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

[ LXI. ]
EUFEMIUS A RICHE EMPEROUR.
(THE LEGEND OF THE LIFE OF POPE GREGORY.)Harl. MS. 7333.

[leaf 194, back, col. 2 (cont'd)]

Story.

EUfemius was a Riche Emperour in the citee of Rome; and̛ he had̛ a sone, & a dowter. And̛ as the Emperoure Rode in a certeyne day by the foreste, he harde melodye of the harpe, & he leyde goode er̛ ther to. And̛ at the last he callid̛ to him a philesophir, & saide to him, "sey, þou goode mastr̛e, what bymeenyþe this melodie?" Þenne the clerke aunswerid̛, and̛ saide, "this menithe not elles, but that thow shalt make the Redy at home, and̛ dispose thyne howse, for thow shalt dye & not live." Whenne the Emperoure harde þat, anon̛ þere toke him an infirmite; & he makid̛ þe lordes to be callid̛, and̛ he saide to hem, "Dere frendes, I may not passe fro this infirmite, and̛ þerefor̛ I wolle make my testament in youre presence; and̛ [God] wot, þat I feele þere is no perile to me, but that I have not marrijd̛ my dowter." and̛ þere for̛ he chargide his sone, vppon̛ his blessyng, afor̛ alle þe lordes, þat he shulde mary his sustr̛,—"and̛ as longe as þou livist, have hir honorabeli, for al my mevable goodes I bequethe to hir." And̛ whenne þis was saide, he turnid̛ him to the walle, & passid̛ [leaf 193, col. 1] to god̛. And the sone governed̛ the Empyre, and̛ muche he lovid̛ & honorid̛ his suster, in so much þat thei etyn̛ euer of on̛ messe, and̛ eche day she satt in a chair̛ a-yenste him at mete, and̛ laye with him in a chaumbre, but in diuerse beddes. hit happenid̛ in a certeyne nyght, as this Emperour̛ laye a bedde, þat þere come vpon̛ him so gret a temptacion̛, that him thouȝt bute yf that he had̛ his desire withe his suster, he most dye. he Ros vppe, & yede to his susteris bedde, and̛ saide tho to hir, "Awake, sister, for þer is come vpon̛ me swiche a temptacion̛, þat but yf I lye be yowe, I am but dede." whenne the suster hard̛ this, she saide, "A! der̛ broþer, takithe to mynde that wordis þat my fadir seyde to yow, how he c[h]argid̛ yowe for my matrimony to be hadde; and̛ yf thow do swiche a vilany to me, I am̛ confusid̛ for euermor̛." "Speke no swiche wordes," quod̛ he, "but yif to me thin assent." And̛ so of hir boþe assent he laye, & trespassid̛ withe hir. And̛ they continuid̛ in this synne so longe,

til tyme that the suster satt a-yene him̛ in a certen̛ daye at mete, in swiche a colowr̛, that the broþere marvaylid̛ þere of, & saide, "A! suster, what may hit by-meene, that thi visage is so discolowrid̛?" thenne she avnswerid̛, and̛ saide, that hit was no mervayle, sithe she was with childe by him. whenne he hard̛ that, he was hiliche mevid̛ in herte, and̛ saide with a grete voyse, "Allas! þat euer I was borne of my modir!" Þenne whenne she harde that he sihed̛ so, with a grete sorowe she saide to him, "A! broþer, be not hevy, for we bethe not the furst that haþe offendid̛ god̛; bute lete vs be abowte to besye vs now to make amendis, & to plese god̛ a-yene." Þen̛ saide he, "I know welle, that god̛ is of Endles mercy; but how shulle we scape þe shame of þe worlde?" Thenne saide she, "her̛ two myle hens ther dwelliþ a knyȝt, callid̛ Polemus, an olde man̛ & a Riche, and̛ is I-holde a wise man̛. late vs telle oure counseiƚƚ to him; & I truste that he wolle yeve vs goode counsaiƚƚ, that we shulle Escape worldly shame." Thenne the Emperoure sent for the knyȝt. Whenne he was come, he toke him to a prevye place, and̛ saide to him, "A! sir, allas! may I saye, that euer I was borne, for I have I-done swiche a cryme withe my suster. telle me þere of, for þe pitee of god̛, how that I may ascape wordlye shame, for she is grete withe childe." Thenne the knyȝt aunswerid̛, & saide, "god̛ is of endles mercye; & do aftir my counsaiƚƚ, and̛ dowteles thow shalt ascape the shame of the worlde. Þou shalt goo to the holy londe; & or thow goo, þow shalt make be callid̛ to þe al the lordes and̛ cheveteynis of the Empire, & a-for̛ hem alle thow shalt bid̛ me, vp peyne of lyfe, to kepe welle thi suster, by cause thow hast noon̛ oþere eyr̛. And̛ I shalle thenne vndir-take hir, & so hit shaƚƚ [leaf 193, col. 2] not be knowen̛ to no man̛ that she is with childe." "Þis is a goode counsaiƚƚ," quod̛ the Emperoure. and̛ þere for̛ he made to be sente aftir, bi letteris, alle his lordes; and̛ alle thei come at his day I-sette. And̛ thenne the Emperoure saide to hem, "der̛ frendes, I do yow to wete, that I wolle visite the holye londe; & þerefor̛ I comaunde yow, þat ye be obedient to my suster in my absense; for ye witte welle, that I have noon̛ heir̛ but hir. And̛ þou, olde knyȝt polemus by thi name, I charge the, in peyne of lyf, þat þou have the cur̛ of

