat þe bylderus: forsook, þo þey wrouȝt, an heed-ston in an herne: is maked,' so hem þouȝt. of þat ston com water: & blood meynd þer-with, [ 125] þat we vndirfongiþ: to don oure soule gryth. but al þis þat þe Jewis had,: com in þestirnesse; but we haue cristis oune blood: ryȝt in sooþnesse. [f. 174] lyȝt is beter þan myst,: & soþ þan falsnesse, cristus body þan manna,: as we scholle bere witnesse.— [ 130] O þing me may seyȝe,: who-so wold it wite: "þou seyst it is cristus blood,: howȝ may I it wite? for me þinkeþ for soþe: flesch non I se, but me þinkiþ I-wis: bred þat it be; win & water also: is in þe chalys, [ 135] blood me þinkeþ it is nauȝt,: ac I-lych it is." þerfore I wile swere,: for goddus loue leue þis, oþer for ryȝte soþe: þou leuist amys. for wit mony ensaumplis: I may schewe þe þat þou ondirstond: goddus flesch þat it be. [Hierauf sind v. 135-6 wiederholt (136 nouȝt; al st. ac).] [ 140]

vndirstond þe myȝt þat is: in monnus word & þou myȝt þer-of vndirstond: þe ende & þe ord; & more is þe vertewȝ: þat is of blessing þan is þe strengþe: of any making: ffor þorwȝ blessing: kinde is ofte forlore, [ 145] so we finde in moyses,: as I may telle fore. Moyses hadde a ȝerd: & to þe ground it cast: anon it worþ an addre: & gan to swype fast; [148 Ms. swyþe?] he cauȝte þe addre be þe tayl,: he nyste oþer won: & in to kinde of þe ȝerd: þe addre tornyd anon. [ 150] here me may þe soþe: wite swyþe ryȝt þat kinde þorwȝ þe prophete: tweyes les his myȝt. þe watris of egipte: þey ronne as skylle was, but þorwȝ þe prophete moyses: þer fil a uondir cas: alle þe wateris of þe lond: be-com to red blood— [ 155] moche wondir hadde þe folk: þat þer by stood, ffor in alle þe flodis: water nas þer non þat any þing myȝte: his þyrst kele vppon. at þe prophetus hest: þe blood a-wey gan go & þe water þer-after: held his kind euere-mo. [ 160] Swyþe hard was be-set: þe folk of iesrael wit þe egipsienus on þat on half,: so ȝe witeþ wel, on þat oþer syde was þe se,: þat non ne myȝte go— þe folk of egipte: hem dede moche wo: Moyses nom þe ȝerd: þat he held in his hond, [ 165] & smot þe se þer-wit: & ȝhe in-two wond & lefte a wey fayr I-nowȝ: men on to go & ryde, & here-self ȝhe stood as a wal: in eyþer syde; þo þe folk of iesrael: were alle ouer-gon, þe se wente to-gedire: as ȝhe was er þon. [ 170] also þe water of iordan,: þou it be a-ȝen kinde, tornid þe strem of þe water: toward þe welle to winde. wel ȝe witeþ þat kinde: ne myȝt it be nouȝt þat water schold ȝerne aȝen strem: to þe prophetus þouȝt, oþer þat it scholde departe: men þer-on to gon [ 175] for þe strok of a ȝerd: þat þe prophete smot þon. [176 l. þeron.] þe peple of israel: moche þirst com on; moyses nom his ȝerde: & smot þe ston anon: of þe ston þer com: stremus grete I-nowȝ— who-so seyd it were þorwȝ kind,: me þinkeþ he seyd wouȝ. [ 180] [180 beter = bitter.] Marath, a water in a contre,: sumtyme beter was, þat nomon myȝte drinke þer-of.: þo moyses say þat cas, a tre he nom quiklyche: & in to þe water cast, & þer-þorwȝ al his beternesse: þe water les at þe last. ech man may wel se: þat grace is wel more [ 185] [185 Ms. mayn st. man.] þan kinde, for þorwȝ grace: kinde is ofte lore. vndir elyȝe þe prophete: a man seruinge was þat a day ouer a water hewȝ.: so it fel by cas, of þe helue þe ax fel: to þe wateris ground. þe mon was sory for þe lore: in þat ilke stound, [ 190] to elise he went: & scheuid hym þe dede, & bad hym þat he schold: þer-of help & rede; ffor þe water was wel dep,: he nyste what to do, & for to haue an oþer ax: he nyst how come þer-two. elyse nom a tre: & in to þe water dede: [ 195] & þe yrin gan to flete: anon in þat stede;

þe mon nom his yrin: & to þe brigge it drowȝ, [197 brigge st. brink.] & þo he it hadde: he was glad I-nowȝ. who-so seyd þat þis þing: were I-do be kinde, me wold þinke for soþ: he had lore his mynde; [ 200] ffor wel ȝe witeþ, kindely: Iren fletiþ nouȝt but þorwȝ verteu of: cristus word I-touȝt, but þorwȝ grace of þe prophete: & of his moche myȝt & of elyȝe þat made fer: fro þe heuin alyȝt (!). [201-204 sind verworren, im Ms. folgte 202 urspr. nach 204.] what scholle me segge of ihesu crist,: hou moche his grace is [ 205] þat made wit his word: heuin & erþ, I-wis? þe prophetus wit speche: here werkus wrouȝt, & Jhesu wit his oune word: al þin(g) to ende brouȝt. who-so wole loke,: he may finde write In þe newe lawe & þe old,: I do ȝowȝ to wite, [ 210] þat he seyd, al þing: þer-þorw makid is— who-so leuiþ oþer-wise,: I woot he leueþ amys. erþelich men ȝe se oft: of water make ale & of malt—ȝe witiþ wel: þe soþe of þat tale; lechis al-so of flourus: wateris makiþ I-lome, [ 215] & oþer þingus þat þer-to by-come; Of linsed & of eyrin: & of oþer þing men conne al day: oyle out bring: why ne may nouȝt ihesu crist,: þat god & mon is, of bred make his flesch: whan his wille is, [ 220] of win & water mak his blood: whan his wille is þer-two? he þat made al þing of nouȝt: me þinkeþ he may don so. torne on þing in to an oþer: me þinkeþ lyȝter it is þan to make of nouȝt: alle þing, I-wis. wel ȝe witiþ be kind: god worchiþ al-wey, [ 225] [225 Ms. kinde kinde.] he doþ after his wille,: þe soþe segge I may: ffor he þat made kinde,: may here wel vndo oþer tornyt to an oþer,: whan erþelich men don so. ȝif kynde ne hadde here myȝt: þat tyme I-lore whan ihesu of mary on erþe: was for vs bore, [ 230] here maydinhood ne myȝte nouȝt: han sauid be; þerfore he wrouȝt be wil,: as þinkeþ me. ffor god ne myȝte on no wise: on erþe ben I-bore of no woman þat wist: of any-maner hore; ffor god in his kynde: is so feyr & clene [ 235] þat he ne may nouȝt wony: þer hore is I-sene. þerfore to clene he brouȝt clene,: boþe þo in-fere, & was bore of þe mayde: þat was of sinne skere. þat flesch & þat blood: þat he of here took Is sacrid on þe auter,: as seyþ þe holy book. [ 240] þorwȝ þe word þat þe prest: seyþ in þe masse goddus body mad is—: leueþ þis more & lasse! goddus word for soþe it is,: & þe prestus nauȝt: "þis is my body, wher-þorwȝ mon schal: fro helle be brouȝt. þis is my blod," he seyþ al-so,: "þat for man schal be schad, to bringe man fro helle: þat þedir haþ be lad"— þorwȝ þese wordus: sykir makid is godus flesch & his blood: vppon þe auter, I-wis. Jhesu crist it witnessiþ: þat it ne may gabbe nauȝt: he seyd "þis is my blood: þat for ȝowȝ is souȝt, [ 250] [250 souȝt (?) aus bouȝt korr.]

þis bred is my flesch: þat to mon I wole ȝeue; þis he moot leue: þat in heuin wol leue." Now god, þat for sinful mon: deydist (!) on þe rode, [253 l. deyde.] grant vs so to vndirfong: his flesch & his blode þat we moot alle after: þis lyf to heuin wende, [ 255] & þer-to haue þe blis: þat last wit-oute ende. need it is to bidde,: for kindus it haþ two: lyf it is to gode men,: to wikkid deþ & wo. þerfore good were ech mon: hym be-þenke longe, þat he were clene schriue: þat flesch to afonge; [ 260] ffor who-so is in dedly sinne: & ondirfongiþ þis, seynt poul seyþ to soþe: þat he be-gylid is of goddus flesch þat was spyled,: & his blood þat was schad. wel auȝt of þis word: ech man be adrad; ffor beter it is to lete: þan so for to take. [ 265] þerfore good is to ech mon: þerto hym redy make. & god leue þat we moot: þer-to vs clensy so þat we mowe þer-þorwȝ be sauid: fro pyne & fro wo.

Amen.

(Rest der Seite und das folgende Blatt ist leer; dann folgt der schluss von Mathews und dann S. Frances.)

Seint fraunceys þe holi frere. [Der Text dieser und der folgenden Leg. weicht ganz von der Version der älteren Mss. (Laud 108, Ash. 43) ab.] (4 October) [f. 177]

Þe valeye hatte spoletan: þer seint franceys was I-bore, & þe toun Assisie,: so þe bok vs telleþ fore. Aftir þat he was I-bore,: þe modir seyde anon, "Syre, ich wele þat oure sone: ben I-cleped Jhon." "be stille, dame," quaþ þe fadir,: "& haue þou þin pays! [ 5] ffor ich þe segge to soþe,: hote he chal franceys." þo he was of seue ȝer elde,: þis child me set to lore. [7 Ms. olde?] swyþe ȝong he by-gan: to seruy goddus ore, ffor he gan anon to faste: & hard lif to lede, þat alle þat þer-of wiste: þer-of weren in drede. [ 10] & suþþe þo he of elde was,: þat he gan auȝt to wise, his fadir him tok gret catel,: to vsin marchaundyse, for he cholde ben burgeys,: boþe to buggen & sulle; ac he þouȝt al an-oþer,: as so ic ȝou may telle. [14 Ms. i^c (so stets).] he þouȝt myd erþeliche good: make his cheffare [ 15] þat he myȝt haue þe good: þat is ellus-whare, þat hert ne myȝt be-þenche: no tonge telle ne may; vppon þis ilke chaffare: he þouȝte nyȝt & day. ȝif þer come eny por mon: þat bed him eny þing for þe loue of Jhesu crist: þe hy heuen-king, [ 20] for lore ne for byȝete: he ne spared nouȝt þat he ne ȝaf anon-ryȝt: þat þe oþer hadde by-souȝt. In a tyme hit by-fille,: as god ȝaf þe cas, þat aneue robe hym was I-dyȝt,: þat noble & ryche was. so sone so he hadde hit him vppon,: a pore knyȝt he mette, [ 25] þat wit mylde wordus: wel swyþe fayr him grette. swyþe wel he kneuȝ þat knyȝt,: & to him seyde þo: "alas, syre, for goddus loue,: why gestou nouȝ so, þat worþy were to weren: weden noble & ryche? hit reueþ me þat ich I-se: þe gon so ruliche!" [ 30] þe knyȝt him answered: & seyde, "my leue broþer, by oure lord Jhesu crist: Ich nabbe nouþe non oþer;

nabbe ic nouþe framde no kyn: þat of me haueþ pyte, ne þat onus wole me helpe,: for soþe ich segge þe." "Alas," quaþ franceys þo,: "hit me greueþ wel sore"; [ 35] of he strepte his robe anon: wit-oute speche more, & seyde, "for Jhesu cristus loue: þis robe ich ȝeue þe, ffor hit wole betere þe be-come: þan hit wole me." þe knyȝt hym þonked swyþe ȝerne,: & dede it on hym anon, & franceys al naked: þenwardis gan gon. [ 40] for who-so nom al þe men: þat sitteþ her areue, [41 tilge for,] soche ȝiftus for to ȝeue: he cholde I-finde wel feue. A-nyȝt after, as he slep,: he seyȝ in his metinge Jhesu crist I-crouned sitte: as an hy kingge; þat ilke sely robe: him þouȝt þat on him was [ 45] þat he ȝaf þe pore knyȝt: þat him mette by cas. Jhesu crist him þonked: of þilke ȝifte þo, & so dede al þe companye: þat in heuene was so. ȝut was franceys heþen: & þo he I-seyȝ al þis. [49 tilge &.] & þer-of myȝt mony a mon: wondir habbe I-wis: [ 50] suþ his fadir & his modir: boþe I-cristind were, why hy soffred here sone: so longe heþen þere. ffor, as ich ma(i) segge for soþe,: þe lawe soch was þo þat me ne cholde noman: cristeny neuer-mo but he couþe hym-self I-wite: wit-outen oþer rede [ 55] what he dede to goodnesse: & what he dede to quede, & þat noman þe encheson were: ȝif he him wolde spille, but þat he al wrouȝte: after his ouen wille. þerfor he gan draue þo: al fram marchaundise & let him-self to cristin,: & þo he dede as þe wyse! [ 60] & euer on cristus passion: þe ȝonge franceys þouȝte, þat þer nas non erþelich catel: þat of his þouȝt him brouȝte. on a tyme as he kneled: & in his bedus bad, [63 Ms. knelel.] him þouȝt he sey Jhesu crist: vppon þe rode I-sprad In þe maner so he was: þo he mankin bouȝt; [ 65] þe strong pine þat he þoled: franceys sore of-þouȝt. Jhesu crist seyde þo: wit wordus swyþe stille: "who-so wille foluen me: & seruen me to wille, eche day his rode: to him he most take, & þerto himselue: clene he moot synne forsake; [ 70] his fadir & his modir: he moot for-sake also, his wif & his childrin: he mot forsake þer-to, & also he mot forsake: his sostir & ek his broþer, clene he moot for me for-sake,: franceys, þer nys non oþer." wit þilke word Jhesu crist: his weye to heuene nom, [ 75] & franceys nys(t)e neuer: whar þat he by-com. swyþe glad was franceys: þo of þat Ilke syȝt! to fasting & to his orisonys: he haþ him al I-dyȝt; þe chaffaryng of þis world: þat he I-vsed her, [79 her = er.] he forsok for þe speche: þat he I-herde þer, [ 80] & euere-more, what-so he dede,: ȝede he vp or doun, euere-mor he þouȝt: vppon his passioun.

Seint franceys wente atyme: wel sone after þan by an old chirche: of seint damyan; al to-broke & forlete: was þat holy stede, [ 85] nouȝt-for-þan In he went: for to bidde his bede.

Anon to-fore þe holy croys: he sat a-doun a-kne, [f. 178] & gan bidde stilleliche: his bedus in preuete. him þouȝt a uoys spek to him: adoun of þe rode, & seyde, "franceys, dyȝt myn hous",: þrye wit mylde mode, [ 90] "þat to-broke & to-falle is,: so þou I-syxt I-wis." ffranceys in his herte anon: vndirstood al þis, & þouȝt wit þe catel: þat him was by-take don oure lordus heste: & þer a cherche to make. vp he ros, þo he hadde: al I-don his bede, [ 95] & went him to a pore prest: þat woned in þat stede, & a somme of catel: þat he hadde wit him þo he bede þe prest myldeliche,: & þus him seyde to: "haue, syre, þis catel,: þis cherche for to ryȝte, & ic wole wit þe be: & helpe þe wit my myȝte." [ 100] þe prest seyde þo to him,: "sone, welcome artou to me! wel ich it wole granty: þat þou wit me her be. ac of alle þis catel: þat þou hast her I-brouȝt, [103 Ms. castel.] wite hit wel to soþe: þat ich ne kepe it ryȝt nouȝt, ffor þy fadir & þy modir: myȝten er ouȝt longe [ 105] aspye þat ich hadde: of þy catel afonge, & whan hit were I-spended,: also hit myȝt be hy wolden þorwȝ pure lawe: axen hit al of me, [108 al übschr.] & so þey myȝten sone: vs boþe þan by-tray, ffor wel I wot we nadden: wher-of hit to pay." [ 110] wel sory was franceys: þo he I-hurd þis, & wente to a put-hole: þat he I-sey, I-wis: þe moneye þat he bedde þe prest: he leyde þer ech del, & wente ford in his weye: & lefte þer þe catel. ofte me tolde his fadir: woche was his manere, [ 115] þorw oþer marchauns þat wente: in þe lond his I-fere; wit wordus & wit þreting: he him chastid Ilome, & rad him oþer þing to don: whan he to him come. ac þo his fadir wiste: þe ryȝte soþe of þis, he to-swal wit wraþþe: & warþ nyȝ wood, I-wis, [ 120] & swor he chold abigge: whan he him myȝt I-finde. þerfore franceys drouȝ abak: & loted him wel be-hinde: In an old dich he lay: dawis to & þre, & þer nas man no wimman: þat him myȝt onus ise. þe ferþe day he aros: & to toune wente. [ 125] þo þe fadir him I-seyȝ,: faste he him hente. nas þer non of his frendus: þat wolde him bymene, & þey he was for his fasting: boþe ieluȝ & lene, alle men þat him I-seyȝ: wende þat he were madde & þat he were out of his wit;: his kyn were of-dradde; [ 130] lytil & mochil him scornyd: þat ȝeden by þe weye. ffranceys went him stille forþ: & þer-of nom non eye, forþ he wente stille: so his speche were I-lore, & ferde also deþ þe lombe: whan he is I-chore. þe fadir þat him ladde: sory was I-nouȝ, [ 135] & hom to his house: viliche he him drouȝ; & anon so he was: In to his hous I-come, In to on of his chaumbris: his sone he haþ I-nome & so faste he him bet: fram foot to þe croune þat al a red blood eche leme: hy ornen al adoune; [ 140] hy þat stoden & I-herd: hadden wel gret pyte þat enymon chold his sone: for ruþe so by-se.

seþþe he mad him don his cloþus,: & fayre him haþ I-tauȝte þat he chold amendy him,: & god him haþ arauȝte, & seyde, "franceys, leue sone,: namore ne do þou so, [ 145] ac lerne begge & selle so: þou syxt oþer do: & Ic þe wole finde I-nouȝ: al þat þe ned be, ȝif þat þou wolt cacchen wit: & don al after me." "leue fadir," quaþ franceys,: "forsoþe þou dest amys to take me eny erþeliche gode,: Ine louye hit nouȝt I-wis; [ 150] þerfor, whan ich I-se enymon: pouere be þe weye, Ic him mote nedus ȝeue,: þey ich cholde deye. & þerfore ich þe segge,: fadir, by goddus ore, ȝif þou take me þin gode: þou ne sext hit neuer-more."— wel ich wot þat þer nys non: among vs alle her [ 155] þat gladlich wolde tak his good: to eny soch spenser!— þo þe fadir þis I-hurd,: he was wroþ & ek sory, & reuliche he be-held his sone: þat lef stood him by; [158 lef = lew pale.] In gret þouȝt he stood longe: & nyste what to do, þer-after he seyde to his sone,: "to þe bysschop we wolleþ go, [ 160] & ȝif þou wolt þou myȝt wel: tofore him me forsake & suþþe to oþer þingus: þy soule wel by-take; whan ich ne may in non wise,: sone, to chasty þe, þou sey tofore þe bysschop: what þin wille be." ffranceys was swyþe blyþe & glade: þo he I-hurd al þis, [ 165] & þouȝt on þe ferste word: þat god him seyde I-wis, how he chold for his loue: forsake alle þinge, fadir & modir, soster & broþir,: emperour & ek kinge; nowȝ him þencheþ to soþe: þat he it may wel do, [169 Ms. I st. he.] þerfore al I-redy he is: to þe bysschop forto go. [ 170]

Þo hy come to þe bysschop,: wit-outen more speche of he stripte his cloþus al: & gan his fadir hem by-teche, his brech & his cherte: he dede him of al-so & by-tok al his fadir,: & naked he stood þo, & seyde, "fadir, ich wene ic nabbe nouȝt of þyne, [ 175] for þou myȝt now hit ondirstonde: Ich nele nouȝt ben þin hyne; to his seruyse onlyche: Ic wele be-take nouȝ me þat me so dere abouȝt: vppon þe rode-tre, for nele ic neuere her-after: on þe I-caste my triste, ac al myn hope chal here-after be: on my lord Jhesu criste." [ 180] þe fadir ȝaf his cloþis: to þis bisschop þo; þe bysschop bede franceys: þat he hem chold on-do. franceys nom a curtil,: & swor by goddus ore þat he nolde þer-of neuere-eft habbe namore. his leue he tok & went him forþ: endelongus þe weye, [ 185] þis bysschop & his him be-held,: he held forþ þe weye: & þer þe world he forsoke,: franceys, ech a del, so Jhesu crist himself: tofore him teyȝte wel. to wildirnesse In wode he went,: þat was þer-besyde, & þouȝt in goddus seruyse euere þer to abyde. [ 190] þere he was a whyle,: & ofte þeues I-mette, þat him þretened to sle,: & he hem fayr grette, & seyde, "whan ȝoure wille is,: al redy ich am þer-to; now ȝe mowe ȝif ȝe wolliþ: ȝoure wil on me to do." Afterward þis franceys: sone him haþ by-þouȝt [ 195] þat he was wit senne: to lytel þer of-souȝt,

& þouȝt, him were betere: in felachipe to be & ondirling to feleschipe,: here workus for to I-se. þerfore sone he him drouȝ: in to a meselrye, wit boxomnesse & penaunce: his soule for to gye. [ 200] here veet he wolde wassche: whan þey were syke, & here body echedel,: & alle here sorus to pyke; out he drouȝ þe queture: manyatyme al-so, & kuste þer-after here sorus: whan he hadde so I-do. þer nys non amongis vs: þat myȝte don al þis, [ 205] þat me nolden segge: þat he ner buxum, I-wis!

Fraunceys suþþe him by-þouȝt,: so ic telle can, of þe olde cherche: of seint damyan, þer oure lord from þe croys: in voys to his speche com ere & bede him þat he cholde: þat ilke cherche arere. [ 210] for þedir he gan wende,: so he auȝt wel. anon he fond in poynt hool: his catel euery del. [212 l. in þe put-hole.] þer-uit he made þe cherche,: & wit begging al-so, & bere him-self wel ofte: grete stonus þer-to; & gode men him holpe,: so skylle was & ryȝte, [ 215] so þat in a whyle þe cherche was al dyȝte. & suþþe he mad a cherche: of oure lady marye, for þe voys of þe croys: þat he I-hurde her þryȝe; & suþþe of seint peter: a cherche he wrouȝt þo— Ic wot it was þe þridde,: & he ne makid namo. [ 220] In oure leuedy chirche þo he gan take reste; to fasting & to orisonys: his wil was euer beste; al he hated moche: þat him þouȝt proute, [223 urspr. proude.] & who-so were in chirche: selde he was wit-oute. hit be-fil vppon a day: þat he I-hurde rede [ 225] wher oure lord tauȝt his apostlus: here lif to lede & seyde, "siluir ne gold ne cholde ȝe habben non, no staf in ȝoure honde,: aboute for to goon, no schon on ȝoure feet,: ȝif ȝe folue me, ne to cirtlis neþe-mo: on ȝou ne cholle be. [ 230] & ȝif þou se in eny wise: nedful þin broþer, þat þou ne chalt (lete) to bete his nede: to ȝiue him þat oþer. ne tit þe purs ne cachel: þin mete þer-in to bere, [233 cachel = sachel.] ac alle þin hope do on me: & ich þe wil were. mete a-ȝeyn amorwe: ne chaltouȝ I-wite nouȝt, [ 235] for onliche vppon me: þou chalt cast al þin þouȝt; for in myne warde: is alle þing þat is, [231-7 sind ungehörig.] & ich ne may noman for-ȝete: þat me I-serueþ, I-wis." [238 I vor serueþ durchstr.?]

Þo franceys I-herde þis,: he gan þenche aryȝt þat he wolde þis heste holde: euer by al his myȝt: [ 240] a-wey he caste his staf,: & dede of his schon, & ȝaf a-wey his cloþis: euerychon but on; In stede of his gerdil: an harde corde he toke, for he wolde holdin al: þe wryting of þilke boke. ȝut him þouȝt þat þe corde: on him to nessche was: [ 245] þerfore gret knottin: þer-on he mad by cas. þer-by me may wel ondirstonde,: so we findeþ ofte, & þat he hateþ swyþe moche: to lede his lif softe.

Men he preched & women: þat wolde to him come, þat man ne may nouȝt payin god: but his wil be by-nome; [ 250] for ȝif þe flesch moot habbe: euermore his wille, he wole wit-outen ende: in helle his soule aspylle. þerfor man chal formest: clene his wil for-sake, & suþ he may to bettere: him to penaunce take; [254 l. þe bettere.] ffor noman ne may seruy: I-fere lordus two, [ 255] ȝif þat hy ben wiþerward,: & paye hem alle bo. so hit fareþ, wetiþ hit wel,: by false world þis, & þe seruyse of Jhesu crist: þat is king of blis: ffor þe world is swyþe false,: & Jhesu crist is trewe; who-so loueþ wel þis world,: Iwis he louyeþ a chrewe. [ 260] ffelawis he ondirfenc to him,: þat þo wit him were, & alle frere menourus: he let hem clepe þere— Mynor is an englich: "lasse" for to spelle— for he wold þat noman: of hem ne cholde telle. & for he wolde þat in þe worlde: nere non ordere lasse, [ 265] in his tyme nas non of hem: þat moste singen masse; & for he nolde þat in þe world: hy nadde no dingnete, þerfor he ne soffred non of his freris: prest for to be, ac vndir þe frere prechourus: he mad hem to ben echon. wel me myȝte be þan I-wite: þat he ne louede prite non! [ 270] þo hy weren to-gedere,: seue frerus hy were. seint franceys þouȝt to long: þat hy were þere: fforþe in to wildirnesse: wit hem he gan go, [273 Ms. fforre.] for him þouȝt þat þey myȝt: þe bet god serue þo In bedus & in fasting.: for he faste euermo, [ 275] To wite wheyþer his sinne were: al for-ȝeue him to— for he was of his sinne: euere a-gast wel sore; to wite whyþer hy weren for-ȝeue: he bedde euere-more.

Vppon a fryday it by-fil,: as he his bedus sede, þat a voys com from heuene: & seyde, "naue þou no drede, [ 280] for Jhesu crist al-myȝty god: þe haþ forȝeue þin sinne; [283 dore st. hore?] & whyle þat þou biddist: for oþer of mankinne, naue þou none drede: of sinne ne of dore, ac fonde libbe clene lif: so þou hast I-don wel ȝore." so longe hy hadde I-fere I-be,: ic woot wit-outen wene, [ 285] þat hy weren frere menoris: I-fere þrittene. to seyn franceys I-fere: euerichon hy bede þa(t) he maked hem a rule: here lif for to lede. ffranceys þouȝt þat hit were: swyþe wel I-don; & þerfore here reule: he gan to wryte anon. [ 290] ac him one ... þe reule nouȝt: wit-oute comfirment: [291 Verb fehlt.] þerfore hy wente þer-wit: to þe pope Inosent. Inosent þe þridde was: pope in rome þo, þat here rule & here wille: al he granted to do. ffor þe pope lay anyȝt: in þe borwȝ of rome [ 295] & slep in his bedde,: ar hy þedur come; him mette þat seint peteris chirche, þat heued of al is, was fallinge a-dounward: & foul to cheue I-wis, ac franceys com anon-ryȝt: wit his freren .xij., & ryȝten vp þe chirche: so fayr & wel hem-selue [ 300] þat þe pope þouȝt: for ryȝt soþe þere þat hit nas so wel I-mad: tofore neuere ere.

þis meting þe pope tolde,: so ich ȝou telle may, to his cardinalus amorwe: anon þo hit was day. ac þorwȝ goddus gras & franceys: so wel on he nom [ 305] þat þe whyle þey tolden her-of: to-fore þe pope he com & bede þe comferment.: þe pope him kneu ful wel, & anon him granted: his bidding eche del. to prechy lyf of penaunce: he granted him also, for þer beþ swyþe fewe: þat drawe wolleþ þer-to; [ 310] & more he be-het he wolde: him grante to his nede, & to prechy wey of penaunce: he bed him euere to spede. Swyþe glad was franceys: þo he I-hurd al þis, & wente to his contre: wit his freris, I-wis. & as þey wenten by þe weye: þey axed & sede [ 315] In what stede hit were best: here lyf to lede, In toun oþer in wildirnesse,: I-fere oþer alon; of þis ilke desputeson: adradde hy weren echon. "breþerin," quaþ seint ffranceys,: "I ȝow rede þus, to fasting & to orisonys: to-nyȝt þat we don vs, [ 320] & bidde we ȝerne to Jhesu crist: þat hende is & fre, þat he vs sende to segge: what his wille be." al þis hy granted anon,: boþe lest & meste, for hy weren alle redy: for to don his heste. At þe cokkus crowing: þese frerus þouȝten echon [ 325] þat þey seye Jhesu crist: vppon þe rode I-don, & seyde þus, "ic was I-pynyd: mannus soule to winne, & to winne soulus to me: ne cholle ȝe noþing blinne: & þat ic wole for soþe: þorw-out alle þing þat by-sydus þe tounus: þat ben ȝoure wonying, [ 330] [330 Þat st. shal?] so þat ȝe mowen teche þe folk: & ek seruin me; for manyman þorwȝ sinne: þorwȝ ȝowȝ chal abrouȝt be." Glade were þis freris alle: for þat ilke tyding, & wit-oute þe toun of assiȝie: hy gonne make here wonying. hard lyf þey gon lede,: so þey hadde er I-do, [ 335] & gaderid to hem freris: euer þe leng þe mo.

Hit by-fil on a tyme: þat franceys was by nyȝte him-self alone preueliche: & bede to god al-myȝte; þe freres weren in cherche: in here bedus echon: þo seyȝ þey at þe dore: a way(n) al furie gon, [ 340] [340 Ms. way.] a clob of golde set þer-inne: aman so hit were— [341 clob = globus.] þe freres weren alle: wel ny ded for fere. þriis hit ȝede aboute: & wente suþ In aȝen. moche wondir þe frerus hadde: what hit myȝt ben. þanne seyde on of hem,: "Ic wene, ȝif Ic ne lyȝe, [ 345] þat it was sen franceys: I-come vs for to aspyȝe, for ȝif we don in chirche: as we auȝt to don." [347 tilge for.] "we leueþ wel þat hit so be,": þe oþer seyden son, "ffor he chewed him to vs: in fourme of helie; god him haþ I-formyd soch: to cheuen his maystrie." [ 350] moche wondir þey hadden alle: þer-after euer-more, & eny-þing to a-giltin him: þer-fore hem drad ful sore.

A frere of þe ordre of þe croys: moris het by name, man of good lyue he was: & ek of noble fame. Also god him ȝaf grace,: he fil in gret langour, [ 355] so þat boþe nyȝt & day: him greued his dolour.

to sen franceys he sente aday: men þat to him sede þat he þouȝte on frere morys: whan he his bedus bede. "gentus," quaþ seint franceys, "so Ic chese: him to habbe in þouȝt." [359 Ms. sentus; chese undeutlich.] anon he wente to an auter,: & for him haþ by-souȝt; [ 360] oyle he nome of a laumpe: þat al brennyng was tofore oure leuedy auter,: so god ȝef þe cas, croumen of bred þis goodman: mengen he gan þer-to, & tok hit þe messageris: & fayre him seyde þo: [364 l. hem.] "bereþ þis to frere moris: þat ȝou sente to me, [ 365] & þorwȝ þe help of Jhesu crist: his hele hit chal be." Er þe messagerus come: frere morys þouȝte ful longe, & þat wit good wille: þe medecyn he ondirfonge. wel good was þe medecyne: þat he ondirfon þere: for in body & soule al-so: he worþ hol & fere. [ 370] he þonked ȝerne seint fraunceys: þat him serued so, & suþþe wit good wille: to franceys he gan go. Suþþe hard lif he gan lede: þorw franceys-his teching & fonded boþe nyȝt & day: to paye heuene-king; rawe grasis was his mete,: & water was his drinke, [ 375] & ȝit ne moste þer-of I-nouȝ: in his body synke— & þat was for he nolde to moche: loueye glotenye, þat maked men I-lome: hem chende wit lecherye; frere menour he was to his lyuus ende, & a good soule to god: after his day he gan sende.— [ 380] In þe cyte of assiȝie: an holy prest þer was, Siluestre men him cleped,: a good man by cas. In his bed so he lay: & slep vppon anyȝt, he þouȝt he sey out of þe west: come a greseliche wyȝt, a dragon hym þouȝt it was,: grisloker ne myȝte be, [ 385] for al þe folk he þouȝt sle: & brenne al þe contre; ffranceys him þouȝt by a whyle: and aȝen him gan go [387 l. by-þouȝt.] & caste a croys out of his mouþ: & ouerecom þe dragon so; þey þe dragon were kene,: him þouȝt in a stounde þat franceys him hadde ouercome: & I-cast to grounde. [ 390] þryis is þis gode prest: I-mette þis meting, [391 tilge is?] & moche þouȝt, whan he a-woke,: vppon þis wondir þing. by þe croys þat franceys caste: þis prest him ondirstode þat seint franceys scholdin do: þe contreye wel moche gode; þis holy predicaciun: þat comeþ out of his mouþe, [f. 181] [ 395] by est & be west hit was notful,: by norþe & ek be souþe. þerfore by red of senfranceys: þe world he al forsok & abyte of frere menour: wit good wille he tok, & swyþe wel his ordre held: & wel lyued also; ȝif he was goodman byfore,: wel beter he worþ þo. [ 400]

Pansike was a man al-so: of þat ilke contre, worldliche lif he leued,: wel beter myȝt be. of senfranceys gret good he herde: tellen vppon a day, þat he wold at on chapel: prechy of goddus lay— þe castel of sen Seuerin: me cleped þe caste(l) þo; [ 405] fort I-here his predicacioun: moche folk þedir gan go. pansike also þedir: wit oþer he gan wende, fort I-here somþing: his lyf wit to amende. ac þo he was þedir I-come,: he sey a wondir syȝt: him þouȝt þat senfranceys was: wit to swerdus þorwȝ-pyȝt, [ 410]

at þe heued went in þat on: & by-neþe it com out, þat oþer went in at þe honde: & styked him þorwȝ-out. by þe visage he ne myȝt: franceys I-knowe nouȝt, ne I-se him for bryȝtnesse: þat on him was y-brouȝt; ac by þe speche þat he herd: out of his body go, [ 415] wel he I-kneuȝ þe myrak(l)e: þat he I-sey þer þo, & for þat he preched: so mech of goddus blood, þe tokene of þe passyon: wel sone he ondirstood. of þis fayre merakle: him gan to drede sore, & þouȝt frere menor he wold be: þer-after euer-more; [ 420] long him þouȝt er he hadde: þe ordir ondirfonge. þer-in he leued wel holy lyf: þer-after swyþe longe. wel holy lyf to lede: he hadde swyþe gret chaunce, & was þe forme minystre: of þe ordre of france; þorw þe goodnesse of his lif: & redis þat he radde [ 425] mony mon in france: swyþe holy lif ladde; so swyþe he preched of penaunce: in to al þe lond aboute þat þe meste part of þe contre: to him gan aloute. a name þer is of oure lord: þat nomon speke ne may: þulke I-peynt wit dyuerce colourus: on þe rode he say; [ 430] nas þer non þat þilke name: þer-on I-se ne myȝte [431 Ms. me st. ne.] but he & seint franceys,: ne sene þe sonne so bryȝte, but he or sen franceys: to-fore it hadde I-tauȝt. moche was þe grace þer: þat god hem haþ arauȝt!— þe goodman pancik: a grace hadde þere [ 435] þat ȝif in þilke contre: enymon sek were, he wold wryte þis holyname: al in his forheued: & anon of al his euil: he cholde ben by-leued. such grace þorw þis holyname: god him sente anon þat whan hit was on hem so,: hole þey weren echon. [ 440] þis holyman pancike: hadde þo non hater but onliche on cirtil,: & faste to bred & water; ȝut of cold water: he nold drinke his fille, lest his soule þorwȝ glotenye: scholde wende to helle; of barliche, melwe & aschin: his bred me maked him þo, [ 445] & ȝut he nolde in his body: þer-of his fille do. Ic wene men þat fastiþ: & wandreþ in þe strete, hadden leuer whytebred: þat were I-maked of whete!— In þis ilke maner: sen franceys leued also; ac Ic ȝow may wel telle: whoche his bred was þo. [ 450] [450 bred st. bed.] vppon þe swpen grounde: eche nyȝt he lay, [451 Ms. swpen, st. open?] for none cloþus he nadde: but as he ȝede a-day; oþer his bolstre was a tre: oþer it was a stoon— nold he non oþer pele: to legge his heued vppon. his curtil was of þe hardeste cloþ: þat he myȝt finde, [ 455] his gerdil was a cnotted corde: his body for to binde. so hard lyf he ladde,: so þe bok it telleþ I-wis, to ouercome his foman: þat deuel in helle is; & leste his soule þorwȝ sinne: myȝte ben ouercome, to hard lif & to orisonys: he him haþ I-nome. [ 460] swyþe redy man he was: his couent for to chaste; to help hem whan hit nede was: I-redy he was an haste; & to winne heuene: þer ioye is & gle, sen franceys þorwȝ-out alle þing: aloued chastete. þey senfranceys were: of ȝerus feble & olde, [ 465] ȝut he wolde in winter,: whan þe wedir wer colde,

whan his flesch him fondid,: late oþer raþe, In snow oþer in iys: he him wolde baþe; so he wolde his flesschus lost: many a tyme a-quenche, for þe deuel ne cholde: wit synne him a-chrenche. [ 470] vppon goddus passion: þe gode franceys þouȝt so þat euere he þouȝt wepyng,: wher-so he chold go. to ȝiue hem þat nede hadde: boþe fer & nere, nolde he nouȝt sparye: þe cloþus of þe autere. so moche in his orisonys: franceys was I-lome [ 475] þat he ne seyȝ noþer herde: what about him come; bute he preched goddus name: oþer mete eten also, euer-more at his bedis: sen franceys was þo, so þat alle oþer þing: he for-ȝet I-wis. ffor so doþ now wel feue men,: þerfore hy doþ amys! [ 480]

On a tyme a frere menour: preched of þe rode at a chapitre general,: þere freres weren wel gode, & of þe holy name he preched ek I-wis þat Jhesus naȝarenus a-latin: I-cleped is. þe stede þat he preched on: hat arelaten— [ 485] frerus þer were monye: & eke oþer men. franceys was þat ilke tyme: fer out in on contre, & þey of þis predycacion: swyþe wel wiste he. ffor þat was wel I-sene:: for þere þe frere stode, he I-seyȝ sen franceys: him þouȝt vppon þe rode, [ 490] his feet & his hondin: I-nayled weren þer-to; alle þat were at þe predicacion: Iseyȝ him also; vppon þe croys as he hing: he blessed hem echon, & out of here syȝte: sen franceys wente anon. "lo," quaþ Antoyne þo,: "hou franceys haþ in þouȝt [ 495] þat we habbeþ her I-do,: & ne forȝeteþ hit ryȝt nouȝt; & for ȝe cholden I-leue: þat ich habbe I-seyd, he ȝou haþ vppon þe croys: I-cheued þat ilke red: & wel ich wot for þe loue: þat he haþ vs to & for ic preched of þe croys: he him cheued so. [ 500] ffor at ones he chewed: to vs to þinge: [f. 182] þe fourme of þe rode: & ek his louinge." Moche wist seint franceys: of goddus preuete, wherþorw he myȝt I-lome: manye þingus I-se, þey he nere nouȝt in þe stede: þat þey were I-do. [ 505] Ich wene nouþe in þis world: feue men fariþ so!— ffrere menoris habbeþ a stede,: & ȝut hy habbeþ I-wis, [507 l. hadden.] seint marye of portiumcula: þat stede I-cleped is. sen franceys, to bidde his bedus,: þer-in was I-go, þe freres wente to chapitre: so hy auȝt to do. [ 510] A frere hadde I-trespased: & for þat ilke sake a dissiplyne he cholde habbe,: ac grocching he gan make, & for he wolde his þonkis: þe dissiplyne bi-leue, [513 Ms. dissiplyle.] wit a frerus mantel: his body he gan by-weue; for noþing þat þe freris myȝt: him prechy oþer do, [ 515] þe frere nolde for his gilt: þe displyne ondirfo. þey franceys were alone: in his bedis I-wis, ȝut he þorw þe holygost: I-seyȝ wel al þis; an oþer frere he cleped: & þus him seyde to: "ffecche me þat frere: þat nelle displyne ondirfo." [ 520]

Grimliche he seyde to him: þo he was I-brouȝt: "sey me, leue broþer,: what hastou nouþe I-þouȝt? I sey hou þe deuel: was on þy rig alyȝt [523 Ms. he st. I; his st. þy.] & hou he made þe holde: þy nekke bolt vpryȝt, þat þou ne myȝtest for pride: dissiplyne ondirfonge. [ 525] for þou vs most forsake: ȝif þou art soch longe, wel Ic woot he þe brouȝt: in to þat ilke trespas, & þat þou haddist so mysdo: swyþe glad he was, & him were leuere þat þou wer: body & soule I-chent þan þou þorwȝ þy dissiplyne: com to amendement. [ 530] þer-fore, leue broþer, ȝif þou art cristus hyne, þou most gon to chapetere: & take þin dyssiplyne." þe frere after þis hest: to chapetere he gan goon & gan him chryue of his trespas: to hem euery-chon, he seyde he wolde of soche dedus: (cese) euer wit-outen fyne, [ 535] [535 cese fehlt.] & bede hem pur charite: ȝeue hym his dissiplyne. his penaunce to take: he kneled þo hem to. a cat blakker þan eny pich: fram himward gan go— sore he was of-chamed,: & so he auȝt wel! þerfore he gan lete be: soche dedis echedel, [ 540] & euere-efte þe frere dede: so franceys him wolde rede, & holy lyf & boxum: euere-eft he gan to lede.

