UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT LOS ANGELES
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS
AND
LIVES OF SAINTS,
(WITH THOSE OF THE WICKED BIRDS PILATE AND JUDAS.)
COPIED AND EDITED FROM MANUSCRIPTS IN THE LIBRARY
OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM
BY
FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL, M.A.CAMBR,
ONE OF THE HONORARY SECRETARIES OE THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY;
EDITOR OF LOSELICH'S AND DE BORRON'S 'SEYNT GRAAL'; ROBERD
OF BRUNNE'S 'HANDLYNG SYNNE', AND WILLIAM OF WADINGTON'S
'MANUEL DBS PECHIEZ'.
PUBLISHED FOR THE PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BT
A. ASHER & CO., BERLIN.
1862.
PREFACE.
^ THE chief grievance of an Honorary Secretary is, that certain
") Members of his Society will not send him for press the Papers
tLthey have read at the Society's Meetings. Beg for them as he
^ will, by letter, word of mouth, through mutual friends, by
^.special visits, out of some Members no Papers can be got.
What then is left for the unhappy Official, but to write Papers
himself, or copy MSS. to fill the volume that his refractory
friends have left vacant? The former branch of the alternative
was out of my reach, so I grasped the latter, and the reader
must not blame me if he thinks my basket of fruit a bad sub-
stitute for the second course of strong meat that he expected and
Bought to have had.
CJ
_> Sir Frederick Madden, the keeper of the Manuscripts at the
^British Museum, kindly directed me to the earliest unprinted
English MSS. under his charge. Of these Roberd of Brunne's
Handling St/nne was the most important, but it was too long for
our Society, and I have therefore edited it for the Roxburghe
Club. Next came the short Poems that stand first in the present
v volume, all before 1300; and then the Lives of the Saints (Har-
|leian MS. No. 2277, about 1305-10 A. D.) of which I took a few
Jwhose titles or contents caught my fancy, including those of the
pwo accursed ones, Pilate and Judas Iscariot. These not making
^a sufficient number of pages in our close print, I added, 1. a few
songs from the incomplete and later duplicate of the noble Vernon
MS. in the Bodleian Library, having time to collate one only
with the earlier copy ; 2. the fragment on the Corrupt state of
the Nunneries (p. 138-148) from a Cotton MS. temp. Hen. VI;
3. three Poems on Old Age, Earth, and the Faults of the Monks
and People of Kildare (which I had, after copying, set aside as
80562
IV PREFACE.
having been printed in the Reliquice Antiquce), and lastly the
twice-printed ' Land of Cokaygne ', the airiest and cleverest piece
of satire in the whole range of Early English , if not of English,
poetry. A short abstract of the Poems the reader will find in
'the Contents', and he will see that however uninteresting the
titles of 'Sarmun', 'Moral Ode', 'Lives of Saints' may appear,
information and amusement are yet to be drawn from the pieces
themselves. He can get a lesson in the Geography and Ecclesi-
astical divisions of England (p. 48-9) , hear about going to school
at Oxford (p. 41), and studying there art, Arsmetrike 'a lore
pat of figours al is, and of draujtes as me drawep in poudre and
in numbre iwis' and Divinity (p. 77); of the heriot beast being
paid on a tenant's death (p. 83); of preachers for the Crusades
(p. 79); of the pomp, bell-ringing, and show of horses and squires
at Bishops' progresses to consecrate new Churches (p. 44, 1. 43-G),
and many an other scene of English life. He will find too the
Old-Englishman's special sin of Envy 1 denounced (p. 20), his
Greed, and Pride 3 , and other faults; will hear Sunday-trading
condemned (p. 16), and see the rough mason running from his
work to catch and kiss the country-girls coming to market with
their eggs (p. 45 ), which of course get broken in the struggle.
If the reader should doubt whether the Saint mightier than
'all the king's horses and all the king's men' 'can set Humpty-
Dumpties together again', he will at least not object to the
poet's reflection, that if egg-mongers now could so get their
broken eggs made whole, 'they might hop over ditches where
they would, and both wrestle and fight' (p. 45, 1. 69, 70). The
treatment of the 'puir deil' in those days too was hard, to
be talked to pleasantly by a blacksmith-saint till he had heated
his tongs redhot, and then to be treacherously caught and 'tuengde
and schok' by the nose till the trustful being yelled and hopped
1 And Englys men namely
Are purghe kynde of herta hy.
A forbyseyn ys tolde pys,
Seyde on Frenshe men and on Englys.
Frenshe men synne yn lechery
And Englys men yn enuye.
Roberd of Brunne's Handlyng Synne, p. 131, 1.4150-5.
8 cp. A nopur Mon proudep. as dop a poo. p. 1^9, 1. 18.
PREFACE. V
and brayed, and had to fly home through the lift, shouting in all
men's ears 'Out! What hath the baldpate done! What hath the
baldpate done!' was manifestly unfair. The punishment of lustful
young women also was judicious (p. 73); the Virgin had odd cases
brought before her for decision (p. 59); and Judas murders his
father 'smot hym with a ston bihynde in the pate' marries his
mother, hangs himself, his womb bursts amid atwo, 'his gvttes'
fall to ground, and through the hole goes out his 'liper gost'.
But it is not for the oddities of subject or phrase that one values
these poems; it is for their language that the student, and for
their earnestness that the man , holds them of worth. The words
first used in most of them were registered by our lost friend
Herbert Coleridge, in his Glossarial Index to the Printed English
Literature of the Thirteenth Century, and most of the new words
iu the remainder of them will be found at the end of the present
Selection. For the deeper feeling in some of the Poems, I need
only refer to the simple and touching confession of shortcomings
and sins in the ' Moral Ode ' , to the trust and joy of the Songs
of 'Merci' and 'Deo gramas' (p. 118-130), the self-abasement shown
in the 'Sarmun' (p. 1-7), the tender love of the 'Christ on the
Cross' (p. 20-1), and the -triumphant faith of the Martyrs who
gave up their lives for God (p. 101-6).
Of Rhyme, the text contains one noteworthy specimen, 'the
Rhyme-beginning Fragment' (p. 21-2), of which the man most
capable to speak in England whose hand we have, alas, so long
missed from our pages writes as follows:
Edinburgh, Aug. 30, 1860.
My dear Furnivall,
I am on my rambles, and your letter of the 20th has been follow-
ing me.
The rhyme which has attracted your attention belongs to the kind,
which is called "inverse rhyme". You will find something about it in
the History of English Rkylhms 'm the chapter on rhyme.
I do not however remember to have seen so ancient or so elaborate a
specimen as the one you have sent me. It is very curious, and to me
interesting. With all best wishes I am
Yours truly
E, Guest.
VI PREFACE.
The proofs of the text 1 have read with theMSS.. and endeavoured
to make them accurate copies of the originals, though with ex-
pansions of the ordinary contractions for er, ri &c., and insertions
of commas occasionally. Some final es in italics, to help out the
rhythm, I inserted in the first few pages, as noticed in the note
to p. 1, but soon gave this up; and the later final es represent
the flourishes of the scribe at the end of certain of his words
ending in i. In the lines whose rhythm cannot be in any way
made good without the insertion of a final e at the end of a
word, there the reader may insert it (as erroneously omitted by
the scribe) , but not otherwise. The doctrine of the critic of Dr.
Pauli's edition of Gower's Confessio Amantis as to the final e in
Early English ' , is not strictly borne out by any MS., or any un-
doctored edition of one, that I have ever read; and far more ex-
perienced readers and better judges than I, have condemned the
attempt to impose on a language constantly changing in words,
inflexions, and spelling, written often by half-lettered men, a
rigid rule applicable only to the well settled speech and literature
of a cultivated nation.
3 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn,
Dec. 17, 1861.
1 In the grammatical system of the 14th century, the final e inva-
riably marked the objective case singular.. In adjectives, both the ob-
jective in the singular, and all the cases in the plural, are marked by
the final e . . In verbs the final e marked invariably the infinitive mood,
and the plurals of all the tenses, when the final -en was discontinued..
The final e also marked the adverbial form of words, and distinguished
the adverb from the preposition. Gentleman's Magazine, Third Series,
vol. 2, p. G47-9, June, 1857.
CONTENTS. VII
CONTENTS.
Pages
I. A SARMUN 1-7
That we ought to fear, for the Dead are loathly to see; to
dust we go, louse and flea are on our skin (5). If we are 2
proud of our flesh, what is it but worm's meat; and our skin
a sack of dirt and dung: of such the gentleman is too (8). See
thy proud neighbour in his grave, he is stench and worms (10),
and has no silk or purple. If we are proud of wealth, it
comes, it goes, and is but guile (13): spend it well while
thou hast it (15). Some are blinded by covetousness (16) and 3
become the devil's thralls; they shall die and go to the devil
(20): and the rich shall die too, and we all shall give ac-
count (24). If we have spent goods and time ill, we shall
go to hell (25), and see Christ's wounds, and the Cross and 4
the Elements shall cry for vengeance on us (29-33). In hell
it will be too late to cry for mercy, here, then, believe; un- 5
do thy heart (35), or thou shalt rue it sore (37). Man's life
is but a shadow (38). What brought he here but a stinking
skin (39)? The same wretched garb he shall take away (40);
when the soul is once out of it, no viler carrion is there (42).
Don't think to save for your heir (43); he shall waste your 6
hoard (44). Keep God in your thoughts (45) , help the needy,
and gain heaven (46). Its joy no tongue can tell (47); the
soul shall be brighter than the sun (49), the body fair and
strong (50), feeling no hunger or thirst; it is well merry to
dwell there (51), with many angels (53). We shall see our 7
friends and kin (54), Our Lady bright (55), the Trinity, and
Christ (56), the sight of Whom is our food and drink (57).
Pray we Him to give us joy everlasting (58). You who have
come to hear this 'sarmun', have pardon for seven years.
II. XV SIGNA ANTE IUDICIUM. 1 (A fragment. See two other
versions, note, p. 162-4.) 7-12
May the grace of Jesu alight among us (1)! Take heed of 7
1 After the text was printed I found that Mr. Wright had this poem in his
notes to the 2nd volume of the Chester Plays, for the Shakspere Society.
VIH CONTENTS. SIGNA. FALL AND PASSION.
the wonders before the Judgment (5-8) which Isaiah told by
the Holy Ghost (10). At these Tokens children unborn shall
shudder, and cry for inercy (25). The first is: the stars shall
become as black as coal (42) and be cast clown to earth (40), 9
and terror shall fall on all living (45-52) [The Second is,]
the dead too shall arise, and for fear look like witless beasts
(53-6). The Third: the sun shall turn green and wan (62),
and then coal-black (66). The Fourth : the sun shall become
red (70). The Fifth : all beasts shall quake and cry for mercy, 10
though they cannot speak (80). The Sixth: the mountains
and hills shall fill up the dales (85-6), castles shall fall
(89-92), and trees be torn up by the roots (93-6). The
Seventh: the trees shall grow again, with their roots in the
air (97-100), iron shall bleed (101), and poor and rich alike
shall die (105-8); no castle or steed shall save them (109-10).
The Eighth: the sea shall draw together, and stand up as a 11
wall (117), the rivers shall cry to God (118), the fishes shall
think He is dead (121-4); and then the waters shall return to
their own place (125-8). The Ninth: the skies shall speak
like a man (134-6), and pray that they shall not be punished
for man's sin (144); [The Tenth] all saints in heaven, and
cberubin and seraphin, shall quake (152); the angels shall
hold their peace (154), and the fiends of hell shall moan with 12
great din (158) and pray for shelter (167); so, man, live a
good life here (163). The Eleventh: four winds shall rise,
the rainbow shall fall, and the fiends shall be driven back to
hell. The Twelfth: the four elements shall cry for mercy to
Christ [Incomplete.]
III. THE FALL AND PASSION . 12-15
God give us his grace, me to speak and you to learn, that
I may show you His uprising (1-6). Lucifer fell seven days 13
and nights like snow, from heaven to hell (9-14), and man
was created to fill his place (17). God made Adam master
of all Paradise but one tree (23), and the devil as a serpent
tempted Eve with an apple to make herself as 'witti' as God
(31). When the apple was eaten, they were driven out into
the vale of Eboir to work hard (37); after 900 years Adam
died and went to hell (39); and the devil took all men, though
God sent prophets to them (43). Then He took flesh 'of maid 14
mari' (49), and suffered for thirty years and more (53). Judas
sold him for thirty pence, and he suffered death upon the
tree (68). Joseph of Arimathea (71) buried Him in a fair
place (76). His mother wept four bitter tears of blood (82) 15
who speaks of sorrow against that sorrow? The third day He
arose (90), bringing the patriarchs and prophets out of hell
CONTENTS. SEVEN SINS. IX
Page*
to heaven (93), and sent His doctrine abroad (103) and His
disciples to preach His lore (105), and ascended into heaven.
IV. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 15-16
Jesu! give us thy grace. Men and women, leave off your
great oaths (3); no limb of Christ is there unforsworn by you 16
who are worse than any dog (7). Beware of endless sorrow
(6). God commanded Isaiah to teach folk the Ten Command-
ments. I. Honour our God: those who make gods through
witchcraft shall all go to the devil (24). II. Keep Sunday
well : but now men hold all their marketing on Sunday. III.
Honour your father and mother: but now it's as with bees in
a hive; when a father gives up his land to his children, the
young drive out the old. IV. die. <fec.
V. FRAGMENT ON THE SEVEN SINS 17-20
The King of Heaven be with Us, and bless this preaching to
the devil's shame (1-2). We are all of one foul earth (3),
and however rich we are, shall rot to ashes and dirt (4).
Cleanse thee of thy misdeeds (5), and amend thy sinful life
(6). And pray a Pater Noster and Ave Mary that I may 18
break the devil's staff (7), and that God's peace may be among
us (8): and I will tell you of the seven horrid sins by which
men lose heaven (10). I. Pride, the head of all sin. Lucifer
fell by it to hell for ever (3-9). Man, why art thon proud of
thy clothing linen, woollen, gloves, and shoes (16) , nothing 19
but thy filthy skin (13) is thine own, so love God and please
him at the Judgment (20). II. Cotelousness. The covetous
man never comes to God's house (23), and wishes that no one
alive were so rich as he (27). He would sooner give any man
his blood than his goods (32), and sits abrood on his muck
(35), not thinking of his end (37); but the devil shall take
away his breath (41), carry his soul to hell, and be his exe-
cutor (43). Trust not then to this world's wealth; it goes
away like mist (46). Be you never so rich, when you die
you may be proud if you have an old clout to cover your
nakedness (50). III. Envy. This sin is now much in the 20
land (52). And I'll tell you how. Worldly wealth falls to
men unequally (55); some men work hard and are yet al-
ways needy (58), others have more; and the desire for this
raises strife (Cl) [ends abruptly].
VI. CHRIST ON THE CROSS. (A fragment Latin and English) 20-21
Look at thy Lord, and weep tears of blood! His thorn-
wounded head, his bloody side, his paling face, his dimming
sight (7)!
be-ginne at is heued. and loke to is to. (13)
pou ne findest in is bodi. bot anguis and wo.
CONTENTS. A MORAL ODE.
Pages
Yet he says, Man thou art lull nigh to hell; turn again, and
come to me, and I will receive thee (20). See what I suf-
fered for thee (23), and thou givest me no thanks (28). That
is my greatest pain (29).
VII. A RHYME-BEGINNING FRAGMENT, or Specimen of In-
verse Rhyme 21-22
(On the troubles of Love and Sin.)
VIII. A MORAL ODE 22-34
(About 1250 A. D. Another version from one of the Digby
MSS. was printed by Hickes in his Thesaurus, vol. 1, p. 222.
It omits nine stanzas of this. Coleridge, Gloss, p. vi.)
Old I am in years, but useless has been my life (3), folly
(4) and idle speech (5), sin iu work and word (6). My old
likings I rnislike (7); and now that I would do better, I can't
(8); age has stolen on me (9). Slow we are to good (10);
yet we must do it while we live (12) , and trust not to wife 23
or child (13), for one alms in life is better than five after
death (14); and a sot is he who cares more for a friend than
his own soul (15). Nor may wife trust to husband (16), nor
man to his kin (17); 'who well does not while he may, he
shall not when he would' (18). Slack not in well-doing (19),
and do it while you may (20). Trust not, rich men, to wall
and ditch, but send your goods to heaven (21). There, is
neither fire nor thief (22) ; and there we send too seldom meat
and bread (23). Nothing shall king or sheriff there take from
us (25), and there shall we find all that we have given for 24
God's love here (26-9). All our works, good and evil, shall
be weighed before Heaven's King; He shall give us our re-
ward (30-2); and the poor with his penny may buy the King-
dom, as well as the rich with his pounds (33-5). For all God's
works are mercy (36); He oversees the world (38), and from
His bright eye is no secret deed or dark thought hidden
(39-40). All that is, is in His hand, and He shaped all things
(41-2). Everywhere He is; and they who do His will, easily 25
find Him (43-4). But what shall the breakers of His com-
mands whorelicgs, the deceitful and forsworn (52) do at
the Great Doom (46), where devils shall bring up all our un-
expiated sins (49-51). Each man shall judge himself (54)
his own heart the best witness against him (57) to death or
life (58). But God shall judge each according to his end (60); 26
therefore do good, and pray mercy, before death is at the
door (62-4). If you don't leave sin before you can't do any
more of it, you 're a fool to expect God's mercy for this
(64-5). Yet He has said 'whenever a man repents, early or
late, mercy shall he find' (66-7). Many say 'who cares for
CONTENTS. A MORAL ODE. XI
Pages
punishment; it shall end' (68). Little know they its heat and
bitter blasts (69-70). "Who would give ending pleasure for
endless pain (71-2)? The bread of sin is sweet, and so is
wild deer's flesh; but he buys it too dear who gives his neck
for it (73). A full belly talks lightly of hunger (74), but if
a man had tried a little hell-fire, he'd think otherwise of it 27
(75-6); no earthly wealth could get him endless joy (78). Of
the Judgment. There may we dread (80), for all that was
hidden here shall be uncovered (81), every man's life shall be
known (82). The penitent shall not be ashamed, but others
shall be lost (83-4). The Doom shall soon be over (85), and
hard men and makers of evil laws shall be punished (86).
Doers of good shall go to heaven (89), and of evil to hell (90)
where they shall dwell without end (91): no relief will there
be (92), for not again will Christ break hell (93), and none 28
else can do it (94). Our Lord bought us with his blood (95),
and we'll not give a bit of our bread for His love (96).
Death came in through the old devil's spite (98), and for our
first father's guilt have we fallen into misery (99-100), else
we might have lived in bliss for ever (101). Great was thus
the sin for which all died (102); and if, for that, such ven-
geance was taken, what shall we do who sin so oft (104)?
Full long shall we be in hell, if Adam was there so many
hundred years for one bare sin (105-6). God's mercy is not
less than his might (107), and the devil himself might have
it if he would seek it (108). But Hell's King is merciless 29
(109); he who most does his will gets worst reward a bath
of boiling pitch (110). God keep us from it (111)! and I will
warn you as wise men and the Book say (113-14). Of the
Pains of Hell. There is hunger and thirst for evil misers
(116); change from chill to heat, and heat to chill (117); with
no relief (119). The unsteadfast walk ever, seeking rest and
finding none, wearily up and down as water driven with the
wind (120-2) ; and quarrellers shall bathe in ever-boiling pitch
(124). Fire is there that ever burns, unquenchable by sea, or 30
Avon stream, or Stour (125-6), and in it shall be those who
were full of foul tricks (127), who loved robbery, whoredom,
and drunkenness (128), were liars (129), lovers of others' wives
and deserters of their own (130), hoarders of goods (131), and
stingy men (132), those greedy of silver and gold (133), doers
ofuntrueness (134) and the evil Spirit's teachings (135). Ad-
ders, snakes, efts, and toads, shall tear and fret the evil
speakers and envious (138). Never sun shines there, nor
moon, nor star (139), but only foul smoke and darkness (140).
There lay loathly fiends (141) and frightful wights (142), dread
XII CONTENTS. A MORAL ODE.
Page*
Satanas and old Beelzebub (143). No heart can think, or
tongue tell, how great is the pain of hell (144); but the greatest
is, that the damned know it is endless (146). Heathen men are
there (147); and wicked Christians (148), whom neither money,
prayers, nx>r alms, shall help (149-50). Let each shield him-
self while he can, and warn his friend, as I have done (151);
and leave what God has forbidden, and do what He has com-
manded (153). Love God and your fellow-Christian (154), all
hangs on these two words (165). But it is hard to stand, and 32
easy to fall, unless Christ gives us strength (157-8); if we
worked for God as we do for goods and gain, we should have
more of heaven than earls or kings do (159-61). There, is
no thirst or hunger, death or age (162); but of it we think
too seldom, and of this world too oft (163-4), though here we
are a little while, and long elsewhere (165). Let us beware,
or the world will drown us (166). Most of us drink of one
devil's cup (167); but let us guard against sin with fasting,
alms, and prayers (169), leaving the broad street (170), and
going the narrow way green and fair it is, though few tread
it (171). It is God's command (174), for which men leave 33
their own will (17, r >); and will bring us with the fair few men
to heaven's king (176), with Whom is mirth and angels' song
(177), and neither ill nor wane (179). Some have less joy,
and some more, according to their deeds here (180). God
alone is their food, their life, their bliss (181), their clothing,
and their joy (182-3); their sun and nightless day (184). In
heaven is weal and rest (186), bliss without sorrow, and life
without death (187) : neither sorrow nor sore (188). God alone
is the bliss of angels and men (189), but all shall not see
His light alike, only as they loved Him here (190-2). Christ 34
shall be enough for all his darlings (194), and of the sight of
Him is no satiety (195). God is so lovely in His godship that
no man can tell what mirth have those who are in His bliss
(196-7). To it may He bring us (198), and Christ grant us
here to lead such life that we may thither come. Amen.
LIVES OF SAINTS.
IX. ST. DUNSTAN (MS. ab. 1305 A. D.) 34-40
While he was in his mother's womb, her taper on Candlemas
day was miraculously lighted, and other folk lit their lights at 35
hers, typifying the light he should give to England (1. 1-20).
He was born A.D. 925, the first year of King Athelstan (21),
and brought up at Glastonbury (26). When grown up, be
CONTENTS. ST. DUNSTAN S LIFE. XIII
Pages
went to his uncle St. Aldelm, Archbishop of Canterbury (32),
who took him to the king (36), and Athelstan appointed him
to the House of Glastonbury (42), which was established 453
years before he was born (48), and before Sts. Patrick and
Austin brought Christianity to England (50). Of Glastonbury, 36
Dunstan was made Abbot (58), and, when he was not at public
prayers, worked in his private smithy (60), and was then in
three places at once (67), for his hands were at work, his
heart with God, and his mouth praying prayers (68). This
made the devil spiteful, and he came as a fair woman to
tempt Dunstan (71). The saint chatted away, but quietly
heated his pincers, and when they were 'all afire' (79), seized
the devil by the nose (80), who wriggled and yelled and hopped
about till he got loose (82-7), and then flew off screaming
"Out, what hap pe calewe ido: what hap pe calewe ido" (89). 37
Dunstan had great power with King Edmund (94); but Edwin
put him out of his abbey, and drove him out of England
(101). After Edwin's death, his brother Edgar had Dunstan
home again (113), made him Bishop of Worcester (119) and
of London (131), and then Archbishop of Canterbury (135). 38
He upheld firmly the rights of holy church, and made parsons
give up either their lechery or their livings (138-40). With
St. Osewold (Bishop of Worcester) and St. Adelwold (Bishop
of Rochester), he cast out wicked parsons (146), and founded
48 Abbeys of monks and nuns (149). Our Lord granted him
a sight of his father and mother in heaven (157), and of the
joy of heaven (162), and let him hear the angels' merry song
of "Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us" 39
(165). He loved well the harp (169), and after playing it one
day, hung it on the wall (176), and the harp of itself sang
the merry anthem "All saints' souls be glad that are in
heaven &c." (181). When he had lived many a day (191),
one Holy Thursday he fell sick, and had his special friends
and servants called to him (195), and forgave them their
trespasses, and absolved them (197), and on Saturday bid good
day to his friars (200), and then died, A. D. 980. 40
X. AN OXFORD STUDENT :-one of the Miracles of Our Lady. 40-42
A northern knight's son goes to church with his mother, and
seeing a Crucifix asks his mother who the man on it (5), and
the fair woman by his side, are (10). She tells her boy, and
he oft thinks of Our Lady's sorrow at seeing her dear Son
die (17). He is put to school at Oxford (20), does a deadly 41
sin (24), but is shriven (26), and prays Our Lady for forgive-
ness (29). He dies at Oxford (37), and two clerks, his friends,
watch the bier (40), but will not light the tapers till some
XIV CONTENTS. ST. SWITHIN'S LIFE.
Pages
of the Masters come (42-4). While the clerks sleep, they
both think they see angels carry their dead friend's soul to
heaven (48), Our Lady going before, and opening the door
of heaven (50), and asking her Son to take her friend into
His joy (53); Christ promises that He will, for the youth's
prayers to Him by the Virgin's sorrow when she saw Him
die (56). Our Lady then sends from heaven, and lights the 42
tapers round the corpse (60); the clerks awake; the Masters
come and do the service, and bury the body (64). The clerks
tell their own Master their vision (65), and then the youth's
shriftfather is told (70); and he says it is true that the boy
had ever in mind Our Lady's grief when she saw her Son die
on the Cross (72).
XI. THE JEWS AND THE CROSS -.-another of the Miracles of
Our Lady 42-43
As an Archbishop in Toledo was consecrating the Mass, he
heard the Virgin's voice from heaven cry 'Alias, the Jews'
treachery', and lament their treatment of her Son on the
Cross (4-10). After mass search is made, and the form of
our Lord is found, nailed through hands and feet to a Cross
by the Jews, and pierced with five wounds (14-16). Now,
Lady, give us grace that we may come to the Joy that thou art in!
XII. LIFE OF ST. SWITHIN [? since printed by Mr. Earle in his
St. Swtflun.] 43-47
He was born in Winchester, in the time of king Egberd, the
18th king after Kenewold whom St. Beryn brought to Chris-
tianity (1-6), though St. Austin had before converted Athel-
bright (8). Swithin began to serve Christ when young (13);
he was made priest by Elmeston, Bishop of Winchester (15),
and the king made him his chief counsellor (22), and teacher
of his son and heir Athulf (25). After Egbert's death, Athulf
becomes king (28), follows Swithin's counsel (30), and makes
him Bishop of Winchester (35). Through all the land men
pay their tithe well, and Swithin uproars broken churches
(40-1), builds new ones, and displays no pomp at their con-
secration, no ringing, 'bobance', or show of horses and squires
(45-6). He also improves the town of Winchester; builds the
strong bridge outside of the East gate (52-3); and performs
the miracle of making whole the broken eggs of a country- 45
woman that one of his workmen has upset in trying to kiss
her (65-67). If egg-mongers now could get their eggs so
treated , they might hop over ditches , and wrestle and fight
(69-70). After Athulf s death, his son Adelberd was king (72),
and in his third year (A. D. 816) Swithin died, bidding his
men not to bnry him in church with pride, but somewhere
CONTENTS. ST. KENELM'S LIFE. XV
Pages
without, in a place little thought of (78). This they did (83),
and there he lay 109 years and more (85), till he was taken
up by order of king Edgar, father of St. Edward (88), and
ninth king after Adelbert (91). For then the Saint appears
to a holy man , and bids him go to Athelwold , Bishop of 46
Winchester, and tell him to move his corpse to a high place
(104); and as a sign the holy man's illness shall leave him
(108), and the rings on the stone that covers the corpse, shall
be taken off easily by the bishop, and fastened on again (116).
The good man arises, is cured of his illness (120), and Athel-
wold easily takes the ring off the grave-stone, and puts it on
again (124). King Edgar appoints the 18th of July for re-
moving the corpse (132), Bishops and Abbots are summoned 47
(134), a great procession is made (140), and the body dug
down to; a wonderful sweetness comes from it which, as
you know by other dead men, is much against right (145-9)
a blind woman has her sight, and more than 200 sick are
cured (150-2). The corpse is put in a fair and noble shrine
in St. Peter's Church, and works many miracles (154-6).
XIII. THE LIFE OF ST. KENELM, King of the March of Wales . . 47-57
Kenulf, who built the Abbey of Winchcombe (the greatest
city in the west half of England, 7), was his father (3). In 48
that time were five kings in England (9), who had their parts
by themselves (20); and England is 800 miles long, and 200
broad (12); and in it are three principal rivers, Humber,
Thames, and Severn (16). The king of the March had Wor-
cestershire (23), Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Chestershire,
Derbyshire, Staffordshire, half Shropshire, Herefordshire, some
of Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Ox-
fordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire:
all these were formerly called the March of Wales, and of all
was Kenelm king (40), and Winchcombe was his chief city 49
(42). Of the other 4 kings, he of Wessex (47) had Wiltshire,
Dorset- and Berkshire, Sussex, Chichester, Southampteshire,
Surrey, Devonshire, and Cornwall (58). The king of Kent
had Kent (59;. The king of Eastland (63) had Norfolk, Suf-
folk, the Isle of Ely, and Cambridge (66). The king of
Northumberland had all the land beyond the Humber into
Scotland (70). [The divisions of the counties into Bishoprics
are also stated in the text.] Kenulf died A.D. 819, and St. 50
Kenelm succeeded to the throne, though only seven years
old. One of his sisters, Wenylde, loved him (85); but the
other, Quendride, envied him (91), and thought she should
have his heritage if she could kill him (94) ; so she gave him
poison, but it did not hurt him, as our Lord would not have
XVI CONTENTS. ST. KENELM'S LIFE.
Pg<
him martyred so lightly (101). Then she promised his guardian,
Askebert, money and herself if be would kill Kenclm (112-15).
And Kenclm had this dream, that before his bed (117) was 51
a noble tree with wax lights and lamps on it, and when he
had climbed up to its highest bough , one of his best friends
'srnot atuo pis treo', and then Kenelm became a little bird,
and flew right into heaven (130). Not knowing what the
dream means, St. Kenelm tells his nurse Wolwenne (138),
who explains that his sister is plotting his death (144), and
that the little bird was his soul, that should go to heaven
after his life's end (146). Askebert takes him to hunt in the
wood of Clent (152), and he lies down to sleep (155). Aske- 52
bert digs a pit for him, but the boy awakes (159), and tells him
that he loses his time, as he (Kenelm) will not die till his
stick gives a sign that he is to be martyred (166). They go
on; Askebert sticks the stick in the ground (169), it begins
to put forth leaves, and becomes a great ash (171). Askebert
delays to do his wicked deed (179), but Kenelm says "that
thou doest, do soon" (180), and begins singing Te domine
laudamus (182); at "the white Company of Martyrs, Lord,
praiseth thee", Askebert smites off his head, under a haw-
thorn tree (187), and a white dove flies out of him to heaven
(190). Askebert buries the corpse (195), and goes and tells 53
Quendride (198). She seizes all her brother's land and manors
(200), makes herself queen of the March, and becomes a shrew
lady (202), and forbids any one even to name her brother's
name (208) under pain of beheading (210). So his death was
forgotten by men that have wits (218), but God made a dumb
beast remember it (220). For a widow's white cow, that went
with other cows into the valley where Kenelm was buried,
would always leave them and lie about his holy corpse (226)
without feeding (229); and yet she was always 'fat and round' 54
(231), and no other cow gave half as much milk (233) a man
who had cows like her need not care though his larder were
bare and his pastures poor (236). Folk watched the cow, and
thought it was some token (242). (The valley was named
Coubache (244).) One day as the Pope (251) was singing Mass
at St. Peter's in Rome, a dove whiter than any snow (253)
laid a writing with letters of gold in English on the altar,
saying that Kenelm lay under a thorn in Coubach, bereft of
his head (266). This writ was kept as a relick, as coming 55
from heaven and our Lord's hand (273), and St. Kenelm's day
is kept as a feast day at Rome (276). The Pope sent to
Wolfred, Archbishop of Canterbury, to have the body sought
out (283). It is sought for, and found, under the thorn of
CONTENTS. A MIRACLE. ST. CHRISTOPHER. XVII
Pages
Coubage (289), and when taken up, a spring flows out of the
place where it was (294) which is called St. Keneltn's well
(297), and sick men are cured by it (298). Though the Bishop
had ordered the body to be taken to Winchcornb in Gloucester-
shire (303), the Worcestershire men swear they will keep
it; and the two shires meet and strive for it by the water of 56
Perschore (310). At last they agree, that they will go to
sleep, and whichever side wakes the sooner, shall go off and
take the body with them (316). The Gloucestershire men wake
first (319), and carry away the body (321). On their journey they
get very weary, and are obliged to rest on a high down on the
east of Winchcomb (328); they pray for drink, and a well
springs up on the top of the down, that is still there (331),
and by which the monks have built St. Kenelm's Chapel (336).
Quendride sat in St Peter's Church in a soler, saw the crowd
on the down (341), and was told that her brother was being
brought to the Church (344). So she opened her Psalter at 57
the first psalm, to curse her brother's corpse with it (350),
and when she got to the 19th verse, where the cursing of evil
men ends , out burst both her eyes , and fell down on her
Psalter (356). The holy body was put into a noble shrine in
the Abbey (361), and the bad queen died in shame, and her
body was thrown into a foul ditch (364).
XIV. A MIRACLE OF ST. JAMES'S 57-59
In the city of Lyons a young man who often went as a pil-
grim to St. James, did a deed of lechery (4), and as he was
going to be shriven for it, the devil met him, and told him 58
that he was St. James (11), and that he must carve off the
member with which he had sinned (19). This the man does,
and kills himself (26). The devil is ready, takes the man's
soul, and is going oft" to hell with it (29), when St. James
comes down, bids the shrew stop (30), and disputes his
right to the soul. The strife lasts long (41), and at last St.
James takes the devil, yelling and quaking (46), to our Lady. 59
There he 'found his match' (48), and is reproached by her for
his treachery (51, 59). As through this, the man's life was
taken, our Lady makes the soul go again into the man's body,
which arises from death to life (63), and the man leads a good
Jife afterwards, though without his lost members (65). The
devil went away, and held himself beguiled (67); may sorrow
and lither thrift fall on his head! Amen, say all (70).
XV. THE LIFE OF ST. CHRISTOPHER . . . 59-65
How Cristopher was a very big man, 24 feet long, and wanted
to serve the most powerful Master, who was under no one 60
else. Finding such a one, he served him till he said he feared
XVIII CONTENTS. ST. CHRISTOPHER. THE 1 1,000 VIRGINS.
Ptgtt
the Devil; on which Cristopher went to seek the Devil, and
served him, till they passed by a Cross, which the Devil ran Cl
out of the road for, into thorns and briars. Cristopher at
once left the Devil, and went to a hermit to ask about Christ.
The hermit ordered him, as penance, to live on the bank of
a river, and carry people over it. This he does, till one uight 62
a little boy comes, who is very heavy, and nearly drowns him.
The boy is Christ, weighted with the sins of the world; and
after making Cristopher's staff leaf and fruit, Christ sends him
out to preach the gospel. Cristopher converts many people,
and their king sends two successive parties of 100 knights to 63
capture him; they daren't do it; but he goes with the last
party, and converts them. The king imprisons him, and sends 64
two women to seduce him; but he converts them, and they
drag the king's idols in the dust, for which they are martyred. 65
The king then has Cristopher put on a gridiron to be roasted, but
the gridiron melts, and the fire goes out. He then has him
shot at; but the arrows stick in the air, and one goes into
the king's eye. Cristopher tells the king to smear it with his
blood; so the king martyrs him, is cured, and turns Christian.
XVI. THE 11,000 VIRGINS 66-70
How Ourse, the daughter of King Maur of Britain, is asked
in marriage by another king for his son. Her father is sor-
rowful at it; an angel tells her that she may marry in 3 years 67
if they get her 10 maidens, and then 1000 for each of the 11.
This is done (p. 67), Ourse converts them, and the king builds
them a ship in which they sail about and have games (p. 67).
A wind drives them to Cologne (p. 68), and an angel tells 68
Ourse that they shall be martyred there. They go on to Basilic,
and Rome, where the British pope Ciriac welcomes them. An
angel tells him he will be martyred with the Virgins. He
resigns his dignity. Maximinian and Africanus tell the king
of Cologne to martyr the Virgins when they come there.
Ourse's sweetheart baptises his mother and bis sister Florentine 69
(p. 69), goes with them to Cologne, and agrees to suffer death
with Ourse. The prince of Cologne has them killed, but of-
fers to marry Ourse; she refuses, arid he has her shot. Ciriac
and many others are killed too; all A. D. 238 (p. 69). They
are buried in a nunnery (p. 70). An abbot asks for a body 70
of one , saying he will put it in gold ; he leaves it in wood
for a year, and so the body one night goes up to the altar.
The monks go to the tomb, and find the body just as it was
put there. The abbess of the convent will not let the body
go, seeing it was God's will that it should stop there (p. 70).
XVII. ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR . 71-87
CONTENTS. ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. xix
Pages
How he was born iu Abingdon on St Edmund's day. and 71
soiled no cloth when he came out of his mother. 'Mabille the
rich' was his mother's name; Robert, Margery, and Alice, her
other children's. She brings them up to eat bread and water
on Fridays, and sends the boys 'to scole to Parys' with very
little money (p. 71) and with hair shirts (p. 72). St. Edmund 72
is good; Christ comes to him as a fair white child, and says
he is always by his side (p. 72). St. Edmund crosses his fore-
head thrice every night (p. 73), and never does lechery at 73
Paris or Oxford, but weds Our Lady with a ring, and keeps
his pledge. His landlady's daughter creeps into his bed naked
(p 73), so he gives her a sound flogging, and makes her
bleed (p. 74), which takes away her lechery, and she dies a 74
virgin. His mother dies, charging him to put her daughters
in a nunnery. She is buried at Abingdon, with 'Mabille,
flower of widows' graven on her tomb (p. 74). Edmund puts
his sisters into the nunnery of Cateby in Northamptonshire 75
(p. 75). The horse-hair shirts he wore are described, and
the penances he did. The hair-shirts -will neither burn nor
sink (p. 75). How the devils, like a flock of choughs and
crows, tossed about the soul of a dead sinner of Stafgrene 76
(p. 76). How St. Edmund always said a prayer to Christ, the
Virgin, and St. John One day he forgot it. St. John came
with a staff, and threatened to strike him, but forgave him
(p. 76). How St. Edmund read Art for six years at Oxford 77
(p. 77), and then 'Arsmetrike'; but his mother tells him to
study better figures, and draws three Circles, for the Trinity,
in his hand. So he studies Divinity (1. 238), and teaches so
as to turn men from the world, and make people weep. One 78
day in a doze he sees a dove bring him Christ's flesh (p. 78), and
then disputes wonderfully concerning the Trinity. He forgets
one night to think of Christ's passion ; the devil takes hold of
his hand to stop him from crossing himself, but he thinks of
the Passion, catches the devil by the throat, and the devil con-
fesses that the Passion is the best protector against him (p. 79). 79
He arranges his time so as never to be idle, and becomes a
great preacher. The Pope orders the Bishops to choose a
wise man to preach about the Crusade, and St. Edmund is
chosen. He will take no money from poor persons, not like
these Archdeacons who work them woe (1. 329). A woman
tries to draw her lover back from taking the Cross (p. 79);
her hand becomes crooked, but is made straight again on 80
her taking the Cross (p. 80). While St. Edmund is preaching
in All Saints Churchyard, Oxford, bad weather comes on, and
the people run for fear of spoiling their clothes (1. 358), but
XX CONTENTS. STS. EDMUND CONFESSOR AND KING.
Pages
the saint tells them the storm is sent by the devil, and on
St. E.'s prayer to God, it removes to the half of the church
where he is not standing, so that those who went away got
wet, and those who stopt kept dry (1.374). Another miracle 81
he wrought at Worcester (I. 375). He was made Canon secular
of Salisbury, and Treasurer (1. 382), gave much to the poor
(1 384), never eat his fill (1. 391), and before Easter eat nothing
that had suffered death (1. 400). He was elected Archbishop
of Canterbury; but when told of the election by his chamber- 82
lain, he said "Be still, fool, go out, make fast the door, and
let no man disturb me" (1. 417). Neither to the messengers
(1.430), nor the Canons (1.440) would he give way; but the
Bishop's command he was obliged to obey, and so was con- 83
secrated Archbishop (1. 456) He was strong in penance and
fasting, and had ever pity of poor men to whom high men
did, all day, woe (1.462): witness, his giving back to a ten-
ant's widow the heriot beast she had brought him on her hus-
band's death (1. 464-82). So good was he , that the devil raised
strife between him and King Henry (John's son) who held the 84
Convent of Canterbury against him (1. 488-93). Though the
Legate was against him, St. Edmund held out, disregarded
the king's threats, and cursed him and all oppressors of the
Church (1. 514). St. Thomas appeared to St. Edmund, ex-
horted him not to bend , and let him kiss his mouth (1. 528), 85
St. Edmund, following Becket's example, went to France, to
Ponteney, where he dwelt till obliged to leave for better air
(1. 534-48) and go to Soycie (1. 556). There he drew towards
death, asked for our Lord's flesh, called Him to witness that 86
nothing but Him he had desired on earth (1.566); then he
partook of the flesh, said that joy was in his heart, and re-
joiced over where he was going (1. 578). At sunrise he died,
A. D. 1242; 'his guttes' were buried in the town, in the
'Minstre of seint Jake' (1. 588), but his holy body was carried
to Ponteney, on St. Edmund the King's day, the day when
he had promised the monks to be with them (1. 588-93).
XVIII. ST. EDMUND THE KING 87-89
He was king of Suffolk (3), and a hardy and courteous knight
(6). Two princes of another land, Hyngar and Hubba, in-
vaded England and conquered Northumberland (7-12). Then
Hyngar came to St. Edmund's chief town (19), made it bare,
slew his people (21), tore children from their mothers' breasts,
killed them (23), and burnt the town to dust (26); besieged
Eglesdon where St. Edmund was (34), took the king, bound 88
him to a tree (40), and shot at him with arrows till his body
was as full of them as a hedgehog is of prickles (47) like
CONTENTS. LIFE OF ST. KATHERINE. XXI
Pages
St. Bastian was martyred (51). But Edmund quietly called on
God, and so Hyngar had his head cut off (56), and hidden in a
secret place in the wood of Eglesdon (61-6). There a wild 89
wolf finds it, and though his nature "were betere to swolowe
hit', he licks and kisses it like his own whelp (70). After-
wards Christian men look for it, and when they come near,
the head calls out "Here; here; here" (79). They take it
up and carry it off with the body the wolf yelling piteously
(86) to St. Edmundsbury (89), where it was put in a noble
shrine (91), and the torn flesh became whole again (94), and
the head joined on to the body, but a thin red line, shining
like gold (98), was where the head had been cut off. And a
fair pilgrimage it is, to go there and honour that holy body
(100).
XIX. THE LIFE OF ST. KATHERINE 90-98
When she was eighteen, Maxentius commanded all his officials
to come to Alexandria to sacrifice to their gods (10). St.
Katherine sees their 'giddyhood' in worshipping idols, goes to
the Emperor (16), and asks him why he is so proud of his
Temple of lime and stone, and regards not the high Temple
of heaven, whose sun and moon and stars never weary (26):
on that he should think, forsake his idols, and honour God
(30). The Emperor bids her wait, and then questions her (39, 91
ol). She says she is King Cost's daughter (47), that idols
are no help (50), and that the Emperor's soul will go to hell
(62). He sends for great clerks (68); fifty come (71), and the 92
maid is sent for (83). An angel comforts her (85), and she
taunts the Emperor with having so many Masters to dispute
against her only (92). One tells her that the soul cannot live
after death (100-3), and God cannot give her the life he had
himself lost; but she says that God was made of two things, 93
godhead and manhood (109), and arose from death to life (112).
Did not Plato the great 'philosophe' say that God was to be
scourged and drawn: and Balaam that a Star should arise of
Jacob's race (123)? By this the masters are confuted, and say they
will be baptised (136). The Emperor orders them to be burnt
(139), but the maiden comforts them (142); and after they are
burnt, they lie all whole, whiter and fairer in hue than ever
(150), no hair or clothes the worse. The Emperor offers Ka-
therine to be next to his Queen, and have her image, over-
gilt, set up to be honoured like a god's (161), if she will turn;
but she says she is God's spouse, and nothing shall take her
heart from Him (166). She is stript naked and scourged (168),
cast into prison and starved twelve days (173); but a white
dove brings her meat from heaven. Then the Empress, with
XXIE CONTENTS. STS. KATHEHINE, ANDREW, LUCY.
Pages
her knight Sir Porphyry (170), goes to the prison , and finds
an angel anointing Katherine's wounds (183). The Saint so 95
preaches to them that the Empress, Porphyry, and '200 knights
are baptized (191); and Christ appears to Katherine and com-
forts her (192-5). The Emperor has her out of prison, is sur-
prised to find her 'fair and round', and torments his jailers
for feeding her (203). lie offers to make her the Empress's
peer (212); but she rejects all his advances. So he has four 96
iron wheels full of rasors made (221), but when Katherine is
to be tortured, an angel with a drawn sword hews the wheels
to pieces, and kills 4000 men (231). The Empress then re-
nounces her idolatry (240), for which her husband has her
flesh and her breasts torn with sharp hooks , as men comb
wool (249), and then has her head cut off. Porphyry buries
her body (252); he and his brother-knights confess that they
believe in Christ (257-64), and the Emperor has them killed 97
as Mahoun's foes (272). He then offers to make Katherine his
Empress (275), but she refuses to turn from Christ (280), and
is ordered to be killed (283). Christ appears to her (290), her
head is smitten off, and there flows from the wound white 98
milk, and not one drop of blood, in token of her maidenhood
(295). An angel buries her in the Hill of Sinai, and holy oil
to this day runs from her tomb, wherthrough sick men are
brought to health and life (302). Three hundred and twenty
years after God was born, was this holy maid martyred (306).
XX. THE LIFE OF ST. ANDREW 98-101
He was St. Peter's brother, and a fisher; but left his nets
when Christ asked him to be a uianfisher (1-6). In the land
of Patras he turned the folk, and the wife of Egeas, to Christ
(12-14), for which Egeas seizes the people to torment them 99
(18). Andrew rebukes him, and answers his arguments against
Christ's death; but Egeas casts him into prison (51), and after-
wards asks him to give up his faith (55). Andrew refuses, 100
as his torment here can last for two or three days only (62),
while Egeas's in hell will not end for 20,000 years and more
(64). So Egeas has him scourged to the bone (71), and then
bound to a cross (83), from which he preaches to the people
two days and nights (86), refusing to be taken down (90), till
a great light hides him from their sight, and his soul goes to 101
heaven's bliss (98). His body is buried by Maximille, Egeas's
wife (100), but is afterwards taken to Constantinople (106);
Egeas falls dead on his way home, and his soul goes to hell
(104).
XXI. THE LIFE OF ST. LUCY 101-107
She was born in Sicily, and served God from her youth. Her
CONTENTS. STS. LUCY AND EDWARD. JUDAS. XXIII
Pages
mother Entice, having had a bloody flux four years, Lucy
takes her (24) to the shrine of St. Agaee, in Athens, where 102
they hear Mass, and the gospel of the cure of the woman with
a bloody flux (29). They pray: St. Agace appears to Lucy, and
says she has cured her mother. Lncy determines to live
a virgin's life (52). She gives her dowry to the poor (57); for 103
which her nurse excuses her to her betrothed (63-6), but he
finds she has turned Christian, and tells the Justice Pascas
of it (70). Before Pascas she is brought, and declares that
as she has given all her goods for Christ, so she will give her
body (79). Pascas reproaches her as a strong whore (85), but
she says she was pledged to Christ in Baptism, and that
pledge she will keep (87-8). On this Pascas threatens to send 104
her to a common brothel (92); but she answers, that unless
her heart consents to the deed, her maidenhood is the cleaner
the more her body is defouled (98). Pascas then proclaims
that any one may have her who likes, and orders his men
to take her to a brothel. But 1000 of them cannot move her
a foot, nor can teams of oxen (p. 105). They light a fire round 105
her, and pour boiling pitch over her; but neither hurts her,
and she preaches of Jesu, heaven's king. Her neck is cut
through with a sword, but she still preaches on, and says that
the wicked Diocletian is driven out of his kingdom (p 105).
She takes the Sacrament, and angels bear her soul to heaven 106
(p. 106).
XXII. ST. EDWARD -one of the Miracles of St. John .... 106-107
King Edward loves St. John, and when a poor man asks him
for something in John's name, the king gives him a ring. In
the Holy Land, St. John appears to a knight, gives him the
ring, and tells him to return it to King Edward. The ring
is now shown at Westminster as a relic to pilgrims.
XXIII. THE LIFE OF JUDAS ISCARIOT 107-111
He was a wicked bird. One night his mother Thiborie dreamt
that she had borne a child whom all the world cursed. She finds
herself with child, and when her boy is born, her friends put him
in a barrel and cast it out to sea (p. 107). He is thrown on the
Island of Cariot (p. 108), the queen of which is childless. She 108
takes the baby, professes herself with child, and in due time
shows the foundling as her own. The king christens him
Judas. After a time the queen really has a child of her own
by the king. Judas grows up a bad boy, breaks other children's
arms and heads, ami beats the queen's son. She tells him he is
a foundling; so Judas kills her son, runs off to Jerusalem, and
enters Pilate's service (p. 108). Pilate and Judas go to play in 109
an orchard next to Jndas's father's (p. 109). Judas breaks into
XXIV CONTENTS. JUDAS AND PILATE.
Pages
his father's orchard to get some apples for Pilate, anil when 108
his father remonstrates, he smashes his |>ato with a stone.
Pilate gives him all his father's property, and marries him
(Judas) to his own mother (p. 109). She tells him of her son. 109
He is sorry that ho has sinned, and goes to Christ, becomes
his disciple, then Apostle, and pursebearer, and steals the tenth
of all gifts. He grumbles that Mary's precious ointment was
not sold (p. 109). For the thirty pence that his tenth of it would 110
have been, he sold Christ (p. 110); and then hung himself.
His guts fell out, his wicked spirit going nut of his belly, and
not by his mouth with which he had kissed Christ.
XXIV. THE LIFE OF PILATE 111-118
King Tirus begets him on Pila, the daughter of a meal ward
Atus, and calls him Pilatus. He grows up a bad boy, and
kills the king's son. So the king sends him to the Emperor
as a hostage, and tells him to kill him if he (the king) does 112
not perform his truage (p. 112). He does not. And Pilate
kills the son of the king of France. The Emperor is advised
to send him as Justice to the Isle of Ponce whose people are
rebellious. He does so, and Pilate speaks fair to the islanders
(I. 54), manages them well (p. 112), and from the isle gets his
name of Ponce Pilatus (1. 61, p. 113). For his skill, Herod, 113
the king of Jerusalem, Galilee, and India (1.63), sends for
him, and puts more than half his realm (Jerusalem and India)
under his charge (1. 69). Pilate gathers treasures, and gives
them to Caesar the Emperor, that he may hold his kingdom
direct from him, and not from Herod (1. 75-83). At this Herod
is very wrath, but can only curse and hate Pilate, till our
Lord's death, when they were agreed (1.95). Judas becomes 114
Pilate's steward, for two shrews will become friends though
there were no other men alive (1. 99) When Pilate has con-
demned God to death, he fears the Emperor will kill him
(1. 109). Afterwards, the Emperor falls sick, and sends to
Jerusalem 'after sum god leche' (1. 114). The messenger comes
to Veronica, who tells him that Christ would have cured his
master, and that she has a kerchief with Christ's 'form' on it,
a sight of which will heal the Emperor (1. 126-133). She con- 115
sents to take it to Rome; the Emperor is cured on seeing it
(1. 142); asks who Christ was; says he will hang or quarter
Pilate for putting Christ to death (I. 151), and sends for Pilate
to come to him. Now Pilate had before sent a messenger to
the Emperor, saying that he was guiltless of Christ's death,
but the messenger never arrived, having been driven on shore
in Galilee. So Pilate thinks the Emperor has forgiven him,
and therefore goes to Rome, in Christ's cloak (1. 168), which
CONTENTS. LIFE OF PILATE. A SONG OF MERCY. XXV
Pages
prevents the Emperor killing him; but one day he takes the 116
garment off (1. 185), and then the Emperor accuses him of
putting Christ to death. Pilate excuses himself, saying that
it was the inquest (jury), and not he, who had condemned
Christ; but he confesses that he is guilty for not having asked
the Emperor's consent. On this the Emperor has him cast 117
into a deep dark prison (I. 212), where he wastes away till he
one day persuades his jailer to let him out for a walk, give
him an apple, and lend him a knife to peel it with (1. 235).
As soon as he gets the knife he stabs himself, and his body
is cast out of the town (1. 238). But thunder, lightning, and
tempest, coine; so the body is thrown into the Tiber (I. 244).
There a storm arises, and ships are wrecked ; so the body is then
cast into a lake in a wilderness. There a rock cleaves in 118
two; the body shoots into it like an arrow from a bow; the rock
shuts together again ; and there the body is to this day (1. 257).
Here end the histories of the cursed ones, Judas and Pilate.
XXV. A SONG OF MERCY 118-124
How, in the west, under a wild wood side, the writer sees
lions, bears &c. tearing small beasts to pieces; but a Merlyon
(hawk) catches a bird, and on the morrow lets it fly, and thus 119
it found Mercy (I. 19). God ordained Mercy to be above all
his works; and it passes all things, though at the Day of
Doom Right would slay us, and Might do execution on us
(1. 37). Then God will rehearse to us his sufferings for us, 120
and reproach us for having no mercy on Him, and for not
doing Mercy's Seven Works (1. 84). We shall excuse our- 121
selves as 'the book saith', but haters of God shall go to hell
fire, and His lovers shall have Mercy (1. 105.-7): this let us
seek while we have space. We go against nature when we 122
break God's commands, and are more 'unkind' than beasts
and birds (1. 122-31). For now, harlotry is held a joke, virtue
is turned into vice; our god is gluttony and gold, drunken-
ness, lechery, and dice (1.132-42). Manhood and we are
atwin; Meed is master; God's body is torn from top to toe 123
by our oaths (1. 150); knights and clergy are rooted in ribaldry;
courtesy and courage are gone, and 'We loue so sloupe and
harlotrie, We slepe as swolle swyn in lake' (1.162). Not till
Charity is made king shall we leave our sins, and Mercy be
over all (1. 164-6). No more: because the Merlyon's feet are
cold, I saw it do, as is its nature, catch a live bird, and
change it from one foot to the other all night to keep them
from dying away, and in the morning let the bird fly. Now 124
God grant us repentance, and be our help, that at our end
we too may say 'Now Mercy passeth all things'.
XXVI CONTENTS. SONGS, DEO GRACIAS, DEUS CARITAS.
Pges
XXVI. A SONGE OF DEO GRAGIAS 124-126
I saw in a church a clerk bring forth a book 'that prikked
was', and he and all the choristers sang Deo gracias. I asked
what it meant; and the comely clerk leaned over a lectern,
and told me of the Trinity, and how God lighted in a love- 125
some 'buirde' (1. 29), and shed Ilis blood for our sins; and
that in memory of this he sang Thanks to God. I left the
church, and twenty times said the words: in mischief and
bonchief both are they good to say (1.49), in bale or bliss 126
(1. 59). If God gives thee virtues more than others, let no
filth deface them (I. 70); if thou be made an Officer, judge
rightly and rob no man (I. 76). Dread thy God day and night,
then mayst thou sit among His Saints, and there sing Deo
gracias.
