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

DOLFINUS A WISE EMPEROURE.
(HOW A PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED.)

[ XLVIII. ] Harl. MS. 7333.

[leaf 184, back, col. 2 (cont'd)]

Story.

DOlfinus was an Emperour in the citee of Rome; þe which hadde a faire dowter, whom he moche lovid̛. so in̛ a certeyn daye, as he rode by a forest to hunte, he was a-sunderid̛ fro aƚƚ his men̛, and̛ hadde vtterly loste hem̛; and̛ þerefor̛ withe a grete hevinesse he Rode by him selfe. So he [leaf 185, col. 1] Roode by a certen̛ place, & he cnockid̛ at the yate; and̛ a noon̛ þe lorde of the place openyd̛ þe yate, and̛ askid̛ the cause of his cnockinge. and̛ he seide, "it is nyght, and̛ þerefor̛ I praye the, for the love of god̛, that I may be loggid̛ her̛ al nyght;"—but he tolde him not þat he was Emperoure. Þenne seide that othir, "I am forester of the Emperoures in this forest, and̛ I ber̛ the cure þereof. I graunt þe harborow, & venison̛ y-now her̛ of this forest." The Emperoure was glad̛, & honestly he was resseyvid̛. The foresters wyf was in chyldebed̛, and̛ shulde that same nyght brynge a childe in to the worlde. whenne the Emperoure satte at soper, þe forster honestly seruid̛ him;

but he knew not þat þat that [sic] he was Emperoure, & his lorde, and̛ the Emperour dude as hit hadde not ben he. And̛ whenne þe soper was I-don̛, the Emperoure yede to bedde, & slept. And̛ as he was in his slepe, he harde a voyse sey thris, "tak! tak! tak!" and̛ withe that the Emperoure a-woke, & marvailed̛ what that shulde by-meene, tak! tak! tak!—"for what shulde I take?" quod̛ he. and̛ he slepte a-yene, and̛ he harde a voyse sey thris, "Ȝeld̛! Ȝeld̛! Ȝeld̛!" with that he awoke, and̛ marvailid̛ mor̛ than̛ enye man̛ may trowe; & hevy he was, and̛ thouȝte what that shulde be. "for first," quod̛ he, "take, and̛ not I toke; & now yelde, & what shalle I yelde? I wot not." he slepte a-yene, and̛ a voyse come, & saide, "fle! fle! fle! for this nyte in this hovse a childe is borne, that shalle be Emperour̛ aftir thi dissesse." whenne þe Emperour a-woke, he was not litle mevid̛ in herte; and̛ ther for̛ whenne morow come, he Ros, and̛ callid̛ to him the forster, and̛ saide, "Der̛ frend̛, I pray the telle me sothe, yf thow canne telle yf eny childe wer̛ I-bor̛ in this house þis nyȝt? god̛ save hit!" Þenne the Emperoure badde, that the childe

shulde be browte afor̛ him, and̛ that he myȝte se hit. And̛ whenne hit was afor̛ him, the Emperoure lokid̛ welle in his face, and̛ toke goode hede to a ce[r]teyn̛ marke that was in his visage; and̛ þenne he saide to the forster̛, "Dere frende, knowist thow not me, what I am?" "No, sir, no thing, for I saw yow neuer or nowe, but þou semist a gentilman̛." "I am," quod̛ he, "þe Emperour̛, thi [leaf 185, col. 2] lorde, whom thow hast harborowyd̛; and̛ I thonk the muche for thi goode cher̛." Þenne þe forster fel downe to his fete, and̛ askid̛ mercy, yf þat he had̛ owte offendid̛ him. "Nay," quod̛ he, "drede the noute; but I wolle have this childe, that thi wyf hathe browte forthe this nyght, to norisshe in my palys; and̛ þerefor̛ to-morow a-bowte this tyme, I wolle sende messagers for him." thenne saide the forster, "sir, my lord̛, þat is not semynge, þat swiche a worthi lorde have the childe of swiche a symple sarvaunt as I am, for to norysshe. Naþeles hit shaƚƚ be don̛ as thow wolt have hit; and̛ whenne the messagers comythe, I shal take the childe to hem." The Emperour Rode home to his palis; & he callid̛ his sarvauntes, and̛ seide to hem, "gothe swyftly in to the forest, to the house of the forster̛, for þer I was