A luerne me clepeþ an hille: in ferne contre, þer wonyd seint franceys: woche whyle hit myȝte be. A good man þer woned ek: In þat ilke stede also [ 545] þat was mochil I-fonded: þorw flesschs lostis þo; þe fonding of his flessche: greued him so sore þat he nadde no reste: þer-of neuer-more. & for þat he ne myȝte: þer-of habbe no pays, fayn he wolde som orison: to habbe of sen franceys; [ 550] he hoped hit wolde him helpe,: ner hit neuer so lyte, ȝif he wolde myd his honde: In parchemyn hit wryte. ac he was a-schamed: so sore in his þouȝt þat he ne myȝt of seint franceys: þis þing bidde nouȝt; longe he was in wille: to bidde of him sum þing, [ 555] ac he ne myȝte for chame: hit bidde for no þing. sen franceys wiste þe frerus wil,: & wiste what was to done, & gan clepye þe frere: to him swyþe sone, & seyde, "leue broþer,: wel ic wot þin wille, & fayn ic wole þe helpe: þat þou ne chalt nouȝt spylle: [ 560] þerfore fecche me anon: Inke & parchemyn, & Ic wole be my myȝt: to follen wille þyn." so þat inke & parchemyn: to him was I-brouȝt;* he him wrot an orison: þat an englisch is I-wrouȝt: "swete lord Jhesu crist,: þat deydyst on þe rode [ 565] [564-5 im Ms. umgesetzt.] & bouȝtist mon from synne: wit þin swete blode, þe fend þat is in helle: þou brouȝtist him adoun & areuedist mankynne: wit þy swet passyoun: [568 l. areredist?] lord, Ic þe bydde: for me & for mankynne, þat þou wit þy passyoun: vs chelde al fram synne." [ 570] þo seynt franceys hadde I-wryte: al þis vppon a boke, he hit ueld to-gydere: & to þe frere hit toke: & þorwȝ þis ilke boke: his fondyng went away, & he kepte wel þis bok: boþe nyȝt & day.

In dyuers syknes: fele men þat þo were, [ 575] þe frere þorw his holy bok: to hele brouȝt hem þere.

A woman þer was sumtyme: in þilke selue londe þat hadde to here I-spoused: a leþer hosebonde; he ne myȝt soffre: at chirche þat ȝe were ne in non oþer stede,: to don here preyere, [ 580] [580 Ms. no?] ac euer he wold segge,: but ȝhe were at hom, þat ȝhe were aboute: to don sum hordom. ac þey hit was a good wif: & wit-oute velenye, & moche ȝhe louid to seruy: oure leuedy seynt marye; ac here harde hosebonde: nolde I-leue here nouȝt, [ 585] & þat haþ þis good wif: ful mony a tyme a-bouȝt. On a tyme to sen franceys: ȝhe wente here to chryue, & weping ȝhe him tolde: of here hard lyue; ȝhe him by-souȝt sone: wit wel weping chere þat he chold vppon here: þenche in his preyere [ 590] & bidde oure swete lord,: ȝif his wille were, þat he amended here lif: in som skenus manere; for ȝhe swor by Jhesu crist: sore weping þo þat ȝhe ne myȝt alyue nouȝt: wel longe duren so. "Dame," quaþ seint franceys,: "for goddus loue ben stille, [ 595] & Ic wole for þe bidde: myd wel good wille. Ic hope, dame, þat Jhesu crist: of care chal þe vnbynde & ȝeue beter grace,: & þat þou chalt I-finde." ffranceys for þis good wif: gan to biddin so þat alle þe mannus hardnesse: to goodnesse by-com þo, [ 600] & þat he him amended ek: in alle skenus wyse, & ȝaf his wif leue: to don goddus seruyse; of al þat he hadde raþer his wif mysdo he him gan repenty: & penaunce to ondirfo. þe gode wif þonkid franceys: mony a tyme & ofte, [ 605] for ȝhe fond here hosebonde: swyþe good & softe, & tolde hou he hadde: amended al his manere. [f. 183] "dame," quaþ þo seint franceys,: "Ic þe segge here— þou myȝt wel, ȝif þou wolt,: nymen hit for soþe— for in on day soþ I-wis: ȝe schollen deye boþe; [ 610] [610 for st. þat.] & þerfore make ȝou I-redy: þe deþ to ondirfonge, for ich ȝou segge to soþ I-wis: ȝe ne cholleþ nouȝ(t) libben longe." & so hy deyden boþe to soþe: In þilke selue ȝere, for ryȝt in one daye: þey deyden boþe I-fere; þat on deyde amorwe,: þat oþer deyde an eue, [ 615] & so hy gonnen boþe: þis wrecched lif byleue.

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Seint fey þe holi virgine. (6. Oct.) [f. 183b]

Ich wot, in ferne contre,: so men me toldin to, Is a swyþe noble toun,: I-cleped ageno; cristin men þer were whyle,: & heþen men al-so, & wel ic woot, of heþen men: þer were wel þe mo. In þat ilke tyme was emperour: þat het dioclisian, [ 5] & his chef iustise: me cleped dacian;

vppon þe false lawe: þey be-leuedin alle boþe, & wit crist & cristene men: hy weren swyþe wroþe. [8 Ms. criststene.] ȝif þer were eny cristene man: þat hy myȝt of-take, þey wolde hem sone maky: Jhesu crist forsake; [ 10] nolde þey non spare: þat þey fyndin myȝte, for ryches ne for kinne,: þat hy nolden so dyȝte. In ageno, þe ryche cyte,: am(a)yde þer was I-bore, fey was here ryȝte name,: so ic may tellen ȝou fore. þulke name here wel by-fil,: for fey an englich is [ 15] "truþe"—so was þis mayde,: for swyþe treue I-wis; for after þo þat ȝhe was: to Jhesu crist I-take, neþer for wele ne for wo: ȝhe nolde him forsake. þat fey was a cristin woman,: me tolde to dacyan, & anon he let sende: after þis holy weman. [ 20] anon he axed here name: þo ȝhe was forþ I-brouȝt, & of what kynne ȝhe was I-come—: þat ȝhe gabbed hym nouȝt!— & on whom ȝhe by-leued: he axed here also. þis mayde to þis þre þingus: him answerde þo: "Syre," ȝhe seyde, "for soþe I-wis: Ic am on of þis toun, [ 25] & Ic be-leue on Jhesu crist: & on his passion; of þe beste men of þis toun: for soþ ic am I-come, & cristus loue ich habbe: aȝen here wil I-nome; & fey is my name,: ic þe segge I-wis. w(e)l þou myȝt myd my body: don what þy wil is." [ 30] "a-voy, fayre mayde,: an oþir þing þou sey! þou choldist honoure oure godus,: for þy name is fey: fey by-falleþ euer to ben good & treue; who-so honoureþ oure godus,: ne may him noþing rewe. & þou seyst þat þou were: I-born in þis toune: [ 35] þerfore skylle wol þat þou don: so men doþ vp & doune, & honoury oure godd: þat hende beþ & fre. & ek for an oþer þing,: for soþ ic segge þe: Me seyþ me þou ert come: of swyþe gret parage; þerfore honoury oure godus: so doþ al þy lenage! [ 40] & fort honoury þe goddus: þat an-hanged was, [41 Ms. goddus.] me þinkeþ, fayre mayde fey,: þou dost gret trespas. [42 Ms. feyr st. fey.] þerfor ich þe segge,: ȝif þou wolt don by me, alle þe maydenus of þis toun: honoury hy wolleþ þe." "syre, god þe for-ȝilde,": þe mayde seyd him þo, [ 45] "þat þou woldist by þy myȝt: honoury me to mo! by foure skylis þou hast I-proued: þat ic don nouȝ amys þat ic honoury Jhesu crist: þat ic louy I-wis: þat on is, for ich hate fey,: & for my kyn þat oþer, þe þridde, for ich am her of þis toun: I do as doþ nouþe oþer, [ 50] þe verþe, for he an-hanged was: vppon þe rode-tre. [f. 184] Ic þe wille answerie wel,: ȝif þou wolt I-here me. ȝif ich honoury þyne godus: & let myne alone, wel ic wot þat þilke skyllus: aȝein beþ euerychone. þe forme is þat ic hate feiþ,: þat treuþ to seggen is, Iwis, [ 55] for treuþ wole & alle skylle: to louie þer loue is: & wite hit wel to soþe,: Jhesu crist I louye so þat ic mote for treuþe: him louye euer-mo. þat oþer skylle is of my kinne: þat þou hit toldist me. to-maner kunne ic habbe,: for soþe ich segge þe: [ 60] þat on is on my soule,: þat oþer in my body is; & þe kynne of soule: wel noble hit is I-wis,

& þe kynne of body: I(s) wel sone I-do: & þer-fore kunne of soule: Ic drawe me nouȝ to. þe kunne of body is synne,: as pride & lecherye, [ 65] þat draueþ by here myȝte: men to velonye; þe fendus of helle: beþ alle of þulke kunde— þat wot euerich wis man: þat treuþ haþ in mende. ac þe kende of soule: is of gret emprise, for nyȝt & day to clennesse: man hit wole wise, [ 70] & swyþe sory hit is: whan man wole mysdo; angelus þat beþ gode: þes kende hem drauiþ to, & redeþ & wissiþ men: euer in here manere þat hy fram synne & velany: witen hem clene & skere; Jhesu crist of heuene: here lord & mayster is, [ 75] & þerfore ich him honoure,: & euere wille, I-wis. þe þridde, ic am of þis toun: þou seydist whylere; & swyþe lyȝt answere: Ich may þe ȝeue þere. for þey al þe men of þis toun: wel ny doþ amys, Ich wole me kepe fram mysdede,: for treuþ it wole, I-wis. [ 80] & ȝif þou wolt here mysdede: I-se, dacyan, þou it myȝt I-here nouȝ: of a synful man. tre oþer stonys beþ ȝoure godus,: oþer hy beþ metal— ȝif þou lokist wel aboute: þus hit falleþ oueral; þorwȝ menne honden hy beþ: fram here kende I-brouȝt: [ 85] þerfore me þinkeþ to soþe: þat hy ne beþ godus nouȝt, for god maked alle þing: so his wille was, & of noþing: he I-maked nas. þerfore alle treuþe wole,: I-wis ich segge þe, þat ic him honour: þat made al þing & me. [ 90] þenk þat þou seydist: my god anhanged was: wel Ic woot þat þou seyst soþ;: ac nouȝt for his trepas, ac for he wolde bigge man: fram þe deuelus pouer, In wel chame-ful deþe: he deyde for vs an erþe her. & who-so koudde to soþe: alle his workus I-se, [ 95] [95 Ms. kudde?] he cholde I-wite to soþe I-wis: þat þer nys no god but he. & ȝif þou makist þy godus: soche workis to do, Ich wole wit myn myȝt: honoure hem euer-mo."

"Ȝe, ȝe," quaþ dacian,: "al þis ne helpeþ nouȝt, oþer þou most wit good wil: anon chaunge þy þouȝt [ 100] & honoure Dyane, þat clene mayde ȝit is, oþer me chal myd torment: þy body chenden, I-wis." to þat ilke worde: fey answerde anon: "ȝoure godus & ȝoure godildes: deuelen beþ echon; þerfore of þy torment: ne stondiþ me non eye, [ 105] for ic am for cristus loue: al redy for to deye." to þis ilke worde: dacian seyde fy, & vppon a gerdyre: he let here to rosty; he bed me cholde here lemys: on foure half to-draue, for to techen oþer: to speke aȝen þe lawe. [ 110] Salt me caste one here body: & drepte here wit smere; ȝut to honoury Jhesu crist: ne myȝt ȝhe hit forbere. Caprasim & prim & felician: wel gode men weren þer þre, þat stodin þer bysyde: & gon al þis I-se, & seyde, "þis holymayde: fey by-leueþ aryȝt, [ 115] & þerfore we vs takeþ: to Jhesu ful of myȝt;

oþer goddus we forsakiþ,: I-falle what vs falle, for alle hy beþ deuelen: in bour & ek in halle." Dacian was swyþe wroþ: þo he I-hurde þis, & het me cholde hem lede: to þe temple of mars, I-wis, [ 120] & but hy wolde sacrefyse: wel fayre þerto doon, þat me cholde smyte of here heuedin: & ne spare nouȝt on. forþ hy wente I-fere: & to crist hem by-toke & alle oþere false godus: clene hy forsoke; here heuedis þe tormentourus of smeten: so hy hadden I-þouȝt, [ 125] þe soules wente to heuen: þat hy so dere abouȝt. þe seueþe day of octobre: þese goodmen þolid þis. now Jhesu crist for here loue: vs grante heuen-blis.

Amen.

Seint nicasie & his twey felawis. [cf. Act. SS. Boll. 11 Oct. p. 510 ff.; die Vita in Martene Thes. nov. anecd. 3.] (11. Oct.) [f. 186]

(Folgt auf S. Denis.)

Are þat seint denys was þus I-brouȝt of dawe, nycasie was bysschop þo: of cristen men lawe; a prest he hadde myd him: þat was I-cleped quirin, & a dekene also I-wis: þat het skuuiculin. þo sendenys was aslawe,: of londe hy gonne fle, nouȝt for doute of þe deþ,: so þe bok telleþ me, ac for hy wolde to Jhesu crist: more folk to drawe wit holy predicacioun,: er hy were I-brouȝt of dawe. In to a contre hy went: me clepeþ rothomage, to prechen me(n) of Jhesu crist: in þat ilke langage. [ 10] In eueryche toun hy preched: þer þat hy myȝt come, ne spared hy for noman: ne for þe emperour of rome; & þey hy wisten þe hest: þat was by þilke dawe, þat euerich a cristin man: wit sorwe cholde ben slawe, ne for al þe heste: hy ne spared ryȝt nouȝt [ 15] þat hy ne fonded þat mannus soule: were to ioye I-brouȝt. sescenye þe iustise: I-hurd of hem telle, & gan wit his meyny: hem folwen wel snelle; he ne folwid after but on lyte stounde, [19 Ms. sorwid; l. sewid?] so þat in a cheping: preching he hem founde: [ 20] nycasie his predycacioun: he nolde noþing hele, ac proued þat Jhesu crist was god,: wit a swyþe fayr skele. wroþ was suscennye: þo he I-hurd al þis, & to al þe peple: þis word he seyde, I-wis: "wel ȝe witiþ þat þe emperour: for þis þing is wroþ [ 25] & to-fore his baronage: he haþ I-swore his oþ þat (ȝif) me findeþ enyman: þat be of þis emprise, but he wole to oure godus: don his sacrefise, þat me cholden (him) neme anon: & in to þe preson caste, & but he wole chaungy his þouȝt: him slen at þe laste; [ 30] ac me þinkeþ for soþ: þat ic ȝou finde here also hit were desiplis: of him for to lere. lokeþ þat hy ben I-nome: & to me I-brouȝt, [33 hy st. he.] oþer ich wot þe emperour: þat ȝe ne dredeþ him nouȝt. & ȝif ȝe findeþ wit him: eny of his meyne [ 35] þat ȝe ondirstondeþ wel: þat cristene men be, lokeþ þat hy ben I-nome: in þat ilke stounde & I-brouȝt tofore me: anon faste I-bounde."

þe peple nom þis goodmen þo: & bounden hem wel faste— hy ne dorst non oþer do,: so hy weren a-gaste; [ 40] me ferde wit hem as þey hy hadden: I-do gret trespas, & brouȝt hem to þe house: þer þe iustise in was. "buþ ȝe þilke tretourus,": quaþ þe iustise þo, "þat preched of Jhesu crist: & techeþ þe folk mysdo?" "þou lyist," quaþ nychasie,: "Ic þe segge, I-wis, [ 45] for þat þou haueste of þin fadir: þat þin fadir is; we ne tauȝt neuer-mo: for to don amys, for hit is þin fadir wone,: ful wel we witiþ, I-wis; þe deuel haþ enuye: þat eny þing but he scholde in eny londe god: I-cleped owher be. [ 50] [50 Ms. but he st. be.] þer-fore he haþ of ȝoure wit: ȝou I-mad so naked þat ȝe cleped hem godus: þat myd ȝoure hondus beþ I-makid, of metal oþer of ston: oþer hy beþ of tre, þat in none wyse: goddis hy ne myȝten be. [54 Ms. godde?] ac ȝoure goddus beþ in eche londe fale: [ 55] so hit fariþ by kyngus: þat pleyeþ at þe nale, oþer as somerus game: þat sone wolle be done, to oþer þre men wole makye: by-twene mydmorw & none. so hit faryþ be ȝoure godis,: for ȝe nabbeþ non, ffor wel Ich wot to soþe I-wis,: deuelen hy beþ echon. [ 60] ac on god þer is: þat makeþ alle gode, to bringen man to blisse: þat deyde on þe rode; he is wit-oute be-ginnyng: & worþ wit-outen ende: to him eueryche wisman: his herte cholde wende."

"Wel, wel," quaþ þe iustise,: "Ic here þy wordus alle. [ 65] Ic rede þou don þe sacrefyse,: oþer foul þe wol be-falle, for þe chal rewe þe tyme: þat þou were I-bore, for wit strong turment: þou chalt ben for-lore." "Iwis," quaþ nychasie þo,: "þou lyist haluendel; Ic ne chal neuere ben for-lore,: for ic it wot ful wel; [ 70] þe tyme þat ich was I-bore: ne chal me neuer reue; for to my lord al-one: Ich wolle ben so trewe þat Ich wole wit good wille: for him þolye more [f. 187] þan þou & al þin meyne: me conne don of sore. & wyteþ wel to soþe: Ich habbe I-wilwid ȝore [ 75] þat þou me by-hotyst,: for Jhesu cristus lore. þerfore þench anonryȝt: ȝif þou canst ouȝt don: for to þolye martirdom: I-redy we beþ echon, for wit oure deþe crist: him paye wolle; þerfore to deyin for his loue: hit vs þencheþ hele. [ 80] [80 Ms. hele oder wele?] & þou chalt þolye torment: in þe pyne of helle, whan we cholleþ in blisse: wit-outenende dwelle." "ledeþ hem," quaþ þe iustise,: "þat hit ne be I-bleued, half a myle out of þe toun: & smyteþ of here heued, & lete þe bodyus ligge: as þey hy weren for-ȝete, [ 85] [85 Ms. bodyuus.] so þat wit wilde bestis: þey mowen ben I-frete." vpp one grete water: me heueded hem alle þre, & let þe bodyus ligge: þer in gret vilte. þe bodyus gonnen aryse: at þe mydnyȝt, & ouer þe gret water: þey gonnen hem dyȝt, [ 90] & euerych body nom his heued: by-twen his to honden. þer þis bodyus wodin ouer: ford nas þer neuere er non.

for nychasie wood first ouer,: wel ich woot hit is I-cleped nychasie-is forde: in to þis day I-wis.

Pyentyne het a wif: þat woned þer be-syde. [ 95] In metyng nichasie com: to here in þilke tyde, "pyentyne," he seyde,: "for moche þou louest me, þerfore after my deþ I-come: Ic am to þe, þat þou berye my body: & myne felawis to þat weren for Jhesu cristus loue: ȝistirday to deþe I-do." [ 100] forþ he wente on his way: þer þat he was er. þis wif a-wok of here sweuen: þo hit was day cler, ȝhe wente forþ on here way: & beried hem anon. þe fifte day of octobre: þis dede was I-doon. nowȝ bidde we alle Jhesu crist: for loue of hem þre [ 105] þat he vs grante þe ioye: þat euere-more chal be, & ȝeue vs space an erþe: oure synnus to beten here þat we mowe in heuene-blis: euere to wonie þere.

amen.

Seint calston [cf. Acta Callisti in Act. SS. Boll. 14 Oct. p. 439 ff. (die urspr. Acta sind jedoch untergegangen). Der engl. Text weicht hier, wie in den meisten Stücken, von den bekannten lat. Quellen bedeutend ab.] þe pope. (14. Oct.)

Īn þe lond of rome: I-bore was seint calston. to swyþe gret goodnesse he drouȝ: in his ȝouþe anon: & þat was wel I-sene: þo he him dyȝt to elde, for to flesschs lustus: he drouȝ swyþe selde. dometrie het his fadir,: þat him to goodnesse tauȝte. [ 5] calston wel him ondirstood: þat he in herte cauȝte; moche he louid scole: & ondirstood his lore, þer nas no child in his tyme: þat euer lerned more. so at þe nende,: as god ȝaf þe cas, þorw grant of þe cristindom: pope I-made he was. [ 10] ful wel he held his dingnete: & þe peple also, & þorw his predycacioun: moche folk he wan þer-to. palmatike þe portreue: & al his meyne calston cristenyd himself,: & moche of þe contre. simplex was a gret lord: & ek a senatour, [ 15] & swyþe wel he was by-loued: wit þe emperour; nouȝt-for-þan sen calston: so him ondirnom þat he at þe nende: him brouȝt to cristindom. ffelyx was an heþen man: & hadde a sek wif, þat in þe palesye hadde: longe wel hard lyf; [ 20] blande me cleped þe wif: by here ryȝte name. [21 Ms. syȝte.] ofte ȝhe herede of calston: & of his good fame: ȝerne ȝhe bed felyx: þat he cholde sende after þe pope calston.: so he dede at þe nende. "pees ben her," þe pope seyde: þo he com hem to, [ 25] "seggeþ me anon-ryȝt: what ȝe wold habbe I-do; & ȝif ic may in eny þing: þorwȝ Jhesu cristus myȝte, Ic wille do, so þat ȝe: ȝoure hertus to him dyȝte." "My wif is in þe paleȝye,": felyx seyde þo, "& ȝif þou þorwȝ þy goddus helpe: here bringist of þis wo, [ 30] Ic wole forsake myne godus: þat nolleþ nouȝt helpen me, & by-leue on Jhesu crist: & wirchyn after þe." wit þat ilke worde: seint calston sat a-kne, & seyde, "lord Jhesu crist,: nouþe ic bidde þe

þat þou þorwȝ my bone: þis woman nouþe arere, [ 35] so þat þin holyname be kud: here & ellus-where." "blande," seyde calston þo,: "of þin euil arys, & honoure þat ilke god: þat euer was & is! ȝif þat hit ben Jhesu crist: tellit vs by-vore, [39 Ms. by fore vore; fore auspunktiert.] so (þat) his holy name: I-blessed ben þer-fore." [ 40] Blande wit þat ilke word: aros, & seyde þus: "I-blessed be god of heuene: þat is I-cleped Jhesus, & haþ alle þingus to wille,: for he may dyȝt & dele. þorwȝ his seruaunt to-fore ȝouȝ: I-sent he haþ me hele; I-blessed moot he euer be: by-fore al þing þat is, [ 45] ffor of al my syknes nouþ: Ic am al hol I-wis." ffelyx was swyþe glad,: & blande ek, his wif, & boþe hy gonne anon-ryȝt: to amendy here lif, & gonnen of sen calste: cristindom ondirfonge, for hem þouȝt þat heþen: þey hadden I-be to longe. [ 50] þo alysaundre þe iustyse: þat was wit þe emperour, herden telle þat þis folke: to Jhesu deden honour, wit messagerus anon-ryȝt: he hem gan of-sende; & hy wit caledop þe preste: gonnen þedir wende. & for þey nolde in none wyse: chaungy here þouȝt, [ 55] to mony an hard torment: he hem haþ I-brouȝt. so þat he let smyten of: here heuedus at þe nende, & here soulus alle: to heuen hy gonnen wende.

Calston rengned fyf ȝer: in his dingnete, two monþus & twenty dayis,: so þe bok telleþ me. [ 60] prestus he made xvj, & dekenus þer-to foure, & bysschopus xix,: Jhesu crist to honoure. he ordeyned þre saterdays: þat me cholde faste þorwȝ-out al cristindom: þe whyle þe world I-laste, for win & for oyle: & for whete also, [ 65] þat Jhesu king of blis: sente þrift þer-to. Ic ne vonde neuere: whoche saterday(s) hit were; & for oure leuedy-is loue: good is to faste al I-fere. & þey alle þe heþen men: sore hit of-þouȝte, a cherche be-syde þe water of tybre: þis holy pope him wrouȝte, [ 70] & þer he het singe masse: ofte & þat I-lome, to manye cristene men: þat þedir to him come. þe deuel haued wel gret enuie: þat calston so longe I-laste, & made þat he was I-nome: & I-bounde wel faste. tofore þe iustise alisaundre: sone he is I-brouȝt, [ 75] & acused of alle þing: þat he hadde euer I-wrouȝt. "alas," quaþ þe iustise,: "why hastouȝ þus I-do? nostow þat þe emperour: alle haþ I-hote vs to þat ȝif we mowin of soche fey: enymon I-finde, þat we cholleþ anon-ryȝt: let him faste binde; [ 80] & for he willyþ þat ech man: habbe myls & ore, & bote þey wilwiþ, to fondy: to chaungen here lore; & but we mowe in som wise: chaungen here þouȝt, þe emperour wolle to strong deþ: þat hy ben I-brouȝt? þerfore ich þe rede,: er þou ben I-chent, [ 85] do honour to oure godis: & com to amendement; þan myȝtouȝ longe: libbe in good lyue, & euer we helpen wolleþ: þat þou chalt wel þryue."

"I-wis, syre," quaþ calston,: "to þryue ic þouȝt wel ȝore, & þerfore ic for-sake ȝoure godus: & alle here false lore, [ 90] & drau me to Jhesu crist,: þe beter þrift to haue. do wit my body what þou wilt,: for ic am cristus knaue. for wel Ich wot þat þou woldist fayn: fram Jhesu crist me drawe; ac ich nele for noþing: forsake cristus lawe." "I-wis," quaþ þe iustise þo,: "Ich nele þe nouȝt by-traye; [ 95] for þou hast I-sayd so,: now me schal a-saye. casteþ him anonryȝt: in to preson grounde, & þer he chal by-leue: one grete stounde; & ech day ic hote: wit courgis þat ȝe him bete, & fonde ȝif ȝe mowe him make: cristus lawe forȝete." [ 100] Eche day tormentourus: his heste habbeþ I-do; & whan hy him bete: þus hy seyden him to: "calston, by-þenche þe bet: & claungy þy þouȝt!" "I-wis," quaþ sen calston,: "ȝe beþ aboute nouȝt; alle þe pyne þat ȝe me deþ: so swete me þinkeþ ȝitte [ 105] so euer ȝit eny ȝong child: to souke his modir tette." eche day þis good man was I-beten: þe tyme of half a ȝer, & þolid wel moche hongir: in þe preson þer. Moche wondir hadde þe iustise: þat he leue(d) so, [109 Ms. leue.] & wende þat by nyȝte: sommon com him to [ 110] & brouȝt him mete & drinke: þat he to hadde nede; & þerfore þe iustise anon: het & for-bede þat nomon were so hardy: to come him to by nyȝte, & þat me cholde slen anon: ȝif eny me finde myȝte.

A knyȝt þer was swyþe sek,: his name was priuat, [ 115] þat þorwȝ meselrye: he was I-maked al mat; his euil was so swyþe hard: & greued him so stronge þat he hadde leuere deye: þan so to libbe longe. Also he set vppon a day,: þis knyȝt him by-þouȝte how sen calston þer-by-fore: mony a wondir wrouȝte: [ 120] & þey hit were forbode þat none: com to him by nyȝte, ȝit aboute myddenyȝt: þedir he gan him dyȝte. In he com wel priuyliche,: þat þer-of nyste non, & myldeliche him sette a-kne: to-fore seint calston; he seyde, "leue swete fadir,: haue mercy of me [ 125] & help me þat ich hele habbe,: pur seint charite!" "Good man," quaþ calston þo,: "ȝif þou wolt I-leue aryȝt, hol & sounde þou chalt be: þorwȝ Jhesu cristus myȝt." "Ic wole," quaþ priuat þo,: "I-leue on him þat I-bore was of þe mayde marye: wit-oute eny trespas, [ 130] þat is Jhesu goddus sone;: to him ic wole me take & fram þis day forward: alle oþer goddus forsake." wit þis word sen calston: him cristenyd sone anon: & hol he wax of al his euil: in flesch & fel & bon. seint calston he þonked ȝerne,: & went forþ his way. [ 135] þe gayler(us) him cauȝt: ȝut er hit were lyȝt of day. [136 Ms. gayler.] hy axeden anon-ryȝt: what he hadde þer I-do & why he wolde be nyȝte: calston wenden to. priuat answerde & seyde: "for ic dede aryȝte, & he me haþ to hele: in þis nyȝt I-dyȝte. [ 140] þer-fore ic by-leue: on seint calston-is lore & forsake ȝoure godus: nouþe & euer-more."

"ȝe, þef," quaþ a tormentour,: "hastouȝ cristindom? þou were beter, be my hode,: þou haddist I-ben at hom!" hy wit leden clobbus: þe knyȝt hy beten so þat þe soule & þe body: departed þer a-to.

Caledep þe gode prest: come þe þridde nyȝte [147 l. Calepod.] & seyde to seint calston: also hit were in syȝte: "loke, fadir, þat þou be: her-after stedefast, for þy sete I-mad is: In þe ioy þat euer chal last. [ 150] þerfore oure lord bede: þat þou þe greyþy blyue, for þou chalt to-morwe: partin out of þis lyue In to þe blis of heuene,: for to him þou chal come for þe harde pyne: þat þou hast ondirnome." Amorwe com þe iaylerus: al wit-outen reste, [ 155] & þrewe him out at þe windouȝ: his nekke for to berste; þer-oute stode schreuen: þat were swyþe wikke, & teyden a gret ston: aboute calston-his nekke, & þreuen him & þe ston: in a water-pitte, & er þey þennus wenten: þe hole þey faste ditte. [ 160] þe þridde day afterward: þe body ded þey founde; þer þey beried hym villiche: in an hole in þe grounde. & þer lay þe body villiche: dayis seuene-tene. seþþe com an holy prest,: aster, wit-oute wene; [164 Ms. after.] þe clergye al wit him com: to don him þer socour, [ 165] & buried þer þis holy body: wit wel gret honour. a cherche þey let make: þer þis body lay, þat me clepeþ calston-his cherche: ȝit to þis ilke day. holycherche was vij dayis: wit-outen heued þo, for calston was here heued I-wis: þe whyle þat he myȝt go. [ 170] & þus he deyd in þis maner: as ȝe habbeþ I-hurde, & bouȝt heuen-blis ful dere: & þer-of he nas by-cherde. Nou Jhesus for seint calston-is loue: vs leue so don here þe fend-is fonding to witstonde: & alle his I-fere, & bring vs to þe Joye: þat euermore I-leste, [ 175] & þer-in to wonye: & maken þer oure feste.

Amen.

Seint Vonefrede þe holi virgine. (3. Nov.) [Im J. 1391 setzte Erzbischof Thomas Arundel ihr Fest auf 3. Nov. fest; ihr Geburtstag ist 24. oder 22. Juni. Die Vita s. in Act. SS. Boll. 3 Nov.] [f. 189]

Vonefreda was an holy mayde,: so ich ondirstonde, In þe tyme þo syre aleyn: was king of ingelonde. þis ilke king was a good man: so god ȝef þe cas, & þey his sone was a fool,: þilke tyme nas— & þat men seþ wel ofte: also þinkeþ me, [ 5] þerfore wel is þe child þat may I-þe,: be fadir what he be. þis holymayde lerned: here by-leue þo wit a prest of þe contre: þat men cleped beuno. þis mayde he tauȝt euer wel: to flen al lecherye & to kepe here body clene: fram synne & fram folye; [ 10] & þe mayde him be-het: myd good wille þo þat ȝhe wolde clene mayde: byleuen euere-mo. In a tyme hit by-fil: þat ȝhe dueld al-one [13 Ms. þe deuel st. ȝhe dueld.] atom after þat here frendus: to chirche weren agone:

þe kyngus sone com to here: in his rebaudye [ 15] & gan here bysechen faste: to don his lecherye. þe mayde him answered: & seyde anonryȝt: "Ic nam nouȝt, to ben þin hore,: nouþe I-dyȝt aryȝt; Ic wole gon to boure: & come to þe anon, & þan wit my body þy wil þou myȝt don"— [ 20] for ȝhe wolde ascapye: þe mayde seyde al þis, & for ȝhe nolde nouȝt habbe: wit him to don, I-wis. þo ȝhe was wit-inne,: a dore ȝhe ondede anon, & suþþe to-ward chirche: wel ȝerne ȝhe gan gon. anon þo þis fool child: her-of þe soþe I-say, [ 25] þat he was by-gylid: þorwȝ þat fayre may, after here wel quikliche: anon he gan to go, [27 Ms. & after.] & anon drouȝ out his swerd: þo he com here to, & faste by þe cherche-dore: he smot of here heued; & þus was þis holymayde: of here lyf byreued. [ 30] God cheued anon: þat þis dede nas nouȝt gode: þerfore wit þe dede þis ȝong child: worþ þo wode; In al his woodhede: he lefte tydus þre, & suþþe he deyde sodeynliche,: so þe bok telleþ me; þe deuel was þo I-redy: & body & soule nom, [ 35] so þat noman nyste: whodir þat he by-com. In þe stede þat þe mayde: so byheuedid was, a swyþe fayr welle: anon sprong by cas; & sommen toldin suþþe: þat þer-by þo stode, þat þer beþ in stonys: I-springed al wiþ blode. [ 40] þer nys (non) so queinte: noþer more ne lasse [41 non fehlt.] þat mowe þe blodis dropis: fram þe stonys wassche, ac ech mon bereþ witnesse: þat hem vp nom, þat hit is a tokene: of here martirdom. þo þis holy prest beuno: I-hurd of al þis fare, [ 45] sore him of-þouȝt: þat he nadde I-ben þare; & for þat hit nas nouȝt þe tyme: þat ȝhe cholde ben dede, þerfore apredycacioun: to þe peple he haþ I-sede, & in his predycacioun,: Ic wot, he seyde þis: "hit ner nouȝt tyme þat þe mayde: ȝit partid fram vs, [ 50] ac kende wolde þat ȝhe cholde: her-after libbe longe & wel seruy Jhesu crist,: mede to ondirfonge; þerfore ich ȝou bidde: þat ȝe bidde wit me to oure lord Jhesu crist,: þat is so hende & fre, þat he vs sende to-day: aparty of his grace [ 55] & arere þis mayde: to lyue in þis place." þe heued to þis body: þis holy prest gan don: & þorwȝ his loue & here: þat mayde aros anon. euer þer-after aboute here nekke was: as þey hit were a þrede, In tokenyng of þe marterdom: þat ȝhe was on so dede; [ 60] whytur þing ne myȝte be: þan þe þrede was. þe peple seyde for Joye alle: Deo gracias.— þorwȝ beuno-his rede: abyte suþþe ȝhe nom, & ladde swyþe hard lif: & good nonne by-com. Beuno in a tyme: to here seyde þo: [ 65] "wonfred, Jhesu crist it wole: þat we to party ato, ffor in to an oþer contre: nede ic mot wende & þere nedis to dwellin: to my lyues ende. ech ȝer þou most sende: som presaunt, Ic þe telle; & what þou wolt me sende: cast hit in þe welle— [ 70]

of þat þou dost þer-inne: ne drede þe ryȝt nouȝt þat hit ne chal þorwȝ goddus grace: to me ben wel I-brouȝt. & after þis .vij. ȝer: hennus þou chalt fare & þy lyf-dayis enden,: Ic wot, ellus-whare. & loke in þyne lyue: þat þou loue chastete! [ 75] for nedus ic moot henne, no leng ne may ic her be."

At þe welle þat I of spake: þe mayde þo him brouȝte, [77 At st. To.] & suþþe tornyd here aȝen: & a chesible him wrouȝte; by here myȝt ȝhe hit made: boþe good & ryche— þer nas in al þe londe: no chesible here I-lyche. [ 80] þo hit was I-redy þorw work of here honde, In a whit mantel: þe chesible ȝhe it wonde; ȝhe leyde hit in þe streme: þat ȝhe I-fonde þer, [82 und 83 im Ms. umgesetzt.] & þorwȝ goddus grace: þe strem hit forþ ber In to þat ilke selue stede: þat beuno woned þo, [ 85] & þey hit was fram þe welle: þritty myle & mo. & þer me myȝte wel I-se: how good crist is, & þat it was a merakle: echeman may wite, I-wis. After þat þe .vij. ȝer: were I-brouȝt to ende, nede moste wonefred: to oþer stede wende, [ 90] & for beuno þe holy prest: hit hadde I-seyd be-fore, nede moste þese wordis: to soþe ben I-core; þennus for to wende: ȝhe gan here dyȝte I-wis In to a swyþe wilde stede: þat veterat I-cleped is. boþe monkus & nonnus: þis mayde I-founde þo, [ 95] þat ladden good lyue & clene: so echman auȝt to do; bulopius het þe abbot: þat here mayster was þere, [97 Im lat. (Boll.) heisst der Abt Elerius, seine Mutter Theonia.] swyþe moche he dede his wille: his monkus for to lere. a modir hadde þis abbot: þat him to man bare, mayster of þe nonnus: Ic wot þat ȝhe was þare— [ 100] by here ryȝte name: me cleped here eusebie, for moche ȝhe hatyed sinne: & loued cortesye; þerfore women drouȝ to here: boþe fer & ner, for in alle þe londe: ȝhe ne hadde no per. þorwȝ red of þe abot: wonefred to here drouȝ; [ 105] eyþer of oþer-is felechipe: was þo glad I-nouȝ. After þat euȝebye: partid of þis lyue, wonefrede dwelled in here stede: ȝerus ten & fyue; mek ȝhe was & of fayr speche: & swyþe mylde of mode, & þorw here holy speche: ȝhe brouȝte mony to gode. [ 110] suþþe, þo god sente his grace,: to heuen ȝhe gan wende. now Jhesu for þe loue of here: þedir vs bringe at oure ende.

Amen.

Seint illarion þe holy monk. [Seine Vita (ed. in Act. SS. Boll. 21 Oct.) von Hieronymus ca. 390 geschrieben.] (21. Oct.)