XXVII. DEUS CARITAS 127-128
God is love, and I warn you to get it; for at Doom's day
the wicked shall go to penance for ever, and the good to bliss
(I. 15). Whoso goes in Love, behold and see, he dwells in
God. All Love is in Christ, and if we seek love, He is in
us. Let Love awake, and let us shrive us of our sin, as 128
did Peter, John, and James, and dwell in Christ (1.48).
XXVIII. ANOTHER SONGE OF DEO GRACIAS 128-130
Ever my word is Deo gracias; in weal or woe (7), riches or
poverty (9-17), mirth or mourning (19), when Fortune's my
foe (21), or sickness nigh slays me (28), or the friends of my
prosperity forsake me (33), still I say Deo gracias. My God,
and the mild Maid's son, forgive us our trespass, that we
may enter heaven, and there sing Deo gracias.
XXIX. A SONG-KNOWE pi SELF 130-133
To this Poul exhorts us 'in a Pistel' that he wrote. Our
good deeds are little enough (10), and though we came hither
with care (19), we may be lightly lost (21). Our life may
not last; it is like a blast, a glittering gleam, a fire of heath; 131
and this world's goods haste away (31). Sit down; take some
round counters, and put down one for every sin you have
wrought (38-42). Then count your good deeds; and if you
feel safe, think on God: if not, 'amende thee, and thi-self
knowe' (48). Know how God made thee and died for thee:
and how thou art worthy of hell-fire (56) but for His grace.
Know that thou shalt die, in the twinkling of an eye. Be- 132
ware of the tire that ever shall burn (69) ; know that thy flesh
will rot, 'for eueri mok most into myre' (80); pray then to
have heaven for your hire ere you be lodged low in earth
(83). Worldly honour soon passes away; our boast, our brag,
is soon overbid; Arthur and Hector has Death laid low; let
CONTENTS. SONGS, KNOWE I>I SELF, YESTERDAY. XXVII
Pages
us then amend forthwith (95). Thy Conscience shall save
thee and judge tbee (97): ask mercy (102); and pray 'to god 133
that died on Roode' that Christ's face may be our food ere
our breath be blown out (106).
XXX. A SONG OF YESTERDAY 133-138
When men are merriest at their meal they have no taste for
things devout (1-6), but think their worldly weal shall never
fade. I would they'd think on Yesterday (7-12). To-day
we may have mirths, and revel with bright girls; then Sleep
comes; and when we wake, all our joy is 'fantasie'; where
it is gone no man can say (13-22). This world is but phan- 134
torn and fairy, its joy and bliss a fickle fantasy (28-30), to-
day here, to-morrow away: think then on Yesterday. There
is none so strong, but that after he's full grown, loses his
strength; and 'no buyrde so briht in boure' but that after
thirty she shall fade as a flower, and little by little her beauty
lose (37-44). None so fresh and fair, but that shall be laid
on bier (52): none so bold in binding bears, that has not
warnings to be ware (55). The lame, the bedrid, and the
blind, make you a Mirror to see the shape cf Yesterday (60).
Our life must end, and our carrion be changed under the 135
clay; this we should fear an we'd think on Yesterday
(72). Salomon says in his poesy that a 'loly' living dog is
better than a dead lion (73-80); and the biggest fool alive is
wiser than a thousand-pound man buried (84). Socrates says
that it is better to look at a man dying, than at a feast, as
the death shows us what we shall be (92). But men wonder
why God lets people get crooked and old so that they cannot
help themselves; and allows beggars, who yield neither good
nor profit (97-102). I will tell you why it is. Christ lets 136
them live to show young men the shape of Yesterday (108);
and that sinful men may do among them the Seven Deeds
of Mercy (113); and that proud men and ladies gay may see
what hangs over their heads (119). Just as children run
after their shadow on the wall, and when they are catching
it, it goes from their sight, so is this world and Yesterday
(132). When here, you are tempted to covetousness, and
think to rise by riches; but suddenly you die, and this world
betrays you (142). If your neighbour threatened to kill or 137
beat you, you would take good care always to be well guarded
against him (145-54): then do the same with Death; he may
attack and kill you at any moment: so take up the defence
of a pure and perfect life, and trust in God's mercy (165).
Some say that Death is a thief, and will steal on them un-
warned; but I say no; be is stedfast, true, and leal (172),
XXVIII CONTENTS. WHY I CAN'T BE A NUN.
Pages
and warns every man that he will one day deal with him,
and take his life, boldly seizing the prey (178). When men 138
are merriest at their meal, I rede them think on Yesterday.
XXXI. WHY I CAN'T BE A NUN 138-148
[Beginning lost.] When the Commissioners had received their
charge, they rode all over England to seek out Nunneries,
and enquire into their state (1-23). And when they had come
home again, my Father asked how they had sped, and how 139
the Nuns fared. 'Well, they answered; and that the Nuns
would fulfil his desire' (31). 'Damsel', said my Father, 'you
said you would be a nun, bnt you must not carry your pur-
pose into act'. I said, 'Father, I will be true to Christ, though
I am grieved that my will may not be had' (49). Then I
had a Vision one morning in May, as I walked in my garden
to see 'the swete effecte of Aprelle flowres', the fair herbs, 140
and birds with 'federys schene'. In 'a fayre herbere' 1 prayed
to God, that I might live chaste from the corruption of sin-
ning, and that 'swete Ihesu ' (89) would be my comfort and
refuge (99).
Swete ihesu, miserere mei!
I can no more, but trust in the .. 141
And I fell exhausted, leaned my head on a bench of Camo-
mile, and slept (120). Then came a fair Lady, and said
'Katherine, awake'; and I beheld her figure the most goodly
that ever I saw (132), and I kneeled to her, and asked her 142
name (149). She answered 'My name is EXPERIENCE: and
thou shalt see to-day a house 'of wommen reguler'. So the
Lady Experience took me to a building fair without, but tin- 143
clean with sin within (181), a house of Nuns of divers Or-
ders (191), but not well-governed, despite of Aristotle's warning
of the unreasonability that cometh of sensuality and follow-
ing one's 'bestely condiciones' (204). There I found dame
PRIDE (215), dame HYPOCKITE (223) dame Devowte had been 144
violently put out by dame Sloth and dame Vain-Glory (226-9)
dame ENVY (231), dame LOVE UNORDISATE (234), 'dame
LUST, dame WANTOWNE, and dame NYCB' (236). Dame
Chastity 'had lytylle chere' there (240). Much more I saw,
but I must not chatter like a pie, and tell all (251). In every
corner was dame Envy (257); but dame Patience and dame 145
Charity were not in the Convent, an out chamber had been
made for them (267). Dame Disobedient was there (272), and
'the wantyng of obedyence' was one of the greatest defaults
that grieved me (282). 'That couent was so fulle of syn',
that Experience and I went out of it, and I asked her 'why 146
sche schewed me thys nnnery' (300). She eaid, "Thy desire
CONTENTS. OLD AGE. EARTH. "OF MEN LIF &C." XXIX
was to be a nun professed (304), and because thy father would
not consent, thy heart was sore oppressed. Now I have showed
thee what, for the most part, is the nuns' rule: for the most
part, not all, for some are devout and toward, and others lewd
and froward" (317). Then I thanked her, and resolved that
'nun wold I neuere be none' (329). 'But here peradventure 147
some man would say that I forsook a perfect way for a fan-
tasy or a dream' (338). No: dream was it none, nor fantasy,
but a gracious warning. See in Genesye, Chapytylle xxxiv,
how Dinah was defouled and thousands slain, because she
went out idly to see things (349). And you Nuns, your barb,
wimple, vail, and devout clothing, make men think you are
holy in living: then, be within as you are without, my ladies
dear. The garland of ivy green at a tavern door is a false
sign unless there be good wine within (368-61). Then, do
you leave your vices, and lewd customs, or you are the children 148
of false hypocrisy (372). Take good heed to this exhortation,
and behold the good conversation of the holy virgins here-
before, St. Clare, St. Edith, and many more, who fled from
sin on earth, and now are quit of all sorrow and woe (388).
XXXII. OLD AGE. * (A description of the changes wrought by
it in man.) 148-150
XXXIII. EARTH. 1 (A Poem in alternate English and Latin
stanzas.) 150-152
XXXIV. "OF MEN LIF pAT WONIp IN LOND". 1 152-156
A Satire on the Monks and People of Kildare. St. Michael,
1 Printed before in Reliquia> Antique, vol. 2. Nos. XXXIV and XXXV
should be read. Of the writer of XXXIV, stanza 12 well says:
pe clerk pat pis baston wrowjte,
wel he woke, and slepe rijte nowjte;
and stanza 15:
pe best dark of al pis toun
craftfullich inakid pis bastun.
Roberd of Brunne uses baslon for a kind of rhyme, putting baslon and
cotcee together, and as cowee is a stanza in which the tails (or third line
tagged on to each of two rhyming couplets) rhyme ( see Guest II, 286,
and specimens in The Sarmun, p. 1 , the Fragment on the Seven Sins,
p. 17 &c.), so baslon may be the stanza in which the tail consists of a
rhyming couplet put on to another rhymed and unrhymed one, as in
the text. R. Brunne's passage about the 'ryme' of his Chronicle is,
If it were made in ryme couwee,
Or in strangere, or enterlace,
XXX CONTENTS. THE LAND OF COKAYGNE. FIVE EVIL THINGS.
Pages
st. 1, St. Christopher, st. 2. 'Seint Mari bastard pe Maudlcinis 153
sone', st. 3. St. Dominick, st. 4. St. Francis, st. 5. The
Friars, with their ropery at Drogheda, st. 6. The Ci/mtn*(?)
Minors without, and Preachers within st. 7. The Monks, 154
st. 8; A'uns, 9; Prieslg, 10; Merchants, 11; Tailors, 12; SM<- 155
lers, 13; Sfctnners, 14; Potters, 15; Bakers, 16; Brf tester a,
17; Hucksters, 18; IfW-comiers, 19: drink deep, and make 156
merry, you have no other want.
XXXV. THE LAND OF COKAYGNE 156-161
A Satire on Monks and Nuns, their Abbeys, Nunneries, Ways
and Sports.
Whose wl. com pat lond to.
Ful grete penance he mot do.
Seue jere in swine-is dritte.
180 He inot wade, wol }e i-witte.
Al anon up to pe chynne.
So he schal pe lond i-winne.
XXXVI. FIVE EVIL THINGS 161
NOTE to Poem II, p. 7: XV Signa ante Indicium. (Different
English and Latin versions of the same Subject, from English
Metrical Homilies from MSS. of the Fourteenth Century, ed.
by the Rev. J. Small.) 162-164
NOTE to Poem VII, p. 21-2, and to Dr. Guest's Letter in the
Preface 164-165
INDEX 166-171
LIST OF WORDS . . 172-180
Pt rede Inglis it ere Inowe
Pat couthe not haf coppled a kowe,
Pt outhere in couwee, or in baston,
Som suld haf been fordon,
(extract in Handlyng Sj/nne, p. xxxii, 1. 85-90, in Guest's
English Rhythms, vol. 2, p. 282, and in Hearne's
Langloft, vol. 1.)
Of the enlerlace, alternate, or any kind of interlaced rhyme, examples
are, the Signs before the Judgment, p. 7-12; the Fall and Passion,
p. 12-15, &c.
CORRIGENDA. XXXI
CORRIGENDA.
p. 6, st. 49, 1. 3, for /tewesip is, Mr. Wedgwood suggests xeue styls, seven
times.
p. 10, 1.38, for bemine]* we should no doubt read bemme}>.
p. 22, VII, st. 5, for hable read habbe.
p. 34, IX, 1. 10, for here, ? read here.
p. 39, 1. 180, ne should doubtless be me.
p. 50, 1. 108, paf should doubtless be pan.
p. 107, 1. 5, Gilbert's Life was not printed by the Percy Society,
p. 135, 1. 75, ? for liAyng read licyng.
p. 146, 1. 297, for he-helde read be-helde.
'bea/i frere' is somewhere printed for 'beau frere'.
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
I. A SARMUN.
[Against Pride, and Covetousness (16), and on the grave, the pains of
hell and the joys of heaven.] (Harl. MS. 913, p. 16.)
1. pe grace of godde and l holi chirche
pro} uertu of pe trinite:
}if ous grace soch workes to wirche;
pat helplich to ure sowles be .
2 a. pes wordes pat ich speke nou last
in 'latin, hit is iwritte in boke:
\vel mow we drede and be agast;
pe dede bep so lolich to loke .
2b. per for he seiith . a : man hab munde
pat of pis lif per commip ende :
of erpe and axen is ure kunde
and in to duste we schullip wende
3. So seip seint bernard in his boke
and techip vs ofte and lome:
to be hend if we wold loke
wel file hit is pat of us come
4. Man loke pin ein and pi nosse
pi moup . pin eris al aboute
fram pi girdil to pi hosse
hit is wel vile pat commip vte
5. Man of pi schuldres and of pi side
pou mijte hunti luse and flee
of such a park i ne hold no pride
pe dere nis naujte pat pou mighte sle
1 In the MS. every and is written a or is marked by a sign of con-
traction; and there are no hyphens, and no numbers before the lines.
The final es in italics are inserted by the editor.
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
6. If pou ert prute man of pi fleisse
opir of pi velle pat is wip-oute
pi fleisse nis najte bot worme-is meisse
of such a ping whi ert pou prute .
7. Wormis of pi fleisse schul spring
pi felle wip-oute nis bot a sakke
ipudrid ful wip drit and ding
pat stinkip lolich and is blakke
8. Sire whar of is pe gentil man
of eni oper pan of pis:
him silf mei se . if gode he can
for he sal find pat so hit is
y. pat hit be sop and nojt les
pou loke pi nejbor whare and how
pou loke in his biriles
he was prute as ert pou
10. Whate prude sastou se par
bot stench and wormis i-crop in dritte
of such a sijt we ajt be ware
and in vre hert hit hab i-writte
11. Silk no sendale nis per none
no bise no no meniuer
per nis no ping a-boute pe bone
to jeme pat was ihuddid here
12. pe wiked wede pat was abute
pe wormis pat hit habbip al for-sojt
Alas whar of is man so prute
whan al is pride sal turne to nojte
13. If man is prute of world-is welle
ihc hold a fole pat he be
hit commip . hit gop . hit nis bot dwelle
bot dritte gile and wanite
14. Lo pat catel nis bot gile
trewlich je mov isee
he nel be felaw bot awhile
pou salt him leue oper he sal pe
15. Hit is mi rede while pou him hast
pou spen it wel pat helplich be
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
for god. but pou nelt at pe last
oper men sulle aftir pe .
16. Noupe oper mister men per bep
proj coueitise hi bep iblend
pat wer leuer wend to pere dep
pen spene pe gode pat god ham send
17. poj man hit hab hit nis nojt his
hit nis ilend him hot alone
fort to libbe is lif i-wisse
and help pe nedful pat nap non
18. Nou mani wrecche be-commip pralle
hi nul nojt spene bot jime in store
be-com hi bep pe deuil-is pralle
nijt and dai hi libbep in sore .
19. for nijt and dai is al har pojte
how hi hit mow hab and winne
fast to hold and spene rijt nojte
and ledip euer har lif in pinne
'20. pe wrecchis wringit pe mok so fast
up ham silf hi nul nojt spened
jit hi sul dei at pe last
and to pe deuil hi sul wend
21. Sip such a wringer gop to helle
for litil gode pat nis nojt his
whate mai ich bi pe riche man telle
pat ledip al is lif in blisse
22. Hit is as epe forto bring
a camel in to pe neld-is ei
as a rich man to bring
in to pe blisse pat is an hei
23. peij man be rich of lond and lede
and holdip festis ofte and lome
hit nis no doute he sal be dede
to jelde recning at pe dome
24. je: sulle we jiue^ a-cuntis
of al pat we habbip ibe here
je: of a verping sop i-wisse
of al pi time fram jer to jere
9
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
25. And bot pou hit hab ispend arijte
pe gode pat god pe hap ilend
of ihsu ' criste pou lesist pe sijt
to helle pine pou worpe isend
26. Of helle pine we ajt be ware
and euer more hit hab in pojt
ac non nel be oper i-ware
for ham silf be in i-brojt
27. peij freris prech of heuen and helle
of ioi and pine to mani man
al pat him penchit bot dweller [a tale
as men tellip of wlonchargan
28. Ak jite pat ilk dai sal be
per nis non pat nold him hide
so sore we sul drede to se
pe wondis of ihsu crist-is side
29. His hondes is fete sul ren of blode
pou woldist fle pou ne mijt noj pan
pe sper pe nailes and pe rode
sal crie tak wrech of sinful man
30. pe erpe pe watir pan sal sprede
route and driue al for-wode
nov ihsu crist we sul pe wrekke
of sinful man pat sadde pi blode
31. Bope fire and wind lude sal crie
louerd nov let vs go to
for ich wl blow pe fire sal berne
vp sinful man pat hap misdo
32. heuen and erpe sal crie and grede
and helle sal berne pou salt ise
o: sinful man wo worp pi rede
whan al pis wrech sal be for pe
33. hit is so grisful forto loke
and forto hir pe bittir dome
angles sul quake soseip pe boke
and pat pou hirist of 2 and lome
1 The MS. has always \hc or ih with a mark of contraction.
1 ? for ofte.
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
34. Sei sinful man whi neltou leue
pat al ping sal com to hepe
wel ajt pi hert proj ute cleue
pin eiine blodi tens wepe
35. Hit is to late whan pou ert pare
to crie ihsu pin ore
while pou ert here be wel iware
vn-do pin hert and liue is lore
36. Vn-do pin hert pat is iloke
wip couetise and prvde per an
and pench pos wordis her ispoke
for-jite ham nojt ac pench apan
37. and hot pou nelt pench her apan
fort vnderfonge gode lore
i-wis for sop as pou ert man
pou salt hit rew bitter and sore
38. Man-is lif nis bot a schade
nov he is and nov he nis.
loke hou he mei be glade
poj al pis world mijt be his
39. Wold he pench pe vnseli man
in to pis world whate he brojte
a stinkind felle i-lappid per an
wel litil bettir pan rijt nojt
40. What is pe gode pat he sal hab
oute of pis world whan he sal go
a wikid wede whi sold i gab
for he ne brojt wip him no mo
41. Rijt as he com he sal wend
in wo and pine and pouerte
takip gode hede men to jur end
for as i sigge so hit sal be
42. I note whar of is man so prute
of erpe axin fel and bone
for be pe soule enis oute
a uilir caraing nis per non
43. mani man penchit on is pojt
he nel nojt leue his eir al bare
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
his eir sal fail and her rijt nojte
and wast pe gode wel wide whare
44. Ich warne pe for i-sold hit sal
al pat pou wan here wip pine
a bropin eir sal wast it al
and be al operis pat was pine
45. Noup sip pat pe world nis nojt
and catel nis bot vanite
haue god in ur pojt
and of pe catel be we fre
46. Anourip god and holi chirch
and helpip pai pat habip nede
so god-is wil we sul wirch
pe ioi of heuen hab to mede
47. What is pe ioi pat man sal hab
if his lif he spenip wel
sop to sigge and nojt to gab
per nis no tunge pat hit mai tel
48. if i sal tel al pat i can
in holi boke as we can rede
hit is a ioi pat fallit to man
of hel pine he ne dar drede
49. pe man pat mai to heuen com
pe swete solas forto se
heuesip is brijtir pan pe sun
in heuen sal man-is soule be
50. his bodi sal per be al so
so fair and strang je mou wel leuc
iuil is euer fur him fro
per nis no ping pat him sal greue
51. to met no drink per nis no nede
no for no hungir he no sal kar
pe sijte of god him sal fede
hit is wel miri to woni par
52. per bep woningis mani and fale
gode and betir tak god hede
pe last word bint pe tale
wo best mai do: best is his mede
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
53. heuen is heij bope lange and wide
mani angles per bep an
bope ioi and blis in euch side
per in sal woni gode cristin man
54. pe lest ioi pat per is in
a man sal know is owin frend
is wif is fader and al is kin
of al pis ioi per nis non end
55. we sul se oure leuedi brijte
so fulle of loue ioi and blisse
pat of hir neb sal spring pe lijte
in to oure hert pat ioi iwisse
56. pe sijte of pe trinite
pe mest ioi pat mai be-falle
bope god and man in mageste
pe heij king aboue vs alle
57. pe sijt of him is ure vode
pe sift of him is ure virst
al ure iois bep ful gode
pe sijt of him is alir best
58. Be-seche we him mek of mode
pat soke pe milk of maid-is brest
pat bojt us wip is dere blode
jiue us pe ioi pat euer sal lest .
59. Alle pat bep icommin here
fort to hire pis sarmun
loke pat je nab no were
for seue jer je habbip to pardoun.
II. XV SIGN A ANTE IUDICIUM. (A fragment.)
(Harl. MS. 913, p. 20.)
1 pe grace of ihsu fulle of mijte
pro} prier of ure swete leuedi
mote a-mang vs nupe alijte
and euer vs jem and saui.
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
5 Man and woman pou ajtist tak gome
pis world-is ending how hit ssal be
pe wondres pat sal com be for pc dome
pat jung and old hit sal ise
9 pe xv tokingis ichul jou telle
as us techip ysaie
pe holi gost him tajt ful welle
and he hit prechid for profecie
13 hit is iwrit in holi boke
as clerkis hit mow se and rede
pat no ping no man mai loke
pat is so grisful forto drede
17 per nis aliue so sinful man
if he per of wold tak kepe
and he wold pench apan
pat nold wel sore in herte wepe
21 Godmen takip nou gome
of tokninges pat commip bi for
pe children wip in pe moder wome
wel sore sul dicce and drede per for
25 wip in pe moder worn, hi sul grede
vp ihsu criste euer to crie
louerde crist pou red vs rede
and of vs pou hab mercie
29 we wold louerd pat we ner
in world icome forto bene
and vnbejet of ure fader wer
pat al ping nou sal suffri tene
33 pe first tokning sal be pusse
n 1 al f r 80 P WG Sul hit 8ee
and pat oper sal be wors
for sop je nou wel liue me
37 pe sterris pat pou sest so b^jfte
in heuen aboue pat sit so fast
for man-is sin sal jiue no lijt
ac sal adun to erpe be cast
41 as fair and brijte as pou seest ham
hi worp be-com as blak as cole
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS. 9
and be of hiwe durke and wan
for man-is sin pat hi sul pole '
45 per nis aliue so stidfast man
pat per of ne sal agrise
him to hide he ne can
no whoder to fle in none wise
49 hot as bestis pat wer wode
a-}e opir to erne, her and pare
for pi hi ne sul can no gode
see no lond hi ne sul spare
53 pan pe dede up sal arise
up bar bi riles forto sitte
of pilk dai hi sul agrise
and lok as bestis pat cun no witte
III. 57 pe prid dai pan amorow
grisfol hit sal be to loke
of moch weping and of sorow
as we fint in holi boke
61 pe sone pat nov schinip so brijt
pilk dai pou salt i-se
wel grene and wan sal be is lijt
and pat for dred so hit sal be
65 abute pe time of middai
he worp as blak as pe cole
we mov sigge wailawai
moch is pe pine pat we sul pole
IV. 69 pe ferp dai pat silf son
worp as rede as hit wer fire
for ferd of dome pat he sold come
bi for ihsu pe heij sire
V. 73 pe fifte tokning pat sal be-fal
pat allirkin maner beste
wel sore hi sul quake wip al
wil pat ilk dai sal lest
77 towar heuen be-hold sul hi
wip har mund and wip bar pojt
1 In the MS. the stanzas that follow are written in two lines instead
of four.
10 EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
of ihsu crist merci to cri
poj pat hi ne mou spek rijt nojt
81 alas louerd wat sul we tak
we pat abbip sin i-wro}t
nijt and dai we ajt sore quake
whan we it sold pench in ure pojt
VI. 85 pe sixte dai ne lef ich nojt
wan pes montis and pes hille
al for sop hit wurp ibrojt
pes depe dalis for to fille
89 per nis castel no ture none
pat euer was no be salle
imakid was of lime and ston
pat ne sal adun to-falle
93 no no tre in erp so fast
mid al har rotis so fast ipijt
pat ne sal adun to-berst
pilk silue dai er hit be nijt
VII. 97 pe sefpe dai hit sal grow aje
har crop adun har rote an hei
such wondris we sul i-se
for god-is wrep pat sit an hei
101 pe iren sul blede . a wonder ping
pe ping pat bodi no flesse nap non
for dred of pe heuen king
vnkundlich ping ded sal don
105 pan sal dei hope poure and riche
ne sal pan per wip stond no ping
al we sul ben ilich
hope knijt and barun. erl. and. king
109 ne sal per help castel no ture
palfrei chasur no no stede
no for al is moch honoure
pat he ne worp wel sone dede
VIII. 113 pe eijt dai so is dotus
and pat ful wel pou salt se
ful of tene and angus
al pis dai so sal be
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS. 11
117 al pe see sal draw ifere
as a walle to stond up rijt
and al pos watris pat bep here
sal crie merci up god al mijt
121 pe fissis pat bep per in iwrojt
pe see so hard sal ham to-driue
pat hi wol wene in her pojt
pat god of heuen nis nojt aliue
125 pan pe see sal draw aje
in to pe stid per hit was
and euch uerisse watir pan sal he
be com to is owni plas
IX. 129 pe ix tokin sal be pus
pe wonderis pat worp pilk dai
ouer al pat oper sal deuers
wate hit is ich jow tel mai
133 pe holi man tellip seint austin
pat pe skeis so sal spec pan
wan al ping so sal hab fine
in steuen as hit wer man
137 hi sul grede lude wip al
in uois of man up god to cri
as heuen and erpe sold to fal
god and man noup merci
141 louerd merci of mijt
noup is al ur time ispend
for sinful man-is ein sijt
ne let us neuer ben ischend
145 per nis no seint in heuen abow
in al god-is ferred
pat per of ne sal amoue
and of pilk tokin be aferd
149 pus vs tellip seint leronime
and seint gregori al so
pat pan sal quake seraphin
and cherubin . pat bep angles two
153 per nis in heuen angil iwis
pat to oper sal hab spech
12 EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
so sore i-worp adrad iwis
of ihsu crist-is gremful wreche
157 al pe fendis pat bep in hel
wip grete din hi wol com pan
bar mone pou salt hire ful wel
hou hi sul cri to god and man
161 O: man and womman pou take hede
bou pe fentis sul men bar mone
wel ajtist pe faire to lede
wile pou art in pis wreche wone
165 vp ihsu crist hi suite cri
wip such a steuen of pine and wo
louerd jif vs ur herbegi
aje to helle. let us neuer go
XI. 169 pe .xi. dai fure windis sul rise
and pe reinbow pan sal fal
pat al pe fentis sal of agris
and be ifesid in to helle
173 for wolny nulni hi sul fle
and pat in to pe pine of helle
maugrei ham per hi mot be
wip duble pine per in to dwel
XII. 177 pe .xii. dai pe fure . elemens sul cri
al in one heij steuene
merci ihsu fij mari
as pou ert god and king of heuene.
(End of the fragment.)
III. THE FALL AND PASSION.
(Harl. MS. 913, back of p. 29.)
1 pe grace of god ful of mijt . pat is king an euer was : l
mote amang us alijt . an jiue vs alle is swet grace .
3 me to spek an jou to lere . pat hit be worsip lord to pe :
me to teche an jou to bere . pat helplich to ure sowles be
1 For the a' (= and) , an is printed here.
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS. 13
5 pat ic mote wip moch worping . pro} is mijt so hit ful fille :
to jov schow is vp-rising . if hit be his swet wille .
7 al pat god suffrid of pine . hit nas nojt for is owen gilt :
ok hit was man for sin pine : pat wer for sin in helle ipilt .
9 po lucifer steij in pride . pat was angel in heuen so brijte :
vte of heuen he gan glide . an in to helle sone he lijte .
11 an wip him mani an mo . pat no tunge ne mijt telle :
wip him fille adune al so : in to pe derk pit of helle .
13 Seue daies a seue nijt . as je seep pat fallip snowe :
vte of heuen hi ali}t . an in to helle wer iprow .
15 for pe prude of lucifer . pe tepe angle fille in to helle :
an al pat to him boxum were . euer in pine hi mot dwelle.
17 har stides for to ful fille . pat wer i-falle for prude an hore:
god makid adam to is wille . to fille har stides pat wer ilor .
19 Skil resun an eke mijt . he jef adam in his mode :
to be stidfast wip al rijt . an leue pe harme an do gode .
21 god jaf him a gret maistre . of al pat was in watir an londe :
of paradis al pe balye . whan him likid to is honde.
23 foules . bestis . an pe frute . saf o tre he him forbede :
of paradis pe grete dute : an jit he sinied proj iuil red .
25 to him pe deuil had envie . pat he in his stid schold be brojte :
a serpent he com pro} felonie . an makid eue chonge hir pojt
27 whi com he raper to eue . pan he com to adam .
ichul jou telle sires be leue . for womman is lef euer to man .
29 womman mai turne man-is wille . whare jho wol pilt hir to :
pat is pe resun an skille . pat pe deuyl com hir first to .
31 Ette he seid of pis appil . if pat pou wolt witti be :
pe worp as witti of mi}t an wille : as god him silf in trinite
33 hi nad bot pat appil i-jette . pat pe sin nas ido:
glad was pe deuil wol je i-wit . for pe sorow pat he sold to .
35 of paradis hi wer ute pilt . wip trauail har liuelode to winne :
an vte flemid for har gilt . an neuer efte paradis to com inne .
37 In pe vale of eboir . his liuelod he most swink sore:
wip sorow an care an dreri won . he liued .ix.c. jer an more .
39 aftir is lif pat he had here . nedis he most wend to helle:
for pe trepas pat he did here . pere he most bide an dwelle .
41 God makid man kin more . ok to helle pe deuil ham brojt:
pat euir ham traiid proj is lore . non fram him scapid no}t.
14 EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
43 god is prophetis to ham send . an seid hov hi sold be sauid :
as bi Moyses pat am wend . a-je pe propheci jit i-sinid.
45 god wist wel bi pilk say . pat bi no man pat was y-cor:
whan bi prophetis no bi lai . pat cominunelich hine wer for-lor .
47 holi bok is fort fulfil . god is angle anon forp send:
as bi angle gabriel . pat to pe maid was iwend .
49 flees he took of maid mari . god an man-is kund to gadir:
an pat was a gret maistri . pat pe dojtir her pe fader .
51 maid bere heuen king . pat is al ure creatoure:
maid ber pe swet ping . per for sso ne les nojt hir flure.
53 God him jed an erp here . xxxti winter an somdel mo:
as holi writ vs gan lere . he suffrid hope pine an wo.
55 man ajens god so gilt . to heuen noh sowle ne mijte :
fort god-is sone in rode was pilt . an wan vs heuen lijt.
57 ludas ne cupe is lord nojt hold . his owen disciple jit he was :
for xxx peniis he him sold . ynom an ibund he was .
59 he was ibobid an i-smitte . an hi spette in is face:
hi bede him rede if he cupe witte . woch of ham al hit was .
61 he was ibund to a tre . an ibet wip scurges kene:
pat al pe blode vt gan fle : ouer al is bodi hit was sene .
63 Sip hi nom him as a pef . an lad him bi-for pilate:
for he nas nojt to ham lef . hi had to him grete hate .
65 pilat bed ham do bar best . a-je pe law be he nold:
for no gilt bi him he nist . war for dep suffri he ssold .
67 hi nailed him in bond an fete . as je mow al i-se :
for pe appil pat adam ete : dep he polid opon pe tre .
69 pe wikkid men nol leue nojt . pat he wer fullich ded so :
fort per wip a sper hi ad him sojt . an clef is swet hert atwo .
71 per was in pe lond a knijt . pat het josep of arimathie:
pat louid ihsu wel arijt . an pojt is wel to honuri .
73 he wend to pilat swipe snel . an be-sojt him mercy :
if hit wer is wil . pe bodi grant biri .
75 po pilat had igrant is luue . glade y-noj ho was:
he nem pat swet bodi adun . an biriid hir in a fair plas.
77 his moder stode him be side . an s t- jon ek al so:
bitter teris vte gan glide . hir pojt hir hert wol a two.
79 hit nas no wonder poj jo wep . for hir swet child alowe :
wip uailes he was i-smit dep . wip sper hi delet him in two .
EARLY ENGLISH POEMS. 15
81 al hir ioi was ago . po jo him sei del in rode:
for to wep je nad no mo . bot iiii bitter teris of blode .
83 who spekip of deil a-je pat del . neuer such nas per none:
as whan pat hi him be-held . as }ho makid an seint Jon .
85 sip hi seid at one moupe . pat he wolde destru temple an chirche :
an pat he was wel coupe . pat al falsnis schold wirche.
87 an vp pilat hi cried apan . eu[ri]chon at one vois :
pat he schold hold barabam . an do ihsu on pe crois.
89 In pis manere he was ipinsed . as his swet wil hit was:
an dep for mankyn suffred . pe prid dai vp he ros.
91 after pat he lijt in to helle . per al pe sowles wer i-wisse:
al his frendis he brojt vt alle . in to ioi an heuen blis .
93 Whan in helle was seint ion . patriarkes an oper mo:
hit isene per scapid non . profetis pat god louid al so .
95 al in helle were i-fast . fort ihsu crist proj is mijte :
of pe pit vte he ham cast . an brojt ham to heuen lyjt .
97 proj is dep he ouer cam . as he is manhed siwed :
as profetis prechid in his name . so pat he dep suffrid .
99 po he rose fram dep to liue . as tellip daui pe king:
is godhed he gan to kipe . holy boke tellip is up-rising .
101 ihsu was sikir inoj . pat seid erlich. ic wol rijt me:
an asnward wip vt woj . after pat dep ouercom be.
103 pe .iii. dai he ros to liue . is lore riuedlich he send:
his deciplis he makid blipe . per after in pe world ham send .
105 of his lore forto preche . hoii hi lord ssold siu pe:
an pe sinful folk to tech . hou meri hit is to wip pe be.
107 an after he steij to heuen aboue . per ioi is pat euer lest:
an per he sal al vs loue . in his swet blisful fest . amen.
IV. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS -. against swearing, Sunday trading &c.
(Harl. MS. 913, p. 31 back.)
1 Nou ihsu for pi derworp blode : pat pou schaddist for mankyn :
jif vs grace to wirch workis gode . to heuen pat we mot enter inn .
Man and womman ic red be ware . jure gret opis pat je be leue:
and bot je mil god neljou spare, bopelif and catel hewoljoureue.
16 EARLY ENGLISH POEMS.
5 hit nis no wonder for sop i wisse : pat gret wreche ne fallip per fore :
for we ne leuip of al is limmes . pat we ne habbip ham for-swore .
man is wors pan eni hunde . oper he is to wild and wode :
pat we ssold edwite is worpi wound . pat he polid for vre gode .
be a ware whose euer wol . al quelme and sorow pat euir is :
10 at pen end so find we sulle . pat for man-is sin it is
ic rede pat euch be ware i-wis . in as moch as pe is man :
whan je swerip gret opis . in rode pou piltist him apan .
God commandid to ysay . pat he ssold wend and prech :
pat was in pe hil of syna . hou he ssold pe folke tech.
15 and to ssow ham god-is defens : bope to jung and to olde.
of pe .x. commandemens . whos wold be sauid ham ssold hold .
I. pe first comondement is pis . o god we ssul honuri:
pe heij king of heuen blis . his name wip wirssip to worpi .
loue pou him as he dop pe . wip al pi mijt an pi pojt:
20 we aujt ful wel for hit was he . pat vs wrecchis so dere bojt .
more harm is we dop nojt so . we louid pe ful dritte of grunde:
alas wrecchis whi do we so . hit mai no}t hold vre lif a stunde :
ve bep hi pe deuil be taujt . pat liuip op goddis mo pan one :
and makip goddis pro} wichcraft . pai ssul al to pe deuil gone .
II. 25 pe secunde so is pis . sundai wel pat je holder
to serue god pilk dai wis . bope jung and eke olde.
and now pe sundai opunlich . men holt al har cheping:
wonder pat gode ne sent wreech . al an erpe vp mankyn .
III. pe prid is . fader moder to honuri . for euch man ajt ful wel :
30 moch ten suffrid hi : her hi mijt bring pe wrecche to wel .
hit fallip bi children pat bep quede : as farip bi been in hiue :
whan fader juief ham londe and leede : pe jung wol pe old ut driue :
IV. pe verp . loue pi nei jbore . as pine owe bodi : non oper pou him wil :
V. VI. pe fift wit pe fram licheri : pe sixt is no gode of man pou ne stel .
VII. 35 pe .vii. manslajt pou ne be : ne coueit nojt neuer adel
VIII. IX. poj pou be stuter pan is he : no is wif no is catel .
X. fals witnes pou ne her . for to destrei pouer no riche :
sore and bitter pe soule sal der . for hit beminep heuen-riche .
besech we him mild of mode . pat sok pe milk of maid-is brest:
40 pat bojt vs wip is der blod . jiue vs euer in heuen rest . Amen.
[Lollai .1. litil child: whi wepistou so sore, which has been printed
elsewhere follows.]
FRAGMENT ON THE SEVEN SINS. 17
V. FRAGMENT ON THE SEVEN SINS.
(Harl. MS. 913, f. 48 and 22.)
1. pe king of heuen mid us be
pe fend of helle fram us te
to dai and euir more:
to dai me jiue gode beginninge
pe king of houen to worping
and speken of is lore .
2. and pat je hit mote vnderstonde
pe fend to mochil schame and schonde
pis predicacioune .
and pat }e hit hold mote
bodi and soule to mochil bote
and to saluacioune.
3. Alle we bep meiis and mowe
and of one foule erpe i-sowe
who so hit wold vnderstonde
pis world-is wel nis bot wowe
pis wrecche lif nis bot a prow
al dai hit is gond.
4. Man . ne be pou neuer so riche
be-hold whom pou art iliche
whan pou ert al nakid
be-pench pat pou salt i-worpe
and for-roti to axin and erpe
whar of pou ert makid
5. Clansi pe of pi misdede
and lerne welle pi lif to lede
pe while pou art aliue.
to nene frend pou nab triste
bot to one ihesu criste
to child no to wiue.
6. Mi leue frendis ic jou bi-seche
jung . old . poure and reche
herkenp to god-is speche:
b
18 FRAGMENT ON THE SEVEN SINS.
in pe name of god. and S. marie
joure sinful lif to amendie
to-dai ic wol jow teche.
7. And pat he me let so wel to spek
to dai pe deuil-is staf to brek
an wip him so to fijte.
perto . par charite ic jou crie
a pater noster . and aue marie
in pe name of god al-mijte .
8. pat pees pat is in god-is huse
to dai be a-mangis vse
proj is holi grace:
pat me giue lif. and gode ending
and to jou jiue gode lusting
in pis silue place.
9. God him silf seiip in his gospel
mi leue frendis ic wol }ou tel
nimip to me gome:
o worde ic jou lie nelle
of heuen blis no pine of helle
no of riche dome.
10. and of pe herrid sinnes seuene
whar for men lesip heuene
ic wol jou nemeni alle
and har namis ic wol }ou teche
and hou hi wol men bi-peche
and make ham to falle.
I. 1 First at prude i wol be-gin . for hit is heuid of al sinne.
[Pride.] ic hit wol jou do to wit . in holi boke hit is i writ.
3 Lucifer pat was so brijte . pat fairist was of al wijte.
wip oute god in heuen nas . non so fair als he was.
5 nas neuer non so fule ifund . as he in helle lip abund.
nad he no more gilte . whar for he was of heuen ipilte
7 a litil prude him was in-com . per-for god him hauip be-nome .
heuen blisse pat euer sal last . and in to helle he is cast.
9 per he sal woni euer more . and is prude abigge wel sore,
alas . man whi artu prute . whannin commip pi fair schrute .
FRAGMENT ON THE SEVEN SINS. 19
11 mid whate pou art ischrid aboute. nojte of pe man boute doute.
pine owen schond pou werist an . pat helip pi fleis and pi bone .
13 ic wol pat pou iwit wel . hit nis bote a hori felle .
pat is pine owen -rijt wede . bepenche pe man and hab drede .
15 man and womman vnderstond pis . be-tak euch beste his.
pat ert so fair mid bi gon . linin. wollin. glouis. and schone.
17 pat pou art in hit so prute . ne sal pe leue neuer a cloute.
per-for man ic pe for-bede . worldlich prude in hert and dede .
19 and lede pi lif bi godis rede . to loui god and hab drede .
pat pou be gode-is sone . and him to queme at pe dome.
21 Coueitise is pat oper . herkne nov leue broper.
P er * s m ani man bi peijte . so pe fend him hauip iteijte .
23 pe man pat is coueituse . ne commip he neuer to god-is huse.
suche per bep al to fele . pat louip more pis world-is welle .
25 pan god pat hap ham of erpe i wrojte . and so swithe dere ham bojte .
he nel is catel spen in wast . ac euer he hit witip fast.
27 he nold pat aliue nere . none so riche as he were.
and euer so he hauip more . pe faster he gaderip to store.
29 and euer he wol is lif so lede . in mochel sorow and in drede .
nel he neuer hab rest . is mochil mukke to witi fast.
31 pat ne mai in him slepe cum . lest is mukke be him be nome .
leuer him wer jiue of is blode . pan ani man of is gode.
33 nel he of opir ping hede . but is Me bodi fede.
mid is siluir and is gold . nojt is soule pat he schold.
35 a-pan is muk he sit a-brode . he pat pus dop mid is gode.
he ne penchith nojt in is end . pat he sal of pis world wend.
37 and vnderstonde nojt he nelle . what he is no whoder he schel .
his catel he wenip witi wel . oc in his soule penche he nelle .
39 with is siluir and is gold . he wenip euer is lif hold .
whan he wenip liuie wel . mid dep adun fal he schel.
41 pe deuil benimip him is brep . moch sorow pan he him dep .
for is gode pe fend him deriip . and is soul to helle he feriip.
43 pe deuil is his executur . of is gold and is tresure.
pat he so moch trist to . loke nou hou he is ago.
45 perfor man in alle wise . ic pe for-bede coueitise.
to world-is wel nab pou no triste . hit went awei so dop pe miste .
47 her it is and her hit nis . al so farep pe world-is blis .
ne be he neuer so riche . whan he lip a cold liche .
b2
20 CHRIST ON THE CROSS.
49 if he hauip an old clute . he mai be swipe prute .
whar mid i-helid he sal be . pat noman nakid him ise .
51 of what he gadred an is was . nis pis rewp . alas . alas .
III. pe prid sin so is onde . pat mochil nupe* is in lond .
53 and euir hi quemip pe fend of heile . in woch maner ic wol jou tel .
leue breperin herknip now. and ic wol jou tell how.
55 world-is wel failip vnliche. and nojt euch man ilich.
sum per bep pat cun nojt libbe . sum pat hauip frendis sibbe ,
57 and sum per bep pat swinkip sore, winne catel to hab more,
ham silf fair to susteni . and euer more hi bep nedi .
59 and sum per bep leue broper. pat more hap pan anoper.
and more loue of gode man . anoper wol after pan .
areri cuntake.
[ends abruptly.]
VI. CHRIST ON THE CROSS. (A fragment.)
(Harl.MS. 913, f. 28.)
Respice in faciem christi tui &c. Augustinus.
pendens nudatum pectus . rubet sanguineum latus . regia
pallent ora . decora languent lamina . crura pendent marmorea .
rigatterre beatos pedes sanguinis unda. De istis auctoritatibus anglicuiu.
1 Be-hold to pi lord man. whare he hangip on rode.
and weep if pou mijt . teris al of blode .
and loke to is heued. wip pornis al be-wonde.
and to is felle so bi-spette. and to pe sper-is wnde.
5 bi-hold to is brest nakid . and is blodi side .
stiniith is armis . pat sprad bep so wide .
his fair lere falowip. and dimmip is sijte.
per-to is hendi bodi. on rode so is y-tijte.
his lendin so hangip. as cold as marbre stone.
10 for luste of lechuri . nas per neuer none .
be-hold to is nailes. in hond and ek in fote.
and how pe stremis ernip . of is swet blode .
be-ginne at is heued. and loke to is to.
pou ne findest in is bodi . bot anguis and wo .
A RHYME-BEGINNING FRAGMENT. 21
15 turne him uppe . turne him doune . pi swete lemman .
ouer al pou findist him. blodi oper wan.
Dilexit nos et lauit nos a peccatis nostris in sanguine suo &c.
Leue for pe mi brest nakid. schinip glisminge.
mi side dep istunge. mi hondes sore bleding.
Quid misericordius ualet intelligi ipsi peccatori eternis tormentis
dampnato et vnde se redimat non habenti quam ut dicat deus ipse
peccatori . Dicit veto deus pater . Accipe unigenitum meum et da
pro te . et ille filius tolle me et redime te . Anglicum expone.
Man pou hast pe for-lor. and ful neip to helle ibor.
20 wend a-je and com to me. and ic wol underfang pe.
for first ic makid pe of. nojt. and sip dere pe i-bojt.
whan ic mi lif jef for pe . and i-hang was on tre . &c.
homo; vide quid pro te patior sicut est dolor sicut dolor quo
crucior . ad te clamo qui pro te niorior . uides penas quibus afficior .
uide clanos quibus confodior . si est tantus dolor exterior . interius
est planctus grauior.
Man bi-hold what ic for pe. polid up pe rode tre
ne mai no kinnes wo be mare . pan min was po ic heng pare .
25 hire me man to pe gredind. for loue of pe biter deiend.
loke mi pinis biter and strang . wan ic was nailed pro} fot andhond .
for pe ic had hard stundes. dintes grete and sore wondes.
for pe biter drink ic dronk. and pou cunnest me no ponk.
wip-vte ic was ipinid sore . wip-in ic was mochil more .
30 for pou nelt ponk me. pe loue pat ich schowid pe &c.
[end.]
VII. A RHYME-BEGINNING FRAGMENT.
(Harl. MS. 913, f. 58.)
Loue hauip me brojt in lipir pojt.
pojt ic ab to blinne:
blinne to pench hit is for nojt;
Nojt is loue of sinne.
Sinne me hauip in care ibrojt.
brojt in mochil vn-winne:
22 A MORAL ODE.
winne to weld ic had i-pojl ;
pojt is pat ic am inne .
In me is care, how i ssal fare,
fare ic wol and funde.
fare ic wip outen are
ar i be brojt to grunde.
VIII. A MORAL ODE.
(Egerton MS. 613, fol. 7-12; later copy, fol. 64-70.)
1. Ic ' sem aelder paenne ic *waes a . a winter 3 and a lore
ic wselde more panne ic dude, mi wit ah to ben more
2. Wei lange ic habbe child iben 4 . a worde & ec 5 a dede
pech 6 ic beo a wintre eald. to <}ung ic 7 corn at 8 rede
3. Vnnvwt 9 lyf ic habbe ^e-laed 10 . & Cjnet me pinh 11 ic lede
panne ic me bi-panche 12 . wel sore ic me adrede
4. Mest al paet ic habbe ydon . ys idelnesse and chilce
wel late ic habbe me 13 bi-poht. bute me god do milce
5. Fele ydele word ic hable i-quepen. syden I4 ic speke cupe
& fele (}uinge deden 15 i-do . pat 16 me of pinchet nupe
6. Al to lome ic habbe a-gult. a werche 17 & ec a worde
al to muchel ic habbe i-spend. to litel y-leid an horde
7. Mest al pat me likede ser. nu it me mys likeiS" 18
pe muchel fol^ep his y-wil. him sulfne he bi-swikefr
8. Ic myhte 19 habbe bet i-don. hadde ic per 20 y selpe
nu ic wolde, ac ic ne mai. for elde ne for un-helpe
9. Elde 21 me is bi-stolen on. aer ic hit a-wuste
ne myht ic isen be-fore me . for smeke ne for myete
10. Ar^e 33 we beop to done god. to vuele 23 al to priste
more eie stont 24 man of manne . panne him det 25 of criste
* The MJ is the Anglo-Saxon \>, the & the 7. The hyphens and commas
are not in the MS. Some of the metrical points are inserted from the later MS.
1 Ich. 2 pen ich wes. 3 awintre. 4 ibeon. a weorde. 5 ech.
6 peh. 7 tu }yng. 8 a. 9 Vn-nut 10 habb ilaed. " pincp.
12 penche. 13 me. l4 iqueden . sjffffea. 15 ^unge dede. 16 pe.
37 weorche. 18 mis-lichet. 19 Ich mihte. 20 po. 2l Ylde.
82 aerwe. 23 yfele. 24 stent. 25 do.
A MORAL ODE. 23
11. pe wel ne dep pe hwile he mei . wel oft hit hym scael ruwen
penne hy mowen sculen & ripen . per pe hi aer seowen
12. Don ec to gode wet (je mu^e. pa hwile CJQ bu6 a life
ne hopie no man to muchel. to childe ne to wyfe
13. pe him selue for-^ut for wife, oper 1 for childe
he sael comen 2 on vuele stede . bute hym god be 3 milde
14. Sende ec * sum god be-foren hym . pe hwyle j& ben aliue 5
for betere his on almesse before . paune ben after vyue 6
15. Ne beo pe leure pan pi self 7 , pi mei ne pi mo^e 8
9 for sot ys pat ys oper mannes frond, betre panne his o^e
16. Ne hopie wif to hyre were, ne were to his wife
bue 10 for him selue aefrech 11 man. pe whyle he bo alife
17. Wis is pe him sulf be-penp 12 . pa hwile pe he mot 13 libbe
for sone willet him for-jy ten u . pe fraemden & po sibbe
18. pe wel ne dep pe wile he mai . ne seal he waune 15 he wolde
mani 16 mannes sor Cje swynch. habbet ofte alle vn holde 17
19. Ne solde no man don a ferst. ne sclakien 18 wel to done
for mani man bi-hoted 19 wel . he 20 it for^ytet sone
20. pe man pe wule siker ben. to habbe godes blisse
do wel him silf pe wile he mai . panne haued he it mid 21 ywisse
21. pos 22 riche men wened ben sikere 23 . purh walles 24 &purh diche
he ded his eitte on 25 sikere stede . pe hi send 26 to heuene-riche
22. For per ne parf he ben of drad a7 . of fure ne of peve 28
per ne mai it hym bi-nimen 29 . pe lope ne pe leue 30
23. per ne perf he habbe kare . of wiue ne of childe
pider we sended suuel & bred 31 , to litel 32 & to selde
24. pider we solden drawen & don . wel oft & wel ^ie-lome
for per ne seal me us nontbinimen 33 . midwronge ne mid wo^e 34
25. pider we scolde }erne drawen & don 35 , wolde CJQ me ileue
for per ne mai hit ou bi-nimen 36 . pe king ne pe scirreve 37
1 offer. 2 sceal cume. 3 beo. * aech. 5 hwile he mei to heuene.
6 seouene. 7 pene pe sulf. 8 msei ne ffi ina^e. 9 sot is 8e is oSres.
10 beo. n aeurich. 12 sulfne bi-pencff. 13 hwile he mote. M wulleff
hine for-yte. 15 hwenne. 16 manies. 17 sare iswinch . habbeff oft
unholde. 18 slawen. 19 bi-hateff. 20 pe. 21 ffen haueff he mid.
22 pes. 23 wenefiT beo siker. 24 walle. 25 his a. 26 pe sent. 27 flierf
beon of dred. 2S peoue. 29 mei hi bi-nime. 30 laffe ne ffe leoue.
31 sendet & sulf bereft. 3J lite. 33 naht bi nime. M mid wrancwise
dome. 35 & don omitted. S6 bi-nimen eow. ^ ne se ireue.
24 A MORAL ODE.
26. Al |>at beste pat ge we habbet 1 . pider we scolde sende
for per we it muwen 3 finden eft. & habben abuten 3 ende
27. pe pe her det ani god. for to habben * goddes ore
al he it seal finden per. & hundred felde more
28. pe pe ehte wile healden wel. pe wile he mai his welden
<}iue his for godes luue. eft heo hit scullen a-finden 5
29. Vre iswinch & ure tilpe. is efte iwuned to swinden
ac pat we dot for godes luue. eft we it scullen afinden
30. Ne seal non vuel 6 ben vn-bout. ne non god vn-for-^olde
vuel we doflT al to muchel . & god lasse panne we scolde
31. pe pe mest deft" nu to gode . & pe pe lest to la<5e
ayper to lutel & to muchel. seal pinchen eft hym bade
32. per me seal vre werkes we^en. bi-foren pen heuene kinge
& ^iuen us vre swinches lyen. after vre erninge
33. Eure ilc man mid pan pe he 7 haued. mai biggen heueriche
pe pe more haued & pe pe lasse. bope mai iliche
34. He alse mid his penie . pe pe 8 oper mid his punde
pat is pe wnnder-likeste ^are 9 . pat ein man eure funde
35. And pe pe more ne mai don . bute 10 mid his gode panke
al se wel se pe haued. goldes feale manke 11
36. And god 12 can more pane. 9an pe him fjiued lesse
al his werkes & his weies. is milce & rit^ifnesse 13
37. Lutel loc 14 is gode lef . pat corned of gode wille
& eflT-lete muchel <5>yue. 9enne 8e heorte is ille
38. Heuene & erpe he ouer-siho . his e^en bed so britte
sunne. mone. dai. & fur. bud pustre to-^enes his lithte
39. Nis him nout for-hole ni hud. so muchel bet 15 his mihte
nis it no so derne idon . ne a swa pustre nihte
40. He wot wat debt 16 & penchet. alle quike wihte
nis no louerd swilc se is crist. na king swilc vre drihte
41. Heuene & herpe & al pat is. be loken in his honde
he ded al pat his willes is. a watere & a londe
42. He makede fisses inne pe see. & fu^eles inne pe lofte
he wit & wait" alle ping. & he scop alle scefte 18
1 pet betste per we hedde. 2 mihte. 3 habbe bute. 4 for habbe.
5 penne deff he his -wel ihealden. 6 nan uuel. 7 he omitted. 6 se ffe.
9 wunder-lukeste ware. 10 bute omitted. u marke. ll And oft god.
13 rihtwisnesse. 14 lac. 15 biff. 16 deff. " wealdeff. 18 ealle ?e sceafte.
A MORAL ODE. SINNERS AT THE JUDGMENT. 25
48. He is ord abuten orde. & ende abuten ende
he one is eure on elche stede. wende war pu wende
44. He is buuen vs & bi-nepen. bi-foren & bi-hinde
pe pe godes wille 8e ' . ei(5er he mai him finde
45. Elche rune he i-hurd. & he wot alle dede
he purfr-siho*' elches mannes pane, pat seal us to rede
46. po pe breked godes hese. & gultet so ilome
wet sulle hi segge 2 oper don. at pe muchele dome
47. po pe 3 luueden vnriht. & vuel lif ladde
wat scullen hi seggen oper don. par engles bed of dredde
48. Hwat sculle we beren bi-foren us * . mid wan sculle we him
i-quemen 5
we pe neure god ne duden. pe heuenliche demen
49. per sculle ben deofles swo fele . pe wulled us for-wreien
nabbet hi noping for-^fyte . of al pat hi ere se^ien 6
60. Al pat we mis-duden her. hit wullet cupe pere
buten we habben it ibet . pe wile we her were
51. Al hi habbet an here i- write, pat we mis-duden here
pei we it nulten ne i-seien r . hi weren vre i-fere
52. Hwet scullen horlinges do. pe swikele 8 pe for-sworene
wi swo fele beod i-cleped. swa feuwe beod i-corene
53. Wi hwi were he bi-^iite . to wan were hi i-borene
pe sculle ben to depe i-demd. & eure mo for-lorene
54. Elch man seal him sulne par. bi-clepiean & ec demen 9
his a^e were & his ipanc. to witnesce he seal temen
55. Ne mai hym na man al swa . wel demen ne al sa rithte 10
for nan ni cnawed him swa wel. buten one dritte
56. Elc man wot him sulue best . his were & his i-wille
pe pe lest wot, seit ofte mest. & pe pe it wot 11 is stille
57. Nis no witnesse al so mochel. so mannes howe heorte
hwa se segge pat he beo al 12 . him self wat best his smerte
58. Elc man seal him suelf demen . to depe oper to liue
pe witnesse of his owe were, to oper 31s him seal driue
1 deff. 2 we seggen. 3 pa 8a. 4 us omitted. b we cweman.
