Early English versions of the Gesta Romanorum / edited by Sidney J.H. Herrtage

JOVINIANUS.
(OF JOVINIAN THE PROUD AND HOW HE WAS HUMBLED.)

[XXIII. ] Harl. MS. 7333.

[leaf 162, back, col. 1 (cont'd)]

Story.

IOvinianus [was] regnyng a wys Emperour̛ in the cite of Rome; and he was riche in possessions. Hit happid þat he thougℏt in a nygℏt, as he lay in his bed, whethir þere be any god withoute me? And when he aros, he callid his knygℏtis & Squiers, and seid, "sers, loke ye be redy, for I woƚƚ go hunte to day." Anon thei yede to hunte; and as þemperour̛ rode by the wey, þere toke him a grete hete, and þat so strongly, þat him thougℏt he was ny ded̛, but he may haue refresshing of water. And anon þere ros a clowde, so derk and so thik, þat hit hundrid̛, & hit assundrid̛, & departid him fro

aƚƚ þe people. So as he rode by him self̘, he saw a water afore him; & he smote the hors with his sporis, and yede in to þe water, and þere did of aƚƚ his clothing, and kelid him in þe water. And as he was in the water, þere come a man in his owen̛ lyknesse, but he saw him not; [leaf 162, back, col. 2] and he toke the Emperours clothing, and clothid him therewith, and lept vpon̛ the Emperours hors, and rode forth to the Emperours men, as he had be emperoure him self̘; and as Emperour̛ he was receiued̛, & turnyd home with hem to þe paleis. Aftirward̛ when the Emperour̛ had I-bathed̛ ynowe, he yede vp to londe, & sougℏt his hors, & his clothing, but aƚƚ was goo, so he went aboute nakid̛. & he cowde see no man̛, But he wept sore, and cried̛ with an hye vois, & seid, "Allas! allas! what shal I now do!" and as he cried̛, he thougℏt in his hert, here ny duellith a knygℏt, þe which I avaunsed̛; I woƚƚ go to him, and telle him my cas, & haue clothing of him, & so go home. He yede to the knyghtis hous, and knokked̛ atte the yate; and þe porter asked of̘ him what he wold̛. Þen he seid, "Let me yn, withoute lenger delay, for I am

your emperour." Then anon the porter openyd the yatis; and when he saw him naked̛, he seid to him, "what art þou?" "your emperour̛," quod he. "thou liest," quod the porter, "for þe emperour rode rigℏt now here by the yate, with a grete multitude with him; and þerfore þou seist þat þou art Emperour̛, thou shalt appere afore my lord̛." And anon the porter brougℏt him byfore the knygℏt; and the Emperoure had good knoulache of the knygℏt. And when the knygℏt had herd̛ þe wordis of̘ the porter, he seid to þemperour̛, "O! ribawde, seist þou that þou art Emperoure?" "yee, withoute doute I am he, þat avaunced̛ the." "I sey þou liest, "quod̛ the knygℏt, "and þerfore þou shalt sore aby." He made him to be sore beted̛ and scourged̛, tyƚƚ þe blode ren̛ oute, and aftir to be put oute at þe ȝatis. Then themperour wept sore, & seid, "Allas! for care how may this be?" tho he thougℏt, "I woƚƚ go to an erle here beside, þat was grete of my counseiƚƚ, þe which I avaunced̛ I woƚƚ to him, and be refresshid of him, & so go home." He knokked at

his ȝate; and the Porter come ny, and asked̛ what he knokked̛. "Open̛ the yatis," quod̛ he, "for I that knok am þemperour̛." When the porter herd̛ þat, he opened the yatis, as sone as he mygℏt fynd þe keys. When he come, and saw him naked̛, he seid to him, "O! rybawde, whi hast þou presumyd thi self̘ for to sey that þou were emperour̛? The Emperour hath ben̛ here a liteƚƚ afore, and hath y-ete with my lord the erle, and is gon̛ to his paleis, witℏ grete multitude of̘ men; and for þat thou callist the Emperour̛, þou shalt come afore my lord̛, and avow thi pele." And when he was y-brougℏt to-fore the erle, he knew the Erle wele, but the erle knew not him. When the Erle had herd̛, þat he had callid him themperour̛, he bad him telle, & sey, what was þe cause þat suche a ribawde as he presumyd so hiely in him self̘? "Forsotℏ," quod̛ he, "I am themperour̛ your̛ lord̛; and the I avaunced̛, & made the chief̘ of counseiƚƚ, & in this tokene, þat I tretid̛ in þe last parlement in suche materes and erandis." Þe Erle had þerof̘ merveiƚƚ, but he wold̛ [leaf 163, col. 1] not trow him, for he had no knoulache of him; and þerfore he made