hir." when̛ this was seide, he toke his leve, & yede his weye; and̛ the knyȝt brovte the sister of the Emperour home to his castiƚƚ. And̛ whenne his wyf hadde perceyvid̛ him at a wyndowe, comyng withe so faire a ladye, she marvaylid̛, & saide to hir selfe, "What euer may this be? I have ofte tyme sene my lorde come home, [but] neuer erste withe swiche a ladye." She descendid̛, & yede to him, & worshipfullye salude him, and̛ saide, "my worshipful sir, what ladye is this that comithe her̛ in youre felashipe?" "be stille," quod̛ the knyȝt, "for this is the suster of the Emperoure, and̛ she is yevin̛ to me in kepyng̘, and̛ þere-for̛ a-noon̛ ley doun̛ thin honde vpon̛ a booke, that thow shalt kepe prive alle that I shalle now seye vnto þe." Anoon̛ she obeyde to hir lorde, and̛ made a othe at his owne wille. And̛ whenne this was done, the knyȝt tolde hir how the lady was withe childe by the Emperoure, hir broþer,—"Þerefor̛ I charge [the], that thowe serve hir euere, in þin̛ owne propre persone, and̛ noon̛ but thow." & whenne hir tyme was comen̛ oute, she browte forthe a faire sone. And̛ thenne the knyȝt was gladde and̛ Ioyfuƚƚ; he come in to the chaumbre, & comfortid̛ hir, & saide, "A! ladye, blessid̛ be god̛! þow hast broute forthe a faire sone. I Rede now that we gete a preste to baptise him." "Nay," quod̛ she, "I make awoue to god̛, that he that was bigete betwene broþer & suster, shalle neuer be baptisid̛ for me, ne with me." Þenne saide the knyȝt, "Dameselle, the grete synne that ye dude is I-now, þowhe the soule be not I-lost also." Thenne saide she, "Do as I shalle sey to the, or ellis I shalle neuer more dwelle withe the, and̛ eke I shalle euere be thin Enmye." Þenne saide the knyȝt, "damiseƚƚ, what so euer ye shaƚƚ seye, I shalle submitte me to youre wille." "Do gete me," quod̛ she, "a ler tonne, withe oute onye delaye." And̛ he dude so; and̛ he browte to hir swiche a tonne. in the mene tyme þe lady put to the childe in þe cradille, and̛ sette at his hede a summe of golde, and̛ a sum of siluer [leaf 193, back, col. 1] at his feet; and̛ thenne she toke tables, and̛ wrote vpon̛ hem thes wordes, "Al maner of goode men in god̛, be hit to yow knowen, that the child̛ that lithe in his cradille was getyn̛ by-twene broþere & suster, comyng of kynges blode, and̛ he is not yitte baptisid̛, and̛ þere fore,