6 hi ise^en. 7 hi nuste ne ni sejen. 8 swikene. 9 him 8er bi-
clupien. & ech sceal him demen. 10 ne swa rihte. " 9e 9"e hit wat
eal. '> hal.
26 A MORAL ODE. REPENT IN TIME.
59. Eal pat cure ilc man haued i-do. sutpe he com to manne
swilc hit seie on boc ' i-writen . he seal it penche panne a
60. Ac drithte ne demed nanne man. after his bi-ginninge
ac his 3 lib seal beo swilc. se bued his endinge
61. Ac (}if pe ende is euel, al it is uuel. & algod 4 , ^if god is ende 5
god (}uue pat ure end beo god . & wite pet he us lende 6
62. pe men pe nele do no god . ne neure god lif leden
aer ded T & dom come to 8 his dure . he mai sore a-dreden
63. pat he ne muwe penne bidde ore. for it itit ilome
pi he is wis pe bit & be-^it 9 . & bet be-fore dome
64. penne ded is ate 10 dure . wel late he biddet ore
wel late he leted vuel weorc . pe hit ne mai do na mare
65. "Sunne let pe, & pu naht hire, panne pus ne miht do no more
for-pi he is sot, pe swa abit, to habbe goddes hore
66. peh hweffer we it iluuet wel . for drihte sulf hit sede
a wulche time so eure pe man. of-pinchet his mis-dede
67. Oper later oper raper. milce he seal i-meten
ac pe pe nout naued 12 ibet. wel muchel he seal beten
68. Mani man seid wo recke of pine . pe seal habben ende
ne bidde ic no bet beo a-lused 13 . a domesdai of bende
69. Lutel wat he hwat is pine. & lutel he it icwoweff 14
wile hete is per soule wunet. hu biter wind per blouwet
70. Hadde he ibeon per anne dai . oper twa bare tide
nolde he for al middan card, pe pridde per abide
71. pat habbet ised pat comen panne, pit wuste mid iwisse
uuel is pine seoue er. for seoue nihtes blisse
72. And ure blisse pe ende hafh. for endeliese pine
betre is wori water to drinke 15 . penne atter i-menge mid wine
73. Swunes brede is swupe swete . so is of wilde dere
ac al to duere he i-bu^ied 16 . pat ^iued pere-fore his swere
74. Ful wombe mai liht-liche speken . of hunger & of fasten
swa mai of pine pe naht not. hu hi scullen ilesten 17
75. Hadde he ifonded sume hwile 18 . he wolde al seggen oper
eff-lete him were. wif. & child, suster. & fader. & broper
1 si aboc 2 iffenche ffenne. 3 ac al his. * & god. 5 penne. 6 lenne.
7 dieff. 8 aet. 9 8e beot & beat. 10 deaffis set his. il st. 65 is omitted.
abit = abides, wails. 13 nafff naht. 13 ilusd. 14 icnaweff. 15 weter idrunke.
16 hi biyff. " hu pine sceal alesten. 18 Hedde his a-fanded sume stunde.
A MORAL ODE. OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 27
76. J A1 he wolde operluker don. & operluker penche
(janne he bi-pouhte on helle fur. pe nowiht ne mai aquenche
77. Eure he wolde inne wa her. & inne pine 3 wunien
wid pan pe mihte helle pine, bi-fluen & bi-scunien
78. Eff-lete him were al woruldes 3 wele. & al eordliche 4
for to pe muchele murcS* cume . pat is heuenriche 5
79. 1 6 wulle nu comen eft to pe dome . pat 7 ic eow er of sede
on pat dai , & at pe dome . us helpe crist & rede
80. pper we ma^ien beon e<5e of drad 8 . & harde us adrede
per elc sceal i-seo bi-foren him. his word & ec his dede
81. Eal seal ben panne 9 cud. pat man lu^en her & stelen
al seal ben per vnwrien. pat men wru^en her & helen
82. We scullen alre manne lif . icnawe per al so vre owe
per sculle heueninges ben. pe hei^e & pe lou^e
83. Ne seal pei noman scamien per. ne perf he him adrede
(}if him here of-pinched his gult . & beted his misdede
84. For heom ne scamet ne ne gramet . pe sculle beon iboruwene 10
ac pe opre habbet scame & grame. pat sculle beon forlorene 11
85. pe dom seal sone ben idon . ne last he nowit longe
ne seal him noman mene per. of strengpe ne of wrange
86. po scullen habben hardne dom . pe here weren herde
pa pe euele heolden wreche men . & vuele ladies rerde ia
87. Ac ]3 after pan pe 14 he haued idon. he u seal per beon idemed
blipe mai he panne buen. pe god haued 15 iquemed
88. Alle po pat isprunge be<3T. of adam & of eue
ealle he sculle puder come, for sope we it ileued
89. po pe habbed wel idon. after heore mihte
to heuenriche 16 he scullen . ford mid vre drihte
90. po pe nabbeo*" god idon . & per-inne be<3T ifunde
he scullen falle swipe rape . in to helle grunde
91. paer 1T inne he scullen wuniq. buten ore & ende
ne breed* neuereuft crist helle dure. to lese hem 1B of bende
1 Stanza 76 is omitted. * wawe. 3 eal woruld. 4 eordliche blisse.
5 cume. ffis murhffe mid iwisse. 6 Ich. 7 pe. 8 dredde. 9 Sen
ffenne. 10 iboreje. n . & offer fele sor^e. Ia arerde. 13 and.
14 omit pe and he. 15 hafff wel. 16 scule faren. 17 hi wnnie sculen
a & buten ende. 1B for lese hi.
28 A MORAL ODE. OF DEATH AND SIN.
92. Nis no sellic pei heom beo wo. & hem beo 'vnepe
2 nele neureit crist polie deo''. for lesen heom of diepe
93. Enes drihte helle brae, his frend he ut broutte
him self he polede died* for horn . wel dore he us bouhte
94. Nolde it mouwe don for mey 3 . ne suster for broper
nolde it sune don for fader, ne noman for oper
95. Ure 4 lauerd for his preles. ipined was on rode
ure bendes he unbond. & bouht us mid his blode
96. We ^ieued vnepe for his louue. a sticche of vre brede
ne penche we nout pat he seal deme. po 5 quike & to 5 dede
97. Muchele luue he us cudde . wolde we it understonde
pat vre eldrene mis-duden. we habbet vuele an honde
98. Died" com in pis middenerd . purh pe ealde deofles onde
& synne & sor^e & (^e-swinch. a watere & ec 5 alonde
99. Vres formes faderes gult. we abigget alle
al his of-sprunge after hym. in herme is bi-falle
100. purst. & hunger, chnle. & hete. eche & al unelpe 6
purh died" com in pis middenerd. & oper vnisalpe 7
101. Niere no 5 man elles died", ne sic. ne non 8 vn-ysele
ac mihten libbe eure mo . a blisse & on hele
102. Lutel ipenchd" mani man. hu muchel wes pe synne
for 9 pan polied alle died . pe comen of here cnnne
103. Here sunne & ec vre owen. sore us mai of pinche
for in 5 synne we libbet alle 10 . in sorewen & in swinche
104. Sudpe god nam swa muchele wreche. for ane misdede
pe pat so muchel & swa 5 oft mis do9". mu^en us sore n adrede
105. Adam & his of-spring. for one bare sunne
was fele hundred wintre in helle. in pine & in vnwunnc
106. And po pe leded here lif | mid vnriht & mid 5 wronge
bute it godes milce do | sculle beo per wel longe
107. Godes wisdom is wel muchel. & al swa is his mihte
& nis his milce nawiht lasse. ac bi 9es ilke wihte
108. More he one mai for-^iuen . penne alfolc gulte cunne
deofel suelf 5 mihte habbe milce. Cjif he it 13 bidde gunne
1 un ieffe. a sceal neure. 3 mei. 4 Vre ealre. 5 omits these.
6 unhelde. 7 uniselffe. 8 un sele. 9 whan ealle polied dietf. 10 alle
her. " eaffe. I2 bigunne.
A MORAL ODE. OF THE PAINS OF HELL. 29
109. pe 9e godes milce sech<5\ iwis he mai is finde
ac helle kinge is J oreles . wid" pa pe he mai binde
110. pe <5e dep his wille mest. he hauep wurst mede
his bead" seal beo wallinde pich. his bed berninde glede
111. Wurs he deft" his gode wiues 2 . pene his fulle feonde
god sculde alle godes frend | a wihd scuche 3 freonde
112. Neure on helle ic ne com | ne comen ic per ne reche
<5eh ich elches wurldes wele. per inne mihte fecche
113. peh ic wulle seggen eow. pat wise men ut 4 sede
and aboke 5 it is i-write. per me mai it rede
114. Ic it wulle segge heom | pe hem self it nusten
& warnen heom wit heore hearme 6 . Cjif hi me wulled lusten
115. Vnder-stondet nu to me. aeidi 7 men & earme
Ic wulle telle of helle pine . & warnie ow wi<3f herme
116. On helle is vnger & perst. vuele tuo ifere
pos pine polied po . pe were mete nipinges here
117. por is woninge 8 & wop. after eche strete
hi fared fram hete to pe chele . fram chele to pe hete
118. panne hi beod in pe hete. pe chele 9 ftinchet blisse
penne hi corned" eft to chele . of hete hi habbed misse
119. Aiper hem deft" wa inou. nabbet hi none lisse
nuten hi weper ded wurst . mid neure non 10 iwisse
120. Hi walked eure & sechet reste. ac hi ne mu^en imeten 11
for pi hi nolden po 12 wile | hi mithten here sunne beten 13
121. Hi seched reste per non nis. ac 14 pi ne muwen ifinde 15
ac walked weri up & dun. al 14 se water deft" mid winde
122. pis beod po pe weren her. on ponke vn-stedefaste
& po god bi-heten auht. & nolden it ilaste
123. po o*e god weorc bigunne. & ful enden hit nolden
pe 16 weren her. & nupe per. & nusten wet he 17 wolden
124. pere is pich pat eure weald", pat sculle bapien inne
po pe ladde vuel lif . in feoh 18 end in iginne
1 are lies. 2 wines. 3 swiche. 4 us. 5 hi hit write. 8 unfreme.
7 $edi. 8 wanunge. 9 chelecheff blisse. 10 wheffer him deff wurs mid
nane. u mugen iruete. 12 pi 81 nolden. 13 bete. u ac and al
omitted. 15 hi finde. 16 nu. " hi. 18 feoht.
30 A MORAL ODE. OF THE PAINS OF HELL.
125. 'per is fur pat eure barnd*. ne mai hit nawiht quenche
her-inne beod pe wes to lef . wrecche men to swenche
126. per is fur pat is vndredfelde j hatere panne beo vre 2
ne mai it quenchen salt water, nauene strien 3 ne sture 4
127. po pe were swikele men . & fulle of vuele wrenche
po pe ne mihte euel don . & lef was it to 5 penche
128. po pe luueden reuing & stale . hordom . & drunke
& pe 6 on pes deofles weorkes | blipeliche swunke
129. po pe were so lease, pat me hi ne mihte ileuen
med ^eorne domes men. & wrancwise reuen 7
130. pe opre mannes wif wes lef. his awene efr-lete
& po pe sunegede muchel . on drunke & on 8 ete
131. pe wrecchen bi-nemen hure ehte . & leiden huere on horde 9
pe lutel leten of godes bode 10 . & of godes worde
132. And of his owen nolde ^iuen . per he sei pe nede
ne nolde ihuren godes sonde . per pe ' l sette his beode
133. po 12 pe weren 13 operes mannes pine u . leure panne ic scolde
& weren al to gredi . of suelfer & 1S of golde
134. And po 12 pe vntreunesse deden . Cja.m 16 hi ahte ben holde
& leten pat hi scolde don. & duden pet hi wolde
135. po pe <9ysceres ir weren | of pis woruldes ehte
& dude pat pe lope gost. hem tihte & ec 18 tauhte
136. And alle po 12 <5en eni wise, deoflen her iquemde
po beo<3T nu mid him | an helle for-don & for-dempde
137. Bute po 12 pe ofpouhte sore, her here 19 mis-deden
& gunnen here gultes beten. & betere lif leden
138. peor beo*" naddren & snaken. eueten & frude 20
pa tered & freteo*" pe uuele speken. pe nihtfulle 21 & pe prute
139. Neure sunne per ne scin^T. ne mone ne steorre
per is muchel godes hete. & muchel godes ^eorre
140. Eure per is vuel smech. pusternesse & eie
nis per neure oper liht . panne pe swarte leie
1 The later MS. transposes the stanzas 125 and 126, and begins 125
with: pis is pe. * hundred fealde hattre Sen vre. 3 striem. * i. e.
nor Avon stream nor Stour. 5 wes to. 6 a. 7 ireue. 8 a drunken
& en. 9 pe wrecche be-nam his ehte . & leide hes en horde. 10 bibode.
11 he. 13 pa. 13 wes. 14 fifing. 15 end. 16 dude, pam ffe. 17 witteres
and omits weren. 18 to. 19 of ffufte sare heore. 30 frute. *' niff fulle.
A MORAL ODE. LOVE GOD AND YOUR NEIGHBOUR. 31
141. per ligget laffliche fend, in stronge raketeie
pat buff pe pe were mid gode . on heuene wel heie
142. per buff ateliche fend . & eisliche wihte
pos sculle pa wrecchen i-son 1 . pe sunege purff 2 sihte
143. per is pe lope sathanas. & belsebuc pe 3 ealde
lepe he 4 muwen ben of drard. pe bine sculled bi-helde 5
144. Ne mai non heorte it pencbe . ne no 6 tunge ne can telle
hu mucbele pine. & T hu vele. senden 8 inne belle
145. Of 9 po pine pe pere bued 10 . nelle ic hou nout 11 leio^en
nis it bute gamen & gleo. al pat man mai here dreo^en
146. Ac 12 ^et ne deff heom nout so wo. in po lope biende 13
bute pat hi witeff pat heore pine . ne seal neure habben ende
147. per buff po hepenemen . pe were lawe lese
pe heom nas nout of godes bode 14 , ne of godes hese
148. Vuele cristenemen. hi bud here i-vere
po pe heore cristen-dom. vuele heolden here
149. ^ut hi bud a wurse stede. on pere helle grunde
ne sculle hi neure comen vp 15 . for marke ne for punde
150. Ne mai heom noper helpen per. i-bede ne almesse
for nis noper inne helle. ore ne for^iuenesse
151. Sculde him elc ic man pe wile he mai 17 . of pos helle pine
and warnie aec 16 his frend per wid. so ic habbe mine
] 52. po pe scilden heom ne cunnen . ic heom wulle teache
ich kan beo ^if i 18 seal, lichame & soule liache 19
153. Lete we pat god for-bet. alle mancunne 20
& do pe pat he us hat. & scilde we us wid sunne
154. Luuie we god mid vre heorte. & mid al vre mihte
& vre emcristene alse 21 us suelf . swa us lerde drihte
155. Al pat me rat & singff 22 . be-fore godes horde
al it hanged & bi-halt. bi pisse twam worde
156. Alle godes lawe he fulff. pe newe & pe 23 ealde
he pe pos twa luue haued 24 . & wel hi wule healde
1 i-fon. * sune$ede ffurh. 3 belzebud se. 4 eaffe hi. 5 scule bi-
healde. 6 iffenche . ne. 7 na. 8 sunden. 9 Wiff. 10 beotf. u eow
naht. 12 End. 1S 9a latfe bende and omits bute following. 14 |>e nes
naht of godes bi-bode. 15 vt. 16 ech. 17 mu^e. 18 ich. 19 leche.
* manne cunne. 41 eal. " rset <fe eal pat me singS". " 8a.
* hafff.
32 A MOR. ODE. WORK FOR GOD'S LOVE & THE NARROW WAY.
157. Ac hi bu<JT wunder erued helde . swa ofte we ' gulted alle
for it is strong to stonde longe . & liht it * is to falle
158. Ac drihte crist he <}iue us strencpe. stonde pat we mote
& of alle vre gultes , unne us come 2 bote
159. We wilnied efter worldes 8 wele. pe longe ne mai ileste
& legged al ure iswinch . on pinge un-stede-faste 4
160. Swunche we for godes luue . half pat we doQT for ehte
ne were 5 we nout swa bi-cherd. ne swa vuele bi-cauhte 6
161. Cjif we serueden god. so we do9" erninges
more we haueden of r heuene. panne eorles oper 8 kinges
162. Ne muwen hi her 9 werien heom wid chele. wid purst. ne wid
hunger
ne wid elde 10 , ne wid deft, pe eldre 10 ne pe ^conger
163. Ac per nis hunger ne purst ne dep . ne vnhelpe ne elde
of pisse riche we penchet oft . & of pere to selde
164. We scolden alle us bi-penche . oft & wel ilome
hwet we bed*. & to pan 11 we sculle. & of wan we come
165. Hu lutel wile we beff her. hu longe elles ware
hwat we mu^en habben her. & whet elles hware 12
166. ^if we were wise men. pis we scolden ipenche
bute we wurpe us iwar . pes worlde us wule for-drenche
167. Mest alle men he ^iued drinke. of one deofles scenche
he sceal him cunne sculde wel . Cjif he him 13 nele screnche
168. Mid ealm[i]hties u godes luue. vte pe us bi-werien
wid pes 1S wrecches worldes luue . pat he ne 16 mawe us derien
169. Mid fasten. & almesse. & ibede. werie we us wid sunne
Mid po wepnen pe god haued ^iuen | alle 1T mancunne
170. Laete we pe brode 18 stret. & pe 19 wei bene
pe lat pe ni^eSe del to helle of manne. & mo ic wene
171. Go we pene narewe 80 wei. & pene wei grene
per forfiT-fareff lutel folc . ac it is feir & scene
172. pe brode 18 stret is vre iwil . 8e is us lod for to lete "
pe 8e al folewed 2S his wil . fared bi pusse strete
1 omits we and it. 2 cume to. * woruld. * unstedefeste. 5 beo.
6 bi-kehte. 7 hedden en. . 8 her &. 9 omits her. 10 ulde . uldre.
11 beoff to whan. u finde pere. 18 hine. l4 ealmihtijes. 15 flises.
16 omit ne. " bitten. w brade. 19 ffene. 20 nserewne. 21 to
forlaete. " eal foliar.
THE NARROW WAY. THE JOYS OF HEAVEN. 33
173. Hi muwen lihtliche gon . mid <5ere nu<5er 1 hulde
fturh ane godliese wude. in-to ane bare felde
174. pe narewei is godes hes. per-forff farff wel feuwe
pat buff ffa pe heom sculdeff ^eorne . wid elche un-ffeawe
175. pos goff un-iepe to-^eanes 2 pe cliue. a^ean pe heCje hulle
pos leteff al here a^ien wil . for godes hese to fulle
176. Go we alle pene wei. for he us wulle bringe
mid po faire fewe 3 men. be-foren heuene kinge
177. per is alre merupe 4 mest. mid englene songe
pe pis 5 a pusent wintre per . ne pincff him noht to longe
178. pe pe lest haued. haueff 6 so muchel. pat he ne bit no more
pe ffe blisse for ffos for-lat. it him mai rewe sore
179. Ne mai non vuel ne non wane 7 , beon inne godes riche
ffeh per beff wunienges 8 fele . elc oper vn-iliche
180. Sume per habbet lasse murhffe. & sume habbed more
after pan pe hi 9 dude her . after pan pe hi swonke 10 sore
181. Ne seal per ben bred ne win. ne oper cunnes este
god one 11 seal beo eche lif. & blisse. & eche reste
182. Ne seal per beo fou 12 ne grei. ne cunig ne ermine
ne ocquerne 13 ne martres cheole. ne beuer ne sabeline
183. Ne seal per beo seed 14 ne scrud. ne woruld wele none
al pe murhffe pe me us bi-hat. al it seal beo god one
184. Ne mai non murhffe beo so muchel. so is godes sihte
he is soff sunne & briht. & dai a-buten nihte
185. He is elches godes ful . nis him noping jit 15 vten
no god nis him wane, pe wunied him abuten
186. per is wele abute grame 16 . & reste abuten swinche
pe mai & nele pider come . sore it him seal ofpinche 1T
187. per is blisse abuten tre^e. & lif abuten deape
pe cure scullen wunien per. blipe muwen ben epe
188. per is (^eo^effe bute ulde. & hele abuten vn-helde
nis per sorewe ne sor. ne neure nan vn-sealpe
189. per me seal drihte sulf i-seon . swa he is mid iwisse
he one mai & seal al beo. engle & manne blisse
1 under. 2 gaff unieffe }eanes. 3 te feawe feire. 4 murhffe. 5 is.
8 haued" hafff. 7 ne nawane. 8 wuntinges. 9 omits hi. 10 swanc.
11 ane. 12 fah. 13 aquierne. u scier. 15 na wiff. 16 gane. 1T The
later MS. ends here.
34 A MORAL ODE. THE LIFE OF ST. DUNSTAN.
190. And dieh ne beod heore eCje naht . alle iliche brihte
di nabbed hi nouht iliche . alle of godes lihte
191. On pisse Hue hi neren nout. alle of one mihte
ne |>er ne scullen hi habben god. alle bi one ^ihte
192. po scullen more of him seon . pe luuede him her more
& more icnawen & iwiten. his mihte & his ore
193. On him hi scullen finden al pat man mai to lesten
hali boc hi sculle iseon. al pat hi her nusten
194. Crist seal one beon inou . alle his durlinges
he one is muchele mare & betere. panne alle opere pinges
195. Inoh he haued pe hine haue<3T. pe alle ping wealdeo
of him to sene nis no sed . wel hem is pe hine bi-healdefr
196. God is so mere & swa muchel. in his godcunnesse
pat al pat is. & al pat wes. is wurse penne he & lease
197. Ne mai it neure no man oper segge mid iwisse
hu muchele murho^e habbet po. pe beod hine godes blisse
198. To pere blisse us bringe god. pe rixlet abuten ende
penne he vre soule vn-bint. of licames bende
199. Crist (}yue us leden her swilc lif . & habben her swilc ende
pat we moten puder come, wanne we henne wende. Amen.
LIVES OF SAINTS.
IX. ST. DUNSTAN.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 51.)
Seint Dunstan was of Engelond : icome of gode more
2 Miracle oure louerd dude for him: er he were ibore
For po he was in his moder wombe: a candelmasse day
4 per folc was at churche ynouj : as to pe tyme lay
As hi stode mid here lijt: as me dop jut nou
6 Here lijt aqueynte oueral: here non nuste hou
Her lijt hit brende suype wel: and her lijt hit was oute
8 pat folc stod in gret wonder: and also in grete doute
And hi speke ech to oper: in whiche manere hit were
10 Hou hit queynte so sodeynliche: pe lijt pat hi here
IT As hi stode and speke perof : in gret wounder echon
12 Seint Dunstanes moder taper: afure worp anon
THE LIFE OF ST. DUNSTAN. 35
pat heo huld on hire bond: heo nuste whannes hit com
14 pat folc stod and bihuld : and gret wonder perof nom
Ne non nuste wannes hit com: bote purf our louerdes grace
16 perof hi tende here lijt: alle in pe place
IT What was pat oure louerd crist: pe lijt fram heuene sende
18 And pat folc pat stod aboute : here taperes perof tende
Bote of pat holi child: pat was in hire wombe pere
20 Al Engelonde scholde pe bet beo ilijt: pat hit ibore were
pis child was ibore neoje hondred jer: and fyue and tuenti arijt
22 After pat oure suete louerd: in his moder was alijt
pe furste jer of pe crouning: of pe king Adelston
24 His moder het kenedride: his fader Herston
IF po pis child was an vrpe ibore: his freond nome perto hede
26 Hi lete hit do to Glastnebury: to norischi and to fete
To teche him eke his bileue: pater noster and crede
28 pe child wax and wel ipej: for hit moste nede
T Lute jeme he nom to pe wordle: to alle godnisse he drouj
30 Ech man pat hurde of him speke: hadde of him ioye ynouj
po he was of manes wit: to his vncle he gan go
32 pe archebischop of Canterbury: seint Aldelm pat was po
pat makede wip him ioye ynouj: and euere pe lengere pe more
34 po he se} of his godnisse : and of his wyse lore
For deynte pat he hadde of him : he let him sone bringe
36 Bifore pe prince of Engelond: Adelstan pe kynge
pe kyng him makede ioye ynouj : and grantede al his bone
38 Of what pinge so he wolde bidde: if hit were to done
po bad he him an abbei : pat he was forp on ibrojt
40 pi* pe toun of Glastnebure : pat he ne wornde him nojt [*?f>0
H pe king grantede his bone: and after him also
42 Edmund his broper pat was king: in his poer ido
To Glastnebury wende sone: pis gode man seint Dunstan
44 po beye pe kynges him jeue leue: Edmund and Adelstan
IT Of pe hous of Glastnebure: a gret ordeynour he was
46 And makede moche of gode reule : pat neuer er among hem nas
Ac pat hous pat furst bigonne: four hondred jer bifore
48 And eke preo and vyfti: er seint Dunstan were ibore
For per was ordre of monekes: er seint patrik com
50 And er seint Austyn to Engelonde: broujte cristendom.
c2
36 THE LIFE OF ST. DUNSTAN.
And seint patrick deide tuo hondred : and tuo and vyfti jer
52 After pat oure suete leuedi: oure louerd here her
Ac none monekes per nere furst: bote as in hudinge echon
54 And as men pat drowe to wyldernisse: for drede ofgodes fon.
H Seint Dunstan and seint Adelwold: as oure louerd hit bisay
56 I-ordeyned to preostes were: al in one day
per after sone to Glastnebury: seint Dunstan anon wende
58 He was abbod per ymaked: his lyf to amende
IT And for he nolde bi his wille: no tyme idel beo
60 A priuei smyppe bi his celle: he gan him biseo
For whan he moste of oreisouns: reste for werinisse
62 To worke he wolde his honden do : to fleo idelnisse
Seruie he wolde poure men: pe wyle he mijte deore
64 Al pe dai for pe loue of god : he ne kipte of hem non hure
And whan he sat at his wore per: his honden at his dede
66 And his his hurte mid ihesu crist: his moup his bedes bede
IT So pat al at one tyme: he was at preo stedes
68 His honden per, his hurte at god: his moup to bidde his bedes
perfore pe deuel hadde of him: gret enuye and onde
70 O tyme he cam to his smyppe: alone him to fonde
Rijt as pe sonne wende adoun: rijt as he womman were
72 And spac wip him of his wore: wip lajinge chere
And seide pat heo hadde wip him: gret wore to done
74 Treoflinge heo smot her and per: in anoper tale sone
IT pat holi man hadde gret wonder: pat heo was and pere
76 He sat longe and bipojte him: longe hou hit were
He bipojte him ho hit was: he droj forp his tonge
78 And leide in pe hote fur: and spac faire longe
Forte pe tonge was al afure: and sippe stille ynouj
80 pe deuel he hente bi pe nose: and wel faste drouj
He tuengde and schok hire bi pe nose: pat pe fur out blaste
82 pe deuel wrickede her and per: and he huld euere faste
He jal and hupte and drouj aje: and makede grislish bere
84 He nolde for al his bijete: pat he hadde icome pere
Mid his tonge he snytte hire nose: and tuengde hire sore
86 For hit was wipinne pe nyjte: he nemijte iseo nomore
pe schrewe was glad and blipe ynouj : po he was out of his honde
88 He flej and gradde bi pe lifte : pat me hurde in-to al pe londe
THE LIFE OF ST. DUNSTAN. 37
Out what hap pe calewe ido: what hap pe calewe ido
90 In pe contrai me hurde wide: hou pe schrewe gradde so
As god pe schrewe hadde ibeo: atom ysnyt his nose
92 He ne bijede no more piderward: to hele him of pe pose
IF pe holi abbot seint Dunstan: hadde gret poer
94 Wip king Edmund pat was po: and was al his consailler
After king Edmundes dep: a good while was a gon
96 pat Edwyne his sone was ymaked king: and nojt after anon
pis Edwyne hadde vuel red: and perafter drouj
98 Wip seint Dunstan he was wrop : siker wip gret wouj
1F Of his abbey he dude him out: and dude him schame ynouj
100 pe more schame pat he him dude : pe more pe gode man louj
He drof him out of Engelond: and let him grede fleme
102 pis gode man wende forp wel glad : ne nam he neuere jeme
To pe abbey of seint Amand: bijunde see he drouj
104 And soiournede per longe : and ladde god lyf ynouj
IF After kyng Edwynes lyne: Edgar pat was his broper
106 Was king ymaked: for he was nher pan enie oper
Suype god man he bicom: and louede wel holi churche
108 And ech man pat him perto radde: after him he gan wirche
Me tolde him of seint Dunstan : pat his broper drof of londe
110 Mid vnrijt for his godnisse: and gan him vnderstonde
IF After him he sende anon: pat he come aje sone
112 And bileue his consailler: of pat he hadde to done
Seint Dunstan com horn ajen: and faire was vnderfonge
114 Ladde his Abbey al in pees: fram whan he was so longe
Wip pe king he was suype wel: and was al his consailler
116 Moche me spac of his godnisse: bope fur and nher
Hit biful pat pe bischop: of wircetre was ded
118 pe king and pe archebischop Ode: porof nome here red
IF po pe holi abbot seint Dunstan: bischop hi makede pere
120 To makie him hejere in godes lawe: his wille pej hit nere
Somme eschte pe archebischop: of Canterbury sire Ode
122 Wherfore hi him bischop makede : and his grace were so gode
For he schal, quap pis gode man: after me her beo
124 Archebischop of Canterbury: pat me schal iseo
^F What saistou, pis oper seide: pu spext folliche iwis
126 Nostou nomore pan pi fot: vppe god al hit is
280563
38 THE LIFE OF ST. DUNSTAN.
IT Leoue freond, quap pis gode man: ne pore je ne blamie nojt
128 Wei ic wot what mle louerd crist: in mie moup hap ibroujt
As ho saip of pulke pinge: pat he hap in me ised
130 Telle ic mai what schal bifalle: after pat ich am ded
Bischop he was of Loridone and Wircetre : and hulp hope two
132 Of Londone and of Wircetre : and bischop was of bope also
11 Hit biful pat pe archebischop : of Canterbury was ded
134 pe pope and pe kyng Edgar: perof nome here red
And makede pe gode seint Dunstan : archebischop pere
136 Gode men pat him iknewe : wel glad perof were
Cristendom in Engelond: to god stat he drouj
138 And rijtes of holi churche: he huld vp faste ynouj
He fondede purf al Engelond : pat ech persoun schulde cheose
140 To witien him fram lecherie: oper his churche leose
1T Seint Osewold was pulke tyme: bischop of wyrcestre
142 And seint Adelwold also: bischop of Roucestre
pis tuei bischopes and seint Dunstan: were al at one rede
144 And Edgar pe gode king: to do pis gode dede
1F pis preo bischops wende forp : purf al Engelonde
146 And eche liper persoun caste out: pat per nemijte non atstonde
Here churchen and here oper gode: clanliche hi bynome
148 And bisette hit in pore men : purf pe popes grant of Rome
Eijte and fourti Abbeyes: of Monekes and of nonne
150 Of pe tresour hi arerde in Engelond: of persones so iwonne
So hit was wel bet biset: pan hit was er in schrewe
152 For whanne gode maistres beop: som god hi wollep schewe
If Gode were pis preo bischops: pat o tyme were po
154 pe betere is Engelond for hem: and worp euere mo
U Oure louerd jaf an vrpe: seint Dunstan faire grace
156 pat o tyme as he was: in a priueie place
His fader and his moder ek: in pe ioye of heuene anhej
158 After pat hi dede were: aperteliche he sej
Wel gret loue oure louerd him cudde: whan he schewede pere
160 So moche of his priueite: pe while he alyue were
As he lay anoper tyme: in his reste anyjt
162 He sej pe ioye of heuene: and pe place perinne wel brijt
Angles he hurde also singe: a murie song per inne
164 pat me singep jut in holi churche: whan me dop pe masse singe
THE LIFE OF ST. DUNSTAN. 39
Kirieleyson. christeleyson : was pe murie note and song
166 pis holi man pat pis ihurde: ne pojte hit him nojt longe
IT Wei aujte he to heuene come: after his ende day
168 Whan he pe while he was alyue: so moche of heuene isay
Harpe he louede suype wel: peron he coupe ynouj
170 A day he he sat in solaj : and a lay peron drouj
H pe harpe he heng bi pe wowe: po hit was tyme to ete
172 po hit was jare perto ibroujt: he sat adoun at his mete
Of heuene he gan penche sone : of pe ioye pat was pere
174 Of pe ioyfulle blisse pat per was : of halewen pat per were
He sat as he were ynome: so moche peron he pojte
176 His harpe he heng bi pe wowe: of wham he lute rojte
1F Bigan to cupe his holi pojt: ded treo pej hit were
178 As oure louerdes wille was: as hi hurde alle pat per were pere
Al bi him silue he gan to harpe: a murie steuene iwis
180 pat ne singep jut in holi churche: pat an englisch is pis
Alle halewene soule glade beop: pat in heuene beop ido
182 pat suyep oure louerdes way: and for him schadde also
Here blod for his suete loue: perfore hi schulle wone
184 And kynges beo bouten ende: wip crist godes sone
pis anteyn pat murie is: pat folc ihurde alle
186 Hou pe harpe song al bi him silf: per he hong bi pe walle
Fair grace oure louerd him schowede pere : whan pe dede treo
188 So schulde singe of pulke ioye : pat he scholde inne beo
Louerd ihered beo pi grace: and pi mijte also
190 pat pu woldest her alyue for him: such miracle do
11 po pis holi man hadde ylyued: an vrpe menie a daie
192 And his endedai was nej icome: as he him silue isaie
A holi pursday he worp sik: as hit ful in pe jere
194 He let ofsende his freond: pat specials to him were
His men pat him seruede eke: he let hem clipie also
196 And forjaf hem al here trespas: pat hi him hadde misdo
And assoillede hem of here sinne: and in godes bendes lay
198 And so he lay al pulke tyme: and also pane friday
He let clipie pe saterday: pe freres bifore him alle
200 And bed alle godneday: and seide hem what scholde bifalle
And let him do alle his rijtes: and oure louerdes flesch nom
II His soule wende out of pe wordle: and sone to heuene com
40 MIRACLES. AN OXFORD STUDENT.
Neoje hondred jer and fourscore: in pe eijteteope jere
204 He deide after pat oure leuedi: oure louerd an vrpe here
Nou suete louerd seint Dunstan : pat oure archebischop were
206 Bring ous to pe ioye of heuene : as angles pi soule here .
[Seint Aldelm the Confessour follows;
then, Seint Austyn pat cristendom: brou^te in-to Engelonde;
then, Seint barnabe p'apostle; & Seint Teofle,
for whom,
'A fair miracle oure leuedi dude: pat brou3te him out of pulke wo
As heo menie opere dude: ic mot $t telle mo'.
On p. 61 back, is:
Ou marie pat is so moche: pi milce and pyn ore
so murie hit is to telle of pe : paf yit we mote more.
The fifth miracle is that of]
X. AN OXFORD STUDENT.
(Miracles, Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 63.)
A knijt per was in Engelond: by norpe her biside
A jung child he hadde bi his wyf : as god wolde hit scholde bitide
pe raoder adai while hit was ?ung: to churche hit brojte
pe child bihuld pe rode in churche: and stod in grete pojte
5 Moder, he seide, what is pe man: pat jund anhongod is
If Sone, quap pe leuedi, hit is: oure louerd iwis
For ous he was so anhonge: and to depe ibrojt
To bringe ous to pe ioye of heuene: he hap ous deore ibojt
Wei aujte we panne, quap pe child: seruie him wip wille
10 And what is pulke faire womman: pat stent bi him so stille
Hit is his moder , quap pe leuedi : pat oure suete leuedi is
Ou ma dame, quap pe child: wounder me pinjp hit iwis
H Stod heo bi him po me him slouj: pe leuedi seide je
Awey ma dame , quap pis child : mijtestou so bi me
15 Hou mijte heo iseo quelle hire child: pat hire hurte ne brae atuo
Moche del was on hire hurte: and sorinysche also
pe} pis child were jung: of pis deol ofte sipe hit pojte
Selpe wher he euere were: out of his hurte he hit broujte
MIRACLES. AN OXFORD STUDENT. 41
pis child was sippe ido to scole: hit lurnede wel ynouj
20 So pat he com to Oxenford: po he to manne drouj
Selpe hit com out of his pojt : what so he iseje
pe deol pat oure leuedi hadde: po heo isej here sone deye
If Hit biful sippe in a tyme: as hit dop bi menie on
pat he dude a dedlich synne: so ne dude he neuere non
25 He nolde nojt, as manie on wollep: ligge peron longe
To a frere he wende to schrifte: his penance to afonge
Repentant he was ynouj: of pulke lipere dede
And bisoujte him for pulke sinne: pat he for him bede
And pat he bede to oure leuedi for pulke sor: pat heo hadde on
hire pojt
30 po he sej hire sone anhonge: and in stronge depe ibrojt
pat heo jyue me grace and wille: pe leuedi milce and freo
Sorie ynou in hurte: for mio sinne to beo
pat he bad eke him silf: bope nijt and day
34 For pe deol of hire sone : po heo dim ded isay
If He hadde pe while he lyuede: pulke bone in mone
pat oure leuedi po he was ded: him cudde and eke hire sone
Atte laste at Oxenford: at scole he gan deye
pe furste day he was iwist: as pe maystres iseye
Tuey clerkes pat were ouer him : pat suype wel his freond were
40 pat wiste his bodi nijt and day: and were next pe bere
Ech man amorwe bote hi tueye: wende horn in his ende
Felawe, quap on, hit is tyme: pat we pe taperes tende
Abyd, quap poper, a stounde: pat pis maistres come
44 Hit nis nojt rijt pe tapres tende: bote hi were her some
If As pis tuey clerkes were alone: adoun hi lynede stille
So pat hi werpe a slepe: as hit was godes wille
As hi slepe, hem pojte bope: pat hi angles meniee iseje
Here felawes soule pat per lai ded: to heuene lede heje
H Oure leuede as to teche pe wey: hire silue jeode bifore
50 And openede pe dore of heuene: pat pe soule were in ibore
If po heo tofore oure louerd com : adoun heo sat a kneo
Sone, heo saide, lo, her mie freond: pat wel hap iserued me
Vnderfong him into pi ioye: oure louerd aje sede
Leoue moder ic aujte wel: pej pu neuere ne bede
42 MIRACLES. OXFORD STUDENT ; JEWS AND THE CROSS.
55 For an vrpe he bad mie milce ofte: for pe deol pat pu iseje
And pat sor in pin hurte: po pu me seje deye
Wei fawe ic him wole afonge: as rijt is pat ich do
And among myn halewen him onoury: and pu schalt also
If po sende oure leuedi fram heuene: to pe tapres lijt anon
60 pat aboute pe bodi stede: and tende hem echon
pe clerkes awoke anon: as hi slepe hope per
And fonde pe tapres alle itend: as hem pojte in slepe er
If po come pe maistres as rijt was : pe seruise for to do
And po hit was to ende ibroujt: and pe bodi ibured also
65 pe clerkes to here priue maistre: tolde al pat hi seje
pat oure leuedi to oure louerd seide : in pe ioye of heuene heje
And hou hi onourede him for pe munde: pat he hadde her in mode
Of pe deol pat oure leuedi hadde: of hire sone in pe rode
Hi jeode forp to pe frere: pat his schriftfader was
70 Somme of pe maistres priueiliche: and tolde him of pat cas
If pe frere seide pat hit was sop: pat he hadde er in mode
pe deol pat oure leuedi hadde: po hire sone deide on pe Rode
pe miracle was po iholde sop : of pis holi childe
Wip eche ping al day we seop: oure leuedi suete and mylde
XI. THE JEWS AND THE CROSS.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 64.)
1 Gywes hatiep oure leuedi moche: and hire suete sone also
pat is isene in manie dede: pat pe schrewen habbep ido
3 Oure leuedi day in haruest: pat so holi is and suete
An archebischop song his masse: in pe cite of Tolete
5 Rijt atte sacring of pe masse: atte pulke holi dede
A voij he hurde of heuene: pat puse wordes sede
7 Alias pe gywes trecherie: Alias pe lipere vode
pat among mie sones children: pat he boujte mid his blode
9 pe schrewen schulle so vylliche: eftsone do him on pe Rode
And so schendfulliche auyli: wip so lipere mode
11 pe archebischop po he hadde: his masse ibrojt to ende
He nom wip him folc ynouj: and to pe gywene gan wende
THE LIFE OF ST. SWITHIN. 43
13 And let ofseche oueral: atte laste hi fonde
pe forme of oure louerd in a Rode : ibeten and ibounde
15 Inailled purf fet and honde: as oure louerd wip vyf wounde
pat hadde pe gywes ido: god jyue hem harde stounde
17 And alle pat hem louye wel: for moche is pe vylte
And schame pat hi ofte dop: oure louerd in priueite
H jut oure leuedi alijte: and warnede pe bischop fore
Moche godnisse heo hap ido: sippe heo was ibore
21 Nou, leuedi, for pe mylce: pat euere hap mid pe ibeo
And for pe grete sorvve pat pu haddest : po pi sone deide on pe treo
23 jeue ous grace pat we mote: such milce her iwynne
pat we mote to pe ioye : come, pat pu ert inne .
[Seinf Albon's life follows.]
XII. ST. SWITHIN.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 78.)
Seint swippin pe confessour: was her of Engelonde
2 Biside wynchestre he was ibore: as ic vnderstonde
Bi pe kinges day Egberd: pis gode man was ibore
4 pat po was king of Engelond: and somwhat ek bifore
pe eijteteope king he was pat com: after kenewold pe kynge
6 pat seint beryn dude to cristendom : in Engelonde furst bringe
IT Ac seint Austin hadde bifore: to cristendom ibrojt
8 Apelbrijt pe gode king: ac al pe londe nojt
Ac sippe hit was pat seint berin : her bi weste wende
10 And turnde pe king kenewold: as oure louerd him grace sende
So pat seint Egberd pat was kyng: po seint swithin was ibore
12 pe eijteteope he was: after kenewold: pat so longe was bifore
If Seint swythin pe junge man: swipe jung bigan
14 Forto seruie ihesu crist: and bicom cristene man
Elmeston pe bischop ek : of wynchestre pat was po
16 Seint swithin he makede preost: as he dude opere mo
So pat fram on ordre to oper: seint swipin preost bicom
T Clene lyf he ladde and god: and to gret penance him nom
44 THE LIFE OF ST. SWITHIN.
His godnisse was wide icud: aboute in eche side
20 po pat hit com pe king to ere: hit sprong aboute wide
pe king him onourede swipe wel: and louede him ynouj
22 And makede him his chiefe consailler : and mest to his consail drouj
Apulf his sone and eke his heir: he tok hem to loke
24 To norissie and to wardie wel: pat hi to gode toke
pat he teijte him such portoure: pat to a such child bicome
26 Wel him wiste pis holi man : and god warde to him nom
H po kyng Egberd was ded: pis child Apulf his sone
28 After him was kyng ymaked: as lawe was and wone
pis junge king was god ynouj : as seint swithin him gan rede
30 After his consail al he drouj: and dude bi him his dede
Engelond was po wel iwist: for pe king was god ynouj
32 And swithin his consailler: after wham he drouj
Elmeston pe bischop sippe : of wynchestre was ded
34 pe king and oper heje men : perof neme here red
If pis holi man seint swipin: bischop hi makede pere
36 Alle men pat him iknewe: ioyous perof were
Bischop he was god ynouj: and alle gode he wrojte
38 pe king also to alle gode: holi churche broujte
So pat purf pe heste of pe king: and purf his wissinge also
40 Ech man wolde purf pe lond: his teoping wel do
Brokene churchen oueral: seint swithin let vp rere
42 And nue churchen in menie stede: per neuerer none nere
Whan he halewede enie churche: bost ne kipte he non
44 Bi nyjte afote myldeliche: he wolde pider gon
Ajen him ne kipte he no ringinge: bobance ne prute
46 pe bost of hors ne of squiers: for he tolde perof lute
He pojte on pat pe godspel . saip : pat me takp of lute hede
48 pat ho so dop his dede mid bobance : him ne tyt non oper mede
For he afongep his mede her: mid pe dede anon
50 Pat worp habbep nou forjute: pis heje meny on
IT Seint swithin his bischopriche : to alle gode drouj
52 pe toun also of wynchestre : he amendede ynouj
por he let pe stronge brugge: wipoute pe est jate arere
54 And fond perto lym and ston : to worcmen pat per were
IT Adai as pis worcmen: aboute here worke stode
56 And contrai men to chepinge: come mid moche gode
HOW HE MADE THE BROKEN EGGS WHOLE. 45
Mid a baggeful of eiren: a womman per com
58 A masoun sone pis womman: to his folie nom
And biclipte hire in ribaudie: as foles dop jut ofte
60 And brak hire eiren nej echone : he ne handlede hire nojt softe
If po pe womman hire harm isej: ruliche heo gan bigynne
62 For heo hem hadde igadered longer sum siluer forto wynne
Heo makede deol ynouj: and cride also anhej
IT Seint swythin com po perforp: and pe deol isej
Of pis womman he hadde reupe: he nom vp his bond anon
66 And blessede pe eiren to-broke: and hi bicome hole anon
And sound as hi euere were: hi bicome atte laste
68 Glad was po pis seli womman: and ponkede gost faste
Mijte eirmongers nou fare so: pe baldelikere hi mijte
70 Huppe ouer diches wher hi wolde: bope wraxli and fijte
II pe king Apulf deide sippe: pe kynges sone Egberd
72 And his sone was kyng after him: kyng Adelberd
Hit nas nojt longe afterward: pat he was ymaked kyng
74 pat pis holi man seint swithin: drouj to endyng
For he deide pe pridde jer: pat he was kyng ymad
76 And po he schulde hunne wende: his men faste he bad
pat hi ne scholde him burie nojt: in churche wip prute
78 Ac sum war wipoute in a stede: pat me tolde of lute
In a stede pat me tolde of lest: and lest jeme me tok
80 In alle manere pis holi man: bobance and prute forsok
He deide eijte hondred jer: and in pe sixteope jere
82 After pat oure louerd alijt: in his moder wombe here
IF In a stede wipoute pe churche: pis holi bodi hi leide
84 pat me tolde of lute ynouj : as he him silue seide
per he lai an hondred jer: and neoje jer also
86 And almest fourtene nyjt: er he were panne ido
Bi pe kinges day Edgar: pat god was ynouj
88 pat seint Edwardes fader was: pat his stipmoder a-slouj
pis holi man seint swippin: schowede bitokeninge
90 pat me scholde of pulke place: in hejere stede him bringe
pis Egdgar was pe noejpe kyng: pat after Adelbert com
92 pat kyng was pulke tyme: pat seint swippin dep nom
pe bischop pat was at wynchestre : po king Edgar was kyng
94 pat was seint Athelwold : god and holi purf alle ping
46 THE LIFE OF ST. SWITHIN.
IF Seint swithin pe holi man: a god tyme him gan biseo
96 Whan god kyng was and god bischop: ischryned for to beo
Anijt he cam to an holi man: in his bedes as he lay
98 In siknisse and sorwe ynouj: as he hadde ido meny a day
Arys, he seide, to morwe anon: and ne lef pu nojt bihynde
100 To wynchestre pe olde Mynstre: and pere pu schalt fynde
pe gode bischop Athelwold: pat pe teope is after me
102 And saye pat ich him grett wel : and sende him word bi pe
pat oure louerd hit hap biseje : pat mie bodi schal beo ido
104 In churche in an hej stede: and nomore ligge so
And if pu doutest in enie poynt: pat pis beo duelsinge
106 And nojt sop pat ich telle nou: ic wole sende to pe kynge
For al so sone as pu wolt arise: forto do myn heste
108 pat vuel pat pu hast so longe ihad: ne schal no leng ileste
Ac pu worst perof hoi and sound: wordle wipouten ende
110 If pe bischop ne leouej hit nojt: oper signe ic wole him sende
For whan je comep to pulke stede: per ic ligge jute
112 Anoneward per lip a ston: wip oper prute wel lute
Ringes of yre per beop on : ynailled perto faste
114 Ac per nis non so strong of hem: pat ajen jou schullep ilaste
pat je ne schullep ri}t lijtliche: drawe vp pe ston
116 Wipoute wem faste ajen: fast sette hem on
IT pis gode man of pis tokning: iolyf was ynouj
118 Wel bityme he aros: and toward pane wey drouj
And anon so he dude him on pe wei : hoi and sound he was
120 Of pe vuel pat he bar so longe : neuereft igreued he nas
To pe bischop he wende Apelwold: and tolde him of pis cas
122 pe bischop po he hurde pis: wel was him pas
pe ring pat was on pe ston: faste as he seide er
124 Lijtliche hi of nome wipoute wem : and as faste sette hit per
Wele pe ioye pat he makede po: pe bischop Apelwold
126 pis miracle was sone icud: and wide aboute itold
Seint Apelwold wende sone: to Edgar pe gode king
128 And tolde him as wel was rijt: pis holi teping
IF pis gode king was glad ynouj: hi nomen hem to rede
130 Hou hi mijte mid mest honer: do pis holi dede
Hi assignede a dai perto: as here consayl bisay
132 Bifore haruest in pe mounp of Juli : pe eijteteope day
ST. SWITHIN. ST. KENELM. 47
IT Hi sumnede aje pis holi day: heje men ynowe perto
134 Bischopes and Abbotes: pe holi dede to do
po hi come to wynchestre: per pis bodie lay
136 In fasting and oreisouns : hi were nijt and day
pat oure louerd hem jeue grace: pis holi dede wel ende
138 po pe dai him was icome: to pe mynstre hi gonne wende
Ireuested faire ynouj: wip gret deuocioun
140 Wip tapres itend and pe croij: wip gret processioun
To pe tumbe hi wende sone : as pe bodi lay
142 As hit ful in pe mounp of Juli : pe vyfteope day
IT pis holi bischop Apelwold: as rijt was to do
144 Let delue to pis holi bodie: and po hi come perto
per com smyte out a suete brep: among pis gode men echon
146 pat so gret suetnisse as hem pojte: ne smylde hi neuere non
Louerd moche is pi mijte: sop hit is ised
148 pat a bodi scholde so suete smylle : pat so longe hadde ibeo ded
je witep bi oper dede men: pat hit was moche aje rijte
150 A blynd womman anon mid pe dede : in pe place hadde hire sijte
And menie opere per botnede ek : of vuel and of wo
152 And wip-inne pe tuey dayes: two hondred and mo
IF pis holi bodi was vp ynome: wip gret honour iwis
154 And into seinte peteres churche ibore: per pe heje mynstre is
And ido in a fair schrin and noble: as hit lip jute
156 pe miracles pat of him comep: for sope ne beop nojt lute
Ischryned he was neojene and tuenti jere: in pon and tuenteope
jere
158 After pat oure louerd an vrpe alijte : in his moder here
Nou seint swithin pat was bischop: her in Engelonde
160 Bringe ous to pe ioye of heuene: purf oure louerdes sonde.
[St. Kenelin follows.]
XIII. ST. KENELM.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 80.)
1 Seint kenelm pe junge kyng: purf oure louerdes sonde
Kyiig he was in Engelond: of pe March of Walis
48 THE LIFE OF ST. KENELM.
3 pe kyng kenulf his fader was : pat kyng was per also
pat rcrde abbai of wynchecumbe: & let per monekeg do
5 After his dep he was per ibured: & jut he lyp pere
In pe abbay pat jut stent: pat he him silue let rere
7 Gret Cite was po wynchecumbe : & mest of ynouj
In al pulke half of Engelond : as fur as his lond drouj .