him to be presoned̛, and to sitte there þe space of̘ thre daies, withoute mete & drinke; and aftir he chargid him þat he shuld̛ go oute of his contre, vpon̛ peyne of̘ lesing of his lyf̘. when themperour̛ was withoute the ȝatis, he wept sore, and seid, "Allas! what shal I do now? I am but lorne, for no man knowith me. Best is, þat I go home to my palys, & wete if̘ þe Emperesse, my wif̘, or any of̘ my meyne woƚƚ know me." He yede home; and anon̛ a Grehound, þe which he had lovid̛ moche afore, come wyghtly rennyng to him, and wold̛ haue slayn̛ him, had not ben̛ þat herd̛ him crye had pite of̘ him, and holpyn̛ of him. then themperour̛ yede forth to the yatis of̘ þe palys, and þere he knokked̛; and þe porter openyd̛ the yate, and asked̛ why he knokked̛. "Dere Frend," quod themperour̛, "hast þou no knoulache of me?" "No," quod̛ the Porter, "I haue no knoulache of the." "I am," quod̛ he, "your̛ Emperour̛, & your̛ lord̛, & þou berist my clothing vpon̛ the." then seid þe porter, "thou liest, harlot; my lord̛ the emperour̛ sittith at mete, & my lady the emperes by his side, with Erlis & dukys." Tho seid

themperour̛, "good Frend, I pray the for the loue of̘ god, þat þou herkene what I shaƚƚ sey to the; & go to the emperesse, and sey to her in her ere by sucℏ tokyns which non knowithe but oonly she & I; and sey to hir, þat I her husbond̛ & hir lord̛ stonde nakyd at þe ȝate; & pray hir to senden̛ me some clothis, þat I may come yn." And þe porter in scorne toke hede to his wordis, & with scorne yede to themperesse, & rownyd̛ with her, & told̛ to hir aƚƚ the prive tokyns þat were ysaid bytwene hem two. Anon the emperesse made him to be fet yn; and he knew aƚƚ men̛, and no man knew him. Þen the Emperour̛ seid, þat sat at the table, "sey, loreƚƚ knave, seist þou that thou art Emperour̛?" "Ya, ser," quod̛ he. tho spake þat othir to alle the lordis aboute him, "Sirs and Frendis, I charge you aboute him, by þe feith ye owe to me, þat ye sey soth, whethir this man be Emperour̛ or I?" "A! ser," quod thei, "this question̛ is not wortℏ for this loseƚƚ saw we neuer here to-fore, and the we haue yknow long." Thenne the Emperour̛ chargid hem, þat thei

shuld̛ take him, and tey him to Tailles of hors, vpon̛ the hard̛ pavement,—"but I woƚƚ not þat ye slee him, but, forsoth, if he euer presume any more so fouly, he shalbe dampnyd̛ to the foulest detℏ þat I can̛ deme." And in dede, þe cacchepolis drow him vpon̛ the pavement at þe Tailles of hors, and putte him oute of the cite. Sone aftir this Emperour̛ bygan̛ to thenk, what haue I do, or what haue I grevid̛ god, þat I am thus put oute of̘ the Empire, and þat no man knowith me? And as he thougℏt these wordis, hit come to his mynde, how he had I-thougℏt afore in his bed̛, is þere any god but I?—"A! lord̛ god, now I se wele þat was þe cause þat grevid̛ the, and þerfore I shal go to a confessour̛, and clansy me, and take penaunce þerfore." There beside duellid̛ an heremyte, þat vsid̛ to shrive [leaf 163, col. 2] him afore; and he yede to this heremite then, & knokked̛ at þe dore. "Who is þere?" quod the heremite. "Opyn̛, opyn," quod̛ the Emperour̛, "for I am the Emperour, and haue certein prevites to speke with the." And the Heremyte openyd the dore;

