The life of St. Cecilia from ms. Ashmole 43 and ms. Cotton Tiberius E. VII / [ed.] by Bertha Ellen Lovewell.

ASHMOLE MS. [fol. 185 back to 188 back].

SEyn Cecile of noble kunne; ibore was at rome. [1. L. seinte Cecilie, C. seint Cecelie (reg.); L. kynde, C. kunde; L. I-bore, C. bore] [MSS. Laud 108; Cmb. R. 3. 25.] Our lord crist heo louede wel; ar heo fram cradel come [2. L, oure, C. oure; L. louerd (reg.) L.ȝe (reg.); C. loued; C. or;] Heo lette hire baptise stilliche · as we fi[n]deþ iwrite. [3 L. let, C. lete; C. hure (reg.); L. baptiȝe, C. baptyse; L. C. Stilleliche (reg.); L. fynden; L. I-wryte, C. ywryte;] Ȝerne heo bed ihesu crist; hire maidenhod to wite. [4. L. bad, C. bade; C.-hode (reg.);] Þoru hire frendes strengþe; ispoused heo was to a man. [5. C. þorwe; L. pp. I-(reg.), C. spoused; C. suyþe (MS. suþþe?)] Line 5 Of gret nobleie & richesse; þat het valerian. [6. C. grete; L. nobleye, C. nob∣ley; L. his name was, C. hete;] Þis maide werede robe of pal; & cloþes swiþe riche. [7. C. wered; C. palle;] Gerlans & tresours al of golde; þe here next hire liche. [8. L. garlaundes, C. garlouns; L. tressoures, C. trassoures; C. nexte:] Wen þe menstrales songe hor song; of hor menstrasie. [f. 186.] [9. L. whane ȝe herde menstrales song, ȝe song in hire menstralcie, C. wan myn∣stralis songen of menstralcie] Þis maide stilliche song of god; & seynte marie. [10. C. L. stiliche; C. songe; L. moder marye;] Line 10 Of þe sauter heo song þis vers; þat mest was In hire þoȝt. [11. L. psalter; L. hire song was; C. fers; L. wer-on; L. mast, C. moste; L. þout;] 'Let lord myn herte vn-wemmed be; þat Ine be confounded noȝt.' [12. L. lat, C. late; C. hert; L. wiþout wem; L. it, C. ic; L. confundet; L. naut;] As heo was anyȝt in riche bedde; wiþ hire lord ibroȝt. [13. L. a-nyȝt, C. a nyȝt; L. bed; C. myd. L. i-brouth;] Sone hadde þis fole mon; of folie hire bisoȝt. [14. L. man; C. foly; L. be-sout;] "Suete heorte" quaþ þis maide; "uor loue þat þou hast to me. [15. L. C. swete herte (reg.); L. seyde, C. sede; C. haste;] Line 15 Grante þat ich þe mote telle a lute priuete. [16. L. y, C. ic (reg.); L. mowe (reg.); L. litel; | L. schryue, C. schryuen; L. þt þou it wille hele, C. conceil;] & þat ich me mote scryue to þe; as conseil priue" "Tristiliche þou miȝt" quaþ þis oþer; "to soþe ich bihote þe." [18. L. "certes lemman," þis ȝungman seyde, "noþing telle I nele," C. truliche;] "Suete heorte" quaþ þis maide; "In warde icham ido. [19. L. C. lemman; L. seyde, C. sede; C. ic am;] An angel is my wardeyn; & my lefmon also. [20. L. Aungel (reg.); L. of heuene; L. lemman, C. leman; L. þer-to, C. al so;] Line 20 Vaste he stont her by me; & ȝif he vnderȝete. [21. L. C. faste; L. stant, C. stante; C. here;] Þat þou by-nome my maidenhod; uor noþing he nolde lete. [22. L. be-nome; C. nold;] Þat he nolde harde smyte; & by-nyme þe þi miȝte [23. L. ne wolde, C. nold; L. be-nyme, C. bynym; L. myȝtte, C. myȝt;] Vor al þe nobleie þat þou hast; þe ne halt noȝt aȝen him fiȝte [24. L. C. of; L. ȝungness & of noble state, C. nobley; L. ne myȝth, C. ne myȝt; L. wiþ; L. fyȝtthe, C. fyȝt;] Ac ȝif he seoþ þat þou louest me; In good lif & clene. [25. L. wiste, C. sey; L. louedest, C. loue; L. gode, C. goud; L. C. loue;] Line 25

He wole þe wite as he doþ me; & ech vuel fram þe ȝe[m]e" [26. L. wolde; L. wytte, C. wyty; L. als; L. deþ, L. al; L. C. yuel; L. fro; L. ȝene, C. ȝeme;] "Ȝif þou wolt, lefmon; þat ich ileue þis. [27. L. wilt; L. seide V.; C. lemman sede he; C. leue;] Þe angel þou most scewe me; þat ich him ise iwis. [28. L. þen; L. angel; L. C. schewe; L. I (reg.); L. C. se; L. I-wis, C. ywys;] Ȝif ich mai þat soþe ise; þat þou hast þat soþe ised [29. L. wanne; C. so[y?]: L. i-se, C. yse; L. i-seyd, C. ysede;] In clannesse ichulle þi wille do; al after þi red. [30. L. clenesse; L. for-soþe, C. ic wole; C. alle; C. þy; C. rede;] Line 30 Ȝif ich ise þat In folie louest; an noþer þen me. [31. L. C. se; L. anoþer, C. & oþer; L. C. þan;] I nele bileue uor noþing; þat I nele him sle & þe." [32. L. no-þing ne schal ȝou