Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/earlysouthenglisOOhors TEXTS PREPARING. GENERAL NOTICES. The following Texts are preparing for the Original Series of the Early English Text Society : — Benet, ed. Dr. H. Logeman. •s and Hymns, edited by Dr. F. Holthausen. m the 4 MSS. by Dr. G. Herzfeld. Oott. Jul. E 7, Part IV, ed. Prof. Skeat, Litt.D., LL.D. accessible in English editions, including those of the Vercelli MS., edited Anglo-Saxon and Latin Rul Anglo-Saxon Glosses to T An Anglo-Saxon Mar* - Aelfric’s Metrical T All the Anglo-S' by Prof The ExeP A Par' Th<- ,D. „ms), re-edited from the unique MS. by I. Gollancz, B.A. Cambr. oS. of the Ancren Riwle, ed. Prof. Dr. E. Kolbing. , edited from the MSS. by Dr. P. Kopka. " jcy Cookery-Books, edited from the MSS. by Mr. T. Austin. [At Press. rse Lives of Saints, Standard Collection, from the Harl. MS., ed. Dr. C. Horstmann, j Early English Lives of Saints, ed. Dr. C. Horstmann. j,nd Later Festialls, ab. 1400 and 1440 A.D., ed. Dr. C. Horstmann. Robinson’s Life and Death of Mary Magdalene, ab. 1620 a.d. [At Press- xabeth’s Translations, from Boethius, &o., edited from the unique MS. by Walford D. Selby. [At Press. *rly English Deeds and Documents, from unique MSS., ed. Dr. Lorenz Morsbach. Merlin, Part IV., containing Preface, Index, and Glossary. Edited by H. JB. Wheatley. Beowulf, a critical Text, &c., ed. Prof. Zupitza, Ph.D. Pilgrimage of the Lyf of Manhode, in the Northern Dialect, ed. S. J. Herrtage, B.A. Early English Homilies, 13th century, ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. The Rule of St. Benet: 5 Texts, Anglo-Saxon, Early English, Caxton, &c.., ed. Rev. Dr. R. Morris. A Chronicle of England to 1327 A.D., in Northern verse (42,000 lines), ab. 1350 a.d., edited from the unique Gottingen MS. by M. L. Perrin, B.A. 1 March , 1888. With this, go out four Texts : the two of the Original Series for 1887, — 1. Dr. Horstmann’s re-edition of Henry Bradshaw’s Life of St. Werburghe, a.d. 1521 ; 2. Dr. Horstmann’s edition of the earliest MS. and form of the set of Saints' Lives , &c., containd in the Laud MS. ; 3. the third and last Text for the Extra Series, 1887, The Torrent of Portyn- galc, re-edited by Dr. E. Adam (with Prof. Kolbing’s help) ; 4. the first Text of the Original Series for 1888 : Part I, the text and translation of Dr. Holthausen’s edition of an early treatise on the Vices and Virtues from the Stowe MS. 240, ab. 1200 a.d. The other Original- Series Texts for 1888 will be Mr. Khodes’s re-edition of the Anglo-Saxon Glosses and Latin text of Bede’s Liber Scintillarum, and Mr. Harsley’s edition of Eadwine’s early 12th century Canterbury Psalter , as to which see below. Both these texts are nearly all in type. For the Extra Series, 1888, Bullein’s Dialogue on the Feuer Pestilence , 1567, has been for a long while all in type and revised ; and it will go out as soon as its Editors, Messrs. A. H. and Mark Bullen, allow. The second book for this year will be a new edition of the first English Anatomic of the Body of Man , by Thomas Vicary, Serjeant of the Surgeons, and Chief Surgeon to Henry YI1I, Edward VI, Q. Mary, and Q. Elizabeth, five times Master of the Barber-Surgeons’ Company, and Chief Surgeon to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital after its re- foundation in 1546-7 by Henry VIII. and the City of London. No copy of the first edition of this little book in 1548 is now known ; and therefore the unique copy of it, re-issued by the Surgeons of Bartholomew’s in 1577, has been reprinted. Diligent efforts have been made to secure all accessible details of Vicary’s life in its various aspects of — 1. ‘ a meane practiser at Maidstone’; 2. the head Court-Surgeon for over forty years; 3. a member (1527-62) and Master of the Barber-Surgeons’ Company ; 4. the re-organiser of the recreated Bartholomew’s Hospital ; and 5. a private citizen. But though fair success has attended the searches under sections 2 and 5, little has been attained under 1 ; while for 3 and 4, delay is still needful. 9 Extra Scries Books , 1888. Anglo-Saxon Psalters. Mr. D’Arcy Power lias, by the kind leave of Mr. South’s widow, lent the Society Mr. South’s full extracts from the earliest Minute-Book of the Barber-Surgeons’ Company ; but the Governors of the Company have refused to allow the printing of any of the extracts, inasmuch! ' as Mr. Sidney Young, a member of the Company, has long been compiling its history from its o records, and he does not wish any of these printed before his book is publislit, •which will bo some years hence. With regard to Bartholomew’s Hospital, Part I of its Records is now - printing by two Officers of the Hospital ; and till their First Part is out, the Society’s book cannot be completed. This will therefore be issued in two Parts, of which the first (all now in type) will contain all Yicary’s work, with its many illustrative Documents from the Public Record Office, the Guildhall Records, the Museum MSS., &c., while in Part II will be the Notes, Indexes, and Forewords, with a Life of Yicary. Nearly all the Forewords, save the Bartholomew’s section — the old Surgeon’s life at the Hospital in 1548-62 — are in type. The New Shakspere Society has sold the Early English Text Society the right to print copies of its plates of Edward Vi’s Coronation Procession through the City of London in 1547, and Norden’s Plan of London in 1593 ; and other illustrations will be given. The Editors are the Director, and his son Mr. Percy Furnivall, a student of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. It is hoped that Part I of the book will be ready in May. Mr. Alexander J. Ellis has already in type over two hundred pages of Tart IV of his great work on Early English Pronunciation, dealing with our modern dialects. This will be issued by the Philological and Chaucer Societies jointly with the Early English Text Society ; but the date of publication must depend on the progress of the veiy intricate and laborious work, and the funds of the several Societies. The Part will undoubtedly be finislit this year. Dr. Aldis Wright many years ago undertook the editing of the SIS. Anglo-Saxon Psalters for the Society. As a preliminary, he copied the 12th century (?ab. 1150 a.d. ) Trinity SIS. of Eadwine’s Canterbury Psalter, which has transitional forms like the change of Anglo-Saxon • c to ch ( ivyrehende for A. Sax. wyreende), the weakening of full vowels in the endings, ! scnfullcn for A. Sax. synfxdlan, &c. Dr. Aldis Wright also made notes of all the other Anglo- j Saxon Psalters from the ninth to the twelfth century, and tentatively classified them by the 1 Roman and Galiican versions which they respectively gloss. Meantime Dr. Hy. Sweet edited I the oldest SIS., the Vespasian, in his Oldest English Texts for the Society. The next step 1 should have been to collate six or eight Psalms from all the SISS., and see whether one or ] {at most) two texts, with collations, would not have sufficed for the whole body. But as ' Sir. Harsley, to whom Dr. Aldis Wright kindly handed his whole material, wanted one text { printed forthwith for his Doctor’s Dissertation, leave was given for the late Canterbury Psa ter to go to press ; and now the text of it is all printed. Dr. Logeman then raised the question < of how the other SISS. should be treated ; and he was authorised to prepare a Parallel- | Text edition of the first ten Psalms from all the SISS., to test whether the best way of j printing them would be in one group, or in two — in each case giving parts of all the MSS. on - one page — under their respective Roman and Gallican Latin originals. If collation proves that all the MSS. cannot go together on successive pages, there will be two Parallel-Texts, ( one of the A. Sax. SISS. following the Roman version, and the other, of those glossing the Gallican ; but every effort will be made to get the whole into one Parallel-Text. This Text will be an extravagauce ; but as the Society has not yet committed one in Anglo-Saxon, it will indulge iu one now. And every student will rejoice at having the whole Psalter material before him in the most convenient form. Dr. Logeman and Sir. Harsley will be joint editors of the Parallel-Text. The Early English Psalters are all independent versions, and will follow separately in due course. Anglo-Saxon Psalters. More Money wanted. Saints’ Lives. Through the good offices of Prof. Arber, the books for the Early-English Examinations of 3 University of London will be chosen from the Society’s publications, the Committee ving undertaken to supply such books to students at a large reduction in price. The >fits from these sales will be applied to the Society’s Reprints. The Ayenbite of Inwyt is v reprinting under the supervision of its Editor, Dr. Richard Morris. Members are iuded that fresh Subscribers are always wanted, and that the Committee can at any time, short notice, send to press an additional Thousand Pounds’ worth of work. Our Jubilee Reprint Fund , for which Mr. M. T. Culley of Coupland Castle has sent a Itter of Appeal to every Member, has as yet receivd but little support, tho’ Mr. Mortimer Lrris started it with a cheque for two guineas. Further Donations will be welcome. They (mid be paid to the Honorary Secretary, Mr. W. A. Dalziei, 67 Victoria Road, Finsbury frk, London, N. i The Subscribers to the Original Series must be prepared for the issue of the whole of the jrly English Lives of Saints, under the editorship of Dr. Carl Horstmann. The Society fmot leave out any of them, even though some are dull. In many will be found interesting kidental details of our forefathers’ social state, and all are worthful for the history of our Jiguage. The Lives may be lookt on as the religious romances or story-books of their i’iod. ! The Standard Collection of Saints’ Lives in the Corpus and Ashmole MSS., the Harleian K. 2277, &c. will repeat the Laud set, our No. 87, with additions, and in right order. The Terences between the foundation MS. (the Laud) and its followers are so great, that, to svent quite unwieldy collations, Dr. Horstmann decided that the Laud MS. must be printed ne, as the first of the Series of Saints’ Lives. The Supplementary Lives from the Vernon 1 other MSS. will form one or two separate volumes. The Glossary to the whole set, the leussion of the sources, and of the relation of the MSS. to one another, &c., will be put a final volume. t! When the Saints’ Lives are complete, Trevisa’s englishing of Bartholomoeus de Proprida- \ us Rerum, the mediaeval Cyclopaedia of Science, &c., will be the Society’s next big under- king. Dr. Holthausen has kindly said that he will probably edit it. Before it goes to bss, Prcf. Napier of Oxford has been good enough to promise that he will edit for the piety all the unprinted and other Anglo-Saxon Homilies which are not included in Thorpe’s jition of Aelfric’s prose, 1 Dr. Morris’s of the Blickling Homilies, and Prof. Skeat’s of llfric’s Metrical Homilies. Prof. Kolbing has also undertaken for the Society a Parallel-Text j all the six MSS. of the Ancren Riwle, one of the most important foundation-documents of Irly English. For 1889, Dr. Holthausen’s Part II, the Introduction, Notes, and Glossary to the Stowe B. Vices and Virtues, will probably be ready in January. What other books will follow, ist depend on when any editor of one of the many works in preparation for the Society has art or the whole of it ready for issue. Lists of these Works are on the last page of the iver and the first of this inside quarter-sheet. In case more texts are ready at any time than can be paid for by the current year’s income, ey will be dated the next year, and issued in advanee to such Members as will pay advance bscriptions. Last year’s delay in getting out Texts must not occur again, if it can possibly avoided. i Of these, Mr. Harsley is preparing a new edition, with collations of all the MSS. Many copies of [orpe’s book, not issued by the Aelfrie Society, are still in stock. Of the Vcrcelli Homilies, the Society has bought the copy made by Prof. G. Lattanzi. 4 Other Societies. ShaJcspere Quarto Facsimiles. OTHER SOCIETIES. Wyclif, founded by Dr. Furnivall in 1882, for the printing of all Wyclif’s Latin MSS. Hon. Sec., J. H. Standerwick, General Post Office, London, E.C. One Guinea a year. Chaucer, founded by Dr. Furnivall in 1868, to print all the best Chaucer MSS., &c. Edit A in Chief, F. J. Furnivall. Hon. Sec., W. A. Dalziel, 67, Victoria Road, Finsbury Park, N* Subscription, Two Guineas a year. New Shakspere, founded by Dr. Furnivall in 1873, to promote the intelligent study of Shakspere, and to piint his Works in their original Spelling, with illustrative Treatise J President, Robert Browning. Director, F. J. Furnivall. Hon. Sec., K. Graliame,, 65, Chelsea Gardens, Chelsea Bridge Road, London, S.W. Subscription, One Guinea a year. Ballad, founded by Dr. Furnivall in 1868, to print all Early English MS. Ballads, and reprint the Roxburghe, Bagford, arid other collections of printed Ballads. Editor im Chief, The Rev. J. W. Ebsworth, M.A., F.S.A. Hon. Sec., W. A. Dalziel, 67, Victoria! Road, London, N. One Guinea a year. Shelley, founded by Dr. Furnivall in Dec. 1885, to promote the study of Shelley’s WorksJ reprint his original editions, and procure the acting of his Cenci. Chairman of CommitteA W. M. Rossetti. Hon. Sec., T. J. Wise, 127, Devonshire Road, Holloway, London, 1ST.1 Subscription, One Guinea a year. Browning, founded by Dr. Furnivall r and Miss Hickey in 1881, for the study and discussion of Robert Browning’s Works, print Papers on them, illustrations of them, and to procure 1 the performance of the poet’s plays. President, Dr. Furnivall. Hon. Sec., W. B. Slater, 249, Camden Road, London, N. Subscription, One Guinea a year. Philological, founded in 1842, to investigate the Structure, Affinities, and the History of Languages. Hon. Sec., F. J. Furnivall, 3, St. George’s Sq., Primrose Hill, London, N.W. j One Guinea entrance, and one a year. Parts I., II., and III. of the Society’s English I Dictionary, for which material has been collecting for 30 years, have lately been issued, j edited by Dr. J. A. H. Murray, and publisht by the Clarendon Press, Oxford. Part IV (nearly ready) will complete vol. i. (A-B), and start vol. ii. (C-D). Mr. Henry Bradley is now joint Editor, and has begun vol. iii with E. Wagner, to promote the study of his Musical and other works, and the performance of his Operas at Bayreuth. Hon. Sec. for England, B. L. Mosley, 55, Tavistock Square, j London, W.C. Subscription, Ten Shillings a year. Shakspere Quarto Facsimiles, issued under the superintendence of Dr. Furnivall, 10s. 6 d. each, or 6s. if the whole series of forty-three is taken, edited by F. J. Furnivall, Prof. Dowden, Mr. P. A. Daniel, Mr. H. A. Evans, Mr. Arthur Symons, Mr. T. Tyler, and other Shakspere scholars. B. Quaritch, 15, Piccadilly, London, W. (Thirty-five Fac- similes have been published, and eight more will be ready soon. The Series will be completed in 1888.) $Iti| d l ar ti| 3^it(turi| 01 * fftcs of Saints. BERLIN : NEW YORK: PHILADELPHIA : ASHER & CO., 5, UNTER DEN LINDEN. C. SCRIBNER & CO.; LEYPOLDT & HOLT. J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. THE EARLY SOUTH-ENGLISH 1 1' 0 t n (I a r a itbcs of Saints. I. MS. LAUD, 108, IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY. EDITED BY DR. CARL HORSTMANN. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY BY N. TRUBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL. MDCCCLXXXVII. \\\°\ Aa, ^0.^7 BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY! CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. 231892 Original Series, 87 . R. CLAY AND 30NS> CHAUCER ERESS, BUNGAY. V LIST OF CONTENTS OF LAUD MS. 108 (WITH THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FESTIVALS). 10. 1 SANCTA CRUX : DISCOVERY OF THE CROSS (3 MAY) PAGES 1 EXALTATION OF THE CROSS (l4 SEPT.) ... 12 11. ST. DUNSTAN (l9 MAY) 2 3 19 12. ST. AUSTYN (26 MAY) 24 13. ST. BARNABE (ll JUNE) 26 14. ST. JOHAN BAPTIST (24 JUNE) 29 15. ST. JAMES THE GREAT (25 JULY) ... 33 16. ST. OSWOLD (J)E KING) (5 AUG.) 45 17. ST. EDWARD (THE ELDER) (l3 OCT.) 47 18. ST. FRAUNCEYS (4 OCT.) 53 19. ST. ALBON (22 JUNE) 67 20. ST. WOLSTON (l9 JANUARY) 70 21. ST. MATHEU (21 SEPT.) • « • 77 22. ST. LEGER (2 OCT.) 81 23. ST. FEY (6 OCT.) • • • 83 24. ENDLEUENE j?OUSEND OF VIRGINES (21 OCT.) 86 25. ST. KATERINE (25 NOV.) 92 26. ST. LUCIE (l3 DEC.) 101 27. ST. THOMAS OF CAUNTERBURY (29 DEC.) 3 106 28. PROLOG, $ERES-DAY, T WELF J)E-D A Y, ST . FABIAN AND ST. SEBASTIAN (20 JANUARY) • i * 177 29. ST. ANNEIS (21 JANUARY) ... ... 181 30. ST. VINCENT (22 JANUARY)... ... 184 31. CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL (25 JANUARY) ' ... GO CO 32. ST. BRIDE (l FEBR.) . . . 192 33. ST. AGACE (5 FEBR.) . . . 193 31. ST. SCHOLACE (lO FEBR.) 197 35. PURGATORIUM S^INCTI PATRICII ABBATIS (l7 march) 199 36. ST. BRENDAN (l6 MAY) 4 220 37. ST. NICHOLAS (6 DEC.) ... 240 1 So the number of the MS. A fragment of the Life of Christ, and Infancy of Christ, preeede ; 7 pieces, therefore, must have been lost. 2 This has passages about heriots, a market-woman, &c. 3 This has details of Becket’s Life from independent sources. 4 This embodies part of the story of Siudbad. VI LIST OP CONTENTS OF MS. LAUD 108. PAGES 38. ST. JULIAN J>E CONFESSOR (27 JAN.) 255 ,, „ J)E GUODE HEREBEGER ... 256 39. ST. MARIE EGYPTIANE (9 APRIL) 260 40. ST. CRISTOFRE (25 JULY) ... 271 41. ST. DOMENIC (4 AUG.) 278 42. ST. TEOFLE (4 FEBR. BOLLAND.) 288 43. ST. GEORGE (23 APRIL) 294 44. ST. EADMUND J)E KING (20 NOV.) ... 296 45. ST. MI3HEL (29 SEPT. & 8 MAY) ... 299 46. „ J)E RI^TE PUT, ETC. 1 (2 OCt.) 311 47. ST. CLEMENT (23 NOV.) 322 48. ST. LAURENCE (lO AUG.) 340 49. ST. KENELM (l7 JULY) 2 345 60. ST. GREGORI (l2 MARCH) ... 355 51. ST. CUDBERT (20 MARCH) ... 359 52. ST. MARC (25 APRIL) 362 53. ST. PHELIPE AND ST. JACOB (l MAY) 364 54. ST. JACOB (l MAY) ... 365 55. ST. BARTELMEW (24 AUG.) ... 366 56. ST. THOMAS, APOSTLE (21 DEC.) 376 57. ST. MATHIE (24 FEB.) 389 68. ST. SILUESTRE (31 DEC.) 391 69. ST. EUSTAS (20 SEPT.) 393 60. ST. JOHAN ])E EVANGELIST (27 DEC.) 402 61. ALLE HALEWENE DAY (l NOV.) 418 62. ALLE SOULENE DAY (2 NOV.) 420 63. ST. EADMUND J)E CONFESSOR (l6 NOV.) 431 64. ST. MARTYN (ll NOV.) 449 65. ST. LEONARD (6 NOV.) 456 66. MARIE MAUDELEYN (22 JULY) 462 67. YPOLYT J)E MARTYR (l3 AUG.) 480 APPENDIX (i added at the end by a later hand). 73. ST. BLASE (3 FEBR.) ... 485 74. ST. CEOILIE (22 NOV.) ... 490 1 This contains the boundaries of the shires and bishoprics of England. 2 This treats of the Elements, the Body and Soul, &c., and is of curious interest. It was first printed from Harl. MS. 2277, fol. 127, in Thos. Wright’s Popular Treatises on Science , 1841. Vll INTRODUCTION. In publishing the great South -English Legendary or Festival in verse, 1 one of the most important works of mediaeval literature, I begin with the version of MS. Laud 108. Only a few of these legends have as yet been published separately, mostly from MS. Harleian 2277 — long regarded as the oldest MS. — by H. Black, Thos. Wright, Earle, Cockayne, Morris, and some by Furnivall in his Early English Poems and Lives of Saints (with those of the wicked Birds, Pilate and Judas), Berlin, 1862. The Laud MS. I first described in Leben Jesu, ein Fragment , Munster, 1873. Of the other MSS., I have treated at large in Altengliscke Legenden , Paderborn, 1875, and in Altenglische Legenden , Neue Folge , Heil- bronn, 1881, pp. xliv — lvii. To say more now, to make out the relation of all the MSS., the history of the text, the sources, e ri^'to put (3rd part of St. Michael), Judas and Pilate). MS. Egerton 1993 (c. 1320) has more additions (Old Testament &c., Christmas &c., St. Ailbri^t, Purnele, Eadborw, Botulf, Aeldri of Ely, Mildride, Eg wine), besides those of MS. Ashmole and St. Domenic (also in Laud) ; it begins with St. Andrew, instead of New Year’s Day ; it generally shortens the lines from septenaries to Alexandrine verses, by omitting words and condensing the sentence; so that it is to be regarded as a separate version. MS. Stowe 669 (now in the British Museum, c. 1340) contains only the latter half, from St. Michael, with some new additions (St. Fremund, and a new text of St. Fredeswide), besides those of MS. Ashm., and St. Egwin and Petronelle from MS. Egerton. The later MSS., mostly written at the end of the 14th century, either contain the same set and order as MS. Harl., as MS. Additional 10301 (without the Passion), MS. Trinity Coll., Oxf. 57 (with the Passion ; it adds Birinus), MS. Laud L 70 (same contents as Trim Coll., Oxf.), MS. Tanner 17 (a fragment with the first forty-four legends) ; or follow MS. Ashm., as MS. Cotton Jul. D ix, which, however, iuserts St. Jakes and Birin, and appends, at the end, several of the additions of MS. Egerton (Lt. Eg wine, Ailbri^t) and Harl. (Theophle, fie r^te put), besides St. Siluestre (also in Laud 108), Ignas, Gutlac ; or com- bine the different versions, as MS. Yernon (which contains the texts peculiar to the older versions, besides St. Athelwold, and some new texts), MS. Lambeth 223 (where the Temporale precedes the Saints; it has the texts peculiar to MS. Laud 108), MS. Trin. Coll., Cambr. B 3, 25. MS. Bodley 779, one of the latest MSS., is quite a new version, with a great many new-made additions (mostly Popes’ lives). The Temporale is complete in none of these MSS. ; they either contain the Passion &c., or the Advent and Christmas X THE LAUD MS. 108 IS THE OLDEST MS. cycle, or fragments of the Life of Christ ; it is, however, found complete in a later MS., St. John’s Coll., Cambr. B 6, which only contains the Temporale (without the Saints’ lives), and is the only MS. which has the whole Life of Christ after the gospels. None of all these MSS. gives the original text ; they are all alike corrupted, which proves that the primitive text must lie far back ; for in general, a MS. will be clearer and more correct the nearer it is to the original ; and it will be corrupted in proportion to its remoteness from the first text. The original text will have to be reconstructed, with difficulty, from the older MSS. MS. Laud 108 stands independent from all other MSS. It is the oldest of all existing MSS., and precedes MSS. Harl. and Ashm. by 10 — 20 years, being written about 1280 — 90 : 1 several authorities I have consulted agree with me in that date. It shows the collec- tion still in an unfinished state, in the way of progress, before its completion ; it contains only two-thirds of the items in MS. Harl., and these not strictly in the order of the year, but (it seems) in the order in which they were composed and ready-made. It has some peculiar texts, which differ from MS. Harl., and seem to have belonged to the very first redaction : as, a short prologue, combined with 3eres day and St. Fabian; Conversion of St. Paul 2 ; St. Bride (short text 3 ); St. Silvestre; a different text of St. Maudeleyn, adapt- ed from a very old poem with mid-rhymes 4 ; a fragment of the Life of Christ after the Gospels 5 ; texts which were adopted by some later MSS. (Lambeth, Vernon) instead of the Harleian texts. It frequently preserves the original reading, where all the other MSS. are corrupt, and will, when consulted in cases of difficulty, help us to find the true sense. Yet, though being the oldest MS., it is far from being correct, or from strictly representing the original text : on the contrary, the scribe has frequently expanded the lines by added words and phrases, 1 The Legendary is followed in the same MSS. by Haveloc and King Horn, which, by different hands, are written about 1290. 2 In Harl. the Conversion of St. P. is combined with the legend of St. P. and forms the first part of it (with the same text). 3 It omits the whole account of the miraculous birth, and many miracles. 4 The same text is extant in MS. Lambeth 223, and Trin. Coll., Cam- bridge, R 3, 25. 5 The whole life only exists in MS. St. John’s Coll., Cambr., B 6, with the same text as in Laud. THE LAUD MS. 108. OBJECTIONS TO THE LEGENDS. XI and altered the text on his own account, where the original meaning was perverted or obscured. These alterations are not alike frequent in all parts ; some texts are very nearly correct. The dialect differs in some respects from that in which the original was composed, and which is more properly represented by the Harleian and Ashmole MSS. \ certain words (f. i. eke) are avoided ; we find no instances of v instead of / (as in vur — fire), of u instead of eo, y (as dure instead of deore) ; hi (hy, hii) is replaced by huy and heo. So MS. Laud is not only the oldest MS., but represents a separate version, independent from the generally-received text. For these reasons, it was deemed advisable to have the Laud MS. printed separately as a first text, to be followed by the generally-received text, as represented by MS. Harl. and the other old MSS. Moreover, the Laud various readings are so many, that they would have swelled the notes to a single later text, to double the size. I know most Englishmen consider it not worth while to print all these Legends ; I know they regard them as worthless stuff, without any merit, because they are wholly absorbed in questions of the day, of politics and no end, in the fade poetry of poets laureate and lady authors, which to an intellect of the middle ages would have appeared infinitely more insipid (as turning on momentary interests, the “self” and its lust) than these Legends may appear to the present generation. The English mind is always running into extremes with full steam, with brutal energy, from Popery to “no Popery,” now into the grossest superstition, and again disclaiming and holding in abhorrence what their own fathers revered and held in awe ; it only sees its present objects, and is blind to everything which lies behind or around ; it wants th ejustt milieu, the repose of a contemplative mind, and forgets that in the eyes of eternity every epoch, every faith, has its raison d’etre, and every true poetry its beauty. If the present English public cannot see any merit in these Legends, it does not follow that there is no such merit . 1 To be appreciated, they demand an intellect more robust and sane, a heart more wide and enlarged, 1 Les legendes des saints, pour la plupart, ne sont pas historiques, et neanmoins elles sont merveilleusement instructives pour ce qui tient a la couleur des temps et aux moeurs. — E. Renan, Hist, d' Israel, I. Preface. Xll CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LEGENDS. a mind more truly Christian and less hypocritical than the pre- sent generation is able to supply. They present models of sanc- tity, models of self-abnegation, virginity, meekness and obedience, virtues which are not to the taste of our time. But if the present time does not like this moral, it does not follow that the moral is bad, or worse than our own. They present a different kind of humanity : suffering humanity, which is not the province of “ our conquering heroes.” They represent the Christian mythology, as it had been formed in the course of centuries. Some of them are historical or fixed by tradition, others are the result of fiction, typical of the Christian hero. The style of these legends is, no doubt, coarse and rude to the modern taste ; but it is popular, adapted to the subject, to the public, and to the occasion. The narrative is generally happy and well conducted. Some of the stories are written in a vigorous style, which rises to dramatic force (as Thomas Beket) ; others are full of humour. In others, the legend is the vehicle for scientific digressions (as in St. Kenelm, where a geographic description of England is given ; as in the third part of St. Michael, which treats of the elements, of the body and soul). Everywhere we find dispersed sallies of wit and sarcasm, which spare no class, no sex, not the clergy itself. So the Collec- tion deserves attention, not only from an hagiologic, but also from a poetic and literary point of view. In publishing it, we only pay a just debt to the past. Lastly, I have to thank Dr. Furnivall for the kind interest he has taken in this publication, and for the help he gave me, in adding most of the head-lines. At his request, Mr. ¥m, Bayne wrote the Summary of the Lives prefixed to the Text, as a sub- stitute for the Society’s usual side-notes, for which the long lines of the Legends left no room. Dr. Horstmann. CORRECTIONS. p. 40, v. 216, read ligge instead of li^e (the MS. lias clearly ligge, corrected, but not from li33e). p. 138, v. 1106, read Cicestre instead o/licestre. LIST OF CONTENTS OF TIIE SEVERAL MSS. I. MS. LAUD 108 (c. 1285-95). Oldest MS. State before the completion. The first 7 pieces lost. 8 Life and passion of Christ (fragment of the Temporale) (9 Infancy of Christ, in diff. metre) 10 Sta Crux: Invention, 1 2 3 May, St. Quiriac, 4 May, and Exaltation of the Cross, with miracles, 14 Sept. 11 St. Dunstan (last fol. wanting), 19 May 12 St. Austyn (beg. wanting), 26 May 13 St. Barnabe, li June 14 St. Johan Baptist, 24 June 15 St. James (the Great), 25 July 16 St. Oswold King, 5 Aug. 17 St. Edward (the Elder), 13 Oct. 18 St. Fraunceys, 4 Oct. 19 St. Albon, 22 June 20 St. Wolston, 19 Jan. 21 St. Matheu, 21 Sept. 22 St. Leger (Leodegar), 2 Oct. 23 St. Fey (Fides), 6 Oct. 24 11,000 Yirgines, 21 Oct. 25 St. Katerine, 25 Nov. 26 St. Lucie, 13 Dec. 27 St. Thomas of Caunterbury, 29 Dec. 28 Prolog, $eres-day, Tiuclfpe day, St. Fabian (diff. from Harl.) & Sebas- tian, 20 Jan. 29 St. Anneis, 21 Jan. 30 St. Yincent, 22 Jan. 31 Conversion of St. Paul f 25 Jan. 32 St. Bride, 1 Feb. (short text) 33 St. Agace, 5 Feb. 34 St. Scholace, 10 Feb. 35 Purgatorium Sti Patrieii, 17 March 36 St. Brendan, 16 May 37 St. Nicholas, 6 Dec. 38 St. Julian Conf. 27 Jan. St. Julian J>e guode herebeger 39 St. Marie Egyptiane, 9 April 40 St. Cristofre, 25 July 41 St. Domenic, 4 Aug. 42 St. Teofle, 4 Feb. 3 (without the miracles of our lady) 43 St. George, 23 April 44 St. Eadmund pe King, 20 Nov. 45 St. M^hel, in monte Gargano, 29 Sept. St. Mijhel, in monte Thumba, 16 Oct. 46 St. Michel, J?e ri}te put, &c., 2 Oct. 47 St. Clement, 23 Nov. 48 St. Laurence, 10 Aug. 49 St. Kenelm, 17 July 50 St. Gregori, 12 March 51 St. Cudbert, 20 March 52 St. Marc, 25 April 53 St. Phelipe & Jacob, 1 May 54 St. Jacob, 1 May 55 St. Bartelmew, 24 Aug. 56 St. Thomas ap., 21 Dec. 57 St. Mathie, 24 Feb. 58 St. Silvestre, 31 Dec. 59 St. Eustas, 20 Sept. 60 St. Johan Ev., 27 Dec. 61 Alle halewene day, 1 Nov. 62 Alle soulene day, 2 Nov. 63 St. Eadmund pe Conf., 16 Nov. 64 St. Martyn, 11 Nov. 65 St. Leonard, 6 Nov. 66 St. Marie Maudeleyn (old text), 4 22 July 67 St. Ypolyt pe Martyr, 13 Aug. [Appendix by a later hand : St. Blase St. Cecile, 22 Nov. (St. Alex, in diff. metre ; 1st text, same text in Yern.) 1 The history of the Cross folloics after the Invention, in Harl. it precedes. 2 This is the first part of St. Paul in Harl. (50). 3 a l. 31 January, 13 or 14 Oct. 4 This is a very old poem, originally, it seems, written in 4-linecl stanzas, with mid- rhymes ; the same text, with more mid-rhymes, is extant in MSS. Lambeth (N. 4 ) and Trin. Coll., Cambr. (66). In Laud the old text is frequently spoiled by recent additions. XIV LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. II. a. MS. HARL. 2277 (c. 1300) MS. CORP. CHR. COLL. CBR. 145 (c. 1320) First complete annus festi- vals, in the order of the year. 1 [Prologus 1 2 3 1 Circumcisio domini, 1 Jan. 2 Epiphania domini, 6 Jan. 3 St. Hillarij, 14 Jan. 4 St. Wolstan, 19 Jan. 5 St. Fabiani, 20 Jan. 6 St. Sebastiani, 20 Jan. 7 St. Agnetis, 21 Jan. 8 St. Yincencii, 22 Jan. 9 St. Juliani Conf., 27 Jan. 10 St. Juliani boni hos- pitis, 29 Jan. 11 St. Brigide, 1 Feb. 12 St. Blasii, 3 Feb. 13 St. Agathe, 5 Feb. 14 St. Scolastice, 10 Feb. 15 St. Yalentini, 14 Feb. 16 St. Juliane virg., 16 Feb. 17 St. Mathie ap., 24 Feb. 18 St. Oswaldi Conf., 29 Feb. 19 St. Cedde Conf., 2 March 20 St. Gregorij, 12 March 21 St. Longij, 15 March 22 St. Patrieij, 17 March 23 St. Edwardi juvenis, 18 March 24 St. Cutberti, 20 Mar.] 25 St. Benedicti (beg. wanting in H.), 21 March 26 Annunciation, 25 Mar. 27 Quadragesima (12 vv.) 28 Qualiter debemus jeju- nare (170 vv.) 29 Passio clomini & Pcischci (<& Ascensio & Pente- cost) 3 30 St. Marie Egepciace, 9 April 31 St. Alphegi mart., 19 April b. MS. ASHMOL. 43 (c. 1310) (MS. COTT. JULIUS D • IX), c. 1370 ? Prologus I 1 Circumcision - c S 2 Epiphany N » 5 3 St. Hillary j ^ 4 St. Wolstan (beg. wanting in Ashm.) 5 St. Fabian 6 St. Sebastian 7 St. Anneis 8 St. Vyncent 9 St. Julian pe conf. 10 St. Julian pe gode her- biour 11 St. Bride 12 St. Blase 13 St. Agace 14 St. Scolace 15 St. Yalentyn 16 St. Julian(e) virg. 17 St. Mathi 18 St. Oswald pe biscop 19 St. Chadde 20 St. Gregori Conf. 21 St. Patric 22 St. Edward pe jonge martir 23 St. Cubert 24 St. Benet 25 St. Marie dai in leynte 26 Festen meble 27 Leynte 28 Estur day (= v. 803 — 862 of the Passio in Harl. ) 29 St. Marie egipciake 30 St. Alfe 1 The first 24 are wanting in Harl. 2 In other MSS. it is entitled : Banna, Banna sanctorum, pe Christendom of pe world, pat pe martires ben godes knytes (Vern.). 3 The Passio &c. is omitted in Corp. Chr. Coll., which has only 66 vv. on Pasclia = 803 — 862 in H. LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. XV MS. HARL. continued. 32 St. Georgij mart., 23 April 33 St. Marci Ev., 25 April 34 Letania major et minor 35 Rogaeiones 36 St. Petri fratris, 29 April 37, 38 SS. Philippi & Jacobi, 1 May- 39 Innencio Crucis, 3 May 40 St. Quiriaci, 4 May 41 St. Brendani, 16 May 42 St. Dunstani, 19 May 43 St. Aldelmi, 25 May 44 St. Augustini, 26 May 45 St. Barnabe, 11 June 46 St. Theophili 1 Miracula de sea Maria 47 St. Alboni, 22 June 48 St. Johanis Bapt., 24 June 49 St. Petri ap., 29 June 50 St. Pauli ap. (Com- memoratio), 30 June 51 St. Swithini, 15 July 52 St. Kenelmi regis, 17 July 53 St. Margarete, 20 July 54 St. Magdalene, 22 July 55 St. Cristine, 24 July 56 St. Jacobi ap., 25 July Miracula ejus 57 St. Cristofori, 25 July 58 St. Marthe (end want- ing in Harl.), 29 July 59 St. Oswaldi (wanting in Harl. ), 5 Aug. 60 St. Laurenoi ( beg. want - ing in Harl. ), 10 Aug. 61 Assumpcio Marie, 15 Aug. 62 St. Bartholomei, 24 Aug. 63 St. Egidij, 1 Sept. 64 Exaltacio Crucis, 14 Sept. Miracula eius 65 Mathei Ev., 21 Sept. 66 Michaelis (in monte Gargano), 29 Sept. 67 Michaelis (in monte Thumba), 16 Oct. 1 MS. Teodoli (Index). MS. ASHM. continued. 31 St. Jorge 32 St. Marc 33 Letanye and Roueisouns 34 St. Peres frere pre- eliour 35 St. Phelip & St. Jacob 36 (Legend of the Cross :) Invention Exaltacion St. Quiriac 37 St. Brendan 38 St. Dunston 39 St. Aldelm 40 St. Austyn 41 St. Barnabe 42 St. Ion be holi baptist 43 St. Peter 44 St. Poul 45 St. Swi]nn (om. in Cott. ) 46 St. Kenelm (om. in Cott. ) 47 St. Margarete 48 St. Marie magdaleyn 49 St. Cristine 50 St. Jame be apostle 51 St. Cristofere 52 Seue Sleparis, 27 July 53 St. Laui'ance 54 St. Ipolit \>e martir , 13 Aug. 55 Assuinpcion 56 St. Berthelmeu 57 St. Gilis 58 St. Matheu 59 St. Justine , 7 Oct. 60 St. Michel (first part) MS. STOWE 669 (c. 1340) contains only the latter part. 1 St. Michael (all 3 parts, incl. )>e rijte put) XVI LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. MS. HARL. continued. 68 Natura angelorunn ^ et elementorum "i et nature humane j_ » u - et nature anime | .*r^ (3d part of St. ] o Michael) J ^ 69 St. Jeronymi, 30 Sept. 70 St. Dionisij, 3 Oct. 71 St. Luce, 18 Oct. 72 SS. XI milium vh> ginufn, 21 Oct. 73 SS. Simonis & Jude (end wanting in C.C. C.), 28 Oct. 74 St. Quintini, 1 31 Oct. 75 Omnium Sanctorum, 1 Nov. 76 Omnium animarum, 2 Nov. 77 St. Leonardi, 6 Nov. 78 St. Martini, 11 Nov. 79 St. Eadmundi conf., 16 Nov. 80 St. Eadmundi regis, 20 Nov. 81 St. dementis, 23 Nov. Miracula eius 82 St. Katerine, 25 Nov. 83 St. Andree, 30 Nov. Miracula eius (end wanting in H.) 84 St. Nicholai (beg. want- ing in H. ), 6 Dec. Miracula eius 85 St. Lucie, 13 Dec. 86 St. Thome ap. (beg. wanting in C.C.C.), 21 Dec. i Numbers 74 to 85 are want- ing in C.C.C. MS. ASHM. continued. | 61 St. Jerom 62 St. Liger (= Laud) 63 St. Frances pe frere menour (= Laud) 64 St. Fci (= Laud) 65 St. Denys 66 St. Michel (2nd part = 67 Harl. ) (pe rijte put &c. om.) 67 St. Luc 68 St. Fredeswidc. (in Cott. N. 99), 19 Oct. 69 Ellenejjousend virgines 70 St. Symon & St. Jude 71 St. Quintyn 72 St. Albon (=47 H.) (om. in C.) 73 Alle halwen day 74 Alle soulen day 75 St. Fiestas (shorter text in Ash. ), 20 Sept. 76 St. Leonard (75, 76 transp. in C. ) 77 St. Martin 78 St. Brice , 13 Nov. 79 St. Edmond pe conf. 80 St. Edmond j>e kyng 81 St. Cecile, 22 Nov. 82 St. Clement 83 St. Katerine 84 St. Andreu 85 St. Nycholas 86 Advent (& Life of St. Mary) (om. in C.) 2 87 St. Lucie 88 St. Thomas J>e ap. 2 Ed. in Altengl. Leg. 1875, pp. (34 ff. MS. STOWE continued. 2 St. Jerom 3 St. Leger 4 St. Fraunceys 5 St. Fey 6 St. Dionys 7 St. Luce 8 11,000 virgins 9 St. Simon & St. Jude 10 St. Quin tin 11 Omnium Sanctorum 12 Omnium animarum 13 St. Eustas (longer text) 14 St. Martin 15 St. Brice 16 St. Edmond conf. 17 St. Edmond pe king 18 St. Cecile 19 St. Clement 20 St. Katerine 21 St. Andreas 22 St. Nicolaus 23 St. Lucie 24 St. Thomas ap. 25 Concepcio St. Marie ( J>a - pe prophetes tolder whyle) 26 Nativitas Jhesu Christ (Yre leuedy seide J>a tyme it was) LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. XVII MS. HARL. continued. 87 St. Anastasie, 25 Dec. 88 St. Slephani, 26 Dec. 89 St. JohanisEv., 27 Dec. Miracula eius 90 St. Thome mart. Cant., 29 Dec. 91 & 92 Maledictorum Jude & Pilati (Appended in C.C.C. by a later hand : St. Guthlac 11 April) MS. ASHM. continued. 89 St. Anastace 90 St. Steuene 91 Ion pe eu. 92 St. Oswold be holi kyng (om. in C.) 93 St. Thomas Beket 94 St. Edward pe gode Icyng, 5 Jan., al. 13 Oct. [MS. Cotton Jul. D IX adds after Thomas Beket : 95 St. Eg wine (cf. Egert. ) 96 St. Siluestre (cf: Laud), 31 Dec. 97 St. Ailbriy (cf. Egert. ) (the same text in 72, instead of Albon) 98 St. Ionas, 1 Febr., al. 17 Oct. 99 St. Fridesivithe (Ash. 68 ) 100 pe rijte putte of helle (om. in Ash. ) 101 St. Edward pe gode Tcyng (— Ash. 94) 102 St. Gutlac (append, in Corp. Chr. Coll.) 103 — 106 Miracula Ste. Marie (om. in Ash.) 107 Theofle (om. in Ash.) Cott. adds besides — St. Jakes after Kater- ine 83, 27 Nov. St. Birin, after An- dreu 84, 3 Dec.] MS. STOWE continued. 27 Concepc'io (Wolle 30 nou)>e ) 1 28 St. Stephan 29 St. Johannis ev. 30 St. Thomas Beket 31 St. Egwyn (cf. Eg.) 32 St. Frideswide (text differs from Ash.) 33 St. Fremund (in no other MS.), 11 May 34 St. Petronelle (Eg.) 35 Moyscs de 10 preceptis, imperfect (part of Old Test. ) 1 25-7 are parts of No. 1 in Eg. and Vern. ; 27 contains how that festival was insti- tuted by William the Con- queror. Later MSS. containing the Items of MS. Harl. in the same order : 2 MS. Addit. 10301 (c. 1380), imperfect at the end, from v. 12 of pe rijte put :of helle (3 part of St. Michael) ; it omits the Passion. MS. Trin. Coll., Oxford 57 (c. 1380), wants the first leaves till the middle of iSt. Edward (Harl. 23) ; ends with St. Thomas ap. (omitting Anastasia, Stephan, (Johannes ap., Thomas Beket) ; it has the Passion (but without the first days ! of Passion week) ; Judas and Pilate are inserted after the Passion. It adds Birinus (after Andreas), and (after Katerine) Alexius in different metre (2nd (text ; same text in Laud L 70). MS. Laud L 70, complete; has the. Passion, and Judas and Pilate inserted after the Passion (as in Trin. Coll., Oxf.); it adds (after Katerine) Alexius (same text in Trin. Coll., Oxf.), and Celestyn (diff. metre, ed. Anglia I, 1) ; Birin (after Andreu), In principio in englissh (after Steuene). MS. Tanner, Oxford, 17, a fragment, containing only the first 44 Items of MS. Harl., till St. Austyn, v. 66 ; it has the Passion &c. , but inserts Letania (after the Resurrection), and Judas and Pilate, as in Trin. Coll., Oxf. 2 I have not yet seen MS. Philips 8253 (Cheltenham), which also contains the same collection. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. b XV111 LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. III. MS. EGERTON 1993 (c. 1320), the septenaries mostly shortened to alexandrines ; begins with St. Andrew. 1 a. Old Testament 1 "} . © b. Life of Christ (abr. ) j- § | c. Passion (different from H.) j H a 2 Advent (v. 1 — 278 = Ashm.) & Christmas gospels 2 3 Prologus 4 St. Andreu, 30 Nov. 5 St. Nicholas 6 St. Lucie 7 St. Thomas pe ap. 8 St. Steuene 9 St. Ion Sevang. 10 St. Thomas Beket 11 Jeres day 12 Twelve day 13 St. Hillari 14 St. Wolston 15 St. Fabian 16 St. Sebastian 17 St. Agnes 18 St. Vincent 19 St. Julian pe conf. 20 St. Julian pe gode herbiger 21 St. Bride 22 St. Blase 23 St. Agace 24 St. Scolace 25 St. Valentin 26 St. Juliane 27 St. Mathei 28 St. Oswold 29 St. Chadde 30 St. Gregori 31 St. Longes 32 St. Patrik 33 St. Cutbert 34 St. Benet 35 St. Maridai in lente 36 Festes meble 37 Leinte 38 pe holi feste of Hester 39 St. Marie egipciak 40 St. Alfe 41 St. George 42 St. Marc 43 Letanie 44 pe feste of pe rouisouns 45 St. Peres f>e frere prechour 46 St. Phelip & 47 St. Jacob 48 Legend of the Cross : Invention, Exaltation, & St. Quiriac 49 St. Dunston 50 St. Ailbrijt, 20 May 51 St. Aldelm 52 St. Austin 53 St. Purnele pe holi maide, 31 May 54 St. Barnabe 55 St. Eadborw J)e holi maide, 15 June 56 St. Botulf pe holi monk, 17 June 57 St. Albon 58 St. Aeldri of Eli, 23 June 59 St. Ion pe baptist 60 St. Peter 61 St. Poul 62 St. SwiJ>han 63 St. Mildride pe holi maide, 20 Feb. 64 St. Kenelm 65 St. Margarete 66 St. Mari Magdalein 67 St. Cristine 68 St. Jame pe ap. 69 St. Cristofore 70 Seucn slepares (— Ash.) 71 St. Martha 72 St. Justine (— Ash.) 73 St. Dominic (= Laud) 74 St. Oswald pe holi king 75 St. I auerence 76 St. Ypolit 77 Assuinpcion 78 St. Barthlome 79 St. Giles 80 St. Egwjne, 11 Jan. 81 St. Matheu 82 St. Michel J>e archangel (all 3 parts incl. ])e rijte put, &c.) 83 St. Jerom 84 St. Leger 85 St. Franceis (imperf.) (The rest is wanting in the MS.) 1 It contains: Creation, Adam and Eve, Cayn, Seth, Noe and the Flood, Abraham,, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moises (his birth, exodus, ten commandments, prescriptions, his death), Samson, Saul, David, Salomon, Jeroboam, Elias, Elisaeus, Daniel, and Abacuc. Then follows Zacharias and Elizabeth. 2 Ed. in Altengl. Leg. 1875, p. 65 £f. LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. XIX LATER MSS., COMBINING THE DIFFERENT VERSIONS. 1. MS. VERNON (c. 1380), contains texts from all the older versions. 1 Old Testament & birth &c. of Christ 1 (of. Eg. 1) 2 Prologus ( pat pe martires ben godes knytes) 3 Of }>e nywe $eres day 4 Of pe Epiphanye 5 Of St. Hyller 6 Of St. Wolston 7 Of St. Edward pe kyng (hou willyam pe Bastard conquerede engelond and slow pe false harald) 8 Of St. Fabyan and Sebastian (Laud 9 Of St. Anneys [text) 10 Of St. Vincent 11 Of St. Julyan bon hostel 12 Of St. Blase 13 Of St. Agathe 14 Of St. Scolastica 15 Of St. Valentyn 16 Of St. J uly an (e) virg. 17 Of St. Mathie pe ap. 18 Of St. Longyne 19 Of St. Edward kyng and martir 20 Of St. Cutberth 21 Of St. Benet (different text) 22 Of St. Julyan 23 Of St. Brigide virg. (Laud text) 24 Of St. Oswold (bishop) 25 Of St. Ceadde 26 Of St. Marye Egypcian (& Zozyme) 27 Of pe feste of pe Anunciacioun 28 Of j>e festes pat ben meoble in holi- churche 9 Of lente and of fastynge, of schryft ant hou a man schal schryue hym BO Of be feste of pascha pi Of ]>e ascensioun B2 Of be letanie B3 Passion (= Harl.) 34 Of St. Alphegi 35 Of St. George 36 Of St. Marc be ev. 37 Of St. Petre of precheres ordre 38 Of Sts. Phelip and Jacob apostles 39 hou be holy cros was yfounde 40 Of St. Quiriac ; 3 yt of be cros Miracles of be holy cros 41 Of St. Donston 42 Of St. Aldelm 43 Of St. Austyn 44 Of St. Purnele (= Eg.) 45 Of St. Barnabe be ap. 46 Of St. Edburgh (-Eg.) 47 Of St. Albon 48 Of St. Aelbrith kyng (= Eg.) 49 Of St. Etheldrede virg. (= Eg.) 50 Of St. Botulf{= Eg.) 51 Of St. Patryk (of St. Patrikes pur- gatorie) 52 Of St. Jhon be baptist 53 Of St. Petre be ap., &c. 54 Of St. Poul be ap. 55 Of St. Athelwold, 1 Aug. 56 Of St. Swytheyn 57 Of St. Kenelm kyng and martir (diff. text) 58 Of St. Margarete 59 Of St. Marie Magdeleyn 60 Of St. Mildrcde (-Eg.) 61 Of St. Cristyne 62 Of St. Jame be ap. 63 (Of St. Alex, in diff. metre, 1st text Laud) 64 (Of St. Gregory, in diff. metre) 2 65 Of be scuen Sleperes (= Ash.) 66 Of St. DominiJc 67 Of St. Oswold (king) 68 Of St. Cristofore 69 Of St. Laurence 70 Of St. Ypolite 71 Of be Assumpcioun of vre lady 72 Of St. Bartholomeu be ap. 73 Of St. Gyle 74 Of St. Egwyn (= Eg.) 75 Of St. Matheu ap. and ev. 76 Of St. Michel archangel and b e batayle bytwene St. M. and b e deuel (2 first parts) (pe rijte put om. here, buLfollows in a later part of MS. Vernon) 77 Of St. Jerom 78 Of St. Justync (and St. Ciprian) 79 Of St. Lcger [(= Ash.) 80 Of St. Fraanceys 1 After the Old Testament (= Eg.) follows : b a t alle prophetes prophecieden of Crist, Of be feste of pe concepcion of vre lady, of Joachim and Anna . ., Of be Nativite of vre lady, and hou she was offred in pe temple, hou vre lady ladde heore lyf in pe temple, hou vre lady was wedded to Joseph, de legacione Gabrielis and incarnaeione Ihesu Cristi, hou Joseph wolde ha forsake vre lady, Of pe natiuite of vr lord Ihesu Crist, of his circumcision, hou he was Dffred in pe temple to Symeon, hou he was baptised, of pe sorwe pat vre lady hadde when heo 3ay hir sone on pe cros, hou crist on pe cros bytok hys moder to s. Ion to kepe (cf. the Index). 2 Alexius and Gregorius have nothing to do with the collection ; Gregorius is the mediaeval Gidipus, the offspring of an incestuous love, who married his mother. The poem extant also in MS. Auch. and MS. Cott. Cleop. D IX) was published in Herrig’s Archiv, -1876. b 2 XX LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. 81 Of St. Denys 82 Of St. Luc J>e ev. 83 Of enleuene Jxrasand maydenes 84 Of Sts. Symound and Jude 85 Of alle halewen 86 Of alle soulen day 87 Of St. Martin J)e bysshop 88 Of St. Brys (= Ash.) 89 Of St. Edmund (conf.) 90 Of St. Edmund J>e kyng 91 Of St. Cecile virgyne (— Ash.) 92 Of St. Clement )>e pope and martyr 93 Of St. Kateryne 94 Of St. Andrewe J)e ap. 95 Of St. Nicholas 96 Of St. Lucye 97 Of St. Marthe (and Frontoun) 98 Of St. Thomas ap. 99 Of St. Steuene furste martyr 100 Of St. Ihon pe evang. 101 Of St. Thomas erchebisschop of Canterbury (imperfect at the end) [The following items are only con- tained in the Index, but are lost in the MS. 102 Of St. Siluestre pape 1 03 Of St. Brendan 104 Of St. Leger (!, cf. 79) 105 Of St. Fey 106 Of St. Quintyn 107 Of St. Frepctcyde virgyne 108 Of St. Leonard abbot 109 de Jacobo interciso, 27 Nov. (cf. j Cott. Jul.) 110 Of Kyng Offe, Of Fremund kyng ' ( = MS. Stowe 33) 111 Of kyng Ethelbrylh (= N 48) 112 Of St. Anastase] 2. MS. LAMBETH 223 (c. 1400) containing texts peculiar to Laud and Vernon. (A Temporale) : a Festes meuable : Septuagesima Lenton Aster Holy poresday Letanye 61 Old Testament (cf. Eg., Vern.) 2 Fifteen tokens (from the Life of Christ) 3 Concepcio see Marie (foundation of the day) (= Vern.) 4 Joachim & Anna 1 Vita b. Marie Concepcio Christi I cf. Eg. 1, Natiuitas Ihesu Christi [ Vern. 1. Purificacio b. Marie Pueritia domini j 5 Assumpcio b. Marie (new ; based on the old short-line poem of that name) (Passion omitted) (B Sanctorale) : 1 Banna (Prologue) 2 $eres day 3 Twelve day 4 St. Hillarie 5 St. Wolstan 6 St. Fabian (Laud text) and 7 St. Sebastian 8 St. Agnes 9 St. Vincent 10 St. Poule (Conversio Pauli, Laud text) 11 St. July an conf. 12 St. Julyan herberiour 13 St. Bride (Laud text) 14 St. Blase 15 St. Agas (Scolastica and Valentin om.) 16 St. Juliane 17 St. Mathie ap. 18 St. Oswald 19 St. Chadde 20 St. Gregorye conf. (Longius om.) 21 St. Patryk 22 St. Edward mart. 23 St. Cuthbert 24 St. Benct (short Vern.-t.) 25 St. Marie Egipcian (Alphegi om. ) 26 St. George 27 St. Marke (Petri fratris om.) 28 St. Philip & St. Jacob 29 De cruce : Invencio, & 30 St. Quiriak, & 31 St. Elyn (new) 3 May 32 St. Jon Evang. (= H. 89) 33 St. Brendan 34 St. Dunstan (Aldhelm, Austin om.) 35 St. Barnabe (Theophilus om.) 36 St. Alban (John bapt. om.) 37 St. Petre ap. (Paul, S within om.) LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. XXI 38 St. Kendme (short Vern.-t.) 39 St. Margarete 40 St. Marie Maudelayn (old Laud text) (Cristine om.) 141 St. Jame ap. 42 St. Cristoph(r)e (Martha, Oswald om.) J43 St. Athelwolde (— Vernon) 44 St. JDominik 45 St. Laurence (46 St. Ypolyte <47 St. Bartholmeu (Egidius om.) 48 Exaltacio crucis (with miracles) (49 St. Matlieu ap. 50 St. Migliel (all 3 parts, including Jjc ri$te put) 151 St. Jerome p2 St. Leger 153 St. Fraunces p4 St. Fey p5 St. Denys 56 St. Luke ev. (11,000 virg. om.) 57 St. Symond & St. Jude 58 St. Quintyn 59 Alle halwen day 60 Alle sowlen day 61 St. Leonarde 62 St. Martyu 63 St. Brice (= Ash.) 64 St. Edmond conf. 65 St. Edmond kyng 66 St. (decile (— Ash.) 67 St. Clement 68 St. Eatery ne 09 St. Andrewe 70 St. Nicolas 71 St. Lucie 72 St. Thomas ap. (Anastasie om.) 73 St. Steven 74 St. Thomas Cantuar. 75 St. Siluestre (— Laud) 76 St. Eustas (Judas, Pilate om.) 3. MS. TRIN. COLL., Cambr., R. 3, 25 (c. 1400) (order frequently destroyed in the latter half). I 1 Old Testament, and Salutacio Marie (birth of Christ) j 2 Banna sanctorum (Prologue) 3 3eresday 4 Twelfpe day 5 St. Hillary ; 6 St. Wolston j 7 St. Fabian 8 St. Sebastian 9 St. Agnes 10 St. Vincent [1 St. Julian conf. L2 St. Julian hosp. L3 St. Bryde L4 Candelmasse (new) L5 St. Bles L6 St. Agatha 17 St. Scolace L8 St. Valentyn L9 St. Juliane 20 St. Mathi 21 St. Oswold 22 St. Chadde 23 St. Gregory 24 St. Longius (see 61) 25 St. Cutbert 26 St. Benet 27 Marie day jn pe lente 28 Festes meble [29) Lente 30 Ester 31 St. Marie egypcian 32 St. Alphe 33 St. George 34 St. Mark 35 Letania 36 St. Peres pc frere precliour 37 St. Phelip & St. Jacob 38 St. Dunston 39 St. Aldelme 40 St. Tlieofle (without the miracles of St. Mary, see 97, 103) 41 St. Botolf{= Eg.) 42 St. Kenelm 43 St. Cristofre 44 Seue sleperes (= Ash.) 45 St. Gile 46 St. Martha 47 St. Mychel (all 3 parts, including pe ri^te put) 48 St. Fey 49 St. Denys 50 St. Luc 51 pe holy rode (all parts), & 52 St. Quiriac 53 Assumpcio Marie 54 St. Bartholome 55 St. John Euang. 56 St. Jon Bapt. 57 St. Petir 58 St. Poule 59 St. Ny colas xxii LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. 60 St. Andru 61 St. Longius (repeated, see 24) 62 St. Austyn 63 St. Barnabe 64 St. Albon 65 St. Margaret 66 St. Marie Magdalein (old Laud text) 67 St. Jeme ap. 68 St. Apelwold (see 99 ; cf. Vern.) 69 St. Dominilce 70 St. Laurance 71 St. Ypolyt 72 St. Matheu 73 St. Jerome 74 St. Leger 75 St. Fraunces 76 St. Eustas 77 St. Edmund conf. 78 St. Bryce (= Asli.) 7 9 St. Edmund kyng 80 St. Cristine 81 St. Cecilie (— Ash.) 82 St. Kateryne 83 St. Lucie 84 St. Thomas ap. 85 St. Steuene 86 Innocentes \ 87 Pater domini f parts of Christmas 88 Epiphania i poem in Eg. 2 89 Purijicacio ) 90 Passio & 91 Rcsurrectio 92 XV toknes (= Lamb. Temp. b. 2) 93 St. Thomas Beket 94 St. Brandan 95 St. Patrik 96 St. Edward mart. 97 Miraculum Ste Marie (see 40) 98 St. SwyJ?yn 99 St. Apelwold (repeated from 67) 100 St. Leonard 101 St. Maityn 102 St. Clement 103 2 Miracula de s. Maria (s. 40) 104 St. Frepcswyde (= Ash.) 105 Elleue £>ousend virgines 106 St. Symon & St. Jude 107 St. Quyntyn 108 St. Albryyf (= Eg.) 109 Alle halwene day 110 Alle saulen day 111 St. Beryn 112 Conceptio b. Marie (new) 113 St. Siluester 114 Pater nosier (from the Life of Christ) 115 Judas 116 Pilatus MS. BODL. 779 (XV cent.). Latest Version, containing a great many new additions. 1 St. Brandan 2 St. Pateric 3 St. Cristine 4 St. Os wold pe king 5 3 erus day 6 pe birp of Crist 1 11 7 pe gospel of St. John (In principio ; 8 pe passion of oure lord [new) 9 St. Tomas of Cauntirbery 10 St. Mychel pe arcaungil, 2 parts, (pe ri^t put of helle om. ) 11 Alle halwen day 12 Alle soulen day 13 St. Blase 14 St. Oswold pe bysscliop 15 St. Wolston 16 St. Edeward pe 3 onge king 17 St. Alphe 18 St. Donston 19 St. Aldelme 20 St. Austin 21 St. Kenelme 22 St. Swithin 23 St. Leonard 24 St. Martin 25 St. Edemond pe comfessour 26 St. Edemond pe king 27 St. Clement 28 St. Katerine 29 St. ^alcc pe marter (= Cott. Jul.) 30 St. Andreu 31 St. Ny colas 32 St. Cristofre 33 pe seue sleperis (-— Ash.) 34 St. Felip pe apostil 35 St. Jacob pe apostil 36 St. Poul 37 St. Julian )>e herberger 38 St. Bryde 39 St. Anneys 40 Illary 41 St. Fabyan 42 St. Bastian 43 St. Vincent This is a part of the Christmas poem in Egert. 2, v. 495 — 649. LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. XX11I 44 St. Cotbert 45 St. Benet 46 St. Mariday in lente 47 Descriuing of pe fyue festis (mov.) 48 St.’ Mary gipcien 49 St. Jorge 50 St. J\Iark 51 St. Petir be frere prechour 52 (Of pe holy cross) : pe ginnyng of pe holy rode pe findinge of pe ]>re rod is holy rode-day in somyr 53 St. Julian be conf. 54 St. Gregori 55 St. Laurens 56 St. Ipolit 57 pe (as)sompcion of oure lady 58 St. Birtilmeu3 59 St. Gilis 60 St. Justine (and Ciprian) 61 St. Goodlcic (= Cott. Jul.) 62 St. Eustas and his felawis 63 St. Domenyk 64 St. Matheu 65 pe ascensioun of oure lord 1 66 pe hy 3 e feste of whitsone tyd 1 67 pe feste of corpus day cridy 68 Si. Fraunceys (new text) 69 St. Fey (new text) 70 St. Denys 71 St. Nycasye and his twey felawis , 14 Dec. 72 St. Calston (Calixtus) pepop 14 Oct. 73 St. Vonef rede pe holy vergine, 3 Nov. 74 St. Luuk 75 St. Illarion pe holy monk, 21 Oct. 76 St. Crissaunt and Darye, 25 Oct. 77 Elleue Jjousend uirginis 78 St. Crispin and Crispinyan, 25 Oct. 79 St. Euarist pe pope, 26 Oct. 80 St. Symon and St. Jude 81 St. Firmyn pe bysschop, 25 Sept. 82 St. Vital pe marter, 4 Nov. 83 St. Adelme (84 St. Mergrete pe holy vergyne (old poem in 4 lined stanzas, same text as in Hickes thes. I, 224) 85 St. Oswin pe king, 20 Aug. 86 St. Ihon ])e bapt. 87 St. Ihon and Foul tiocy breperin of Rome, 26 June 88 Si. Lyon (1.1) pe pope pe pnge, 28 June 89 St. Marions (al. Maris) and Ids felawis, 19 Jan. 90 St. Petir be ap. 1 G5-66 are separated from the Passion N. 8. 2 v. 1—110 from Eg. 1 ; v. 110—250 = Eg. 2, 3 = Eg. 2, v. 153—273. * Ed. in Altengl. Leg. 1875. St. Albon St. Illurin (al. Silverius) be pope, 20 June St. Paulin (al. Paul) pe ermytc, 1 5 Jan. St. Siluestir pe pope (new text) St. Remygy pe byschop, 1 Oct. St. Anyceth pe pope, 17 April St. Sother pe pope, 22 April St. Gay (Cajus) pe holy pope, 22 April Si. Emerincianepe holy vergine, 23 Jan. St. Igin (Hyginus) pe pope, 11 Jan. St. Melchiades pepop', 10 Dec. St. Damas pepope, 11 Dec. St. Saturnyn & Cisin II marter us, 29 Nov. pe holy pope Inocent (1 , 402 — 417), 28 July St. Felix (II) be pope, 21 Nov. St. Simplyse and Faustine II marterus , 29 July St. Abdon and Cennen II holy Quart., 30 July St. JerQnan pe holy bysschoj), 26 July St. (A)tlielwold pe bysschop (cf. Yern.) St. Martha pe concepsiun of oure ladi (part St. Lusyje [of Yern. 1) St. Tomas be ap. pe birbe of oure lord ihe.us 2 St. Anastas be verg. St. Steuene St. Ihon be wangelist Of pe holi feste of inocens (diff. metre) St. Mary Maudelen St. Bcrryn pe conf. (= Cott. .1 ul.) St. Anne oure lady modur 3 St. Leger St. Edeward be kyng St. Etheldrede (= Eg.) St. Fryswyde St. Edeborov \ r 3 (= Eg.) St. Quintyn St. Quireak St. Bryse St. Sissile virg. Of BarlaaQn andJosaphatf 27 Nov. St. Myldrede (= Eg.) St. Barnabe St. Pernell (= Eg.) St. Botolfle (= Eg.) -707 (hut only in part). 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 , 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 549—5 XXIV LIST OF CONTENTS OF THE SEVERAL MSS. MSS. containing mere fragments : MS. King’s Coll. Cambr. 15 (c. 1350), contains on the first 48 foil. : St. Marie day in Lente, Festes moouables, Leynte, Passion and Resurrection, Judas, Pilate (same order in MS. Trin. Coll., Oxf.), St. Marie Egipciak, Alphe, George, Dunston, Adelme, Austyn. MS. Addit. 10626 (c. 1380, perhaps written by the scribe of Addit. 10301), 8 foil., contains the latter part of St. Oswold, St. Adelwolde {— Vernon 55), St Egwyn (imperf. at the end), St. Eustas (only the last part), fragment of birth of Christ. MS. Harl. 2250 contains (after a Temporale in different metre): de s. Martino, (Erkenwalde, alliter. poem), de s. Johanne Baptista (including the birth of St. John), de s. Albano, de s. Juliano conf., de s. Juliano hosp., de s. Cruee (with St. Quiriac, and St. Elayne). it is written in the Northern dialect. MS. St. John's Coll. Cambr. B 6, contains only the Temporale , but that complete, and is the only MS. which has it complete. It contains : 1. Old Testament (from Adam to Abacuc). 2. a. Advent and Christmas series : Joachim and Anna, Conception of Mary, her offering, and early life in the Temple, her marriage, Annunciation ; Zacharias and Elizabeth, birth of St. John bapt. ; Mary’s trial before the bishop ; Exiit edictum, birth of Christ, Tebel and Salome, tokens in heaven and earth ; Epiphany ; Purification, Simeon and Anna ; Circum- cision ; Innocentes ; Flight to Egypt (and miracles on the way), return from Egypt ; Jesus teaches in the Temple. b. The whole after-life of Christ after the gospels and Sunday lessons, part of which (from Marc. 7, 31) is extant in the fragment (N. 8) of MS. Laud 108 ; the other MSS. omit all this part. c. Passion, Resurrection, the 10 apparitions, Ascension, Sending of the holy ghost. After which follows St. Longius (in the text of MS. Harl) ; Pilate ( = Harl. ; Judas is om.). Descensus ad inferos (from the Evang. Nicodemi), Destruction of Jerusalem. 3. Festes meble : Septuag., Lentun (Jejunium, Confessio), Ester, Holy pores- day, Letania. Other MSS. contain single pieces : MS. Auchinl. (c. 1300) has : Joachim and Anna and the other Advent stories, imperfect at the end (it breaks off at Joseph be : ng comforted by the angel) ; MS. Cott. Calig. A 2 contains St. Jerom (fol. 135) and St. Eiistas (fol. 137 ; imperf. at the end) ; MS. Harl. 4012 : St. Anna (Joachim & Anna) with different text, and St. Patrik (in which the long lines are formed into half-lines) ; MS. Bedford : b e ri$te put of helle (3rd part of St. Michael), with an introduction; MS. Royal 17 C xvii : St. Mary Egypt, and Magdalen ; MS. Cott. Cleop. D IX : St. John Ev. (only the last 8 vv.), Thomas Beket, Theophle, and Cecile. The first printed text is contained in The historie of that most famous Saint and Soldier of Jesu Christ, St. George of Cappadocie, by Peter Heylyn, 2nd ed. London, 1633, 2 vol., which contains the life of St. George from our Collection. Carl Horstmann. XXV SUMMARY By W. BAYNE (St. Andrew’s University). 1 0. The Holy Bood. The Emperor Constantine sent his mother Helena 1 —19 to Jerusalem to enquire about the Holy rood (5). When she came to Jerusalem, a Jew, named Judas, told her that his grandfather Zachaeus had taken part in burying the rood on the hill of Calvary (24). The queen then announced to the people assembled that they must bring her the rood on penalty of being burned. But they made an outcry, declaring that Judas was really the person to be treated with. Judas was seized by the queen’s orders, and the rest were allowed to go (50). On refusing to give information, he was thrown into prison, and lay there seven days without meat or drink. On the seventh day, forced by hunger, he proceeded to the spot mentioned by his ancestor as the place where the cross lay. When they reached this place they took spade and shovel, and very soon they found three crosses — that on which the Saviour was put to death, 3 and those of the two thieves (73, 76). On their way home, they touched the dead body of a young man with the Holy rood, and he came to life (84). The devil came yelling forth from the body, saying that having overcome through a judas, by a Judas he is overcome. Judas became a Christian, and took the name of Quiriac (113). The queen made a shrine of silver and gold, and precious stones, and placed the rood therein (116). On the hill of Calvary they built a noble church (117). The nails of the cross were miraculously found (124). The Holy rood was found on the 3rd of May, on the day called Holy-rood day. Through a tree were we at first lost, and through a tree were we again brought to life. Adam had one request 5 after he was driven from Paradise, that in due time the Lord might blot out his sins (145). He begged his son Seth that he would go to Paradise, and implore pardon for him (167, 176). Within the walls of Paradise Seth saw a spot with beautiful flowers and all kinds of fruit ; near this was a well, and by it stood the tree which had caused Adam to sin. On the tree he saw a little child : that child was the Son of God (216). An angel took three kernels from the tree, and bade Seth place them under his father’s tongue, and notice what sprang from these after he was buried (217, 220). Adam was buried in the valley of Hebron, and in a few years afterwards three small twigs sprang up. Moses found the three trees when he led the people, through the wilderness (240). They stood there till the time of David, who carried them to Jerusalem, and set them in a reserved place, and 8 built a wall round them (252). When he visited them next day they had grown into one tree — typical of the Trinity (256). King Solomon felled the tree in order to use it at the building of the temple, but it XXvi LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 11. LIFE OF ST. DUNSTAN. PAG was too short (281, 285). It was being used as a bridge, but the queen of Saba prevailed on Solomon to raise it from that position. It was 9 then removed, and buried far from the dwellings of men (300). A beautiful well sprang on the spot (304). After our Lord came to the earth the tree floated, and the Jews used it as the cross on which he was put to death (307, 312). After our Saviour’s death, the cross was buried along with two others, and there lay more than a hundred years (318). The Emperor Constantine saw a vision of a cross in the heavens, on it written the words “with this sign thou shalt be conqueror.” Thereupon he caused a cross to be carried by his troops in place of a banner (345). Saint Quiriac preached the gospel, and the Emperor Julian caused his right hand to be struck off (361). Finding it impossible to overcome the saint, the emperor struck him through the heart with his sword (388). King Chosroes II. took part 13 of the cross to Persia, and there built a tower of precious metals, and set up himself and his son as gods (415, 418). The Emperor Hera- clius completely defeated their army, killing the king, but permitting the son to be baptized (457). The holy rood which he found there he took with him to Jerusalem. When he entered the gate, an angel appeared, and said that our Lord did not come into the city in such pride (487). Then the emperor took off all his rich clothing, and in tears carried the cross into the temple (498). Many miracles were wrought that day through the virtue of the cross ; the dead were brought to life ; the lepers, the palsied, and the blind were healed (513, 516). In the land of Constantine it chanced one day that a Jew smote the rood, whereupon blood sprang out and covered him (524). A cross which belonged to a Christian man in Sicily, having been 16 struck by some Jews, sent forth blood (556). A Jew who had come to Rome blessed himself before he lay down to sleep, and by this act kept off devils, who sought to terrify him in the night (573, 596). A nun, who had begun to eat an herb without blessing it, forthwith became insensible (600). 11. Life of St. Dunstan. Before his birth Dunstan worked miracles, 19 the lights in the church on one occasion having been miraculously put out and lighted while his mother was present (1, 16). In his infancy he was taken to Glastonbury (21). When he reached man- hood he went to his uncle, Aldhelm, Archbishop of Canterbury, by whom he was shortly afterwards presented to King Athelstane (32). From Athelstane and Edmund he received the gift of his place at 20 Glastonbury (40). He built a beautiful abbey, founded an order of black friars, — the first in England, — and assumed the office of abbot (41, 44). King Edwin banished Dunstan, and he lived at the abbey of Saint Amant for a considerable time (59). King Edgar having heard of Dunstan, sent a messenger asking him to return, and he came back to England (70). He was thereafter made Bishop of Worcester (73). He also received the bishopric of London, and the archbishopric of Canterbury (87, 91). He maintained Christianity in 22 England, and defended the rights of the Church (93). Accompanied by Athelwold, Bishop of Winchester, and Oswold, Bishop of Wor- cester, he made journeys through the dioceses, and put worthy men in the places of the incompetent and sinful (102). Our Lord gave Dunstan so much grace on earth that he had a vision of his father and mother in the joy of heaven (111). On another occasion he had a vision of heaven, and heard angels sing (119). He loved the harp, and was wont to have it played to cheer him. One day the harp LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 12. ST. AUGUSTINE. .5. JAMES. XXV11 began to play of its own accord, uttering words to tbe effect that they were kings, indeed, who shed their blood for the love of Christ (135, 140). After a long life, Dunstan passed away in peace, having blessed his servants, his friends, and his brethren (148, 160). 