and when he saw þe Emperour̛, anon he put to the dore ayen̛ with aƚƚ his myght, and seid, "nay, þou art not Emperour̛ but the deviƚƚ." Þen̛ themperour̛ bygan sore to wepe, and seid, "alas! alas! vnappy wrecche þat I am; I pray the, for goddis loue, here my confession̛ þere as I stonde; and let thi dore stond yshit, as hit dotℏ." "For the loue of god," quod̛ the heremyte, "I wolle gladly here the; say what thou wilt." Tho the Emperour̛ makyd confession̛, and told̛ how he had grevid his god; "and þerfore I had suche venIaunce." When þe heremite had assoiled̛ him, he openyd a wyndowe, and knew him for emperour̛, and kist for Ioye. "Telle me," quod̛ the Emperour̛, "hast þou knoulache of̘ me yit, or doutist of̘ me?" "yis," quod̛ the heremyte, "I know þe now, þat thou art emperour; but as long as þou duelledist in synne, I coude not know the." "I pray the," quod̛ the Emperour, "lene me som clothis, and kever my body; and þen wolle I turne home, & loke if̘ any man̛ can̛ or wolle know me." "yis, my lord̛," seid þe heremyte; "suche clothis as I haue, thou shalt haue, and I trow to god thei woƚƚ know the; but, ser, I

merveiƚƚ what he is, þat occupietℏ thi dignite." When themperour̛ was I-clothid, he went to his paleis, and knokked̛ at þe yate. the porter openyd the yate, and knelid̛ doun̛, & seid, "ser, my lord̛, by what wey yede ye oute; for I haue here abide & I-stond long, & I cowde not se you?" "Knowist þou me," quod̛ themperour̛. "ye, my lord̛," quod̛ he, "and long haue ydon̛; But yisterday there come an harlot naked̛, & come to þe halle, & seid he was emperour." So hit was, þat the Emperour entrid in to þe halle. when knygℏtes and lordis saw him come, thei fille doun̛ on kne, eche man in his degre, and salowid̛ him, as þei aught to do to themperour. And þat oþer Emperour was in chamber with the lady, & herde a grete noise in the halle; [and] he commaundid̛ his chamberleyn̛ to go loke what hit was. Whan þe chamberleyn̛ had I-seyn̛ what hit was, he come rennyng vp agein, and seid to þe Emperour̛, "Sir, there is a feir̛ man in the halle, and seith he is Emperour; and he is like to you, þat there is no man in þis world̛ þat may know wheþer of you to be Emperoure." Then seid the Emperour̛ to þe lady,

"goth ye forth, and seth him, and telle me what it is." And the lady did̛ so; and when she saw him, [leaf 163, back, col. 1] She had so grete merveiƚƚ, þat no man wolde trowe hit. & sone she entrid̛ þe chamber ayen̛, and seid, "A! ser, what shal I sey now or do? Forsoth I note whethir of̘ you I shal take for my husbond̛, suche a liknes is atwene you two." Then spake the Emperour̛, and seid, "I shaƚƚ se him my self̘." When themperour̛ come to þe halle, and þei stode both to-gidre, þere was no man̛ cowde discryve wheþer of hem shuld̛ be Emperour. Then spak themperour̛ þat come doun̛ of þe chamber, "Dere frendis echon̛, withouten̛ doute þis is your lord̛, & your̛ Emperour, & þe same þat I made to be drawen̛ with hors, thougℏ non of̘ you had knoulache of him; and alle was for this skyle. Hit happid þat this man̛ bygan̛ to be so hy in hert, & so proudely, and therfore god put him oute of̘ his empier, tyƚƚ þat he had made amendis; and in this tyme I was commaunded̛ by god to occupie his stede, þat the Empire shuld̛ not perissℏ; and I am his aungeƚƚ, that haue I-be in the gouernaile and keping̘, as ye know, vnto þe tyme that he were reconsiled to god, & þat peas be made bytwene

god & him; and þerfore receiuetℏ him for your̛ lord̛." & so he vanysshed̛ fro hem. And themperour hily thonkid god, þat so savid̛ him; and aftir he was a devoute man̛, & faire endid his lyf̘.

MORALITE.