helpe, C. nelle leue for; L. ne, C. nelle;] "Swete heorte" quaþ þis maide; "ȝif [(MS. þ ȝif)] þou wolt þen angel ise. [33. L. seyde, C. guod; L. & þou wile þe aungel se, C. þan;] Þou most byleue on ihesu crist; & icristned be. [34. L. bileuen, C. moste lyuen; C. ybaptiȝed;] Ȝif þou wolt so þou miȝt him ise; & wite he wole ous fram helle [35. L. wilt; L. C. schalt; L. sen, C. se; L. he wile wytte, C. wele wyten þe; L. fro;] Line 35 & so gret Ioie worþ of our loue; þat no tonge ne mai telle. [36. C. such; L. ioye; L. C. oure; L. tunge;] Ac þre mile henne þou most go; to þe wei of apie. [37. L. henne ouer; L. gon; L. C. wey;] Þou schalt þere vynde pouere men: on ihesu crist crie. [38. C. þer; L. C. fynde; L. [pore], C. poure; C. man; C. in; L. faste, L. ȝeme;] Sei þat ich þe to hem sende; þat hi þe teche anon. [39. C. hym; L. he, C. ic; C. tell;] To Seyn Vrban þe olde mon; vor þou most to him gon [40. L. Whar is; L. þe holi old man, C. þe holy man; C. moste;] Line 40 & priue conseil wiþ him speke; uor he þe schal baptise. [41. L. ffor, C. & in; L. counseil, C. conceyl; L. þou wilt; C. myd (reg.); L. ȝ, C. for; L. C. baptiȝe;] Þen angel þou schalt þenne ise; · & he schal ous boþe wise." [42. L. Þan C. þe; L. þanne, C. þan; L. & do as he þe wile wise, C. boþ;] Valerian aros anon; as our lord him ȝef wille. [43. L. a-ros; L. a-non; L. oure louerd, C. god; L. C. ȝaf;] To þe stude þat þis maide bad; uorþ he wende wel stille. [44. L. C. stede; L. þe, C. as heo sede; L. forþ; C. welle;] Þis pouere men him teiȝte anon; to þe olde mon Seyn Vrban. [45. L. pore, C. poure; L. taute, C. teyten; C. man;] Line 45 In an old stude uor-let; þer as ne com no man. [46. L. C. stede; L. for-late, C. forlete; L. þat wonede neuere man;] Among olde puttes & burles; as me cristene men þreu. [47. C. amonge; C. old; L. burieles, C. buryeles; L. as, C. þer as; L. men, C. cristen; C. yrew;] After þat hi Imartred were; ware me eny [(MS. meeny.)] ikneu. [48. L. he, C. hÿ; L. martired, C. martred; L. men anye kneu, C. wan me any knew;] To is fet he vel adoun; anon so he to him com. [49. L. feet, C. fete; L. ful, C. felle; L. a-doun, C. adoune; L. als-sone as [he], C. þo he; L. C. come;] & sede þat cicile him sende þuder; to esce cristendom. [50. L. seyde; L. cesilie, C. cecele; L. send; L. þider, C. þude [Þ?]; L. asken, C. habbe; L. dome;] Line 50 "Louerd Ihered be þi miȝte"; sede Seyn Vrban. [51. C. lord; L. I-herd, C. yheryed; L. myȝtte, C. myȝt; L. C. seyde;] "Is þis þe luþer werreour; þat me clepeþ valerian. [52. L. Weþer þis be þat, C. ne ys þis þe; L. Luþere; L. werreor, C. werreoure; L. men; L. clepuþ, C. clypeþ;]

War cicile habbe Imad him; þat was er so wilde. [53. L. were. C. where; L. haue y-mad, C. made;] & more tiraunt þen eny wolf; as a lomb þus milde." [54. L. tyrant, C. tyraunt; L. C. þan; L. C. any; L. als; C. lombe; L. now;] Þo com þer go a suyþe old mon; & aliȝte fram heuene þer. [55. L. swiþe; C. olde; L. C. man; L. a lyȝtthe, C. þat a lyȝt; L. fro;] Line 55 Hor wiþ wite vestemens · a suyþe uair writ he ber [56. L. whyte, C. whyt; C. vestymens; L. swiþe; L. fair, C. faire; L. wryt, C. wryte; C. bere;] Þo valerian him isei · adoun he vel uor drede. [57. L. it; L. I-sey, C. sey; L. a-doun, C. a doune; L. fel, C. felle; L. C. for;] Seyn Vrban him nom vp; & gan him uorþ lede. [58. C. nome; L. aȝen; L. C. forþ;] Þis halwe of heuene him tok þis writ; & bed him uorte rede. [59. L. halewe, C. angel; C. toke; L. þat, C. þe; C. wryte; L. bad, C. bade; L. forto, C. þeron;] Valerian radde þis writ; þat þes wordes sede. [60. L. tok it anon, C. þe wryte; L. & þus þe;] Line 60 'O lord is & on bileue; & on baptisinge. [61. L. on; C. o; L. bi∣leue; C. o; L. baptiȝingge, C. baptyȝyng;] O god & fader of alle þat beþ; þat ouer al is in eche þinge' [62. L. on; C. & al; C. þat is; L. oueral; L. þingge, C. þyng;] "Ileuestou" quaþ Seyn vrban; "þat þou dest her ise" [63. L. I-leuestou þis; C. my leue sone; C. sede; L. C. dost, C. here; L. I-se, C. se;] "Þer nys noþing" quaþ þis oþer; "þat bet to leue be." [64. C. is