IT Vyf kynges per were bi pulke tyme : in Engelonde ido
For Engelond was god & long: & brod ynou perto
11 Aboute eijte hondred mile: Engelond long is
Fram pe soup in to pe norp: & two hondred brod iwis
13 Fram pe est in to pe west: also pere-inne beop
Manye wateres goode ynowe: as je alday iseop
15 Ac preo wateres principales: of alle opere beo iwis
Humber & temese: seuerne pe pridde is
17 To pe norp see number gop: pat is on of pe beste
& temese into pe est see: & seuerne bi weste
19 pis vyf kynges of engelonde : pat were bi olde dawe
Hadde here part bi hem silue: as rijt was & lawe
21 pe kyng pat was of pe Marche: hadde po pe beste
Moche del he hadde of Engelond: pat on half al bi weste
U Wircestreschire & warewykschire : & also Gloucestre
pat is nej al o bischopriche : pe bischopes of Wircestre
25 He hadde also perto shestreschire : & Derbischire also
& Staffordshire pat beop alle: in o bischopriche ido
27 In pe bischopriche of Chestre : jut he hadde perto
Schropschyre sum & haluendel: warewykschire also
29 pis kyng hadde also herefordschire : pat o bischopriche is
& Schropschire haluendel: pat falp to pulke bischopriche iwis
31 & sum of warewykschire: & of Gloucestreschire also
jut hadde pe king of pe marche: more lond perto
33 Norhampte schire & bokingham schire : & pe schire of Oxenford
Leicestreschire & Lincolneschire : & pe schire of hereford
35 & pat is o bischopriche: & pat of Lincolne is
pat while was at Dorkcestre biside Oxenford iwis
37 jut hadde pe kyng of pe marche: Notingham schire perto
In pe bischopriche of Ouerwyke: ac po nas hit nojt so
39 Al pe lond was while icliped: pe march of Wales
& of al was seint kenelm: & his fader kyng iwis
LIFE OF ST. KENELM. DIVISIONS OF ENGLAND. 49
Nou of alle poperene kynedom: ajen his non nas
42 At wynchecumbe of al his lond : pe chief Cite was
IF pe vif kinges pat were po : pat on was of kent iwis
44 & pat oper as ic seide er: of pe march of walis
Of westsex & of humberlond: & of estlond also
46 puse vyf kynges were po : in Engelond ido
IF pe king of westsex hadde po : al wilteschire iwis
48 & Dorsete & barrocschire : pat also bischopriche is
pe bischopriche of salesbury : ac so nas hit po nojt
50 For pe chief of pe bischopriche was : at schireburne ibrojt
jut was pe kynges of westsex : al soupsex also
52 pe welde of al pe bischopriche: Cicestre perto
& souphampteschire & soupereye: pat o bischopriche is
54 pe bischopriche of wynchestre : pat jut is per iwis
& somersete pat to welles: pulke tyme drouj
56 Nou hit is pe bischopriche of bape : je witep wel ynouj
IF jut hadde pe kyng of westsex : aldoneschir iwis
58 & Cornwaille pat in pe bischopriche: of Excestre is
IF pe kyng of kent was po kyng: of al pe lond of kent
60 pat were in tuo bischopriches : & jut nis nojt iwent
IF pe Archebischop of Canterbury: of Engelond is hext
62 & pe bischopriche of Roucestre : in pe west side is next
pe kyng ek of estlond: king was of Norfolc
64 In pe bischopriche of Norpwych: & also soupfolc
& of pe bischopriche of Ely: pat pe ylle of Ely is
66 & of al Cantebrugge: pat perto falp iwis
IF Of pis lond was seint Edmund : king bi olde dawe
68 pat was in his owe lond: je witep wel aslawe
IF pe kyng of Norphumberland : was kyng ic vnderstonde
70 Of al pe lond bijunde humber: anon into scotlonde
Of pe Archebischopriche of Euerwyk : & of Durham iwis
72 Seint Osewald bi olde dawe: kyng was ouer al pis
IF pus menie kynges per were: while in Engelonde
74 & here londes departed were: pus ic vnderstonde
pe kyng pat was po of pe March: as ic telle bigan
76 Kenulf pe kyng was icleped : suype holi & god man
Seint kenelm his sone was: & his eir also
78 Bur wenylde & quendride: his doujtren were tuo
d
50 LIFE OF ST. KENELM. HIS SISTER'S TREACHERY.
In pe four & tuenti jer: of his kynedom
80 Kenulf wende out of pis wordle : & to pe ioye of heuene com
Hit was after pat oure louerd: in his moder alijte
82 Eijte hondred jer & neojentene: bi acountes rijte
Seint Kenelm his junge sone: in his souepe jere
84 Kyng was yinaked after him: pej he jung were
IT His o soster bur wenylde: louede him ynouj
86 & in eche manere to holi lyfe: & to alle godnisse drouj
Ac quendride poper soster: of hire manere nas nojt
88 For heo turnede to folie & to liperhede: al hire pojt
Heo sej pat hire junge broper: nas nojt of soue jer
90 pat kyng was ynaaked of al pat lond : pat hire fader hadde er
To him heo hadde gret enuye: pat he scholde so riche beo
92 & eir of hire fader lond: & ricchere pane heo
Heo pojte if heo mijte bringe : pat child of lyfdawe
94 pat heo were of pe heritage : quene bi rijte lawe
Al hire pojt was nyjt & day: to bipenche sum outrage
96 pat pis child were ibrojt of dawe: & heo hadde pe heritage
Heo purueide hire felonye: poisoun streng ynouj
98 For to jyue pe junge child: & slen him so wip wouj
po pis poisoun was ijeue: al for nojt hit was
100 For po pe child hit hadde idronke: no pe wors him nas
For oure louerd nold nojt pathe scholde: so lijtliche ymartred beo
102 If pe quene wolde spede: oper heo moste biseo
For perof heo caste an ambesas: heo pojte anoper pojt
104 po heo sej hit was for nojt: pat pe poisoun was iwrojt
IF pis junge child a maister hadde: pat his wardeyn was
106 Askebert he was icliped: strong traitour alias
For noman nemai pan oper: bet trecherie do
108 pat pulke pat is him next: & he trist mest to
IT pis lipere qaene bipojte hire : of alle liper wrenche
110 For me saip pere nis no felonye: patwomman ne can bipenche
Mid pis Askebert heo spac: pat child forto aspille
112 And bihet him mede god ynouj: & of hire al his wille
So pat pis tuo lipere pinges: were at one rede
114 & bispeke hou hi mijte best: do pis lipere dede
pe while hi speke hope: pis junge child to quelle
116 A sweueninge pat pe child mette: ich jou wole nou telle
LIFE OF ST. KENELM. HIS DREAM OF HIS MURDER. 51
*!T Him pojte pat per stod a treo: rijt tofore his bedde
118 pat anon to pe sterren tilde : & wel wide spredde
pis treo was fair & noble: & schynde brijte ynouj
120 Ful of blosmes & of frut: & of menie a riche bouj
Brenninge wex & lampen ek: wel pikke brende & lijte
122 So noble frut nas neuere non: ne pat schynde so brijte
Him pojte he clemde vpon pis treo: to pe hexte bouj an hej
124 & bihuld aboute in to al pe wordle: & prute ynouj isej
pe while he stod vpon pe treo: & bihuld aboute so
126 Him pojte pat on of his beste freond: pat he mest triste to
In pe grounde stod bynepe: & smot atuo pis treo
128 pat hit fil to grounde anon : pat deol hit was to seo
To a litel fojel he bicom: non fairere ne mijte beo
130 & bi-gan wip ioye ynouj: rijt into heuene fleo
He awook & was in pojte : her-of nyjt & day
132 po pis child mette pus: at wynchecumbe he lay
He nuste what hit bitoknede: pe more was his pojt
134 Er he sumping perof wiste : he ne .mijte beo blipe nojt
His norice pat him hadde ifed: & mid hire mule forp ibrojt
136 Tendre was of pis child: for heo him hadde deorest ibojt
To hire pat child triste mest: wolwenne hire name was
138 pat child hire tolde priueite: of pis sweuening al pat cas
po pe norice hadde ihurd: pat sweuening pat was so god
140 Heo bigan to sike sore: & in pojte stod
Alias heo seide pat ich scholde: pisne day euere abide
142 pat mie child mie swete hurte: scholde such ping bitide
Alias mie child mie suete fode: pat ich habbe forp ibrojt
144 pi soster bispekep pi dep: & quelle pe hap ipojt
Ac pe fowel pat pu bicome to: pat to heuene gan wende
146 pat was pi soule pat pider schal: after pi lyues ende
If pis sueuene bicom sop ynouj: pat he fond atte laste
148 For his soster & Askebert: bispeke his dep wel faste
II pis Askebert seide adai: pat pis child scholde wende
150 An hunting forto pleyen him : bi pe wodes ende
& he wip him to wardi him: as hit was rijt bi weye
152 He wende to pe wode of Clent: as hit were to pleye
As hi wende bi pe wode: as god jaf pe grace
154 A god wille pe child com on: to slepe in a place
d 2
52 LIFE OF ST. KENELM. HIS MURDER.
Adoun he lay al softe pere: & bigan to slepe anon
156 Askebert ne pojte nojt: pat he scholde panne gon
Biside in a durne stede: he bigan to delue faste
158 Ane put forto sle pis child: & sippe peron hit caste
H pis child bigan to awake sone: as hit were bi cas
160 After his maister he bihuld: & ne sej nojt whar he was
Ac oure louerd him jaf pe grace : pej he nuste nojt of his dede
162 pat he spac to his maister: & puse wordes sede
pu trauaillest pere aboute nojt: & pi while pu dost spille
164 For in an noper stede ic schal deye: whar so is godes wille
& purf pis jurd pat her is: tokning pu schalt iseo
166 Whan pi lipere wille hit mai do: pat ich ymartred beo
For wende pis lipere maister: & pis child also
168 Forte hi come to anoper stede: pat pis dede were ido
Askebert pis jurd nom: & sette hit on pe grounde
170 Hit bigan to leuy sone: & wexe in a stounde
& a gret asch bicom sippe: & stent in pulke place
172 To schewi pe mijte of seint kenelm : & oure louerdes grace
pis lipere man nom pis child: in pe wode of Clent
174 & ladde him as me dop ane peof : to afonge his iugement
He ladde him in a priuei stede : al out of pe weye
176 Bitwene tuei hilles heje: in a dupe valeye
IF pis child purf pe holi gost: pej poper him nolde telle
178 Wiste wel his lipere pojt: & pat he pojte him aquelle
& po he targede a lute while: pis lipere dede to done
180 pat child seide wel myldeliche: pat pu dost, do sone
He bigan a song pat me singep : in holi churche a day
182 pat was te domine laudamus: er he adoun lay
& po he cam to an holi vers: pat perinne was & is
184 A latyn iwrite as al pat oper: pat an englische is pis
pe white cumpaignye of martirs: louerd heriep pe: Te mar-
tirum caudidatfis laudat exercitus
186 Rijt as he hadde pe vers iseid: as pe boc tellep me
pis lipere man smot of his heued: vnder an hajporn treo
188 As hit godes wille was: pat he ymartrid scholde beo
A whit coluere as eni snow : out of him gan fleo teo
190 & rijt euene was iseje: into heuene flco
Vnepe he was soue jer old: er he ymartrid were
192 Al to sop his sueuene was: as me mijte iseo pere
LIFE OF ST. KENELM. THE WHITE COW. 53
1T pis lipere man pat him a-slouj: bigan to delue faste
194 And makede a put deope ynouj: & perinne pe child caste
And burede hit faste ynouj : pat hit ifonde nere
196 And wende je forp his wei : & let hit ligge pere
IF To quendride his lipere soster: anon he gan wende
198 And tolde hire al pe lipere cas : fram bigynninge to pan ende
pis quene was po glad ynouj: aboute heo wende anon
200 Forto seisi al pe lond: & pe maners echon
And makede hir quene of al pe March : as hire broper was kyng
202 & schrewe leuedi bicom ynouj: & liper purf alle ping
& wende aboute into al pe lond: to fonge here manrede
204 & bicom sturne & huld hire men: in sorewe & wrechede
Nou in pe quedes part mote heo ride: fram toune to toune
206 And falsliche as heo com anhej: also heo ful perdoune
Heo let hote in to al pat lond: pat no man so wod were
208 To nemne enes hire broper name: for loue ne for fere
& if me mijte of enie wite : pat hit nere nojt bileued
210 pat he nere anon ynome: & ismyte of his heued
pus furde pe lipere quene: & stirede hire wel faste
212 pat noman ne perste hire bropere nempne : so sore hi were of gaste
H Euere lai pis holi bodi: ibured swipe stille
214 pat noman ne perste him enes nemne: ajen pe quenes wille
So longe pat hit was al forjute: whan me nemijte of him speke
216 Ac hit nas nojt so pat oure louerd: atte laste him nolde awreke
Whan no man nolde pat wittie was : of him penche ene
218 Nolde oure louerd pat he were: allinge forjute so clene
Whan no man nolde pat witti was: of him habbe munde
220 A dombe best wipoute witte: hadde aje cunde
For a widue hadde a whit cou: pat wonede pere biside
222 pat jeode adai to fecche hire mete: in pe wode wide
per seint kenelm lai ibured: in pe valey perdoune
224 Eche dai wolde pis white cow: whan heo com fram toune
Fecche hire mete mid operkyn: *renne heo wolde alone [*MS.ft]
226 In to valeye al bynepe: & lete hire felawes echone
& sitte aboute pis holi bodi : forte eue al longe day
228 As hit were to honury him: for he alone lay
& so heo sat wipoute mete: alday to pan ende
230 & whan pat hit eue was : homward he wolde wende
54 LIFE OF ST. KENELM. THE HEAVENLY WRIT.
& an eue whan heo horn com: fat & round heo was
232 & so ful of mule heo was : pat me wondrede of pe cas
For per nas non of alle pe kyn : pat half so moche mule jeue
234 As ful heo wolde a morwe beo : pej heo were ymelked an eue
Ho so hadde suche kyn ynowe: he nere nojt to bymene
236 pe} his larder were nej ido: & his somer lese lene
IT pat folc pat pe wonder iseje: gret gome mid alle hi nome
238 & awaitede wel adai: whar pis cou bicome
& hi seje hire stitte adai: in pe valeye perdoune
240 Meteles stille in one stede: forte heo jeode an eue to toune
& whi heo leye per so: hi ne mijte wite for noping
242 Ac in here hurte him pojte wel : pat hit was sum tokning
For pis cou wonede per so: & ech dai drouj perto
244 Coubache me clipede pis valeye: & jut me dop also
In coubache pis holi bodi : lay wel menie a }er
246 pere me nuste nojt of him: as ic jou seide er
For his soster was so fers: & in so gret prute ibrojt
248 &suchpretningeforhimmakede: patmeneperstehimnemnenojt
po pis holi bodi ne moste: beo icud in Engelonde
250 Oure louerd pat wot alle ping: & perto sende his sonde
For as pe pope stod at Rome: & song his masse aday
252 At seint peteres weued in pe churche: as al pat folc isay
A coluere whittere pan enie snow : com adoun fram heuene fleo
254 & leide vpe pe weued a litel writ: & sippe gan to heuene teo
& flej vp an hej aje : as oure louerd hit wolde
256 pe writ was whit & schynde brijte : pe lettres were of golde
pe pope ponkede ihesu crist: & al pat folk also
258 pe pope nam pis holi writ: po pe masse was ido
IT He nuste what hit was to sigge: ne non ne coupe wite
260 For he ne coupe englisch non: & an englisch hit was iwrite
He let clipie ech maner diuerse men : of eche diuerse londe
262 If enie coupe of pis holi writ: eni ping vnderstonde
po were per men of Engelonde: pat wiste what hit sede
264 & vnderstode wel pat writ: po hi hit ihurde rede
pe writ was iwrite an englisch: as me radde hit pere
266 & to telle hit wipoute rym: puse wordes rijt hit were
In Clent in Coubache kenelm kinges bern lip vnder a porn
heuede bireued
LIFE OF ST. KENELM. HIS BODY IS FOUND. 55
U pis writ was nobliche: iwist & vp ido
270 & iholde gret relik: for jut hit is also
pe nobleste relik hit is: on perof of al Rome
272 As hit aujte wel ho vnderstode: rijt wel whannes hit come
For whan hit out of heuene com : & of oure louerdes honde
274 What noblerere relik mijte per beo : y ne mai non vnderstonde
perfore seint kenelmes day: as pe pope makede his heste
276 At Rome hi holdep hejliche: & makep suype gret feste
If po pe pope to sope wiste: what was pe tokninge
278 His messager into Engelonde: he sente wip pis tipinge
To pe archebischop of Canterbury: wolfred pat was po
280 Lettres he sende pat he scholde-: such ping vndergo
& siche out of pe wode of Clent: if enie man mijte wite
282 v At such an haj porn in Coubache: as hit was in pe write
And siche out pe holi bodi: pat durneliche lai pere
284 And do pat wip gret nobley: pat hi ischryned were
H po pis lettre fram pe pope: to pe archebischop com
286 Of bischops & of Clerkes : his consail perof he nom
So pat in pe wode of Clent: pat in Wircestreschire is
288 Hi lete siche pis holi bodi: & fonde hit out iwis
Vnder pe porn of Coubage : as pe writ seide at Rome
290 & for pe erore miracle of pe toun : pe whatlokere perto hi come
For pe contrai men per-biside : pat vnder-jete pat cas
292 Ouertrowede wel whar hit lay: for pe miracle so fair was
Anon so hi holi bodi vp nome: a wil spring vp pere stod
294 Of pe stede per he lai on : pat jut is cler & god
For per is a wille fair ynouj: & euere eft hap ibeo
296 In pe stede as he lai on: as me maj per iseo
pat me clepep seint kenelmes welle: pat menie men hap isojt
298 And menie hap of gret siknisse : purf pat water ibeo ibrojt
Of pe Cite of Wynchecumbe : & of pe contrai per biside
300 pe men were mest pat sojte so: to make pe bodi abide
For pe bischop hadde iloked : pat hit scholde pider beo ibore
302 & ischryned per his fader lay: pat arerde pe hous bifore
pis men pis holi bodi: pat of Gloucestreschire were
304 & nobliche toward wynchecumbe: with processioun here
^F pat folc of wircestre schire: pat wonede per biside
306 Nome hem to rede menie on: to make pe bodi abide
56 LIFE OF ST. KENELM. DISPUTE FOR HIS BODY.
Hi suore pat hi hit wolde habbe : pat no man ne scholde hit hem reue
308 For in pe schire pat hit was ifonde: pat hit scholde bileue
Bi pe watere of perschore : pis two schires hem mette
310 & conteckede for pis holi bodi: & faste to gadere sette
So pat hi nome a forme of pees: to do godes grace
312 Iff god wolde his wille schowe : er hi wende out of pe place
IT Fortrauailled hy were sore: pat hi moste slepe echon
314 Hi makede a forme pat hi scholde: ligge & slepe anon
& wheper of puse tuei schires : whatlokest mijte awake
316 Al sauf scholde wende forp : & pe bodi mid hem take
Stille hi leye & slepe faste: pis schiren bope tuo
318 & reste for here wirynisse: oure louerd hit wolde so
So pat hi of Gloucestre schire : bigonne to awaki echon
320 Al o tyme as god hit wolde: & of wircestre schire nojt on
In pais hi wende forp here wey: & pe bodi wip hem toke
322 Vyf myle wei hi were awend: er popere awoke
IT pis opere iseje hem bigyled: anon so hi gonne awake
324 Hi bigonne to suy pis opere faste : ac hi nemijte hem nojt oftake
pis men toward wynchecumbe: pis holi bodi bere
326 Er hi hit mijte pider bringe: suype werie hi were
So pat hi come in a wode: a lute bi este pe toune
328 & reste po hi were so nej: vp an hej doune
Apurst hi were for werinisse: so sore pat hit nas ende
330 For seint Kenelmes loue hi bede : som drinke oure louerd hem
sende
A cold welle & fair per sprong: anoueward pis doune
332 pat jut is per fair & cold: a myle fram pe toune
Wei faire hit is iheled nouj: wip fair ston as rijt is
334 And redi ech man to drinke perof: pat comep perforp iwis
IT pe monekes sippe of wynchecumbe : arerd habbep perbiside
336 A fair chapel of seint kenelm : pat men sichep wide .
IF Quendride pe lipere quene: at wynchecumbe po was
338 He nuste hire broper nojt so nej : ne nojt of pat cas
Heo sat in seint peteres churche: biside pe abbey jate
340 In a soler in pe est side : & lokede out perate
po sej heo al pis grete folc: anoueward pe doune anhej
342 To-ward wynchecumbe come: rijt vnder soup lej
Heo of eschte what men hit were: & what hi pojte pere
344 Me seide hire pat hi to churche wolde: & hire broper bere
LIFE OF ST. KENELM. A MIRACLE OF ST. JAMES. 57
IT po was pis quene sorig: in gret deol & fere
346 Hire sautere heo nom an honde: as heo witles were
Of pe sautere pe furste saume : tofore euesong iwis
348 Of cursing of lipere men : & of mansing ymaked is
Dominus laudem hit is icliped: pis saume pe quene radde
350 For acorsi hire broper bodi: & pat him pider ladde
po heo com to pe neojenteope vers : as pe mansing endep iwis
352 pat hoc opus eorum: a latyn icliped is
patsaip what men hit scholde beo : pat scholde afongesuchdede
IT Vpe hire owe heued hit com: po heo gan pat vers rede
For rijt as heo pe vers radde: out berste aipere hire eje
356 & fulle adoun vpe hire sautere : as manie men iseje
& pat was me pinjp wel ido: dai pat hire bymene
358 Heo ne biloj nojt hire trecherie: hire bijete was wel lene
pe sauter is jut at Malmesbury: & ho-so wole come perto
360 perinne me mai iseo: whar pe dede was ido
pis holi bodi was forp ibore: wip gret honour atte fyne
362 To pe abbay as he lip jut: & ido in noble schryne
IF pis lipere quene deide sippe: in schindisse ynouj
364 pis bodi as a corsed wrecche: in a foul dich me drouj
In pe fouleste pat pere was nej: & perinne me hit slouj
366 Bote hire ending schindful were: iwis hit were wouj
Nou god for seint kenelmes loue : his suete grace ous sende
368 pat we mote to pulke ioy e : pat he is inne wende : Amen.
[St. Margaret follows ; then St. Mary Magdalen ; then St. Cristine ;
& St. James.]
XIV. A MIRACLE OF ST. JAMES'S.
(Harl.MS. 2277, fol. lOOb.)
In pe Cite of leouns : a jung man per was also
2 pat ofte to seint Jame wende: & grete loue hadde perto
O tyme as he puder wende: he dude ane folie
4 pat menie to helle bringep : pe sinne of lecherie
Toward seint Jame he wende forp: er he ischcryue were
6 pe deuel was wel jurne aboute: him to mislere
58 A MIRACLE OF ST. JAMES. THE GELDED MAN.
Ajen him hi com in pe wei: swipe mylde & softe
8 Rijt as he seint Jame were: as he bigylep men ofte
Wostou euere ho ic am he seide: poper seide nai
10 Ich am pulke he seide pat pu hast: isued manie o dai
Seint Jame toward warn pu ert: y ne makie of pe no mone
12 pat pu nedost swip wel : of eche ping bote of one
pat pu dudest pe lecherie: er pu wendest to me
14 Among alle men if pat nere: mest ic preisi pe
IF Seint Jame merci quath pis oper: ic crie me milce & ore
16 Forpf me pulke lipere sinne: y nele do so no more
A bean frere quap pis oper: strong is pi misdede
18 pu ne mijt me neuere paye wel: bote pu do as ic rede
pe membre pu most kerue of: wherwip pu isynewed hast
20 pe synne ic wole forjyue pe panne: whan he is fram pe icast
And nej me pu scholdest beo: in ioye in heuene aboue
22 & pu woldest beo ymartird: & pe silue matir for mie loue
A louerd, quap pis man, seint Jame: haue merci of me
24 & ic wole me martir for mi synne : & for pe loue of pe
IF pis wrecche man carf of his membres : & awei fram him caste
26 & sippe purf his false red: him aslouj atte laste
Iredi was pe schrewe pere: pe soule he nom anon
28 & wel glad bigan in his manere: toward helle gon
Ne forget nojt seint Jame his pelegrim: for cas pat hi gan bitide
30 Ajen pe deuel he com adoun: & bad pe schrewe abide
pu berest he seide more pan pin owe : & pat ich wole cupe pe
32 Hastou bitrayd mie pelgrim: moche schame dostou me
IF je al for nojt quap pe schrewe: pu ert hider icome
34 In his synne him silf he slouj : & perwip ic him habbe ynome
Ne mai no manne in dedJich synne : to pe ioye of heuene wende
36 As wel pu mijt go ajen: he is myn wipoute ende
pu lipere ping quap seint Jame: pu bitraidest him wip falshede
38 & wip trecherie to him come : pu let him go ic rede
Ich habbe leue quap pe schrewe: to bigyli & bitraye also
40 In eche quyntise pat mai: whi wolde he misdo
IF pis strif ilaste bituene hem longe : ac po seint Jame ne mijte
42 Wipinne pe schrewe wip resoun: come ne wip rijte
pu schalt he seide wip me come: to an hejere Justise
44 pat pe schal pe trecherie julde : for whan pe schal agrise
A MIRACLE OF ST. JAMES. LIFE OF ST. CRISTOPHER. 59
To-fore oure leuedie swete & mylde : pane schrewe he gan lede
46 He jal & quakede dulfulliche: po he isej hire for drede
je julle moten hi euere mo: & wo jou mote bitide
11 pe schrewe fond his macche po: ic wot he scholde abide
pu lipere ping quap oure leuedi po: whi fondestou in alle wise
50 To bynyme ous & bitraye hem: pat beop in oure seruise
pu ne schalt neuere pis soule broke: for pi trecherie
52 Leoue leuedi quap pe schrewe: merci ic pe crie
Vnderstond pat ich habbe leue: to bigyli men ynouj
54 & pat ich him fond in dedlich synne : & perinne him silue a-slouj
& pat neuere noman in such cas: to heuene come ne mijte
56 As he myn mid alle lawe: hold me ic bidde to rijte
IF pu lipere best oure leuedi seide: to moche joure poer is
58 Alias pat man nele beo war: er he do amis
As pu mid trecherie: his lyf him bynome
60 Al so ic wole him jyue aje: his lyf bi rijte dome
& panne he mai cheose as he wole: god man oper vuel beo
62 Oure leuedi makede pe soule aje: to pe bodi fleo
Fram depe to lyue he aros: purf oure leuedi lore
64 & god lyf ladde afterward: & pe deuel doutede pe more
His membres pat. he of carf: euere he dude misse
66 Bote a lute wharpurf he mijte : whan he wolde pisse
& pe deuel jeode awey: & huld him a-gyled sore
68 Nadde pe schrewe neuere so moche schame : pat he nere worpe
more
For he dop men euere schame: sorewe him mote bifalle
70 And liper prift vpon his heued: amen siggep alle
Nou seint Jame for pe holi stede: pat pu hast in Galij
72 Hel alle pi pelegrims & ous : & bring ous to heuene blis . Amen.
XV. ST. CRISTOPHER.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 101 b.)
Seint Cristofre was sarajin: in pe lond of Canaan
2 In no stede bi his daye: ne fond me so strong a man
Four & tuentie fet he was long: & picke & brod ynouj
4 Such man bote he were strong: me pinjp hit were wouj
60 LIFE OF ST. CRISTOPHER. HE SEEKS THE DEVIL.
Al a contrai where he were: for him wolde fleo
6 perfore him pojte pat noman: ajen him scholde beo
Wip no man he seide he nolde beo: bote wip on pat were
8 Hexist louerd of alle men : & vnder non oper nere
He wende to siche such a man: so pat me him tolde
10 Of pe hexiste pat an vrpe was: & mest poer dude wolde
IF Seint Cristofre him sojte fur: atte laste he com him to
12 pe kyng him eschte what he were: & what he wolde also
pis oper seide what he was: & pat he seruise wolde
14 pe hexte man pat owhar were: & to noman abowe ne scholde
If he enie such fond : pe king aje sede
16 pat he nehuld of no man: ne nescholde of noman beo indrede
Here aiper was of oper glad: Cristofre him seruede longe
IF pe kyng louede melodic : of harpe & of songe
So pat his iugelour adai: to-fore him pleide faste
20 & anemnede in his rym: pe deuel atte laste
po pe kyng ihurde pat: he blescede him anon
22 Seint Cristofre nom gode jeme: ane fot he nolde gon
Er he wiste whi hit were: pe kyng was lop to telle
24 poper seide bote pu telle me: no lenger bileue y nelle
If po pe kyng ne sej non oper: leoue Cristofre he sede
26 Hit was for he nemnede pane : deuel : for ic haue of him drede
Eke he is quap Cristofre: hejere maistre pan pu
28 pat ne mai ic nojt quap pe kyng: wel wipsigge nou
Haue god dai ek quap pis oper: y nele neuere wip pe beo
30 Ich wole siche pane deuel & seruie him : if ic him mai iseo
IF pe kyng was sorie & alle his: for he nolde abide
32 To siche pe deuel he wende forp : ac napeles nojt wel wide
For pe schrewe is euere prest: pat to him habbep ynome
IF po Cristofre com wipoute pe toun: gret folc he sej come
Wip grete noblei wel anhorse: swise firse & proute
36 Cristofre hem mette baldeliche: of noman he nadde doute
pe maistre pat was firs ynouj: com & ymette him anon
38 Beau sire he seide what ertou: & whoder wostou gon
Ich am he seide in mie seruise: & noman seruie y nelle
40 Bote mie louerd pat ic siche : pane heje deuel of helle
Beau frere quap pis oper ic hit am: wolcome ertou to me
42 pe beste seruise pat pu wolt cheose: ic wole delyurie pe
LIFE OF ST. CRISTOPHER. THE CROSS AND THE DEVIL. 61
Cristofre isej his grete folc: & pat he was of gret poer
44 Of such a louerd he was glad : & of such a mestier
If pe maister het alle his men: awei bote hem tueye
46 To teche his mester priueiliche: as hi jeode bi pe weye
As hi jeode tellinge forp : of pis lipere seruise
48 A croij per stod in pe wei: pe deuel him gan agrise
Fur in breres & in pornes: al aboute he drouj
50 je ne come he neuere in betere stede : for pulke was god ynouj
& perinne were he alto-drawe.: forte ic wolde him bymene
52 & po he pe croice ipassed was: he tournde aje to pe clene
Cristofre eschte whi hit were: him was lop to telle
54 Certes he seide bote pu me telle : neuere serui ic pe nelle
Cristofre quap pe deuel: ic wole pe seruie vayn
56 Wip pat pu seruie me pe bet: afterward wip al pi mayn
Wip a suche croice as pu iseje: pe heje god pat was here
58 Ouercom & in sorwe broujte: me & alle myne fere
Ek he is hejire pan pu quap Cristofre: & hap poer more
60 I ne mai hit nojt ofsake quap poper: & pat me ruep sore
1 Sai pat panne quap Cristofre beo leng in pi seruise
62 If ic of pulke heje manne oujt iwite eny wise
Forp he wende to siche oure louerd: wide he gan gon
64 Atte laste he fond an hermyte: puder he wende anon
He tolde him clanliche hou hit was : & hou he such man sojte
66 I-hered beo he quap pe heremyte : pat in such wit pe broujte
For he is pi louerd leoue sone: to man he pe wroujte
T & mid his owe flesch & blod: in pe croij pe boujte
pu most sumwhat for him polie: & faste eche friday
70 I ne faste neuere quap pis oper: ne jut y ne may
pu most quap pis oper to churche go : & pi beden bidde also
72 I not quap Cristofre what hit is: ne y ne mai hit nojt do
No quap pis hermyte pu ert strong: & her is a water biside
74 pat noman ne mai perouer come: bote he pe hejire ride
pu most in lisnisse of pi synne : per habbe pi woninge
76 & whan enie man hap to pe neod: pu most him ouer bringe
In forjyuenisse of his misdede: he grantede pis anon
78 pe ermyte him jaf cristendom: & let him pider gon
Cristofre biside pulke watere: & lute hous makede pere
80 In his hong ['c] he bar a long perche: his staf as pej hit were
62 LIFE OF ST. CRISTOPHER. THE HEAVY BOY, CHRIST.
Whan enic man wolde ouer pat water : vpe his rug he him caste
82 & nom his parche & bar him ouer : & step hardeliche & faste
For he was so long & so strong: pat per ne com so heuy non
84 pat he nolde wip him wel baldeliche: ouer pe deope gon
IT A nijt in pat oper half of pe water: a voij come & gradde
86 Cristofre hale hale: pat he him ouer ladde
Cristofre anon vp aros: his parche an honde he nom
88 Wod forp & ne fond no man: po he to londe com
He nas bote vnepe atom: pat he ne gradde also per
90 He wod forp & ne mijte fynde: namore pan he dude er
jut he gradde pe pridde tyme: po he com horn to londe
92 Wip his rod he wod oje: a lute child he fond stonde
pat child him bad par charite: pat he him ouer here
94 je com herforp quap Cristofre: y nuste wher pu were
Wel lijtliche pis child he nom: & in his armes him caste
96 Eueree as he bar pis child: hit gan to heuye faste
& pat water him wax also: Cristofre him sore agaste
98 To adrenche so heuy pat child was : pat vnepe he stod atte laste
He nas neuere so nej ouercome: at eche tyme hegrunte&blaste
100 & leste pat child were adreynt: he ne perste hit adoun caste
IT po he was to londe icome: as him pojte longe er
102 pat child he sette adoun to grounde: forto kele him per
What ertou he seide so lute: & so heuy bicome
104 So heuy pat ic was vpe pe poynte: to adrenche ilome
pej al pe wordle hadde ileye vpe me : me pinjp so heuy nere
106 No wonder Cristofre quap pat child: pej ic heuyere were
pan al pe wordle for ic am more: pan al pe wordle iwis
108 & al pe wordle ic makede of nojt: & al ping pat is
& pat pu pat sope iseo : piche pi staf on pe grounde
110 & leuy he schal & bere frut: & blowe in a stounde
H po nuste he whar pat child bicom : Cristofre his staf nom
112 & pijte in pe grounde: & also hit bicom
po was he sikerere pan he was : & oure louerd louede more
114 Forp he wende to schewi him: & to prechi godes lore
He ihurde sigge wher cristene men: in tourment were ibrojt
116 To confortie hem he wende pider: pat hi ne flecchede nojt
Beop hardi he seide & stedefast: & dop as ic jou lere
.118 pe iustise sturte vp anon: & smot him vnder pe ere
LIFE OF ST. CRISTOPHER. HE IS BOUND. 63
Sitte wel stille quap Cristofre: ic rede ne smyt no more
120 Ertou he seide of pulke: pu hit schalt acore sore
For if ic nere cristene man: ic wolde me awreke anon
122 je bileouep on pis Maumetj: ymaked of treo & ston
pat no miracle ne mowe do: namore pan so moche treo
124 Of mie louerdes Miracles some : bi mie staf pu schalt iseo
His rod he pijte in pe grounde: & he gan anon
126 Leuie & blowe & here frut: bifore hem echon
On such god he seide je schulde bileoue : pat such virtu mai do
128 Hi ne perste for he was so moche : o bold word speke him to
For his faire miracle of his staf: & for his preching also
130 To god tournde in pe place: soue pousend & mo
To-ward a maner wyldernisse: seint Cristofre wende
132 In Godes seruise to lede his lyf : as oure louerd him grace sende
IF pe Justise tolde pe kinge fore: pat such a man he sej
134 Tourne pat folc & he ne perste : for his strenjp come him nej
pe kyng het tuo hondred knyjtes: siche forto hi him fonde
136 pat hi him nome & sone ladde: to him faste ibounde
Forp wende pis tuo hondred knyjtes: wel yarmed anon
138 Toward Cristofre his come a lute: hi bihulde him echon
Hi alle ne perste come him ne}: ac hanward gonne fleo
140 & tolde po hi come horn: pat hi ne mijte him nojt iseo
IT What je cowardj quap pe kyng: nabbe je him nojt ifounde
142 Ich wole if he is alyue : habbe him faste ibounde
He sende oper tuo hondred knyjtes: pat hi him wide soujte
144 & pat hi ne come neuere aje: bote hi him wip hem broujte
Wel yarmed hi wende forp: & po hi Cristofre iseje
146 Hi stode & ne perste come no ner: ne vnepe him loke wip eje
For he was so gastliche& so moche : pat hi perste vnepe him iseo
148 He mijte wip a lute lupe : wel sone habbe ymaked hem fleo
IT pis gode man hadd god game of hem : & eschte what hi wolde
150 We ne pore nojt pis knyjtes seide: do bi pe as we wolde
For pe kyng ous het pe bringe him: pyn honde faste ibounde
152 If pu wolt we wollep him sigge : pat we nabbep pe nojt ifounde
IF Nai for gode quap Cristofre: je ne schulle nojt beo iblamed so
154 Ich wole go wip jou to loke fawe: what he wole habbe ido
He makede hem al ajen hire wille: his honden faste bynde
156 & ladde him forp harde ynouj: his honden faste bihynde
64 LIFE OF ST. GRISTOPHER. HIS CONVERTS.
Bi pe wei as hi him ladder he gan hem so lere
158 pat er hi come horn to pe kyng: alle icristned hi were
Ac napeles hi ladde him forp : to pe king faste ibounde
160 Lo sire he seide godes kni|t: nou we him habbep ifounde
If pe kyng sat an hej vpe his sige: & anon po he him isej
162 For fere he ful to grounde anon: pat his necke to-berste nej
pis knijtes anon to him come: & po his wit aje com
164 Cristofre he seide tourn pi pojt: & bilef cristendom
Gode man pu mijt quap pis oper: as wel beo stille
166 Mi bodi pu hast faste ibounde: do bi me pie wille
Certes sire quap pis knyjtes: pat him hadde pider ibrojt
168 We habbep itake cristendom : we nulle bileue hit nojt
IF pe king let po in grete wrappe : pis Cristofre in prisoun do
170 & pis knijtes bynde faste : & smyte of here heuedes also
IF po pe knijtes biheueded were: pe kyng him bipojte
172 & tuo faire wymmen mid alle: seint Cristofre he brojte
Nite het pat on & poper Aquiline: forto tourne his mod
174 po pis wymen iseje Cristofre: as he in prisoun stod
Hem pojte his face brijtere was: pan sonne oper mone
176 Merci Cristofre loude hi gradde: cristendom jef ous sone
IF Cristofre teijte here bileue : & cristnede hem pere
178 pe king hem let amorwe fecche: & loke hou hit were
& wende hi hadde pane gode man: in lecherie ibrojt
180 pis wimmen jeue him lijt ansuere: as hi ne jeue of him no}t
What, hou gop pis, quap pe king: habbe je itournd joure pojt
182 Honoure cure godes ich jou rede: while jou is wel idojt
joure godes beop worpie quap pis wimmen: in faire stede
honoured beo *
184 perfore swopep pe stretes: pat alle men hit mowe iseo
& we hem wollep onoure iwis: as rijt is & lawe
IF pe king let do al as hi sede: sone & wel fawe
po pis maumetj were ibrojt: in pe stret atte laste
188 pis wymmen nome here gurdles bope : & teide to hem wel faste
And drowe hem into al pe stret : & hewe hem to douste pere
190 Gop hi seide & fecche hem leches: pat hi iheled were
IF pe king was po for wrappe wod: pat o womman he let honge
192 Heuye rekkes bynde to hire fet: pat hire dep prowes were
stronge
ST. CHRISTOPHER. HIS MARTYRDOM. 65
po pis womman was vp idrawe: hire lymes burste wip-inne
194 Necke & synuen & oper ek: wel aujte heo heuene iwinne
In strong for he let poper do: ac no fur ne com hire nej
196 Sippe he let smyte of hire heued: po he pat isej
pis holie wimmen bope pus: to pe ioye of heuene wende
198 purf pe grace pat oure swete louerd: pur Cristofre hem sende
pe king let fecche Cristofre : & eschte of him anon
200 Wheder he wolde his maumetj seruie oper to depe gon
II Cristofre forsoc here maumetj: & here seruise also
202 pe king het pat me scholde anon: vpe a gridire him do
And roste him wip fur & pich: & po he was perinne idou
204 Awei pe gridire mylte: pat fur queynte anon
& he aros vp wipoute harme: wrop was pe king po
IF To a piler he let him bynde: & knyjtes aboute him go
Hi schote him to stronge depe: wip wel kene flo
208 per schute wip bowe & arblestes : tuo hondred knijtes & mo
Ac non arewe nej him ne com: ac alle abide biside
210 In p'eir hi honge aboue him: as hit were forto abide
If Anon so pe kyng hit isej: for wrappe pider he wende
212 Ouer Cristofre an arewe heng: pat toward pe king kende
Bope his eje smyte al out: fur vp in his heued
214 pe king stod po for angusse: as his wit were bireued
pu vnseli wrecche quap Cristofre: what is worp pi mijte
216 Ajen him pat pu hast bigonne: pu ert wel feble to fijte
Of pi wrecchede ic habbe reupe: & pat ich wole cupe pe
218 For mie louerd to morwe wole: pat me martir me
Smyre panne pin ejen wip mie blod: & pe tit sijt god
IF pis blynde kyng hadde perto hope: & wel hit vnderstod
Amorwe he let smyte of his heued: & smyrede wip pe blod
222 & hadde his ejen gode & clere: & tournde sone his mod
pis holi man he let burie faire: & bileouede on god anon
224 And afeng cristendom: & his men echon
& to pe ioye of heuene wende: & so hem was bet
226 pan wende to helle pyne : & seruie here maumet
pus seint Cristofre atte laste: pe hexte king out soujte
228 Nou god ous bringe to pulke ioye : pat he his soule broujte : Amen :
[St. Martha follows; then St. Laurence, the Assumption of St.
Mary, St. Bartholomew the Apostle, St. Giles the Confessor,
66 THE 11,000 VIRGINS.
the Holy Rood and its miracles, St. Matthew, Seint Michel
parcangle; then the pit of hell &c., printed at the end (p. 132-140)
of Mr. Wright's edition of Popular Treatises on Science written
daring the Middle Ages, London 1841; then St. Jerome, St.
Denis, and St. Luke.]
XVI. THE 11,000 VIRGINS.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 137.)
Elleue pousend virgines: pat fair cumpaignie was
2 Imartred were for godes loue: ic wole telle pat cas
A king per was in Britaigne: Maur was his name
4 A doujter he hadde Ourse : a mai of noble fame
So fair womman me niste non: ne so god in none poynte
6 Cristine heo was & al hire cun: swipe noble & queynte
Of hire fairhede & godnisse me tolde in eche side
8 pat pe word cam in-to Engelond: & elleswhoder wide
IT A king per was in Engelond: a man of gret poer
10 Of pis maide he hurde telle: gret noblei fur & nher
To spouse hire & his sone: to-gadere he hadde ipojt
12 Ac per nas pe jut in Engelond: no cristendom ibrojt
IT Tope king of britaigne he sende worp: his doubter pat was so fair
14 pat he hire lete marie: to his sone pat was his heir
If he were per ajen: pat pe dede were ido
16 Destruye he wolde al his lond: & him silue also
1T J)o pis message was : to pe king ised
18 Sorie & dreorie he was : he ne coupe perof no red
For pe king of Engelond: was hepene & alle his
20 & he wiste wel his doujter nolde: beon iwedded iwis
& for pe kyng of Engelonde: was man of grete mijte
22 & pat he nadde poer non: ajen him forto fijte
& napeles trues of answere: aje pe message he nom
24 Deol & sorwe & lute ioye: in his hurte per com
He ne tolde nojt his doujter fore: of pis reuful cas
26 Ac napeles heo hit vnderjet: for he so sorie was
jurne heo bad god day & a ni}t: pat he scholde hire rede
IT A angel per com to hire a nyjt: & puse wordes sede
IT Ne beo pu nojt aje pis sonde: ac pi fader forto paye
30 Grante iwedded forto beo: at a certeyn daye
THE 11,000 VIRGINS. THEIR SHIP AND THEIR GAMES. 67
Wipinne preo jer pat pu mowe: pi maidenhod honoure
32 & per wonye mid pe: clene maidenes in pi boure
pat pe kynge sone & pi fader: beo at one rede
34 To cheose pe ten maidenes: wipoute enie wikhede
Whan je to-gadere beop: pat bi fynde jou ek perto
36 A pousend maidenes to ech of jou: to seruie jou also
pat whan alle je to-gadere beop : pat ech mowe in his side
38 Honoure here maidenhod & pyn: pat hit beo coup wide
So pat me nute maide non: alised aje pe
40 & pat he wole cristene beo: pi louerd pat schal beo
In pisse foreward grante him: in pe pridde }ere
42 Iwedded to beo in godes lawe : naue perof no fere
IT po pis maide ihurde pis: heo was glad of pis lore
44 pat heo wiste wharwip hire fader: bringe out of sore
To hire fader heo wende anon: & bad pat hire telle scholde
46 Whi he mournynge jeode so: & he seide he nolde
Ich wot wel pi pojt quap pis maide: pej pu hit holde stille
48 Of pi message naue pu no doute: ic wole don al pi wille
po gan heo sigge in whiche manere: as p'angel hadde ised
50 Heo wolde habbe pis heje man: if hit were his red
IF Wele pat pe king was glad: po he hurde pis
52 pe message he jaf an answare: mid gode hurte iwis
po pe tepinge to him com: wel he him paide
54 Sone he let him cristinie: for loue of pis maide
& purf his fader red : & purf poper kynge
56 Elleue pousend maidenes clene: to pis maide hi lete bringe
Wher me mijte fynde nou as sone: as me mijte po
58 I ne wene nojt wher me scholde: in al pis toun fynde mo
IT pis maide was glad of pe cumpaignye: pat to hire com
60 Sone heo gan in priueite : teche hem of cristendom
pat for hire loue & hire prechinge: alle cristene hi were
62 Louerd which a cumpaignye: of clene maidenes was pere
So glad was pe king of his doujter: & of hire faire ferede
64 pat he hem let makie a schip: of gret lengpe & brede
pat hi scholde aboude in pe see: pleye wher hi wolde
66 pat ech man a londe & a watere : here maidenhod preisi scholde
Hi songe ofte a londe & a watere: & tresches gonne lede
68 & oper maner faire pleyes : & alle of faire dede
e2
68 THE 11,000 VIRGINS. THEY GO TO COLOGNE & ROME.
Mete & drinke stilleliche: to schipe hi gonne bringe
70 To preo jeres sustenance : wipoute leue of pe kynge
A day hi furde to pe see: & pleide vp & doun
72 For ioye per bihulden hem: men of menie o toun
IF As hi were in mest pleye: oure louerd a wynd sende
74 pat drof hem fur in-to pe see: me nuste whoder hi wende
Wei glade weren hi po: pe wynd hem drof wel blyue
76 Atte Cite of Coloigne: hi gonne furst aryue
To damaisele Ourse : an angel per com pere
78 And hire maidenes bad lede wel: forte hi ymartred were
& seide hi schulde furpere fare: & alle aje wende
80 & in pulke toun ymartred beo: for godes loue attan ende
Glad was pis maide purf pis word: forp hi wende anon
82 Atte Cite of Basilie: hi aryuede po echon
Fram pulke^euerechone : afote hi wende to Rome
84 pe pope hem makede ioye ynou: po hi pider come
For meniee of hem him were isibbe: & for he was of britaigne
86 Ciriac his name was: hi were wip him wel fawe
IF To pe pope an angel per com a nijt: & seide pat he scholde
88 Mid pis maidenes ymartred beo: for oure louerd hit wolde
After pis tyme pis holi man: honourede hem pe more
90 & prechede hem of clanniesse: & of oure louerdes lore
Tuelmonp & elleue wyke: alle pis maidenes were
92 At Rome wip pis holi pope : pat he dude wet lere
Ac pe pope po seint Ciriak: his consail clipie bigan
94 His clerkes & his Cardynals: & menie anoper man
Tofore hem al his dignete: he tok vp attan ende
96 & seide he wolde into anoper lond: mid pis maidenes wende
His Cardynals were perajen: pat he his dignete gan reue
98 Wip wenclen forto go: & his dignete bileue
Napeles he wende forp wip hem: al ajen here rede
100 His Cardinals & his clerkes : gret schame perof him sede
IF Tuei lipere princes: Maximin & Affrican
102 pojte pat pis maidenes wolde: tourne menie man
To here prince of Coloigne: hi sende for pan one
104 pat he whan hi pider come: hem martrede echone
IF pis child pat schold pis maide wedde: as hi hadde ised
106 King was ymaked in Engelond: po his fader was ded
THE 11,000 VIRGINS. THEIE MARTYRDOM, A. D. 238. 69
pat ladde swipe chast lyf: & langede wel sore
108 Wip pe clene maide speke : purf strenjpe of godes lore
IF An angel per com to him: & bad him in alle wise
110 pat his moder & his junge soster: he lete baptize
& pat he to Coloigne wende: wip him wip al his mayn
112 & afonge cristendom: er hi come agayn
pat he bounde hure to him faste: in word & in dede
114 & endedc to-gadere here lyf: as he hem wolde rede
pe junge king fawe dude: as pangel him gan lere
116 He nom his moder & his soster: & po hi ibaptised were
& pe bischop Clement ek: pat hem ibaptised hadde
118 Toward Coloigne forp wip him aje: pis maidenes he ladde
Wel glad was pe junge kyng: po he to his lemman com
120 As glad was pis maide: po heo se} him in cristendom
Gladdest he was wip his soster: pat het Florentine
122 pat heo scholde so jung & so clene: suffrie depes pyne
Ourse of Britaigne pe junge king: of gret ioye him gan lere
124 pat he huld him faste to hire : & pat he ne flecchede for no fere
pat hi mijte in true loue: togadere ymartred beo
126 & in heuene beo mid ihesu crist: pat hen boujte on pe treo
pis junge kyng grantede al pis : pis womman nojt ne wornde
128 His furste pojt to true loue: of clannisse he tournde
T pe hepene prince jare was: po hi to Coloigne come
130 & lipere men menie on: & pis cumpaignye nome
Hi suede & cride on hem aschame: to grounde hi hem slowe
132 As so fele wolues among hem: here flesch hi to-drowe
If po hi come to pis clene ping: Ourse of britaigne
134 po hi fonde such a creatoure: so fair & so fayne
pe prince hire nom & hire bihet: to lete hire go alyue
136 & for hire noble gentise: habbe hire to wyue
pis maide seide pat heo nolde: non vrplich spouse take
138 pe prince was po wrop ynou: po he was forsake
IF Archers he let hire schute anon: to depe attan ende
140 & po heo & hire cumpaignye : to pe blisse of heuene gonne wende
& pe junge kyng of Engelond : & his moder also
142 & his junge soster Florentine: to depe were ido
& pe pope Ciriac: & bischopes menie on
144 pat for hope of martirdom : wip po maidenes dude gon
70 THE 11,000 VIRGINS. THE CORPSE OF ONE RISES.
Ou , louerd , pe grete ioye : of pis swete ferrede
146 pat martirdom for pi loue: afonge wipoute drede
In pe tuo hondred: & eijte & prittig jere
148 After pat god an vrpe com: pis maidenes ymartred were
pis elleue pousend maidenes: & al pe cumpaignye
160 Ibured were sippe in Coloigne: in a nonnerie
An abbod per was per biside : pat hurde of pis cas
152 & ofte of pis clene maidenes: gret miracle per was
He bad p'abbot of Coloigne: pat he him granti scholde
154 A body of pis clene maidenes : & he hit wolde do in golde
If po pis bodie him was bitake: tuelfmonp he let hit beo
156 Wipoute siluer oper gold: in a chiste of treo
po pe tuelf monpes were ido : as pe monekes echone
158 At matyns were a nijt: pe bodie aros vp alone
& enclynede hire to pe heje weued: & wende myldeliche
160 Out purf al pe couent: faire & stilleliche
pis monekes po hi pis iseje: adrad & sorie were
162 To pe tumbe hi wende per heo was: & ne fonde hire nojt pere
IF pis quap p'abbot is oure wreche: for we nadde hire ido
164 In golde rijt as hit hadde ibeo: for we bihete hire so
To p'abbesse of Coloigne: p'abbot wende anon
166 & tolde pe cas hou hit was: of pe maide agon
Hi wende to pulke stede: per as heo was ileid er
168 & heuede vp pe lid of pe prouj: & fonde hire ligge per
Faire & euene as heo dude er: so lute lyme per nas
170 pat ne lai as he furst dude: fair miracle per was
p'abbasse was po glad ynouj: & pe nonnen echon
172 & for pe miracle songe an hej: & ponkede god anon
IF p'abbot bad pat he moste habbe: po holi bodi eftsone
174 & he hit wolde honoury fawe: as rijt was to done
Ac p'abbesse bit nolde granti nojt: no pe couent noper
176 pat he hit scholde eft lede aweie: pe} hit were here broper
For hi seje hit was godes wille: pat hit scholde bileue pere
IF pis abbot wende horn aje: wip wel dreorie chere
Nou god ous grantie for his grace: pat we mowe iwinne
180 pe heje ioye of heuene: pat pis maidenes beop inne: Amen:
[Seint Simon <fc Seint Jude follow; then St. Quintiu the Martyr,
All Saints Day, All Souls Day, St. Leonard the Confessor, &
St. Martin.]
ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. 71
XVII. ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 155.)
Seint Edmund pe confessour: pat lip at Ponteneye
2 Of gode men & true he cam: pe| hi nere nojt wel heye
Ibore he was in Engelond: in pe toun of Abyndone
4 Glad mijte pe moder beo: pat bar such a sone
Mabille pe riche his moder het: pat god womman was ynouj
6 For bop wyf & widne: to holi lyf heo drouj
If A seint Edmundes day pe king: pe gode child was ibore
8 So clene he cam fram his moder: wipoute erne hore
& so drie pat no clop: pat nej pe moder was
10 Ne nej pis junge child ibore: noping isoilled nas
A seint Edmundes dai he was ibore: po hit was furst dai
12 Fram pe morwe forte hit was nej nijt: as ded ping he lay
Rijt as he were ded bore: for no lyf on him ne say
14 Ajen eue he cudde furst his lyf: to churche he was ibore
& for seynt Edmundes day hit was: Edmund icleped perfore
IT pis child wax & wel ipej: elles wonder hit were
po hit was of enie elde: pe moder hit let lere
18 & Robert ek hire oper sone: for sones heo hadde hem two
& tuei maidenes clene ynou: hire doujtren were also
20 Dame Margerie & dame Alice : pat at Kattesby were ido
& pat in ordre nonnes were: & liggep per bope tuo
H Dame Mabille pe gode moder: pis children louede ynou
22 & wissede hem to clene lyue: & to godnisse drouj
pe wile children junge were: ofte heo jaf hem mede
24 For to faste pane fridai: to watere & to brede
purf mede & purf faire biheste: hi wer so per-on ibrojt
26 po hi were in grettere elde: hit ne greuede hem rijt nojt
pe moder werede harde here: for oure louerdes loue
28 Fram pe schuldre to pe hele: & harde hauberk aboue
In suche penance heo ladde hire lyf: pis widue pat was so wys
30 Wel jung heo sende bope here sones: to scole to Parys
& bitok hem spense lute ynouj: as heo mijte biseo
32 Hi seide aje pat hi ne mijte nojt: bi so lute beo
Leoue sones, quap pis moder: ic mai beo jut wel hende
34 If je wollep don after me: ic can jou more sende
72 ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. CHRIST IS HIS.
& hit schal jut likie wel: bi pan je wite pan ende
36 If je pore mid so lute : out of londe wende
If Leoue moder, quap pe sones: we schulle don after pi lore
38 Ac pu wost we ne mowe nojt libbe: bote pu ous sende more
If pe moder tok wel stilleliche: ech of hem an here
40 pat hi werede hem eche wike: tueye oper prie pere
& heo wolde hem sende spense ynou : pe while hi at scole were
If pis children jeode to scole po: & dude here moder heste
& werede here here prie a wyke: oper tueye atte leste
44 So longe hi hem vsede perto: pat hi hem nome oftere mo
So longe pat noper dai ne nijt: hi nolde hem nojt forgo
46 Hi vseden hem so wel perto: pat hi werede hem dai & nijt
pis was lo a god moder: pat teijte hire childrene arijt
48 And euere as heo hem sende elopes : as heo hem mijte iwynne
perwip heo wolde heren sende: isued stille wip-inne
If Seint Edmund pe gode clerc: to eche godnisse drouj
pat euerech clerc pat him iknew: hadde of him ioye ynouj
52 For oure louerd & his holi grace: mid him was wel ryue
& pat oure louerd cudde him wel: in his junge lyue
If For as he jeode a dai: in a mede for to pleye
His felawes he bileuede echon: & jeode biside pe weye
56 & alone jeode vp & doun: & his beden sede
per cam go a fair whit child: to him in pis mede
58 Felawe, he seide, hail pu beo: pat gost pe silue alone
If Seint Edmund stod in gret[e] pojt: wannes pis child cone
60 Ne knoustou me nojt, quap pis child: seint Edmund seide no
Nam ic pi felawe, quap pis child: whoder pu euere go
62 At scole ic sitte ek bi pe: euere bi pi rijt side
& wip pe ic go in eche stede: ne go pu nojt so wide
64 & pi pleyfere ic am: & if pu nost noj ho ic beo
If In mie foreheuede iwrite: mie name pu schalt iseo
66 Signe perwip pi foreheued: & pi breost also
An cue whan pu to bidde gost: & aday whan pu risest perto
68 Euerech nijt er pu slepe : as in munde of me
& pe deuel ne tit poer non: forto greuy pe
If Seint Edmund nuste mid pis word: whoder pis child bicom
He kneu wel pat hit was oure louerd : gret ioye to him he nom
HIS SCHOOL-LIFE. THE INNKEEPER'S LEWD DAUGHTER. 73
72 He nolde forjete nojt o nijt: his lore forto do
To croici prie his foreheued: & his breost also
74 & sigge ihesu cristus nazarenus: as he hit isej iwrite
1T Wip noping ne scholde a man bet: wip pe deuel him wite
76 In penance & in his lore: pat child dude al his pojt
For godes loue he polede moche: pat deore him hadde ibojt
78 In penance he was so wel yused: & peron jung ibrojt
pat po he was of grettere elde : hit ne greuede him rijt nojt
IF At Parys he was at scole longe: & at Oxenford also
He ne dude neuere lecherie : ne neuere ensentede perto
82 As his schriffader wolde telle: ofte in priueite
He ne mijte neuere fynde non: of so gret chastete
84 Pryueiliche at Oxenford: perfore a dai he com
To pe ymage of oure leuedi: & bi pe hond hire nom
86 And forhet bifore hire: truliche wommanes mone
And wip trupe holde al his lyf: clanliche to hire one
88 pe ymage he weddede wip a ring: as man dop his wyf
Clanliche to holde in spoushode: to hire al his lyf
90 Aue maria gracia plena: puse four wordes were ido
& igraued in his ring of golde : for hit acordep perto
. 92 Wel he huld his trupe sippe: & his wedding also
& true spouse was ynou: & nolde nojt'misdo
94 Ich wot me mijte fynde: ho so sojte blyue
Som man pej hit selpe beo: vntruere wip his wyue
96 & as ful beo of pe mariage: & as fawe hit vnbynde
Wele whar enie of jou coupe : such an hosebonde fynde
IF His osteste had a doujter: per he was at inne
pat louede moche pis holi child : if heo mijte of him enie loue
awinne
100 Heo ne coupe nej non oper wit: heo fondede forto do
Folie bi nijte & bi daye : if heo mijte come perto
102 Heo bad him pat heo moste a nijt: to his bedde wende
pis holi child ne wornde hire nojt: ac dude as pe hende
IF pis maide was po glad ynouj: for er heo bad wel ofte
A nyjt po heo sej hire tyme: to his bed heo com softe
106 Hire elopes he dude of anon : as hit is lawe of bedde
& makede hire redi to kreopen in : ac wel febliche hire spedde
74 ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. HIS MOTHER'S DEATH.