DEre Frendis, this Emperour̛ may be callid ecℏ Cristen̛ man̛ þat is myghti and riche, þe whicℏ for habundaunce of good inhietℏ him ayens god, scil. he is recheles to kepe his commaundementȝ, and he gotℏ in the forest of this world̛ for to hunte aboute wordly vanytes. but thenne ofte tymes þer riseth a thik clowde and a derk, scil. temptacion̛ of̘ the deveƚƚ, þe which ofte tymes departitℏ suche a man̛ fro the people of god, scil. fro the werkys of̘ mercy; and takith then a grete hete, þat is for to sey, dilectacion̛ of synnyng̘, & so he puttith of̘ his clothis, scil. good vertuys, þe which he receiued̛ in baptisme, and he entrith in to þe water of flesshly affeccions, in þe which a synner is ofte tyme delited. But when a man begynneth to þenk on his syn̛, and purposith to arise oute þerof bye contricion̛, then he sechith his clothis, scil. vertuys, the which he had yloste, but he fyndeth hem not.—what doth he thenne? He goth then to

þe hous of the knygℏt þat he avaunced, scil. to reson̛; and reson̛ betith him so ofte tyme as he stonditℏ ayens þe Synner, and he reprevith him, for he offendith god, & lesith Heuen̛, and getith him þe peyne of helle. Aftirward̛ he comyth to þe hous of þe Erle, scil. consciens; and he grucchitℏ with him, & presonytℏ him, and puttith him in many angris & tribulacion̛, tyƚƚ tyme þat he come [leaf 163, back, col. 2] to the wey of helth. For whenne eny Man doth eny synne, conscience grucchitℏ þerwitℏ; and therfore the Appostiƚƚ seitℏ, Omne quod est contra conscienciam, edificat ad iehennam, þat is to sey, Aƚƚ þat is ayens conscience, beldith toward̛ helle. Aftir he goth to his owne paleis, scil. to the herte, and thinketh how & in what maner þat he had trespassid to god; & þere he may not be receiued̛,—why? for god is put oute of̘ herte by synne. & the Emperour̛, scil. holy chircℏ, to whom we owe to be weddid, knowith not þe synner, tiƚƚ tyme þat he be ydrawe atte þe Tailles of hors, vpon̛ þe pavement, scil. þou owe to take to mynde fro begynnyng of thy lyf̘ vnto þis present day, where, how, & for what cause, þat þou hast grevid̛ thi god; & then renne to a heremyte, scil. a discrete confessour̛, & shew

to him what, & howe moche þat þou hast grevid̛ god; and so by good argument þou shalt recouere thi clothing, scil. vertuys, þat thou lostist; and þen þou shalt mow go vnto þe palys of Crist, where the porter, scil. prelat, scil. god him self̘, shalle opene to the the yate of heuen̛. And then aƚƚ thine, scil. aungles, shul know þe, and þou shalt regne þere withouten̛ ende, with the blessed̛ lord̛, Qui cum patre &c.

[ Second Version. I. ]Addit. MS. 9066.

[leaf 5] [New leaf pagination starts here.]

Story.

Iouinianus reigned̛ in the Cite of [omitted] Rome, that was a riche man in temporaltees, and in [omitted] possessions. ¶ On a nyght as he lay in his bedde, he thought in his hert, and saide, "Whether̛ ther be any other [omitted] god̛ but I?" and atte morow, whan he *a-roose out [ryse] of his bedde, he called̛ to hym his knyghtes and his Squyers, and said̛ to hem, ¶ "Frendes, bethe [be ye] to-day redy, for I wille [wole passim.] go hunte." *And whan thei had̛ dyned̛, thei wente to hunte [omitted] . And as the Emperour̛ rode by the way, he caught [toke] a grete hete; the hete was so grete, that he thought that [omitted] he shuld̛ dye, but yf he had̛ refresshyng of watir. But anon aroose [rose] a blak̘ [grete blake] clovde, so derke and thikke, that it departed̛ hym from aƚƚ his folke; *and than [omitted] he loked̛ before hym, and

