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

GODFRIDUS A WISE EMPEROURE.
(OF THE MAGIC RING, BROOCH AND CLOTH, WHICH AN EMPEROR LEFT TO HIS SON; HOW HE LOST THEM AND HOW THEY WERE RECOVERED.)

[ XLVI. ] Harl. MS. 7333.

[leaf 181, col. 2 (cont'd)]

Story.

GOdfridus regnid̛ a wise Emperour in the cetee of Rome, & he had̛ childerin̛ that he louid̛ moche. And̛ when he laye on̛ his dethe-bed, he callid̛ to him his eldest sonne, and̛ saide to him, "Der̛ sone, the heritage that my fadir lefte & biquathe to me, holly I yeve hit to the." Aftir that he clepid̛ the secounde sone, and̛ saide to him, "Der̛ sone, I have certeyne possessions, londis and̛ tenementes, þat come of my purchas, & þerfor, sone, I yeve [the] al tho, and̛ alle oþer that I have, with oute my heritage." And̛ he made the thirde to be callid̛, & seide to him, "sone, I have noo mevable goodes to yeve the, but only þe ieweƚƚ, scil. a presious Ringe, a gay broche, & a Riaƚƚ clothe; and̛ thes iij. I bequethe the. And̛ the vertu of the Ringe is this, that who so euer ber̛ hit vp-on̛ him, he shalle have love of al men̛ The vertu of the broche is this, that who so euere ber̛ hit vpon̛ his brest, late him thinke what he

wolle, [leaf 181, back, col. 1] and̛ he shalle mete þerwith at his likynge; And̛ the vertu of the clothe is swiche, that lete a man sitte vppon̛ hit, & he shalle be in what partye of the worlde he wolle desire. &, sone, I yeve the thes iij. and̛ I charge the, that þou go to scole, for thow shalt by thes iij. gete gode I-nowhe." when this was seyde, he turnid̛ his body to the walle, and̛ yelde vp þe gost. The childerin with the moder Reuerently buryed̛ him, and̛ gret lamentacion̛ was made for his dethe. Then the Eldest sone occupied̛ his eritage; the Secounde sonne al þe purchas. And̛ the Emperes saide to the yongest sone, "Þi fadir yaf to the a Ringe, & a broche, & a clothe; here I take to the the Ringe, that thow go to scole, & lerne; and̛ yf þou do welle, þow shalte be myn owne der̛ harte." Þe yonge sone receyvid̛ the Ringe; and̛ his name was Ionathas; and̛ he yede to an vniuersite, and̛ þere he lernid̛, in a mervelous maner. And̛ as he walkid̛ in a certeyne day þer in the citee, þer mette with him a faire woman̛; & whenne Ionathas sawe hir, he was I-storid̛ to an̛

vnlawfuƚƚ maner of love, & spake to hir ther of. She grauntid̛ him, & he lay withe hir al nyght; and̛ aftir helde hir stille to his store. And̛ thorow vertu of the Ringe he hadde getyn̛ love of al the vniuersite; he made gret festes, and̛ no thinge him lackid̛, for they lovid̛ him so moche, that for his love they yeve him I-nowe. This woman̛, that was his leman̛, hiȝt felicia; and̛ she had̛ gret marvayle þat he had̛ alle thinges to his luste, and̛ at his wille, & for she covde fynde nere ner peny with him. So in a nyght, as þei lay to-geder in bed̛, she saide to him, "worshipfull sir, ye have I-had̛ my maydinhode, and̛ ye shulle have me as longe as I live; and̛ as ye coveyte me to be Redye to youre wille, I pray yow tellithe me a petucion̛ that I shalle aske of yow, scil. how ye make so many festes, & havithe so muche goode, & havithe no tresoure ne mony, þat I can se?" Þenne saide he, "yf so be that I telle þe my counseiƚƚ, I trowe þat þow woldest discouer me." "Nay, sir, god̛ forbede," quod̛ she, "þat euer I shuld̛ [leaf 181, back, col. 2] do that traytorye to yowe!" Þenne said̛ he, "My fadir hathe biquethe to me this Ringe, þat þow seist me have on̛ my finger; and̛ hit haþe swiche a vertu, that he that berithe hit

on̛ his finger, shalle have love of alle men, and̛ so al men̛ lovithe me therfore so moche, þat what so euer I aske of hem þei yevithe me." And̛ then saide she, "sir, whi wolde thow neuer telle me þis or nowe, for perilis that myght falle?" "whi?" quod̛ Ionathas, "what perile myght falle?" Þenne saide felicia, "Þou goste ofte tyme in the towne, & þer thow myȝtest les hit by some chavnse; And̛ for to lese swiche a Iewelle, hit wer̛ grete harme & periƚƚ; and̛ þerfore, der̛ birde, leve me that Ringe, & I shalle kepe it." Ionathas yaff goode credense to hir wordes, & toke hir the Ringe. and̛ when hit was so I-don̛, þe love of the peple bygan to turne fro him, ne þer was noon that wolde eny mor̛ yeve him, as þei dud̛ afore. And̛ when̛ he perceyvid̛ that, & þat the cause was for he bare not the Ringe, he turnid̛ ayene to his lemman, and̛ saide to hir, that she shulde deliuer hit to him ayene. And̛ thenne she be-ganne to feyne a lesynge, and̛ saide with a loude crie, "Alas! my cheste is I-broke, and̛ the Ringe is borne a-wey!" Þenne Ionathas was hili mevid̛, and̛ saide, "alas! womman̛, þat euer I saw the!" And̛ she be-ganne