noȝt; C. sede; C. louyng;] After þis wite mon he bihuld; he nuste war he bicom. [65. L. whyte, C. þe whyt; L. beheld, C. byheld; L. wher, C. ware, L. be-cam; C. by-come;] Line 65 Seyn Vrban him nom anon & ȝaf him cristendom [66. L. a-non; C. nome;] To Seyn Cicile he wende aȝen; þo he hadde ibe þer [(MS. is.)] i-fulle [67. L. sein Cecilie; L. was þare (reg.) is fulle, C. be þer his fulle;] He vond hire chambre liȝt wiþþinne; & swiþe suote smulle. [68. L. fond, C. founde; C. Schaumbre; L. lyȝth; L. wiþ-inne, C. with In; C. ful of swete smylle;] He uond Cecile his gode spouse; & an angel bi hire stonde. [69. C. fonde;] Briȝtore þen eny leome; to gerlans he huld an honde. [70. L. bryȝttere, C. bryȝtur; L. C. þan; L. C. any; L. lome; C. lyȝt; L. twey, C. two; L. gar∣londes, C. garlauns; L. hadde, C. held; L. on;] Line 70 Of rosen & of lylion suote; þat on cicile he toke. [71. L. rose, C. swete ros; L. lilie, C. lyly; L. tok;] & þat oþer ualerian; as we fi[n]deþ in boke. [72. C. þe; L. fynden; L. bok;] "Witeþ þis" he sede "In trewe loue; wiþ chast bodi & clene [73. L. in, C. myd chaste loue; L. chaste body;] Ich hem habbe fram heuene ibroȝt; our lord it doþ ȝou lene. [74. L. i-brouȝth, C. broȝt; L. C. oure; L. C. hem;] Vor welluwe ne olde neuer hi nelleþ; ac euer ilaste [75. L. ffor-falewe, C. falewy; C. olden; L. wille þei nat; L. euere he willeþ laste, C. more laste;] Line 75 Þe two maner floures þat þer beþ; nelleþ neuer hor heu caste. [76. L. manere; L. beþ on, C. beþ here on; L. nelle; L. neuere; L. hor; C. hewe;] Þe lilie tokeneþ ȝoure maidenhod; þat is so wit & suote. [77. L. be-tokneþ, C. bytokneþ; L. whyt, C. whit; L. C. swote;] Þe rose bitokeneþ ȝoure martirdom · uor þeron deie ȝe mote. [78. C. marterdom; L. for (reg.); C. deyȝe;] & vor þou dest valerian cecilie red sone. [79. C. dyst; C. Cecilijs; C. rede; L. C.so sone;] Wat þou of my lord bist; he wole grante þi bone." [80. L. what; C. oure; L. be-sekest, C. beste; L. wille; L. þe; L. C. graunte; L. sone;] Line 80

"I ne wilny noþing so muche"; sede ualerian. [81. L. wille, C. wylne; C. no þyng; L. miche; L. seyde, C. seide;] "As þat tybors my broþer; were cristeneman." [82. L. Bote, C. but; L. Tiburst; L. wiþ me; C. cristen man;] "My lord wole" quaþ þis angel; "ȝeue him þulke grace. [83. C. sede; L. aungel, C. þe a.; L. wile ȝiuen þat ilke, C. ȝyue hym suche;] Þat boþe ȝe scholleþ at one tyme be; Imartred In one place." [84. L. C. & C. boþ; L. schulle, C. schullen; L. C. o; L. I∣martired, C. martred; L. o, C. a;] Þe angel wende wiþ þis word; me nuste war he bicom. [85 L. aungel, C. angle; C. þat; L. he, C. hÿ nust; L. wher, C. ware; L. be-com, C. bycome;] Line 85 Þis two clene þinges wiþ Ioie Inou; hor eiþer to oþer nom [86. C. þes twey; L. þingges, C——; L. ech of oþer; C. nome;] Tibors com to þe chambre; to speke wiþ is broþer þere [87. L. C. Tiburs; C. come; L. spak, C. spake; C. with; L. C. his; C. þer;] He stod stille & bihuld aboute; as he nuste war he were. [88 C. stode; L. beheld, C. byhelde. L. al-a∣boute; L. als.; L. wher, C. ware;] "Broþer" he sede "hou geþ þis; þis tyme of þe ȝere. [89. L. seyde; L. goþ, C. "þis is" (the þis is in a different hand); C. þat; C. in;] So suote smul ne smulde ich neuere; me þencþ as ich do here [90. C. suche smel; L, smelde, C. smelled; L. I, C. ic; C. neuer; L. þinkeþ (reg.); C. now;] Line 90 Þei þis hous were vol of rede rosen; & of wite lilion also [91. C. wer; L. ful, C. fulle (reg.); L. of newe roses; L. of lylie, C. of lylyen;] I ne miȝte hem verisore smul: me þencþ þen ich nou do. [92. L. myȝtteþ, C. myȝt; L. versschere, C. swettur; L. smelle, C. smellen; L. C. now;] So vol icham of þis smul; & so muche it is In my þoȝt. [f. 187.] [93. L. C. þe; C. smelle; C. so is þer on; L. þout;] Þat I not hou icham sodenliche; In oþer witte ibroȝt." [94. L. for-soþe, L. C. in an-oþer; L. wytte, C. wyt; L. I-brouth, C. ybroȝt;] "Leue broþer" quaþ valerian; "gerlans we habbeþ here. [95. C. he sede; L. garlandes, C. garlauns; C. habeþ;] Line 95 Of floures þat þou ne miȝt ise; bote þou were our Iuere [96. C. noȝt; L. i-se, C. se; C. but; L. C. oure; L. C. fere;] Ac so as þou hast þem suote smul; þer-of þoru our bone. [97. L. als, C. &; L. þane swote smel, þis smylle; L. þar-of, C. þer for; L. for, C. þorw; L. C. oure;] Ȝif þou wolt bileue as we doþ; þou miȝt hem ise sone." [98. C. If; L. be-leue, C. lyue; L. sen, C. se;] "Leue broþer" quaþ þis oþer; "weþer is it soþ þis [99. L. seyde, C. sede; C. tyburs; L. wheþur, C. ys hit soþ oþer hit nys; L. be] Oþer ich stonde in metynge; & mete þat it so is." [100. L. matyngge, C. metyng; C. ys;] Line 100 "In metynge" quaþ valerian; "we habbeþ euer ibe. [101. L. metyngge, C. metyng; C. sede;] Nou we beþ verst of slepe awaked; nou we mowe uerst ise." [102. C. & now; L. ben; L. ferst; L. a-waked; L. ferst, C. furst; C. se;] "Suxtou bet nou" quaþ þis oþer; "þen þou hast er ido." [103. L. sestow, C. syxte; C. bete; C. sede tyburs; L. C. þan; C. ar; C. þis do;] "Ȝe" sede valerian; "wel me bi-houeþ so [104. L. seyde; L. sone; L. be-, C. by;] Vor my lordes angel of heuene; haþ iȝeue me siȝt [105. L. ffor, C. for; L. aungel; L. I-ȝoue, C. yȝyue; L. syȝth, C. lyȝt;] Line 105 & vor our loue he wole þe also; ȝif þou wolt bileue ariȝt" [106. L. for oure; L. schal; L. wile; L. leue, C. lyue; L. a-ryȝth;]

Þo sede þis holi maide "tybors leue broþer. [107. L. seyde;] Wat beþ þis maumetes bote wrechede; þou suxt non oþer. [108. L. what; L. ben; L. maumettes, C. maumes; C. bot; L. wreched∣hede, C. wrecches; L. sest, C. syxt; C. ne; L. on hem;] Ne suxtou hou it is monnes werc · Imad of old tre. [109. L. sestou; þat þese maumets, C. beþ hÿ of maumes werke; L. ben mad, C. & ymaked;] Þing þet ne mai him sulue helpe; hou mai it helpe þe" [110 L. C. sulf; C. helpen; L. myȝte, C. scholde; C. hÿ;] Line 110 "Noþing nys soþer" quaþ tibors; "þen þat þou hast ised. [111. L. soþere; C. sede; L. þanne, C. þan; L. i-seyd, C. ysede;] Woder he weþer þen eny best; þat nolde do þi rede" [112. L. gydiere, C. gydier; L. C. were þan; L. any beste, C. a best; C. nold; L. don; L. red;] Seyn Cecile him custe anon; "leue tybors" heo sede [113. C. swete c.; L. tiburs, C. broþer; L. he seyde;] "To dai þou schalt my broþer be; vor þou wolt do bi rede. [114. L. to-day; L. wilt don; L. be, C. by;] Þoru clene loue of good bileue; þi broþer my spouse is [115. C. þorwe; L. C. and; C. goud; C. spous ys;] Line 115 Þer-þoru þou schalt bicome also; my broþer wan þou art his [116. C. þer þorwe; L. when; C. b. ben ywys;] Myd valerian þou most go to þe biscop vrban [117. L. C. mid;] & be icristned & do also; as he þe rede can." "Is þat vrban" quaþ tybours; "þat so ȝerne haþ ibe isoȝt. [119. C. sede; L. be souȝth; C. be soȝt;] Þat ȝare haþ ibe fleme & ihud; & ȝif he were uorþ ibroȝt. [120. C. yflemed be; C. ȝef; L. forþ brouþth, C. forþ broȝt;] Line 120 Vorberne he scholde & we also; ȝif we wiþ him were [121. L. ffor-berne; C. for; C. schold; C. ek; C. myd;] & so þe wole we heuene soȝte; vorberne we miȝte here." [122. L. while, C. wyle, L. souȝthen, C. soȝt; L. for-barnd, C. brende; L. scholde, C. schold; L. ben here, C. ben þer;] "& ȝif þer nere" quaþ þis maide: "soulement bote þis lif. [123. C. sede cecile; L. onliche; C. bot;] Fol he were þat it wolde lese; vor eny strif. [124. C. hit; L. any-maner;] An wen þer is so muri lif; þat we schulleþ her-after auonge. [125. C. omits line; L. seþe; L. schulle after a-fonge;] Line 125 Fol is þat nele an wule be wo; to be In Ioie so longe." [126. C. omits line; L. nelle a whyle ben;] "Leue broþer" quaþ tybours; "ich biseche þe [127. C. sede; L. þou; L. C. haue mercy of me;] Lede me to þulke gode monne; & haue mercy of me." [128. L. led; L. C. þat; C. goud; L. C. man; L. Ich be-; C. i^c byseche;] Þat o broþer ladde þat oþer; to þe biscop Vrban [129. C. þe; C. lad þe o.; L. bisschop, C. byschop;] & let him vorsake is fole bileue; & bicom cristene man. [130. L. þar he for-sok, C. To forsake; L. C. his foule lawe; L. becam, C. bycome; C. cristen;] Line 130 Tibours þo he com aȝen; þen angel he sei anon. [131. C. come; L. þan, C. þe; L. C. sey;] Þat Cecile him hadde bihote; In þe chambre wiþ hire gon. [132. C. byhete;]