12. St. Augustine. Pope Gregory had great love for England, and 24—26 would have gone thither to preach had it not been for his cardinals (8). He then sent Augustine with forty monks. This happened five hundred years after the birth of Christ (12). They sent a message to Ethelbert, that they brought great riches to England. The king met Augustine at the Isle of Thanet (37). The monks carried before them a silver image of the Lord. The king received them kindly, and they told him their errand — the preaching of Christianity. Augustine proclaimed God’s love to every one. The monks continued to preach at Dover, turning many to Christianity (69, 74). The king was con- verted, and Augustine was made first Archbishop of Canterbury (79). 26 St. Augustine’s day is towards the end of May ; it was on this day he died (83). 1 3. St. Barnabas. St. Barnabas preached Christianity with the Apos- 26 — 29 ties; he forsook all bis possessions, and he suffered martyrdom (5, 10). He visited Cyprus, and there excited wonder by the acuteness of his 28 arguments (21, 25). He put down a shameless orgie in the island (47). A holy man, named Timon, he cured of fever, through placing upon him a copy of St. Matthew’s Gospel (55). Many other cures he effected in the same way (65). He went further into the country, turning many to Christianity, and performing miracles (72, 75). A Jew, named Baren, persecuted Paul and Barnabas untiringly, and tried every means to make them deny their faith. At length Bar- nabas was seized, and led to Borne ; a rope was tied round his neck, 29 and he was burned to death (89, 91). His bones were cast into the sea, but some Christians gathered them together, and buried them with great honour (97, 98). 14. John the Baptist. We read of no miracles by John the Baptist 29 — 33 (4). John having charged Herod with the sin of adultery, was cast into prison and beheaded (40). This happened in the castle of Arabie 30 (45). His disciples buried the body in a beautiful spot (48). Herod’s sinful queen having seen the risen Baptist swooned to death ; her daughter, too, perished miserably (55, 61). Many miracles were per- formed through the dead body of the Baptist. The Emperor Julian, having heard of these miracles, cast the bones in different places ; yet many sick men who came nigh to any of them were healed (69, 76). The bones were then burned, and the dust was thrown to the wind ; but no fire could burn the finger with which the Baptist pointed to our Lord when he said, “ Behold the Lamb of God ” (83, 89). Abbot Marcel was miraculously directed to the place where the Baptist’s 33 head and this finger were concealed, and they were exhumed by the Bishop Julian (129). The day on which they were found, St. John’s day in harvest, is held throughout the Church in honour of his martyrdom (134). 15. James. St. James, the cousin of our Lord, was of noble family (4). 33 — 45 He preached in Samaria and Judah, and converted many (8). His 34 fame reached Prince Hermogines, an enchanter wbo worked miracles through the power of the devil. One of this man’s disciples, named Philet, tried to overcome the saint, but was defeated (18). Philet then became a follower of the apostle. Hermogines summoned a troop of devils to torment the apostle, but they were encountered by XXV111 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 16. OSWOLD. 17. EDWARD. 18. FRANCIS. PAGES angels, who "bound and burned them (44, 56). On being released they bound Hermogines, and dragged him to Saint James (79). The saint, however, returned good for evil (95). Hermogines w r as bap- tized and became a holy man (109). Abiathar, a judge, was jealous of the apostle’s power, and caused him to be brought to Herod, with a rope tied round his neck; Herod ordered him to be beheaded (115). 37 On the way to execution the saint healed a man afflicted with palsy, and the executioner in fear begged for mercy, and was baptized (121). Both were then beheaded, on St. Mary’s day in Lent (122). St. James’s disciples carried away his body secretly out of the country in a ship (129). The disciples having been imprisoned by the king of Spain, an angel broke open the prison (151). The queen became a Christian, convinced by the miraculous powers of the disciples (194). The body of the apostle was buried in the palace ; the queen built a noble church, and endowed it with large treasure (196). It became a great house of canons, and a place of pilgrimage (200). It is recorded that the saint miraculously brought the dead body of a pilgrim to the shrine (230). It is related, too, that a father and son, who were pilgrims, were condemned to death on a false charge of theft, and that the son, although he hung thirty-six days upon the tree, was yet preserved through the power of St. James (258, 290). A young man of the city of Lyons, who had first mutilated and then killed himself, was restored to life (378). 16. Oswold. St. Osw old was king of Northumberland ; he upheld the 45 — 40 law of Christianity with all his power (4). At his request Aidan came from Scotland to preach, and was appointed bishop (9, 13). The pagan tribes invaded his territory, and Oswold was killed in battle near Mansfield (33). He was thirty years of age when he died (41). 17. Edward. King Edward of England was hated by his step-mother, 47 — 51 who favoured her own son iEthelred (6). He was of mild disposition, chaste, and w T ise in counsel (16). He was much loved by Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury (19). The queen conspired with some of 47 the ministers against him, and after a reign of three years and eight days he was murdered (40). On a visit to his brother at Corf Castle he was met by the queen and a retinue, and stabbed by one of the attendants (45, 78). .ZEthelred was then made king (91). Among the nobility this was received with favour, but the common people lamented the death of Edward (94). The king’s body, which was dis- covered by means of a pillar of light, was buried at Wareham (114). 50 A chapel was built on the spot, and a well of miraculous virtue was called after his name (121). A noble earl, named Alfey, having heard of the miracles that attended the dead body of Edward, sent messen- gers to some of the leading men in the Church, proposing its removal from Wareham (138). This was carried out, and many miracles attended the removal (155). The queen, in regret for her misdeeds against the dead king, did penance, and at last fully repented (175). The body was carried to the abbey of Shaftesbury, and was placed to the north of the high altar, close to the wall (179). Twenty-one years later King Edward appeared in a vision to the abbess of the house, and asked that he might be enshrined. 18. Francis. Francis was a merchant in his youth, and he spent 53 — ( much money on behalf of the poor (4). By chance one day he met a knight who had been rich, but was now poor ; to him he gave his clothes (11). One day, outside the city of Assisi, Francis was asked for charity by a leper; he gave him money and comforted him (39). LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 19. ALBAN. 20. WOLSTON. XXIX Near tlic church, of St. Damian he was exhorted in a vision to prop it up in ease it fell. He was thought mad by the people, and was ill- 54 treated. His father beat him, and sent him to herd cattle (80). He went, forth from his father’s house, begging his bread from door to door. He carried mortar to rebuild St. Damian’s church (128). He there began the order of begging friars (138). Bernard, a scholar, was the first to join him (154). Other six followed shortly (176). He went to Rome to get his order confirmed by the Pope. Pie and his 60 brethren went forth into the world and preached (212). They came to great need, but were succoured by an angel (218). His flesh he called “Friar Ass,” and a lazy man he named “Friar Flie” (252, 256). He had a great love for lambs (297). On one occasion the birds paid him honour; he then preached to them (349, 362). Francis often reflected on Christ’s sufferings, and at last he had a vision of the crucified Lord (370, 400). He received the marks of the Crucified on Mount Alverno (408). Cattle were cured by the water in which he washed himself (425). Francis lived in his order for twenty years, 66 and for two years and three weeks he bore the marks of our Lord’s wounds (430). When death came upon him, with his last breath he gave out a psalm. He died in the year 1200 A.D., on a Saturday night (452). 19. Alban. St. Alban was a heathen in his youth, but was converted 67 — 70 (3). During the rule of Diocletian and Maximian, one of the Roman governors in England was carrying out a persecution of the Chris- tians ; some of the soldiers came to make enquiries at Alban’s house (11, 21). Having confessed himself a Christian, Alban was seized, 68 and brought before the governor, who threatened him with torture (40). He was stripped naked, and scourged, but was still undaunted (47, 52). He was then led outside the town to execution. He crossed a stream on the way as if on dry land (67). The leader of the soldiers threw down his sword and begged for mercy (74). Having expressed his belief in God, he was martyred along with Alban (94). The executioner’s eyes fell out after the deed (97). The martyrdom took 70 place near the town of Widincester (102). A church and abbey were built on the spot, and called St. Alban’s (103). 20. Wolston. St. Wolston, Bishop of Worcester, was a holy man all 70 — 77 his life (2). He became priest, then monk, at Worcester, and was 71 distinguished for the zeal of his fasting and prayer (8, 12). He was made prior against his wish (24). He ruled the convent justly, and gained the esteem of all good men. He miraculously saved the life of a man who had a dangerous fall (31). He was chosen Bishop of Worcester by King Edward (52). After the English were defeated at 73 Hastings, Wolston resisted William boldly (103, 105). The king feared his power, and threatened to depose him. They met at West- minster (108). The king and the Archbishop of Canterbury declared that his arrogance could no longer be tolerated ; Wolston replied mildly, and agreed to their wish that he should resign (119, 125). His crosier miraculously stuck in the marble of Edward’s tomb, and Wolston accepted this as a sign that the dignity could only be given up to its donor (143). The people were astonished at the miracle ; no one was strong enough to draw out the crosier (152). The king and the archbishop craved permission to amend their mistake, and begged him to receive again his crosier as being most worthy (172). Wolston complied, and drew out his crosier from the marble with ease (182). He died at the age of eighty, and was buried at Worcester (230). XXX LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 21. MATHEW. 24. THE 11,000 VIRGINS. PAGES 21. Mathew. Mathew, after being called by Christ, went into Ethiopia 77 — 81 to preach (17). He found there two heathen preachers and enchanters, 78 who sent dragons against him (29). Mathew drove the dragons out of the land for ever (43). He continued to preach ; he raised the king’s son to life, and prevailed on the king and his family to become Christians (67). He expelled the two sorcerers from the country (71). The king’s daughter he encouraged to lead a holy life ; and though she was asked in marriage by a king, he persuaded her to lead a life of chastity (101). The king vowed that he would kill Mathew, but the saint flinched not in his preaching (113). But he was at last slain 81 by one of the king’s men (119). The fire kindled to destroy the chaste maiden burned her persecutor’s palace instead (128). The king became a leper, and killed himself, and the brother of the maiden reigned in his place, he being also a Christian (144). 22. Leger. St. Leger while a bishop was seized by a governor named 81 — 83 Ebrom, and commanded to give up his faith in Christ, and when he refused his eyes were put out (3, 8). Still he preached Christianity 82 the more ; even when they cut out his tongue, he was miraculously enabled to speak (17). They then resolved to behead him ; but one of the four executioners having struck off the saint’s head, a fire burned him to ashes (33). The saint’s body was decently buried (37). Two years afterwards the governor sent a knight to visit the tomb ; this messenger having declared that dead men could do no miracles, was straightway strangled by devils (39, 47). The governor himself was slain shortly afterwards (49). 23. St. Faith. St. Faith became a Christian in her childhood (2). Dur- 83 — 86 ing the persecution of Dacian, one of Diocletian’s lieutenants, she was seized and tortured (22). Her steadfastness impressed the governor, and he endeavoured to turn her from her belief ; but his arguments 84 were in vain (43, 49). He ordered her to be laid on a fiery bed of brass, but still she remained firm (67). Among the Christians who had fled from the persecutors was a man named Capras, who lay con- cealed in a rock near the scene of Faith’s martyrdom. This man saw the vision of a dove come from heaven and place a crown of gold on the head of Faith, and with its wings drive off the flames from her body (81, 84). Capras thereupon came boldly from his hiding-place, and openly declared his Christian faith (89). Two brothers, Fabrician and Prime, followed his example (97). All were beheaded by Dacian’s orders (100). They were buried at night by Christian men with great honour (109). 24. The Eleven Thousand Virgins. A king of Britain, named Maur, 86 — 92 had a daughter Ourse, whose fame was great (4). A heathen king asked her in marriage for his son, and threatened that unless his request was agreed to, he would destroy the king of Britain and all his possessions (15). An angel in a vision urged Ourse to ask delay of the marriage for three years, and that she should during that time have ten maids of honour in her bower ; that each of these also should be asked to find a thousand maidens to honour her maidenhood and theirs (38). For love of her the king’s son allowed himself to be 88 baptized, and through his father’s help, and otherwise, brought her eleven thousand maidens (54, 56). Her father built a large ship for her, and she and her companions went on a voyage of three years (68). They were driven to the city of Cologne, and an angel foretold to Ourse that she would there be martyred (74, 75). Thence they went to Borne, and were joyfully welcomed by the Pope; they LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 25. KATHERINE. 27. THOMAS A BEKET. XXXI remained there for a year and four weeks, and then the Pope went forth with them (89, 94). The princes Maximian and Arian asked the prince of Cologne to slay Ourse and all her companions. Her sweetheart, with his mother and youngest sister, joined her at Cologne (109). On the arrival of Ourse and her companions, they were 90 shamelessly killed by the prince, Ourse being shot (127, 137). The young king, his mother, and sister, and the pope Cyriac shared their fate (139). All were buried in a nunnery at Cologne (148). A miracle followed the burial of one of the virgins (155). 25. Katherine. St. Katherine was of noble birth, her father and 92 — 100 mother being king and queen (1, 2). The Emperor Maxentius having assembled all his princes at Alexandria to offer sacrifices to the heathen gods, was remonstrated with by Katherine for his wor- ship of idols (14). After the sacrifices were performed, Maxentius took his place on the throne and endeavoured to defend idol- worship (31). Katherine’s reasoning, however, was so acute that he failed to answer her (61). Fifty wise men, whom he summoned, were equally 96 unsuccessful (145). They were converted, and suffered martyrdom (145). The emperor failed to persuade her to abandon her faith by promises of great earthly honours ; she was then scourged and im- prisoned (170). The empress and Sir Porphyry visited her in prison, and were converted (185). Katherine was placed on wheels to be 98 tortured, but an angel shattered them (222, 228). She was asked by the emperor to become his wife, but refused, and shortly afterwards was beheaded (290). Her death took place in the year 320 A.D. 26. Ltjcy. St. Lucy was born in Sicily; her mother’s name was Eunice 101 — 106 (3). When young she became a Christian, and on a certain day took her mother, who was ill, to the tomb of St. Agace (24). There her mother was cured, and became a Christian (57). Lucy was brought 103 before the judge Paxasius, and ordered to revoke her faith ; and because she remained steadfast, was sent to a brothel (75, 95). But they were unable to move her from the place (108). Clerks and conjurers tried to defeat her in vain (127). A fire kindled round her by her persecutors did not harm her (141). Her throat was cut, but she still preached of Jesus Christ (154). She took the sacrament, and died at the last word of the orisons (171). 27. Thomas a Beket. Of what manner of people his father and 106 — 177 mother were. Thomas a Beket was born in London ; his father’s name was Gilbert, and his mother was a heathen (1, 4). Gilbert Beket having gone on a pilgrimage to Palestine, was taken prisoner by the Saracens, and put in the admiral’s prison. The admiral’s 107 daughter loved Gilbert, and declared that she would forsake paganism for his sake (34). After two and a half years’ captivity, he and his companions made their escape (44). The admiral’s daughter followed Gilbert Beket to London, and came to his house, where she fainted with joy on finding him (50, 84). Gilbert told the story to some of the bishops, and the Bishop of Winchester urged that he should marry her (110). At St. Paul’s church she declared that she would forsake HO her religion if she were made Gilbert’s wife : they were accordingly married (136). Her name was Alexandra (141). With his wife’s consent Gilbert went on a second pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and remained three and a half years (182). On his return he found his wife and young son well (190). Here begins tiie life of St. Thomas, Archbishop of Canter- bury. Early in life St. Thomas became archdeacon to the Archbishop XXX11 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 27. THOMAS A BEKET. of Canterbury (228). King Henry, baying beard of bis fame, made 113 bim chancellor (241). He looked much to worldly splendour; the reins, bit, stirrups, and spurs of bis horse were of silver ; be bunted with hawk and bound, and seemed vainglorious (250). But be was not so in reality ; be was chaste, an enthusiast on behalf of the Church and of the poor (253). He was greatly trusted by the king, who made bim tutor to bis son (267). He became the most influential man in the kingdom, and was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury (278). At the age of forty-four be was appointed the king’s chancellor (287). Shortly after this be was consecrated archbishop (301). He then 115 changed bis manner of life, wore a hair-shirt, and underwent penance and fasting (315). The king, on his return from Normandy, was met by Beket at Southampton. A dispute arose between them regarding vacant bishoprics, and Beket found that the interests of the Church and the king were different (345, 369). Soon they had a quarrel regarding a tax, which Beket opposed on behalf of the poor (392). This resulted in Beket’s resignation of the chancellorship (411). A priest who had killed a man was simply asked by Beket to undergo penance ; thereupon the king summoned the bishops to discuss the matter (437). Beket defended the Church’s rights, putting it above the law (453). The king left London in wrath (497). Beket did all in his power to conciliate him at Oxford, but was told that he must obey the laws (517). At a Parliament at Clarendon Beket declared 122 that he desired only the Church’s rights, nothing more (533). He obtained the privilege of examining the old customary laws of Eng- land. Three of these he agreed to ; from ten he dissented (555, 600). Thomas took his transcript of these, and returned sorrowfully to Winchester (632). Afterwards his grief became very great, and he feared that God had forsaken him (645, 661). He resolved to visit the Pope, and ask absolution (664). He set sail from England, but his ship was driven back to land, where he was joyfully welcomed by the people (681, 696). The king sent men to seize his lands and his bishopric (705). Beket visited the king at Woodstock, hoping to find him more favourably disposed (712). The Archbishop of York tried to mediate, but the king declared that he would abide by the statutes of Clarendon (725). Beket was then summoned to Northampton to 129 have his case heard (744). He was condemned as owing the king money from his chancellorship ; but fifty good men paid £100 each on his behalf (811). The king demanded in addition £30,000 as profits from bishoprics, etc. The bishops did not agree in regard to the case (854, 884). A brief respite was granted Beket (886). He fell ill, and after some days was urged by the bishops to submit to the king (900, 913). Only the bishops of Winchester and Salisbury remained loyal to him (937). Beket sang mass, “Princes also did sit and speak against me; but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes,” and prepared to meet his enemies (939). He entered the court in his vestments, and roused the king's wrath by what seemed his arrogance (976). The bishops forsook Beket as a traitor, and declared that he must give account to the Pope (1017). Beket himself preferred this mode of stating his plea (1039). Accompanied only by a friar of 137 Semplingham, he set out to leave England (1091). The king sent many of the leading bishops to give his own version of the dispute (1096). Beket travelled to Lincoln, thence to the hermitage of Semplingham (1122). At Semplingham he remained seven nights, and then was rowed to Gravening in Flanders (1141). He travelled LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 27. THOMAS A BEKET. XXX11I on foot in order to escape recognition ; he pursued his journey travel- stained and weary (1157). He called himself by the name of “Friar Christian,” but he was recognized in one house (1170, 1206). He took refuge in the abbey of St. Bertin (1215). Deputies were sent by 141 Henr 5 T to the king of France, asking that he should not be allowed to remain in France (1218). Beket also sent messengers, but the king of France proposed that the matter should be referred to the Pope (1238). The messengers accordingly went to Borne, and were received with sympathy by the Pope (1244, 1253). The Bishop of London and others, and the Earl of Arundel, spoke on behalf of Henry, but the Pope declared that he must hear Beket himself (1348). Beket left the abbey of St. Bertin, and went into France, where he was received kindly by the king, and given a guard to Borne (1 355). The Pope was moved to tears by Beket’s defence, and reinstated him in the arch- bishoprip which he had resigned (1429). He was sent to Pontigni for a time, and underwent penance. Henry banished all Beket’s kindred from England, and ordered that no prayers were to be said for him (1457, 1473). He forced the Cistercian monks of Pontigni to dismiss Beket (1511). King Lewis of France still remained the archbishop’s friend (1529). From Pontigni Beket went to Sens, after having seen a vision of his coming martyrdom (1549). King Henry 151 visited France, and at a conference (at Gisors) Lewis tried to reconcile them, but as a result of it withdrew his support from Beket (1559, 1609). His kindred were in great fear of evil consequences, but he bade them be of good cheer, though he expected to be also banished from France (1629). A messenger came from King Lewis, however, assuring him that he repented of what he said at the conference, and that he would still give Beket his assistance (1657). But a second conference between the archbishop and Henry, at Momartre, was equally fruitless (1671). Henry returned to England, where he had his son crowned by the Archbishop of York (1703). The Pope 155 excommunicated England (1711). The king of France still pursued his plan of conciliation, and at length, for a time, Henry and Beket were friendly, but the dispute was renewed because the king refused to restore some Church lands (1720). Beket returned to England, 157 but was warned that this might be dangerous (1761, 1772). Knights were lying in wait to murder him at Dover (1795). They accused him, when he arrived at Sandwich, of hostility to England (1823). On the morning after his arrival in England, he went to Canterbury (1843). He had not been long at his palace when the knights came to hear his opinion further regarding the law of excommunication; they went forth in wrath because he refused to withdraw it (1876). The Archbishop of York resolved to oppose him (1883). King Henry, 161 in Normandy, cursed all who did not rid him of Beket; four knights conspired to carry out the murder (1905, 1915). On midwinter day Beket preached his last sermon at Canterbury, excommunicating ail who were opposed to the Church’s rights (1931). At Christmas he performed a miracle (1955). The knights who were to murder him, having been joined by Bandolf de Broke, came to Canterbury and urged Beket to submit to the king, and to absolve the excommunicated bishops (1977, 2001). They put on their arms and threatened him; but, cross in hand, Beket boldly withstood them, and prayed for Lloly Church (2049, 2069). He was struck on the head, and one of the 167 blows dashed out his brains (2121). The blood that flowed from' the wounds formed a diadem. His charters and other private papers they LEGENDS OF SAINTS. C FACES XXxiv LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 28. FABIAN & SEBASTIAN*. 30. ST. VINCENT. plundered, and sent to the king (2154). There was great mourning among the people at Beket’s death ; his body was privately buried in Canterbury Cathedral by the canons (2173). His body was found to be worn by penance, his flesh being full of worms (2205). King Henry was much grieved at the tidings of his death, and shut himself up for forty days (2226). He was absolved by the Pope, and under- went penance (2257). The murderers died repentant (2375). Beket’s body was enshrined at Canterbury in the time of Henry III. (2441). Tuesday is Beket’s day, because of the events that befell him on that day (2469). 28. Fabian and Sebastian (Prologue). Fabian was twenty-nine years 177 — and thirty days old when he was baptized by St. John (12). Twelve months after his baptism happened our Lord’s miracle of turning water into wine (15). St. Fabian was thirty years Pope in Borne during the rule of Decius, in whose time he suffered martyrdom (23, 25). Life of St. Sebastian. Sebastian faithfully served Diocletian (2). 178— He sympathized with the Christians, and administered comfort to any one who was brought to death (10). Marcus and Marcellian were nailed fast to a pillar till they fainted ; Sebastian was arrested on suspicion of encouraging them (25). He openly declared his hope that the false religion would decay, and enraged the emperor (37). He was ordered to be led to the stake, where he was shot at by 179 archers till he was left for dead (50). His unburied body was found at night without a wound (56). He went to the emperor, and pointed out the folly of the attempt to slay him (58). He was seized and taken to the palace, and beaten to death secretly (77). His body was buried by a Christian woman (88). 29. Life of St. Agnes. St. Agnes began when very young to serve 181- God. She was only thirteen when she was put to death for the love of Christ (3, 4). There was no one so beautiful in Borne, and one of the constables endeavoured to seduce her (9). He offered her wealth if she would become his mistress, but she replied that she was the spouse of Christ (25). The constable brought her before all the city, and stripped her naked, in order to cause her shame ; but her hair shielded her body from sight. She was then put in a brothel, but no one could see her -because of a bright light in the house (56). When the constable visited her he fell dead in a swoon, and all his com- panions with him (76, 80). Agnes prayed for his recovery, and the j dead man was restored to life (97). A groat fire was kindled to burn St. Agnes, but it burned the onlookers instead (113). She prayed, and the fire became cold as a stone (120). Then she received a mortal thrust from a sword (123). 30. Life of St. Vincent the Martyr. St. Vincent told his bishop, 184- who was afraid of death because of his profession of Christianity, to speak boldly even unto death (9, 12). Vincent was seized by order J85 of Dacian, bound to a pillar, and beaten with staves and scourges till he w T as grievously wounded (23). So much did they scourge the sufferer that the bone and sinew could be seen (41). He was then led to the stake, placed on burning plates, and subjected to other torments, but he still remained true to Christ (68, 100). He was cast into a dark room full of sword-points, but an angel lit up the dark- ness (113). They placed him on a soft bed, and there he died after praying to Christ (132). The king tried to overcome him when dead by exposing his body to the wild beasts and birds, but a raven LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 31. ST. PAUL. 34. SCHOLASTICA. XXXV watched over the body (139). It was then thrown into the sea from a ship; but on land being reached, the body was found there (159). He was buried by his friends with great honour (172). 31. Life .op St. Paul. St. Paul was the mortal terror of all Christians 189 — 192 before his conversion (3). At that time his name was Saul (13). On his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, he was overpowered by a light that shone round him and his men (19). A voice told him to enter the town, and there learn the truth about religion from a certain man (25). This was fourteen years after Christ’s death (27). 190 He found himself blind, and was led to the town, where he met Ananias, and was baptized, at this instant again receiving his sight (51 \ He went straightway into the synagogue and preached (58). He turned many to Christianity, and though enemies fought against him, he prevailed through our Lord’s grace (66). He gained the friendship of apostles; they at first were afraid of him, but finally received him as a fellow (71). 32. Life of St. Brigit the Virgin. St. Bride was born in Scotland 192 — 193 of a rich and powerful family. She became a Christian very early. Her mother was fond of attending to her dairy; Bride took the management in hand, but gave very liberally to the poor, and when the day of reckoning came she feared her mother’s displeasure (16). On that day there was little in the dairy, but when the mother visited her it was found to he full (23). She was asked in marriage, but she took a vow of chastity (27). Abundant provision was miraculously prepared when the bishop supped with her (36). A poor man having asked for a glass of water, Bride blessed it and it became ale (43). She turned a great stone into salt for the benefit of a poor woman (47). She gave a silver cup to some poor men, who strove for its possession ; she broke the cup on a stone, and gave each one a part (49). Blind and dumb were healed by her (56). She died on the 1st of February (57). 33. Life of St. Agatha. St. Agatha was born in Sicily (1). She 193 — 197 was beautiful and good ; the duke of the land endeavoured to seduce her, but she declared her firm attachment to a Prince higher than he (8, 21). She was threatened with torture if she persisted in her faith, but she set this at defiance (40). She was cast into prison, but still remained steadfast (54). She was subjected to torture, and received many wounds, but an apostle of God visited her and healed her wounds with ointment (56, 74). She was ordered to be burned, 196 but an earthquake overthrew the court-house, and two judges were killed (91). The people in terror besought the duke not to harm her further (93). Led back to prison, Agatha prayed to God that her life might end; she then passed away (104). A hundred beautiful children dressed in white formed a procession to the tomb (113). A year after her death there came forth from a hole in the district a terrible fire, which spread widely, but stopped at Agatha’s tomb (123). 34. Scholastica. St. Scholastica was of chaste disposition. St. Bene- 197 — 199 diet, founder of the order of Nuns and Black Monks, was her brother (4). He was first abbot at Duyn, and there he taught his sister to do penance (7). They met every year to speak of God’s Son (10). On one occasion her brother had spoken throughout a whole day of God’s ways, of Christ, and of heaven, but still his sister craved for more Divine teaching (16, 22). A storm miraculously favoured her wish, and Benedict could not leave. They spent the night in speak- ing of God’s sweetness and might, from tale and book (50). In the c 2 XXX\ 7 i LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 35. ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY. PAGES morning they returned to their cells, sorry that they could not pursue their communion (54). On reaching home Scholastica fell ill, and died in three days. Benedict in his cell saw the white soul of his sister flee up to heaven (58). On the morrow he and his fellows went early to the cell and buried her dead body (61). 35. The Purgatory of St. Patrick, Abbot. St. Patrick found a pit 199- in Ireland which he called his Purgatory. Beside this place he built an abbey (8). On St. Patrick’s day men go thither in order to throw off their sins by the Lord’s grace (19). The manner of this is : the -00 penitent shall first shrive himself to the bishop; if he is firm in his wish to be redeemed, the bishop will give him a letter to the prior ; then the prior will lead him into the church and ask him to kneel, and here he will spend fifteen days at his orisons (30). If nothing yet change him in his resolve, he is brought forth with a great P r0 ” cession of priests, blessed, and allowed to enter the purgatory, perhaps never to return (34). It befell in the days of King Stephen that a 201 knight, named Sir Owayn, came there to do penance for his sms (41). He went through all the preliminary duties necessary to entering the purgatory (63, 88). The knight entered in the name of Christ (92). As he went on his way, in the darkness, he spied a light, then a beautiful field, in which there was a noble hall (102). This he entered in the name of God (109). He was greeted by twelve men, like monks, who exhorted him to be steadfast and hardy m his journey, tellino- him that only in this way should he escape with life and soul (122)? As he sat there alone, a rueful cry arose on every side, as if all the beasts of the world were yelling together, and round him came ^ fiends yelling and grinning (147). They made a strong fire and cast 20 o the knight into its midst (169) ; but he cried to Christ, and the fire was quenched (174). They flew out of the hall, dragging the knight with them, evidently over a waste land (180). The wind blew hard and cold, piercing through heart and body, almost killing him (183) ; anon he seemed to be in the longest day of summer (188). They entered a wide field, apparently without border (198). This was full of men and women, stretched out and tied hand and foot to the earth by iron nails of fire (203). The devils trod upon them, and tore them with their nails (208). They cast the knight on the ground, and held him fast, but he cried out to Christ and escaped (212). He was brought into another field full of greater woes (219). Men 206 and women were fast bound to the earth by glowing bands of fire, and fiery adders sat upon them and clasped them to bursting (2- 6). Poul toads stung them through the heart (232), and the fiends tormented them and tried to drown them (234). The knight was seized and pinned down, but he escaped as before, and the fiends dragged him to a third field (239). He saw those who had come to endure like himself, stretched on the earth, and smitten through with so many nails that it would be difficult to find an empty place (242). A keen wind added to their woe, burning through them like fire (24o). The knight again escaped from the sufferings by his faith m Christ (258). In a fourth field, full of brimstone and foul odour, he saw all 208 imaginable forms of torment : some hung on high by fiery chains ot iron by hand and foot, and by the neck ; beneath them was a strong fire of pitch and brimstone (264). Others hung by strong hooks of iron driven through their eyes, or through the throat, and through the limbs or head (268). Yet the knight was once more delivered when he asked the help of Christ (276). Then the fiends drove the knight into LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 35. ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY. XXXV11 another place (277). There he saw a grisly wheel with long spokes, one side of which was on the ground, another high in the air ; it had many hooks and pikes, on which were impaled a great number of wretches (282). This terrible wheel was all on fire, and smelt of brimstone ; the fiends turned it round, and seized each one as he went past burning and yelling (288). The knight was seized and cast upon the wheel, and turned round with the others, but again he was delivered by the former means (295). Then he was hurled forth from the locality (298). Before him now he saw a house, from which pro- 209 ceeded a most noisome smell; he entered with his foul companions, and saw that the house was full of ditches and pits, and that there were boilers of heated lead, full of pitch and brimstone (312). In these were placed wretched ghosts, immersed as far as the eyes or mouth, or the navel, and all wept bitterly and yelled (320). From this torment the knight again escaped (323). He was hurled forth, and then was brought into a great hall (325). In the southern part of this was a deep pool, which sent forth a foul stench, and was colder than snow. A north wind blew keenly, and struck through the ghosts who sat therein (335). The fiends declared to the knight that his hour was come, and no sooner had this been said than a blast drove him into the water (341). But because of his declaration of faith in Christ, they had straightway to draw him out again (346). The knight was then driven into another place, where was a pit, 210 wide and deep, out of which came a burning foul smoke (359). Wretched ghosts flew up and down this pit like smoked fish (361). At last the knight deemed he was overcome ; he was told that this was the pit of hell, and because he had served their master well he should go therein; if, however, he thought he would discontinue his quest, he might return (371). The knight boldly descended the pit. The deeper they went, broader the pit became. By stench, burning, and other things, the knight was nigh overcome, and like to give up the ghost ; but he cried to Christ, and straightway one strong blast carried him and his companions up and out of the pit (380). He was dragged along by the fiends till they came to a great pool of water, deep and broad (405). Above this pool hung a thick 212 foul mist. Over it was a very narrow bridge, so thickly surrounded with smoke that it could be seen with difficulty (409). The knight was told to cross, and was forced upon the bridge. It was so high that it was impossible to walk upon it and look on the ghastly spectacle below ; it was almost too narrow for foothold, and so slippery that the surest-footed might fail (426). The knight felt a terror more overpowering than before, but he cried on the name of Christ, and went forward boldly. Then the further he went, he thought himself the hardier ; the way, too, became broader. The fiends from beneath the bridge tried to seize him, but could not overcome him, and gave up the pursuit, weeping and yelling (444). The knight now felt himself safe, and thanked Christ for his victory, and went on his way (456). The country became brighter, and at 213 last he reached a high wall that shone like gold, full of precious stones (463). Out of this wall came a sweet smell like spice. He was in such a state of joy that his former troubles were forgotten (469). Through the gate he saw a surpassing clearness. As ho thought of entering, there met him a procession of noble men, bearing crosses, and tapers, and bright banners ; these men resembled monks and friars (478)* They welcomed the knight with gladness and song, XXV111 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 16. OSWOLD. 17. EDWARD. 18. FRANCIS. PACES angels, wlio bound and burned them (44, 56). On being released they bound Hermogines, and dragged him to Saint James (79). The saint, however, returned good for evil (95). Hermogines was bap- tized and became a holy man (109). Abiathar, a judge, was jealous of the apostle’s power, and caused him to be brought to Herod, with a rope tied round his neck ; Herod ordered him to be beheaded (115). 37 ) On the way to execution the saint healed a man afflicted with palsy, and the executioner in fear begged for mercy, and was baptized (121). Both were then beheaded, on St. Mary’s day in Lent (122). St. James’s disciples carried away his body secretly out of the country in a ship (129). The disciples having been imprisoned by the king of Spain, an angel broke open the prison (151). The queen became a Christian, convinced by the miraculous powers of the disciples (194). The body of the apostle was buried in the palace ; the queen built a noble church, and endowed it with large treasure (196). It became a great house of canons, and a place of pilgrimage (200). It is recorded that the saint miraculously brought the dead body of a pilgrim to the shrine (230). It is related, too, that a father and son, who were pilgrims, were condemned to death on a false charge of theft, and that the son, although he hung thirty-six days upon the tree, was yet preserved through the power of St. James (258, 290). A young man of the city of Lyons, who had first mutilated and then killed himself, was restored to life (378). 16. Oswold. St. Oswold was king of Northumberland; he upheld the 45 — 46 j law of Christianity with all his power (4). At his request Aidan came from Scotland to preach, and was appointed bishop (9, 13). The pagan tribes invaded his territory, and Oswold was killed in battle near Mansfield (33). He was thirty years of age when he died (41). 17. Edward. King Edward of England was hated by his step-mother, 47 — 53 who favoured her own son .ZEthelred (6). He was of mild disposition, chaste, and wise in counsel (16). He was much loved by Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury (IS). The queen conspired with some of 47 the ministers against him, and after a reign of three years and eight days he was murdered (40). On a visit to his brother at Corf Castle 1 j he was met by the queen and a retinue, and stabbed by one of the attendants (45, 78). .ZEthelred was then made king (91). Among the nobility this was received with favour, but the common people lamented the death of Edward (94). The king’s body, which was dis- covered by means of a pillar of light, was buried at Wareham (114). 50 A chapel was built on the spot, and a well of miraculous virtue was called after his name (121). A noble earl, named Alfey, having heard of the miracles that attended the dead body of Edward, sent messen- gers to some of the leading men in the Church, proposing its removal from Wareham (138). This was carried out, and many miracles attended the removal (155). The queen, in regret for her misdeeds against the dead king, did penance, and at last fully repented (175). The body was carried to the abbey of Shaftesbury, and was placed to j the north of the high altar, close to the wall (179). Twenty-one years later King Edward appeared in a vision to the abbess of the house, and asked that he might be enshrined. 18. Francis. Francis was a merchant in his youth, and he spent 53 — 67 much money on behalf of the poor (4). By chance one day he met a knight who had been rich, but was now poor ; to him he gave his clothes (11). One day, outside the city of Assisi, Francis was asked for charity by a leper; he gave him money and comforted him (39). LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 19. ALBAN. 20. WOLSTON. XXIX Near tlie church of St. Damian he was exhorted in a vision to prop it up in case it fell. He was thought mad by the people, and was ill- 54 treated. His father beat him, and sent him to herd cattle (80). He went forth from his father’s house, begging his bread from door to door. He carried mortar to rebuild St. Damian’s church (128). He there began the order of begging friars (138). Bernard, a scholar, was the first to join him (154). Other six followed shortly (176). He went to Borne to get his order confirmed by the Pope. He and his 60 brethren went forth into the world and preached (212). They came to great need, but were succoured by an angel (218). His flesh he called “Friar Ass,” and a lazy man he named “Friar Flie” (252, 256). He had a great love for lambs (297). On one occasion the birds paid him honour; he then preached to them (349, 362). Francis often reflected on Christ’s sufferings, and at last he had a vision of the crucified Lord (370, 400). He received the marks of the Crucified on Mount Alverno (408). Cattle were cured by the water in which he washed himself (425). Francis lived in his order for twenty years, 66 and for two years and three weeks he bore the marks of our Lord’s wounds (430). When death came upon him, with his last breath he gave out a psalm. He died in the year 1200 A.D., on a Saturday night (452). 19. Alban. St. Alban was a heathen in his youth, but was converted 67 — 70 (3). During the rule of Diocletian and Maximian, one of the Boman governors in England was carrying out a persecution of the Chris- tians ; some of the soldiers came to make enquiries at Alban’s house (11, 21). Having confessed himself a Christian, Alban was seized, 68 and brought before the governor, who threatened him with torture (40). He was stripped naked, and scourged, but was still undaunted (47, 52). He was then led outside the town to execution. He crossed a stream on the way as if on dry land (67). The leader of the soldiers threw down his sword and begged for mercy (74). Having expressed his belief in God, he was martyred along with Alban (94). The executioner’s eyes fell out after the deed (97). The martyrdom took 70 place near the town of Widincester (102). A church and abbey were built on the spot, and called St. Alban’s (103). 20. Wolston. St. Wolston, Bishop of Worcester, was a holy man all 70 — 77 his life (2). He became priest, then monk, at Worcester, and was 71 distinguished for the zeal of his fasting and prayer (8, 12). He was made prior against his wish (24). He ruled the convent justly, and gained the esteem of all good men. He miraculously saved the life of a man who had a dangerous fall (31). He was chosen Bishop of Worcester by King Edward (52). After the English were defeated at 73 Hastings, Wolston resisted William boldly (103, 105). The king feared his power, and threatened to depose him. They met at West- minster (108). The king and the Archbishop of Canterbury declared that his arrogance could no longer be tolerated ; Wolston replied mildly, and agreed to their wish that he should resign (119, 125). His crosier miraculously stuck in the marble of Edward’s tomb, and Wolston accepted this as a sign that the dignity could only be given up to its donor (143). The people were astonished at the miracle ; no one was strong enough to draw out the crosier (152). The king and the archbishop craved permission to amend their mistake, and begged him to receive again his crosier as being most worthy (172). Wolston complied, and drew out his crosier from the marble with ease (182). He died at the age of eighty, and was buried at Worcester (230). xl LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 39. ST. MARY. 40. ST. CHRISTOPHER. PAGES while pursuing a. hart, he thought he heard the animal declare to him that he was to kill his father and mother (9). In fear of such an event, Julian left the country and went into the service of a foreign prince (20). He received a high post, and wedded a rich wife (24). His father and mother lamenting the absence of their son, went to this country in quest of him (27). They arrived at Julian’s house, where his wife in her husband’s absence made them welcome, even giving them her own bed (36). Julian, on reaching home in the morning, went to his chamber, and finding there a man and a woman asleep, he killed them, believing them to be his wife and a paramour (38, 46). When he discovered his error he resolved to leave his wife 258 and home for ever (70). But his wife refused to leave him, and they went forth together, accordingly, forsaking home and possessions (81). On the journey Julian reached a deep and perilous stream; beside it he built a little house, and resolved to live there (87). He made a boat and carried travellers across the stream (93). When a wretched man asked help he took him to his house and comforted him (98). All this he did in penance for the death of his father and mother (100). St. Julian’s paternoster was customarily repeated by men in that country (104). After he had long carried on his labours, 259 Julian heard one midnight some one asking to be rowed across the stream (113). He complied, and brought the traveller to his house. The man was cold, foul in dress, and altogether miserable ; but Julian showed him every kindness (123). At last the stranger became pleasant to look upon, and so bright that he could scarcely be beheld (31). He then declared that he had been sent by our Lord to say that Julian had done sufficient penance, and that both he and his wife should come with joy to God (139). Soon afterwards both died in their holy service (44). 39. Life of St. Mary of Egypt. Mary’s early days were spent lewdly 260— (4). In Alexandria she brought many men to sin (7). One day in harvest she addressed a company of men on their way to Jerusalem to pay honour to the Holy Hood, and they consented that she should go with them (40). Having reached the door of the Temple, Mary supposed that the people pulled her back, and in great sorrow she fell before the image of the Virgin Lady, and prayed for grace (64). Then she went into the Temple, and before the Holy Hood besought in tears that her sins might be forgiven (78). She saw no one, but 263 she heard a voice declare to her the promise of peace (88). During the night, in the chapel of the Baptist beside the Jordan, she began to believe (96). She went into the wilderness, and there lived many years (102). After seventeen years her clothes rotted and fell away from her, and she was greatly tempted by evil passions, but she remained firm in her faith (116). In the thirty-sixth year she was visited by the monk Zosimus (118). Zosimus had come from his abbey in Palestine to do penance. On the twentieth day of his 266 journey, as he knelt at his orisons, he saw St. Mary, and they said their orisons together (188). He blessed her and went on his journey (229). They took the sacrament together (262). Next Lent Zosimus returned to the wilderness, but could not see St. Mary ; underneath a bright sign in the air he found her lying dead (294). She had left a request that he should bury the body (301). Being old and feeble he could not dig the grave, but a lion assisted him with its claws (328). 40. Life of St. Christopher. Christopher was a Saracen and lived 271 — in the land of Canaan. His ambition was to serve only a master LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 41. ST. DOMINIC THE CONFESSOR. xli PAGES who was supreme. A certain king seemed to answer to this charac ter, but after staying with him a considerable time, Christopher found that he was not the highest (29). He continued his search, and on his way met a great number of people under a fierce leader, who asked Christopher whither he went (38). Christopher replied that he was about his own business, and that he served only the lord whom he sought, the high devil of hell (40). “ Good brother,” said the stranger, 272 “I am he,” and welcomed him (42). Christopher was pleased with such a master (44). But as they went on their way they saw a cross, and at the sight the devil was in fear, and on Christopher finding that this was the symbol of one still mightier than the devil, ho resolved to seek this lord (59). A hermit told him that he must carry travellers over a certain stream, and that thereby he would discover the highest lord (71). Having in his hand a long staff, for many days Christopher bore the heaviest over the stream (82). One night he was carrying across a little child, but as he went forward the child became larger, and the water seemed to broaden; never before was 273 Christopher so sorely burdened (96). At last he reached the bank, after what appeared a long journey (99). The child declared to him that He was Christ, the highest and mightiest in all the world (105). ' In proof of His power the child told Christopher that on the morrow his staff would bud; and so it happened (110). Christopher went forth and began to preach, and at length converted seven thousand men (128). He was seized and carried before the king of the country, and then imprisoned (165). Two beautiful women sent to tempt him he converted (169). Having refused to worship idols, Christopher was placed in a fire, and then shot at, but he was not hurt (198). His head was cut off in accordance with his prediction that the 277 blood would give the king sight (218). The king recovered his sight and became a Christian (222). 41. Life of St. Dominic the Confessor. St. Dominic was born in 278 — 288 Spain, in the town of Caylre (2). Before his birth his mother had a vision of his future greatness (8). The bishop of the land soon heard about his good deeds. Dominic disputed untiringly with those who did not believe (37). Sir Simon de Montfort helped his cause (40, 44). Through Dominic’s influence began the order of 279 preaching friars (52). A document which belonged to him was thrown into the fire by his enemies ; but though it lay there a whole day, it was none the worse (64). In the city of Toulouse he strove for ten years to bring together an order of preachers (73). The Pope would not give his consent, but in a dream he was convinced of the justice of Dominic’s view (94). Thus began the order of preaching friars (100). These friars went to Spain, to Paris, and to Boulogne (112). Dominic prayed for more power, and was encouraged in a vision, and told that he would have a fellow-champion, St. Prancis, who founded the friars minor (128, 133). On the morrow these two saints met (144). They 282 were supported in their work by de Montfort (156). As Dominic and his fellows were going on a journey near Toulouse, their books fell into the water ; but three days afterwards a fisherman found them, and they were dry and uninjured (220). On one occasion, when Dominic and forty of his monks were at Borne, they were mira- culously fed (224). One day rain fell heavily, but did not touch the place where Dominic was (235). One night, during his orisons, he was tempted by the devil in the disguise of a friar (284). At the time 286 of his death Dominic had a convent of friars, whom he had' taught xlii LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 42. ST. THEOPHILUS. 45 MICHAEL. PAGES thoroughly how to preach (309). He died in the year 1281 (320). When he died the prior of Bixe, in a vision, saw him drawn up a ladder into heaven (340). 42. Theophilus. Theophilus was a good clerk, and after the death of 288—41 his bishop he was offered the appointment, but refused (4). Another accordingly received it. This man robbed Theophilus. and brought him to great poverty (10). He then asked a Jew to help him, and agreed to serve the devil for riches (21). Theophilus bound himself 290 to the devil by a written agreement, and became rich, but was never- theless in fear that the devil would betray and destroy him (63, 87). At length he repented of the step, and prayed to the Virgin Lady forty days and forty nights (105). She had mercy on him, and bade him be shriven (121). When he was in trepidation, she interceded with Christ on his behalf, and he got back his deed of covenant with the devil (156). Theophilus publicly confessed his sin (167). The agreement was burned (177). Shortly after Theophilus fell ill, and died; now he is sainted (191). His day is a little before April (192). 43. George. St. George was a holy man of Cappadocia (1). He was 294 — 2S a convert to Christianity (3). He refused to worship Dacian’s false gods, and was horribly tortured by him (13, 33). He was scourged and salted, put on a wheel of swords, and thrown into a furnace of boiling lead (39, 64). His head was struck off, after he had prayed for and received a boon from Christ (97). 44. Life of St. Edmund the King. St. Edmund was king of Suf- 296—21 folk (3). He was taken prisoner by the Danish kings Hubba and Hinguar, bound, and condemned to death (35). He was scourged and shot at, and his head was cut off and hidden in a secret place, but was found by a wolf (40, 69). His head spoke after it had been cut off (81). His body was enshrined at Edmundsbury (87). The town became a place of pilgrimage (97). 45. Michael. The following miracle is recorded of St. Michael : a 299 — 3$ I certain man of Apulia, named Gargan, shot an arrow at his ox, but by the will of the saint the weapon recoiled and wounded himself (5, 22). A noble church was founded to St. Michael on a hill (41). A number of Saracens who attacked some Christians near were slain by light- ning (58). The saint’s footsteps miraculously left an impress on the marble pavement of the church (90). Because of his illustrious charac- 302 ter, Michael’s day was consecrated by the Pope (99). It falls in November, before the feast of St. Luke (104). A second church in his honour was built on the hill of Toumbe (110). On the anniversary of Michael’s day the sea withdraws from the base of the hill (133). A woman and child were miraculously preserved by him in the sea (147). St. Michael fought Lucifer and his companions (166). He overcame the rebel angels and drove them to hell (192). Ten orders of angels were created, the tenth of which went to perdition (212). Good and evil angels cause dreams and the nightmare (224). Out- 306 cast angels are elves in the woods and on the downs, and sometimes they appear in towns (225). The devil when bound bites men as a tied-up dog does (295). His fingers, wherewith he tempts men, have particular names (313). The devil begins his temptation of men with his little finger (342). The pit of hell is in the midst of the earth; heaven is round the earth (391). There are eight firmaments and seven planets (413). The moon’s influence on the earth’s climate and productions is wonderful (425). The sun is among the planets, like a king among men (448). Though a man travelled forty miles a day LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 47. ST. CLEMENT. xliii for eight thousand years, he would not reach the highest heaven (489). The soul of man after death, if it be pure, goes to heaven as swiftly as man’s thought (499). Even more quickly, if it be evil, will it go to hell (507). Beneath the lowest heaven, wherein is the moon, are the four elements — fire, air, water, and earth (509). Between 314 April and May, and near harvest, come lightning and thunder, the weather being both hot and wet (561). The breath of the water that the sun draws up falls in dew (611). Hoar-frost is the dew frozen (617). Wells come from veins of water (639). Man is compounded of the four elements (618). A man who is compounded chiefly of earth is slow as the ass, of pale colour, hard-skinned, and powerful ; he thinks more than he speaks (671). He who has much of the element of water is fat and a great sleeper (676). The man who has much air in his composition is fresh-coloured, and of lively dis- position ; granted meat and drink, he cares for little else (683). The man compounded chiefly of fire is slight and ruddy, hardy and lecher- ous (686). The three first formative balls of the fcetus are brain, 319 heart, and liver (704). In each man there are three souls (736). The third soul is immortal, and at death goes to weal or woe (774). The other two souls die with the body (781). It is to be prayed that St. Michael may guide our immortal souls to joy (802). 47. Clement. St. Clement was born at Rome (1). His kindred were 322 — 310 of the highest members of the law ; his father’s name was Faustinian, his mother’s Macidian (3). He had two twin brothers, older than he, Faust and Faustyn (5). His mother was beautiful (7). She took the twin brothers to Athens, where they were to study, while Clement remained with his father at Rome (39). The ship in which Macidian 323 and her sons sailed was wrecked, and when she was saved her sons had disappeared (72). She gnawed her hands with grief, and lost the use of them (97). Clement soon became a good scholar (126). He was a disciple of St. Barnabas, and then of St. Peter (129). lie told 326 St. Peter of the sad absence of his mother and his brothers (146). One day Clement’s mother recognized him (183). Two former dis- ciples of Simon Magus, who had become followers of St. Peter, were found to be the lost brothers (201). St. Clement and his brothers had an argument with an old man, in which Clement was the ablest arguer (236). The old man proved to be their father (275). Simon Magus transformed Clement’s father into his own shape, in order to escape the Emperor’s vengeance (303). His children failed to re- cognize him (323). At Antioch the father declared Simon’s abuse of St. Peter a lie (349). Simon himself was rejected (387). At Rome St. Peter was martyred, and there St. Clement was made Pope, 335 though he did not wish it (395). Clement cured a man blind and deaf, and he and his retinue became Christians (439). Trajan ordered Clement to do sacrifice or leave the country (456). Driven into the wilderness, he found many Christian fugitives, who made him their leader (465). By a miracle he made a well spring there (475). Five hundred heathen temples he destroyed, and built six hundred and fifteen churches in their stead (487). Trajan had Clement thrown into the sea, where he perished (488). The sea withdrew and dis- 338 ' closed a chapel where his body was shrined (500). Long after, every year for seven days was the land dry round this holy chapel, and pilgrims visited it (511). A boy was miraculously kept alive for a year under the sea (536). Clement’s body was buried in the church named after him at Rome (549). xllV LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 48. ST. LAURENCE. 49. ST. KENELM. PAGBS 48. Lawrence. St. Lawrence ended his life in resolute martyrdom (1). 340— ^ Decius and his lieutenant Valerian attempted to obtain the treasure of the church where Lawrence was archdeacon (22). The saint was cast into prison (34). A heathen, named Lucille, confined therein, who had wept himself blind with sorrow, was cured by him (47). Ypolite the jailer was converted (54). On being again asked for the church’s treasures, Lawrence showed poor, sick men (83). He was scourged because of this answer, so that the blood ran down his limbs (92). He was tortured on hooks and wheels girt with razors, and on a red-hot iron bed covered with spikes (100). Fiery plates of iron were thrust into his wounds (120). A voice declared to him that he must yet suffer more (132). He was beaten with iron scourges, and burnt and torn on a gridiron (154). Still he remained true to Christ (406). After praying to Christ he died (172). He was buried by his convert Ypolite (176). 