loggid̛ al nygℏt; and̛ takithe of him the litle Infaunt, that his wyf this nyght chylded̛. And̛ I charge yow, vp peyne of dethe, that ye sle hit by the way, and̛ caste his body to the houndes, and̛ bryngitℏ his herte to me; and̛ but ye do thus, I-wis ye shulle be dede, yf that ye abyde in my Empire." Sone thei tooke ther wey toward̛ the forster, and̛ þer thei Resseyuid̛ the childe; and̛ wh[e]nne thei wer̛ in the wey comyng homeward̛, thei seide to hem selve, "sirs, it is tyme nowe [to] fulfille the wille of oure lorde, scil.to slee this childe, for we beþe now nye home." Þei toke that childe, & wolde have kyllid̛ hit; but thenne on̛ of hem̛, beholding the gracious fase of the childe, he was mevid̛ by mercy, and̛ saide, "A! der̛ felawes, hit wer̛ grete synne & perel to vs, yf that we slowe this childe, þat is an Innocent; and̛ þerefore I shalle teche yowe a goode counseiƚƚ. her̛ by Rynnithe smale litle hogges; late vs slee on̛ of hem, and̛ ber̛ his herte to the Emperoure, oure lorde, & we shulle seye that it is þe harte of þe childe." "Þat is a gode counseiƚƚ," quod̛ thei, "but telle vs thenne what we shuƚƚ do withe the childe." Þenne aunswerde he, "we shulle lappe him wel [leaf 185, back, col. 1] in clothis, and̛

putte him in an holow tree, and̛ leve him þer; and̛ god̛ shaƚƚ ordeyne for him wel I-now." Whenne the childe was lappid̛ in clothis, þey putte him in the hole in a tree, and̛ lete him lye; and̛ thenne thei yede, and̛ slowhe a yonge pigge, and̛ drow oute his herte, and̛ browte hit home to the Emperoure; and̛ come to him̛ þer withe as he was at þe mete. And̛ when̛ the Emperour saw hem, he saide, "have ye fulfillid̛ my comaundment?" "ye, lorde," quod̛ they; "& this is to token̛;" & shewid̛ the hart of the pigge. Þenne the Emperour, trowing that it wer̛ the herte of the childe, he caste hit into the fir̛, & saide, "lo! wher̛ the harte is of him that shulde have Regnid̛ aftir me; and̛ swiche beþe dremis!" in that oþere day, aftir þat the childe was putte in to the tree, an Erle come Ridinge by the forest; and̛ as his houndis Ronne aftir an hynde, & come by the tree where as the chylde was, þei felt a savour̛ of the childe; and̛ þer they stynte, & wolle Rinne no forþer, in so muche that the knyȝt hadde þereof grete marvayle & Gret wonder; and̛ smote the hors withe sporis, & lokid̛ into the tree, and̛ þere he sawe lie a faire

sonne, of whom̛ he was hiliche gladde in his herte. & toke him̛ vp in his armes & bare him home to his castelle; and̛ saide to the countesse, his wyfe, "loo! dame, I have goode tithinges to telle the. Þorow chavnse I have founde a faire childe in a forest, & þow haddist neuer childe; feyne þe now as thowe þou were withe childe, and̛ thenne thowe shalt seye, that thow hast browte forthe a childe." "Ser," quod̛ she, "I assent." so withe in shorte tyme tiding was ouer aƚƚ þe contree, that the countes hadde a childe; and̛ þerefor̛ was grete Ioye makyd̛. the childe throfe, & wel was lovid̛ of al men̛. Þer fille a cas withe in xiiij.te yer̛ aftirwarde; the Emperour made a generaƚƚ feste, to the whiche þe Erle was I-bede in speciaƚƚ. & when he come, he browte the chylde wit[h] him, the whiche was at that tyme a faire yonge squiere; and̛ at mete he seruid̛ the Erle, and̛ gentilmanly stode afore him. Þe Emperour by-helde this yonge man̛, and̛ perseyvid̛ the token̛ in his fronte, that he sawe in the house of the forster; and̛ thenne with a grete mevinge in herte he saide to the Erle, "sir, whos sone is this, that stondithe a-for̛ the?" "sir," [leaf 185, back, col. 2] he saide, "it is my sone." "Tel me soþe," quod̛ the Emperour,

"by the feythe thow owist to me." Þenne þe Erle saw that he myght not escape hit, he tolde how that he mette withe the childe in a tree. And̛ whenne [the] Emperoure harde that, he callid̛ his servauntis to him, in a grete woodnesse,—þe whicℏ sarvauntes he had̛ sent afor̛, for to kille þat child̛. And̛ they come a-fore him; and̛ whenne they wer̛ I-come, the Emperoure made hem to swer̛ what thei dud̛ with the childe; and̛ thenne they seyde, "lorde, we put vs in youre grace, for sothely very pitee mevid̛ vs to save him, bi cause that he was an Innocent; and̛ so we slowe a pigge, and̛ browte the herte þer of a-for̛ yowe." whenne the Emperoure knew the bare sothe, he saide to the Erle, "sir erle, this yonge man̛ shalle abide her̛ at home withe me." "Sir," quod̛ the Erle, "hit shalle be at youre owne wille." And̛ whenne the grete fest was Endid̛, þe childe a-bode stille with the Emperour. And̛ in al this tyme the Emperesse dwellid̛ with hir dowter, a grete weye from̛ thens. In a day þis Emperoure clepid̛ to him this yonge man̛, and̛ seide to him, "thow most ber̛ my letteris to swicℏ a casteƚƚ, to the lady my empresse." "Sir," quod̛ he, "I am Redy to obeye vnto youre wille