108 For seint Edmund hadde a smeort jerd: pis womman adoun he
redde
& leide vp hire nakede rug: pat heo nej awedde
110 He ne sparede rug ne side noper: er heo to grounde bledde
Quenche mijte hire fole pojt: mid blod pat heo schadde
112 & euere seide pis holi man: as he leide on hire faste
Maide pu schalt lurny pus: awei forto caste
114 pi fole wil of pi flesch: wip suche discipline
Heo pojte lute of fol pojt : er pis gode man wole fyne
If pis wenche wende softe aje: hire rug smurte sore
Heo bijat so lute po: pat hire ne longede puder no more
118 Clene womman heo bicom: wipoute flesches dede
& clene maide sippe deide: as hire schriffader sede
120 pis maidenes pat beop wilful: folie to do
Ich wolde hi fonde such a lemman: hem to chaste so
If po Mabille his swete moder scholde : of pis wordle go
Seint Edmund hire holi sone: nej hire was po
124 pe moder him jaf hire blescing: po heo schulde hunne fare
Blesce ek mie broper, quap poper: pej he beo elleswhare
126 Leoue sone, quap pe moder: bope je come of me
& he is whan pe beop o blod: iblesced forp wip pe
If Ac ic bidde pe for pe loue of god: & of seinte Marie
pat pu somwhar pi sostren do: in a nonnerie
130 pat hi mowe lede clene lyf: in godes seruise
pat pu ne suffrie pat hi beo: iwedded in none wyse
132 pis catel pat ich biquepe: pis dede forto do
Al ic bitake in pyne warde: & hem perwip also
134 pis gode womman deide po: & of widuen was flour
& in seint Nicholas churche at Abyndone : ibured was wip gret
honour
136 Vnder a ston bifore pe Rode: in pe soup side iwis
A lute wipoute pe abbay jate: pe chapel arered is
138 Aboue hire hit is iwrite: her lyp on pe ston
Mabille flour of widuen : & lesing nis hit non
140 For heo was womman of gode lyue: as me mijte bi hire iseo
& menie miracle sippe at Abyndone: for hire hap ibeo
If Nou ne forjet nojt seint Edmund : pat his moder him hadde ibede
po his poer was iwoxe: he pourueide him a stede
HOW HIS HORSE-HAIR SHIRTS CUT INTO HIM. 75
144 & his sostren were ido: in a nonnerie
Ac wel vnepe he mijte hit do: wipoute symonye
146 Atte laste he com to Cateby: in Northamte schire
Igranted him was per anon: al pat he wolde desire
148 Bope his sostren a godes name: nonnen he makede pere
& lyuede per al here lyf & holie wymmen were
f .
150 pe vlpere was sippe pnorasse: 01 pe leuedies echon
For hem hap sippe god ido: miracles menie on
152 & bifore pe weued an hej: ibured hi beop pere
In a chapel of seint Edmund: pat hi lete arere
If J)is holi man seint Edmund: werede stronge here
In strongere manere he was ymaked: pan oper manes were
156 He nas isponne ne iweue: ac ibroide of strenges longe
& sippe as me knyt a net: iknyt harde & stronge
158 Of hard hors-her ymaked: pe knottes deope wode
pat moche del his bodi orn: in quitoure & in blode
160 Herof he hadde brech & scherte : fram necke to pe hele
Vneseliche he mi^te ligge: & lutel ese ifele
162 A strong rop per was sippe aboue: fram pe schuldre ido
To his buttok of hors her: to holde hit faste to
164 & sippe he was bynepe his brech: igurd faste ynouj
Wip a strong corde aboue pe here: pat faste to-drouj
166 So faste was in eche side : pe here to him ibounde
pat vnepe he mijte bye his rug: oper lokie to pe grounde
168 & whan he byde him enie pyng: his flesch was so ignawe
pat wonder hou he polede hit: to beo so to-drawe
170 Fet & honde pat nere nojt: itourmented wip pe here
Necke & heued & al his face: pat wipoute were
172 He ruddede a nijt wip his here : whan no man ne mijt hit iseo
For he nolde pat no lyme: vnypyned scholde beo
1F A dai he toe al priueiliche: his man his olde here
pat he hem forbrende stilleliche: for hi forolped were
176 He cast hem in gret fur: ac hit ne com noj per nej
Ac euere hi were iliche sounde: as pis man isej
H po he sej hit ne brende nojt: he bond perto faste
Heuye stones to drawe hit adoun: & pe water hit vp caste
180 Nadde pat fur poer non : to tuochi pe holi here
Ac napelea he tolde his louerd: pat hi forbrende were
76 ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR, HIS PRAYERS.
IF Seint Edmund & his felawe: as hit was ofte here wone
In a day fram Lenkenore: wende to Abyndone
184 As hi come in a gret faleye: blake mouekes he sej
As hit crowen & chojen were: fleo bi p'eir anhej
186 A lute blac sac as pej hit were: among hem pis foweles bere
& caste hit vp fram on to oper: as hi hit to-tere
188 pat was a soule for his wickednisse: pat hi to helle bere
His felawe stod & bihuld: & was nej wod for fere
I Seint Edmund jaf him god confort: & tolde what hi were
Deuelen of helle he seide hit beop : & pat hi berep iwis
192 A manes soule of stafgrene: her bifore hit is
pat nou rijt deide late: he ne comep neuere in blis
194 He mai singe welewei: pat euere he dude amis
Forp hi wende to staf-grene: pat sope hi fonde pere
196 pe man ded a lute bifore: & ligge hot in a bere
No pe gladdere ne mijt he beo: pat pe deueles him so to-tere
IT Seint Edmund pis holi man: louede wel his lore
For his loue he louede jut: godes seruise pe more
200 Mest he louede an oreisoun : pat was of ihesu crist
& of oure leuedi his swete moder: & of seint Johan p'ewangelist
202 pat .o. intemerata: bigynnep a latyn
pe bigynnyng is wel god: & also pe fyn
204 Eche dai bi custume: he seide pis oreisoun
He nolde hit bileue for no scole: ne for no lessoun
206 Ane dai he hit forjot: he hadde so moche to done
IT Seint John p'ewangelist: com to him wel sone
208 A pameri he broujte on his hond: gret & strong ynouj
Seint Edmund he nom bi pe hond: & his pamerie drouj
210 So heje & wip so gret eir : as he him wolde altodryue
Seint Edmund lay & quakede : & dradde of lyue
212 For if he him hadde ismyte : as he drouj : he hadde ibeo ded anon
He quakede & cride dulfulliche: louerd merci seint John
H Ich wole for-jeue pe, quap seint Johan: pu criest so sore
& pench bet on oure oreisoun: & ne forjet hit nomore
216 He ne for-jat after pulke tyme: nomore pis oreisoun
For no studie ne for no neode : ne for pojt of lessoun
If So wel lurnede pis holi man: & suche grace hadde
pat he bigan at Oxenford: & of art per raddc
HIS READING AT OXFORD; ARSMETRIKE &C. 77
220 Of art he radde six jer: contynuelliche ynouj
& sippe for beo more profound: to arsmetrike he drouj
222 & arsmetrike radde in cours: in Oxenford wel faste
& his figours drouj aldai: & his numbre caste
IT Arsmetrike is a lore: pat of figours al is
& of draujtes as me drawep in poudre: & in numbre iwis
IT A nijt in a visioun: his moder to him wende
Sone heo seide to what figours: wostou nou entende
228 Leoue moder, quap pis oper: suche as we iseop
IT Leoue sone, quap pe moder: betere figours per beop
230 Wherto pu most pin hurte do: & penche her-on nomore
Heo nom forp his rijt bond: & wrot peron his lore
232 preo rounde cerclen heo wrot: in pe paume amidde
In pe tueye heo wrot fader & sone : & holi gost in pe pridde
IF Sone heo seide her-afterward: entende to pis lore
To heuene aje pe moder wende: he ne sej hire no more
IF po isej seint Edmund: pat hit was al of pe trinite
& pat god wolde pat he schulde: ihure diuinite
238 To diuinite as god wolde: pis gode man him drouj
per ne spedde non in Oxenford: so wel of ynouj
240 Hit nas nojt longe per afterward: pat pe Chanceler ne sede
& pe hexte maystres of pe toun: pat he schulde bigynne & rede
242 He wipsede & longe seide: pat he nas nojt worpie perto
So pat moche ajen his wille: nede hi makede him hit do
244 So pat he bigan at Oxenford: of diuinite
So noble a losed per nas non: in al pe vniuersite
246 Of redinge he hadde so gode grace : pat menie on to him drouj
His scolers pat ihurde of him : gode men were ynouj
248 So pitousliche he wolde rede: & so gode grace hadde perto
pat his scolers pat ihurde of him: nuste ofte what to do
250 Ac sete as in anoper wordle: & ofte hudde here eje
& wepe pat pe teres vrne adoun: pat men hit al aboute iseje
252 Vnepe enie ihurde of him: pat pe betere ne bicom
& menie bileuede al pe wordle: & to religioun nom
1f A dai as pis holi man: in diuinite
Desputede as hit was his wone : of pe trinite -
256 In his chaire he sat longe: er his scolers come
A lutel he bigan to swondrie: as a slep him nome
78 ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. BEATS THE DEVIL.
258 po pojte him in his swondringe: pat a whit coluere com
Fram heuene mid oure louerdes flesch: & pe wei to him nom
260 & pat swete flesch pulte in his moup: & sippe flej vp anhej
Heuene openede hire ajen: as pis gode man isej
262 pe sauour of oure louerdes flesch: him pojte was in his moupe
And al pe clergie him pojte of god: po he awok he coupe
264 Of pe pure stat of crist : & of his mageste
As angel him pojte he coupe: & of his priueite
If He bigan so deope desputie : of pe trinite
pat gret wonder me haddc: purf al pe vniuersite
268 pat pe gretteste clerkes pat were: in Oxenforde po
Ne pojte pat enie vrplich man: so furforp mijte go
270 Ne wite so moche of godes stat: bote hit angel were
pernere nonemaystres inOxenford: pat in gret wonder perof nere
272 Ac he mijte of ihesu crist iwite: more pan was in boc
Whan he vsede oure louerdes flesch: & in his moupe toe
If Ne pojte nojt pis holi man: so moche in his lessoun
pat euere among his pojt nas mest: in godes passioun
276 O tyme he was in grete studie: of his lessoun a nyjt
pat longe he sat per aboute: forte hit was nej dailijt
278 po hit was toward pe dai: anapped he was sore
He lynede adoun vpon his boc: po he ne mijte studie nomore
280 So pat he ful aslepe: & vnywar also
& ne pojte nOjt on pe passioun: as he was iwoned to do
282 pe deuel com to him wel sone: noping to siche he nas
Seint Edmund of him was iwar: in swondring as he was
284 He wolde him blesci wip pe deuel : his rijt hond he gan forp drawe
pe deuel him nom perbi anon: he ne mi}te him nojt wawe
286 po nom he forp his lift hond: to blesci him wip also
pe deuel him nom perbi faste: pat he ne mijte noping do
288 Vpe him he laie as a sak: pat he was al ouercome
He ne mijte him wawe fot ne hond: his poer him was binome
290 Ac delyure he hadde al his pojt: so pat he pojte sone
Of oure louerdes passioun: as he was woned to done
If pe deuel ne mijte po bileue: vpe him none prowe
For drede he ful sone adoun: bituene him & pe wowe
If Seint Edmund aros vp anon: & pe deuel ouercom
Strangliche & harde ynou: bi pe prote he him nom
HE IS CHOSEN TO PREACH FOR THE CRUSADE. 9
296 purf oure louerdes passioun: tel nou he seide me
Ich axie pe hou cristene man: mai best him witie fram pe
298 Me ne schal wip noping quap pe deuel: schulde fram mie poer
So wel as purf his passioun: pat pu nemnedest er
IT per lurnede pis holi man: as we mowe ek echon
In whiche manere we mowe best: pe deueles poer forgon
302 For he hatiep godes passioun: as man dop his fon
& whan a man hit hap in munde: he wole him fleo anon
IF Eche tyme of pe dai & of pe nijte : seint Edmund him gan biseo
pat he dijte him wel to godes wille: pat he nolde idel beo
306 Oper he was in oreisouns: oper at his hoc
Oper he et oper he slep: oper to oper ping he toe
T preo tymes him pojte he forles: whan he com perto
Whan he rod & whan he slep: & whan he et also
310 For he nas panne in studie: ne in bede no pe mo
Ech oper tyme him pojte: to som prou scholde go
IF So longe pis gode man: to eche godnisse drouj
pat his godnisse was wide coup: & me spac perof ynouj
314 pe beste prechour he was iholde: pat me owar vnderstode
For ho-so hap wip him godes grace : his dedes mote nede beo gode
IF po pat of pe croserie : pe pope sende fram Rome
To bischops of Engelond: pat hi a wysman nome
318 To prechi of pe croserie: aboute in pe londe
pat me wende to iherusalem: & sende here sonde
320 Procuracies hi jeue hem ek: per hi wende aboute
Of persones to nyme largeliche : pat non nere wipoute
IF Seint Edmund was perto ichose: pis prechinge forto do
For he was prechour god ynou: & holi man perto
324 He nolde of persones nyme noping : ne no spense take
Ac whan persones him bode oujt: he hit wolde forsake
IF For whan he seruede ihesu crist : of his owe spense he toe
& of persones & of oper men : jiftes he forsoc
328 He ne furde nojt as pis Arcedeknes: ne pis opere no pe mo
pat persones & pouere preostes: oueral dop wel wo
330 As he prechede a dai: of pe croij wel longe
A jung man wende among popere: pe croij to afonge
332 A womman pat him louede: anon po heo isej pis
Hente him bihynde hasteliche: & ajen him drouj iwis
80 ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. HIS MIRACLES.
334 As stif as enie bord: hire honden bicome anon
pat heo nemijte hem awolde nojt: noper synues ne bon
336 pat pe hond was ek forcroked: heo makede reuliche bere
Seint Edmund bihuld aboute: & eschte what hit were
IF Sire merci quaf> pis womman: wrecchede ic am ynouj
As pis man wolde afonge pe croij: a lute ic him wipdrouj
340 & myn hond is al-forcroked : wharwip ic him nom
In ale wrecchede ic am ibrojt: alias pat ich euere her com
342 Womman quap pis holi man : woltou pe croice take
If ic mijte louerd quap pis oper: y nolde hire nojt forsake
344 pis womman sat adoun a kneo : & of him pe croice nom
& pe crokede hond streijte forp: & anonrijt hoi bicom
346 Heo cride & herede ihesu crist: pis was coup anon
For pis miracle per toke pe croij: men menie on
If In o tyme of pe roueisouns: pis holi man also
Prechede a dai at Oxenford: as he hadde ofte ido
350 In alle halewe churchjerd: in pe norp side
Mid pe baners at vnderne: as men dop a londe wide
352 As pe holi man amidde al pe folc: in his preching was best
pe grislikeste weder pat mijte beo: com fram pe west
354 Swart & durc & grislich: & ouercaste al pan toun
pe wynd bleu ek so grisliche : as al pe wordle scholde adouu
IF So durk hit was ek perto: pat vnepe me mijte iseo
Grislikere weder pan hit was: ne mijte an vrpe beo
358 pat folc for drede of here elopes : faste gonne to fleo
Abidep quap pis holi man: oure louerd is god & freo
360 pis weper pe deuel brinjp: to desturbie godes lore
Oure louerd is strengere pan he: ne drede je nojt so sore
362 He bihuld to god an hej: & cride milce & ore
To schulde hem fram pe deueles mijte : pat he ne greuede hem
nomore
IF po he hadde iseid his oreisoun: pat weper bigan to glide
In anoper half of pe churche: al in poper side
366 per hit gan dasche adoun: hit nolde no leng[er] abide
pat vnepe purf pe heje strete : me mijte go oper ride
368 Ac in pe norp half of pe churche : per pis gode man stod
per ne ful nojt a reynes drope : to desturbi a manes mod
HIS PREFERMENT. HIS TEMPERANCE. 81
370 Ac in pe soup half of pe heje strete : hit leide on for wod
pat al pe stret a watere orn: as hit were a gret flod
372 pat folc pat fram pe prechinge : for doute of reyn drouj
Hi pat wende bi pe heje strete : hadde perof ynouj
374 Ac hi pat bileuede pere: drie & clene were
IT Louerd, moche is pi mijte: fair miracle was pere
375* In pe toun of wircestre : ful pulke silue cas
376 As pis holi man seint Edmund: in his preching was
Such weper per com ouer him : pat hem drof hit awei also
378 Me pingp as bi his lyue: fair miracle per was ido
So wide sprong his holi lyf : aboute fur & nher
380 pat me ne huld of holinisse : in Engelond his per
Imaked he was at Salesbury: Canoun seculer
382 Prouendre he hadde of pe hous: & was tresourer
po he was auanced: he tolde perof lute
384 He spende aboute pore men: pat opere dude in prute
He spende so moche for godes loue: aboute in almesdede
386 pat vnepe he mijte half a jer: bi his rente his lyf lede
IT To p'abbei of Stanleghe : he wende panne ilome
388 & soiournede per for defaute : of his crop
For maistre steuene of Laxingtone: pat abbod was po pere
390 His disciple hadde ibeo: while hi at scole were
His fille ne et he neuere mo: pat enie man hit mijte iseo
392 Ne as moche as man nede moste: in god poynt forto beo
Of him wondrede euerech man: pat him isej ete
394 Hou he mijte holde his lyf: bi so lutel mete
Of god mete nolde he nojt: pej me wolde him bringe
396 Hit was what lutles pat he et: al of grete pinge
pane dai pat he masse song: flesch ne et he non
398 Ne pe dai per bifore: for noping pat mijte gon
Fram pat me lek allan: forte com ester day
400 He ne est noping pat polede dep: as al pat folc isay
Ne in pe aduent no pe mo: ac pat was lute ynouj
402 Ajen his oper penance: pat he al day forp drouj
Hit biful pat pe Archebischop : of Canterbury was ded
404 Seint Edmund was ichose: perto purf pe comun red
po pe ellectioun was ymaked in pe Court of Canterbury
406 Anon hi sende here messager: to him to salesbury
f
82 ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. HIS MEEKNESS.
He wende toward salesbury: ac per nas he nojt
408 He fond him in pe toun of Calne: po he was al isojt
In his chambre he was priueiliche: at his boc wel stille
410 Ne perste noman to him go: forto wite his wille
Ac napeles on pat was him next: as hit were his chambevlayn
412 God tepinge wende to him bringe: perto he was fayn
He tolde him pat he was ichose: archebischop to beo
414 pis holi man him chidde anon: & het him panne fleo
Beo stille, fol, he seide, ich hote pe: & go out hunne anon
416 Make faste pe dore after pe: & ne let no man in gon
To desturbi me of mie studie : ac let me in pays beo
418 Of pis tepinge he told lute: perbi me mijte iseo
So farep jut pis clerkes: hi ne wilnyep no maistrie
420 Ne beo ichose to heje men: for gode ich wene ic lie
IT pis messagers bileuede wipoute: & carefulle were of pojt
422 For pe dai wende forp: & here message ne dude hi nojt
Hi wende for here gode tepinge : to beo nobliche vnderfonge
424 So murie hem pojte here semblant : pat he pojte per wel longe
Here jiftes hi mijte epe bere: pat seint Edmund hem caste
426 Hi bimende & ofpojte sore: pat hi hijede pider so faste
He n'aros ane fot fram his boc: er god pane tyme sende
428 As he was iwoned anoper dai: ac so forp wel softe wende
H po he cam out of his chambre : pe messagers come
430 & seide here erande hou hit was : he toe perof lute gome
1 po pe lettres were irad: beau freres he sede
432 Ich wole loke what mie felawes : of pis ping wollep rede
In pe chapitre of salesbury: as rijt is pat ich do
434 Hi nadde of him non oper ansuere : po hit alles com perto
IF pe chapitre of salesbury : amorwe was plener
436 Alle pe Canouns of pe queor: per come fur & ner
To consailli him of pisse pinge : pe red was sone ido
438 For gladliche at one worde: hi radde him alle perto
IF Beop stille, quap pis holi man: what schal pis ised
440 Worpi nam y nojt perto: nymep anoper red
Certes, quap pe bischop, po: & pe Canouns alle also
442 Nou pu ne mijt nojt per ajen beo: pu most hit nede do
IF pe bischop al wepinge: cride on him faste
444 And in obedience: him het atte laste
HE GIVES BACK TO A POOR WIDOW THE HERIOT-BEAST. 83
pat he ne scholde nojt bileue: godes wille to do
446 To buxom to holi churche: & to al pe lond also
If po bigan pis holi man: to wepe & sike sore
448 Nou god he seide ous jeue his grace: his milce & his ore
& ic take god to witnisse: & seinte Marie also
450 pat if y ne wende synewi dedliche : y nolde neuere hit do
If po hi ihurde pis word: ioyful ynou hi were
452 Hi nome him vp wip ioye ynou : & to pe heje weued him bere
& te domine laudamus: songe murie & heje
454 Euere wep pis holi man: as pis Canouns iseje
So pat hi come to Canterbury: & dude as rijt was pere
456 & Archebischop was ymaked: vnponkes pej hit were
Ne per no man eschte per: whar he toke on wel ynouj
458 & wel wissede holi churche: & to alle godnisse drouj
If his lyf was holi er: wel betere hit was po
460 In penance he was strong ynouj: in fastinge & oper wo
He hadde euere of seli men : pite & deol ynouj
462 For him pO}te pat heje men: dude hem al dai wouj
If O tyme on of his pore men: wende of lyfdawe
464 His beste best to heriet: me broujte as hit [was] lawe
po cam pis seli manes wyf: pat careful widue was
466 & mette .wip pis holi man : as oure louerd jaf pat cas
Heo cride on him deolfulliche : merci & his ore
468 & seide bote pat o best: lute god heo hadde more
Ne heo nuste in whiche manere: for meseise lyue
470 Heo bad him for godes loue: pat he pe best ajen hire jyue
If Gode womman, quap pis holi man: pu wost wel lawe hit is
472 pe chief louerd to habbe pe beste eijte: whan a man ded is
To his clerkes he seide a latyn : pat heo hit nojt ne vnderstod
474 Me pinjp hit is a liper lawe: & noper rijt ne god
If pis gode wyf hap forlore hire louerd : pat hire god forp drouj
476 & to leose after hire beste best: me pinjp hit were wouj
Nis pat on liper ynouj: pej heo ne lore pat oper also
478 purf pe deuel of helle hit is : & purf god nojt ido
If Gode wyf, he seide, if ic take pe: aje pi best to lone
480 Woltou hit witie to myne bihoue: of ic hit esche eftsone
Aje sire, quap pis widue: god julde pe pyn ore
482 pis widue nom horn hire best: & ne juld hit no more
84 EDMUND THE CONFESSOR AND KING HENRY.
IT^pis cas biful menie o tyme: whan men bede him oujt
484 Heriet of pore men : ne wilnede he rijt noujt
We ne mowe nowhar nej: rekene al his gode dede
486 For in penance strong ynouj : his lyf he gan lede
& truliche huld vp holi churche: & schulde hire fram wouj
488 perfore hadde pe deuel of helle: enuie gret ynouj
He bigan to rere contek: bituene hem anon
490 & kyng Henrie pat was: pe kynges sone Johan
pe kyng & moche del of pe lond: ajen holi churche was
492 As pe kyng er his grandsire: was aje seint Thomas
& pe Couent ek of Canterbury : ajen seint Edmund hulde faste
494 Ofte hi nome a louedai: ac pe Contek cuere ilaste
IT A Legat was po in engelonde: pat ajen him was also
496 Stedefast was pis holi man: pej he lute help hadde perto
Hi ne mijte acordi for noping: ac pe leng pe wors hit was
498 Ac pis holi man euere nam: his ensample bi seint Thomas
Wei ofte he bad pe king & his consail: if hit were here wille
500 Holi churche werrie nojt: ac in pees lete hire beo stille
Hire franchise as hit was: as hit hadde ibeo jare
502 pe king him pretnede faste anon: bote he bileuede his fare
IT Of pi pretnynge ic drede lute : seide pis holi man
504 For if pu me dryuest out of londe : anoper red ic can
For ic can go to parys: as ic habbe er ido
506 & wynne me per mete ynou: & clopinge perto
If pu letest me to depe bringe : pu payest me wel ynouj
508 pu ne mijtest do me nomore honour: pan quelle me wip wouj
IT jut eft as he dude ofte: to pe king he sende
510 He answerede him pe leng pe wors: & nolde noping amende
po pis holi man isej: pat hit non oper nolde beo
512 purf holi churche he gan to fijte : & amansede alle peo
pat werrede pe churche of Canterbure : & eke dude schame
514 & somme pat he gulti wiste: he amansede bi name
IT To pe king & his consail: pe worp wel sone drouj
516 Ne per noman esche po: whar hi were wrop ynouj
pretinge per was & bost ynouj : seint Edmund him huld stille
518 & fast huld vp pe sentence: & let hern speke here wille
1T Seint Thomas com & spac wip him: & fram heuene alijte
520 & bad him holde vp stabliche: holi churche rijte
ST. EDMUND LEAVES ENGLAND. 85
For non vrplich anuy ne for dep: ne flecche pu nojt
522 Ac nym ensample of me & of opere : pat so deore hire habbep ibojt
H Seint Edmund ful adoun a kneo: & huld vp his hond also
524 To cusse pis holi manes fet: ac he ne moste hit nojt do
po bigan he to wepe sore: louerd he seide pin ore
526 Beo nou stille, quap seint Thomas: ne wep pu so no more
Whi wilnestou to cusse mie fet: hit nere no rijt to do
528 pu schalt nu ene pi wille habbe: & cusse mie moup also
If Seint Edmund after pulke tyme: stedefast was ynouj
530 To deye rapere for holi churche: pan me dude hire wouj
He pojte on seint Thomas : hou he out of londe wende
532 pe while pe king was in mest wrappe : if he wolde amende
Ensample he nom of him: & priueiliche ynouj
534 Wende him out of Engelond: & into france drouj
He pojte ek pat at Ponteney: he was faire vnderfonge
536 & isustened in his anuy: pat ileste swipe longe
& also steuene of Langetone : pat Archebischop was
538 Six jer was at Ponteney: in pulke silue cas
So pat seint Edmund vnderstod : of his ancestres ynowe
540 Whan contek was of holi churche : pat to Ponteney drowe
IT Also dude seint Edmund: to Ponteney he wende
542 To abide pe stat of holi churche : when oure louerd hit wolde
amende
Honoured he was per ynouj : of alle pat per were
544 & euere abod amendement: fram jere to jere
If Hit biful pat seint Edmund: as god wolde atte laste
546 Velde his bodi heuy ynouj : & febli wel faste
So longe pat he was so feble : pat me ne radde him nojt beo pere
548 Ac to soiourny elleswhar: where betere eyr were
1F pis holi man his leue nom: elleswhoder to wende
550 pe monekes makede so moche deol: pat hit-nas non ende
Beop stille , quap pis gode man : fare ic wole purf alle pinge
552 & come aje hider to jou : a seint Edmundes day pe kynge
Louerd in such siknisse: which word per was ised
554 Ac whan he ne mijte nojt alyue: foreward he huld ded
IT Forp he wende wip his men: per god eyr were
556 To pe toun of soycie: & bileuede pere
86 ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. HIS DEATH.
per heo jeode so longe as hit was: in siknisse ynouj
558 So longe pat he lai adoun: & to pe depe drouj
IT So pat he eschte oure louerdes flesch: & hit was him ibroujt
560 He sat & bihuld hit faste ynouj: in studie & in pojt
Longe hit was er he spac enie ping : & po he seide myldeliche
562 Louerd, he seide, pu hit ert: pat ich habbe iloued truliche
& truliche on pe bileoued : & ipreched of pe also
564 And pu truliche at myn endedai : ert icome me to
Ich take pe louerd to witnisse : pe while ic haue her an vrpe ibeo
566 Noping elles y ne wilnede: louerd bote pe
Louerd pat pis was an hej word: & he pat pus sede
568 God & holi moste he beo : & holi lyf lede
IF po he hadde ynome oure louerdes flesch : he sat longe in pojte
570 & al lajinge an englisch: puse wordes forp brojte
Me saip game gop a wombe: & ic sigge game gop an hurte
572 & in his bed per he lai: vprijt he sturte
In oure louerd pat he had ynome: wel ioyful he was po
574 & al his game was in hurte: for his bodi was wel wo
pe more his bodi pynede :pe nher he was his ende
576 & whan he were of pisse lyue : he wiste whoder wende
perfore pe more he was: in siknisse & in wo
If pe gladdere he was for he wiste: whoder he scholde go
& pe more he loj in ioye ynouj : & pe muriere him gan like
580 Me nuste him nojt enes ligge adoun: ne gronye ne sike
& sat euere glad ynouj: & lynede wel ofte
582 Vpe elopes oper vpe his hond: as pej he deide softe
So fair semblant ne makede he non : as po he was at an ende
584 In pe morweninge as pe sonne aros : out of pis wordle he gan wende
He deide tuelf hondred jer: & two & fourti rijt
586 After pat oure suete louerd: in his moder was ali}t
Me let him openie anon: & his guttes take
588 & burie per as he was ded: in pe Minstre of seint Jake
& his holi bodi me nam: & faire let hit lede
IT To pe abbai of Ponteney: as he him silf sede
A seint Edmundes dai pe king: pider he was ibrojt
592 Foreward he huld pis monekes: & ne faillede hem nojt
For po he ne com nojt aje alyue: ded he com iwis
594 & per he was ibrojt an vrpe: & also ischryned is
ST. EDMUND THE KING. 87
& lyp per faire ynou: & wip gret honour also
596 Menie is pe faire miracle: pat god hap for him per ido
Nou for his loue we biddep god: pat ous deore boujte
598 Bringe ous to pe hej blis: pat he his soule to broujte: Amen:
XVIII. ST. EDMUND THE KING.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 162 b.)
Seint Edmund pe holi king : of wham we makiep gret feste
2 Of pat on ende of Engelond: kyng he was her bi este
For of soupfolc he was kyng: & of pe contray wide
4 For per were in Engelond: kynges in eche side
Swipe fair knyjt he was & strong: & hardie in eche poynte
6 Meok mylpe & ful of milce: & swipe curteys & quoynte
Tuei princes of anoper lond: pat were of liper pojt
8 Faste here red to-gadere nome: to bringe Engelond to nojt
Hubba was poper ihote: & poper het Hyngar
10 Wip grete furde hi come to Engelonde : er enie man were iwar
In norphumberland hi bigonne: & per hi sloje to grounde
12 Robbede also & brende to nojt : & destruyde al pat hi founde
1F po hi hadde norphumberland: clenliche to nojt ibrojt
14 Also hi pojte al Engelond: hi ne pojte raper bileue nojt
Hyngar pat o maister was: his felawe bileuede pere
16 & her bi este wende him silf: to sle pat per were
Of pe godnisse of seint Edmund: he hurde moche telle
18 In to his lond he wende anon: to fondie him to quelle
IF In to his hexte toun he com: er erne man were iwar
20 & robbede al pat he fond: & makede pane toun bar
pat folc he sloj al to grounde: al pat he mijte ofgon
22 jung & old wyf ne maide : he ne sparede non
Children fram here moder breost: he drouj & let hem quelle
24 & alto-drawe tofore here moder: pat reupe hit is to telle
pe modres he let sippe quelle: pat reupe hit was ynouj
26 pe toun he brende al to douste: & pat folc aslouj
He of-eschte of pat folc : where here kyng were
28 & hi him teijte wher he was: hi ne perste non oper for fere
88 ST. EDMUND THE KING. HIS MARTYRDOM.
1F For in pe toun of Eglesdone : a god wei pannes hit was
30 po pe lipere prince pis ihurde: he ne makede nojt softe pas
Ac wende pider hasteliche: wip his men echone
32 Hi come &mette wip seint Edmund: wipoute pe toun alone
IF po Hyngarwiste pat he hit was: he nom him anon pere
34 & bisigede alle pe men: pat wipinne pe toun were
Seint Edmund was faste ynome: in a lute stounde
36 & ilad to-fore pe prince naked: his honden faste ibounde
As me ladde oure louerd tofore Pilatus : forto afonge his dom
38 po his dom was ijyue: faste me him nom
& ladde him to a picke wode: & makede him menie wounde
40 & beote him sore wip harde scourgen : & to a treo him bounde
So pat pis lipere tourmentours : pat beote him so sore
42 pojte pat pej hi him schame dude : pat hi him wolde do more
Hi stode afur & bende here bowes: & here arewes rijte
44 And as to a merke schote to him: as euene as hi mijte
pe arewes stode on him picke: & al his bodie to-drowe
46 & euere stod pis holi man: stille as pej he lowe
As ful as an illespyl is : of pikes al aboute
48 As ful he stikede of arewen: wip-inne & wipoute
So ful pat in none stede: ne mijte an arewe in wende
50 For oper bote he his bodi corue: & him dude torende
As pe holi man imartred was: pe holi seint Bastian
52 Also hi rende his holi bodie: & schote pis holi man
pat eche pece ful fram oper: wonder hit was of his lyue
54 Euere he stod as him ne rojte: & cride on god wel blyue
IF po Hyngar isej pat he ne mijte: him ouercome nojt
56 He let smyte of his heued : pat he were of lyue ibrojt
IF As pis holi man his bedes bad: me smot of his heued
58 Ac his bodi was er alto-rend: pat noping n'as bileued
& for hit was alto-drawe: hi lete hit ligge pere
60 Ac his heued for me ne scholdehit nojtfynde: forpmidhemhibere
IF In pe wode of Eglesdone : a durne stede hi fonde
62 Among picke pornes hi caste hit: & hudde hit in pe grounde
IF po hi hadde of pis holi kyng : al here welle pere
64 Glade & blipe hi wende forp: lipere men as hit were
pat heued hi hudde durneliche: pat noman perto ne come
66 If enie were bileued alyue: & pat heued wip hem nome
HIS BURIAL IN ST. EDMUNDESBURY. 89
A wyld wolf per com sone : & to pe heued drouj
68 & per vppe sat & wiste hit faster aje cunde ynouj
For his cunde were betere to swolewe hit: he lickede hit ofte
& custe
70 & as he wolde his owe whelp: wip wylde best hit wiste
Sippe po come cristene men: & in som poer were ibrojt
72 pe holi bodi hi fonde sone: for hit nas ihud nojt
Ac for hi ne fonde nojt pat heued: aboute hi wende wide
74 & longe hi sojte in eche stede: euerech in his side
IF Hi ne mijte hit finde for noping: so pat hi come a day
76 Biside pulke picke stede: per as pe heued lay
Hi nuste nojt pat hit was per: pat heued bigan to grede
78 As hit among pe pornes lai: & puse wordes sede
Al an englisch. her: her: her: as pej hit were alyue
80 po pat folc ihurde pis: pider hi vrne blyue
pat heued hi fonde in pulke stede: per as hit him silue sede
82 Louerd ihered beo pi mijte: pat per was a fair dede
pat heued hi bere to pe bodie: & sette hit euene perto
84 & bere forp bope wip gret honour: as rijt was to do
& pe wolf makede po deol ynouj : po hi pat heued forpbere
86 He jal & furde pitousliche: as pej he witles were
He suede hem euere while he mijte: jullinge wel sore
88 Atte laste he wende al aweie: per me ne sej him no more
Hi ladde him to seint Edmundesbury: as me clepep pane toun
90 pis holi man al isound : & leide him peradoun
In noble schryne hi him broujte: as rijt was to do
92 per he lyp al hoi & sound: as hi seop pat comep him to
For his bodi pat was so to-drawe: bicom al hoi anon
94 As pe while he was alyue : bope in flesch & bon
His heued as faste to pe bodie: as hit was euer er
96 In al his bodi per nas wem : as menie man isej per
Bote as his heued was of ismyte : as oure louerd hit wolde
98 A smal red lyne al aboute: schyninge of golde
Wele whiche fair pelrynage: is pider forto fare
100 To honoury pat holi bodie: pat hap ibeo per so jare
Nou god for pe loue of seint Edmund : pat was so noble kyng
102 Grante ous pe ioye pat he is inne: after oure ending: Amen:
I Seint Clement follows, < then Seinle Katerinc.]
90 ST. KATHERINE.
XIX. ST. KATHERINE.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 171.) [The & of the MS. is printed and.]
Seinte katerine of noble cunne : com bi olde dawe
Hire fader kyng hire moder quene: bope of olde lawe
King Cost hire fader het: gret clerc pat maide was
per nas non of pe soue artj : pat heo gret clerk of nas
5 pulke tyme heo was old: eijtene jer vnepe
And ic wene in pulke vlpe: heo was ibrojt to depe
Maxent pemperour: meche londe let crie
pat eche kinriche vnder him: come to Alisandrie
And of hem pat bileuede : to do stronge gywise
10 Ech man to do for his stat: to here god sacrefise
If po alle pe men were pider icome: to don here lawe
Seinte katerine baldeliche: piderward gan drawe
Heo stod bihalues and bihuld: here gydihede
Heo sej honoure pe maumetj: menie cristene men for drede
If po hadde heo gret deol in hurte: heo blescede hire anon
16 And forp anon to pemperour: baldeliche gan gon
Sire riche Emperour heo seide: pu ert noble and hende
pu scholdest pi poer and pi wit: to som wysdom wende
For pe folie ic sigge pat: pat ich iseo her do
20 So moche folc of furrene londe : pat pu clipest herto
If In gret ioye and wonder in joure hurte : of pis temple }e dop so
pat is ymaked of lym and ston : and of joure maumetj also
Whi ne biholde je pe heje temple: perof jou wondri maie
Of heuene pat gop aboute: aboue jou nijt and daie
25 Of sonne and mone and of pe steires : pat fram pe est to pe west
Wendep and neuer werie beop: and neuer hi nabbep rest
Bipench pe bet and turn pi pojt : to som wysdom ic rede
And whan pyn owene inwitpesaip: pat no whar nis suchadede
Al-mi}tie god pu him holde: pat such wonder can make
30 To fore alle opre honoure him : and pure maumetj pu forsake
Mid oper reisouns of clergie: pat maide preouede also
pat here godes noping nere: pat hi aourede hem to
If pemperour stod and ne coupe: answerie in none wise
Him wondrede of hire f airhede : and of hire queyntise
SHE IS TAKEN BEFORE THE EMPEROR. 91
35 Maide he seide abyd her wip: forto oure sacrefise
And we schulle anoper wip pe speke: ic oper mie Justise
1T pis heje man after his sacrefise: jeode and sat in his trone
And al his folc aboute him: me broujte pis maide sone
Maide, quap pis Emperour: pu penchest gent and freo
40 Of what kyn ertou icome : wonder me pinjp of pe
IT Sire Emperour, quap pis maide: ic wilnie swipe lute
Of mie kyn to telle pe : for hit were sinne and prute
For in his boc pe wise man: Catoun saip also
pat man ne schal him silue preise: ne blame no pe mo
45 For so dop foles pat beop idreijt : wip veyne glorie and prute
Ac napeles ic wole wip oute prute: of mi kyn telle a lute
IT Ich am pe kinges doujter Cost: pat pu wost wel which he is
Hider ic com to speke wip jou: pat je bileouep amis
For me clepep him godes wip wrong: pat ane fot ne mowe go
50 Ne noman helpe in none wise: ne hem silue no pe mo
Maide seide pemperour: if pat pis sop were
Al pe men of pe wordle were in gydihede: and pu one hem
scholdest lere
And me schal leoue alle men: and more hit wole beo note
pan a fol womman as pu ert: pure bolt is sone ischote
55 Sire , quap pis maide po : pej pu lute telle of me
As god mai pe resoun beo : of me as of pe
For Emperour me saip pu ert: and ech man is also
pat mai hote and his men mote: nede his heste do
Of bodi and soule pu ert ymaked : as pu mijt pe silf iseo
60 Mid rijte pi soule maister is : and pi bodi hire hyne schal beo
If panne pi bodi maister is : and pi soule his hyne
Aje cunde panne hit is and pu worst: perfore in helle pyne
purf clergie pis holi maide: resouns makede so qaoynte
If pat pemperour ne non of his ne coupe : answerie hire in none
poynte
65 Maide he seide pu schalt abide : in warde her mid me
And bityme ic wole fynde: pat scha answerie to pe
pis emperour sende anon: wel wide aboute his sonde
IT To pe hejiste clerkes: pat were in enie londe
And bihet hem mede gret: to do a lute maistrie
70 To sustenie vp here lawe : purf strenjpe of clergie
92 ST. KATHERINE. SHE DISPUTES WITH THE DOCTORS
So pat vyftie maistres come: pe gretteste pat me fond
As wide as me mijte siche: o whar in enie lond
pemperour he seide anon : whi he after hem sende
74 Ajen a womman to desputi: pat al here lawe schende
IF Nou is pis seide pat on: gret schame ic vnderstonde
An Emperour to siche aboute: so wide in eche londe
After maistres to plaidi: ajen a jung wenche
Whan on of oure knaues mijte : hire resouns sone aquenche
IF Nai seide pemperour: heo is wisere pan je wene
80 If je mowe ojt ajen hire do : hit worp sone isene
For ich wole bet pat je hire ouercome : mid resouns a somme
wise
pan we hire mid strenjpe makede: to do sacrefise
Let bringe hire forp , quap pat on : and heo schal sigge anon
pat heo ne spac neuere wip wisere men : er heo fram ous gon
85 An angel to pis maide com: and bad hire noping drede
For heo scholde hem alle ouercome: and to cristendom lede
pat purf hire resouns hi scholde alle : afonge martirdom
IF po pis maide ihurde pis: gret ioye to hire heo nom
Wei baldeliche heo wende forp: po meste hire to com
90 Sire, heo seide to pemperour: jyfstou a wys dom
pus fole maistres of clergie: bringest and settest a benche
To desputie aje me one: pat nam bote a fol wenche
And if hi ouercomep me : pu bihotest hem grete prute
Andmidstrenjpe makest me wiphemspeke: and bihotest me lute
95 And pinjp me vnrijt whan ic am: one ajen hem alle
Ac ic wole whan god is myn help : afonge what me wole bifalle
1F Sai me quene what ertou: pat o maister seide [primus retor
Ajen oure clergie penjpstou speke: turn pi pojt ic rede
pu saist pat god almijtie: dep an vrpe polede here
100 Ich wole preouie pat hit ne mijte: beo sop in none manere
Ho so deyep he ne maie: neuere to lyue come
Whan al pe vertu of his bodi : purf dep him is bynome
IF If pu saist pat god is ded: pu ne mijt libbe nojt
104 If he pat lyf pe scholde jeue : is to depe ibrojt
IF Nai seide pis holi maide : pu faillest of pyn art [Katerina
pe ne tit bote pu speke bet: of pe maistere no part
AND CONVINCES THEM. THEY ARE TO BE KILLED. 93
God hadde euere and euere schal: wip his godhede
And for loue of ous in oure flesch: he nom his manhede
Of two pinges he was ymaked: aiper moste his cunde afonge
110 For in cunde of manhode ous to bugge: he polede dep stronge
Ac to bileue ded hit was: aje cunde of godhede
perfore he aros from depe to lyue : po he hadde ido al his dede
purf pe stronge dep pat purf Adam : we were on ibrojt
purf godhede ymengd in oure kunde : nede moste beo ibojt
115 If pu wipsaist pis reisoun: anoper ic wole pe make
pat clerkes seide of pure lawe : je ne mowe nojt forsake
Platon pe grete philosophe : pat was of joure lawe
Seide pat god wolde iscourged beo: and eke to-drawe
Loke hou hit mijte beo sop: in oper manere
120 Bote pat pe mochele god for ous: bicom a lute man here
As god balaham joure prophete: pat hepene was also
IF In his boc seide je witep whar: if |e wollep loke perto
pat per scholde of Jacobes cunde : a sterre arise brijte
pat bope kinges and Dukes scholde: bynyme here mijte
125 pat was pat oure louerd wolde : of Jacobes cunde beo ibore
And ouercome alle pat euer were: sippe oper bifore
If jut preo kynges of joure lawe : of pulke sterre pojte
For pe sterre pat god was ibore : and perfore lok him brojte
IF po pe maistres ihurde here speke : of so gret clergie
130 Ne coupe hi answerie nojt o word: ac jiue hire pe maistrie
Certes sire , quap pis maistres : so gret cler non per nis
pat to hire reisouns hire scholde answerie : forhibeop sopeiwis
We seop pat pe holi gost is mid hire: and in hire moupe
We ne conne answerie hire nojt: ne we ne pore pej we coupe
135 perfore bote oure lawe: pe betere we iseo
Alle we siggep mid one moupe: icristened we wollep beo
IF Hei traitours, quap pemperour: beo je icome herto
Certes je schulle to stronge depe: alle be on ido
Amidde pe toun he het anon: forbrenne hem echone
140 And hi pane dep for godes loue: afonge wipoute mone
Ac mest reup hi hadde of alle: pat hi ifulled nere
pis maide hem gan to conforti: and of cristendom lere
And seide here stronge dep: pat hi polede pere
Scholde beo here cristendom : if hi stedefast were
94 ST. KATHERINE. THE EMPEROR OFFERS TO MARRY HER.
If pis maistres were igladed po: gladliche forp hi jeode
146 And nome pane dep for godes loue : pat me wolde hem beode
Hi makede pe signe of pe croij : and in pe fur me hem caste
po hi hadde longe ibrend: and ded were atte laste
And pat fur was aqueynt: al hoi hi leye pere
150 Whyttere and fairere in heu: pan hi euere were
per nas non so lute wem: nojt pe leste of hare here
Oper of clop apeired were : hi leye wip faire chere
pemperour let fecche anon: pat maide katerine
Haue reupe, he seide, of pe silue: and schulde fram pyne
155 Haue reup of pi junge bodi: pat so fair is and hende
pu schalt libbe in gret noblei : if pu wolt pi pojt wende
In mie paleys ic wole pe make hejist after mie quene
And after pi forme lete make: an ymage brijt and schene
Ouergult and hire sette: amidde pe Cite
160 And ech man him schal honoure : for honour of pe
As me schal a god do: pu ne schalt mid al pi lore
So moche noblei bipenche: pat y pe nele do more
If Sire Emperour, quap pis maide : bilef pi fole pojt
pu nast no more while to spille: pan to speke so embe nojt
165 God almijtie-es spouse ic am: and al pi blandisinge
Ne pi tourmentz ne schulle ene: fram him myn hurte bringe
11 pemperour hire let stripe al naked: to a piler faste ibounde
And bete hire sore wip stronge scourges : and make hire harde
wounde
po hi seje pat hi ne mijte: permid turne hire pojt
170 In durke prisoun and in deope: sone heo was ibrojt
pat noman ne jaf hire mete ne drinke: for heo scholde for
hunger deye
Oper turne hire pojt to here lawe : and beo ibrojt out of treye
In prisoun pis maide lai : tuelf dayes and tuel nijt
pat heo noper ne et ne dronk : ne sej non vrplich lijt
If A whyt colure fram heuene: com to hire eche dai
176 And brojte hire fram heuene mete: as heo in prisoun lai
If A dai as pemperour: fram home was afare
pemperice pojte on hire : and hadde of hire grete care
Of hire bed wel priueiliche: heo aros at midnijt
And nom wip hire sire porphirie: pat was hire priuei knijt
SHE CONVERTS THE EMPRESS. 95
]80 po hi to prisoun come: hi seje per gret lijt
If Hem wondrede wharof hit were: pat pulke stede was so brijt
po sejen hi katerine: in pe prisones grounde
And an angel of heuene : smyrie hire wounde
If pemperice cride anon: katerine pyn ore
185 Mi rijte bileue tech pu me: y nele beo fol namore
pe knijt als god sire porphirie: loude cride also
pat moche folc pat per aboute was: sone com perto
Sire porfirie ful adoun to hire fet: and loude he gan to crie
Anon pis maide hem prechede of god : and of seinte Marie
190 So pat porphirie and pemperice: purf pis maide pere
And tuo hondred knyjtes ek: ibaptijed were
Oure louerd him silf com adoun sippe: to seinte katerine
Lo here he seide ic hit am: for wham pu ert in pyne
Beo stedeuast in pi tourmentz: and ic wole beo mid pe
195 pi sige is ymaked in heuene: per pu schalt wone wip me
If Anoper dai pis Emperour: after pis maide sende
pat heo were for hunger ded: swipe wel he wende
pis maide was tofore him ibrojt: swipe fair and round
What he seide hou gop pis: is heo jut hoi and sound
200 Whar beop pis traitours: pat hire in prisoun wiste
Hi habbep ifed hire stilleliche: pat noman hit miste
Bi pe fei ic owe Mahoun: hi ne schulle nomore
He let nyme his Gailers: and turmenti sore
H Sire Emperour, quap pis maide: is pis god iugement
205 Gultelese men for mie gult: to bringe in such tourment
Ho pat me hap per ifed: he ne dredep pe nojt
For an angel of heuene hit is: pat mete me hap ibrojt
Do me what tourmentz so pu wolt: and let hem quite gon
For certes of pat pu hem saist: gult nabbep hi non
If Hei, hende maide katerine: seide pemperour
211 pench on pi noble gentrise: for of maidenes pu ert flour
Turn pi pojt and pu schalt beo: pemperesse peer
Heo ne schal habbe nojt tofore pe: bote pat heo is mie fer
If Gode man, quap pis holi maide: pu spext al embe nojt
215 Mid al pi poer pu ne schalt: fram ihesu wende mie pojt
Alle pe tourment} pat pu mijt peuche : of pynes swipe stronge
pu mijt do me if pu wolt: iredi ic am to afonge
96 ST. KATHERINE. THE EMPRESS IS TORTURED.
For noping ne wilny ic so moche : as mie flesch and blod iwis
To jyue for mie lordes lone : pat for me jaf his
If po was pemperour so wrop: pat he was nej iswowe
221 Four wheles of ire he let fulle : of rasours kene ynowe
And makede hem midgynne turne aboute : pe tuei wheles vpward
And oper tueie euene hem ajene: in poper side doneward
pat ho pat bituene were : in poper half ne scholde wende
225 pat pe rasours nolde al his flesch: todrawe and torende
If po pis maide was: ido peron to schende
Oure louerd crist fram heuene: an angel gan pider sende
pis angel wip a drawe swerd : pis wheles alto-heu
And pe peces flowe aboute: as corn whan me hit seu
230 And smyte on pis lipere men: wel harde to pe grounde
pat four pousend per were aslawe : in a lute stounde
je for gode pat was wel: per hi mijte lurne
To fijte aje ihesu crist: mid here false querne
To wende aboute here rasours: pe holie maide to drawe
235 Hi nemijte hit nojt wel bilije : pat were ibrojt of dawe
If po nuste pemperour noj what do: for deol ne for sore
pemperesse nolde po: hire stat hele nomore
Sire heo seide hou gop pis: for godes loue pyn ore
Ich iseo pis maide is god : and of holi lore
240 joure maumetj ic forsake: y ne bileue for no fere
po gan pemperour for wrappe: loude julle and rore
Him pojte he ne mi}te for noping : fram ihesu hire po wende
He het pat me scholde hire lede: to pe tounes ende
And hire breosten fram hire bodie: wip kene hokes rende
245 And after smyte of hire heued : hire pe more to schende
If Wip gode hurte pemperesse: pane dep gan afonge
pe quellers heo bad hijie faste: and n'abide nojt to longe
Hi nome kene hokes of ire : and hire flesche to-gnowe
As me drawep wip combes wolle: here breostes hi todrowe
250 Fram hire bodi mossel mele : and sippe smyte of hire heued
pe bodie for houndes hit scholde ete: vnbured hit was bileued
Ac porfirie burede a nijt: pis holi bodi and god
If po pemperour pat bodi miste: he was wrap and wod
He turmende menie men: pat nemijte hem nojt skere
255 po seide porfirie anon: lo sire whar ic am here
THE EMPEROR KILLS PORPHYRY AND ST. KATHERINE. 97
Ich burede pyn holi wyf: pat was cristes make
And to ihesu crist ich haue also: al myn hurte itake
For no poer pat pu mijt do : y nele him nojt forsake
If po gan pemperour for sorewe: alle his lymes to schake
260 Mahoun, he seide, what schalt pis beo : hou schal ic nou do
Nou ic haue mie wyf forlore: and sire porfirie also
Whi nas porfirie al myn hurte: neltou me nojt rede
IF po wende pis oper knijte forp: and loude gonne grede
And we beop cristene bicome: euerechone hi sede
263 We nullep pane dep for godes loue: leue for no drede
pemperour po gan drawe his her: and sore sike and grone
Mahoun he seide hou schal ic do: schal ic bileue alone
If Whi neltou rapere fecche mie men: after mie leoue wyue
Ac pej pu nulle helpe me: y nelle forsake pe nojt
270 pis foles pat habbe forsake pe: to depe schulle beo ibrojt
He let nyme porfirie anon: and his felawes echone
And let smyte of here heuedes wip pe toun: as Mahounes fone
If po let he fecche katerine: Damaisele he seide
Ich wole if pu tourne wolt: forjyue pe pi misdede
275 And wip gret noblei as Emperesse: oueral wip me pe lede
And alle ping ic wole do: also after pie rede
If Certes sire, quap pat maide: pis wordes beop for nojt
pu ne schalt me neuere fram him bringe : pat hap me deore ibojt
Do what pu wolt and haue ido: and bring pi wille to ende
280 For pu ne schalt mid no tourment: mie pojt fram ihesu crist
wende
If Whar beo je mie quellers: pemperour po sede
pis wicche je schulle faste bynde: and wip-oute pe toun lede
And smyte of hire heued anon : and do pe gode dede
pat heo ne bringe ous neuereft: in sorwe ne in drede
If po pis maide was ibrojt: to sle wipoute pe toun
286 To god heo makede hire preyere: a kneo heo sat adoun
Louerd, heo seide, grante me: pat ech man pat hauep mone
In enie neode oper anuy: in myne passione
pat he mote to his wille: help habbe sone
290 po com our louerd silf and sede: ic granti pe pi bone
Com her forp mie lemman: mie leoue spouse also
Heuenejat yopened is: pat pu schalt come to
98 ST. KATHERINE. ST. ANDREW.
If pe quellere smot of hire heued : as pe men aboute stode
Whit mule per orn out of pe wounde : and nojt o drope of blode
295 pat was signe of maidenhod: pat pe mule out com
pat clene was wipoute synne: and wipoute swikedom
If An angel com and nom pe bodi: among alle pe manne
And bar hit to pe hul of synay: tuentie iourneyes panne
And burede hit per nobliehe: and faire ynou also
300 per jut to pis dai: pe bones beop ido
Of hire tumbe per vrnep jut: holi oylle wel blyue
Wher-purf menie sik men is ibrojt: to hele and to lyue
Wide a londe hit is ilad: ho so hit habbe mote
Noble relik hit is: sike men to habbe of bote
305 preo hondred jer and twentie: after pat god was ibore
Imartred was pis holi maide : of wham we tolde bifore
Noon ihesu crist for pe suete loue: of seinte katerine
jyue ous pe ioye of heueue: and schulde ous fram belle pine.