saw a watir. he smote the horse withe the sporres, and come to the watir; and alighted̛ [lightyd] downe of his horse, and did̛ of his clothes, and went into the watir, for to refressℏ [fresshe] hym of the [omitted] hete. ¶ And whan he was in the watir, there come a man in his likenesse, that he saw not, and did̛ on his clothes, and went vp on his [the] horse, and rode to the paleys [peple] of the Emperour, and there [omitted] was resceived̛ of aƚƚ the peple *as Emperour̛ [as the Emperour; and went to the palys] . And [omitted] the Emperour, that was in the watir, whan he was wele coled̛, he went out of the watir; ¶ and [omitted] when he come to lond̛, he founde neither his [the] clothes nor [ne] his horse; and so [omitted] naked̛ he loked̛ aboute [alle about] , and saw no man. Than he wept bitterly, and said̛ witℏ a gret voice, "Allas! allas! what shaƚƚ I do?" And while he sorowed̛ thus, he saide in his hert; ¶ "Here nerthande [nere hand] dwelleth a knyght, that I made a [omitted] knyght. I shaƚƚ go to him, and shew to [omitted] hym my disease; and I shaƚƚ have clothes of hym, and so I shaƚƚ go home to my paleys." Than he went to the knyghtes house, and knokked̛ atte [at the] gate. Whan the porter herd̛ the knokkyng, he asked̛ what he wold̛? he saide, he [I] wold̛ come

in anon̛. and whan the porter saw hym naked̛, he saide to hym, "What art thou?" he said̛, "your̛ lord̛, the Emperour̛." The Porter saide, "thou liest, ¶ for a liteƚƚ before thou [the] come, the Emperour come here away [omitted] withe his meyne; and thou saidist [sayst] that [omitted] thou art the Emperour; thou shalt come before my lord̛." Anon̛ [And anone] the Porter brought hym before his lord̛; the Emperour knew wele the knyght, but the knyght in [on] no wise had̛ knowyng of hym. Than said̛ the Porter, "Sir, this rebavde saitℏ that [omitted] he is Emperour." he said̛, "ye [omitted] , so I am, witℏ out doute; and the I made knyght." ¶ The knyght said̛, "thou liest, harlotte, for a liteƚƚ before [leaf 5, back] the [omitted] the Emperour passed̛ here for-bye; and for thou saiest, that [omitted] thou art Emperour, thou shalt not passe vnponysshed̛." ¶ Anon he made hym be scourged̛, tille the blood̛ ranne out; and put hym out of his house. ¶ Whan the Emperour was thus scourged̛, [In the Addit. 9066 MS, two lines are repeated here by carelessness of the scribe.] he wept bitterly, and thought witℏ in hym self̘, and said̛, "allas! allas! [omitted] what may this be?" than he said̛ to hym self̘, "Here nere [nere hand] dwelletℏ an Erle, that is my most counseillour, the whiche I have promoted̛ to grete dignite. I shaƚƚ go to hym, and shew to hym my grete myserye, that I may have of hym some clothes." and so he wente

to his [the] place. ¶ Whan he come to the *Erles gate [place of the erle] , he knokked̛. The porter asked̛ hym the cause of his [the] knokkyng. "Open̛ the gate," he saide, "for I am the Emperour̛ *that knokketℏ on [knok at] the gate." The porter, whan he herd̛ this, he opened̛ the gate; and whan he saw hym naked̛, he said̛, "O! thou Ribavde, to what presumpcion̛ art thou come, that thou namest the the [omitted] Emperour! It [and it] is but a liteƚƚ while ago, that the Emperour was here witℏ my lord̛, and toke mete; and so he [omitted] went to his paleys, witℏ multitude [myche multytude] of peple; and for thou saist that thou art the Emperour̛, thou shalt go to my lord̛, and there thou shalt aunswere of thyn̛ [thi] presumpcion̛. ¶ Whan he was brought before the Erle, he knew wele the Erle, but the Erle knew not hym. Whan the Erle herd̛, that [omitted] he nempned̛ [namyd] hym self̘ the [omitted] Emperour, he said̛ to hym, "Say, thou rebavde, whi saiest thou that thou art the Emperour?" he saide, "for sothe so I am the [omitted] Emperour̛, and your̛ [thi] lord̛; and I have promoted̛ the to grete dignite, and I [omitted] have ordeyned̛ the one of my counseilours; by *thise tokens [this token] , — ¶ in the last parliament we [were] treted̛ of sucℏ nedes." The Erle hadde mervaile *of his speche, but [omitted] neverthelesse he yave no