I pray yowe, þow I Expresse not to yow my name, that ye wolle wouchesaf, for the love of god̛, that he wer̛ baptisid̛, & Reuokid̛ fro infidelite and̛ mysbileve." And̛ whenne this [was] writen̛, she ledde the tables vndir his bosom̛, in the cradiƚƚ, and̛ she keuerde alle the cradill with purpur and̛ bisse. And̛ whenne this was don̛, the knyȝt come in to hir, Rynnynge with the tonne, & seide, "lo! lady, þis is Redy." Þenne she badde him, þat he shulde put þe childe with the cradel there in, and̛ thenne to caste al in the see, vp peyne of dethe,—"þat I live not in sorow & desolacion̛." & thenne he toke the cradil, & putt it in to the tonne, and̛ cast al in to the see, for plesaunce of the lady. Aftirward̛ this lady lay in childbed̛, by space of an fourtenyte; and̛ as she laye in the bedde, ther come a messager from the holy londe. And̛ the knyȝt sperid̛ of him ffor the Emperoure, and̛ the messager aunswerd̛, & saide, "Alas! Allas! bothe to yow & to me, for þe Emperoure, oure lord̛, is dede, & his body is broute to the Empeyr̛, to a certeyn̛ castel." whenne the knyȝt harde thes wordes, he was not a litle mevid̛, & amarryd̛ in mynde, and̛ sor̛ he wepte; & for he kutte ensundre alle his clothis, his wyf come ny, & whenne she sawe this syght, she sperid̛ the cause of his lamentacion̛. "yis," quod̛ the knyght, "I wend̛ to have had̛ [of] my lord̛ good̛ vnnumberable, and̛ nowe he is dede, and̛ so I shalle live desolat in al the dayes of my lyfe." Whe[n] his wyf hard̛ this, she tare of alle the her̛ of hir hede, & satte withe him vpon̛ a donge-hille, til tyme that her sorow was sesid̛. and̛ thenne saide his lady, with an opyn̛ voyse, "sir, my lorde, what shuƚƚ we do withe [the] suster of the Emperoure, þat now lithe in childebed̛? ["in childe" repeated in MS.] for yf she harde telle that he wer̛ dede, she shulde have thenne to muche sorowe." Þenne seide he, "dame, for delaynge of tyme may be hadde wickyd̛ werke. late vs þerefore washe oure visages for weping, & go we to hir chaumbre, that she be comfortid̛; and̛ thenne we shulle se and̛ knowe wheþer that hit be, to telle hir or [leaf 193, back, col. 2] not." So thei boþe come in to the chaumbre, and̛ comfortid̛ the lady. & whenne the Emperesse had̛ biholden hir hevi cheris, & sawe signe off wepinge in hir visagis, she saide, "whi be ye so hevy

this day for that ye wer̛ yistirday?" "hit is no mervayle," quod̛ he; "þer is a man̛ her̛ come fro the holy londe, & I shalle calle him to yowe, and he shaƚƚ telle yow what kynne tidynges that he hathe browte." The messager come into the chaumbre, and̛ Reuerently made salutacion̛ to the ladye, and̛ knelid̛ downe afor̛ hir; and̛ thenne seyde she, "do tel me, good̛ frende, some tythinges of the Emperoure." "a! lady," quod̛ he, "he is dede, and̛ his body is in a certeyn̛ castel, tyl tyme that he be buried̛ by yow." and̛ whenne the Emperesse harde þat word̛, she felle downe to the Erþe, and̛ the knyȝt in an oþer syde, and̛ his wyf in the thirde, & the messager on̛ the iiij. and̛ þere was noon̛ of hem aƚƚ þat myght speke a worde, for sorow. at þe laste the knyȝt spake, whenne he had̛ longe leyne, and̛ saide, "Arise, goode lady, from thi hevines, for Swiche heuines & sorowe may sle the; do comfort thi selfe, and̛ have in thi mynde, that al the Empir̛ is thin, and̛ in thin honde, and̛ in thi wille, thorow goode heritage. late vs Rise fro this place, and̛ late vs go to the casteƚƚ, wher̛ as the body is of the Emperoure, and̛ late vs worshipfully burye him; and̛ thenne thinkithe to live her̛ in this worlde as wel as ye may, and̛ by good̛ counsaiƚƚ to gouerne your Empir̛, for elles hit wolle torne yow to grete harme and̛ vnprofite." thenne, shortly to sey, they sesyd̛ of wepyng, and̛ hijd̛ to the casteƚƚ, wher as was the dede bodye; and̛ þere she Enterid̛ in to the halle. And̛ whenne she sawe the dede bodye lye in the ber̛, she cracchid̛ hir yen̛ & hir visage, tille the blode shadde; & thoo she felle downe vpon̛ the dede body, & kiste him in aƚƚ places, from̛ the crowne of the hede to the soole of the fete. whenne knyȝtes sawe hir make swiche sorowe, they drowhe hir fro the ber̛, & ladde hir to chaumbr̛, & stillid̛ hir sorowe in al that thei coude; and̛ in the thirde day folowing thei Reuerently buried̛ him. and̛ the lady gouerned̛ the Empire with counseiƚƚ of wise men̛. In that tyme þere was a grete Duke, that neuer had̛ wyf, and̛ he was but yonge; & whenne he harde telle that the Emperour was dede, and̛ that alle the Empire was by lyne of heritage in the hondis of the Emperesse, he thowte to him selfe, "that I wer̛ faire a-vauncid̛, yf that I myght gete that damiseƚƚ [leaf 195, col. 1] vnto my wyf." A-noon̛ he sent messagers to