49. Life of St. Kenelw, the King. St. Ivenelm was king of the 345— March of Wales (2). His father Kenulf built the abbey of Winchcombe (the greatest city in the West half of England) (7). At that time there were five kings in England, who ruled particular districts (20). The king of the March had Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, 346 Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, part of Shropshire, Herefordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire ; all these were formerly called the March of Wales, and of all was Ivenelm king (40), and Winchcombe was his chief city (42). Of the other four kings, he of Wessex (47) had Wiltshire, Dorset — and Berkshire, Sussex, Chichester, Southampte- shire, Surrey, Devonshire, and Cornwall (58). The king of Kent had Kent (59). The king of Eastland had Norfolk, Suffolk, the Isle of Ely, and Cambridge (66). The king of Northumberland had all the land beyond the Humber into Scotland (70). [The divisions ef the counties into bishoprics are also stated in the text.] Kenulf died 347 £ A.D. 819, and St. Kenelm succeeded to the throne, though only seven years old. One of his sisters, Wenylde, loved him ; but the other, Quendride, envied him, and thought she should have his heritage if she could kill him ; so she gave him poison, but it did not hurt him, as our Lord would not have him martyred so lightly (85, 101). Then she promised his guardian, Askebert, money and herself if he would kill Kenelm (112, 115). Askebert took him to hunt in the wood of Clent, and he lay down to sleep (153). Askebert dug a pit to destroy him, but the boy awoke and declared that he would not die till his guardian’s stick gave a sign that he was to be martyred (166). As they went on, the stick began to put forth leaves, and became a great ash (171). Then Askebert struck off Kenelm’s head (187). Quen- 350 I dride seized all her brother’s land, made herself queen of the March, and forbade any one ever to name her brother’s name under pain of beheading (210). One day as the Pope was singing Mass at St. Peter’s in Pome, a dove whiter than any snow 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 (216). This writ was kept as a relic, as coming from heaven and our Lord’s hand ; and St. Kenelm’s day is held as a feast-day at Pome (276). The Pope sent to Woldred, 352 g Archbishop of Canterbury, to have the body sought out (253). When the saint’s body was taken up, a spring of miraculous virtue flowed out of the place, which received the name of St. Kenelm’s well (298). Though the bishop had ordered the body to be taken to Winchcombe LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 50. ST. GREGORY. 55 . ST. BARTHOLOMEW. xlv in Gloucestershire, the Worcestershire people wished to keep it; and the two shires strove for it by the water of Perschore (310). The Gloucestershire men, favoured by fortune, carried away the body (321).- On their journey they became weary, and were obliged to rest on a high down on the east of Winchcombe; they prayed for drink, and a well sprang up, by which was built St. Kenelm’s chapel 355 (336). His sister came to a miserable end (364). 50. Life of St. Gregory. St. Gregory was born in Sicily. There 355 — 359 he built six abbeys (4). At Eome he was made a Cardinal (16). One day outside his palace, he was struck by the beauty of some English children, who were being sold as slaves, and called them “Angels” (19). This gave him an interest in England, and he asked leave to go there to preach (39). Through a heavenly light, he was chosen Pope (65). He then planned the mission of St. Augustine (76). Augustine accordingly went to England and converted the people to Chris- tianity (89). 51. Life of St. Cutiibert. St. Cuthbert was born in England. 359 — 3C2 When only eighteen he was exhorted in a vision to give up idle games (3). He became a Grey friar, and was esteemed the holiest monk in England (35). He was afflicted with gout, and suffered great anguish till an angel, in the guise of a knight, prescribed for him (47). On one occasion he housed a stranger kindly, who turned out to be an angel (69). When feeling weak after bathing in the sea, he was licked by otters (93). He was appointed Bishop of Durham ( 100 ). 52. Life of St. Mark, the Evangelist. St. Mark preached long in 362 — 363 Egypt (3). In Alexandria he healed a shoemaker’s hand (15, 16). He was seized by order of the prince of the country, tortured with iron hooks, and thrown into prison (23). In prison our Lord ap- peared and foretold his martyrdom (31). Next day Mark was tied to a wild horse, and torn limb from limb (38). This happened in the month of April (41). St. Mark’s day is one of general fasting, and banners are carried about in respect to his memory (43). 53. Of the Apostles Philip and James. In the twentieth year 364 — 365 after our Lord’s passion Philip preached to the heathen in Scythia (4). He healed their sick, and overthrew the idols, and set up the cross in their place (8, 21). Christianity was accepted with gladness by the people (24) . St. Philip died peaceably in his bed at the age of eighty- seven (31). 51. Life of St. James. St. James was related to our Lord, the son 365 — 366 of our Lady’s sister (1). St. Anne, our Lady’s mother, had three husbands, Joachim, Cleophas, and Salome; she had three daughters, of whom Joseph wedded Mary, the daughter of Cleophas ; the young- est of the three daughters was tho mother of St. James (11). On one occasion St. James was set up on a ladder to preach among Pharisees, being reputed a man of wisdom ; but when he preached the Gospel the ladder was knocked down, and James was only saved by a miracle (43). Lie was then led to prison (48). On being set free, having again preached Christianity, his brains were dashed out (51). 55. Life of St. Bartholomew. St. Bartholomew was of royal blood, 366— 376 a comely man of sweet temperament (1,2). After our Lord’s ascension he preached Christianity in foreign countries, and in India he deprived the god Astaroth of his healing and prophetic powers (7, 13). The idol Berit acknowledged the spiritual power of the saint (L7, 76). One day at a celebration in the heathen temple he cured a man pos- Xl'/i LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 56. ST. TIIOMAS. 57. ST. MATHIAS. FAC KS ! sessed of a devil, and brought to a sane mind the lunatic daughter of King Pollimius (81, 106). He refused the king’s gifts, but accom- panied him to prove the falseness of the idol gods (109, 127). An angel showed the people the devil in their idols (174). Pollimius and 372 his queen, with all his people, became Christians (199). Bartholomew next endeavoured to convert the king’s brother Astriages, but failed (205, 235). By the orders of Astriages the saint was tortured and crucified with his head turned towards the ground (238, 242). Pol- limius afterwards was made a bishop, and held office for twenty years (272). Bartholomew’s bones were collected and shrined in Apulia (306, 311). 56. Thomas the Apostle. St. Thomas was martyred in India (1). 376 — Men called him “ Thomas long in doubt,” because of his unbelief (4). It happened long after our Lord’s ascension that Godofre, king of India, sent out a proclamation for a carpenter who might build him a palace (19). Thomas, who was in Csesarea, was asked by our Lord in a 377 vision to accept the king’s proposal, at the same time being told that he would convert many people, and suffer martyrdom (24, 33). Shortly after the apostle, by agreement with the king’s messenger, took ship for India (54). On his journey he arrived at a leading town where they were celebrating the marriage of a princess (77). At the feast the butler was killed by a lion, because of a quarrel with St. Thomas (89, 96). The apostle blessed the newly-made husband and wife, and caused a miraculous growth of dates in their garden (116). The bride and bridegroom became Christians, and with them were converted the king and all his family (142). On arriving in India the saint pleased the king greatly by his description of the proposed palace (163). He went throughout the country preaching the Gosj)el and 381 converted many; and he built churches and appointed priests (171, 172). When the king returned after an absence, and found his palace unbuilt, he cast the saint into prison, and swore that he would scatter his ashes to the wind (174, 180). The king’s brother having died, a funeral pile was kindled, and a great company assembled ; the dead man rose to life, declaring that this was through the power of St. Thomas (185, 193). The restored man then went to the prison, thanked the saint, and asked forgiveness for the king (214, 216). The king also prayed for pardon, and released the saint (219). The king 383 and all the people were converted, as many as fourteen thousand men, women, and children (235). St. Thomas set a priest over each church, and went further into these lands to preach Christianity (239). In another country he performed many miracles, and was reputed a god (241, 247). The people brought him presents, and wished to crown him a king, but he refused such kindness (253). Thomas having prayed for the deaf and sick, a heavenly light cured all (272). Migdonia, wife of the king, having heard the saint preach and seen his miracles, turned Christian (290, 316). A son of the king was restored to life by him (346). Because he had converted Migdonia, 387 Thomas was seized and tortured by the king (374). He was placed in a fire, and then in a red-hot oven, but was unharmed (383, 389). The idols melted like wax at his word (409). One of the heathen priests in great rage killed the saint with a sword (423). Some of the converts buried his body with great honour (433). 57. Mathias the Apostle. St. Mathias and St. Paul were the last 389 — i chosen of the apostles (10). Mathias miraculously restored sight to three hundred blind men (29). He was martyred with great LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 58. ST. SILVESTER. 62. ALL SOULS’ DAY. xlvii PACKS tortures by the ruler of Judea (33). His body was buried at St. Mary’s in Rome (37). 58. Here begins the Life of St. Silvester. St. Silvester was Pope 391 — 392 during the happier days of Christianity in Rome (1, 6). He buried St. Timothy’s body, which had been thrown after martyrdom into a loathsome place (10, 16). The ruler seized Silvester, and cast him into prison, but was choked with a fish-bone (25). The ruler’s counsellors asked the saint for mercy, and set him free (33). Silvester was Pope for more than twenty years (61). 59. Eustace. St. Eustace, then named Placidas, while hunting a 393 — 402 stag was spoken to by the animal in the voice of our Lord (13), He and his family became Christians (35). It was foretold that he would suffer woe, .and shortly after this he lost all his possessions (44, 57). His wife was taken from him by a shipman ; one son was carried off by a wolf, the other by a lion (73, 89). He fell into great distress (117). The emperor tried to find Eustace, and at length he was dis- covered (153), led the emperor’s army in battle, and conquered his enemies (169). Two of his lieutenants he found to be his own sons (181). Ilis wife was shortly afterwards restored to him (227). He returned in joy to Rome, accompanied by his wife and sons (261). In the temple Eustace refused to worship idols, and was cast into a den of lions; but they did not touch him (275, 292). He and his family suffered death by fire (312). Their bodies were found to be whole after the burning (321). 60. John the Apostle. St. John the Apostle was the son of our 402 — 417 Lord’s aunt, and brother of St. James (1, 2). He was twelve months younger than our Lord (7). St. John was brought before the emperor Domitian’s judge, condemned on account of his faith, and thrown into burning oil, but came out unhurt (45, 57). Then he was outlawed to Patmos, where he wrote the Apocalypse (72). He 404 returned to Ephesus, and there restored Drusiane to life (91). At the entreaty of the Christians of Ephesus, St. John wrote his Gospel (131). By his prayer a heathen temple fell down with great noise (179). In order to convert Bishop Aristodemus, he drank poison and remained unhurt (197, 222). Aristodemus and others were converted by the miraculous powers of the apostle (241). He turned bows and arrows into pure gold, and stones into gems (263). He raised a dead man to life (275). At his bidding the restored man reproached two deserting Christians, and they repented (291). He justified his play- ing with a pet partridge, as the mind, like a bow, must needs unbend (325). A bishop, who was entrusted with the charge of a young man, after a time allowed him to fall into sin (359). Having heard that the youth had become an outlaw, St. John rode out to find him (415). 414 He discovered the youth, and brought him back to virtue (427). In a vision of our Lord and His disciples, the apostle was summoned to heaven (447). He ordered a four-cornered pit to be dug close to the altar in his church ; and there he died (454, 480). St. Edward, king of England, gave a ring to the apostle in the guise of a poor man, and it was sent back to him with a message (498, 513). 61. All Saints’ Day. There are five reasons why it is kept (1, 16). 418 — 420 Pope Boniface had the church of “ Marie La Rounde ” built at Rome (25). All Saints’ Day was altered by Pope Gregory to Nov. 1. On this day the warden of St. Peter had a vision of Christ in heaven, and of the saints (47, 78). 62. All Souls’ Day. A fair vision on this day an angel showed to 420 — 431 xlviii LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 63. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR. PAGES the Pope at Rome (3). He thought he saw many men lying on beds of gold, and many more sitting at a high hoard, supplied with every- thing they wished ; others going about naked, and others an-hungered (4, 8). He was told that this was Purgatory (10). Those who lay on 421 I gold beds were they who had been charitable on earth, and that had masses sung for them (12). Those who were an-hungered were men for whom no masses were sung (16). It was founded to relieve men from small venial sins (34). The only joy in Purgatory is the hope of future happiness (52). It has five different districts : the first is in the firmament ; the second in the air above us ; the third on the earth where we live ; the fourth in the water ; the fifth deep under the earth, close to hell (81, 86). There are four reasons for this (89). A man in the earthly purgatory for whom the mass was sung passed to the joy of heaven (116). St. Theobald, when afflicted with gout, was benefited 424 by a soul in ice, who asked him to sing masses for him (127, 150). Prayers, almsdeeds, and masses help out of purgatory (170). It is related that skeletons in a churchyard fought on behalf of a praying man (175, 184). A man called Stephen, who helped a friend with alms, was on this account saved (193). A man who had fallen into a ditch under a rock was fed by his wife’s offerings at mass (215, 252). The three kinds of people who go straight to heaven are young children, martyrs, and pure men (265, 280). Children at death go through pur- gatory like lightning (297). St. Stephen and St. John saw straight into heaven when they died (303, 320). 63. Edmund the Confessor. St. Edmund the Confessor was born at 431 — 4 Abingdon (3). His mother’s name was Mabile (5). He and his brother Robert went to Paris to school, where they wore a hair-shirt two or three days a week (19, 46). One day St. Edmund, having left his play to pray, was talked to by another child, who proved to be Jesus Christ (59, 79). When at College at Oxford he kept himself pure, 434 j and once flogged a girl who had come naked into his bed (89, 107). His mother died and was buried at Abingdon, with “Mabile, flower of widows,” graven on her tomb (144). Edmund put his sisters in a nunnery, according to his mother’s request (147). He wore hair- shirts, and underwent penance (171). He was wont to pray to Christ, the Virgin, and St. John. One day he forgot it, and St. John came with a staff and threatened to strike him, but forgave him (217). He learnt arithmetic at Oxford, but then turned to divinity, and taught 438 I it to scholars (235, 255). One day in a vision he saw a dove bring him Christ’s flesh, and then he disputed wonderfully concerning the Trinity (265). He forgot one night to think of Christ’s passion ; the devil took hold of him to stop him from crossing himself, but he thought of the Passion, and caught the devil by the throat, who con- fessed that the Passion was the best protector against him (285, 313). He arranged his time so as never to be idle, and became a great preacher (323). He was chosen to preach for the Crusade in England 440 (329). He performed miracles while he carried this out at Oxford and elsewhere (341, 382). He was made Canon of Salisbury, and none was held his peer in goodness in the country (391). He was elected Archbishop of Canterbury, but only by his bishop’s command did he accept it (415, 451). He was earnest in penance and fasting, and had always pity on poor men who were persecuted (462). So good was he, that the devil raised strife between him and King Henry (John’s son), who held the convent of Canterbury against him (488, 493). Though 445 3 the Legate was against him, St. Edmund held out, disregarded the LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 64. ST. MARTTN. GG. ST. MAGDALENE. xlix PACES king’s threats, and cursed him and all oppressors of the Church (514). Following Beket’s example, St. Edmund went to France, to Ponteney, and then to Soycie (556). There he died, in the year 1242 A.D., and his body was buried at Ponteney (588). 64. Martin. St. Martin’s father was a knight, and at the age of 449 — 456 fifteen his son was taken into battle with him (1, 14). In his eigh- teenth year he gave a beggar half his cloak, and became a Christian shortly after (19). In a subsequent battle he refused to fight, and went into the encounter unarmed (33, 53). Then he turned monk, and was captured by outlaws (61). He converted the outlaws (69). He raised a dead man to life (81). On account of his piety he was made Bishop of Tours (94). He had miraculous power over fire, the 451 trees, venomous worms, birds, and beasts (108, 136). On one occasion he made greyhounds stop hunting a hare, and he drove out the devil from a mad cow (142, 148). In a burning house he slept without harm (194). The devil tempted him with rich apparel, but the saint defeated his trick (229). When he died people heard the angels sing as they bore him to heaven (257). His death took place in the year 466 A.D. ; he was eighty years of age (259). 65. Leonard the Confessor. Leonard lived about the year 500 a.d. 456 — 462 (1). None was held in greater esteem by the King of France (4). He was called “ Prison’s lord,” because of his mercy to prisoners (1 1). He refused a bishopric (15). He preached long in Orleans, and then in Aquitaine (18). He saved the life of the French queen and her baby, and in gratitude the king gifted him with a wood and an abbey (59). He died at a rather early age, and was buried in a spot which remained green while all around -was covered with snow (97). The saint proved his power after death by freeing one prisoner, and breaking through all obstacles for another (113). Others he freed in Germany and Brittany, and punished their oppressors (151). So many miracles he did on behalf of prisoners, that it would be impos- sible to relate them (179). 66. Magdalene. The word Mary means brightness ; and it betokens 462 — 480 star of the sea, and sorrow and bitterness (11). Mary Magdalene was born in the castle of Magdale, and hence her surname (17). Lazarus was her brother, and Martha her sister (21). When her parents died their property was divided among their three children (37). Mary then passed her life in fleshly sin (50). There was no fairer woman than she in all the land (63). At length she repented, and in the house of Simon the leper anointed Christ’s feet with ointment (85). Our Lord rebuked Judas and Simon for objecting (113). Christ then forgave her, and drove seven devils out of her (137). Mary converted many ; she was kind to the sick, and turned great numbers from 466 lechery (159). She and other Christians were driven out of Judea, and put in a ship without food (175). They landed at Marseilles, and there they found no friend (181, 183). Mary preached Christ to the idol- worshippers at Marseilles, with bold words and bright face (203). A Saracen prince with his wife and followers was touched by her (227). He and his wife promised to become Christians if they should get a son (291). On the voyage to Pome the Saracen queen died in childbirth (359). The dead wife and living child were left on a rock, while the father went to Borne (401). He was welcomed and com- forted by the Pope, and St. Peter took him to the Holy Land (418, 426). St. Peter then bade the prince go back to Mary Magdalefte and be baptized (450). He found his wife and child alive (468). He and LEGENDS OF SAINTS. d 1 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. — 67. ST. YPOLITE. 74. ST. CECILIA. PAGES his wife were baptized (523). Mary went into the wilderness for thirty years (538). Daily she was lifted up towards heaven by angels 477 (546). She told her story to a hermit, and predicted her death (571). She was borne by angels to Bishop Maximus at Marseilles (614). There she was shriven and died (634). 67. Ypolite. St. Ypolite was a knight, and was converted by St. 480 — 4 ! | Laurence (1, 2). He refused to worship heathen gods, and was cruelly beaten with whips and staves by command of Decius (31). He was then richly clad and set on high, but still refused to do homage to idols (44, 53). He was tied to the tails of wild colts, and dragged through briars and thorns till he died (73). 73. Life and Passion of St. Blase the Martyr. St. Blase was 485 — 4 ! born in Cappadocia (2). He lived in the desert, and there cured sick beasts (10). He was taken before the justice on account of his Chris- tian faith (24). As he was being led to the place of judgment he worked miracles (33). He was condemned, hung up, and tortured (83). Some women converted by him were martyred (127). They were unable to drown St. Blase (143). At last his head was struck off (191). 74. Life and Passion of St. Cecilia the Martyr. St. Cecilia mar- 490 — dj ried Valerian, but told him that her chastity was guarded by an angel (6, 15). Cecilia’s guardian angel was revealed to him after he became a Christian (69). The angel gave to both of them garlands of roses and lilies. They converted their brother Tiburs (129). When any Christians were martyred Valerian and Tiburs were wont to bury them (134). Because of this they were seized and martyred (139, 173). St. Cecilia buried them, and on refusing to worship heathen gods was thrown into boiling water, and her head half cut off (209, 229). She lived three davs thus wounded, and turned men to Christ (253). 1 LEGENDS OF SAINTS IN MS. LAUD 108 . 10 Saracta crux 1 E holie rode i-founde was : ase ich eov noupe may telle. [foi. 23 ] -■ Costantyn pe Aumperour : muclie hexene folk gan a-quelle, For huy ore louerd iesu crist : to strongue depe bro^te, And alle pe hepene men pat nei 3 him were : sone he dude to nou^te. Eleyne, pat was is moder : to Ierusalem he sende to sechen after pe holie rode : and heo gladliche forth i-wende. ho heo cam pudere, heo liet crie : ase heo hire red hadde i-nome, JOat alle pe giwes of pe cite : hifore hire scholden come. 8 j2o pe giwes i-somoned were : huy hadden grete fere ; gret conseil huy nomen pare-of : 3 wat pe enchesoun were. \)o seide on, pat hiet Iudas : “ Ich wene pat ich wot 3wat pis somunce a-mounti schal : $if pat ich ou telle mot. 12 Ich wene J?at pe quene enqueri wole : ase heo hadde i-jrn^t, Aftur ] je rode J?at Iesu crist : to depe was on i-brou 3 t. hat non of eov ne heo so wod : pat pare-of a-knowe heo ! In conseil ich eov telle wole : pat mi fader tolde me. 1 6 ])o mi fade r symeon : in is depe vuele lay, In conseile he was to me a-knowe : po he pene dez on him i-sai} : “ ‘Iudas,’ he seide, ‘leoue sone : ^if hit hi-tidez so hat men enquerieth aftur pe rode : pat Iesus was on ido, 20 Loke pat pov heo a-knowe pare-of : are men pe aquelle ! hat Zachee, mi fader, tolde : in conseile ich pe telle ; A luyte hifore is depe he seide me : pat he was atpe dede to hurie pe rode op-on Caluarie hulle : ase huy nomen heom to rede. 1 This legend, which is counted as 10th in the MS. is preceded by (1) a poem on the Life and Passion of Christ (wanting the beginning and end), ed. by me under | the title of ‘ Leben Iesu, ein Fragment,’ Munster, Kegensberg, 1873, and (2) by a t poem on the Infancy of Christ, ed. in ‘Altengl. Legenden,’ Paderborn,' 1875, , pp. 1—61. Eight pieces, therefore, are lost before the legend of the Holy Rood. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. B 2 DISCOVERY OF THE CROSS BY ST. HELENA. Leoue fader, ich seide po : ^wat eilede eov, alas, 3 wy wolde him to depe do : 3 wane he so guod was % he seide pat Jjorii} him it nas nou^t : ake for pat he with-sede Mine felawes of heore lawe : huy duden him to depe, 28 And sethpe in sepulchre leiden him : and he a-ros to liue Fram depe pene pridde day : Mid is woundene hue, J^ene fourteope dai pare-Afterward : to heouene he wende an hei} In pe londe of Galilee : pat muche folk it i-sei} ; 32 Twelf Monpe it w r as pare'afterward : and half ^er and more J?at Steuene, pat [was] mi bropur : prechede of is lore, 34 po Giwes him ladden with-oute pe toun : and preowen him with stones And pare-with bro^ten him to depe : and debruysden alle is bones ; J}ene Morewe aftur Midewinter day : to depe huy him bro^te, And noupe he is in pe blisse of heuene : and pat he wel deore a- bou 3 te.’ ” IF p 0 Iudas liadde pis tale i-told : pe giwes seiden, ase huy stode : “ Heuer er ne heorde we telle : pus muche of pe rode.” 40 po pe tyme icome was, : bi-fore pe quyene huy come. “ Cheoseth,” seide pe Quiene a-non : “ on of pis tweie domes ; Lijf and deth eov is bi-fore : cheosez 3 wepur 3 e wolle : bote 3 e me bringue pe holie rode : echone brenne 3 e schulle.” 44 gret fuyr heo liet makie : r^t bi-fore hore e^en. [fol. 23 o.j Jje giwes bi-gonne to crien loude : po huy pat fuyr i-se^en, And seiden : “ 3 if any man pare-of wot : panne wot Iudas, For Zachee, is fader fader : of swype gret power was 48 )}ulke tyme pat Iesus : was op- on pe rode i-do.” j) 0 liet pe Quiene nime Iudas : and alle pe opere he 1 liet go, 1 = heo And bad him beo a-knowe a-non. : he nolde for no pretningue. 51 ))e Quiene him liet wel faste binde : and in strongue prisone bringue. With-oute mete and. drinke : pare seue dawes he lay ; For strong hounguer he criede loude : pene seuenpe day And seide : “ bringueth me out of pis wo : and ich eov [wole] 1 lede J)are ich wene pat pe rode beo : ase mi fader me seide.” ^m. 56 po he out of prisone cam : with muche folk he wende to pe place pare pe rode was : ase is fader him kende. IUDAS (ST. QUIRIAC) FINDS THE CROSS AND PROVES ITS VIRTUE. 3 p o he to fe place cam : a-donn he sat a-kneo : “ Louerd,” he 1 seide, “ 3 if it is soth : fat fou man and god beo 60 And fat fou of Marie were i-bore : siend us June grace, 1 ms. heo Som tokningue, J?at we finde mowe • f e rode in ]?is place.” A-non so Iudas ]?is bone hadde : to ore louerd i-bede, pe hul bi-gan to quakien : and out of one stude 64 A smoke fare cam and wende an hei 3 : and muche place fulde — Swottore fing nas neuere non : fane f>at smoke 1 smulde. ims. smake po Iudas J>is i-sei 3 : loude he gan to crie : “ Iesus is . on Alm^ti god : i-bore he was of fe maydene Marie ! 68 he is wod fat ani ojmr bi-leuez : ase ich habbe mani a day. Taken ichulle cristin-dom : ich for-sake here fe giwene lay.” he liet him cmtni hasteliche : and f o he icristned was, He liet him nenne Quiriac : fat erore hiet Iudas. 72 po nomen huy spade and schouele ; and ner pe place wende And bi-gonne forto deluen deope : fare ase pe smoke out kende. So fat huy founden roden freo : po huy hadden i-dolue longue : pe rode fat god was on ido : and fat f e tweie f eoues weren on an- honge 7 6 bi-side ore louerd, him for-to schiende. : fo nusten huy of fe freo po holie croyz fat huy soften : 3 wich it m^te beo. Nafeles huy nomen alle freo : and toward toune heom here To Dame Heleyne, fe guode Quene : with wel glade chere. 80 bi fe weye ase huy comen : men gonne a^ein heom bringue A ded 3 ong man ope one bere : toward bui^ingue. 82 Quiriac nam fat o rode : and efft-sone fat of ur, And leide op-on fat dede man : ake he ne a-ros for nofur. pe fridde huy leide op-on him : and he a-ros wel bliue And f onkede 3 eorne godes sone : fat fram def e him brou 3 te to liue. po cam fe deouel 3 eollinde forth : loude he gan to grede : “ Alas, noufe [is] mi power idon : eueref[t] more,” he sede ; 88 “ Iesus, Iesus, 3 wat, fenxt fou : al folk to fe lede? )X>u hauest here men to warde i^iue : f ing fat ich mest drede, [foi. 24] }poru 3 3 wan ich was furst ouer-come : ake noufe ich am al at grounde. Alas fulke soruwe : fat heo euere was i-founde ! 92 For i-ne habbe power non so gret : on eorfe a-mong manne, 4 THE DEVIL LAMENTS. JUDAS THEN FINDS THE NAILS. 3 if man fourmeth enes pe croyz : a-non pat i-ne mot panne. j 9 are-fore ich wot f»at euerech man : wole nou pe sope i-se Joat pe croiz me hauez ouer-come : and al bi-leue me. 96 Allas, alas pe time, i se^e : al ich worpe noupe for-sake ! Iudas, Iudas, 3 wat was pe : hou hauest pou on i-take*? )poru 3 A Iudas, pat was ^wilene : Iesus to depe ich brou^te, And nov poru 3 Iudas ouer-come ich am : and i-brou^t to no^te. 100 Strencpe ne worth me neuereft non : bote ani man wolle with wille Serui me to paye is flesch : is soule for-to spille ; Houpe mi strencpe is me bi-nome : fondi ich mot with ginne And with traisun, 3 if ich mai : ani man to me i-winne. 104 I-ne may here no leng bi-leue : for J>is me pinchez longue ; For pe creoiz j?at me is so nei 3 : in pine ich am ful strongue.” I Vdas seide : “ go heonne anon : and ne cum 1 here non-more ! I-founde is, pei it late beo : pat schal ouer-come al pi lore. 108 He pat haueth here pis dede man : fram depe i-brou 3 t to liue, Pulte pe and pi pouwer al : into helle grounde bliue.” 1 ms. ne cum he cum Muche was pe Ioye of pe croyz : pat men maden po pere ; With gret song and with processioun : to pe Quiene huy hire here. ])o nam Iudas cristindom : and po he ibaptized was, he liet him cleopien Quiriac : pat erore hiet Iudas. 114 ])q Quiene of seluer and of gold : one riche schrine heo wrou 3 te, And deorewurthe 3 imstones : and pe Eode pare-inne 1 heo brou 3 te. Op-on pe hulle of caluarie : pare huy pe rode founde, 1 ms. innne A noble churche heo dude a-rere : I-hered beo pulke stounde ! 118 j)o wilnede pe Quene muche : After pe nayles preo 3 ware- with ore louerd was : mailed to pe treo. 120 Quiriac, pat hiet er Iudas : wende to pe place )}are ase pe croiz i-founde was : and bad ore louerdes grace, \)at he, 3 if is wille were : pe pre Hailes him sende. j)e Hailes with l^tingue gret : op of pe eorpe wenden. 124 Quiriac ponkede Ihesu crist : and with gret Ioye heom nam, And bi-tok heom heleyne, pe guode Quene : po he to hire cam. J?us was pe holie Eode i-founde : pe pridde day of May, jpat we holdez in holi churche : pe holie rode-day. 1 28 HISTORY OF THE CROSS: ADAM, DYING, SENDS SETH TO PARADISE 5 FOR THE OIL OF MERCY. Quiriac, fat fe rode fond : setbfe bischop was — lie is noufe in heouene seint Quiriac : fat erore hiet Iudas. bi-seche we fe bolie croiz : fat bro^te fane Deuel to grounde, And seint Quiriac and seinte beleyne : foru3 3 warn heo was i-founde, p at huy bi-secben bim for us : fat on fe Rode scbedde is blod, j^at we rnoten to fe loye come : of heuene fat is so guod. 134 “KOrou} a treo we weren fur-lore : and furst i-brou3t to grounde, 1 J And f oruj a treo to liue i-brou3t : i-hered beo f ulke stounde ! A 1 it 2 cam of one more : fat us to def e brou3te, pfoi. 24 b.] 2 ms. a lit And fat us brou3te to liue a-3en : foru Iesus fat us bou3te. Of fe Appel-treo fat ore furste fader : fane Appel of nam, In fe manere fat icb ov telle wole : fe swete rode cam. 140 po Adam, ore furste fader : f e sunne hadde i-do, I-driue be was out of parays : and eue, is wijf, also. Aftur milce 3eorne be cride : fei it to late were. Por one bi-beste fat be of ore louerd hadde : fo fe Aungel bim drof out fere : 144 ]}at, 3wane fe time were fol-fuld : ore louerd bim wolde bi-fenche And with Oyle of milce smeorien bim : and is sunnes a-quenche ; gret hope hadde Adam to his bi-heste : fere-after euere-mo, Ase be in fe ualeye of Ebron : leouede with teone and wo. 148 Twei sones be hadde : fat he^ten Caym and Abel ; Eor onde fe on a-slou3 fat of ur : ase 3e i-wuten it wel. po Caym hadde is brof er a-slawe : i-flemd be was fare-fore. And fo Adam i-sai3 fat be hadde : beie is sones for-lore, 152 be weop and made deol i-nou3 : “ louerd,” be seide, “ fin ore ! Rei’3 womman icb habbe to muche i-beo : i-nelle nei3 hire come non- more. J)reo barmes ich habbe for hire 1 -baued : mi-sulf furst for-lore, And noufe mine sones, a weilawei ! : and of alle womman 1 is more.” po nolde Adam come nei3 is wijf : to bundrede 3er and more, Eor wo fat be hadde for hire i-haued : euere be liuede in sore. 158 Of ore louerd he hadde tockningue setbfe : fat he scholde to is wiue Wiende ; * MS. wommen j)o ne dorste be nou3t fare-a3ein beo. : a child be hadde atfcnende, Seth : he liet it cleopie : and setbfe be hadde mo. 6 THE WAY TO PARADISE. WHAT SETH SEES THROUGH THE GATE. A1 is lijf fe selie man : leonede in teone and wo. 162 po he was of Mn houndret 3 er : and to and pritti old, pe strencfe him failede in is limes : is bodi bi-cam al cold ; 164 he ne m^te nou 3 t a-boute f e eorf e swinke : ne f e weodes lip drawe ; Of is lijf he was a-nuyd : and wolde beo ded wel fawe. he sat and carede of is lijf : he cleopede is sone Seth : “leoue sone,” he seide, “ich am weri of leoued : and wilni muche mi dez. 168 p o ich was out of parays idriue : ore louerd bi-hiet me fere, With eoyle of milce to smeorie me : 3 wane it time were. So longue ich habbe fare abede : fat i-ne may libbe more ; to parays fov most fare-aftur go : and bidde him milce and ore. 172 J?e Aungel fov schalt fare finde : fat drof me fram f e 3 ate ; Seie, ich abide f ulke bi-heste : and me f inchez it comez to late, And seie, elde me hath ouer-come : fat I-ne may libbe longue, bide him fat ich de^e mote : and fe eoyle of milce a-fongue.” 176 “ I-ne can nanne wei,” quath is sone : “ fuder-ward, ase ich wene.” “ Leoue sone,” Adam seide : “ fe wei is wel i-sene. 3 wane fou comest to fe heued of fis valeie : a grene wei fov schalt wiende, put gez euene r^t puyr est : and to parays gez fat on ende ; [foi. 25] jpare-forth comen f i moder an ich : f o ich parays for-liet : Euerech stape fat we stepen : for-barnde onder ore fet; 182 He mi 3 te fare neuere-eft gras on growe : and al f e wei elles is grene ; For fe foule sunnes fat we duden : ore stapen beoth euere i-sene. )}are fov m^t with-oute faille : to parays euene gon.” Seth nam is fader blessingue : and wende him forth a-non. 186 pQ stapen he fond for-welewede : ase is fader him sede. po he to fe 3 ate cam, : he ne dorste gon in for drede. 188 An Aungel cam sone to 1 [fe] 3 ate : and axede 3 wat he soi^te. 1 MS.te? he seide fat one tif ingue to him : fram is fader he brou 3 te : J)at he wes old and weri of leoued : and fat he was of-longued sore After f e bi-heste fat him was bi-hote : for he ne m^te libbe non-more. H “ 3e,” seide f e Aungel, “ is he so ? : he ne schal farof nou 3 t doute. pult in fin heued here atfe 3 ate : and stond fi-sulf with-oute ! ” 194 So gret deli 3 t he hadde and Ioye : of f e foulene murie song ; AN ANGEL GIVES SETH THREE KERNELS OF THE APPLE-TREE, 7 TO LAY UNDER ADAM’S TONGUE. A grene he i-sai^ of grete swotnesse : and faire flovres fare among, Ech manere fruyt fare he i-sai^ : fat smulde al-so wel swote : him fou^te of eche manere vuel : Arnan mi^te habbe is bote; 198 him fou^te, ^if he moste fere : bi-holden In anie stounde, he mi^te enere in Ioye libbe : and is limes beon hole and sounde. 200 A-midde fe place, fat was so fair : he sai 3 a swife fair welle, Eram ^wam alle fe wateres on eorfe comiez : ase fe boc us dez telle. Ouer fe welle fare stod a treo : with bowes brode and lere, Ake fare nas opon nofur lief ne rinde : bote ase it for-oldet were ; An Addre it hadde bi-clupt a-boute : al naked with-oute skinne — J?at was fat treo and fe Haddre : fat made Adam don furst 1 sunne. he bi-heold In f are-ate eft-sone : fat treo him f ou^te he sei} 1 orig. pe Eaire i-leued and i-woxe : op to fe heouene an hei}, 208 On ouewarde he i-sai^ a luyte 3 ong child : in smale clofes i-wounde, )0e More of fe treo, ase him foi^te : tilde into helle grounde ; 210 Abeles soule is brofer al-so : him foi^te he [fer] i-sei 3 . f)o drof f e Aungel him fram f e 3 ate : fat he ne moste mor come so nei 3 « “ j)at child,” quath fe Aungel, “ fat fou i-sei 3 e : an hei 3 opon fe treo, Godes sone 1 it was, fat on eorfe : for fine fader sunnes wole beo And bringue with him fe eoyle of milce : 3 wane fe tyme ifuld is, to smeorie fare-with and bringe of pine : fine fader and alle his.” 216 ])o wende fe Aungel to fulke treo : Ane Appel fare-of he nam And bi-tok Seth f reo curneles f ar-of : f o he to him cam, 1 ms. sone sone And bad him legge fulke kurneles : onder is fader toungue 3 wane he were ded, and burien him : and lokie 3 wat farof sprongue. IT Seth wende hamward ase he cam : fe wei was wel i-sene, Eor he isei 3 fe stapen fat weren i-brende : and fat ofur wei was al grene. 222 \)o he was i-comen horn a 3 en : his fader he fond ded. he dude f e curneles onder is toungue : ase fe Aungel him hadde i-sed, And sethfe he burede him in fe valeie of Ebron : ase it was r^t tO don, [fol. 25 b.] And of-swonk is owene mete : f o he nuste non ofur won. In A fewe 3 er f are-Aftur-ward : f e curneles bi-gunne springe, ]2reo smale 3 erdene fare woxen of : faire f oru 3 alle fingue. ])o huy weren i-woxe in lengfe : of one Elne, ich wene, 228 8 THE CROSS. THE SAPLINGS FROM THE THREE APPLE-KERNELS, BROUGHT TO JERUSALEM BY DAVID, GROW INTO ONE TREE. In f ulke stat huy stoden longue fare : and euere-more grene, A-non for-to Moyses fe profete : 3 eode fare in londe, to lede fat folk of Israel. : and fo lie fond fe ^erdene stonde, 232 “ lo here,” he seide, “ gret bi-tokningue : of f e holie trinite, Of fader and sone and holie gost : bi f eose ^eorde freo.” he tok hem op with gret honour : and in faire clof e heom wond — A suote smul fare cam of heom : fat smelde in-to A1 fat lond. 236 to confermi f e bet is lawe : he bar heom forth on is hond ; Ech sick man fat heom A-nourede : is hele a-non he fond, to techen is folk fe ri}te lawe : fe 3 eordene with him he her, And for-to hele sike men : to and fourti 3 er. Sethfe fo he de^e scholde : fe 3 eordene he sette er Onder fe hulle of Tabor : and deide him-suluen fer. pare stoden f is 3 eordene grene : more fane a f ousend 3 er, Forto seint Daui fe kyng cam : fat was of so gret power. So fat he was foru 3 fe holie gost : i-hote forto h^e To fe hulle of Tabor : in fe londe of Arabie, And fat he fulke 3 eordene freo : fette and with him nome. Nie dawes he was fuder-ward : are he fudere come. With gret honur he nam heom op : fo he fe 3 eordene T fond — pe swotnesse fat farof cam : fulde al fat lond. i ms. jeordere With grete melodie of is harpe : seint Daui fe 3 eordene nam And ladde heom to Ierusalem : fene Nynfe day horn he cam. 252 In a priue stude he heom sette : ase it was in fe eueningue, Eor-to a-morewe, fat he i-se^e : 3 wodere he m^te heom bet bringue. A -Morewe, f o he cam f er-to : to one huy weren alle i-come, and weren i-morede suyf e faste : fat huy ne m^ten beo op i-nome. 256 pat huy weren so alle to one i-woxe : 3 wat bi-toknede fis bote f e fader and sone and f e holie gost : fat al o god it is 1 Seint Daui a-boute fis holie 3 eorde : a strong wal he liet a-rere, And nam guode 3 eme hov longue it woxe : fram 3 ere to 3 ere : 260 With a bei 3 of seoluer he bond : eche 3 eres schute fere, pat he mi 3 te atfe laste i-wite : hou old fat treo were. So fat with-Inne f ritti 3 er : fis treo wax wel on hei 3 ; 1 r. ase hit ne wax fo none more : and 1 he wust wel bi fe seluerne bei^ ; 264 240 244 248 THE TRIUNE TREE IS FELLED FOR THE TEMPLE, BUT FOUND TOO SHORT, 9 AND IS USED AS A BRIDGE, TILL THE QUEEN OF SABA WORSHIPS IT. Ake euere-more 1 fare-Aftur-ward : fair and grene it stod. 1 ms. mon Seint Daui it honourede muche : for he wuste fat it was guod. Jpo 1 seint Daui hadde i-wro^t : fe sunne of lecherie 1 ms. >at And man-slau^t, fo for is owene wijf : he 1 het slen vrie, ^s.jjat 268 And ore louerd nam far-of wreche : swif e sori he bi-cam, Onder fat treo is penaunce he dude : pat he fare-fore nam. [foi. 26 j 270 po makede he fere p ene sauter : is sunnes for-to bete ; pe sonere is sunnes him weren for^iue : for p e holie treo so swete. po bi-gan he al-so for is sunnes : pe holie temple a-rere Swife noble in Ierusalem : ake he deide in fe fourteofe 3 ere. Salomon, his sone : fat after him was king fere, Aftur him bulde fe temple forth : al-fat heo 3 are were. 276 to and fritti 3 er he was f are-a-boute : and is fader fourtene al-so ; So fat it was sixe and fourti 3 er : are fat weor[c] was al i-do. f o fat weork was almest 3 are : heom failede a long treo. fat holie treo was fairest fo : fat huy m^ten ou 3 were i-seo : 280 IT pe kyng Salomon it liet felle and hewe : ase quoynte-liche ase men m^te, And liet it meten and makien more : hi a fote fane fe 113 te. po it was i-brou 3 t to fe r^te stude : and scholde beon ilaced fere, po was it bi a fote to schort : ase euene ase huy it meten er. 284 pe Carpenters it lieten a-don : in strongue wrathf e and grete ; to no fing fat huy m^ten it don : it nolde beon i-mete. Ane brugge ouer ane olde diche : huy maden farof ate laste, For wrathf e fat huy ne m^ten in fe temple : to none of ure weorke it caste. 288 )5are-ouer eode mani man : f e 3 wile it fare lay — Nusten nou 3 t alle hov holi it was : fat defouleden it al dai. 290 pe Quiene of Saba cam fare forth : and a-non so fat heo it sei 3 , A-kneo heo sat and honourede 1 it : and nolde nou 3 t come fare-ne^. 2 bi anober wei heo wende forth. : to Saloman heo cam, l ms. i>onoureden For heo him hadde wel wide i-sou 3 t : to leorni of him wisdom. J}oru 3 grace fat ore louerd hire 3 af : to Salomon he 1 seide : 1 = heo pat treo ne scholde nou 3 t ligge fere : and he dude bi hire rede. 296 3eot heo seide, fare schal 1 a man : deie on fulke treo ir. scholde f)oru 3 3 wam al fe lawe of giwes : destruyd scholde beo. 10 THE BRIDGE-TREE IS HIDDEN AGAIN, IS FOUND FLOATING IN A WELL, AND IS TAKEN TO HANG CHRIST ON. Salomon it liet nimen sone : and onder eorpe it caste Swipe feor fram alle men : and burede hit wel faste. 300 So longue so it pare-aftur were : a faire welle pare sprong And a fair 3 water with grete fischsches : hope deope and long. Manie sike men pat pare come : and wuschschen heore fiet paron Opur heore hondene opur bapeden A1 : helpe huy hadden a-non. 304 Jpat watur huy loueden swipe muche : and wolden pare-inne wade ; Ake huy nusten no^t of pat treo : pat al pe vertue made. Sethpe pare-after longue it was : pat ore louerd on eorpe cam. Anon so pat folk bi-spac is deth : and heore red pare-of nam, 308 j ) at treo bi-gan to fleote : ase ore louerd es wille it was. ])e giwes comen and founden pat treo : fleotinde pare bi cas : huy nomen it op, for it pou 3 te fil and foul : and pare hadde i-lei^e longue, And maden parof pe holie rode : ore louerd paron to hongue, 312 For pat treo for-olded was : and huy heolden ore louerd lupur al-so — 3eot heom poi^te pat treo to fair : pat he were pare-on i-do. )2e croiz aftur ore louerdes deth : deope under eorpe huy caste, [foi. 26 b.] Jjare ase huy him to depe duden : and bureden it wel faste, 316 And pe tweie croiz al-so pare-bi : pat pe peoues on i-hanguede were. J?are huy le^en faste i-hudde : more pane to liondret 3 eres. For po titus and vaspasian : Ierusalem nome 1 1 r. hadde i-nome And hadden alle pe giwes destruyd : pat neuere-eft huy pare ne come, And al pat lond was i-broii 3 t : in pe Aumperoures hond of Eome And with is men i-fuld and al i-set : to nimen per-to gome, 322 Sethpe pare cam An Aumperour : pat hiet Adrian, hepene he was and swipe lupur : and werrede ech cnstiue man ; 324 For he wuste 3 ware pe rode lai : pat god was on i-do, And pat mstine men pe stude honoureden : 3 wane huy m^ten come perto, he liet ane temple of Maumates : in pulke stude a-rere, ))at men ne m^ten nou 3 t i-finde to louten heom to : bote maumates alle it were. 328 J)ei cristine men pudere 3 eoden : huy ne dorsten opur for doute ; And muche a 3 ein heore heorte it was : to ani maumete a-loute : 330 So pat huy lieten al pulke stude : and wenden a-wei for fere, after Christ’s death, Christ’s cross lies hidden till 1 1 Constantine’s vision of the cross. ])at with-inne ane fewe 3 eres pere-aftur : no c?*{stine man ne cam pere. ])o pulke stude was al for-lete : and pare-after wel mani a dai, J}at cnstine man ne paynim : nusten 3 ware pe rode lai, Sethpe pare cam an 1 Anmperour : pat hiet costantin ; 1 ms. am In weorre and bataylle he was so muche : pat pare-of nas no fin. 336 j ) o come is fon and wonne : mnclie del of is londe. he ^arkede al day al is Ost : a^ein heom for-to stonde. » = an A Se he toward pe bataille wende : he bi-heold op and 1 hei’ 3 : Him poi^te pat a fair Croiz : op in heouene he sei 3 ; 340 Lettres he i-sei 3 pare-on i-write : he bi-gan heom to rede ; “With pis signe pou schalt maister beo ” : pulke lettres seden. J}e Aumperour pis Onder-stod : pei he hexene were. Ane croiz he liet makien sone : pat is men bi-fore him here 344 In stude of his baner : in-to pe bataylle a-non : And J)oru 3 vertue of pe holie croiz : he ouer-cam alle is fon, he i-wan pe maistm and al is lond : in a luyte stounde pere. [Muche he thouthe per-afterward wat pilke signe were .] 1 added by a^ter j)e wiseste men of al is lond : he liet bi-fore him bringue margin! the And Axede heom of pe croyz : 3 wat were pe tokningue. 350 liuy seiden him J?at at Ierusalem : god was i-don on rode And pe giwes hudden pe croiz pere : ase huy onder-stode. 352 “ 3 wane ich habbe J>are-]?oru 3 ,” quath pe Aumperour : “ mine fon i-brou 3 t to grounde, Of heorte ne worjie ich neuere blij?e : are pe holie croyz beo i-founde.” ]po pe Aumperour pe holie rode : and pe faire miracles i-sei^, he liet him baptizen of pe pope : seint Siluestre, pat was po him ful nei 3 - 356 S Eint Quiriac, pat Bischop was : prechede godes lawe. p)e lupere Aumperour Iulian : brou 3 te him of dawe, For pe holie rode pat he fond : and for he men pere-to drou 3 to bi-lieuen on Iesu crist — : for he heold it al W0113. 360 ])o pe Aumperour hadde seint Quiriac : bi-foren him i-brou 3 t, [foi. 27] he bad him bi-lieue on heore Maumates : and po he nolde nou 3 t, his ri 3 t hond he liet of-smite : And seide, “ ich do pe pis, For pou hast pare-with i-write : a^ein ore lawe, i-wis.” 364 “ ))ou lupere hound,” pis opur seide : “wel hast pou i-don bi me, 12 ST. QUIRIAC’s MARTYRDOM UNDER JULIAN. EXALTATION OF THE CROSS. Of mine guode p ou were wel onder-stonde : ich ai^te wel blesci pe : For Jjou me hast 1 fat lime bi-nome : fat me hath ofte to sunne idrawe, 1 MS. me hast me And ofte ich habbe fare-with i-writen : a^ein Iesu cnstes la we, 368 j)e ^wyle ich was a lufer giv 3 : and on god ne bi-liefde nou^t.” \)o fis Aumperour fat i-sai^ : J?at he nolde tuyrne is Jjon^t, he made him drinke lead i-weld : and in is mouth helde it fere. Euere sat fis guode man : r^t ase him no-fing nere. 372 Op one gredire he leide him sethfe : ouer a gret fuyr and strong, To rosti ase men doth fersch flesch : pat were grece a-mong. J?at fuyr was i-maud of col and grece : and salt was eke fer-to, And is 1 flesch fat was for-brend : fe woundene huy selten al-so. 376 J)o he ne m^te fare-with tuyrne is f ou 3 t : and to def e [him] bringue, he Jjo^te ;if he m^te him tuyrne : with anie ojmr fingue. 1 a*, of is “ Quiriac,” he seide, “ fench on J>i-sulf : and do aftur mi lore : 3if fou nelt ore godes honouri : bote fou wolle more, 380 Se^e fat fou ne art cnstine nou 3 t : and ichulle debonere beo ; j}at murie lijf fou schalt far-after lede : sone fou schalt i-seo.” 382 \)o pe guode man nolde aftur him do : a Caudron he liet fulle With eoyle, he liet it seof e faste : and fane guode man fare-inne pulle, And seth fare-inne fane guode man : forto pat he weri was. ])e guode man herede ore louerd euere : and neuere pe worse him nas. ])o pe Aumperour fat isai 3 : fat he ne m^te him so ouer-come, With a swerd he smot him foru 3 pe heorte : po he was of bafe i- nome. 388 his soule wende to pe Ioye of heouene : After is tormentingue. Nou crist for pe loue of seint Quiriac : to Jmlke Ioye us bringue AmeH. — T%E holie Rode was i-founde : ase 3 e wutez, in May : C 1 u sept.] J He was an-hauset in septembre 1 sethfe : on pe holie rode-dai 3 . Aftur heruest he comez i-lome : and ofur^wyle J>are-Inne. god us gmunti for his moder loue : pe Ioye of heouene i-wynne. Mani a 3 er fare was bi-tweone. : 113 1 is fat we telle Of eyfur feste aftur ofur : nofur ouer-huppe i-nelle. 396 A kyng fare was in .perce. fo : Cosdroe was is name ; Cristine men fat he mi^te i-finde : Alle he brou 3 te to schame. CHOSROES II. BRINGS THE CROSS TO PERSIA, 13 AND FEIGNS HIMSELF GOD. With his lufere power he i-wan al-so : fe londes al a-boute. And fo he cam to Ierusalem : of fe sepulchre he hadde doute 400 J 2 at ore louerd was on i-leid : and a-non fat he fe sepulchre i-sei‘ 3 , Of al is power, fat was so lufer : ^eot ne dorste he come fare-ne^. Ake ane partie of fe swete croiz : fat seinte [Helene ] 1 fudere brou^te. he tok with him and wende him horn : and fudere non-more ne fOU^te. 1 supplied on the margin. 404 Of fat treo he was wel prout : f ei he him-sulf luyf ur were. A suyf e hei 3 tour of gold and seluer : he liet him sone a-rere ; [foi. 27 b.] Of ^ymmes and of deorewurf e stones : f are-a-boue he liet do Foourme of sonne and of mone : and of steorrene al-so, 408 Schininde ase f ei it heom-seolue weren : and tuyrne a-boute faste ; Ase a fondringue he made swyfe ofte : fat muche folk ofte a-gaste ; jporu} smale holes hi quoyntyse : fat watur al-so fere Ofte he made to grounde falle : ri^t ase it rein were. 412 Ase feor forth ase ani man coufe : he 1 made 2 with quoyntise, 1 a/.om. pe fourme ase fei it an heouene were : he made on alle wise, saz.makie On-ouewarde fe tour a-midde al f is : ane sege he liet a-rere, to sitten him-seolf far-inne ase a god : in heouene ase fei it were In his r^t half one sege he made : his 0 sone he sette fere In stude ase fei it were godes sone : fat non defaute it nere, 418 In his leoft half he made an of ur : and a fair koc he liet fette And in stude of fe holie gost : on his leoft half bi him sette, 420 And he him-seolf sat 1 f are-a-midde : f e fader ase fei it were, 1 ms. }>at Sone and holi gost on eif ur side — : welle, gret pruyte was fere ! 422 Eraclius f e Aumperour : fat cristine man was, at rome, Of f is 1 misfarinde pruyde : he heorde telle i-lome : 1 Added on the margin. With his host he wende in-to is lond : and weorrede on him wel faste. In his heouene ase a god he sat : ase fei him no-f ing ne a-gaste ; So fat his eldeste sone : he hiet wienden atf e laste Wit his Ost a~ 3 ein fe Aumpe?*our : and out of his lond him caste — ■ For he ne deignede nou 3 t him-seolf for him : of his heouene ene a - li 3 te, Hon more fane hit were a god : with eorfeliche manne to f^te. 430 his sone a- 3 ein fe Aumperour : with is ost he wende. And fo huy toward fe bataille comen : eifur to ofur sende 432 14 HERACLIUS ROUTS CHOSROES Il’s ARMY, KILLS HIM, AND RECOVERS THE CROSS. pat huy bi-twene heom-seoluen tweine : pe bataille scholden do And al heore Ost stonden and bi-holde : and non ne come hem to ; 3 wepur of heom a-boue were : habbe scholde pe mi^te Of pe operes men and al is lond : aftur is wille it di$te. 436 po pis fore ward was i-mad : to-gadere huy smiten to grounde And fou^ten ase hit heore r^te was : and maden heom wel bitere woundes. Atpe laste pe Aumperour : pane operne ouer-cam, laz.baundoun And al his folk, ase foreward was : into his power 1 heom nam. 440 he liet heom cristni euer-ech-one : and siwi him to is wille. pe lupere king sat euere at horn : in his heouene wel stille Ase a god, and nuste nou^t : pat he was bi-nepe i-brou$t ; So vuele he was of his men bi-loued : J>at huy nolden him telle noi^t. J)is Aumperour wende him forth : in-to his heouene an hei} And fond him sitten pare ase a god : his sone him sat ful nei}. 446 “ Ille hail beo pou, false god : in pine false heouene i-founde, With pi sone and pi holie gost ! : beoth nei 3 a-swounde. 448 bi him pat pou countrefetest : pat for us polede wounde, bote pou wolle on him bi-lieu e : pou sclialt here in a stounde Of mine hondene polie deth : and pi pruyte i-brou^t to grounde, [foi. 28 ] For al pine heouene i-nelle bi-leue : for marke ne for pounde.” 452 “ ay certes,” pis opur seide : “ pou ne schalt me so nou^t lere 1 i JOat ich to anie manne a-bouwie schulle : bote he herre pane ich were.” pe Aumperour drou^ out is swerd : and smot of is heued ri$t pere. his 3 ongue sone pat sat bi him : pat was in his teope 3 ere, 456 he liet cristny and maken him king : of al is fader lond. his men he 3 a ! 1 al pat seoluer : pat he pere fond. 1 ms. Mid pat gold and pe riche pingues : pat he fond al-so pere pe churchene pat pe schrewes destruyden er : pare-with he liet a-rere, And made pare a lond wel bi-lieued : and guod in godes la we ; Alle pat nolden tuyrne to god : he brou 3 te sone of dawe. 462 pe holie croiz pat he fond pere : pat ore louerd was on i-do, A-doun he as nam with gret honour : and with him as ladde also 464 To pe boru 3 of Ierusalem. : and po he cam pare-bi-side, Opon pe hulle of Oliuete : one stounde he gan a-bide. HERACLIUS, ON ACCOUNT OP A MIRACLE, HUMBLY ENTERS 15 JERUSALEM WITH THE CROSS. Svvyfe muche folk him cam a-boute : with gret honur with-alle And fonkeden god of j?is cas : fat heom was fare bi-falle, 468 J?at f e swete holie croiz : to heom a-^ein moste come fat f e luyfere kyng Cosdroe : heom hadde fare bi-nome. A-doun of f e hulle wende fe Aumperour : with fair processionn Ei^t fane wei fat ore louerd 3 eode : toward is passioun. 472 j) o he cam r^t to f e boru 3 : and wolde In atf e 3 ate, A fair miracle ore louerd sende : fat huy ne m^ten In far- ate; For fe stones fat fare weren a-boue : a-doun a-non huy a-l^ten And stoden empne forth r^t bi f e of er walle : fat no man In ne m^te. Sori was f o fe Aumperour : and al is folk al-so, And a-dradden fat he noii 3 t wuyrfe nere : swuch a dede for-to do. On god huy criden and wepen sore : fat he scholde heom grace siende, 3if fat it is wille were : into fe boru 3 for-to wiende. 480 f o stod fare An Aungel ouer f e 3 ete : A croiz he heold on honde : “Sire Aumperour,” he seide, “ f ulke time : fat ore louerd was here a-lonnde, j)o he com in atfusse 3 ate : to beo to defe ido, Opon a seli Asse he rod : in feble clofes al-so ; 484 he ne cam with none nobleye : so as f ou dest nov, With riche clofes and ofur pruyde : fei he were as hei 3 as fov.” Mid fis word he wende a* 3 en. : f is Aumperour a-non A-li 3 te a-doun and his clofes : he caste of euer-ech-on 488 A-non to is schurte and to is briech : sore weopinde with-alle. J)e stones arisen op a- 3 en : fat weren er a-doun i-falle, And ech lai in his ri^te stude : ase heo hadden er ido : fat 3 at was opene ase hit was er : fe wei was clene al-so. 492 ])e Aumperour nam f e swete rode : and al a-fote in bar ; J?at folk him siwede with gret pres : muche Ioye and blisse was far. J}are cam a-non so swote smul : ase hit fram heouene were ; Muche was fe suotnesse and fe Ioye : fat in fe contreie was fere. 1 ])e Aumperour bar f e swete croiz : in-to f e temple an hei 3 , L 1 foi. 28 1 >.] He bi-gan to singue fat newe song : bi-fore alle fat fare were nei 3 : “Jois 1 croiz is 2 br^tore to fis world : fane alle fe steorrene beo. J)ou art for-to honori of alle men : and fou art a suyfe louelich treo, holiore fou art fane al fat is : for fou one wuyrfe were 1 6 MIRACLES OF THE CROSS : A CROSS, STABBED BY A JEW, BLEEDS. Jpat pou pat tresor of al pe world : al one opon pe pou 1 here. 1 om. )>ou )?ov swete treo pat bere on pe : pe swete nayles al-so And pe swete burpene of godes sone : pat on J>e was i-do, 504 Sane noupe al pis compaygnie : pat hidere i-gadered is And here to-day to-gadere i-brou3t : in pine here^yngue i-wis ! ” Jje Aumperour song po pis song : pat wel is $vyt vnder-stonde — For ^uyt men it singueth in holie churche : 3 wane huy berez pe croiz on honde. 508 Al folk ononrede al-so pe croiz : so feor forth so huy in^ten it do, With offringues and with song : and with opur melodies al-so. p>oru vertue of pe swete rode : a-non-r^t in pe place Mani miracle pare feol a-day : poru ore louerdes grace. 512 A ded man a-ros fram deth to liue : and ten men pat meseles were, And four men of strongue palasie : heore hele huy hadden r^t pere, And fiftene men pat blinde weren : and manie opere al-so I-held weren poru3 is swete grace : pat on pe rode was i-do. 516 j)is was pe holie rode-day : pat in Septembre is : J}are-fore men honouriez in holi churche : pulke dai, i-wis. Mani miracle of pe swete rode : pe man pat heom telle coupe, Jjare hath sethpe i-beo and al-so bi-fore : some we wollez telle noupe. I N pe lond of costantyne pe noble : A gy w some-time pare was In one churche him-seolf al one : ase it feol bi cas ; he stod and bi-heol[d] pe rode : ore louerd forto schiende, And 1 pou3te to don pe rode schame : are eni man come pare-hende. 524 In pe prote with a swerd : he smot pe suete rode ; 1 r.a = he? j)a,t blod sprong on him anon-r^t al a-brod : pat he was al a-blode. j ) 0 was pe schrewe a-ferd of cnstine men : pat ani come atpe laste : j)e rode he bar a-non-r^t a-wei : and in a deop put hire caste, 528 And at-orn him-seolf for drede. : a cristine man sone he mette, ))at bi-heold him hou he was bi-bled : and on him faste he sette. “Schrewe,” he seide, “3ware hauest pouibeo? : 3wam hast pou i- brou3t of dawe % Jpou schalt a-bide here with me : and beo an-hongue opur to-drawe.” “ Certes,” seide pes opur, “i-ne habbe i-do : no man bote guod.” “))ou lixt,” seide pe cnstine man : “and pat man mai i-seo bi pis blod.” 534 JEWS BEAT A CROSS AND PRICK IT WITH A SPEAR. IT BLEEDS. 17 THE BLOOD CURES DISEASES. THE JEWS TURN CHRISTIANS. “ Louerd, merci ” seide p e giv} : “ to sof e nouf e ich i-seo ])at mstinemannes god is muche and guod : betere 1 ne may non beo. doth mid me 3 wat 3 e wollez : of-serued ich habbe i-wis : 1 aUierre For a rode ich smot a swife deop wounde : and heo bledde on me f is. And ich eov bidde cnstine-dom : are ich beo to defe i-do.” Cristine men fat p is i-heorden : ful sone huy ^eoden him to, 540 Of fat f e giv heom tolde : huy maden heom ful bold : [foi. 29] huy wenden forth and founden f e Rode : ase [he] heom hadde i-told. huy wuschen hire clene and setten hire up : ase heo was er bi-fore ido. 3uyt is fe wounde in fe frote i-sene : and euere heo wole so. 544 ])e giv fat hire hadde so i-smite : i-mstned he was sone, And guod lijf ladde, as it bi-feol : cristine man to done. A Cristine man fare was 3 wile : in fe londe of Side, A rode he hadde in is hous : fer-on ofte to crie. 548 hit bifeol at is terme-day : fat he wende to an of ur inne. A giv cam sethfe and wonede f er : and nust nou 3 t f e rode fare-inne. ])o fe rode was fare i-founde : alle fe giwes as nome And ladden as forth to heore Synagogue : ase huy ladden ore louerd to dome ; 552 And also ase huy ore louerd beoten : fe rode huy beoten faste, And spatten on hure and boffatteden al-so : and ofte a-doun hire casten ; At fe r^t side huy smiten a spere : ful deope in atfe laste : J)at blod sprong out with gret strem. : f 0 weren fe schrewes a-gaste. 556 For huy nolden bi-blede heore synagogue : a gret fat and a muche huy fette, to hente fane strem of blode : vnder fe rode huy it sette ; So fat heo bledde fat fat bretful : of blod, are hit stunte. fo ne dorsten huy more schame do : fe rode ase huy munte. 560 Ake huy fou 3 ten to proui with fat blod : 3 wefer ore louerd were soth and guod 1 : 1 r. soth god Euerech sik giv fat huy kneowen : huy smeoreden with fat blod : And heore hele huy hadden a-non. : fe schrewene onder-stode fat heore lawe nas ri^t nou 3 t : fat ne bi-liefden nou 3 t on f e rode : 564 to fe bischop huy wenden a-non : and lieten heom cnstni alle, And tolden al heore luyfere dede : ant hou it f are-of was bi-falle. f>e bischop wuste f is holie blod : ase relikes riche and guode. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. C 18 THE nOLY CROSS. A JEW, BLESSING HIMSELF, FRIGHTENS THE DEVIL. A NUN IS PUNISHED FOR NOT BLESSING HER FOOD. gret miracle fare cam alday : of fulke swete blode; 568 So fat it was in-to manie studes : I-fet, wide and side, J?at it is nonf e for relikes i-holde : in mani a lond wel wide. In mani stude men seggez it is : of ore lonerdes owene Mode ; Ake in eche stnde it may wel beo : among of ere relikes guode. 572 A Giv fare cam to Rome 3 wilene : fat ne mi^te herebeorewe non i-winne : 1 ms. hous hous In an old hous 1 he lay him a-doun : feor fram euerech Inne. For he was in so wilde stude : of f e deuel he dradde him sore, he fou 3 te hou cnstine men heom wusten : fram fe deoueles lore : 576 With fe croiz he blessede him al-a-boute : an-auntre 3 wat him bi-tidde, J}ei he fare-on ne bi-liefde nou 3 t : and lay doun him-seolf a-midde. A gret deouel fere cam In at nrid-n^t : ase fei it a maister were, And of ur deuelene with him i-nowe : ane chaiere with him huy here, Jpare-oppon huy setten fis grete maister : and he heom eschte a-non Ech after of ur of heore dedes : and 3 ware-a-boute huy hadden i-gon. j)o euerech hadde i^olde a-countes : of schreu-hede huy hadden ido, j)e maister lokede him bi-side : fane giv he i-sai 3 al-so. 584 “ 3 wat is,” he seide, “ f ilke maister : fat ich in f ulke huyrne iseo 1 ho made him so hardi and so wod : at oure a-counte to beo? [foi.29b.] goth forth a-non and fetteth him hider ! : we schullen maken him with us telle.” So sore werth fe giv a-drad : fat he werth nei 3 out of is felle. 588 ])o fe deuelene comen toward him : huy ne m^ten come him nei 3 , Ake ech of heom a-drad was sore : fo he fat creoiz i-sei^. “ 3 wat nou?” quath fis bolde maister : “ 3 wyne habbe 3 e him i- brou 3 t?” “ Sire, merci,” fis of ere seiden : “ wene mowen come nei 3 him nou 3 t : he is in a veteles fat ampti is : ake with-oute i-armed faste.” \)o flouwen fe deuelene for fe croiz : fat sore huy weren a-gaste. \)e giv bi-liefde in godes sone : fat on fe rode was i-do, And liet him cristni al-so sone : so he m^te come fer-to. 596 A Nonne fare was of on Abbeie : fat in a day hire 3 eode ple^e. A fair herbe, fat men cleopez letuse : heo i-sai ‘3 stonde bi fe wei3e : In hire mouth heo pulte farof a lef : and ne blessede it nou 3 t er : ST. DUNSTAN : FOLKS’ LIGHTS IN THE CHURCH ARE MIRACULOUSLY 1 9 PUT OUT AND LIGHTED THROUGH HIM BEFORE HIS BIRTH. heo iwerth a-non out of hire witte : and feol a-doun r^t per. 600 p at folk made gret deol for hire : and ech man pat hire i-sai}. An holi man pat parof heorde : puder-ward wende adai. A-non so he cam toward hire : pe deuel gradde for fere And seide, “ a weilawei ! $wat dude ich here : bote op one herbe sat pere 1 r. swaq 604 And heo me nam and swaluz 1 me in : and hot me al-so wel sore 1 Jjou m^t ^wite me 3 wat pou wolt : ake i-ne hahbe gult non more.” “ J;ou schalt,” quath pis holi man : “ an oper .In. hahbe to- 3 ere. For heo format to blessi hure : ful redi pou were pere.” 608 J)oru 3 signe of pe holie croiz : pene deuel he drof out pere ; 3eollinde and fol sori he wende a-wei : with ful grislich here. J}are-fore ich rede ech man beo i-war : pat wilnez wel to do, blessi is mete are he it ete : pat he ne beo i-serued so. 612 Noupe, god, for pe rode loue : pat pou were on ido, bringue us to pe hei^e Ioye : pat pou us hottest to. Amen. 11. S. Dunstan. 