to wepe, & to make [grete sorow]; and̛ Ionathas sawe that, & saide, "wepe not, for god̛ hathe holpin me hedir to;" & he trowid̛ hir Right welle. So he wente to his contre, & come to his modir. whenne þe Empresse Sawe him, she saide to him, "Der̛ sonne whi ert thow come hom so soone fro thi studie?" Þenne seide Ionathas, "A! modir, I have lost my Rynge, by cause that I toke hit to my lemman̛." Thenne answerd̛ þe modir, "sone, I have ofte tyme saide to the, that thow sholdeste be ware of womman̛; and̛ now I wolle take the thi broche, but loke that thow lese not hit." Ionathas Resseyuid̛ þe broche, & fastenid̛ hit vppon̛ his brest, and̛ yede to the vniuersite, as he dude afor̛. And̛ so, thorowe vertu of the broche, he gate al thinge that he wolde coveite towchinge wordly goodes, In so muche that the damiselle hadde grete marvayle of hit; & þerfore bothe nyght and̛ day [leaf 182, col. 1] she lay aboute him to seye the sothe, how that he made so gret festes, and̛ hadde so deyntefulle metis, but he wolde not telle hir longe tyme. but the shrewe wepte

siȝid̛, & saide, "Þou trowest not me, I see wel; & I wolle bynde my lyf to the, to kepe þi counseiƚƚ, & thi Iewel eke, yf þou haddist eny." Ionathas trowid̛ hir wordes, and̛ tolde hir the vertu of the broche. Þenne she wepte mor̛ faste, & wolde not be stille; & þen̛ saide he, "Woman̛, whi wepist thow, and̛ for what cavse sorowest þou?" "for I trowe," quod̛ she, "þat þow wolte lese thi broche, and̛ thenne thow lesist al thi thryfte." Þenne saide he, "What wolte thow counsaile me in this cas?" Þenne she saide, "I counseille the, that þou take hit me to kepe." "I trowe," quod̛ he, "that þou wolte lese hit, as thow loste my Ringe." "I-wisse," quod̛ she, "Rathir shalle the sowle parte from̛ my bodye or I lese hit." Ionathas vndir a grete triste tooke hir þe broche; and̛ sone aftir the godes bygon̛ to fayle. thenne Ionathas entirid̛ in to the chaumbr̛, and̛ she began̛ to crye, as she dude afor̛ and̛ saide, "Allas! þe broche is I-stole; I wolle now for woo slee nowe my self!" she drowe oute a knyf, & Feynid̛ as she wolde have smetin̛ hir selfe. Thenne Ionathas trowid̛ that she wolde have slayne hir selve; he

toke the knyf from hir, & saide, "damiselle, I pray the, leve thi wepinge, for I foryeve it the al to-gedir." Anon̛ by cause of nede he turnid̛ home ageyne, and̛ visitid̛ his moder. And̛ whenne his moder sawe him, she seide to him̛, "sey, sone, hast thowe lost thi broche, as þow didest thi Ringe?" & he saide, "the woman̛ that had̛ þe Ringe, hadde the broche in the same maner;" but what worthe of hit he ne knew, as he saide. Þenne þe modir beinge Ivele apayde withe him, she saide, "sonne, þou wotist welle I have now no mor̛ of thyne but a clothe, & þerfore her̛ it is; ches þou wher̛ þow wolte kepe it, or̛ leve it her̛. but, sone, I warnid̛ the to be ware of women." And̛ Ionathas seide thenne ayene, "Soþely, modir, yf so be that the clothe be lost, I shalle neuer mor̛ thenne loke þe in the face." Þenne she deliuerid̛ to him the clothe, and̛ he yede [leaf 182, col. 2] ayene to scole. & soone aftir his vnthrifti lemman mette withe him, as she dude afor̛, and̛ she made him gode chere, & kiste him; and̛ he dide as thowhe he hadde no Iewel. whenne he was in his hostelle, sone he leyde the clothe vndir him, and̛ bad̛ his

leman̛ sitte downe biside him vppon̛ the clothe; & she knewe not of the vertu of the clothe; and̛ a-noon̛ Ionathas thovte, "lorde! yf we wer̛ now in fer contrees, wher neuer man come afore this!" And̛ thenne withe the same thovte þey wer̛ bothe Reysid̛ vp to-gedir, in to the ferrest coste of the worlde, with the clothe with hem. And̛ whenne the woman̛ sawe þat, she saide, "alas! what do we her̛?" "Her̛ we bethe nowe," quod̛ he, "and̛ her̛ I shalle leve the, and̛ bestes shulle devoure the, for that thow hast I-holdyn̛ my Rynge, & my broche." "A! sir, mercy," quod̛ she, "for sothely yf thow wolte brynge me ayene to the citee, I shalle yeve to the þi Ringe and̛ thi broche, with outen̛ anye ayene-stondynge; and̛ but yf I do in dede þat I seye, I wolle bynde me to the foulest dethe." Ionathas trowid̛ hir, & saide, "loke nowe, that þou neuer do trespas mor̛, for yf thow do, þou shalt dye." And̛ thenne she saide to him, "for the love of god̛ tel me now how we come hedir?" Þenne saide he, "the vertu of the clothe is, that who so euere sittithe þer vpon̛, shalle be in what coste of the worlde he wolle desire to be ynne."

And̛ then̛ he saide, "for soþe, I hadde leuer slepe then al þe worldes goode, as me thinkithe; and̛ þerefore, I pray the, ley forthe þi sherte, þat I may ligge down̛, and̛ have a litle slepe." she dude so, & he leyde downe his hede in hir shirte, and̛ byganne stronglye to slepe. Þenne she heringe his grete slepe, she drow the parti of the clothe that was vndir him vn to hir; & þenne she thowte, "lord̛! yf I wer̛ now wher̛ that I was to-day!" and̛ anon̛ sodenly she was browte to the same plase; & Ionathas lay stille slepinge. whenne he wakid̛, he sawe neiþere clothe, ne woman̛; he wepte bitterly, and̛ saide, "Alas! alas! what shalle I nowe do I wot neuere; and̛ I am̛ worthi al this bale, for I tolde to the woman̛ al my counseiƚƚ." he lokid̛ abowte on̛ euerye side, and̛ sawe no thinge but wilde [leaf 182, back, col. 1] bestes, and̛ briddis fleing in the heir̛; and̛ of hem he hadde grete drede in herte. And̛ he Rose vp, and̛ yede by a certeyne [pathe], but he wiste neuer to what place. and̛ as he yede, þer was a water in his weye, ouer the whiche he moste nedis goo; and whenne he Enterid̛