hir, for to wyte yf hit wer̛ plesing to hir to be his wyf; and̛ the Emperesse sent worde a-yene to him, that she wolde not assent to him, ne to noon̛ oþere, as by weye of matrimonye, & that she swor̛. whenne the Duke hadde this aunswer̛, he had̛ grete indignacion̛; & ordeynid̛ an oste, and̛ yaf bataiƚƚ so sor̛ ayenste hir, that he hadde gete al hir sitees, excepte on̛, withe a castelle, to whiche she fledde. And̛ thenne the duke besegid̛ long this castelle. And̛ as thei wer̛ thus in segeing, the towne that was I-caste in to the see withe the childe, was driven̛ withe flodes vp and̛ downe, hidir & thidir, tille It come to a certen̛ citee. And̛ the kynge of that citee was that same tyme in the citee; and̛ happid̛ that he walkid̛ aftir myd-daye besyde the see; and̛ as he lokid̛ toward̛ the water, he sawe the tonne; and̛ he made shipmen̛ to be callid̛, & he chargid̛ hem, that thei shulde goo, and̛ fecche to him þat tonne. Thenne said̛ þei, "Sir, that wer̛ a veyne laboure, for hit is a woyde tonne, caste oute with sum men̛ fro sum shippe." "What [of] that," quod̛ the kynge, "thowhe hit be voyde, yit wolle I have hit." whenne thei harde that, þey enterid̛ in to the see, & browte the toune to londe. They openid̛ hit, and̛ sawe ther in̛ a faire childe in a cradille; and̛ thenne the kynge and̛ that wer̛ abowte merveilid̛ hiliche þerof; & the kyng saide, "this cradill is keuerid̛ with purpure and̛ bisse; hit may not be but þat he is comyn̛ of grete blode." And̛ anoon̛ he arerid̛ vp the childe with his owne hondis, & there he fonde the litle tablis, that the moder hadde putte vnder his bosom̛; & he openid̛ hem̛, and̛ Radde, þat þe chylde was by-gete bitwene broþer & suster, & that it was not baptisid̛; & he Radde, that the modir praid̛ him that shulde fynde him, to make him to be baptisid̛, for the love of god̛. & then̛ he fonde at his hede a summe of golde, that he myȝt be founde to scole withe, and̛ a noþere sum of siluer at his fete, wher with he myght be norishid̛. whenne the kynge hadde Redde alle this, he was gladde, & made the childe to be baptisid̛; & he yafe to him his owne name, scil.Freudricus; and̛ he toke hit to one of his knyȝtes to be norishid̛. And̛ the knyȝte Resseyuid̛ the childe, & norishid̛ him; and̛ þe chylde grewe, & was welbelouid̛ amonge alle men̛. And̛ whenne he was of sufficient age, he was sette to

scole; and̛ whenne he was of the age of x. yeer̛, he vsid̛ iustes & turneamentes; [leaf 195, col. 2] and̛ euer he trowid̛ that he was the sonne of the knyȝt. and̛ in a certen̛ day, as he Iustid̛ with a sone of the knyȝtes, he caste him downe of his horse myȝttefully; and̛ whenne the moder of þe knyȝtes sone harde that, She was hili hevied̛, and̛ saide to freudricus, "Sey, boy, how dorst þow be so hardy to smyte downe so my sonne? we knowe the not, we not whens thow ert, but that thow wer̛ founden̛ in a toune, in þe see." Thenne whenne freudricus harde thes wordes, he was not a litle storid̛ in spirit, and̛ saide to hir, "Der̛ modir, and̛ am I not thi sone?" "I telle the certeynli," quod̛ she, "her̛ is noon̛ þat knowithe the, ne of what kynne thow come." Þenne the yonge childe wepte soor̛, & yede to the kynge withe an hevie cheer̛, and̛ told̛ him alle how that she saide to him. And̛ þen̛ he saide, "my worshipfulle lorde, I trowid̛ þat I hadde bene the sone of the knyȝt, and̛ now I see wel it is not so; and̛ þere for̛, sir, I praye yowe, sithe I was norishid̛ by yow, that ye wolle make me a knyȝt, for in this Reme I shalle no lenger abide." Thenne saide the kynge, "speke no swiche wordes; I have her̛ a dowȝter, the whiche is heyre of my kyngedome, and̛ hir I wolle yeve the to wyfe, yf thowe wolte abyde withe me." Þenne saide he, "god̛ forbede, my lorde, that I do soo, For noon̛ knowithe what I am, ne who is my fader, or who is my moder; and̛ þerefor I pray yow hertely, that ye wolle avaunce me to knyȝthode, for I wolle goo [to] the holy londe." And̛ when̛ he hadde saide so, the kynge yede, & openid̛ his cofir, wher the tables wer̛ that he fonde, and̛ the cradille; and̛ he yaf hem to him, and̛ saide, "sone, throw art lettered̛, loke, and̛ rede thes letteres." And̛ whenne he hadde redde how he was getin̛ bi twene the broþere & þe suster, he cride with an hie voyse, and̛ seide, "Allas! for nowe I see wel that I was goton̛ and̛ broute forthe a yene the wille of god̛, in ane Orible synne, boþe in the syȝt of god̛, of man, & of angel. A! goode lorde, helpe that I wer̛ a knyȝt, for I wolle now a-bowte the wordle, for the synne of my fadris." The kynge made him knyȝt; and̛ thenne he hirid̛ a shippe to passe the water towarde the holy londe. And̛ a grete wynde Ros vp, & browte the shippe to the havene of the citee wher as dwelte