Gaȝa is a nobble toun: In verre contre, [1 Ms. Guȝa.] In þe lond of spayne hit is,: so men hit telleþ me; for his gret nobleye: men hit knowiþ wide. [f. 191] thebatha is þrop: viue myle þer-be-syde. [4 þrop þrop oppidum.] Illarion þe holy monke: In thebatha was I-bore; al his kin was heþen,: so þe bok telleþ fore,

& þey crist him-self haþ: illarion I-core & sent him grace þat he nas: to helle pyne I-lore. ryȝt was þis good childe: of fals kende I-come so is þe swete rose: of a charp þorn I-nome. [ 10] þo þis child of elde was: for to gon to scole, wit penaunse & wit fasting: his body he gan cole. his frendus him sent: to Alisaunder to lore. þo he herd of cristindom,: he loued him euere-more, so þat at þe nende: I-cristened he was [ 15] & ladde swyþe holy lif,: so crist ȝef þe cas. In þe toun of Alisaundre: he herde of grammory, & whyle he was heþen: he fleyȝ al foly; cherche he louid swyþe moche: þe whyle þat he was þere— þer were but fewe cristene men: þat fayrer hem bere. [ 20] [20 Ms. fayre.] Men þat comen fro egipte: tolde him I-lome [21 Ms. & tolde.] of an holyman seint Antony,: whan hy to him come. so fast was Jhesu crist: at his herte I-steke þat him nas noþing leuere: þan I-here of him speke. In atyme þis ȝong man: so him ondirnome [ 25] þat he souȝt seint Antony: & wel to him come. [22 u. 26 Ms. Witony.] of many þingus hy speke,: þo hy come I-uere, þat he dwelde to monþus: cristindom to here; so wel him lykid cristindom: þat he lerned þo, þat he was I-cristened þer: er he wold þenne go. [ 30] Glad was he for þis þing,: þe gode syre anton; gladdere was þe ȝonge mon: þat het illaryon. þo he hadde wit syre antoyn: alytil whyle I-be, fayr he nom his leue: to wende to his contre; to monkus in felechipe: wit him he gan take, [ 35] þat þey myȝten of Jhes crist: to-gederis talus make. þo he com to his contre,: him-selue he most rede: for his frendus þat heþen were: al he fonde dede. seluer he made of his londe,: & pans he gan him dyȝte, & ȝaf hem to pore men: & holy cherche to ryȝte; [ 40] his breþeren he ȝaf here del: þat hem by-falle wolde— for he nolde þat noman: of him playne cholde. now haþ þis illarion: so wondirliche I-wrouȝt þat of alle his godis: he naþ I-leued him nouȝt. Of non erþeliche gode: he him ne kept no-þing, [ 45] but þat seint antoyn him ȝaf: at his departing: & þat was a sakken curtil,: & a pilche also, & ablak froccke þer-vppon: an-ouen him on to do, & abok þat þe gospelus: weren vppon I-write— þis him ȝaf sen Antoyn: In eueriche wo to wite. [ 50] for þat he wited myd him,: ne wited he namore, & al he for-sok þe worlde: to habben goddus ore. nys þer non amongus vs: ne of so mylde mode þat wolde þat me hadde þus: I-deled al his gode!

Þo he was of .xv. ȝer,: to wildirnesse he gan wende, [ 55] for him þouȝt folye hit was: among men þer to ende, & beter him þouȝt by him-self: al-one for to be þan to libbe among mankinne: & I-se vanyte. þerfore he maked him an hole: in þe wildirnesse, fyue feet it was hy: as þe bok bereþ witnesse, [ 60]

voure feet it was brode: so men hit tolde þo, a lyte lengere þan his body,: Ic wot, hit was also; for beter hit þouȝt a toumbe,: a dedmon In to ligge, þan an hous to wonye in,: what-so me euer segge. Ic wot þat meny monkus weren: leuere to liggen so stoute [ 65] þan to comen in soch an hous;: Ic not wheyþer hy ben proute? Al his lif to penaunce: þis goodman haþ I-dyȝt: .xv. nepus he et echday: & þat a-ȝen þe nyȝt, & ȝif hy weren grete: hit wolde him rewe ful sore, þerfore ofte lasse he et: to him-selue þan more; [ 70] þre ouncis water he drank: & nouȝt ellis þer-to. Ic wene þat þer nys non of vs: þat myȝte nou libben so! neuere-more he nolde ben I-chore,: to tellen Ic hit may, but onus in þe ȝere: aȝens þe ester-day. vppon a bed of risschen: oþer on þe bare grounde [ 75] his body he gan reste,: whan he slep astounde. þe curtil þat illarion hadde: on his body onys, nolde he neuere of him do: but whan he moste eftsonys & don on an oþer newe,: þat him was I-ȝeue by cas, & þe oþer al for-rotid: & al to-rent hit was. [ 80] his heued noþer his cloþis: he ne wissche neuere-mo. ac ȝif he of holywrit: eny þing I-hurd þo þat he ondirstood wel: þorwȝ any skenus þinge, ofte he bede his felawis: sum-what þeron him bringe. his bedus he wolde bidde: wit gret deuosioun, [ 85] as þey god were to him: fram heuen alyȝt a-doun, & in his bedus he ferde: for al þe world so as þey god & he I-fere: speken boþe to. from þe .xv. ȝer: in to on & twenty ȝere Illar(i)on ladde soch lif: In wildirnesse þere. [ 90] & fram þe on & twenty ȝer: til þat six & twenty werin a-go, drye bred, water & salt: þis goodman ete þo; his bred was of barliche,: cleue & axen I-fere— In so hard lyf & clene: me nyste neuer ere! ffram .vj. & twenty ȝer: to þritty ȝer ful were I-come, [ 95] [95 Ms. xxvj.] a lytil water-potage he ete,: wel lytil & þat nouȝt lome, & seue ouncis he eet: of barli-bred þo, [97 Ms. woukus st. ounces.] & me ne moste in his potage: non oyle do. suþþe he fond for fasting: þat his heued gan ake & þe syȝt of his eyȝen: lyte & lyte gan slake: [ 100] for he wolde in þis world: god to seruen ȝit, oyle he dede in his potage: to seruen him þe bet & to comforty his lemis: þat alle scabbed so were; fort he were of þre & fourty (!) ȝer: so he gan libbe þere.

Bred lyte & lytil siþþe: he gan to forsake, [ 105] so þat þre score & seuentene (!) ȝer: his lif gan of-take, [106 so st. to.] & after þat ilke tyme: his bred he forsoke, þat he namore ne eet,: as vs telleþ þe boke; wortin he eet myd melke: & salt þat me made þo, [109 l. mele?] .v. ouncis he wolde a day: In his body do— [ 110] ete nold he namore,: no drinke in þilke place, & þus he leued .v. ȝer: þorw Jhesu cristus grace. he ne eet no he ne drank: no day ar eue fort after þat þe sonne: gan here lyȝt by-leue,

þan he wolde ech day: make his mangeryȝe— [ 115] & þus he chastid his body: fram sinne & folyȝe. þo he com to four & twenty (!) ȝer,: þis man þat was so wis, [117 l. four score (Er wurde 80 Jahr alt).] he sent after his felawe: þat heet efficis, [f. 192] [118 lat. Hesychius.] Inke & parchemyne he bade: he chold wit him bringe. wondir hadde effecis: of þis ilk þinge, [ 120] þedir he went & brouȝt: parchemyn, wel ic wot. þer-on his owe testament: illarion him-self wrot: he be-quaþ efesis his certil: & his mantel & his pilche & his bok,: & seyde, "wite me wel! [124 Ms. mantel st. pilche.] for in þis ilke lyue: dwellen no leng I ne may, [ 125] for hennus ic chal fare: here-after þe þridde day. & lok wel, whan my soule: Is fram þe body agon, þat my body be I-beried: sone & þat anon; [128 Ms. ne be.] burie me anon-ryȝt,: for loue ic bidde þis, & let erþe to erþ: al-so his kende is!: [ 130] his lemus gonne a-steuie: þo þis was I-do, & al manliche hete: fram him gan þo go; wit his tonge he heried god: & loked wit his eye, þe oþer wittus weren a-gon: er he myȝte deye. to his soule he seyde,: "soule, what eyleþ þe? [ 135] wherof art þou a-dradde: to lete þis wikkid contre? go forþ out of þe body: & ne dred nouȝt, I-wis, for wel ic wot, a meri stede: þe is I-mad, I-wis. fourty & .xv. (!) ȝer: crist þou I-serued haste: [139 l. f. & twis xv (= 70)?] þerfore wend out hardeliche: & ne be nouȝt a-gaste!" [ 140] wit þis ilke word: his soule gan out wende to þe blis of heuene,: þat last wit-outen ende. Moche folk þedir com: þis buriinge for to don, & buried þis holy body: so hy auȝten anon. nyȝe morwenyngus þer he lay: & alytel more. [ 145] þat he lay so longe þer: efecis of-þouȝte sore; ffram þilke stede þe holy body,: Ic wot, he remuyd, I-wis, & buried him in a toun: þat rome (!) I-cleped is, [148 l. Majuma.] & let him þere berie: wit wel gret honour; & mony mon of euil: þer aþ I-haued socour. [ 150] now bidde we god for þe loue: of seint illarion, þat he vs graunty þat blis: þat ending naueþ non.

amen.

Seint crissaunt and dariȝe. [Die Acta, griech. u. lat., s. in A. SS. Boll. p. 469 ff.; der engl. Text ruht jedoch auf ganz anderen Quellen.] (25. Oct.)

Polimus was a nob(l)e man,: in Alisaundre I-bore, knyȝt he was & gret lord,: so ic may telle ȝou fore, for he was heued & syre: of alle þat contre; worse man to cristene men: non ne myȝte be. [4 Ms. non worse ne m. b.] Numerian me cleped þo: þe emperour of rome: [ 5] he hadde mony a cristene man: I-let slen wit dome. polimius seyde his frendus: þat he wolde wende [7 Ms. polinnius.] & dwelle a whyle wit þe emperour: þat was fre & hende. crisaunt, þat was his ȝonge sone,: wit him þo he tok, for he chold at rome: lerny vppon þe book. [ 10] swyþe glad was þe emperour: þe he was I-come; to his preue consayl: polimyus he haþ I-nome,

he him made his iustise: & ȝaf him dingnete, & bed him next his syde: þat he cholde be, & by-gan to werche: mochil after his rede, [ 15] for he was in here lawe: of swyþe noble dede. Crissaunt, þat was polimius sone,: to cole gan to go. [17 cole = scole.] nas þer non in al þe cole: þat gan to lerny so, ffor so kene was his wit: þat al he haueþ I-cauȝt þat eny mayster in boke: þer-in him haueþ I-tauȝt. [ 20] So wel he ondirstode al: þat me spek wit steuene, þat in alyte whyle he was mayster: of þe artes seuene. ac, I-wis, of deuenyte: ne couþe he ryȝt nauȝt, ffor he ne seyȝ neuer bok þer-of,: no hit nas him I-tauȝt. Polimie loued wel crissaunt: for his gode lore, [ 25] & bouȝt him bokus I-nowe: for to lerny more. so þat crissaunt vppon a day: ȝide in chepinge: a bok of oure gospelus: to sellen me gan bringe, of Jhesu cristus wordus: & oure leuedy also Moche me hadde þer-on I-write: & in þe bok I-do. [ 30] [30 Ms. he st. me.] Crisaunt þo he I-sey þe booke: & tok him in his honde, of soche clergye ne sey he neuer: er in þilke londe. þerfore he stood in þouȝt: & gan to syke, I-wis, "a, mahounde," seyde he,: "what clergi is al þis?"— þe ryȝte tix it was to soþe: of al deuinyte, [ 35] [35 tix = text.] of pistlis & of gospelus: so þe bok telleþ me. Anon he bouȝt þis boke: & wit him hom it bar. to noman he ne cheued hit: þat he fond þar, [38 Ms. for st. to.] & him-self he stodiid wel: & was in gret þouȝt; & for he nadde no teching,: al hit was for nouȝt. [ 40] & þey he seyde to him-selue: "bokus so derk as myste (!)", [41 þey st. þo? l. þe bok is. myste st. nyȝte?] a steuen he herde to him speke: myd wel gret myȝte: "Crisaunt, þou hast I-haued ȝore: a bok of gret lore & gode: to by-holdin ofte þer-on: þin soule it chal don fode; þerfore ich rede þe, on þilke book: wel ofte þat þou rede, [ 45] for to knowleching of soþnes: forsoþe hit wole þe lede. for ȝif þou hast lore of þestirnesse: er þis ondirfonge, for to habbe lore of lyȝt: þe auȝte þenche wel longe." & to habbe a mayster: he nyste to wite whare; nyȝt & day he þouȝte: & was in swyþe gret care. [ 50] a velawe crisaunt hadde: þat cristin he was I-hudde, his cristindom for drede: wel selde hit was I-cudde, for þe emperour was so cruel: þat ȝif he eny I-founde, to deþe he cholde ben I-brouȝt: In a wel litil stounde; constantin het þis cristinman,: & þouȝt nyȝt & day [ 55] of þe mornyng of crisaunt: to wite þe ryȝte way. On a day he com him to: & þus he seyde þo: "seye me, mayster crisaunt,: why mornystou so? Is it for þin lemmon: oþer for eny oþer þing? y-wis, me greueþ sore: þat ic þe se mornyng." [ 60] "be stille, leue costauntin,": crisaunt seyde anon, "wite hit wel for soþe: to lemmon wil nabbe Ic non. a bok ich fond þis endirday: & Ich hit so bouȝt; for ic nabbe þer-on non ondirstonding: þerfore ich am In soch þouȝt, & ȝut alle þe worse me is,: for soþe ich segge þe, [ 65] þat ich knowe no mayster: þat can hit teche to me."

"let me I-se," quaþ costauntin,: "þat ilke bok anon, so þat we mowe I-fere: loke þer-vppon; oþer red ne can ic non;: I-wis, my leue broþer, wel þou wost oure ayþer: may speke þe bet for oþer." [ 70] þo costauntin I-seyȝ þe boke,: an honde he hit nom & radde þer-on & seyde,: "þis is of cristindom."

"Cristindom, what is þat?": crisaunt seyde þo, "Ich not neuer what þou seyst,: how knowistou it so? hastou I-lerned ouȝt þer-of,: for loue sey me her, [ 75] for ich ne herde of cristindom: speke neuer er." Costauntin gan wepe: & seyde to him þis: [f. 193] "Ic ne can vppon þis boke: noþing þe teche, I-wis, & ȝut, þey ich couþe,: vnworþy ic were þer-to; hit moste ben a cristen prest: þat couþe soche dedus do." [ 80] "Certus," quaþ crisaunt þo, "þan canstou telle more In woche wise ic myȝt best: comen to þis lore." costauntin answerid,: "& ȝif þou wolt don by me, to Jhesu crist of heuene: þou most abouen þe, & alle-maner oþer godus: clene þou most forsake [ 85] & þin body & þin soule: to Jhesu crist by-take; wel ic woot to soþe: þis is þe by-ginnyng how man chal best I-knowe: þe soþe of soch teching." Now haþ crisaunt to Jhesu crist: him by-take, I-wis. þan seyde costauntin,: "an holi prest þer is [ 90] In þe hulle of nerui,: wit care faste I-bounde, & so wel he is I-hudde: þat he is selde I-founde— for drede of þe emperour: he is I-hud so, lest he were for cristindom: anon to deþe I-do. bidde ȝerne to Jhesu crist: by day & by nyȝt [ 95] þat he to carporye þe prest: þe weye þe sende aryȝt."

Now is crissaunt in gret þouȝt: & biddeþ nyȝt & day, & to þe hil of nerui: himself he tok þe way. vp & doun he ȝede himself,: & þo þat he com þere, he wep & wrong his hondin: & made reuly bere, [ 100] loude he cride to Jhesu crist: & bed wit-outen mysse to carporye þe holy prest: þat he him cholde wisse. carporye set in his selle: & I-hurde al þis, blyþe he was, & ek a-gast: in his herte, I-wis, for he nyste þe encheson: why me him cleped þere; [ 105] vnneþe out of his selle: he ne dorste gon for fere. Naþeles to þis ȝongeman: out he went wel stille, & axed him wel myldeliche: what were þo his wille. "I-wis," quaþ crissaunt, "to Jhesu crist: myn herte is al I-nome, þerfore to speke wit carporye þe prest: hedir ic am I-come, [ 110] & ich þe bidde, leue syre,: pur seint charite, ȝif þou wost wher he is: þat þou him teche me." Carpore nom þo crissaunt: & nolde no lenger dwelle, & ladde him wel myldeliche: wit him to his selle, & nome, þo he þedir com,: his bok & gan him ondo, [ 115] & þe lawe of cristindom: to crissaunt he tauȝt þo. cr(i)ssaunt so wel him ondirstood: his teching aplyȝt, þat he was I-cristened sone: after þe seueþe nyȝt. & suþþe he dwellid wit carpore: monþus folle þre, & lernyd of cristus manhede: & of þe trinyte; [ 120] so þat þorwȝ þe clergye: þat he hadde er, & þorwȝ þe gret lore: þat he I-fond þer,

he þouȝt in þe cristindom: þat he ne dradde nouȝt: þerfore for to wenden hom: crisaunt him haþ I-þouȝt. vayre he nom his leue: & gan him hom to wende, [ 125] for him þouȝt of cristindom: he ondirstood þan ende. lytil wiste his frendus: whodir he was ago, for þey wende to soþe: at scole þat he were þo; þerfore þer nas non þat axed: wher he hadde I-be, ac wende þat hy myȝt to-fore him: eche day I-se. [ 130] also þey seten afterward: in his compenye & speke of many þingus: & of þe maumetrie, crissaunt hem seyde, to soþe: here lawe nas noþing nauȝt, & þat þer nas no god but on: þat al þing haþ I-wrouȝt, & þilke god was Jhesu crist: þat deyde vppon þe rode. [ 135] fful wroþ hy weren alle: þat he þis ondirstode, [136 tilge he.] & monye him wit-seyde: in disputicioun; & þilke weren wit clergye: anon I-brouȝt adoun. a man þat louid wel his fadir: anyȝt was at sopere wit him, & of manye þingus: þere hy speken I-fere, [ 140] of here lawe & here godus: hy speken wordus bolde, & ech mon In his wise: toldin what hy wolde. Crisaunt seyde, "to soþe: ic may seggen þis [143 Ms. for ic.] þat in al þe world: no god but on þer nys, & þat (is) Jhesu crist al-one: þat makid alle þing, [ 145] by-ginnyng nad he neuere: ne chal habbe ending; al þat is in heuene & erþe,: Ic woot forsoþe, he wrouȝte, & man þo he was forlore: swyþe dere he hem bouȝte: be-twene mankin & þe fend: to alegge þe strif, vppon þe rode he deyde: & ȝaf þerfore his lif; [ 150] & aros to lyue: þer-after þe þridde day, & þat he was almyȝty god: þerby me wite may. & in þat ilke forme: þat he aros þo, by-fore al his desiplis: to heuen he gan go. þe tenþe day þer-after: so mayster good & hende [ 155] he gan to his desiplis: þe holy gost hem sende, & hem tauȝt al þing: al þat hy cholden do, & ek al-maner speche: he hem tauȝt also. I ne herd neuere of god non: þat was so hend & fre, & þerfore me þinkeþ to soþe: þer nys no god but he." [ 160] þis man sete swyþe stille: & þouȝt þo he herde þis, & þouȝt him in his mode al-one: þat he seyde amys; amorwe he wente to polimye: & gan to telle him fore how crisaunt seyde him an eue, & þat he was for-lore, & seyde, "ic wene his wit: makeþ him al sauage, [ 165] for he by-ginneþ to oure goddus: speken gret outrage, & I not what wondir: he haueþ I-þouȝt nouȝ, he seyþ þat þer nys no god but on: þat is I-cleped Jhesu; & ȝif þis titlyng come: al to þe emperour, noman ne may don him non help: ne nomaner socour; [ 170] for wel þou wost, þou & we: for euere cholden be chent, ȝif þy sone were of-take,: & deye in gret torment." "let me al þer-myd I-worþe,": þe fadir seyde þo, "Ic wole fonde þat ilke þouȝt: to maky him forgo. & leuer me were for his dede: þat he deyde al-one, [ 175] þan ic lese my kende londe: & we ben I-chent echone." þerfore þo þis heþene man: fram him was I-went, after crisaunt, his sone,: anon he haþ I-sent, [178 Ms. & after.]

& to him he seyde: þo he was þedire I-come: "leue sone cresaunt,: hou hauistou on I-nome? [ 180] Ic not to what god me seyþ: þat þou art to I-take, [181 Ms. good.] & oure godus dost despise: & hast hem al forsake." "wite hit, fadir," quaþ cresaunt,: "þou settist me to clergye & þorw þin help of þe seue ars: Ic habbe þe maystrie: & ȝif þat ilke art nere: þat I lerned laste, [ 185] to þe pine of helle: for soþe ic were I-caste; al þat ich euer lerned her,: who-so hit ondirstode, wolde wel at þe laste ende: bring me of weyus gode. for al hi seggeþ þat erþelich encheson: of hem-silue is: [189 Ms. his st. hi.] ac on is of alle þinge: þe encheson, to soþe I-wis, [ 190] for he was euer ȝit by-fore,: & chal ben euermo. sey me, leue swete fadir,: ȝif ȝoure goddus fareþ so; ȝif þou myȝt eny soche: of ȝoure godus finde, al my lore is I-cast a-wey: & myne bokus beþ blinde."

"Strippeþ þe þef," quaþ þe fadir,: "& beteþ him wel faste, [ 195] so þat of þat ilke wordus: for euer him a-gaste." tormentourus him nome: & forþ him habbeþ I-brouȝt, & to don his fadris heste: þey ne sparid ryȝt nouȝt; & euer þe faster: þat þey him gonnen smyte, he bede smyte harder: & seyde hy smyte to lyte. [ 200] þe tormentourus answered,: "ne greueþ hit þe nouȝt sore?" "no, Iwis," quaþ crisaunt,: "ic auȝt þolye more, for þilke tyme þat my god: on erþe was I-do wel ic wot for myne loue: he was I-beten so, þer nas no lyme on his body: þat nadden mony a wounde, [ 205] & ȝit may vppon my body: many an hol stede be founde." [206 Ms. me may.] þe tormentourus went: to his fadir þo, & axed him of crisaunt: what hy cholden do, ffor he nolde in none wise: to chaungen his mode. "y-wis, I wene," quaþ þe fadir,: "þat þe þef ben wode; [ 210] & þerfore ic ȝou hote: in preson þat ȝe him caste, & ech day fort eue: þat he þere faste; & doþ him, ȝif ȝe conne,: so mochil of vilte, of ech day þat he is þer: þat him þenche þre." swyþe foul was þe preson: of þe wassing I-pult, [ 215] & worse he was I-seruid: þan þeuus þat haddin gilt; he ne seyde wel ne wo,: ac soffrid al here wille. þanne seyde a tormentour,: "leteþ him ben stille eche day wit-oute mete: fort þat it ben eue, þan chal he for hongur: alle his foly by-leue." [ 220] "wel, wel," quaþ crissaunt,: "ȝe spekeþ aboute nouȝte; for my lord Jhesu crist: so dere me haueþ abouȝte, for me he fast fourty dayis: & ne eet ryȝt nouȝte, & ic finde þat ech day: me worþ mete I-brouȝte. to ȝeue me so moche mete,: I-wis, hit were wouȝ, [ 225] for onus mete in þre dayis: I-wis hit were I-nouȝ." Alle þat þis I-hurde: her-of hy hadden drede, & wenten & tolde pollime: what crisaunt, his sone, sede. "lord mahound," quaþ pollime,: "þou wost þat me is wo, for ic not alyue: what ich chal wit him do! [ 230] ac ȝif þer were enymon: þat couþe me wisse & rede, boþe gold & seluor: he chold habbe to mede."

þan com þer a man: & seyde to polimye: "þou ne myȝt nouȝt of þin sone: þus habbe þe maystrie, for cristen men hit seggeþ,: Ic wot to soþe I-wis, [ 235] þe more pyne þat men hem doþ: þe leuere hem to soþe is. þerfore þou most cloþy þy sone: wit cloþus swyþe gode, & don him in a fayr chaumbre: & speke wit him wit mode, & ȝif him mete & drinke: þat ben so ryche & gode, [239 tilge so.] & bring to him maydenus: to chaungy his mode; [ 240] þorwȝ hoot mete & drinke: his flesch chal nede wrye for to loue som of hem: & to don lecherye. wit glotonye & lecherye: þus he worþ ouercome & from his false lawe: eueriche del I-nome." Now haþ polimye I-don: al þing after his rede. [ 245] & wel ich wot he ne spedde: noþing in his nede, & þey pollime seyde: to þe maydenus þo, "bote ȝe chaungy his þouȝt: I chal ȝow wirche wo. ac if eny of ȝow may: him drawe fro his lawe, to him ȝhe chal I-spousid ben: & eke his owe felawe; [ 250] wel may here þan be,: weteþ hit to wisse, for here ne chal lakky nouȝt: of þis wordus blisse." viue maydenus þer were: þo wit him I-don, euerich seyde þat þ(e)y wolde: here myȝt don anon. [254 Ms. þy.] To crisaunt þey went: wit swyþe fayr semblaunt, [ 255] & he ne tornyd one his þouȝt: noþer taunt ne caunt. on eche syde hy wenten: & gon him clippe & cisse & in here wise þey maden moche blisse; aweyward he tornyd his heued: & nolde hem nouȝt by-holde, & sore he gan to syke,: his herte fil wel colde, [ 260] he crid to oure lord Jhesu crist: þat al þing myȝt dele & dyȝte: "woche man in þis worlde: myȝten habbe þe myȝte aȝens þus fele naddrin: forto stondin stille, þat he ne moste in somtyme: to don al here wille? for bote þou him helpe,: þat art of heuen king, [ 265] lyue & soule chold ben I-lore: þorw here foul stinging. þerfore, leue swete lord,: ȝif hit þy wille be, Ic bidde in þis batayle: þat þou þenche on me, & ȝif me grace & myȝte: so hem to wit-stonde þat my soule ne ben I-take: in my fomennus honde." [ 270] Of mete ne of drinke: noþing ne ginneþ he telle, ac halt his as vndingne: þat is of so foul smelle; & þe fayre cloþus: þat weren on him I-do, he seyde swyþe foule: þat alle hy stonkin þo; & þe maydenus alle: þat weren wit him þere, [ 275] he seyde myd here stinking: his deþ hy wolden arere; þe clipping & þe cissing: þat þey dedin ech stounde, him þouȝt in his soule: hit was a deþus wounde. ac euer-more of Jhesu crist: he gan hem prechy þo, wan (hy) in eny wyse: wille hadden þer-to. [ 280] On of þe viue maydenus: þat me cleped darie, þorwȝ crisaunt-his preching: toward crist gan wrye, [282 Ms. þat þorwȝ.] & here wille him tolde: to him in preuyte. "Jhesu crist," he seyde, "lord, I þonk it þe þat on of þe naddrin: þat cholde me ouercome [ 285] [285 Ms. of on.] þorw þin swete grace: is nouþe to þe I-nome." here he clupte & custe: & maked gret ioye Inouȝ. euerich of þe oþer maydenus: þerfore wel smere louȝ,

for þey hopedin þat he wolde: sacrefise to make & þat darie him hadde: wit lechery of-take; [ 290] þerfore þey hem lete: & to here wille go [291 l. lete be?] & speke what þey wolde,: & let here wille to do. & þerfore he here preched: & haueþ to cristindom I-cauȝt— & alle þe oþer maydenus: nyste þer-of ȝut nauȝt. a iustise þer com a day: þat het selerin; [ 295] to make hem honoury bacus,: þat is a god of win, after þe maystris he went: & after crissaunt. [297 l. maydin? l. sent st. went.] & he tofore selerin: wel myldeliche stant. þo seyde þe iustise,: "ȝif ȝe wollyþ don by me, [299 Ms. he st. ȝe.] ȝe moot honouri þis ilke god: þat is so hende & fre, [ 300] þat vs sendeþ mete & drinke: swyþe gret plente." þan by-spak him crisaunt,: "syre, ic segge it þe, [f. 195] Jhesu crist sendeþ alle þing: þat in þis world is, & him ich wille honoury: for euermore, I-wis." "& ic," quaþ darie,: "him to honouri also, [ 305] & alle oþer godus ic here forsake: now & euere-mo." "a, þeuis," quaþ selerin,: "seggeþ ȝe nouþe þus? now hit is wel I-sene: ȝe telleþ lytil of vs! wel ich wot ȝe nolleþ nouȝt: to chaungy ȝoure þouȝte, for ȝe habbeþ ȝoure goddus loue: swyþe dere abouȝte." [ 310] þerfore he het hem boþe: to strippen hem al nakid, & for to beten here bodyⁱs,: me haþ al blody I-makid. eyþer seyde to oþer þus,: "þis is a swyþe merye gle! nou Jhesu crist in heuene,: I-blessed euere þou be!" Men þer stodin & women: & by-held al þis, [ 315] & seyde þat þe iustise: deden þer-of amys þat he wolde so fayre bodyis: myd soch torment chende; ac noman for þe emperour: ne dorste hem come hende. celerin seyde þo,: "crissant, hou faristow?" & he anon answered,: "wel ic fare now; [ 320] ffor wite hit wel to soþe,: þis me lykeþ bet þan me dede in my ȝouþe: mylk of any tet." celerin by-hel crisaunt: & chok on him his heued, & seyde, "ich wene, þin clergye: þy wit þe haueþ be-reeued; þou were I-set to cole: forto lernen gode, [ 325] & ic wene, þin lore: þe haueþ I-makid þus woode. do & honoure oure godus: er þou ben an-hange!" "I-wis, syre," quaþ cresaunt þo;: "þer-after me þinkeþ wel lange; for myne god for oure loue: I-hangid was on a tre, & þerfore ic wole for his loue: wel fayn an-hanged be." [ 330] þe tormentourus þo crisaunt toke: & honged him on a tre þo. þe tre ne myȝte him nouȝt bere,: ac barst anon a-to, þat boþe crisaunt & þe tren: fillin boþe to grounde; & in al oþer þing: he was ȝit hol & sounde. brondis me dedin to his sydus: his fel for to schrenche; [ 335] ac þey ne touchid his flesch nouȝt,: anon hy gon a-quenche. & alle þat touched in harme: þat fayre mayde darye, wel sone here lemus adryed,: þat loude hy gonnen to crye; wit fot hy ne myȝt wawe: ne wit hondin ne-þe-mo, noþer for al þis worlde: out of þat stede to go. [ 340] þe iustise him dradde wel sore: þo he I-sey al þis, & anon to þe emperour: for dred he went, I-wis, & axid him consayle anon: what him were to rede; for neuere seþþe he was I-bore: he nadde so mochil drede.

þe emperour answerde: þe iustise þo anon: [ 345] "In an old diche: Ic wole þat hy ben don, & let þrouȝ on hem stonus: so þat men hem sle, & so we mowe deliuerid: of þe chreuis be." þe emperour-is heste: me dede myd hem wel blyue, & so þis to swete þingus: weren I-brouȝt of lyue. [ 350] now bidde we god for þe loue: of darie & crisaunt, þat he vs helpe, wit senne: þat we ne ben I-chent, [352 Ms. helpe þat wit.] & bring vs to þe ioye: þat lesteþ euer-more, þer þat þis twey marterus beþ: þat wit pyne abouȝt so sore.

amen.

Crispin and crispinyan, twey holi marterus. [vgl. die Acta in Act. SS. Boll. Oct. 25.] (25. Oct.) [f. 197]

Moche harme Ich habbe I-told,: & more ic telle can, by þe liþer emperour: þat het maximian. ffor þe deþ of cristene men: þat he let sle I-lome, crispin & crispinian: þey flouin out of rome. suesis, wel ic wot,: me cleped þe cite [ 5] [5 l. Suessio, Soissons.] þat þis goodmen wente to,: a whyle þer to be. & for hy noldin ben I-knowe: of what stede hy were, sone for to sowy: anon hy lernyd þere; & ek for þat hy weren cristin,: so leþer to hem men were þat vnneþe any herberwe: hy myȝten habben þere. [ 10] pore men schon hy made: myd wel good wille, & tolde moche of cristindom,: nouȝt opinliche ac stille. þey it were preuiliche,: I-hole ne myȝt it be þat here dedis neren I-kud: in alle þe contre. [14 Ms. & st. in.] a luþer iustise þer was I-come: þat het riciouar, [ 15] [15 lat. Rictiouarus.] þat cristin men dede gret harme: þere & ellus-whar. he herde of crispin & crispinian: swyþe mochel telle, & gan hem after sende: wit messagerus wel snelle. & boþe hy were of-take: in a lyte stounde, & I-brouȝt to ryciouar: wel swyþe faste I-bounde. [ 20] ryciouar axed hem swyþe son: whanne hy þedir come, for mochil he herde telle of hem: in þe lond of rome; "& by my fey," he seyde,: "wel glad ic am ryȝt nouþe þat ic ȝou habbe of-take,: for ȝe me were oncouþe ffor nouþe ic wene þat ȝe mote: honoury my godus echone, [ 25] oþer ellis ȝe cholliþ forsoþe: to þe deþe gone; for witeþ hit wel to soþe: þer nys non oþer þouȝte: bote ȝe honoure oure godus,: to deþe ȝe worþ I-brouȝte." Crispin seyde, "ȝoure godus: we scholleþ vain honoure & bidde wit oure myȝte: þat hy vs wel socoure. [ 30] & me þinkeþ to soþe: in myn herte I-wis þat in al þe worlde: none god but on þer nys, þat is oure lord Jhesu crist,: of alle lordus king, prince he is of princis,: & lord of alle þing; [34 Ms. prence.] euer he was & nou is: & euere-more chal be, [ 35] one god alwelding: & ek personus þre. for euer he was I-liche gode: & folle I-liche of myȝte; & to sauy vs fram senne: w(e)l loue he him alyȝte: ffor as he was in heuene,: he hadde wel gret pyte [Vers 39 doppelt im Ms.] þat man cholde to pine: for synne I-dampnid be, [ 40]

þerfore mannus kende he tok: fort biggin so al mankunne-his giltus: of þat hy hadde I-do." Riciouar seyde þo,: "þou most ȝut tellen me: suþ þat þer is one godde: & ek personus þre, canstou me ouȝt tellen: woch person hit was [ 45] þat wolde for þe loue of man: þole soch a cas?" "ȝe, syre," quaþ crispinian,: "Ic wot hit was þe soþe (!), [47 l. sone?] for in him is al wisdom: & chal ben euer-more." [48 Ms. wisdon.] "ȝe," quaþ riciouar,: "Ich nele her-of namore. doþ honour to oure godis: er hit chal ȝou rue sore!" [ 50] "Ic þe seyde," quaþ crispin,: "so ic habbe don ȝore; for god ic wille honoure: nouþe & euer-more." "scornystou me, gadeling?": riciouar seyde þo; "ledeþ hem by-fore iubyter: sacrefise to do; [54 Ms. him.] & but he don sacrefise,: wit stauis þat ȝe hym bete, [ 55] [55 Ms. he; him.] þat ech man wene to soþe: þat hy here lyf lete!" On þe godus þey spatte: þo þey come þer-to. þe tormentourus habbeþ sone: his heste I-do. "I-wis," quaþ þis holymen,: "for al hit is for nouȝt, [59 tilge for.] ȝe ne mowe nouȝt wit soche pyne: chaungy oure þouȝt." [ 60] to þe iustise hy wente: to wite what hy choldin do, for me ne myȝte here þouȝt: for noþing chaungy so, ne me ne myȝte þis holly men: to þe deþ bringe, þey me hem euer bete,: for none skenus þinge; for euer þe more me leyde: vppon hem boþe þere, [ 65] [65 Ms. we st. me.] euere more hem þouȝte: þat þey þe gladder were. anon him by-þouȝte: þe iustise riciouar & seyde to þe tormentourus: þat were wit hem þar: "to eyþer of hem a mylston: Ic hote ȝe binden faste, & in þe water of oxiona: Ic hote þat ȝe hem caste, [ 70] [70 lat. Axona (Aisne).] & loke ȝif þe chrewis: wolleþ deyen so; & but ȝif þat hy wollyþ,: an oþer me chal do." þe tormentourus dede his heste: in þat ilke stounde. an aungel com to hem anon: & haueþ hem onbounde, & brouȝt hem quikliche: vp to drye grounde, [ 75] & made hem boþe hol & sounde: of alle here wounde. "lo, folis," quaþ þis goodmen,: "þat ȝe dedin to pyne Jhesu crist I-torned haþ: vs alle to medecyne, to cheue to-fore ȝou alle: whoche his myȝt be; for hol & sound ȝe mowen: I-se my felawe & me." [ 80] þe tormentourus I-sey al þis: & stode astonyd anon, for þey nyste alyue: what þey myȝten don; þey noldin I-leue for noþing: þat (hit) was cristus myȝte þat þis to holy men: to soche hele dyȝte, & to soþe hy wende: þat hit were wicchinge. [ 85] þerfore to ryciouar: þey sente her-of tydinge. Ryciouar seat & þouȝte: þo he I-herde þis, & suþþe he seyde to þe tormentourus,: "ȝe beþ falss I-wis, ȝe ne doþ nouȝt myn heste: also þencheþ me; & þerfore ic wille wende: & þat soþe I-se." [ 90]

Fayre me him gan dyȝte: & set him in chayer; he bed me choldin bringe: þis gode men him ner, & seyde to hem myldeliche: þo hy weren I-come: [f. 198] "habbe ȝe ȝit of ȝoure hele: eny red I-nome?

vor wetin hit wel to soþe,: but ȝe ben bet be-þouȝt, [ 95] to wel leþer deþ: ȝe worþ wel sone I-brouȝt." "Certis," quaþ þis good men,: "soche red we habbeþ I-take, þat we williþ ȝoure false godus: euermore forsake; [98 Ms forsawe.] ffor oure deþ ne may be so leþer: an euen & ek amorwe þat by-ginnyng it (n)is of ioye: & ende of oure sorwe." [ 100] [100 Ms. is.] þan of an oþer torment: þe iustise him þouȝt blyue, & lete pikus to-bete: þorw here naylus dryue. þey drof pykus þorw here nayle: in foot & in honde; & euer þey þonkid Jhesu crist: as hy myȝten stonde. & suþþe þe iustise lete: hem in preson do. [ 105] & anon amorwe: he let hem more pyn so: [106 Ms. he le let.] for fram þe heued to þe foot: he let nyme a þonge [107 u.] of þis gode mennus skynne—: for þis was pyne wel stronge! [108 tilge for.] brod hit was I-corue I-now,: nolde me hem nouȝt sparye; þey bede gon deppor in þe flesch: & euer þe fel to warye, [ 110] & euer hy þonkid Jhesu crist: & ech on oþer louȝ, & seyde eyþer to oþer,: "her is ioy I-nouȝ!" picche & grece & oyle: he let mylte I-fere & let þis goodmen don þer-in: so þat hit seþing were. & hy hit blessed wit þe croys: þo hy come þer-ny, [ 115] & ȝedin þer-in baldeliche,: þat ech man I-sey. & þer god scheued þe mytte: of þe holy rode: for al þe tormentry: ne dede hy hem but gode. "who," quaþ þe iustise þo,: "myȝt I-leue þis, oþer segge þat it nere: strong wicche-craft, I-wis? [ 120] [120 Ms. were st. nere.] Mahound, þat art so gent & fre,: why neltouȝ me ondirstonde [121 Ms. ondirstonge, urspr. ondirfonge.] & distroye wicche-crafte,: þat hit ne don soch schonde? ffor wel þou wost, ȝif it nere: for þe loue of þe, we nolde in none wise: þus mankinne to by-se; & for to sauin þin honour: & holdin vp þy ryȝte, [ 125] & oþer godus þat beþ wit þe,: þus hy beþ I-dyȝte. þerfore chewe þat þou art god, & techen þy power, & ne lete nouȝt þis chreuin: vs alle ouer-come her!"