XX. ST. ANDREW (follows St. Katherine).
(Harl.MS. 2277, fol. 174b.)
Seint Andreu p'apostle: was seint peteres broper
2 Oure louerd silf to cristendom: him broujte and non oper
For fischeres hi were bope: and as hi fischede aday
4 Bi pe se cure louerd com : and here fisschin isay
Come, he seide, after me: and ic wole jou make
6 Manfischers, and pis opere: here nettes gonne forsake
And suede him mid pis word: and ne chose nojt amis
8 Hem was so betere pan to pasken: in pe water iwis
While oure louerd an vrpe was : mid him bope hi were
10 And sippe hi wende wide aboute: cristendom to lere
If In pe lond of patras : seint Andreu sippe com
12 He tournde per wel faste: pat folc to cristendom
Churchen he rerde al aboute: and teijte me perto
14 Egeas wyf pe lustise : he makede cristene also
perfore he iustise was wrop: and wende to patras
16 To pe cite in gret wrappe: as seint andreu was
THE JUSTICE IMPRISONS HIM FOR CONVERTING MEN. 99
Cristene men pat he per fond: sone he let take
18 To make hem wip his tourmentj: cristendom forsake
1F Seint Andreu sone to him com: sire he seide nym jeme
20 pu pat ert so gret iustise: seli men to deme
pe heje Iustise of heuene : pu haddest neode to knowe
22 pat in-to pe put of helle : pe schal deme wel lowe
IT What ertou Andreu, quap pe Iustise: pat menie dai hap igo
24 And idrawe men to pi false god: pu ne schalt neuereft mo
Ich drawe men, quap seint Andreu: to god pat sop is
26 Ac wrecches and false joure beop: and deue and domhe iwis
Whi saistou so, quap pe iustise: pu wost wel mid alle
28 pat pu perof loude lixt: hou mijte hit so falle
For pe god pat pu of telst: pe gywes while nome
30 And slowe him as he worpie was: bi pur rijt of dome
IF Nai certes, quap seint Andreu: rijt nas hit nojt
32 Ac purf godes wille ous to bugge : he was to depe ibrojt
IF Hou mijte hit beo, quap pe Iustise: pat his wille were perto
34 For pe gywes him wip strenjpe nome: and him slowe also
IF Ich wot to sope, quap Andreu: ajen his wille hit nas
36 For ic was wip him pulke tyme: and isej hou hit was
For er wel longe he tolde ous fore: hou hit scholde beo
38 Tyme and stede and euerech poynt: as we mijte sippe iseo
If pu woldest pat sope ihure : and if pu rijt vnderstode
40 Gret vertu ic wole pe telle: of pe suete holi rode
Ich wole herkny, quap pis oper: and bote pu do after me
42 In pe Rode as pi louerd deide: ic wole sette pe
If ic doutede, quap pis oper: y ne prechede perof nojt
44 Ac peron is al myn hope: mie ioye and al mie pojt
pis pu mijt telle, quap pe Iustise: men pat luuep pe
46 And for y nelle hit ileoue nojt: oper ping pu schalt telle me
Bote pu bileoue on oure godes : mijtie of alle pinge
48 In pe Rode pat pu of spext: to depe me schal pe bringe
Al mijtie god, quap pis oper: ich herie nijt and day
50 Ich bileoue on him and herie wole: pe while ic speke may
IF pe Iustise was po wrop ynouj: seint Andreu he let caste
52 In strong prisoun and he lai per: pe while hit ilaste
As pe iustise sat amorwe in his sige: to him he was ibrojt
54 Andreu, he seide, ic hopie wel: pat pu beo bet bipojt
100 ST. ANDREW. HE IS BEATEN AND BOUND TO THE CROSS.
And pat pou habbe fram folie: pi pojt itournd to nijt
56 To libbe wip ous in ioye gret: and leue pin vnrijt
H pu lipere bern, quap seint Andreu: pu huntest aboute nojt
58 pe more tourment pu me dost: pe gladdere is mie pojt
Forpe mo tourment} pat ich polio for mie louerd: erpat ichdeye
GO pe more worp mi ioye wip him: in pe ioye of heuene heye
Ich doutie more of pe pan of me: for mie pyne nele ileste
62 Bote o dai oper tueye her: oper preo atte meste
Ac pe tourment pat pu schalt habbe: wharto pu schalt wende
64 In tuenti pousend jer ne mo: ne worp ibrojt to ende
PO was pe lustise swipe wrop: he het his men anon
66 Seint Andreu scourgi so : po pat him oke ech bon
And sippe bynde him honde and fet: to pe Rode faste
68 Wip stronge corden for his lyf: scholde pe lengore ilaste
And he pe more in pyne beo: and pe more schede of his blode
70 pe tourmentours wel ynouj: his heste vnderstode
Anon tope bon hi beoten him furst: wip stronge scourges gode
72 In to pe vrpe hi pulte faste: pe tuei endes of pe Rode
H po seint Andreu isej pe Rode: adoun he sat a kneo
74 Hail beo pu swete Rode he seide : swettest of alle treo
pat pu wip mie louerdes lymes: ihalewed mostest beo
76 And of jymmes preciouses: wel glad ic pe iseo
And wel glad ic come to pe: wel glad afong pu me
78 For euere sippe mie louerdes dep: ic habbe pe
Nym me nou al fram pis men : to mie louerd pu most me sende
80 For al myn hope and mi wil is : purf pe to him wende
po he strupte of him silf his elopes: atte bigynnynge
82 And bitoc pe tourmentours: pat scholde him to depe bringe
Faste hope fet and honde: to pe croij hi bounde
84 pe honden hope aboue pe heued: pe fet toward to grounde
pat folc com picke aboute him: he gan to prechi faste
86 Tuei dayes and tuei nijt: pe while his ly ilaste
pat folc pretnede pe iustise: and picke aboute him come
88 And wolde him alto-drawe anon: bote he him adoun nome
H pe lustise him wolde nyme adoun: seint Andrew him forbed
90 I nele nojt he seide come adoun: er pan ic beo ded
For ic iseo mie swete louerd: and erwhile ic isej
92 pat abydep me til ic come: he is her wel nej
HE ASCENDS INTO HEAVEN. ST. LUCY. 101
Whan me wolde him nyme adoun: he pojte he was anhej
94 No man ne mijte him areche: for euere vpward he stej
Here armes whan hi vpward reijte: bicome as stif as treo
96 So gret lijt per com aboute him: pat noman ne mijte him iseo
Hi hurde him and ne seje him nojt: pat lijt ileste iwis
98 Forte pe holi soule wende: perwip to heuene blis
po pe soule was forp iwend : and pe holi bodi bileuede pere
100 Maximille pe iustises wyf : and oper pat per were
Wip gret honor hi hit neme adoun: and to buringe bere
H jut nolde pe iustise ileoue noping: pat he gan him lere
perfore amidde pe wey: as he homward wende
104 He ful ded to fore pe men: and his soule to helle sende
Ac seint Andreu was sippe: heje ilad iwis
106 To pe lond of Constantinople: per as he jut is
Swipe glad pat lond is: pat he euere per com
108 In pisse manere seint Andreu: polede martirdom.
[The Miracles of St. Andrew follow ; and then St. Nicholas and his
Miracles.]
XXI. SEINTE LUCIE.
(Harl.MS.2277,fol.l83.)
Seinte Lucie pe holi maide: in Cisille was ibore
Wei jung heo gan to seruie god: & bileuede synne & hore
Dame Entice hire moder het: pat hire to womman broujte
4 Of such a child wel glad heo was: as heo wel oujte
II So pat hire moder cam an vuel: swipe greuous & longe
For four jer heo hadde mid grete pyne : pe meneisoun l stronge
In fisciciens heo hadde ispend: moche del of hire gode
Ac per nas non pat mijte hire hele: pat heo ne bledde blode
So pat wel wide in pe lond: me tolde of seint Agace
10 Of miracles pat at hire schryue : come purf godes grace
In pe Cite of Attenes: per pis holi womman lay
pat folc wende pider picke: bope nij[t] & day
' meniwun, la dyssenterie, le flux de venire.
102 ST. LUCY. HOW HER MOTHER IS CURED OF A FLUX.
Bi menie pousend to-gadere: of eche lond aboute
11 po seintc Lucie isej al dai : of folc so gret route
15 Moder, heo seide, pu hauest an vuel: swipe greuous mid allc
And we hurep aldai miracles : of seint Agace falle
Go we forp pider mid opere: to pe holi seint Agace
And pu schalt per to hele come: purf oure louerdes grace
II Nou was Lucie stillelicbe: itournd to cristendom
20 Ac hire moder hepene was : and al pat folc pat heo of com
To an hepene man Lucie was: iwedded in junghede
Ac napeles clene maide he wa: wipoute ech foldede
Hire moder heo nom stilleliche: & mid opere forp wende
To pe tumbe of seint Agace: hire moder lyf to amende
25 po hi were pider icome: hi leuede a stounde pere
And hurde pe masse per adai: wip opere pat per were
So pat pe godspel: was adai as Lucie vnderstod
Of a womman pat while hadde : pe meneisoun of blod
And come & tuochede pe lappe: of oure louerdes clop ene
30 As he wende in grete presse: and was hoi anon and clene
IT Leoue moder, quap Lucie: if pu leouest in holi churche
And pe wordes of pe godspel: & wold perafter wurche
purf tuochinge of seint Agace Tumbe: pu worst hoi anon
As pe womman was purf oure louerd : pat after him gan gon
35 po pat folc was al iwend: seinte Lucie com
To seinte Agace holie Tumbe: & hire moder wip hire nom
per hi leye in hire bedes: hi nolde panne gon
So pat Lucie pis maide: werp aslepe anon
pat holi maide seint Agace: fram heuene to hire alijte
40 Wip gret cumpaignie of angles : hire croune schynde brijte
Lucie heo seide leoue soster: whi trauaillestou so
Whi biddestou me so jurne ping: pat pu pe silue mijt do
pi bileue pat is so god: helpep pi moder iwis
Anon purf pe and pi godnisse : pi moder iheled is
45 And also as pis Cite: is moche ihered purf me
Also schal pi contrai : beo ihered purf pe
IF po seinte Lucie aw ok: heo gan to quake sore
Moder heo seide pu ert hoi: pe neper drede namore
For pe loue of pe holi maide: pat pe hap to hele ibrojt
50 Ne fonde pu neuere to bringe me: of mie clene pojt
HER LOVER ASKS THE JUSTICE TO PUNISH HER. 103
Ne let neuere mie spouse in folie: mie maidenhod aspille
Ne let me nojt leose pe longe lyf: for a lute fol wille
Ac al pat pu igranted hast : to mie spouse jyue mid me
54 Let me hit jyue pore men: moder ic bidde pe
If pe moder po heo hoi was: god womman heo bicom
And pe doujter purf pe moder wille: al hire god nom
And delde among pore men: while hit ilaste ojt
To him pat hire spouse was: pe tepinge was ibrojt
If To seinte Lucie norice he wende: and eschte hire faste
60 What Lucie were so onbicome: hire god awei to caste
And whi heo dude hit so awei : and whoder heo dude hit bere
pe norice quenteliche: jaf perof answere
And seide to Sulle heo hap ifounde: dureworpe ping iwis
pat is such a pousend worp: as al hire ping is
65 pe beste cheffare hit is iboujt: pat euere man to drouj
Woldestou enter perinne in per: pu were riche ynouj
pe cheffare was heueneriche: pat pis maide hadde iboujt
poper wondrede of panswere: and stod in gret pojt
So pat poper vnderjat: pat heo cristine was
70 In grete wrappe he tolde fore: pe lustise pat het pascas
IT Lucie was wel sone ifet: and tofore pe iustise ibrojt
Maide seide pc iustise: what hastou ipojt
Bilef he seide pi folie: ic rede in alle wise
And to oure godes as rijt is: pu do sacrefise
If Ich haue, quap pis holi maide: al pis preo jer ido
76 Mi sacrefise to ihesu crist: and jut ic wole also
Al pat ic hadde ic haue isold: and itake am to his lore
Andnou ic wole mie bodi perto take: whan per nisbileuednomore
Ich julde him vp al mie bodi: sire lustise atfore pe
80 To spene ech lyme in his seruise: do what pu wolt bi me
1" Nou ic wot, quap pe iustise: wharto pu tournest pi mod
For in hordom and in lechours: pu hast ispend pi god
And whan pu nast nomore to spene: pu saist in pi speche
peron pu wolt spene al pi bodi : and perof pu dost preche
85 For pu spext as an hore strong: whan pu wold forsake
pi louerde to wham pu ert iwedded: & to lechours take
IF Iwedded ic was to ihesu crist: pis holi maide tolde
po ic ifulled was: pulke weddin ic wolde holde
104 ST. LUCY. 1000 MEN CANNOT MOVE HER, NOR
Ac to hordom pu woldest me bringe: whan puwoldest me make
90 Mi swete spouse ihesu crist: for enie oper forsake
If pu him schalt forsake, quap pe iustise: haddestou hit iswore
Oper to comun bordel: beo ilad oper ibore
And per schal menie a moder child: go to licame
And ligge bi pe ech pat wole: in hordom & in schame
If Ne mai no womman, quap pis maide: of hire maidenhodbeoido
96 For no dede pat me do pat bodi : bote hire hurte beo perto
For pe more aje mie wille: mie bodi dcfouled is
pe clennere is mie maidenhod: & pe more mie mede iwis
IF pe Iustise let aboute wide: into al pe contrai crie
100 pat alle pat wolde bi such a fair womman: do enie folie
If To hire come alle pat wolde: for alle heo scholde take
For in bordel heo scholde beo ido : & non of hem forsake
He het his men hire nyme faste: & to bordel hire lede anon
Alle pat mijte nej hire come: hi droje faste echon
105 Hi schoue & droje al pat hi mijte : hi nemijte hire a fot awinne
Ne make hire icche anne fot: of pe stede pat heo was inne
If po nome hi ropes stronge ynou: & to fet & honden tyde
And alle pat mijte per ne} come: faste hi drowe & breide
A pousend men mid al here mayn: hire one gonne drawe
110 And euere heo lai stille as ston: hi nemijte hire enes wawe
If What, hou gop pis, quap pis Iustise : what reisoun mai pis beo
pat a pousend men nemowe hire enes: of pe stede teo
Sire Iustise, quap pis maide: pu huntest aboute nojt
If For pe} pu haddest jut to hem: ten pousend ibrojt
115 }ut ic wolde beo for jou alle: ic fele bi me her
pe holi vers pat seint Dauid: saip in pe sauter
pat a pousend men scholde in mie side falle : & to grounde beo
ibrojt
And ten pousend in mie rijt half: and me aprochi nojt
perfore hit is al for no"}t: pat pu huntest aboute
120 God is strengere pan pu beo : perfore nabbi no doute
1f pu ert wicche, quap pe Iustise: perof me mot pe bringe
Mi clerkes & myne enchantours : bynyme schulle pi wicchinge
His clerkes he let bringe forp: and his enchantours echone
And hi dude here enchantementz: aboute hire alone
CAN OXEN; NOR CAN FIRE OR SWORD HURT HER. 105
If po hi hadde ido pat hi coupe: pat folc gan eft drawe
126 And euere heolai stille as anhul: hi nemijtehirenojt cues wawe
po lustise po he isej pis: for wrappe was wel nej wod
Certes, he seide, hire wicchinge: ne schal do hire no god
If Stronge temes he let fecche: of Oxen menie on
130 And bringe per pat maide was: and teye to hire echon
He let hem prikie and harli faste : hi gonne to drawe & tuicche
And euere lai pis maide stille: hi nemijte hire enes icche
Wel ic wene wher me mijte: purf erne lasse drawinge
Enie womman an vrpe nou: to suche folie bringe
135 Ac for alle men nabbep nojt: of oxen so god won
Summe pej hit fewe beo: mid lasse drawinge wollep gon
T Certes, quap pe iustise: oper what we mote do
Wip oper ping we schulle hire welde: whan we ne mowe nojt so
Makiep vpe pe hore as heo lyp : whan we ne mowe iwynne hire
henne
140 As strong fur as je mowe make: pat heo al forbrenne
If po pis fur was strong ymaked: he sat amidde wel stille
Ne mijte pat fur hire enes brenne: ne harmie worp a fille
po nomen hi & walde pich: and brinston wel faste
And vpe hire tendre bodi naked: al seopinge gonne hit caste
145 And euere sat pis maide stille: hit ne greuede hire noping
Ac prechede euere wip glade hurte: of ihesu heuene king
IT po nuste pe lipere lustise: what he mijte do more
Whan he nemijte pis clene ping: ouercome mid his lore
A scherp swerd he let & kene: purf-out hire prote do
150 To bynyme hire speche: and hire holi lyf also
po heo was purfout pe prote ismyte: pe bet heo spac ynouj
And prechede jurne of ihesu crist : & wel smere louj
If je, heo seide, pat cristene beop: glade & blipe je beo
Nou ne beo je adrad of noping: for gret ioye ic iseo
155 A ioyful tepinge ic jou telle: pat sop is and les nojt
pat rijt nou is holi churche: in god pees ibrojt
For oure tuei wiperewynes: pat habbep ibeo so jare
Deop rijt nou to nojt ibrojt: je ne pore of hem nojt care
For pe lipere Dioclician: pat so moche harm hap ido
160 Ipult is out of his kynedom: he ne comep neuere more perto
106 ST. LUCY. ST. EDWARD, KING OF ENGLAND.
And also Maximian: pat so liper hap ibeo
Rijt nou deide in lipere depe : je ne scholle hem nomore iseo
pis glade tepinge ic jou bringe: pej hi fur hunne beo
Ihered beo god pat ic moste pis dai alyue iseo
165 Ich wole jou non bitake ihesu crist: for ic wole fram jou wende
Bringep me oure louerdes flesch : for pat schal beo myn ende
Preostes wende forp anon: and pat folc pat per stod
And fette to pis holi maide: godes flesch and his blod
po heo hit hadde vnderfonge: and hire rijtes also
170 And pe oreisouns were alle iseid : pat bifulle perto
Wip pe laste word heo jaf pe gost: as hi amen sede
Angles al jare were: hire soule to heuene lede
per heo is wip ihesu crist: in ioye wipouten ende
Nou god for pe loue of hire: ous lete pider wende: Amen.
[Seint Thomas follows; then Seinte Anastace, Seint Stephene,
Lucian, and Seint lohan p'ewangelist and his Miracles.]
XXII. ST. EDWARD. A Miracle of St. John's.
(Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 195 b.)
Seint Edward pat was nou late: in Engelond otire kyng
Seint lohan p'ewangelist: louede purf alle ping
Me ne scholde him noping bidde: for loue of seint lohan
pat he mijte do wipoute blame: pat he ne grantede anon
5 A dai per com a pore man: wip wel dreorie mod
And bad him for seint lohnes loue: pat he him jeue som god
Seint Edward bipojte him po : he nadd nej him noping
For to' jyue pis pore man:' wip a goldene ring
pis ring he louede wel ynouj : and for pe loue of seint lohan
10 He jaf him jut pe pore man : & he jeode forp anon
H per after ward sippe seint lohan : com to a knijt of Engelond
As he was bijunde see: auentoures to afonde
Wend, he seide, whan pu horn comest: to Edward joure kyng
And sai him pat he for was * loue: he jaf pisne ring [ l whose
15 Him sende here his ring ajen: and ponkede him also
IF po pis knijt com to Engelonde: his erande he gan do
JUDAS ISCARIOT. HE IS PUT TO SEA IN A BARREL. 107
Seint Edward ikneu pane ring: and vnderstod anon
pat pe pouere man pat he him jaf : was pe louerd seint lohn
pulke ring is jut at Westmynstre: for relik ido
20 As me schewep pelegrims: per ofte comep perto
Nou seint lohn p'ewangelist: if pi wille is
Bidde for ous pat we mote: come to heuene blis.
[Gilbert's and Beket's lives (Percy Society,) follow.]
XXIII. JUDAS ISCARIOT.
(Harl. MS. 2277.)
Incipit vita lude cariote:
ludas was a liper brid: pat ihesu solde to Rode
2 Sum- what me maie of him telle : ac lute of enie gode
For me ne schal no whar: of him wite bote ho so wole lie
4 Ruben was his fader icliped: his moder Thiborie
pis ruben in ierusalem: wonede mid his wyue
6 pej here sone a schrewe were: hi were of gode lyue
As pis Ruben bi his wyf: anijt ileye hadde
8 Harde metinge his wyf mette: whar of he sore adradde
Hire pojte heo hadde ibore a child: pat al pe wordle was lop
10 And al pe wordle him a-cursede: and was wip him wrop
And pat acursed he schulde euere beo : while pe wordle stode
12 And al his cun me cursie wolde: for such a liper vode
pis wyf was wel sore adrad : to hire louerd heo tolde anon
14 je, he seide, hit is pe mase: and also hit wole gon
Wel ic wot, quap pis gode wyf: if ic am mid childe
16 pat hit is tokning of a bern: liper and vnmylde
pis wyf rekenede pe tyme : and swipe heo gan iwite
18 And yfele pat he was mid childe: ^.nd pulke tyme bijite
Sorie heo was and sore of drad: nire freondes heo tolde fore
20 Hi nuste what hem was to done: po pat child was ibore
Lop hem was to murprie: here flesch and here blod
22 And lop a bern to norischie: so liper and vngod
IF So pat he seje: a barayl atte laste
24 per inne hi dude pis liper qhild: and amidde pe see hit caste
108 JUDAS ISCARIOT. HE ENTERS PILATE'S SERVICE.
pc see him hurlede vp and doun: as a liper clot
26 Sippe hit caste him alond: vpe pe yle of Cariot
perfore ludas cariot: euere icleped he was
28 For in pe yle of Cariot: ifonde he was bi cas
pe king and pe quene of pe lond: togadere were longe
30 Ac hi no child for no ping: bituene hem nemijte afonge
So pat pe quene jeode adai: and pleide bi pe stronde
32 In pe yle of Cariot: pe lipere bern heo fonde
po heo sej hit was a child: manlich and fair
34 Glad heo was and hopede: of him to habbe an heire
Heo let hit witie in preuite: mid childe heo hire makede
36 pe king and al pe lond also: perof were wel glade
Sone pe tyme heo nom forp : pat pe child scholde beon ibore
38 Me schowede forp pe lipere bern: glad was pe king perfore
If po he sej hit fair and hende: he let hit nemne ludas
40 Hit nis nojt al god pat is fair: isene per hit was
pat child was ido in gode warde: as kinges sone scholde
42 Sone hit ful perafterward : as oure louerd hit wolde
pat pe quene mid childe was: of hir louerd bijite
44 Glad were hope king and quene: po hi hit mijte wite
So pat heo hadde a knaue child: pat fair and gentyl was
46 pe quene vpe him hire hurte dude: and pe lasse vpe ludas
If pe children waxe swipe wel: ludas bigan sone
48 To do lipere and qued ouer al: as him was to done
Children pat he com to: he wolde smyte and bete
50 And breke here armes and here heued: and pat god lete
To pe kinges sone he hadde enuie: for he was iloued more
52 Of pe quene pan he were: hit of pojte him sore
perfore he alto-beot pat child: whan he mi}te hit one wite
54 Ac pe quene him beot sore ajen : whan heo hit mijte vnderjite
Ac perfore nolde he neuere bileue : for neuere ichasted he nas
56 So pat pe quene vpbreid adai: pat he fyndling was
After pulke tyme pis lipere ping: pat child hatede ynouj
58 He awaitede his tyme wel: and priueliche hit slouj
If po no perste he no leng abide: leste he hadde his dom
60 Stilleliche he wende to ierusalem: me nuste whar he bicom
per was pilatus : of pe lond lustise
62 pis ludas anon vnder him: leuede in seruise
JUDAS MURDERS HIS FATHER, AND MARRIES HIS MOTHER. 109
So wel he louede him anon: pat styward he him made
64 Of al his ping, and het his men: do pat he bade
pat o schrewe \vip pat oper: maister was as rijt is
GG For ech ping louep his iliche: so saip pe boc iwys
For pe} in al a contray: bote tueie schrewes nere
68 }ut hi wolde felawes beo : if he to-gadere were
If So pat pis tuei schrewen: pe louerd and pe stiward
70 Adai jeode alone pleye: vnder an orchard
Swipe faire aples: pilatus isej perinne
72 Clembe ouer he bad ludas: and some perof iwinne
hulas brae pe jard anon: and sone was in ibrojt
74 His owe fader orchard hit was: ac napeles he nuste hit nojt
Com pe gode man pat was his fader : and eschte him what he were
7G And bi was leue he brae his jard: and what he dude per
ludas seide ic wole her beo: maugre pi tep bifore
78 And of pis applen habbe and bere : pej pu hit haddest iswore
11 pis gode man was anuyed: of pis liper answere
80 pe schrewe he misdude ajen: he nemijte noleng forbere
So pat hi nenie aiper oper bipe top: and makede stronge wounde
82 pe schrewe was strengere pan his fader: and brojte him sone to
g[r]unde
So pat he smot him wip a ston: bihynde in pe pate
84 pat al pe sculle to-daschte: pe brayn ful out perate
So pat he slouj his owe fader: and po me mijte wite
86 pat his moder mette of him sop : po he was bijite
jut were his fader betere: habbe ibrojt him of dawe
88 As sone as he was ibore: pan he hadde him aslawe
Of p'aplen pat pe schrewe whan: and of pe peren also
90 And bar pilatus and tolde him: hou he hadde ido
If Pilatus wende anoper daie: to pe gode manes house
92 And jaf ludas al his god : and makede him wedden his spouse
For he was maister & lustise: he mijte do vnrijt ynouj
94 po weddede pe schrewe his owe moder: and his fader aslouj
If As pis gode wyf lai anijt: bi hire schrewe louerd pere
96 Heo gan to sike swipe sore: he eschte whi hit were
IT Certes, sire, quap pis wyf: wel anijte ic sike sore
98 Wo and sorewe me comep to: none womman more
110 JUDAS ISCARIOT; BECOMES CHRIST'S PCRSEBEARER.
Glad ne blipe ne worpe ic neuer: whan ic me bipenche
100 For ic nadde neuere sone bote on: and him ic let adrenche
Sippe ic fond m\e louerd aslawe: y not in wlriche wise
102 And myn vnponkes ic am Swedded: wip strengpe of pe iustise
po ludas ihurde pis : sorle he was ynouj
104 Certes, he seide, ic am pi sone: and mi fader ic aslouj
po was pis gode wyf soriere: pan heo euere were
10G Sone, heo seide, what mowe we do: pat we ischryue nere
If ludas ihurde of oure louerd telle : pat he an vrpe jeode
108 pat he halp menie man: in siknesse and in neode
purf his moder red to schrifte: to oure louerd he wende
110 Repentant he was and wilnedc: his lyf to amende
So pat he suede oure louerd longe : to wite of his manere
112 Oure louerd him makede his disciple: to beo apostles ifere
Sippe oure louerd him makede apostle: to fondi his mod
114 And sippe pursberer of his pans: to spene al his god
For meni men jyue oure louerd god : pat were of gode pojt
116 To susteynie his apostles: oper nadde he nojt
Ac po ludas wipinne was: and his mijte founde
118 Of oure louerdes god pat he wiste: he stal al to grounde
Whan he nrijte of eche ping: pe teoping he wolde stele
120 A schrewe he was al his lyf: y ne maie no leng hele
Wei wiste oure louerd pas: and al his liper dede
122 Ac napeles he moste fulfille: pat pe prophetes sede
If Seinte Marie Magdaleyne: to oure louerd com
124 To-fore his swete passioun : and moche oignement wip hire nom
His fet heo wosch wip hire teres: and wipede wip hire her
126 Wip pis swete oignement: heo smired oure louerd per
ludas of pojte pis ille : for hit moche worp was
128 And seide pat hit was vuele ido: pat hit isold nas
preo hondred pans hit was worp : and permide me mijte fille
130 Menie pore man afingred: ho so hit moste sille
pat he seide for he wolde: if pe boxes hadde ibeon Isolde
132 Habbe ispend and to him: pe teoping iholde
pe teoping perof was prettie pans: sore him of-pojte perfore
134 pat so menie pans of his peofpe: scholde fram him beo ilore
perfore oure louerd for prettie pans: he solde mid vnrijte
136 pat he pe teoping of pulke boxes: to him keouerie mijte
JUDAS ISCARIOT. PILATE. Ill
Him suede eche liperi pewe: for he louede baret and stryf
138 He was strong peof and man quell ere: and also he endedehislyfe
And suche men schulde anhonge beo : andpo nomanhit noldedo
140 Him silf he heng vp a treo : for such dep he scholde to
His wombe to-berste amidde atuo: po he schulde deye
142 His gvttes fulle to grounder menie men hit iseye
per wende out a liper gost: atte moup hit nemijte
144 For he custe er oure louerd: perwip mid vnrijte
Nou swete louerd pat purf ludas: isold wer to pe treo
146 Schuld ous fram pe lipere stede: per we weneppathebeo: Amen.
XXIV. PILATE.
(Harl.MS.2277.)
Pilatus was a liper man: and com of liper more
Bituene a king and a fol womman: in spousbreche ibore
pe king Tirus was an hej man: and of grete fame
Bi a melewardes doujter he lai: Pila was hire name
5 And bijat on hire vnder pe querne: pe lipere bern bi cas
pe meleward pat hire fader was: atus ihote was
For pe doujter pat het Pile: and pe fader Atus
Of here beire name me makede anne: and clipede him pilatus
pe child wax and wel ipej: and po hit was of preo jere
10 pe moder hit sende to his fader : for he was of gret poer
pe king hit louede swipe wel: and let hit wel lere
Bi pe quene he hadde anoper child: bope in one jere
pat child pat was rijt bijute: and pilatus also
To norisschi and to lere wel: to-gadere were ido
15 As hi wexe hi toppede ofte: per nas bituene hem no loue
Ac pat child rijt bijute: euer was aboue
If Pilatus awaitede his poynt: and pojte to julde his while
He stal adai stilleliche: and slouj pat child wip gyle
If po pe king pis ihurde: he was sorie ynouj
20 He nuste what do wip pe schrewe: pat his rijt sone so slouj
He pojte if he hit slowe : pat hit were doble wo
And pat he nemijte blipe beo: \yhan he him iseje owhar go
112 PILATE. UE KILLS THE KING OF FRANCE'S SON.
If p'emperour to him sende: after truage of his londe
pe king him bipojte hou he mijte best: paye him of his sonde
25 Pilatus he sende pider: as hit were in ostage
For p'emperour him scholde sle: whan him faillede of his truage
He sende him word pat he nadde: children bote him on
And for al pe god alyue: he nolde his lyf forgon
And bote he at his daye: sende his truage
30 Hi his sone do what he wolde: as rijt is bi ostage
^f pemperour him louede moche : ac of his schreuhede nuste he uojt
pe kinges sone of france ek: was in hostage pider ibrojt
He was bet biloued pan pilatus : pej hi felawes were
And for pat on was god and pat oper schrewe : gode felawes
neuere hi nere
35 pe schrewe awaitede wel his tyme: for he was fel ynouj
Bituene hem silue stilleliche: his felawe he slouj
pemperour him nom anon: he nuste what wip him do
He wolde him sle, ac his consail: ne jaf him nojt perto
And seide he was toward: swipe hardie man mid alle
40 Of a such man mijte moche god: in to al pe contray bifalle
If Schulle we lete quap p'emperour: a manquellere alyue go
Sire sire quap pis oper: pu hast menie a fo
And such man if he bileuep forp : gret god maie pe do
And if lawe of londe nele: pat pu him lete so go
45 Wel pu wost pat in pe yle of Ponce: schrewen per beop ynowe
per com neuere lustise: pat hi sone ne slowe
perfore pu mijt him sende pider: to beo lustise of pulke yle
And bote he beo queyntere pan enie oper: he ne scapep nojt a
gy le
And if he pat lond chastep wel : and bringep vnder fote
50 He worp man wipoute peer: if he duri mote
If po pilatus was pider isend: he wiste wel pe gyle
And pe maner enquerede of pe lond: po he cam in to pe yle
He spac faire and mylde: and was euere stille
Wip fair speche and quentise: he hadde of hem his wille
55 Hi dude al after his wille: and hulde him euere lustise
per nemijte so neuere non: beo in none wise
If po p'emperour ihurde pat he mijte: pat lipere folc so pewe
He ne huld non so queynte man: as he huld pe schrewe
LIFE OF PILATE. HIS TREACHERY TO HEROD. 113
Of his queyntise me spac wide : bi daye and bi nyjte
60 Hou he amaistrede pe yle of ponce : as neuere no man ne mijte
60* For he amaistrede and ascapede : pe yle of ponce so wel
Ponce pilatus me him clipep: in crede and godspel
IT pe king herodes pat was : po king bi kynde
Of pe lond of ierusalem : and of Galilee and ynde
Of pilatus he hurde ynouj : of his wit and his queyntise
65 Glad and blipe he wolde beo: to habbe such a lustise
Noble jiftes he him jaf: and fondede in alle wise
If he wolde out of pat lond: and leue in his seruise
So pat pilatus com to him : and such consail hi toke
pat more pan half his kynedom: he tok him to loke
70 To beo maister of ierusalem : and also of ynde
In his owe lond he athuld: Galilee of his kynde
po pilatus hadde per longe: pe maistrie fur and nher
He gan to cupe what he was: po he sej his poer
For ech schrewe wole abide his tyme: to cupe his felonie
75 He gaderede tresour and oper god: ynouj in his baillie
And wende to Cezar pemperour: pat was maister ouer pe kinge
Of tresour and oper god ynouj: largelichc he gan him bringe
And jaf him wip pat he moste : pe baillie holde pere
Of him as he dude of herodes: his kynedom pej hit were
1 pemperour pat was pe kinges louerd: sone him bipojte
81 And gladliche nom pe tresour: pat pilatus him brojte
And grantede pilatus al pat lond: to holde bi maistrie
pat he huld er of herodes : per was gret trecherie
He wende aje to ierusalem: and to ynde also
85 As louerd he dude alle his hestes: po he cam perto
Herodes sende after him: to accountie after wille
Pilatus spac purf pemperour: and ne jaf nojt worp afille
po herodes isej pe trecherie : and pe lipere falshede
He huld him bitrayd purf felonie : he nuste what to rede
90 po he sej pat he ne mijte: vndo pemperoures dede
Pilatus he acursede ilome: for his lipere falshede
And po he ne mijte him oper do: bote wrappe him bar mid rijte
So gret wrappe hem was bituene: pat no tonge hit telle ne mijte
pe wrappe ilaste forte oure louerd: to depe scholde go
95 Ac for aiper to oper sende: acorded hi were po
h
1 14 LIFE OF PILATE. HE AND JUDAS BECOME FRIENDS.
IT pe while pilatus in his lond: louerd and sire was
ludas pat oure louerd solde: to him com bi cas
His steward he him makede anon: gode freond hi were
For tuei schrewen wollep freond beo : pej no mo men nere
100 ludas was per his steward : forte he his fader aslouj
And forte he wedde his owe moder : wip grete strenjpe and wouj
IT Suppe god was ynome: and schulde beo to depe ido
Pilatus purf pe gywene wille : him demde perto
For pe gywes in Jerusalem: in here poer him nome
105 perfore hi ne mijte him quelle nojt: bote purf his dome
Longe after pat he was ded: he repentede him ilome
He ne perste nojt for pemperour: perfore come at Rome
Ac euere him huld at lerusalem: among pe gywes faste
Ac sore he dradde pemperour: pat he him slowe atte laste
110 Longe hit ful perafterward : pat pemperour was sek
In strong vuele and wel long: pat he nas noman ilek
Leches he let fecche wide : ac him ne mijte hele non
So pat his o messager: to ierusalem com gon
Longe and wide he eschte per: after sum god leche
1 15 To a womman he com pat het veronike: pat heo scholde him to
sum on teche
Alias, quap pe womman: if pu haddest hider igon
pe while pe prophete her was: pi wille hadde beo idon
IT A whar , quap pe messager po : pe prophete beo bicome
Certes, quap veronike: pe gywes him habbep ynome
120 To depe him hi broujte on pe rode: purf pilatus dome
perfore he ne perste neuer eft: bifore jou come at Rome
pe while pe prophete her was : gret ioye ic hadde midde alle
Him to nej beo: if hit mijte so bifalle
And po y ne mijte nej him beo: ic him bad a bone
125 pat ich mijte ofte his forme iseo: he me grantede gone
IT Mi keuerchief ic him bitok : and he wond hit aboute his face
pat ech man mijte wel iseo: his mijte and his grace
For per he leuede his owe forme: pat in his face was
In ech poynt po he hit me tok: pat no defaute per nas
130 pulke forme is me bileued: pat ich mijte igladed beo
purf pe sijt pat is him so iliche: whan y ne mai him silue iseo
Hadde pi louerd pemperour: pe forme iseje ene
Ich wot he were hoi anon: and of his vuel clene
VERONICA'S KERCHIEF CURES THE EMPEROR. 115
Dame, mercie, quap pe messager: maie pulke ymage ojt
135 For enie gold oper siluer ' : to pemperour beo ibrojt
pat nis nojt, quap pis wyf: for al his gold iwis
Bugge ne mijte pe leste hurne: pat peron is
Ac ic wole, quap pe wyfe: wip pe to him wende
If oure louerd him wole bote : purf his forme him sende
If Heo wende forp wip pis messager: and po heo com to Rome
141 pemperour hi tolde al pis: po hi to him come
If Anon po he pe ymage isej: he was ol anon
He honourede wel veronike: heo ne moste fram him gon
pe ymage he athuld pat hit ne com: neuereft out of Rome
145 In seint peteres churche hit is: as men iseop ilome
IF po eschte he whar oure louerd were : and whar he sippe bicome
Veronike him seide hou pe gywes : to stronge depe him nome
And hou pilatus his lustise : pe dom jaf perto
If Ou lipere man, quap pemperour: hap he itake on so
150 Assentede he to pe gywes : and nas nojt of here lawe
Ich wole if ic maie to him come: anhonge him oper todrawe
Alias pulke holi man: pat he let bringe of dawe
Ich wot pe gywes beop wel liper: hi wolde beo perof fawe
In faire manere he let sende: after pilatus sone
155 pat he come to him as to his louerd: as rijt was to done
Ac pilatus sende ane lettre : to his louerd er
pat he for^eue him his wrappe: pat he to him ber
And pat he was gulteles of pe dep : pat me vpe him sede
And pat pe gywes him slowe: al wipoute his rede
160 Ac a strong tempest in pe see : his messager gan dryue
In-to pe lond of galilee : and per he gan ariue
Ac vaspasian pat was per maister: pe messager faste nom
So pat nej pemperour: pe messager neuere ne com
If po pemperoures messager: to pilatus was iconic
165 And pilatus hadde of him: his erande ynome
He wende pat his owe messager : to pemperour hadde iwend
And pat he hadde forjeue him his wrappe : and after him isend
Oure louerdes curtel he dude on: pat he wiste euer wel
pat vnsued was of pred: as hit saip in pe godspel
1 siluer: is repeated in the MS.
116 LIFE OF PILATE. HIS EXCUSES FOR CHRIST'S DEATH.
170 Wip wel glade chere: he wende to pemperour
And grette him po he com him to : wip wel gret honoure
T So wrop wip noman vnder sonne: pemperour nas bifore
As he wip pilatus was: for his dep he hadde iswore
And for he hadde oure lordes curtel: on whan he bifore him com
175 His hurte was al swaged: wip grete ioie he him nom
He makede mid him al pe ioye: pat man mijte mid oper do
For virtu of pe holi curtel: and his men also
Anon so he was out of his sijt: his op he swor anon
pat to stronge depe he wolde him bringe : if he mijte him of gon
180 Ac gret ioye he makede mid alle: whan he to him com
And euere whan he fram him was : he iuggede him stronge dom
pis maner ileste longe: pat alle pat ihurde pis cas
Wondrede moche of pemperour: pat he vnstable was
So atte laste pis pilatus: as oure louerde hit wolde
185 His curtel he stripte of bi cas: as he neuere ne scholde
And com so bifore pemperour: and he anon him nom
He swor his more op anon: pat he to wropere hele per com
Sai, he seide, pu wrecche man: sai what hastou ido
Slowe pu pe holi prophete: to wropere hele dudestou so
II Certes sire, quap pilatus: y ne dude him nojt to depe
191 Beo iknowe, quap pemperour: for pu mijt as epe
Bote pe lipere gywes, quap pilatus: to pe depe him brojte
Wipoute pe, quap pemperour: neuere such ping hi ne wrojte
H Certes sire, quap pilatus: y ne m&ie nojt ofsake pis
195 pat y ne demde him to depe: ac ic moste nede iwis
For penqueste vpe him seide: pat he destruyde oure lawe
And lawe jifp pat alle suche: me scholde bringe of dawe
And ic per pat pi iustise was: purf pin heste and pi rede
Moste nede jyue pe dom: whan penqueste sede
*H Whan pu vnderjete, quap pemperour: pe gywene falshede
201 Whi naddestou ispeke per aje: and desturbed pe lipere dede
God hit wot, quap pilatus: and Jerusalem also
pat ic was per ajen bi mie mijte: pat he nere to depe ido
Ac hi were vpe him alle so faste: pat me ne mijt mid no lawe
205 Whan penqueste passede: bote he were ibrojt of dawe
If If pu ne mijtest mid rijte him sauue: pemperour po sede
Hou perstestou wipoute mie red: do such a lipere dede
HE IS CAST INTO PRISON, KILLS HIS JAILER, AND IS KILLED. 1 1 7
Certes sire, quap pilatus: y ne maie wipsigge nojt
pat ic perof ne misdude: in gulte ic am ibrojt
210 And me schal bi pe, quap pemperour: as bi a gultie man do
pu schalt passi bi iugement : for pu toke on so
In strong prisoun and swipe durk : sone he let him caste
pat he ne sej fot ne honde: he let him bynde faste
So longe he laie in prisoun: in hunger and in pyne
215 pat his lymes clonge awei: his bodie gan al fordwyne
He hadde leouere his dep peran : his lymes so forclonge to nojte
So hi dude alle tofore here dep : pat oure louerde to depe brojte
If A dai as pe gailer: into prisoun com
Pilatus cride so dulfulliche : pat gret deol to him he nom
220 "Haue reupe of me, sire, he seide: for pin owe gentrice
Wei pu wost knyjt ic am: and while was hej Justice
And nou ic her clynge awei: and no sijt iseo wip eye
Let me enes per charite: iseo sijt er ic deye"
pe gayler hadde reupe of him: such man he hadde ibeo
225 And of prisoun ladde him out : pe wordle forto seo
IT po pilatus com to lijte: as pe hoc hap itold
And isej his bodie alforswarted : his hurte ful ful cold
"Alias he seide pis dai abide: pat ich euere com in lijt
Sire Renald for pi curteisie: grante me ane bone
230 jif me an appel to ete: for ic hit maie do sone"
pe gayler him tok an appel: he seide hit was vnrijt
Vnpared an appel take: an hej man oper a knijt
Such wrecche as ic nou am: ic was while hej lustise
Len me a knyf pis appel to parie : for pin owe gentrise
235 po pe gayler him tok a knyfe: him silue he slouj anon
And smot him deope in pe bodie: and lai ded as a ston
po pe tepinge com to pemperour: pat bodie he let take
And caste hit wipoute pe toun: among olde walles forsake
per ne wende noman perforp: aboute in none side
240 pat he nas lame oper wod: oper sum auentoure him gan bitide
per was pundre and lijtninge: and gret tempest per aboute
pat hi were witles and adrad : pat hi ne perste no whar at -route
So pat pemperour let take: pe wrecche licame atte laste
And bere hit to pe watere of tybre: and perinne hit caste
118 PILATE'S BODY BURIED IN A ROCK. A SONG OF MERCY.
245 po com per a gret tempest: |>at per aboute wel wide
pat schipes adreynte pere menie on: per aboute in eche side
II Al pe contray per aboute hem dradde: and nom hem to rede
And in-to a watere fur fram men: pis licame gonne lede
Bituene hulles and wyldernisse: and perinne hi him caste
250 pe pundre smot per anon: and pe lijtinge wel faste
pat bodie flet vp and doun: icast her and pere
Mid weder and tempest of water: pat ech man hadde fere
Amidde pe water per stod a roche: po pe licame was per nej
pe roche clef amidde atuo : as al pat folc isej
255 And as an arewe schet of a bwe: pat bodie schet perinne
pe roche schet to-gadere anon: po pat bodie was wip-inne
And pe wrecche bodie per lyp: jut to pis day
Moche wo jut per is per aboute: as me iseo maie
pus pilatus endede his lyf: as he wel wel worpe was
260 God schulde ech cristenene man: fram so dulful cas. Amen.
hie finiuntur gesta. Maledictorum . lude et Pilati.
[End of the MS. Harl. 2277.]
XXV. A SONG OF MERCI.
(Duplicate of theVernonMS., Brit.Mus. Additional MS. 22,283, fol.128, back,
col. 2.)
Bi west, vnder a wilde* wode syde.
2 In a launde . per i . was lent .
Wlanke deor . on grounde gan glide .
4 And lyouns raunpyng. vppon bente.
Beores . woluus . with moupes wide .
6 pe smale bestes 1 . pei al to-rent.
per haukes vnto pare 2 pray pei hyde .
8 Of whuche .to on . i . toke goode 3 tent .
* The Bodleian copy generally has y where the Brit. Mus. one has i,
as in wylde and glyde, line 3, and ^t for the Br. Mus. hi; also a
final e after the I of rent, tent, hent, ment, 1. 6, 7, 9, 11. It has also more
capitals for the nouns; and more metrical points, which are printed here.
1 Beestes. 2 heore. 3 tok god.
A SONG OF MERCY. 119
A merlyon. a brid hedde ' hent.
10 And in hir 2 foot, heo gan hit bringe.
Hit coupe not speke. but pus hit ment.
12 How merci passep alle pinge.
Merci was in pat. bryddes 3 Muvnde.
14 But perof kneuj . pe hauk non .
For in hire foot. he a gan hit bynde.
16 And heolde hit stille. as eni ston.
Heo dud after . pe cours of kynde .
18 And fleij in-to a treo anon.
porw kynde. pe brid gan Merci fynde.
20 For on pe morwe . heo let hit gon .
Ful stille .i. stod. my self al on.
22 To herken. how pat bryd gan synge
A-wey wol wende. bope murthe and moon.
24 And Merci passep . strengpe and riht .
Mony a wyse. seo we may.
26 God ordeynet 4 Merci. most of miht.
To beo a-boue . his werkes ay.
28 Whou deore Ihesu. schal beo 5 diht.
To demen vs. at domes day.
30 Vr sunne wol beo. so muche in siht.
We schul not wite. what we schul say.
32 Ful fresliche 6 . riht wol vs affray.
And blame vs for. vr mislyuyng.
34 pen dar non persone 7 . for vs to pray .
But Merci. passep alle pinge 8 .
If Riht wolde sle vs. for vr sunne 9 .
Miht wol don. execucion.
38 And rihtwis god . penne 10 wol bigynne .
Forto " reherse vs. pis resoun.
40 I made pe Mon . }if pat pou mynne .
Of feture . liche . myn owne fasoun .
42 And after crepte. in-to pi kynne.
And for pe suffred passioun.
1 had. . 3 hire. 3 Briddes. heo. 4 ordeyned. 5 be. 8 fersliche.
p'se. 8 ping. 9 synne. 10 Rihtwyse god . pen. n Forte.
120 A SONG OF MERCY.
44 Of pornes kene. pen was pe croun.
Ful scharpe. vppon. myn bed standyng.
46 Myn herte ia blood . ran from me doun .
And i . forjaf pe . alle pinge * .
48 Myn herte 1S blood . for pe gan blede .
To buye pe. from pe fendes blake 2 .
50 And i . forjaf pe . pi mysdede .
What hast pou suffred. for my sake.
52 Me hungred. pou woldest not me fede.
Ne neuer my furst. ne woldestou slake.
54 Whon .i. of herborwe. hedde gret nede.
pou woldest not. to pin hous me take.
56 pou seje me .a. monge todes blake.
Ful longe. in harde prisoun lyng.
58 Let seo what vnswere. constou make.
Where were 3 pou kynde. in eny ping.
60 And hou .i. whenched 4 . al pi care.
Lyft vp pin eje s . and pou maijt se.
62 My woundes wete. blodi al bare.
As i . was rauht 6 . on roode tre.
64 pou seje me. for defaute forfare.
In sekenes. and in pouerte.
66 jrt 7 of pi good . woldestou not spare .
Ne ones come, to visite me.
68 Al eorply pinge ' . i . jaf to pe .
Bope beest and fysche 8 . and foul fleoyng.
70 And tolde pe. hou pat charite.
And Merci. passep alle ping.
If Hou myhtou . eny Merci haue .
pat neuer desiredest . non to do .
74 pou seje me naked, and elopes craue.*
Barehed . and Barefot . gan I . go .
76 On me pou vochedest no ping saue.
19 B.M.hert. 'ping. 3 B.M.feondesbolde. 3 Wherweore. 4 quenched.
6 eije. 6 rau$t. 7 }it. 8 fisch.
* The next four lines are from the Bodleian copy, and are not in the
Brit. Mus.. one.
A SONG OF MERCY. 121
But beede me wende. pi wones fro.
78 pou seje me ded. aboue to graue.
H On bere. seuen dayes and mo.
.SO For luytel dette . i . ou^te pe po .
pou forbed. my buryinge 1 .
82 pi Pater noster. seide not so.
For Merci passep. alle pinge.
H peose are pe werkes of Merci . seuene .
Of whuche . crist wol vs areyne .
86 pat alle schul stoney. wip pat steuene.
pat euer tresoun. mihte ateyne.
88 For here 2 but yf 3 we make vs euene.
per may no miht. ne jiftes jeyne.
90 pen 4 to pe kyng of heuene .
pe bok seip. pat we schul seyne.
92 Wher hastou lord, in prisoun leyne.
Whon were 5 pou . in eorpe dwellyng .
94 Whon seje we pe. in suche peyne.
Whon askedst pou. vs eny ping.
H Whon je seje . oper 6 . blynd . or lame .
pat for my loue. asked jou oujt.
98 Al pat je duden . in my 7 name .
Hit was to me . bope dede 8 & pouht .
100 But je pat hated, cristendame.
And of my wrappe. neuer ne rouht 9 .
102 jour seruise schal. be 10 endeles schame.
Helle fuyr. pat slakes nouht 9 .
104 And je . pat with my blood .i. bouht 9 .
pat loued me. in joure lyuynge.
106 je schul haue. pat je haue souht 9 .
Merci pat passep alle pinge.
If pis tyme schal tyde. hit is no nay.
And wel is hym. pat hap pat grace.
110 For to plese. his god to pay.
And Merci sechep 11 . while he hap space.
1 blinking. 2 beer. 3 }if. 4 penne. 5 Whonne weore. 6 ouper.
7 myn. 8 deede. 8 ?* for ht, 10 ben. " seche.
122 A SONG OF MERCY.
112 For beo vr moupe. crommed* with 1 clay.
Wormes blake. wol vs enbrace.
114 penne is too late. Mon. in goode fay.
To seche to amende . of pi trespace .
116 With J mekenes pou may. heuene purchase.
Oper meede . par pe non bryng .
118 But knowe pi god. in vche a case.
And loue hym best, of eny ping.
IT To god a 2 mon. were holden meste.
To loue. and his wrappe eschuwe.
122 Now is non. so vnkuynde a beeste.
pat lasse dop. pat weore hym duwe.
124 For beestes and foules. more and leeste.
pe cours of kuynde 3 . alle pei suwe.
126 And whon 4 we breken. godes heste.
Ajeynes kuynde. we ben vn-trewe.
128 For kuynde wolde . pat we hym knewe .
And dradde hym moste b . in vre doinge*.
130 Hit is no riht. pat he vs rewe.
But Merci passep. alle pinge.
IT Now harlotrie 6 . for murpe is holde.
And vertues turnen 7 . in-to vice .
134 And symonye. hap chirches solde.
And lawe is waxen . couetise .
136 Vr feip is frele. to flecche and folde.
For treupe is put. to luytel prise.
138 Vr 8 god. is glotonye. and golde.
Dronkenes. lecherie 6 and dyse.
140 Lo here 9 vr lust, and vr 8 likyng.
jet jif we wole . repent 10 and rise .
142 Merci passep. alle pinge.
T Vnlnstily . vr lyf we lede .
144 Monhod and we. twynne in two.
To heuene ne helle. take we non hede.
146 But on day come, a noper go,
a ?quommed. l M*. * and. 3 kynde. * whonne. b most.
5 doing. 6 y for ie. 7 tornen. 8 Yre. 9 beer. 10 repente.
A SONG OF MERCY. 123
Who is a Maister. now but meede.
148 And pruude. pat wakened al vr wo.
We stunt noper ' . for schame ne drede .
150 To teren vr god. from top to to.
For-swere his soule. his hert al-so 2 .
152 And alle pe Membres 3 . pat we con 4 mynge.
Ful harde vengeaunce. wol falle o 5 po.
154 But Merci passep alle ping 6 .
If And corteis knihthod. and clergye.
156 pat wont were vices, to forsake.
Are now so roted 7 . in rybaudye.
158 pat oper murthes. lust hem not make.
A wey is gentel. curtesye 8 .
160 And lustines. his leue hap take.
We loue so sloupe. and harlotrie.
162 We slepe . a 9 swolle swyn in lake .
per wol no worsen upe . with vs wake .
164 Til pat charyte . be made 10 a kyng .
And penne schal. alle vre synnes n slake.
166 And Merci passep alle ping.
IF I. Munge no more, of pis to jou.
168 Al pauj .i. koupe. yf 12 pat .i. wolde.
For je han herde 13 . whi and hou.
170 Bigon pis tale . pat .i. haue tolde .
And pis men knowen. wel i.-nouh.
172 For Merlions . feet ben colde .
Hit is heore u kuynde . on bank and bouh .
174 A. quik brid. to haue 15 and holdc.
From foot to foot, to flytte 16 and folde.
176 To kepe hire, from clomesyng.
As i. an hauporn. gan bi holde.
178 I. sauj my self, pe same ping.
Whon heo hedde holden. so al niht.
180 On morwe heo let hit gon a way.
1 stunte neiper. 2 herte also. 3 menbres. 4 cuu. 5 on. 6 fringe.
7 Rooted. 8 gentyl cortesye. 9 as. 10 beo mad. " pen schal. al
vr synne. 1J jif. 13 herd wel. u heor. 15 hawen. 16 flutte.
124 A SONG OF DEO GRATIAS.
Wheper genteri ' taujt hire . so or nouht
182 I . con not tclle jou . in goode 2 fay .
But god . as pu art ful of myjt .
184 pouj we plese pe. not to pay.
Graunt vs repentaunce. and respijt.
186 And schrift and hosel. or we day.
As pou art god. and Mon verray.
188 pou beo vr help, at vr 3 endyng.
Byfore 4 pi face, pat we may 4 say 4 .