his modr̛, but what citee or̛ what kyngdom̛ it was, he knew not. And̛ whenne he was in the citee, his squier̛ soȝte an host, for swiche [leaf 195, back, col. 1] a worthi knyȝt to be eside ynne; and̛ whenne a certeyn̛ burgeys of the citee sawe him, seminge so dowty a knyght, he grauntid̛ to him hostage. & whenne they hadde I-soupid̛, freudricus seyde to the burgeyse, "what citee is this, and̛ who is lorde thereof?" thenne saide he, "This is the [citee] of the Emperoure, that yede oonys to the holye londe, & þere he dide; and̛ thenne become the Empire into the hondes of his sister, by line of heritage; and̛ þerefor̛ þer is a duke algates that wold̛ have hir to wyfe, and̛ she wolde not consente to him by no waye; & þerefor̛ he hathe conquerid̛ al the Empire by his swerde, excepte this citee, withe The casteƚƚ, in the whiche casteƚƚ dwellithe the Emperesse." thenne spake the yonge knyȝt to the burgeyse, & saide to him, "Deer̛ sir, I pray the hertely to go in myn Erond̛, scil. to go to þe master of the casteƚƚ, and̛ saye to him, that yf he wolle yeve to me eny wages, I shalle fight for yowe al the hole yer̛." And̛ whenne the burgeys had̛ hard̛ þes wordes, he was glad̛ and̛ Iocounde, & seide, "I am certein̛ that he wolle be Right blithe, & glad̛ of thi comynge." and̛ he yede to that master of the casteƚƚ, & saide, "sir, her̛ is in this sitee a semly yonge knyȝte, that was gestenid̛ with me in myn̛ house al this nyȝt; and̛ he wolle fiȝt for yow alle this yer̛, yf ye wolle yeve to him competente salarye." Þenne seyde he, "Anoon̛ brynge him to me, Fo[r] I wolde ful gladly þat we hadde many Swiche." The knyȝt com to him; & þe stiwarde was þere of wel apayde, and̛ saide to him, "sir, yf þou wolt fiȝte for þe Empyr̛ & vs, & abyde with vs, I shalle go for þe to the lady, & sey þyne erande, that thowe shalte have þy wylle." Aftir this, he yede to the lady, & tolde hir of this knyȝt. "bringe him hedir," quod̛ she, "& late me see him; & yf he wolle fiȝte for vs, he shalle not fayle of good̛ mede." Þenne þe stiward̛ browte him afor̛ hire. whenne the ladye perceyvid̛ him, she caste hir yen̛ mervelovslye vppon̛ his persone, neþeles she hadde no knowleche that he was h[i]r sone; and̛ she made covenant with him, that he shulde abide withe hir a yeer̛, & fyȝt for hir, & for þe Right of the Empire, ayenste the duke. Anoon̛ the knyȝt be ganne to Reyse batail, & to