Þe iustise him be-þouȝte: þo he hadde þis I-sede, & heet þat anon-ryȝt to seþe: a cetel ful of lede, [ 130] [130 tilge þat.] & þouȝt þis goodmen cholden: þer-in to ben I-do. ac ich wene þe meste harme: com him-selue al to, for he hit abouȝte: er hit were ouȝt lange: a gret drope of hot lede: in his ey sprange, þe led him berned faste: & dede him soche tormente [ 135] þat he deyde, & his soule: anon to helle wente. glad was þe deuil þo: soche presaunt to haue! now god ȝeue mochil mesauntir: to maystir & to knaue! þe body in his torment: lep in to þe fure— þat mony weren I-serued so,: þat mery it was to hure! [ 140] to maximian me sente,: þat was þe emperour, þat ryciouar was ded þo: þat dede him gret honour, & þe maner of his deþ: me him sente also. þo þe emperour it wiste,: I-wis him was wel wo, & seyde, "lord appolin,: hou may þis þing be? [ 145] Ic not wheyþer þou habbe forȝete: al þis lond & me? a-wakeþ, ȝif ȝe slepeþ,: & ne forȝete me nouȝte, & þencheþ what we habbiþ many a day: for ȝoure loue I-wrouȝte!

ffor myn loue ne do ȝe nouȝt,: ac for ȝou-self ȝe mote, for alle þis londe ȝe lesiþ: but ȝe don som bote; [ 150] whoche man cholde on erþe: of ȝou stonde drede, whan to hin þat doþ ȝou chame: ȝe ne ȝildiþ no mede?" "wendeþ hom," quaþ þe emperour,: "so quikke so ȝe mowe gon, & smyteþ of here heuedyn,: þer nys non oþer won; & leteþ þe bodyus ligge: fort hy ben to-drawe: [ 155] & so me chal hem techen: to speke aȝen þe lawe." fforþ wente þe tormentourus: þo hy I-herde þis: þe eȝteþe calendre of nouembre: his heste þey dedin I-wis. cristene men were fele: for here deþe wroþe, & preuiliche be nyȝte: buried hem boþe. [ 160] of on elde hy weren: & of o myster al-so, eyþer of foure & fourty ȝer: þo hy were to deþe I-do. to heuen-blis þey wente: out of þis ilke lyue. Now Jhesu crist for here loue: vs grante wel to þryue, & bring vs to þe ioye: þer þey wonyeþ inne, [ 165] & leue vs so an erþe to don: to heuen-blis a-winne.

amen.

Seint euarist þe pope. [cf. Act. SS. Boll. 26 Oct., p. 799 ff.; Vita fehlt.] (26. Oct.)

Euarist þe holy pope,: so ich ondirstonde, was I-bore by-syde Jerusalem: in þat ilke londe; al his kyn by-leued: al on þe gywerye— so doþ ȝit manyon,: & þat is gret folye; a whyle hit was a lawe: þat god louid swyþe, [ 5] [5 Ms. & st. a.] for þey cholde to Jhesu crist: myd here herte ben blyþe, [6 l. for-þy?] bote ȝif hem of-þenche: þat here elderne habbeþ I-wrouȝt— Jhesu, ȝif it þy wille be,: þer-to hem granty þouȝt!— Juda het þe popus fadir: þat ich tolde of er, prest he was of þe lawe: & man of gret powe(r); [ 10] swyþe gret grace he hadde: to conne of clergye, & of alle þe .vij. ars: he hadde þe maystrye; In bethelem he wonyd: þer god was I-bore. þo his sone I-bore was,: wel glad he was þer-fore. his sone he gan teche: clergye for to winne— [ 15] [15 Ms. for st. ful.] for who-so wille lerny gode: ȝong he mot by-ginne; comeliche an englich,: Ich wot, me seyþ for-þy, fol hard it is to teche: an old hors aumbly.— þe child lernyd wel I-nouȝ: þo he was to scole I-set, & for his fadir was a clerke: he lerned wel þe bet. [ 20] þo he couþe his smale þingus,: he ȝede to heyer lore, & euer he was in wille: to lerny more & more; & whan he eny þing I-hurde: þat touched to cristindom, Euarist in his herte: swyþe fast hit nom, & witid wel þat his fadir: nyste þer-of ryȝt nouȝte; [ 25] vort he were at þe laste: to gret clergy I-brouȝte. Euarist & his fadir: sete & speke anyȝte of manye þingus to-gedir,: so it is clerkus ryȝte; of crist þe sone gan speke: & of his passioun. þo þe fadir I-hurde þis,: his heued he hing adoun; [ 30] & þo þe sone hadde I-seyd: mochil of his wille, þe fadir him het wel sterneliche: þat he cholde ben stille.

"why, syre?" quaþ þe sone, "þou wost wel, by þis nyȝte clerkis wolle disputy: of fals & of ryȝte. þat ilke crist is soþfast god,: ofte me telleþ me, [ 35] þerfore ic wolde þe soþe,: herof I-wite of þe; [36 Ms. þe soþe I-wite.] for leuere ic hadde of my fadir: here ben ondirnome þan ben of an oþer I-chent: & ek al ouercome." þe fadir gan to gramye: þat was I-cleped Judas, & disputed faste—: for oþer help þer nas. [ 40] so þat wit pur skylle: þe sone haþ ondirnome þat he haþ iudas, his fadir,: al clene ouercome, & wit pure clergye: him so fur I-brouȝt [43 fur aus ful korr.] þat anon amorwe: he ondirfeng follouȝt. wel he myȝte hopye: to habben good endinge [ 45] [45 Ms. for wel me myȝte.] whan he cristened his fadir: in his byginnynge! & so he hadde for soþe,: for wit his prechinge he gan swyþe moche folk: to Jhesu crist bringe. ffor boþe he & his fadir: preched in ech syde— þe los of here goodnesse: gan springe swyþe wyde. [ 50] Suþþe hy wenten I-fere: to þe lond of rome; cristinmen were swyþe glade: þo þey þedir come. his fadir drouȝ to good ending: sone after anon & wente to þe ioye of heuene: wit-outen eny won. þe pope þat was þilke tyme: gan ek to heuene wende: [ 55] þe cardinalus & þe clergye: hy gon anon to sende, & gret conseyl þey nom: who cholde pope to be, to wardin þe cristindom: & sauy þe dingnete. [58 Ms. cristindon.] alle hy weren at one: þorwȝ hope of Jhesu criste, & sacrid to pope: þe gode euariste. [ 60] [60 Ms. þe st. to.]

Now is euarist pope: & wardiþ cristindom. more harder lyf þan he lad er: anon to him he nom: he him beet ech day: twye oþer þryȝe. whan his þouȝt him nom: to don eny folyȝe, swyþe moche he wakid,: & prechid ek also, [ 65] & fasted ek swyþe moche: his flesch to werchen wo. mylde he was in speche: cristinmen to chaste, & ȝif he wiste þat eny mysdede: he hem wit-seyde an haste. heþene men þat were him ny,: wel fayre he wolde hem wise & cheuen hem by fayre skylis: þat nauȝt nas here seruise, [ 70] & biddin for hem ȝerne: amorwe & ek an eue þat god hem sende grace: to come to ryȝt be-leue. Giwes he wolde ek wit-neme: wit gret cortesyȝe, & cheued hem by holy writ: þat here fey was gret folye. to mancy him was swyþe loþ: for eny skenus þinge: [ 75] þerfore he tauȝt cristin: to hate mansinge; for he seyde þat a cristinman: þat a-corsid were were beter to ben on-bore: & þat he I-cristened nere. þerfore cristin & heþen: & eke giues also louedin wel þis goodman,: for hy hit auȝten do. [ 80] þrittene ȝer he was pope: & monþus elleuen & twey dayis, þat to his stat: he hem held wel euen. prestis he makid .vij.,: & twey dekenus also, & bysschopus fyue: goddus wille for to do. þis goodman hadde an vsage,: whan he prechy wolde, [ 85] þat þer .vij. dekenus aboute: him to sittin cholde,

In tokenyng of þe ȝiftus: of .vij. maner grace þat god sende to mankinne: fram his holy place; In rome hit was longe I-holde: for a noble statut, & ic wene in som stede: It is I-holdin ȝit. [ 90] Of rome was þe emperour: þat het dioclisian— [91 þe st. þo.] of him we habbeþ moche I-speke: & ȝit more ic can. of þis pope euarist: to him sone me tolde, & he him haþ anon of-sent: wit messagerus bolde. anon to him he seyde: þo he him I-seyȝ: [ 95] "wheþer artou al wode: oþer þou art wel nyȝ?" Euarist answerid,: "ic nam wod ryȝt nouȝt, ac ich honoure Jhesu crist: þat dere me haueþ I-bouȝt." "Now ȝe seþ," quaþ þe emperour,: "his wit him is by-reued. lediþ him out of þe toun: & smyteþ of his heued!" [ 100] þe .vij. calendre of nouembre: þis heste was I-do, & þo wente his soule to blisse: after alle his wo. by seint peterus toumbe: þey beried þis holy manne. & rome was þo wit-oute pope: .xix. dayis after þanne. now bidde we alle Jhesu crist: for loue of euarist [ 105] þat he vs granty heuene: at oure soulus vprist, & þat he bere oure erande: to god, oure alþer kinge, þat to þe ioye of heuene: he vs alle bringe.

amen.

Seint firmin þe bysschop. [Von der Vita in Act. SS. Boll. Sept. 25, tom. VII, p. 53 ff. weicht der engl. Text vielfach ab.] (25. Sept.) [f. 201b]

Seint firmin þe bisschop: was of holy lyf, swyþe moche he hated: velenye & stryf. honeste het anoble preste: þat in þe toun was: to him he was to cole I-set: so god ȝef þe cas, & he him tauȝt wit his myȝte: for to flen sinne, [ 5] & þat he cholde louye þe ryȝt fey: ne sparye for his kynne. ffirmin wel him ondirstode: & þo (!) his maystris lore, [7 þo st. þorȝ, vgl. 32.] & louid holicherche wel: stable & euermore. Glad was his fadir & his modir: þo þey hurde þis, for þey leuedin on Jhesu crist: swyþe wel I-wis. [ 10] þo þat firmin was of elde: of eyȝtene ȝer roume, his mayster him ladde aboute: myd felawis of þe toune & tauȝte him þe manere: to schewe of cristus prechinge, for he cholde þer-after: men to crist hem bringe. þe raþer his mayster it dede: for he chaste was; [ 15] ne non þat loued more to vaste: in þilke inne non þer nas; & for to ben at cherche: firmin loued also; he nolde in none wise: to no folye go. also he hatied wommen: þat wondir it was to þenche, he seyde hit weren paunceris: mannus soule to chrenche. [ 20] wel was his mayster I-payid: in al his manere, & wolde him sette to scole: gret clergye to lere, as dialetike & decre: & eke astronomye. [23 Ms. dialenke.] firmin him answered,: "þy þouȝt is al folye, for ich nele lerne noþing: foly for to werche, [ 25] but þing þat falliþ to lawe: of alle holycherche; for ic wot, of clergye I-nouȝ: ech man may haue, ȝif he habbe grace: his soule for to saue."

ffirmin lyte & lyte: þo by-gan to preche, [29 Ms. lyte & lyte & lyte.] & whan his mayster were oute: by-gan men to teche. [ 30] þe folk swor & seyde: þat his preching was gode, & þer firmin-his lore: beter hy ondir-stode; [32 Ms. þeȝ st. þer, þorȝ.] alle þat him knewe: hadde of him deinte & wondrid þat in so ȝong a body: so moche wit myȝt be. a noble toun was be-syde: þat heet tolesan; [ 35] [35 Ms. toselan.] þe bisschop þer-of het honorat: so ic ȝou telle can; ryȝt goodman he was of lyf: & gode mete-ȝeue also. honest radde firmyn: to þe bysschop for to go, ffor he myȝte of þe bysschop: moche good I-here [f. 202] wherþorw of cherche seruise: wel moche he myȝt lere. [ 40] to habben lore of holicherche: firmin granted þis, & of his fadir & his modir: he nome lewe I-wis— ffor þey weren boþe: þilke tyme alyue & hadde ioye & blisse: þat he wolde I-þryue. honest wrot a writ: þo of firmin-his stat [ 45] & sent it wel fayre: to þe bysschop honerat. þe bysschop hit ondirfeng: wit wel good wille, & tauȝt firmin swyþe wel: boþe loud & stille. al þat firmin of goodnesse herde: in his herte wel he cauȝte, & whan he myȝt ha whyle: to oþer he it tauȝte. [ 50] wit þe bysschop he him bar: so lef & so dere þat he was prest I-makid: wit-inne þe þridde ȝere. to more holy lyf he drouȝ: anon þer-after, firmine, & fondid euer fram sinne: him kepy pure and fine: [54 Ms. ā st. and.] for so moche he faste: & ek so moche he woke [ 55] & so moche penaunce: to his body he toke to kepy þat hit ne cholde: towardus synne wryȝe, þat hit was wel gret wondir: hou he hit myȝt duryȝe. [58 l. dryȝe.] as þe bysschop honorat: lay & slep be nyȝte, an aungel cam fram heuene: & seyde to hym wel ryȝte: [ 60] "honorat, Jhesu crist: me haueþ I-sent to þe to tellin þe somwhat: of þat his wille be. of firmin-his seruise: he haþ ondirstonde, [63 his überschr.] þer nys non þat him payeþ bet: nouþe in al þis londe; & for he be-ginneþ nyȝt & day: so wel on to take, [ 65] oure lord wille, wite hit wel,: þat þou him bysschop make. þer be-se þe tyme: whan hit may ben do, for þis is nouþe þe message: þat ic come þe to." honorat was glad & blyþe,: & ellis wondir it were, & gan to teche firmin: wel preueliche þo þere [ 70] þe seruise of bysschop: þat he ne wiste nouȝt er, & hou a bysschop him cholde bere: þat hadde gret power; þer nas noþing so preue: In bysschopus seruise þat he ne tauȝt to firmin,: & fayre gan him wise. & suþþe he made him bysschop: & ȝaf him gret honour [ 75] & makid him his soffragan: & in his stede prechour— & þat was for he was feble: & man of gret elde, & for him þouȝt þat he went: to prechy to selde. Suþþe deyde honorat: so we cholliþ echon, & firmin was in his stede: to bisschop I-chose anon. [ 80] Now geþ þe gode firmin: aboute to prechy faste, & fondeþ Jhesu cristus sede: for to sowin faste;

wel swyþe fast he preched: in eueriche a syde, & ne spareþ for no þing,: what him euer be-tyde. þerfore heþen men & ieuis: þey scornyd hym I-lome, [ 85] & seyde he cholde abuggin: whan eny iostise come. ac for here þretenyng: ne ȝef he ryȝt nouȝte, þat he ne dede to goodnes al: þat him fil in þouȝte. wel ȝe witeþ þe fend haþ: euer-more enuye to good men þat hem wit-drauiþ: fram sinne & folye; [ 90] & so he hadde to firmin: þat was his folle foo, for he nolde in none wise: þe fendis wil to do; þerfore þe heþen & þe geuis: here herte gan atende, þat hy gonne to þe emperour: al for firmin sende. dioclisyan me cleped: þe emperour al þo; [ 95] to chendin alle cristen men: gr(e)t wille he hadde so. to him þey sentin by lettre: hou þey to grounde weren I-brouȝt, & how þey ne moste for firmine: honoure þe godus nouȝt, & how he preched cristindome: in to alle þe londe & defouled here godis: & dede hem chame & chonde; [ 100] þerfore þey bedin þe emperour: he chold hem ondirstonde & send hem (a) iustise: to bringin hem of bonde. þe emperour was ny wode: þo he I-hurde þis, & þat it cholde amended be: his oþ he swor, I-wis; seuerin þe iustise: þedir he haueþ I-sent [ 105] [105 lat. Sebastian.] to bringe firmin of dawe: whan he were I-hent. þey firmin hadde many foon,: frendus he hadde some, þat him for to warny: beþ preuyliche I-come & seyde, "firmin, þou mys-dest: to prechy aȝen þe lawe, & þerfore we drediþ alle I-wis: lest þou worþ aslawe. [ 110] drawe þe nowþe, we rediþ,: in to oþer contre, so þat in þis londe: þou ne founde be; for witeþ wel to soþe,: ȝif þou ben of-take, oþir þou moste þy cristindom: opinliche forsake & to oure hy godus ek: sacrefise to don, [ 115] oþer wit pyne & torment: þe tit to deye anon. for we þe nolliþ non harme: þey we þe habbeþ I-tauȝte, & ȝif þe harm be-tydiþ,: firmin, ne wite vs nauȝte!" ffirmyn answerde & seyde,: "to god ich am I-dyȝt, he me helpe & rede: & ȝeue me strengþe & myȝt [ 120] for to don his wille & deye in his seruise; for ic ne chal of þis contre: to flen in none wise." wit þis ilke wordis: þe heþen beþ agon, & firmin gan opinliche: of crist prechi anon. seuerin þe iustise: I-hurd of þe prechinge, [ 125] & wit gret companye: þedir he gan þringe, & seyde, "hayl, schrewe,: for now þou art of-take, þou ne myȝt þy false lore: in none wise forsake. "bindiþ him," he seyde þo,: "& bringeþ him wit me, & ic him wol teche: to pleye an oþer gle! [ 130] wel ȝore he haþ I-rengned,: þerfore he is to blame, þerfore he ne chal nomore: don oure godus chame." ffaste þey him bounde anon: & ne spar(e)d nouȝt, & him wit þe iustise: hyȝ him habbeþ I-brouȝt to þe temple of appolin,: þat was þer-be-syde; [ 135] þe iustise & his companye: þer hy gon abyde.

"ffirmin," quaþ þe iustise,: "o þing ic þe telle: þou most don sacrefise to þere godus: anon—þat þou ne dwelle!— [138 þere in þese korr.] oþer me chal quikliche: þy foule prede alegge & after to smyte of þin hed: myd scharpe swerdus egge." [ 140] "syre iustise," quaþ firmin,: "þin wille þou myȝt do: to Jhesu crist ich am I-take: & wol ben euer-mo." "a, þef!" quaþ þe iustise: þo he I-herde þis, "smyteþ of his heued anon,: his ende is nyȝ, I-wis; ne chal he of Jhesu crist: prechy neuere-mo." [ 145] þe .viij. calendre of nouembre: þis goodman deyde so. [146 l. octobre.] nouȝ bidde we alle Jhesu crist: for loue of seint firmin, þat he vs chelde fram senne: & saue vs fram helle pin.

amen.

Seint Vital þe holy Marter. [cf. Ambros. exhort. ad virg. 1, 2 (geschr. 393 bei Einweihung der Kirche in Florenz, wohin die Reliquien von ihm gebracht waren). Eine eigene Vita ist nicht bekannt. In der Quelle ist Vital der Sklav, Agricola der Herr, in Bologna.] (4. Nov.) [f. 203]

Vital was a noble mon: In þe lond of rome, & hadde many bonde-men: þat of him lond nome; agricola het þat on,: so ic herde telle: he tornyd his lord Vital: to Jhesu swyþe snelle. cristin hy weren preuiliche—: oþer ne dorst hy nouȝt, [ 5] for þe pyne þat hy seyȝ: to cristin men I-brouȝt. On atyme so þey were (i-fere): & speke of cristindom, a knyȝt to spekin wit v(i)tal: by cas þer com; þe knyȝt stood wit-outen: a whyle & abode, & herede hem speke of Jhesu crist: as he wit-oute stode. [ 10] "A, manhound, þin ore!": he seyde, "hou geþ þis? þe emperour, be myn heued!: Ic wole it tellin, I-wis. ne chal here foule cristindom: so longe ben I-hudde, [13 Ms. cristindon.] & þorw me to þe emperour: hit chal ben wel I-cudde." Inne went he nouȝt þo: ac gan to wenden hom; [ 15] Moche he þouȝt on his wordis: þo he þedir com. to þe emperour he went: wel sone after þan, & seyde, "syre, lest to me,: syre dioclisian! for soþe of oþing: ic þe telle chal: a traytour is nouȝ in þin londe: þat is I-cleped vital, [ 20] & a traytour agricola is,: for he is vital-his bonde; [21 Ms. vatal.] oure godus þey haueþ forsake: & don hem chame & chonde. Noman it me tolde: to I-wite þis, ac wit myn oune eren: ic hit herde I-wis; In one preue chaumbre: as þey weren I-fere, [ 25] [25 i-fere fehlt.] Ic hem herde to Jhesu crist: maken here preyere; to oure god þey seyden: swyþe moche despit. þerfore, syre, þou lete hem neme: wit-outen eny respit!" þe emperour in wraþþe: hem let neme anon; so þat hy weren boþe: in hard preson doon. [ 30] & as hy leyen in here bedis: þer vppon a nyȝte, an aungel com from heuene: þat chon swyþe bryȝte; byfore þis twey holymen: wel fayre he gan stonde & cheued tweye crounus of golde: þat he bar in his honde;

he seyde, "þis ilke crounus: ȝe cholleþ habbe at þe laste, [ 35] ȝif ȝe holdin ȝou to crist: & beþ of hert stedefaste; a kingdom ȝe cholleþ haue: so hit falliþ þer-to, þer nys non soch in al þe world,: þat lastiþ euer-mo; no tonge ne may telle: ne herte ne may þenche [39 Ms. ne?] þe good þat me habbeþ þer: wit-outen any swenche; [ 40] here myrþe ne haueþ neuer ende: ac hit is euer newe. þerfore habbeþ nouȝ good day: & beþ nouȝ good & trewe!" wit (þat) ilke word anon: þe aungel wente a-weye. & þis men weren forþ I-brouȝt: amorwe þo hit was daye. þe emperour hem axid: hou þey hadden on I-take, [ 45] & for woche þing þey haddin: his goddus forsake; he bad hem to torne here þouȝt: er hy werin I-chent, for ellis þey choldin deye: wit sorwe & torment; he swor þer nas no torment: I-vsid in his londe vppon here flesch: þat þey ne choldin fonde, [ 50] but ȝif þey tornyd here þouȝt: & dede sacrefise to her godus ful of myȝt,: þey weren so noble & wise.

(Hier fehlt ein Passus, mitten im Texte.)

wit þat ilke word: vital him set a-kne & seyde, "lord Jhesu crist,: haue mercy on me! help me, ȝif þin wille be,: þat ic ne ben I-chent, [f. 203b] [ 55] & grante me þe croune: þat þou me hast I-sent, and ondirfong myn soule: for ic ne may libbe namore, for of þis gret torment: Ic am agast wel sore; for wite hit wel, leue lord,: Ic ne may hit þolye nouȝt. þerfore let me deye: þat ich ne chaungy my þouȝt." [ 60] wit þat ilke word: þe body fil to grounde, & þe soule to heuene wente: in þat ilke stounde. þo þe emperour I-sey: þat vital was ded so, he tok agricola þe tormentourus: þat þey him choldin slo, oþer to fondin in som wise: forto chaungy his þouȝt, [ 65] er þat he were: to chamful deþ I-brouȝt. agricola in his tyme was: mete-ȝeue swyþe gode: þe mayster of þe tormentourus: wel hit ondirstode & seyde, "leue agricola,: þy pine we cholliþ delaye, so þat in þin herte: al nyȝt þou myȝt asaye [ 70] & to oure almyȝty godus: don sacrefise to-morwe, & so þou myȝt ascapye: fram pine & fram sorwe." wit þat ilke word: in preson he was I-do; þe nyȝt me him radde Ilome: þe sacrefyse to do. amorwe he was forþ I-brouȝt,: & he here godus forsoke [ 75] & to oure lord Jhesu crist: clene he him be-toke. þe tormentourus him tok,: þo he I-seyde so, & vppon þe rode anon: þey him habbeþ I-do. tormentorus him helpe: to his deþ Inowe, wit oulus & wit crokus: his flesch hyȝ to-drowe. [ 80] as he hing on rode, he seyde,: "Jhesu ful of blisse, grant me þin ioye,: þer-of þat I ne mysse, & ondirfong my soule: ȝif hit þin wille be, & forȝeue hem þis gilt: þat doþ me soch filte!" wit þat ilke word: his soule to heuen wente. [ 85] þe tormentourus filliche: here bodyus boþe hyȝ chente & buried hem among iewis: In þe erþe swyþe lowe, so þat cristin men: þe bodyis ne cholden i-knowe. [88 i überschr.]

& þer þey leyȝe wl williche: Iburiid swyþe longe, & no cristin man it wiste: no ne myȝt hem ondirfonge. [ 90] [90 Ms. ondirstonde aus ondirstonge korr.] ambrosye þer was suþþe: a bysschop in þe stede, þat moche louede Jhesu crist: & gode dedus he dede. agricola com to him on a tyme: & seyde to him þis: "we ne beþ nouȝt for-ȝete: of Jhesu crist, I-wis, & þey we here in erþe: of þe for-ȝete be; [ 95] [95 & st. al.] for houre bodiis þou chalt honour,: I-wis, ic preye þe. þerfore wend to-morwe: anon so hit is day, to fecchen Vital & me,: fayr ic þe pray, & buriin vs in holicherche: as ryȝt hit is to done; for vnkendeliche we beþ I-put,: a-ȝen oure cristindome: [ 100] for in astede we beþ I-buriid: þat cristin ne chold vs wite, wit gret chreudenesse of hem-selue,: & litil is here byȝete." ambrosie wente sone anon: wit his companye, & þese twey bodyus wherin hy were: wel ȝerne he gan aspyȝe, [104 l. where.] & toke hem vp preuiliche: & beried hem in a cherche; [ 105] so as agricola him bed er: al þus he gan to wirche. ffor þus vital & agricola: here lyuus hy gonnen ende, nouȝ Jhesu for here beyre loue: grante vs to heuen wende.

amen.

Seint oswin þe king þe holy marter. [Voraus geht S. Mergrete in vierzeiligen Strophen, bereits früher im Archiv abgedruckt.—Über Oswin vgl. Beda III, 14, 24, woraus die Vita in Ms. Jul. A X Cott. (grösstenteils ed. für die Surtees Soc., Biogr. misc.) geschöpft ist; ver∣mehrt durch Translatio und Miracula; sie ist zur Zeit Stephans von einem Mönche von Tynemouth verfasst.] (20. Aug.) [f. 208]

In som tyme weren in ingelonde: kingus swyþe ryue, for, so ich finde in bok I-wrete,: at onus þer weren fyue, & euerich hadde his kindom: & al his pouer to welde, & moche werre was hem betwene: & pes swyþe selde— for ofte ȝe seþ þis I-wis,: pride, enuye & tresoun [ 5] sleþ wel many a gret lorde: & bringeþ hem adoun & dryueþ hem of londe: & doþ hem wel gret wo— for ofte to soþe hit is I-seye: þat þey fareþ so. for so was seint osewin: somtyme I-dreue by cas, þat after edwin-is day þe king: þat of norþhombirlond was. [ 10] [10 tilge þat; l. þat king of.] Edwin also, his fadir (em), was king of norþhombirlonde, [11 em fehlt?] wel ȝong he was out I-driue: him to chame & chonde: [(12. Oct.)] ffor ethilfrede (þat) þo: king of est-seþþe was, [13 Ms. echilfrende. l. est-sexe?] him drof of londe in ȝouþe: þo he wel litil was; his lond he sesid & his men,: his gold & ek his fe— [ 15] nede moste edwin þe ȝonge: þo of londe fle. to þe king redwald he fley: þat of þe marche (!) was þo boþe lord & syre,: & told him of his wo, how ethilfred him hadde: out of londe I-dreue, & bede þo þat he him cholde: som seruise to ȝeue. [ 20] þe king hadde reuþe: of þat þe child him tolde, & toke him to maystris: þat him techy cholde alle þing þat good were: so he ondirstode, so hit be-fil to teche a child: þat com of kingus blode. þe child he made ech day: byfore him ben In halle, [ 25] pore & riche him louedin: þat him kneuen alle; of strenþ, of cortesie: nadde he non per; so þat in a lyte whyle: he worþ a good bacheler. þo eþilfred I-hurde herof: þat was his fulle foo, him þouȝt, but edwin were I-chent,: his hert wol berst a-two. [ 30]

a ryche present of hors,: of cloþus of seluir & ek of golde he sente to þe king redewalde: & bed him þat he cholde edwin to him sende: þat was his folle foo, oþer in som wise: him let to deþe do. Redewald þonkid þe messageris: wit wel fayr chere, [ 35] & seyde, "ȝe motin al nyȝt: wit me to dwellin here; to-morwe ȝe cholleþ habbe answere: whan þat hit day Is." glad weren þe m(e)ssagerus: þo þey I-herde þis. oþer to slen or for to chende: þe childe he þouȝte þo, [39 chende st. sende?] ffor couetise of þe presaunt: þat me him brouȝt to. [ 40] Allas, wit-outin goddus wille: þat couetise was I-wrouȝt, ffor many a gultles man: to deþe hit haueþ I-brouȝt! for swyþe manye þer weren þo: of þe kingus wille [43 Ms. þat st. þer.] & raddin for his ryche present: edwin for to bystille. edwin wente to bedde: þo hit drouȝ to nyȝte— [ 45] bot if god him helpe,: wel wroþ men þ(e)nkeþ him dyȝte! Nadde he but a whyle I-leye: alle wit-outen doute, þat þer ne com a ȝong man: & clepid him þer oute; & preue he was wit þe king: & wiste al his þouȝte; of edwine he hadde reuþe: þat cholde to deþe ben I-brouȝte— [ 50] ffor þe king hadde I-sete longe: wit-outen eny fayle wit men þat to edwinus deþ: gon him to consayle. [52: Ms. þat gon.] "Edwin," quaþ þis ȝonge mon,: "com out anon to me!" "Ich am aredy," quaþ eduin, "lo me þer wit þe!" þis ȝong man gan wepe: þo edwin to him com, [ 55] & myldeliche anonryȝt: by þe hond him nom, "edwin," he seyde, "for soþ: ic habbe of þe pyte, for þou art of body I-nouȝ: stalworþ, gent & fre; & for we habbeþ so longe: to-gedir I-ben preue, þerfore ich am hedir I-come: for to warny þe [ 60] þat þou hast gret nede: of þis lond to fle, for r(e)dwald, my lord,: þencheþ þe to sle. & wite hit wel to soþe: for hit of-reuiþ me [63 for st. sor?] ȝif ic in eny wise: beter red couþe ȝeue to þe." "wostouȝ euer," quaþ edwin,: "wherfore hit is?" [ 65] "ȝe," quaþ þe oþer, "for þe presaunt: þat ȝistirday com I-wis." Edwin þo in þouȝte: a whyle stille stode, & suþ he seyde to his felawe: þat was so trewe & gode: "now god ful of myȝte,: felawe, forȝildin þe! hard hit were to abyde: in þis lond ded to be, [ 70] & ek swyþe gret chame: hennus for to fle whan þe king ne sede: neuer but god to me."

"A-byd," quaþ þis ȝong man,: "& in ic wole wende & herkeny wheyþer god vs wole: beter tyding vs sende." [74 l. tydingus?] in to a chaumbir he com: al wit-outen wene, [ 75] & herde wher þe king her-of: gan speke wit þe quene & here tolde word & ende: how hit choldin goo. whan þe quene I-hurde þis,: here was swyþe woo, & seyde, "leue swete syre,: hit is wel lite maystrye to lete slen eny of þin sergauns: for any-maner enuye, [ 80] & nameliche þat ilke man: þat þou hast forþ I-brouȝte; þer þat hy beþ treue I-now: ne mysdo hem nouȝte. [82 Ms. henn st. hem.] & wel þou wost, leue syre,: þo he com ferst to þe, he þe tolde how eþilfred: him maked of londe fle;

& þou him ondirfeng þo: to don him help & socour: [ 85] & for to brekin him forward: hit is gret deshonour, bot þou fondist eny gilt;: ac þou ne findist now non, for amonge alle þin men: trewer þer nys nouȝt on." alle þis seyde þe quene: & swyþe mochil more. so þat þe king here granted: to don after here lore, [ 90] & seyde, "me ne chal I-finde: neuer for no tresour þat ich to him oþer to eny oþer mon: wol ben eny treytour, & ic him wole helpe: his lond for to winne, & finde him al þat him ned is: fort he ben þer-inne. & for þou seist þat he naþ: of goodnesse no pere, [ 95] þan ich him wol louie: more þan ich dede ere." þe whil þe king & þe quene: toldin I-fere of þis, edwin seet & abode: his treue fere I-wis; vppon a ston he sate: in þouȝt al-one in route & loked est & weste: in ech syde aboute; [ 100] he lokid vp, he lokid doun: wit wel drery mode. þo seyȝ he w(h)ere a fayr ȝong man: at his feet stode & seyde to him, "what ertowȝ: þat sittist her alone In þis tyme of þe nyȝt: þat men abed beþ echone?" "what artow" quaþ edwin,: "þat spekest her to me? [ 105] go þy wey henne anon,: for loue ich bidde þe, for of me & my þouȝt: nastouȝ nouȝt to done." þe ȝonge man answerid: aȝen swyþe sone: "edwyn, þou ne chalt: for me þe wreþþy nouȝte; Ich wot why þou sittist her: & what þou hast I-þouȝte. [ 110] & ȝif þou wolt myn mede: sone me ȝildin aryȝt, ic þe wole tidingus telle: gode & þat aplyȝt. [112 Ms. for ic.] for on þing Ic þe telle: anone at þe frome: for þou chalt alle þin foon: ful neuelich ouercome, þou chalt ben king of gret honour: so ic þe telle may, [ 115] & þin honour chal wexin: her-after ech day; richesse ne chal þe lake: her-after neuer-mo." Edwin him answerde: & seyde to him þo: "ȝif þou me holde þis forward: þat þou hast ondirnome, euer, þe whil ich libbe,: þin man ich wil be-come, [ 120] alle þin wille ic wole don: wit-outen eny daunger." & wit þat ilke worde: he com edwin ner, his ryȝt hond he leyde: on edwins heued þo, & seyde, "whan þer comeþ aman: & þus deþ þe to, ondirstonde þe tokene: þat it comyþ fram me, [ 125] & do anon as þilke mon: wol wissin & redin þe." & edwin wit good wille: granted him al þis. wit þat word he nyste: wher þe oþer by-com, I-wis. þo ondirstode edwin: wel þat ilke steuen [129 Ms. ondirstodede.] was in a warnynge I-sent: fram þe king of heuen. [ 130] nadde he but a whyle I-sete,: þat his fere ne com & wit mylde wordus: wol fayre him ondir-nom. edwin to him sede,: "I-herd þou ouȝt of me?" þis oþer him answerde: & seyde, "parfey, ȝe. for go now to þin bedde: & dred þe ryȝt nouȝt, [ 135] for þe quene þorw here wordis: haþ chaungid þe kingus þouȝt. to-morwe þou chalt I-here: tellin of som þinge þat clene of al þin care: wel sone hit chal þe bringe." wit þilke word wel sone: þey partid atwo, & þo edwin: gan to his reste go. [ 140]

amorw me cleped þe messagerus: þat weren wel auenaunt; þe king (bed) hyȝ choldin þanke: here lord of his presaunt, & seyde, "edwin me haþ I-seruid: & is boþe good & treue, þerfore ȝif enymon him mysdede: hit wolde me sore reue; & þulke day for soþe: chal he neuer I-se [ 145] þat Ich edwin by-trayȝe: for noþing þat may be; ffor ic him wole helpe: to winne his kindom, þat ȝoure lord ethilfred: wit treson him by-nom." [148 Ms. echildred.] wit þis word þese messagerus: drery gonne hom wende. & þe king after edwin: wel louelich gan sende, [ 150] & seyde, "lo þis tresor her: ethil(f)red sent to me ffor ic þe scholde to him sende: oþer þe lete sle; [152 Ms. him st. þe.] & for þou hast in my seruise: euere so trewe I-be, Ich þe ȝiue þis tresour,: take hit anon to þe! ffor ic habbe I-conseylid: myd my quene, my wif, [ 155] & þorwȝ here bone ic granted: of þe to here þin lyf; & ic þe habbe I-granted: þorw here bone also þat ic ne chal, þe whylis ic libbe,: þe fayly neuer-mo, & in to þin owin kindom: ic þe wole bringe." anon edwin fil akne: þo he I-hurd þis tydinge, [ 160] & seyde, "god ful of myȝt: ȝild þe quene & þe of þe gret goodnesse: ȝe habbiþ I-þouȝt don me! for me þinkeþ I ne myȝte: habbe namore blisse þey ic hadde þe maystry of alle: þat in þe world nouȝ isse. & ȝif ic byde þe day: þat ic king moot be, [ 165] Ich wole by my myȝte: hit wel ȝildin þe." Now haþ þe king redwald: al his ost of-sente; vppon þe king ethilfred: anon hy beþ wente. þo þe day com of batayle: þat þey hadden I-sette, ethelfred & his men: weren so I-mette [ 170] wit redwald & his power,: þat in a lyte stounde ethelfred was I-slawe: & his men I-brouȝt to grounde. Edwin was I-mad king: in þat ilke londe, & eþilfredis sone: he drof awey wit chonde; [174 Ms. eþil∣fredis frendus sone.] for he ne fonde after noman: þat him wolde wit-stonde, [ 175] he entrid his oune eritage: þorwȝ grace of goddus sonde. ffor moche was þe blisse: þat edwin hadde þo— [177 tilge for?] for wel is him alyue: þat haþ wele after wo! ten ȝer he held him heþin: his kindom by cas, & ofte him þouȝt by his skele: þat þilke fey nouȝt nas, [ 180] & wolde swyþe fawe: to beter ben I-brouȝte; ac þer nas non þat wolde: of crist tellen ouȝte. & as hit drouȝ to þe myddil: of þe elleueþe ȝere, com pauline, an holy ermyte,: for to prechy þere; & as þe king in euerwik: gan a gret feste holde [ 185] of erlus & of barouns,: of knyȝtus þat werin bolde, paulin vppon þe kingus heued: his ryȝt hond he leyde, & to-fore þe bachilrye: þese wordus seyde: "þilke man þat dede þe þus: sente me to þe & bed þe holdin forward: & don after me." [ 190] þe king him answered,: "ic knoue þe swyþe wel of þat ilke tokin: þat þou me seyst ech del" & suþþe he toldin sone: to alle his compenye [193 Ms. to alle to alle.] þe treson of ethelfred,: & of þe gret enuye,

& þe forward þat he made: in his gret wo [ 195] þo he wende to soþe: to deþe ben I-do; "& al þing ic wol don: þat þis man me wol lere; alle þat him I-herid: granted his bone anon. "Ich wole ȝow segge," quaþ paulin,: "what ȝe cholliþ don: [f. 210] [ 200] Ic wole þat þou, syre king,: & alle þy kindom for þe loue of Jhesu crist: afong cristindom." & so þey dedin alle,: ic wot to soþe I-wis, In a water by-syde euerwike: þat glew Icleped is. & þe king mad paulin: erchebysschop þo [ 205] of þe toun of euerwyke,: & ȝaf gret londe þer-to. chast lyf he ladde: al wit-outen make, ne (had) non eyr of his body: þat his eritage myȝt take. .vij. ȝer he was cristene: in soch good lyue, & suþþe he wente toward his ende: to heueneward blyue. [ 210] ffor he loued wit his myȝte: god & holicherche & sauid pore men fram hem: þat harm hem wolle werche, þerto hadde þe deuil: swyþe gret enuy I-take— for so he haþ to ech goodman: þat wole him forsake. Cedwal & pende, twey outlawis,: þer com of ferne londe [ 215] & fonde edwin preuyliche: in his orisonys stonde: þey smetin of his heued: wit-outen Jugement as þeuus & robbourus,: & þennys þey beþ I-went. benicior, ethilfredis sone,: is þer-to nou I-come & haþ his fadir kindom: anon þer ondirnome; [ 220] [220 Ms. kindon.] for kingus sone he was: & hadde þat lond wit ryȝte, & for edwin þe king was ded: noman him werne myȝte. ac in edwin-his parte: of his owin eritage Ofrik me made king þer,: a man of gret parage. [224 l. Osrik.] Cedwald & pende wit gret pouer: com aȝen al bo [ 225] & slowin in þilke selue ȝer: þese kingus boþe-to. þe men of þe londe made: ofrik-his sone fle— oswine was his ryȝte name,: a child of gret bounte; swyþe ferre men him brouȝte: in to oncouþe contre— ffor ȝif he hadde atoom ben founde: aslawe he hadde be. [ 230] [230 Ms. attom?] Cedwald & pende to habbe þe londe: wel ȝerne þey habbeþ I-souȝte, & for þey were heþin: al hit was for nouȝte: for þe cristin kepten hem: in eche syde so þat þey made hem at þe nende: out of þe londe go. two ȝer was þe kingdom: I(n) swyþe harde fare, [ 235] wit-outen heued & king,: I-bounde in sorwe & care; Oswald, edwin-his sostirsone,: king þey made þo, for oswin, here kende lord,: of londe was I-go. ten ȝer rengnyd oswald,: good man & treue I-now; at þe laste þe king pende: wit treson him slow. [ 240]

And þo com þe men of þe londe: & tok conseyl anon, & sentin after oswin: so þey auȝten to doon; þey him made here king,: for ryȝt þey hadde þer-to. oswin by-com a noble man & ryche,: & swyþe large also, & drow to alle goodnesse: so ich ȝow telle can, [ 245] þorw þe red of a bysschop,: me clepid him syre aydan—

Inn alle þe lond aboute: me nyste aydanus per [247 Ms. aydannus.] of holinesse ne of liue,: noþer a beter conseyler. so moche haþ oswin þe king: by his red I-wrouȝt þat he haþ al his kindom: in good pes I-brouȝt. [ 250] .vij. ȝer he rengnyd in wele,: in ioye & ek in pes; of alle goodnesse in his londe: gret plente þer wes, of wisnesse & of myls I-nouȝ: euer forþ he drowȝ, [253 of st. to?] & to stronge men & onkeþe: large he was I-nowȝ. þerfore of his goodnesse: his frendus weren wel proute, [ 255] & alle men him louede: þat woned þer-aboute. bote his on kinnus-man: þat het king oswy, he hated moche þe king oswin,: & ic ȝou telle why: for he was oswaldus broþer: þat raþer þer king was, & desirid to habbe þe kingdom: ȝif he myȝt habbe by cas. [ 260] þerfore oswin-his goodnes: to him was swyþe wo; for he wolde swyþe fayn: þat he were to deþe I-do.