faithe to hym, for he had̛ no knowleche [knowyng] of hym; but anon̛ he comaunded̛ him to prison̛, *and there to be kept [omitted] iij. daies, *witℏ out [to be with out] mete or [and] drynk̘; and after this, for to go out of his Erledome, on payn̛ of his hede. and so it was done. ¶ Whan the Emperour̛ was thus [omitted] put out witℏ confusion̛, he wept bitterly, and said̛, "Allas! Allas! what shaƚƚ I now do? no man knowes me. *Now wille I go [I shalle go] to my paleys, *to se [omitted] yf any of my men knowetℏ [know] me, or the Emperesse my wyf̘." ¶ Than he went to his paleys; and *there come ayenst hym rynnyng a grete paas a [leaf 6] Greyhound̛ that he loved̛ wele [and a grehound, that he loued myche, ran to hym a grete pace] , and wold̛ have [omitted] slayn̛ hym, but yf [omitted] he hadde *the sonner̛ [sone] cried̛ *for help [omitted] , and men for pitee delyvered̛ hym from the Greyhound̛. ¶ The Emperour hadde mervaile of̘ this, and went to the gate, and ronge atte [on the] gate. The porter̛ come, and opened̛ the gate, and asked̛ hym whi he knokked̛ on the gate? he said̛, "frende, knowest thou me not?" and [omitted] he said̛, "no." He said̛ agayn̛, "I am your [the] Emperour, and thou berest my liveray." The porter said̛, "Thou liest, harlot; The Emperour sittetℏ atte [at the] mete, and beside hym the Emperesse, witℏ dukes and Erles." ¶ He said̛, "frend̛, for goddes love, yf

it like you, wille [wole] ye go on my behalf̘ to the Emperesse, and say in her ere by thise tokens, that no man *knowith vpon [knowis on] erthe but she and I, that I stonde naked̛ atte [at the] gate, and [that] am her husbond̛, and Emperour̛, that she sende my [me] clothes, that I may entre my paleys." ¶ The Porter toke aƚƚ his wordes in scorne; neverthelesse scornyngly he went to the Emperesse, and prively rowned̛ [he rownyd] in her ere, and told̛ her [the emperice] aƚƚ [omitted] the prive tokens that he had̛ herd̛. ¶ *The Emperesse [omitted] , whan she herd̛ this, mervailed̛ [she merueylyd] gretly, and said̛ to the Emperour, that satte by her, "Sir̛, I shalle shew you mervaile [merueylys] . there is an harlot atte [at the] gate, that seietℏ he is Emperour̛, and my husbond̛; and he [omitted] sendetℏ to me by the porter aƚƚ [omitted] oure prive tokens, that ye and I have done from our yonge age bitwene vs." ¶ The Emperour, whan he herd̛ this, he bad̛ *he shuld̛ [hym] be brought in. Whan he was brought in, he knew aƚƚ men [omitted] , but no man knew hym. ¶ The Emperour said̛, that satte atte [at the] borde, "Say me, rebavde, whi [omitted] namest thou the for Emperour̛?" he said̛, "ye, sir̛." he that satte at the borde said̛ to aƚƚ his lordes of his courte, "In the faitℏ that ye owe to me seitℏ, whether *this man be [he is] Emperour, or I?" ¶ They saiden̛, "this is an vnsavery question̛; this rebavde we saw never before [to-fore] , but of youre persone of longe tyme we are certayn̛." ¶ The Emperour said̛ to his

servauntes, "Take [take hym] this harlotte, and draw hym at the horse-taile, on the pament, by cause he wold̛ have the Empire [emperice] *from me [omitted] , whan he saide that [omitted] he was Emperour. ¶ Also I wille, yf he of false presumpcion̛ any more entremete hym of the Empire, that he be put to a foule deehe." ¶ Than *the turmentours [thei] , at the biddyng of the Emperour̛, drew hym on the pament, at the horse-taile; and afterward̛ shamfully put hym out of the Citee. whan he was put out, and confused̛, he wept bittirly, saiyng in [leaf 6, back] his hert, "Allas! Allas! that ever I was born̛, for now I wote not what I shaƚƚ do, ne whether to go!" ¶ Anon̛ he thought, "what have I do ayenst [agayns passim] god̛, that I am thus put out of myne Empire, and no man knoweth me?" while he thought this in his hert, it come to his mynde, that ones he [as he] lay in his bedde, and [he] said̛, "Is there any god but I?" ¶ "O! lord̛ god̛, this is the cause of myn̛ offence. I shaƚƚ go to my confessour, and be clene [clenly] confessed̛ of my synnes [synne] ." ¶ Ther̛ was that tyme an hermyte, that he was wonte to be confessed̛ at; and he went to his Selle, and called̛ *the hermyte. Anon̛ [omitted] the hermyte come [herd] , and asked̛ who was ther̛? he said̛, "vndo the dorre, for [omitted] I am the Emperour, that have for to shew to you my prive counsaile." Anon̛ the