Cecile, vor heo womman was; atom heo moste abide. [133. L. ȝe; L. wyfman, C. wymman; L. at hom, C. a com; C. most;] Ac þis breþeren þat were men; aboute wende wide. [134. L. ak þese; C. þe broþeren; L. whane, C. wan; L. martyreden; L. cristenemen; L. þider; L. he wolden, C. hÿ wold;] & wen me martred cristenmen; þuder hi wolde gon. [f. 187b.] Line 135 & stele to wen hi miȝte best; & burie hem anon. [[don.] [136. L. to whan, C. to wan; L. he myȝtte, C. hÿ myȝt, C. beste; L. burien, C. bured; C. be a.;] bi-uore þe Iustice hi were ibroȝt; me lefte hem wat hi wolde [137. ll. 139, 140 tr. 137, 138 in L. and C.; L. to-fore, C. to; L. C. iustise, L. he weren, C. hÿ were; L. i-brouth; L. þei askede, C. me eschete; L. C. hem anon;] Ho made hem so hardi; to ben þe emperours fon. [138. L. who, C. wo; L. C. ȝou; L. burie, C. bury; L. C. emperoures; L. foon;] As hi burede twei gode men; þat Imartred were. [139. L. þei: C. hÿ; L. burieden, C. bured; L. y-martired;] Come þe emperours men; & nome hem riȝt þere. [140. C. comen; L. C. -es; L. C. nomen; C. anon þer;] Line 140 Þe misbileued trechhours; þat were aȝen our lawe. [141. L. trichours, C. traytoures; C. aȝens; L. C. oure;] Þat wiþ riȝt Iugement of londe; were ibroȝt of dawe. [142. L. ryȝth; C. Iuggement; L. of þe lond; L. i-brout;] "Sire, we wolde," queþe þis oþer: "þat we wurþi were [143. C. wolde god sede þes oþer, L. oþere seyde; L. worþi, C. so;] Hor knaues uorte habbe ibe; þat ȝe lette quelle þere. [144. L. C. here; L. forto; C. knaues ... þat; L. þou let; C. ȝe aquelden; L. þare;] Hi bileuede þing þat noȝt nas þei [it] [(MS. omits.)] semblaunce hadde [145. L. he, C. hÿ; L. C. leften; L. nawt, C. naȝt; L. þei it; C. þey hit; C. semblant;] Line 145 & toke þat was aworþ; & no semblance nadde. [146. L. good þing C. to þe þyng; C. semblant;] Vor þei worldes wele habbe semblance · uor soþe noȝt it nys. [147. L. þe worldes ioye þat haþ semblant; L. so nawt, C. wors þan n. ys;] & þei þe blisse of heuene þenche lute; uor soþe muche it is." [148. L. and, C. ac þe Ioie; L. heuen; L. þinke, C. semeþ; L. lite, C. luyte; L. mechul and swete it is, C. ac much hit ys ywys;] "Belamys," þe Iustices seden; "ȝe me þencþ wode. [149. L. beaus, C. bens; L. a. ... me, C. sede þis iustice; L. þat ȝe ben; L. þynkþ, C. þyncheþ;] Wurþe he i[s [(MS. it.)] ] to habbe wo; hose kepeþ noȝt of gode." [150. L. worþe, C. worþ; L. who-so, C. þat: L. keput; L. nat; C. no goude;] Line 150 "In wynter," quaþ valerian; "idelmen sitteþ & drinkeþ. [151. C. sede; L. sitten; C. stille; L. drynkun;] To busemar hi liȝeþ erþetilien; þat aboute gode swynkeþ. [152. L. bismere, C. a scorn; L. leyen; L. here; C. in þe felde, L. sowynge;] In heruest wen hi mowe; vair corn repe. [[grepe] [153. L. whan, C. wan; L. C. þe swynkeres; L. moweþ, C. rypeþ; L. fair schef, C. corne; L. and good and rype, C. goud and rype;] In meseise hi mowe go vp & doun; vor hi nabbeþ neuer a [154. L. ȝe mowen gon, C. þe drynkeres goþ; L. he, C. and; L. neuere agripe, C. a gripe;] & we scholleþ uor our trauail; þi blisse repe atenende. [155. L. als, C. so; L. C. schulle; L. C. oure; C. trauaile; L. C. rype; L. atte ende, C. at nende;] Line 155 Wen ȝe schulleþ uor our Ioie; wepynge to helle wende" [156. L. whanne, C. wan; L. C. schulle; L. for ȝoure; L. wepynde, C. to pyne of h.;] "Eke we," quaþ þe Iustice; "þat lordes scholde be. [157. L. ek he, C. ek we; L. seyde, C. sede; C. schold lordis;] Beþ lasse worþ þen suche wreches; þat nelleþ neuer iþe." [158. L. C. þan; L. swiche: C. drynkeres; L. nolde neuere þe, C. yþe;]