in al poyntes." soone the Emperoure made letteres, to send̛ to the Emperesse, in the whiche letteres he chargid̛ hir, vndir a grete peyne, that she shulde, affter that she hadde sen̛ the letteres, make that yong̘ childe to be drawe with hors, and̛ aftir to be hongid̛ in the Iebet. he yaf the letters to the yonge childe, & badde him spede him welle by the weye, that he wer̛ ther̛. And̛ the child̛ toke the letters, & made him Redy, & yede. And̛ whenne he hadde labourid̛ iij. or iiij. dayes, hit happid̛ that he travaylid̛ late in a nyght; and̛ he come to the castelle of a knyȝt, and̛ þere he askid̛ herborowe, & the kniȝt grauntid̛ him. whenne the childe was coume in to the halle, for gret werynesse he felle on̛ slepe on̛ the benche; and̛ whenne the knyȝt saw him slepe, he lokid̛ a-bowte him, & sawe a boxe be-hynde him; and̛ thenne he openid̛ hit, & sawe þerein letters selid̛ withe the sinet of þe Emperoure. And̛ he was hilie temptid̛ in herte for to loke the tenour̛ of the letteris, and̛ dude hit sotelye in dede; and̛ whenne [he] had̛ Redde þe letteres, he fond̛ how that hit was comaundid̛, in [leaf 186, col. 1] peyne of shamefulle deþe, þat the Emperesse shulde putte that childe vnto the dethe. and̛ thenne he

sorowed̛ in his herte, And̛ saide, "this is a grete synne to hem, to sle swiche a faire childe. Nay," quod̛ he, "this may not be, for shame." and̛ þerefor̛ he wrote oþer letteres, in thes wordes, "Dame, I charge the, in peyne of dethe, þat þou yeve owr̛ dowter to this childe, and̛ lete him wedde hir as sone as he comythe, witheout lenger delaye; and̛ what tyme that the solempnite of the matrimonye is made, holdithe him with yow, & dothe him almaner worshipe; and̛ late him holde my stede, til I come to yow." whenne this was wretin̛, the knyȝt with his sotilte selid̛ hit withe the same sele, & put hit into the box. Soone aftir the childe awoke, & the knyȝt made him al the solase and̛ comforte that he coude make, & lete him goo. And̛ in the thirdde day aftir, he come to the Emperesse, & Salvid̛ hir worshi[p]fully in the name of the Emperoure; & yafe to hir the letteres. whenne the Emperesse had̛ Redde the letteres, She sente abovte messageris, for to calle to the bridale of hir dowter alle maner peple, mor̛ & lesse. & whenne the day was I-come, the yonge man̛ weddid̛ the damseƚƚ, & heilde the stede of the Emperoure wel and̛

wisly, that he was hiliche lovid̛, and̛ worshipid̛ of al maner of peple. Aftirwarde the Emperoure shulde come to the lady the Emperesse; and̛ the lady come withe alle hir meyne, and̛ mette him as hir owte to doo. & whenne the Emperoure sawe the Emperesse come, and̛ lad̛ as a lady shulde be with þe arme of the childe, he wonderid̛, and̛ wext wrothe; and̛ saide to hir̛, "thow wickid̛ woman̛, whi haste thow not do my precepte? þow shalte dye therfor̛." "sothely," quod̛ [s]he, "alle þat þowe badde me doo, is now fulfillid̛ in dede." "I sey thowe lyes in thin hede," quod̛ he; "for I chargeid̛ the, that þou sholdest do that boye to an orible dethe." "A! sir, save youre Reuerens, ye wrote to me, that I sholde yeve him your̛ douter, vp peyne of dethe; and̛ loo! her̛ is your̛ lettre." whenne the Emperour hadde sene the letteris, and̛ sawe wretyn̛ Right as þe Emperes saide, he mervailid̛, & saide, "but wheþer, hathe he weddid̛ my dowter, or no?" "yis," quod̛ she, "and̛ [leaf 186, col. 2] þat with grete solempnite; and̛ I trow that youre dowter be with childe." and̛ þenne saide he, "O! lord̛ god̛, it is a lewde thinge for to stonde ayenst the, or thin

ordinaunce!" And̛ thenne he saide, "Fiat voluntas tua, lorde, thi wille be fulfillid̛!" and̛ the Emperoure kiste him; & aftir his dicesse, he was made Emperoure, and̛ faire he Endid̛ his lyfe.

MORALITEE.

