With an O and an I / [ed. W. Heuser].

II.

In offenbar entstellter strophenform ist das gedicht, wel∣ches Furnivall EETS. 46 (1871) s. 150 ff. genau nach der hs. abgedruckt hat. Die hs. schliesst (!) die einzelnen strophen mit: With an O and an I und behält dann zum schlusse drei verse übrig. Die richtige strophenform ist offenbar die hier gegebene.

Ms. Douce 126, fol. 90b.

1.

Godys sone þat was so fre, into þis world he cam And let hym naylyn vpon a tre, al for þe loue of man. His fayre blod þat was so fre, out of his body it ran, A dwelful syȝte it was to se, his body heng blak and wan. Wiþ an O and an I, his coroune was mad of þorn And prikkede into his panne boþe byhynde and aforn.

2.

To a piler ybowndyn Jesu [Fur. ihesu] was swiþe sore And suffrede many a wownde þat scharp and betere wore. He hadde vs euere in mynde in al his harde þrowe, And we ben so vnkynde, we nelyn hym nat yknowe. Wiþ an O and an I, but ȝif we loue hym trewe, Houre peynys ben in helle ȝarkyd euere newe.

3.

Who so wele loue trewe, byhold Jesu [Fur. ihesu] on þe croys, How he heng pale of hewe and cryde wiþ mylde voys. "Me þristiþ", he gan to kalle, þe Jewis herdyn þys; Eysel meynt wiþ galle þey bedyn hym ywys. With an O and an I, his þrist was to seyȝe;

For loue of manys soule hym longede forto deyȝe.

4.

Who so be proud in herte, þynk on god almyȝt And on his wowndys smerte, how rewly he was adyȝt; Godys sone in trone þat heyȝest is of myȝt Tok batayle alone for oure loue to fyȝt. With an O and an I, þe batayle was so stronge, At many a betyr wownde þe ryche blod out spronge.

5.

Trewe turtyl corounyd on hylle þat heyȝest art of kynde, þy loue chaungyþ my wille, whan þou comyst in my mynde. þe fend I forsake anon for on lady so hende; To seruyn þe lady þan wil I gon, for ȝhe is of my kende. With an O and an I, icham on of þo þat þy sone bouȝte dere; he schal me nat forgo!

Amen.