Ride thorow the Empire; and̛ whenne the duke hard̛ that, he gaderid̛ an̛ hoste, and̛ helde batail a-yenste him. But the knyȝt bare him dowtily in the bataiƚƚ, and̛ ouercome the duke; and̛ or the yeeris Ende come oute, he wanne a-yene [leaf 195, back, col. 2] alle the londes, and̛ citees, & castelles, that were lost by the duke. And̛ whenne the yer̛ was endid̛, he saide to the Stiwarde, "sir, now is my tyme done, & þerefore I wolde have my salari; for ye wote in what kynne state I fonde yowe, & how that I have labourid̛ for yowe, & for the ryght of your̛ Empire, and̛ þerfor̛ yevithe to me that ye hiȝt me, and̛ thenne I wolle forthe in to anoþer contree, and̛ gete me a name." Þenne saide the stiwarde to him a-yene, "thow hast deliuerid̛ this Empire welle and̛ stronglye fro oure Enmyes, and̛ haste deservid̛ goode mede; I wolle goo to the ladye, & se what she wolle seye þere to." he yede in to the chaumbr̛, & knelid̛ dovn̛, and̛ salusid̛ hir, and̛ said̛, "worshipfuƚƚ lady, her̛ my wordes. ye knowe wel that ye had̛ loste alle the Empir̛, the whicℏ this man̛ hathe wonne a-yene, and̛ now he askithe his mede; and̛ þerefor, lady, Rewardithe him wel, and̛ not but yf he hathe deseruid̛ hit weƚƚ." Þenne saide the lady, "telle me what is þi counseiƚƚ that I yeve him, & he shaƚƚ have hit." "lady," quod̛ the stiwarde, "yf ye wolde do aftir my counseiƚƚ, hit shulde turne vs alle to grete profyte & worshipe; for the man that þou woldest not take we alle have sufferid̛ grete harme, and̛ thow haddist loste alle thyne Empire; and̛ þerfore I wolde counsaile þe, that thow take to thyne husbonde the yonge knyȝt, for he is semlye, & wel I-shape and̛ þerto gentil, & stronge in bataille." Þenne saide she, "& yf hit be youre counseiƚƚ, I am Redy to fulfille hit." thenne this stiward̛ was glad̛ I-nowe, and̛ yede oute to þe knyȝt, and̛ tolde him, that hit was plesynge to the lady to have him to husbonde; & shortly to sey, thei wer̛ weddid̛ to-gedr̛. & at hir fest wer̛ alle lordes & ladijs of the Empir̛, and̛ alle thei wer̛ contente of this mariage, because that he so deliuerlye & worthely deliuerid̛ hem fro hir thraldom̛. And̛ aftir the makynge of this matrimonye, þey lovid̛ to-geder mor̛ thanne eny man canne seye. but the knyȝt vsid̛ euery daye, whenne he shulde goo to mete, to entre in to a prive chaumbr̛, wher as he had̛ leyde þe litle tablis þat wer̛ withe him in

the cradille; and̛ thenne he wolde opynne hem, and̛ rede the scripture of them, howe that he was begotin̛ bitwene broþere & suster; and̛ thenne he wolde falle to the grounde, and̛ sor̛ wepe; & thenne he wolde washe his face, & come in to the halle, and̛ shew þer a good̛ murye chere. And̛ he was I-lovid̛ of aƚƚ peple, for that he bar̛ him so welle in alle his werkes; and̛ ther was [leaf 196, col. 1] noon̛ Emperoure knowyn̛ afore him, that euere governid̛ the Empire so wel. Happyng in a day, as he Rode on̛ huntynge, that ther come a damiseƚƚ of the palays to the lady the Emperesse, and̛ saide to nir, "my lady, hast thow not Offend̛ my lorde þe Emperour?" "No, for sothe," quod̛ the lady, "for ther is nothinge vndir hevene that I love so moche, and̛ fore love I toke him, and̛ made him my lorde; but I wolde wete whi that thow spekist soo?" "For sothe," quod̛ she, "for euery day afor̛ mete, whenne the bordes er̛ sette and̛ made redye, The Emperoure gothe into swiche a chaumbr̛ glad̛ I-nowe, but when̛ he comythe oute, al his visage is wepingly; and̛ thenne he wasshithe hit, that the wepinge be not I-seene. And̛ this I have ofte tyme I-seyne, but I note what is the cause." Thenne when̛ the Emperesse had̛ harde this, she enterid̛ into that chaumber̛, and̛ sowte a-bowte frome hole to hole, to loke what she myght fynde þere; and̛ at the laste she fonde in an hole ij. tables; and̛ she openid̛ hem, and̛ Radde the scripture that she hade wreten̛ withe hir owne hondes. And̛ thenne she saide to hir selfe, "how shulde euer thes tablis come to my lorde, but yf that he wer̛ my sone? Owte, allas! for synne, that euere I was I-bor̛, for I have weddid̛ myn̛ owne sone!" she felle downe to the grounde, ȝelling & criynge, that hit was sorow to her̛. knyȝtes that wer̛ in the halle harde hir voyse, and̛ Ranne to hir, and̛ askid̛ hir what was the cause of hir criing. "A! deer̛ and̛ gentille knyȝtes," quod̛ she, "I am a lost womman but I see my lorde the sonner." A-noon̛ thei sente to þe forest, and̛ tolde hit to the Emperoure; & saide he most leve his playe, and̛ come home, in aƚƚ the hast that myte be. And̛ so he dude; withe a grete hevines he lefte his playe, & come home. he wente in to the chaumbr̛, & spirid̛ of the ladye what was the cause of hir mornynge. thenne she saide, "I wolle þat alle that buþ heer̛