190 Now Merci passep alle ping 5 .
Explicit a songe of Merci.
XXVI. A SONGE OF DEO GRACIAS.*
(Duplicate of Vernon MS., Brit. Mus., fol. 129, col. 1.)
In a chirche . pere i . con knel .
2 pis ender day. in on Morwenynge.
Me liked pe seruise. wondur wel.
4 For-pi pe lengore. con .i. lynge.
I seij a clerk a boke forthe brynge.
6 pat prikked was . in Mony a plas .
Fast he souht what be schulde synge.
8 And al was. Deo gracias.
Alle pe queristres in pat qwer.
10 On pat word, fast gon pel cri:
pe noyse was goode. and .i. drouj neer.
12 And calde a prest ful priuely.
And seide syre . for jor curtesy .
14 Telle me jif je haue spas .
What hit menep. and for whi.
16 je singe. Deo gracias.
IT In silke pat comely clerk, was clad.
18 And ouer a lettorne . leoned he .
1 gentrie. * good. 3 vre. 4 i for y. 5 pinge. * This and the
following Songs, I had not time to compare with the Bodleian copy.
A SONG OF DEO GRATIAS. 125
And with his word, he made me glad.
20 And seide sone. i. schal telle pe.
Fadur and sone. in Trinite.
22 pe holygost ground of vr graas .
Also ofte sipe . ponke we .
24 As we sei . Deo gracias .
IF To ponke and blesse hym we be bounde.
26 With alle pe murpes pat mon may mynne.
For al pe world in wo was wounde .
28 Til pat he crepte. in-to vr kynne.
A louesum buirde. he lihte with-Inne.
30 pe worpiest pat euer was.
And schedde hys blood for vr synne.
32 And perfore . Deo gracias .
1 pen seide pe prest. sone bi pi leue.
34 I. most seye forp my seruise.
I. prey pe take hit. nouht in greue.
36 For pou hast herd al my deuyse.
Bi cause whi . hit is clerkes wise .
38 And holichirche . Muynde of hit maas .
Vn-to pe prince so muche of pride .
40 Forto synge. Deo gracias.
IF Out of pat chirche. i. went my way.
42 And on pat word, was al my pouht.
And twenti tymes. i. con say.
44 God graunt pat i. forjete hit nouht.
pouj .i. were out of bonechef brouht .
46 What help weore to me. to say alias.
In pe nome of god. what euer be wrouht.
48 I . schal seie . Deo gracias .
IF In myschef and in bonchef hope .
50 pat word is goode to say and synge.
And not to wayle and to be wrope.
52 pauj al be nouht at vr likynge.
For langour schal not euer lynge.
54 And sumtyme plesaunce. wol ouerpas.
But ay in hope of amendynge.
56 I. schal say. Deo gracias.
126 A SONG OF DEO GRATIAS.
A-Mende pat pu hast done amis.
58 And do wel penne and haue no drede.
Wheper so pou beo . in bale or blis .
60 pi goode suffraunce. schal gete pe mede.
jif pou pi lyf in likyng lede .
62 Loke pou be kinde in vche a caas .
ponke pi god jif pou wel spede.
64 With pis word. Deo gracias.
If jif god hap jiue pe vertues mo.
GG pen he hap oper two or pre.
penne i. rede pou rule pe so.
68 pat Men may speke worschupe bi pe.
Be ferd of pruyde and bost pou fle.
70 pi vertues let no fulpe defaas.
But kepe pe clene corteis and fre.
72 And penk on. Deo gracias.
*lf jif pou be made an officer.
74 And art a Mon of Muche rniht.
What cause pou demest. loke hit be cler.
76 And reue no Mon from hym his riht.
jif pou be strong and fers to fiht
78 For envye neuer mon pou chas
But drede pi god. bope day and niht.
80 And penke on. Deo gracias.
IF jif we pis word in herte wol haue .
82 And ay in loue and leute leende.
Of crist bi couenaunt . we mowe craue .
84 pat ioye pat schal neuer haue ende.
Out of pis world . when we schul wende .
86 In-to his paleys forto paas.
And sitte A-Monge his seyntes hende.
88 And pere synge. Deo gracias.
Explicit a songe of Deo gracias.
[A songe of '! take my leue' follows ]
A SONG OF DEUS CARITAS. 127
XXVII. DEUS CARITAS.
(Duplicate of Vernon MS., Brit. Mus., fol. 129, col. 1.)
Deus caritas est.
2 A deore god omnipotent:
Lord pou madest. bope foul and best
4 On eorpe to Mon. pou here hit sent.
I. warne jow alle hope more and leste.
6 Charite .i. rede pat je hent.
For hit is cristes heste.
8 pat schal come to pe iugement
H For whon he comep. at domes day
10 pat al pis world, hit schal wel se.
pe wikked he biddep to gon heore way.
12 In bittre penaunce for euere to be.
And to pe goode wol pat lord say
14 |e schul alle wende wip me.
In-to pe blysse for euer and ay.
16 Et qui manet in caritate.
IF God pat made bope heuene and helle.
18 Vr swete lord of Nazareth
Adam pat was. so fair of felle.
20 For his folyes . he suffred deth .
In god for sope. he schal dwelle.
22 In charite ho so geth.
Hit is sop. pat .i. ou telle.
24 Bi-holde~and seo. In deo mangt.
IF Crist was toren vche a lym.
26 And on pe Roode. he was .i.-do.
pe fende pat was. so derke and dym.
28 To pe crois he com po.
Crist, al Charite is in hym.
30 pere he ouercome vr fo.
Charite i. rede pat pou myn.
32 And penne. Deus est in eo.
IF Let Charite. nou a- wake.
34 And do hit. per neode is.
128 ANOTHER SONG OF DEO GRATIAS.
Heuene forsope. penne maijt pou take.
36 And come to pat riche blis.
Nou crist for his Modur sake.
38 Let vs neuer pis place mys.
And schilde vs from . pe feondes blake .
40 And sit deus in nobis.
IT And charite .i. rede pat we bygynne.
42 As bifore alle oper games.
And schruyue vs clene of vr synne.
44 For so dud petur Ion and lames.
And perfore god. hem dwelled withinne.
46 For pei weore alle. withouten oper blames,
Crist let vs heuene wynne.
48 Et nos in ipso maneamus.
H God pat dwellep in gret solas.
50 In heuene pat riche regnyng.
And for vs poled gret trespas.
52 Wondur muche at vre muntyng.
On pe Roode don he was.
54 In gret dispit icleped a kyng.
penkep noupe. on deus caritas.
56 And brynge vs alle to goode endyng.
Explicit Deus caritas.
XXVIII. ANOTHER SONGE OF DEO GRACIAS.
(Duplicate of Vernon MS. Brit. Mus. fol. 129, col. 1.)
Mi. word is Deo gracias.
2 In world wheper me be wel or wo.
Hou schold. i. laujwe or sigge alias.
4 For leeue me wel. hit lastep o.
And pouj hit greue. hit wol ouer go.
6 As pouht chaungep . for suche is gras .
perfore wheper me be wel or wo.
8 I. sei not but Deo gratias.
ANOTHER SONG OF DEO GRATIAS. 129
IF pouj .i. be riche of gold so red.
10 And liht to renne as is a ro.
A nopur is boun to begge his bred.
12 With brestes blak and bleynes bio.
Whon .i. seo goode depart so .
14 To sum Mon god sent gret solas.
And sum Mon ay to lyue in wo.
16 pen sei .i. deo gracias.
IF pou he be pore, and lyue in peyn.
18 A nopur Mon proudep. as dop a poo.
Whon murthe is his and mournyng myn .
20 As may bifalle. to me and mo.
jif fortune wolde. be so my fo.
22 From me to turne. hire freoly faas.
Sippe god may sende. bope weole and wo.
24 I. sei not. but deo gracias.
IF A lord of worschupe jif .i. ware .
26 And were falle doun. in a wro.
Sekenesse sittep me . so sare .
28 And serwe wol neij. myn hert slo.
pus am .i. bounden. from top to to.
30 And i. turment so. for my trespaas.
jit god may loose me. of pat wo.
32 And penne .i. say. Deo gracias.
IF Whon .i. hedde spendyng. here bifore.
34 per wolde no felauschupe . founde me fro .
But herken and hije. to myn home.
36 For in myn hond per stod non ho.
Nou appeerep. non of po.
38 So pouert apayred hap my plas.
Ho may haue wele withoute wo.
40 perfore .i. sey. Deo gracias.
IF Almyhti corteis crouned kyng.
42 God graunt vs grace to rule vs so.
pat we may come to pi wonyng.
44 pere is weole . withouten wo .
Milde maide prey pi sone al so.
46 pat he forjiue vs. vr trespas.
130 A SONG KNOW THYSELF.
And aftur ward, in-to heuene go.
48 pere to synge. Deo gracias.
Explicit. A noper songe of Deo gracias.
XXIX. A SONG-KNOWE pi SELF.
(Additional MS. 22,283; Brit. Mus. fol. 129, back, col. 1.)
In a Pistel pat Poul wrouht.
2 I . founde hit writen . and seide riht pis .
Vche cristcn creature knowen hym self ouht.
4 His oune vessel, and sope hit is.
Nere help of hym . pat vs deore bouht .
6 We were boren to luytel blis.
Whon alle pi goode dedus . beop porw soujt .
8 Seche and pou schalt. fynden a-mys.
Eueri mon schuld . knowen his.
10 And pat is luytel . as .i. trowe .
To teche vr self, crist vs wis.
12 For vche mon ou}t hym self to knowe .
IF Knowe pi self, what pou ware .
14 Whon pou were . of pi Moder born .
Ho was pi moder. pat pe bare.
16 And ho was pi fader, per biforn.
Knowe hou pei beop. forpe i-fare.
18 So schaltou. peij pou hedde sworn.
Knowe pou come hider. wip care.
20 pou nost neuer. jif pou bide til morn.
Hou lihtly. pou maijt be forlorn.
22 But pou pi synne schryue and schowe.
For lond or kip . catel or corn .
24 Vche Mon oujt hym self to knowe.
11 Knowe pi lyf . hit may not last .
26 But as a blast, blouh out pi breth.
Tote and by a nopur mon tast.
28 Riht as a gleirtand glem. hit geth.
A SONG KNOW THYSELF. 131
What is al. pat forp is past.
30 Hit farep as fuir of heth .
pis worldes goode . a way wol hast .
32 For synnes seekenes . pi soule slep .
And pat is. a ful deolful dep.
34 Go, saue pi soule and pou be slowe.
With pi Maistrie. medel pi mep.
36 For vche mon oujt. hym self to knowe.
IT jif pou pi self, knowe con.
38 Sitte doun. and take countures rounde.
Sippe furst. pou monnes wit bigon.
40 Hou ofte synne. pe hap ibounde.
And for vche a synne. lay pou doun on.
42 Til pou pi synnes. haue soujt vp. and founde.
Counte. pi goode dedes eurichon.
44 A-bide pere a while, and stunt a stounde.
And jif pou fele pe syker and sounde .
46 penke on pi god. as pe wel owe.
And jif pou arf. in synne ibounde .
48 Amende pe . and pi self knowe .
Knowe what god. hap for pe do.
50 Made pe aftur. his oune liknes.
Seipe he come, from heuene also.
52 And dijed for pe. in gret distres.
For pe he suffred. hope pyne and wo.
54 Knowe pou hym . and alle his .
Whoso greuep hym. is worpi to go.
56 To helle fuyr . but he hit redres .
And he beo demed. be rihtwisnes.
58 But his grace is. so wide isowe.
From his wrape .i. rede vs bles.
60 For vche mon oujt. hym self to knowe.
IF Knowe pi self, pat pou schalt dye.
62 But what tyme pou nost neuer ne whenne.
With an twynklyng of an eije .
64 Eueriday pou hijest pe henne.
pi flesche foode . pe wormes wol fye .
66 Vche criaten mon. oujt pis to kenne.
i2
132 A SONG KNOW THYSELF.
Loke aboute. and wel aspye.
68 pis world dop but bitraye menne .
And be war of pe fuir . pat euer schal brenne .
70 And penk pou regnest here . but a prowe .
Heuene blisse . pou schat haue penne .
72 For vcbe mon oujt. hym self to knowe.
If Knowe pi flesche. pat wol rote.
74 For certes pou maijt not longe endure.
And nedes die. hennes pou mote.
76 pauj pou haue kyngdam and empyre.
And sone pou schalt. be forgote.
78 So schal souereyn, so schal syre.
Hoso leeuep not pis .i. trowe he dote .
80 For eueri mok . most in-to myre .
Preye we to god. vr soules enspire.
82 Or we bene logged, in eorpe lowe.
Heuene to haue. to vr huire.
84 For vche mon oujt him self to knowe .
T Knowe pi kuynde Creatoure.
86 Knowe what he. for pe dide.
Knowe pis worldly, honoure.
88 Hou sone pat hit is forp islyde.
Ende of ioye. is her doloure.
90 Strengpe stont vs in no stide.
But longyng. and beoing in laboure.
92 Vr host vr brag . is sone ouerbide .
Arthur, and Ector. pat we dredde.
94 Dethe* hap leide hem. wonderly lowe. [* MS. Aethe]
Amende pe mon. euene forp mydde.
96 For vchemon oujte . hym self to knowe .
H pi Concience schal pe saue and deme.
98 Wheper pat pou. be ille or good.
Grope aboute and take good jeme.
100 per maijt pou wite. but pou be wood.
per schalt pou pe same seone.
102 Aske Merci. wip mylde mood.
Amende pe. pou wot what .i. mene.
104 Vche creature pat berep . bon and blood .
A SONG OF YESTERDAY. 133
Prey we to god pat died on Roode .
106 Ar vr brethe beo. out i. blowe.
pat cristes face, may bene vr foode.
108 For vche mon oujt . hym self to knowe .
Explicit. A song knowe pi self.
XXX. A SONG OF YESTERDAY.
(Additional MS. 22,283; Brit. Mus. fol. 129, back, col. 3.)
Whon men beop muriest. at heor mele.
2 With mete and drink, to maken hem glade.
With worschipe. and with worldliche wele.
4 pei bene so sette. pei conne not sade.
pei haue no deynte forto dele.
6 With pinges pat bene deuotly made.
pei wene heore honoure and heore hele.
8 Schal euer last and neuer diffade.
But in heore hertes. i. wolde pei hade.
10 Whon pei gon ricchest men aray.
Hou sone pat god hem may degrade.
12 And sum tyme penke on justurday.
1 pis day as leef. we may be liht.
14 With alle pe murpes pat men may vise.
To Reuele with pise buyrdes briht.
16 Vche mon gayest on his gise.
At pe last . hit drawep to niht .
18 pat slepe most make . his maistrise .
Whon pat he hap kud his mint.
20 pe morwe he buskep vp to rise.
penne alle drawep hem to fantasie .
22 Wher he is bicomen con no mon say.
And }if heo wuste . pei were ful wise .
24 For al is turned to justerday.
H Whoso wolde penke. vppon pis.
26 Miht fynde a goode enchesun whi.
134 A SONG OF YESTERDAY.
To preue pis world, al wey i-wis.
28 Hit nis but fantum. and feiri.
pis eorpeli ioie pis worldly blis.
30 Is but a fykel fantasy.
For nou hit is. and nou hit nis.
32 per may no mon perinne affy.
Hit schaungep so oft and so sodeynly.
34 To day is here, to morwe a way.
A syker ground who wol him gy.
36 I. rede he penke on justerday.
IF For per nis non. so strong in stour.
38 Fro tyme pat he . ful waxen be .
From pat day forp. eueriche an hour.
40 Of his strengpe he leost a quantite .
Ne no buyrde so briht in boure.
42 Of pritti wyntur. i. enseure pe.
pat heo ne schal fade as a flour.
44 Luyte. and luyte. leosen hir beute.
pe sope je may . for self ise .
46 Beo jor eldres. in goode fay.
Whon je bene grettest in jour degre.
48 I. rede je penke on justurday.
IF Nis non so fresch. on fote to fare.
50 Ne non so feir. on folde to fynde.
pat pei ne schal on here . be broujt ful bare .
52 pis wrecched world nis but a wynde.
Ne non so styf. to stunt ne stare.
54 Ne non so bold. Beores to bynde.
pat he nap warnynges to be ware.
56 For god is so corteis and so kynde.
Biholde pe lame, pe bedrede. pe blynde.
58 pat bit jou be war. whil pat je may.
pei make a Mirour. to jor mynde.
60 To seo pe schap . of justerday .
IF pe lyf pat eny mon schal lede .
62 Bep certeyn dayes atte last.
pen most vr terme. schort nede.
64 Be o day comen. a nopur is past.
A SONG OF YESTERDAY. 135
Here-of and we wolde . take good hede .
66 And in vr hertes acountes cast.
Day bi day. withoute drede.
68 To-ward vr ende. we drawe ful fast.
penne schal vr bodies in eorpe be prast.
70 Vr Careyns chaunged. vndur clay.
Here of we oujte be sore agast .
72 And we wolde penke on justerday.
IF Salomon seide in his poysi.
74 He holdep wel bettre . with an hounde .
pat is likyng. and loly.
76 And of sekenesse. hoi and sounde.
pen be a leon. pouj he ly.
78 Cold, and ded. vppon pe grounde.
Wher of seruep . his victori .
80 pat was so styf. in vche a stounde.
pe most fool. i. herde respounde.
82 Is wysore. whil he lyue may.
pen he pat hedde . a pousond pounde .
84 And was buried, justerday.
IF Socrates seip. a word ful wys.
86 Hit were wel bettre forto se.
A mon pat nou partep. and dis.
88 pen a fest. of Rialte.
pe fest wol make, his flesche to ris.
90 And drawe his herte. to vanite.
pe body pat on pe bere lis.
92 Schewep pe same pat we schal be.
pat ferful fit. may no mon fle.
94 Ne with no whiles, wynne hit a way.
perfore among al lolyte.
96 Sumtyme penke on justerday.
IF But jit me meruayles. ouer al.
98 pat god let monymon croke and elde .
Whon miht and strengpe is from hem fal.
100 pat pei may not. hem self awelde .
And now pise beggers most principal.
102 pat good ne profit, may non jelde.
136 A SONG OF YESTERDAY.
To pi purpos vnswere. i. schal.
104 Whi god sent suche men . boote and belde .
Crist pat made hope flour and felde.
106 Let suche men lyue. forsope to say.
Whon a jonge mon. on hem bihelde.
108 Scholde seo pe schap . of justerday .
If A nopur skil. per is for whi.
110 pat god let suche men lyue so longe.
For pei beop triacle. and remedi.
112 For synful men. pat ban don wronge.
In hem. pe seuen dedes of Merci.
114 A Mon may. fulfille amonge.
And also pis proude men may perbi .
116 A feir Mirour vndurfonge.
For per nis non. so stif ne stronge.
118 Ne no lady, stout ne gay.
Biholde what ouer hor bed con honge.
120 And sumtyme penke on justerday.
If I . haue wust . sin . i . coupe meen .
122 pat children hap. bi candel liht.
Heore schadewe on pe walle isen.
124 And ronne per aftur. al pe niht.
Bisi aboute. pei ban ben.
126 To cacchen hit with al heore miht.
And whon pei cacchen hit. best wold wen
128 Sannest hit schet out. of heore siht.
pe schadewe cacchen. pei ne myht.
130 For no lynes. pat pei coupe lay.
pis schadewe. i. may likne a riht.
132 To pis world, and justerday.
If In-to pis world, whon we bep broujt.
134 We schul be tempted, to couetyse.
And al pi wit. schal be porw soujt.
136 To more good, pen pou may suffise.
Whon pou penkest best, in pi pouht.
138 On richesse. forte regne and rise.
Al pi trauayle . turnep to noujt .
140 For sodeynly on dep pou dyese.
A SONG OF YESTERDAY. 137
pi lyf pou hast ilad with lyjes .
142 So pis world, gon pe bitray.
perfore . i . rede pou pis dispise .
144 And sumtyme penke on justerday.
If Mon , jif pi neijebor pe manas .
146 Opur to culle. opur to bete.
I. knowe me syker in pe cas.
148 pat pou wold drede. pi neijebores prete.
And neuer a day pi dore to pas.
150 Withoute syker. defense and grete.
And ben purueyed . in vche a plas .
152 Of sykernes. and helpe to gete.
pin enemy woltou. not forjete.
154 But ay be aferd . of his affray .
Ensaumple here of. i. wol jou trete.
156 To make jou penke. on justerday.
H Wei pou wost . withouten fayle .
158 pat dep hap manast pe to die.
But whon pat he wol pe assayle.
160 pat wost pou not. ne neuer may spye.
jif pou wost don bi my counsayle .
162 Wip syker defence, be ay redie.
For siker defence, in pis batayle.
164 Is clene lyf parfit and trye .
Put pi trust, in godus Mercie.
166 Hit is pe best, at al assay.
And euer among . pou pe ennuye . [? enmiye]
168 In-to pis world, and justerday.
"IT Sum men seip pat dep is a pef .
170 And al vnwarned. wol. on hym stele.
And. i. say nay. and make a pref.
172 pat dep is studefast trewe and lele.
And warnep vche mon . of his gref .
174 pat he wol o day. with hym dele.
pe lyf pat is. to jou so leof.
176 He wol jou reue. and eke jor hele.
pis poyntes. may no mon hym repele.
178 He comep so baldely. to pike his pray.
138 WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN.
Whon men beop murgest. at heor mele.
180 I. rede je penke on justerday.
Explicit. A song, of $usterday.
XXXI. WHY I CAN'T BE A NUN.
(Bibl. Cotton, Vesp. D.IX, fol. 179.)
And whan they had resceyvede her charge,
2 They spared nether mud ne myer,
But roden over Inglonde brode and large,
4 To seke owte nunryes in euery schyre:
Her hertys were alwey on her hyre,
6 And that scheude they wel in her workyng,
For they were as ferfent as ony fyre
8 To excecute her lordys byddyng.
And schortly to sey, no' man abode
10 That on thys erand schulde be sent.
In-to dyuers schyres dyuers men rode,
12 And one of hem be-gan in kent.
They token her leue and forthe they went;
14 And to eche of hem was jeven grete hyre,
And there fore they were so feruent
16 To seke owte nunryes in euery schyre.
But the townes names I ouyr pas,
18 For and I schulde telle alle in fere,
Hyt were a long tale for to here.
20 But on a boke I dare well swere,
In gode feythe and on womanhode,
22 None was forjete, fer ne nere,
Thorowj ynglond long and brode.
24 [Bjut when they were com home ajene
That roden owte message to bere,
26 Than my fader was fulle fayne
And callede hem to hym alle in fere
WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN. 139
28 And seyde, "how sped je there je were,
How faren the nunnes that je cam tylle?"
30 "Welle, syr," quod they, "and made vs gode chere,
And yowre desyre they wolle fulfylle."
32 "I thanke hem seres Iwys," quod he,
"Now am I glade, so god me spede:"
34 And than my fader loked on me,
"Dameselle," quod he, "now take gode hede,
36 For yowre entent god do yow mede,
je seyde je wolde be a nune
38 But je may not fulfylle in dede
The purpose that je haue be-gun."
40 "Fader, quod I, and sore I wept,
Wolle je me here wythe wordys few;
42 I trow my wylle schalle be accept
Before owre souereyne lorde ihesu,
44 And to him I am, and wolle be, trew
Wythe alle my wylle and obcervaunce,
46 And I wolle not chonge hym for no new ,
For I loue hym wythe owten variaunce;
48 And trewly me repenteth fulle sore
That my wylle my not be had."
50 Than my fader low} and seyde no more,
But went his way and was fulle glade;
52 But than morned I, and was ryjt sad,
And in my hert I was fulle wo:
54 'Alas', I thowjt, 'my chawnce ys bad,
I trow that fortune be my fo.'
56 Than hyt befell in a mornyng of may,
In the same jere as I seyde be-fore,
58 My pencyfnes wolde not a-way
But euer waxed more and more,
60 I walked a-lone and wepte sore
Wythe syhyngys and mornyng chere,
62 I seyde but lytylle and thowjt the more,
For what I thowjt no man myjt here,
64 And in a gardyne I sporty d me
Euery day at dyuers howres,
140 WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN.
66 To beholds and for to see
The swete effecte of aprelle flowres,
68 The fayre herbys and gentyl flowrys
And birde syngyng on euery spray,
70 But my longyng and my dolowrys
For alle thys sport wolde not away.
72 The byrdys sate on the bowes grene
And syngyng fulle meryly & made gode chere
74 Her federys were fulle fayre and schene
And alle they maden mery in her manere.
76 Than went I in-to a fayre herbere,
And set me on my kneys allone,
78 To god I made my prayowre,
And on thys wyse I made my mone
80 "Lord* god that alle vertu hast
And haddyst wythe-owten begynnyng,
82 Kepe me that I may lyue chaste
For the corupcion of synnyng;
84 For thowj my fadyr and alle my kyn
For-sake me thus in necessite,
86 jyt I hope suche grace to wyn
That owre lord ihesu wolle resceyue me.
88 Souereyne lord omnipotent,
Now be my comfort, swete Ihesu.
90 Before the alle thyng ys present,
Alle that evyr was, and alle pat ys.
92 Alle that schalle be aftyr thys ,
Thow knowest alle thyng bothe most and lest.
94 Now ihesu kyng of hevyn blys,
Wysse me thy seruant what ys best,
96 For now I am alle desolate,
And of gode cownesayle destitute.
98 Lord to my mornyng be mediate,
For thow are oonly my refute,
100 To the for comfort I make my sute
To haue that ioy that lastythe ay,
102 For her loue that bare that frute,
Swete ihesu, miserere mei!
WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN. 141
104 I can no more, but trust in the
In whom ys alle wysdom an wyt;
106 And thow wost what ys best for me,
For alle thyng in thy syjt ys pyt.
108 Loo here I thyne hand-mayde syt
Dyspysede and in poynte to spylle;
1 10 My cawse to the , lorde , I commytte ; f
Now do to me aftyr thy wylle."
112 And at that worde for-feynte I fylle
Among the herbes fresche and fyne;
114 Vn-to a benche of camomylle
My wofulle hede I dyd inclyne,
116 And so I lay in fulle grete pyne,
And cowde not cese but alwey wepe,
118 And sore I syjhed many a tyme
And prayed my lorde he wolde me kepe.
120 And at the last a sclepe was Ibrowjt
And alle a-lone in this gardyne.
122 And than com a fayre lady, as me thowjt,
And called me by name 'kateryne',
124 And seyde "a- wake, dowjtyr myne,
And to my talkyng take entent;
126 To bryng thyne hert owte of pyne,
And to comfort the, now haue I ment.
128 Kateryne", sche sayde, "loke vp and haue"
And than I behelde welle her fygure,
130 I pray to god in hevyn her saue,
For hyt was the most godely creature
132 That euer I saw, I yow ensuer,
As I wolle telle yow or I go,
134 For I behelde welle her feture,
Her bewte, and her clothyng also,
136 And me thowjt I was as wakyng tho ;
And I behelde that lady so
138 That I forgate alle my mornyng,
For hyt was to me a wondyr thyng
140 That lady to beholden and see,
142 WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN.
Sche was so fayre wythe-owten lesyng
142 Bothe of clothyng and of bewte,
Thys that was so godely arrayed.
144 Sche comfortythe me in dyuers wyse,
And spake to me in dyuers wyse,
146 And bad me anone I schulde aryse.
And me thowjt I rose and knelyd thryes,
148 And seyde to her wythe grete reuerence,
"What ys yowr name, dame empryse?"
150 Sche seyde "my name ys experience;
And, dowjter, my techyng may not fayle;
152 For what so I teche, hyt ys fulle trew,
And now at thys tyme for thyne avayle
154 I am com hedyr on the to rew;
And wythe the help of cryste ihesu
156 I hope hyt schalle be for the best,
For suche thynges as I schalle the sche,
158 I tro hyt schalle set thyne hert in rest."
"Thanke yow, lady," quod I than,
160 "And there-of hertely I yow pray;
And I, as lowly as I can,
162 Wolle do yow servyse nyjt and day;
And what je byd me do or say
164 To yow I promyt obedyence,
And bryng me owte of thys carefulle way,
166 My gode dere lady experience."
Than me thowjt sche toke me by the honde
168 As I knelyd vp-on my kne
And vp a-none sche bad me ryse,
170 And on thys wyse seyde to me,
"Kateryne, thys day schalt thow see
172 And hpwse of wommen reguler,
And diligent loke that thow be,
174 And note ryjt welle what pow seest there."
Than me thoujt sche led me forthe a pace
176 Thorowj a medow fayre and grene,
And sone sche browjt me to a place,
178 In erthe ys none so fayre I wene,
WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN. 143
Of ryalle byldyng so I mene ,
180 Hyt schyned wythe-owte so fayre and clere,
But syn had made hyt fulle vnclene
182 Wythe-in, as je schalle aftyr here.
"What place ys thys pat stondythe hyre",
184 Quod I to hyre pat dyd me lyde.
"Kateryne, sche sayd, we wyl go nere,
186 And what you seyst, take good hede."
Than at the jates in we jede,
188 Boldly as thowj we had be at home,
And I thowjt, 'now cryst vs spede'.
190 Than to the cloyster sone we com,
For hyt was a howse of nunes in trewthe,
192 Of dyuers orderys bothe old and yong,
But not welle gouernede , and pat was rowthe ,
194 Aftyr the rewle of sad levyng.
For where that selfe-wylle ys reygnyng,
196 The whyche causethe dyscord and debate,
And resun hathe none enteryng,
198 That howse may not be fortunate.
For arystotelle, who so redythe
200 In the fyrst boke of hys moralite,
Playnely sayethe that euery man nedethe
202 To be ware of the vnresonabylite
That comethe of the sensualite ,
204 And not hys bestely condiciones sewe,
But let resun haue the soueraynte,
206 And so he schalle purches vertu.'
But what in that place I saw
208 That to religion schulde not long,
Peraventure je wolde desyre to know,
210 And who was dwellyng hem a-mong.
Sum what schalle I telle yow wyth tong,
212 And sum what cownseyle kepe I schalle,
And so I was tawjt whan I was yong,
214 To here and se, and sey not alle.
But there was a lady, that hyj dame pride;
216 In grete reputacion they her toke
144 WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN.
And pore dame mekenes sate be syde,
218 To her vnnethys ony wolde loke,
But alle as who scythe I her forsoke,
220 And set not by her nether most ne lest;
Dame ypocryte loke vp-on a boke
222 And bete her selfe vp on the brest.
On euery syde than lokede vp I,
224 And fast I cast myne ye a-bowte;
Yf I cowde se be-holde or a-spy,
226 I wolde haue sene dame devowte.
And sche was but wythe few of that rowjt;
228 For dame sclowthe and dame veyne glory
By vyolens had put her owte;
230 And than in my hert I was fulle sory.
But dame envy was there dwellyng
232 The whyche can sethe stryfe in euery state.
And a nother lady was there wonnyng
234 That hyjt dame loue vn-ordynate,
In that place bothe erly and late
236 Dame lust, dame wantowne, and dame nyce,
They ware so there enhabyted, I wate,
238 That few token hede to goddys servyse.
Dame chastyte, I dare welle say,
24Q In that couent had lytylle chere,
But oft in poynte to go her way,
242 Sche was so lytelle beloved there;
But sum her loved in hert fulle dere,
244 And there weren that dyd not so,
And sum set no thyng by her,
246 But jafe her gode leue for to go.
And at that place I saw muche more,
248 But alle I thenk not to dyscrye,
But I wolle sey as I seyde be-fore.
250 And yt ys a poynte of curtesy;
For whoso chateryt lyke a py
252 And tellethe alle that he herethe and seethe,
He schalle be put owte of company,
254 And scho the gose, thus wysdum vs lereth*.
WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN. 145
And in that place fulle besyly
256 I walked whyle I myjt enduer,
And saw how dame enevy
258 In euery corner had grete cure;
Sche bare the keyes of many a dore.
260 And than experience to me came,
And seyde, kateryne, I the ensuer,
262 Thys lady ys but seldom fro home.
Than dame pacience and dame charyte
264 In that nunry fulle sore I sowjt;
I wolde fayne haue wyst where they had be,
266 For in that couent were they nowjt;
But an owte chamber for hem was wrowjt,
268 And there they dweldyn wyth-owtyn stryfe,
And many gode women to them sowjt
270 And were fulle wyfulle of her lyfe,
Also a-nother lady there was
272 That hyjt dame dysobedyent
And sche set nowjt by her priores.
274 And than me thowjt alle was schent,
For sugettys schulde evyr be dylygent
276 Bothe in worde, in wylle, and dede,
To plese her souereynes wyth gode entent,
278 And hem obey, ellys god forbede.
And of alle the defawtes that I cowde se
280 Thorowj schewyng of experience,
Hyt was one of the most that grevyd me,
282 The wantyng of obedyence.
For hyt schulde be chese in consciens,
284 Alle relygius rule wytnesseth the same,
And when I saw her in no reverence,
286 I myjt no lenger abyde for schame,
For they setten not by obedyence.
288 And than for wo myne hert gan blede,
Ne they hadden her in no reuerence,
290 But few or none to her toke hede.
And than I sped me thens a grete spede,
292 That couent was so fulle of syn;
k
WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN.
And than experience dyd me lede
294 Owte at the jates there we com In.
And when we were both wyth-owte,
296 Vp on the gras we setten vs downe,
And then we he-helde the place abowte,
298 And there we talkeden as vs lest.
And than I prayed experience for to haue wyst
300 Why sche schewed me thys nunery,
Sche seyde "now we bene here in rest,
302 I thenk for to tellen the why.
Thy fyrst desyre and thyne entent
304 Was to bene a nune professede,
And for thy fader wolde not consent,
306 Thyne hert wyth mornyng was sore oppressed^,
And thow wyst not what to do was best;
308 And I seyde, I wolde cese thy grevawnce,
And now for the most part in euery cost
310 I haue schewed the nunnes gouernawnce.
For as thow seest wyth-in yonder walle
312 Suche bene the nunnes in euery warde,
As for the most part, I say not alle,
314 God forbede, for than hyt were harde,
For sum bene devowte, holy, and towards,
316 And holden the ryjt way to blysse;
And sum bene feble, lewde, and frowarde,
318 Now god amend that ys amys!
And now kateryne, I haue alle do
320 For thy comfort that longeth to me,
And now let vs aryse and go
322 Vn-to the herber there I com to the."
Than in thys herber sche let be me.
324 I thanked her wyth grete reuerence,
I pray to god I-blessyd be sche,
326 Thys fayre lady experience.
And whan sche was gone, I wakede anone.
328 And I thowj how I may gouerned be,
For nun wold I neuere be none,
330 For suche defawtes that I haue see.
WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN. 147
But jyf they myjt amendyd be,
332 And forsake her syn both day and nyjt,
God jyf me grace that day to se ,
334 And ellys hyt wolle not be a ryjt.
But here perauenture sum man wolde say,
336 And to hys conceyte so hyt schulde seme,
That I forsoke sone a perfyte way
338 For a fantesy or for a dreme.
For dreme was hyt none, ne fantasye,
340 Hyt was vn-to me a gratius mene,
[A piece of the MS. containing the whole of the first 4 lines , and part
of the next four, is torn off here.]
That
342 Holy wryt w
Pleynely go rede hyt wh . . .
344 And hyt ys wretyn in Genesye,
In the fowre and thyrty Chapytylle,
346 How dyna, for sche bode not stylle
But went owte to see thynges in veyne,
348 Sche was defowled a-jenst her wylle,
And there-fore thowsandys of peple were sclayn.
350 Yowre barbe, your wymppylle and your vayle,
Yowre mantelle and yowre devowte clothyng,
352 Maketh men wyth-owten fayle
To wene je be holy in levyng.
354 And so hyt ys an holy thyng
To bene in habyte reguler;
356 Than, as by owtewarde aray in semyng,
Beth so wyth-in my ladyes dere.
358 A fayre garlond of yve grene
Whyche hangeth at a taverne dore,
360 Hyt ys a false token as I wene,
But yf there be wyne gode and sewer ;
362 Ryjt so but je your vyces for-bere,
And let alle lewde custom be broken,
364 So god me spede, I yow ensewer
Ellys yowre habyte ys no trew token
366 hyng
k2
148 WHY i CAN'T BE A NUN. OLD AGE.
368
yng . . . nde gode levyng,
370 . . yf they be wyth-in the contrary,
In holy schrypture wyth-owte lesyng
372 They bene called the chyldryn of false ypocrasy.
Now, ladyes, taketh gode hede to thys exhortation
374 That I haue tawjt yow in thys lore,
And beholde the gode conuersacion
376 Of gode women here be-fore ,
Fulle holy vyrgynes many a store,
378 The whyche levedyn here relygyiusly,
And now in ioy and blysse therefore
380 They haue possession enlesly,
Seynte clare and seynte edyth also,
382 Seynte scolastica and seynte Brigytte,
Seynte Radegunde, and many mo
384 That weren ' professed in nunnes habyte.
They fulle besy were wyth alle her wytte
386 To be ware of syn , and fle there froo ,
And now for evyr they bene qwyte
388 From alle maner sorow and woo,
Seynte audre, seynte freswyth, & seynte Emerlde (?)
390 Seynte wythbuge & seynte Myldrede,
Seynte sexburge & seynte Ermenylde,
392 Of alle these holy women we rede.
[? Incomplete.]
XXXII. OLD AGE.
(Harl. 913, p. 54 back; printed Rel. Ant. II., p. 210.)
1. Elde makip me geld, an 2 growen al grai.
when eld me wol feld . nykkest 3 per no nai .
eld mil meld . no murpes of mai
when eld me wold aweld. mi wele is a wai
1 MS. wereren. a The ands are written a'. 3 MS. blotched.
OLD AGE.
149
eld wold keld. an cling so the clai.
wip eld I mot held, an hien to mi dai.
2. When eld blowid he is blode . his ble is sone abatid .
al we wilnip to ben old. wy is eld ihatid.
moch me anuep. pat mi dribil druip. and mi wrot wet.
eld me awarpep . pat mi schuldern scharpip . and joupe me hap let.
3. Ihc ne mai no more
, poj mi wil wold jete:
grope vnder gore
y-joket ic am of jore
wip last an luper lore
4. iset ic am wip sunne
pat i ne mai nojt munne
eld me hap amarrid
ic wene he he bi-charred
5. Al pus eld me for-dede
pus he toggip vte mi ded
Y ne mai more of loue done
mi pilkoc pissep on mi schone
6. Mine hed is hore & al for-fare
i-hewid as a grei mare
when i bi-hold on mi schennen
m'in dimmip al for-dwynnen
7. Now i pirtle i pofte . i poute .
i snurpe i snobbe i sneipe on snovte .
i lench i len on lyme i lasse
i poke i pomple i palle i passe
8. i riuele i roxle i rake i rouwe
i clyng i cluche i croke i couwe
i grunt i grone i grenne i gruche )
i nese i nappe i nifle i nuche ^
9. i stunt i stomere i stomble as sledde .
i blind i bleri i bert in bedde.
i spitte i spatle in speche i sporne
i werne i lutle p erf or i murne
10. i spend an marrit is mi main
an wold wil jupe a-jayn
an sunne me hap bi-set.
non murpis wip mupe :
pat trustep to jupe .
an drawip ham on rewe.
vch schenlon ' me bischrew.
Mi bodi wexit lewe 3
Mi frendis waxip fewe.
> pro} kund i comble an kelde
as gallip gome i-geld.
pus he wol me a- weld:
an al pis wilnep eld.
Such sond is me sent :
pus is mi wel iwent.
as falc i falow an felde:
1 puer.
debile.
150
OLD AGE. EARTH.
such willing is after elde.
i was heordmon nov am holle
al folk of me bep wel folle
11. eld me hap so hard ihent
seo wouw spakliy * he me spent ) arerid ig of rote :
vch top fram oper is trent.
pe tunge wlasep wend perwip \
lostles lowtep in uch a lip > he fint me vnder fote. Amen.
i mot be pat eld bep
XXXIII. EARTH.
(Harl. 913, p. 62; Rel. Ant. II, p. 216.)
1. Whan erp hap erp iwonne wip wow
pan erp mai of erp nim hir inow
erp vp erp fallip fol frow 2
erp toward erp delful him drow .
Of erp pou were makid. and mon pou art ilich:
in on erp awaked pe pore and pe riche
2. Terrain per inuri
tune de terra copi
terra super are
se traxit ad arid
De terra plasmaris
vna terra pauper
3. Erp gep on erp. wrikkend in weden.
erp toward erp. wormes to feden
erp berip to erp . al is lif deden
when erp is in erpe. heo muntid 3 pi meden.
When erp is in erpe . pe rof is on pe chynne .
pan schullen an hundred wormes. wroten on pe skin.
i
cum terra lucr
. am
atur
)1
terra sorci
subito frustr
am
at
ar
terraque trist
ris
simile virr
)
es
>om
ac dites sunt pr^
4.
Vesta pergit uesti),
bus
super vestem v 4
vesta pastum d
1 The Rel. Ant. reads 'spakky', but the true word is evidently 'spakly'
= quickly or certainly. H. C.
3 Glossed 'festine'. 3 metitur.
fur. Bond.
rare, to deck it out with car,
EARTH.
ac cum gestis omni
10.
bus
ad uestam migr
quis vult suspir
doma tangit m /
verrunt 1 uermes
en turn
cum uesta sit scrobi
Cum sit uesta ponit
tune in cute candid
5. Erp askip erp. and erp hir answerid
whi erp hatid erp . and erp erp verrid
erp hap erp . and erp erp terip
erp geep on erp . and erp erp berrip .
Of erp pow were bi-gun. on erp pou schalt end
al pat pou in erp wonne. to erp schal hit wend
6. Humus humum repet
humum quare neglig
humus humum porrig
super humum perag
humo sic incip
quod humo quesi
ens
et responsum dl
et humo fru
>atur
sic et oper
humo que port j
ac humo me
humo totum d
abis
7. Erp get hit on erp . maistrie and mijte :
al we bep erp. to erp we bep idijte.
erp askep carayne . of king and of knijt .
whan erp is in erp. so low} he be lijt.
Whan pi rijt and pi wowj. wendip pe bi-for:
be pou pre nijt in a prouj. pi frendschip is ilor.
8. Terra vincit braui } [terra collucr }
totus cetus homin I |de terra portr I
... >vm { . Vatur.
ops cadauer mmt jque regis scrutj
cum detur in tumuli Imox terra vor J
Cum ius et iustici) (coram te migr)
. }vm < . . >abunt.
pauci per trmocti j (mortem deplor^
9. Erp is a palfrei. to king and to quene
erp is ar lang wei. pouw we lutil wene
pat werip grouer and groy. and schrud so schene
whan erp makip is liuerei. he grauip vs in grene
Whan erp hap erp wip streinp pus geten.
alast he hap is leinp. miseislich i-meten.
Die uestam 2 dextrar). Iregique regi
x 1 1UH1 I '
iter longum mar ^ (quod est sine
1 Glossed 'trahunt'. 8 est tarn.
152
KARTII.
nos tradit rui
Uenet hanc lucra)
>tam
indumentam uar). (dans cedit scuti
->mm. <
omne dat corrod^ ^
Cum per fortitudi
nem \
capit longitudi (misere meta
11. Erp gette on erp. gersom and gold
erp is pi moder. in erp is pi mold
erp uppon erp . be pi soule hold
er erpe go to erpe. bild pi long bold
Erp bild castles . and erpe bilt toures .
whan erp is on erpe . blak bep pe boures .
12. Humus querit plurim] (super humum bo
humus est mater tu I I in quam sumas dor I
. f >& < >na.
anime sis famul j super humum pro
Imundo cum coro
domum dei perpetr
Ops turres edific)
quin* fatum capij
Jat
ac castra de pe)
tra.
penora sunt te
13. penk man in lond. on pi last ende
whar-of pou com. and whoder schaltou wend,
make pe wel at on. wip him pat is so hend.
and dred pe of pe dome . lest sin pe schend .
For he is king of blis . and mon of moche mede
pat delip pe dai fram nijt . and leuip lif and dede .
14. De fine nouissim \ (mauors medite 1
hue quo veneris uicl I die quo gradie
~ j \ft t
or quando.
miti prudentissim
hesites iudic
Quia rex est glori
mutat noctem de di
ris
s , >1
jconcordare de
ine noxa dampnej
(dans mensura rest )
Ivitam mortem prestj
>at. Amen.
XXXIV. "OF MEN LIF pAT WONIp IN LOND'.
A Satire on the Monks and People of Kildare.
(Harl. MS. 913, p. 7.) 1
1. Hail seint michel wip pe lange sper
fair bep pi winges vp pi scholder
1 Printed Rel. Ant. II, p. 174. Mr. Wright says, 'see an account of
the MS. in Mr. Crofton Croker's Popular Songs of Ireland, pp. 282-7.'
'OF MEN LIF pAT WONIp IN LOND'. 153
pou hast a rede kirtil a-non to pi fote
pou ert best angle pat euer god makid
pis uers is ful wel iwrojt
hit is of wel furre y-brojt
2. Hail seint cristofre wip pi lang stake
pou ber ur louerd ihesu crist ouer pe brod lake
mani grete kunger swimmep abate pi fete
hou mani hering to peni at west chep in London
pis uers is of holi writte
hit com of noble witte
3. Seint mari bastard pe maudlein-is sone
to be wel iclopid wel was pi wone
pou berist a box on pi bond ipeintid al of gold
woned pou wer to be hend . jiue us sum of pi spicis
pis uers is imakid wel
of consonans and wowel
4. Hail seint dominik with pi lang staffe
hit is at pe ouir end crokid as a gaffe
pou berist a bok on pi bak. ic wen hit is a bible
poj pou be a gode clerk, be pou nojt to heij.
Trie rime la god hit wote
soch an opir an erpe i note
5. Hail seint franceis wip pi mani foulis
kites and crowis. reuenes and owles
fure and .xx. tl wild ges and a poucok
mani bold begger siwip pi route
pis uers is ful wel isette
swipe furre hit was i-vette
6. Hail be je freris wip pe white copis
je habbip a bus at drochda 1 war men makip ropis
euir je bep roilend pe londis al a-boute
of pe watir daissers je robbip pe churchis
maister he was swipe gode
pat pis sentence vnderstode
7. Hail be je gilmins wip jur blake gunes
je leuith je wildirnis and fillip pe tiuns
1 Drogheda.
154 *OF MEN LIF {>AT WONIp IN LOND'.
Menur wip-oute. and prechur wip-inne
jur abite is of gadering pat is mochil schame
sleilich is pis uers iseid
hit wer harme adun ileiid
8. Hail je holi monkes wip jur corrin
late and rape ifillid of ale and wine
depe cun je bouse pat is al jure care
wip seint benet-is scurge lorne je disciplinep
takep bed al to me
pat pis is sleche je mow wel se
9. Hail be je nonnes of seint mari house
goddes bourmaidnes and his owen spouse
ofte mistredip je jur schone. jur fete bep ful tendre
dapeit pe setter pat tawip jure lepir
swipe wel je vnder-stode
pat makid pis ditee so gode
10. Hail be je prestis wip jur brode bokes
poj jur crune be ischaue . fair bep jur crokes
jow and oper lewidmen delep bot a houue
whan je delip holibrede. jiue me botte a litil
Sikirlich he was a clerk
pat wrochete pis craftilich werke
11. Hail be je marchans wip jur gret packes
of draperie auoir-depeise and jur wol sackes
gold siluer stones riche markes and ek pundes
litil jiue je per-of to pe wrech pouer
sleij he was and ful of witte
pat pis lore put in writte
12. Hail be je tailurs wip jure scharpe sheres
to mak wronge hodes je kittip lome gores
a-jens midwinter hote bep jur neldes
poj jur semes semip fair, hi lestip litil while
pe clerk pat pis baston wrowjte
wel he woke and slepe rijte nowjte
13. Hail be je sutlers wip jour mani lestes
wip jour blote ! hides of selcup bestis
1 May be r, blotched.
C OF MEN LIF pAT WONIp IN LOND'. 155
and trebles and treisuses bochevanpe and alles
blak and loplich bep jur tep hori was pat route
nis pis bastun wel ipijte
each word him sitte arijte
14. Hail be je skinners wip jure drenche kiue
who so smillip per-to. wo is him aliue
whan pat hit ponnerip. je mote per-in schite
dapeit jur curteisie. je stinkep al pe strete
worp hit wer pat he wer king
pat ditid pis trie ping
15. Hail be je potters wip jur bole ax
fair bep jur barmhatres, jolow bep jur fax
je stondip at pe schamil. brod ferlich bernes
fleiis jow folowipe, je swolowipe y-now
pe best dark of al pis tun
craftfullich makid pis bastun
16. Hail be je bakers wip jur louis smale
of white bred and of blake . ful mani and fale
je pinchep on pe rijt white ajen goddes law
to pe fair pillori ich rede je tak hede
pis uers is i-wrowjte so welle
pat no tung i-wis mai telle
17. Hail be je brewesters wip jur galuns
potels and quarters ouer al pe tounes
jur thowrnes berip moch awai, schame hab pe gyle
bep i-war of pe coking-stole, pe lak is dep and hori
sikerlich he was a clerk
pat so sleilich wrojte pis werk
18. Hail be je hokesters dun bi pe lake
wip candles and golokes and pe pottes blak
tripis and kine fete, and schepen heuedes
wip pe hori tromcheri hori is jure inne
he is sori of his lif
pat is fast to such a wif
19. Fi a debles kaites pat kemip pe wolle
al pe'schindes of pe tronn an heij opon jur sculle
je makid me sech a goshorne ouer al pe wowes
per-for ich makid on of jou sit opon a hechil
156 THE LAND OF COKAYGNE.
he was noble clerk and gode
pat pis dep lore vnderstode
20. Makip glad mi frendis ? sittip to long stille
spekip now and gladiep and drinkep al jur fille
je habbep ihird of men lif pat wonip in lond
drinkip dep and makip glade, ne hab je non oper nede
pis song is y-seid of me
euer i-blessid mote je be. Explicit.
XXXV. THE LAND OF COKAYGNE.
(Harl. MS. 913, fol. 3.)
(Printed in Hickes's Thesaurus part 1, p. 231; and (modernised) in Ellis's
Specimens, vol. 1. In the MS., only the first lines of the divisions ^
of the poem begin with capital letters, and there are no commas.)
1 Fur in see bi west spayngne.
Is a lond ihote cokaygne.
per nis lond under heuen-riche.
4 Of wel of godnis hit iliche .
poj paradis be miri and brijt.
Cokaygn is of fairir sift.
What is per in paradis.
8 Bot grasse and flure and grene-ris.
poj per be ioi and grete dute.
per nis mete bote frute.
per n'is halle, bure, no benche.
12 Bot watir, man-is pursto quenche.
Bep per no man but two.
Hely and enok also.
Clinglich may hi go.
16 Whar per wonip men no mo.
IT In cokaygne is met and drink.
Wip vte care, how and swink.
pe met is trie . pe drink is clere .
20 To none, russin, and sopper.
THE LAND OF COKAYGNE. 157
I sigge for sop, boute were.
per n'is lond on erthe is pere.
Vnder heuen n'is lond iwisse.
24 Of so mochil ioi and blisse .
per is mani swete sijte.
Al is dai, n'is per no nijte.
per n'is baret noper strif .
28 N'is per no dep, ac euer lif.
per n'is lac of met no clop .
per n'is man no womman wrop.
per n'is serpent, wolf no fox.
32 Hors , no capil , kowe .no ox .
per n'is schepe. no swine no gote.
No non horwj-la, god it wot.
Nother harate, nother stode.
36 pe lond is ful of oper gode .
N'is per flei. fle, no lowse.
In clop, in toune. bed, no house.
per n'is dunnir, slete, no hawle.
40 No non vile worme no snawile.
No non storme, rein, no winde.
per n'is man no womman blinde.
Ok al is game, Ioi, and gle.
44 Wei is him pat per mai be.
per bep riuers gret and fine.
Of oile, melk, honi and wine.
Watir seruip per to no ping.
48 Bot to sijt and to waiissing.
per is maner irute .
Al is solas and dedute.
per is a wel fair abbei.
52 Of white monkes and of grei .
Per bep bowris and halles.
Al of pasteiis bep pe walles .
Of fleis , of fisse , and rich met .
56 pe likfullist pat man mai et.
Fluren cakes bep pe scingles alle.
Of cherche . cloister . boure . and halle .
158 THE LAND OF COKAYGNE.
pe pinnes bep fat podinges.
60 Rich met to princej and kinges .
Man mai per-of et inoj.
Al wip rijt, and nojt wip woj.
Al is commune to jung and old.
64 To stoute and sterne, mek and bold
H per is a cloister fair and lijt.
Brod and lang, of sembli sijt.
pe pilers of pat cloistre alle
68 Bep i-turned of cristale.
Wip har-las and capitale .
Of grene Jaspe and rede corale .
In pe praer is a tre.
72 Swipe likful for to se.
pe rote is gingeuir and galingale .
pe siouns bep al sedwale.
Trie maces bep pe flure.
76 pe rind, canel of swet odur.
pe frute gilofre of gode smakke.
Of cucubes per n'is no lakke .
per bep rosis of rede ble.
80 And lilie likful for to se.
pai falowep neuer day no nijt.
pis ajt be a swet[e] sijt.
T per bep .iiij. willis in pe abbei .
84 Of triacle and halwei .
Of baum and ek piement.
Euer ernend to rijt rent.
Of pai stremis al pe molde.
88 Stonis preciuse and golde.
per is saphir and vniune.
Carbuncle and astiune.
Smaragde . lugre . and prassiune .
92 Beril . onix . topasiune .
Ametist and crisolite.
Calcedun and epetite.
H per bep briddes mani and fale .
% prostil, pruisse, and nijtingale.
THE LAND OF COKAYGNE. 159
Chalandre and wodwale.
And oper briddes wipout tale.
pat stintep neuer by bar mijt.
100 Miri to sing dai and nijt.
[Here a few lines seem to be lost.]
If jite I do jow mo to witte.
pe Gees irostid on pe spitte.
Fleej to pat abbai, god bit wot.
104 And gredip 'gees al hote, al bot.'
Hi bringep garlek gret plente.
pe best idijt pat man mai se .
pe leuerokes pat bep cup.
108 Lijtip adun to man-is mup.
Idijt in stu ful swipe wel .
Pudrid wip gilofre and canel.
N'is no spech of no drink .
112 Ak take inoj wip-vte swink.
If Whan pe monkes geep to masse.
All pe fenestres pat bep of glasse.
Turnep in to cristal brijt .
116 To jiue monkes more lijt.
When pe masses bep iseiid.
And pe bokes up ileiid.
pe cristal turnip in to glasse.
120 In state pat hit raper wasse.
If pe jung monkes euch dai.
Aftir met gop to plai.
N'is per hauk no Me so swifte.
124 Bettir fleing bi pe lifte.
pan pe monkes heij of mode.
Wip bar sleuis and har hode.
"If Whan pe abbot seep ham flee.
128 pat he holt for moch glee.
Ak napeles al par amang.
He biddip ham lijt to eue-sang.
pe monkes lijtip nojt adun.
132 Ac furre fleep in o randuu.
1f Whan pe abbot him iseep.
pat is monkis frara him fleep .
160 THE LAND OF COKAYGNE.
He takep maidin of pe route .
136 And turnip vp her white toute .
And betip pe taburs wip is bond.
To make is monkes lijt to lond.
If Whan is monkes pat iseep.
140 To pe maid dun hi fleep.
And gep pe wench al abute.
And pakkep al hir white toute.
And sip aftir her swinke.
144 Wendith meklich horn to drinke.
And geth to bar collacione.
A wel fair processione.