hermyte opened̛ the dorres [dore] ; and whan he saw hym, witℏ a grete hast he shitte the dorres [dore] agayn̛, and said̛, "thou art not the [omitted] Emperour, but rather a [the] deveƚƚ." ¶ The Emperour̛ herd̛ this, wept [and wepte] fast, and said̛, "Allas!" [omitted] I am vnhappy [an vnhappy man] , yit I pray the, for the love of god̛, here my confession̛, *and lette me stond̛ witℏ out the dorre [beyng the dore shit] ." The hermyte said̛, "for the love of god̛ I shaƚƚ gladly here the." ¶ Anon̛ the Emperour witℏ teres was confessed̛, how he was proude ayenst god̛, and what he had̛ thought and said̛. And whan he was assoiled̛, the hermyte *kneled̛ and kissed̛ [opynd the wyndow, and knew him sothely for the Emperour, and kyssed &c.] hym for ioye. ¶ Than the Emperour said̛, "Now say me trewly, whether thou hast knowyng of me, or thou doutest yit?" The hermyte said̛, "witℏ outen̛ doute I know the for verrey Emperour̛, and for my lord̛; but as longe as thou were in synne, I had̛ no [none] knowyng of the." ¶ Than the Emperour̛ said̛, "I pray the, yf thou have any clothes, lene [lende] me some, for to hille me witℏ, and so I shaƚƚ *go to my paleys, and I shaƚƚ [omitted] se yf any man have [yet haue] knowyng of me." ¶ The hermyte said̛, "My reverent lord̛, suche clothes as I have I wille gladly take you; and I hope witℏ outen doute, that aƚƚ men shaƚƚ know you; but what he is

that occupietℏ your place [dignyte] , vtterly I wote not." ¶ Than [omitted] the Emperour, whan he was clad̛, he went to the paleys, and knokked̛ at the gate. the porter opened̛ the gate; and whan he saw the Emperour, he fille a-downe [doune] on his knee, and said̛, "My reverent lord̛, I mervaile [haue merueyle by] what way ye went out, For I have stond̛ here *aƚƚ this day [omitted] , and saw you not." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "knowest thou me?" "ye, lord̛, "he said̛, "of [a] longe tyme I have know you; but [but yet] yisterday here was an harlot, and went into the halle, and said̛ he was Emperour̛." ¶ Whan the porter had̛ thus said̛, the Emperour went [leaf 7] into the halle. *Aƚƚ his [omitted] knyghtes and other men, whan thei sawe hym, worshipfully thei saluted̛ hym; and eche man did̛ hym worshippe, as thei were wont to do to [omitted] the Emperour̛. ¶ The *other̛ Emperour [tother] was in the chambre that tyme, witℏ the Empresse. whan thei herd̛ noise in the halle, he said̛ *vnto his [to the] chamberlayn̛, "Go and [omitted] wete what this [that] noyse is." Whan he come, and saw the Emperour in the halle, he had̛ mervaile; and went ayene [omitted] fast in to the chambre, and said̛, "A! my worshipfuƚƚ lord̛, in the halle is a faire man, that saitℏ he [that he] is Emperour̛, and in aƚƚ thynges [thyng] he is like you, that there is no man in the world̛ *that coude [kan] deme verrely whiche of

you is Emperour." ¶ The Emperour̛ herd̛ this, and bad̛ the Empresse "go forthe, and se what he is, and come telle me." ¶ The Empresse went, and loked̛, and mervailed̛ gretly [wonder gretly] ; and went fast [swythe] into the chambre agayn̛. "O! Sir, what I shaƚƚ say vtterly I wote not, in as moche [mykylle] as I wote notwhiche of you is my lord̛, for ye are so like." ¶ The Emperour, that was in the chambre, said̛, "I shaƚƚ go forthe and se hym." Whan thei [he] come into the halle, thei stoden̛ to-gedre; and there was no man in the halle that coude deme which of hem was verry Emperour. ¶ Than said̛ the Emperour, that come out of the chambre, "worshipfuƚƚ Sires and Frendes, witℏ outen̛ doute this is your̛ lord̛ and Emperour [the Emperor] ; this is he that I made to be draw at the horse-taile, and none of̘ you knew him; and this is the cause [skylle] . ¶ hit *be-felle ones [fille so] that he was over [thus] provde ayenst god̛; and therfor̛ god̛ cast hym downe [omitted] out of his Empire, tille he had̛ made a-setℏ to god̛. And I was boden̛ of god̛ to kepe his stede, that the Empire shuld̛ not perissℏ. And I am an aungeƚƚ of god̛, that hatℏ [haue] kept the Empire, as ye *sene, tille [have sene, vntylle] he were reconsiled̛ to [of] god̛. and now pease