withe vs go from̛ vs or I telle it the, for hit is a prevy case that I have to seye to the." And̛ thenne she seide, "sir, I have made a vowe to god̛, that I shaƚƚ not passe this bedde, til tyme that thowe telle me in what contre that thowe were I-bore." Þenne saide he, "Der̛ lady, whi spekist thowe sweche wordes? neþeles, yf I shaƚƚ sey the soþe, I note in what kyngdom̛ or contre that I was borne." Thenne saide she, "I have also made anoþer vowe, and̛ for to wete or ever I Ete mete, who was thi fader̛ & thi moder?" Thenne aunswerid̛ he, "This canne I telle, that whanne I was a fantekyn̛, I was fonde in a toune, in a cradyl within̛ [leaf 196, col. 2] hit; & fro that tyme I have [bene] norisshid̛, noried̛, norturid̛, and̛ tauȝte in the same contre; and̛, lady, mor̛ canne I not telle yow." whenne the Empreis hadde harde thes wordes, she drowe oute at hir bosome the tables that she fonde, & saide to him, "Sawe ye neuer thes tables, the whiche I put with the in thi cradil, withe myn̛ owne hondes?" And̛ whenne the Emperoure herde thes wordes, he felle downe on̛ a swoune on̛ oo syde, and̛ the lady in a-noþer; and̛ bothe thei wepte sor̛, and̛ Rente hir clothis for sorowe, and̛ worde myȝte nowþer of hem speke. And̛ whenne the sorow was somwhat shaken̛ of, þenne saide she to the Emperour, "A! sone myne, allas! that euer I was borne, and̛ woo worthe the oure that euer I was made in! Out, allas! for lo! my sone, & sone of my broþere, is nowe my husbonde. lo! in how many cheynis that þe devil hathe I-teyde me Inne!" And̛ thenne saide he, "A! der̛ modir, boþe modir & wyf; allas & wo be to me, wrecche, that so many wrecchidnessis beþe in me! lorde, that I ne hadde be dreint, whenne thow castist me in to the see! A! lorde god̛, what sorowe wer̛ I worthi to have, that have weddid̛! lorde, yf my synnys wer̛ weyde, bi the whiche I have servid̛ thi wrethe; siþen̛ thow thi selfe [hast saide,] Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris, The sone shalle not ber̛ the wickidnesse of the fadir. but I may not be Excusid̛, for my lyf is endid̛ in wickidnesse. Allas! therfor̛, that euer I were bred̛!" And̛ thenne saide she, "Dere sone, sette thin̛ hope in thi lorde god̛, for he wolle not for-sake the synner in nede. late vs be contrite, confessid̛, & communid̛; and̛ aftir that we have Reseyvid̛ oure lorde, late god̛ do his

wille." The Emperoure sent aftir a prest, and̛ they wer̛ bothe shriven at him. And̛ whenne thei wer̛ bothe confessid̛, & contrite, þe modir saide to the body of Crist in thes wordes, "A! lorde god̛, þowe þat sufferidest passion̛ for me in the cros, and̛ that now liest vpon̛ the patene of the chalis, in forme of brede, have mercy of my swete sone, husbonde, & cosyn̛, for thi grete mercy, that he may be clene of his synnys, and̛ yelde to the a faire soule, withe a gladnesse, in to thi dwellynge place that is euermor̛ lastyng." Then̛ saide the Emperoure, "A! goode lorde, that bovtiste me in the crosse, have mercy of my modir in þis nede, as þou Entredist in to the worlde for love of synnerys, and̛ not for Rightwysmen, & for hem shadist thi presious blode; and̛, gracious lorde, for-yeve al that euere she hathe trespassid̛ vnto the, and̛ take her sprite, and̛ brynge hit to thin̛ Endles Ioye. Amen!" And̛ thenne, whenne alle this was seide, the body of Crist liyng vpon̛ the awter, seyde with an̛ hihe voyse, "I made yowe of [leaf 196, back, col. 1] noute; I have take youre contricion̛ & confession̛; I for yeve yow fully your synnis; I Resseyve [yow] fro hens forwarde to my Ioye; and̛ þis day & eueremore I shalle dwelle with yowe." And̛ when̛ thei harde thes wordes, thei fille downe to the grounde, and̛ openid̛ hir mouthis to Resceyve the body of Criste; and̛ þere thei Resseyvid̛ hit, and̛ yelde hir soulis to god̛, and̛ maried̛ in at the yates of hevene.