"Certes" quaþ ualerian "þou art lasse itold [159. C. sede; C.ert; C. of tolde;] Þen a beggare aȝen god; ne be þou ne so bold" [160. L. þan is a saly beggere; C. aȝens; C. goud; L. neuere, C. neuer, C. bolde;] Line 160 "Belamy," quaþ þe Iustice; "I ne kepe noȝt of þi Ianglinge. [161. C. sede; L. yne, C i^c ne; L. nat, C. no; L. ianglyngge;] Doþ ȝoure sacrifice anon; oþer me schal ȝou to deþe bringe" [162. C. oure godes; L. sacrefise; L. bringge;] "Certes" queþe þis gode men; "þou ne bringest ous noȝt þerto." [163 L. quaþ þis godeman, C. hÿ sede; C. þo; L. ne bringgest me neuere, C. bringest hit noȝt;] Þe Iustice hem let anon; In strong prison do; [164. C. stronge; L. prisone; C. to do;] Maxime þe gailer het; þat hem In warde nom. [165. C. leylere hete; C. in ward nome;] Line 165 So þat he & alle his; þoru hem cristene bicom [166. C. al; L. þorw, C. þorwe; C. fongen; C. cristendom; L. come; L. ȝe; C. to g.;] Seyn Cecile com bi þe prison; loude heo gan grede. "Wat doþ ȝe, stalwarde knyȝtes; cuþeþ ȝoure stalward hede. [168. L. what; L. C. do; L. C. godes; L. knytes; L. kuþeþ; C. kepeþ; L. ȝour; L. stalewort, C. Stalword;] Fiȝteþ nou stalwardliche; to bileue þis derkhede. [169. C. wyteþ ȝoure strongnesse, L. staleworþliche; C. now in;] Þat ȝe were In þe weie ibroȝt; þat to cler liȝt ȝou wole lede" [170. L. i-brouth;] Line 170 Amorwe to þe maumet þis gode men were ibroȝt. [171. L. opon þe morue; L. maumets, C. þis maunes; C. þe goud; L. brouth;] Þe Iustice hem het do sacrifice; ac þo hi nolde noȝt. [172. C. hete; L. don; L. þei ne wolde nat, hÿ nold;] Hor heden he het boþe of smyte; & maxime isei [173. L. C. here; L. heued, C. heuedes; L. let, C. lete; L. it I-sey, C. anon sey;] War angles hor soulen nome; & to heuene bere an hei. [174. L. whare aungles here soules, C. foure angles here saule nyme; L. baren;] To þe Iustice he eode anon; "cristene icham" he sede [175. L. ȝede, C. wende aȝen;] Line 175 "Ich isei þe gode menne soulen; angles to heuene lede." [176. L. godemannes soule, C. sey angles now here saules;] Þe Iustice him let nyme anon; naked he let him bete. [177. C. lete²; L. C. nymen;] Wiþ stronge scourgen vaste ibounde; vorte he gan þat lif lete. [178. L. skourgen; L. faste, C. fast; C. bounden; L. forto, C. fort; C. his l.;] Þat bodi hi caste wiþ-þoute toun; þo gon Cecile uorþ gon. [f. 188.] [179. L. C. þe; L. þei, C. hÿ; L. C. casten; L. wiþoute, C. withþoute; L. þet.; C. toune; L. gan, C. com; L. C. forþ;] Þis þre holi martirs; to-gadere heo burede anon. [180. L. þese, C. þo; L. C. martires; L. ȝe.; C. bured; L. to-gydere, C. togadre;] Line 180 Heo was sone Inome & ilad; byuore þe Iustice þo. [181. L. omits; C. nome; ladde; to;] "Wat" he sede "hou geþ þis; beþ þer ȝut screwen mo. [182. L. what; C. how; L. C. goþ; L. ȝet; L. C. schrewen;] Artou valerianes wif; bi þe fei ich owe mahon. [183. C. þou; L. Vallerianus; C. fay; L. mahoun, C. to M.;]

Bote þou oþer do, þi wite heu; worþ sone ibroȝt adon [184. C. an oþer; L. wyth, C. þy whyte hewe; L. I-brouth, C. broȝt; L. -doun, C. adoune;] Of wat kun artou icome; þat so folliche þe doþ lere." [185. L. what; L. kynne, C. kunde; C. þou comen; L. þus foleliche wilt, C. þe wole þus;] Line 185 "Of betere kunne" quaþ þis maide "þen þou euer were [186. C. beter kunde; L. quaþ C., C. sede C.; L. C. þan; L. euere;] In wuch maner lif quaþ þis oþer; þencstou þi lif lyue. [[ȝiue] [187. L. wich, C. wuche l.; C. sede þe i.; L. C. þenkest; L. tou, C. þou; L. to lyue;] Þou axst as a fol quaþ þis maide; & such vnsuere me schal þe [188. L. ffor-soþe; L. axest, C. eschete; C. heo sede; C. foule; L. swich, C. suche; L. ansuere; L. schul;] Vor al þi poer þou schalt ise; wen þou wost þen ende. [189. C. powere; C. se; L. C. by þat þou; C. þe;] Þat þou ne schalt fram ihesu crist; enes myn herte wende." [190. L. ones, C. enys; C. my þoȝt;] Line 190 "Hou com it to þe" quaþ þis oþer; "to be so hardi her. [191. L. comeþ, C. how come þou; L. seyde, C. sede; L. C. þe iustise; | C. to ben; C. here;] To clepe me fol þat am þi maister; ne suxstou my poer." [192. C. clype; C. foul and; L. ne sixte nower my per, C. ne syxt þou my powere;] "Þi poer wreche" quaþ þis maide; "worþ sone ibroȝt bi-hinde [193. L. per, C. powere; C. wrecche; C. sede heo; L. i-brouȝth, C. broȝt; C. þe; L. be-, C. by-;] Vor it nys bote as a bleddore; iblowe uol of wynde [194. C. hit; C. bot; L. bladre, C. bladere; C. yblowen; C. ful, L. fol of a wreche w.;] Þat be ipriked wiþ a pricke; awei it scrynkeþ al. [195. L. be it, C. be hit; C. priked