DEre Frendis, þis Emperoure may wel be callid̛ herod̛, or a synner that walkitℏ by him selfe, scil.withoute ony vertu, til tyme that he come to the house of the Forster, scil. of holy chirche, þe whiche is the house of god̛. Now þe Emperoure wolde have slayne the chylde, scil.heroude wolde have slayne Criste, þat tyme that he spirid̛ of the kynges of Criste, feynyng that he wolde have come, & have I-worshipid̛ him. Þe forster was Iosep, that kepte him. but whenne the messager come, scil. þe iij. kynges, þei slowe him not, but with bowinge knees þey worshipid̛ him, & lefte him in̛ the tree of his godhede to be kepte; but thenne aftir come an Erle, scil. the holye gost, & he bar̛ a-wey the childe, scil.whenne he warnid̛ Iosepe to flee in to Egipte.

AN OÞER MANER MORALITE.

By the Emperoure I vndirstonde a synner, that goþe in the forest of this worlde, seching vanitees, til tyme be that he come to holy chirche, wher that he is goodly recevid̛ by the prelat, yf that he wolle stonde to the maundementes of holy chirche. But manye of vs slepithe in holy chirche, as ofte as we dothe not the vij. [werkes] of mercy; but þey drede, as þe Emperour dude, for the voys that he harde; of the whiche voys hooly scrypture spekithe thus, Accipe! Accipe! Accipe! Take! take! take! by the first take vndirstondith þe benefetes of god̛, scil. whenne he yaf the a soule made to his owne likenesse; by the Secounde take vndirstonde grace of withestondynge of noynge þynges; & by the iij. tak vndirstonde þe sonne of god̛, that dide for the on̛ cros. Also holy scripture seithe, Redde! Redde! Redde! þis is to seye, yeld̛ the! yeld̛ the! yelde the! by the first yelde þow most vndirstonde to yelde thi dette, scil. a clene soule, as god̛ yaf hit to the, aftir wasshynge of the baptime; by the secounde yelde vndirstond̛ yeldyng of contrucion̛, confession̛, & satisfaccion̛; by the thirde yelde vndirstonde yeldyng euere a clene soule to god̛, withe al thi power̛. Also hooly scripture seithe, Fuge! Fuge! Fuge! þis is to

sey, fle! fle! fle! by the furst fle we mot vndirstonde to flee the worlde, for alle is sette in wickidnesse; by the secounde flee we mot vndirstonde to fle al synnys, for drede of peyne, & for presaunce of god̛; by the third̛ fle vndirstonde euer to flee & eschew peyne, þat we owe to have, & to do meritorye werkis. The first voyse shaƚƚ be in the day of dome; for hit shalle be saide to the, "I yeve to the day, for to wake ynne; and̛ I yeve to the nyght, for to Reste the in." The yerþe shaƚƚ sey a-yenest þe synneres, "I ber̛ þe; I norisshe the; I fede the; I cloþe the; I gladde the; and̛ withe diuerse kynde of bestes I fille thi borde." The water shalle seye ayenste him, "I clanse alle þi filþis; I brynge forþe diuerse kynde of Fishis for thi sustentacioun̛." The ayr̛ shalle speke, & saye, "I yeve to the thi lyfe; and̛ send̛ to the the blastes; and̛ diuerse kyndis of briddes to thi nede." And̛ thus shalle the voyse thretin̛ him, & Repreve him. And̛ the worlde shalle seye, "lo! howe he lovid̛ the, that made me for the, & not for the but for him selfe; take benignite, yeld̛ charite." The fyr shalle seye, "Of me þou haddist grete solace & helpe; and̛ but þow servy wel thi maker, of me þou shalt be brent." Water shal seye, "I yaf to the drynke, and̛ Refressheynge

a-yenste thin hete; and̛ but þou serve wel þy creatur̛, of me þou shalte be draynte." And̛ helle shalle sey, "of me þow shalt be swolowed̛." but the wrecche, when̛ he herithe aƚƚ thes voys in his herte, wolle [leaf 186, back, col. 2] not amende his lyf, & wol but, in al that he may, sle the childe, by costome of synfulle werkes. But the knyght, that openithe the letteris, buthe they that writithe þe vij. werkes of mercye to holy chirche, that the dowter, scil. þe soule, y-wasshe by confession̛, be yeven̛ in matrimonye to the childe Criste, þe whiche he desirithe euermor̛ to wedde; & so he leditℏ [her to] the Empire of hevene, &c.

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

[leaf 40, back]

Story.