1 S Eint Dunston was of enguelonde : i-come of guode more. Miracle ore louerd dude for him : pe 3 uyt he was un-bore. For po he was in his moder wombe : In a candel-masse day, pat folk was muche at churche : ase hit to pe tyme lay : 4 As huy stoden alle with heore l^t : r^t also men stondeth 3 uyt nou, heore l^t queincte ouer-al : pat no mon nuste hou ; here pat l^t barnde swipe wel : and here it was al oute. pat folk stod al in gret wonder : and weren in grete doute, 8 And bispeken ech to opur : in 3 wuche manere it were pat it queinte so sodeinliche : al pat l^t pat huy here. Also huy stoden and parof speken : in gret wonder ech-on, Seint Dunstones moder taper : a-fuyre werth a-non 12 pat heo huld in hire hond — : heo nuste 3 wannes it cam. pat folk stod and pat bihuld : and gret wonder par-of it nam ; FTo man nuste fro whannes it cam : bote poru ore louerdes grace. Jparof huy tenden alle heore l^t : pat weren in pe place. 16 1 This legend, and S. Cristofer, I have edited before in ‘ Lemcke, Jahrbuch fur rom. und engl. phil., 1875.’ 20 ST. DUNSTAN, BROUGHT UP AT GLASTONBURY, FOUNDS GLASTON- BURY ABBEY, OF WHICH HE BECOMES ABBOT. 3wat was pat, pat ore louerd crist : fram heouene pat lijt sende [foi. 30] And pat folk pat pare stode aboute : heore taperes parof tende, Bote pat of pulke holi child : pat was in hire wombe pere A1 enguelond scholde beo ili^t : bet pane hit euer er were? — 20 ])o pis child was i-bore : his freond nomen per-to hede, huy leten hit do to Glastingburi : to norischci and to fede, And to techen him his bilene al-so : his pater noster and crede. J}at child wax and wel i-pev 3 : ase it moste nede. 24 To pe world he nam luyte ^eme : for to alle godnesse he drou} ; Ech man pat heorde of him speke : hadde of him ioye i-nov}. ])o he coupe mannes wit : to his vncle he gan go, Erchebischop of caunterburi : Aldelm pat was po. 28 With him he maude ioye i-nov} : and euere pe leng pe more, J)o he i-sei of his guodnesse : and of his wise lore. Eor gret deinte pat he hadde of him : he dude him sone bringue To pe prince of Engelond : Apelston pe kyngue. 32 Jpe king him maude ioye i-nou^ : and grauntede al his bone, Of ^wat ping pat he wolde him bidde : }if it were to done. Seint Dunston him bad ane place : pare he was forth i-bro^t, In pe toun of Glastingburi : pat he ne wernde him nou 3 t. 36 j)e king grauntede him is bone a-non : and after him al-so Edmund, is broper, po he was king : and in his power ido. To Glastingburi he wende sone : pe guode man seint Dunston, j ) o hope pe kingues 3 eue him leue : Eadmund and Athelston. 40 H A fair Abbeye he let pare a-rere : ase men i-seoth pare 3 uyt stonde, Of blake Monekes, pat was a-rerd : pe furste of Enguelonde — Eor ech Abbeie of Enguelonde : pat of blake Monekes is Of pe hous of Gastingburi : furst sprong and cam, iwis. 44 Him-sulf he nam pe Abite pere : and Monek formest bi-cam ; Sone he was Abbot of pe hous : and gret couent to him nam. he makede pare godes seruise : studefast and stable i-nov 3 ; p)at couent pat pare-inne was : to alle guodnesse drou 3 » 48 p)is holi Abbod seint Dunston : hadde gret power With pe king Eadmund, po he was king : he was is conseiller. After pe king Eadmundes depe : a guode 3 wyle it was a-gon ST. DUNSTAN IS BANISHED BY EDWIN, CALLED BACK BY EDGAR, 21 AND MADE BISHOP OF WORCESTER. j ) at Echvyne, is sone, was king i-maud : ake nou 3 t ri^t sone after a-non. 52 IT j)is Edwyne hadde fnl vuel red : and fare-aftur lie drov^. With seint Dunston he was wroth : and with wel gret WOV 3 Of his Abbeye he drof him out : and dude him schame i-nov^ ; j)e more schame ]?at he him dude : fe more fe guode man I0Y3. 56 he let driue him out of Enguelonde : and let crien him fieme. )}is guode man wende out wel glad : ne tok he none 3 eme. To f e Abbeie of seint Amaunt : bi^eonde se he drou 3 , And soriornede fare longue : and ladde guod lijf inov 3 . 60 IT f 0 f e king Edwyne was ded : Edgar, fat was is brofer, After him was king I-maud : for he was ner fane ani of ur. Swyfe guod man he bi-cam : and louede wel holi churche, And ech man fat him to guode radde : aftur him he gan wurclie. 64 H Men tolden him of seint Dunston : fat is brofer drof out of londe With vnr^tht for is guodnesse : and he bi-gan him vnderstonde : After him he sende a-non : fat he come a^en sone And with him bi-leue is conseiler : of fat he hadde to done. 68 Seint Dunston cam horn a~ 3 en : and faire was vnder-fongue, And hadde his Abbeye al in pays : fram 3 wuche he hadde i-beo longue. Swyfe wel he was with f e king : and al his conseiller ; Men speken muche of his guodnesse : wel wide feor and ner. 7 2 IT Hit bi-fel fat f e Bischop : of wyrecestre was ded : j)Q kyng and f e Erchebischop Eode : far-of nomen heore red And fene holie Abbod seint Dunston : Bischop huy maden fere, For he scholde beo herre in godes la we : fei it a- 3 ein is wille were. Some men axeden at fe Erchebischope : of Caunterburi sire Ode 3 ware-fore fat he him Bischop maude : and 3 wy his graces weren so guode. “For he schal,” seide f is guode Man : “ aftur me here bee Erchebischop of Caunterburi : and fat Men schullen i-see.” 80 “ 3 wat wostf ou \ ” fis of ere seiden : “fou spext folliche, i-wis, })ou nost non more fane fi fot : op-on god al it is.” “Mine leue frend,” seide fis holie Man : “ 3 c ne dorre me blamie nou 3 t, 22 ST. DUNSTAN IS MADE BISHOP OP LONDON, THEN ARCHBISHOP CP CANTERBURY, AND REFORMS THE CLERGY. For ich wot wel $wat ore louerd crist : in mi Mouth hath i-brou 3 t. And ho-so with-seith ou^t of fulke finge : fat ich eov habbe i-sed, ]pe sofe he mai seo, ^if he liueth : after J>at ich am ded.” 86 U Bischop he was of londone : seint Dunston, sethfe al-so, Of londone and of wyrecestre : and heold hope to. 88 hit bi-fel fat f e Erchebischop : of Caunterburi was ded : ])q pope and f e king Edgar : f ar-of nomen heore red And mauden fane guode man seint Dunstan : Erchebischop fere. Guode men fat him i-knewen : wel glade f ar-of were. 92 ])e cristindom of Enguelonde : to guod stat he drov^ And fe r^tes of holi churche : he heold up faste i-nov}. he fourmede f 0 TO 3 al enguelond : fat ech person scholde cheose To witien him chaste fram lecherie : ofur his churche leose. 96 Seint Athelwold was f ulke tyme : Bischop of winchestre, And Oswold, f e guode man : Bischop of wurecestre : )}eos twei Bischopes with seint Dunston : weren al at one rede, And Edgar fe guode king : to done fat guode dede. 100 peos freo Bischopes wenden a-boute : f oru 3 al Enguelonde And euerech luf er person casten out : heom ne m^hte non atstonde ; heore churchene and heore ofer guod : clanliche heom bi-nome And bi-setten as on guode men : foru 3 fe popes graunt of rome. 104 Ey 3 hte an fourti Abbeies : of Monekes and of nonnes Of fat tresur huy a-rerden in Enguelonde : fat of persones was so i-wonne. [Here a leaf is torn out in the MS., with the rest of this and the beginning of the following legend ; only the first words of w. 131-151 are preserved on a fragment of the leaf. MS. Yernon, which has the same text, continues:] [{for so hit was bet biset : fen hit were 1 er on schrewe — 1 al. was ffor whonne gode Maystres beof : sum goodnesse heo wollef schewe. Gode weoren fe freo Bisschopes : fat fulke tyme weren fo — j)e betere hit is in Engelonde : for hem euere-mo. 110 IT Yr lord 3 af seint Dunston : on eorfe so feir grace J?at on a tyme, as he was : in a priue place, 112 his ffader and his Modur ek : in f e Ioye of heuene an-heih, Aftur fat heo weoren dede : wel aperteliche he hem seih. Gret loue vr lord him. kudde : whon he him schewede fere So muche of his priuyte : fe while he alyue were ! 116 ST. DUNSTAN HEARS ANGELS SING KYRIE ELEISON. HIS HARP 23 PLAYS AN ANTHEM BY ITSELF. HE DIES. IT As he lay a nopur time : in his reste a niht, he sayh pe Ioye of heuene : and pe place per- inne wel briht ; Aungels he herde syngen also : a Murie song per-Inne, J}at me syngep in holy Chirehe : whon me pe Masse bi-ginne : 12D Kyrie leyson xpe leyson : was pat Murie song — fie holi Mon pat pis i-herde : hit ne phouhte him no-ping long. Wel ouhte he to heuene come : at his ende-day fiat, while he was alyue : so muche of heuene he say ! 124 U harpe he louede swipe wel : for of harpe he coupe i-noirh. A day he sat in his solas : and a lay per-on he drouh. fie harpe he heng vp bi pe wouh : po hit was tyme to ete ; fio hit was redi per-to ibrouht : he sat doun to his mete. 128 Of heuene he gon penche sone : of ioye pat was pere, Of pe Ioyful blisse pat per was : among halewen pat per were.] he* sat [as pei 3 he weore i-nome : so muche per-on he pouhte.] liis h[arpe, pat heng so bi pe wouh : of whom he luyte Rouhte,] 132 heo gan [to kuipe his holy pouht : ded treo pei^ hit were,] Also it o[vr lordus wille was — : hire herden alle pat weoren pere.] A1 bi liire-[self heo gon harpen : a Murie Antempne iwis] fiat men s[ingep 3 ut in holy churche : pat on Englisch is pis] : 136 “ halewene s[oulen glade beop : pat in heuene beop i-do,] fiat siweden [vr lordes wey : and for him schedden also] lieore blod for [his swete loue. : perfore heo schulen wone] And kyngues 1 be [wip-outen ende : wip crist Godus sone.”] 1 vern. knyhtes J^e 1 Antenene pa[t murie is : as pis folk iherden alle,] i ai .\> is fie harpe song a[l bi hire-self : as heo heng bi pe walle.] Faire grace ore l[ord hi m schewede per : whon pat dede treo] Scholde so singue [of pulke Ioye : pat he scholde Inne beo !] 144 Louerd, i-hered beo [pi grace : & pi m^te also] fiat woldest her 1 [alyue for hi m : such miracle do.] t i ms. for IT po pis holie man [hedde i-lyued : on eorpe mony a day] And his ende-dai [was neih i-come : as he him-self say 3 ,] 148 An holi poresdai [he wex sek : as hit fel in pe 3 ere.] he liet him clep[e of his frendes : pat specials to hym were,] his men pat h[im serueden ek : he lette hem clepe also,] [And for^af hem heore trespas : pat heo him hedden misdo, 152 And a-soylede hem of heore sunnes : as he in Godus bendes lay. And so he lay in pulke tyme : and eke pene ffriday. * These beginnings of the next verses are extant in L. on a fragment of the fol. t Yv. 143-4, om. in Vern., are added from MS. Harl. 24 ST. AUSTIN, WITH 40 MONKS, IS SENT BY POPE GREGORY TO CONVERT ENGLAND. lie lette clepe pe Saturday : pe ffreres bi-foren him alle * r. hem And bad hem alle haue god day : and seide what him 1 scholde bi-falle; he let him don al his Rihtes : and vr lordus flesch he nom, And wende out of pis world : and to heuene wel sone com. Now, swete lord seint Dunston : pat vre Erchebisschop were, Bring vs to pe Ioye of heuene : as Angles pi soule bere. Amen. 160 12 Aiistyn. S Eint Augustin, pat cmtendom : brouhte in-to Engelonde, Riht is among opere i-wis : pat we him vndurstonde. Seint Gregori pe holy Mon : pope was of Rome, Engelond he loUede muche : J?eih he per neuer ne come. 4 Me tolde pat pe lond was good : and pat hit hepene was. Wel sori was seint Gregori : pat hit cristene nas. him-self he wolde habben i-went : in-to Engelonde, Ac he ne moste for pe Cardinals. : ac he sende his sonde : 8 Wip ffourti goode men : seint Austyn he nom And sende hym in-to Engelonde : to preche cristendom, j)at vchone Monkes weore : seint Austin and eke pe opere. fforp lieo wenden euerichone : pat were alle as brepere — 12 Aftur pat God was i-boren : ffyue hundred ^er hit was \)at seint Austin wende in-to Engelonde : to do pis goode cas. he dredde him sore for he ne coupe : pe speche of Engelonde : he nom men wip him pat coupen : pe speche vndurstonde. 16 IT heo duden hem forp in pe see. : po heo pider comen, Toward pe hepene of Engelonde : pe rihte wey heo nomen. In an He bi pe Est : Riht atte on ende J)is Goode Men gonne/i aryue : as God wol[d]e hem grace sende. 20 j)er heo nomen furst heore In : and nomen hem sone to Rede hou heo mihten best on taken : to don pis holy dede. 51 To pe kyng Apelbert, pat was po : kyng of Engelonde, Bi a qweynte Messager : feire heo senden heore sonde : 24 ]}at heo weoren Messagers : and from an hei} mon heo come To don to him a Message : from pe Court of Rome, j)at scholde to him world wipouten ende : and to alle in his londe To gret prou ben and to gret Richesse : }if he hit wolde vndurstonde. 5T j)o pe kyng pis word herde : he stod a while in pouht. “ Goode tipinges,” he seide, u mot hit beo : pat heo me habbep i-brouht. vndurfongep hem feire inouh : and honourep hem also, And fyndep hem plente inouh : of pat heo habbep nede to, 32 ST. AUSTIN LANDS (iN THANET), AND IS KINDLY RECEIVED BY 25 ATHELBERT, WHO GRANTS HIM RESIDENCE AT DOVER. fforte ich habbe wif hem i-speke : and heore Message seo ; God leue, as heo me bi-hotef : fat hit mote to my prou beo.” his heste was ful wel i-holde : and me vndurfeng hem feire i-nouh. )?e kyng toward f ulke lie : sone f eraftur he him drouh.] 36 [Here L. continues, fol. 31.] ])o he to fe .yle. cam : to seint Austyn he sende, Jlat he to him with his felawes : to don is erende, i-wende. H Seint Austyn him greif ede wel : and his felawes echon, For-to fi^hte a- 3 ein fe Deuel : and to batayle gon : 40 huy mauden f e signe of f e croiz — : ojmre Armes ne hadden huy non For-to done fis bataille : and to ouer-come heore fon. Ane Croyz of seluer with f e fourme : of god huy leten a-rere And in stude of Banere : bi-fore heom huy here, 44 And ^eoden forth wel baldeliche : ase hardie kny 3 tes and guode, huy siweden alle heore swete Baner : f e fourme of f e rode ; ])q letanie huy gonne singue : for prov of fe londe, Jpat ore swete louerd heom sende grace : heore prechingue to vnder- stonde. 4S IT J}ane kyng huy gretten swyfe faire : po huy to him come, And seiden him pe erende : fat huy brou 3 ten fram pe court of Borne, And precheden him of cnstindom : and of ore louerdes lawe, 1 r. to j^at 1 goddere hele him and alle his : 3 B huy wolden fare-to drawe ; huy bi-heten him pe Ioye of heouene : fat so riche was and is, jpat he scholde after fis lijf : tuyrne into Jmlke blis And be fere with-outen ende : with god fat us bou 3 te. jOe king stod, fo he heorde fis : ase fei he were in fou 3 te. 56 IT “Swyfe fair f ing,” he seide, “ it is : fat f ov bi-hotest me ; Mi 3 hte ich beo siker fat hit sothf were : ich wolde don after f e. Ake ich ne concenti nou 3 t f er-to — : for it is 3 eot so neowe, Are ich habbe more vndei^ite : 3 wefur fis Message beo trewe. 60 Ake for 3 e fus i-trauailede beoth : fram so ferre londe, And for ore guode, ase 3 e seggeth : and 3 e dothf me onderstonde, Ich eov nelle greui nou 3 t : ake wel faire bi eov do And onder-fonguen eov and finden also : fat 3 e habbez neode to; 64 And ich graunti also fat alle fulke : fat wollez to eov torne, Guode leue ich [jiue ech ] 1 man : for i-nelle no man weorne.” 1 om.. 26 ST. AUSTIN CONVERTS THE PEOPLE AND KING, AND IS MADE FIRST ARCHBISHOP OP CANTERBURY. ST. BARNABAS JOINS THE APOSTLES. IT Seint Austin and alle his : A swyf e fair woniingue In f e toun of Douere he heom 3 af : to makie inne heore prechingue. Seint Austin and is felawes also : bi-gonne to prechie faste, So fat some fat guode weren : to heom heore heorte caste 70 And turnden heom to cristindom : and euere ]?e leng f e mo ; So fat fut folk a-boute heom cam : ase ficke ase huy m^ten go. 72 heore dede sprong so wide sone : ]?at to fe king it cam pe faire miracles fat huy duden : as huy precheden cristindom. IT He wende and heorde eft heore prechingue : and sei 3 fat hit was guod; “ To longue,” he seide, “ich habbe a-bide : ar ich fis vnder-stod.” 76 he turnde him to cristindom : and liet him baptisen anon And biliefde on ihesu crist : and is Men ech-on. Erchebischop of Caunterburi : fe furste fat euere cam, Seint Austin huy maden fo : to holde up cristindom. 80 IF Seint Austin brou 3 te cristindom : fus into Enguelonde — Wei au 3 te we his [dai] Anouri : 3 if we weren wel vnderstonde. [foi. si b.] U His day is toward fe ende of May : for in fat day he wende Out of fis lijf to ihesu crist : fat after him fo sende. 84 Bidde we 3 eorne seint Austin : fat cristindom so brou 3 te, pat we moten to fulke Ioye come : to 3 wan ore louerd us bou 3 te. 13 Barnabe S Eint Barnabe f e Apostle : fat guod was and hiende, I-Martred he was for godes loue : in strongue def e atf enende. After fat ore swete louerd : to heouene gan i-wende, pe Apostles precheden cristindom : ase he heom gan wit siende : 4 U Seint Barnabe i-sai 3 f o : fat his bi-leue nas nou 3 t : he turnde sone to fe Apostles : and to ore louerd al is fou 3 t. Of lond he hadde ane grete feld : and he it solde wel faste, to f e Apostles he wende anon : and to heore fet f e panes caste 8 And for-sok al fis world 1 guod : and heore felawe bi-cam, 1 r. worides And I-martred he was with heom : for loue of cristindam. Sethfe f o seint powel : to f e Apostles wende, pe Apostles ne lefden it nou 3 t : fat ore louerd him to heom sende, 12 Ake wenden fat he a gylur were : so fat hit was longue — ST. BARNABAS BEFRIENDS ST. PAUL, GOES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, 27 CONVERTS A COMPANY OF PHILOSOPHERS, FINDS NAKED MEN IN CYPRUS. For he hadde so lufur man i-be — : are huy dorsten him vnder- fongue. IT Seint Barnabe i-knev him ferst : so fat he formest broi^te j)e apostles in cuthrade with him : and in ri^te foi^te, 16 And tolde heom hov ore swete louerd : bi weye to him cam And smot him and bi-nam him is s^t : and brou^te him to cr/stindom. IT Sethfe f o fram Ierusalem : f e Apostles gonne wende, For-to prechi godes lawe : fat so guod is and hende, 20 And to fe londe of Cypre : seint Barnabe huy gonne po sende i 1 Ase he wende forth in is wei : in one stude he fond 1 ™er V Mss in A felau 3 schipe of quoynte Men : pe wiseste of al fe lond. he spac with heom so quoynteliche : ase he bi heom cam, 24 j ) at par nas non of heom alle : fat ne wondrede of his wisdam. “ Sire sire,” seide on of heom : fat was of grete fame, “ Tel us of ^wannes f ou art : and 3 wat is f i name, And fram 3 wannes f ou art hidere i-come : and for 3 wuche fingue ; 28 J?ou comest here into ore lond : ich wot for sume tifingue.” IT Seint Barnabe f is holie Man : fondede in eche pointe to answerien heom wel quoynteliche : for huy weren heom-self so quoynte. “ Sire,” he seide, “ fov axest wel : and ich ou wulle telle : Barnabe ich am i-cleoped : f e deueles fo of helle, Iesu cnstes man ich am : fat me gan hidere siende, Fram Ierusalem ich am i-come : and fus a-boute wiende For-to prechi is holie name : fat brou 3 te us out of biende. Bi-leueth on him and 3 e worfeth in Ioye : euere with-oute ende, he prechede so fis grete men : fat huy turnden heore f ou 3 t And weren fare to cnstindom : f oru 3 seint Barnabe i-brou 3 t And bi-liefden on Iesu cnst : and heore heorte ope him caste, And prechede also of ihesu crist : and turnde f ut folk wel faste. [foi. 32] Seint Barnabe wende him forth : and to fe londe of cipre he com, to tuyrne men to ihesu crist : and to prechi cristindom. He cam and fond a foul dede : fat schendful was to do : 44 Men vrne nakede al a-boute : and wummen al-so. Seint Barnabe was far-of a-schamed : for it was a schenful dede J?at fe schrewene neren a-schamede nou 3 t : to schewi heore wrechhede. 32 36 40 28 ST. BARNABAS CURES TIMON OF A FEVER WITH THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW. To J temple he wende a-non : ope 3 wan huy a-vouweden heore schame, 48 And a-mansede fat sori temple : in ore lonerdes name. A-non with fis mansingue : al fat on half dachste a-do v nn } 3 oru 3 grete wreche of f is temple : with gret noyse and soun. j ) o fe schrewes i-se^en fe wreche : fat so schamelese were, 52 huy bi-lefden f ulke schendfole dede : huy ne dorsten non-ofur for fere. fis holie man wende him forth : ferrore in fe lond i 1 1 Ms.ionde Tymon, fat was an holi man : in a stnde he fond, )}at in a strong acces was of a feuere : and al atfe defe nei3. 5G Seint Barnabe of-fou 3 te it sore : f o he him i-se^. j)e godspelles of seint Mathev : with him euere he her In a bok ; ase god it wolde : with him he liadde as f er : j)is bok he leide ope fis man : ase he so sijk fer lay : 60 he bi-cam anon hoi and sound : ase al fat folk i-say, 1 * ms. i isay And wende forth with him a-boute : hoi and glad i-nov 3 , And prechede 3 eorne of ihesu crist : and folk fram sunne drov 3 . Of ore swete louerd of heouene : seint Barnabe hadde swich g?*ace 64 )?at, 3 if he founde ani sijk man : ase he wende in ani place, And he leide ope him fis bok : fat so holi and guod was Of fe godspelles of seint Mathev : so strong siknesse non nas j}at he f oru 3 ore louerdes grace : ne helde far-of a-non ; 68 J?are-foru 3 he maude mani men : to Iesu cr/ste gon. J}oru 3 vertue of fis holie Man : and of fis holie bok al-so Muche fair m^tlite ore louerd hath : in his seriaunz ido. j)is holie man seint Barnabe : 3 et forfere he wende 72 And p?’echede fe giwes faste : hore lijf for-to amende. Manie he tornede to mstindom : and fene holi gost on heom tende, jporu 3 miracles fat he dude : and f oru 3 grace fat god him sende. IT Bareu was a luf ur giv : fat euere weorrede faste 7 6 Seint powel and seint Barnabe : and cudde it at fe laste : Bor fo he fond seint Barnabe : fat folk to ore louerd so w'ende, To f e luf ere Iustise of f e lond : f e tifingue he gan siende. j)is holi man was sone i-nome : and to dome i-brou 3 t. huy tormenteden him harde and stronge : forto torni is fou 3 t 80 st. barnabas’s martyrdom, st. john the baptist : why he 29 WORKED NO MIRACLES. Alle manere turmenz huy him duden : J>at huy mi^thten on bi-Jjenche : huy ne m^thten him noi^t ^eot enes make : fram god is jjoi^t blenche. Ase huy weren with al heore mi^te : a-boute him 1 faste and longue For-to defouli Jus holie man : with tormenz liarde and strongue, ff pe Aumperores o cosin : Jjat of gret power was, 1 ai. om. [foi. 32 b.] 8G In-to toune cam jmlke time : ase it feol hi cas. \)e giwes weren so sore a-drad : laste he hem bi-nome 88 [)oru 3 strencfe seint Barnabe : and ladde him to rome : A-ni^ht huy nomen Jus holie man : ase he was to-raunsed so, And teiden ane rop a-boute is necke : and knutten him faste Jjerto And drowen him out of heore synagoge : with seoruwe and pine i-nov}, 92 And sethjje al-so bi pe sweore : out atj?e $ate men him drov 3 And mauden a-boute him swijje gret fuyr : and barnden him al-to nou3te. his soule wende to Jje Toye of heouene : pat he wel deore a-bou 3 te. IF po nomen pe lujjere men heore red : 3 wanne huy m^ten atpe laste, his bones pat weren bi-left vn-barnd : a-midde pe .se. to caste. Ake cnstine Men pat weren bi-side : stelen to bi n^te And bureden as wel stilleliche : with ase gret honour ase huy m^te. Nov bidde we 3 eorne ihesu cn'st : king of alle kinge, 100 For loue of seint Barnabe : pat he us to heouene bringue. 14 Ioh[an] Baptist S Eint Iohan was pe beste bern : pe holie baptist, pat euere of womman was i-bore : with-oute ihesu mst. Ake of al pat he on vrjje was : we ne findez nou 3 t i-write pat he ani Miracle dude : pat man m^hte vnder^ite. 4 Mani men Jrinchez J»erof wonder : so guod man ase he was ; For manie miracles sum ojmr dude : pat fulliche so holi man nas. Ake al it was for pe lujjere giwes : J)oru 3 ore louerdes wille so : For 3 if he hadde here on eorJ?e : ani miracle i-do, 8 po giwes wolden habbe i-went : pat he ore louerd were, For he bi-gan ferst cmtindom : and pat folk per-to lere. pare-fore ore louerd dude miracles : and ne liet him do non, For pe giwes scholden i-wite : 3 wuch he were ech-on. 12 30 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST IS BEHEADED BY HEROD FOR UPBRAIDING HIM WITH HIS ADULTERY. IT Seint Iohan for ore louerdes loue : was sethf e i-brou 3 t of dawe, For-to holden up cnstindom : and fe r^hte lawe. Heroudes, J»at was f o king : in a time to rome Wende to fe Aumperour : ase is wone was for-to done. 16 So fat bi f e weie he wende : bi sire phelipe, his brojmr ; And maude gret feste, ase r^t was : heore eifur with of ur. So fat heroudes spac : mid is broker wiue : J^e 1 he hire wolde to wiue habbe : fe 3 wuyle he were a-liue, 1 r. )>at And J?at he wolde framward rome : fare-forth a^ein wende And nimen hire and leden hire forth with him : and holde hire is liues ende. 22 At on a-cord huy weren sone : to don fis sorie dede — Ase twei schrewene a-cordiet sone : to ane lufere rede. 24 IT )}is kyng heroudes wende forth : in is wei toward rome And £ou 3 te to take is broker wijf : 3 wane he a^einward come. His owene wijf it vnder^at : ase sum freond hire word sende : to hire fader, fat [was] king : of Damasche, sone heo i-wende, 28 to beon fare forto heo wuste : hou fis dede wolde an-ende. ))e king heroudes bi is brofer : A^einward gan eft i-wende : [foi.33] And, also it was er bi-speke : fis wijf with him he nam And heold hire with strencfe ase is owene : in spous-bruche and horedam, 32 And tiemde bi hire deolfolliche : in sunne and with gret W0U3. his brofer and is wiues fader : weren with him wrof e i-nou 3 And duden him harm bi al heore m^hte : and bof e weren is fon ; Ake he heold him faste in his folie : and bi-lefde euere in on. 36 U So fat seint Iohan fe Baptist : to him a day com And calangede him of is sunne 1 : to ligge so in horedom, ^s. sunnne And seide, it was a^ein heore lawe : and a^ein cnstindom. Heroudes fare-fore in wrathfe : seint Iohan wel faste nam 40 And, for-to paye fe lufere hore : in strong prisun him caste — f)are-inne he lay al a 3 er : i-warded strangue and faste ; And sethfe he liet smite of is heued : as 3 e i-hereth ofte telle, Also man redez in is daye in heruest : bi-foren eov in f e godspelle. H In f e Castel of Arabie : is heued was of i-smite ; \)e lufere quene it bi-nam hire dorter : and liet it faste wite. 46 PUNISHMENT OF HERODIAS AND HER DAUGHTER. JULIAN DISPERSES 31 THE BONES OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, AND THEN BURNS THEM. his desciples wenden stilleliche : poru 3 ore louerdes grace And bureden J>is holie bodi : in a wel fair place : 48 Bi-twe[ne] Abel and Elysee : pat prophetes ^wilene were, Stille was is holie bodi : wel longue i-bured pere. IT Jois false quene pat heued wuste : pat men ne founden it nou 3 t, laste it were in ani time : to pis bodie i-brou^t 52 And a rise fram depe to liue : and bi-come at pe laste A p?'ophete ase he was er — : pere-fore heo wuste it faste. A day ase heo bi-heold J?at heued : inwardliche in pe face, heo feol a-doun ded a-non : as it was ore louerdes grace. 56 Jpulke wreche to hire cam : pat deth hire a-doun caste — Me pinchez heo ne ou^te no^t bi-l^he : hire schreuhede atpe laste ; Ne pat lupere best, hire dorter, noper. : for ase heo 3 eode a dai And pleide upon .yse. in hire game : ase mani a man it 1 sai, 1 r. i- )?at .ys. to-brak vnder hire : and heo a-dronk a-non And in pe deueles name (!) : hope flechs and bon. 62 Jjis hadde moder and eke Dorter : to heore Mede atpen ende, And also schal ech lupur man : 3 wanne vre louerd it wole him siende. 64 IF J)at heued was sethpe wel priueliche : to Ierusalem i-brou 3 t And i-bured stilleliche : pat Men ne founden it nou 3 t. Of pis holi bodi, pare it lay : manie Miracles come, Grete and faire, ny 3 ht and day : ase pat folk i-sai 3 i-lome. 68 A luper Aumperour pere was po : pe lupere Iulian, J3a[t] reneyede ore louerdes lawe : and was swype vuel Man. ])o Men tolden him of pis Miracles : In grete wrathpe and onde he liet nimen pis holie bones : and to-sprede into al pe londe 72 And casten heom a-boute ech fram opur : pat no man pare-nei 3 ne COme 1 r. founde Ne ne founden 1 heom to fette is bote : ase men duden er i-lome. Ake 3 ut for al is felonie : ne bi-lefde ore louerd nou 3 t [foi. 33 b.] )3at manie sike men pat comen pare-nei 3 : to hele weren i-brou 3 t. 7 6 IT ])o was pis lupere Iulian : wropere pane he was er. Ase is bones weren er to-[s]prad : his men he sende per And liet heom fette a 3 ein wel clene : and witli-oute pe toun a-non he liet heom sette on strongue fuyre : and fur-berne echon, 80 32 ONE FINGER OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST REMAINS UNHURT. HIS HEAD AND FINGER ARE FOUND. And put doust par-of wel wide : he liet blowe mid pe winde, For men ne scholden of him on vrpe : neuereft more i-finde. IT Ake his o finguer with ^wan he te^hte : po he 1 ore louerd i- sai^ 1 MS. orig. ore louerd \>o he him (so the other MSS.) Cominde toward baptisingue — : ase attwelfte day — 84 Toward pe watere of Iordan : and loude gradde and cride and sede “lo here godes lomb, pat bi-ninieth : pe worldes mis-dede : ” For-sope no fuyr ne mi^te come : on pat fingur one ; Ake elles was al to douste i-barnd : bodi and bones ech-one. 88 hTo fuyr ne mi^hte pat finguer brenne : for none cunnes pingue, For pe holie dede pat he pare- with : te^hte to pe he^e 1 kingue, Ake he bi-lefde hoi, and 3uyt is : and pere nis non more bi-leued On vrpe of him bote pilke fingur : and his holie heued; 92 For al is bodi was for-barnd : bote vnnepe pulke two. 1 margin hei^e the his day, ase falleth in heruest : pis dede was i-do IT j}at is bodi was pus i-barnd. : and also pulke day j^er-aftur longue men founden is heued : vnder vrpe ase it lay. 96 Of pulke two pingues men holdeth is feste : panne, pat 3e it wite ; For men ne mowen nou3t on ore leuedi day : po is heued was of i-smite. A manere martyrdom it was : is bones so to-drawe : )?are-fore men mouwe panne holde : is feste bi ri^te lawe. 100 IT His holie heued, pat pus was : at Ierusalem i-hud, p)oru3 fair miracle of seint Iohan : formest was i-kud. For to tweie Monekus at Ierusalem : him-sulf he cam bi n^hte And schewede heom 3 ware is heued lay : ase it were in a s^hte. 104 huy wenden forth and soften it 1 sone : and in pulke here i-wounde J}at he werede in wildernesse : atpe laste huy it founden ; 1 orig. is And pane fyngur huy founden al-so : pat was of him bi-leued. With gret honour huy beren forth : pat fingur and pis h[e]ued. 108 IT For fair relike huy weren i-wust. : and 3ut atpe laste Eft-sone huy weren 3uyt i-hud : and in a put i-caste : And leyen pare longue i-hudde : ase fewe par-of pou3te, 1 ms. Maroei Ake weren on vrpe al for^ite : ase no-man of heom ne rou3te. 112 Bote seint Iohan it nolde nou3t : pat huy le^en to longue pere : To pe Abbod Marcel 1 he cam a ny3ht : in metyngue ase it were, THE HEAD AND FINGER OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST ARE FOUND 33 THE SECOND TIME BY MARCEL. ST. JAMES THE GREAT. And bad him nime is heued up : and seide ^ware it lay. Jpis guode man a-ros up sone : and ne a-bod nou^t forto day, 116 Ake he openede is celle dore : and bi-heold a-boute. Ane steorre he fond bi-fore pe dore : houinde pare-with-oute, ]5e clereste steorre pat mi^hte beo — : him wondrede par-of i-nov3. x he ponkede god with guode wille : and toward pe steorre he drov}, And putte forth is hond and wolde hire take. : ake he ne m^hte hire nou3t a-reche, C 1 foi. 34] Ake J>e steorre gan softe to glide forth : also it were pene wey to teche. 122 IT Jus Abbod hire siwede euere forth : and pe steorre bi-fore wel softe — Jpe Abbot Anourede his ledare : fale sipes and ofte. 124 Forth wende pe steorre, forto huy comen : ouer pat ilke place J2are his holie heuefdj lay : poru^ ore louerdes grace ; j ) 0 heo cam ouer pulke place : heo houede pare ane stounde, For-to Marcel pis holie Monek : hadde pis heued i-founde. 128 II To pe guode bischop Iulian : Marcel tolde pis cas. J?oru3 heom bope pat holie heued : I-nomen up of pe vrpe was. his heued 3ut, and is finguer al-so : bope huy beoth hole and sounde. A-seint Iohanes day in heruest 1 : pus huy weren i-founde. 132 J)are-fore 3uit poru3 heste of Kome : so wijd so is cristindom 1 29 Aug. Men holdez pane dai in hofnujraunce 1 : of is holi martyrdom. 1 IF For in ore leuedie daye in leynte : as he was to depe i-brou3t, For pe opur festene pat pare beoth : of him men ne redez nou3t. 136 Noupe seint Iohan pat in pe flym Iordan : baptisede godes sone, Lieue us poru3 ore cristindom : to pe Ioye of heouene come. 15 lames. S Eint Iemes pe holi Apostle : guod is to habbe in mone, Seint Iohanes bropur pe Ewangelist : and ore louerdes aunte sone ; his Moder was ore leuedi soster : Marie cleophe — Of guode kunne he was i-come : non betere ne m^hte be ; 4 he au3hte wel him-self beo guod : ase 3e mo we alle i-se. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. D 34 ST. JAMES THE GREAT OVERCOMES THE SORCERIES OF PHILET AND OF HERMOGINES. In J?e londe of Samarie lie prechede : and al-so in Ivde ; Jporu^ is prechingue mani on : he turnde to cr/stindom. To hermogenes f»e lufiere prince : fie tifiingue sone com. 8 IT Jpilke prince was wichche strong : and enchauntour also, j2oru$ j>e deuel he wolde al day : gret Miracle do. Ane desciple- he hadde of is Art : philet was is name : him he sende to seint Ieme : to fondi to don him schame, 12 3if f>at he mi^lite with is Art : seint Ieme oner-come. To-gadere huy comen forto playdi : ase J>e day was i-nome. Godes desciple and J?e feondes : bi-gonne to playdi faste ; Ac seint Ieme, Jjat was godes desciple : a-boue was atpe laste : 16 Blinde men he 3 af heore sij^ht : and mande hole in J?e place Meseles and fie crokede al-so : al f>oru 3 ore louerdes grace. IF joo philet i-sai 3 him f>us oner-come : to is maister he wende sone, Hermogenes, and tolde him fore : ase is r^hte was to done : 20 “Sire,” he seide, “ne hope Jjov nou 3 t : to come seint Ieme with- Inne ; For nau 3 t it is, for J>ov ne schalt nou 3 t : oner-come him with al Jii ginne. Jpare-fore do ase ichulle f>e rede : and go we to him, we twe^e, And crie him merci and bicome we : his desciples beye. 24 For siker J)ou beo, ichulle it do : J>ei f>ou nelle nou 3 t also/’ So wroth was fie prince fiat he nuste : 3 wat for wrathfie do ; | 5 oru 3 strencj^e of J>e deueles Art : he made philet a-non [foi. 34 b.] ft at he ne m^hte non more pane a stok : a fot of fiat stude gon. 28 IF “ Nov,” he seide, “we schullen i-seo : 3 wat Iemes Ipe mai don here, 3weJ>er he J:e mai a- 3 ein me vndo : and a^ein mine godes pouwere.” he liet him ligge fiare ase astok : and forth a-wei fram him wende. Philet nam ane man a-non : and seint Ieme word sende 32 hou faste J>oru fie deueles m^hte : he lai J?er i-bounde, And bad him helpe his desciple : and bringue J?ene deuel to grounde. IF Seint Ieme him sende a luyte cloth : ]>at he with him her, 35 )}at he touchede him Jiare-with : and seide )>eos two vers of J)e sauter : “ Ore louerd vn-bind fiat beoth i-bounde : and 3 if ]pe blinde is s^hte, Ore louerd ri 3 tht heom fiat buth vn-ri 3 ht : for f>ou louest 1 alle ri^hte.” IF jpo philet hadde J?is i-do : ase seint Ieme word him sende, 1 £ej ro hermogenes i-herde pis : pat he was so vn-bounde And pat seint Ieme hadde i-brou^t : al is dede to grounde, 44 IT Manie deuelene he conlurede : pat huy to him wende. “Wei $e wutez,” he seide, “ ^wi it is : pat ich after eov sende : Ore alre fo, Iemes, hath : mine desciple me bi-nome. Bote ^e beon strengore pane ich am : i-wis we beoth ouer-come. 48 Ich hote eov pat 3 e wenden a-non : and doth a god pre^e, Himeth and bringuet heom to me : faste i-bounde be^e. Certes, bote 3 e it mouwen do : ase 3 e wel i-seoth, Ouwer power nis no^t wnrth an hawe : for ouer-come we beoth.” 52 If “We schulle sone,” pe deuelene seiden : “with heom on vrpe 1 plei3e, 1 Vern. ano)?ur Taste i-bounde al to pine wille : we schulle heom bringue bey 3 e. huy comen fleo oppe in pe loft : ouer pe apostle seint Ieme. And a-non so huy weren ouer him i-come : huy guonne to grenne and reme, 1 1 ai. feme 56 Belewi and wel foule crie : “ Iemes, Iemes, pin ore ! We brennez here are it ore tyme be : and beth i-tormented ful sore.” “ Ho tormentede 1 eov,” quath seint Ieme : “ and 3 wat wolde 3 e noupe here 1 al. tormented “ Bote we buth i-come,” pe feondes seiden : u to nime pe and pi fere ; Hermogenes us made hidere wiende : poru 3 is conluringue, p at we eov scholden faste i-bounde : be^e to him bringue. 62 Bote a-non so we comen here ouer pe : Aungles to us come With brenninde rakete^ene : and faste vs bounde and nome ; 64 here huy us beteth and tormentieth : with brenninde fuyre. A wey, wei, Iemes, 3 wat schulle we do 1 : we ne mowen nou 3 t pis duyre. A, Iemes, Iemes, leoue louerd : of us wrechches haue reupe, And neuereft we nelleth nei 3 pe come : pl^hte we wolleth ore treoupe.” 68 D 2 36 HERMOGINES IS HIMSELF BOUND BY HIS OWN DEVILS, AND BROUGHT TO JAMES, WHO SETS HIM FREE. IT “ 3e wrechche foies,” quath seint Ieme : “ I not 3wat 3c wolden here. Of fat ^e fo^ten me a-nuye : drawe 3e schullen a-rere. A 1 on-bounde ich 3yue eov leue : a^ein forto fleo, pfoi. 35] 1 And bringuth him J>at hidere eov sende : faste i-bounde to me — 72 J^at 3e ne don him non ojmr harm ! — : for icholde with him speke.” “ Wei is ns noufe,” fe schrewen seide : “we worfet wel a-wreke.” H To hermogenes huy comen sone : and to grounde him caste, liuy drowen him and is hondene bonnden : bi-hinden him wel faste. Jous 1 huy seiden, “ fou sendest us : fare we gret wo i-fielde, 1 ai. j?ef In gret torment and brenningue : and noufe we wollez fe 3elde.” 78 huy harleden forth Jmsne wrechche : and to seint Ieme heo him broi^te, And seiden, “ lo sire, 3 ware he is her : fat to swuche torment us wroi^te. 80 3if us ferst leue fat we moten : ore tormens a-wreke And fe muchele vnr^ht fat he us hath ido : are fou with him speke ! ” If “ Nay, certes,” quath fis holie man : “3c ne schullen nou3t so, Tor ore louerd us hiet fat we scholden : guod for vuele do. 84 3wy ne come |je] nou3t nei3 philet : fat stant here bi me 1 ?” “Wel fou wost,” fis ofure seiden : “fat we ne moten for fe.” “No. goth fanne,” quath seint Ieme : “ to eower kuynde stude, And ne cometh neuer-eft nei3 no guod man : fei a fol eov habbe i- bede.” 88 U Euere stod hermogenes : and criede milce and ore, he quakede for drede and for pine : And wep swife sore. U “ Philete, philete,” quath seint Ieme : “ f es hath f e schame ido, J)ov schalt don him guod a^ein vuel : for mi louerd het me so. 92 he bond fe fo fov were vn-bounde : and a3ein fulke lufere dede 1 }?ov schalt vn-binde him fat is bounde : for so mi louerd sede.” 1 Philet vn-bond fane wrechche : and dude him vuel for guod. f)e wrechche ne dorste nou3woder gon for fere : ake quakyinde fare he stod. 1 The last half-lines are transposed in the MS. 96 “ Go 3ware fov wolt,” quath seint Ieme : “ for mi louerd nele it nou3t HERMOGINES THEN BURNS HIS BOOKS, AND IS BAPTIZED. 37 st. james’s martyrdom by herod. J}at euere ani man a^ein is wille : to him beo i-brou3t.” 1 r. beten H “A, merci,” qnath hermogenes : “fis deuelen me beteh 1 so sore pat I-ne dar anne fot fram fe go : laste huy me nimen more ; 100 huy me wullez a-sle, 3 if huy me a-fongueth eft : and fare-fore ich bidde fe pat fov me take sum Jung fat ich mouwe : for heom bere with me.” Seint Ieme him tok is staf on honde : “ go nov forth,” he seide, “jpere nis no deuel fat dorre noufe : nei 3 fe come, for drede.” 104 Hermogenes wende him forth. : his bokes alle he nam p at he hadde of his enchauntemenz : to fe Apostle a- 3 ein he cam And bad fat he as for-brenne scholde. : fe Apostle sone heom nam And caste heom in fe deope .se : faste i-bounde echon. 108 U Hermogenes criede him merci : and wilnede cristindom ; So fat he i-cristned was : and swife holi man bi-cam. — Abiatar, fat f o was : Iustise, lufur i-nov 3 , For fis dede he was wroth : toward seint Ieme, with gret W0113. 112 he nam him faste and swor is othf : fat he it scholde a-bugge deore ; to f e kyingue heroudes he liet him lede : a rop a-boute is swere. Heroudes 3 af his dom a-non : his frote to smite a-two, And Iosie fe quellare he was bi-take : fulke dede for-to do. 116 Ane Eop he dude a-boute is necke : and ladde him toward is dome. 1 Ane Man he helde of fe palasie : are heo fudere come. pfoi. 35 b.] po Iosie fis isai 3 : merci anon he criede; Seint Ieme fe holie Apostle : he bad wel sone a-bide 120 And mstni him in fe place : a-non-r^tes fere. A-seinte marie day in leinte : bi-haueded bof e heo were. Ake holie curche halt of ore leuedi : feste fat ilke day; Bi-fore lamasse seuen^ht : we holdeth is day fer-fore, 1 124 For fulke daye is bodi was : in-to schrine i-bore. 1 ms. bi-fore H A-non so seint Ieme fe holie man : bi-haueded was fere, 126 his desciples him wolden lede a-wei : ac huy ne dorsten for fere, heore tyme huy a-wayteden wel : 3 wanne none Men fare nei 3 nere. And fat bodi wel stilleliche : out of f e countreye bere. In a schip huy leiden it in f e se : and forth fare-withf huy wende, And none 3 eme ne nomen 3 woderward fare : bote ase god he[m] kende. jOat schip wende forth bi him-seolf : and hit cam on a day 132 38 THE DISCIPLES OF ST. JAMES - THE GREAT CARRY HIS BODY TO GALICIA. THE QUEEN TRIES TO DESTROY THE DISCIPLES. Into f e lond of Galeis : fare ase fe quene lay, p at luf ur [was] and schrewe inov^. : seint Iemes Men a-non Op of f e schipe nomen fat holie bodi : and leiden it opon a ston. pe ston bi-gan to wexe a-brod : and hoh .13 bi-cam a-midde, 136 Ase euene i-maud to f e holie bodi : as ani man wolde bidde — If Ne scholde no man so enene a frov 3 : in lengfe and i[n] brede To 1 him ase fat ston bi-cam : ase ech man fat it i-sai$ seide. * a*, make to his desciples, ase it was r^ht : to fe Qnene erest wende : 140 “ Dame,” huy seiden, “ we habbeth i-brou 3 t : fat ore louerd f e hider sende, Seint Iemes bodi his Apostle : of 3 wam f ov nome ofte f i red To laten him nime f e 3 wyle he was quik : ase mani men it habbeth i-seid. Ore louerd him hath hidere i-sent : ase he him-seolf bed . 1 1 orig. bad Loke 3 ware fov him legge wolt : for i-come he is to fe ded.” 145 IT “ Ey, traytours,” quath fe lufere Quen : ‘^wefer 3 e beon of his i 3 wane i-ne m^hte of him beo a-wreke : of eov ichulle, i-wis.” ))is guode Men he nam ech-one : and to f e king of spaygne heom sende, 148 J)at he heom brou 3 te to strong dethf e : ofur don heom heore lawe wende. Echone f e king nam a-non : and in strongue prisone heom brou 3 te. Ac ore louerd ne format heom nou 3 t : ake wel sone on heom f ou 3 te : For an Aungel fram heouene cam : and fat prisoun brak wel sone. 152 po f e kyng was far-of i-war : he nuste 3 wat was to done. IT Kny 3 htes he liet siende i-nowe : aftur heom wel wide ; 154 pat febleliche a-gonne in heore neodes : for schame heom gan bi-tide. For ase huy wolden ouer ane he^e brugge : after fis guode men gon, Ynder heom fe brugge brak : and huy a-drounken ech-on. IT po f e tyfingue to f e kingue cam : sori he was i-nov 3 ; Of is lufere [fo^t ] 1 fat he fou 3 te : for drede he him with-drov 3 . 1 om. Mildeliche he to heom he sende : fat huy a^ein comen him to, 160 And fat he heom wolde a-mendi faire : of al fat he hadde heom mis-do. A 3 ein huy wenden to f e kyng : and he faire a- 3 ein heom cam, [foi. 36] 3 ware-foru 3 he and al is Men : a-fenguen cristinedom. THE QUEEN, FAILING TO DESTROY ST. JAMES’S BODY, TURNS 39 CHRISTIAN, AND GRANTS HER PALACE FOR ITS BURIAL. H king sende J>e Quene word : pat heo scliolde heore wille al do. 164 Fill sori was pe Quene po : and sore a-nuyd al-so ; Ake heo ne dorste nou 3 t beo a^ein is heste : nere hire no so [wo]. Wilde bollokes heo wuste fale : ope ane he^e hulle go : « Gothp,” heo seide, “ ope pulke hulle : finde 3 e mo wen pere 168 Oxene and Bolen strongue inov 3 : forte leden with ouwer here ; Tei 3 eth heom to pulke wayne : and pat bodi leggez par-inne, And ledeth it 3 ware eouwere wille beo — : godes leue 3 e habbe and minne.” H For pe Bollokes wilde were : pe lupere Quene so seide, 172 For huy ne scholden heom temie nou 3 t : eni-ping for-to lede. his desciples wenden forth : to pulke hulle he^e : A fuyr Drake par-opon : a- 3 ein heom cominde huy se^e. Swipe ferliche he blaste fuyr : and a-sayllede heom faste — 176 Mani a man he hadde a-slawe : and al pe contreie of him a-gaste. U j)is desciples mauden pe signe sone : of pe Creoyz heom bi-fore : Anon hadde pis lupere worm : is pouwer al ilore, Jpat hit ne m^hte ane fot forpere passe. : pis desciples forth wende 180 And to-pouneden it al to depe : and ech lime fram opur rende. j)e Bollokes and pe 3 oungue steores : pat weren er so wilde, 182 Anon so huy touward heom 1 come : huy woxen tame and milde. ])q beste huy chosen pat huy wolden : and to pe wayne heom ladde ; And huy drowen pat bodi so mildeliche : pat ech man parof wonder hadde. 1 superscribed. IF p)is desciples nomen seint Iemes bodi : and opon pe wayne it leide, j)e bestes it drowen forth wel mildeliche : with-oute eche foie breide. huy comen and driue pane wayn : pare as pe Quene was. 188 hire wondrede muche and dradde sore : po heo isei 3 pat cas. IF Heo for-sok hire false bi-leue : and tok hire to cristindom, For pe wonder pat heo isei 3 : and guod womman bicom. Al hure paleys pat heo was inne : and al heore opure bone, 192 For-to honouri pat holie bodi : heo grauntede heom wel sone. A-midde pe paleys pis holi bodi : huy bureden with grete pruyte — j)are he hath euereft to pis dai i-beo •: and so he is 3 uyte. IF Heo liet arere ane noble churche : and gret tresor he 3 «f par-to, 196 And gret lond, pat 3 uyt pare-to lijth : and grete rentes al-so : 40 MIRACLES OF ST. JAMES THE GREAT I 1. A PILGRIM, STAYING TO j NURSE A DYING COMPANION, 3 ware-Jjoru 3 of religioun : a gret hous nou]?e J?are is Of Chanones, J?at Men ^eot i-seoth and sechethj? : at seint Iemes of I Galys. A gret pilegwmage it is i-liolde : ouer-al, ase 30 , i-seoth]?, 200 . i To sechen J?at ilke holie stude : J?are seint Iemes bones beoth]?. Mani miracle is pilegnmes seggeth : J?at ]?are hath ofte i-come. ])ei we ne mouwen nou 3 t alle telle : J?enche we moten on some. — U Jpritti Men at one tyme : pilegnmes bi-come, 204 To seint Iemes J?e holie stude : alle ]?ene wei huy nome. Ase huy wenden bi ]?e we^e : so gret loue huy hadden and trewe, And so guod heorte ech to ojmr hadde : J?at a foreward huy mauden newe [foi. 36 b.] )?at non ne scholde failli oJ>ur : in perile ne in neode, 208 Ake wed-bre]?erne huy bi-comen echon : ase huy J?at wei eode. heore treuj?es huy pl^hten alle bote on : ake he nolde his nou 3 t pli 3 te, Ake )>at foreward he bi-het to holde : treuweliche ope al is m^hte. U So )?at it bi-feol bi J?e weie : j?at on i-vuelede a day 21 2 And vnder ]?e hulle of seint M^hel : longue sijk he lay. his felawes J?at hadde him treoujje i-pl^ht : fiftene dawes J?ere 214 Abiden him ; so J?at heom J?ou 3 te longue : for sore a-nuyde huy were, And seiden, “we ne mouwen no leng a-bide : late we him lij^e 1 stille j 1 ligge on the margin. Do we moten ore pilegnmage : god do bi him is wille. M huy nomen heore leue and lieten him ligge : and wenden forth ech-on, Bote J?ilke J?at nolde is treuj?e pl^hte — : he nolde nou 3 t fram him gon. U “ Certes,” he seide, “ god do is wille : and lieue eov wei to wende, I nelle anne fot fram him gon : are ich wute of him sum ende.” Mid him he bi-lefde al one : for-to J>at he ded were. Betere is trewe dede J?ane fals word : as it was isene J?ere. Jpis trewe Man J?at was with J?e bodi : ful sore a-drad he was, 224 For he was so feor fram toune : and no man ne^h him nas ; For he was with J?e dede al one : and it was ne^h n^hte, he nuste 3 wat with J?at bodi to do : bote seint Ieme him helpe m^hte : his help he bad with guode heorte. : and in J?e eueningue r^ht 228 Seint Ieme cam to him ride : in wei fair a-tyr of knight. IS WONDERFULLY ASSISTED BY ST. JAMES. 2. A FATHER AND HIS 41 SON, ON THEIR WAY TO ST. IAGO, ARE TRICKED. IT “Cum here,” he seide, “ forth with me : ne haue fou of no-Jung drede, Bi-fore me cast fat bodi her : and ich it wolle hennes lede, And lupe fou up bi-hynde me.” : and fo fis was al ido, 232 Dis holie Man ladde fene dede forth : and f ene quike al-so, Fyftene Iorneies grete are day — : in fulke luytele ^wile, — To fe mount of Ioie : fat is bi-sides seint Iemes a mile. po huy comen to fulke Mount : seint Ieme gan a-bide, 236 “ Go,” he seide to f e quike manne : “ to mine churche here-bi-side And se^e mine Canones fat f arinne beoth : fat ich heom word hi f e sende, Mine pilegnm fat me was leof : fat in treowenesse mine wei wende, Dat huy him burien a-mong heom fere : with fair seruise and l^hte — Bor ded he schal fudere come : 3 wane he a-liue ne m^hte. And seie heom fat fine felawes were : fat heore wei is al i-lore, 242 For heore treoufe fat huy breke : heore felawe, fat is nov bi-fore. And fine ^wyle ichulle fe ^elde : fat fou hast fus treowe i-beo.” Mid fusse worde he wende forth : fat he ne m^hte him none-more i-se. IT A-boute fat bodi for fis Miracle : folk cam ficke reke. Here man mai sum-del i-seo : 3 wuch [it is] treoufe to breke, And 3 wuch it is fane holie wey : to seint Iemes forto go. 248 Dis Miracle is so Murie : ich mot 3 eot telle of mo. — IT Hit was a guod man and is sone : fat toward seint Iemes wende ; To f e cite of Tolouse : a- 3 ein eue huy hem kende. Al n^ht huy bi-lefden fere : at ane lufere mannes Inne. [foi. 37] 252 he foi^te with 3 wuche tncherie : he m^hte panewes winne. IT Nou was fe lawe in fulke stude : as fe schrewe wei onder-stod : pat ho-so an-hengue anine 1 man : he scholde habbe al is guod. 1 r. anne pe schrewe heom made fair semblaunt : ase is manere was to done, pat huy were for-dronke beie : and a-slepe le^en sone. A coppe of seluer stilleliche : fis lufere Man gan bringue 258 And dude in heore schrippe softeliche : a-mong heore ofur fingue. IT ])is guode Man a-wok and is sone : so sone so it dai was, 260 And nomen heore leue and wenden forth : and nusten nou 3 t of fat cas. J)o huy come with-oute toune a luyte : fis lufere man aftur cam, 42 TWO PILGRIMS TO ST. JAMES ARE FALSELY ACCUSED OF THEFT : THE SON IS HANGED; THE FATHER PRAYS TO ST. JAMES FOR HIM. hotinde out, with grete siwte : and Jus trewe men beie he nam And seide huy hadden is coppe i-stole : and in heore scrippe i-bounde. J?at folk J)is i-liefde a-non : J>o huy pe coppe founde. II Jois pilegrimes, J>ei huy treowe weren : to dome weren i-bro^t. Eche manere peof pe huy fur-soken : ake pat folk ne liefde heom nou 3 t, Eor huy weren i-nome hond habbinde : J>e court lokede a-non 268 Joat huy heore dom with heom beren : and hanguy scholde pat on. U “ Alas, alas,” pe fader seide : “ 3 wepur i schulle novpe hongue And are ich habbe seint Ieme i-sou 3 t : J?is file dethp a-fongue 1 ” “ Nai certes,” quath is sone : “ pat nolde ich graunti pe, 272 Eor to beo louerd of al J>e world : J>at pov deidest bi-fore me. hanguy ichulle for us bope : pene deth i-nelle nou 3 t for-sake, And al-so wis ase we gultlese beoth : mine soule ich god bi-take.” “ A, mi leoue sone,” quath J>e fader : “ so ne schal it nou 3 t beo ; 276 Scholdest pou de^e and ich libbe : i-nelle neuere pane day i-seo. Swuch a child touward as pou art : i-loked it were wrope, J?at pov scholdest hanguy and ich libbe ! : ichulle hangy for us bojie.” “ A, fader, fader,” quath pe sone : “ be stille, ich bidde pe, 280 Eor I nelle neuere pane day a-bide : pat pou schulle hongue bi-fore me ; U Ake go pane wey for us bope : and ichulle hangy for us beye, And bide seint Ieme pat he me graunti : sum part of pine weye.” Bi-twene pe fader and pe sone : pe striuingue laste longue — 284 J)at ech man hadde deol perof — : 3 wepur scholde pene dethp a-fongue. So pat it ful atpenende : pei it were with wrongue, J)at pe sone for heom be^e : gulteles was an-hongue. H Alas, alas, pe deolfole cas : to heore so muche falshede ! 288 Wei 3 eorne bope fader and sone : seint Ieme help huy bede. Welle louerd, pe deol of pe fader — : grettore neuere non nas, j ) o he isai 3 is sone an-hongue : and for he gulteles was ! he bi-tey 3 te is soule Iesu crist : po pare nas non opur won, 292 And is wei with sorewe i-nov : to seint Iemes he gan gon. Also wel for is sone ase for him : seint Ieme he bad faste ; And wende, po he hadde al ido : hamward at pe laste. Are he come pare is sone was : him pou 3 te swype longue, 296 3 if he m^hte finde opur i-seo : ani lime of him hongue — [foi. S 7 b.] For pe lawe was pere pat euerech man : pat an-hangued were ST. JAMES KEEPS THE HANGED SON ALIVE ON THE GALLOWS. 43 3 . A PILGRIM OF LYONS SINS, AND IS TRICKED BY THE DEVIL. hanguy scholde f e 3 wyle i-laste 1 : and for-to ech lime fram ofur to-tere. U Jpis ^onngue Man sixe and fritti dawes : heng up-on fe galu-treo Are is fader a-^ein to liim come : fat i-roted he au^te to beo. 1 ai. he laste he cam and fond him 3 uyt : and ner him he gan teo, 302 he weop and criede and wrong is hondene : fat deol it was to seo. H “ Leoue fader,” fe sone seide : <( ne weop fou nou 3 t to bliue, 304 For ich nam to bi-weope nou 3 t : 3 eot ich am a-liue. Me nas neuere on eorf e so wel : ase me hath sethf e i-beo ; Ich am ase f ei ich were in heouene : f ei ich hanguy here on Jus treo. For seint Ieme me halt up : and Ioye i-nov 3 me dieth make. 308 Me of-funcheth fat fou so sone come : laste fov me a-doun take.” Louerd, fe Ioye fat fe fader : hadde fulke stounde, ])o he aftur al is sor : his sone a-liue founde ! U To toune he orn with Ioye i-nou 3 : and cleopede folk wel faste. Muche folk him siwede and al f e sofe : i-se^en atf e laste. Withf gret Ioye huy nomen him a-doun : and to fe toune him broi^ten. 314 J}ene traitur fat him maude an-hongue : wel sone out huy soften And an-henguen him wel he^e a-non : and nou 3 t bote he wuyrfe were. 316 J)us seint Ieme fe holie man : is pilegrim halp fere. — H In f e Cite of leouns : a 3 oung man fare was al-so J}at ofte wende to seint Iemes : and gret loue hadde f ar-to. At one tyme ase he f udere wolde : he dude er ane folie 320 jOat manie Men to helle bringueth : f e sunne of lecherie ; Toward seint Iemes he wende forthf : are he i-schriue were. ])q deuel was wel 3 eorne a-boute : 3 if he m^hte him mis-lere. H A^ein him he cam in fe wei : swife milde and softe, 324 K^ht ase it seint Ieme were : ase fe schrewe gyleth men wel ofte. “ 3 wost f ou euere,” he seide, “ ho ich am?”: f e 3 oungue man seide nay. “ Icham f ilke,” he seide, “ fat })Ov hast : I-serued wel mani a day, Seint Ieme to-ward 3 warn fou art. : I ne may make no mone 328 Of f e fat f ov wel ne dest : of eche f ingue bote of one : f)at fou dust 1 lecherie : are fou wendest to me; 1 ms. dest; dust=dudest Among alle men, 3 if fat nere : mest ich preisie fe.” H 11 Seint Ieme, merci,” quath fis man : “ich crie fe milce and ore, 44 A SINNER MUTILATES AND THEN KILLS HIMSELF, BUT IS RESTORED TO LIFE THROUGH ST. JAMES AND OUR LADY. For^if me Jmlke lufere sunne : i-nelle don as nenereft more.” “ Ov, bean frere,” quath fe scbrewe : “ strong is fe mis-dede. 334 )3ov ne m^ht me neuere paye wel : bote fov do ase ich rede : jOe menbre fov most keruen of : ^ware-withj) fou i-sunegut hast ; Jpe sunne ichulle for-^iue fe fanne : 3 wanne he is fram f e i-cast ; Ak next me fou scholdest in Ioye beo : in f e blisse of heouene a-boue, 3if fou woldest beon a martyr : and fi-seolf martri for mi lone.” U “ A, louerd seint Ieme,” quath Jus man : “ fov haue merci of me, Ichulle, mine sunnes to bete, mi-sulf martri : and forto pay 3 e J?e.” Jois wrechche Man carf of is membres : and a-wei fram him caste, [foi. 38] And sethfe f oru 3 f e false feues rede : him-self he a-slov 3 atfe laste. Ful redi was fe schrewe fer : fe soule he nam a-non 344 And wel glad f are-with in his manere : to-ward helle he gan gon. Ne fur^at nou 3 t seint Ieme is pilegWm : for fat cas fat him gan bi- tide : 346 A^ein f e deuel he cam a-doun : and bad fane schrewe a-bide, And seide, “ f ou berst more fane fin owe. : fat i schal kuyf e f e. 3wi hast fou mine pilegWm bi-traid 1 ? : gret schame fou dest me.” “ 3e, al for nau 3 t,” quath fe schrewe : “ fou art hidere i-come : 350 In his sunne him-sulf he a-slou 3 : and fare-with ich him habbe i- nome. Ne may no man in dedlich sunne : in-to heuene wende. 352 Ase wel fou m^ht gon horn a^ein : he is min with-outen enden.” II “ Bel amy,” quath seint Ieme : “ fou bi-traidest him with fals- hede 354 And with trfcherie fou to him come. : lat him gon, ich rede ! ” “ Ich habbe leue,” quath fe schrewe : “ to bi-gyli and bi-traye al-so Mid eche quointise fat ich mai. : 3 wi wolde he aftur me do 1 ” J}is strif i-laste bi-twene hem longue. : ake f o seint Ieme ne m^hte habbe fe soule ne with-inne him come : with no resun ne r^hte, “ Jpou schalt,” he seide, “ come with me : to an herre Iustise, 360 j)at fe schal cuyfe fi tricherie : of 3 wam fe schal a-g?’fse.” Bi-fore ore leuedi swete and milde : fane schrewe he gan lede ; he 3 al and quakede deolfulliche : fo he i-sei 3 hire, for drede. II “ J?ov luf ere fing,” ore leuedi seide : “ 3 wi fondeste in alle wise 364 To bi-nime us and bi-tra^e men : fat beth in o v re seruise 1 A MIRACLE OP ST. JAMES. ST. OSWALD, KING OF NORTHUMBER- 45 LAND, CONVERTS HIS PEOPLE WITH ST. AIDAN’s HELP. J)ou ne schalt neuere pe soule brouke : for pine tncherie.” “ leoue leuedi,” quath pe schrewe : “ merci ich pe crie. Vnder-stond pat ich habbe leue : to bi-gylie men inou 3 , 368 And pat ich fond him in dedlich sunne : and pare-inne him-sulf he slov ; And no man neuere in swuch cas : to heuene come ne m^hte. Ase he is min mid alle lawe : hold me, ich bidde, to r^hte ! ” IT “ p>ov lupere best,” ore leuedi seide : “ to muche ower pouwer is. Alas pat men nellez beon i-war : are huy don a-mis ! Ase pou mid pine tricherie : his lijf him bi-nome, 374 Al-so ichulle him 3 iuen a^ein : is lijf with r^hte dome. So pat pe ne tit of him no part : for guod man he wo[l] 3 eot be.” 376 Ore leuedi made pe soule a-non : to pe bodi a 3 en fleo ; Fram depe to liue he a-ros : poru 3 ore leuedi ore, And guod lijf ladde euere aftur-ward : and pe deuel doutede pe more. H His menbres, pat he carf of : euer-eft he dude misse, 380 Bote a luytel wise 3 ware-poru 3 he m^hte : 3 wane he wolde, pisse. Manie Men for pulke miracle : seint Ieme louieth pe more. Noil bidde we 3 eorne euerech-one : seint Ieme milse and ore, J?at he for pat holie stude : pat he hath in galiz, 384 helpe us and alle is pilegfvmes : and bringue us to heouene blis. 16 Oswold. S Eint Oswold pe holie king : of pe on ende of enguelonde [foi. 38 b.] King was, ase pulke tyme bi-feol : in northp-homber-londe. Cristine man he was guod i-nov 3 : and with al is pouwer he heold up pe lawe of cnstindom : and te^te as feor and ner — 4 For he was king are cnstindom : puyrliche stable were. Al is men par-to he broi^te : so wijsliche he gan heom lere. To pe princes he sende of scoth-lond : and bad pat huy him sende Ane wise clerk, is men to wissi : heore lijf forto amende. 8 huy senden him ane holie man : pat icleoped was aydan, J)at wende and prechede al is lond : and tornede mani a man H J}oru 3 is prechingue and seint Oswold : pat to alle guodnesse hem drov3, Cristindom into al pat lond : stable was i-nou 3 . 12 46 ST. OSWOLD IS KILLED IN A BATTLE AGAINST PENDA. HIS BODY IS CUT TO PIECES, BUT HIS HANDS REMAIN ENTIRE. Seint Oswold maude fesne holie man : Bischop in is londe, And made him al is conseiler : and herede godes sonde ; he ne dude noting with-outen him : ake with him he heold him faste, And to-gadere al heore lijf huy weren : and in heouene atfe laste. 16 IT A day ase he sat and eat is mete : seint oswold fe holie man, And Jus holie man hi him : f e Bischop guode ay dan, 1 ms. semnnt J)at o seriaunt 1 seide fat fare withoute : manie pouere men were And beden sum guod for godes loue : and guod was fat men him 1 here. * r. hem 20 j)e king nam inov 3 of is mete : fat bi-fore him stod, And sende f ar-of wel largeliche : heom fat beden him guod. Ane Dischs of seluer he nam also : fat bi-fore him was i-do, And to-brak it al to smale peces : and sende heom al-so. 24 ])e Bischop sat and bi-heold : ase f ei he were in f ou 3 te, Bi fe hond fe king he nam : and a swete word out brou 3 te : “ Ne for-rotie neuere f is hond : ake i-blessed be heo,” he sede, “ And euere hoi and sound bi-leue : fat dude so guod a dede ! ” 28 II His bone was foie wel i-heord. : for it bi-feol atf e laste Jpat hefene men come in-to is lond : and weorreden on him wel faste. he stod a~ 3 ein with al is m^hte. : so bi-feol fat huy come And i-metten heom with heore host : and fe batayle nome. 32 At f e tounne of Maserfeld : huy smiten to-gadere faste, And seint Oswold fe holie Man : a-slawe was atfe laste IT And I-martred of f is luf ere men : for ore louerdes loue. Al huy to-heowen is bodi : f o huy weren a-boue ; 36 Ake huy ne m^hten for no fing : makie none wonde In nof er of is holie hond : ake smiten as of hole and sounde. And so huy beoth 3 eot, of ase fair heu 3 : ase huy euerer were, And i-holde for fair relike : ase men mowe i-seo fere. 40 IT He was of e^te and f ritti 3 er : f o he i-martred was, 1 c 1 a. 642] And Nye 3 er he hadde king ibeo — : bote luytel 3 wile it nas. Nov seint Oswold fe swete Martyr : ore erinde to gode beode, Y>at he us for^iue ore sunnes : and us helpe at alle ore neode And ore soule for is swete loue : in-to blisse lede. 44 ST. EDWARD, KING AND MARTYR, FOLLOWS THE COUNSELS OF 47 ST. DUNSTAN; AND IS HATED BY HIS STEPMOTHER (ELFRIDA). 17 Edward. S Eint Edward pe 3ungue : was kyng of Enguelonde. [foi. 39] Wei 30ung he i-martred was : poru3 tncherie and onde. ])o is Moder pe guode Quene : ase god wolde, was ded, his fader nam an opur wijf : pat lupur was and qued ; 4 J}at sent Edward louede luyte : and enere radde lupur red. Bi hnre he hadde ane opur sone : pat i-hote was Atheldred. 1 om. IF j)e Quene louede hire owene [sone] 1 : ase ech man deth is blod ; Ake seint Edward heo louede luyte — : for stepmoder is selde guod. heo wilnede more pane ani-ping : pat seint Edward ded were, j ) at hire owene sone aftur pe king : pe heritage here. 10 p>o pe king wende out of pis world : seint Edward, and 1 is sone, Aftur him was king j-mad : ase la we was and wone. 1 r. as ? 12 II J?e guodnesse of pis 30ungue king : ne may no man telle, he was meoke and milde inou3 : and fair of flechs and felle, De-bonere for-to speke with : ant with pouere men mest, Chaste, and wis of conseil : and pruyte he louede lest ; 16 Wylde Men ne louede he nou3t : pat rechelese weren of pou3te, And wise Men to him he drou3 : and aftur heom he wrou3fce. Aftur pe Erchebischope of Caunterburij : seint Dunston pat was po, Ech dede pat he wolde do : pe meste del scholde go. 20 Glad was pe holie man of him : and al pat lond also, Of swuch a king pat heore louerd was : pat alle ping wolde wel do. Guod pais pare was in Enguelonde : and loue and murupe i-nov3, Richesse and al opur guod : elles it were 3WOV3 — 24 For 3wanne pat heued hathp godes grace : and loueth alle guode, Wonder it were bote alle his : pe betere heom onder-stode. IT To pe guodnesse of pis holie Man : pe deuel hadde envie, And is stepmoder pe lupere Quene : pat ful was of tncherie ; 28 For heo pou3te M3M and day : 3if heo m^hte in ani manere JOat seint Edward were a-slawe : and hire sone kyng were — For he was eldest aftur him : and pe kingues sone al-so. jois lupere wumman narewe hire bi-pou3te : hou pis m^hte beo do. 32 To some pat weren hire conseilers : hire lupere pou3t he 1 seide, 1 =heo pat huy holpen with some Gyle : to don pat lupere dede ; 1 ms. j>uj?ere J)is lupere 1 Men also forthp with hire : weren in grete poi^te 48 ST. EDWARD, WHILE HUNTING, GOES TO SEE HIS YOUNG BROTHER AT CORF-CASTLE. HIS STEPMOTHER MEETS HIM. With 3wuche gyle huy m^hten do : pat huy to ende [it] brot^te. 36 IT So pat heo hadde to hire conseil : I-nowe atpenende. For fellere ping nis non ase wnmman : ^ware heo wole to vnele wende. Hadde ]?is 3ungue king i-heo : in is kynedom vnnepe Bote preo 3er and Ey3hte dawes : J?at he nas i-brou3t to depe. For a day he wente on hontethp : with is kn^htes bi cas In a fayr wode in deorsete : pat bi-side waraygne was. Fair wode pare was pulke tyme : ake noupe heo is al a-doune, Bote pornes and Jmnne boskes : pat stondeth bi-sides pe toune. IT Ase J>is 30ungue king wende on hontethp : a gret wille him cam to 1 For-te seo is 3oungue 2 bropur : and in eche nianere he wolde it do. For he was pere a luyte bi-side : ase is stepmoder was 2 Ms^onngul In a tonn pat men clepeden Corf : J?at bote preo Mile panne it nas. A strong castel pare is noupe : ake pe 3uyt nas non pere. J}is holie man po^te longue : are he at is bropur were ; 50 Ane fewe men with him he nam : and puderward he gan ride, his Men pleiden and Arnden bi pe weie : and spradden a-boute ful 40 44 wide. 52 1 r. him. So pat with heom 1 ne bi-lefde non : al one he was sone; Ake napeles forth he wende is wei : ase he pou3te to done. ])e court he bi-heold a-fer : pare ase is broper was : prndere he wende wel mildeliche : ake no man with him nas — 56 he ne pou3te to no man bote guod : nero man he nadde mis-do. To-war[d] is depe forthp he wende : and mildeliche al-so. ])o is stepmoder pe lupere Quiene : al one i-sei3 him come, heo poi^te to don hire wille of him : ase heo hadde hire red i-nome. ])e lupere Men heo cleopede sone : pat weren at hire rede, And bi-speken bi 3wuche feolonie : to don pis lupere dede. 62 po pis holie Man was nei3 i-come : pe Quiene a^ein him eode With fair Meyne and gret honour : and gret loue gan him beode — • pe feste pat heo with him made : no tongue telle ne may — And swor pat he scholde a-l^te : and with hire bi-leue alday. 