myd; L. a litel prikke, C. a prike; C. hit; C. schrynkeþ;] Line 195 Also wiþ a lute sekenesse; þi wreche caroine schal. [196. L. als þi cariogne wiþ siknesse, wreche, a-dwyne schal, C. with a lyte sykenesse þy wrecche careyn schal;] Þi poer þat þou ȝelpest of; worþ þenne suyþe lute." [197. C, powere; L. boþe is þenne & lite, C. swyþe lyte;] "Hou geþ þis" quaþ þe Iustice; "dame, wenne comeþ þi prute. [198 L. goþ; C. how is; L. sey de, C. sede; L. whenne, C. wannes; L.al þis, C. þy prite;] Ne mai ich þe ȝeue deþ & lif; ne suxtou wiþ þin eie" [199. L. I may þe ȝiue, C. ȝyue; L. as þou sixt myd, C. syxt þou myd þy neye;] "Certes sire" quaþ þis maide; "þou luxt þer of wel heie. [200. L. þo; C. sede; L. lixt, C. lyxt;] Line 200 A wreche caroine þou miȝte ȝeue deþ þat wel schort is. [201. C. a body; L. myȝth, C. myȝt, L. ȝiue; C. ȝyue (reg); L. and;] Ac of lyue þou miȝte noþing ȝeue; þi sulue noȝt iwis. [202. L ak; L. C. lyf; L. myȝtte, C. myȝt; L. nat, C. ywys (reg.);] Wen þou miȝt deþ ȝeue; me þencþ bi pur riȝt. [203. L. seþe, C. wan; L. myȝth; L. & no lif; L. þinkþ, C. þinkeþ; L. ryȝtte;] Þat þou art deþes sergant; & of lif nastou no miȝt [204. C. ert; L. seriant, C. seriaunt; L. for; L. hasto, C. ne hast þou; L. myȝtte, C. wyȝt myȝt;] & wen þou deþes sergaunt art; deþ þi lord is. [205. L. ffor whan, C. & wan; L. sergeant, C. seriant; C. ert; L. louerd;] Line 205 & In deþ wiþþoute ende; þou wolt be iwis." [206. L. wiþ-outen, C. with oute; L. wilt, C. schalt ben;]

"Dame" quaþ þe Iustice; "of þi godhede ne kepe ich noȝt. [207. C. sede þis i.; L. gydihede, C. wod∣hed; C. kep; L. ryȝth nowth;] Do sacrifice to oure godes; oþer þou worst to deþe ibroȝt" [208. C. þy; C. schalt be; C. deþ; L. i-brouth, C. broȝt;] "Þou seist þat ich gidi am"; Seyn Cecili sede. [209. C. wode; C. & ysene is on þy rede;] "Ac þou art gidi & eke blynd; I sene on þi rede. [210. L. i-sene; C. forto lete to do wel; & suyþe to do quede;] Line 210 Scholde ich honoure þine godes; þat beþ of ston & tre [211. C. schoulde; L. honure, C. honour; C. þyn; L. ymad;] I lef ȝif ich segge soþ; ȝif þou miȝt noȝt ise. [212. L. I nelle it do, for-soþe, C. welle þat ic sede þe souþ; L. for, C. þat; L. nat;] Bote þou be blynd þou miȝt ise; þat þis þing soþ is. [213. C. bot; L. þat art b., C. blynde; C. souþ;] Ȝif þou it suxst & leuest it noȝt; gidi þou art iwis. [214. L. sixt, C. syxt; C. lyuest; C. hit; L. naut; C. woud;] Vor gidi he is þat nele ileue; þat he sucþ myd eie. [215. C. wode; L. nelle; L. C. seþ; C. with; L. C. eye;] Line 215 & as gidi mon & blynd þou schalt; In helle pyne deie." [216. L. gydi & blind; C. as wode & blynde; C. by þat skyle;] Þo verde þe screwe as he were wod; & het þis maide take. [217. L. ferde; L. schrewe; C. þe iustise was for wraþ wod; C. lete;] & lede hire to an out hous; & a gret fur make. [218. L. leden; L. C. into; L. greth; C. fuyre; C. þer;] & þer ouer a led uol of water; & al amidde hire caste [219. C. & sete; L. led-ful; C. lede ful;] & seþe hire þe wule þer wole; a lym of hire ilaste. [220. C. seþ; L. while, C. þe wyle; L. any Lime hol, C. lyme hole; L. on h.; C. laste;] Line 220 Þo þis Iugement was iȝeue; & me hire uorþ ladde [221. L. C. iuggement;] Wimmen & men þat it iseie: loude hi wope & gradde. [222. L. wifmen; C. hire sey; C. loud; L. þe wopen, C. hÿ wepe; C. gurdde;] "Alas" hi sede "a þis [(MS. þ 9)] ȝong þing; & a þis [(MS. þ 9)] vair creature. [223. L. allas; L. þei seyde, C. hÿ seden; L. þat þis ȝongge, C. þat þus ȝonge a þyng; L. þus fair, C. so faire;] Schal nou ȝeue hire ȝonge lif; & deie þour fure." [224. L. lese, C. lete; C. now; L. ȝongge, C. ȝong; L. þoru þe f., C. scal dy now in þe f.;] "Beþ stille" quaþ þis holi maide; "uor me ne wepe ȝe noȝt. [225. C. sede; L. C. for; L. wepeþ nout;] Line 225 Mi ȝonge lif ne lese ich noȝt; ac to lyue ich worþe ibroȝt [226. L. ȝongge, C. ȝong; C. schal; L. nowth; L. Icham i-brouth, to lyf hit worþ;] A scorte deþ ich schal auonge; & lif wiþþouten ende. [227. L. ane schorte, C. an schort; C. wole; L. a-vonge, C. a fonge; C. to