DOlphynus reigned̛ in Rome, that had̛ but oo doughtir, that was right faire, and of her Fadir mekeƚƚ loved̛. whan he went ones to hunte, a chaunce fille, that he was departed̛ fro his folke, that vtterly he wist not where ne to what place to ride; but he was mekeƚƚ desolate, bicause he had̛ lost his meyne, and rode aboute [omitted] alone. ¶ And whan he had̛ ridden̛ aƚƚ day, and nyght come, he sawe before hym an house, to the whiche he rode a grete pace. and whan he come to the yate, he knokked̛. anon̛ as the lord̛ of the house herd̛ the knokkyng, he vndid̛ the yate, and asked̛ [asked him] whi he knokked̛? he seid̛, "it is nyght, as ye se, and therfore I aske harbrow, for goddes love." and was not a-know that he was Emperour. ¶ The other [tother] said̛, "Frende, I am the Emperours Forster, that dwelle here, and have the kepyng of this Forest, and therfore I graunte the harbrow, and I shaƚƚ yeve the to [for to] ete of the venyson̛ of this Forest." [leaf 41] The Emperour herd̛ that, and was glad̛, and entred̛, and was worshipfully resceived̛. ¶ The Forsters wyf was grete witℏ child̛, and nere the tyme to have [haue a] child̛. whan the Emperour was sette to souper,

the Forster served̛ hym worshipfully, and yit he wist not *that it [he] was his lord̛ the Emperour; ¶ And the Emperour fayned̛, and wold̛ no thyng shew hym of his persone. whan the souper was done, a bedde was araied̛. the Emperour went therto, and be-gan to slepe; and whan he was in his first slepe, he herd̛ a voice seiyng *thries thise [thes iij.] wordes, "Take! take! take!" and he waked̛ of his slepe, and mervailed̛, and said̛ witℏ in hym self̘, "what may this be? take! take! take! what shaƚƚ I take?" and sone aftir he fille on slepe, ¶ and herd̛ another [a] voice saiyng thries thise wordes, "yeld̛! yeld̛! yeld̛!" ¶ he waked̛ of his slepe, and gretly was hevyed̛; and seid̛ witℏ in hym self̘, "what may this be? ¶ First I herd̛ thries, take! and not I toke; and now thries, yeld̛!" and efte sones he slept, and herd̛ thries thise wordes, "fle! fle! fle! for this nyght is born̛ a child̛, that aftir thi disease shaƚƚ be Emperour." ¶ The Emperour, whan he herd̛ this, and was [omitted] wakened̛ of his slepe, he was astonyed̛ in hym self̘. he a-rose [rose] erly, and called̛ the forster to hym, and said̛, "Frende, I pray the, telle me yf thou *know yf [knowyst] any child̛ were born̛ thisnyght?" he said̛, "ye, sir, my wyf had̛ a child̛ this nyght." The Emperour seid̛, "shew me the [this] child̛."

[And so he dyd. The Emperour] [supplied from Cambridge MS] whan he had̛ seen the child̛, he saw a token̛ in the childes face, and seid̛ to the Forster, "knowest thou what I am?" "nay, sir, for I saw the never before this tyme, that I wote of [omitted] ; but thou semest a gentileman." ¶ he said̛, "I am the Emperour, thi lord̛, that thou hast this nyghte hosteled̛, for the whiche I thanke the." ¶ The Forster herd̛ this, and fille at [down at] his fete, and asked̛ mercy, yf he had̛ in any thyng offended̛ hym. The Emperour said̛, "drede the not, but thi sone, þat thi wyf brought forthe this nyght, I wille [wole] have hym [omitted] to norissℏ and to-morow [to-morne] , at this houre, I shaƚƚ send̛ messangers for the child̛." ¶ The Forster said̛ "a! sir, it is not semly, that suche a lord̛ shuld̛ norissℏ the child̛ [sone] of his seruaunt. never the lesse, lord̛, your wille be fulfilled̛; and whan the messangers come, I shaƚƚ take to hem the child̛." ¶ whan this was seid̛, the Emperour rode to his paleys. and whan he come [come home] to his paleys, he called̛ his seruauntes, and said̛ *to [leaf 41, back] hem [omitted] , ¶ Gothe fast to the forest [hous] , in the whiche my forster dwelletℏ, in

whos house this nyght I laye; and taketℏ [take] his sone, that [the which] his wyf̘ this nyght had̛, and slee hym [the child] by the way, vpon [on] payn̛ of dethe, and cast his body to houndes, and brynge witℏ you his hert; ¶ and but yf ye do this, I shaƚƚ condempne [comaunde] you to the most foule [foulest] dethe." thei seid̛, "sir, your wille shaƚƚ be done." ¶ Anon̛ thei wenten̛ to the Forsters house, and token̛ the child̛ of hym, and ledde it witℏ hem. ¶ And said̛ [thei seyden] , whan thei were passed̛, betwixe hem, "it is tyme that we fulfille the Emperours biddyng, for to sle the child̛, by cause we are nere the paleys." ¶ Thei toke the child̛, and wold̛ slee it. one of the messangers, whan he had̛ seen the childes face, was [he was] stered̛ witℏ pite; and said̛ to his felawes, "O! frendes, heretℏ [here] my counsaile, and ye shuƚƚ not for-thynke it. we shaƚƚ falle in grete synne ayenst [agayns] god̛, yf we slee this Innocent. ¶ here *are my [ben many] pigges; slee we one of *the pigges [hem] , and the hert of it *bere we [we shalle bere] witℏ vs to the Emperour, and we shaƚƚ sey, it is the hert of the lyteƚƚ child̛; and lette vs not shede the blood̛ of the child̛." thei seid̛, "this is a good̛ counsaile. ¶ But sey vs, what we shaƚƚ do witℏ the child̛?"