66 “Hai certes, dame,” seide pis king : “so ne may it nou3t beo. Ake lat me speke with mi bropur : for me lcngueth him to seo. For er pane ich him habbe i-se^e : Ine worpe nou3t blipe, i-wis, Min heorte is so muche opon him : and no wonder it nis.” 70 49 ST. EDWARD IS STABBED BY ONE OF THE QUEEN’S MEN, AND FALLS DEAD OFF HIS HORSE. U “ A, sire,” quath pQ luj?ere Quiene : “ 3 wane it ne mot ojmr beo, Furst ichulle to Jje drinke : and Jm schalt liim sethjie i-seo.” 72 I-redi was pe Botiler : and brou^te him drinke a-non. Among. pe ojjere J?at Jjare weren : o schrewe Jmre cam gon And wel-comede him with fair semblaunt : and made him Ioye i-nov^ And custe him Iudases cos : and sone him Jjere a-slov^ : 7 6 For ase he stoupede and custe him : redi he was i-nov 3 , J?oru 3 is wombe he smot a knijf : and is gottes al-to-drov 3 Jris holie Man sat upr^ht : and bi-heold is dej>es wounde. he ne rod bote wel luyte wei : are he feol to ground e 80 And liet Jjere is swete lijf — : is soule to heouene wende. Alas, luytel vuel J>ou 3 te he : J?o pe schrewe is wombe rende ! Ake he was lujmr ase Iudas : J?at so feolliche him custe And with tricherie is wombe rende : are he it euere wuste ! 84 ])o Jris holie Man i-martred was : huy pa t him brou 3 ten J)er-to Bi-Jm^ten hou huy m^hten best : with Jris holie bodie do : In-to a dierne stude huy wenden : and J)ar-inne is bodi huy caste Wel filliche and stilleliche : and bureden it J?are wel faste. 88 IT po Jris holie Man i-martred was : pe Quiene hadde hire wille ; For l^htliche Men holdeth euere with pe quike : and pe dede is sone stille. Men nomen Jjo pat child Afeldred.: pat was pe Quiene sone, [foi.40] And aftur is brojmr mauden him king : as r^ht was and wone. 92 H \)e he^e men alle of pe lond : with him heolden echon Ase with heore prmce and heore louerd : and J?ene dede for^ete a-non. Ake among lowe Men and simple : deol }?ere was i-nou 3 , huy corseden alle with-oute god : J>at heore louerd a-slou 3 . 9G “Alas,” huy seiden, “ 3 wat schulle we noufe? : ho schal for us beo? ho schal us noujje fram weorre wite 1 ? : 3 wodere schulle we noujje fleo ? i ms. us wite ho schal nou pais in londe holde ? : ore ioye is al i-do ! Of weorre and wo we mouwen beo sikere : al wrechhede cometlij) us to.” 100 U Grete wille hadden pe guode Men : of pe contreie bi-side in sum fair place J>at bodi legge : and soften it wel wide ; huy ortreuweden wel J>at it were : in sum foul stude i-do, LEGENDS OF SAINTS. E 50 st. edward’s body is discovered by a pillar of light, AND IS BURIED AT WAREHAM. huy soften it ofte wide a-boute : and ne couf en nou^t come fer-to. On a time ase fis guode men : of wareygne fare bi-side In fe contreye wenden and soften : ])is bolie bodi ful wide, 106 huy stoden and bi-heolden 1 heom bi-side : fo isei 3 en huy gret li^llt 1 MS. bi-heoldem And cler with-alle a-boute one place : ase apiler stonde upright. U Huy fou^ten fat fere was godes grace. : fudere huy wenden and sou^te, And founden fere fis liolie bodi : and up of fe eorfe itbro^ten. 110 Jpare was wop and sor i-nov : f o huy se^en is grisli wounde ! Ake 3 eot was heore heorte glad : and Ioyful, f o huy him founde. With wel fair procession : fis bodi forth huy bere In-to fe toun of warayne : and faire it bureden fere; 114 In a churche- 3 erd of ore leuedi : bi este fe churche a luyte, pare huy bureden fat swete bodi : with gret honur and pruyte. 116 A chapele fare is arerd : ase fat holie bodi lai In f e toun of warygne : fat stant 3 eot to fis dai. f)e put fare he was feorst i-founde : a welle fare gan springue, Hair and cler, fat 3 eot i-last : and is ofte gret botningue, 120 pat Men cleopieth 3 eot to fis day : “ seint Edwardes welle fare Mani Miracle hath i-beo : ase fe contreie detlif telle. U pat hol’e bodi lay guode 3 wyle : fare it was i-do, In fe toune of waraygne : and Mani man cam far-to. 124 pe tifingue hov he i-martred was : sone sprong wel wide, And fe Miracles fat for him comen : a-boute in eche side. An hei 3 Eorl fare was a-londe f o : fat i-hoten was Alfez, pat seint Edward louede muche : fe 3 wyle he liuede her : 128 po he heorde of fe Miracles telle : fat ore louerd for him wrou 3 te, Glad and blif e he was i-nou 3 : ase ech Man wel ou 3 te ; him fou 3 te it was wel vuele i-do : fat he lai so lowe fere, pat he nere i-bured in herre stude : ase he wel wuyrfe were ; 132 Gret deol he hadde in is herte : fat he was a-morfred so, And swuch a creature ase he was : in so lowe stude i-do. In deorsete he wende wide a-boute : to fe he^e men alle fere, To Bischopes and to Abbodes al-so : fat in Enguelonde were, 1 136 And bad heom of fulke holie bodi : fat huy it fannes bere [Uoi.iob.] st. Edward’s body is translated from wareham to shaftes- 51 BURY ABBEY. HIS STEPMOTHER’S PENANCE. To herre stude ase it was wuyrf e : and J>at huy fare-a-^ein nere. his Messagers he sende a-boute : for fis f ing wel wide, And to fe Abhesse of wiltone : fat i-hote was wilfride, 140 And to Eadithfe fe holie wumman : fat Nonne al-so was far , 1 1 orig.}?er ])at was seint Edwardes suster : and f e kingus dorter Edgar. So fat Bischopus and Abbodes : and hei^e Men mani on To-gadere comen in a time : ase huy bi-speken echon. 144 UTo fis holi bodi huy wenden. : and fo huy fer-to come, hoi and sound huy founden it ligge : f o huy fat bodi up noine, Al-so hoi it was with-oute weomme : ase it euer er a-liue was — J)are nas nou 3 t on fat it i-sei 3 : fat glad and Ioyf ul fere-fore nas. 1 48 Ake Eadithf e, is holie suster : to fat bodi orn a-non And bi-clupte fat bodi and custe it faste : bi-fore heom euerechon ; Eor gladnesse heo I 0 V 3 and weop : teres wel mani on, ])o heo sai 3 hire brof ur so a-slawe : and so sovnd of flechs and bon — ho-so nadde neuere deol i-se^e : of hire he m^hte fere. Jois hei 3 e men with gret honur : fat holie bodi forth here, 154 With gret song and procession. : muche folk fuder-ward drov 3 - Ore louerd dude fare for is loue : fair Miracle i-nov 3 . 156 11 For tweie crupeles fat in heore limes : al fur-crokede were, Mid gret hope leien in f e wey : and a-biden f e bere : hore limes bi-gunne to rechchen a-rijht : and hole bi-comen a-non ; J}are was Ioye and blisse i-nou 3 : a-mong fis men ech-on. 160 U His stepmoder, fat him fare-to brou 3 te : herof herde telle : hire of-fou 3 te, fo he swuch man was : fat he 1 him let so quelle. Ope hire palefrey heo wertli a day : aftur fat bodi to wiende, 1 = heo To bidde for^iuenesse of hire misdede : 3 if god hire wolde siende. U Ase heo wolde fuder-ward wiende : and with hire mani on, huy ne m^hten make hire palefrey : fat it ane fote wolde gon; 166 huy schouen it faste forthfe-ward and drowen : and neuere f e betere it nas. j)e Quiene fou 3 te on hire misdede : fat al fare-fore it w T as : 168 heo a-li 3 hte of hire palefrey : and wolde a-fote gon To-ward fat holie cors. : ake heo nadde power non ; A- 3 ein-ward heo m^hte wel gon : ake forthfe-ward for no-fing. Heo bi-lefte, f 0 it was non ofur : in gret deol and mournyng. e 2 172 52 TWENTY-ONE YEARS LATER, ST. EDWARD IS ENSHRINED AT SHAFTESBURY ABBEY BY HIS OWN COMMAND. Of hire misdedes heo repentede hire sore : ase manie Men habbeth i-sed, And cam to guod mendement : are pat heo were ded. U )pis Men ladden pis holie bodi : with gret honur and pruyte To pe Abbeye of Schaftesburi : pare ase he lijth 3uyte 176 A-mong blake Nonnene pat pare beotb : and al-so pare weren po, J)at fram pe toun of waraygne : is twenti Mile and mo ; In pe northha[l]f of pe bei^e Autere : in pe walle bi-side huy leiden pis holie bodi : pat manie men sechez wide. 180 In-to pulke Abbeie of Schafteburij : seint Edward huy ladde, [foi. 4i] For pe kyng Alfred, is graunt-sire : pat hous a-rerd hadde And made par-inne is dorter Nonne : pat was i-bote a^yue — For hire loue he hadde pat hous arerd : and muche guod pudere in i-3iue : 184 An hondret hidenene 1 of guod lend : with hire he 3af per 1 r.hidene ]) at hous, al-so freo in eche point : ase he him-sulf it heold er. In pis Abbeie seint edward : lai on and twenti 3er, So pat huy i-seien tokiiingue ofte : pat he nolde nomnore beo per. 188 For 3 wane men comen ofte to is toumbe : ase l^thliche up huy as here And heuen as up and doun ase huy wolden : ase pei it l^ht treov were. U Seint Edward cam al-so an^ht : ase in a visioun To an holi man pat pere was nei3 : in an opur religion ; 192 “ Go,” he seide, “ to Schafteburi : to pe Abbesse of pe house, Dame Aldred pat clene Maide : pat is godes spouse, And seie hire pat i-nelle nonmore : ligge pare ich nou do ; ))at ich beo i-brou3t in an opur stude : and pat heo segge mi broper so.” H ])is guode Man a-morewe a-ros : and ne fur^at nou3t pis cas : To pe Abbesse he wende of Schafteburi : and tolde al hou it was. 198 })is guode womman was glad i-nou3 ! : to pe kyngue heo wende sone And of is bropur tolde him al : and 3wat per-of were to done. 200 Welle, pe kyng was one glad : po he i-heorde telle So swete tipingue of is bropur : pei is moder him liete a-quelle ! IT He wolde habbe i-went to schafteburi : In shrine him to bringue, Ac he was so bi-set mid weorre : pat he ne m^hte for no pingue : 20 1 For is fon ornen so faste him up on : pat he ne m^hte pannes wi»*nde. A SWEET-SMELLING MIST RISES FROM ST. EDWARD’S TOMB. 53 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, FOUNDER OF THE FRIAR MINORS. To heie Men a-boute in f e londe : wel sone he gan siende, And to wilfin fe guode biseliop : fat was bischop fo, p at huy scholden with gret honour : to schafteburie go 208 And his brofur in schrine bringue : ase ri^th was forto done. 51 pe Bischop with Jus of ur Men : to schafteburi comen sone. With swife fair procession : to is toumbe huy wende. A swife fair Miracle a-mong heom alle : ore louerd for him fere sende : For a-non so huy openeden fat lid : of is swete toumbe fere, pare cam a-doun foru 3 al fe churche : ase fei it a mist were, 214 A-mong al pe prece pat fere was : pat huy i-seien alle with e^e, Fleu^ 1 a-mon[g] heom al-so a myst — : so swote fing neuere huy er ne selje. 1 ai. flen 51 So swote was pe smul and guod : pat alle pat fere were For murufe f oi^ten pat huy stoden : in parays and no^t fere. 218 pis holi bodi up huy nomen : with gret honour and pruyte, And leiden it in a wel fair schrine : fare ase it lijth 3 uyte. 220 In fis manere he was i-schrined : in f e on an twentif e 3 ere pat f e hei 3 e men him brou 3 ten fro waram : and bureden him furst fere ; A f ousend 3 er it was and on : after f ulke stounde pat ore louerd was on eorfe i-bore : and a-l^hte for us to grounde. 51 His brof ur, f e king Af eldred : guod man was i-nou 3 ; Edward was is sone i-liote : fat to alle guodnesse drou 3 , [foi. 4ib.] 226 pat king was sethfe aftur him : and hei 3 halewe in heouene is, I-cleoped seint Edward aftur is vncle : at West-Munstre he lijth, i-wis. 51 Op-on Mi 3 hel-masse fourtene-ny 3 ht : his day fallez in fe 3 ere, And a-midde fe Monfe of luyde 1 : seint Edwardes dai fere. 2 J2 j?3i Nov god for f e loue of heom bofe : f et swete kingues were, To f e Ioye of heouene fat huy beoth inne : with heom us bringue fere. 18 Franceys. 1 S Eint Fraunceys, f e frere Menour : fat guod man was i-nov 3 , Marchaunt he was in his 3 onghede : and to eche treuwenesse drov3- his Marchaundise he maude a T -day : in fe cite of Asise ; 1 ai. ai 1 This life is based on the Vita s. Fr. by S. Bonaventura, in Act. SS. Boll. Oct. 4, p. 742 ff. 54 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI : HIS BENEFICENCE. A VISION AND ITS MEANING : SPIRITUAL WARFARE. And in almesdede he spendede an 1 on pouere Men : muchedel is ! March aundise ; i ora. an 4 For no loue of catel : he it nolde bi-leue, 3 wane ani ponere man him bede : bote he him som-^wat 3eue. U Ase he cam a day hi fe wei : he gan mieten hi cas Ane kni^t fat hadde Biche i-heo : and 1 swife a-pouered was ; 8 vuele he was i-clof ed al-so : and had him sum guod. 1 ms. and and | Seint Fraunceys hadde reufe of him : and one 3wyle he with-stod, H he strepte of is clones of is rug : and 3af Jus pouere kny3t. And fer-aftur ase he lay a-slepe : in is bedde a-ny3t, 12 i A swife noble paleys : him foi^te J»at he i-sei3 ; he Axede was fat paleys were : fat so riche was and hei3 ; Men seiden him J>at it was his : and is kn^tes al-so. ])o fis holie Man a-wok : sum-3 wat f ou 3t e do. 16 In fat paleys him foi^te he sai3 al-so : kny3htes Armes fere, And with afair creoiz foru3-out : I-markede alle huy were. H ])ou3te he, “ ore louerd it wole : fat ich mi-seolf kny3t beo, And swyfe feble ich am fare-to : hcte ich me bet bi-seo.” 20 An Eorl fare was in poile 1 : fat was corteys and hende : i = Apoiie he foi^te kny3t heo i-maud of him : jmder-ward he gan wende. Ase he wende towar[d] fis Eorl : for-to heo i-maud kn^t, Ore swete louerd in Auision : to him cam a n^th ; 24 “ Sei3e me,” he seide, “ of f e louerd : and of fe hyne al-so, And of f e riche man and of f e pouere : 3wuch may J>e mest guod do 1 ” “ Bote fe louerd,” quatli J?is ofur : “ and he fat is riche.” “ J?ou haddest almest i-chose,” ore louerd seide : “fat ful oni-liche : For truste of fe hyne : fene louerd fou for-soke; jpov nome vuele fin Avision : fou most fe bet hi-loke. 30 IT f)e Armure and fe paleis : fat fou so noble i-se^e, Elles-3ware f ov schalt finde : Ake fou ne comest nou3t ^uit so he^e ; Kny3tes fov schalt habbe onder fe : fulke Armes for-to lede. )}are-fore wend f e horn a-3ein : and bi-f ench bet f i dede ! ” IT Jpis holi man, fo he a-wok : a-3ein wende to Asise, And fou3te al on Ihesu crist : and bi-lefde is Marchaundise, 36 And bad ore louerd ny3ht and dai : fat he scholde him rede And some tokningue senden him : hov he scholde is lijf lede. ST. FRANCIS IS BIDDEN TO REPAIR THE ‘CHURCH.’ HE SELLS HIS 55 THINGS, AND BRINGS THE PRICE TO THE DECAYED ST. DAMIAN’S. IT A day, ase fis holie man : with-oute Asise him drou3, [foi. 42] he mette a lodlich Mesel : fat revlich was i-nou} 40 And had him sum guod for godes loue. : seint Fraunceys a-l^hte And bi-clupte and custe fane sike man : ase faire ase he m^hte, And of is seluer him tok : and had him habhe guod day. ])o nuste he 3 ware he was hi-come : ne in none stude him ne say. 44 j)o fou3te wel ho it was : and aftur f ulke dede he wep and cride on ihesu crist : fat he scholde him sum^wat rede ; And ofte he wolde hi costome : to Meseles fare And sechen heom at heore owene hous : bote he founde hem elles- 3 ware, 48 And cusse heore hondene and heore fet : and heore Mouth al-s[o] And 3yue heom guod wel largeliche — : hi costome he wolde it do. 1 IT Bi a churche of seint Damian : a day he cam gon, 1 a later hand adds aia j ) at ope fe poynte was to falle a-doun. : In he wende a-non 52 And kneolede a-doun hi-fore f e croiz : ase he dude wel ofte. Ipo spac a voiz f are-inne : wel Mildeliclie and softe And seide, “ Fraunceys, go f e forth : and a-rer up min hous an liei3, ]) at, fou sixt, fallez to grounde : and al destruyd is ne^.” 56 n Seint Fraunceys, for fe churche was : a-done-ward al i-bro^t, Wende fat ore louer[d] fare-hi seide — : ake far-of nas it noi^t : he wende and solde is clofes a-non : and muche of is ofur fingue, j And fe panes fat he nam fare-with : to fis church gan hringue. 60 J)e pr[e]ost of f e churche he fond fere : fe panes he wolde him take, To arere up f e pouere churche. : and he heom gan for-sake ; he ne dorste nou3t for is fader : ne for is ofur freond, he seide, So muche tresor nime of him : bote it were hi heore rede. 64 IT Seint Fraunceys nam fat tresor : fo fe ofur it for-sok, And in a fenestre leide it fere : and in ore louerdes warde it tok. )}o fe tyfingue cam to is fader : fat he hadde i-sold is guod, Toward him he wende anon : and for wrath was nei3 wod. 68 Seint Frau[n]ceys was i-war of him : and ne hi-lefte nou3t bi-liinde, he wende and hudde him in a Dich : fat he ne m^hte him noi^t finde. In fis Diche wel longue he lay : in hunguer and wrech-hede, And euere cride on Ihesu crist : fat he scholde him betere rede. 72 56 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI HIDES HIMSELF, COMES BACK, AND IS PUNISHED BY HIS FATHER. ^T So longue he was fare in meseise : fat he for-ferde nei$, j ) at vnnef e him coufe i-knowe : ani man fat him se^. Atfe laste in meseise i-nov^ : he wende to Asise. J?at folk, f o huy seien him com[e] : heom gan f ul sore a-grise 7 6 And seiden “ here cometh a wod Man ” : huy harleden him wel faste And smiten and pulten here and fere : and dunge on him caste. Seint Fraunceis wende euere forth : ase fei him no-fing nere. IT his fader cam al-so hi cas : and i-mette him fere : 80 he ladde him horn to is hous : and beot him sore i-nov^, And bad him bringue horn fat catel : fat he er a-wei drov 3 . f)o he ne m^hte habbe non of ur word : he bond him swife strongue ; So fat fis guode man : in prisone lay ful longue. 84 Atfe laste, f e 3 wyle is fader : out of toune gan i-wende, [foi. 42 b.] his Moder hadde reovfe of him : and brou 3 te him out of bende. o he was out of bendes i-brou 3 t : he ne bi-lefte no leng f er, he wende to fe Dieh a 3 ein : fro 3 wannes he cam er. 88 IT J?o fis housebonde cam horn : and ne founde him nou 3 t fere, Swife sore he beot is wijf : and axede 3ware he were. To f e churche of seint Damian : fe housebonde wende fo, And fond fat tresor al-hol fere : ase he it hadde i-do. 92 And sethf e he wende to f e Dich : and founde is sone fere, he axede at him for 3 wat f ingue : fat tresor a-wei he here ; And fo he i-sei 3 al fen ende : fat he luyte far-of rou 3 te, he ladde Fraunceys forth with him : ant bi-fore fe Bischop him brou3te, 96 And bad, 3 if he alles wolde : f e worldes guod bi-leue, )}at he bi-fore fe Bischope f er : fat tresor up 3 eue. IT Seint Fraunceis with fulke worde : glad and Ioyful stod : Jpare and bi-fore god he 3 af up : al his eorfelich guod, 100 And streopte of is clof es : a-non to is bare liche And bi-fore f e Bischope tok is fader : and bad him beo guod and riche ; he seide, “ ich f e habbe fader i-cleoped : euere to fis day, And nouf e it is so feor i-come : fat now more i-ne may ; Segge ich mot mi .pater-nos^er : heonne-forthf e-ward i-wis And to mi fader holde me : fat in heuene is.” 104 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI BEGS HIS BREAD, AND CARRIES MORTAR 57 TO REBUILD ST. DAMIAN’S AND OTHER CHURCHES. bFakede he wende fram is fader : bi-fore heom fare echon ; Worldes guod aftur fulke tyme : ne bod he neuereft non. 108 IT A seli vplondisch.se Man : fat nakede sai 3 him go, Gret deol in is heorte hadde : for is chele and for is wo : he 3 af him ane olde Mantel : his hones fare-with to hele ; Seint Fraunceis it vnder-feng : to witien him fram chele, 112 his licame he heolede fare-with : and in my seise i-nov 3 A- 3 en fare he was i-bore : to Asise he him drov 3 * IF Ase he hadde er i-beo so riche : and so wel was i-knowe, A beggare he cam a[n]d had is mete : fere-aftur in a fro we, 116 Fram dore to dore he had is mete : and wonede him far-to ; Some weren wrofe for is dedes : and no guod nolden him do. Of f e ordre of frere Menours : he ne made no-f ing 3 uyte ; he bi-gan in pouerte i-nov 3 : an( ^ with hiyte pruyte. 120 IF Men of f e contreie weren : a-boute for-to a-mende | Seint Damianes churche : fat al a-done-ward wende, J3are ase seint Fraunceys hadde i-beo : and tresor bi-left fere. ])o he ne m^hte non ofur do : fe churche for-to a-rere, 124 : he wende fudere and sore swonk : and bar morter far-to, I And sethf e he eode and bad is mete : 3 wane he hadde al i-do. IF Ane churche sethf e of seint peter : men arerden elles- 3 [w]are : j^is holie man in is miseise : wel sone he was fare 128 And Morter and ston drou 3 f er-to : and sore swonk al-so, And sethf e eode and bad is mete : f o he hadde al i-do. [foi. 43] 3wane he heorde of ani churche : fat ou 3 wer was for-ta-rere, he wende fudere, and longue him foi^te : are he were fere. 132 IF To seinte Marie in desert : ate laste he wende wel stille And criede on ore louerd n^ht and day : fat he dude bi him is wille And fat he 3 eue him is grace fere : in 3 wat manere he best m^hte his churche fat a-doneward was : best a-rere up and d^hte. 136 So fat god him 3 af fe g?*ace : fat he fare bi-gan J3e ordre of frere Menours : to saui mani a man. IF In f e bi-guynningue of fis ordre : ase ore louerd 3 ef fat cas, fi Ane masse he i-heorde a day : fat of fe Apostles was ; 140 As man rat 3 uyt a-mong us : in fe godspelle it seide fo Jjat ore louerd hiet is desciples : f o huy scholden a-boute go, 58 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI AT LAST FINDS FROM THE GOSPEL WHAT ‘CHURCH’ HE IS TO REPAIR, AND THEN FOUNDS HIS ORDER. pat huy ne beren with heom gol[d] ne seluer : 3 wane huy wenden ouer lond, Ne baggue, ne tweie curtles nopur : ne schon, goinde with ouer lond 1 — 51 In pis manere ore louerd hiet : his Apostles gon. 1 hor™ond Stafin po seint Fraunceis i-heorde pis : he dude of is schon, 146 And porue^ede pat frere Menours : barefot scholden gon, With-oute bagge, with-oute staf : with-oute ani ping to spene — 148 Bote ech frere Menour do al-so : he ne halt nou3t is ordre, ich wene. In stude of is gurdel al-so : with rope he him bond — In pis manere frere Menours : scholden go ouer lond. 5T Seint Fraunceis bi-pou3te pus : to don pis holie dede 152 And made pe ordre of frere Menours : al ase pe godspel sede. IT Bernard, pat was a guod scholer : formest to him cam And pe ordre of frere menours : of him formest he nam. he axede at him hov he scholde best : pe world clanliche for-sake. To seint Nicholas churche huy wenden : ane masse-bok huy gonne take. pe bok was i-closed faste to : seint Fraunceis hine gan vndo, 158 Al on-mundliche he on-dude pe bok : and pe furste pat he cam to pat was a godspel pat seith : “ ^if pou wolt parfijt beo, 160 Sul al pi guod and ^if pouere men : and sethpe siwe me ! ” IT Al vn-Mundlingue he cam eft-sone : to a godspel pat seide : p at man ne scholde seluer ne gold : bi pe weie lede. pe pridde tyme al on-Mundlingue : pe masse-bok he wende : 164. po cam he opon pis godspel : ase ore louerd him grace sende : £ ‘ ho-so wole come after me : him-sulf he schal for-sake And is owene rode here : and pene wei after me so take.” IT “ Jpov i-fuxt here,” quath seint Fraunceis : “ hou ore louerd in a stounde 168 Sent us grace ope 3wuche pingue : we schullen pis ordre founde : Opon peos preo god-spelles, pov fuxt : pat we habbeth furst i-founde We schullen foundi al ore ordre : and opon pis strongue grounde.” Opon pis 1 preo godspelles he maude 2 is ordre : and is riule 3 for- SOthp 1 MS. J?is J>is * maudre * Ryvle on the margin. 172 And pe frere Menor brekez is ordre : pat pare-a3ein ou3t dotlip. IT Fre Gyles was po pe ferste — : pat guod scoler hadde i-beo, ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI GOES TO ROME, TO HAVE HIS ORDER 59 CONFIRMED BY THE POPE. pat aftur frere Bernard pe ordre nam : and setlife ojmr freo. [foi. 43 b.] So fat vnder heom alle sixe freres : to-gadere weren i-brou^t. 176 And fei ]?is ordre were i-maud : i-confermed nas heo nou^t. U Seint Fraunceys fe holie Man : fo god fe tyme sende, To confmni is ordre a-r^lit : toward Rome be wende. Ake swife sore he was of-drad : laste fe pope were 180 Contrarious a-^ein is Ordre : fat heo i-confermed nere. Ake forth he wende to fondi : he nolde nou^t heo bi-hynde ; And euere he bad Ihmi cnst : ]?at he moste som grace finde. H po ]?ou 3 te him in a wision : fat [he] i-sai} a gret treo, 184 So hei 3 f>at he was a-drad : toward f e coppe i-seo ; And netheles on aunture he him dude : and nam far-of a bov 3 Aboue in f e hexte stude : and toward him it drov 3 : hit bei 3 al a-doun to him : aftur is wille i-nov 3 , 188 For al fat him dradde furst : fat it was hei 3 and tov 3 . U po J?is holie man a-wok : on fis sweuene he fo^te longue And f are-f oru 3 he hopede of f e pope : sum grace for-to afongue ; For fe treo fat was so hei 3 : lij^thtliche to grounde drov 3 , 192 Also he hopede fene hei 3 e pope : to is wille bringue i-nov 3 . To pe pope Innocent : po he to Rome cam, he bad graunti is Religion : to amendi cnstindam, A[n]t fat he scholde is ordre preouen : and is Re vie al-so 196 ]poru 3 pe godspel of godes word : and f er-aftur do. U p o pe pope is Re vie isei 3 : fat heo was clene and guod, And ope pe godspelle i-founded al : ase he wel onder-stod, In is herte he grauntede it : ake nou 3 t with is Mouth a-non, 200 For he moste is cardinales : conseili fare-uppe ech-on. U So fat a-Mong fis Cardinales : counseil fere was i-nome. Some heolden pare^em : and also fare-with some. po was J>er a Cardinal : fat Bischop was al-so, 204 Maister Iohan of seint poul : fat faste heold fer-to And seide, “ 3 if we destourbieth him : a 3 ein pe godspelle we beothf , 3 wane he spechut al vpe godes word : ase we wel i-seothf.” IT In Avisioun to pe pope : a-n^ht also it cam 208 J^at he grauntede him is Reule : to saui cnstindom. So fat J>e pope grauntede him : al is Reule to do, GO ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI. HIS PREACHING. A HELP IN NEED. HIS AUSTERITY. And confermede foru3 al f e court : and bi-hiet him more fer-to. fio wende forth]} ]?is holie Man : and is freres with]) him nam 212 And prechede a-boute J)e godspelles : to amendi mstindom. H ) 0 o f e confrere i-sei^ heom ferst : gret speche was fere, Some seiden ])at Aunte-crist : ojmr is desciples it were ; So ])at in wel manie studes : luyte guod men heom sende 216 And huy weren ofte ofhungrede sore : ase huy a-boute wende. So J?at huy comen into a stude : and ofhungrede weren sore, J^at some of ])e freres hadden i-pou^t : in f e ordre to beo mm-more. \)o cam ])ere a wel fair man : and brou^te heom mete i-nov3 — [foi. 44] Sone huy nusten 3ware he bi-cam : ne 3woder-ward he drov3. J^is freres i-se^en fule fo : fat an Aungel it was : 222 f)e studefastore in heore ordre : huy weren for fis cas And bi-hieten god fat huy nolden neuere : for miseise ne for wo 224 In fe ordre bi heore m^hte : pouerte fur-go. Bi-side f e toun of Asise : feor fram eche strete huy wenden alle to one stude : fat was al fur-lete. Miseyse huy hadden fare i-nov3 : and ofte wepen sore, 228 For defaute of heore sustinaunce : and for defaute of bokes more. For huy ne hadde bokes none : 3 ware-on huy m^hten loke, In f e croiz huy bi-heolden al day : in-stude of heore boke, And beden god 1 , 3if it were is wille : fat he scholde heom sum guod teche, ims. guod 232 For huy nadden non ofur bok : ne nusten 3ware-with any a-reche. U To seinte Marie in desert : fannes huy gunne i-wiende, Ase huy bi-gunnen furst fe ordre : to bringue as fare to ende. Seint Fraunceis wende bi fe londe : and prechede a-boute fere. 236 Men wenden, f 0 huy se^en him furst : fat of an ofur worlde he were ; For he capede euere upward : toward heouene an hei3, )pat men wondreden and speken far-of : euer-ech fat him i-se^. Manie heolden him a truant : of fe deueles lore 240 And harleden him here and f er : and ofte beten him sore. Jois holie man ne tok none 3eme : ake c?’iede ore louerdes ore, And 3ware men duden him mest schame : fudere he drov3 f e more. II Idel ne kepte he neuere beo : he ne louede no fin[g] so luyte 244 Ne hatede so muche ase he dude Aise : and idelnesse and pruyte. ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CALLS HIS FLESH “ FRERE ASSE,” AND A G1 LAZY MAN “FRERE FLIE.” HE LIKES REPROOF. “ Frere Asse ” he cleopede is owene flesch — : for je wuten wel fat ail Asse, Habbe heo neuere so luyte mete : is trauail nis no fe lasse, For heo is i-harled here and fere : and to file weorke i-do, 248 I-priked and i-scourget eke : and sackes heo berez al-so ; Of ^eomere fingue heo is i-fed : 3 wane heo alles comez far-to, And selde heo is i-coureyd wel : with-ovte nail an scho. U He seruede so is owene flesch : and cleopede it u frere Asse ” : 252 Mete he 3af him luyte i-nov : and to clof ingue wel lasse ; he prikede also and scourgede ek : and f oru3-out f e contre^e harlede it and deope wod : bare-fot in deope weye. 3 wane he i-sai^ ani idel Man : fat louede glotonie 256 And ne trauailede noi^t for is mete : he cleopede him “ frere flie ” : For fe flie ne doth non of ur guod : bote fleoth feor and neor And a-waytez 3wane men goth to mete : of ur to heore soper ; A-non so f e Disch is i-set a-doun : heo wole heo ope f e brerde — Of trauail ne wo ne kep[t]hf heo nou3t : bote fat heo wel ferde ; U 3 wane a Man hath al dai i-swounke : fei he it hadde i-swore, 262 he ne schal to is Disch come so sone : fat fe flie nele beo bi-fore. U Also farez manie idele Men : fat non ofer guod nelleth do, 264 Bote 3wanne of ur Men beth to-ward f e mete : 3are huy beth f ar-to ; 1 Atf e Dische huy wollez al-so sone beo : ase huy fat habbez i-swounke, And f anne is al heore weork i-do : habben huy i^ete and i-dronke ; ))anne gothf huy ligge slepe : of ur gothf to some folie. L 1 foi. 44 b.] )}are-fore seint Fraunceys cleopede : swuche men “ frere flie *fl Of nofing nas fis holie man : so glad ase of edwij^t : 270 For 3 wane ani Man opbraid is pouerte : he was in gret del^t ; 3 wane Men cleopeden him hoxtare : ofur cheorl ofur cheorles sone — For port-Men beoth ofte boistouse : and hoxtares bi wone — “ leue brofer,” he seide : “certes, fov seist sothf, 274 I-blessed beo f ou for fat word : and alle fat so dothf ! Preses 1 sone Bernard : it bi-comethf bi r^the lawe 1 r. Perses (Ash. Peres) To heore telle of is relate : ich aucl^te beo glad and fawe.” And 3wane men preiseden ou3t of is cuynde : he nadde fare-of no del^t. Jpare-fore ho-so wolde him paye : segge him sum edw^t ; 62 ANECDOTES OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI: OF A PURSE; "WHY HE LOVES LAMBS ; HE CURSES A SOW. And bi-fore al folk a-brod : in is prechingue he seide 280 his Miseise and is defaute : ofte and is wrechhede. — U In poyle seint Fraunceis 3eode : some time ouer lond, So fat a porsful of panes : bi f e weie he fond ; he ne tok non more ^eme fare-to : fane to so muche fen. 284 his felawe bad him nimen heom up : and dele pouere men. “I nelle noi^t,” seide seint Fraunceis : “ of ofur mannes dele.” “ Me funchez,” seide is felawe fo : “ fat fov nart nou^t fele, J5at fou ne louest nou^t pouere men : 3wane fou nelt heom don no guod.” 288 Jpis holie man i-heorde f is : and one 3wile in f ou3te stod ; U “ )}ou schalt,” he seide, “ sone i-seo : 3[w]at fis panes beoth ech-on.” he wende and nam up fat pors : and openede him a-non : jpo crep fare out a naddre : fe fouleste fat m^hte gon, 292 And f e pors al amti was : and peni bi-lefte non ; And fat was fe Deuel of helle : fat in fe fourme of panes lay, For-to bi-traye fis holie man : 3wane he fe panes i-sai3. *1 J?is holie Man seint Fraunceis : among ech man ere best 296 Muche he louede 30ungue lambre : and a-nourede heom euere mest, For ore louerd euenede him-sulf to a lomb : foru3 seint Iohan fe Baptist, 298 And for it is with-oute felonie : and milde ase ihesu crist ; And ofte 3wane men wolden heom quelle : fram defe he heom brou3te With biddingue and with is faire word : and fale sifes heom bou3te. U In fe Abbeye of seint verecunde : a 30ung lomb he founde, 302 A souwe a-strangli it a-non : and fret it in a stounde. Seint Fraunceis stod and bi-heold : “ A-mong alle bestes,” he seide, “ A-corsed fou beo, lufere souwe : fat dudest fis lufere dede; j ) at fi lijf beo schort and strong : and fi dethf beo strong al-so, And fat no f ing ne ete of f i flesch : 3wane fou ert of liue i-do ! ” J?o bi-gan fe souwe a-non : ase he fis word seide, 308 To beo ful of scliabbe and of buyles : and of ofur wrechhede, J)at heo orn out al of quiture : and ase fat folk i-sai3, [foi. 45] In wrechhede and in sorewe inov : heo deide fane fridde day, And fur-rotede and stonk foule i-nov3. : no best fat it i-sei3, Bauon ne pie no ofur foul : nolde enes come fare-ne^. 312 HOW A LAMB, GIVEN TO ST. FIUNCIS OF ASSISI, BEHAVES AT 63 SERVICE. HOW BIRDS HONOUR HIM. For seint Fraunceis louede lambre 1 : ase al pat folk i-saij, 1 orig. lombre On of is freond for godes loue : a lomb him ^ef a day3. J)is lomb wolde old and 3oung : al dai nei3 him beo 316 And maken with him Ioye i-nou3 : 3wanne it him mi3hte i-seo. Seint Fraunceis hiet pis schep a day : 3wanne it heorde freres singue, To churche gon at eche tide : and ne lete for none pingue. p)at schep aftur Jmlke time : selde wolde a-bide, 320 3 wane hit i-heorde freres in pe queor : pat hit nas at eche tide ; Blete it wolde a^enes heom : for it ne coupe nou3t elles do ; And 3wane it sai3 pe freres sitten a-kneo : kneuli it wolde al-so, And 3 wane ani preost sacrede : kneoli it wolde par-to 324 And wel inwardliche bi-holde Jmdere : ase it sai3 opur freres do. Wei au3te we onouri pe sacringue : 3 wane a swuch best wolde ! A wonder bede-man it was : to come to godes 1 bolde ! 1 Ala s t | 1 r u 1 Jcrso adds: IT Ase seint Fraunceis Jus holie man : ouer lond ofte him drou3, 328 Wilde foules, smale and grete : honoureden him i-nov3« For ase he wende in atyme : to prechie ouer lond, An hep of foules grete i-nov3 : In a stude he fond ; huy songuen and maden noyse i-nov : euerech in is wise; 332 j)e 3uyt J>e holie man a-mong heom cam : huy nolden nou3t enes arise. IT “ Beu frere,” quath Jus holie Man : “ore sustren pat beoth here honourieth god pat heom made : ech in his manere ; Bi3ht is J>at we don also : are we fram heom gon.” 336 huy gonne to segge heore tidene : among pis foules ech-on. ])o maden pis foules so gret noise : pat huy ne m^hten noping i-here. “ Sostrene,” quath pis holie Man : “ chaungiez eouwer manere, Beothp noupe stille and latehp me segge : mine tidene with mi frere, And sethpe 3e mouwen aftur us : euer-ech with is fere.” IT jois foules a-non-ri3ht to is heste : stille weren al-so 342 And seten and heorden heore tidene : for-to huy hadden al ido. “ Nou sustren,” quath pis holie man : “ we habbuthp i-seid ore tide, Bi-guynnez ouwer 3wane 3e wollez : 30 ne poruen no leng abide.” J)is foules bi-gonne singue anon : pe leste and eke pe meste — 346 Swipe gret pouwer he hadde of god : pat foules weren at is heste ! IT JAs holie man wende him forth : to prechi ouer lond : A gret hep eft-sone of foules : in on opur stude he fond. 64 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PREACHES TO BIRDS. APPARITION OF THE CRUCIFIED. he wende forth]) a-mong heom. : J)is foules bi-gonne echon 350 Louten to him wel mildeliche : and honouri him a-non. Jpis holie Man at-stod ane ^wile : and Jmu^te heom sum guod teche, And r^ht ase it weren men of witte : J)is foules he gan to preche : U “ Leone sostrene,” he seide, “ for godes loue : honouriethj) ore creatur, Lor a-mong alle liues : 3e au3ten him don honour : Lor he 3ifht eov nobleie i-nou3 : wynguene for-to fleo, [foi. 45 b.] 356 And fe}>erene to beren eov up-on hei3 : wido for-to seo, And mete 3ware 3e wollez a-l^hte : with-oute eche-manere suynche, he 3ifth eov also muche pruyte and ayse : ase 3e mouwen onne Jjenche ; Delue ne diki ne ])orue 3e najjur : ase manie Men moten do, 360 And 3eot 3e mouwen hahbe mete i-nov3 : 3wane oJ)ere nahheth nou3t so.” H ])is foules heorkeneden him wel stille : ])e 3wile is prechingue i-laste, And fram wodes and fram ojmr studes : )?uder-word drowen faste. ])o J>is holie man hadde i-do : he wende forth a-non 364 And bi-te^te heom ihesu crist : and blessede heom ech-on ; 1 ^® 8 ® f v ^; d a e r ® he pleide with heom murie i-nou3 : ase he among heom gan gon , 1 And strokede heom with is longue fleue. : ])ere nolde a-rise nou3t on, Are he wolde bidden heom wende forth : 3\vare huy hadden to done, his foules, J)0 huy heorden j)is : huy flouwen forth wel sone. H Seint Lraunceis a-mong al ojmr ])ingue : r^ht at is heorte grounde Ofte he J)ou3te deope i-nov3 : of ore louerdes wounden ; So studefast-liche in is j)0U3t : non o])ur ])ing he ne nam. 372 hit bi-feol at J)e holie rode-tid : j)at a^ein M^hel-Masse cam, Opon J)e liul of Auuerne : ase it was ore louerdes wille, Al one in is oresones : J)ere he lai wel stille, he J)0U3te on ore louerdes woundene : so deope J?at it nas non ende : An Aungel he i-sai3 an hei3 : r^lit fram heouene wiende, U Six wingene him ])0U3te he hadde : ])at schinden bri^lite and wide, he tweie stoden up a-bouen is heued : and J)e tweien bi is side, And J?oru3-out ouer is wombe a-creoyz : tweien J)ere weren al-so, 380 Ase men seothj) ofte in churche depeint : ho-so loketlij) fare-to ; he Armes weren a-long i-sprad : ase huy weren on J)e rode, And ])e fet i-streitht a-long : al vrninde a-blode, horu3 J)e ri^ht side he was i-smite : and ])oru3 fet and honde : 384 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI RECEIVES THE MARKS OF THE WOUNDS OF 65 THE CRUCIFIED ON MOUNT ALVERNO. hit was in fourme of an Aungel : ore louerd, ich onder-stonde. H So gret Ioye hadde J>is holie Man : of Jus noble s^hte J)at him Jjou^te he was in an ojmr world : and Jjonkede godes mi^hte ; .he nuste ^wat for Ioye do : Jje 3 wyle he Jus fourme i-se^li. 388 At pe laste he fleu} a-^ein : in-to heouene an he^h. Seint Fraunceis was in Ioye i-nou^ : for he hadde J?at noble si^th, And nameliche of ore louerdes wounden : J?at he wilnede dai^ and ny^ht. ]}o bi-heold he is owene hondene : and is fiet al-so : 392 fio weren huy Jjoru^-out i-smite : and j>e nailes J?ar-on i-do, And is r^ht side i- wounded al-so — : ake wel sore neren huy nou 3 t ; So ]?at he hadde pe woundene him-sulf : J?at so muche weren in is j^o^t. U ])e nailes weren hlake i-nou 3 : J>e hauedene rounde and grete, 396 p)e poyntes weren euelongue : ase huy weren a- 3 ei[n]ward-i-bete ; Aboute p e nailes J>at flesch stod up : ase it were al-to-swolle And ase it al a-boute were : for Anguyse to-bolle. In Jus manere we mouwen beo sikere : J?at ore louerdes woundene were — 400 For bote ase a schewingue and Ansaumple : in seint Fraunceyse huy nere. [foi. 46] So J>at Jus holie man hadde : ore louerdes woundene hue ; And bi-lefden on him aftur-ward : pe 3 wile he was a-liue. At J?e holie rode-tid in Septembre : he gan furst Jus Jung i-seo ; 404 Ac ope pe> hulle he hadde er : nei 3 a monjje i-beo, And fourtene n^t Jare-aftur-ward : he bi-lefte 3 uyt J?ere ; So J?at euene vnder al : fourti dawes J?ere were. U Ase Moyses opon synay : was bi olde dawe 408 Fourti dai 3 es in priuete : to seon J?e olde lawe, Also was Jus holie Man : fourti dawes r^ht Opon J?e hulle of Auuerne : to seo J?at holie s^ht. So J?at Aboute Mi 3 helmasse : furst he wende to grounde; 412 Ac he hudde is fet and hondene faste : Jjat Men ne i-se^en pe wounde. With J?e woundene he liuede two 3 er : and prechede a-boute wide, And pe woundene ornen ofte a-blode : and nameliche of is side, And bi-bledde is cuyrtel ofte : and is briech al-so ; 416 he carede muche hou he m^hte : stilleliche it a-wei do. — LEGENDS OF SAINTS. p 66 THE WATER IN WHICH ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI WASHES CURES CATTLE. HIS DEATH. U Sethfe fare cam in fe londe : a swyfe strong qualm of orue, p at schep and reof eren and ofur bestes : aldai lei^en a-storue. A guod Man fat hadde rnuchel orf : bad ore louerd wel faste 420 pat he ne bi-nome him nou^t al is guod : ake fat som him moste i-laste. Slepinde in ametingue : to him seide foru} 1 godes sonde iom.J>oru 3 ? pat he scholde nime of fat watur : fat seint Fraunceis wuseh inne is honde Ofur is fet and fere-with : a-mong fe bestes sprenge, 424 And, 3 if him f o^te fare were to luyte : with ofur watur it Mienge. U pis guode Man f are-afturward : a-waitede is point ofte And stal of fis watur stilleliche : in huydeles wel softe, And spreinde a-mong is owene orf : and a-mong of ure mani on : 428 And oueral fare it was i-spreind : huy weren hole ech-on. — H Seint Fraunceis was frere Menour : in fe ordre twenti ^er, And two ^er and al-mest f reo wyke : ore louerdes woundene he her, So fat he drou 3 to-ward f e defe : and feblischede ful swif e faste. 432 On him nas noi^t bote fel and bon : bi-leued atfe laste. In torment he was strong i-nov 3 : and 3 \vane he was in worst stounde, his lene bones he wolde drawe : a^ein fe harde grounde, For-to make fe more is pine : and fe eorfe he custe al-so 436 And fonkede god of alle guode : fat he him hadde i-do. he lay sijk and deide sone : seint Fraunceis fe holie man In ore leuedi churche : fare he furst fe ordre bi-gan. U po he was f e defe nei 3 : naked he liet him do, 440 And to f e harde vrf e al bar : al nakede he lay so, And het heom fat a-boute him were : fat aftur fulke stounde huy leten him ligge longue also : nakede on fe grounde, pat eorfe m^hte on eorfe de^e : for fat were is r^hte. 444 he bi-gan to prechi is bref ren : ope is feble m^hte. H Atfe laste, fo he fene dethf i-sai 3 : and i-felde hine ful strongue, 1 “Voce mea” he bi-gan : one saume of euesongue, pfoi. 46b.] And seide forthf fe saume al out : and heold up is hondene he^e, 448 And with fe laste word of fe saume : he bi-gan to de^e. he deide tweolf hundred 3 er : and sixe and twenti r^ht Aftur ore louerdes burtime : on a satur-day at n^ht. pe sonendai he was i-bured — : he ne ferde noi^t ase fis riche 452 MIRACLES AT THE DEATH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI. 67 ST. ALBAN, PROTO-MARTYR OF ENGLAND. )}at for bobaunt of fe world : liggethf longue a-licbe. IT p o Jus holie man was ded — : J>ei it were bi ni^lite, A gret hep of lauerkene : opon f e churche a-li^hte And murie sounguen al fe longue ni^ht : a-boute fe bodie fere, 456 po fe soule to heouene wende : a 3 ein kuynde fei it were — For fe lauerke is a foul : fat muche louez l^ht And berethf fane dai with hire song : and restez hire a-ni^ht. A^ein kuynde huy sounguen fere : ase fei huy hadden in muynde hou muche he was anoured er : of foules a^ein hore kuynde. IT Frere Austyn, fat was ministre : under him i-do, po fis holie man was ded : atf e def e he lai al-so In fe londe of labour 1 : fat feor was fare-bi-side, p Terra ai Lavoro] 464 Wei longue he lai speche-les : fene dethf forto a-bide, And ri^ht ase seint Fraunceis deide : feor in an ofur londe, jpis frere Austin spac wel mildeliche : and heold up is two honden : “ Abijd, brofur,” he seide, “ ane ^wyle : ich come with fe a-non.” 468 his freres axeden him ^wat it were — : for heom wondrede ech-on. II “ Bote frere Fraunceis,” he seide, “ ore fader : i-brou 3 t hath is lif to ende And is noufe toward heouene : and with him i-chulle wende.” With fis word he gan de^e : and is soule al in pes 472 To f e Ioye of heouene wende : with is maister seint Fraunceis, And fare huy [beoth] bof e : in Ioye with-outen ende. Nou god for fe loue of seint Fraunceis : late us alle fudere wende. AmeN. 19 Albon. IT Vita sawed Albani. S Eint Albon f e holie Man : was here of Enguelonde, I-martred he was for godes loue : foru 3 Iesu cristes sonde. Formest he was hef ene man : and of hefene men he cam, And sethf e, ase ore louerd it wolde : he tornede to cristindom. 4 H pe lufere prince fat was f o : dioclician, And an ofur fat was al so : fat he^te Maximian, Cristine men fat huy m^hten i-wite : huy broi^ten alle to grounde ; In eche londe huy lieten heom seche : 3 ware huy m^hten beon i- founde, 8 68 ST. ALBAN HARBOURS A PERSECUTED PRIEST (aMPIUBALUS), TURNS CHRISTIAN, AND PRESENTS HIMSELF TO THE SOLDIERS. And to strongue depe heom duden : swipe manie and fale ; huy ne spareden none pat huy mijhten finde : nopur grete ne smale. H A lupur Iustise J>at with heom was : to enguelonde he cam, To Martri alle cristine men : and destrnyen c?*fstindom. 12 A clerk, a guod cristine man pat was : heorde it telle wide Of tormens pat huy duden opur men : he ne dorste no long a-bide, Ake he fleu3 elles-^wodere : pat he i-Martred nere ; To seint Albones house he cam : and bad is In pere. [foi. 47] 1 6 U Seint Albon, pe 3 wile he with him was : a-waitede and i-sai3 hov he was in is oresones : hope n^ht and dai3 : he J?ou3te pat he was a fol : fiat he was hepene so longue, he gan to leue on Ihesu crist : and cristinedom ta-fongue. 20 IT pe Iustise pane clerk liet seche : so pat it was i-kud hou at seint Albones house : with him he was i-hud. Kn^lites he sende to fechchen him : 3if he i-founde were. PJSJtaMm the To seint Albon huy comen : and ecbsten after him pere. 1 “-^spurious. 3 ] 6 huy comen and founden seint Albon : and axeden him a-non 3wepur ani swuch pere were. : “ for gode,” quath pis holie man, 26 “For gode,” seide jus guode Man : “ I nelle it nou3t for-sake, A swuch Man ich am mi-seolf : I nelle eou non opur take.” 28 U “ A, peof,” seiden ]?is lupere men : “ artpou i-come j)ar-to, 3wane pou wolt for fiat strongue pef : to defje beo i-do h ” Jjis holie man huy bounden faste : and to jje Iustise him brou3te, And tolden him fiat he pulte him forth : for fiat ofiur J?ef f)at huy sou3ten. 32 H “ Bel ami,” quath Jje Iustise : “ seie 3wat is f>i name And of 3wat kunne ])ou art i-come : })at ore godes dost schuch 1 schame.” 1 r. swucn “ To )?is Axingue,” quath seint Albon : “ ichulle answerie sone. Of 3wat kunne ich am i-come : luyte ]jou hast to-done ; 36 Alban is mi name, i-wis : and ich honori al-so God f?at schop alle f>ing : and euere-more wolle do.” H “ A, traitur,” quath |?e Iustise : “ artfiou i-come fiar-to, I schal don tormenti f»i bodi : fram heued to ])in ho. 40 liastfiou i-hud fiane fief at-hom : f»at doth us so muche schame, And pulst forth fi pi-self, po 1 cheitif : to depe in his name : 1 r. j>ou ST. ALBAN ANSWERS THE MAGISTRATE, IS SCOURGED, AND LED TO 69 BE BEHEADED. A MIRACLE LIKE THAT OF THE RED SEA. Anoure ore godes, ich rede, a-non : and heom sacrefise, Ojmr ichulle f>e tormenti so : fiat men schullen of pe> agrise.” 44 ‘‘For nou^t Jiou spext,” quath Albon : “ jjar-aboute jiou spillest J?i brethj?, I-nelle neuere fene deuel honoure : for drede of fie dethji.” U )}o was fie Iustise swyfie wroth : f>ane holie man he nam, JSTakede, and 1 liet himfaste binde : and 3 af him soneis dom : 'at. he 48 With schourges he made is tormentours : leggen on him i-nowe. On him huy leiden fiat huy werie weren : and al is bodi to-drowe. J?e harde scourgene in is tendre flechs : deope gonne wade ; pe more Jjat huy tormenteden him : J?e gladdore he him made ; 52 he fionkede god fiat he moste : Jjare for is loue [53-4 added in lj To fie stat of cristindom : Jjoru} is torment come. IT J>o fie lufiere Iustise i-sai^ : fiat it was al for nou^t, J}at he ne m^hte fram Iesu cr/st : for no-fiing torne is Jio^t, 56 he hiet him lede with-oute toun : and is heued smite of sone. I-redie weren fie tormentours : for-to do is bone, huy harleden him wel filliche : fiat schame it was to se, For-to huy comen to Jmlke stude : ]?are he scholde i-martred be. 60 huy comen to an vrninde brok : Jjere huy mosten ouer wade : j)e tormentores woden ouer al a-brod : and no strencfe ]>ar-of ne maden. [63-4 added in L.] H Ake ore louerd for seint Albones loue : dude miracle fiere, A-non so J?e schrewe tormentores : ouer i-wade were : 64 For j>o fiis holie Man to watere cam : fiat watur him with-drou 3 And ouer pe broke made ane wei : druy 3 e and clene i-nou 3 , fiat he wende ouer al-so druy 3 e : ase it a-londe were ; And euere J)at watur bi-hinden him : smot to-gadere fiere 68 And cam al a- 3 ein ase it was er : f>o he cam to londe. Louerd, muche is f>i m^hte : ho-so him wole onder-stonde ! IF fie maister of fie tormentores : to 3 warn he was bi-take, \)o he i-sai 3 fie faire miracle : f>ene deuel he gan fur-sake, 72 And seide he wolde to Ihesu cn’st : al is heorte wende, [73-4 spurious.] For fie Miracle f>at he fiare i-sai^ : jjat so fair was and hende ; his sweord fiat he on honde bar : wel feor fram him he caste And to seint Albones fet he feol a-doun : and criede him merci faste, 70 A FOUNTAIN SPRINGS AT ST. ALBAN’S PRAYER. HIS HEATH. THE EXECUTIONER LOSES HIS EYES. ST. WULSTAN. 78 80 84 J3at he moste for him de^e : ofur, bote it ojmr were, )pat he moste in fe place : fene dethf a-fongue fere. IF Opon an hul huy wenden an hei} : ase huy weren a-signet to f)is holie Man seint Albon : to fe defe do. Seint Albon wilnede aftur watur : fare ope fe hulle on hei^ ; he bi-heold fat fare ne mi^hte : no watur come fare nei^ : Ore louerd he bad with guode heorte : fat he sende is grace Jpat som water moste to him come : in fat ilke place. Ore louerd heorde is bone : fare anon-r^hte [85-6 added in l.] bi-fore alle fe tormentores : in heore alre s^hte : IF For fo he hadde i-seid is oresun : and ore louerd i-bede, f)are sprong out of fat he^e [hul] : a fair welle in f ulke stude, 88 Of al-so guod water ase ani m^hte beo — : fat 3 uyt lastethf , ich wene. Euere was f o and al-so nouf e : ore louerdes m^hte i-sene. J}is guode kn^ht fat bi-liefde on god : for fat he sei 3 er, Wei more he criede fo on him : for fulke miracle fer, 92 And wilnede 3 eorne fat he moste : for him de^e fere. So fat in ore louerdes name : Imartrede bof e huy were. IF Ake fe tormentour fat smot of : seint Albones heued, Luyte he forte far-of 3 elpe : him were betere habbe bi-leued : 96 For fo he smot of is heued : r^ht in fulke stounde his owene ey 3 ene out of is heued : fare r^lit fullen to grounde. Louerd, muche is f i m^hte : ho-so him wole onder-stonde, Ase men mouwe bi is wifer-wine : godes m^hte fonde. 1 1 |i n “‘p U ®"i55* e mar * Seint Albon i-martred was : here in Enguelonde pung r eL° nde ex * Bi-side ane toune fat widincestre : men cleopeden, ich onder-stonde. J}are is noufe a churche a-rerd : and a gret Abbeye al-so, JOat men cleopieth seint Albones : ase he was to defe i-do. 104 Bidde we 3 eorne Ihesu crist : and seint Albon wel faste j ) at we moten to f e Ioye come : fat euere schal i-laste. 20 Wolston S Eint Wolston, bischop of wyrecestre : was here of engelonde, [foi. 48] Swife holi man he was al is lif : ase ich me vnder-stonde. be 3 wile he was a 3 ong child : clene lif he ladde i-nov 3 ; 3 wane ofur children ornen to ple^e : toward churche he drou 3 » 4 ST. WULSTAN BECOMES PRIEST, MONK, AND PRIOR AT WORCESTER. 71 A MIRACLE. Seint Edward was kyng po : pat noupe in heouene is ; And pe bischop of wyricestre : bri^ttey he^te, i-wis. Of pis biscliop Bri^tei : seint wolston is ordre nam, Ech aftur opur, ase it fel : so pat he preost bi-cam. 8 pe bischop vnder-feng him sethpe : and Monek him makede i-wis In pe priorie of wiricestre : pat noble hous and gret is. Swype wel is ordre he heold : in pat priorie And al is wille was for-to pay3e : god and seinte Marie. 1 2 In none bedde he nolde come : ake, }wane opere 3eoden par-to, bi-fore on auter he wolde go : his oresones for-to do ; 3 wane pe dede slep him ouer-eode : pat he ne m^te no leng gon, his heued he wolde legge a-doun : opon pe harde ston, 16 Ope one grece bifore pe Auter : opur is bok pare-vnder do, And liggen ane stounde in dweole Miengyngue — : al is slep scholde beon so. he nolde preo dawes in pe wyke : no-ping eten with-alle, Ne no word speken bote his beden : for noi^t pat m^te bi-falle ; 20 pe opur dawes wel luytel he spak : and wel luytel he eat al-so, bote it were a luyte potage — : holde he wolde him per-to. So longue he leouede at wirecestre : in pat holie lijf wel stille, p)at he was imaked prior of pat hous : muche a-3ein is wille. 24 his Couent he wuste swype wel : and to alle guodnesse hem drou3 ; Of god and alle guode men : loue he hadde i-nou3. pe prior[ie] 1 of wyricestre : seint oswold bi-gan er, 1 ms. prior j)at was bi-fore seint Wolston : nei3 ane hondred 3er; 28 And pat he hadde er bi-gonne : pe opur fulfulde, i-wis, So pat poru3 heore beire dede : strong weork and hei’3 pare is. Ase pis holie Man seint wolston : in a tyme liet a-rere A bel-hous of swipe strong weork : bellen to hanguy pere, 32 And Machouns a-boue and bi-nethe : pare a-boute were, Bi laddren cloumben up and doun : and pat weork bi-twene al bere, A man pare clemb up bi one laddre : an po he was up on hei3 Fram eorpe mo pane fourti fet : ase al pat folk i-sei3, 36 Dounward he ful, ase he mis-stap — : Men weren sore a-gaste. Seint wolston stod and bi-heold : hou he was a-dounward faste : he made pe signe of pe croyz : ase he feol to-ward pe grounde : 72 ST. WULSTAN IS MADE BISHOP OF WORCESTER. HAROLD PREPARES TO FIGHT WILLIAM OF NORMANDY. harmles he feol and hoi man i-nov 3 : his limes weren hole and sonnde, 40 And a-ros up and dude is weork : ase him no-]ring nere. Louerd, muche is Jh m^te : and J>at Jjou cuddest wel pere, jOat [he] so harde fram so he^e feol : and of eche harme was sker ; jpou art a louerd J>at wonderes dest : ase seith pe sauter. 44 U Hit bi-feol so J>at br^tey : pe Bischop of wyricestre, was ded : A clerk was bischop after him : J?at Men cleopeden aldred, [foi. 48 b.] )Xat seint wolston louede wel : and he louede him al-so — For ech guod man wole louien ojmr : it were elles vuele i-do. 48 Seth]?e it bi-fel J?at pe Erchebischop : of Euerwicke was ded : Erchebischop huy maden j>ar : jjene bischop aldred, And pe bischopriche of wiricestre : vacaunt was and lere : Seint wolston was sone i-chose : and bischop i-maked ]?ere. 52 Bischop him made pe holie man : seint Edward pe king, And a-feng him in his dignete : and tok him is staf and ring, his bischopriche he wuste wel : and also is priorie, And a-forcede him to serui wel : god and seint Marie. 56 Four ^er he hadde bischop i-beo : and nou 3 t fulliche hue po seint Edward pe holie kyng : wende out of Jus liue. Gret reuj^e it was to al engelond : so weilawei pe stounde ! For straunge men jjere comen sethjje : and bro^ten enguelond to grounde. 60 IT Harold was po r^htest eyr : for non o]mr J>ere nas ; J?e croune he bar of Enguelonde : ^wuche 3 wile so it was. For willame Bastard, J?at was po : Eorl in Noremaundie, )?ou 3 te to winne Enguelond : J>oru 3 strencjje and tricherie : 64 he let him greiju folk i-nou 3 : and gret poer with [him ] 1 nam om. And with gret strencjie in-to pe se he him dude : and to Enguelonde he cam. he liet ordeinie is herd wel : and is banere up arer[d]e, And destruyde and nam al pat he fond : and j?at folk sore a-ferde. 68 IT Harold heorde herof telle : pe king of Enguelonde : he liet greijue faste is ost : a^ein him for-to stonde. ])e baronie of Enguelonde : redi was wel sone \)e king to helpe and heom-sulue : ase r^ht was for-to done. 72 WILLIAM AND THE NORMANS BEAT THE ENGLISH. THE 73 CONQUEROR FOUNDS BATTLE ABBEY. J)e weorre was fo in Enguelonde : deolful and strong i-nov}, And eyf ur of oferes Men : al-to ground e a-slou 3 . IT No strencf e ne hadden J>is straunge men : fat were i-come so newe, A^einest heom of enguelonde : fe 3 wyle huy wolden beo trewe. 76 Ake alas f e muchele tncherie : fat f o was, and 3 eot is, fat brou 3 te fo Enguelond : al-to grounde i-wis ! For fe englische barones bi-comen some : on-treowe and false also To bi-tra^e heom-seolf and heore kyng : fat so muclie heom truste to. 80 IT J}is Noreinauns and fis Englische men : ane dai of bataile buy nome, J}are ase fe Abbeie of fe bataille is : ate daye to-gadere huy come, To grounde huy smiten and slowen al-so. : ake alas fulke stounde, JOat Enguelond was f oru 3 tresoun : fare i-brou 3 t to grounde ! 8 1 Eor fulke fat f e king truste to : failleden him wel faste ; So fat he was bi-neof e i-brou 3 t : and ouer-come atf e laste And to grounde i-brou 3 t, and alle his : and al Enguelond also, In-to vnecoufe mannes honde : fat no r^ht ne hadden far-to ; 83 And neuer-eft [it] ne cam a^ein : to r^hte Eyres none — Ynkuynde Eyres 3 eot huy beothf : ore kingues echone, And nei 3 h- 3 wat alle fis he^e Men : and of fe lo 3 we al-so. [foi. «] For willam liet [him] crouni king : fo fe bataile was al i-do, 92 And bi-sette al enguelond : with men of of ere londe — Neuereft to is cuynde heritage : ne cam it, ich onder-stonde. IT f>is willam bastard, fat was king : sethfe him onder-stod ) 5 at he mid vnr^hte hadde i-sched : mani ane mannes blod : 96 And fare as fe bataille was : ane Abbeie he liet a-rere, J 3 a\- “fe Abbeie of fe bataille” is i-cleoped : fat wel noble stand 3 eot fere ; for heore soulene he as liet a-rere : fat he with vnr^hte fare a-slou 3 ; Ake euere he heold forth fe kynedom : of enguelonde with WOU 3 . 100 IT Ake sone so he was king i-mad : and al enguelond bi-sette, Ase he wolde, with straunge men : and no man ne m^hte him lette, J?is holie Bischop seint wolston : wel ofte him withseide Joat he with on-ri^hte hadde i-do : a swuch lufer dede, 104 And spac a^ein him baldeliche : and ne sparede for no drede — 71 ST. WULSTAN IS CALLED UPON TO GIVE UP HIS CROSIER, AS UNFIT. For he was po pe cuyndeste englische man : pat was of enie manhede, And for alle opure weren deseritede ne^h. : pe king was with heom 1 Wroth]) 1 r. liim ])a,t he was so luyte a-drad of him : and swor a-non is othj) 108 To pulte him out of is bischopriche. : he liet [him] somoune al-so To westmunstre, to answerien him : of pat he him hadde mis-do. IT FTou nas noi^t seint wulston : wel gret clerk in lore — For J)o he scholde to scole gon : to churche he ^eode wel more. 112 To westmunstre he cam to is day : ase he was i-somoned er. J}e king was in grete wrath])e : wel prest to kepe him ])er, And pe bischop of Caunterburi : lanfranc was is name, And pe bischop gondolf of Roucestre : alle to don him schame. 116 Seint wolston bi-fore heom cam : pat a-^ein him weren so strongue Ase a peof bi-fore Iustise : his dom to vnder-fongue. IT ])e king and pe Erchebischop al-so : speken to him wordes grete, J}at he scholde, ase he wuyrpe was : is bischop-riche lete; 120 For-to holden swuch dignete : to luyte he coupe of lore, And huy him hadden to longue i-poled : And po nolden huy nonmore, And grete foies huy weren pat swuch a fol : formest bro^te in swch m^hte, And 3 if he was folliche onder-fongue : huy wolden don him out with r^hte. 124 IT Seint wolston stod wel mildeliche : and herknede al pat huy sede — Nadde he noman bote god : to his answere him rede. “ Sires,” he seide, “r^ht it is : pat ich eoure heste do, For, sire king, pou art mi souerein : and pe 1 erchebischop al-so. 128 p)e Croce ich habbe ^are i-bore : pat ^e i-seothp here, lo, 1 r. j>u A-knowe ich am and wel ich wot : pat i-nam nou 3 t wuyrpe per-to ; 3 wane 3 e wollez pat ich as bi-leue : ase man pat vnwurpe is, Wel fain i-chulle eouwer heste do : ase mine souereines, i-wis. 132 Vn-bou 3 hsome to holie churche : i-wis i-nelle be nou 3 t : To 3 elden hire up ase 3 e me hotez : ich habbe as here i-bro^t. IT Ake, for 3 e ne token as me nou 3 t : I nelle eou take non, Ake him pat as me bi-tok : bi-fore eov euerech-on : \)q guode Man pat as me bi-tok : 3 eonde he lijthp wel stille, Ich as wulle him taken up : and panne ich do eoure wille.” 136 ST. WULSTAN KEEPS HIS SEE, THROUGH A MIRACLE AT 75 ST. Edward’s tomb. IT To seint Edwardes toumbe be wende : fat was of Marbre-ston, A 1 nam up is croiz wel mildelicbe : and smot fe point far-on. ^-.and? j)e staf wende into f e marbreston : ase it were in nesche sonde, And fo heo was inne deope i-nou} : fe guode Man hine liet stonde. “ Nou,” he seide, “ ich him habbe bi-take : him fat as tok me And bi-fore eov here : i^ollden op fe dignete. 144 Takez as noufe 3 warn $e wollez : som fat bet beo in lore, And habbez guod dai noufe euerech-one — : ne mouwen esche me non-more.” IT )}is holie Man wende forth : a-mon[g] heom alle wel softe. J)at folk stod ase it were i-nome : and bi-heolden f e croce wel ofte, hou heo stod in f e Marbre-ston : so deope and so faste ; Of fe Miracle heom wondrede alle : and some weren sore a-gaste. 150 Some wenden f ar-to sone : f e croce up for-to drawe : j ) are nas non so strong of heom : fat m^hte hire enes wawe. 152 huy porueiden er sire Gondolf : bischop of roucestre, J}at he scholde aftur seint wolston : beon Bischop of wirecestre : IT pe Erchebischop aros him up : to saisi fe croiz a-non, j)e Bischop of Eoucestre wel baldeliche : fudere-ward gan gon, 156 croiz he nam and faste he drou^ : in f e Marbre-ston : he ne mi^hte hire nou^t enes wawien. : fat folk wondrede ech-on, And fare-a-boute wel ficke ornen : fat wonder for-to seo. ])o f e king and f e Erchebischop i-se^en : fat non ofur it ne rnrjhte beo, 160 heom of-f ou 3 te heore dede : and after seint wolstan sende, And fat huy wolden in faire manere : heore trespas a-mende. IT J}e Messagers i-redie weren : and aftur him sone wenden. 3eot fis holie Man for al fe gult : is heorte to heom bende, 164 And seide, “ ich mot nede do : mine souereines wille ; ” To court he wende a-^ein to heom : wel mildeliche and stille. j 2 o he was to court i-come : huy a-risen a^ein him fere, j)e king and fe Erchebischop al-so : and of ere fat fare were ; 168 With gret honur huy cleopeden him forthf : and for-^iuenesse him bede, And boden a-mendi a^ein him : al heore grete misdede, And beden him nime a-^ein is croce : and don bi heore rede, 76 ST. wulstan’s healing power, his death (in 1095). For he was bet wuyrpe pare-to : pane ani ojmr, huy seide. 172 H “ Nai certes, sires,” quath seint wolston : “ pat nere me no^t to do : Ich wot wel pat 3e seiden soth : pat i-nam nou3t wuyrpe pare-to ; Ake nimeth 3 warn eower wille be : an opur pat conne more.” Jpe kyng and pe Ercbebischop also : beden him milce and ore 176 And seiden pat pere nas non opur : pat so wuyrpe were pare-to. Longue it was are pis bolie man : wolde heore wille do 1 ; 1 do added later. Ake, for-to obeien is souereins : he wende forth atpe laste And nam pe croce wel mildeliche : pare be stikede hire er so faste. IT Also li^btliche ase ani-ping : pe croce be gan up drawe [foi. 50] JOat so mani men fondeden er : and ne m^hten hire enes wawe. 182 JAcke orn pat folk a-bouten him : and no wonder it nas ! })e miracle was sone wide i-kud : pat so apert was. 184 Men anoureden pis holie Man : al-so muche ase buy m^hte. his power pat him was er bi-nome : he tok a3ein with r^hte ; A^ein to is bischopriche : with gret honour be him drou3 ; bis Couent vnder-feng him faire : with grete noble^e i-nou3. 188 IT j)is holie Man ladde al is lif : swype faire and clene. Sijknesses pare weren wel fewe : pat man wolde him offe mene, ]?at he ne brou3te to hele a-non : poru3 ore louerdes grace ; Sike men wel picke comen : to him in eche place, 192 Deue and doumbe and blinde al-so : he helde poru3 godes grace 3 wane huy comen to him : ou3were in ani place. 50 longue he leouede on eorpe here : pat he was of grete elde. His bodi bi-gan to heuegy swipe : grete feblesse he fielde. 196 IT A SI0U3 feuere him cam on : pat ne nam him nou3t ful strongue, Ac heo made is bodi to melte a-wei — : pat laste swipe longue. Seue ni3lit bi-fore pat he deide : his brepren he liet fette alle And liet him alle is r^htes do : and seide 3wat heom scholde bi-falle. Out of pis world to heouene he wende : pare he schal ay bi-leue, In pe Monpe of Ieneuer 1 : a-seint Fabianes eue, p 19 Jan.] 202 51 A pousend 3er and nie hundret : and foure pare-bi-fore It was pat ore swete louerd : on vrpe was i-bore, 204 In pe teope 3ere also : of pe kinedom Of willarn pe rede king : pat aftur willaw bastard cam 1 ; wSten in one fine, he hadde, are he heonne i- wende : foure and pritti 3er ST. wulstan’s body rises during the lich-wake. 77 ST. MATTHEW IS CALLED BY CHRIST. And four Monies and four dawes : i-beo in -worlde 1 her ; 1 MssJblshop 9 otner Tour-score ^er he was old : and seuene al-so ne^h Are he wende out of Jhs lijf : to J?e Ioye of heuene an he^. IF })o ])is holie man was ded : J)e Monekes comen sone In ]?e priorie of wirecestre : and duden J>at was to done : 212 Wuschen J?at hodi, ase it was ri^ht : and to churche it here ; J2e Monekes alle with gret honour : J?at is brejjerne were, J3e seruise a-bouten him huy duden : ase it was wel ri^ht, And to seggen lieore sauteres al-so : jmre-bi huy woken a-ni^ht. 216 H jpo it was wel with-inne ni^ht : ase huy seiden in heore boke, heom luste slepe swij>e wel : J?at vnnejjes huy mi^hten loke, And some ne mi^hten noi^t fur-bere : ake le^en and slepen faste, Some ase it were in dweolkningue : heore e^ene to-gadere huy caste. Jpat holie bodi, J?at lai j?are ded : a-mong heom in pe here, A-ros up wel mildeliche : ase J»ei it a-liue were, 222 And a-wei 3 hte heom euer-ech-on : and bi-gan atjrnn ende And al along J?e re we : poru 3 Ipe queor he gan i-wiende ; 224 And euere ase he a-we^hte heom : sumdel he 1 gan heom chide \) at huy nolden with heore slep : heore r^hte tyme a-bide. 1 superscr. H So muche [was] is holi heorte : J?e ordre for-to wite [foi. so b.] J?at he nolde, f>ei he were ded : his bre]?erne fur^ite ! 228 J)is Miracle was sone i-kud : ase r^ht was J?at it were. At wirecestre he was i-bured : and 3 uyt he liht jjere. J)are Man may for is holie bodi : mani fair Miracle i-seo. FTou god graunti j?at we mote with him : in Je Ioye of heouene beo. 21 Matheu. S Eint Matheu ]>e Ewangelist : apostel he was and is, 1 1 ai. i-wis Ewangelist and eke a-postle : for-soJ?e he was and is : Ewangelist, for he godspelles made : ]>at men doth ofte rede, Apostel, for ore louerd here on vrj?e : seint Matheu with him gan lede. For ase ore louerd eode ouer lond : seint Matheu he sai 3 bi cas his mester don of walkingue : for a follare 1 he was, i ai. toiiare Eals and trichor of is werk : and liuede bi falshede. Ore louerd him hiet bi-leue is weork : “ cum siwe me,” he seide. 