MORALITEE.

DEre frendis, now takithe hede to me. This Emperoure is the fadir̛ of hevene, whiche hathe only oo sone, and̛ oo douȝter is douȝter [sic] glorious, havyng angelis kynde and̛ mankynde; but the broþere filid̛ the suster, scil. the devil deceyvid̛ the firste fadir Adam̛, & made him withe childe,—how so? for alle mankynd̛ spronge of him. Þe sone yede oute of the Empir̛, whenne that lucifere felle downe from̛ hevene, & he dide, whenne that he loste the lyf of euere lastyng blisse. the knyȝt, that norisshed̛ þe suster, was moyses, that hield̛ the olde lawe, bi teching of the whiche lawe he norisshed̛ the peple þat wer̛ that tyme. And̛ the ladye chyldid̛ in keping of the knyȝte, scil. browte forthe our kynde, in tyme of the olde lawe, a childe, scil.Crist, of the virgine marie, of the seed̛ of dauid̛ of the

modir syde, and̛ conseyvid̛ by the holy goste, and̛ putte in the cradille, lappid̛ withe clothis. tablis wer̛ I-putte in the cradil, scil.tresours of wisdom̛ & of connynge; and̛ he was I-putte in the tonne of the godhede. the siluer & þe golde that wer̛ in the cradiƚƚ, was the power̛ of the fadir, & wisdom̛ of the sone. he was I-caste into the see, scil. in to this worlde, wher he levid̛ mor̛ þanne þritty yer̛ in poverte, like to the flood̛ of the see, for [he] was cast in tribulacion̛. The knyȝt, that toke him to be norisshed̛, is the holye goste, the whiche descendid̛ in likenesse of a dove; and̛ Ioℏn baptiste baptisid̛ hem withe his owne hondes, & he yaf him to the knyȝte, scil. to the godhede, to be norisshed̛, whenne [he] saide, Ecce! Agnus dei! lo! þe lambe of god̛! Qui post me venit, ante me factus est, cuius non sum dignus calciamenta solvere, He that comithe aftir me, was I-made afor̛ me, of whom I am not worthi to vnloos his shone. Aftirward̛ the sone was I-made a knyȝt, whenne [leaf 196, back, col. 2] he biganne to preche at xxxti. yeer̛. the sone of the knyȝt accusid̛ him to pilate, seinge, Hic seducit populum dei, [et Filium Dei] se dicit, Þes desceyvithe the peple, and̛ clepithe him the sone of god̛. And̛ þerefor sone after he yede, and̛ fawte a-yenste the duke, scil. þe devil, and̛ he ouercome him, and̛ wan̛ the Empir̛ of hevene; and̛ so he weddid̛ his owne moder, scil. holye chirche, the whiche is oure gostlye moder. The Emperoure yede to him what tyme that Cryste prechid̛ of the tree of hevene; and̛ þerfore iewes and̛ paynymis wolde have slayne him. And̛ þerefore holye chirche, in maner of sorowing, syngithe in tyme of the passion̛, Vexilla regis prodeunt, Þe baners of the kynge shewithe oute. And̛ she fonde the writen̛ tables, scil. his passion̛, clerly y-now made by the iiij. Euaungelistes; and̛ ther for̛ she sorowithe, that the Innocent shold̛ be slayne withe oute synne; as holye writte seithe, Non Est inventus dolus in ore Eius, vt ipse pro nobis mori deberet, Þere was I-founde no falshede or gyle in his mothe, that he shulde deye for vs. And̛ þerefore Eche man̛ owithe to sorowe for his synnys. The prest brake the body of Criste in twoo, scil.Crist, whenne he made [a feste] to his disciplis. Þe lady felle downe as dede, whenne that Criste seyde, Tristis est anima mea vsque ad mortem; Pater, si possibile est, transeat a me calix iste,

My soule is hevy or sorye vnto the dethe; fadir, yf it be possible, lat þis chalys go or passe fro me. And̛ he saide opinlye to his disciples, hoc Est corpus meum; hoc facite in meam conmemoracionem, This is to seye, this is my body; this doþe into my mynde. And̛ so eche of vs owithe to do, to ete and̛ to Receyve the body of Crist, in swiche clene lyfe, that we mowe entre into þe tabernacles euerlastynge. Amen!