habbe; L. wiþ-outen, C. with þouten;] Fol were þat nolde so; god him me sende" [228. L. C. he; C. nold so; L. god he me sone hynes., C. sone;] Me caste hire In þe seþende water; þer-Inne al nyȝt heo seþ [229. L. men casten, C. heo was ycaste; L. seþing; L. þar-, C. þer in; C. a lyte; L. ȝe seeþ;] Þe lengore þer-Inne heo was; þe verrore heo was hire deþ [230. L. lengere, C. lengur þat; C. in; L. ȝe sat; L. ferþere, C. ferre; L. ȝe; L. deeþ;] Line 230 Wiþ þe walmes heo sat & pleide; & prechede of godes grace. [231. C. with; L. C. welmes; L. ȝe; C. sate; C. preched;] Mo þen four hondred men; bicome þer cristene In þe place. [232. C. more; L. C. þan; C. foure CCCC; C. cristy ne; L. þat;] Þe Iustice isei þat me ne miȝte; In such deþ q[e]ulle [(MS. qulle.)] hire noȝt [233. C. þo þe; L. sey, C. say; L. he ne myȝtte, C. myȝt; L. swich; C. so; L. naut;] He let smyte of hire heued; þat heo were to deþe ibroȝt. [234. L. het, C. hete; C. þat me schold; L. ȝe; C. deþ;] Þe quellare hire smot wiþ is mayn; þre siþe in hire suere. [235. L. C. quellere (reg.); C. myd; L. C. al his; C. syþ L. C. in þe swere;] Line 235

He ne smot it noȝt uolliche of; þe deþ was iboȝt dere. [236. L. nat C. myȝt ful smyt; L. hired; L. bouth to dere, C. he boȝt . . . weld;] No quellare ne moste bi þulke daie; smyte ouer þrie. [237. C. most; C. day; L. oftere C. after; L. C. þan þrie;] Half slawe hi bileuede hire so; hamward he gan hie. [238. L. leuede, C. bylefte; L. C. a-weyward;] Nou an vuel stude god it wolde; vor he was a screwe. [239. C. omits 4 ll; L. yuel stede gon he mote; schrewe;] Wo dude he þe holi maide; gulteles so hire to hewe. [240. L. dede; þat;] Line 240 & beleue hire so half alyue; welle wo him be. [241. L. bi-lefte;] Vor ho [n]uste [(MS. muste.)] of no deol þer me miȝte ise. [242. L. ffor who-so nuste; doel; men myȝtte it se;] Þis holi maide eode aboute; hire heued half of ismyte. [243. L. ȝede;] Þat was half quic & half ded; þat reuþe it was to wite. [244. C. omits; L. & was; quik; rewþe;] & pouere men muche of hire good; delede wiþ hire honde. [245. C. poure; L. mechel, C. þat heo myȝt of wyte; L. ȝe delde, C. heo deled; C. honden;] Line 245 Hit was a uair grace of god; þat heo miȝte enes stonde. [246. C. omits; L. It; wel fair; ȝe aut myȝtte;] Heo prechede & to ihesu crist; mony good mon wende. [247. L. ȝe; C. preched; C. so þat; L. C. many a; L. god, C. goud;] & alle to Seyn Vrban þe biscop; to baptise heo sende. [248. C. al; L. baptiȝe ȝe; C. baptiȝe;] & bed him þat he schulde hire hous; þat heo wonede Inne. [249. L. bad, C. bade; C. þat þe bischop seint vrban; L. scholde; C. stede; L. ȝe hadde woned; C. woned;] Halwy In our lordes name; & a chirche þer bygynne. [250. L. halewen; L. oure louerdes (reg.); C. scholde a godes n.; L. C. churche;] Line 250 & burie þer hire suete bodi; & þat our lordes seruice [251. L. burien þere; C. & þat he bured; L. swete body; C. oure;] Vpe is poer þer-Inne were ido; In alle wise [252. C. vp; L. C. his; C. powere; C. in; idon; L. on alle-kynne;] Þe þridde day after hire martirdom; þis maide adoun lay. [253. C. marterdom; C. adoune;] & prechede cristene men; & bed hem habbe good day. [254. C. preched wel þe cristen, L. to þe c.; L. bad, C. bade; L. god, C. goud;] & sede "nou ichabbe ido; al þat my wille is to. [255. L. seyde now; C. þo heo hadde; C. alle þat hire was to do;] Line 255 Wende ichulle to ihesu crist; & ȝe schulle also" [256. L. I wile, C. heo wolde to oure lord c. & hÿ schold after also;] Þis was two hondred ȝer; & þre & twenti riȝt. [257. L. hundred; C. hit nas bot cc ȝere; L. ryȝth, C. also;] After þat our lord was In is moder aliȝt [258. L. oure louerd; L. his; L. a-lyȝth; C. after oure lord ybore was þat þis dede was do;] Nou bidde we our suete lord; uor hire holi martirdom. [259, 260. L. oure swete louerd for; L. bringge vs to þat i.; C. lord for þe marter∣dom þat seint [Cecili was [.] e, graunt ous þulke Ioie; þat hire saule ys Inne. (Some letters are here illegible owing to a smudge on the parchment.)] To bringe ous to þulke Ioie; þat hire soule to com.Line 260