8 And he bi-lefde J>o is weork : and wiz ore loumi eode, 78 ST. MATTHEW PREACHES IN ETHIOPIA, AND OVERCOMES ZAROES AND ARPHAXAT AND THEIR DRAGONS. And is false mester liet : for he nadde Jjer-to non neode. U Fair forebisne ore louerd $af : alle sunfole men Jjo, 3 wane he ane so sunfole Man : het with him go ! 12 Seint Matheu is sunnes hette : and tok to cnstindom, And siwede ore louerd swijje faste : and is Apostel bi-com. — Sethjje jjo ore louerd was into : heouene i-wend, Jpe Apostles weren Jjo wel wide in londe : for-to prechie, i-send. 16 ln-to Jje londe of Ethiope : seint Matheu sone ^ede, to p?*echie men to cmtinedom : ase it was wel gret neode. IT He founde tweie lujjere men : and strongue wichchene Jjere, Zaroen and Arpliaxat : Jjat Jje deueles limes were, 20 j) at, ase huy wolden, in grete siknesse : manie men hadden i-do And manie men Jjoru^ Jje feonde : i-helde huy hadden al-so. Alle Jjat Jje lujjere men : in siknesse brou^te, Seint Matheu heom helde a-non : and wel clene heom out sou^te. 24 Sorie weren Jus lujjere Men : huy nusten ^wat was to done : Tweie dragones, jjat feondes weren : to heom huy cleopeden sone, \) at casten brumston and fuyr : and [slowe] 1 ^end al jje londe ^m. Mannes 1 bestes Jjere-with wel Jjicke — : heom ne mi^hte no Jung at- stonde. ir. men and 28 II Jpis lujjere men nomen Jje dragones to heom : for huy scholden to- drawe Jpane Apostel seint Matheu : and bringue him of lijf-dawe. j)o seint Matheu jjis i-heorde : baldeliche he gan gon, ]pe signe he made of jje eroiz : and to heom wende a-non. 32 A-non so jje dragones him i-se^en : to is fet huy fullen a-doun, huy ne mi^hten heom wawien hider ne jjuder : ane fot for al jje toun. “ lo, $e wrechclies,” quath jje apostle : to jje lujjere men tweie, “ 3 ware is noujje al eouwere mi^hte 1 : ouer-come beothjj beine. 36 U 3if i-nadde noujje mine louerdes grace : for eou 3 eorne bi-sou^t, On eov-sulf it scholde noujje bi-falle : ase ^e hadden bi me i-jjou^t. J)is twei lujjere dragones : jjat $e habbuth hidere i-brou^t, A-rereth heom 3 if }e mowen : ojjur eower art nis nou^t.” [foi. 51} 40 II Euere stoden jjis wrechche men : ri^ht ase huy weren i-nome, huy weren of seint Matheu a-ferde sore : and heolden heom ouer-come. Seint Matheu jjis tweie dragones : jjoru 3 Iesu cristes lore ST. MATTHEW RAISES THE KING OP ETHIOPIA’S SON FROM DEATH. 79 Out of pe londe heorn drof a-non : pat huy ne comen pere non-more, he wende a-boute and prechede : and pe tweie schrewene liet go — Ouer-comene wrechches ase hui weren : nas heom neuer er so wo. 46 U Hit bi-feol pat pe kingues sone : of pe londe was ded. Sone pis twei^e deoueles limes : to-gadere nomen hore red 1 orig. heom 48 And wenden pudere, ^if huy mi^hten : poru$ heore art him 1 a-rere ; And huy maden heore enchauntement : ase pe deuel heom gan lere. Ake pat child lai euere ded — : for heore mi^hte nas ri^th nou^t. J^oru} pe kingue huy weren i-nome : and in strongue prisone i-brou^t. H ])e king sende aftur seint Matheu : ase men of him tolde, 3 if he mi^hte is sone arere — : for he was so wis i-holde. \)o seint Matheu pudere cam : to ore louerd he 1 dude is bone 1 ms. heo And a-rerde pat child : fram depe to Hue wel sone ; 56 joat child a-ros and herede god : i-bore of mayde marie. A-non so pe king pis i-sei} : wel loude he gan to crie : “ For-sope,” he seide, “ ich i-seo : pat Matheu a god is ; J}ei he beo here in mannes fourme : he is a god, i-wis ! 60 U Anoure we him ase it is r^ht : with seluer and with golde.” huy offreden to him tresor i-nou} : more pane he a-fongue wolde. “ ISTai certes,” quath pis holie man : “god nam ich nou^t, Ake godes seriaunt pat here on eorpe : to depe was i-brou^t. 64 ho-so wole on him bi-lieue : to heouene he schal i-wiende, And ho-so nele nou^t, he worth i-wis : in pine withp-outen ende.” So pat pe king and alle his : i-cr?'stnede of him were. With pe tresor pat men him brou^te : a fair churche he liet a-rere. 68 H In pritti dawes heo was arerd — : so gret liel[p] pare was to ; J}are pe king and is heore beden bede : and alpe contrei^e al-so. Aftur pe tue^e 1 enchauntours : seint Matheu liet sende, 1 ms. tre^e Zaroes and Arphaxat : and made heom pannes wiende. 7 2 Into pe londe of perce : huy wenden with schame i-nov; ))ere pat folk mis-bi-leued : wel picke a-boute heom drov. H Sethpe seint symon and seint Iude : to perce pene wei nome And pulke two enchauntours : to grounde huy ouer-come, 7 6 J?are huy neuereft cWstine Men : non a-nuy ne wrou 3 te, Ase Man mai in heore line i-seo : ho-so pare-after sou^te. — Seint Matheu in Ethiope : pe kingues dorter nam, 80 ST. MATTHEW HELPS THE KING OF ETHIOPIA’S DAUGHTER TO KEEP HER YOW OF CHASTITY. Joat of hire-seolf was a clene fing : and 3 af hire cnstinedom, 80 A 1 made hire a-uouwe chastete : and clene lif to lede. ir.and? fat maide was wel a-paid euere-aftur-ward : of fat ilke dede. U A king of an of ur londe : is loue on hire he caste And wolde ire habbe to his spouse : and wowede hire wel faste. 84 ])o f is maide nolde is wille do : to seint Matheu he ^eode [foi. 5i b.] f)at he scholde in his half beo : and bed him grete mede. H “ Cum,” quath seint Matheu, “ f ilke dai : and ich hire wolle rede )?at heo lieolde hire spoushod : and fare-inne hire lijf lede.” 88 j}e king was glad and wende wel : Jpat he bi him it seide, ))at he wolde hire to him rede — : ake he nolde nou^t don so to quede. j)e king cam aday, and muche folk : with him he gan bringue, And fis maide cam al-so : to hure seint Matheus prechingue. 92 Seint Matheu stod and precliede : fat folk al a-brod : Mest he preisede of alle fingue : in is sarrnun spoushod, And fat fere nas no lijf so guod : fare it was trewe and clene. j)e kyng was glad and hopede wel : fat he it dude bi him mene, 96 For fat Maide scholde : to him i-wedded beo ; Seint Matheu he louede muche : and hopede is wille i-seo. U So fat sethfe seint Matheu : is prechingue forfere drou^ And seide, “ $if fe king hadde a wif : fat he louede i-nou^, 100 And a fol come in spousbruche : and lei^e bi is wiue, j)e king wolde beo wroth i-nou^ : and bringue him of liue, For he him hadde is wijf bi-nome : and imad hire don amis. Of fe lie^e king of heouene : also it faretli, i-wis : 104 3if he hathf a guod spouse : fat ledeth clene lijf, A nd fare come forthf a fol : and bi-nime him is wijf, To strongue def e he wolde him bringue : and to f e pine of helle al-so. ]}are-fore ech man beo i-war : fat he swuch fing ne do.” 108 H J)o f e kin[g] i-heorde fis : sone he onder-stod J?at it was r^ht bi him i-seid. : for wrathfe he was ne^h wod, And swor fat he nolde blif e beo : are he were 1 awreke. 1 ms. he were a were Forfth] 1 he wende and bi-gan a-non : seint Matheus dethf bi-speke. jMs guode man nas no-f ing aferd : he prechede euere faste 1 ms. for And confortede fat clene maide : fat ire heorte opon him al caste. II )}is Maide feol doun to is fet : and on him 3 eorne gradde ; ST. MATTHEW IS SLAIN. HIS PERSECUTOR BECOMES LEPROUS, 81 AND KILLS HIMSELF. ST. LEODEGARIUS, BISHOP OF AUTUN. Euere Jus guode man hire bi-soi^te : pat lieo clene lijf ladde. 116 Sethpe he wende and greipede him : is masse forto singae. lupere Men i-redie weren : i-sende pon.13 pe kingue. Ki^ht ase he stod at is Masse : on of heom fortlip wende And smot him poru-out with a swerd : and alle his gottes to-rende : For be smot him In atpe Rugge : and atpe wombe out. Jpo pe guode Man a-slawe was : pe schrewe was wel prout. U fiat folk pat cristine was : wel picke it cam a-non fia kingues paleis for-to brenne : and to a-quelle is men ech-on. 124 Ake seint Matheus desciples : for-boden heom ech-one J)at lmy ne duden no such ping : ake lieten god wurpe al-one. huy wenden and nomen pis holie bodi : and swipe faire on eorpe it bro^te. — fie king $uyt bi al is mi^te : after pat maide 3eorne sou^te. 128 Ake po he ne mi^hte in none manere : to is wille hire i-winne, he we?zde forth and sette a-fuyre : pat hous pa.t heo was inne. [foi. 52] Ake seint Matheu ne format non^t pat Maide : pei he ded were i 1 Fram lieouene he a-li^hte a-doun to hire : and is help ire cudde pere 2 : For pat fuyr he drof a-^ein : to pe kingues paleis a-non 1 orig. were ded And fur-brende it al-to no^t : and is Men echon ; Padded U Ynnepe he him-sulf and is sone : a-scapeden with heore liue. he mi^hte segge, to wroperhele : he wilne[de] aftur wiue. 136 For suype sone pare-aftur-ward : Musel he bi-cam ; And po he ne mi^hte nou^t beo hoi : gret deol to him hee nam, "With is swerd him-sulf he a-slou^ : and is bodi al-to-rende — Rou god it wot and seint Matheu : ^wodere is soule wende. 140 )3at folk wende forth a-non : and made ane newe king wel bliue, fie clene maidenes bropur i-wis : pat he wilnede so muche to wiue, J5at seint Matheu pe apostel hadde : i-cn’stned with is honde ; 3ware-poru cnstinedom : cam sethpe into al pe londe. 144 Nou Iesu c?7st us 3iue is grace : pulke Ioy3e i-winne For pe loue of seint Matheu : pat he woneth inne. 22 Liger. 1 [laoctob.] S Eint leger a bischop was : and holi man i-nou3 ; Mani a man poru3 is prechingue : to godes lawe he droii3. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. G 82 ST. LEGER IS MARTYRED BY EBROIN (MAIOR DOMUS OF NEUTRIA, IN 678). A MIRACLE. A lujmr Iustise fare was ne^h : Ebrom 1 was is name : *r. Ebroin Men tolden him, ase he wende a-boute : of seint legeres fame. 4 he liet him wel sone nime : and bi-fore him bringue, And fondede for-to tuyrne is f ou^t : fram fe henene kingue. f o he ne m^hte fat don nou^t : he was wroth inou 3 ; Ane lufere man he cleopede sone : fat bofe is e^ene ou 3 t drou^. 8 IT fio is ei^ene in grete pine : weren i-holede out bofe, he gan f e more prechi of god. : fare-fore huy weren wrofe. A wei f er was of scharpe stones : and opward stoden echon : ]}are-oppe fis holie man : barefot huy maden gon, 12 huy driuen him barefot and a-blend : ope fis scharpe stones fere. Jois guode man eode wel baldeliche : ase fei him no-fing nere, And euere he prechede on Iesu cnst — : he ne bi-lefte for no fere. IT For is longue prechingue fe lufere men : wrofest with him were : huy coruen of is tongue a-non : ri^ht bi is f rote a-boue. ]7are schewede ore swete louerd : fair Miracle for is loue : For fo is tongue was of i-corue : ^eot he prechede faste And al-so wel as he dude er. : fo weren fe schrewes a-gaste. 20 huy bi-speken to don him more schame : ake huy weren sumdel in doute. huy [stojden 1 and bi-heolden is heued : and fo 2 i-sei^en huy fare- a-boute 1 unreadable. 2 MS. J?e ? A ro[un]d croune and swife cler — : bri^htore ne m^hte non beo, J7at vnnefe huy m^hten is holie heued : for fe leome i-seo. 24 IF J?is lufere Iustise het a-non : fat men smiten of is heued, Four tormentores he was bi-take : fat it nere noi^t bi-leued. huy ladden him with-oute toun : for-[to] don fat dede. Ase huy comen a-midde fe wei : fis holie man to heom seide : 28 “3wat neode is it for-to trauailli : ferrore me to ledel [foi.52bj Dothf anon fat 3 e scholden do : here r^ht, ich eou rede.” j)e f reo quellares of fis word : anon weren in grete drede : To is fet huy feollen a-kneo : and foremen esse him bede. 32 Jpare-fore was f e feorfe wroth : forth he hupte sone And smot of f e guode mannes heued : ase he hadde heste to done. IT Sone fare-aftur cam a fuir : ase it of helle were, And al quik fur-barnde him : and fe deuelene a-wei him here. 3G A MIRACLE OF VENGEANCE AT ST. LEGER’s TOMB. ST. FIDES, OR 83 ST. FAITH, AND HER COMPANIONS (OF AGEN, IN AQUITAIN). Seint leger was wel faire i-bured. : is soule to lieouene wende, And for fat bodi, ase it on eorfe lai : fair miracle ore louerd sende. H j)e luf ere Iustise fat him liet a-quelle : f ere-of heorde telle, two $er 'aftur f ulke tyme : fat he him liet a-quelle : 40 To is toumbe ane knight he sende : fe sof e for-to fonde. ])o fe kn^ht to fe toumbe cam : fare-bi he gan stonde, “In schendnesse,” he seide, “mote he de^e : and in strongue defe al-so lio-so bi-lieuethf fat dede men : ani miracle mouwen do ! ” 44 AVel filliche also fe toumbe he smot. : and a-non-r^ht with fe dede Oppon him feol is owene bone : ase he bad and seide : For deuelene a-strangleden him a-non — : for al redie fare huy were, And is soule, ase it was r^ht : a-deuele wei huy here. 48 H \)q Iustise sone f are-aftur-ward : to defe was i-do And a-slawe in grete schendnesse : and a-deuele wei wende also. J}us was fe bischop seint leger : a-wreke of is fon, And he him-sulf to fe Ioie of heouene : after is defe gan gon. 52 Nou god for fe loue of seint leger : is swete grace us siende, J)at we aftur f usse Hue : moten to f e Ioye of heouene wiende. 23 Sei??t fid[es] 1 P 6 Octob.] S Einte Fey, fat holie Maide : of swife hei^e men heo com. Swife ^ong in hire childhod : heo turnede to mstindom, And holi lijf i-nou heo ladde — : fat word sprong wel wide Of hire guodnesse and of hire holi lijf : a-boute in eche side. 4 II A lufer Aumperour fare was fo : fat hiet Dioclician, And is felawe fat was al-so : f e schrewe Maximian ; A luf ur Iustise huy hadden with heom : is name was dacian : To defe huy brou^ten 3 ware huy founden : ani cnstine Man. 8 U ])e Iustise Dacian : wende in-tal 1 fe lond i = in-toai And a-slou} alle fe cmtine men : fat he o^were fond. So fat he heorde telle : ase he wende bi f e wey, Of fis holie maide and clene : and i-mstned, seinte Fey. 12 U To fe toune fare heo was inne : ase a wod man he wende, And burstinde in grete wrathfe : is bedeles a-boute he sende, To crie a-boute in eche strete : ^if men m^hte ani finde Cristine man ofurwomman : fat huy heom scholden faste binde 16 G 2 84 ST. FIDES OFFERS HERSELF FOR TORTURE, AND WILL NOT GIVE UP CHRIST. And bi-fore him bringue haste-liche — : fat huy ne sparede non ! — And bote huy wolden heore [fo^t] tuyrne : anofur it scholde gon. U J?o f e banne was f us i-cried : fare was Ioye I-noii3 [* foi. 53] Among fe paeyns euerechone : fat Man cnstine men so a-slou3 j 1 20 Ake seoruwe and sor and deol i-nou3 : among cnstine men fare was, \)o huy sei3en heore deth i-come : and non ofur bote fare nas. U Seinte Fey was furst i-sou3t : for men wusten of hire wel wide. Ioyful heo was and glad i-nou3 : fo men fe banne criede ; 24 Ake forth heo wende wel baldeliche : nolde heo nou3t longue a-bide, Ake profrede hire to fe tormentores : ase men soften hire wide. With hardie heorte heo wende forth. : fe tormentores hire nome And harleden hire wel filliche : forth toward hire dome. 28 U f)e Iusthe for wrathfe wende 1 fo : heo bi-fore him come. *r. vemde heo made fe signe of f e croiz : and blessede hire i-lome ; heo bad ore louerd wel mildeliche : fat he ire 3eue fere Studefaste bi-leue and strencfe of heorte : fat heo ouer-come nere, 32 And in hire tormenz treowe heorte : and fat he ire 3eue is grace To his onour answerie wel : fe Iustise in fat place. U ])e Iustise bi-lieold fat Maide : with ful sori chere, he grennede and femde touward hire : r^lit ase he wod were : 36 “ Dameisele,” he seide, “3wat art fou'? : 3wat fencstfou for-to do? Tel me on 3 warn fou bi-lieuest : and 3wat is fi name, al-so.” “ Sire/’ seide fis liolie Maide : “ Fey ich hote noufe, And cnstine womman ich habbe i-beo : setlife ich ani guod coufe. 40 Mi name nelle ich nou3t for-sake : no mi cnstindom nofur ; Joou mi3ht fretne al fat fou wolt : of me ne worth fe non ofur.” H j)o bi-gan fis Dacian : fair semblaunt to make, “ Maide,” he seide, “ ich rede fe : fat fou an ofur red take. 44 pencil fat fou art fair and noble : and fat fe bet bi-come A noble lauedi to beon and he^h : fane beo i-brou3t here to dome. For 3if fou wolt don aftur me : in grete Ioie fou worst i-brou3t And in grete nobleie, ase fe bi-cometh — : fare-fore torne fi fou3t.” U “ Certes, sire,” fis maide seide : “fou spext embe nou3t, 49 For i-nelle neuere him for-sake : fat so deore me hathf a-bou3t ; For ich habbe to him mi vou i-maked : fat i-nelle neuere breke. J^are 1 do elles 3wat fou wolt : bote fat fou farof ne speke; 1 r. J?are-fore 52 ST. FEY IS ROASTED OVER A FIRE, UNINJURED. A DOVE FROM 85 HEAVEN CROWNS HER. SEEING THIS, ST. CAPRAIS COMES FORTH. For I-nelle noi^t honouri pine false godes. : for in pe sautere it is i-write pat alle swuclie Deouele beoth : and pat may ech Man i-wite.” H po fierde fie Iustise ase be were wod : and made wel sori bere, And was neih3 wod for pis Maide seide : pat is godes deuelene were, lie liet fette a bed of bras : brod and he^h also, And dude strepe pis Maide naked : and in pis harde bedde ire do. 58 11 pis Maide, po heo naked was : with glad semblaunt in wende ; buy stre^hten hire a-long and a-croiz : and gret fuyr pare-onder tende, And casten on grece riue i-noii3 : pat drof up so gret le^e pat pis maide polite al a-fuyre : ase buy fiat stoden fiare i-sei^e. 62 pe torrnentores stoden fiare-bi-side : with kene oules and strongue And tur[n]den fiat Maide side and o)mr : ouer fie fuyre wel longue, 64 pat heo f>oru3 strencfie of fie grece : ofte al a-fuyre stod. [foi. 53 b.] Euere lai pat liolie Maide : ase hire nere nou3t bote guod, hire heu heo nolde cbaungi enes : ne tuyrne hire po^t ; Alle men pat pe wonder i-seien : pe enchesun nusten nou3t. 68 ^1 Cristine men manie : po huy herden telle pat pe Iustise was pudere i-come : with tormenz heom to quelle, huy ornen out of toune hem for-to huyde : ech in is side, for doute, And lei3en in puttes and in olde diches : 30011* al pe contreie a- boute. 7 2 An holi man pare hudde him so : pat men cleopeden capras, pat in pe north-side of pe toun : in one olde roche he was. U He lai and darede out of is hole : ase he dorste for doute, 1 om. (so Ash.) And i-sai3 al pe torment of seinte Fey : ase he [biheold aboute, 1 ] 76 hou men rosteden hire with fuyr and grece : and to-drowen hire al-so — For it was a luyte pare-bi-side : pat pis dede was i-do. Ase pis fuyr bi-gan to brenne : pis holie man i-sei3, 1 Ash. maide heo A coluere pare cam, so 3wijt so milk : fram heouene fleo on hei3, 80 U A croune of guold heo bar a-doun : pat scliinde swipe br^hte, Br^htore pane pe sonne leom. : oppe pe maidenes heued 1 al^hte And sette pe croune on hire heued : with pe winguen heo bleu faste A3ein pat fuyr, ase him poi^te : pat it ne m^lite nou3t i-laste — 84 Fram-ward pat Maide heo bleu it euere : pat it ne cam hire 110-ping 86 ST. FEY, ST. CAPRAIS, ST. FELICIAN AND ST. PRIME ARE ALL BEHEADED. ST. URSULA. And heo lai pare in alle Ioye : ase pis holie man i-se^h. hare-fore opure pat weren hire nei^h : nusten nou 3 t hon it was, Jpat po^te J>at heo was al a-fuyre : and neuere pe worse hire nas. 88 H ])is holie man seint capras : pat i-se^h al pis, to him-seolf he seide, “ich a-bide : non sone to longue, i-wis;” he sturte out of J>is deope Roche : and Jmdere or[n] wel faste ; to Jus tormentingue sone he cam : no- Jung him ne agaste. 92 Loude he gradde with folle Mouth : “ Ich am cristine Man, I-nelle for-sake Iliesu crist : for drede of Dacian. To longue ich habbe heonne i-beo — : J?at me for-puncheth sore, here is Ioye and blisse i-nou 3 h : pat schal bringue us to more.” 96 U Tweie brepren pare comen po al-so : seint Felician And seint prime : pat seide also to pis Dacian. Wod-wrothp was Dacian po : he dude heom nime ech-on, Seinte Fey and alle pe opere : and smiten of heore heuedes a-non. 100 he tormentores i-redie weren : and gonne pat maide take And hire felawes forth with hire : pat nolden ore louerd for-sake, And ladden heom forth to heore ende-day : and heore heuedes smiten of sone In gret wrathpe ech aftur opur : and duden heore maistres hone. 104 U To pe Ioye of heouene a-non huy wenden : and pare bi-leue with- outen ende ; Aungles pare weren to here heom forthp : pat ore louerd pudere gan siende. he lupere men leten pe bodies ligge : po huy weren i-broi^t of dawe, In a foul stude al on-bured : pare hestes heom scholden to-drawe. 108 Ake cristine men pat pare weren ne^h : perto stelen hi n^hte And bureden heom in a derne stude : ase nobleliche ase huy m^hten. 1 Nou seinte Fey and hire felawes : ore erinde beode so, C 1 foi. 54] hat we moten to pe Ioye come : pare huy heoth inne i-do. 112 24 XI Millia Virg. O ndleuene pousend of virgines : for ore louerd i-martrede were ; Telle i-chulle of heore martyrdom : and ho heom par-to gan lere. A kyng pare was in Brutayne : sire Maur was is name ; Ane dorter he hadde pat hiet Ourse : pat was of noble fame ; 4 PRINCESS OURSE OF BRITAIN IS ASKED IN MARRIAGE. HER 87 CONDITIONS. SHE GETS 11,000 COMPANIONS. Cristine heo was and al hire kun : swipe hende and quoynte, So fair womman Men nusten non : no so guod in euerech pointe. H Of hire fair-hede and of hire guodnesse : men tolden in eche side, JXat pe word cam into Enguelond : and elles^woder wel wide. 8 A kyng J>are was po in Enguelonde : and Man of gret poer ; Gret nobleie he heorde telle : of pis maide feor and ner : his wille was gret fat is sone : pis Maide in sponshod hadde. Ake Men pe 3 uyt in Enguelond : cnstinedom non nadden. 12 IT j)e king of enguelond, pat was po : to pe kyng of Brutayne gan siende For is doi^ter to is sone : pat was is heyr so hende; And seide, ^if pat he pare-a 3 en were : pat pe dede nere i-do, him and alle his he wolde destruy 3 e : and al his lond al-so. 1 6 Jpo pis Messagers comen to pis kyng : and heore erinde hadden i-seid, Sori and dreori was pis king : he ne coupe pare-of no red : For pe king of Enguelond : was hepene, and alle his, And for he wuste wel pat is do^hter nolde : i-wedded heo, i-wis, 20 And also, for pe kyng of Enguelond : was of so gret m^hte J?at he no strencpe ne m^hte habbe : a 3 ein him for-to fi^hte. And napeles Triwes of is answere : a 3 ein pe messagers he nam. Deol and sor and luyte gladnesse : in is heorte pare cam ! 24 IT He ne tolde no-ping is dorter fore : of pis reuful cas ; 3eorne he bad god n^ht and day : for he redles was, And criede on him swipe reuful] iche : pat he him scholde rede. A ni 3 ht an Aungel to is dorter cam : and peos wordes to hire sede : “He beo pou nou 3 ht a~ 3 ein pis sonde : Ake, pine fader forto paye, Graunte i-wedded for-to beo : and bide pat he it delate 30 Ane preo 3 er, pat pou mouwe pe 3 wile : pi Maiden-hod anoure ; And pat huy pe purchace clene maidenes : with pe to habbe in pi boure : 32 IT And pat pe king of Enguelonde and is sone : and pi fader beon alle at one rede J)e for-to cheose ten clene Maidenes : with-oute eche wicke dede ; 3wane 3 e Endleue to-gadere beothp : pat huy eou finden 3 eot per-to Euer-ech of eov a pousend maidenes : to serui eou al-so, 36 ]}at 3 wane 3 e alle to-gadere beoth : pat ech mouwe in is side 88 THE 11,000 VIRGINS TURN CHRISTIAN, AND HAVE A BIG SHIP BUILT FOR THEM. THE WIND DRIVES THEM TO COLOGNE. honouri hire Maiden-hod and pin : pat it beo couth wel wide, So pat Men ne mouwen Maide non : alosed finde 1 a^ein pe; And pat he wolle cnstine bi-come : pi louerd pat schal beo. 40 In Jus fore ward graunte him : aftur J?e pridde 3ere 1 finde overlined I-spoused to beon in godes lawe — : And ne haue perof no fere ! ” ])o pat maide i-heorde pis : glad heo was of is lore, [foi. 51 b.] ])at heo wuste ^ware-vvith heo mi^hte : bringue hire fader of is sore. IT Sone heo wende to hire fader : and bad pat he ire telle scholde 3'vy pat he so mourninde 3 eode. : he seide pat he nolde. 46 “ Ich wot wel pi poi^t,” pat maide seide : “ pei pon it holde stille. Of pi sonde ne haue no doute : ichulle don al pi wille.” 48 j) o bi-gan heo tellen him in 3 wuche manere — : ase pe Aungel hire hadde i-seid — heo wolde liabbe pene he^e Man : pat it were is red. H Welle, glad was pe kyng : po pat he iheorde pis ! Messagers he 3 af Answere : sone with gret blis. 52 ])o huy [it] brou 3 ten pe kingues sone : pe tipingue wel him payde. Sone he liet Eaptizen him : for loue of pat Maide ; And poru 3 is fader and poru 3 him : and poi ’113 pe opur kingue Endleue pousend of clene maidenes : to pis maide huy guonne bringue. heo was glad of pe compaygnie : pat so fair to hire cam ! Sone heo bigan in priueite : telle heom of cnstinedom ; 58 Jpat for hire loue and for hire prechingue : alle cnstine huy were. Louerd, 3 wuch a compaygnie : of clene maidenes was pere ! 60 IT So gret Ioye pe king of is dorter hadde : and of ire faire ferrade, } 2 at he liet heom makien a quoynte schip : of 1 lengpe and of brede, ])dt huy scholden in pe se : ple^e, 3 wane huy wolde, l ai. of gret Jpat ech man a-londe and in watere : heore mayden-hod pre[i]sie scholde. 64 huy sounguen ofte a-watere and eke a-lond : and treches huy gonne lede And opur-manere faire pleies : and al was of clene dedes. Mete and drinke stilleliche : to pe schip huy lieten bringue To preo 3 eres sustinaunce : with-oute leue of pe kingue. U A dai huy wenten into pe se : and pleiden heom up and doun — For Ioye pere stoden, to bi-holden heom : Men of mani a toun. 68 rHE 11,000 VIRGINS GO TO BASLE, AND FROM THERE TO ROME, 89 WHERE POPE CYRIAC JOINS THEM. Ase huy weren in niest Ioye of plei : ore louerd ane wynd seride, Oat drof heom feor into se : pat men nnsten 3 wodere huy wende. Yelle, glade were J»is maydenes po ! : pe wind heom drof wel bline, Co 1 pe cite of coloyne : formest huy gonne ariue. 1 ai. ate 74 f[ To Damoysele ourse, fie kyngues doubter : an Aungel cam pere ind had liirelede wel hire compaygnye : for-to huy i-martrede were ; ^nd seide fiat huy scholden forpere fare : and alle a-^ein wende, 4nd in fiulke toune for ore louerdes loue : imartrede beon atfienende. Had was J>at Mayde for pis word ! : forth]) huy wenden a-non. Vtpe cite of Basilie : huy a-riueden ech-on. 80 IT Fram fiulke Cite euerechone : a-fote huy wenden to Borne. 'fret Ioye made pe pope with heom : po huy fmdere come — for manie of heom weren ne^h him sibbe : and for he was of bru- tayne ; fyriac is name was. : huy weren of him wel fayne. 84 4n Aungel cam to fie pope a n^ht : and seide fiat he scholde Yith fiis Maydenes i-martred beo : for ore louerd it so wolde. 4fter fiat tyme pis liolie man : honourede heom fie more, 4nd prechede heom ofte of clannesse : and of ore louerdes lore. [foi. 55] Cvveolf monfe and endleue wokes : alle f»is Maydenes were U Borne with f>is holie pope : fiat heom dude wel lere. 90 I Ake f»e pope seint Ciriac : is conseil cleopie gan, lis clerkes and is Cardinales : and Mani on oper Man : 92 fi-fore heom al is dignete : he tok up atpen ende, ind seide he wolde in-to an o]mr lond : with f>is maydenes wende. 1 jois Cardinales weren fiare-a^ein : and seiden J?at he gan reue Yith foie wumnen for-to go : and is dignete bi-leue. 96 ^apeles he wende forth with heom : al a^ein heore rede ; Oe Cardinales and is clerkes : gret schame pare-fore him seide. rweie lupere princes pare weren : Maximin and Affrican, Oo^ten J>at fiis Maydenes wolden : tuyrne mani a man : 100 fo heore Mey, pe prince of Coloyne : huy senden for-fien-one Oat he, 3 wane huy fiudere comen : A-slowe heom euerech-one. \[ JOat child pat scholde pis Mayde wedde : ase heo hadde i-seid. Kyng was i-maud of Enguelonde : po is fader was ded ; 104 Oat ladde swifie chaste lijf : and longuede swipe sore 90 ST. OURSE AND HER INTENDED, AND THE 11,000 VIRGINS, ARE ALL MARTYRED BY THE “PRINCE OF COLOGNE.” With pat clene Maide to speke and beo : Jjoru$ strencpe of godes lore. An Anngel cam to him and bad : pat he on alle wise his Moder and is 3 ungueste soster : anon-ri^ht liete Baptize 108 And he with heom to Coloygne : wiende with al his mayne A^ein is trewe spouse, J>at was : Mayde Ourse of brutayne ; )2at heo 1 him to hire leide faste : in wille and eke in dede, *r. he And endede heore lijf in godes seruise : ase heo heom wolde rede. IT Jus 3 ongue with gret ioye dude : pat pe Aungel him gan lere : his moder and is soster he nam : po huy i-baptizede were, 114 And pe Bischop Clement al-so : pat i-baptized heom hadde, Toward coloyne forth with him : a^en pis Maydenes he ladde. 116 Swipe glad was pis 3 ongue king : po he to is lefMan cam ! And also glad was pat Maide : po heo sa^h him in cnstinedom ! Mest Ioye heo made with is 3 ongue soster : pat hiet Florentyne, J)at heo, clene Mayde, scholde : soffrie depes pine. 120 IT Ourse of Brutayne pene 3 oungue king : in grete Ioye of loue gan lere J^at he him heolde faste to hire : and ne bi-lefde for no fere, 122 )2at huy m^hten in trewe loue : to-gadere i-martred beo And wonye in lieuene with Ihesu cnst : pat bou 3 te heom on pe treo. Alpis grauntede pis 30 ungue king : and is lefmane nou 3 t ne wernde ; his furste poi^t into treo we loue : and into clannesse he turnde. IF j)e hepene prince i-redi was : po huy to Coloyne come. With manie lupere hepene Men : and al pis compaygnie huy nome, And huweden and crieden on heom a-schame : and to grounde heom a-slowe, And ase so fale wolues a-mong lambren : heore flechs huy to-drowe. \)o huy comen to pis clene ping : Maide Ourse of Brutayne, )}at huy founden so fair a creature : of hire huy weren wel fayne. )3e prince hire nam and hire bi-hiet : to laten hire gon a-liue [foi. 55 b.] And, for heo was so fair and noble : habbe hire to wiue. 134 IF J)is Maide seide pat heo nolde to hire spouse : him ne non opur take. p)e prince ne^h for wrathpe wod : po he was so fur-sake, he liet hire to depe scheote : with Aruwene atpenende 136 THE 11,000 VIRGINS ARE BURIED AT COLOGNE. A FAIR MIRACLE 91 IS WROUGHT NEAR THERE. And pus lieo and al hire compaygnie : to pe Ioye of heuene gan wiende ; And pe ^ongue king of Enguelonde : and is Moder also, And is 3 ongue soster Florentine : to depe weren i-do, 140 And pe pope Ciriac : and Bischopes mani on Jpat for trewe hope of Martyrdom : with heom weren i-gon. Ore louerd hadde swipe 1 gret Ioye : of pat swete ferrede, 1 ai. Ou louerd \>q ]?at swuch martyrdom for is 1 loue : a-fenguen with-oute drede. 1 ai. \>i In pe to hondrede 3 ere 1 : and e^te and prittipe 3 ere 1 ai.om. After ore lonerdes buyrtyme : pis maidenes i-martrede were. IT J)is endleue pousend of clene maydenes : and al Jus compaygnie I-burede weren in Coloyne : in one Hownerie. — 148 An Abbot pere was bi-side : pat heorde of pis cas, And ofte of Jus clene Maydenes : pat gret Miracle pere was : he bad pe Abbesse of Coloyne : pat heo him graunti scholde A bodi of pis clene Maydenes : and he wolde it don in golde. 152 ])o pis bodi was him i-take : twelf Monpe he liet it beo With-oute seiner opur gold : in one cheste of treo. IF ])o pe twelf monies weren a-go : ase pe Monekes weren ech-one A ny 3 t at Matines, pis 1 holie bodi : a-ros hire up allone, 1 ms. j>is)?is 15G heo beu 3 hire to pe hei^e weued : and wende mildeliche A-mong al pe Couent forth]? : and out wel stilledliche. 1 1 r. stiiieiiche \)e Monekus, po huy pis i-se^en : of-dradde and sorien 1 were : 1 r. sorie huy eoden to pe cheste pare heo [was] inne i-leid : and ne founden ire nou 3 t pere. 160 IF “ J)is,” quath pe Abbod, “ is ore wreche : for we hire i-do nadde In a schrine of gold, ase we bi-heten : po we ire hid ere ladden.” '.To pe Abbesse of Coloyne : pe Abbod wende a-non And tolde pis cas al-hou it was : of pat Maide i-gon. 164 huy wenden forthp to pulke stude : pare heo was i-leid inne er, And heuen up pe prouwes lid : and founden hire ligge per Eaire and euene ase heo dude er — : so luyte lime pere nas bat ne lai ase heo was furst i-leid. : a fair Miracle pere was ! 168 be Abbesse was po swype glad : and pe Nonnes euerechon, A.nd ponkede god of pat faire Miracle : and he^e sounguen a-ncn. IF b© Abbot bad pat he moste habbe : pis holie bodi eft-sone, 92 ST. KATHERINE REMONSTRATES WITH MAXENT1US FOR HIS ORDER TO WORSHIP IDOLS. And seide he wolde honouri it faire : ase he a^te for-to done. 172 Ake fe Abbesse nolde graunti it nou^t : ne fat conent nofur bat eft it scholde habbe a-wei : f ei he hadde i-beo heore brof ur ; For buy i-se^en J?at it was godes wille : fat it bi-lefde fere. J?is Abbod wende him hom a^ein : with wel dreorie cliere. 176 Kou God us graunti, ^if is wille is : fat we moten i-winne be liei^e Ioye of heouene : fare alle fis Maydenes beoth inne, Ne fat we neuere farof ne missen : for none 1 sorie sunne. 1 ms. nome 25 Katerine. S Einte Katerine of noble kunne : cam, bi olde dawe ; [foi. 56] Hire fader was king, hire Moder Quyene : bof e of f e olde lawe, f)e king .Coste. hire fader het. : gret clerk fis Mayde was; bare nas non of fe seue .Ars : fat heo maister of nas. 4 Maxentius het fe Aumperour : In eche londe he let crie bat ech kynerich under him : come to Alisaundrie, Euerech Man for is stat : to don to heore godes sacrefise ; ho-so i 4 lete, men scholde of him don : swyfe stronge Iustise. 8 ])o ech lond was f udere i-come : to don heore lawe, Seinte katerine wel harde-liche : to-ward heom gan drawe ; bi -lialues heo stod and bi-heold : heore wrechche gydi-hede, heo sai 3 Anouri fe Maumates : and manie cristine Men for drede. 12 f)o hadde heo gret deol in hire heorte : and blesse[de] hire a-non And forth anon to fe Aumperour : baldeliche heo gan gon. “ Sire,” heo seide, “ riche Aumperour fou art : swife noble and hende, bov scholdest fi wisdom and fi wit : to some guode wende. 16 bat i segge for fe folie : fat ich i-seo eov do — So muche ft-orrene folk : fov hast i-cleopet far-to. Grete Ioie in ouwer heorte : fis temple 3 e makiez i-fo Joat is ymaud of lym and ston : and of ouwer Maumates also ; 20 3\vy ne bi-holde 3 e fe lie^e temple — : for fer-of wondri ov mai — Of fe heie heuene fat geth a-boute : a-bouen eov ni$t and dai, Of sonne and Mone and steorrene al-so : fram fe este to f e weste f)at trauaillieth and neuere werie ne beoth : ne neuere ne habbeth reste? 24 THE EMPEROR MAXENTIUS ANSWERS ST. KATHERINE, AND DEFENDS 93 HIS IDOL-WORSHIP. bi-fench fe wel and turne f i wit : to some wisdome, ich rede, And 3 wane fin owene In-wit it seith : fat nou 3 were nis swuch dede, Al-mi^ti god fou him hold : fat swuch wonder can make ; bi-fore alle'ofere Anoure him : and June Maumates for-sake.” 28 With ofere resones of clergie : fat mayde proffrede also bat heore godes nau^tes ne were : fat heo Anoureden heom to. IT he Aumperour stod and ne coufe far-to : Answerie In none wise ; G-ret wonder him foi^te of hire fair-hede : and of hire Qnoyntise ; 32 Mayde,” he seide, “a-bijd here-with : for-to aftur ore sacrefise And we schullen more with fe speke : ich ofur mi Iustise.” bo fe sacrefise was i-don : fe Aumperour sat In is trone, And al is folk a-bouten him. : men brouten fat Maide sone. 36 Maide,” seide fe Aumpmir : “ fou f inchest gent and freo ; Of 3 wat kunrade art fou i-come ? : gret wonder us finchez of fe.” Rl “ Sire Aumpmir,” f>is Maide seide : “ I-ne wilni bote luyte po tellen fe of mine kunne : for it were signe of pruyte ; 40 For In is boke fe wise Man : Catun seith al-so : Oat Man ne sclial liim-sulue preisi : ne blamie no-fe-mo, !For so doth foies fat wilniez muche : of 3 elpingue and of sunne. Nafeles ichulle, ake for no pruyte : tellen eov of mine kunne : 44 [ch am fe kingus dou 3 ter coste : fat fou wost 3 wuch is. p foi. 56 b.] jiidere ich cam to speke mid eov : of fat 30 bi-leuez a-mis ; 1 ms. gon Mid vn-ri 3 te heo beozf i-cleped godes : fat o fot ne mouwen go 1 Ne no man helpe in none neode : ne heom-sulue no-f e-mo.” 2 ms. seide seide II “ Maide,” seide 2 fis Amperur : “ 3 if fat fis sotlif were, 3 ms. heom heom ;^1 fis world were fals and guydi : 3 M fou one heom 3 scholdest [lere] ; And we scliulle betere i-leue alle men : and more it wole beo note, bane ani fol womman ase fou art — : for ouwer bolt is sone i-schote.” [‘ Sire,” seide fis Maide fo : “ fei fou luyte telle of me, Also guod mai beo mi reson : ase fat comez of f e. 5 1 [For, sire Aumpmir, fou 1 art : ase ech man is al-so 1 ms. ichj>ou bat liote mai and hys men moten : nede hys hestes do, 56 [Of bodi and of soule fou art y-maud : ase fi-sulf m^t i-seo ; Mid ri 3 te fi soule Maister is : and fi bodi is hyne schal beo. ■ if fi bodi maister is : and fi soule 1 is hyne, 1 superscribed later. TA^en kuynde it is : and fou worst sikur : fare-fore of helle pine.” 60 94 MAXENTIUS GETS 60 WISE MEN TO ANSWER ST. KATHERINE. AN ANGEL HEARTENS HER. j)oru3 hire clergie fat holi Maide : resones made so quoynte J;at fe Aumperour ne non of his : ne coufe hire ansnerie in none pointe. “ Maide,” he seide, “ f ou schalt a-hide : In warde here mid me And of ere ichulle hi tyme finde : fat schullen Answerie fe.” 64 Jpis Aumperour sende anon : wide a-boute is so.nde }}at fe gretteste maistres of clergie : to him comen In eche londe, grete Mede of him to habbe : to don a lnytel Maystrie, And for-to susteinen op heore lawe : fora strencfe of clergie. 68 So fat fare comen fifti Maistres : fe gretteste fat man fond Also wide ase men m^ten seche : o^were In ani lond. J2e Aumperour heom seide a-non : 3 ware-fore he after heom sende : For-to desputi a^ein a 3ong womman : fat al heore lawe schende. 72 “ Nou is fis,” fat .0. Maister seide : “gret schame, ich onder-stonde, An Aumperur to sende a-boute : so wide in eche londe After fe gretteste Maistres, for-to despuyti : a^en a fol wenche, 3 wane on of heore knaue m^ten sone : hire resones alle a-quenclic ! ” “ Nai,” seide fis Aumperour : “ heo is wisore fane 3c wene ; 3 if 3e mouwen ou3t a3en hire don : sone it worth i-sene. 78 For ich habbe leouere fat 3e hire ouer-come : with resones In some wise, jpane we with strencfe hire maden : to don fe sacrefise.” 80 “Lat bringue hire 1 forth,” seide fat on : “and heo schal.segge a-non 1 superscribed. \) at heo ne spac neuere wit wisore men : are heo fram us gon.” U An Aungel to fis maide cam : and bad hire of no-fing drede, And seide heo scholde heom alle f oru hire reson : to cnstinedom lede, And heo alle scholden foru hire reson : a-fonge martyrdam. j)o fat Maide i-herde fis : gret Ioie to hire heo nam, 86 baldeliche heo eode forth : fo men aftur hire come. “ Sire,” he 1 seide to fe Aumperur : “3ifst fou a wis dom 1 =beo f)at f us fale maistres of clergie : bringest and sest a-benche, And me-self to desputy a^eines heom : fat nam bote a fol wenche 1 And 3if fat heo me ouer-comez : fou bi-hast heom gret mede, And makest me mid strencfe with heom speke : and ne bi-hast me bote luyte ! [fol. 57] 92 ST. KATHERINE REFUTES THE 50 WISE MEN BY THE WORDS OF PLATO, BALAAM, AND THE 3 KINGS. 95 J}at f inchez me with on-r^te it is : ^wane ich am one a^ein heom alle. H Kov ichnlle, for god is min help : a-fonge fat me wole falle.” “ Seie, dame conloun, ^wat artfoul” : J?is o legistre seide, “ ))enchestf ou speke a^ein ore clergie? : turne fi J^ou^t, ich rede ! 96 J)ov seist fat god al-m^ti : dethz on eorf e f olede here : I-chulle proui f>at he ne mi^te a-liue beo : noufe In none manere. For, ho-so deiez, he ne may : neuerefft to liue come, 3 wane fe vertue of al is bodi : foru defe him is bi-nome ; 100 And fi god al-mi^ti is ded : fou ne m^t libbe nou3t, 3if he fat scholde ^iue fe lijf : is to defe i-brou^t.” IT “ Nai,” seide fis holi mayde : “ fou faillest of j^in art, An-of ur fou most segge, ^if fou f encst : of fine maistne to habbe part. God hadde enere and euere he schal : mid him is god-hede, And for loue of us In ore flesche : he nam him man-hede : 106 Of twei f ingus he was po imaked : eif ur moste p o is kuynde a-fonge. For fe kunde of man-hede us to bugge : he f olede deth wel stronge ; Ake for-to bi-leue ded, a-^en kuynde it was : ase of is god-hede, j)are-fore he aros fram def e to liue : p o he hadde i-don al is dede. For fe stronge defe fat foru^ Adam : we weren to i-brou3t, J?oru3 is godhede, i-meynd In ore kuynde : nede moste beon i-bou3t. 3if fou with-seist fis reson : an ofur i-chulle fe make J)at grete clerkes seiden In heore lawe : fat man ne may nou3t f or-sake. 114 IT Platon, fe grete philosophe : fat was hefene of ouwer lawe, he seide fat god wolde deie : and him-selue to liue a3en drawe. 116 Lokiez In is boke, 1 hov it m^te beo soth : noufe In ouwere 2 manere, bote fe muchele god of heuene : bi-come a luyte Man here. Also Balaam, ouwer prophete : fat hefene was al-so, 2 r m oj?er 1S boke In is bok he seide — 3e wuten wel 3 ware : 3 if 3e wollez loki fer-to — J)at fare scholde of Iacobes kuynde : a steorre a-rise wel br^t j ) at scholde kinges and princes : al bi-nimen heom heore m^t. 122 \)dX was fat ore louerd wolde : of Iacobes kuynde beon i-bore & 1 ouer-comen alle fat euere weren : sethfe ofer bi-fore. 1 added. 124 And 3uyt fre kinges of ouwer lawe : on f ulke steorre f ou3ten, For fe steorre fo god was i-bore : and fare-fore lok him bro^ten.” )po feos Maistres heorden fis mayde speke : of so grete clergie, 96 THE 50 WISE HEATHENS TURN CHRISTIAN, AND ARE MARTYRED. MAXENTIUS TEMPTS ST. KATHERINE. heo ne cou)>en answerie hire of neuere a word : and ^euen hire J>e maist?7e. 128 51 fio seide pe Aumpe?*ur In grete wrath J>e : “ nis non of cov J?at can — A-mong so manie grete Maistres — : answerie a fol womman!” “ Certes, sire,” jus Maistres seiden : “ so gret clerk nov nis J^at scholde to hire reson ^iue answere : for heo seith so 1 i-wis, 132 We seggeth, pe holie gost is with hire : and In hire moujie, *ai. s 0 > )}at we ne conne hire answerie nou^t : ne we ne dorren Jjei w r e couJ?e. ))are-fore, bote we betere of oure lawe : J?ane we $eot i-seon, Alle we seggez with one moujje : cnstine we wollez beon.” 136 “Ey, trichours,” seide pe Aumperur : “is it icome J>er-to] [foi. 57b.]' Certes, $e schullen euerech-one : beo to stronge de)>e i-do.” he het J?at Men scholden a-midde toun : fur-berne heom echone. And huy afenge pe deth for godes loue : with-oute anie mone, 140 And muche reujje heo maden to katerine : I-baptizede f»at heo nere. jOat Maide heom confortede wel : and cnstine lawes gan heo m lere, And seide pat heore stronge martyrdom : J?at heo jjoleden jjere, In stude of cn’stine-dom scholde beon : ^if heo stude-faste were. 144 51 ]pis Maistres weren wel glade ])o : gladliche forth heo eo le And nomen J>ane deth for godes loue : J>at men heom wolde heode ; Heo maden pe signe of pe croiz : po men in pat fuyre hem caste. And J)o heo hadden longe i-barnd : and dede weren atjie laste 148 And pat fuyr was al a-queynt : al-hole heo leien ]?ere, 3 wittore and wel fairore [of] 1 heu^ : jjane heo euere er were; 1 om. })are nas so luyte wem on heom : pat pe leste of heore here Ojmr of heore clojms a-peirede weren — : heo leien with faire chere. jois Aumperur let fette a-non : pat Maide katerine : “ haue reujie of ])i-sulf,” he seide : “ and schild pe fram pine ! 154 haue reujje of pi noble bodi : ]?at is so fair and hende ! For J>ou schalt beon in grete nobleye : $if )>ou wolt Jn fou^t wende : In mi paleis ich schal pe make : liext after pe quene ; After pi fourme ichulle pe make : An ymage, bri^t and schene, Ouer-guld and quoynte i-nov : and sette as a-midde pe cite, j)at ech man hire honouri schal : for honour of J>e Ase men schullen to one god do. : J>ou ne schalt mi l al pi lore So muche nobleie bi-penche pe : pat I nelle don pe more.” 160 ST. KATHERINE IS IMPRISONED, BUT CONVERTS THE EMPRESS 97 AND SIR PORPHYRY. IT “ Sire Aumperur,” pis Maide seide : “let pi foie poi^t, For pov nast non more 3 wile to spille : pane speken embe nou^t. 164 god almi^ties spouse ich am : and al pi blaundisinge Ne alle pine tormenz ne schullen min heorte : enes fram him bringe.” \)e Aumperur hire let strep[e] naked : and to a piler faste hire bounden, With stronge schourges men beoten hire sore : and maden hire harde wounden. 168 j) o heo ne mitten pare-with-al : turnen hire pou^t, In depe prisone and swipe deorke : sone heo was i-brou^t ; ] 5 at no man hire mete ne 3 af ne drunch : pei heo seholde for hungur deie, Tor heo seholde to heore lawe hire pou^t] tuyrne : and beon i-brou^t out of teie. 172 In pat prison pat Maide lai : twelf dawes and twelf n^t, j ) at heo noper .et. ne dronk : ne i-sai} non eorpelich li^t ; A 3 wit coluere pare cam fram heuene : to hire euer-ech dai And brou 3 te hire fram heuene mete : In-to prisone ase heo lai. 176 A day ase pe Aumperur was : out of pe toune i-fare, j)e Aumperesse poi^te on katerine : and hadde of hire gret care : Of hire bede wel priueliche : heo a-ros at mid-N^t, And nam with hire sire porfirie : pat was hire priue kny 3 t. 180 \)o heo to pe prisone come : heo i-se^en pare gret li$t ; 2 ai. se^en heo 1 gret wounder heom pou 3 te 3 war-of were : pe deorke stude so bri 3 t. j)o heo i-sei 3 en 2 seinte katerine : was In pe prisone grounde pfoi. 58] And an Aungel of heuene with hire stonde : and smerede hire wounde : IT J 9 e Aumperesse cride a-non : “Katerine,” heo seide, “pin ore ! Mine r^te bi-leue pov tech me : I nelle beo fol non more.” J)e kn^t al-so, sire porfirie : loude cride al-so, J)at muche folk pat pare-a-boute was : sone cam per-to ; 188 Sire porfirie ful a-doun to hire fet : and merci he gan crie. With grete Ioye pis Maide prechede heom : of god and seinte marie ; So pat Aumperesse and porfirie : poru 3 pis Maide pere, And twei hondred of opur folk : I-baptizede weren. 192 IT Ore louerd him-sulf cam sethpe a-doun : to seinte katerine : “ Lo,” he seide, “ here ich am : for 3 warn pou hast pis pine. In pine tormenz beo studefast : Ichulle beo mid pe ; LEGENDS OF SAINTS. H 98 ST. KATHERINE IS PUT ON WHEELS TO BE TORTURED. AN ANGEL SHATTERS THE WHEELS. sege is in heue[ne] i-maud : pare pov schalt wonien mid me.” 196 An opur dai pe Aumperour : after pis Maide sende ; bat heo were ded, opur al fur-fare : swipe wel he wende. bis Maide was bi-fore him y-brou 3 t : swipe fat and round. “ 3wat,” he seide, “ hou geth pis ? : heo is hoi and sound 1 ? 200 3ware beoth pis traitores,” he seide : “ pat hire In prisone wuste 1 ? Stilleliche heo hire habbeth i-fed : pat no man it nuste. bi pe treupe pat i schal to Mahon : heo ne schullen so non-more ! ” he let nime alle pe gayholers : and tormenti heom ful sore. 204 H “ Sire Aumpenir,” pis Maide seide : “ is pis a guod Ivggement, gulte-lese Men for mine gulte : to bringe in swuche torment? he pat hath me i-fed : him ne drat of pe ri^t nou^t : For an Aungel it was of heuene : pat mete me hath i-broi^t. 208 Do me jwat torment pat pov wolt : and lat heom quite gon : For-sope, pat 1 pou on heom seist : gult heo ne liabbez non.” 1 ai.ofj>at “Ey., hendie Maide Katerine” : seide pis Aumperour, “pencil op-on pi noble stat : of alle Maidenes pov art flour; 212 Torne pi poU 3 t and pou schalt beon : pe Aumpe?*esse per ; heo ne schal no-ping bi-fore pe habbe : bote pat heo me mot beo ner.” “ guode man,” seide pis holie mayde : “ pov spext embe noi^t : For al pi pouwer pou ne schalt : fram ihesu cnst wende mi pou^t. 216 Al pat torment pat pou mijt penche : And of alle [day longe, 1 ] bov mi^t don me $if pou wolt : redi ich am to fonge ; 5 hand on *Jer&mre. For ich ne wilni no-ping so muche : ase mi flechs and mi blod, i-wis, to ^iue for mi louerdes loue : pat for me he ^af his.” 220 bo was pe Aumpemr so wroth : pat he was nei} i-swowe. Four ^weles of Iren he let fullen : with rasores. kene I-nowe, And with ginne heom makede tuyrne a-boute : pe tweien on pat on half op ward, be opur tweine euene heom a-^ein : In pat opur half a-done-ward, 224 bat, lio-so bi-twene were : In none half ne mi^te him wende bat pe rasores nolden al is flechs : to-drawen and to-rende. Sone so pis Maide was i-don par-on : hire bodi for-to schende, [foi. 58 b.] Ore swete louerd fram heuene : an Aungel to hire gan sende : 228 bis Aungel with a drawe swerd : pe ^weoles al-to-hev, bat pe peces a-boute flowen : ase corn $wane man it sev, MAXENTIUS MARTYRS HIS EMPRESS AND SIR PORPHYRY, WHOM 99 ST. KATHERINE CONVERTED. And smot 1 of fis luf ere men : wel harde to f e gronnde ; 1 ai. smite Four fousend f [er]e weren a-slawe : In a lutel stounde. 232 po nuste fe Aumperur ^wat he xni^te don : for deol ne for sore, pe Aum'peresse nolde hele hire stat : lengore f o nam-more : U “ Sire,” heo seide, (C hou gez pis ? : for godes loue, fin ore ! Ich i-seo fat fis mayde is guod : and of holi lore, 236 Ower Maumates ichulle for-sake : Inelle on hem bi-lene more.” po gan fe Aumperur for wrath fe : loude ^eolle and rore. he ne mi^te fram Ihesu cn'st : hire f o^t no-f ing wende : he het men fat 1 scholden hire lede : to fe tounes ende ir.J>atmen 240 And hire bresten fram hire bodi : with Irene crokes rende And fare-after smiten of hire heued : fe more forto 1 schende. Wit guode heorte fe Aumperesse : fane deth gan a-fonge; 1 r. hire to pe qnellares heo bad h^en faste : and ne a-biden nou 3 t to longe. 244 Heo nomen f e kene crokes of Ire : fat hire flechs depe gnowe, And, also man draweth with combes wolle : hire tetes heo to-drowe Fram hire bodi mossel mele : and sethfe smiten of hire heued. pat bodi, for lioundes it scholden ete : vn-bured it was bi-leued. 248 Ake porfirie it burede a-n^t : fat holi bodi and guod. po fe Aumperur fat bodi miste : he was wroth and wod ; he tormentede fare-fore manie Men : fat ne m^ten heom noi^t skere. po eode porfirie forth : and seide, “ sire, lo me here, 252 Ich burede fat holie bodi : fat was cn’stus make ; And to Ihesu cn'st ich habbe al-so : al min heorte i-take ; For no pouwer fat fou m^t don : I-nelle him for-sake.” po gan fe Aumperur for deol and sor : alle is lymes to schake. 256 H “Mahun,” he seide, “ hou schal fis beo? : 3 wat schal ich nou do, Nov Ich habbe mi wif for-lore : and mi kn^t porfirie al-so ? And porfirie al min heorte was ! : 3 wy neltf ou me rede 'l ” po wenden fis ofure ki^tes forth : and loude heo gonne grede, 260 “ We nellez fane deth for godes loue : no leng bi-leue for drede.” po gan f e Aumperur to-drawe is her : and sore siche and grone, “ Mahun,” he seide, “ 3 wat schal ich do 1 : hov schal ich bi-leue allone ? 3wi neltfou rafer fette me : and bringe me of fusse liue, 264 pane sofFri alle mine men to leose : after mine leoue wiue ? pei fou nelle, mahun, helpe me : I-ne for-sake f e nou 3 t, H 2 100 ST. KATHERINE REFUSES TO BE EMPRESS. SHE IS BEHEADED. ANGELS CARRY HER BODY TO MOUNT SINAI. J}is foies fiat habbez J>e for-sake : to defie heo schulle beo brou^t.” He let nime porfire fiene guode kny^t : and is felawes echone 268 And smiten of beore heuedes witb-oute toun : ase Mabones fon. J}o let be fette katerine : “ Dameysele,” he seide, Jjei fiov me bi-nome mi wijf : mid June foie rede, 271 I-chulle, ^if fiou wul torni J)i J>ou 3 t : fur^iue June misdede [foi.59] And with gret nobleie ase min Aumperesse : ouer-al with me f>e lede.” H “ Certes, sire,” Jus Maide seide : “ J>is wordes beoth alle for nau^t : j^ovne scbalt me neuere bringue fram him : J>at bath min heorte i-cau^t. Do f>at Jjov wolt, and hane i-don : and bring Jh wille to ende, 276 For J)ou ne schalt neuere for no- Jung : min herte fram Ihesu wende.” “ 3ware beo ^e, mine quellares 1” : ]?e Aumperur J>o seide, “ Faste $e schulle }>e wychche binde : and with-oute toune lede, And smitez 1 of hire heued a-non : an don fie guode dede, 1 r. smite 280 J)at heo ne bringe us neuereft : In soruwe ne In drede.” ])o Jus Maide was i-brou^t : to slene witb-oute £e toun, hire preiere beo maude to god : a-knes heo sat a-doun : “Louerd,” beo seide, “graunte J?ou me : fiat ech man fiat hath in 1 mone In ani neode ojmr in ani anuy : of mine passione, 1 om. m graunte J?at be mote to is wille : help a-fonge sone.” 286 j ) 0 cam ore louerd bim-self to hire : and grauntede hire bone. U “ Cum forth,” he seide, “ mi suete leman : mi leue spouse al-so : beuene-^at a-^ein ]?e I-opened is : J?are Jjou scbalt comen to.” A quellare hire heued of smot. : J?at folk J?at a-boute beom stode, 3wijt Milk beo i-sei^en eorne out of f>e wounde : and nou 3 t 0 drope of blode. Aungles comen and nomen fiat bodi : a-mong alle J>e manne 292 And to j>e hul of synay it beren : tuenti Iorneies fjanne, And bureden it Jjare I 11 one faire place : wit grete nobleye and riche ; f)are fioru 3 Ihesu c?ustes grace : hire bones restez 3 uyte. J?are-of 3 eot to Jus day : Jjare eornez eoille wel riue, 296 3 ware- with manie sike Men : beoz to bele i-brou 3 t and to line; Wide In londe it is i-lad : fiat ho-so it habbe mote, Noble relike it is al-so : sike Men to don bote. Jpre hundred 3 er and twenti : after fiat god was i-bore, I-Martred was Jus holie Maide : of 3 wam we tolden bi-fore. 300 ST. LUCY TELLS HER HEATHEN MOTHER THAT SHE CAN BE 101 CURED AT ST. AGACE’s TOMB (iN CATANA). Ihesu crist, for fe suete loue : of seinte Katerine graunti us fe Ioye of heuene : and schilde us fram helle pine. Amen amen, segge we alle : for is holie tyme. 304 26 Vita sancte Lucie lurgims. S Einte lucie, fat holie Mayde : In Cezile was i-bore ; 3ong heo bi-gan to serui god : and bi-lefde sunne and hore ; Dame Evtice hire Model’ het : fat hire to wommane brou^te — Of hire childe wel glad heo was : ase heo suyfe wel ou^te. 4 So bi-feol fat on Dame Eutice cam a siknesse : swife greuous and long 1 = heo 2 MS. i spendedet Four 3 er he 1 hadde gret pine — : fe menison of blode wel strong. On leches heo hadde i-spendet 2 : Muche del of hire guod, Ake fare nas non fat hire hele m^te : fat heo ne bledde euere blod. So fat wide In fe londe Men tolden : of seinte Agace, Of Miracles fat comen at hire schrine : foru ore louerdes grace 10 In f e cite of Catlienes : fere f is holi womman lay \ Folk wende fudere wel wide : bofe N^t and day 12 bi manie scor to-gadere : of eche londe a-boute. [foi. 59 b.] j ) o seinte lucie fis i-sai^ : al dai so gret route, “ Moder,” heo seide, “ fou hauest an vuel : ful greuous with-alle And we hereth of miracles al day : fat of seinte Agace doth falle : 1 6 go we fudere forth mid of ure : to fe holie seint Agace, And fare fou schalt to hele come : foru} ore louerdes grace.” U hfov was lucie stilleliche : I-torned to cristine-dom, Ake hire Moder lief ene was : and al fat heo of com ; 20 Lucie to ane hefene manne : was i-weddet In hire ^ong-hede, Ake Nafeles clene Mayde heo was : with-oute eche fol dede. Hire Moder heo nam stilleliche : and with of ere Men heo wende To seinte Agace Toumbe : hire Moder for-to amende. 24 And i-heorde f e Masse a dai : mid of ure fat fere were, jj£ otheSs! ‘ in j)o heo weren fudere i-come — : so longue 1 heo lefden fere. 'ai. astounde So fat fe godspel was fat day : ase lucie onder-stod, Of a womman fat ^wylene hadde : fe menison of blod And cam ant touchede f e lappe : of ore louerdes clof es ene Ase he eode In grete prece : and was hoi a-non and clene. 28 102 ST. LUCY CURES HER MOTHER, WHO TURNS CHRISTIAN. SHE GIVES HER FORTUNE TO THE POOR. “ Leoue Moder,” seide lucie : “ ^if pov bi-leuest on holi churche And pe wordes of ])is godspel : and per-after wolt wurche, 32 J^oru^ toucliingue of seinte Agace toumbe : P 0113 sclialt beo hoi a-non, Ase peo wominan ^wylene was : pat aftnr ore louerd gan gon.” |)o pat folk was al i-went : seinte lucie cam To seinte Agace holie toumbe : and ire Moder with hire nam ; 36 bare heo leien In heore beden : lieo nolden pannes gon. U So pat lucie, pat clene Maide : werth a-slepe a-non. Seinte Agace, pat holie Maide : to hire fram heuene a-li^te, 39 With gret felau^-schipe of Aungles — : hire croune schon wel bri^te; “ Lucie,” heo seide, “leoue soster : $wy trauaillestpou so And $wy biddestpou me so ^eorne pat ping : pat pou mi^t pi-self do For pine bi-leue, pat is so guod : helpez pi Moder, i-wis : And nov poru pe and pine guod-nesse : pi Moder i-held is. 44 And also ase pis cite is : i-wuyrpet muche poru^ me, Also sclial pi contreie : Anoured beon for pe ; For pi clene Maiden-hod : and for pi holie lif, i-wis, bi woneingue is wel $are i-maket : with us in heuene-blis.” 48 bo pis holie Maide a-wok : heo bi-gan to quakien sore ; H “ Moder,” heo seide, “ pov art hoi : ne parfpe drede non-more. For pe loue of pat holie Maide : pat pe hath to hele i-brou^t, Ne fonde pov neuere to bringue me : of mi clene po^t 52 And ne soffre pou nou 3 t mine spouse in folie : mi Maiden-hod a-spille, Ne lat me nou 3 t leose pat longue lif : for a luytel fol wille ! Ake al pat pou i-grauntet hast : for-to 3 iue him with me, Lat me it 3 iue pe pouere men : Moder, ich bidde pe.” 56 be Moder, po heo hoi was : guod womman bi-cam, Aud pe dorter bi hire Moder wille : pat guod to hire heo nam ; [fol. 60 ] heo hit delte a-mong pouere Men : pe 3 \vyle pare i-laste ou 3 t. to him pat hire spouse was : pe teopingue was i-brou 3 t : 60 he wende to seinte lucies norice : and axede hire wel stille 3 wat lucie were on bi-come : heore guod for-to a-spille, H And 3 wi heo dude it so a-wei : and 3 wodere heo dude it here, bis norice wel quoyntelich : 3 af him a-non answere : “ heo hath ifounde forto sulle : swype derewurpe ping, i-wis, bat is suych a pousent more wurth : panne al pat ping pat is ; 64 ST. LUCY IS TAKEN BEFORE JUDGE PASCASIUS, WHO THREATENS 103 TO SEND HER TO A STEW. fte beste chaffare it is i-bo^t : fat euere Man to drou^ ; Woldestfou gon fare-Inne In part : riche man fou were i-nou^ ” — 68 }}at was J ?e chaffare fe blisse of heuene : fat heo hadde i-bou3t. gret wonder he hadde of Jmlke Answere : and stod in gret pou$t. So fat he onder^at sone : fat heo cristine was. In grete wrathf e he tolde fore : f e Iustice, fat het pakas. 1 1 ms. J?akas Lucie was sone i-fet : and bi-fore fe Iustice i-broi^t. 73 “ Maide,” seide fe Iustice : “ 3wat hast fou i-f ou3t 1 H Let f i folie,” he seide : “ Ich rede, on alle wiffe, And to ore godes, ase ri3t is : do fine sacrefise ! ” 76 “ Ich habbe,” quat h fis holie Maide : “al fis fre 3er i-do Mine sacrefise to Iesu crist : and ^uyt i-chulle al-so : Al fat ich hadde ich habbe ispended : and bi-take In is lore ; And fer-to ichulle mi bodi take : 3 wane me nis bi-leued nomore. 80 Spene 2 i-chulle nou al mi bodi : fram fe fot to fe heued ly°Jfaterland, And euerecli lime In is seruise : nov me nis more bi-leued ; Ich 3elde him op al mi bodi : sire Iustise, here bi-fore fe, to spene 2 ech lime I11 is seruise — : do 3wat fou wolt bi me ! ” 84 H “ JN"ov ich wot,” quath fe Iustise : “ 3ware-to fou tornest fi mod : For In hore-dom and In lecherie : fou hast i-spend al fi guod, j)ar-on fou wolt fi bodi al spene 2 : and far-of fou dest preche ; 3 wane fov nast non more to spene 2 : for-sof e fou worst a wrechche : 88 For fov spext ase an hore strong : 3 wane fou wolt for-sake f)i louerd fat fou art to i-weddet 1 : and to lechours fe take.” 5-weTded “ I-wedded ich was to Ihesu crist ” : fis holie maide him tolde. “ ])o ich was i-baptized : and fulke weddingue ichulle holde. 92 Ake to hore-dome fov woldest me bringue : 3wane fov me woldest make Mine spousede louerd Ihesu crist : for ani ofur man for-sake.” “ J}ou schalt for-sake him,” quath fe Iustise : “ haddestf ou it i-swore : For to fe commune bordel fov schalt beo : i-lad ofur i-bore, 96 1 And fare schal mani a moder-child : go to f i foule licame And ligge bi fe, alle fat wollez : in hore-dom and in schame.” 1 The following part of this legend is written as prose, in two columns on each page on f. 60b. 104 ST. LUCY IS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE BROTHEL, BUT CANNOT BE MOVED FROM THE PLACE. U “ Ne mai no wumman,” q?^ath j?is maide : “of hire maiden-hod beo ido 1 a later hand adds consents. For no dedc pat men deth pe bodie : bote ire herte beo 1 perto. 100 For )?e more pat mi bodi a-^ein mi wille : here defouled is, fie clenore 2 is mi may den-bod : and pe more mi mede, i-wis.” f fie Iustise let wide a-boute : into al pe contreie c rie : 2 ms. clenore fiat alle pat wolden : bi a swuch fair wnwman don anie folie, 104 Comen to hire, alle pat wolden : for alle beo scholde heom take , 1 For in bordel beo scholde beo i-do : pare beo ne scholde non fur-sake. [foi. 60 b.] he biet is men nimen hire faste : and to pe bordel hire lede anon Alle pat m^hten nei^b hire come : faste buy hire drowen ech-on, 108 huy scboue and drowe al pat buy m^hte : ake buy ne m^hten hire anne fote i-winne ISTe o fote uchchen of pe stude : pare as beo stod inne. fio nomen buy ropes strongue i-nou^ : ant to fet and hondene teide, And alle pat mi^hten pere nei^b come : faste buy drowen and breide ; 112 A pousend men with al beore main : on hire gonne drawe : Ac eu ere heo lai stille a-^ein : huy ne mi^bten hire enes wawe. 51 “ 3'vat, hou goth pis?” quath pe iwstise : “^wat resun mai pis beo fiat a pousend ne mouwen no^t pis womman : of pe stude enes teo ? ” 116 51 “ Sire iwstise,” pat Maide seide : “pou hontest a-boute nou^t : For, pei pou haddest ^eot to beom : ten pousend mo i-brou 3 t, 3uit it scholde bi-foren eov alle : bi folfuld bi me her J}at bolie vers pat seint Dauid : seithp in pe sauter : [Ps. 9 oj 120 fiat a pousend men scholden in mi side falle : and to grounde beon i-brou3t, And ten pousend in mi r^ht side : and ne^b me ne comen nou 3 t. ^are-fore it is al for nou 3 t : pat pou hontest here-a-boute ; God is strengore pane pou be : and pare-fore i-nabbe no doute.” 124 51 “fiou art strong wicbcbe,” quath pe iwatise : “and par-of Man scbal pe bringue, Mine clerkes and mine enehauntours : bi-nime schullen pi wicb- cbingue ST. LUCY IS MIRACULOUSLY KEPT FROM FIRE. HER THROAT IS 105 CUT, BUT SHE STILL PRAISES GOD. His clerkes he let bringue forth : and his encliauntours echone : And huy maden heore coniurisones : a-boute pis Maide alone. 128 And po huy hadden al ido pat huy coupen : pat folk gan eft-sones drawe : Ake euere lieo lai i-liche stille : huy ne mi^hten hire enes wawe. H J}e Iustise, po he j?is i-sei^ : for wrathpe he was ne^li wod. “ Certes,” he seide, 11 hire wichchirtgue : ne schal do hire no guod.” Strongue temene he liet fette : of Oxene mani on And bringue pere pis Maide was : and to hire tei^en ech-on ; 1 34 He liet heom pWkie and harli faste : and huy guonne drawe and pluchche : And euere lai pis Maide stille : huy ne mi^liten hire enes wawe. 136 IT “ Certes,” he seide, “ ore fare nis nou^t : opur^wat we moten do, With oper ping we schullen hire to nau^te bringue : 3 wane we ne mouwen so. Makieth ope pe hore, pare heo lijthp : 3 wane we ne mouwen hire winne heonne, Also strong fuyr ase 3 e conne : pat heo al-to douste brenne ! ” 140 A. strong fuir and gret i-nou 3 : pis torment-ores wrou 3 te Aboute pis holie clene maide : to brenne hire al-to nou 3 te. p)o pis fuyr was wel strongue i-maud : heo sat a-midde ful stille ; J 2 at fuyr ne m^lite don hire non harm : pat were wurth a fille. 144 p ) 0 nomen huy pich and brumston : and welden it wel faste And ope hire nakede tendre bodi : al-fuyri it eastern U Euere sat pis Maide stille : it ne greuede hire no-piug, Ake euere heo prechede with glade heorte : of Ihesu, heuene king. 1 48 IT J 30 nuste pis lupere mstise : 3 \vat he m^hte don more. 3 wane he ne mi^hte pis clene ping : oue?’-come mid al is lore, A scharp swerd and a kene : poru 3 hire prote he liet do, To bi-nimen hire speche : and hire lijf also. 152 joo heo was poru 3 pe prote i-smite : pe betere heo spac i-nou 3 , And prechede euere of Iheeu crfst : and wel smere I 0113 : IT “ 3 e pat beoth cnstine : glade and blipe 3 e beo, Of no-ping ne habbe 3 e drede : for gret ioy ich i-seo ! 156 Ane Ioyeful pypingue ich eou telle : pat sothp is and nou 3 t les : piat ri 3 ht noupe is holi churche : i-brou 3 t in guod pes : 10G ST. LUCY TAKES THE SACRAMENT, AND DIES. ST. THOMAS A BEKET OF CANTERBURY. HIS PARENTS. For hire tweie wiferwines : fat habbez i-beo so ^are, E^ht noufe beoth to nau^t i-brou^t : forue habbe of heom no kare. For fe lufere dioclician : fat so muche harm hath i-do, 161 he is i-pult out of his kynedom : he ne cometh non-more f ar-to ; And also Maximian : fat so luf ur hath i-beo, E^th noufe he deide in lufur deth : schulle him non-more i-seo ; So fat fe lufere wifer-wines : fat a-^ein holie churche were, Out of heore mi^hte beoth i-brou^t : ne habbe ^e none fere. 166 U bus glade tyfingue ich eov bringue : fei huy feor heonne beo — I-hered beo god, fat ich moste : fis dai a-liue i-seo ! 168 I-chulle bi-teche ou ihesu cnst : for fram eov ich mot wende. Bringuth me ore louerdes flechs and is blod : for fat schal beo mi 1 elide.” 1 corr. to my IT be preostes wenden forth anon : and folk fat fere stod, And fetten to fis holie maide : godes fl[e]chs and is blod. 172 bo heo it hadde under-fongue : and hire relates al-so, And fe oresones weren alle i-seid : fat bi-fullen fer-to, Mid fe laste [word] 1 heo $af fene gost : ase huy amen seide. ^m. Aungles fare weren redie I-nowe : hire soule to heuene lede. 176 bere heo is with ihesu mst : in Ioye with-outen ende. TNou god for seinte lucie loue : fudere us late i-wiende ! Amerc. 27 IT Ici poez oyer coment seint Thomas de Kaunterbures nasqui. e de quev manere gent de pere e de Mere. W Olle 3 e noufe i-heore fis englische tale : fat is here i-write 1 Of seint Thomas of Caunterburi : al-hou he was bi^ite] Of londone is fader was : A bordeys 2 hende and fre, Pfoi. 61 ] «r. borgeys Gilbert Bekat was is name : f e bok tellez me. 4 Ake is Moder was of hefenesse. : nov sone $e mouwen i-heore Al-hou heo cam into engelonde : are heo i-cnstned were. Gilebert him bi-fo^te : fe Croiz for-to fo In-to fe holie lond : his penaunce fe bet to do. 8 So fat, f o he fudere cam : he was sone i-nome, Ase A sclaue forth i-lad : and i-don In prisone, And faste was i-gwiued : he and manie mo, And i-wust wel sikerliche : fat he ne scholde a-wei go. 12 JEKET’S FATHER, TAKEN PRISONER BY THE SARACENS, IS LOVED 107 BY THE AMIRAL’S DAUGHTER. HE ESCAPES. n pe Amirales prisone 1 : heo hadden i-beo so longue, 1 orig. pmones Co 3eres and an half : In bendes swipe strongue, 50 pat god 3af J»e Amiral : hope heorte and wille )e more to louien Gilebert : for he was meoke and stille. 