he said̛, "lappe [Kepe] it in [in the] clothes, and put it in some tree that is holow, and there we shuƚƚ leve it [hym] . and god, that no man may desceive, happely shalle delyuer the child̛ fro dethe, and save it." thei did̛ aftir his counsaile. the child̛ was lapped̛ in clothes, and was [omitted] putte in a hole of a tree. Than thei slowen̛ the [a] pigge, and drew out the hart, and bare it witℏ hem to the Emperour; and found̛ hym at [at the] mete. ¶ The Emperour said̛ *to hem [omitted] , "have ye fulfilled̛ my biddyng?" thei seid̛, "yee, sir, we have slayn̛ the child̛, and here is his hert." and shewed̛ hym the pigges hert. and he leved̛ it was the hert of the child̛, and anon̛ *cast the hert [he cast it] into the fire, ¶ Seiyng, "se the hert of hym þat shuld̛ reigne aftir me! Behold̛," he said̛, "what dremes ar, nought but vanyte and vayn̛!" ¶ The second̛ day aftir þat [omitted] the child̛ was put in the tree, an Erle went to hunte in that [the] same forest. whan the houndes ranne aftir an hynd̛, thei come by the tree in the whicℏ the child̛ was, *and feled̛ [thei felted] the savour of the child̛, and wold̛ no ferther rynne. ¶ The Erle sawe that, and mervailed̛ gretly [omitted] . he smote the horse witℏ the sporres, and come to the tree, and [he] loked̛ [leaf 42] in atte [at the] hole, and founde the childe; and

was right glad̛, and [he] toke it in his armes, and ledde it to his Casteƚƚ, and said̛ to the countesse, his wyf̘, ¶ "I shaƚƚ telle you good̛ tydynges [thynges] . I have founden̛ to-day [omitted] merveillously a faire child̛, in an hole of a tree; and [omitted] I gate never yit [omitted] a childe, ne [nor] thou never conseived̛ none. Fayne the therfore grete witℏ childe, and sey, that thou bare the [this] childe." "Sir," she said̛, "thi wille shaƚƚ be fulfilled̛ [done] ." ¶ Wherfore comon̛ voice was in [in alle] the countre, that the Countesse had̛ brought forthe a faire child̛; wherfore there was grete ioye. ¶ The child̛ wexed̛ [wax] , and loved̛ was of aƚƚ, and namly of the Erle and of the countesse. ¶ whan xvj. yeare was passed̛, *it fille that [omitted] the Emperour made a grete fest, to the whiche the Erle was called̛. and come atte [at the] day to the fest, and ledde the child̛ *witℏ hym [omitted] ; the whiche was that tyme a faire Squyer, and stode atte [at the] borde before the Erle, *and served̛ hym [omitted] curtesly. ¶ The Emperoure loked̛ enterly on the childe, and sawe in his forhede the token̛ that he sawe in the Forsters house; wherfore he was anon̛ stered̛ in hym self̘, and said̛ to the Erle, "Whos sone is this?" he said̛, "sir, it is

my sone." ¶ The Emperour said̛, "by the faithe that thou hast made to me, telle me the trouthe." The Erle sawe he myght not scape, and told̛ hym aƚƚ how he found̛ the child̛ in a hole of a tree. ¶ whan the Emperour herd̛ this, he called̛ his servauntis, as he had̛ ben̛ wode, the whiche he sent to sle the child̛; and thei come before hym. ¶ Than [omitted] the Emperour constrayned̛ hem by an othe, that thei shuld̛ sey the trouthe, what thei didden̛ witℏ the child̛. Thei said̛, "sir, we put vs in your grace, for pite stered̛ vs that we shuld̛ not sle the Innocente, but put hym in an hole of a tree. what fille of hym afterward̛ *we wote not [kan we not telle] , but we slow a pigge in the [omitted] stede of a [the] child̛, and yaf [toke] to you the hert." ¶ whan the Emperour had̛ herd̛ the trouthe, prively he said̛ to the Erle, "Frend̛, this child̛ shaƚƚ abide witℏ me." "Sir," he said̛, "thi [you] wille be fulfilled̛." and whan the fest was done, aƚƚ the gestes went home, and the child̛ left witℏ the Emperour alone. and that tyme the *Emperesse witℏ her [Emperours] doughtir was in ferre countre [contres] . ¶ The Emperour called̛ to hym the child̛, and said̛ to hym, "Frend̛, thou must go to the Empresse witℏ my lettres." he said̛, "sir, I am redy for to obeye to [to go at] your̛