into the water, it was so hote, þat hit brende of the fleshe fro þe boone of his legges, for hit drowe a-wey alle the fleshe that it towchid̛. And̛ Ionathas hadde þer a crewette, and̛ fillid̛ hit of that water. tho he yede forthe, tille he saw a tree fulle of frute; and̛ þere he gaderid̛ frewte, & ete, thorow the whiche he was made a foule lepre. And̛ þoo for sorowe he fel down̛, & seide, "Cursid̛ be the day wher̛ in I was borne, and̛ also the hour in whicℏ I was conseyvid̛ in my modir!" Aftir this he Rose, & yede, and̛ sawe the secounde water; and̛ dradde for to entr̛. neuerþeles he enterid̛ in, & as the fyrste water drowe of the fleshe of his feet, so the secounde water Restorid̛ hit ayen̛. And̛ he filde a cruet þer with, & bare the frute with him also. And̛ as he yede forthe, he sawe the secounde frewte afer, and̛ for he hungerid̛, he yete of that frute, and̛ anon̛ he was clansid̛ of alle his lepr̛; and̛ toke of the frute with him, and̛ liuid̛ welle withe sustenaunce þereof. Þenne he sawe a feire casteƚƚ, and̛ in the circuite a-boute ful of hedis of lechis. And̛ as he come ny to the casteƚƚ, þere mette [him] ij. squiers, and̛ þei seid̛ to him, "Der̛ frende,

whens erte thowe?" "I am̛," quod̛ he, "a leche of fer contrees hennys." Þenne saide þei, "Þe kynge of this casteƚƚ is a lepr̛ man, & manye lechis comithe to him, and̛ vndirtakithe to hele him, vp peyne of hir hedis, and̛ þei havithe y-faylid̛ euerychone; and̛ þer̛ for̛ thow maiste see hir hedis sitte in the wallis of the castelle. and̛ þere fore we telle the for certeyne, yf þow vndirtake my lorde, and̛ not hele him, þou shalte lese þy lyfe." Þenne saide he, "yis, I shalle hele him." tho he was browte [to] him, and̛ he yaf the kynge of his frewte to ete, & also he yafe him of his secounde water to drynke, and̛ anon̛ the kynge was hole; & he yaf to Ionathas Riche yiftes, and̛ fair̛, plentefully, & mo be-hite him, yf he wolde abyde withe him, but he wolde not assent to dwelle withe him. And̛ eche day he vsid̛ to go vnto the [leaf 182, back, col. 2] see-syde, þat was þerin, to aspie yf ther wer̛ enye shippe, that myght bringe him home. & at the laste, in a certeyne day þere come toward̛ xxx. shippis, and̛ alle in a morow reysid̛ þere. Þenne Ionathas enquerid̛ amonge hem, yf eny shippe wer̛ þere Redy for to go to swiche a londe, wher as he

havntid̛ scole. At the last he founde a shippe redy, þat wolde to the same contree. Þenne Ionathas was gladde, and̛ enterid̛ into the shippe, aftir that he hadde take leve of the kynge. Sone aftir that he was come to the citee, þere as was his leman̛; but þer was noon̛ that had̛ knowleche of him, for longe tyme, that he had̛ be devourid̛ with wilde bestes. whenne Ionathas was in the citee, a-noon̛ he toke cure of Syke peple, & he helid̛ alle; and̛ by that tyme his leman̛ was þe Richeste of that citee, by vertu of the Rynge, & of the broche, and̛ of the clothe, but she was gretly turmentid̛ withe sikenesse. And̛ whenne [she] harde telle, that sucℏ a sotiƚƚ leche was come to the citee, anoon̛ she made messagers to go for him, & that he wolde vouchesaffe to hele hir of hir sykenesse. Ionathas come to hir, & þere he fonde his lemman̛ on̛ bed̛; and̛ he knewe hir welle, but she knew not him. And̛ whenne he hadde I-seyne hir vryne, he seide to hir, "worthi ladye, thow haste oo sekenesse that may not be helid̛ but by oo way; and̛ yf þow wolt preve that

wey, þowe may be helid̛." then seide she, "I am Redy to do what so euer þow comaundist, so that I be hole ther by." Ionathas saide to hir, "Þou moste be clene I-shriven; & yf þou have withe-drawe owte fro eny man̛ with wronge, thow moste Restor̛ hit ayene, and̛ thenne I shalle warante the to be hole; and̛ ellis my medicinis wolle not stonde in stede." and̛ so by cause that she was grevousely holde withe sekenesse, she made an opyn̛ confession̛ afore al men̛, how þat she had̛ deseyvid̛ the sonne of the Emperoure, as hit is seide afor̛, and̛ how she lefte him at the Ende of the worlde. Thenne seide he, "Wher̛ ben̛ the iij. Iewellis þat þou withe-drew fro him, scil. þe Ringe, þe broche, & the Clothe?" And̛ she tolde him, that thei wer̛ at hir beddis fete, in a chest. "and̛ þerefor̛," she saide, "open̛ þe cheste." And̛ þere he fonde as she saide, with gret Ioye to him; & [leaf 183, col. 1] he toke the Ringe, & put hit on̛ his fynger; he sette the broche on̛ his breste; and̛ toke the clothe vndir his arme. And̛ he toke hir drinke of his Firste cruet, scil. of that water that drow awey the fleshe of his fete, and̛ yaf hir to Ete of that frute that

made him lepr̛; and̛ whenne she hadde Resseyvid̛ hit, she was in swiche a likenesse, that no man̛ wolde no lenger abide with hir, and̛ in that grete angr̛ she yede vp the sprite. thenne aftir hir dethe, Ionathas turnid̛ home to his contree, with gret Ioye, beryng with hime the ringe, þe broche, & the clothe; and̛ in goode pes Endid his lyf.

MORALITEE.

