In a tale of þat [F.a] kniht,
Hou þe prest þat liueþ not riht,
Line 500
Of his preyere is luytel prou,
And þere hit telleþ wel hou. [See F. p. 72-76.]
And I schal telle anoþur here
Of a Masse of a good frere:
Line 504
(4.) hou a man of Souþfolk was saued þorou a masse.
A Mon in Souþfolk ones dyed,
Bi-sydes Sudburi, as men seid.
ffor þat mon such grace was diht
Þat him was graunted to come a niht
Line 508
fforte speke wiþ his wyf,
To mende þe fautes of his lyf.
"Ȝef a Masse," he seide, [om. in F.] "were for me don
Wiþ a good monnes deuocion,
Line 512
I hope to Ioye for to go
And beo dilyueret of al my wo.
I preye þe, dame, par charite
To trauayle so muche for me."
Line 516
Heo graunted hym þat ilke bone,
And ros vppon þe morwen sone
And to þe ffreres sone heo code,
Þer heo hopede best to spede.
Line 520
Heo com and spac wiþ a ffrere
And preyed heo moste his masse here,
And for hire hosebondes soule to synge,
And heo wolde ȝiue hym offringe.
Line 524
Þe ffrere dude hire a Mes
In Comuyn, as þe seruise is.
Whon þis Masse I-songen was,
Heo wente hom a good pas.
Line 528
Þe niht aftur þenne com he.
"Slepestou?" he seide. "nay," seide heo;
"Are ȝe ȝit," heo seyde, "in blis?
Þe Masse for ow I-songen is."
Line 532
"Þe Masse," he seide, "þou dudest do, [F. be do]
A parti hit helpeþ [F. halpe] me þerto;
Mi part ich hedde of þat Mes
As of þing þat Comuyn is.
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