Hit be-fil on a tyme: þat þe gode seint aydan wente afote to prechin: so ic ȝou telle can. þe gode king oswin þer-of: hadde gret pyte þo [ 265] þat þis gode holyman: scholde afote gon so: he let fecche a noble hors,: & seyde, "ic ȝeue þis þe; þou ryde þer-on & kep hit wel: for þe loue of me!" þis holy bysschop aydan: her-of was wel blyþe, & for his fayre ȝifte: þonked þe king swyþe. [ 270] þe hors he rod forþ a whyle: so ich ȝou telle can: so þat in þe wey: he mette a pore man, & him bad an almesse: wit wel drery mode. þe bysschop him ȝaf þat hors: þat was so fayr & gode. sum þat þer were: þey wondrid of þis þing [ 275] & tornyd aȝen hasteliche: & toldin hit þe king. þo þe king hit wiste,: he was a-gramyd wel sore; ac he ne seyde but lyte,: þey he þouȝt þe more. ac þo þe holy bysschop com: to þe king a-ȝe, þe king seyde, "wher is þat hors: þat ic er ȝaf to þe?" [ 280] þe bysschof him answered,: "al-so mot ic leue, to a pore man for goddus loue: þe hors ic habbe I-ȝeue." "Ic wene wel," quaþ þe king: wit-oute eny respiit, "of me & my ȝifte: þat þou tellist despit; by þe ȝifte hit is I-sene: also þencheþ me. [ 285] I-wiþ, me rueþ ȝif ic habbe: of-seruid so to þe." [286 so aus of korr.] "be stille, syre, for goddus loue,": þe bisschop seyde þo, "Ic hit ȝaf for goddus loue: þat alle þing may do; for more ic louie goddus sone: þat is of heuen king, þan ich loue a marus sone: þat ne can no þing." [ 290] [290 Ms. amarus.] þe king anon after þis: his wey an honting nam; & swyþe him gan repenty: þat he to him so cam, to ondirneme þe bysschop: of his goodnesse so; [293 Ms. ondirnome.] for him þouȝt to soþe: þat he hadde mysdo. þerfore, þo he hom com,: to þe bysschop he him set a-kne [ 295] & seyde, "ich crye þe mercy,: my gilt for-ȝeue þou me! Ic am a-knowe þat ic whyl-er: þe wit-nom amys." fful blyþe was þe bysschop: þo he I-hurde al þis! þe bysschop him tok vp by þe honde: & þe gilt for-ȝaf anon, & ȝaf him penaunce þo: of þat he hadde mys-don. [ 300]

& suþþe þey wenten to þe mete: & madin glade chere; þe king gladid þe bysschop: swyþe in his manere. & þe bysschop þouȝte moche: & ofte syȝte I-wys, þey me makid aboute him: moche ioye & blys; so moche þouȝte þe bysschop: þat he gan to wepe sore. [ 305] a clerke þat hit I-sey: ne myȝte dwellin namore, [306 Ms. euerich st. a.] To þe bysschop he seyde an ernys,: "for goddus loue tel me, [f. 211] why þat þou so mornys: & why þy weping be." "Certis," quaþ þe bysschop an yrischs,: "Ic wepe for þis king, [309 Ms. þing st. king.] þat neuen chal I-martrid ben: & drawe to his ending. [ 310] for þer beþ men nouȝt worþy: þat (he) here king chal be. & þerfore ic wepe sore, I-wis,: & ich hit segge þe." þe clerk hit tolde afterward: to many in preuyte, [313 hit aus his korr.] þat nolde hit nouȝt I-leue: fort hy hit myȝt se. ac þo hit fil to þe tyme: þat þe king oswy, [ 315] þat euer hadde by his myȝte: I-ben oswin-his enemy, he let asembly a gret ost—: a-corsid be euer eneuye!— to winne oswin-his kingdom: wit batayle & maystrie. & oswin gan to gadry also: gret ost in his syde, þat to libbe & to deye: wit him þey woldin abyde. [ 320] Oswin wente wit his ost: to wilsares-doune, & wit him erlus & barouns: & lordus of many a tounne. þe king let arenge his folk,: & sey þe cheualrye, & wel him payde þo he syȝ: þe fayr companye. In his herte he be-gan: him to þenche anon [ 325] þat harm hit were to lete: þe ostus to-gedere gon, for wel him þouȝte þer cholde: many in þilke plawe, mony in eyþer syde: ben I-wounded & I-clawe, & mony in lyf & soule: þer cholde ben forlore; [329 Ms. þat st. þer.] good him þouȝte to wit-drawe: þe batayle þer-fore. [ 330] & to his men he seyde,: "lesteneþ nouȝ to me! [331 Ms. mem.] ȝoure wil & ȝoure goodnes: swiþe wel Ic I-se, þat ȝe beþ a-redey: wit me to ben alle dede, & god it ȝou for-ȝilde: in ȝoure meste nede! ac if it were ȝoure wille: to don be myne rede, [ 335] Ic hopy in þis batayle: we cholliþ þe bet spede.

Moche wondir it were, me þinkeþ,: among þus many men but many hadde on eyþer syde: boþe frende & ken, & ȝif þe sone slouh þe fadir: for þe loue of me, oþer þe broþer slouȝ þat oþer,: me þinkeþ hit were gret pyte, [ 340] [340 Ms. it hit.] & for to winne al þe world: ic ne kepte hit nouȝt; þan ic hadde þis kingdom: al to dere I-bouȝt. þerfore ȝe cholleþ, lordingus alle,: wendin hom a-ȝen, & ic hote ȝou, to þe king oswy: þat ȝe trewe ben, & doþ to him þe seruyse: þat him falliþ aryȝt! [ 345] nelle ic habbe noman wit me: (but) tondere my knyȝt, [346 Ms. condere.] for he me haþ I-seruid wel: bode day & nyȝt— [347 Ms. me me; l. boþe.] so dede tyfle, his fadir,: my fadir euer by his myȝt." Alle þat þis I-herde: & him louid so, wel sore þey gonne wepe,: for hem was swyþe wo, [ 350] & many ne myȝt longe: a word to him speke, ac hem þouȝt for sorwe: here hertus wolde to-breke;

monie fillin a-swowe: & mony gradde & syȝte, [353 Ms. greadde.] & þus to him sede: þo þey speke myȝte:

"Alas, kende king I-core,: oswin, why seistouȝ so? [ 355] to libbin & to deyin: wit þe we williþ go; for wel we wistin ȝore: þat oswi was þin fo, [357 Ms. oswin.] & þerfore þou chalt ben a-wreke: & he to deþe I-do. & ondirstonde, so we now doþ, þat þou hast wit þe ryȝte, & ne forsake þou vs neuere,: & don þin-self in fyȝte! [ 360] for we nete what to don: whan þou vs hast I-bleued, we moot fare so a ded body: þat is wit-outen heued." "Doþ a-wey," quaþ oswin,: "ȝe spekeþ aboute nouȝte; ffor ic nel neuer at þe reed: ben to manslauȝte." forþ fram hem þo he wente: wit his knyȝt wel stille, [ 365] & let echman in his weye: wendin to his wille. & myldeliche he wente: to a knyȝtus maner, nadde he noman myd him: but his knyȝt tonder; hunwalde was þe erlus name,: oswyus man wit ryȝte: [369 Ms. oswynus.] þer hy gonne alyȝt anon: to dwellin þer al nyȝte. [ 370] humwald him answerde,: "wel-come mot ȝe be! me þinkiþ swyþe gret honour: ȝe habbiþ I-cheued me; for more ne myȝte ȝe chewin: þey ȝe were my broþer, whan ȝe beþ to me hedir I-come: & forsake ech oþer. wit me ȝe cholle dwellen her: whyle ȝoure wille be, [ 375] & ic ȝow wille finde Inow: to ȝoure wille plente; & wite hit wel, syre oswin,: þat ic chil so kepe þe þat noman alyue: chal wite wher þou be." Oswin him þonkid fayre: of his gode by-heste. at þe soper men hem seruid: so hy weren at feste. [ 380] & þo þey hadde soupid: & werin to bedde y-gon, hunwald to þe king osw(y): gan to wende anon; wel myldeliche he sede,: "þow lest to me, oswy! at myn maner lyþ to-nyȝt: oswin, þin enemy; & ȝif þou wilt don þy wille: & of him awreke be, [ 385] hom to myn hous sende: a compenye wit me, [386 Ms. wende: & a.] & þer þey mowin for soþe: anon-ryȝt him finde; & cheseþ wheyþer ȝe wolliþ him a-sle: oþer him binde." "homwald," quaþ oswy anon: "ic se þou louist me, & ȝif ic se my tyme,: ic wole hit ȝilde þe." [ 390] Oswy let clepy his stewar(d): þat het ethelwin— [391 Ms. echelwin.] swyþe ny he was I-sibbe: to þe king oswin— he seyde, "wend wit hunwald: & nyme pouer wit þe, [393 Ms. himwald.] & my foman oswin: ic hote þat ȝe sle, & loke þat for noþing: þat hit ne be by-leued [ 395] þat þou anon to-morwe: ne bringe me his heued!"

"Syre, mercy," quaþ ethilwin,: "how chal ic hit do, so ny so we deþ by sibbe—: þou wost þat hit is so." "Ic leue wel," quaþ oswy, "þey þou be my steward, þat þou be boþe wikkid & fals: & in nede coward. [ 400] ac, be þe fey þat ic oue to god,: nouþe ic swerye þe: bute þou bringe me his heued,: an-hangid þou chalt be. ffor wel þou wost þat þou art: myne ouen lege-man, & þerfore þou chalt holdin þin oþ: so ic þe telle can; to libbin & to deyȝin: wit me þou chalt be, [ 405] [405 Ms. deyȝen?] oþer þou art a traytour: & so me chal proue þe.

& þerfore þou most nedus: on oure arende wende [407 Ms. areende.] & bringe me his heuid,: ȝif þou ben trewe & hende; & ȝif þou wende in þy wey: & as a traytour flee, I-lore þou hast wif & childe,: golde, seluer & fee, [ 410] & þin-self þou most make: of my lond fleme. & perfore wende wit hunwalde: & to þin erand tak ȝeme; to kinne ne to oþer loue: ne take þou ȝeme nouȝt þat oswin, myn enemy,: ne be to deþe I-brouȝt!" "alas," quaþ ethilwin,: "þat nede hic mot forþ gon [ 415] [415 Ms. hit.] oþer ben I-chent for euer—; oþer help nys þer non. ac of god ich take witnesse,: þat is on god & personus þre, þat þis foule tresoun: is nouȝt I-long on me, ac hit is al on homwald: þat is in place þisse. [419 Ms. his.] now Jhesu awreke oswin,: þat is king ful of blisse!" [ 420] fforþ þey wentin I-fere þo: homwald & ethilwin, wit gret companye,: & alle þretenyd oswin. þo þey come to þe hous: þer oswin þe king lay, þe sonne be-gan aryse: & hit was lyȝt of day. þanne seyde ethilwhin,: "syre king, þou most aryse, [ 425] for we beþ to þe hedir I-sent: to sle þe in alle wise; hunwald, þat fayr semblaunt: makid þe to-nyȝte, to oswy þe haþ be-trayid,: þey hit ben vn-ryȝte." "ȝif hit is soþ," quaþ oswin,: "I-wis hit reueþ me, ffor ic nabbe (ȝou) noþing my(s)do: þat ȝe chollyþ me sle, [ 430] ne ȝoure lord oswy,: þat ic wot neuer-þe-mo. þerfore let tonder, my knyȝt,: hennus alyue go."

"Alas, gentil king oswin,": quaþ tonder, "why seystou so? I-wis, we wolliþ I-fere: deyin alle bo; ne challe me neuer her-after: in courte at-wyte me [ 435] þat þou ben aslawe her: & I as a couard fle; ac, also ich was in þe wele: to þe trewe of-take, [437 Ms. treewe.] Ic nele in þin ending-day: neuere þe forsake." wit þis ilke word: þey kistin hem I-fere, þe holy king oswin: & his knyȝt tondere, [ 440] & wit good wille: went out to here foon; þat smetin of here heuedin: wit charpe swerdus anon. swyþe glad was oswy: þo he wiste þis; & his quene was sory: & seyde he dede amys. he let bere here bodyis: to tenemouþe anon— [ 445] þer was anoble cherche I-made: of lim & of ston: here bodyis me beried þere: wit wel gret honour; & suþþe mony man þorw hem: þer hadden socour. .vj. hondrid & on and fyfty: þat he þolid martirdom [449 þat st. þus?] after þat Jhesu of his modir: flesch & blood for vs nom. [ 450] two heþen men þer com suþþe: ful of felonye, Y(ng)ware & Vbbe were here namys,: wit here compenye, [452 Ms. Yware.] hy destroydin al þe londe: & for-brende also cherchis, housis & abbeyis: þat þey myȝten of-go; seint edmond þe king þey slowe: þat very marter is. [ 455] so þat þe king oswin: was ny for-ȝete, I-wis— for heþen were alle men: þat cherchis adoun þey þrowe. .xxx. w(i)nter & more: þer nold noman crist I-knowe. ac suþþe, þo god sent tyme,: þorw his holy grace cristin men þer come: & woned in þe selue place; [ 460]

þe cherchus þey ryȝtin: þat er to-brokin were— ac þo þe holy marter oswin: al þey for-ȝeten þere. þo he hadde þer I-leye: an hondrid ȝer wel nyȝ, a monke þat wonyd in þe stede,: þat was queinte & slyȝ, moche he was in þilke stede—: edmonde was his name— [ 465] & alle men him louid: for his holy fame. An holy bysschop þer was ek: þo in a contre, dacian was his ryȝte name: so þe bok telliþ me; tosty me cleped þe erle: þat welde þe contrey þo, & þe contesse iuette: me clepid his wif also. [ 470] Of swyþe holy lyue: þis men weren echon: þerfore god wold in here tyme: to oswin honour don. as edmond on anyȝt: on his bed lay by cas in þe selue cherche: þer oswin I-beriid was, wel merye he fil aslepe: be-twene day & nyȝt. [ 475] him þouȝt þat a king: by him stood vpryȝt, to him he seyde, "edmond, a-wake!: a-wak, edmond, nowȝ!" [477 Ms. anowȝ mit durchstr. a.] & edmond him answerde,: "syre, who artowȝ? Ic not neuere what þou ert: no what þy wille be." þe oþer answerde sone,: "ic was lord of þis contre, [ 480] oswin was my ryȝt name,: for soþe ic segge þe; hunwald me by-trayid: & slouȝ wit gret vilte. [482 Ms. himwald.] for ic deyde for goddus loue: & wit-oute desert al-so, [483 Ms. deserst.] god wille þat ich ben vp I-nome: & in chryne I-do. þerfore wend to-morwe erliche: to þe bysschop dacian [ 485] & seye þat to him þe sent: þe king oswin, þe good man, & sey þat god wille þat he my body: out of þe erþe arere, & bid him sende to þe erl tosty: & to Iuette, his fere, þat þey come hasteliche: þis dede for to do; for þe goodnesse of here lif: ic wole þat hit ben so." [ 490] a-morwe wente þis holy monk: as seint oswin him bade, & tolde þis þe bysschop,: þat was þerfore wel glade; þe erl & his contesse: weren wel glade also. so þat seint oswin was hasteliche: in to chryne I-do. þanne seyde þe leuedy: to þe bysschop dacian: [ 495] "Ic þe bidde, ȝeue me somþinge: of þis holy man!" þe bysschop granted here bone,: þat hit nas nouȝt be-leued, & ȝaf here anon-ryȝt: an ere of his heued. þey wond it In a fayr cloþ: & leyd it in þe fere. Of a fayr merakle herof: ȝe mowin nouþe I-here: [ 500] whan þe fer was al I-brend: & to ayȝhin I-go, [501 = ashin.] þe ere me fonde hool & sounde,: & þe cloþ al-so. þerfore þe leuedy hit honourid: & kept it for drurye, & as a noble relike: hit dede in tresorye.

Roberd seþþe de moumbray: lord & syre was þere, [ 505] & let in honour of seint oswin: a pryerye þer a-rere; blake monkus he dede þer: of seint Albonus þo, & grete londus & rentus: him-self he ȝaf þer-to; þere þey seruid Jhesu crist: boþe day & nyȝt. now god for seint oswinus loue: vs grante to libbe aryȝt, [ 510] þat we after oure ending: mot to him come & wende to þe ioye: þer þat he doþ wone.

amen.

Seint ihon & seint poul, twey breþerin of rome. [cf. Vita in Act. SS. Boll. 26 Juni.] (26. Juni) [f. 216]

Ihon & poul breþerin were: in þe borwȝ of rome; þe modir het costaunce: þorw whom hy to þis world come. Julian þe leþer emperour: þat whylom cristin was & suþþe forsok his cristindom: for worldus blisse, allas, þis iulian in his ȝouþe: I-cudde moche of clergye, [ 5] & at þe ende he it forsok: & tornyd to eresye— ffor wille to habben worldus gode: he forsok cristindome & becom al pure heþin,: & emperour by-come. of cristin men godus he nom: & made hem pore to be. who-so speke to him þer-of,: he answerid by autorite: [ 10] "here god seyþ in here lawe,: 'who-so wil my desiple be, [11 Ms. eny st. my.] he mot forsake al þat he haþ: & suþ to sewy me': cristinmen godis ich take: I-wis for þat ilke sawe, [13 Ms. cristinnen.] for þey choldin þe bettere: to holdin vp here lawe." [14 Ms. vs. st. up.] ac þis nas non afeccioun: ac al a couetyse, [ 15] þorwȝ red of þe deuel: þat touȝt him þis enprise. þis Jhon & ek poul: of whom ic toldin ere, of þe beste men of rome: I-comen þey were. Julian after hem sente: wit him for to be, & sente to hem letteris: wit messagerus wel fre. [ 20] þis childrin answered þese messageris: & seyde to hem w(e)l sone: þat þey nadde wit þe emperour: noþing for to done, "& þerfore gret wel þe emperour: & seggeþ to him Iwis, we nyllyþ nouȝt to him come,: for we ne beþ none of his. for clerk he was, a cristene ek: & þat he haþ forsake, [ 25] & ek al cristin menne,: & to þe deuelis I-take; [26 Ms. to to.] & suþþe he haþ forsake: þe cristindom & vs, we her him euer forsakiþ: & take vs to swete Jesus." þe messagerus to þe emperour: þey habbiþ I-told al þis, hou þey nelleþ nouȝt to him come: for none þing I-wis, [ 30] "& þat is for þu haste: þy religion forsake & to þe worldis honour: þou hast al þe be-take."

Þe emperour gan to syke: & to hem seyde þo: "Ic nabbe in falss religioun: myne wille Ido, ac, I-wis, ic ondirs(t)onde: þat tyme was for-lore, [ 35] Ich me tornyd þo to þe world: Ic tellin ȝou wherfore: ffor ic ne fond in clergye: but al idil þouȝte & moche treson & tene: þat ne helpeþ nouȝte. to knyȝtchipe ic me drouȝ: so ȝe mowin I-se, þat me haþ I-wis I-brouȝt: to gret dingnete, [ 40] ffor wel ȝe witiþ ic wilde: al þis emperie þorw strengþe of knyȝtchipe: & nouȝt þorwȝ clergye. þerfore wendeþ ȝit aȝen: biddeþ hem come to me, þat þey mowe libbe in wele: & in iolifte, for hit fil þat soche men: þat were of soche kinne [ 45] werin wit me in my paleys: & nouȝt hem holdin henne. & suþþe ȝe mouȝ hem sege,: (ȝif) þey ne comyþ to me & despisit myne heste: þat ne cholde despisid be, Ic wole neme wreche on hem: þorw skylle & lawe also ic cholde of myn foon,: & bringen hem of dawe." [ 50] þe messagerus beþ forþ I-went: & habbeþ I-told al þis, þat þe emperour hem haþ I-hote: of swyþe mochil blis, [52 Ms. & st. þat.]

so þat þey choldin wit good wille: to him comyn anon. þe oþer answered þat þey nolde: neuer to him come ne go, no to his paleys wende: noþer him honour to don [ 55] noþer him good wille,: but euer to ben his foon. þe messagerus wente: & tolde þe emperour how þey naddin nouȝt I-spedde: for alle here labour. þan seyde þe emperour,: "Ic ȝeue hem dayis ten ȝif þey wolliþ amenden hem,: for þan hit chal be sen; [ 60] & bot þey wolliþ be þilke tyme: come here to me, þan ic may wit-outen blame: of hem awrekin be." [62 Ms. & þan.] sen Jhon & seint poul: nom þo here godus echon & amongus pore men: þey deled to hem anon; [64 tilge to.] & gonne hem to Jhesu crist: In alle maner dyȝte [ 65] & dispisid day & nyȝt: þe emperourus myȝte. þe elleueþe day þe emperour: senten torencian [67 l. Terencian.] wit an image of golde—: for he was a gentil man— & þat þey choldin don honour: to þis Image of golde [69 þat st. bad.] & comen þerafter to þe emperour,: ȝif þat þey wolde. [ 70] þis goodmen hem answered anon,: þey nolde non onour do to þat ilke image: no neuer to þe emperour go; "& ȝif iulian is þy lord,: wit him haue pes & griþ so auȝten euerich treue lordus-man: habben his lord wiþ; & witeþ hit wel þat oure lord: is Jhesu crist al-one, [ 75] for oþer pes þan wit him: nolle we habbe none." Tirincian let diggy: a pit al in þe grounde, & het castin þis good men: þer-in wel faste I-bounde. seue dayis wit-oute mete: in þe pit þey were, & suþþe at þe ende: þey were be-heuedid þere; [ 80] after þat me castin: þe erþe hem vppon, so þat here bodyus neuer nere: I-foundin of nomon.

A werre by-fil þat ilke tyme,: so ofte doþ by cas, be-twene þe king of percie: & þe emperour þat þo was: & þedir wente þis iulian: so ryȝt was & lawe, [ 85] & as godus wille was: þer-in he was aslawe. his soule wente to helle—: god wiste hit was ryȝte, þat he hadde on erþe Ido: þat he þer finde myȝte! þe empyre hem nom to rede: to chese hem an emperour þat choldin ben here heued: & weldin al þe honour. [ 90] Innouimian he was I-hote: þat þo I-chose was. [91 l. Jouinian.] for he was a good cristin man: so god ȝef þe cas, holycherche he let ondo: þat er was faste Isteke, & louid moche þe men: þat wolde of Jhesu crist speke. seke men þat come: in to þe house þo [ 95] þer seint Jhon & seint poul: weren to deþe I-do, anon þey haddin hele þorwȝ: Jhesu cristus myȝt. þerfore men þat weren syke: þedir me gon hem dyȝt. & men þat weren wode: & leyin I-bounde þere, þorwȝ þe deuelis myȝte: þat þo in hem were [ 100] hy gonne to crie grislich: & cheuid wit gret soun of seint Jhon & seint poul: þe holy passioun. A sone he hadde in þilke tyme,: þat ilke tirincian þat let þis men don to deþe: & mony an oþer man; wit þe fend he was I-chake: & þolid wel mochil wo. [ 105] In to þis hous he was I-brouȝt: þorw his frendus þo.

þe deuil þat in him was: wel loude grede gan: "ȝoure orisonys me brennyþ: & makeþ me ful wan." Tirincian knelid & seyde,: "Jhesu ful of myȝte, þat hast I-maked cristindom: to mankinne wel ryȝte, [ 110] wel þou wost þat ich: emperour (!) habbe I-be: [111 l. þe emperours man?] þerfore, leue lord,: mercy Ic crye þe, for-ȝeue me myne mysdedus: & helpe sende my sone, þorwȝ þe deuelis pouer: þat þus is me by-nome: [114 Ms. & þorwȝ.] & ich wole her-after: for euer to seruy þe." [ 115] wit þis word þe deuil: awey he gan to fle. tyrincian for þis dede: to him gret ioye he nome; so þat he & ek his sone: afeng þo cristindome. þe .vij. calendre of Julie: þis cas fel, I-wis. nowȝ Jhesu þorw here bonys: vs grante heuen-blis.

amen.

Seint lion þe pope þe ȝonge. (28. Juni)

Þis lyon 'þe ȝonge': In holywrit I-cleped is, In rome he was pope,: ic ot to soþe I-wis; In cicile he was I-bore: so god ȝef þe cas, [3 Ms. citule.] poul, a good cristin man,: his fadir I-cleped was. pope lyon was ten monþus: & ek .xvij. dawes. [ 5] wel moche he him peynyd: to hold vp cristus lawes. þe syxte cene he held I-wis: þat ferst was I-mad in rome; [7 held aus made korr.] wel moche was þe clergye: þat þedir by-fore him come. þere weren I-dampnyd manyon,: Ic wot wit-outen fayle, & for here ersye to deþe I-don: þorwȝ comyn consayle: [ 10] Matharus & cirus,: cergius & honorisius also, [11 l. Macarius.] pule, pire & petre, politronius: & ek mo, [12 Pyrrhus; Polychronius.] steuen & ek symond: werin I-dampnid after þan— þese weren þe clerkis: so ich ȝou tellin can, [14 Ms. werein.] þat aȝen þe wille: þey gonne speke þo [ 15] [15 Ms. by.le (ein Buchstabe ausradiert).] & seyde þat al myȝt was: in crist & namo. þe pope lyon seyde: þat it nas nouȝt so, ac in alle cristin workis (?): þer were kendus to: [18 Ms. wolkis.] by þat on me ondirstant: þat he al man is, & ek by þat oþer: þat he is god, I-wis— [ 20] þerby þe pope cheued men: boþe fer & nere, þat Jhesu was boþe god & man: & nadde to him no pere. þe oþer hit witseyde: euer wit alle here myȝte, ac þe pope hem ouer-come: so he chold wit ryȝte. þerfore þey weren I-dampnyd: & þorwȝ ryȝt I-slaue, [ 25] for þey weren aboute: to chende þe ryȝte lawe. In his tyme also: þer fil a wondir cas, vppon a cher-þorsday: forsoþe by-gon it was: þe mone be-com as red as blood: & les his lyȝt also, [29 Ms. ar sed.] from þe tyme of euesong: fort kok-croue was I-do. [ 30] moche wondir hadde þis folk: þat I-seyȝ al þis, for suþþe god deyde on þe rode: hit nas I-seye, I-wis. þe .xvij. daye it was: þat þis cas by-fille In þe ginnyn(g) of þe monþe: me clepeþ auerille. Prestis he makid nyne: & þer-to dekenus þre, [ 35] & bysschopis .xxiij. & two (!): so þe bok nouȝ telleþ me.

.xij. monþus & two & twenty dayis: after þat he was dede, wel ic woot þat rome was: þo wit-outen hede. þus sen lyon þe pope: his lyf he gan ende & to þe blis of heuene: þer-after gan to wende. [ 40] Jhesu crist in heuene: vs grante þedir to go to þe blis of paradis: þat lastiþ euer-mo.

amen.

Seint marius & his vif & his to sonis. [Die Acta in Act. SS. Boll. 19 Jan. weichen sehr ab.] (19. Jan.)

Marius was a good man,: fram capadosye I-come wit his wif & his to sonys: to þe borw of rome; Martha was his good wif: ic wot me cleped þo, [3 tilge was.] audifax & abacuk: his sonys hyȝten bo. claudius was emperour: in þat ilke tyme. [ 5] þis folke comyn to rome: to se þe gret pyne þat þe martiris soffrin: for Jhesu cristus lore. [7 Ms. & þat; l. soffrid.] þo þey hem I-seye: it greued hem wel sore; about þey wentin echon: þorw-out al þe toun & ȝef of here gode to hem: þat were þo in presoun. [ 10] for swyþe ryche þey were: & hadden moche moneye, þat þey wit hem brouȝte: out of here contreye. þerof þey partid aboute: to hem þat haued nede, for þey hopid þerfore: In heuen to fong gret mede. a water goþ in rome: þat tibre I-hotin is; [ 15] [15 Ms. tobye.] þerby to a fayr castel: þis folke comyn I-wis: a man hy founden þere: þat me clepid quirine, þat in preson for cristus loue: he þolid moche pyne; In hongir & in oþer pyne: he þolid wel mochil wo, þat wel ny his lyf-dawis: weren alle a-go. [ 20] Marius fond þis man: in sorwe & in care: wit his wif & his childrin: he gan to dwellin þare; Eyȝte dayis folle: he wissche his woundus echon & his feet also ek: þat myd sorwe weren by-gon; alle þat him nede was: þis goodman him founde, [ 25] & bed him neme good comfort: hit nolde dure but a stounde. Claudius in þilke tyme: sente by his sonde to eche cristene man þat were I-founde: owher in his londe, [28 tilge to; Ms. cristeme.] þat hasteliche anon: þey weren to deþe I-brouȝt; al his men he hyȝte: þat þey ne spared nouȝt. [ 30] By þe wey of salarye: cristinmen me fonde þat were þedir I-sent: for to deluen sonde, [f. 218] þere for to libbe here lif: In hongir & in hete & wit swink & sorwe: to winnyn here mete. CC. & fourty: to-gedir me fonde þere; [ 35] out of þe toun me ladde: hem euerichon I-fere, me bonde hem to stokkes: & gonnyn to hem chete, [37 Ms. stokkeus.] & so me hem made: echon here lif lete. þo hy werin dede,: a fer me gan to make & woldin hem forbrenne: for cristinmennus sake: [ 40] & marius & marta: þedir hy gonne to go, audifax & abacuk: þedir comyn also: to men þat hem holpe: þey ȝeuen wel god here, & drou hem al faste: out al of þe fere;

hem hi beriid quikliche: wel dep ondir molde, [ 45] þat þe heþin men to hem: come neuer ne cholde. [Nach 46 fehlt ein Passus?] To claudius me tolde,: þat þe emperour was, [47 Ms. dioclisian.] þat marius & his childrin: hadde I-don soch a cas. "nemeþ hem quik," he seyde,: "& to me ȝe hem bringe: of hem ich wele þat soþe I-wite: of þis ilke þinge. [ 50] & ȝif þey williþ honoury: mahound þat is so fre, alle here grete trespas: chal for-ȝeue be." wit þis ilke word: me nom hem alle foure [53 Ms. he st. me.] & brouȝt hem to þe emperour: þer he was in his toure. he bed to hem honoury mahound;: & þey seyde þat þey nolde, [ 55] þey he hem wolde ȝeue: an hondrid pound of golde. To myssian þe vecory: þey were be-take anon, [57 lat. Muscianus vicarius.] þat he hem cholde make: here sacrefise to don. mysyan hem seyde,: "ȝe seme men of gret honour, wite ȝe ouȝt of þe heste: þat to me sent þe emperour?" [ 60] audifax answerde,: "for we þe segge nay." "for ich ȝou wolle," quaþ myssian,: "tellen ȝou so ich may. þe emperour haþ I-hote: alle men ondir his honde þat þey honourid his mahound: þat I-founde were in his londe. for of non oþer lawe, I wot,: ne kepeþ he no-þing, [ 65] & who-so aȝen hit witstant: he chal to gret pynyng. & þerfore ich ȝou rede: þat ȝe don as þe wyse, & þat ȝe wende to mahound: & don him sacrefise." audyfax answerde þo,: "þis wisdom is al folye; for him nol we honoury nouȝt—: wherto chold we lye?" [ 70] Missian in wraþþe: þus hem seyde to: "telliþ me nouþe quikliche: ȝif ȝe seyin alle so." Marius answerid,: "we þe cholliþ teche þat þe word þat he seyþ: is oure alþer speche." "toormentourus," quaþ myssian,: "ȝe strippe hem alle anon [ 75] & beteþ hem wit stauis: þat hem ake ech bon! ne do ȝe nouȝt þe woman;: ac leteþ here be-syde be, þat ȝhe mowe of hem: alle here sorwe I-se." þis turmentourus hem bete: þat þey wery were; þe oþer cridin to god Jhesu crist: as hy stodin þere. [ 80] [80 tilge god.] & mycian het me cholde: hem hongy vppon a tre & drawe here flesch myd crokis,: þat me myȝte here bonus Ise. euere seyde martha,: "lok þat ȝe ben stedefaste! for ich wot ȝoure pyne: ne chal nouȝt longe I-laste, & in þe blisse of heuen,: þat ȝe mowin awinne, [ 85] wel merie vs chal þer þenche: whan we beþ þer-inne." ȝut myssian let nemyn fer: & don to here syde: & þe fer queinte anon,: ne myȝt hit þer abyde. seþþe þey weren I-nome adoun: & gonnen for to stonde. missian let of-smyte þo: of ech of hem here honde, [ 90] & seyde, "to dispise oure godus: þus me chal ȝou teche! & but ȝe wollin ȝit ben I-war,: me chal don ȝou oþer wreche." þo gonnen þis men: to singen alle þre: "now Jhesu crist in heuene,: þy name I-blessed þou be, [94 tilge þou.] þat in oure pyne: so wel vs ondirstode!" [ 95] martha nom anon-ryȝt: & smerid here wit þe blode; & þo ȝhe haddin þus I-do: anon ȝhe fillin a-kne & seyden, "oure lord Jhesu crist,: nouþe ich þonke þe [98 Ms. þey st. ȝhe.]

þat ic may be myne sonus: & be myn hosebonde I-sen stedfastnesse of goddus myȝt: her þorwȝ goddus sonde!" [ 100] Me bondin here armus to here nekkes: & ladden hem vp & doun, & ladden hem fram strete to strete: þorw-out al þe toun; þey seyden, "alle men beþ I-war: þat mowe þis þing I-se, þat non ne ben so hardy: to don oure godus vilte!" audifax answered: & seyde þus anon: [ 105] "þulke þat ȝe clepeþ ȝoure goddus: for deuelis beþ echon." [106 tilge for.] forþ me ladde þis þre men: þat so stedefast were, amyle wit-oute þe toun;: & þo þey comyn þere, þey smetin of here hedis;: þe bodyis fillin to grounde, þe soulus wente to heuene: in þat ilke stounde. [ 110] Martha in a dep pit: anonryȝt me caste— & soch was þe ending: þat þey haddin at þe laste. ffelici(t)as, a good woman,: þedir com anon & gaderid alle to-gederis: here bodius euerychon; þe .xiij. calendre of feueril: ȝhe buriid hem, I-wis. [ 115] þerfore ich woot wel here solus: is brouȝt in mochil blis. Now Jhesu þat is in heuene,: þou art so fre & hende, grante vs þat we mote: alle þedir wende.

amen.

Seint (s)illu(e)rin þe holy pope. [Über Silverius vgl. Act. SS. Boll. 20 Juni.] (20. Juni)

Illurin þe pope: þat holy marter is, was I-bore in grece,: as þe bok vs telleþ Iwis; O(r)mysda het his fadir,: man of gret lore. þe pope ne rengnyd but lytil whyle,: .ix. monþus & namore. Ic wot, þe enleue pope: þat he was þer þo; [ 5] & .xiij. prestus he made: in al his tyme & na mo, & ek .xv. dekenus: he makid to soþe I-wis, & .xix. bysschopis: þe pope sakrid wit-oute mys. after his tyme rome nas,: who-so toldin euene, wit-outen eny oþer pope: but dayus seuene.— [ 10] agapit het þe pope: þat er by-fore him was: a patriark he founde: þorw his conseil by cas, þat lete þe ryȝt beleue: & drouȝ to eresye— þe patriarkus name: was I-clepid antyonye. [14 antyonye in anthonye korr.; lat. Anthimus.] him þo castin out þorwȝ consayle: þe pope agapit, [ 15] ffor he þouȝt þat he dede: to cristindom despit; al agapitus tyme: out he was I-holde, þey þe emperour þerfore: ofte speke wordus bolde. Menna he dede in his stede: þorwȝ his conseil, I-wis, & manteyned him al þe tyme: ffram þe emperour & his. [ 20] þo þat agapit was ded: & siluerin was inne, þe emperesse þouȝte bringe: aȝen anthonye wit ginne: by Vigel þe dekene: to þe pope ȝhe sente sone [23 Ms. þey st. ȝhe.] þat he cholde to here come: so he auȝt to done, oþer don aȝen anthonye: in to his er stede [ 25] & aryȝte al þat wrong: þat agapit so mysdede. þo þe pope þe lettere I-seyȝ,: he stood awhyle stille, & seyde in his herte,: "worþe goddus wille! Ic I-se hou it geþ: & þer-of nys non eþe, þis letter is enchesoun: to bringe me to deþe." [ 30]

To þe emperesse he wrot aȝen: þat he for no þing [31 Ms. emperour.] ne myȝte noþer ne wolde: mak soch a be-ginnyng: "ffor a man þat is opinliche: wit fals be-leue of-take, euer-eft in holicherche: he chal ben for-sake, & euer-more ic wille: & wol don by my myȝte [ 35] so þat hit be acordaunt: to skylle & to ryȝte." fforþ wente þe messagerus: & tolde þe emperesse þisse. & þat ȝhe nas anon a-wreke,: ful wo here was, I-wisse! to beli(s)arye ȝhe sente a lettere: þat was þo emperour, [39 Ms. þey. emperour = patricius.] & seyde, "gentil lord,: þenche on þy gret honour, [ 40] seche encheson to silluerin: þat he disposid be, [41 Ms. soche; l. de∣posid.] oþer wite hit wel to soþe: he wol be-traye þe. þou hast Vigil, þe erchedekene: & apocrisar, þey habbeþ I-hurd of sillurin: boþe her & þar, [44 þey st. he (der Dichter fasst apocr. als Eigenname).] þey me habbeþ be-hote,: so ic hit segge to þe, [ 45] þat þey desireþ antonye: to bring to his stat aȝe." þe emperour answerde þo,: "þis heste ic wole do. & of oþing ic ȝou warny,: myne leuedy, also: [48 Ms. & myne.] who-so entyseþ to his deþ: wit any-maner enchiste, he chal answere for him: by-fore Jhesu criste"— [ 50] he wist hit was for enuye,: for to habben wreche, & þat hit nas nouȝt þorwȝ him: so he woldin teche.

Up arese falce witnesse—: þat god ȝeue hem pine!— "alle we auȝten to hate: þe pope sillurine: for wel we witeþ þat lettris: he haþ sent by sonde [ 55] to þe king of gochor: to come in to þis londe, [56 l. gothes.] & seyde 'com to þe ȝate: þat asmarie I-cleped is'— [57 Ms. asmarie.] by-syde laterane: þat ȝate ȝit stant I-wis— [58 Ms. lacerane.] 'so þou chalt neme þe toun: & sle þe emperour & holdin to þy-selue: alle þe gret honour'." [ 60] for alle þat ȝit þe emperour: ne leued hem nouȝte; & for fele witnesse bere,: in drede he was I-brouȝte: leteris he gan write: & after þe pope sente, & to þe emperesse him-self: þat ilke whyle he wente. þo þey come to-gedere,: ȝhe tolden þo anon [ 65] [65 Ms. þe st. þo.] þat ilke acusasion þat me tolde: siluerin vppon. þe emperesse answerde,: "for his treson wit ryȝte [f. 226] he auȝte wel ben vndo: wo-so hit do myȝte." alle þat þis I-hurde,: boþe more & lasse, seyde þat þe pope ne auȝte neuere: þer-fore singe masse. [ 70]

Now god helpe siluerin: þat is pope in rome! to þe court he is I-come: to stondin þer to dome. þe clergise me halt þer-oute,: & in he is I-nome— & feue frendus he fonde: þo he was in I-come! þo he com to chaumbre,: me him in let; [ 75] he fond þe emperour sitte: at þe emperesse beddus feet. anto(n)yne þe emperesse: þo ȝhe him I-say, [77 Ms. an∣toyne seyde to þe emp. (Antonina ist Belisars Gattin).] seyde to þe emperoure nouþe,: "lord, to him þou speke, I pray!" [78 Ms. & st. I.] þe emperour seyde þo,: "what habbe ic mysdo to þe, [78-9 anders lat.] siluerin, þat þou woldist: haue I-be-trayid me? [ 80] [80 Ms. treayid.]

good it is þat we alle: of þe ben I-war." regionar þe sodekene wit þat word: his mantel awey bar, [82 lat. Joannes subdiaconus regionarius primae regionis.] he caste þe mantel on þe bedde: þer þe emperesse lay þo, & a monk-his abyte: on þe pope he haþ I-do. sexte, anoþer sodekene,: þo he I-seyȝ þis, [ 85] wentin to þe clergye: al leyȝinge I-wis, [86 Ms. þe þe.] "Ic ȝou segge, good men,: boþe alle & some, þe popus dingnete is vndo: & amonk he is be-come." alle þey gonne fle anon,: ne dorste þer non astonde; for þis dede þey weptin þere: & wrongin here honde. [ 90] Juli, þat was an erchedekene,: vndirfeng him þo [91 lat. Vigil st. Juli.] & sent him in to exil: to trauayl & ek to wo. he him fedde þer long: myd water & myd brede, fort he were for sorwe: & for defaute dede. þe .xij. calendre of iulie: I-buried he was þo. [ 95] now god vs bringe to þe blis: þat he was in I-do.

amen.