DEre frendes, þis Emperoure is oure lord̛ Ihesu Criste, that hathe iij. sonnes. by the firste sone we must vndirstonde angelis, to whome god̛ hathe yevin swiche confirmacion̛ and̛ grace, þat they may not synne; for aftir that aungels weer̛ falle don̛, god̛ so confermid̛ hem, that thei dwelle stille after, that þey myght not synne aftir. by the secounde sonne vndirstonde prophetes, to whom̛ god̛ yaf þe olde lawe of moyses; the whicℏ law was mevable, for it was chavngid̛ by the advent of Criste. And̛ to the thirde sone, scil. a Cristen man̛, he yaf iij. ieweƚƚ, a Ringe, a broche, & a clothe. By the Ringe we muste vndirstonde feithe, for that owithe to be Rounde like a Ringe, and̛ with oute eny ¶ twartynge; and̛ he that hathe the Ringe of feithe, withe oute eny dowte he shalle have the love of god̛ and̛ of aungles; and̛ þerefore seithe oure

savioure, Si habueritis fidem, sicut granum sinapis, ¶ &c. ut supra ut c ^w [sic], þis is to seye, yf ye have feithe, as the seed̛ or as the greyne of synevey, as is saide befor̛. and̛ þerefor̛ he that hathe þe Ringe of Feithe, vereliche he shalle have al thinges to his likinge. Also he yaf to the Crysten̛ man a [leaf 183, col. 2] broche, scil. the holy goste, in his herte; & þerfore it is seyde, Mittam vobis spiritum paraclitum, & suggeret vobis omnia quecumque dixero vobis, þis is to sey, I shalle sende to yow the holy gost, the whiche shaƚƚ shew in yow all goodis whicℏ I shall seye to yowe. And̛ ther-for yf we have the holy goste in oure hertes, withe oute dowte we shulle have al thinge that shall be prophitable to oure soulis. Also he yaf to [the] Cristin man̛ a presious clothe. the clothe is perfite charite, the whiche god̛ shewithe for vs & to vs in the cros; for he louyþe vs so muche, that he offirde him selfe to dye for vs, for to bringe vs to the place that we desire for to come to, scil. to heuene. and̛ therfor̛ who so wille sitte on the clothe of perfite charite, withe oute dowte he may be translatid̛. Ionathas may be callid̛ euery Cristen̛ man þat is fallyn̛ to synne. thenne his leman̛ metithe with him, scil. his wrecchid̛ fleshe, þat stirithe him to synne; and̛ than he lesithe the Ringe of feithe, that he Reseyvid̛ in baptisme; And̛ þenne the broche, scil.

þe holy gost, fleithe from̛ him, for synne; and̛ the clothe, scil. charite, is drawin̛ fro him as ofte tyme as he assentithe to synne; and̛ so the wrecchid̛ man̛ is lefte withe oute helpe amonge the wylde bestes, scil. the devil, þe wordle, & the fleshe; and̛ thenne it is gretlye to sorow. Þerfore, man, do as dude Ionathas; arys fro thi slepe of synne, for thow hast slepte to longe in the slepe of carnalite; and̛ þerfor̛ hit is wretin thus, ¶ Surge qui dormis, & illuminabit te Christus, þis is to sey, Arys þou þat slepest, and̛ Criste þe shalle liȝtny. Þenne whenne þoư ert vp Risen fro slepe of synne, and̛ art I-litenyd̛, & mayste see, entre in to the water that wolle have of the fleshe fro the boone, scil. penaunce, the w[h]iche putithe awey fleshelyche affeccions. Aftir he Etithe the frute of Sharpenesse, the whiche chaungithe þe cher̛, in maner of a lepr̛ man; as it is wretin of Crist, ¶ Vidimus eum non habentem speciem neque decorem, þis is to seye, We saw him not having shappe ne fairnesse. so of the soule, that is in bitternesse for his synnes; and̛ ther̛for̛ in figur̛ a sowle is seide to be blak, þoȝ hit be wel I-shape. Aftir he entrithe þe secounde water, that is I-callid̛ holly comunynge, that is aftir penaunce; and̛ þerfor̛ seithe oure sauioure, ¶ Ego sum fons vite; qui

biberit ex aqua hac, non siciet in eternum, [leaf 183, back, col. 1] this is to sey, I am þe welle of lyfe; and̛ he that drinkithe of this water, shalle not thirste. Aftir þat, he etithe of the fruyt of the secounde tree, the w[h]iche Restorithe al that was loste; whenne that he is glorefijd̛ in euerlasting lyfe, aftir that he hathe helide the kynge, scil. þe soule. & so he entrithe in to the shippe of holy chirche, and̛ gothe to his lemman̛, scil. his fleshe, & Rechithe to hir the water of contrucion̛, and̛ the frute of penaunce, and̛ of sharpnesse, for the whiche the fleshelyche affeccions deyethe; & so by penaunce he takithe of hit his lost goodes, and̛ so he gothe to his contree, scil. to the kyngdom̛ of hevene. To the whiche he vs brynge, that is kynge Euerlastinge! Amen.

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

[leaf 20, back]

Story.

GOdfridus reigned̛ in Rome, and [that] had̛ iij. sonnes, the whicℏ he loved̛ mekeƚƚ [myche] . Whan he laye in [on] his dethe-bedde, and shuld̛ dye, he called̛ first to hym his eldest sone, and said̛ to hym, "My sone, aƚƚ the [myn] heritage, the whicℏ my fadir lefte [hathe left to] me, holicℏ [omitted] I leve and yeve it [omitted] to the." ¶ After that, he called̛ to hym his second̛ sone, and said̛ [seyde to hym] , My sone, dyverse londes and tenementis I have bought, and *theym̛ aƚƚ [tho] I yeve to [omitted] the, what so evir̛ thei be, that longe not to the heritage." ¶ Than he called̛ to hym the thirde sone, and said̛ to hym, "My [omitted] sone, I have *none mevables [no mevable goodes] that I may yeve to the, But I have iij. Iewelx, that I bequethe to [omitted] the, that is, a precious rynge, and a [a cocous] broche, and a precious clothe. The vertu of the Rynge is this, that who so bere [berith] it, shaƚƚ have the love of aƚƚ men. ¶ And [omitted] the vertu of the broche is this, yf [that if] any man or