is made witℏ god̛; Therfor̛ taketℏ hym [omitted] to your lord̛." ¶ whan this was said̛, the aungeƚƚ was out of her sight. The Emperour̛, whan he saw this, he *yelded̛ thankyngis [yeld thankyng] to god̛, that so had̛ saved̛ hym. After this he was devoute to god̛, and ended̛ his lyf̘ in pease.

Declaracio.

Frendes, to vnderstond̛ gostly, This Emperour is every cristen̛ man, that is myghty and riche, and for habundaunce of richesse and of myght raisethe hym self̘ ayenst god̛, as he that obeyetℏ not to goddes wille, neither to his preceptes, but walketℏ by þe forest [leaf 7, back] of this world, huntyng aboute worldly vanytees. ¶ But ofte sithe ther risetℏ a derke clowde in a temptacion̛ of the fende, that suche one departetℏ hym from aƚƚ his peple, that is, from aƚƚ the werkes of mercy, and taketℏ a grete hete, that is, delectacion̛ of synne; and so he puttetℏ of his clothes, that ben̛ his good̛ vertues, the whiche he resceived̛ in his baptyme, and gotℏ into the watir, That is, flesshly affeccions, in the whiche a synner delitetℏ hym moche. ¶ But whan a man bethynketℏ him of his synne, he begynnetℏ to flee by contriccion̛, but yit he fyndetℏ not his clothes; tho be the vertues, the whiche he hatℏ lost by his synne. ¶ Wherfor̛ he gothe to

the knyghtes house, that is, reason̛; but reason̛ betitℏ hym, as ofte as he manly stondetℏ agayn̛ synne, For withstondyng of synne is paynfuƚƚ; and reason̛ vndirtaketℏ hym that he hathe offended̛ god̛, and lost heven, and purchasid̛ helle payn̛. ¶ Than after, whan he come to the house [o]f [Part of the margin of leaf 7, back, seems to have been written on a loose slip, which was then removed, so that beginings of some of the lines lack the first letters; these are in square brackets.] the Erle, that is, to his conscience, anon̛ it grucchetℏ ayenst hym, and puttetℏ hym to prison̛, That is, he involves hym in grete sorowes and diseases of hert, for his synne, tille he come to the way of helthe. For whan a man hathe do synne, his conscience grucchetℏ; as the appostle saitℏ, Aƚƚ that is done ayenst conscience, edefietℏ Helle. ¶ Than he gothe to his owne paleys, that is, to his owne hert, and thynketℏ what and how moche he hatℏ offended̛ ayenst god̛, and may not be resceived̛; for by synne god̛ is put out of the hert. ¶ And the [e]mpresse, that is, holy chirche, to the whiche he shuld̛ be wedded̛, [kn]owetℏ not a synner, tille he be at the horse-taile, by the [p]ament, That is, thou owest to have in mynde, fro the begynyng of thi lyf̘ vnto this tyme, ¶ what that is, how, and̛ where, and for what cause, and how ofte thou hast offended̛ god̛;

and so rynne to the hermyte, that is, a secrete confessour, and shew to hym how thou hast offended̛ god̛. And so it folowetℏ, that thou may recover, and gete agayn̛ thi clothes, that are the vertues, that is lost by synne; and go to the paleys of holy chirche, where the porter, that is, the prelat, shaƚƚ take the in. and god̛ shaƚƚ open̛ to the the dorre of the kyngdome of heven, whan thou diest; ¶ And aƚƚ thyn̛, that ben the aungels of god̛, shaƚƚ there know the; and there thou shalt reigne in the hevenly Empire; to the whiche [leaf 8] bryng vs the Emperour̛ of heven̛ Ihesu crist! Amen.