16 2 che daie 3 wane pe Amiral : to is mete wolde go, le bad, Gilebert to is mete : scholde come also — ;ret auantage, for-sope, it was : pat he m^te so gon ; Ike euere he hadde ane peire feteres : faste him up-on. 20 \.nd ofte-sipes pe Amiral : dude for Gilebardes loue Luantage to is felawes : pat with him weren In prisone. lit bi-feol pat Amiral : Ane faire doubter hadde — Ihildrene of is owene : none mo for-sope he nadde. 21 iriueliche heo dude for Gilebert : Auantages manie and fele. \md ofte-sipe heo wolde speke with him : 3wane heo m^te to bi- stele — lor heo ne dorste bi-fore hire fader : laste he it onder^ete 3at it were for gyle : pat heo with him speke. 28 !eot it bi-feol I11 a dai : pat heo sai3 po heo m^te : 0 Gillebert heo eode priueliche : and echste him 3wat he hi^te 4 nd of 3wat bi-leue he were : and of 3wyche londe, ind 3if he wolde for is louerdes loue : pene deth a-fonge. 32 Gilbert hire Ansuerede po : In swipe fair manere : ‘ Of engelonde ich am, and cn'stine Man : pei ich beo noupe here ; Mi name is Gilbert beket : of Londene pe cite ; 1 ms. j?ad. ^ladliche icholde pane deth a-fongue : for is loue pat 1 bo^te me, 36 ind for-to saui mi cnstine-dom : and mine trewe bi-leue al-so.” bis womman to Gilbert wel sone : peos wordes heo seide to : ‘ Cnstine-dom ichulle onder-fonge : for pe loue of pe, ind pou a-non aftur-ward : treweliche weddi me.” 40 ailbert was ful sore a-drad : of pis wommane sawe, Laste heo wolde bi-Meldi him : 3ware-poru3 he were a-slawe. To 3eres and an half he was sclaue : and pat him poi^te longe : 80 pat he and is felawes : gonne heom onder-stonde 44 bat heo wolden pet prison breke : and A-weiward gon ; Sore heo weren alle a-ferd : for traison of pat womman. [foi. 6i t?.] (5at prison heo broken : r^t pulke daie at eue ; 108 beket’s father is followed by the amiral’s daughter. SHE FINDS HIM IN LONDON. Forth heo wendeii alle a-\vei : fare nolde non bi-leue. 48 In fe morewe-tide heo weren i-sou 3 t : bote fer nas non i-founde. Ak fo bi-fou^te fat Maiden hire : In wel luyte stounde hov heo rn^te best on take : and 3 wat heo m^te do ; So fat heo porueide hire : and fort a-wei gan go. 52 Al-bi ny 3 te heo wende a-wei : men nusten 3 ware heo bi-cam. Ne heo ne confe nanne wei : bote god was hire lodes-man. f)oru 3 godes grace heo was i-lad : with men fat onder-stoden hire langage, So fat beo cam to fe se : and redi fond hire passage. 56 bane wei heo Axede In hire langage : In-to engelonde ; So fat heo cam with pilegrimes : ase ich me onder-stonde, Oner fe se sauf and wel : foru 3 grace fat heo hadde Of Iesu crist, and socur of men : fat hire ouer ladden. 60 heo ne couf e no-f ing conteini hire : ne speken no-f e-mo ; Ake enere heo axede In hire langage : to londone for-to go. Mid pilegrimes and foru grace of god : to londone heo cam. And fo heo was fudere i-come : fare ne knev heo no man, 64 Ne heo ne coufe speke ne hire bi-seo : bote ase a best fat a-strayed were. Jpare-fore on hire gapede alday : swyfe muche fol[c] fere, bofe Men and wommen : and children suyfe fale — for hire continaunce was wonderful : and hire speche no Man ne coufe fare. 68 In Manie stretes heo hadde i-wandret — : fat Man may wel i-wite, So fat bi-fore gilbertes house : fe Noyse was onder^ite. For fe knaue fat hadde with him : In hefenesse i-beo, to fe dore be orn swyfe : fe dune for-to i-seo. 72 he i-sai 3 fat it was fe Amirales dorter : fat al fe wondringuc w. s on : hasteliche he tornede In a- 3 en : to is louerd a-non, And seide, fe Amirales dorter was : In fe strete fare-oute, And suyfe gret prece of gurles and Men : comen hire al-a-boute; 76 he seide, “ al fe gredinge is for hire : fat 3 e doth noufe i-lieore.” “ Louerd,” seide gilbert, “ 3 wefur heo beo : al-one with-outen fere ? ” he het is knaue loki sotbf eliche : 3 if fat heo it were ; beket’s father tells six bishops of the amiral’s daughter 109 AND HER FOLLOWING HIM. And bad hire leden to ane guode wyues house : and a-stunte with hire pere, 80 And pat heo hire scholde finde i-nou} : of al pat heo hadde neode, ri$t ase heo wolde is owene hodi : and he hire par-of bede. Al-so tyme ase pis knaue : to pis Mayde cam, Tor Ioye heo ful a-doun i-swowe : opon pe harde ston. 84 ])o hire stat was a-^ein i-come : pe knaue hire op nam, And heo wel gladliche with him eode : to Jmlke guode womman. An d heo hire onder-feng swipe faire : for gilberdes loue ; heo makede hire wel an-Ayse : and was hire swype wel-come. 88 Gilbert him bi-pou^te : a-non so he hadde i-ete, To pe bischop for-to gon : with him forto speke, Jnre he was at seint poules : of him to habbe red a-non [foi. 6a] Al^wat him were of pat Maide : is beste forto don. 92 J)ane bischop of londone : for-sope he fond pere, And fyue ojmr bischopes : with him pare were ; So pat he fond pare six bischopes : pe beste of Engelonde. And po Gilbert i-sai 3 heom alle : bi-fore heom he eode stonde; 96 he bi-gan to telle is tale : poru^ is owene Mouth, And are he hadde al i-told : heo was swype selcouth. he tolde hou he In pe Amirales prisone : in hepenesse hadde i-be And hov pe Amirales dorter to him seide : pat was so fair and fre, Al-hov pat heo wolde cnstine bi-come : for enchaison of him 3if he wolde weddi hire : and for-saken al hire kun ; 102 And hou he and is felawes : bi-twene hem alle bi-speke For drede of hire wordes : pat prison for-to breke, 104 3 If pat heo mitten grace habbe : a-wei for-to gon, laste heo weren alle for hire : to stronge depe i-don ; And al-hou heo was to londone i-come : and fram so fer i-gon, gret wonder par-of he hadde : for language ne coupe heo non. 108 j) o pis bischopes hadden i-heord : pat gilbert heom hadde i-told, Jje bischop of wynchestre it wel onder-stod : for he was wis and bold : Jpat hit was al poru$ godes grace : pat heo was so fer i-come, Out of hire owene londe so fer : pat heo poru miseise ne hadde i-be nome ; 1 * MS. nonome. 112 For heo ne coupe language non : with men for-to speke, 110 BEKET’s FATHER WEDS THE AMIRAL’s DAUGHTER ALEXANDRA, ! AND BEGETS ST. THOMAS ON HER. "With ^wan heo mi^te i-winnen hire : herboruwe and drinke and mete. he seide, “with-oute faille : ^if god hath)? i-porueid so fat heo for gilberdes loue : cnstinedom wole onder-fo, 116 | And gilberd hire wolde weddi : sum blede of hire schal come JOat schal holie churche holde to ri^te : and serni godes sone. For we it mowen wel i-wite : and we wollen ns onder-stonde : JOat heo is in-to fis londe i-come : it is godes sonde. 120 for J»at fing fat god helpe wole : ne schal nou^t beo for-fare.” Alle feos ofure bischopes : a-cordeden to fis tale, And seiden J»at gilberd scholde w^eddi hire : and holden hire to wiue, 3if heo wolde i-c?^'stned be : and tuyrne to clene liue. 124 So fat a-non-r^t f ene moruwe : i-porneid it was al-^are At seint poules chnrche, fat heo scholde : Ic?^‘stned beo ri^t fare. Joo f e baptisterie was al-redi : to hire baptizingue, Joe bischopes beden fat Men scholden : fe womman bi-fore heom bringe. 128 Joo heo cam bi-fore fe bischopes : heo axeden hire wel sone 3 if heo wolde i-cnstned beo : ase lawe was for-to done, heo answerede In hire lan gage : wel sone heom a-^en : 3if gilbert wolde hire weddi : i-cnstned heo wolde ben 132 And bote he hire weddi wolde : heo nolde cnstinedom a-fongue, heo seide heo wolde rafer tuyrne a^en : In-to hire owene londe. Gilberd coufe hire language. : fare he stod wel stille : to fe bischopus he seide : he wolde don heore wille. [foi. 62 b.] 136 So fat heo i-cristned was : ase god hire ^af fe grace, Of alle fe six bischopes : and i-spouse in fe place, hire hef ene name ne j nou^t telle : for-sof e $wat heo hiet, Joe name fat heo of cnstindom hadde : i-wute ^e schullen }et : 140 heo was i-nemd Alisaundre : as ich me onder-stonde ; Seint Thomas was on hire bi-^ite : pris-martyr of engelonde. Joo Gilbert 1 hire hadde i-weddet : wel glad of him heo was. » orig. Gilberd Joe furste Nij^t fat he knovlei^te hire : he bi-^at seint thomas. 144 Fram fe tyme fat he was bi-^ite : for-to fat he was i-bore he ne lai non more bi hire : fane he dude bi-fore. Anon-r^tes a-morewe : so gret wille him nam to fe holi londe for-to gon : fat he cam erore fram, 148 beket’s father quits his wife, she consenting, and goes 111 AGAIN TO THE HOLY LAND FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS. J 3 at him f oute de^e he scholde : bote he wende a-^enward sone. Ake he bi-pou^te him of is wines stat : ^wat were of hire to done, laste heo wolde mourny swyfe : 3 wane he were a-gon, And gret deol to hire nime — : for langage ne coufe heo non 152 jpat ani Man coufe onder-stonde : fat heo speke to, bote gilbert ofur [his] knaue. : fare-fore him [was] ful wo. So fat gilbert was in grete Jiou^te : and bi-gan to sike sore, laste is wif gret harm habbe scholde : 3 wane he i-wend weore. 156 } 5 are-fore gilbert mournede muche : and s^te stille and softe, laste is wif fur-fare scholde : he bi-foi^te him ofte. for fe mourningue f>at he makede : is wif it onder-stod, And for he s^te i-lomeliche : fat i-channged was is mod. 160 his wif him axede swife 3 eorne : and a-raysonede him wel toi^te, 3 if him mis-likede ani-f ing : fat grefde him in fou 3 te. So streitliche heo fraynede him : fat he ne m^te no leng for-sake : he tolde hire hov gret wille he hadde : fene wei a^ein to take, 164 For-to trauaili is bodi more : ase euerech man wel oi^te, A 1 for-to honouri Iesu crist : fat him so deore a-bou 3 te. ))o heo sai 3 gilbertus wille : fat it was so gnod, heo nolde noting a- 3 en him beo : for-to chaungi is mod, 168 Ake heo 3 af him conseil fane wei to gon : fat he hadde In f o^te, And forto queme Iesu cWst : fat him deore bou 3 te. )}are was i-sene fat heo was treowe : and of studefast mod ! heo nolde letten hire louerd nou 3 t to done : fat him fo^te god, 172 Ake euere heo bad him fane wei gon : fat he hadde In fou 3 t For-to serui is creatour — : fare-a- 3 ein he 0 nolde beo nou 3 t, And 3 eorne he 1 bad for enchaison of hire : he ne scholde it nou 3 t bi-leue. 1 = heo Saue 1 heo bi-sou 3 te gilbert : fat he one bone hire 3 eue : 1 ms. sone 176 )pat heo moste is knaue with hire habbe : fat hire langage coufe, And for he scholde hire solas beo : and speke to hire with moufe. heo truste so muche to Iesu cnst : fat to cWstinedom ire hadde i-brou 3 t, J)at heo ne scholde nou 3 t fur-fare — : so treowe was hire fou 3 t. 180 Gilebard lefde is knaue wit hire : his name was Richard Mone. [foi. 63] he greifede him wel haste-liche : and wende is wei wel sone. To fe holie londe he wende : In penaunce ase he dude er, 112 beket’s father comes home to London, beket’s life, his mother’s death forces him to leave school. And fare lie bi-lefde fo : fulle furthf e-half ^er. 184 j ) o lie hadde fre ^er fare i-be : and an half $er more, Into is owene londe : a-longued he was sore. 3 if fat he was fare 0113 1 i-knowe : I-ne can ou tellen non ende ; bote, ase fe bok us tellez : ham ward he gan fo wende. 188 And fo he to londene 1 cam : Ichot wel, fare he founde ims. ionde»» his wif and thomas, is ^onge sone : bofe hole and sounde. Welle, muche was fe Ioie : fat he makede with is sone, And also he dude with is wif : fo he was horn I-come; 192 And is wif gret Ioie made : with hire housebonde, For he was hire swife wel-come : In-to engelonde. )}at child heo setten to lore : are it were seue ^er eld ; Ich wot, it leornede swife wel : and wax swife quointe and held. 196 j)o fat he was wel i-woxe : of bodi and of clergise, f)at f e bischop of londone : wilnede is seruise, he nolde serui fe bischope nout : ake he bi-lefde at-hom, And preide is fader wel ^erne : fat he moste to schole gon. 200 Of is fader and of is moder : $e habbez i-heord telle, Acke of seint thomas him-selue : fat beste cometli nou to spelle. IF Hie Isci Comence la vie seint Thomas Erceeueske de Kaunterbury. E Ngelond, wel glad fov beo : for fou m^t wel efe, And al-so holi churche : for one Mannes defe, 204 jpe erchebischop seint Thomas : fat 1 wel deore bo^te iaz.]?atott With is blod and with is brayn : fat fe scharpe swerd sou 3 te ! Seint Thomas, fis holi Man : to Alle guodnesse he drov 3 . At londone he was i-bore : of guode Men i-nou 3 , 208 For of londone is fader was : a wel guod emne Man. Jois child was 3 ong to schole i-set : And swife wel he bi-gan. His Moder him wolde al day rede : and wel ofte on him crie Chaste lijf and clene for-to lede : and for-sake lecherie, 212 And louien bi-fore al ofur fing : god and seinte Marie, And serui hem and holi churche : and bi-leu en alle folie. f)is child, fei it were 3 ong : swife wel fis under-stod — For seli child is sone i-lered : fare he fenchez to beon guod. 216 BEKET IS MADE ARCHDEACON AND THEN CHANCELLOR. 113 HE RIDES IN GREAT POMP. j)o fis child was bet in elde : and of to and twenti ^er, his moder wende out of fis hue : fat so muchel him louede her. j^is child wolde lengore gon to scole : ake is fader him nolde hnde — For fat child fat is modur for-leost : is help is muche bi-hinde. 220 j^is child foru^ is fader heste : ase man fat of ur red not, Seruede A borgeys of f e toun : and his a-countes wrot. So longe fat he cam to court : and was in guod offiz With fe erchebischop of Kaunterburi : sire tebaud, guod and wis. 224 lie seruede him so hendeliche : fat In a luytel stounde he makede him his conseiller : so studefast he him founde ; his ereedekne he makede him sethf e : and dude al bi is rede. Swyfe wel bi-gan fis Ereedekne : holi churche bi-lede, 228 And stifliche heold op hire ri^te — : fat alle Men i-seie, An far-of nolde he folien no wrong : fei he scholde fare-fore deie. Wel ofte he wende to rome : for holi churche al-so — Swuclie prelatus al-to fewe : beoth noufe In office i-do ! 232 H So fat henri king of Engelonde : after sire steuene f e blays — Duyk of Normandie — : y-maked was al In pays. Jpis king henri f e ^ongue : f o lie to londe cam, louede muche wel to do : and guode Men to him nam, 236 And fondede to habben guod conseil : and wis bi al is mi^te, For-to holden riche and pouere : euerech man to ri^te. Of fe Ereedekne Thomas : Men tolden him sone i-nou^, hov he was stable Man and wis : and to alle guodnesse drou^ : 240 |3° m 3 fe Erchebischopes graunt : he makede him chaunceler — For euere Man mot him a-bouwie : fat hauez mest pouwer. bo fis holi Man was i-torned : fram f e office of holi churche To a gret office of fe world : fare-after he moste wurche : 244 A.l-to nobleie of fe worlde : his continaunce he brou^te — Of swuche porture neuere Man i-holde nas — : fei of ur were is f ou^te. With more nobleie he rod i-nou^ : fane he was i-wonet to do : tiis loreins weren al of seluer : stirapes and spores al-so ; 248 |pley he siwede of hauekus : and of houndes I-nou^ ; jjAnd ase men fo^ten, In euereche point : to alle pruyte he drou 3 . bote In is heorte it was an-ofur : hov-so he him here ; And euere he was chaste foru^ alle fing : hov-so it euere were. 252 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. t 114 BEKET IS MADE PRINCE HENRY’S TUTOR, AND THEN ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. Ake euere he was for holi churclie : and for pouere Men al-so, A-^en pe proute conrteoures : pat a- 3 en heom wolden ou^t do. 1 1 ®ere orfg? 8 | i H To holden op holi churclie r^te : so muche wo he gan drie fnTheMs? | A-^en pe lupere conrteours : pat a-nuyden him of is liue, 256 Also he tolde pe Erchebischope : wepinde swipe sore, And opere ofte In priueite : pat loueden him J»e more : he wilnede mest of alle pinge : and on ore louerd he gan crie, Jpat he moste with honour : bi-leue pulke baillie 260 1 And ech opur seruise of court : with pe kingus gode wille, For he ne mi^te nou^t is court paie : bote he wolde is soulle spille. . | Ake pe king him fond so stable : and so guod conseiller, jpat he nolde make for no-ping : non opur chaunceler ; 264 ' I he ne truste to no man so muche : ne pare nas non so hei 3 J)at he tolde is priueite so muche : ne pat him were so nei}. So muche he caste is heorte on him : pat In his warde he let do his eldeste sone sire henri — : he was is .Eyr. al-so — 268 | )}at he were is wardein : and al is ordeinour, Aftur is wille to wissi him : to pe kingus honur. [®>i. 64] i ])g king wende In-to Normandie : for-to soiorni pere, And lefde is sone with seint Thomas : pat he is wardein were. 272 II hope pe fader and pe sone : mest heore heorte lieo caste Ope seint thomas pe holi Man : pe ^wile it wolde i-laste ; J)are nas Man In engelond : pat liadde so gret power Of pe reaume ase seint thomas : hope fer and ner. 2 76 Hit bi-fel pat sire Tebaut : ase god pe grace sende, Erchebisehop of Kaunterburi : out of pis liue wende. \)at word w r as sone wide couth : a-mong peuwe and freo, }pat seint Thomas after him : scliolde Erchebisehop beo. 280 J)e king al-so In Noremandie : po men tolden him pat cas, A-non bar is heorte him mest : to don pare seint thomas; })at couent of Caunterburi : desirede him also. So ase ech Man it wolde : i-bro^t he 1 was par-to. 1 af.it 2841 1 At West-munstre he was i-chose : to pat heie pouwer, )}e fifte $er pat he was i-mad : pe kingus Chaunceler ; he was of elde pulke tyme : of foure and fourti ^er — his owene deth he onder-feng : and is Martyr-dom per. 28 a BEKET IS CONSECRATED ARCHBISHOP, CHANGES HIS LIFE, 115 WEARS A HAIR-SHIRT, &C. i MS. J>o he Axede In For J>e king was In Normandie : Ipresented he was to henri, is sone, In Engelonde : J?o non ojmr kyng J?ere nas. ^Manere : )?o Ake J?ei it were a- 3 en is wille : he nolde it nou 3 t for-sake. jwuehe m! n U Jpo 1 Axede he in 3 wuche manere : pe eroiz he scholde take. 292 Men seideii him J?at he scholde a-fongue : holi churche so freo j ) at he 1 ne scholde onder noman : bote onder J>e pope beo, ims. heo Ne no-Jung Jienche bote holden op wel : holi churche lawe. “ In Jus manere,” quath seint thomas : “ich hire a-fongue fa we.” 296 Jfis was ri 3 t at wit-sonentid : J?at Jus dede cam to ende. j) is guode Man to Caunterburi : a-non bi-gan to wende. | A1 pe contreie, to don him honour : a~ 3 en him cam and drov ; J)are was for him In Caunterburi : Ioie and blisse I-nov. 300 J^at dai of J>e Trinite : bischop i-sacret he was And onder-feng Jus dignete : J>e guode Man seint thomas. Sire henri, po, kingus sone : was at his sacringue, ! And sixtene bischopus al-so : Jus dede to ende bringue. 304 j)o J?is dede was i-don : heo gonne sende sone Aftur is palliun to rome : ase ri^t was for-to done. Alisaundre, J>at was pope po : he was at Mount-pellers : Jjudere wenden Jus wise men : J>at weren is Messagers. 308 H Abbod Adam of Euesham : heore cheuenteyn huy nome, to pQ pope Alisaundre : to Mount-pellers heo come, jheore erinde heo hadden sone of him : for [he] hem no-Jung ne wernde, And heo nomen heore leue of him : and liamward a~ 3 ein heo turnden. And Jus pallion wel sone was : to seint thomas i-brou 3 t : Jjis holi Man it a-fonge : with wel milde Jioi^t. H ])o he w r as in is dignete : al clanliche i-do, [foi. 64 b.] he chaungede euerech-del is lif : and is maneres al-so. 316 J?e here he dude on next is liche : is flesches maister to beo, Schuyrte and brech streit i-nov : a-non doun to is kneo — For him poi^te J?at he wel m^te : of ojmre habbe J?e maistrie, 3if he hadde of is owene flesche : al-ovt J?e seignorie ; 320 3if is soule Maister were : and is flesch is hyne, him J?ou 3 te he m^te is dignete : bringue to guode fine. Setlije on-ouewarde J?e here : pQ Abite of Monek he nam, 116 BEKET MEETS THE KING COMING OVER TO ENGLAND. FIRST DISCORD : THE KING KEEPS BISHOPRICS UNFILLED. And a-boue al fan clerkene Robe : ase to is stat bi-cam ; 324 So J?at he was clerk with-oute : and with-Inne Monek al-so, Jporii^ fe Abite fat he hadde on him : priueliche i-do. In penaunce and In fastingue : he was n^t and dai, And In is oresones, bote som ^wile : fat he slepe lai; 328 And ^wane he scholde eten is mete : for fat he moste nede, Euere he preide ore swete louerd : fat he moste wel spede ; And euere 3 wane he Masse song : he wep and si^te sore ; he hastede euere fare-with faste : ne mi^te no man more. 332 U Swif e faire he fedde him at is bord : with grete nobleie and pruyte And of fe beste him-sulf he et : ake ofte bote luyte. Of is ordres he was ful streit : and he was in grete fere For-to ordeinen ani Man : bote he fe betere were. 336 Idul nolde he neuere beo : ake euere doinde he was j In eche manere of betere liue : neuere no bischop nas. Sire henri, fe kingus sone : fat with him was er i-bro^t, bi-lefde euere In is warde : fram him nolde he nou 3 t. 340 J3e loue fat was hem bi-twene : nas neuere more i-seie, Ne of no Man fis child nadde : neuere more loue e^e. 1 1 ai. neeije Reditus TTIt bi-fel fat fe king : ovt of Noremandie cam JLJL In-to Enguelonde, fe stat to loke : and al-so is kynedom. 344 Seint Thomas nam with him : sire hanri, is sone, And wel faire with honour : wende to soutli-hamptone. J^are was Ioie and blisse i-nou 3 : f o heo to-gadere come ; heo custen and heo clupten faste : and hereden god i-lome. 348 Jpe king bi-lefde In Engelonde : to wardi is kynedom. Seint tliomas to is priueitez : euere-more he nam And heold him euere ase he dude er : is hexte conseiller ; bi is wille he nolde habbe i-haued : non ofur chaunceler. 352 Euere 3 wane he ani-fing dude : fat were a- 3 en fe r^te, Smnt thomas it with-seide : euere with al is mi^te. — Hit bi-fel fat f e bischop of wirecestre : sone fere-after ded was, And fe bischop of liereforde al-so : ase ore louerd 3 af fat cas. 356 bischopriches fullen bofe : In-to fe kingus hond, For-to onder-fonge al fe prov fare-of : ase lawe was in fe lond. U Jpe king heom nolde nou 3 t 3 iue sone : bote heold heom swif e longe BEKET CANNOT SERVE GOD AND THE KING. HE SIDES WITH 117 THE POOR AGAINST THE KING. In his hond, J?at he mi^te J?ar-of : pe more prov a-fonge. [foi. 65 ] 3G0 Hit ne likede no^t seint Thomas : J?at holi churche so Scholde for a luytel coueitise : In pe kingus warde beon i-do ; he pou^te j?at it was swipe muche : a^en ore louerdes wille, And )?at pe king mi^te In swuche man ere : holi churche a-spille. 364 he had pe kinge In faire manere : pat he ne scholde it nou^t bi-leue jOat pulke tweie hischoperiches : some guode Men he ^eue. j)e king him grauntede mildeliche : and nas nou^t a-^en is hone, Ake jpeos bischopriches hope he 3 af : twei guode Men wel sone. 368 IT Seint thomas Jiou^te wel : J>at he ne mi^te nou^t paie pe kingue ne his conseil : bote he wolde holi churche bi-traie ; In gret care and in soruwe he was : hov he mi^te best do, Tor he ne mi^te nou^t paien Ihesu cn'st : and pene kingue alio. 372 Seint Thomas halewede J?at ilke ^er : pe churche of Hedinge, })at i-founded was and a-rerd : poru 3 henri pe opur kingue, Jpat ^eot lith pare wel faire i-bured — : willames sone bastard. In pulke ^ere seint thomas : schrinede seint edward At westmunstre, pare he lijth : pat bi-fore king willame was ; bote king harald heom was bi-tueone : for-to is power no leng \)e loue was euere gret i-nou^ : bi-tweone seint thomas And pe kinge, for-to pe feond : destourbede hit, alias ! luyte an luyte pat contek sprong : for pouere Mannes r^te : paie ore louerd and pe kinge : pis holi man ne mi^te. j)e furste tyme J?at seint thomas : ovtliche him with-seide, hit was for pe king a-$en pouere Men : dude onri^tful dede. H \)e king nam fro 3 er to 3 ere : poru 3 Engelond wel wide After is wille ane summe of panes : i-deld bi-eche side, And sethpe poru an-queste : he let poru 3 pe contreies an-quere hov muche ech Man scholde pa^e : and hov muche is r^te were. 388 So longue he nam taillage : pat he axede atpe laste Eche 3 ere ane certeyne rente : poru 3 al engelond wel faste. 3wat for ei 3 e, 3 wat for loue : no man him ne with-seide ; bote euere po^te seint thomas : pat hit was an onr^tful dede. 392 he poi^te al on god and on is soule : and bi-lefde al his manhede, And wende forth wel baldeliche : to pe king with-outen drede : “ Sire,” he seide, “ 3 if it is pi wille : pou art riche and hende. 376 nas. 380 384 118 BEKET RESIGNS THE CHANCELLORSHIP. A BAD PRIEST KILLS A MAN, IS PROSECUTED AND IMPRISONED. And king of gret pouwer i-nov — : ore louerd pe more sende. 396 A taillage pov taxt fram 3 er to ^er : poru 3 -out al pi londe, And axest it for a ce?’teine rente : with onri^te, ich onder-stonde ; For ri^te rente pov dest it take : at a certein daie in pe ^ere, A certeyn summe a-signed : And so ne dude no king ere. 400 ^ware-jjoru} ]?at pat certein rente, me pinchez : pov ne mi^t it noujt make : A taillage it is, and sumdel : with vnri^te i-take.” U “ Thomas, thomas,” quad pe king : “ pou art mi chaunceler, j;ou attest more to holden op : pane to with-seggen mi power.” 404 ^ f “ Sire,” quath pis lioli Man : “ ich liabbe i-beo with pe, [foi. 65 b.] And pou hast, ore louerd fur^elde pe : gret guod i-don me : An opur baillie ich habbe a-fongue : pei it were a-^en mi wille, And I ne mai nou 3 t loki hope wel : bote ich scholde min owene a-spille ; 408 For ich am to luyte wuyrth : pat on for-to loke : Jjanne dude he gret folie : pat hope me bi-toke. p)are-fore ich pe ^elde up here : al-out pe chauncelerie, And take me al to holi churche : to god and to seinte Marie.” 412 \)o was pe king wel of I-nou} : wropere pane he was er ; Ake napeles is heorte bar : euere to Thomas per. )pat pridde ping 3 eot mest of alle : and sonest in wrathpe hem brou 3 te : A preost, pat 1 was a luper Man : pat luyte of god rou3te ; 1 ai. ]>er 416 Jpat of Manslau 3 t was bi-cleoped : and pare-fore i-nome also And In pe bischopes prisone of Salesburi : pare-fore he was i-do. \)e Mannes frend pat was a-slawe : siweden ope him so faste, So pat pe preost to Iuggement : Ibrou 3 t was atpe laste. 420 Men acuseden him faste of pe dede. : he ne answerede nou 3 t per-to, Acke heold him faste to holi churche : and ope none opere he nolde him do. IT I-loked him was to puyrgi him : poru 3 clergie, ^if he m^te, And dai him was par-to i-set : poru 3 holi churche r^te. 424 J)o pe dai was i-come : he ne m^te him puyrgi nou 3 t : he was sone i-lad a- 3 en : and into prisone i-bro^t. po was pe bischop in grete care : 3 wat per-of were to done ; For-to habbe pe wisore red : to seint thomas he sende sone. 428 BEKET WILL NOT DULY PUNISH A PRIEST-MANSLAYER. THE KING 119 SUMMONS THE BISHOPS. BEKET DEFENDS THE CHURCH’S RIGHTS. And he him sente word a-^en : fat he scholde fene preost take And on-ordeini him of euerech ordre : and ase a lewede Man him make, And sethfe don him in strongue warde : fat he neuer-eft far-of ne wende, In penaunce and in pine i-nou^ : his sunnes for-to a-mende. 432 bischop of Salesburi : dude seint thomas heste ; So fat f e preost was i-brou3t : In tormenz bi f e meste. be tifinge her-of sone : to fe kinge cam, bat a lufer fef, a manquellare : hadde a so li^t dom. 436 him foi^te fat it nas nou^t ri^t : ne fat it ne m^te nou^t beo so. And phelipe de boys, a Chanoyne : him hadde al-so mis-do : }pare-fore was ech of ur clerk : f e more him a-^en wille ; him fou^te fat swuch lawe scholde : fe pais of fe londe a-spille. 440 To westmunstre he let somony : alle f e bischopes of engelonde, And of ure, f e gretteste clerkes al-so : and f e liexte, ich onder-stonde. H “ Beav seignours,” f e king seide : “ I not ^wat ^e liabbeth i-f ou3t ; 3if ^e goth forth with ower wille : ore pais ne worth rijt nou^t. 444 3if a clerk hath ane Man a-slawe : of ur strong fefffe i-do, And he mouwe f anne desordeined beo : and to liue comen so, heo wollez f anne mis-don al day : and beon f are-oppe wel bolde, And so schal fe pays of fe londe : wel vuele beon i-holde. 448 Luyte heom wolde rechche : to leosen heore ordre so, 3wane heo for heore ordre ne spariez nou^t : f eff e for-to do ! [foi. 66] And euere fe herre heore ordre is : me f inchez bi puyr lawe, f e strengore scholde heore dom beo : 3 wane heo wolden to f eff e drawe.” IT “ Sire, sire,” quad seint Thomas : “ 3if it is f i wille, Lothz vs were any-fing to don : fi pays for-to a-spille. 454 be clerkus fat beot h I-ordeynede : f ov wost wel heo berez a signe bat heo beoth lymes of holi churche : fat so noble is and digne; 456 3 if heo weren with fulke signe : to vile defe i-do, A-viled were al holi churche : and foule i-schend al-so. And 3if heo beoth formest onordeined : and for fulke sulue dede Sethfe foru3 dom to defe i-brou3t : it nere nou3t wel to rede : 460 For it nas neuere lawe ne 113 1 : double dom to take For 0 trespas, ase 3e wel wuteth : and sunne it were to make ; Ait Rex. Ait Thomas. 120 BEKET RESISTS THE KING, AND PUTS THE CHURCH’S RIGHTS ABOVE THE LAW. And vnwuyrpere pane a lewed Man : holi churche were so : A lewed Man for o trespas : bote o Iuggement nis i-do. 464 J}are-fore pine grace we biddeth pe : $if it is pi wille, Jyat pov ne a-rere none newe lawe : holi chnrche to spille, For we biddez ni^t ant day : ase ri^t is for-to do, J 5 at god holde pe pine r^te : and pine reavme al-so.” 468 Rex. U “ beav sire,” quath pe king po : “pov seist weli-nov^. Icb hadde lotbz bi mi concience : don lioli churche WOV 3 ; For lawes pere beoth and cos tomes : pat habbethz euere beon i-holde Of bischopus poru 3 al Engelond : ase ovre Aunceteres us tolde, 472 And bi pe kingus daye henries : pat ovre gmunt-sire was I-confermede weren and i-holde : And no man pare^en nas. Woltpu pulke lawes holde? : do me to witene sone ! ” Thomas. “ We schullen do,” seint Thomas seide : “al pat is to done — 476 Alle pe lawes and pe costomes : we schullen holde bi ore mi^te Jpat beothz to holde and habbeth i-beo : sire, — sauue oure ri^te.” Rex. “ Sauue ouwer r^te?” quath pe king : “ bev sire, $wi seistpou so? bi pulke worde Ine scholde no-ping : a^en pine wille do 480 J)at pov noldest segge pat it were : a-^en holi churche r^te, And so pou mutest bringe al pat lond : In contek and In fijte. 3 e moten holde pe lawes : for-sope ich onder-stonde, Jpat word me pinchez venimous : to pe pays of pe londe.” 484 Thomas. “ Sire,” quath pis holi man : “ ne meue ^e ov rijt noi^t ! Wei pov wost pat ech of us : are we weren here-to i-brou 3 t, Trewenesse we pe sworen ase rijt was : and eorpelich honour al-so, Sauue ore ordre and ore r^te — : bote pat was out i-do. 488 hou scholde we, sire, noupe opur do ? : 3 e ne Au 3 ten it us noi^t beode. For godes loue hold us to r^te : for noupe we habbez neode.” Rex. U “Ich i-seo noupe, thomas,” quath pe king : “ 3 ware-to pou wult drawe ; J^ov art I-come to late : to bi-nimen us ovre lawe. 492 Jjov woldest makien me more wrechche : pane euere ani kyng was : ))are-to pov art i-come to late : pou cast aumbes as.” pe king [aros] in wratlipe a-non : and let heom sitte ech-one ; [foi. 66 b.] In-to is chaumbre he wende : and ne grette heom neuer one. 496 Fram londone he wende sone : In wrath pe ase pei it were, BEKET SEEKS TO CONCILIATE THE KING. A PARLIAMENT 121 IS HELD AT CLARENDON. ie ne seide no man of is fou^t : ake bi-lefde heom alle fere. \)e bischopus fou^ten fo ecb-one : fat he was wroth i-nou}, frare weren fewe bote seint thomas : fat toward him ne drou$. 500 ff On seint Thomas heo criden faste : is foi^t forte wende, Of uer he wolde al fat lond : for f ulke one worde schende. kni^tes and ofure ofte comen : fat with fe kinge were Aid beden seint Thomas ententifliche : fat he fat word for-bere, 504 Aid fat it were him gret folie : fe kinge In wrathfe bringe, Aid also destonrbi al fat lond : for so luytel fingne. Seint thomas stod longe in f o^te. : “ leoue brefren,” he seide, A-^en f e kyngus honur I-ne schal : nenere don no dede, 508 Ake euerech word ichulle bi-leue : fat a-^en is honur is.” \)o weren fis ofure glade i-nou^ : f o heo i-heorden f is, And radden him wende to f e kinge : is wrathfe for-to stille. “ Lef me were,” quath seint Thomas : “ with ri^te to don is while.” 512 He wende to fe kinge to Oxenford : and with him fare he fond grete Eorles and barones also : fe hexte of al f e lond. \)g king welcomede seint Thomas : ake he ne made him nou^t fair chere ; bischopes and Eorles he let cleopien : alle fat fere were. 516 U “ Bev sire,” he seide, “ich am king : with ri^te of fis londe ; Customes here weren bi-fore : I-vsed, ich onder-stonde, And so muche wrechche nam ich nou^t : fat ich nelle f e lawes holde }5at ovre Auncestres heolden ^wyle : ase ore conseil us tolde. 520 J)are-fore ichulle fat f ulke lawes : i-confermede beoth ech-on Of mine eorles and mine barones al-so : heo ne with-seggez non. J)are-fore ich hote ov euerechone : fat beon fat ilke dai At mi maner at Clarindone : with-outen ani de-lai, 524 For-to confermi fis lawes. : ope peyne fat i schal ou sette, Ich hote fat $e beon fare ech-one — : fat non of ur ne lette.” So departede f e court f o : and euerech to is In drou 3 ; And euere was seint thomas : In care and soruwe i-nou}. 528 U fis bischopes and fe baronie : alle comen to fe dai^e to clarindone In wilte-schire : fe kingue for-to paye. J)o heo comen to fe parlement : f e king axede heom a-non Iwefur heo wolden holde fe lawes : ase heore Auncestres heolden ech-on. 532 Rex. Clarendon. 122 BEKET EXAMINES THE OLD CUSTOMARY LAWS OF ENGLAND AND AGREES TO SOME. Thomas. U “ Sire, sire/’ quath seint tliomas : “ ^if it Jn wille is, Ech man mot speke for him-selue : and ich for me, i-wis. For mi stat and for holi churche : Ich answerie J>ar-to hat alle J?e olde guode lawes : And J)at $eot heoth al-so 536 g?*aunti ichulle for holi churche : for-to habhen Jnn ore, Sauue ore r^tes and ore ordre. : pou ne mi^t axi nonmore.” U J)e king was wod-wroth for J?at word : J?at him gan J>o mislike, Seint Thomas wep In is heorte : and sore hi-gan to sike. [foi. 67] 540 Al-to hlodi was J>at word i-seid : and deore it was a-hou^t : hare-fore was seint Thomas : to stronge dej?e i-brou3t. J)e hischop of Saleshuri : and of Northwiche al-so Wepinde knevleden to seint thomas : J>at he scholde anojmr do 544 And hahhe revj)e of al-holi churche : and of heom echone, “ })at we ne beon alle to grounde i-brou3t : for Jmlke worde one.” hei3e Men J?at with J»e kingue weren : mani on al-s[o] wende And knevleden to seint Thomas : J?at word for-to a-mende. 548 U “ Louerdyngues,” quath seint Thomas : “ ich am 3et a 3ong man And luyte 3wule habbe bischop i-beo : and Jjar-on luytel ich can ; hare-fore of ower olde lawes : transcn’t 3e me take, And J>are-oppe ichchulle conseillen me : 3wuche beon to for-sake.” 552 Jje king him let a traunsmt take : of Jus customes echon. Seint Thomas grauntede some of heom : and with-seide mani on. Prana lex. U he lawes J?at ichulle nou J?e telle : he g?*auntede wel fawe : ‘ 3if a bonde-man hath ane sone : J?at to clergie beo i-drawe, j ms. Ne He 1 schal nou3t with-oute is louerdes leue : no3were i-crouned beo, For Jjev-Man ne mai noi^t beon i-maket : a~3en is louerdes wille freo.* Alia lex. U An ojmr lawe he grauntede al-so : J?at 3e mowen nouJ>e i-seo : ‘ 3if ani man of holi churche : halt ani-Jhng of lay-fe, 560 person, preost, ojmr 3wat-so he heo : he schal don })ere-fore he seruise J>at to J?e kinge bi-fallez : J>at is r^te nere for-lore ; And In plaidingue stonde in eche place : and In iuggement al-so, bote 3 ware ani Man schal beon bi-leomed : ojmr to dej>e i-do.’ 564 Tertia lex. U He grauntede also, 1 3if ani Man : J)e kingues traytur were And ani man is cliateus : to holi churche bere, hat holi churche ne scholde nou3t : J?e chateus with strencj>e lette, Ake Jje king hem scholde wel baldeliche : ase is howene fette. 568 BUT OTHER LAWS, GIVING THE KING CONTROL OVER THE 123 CHURCH, BEKET REJECTS. For al fat fe kingus feloun hath : fe kingus catel it is, And ech man in holi churche : is owene take i-wis.’ Seint Thomas grauntede blufeliche : feos and ofure mo, Ake feos of ere he with-seide — : fat dude him muche wo : 572 II ‘ 3if hi-twene tweie lewede men : were ani striuingue, 1 contradicts Of ur hi-tuene a lewed man and a clerk : for holi churche f ingue, Ase for Avou weson of churche : ^wefur scholde fe churche ^iue, j)e king wolde fat In his court : fat plai scholde beon i-driue, 57 6 U for ase muche ase a lewed Man : fe o partye, was clanliche onder fe kingue : and onder no bischop nas.’ IT An of ur lawe was 1 fat no bischop : ne clerk nof e-mo >ja- Scholde out of engelonde : with-oute fe kingus leue go, 580 And f anne heo scholden swerien heore oth : opon f e boke, i-wis, Jpat heo ne scholden purchaci non vuel : fe kingue ne none of his/ H j)e fridde was, 1 3 if ani man : In mansingue were i-hrou^t *>.)*• And sethfe come to amendement : and a-^en r^te nere nou 3 t, 584 Jpat he ne scholde nou 3 t swerie op-on fe hoke : ake borewes finde he scholde [foi. 67 b.] to stonde to al fat holi churche : with r^te him lokie wolde.’ U ])e ferf e was ‘ fat no man : fat of f e kinge heolde ou 3 t In chief ofur In seruise : in mansingue nere i-brou 3 t, 588 bote fe wardeins of holi churche : bro^te 1 him fer-to, 1 ai. j>atbr. }5at 1 seiden, ofur is baillifs : 3 wat he hadde mis-do, 1 ai.\>e kyngs. And lokede formest 3 wefer heo wolden : to amendement it hringe, And bote huy wolden, bi heore leue : fanne don fe mansingue.’ 592 H fifte was ‘ fat no bischopriche : ne non Abbeie also, 1 v». f)at were voyde with-oute prelat : In fe kingus hond were I-do And fe king scholde al fat lond : ase is owene take, 1 & abbayes^ aft™ 1168 : For-to atfe laste fat him luste : ani prelat make ; 596 And fanne scholde filke prelat : of is chapele i-chose beo, Of is clerkus 3 WUCI 1 fat he wolde : fat benefiz to bi-seo : And fanne 3 wane he were i-chose : In is chapele fere homage he scholde don to him : are he j-confermed were.’ 600 H ])q sixte was, ^if ani plait : to chapitle were i-drawe vj». And ani man made ani apel : 3 if men duden him a- 3 en lawe, 1 om. \)dX to fe bischop fram fe Ercedekne : his apel [he ] 1 scholde make, 124 THE CONSTITUTIONS OF CLARENDON. BEKET CONSIDERS WHAT COURSE HE SHALL TAKE, TO SHIELD HOLY CHURCH. And frara pe bischop to pe Ercliebischop : and sethpe non herre take ; bote pe Ercliebischopes court : to r^te him wolle 1 bringe, 1 r.woide J)at he scholde fram Jmlke court : bi-cleopien to pe kinge, And fram pe kinge non herre * — : so pat atpenende \)q playdingue fram holi churche : to pe kingue scholde i-wende, 608 And pe king a-mendi scholde : pe Erchebischopes dede And beon chief of holi churche — : ake seint thomas it with-seide. \ij». 1 J j)e seuepe was * pat playdingue : J»at of dette were, for-to ^elde poru 3 treupe i-pl^t : and no^t i-holde nere 612 Al-pei it poru 3 treupe were : pe playdinge scholde beon i-brou 3 t bi-fore pe kinge and is baillifs : and to holi churche no^t.’ viij®. U })e ei 3 tej>e was ‘ pat In pe londe : citation non nere } 3 oru 3 bulle of pe pope of rome : Ake clanliche bi-leued were.* 616 ixa. U \)e Ninpe was * J>at peteres panes : pat men gaderiez mani on, J}e pope nere nou 3 t on i-send : ake pe kingue euerech-on.’ x®, IT j)e teope was , ‘ 3 if ani clerk : ase felun were i-tako And for kingus felon j-proued were : and he ne mi^te nou 3 t for-sake, Jpat men sc’aolden furst desordeini him : and sethpe poru 3 ri 3 te lawe And poru 3 ri 3 t Iuggement of pe londe : bringe him of lijf-dawe.’ 622 ) 3 eos customes, and manie opere : pe king pulte forth a-non, And het poru 3 ~out al pis lond : pat Men heom heolden echon. 624 J?ene feorpe dai bi-fore candelemasse : )>o pis was ido, J 5 e king het seint thomas a-non : and j?e opere biscliopus al-so On pis chartre heore seles sette : pat non aftur-tale nere, j)at pulke costomes weren i-holde : poru 3 al pe londe pere. 628 “ Sire, sire,” quath seint thomas : “for godes loue pin ore, to conseili us betere 3 if us furst : are we speken her-of more ! ” [foi.68] So pat respit was par-of I-nome : and ech wende In his side. IT Seint thomas nam pat transcnt : and nolde no lengore a-bide, 632 to winchestre he wende Jmnne : with soruwe and care i-nov 3 hov he mi 3 te holi churche schilde : fram pis muchele W 0 V 3 . 3 wane opur Men weren faste a-slepe : he wep and s^te sore, “ And Iesus 1 helpe holi churche ” : and cride him milce and ore. 636 he i-sai pat per nas bote o wei : opur he moste stif beo, 1 ai. & bad god Opur holi churche was al bi-nepe : pat with r^te was so freo. Sori and careful he was I-nov : pat he tok on so, BEKET ASKS FOR A RESPITE. HE GRIEVES AT HAVING TO OPPOSE 125 THE KING, AND RESOLVES TO GO TO THE POPE TO BEG HIS ABSOLUTION. For-to entri into Answere : pare he ne ou^te nou^t to do, 640 j ) at he a-feng pat transcnt : and respit hadde i-bede : For him pou^te pat al-holi churche : In pat he misdude ; For holi churche ne scholde : In none stude stonde to dome He Ansuerie kinge ne prince nopur : bote pe pope of rome. 644 IT J)e deol pat thomas makede : no tounge telle ne may. “ Louerd,” he seide, “ alas, alas : pat ich euere i-sai 3 pis day, j^at ich pe warde of holi churche : so folliche scholde take, And so freo ase heo was er : pus peu sethpe hire make ! 648 heo pat was er so hei} and freo : bi mine Auncestres daye, J^at ich hire scholde bi-neope bringe : Allas ! and so bi-traie, for pis Martyrs pat ^wylene weren : for hire to stronge depe i-do, heo is noupe pev pon .13 me i-maked ! : Allas, }wi dude ich so 'l 652 luytel wuyrtli ich am of holi churche : wardein for-to beo, And al-so vnwurthpeliche par-to i-nome — : pat ech man may i-seo : For ich nam nou^t, ase r^t was : frain none ordre i-nome, Ake fram hei^e kingus court to holi churche : and pat wolde vuele bi-come. 656 Of hound es ich was wardeyn : and of hauekes with pe king, And nov am wardein of soulene i-maked : and pat ne Ioyneth no-ping ; Ich pat for-sok min owene : pe ^wyle ich was chaunceler, So manie soulene habbe to loke : alias ! $wat scbal ich her 1 660 Ich drede pat god habbe me fur-sake : liov tok ich on, alas ! ** J)e deol pat pis holi man makede : with-outen ende it was : he wep and si^te ny^t and dai : and heold him al for-lore. 3 if he m^te a-soilled beo : to pe pope he wolde per-fore, 664 And wende toward Caunterburi. : sone pe kinge men tolde ))at pe Erchebischop nolde nou^t : pe newe statuz holde. king het his baillifs sone : and sende a-boute is sonde, ))at heo scholden greui seint thomas : ouer-al on is londes. 668 IT Jpis baillifs weren preste i-nov^ : and ope is maneres wel faste, Homen is bodene and greueden him— : heo wenden pare- with him a-gaste. Seint thomas let heom al i-worpe : and op-on ore louerd is heorte caste, 126 BEKET LEAVES ENGLAND, BUT IS DRIVEN BACK TO LAND. THE KING ORDERS BEKET’s POSSESSIONS TO BE SEIZED. And wende him wel priueliche : bi ny^te atfe laste 672 to fe se, toward rome : fat none of is men it nuste, bote tvvey Men fat he tok with him : fat is priuete mest wusten. Sethfe fo is men him misten : and nusten ^vare he bi-cam, [foi. 68b.j i And seieii fat heo with-oute louerd weren : euer-ech is red nam for-to don euerech is beste : ech wende In is side, Ase men fat weren louerdlese — : heo nusten 3wat a-bide. 678 Jois holi Man wende him forth : and dude him In scliipe sone, And wende forfeward in fe se : ase he fou^te for-to done. 680 IT Jpe wind cam ase ore louerd it wolde : and drof him a-^en to londe. Sethfe he wende eft in-to fe se : fe passage for-to fonde : j)e wind cam and drof him a-^ein. : and ofte 1 In he wende, 1 ai. eft And euere he was a-3en i-driue : ase ore louerd fe grace him sende. Jpo i-sai3 fis holi man wel : fat it nas nou3t godes wille J)at he fe 3eot of londe wende : he turnde a3en wel stille. 686 On of is seriaunz sat a n^t : fe 3 wile fat men woke, In his chaumbre at caunterburi 1 : f e chaumbre for-to loke ; }jf b u r i auin ' In fe Eueninge he bad is knaue : to steken fe dore faste. J?is knaue eode toward f e dore : is e^ene a-boute he caste : ])o i-sai3 he fis holi man : In one huyrne stonde. he orn and tolde his maister fore : and fonkede godes sonde. 692 j)e seriaunt ne lefde fat noi^t : nafeles op he a-ros And fond seint Thomas In fe huyrne : and sum-del him a-gros. ]3are was sone Ioye i-nov3 ! : fat folk sone to him dro\ r 3 And welcomeden him and maden him guod semblaunt : with Ioye and blisse i-nou3. 696 U Heo setten bord and spradden cloth : and bi-gonne to soupe faste. Seint thomas tolde hem f 0 : wel Mildeliche atfe laste ^wodere he foi^te to habbe i-went : and 3wuch cas god him sende, And hou it nas nou3t godes wille : fat he fe 3wyt forth wende. 700 j)e tif inge to f e kinge cam : fat fe guode Man sein thomas, A3en fe status of clarindone : of londe i-went he was — For fat 0 statuit was fat no bischop : ne scholde bi none ende "VVith-oute leue of fe kinge : oute of londe wende. Ake fe king sende is men sone : to saisi al is lond And al-so al is bischopriche : ase is traitores, In-to is bond. 704 BEKET VISITS THE KING AT WOODSTOCK. THE ARCHBISHOP 127 OF YORK VAINLY TRIES TO MEDIATE. bis baillifs coraen to caunterburi : ase beo i-liote were, fl bo heo wenden to habben al heore wille : heo founden seint thomas J>ere : 70$ Nb-Jiing ne mi 3 ten heo saisi po : heore wei heo hadden for-lore ; Also huy comen heo wenden a-^en : and tolde J>e kinge fore. — |uyt seint thomas him bi-J) 0 U 3 te : J?at he wolde fondi more Jif he m^te of p& kinge habbe : betere grace and ore : 712 ae 3 arknede him wel mildeliche : and to him J>ane wei he nam, At is manere at wodestoke : to fe kinge he cam. Ase is erfeliche louerd : he grette him, faire i-nov 3 . \)e king bi-heold him ful hokerliche : and a-scorn som-del I 0 U 3 . 716 thomas,” he seide, “ lion is Jus? : beo we so grete fon bat we ne mowen in one londe wonie ? : thomas, hov schal Jns gon 1 ” Sire, sire,” quath seint thomas : “god ne late hit neuere so beo, Ike god us sende, and holi churche : betere grace to J?e, [foi.69] 720 And sende pe wille to louien hire bet : And Iesus for is m^te Ne late me neuere a^ein pi wille : don Jung with on-r^te.” U Ercliebischop of Euerwyke : fondede for-to bringe A-cord and loue bi is pouwer : bi-twene thomas and po king. 724 ) 5 e king swor a-non is othj) : J?at non ojmr a-cord he nolde bote Jmt pQ status of clarindone : ech bischop holde scholde ; And nameliche J>eos bi-fore alle ojmre : ‘ 3 if a clerk hath mis-do And he pe kingus felun i-preoued were : and for J>eofj?e also, 728 })at Men him 1 scholden desordeini : and sethjrn a-non J?oru 3 lawe to J?e kingus baillifs deliueri him : to an-hangi ojmr to-drawe.’ Seint thomas i-sai 3 wel po : J>at J)are nas wei bote on : 1 ms. him him Ojnir he moste stif with-stonde : ojmr is r^tes for-gon. 732 H he ]?ou 3 te J?at he nolde neuere : holi churche bi-tray e, Ne pat heo ne scholde beo in suyche seruage : neuere bi is daye ; Rajmr he wolde, ase ofere weren : to Martyrdom beon i-do, bane holi churche were so bi-neope — : I-redi he was J>ar-to. 736 Neuere ne m^ten J?e king ne he : no-J>ing a-cordi J?er, Ake departeden al with wrath J>e : ase heo hadden i-don ofte er. be king makede him wroth i-nov 3 : J?at so ofte in barate was Eor 0 man ]?at him with-seide : and non ojmr a^ein him nas : 740 In grete wrath pe he swor is oth : J?at he wolde of him beon a-wreke, 128 BEKET IS SUMMONED TO NORTHAMPTON. HIS COMPLAINT. And J?at fe holi Man scholde : anofur with him speke. he let somony seint thomas : fat fe nexte foresdaie he were At Xorehamptou? 2 e hi-fore seint lucus dai : to ^iuen him Answere ; 7 44 And alle fe bischopus of fe lond : And fe baronie al-so, he het beon fare at fulke daie : is hestes for-to do. Alle seint thomas londes : in-to is hond his men nome, 1 ms. destruyen * Ase it were for-to destreynen 1 him : fat he to his court come. 748 IT Ore louerd helpe noufe seint thomas : for ofur frend nath he non, A-mong so manie tyraunz for-to come : fat weren alle is fon ! bodi and soule he bi-tok : Iesu, godus sone, And to is daie ase he Isomoned was : wende to Norehamptone. 752 In f e castel sat fe motinge : of f is tyraunz ech-on. J)is lioli man a-godes name : a-mong 1 heom wende a-non. >Ms.a mond IT “ Sire king,” he seide, “god fe loke : and saui fi dignite ! Somounz ich hadde at fis daie : here to Ansuerien fe. 756 Ake non Erchebischop of caunturburi : nas neuere i-somoned so, Xe so destreyned of no king. : I not $wat f ov me fencst to do, I not ^wat is fe newe statuit : fat fou fencst forth to drawe, bote hit beo on of clarindone : fat fou woldest bringe to lawe. 760 On me nastfu power non : swych destresse for-to do : Heued of holi churche ich am i-maked : fei ich onwuyrth beo fer-to. And also ich am fi gostlich fader : fei 1 of me luytel fov lete : j,^ s ^ ci It nas neuere ri^t ordre fat fe sone : is fader scholde bete, 764 Xe fat desciple beote is maister. : al fis were a^en lawe. [foi. 69 b.]- A1 fis, ho-so r^t bi-halt : fov bi-ginnest forth to drawe. And fis bischopes al-so guod : fat wardeins beoth mid me to liolde op fe honur of holi churche : and fe fi dignite, 768 heo beoth noufe a-boute hire forto schende : and bringe In-to vilte. gret reufe it is fat Man schal so : hire bringe bi-nef e for me ; 3 if fov wolt 0113 1 to me : fov wost wel i-ne may nou 3 t f^te, Ich am 3 ^re deth for-to a-fonge : for holi churche r^te.” 772 Rex. IT “ I-nelle no man,” quad fe king : “ for holi churche quelle, beau sire, fov spext ase a fol : a-nof ur fov schalt me telle. Acke com to-morewe bi speche-tyme — : fat fov f inne dai ne breke ! — And Ansuere me of ofur finge : fat ichulle to fe speke.” 776 J)us departede fe court fo. : a-morewe, fene friday, BEKET IS CONDEMNED AS DEBTOR TO THE KING, BUT GETS 129 SURETIES FOR PAYMENT OF THE DEBT. Seint thomas wende Judere a-^en : Jo he Je time i-sai. 778 Jpe king [sat] an hei in is see : and a-coupede him wel faste. “jpov were,” he seide, “mi chaunceler — : ake al-to longe it laste, Ich Je lende Jo fif hondred pound : and Jov ne ^olde me nou^t on : Sete me Jar-of ane schorte day : for Jov schalt heom 3elde ech-on.” IT “ Sire, sire,” quath seint thomas : “god sende us bet Jin ore ! I-ne wende nenere of Julke panes : i-heore a-countes more. 784 For ich hadde Julke tyme : betere grace to 0V3 Jpane ich habbe nouje : and Jat me Jingchez W0113 ; guode grace ich hadde to Je : Jou me louedest i-nou3 Jo, Jpulke panes Jo Joy me 3eue : and woldest 3et wel mo. 788 Sire, Jar-of ich am suyje wel a-knowe : Jat ich heom a-feng of Je : Of Jine 3ifte with guode heorte : for-soje Jov 3eue hem me, And so hei3 man ase Jov art : it mi^te wel beo stille to Axi Jing Jat Jov 3eue er : with Jine so guode wille.” 792 Jpe king him axede 3if ani man : Julke 3ifte i-sai3, And 3wejur he mi^te prouen Je 3ifte. : Seint thomas seide nay3- IF “ Nov, louerdingus,” quath Je king : “ alle 3e i-heorez Jis, [pat of Jat tresor Jat he is a-knowe : Jat ich him tok i-wis, 796 Jpe 3ifte ne mai he proui noi^t : Ase alle $e mowen i-seo. Iugement ich axi of Jis court : hou it Jare-of schal beo.” |pe court him lokede : ase he was : a-knowe of Jat Jing, And ne m^te nou3t Je 3ifte preoui : to 3elden ech ferjing. 800 |pe king him het Je panewes 3elde : ojur sikernesse him make, Ojur is Marschales scholden swije anon : is bodi to prisone take. (pis holi man of is bischopriche : hadde wel luytel guod, Ake al helples a-mong is fon : with-oute conseille he stod. 804 |pe Marchales i-redie weren : to prisone him lede a-no^i ; heo heten him don heom sikernesse : ojur he scholde with hem gon. [pis holi man nnste non ojur red : bote soffri al heore W0113. Some guode men Jat Jare weren : hadden of him reuje i-nou3 : 808 Fif kn^tes nomen hem to rede : and wenden to Je kingue 1 And token an hond for seint thomas : of alle Julke Jinge, [foi. 70] jeuerech of an hondret pound : for Jis seli man to paie. [po was Jis guode Man quit I-nov : ase at Julke daie. 812 TT A-Moruwe, Jene saturdai : to court eft-sone he wende, LEGENDS OF SAINTS. K Thomas. Rex. Consilium. episcopus Wincestrie. episcopus london’. 130 THE KING DEMANDS £30,000 OF BEKET, FOR THE PROFITS OF BISHOPRICS, ETC. For-to heore fe kingus wille : ^if is heorte wolde ou^t a-mende. J5e kyng sat a-doun In is see : thonias bi-fore him stod. “ bel ami, fou hast,” quad fe king : “ i-stole me muchel guod. 816 Mi cliaunceler fov were, al-to longe : and haddest In J?in hond Abbeies and bischopriclies : and muche del of fat lond, And fov lie ^olde me f ar-of none a-countes. : fat rewez me wel sore ; j3ar-of J>ritti f ousent pound : fov me schalt, and wel more. 820 }}are-fore make fe ^are i-nov : fine a-countes to ^elde, Sikur fov beo fov schalt it do : $if ich fe may a-welde.” Alle fat heorden feos demaunde : In grete wonder stoden fere, And to 1 ofur seide fo : fat heo ne heorden fer-of neuer er, ^.echtoo. And fat seint thomas was al bi-nefe : and ope fe pointe he was 825 to beon i-cast In prisone : for non ofur wei fare nas. Seint thomas stod In fou^te longue : and with ri^te fe kinge bed })at he moste is conseil nime : of fat he hadde to him i-seid. 828 f)e bischopes he nam to is conseil : fe king ne wernde him no^t. In one Chaumbre, faste i-loke : alle heo weren i-broi^t, j ) at he ne scholden a-scapien : are heo hore answere seide. “Nov, louerdinges,” quad fis guode man : “her-of 3 e moten me rede. For, al-so god me bringe of care : Ine habbe far-of gult non, Ake me for-to schende he axeth fis : with on-ri^te ech-on. 834 For ich was with him er wel i-nov : and fat bringeth me noufe in teone : })are ne tok ich no witnesse : of fat us was bi-tweone.” 836 IT j)e bischop henri of winchestre : furst bi-gan him rede. “ S[i]re,” he seide, “ fus me finchez : fov mi^t don of fis dede. For-sofe me finchez with gret wrong : fe calangez fe king ; J)o fov wendest of his seruise : he ne Axede fe no-fing, 840 And fo fov fe bischopriche a-fenge : so clene and so freo J}at fov of none ofur f inge : ne scholdest i-charget beo ; And he quath fe quit al clanliche : of ech ofur wike fer, An ne axede fe no-fing : of fat fov haddest i-don er. 844 3ware-foru me finchez of none finge : fou ne schal 4 ansuerien nou$t bote to god and holi churche — : of alle of ere fov art i-bro^t.” IT bischop gilbard of londone : seide f o his a-vis : “ Sire,” he seide, “}if fov fe bi-fenchest : ase a guod Man schal and wis, 848 BEKET CONSULTS THE BISHOPS, WHO EXPRESS DIFFERENT 131 OPINIONS. }wat power pe king pe hath bi-take : and to ^wuche guode i-brfoju^t, A1 is wille pov most soffri : and a-^en him ne beo pov nou^t ! In muche wo pov bringst us alle : and holi churche also, And pin owene bodi In perile : bote pov is wille do. 852 3if pov J>is wel onder-stode : me pinchez for-sope, i-wis, J)ov woldest fondi him to paye : and elles pov dudest a-mis.” IT \)o seide pe bischop of wynchestre : “sire gilbert, beo stille ! [foi.wb.] We sospendiez swuch conseil : for it nis noi^t wurth a fille. 856 ^ if pe Erchebischop scholde beo : al to J?e kynges wille, \)e honour of holi churche he lore : and is soule he mi^te so spille.” IT j)e bischop hyllarie of Chichestre : bi-gan to speke po : “ Sire,” he seide, “ mi conseil is : hou-so it euere go, 860 Forto fondi In faire manere : to paie pe kingues wille With faire bi-heste, for-to eft-sone : pat it were sumdel stille ; banne we mitten, ^wane we weren : of Jmsse destresse i-brou 3 t, 863 be betere a-cheui In ore conseille — : for noupe ne do we r^t noi^t.” U j)e bischop Eobert of lincolne : radde wel pare-to. ‘Sire Erchebischop,” he seide : “for-sope pov most it do; Dpur pov schalt leose pine bischopriche : and per-Auenture pi lif ; banne bi^ete pov wel luyte : me pinchez, of pis strif.” 868 H ))e bischop bartholmev of Eccetre : bi-gan to segge is pou 3 t : r In al pe soruwe of pe world : and care we beoth i-brou3t. (betere it were pat on heued : In peril him brou 3 te, bane al-holie churche were bi-nepe : and i-do to nou 3 te.” 872 If ])e bischop Eoger of wyrecestre : longe in pou 3 te stod ; !< I-nelle ov segge on ne opur : for i-not 3 wat is guod. Rif ich radde him for-ta-bouwien : al-to pe kingus wille, Min owene Mouth him-sulf demez : al-holi churche to spille; 876 And 3 if ich rede a 3 en him to beo : In pis place sum is bat wolde telle pe kinge fore : and maken him mi fo, i-wis — ” bi pe bischope of londone : pat ilke word he sede ; for he was euere a~ 3 ein seint thomas : with wordes and with dedes. “ bare-fore,” he seide, “ on ne opur : I-nelle segge i-wis. guod conseil god us 3 iue — : for muche neod it is.” 882 bare nas non pat coupe is conseil : with menske bringe to ende, Ne pat wuste hov heo mitten best : ovt of pe chaumbre wende. 884- episcopus Wincestrie, episcopus Cicestrie. episcopus lincoln’. episcopus Exon’. episcopus Wigorn’. 132 BEKET OBTAINS A DELAY AND FALLS ILL. ON TUESDAY THE BISHOPS URGE HIM TO SUBMIT. rhomas. 51 Atpe laste ope seint thomas : pis conseil moste al gon. Tweie eorles of pe kingus hous : be let cleopie a-non, “ Louerdingus,” be seide, “ we habbez i-speke : faste of pusse pinge, And al-so fer forth ase we mowen : we wollez paye pe kinge. 888 Ake for we nabbeth non^t i-redi here : ore conseil al-clene, For-to pe nexte daie we biddez furst : pat it g?’aunti noupe ene.” So ]?at beom was respit i-graunted : and ecli wende in is Avei^e. Manie of seint tbomas men : bi-lefden him for e^e ; 892 And kni^tes j?at Avitb him weren : alle fram him beo drowe. Seint tbomas nam pouere men : bi f>e weie i-nowe, And ladde bem to is Inne : and to pe mete heom sette ; be seruede beom is owene bodi : And i-nov 3 mete and drinke beom fetto. 896 “ J)is beoth,” be seide. “godes kn^tes : jns opur men me habbeth for- sake. j?eos kni 3 tes icb loue more : to beom ichulle me take.” jpene sonenday pare nas no court i-holde : for it was an he^-day. And pe Monenday sore syk : pe bischop tbomas lay, [foi. 71 ] 900 In pe syknesse of maldeflanke : pat to him ofte cam And for pe care pat he was Inne : wel pe Avorse him nam. Men seiden pat he makede liim sik : for be ne dorste to court wende. Jpe king in grete wrathpe i-nov 3 : after him gan sende. 904 “ Wel 3 e i-seoth,” quath seint thomas : “ pat I-ne may come nou 3 t, For-sope to-moruAve ichulle : hov-so ich beo pudere i-brou 3 t. j)ei icb schulle beo pudere i-bore : In baruAve opur In bere, jpudere ichulle, poru 3 godes grace — : crist me helpe pere.” 908 A-morewe, pane tyAvesday : ore louerd liim gan a-rere, j)e furste dai after seint Incus dai : ase it fallez In pe 3 ere. Jpat dai be au 3 te onder-stonde : and mani an opur al-so : For bi custome alle is grete a-nuy : bi twyesdai cam him to. 912 Alle pe biscbopes pane tywesday : erlicbe to him Avende, And seiden, “sire, pov art in feble point — : god it pe a-mende. We habbez ore red parof i-nome : and mid one moupe ech-on to queme pe kinge AA T e redez pe : hov-so it euere gon ; 916 Opur be pe wole bere on bond : pat J?ov art is traitur, And fur-SA\ 7 ore 3 AVore 1 him to don : eorpelicb honovr, 1 3 wane j>u swore )NLY TWO BISHOPS ARE FAITHFUL TO BEKET. HE SINGS MASS, 133 AND PREPARES TO MEET HIS FOES. Lind ne dost him non ake tricherie — : he fe wole here on lionde, And hi-nime fe fi stat : and perantur bringue J>e out of londe.” 920 fl “ Mine leoue bref ren,” quad seint thomas : “ i-seoz wel echon 5 at al fe world grat on me one : and alle [beoz] mine fon ; And fat [is] ^uyt mest reuf e of alle : fat $e fat mine bref ren beoz, And me, fei ich sunful beo : ouwer fader In torment i-seoz, 924 Je beoz mine meste fon of alle : and also 30 , bez al^are [n seculer court to demen me : and fat nolde non^t wel fare. For $e habbez f is a-mong ov to-day : bi-speke swyfe i-lome. Nov god helpe al-holi churche : and take far-to gome ! 928 Ake In obedience ich ov hote : fat ^e fare-nei 3 ne beon $if ich am i-brou^t to Iuggemewt : ake fat $e rafur fleon. And 3 if ani man hond on ov 1 set : ich ov hote al-so *ai. me ,(?at $e fe sentence of holi churche : for swuche violence ^e 1 do ; 932 And holdez vp holi churche ri^te : fat ov is bi-take — 1 om. 30 Man ne schal for none drede of defe : hire ri^tes for-sake.” f)e bischopes weren fo wrof e i-nou^ : ant wenden to court ech-one. Nou god helpe f is holi man : for he was fare al one ! 936 bote fe bischop of wynchestre : fere ne lefde with him nou^t on, And Iocelin, f e bischop of Salesburi : fat ne weren alle fram him i-gon. fl )?is holi man truste muche to god : and greifed him a-non, And song ane Masse of seinte steuene : are he come a-mong is fon. 940 he song f ulke masse i-lome : for al-so heo bi-ginnez, be furste offiz is propre inov : to fe stat fat he was Inne — be bi-ginninge of fulke masse : In englischs so is fis : 1 al% ^ speke “ For 3 wane f e princes habbez i-sete : and a 3 en heom men spekez , 1 i-wis, And lufere men pursiweden me : louerd, min help f ov beo !” 2 [foi. 71 b.] Manie seiden fat fis i-heorden : “novfe we mouwen wel i-seo 946 ibat he singuth fis Masse for fen-ones : for f e kinge and for alle his, And fat he halt heom alle lufere : fat a 3 en him spekez, i-wis.” 948 bis word cam to court wel sone — : 3 ware-f oru 3 heo weren ech-on In f e more wrathfe a- 3 ein him : and wel f e more is fon. H b° se i n t thomas hadde is masse i-songue : his chesible he gan of weue; Alle is ofur uestimenz : on him he let bi-leue — Ofur Armure nadde he non : for holi churche to fi^te ; 952 134 BEKET COMES INTO COURT IN HIS VESTMENTS, AND CROSS IN HAND. THE KING RAGES. A-boue he caste is cope : J?at bi-feol to is r^te. he tok godes flechs and is blod : with him swipe stilleliclie, Ane Creoyz he nam in is hond : and wende forth baldeliche. 956 j)e uestimenz was is Armure : ase bi-feol to swnche ane kn^te ; j)e fourme of pe creoiz was is baner : for holi churche to f^te. Forth wende pis guode kn^t : a-mong alle is fon — Swete Iesus beo is help : ojmr frend nadde he non. 960 Jpe creoiz in is hond he bar forth : and a-rerde op is baner. ])q bischop Eobert of hereford : bi-gan to gon him ner, “ Sire,” he seide, “ ich crie pin ore : J)i chapeleyn ich mote beo, bi-fore pe lat me bere pe croiz : for it ne fallez nou 3 t to pe.” 964 “jpe 3 wyle ich hire bere,” quad seint thomas : “ and ]?e fourme i-seo, Ich ne drede me of no man : pe hardiore ich may beo.” Jeanne seide pe bischop of londone : pat euere was is fo : “ I-ne rede nou 3 t pat pou bi-fore pe kingue : In swyche manere go; 968 For wratlii he wole him a-non : and a-wreken him In pe place.” IT “ Ich bi-take me,” quath seint thomas : “ al to godus grace.” “ b°v hast euere al pi lif,” pis opur seide : “ a muche fol i-beo, And pi folie nelt neuere bi-leue : ase men mai noupe i-seo.” 972 Curia. J)is holi Man wiz is creoiz : In-to pis court gan gon. Rex. And po pe king i-sai 3 him so come : he wrathpede him a-non. IT “ Louerdinges,” he seide, “ here 3 e i-seoz : hov pis man me schent ! In 3 wuche manere is he In-to pis court : among us hidere i-went ! 976 Ase pei we ne lefden nou 3 t on cristindom : ne In godes name. Ne mot ich nedes awreke me 1 : ne doth he me gret schame 1 ” bo seide al pe court a-non : “ sire, wel 3 e mouwen i-seo bat [he] is prou 3 t and conteckor : and euere hath i-beo ; 980 In despijt of pe and alle pine : pis dede he hath i-do. For 3 if pou wolt, pou m^t beon i-war : eft-sone to take on so, to bringe men In so gret povwer : swiche ase he is, to beon pe hexte of pine londe : ase pou madest him, i-wis. 984 bare-fore we ne bi-menez pe nou 3 t : pou noldest beo i-war bi-fore. We seggez bi him echone : pat he is puyrliche for-swore : And ase bi a swuch Man pou do bi him : and ase bi pine fon ! For he pe swor eorthpelich honur : and nele don pe non.” 988 be budeles and pe opur schrewes : grenneden on him faste, THE BISHOPS FORSAKE BEKET AS A TRAITOR TO THE KING, 135 AND EVOKE HIM TO THE HOLY SEE. And euere a-biden f e kinges heste : In prisone him to caste. [foi. 72] IT j)e king let crie a-non a-boute : }if ani so wod were j ) at stode In conseile wit seint thomas : ofur felau^schipe him here, Ase J>e kingus traitour : Men scholden him nime a-non, And laten him al one stonde : and fondi ^vodere he wolde gon (!). 994 J)e bischop of Eccestre to seint thomas : he feol a-doun a-kne, “For godes lone fin ore ! : for soruwes fat fov mi^t i-se, 996 hane reuf e of f e and of ns : of ur f ou wolt us alle schende ; Alle we worfez i-brou3t to nou^te : bote fov fi fou^t wende.” “Sire bischop,” quad seint thomas : “ase wel fou in^t be stille. go henne fram me 3R fov wolt : and lat ech man don is wille.” 