woman bere it on his brest, let hym *desire what goodes that he wille have of temporaƚƚ goodes, and he shaƚƚ have hem [think that is plesing to hym, and anone he shalle fynd it] . ¶ The vertu of the clothe is this [that] , who so *ever have it, and [omitted] sittitℏ theron̛, lette hym thynke in [on] what partye of the world̛ he wolle [wolde] be, and he [anone he] shaƚƚ be there. Tho iij. Iewelx [omitted] I bequetℏ to [omitted] the, and I bid̛ the, that thou go to the scole; for by thise iij. Iewelx [omitted] thou shalt have [gete the] I- [leaf 21] noughe." ¶ Whan the fadir [An whan he] had̛ thus [this] said̛, he turned̛ hym to the walle, and died̛. ¶ The first sone *toke and [omitted] occupied̛ his [the] heritage, ¶ And the Second̛ sone had̛ [ocupied] aƚƚ that was purchased̛. ¶ The Empresse called̛ to her her [her] yongest sone, and said̛, "My sone, iij. thynges thi fadir hatℏ left the, that is *to sey [omitted] , A Rynge, A Broche, and a Clothe. And [omitted] I take the the Rynge, that thou go to the [omitted] scole; but be wele [omitted] ware of womans companye; and sonne [omitted] , yf thou lerne wele, thou shalt be to me a welbeloved̛ sone." ¶ The yonge sone [omitted] Ionathas toke the Rynge, and went to the vniuersite; and there *he lerned̛ and [omitted] profited̛ wondirly. ¶ It befelle [fille] on a day, as [omitted] he went in the [a] strete of the towne, he mette right [with] a faire woman. Whan Ionatas *had̛ seen [saw] her, he was take in her love.

Anon̛ he spake [spake to her] of inordynate love, and she consented̛ to hym; and *he slept witℏ her, and held̛ her witℏ hym [omitted] , by the [omitted] vertu of the Rynge; *and also [omitted] he had̛ love of aƚƚ the unyversite. he made dyverse festes, and [omitted] of no thyng he defauted̛ [had defaute] ; and men loved̛ hym so mekeƚƚ [myche] , that for his love men [thei] yaf̘ hym I-now. ¶ Amasie, his love, had̛ mekeƚƚ [mych] wondir that he was I-fedde [fedde] so deyntely, and had̛ aƚƚ thynge [omitted] at his [omitted] hande, and she sawe no [no thing ne] peny witℏ hym. ¶ On a nyght, as they laye in [in a] bedde to-gedre, She said̛, "a! *my gentile [omitted] sir, ye have my maydenhode; and as longe as I lyve I shaƚƚ be at your wille. ¶ I pray you, that ye wille [wole passim] graunte me a liteƚƚ peticion̛, yf it like you. how *gete ye [ye gete] so mekeƚƚ [mych] good̛, and maken̛ so many feestis, and I se you have no peny ne tresour̛?" ¶ He said, "happely and [if] I tell the the trouthe, thou woldest [shodyst] be-wreye *my counsaile [me] ." She said̛, "god̛ for-bede *that of me shuld̛ be done [me, that I sholde do] suche a trespasse ayenst [agayne] you!" ¶ Than he said̛, "my fadir lefte

me the [this] Rynge that is on my fyngre, the whiche hatℏ sucℏ a vertu, that who so ever bere it, shaƚƚ have love [the loue] of aƚƚ folke. therfore aƚƚ folke loven me, in so mekeƚƚ [myche] , that what *so ever [omitted] I aske of hem, thei graunte it me." ¶ Than said̛ she, "A! my sir̛, whi told̛ not ye me *this before [of this byfore hand] , for periƚƚ that myght falle." ¶ "what periƚƚ," he said̛, "myght *that be [falle] ?" ¶ She said̛, "Ye go ofte sithes [sythe] in diuerse felishippe; happely [and happyly] ye myght lese the Rynge, and it *were grete pite [is perille] to lese sucℏ a precious [omitted] Ieweƚƚ. therfore, my *good̛ sir̛ [dere love] , take me the Ryng, and I shaƚƚ kepe it as my lyf̘." and [omitted] Ionatas loved̛ her wele [omitted] , and toke her the Rynge, for [omitted] to kepe. ¶ Sone after that [as] the Rynge was from hym, the love of men began to faile agayn̛ hym, and thei [omitted] wold̛ no lenger yeve hym as thei did̛ before. [leaf 21,back] ¶ Whan [omitted] he perseived̛ that, *he knew wele [omitted] it was for *cause that [omitted] he bare not the rynge; and *than he [omitted] said̛ to his love, that she shuld̛ take hym the rynge. She *a-rose vp [rose] , and went into her chambre, and fayned̛ a lesyng; and said̛ witℏ a grete crye, "Allas! allas! my coffre is broken̛, and the Rynge born̛ away!" ¶ Whan Ionatas herd̛ that, he was gretly stered̛ in hym self̘, and said̛, "wo be the tyme that

ever I saw the!" She anon [omitted] began̛ to wepe, and made [shew] to hym grete sorow. ¶ Ionatas loved̛ [leuyd] her, *and had̛ pitee [omitted] , and said̛ [seyd to here] , "Wepe not, for god shaƚƚ yit helpe me." ¶ Than he went to the Empresse, his modir; and whan she saw hym, she said̛, "O! my sone, whi art thou [omitted] come so sone from scole?" "*O! dere [He syede, "O! my dere] modir, I have lost my Rynge, by cause I toke it my [to my] love." ¶ She said̛, "O! my sone, ofte sithes I said̛ the [to the] , that thou shuldest [sholde] beware of womans company. Now I take the the broche, and beware from hens forward̛ that thou lese it not." ¶ Ionatas toke the Broche, and̛ fastned̛ [fastyd] it on his brest, and went agayn̛ to [to the] scole. ¶ Anon his love mette hym, and made hym grete chere. Ionatas fayned̛ aƚƚ thyng, but yit he held̛ festes as he did̛ before; for [omitted] what so ever [omitted] he wold̛ thynke as vnto [omitted] temporaƚƚ goodes, he had̛ hem, as [omitted] by vertu of the broche. his love mervailed̛ as she did̛ before; and nyghtes and daies she asked̛ hym [of hym] *and praied̛ hym, she myght have knowlecℏ how he fared̛ [that he sholde shew her the trouthe, how and where [he] had, that he ferde] so wele, and praied̛ aƚƚ [omitted] other to *his fest [festes] , *and had̛ no goodes [omitted] . ¶ *In no wise he wold̛ [He wold not] telle her of [a] longe tyme.