T Anoper abbei is perbi.
148 For soth a gret fair nunnerie.
Up a riuer of swet milke .
Whar is plente grete of silk .
Whan pe somer-is dai is hote.
152 pe jung nunnes takith a bote.
And doth ham forth in that riuer.
Bothe with oris and with stere.
When hi beth fur from the abbei.
156 Hi makith ham nakid for to plei.
And lepith dune in-to the brimme.
And doth ham sleilich for to swimme .
pe jung monkes 1 pat hi seeth .
160 Hi doth ham up, and forp hi fleep.
And commip to pe nunnes anon.
And euch monke him taketh on.
And snellich berith forth bar prei.
164 To the mochil grei abbei.
And techith the nunnes an oreisun.
With iambleue vp and dun.
IT pe monke pat wol be stalun gode.
168 And kan set a-rijt is hode.
He schal hab wipute danger.
.xii. wiues euche jere.
1 MS. monkep.
FIVE EVIL THINGS. 161
Al proj rijt and nojt pro} grace.
172 For to do him silf solace .
And pilk monk pat clepip" best.
And dop his likam al to rest.
Of him is hoppe, god hit wote .
To be sone uadir abbot.
Whose wl com pat lond to.
Ful grete penance he mot do.
Seue }ere in swine-is dritte .
180 He mot wade, wol }e i-witte.
Al anon up to pe chynne.
So he schal pe lond[e] winne.
Lordinges gode and hend.
184 Mot je neuer of world wend .
For je stond to jure cheance.
And fulfille that penance.
pat je mote pat lond ise.
188 And neuer more turne a-je .
Prey we god so mote hit be.
Ainen, per seinte charite. finii.
XXXVI. FIVE EVIL THINGS.
Bissop lories.
Kyng redeles.
jung man rechles.
Old man witles.
Womman ssamles .
I swer bi heuen kyng.
pos bep fiue liper ping.
162 NOTE TO POEM II.
NOTE to Poem II, p. 7, XV Signa Ante Indicium.
The Rev. J. Small of the University Library, Edinburgh, has kindly
furnished me (through our member, Mr. Muir) with another English, and
a Latin, version of these Signs before the Judgment. They form pages
25-28 of a small volume that Mr. Small has now in the press, English
Metrical Homilies, from MSS. of the Fourteenth Century.
And bides us lok til grouand tres;
For quen men leues on thaim sees,
Men wat that ful ner es somer coraand,
And riht sua mai we understand
Quen we se thir takenis cume,
That nerhand es the dai of dom.
Bot for Crist spekes of takeninge
That tithand of this dom sal bringe,
Forthi es god that I you telle
Sum thing of thir takeninges snelle:
Sain Jerom telles that fiften
Ferli takeninges sal be sen
Bifor the day of dom, and sal
1 1 kau of thaim on ser ' dai fal.
(1) The first dai sal al the se
Boln and ris and heyer be
Than ani fel of al the land ,
And als a felle up sal it stand,
The heyt thar-of sal passe the felles
Bi sexti fot, als Jerom telles,
(2) And als mikel the tother day
Sal it sattel and wit away,
And be lauer than it nou esse,
For water sal it haf wel lesse.
(3) The thride dai, rnersuine and qualle
And other gret fises alle
Sal yel, and mak sa reuful her
That soru sal it be to her.
1 $eir, several.
NOTE TO POEM II. 163
(4) The ferthe day freis water and se
Sal bren als fir and glouand be.
(5) The fift day sal greses and tres
Suet blodi deu that grisli bes.
(6) The sexte day sal doun falle
Werdes werks bathe tours and halle.
(7) The seuend day sal stanes gret
Togider smit and bremly bete.
(8) And al the erthe the achtande day
Sal stir and quac and al folc slay.
(9) The neynd day the fels alle
Be mad al euin wit erthe salle.
(10) The tend day sal folc up crep,
Als wod men of pittes dep.
(11) The elleft day sal banes rise
And stand on graues thar men nou lies.
(12) The tuelft day sal sternes falle.
(13) The thretend day sal quek men dey alle,
Wit other ded men to rise,
And com wit thaim to gret asise.
(14) The faurtend day at a schift
Sal bathe briu bathe erthe and lift.
(15) The fifetende day thai bathe
Sal be mad newe and fair ful rathe,
And al ded men sal rise,
And cum bifor Crist our iustise.
Uncle Versus de ejusdem Signis.
Signis ter quinis se prodet ad ultima finis
Mundani motus Domino soli modo notus.
(1) In signo primo surget mare stans quasi murus
Erigat, in proprios post pauca sinus rediturus,
Atque quater denis cubitis transcendere monies
Cernetur, paucique fluent in flumina fontes.
(2) Oculet in signo sic se maris uuda secundo,
Ut vix aspectum capiat. Diuersa profundo
12
164 NOTE TO POEM VII.
(3) Monstra super fluctus post hec ubi nata patebunt,
Rugitusque sui celos horrore mouebunt.
(4) Quarto cum fluuiis ardebunt equoris unde,
Fontibus ut 1 latices effundant non erit unde.
(5) Rorem sanguineum quinto deducet ab [herbis]
Horror et arboribus lacrimis perfusus acerbis.
(6) Hinc turres et tecta cadent, que 2 diruet edes
Sexta dies, omnis que solo ruet ardua sedes;
(7) Augebit lapidum conflictus in orbe timorem ,
Terribilemque dabit collisio seua fragorem.
(8) Concuciet terram post hec motus generalis,
Omnia conturbans, horrendus, et exitialis.
(9) Omnibus equatis in piano terra jacebit,
Strata superficies nichil asperitatis habebit.
(10) Hinc velud amentes exibunt ante latentes
In latebris homines et fari nulla valentes.
(It) Sicca super tumbis post hec surgencia stabunt.
(12) Casus stellarum signans discrimine finem
Nesciet ulterius clarum deducere finem.
(13) Corpore uiuentes simul absque mora morientur,
Ut pariter clangente tuba cuncti repetentur.
(14) Optimus inde status celum terramque nouabit,
Lace sub eterna, quern nulla dies uariabit;
(15) Conuocet ut cunctos cum buccina protinus urgens
ludicis ante pedes ueniet plebs tota resurgens.
NOTE to Poem VII, p. 21-2, and to Dr. Guest's Letter in the Preface, p. v.
The following is the passage from the History of English Rhylhmt
(vol. 1, pp. 136-7) referred to by its author.
"INVERSE RHIME
is that which exists between the last accented syllable of the first section,
and the first accented syllable of the second. It appears to have flourished
most in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. I do not remember any
instance of it in the Anglo-Saxon , but it is probably of native growth.
1 et. * quia.
NOTE TO POEM VII. 165
A kindred dialect, the Icelandic, had, at an early period, a species of
rhime closely resembling the present the second verse always beginning
with the last accented syllable of the first. It is singular that the French
had, in the sixteenth century, a rhime like the Icelandic, called by them
la rime entrelassee. The present rhime differed from both, as it was
contained in one verse ... We will begin with the verse of four accents.
These steps | both reach \ : and teach \ thee shall |
To come j by thrift \ : to shift \ withal | . Tusser.
The pi | per loud \ : and loud \ er blew | ,
The dan | cers quick \ : and quick \ er flew | . Burns"
M. Eugene Oswald has kindly supplied me with the following specimen
of the French rhyme similar to that of the text, though about 250 years
later.
^'Clement Marot. 1542.
Chanson III.
Dien gard ma Maistresse, et Regenle,
Genie l de corps , et de fa^on ,
Son cueur tien 8 le mien en sa lenle
Tant et plus d'ung ardant 3 frisson.
S'on m'oyt 4 poulser sur ma chanson
Son de uoix 5 , au Harpes doulce/fes,
Cest Espoir, qui sans marrisson
Songer me faict en amoureMes.
1 gentille. * tient. 3 ardent.
4 Old Pres. of ou'ir, whence oyer and oyez. Old Infinitive oyr: "le
Roy envoia guerre celi cordelier pour le oyr parler." Joinville.
5 Of course, toix. Variante, of later edition, son de Lucz - luth.
The second and third stanzas do not keep up this law of rhyme, but
have other curious artifices of form. I do not think the form a common
one. E. 0."
166
INDEX.
INDEX.
Abingdon, Edmund the Confessor
born at, p. 71, 1. 3; p. 74.
Adain and men made to supply
the place of Lucifer and his fol-
lowers, p. 13, 1. 17-18.
Adelberd, king (Egberd's grandson),
p. 45, 1. 72.
Affrican the wicked prince, p. 68,
1. 101.
St. Agace, p. 101, 1. 9.
St. Aldelm, Archbp. of Canterbury,
p. 35, 1. 32.
Alice, St. Edmund's sister, p. 71,
1 20.
St. Amand, abbey of, p. 37, 1. 103.
St. Andrew, the life of, p. 98-101.
Aquiline, the fair, tempts Christo-
pher, p. 64, 1. 173.
Archdeacons oppress poor parsons
and priests, p 79, 1. 328.
Aristotle's warning against sen-
suality, p. 143, 1. 199.
arsmelrihe defined, p. 77, 1 224.
Arthur even laid low by Death,
p. 132, 1. 93.
Askebert, the guardian of St.Kenelm,
p. 50, 1. 106; p. 51-2.
Athelstan, king, p. 35, 1.22,36,44.
Athelwold, St., p. 36, 1.55; Bp.
of Rochester, p. 38, 1. 142.
Athelwold, Bp. of Winchester, the
10th after St. Swithin, is told
of St. S.'s appearance in a vision,
p. 46, and has his corpse dug
up and buried in St. Peter's
Church, p. 47.
Athens, city of, p 101, 1. 11.
Athulf, king Egberd's son, taught
by St. Swithin, p. 44, 1. 23-* is
made king, 1. 28.
Atus, father of Pila, Pilate's mother,
p. Ill, 1. 6.
Austin, St., converts king Athel-
wold, p. 43, 1. 7, 8.
, Christianity brought to
England by, p. 35, 1. 50; p. 43,
1.7.
Avon stream, p. 30, st. 126.
bakers, cheating, denounced, p. 155,
st. 16.
Barabbas, referred to, p. 15, 1. 88.
Basilie, the Cite of, p. 68, 1. 82.
baslon; the Satirical Poem, p. 152-6,
probably an example of this metre,
p. 154, st. 12; p. 155, st. 13, 15.
Beelzebub, p. 31, st. 143.
beggars; why allowed by God,
p. 135-6, 1. 101 &c.
Bernard, St., referred to, p. 1, st. 3.
Beryn, St.; converts king Kene-
wold, p. 43, 1. 5, 10.
bishoprics of England, contents of,
p. 48-9.
brewsters to be ware of the cucking-
stool, p. 155, st. 17.
the broad street to Heaven, p. 32,
st. 172.
INDEX.
167
Canterbury, St. Edmund elected
Archbp. of, p. 81, 1.404; other
Archbishops of, Aldelui , p. 35,
1. 32 ; Ode, p. 37, 1. 121 ; Dunstan,
p. 38, 1. 135; Wolfred, p. 55,
1. 279; Edmund, p. 81, 1. 403.
Cariot, the isle of, p. 108.
Catesby, convent at, p. 71, 1. 20.
Cato quoted, against self-praise,
p. 91, 1. 44.
Cezar th'emperour, p. 113, 1. 76.
Chastity, Dame, turned out of
Nunneries, p. 144, 1. 239.
chatterers, how to be treated, p. 144,
1. 251-4.
children chasing their shadows on
the wall: this world likened to,
p. 13',?, 1. 121-32.
, their ingratitude to their
parents, p. 16, 1. 31-2.
Christ on the Cross, p. 20-1.
Christopher, St., Life of, p. 59-65 ;
p. 153, st. 2.
Ciriac, the Pope, from Britain, p. 68,
1. 85-6.
Clement, Bp., p. 69, 1. 117.
Clent, the wood of, in Worcester-
shire, p. 51, 1. 152; p. 52, 1. 173;
p. 55, 1. 287.
Cokaygne, the Land of, p. 156-161.
Cologne, the City of, p. 68, 1. 76.
Commandments, the Ten, p. 15-16.
consecration of new Churches ; ring-
ing and pomps at, condemned,
p. 44, 1. 45 &c.
Cost, king; St Katherine's father,
p. 90, 1. 3.
Coubache, the valley of, p. 54,
1. 244.
, the miraculously -fed
cow of, p. 53-4.
counters, sins to be reckoned by,
p. 131, 1. 38.
Covetonsness denounced, p. 3;
p. 19.
Cross, the devil's fear of the, p. 61,
1. 48-52.
Crusades, the preaching for, p. 79,
1. 316 &c.
Death is no thief, but warns men
well that he is coming, p. 137,
1. 169.
Deo Gratias, a Song of, p. 124-126.
, another Song of, p. 128
to 130.
Deus Caritas, a Song, p. 127-8.
devil, the, is covetous men's exe-
cutor, p. 19, 1. 43.
has his nose pinched
and burnt by St. Dunstan, p. 36-7,
1. 80-9.
Devout, Dame; turned out of Nun-
neries, p. 144, 1. 226.
Dinah, her rape for going out to
see things in vain (Gen. xxxiv),
p. 147, 1. 346.
Diocletian, the wicked, p. 105, 1. 159.
Disobedient, Dame, in Nunneries,
p. 145, 1. 272.
Dominic, St., p. 153, st. 4.
Drogheda, the friars' ropery at,
p. 153, st. 6.
Dunstan, St.; the Life of, p. 34-40.
Earth, a Poem, p. 150-2.
Eastland (of England), the king of,
p. 49, 1. 63.
Eboir, the Vale of, p. 13, 1. 37.
Edgar, king (the ninth after Adel-
bert), has Swithin's body taken
up, p. 45, 1. 87; p. 46, 47.
Edmund, St., king of Eastland,
p. 49, 1. 67.
, king of England, p. 35,
37.
Edmund the Confessor, Life of,
p. 71-87.
Edmund the King, Life of, p. 87-9.
St. Edmundsbury, p. 89, 1. 89.
168
INDEX.
Edward, St., son of king Edgar,
p. 45, 1. 88.
, p. 106-7.
Edwin, king of England, p. 37,
1. 96-105.
Egberd, King, p. 43, 1 3, and Saint,
1 11.
Egeas, the Justice of Patras, p. 98,
1. 14 <fcc.
eggs , a bagful of smashed ones
made whole and sound by St.
Swithin, p. 45, 1. 66.
Eglesdon, town of, p. 88, 1. 29;
wood of, p. 68, 1. 61.
Elmeston, Bp. of Winchester, p. 43,
1. 15 (St. Swithin}; is succeeded
by St. Swithin, p. 44, 1. 33-5.
England, its size, rivers, 5 king-
doms, and bishoprics, described,
p. 48-9.
Entice (orEutice), St. Lucy's mother,
p. 101, 1. 3.
envy denounced, p. 20.
Envy, Dame, in Nunneries, p. 144,
1. 231 ; p. 145, 1. 259.
Eve's temptation, p. 13, 1. 26.
Everwyk, or York, the Archbishop-
ric of, p. 49, 1. 71.
'5 evil things', p. 161.
Experience, discloses herself to
Katherine, and takes her to see
the real state of English nun-
neries, p. 146, 1. 322; p. 152,
1. 150.
the Fall (of man) and Passion (of
Christ), p. 12-15.
Florentine, the sister of Ourse's
betrothed, p. 69, 1. 121, 142.
France, the son of the King of,
in hostage with the Emperor,
p. 112, 1. 32.
Francis, St., p. 153, st. 5.
friars satirized, p. 153, st. 6, 7.
Galicia, St. James's shrine in, p. 59,
1 71.
garland of Ivy green, the sign at
a tavern-door, p. 147, I. 358-9.
gilmins (? hermits) quizzed, p. 153,
st. 7.
Glastonbury, p 35, 1. 26, 40, 45;
p. 36, 1. 56.
hair clothing for penance, p. 71,
1. 27; p. 75, 1. 154-181.
Heaven, the joys of, p 6, st 47-58;
p. 33.
Hector even laid low by Death,
p. 13-2, 1. 93.
Hell, the pains of, p. 29-31, st. 115
to 151.
Henry III, King John's son, p. 84,
1. 490.
heriot, the custom of giving the
tenant's best property on death
to his chief lord , p. 83 , 1. 464,
472 ; is the devil's law, and not
God's, 1. 478.
Herod, king of Jerusalem, Galilee.
and India, p. 113, 1. 62-3, &c.
Hubba and Hyngar, p. 87, 1.9;
p. 88, 1. 33, 55.
hucksters quizzed, p. 155, st 18.
Hypocrite, Dame, in Nunneries,
p. 144, 1. 221.
inquest or jury on Christ, p. 116,
1. 197, 199.
Iscariot, Judas ; so called from the
isle of Cariot, p. 108, 1. 27.
ivy green, a garland of, a tavern
sign, p. 147, 1. 358.
James, St. ; a Miracle of his, p 57-9.
Jews; Poem of their nailing the
image of Christ to a Cross in
Toledo, and being found out by
the Virgin speaking of it from
heaven, p. 42-3.
INDEX.
169
John, St.; a Miracle of his, p. 106-7.
Joseph of Ariraathea, p. 14, 1. 71.
Judas Iscariot, the Life of, p. 107
to 111 ; referred to, p. 14, 1. 57.
Judgment, the Day of; the Signs
before, p. 7-12, p. 162-4; the
Wonders at, p. 4; the Doings at,
p 27-29.
kaites wool - combers quizzed,
p. 155, st. 19.
Katherine, St., the Life of, p. 90-8.
, the girl wishing to turn
men, p. 141, 1. 128.
Kenelm, St., king of the March of
Wales, the Life of, p. 47-57.
Kenulf, king, builds Winchcombe
Abbey, p. 48.
Kildare; a Satire on the Monks
and People of, p. 152-6.
kirtle, our Lord's unsewed one,
p. 115, 1. 168; saves Pilate's life
for a time, p. 116.
"Know thyself, a Song of, p. 130-3.
Langton, Archbp. Stephen of, p 85,
1. 537.
Laxington, Abbot Stephen of, p. 81,
1. 389.
Lenkenore, near Abingdon, p 76,
1. 183.
lewdness, a girl's, St. Edmund's
cure of, p. 73-4, 1. 98-121.
Love, the evil results of, (a Rhyme-
beginning Fragment), p. 21-2.
Love Unordinate, in Nunneries,
p. 144, 1. 234.
Lucifer's fall from Heaven, p. 13,
1.9-16; p. 18, 1, 1.3.
St. Lucy, the life of, p. 101-7.
Lust, Dame, in Nunneries, p. 144,
1. 236.
Lyons, the City of, p. 57, 1. 1.
Mabille the rich, mother of St.
Edmund the Confessor, p. 71,
1. 5; p. 74, 1. 122.
Malmesbury, Quendride's Psalter
now there, p. 57, 1. 359.
the March of Wales, contents of,
p. 48.
dame Margerie, St. Edmund's sister,
p. 71, 1. 20.
St Mary, p. 153, st. 3.
Maur, a king in Britain, p. 66,
1.3.
Maxentius, the Emperor, p. 90 &c.
Maximille, wife of Egeas, the Jus-
tice of Patras, p. 101, 1. 100.
Maximin, the wicked prince, p. 68,
1. 101; p. 106, 1. 161.
mede, the Master now, p. 123.
Mercy, a Song of, p. 118-124.
, the Seven Deeds of, p. 136,
1. 113.
merlyon, the hawk; how it warms
its cold feet at night, p. 119;
p. 123, 1. 172-182.
St. Michael, p. 152, st. 1.
the mirror for men to see Yester-
day in, p. 134, 1. 59; p. 136,
1. 116.
monks and nuns satirized see
Cokaygne, p. 159-61, and p. 156
&c. ; p. 154, st. 8, 9.
a Moral Ode, p. 22-34.
the narrow way to Heaven, p. 32,
st. 171.
St. Nicholas's Church at Abingdon,
p. 74, 1. 135.
Nite, the fair temptress of Christo-
pher, p. 64, 1. 173.
Northumberland, the extent of,
p. 49, 1.69-72.
Nun; "Why I can't be a Nun",
a poem on the evils in Nun-
neries, p. 138-148.
Old Age , a Poem, p. 148-150.
INDEX.
St. Osewald, king of Northumber-
land, p. 49, 1. 72.
St. Osewold, Bp. of Worcester,
p. 38, 1. 141.
Ourse, the head of the 11,000 Vir-
gins, p. 66, 1. 4 ; p. 68, 1. 77.
Oxford Student, tale of an, a
Miracle of Our Lady's, p. 40-2.
, school at, p. 73, 1. 80;
course of studies at, p. 77.
Paris, English boys sent to school
at, p. 71, 1. 30; p. 73, 1. 80.
Pascas, the Justice who tortures
St. Lucy, p. 103, 1. 70.
Patras, the land of, p. 98, 1. 11.
Pentarchy of England, p. 49, 1.43-6,
&c.
Perschore, the water of, p. 56,
1. 309 (the village of P. is 8 or
9 miles from Worcester).
St. Peter's Church at Winchester,
St. Swithin's body deposited in,
p. 47, 1. 154.
- altar at Rome, p. 54,
1. 252.
- church at Rome; the
Veronica placed there, p. 115,
1. 145.
Pilate, the Life of, p. 111-118; re-
ferred to, p. 14, 1.63, 75, 87;
p. 108, 1. 61 ; p 109.
Pilatus, derivation of the name,
p. Ill, 1. 7-8.
Plato's prophecy that God would
be scourged and torn, p. 93,
1. 117-18.
Ponce, the isle of, p. 112.
Ponteney in France ; English exiled
priests at, p. 71, 1. 1; p. 85,
1. 535-8 &c.
Pontius (Pilate), origin of the name,
p. 113, 1.60-1.
poor men, oppression of by high
men, p. 83, 1. 462.
poor men may buy Heaven with
their pennies, p. 24, st. 34.
Porphyry, St., p. 94, 1. 179; p. 95,
1. 188 <fec.
potters quizzed, p. 155, st. 15.
pride denounced, p. 1-2; p. 18-19.
Pride, Dame; in great reputation
in Nunneries, p. 143, 1. 216.
priests quizzed, p. 154, st. 10.
Quendride, king Kenulf s daughter,
plots against her brother, king
Kenelm, and brings about his
death, p. 50-57.
Reuben, Judas's father, p. 107, 1.4;
is killed by his son, p. 109,
1. 82-4.
Robert, Edmund the Confessor's
brother, p. 71, 1. 18.
Sir Ronald, Pilate's jailer, p. 117,
1. 229.
Salisbury, St. Edmund made Canon
Secular of, p. 81, 1. 381.
Satan, p. 31, st. 143.
Sermon against Pride &c., and on
the Grave, Hell, and Heaven,
p. 1-7.
shrews, two, sure to get together,
p. 109, 1.65-8; p. 114, 1. 99.
Sicily; St. Lucy born thore, p. 101,
1. 1.
Sins, the Seven; fragment on,
p. 17-20.
, the prevalent ones now,
p. 122, 1. 132 &c.
skinners quizzed, p. 155, st. 14.
Socrates says it is better to look
on a death-bed than a feast,
p. 135, 1. 85.
Solomon's 'poysi' orProverbs quoted,
p. 135, 1. 73-7.
Soycie , the town of in France,
p. 85, 1. 556.
INDEX.
171
Spain, West; Cokaygne near there,
p. 156, 1. 2.
Stafgreen, near Abingdon, p. 76,
1. 195.
Stanleghe, abbey of, p. 81, 1. 387.
Stephen Langton, at Ponteney,
p. 85, 1. 537.
stick, St. Kenelm's, miracle of its
bearing leaves, and becoming an
ash, p. 52, 1. 170; St. Christo-
pher's the same, p. 62, 1. 109-112.
a storm miraculously removed for
St. Edmund, p. 80-1.
Stour, the river, p. 30, st. 126.
Sunday-trading denounced , p. 16,
1.27.
sutlers quizzed, p. 154, st. 13.
swearing denounced, p. 15-16,
1. 3-15.
Swithin, St. ; Life of, p. 43-7.
tailors quizzed, p. 154, st. 12.
Thiborie, Judas's mother, p. 107,
1.4 ; is married to her son, p. 109,
1. 92-4.
thirty, the age when girls' beauty
begins to fade, p. 134, 1.42.
St. Thomas (a Beket), p. 84, 1. 492,
498, 519; p. 85.
Tims, king, the father of Pilate,
p. Ill, 1. 3.
Toledo, the Archbishop of, p. 42,
1.4.
Vaspasian, lord of Galilee, p. 115,
1. 161.
St. Veronica, p. 114, 1. 115; p. 115.
Virgin Mary; her sorrow, p. 15,
1. 83 ; two Miracles of hers, p. 40-3 ;
her judgment on the devil and
the self-mutilated man, p. 59,
1. 57-61.
Virgins, The Eleven Thousand, of
Cologne, p. G6-70.
Wales, the March of, p. 47, 1.2;
its extent, p. 48, 1. 2;i-39.
Wanton, Dame, in Nunneries, p. 144,
1. 236.
Wenylde, St. Kenelm's sister, p. 49,
1.78; p. 50.
Wessex, its extent, p. 49, 1. 47-58.
Westminster, relics at, p. 107, 1. 19.
Winchcombe, Abbey of, built by
King Kenulf, p. 48, 1.3.
, the great City of, p. 48,
1.7.
Winchester, Bishops of; Elmeston,
p. 43, XII. 1. 15; St. Swithin,
p. 44, 1. 35; Athelwold, p. 45,
1. 94 sq.
, the bridge of, built by
St. Swithin, p. 44, 1. 53.
Wolfred, Archbp. of Canterbury,
p. 55, 1. 279.
Wolwenne, St. Kenelm's nurse,
p. 51, 1.137.
women, holy, names of, p. 148,
1. 381-91.
worldly bliss, p. 19, 1 47; p. 134,
1. 29-34.
Yesterday, a Song of, p. 133-8.
172
LIST OF WORDS &C.
LIST OF WORDS &c.
not in Coleridge's Glossarial Index, 1250-1300, A. D.
a, prep., in, a two, p. 14, st. 77.
a, prep., at or with, p. 146, 1. 291.
a, inter j., ah, p. 1, st. 2b.
afonge, v.a., take, p. 41.
ajt, v.n., ought, p. 8, st. 5.
alive, adj., p. 63, 1. 142.
all, pron., p 146, 1. 319.
alone, adv., only, p. 3, st. 17.
although, conj., p. 123, 1. 168.
amove, v.n., p. 11, 1. 148.
anap,t>.n., take with sleep, bedrowse,
p. 78, 1.278.
anoveward, prep., upon, p. 56,
1. 341.
aoure, v.a., honour, worship, Fr.
aourer, L. adorare, p. 90, 1. 32.
apan, prep., upon, p. 5, st. 36.
arraign, v.a., p. 121, 1. 85.
array, v.n., p. 133, 1. 10.
arsmetrike, sb., geometry &c., p. 77,
1. 222.
art, sb., the liberal Arts, p. 77, 1. 220.
as, conj. or rel.pron., that, which,
p. 77, 1. 223; in which, p. 57,
1. 362.
ash, sb., ash-tree, p. 52, 1. 171.
aslay, v.a., prel. aslouj, p. 53,
1. 193; p. 58, 1.26.
atom, adv., at home, p. 62, 1. 89.
attain, v.a., p. 121, 1. 87.
avail, sb., help, comfort, p, 142,
1. 153.
await, v. a., watch, p. 53, 1. 238.
awield, v.a., rule, manage, p. 149,
st. 8; p. 135, 1.100.
awinne, v. a , win, get, p. 73, 1. 107.
awolde, v a., move, wield, p. 80,
1. 336.
barb, sb., a nun's face-veil or
muffler, p. 147, 1. 350.
barehead, adj., p. 120, 1. 75.
beastly, adj., p. 143, 1. 204.
because, p. 125, 1. 37.
become (to), v.a., turn (into), p. 51,
1. 129.
become, r.n., go to, p. 53, 1. 238.
bedrid, sb., the bedridden, p. 134,
1.57.
begin (of), v. n., spring (from), p. 151,
st. 5.
beguile, v.n., p. 59, 1. 39.
behold after, v. n., look after, p. 52,
1. 160.
bench, sb., bank? p. 141, 1. 114.
bent, sb., a grassy plain, p. 1 1 8, 1. 4.
bert, v. n., break wind, p. 145, st. 9.
bespeak, .a , plan, plot, p. 51,1. 144.
bespit, r.n., spit on, p. 20.
best, for the, p. 142, 1. 156.
bet, adv., cp., better, p. 50, 1. 107.
betake, v.a., p. 71, 1. 31.
bethink, v.a., think of, purpose,
plot, p. 50, 1. 110.
betide, v.a., p. 51, 1. 142.
betray, v.n., p. 59, 1. 39,
LIST OF WORDS &C.
173
bid (beden), v.a., pray (prayers),
p. 61, 1. 71.
bigete, sb., gain, p. 57, 1. 358.
bimean, v. n., regret, p 82, 1.347.
bipeach, v.a., deceive, p. 18, st. 10.
biset in, v.a, place, bestow on,
p. 38, 1. 148.
bitter, adj., severe, harsh, p 4, st. 33.
bitter, adv., bitterly, p. 5, st. 37.
blain, sb., A. S. bltegen, a pustule,
p. 129, 1. 12.
bleed, v.n., p. 10, st. 101.
blind, v.a., make blind, p. 3.
blossom, sb., p 51, 1. 120.
bob, v. a., beat, p. 14, 1. 59.
body, sb., corpse, p. 14, 1. 74.
boldlier, adc., cp , p. 45, 1. 69.
bonechef, sb., prosperity, p. 125,
1.49, (mischief, sb., adversity, ib.).
book, sb., Bible, p. 138, 1. 20.
boten, v.n., become cured, p. 47,
1. 151. A.S. belan.
both, conj., p. 4, st. 31.
bouten, prep., without, p. 39, I. 184.
brag, sb., A.S. briegan, to spread,
pretend, p. 132, 1. 92.
bring forth, v.a., bring up (a child),
p. 51, 1. 135.
building, sb., p. 143, 1. 1.
bur, sb., lady, maiden, girl, p. 50,
1.85.
busk, v.n., make ready, p. 133, 1.20.
but (bote), conj., except, p. 5, st. 37 ;
p. 60, 1. 24.
buttock, sb., p. 75, 1. 163.
buxom, v.n., bow, obey, p. 82,
1. 367.
by, prep , through, p. 159, 1.124.
bye, v.a, prct. byde, bow, p. 75,
1. 167.
bymene, r.a.? p. 61 , 1. 51 ; p. 57,
1. 357.
calewe, sb., bald-pate, p. 37, 1. 89,
A.S. calo, bald.
camomile, sb., p. 141, 1. 114.
can or cunne thouk, give thanks,
p. 21.
cast, v.a.? add up, p. 77, 1. 223.
castle, sb., p. 152, st. 11.
catel, sb., riches, goods, p. 6, st. 45.
cease , v.a., cause to cease , stop,
p. 146, 1 308
chapitle, sb., chapter (of Genesis),
p. 147, 1. 344.
chaser, sb., hunter, a horse, p. 10,
st. 109, O.Fr. chasseres.
chaste, adj., pure (generally), p. 140,
1. 82.
chatter, v.n., p. 144, 1.251.
cherubin, sb.pl., p. 11, st. 149.
chief, sb , metropolis, p. 49, 1. 50.
chorister queristere , sb., p. 124,
1.9.
chough, sb., the bird, A.S. ceo,
p. 76, 1.185.
circle, sb., p. 77, 1. 232.
cleanly, adr., right out, p. 61,
1. 65.
clemde, prel. of climb, p. 51, 1. 123.
clive, sb., acclivity, p. 33, 1. 175.
clomesyng, part., stiffening from
cold, A.S. clom, band, clasp,
clothing, sb., p. 142, 1. 142.
comble, v.n.? p. 149, st. 7.
come within, v. a., overcome, p. 58,
1.42.
conceit, sb., conception, fancy, p. 147,
1. 336.
conde, sb.? slit, wound, p. 20.
condition, sb., p. 143, 1. 204.
continually, adv., p. 77, 1. 220.
conversation, sb , life, p. 148, 1.375.
core, r.a.? p. 14, 1. 45.
cost, sb., side, part, p. 146, 1. 309.
counsel, sb , keep counsel, p. 143,
1. 212.
counter, sb., thing for counting
with, p. 131, 1..38.
country, adj. (c. man), p. 55, 1. 291.
174
LIST OF WORDS &C.
course, sb., succession, p. 77, 1.222;
p. 122, 1. 125.
crop, t>. a., breed, produce, p. 2,
st. 10.
crop, sb., top (of a tree), p. 10,
st. 97.
cure, sb., charge, p. 145, 1. 2i8.
dasher, **., p. 153, st. 6.
deadly (sin), adj , p. 59, 1. 54.
deal, v. a., separate, p. 152, st. 13.
death, adj. (death throes), p. 64,
1.191.
debate, tb., p. 143, 1. 196.
deep, sb., deep water, p. 62, 1. 84.
deface, v.a., p. 126, 1. 70.
defence, sb., forbiddance, prohibition,
p. 16, 1. 15.
deil or del, sb., sorrow, p. 15, 1.83.
delivre, adj., free, p. 78, 1. 290;
O.Fr. delitre, libre, affranchi,
Roq.
desire, sb., p. 146, I. 303.
destitute, adj., p. 140, 1. 97.
deverse or diverse, v.n., p.ll,st.!29.
devoutly, adv., p. 133, 1. 6.
diffade, v.n., fade away, p. 133, 1. 8.
diligent, adj., p. 145, 1. 275.
discipline, si. (of flogging), p. 74,
1. 114.
disobedient, adj. as sb., p. 145, 1. 272.
dispute (in divinity), v.n., p. 77,
1. 255.
disturb of for in or from, p. 82,
1. 338.
diverse, adj., different, p. 54, 1.261.
divinity, sb., the study divinity,
p. 77, 1. 238.
do, r. a., put, row, p. 160, 1. 152;
get (up), rise, p. 160, 1. 159.
do, phr., have done! p. 97, 1.279.
doat, v.n., p. 132, 1. 79.
doing, sb., p. 122, 1. 129.
dolour, **., p. 132, 1. 89.
dotus, adj., fearful, O.Fr. dotut.
draw, v. a., pull (one's hair), p. 97,
1. 266.
draw, v. a., play (a lay on a harp),
p. 39, I. 170.
dread, r.a., p. 8, st. 13.
drunkenness, sb., p 122, 1. 139.
due, adj., p. 122, 1. 123.
dunnir, sb., thunder, p. 157, 1. 39.
durne, adj., dark, p. 52, 1. 157.
dumeliche, adv., secretly, p. 55,
1. 283, A.S. dyrnan, to hide,
dute, sb., treasure, prize, p. 13, 1.24.
each, adj., every, p. 50, 1. 86.
east, adj., p. 48, 1. 18.
Eastland, sb., Norfolk, Suffolk, Ely,
and Cambridge, p. 49, 1. 63.
effect, sb., p. 140, 1. 67.
eie, sb., awe, p. 22, st. 10.
eirmonger, sb., egg-monger, p. 45,
1.69.
either, adj., both, p. 57, 1. 355.
election, sb., p. 81, 1. 326.
embrace, v.a., p. 122, 1. 113.
empire, sb., p. 132, 1. 76.
endlessly, adv., p. 148, 1. 380.
endure, r.n., p. 145, 1.256.
eHglish, sb., p. 54, 1. 260.
enhabit, v. n., p. 144, 1. 237.
ensure, v.a., assure, p. 145, 1.261;
p. 147.
epistle pistel , sb., p. 130, 1. 1.
er , adv. , before , formerly , p. 50,
1. 90.
erne, v. n., run, p. 9, st. 49.
erore, adj., cp., former, p. 55, 1. 290.
eschew, v.a., p. 122, 1. 121.
even, adv. t as far as, p. 52, 1. 190.
execution, sb., beheading, p. 119,
1.37.
exhortation, sb., p. 148, 1. 373.
experience, sb., p. 142, 1. 150.
falc, sb., a plant, p. 149, st. 10.
fantasy, sb., p. 134, 1. 30.
LIST OF WORDS &C.
175
fashion, fasoun, sb., making, shape,
p. 119, 1.41.
fast to for on, p. 71, 1. 24.
fawe, adv., p. 63, 1. 154.
fearful, adj., p. 135, 1. 93.
fervent, adj., eager, p. 138, 1. 7.
fese, v.n., drive, A.S. fesian, drive
away, p. 12, st. 169.
fiercely fresliche , adv., p. 119,
1.32.
figure, si., geometrical f., p. 77,
1. 223.
file, adj., foul (base of filth) , p. 1 ,
st. 3.
fill, st. (eat one's fill), p. 81, 1. 391.
fiz, sb., son, p. 12, st. 179.
flecche, v.n., bend, give way, p. 62,
1.116.
fleme, ? sb., outlaw, A.S. flijma,
one who flees, a runaway, p. 37,
1. 101.
flit, v.a., change, shift, p. 123,
1. 175.
fold, sb., time, p. 24, st. 27.
folly, sb., a sinful act, p. 57, 1. 3.
forbear, v.n., refrain from, p. 147,
1. 362.
forcroked, adj., bent up, p. 80,
1. 341.
foreign - furrene , adj. ? p. 90, 1. 20.
form, sb., treaty (by deed or ar-
ticles), p. 56, 1.311,314.
forolthed, pp., befouled, p. 75,
1. 175.
for-roti, v.n., rot completely away,
p. 17.
forte, con/., until, p. 52, 1. 168.
forth, prep., up, p. 51, 1. 135.
forth-mydde, adv., forthwith, p. 132,
1.95.
fortrauailled, pp., thoroughly tired
with travel, p. 56, 1. 313.
frail, adj., p. 122, 1. 136.
fresh uerisse , adj. (of water),
p. 11, st. 125.
frow, adv., glossed festine, p. 150.
froward, adj., p. 146, 1. 317.
furst, sb., thirst, p. 120, 1. 53.
fye, v.a., Peat, p. 131, 1.65.
garden, sb., p. 141, 1. 121.
gentise, sb., birth, bearing, p. 69,
1. 136.
ghastly, adj., p. 63, 1. 147.
giddyhood, sb., folly, A.S. gijdig,
giddy, p. 90, 1. 13.
]ime, v.n., keep, hoard, A.S.giman,
take care of, p. 3, st. 18.
glad with, pleased with, p. 69,
1. 121.
gleirtand, adj., glittering, p. 130,
1. 28.
glisminge, adv., gleamingly, p. 21.
glory, vain, sb., p. 144, 1. 228.
go, p.p. igo, p. 99, 1.23.
go to, v.n., go at them, fall on,
begin, p. 4, st. 31.
God forbid! p. 146, 1.314.
goose, prov. "shoe the goose", p. 144,
1. 254. Rabelais' ferroyt fes ct-
galles (Garg. liv. 1, chap, xi) is
translated 'he shoed the geese'
in 'Sir T. Urquart and Mr. Mot-
teux's translation' (1818. Reprint
of Ozell's edition of 1737, vol.1,
p. 167). Cotgrave has Ferrer les
cigales. 'To spend the time in
trifling, to undertake a foolish
businesse; to lose time alto-
gether . . . Ferrer les oyes . as,
Ferrer les cigalesS cp. 'It is as
much pity to see a woman weepe,
as it is to see a goose goe bare-
footed.' Withal's Diet. ed. 1634,
p. 579, in Nares.
grace, sb., spirit, power, p. 1, st. 1.
grave, v.a., engrave, cut, p. 73,
1. 91.
gridiron, sb., p. 65, 1. 202, 204.
176
LIST OF WORDS &C.
harbour, $b. (in a garden), p. 140,
1.76.
harlotry, b., p. 122, 1. 132.
harm, sb., evil, p. 13, st. 19.
harp, v.a., play on the harp, p. 39,
1. 179.
hawthorn, adj., p. 52, 1.187; sb.,
p. 123, 1. 177.
heath, *i., p. 131, 1. 30.
heavy, v. n., grow heavy, p.G2, 1.96.
herduian, sb., p. 150.
hereforth, adt., p. 62, 1. 94.
hexist, adj , sp., highest, p. 60, 1. 8,
10.
highly, adv., p. 55, 1. 276.
hive, sb., p. 16, 1.31.
hold, v.a., consider, p. 2, st. 13;
give or have (feasts), p. 3, st. 23.
hore, si., ? sin or filth, p. 71, 1.8;
sin, p. 13, st. 17.
horrid, adj., p. 18, st. 10.
horsehair, sb., p. 75, 1.158.
hostess osteste , si, p. 73.
hypocrisy, p. 148, 1. 372.
icche, v.n., budge, stir, p. 104, 1. 106.
idojt, pp. of dow, to prosper, p. 64.
1. 182.
ifere, adv., together, p. 11, st. 117.
illespyl, si., hedgehog, A.S. \l, igil,
a hedgehog, pylce, a garment of
skin with the hair,
in, prep., on, p. 99, 1. 42.
inspire, v.a., p. 132, 1. 81.
iredi, adj., ready, p. 58, 1. 27.
is, adj., his, p. 2, st. 12.
is, adj., his, for its, p. 9, st. 61.
-is, gen. term., p. 2, st. 13; p. 8,
st. 5, &c.
isee, v.a., see, p. 2, st. 14.
ivy, sb , A.S. ifig, p. 147, 1. 358.
ipej, ? pp. of pe, do, p. 35, 1. 28.
keld, v.n., make cold, p. 149, 1. 1;
become cold, p. 149, st. 7.
kene, v.n., p. 65, 1. 212.
kill, v.a., p. 62, 1. 102.
kind, adj., merciful, p. 132, 1. 85.
kingdom, sb., reign, p. 50, I. 79.
kinriche, sb., holder of a kingdom
or domain, A. S. cynrice, kingdom,
kith, sb., p. 130, 1. 23. '
kithe, v.n., make known, show,
p. 15, 1. 100.
langour, sb., mourning,O.Fr. laigner,
se plaindre, murmurer, p. 125,
1. 53.
lap, v.a., wrap, p. 5, st. 39.
larder, sb., p. 54, 1. 236.
lasse, v.n. ? p. 149, st. 8.
latin, si., p. 1, st. 2 a.
leave, v.n., p. 15, st. 5.
lectern, sb., p. 124, 1. 18.
Ionian, si. (of Christ), p. 21, st. 15.
lest, t.imp., it pleased, p. 146, 1.298.
lewe, adj., glossed debile, p. 149,
st. 6.
lifeday, si., life, p. 50, 1. 93.
like, Proverb, 'ech ping louep his
iliche', p. 109, 1. 66.
liking, adj., pleasant; but ? read
livyng, p. 135, 1. 75.
line, sb. (a red line), p. 89, 1. 98.
lisnisse, si., loosing, remission,
p. 61, 1. 75.
liperhede, sb., wickedness, p. 50,
1. 88.
little, adv., p. 144, 1. 132.
lolich, adv., loathsomely, p. 2, st. 7.
long, phr., ever the longer the
more, p. 35, 1. 33.
long, v.n., belong, p. 143, 1:208.
losed, ? pp., praised, p. 77, 1. 245.
lostles, adj., ? listless, p. 150, st. 11 .
loud lude , adt., p. 4, st. 31.
lowly, adv., p. 142, 1. 161.
lustiness, sb., valour, p. 123, 1. 160.
lusting, sb., (good) desire, p. 18,
st. 8.
LIST OF WORDS &C.
177
lute, sb., (base of little), p. 56, 1.327.
lutles, gen. of lutel, little, p. 81,
1. 396.
lyne, r.w., lie (down), p. 41.
main, si., chance, p. 149, st. 10.
inaner, sb., ? manor, or manoir,
mansion, manor- or dwelling-
house, p. 53, 1. 2CO.
manslajt, sb., murderer, p. 16, 1.35.
match found his match, p. 59,
1.48.
mean, sb., p. 148, 1. 340.
meatless, adj., without food, p. 53,
1. 240.
medel, r.a., mix, p. 131, 1. 35.
mediate, adj., propitious, p. 140,
1. 98.
members, sb.pl., genital organs,
p. 58, 1. 25.
merlyon, sb., a kind of hawk, a
merlin, p. 119, 1. 9, <fec.
merry, adv., p. 159, 1. 100.
mete, adj., bad, p. 29, st. 116. ? A. S.
mate, moderate, little. Piers
Plowman's Crede, 1.85: 'tweye
myteynes as meter', worn out,
worthless.
mighty of for over, p. 99, 1. 47.
mischief, sb., adversity, p. 125, 1.49.
mislere, v.a., misinform, deceive,
p. 57, 1. 6.
inisliving, sb., p. 119, 1. 33.
niok, sb.?, p. 132, 1. 80.
mone, sb., complaint, p. 58, 1. 11.
mont, sb., mountain, p. 10, st. 85.
morality, **., p. 143, 1. 200.
mould, sb., form, shape, p. 152,
st. 11.
mow (corn), v.a., p. 23, st. 11.
much, adj., big (man), p.63, 1.147.
munge, v.a., mention, p. 123, 1.167.
munne, r.a., mind, care for, p. 149,
st. 4.
muntyng, sb., p. 128, 1. 52.
must, pret., could, p. 54, 1. 249.
near nere -, adv., cp., p. 143, 1. 185.
necessity, */., time of need, p. 140,
1. 85.
needs, adv. , of necessity, p. 13,
st. 39.
nigh, prep., p. 58, 1. 21.
nime, r. ., take by a vision, en-
trance, p. 39, 1. 174.
no, con/., nor, p. 2, st. 11.
north, adj., p. 48, 1. 17.
nourish, v.n., be brought up, p. 35,
1. 26.
nurse norice , sb., p. 51, 1. 135.
observance, sb., p. 139, 1. 45.
odour, sb., p. 158.
officer, sb., p. 126, 1. 73.
ofgast, adj., afraid, agast, p. 53,
1.212.
ofsake, v.a., deny, p. 61, 1. 60.
omnipotent, adj., p. 140, 1. 88.
onde, sb., envy, p. 20, 1. 52.
one, phr., make at one, p. 152,
st. 13.
out, adj., outside, p. 145, 1. 267.
outrage, sb., evil deed, p. 50, 1. 95.
outward, adj., p. 147, 1. 356.
overbid, v.a., p. 132, 1. 92.
overtro w, u.a.,know well, p. 55, 1. 292.
palm (of the hand), sb. , p. 77,
1. 232.
pameri, sb., palm branch or staff,
p. 76, 1. 208, 209.
patience, sb., p. 145, 1. 263.
pensiveness, sb., p. 139, 1. 58.
perche, sb., staff, rod, p. 61, 1. 80.
phantasy, sb., p. 134, 1. 30.
pike, sb., prickle, spine, p. 88, 1.47.
pilte, r.M., ? pelt, p. 16, 1. 12.
, put, crucify, p. 14, 1. 56; put,
set, p. 13, 1. 29.
pistel, sb., epistle, p. 130, 1. 1.
in
178
LIST OF WORDS &C.
plainly, arfr., p. 143, 1.201.
play, r. i., amuse, p 51, 1. 150.
plays, sb.pl., games, p. 67, 1.68.
plesaunce, sb., mirth, p. 125, 1.54,
poesy, tli., p. 135, 1. 73.
pofte, v. n , puff, p. 149, st. 7.
pose, gb., ? cold, running at the
nose, p. 37, 1. 92.
poverty, sb., p. 5, st. 41.
powder, sb., ? chalk powder, p. 77,
1. 223.
preach, v.a., preach to, teach, p. 68,
1.90.
present, adj., p. 140, I. 90.
prioress, sb., p. 75, 1. 150.
procnracy, tb., p. 79, 1. 320.
professed, p p., vowed, p. 146, 1.304;
p. 148, 1. 383.
profound, adj., wise, learned, p. 77,
1. 221.
promit, v.a., promise, p. 142, 1.164.
proud, v.n., become proud, show
off, p. 129, 1. 18.
psalter, sb. (sautere), p. 57, 1. 356.
pudri, v.a., stuff, fill, p. 2, st. 7;
p. 159, 1. 110.
quantity, sb., p. 134, 1. 40.
quench, v.a., p. 74, 1. 111.
quittor, gb., p. 75.
rather, adv., formerly, earlier, p. 159,
I. 120.
redress, v.a., p. 131, 1. 56.
regular, adj., nnder religious rule,
p. 142, 1. 172.
reigning, ?sb., kingdom, p. 128, 1.50.
religiously, adv., p. 148, 1. 378.
remedy, tb., p. 136, 1. 111.
reputation, sb. , repute, p. 143,
1. 216.
respond, r.n., p. 135, 1. 81.
revel, v.n., p. 133, 1. 15.
rifedly riuedlich , adv. , p. 15,
1. 103.
roveisoun, tb., p. 80, 1. 348, Fr. Rou-
vaitons, roraisong; Rogations,
temps de prieres; de rogare.
Roquefort.
royalty rialte , p. 135, 1. 8f*.
rudde , r. a. , redden with blood,
p. 75, 1. 172.
rue, r. a., repent, p. 5, st. 37.
run of, for run (or stream) with,
p. 4, st. 29.
sad, adj., serious, religious, p. 143,
1. 194.
sautere, gb., psalter, p. 57, 1. 356.
say, phr., say at one mouth, p. 15,
1. 85.
seed, gb., shed?, p. 33, st. 183.
sceft, sb., creature, p. 24, st. 42.
schindful, adj., disgraceful, p. 57,
1. 366.
schindisse, sb., disgrace, infamy,
p. 57, 1. 365, A.S. scendnyg.
scholar, sb., p. 77, 1. 256.
sed, gb., satiety, A.S. seed, satis-
fied, sated,
seeming, gb., appearance, p. 147,
1. 356.
self, adj., himself, p. 97, 1. 290.
selfwill, sb., p. 143, 1. 195.
serabli, adj., semely, p. 158, 1.65.
sensuality, gb., p. 143, 1. 203.
seraphin, gb.pl., p. 11, st. 149.
serve to, v.n., be of use for, p. 157, 1.47.
set, v.n., fight, p. 56, 1. 310.
set by, v.a., value, care for, p. 144,
1 220; p. 145, 1.287.
sharp, v.n., become sharp, p. 149,
st. 2.
shingle scingle , sb., tile, p. 157,
1.57.
shire, sb., men of a shire, p. 56,
1. 309.
showing, gb., p. 145, 1. 280.
sign, v.a., make a sign (of the cross)
on, p. 72, 1. 66.
LIST OF WORDS o.
179
simony, sb., p. 75, I. 145; p. 122,
1. 134.
sit down al, for to, p 39, 1. 172.
smite, v.a., cut, p. 51, 1. 127.
soler, sb., upper chamber, p. 56,
1. 340.
some, for 'some part', p. 48, 1.31.
sooth, sb., truth, true thing, p. 99,
1.39.
sore, adv., sorely, p. 5, st. 37; p. 4,
st. 28.
sovereign, adj., p. 140, 1. 88.
spene, r., (base of) spend, p. 6,
st. 47.
spill, r.a., lose, waste (time), p. 52,
1. 163.
stead, s6., help, p. 132, 1. 90.
stepmother, sb., p. 45, 1. 88.
stinie, r.a., ? look at, p. 20, st. 5.
stoney, r.n., be astonished, p. 121,
1. 86.
stour, sl>., p. 134, 1. 37.
string, sl>., p. 75, 1. 156.
subject (of a superior), sb., p. 145,
1. 275.
sueven, sb., dream, p. 51, 1. 147;
p. 52, 1. 192.
summer, adj., p. 54, 1. 236.
sure, adj., safe, sound (wine), p. 147,
1.361.
suuel, sb., (soul,) seasoning, p. 23,
st. 23.
sweetheart, sb., p. 51, 1. 142.
swell, v.n., p. part, swolle, p. 123,
1. 162.
swevening, sb.. dream, vision, p. 50,
1. 116.
swilc, con./., such as, like, p.24,st.40.
swondrie, r.n., doze, p. 77, 1. 257.
talking, sb., p. 141, 1. 125.
targe, r.a., tarry, p. 52, 1. 179.
tent, si., attention, heed, p. 118,
1.8.
that there, pron., that, p. 89, 1.82.
the? r.a., pp., ipej, do, p. 35, 1.28.
there, comp.pron., where, in the
places where, p. 139, 1.28; p. 146,
1. 294.
theredown, adv., p. 53, 1. 206.
thick, adr, p. 51, 1. 121.
thorn, sb., thorn-tree, p. 54, 1. 267.
threatening, sb., p. 54, 1. 248.
throuj, sb., coffin, A.S. prA, p. 70,
1. 168.
tit, tyt, happens to, p. 65, 1.219;
p. 44, 1. 58.
to-geanes, prep., against, p. 33,
1. 175.
torment, v.a., p. 75, 1. 170.
toward (and fro ward), adj., good,
p. 146, 1. 315.
travail, r.n., work, p. 52, 1. 163.
tray, v.a., betray, p. 13, st. 41.
tree, sb., wood, p 63, 1. 122.
tresche, sb. (Danse, bal, assemblee;
jeux de baladins"), p. 67, 1. 67.
trespass, sb., outrage, p. 128, 1.51.
trust triste , sb., p. 17, st. 5.
tug out, r.a., p. 149, st. 5.
ulthe, sb. , age, A.S. yldo, age,
p. 90, 1. 6.
underget, r.a., undertake, p. 55,
1. 291 ; get at, find out, p. 66.
undergo, v. a., undertake, p. 55,
1. 280.
university, sb., p. 78.
unlike, adv., unequally, p. 20, 1.55.
unlustily, adr., in an unmanly way,
p. 122, 1. 143.
unordinate, adj., p. 144, 1. 234.
unreasonably, sb., p. 143, 1.202.
nnwinne, sb., distress, A. S. iryw,
joy, p. 21.
unypyned, adj., unpunished, p. 75,
1. 173.
vanity, sb., empty show, p. 2, st.13.
veil, sb., p. 147.
180
LIST OK WORDS &C.
vessel, sb., p. 130, 1. 4.
victory, **., p. 135, 1. 79.
virst, /<., ? drink, satisfaction of
thirst, p. 7, st. 57.
virtue, */>., miracle, p. C>3, 1. 127.
vise, r.fl., devise, p. 133, 1. 14.
wanting, *&., p. 145, 1. 282.
ward, . i., ward, take care of, p 51,
1. 151.
ward, si)., place, p. 146, 1. 312.
warning, **., p. 134, 1. 55.
weave, r.a., pp. iweue, p. 75, 1.156.
wencle, sl>., girl, A. S. icencle, maid,
p 48.
were, sk., care, p. 7, st. 59.
west, adj., p. 49, 1. G2.
what, comp.pron., that which, p 141,
1. 106.
whatlokest, </., cp., soonest, p. 56,
J.315.
while, conj., p. 2, st. 15.
while, adv , formerly, p. 49, 1. 73.
why, sb , the reason why, p. 146,
1. 302.
winter, #!>., year, p. 14, st. 53.
wiste, prd., iwist, pp., watched,
p. 41, 1.38,40.
within, prep., p. 128, 1.45.
witness, u. a. t p. 145, 1. 284.
witty, adj., possessing wits, having
a mind, p. 53, 1. 219.
wlank, adj , A. S. wlanc, lofty,
proud, p. 118.
word, phr. , the last word binds
the tale, p. 6, st. 52.
worthi, r.a, honour, p. 16, 1. 18.
wraxli, v.n. , wrestle, p. 45, 1. 70
(in Coleridge's Gloss, as tcrayH).
wrekke of, v.a., revenge on, p. 4,
' st. 30.
wunienge, tb., dwelling, p. 33, 1.179.
yet, conj., p. 122, 1. 141.
yield, v a., pay back, p. 58, 1.44.
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