[Here begynneth the Prolog/ of the Somnour/.
[Harl. MS 1758, leaf 106, back]
THis Somnour/ in his stirop hye stood .
Vp-on this ffrere his herte was so wood .
That like an Aspen leef he quoke for yre .
Lordyngis quod he but oo thyng I desire .
Line 1668
I you beseke that of your/ curtesie .
Sethyns ye han herd this fals ffrere lye .
As suffreth me I maye a tale telle . [Harl. 1758 folio 107a]
This ffrere bosteth that he knoweth helle .
Line 1672
And god woot that it is litell wondir/.
ffreres & fendes ben but litell a sondir/.
ffor parde ye han ofte tyme herd telle .
how that a ffrere rauysched was in [[to is in margin]] to helle .
In spirit onys by a visioun .
And as an angell lad hym vp & doun .
To schewyn hym the peynes that ther/ were .
In all the place sawe he not a ffrere .
Line 1680
Of other/ folke he sawe y-now in woo .
Vn-to this angell spake the ffrere tho .
Now sir/ quod he han ffreres suche grace .
That non of hem schall come to this place .
Line 1684
Yes quod this angell manye a mylioun .
And vn-to Sathanas he lad hym a-doun .
And now hath Sathanas saith he a taile .
Bradder/ then of the Carik is the saile .
Line 1688
Holde vp thyn taile Sathanas quod he .
Schewe forth thyne ers & lete the ffrere se .
Where is the neste of ffreres in this place .
And er/ that half/ a forlong/ wey of space .
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