¶ Than [alway] she wept, and said̛, "allas! allas! thou lovest me not, ne trustest me not, *for yf thou woldest [if ye wolde] telle me the [omitted] sothe, I wold̛ bynde *my lyf [me] that I shuld̛ [wold] never lese youre Ieweƚƚ." whan Ionatas herd̛ this [that] , he leved̛ her wele [omitted] , and told̛ her of the vertu of the broche. ¶ Whan she herd̛ this, she wept bitterly. Ionatas seid̛ *to her [omitted] , "whi wepest thou thus?" She seid̛, "I drede me, *that ye shuƚƚ [lest ye sholl] lese your broche; than [and than] shuƚƚ ye lese a grete Iewayle [vertu] ." he said̛, "what *wold̛ ye [woldest thou] counsaile me to do *ther witℏ [omitted] ?" She said̛, "that ye shuƚƚ take it to [omitted] me to kepe." ¶ he said̛, "I drede, that thou shuldest lese it [the broche] , as thou diddest the Rynge." She said̛, "forsothe, dethe shaƚƚ first take *me, bothe my soule and [my soul fro] my body, *rather than [or] I shuld̛ lese the broche." ¶ Ionatas *loved̛ her wele, and [omitted] toke her the broche to kepe. anon̛ *as it was delyuered̛ from hym, his [after that] goodes failed̛ *sore, and than [omitted] he asked̛ the [her the] Broche agayn̛ [omitted] ; and anon̛ [omitted] she went into her chambre, and cried̛, "allas! allas! and wele away! the broche is away [take away] . I wille [leaf 22] sle my self̘ for sorow!" ¶ Ionatas herd̛ this, and ranne fast [omitted] to her, trowyng

that she wold̛ sle her self̘; and toke the knyf̘ from her, and said̛, "make not suche a [omitted] sorow, for [omitted] I foryeve the aƚƚ *this trespasse." ¶ And than [omitted] anon folowyng [omitted] he went *the seconde tyme vnto [to his contre, and visite] his modir, the Empresse. whan she sawe hym, she said̛, "O! my sone, how is it witℏ the? hast thou lost thi broche, as thou diddest [hast] thi rynge?" he said̛, "ye, modir; ¶ The woman the whiche resceived̛ the rynge, she [so she] hatℏ the Broche also [omitted] ; and what *she hatℏ done [is do] withe hem I wote never." ¶ The Empresse said̛, "my sone, thou knowest wele that I have now [omiited] but one [o] Ieweƚƚ, that is, the [a] precious clothe. now thou maist [may] chese, whether thou wilt kepe it, or lese it. I have oft sithes said̛ to the, that thou shuldest be ware of womans wyles." he said̛, "a! swete modir, I shaƚƚ never se your face and [if] I lese this [the] clothe." ¶ *he toke the clothe of his modir [omitted] , and went ayene to the scole. ¶ Anon̛ his [as his] love come ayenst [agayne] hym, and made *to hym [omitted] grete myrthe; *he went fortℏ [omitted] , and liteƚƚ said̛. ¶ Whan he come to his Inne, he spredde the clothe vndirnethe hym, and toke witℏ hym ij. smale botels of wyne, and also [omitted] brede *he

toke witℏ hym [omitted] ; ¶ And *than he [omitted] said̛ to his love, that she shuld̛ *come, and [omitted] sitte by hym. She knew nat the vertu of the clothe, and sette her downe by hym on the clothe. ¶ Anon̛ Ionatas thought, "I wold̛ we were bothe as we sitte in the *forest, and in the [omitted] *ferthest parties [ferrest party] of the world̛, where never man come." whan he had̛ thought thus [this] , they were bothe take vp in the clothe, and sette in the ferthest partie of the world̛. ¶ The woman, whan she perseived̛ this, she cried̛, "allas! allas! [omitted] how are we sette here?" ¶ he said̛, "here I shaƚƚ leve the alone, and wylde bestes shaƚƚ devowre the, for thou *kepest from me [hast kept with the] my Broche and my Rynge." ¶ She said̛, "good̛ [A! goode] sir, have mercy on me; and yf ye [thou] bryng me to the Citee there I was to day, I shaƚƚ yeve you the broche and the rynge; And but I fulfiƚƚ this, I bynd̛ me to the most foule dethe that ye wille [kan] put me to." ¶ Ionatas yave feitℏ to [vnto] her wordes, and said̛ to her, ¶ "Be ware that thou trespasse no more from hens forward̛, for yf thou do, thou shalt be dede. ¶ She said̛, "nay, certes I shaƚƚ never trespasse ayenst [more agayns] you. but, swete sir, *I pray you [omitted] , telle me how we are sette here? ¶ he said̛, "the vertu of the clothe is this, that who that [so] sittetℏ thereon, he shaƚƚ be in what

partie of the world̛ that [omitted] he desiretℏ to be." ¶ whan this was said̛, "I have," he said̛, [leaf 22, back] "a wondir grete wille to slepe; Streccℏ out thi skirthe [skyrt] , that I may rest *me thereon, and slepe [and slepe theronne] a while." ¶ And [omitted] anon the woman [damselle] was redy, and toke his hede into her skirthe, and he began strongely for [omitted] to slepe. She beheld̛ that [omitted] , and drew away softly [a parte of] the clothe that was vndre hym every dele; and than [omitted] she thought, "wolde god that I were [were now] there as I was *this day [to-day] atte morow [morne] !" and [omitted] anon̛ she was sette in the same place; and Ionatas left there slepyng. ¶ And whan he was awaked̛ of his slepe, *he loked̛ aƚƚ aboute; and whan he sawe [omitted] and founde neither the woman ne the clotℏ, he wept bitterly, and said̛, "¶ Allas! allas! what shaƚƚ I now [omitted] do, *for I wote not [ne wote I neuer] whether̛ to fle; for this disease I have wele deserved̛, synne [sethe] I shewed̛ aƚƚ my counsaile *to the woman [omitted] ." ¶ he loked̛ aƚƚ aboute, and sawe not but briddes in the eyer̛ fleyng, and wyld̛ bestes rynnyng by hym, of the whicℏ sight he was gretely adred̛ [aferde] . ¶ he rose, and went fortℏ by a pathe, but to what place or whetherward̛ he wist not. ¶ Whan he had̛ thus longe gone, he come to a watir, over the whicℏ he must wade; and whan he had̛ [omitted]

