'was neuere moder nor noryce
that gaf such mylkë [[mylke St., mylk C.]] her-to-fore
to hir child, whan it was bore.
Line 24484
his brestes, that be most fair and whyte,
most holy, and fresshest of delyte,
arn euere open to folkës alle.
his voycë, [[voyce St., voys C.]] synners doth ek calle,
Line 24488
and bit hem in their hertë thenke,
of his sootë mylk to drynke: [folio 376b]
'for blod of ire is noon in me,
but mylk of mercy and pyte,'
Line 24492
which wassheth away al vengeaunce:
who hath this mylk, hath suffisaunce.
'The Redë blood (as folk [[men St.]] may se)
y-chaunged is, by charyte,
Line 24496
Into whyte mylk, hoolsom and good,
shaad for mankynd [[mankyng C., mankynd St.]] vpon the rood; [folio 304a]
with the which, I fostred and fede
allë folkës that ha nede, [[fedd . . nedde St.]]
Line 24500
such as list, by on acorde,
for to be [[be St., om. C.]] drawë with my corde,
to alle I am so mercyable,
to my fader, Résemblable,
Line 24504
and to my moder Charyte.
'for whan that I may any se
In myschief, hunger, outher thurst,
hem to fede, it is my lust.
Line 24508
naked and nedy, that ben lothe,
I haue in custom hem to clothe;
And, gretly I me delyte,
folk in prisoun to visyte;
Line 24512
and ledë, with a glad visage,
pore folk to their herbegage;
And thei that deye in [[en C., in St.]] pouerte,
to burye hem, I délite me:
Line 24516
to suchë [[such C., suche St.]] labour I entende;
al thyng amys, I do amende;
folkës sike and vnweldy,
of pyte only and mercy,
Line 24520
I serve hem in humylite.