Seint paulin þe ermyte. [nach der Vita Pauli erem. auctore Hieronymo (in A. SS. Boll. Jan. I, p. 604).] (10. al. 15. Januar.)

On a tyme rengned in rome: þe emperour decye, þat to crist & cristindom: hadde so gret enuye þat alle þe cristene men: þat he myȝt of-take he let sle, but þey wolde: Jhesu crist forsake. his baylin fond to ȝonge men: þat weren to crist I-fonge, [ 5] [5 baylin undeutlich.] & anon me gan hem pyny: wit tormens swyþe stronge: for þat on me stripte nakid: & wit hony him smerde & set him to flyin & to waspis,: to pine him so harde; naked he stood faste I-bounde: euer to a tre so, fort þis foule wormys: him hadde to deþe I-do. [ 10] [v. 10 u. 11 als ein Vers geschrieben.] & for þat oþer nolde: Jhesu crist forsake, be a fayr reuer: a bed me gan him make, þer-inne me him leyde: bounde faste vpriȝte, & dede wit him fool women: to habben of hem þe syȝte, for he cholde torne his wille: to don lecherye. [ 15] ac þo he sey þat his flesch: gan to sinne wrye: for he nadde nouȝt wher-wit: him-self to chaste þo— so fast he was I-bounde—: his tonge he boot atwo & spatte vppon þe folis: þat þo wit him were— þus fram fool wille: him-self he chastid þere; [ 20] leuere he hadde þat his tonge: & his mouþ smerte sore þan he were for sinne: I-dampnid for euer-more. seþþe he deyde for cristus loue,: & his soule to heuen went. paulin stood be-seyde: & seyȝ al þis torment: swyþe sore he was agast: of þe torment þat he syȝ, [ 25] & went anon in to desert,: for he ne dorste be þer-nyȝ. & þer he wonyd forty (!) ȝer: al him-self alone, þat he neuer noman I-sey: ne no bodiliche mone. antoyne hym souȝte seþþe: In þe desert wel wide, for he hadde gret loue: wit him for to abyde. [ 30] In þe desert he wente: one grete stounde, so þat a for-chape best: at þe laste he founde— half man & half hors: hit was, so tellin ic may; wit his ryȝt honde: he tauȝte antoyne þe way.

seþþe he mette an oþer best: al for-schape also, [ 35] his heued was be-twene his þeyis,: his choldris aboue I-do; frut he bar (him) in a panyer—: hit was a loþliche þinge. antoyne to him seyde,: "in þe name of heuen-kinge, er þou gon hennys: tel me what þou be, [39 Ms. hemys.] & what þou berist & what þou dest: here in þis ilke contre." [ 40] "God of wede," quaþ þis oþer,: "I-cleped ic am I-wis [41 l. wode? lat. Satyrus vocor.] ouer-al amongis heþenemen: þat beleueþ amys; & for cristindom among men: so moche I-woxe it is, In pes ic may here wonye,: for her non ȝit þer nys." wit þat ilke word: he nyste wher it be-com. [ 45] for to seche paulin: antoyne his wey he nom: [46 he überschr.] & suþþe, so god it wolde,: in a lyte stounde stonding in his selle-dore: anton paulin I-founde. þo paulin on antoyne: ferst his eye caste, he went in to his selle: & chette his dore wel faste. [ 50] antoyne wente to þe dore: & sore he gan to wepe, & seyde, "paulin, ondo þe dore!": paulin seyde, "I ne kepe. fourty ȝer ic habbe ben her: ne com þer noman to me; þerfore ne chaltouȝ come her-inne: fort ic wete what þou be."

"Goddus sergaunt ic am," quaþ antoyne,: "& loue crist by my myȝte. [ 55] Ich nele neuer fram þe go: noþer day ne nyȝte; ac þat þou me in lete: Ic bidde pur charite, for ich wole þe whyle ic libbe: here serue god & þe." In he let him þo anon: & þonked oure dryȝte þat he him hadde aman I-sent: þat him comforty myȝte [ 60] & rede him & chryue him: whan hit were nede, & bryng him an erþe: whan þat he were dede. þo þat it was mete-tyme,: þey seyden here orisoun: a whyte coluere fram heuene: to hem alyȝt adoun, a cake he hem brouȝte: & leyde to-fore hem sone, [ 65] to so moche he brouȝte: so he was wont to done; aȝen he fley to heuene,: þe swete messager. wel were him þat euer was born: þat hadde soche a spencer, þat wolde so treuliche him bringe: mete to þe mele! antoyne seyde to paulin,: "þis bred þou most hit dele [ 70] & ȝif me þer-of to my parte: what þy wille be, for ic nam nouȝt worþy: to etin þer-of wit þe." "ȝif þou nere," quaþ paulin, "worþy,: hit nere nouȝt hidir I-brouȝt; þerfore þou chalt hit delin: so ic habbe I-þouȝt." "nay I-wis," quaþ antoyne,: "so ne chal hit nouȝt be, [ 75] for god me haþ hedir Isent: to seruen him & þe; þerfore ich woot to soþe: hit were me auelenye ȝif ich þe bred breke: & hadde þe maystrie, & þerfore ich nele hit dele: I-wis neuer-mo." wit þat word þe coluere: com flen aȝen hem to, [ 80] þe bred he deled wel euene: & leyden hem be-twene— [81 die folgenden Verse sind im Ms. durchstrichen.] þat þey were boþe wel wit god: þer hit was I-sene! [70-82 anders lat.] & þere þe leuedin I-fere: whyle goddus wille was, & seþþe paulin deyde: & þorw lyonis I-beriid was by cas; & antoyne nadde neuere man: I-seye on ereþe I-brouȝte [ 85] no nyste hou mannus pit: scholde ben I-wrouȝte.

paulin wente to heuene,: so ich ȝow telle fore, an hondrid ȝer four-score & seuene: after þat Jhesu crist was bore. Jhesu, for paulinus loue,: ȝif it ben þy wille, cheldin vs fram þe foule fend: þat he vs nauȝt ne spille. [ 90]

amen.

Seint ciluestir þe holy pope. [Quelle bei Mombritius II, 283; (der griech. Text in Combefis Illustrium mar∣tyrum lecti triumphi, Paris 1560, p. 258-336, ist Übersetzung einer anderen älteren, kürzeren lat. Redaktion, und wieder von Simeon Metaphrastes [ed. in Surius, Lipo∣mani] bearbeitet). Der Text bei Mombritius liegt der Leg. aurea und den deut∣schen Bearbeitungen: Trierer Bruchstücke (804 Verse, XII. Jahrhundert; ed. von M. Rödiger in Haupts Zeitschr. 1878, 22, p. 145 ff.) und dem bekannten Gedicht Konrads v. Würzburg zu Grunde. Der engl. Text ist stark gekürzt.] (31. Dec.)

Anon þo þe emperour costauntin: hadde his false goddus forsake & þorwȝ siluestris lore: hadde cristindom I-take, þe iewis woldin, ȝif hy myȝten,: wit gret disputacioun ciluester vndo, for to bringin: al cristindom a-doun. þe emperour so granted,: who-so mayster were, [ 5] me choldin to his lawe: anon to tornyn þere; & þorwȝ a comeune consayle: aday þ(e)r was I-set, heþin, iewis & cristene men: þedir werin I-feet. to heþin clerkus me ches: in stede of iustise, craton & neophil þey hetin,: trewe men & wyse. [ 10] [10 M. Zenophilus.] & for þer ne cholde contek be,: þe emperour seyde þo þat þe whylis þat on speke: þer ne chold speke namo; & ȝif hit be-fille so: þat on were ouercome, he ne cholde to disputison: aȝen namore ben Inome. [14 Ms. cholde namore.] siluestre & his clerkis: & alle þe iewis I-wis [ 15] [15 Ms. siluestre & his ciluestre & his clerkis.] wit wel good wille: anon granted al þis. þo aros þer vp a iew: þat was wel wis & war, me him clepid by his name: mayster abyatar. [18 Ms. abyacar.] he seyde, "þat cristindome is fals,: also þencheþ me, for þey seggeþ in here lawe: þat þer beþ godus þre, [ 20] vadir & sone & holygost: þey seggeþ þat god is; ȝif þat be þre personys,: þre godus þer beþ, I-wis, & þat is fals, for in prophesyȝe: Ich hit I-finde sone: 'loke,' seyþ god, 'þat ic it am: & none nys but ic one'."

Siluestere him answered: wit wel mylde mode: [ 25] "þy prophesy is treue & good,: who-so hit ondirstode: fadir & sone & holy gost,: þey hy be personis þre, O god hyȝ beþ, I-wis,: þat ich may cheue wel þe. þe sonne is hoot, & dryȝe,: & in syȝt wel clere: þou myȝt I-sen to soþe: þat þre kendus beþ here, [ 30] & þey þer is on sonne—: we seþ wel hit is so: for ȝif þou nome eny kende awey,: þe sonne wer al ondo. þerfore þe prophesyȝe is good,: ac þou leuist amysse." Craton seyde anon-ryȝt,: "þe iew ouer-come isse."

And þo aros an oþer iew: þat was I-hote abram, [ 35] [35 Mombr. Jonas.] & to distroiin cristindom: þese wordus forþ he nam:

"by-þenche þe, ciluester," he seyde,: "in þy disputisoun, þat god ȝaf his blessing: to sircumsision; on abraham & on his kin: þe blessing by-gan, & wel þou wost þer-wit-oute: I-saued ne worþ noman; [ 40] who-so wille I-saued be: he moot ligge adoun cristindom, & ondirfonge: circumcisioun." Quad siluestir, "þou be-ginnys: þy reson al amys, for abraham I-blessed was: er þou seydist al þis & he nas neuer I-sircumsisid—: þow wost þat hit was so— [ 45] & þat is a conclusion gret, & false: þat þou me seist to. ac as ȝoure lawe er by-gan: in þe prophete abraham, also hit token ende: þo Jhesu crist vlesse nam, [48 Ms. alesse.] soþfast god & soþfast man,: & bouȝte vs on þe rode fram þe pyne of helle-pitte: al wit his swete blode; [ 50] his pes & his blessing: to alle men he ȝaf þo þat woldin wit good wille: his seruise for to do. & for abraham raþer: serued him aryȝt, he him ȝaf his blessing,: þat þou Iknowe myȝt. In tokene of þis blessing,: sircumsision by-gan, [ 55] & þer-þorw wit-outen desert: blessing ne may habbe noman." þo seyde neophil: to þe emperour I-wis: "makeþ þe iew gon sitte,: for he al ouercome is."

Anon vp sterte þe þridde: þat me cleped golye: [59 M. Godolias.] "for he seyþ þat god deyde: me þinkeþ þat he lyȝe: [ 60] god ne may in none wise: þolye pyne ne wo, noþer sorwe no myseyse,: ne deþ ne-þe-mo, for he is lyf & hele,: ioye & alle blisse; for who seyþ þat he deyde,: I-wis he seyþ amysse." [64 l. forþi?] siluestir him answerid: wel myldeliche & stille: [ 65] "þo þou seydist þat ic leyȝ: þou seydist þyne wille. þat god was here on erþe I-bore: Ich telle þe, moun amyȝe, [67 l. it telleþe.] abacuk & balaham: & oþer prophesyȝe, of his deþ ieremye: in ȝoure lawe tolde & manye oþer profetis: þat weren swyþe bolde. [ 70] þe bokis of ȝoure lawe: þou most forsakin, I-wis, oþer nedis grantin: þat þis þing al soþ is." "we seþ wel," quaþ þe emperour,: "þat þis is wel good resoun. þerfore þou, syre golye,: let ben al þy disputisoun!"

Anna het þe ferþe iew: & he aros vp þo, [ 75] [75 M. Aunan.] he seyde, "siluestre, of þin crist: moche þou seist vs to & aleist autorites: þat beþ of oure lawe, þat þe prophetis seydin: sumtyme be olde dawe; þou seist þey seydin þat by þy crist,: preue þat hit is so! & þan ich holdin me al ouer-come,: for ryȝt is þat ich do." [ 80] siluestir him answered: & seyde, "leue broþer, ȝif þou seist þat he nys nouȝt,: þan þou most s(h)ewe som oþer. [82 l. he it.] & ȝif þou wost aryȝt,: tak kep to his dede: for þey cholleþ bere witnes: of þat ich by him sede." seint eline answerde þo: & seyde at þe frome: [ 85] "bot he mowe scheue anoþer,: he is al ouercome."

Eborech seyde, þe fifþe iew,: "Ich here a wondir cas: [87 M. Doech.] þey seggeþ þat here crist: of daueþ kende was:

Daueþ was I-sircomsisid,: & here crist also, for þe grete sinne: þat ferst was I-do. [ 90] ȝif me þorwȝ sircomsision: Is fram þilke sinne I-brouȝt, me þinkeþ þat ȝoure cristindom: Is al I-makid for nouȝt, oþer al oure lawe: for nouȝt I-maked is, þat god him-self wit his hond: wrot to moyses, I-wis." "Ich seyde," quaþ siluester þo,: "to þin fere abraham [ 95] þat in abraham þe olde: ȝoure lawe be-ginnyng nam [f. 228] & last euer, fort Jhesu crist: hedir an erþe cam & in his oune body: cristindom he ondir-nam. he began in ȝoure lawe,: & þerof þou seydist aryȝte; & suþþe he tok oure kende: þorw his swete myȝte, [ 100] to cheuen þat ȝoure lawe: noldin helpe nouȝte to bringen mankende to heuene,: vort he were I-bouȝte. ȝut he by-gan cristindom: an oþer þing to teche: [103 Ms. & st. an.] þat ȝoure lawe to wimmen: ne may noþing areche— for þou ne herdist neuere: in cyte ne in toun [ 105] þat wymmen in ȝoure lawe: hadde circomsicioun; þan þou most, me þinkeþ,: þis þing grantin me: þat wimme(n) beþ I-blessed: oþer þat hy ne be. ac Jhesu, þat alyȝte fram heuene: & hadde manhede here, wolde þat men & women: alle I-saued were: [ 110] þerfore he made cristindom: þat to boþe comyn is." "syre siluestre," quaþ craton,: "wel scilful is þy reson, I-wis."

Þo aros þe sixþe iew: þat me cleped thusy: [113 M. Chusi.] "of on þing ich wondir moche: & ich ȝou telle why: he seyþ þat here Jhesu crist: was I-born of a mayde. [ 115] Ich wolde þat he þat prouede: þat he þer-of soþ sayde! [116 Ms. þe.] for ech man may wel I-wite: þat haueþ eny mende, þat ȝif amayde beren a child,: it were aȝen kende. wyȝ ȝhe was wif & mayde: al boþe-to I-fere, ȝif þou cheuist al þis aryȝt: ouercome ich am here." [ 120] siluestir answerde & seyde,: "eueriche man wot þis þat noþing nys so clene & fayre: so god him-selue is: & suþþe god wolde þorw his myȝte: an erþe ben I-bore, a clene woman he moste habbe: þat werin wit-outen hore; oþer hit were aȝen his kende: in here for to be. [ 125] þerfore his modir was mayde,: for soþ ich segge þe. & who-so lokiþ to oþer þingus: þat god haþ I-wrouȝt, [127 Ms. þinkus.] him to ben I-bore of a mayde: vnkendelich nys it nouȝt: adam he made of erþe: þat modir he nadde noon; [129 Ms. mede.] suþþe he made eue, his wif,: of his o rib-boon. [ 130] wel þou wost ȝhe hadde a fadir,: ac modir non þer nas: Jhesu wit-oute erþelich fadir: an erþe I-bore was. ȝhe was wif for þre skylis: þat him bere to man: þat me ne cholde no velenye: seggen here vppon; & for to habben a fere: in to egipt to gon, [ 135] þat myȝte bere witnesse: of here dedis echon; & for he wolde vnknoue be: to bigg vs wit his blode— for ȝif þe iewis him hadde I-knowe,: nere þey neuer so wode, þey noldin for al þe world: him habbe I-don on þe rode. þis beþ þe skelis why ȝhe was wif,: who-so hem ondirstode." [ 140] "I-wis," quaþ neophil þo,: "he has answerid aryȝt, & þou sixt wel, syre thusy,: wit-segge him þou ne myȝt."

Vp aros beniamin: þat þe seueþe iew was: "me þinkeþ þat here crist: for noþing god nas, [144 Ms. good.] for þat he wold soffry: I-fondid for to be— [ 145] so men of here lawe: habbeþ I-told me— & þe fendus companye: god hateþ in ech syde; þerfore me þinkeþ wondir: how þe fend myȝt abyde wit him eny stounde: him to fondy so. answere me to þis resoun,: for ich nele namo." [ 150] siluestir him answered,: "þou myȝt I-sen al þis: who-so wile hele a þyng: þat is I-don amys, he moot hit wel ryȝte: in eueriche poynt, & ȝif þer lakke eny poynt,: þe heler nys nouȝt queint. for þus dede Jhesu crist,: lord of alle þing: [ 155] he soffrid to ben I-fondid: aȝens adamus fonding. adam granted to þe fend: & was þorwȝ sinne I-nome; Jhesu aȝen sinne stood,: þe fend was ouer-come. to þat oþer demaunde: þat þou hast forþ I-brouȝt, Ic answerde whil-er,: for he ne knew him nouȝt." [ 160] "I-wis," quaþ þe emperour,: "now þis is wel I-sede; þat þe iew gon sitte,: me þinkeþ hit is rede."

Vp aros þe eyȝthe: þat was I-cleped arthel: [163 M. Arohel.] "me þinkeþ," he seyde, "of many þing: þat siluester seyþ wel, & wel we witeþ for soþe: þat god al-myȝty is [ 165] & naþ to noþing nede—: ech man wot wel þis. why wolde god ben I-bore: & seþþe deyin so, whan hit nas no nede: þat he hit choldin do?" "I-wis," quaþ siluestir þo,: "þou seist a wel soþ þing, god naþ to noþing nede: for he is al-myȝty king. [ 170] ac þey ech man woot wel,: þey he nabbe nede non, for alle we habbeþ nede: to him euery-chon, [172 tilge for.] from heuen he alyȝte: to betin oure nede, for ellis we choldin: eueri brennin in helle-glede. [174 l. euer.] & ȝif he wolde fillin his wille,: god moste ned do so, [ 175] for noþer man ne aungel: soche dede ne myȝt do. for man was of þe kend: þat hadde þe hest I-broke; þerfore in þe deuelis power: al man-kin was I-loke, & was þerfore vnworþy: mankin for to bigge. an aungel was to þis chaffare: to feble, ich þe segge: [ 180] ffor god in his godhede: hadde þe doom I-ȝeue þat ech man for adamus sinne: to helle chold ben I-dreue. þerfore nedis god moste: þat ilke dom vndo; & soþfast man he moste be: þe deþ to ondirfo." "lord," quaþ seint eline,: "þis is good resoun! [ 185] Ic hit ȝeue for dome: þat þis iew sitte adoun." [186 Ms. quaþ in þat korr.]

Vp aros þe nyþe: þat was I-hote Jubal: "aȝen wit his þouȝte: siluester moot & chal: for ȝif he moot his wille haue,: distroye he wole spoushode, þat crist him-self heet: me cholde holdin al abrode. [ 190] & me þinkeþ þat is fals: al þat he haueþ I-sede by god, þat he I-fonded was,: I-pynyd & ek dede: for he is myȝtful & wertewus: & soþfast lif also. al þis is aȝen kende: but þer ben sonys to;

& ȝif þer beþ sonys to,: aȝen kende hit is, [ 195] for þan beþ þer foure personys: in his godhede, I-wis." "be stille!" quaþ siluestir þo,: "for þou spekist aȝen ryȝt: & þat by þy-selue: to soþe wite þou myȝt: þou hast in þy-selue,: þou wost wel, kendus two, of body & of soule—: ech man haueþ also. [ 200] so haþ Jhesu crist to kendus,: of god & of man. In his manhede he þolid: alle þat ich tellen can; þerfore, þey he hadde to kendus,: sone þer nas but on." "Iwis," quaþ craton, "þis is soþ: & þat we seþ echon."

Vp aros thara, a iew,: þat þe tenþe was, [ 205] & seyde, "of skylis & autorites: þou tellist mony a cas: Telle vs of his dedis: þat he haþ I-wrouȝt, [f. 229] & so þou myȝt best proue þe skylle: þat þou hast forþ I-brouȝt." "I-wis," quaþ siluestir, "Ich wole þe telle anon. he was I-bore of a mayde,: & so nas neuer non. [ 210] þe holygost alyȝt on him: be þe flom iordan, & beren vp witnesse: þat he was god & man. In þe cane of g(a)lile: he tornyd water to wyne, & fele men he helid of euelis: wit-oute medecyne; vif þousend men he fedde: wit fif louis of brede [ 215] & wit þre visschis; a-rerid to lyue: mony þat weren dede. [216 l. & rerid.] he aros fram deþ to lyue: wel myȝtfulliche I-wis, & seþþe he stey to heuene—wel many I-seyȝ al þis. [218 Ms. nany.] tel me, syre thara,: who myȝte do soch dede?" "I-wis, noman but god,": neophil þo sede. [ 220]

Vp aros þe enleueþe: þat hyȝte sylion, & seyde to siluestre: þese wordis anon: [222 Ms. wondris.] "Ic pose wel þat god & man: was ȝoure crist Jhesu, ek he was al-myȝty king: so me þencheþ nouȝ: for ȝif he were al-myȝty,: he myȝte oþer-wise habbe Ido [ 225] & deliuered his peple: fram pyne & fram wo, [226 pyne in syne korr?] so þat he nadde so chamfulliche: to deþe ben I-brouȝt. wel lite maystri it were to him: to bringe þe fend to nouȝt; so he myȝt alle: his pouer habbe I- nome, þat he ne cholde habbe I-holdin: mankin in presone." [ 230] "Ech man ma wite," quaþ siluestir,: "þat haþ eny in-syȝt, þat to wirche by maystrie: ofte hit is no ryȝt; & god is euer ryȝtful: in his werkus alle, he nele do no wrong to noþing,: what-so-euer by-falle. for ryȝt wolde þat he bette: wit his pyne I-wis [ 235] alle þing þat adam dede: in paradis amys, & adam in al his body: to sinne hadde delit, þerfore crist in al his body: þolid pyne & despit." "I-wis," quaþ þe quene þo,: "þis skylle is swyþe gode." "þilke ieu is ouercome,": quaþ echmon þat þer stode. [ 240] [240 ieu über ausgestr. god.]

Vp aros þe .xij.: þat ȝamber me cleped I-wis: [241 M. Zambri.] "Ich can þorw a charme: þat swyþe queinte is slee ech-maner best,: ȝif ich hit seyȝ in his ere— for euerich þing chal deyin: þat hit may I-here."

"how lernydist þou þat charme," quaþ siluestir,: "& ne herdist it nouȝt, [ 245] & so ofte þou dest it segge: lest þou to deþe ben I-brouȝt?" þe iew anon answerde: "what is þat to þe? her-by-syde is a bole wilde,: let him bring to me! & þer ich wole wit myn charme: to-fore þis men echon him bringe to þe deþe: in þilke place anon, [ 250] & þan ic wole bidde: for ȝoure cortesyȝe þat ȝe me grante, so ryȝt is,: to habben þe maystrye." "O þing," quaþ siluester,: "Ic wole granty wel: ȝif þou hit do þorw goddus myȝt: to ȝeue þe þe maystri echdel. & ȝif þou wirchist þorwȝ þe fend,: þe ne tit maystry non, [ 255] for ich wole þorwȝ goddus myȝt: þyne werkus alle vndon." þanne seyde þe emperour,: "siluester spekeþ al ryȝte. leteþ fecche þe bole anon,: to saye þe iew-is myȝte!" sixty men anon-ryȝt: gon him after go, & brouȝt him to-fore þe iew: myd moche chame & wo. [ 260] & þe iew þe charme seyde: al in his ere: & anon he fil adoun ded: in þe place þere. þo seyde þe iewis,: & werin swiþe proute: "I-wis, siluester is ouercome,: herof nys no doute!" "syre emperour," quaþ siluestre,: "now is þis bole dede, [ 265] & ondir-stondiþ vppon oþing: þat was er I-sede: [266 tilge &.] me chold asay wheyþer he wrouȝt: þorw goddus myȝt alle þisse & so to granty þe maystrie—: þis was forward, I-wisse!" "parfey," quaþ þe emperour,: "ic wole wel þat it be so." "arere þe bole to lyue aȝe,": quaþ siluester to him þo, [ 270] "oþer ellis ich wole proue: by skylle of oure lawe, [271 urspr. prope.] þorw þe fendus myȝte: þe bole þou hast aslawe." Ȝamber him answered,: "þer-of nab ich no myȝte, for þe uertu of my charme: nys nouȝt þerto I-dyȝte." "þan is hit on þe deuil-his half,": quaþ siluester þo, [ 275] "þin charme þat þou wirchist wit: & þat þou hast I-do. for god seyþ in ȝoure boke,: alle ȝe hit mowe I-se: 'Ichc habbe pouer to lyue arere: & ek pouer to sle'. ȝif þou hast pouer to sle: & nouȝt to lyue arere, þy myȝt is fram god I-dyȝt: & is al ellus-where; [ 280] & ȝif þy myȝt is ellus-where,: oþer stede nys þer non, bot þorw myȝt of þe deuil: þin werkus þou dest echon." þan seyde ȝamber,: "arere him ȝif þou myȝt, þat me mowe to soþe I-se: þat þou I-leuist aryȝt!" "for þe," quaþ siluester, "nel ich nouȝt do,: wite hit wel to-wisse, [ 285] ac ich wole by-fore al þis folk: þat is in place þisse, so þat ȝe sen þat ȝoure laue: nys of none fame, & honoury wit beter wille: Jhesu cristus name."

"A rys, bole!" quaþ siluester þo,: "ic hote þe anon In þe name of Jhesu crist,: & stonde stille as ston!" ... [ 290] [Nach 290 fehlen Verse.] þan seyde þe emperour,: "alle we I-seþ þis, þat þe lawe of Jhesu crist: is of wel mochil pris. I-blessed mot he euer be: & his myȝtus alle, & who-so spekeþ aȝen cristindom: foule moot him by-falle!" þe bole ȝede fram on to on: & be-com wel swyþe tame, [ 295] & alle men þat þis I-sey: þey heryid cristus name.

elein was I-cristenyd: for þat opin syȝte, & alle þat þis I-sey: ful wel þey dedin & ryȝte [298 Ms. aryȝte in & ryȝte korr.] & by-leued on Jhesu crist: þe whyle here lif I-leste, & honourid him myd myȝt,: þe lest & ek þe meste. [ 300] þorw þe disputing of siluestir: þat so ofte hem hadde I-done(!) [301 l. overcome.] & þorw þe meraklis þat þey ofte I-seyȝen: many tourned to cristindome. & siluester þe holyman: went out of þis lyue In to þe blis of heuene: þer ioyis beþ ful riue. now Jhesu for þe loue of him: vs lete here don so [ 305] þat we mote after oure ending-day: streyȝt come him to & þer wonye wit-outen ende: to oure ryȝt eritage, & for-ȝeue oure sinnus alle,: þat we habbeþ I-don outrage.

amen.

Seint remigi þe holy bisschop. [Das Gedicht giebt einen kurzen Auszug aus der Vita auctore Hincmaro episc. Remensi, in A. SS. Boll. Oct. 1.] (1. Oct., al. 13. Jan.)

Þe holy bysschop remygye: in france was I-bore. a good whyle er he were be-ȝete: to crist he was I-core. for an aungel come to an ermyte: þat was out of þat contre— wel ich ot, þe ermyte was blinde,: & wel longe hadde I-be. þe aungel him bed, "go to cilicine: & telle here wel blyue [ 5] þat ȝhe chal habben a child: in here olde lyue." fforþ wente (þe) ermyte: & tolde here þo, [f. 229b] In here olde lyue: what dede ȝhe cholde do. cilisine answered þo,: "at goddus wille I-worþ al! ac þese ilke wordus: I-leue ic ne chal, [ 10] þat ich chold a child bere;: for myne dayis beþ ago, ne to don soch dedus: ic ne þenche neuer-mo; for to soche pleyus: nabbe ic none haste, & mony a day ich habbe I-be,: & ȝut ic þenke, chaste." þan seyde þe ermyte,: "ich rede þe leue aryȝt! [ 15] for þorw þe childus mylke: habbe ic chal my syȝt." þan seyde cilicine,: & gan to syke sore: "al redy ic am to goddus wille: nouþe & euermore." also god ȝaf grace,: nouȝt þer-after ful longe cilicine þe gode wif: wit childe was by-vonge. [ 20] to here com þe blinde ermyte: þo ȝhe deliuerid was: & wit here mylk hadde his syȝte: as god ȝef þe cas. alle þey þonkid Jhesu crist: þat in þe place were, [23 Ms. for alle.] & of þese two wondris: wel wide me spake þere, of þat olde wif þat was so: myd childe þo y-vonge, [ 25] & þat þe ermyte hadde his syȝt: þat hadde be blind so longe. þo þis child of elde was,: to scole me him dede. to lerny wel fayre, grace he hadde: anon in þe stede. swyþe mylde he was of speche: & swyþe lite he louȝ, alle pleyus he forsoke: & to chirche him drouȝ, [ 30] glotenye he hated euer: & to fasting toke, & mest he loue(d) of al þing: to lokin on a boke. þo remygy of elde was: of to & twenty ȝer, þe bysschop of ramense: drowȝ to deþe þer. ac anon so he was ded: & I-buriid in molde, [ 35] þe clerkus come to-gedere: so þey wit ryȝt cholde,

a bysschop for to chese: in Jhesu cristus name. remygye þo was wit hem,: þat was of good fame. of on syde & of oþer: þey speke swyþe faste; so þat remygye to bysschop: alle þey chosin at þe laste, [ 40] & seyde, for ȝouþe me ne cholde: spare þilke eliccioun. remygy wit wel drery chere: fil a-knes adoun, & seyde, "ic ne can nouȝt þer-on: & onworþy ic am þer-to." þey he wep & wit-seyde,: ȝit he hit most ondirfo. and nouþe ȝe cholliþ I-here: of a wondir þing, [ 45] þat by-fil to remygy: þe day of his sacring: a leem of bryȝt fere: of his heued aros, þat þer nas non þat hit I-sey: þat sore þer-of na^egros, [48 Ms. nagros mit überschr. e.] & ondirstood þat it was: to him fram heuen I-sent. on him it leued fort he hadde: ondirfong þe sacrement; [ 50] & þo he hadde so I-do,: þe fer wente vp an hyȝ. eche man I-þonkid god: þat þis wondir I-syȝ. for al his croune þouȝt I-noynt: þo þe fer was by-leued; swetter smel ne m(i)ȝte be: þan com out of his heued.

Hit by-fil on a tyme: þat remygy I-herberuid was [ 55] at a good wyuus hous: as god ȝaf þat cas; & as god it wolde: here win was al a-go. þerfore nyst þis good wif: for sorwe what to do. euer so ȝhe ȝede aboute,: swyþe sore ȝhe syȝte; ac þey ȝhe made to remygy: as glad semblaunt as ȝhe myȝte. [ 60] þo seint remygy þis ond(i)rȝat,: he seyde in preuyte: "tel me, dame, for cristus loue: what þing eyleþ þe, & why artouȝ so sory: & why makistou soch fare? god, þat is almyȝty king,: ma wel a-leggen þy care." [64 Ms. a lengen.] "lytil wondir, syre, hit is: þey þat ich ben ful wo, [ 65] for, I-wis, oure winys: hy beþ echon I-do, & ic nabbe non oþer þing: for to libben by. for drede of gret hongir & ferst: ic make soche cry." þo hadde syre remygye: of þis word gret pyte, & seyde, "gawe in to þy selere: þyne tonnus for to I-se!" [ 70] [70 = go we.] fforþ þey wentin I-fere: Into þe seler adoun. remygye set a-doun a-kne: & seyde his orisoun, & suþþe he aroos & ȝede: & blessid þe tonnus on & on: & of swyþe noble win: ful þey be-come echon. þe wif be-held þe tonnus: hou þey orn ouer aboute; [ 75] he seyde, "dame, haue þis wiin: & libbe wit-outen doute! & serue god euer aryȝt,: for he þe finde may alle þing þat þou hast nede to,: by nyȝt & ek be day."

Clodowein, þe king of france,: In þilke tyme heþen was. his wif, was a cristin woman: so god ȝef þat cas, [ 80] wel moche radde here lard: cristindom to ondirfo; [81 Ms. readde.] ac he nolde for noþing: þat ȝhe myȝten do. almaynus in þilke tyme: vppon his lond come & destroyedin his londus: ofte & þat I-lome, his tounus þey for-brendin: & his men þey slowe. [ 85] þerfore þe king was wel sory,: & oþer men I-nowe. to his wif he tolde þo: þat he moste saunfayle ben a-wreke of þe alemaynus: & slen hem wit batayle:

& euer þe quene him radde: whan he to here come, þat he cholde in cristus name: afonge cristindome. [ 90] þe king to here answered: wel myldeliche þo: "ȝif crist me helpe þat ich be: deliuerid of þis wo, cristindome on his name: I-wis ic wole take wit wel good wille,: nel ic hit nouȝt for-sake." [94 Ms. willo.] þan seyde þe quene þo: & radde him aryȝte: [ 95] "loke þat þou ne triste nauȝt: to þin ouen myȝte, ac echdel þou most triste: on his swete grace: & þou chalt habbe þe maystrie: I-wis in þat ilke place." fforþ wente þe gode king: so he auȝt to done, & hadde þorwȝ goddus grace: þe maystri of his fone; [ 100] & hoom he com wit his men: & weren hool & sounde. þe quene to him seyde: in þat ilke stounde: "be-þenke þe, syre, what þou be-hyȝtist: Jhesu crist & me or þou wentest to batayle,: I-cristenyd for to be ȝif þou haddest þe maystrie;: & now þou it hast I-wis, [ 105] hold þy woord, ic þe rede,: for ellis þou dest amys. for þey he be fol of grace,: wreche-ful he is also to ech mon on erþe: þat wolle him mysdo. þerfore holdin þy beheste,: oþer ellis at þe ende In body & in soule, ic woot,: he þe wol a-chende." [ 110] þe king granted here anon: al þat ȝhe haueþ I-sede; to wendin after remygye: wel hastely he bede, his wil he him tolde: þo he was þedir I-come— cristinmen þat þis I-herde: gret ioye þey habbeþ I-nome. water he halwid & cristenyd: anon þe gode king. [ 115] & nouþe ȝe mowe I-here: a swyþe wondir þing: [f. 230]

Whan þe tyme com þat he cholde: wit oyle anoynt be, remygy nyste wer þe crem was,: ne non he myȝt I-se. þerfore vp to heuene: hys eyen wel sone he caste & bed to god stilleliche: In his herte wel faste [ 120] þat he cholde þorw his grace: him som crem sende, so þat he myȝte þis cristindome: aryȝt bringe to ende. þo he hadde his bone I-bede,: a whit coluere com fle & brouȝt an oyl-fat in here bele,: non rycher ne myȝt be; þe oyleuat ȝhe tok: in remygyus honde— [ 125] alle men þat I-sey þis: þonkid cristos sonde. [126 Ms. cristous.] remygy dede þo wit þe creme: þat he auȝt to done; & suþþe he sente þe remenaunt: to ramence wel sone— for þer hit is ȝit I-kept: wel nobeliche I-wis, & kingus me anoynt þer-wit: whan eny I-crouned is. [ 130]

Remygy þe gode bysschop: hadde a kenus-man þat was a swyþe noble clerk: so ich ȝou telle can, for man he was of mochil pris—: genewald he heet þo; chast he was & hadde ek: I-spousid a wif also. remygy ofte com by him: so he went vp & doun, [ 135] & conseylid him for here chastete: to take religyoun. [135 u. 136 him st. hem.] þe good wif wente to nonnerye: & ladde clene lif þere, & ienewald wente to on abbeye: to monkus þat þer were. swyþe hard lif he ladde: þe whyl þat he þer wes. so þat þorw remegyus reed: to bysschop þey him chese, [ 140] of þe cyte of london: pysschop he was I-made, & alle þat him I-knewe: for him þey weren wel glade.

nowȝ is genewolde bysschop: & seruiþ god aryȝt, wel moche he hated sinne: be day & ek be nyȝt. & þe nonne, his good wif,: moche ȝhe hated sinne also, [ 145] & to be schreue of ienewold: wel ofte ȝhe wolde go. þe fend, þat euer haþ enuye: to euerich gode dede, was anoyed þat þey cholde: so holy lif to lede, & gan entysy genewold: & his wif also; so þat þey synnyd fleschliche: boþe to-gedir þo. [ 150]

Hit by-ful þorwȝ goddus grace: nouȝt þer-after longe þat þe wif be a cnaue-child: by genewald was by-fonge. þo þat child I-bore was,: to genewald me told hit sone. he bed me chold it cristeny: so ryȝt hit was to done, & bede me cholde clepye: þe childus name latro, [ 155] for here beyre sinne: þat in þefte was I-do. latro is an englisch: 'þef' I-cleped, I-wis, & for he was in þefte by-ȝete: soch his name is. Ofte hy comen to-gedir: more sinne for to do; so þat þer was a douȝter by-ȝte: be-twene hem boþe-to. [ 160] lupa me het here name clepye,: for þis skylle I-wis: for ȝhe was be-twene hem: so byȝeten amys. [162 Ms. byȝeton?] lupa is 'a wolf' I-cleped: for soþ in oure speche, [163 Ms. lupas.] & þe fend is be-cleped wolf: mannus soule to be-ceche. for þe fend entysid him: soche sinne for to do, [ 165] wolf he cleped his douȝter: for ske(le) hit was þerto. now be-com þe bisschop genewold: for his sinnus so wo, þat he nyste alyue: what he myȝte do. a messager he sente: after remygy swyþe, þat he cholde to him come: to chriue him of his lyue; [ 170] ffor he nyste for chame: what he myȝte do. þo remygy it wiste,: anon he com him two. Genewold fil a-doun a-kne: & chrof him þer anon. & remygye him let be-loke: in a wal of stoon. a lytil dore þer was on,: þat remygy leet arere, [ 175] & ber wit him þe keyes,: lest eny man him out let þere oþer his wif eftsonys: myȝt come him to, to don fleschlich sinne: so þey hadden er I-do. Remygy ordeyned his mete,: so ic ȝou telle may, a pound of barliche-bred: to habben ech day, [ 180] & a drauȝt of cold water: he cholde habbe also— wel lyte him auȝt to loste: lechery to do! Genewold þer durid .vij. ȝer: in þat ilke cas, & bede so for his sinne: þat hit forȝeue was. wel he myȝt I-wite: þat he hadde forȝeuenesse I-hent, [ 185] þorwȝ tyding of an aungel: þat to him was I-sent & seyde, "genewold, þy sinne: al clene forȝeue is. þerfore þou myȝt wende: out whan þy wille is." Genewold him answerid,: "ic ne chal neuer-mo out of þis chaumbir wende: ar remygy com me to; [ 190] & þey ic it wolde, Ic woot wel þat ich ne may, for þe dore is ouer me I-loke: boþe nyȝtus & day."