entred̛ in [omitted] the watir, it was right hote, *and, as [that] hym thought, it departed̛ [partyd] the flessℏ from the bone. ¶ Whan Ionatas felt this, he toke his boteƚƚ, and filled̛ it fuƚƚ of this watir. Than he went fortℏ, and sawe a tree fuƚƚ of frute. he went vp, and gadred̛ therof̘, and ete it [omitted] . anon̛ he was made a foule lepre, wherof̘ for sorow he fille downe to the erthe, and said̛, ¶ "The day mot perissℏ in the whicℏ I was born̛, and the houre in the whicℏ I was conseyved̛ in [omitted] of my modir!" ¶ After this sorow he rose vp [omitted] , and toke of the frute, and walked̛, ¶ And whan he had̛ walked̛ a goode while, he saw the second̛ watir, and he dred̛ to [for to] passe thurgℏ. but whan he sawe none other passage, he went in, and waded̛ over; and as the first watir departed̛ the flessℏ from the bone [fete] , Right so the second̛ watir restored̛ hym agayn̛, wherof [wherfor] he filled̛ his other boteƚƚ of that watir. And whan he had̛ gone awhile, he saw another tree, and faire frute theron; and [omitted] he was gretly an hungred̛, and ete of the frute, and anon̛ he was hole of *aƚƚ the spice of [omitted] the lepre; and *than he [omitted] toke witℏ hym of the [that] frute, and went forthe in strengtℏ of that mete. ¶ After that he saw a Casteƚƚ, that was right faire, fuƚƚ of hedes of men aƚƚ aboute. ¶ And whan he come nere the Casteƚƚ, there come

men ayenst [agayne passim] hym, and said̛, "Frende, teƚƚ vs what thou art?" he said̛, "I am a leche of ferre countrees." ¶ [leaf 23] Than [omitted] thei said̛ *vnto hym [omitted] , "the kynge of this provynce is a lepre; and many leches have *ben here afore [come byfore] the, and saiden̛ to the kyng, vpon payn̛ of her hedes, thei shuld̛ hele hym; and aƚƚ thei failed̛, *as thou maist se by her [Behold and se the] hedes, *that stonde [omitted] aboute the Casteƚƚ. And therfore be ware or thou vndirtake hym." ¶ he said̛, "I shaƚƚ hele hym." and [omitted] anon̛ he was brought before [into] the kynge, and yaf̘ [he gaf] hym of the frute of the second̛ tree for to ete, and of the second̛ watir to [for to] drynke. ¶ And anon̛ as the kyng had̛ resceived̛ this [the] medecyne, he was hole of aƚƚ his lepre; and yaf̘ to Ionatas mekeƚƚ [mych] goode, and more behight hym and [if] he wold̛ have more, and bad̛ hym [omitted] dwelle witℏ hym. ¶ But [omitted] Ionatas wold̛ not [On no wyse] dwelle witℏ hym, but every day he went to the see side, that was nere the Casteƚƚ, for to aspie yf he myght se any shippes [ship] , that myght lede hym to his countre. ¶ So [omitted] at the last he sawe xxx. shippes comyng toward̛ the Casteƚƚ, and alle thei toke haven ayenst even̛; and than [thether] he went, and asked̛ [spiryd] of the shippe

men yf any [eny ship] shuld̛ saile into [to] his countre. ¶ At the last he founde one that wold̛ go to that Citee, in [omitted] the whiche was [is] an vniuersite. ¶ Ionatas, whan he herd̛ that, he was glad̛, and made *a covenaunt [comenaunt] witℏ hym, and toke his leve [leve of the kyng] . And whan he hadde leve, he entred̛ in [omitted] the shippe; and after that [omitted] many daies he come to the Citee where his love was, that haddle begyled̛ hym; and there was no man that hym knew, for his longe tyme beyng out; for [omitted] his love had̛ went [wend] , that he had̛ be devowred̛ of wilde bestes. ¶ Whan Ionatas had̛ entered̛ the Citee, he had̛ the cure of many [the] sike men, and aƚƚ he heled̛ anon̛ of her sikenesse [siknesses] . ¶ That tyme his love was the ricchest of the Citee, by the [omitted] vertu of the Rynge, Broche, and Clothe; but she was greved̛ of [with] a grete sikenesse. therfore [omitted] whan she herd̛ that sucℏ a soteƚƚ lecℏ was comen̛ to the Citee, and heled̛ aƚƚ *maner men [omitted] of her sikenesse, ¶ She sent messangers to hym, *and praied̛ hym [omitted] that he wold̛ fouchesauf̘ to visite suche a lady. ¶ Ionatas went witℏ the messangers, and founde his love, that was in her bedde; whom he knew fuƚƚ wele, but she [his love] knew hym not. ¶ Whan he had̛ seen her watir, and felt her pounce [pous] , he said̛, "my dere lady, ye have a speciaƚƚ sikenesse, the whicℏ may not be heled̛ but by one [o] way;