wille in aƚƚ thyng." ¶ Anon̛ [leaf 42, back] the Emperour did̛ write lettres to the Empresse, that assone [also sone] as she had̛ seen the lettres, on payn̛ of dethe she shold̛ draw the child̛ atte [at the] horse-taile, and after that, hange hym on the galouse; and but yf this were done, he shuld̛ condempne her to the most foule [foulest] dethe. ¶ And whan the lettres were made and̛ sealed̛, he toke hem to the child̛, and said̛, "spede [Syr, spede] the fast, that thou were there." the child̛ toke the lettres, and put hem in a boxe, and wente his way a grete pace. ¶ And whan he had̛ gone ij. daies or three, at even he come to a Casteƚƚ of a knyght, and asked̛ hosteƚƚ mekely of the knyght. he [The knyght] sawe the child̛ was semly, and graunted̛ hym hosteƚƚ. ¶ The childe was wery, and laied̛ hym downe anon̛ on a benche, *and rested̛ [to rest] hym, and slept. ¶ The knyght, whan he sawe the child̛ slepe, he sawe behynd̛ hym a boxe, the whiche he opened̛, and found̛ the lettres of the Emperour, sealed̛ witℏ his seale; wherfor he was gretly tempted̛ for to open the lettres, and so he did̛ *fuƚƚ softly; [sotelly] ¶ And whan he had̛ redde the lettres, he found̛ that the Empresse, on payn̛ of dethe, shuld̛ put the child̛ to

dethe. the knyght made sorow [a grete sorow] , and seid̛ witℏ in hym self̘, "Allas! this were a grete synne, to do so semly a child̛ to the dethe! it shaƚƚ not be so." and [omitted] anon̛ he did̛ away the scripture, and wrote the lettre in thise wordes, ¶ "On payn̛ of dethe I bid̛ the, that thou take the child̛, and resceive hym that bryngetℏ the lettres, and anon̛ witℏ out delaye yeve our doughtir to hym, to be [omitted] his wyf̘, witℏ grete solempnyte; and whan the weddyng is done, have hym in worshippe, as our sone, in aƚƚ maner, and that he kepe my place, vnto I come to you." ¶ And whan he had̛ *done thus [wryten thes] , fuƚƚ softly [sotely] he closed̛ [selyd] the lettres [lettre] , and put it in the boxe agayn̛. ¶ Sone aftir this, the [omitted] child̛ waked̛ [wakenyd] , and [omitted] the knyght *that nyght [omitted] made hym grete chere. and the fourthe day after he come to the Empresse witℏ the lettres; and whan she had̛ redde the lettres, ¶ anon̛ she sent out *the messangers [a messangere] in euery partie, for *to pray [omitted] grete and smale, that thei shuld̛ be redy at a [omitted] certayn̛ day, to be at weddyng of her doughtir. and so it was done. ¶ whan the day was come of the weddyng, the child̛ wedded̛ the doughtir of the Emperour witℏ grete solempnyte, and held̛ the place of the Emperour, as the lettre

wold̛. and the child̛ bare [had] hym right wisely in aƚƚ thyng, and he was moche loved̛ and worshipped̛ of aƚƚ the peple. ¶ It felle [leaf 43] *sone aftir [on a tyme] , that the Emperour come to countre [the cuntre] . whan the Empresse herd̛ that, anon̛ she went agayn̛ the Emperour, witℏ her doughtirs husbond̛, and witℏ other multitude of peple. ¶ whan the Emperour sawe the child̛ lede the Empresse, he was stered̛ in hym self̘, and seid̛, ¶ "O! thou wikked̛ woman, whi hast thou not fulfilled̛ my biddyng? thou shalt be dede." ¶ "Sir," she said̛, "forsothe I have fulfilled̛ *aƚƚ that ye bade me [your wylle] ." he said̛, "thou liest. I wrote to the lettres, that thou shuldest put hym to *a piteous [the asperitous] dethe." She said̛, "sir, save youre *grace and [omitted] reuerence, ye wrote to me that I shuld̛ yeve your doughtir to hym, to be his wyf̘, and that ye bad̛, vpon [on] payn̛ of dethe. Se youre lettres." ¶ The Emperour, whan he *had̛ redde [rad] the lettres, *and had̛ founde [he fond it] as the Empresse said̛, he mervailed̛, and said̛, "hast thou yeven our doughtir to his [hym to] wyf̘?" She said̛, "ye, sir, a goode while a-go, *witℏ moche solempnyte [omitted] ; and, as I trow, youre doughtir is witℏ child̛." ¶ Than said̛ the Emperour, "O! lord̛ Ihesu, it is a grete folye to *man to wynce [wyrche]

agayn̛ thi wille. *Therfor sithen̛ [and therfor syn] it is so, thi wille be done!" and kissed̛ the child̛; and aftir his dissease the child̛ was made Emperour, and̛ wisely governed̛ hym, and ended̛ his lyf in pease.

