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

[Declaracio.]

Frendes, this Emperour is oure lorde Ihesu criste, the which hathe done crie a feste generaƚƚ, that is, the Ioye and̛ the blisse of þe kyngdome of heuyn̛; to the which Ioye he hathe called̛ aƚƚ mankynde, for he denyes it to none that wil come to hym. Be the halte and̛ croked̛ are vndirstondyn̛ prelates of holy chirche, prechours, and̛ confessours, abbottes and̛ prioures. thes are halte, for they han no thing̘ in propre, in alse mych as they lyuen̛ ofte sithes of almes of othere. Be the blynde we shuƚƚ vndirstonde the lewde men̛, that are blynde, for they know not the right way. therfore if thes ij. wil come to the feste of the kyngdome of heuyn̛, It behouys that the blynde, that is, the lewde men̛, bere the halte men; tho be the prelates of

the chirche, and̛ othere men̛ of holy chirche, sustenyng̘ hem be tythes and̛ oblacions, and̛ othere almese. And̛ prelates, and̛ other men̛ of holy chirche, are holdyn̛ for to teche hem, and̛ Enfourme hem the way towarde heuyn̛, where is not al only a feste for a tyme, But there we shuƚƚ haue many preciouse giftes; Tho be the Ioyes and̛ blisses that neuer shaƚƚ haue Ende. to the which bryng̘ vs oure lorde Ihesu criste, to þe feste riaƚƚ þat is in heuyne, withouten Ende!