"Nay," quaþ þe aungel þo,: "for nouþe hit is vndo, & þou myȝt to þy wille: out of þis ilke stede go." "alle goddus wille I-worþe!": genewalde seyde þo, [ 195] "for her ich wol abyde: fort remygy com me to."

forþ wente þe aungel: on þe ryȝte way, fort he come to remygye: þat in his bedus lay, & seyde to remygy, "Jhesu crist: wole þat þou wende & deliuere genewald,: for his lyf draueþ to ende, [ 200] & his sinnus him beþ forȝeue: þat he haþ I-don." þo remygy I-herde al þis,: he þonked god anon, & wente to ienewold: & fond þe dore ondo. þo hy to-gedere come,: ful glad þey weren bo; þey wenten to chirche: & deden goddus seruyse. [ 205] moche þey dwelden I-fere: þis men þat weren wise. [206 Ms. dweldem.] Genewold drouȝ to deþe: so we cholleþ echon, & latro me made bysschop: after him anon. he lyued swyþe holy lif: to his lyues ende, & loued god & his seruis: & to al goodnes gan wende. [ 210] þo þat þe nonne: þat his owe modir was, I-herde telle þat genewold: dede was by cas, to penaunce ȝhe here pitte: swyþe hard & stronge, & went here in to wildirnesse: & þer leued ful longe; [214 hire in here korr.] so þat at þe laste: ȝhe went out of þis lyue [ 215] & wente to þe ioye of heuen: þer beþ festis ryue. [216 Ms. þat þer] & þerfore ic ȝou warny: þat beþ I-bounde in sinne, of wanhope þat ȝe ne ben I-take: for none worles winne, þat god him nele for-ȝeue sone: þat crye him milce & ore; [219 Ms. & st. þat.] for gladdere he is of a man: þat haþ a-gilt him sore, [ 220] þan he is of an hondred: þat beþ in gode lyue, & he come to amendement,: man, mayde oþer wyue— [221-2 umzusetzen.] for holywrit spekeþ her-of,: gret comfort hit is to vs alle, ech man to þenche þer-vppon: so what him euer befalle; & þat þey ne to longe abyde: chrift to ondirfonge, [ 225] for in doing, perel is: þer-wit to abyden longe. Now Jhesu, þat for al mankende: deþ þoled on þe rode, haue mercy on þy hondywerk,: so þou hem ondirstode & brouȝtest hem of þe þraldome: þat þey were I-bounden Inne; [f. 231] for-ȝeue vs oure mysdedis,: so ofte I-bounden in sinne, [ 230] & bringe vs to oure eritage: þat to vs alle is dyȝte, & þer to wonye wit him: þat is oure alþer dryȝte.

amen.

Seint anicet þe holy pope. [Vita fehlt.] (17. April)

Seint anyset þe holy man: þat somtyme pope was In þe borwȝ of rome: so god him ȝef þe cas, In cyre he was I-bore,: his fadir het Jon. holyor man þan he was þo: nyste me nowher non. ȝerus he leued (pope) nyne: & ek monþus þre, [ 5] [5 pope fehlt.] þre dayis he leuede ek: so þe bok telleþ me. Moche loued þis anyseth: god & holy cherche, & strengþed him nyȝt & day: goddus wille to wirche; cristin men wel swiþe: fram sinne he gan draue, & tauȝten hem wit good wille: to holdin þe ryȝte lawe. [ 10] Als þe pope anycet: wente aboute þere, he seyȝ clerkus & prestus: habben so long here þat me ne myȝte I-knowe by hem: in none wise þo wheyþer þey weren leued men: oþer hadde here ordre ondo; [14 l. do?]

also him þouȝt here crounen: to lytil þey weren I-chore. [ 15] after alle his cardenalis: he gan to sende þerfore, & ordeyned þat euerich clerke: þat wit ordre were scholde ben so I-euesid: þat me myȝte I-se his here. & ȝif ȝe wolliþ lerne: here crounus for to make, [19 ȝe st. hy.] þey moot lerne of monkus,: boþe whyte & blake. [ 20] þorwȝ conseyle of þe cardynalus: þe holyman anycete vppon peyn of corsing: þis stat he holdin hete. I ne segge it nouȝt be þilke: þat mowe leued be & torne to þis worlde,: ȝif here wille by-se— as beþ benettus & colites: þat mowin wit bygamye [ 25] oþer in oþer manere: to lesin here clergye; ȝif þat þey ne ben a-singnyd: in chirch to eny seruyse, he may him bet auyse: & ssere in oþer wyse. [28 l. hy? Ms. let.] & ȝif he cholde seruy: to-fore god-his auter, he moot let him euesy & chere: so ic ȝou tauȝten er. [ 30] & many clerkus þer beþ: þat nelleþ nouȝt don so, for hy ne mowin for chame,: & þat is foul mysdo: [32 Ms. fooul.] for who-so wille of his ordre: in herte take chame, Ic woot in an oþer stede: him tit þolye grame.

Þis holy pope anycet: preched nyȝt & day [ 35] & strengþed him wel swyþe: to techen cristus lay. þe maystris of þe temple come: to þe emperour— rofin was his name—: & tolde þe deshonour [38 Ruffin war Konsul.] þat to þe godis was I-don: þorw þe pope anycet. þerfore þe leþer emperour: him let anon fet; [ 40] & to him he seyde: whan he was forþ I-brouȝte: "why despisist þou oure godus: & ne hem honourist nouȝte? & ȝif þou wolt don by red,: þat þou ne ben I-chent, þou most to hem ben boxum: & come to amendement." þe pope answerde myldeliche,: "Ich wolde swyþe fawe, [ 45] ȝif hit were cristus wille,: to amendemente drawe; ac me þinkeþ in þy wordus: þat it amendement is none, for wel ic woot to soþe: þat þer nys god but one; & he me haþ I-maked: al heued of his cherche. þerfore hit is a wondir to me: soch þing to wirche, [ 50] ȝif ich cholde my god forsake: & tak her to þyne— for þat ne chal ich neuer do,: for wele ne for pyne. My body is I-redy, lo,: do what þou wolt by me! for ich nele to þin godus: neuer boxum be." "out, þef," quaþ þe emperour,: "habbe ich abede soch ende? [ 55] þou ne chalt neuer here-afterward: man alyue chende! þou hast I-chent to manye: & I-drawe fram oure lawe: þerfore in þis ilke day: þou chalt ben I-slawe." he cleped þo his tormentourus,: "ȝe ledeþ him out of toune, & smyteþ of his hed anon: & bringeþ his lyf a-doune!" [ 60] vorþ him ladde þese tormentourus: & habbeþ him aslawe— þe .xij. calend(e)r of may: þey brouȝtin him of dawe.— anycet maked by his lyue: prestus .xvij., & dekenes he made foure,: ic wot wit-outen wene, bysschopus he made nyne: to seruen god also, [ 65] er he wente to heuene: out of þis worldes wo. Now bidde we to Jhesu crist: for loue of seint anyscete þat he vs bringe to heuene,: for þer is ioye swete.

amen.

Seint Sother þe holy pope. [Vita (in v. 5 erwähnt) fehlt.] (22. April)

Sother þe holy pope: in chaumpayne was I-bore, of þe beste men of þe londe: ic woot he nom his more; his fadir heet concors,: man of good fame. sother louede lytil: any worldus game; also we redeþ in his lyf,: he louȝ swyþe selde; [ 5] whan he ne ȝede to scole: faste he wold gon to felde, for he nolde his þonkis: worldis pley I-se— þerfore he wold afeld: him-self alone be. & þorwȝ his fadir consayl: to rome anon he wente; fol glade was þe clergye: þat þey him þere I-hente. [ 10] [10 Ms. for st. fol.] wit hem he leuid wel good lyf: & lernyd wel ȝerne, & to alle goodnesse: þis holyman gan torne. so þat þe pope deyde: so god ȝef þat cas, & þorwȝ conseyl of þat clergye: to pope I-chose he was. [ 15]

Pope he lyued .ix. ȝer: & þre monþus þer-to & also foure dayis ek,: as we I-findeþ so. prestus he made eyȝte,: & nyne dekenus wise, bysschopus he maked þre: to don goddus seruyse. In his tyme þe clerke (!): I-seyȝ of good lyue wimmen in al þe lond: & nome conseyl blyue [ 20] ȝif women in holycherche: I-ordrid myȝte be, for þe goodnesse þat me myȝte: In women I-se. sother þe holy pope: him answered þer-to: "Gode women mowin wel: In religion ben I-do, ac I-crounyd wit ordre: ne chal be woman none, [ 25] for nomaner holylyf: þer ne lyþ þer-vppone. ne þe cloþus of þe auter: ne cholle þey handly nouȝt, bote þey ben parauenture: to wasschen hem I-brouȝt; [28 Ms. ben I-brouȝt, ben durchstr.?] & ȝut ic hadde leuere,: ȝif a dekene couþe, þat he wissche þe cloþus,: þan eny woman nouþe. [ 30] [30 Ms. wonan.] ȝut ne chal no wimman: cast encence to þe auter. & ȝif ȝe wolliþ wherfore I-wite,: I wol ȝou seggen her: god was (male) & made: þe orderus euerychone, & þerfore he chal ben (male): þat chal þe werkus done. [33 u. 34 male fehlt, der Raum ist leer gelassen.] ac þis ic wole grantin: wit-outin eny respit [ 35] þat wimman don alle þe werkus: þat may a colit; & ȝut ich wole granten wel: þat woman þe folk may preche, [f. 182] ȝif ȝhe ben of religioun,: & here sostris to teche. [38 Ms. & ȝif.] & þey in none wise: ne can ich ȝit I-se þat wimmen wit ordre: I-crounyd cholde be." [ 40] In to al þis lond: þis goodman gan wende & fondid wit his myȝte: þe maumetus to chende. þo darie þe iustise: I-herde telle of þis, his oþ he gan to swerye: In gret wraþþe, I-wis, þat ȝif sother myȝte: owher ben I-founde, [ 45] he cholde for his lore: þolye deþus wounde. anon he sente knyȝtus: þat were of gret pouer, to neme þis holypope: þat me cleped sother. þe knyȝtus him nome: & forþ þey him ladde, & hyȝed swiþe baldeliche: as men þat nouȝt ne dradde. [ 50]

Whan he com be-fore þe iustyse,: darie him seyde to: "sey, sother, what hastouȝ I-þouȝt,: what þenkistou to do? wenystou chende oure godus: wit þin flatering, & wit þin newe sawis: oure lawis to grounde bring? þou ne chalt, ich swere þe: be mahound ful of myȝt, [ 55] ac þou hit chalt ful sore abigge: þat þou us dest onryȝt. for hit is boþe lawe & skele: þat we oure godus werie, so þat no soche fals trewaunt: ne schole hem aderie. & þerfore ich þe rede: þou don hem sacrefise, & let ben þy false lawis,: lest þe ful sore agrise!" [ 60] Sother him answered: "þou myȝt don þy wille— of my body pouer þou hast: & him to aspille; for to þin falce godus: sacrefise nel ich do none, for raþer ich wolde for-brenne: fel, flesch & bone." þe tormentourus habbeþ anon: al his heste I-don. [ 65] & so deyde his body: & his soule to heuen gan gon. þo þe feer was wit-draue,: þe body I-founde was hool wit-outen any wem—: nas þis a wondir cas? þe tenþe calend(e)r of may,: ic wot, he deyde þo. & rome was on & twenty dayis: wit-oute pope also; [ 70] & after þat anycet: was I-went to heuene, rome was wit-oute pope: dayis but seuene. & þus he ended his lyf: for Jhesu cristus loue. now bidde we alle to him: þat is in heuene aboue, þat he vs ȝeue grace here on erþe so do, [ 75] oure soulus fram sinne sauie: & after come him to. [76 Ms. þe st. him.]

Amen.

Gay þe holy pope. [Vita fehlt. Die Papstlegenden sind aus des Ana∣stasius Liber Pontif. selbständig entwickelt.] (22. April)

Gaye þe holy pope: þat goodman was & hende, was of dyoclisianus,: þe emperourus, kende. he was I-bore in a londe: me clepeþ dalmatyke, of men þat louedin false godus: here soulus to byswyke; Gaye was ek his fadir name,: & so me cleped his sone— [ 5] for so hit is I-lome: ȝit to men I-wone. þo he was of elde,: to scole he was I-sette, for he cholde in here lawe: here goddus hery bette. childrin þer were wit him at rore (!): þat were swyþe wyse, [9 l. lore oder scole?] þat louedin euer Jhesu crist: & ek his seruise. [ 10] In his lore þis holy child: lerned wel I-nouȝ, & to þer cristin childrin: swyþe moche he drouȝ. for he hem seyȝ In soch be-leue: moche wondir him þouȝte, & for to tellin of Jhesu crist: ofte he hem besouȝte: so þat þis good childrin: preched to him aryȝte [ 15] hou god by-gan þe world: þorwȝ his ouen myȝte & howȝ he made sonne & mone: & al þing þat is, & howȝ þe world was I-lore: þorwȝ mannus sinne I-wis, & howȝ Jhesu goddus sone: oute of heuene alyȝte & nom þe kende of man: wit þe fend to fyȝte, [ 20] how Jhesu þorw his swete wille: dyde vp-on þe rode & bouȝte mannus soule: þorwȝ his swete blode, how he aros to lyue: vp(-on) þe þridde day, & how he stey in to heuene: þe childrin toldin gay,

& of þe beleue al: þe childrin tolde þe kende. [ 25] Gay be day & be nyȝt: drou þis þing to mende, & of cristus passioun: swyþe moche he þouȝte, þat of þis worldus blis: noþing him ne rouȝte. ac in his herte preueliche: so wel he it wiste þat his fadir on al his lif: þer-of noþing nyste. [ 30] Seþþe deyd his fadir so: as ic ȝou may telle, & for his false be-leue: his soule went to helle. afterward þis gay: be-þouȝt him wel I-nouȝ & wit alle his myȝte: to cristindome he drouȝ: so þat þorw goddus grace: I-cristenyd he was, [ 35] & he wit al his myȝte: þonked goddus gras. alle þing he solde: þat he on erþe hadde, & ȝaf it for goddus loue,: & holy lif ladde. seþþe he went to rome: to cristinmen þat þer were— & glad were cristene men: þo þey seyȝ him þere. [ 40] [40 Þere aus Þedir come korr.] so hit be-fil þorwȝ goddus gras: þat þe pope was ded, & þer was gay to pope I-chose: þorwȝ al comen red. .xij. ȝer he was pope: & foure monþus þer-to & in his baylye he lyued: .xij. dayis also. he ordeyned þat ech man: þat prest wolde be, [ 45] scholde vndirfong þe ordres: fro gre to gre— wit-oute lope & defaute: þat þey I-taken were; & ellus ne cholde noman be: to prest I-ordeyned þere. he ordeyned þat dekenus cholde: prechin þe newe lawe as wel as prestus cholde,: men to goodnesse drawe; [ 50] þerfore he sent aboute: þe dekenus þat þer were, [51 Ms. þo st. þe?] þat þey cholde wit here myȝte: men to goodnesse lere; & ordeyned þat ech cholde: dwellin In his contre, þat þey ne come to-gedere: for nouȝt þat myȝte be, but it were for nede: þat þey weren of-sent [ 55] to speken of þe cristindom: þat it were wel I-hent. prestus he made, wel ic wot,: ful twenty & fyue, & þer-to dekenus .viij., & fyue bysschopus be his lyue.

Seþþe þe deuil his myȝte: cheued aboute faste, & in to þe emperourus herte: a leþer þouȝt he caste. [ 60] hit was þe seconde costantin: þat was þo emperour, of þe berþ (!) of rome: he weld al þe honour. [62 l. borȝ.] after al his consayl: þilke tyme he gan sende & seyde þat hit were wel I-doon: cristin men to chende. al þe consayl was wel glad: þo þey I-herdin þis, [ 65] & seyde þat þis ilke þing: was wel be-þouȝt I-wis; "what habbe we in þis lond: wit cristen men to done? al þat me may I-finde: ȝe heet hem neme sone, [68 Ms. he heet.] for þey beþ false echon: & ne helpeþ nouȝt. þerfore, but þey come to mahoun,: let hem to deþe be I-brouȝt!" [ 70] Many messagerus þer were: anon forþ I-sent, and cauȝte many cristene men: & habbeþ hem I-chent. [f. 233] þo was alle cristene men: þerfore so sore afryȝte þat ech man in his syde: dede him to flyȝte. þorwȝ conseil of þe clergye,: tellin ich ȝou may, [ 75] In to a clif of an hille: fleyȝ þo þis gay. Ic wot þat he ne loted: þer-inne no stounde þat þe emperourus messageris: nabbeþ him I-founde.

anon þo þey him I-seyȝ,: þey seyde, "artou here? woltow honoury mahound ȝit: & comen hedir nere?" [ 80] gay answerde & seyde,: "mahound ic euer forsake, & boþe my lif & soule: to Jhesu crist ic be-take." þo nome þey grete stonys: & leyde on ech a syde, þat þe goodman cholde: nedus þer abyde. þere deyde þis goodman: in honger & in wo, [ 85] þe teþe calend(e)r of may: ic wot hit was I-do. Now Jhesu crist for þe loue: þat he loued seint gay, [87 tilge þat.] þat he vs ȝeue his blessing: so wel so he may.

Amen.

Seint emerinciane þe holy virgine. [Aus der Vita Agnetis (21. Jan.) selbständig entwickelt.] (23. Jan.)

Seint anneys woned in rome: so ich ȝou toldin ere: ȝhe hadde a fostirsostir: þat wit here woned þere, emerencyane: me cleped þat mayde þo. þo anneys was to deþe I-brouȝt,: ic wot þat here was wo! to her toumbe ȝhe wente: & gan here by-mene; [ 5] so moche ȝhe wep for here loue: þat ȝhe wax blek & lene; In so moche sorwe: here lif ȝhe gan to lede þat hit is wel gret reuþe: In bok for to rede. a day as ȝhe sat & wep,: ȝaraȝynus þer come & scornyd swyþe þat mayde: so þey dedin I-lome, [ 10] & seyde, "þe were betere: In þe temple to be, to honoury oure godus: þat beþ of gret poste, þan in þis ilke wise: her al day to sitte & wringe þyne honden: so þou were out of witte. for wel þou wost to soþe: þat anneys is I-chent; [ 15] þerfore of þy weping: nys non amendement." aȝen þe leþer saraȝynus: þat mayde seyde þo: "crist ȝe dede to deþe,: þerfore ȝe worþ wel wo! moche good he ȝow dede: & þe gewis also, ne myȝte ȝe neuer I-finde: þat he hadde ouȝt mysdo: [ 20] wit enuie ȝe him nome: & to deþe brouȝte & for-ȝeten alle þe goodnesse: þat he to ȝou wrouȝte. & þat ne þouȝt ȝoure elderin: nouȝt I-nouȝ to do, ac alle þat on him I-leued: þey þouȝten to slen also, & slouȝ wit here myȝt,: ne leued him nouȝt on. [ 25] þerfore þey wenten to helle,: & so ȝe chollin echon; ffor þis mayde þat ȝe slowȝ: þat nadde noþing mysdo, ȝoure soulus cholle to helle: & soffre þer moche wo, & þer ȝe cholliþ sore abigge: þe dedis of ȝoure wikkid lyue wit pinus & wit sorwe: þat beþ þer ful ryue— [ 30] for alle ȝe beþ chreuen: & euer ȝe habbeþ I-be; for in wel mochil sorwe: ȝe habbeþ I-brouȝt me: for þis ilke mayde: myn herte is wel wo." wit þat ilke word: emerincyane þey tok þo & lad here wel villiche: fort ȝhe com out of toun; [ 35] þey striptin of here cloþis: vppon a fyle diggoun & stanyd here myd stonus: & here to deþe brouȝte. þerfore Ich ot to soþe: þat hy hit dere abouȝte!

For þer com a þonder-dent: fram heuen an hy þo & slowȝ of þe haþen men: four hondrid & mo. [ 40] þey þat lefte on lyue: & ne deyde nouȝt, þey gonne þo for drede: to cristindom torne here þouȝt:

viue þousend þer were I-cristenyd: wit wel blyþe mode, & euermore afterward: þey ladde lif wel gode. ech man may wel ondirstonde: but if he be wode, [ 45] þat emerinciane I-cristened was: in here oune blode; for ȝif þat mayd hadde I-leued: I-cristenyd ȝhe hadde I-be, by þe wordus þat ȝhe spake,: for soþe so þencheþ me.

Of þre maner of cristindom: In bok ic finde I-write, & here ic wole hit segge,: for ȝe hit choldin I-wite: [ 50] þe ferste maner cristindom: al-on In beleue is; þat þer-þorwȝ many iewis: I-saued weren I-wis, for þey leuedin þat goddus sone: scholde I-bore be of þat mayde marye: þat was so hende & fre; & þerfore þey drouin to god: & letin here folye, [ 55] & in here be-leue þey were I-cristenyd,: ich wot þat ich ne lyȝe. Many aman, wel ic woot,: to blisse of heuen com, as þe prophete ieromye,: þorwȝ þe oþer cristindom: þey were aslawe for here treuþe: for þey nolde soffry þo, bote þey hem wit-nome,: noman mysdo; [ 60] þerfore me hem toke: & to þe deþ me hem brouȝte— weteþ þat þey were marteris,: for þey non harm ne þouȝte.

And þe þridde cristindom is: al in þe font-ston, þorwȝ Jhesu cristus oune blood: þat we habbeþ echon; þorwȝ þilke-maner cristindom: I-saued we cholle be, [ 65] ȝif we wolliþ goodnesse doon: & alle wikkednesse fle. þorw þe seconde cristindom,: Ich woot mydeuisse, [67 Ms. my deuisse.] þe maye emerinciane: wente to heuene-blisse. here frendus nom here holy body: þo wit here myȝte [69 Ms. nom þo.] & beried hit be seint anneys—: hem þouȝt it was ryȝte, [ 70] for þey were fostrid: in here lyf boþe I-fere, þat þey choldin in here deþe: ben I-beried in þat manere. [72 Ms. & þat.] þe ȝaraȝynus weren of hem: so sore a-gast þo þat þey ne dorste for noþing: here toumbus mysdo. & þus ended here lif: emerinciane þat mayde, [ 75] & went to heuen ful I-wis: as ich ȝou habbe I-sayde. Bidde we to Jhesu crist: for emerencianus loue, þat he vs grantin þe blis: þat is in heuen aboue.

amen.

Seint igin þe holy pope. [Eine Vita Hygini (vgl. v. 41) fehlt; Anastasius enthält nur dürftige Notizen.] (11. Jan.)

Seint igin þe holy pope: in rome (!) was I-bore; he ladde swyþe holy lif: so ich may ȝou telle fore. his fadir was a noble clerk: & þey he was vncouþe, þerfore ich ne can his name telle: forsoþe wit my mouþe. Igin lernyd swyþe wel: þat he was to I-set, [ 5] þer nas in þilke tyme: noman þat lerned bet. seþþe he went to attenus: þorwȝ his fadir rede, & dede him to gret clergye: þe bet for to spede; so wel he lernyd þer,: þis good child igin, þat he couþe I-now of grw,: of ebrw & of latyin. [ 10] heþen he was þo ȝit: so ich hit finde I-write; ac moche he desired euer: of cristindom to wite. [f. 234]

þerfore he went to rome: so god him ȝaf þat cas, & ondirfeng cristindome: þo he I-come þedir was. so holy lif he ladde: þat beter ne myȝte non be; [ 15] þerfore alle men him louede þo: þat him myȝte I-se. so þat hit fil be chaunce: þat þe pope was ded: þe bisschopus & þe oþer folk: þer-of tok to reed & madin Igin pope: & heued of holycherche. ȝerne gan þo þis holyman: goddus werke to werche. [ 20] wel moche he gan to preche: & folk to goodnesse lere; & whan enyman mysdede: þat þo wit him were, sore he wolde wepe: & bitter terus lete, so hit were a ȝong child: þat were sore I-bete, & sey hem he wolde myldeliche,: "why hastouȝ mysdo so? [ 25] nostow hit is aȝen þe lawe: synne for to do? wel ich woot to soþe: þy soule worþ I-chent, bote ȝif þou þe raþer come: to amendement." Talus he wolde hem telle: of holy mennus lyue & þer-þorwȝ to amendement: hem drawe swyþe blyue. [ 30] moche he tauȝt of fasting: euer in his preching, & seyde man myȝte þer-wit: wel moche to gode bring; "for whanne þe body þorwȝ penaunce: Is to grounde I-brouȝt, þanne ne may hit aȝen þe soule: þorwȝ sinne ftyȝe nouȝt." ten ȝer he was pope: & goddus werkus teyȝte, [ 35] & .vij. monþus þer-to: & also dawes eyȝte. he ordeyned þat wit ech preste: þat chal singe in see dekene, sodekene & colyt: at þe masse þey choldin be & don here seruyse: so hit fil þer-to, & nameliche vppon hy-dawis: he hyȝt me chold it do. [ 40] .xv. prestus he ordrid,: as ic finde In his lyue, & bysschopus .vi.: & ek dekenus fyue, to seruy holy cherche,: he ne maked na mo. a prince þer was in þe londe,: prisce me het þo: to þis ilke holy bysschop: he hadde gret enuye [ 45] & sente after him anon: wit a gret companye. þo he was to him I-come,: he het him binde faste & to stronge þeues: In to preson caste. & þer lay þis holyman,: Ic wot, swyþe longe, wit gret cold & hongir: I-pinyd swyþe stronge. [ 50] þe seueþe day of ieneuer,: so tellin ich ȝou may, [51 l. eleueþe.] deyde þe holy pope Igin: in preson þer he lay. rome was wit-oute pope: þre dayis þo. & þus endid þis goodman: as ic ȝou toldin so. Now, Jhesu, bring vs to þe ioye: þat he is I-brouȝt, [ 55] as þou wit þy fy(f) woundus: dere vs alle bouȝt.

amen.

Melchiades þe holy pope. [vgl. Anastasius Lib. Pont.] (10 Dec., al. 9. u. 11. Jan., 2. Juli)

Melchiades þe pope: in Affer I-bore was, of swyþe good cristin kende: so god ȝaf þe cas. pope he was þre ȝer: & .vij. monþus also In þe borwȝ of rome,: & .vij. dayus þer-to. .vij. prestus he made: þat goodmen weren echon, .v. dekenys & .xij. bysschopis,: goddus seruise to don, & sent hem in to contres: aboute for to preche, [7 Ms. henn.] of Jhesu cristus lawe: þe peple for to teche.

on a tyme hit be-fil: þat he het of-sende þe clergye & oþer men,: þat gonne to him wende. [ 10] of many þingus þey speke: þo þey were I-come. þo þat þey gonne of fasting-dayis: speken alle & some, þo gan þis holy pope: þat heet melchiades speke to-forn hem alle—: þe oþer weren in pes:

"Lordingus," he seyde,: "telle ich ȝou may [ 15] [15 ff. Diese Rede ist offenbar selbständig entwickelt.] þat god haþ for man-kende: I-makid þe soneday many a wondir werke.: for þe sone-day I-wis erþe he maked & heuene: þat is so ful of blis; also vppon þe soneday: he made sacrefyse, [19 he st. hy.] boþe caym & abel,: ac nouȝt in one wyse— [ 20] ffor þat on was good: þat oþer nas nouȝt so. & ȝut vppon þe soneday: more þer was I-do: þe grete flood on erþe com: to drenche alle þing, & also vppon þe soneday: (þe) chip tok resting þat nowe & his ferin: þer-in weren I-do— [ 25] [25 l. noe.] of alle þat were in erþe: alyue nere namo.

Abraham þe soneday: his sone haþ I-take & wolde him habbe I-slawe: sacrefise to make: God þorwȝ his myȝt: þer-to tok good kepe & in stede of þe child: anon sente a chepe, [ 30] he het þat he ne cholde nouȝt: isaak mysdo; In stede of þe ȝonge child: þe chep he slouȝ þo. ȝut vppon a soneday,: as þe bok telleþ me, Moyses brouȝte þe iewis: ouer þe rede see; he tok moyses þe lawe: vppon a soneday, [ 35] & let rine bred & flesch: fram heuen, tellin ich may.

And þe soneday, wel ic wot,: Ihesu crist was bore, to biggin vs out of helle: & men þat were for-lore. & ek vppon þe soneday: he tornyd water to win— þey þat þer-of dronke: þey founde hit good & fyn. [ 40] & he arerid to lyue ek: vppon þe soneday laȝare, þat foure dayis: In his pit ded lay. also þe soneday: to Jerusalem he rood— þe honour þat me him ded: þe peple wot al abrood.

Fram deþ to lyue he aros: þe soneday wel ryȝte, [ 45] & sente þe holy gost to his desiplis: & on hem alle alyȝte. In somme bokus me findeþ: who-so takeþ ȝeme, þat god chal þe soneday: al þe world deme; oure (lord) brouȝt his modir: in to heuen-blisse, & seint Jhon þe vangelist,: ich woot wel myd-I-wisse. [ 50] þerfore ic hote þat noman: non ertheliche werk wirche, bot goddus seruise don: & go to holy cherche; ne vppon þe soneday: fasting non chal be, for hit were aȝen þe lawe,: also þencheþ me, þat man were in penaunce: & ek in fastinge [ 55] þilke day (þat) god vs brouȝt: al in gladinge. þe þoresday also: god made his maunde among his desiplis,: as þe bok telleþ me:

he hem fedde in body: & ek in soule also, [59 Ms. in body In body.] for his flesch & his blode to hem he ȝaf & made þo— [ 60] of bred, of win & of water: he made þis wondir þing: among his desiplis he made: þo his gestenyng. oure flesch an holiþorsday: he ber to heuen an hy & set him in his trone: to his fadir wel ny. þerfore ich hote þe þorisday: men take glading, [ 65] & þat me ne asingne þat day: to no fasting, but hit falle by cours: þorwȝ chaunging of þe ȝere þat eny vigil ben by cas: newe I-founde þere: [f. 235] þan þat me faste wel: so ich soffre may, [69 Ms. ich þe. ich = ech.] for þe loue of þe seint,: nouȝt for skylle of þe day." [ 70] alle þat þer weren: habbeþ I-granted þis. for þoresday & soneday: heþen men fastiþ I-wis; & for þey nolde hem be I-lych: in þat ilke þinge, þerfore he haþ forbode: þat ilkedayis fastinge.

A iustise was on þilke tyme: þat me cleped rufin: [ 75] he let neme melchiades: & dede him wel moche pyn; þe verþe Ide of decembre: he leet him sle also, & ich ne finde nouȝt to soþe hou: he was to deþe I-do. þo rome was wit-oute pope: dayis twenty & .vij., after þat melchiades: was I-went to heuene. [ 80] for euer me haþ gret enuye: to men þat beþ gode, as me hadde to Jhesu crist: þat deyde for vs on rode; for euer þe wikkid fend: eggeþ man to don mysse, whan þey ben in good lyue,: þer-of hem bringin to wisse. [81-84 ungehörig.] now bidde we god almyȝty king: þat after oure ending [ 85]

amen.

Seint damas þe pope. [vgl. Anastasius Lib. Pont.] (11. Dec.)

Seint damas þe pope: was I-bore in spayne. þe whil he was a ȝong child: he liste nouȝt to playne, for he him strengþed moche: to ben of good fame— so dede his fadir him by-fore,: antoyne was his name. þo he was to pope I-chose: so god him ȝef þat cas, [ 5] an oþer also was I-chose,: corsin I-cleped þo was. [6 al. Ursinus.] boþe þey weren godmen: & holimen also; & for þer ne may be pope: but on neuer mo, & for damas was stalworþe: & redy of speche, þe maystri of holy cherche: me gan him by-teche; [ 10] Corsin þey made bysschop,: ic segge wit-oute fayle, of þe cyte of appoline: þorwȝ comyn consayle. [12 l. neapoli.] twey cherchus damas made: wel noble in þe cyte: þat on be-syde þe teatre: ȝut me may I-se, þe oþer cherche he made: so be-syde þe wey [ 15] I-cleped was adriatine: by þat ilke day. [16 Ms. adriaime, lat. ad viam Ardeatinam.] & ȝut he haluid þe stede: in þat cite, þere seint peter & seint poul: I-fere I-beried were. [18 Ms. I I fere.] damas was þo pope in rome: ful eyȝtene ȝer & eyȝte monþus & ten dayis: þe dingnete he ber. [ 20]

prestus he made þritty: & twelf dekenys þer-to, bysschopus he made .lx.: on abite for to go fram contre to contre: leuede men to wise þat þey cholden here lif leden: in goddus seruise. two dekenus in þulke tyme: were in þe cherche I-do, [ 25] concord & calixt: men hem cleped þo: to þis pope damas: þey hadde gret enuye & gonne him defame: of opin lecherye— wel ich wot þat hit was: þorw þe entysement of þe deuel of helle,: to maken hem I-chent. [ 30] wel sory was þe pope: for þe sclaundre & þe cry, & þouȝt in woche wise: he myȝt him porgy. [32 Ms. spergy.] anon he leet ofsende: al after þe clergye & after erlus & barouns: swyþe gret companye. þo þey were to-gedir I-come,: þe pope aros alone [ 35] & seyde, "leue breþerin,: I-herkeneþ me echone! Calixt & concord: þat ȝe mowȝ here I-se, of a foul lecherie: þey habbeþ defamed me. þerfore ic habbe ȝou of-sent,: þat ȝe me cholde wise hou ic myȝt I-porged be,: to saue þe fraunchise [ 40] þat ech pope haþ I-had: þat was by-fore me— for loþ me were in any wise: alese þe dingnete."

And þer þorw comyn conseyl: apergid him I-wis, wit eyȝte & fourty bysschopis: þat weren of mochil pris. out of cherche me drof: þe false dekenus two, [ 45] & þouȝt þat þey cholde: to deþe ben I-do. damase hadde reuþe of hem: & ne soffred hit nouȝt þat þey for here trecherye: were to deþe I-brouȝt; ac wel he soffrid þat þey weren: out of þe chirche I-dreue, In myseyse & in care: þer-after for to liue. [ 50] þo ordeyned damase: to segge fer & ner at matenus & at þe tydis: salmus of þe sauter, & at euesong & at complin: þat me hit choldin do, vppon þe peyne of corsinge: þe pope he he(t) hit þo. [54 Ms. he he het.] & in to al holichirche: ful wel ȝe witeþ I-wis [ 55] þat þilke statut oueral: ȝit I-holdin is. þe þridde calendir (!) of decembir: out of world þisse [57 l. Ide.] damas wente, out of þis lif: in to heuen-blisse. þritti dayis was rome: wit-oute pope þo. & þus endid þe lif: of damas þe pope so. [ 60] now preye we to Jhesu crist: þat is so fre & hende, whan we partiþ of þis world: let oure soulus to heuene wende.

amen.

Seint saturnin and cicin, twey holy marterus. [cf. Acta S. Marcelli papae (Act. SS. Boll. 16. Januar).] (29. Nov.)

A prest somtyme was in rome: me cleped saturnyne, þat hadde wit him a dekene: þat was I-hote cysine; gode men þey were boþe: & wel holi lif ladde. þe emperour maximyan: þer-to gret enuy hadde: þer-fore he hem dempned,: so ich ȝou telle may, [ 5] þat þey choldin delue: boþe grauel & clay. þere þey serued Jhesu crist: wit wil & wit þouȝte. þerfore þey were eft-sonys I-nome: & to-fore þe emperour I-brouȝte.

þe emperour het þo anon: In preson to do saturnyne, & bringe him to-fore þe dekene: þat het sysine. [ 10] & to him he seyde anon: þo he was I-come: [11 Ms. I co come.] "felawe, þou most tellen vs: þin name at þe frome." þe dekene him answerid,: "þe name þat is myn Is among cristenemen: I-cleped sysin. Jhesu cristus þral ic am,: & wol ben euer-mo, [ 15] Ich wol loue & serue alle hem: þat on him I-leueþ also." þe emperour answerde,: "þer-of haue þy pes! sysin, þou most don sacrefise: to oure god ercules & do to him sacrefise: so þou ouȝtist to do, oþer ich wole for-brenne: þy flesch in sorwe & wo." [ 20] þo þis emperour hadde I-seyd: alle þese wordus þere, sysin þo for gladnesse: gan to leyȝe wel smere, & seyde, "I-wis, syre emperour,: þou ne myȝt me paye no bet, for habbe þis ilke þing: I desirid euer ȝit, to ben for Jhesu cristus loue: I-brouȝt of lif-dawe; [ 25] þerfore ich am swyþe glad: for him to ben I-claue— & ellis ic were vnkende,: for he deyde for me. þerfore þou myȝt, syre emperour,: don what þy wille be; I-chose ic habbe to Jhesu crist,: to him ic wole holde." [f. 236] þe emperour seyde, "lo, þis þef: spekeþ wordis bolde! [ 30] to ladioce, þe port-reue,: þefore he chal ben I-take, þat he him caste in preson: to make his lemys ake." ladioce him ondirfeng: & bond him swyþe faste, & suþe in to preson dep: wel harde he him caste. approprian me cleped: him þat was iayler, [ 35] [35 al. Apronian.] þat him pinyd, & oþer mo: þat weren in preson þer. ladioce him after sente: after dayis seuene. wit þe sonde þer comeþ þo: a swyþe fayr lyȝt fram heuene, In þe lyȝt þer com a vois: þat seyde wit-oute fayle: "comeþ to me, my blessid childrin,: þat libbiþ in trauayle, [ 40] & ondirfongeþ mede: of þe heuene-king, heuene þat he made to ȝowȝ: er þe worldus be-ginnyng."

Sore him gan of-drede: þo approprian, [(2. Febr.)] & to-fore sysinus feet: akne he fel after þan & seyde, "ich þe bidde, cisin,: pur seint charite, [ 45] þat þou ne tarie no lenger: þat þou ne cristeny me." water he nom þo anon: & cristenyd ap(p)roprian þo. þo laydioce Iherde þis,: his herte was wel wo, & after ap(p)roprian anon: wel sone he haueþ I-sent; & seyde, "me telleþ to soþe: þat þou þe hast I-chent: [ 50] þou hast forsake mahound: & oure godus alle, for, wit hit wel, ȝif hit be soþ,: ful euel þe wol be-falle. þerfore don be red: ryȝt as ic þe wise, & sitte akne wit good wille: & don hem sacrefise!" "ȝe, ȝe," quaþ approprian,: "Ich wot ful wel anon [ 55] þat þey be deue & doumbe: & deuelin euerychon. þerfore ic here forsake: boþe hem & þe, & to Jhesu crist of heuene: ich be-take me." þo seyde ladyoce,: "þat hit ne be by-leued, & ledeþ him quik out of þe toun: & smyteþ of his heued!" [ 60] þe tormentourus him nome: & ladde him forþ þo, & here lordus heste: anon habbeþ I-do—

wikked was þe lord: & wikkid ek þe meyne! þey þe body were ded,: þe soule to heuen gan fle. [64 Ms. body st. soule.] Erþe me brouȝt to erþe: so hit was skille & ryȝte, [ 65] ac al of þe holi soule: nadde þey no myȝte. seþþe laydioce het: þat cisine weren forþ I-brouȝt, & seyde to him anon-ryȝt,: "hastou I-chaunged þy þouȝt?" sysin him answerde: & seyde, "syre, nay, for þer nys þing on erþe: þat my þouȝt chaunge may. [ 70] Ich þe haue al of my wille: before I-seyd þe ende, þat ich wole wit Jhesu crist: euer-more al wende." "a, fy! foule stronge þef,": ladioce seyde þo, "ȝit þou chalt eft-sonys: In preson ben Ido, [74 Ms. for ȝit. lin.] for ich wole þat ech man I-wite: þat ich am hende & fre, [ 75] to loke ȝif men of here folye: amended hy wol be. & ȝut ic rede þat þou þe ȝit betir by-þenche, oþer me chal þin folys: myd p(i)nus þe aquenche." wit þat ilke word: sysin was þo I-do [79 Ms. cisin: sysin.] In to preson, þer satornyne: was wit oþer mo. [ 80] ech of hem I-knewȝ oþer wel: in þat ilke syþe, & weren for here compenye: boþe glad & blyþe. faste þey gonne here felawis: to preche cristus lawe & wit here myȝt: þat folk to gode drawe. vol to & fourty dayis: þey þere were, [ 85] & tornyd many to cristindom: þat come hem to I-here. By-fore þe prince ladioce: me brouȝt hem after þat stounde; swiþe lene þey weren & wan,: wit cheynus faste I-bounde. a swiþe gret Image of bras: forþ þer was I-brouȝt, & ladioce hem þo seyde,: "doþ after myn þouȝt: [ 90] honoureþ þis emage: & beþ him lef & dere!" Saturnyn answerde þo: as ȝe cholleþ I-here:

"God þat ȝef alle þing: to his wille ro & reste, Ic him bidde for his myȝt: þat þis god here to-berste." witþ þat ilke word,: so ich ȝou telle may, [ 95] þe god of bras al to-drof: so hit were of clay. papie & maure: twey knyȝtus weren I-wis, [(29. Jan.)] þat stodin þer be-syde: & I-seyȝ al þis: þennus þey wente preueliche: & afeng cristindom. þe tyding of þis þing anon: to ladioce com: [ 100] & anon he hyȝte his men: þat me cholde hem take & smyten of here heuedis: for Jhesu cristus sake. & þus maure & papye: þoledin martirdom— wel ic wot þat eyþer soule: þe wey to heuene nom. saturnyn & cisin: nouȝt þer-after longe [ 105] he let to twey postus: hem by þe armus an-honge, wit stauis & wit courgis: he let hem bete so faste, þat alle þat hit I-seye: I-wondrid þer-of wel vaste þat euer tweye bodyis: myȝten euer-mo here in þis ilke lyue: to þolie so moche wo. [ 110] ffur he leet leggen: to here sydus alle be-gon: & þorwȝ Jhesu cristus grace: þe fer a-queinte anon. ladioche seyde to þe tormentourus,: "ȝif ȝe loueþ me, smyteþ of here heuedin: þat ic it mowe I-se!" þe þridde calendre of desembre: here heuedin were of I-smete, [ 115] & here soulus wente to heuene,: ech man may wel wite.