¶ Declaracio.

Frendes, this Emperour may be said̛ herode, the kyng, or els a synner, that gothe alone, that is witℏ out vertu tille he come to the house of the Forster, that is, holy chirche, whiche is the house of god̛. and herode wold̛ have slayn̛ the child̛ Ihesu, and sent messangers forto seke the child̛, after that he had̛ spered̛ of the kynges, seiyng falsely, that I may come and worshippe hym in the forest. ¶ The forster was Iosepℏ, that was keper of marie. but whan the messangers come, that were the kynges, thei slow not the child̛, but kneled̛ to hym, and worshipped̛ hym; and in the tree of divynyte thei left hym. ¶ But whan the Erle come, that is, the holy gost, he toke the child̛, whan Iosepℏ was monysshed̛ and bidden̛ by the aungeƚƚ, that he shuld̛ flee into Egipte. or els it may be reduced̛ on a nother maner. ¶ By this Emperour I vndirstond̛

a synfuƚƚ man, that walketℏ in the Forest of this world̛ sekyng vanytees, tille he come to the house of holy chirche, wher he is resceived̛ benyngnely of the prelate, yf he wille stand̛ to the biddyng of holy chirche. but many in goddes chirche slepen̛, as ofte as thei purchace not good̛ werkes; [leaf 43, back] And therfore thei owe to drede, for the voices that were herd̛; of the whiche speketℏ holy writte, saiyng thries, Take! ¶ By the first take thou shalt vndirstond̛ the benefice of god̛, that is, whan god toke to the a soule made to his likenesse. ¶ By the second̛ take thou shalt vndirstond̛ the Sone of the Fadir almyghty, that was born̛ of marie the virgyn̛. ¶ By the third̛ take thou shalt vndirstond̛ the same Sone of god, that he died̛ for the on the crosse. ¶ And by the first yeld̛ thou shalt vndirstond̛, that thou yeld̛ thi dette to god̛, that is, thi soule, as clene as thou toke it of hym aftir thy baptyme. ¶ By the second̛ yeld̛ thou shalt vndirstond̛, that we owe to yeld̛ to god̛ every day worshippe and love. ¶ By the third̛ yeld̛ ye shuƚƚ vndirstond̛, that we owe to yeld̛ to

hym contricion̛ and satisfaccion̛. ¶ By the first fle thou shalt vndirstond̛ the payn̛ that we owe to fle and ascape, by meritorie werkes. the first voice agayn̛ the synner, in the day of dome, is heven̛, that seitℏ, "I yeve the lyf, and light o day, that thou wake, derknesse of nyght, forto rest; I chaunge to the tymes, to do away the variynges" ¶ The erthe seitℏ agayn̛ the synner, "I bere the, I norissℏ the, I fede the; I glade the witℏ wyne, and I fulfille thi bord̛ witℏ dyuerse bestes and foules." ¶ The watir saitℏ agayn̛ the synner, "I yeve the drynk̘, I wassℏ away thi filthe, and I mynystreto the dyuerse maner of fisshes to thi vse." ¶ The ayer saitℏ agayn̛ the synner, "I yeve the lyvely brethe, and norissℏ to the aƚƚ maner of foules and briddes, for to serve the." ¶ And the voice of monysshyng is this, whan the world̛ seitℏ, "Se, man, how he loved̛ the, that for the made me, and I serve the, for I am made for the, that thou shuldest serve hym that made the, and me not for the, but for hym; take the benygnyte, and yeld̛ charite." ¶ The voice of the thretyng is, whan fire seitℏ, "thou hast take solace of me agayn cold̛, and mete thou hast resceived̛ by me; and but thou serve thi

maker, I shaƚƚ brenne the." ¶ The erthe seitℏ, "thou hast take thi body of me, and wyne, and whete; and but thou serve thi maker, of me thou shalt be sweped̛ in." helle seitℏ, "of me thou shalt be swolowed̛." But wrecched̛ man, thougℏ he here ofte sithes, yit he forgetetℏ his lyf, and wille sle the child̛ Ihesu [by] bodely synn̛, in that in hym is. ¶ But the knyght, that opened̛ the lettres, [leaf 44] are the vij. werkes of mercy, the whicℏ turned̛ to god̛ to mercy, and written̛ vnto the Empresse, that is, oure modir holy chircℏ, that the doughtir, that is, the soule, wasshen̛ by confession̛, be gyuene in matrymonye to Ihesu crist, the child̛, that desired̛ to wedde her, and to lede her to the Empire of heven̛, to wonne witℏ hym there aye in blisse. Amen.