and yf̘ ye wille assaye that way, ye may [mow] be hole." ¶ She said̛, "what so ever thou seiest to me that I may do, I shaƚƚ do it, so that I may be hole." ¶ Ionatas said̛, "ye must openly be confessed̛; yf ye have [leaf 23, back] taken̛ away wrongfully from any man any thinge, *se that ye delyuere [and yelde] it sone agayn̛, and than [omitted] ye shaƚƚ be hole, or [and] els my medecyne wille not availe." ¶ She in her [omitted] grete sikenesse began̛ to telle before aƚƚ, how she hadde disceived̛ Ionatas, the Emperour̛ sone, and how she had̛ left hym in the vtter [fyrthest] partie of the world̛. ¶ Whan Ionatas had̛ herd̛ this, he said̛ *to her [omitted] , "where are tho iij. Iewelx, that [omitted] ye toke from the clerk̘?" She said̛, "In a Cheste at my beddes fete; open it, and se *it, that [omitted] I lye not, in this grete necessitee." ¶ Ionatas opened̛ the chest, and found mekeƚƚ [mych] tresour̛, but he hadde liteƚƚ Ioye therof; but toke anon̛ tho [the] iij. Iewelx, and the rynge he put on his fyngre, the Broche on his brest, and the clothe vndre his arme. and than he toke [he helde] and yaf̘ her drynke of the first boteƚƚ [water] , that is, of the watir that departed̛ the flessℏ from the bone, ¶ And also he yaf̘ her of the *first frute [froyte of the fyrst tre] , by the whicℏ he hym self̘ was made lepre. And whan she had̛ eten̛ of the frute,

and dronken̛ of the watir, anon̛ her bely opened̛, and aƚƚ her guttes went out; and so witℏ grete payne [dissese] she died̛. ¶ Ionatas seyng her dede, witℏ Ioye he wente to his countre, beryng witℏ hym the Rynge, the Broche, and the clothe; and after he [omitted] ended̛ his lyf in pease.

¶ Declaracio.

Frendes, this Emperour is oure lord̛ Ihesu crist, that hathe iij. sonnes. ¶ By the first sonne is vndirstond̛ Aungeƚƚ, to the whicℏ god yave suche enformacion̛, that thei mow not synne; for after that lucifer̛ synned̛, as by pride, there felle many aungels, save thei that cleved̛ fast to god, that first are confermed̛. ¶ By the second̛ sone are vndirstond̛ patriarkes and prophetes, to the whicℏ god yaf̘ the olde lawe, that was mevable, for it was chaunged̛ by the comyng of crist. ¶ To the thirde sone, that is, cristen man, he yaf iij. Iewelx, that is, a Rynge, a broche, and a clothe. ¶ By the rounde Rynge we shuƚƚ vndirstond̛ feitℏ, that owetℏ to be rounde, witℏ out foryetyng. ¶ And he that hatℏ the rynge of verrey feitℏ, that have the love of god and of aungels; therfor our lord̛ seitℏ, he

that hatℏ so moche faitℏ as a mustard̛ sede, shaƚƚ remeve hilles. ¶ Therfor he that hatℏ the Rynge of verrey feitℏ shaƚƚ have aƚƚ thyng at his wille. ¶ Also he yaf̘ to the Cristen̛ man a broche, that is, the holy gost; therfore he seid̛, "I shaƚƚ send̛ to you that shaƚƚ teche you aƚƚ that I have seid̛ to you." and yf we have the holy gost in oure hert, witℏ outen doute we shaƚƚ have aƚƚ goodes [leaf 24] that is profitable to heltℏ of our soule. ¶ Also he gaf̘ to cristen̛ man the thirde Ieweƚƚ, that is, a precious clothe. this clothe is perfite charitee, that oure lord̛ shewed̛ to vs on̛ the crosse; for he loved̛ vs so mekeƚƚ, that he offred̛ hym self̘ to detℏ for vs, that he shuld̛ lede vs thedir where we desire to be, and that is in heven̛. ¶ Therfore who so ever desiretℏ to sitte on perfite charitee, witℏ outen doute he shaƚƚ be translated̛ from this world̛ to heven. ¶ Ionatas may wele be called̛ a Cristen man, that is fallen̛ in synne. ¶ Amasie rynnetℏ to hym, that is, his flessℏ, that drawetℏ hym to synne; and so he losetℏ the rynge of perfite feitℏ, that he resceived̛ in his baptyme. ¶ Also

the Broche, that is, the holy gost, fleigℏ away from hym. ¶ Also the clothe is draw from hym, that is, perfite charitee, aƚƚ so ofte as he assentetℏ to dedely synne; and so wrecched̛ man is left witℏ out helpe amonge wilde bestes, that is, amonge the deveƚƚ, the world̛, and the flessℏ, that is gretly for to sorow. ¶ Do than therfore as Ionatas did̛; Ryse out of synne, for thou hast slept to longe in the skirte of the flesshly lustes; as it is written, "thou hast slept in synne; arise, and crist shaƚƚ lighten̛ the, so that thou shalt be saved̛." ¶ Sampson̛ slept in the skirte of dalyda, and lost his strengtℏ. he arose, and entred̛ the watir, that is, the watir of penaunce, that departitℏ the flessℏ, that is, flesshly affeccions. ¶ Than he ete of the frute of sharpnesse, that chaungetℏ his semblaunt to the likenesse of a lepre; as it is redde of crist, we saw hym as a man that had̛ no chere, but as a lepre. So it is of the soule that is in bittirnesse for the synnes that he hatℏ done. ¶ wherfore it is said̛ in figure of the soule, I am blak̘, but I am semely and faire, that is to sey, I am blak̘ in body, but I am faire in soule. ¶ Than he went into the second̛ watir, that restored̛ hym. ¶ This watir is comvnyon aftir

penaunce; wherfor̛ our̛ saviour seitℏ, "I am the welle of lyf̘; he that drynketℏ of this watir, he shaƚƚ not thrist after." he than etetℏ of the frute of the tre the second̛, that restored̛ aƚƚ that was lost, that is, whan aƚƚ is glorified̛ in ever lastyng lyf̘. ¶ Also he cured̛ the kyng, that is, his reson̛, and so he entred̛ the shippe of holy chircℏ, and to his love, that is, the flessℏ, he gaf̘ the watir of contricion̛, and the frute of penaunce and of sharpnesse, [by] the whicℏ the flessℏ, that [leaf 24, back] is, the affeccion̛ of flesshly lust, is slayn̛. and so a man getitℏ by penaunce goodes that are lost by synne, and gotℏ to his countrey, that is, the kyngdome of heven. to the whicℏ brynge vs Ihesu crist, that bought vs witℏ the price of his precious blood̛! Amen.