Jhon þe prest & trason: deden as þe wise, hy beriedin here holy bodyus: & dedin þe seruise. Now Jhesu crist, al-myȝty god,: for here boþer loue bring vs to þe blisse: þat is in heuen aboue.

amen.

Þe holy pope inocent. [cf. Anast. Lib. Pont.] (28. Juli)

Þe holi pope Innosent,: so god ȝaf þe cas, In þe lond of abdane,: ic woot, I-bore he was; [2 l. Albane.] his fadir was a noble man,: boþe fayr & gent, & among þe peple: I-cleped innocent. þis holi pope rengned: in his dingnete [ 5] to monþus & ten dayis: & þer-to ȝeris þre (!). [6 al. xv.] prestus he made .xxx.,: & dekenus þrittene, & ek bysschopus .v.,: Ich woot wit-outen wene. [8 al. liiij.] a good wif was þilke tyme,: vestine was here name, [9 Ms. bestime.] wel moche ȝhe louid Jhesu crist: & was of good fame: [ 10] ffor to seruin Jhesu crist: wel moche was here þouȝte, & anoble cherche þerfore: ȝhe haueþ I-wrouȝte. Seint ge(r)ueys & prothase: þey weren I-beried þere, þerfore in þe honour of hem: þe werk ȝhe let arere. [14 Ms. work?] þo þis werk I-redy was,: anon ȝhe haþ I-sent [ 15] messagerus wel fayre: after þe pope Inosent. Inocent com to here: wel myldeliche þo & halwid þe chirche: so he auȝt to do; leopard & vrsin: prestus þey weren bo, þat at þilke tyme: holpin him þer-to; [ 20] [20 Ms. hem.] lybyan þe dekene: was also wit hem þere— [f. 237] þis ike foure goodmen: at þe halwing were. vestine, þe gode wif,: maked fayre offringe & fond al þat nede was: to þat ilke þinge. Innocent nom leue: & homward him gan dyȝte. [ 25] a cherche he fond be þe weye: & þer he alyȝte— þe cherche was of seint anneys: þat he alyȝte to. ac he ne fond no prest: þat here kepte þo. þerfore he was sory: so we findeþ I-write, & leopard & paulin: he sette here to wyte. [ 30]

In a tyme he of-sent: moche of þe clergye, a cene for to holde: wit a gret compenye. þedir come bysschopus: & oþer men also, abotus & prioris,: so þey auȝten to do. pelagye & celestin: þedir weren I-come þo; [ 35] alle þey were good cristenemen: bote þis ilke two. of many þingus þey speke: as þey to-gedir were, & nameliche of on þing: þat ich wol tellin here: wheþer a child þat were by-ȝete: of a cristene man & I-bore in spoushode: of a cristene woman, [ 40] scholde be lawe of cristindom: þer-after I-cristenyd be? Inocent þe pope: answered & seyde, "ȝe, for ned hit is þat ech soule: ben wassche in cristus blode, þat vs dere bouȝte wit his deþ: for vs vppon þe rode." pelagine & celestin: þer-to seyde, "nay, [ 45] þan were hit twyȝe I-cristenyd: aȝen cristin lay:

for cristin was alle þe kinne: of whom þe child come. þerfore ech wisman wot hit haþ: I-nowȝ of cristindome; & good is þat me let be: herafter soch folye, to cristene childrin tweye,: for hit is eresye." [ 50]

Inosent þo seyde,: "lordingus, ȝe hereþ þis! ac Ic wole proue: þat þey seggeþ amys & þat here ondirstonding: þat it is worse þan nauȝt, by skylle & ek autorite: þat þey beþ be-cauȝt. [54 beþ durchstrichen?] of adamus sinnus witeþ: þat we were foule echon [ 55] & in sinne by-ȝete—: for oþer nas þer non. [56 l. oþer help?] daueþ þe prophete: þer-of bereþ wittnesse, I-wis, In a vers he techeþ vs: buxomnesse þorwȝ þis: 'lo, I-wis' he seyþ: 'In buxumnesse ic am, & in filþe of sennes: my modir me ondir-nam'. [ 60] þis þing ne seyd he nouȝt: by him-self alone, ac, wel ic wot, he seyde hit: by vs euerychone, & ȝif we beþ in sinne I-bore,: we moot I-wassche be þorwȝ help of þe cristindom,: þey oþer seyden ȝe. ȝit ic wole prouy: þat it is eresyȝe, [ 65] þat þe cristene child nys nouȝt I-cristened twyȝe. Jhesu crist of heuene,: þat ful of goodnesse is, þo he for vs alyȝte: in to world þis, wit him he brouȝt to ech man: to wite oure cristindom, þo he oure kende: of his modir nom. [ 70] þer nys noþing so holy: ne noþing so clene so is þe fadir in heuene,: Ich woot wit-outen wene; his modir was wel clene: þat cholde him ond(i)rfo, & ellis he ne myȝte: nouȝt alyȝte þer-to; & Jhesu was him-selue: clennest of alle þing: [ 75] & ȝut he afeng cristindom,: to ȝeue vs teching þat we moste nede: alle I-cristenyd be; for who-so ne leueþ þis nouȝt: I-dampned he chal be." alle þat þer weren: answerid him anon & seyde, "syre Inocent, I-wis: þat is ful wel I-doon!" [ 80] pelagie & celestin: þey alle dampnid þo [81 Ms. bestin.] & from here velechipe: anon hem makid go. þo seyde inocent: to hem þat sete & stode: "lordingus, þo Jhesu crist: bouȝt vs on þe rode, ȝe habbeþ I-hurd howȝ he was: in his toumbe I-do: [ 85] alle þe apostlis hertus: weren wel sore þo, þat þey fastin echone & wep: alle þilke saterday: þerfore me þinkeþ it were gode: þat men of oure lay to faste & ben In penaunce: boþe lest & meste, & þat þey for-beren flesch—: for hit chal ben myn heste. [ 90] Ic nele hem nouȝt for-hote: þat hy ben in vastinge, bote þat þey for-bere flesch: Ich hote þorwȝ alle þinge." & þat þer werin: habbiþ I-granted al þis; [93 & st. alle.] so þat me be-leueþ flesch: þe saterday I-wis. þe seconde calendir of augost: he gan hennus wende. [ 95] & Jhesu crist granty vs alle,: þat is so fre & hende, to come to þe ioye: þat he is in Idyȝt, for þe loue of innocent,: so wel so þou myȝt (!).

amen.

Seint felix (III) þe holy pope. [vgl. Anast. Lib. Pont.; der Schluss v. 51 ff. ist aus Felix II (355-8) ange∣schmolzen.] (25. Febr.)

(483-492.)

Felix was I-bore in rome: sumtyme be olde dawe; his fadir heet felix ek,: a man of þe olde lawe. þe sone lernyd so clergye: so god ȝef þe cas, þat he at þe ende: pope of rome was; & þey his fad(i)r was a prest: & ek an holy man, [ 5] felix, his sone, me made pope: þer-after nauȝt-for-þan. ffor pope he was eyȝte ȝer,: Ic woot wit-outen wene, & elleue monþus: & dayis eyȝtene. eyȝtene prestus he made,: & þer-to dekenus fyue, & on & twenty bysschopis: þe whyle he was alyue. [ 10] a cherche he made in rome: wit-outen eny respit by-syde seint vincentus (!) cherche,: of seint agapit. [12 An. Laurentii.] peter þat of alisaundre: somtyme bysschop was, was I-dampnyd & exilid: for e(re)sye, as ryȝt was. to þe pope me tolde: þat he was I-cleped aȝe [ 15] & I-maked aȝen skylle: aȝen to his dingnete, & by þe bysschop achatie: me seyde hit was I-do þat of costauntin-noble: held þe bysschopriche þo. [18 Ms. me held.] þo þe pope be-gan seþ: herof ondirstonde, defencor, his conseyller (!),: þedir he sent by sonde, [ 20] to a-corsi peter & achasie: þat hadden I-do þis chonde, & to sesy þe bysschopriche: in to þe popus honde. defencor a-ȝens his wille: forþ went at þe laste, & out of here bysschoprichis: þe twey bysschopus he caste. þorwȝ conseil of alle þe court: þis þing was I-do. [ 25] þre ȝer leuedin þese bysschopus: In care, sorwe & wo. Ȝenon, þat was emperour,: sente þorw his mercye & by-souȝt þe pope felix: for þe bysschop achacie, & bed he cholde him for-ȝeue: þat ilke foul meschaunce & grante him griþ, þat he moste: þerfore to don penaunce. [ 30] þe pope granted anon: þe emperouris preyere so þat peter & achacie: ne dwelde nouȝt I-fere; ac ȝif þey were I-fere: I-foundin alle bo, [f. 238] þat he nolde his preyere: granty neuer-mo. Messene & vitale: forþ he sente þo, [ 35] twey holy bysschopis,: þis dede for to do: ȝif ȝey founde þat þis oþer: boþe to-geder were, þey choldin hem holdin acorsid: as þey weren ere. [38 Ms. were nere.] þey þese bysschopus holy were,: treson hem haþ I-chent, so þat þey ne dede nouȝt: þe popus comaundement. [ 40] to-fore alle þe folle peple: þer-of þey weren of-take & I-cast out of here dingnete: for þat ilke sake. messene of þe dede: him gan to repenty & wit sorwe of herte: cride him mercy. of him me hadde reuþe: & forȝaf him þat wronge [ 45] & set him a penaunce: boþe hard & stronge. þe penaunce he ondirfeng,: þey him þerfore smerte, & dede hit wel myldeliche: wit wel good herte. Odewarde was king of grece (!): & wered kingus ringe In þe tyme of þe pope: þat dede al þis ilke þinge. [ 50]

costauntin, his owe sone,: was in rome þo; [51 ff. vgl. Anast. Felix II (29 Juli).] he leuid in eresye moche—: & þat was moche mys-do, & for he was a gret lord: þe more was his folye— for to cheuen his falce be-leue,: he let him cristeny twye. eusebye me clepede him: þat tauȝte þat centence— [ 55] he was þat ilke tyme: bisschop of medyence. [56 An. episc. Nicomediensis.]

And þo felix it herde telle,: I-wis him was wel wo, & cheued him opinliche: þat he hadde mysdo. Constantin wit gret pouer: to him com at þe laste & out of his dingnete: wel wrongfulliche him caste. [ 60] & þo gan felix wonye: in a lytil stage [61 ff. anders Anast.] þat he let makin er: vppon his eritage. & þey he were out of dingnete I-cast,: nespared he þerfore nouȝt þat he ne seyde opinliche: þat constauntin hadde mys-wrouȝt. a iustise he procurid: for þat ilke sake, [ 65] þat was I-hote t(e)odore;: felix he het to take. þe ferþe calendre (!) of nouembre: forþ he was I-brouȝt, [67 An. Ide.] & þo me smot of his heued,: ne spared þey him ryȝt nouȝt. & þer lay þe holy body: vnberiid wel villiche, fort þe þridde calendre of decembre: com in, trewliche: [ 70] [70 Ms. calerdre.] & clerkus come by nyȝte: wel preuyliche þer-to & beried him wit soch honour: so þey myȝten do. & þus he ended his lif: in þis world here, & after to heuen went: wit-outen eny demore. [74 Ms. demere?] Now bidde we god & seint felix: þat he vs grace sende, [ 75] þat we after oure ending-day: mot to heuen wende.

amen.

Seint cimplice and faustine. [Vgl. die kurzen Acta bei Mombritius u. A. SS. Boll. 29. Juli. Der engl. Text weicht viel∣fach ab und ist ausgeführter.] (29. Juli)

Twey emperourus in som tyme: was in þe lond of rome þat slouin many a cristinman: þorw wel wilful dome: dioclisian & maximian: weren here namus þo; moche folk of cristindome: þey chenten þorwȝ pyne & wo, for þe fend was I-chote: so faste in here þouȝte [ 5] þat þey ne myȝte of Jhesu crist: I-here to speke nouȝte; for al was here wille: I-tornyd to fals lay. twey gode cristene men: þey aspyid vppon a day: Simplyse het þat on,: & þat oþer faustyne; he hem hyȝte to neme anon: & don hem strong pyne. [ 10] anon þis men weren I-nome: & to þe emperour I-brouȝt, & he to hem seyde,: "what habbe ȝe I-þouȝt? fort to despise oure laue: & oure god also? for soþe, we nelleþ soffry: þat noman so ne do! Er þat ȝe so mote,: ȝif þat ȝe ben wyse: [ 15] to oure god Jubyter: to-day don sacrefise, & we wolleþ for ȝoure loue: don sacrefise also; & so ȝe mowe ȝoure lif: fram pine sauy bo." [18 Ms. be st. bo.] ffaustin þo stood stille: & ne answere(d) nouȝt. "Syre emperour," quaþ cimplise,: "to ȝou we beþ I-brouȝt [ 20] to ben at ȝoure wille: In skylle & in ryȝt; [21 Ms. Iin.] we wolliþ ben I-redy: by day & be nyȝt.

ac o þing weteþ to soþe,: ȝe þreteneþ vs vit pyne: ffor soþe, we ne dredeþ þe nouȝt: ne non of ȝoure hyne, ne ȝoure tormentinge: ne drede we ner-þe-mo, [ 25] namore þan we dredeþ þe: þe worþ of a slo. ac we dredeþ þe pyne: þat lastiþ euermore, In body & in soule—: for þat is oure meste fere. & of ȝoure sacrefise: ne let we nouȝt eþe, for we wolliþ for cristus loue: wel fain þolye deþe. [ 30] & nowȝ ȝe witeþ to soþe: al what is oure wille: we nolliþ lete Jhesu crist,: þey ȝe oure bodiis spille." dioclisian gan to leyȝe: & seyde to faustin þo: "woltou holde þe fals lawe: & been to deþe I-do?" faustin answered & seyde,: "oure laue nys fals nouȝt, [ 35] for we leueþ on Jhesu crist: þat vs so dere abouȝt. vor he is stok ne stoon,: ne gold ne siluer he nys, ac goddus sone of heuen: we witeþ he is, I-wis; to beggen man fro sinne: ful lowe he alyȝte & deyde in his man-hede: þorw his swete myȝte. [ 40] whan he þorw his myȝt: wolde for vs deye, for to deye for his loue: ne stondiþ vs non eye."

"A, foule stinkende þeuis,": þe emperour seyde þo, "ȝe cholliþ for oure cristus loue: deyin alle bo." [44 l. ȝoure.] anon he leet þe tormentourus: to smyten of here heued: [ 45] & so was here holy lif: fram þe body reued; þe soulus wente to heuene,: þe bodyus fillin to grounde. þe tormentourus nome gret stonys: & to þe bodyus bounde; In to þe water of tibre,: þat dep & brood is, þey caste þe bodyus þo: afterward I-wis. [ 50] Jhesu þorwȝ his myȝt: nolde hem þere lete & made þat þe bodyis: gonne aboue flete. b(e)atrich, here soster,: ȝide a day for here loue weping by þe water,: & sey hem fleten aboue: ȝhe went to crispe & Jhon,: þat to prestus were, [(18. Aug.)] [ 55] & beried hem in here ouen welde (!): In fayre manere. [56 lat. in Sexto Philippi.] þe prestus, þo þey hadde I-do,: beden here good day & wenten homward preuylich: by þe ryȝte way. beatrich sore wepinge: adoun be þe toumbe lay [59 Ms. he.] for loue of here breþerin,: here song was welaway. [ 60] lucrecie, a fals bedil,: wel ofte þerforþ gan go, & I-seyȝe beatrix sitte: þer at þe toumbe so. to here he ȝede a tyme: & nom here be þe gore, & seyde, "seyȝ me, wimman,: why wepistou so sore?" "ffor myne breþerin," ȝhe seyde,: "myn herte is so wo, [f. 239] [ 65] þat ic ne may weping: forleten neuer-mo; for cristus loue þey were I-slawe,: crist ich hem be-take & my body & my soule,: ich nele hem nouȝt forsake." "arys, woman," he seyde þo,: "þou most come wit me, & don honour to oure godus,: ȝif hit þy wille be. [ 70] a whyle þou hast I-wope here,: ich wole þe teche pleyȝe; & but þou honoury oure godus,: for soþ þou chalt deyȝe."

"Lo, ich am al redy,": beatrich seyde þo, "vor to myn breþerin: þan ich may go. ffor cristin womman ich am: & sacrefise ic wole bringe [ 75] to Jhesu crist of heuene: & to non oþer þinge."

wit þat ilke worde: beatrich þey bounde faste, & ladde here in to preson: & þer-in here caste. by nyȝt he slow here myd his swerd: & in þe strete þreu here þo, & to his bedde he wente: þo he hadde þus I-do. [ 80] lucine, a fayr mayde,: fond þe body þere, [81 Ms. lucresine.] & beriid it in þe feld: þere here breþerin were. lucresie went to þe hous: þer-after þe þridde day [83 Ms. lucrecine.] þer þis holy men woned,: so ich ȝou telle may: þer he fonde a ȝong child: in a wommanus barme; [ 85] þat him gan to warny: anon of his harme— & ȝut þe child was nouȝt: but seue wokin old; ȝit hit gan to speke wit him: wit speche swyþe bold: "lucrecie," it seyde, "herkene now to me! þou hast aslaue beatriche,: þerfore by-war þe! [ 90] for þou ne chalt to soþe: it no lenger astonde, [91 Ms. longer?] for sone þou worst Itake: in þy foon honde." þo þe child hadde I-ended: þe wordus þat he sede, lucrecy þorwȝ þe deuel: anon he gan awede; & so he dwellid for wode: þre tidis of þe day, [ 95] & deyde & wente to helle,: so ich ȝou tellin may— & þer he fond þe drinke,: I-wis, so ich trowe, þat he hadde to him-self: þer-by-fore I-browe! þe þridde calendir of decembre (!): þese martiris deyde, I-wis. nowȝ Jhesu crist for here loue: vs grante heuen-blis [ 100] & bringe vs to þe ioye: þer þat hy beþ inne, & þat we mote oure ryȝt eritage: wit ryȝt to oure soulus awinne.

amen.

Seint Abdon and ceint cemen, twey holy Marteris. [Der engl. Text weicht vielfach ab von den kürzeren Acta bei Mombritius u. A. SS. Boll.; ähn∣licher ist Ado Martyrol.] (30. Juli)

Seint abdon & seint cemen: twey breþerin were [1 l. Sennen.] In þe lond of cordulie,: & weren kingus pere; cristin men þey were: & wel heldin here lay, & seruedin wel Jhesu crist: so ich ȝou telle may. þer-of hadde þe deuel enuye: þat hateþ alle goodnesse, [ 5] & maden þat heþen men hadde enuye: of here holynesse: To þe emperour decie þey wente: & gret playnt gonne make [7 Ms. deue; Ms. a st. &.] how abdon & semen: hadde here godus forsake, & seyde, "ondirstondeþ, syre,: it is ȝoure deshonour þat þey despisit þe godis: þat doþ ȝou alle socour; [ 10] & but ȝe ben þer-of I-war: & do amendement, ȝe mowe awayntin alle: þat oure godus ben I-chent: [12 Ms. awayntin = waymentin?] for wel we it ondirstondiþ: al wit-outen oþe, for hit is litil wondir: þey hy ben alle wroþe." "wel ȝe witeþ," quaþ þe emperour,: "þat ich mot don by rede, [ 15] & ich nyste nouȝt of þe þing: þat ȝe to me sede. ȝif ȝe mowe a-foue þat þing: þat ȝe to me þus tolde, [17 = a-vow.] what-so ȝe me redeþ, I-wis,: ich hit wille holde." "syre," þey answered þo,: "but þis þing soþ be, þou don by vs þy wille: & lete vs alle sle. [ 20]

& þerfore we þe redeþ: þat hy ben quik of-sent, to don sacrefise: oþer stonde to iugement." "I-wis," quaþ decie þo,: "ich wolde it were I-do, þat þey weren quik of-sent: þat þey me come to. & ȝif þey speke of Jhesu crist: to ȝou in eny stounde, [ 25] nemeþ hem wit strengþ: & doþ ȝe hem faste binde!" þen þey went anon-ryȝt: & nom þis goodmen þo, & habbeþ hem be þe weye: wel moche chame I-do. wel fayre þey come to þe emperour: so hit was wel ryȝte, & salued him in fayr manere: wiþ alle here myȝte. [ 30] þe emperour spek grimliche: & seyde to hem þo: "belamyes, why habbe ȝe oure godus: so moche chame I-do? þorw men of rome ȝe beþ I-nome: & I-brouȝt to oure honde to ondirfonge ȝoure dome: wit chame & ek wit chonde: takeþ kep, ich ȝou rede,: & comeþ to amendement, [ 35] er ȝe ben to pyne I-brouȝt: & al to-gedir I-chent."

Abdon þo answerde: & seyde, "god ȝilde it þe þat þou hast so wel I-radde: myne felawe & me! for to amenden it were good: who-so wiste howȝ, & fyȝtin wit þe deuel,: for nede we mot nowȝ. [ 40] & þey þe batayle be stronge,: ȝite nele we nouȝt fle, for þorwȝ Jhesu cristus helpe: we hopyiþ mayster to be." Quad þe emperour, "what is þe batayle: þat ȝe beþ to I-dyȝte?" "syre," þo seyde semen,: "it falliþ to goddus knyȝte stifliche for to stonde: & ne fle neuer-mo [ 45] fram his lordus ryȝte,: fram wele ne fro wo; [46 l. for wele ne for.] for more manchipe it is: in feld for to deye þan to libbe in sinnus: vndir chreuis eye. & þe ryȝt of Jhesu crist: vs haþ I-tauȝt so þat we ne dood sacrefise: to deuelin neuer-mo; [ 50] for chreuin þey beþ alle,: & here sergauns echon. þer-fore we nolliþ to hem: sacrefise do non."

"Avoy, syre!" quaþ þe emperour,: "þan bechreuestou me? for ich hem louie & don honour,: þat alle men mow I-se." "for soþe, syre," quaþ abdon: "& þat me reuþ sore, [ 55] [55 l. rueþ.] Ich hadde leuer þou leuedst: on Jhesu cristus lore." "out, þeues," quaþ þe emperour,: "þe deuel ȝou an-honge, for nouþe ich se þat ȝoure lif: Ilesteþ al to longe. "nymeþ hem," he seyde þo,: "& bindeþ hem so faste þat þey of here liuis: ben wel sore a-gaste; [ 60] & casteþ hem in to preson: & leteþ hem þere to be, vort ȝe habben heste: to bringen hem to me!" anon were þis goodmen: in to preson I-brouȝt. & þan bespak him semen: & ne spared ryȝt nouȝt: "leue swete broþer,: me þincheþ it, I-wis, [ 65] In þe loue of Jhesu crist: nou be-ginnyþ oure blis; for me þinkeþ þat Jhesu crist: on vs he haþ I-þouȝt. þerfore we to bidde to him: þat alle þing haþ wrouȝt, þat we mote hardy be: to endin þis batayle, & for doute of no deþ: þat we nouȝt ne fayle." [ 70] voure monþus þey dweldin: in þat preson þo & nomen concayl: what hy myȝte do.

þe vifþe calendre of augost: decie him sette in trone, & after Abdon & semen: he sente swyþe sone. [f. 240] þo þey weren forþ I-brouȝt,: he seyde to his consayle: [ 75] "alle ȝe witeþ, lordingus,: forsoþe wit-outen fayle, [76 Ms. londingus.] þat þorw help of oure godus: oure fomen come to honde, þey þat þey were riche, proude & stronge: by water & by londe: þese to þat ȝe I-seþ: wit cheynus I-bounde her stonde, þat oure godus & me despisit: wit chame & wit chonde, [ 80] & wit gold & seluer bo,: wit stonus & riche ringe þey beþ aparayled so richeliche: þat of vs ne telleþ no þinge." alle þat hem I-seye: wel sore þey gonne to drede— god hem sente þere: so mochil of fayrhede; & many grete lordingus: þer kneled to hem adoun [ 85] & bedin þat þey cholde: be-leue on mahoun, so þat hy myȝten libbe: & habben so gret honour & be lef & dere: wit decie þe emperour. semen him answered,: "aboute nouȝt it is, [89 l. hem.] for ich & myne broþer: cristin we beþ, I-wis; [ 90] In oure herte cristus loue: is so fast I-do [91 Ms. cristus loue is loue.] þat we ne mowe it letin: for nouȝt þat man may do; for him we wolliþ honoury: hou-so hit euer fare. þis oþer godus beþ deuelin,: god hem ȝiue care!" Decie þo for wraþþe: gan to grinte & grede, [ 95] & cleped valerie, þe iustise,: & þus to him sede: "þese tweye þeuis tak: to þe, ȝif þou conne, & mak hem don sacrefise: to þe god of þe sonne; & ȝif þe nolliþ doon sacrifise: to oure godus of þe lawe, þou lete hem myd wilde bestus: anon to ben to-drawe!" [ 100] To-fore þe god of þe sonne: me hem haþ I-brouȝt. Abdon seyde, "þis is a god: wit mannus hondus I-wrouȝt; þerfore, I-wis, it were: boþe chame & reuþe ȝif we him honourid: & brekin oure treuþe;" vppon him þey spatte: & seyde, "valerie, lo, [ 105] nouþe þou sixt woche honour: we wolliþ to hem do! we honoureþ Jhesu crist: þat made alle þing." "out, out," quaþ valerye þo,: "þis is a strong speting!"

Vit ledin clobbus anon: he leet hem þo bete; þe clobbus made in here flesch: woundus swyþe grete. [ 110] to hem he let go twey lyonys: þat hem to-drauen cholde. þe lyonys be-com tame anon: & hem harmy nolde; aboute hem wel myldeliche: þey ȝeden on þe grounde & softe þey gonne to like: here blody wounde. seþþe he leet foure beris: to þis goodmen go. [ 115] þey be-com swyþe tame: þo þey hem I-sey also; aboute hem þey leyin: so echman I-seyȝ, & kepte þat noman ne moste: come hem nyȝ; & seþþe Abdon & semen: bedin wit good wille þat þey cholde aryse: & go mylde & stille, [ 120] so þat þey ne cholde: no man mys-don: þe bestis aresin & ȝeden forþ: & ne dwelde þer nouȝt on. valarie heet me cholde: in þat ilke stede for to smyte of here heuedin;: & also me dede. here soulus wente to heuene: þat ech man may I-wite; [ 125] In þe temple to-fore here godis: here heuedis were of I-smete.

vnberied lay þe bodyis: þere dayis þre: quirin, a dekene, be nyȝte: he gan þedir te & beriid here bodyis,: so fayre & so couþe. & Jhesu crist for here loue: vs granten alle nouþe [ 130] þat we mote so libbe: here in world þisse þat we moot alle come: in to heuen-riche blisse.

amen.

Seint ierman þe holy bisschop. [Auszug aus der Vita Germani auct. Constantio presb. (in A. SS. Boll. 31 Juli, p. 201).] (31. Juli)

Seint ierman þe holy man: in auticiodence was I-bore, In þe toun of indegen (!),: of swyþe nobil more. [2 lat. Autisiodorensis oppidi indigena fuit.] to lettrure he was I-set: þorw his frenden rede, & þer-in he began: swyþe wel to spede. Inouȝ he gan to lerne,: ac euer he þouȝte þo [ 5] how he myȝte his soule: best to chelde fram wo; þerfore he gan lerne: þo in alle wise forto rede & singe: in holycherc(h)us seruise. nolde he wit no felachepe: for no-maner ginne come to non pleye: þat eny foly was inne. [ 10] wel moche he gan to hatye: eche-maner tauerne, vor him þouȝte in soule: as fur it wolde berne. þo he hadde his ȝong lif: in scole wel I-ladde, his maystris & his felawis: wit him weren gladde; ech man þat him I-knew: speke gode by his myȝte [ 15] & gonnene him to honowrin: boþe day & nyȝte. & þey him made toun-clerke: þo hit tyme was. alle aȝen his wille: In þat ofise he was— his þonkis he nolde nouȝt: soch ofise ondirfo, for þat him was swyþe looþ: eny man mysdo; [ 20] & nouȝt-for-þan he was: in þat ofise wel longe. þer nas noman þat myȝte of him: to playny but wit wronge; & þerfore him louid so: alle men I-liche þat weren in þe toune,: boþe pore & riche. so hit be-fil, as god wolde,: þat þe bysschop was dede. [ 25] [25 er hiess Amator.] & leued men & clerkus: þer-of tok here rede; so moche þey louedyn alle: þe gode clerk ierman þat þey him to bysschop ches,: so ich ȝo tellin can. & þer-fore þey sente: anon to þe kinge— & noþing nyste german: of þis ilke þinge. [ 30] þo þe king wiste þis,: anon he haþ I-sent after ierman þe clerk;: & he to him is went. vayre he sat adoun a-kne: & honoured þe king. þe king him tok be þe hond: & was glad of his comyng, & seyde, "come hedir, ierman,: for þou chalt sitte by me, [ 35] & ich þe wil telle: a þing in preuyte. þou hast longe I-be my clerk: at hom at indegen, & nouþe þou chal ben bysschop þere,: forsoþe wit-outen wen; for ic þe habbe þer-to I-chose,: non oþer ne may it be, & þer-fore ic þe granty: þerof þe dingnete." [ 40] "alas," quaþ ierman,: "lord syre, hou goþ þis? I-wis, me þinkeþ þe bysschopriche: þou hast I-set amys, for in soch ofise: noþing ich ne can. þerfore ic bidde pur charite,: þou chese anoþer man,

þat hit can & mowe bet: þat ilke ofis do." [ 45] "German, anon be stille!": þe king seyde þo, ffor by þe treuþe ich habbe to god,: & þat þou chalt to me, In þat ilke bisschopriche: non oþer ne chal hit be! for hit is goddus wille: þat þou it ben, I-wis. þerfore, ȝif þou hit wit-segge,: þou dost þer-of amys." [ 50] German þo answered: & seyde þe king to: "nowȝ Jhesu crist me granty: grace wel to do!" to þe erchebysschop he wente: so god ȝaf þe cas, & was I-sacred bysschop: so ryȝt & laue was. & anewe lif to lede: anon he by-gan; [ 55] þey he hadde good lif I-ledde: & clene byuore þan, his lif he gan amende: & by al his myȝte he drowȝ þe folk to gode: by day & be nyȝte. þerfore he wente ech day: to diuers stede to preche; & moche him loued þat folk: so he gan hem teche, [ 60] & of his predicacioun: hem stode wel gret eye: for he hem cheued be skylle: þat soule ne myȝt nouȝt deye, & alle þilke þat wikkid were: þey cholde soffry wo In þe pyne of helle: þat lasteþ euer-mo. Of þis ilke pyne: hem dradde swyþe sore, [ 65] & drowin hem from sinne: euer þe leng þe more.

Hit by-fil on a tyme: þis goodman wente to preche in þe lond of bretayne: so god him gan to teche. pore men he mette a day: þat bedin almesse ȝerne. to on of his dekenys: þis goodman gan him torne, [ 70] & seyde to him, "telle me nouþe: for þy cortesye, how moche moneye we habbeþ: in oure tresorye." þe dekene him answered,: "for soþe ich segge þe, Ich nabbe in myne warde: but besauns þre." "ȝif hem," quaþ þe bysschop,: "to þe pore men echon!" [ 75] "ȝe," þouȝt þe dekene,: "þan þer ne leueþ neuer on, & ich not what my lord: her-after haueþ to don: þerfore ich wole ȝeue þe two: & leue wit me þat on." & so he dede anon-ryȝt,: hem he ȝaf þe two, & kepte wit him þe þridde—: & þat was mys I-do! [ 80] wel wiste þo german: al þe dekenys wille, & þey forþ in his wey: he rod swyþe stille. þo he hadde a whyle I-rede,: he lokid him by-syde: & many men he seye: swyþe after him ryde. þo seyde seint ierman,: "þis men we mot abyde, [ 85] Ic wot þey wolde speke wit vs,: tyde what be-tyde." aȝen he tornyd his palfray: þat he þo by-strode, & aȝen þese men: wel myldeliche he rode. & alle þey alyȝte: þo þey him mette, & wit wel fayre wordus: myldeliche him grette. [ 90] þe bysschop to hem seyde,: "ȝe moot tellin me In þe name of Jhesu crist: what ȝoure wille be!" þese oþer gonne to wepe: & to him seyde anon: "oure lord is mesel become,: & his men echon. þerfore we habbeþ on of hem: hedir to þe I-brouȝt, [ 95] [95 ff. anders lat.] þat þou bidde to god for him: þat alþing haþ I-wrouȝt; for we hopeþ alle I-wis: þat god wol sone hele him of his euil: þorw þin holy bone."

anon þis holy bysschop: of his hors alyȝte, & by-souȝte to Jhesu crist: to cheuen þer his myȝte; [ 100] & after he ȝaf þis sekman: his blessing anon: þe sek man aros him vp: & hol he gan gon. echon þey weren blyþe: for þat ilke dede, & two hondrid besauns: anon þey gan him bede. "Takeþ hem þe dekene!": þe bysschop seyde þo, [ 105] "& he may to soþe I-se: þat he haþ mysdo: ffor ȝif he habbe I-do: as ich him habbe I-bede, he hadde þre hondrid besauns: I-brouȝt in to þis stede." [108 he st. hy.] þerfore noman ne habbe: wanhope of goddus myȝt, for he may whan his wille is: I-now to vs euer dyȝt. [ 110] þe dekene anon fil akne: & mercy him gan crye, & seint iermayn him for-ȝaf: þo al his folye. wit hem he wente to here lord: by þe wey wel ryȝte, & helid him & his meyne: þorwȝ goddus swete myȝte. swyþe glad þ(e)y weren,: alle þat him myȝt I-se, [ 115] & honowred him moche: In al þat contre.

Vppon an oþer tyme: so he aboute wende, In a goodmannus hous: anyȝt he alende. þe goodmannus douȝtur was doumb: & longe hadde I-be— a swyþe fayr mayde it was: elles vppon to se; [ 120] þe fadir & þe modir: þat here hadde forþ I-brouȝt, werin swyþe sory: for ȝhe ne spek nouȝt. anon after soper,: so ich ȝou telle can, seint german axid myldeliche: al of þe goodman: "hauestou eny douȝter?": þe oþer seyde þo, "ȝe." [ 125] "why ne moot ȝhe," he seyde,: "come be-fore me? Is here any harm I-do: oþer here lemys beþ syke? som word ȝe may I-here: þat may ȝou alle I-like." þe goodman fel akne: & to him seyde þo: "Ic not, leue swete syre,: what ȝe cholde here do; [ 130] here tonge is þorwȝ goddus grace: nouþe so fast I-steke þat ȝhe neuer her-by-fore: a word ne myȝte speke." þe bysschop him answered,: "goodman, be now stille! I-leuestou, of alle þing: þat god may don his wille?" wel swyþe sore wepinge: þe goodman seyde, "ȝe." [ 135] "bring þan," quaþ þe bysschop,: "þy douȝter be-fore me." þe goodman aros him vp: & ne dwellyd nouȝt, & haþ anon his douȝter: to-fore þe bysschop brouȝt. þan seyde seint ierman: to alle þe meyne: "biddeþ nouþe euerichon: wit me on ȝoure kne [ 140] þat he vs sende grace: þorwȝ his myls & his ore, þat þis mayde moot be: deliuerid of here sore!" þo german aros: out of his orisoun, & he made þo anon: here sitte akne adoun, & wit holy oyle: he anoynt alle here face [ 145] & by-souȝte wel ȝerne: Jhesu cristus grace; & suþþe he made in a coppe: wit him soppus þre: þat on he ȝaf þe mayde: þat þey alle myȝt I-se. & ȝhe it et & made a singne: for to habben more. "þou most speke," quaþ þe bysschop,: "raþer, be my gore! ȝif þou wolt habbe þis mete,: forsoþe ic segge þe, þou hit most bidde: of me pur charite."

"Ȝif me," quaþ ȝhe, "pur charite: of þis mete more!" & afterward redeliche: ȝhe spak for euer-more. þe fadir & þe modir: made þo glad chere, [ 155] & þonkid Jhesu crist & him: ech in his manere. moche me doutid seint german: & honourid him also for þe fayre meraklis (!): þat god for him gan do; moche ioye þer was: þo in þe ferede, & alle þey gonnyn þe more: þo god louie & drede.— [ 160] as seint ierman rood by þe wey,: so hit by-fil a day þat he com be a toumbe: þer a bysschop lay— somtyme me clepid him: þe bysschop cassy. a-doun he alyȝte & bed for him: to Jhesu crist mercy; seþþe he seyde, þat his men: I-herdin hit echon: [ 165] "cassy, what destou here?: telle hit me a-non!" "here ic ligge & reste,": quaþ þe dede þo, [f. 241] "vort it goddiswille be: þat ich hennus go." "how restistou, broþer,: þou most telle me!" þe dede answerde, "ic reste in pes: also þou myȝt se." [ 170] "þer moot þou reste in pes,": quaþ seint ierman, "longe, & seþþe at þe ende: goddus mercy afonge. þat þey moot of sinne: here lif so amende, now bidde we for cristene men: þat god hem grace sende." forþ wente seint ierman: in alle þe contre [ 175] & preched swyþe ȝerne: of þe cristiente. þre hondred ȝer he was bysschop: in þis world here, & suþþe he wente to heuene: þer lyȝt & ioy is clere. Now bidde we alle to Jhesu crist: for loue of seint Jer∣mayn, þat he bringe vs to þe ioye: þer þat he is in.

amen. [Die später im Ms. noch folgende Legende von Barlaam und Josaphat (27. Nov.) habe ich bereits in den Altengl. Leg. 1875 ediert.]

Die hier gedruckten Legenden, welche im Sinne und Stile der älteren Samm∣lung gedichtet sind, erscheinen ebenso als freie Bearbeitungen der Quellen: sie zeigen sich entweder aus dürftigen Quellen selbständig entwickelt und ausgeführt, oder aus längeren ausgezogen, ersteres z. B. bei den Papstlegenden, die auf des Auastasius Liber Pontif. beruhen. Wie weit der Dichter noch unbekanute Quellen und Vorarbeitungen benutzt habe, ist schwer auszumachen; meines Erachtens rührt die Bearbeitung von ihm selbst her.—Sprachlich ist besonders die Ver∣breitung der Endung -en auf den Singular des Indikativ wie des Konjunktiv, des Präs. wie des Prät. (z. B. ic habben, ic toldin), auch des Imperativ, auffällig; ebenso der Gebrauch von to vor dem Infinitiv nach den Hilfsverben.