1000 bischopes wenden to-gadere ech-one : and heore conseil nome. And fo heo hadden heore fourme i-set : to f e kinge a-3en heo come. H “ Sire,” heo seiden, u 3e beoth a-nuyd : and fat us for-f inchez sore ; For^if us fat 3e on us berez : we nellez fe mis-don non-more. 1004 Wel we wutez fat fis wrechche : fat scholde ore chief beo, he is fals and for-sworen : and [fat] 1 mai ech man wel i-seo : 1 om. For he suor to holde fe eorfelich honur : and hath i-broke is oth ; And fat man mai wel proui on him : 3if 3e nellez nou3t beo wroth. Fur^if us fine wrathfe, we biddez fe : ant to rome we wollez wende to bi-nimen him is Erchebischopriche : and ase a wrechche him schende: 1010 Puyrliche for-suore we schullen him preoui : sire king, bi eovwer rede.” )3e king bi-het heom gret honur : to don fat ilke dede. 1012 to seint thomas, fare he was : heo wenden alle a-non. Jje bischop hyllarie of Chichestre : tolde for heom ech-on. “ Sire,” he seide, “ ore gostliche fader : fov were here-bi-fore, For fader we fur-saketh [fe] : fov art fals and for-swore. 1016 For fou suore fe kynge eorfelich honour : and nelt don him non. J)are-fore to fe court of rome : we bi-cleopiez fe echon, to ansuerien us bi-fore fe pope : of fat fov hast ido a-mis.” “ Louerdingus,” quath fis holie man : “ ich i-heore wel al fis.” 1020 H Hov suete Ihesu beo is freond : 3wane alle ofure were is fon ! j)Q king him let cleopien faste : fat he come forth a-non. ])& Eorl Robert of lecestre : and of ur men mani on Comen after him and heten him sone : bi-fore fe kingue gon. 1024 13G BEKET REFUSES TO ANSWER THE KING, AND APPEALS TO THE COURT OF ROME. “ Louerdingues,” quath seint thomas : “ wuyten wel ech-on hou wel icli was with J>e king : J?ei ich habbe noujje manie fon : Erehebischop he made me — : for-soJ?e a-^ein mi wille, For euere ich dradde for oncunninge : mi soule forto spille. 1028 H \)o axede ich bifore al j?at folk : In ^wuche manere he me toke j)e IMaistrie of holi churche : to wardi and to loke. holi churche me was bi-take : In eche manere so freo, J?at ich were quit of alle ojmre courtes — : and 3eot with ri^te it scholde so beo. 1032 And ^wane holi churche is so freo : I-nelle ansuerien J>e kingue He non ojmr in his court : of none eorjmliche Junge. For gold ne passez nou^t so muche : In bounte led, i-wis, [foi.72b.] Al-so dignete of J?e preost : herre J?ane J>e kingus is. 1036 And is gostliche fader ich am : 3if he wolde nime 3eme, And it nere no lawe J?at pe sone : J>e fader scholde deme. J)are-fore i segge at o word : J?at I-nelle me no-Jung take to Iuggement of kingus court : ake clanliche it wolle for-sake, 1040 And take me to holi churche : and to none erjmliche dome : And Ich bi-cleopie ov here ech-one : to pe court of rome. Al J?e stat of holi churche : and al mi dignite U J)oru3 Ihesu cnst it beo i-wardet : 3 wan it ne mai ojmr beo. 1044 And ou bischopus ich bi-cleopie : to pe court of rome also, for 3e Anourieth more ane erjjeliche king : Jiane 3e god al-m^ti do. And so J)oru3 pe r^te of holi churche : fram Jus court ich wende, to bringe J>eos cause of holi churche : bi-fore J>e pope to ende.” 1048 J)is holi Man wel mildeliche : out of Jus court gan gon. ])e king, and pat mid him was : wrathjjeden heom a-non ; heo criden on Jus holi man : and beleweden ech-on Wit Also 1 grete noyse : ase anie Men m^ten don ; 1 MS- A h s0 1052 heo ne m^ten makie non more cri : J?ei al pe toun were a-fuyre, Ase 1 heo duden opon Jus holi man : J?at wide men it m^ten i-huyre. J)is guode man eode softe forth : ase him no-Jung ne rou3te — 1 ai. }?ane for 3uyt more men schenden Ihesu cnst : po men him to dejje brou3te. he werth opon is palefrai : and to is Inne he wende also. YnneJje he m^te with is hondene : J)eos Jue J)ingus do : 1058 blessi J?at folk and here J>e croiz : and is bridel wisse. BEKET SLEEPS IN THE CHURCH BETWEEN TWO ALTARS. BEFORE 137 DAWN HE STARTS TO LEAVE ENGLAND. J)at simple folk orn a-bouten him : with Ioye i-nov} and blisse ; 1060 for beo wenden fat be badde i-beo : atf e court faste i-nome, heo fonkeden mucbe Iliesu cnst : fat be moste a-mong beom come. 11 to is In, at seint Andreues : beo siweden liirn faste i-nov^ ; Seint thomas alle fe pouere men : with him to fe mete he drov^, And seide, “ comiez here forth with me : for mine freond $e beotli ; Ine habbe none freond bote eov : ase alle men noufe i-seoth.” 1066 he let heom Alle fede wel : a gret hous-ful nei$ ; f>e guode man wel fe gladdore was : fat he heom alle i-se^. 1068 Ase fis holi man sat at is mete : f ei he grete wille f er-to nadde, f)is word fat ore louerd het : is redare bi-fore him radde : “ 3if Men ov pursiwiet In one toune : In-to anof ur toun $e fleo.” ))is holi man fou3te fat bi him-self : fat word mi^te wel soth beo And fat it godes wille was : In-to An ofur londe gon, As fe holi godspel seith : a man for-to fleo is fon. 1074 )}is holi man was f o wel f e hardiore : of londe for-to wende, 3 wane he mi^te a-schapie wel : and god wolde fe time sende. 1076 H J)o it was to-war[d] eue : twei seriaunz fare come, Sore weopinde, and warneden him : fat he sum red him nome, For fe kyngus Men hadden i-swore : foru3 heste of fe kinge, 1 3ware-so heo him mitten finde : to stronge defe him bringe. 1080 1 Seint thomas f ou^te an-of ur. : he let maken is bed a^en ni^t p foi. 73] Op Infe heie churche : bi-twene twei weuedes ri^t. ])o alle ofur men weren a-slepe : and no man nas him nei3, he aros up and bi-heold : on fe ymage an liei3 ; 1084 bi-fore fe auter he feol don a-kne : and on ore louerd bi-gan to crie, And formest he seide f e seuen salmes : and sethf e fe letanie ; A1 wepind ech haluwe he bad : is help for-to beo ; bi-fore ech ymage he op aros : and eft he sat a-doun a-kne. 1088 ])o he hadde iseid is beden : stilleliche he gan gon, A luyte bi-fore fe cockes crowe : out of fe churche a-non, And wende him out-ward- of engelonde : fat no man with him nas bote a frere of Seraplingham : fat wel priue to him was. 1092 Jfls guode Man flev al Engelond : for holi churche r^te ; Of al is wo ne 3af he nou3t : 3d he it a-mendi mi^te. IT ])q tifingue cam of fis cas : to fe kingue ful sone. 138 THE KING SENDS DEPUTIES TO THE POPE. BEKET JOURNEYS BY NIGHT TO SEMPRINGHAM. Jpe he^e men nomen heore red : $wat were par-of to done. 1096 Jpe king and al is baronie : and pe bischopes echon, Jpat au 3 ten with seint thomas habbe i-be : and weren mest is fon, to pis conseil euer-ech-one : heo concenteden at pen ende : Jpat pe king seholde of is hexte Men : to pe court of rome sende A~ 3 en him 3 wane [he] jmdere come : and pe pope don onder-stonde Jpat he was fals and for-swore : and destourbour of pe londe. 1102 For- to don pis grete neode : pe wiseste Men heo nome, And pat is ping were al in pais : for-to heo a 3 en come. 1104 Jpe Ercliebischop of Euerwike : and pe bischop of Eccestre to rome 1 heo wenden for pis neodes : and pe bischop of licestre And pe bischop of londone : and of winchestre al-so, 1 ms. rome rome And also eorles and barouns : and manie clerkes per-to, 1108 to beren witnesse of pe fals-hede : 3 wane heo to court come. Noble 3 iftes and opur Iueles : with hem al-so heo nome — Jpare-with man mai ofte at court : pe r^te bringe to WOU3. N0U3 cnst helpe pis holi man : for he is 3 uyt pouere i-nou 3 ! 1112 he nadde none 3 iftes forto 3 iue : to holden up is r^te ; Eram Norehamptone bar he eode : for holi churche to f^te. U Eram seint Andreues pis holi man : of Norehamptone he wende With a frere of Semplingham : are god pane dai heom sende. 1116 Fiue and twenti mile he wende : to pe toune of graham Are he stunte in anie stude : with pe frere of Sempringham — Al North-ward he drou 3 him furst : a-wei al fram pe se, Jp at pe kinges Men ne scholden him finde : to nimen ne for-to sle. Sethpe he wende fram graham : fiue and tuenti Mile al-so to pe toun 1 of lincolne : are he wolde reste i-fo. 1 added later. 1122 Jpene moruwe ope seint lucus day — : tiwes-dai it was po, he departede fram pe kingus court : with much seoruwe and wo 1 ; 1 ms. we his wei pane wodnes-n^t : out of pe toune he nam ; [foi. 73 b.] Sone morewe pene pores-dai : to lincolne he cam : 1126 At one follares house : his In he nam r^t pare . 1 1 bare corr. ere And bi n^te euere he eode is wei : pat he a-waited ne ware. 1128 At lincolne he dude him into watere : are god pane dai sende, And pane fridai fourti mile : al bi watere he wende, to pe Ermitage of Sempling-ham : pat a-midde pe watere is ; BEKET ESCAPES FROM ENGLAND, AND IS ROWED TO GRAVENING 139 IN FLANDERS. HE IS WEARY, AND IN POOR ESTATE. And pare he bi-lefde al hardiliclie : pre dawes, i-wis. 1132 And sethpe he wende to seint botulf : pat was heonnes ouer ten mile : J)are he dude him eft In-to watere : and cam in a luytel 3 wile to pe hous of hauer-holt : pat of Simpling-ham is — j)e frere him ladde hi pulke house : pe sikerore to beon, i-wis. 1136 Fram pannes he wende to eistrepe 1 : his 0 maner with r^te, x r. estreye j)e Erchehischopes of kaunterburi : ^if he hadde ani m^te ; jpare he was nei 3 pe se i-nov 3 : he a-bod wel pere And a-waitede is point to passi ouer : 3 wane hit best tyme were. IT Seue-ni 3 t he bi-lefde pare : for-to alle soulene dai ; In A Chaumbre r^t bi pe churche : dai 3 and n^t he lai, 1142 ))at no man no scholde him onder^ite : ne i-war of him beo ; J 50 TO 3 pe churche he made an hoi : pe sacringe for-to seo 1144 And for-to heren pare is masse — : and Men pat to churche come ISTusten nou 3 t pat he was so nei 3 : ne per-of heo ne token none gome. An alle soulene dai, pene tywesdai 3 : are god pene dai sende, he bi-tok god al holi churche : and In-to pe se he wende. 1148 heo roweden forth al pane dai : and a- 3 en pe eueninge hi-sides ane hauene heo a-riueden : pat men cleopez graueninge, In Flaundres, ase god it wolde. : bote hors ne hadde he non : ))is holi man al a-fote : forth is wei gan gon. 1152 p>at no man ne scholde him knowe : pe Ahite of frere he nam And al-so a frere forth he eode : po he to Flaundres cam. blac was is cope a-boue : is Cuyrtel 3 wijt blaunket; Opon is rugge is cope he bar : 3 if he m^te go pe bet. 1156 ])q reyn was gret and suype st[r]ong : and pe wei ful deop : Swipe weri was pe holi man : onnepe he bar up is fet. he was so trauailled In pe weie : and in pe se bi-fore, )?at he sat a-doun and ne m^te no fer : bote he were i-hore. 1160 \)o wende forth a man, pat with him eode : and huyrde him a mere, For an Englichs peni, with an haltre : pis holi man to here. J)e holi Man is elopes tok : and op-on pe Mere heom caste, And werth op a-houe alle is elopes : and rod him forth wel faste. H Allas pat suyeh a noble man : vuele was it is ri^te So febleliche ouer lond to wende — : wel muche is godes m^te ; 1166 Yuele was it is r^te to gon a-fote : opur ope swuch a best to ride — 140 BEKET CALLS HIMSELF “ FRIAR CHRISTIAN,” BUT IS RECOGNIZED IN ONE HOUSE. holi churche he a-bo^te deore : fat men tellez of wel wide ! 1168 With one haltre ope fe mere : forth rod fis holi man As f ei it were a frere, and let him cleopie : frere cristi an ; [foi. 74] For he nolde nou 3 t lie : fat cristian he was, And he was a-drad to beon i-knowe : 3 : f man cleopede him thomas. At one gode mannes house : his In a-n^t he nam ; At f e hordes ende he sat : Ase vuele it him bi-cam, 1174 And al with-Inne seten is men : as f ei he lowest were. his oste nam wel gode 3 eme : hov heo heom alle here. 1176 he tok kepe of fe holi man : fat sat atfe hordes ende, hou milde he was a-mong alle : and mest corteis and hende, And hou hendeliche he delde is mete : heom fat bi-fore him stode, And hov luytel he .et. him-selue : with wel simple mode; 1180 his limes al-so he bi-heold : hou faire heo weren and freo, j)e hondene faire and longe fingres : fairore ne m^ten none heo ; his face was brod and long al-so : his fore-heued large i-nov 3 : And euere mest bi-fore alle of ere : is heorte to him drou;. 1184 U Of fe Erchebischope of Caunterburi : he gan him vnderstonde, J}at it was couth ouer-al aboute : fat he was i-wend out of londe : his heorte him bar fat it was he. : In gret studie he was i-brou 3 t ; he rounede in is wiues ere : and tolde hire al is foi^t. 1188 his wijf after fulke tyme : fat sofe al-so foi^te : heo bi-gan to serui f is holi man : and deintef es to him brou 3 te, Applene. & peoren. and notes also : and fondede in alle manere A-mong alle fis ofur men : to gladien wel fene frere; 1192 heo bi-lefde to serui alle fe ofere : and opon him was al hire fou 3 f . Seint thomas it vnder^at : and fare-with ne paide him nou 3 t. So fat he bi-heold a-boute : a-non after soper, Wel mildeliche he bad is oste : for-to comen him ner 1196 And to sitte bi him a-doun : for solaz, one stounde. “A, sire, merci,” quad fis oste : “ Ichulle sitte on fe grounde, And sat him a-doun at is fet. : seint thomas him bad arise. “Certes, sire,” quad fis oste : “ I-nelle In none wise. 1200 U Nolde god fat ich bi fe sete ! : mi louerd, i-hered fou beo, Jpat In mine house fov scholdest come : and fat ich fane dai rn^te l-seo. BEKET TAKES REFUGE IN THE ABBEY OF ST. BERTIN. THE 141 KING’S DEPUTIES COME TO THE KING OF FRANCE. “ Luyte deinte,” quat seint thomas : “ of a swuch pouere man, Of swuch a frere ase ick am : i-cleoped frere cristian.” 1204 “ Sire, fin ore,” quat h J>is oste : “ wel ich onderstonde, ))ov art Erchebiscliop of Caunterburi : i-wend out of engelonde.” “ 3wy seistfov so V’ quad seint thomas : “ fov hauest selde i-se^e Jpene Erchebischop of caunterburi : wende in swuche manere bi weie ! ” “ Sire,” quad fie oste, “ fov it art : al-so me seith mi jjou^t, And ich bidde fe for fe loue of god : ne with-sak it a-^ein me nou^t.” J^is holi man him bi-fou^te : fat of ur he moste lie 1 MS - heo 2 ouf»S&° r Ofur beo bi-knowe fat he 1 it was : so heo gonnen on heom 2 crie. Ate laste he was a-knowe : ake with him a-morewe he nam his oste, fat he ne scholde him wrei^e : forto he aftur 1 weie cam. 1214 to [f e] Abbeie of seint Bertin : f is holi man i-wende, 1 r. a fer [foi. 74 b.] And fare he bi-lefde : forto ore louerd ofur grace him sende. — Jpe bischopus of engelonde : and fe barones al-so, toward fe court of rome he 0 wenden : heore erinde forto do. 1218 to fe kinge of Fraunce heo comen : and lettres with heom here fram fe king of engelond : fat fus muche an Engliscli were : 1220 “to is louerd f on .13 godes grace : sire lowis fe kinge, henri king of engelonde : sende loue and gretinge. U Thomas, fat Erchebischop was : of caunterburi bi-fore, Out of mine londe he is i-wend : ase mi traitore and for-suore. 1224 J)are-fore ase min erf eliche louerd : ich bidde f e bi mine sonde, J)at fov ne sufifri nou 3 t fat he beo : Irecetted In fine londe.” ]) o fis king fis bone i-heorde : ane 3 wile in foi^te he stod. “ Certes,” he seide, “ ase me finchez : fis bone nis no-fing god. 1228 So strong f eof nis non in engelonde : 3 if he in Fraunce come, J?at he ne m^te In Fraunce duelle : ase heo doth i-lome ; And wel rafur scholde a suych hei 3 man : ne come he no so sone. Ake nofur ich ne f e king of engelonde : with ore biscliopes nabbez to done ; 1232 For mine biscliopes with holi churche : heore wille ich late heom do, And fairore were fe kinge anouri him : and late him i-worfe also.” U Xe rn^ten fis hei^e men of him : non ofur word a fonge ; So fat he 0 wenden forth heore wei : f 0 heo hadden a-bide longe. Maister herebard of Boseham : and ofure sethf e i-wende 142 beket’s messengers come to the french king AND TO THE POPE. to J>e kinge lowis of Fraunce : ase seint thomas liim sende, And tolden f>e kinge of al J?e wo : J>at seint tliomas hadde with WOU3. joe king weop, Jjo lie i-heorde j?is : and made deol inou^, 1240 And tolde heom hov ])e kingus men : at him weren bi-fore, And ^wucb ansuere he heom ^af : J?at heore [wei] 1 was for-lore. iom. jois gode men with ioie inov : heore leue of him heo nome, And pannes heo wenden sone i-nou^ : to j?e court of rome. 1244 J^are neren heo noi^t faire onder-fonge : for Jje bischopes comen bi-fore And desclaundreden seint thomas : J>at he was fals and for-suore. Ake na)?eles J)e grace heo hadden : £at to J ?e pope heo mi3ten go. him-sulue heo tolden in priuete : al seint thomases wo : 1248 Of J>e status of clarindone : hou heo furst forth come, And hou he was i-brou3t at norehamptone : bi-fore J>e kinge to dome, And hov he wende out of engelonde : In muchele miseise and wo, And al-hov he chaungede is name : Jje sikerloker forto go. 1252 papa. U j)e pope bi-gan to siche sore : and 1 with ful dreori Jio^t, 1 ai. om. j)e teres fullen out of is e^ene : he ne m^te witli-holden heom nou3t, he ))onkede god J>at swuch a prelat : under him moste beo, 1255 So studefast to holi churclie : and J>at lie m^te Jjane dai i-seo. — A-morewe comen Jris bischopes : and J?e eorles also, To procuri seint thomas al Jjat vuel : j?at heo m^ten do ; bi-fore pe pope, ase [he] sat : ful nobleliche heo come, And bi-fore )>e cardinales : and al J?e court of rome. [foi.75] 1260 bi-gan formest to telle is tale : a^ein seint thomas. he stod up bi-fore al )>e court : “ beu pere,” a-non he seide, “ To J?e we comietli to make ore mone : of strong lif ]?at we ledez. Ower r^te it is up to holde : alle ]?at guode beoth, And foies to bringuen of heore folie : 3wane 3e heom i-seoth. 1266 A destaunce J>are is i-sproungue : li3tliche in Engelonde, Jjat destourbez al j?at lond : with onr^te, ich onder-stonde. 1268 Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is al a3ein ore wille, Folliche he bi-gan In engelonde : holi churche for- to spille, And to bi-nime j>e kynge is fraunchise : and is r^tes also. 1271 Ake be ne in^te us make for no-)>ing : concenti jjer-to. 1 1 THE BISHOPS BRING THEIR CAUSE BEFORE THE POPE. THE EARL OF ARUNDEL’S SPEECH. 143 And for wrathpe pat we nolden . alle is wille do, Op-on us he caste is owene gult : and opon pe kinge also. And atpe laste, ase J?ei it were : Jmt lond forto blende, po noman ne dude him strencpe : of londe he gan i-wende : 1276 for men nusten no^t pe sope : pat heo scholden onder-stonde jpat pe king him dude onri^th : and driue him out of londe.” po he hadde al is tale i-told : and i-maked is grete wise, he sat a-doun; an pe bischop of chichestre : sone gan op a-rise. U “ bev pere,” he seide to pe pope : 11 me pinchez it fallez to pe To on-don eeh ping pat fallez to harme : In pe communaute, 1282 pat o Man ne beo i-soffred : to gon forth mid is wille, to bring al pat lond to schame : and holi churche to spille. 1284 JOat hath pe Erchebischop i-pou 3 t : and pat is i-sene, i-wis, 3 wane ech man of al pat lond : faste a-^ein him is.” H pe Erchebischop of Euerwike : po he is tyme i-sei}, Aros op and bi-gan to telle : is tale al on he^. 1288 “ Sire,” he seide, “ no man ne knoweth : so wel ase ich do J^ene Erchebischop of Caunterburi : ne pe bischopriche al-so. pe Erchebischop is willesful : and ^wane he is alles i-brou 3 t In ani wille pat is luytel wuyrth : he nele bi-leue it nou 3 t; 1292 pat man ne may for no-ping : bringe him of is pou 3 t. he is noupe In swuyche folie — : pat we habbeth deore a-bou 3 t ; l^tliche he is pare-Inne i-come : ake he it nele lete neuere mo, bot 3 e poru 3 ower pouwer : bringe us out of wo.” 1296 Hi “ Sire,” quath pe bischop of eccetre : baldeliche he spac po, “ })is cas 3 e moten a-mendi sone : hov-so it euere go. j And 3 e ne leuen noi^t pe sope : pat men doth ov to onder-stonde, iSend with us fot with fot : ane legat in-to Engelonde, 1300 i And lat him of-gropi pe sope pere : and pare-after pu lat him wurche. for-sope, bote 3 e paron 1 penche : 3 e schendez holi churche.” 'ai. o\>er U pe Eorl of Arundel aros op po : a man of gret dignete. i“ Sires,” he seide, £< for godes 1 loue : ane stounde lierkneth me ! 1304 pe lewede Men pat here beoth : pat ne connen latin non, 1 ms. guodes jWe ne onder-stondez nou 3 t : of pat 3 e habbez i-told ech-on ; [foi.75b.] Ake In langage pat we conne : swuche men ase we beoth, hei 3 e barouns and noble km^tes : ase 3 e noupe i-seoth, epi scopus Chichestrie. Archiepiscopus Eboiacensis. episcopus Exou'. Comes Aronde?£e 1308 144 THE POPE DECLINES TO SEND A LEGATE TO ENGLAND BEFORE HEARING BEKET. U Tellen ichulle for us alle : ^wy we beoth liidere i-wend. For ore louerd pe king of Engelonde : b at hauez us hidere i-send to schewi furst pe reuerence : and grete loue also bat he hath to eov i-bore : and euere he penchez to do ; 1312 And pare-of he sent pe word bi us : ase we bi-fore pe stondez, Eorles, barones, and bischopes : pe hexte of pe londe — 3 if he hadde ani herre i-haued : hidere he hadden i-wend. Ake to one so he^e court ase peos is : he hath us hidere i-sent, 1316 to schewi eov furst in his name : J?at, also wid ase pe world is, So trewe prince nis onder god : ne pat so muche ov loueth, i-wis, Ne pat so muche Anoureth holi churche : and euere hath i-do. j)e Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is a noble man also, 1320 J)at, ^if omanere of him nere : ase ich me onder-stonde, bare nere no lond In cristinedom : a-^einest engelonde , 1 1 ms. engeionge Ne holi churche so wel i-wust : and i-schild fram ech W0113, Onder noble prince and prelat : bope guode men i-nou}. 1324 Ake pes tliomas, pis guode Erchebischop : so hath a luyte wille, bat muchel a-peirez his guodnesse : and bi-guynneth pat lond to spille. his wille is suych pat, ^wane he is : icomen in foie po^t , 1 1 he nele poru 3 conseil ne poru^ no rerd : parof beo i-brou 3 t. 1328 In swuche folie he is noupe i-come — : ore louerd is poi^t wende ! bote men mouwen is poi^t wenden : pat lond he wole al schende. bare-for mi louerd pe king ov bit : pat 3 e with us sende Ane legat into engelonde : to ofgropi al pen elide, 1332 Opur certus he is ope pe poynte : al pat lond to spille ; And pat 3 e him chasti poru 3 r^te lawe : & bi-nime him is foie wille.” Of alle pe clerkes pat pare seten : non of heom par nas bat ne preisede muche pis he^e man : for he so renable was. 1336 U “ Louerdingues,” quath pe pope : “wel we onder-stondez i-nou 3 bat [ 30 ] to-ward pe Erchebischop tellez : with r^te opur with W 0 U 3 . Ake we ne mouwen par-of non dom 3 iue : bote him-sulue here were, Eor we ne mo wen bi-hinden him no Iuggement 3 yue : ne no r^t i-wis it nere.” 1340 U “ Sire,” quath pe Eorl of Arundel : “ 3 e moten bet onder-stonde. A certein dai us is i-set : to come in-to engelonde, BEKET, HELPED BY THE FRENCH KING, COMES 145 TO ROME. And pane dai ne dorre we nou^t breke : for ore louerd pe kingue. Jpare-fore moten us grace don : sumdel of pis pinge : 1344 3e moten, ^if it is ower wille : ane legat wis 1 us sende, 1 r. wiz And pene Erchebischope hoten also : to Engelonde i-wende ; And ase pe legat pare enquereth : par-aftur he mai do.” H “Certes, ben frere,” quat pe pope : “ I-nelle nou^t take on so. 1348 3wane pe erchebischop hidere comez : I-not $wat lie wole telle ; J?are-fore are ich i-heore him speke : no-ping don par-of i-nelle.” “ Certes, sire,” seide pis opur : “ we ne dorren a-bide nou^t.” “ Nov de pardeus,” quath pe pope : “ doth ase $e habbetli i-pou^t ! ” 1 J)is opure weren wrope i-nou^. : wel faire heore leue heo nome 1 [foi. 76.] And wenden heom forth in grete wrathpe : And to londone heo come. — 1354 Seint Thomas was po In Flaundres : In huydinge ase pei it were, In pe Abbeie of seint Bertyn : and longe he hadde i-beo pere. 1356 Atpe laste he aros bi ni^te : and out of Flaundres wende A1 priueliche In-to Fraunce : ase ore louerd him grace sende. j)e king of Fraunce pat was po : louwis guod and hende, heorde telle of pis lioli Man : he let sone after him sende. 1360 ])o pis holi Man to him cam : gret Ioye he gan him make, And het him in eclie stude opon is lond : j-nov^ of his take, U to spene to him and alle his : ^ware-so heo euere come. Nolde seint tliomas nou^t a-bide : are he come to route. 1364 j)e king him fond spence i-nov^ : to him and alle his, And sende with him guod conduyt : to bringe him pare, i-wis. IT po seint thomas to Rome cam : faire he was onder-fonge ; And sumdel pe pope was anuyd : pat he hadde i-beo so longe. 1368 Men a-coupeden him of pulke trespas : pat pe bischopes tolden er, And beden him ansuerie for is stat : and aleggi pare-fore per. Seint thomas wolde op arise : Men beden him sitte a-doun, And he bigan a-godes name : and sehewede pis reson. 1372 “ Sire,” he seide, “ ich am I-maked : pei ich onwuyrth beo, to wardi pe churche of Caunterburi : ase mowen iseo. J?ulke churche was i-woned to beo : Ase lauedi, and schynde wide j bri^te ase pe sonne a-mong alle opure : of al pe west-side. 1376 \)g sonne pat was erore so cler : deork heo is bi-come, LEGENDS OF SAINTS. L 146 beket’s defence moves the pope to tears, he resigns his ARCHBISHOPRIC TO THE POPE. brode cloude and strongue i-nou^ : pat 1 hire li^t habbeth bi-nome ; Ouer-cast heo is with J»is cloudeno : pat heo ne 3 ifth lij^t non ^m.jjat? And alle pe churchene of Engelonde : deorke beoth ech-on. 1380 Jpe kyng, pat hire scholde np-holde : he bi-nimez al hire r^te And ase pe cloudene hire ouer-cast : pat heo ne mai no leng l^te. Ich pat scholde hire wardein beo : pare^ein ich mot f^te And stonde a 3 en and with-segge : pe lupere costomes bi al mi m^te. For pei ich hadde a povsend liues : ase ich nabbe bote on, iapur pane ich it polie wolde : 3 yue ich wolde ech-on. 1386 )pe costomes a 3 en holi churche : pat pe king hath forth i-brou 3 t, here 3 e mouwen lieom i-heore : 3 if heo buth to graunti ou 3 t.” 1388 H J?is holi man bi-gan to rede pe lupere lawene : ase he heom hadde i -write ; he wep pat pe teres ornen a-doun : pat deol it was to wite. be pope and alle is cardinales : pat se^en him wepe so sore And heordene alle pe lupere lawene : heo ne m^ten for-bere non- more, 1392 Ake bi-gonnen to wepe faste ech-one : and hereden god al-so bat heo mi 3 ten finde a swuch prelat : ouer holi churche i-do, bat holi churche so heold to r^te : and ne soffrede no W 0 V 3 ; heo ponkeden god of swuch a Man ; and honoureden himinov 3 . 1396 be pope het is clerkes alle : pat 1 poru 3 al cristindome [foi. 76 b.] 1 om. J>at? bat heo wit-seiden suyche lupere lawes : 3 \vare-so huy euere come, And 1 pat heo neren i-soffrede noi^ware : hov-so heo comen to ende, And pat heo 3 euen heore lijf pare-fore : rapur pane holi churche schende. 1 om. And 1400 Tiiomas bo spac eftsone seint thomas : wepinde swype sore : “ I-nabbe noi^t,” he seide, “ so muche wo : pat i-nere wurpe wel more. For poru 3 strencpe of eorpeliche manne : In pis pouwer ich am i-do, Ake ich me dre Je a- 3 en godes wille it be : for onwuyrth ich am par-to ; bare-fore ore louerd for r^te wreclie : vuel biginninge me detli sende, And ich drede for mine wrechche gultes : pat worse worth pe ende. bare-fore, pat holi churche : ne beo to grounde i-brou 3 t For mine sunnes and for mine onm^te : pat I-ne may hire wardi noi^t, 1408 Ich 3 elde ov op here pe biscliopriclie — : an oper 3 e moten pare do THE POPE REINSTATES BEKET AS ARCHBISHOP, AND SENDS HIM 147 FOR A TIME TO PONTIGNI. HIS PENANCE THERE. mowe bet loki holi churche : for onwuyrth ich am farto.” !I his Ryng he 11am and bi-tok f e pope : and op ^eld fe bischopriche. J?e pope swife deolfulliche : and wel Inliehe bigan to siehe. 1412 jjerof conseillede al fe court : ^wat fe beste red were : to laten him witien holi churche : ofur to don a-nojmr fere. lt Me f inchez,” quath a cardinal : “ In swuch cas ase noufe is, best it were to don an ofur : In his stude, i-wis, 1416 Forto paien bet fe kinge : and swucfli] cas mi^te bi-falle [}at fe kyng wolde a-swagi and bi-leue : is lufere lawene alle. 1418 For betere it were In faire manere : lio-so it mi^te to ende bringue, }3ane contec arere In swuche londe : and nameliche a^en f e kingue. And man mi^te purveien fis gode manne : an al-so guod ase fat is. I-ne wot 3\vat conseil 3e wollez rede : for i-chulle reden fis.” ])o seide an ofur cardinal : “ Ine rede noi^t so, i-wis, For fat wolde 3iuen men an-saumple : al dai to don a-mis ; 1424 For 3 wane f e king were wroth with ani biseliop : for anie cunnes f inge, to don fane bischop a-non a-doun : fe mo vuele lawene he wolde bringe, And fanne were holi churche i-schend : fat lauedi scholde be. For fis red me finchez feble : a betere 3e moten bi-seo.” ])e pope nam fo seint tliomas : and tok him a^ein is ring, to bi-leue erchebischop forth : and stable foru3 alle fing, studefastliche to holden up : al-holi churche r^te, And he him wolde a3en ech man : lrelpen bi is mi3te ; Ake he ne scholde nou3t fe 3eot : to engelonde wend[e], Ake a-bide betere grace of fe king : 3if god it wolde sende. To fe grete Abbeie to pountenie : forto soriourni fere, he sende fis holi Man : for-to it betere were. With luytel folk and luytel aise : fare he dude bi-Lue, For he nadde him-sulf nou3t to spene : bote ase heo him 3eue. his men he bro3te In seruise : heore m te to Wynne fere, And him-sulf he was al one nei'3 : fei he hei3 Man were. 1440 hard lijf he ladde i-nov3 ! : And he hadde of harde here Schuyrte and brech streit i-nov3 : h ai *dore neuere nere ; [foi. 77] J)e strapeles weren swif e streite : with mani a knotte al-so ; A-non to is fies fe schuyrte tilde : fe brech r^t to is to ; 1444 l 2 1428 papa. 1432 1436 148 KING HENRY BANISHES BERET’S KIN, AND MAKES THEM SWEAR TO GO TO BEKET. NO PRAYERS ARE TO BE SAID FOR HIM. fie knottes gnowen al is fleclis : a-boute bi ecbe side. SwiJ?e on-aisi was is brecb : a-boute for-to ride ; barde 11113 te ^ ie sitte a-doun : and barde ligge al-so. Louerd, deore a-bou 3 te he heuene : wel au 3 te he come j>er-to ! — 1448 U fie bischopes of Engelonde : J?at a^ein him weren at rome, fie Eorles and pe o)?ere lie^e Men : po beo to Engelond come, heo tolden pe kinge al heore cas : hov beo hadde i-sped. fio was |)e king bojje sori and wroth : pat be was nei 3 a-wed. 1452 “A,” he seide, “ jhlke traitour : Jiat ich habbe forth i-broi^t, J)at be me scbal swuch schame don noujje ! : Ine may it Jmlie nou 3 t. And he flen 3 tb 1 out of londe : J>at Ine may to him come, n. flench? I-cbulle me of is cunne a-wreke : lieo scliullen a-bugge some.” 1456 be let secbe out clene al is kun : and is ojmr frend ech-on : Ovt of Engelonde be let heom driue : pat J>are ne moste leue non, Sike ne feble, . 3 ung ne old : ne womman pat was with cliilde, Ne pe children ]?at soukinde weren : — mucbe was be on-milde ! 1460 In hire Armes pe moder bar Jiat child : and In heore wombene some. }?are hadde pe king, ase me jflnchez : a feble wreclie i-nome ! I-liarlede heo weren in grete Miseise : out of londe, alas ! Ech guod man hadde revjie of heom : pat heorden of pat cas, 1464 And seiden stilleliche bi-twene heom : J?at he a lujmr king was. Mo luj?ere dedene pe king bi-]) 0 U 3 te : 3 eot ope seint thomas : ) 3 eos Men pat he of londe drof : were heom lef ojnir loth, Ech aftur ojmr he made heom swerie : opon a boke gret otb 1468 fiat heo ne scliolden in none stude : bi-leue none stounde Are heo to pe Ercliebischope comen : 3 ware-so heo him founden, And tellen him fore hov heo weren : out of londe i-brou 3 t, to bringue him jn pe more sor : ^if heo m^ten tuyrne is J)ou 3 t. 1472 U 3 eot pe king bi-J) 0 U 3 te a lujjer dede : more ope seint thomas : he for-bed J>oru 3 al Engelond : ase fer ase his pouwer was, J 5 at no man ne scholde for him bidde : In churche ne elles 3 ware, Ase men doth noujie for Erchebischopes : and habbez i-don wel 3 are. Louerd, muche was pe schame po : )>at lioli churche bi-tidde, 3 wane heo ne moste a-mong ojmr men : for so holi a man bidde ! — fiat folk of seint thomas kunne : wel Jncke a-bouten him drou 3 — Aldai heo weren i-flemde for him — : In miseise and soruwe i-nou 3 ; BEKET AND HIS KIN ARE AT FIRST SUPPORTED ABROAD, BUT KING 149 HENRY FORCES THE CISTERCIANS TO DISMISS BEKET FROM PONTIGNI. Heo weopen and criden deolfulliclie : and tolden him al heore cas, hov heo weren for him defoulede : and ^wuch hore soruwe was. Seint thomas hi-heold heom deolfolliche : and bi-gan to siche sore ; And euere he maked 0 fair semhlaunt : to conforti heom pe more, And seide pis word to gladie hem : pat men onder-stoden wel longe : “ Ech lond,” he seide, “is owene contreie : to pulke f>at beoth stronge” — - Ase Man fiat seith, J>ei ^e beon here : In vnkoupe londe i-broi^t, 1 3 if ^e beoth stronge in godes la we : it ne schal ov greui non^t. 1488 Alle fie hei^e. men of pe londe : pat heorden of pat cas, p foi. 77 b.] Corseden pe kinge, and seiden al-so : pat he a lupur man was. jois selie men a-boute men nomen : for loue of seint thomas And founden heom liflode i-nou^ : pat in miseise neuer on nas. — ])o peos tipinges to pe kingue : of Engelonde cam 1493 pat pis folk was wel onder-fonge : gret deol to him he nam. “ Certes,” he seide, “ ^wane I-ne may : in pis manere is heorte bnye, In more miseise ichulle him bringe : pat is lijf him schal a-nuye.” U Greye Monekes of Cistevs : fram ^ere to ^ere 1497 A Chapitre makeden generale : of Abbodes pat pere were ; Eor euerech Abbod of greie Monekes : to pulke chapitle cam With-Inne ]>re ^er, 1 ase [huy] ^uyt doth : poru^ al c?^‘stindom. 1500 ])o pe chapitle plenere was : pudere pe king sende 1 ai. aterme to pe Abbotus alle plenereliche : pat to pulke chapitle wende, And sende heom word pat him po^te wunder : more pane i-nou} )?at heo wolden him so muche do : on-kuynde dedes and WOU 3 1504 for-to susteiny is wiperwyne : a-mong heom and is fo In pe house of pounteneye : pat bim^te him in swuch wo ; And bote heo wolden him bi-leue : and ne susteyni him non-more, Alle pe greye Monekes of Engelonde : a-bugge it scholden sore; 1508 For heo susteineden is fo : ne 1 wonder he seide it nere ir.no J2ei he awreke him of pat hous : pat ine his londe were. p)o peos lettres to Cisteus : a-mong pis Abbotes come, Of pe pretningue heo dradden heom sore : and conseil parof heo nome. So pat heo beden seint thomas : his heste forto do, For heo ne dorsten nou 3 t a 3 en pe kingus wille : non-more holden him so. 1514 j)o seint thomas pis i-heorde : he gan forto siche sore, 150 K. LEWIS STANDS BY BEKET, WHO HAS A VISION OF HIS COMING MARTYRDOM. BEKET GOES TO SENS. And bad Ihesu crist him helps po : and erode him milce and ore. Thomas. IT “ Louerdingns, $e pat habbez me : I-susteyned mani a day 1517 In mine grete neode, Ihesu crost it ov ^elde : pare ich mi-sulf ne nmi. king pretnez ov so faste : pat ^if 1 ^e holdez me here ou 3 t longe : 3 if crist 'wole, 30 ne schullen neuere : for me harm a-fongue; 1 r. 3 if J?at ? 3ware-so ich euere mai on eorpe beo : fram eov ichulle wende, 1521 Joat 30 ne beon for me a-peirede — : ore louerd is grace me sende. J?at ^e habbeth on me i-spend : after me cometh on ))at swype wel it wole 1 a-quiten : hou-so it euere gon . 2 1 ° le For ich mai 3 uyt mine mete bidde : I-nam nou^t to guod per-to, 1525 Ore louerd pat fedeth pe wilde bestes and foules : he mai me fede al-so. Ake hov-so it euere of me bi-come : god, 3 d it is his wille, liolde up pe ri 3 tes of holi churclie : pat heo fulliche naspille.” 1528 Ase pis holi man in poi^te stod : 3 wodere he mi 3 te wende, \)q king of Fraunce, pat was so guod : sone he gan him word sende j ) at he wolde bi-leue op-on is londe — : 3 ware is heort best drou 3 Cheose he him-sulf, and he wolde : finden him spense i-nou 3 . [foi. 78] For it is soth i-seid, 3 wane a man is : In mest soruwe and teone, Jjanne is ore louerdes grace next — : ase it was pare i-sene. 1534 U ])is holi man nam is leue pare : mildeliche and softe, And sore wcpinde he wende forth : he 30 xede and s^te wel ofte. 1536 Abbas )Pe Abbot of pounteneye : sumdel forth-ward him brou 3 te, ponten. Axede him 3 \vi he were : In so deolfule pou 3 te. u Ichulle pe telle,” quath seint thomas : “ 3 wi ich carie so — bot pat pov ne telle no man fore : are mine ende-day beo i-do ! 1540 Ich am siker pat i schal 3 eot : deie in Martyrdom, sompnium. Forto-n^t ase ich was a-slepe : a wonder 1 metinge me com. IT In pe churclie of Caunterburi : me poi^te i stod, i-wis, 1 ms. 3 <>nder And striuede for holi churche : a 3 en pe kinge and his : 1544 \)o comen pere four kn^tes gon : and smiten me opon pe croune Ech after opur, pat mi brayn : schedde al a-brod pare doune. For [me] noupe 1 ich ponki Ihesu crist : pat i schal de^en so, 1 ai. me Ake for mine Men i siche sore : I-not 3 wat heo schullen do.” 1548 JAs holi man wende forth : In care and deol bi w r ei 3 e, Forto he cam to senouns : twelf mile fram pounteneie. K. HENRY GOES TO FRANCE, AND K. LEWIS TRIES TO RECONCILE 151 HIM AND BEKET AT A CONFERENCE (AT GISORS). U J)are he bi-lefde In soiourninge : alf e ^vile J?at he wolde, ad Senon*. And fe king him fond to spene i-nov^ : of seluer and of golde. 1552 J^is guode Man bi-lefde fere : In pais and reste i-nov} ; An euere he carede for holi churche : fat fe king dude hire W0113. he sende to f e kinge of Engelonde : fat he scholde late beo stille And lie weorri non more op-on holi churche : 3 H it were is wille. 1556 Sone fas 1 fe king of Engelonde : ase is wille him 11 am, 1 ai. seM>e Ouer se wende, ase god it wolde : and in-to Fraunce he cam. H ])a king of Eraunce was a-boute : 3 if god wolde him grace sende, A-cordi him and seint thomas : 3 if he mi^te it bringe to ende. 1560 So fat heo weren to-gadere i-brou^t : at one dai^e I-set. Seint thomas cam bi-fore fe king : and ase is louerd him gret, And to is fet fel a-kne : he wep and cride is ore, “haue reufe of holi churche : and ne weorre fov hire non-more, 1561 And fine wille i-chulle do : ase ich seide er, bi mine mi^te, Saue mine louerdes honur : and holi churche r^te.” H \)& king makede him wroth i-nov} for fat word : ase he hadde ofte i-beo. “ Novfe ^e movwen,” he seide, “ ech-one : his falshede i-seo, 1568 For man 1 ne m^te don ope is 2 worde : nofing a 3 en is wille J ® f | 3 at he ne wolde segge fat icholde : al-holi churche spille 3 a j. i C Aud fat it 3 were a 3 en godes lawe — : and In swyche manere he m^te jOat lond destourbi and me bi-nime : mi fraunchise and mi r^te. And gode bischopes fare habbez i-beo : bi-fore him ase [ 3 c] wyten, i-wis ; Ake, fat 3 e i-seon alle mine treowenesse : and fat al fe wronge is his : And 1 wiseste and fe beste bischopes : fat bi-fore him were, iaz.as}>e A^en f e meste foie kinge fat bi-fore me was : faire heo heom here : Do he al-so a 3 en me nouf e : and ich me pa^e wel i-nov 3 ; [foi. 78 b.] And 3 if he is a 3 en fis fourme : me finchez he hauez W 0 U 3 : 1578 Ofur him finchez fat neuere bischop : so wis ase he non nas, Ofur he me halt fe meste wrechche king : fat euere i-bore was.” 1580 U ])o seide fe king of Fraunce : and alle fat heorden fis : rex francie. “ Certes, fov bedest him loue i-nov 3 : al fat wrong is his.” H Seint thomas stod and bi-f ou 3 te him : and gan to siche sore, thomas. “ })ei ichabbe i-haued a-nuy : to come me is wel more. 1584 152 BEKET STOUTLY MAINTAINS THE CHURCH’S RIGHTS AGAINST K. HENRY. K. LEWIS GIVES BEKET UP. “ 3if f e bischopus,” he seide, “ bi-fore me : hadden i-do heore m^te, hit ne hadde i-beo non 1 neod fare-fore : to contecki ne to f^te, 1 r. nou? For are fis it were stable i-nov 3 : foru^ gode mannes s^te. Houfe god for is grace : sende holi churclie hire ri^te ! 1588 For fat fe bischopus bifore me weren to nesche : ase ich nouf e i-finde, pe studefastore i mot beo : of ur it worth al bi-hinde. Ich wot wel fat lieo habbeth here-bi-fore : fe customes in engelonde .I.-vsed lieom al-to muche : holi cliurche to schonde; 1592 And f ei lieo habben i-beon suffred longe : and to custome i-drawe, pare ne may no man for-sofe segge : fat heo beoth r^t ne lawe. For ore louerd louez r^t and sothnesse : and none vuele costomes, i-wis, And fat he scliewez wel bi o word : fat In fe godspel is : 1596 For ore louerd euenez him- self : to sothnesse fere, Ake he ne eueneth him in none stude : to costome fat a 3 ein fe r^te were. pare-[fore] me finchez r^t it is : fat we to sothfnesse drawe, And destourbi fe vuele costomes : fat betli a- 3 ein fe lawe; 1600 pare-fore i-nelle none costomes : soffri bi mine m^te pat a 3 ein sothnesse beoth : and a-;en holi churche r^te.” here man mai i-se fat vuele lawes : no guod Man nele a-fonge, Ake destourbi heom mid al is m^te : fei heo habben i-beo i-ho-lde longe; 1601 For he fat sosteinez vuele lawes : ase wel he haueth sunne, "bote he heom a-legge ^if he may : ase he fat heom deth bi-gynne. — po fe king of Fraunce i-heorde : and ofure fat fare were, pat seint thomas ne dude f e kinges wille : no-f ing apayd heo nere. rex francie. % “ Sire bischop,” quath f e king of Fraunce : “ Ich i-seo wel novfe f i wrong : pe king fe beot loue i-nov : fet strif is nov on fe i-long. J r. wost 1610 Wolt 1 fov noufe is lawes him bi-nime : fat neuere him nere bi-nome, pe kingus heo[m] habbeth alle i-holde : fat bi-fore him habbeth i-come, gret Maister fov woldest a-londe beo : to muche were f i power, to muche ich habbe honouret fe : In mine londe her; 1614 bote Jrov suffri him is ri^te lawes : Ichulle bi-come fi fo, And 3 if we beoth fine fon bofe : I-not 3 wodere fov m^t go.” 1616 beket’s kinsmen lament their hard fate, he comforts 153 THEM, THOUGH HE EXPECTS TO BE ALSO BANISHED FROM FRANCE. U Seint thomas heold him euere In on. : fe kingues heom makeden wrofe-, And departede fram him 1 so : In grete wrath fie hope; 1 ms. heom huy fretneden and maden noyse i-nov : seint thomas heold him stille, Rafur he wolde deth a-fonge : fane folie heore lufere wille. 1620 Nov help crist seint thomas : for neode he hath fere-to ! .Nov bof e f e kingus beoth is fon : $ware may he nov go 1 [foi. 79 ] I-flemd be was out of Engelonde : and out of Frannce also. Alle is men maden deol i-nov : heo nusten $wat forto do, 1624 And nameliche is cunnes-Men : fat for him i-flemd were. “ Louerd,” beo seiden, “ alias, alias : fat we lifles nere ! For i-driue we beoth out of Engelonde : and nei^ of Fraunce al-so ; Louerd, :$wat scliolde more sorewe : fane us is i-come noufe to ? ” 1628 H Seint thomas made him glad i-nov : and confortede is men a-non ; “ betb stille,” be seide, “ makiez deol : neodeles noufe ecb-on ; ” And seide “ mouwen of-swinke ouwer mete : ase guode men doth mani on ; For beo ^e fram me, buy wollez beo ouwer freond : fat noufe boot ower fon. 1632 3 e ne habbez hate of no man : bote for me, with WOU 3 , And beo ye fram me i-wend : men wollez louien ov i-nou 3 .” “A, sire, merci,” fis ofure seiden : “we wuten wel al fis, For us-sulf nis us nou 3 t : bote for fe, i-wis ; 1636 We schullen wel noufe ore mete i-winne : ake we nuten 3 wat fov sclialt do, bote fov schulle for honger de^e. : louerd, 3 wefer fov schulle so!” “ Icb mai bidde mine mete,” quath seint thomas : “ for i-nam nou 3 t to guod f er-to ; Ore louerd it 3 elde heom alle fat ani guod : for bis loue me habbez 1 i-do. 1 r. wollez 1640 bi-twene borgoyne and prouence : ase men doth me onder-stonde, gvode men beoth and al-mes-fole : foru 3 kuynde of f e londe : 3 if I-ne mot In Fraunce beo : fudere ichulle i-wende And bidde mine mete for godes loue : 3 if he me wole it sende. 1644 3 eot sum 1 guod man me may i-seo : and it beo godes wille, 1 ms. sun 154 K. LEWIS CHANGES HIS MIND, BEGS BEKET’s PARDON, AND CON- TINUES TO HELP HIM. A SECOND CONFERENCE IS HELD IN VAIN. And habbe revfe of me and beon min help : fat miseise me ne spille.” His men for him and for hem 1 -sulf : makeden deol i-nov 3 ; 1 ms. him J)e guode man among al is wo : confortede heora and I 0 U 3 . 1648 Allas ]?e deol fat fare was : fat swuch an hei 3 man bi-tidde, } 3 at fe Erchebischop of Caunterburi : is mete scholde bidde ! Deore a-bou 3 te he holi churche : and holi churche r^te ! Wei au 3 te ech man here-after drede : a~ 3 en holi churche to f^te. — 1652 Ase ech man at ofur is leue nam : a-boute for-to wende, And fe holi man In his side : 3 wodere god him wolde sende, Jpare ase god wolde to bidde is mete : fort god him sende betere Avon, god sende is grace a-mong heom alle : fat sorie Averen ech-on. 1656 IT \)e kingus Messager of Fraunce : to seint thomas cam gon, And seide fat is louerd him bad : come to him a-non. IT Fort h Avende f is holi man : ake he nuste for 3 wuche f inge ; he tok him al-to godes Aville : and cam bi-fore fe kinge. 1660 IT A-non so fe king him sai 3 come : a- 3 en him he gan gon And ful a-doun to is fote a-kne : and cride him merci a-non ; “ blind,” he seide, “ ich habbe i-be : and fat novfe ich onder-stonde. Al mi lond to fine Aville : ich take fe an honde; 1664 j)e 3 \vule ich am in Fraunce king : ichulle finde fe i-nov 3 , For ich onder-stonde fe sofe noufe : fat fe king hath al fe AV0U3.” IT j)e king sende fis holi man a^en : to Senouns, i-Avis, [foi. 79 b.] And fond him fere spense i-nou 3 : him and alle his. 1668 More he dude is m^te 3 eot : and bi-tuene he sende is sonde For-to bringue a-cord bi-tAvene him : and fe kinge of enguelonde. At Momartre In Fraunce : fis dai Avas i-nome, Jjudere Averen fis kingues bofe : and seint thomas i-come. 1672 ])q king of Fraunce dude is m^te : fat heo weren to a-cord i-brou 3 t; Ake fo heo hadden to-gadere i-speke : al it was undo for nou 3 t : For fe king savoi* euere grete of us : fat a-cord he nolde non bote fe status of Clarindone : i-holde weren euerech-on ; 1676 And seint thomas swor fat hi is dai' 3 e : he nolde farof holde non, Raf ur he Avolde deth a-fonge : bote fare Avere ofur i-Avon. So fat heo dep’.rteden Avitli Avratlife : fo heo nolden non ofur do. Seint thomas bi-gan to siche sore : and Inliche Avep al-so, 1680 “Louerd,” he seide, “help me noufe : for fine swete fif Avounde, K. HENRY GOES BACK TO ENGLAND, AND HAS HIS SON CROWNED 155 BY THE ARCHB. OF YORK. THE POPE EXCOMMUNICATES ENGLAND. Ojmr holi churche is ope fe pointe : to beon i-brou^t to grounde.” Maister bernard of bosham : J»at 1 is . 0 . clerk was, ims. J>af In priueite bi-twene heom to : seide to seint thomas : 1684 “ Sire,” he seide, “ f e mount-martre : fis hul i-cleoped is Jpare ase ^e 1 habbez pais bi-speke : of holi churche i-wis : 1 ^e'je Se?e And ase fe name seith of fis hulle : ase ich donti in mi jmu^t, jporu^ fi martyrdom holi churche : worth formest to pais i-brou^t.” U Sore sichinde seint thomas seide : “god wolde fat it were so And J?oru 3 mine defe holi churche : Into r^t pais were i-do, 1690 And J>at ich hadde with mine blode : and with mine liue i-bou 3 t \) at heo were in ri 3 te lawe : and Into guod pais i-brou 3 t ! ” — ■ 1692 A^ein Midsomer it bi-ful : fat fe king him gan onderstonde And In wrathf e of seint thomas : wende In-to engelonde, For-to saisi sire henri is sone : mid al is kinedom And for-to crouny him — longe him fo^te : are he fare-to com. 1696 And is conseil seide fat it was : mest of alle f inge Holi churche and seint thomas : In vnr^te for-to bringe ; For fe Erchebischopes r^te it were : fat of Caunterburie is To crouny fene kyng of Engelonde : and non of ur bischop, i-wis. j)e king in preludice of him : and to bi-nimen him is ri^te. Let ofur bischopes crouni is sone : and [cud]de a luyte mi^te. 1702 U Four bischopus him crouneden : a- 3 en r^te and a^ein fe wone : J)e Erchebischop of Euerwyke : and fe bischop of londone 1704 And f e bischop of salesburi : and of roucestre al-so ; In seint peteres churche at west-Munstre : f eos dede was ido. ])q fader seruede fe sone : at fe mete a-dai, And with [f e] reaume saisede him : ase al fat folk i-sai. 1 708 ])e tyfingus of fusse f ingue : to seint thomas huy come : Of f ulke on-ri 3 te he sende sone : to f e court of rome. J?e pope him sende lettres a 3 en : and bulle fat he scholde A-mansi fe king and is conseil : 3 wuch tyme fat he wolde, 1 1712 And suspendi f e bischopes : fat swuch on-r^t duden fere, p m. so] And entre-diten al engelond : for-to it a-mendet were. IT Seint thomas heold fe lettres to him : for-to god him grace sende J?at he m^te him-sulf fe neodes 1 do : 3 wane he to engelond wende. — 3uyt cam king henri fe olde : eft-sone into Fraunce. 'ai. dede 156 BEKET AND K. HENRY ARE RECONCILED FOR A WHILE, BUT HENRY REFUSES TO RESTORE CHURCH LANDS, AND AVOIDS THE KISS OF PEACE. king of Fraunce was euere a-nuyd : of Jmlke desturbaunce 1718 And wende a-boute to makien a-cord : and bi-tweone he sende faste ; So J>at heo weren, ase god it wolde : a-cordut at-J?e laste. 1720 A-seinte Marie dai Maudeleyne : Idon was J>is dede, In ane Mede J?at men cleopiez 3uyte : “ J>e traitores mede ” — Al-so ferde Jmlke a-cord : ase J?e Mede i-cleoped was, For fer-aftur a luyte stounde : no-ping i-sene it nas. 1724 Muche heo speken In priueite : and in grete loue heo wenden a-two, And seint thomas wende pat pe king : al is wille wolde do. Maister herebard of boseham : to pe kinge he sone wende For pe foreward pat heo hadde bi-speke : ase seint thomas him sende, 1728 And bad him hote 3elde a-3en : ase forth ase he mi^te Jpat is baillifs in is bischopriche : nomen with onr^te. “ quath pe king, “ wolde he so 1 : 3eot he schal a-bide, Ichulle i-wite hov he wole him here : formest In ojmr side ; 1732 par-auntur so faire he may : here him a-3en me, Jpat ichulle 3elden him ech feorping. : pare-fore cheose he.” H Maister herebard wende a^ein : ant tolde seint thomas fore. “3e,” poi^te seint thomas : “pis pais is al-for-lore.” 1736 Sethpe seint thomas him-sulue : to pe kinge he wende, to speken more of pe a-cord : 3if he it m^te a-mende. p)e king him welcomede al l^tliche : ase he ne heolde nou3t per-to, And wende him forth to heren is masse : and seint thomas al-so. he was i-woned to habbe is masse : ase it ful to J?e da^, 1 1 ms. daqe And po he let singen him pe soule-masse : pat no-ping pare-to ne lai3, For he nolde nou3t atpe pe ] s : cussen seint thomas. \)q holi Man pou3te wel : 3wat pe Anchaisoun was. 1744 "Wei narewe pe king him gan bi-penche : to derne is lupere pou3t, Ake to him pat wot ech derne ping : Jung 1 it nas [to] hele nou3t. \)o J>e Masse was i-do : In conseil longue heo stode ; 1 om. J>ing Wel ofte pe king him opbraid : pat he dude him er of guode, 1748 And 3WUCI1 a I0V3 man he cam to him : and In 3wuche pouwer he him brou3te, And pat he ai^te vuele a^ein him beo : 3if he him wel bi-poi^te. So pat heo weren to-gadere longe : and po heo hadden al i-do, BEKET RETURNS TO ENGLAND FROM WITSAN. HE IS WARNED 157 THAT HE WILL BE MURDERD. Jpei it luytel 3 wile i-laste : with loue heo departeden ato. — 1752 U Seint thomas bi-gan to sike sore : f 0 he gan him onder-stonde )pat he hadde longe i-beo : oute of engelonde ; }pei it were a- 3 ein is wille : it foi^te him lufer dede j^at is bischopriche so longe was : with-oute conseille and rede : 175G to fe king of Fraunce he wende furst : and to ofere guode and hende [foi. so b.] And faire he tok is leue at heom : to engelond for-to wende ; he f onkede heom of alle honur : fat lieo him hadden i-do ; With fair conduyt and gret loue : fram heom he wende so. 1760 Fram Fraunce he wende with gret honour : toward engelonde ; At one hauene he gan a-bide : fat Men cleopiez 3 wit-sonde . 1 )pe lettres fat he hadde of rome : to Engelond he sende, p near Calais] to don fe sentence al a-brod : bi-fore him ase he wende. 1764 )pe Erchebischop of Euerwyke : In sentence he let do And fene bischop of salesburi : and of londone al-so ; for heo hadden i-crouned fene 3 onge king : a- 3 en fe dignete With onr^te In is bischopriche : he a-mansede hem alle fre. 1768 IT Jpo fe tifinge to heom cam : heo maden heom wrofe i-nov 3 , And fretneden fis holi man : fei it were with WOU3. Seint thomas eode toward fe scliipe : In-to engelonde for-to wende : A man fare cam fram engelonde : a 3 en heom , 1 guod and hende. 1772 “ A, sire,” he seide, “ for godeslone : ne passe noi^t f e se, 1 r. him For fare beoth kn^tes in Engelonde : Iporueide fe for-to sle ; At eche hauene Men a-waytiez : to kepe f e, mani on ; 3if fou comest a-mong heom ov 3 t : fov worst a-slawe a-non. M 1776 “ Certes,” quath fis holi Man : “ Inelle no leng a-bide, to Engelonde Ichulle me drawe : tide 3 wat bi-tide ; Jpei ich beo drawe lime mele : I-nelle bi-leue now-more, to longe ich habbe faunes i-beo : fat rewez me w r el sore. 1780 Jpe soulene fat ich habbe fare for-to loke : six 3 er and more, i-wis, ) With-oute wardein habbez i-beo : alias ! to longe it is. A-slawe ich worfe, wel ich wot : fare, are come ou 3 t longe, Ichulle for holi churche 113 te : gladliche fene deth a-fonge. 1784 Ake biddez for me Ihesu crist : i bidde eov par charite ! 1 bi-fore alle of ere nameliche : 0 fing biddeth for me : reprimacio thome. 158 BEKET LANDS AT SANDWICH, AND IS WELCOMED THERE. SOME KNIGHTS LIE IN WAIT TO MURDER BEKET AT DOVER. bat god for is lioli grace : to Caunterburi me sende, bat icli mote a-liue ojmr ded : In-to mine owene churche [wende] ; 1788 3 if i-ne mai Jmdere a-liue come : are ich i-martred beo, bat mi bodi mote 3 wan ich am ded — : god it graunti me/’ his leue he nam wel deolfolliche : and to schipe he wende so ; he fionkede heom al honour : fiat Men him liadden i-do, 1792 And bi-te^te al Fraunce Ihesu crist : and blessede it wel faste; b it folk wep and makede sorewe gret : heore deol longe i-laste. — IT At douere were kni^tes 3 are : fiat heorden of him telle, Sone ase he come op Jiere : al aredi him to quelle : 1796 Sire Eeinaud of wareygne : and sire Randolf fie brok ; And also Gerueis J?e schyrreue : gret folk with him tok, to kepe Jns holi Man at douere : ase he come op of J>e se, And bote he wolde heore wille do : al^are him for-to sle. 1800 to fie liauene of sandwiche : fiat schip wel euene drou 3 — be ofiere a-biden him alle at douere : with Jiretninge and host i-nou 3 . In fie schipes seile an hei 3 : jus holi man let do [foi. si] Ane Croiz, Jiat Man fer isai 3 : Iseuwed faste fier-to : 1804 bat was signe of is baner : o)>ur ne kepte he non. Men stoden at sandwich and bi-heolden : fie Croiz wel manion, And seiden, “ we i-seoth noujie hider-ward come : oure bischop tliomas ; ” be 3 uyt he was fer in fie se : heo wusten 3 wat he was. 1808 bat cri was sone wide couth : fiat folk orn faste i-nov 3 , And are he were to londe i-come : muehe folk a^ein him drou 3 * heo criden and fionkeden Iliesu crist : fiat heo mosten him a-liue i-seo, And welcomeden him with Ioye i-nov 3 : non more ne m^te beo. bene Jiridde day of Jie Aduent : bi-fore cristemasse it was bat he to Engelonde cam : fie guode man seint thomas; 1814 be seuenfie 3 er fiat he wende furst : out of engelonde — Six 3 er and a Month Jie he was fleme : ase ich me onder-stonde. 1816 bis was endleue hondret 3 er : and sixti 3 er and tene After fiat ore swete louerd : In is moder a-l^te, ich wene. — Accnsatio H bat word to J?e kni 3 tes cam : to douere of f»is cas, hov seint thomas fie holi man : at sandwych a-riued was : 1820 to sandwich heo wenden faste. : seint thomas heo founden a-non ; BEKET JUSTIFIES HIS EXCOMMUNICATION OF HIS FOES. HE IS 159 GRANDLY WELCOMED AT CANTERBURY. With 1 luper semblaunt and fals heorte : heo welcomeden him ech-On, 1 MS. withith And seiden, “ hou hauestpov pene wei : to engelonde i-nome, J}at destourbest al pat lond : sone so pov art i-come, 1824 And al-so al-holi churche : ase we alle i-seoth, j ) at pov a-mansest pus peos bischopes : pat pine felawes beoth ! ]) ov au 3 test mid alle lawe : lone and pais a-rere, And pare nas nenere a-londe pais : sethpe pov bischop were ! 1828 3if poy wenest wel for-to do : with-drau^ pine dede sone ; Opur Man schal bi pe do : ase with swueh a man is to done.” IT “ Mine leue freond,” quath seint thomas : “ sothp it is i-nov^ pe mansinge pat ich let do : it was with ri^te and nou^t with W0113, And bi mine louerdes leue pe king : pat ech man in r^te were, \)at so gret trespas ne wende forth : pat it a-mendet nere, 1834 And were eft-sone after-ward : with on-ri^te and a-^ein lawe In desertison of mine churche : to costome E-drawe.” 1 ms.r 1836 ]) 0 pe kni^tes heorden pat pe king : consentede per-to, heo bi-leueden al heore grete mod : and heore pretningue al-so, And in faire Manere beden him : ondon is Mansingue, ito norisi loue with is felawes : and bi-twene him and pe kinge. 1840 So pat respit bi-tuene heom : of pis Ansuere heo nome, For-to seint thomas a-moruwe : to Caunterburie come. IT Seint thomas a-moruwe : to Caunterburi him drou^. Al pe contreie a^ein him cam : with Ioye and blisse i-nou^. 1844 Ech preost somonede is paroche : clanliche in euerech ende to beon alle }are a-^ein him : with procession for-to wende : So pat with processiones : manie and faire i-nov^, With croyz and with taperes : pe contreie a-^ein him drou}. 1 1848 Jpare was Ioie and blisse i-nou} : more ne mi^te non beo ; [} foi. si b.] heo ponkeden ^eorne Ihesu crist : pat a-liue him mosten i-seo. Of bellene and of tabours : so gret was pe soun, Of eche manere gleo and of song : po he cam into toun, 1852 ]3at man ne mi^te i-heore non opur ping : bote pe noise pat was so gret ; iNon more ioie ne mi^te beo : pane pare was In euereche stret. IT Ase ore louerd a-palme-sonenday : honovred was i-nov 3 Y>o lie rod into Ierusalem : and toward is depe drov$, 1856 Responsio thoine. Aduenfns Cantuar. 1G0 BEKET REFUSES TO WITHDRAW HIS EXCOMMUNICATION. THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK RESOLVES TO OPPOSE HIM. Al-so was f is lioli man r ase men mitten i-seo fere ; For ore louerd wolde fat is detli : semblable to his were. Are seint thomas f e lioli man : to is churche come, pe Monekus with procession : a-^ein him fene wei heo nome. 18G0 Of is palefrai he l^te a-don : and custe f e Monekes ech-on ; to f e weuede wel mildeliclie : heo ladden him a-non. po he liadde at cliurche i-do : al fat him was to done, AVith is men wel mildeliclie : to is In he wende sone. — 1864 Miiites retro IF Seint thomas ne hadde i-beo : at is paleis no^t longe, veniunt. . pat fe kn^tes ne comen : heore answere forto afonge. heo beden him ase heo beden er : on-don is mansinge And a-soilli fe bischopes 1 : fat he let fare-Inne bringe. 1 ms. bischepes “ bev freres,” quatli seint thomas : “ fat ne mai i do nou^t, For heo beoth In mansinge : foru^ fe pope i-brou 3 t, 1870 And .I.-ne mai no^t on-do is dede : $e wuten wel, in none place. Ake nou^t-for-fan ich truste wel : so muche In his grace, 1872 pat ichulle a-soilli heom : In f usse fourme fawe : pat heo don sikernesse for-to stonde : at holi churche lawe And to fe lokinge of holi churche — : ake in ofur fourme non.” pe knj^tes, fo heo herden fis : chidden faste ech-on, 1876 And fo heo nadden non ofur word : in wrath fe forth heo wende And tolden fe bischopes heore ansuere : fat heom fudere sende. pe bischopes maden heom wrofe i-nou^ : ant fretneden him w T el faste. j Ake nafeles fe tweyne of heom : with-drowen heom atfe laste : 1880 IF pe bischop of salesburi : and of londone al-so ; to holi churche heo wolden stonde : and to is lokinge al-so. IF Ake fe Erchebischop of Euerwik : a-non-ri^t heom with-sede : “ Dafeheit habbe fat so atstonde : so folliche at ower rede, 1884 For-to don us in is grace : fat euere hath i-beon ore fo And hath i-don us mani a schame : and f anne he wolde wel mo ! pei he habbe ouer ov power : ouer me ne hauez he non, For erchebischop ich am, wel 3 e wutez : ase wel ase he is on. 1888 Ich habbe a luytel Coffre : fat stant hoi and sount, Atfe leste fare beoth Inne 3 eot : E^te hundret pound : 3are ich am to spene fat : and 3 eot me finchez to luyte, For-to a-wreken us wel of him : and for-to a-legge is pruyte. 1892. KING HENRY, IN NORMANDY, CURSES ALL WHO DO NOT RID HIM 1G1 OF BEKET. FOUR KNIGHTS CONSPIRE TO MURDER BEKET. Wende we to fe kinge a-non : and telle him of is dede, [foi.82] fiat him ne tit neuere pais : bote he farof him rede.” IT J)eos freo hischopus hasteliche : oner se f ene wei nome. A luyte hi-fore cristemasse : to fe kinge heo come, 1896 And fonnden him in Normandie. : a-doun heo fullen a-kne, heo beden him holden op his honour : stifliche hore help to beo, And tolden him hov fis holi Man : f o he to londe cam, Destourbede al-holi churche : and is kynedam 1900 And hov he hadde with gret pruyte : In mansinge i-do A1 fat maden is sone king : and consenteden f are-to, And hov in despit of him : he dude swuch luf er dede, And fat he ne scholde neuere in pais beo : bote he nome an-ojmr to rede. 1904 IT fie king, fo he heorde fis : for wrathfe he was nei 3 wod, he eode op and doun ase witles : and ofte in for^te stod. “ 3if he a-mansez alle J?at maden : mine sone king,” he seide, “ Mid fe furste he a-mansez me : for it was min owene dede. 1908 fie traitur a-spillez al fat lond : and bringez us in wrechhede, ho mi^te In swuch soruwe : longe eni lif lede 'l ” Ofte he corsede alle feo : fat he hadde forth i-brou^t, Of fe false preost and is fo : fat heo ne a-wreke him nou^t, 1912 fi at destourbede al fat lond : and brou^te in wrechhede ; Ase he eode op and doun 1 : ofte fat word he seide. 1 ms. don doun fie kni^tes fo [heo] heorden fis : stoden some stille, And bi-fou^ten heom wel priueliche : to paie fe kinges wille. 1916 fie foure fat mest schrewes weren : bi-f o^ten hem of guyle : Sire reynaud le fiz ovrs : and sire huwe de moruile And sire willam traci : and sire Richard de bruiz — heore names for heore schrewehede : ne beoth nout for^ite 3 uyt. 1920 huy nomen heom to rede stilleliche : to passi fe se, to paie fe kingus wille : seint thomas for-to sle. Stilleliche heo wenden forth : fat no man it nuste ; heo weren ne^wat atfe se : are fe king it wuste. 1924 fio f e king it onder^at : After heom he sende fiat heo bi-lefde heore folie : and a 3 enward to him wende. Ake fis messager ne m^te nou 3 t : ouer-take heom for none ginne, LEGENDS OF SAINTS. M hie ueniunt ad regein. Rex iratus. 1G2 BEKET PREACHES HIS LAST SERMON, AND EXCOMMUNICATES ALL WHO ARE AGAINST HOLY CHURCH’S RIGHTS. A MIRACLE. tliome. For are lie cam to )>e se : heo weren fer with-Inne. 1928 fio made pe king deol i-nov : )>at heo weren forth i-wend And J>at is messager ne ouer-tok heom no^t : J>ut he after heom hadde i-send. — Predicatio If Seint tliomas at Cannterburi : a-midewynteres dai Stod and prechede al pat folk : J>at mani a man i-sai. 1932 In is preehingue he bi-gan : to siche swij)e sore, And deol and sorewe made i-nov : ne mijte no man more ; Swijje sore he gan to wepe : pe teres ornen a-doun. fiave was mani wepinde Ei^e : wel sone ^eont al pe toun. 1936 “ Mine leue freond,” quath Jjis holi man : weopinde suyjje sore, “ Ouwer preost ich liabbe ane jwyle i-beo : ake i-ne mai no lengore, more/ 1 This v. added on the bottom. 1 For min ende-dai is nei$ i-come : I-ne wor]?e here non^t longe; Ich am redi for holi churche ri^te : deth for-to afonge. t 1 foi. 82 b.] 1940 biddez for me for godes loue : and for holi churche al-so, jpat geth al-mest nouJ?e to grounde : bote god nime ^eme ]?ar-to. Deth ichulle wel fain take : 3 wan it is godus wille, For pe ri 3 te of holi churche : rajmr jnme heo spille.” 1944 bok and candele he nam a-non : and a-mansede ri 3 t pere 1 M s. wernden Alle J>at werreden 1 holi churche : and a^ein hire ri 3 tes were, 2 r. Brok And nameliche sire randolf pe brok : and sire robert de bruyz 2 also, fiat pe Erchebischope of (Jaunterburi : gret on-ri 3 t habbez i-do. 1948 For J>e 3 wuyle Jjat he was out of londe : pe king henri bi-tok fie bischopriche al for-to loke : sire Randolf pe brok, And he mad Robert de brok : is clerk J?at was po, Of al J)is wardein onder him. : pat dude is londe wel wo; 1952 For he destruyde al pe bischopriche : and to liim-sulf nam i-nov 3 , And dude him fair bold a-rere : of pat he nam with W0U3. })er-inne a-criste-masse dai : J>o pe mansinge was i-do, he sat and .et. wel nobleliche : and manie with him al-so. 1956 Seint thomas (I ) 1 caste houndes of is bred : J>at bi-fore him lai, And euerecli hound it for-sok : ase al pat folk i-sai 3 . 1 other ( mss!) fio handlede he o]?ur bred : and let menge hit at pe laste Wit ojmr bred pat lai bi-side : and to pe houndes let it caste. 1960 Al Jjat he i-handlet hadde : pe houndes al for-lete, THE ASSASSINS, JOINED BY RANDOLF DE BROKE, URGE BEKET TO 163 SUBMIT TO KING HENRY. BEKET REFUSES. And chosen out J>at opur pare-a-mong : and wel clanliche it ete. j)e guodnesse 1 was on him i-sene : a-non-ri^t pat ilke dai, 1 ai. mansinge 3 wane pe houndes pat bred for-soken : pat bi-fore him lai. 1964 IT bi a fridai pulke $eres : was cristemasse-dai, J^are was gret miracle of god : pat al pat folk i-sai. — IF J?is four lupere kni^tes 4 of jwuche we gunne telle, to engelonde wel sone comen : seint thomas to quelle. 1968 to pe castel of salt-wode : a-seint Iohanes dai heo come, Six milene fram caunterburi : and pare heore In heo nome ; And sire Eandolf pe brok : to hem cam wel sone. heore conseil heo nomen pulke ni^t : pe lupere dede to done. 1972 J)ene morewe, a-childre-masse dai : po god pene dai sende, Sire Eandulf pe brok wel stilleliche : to Caunterburi he wende, For-to enqueri of seint thomas : ^ware heo mitten him finde, f ) at he ne drowe him nou^t a-wei : ne hudde him no^were bi-hinde. IT jois kni^tes pene Tywesdai : no lengore nolden bi-leue, Ake wenden heom to Caunterburi : wel are it were eue. 1978 A luyte bi-fore compelin : to seint thomas heo come ; )pene ri^te wei ful baldeliche : In-to is chaumbre heo nome. 1980 heo comen and founden him stilleliche : In is chaumbre stonde With priue clerkes : and gret conseil hadden on honde. r Sire Eeynaud le fiz ours : grimliche forth i-wende, ii “ Sire,” he seide, “ ore louerd pe king : in message us hidere sende 1 , i Fram him out of Normandie : Ane heste we habbez i-brou^t, t 1 foi. 83] jOat pov do is heste — : ne bi-lef pov it nou^t, 1986 And pat pou wende sone to is sone : pat $ong king i-maked is, For-to a-mendi a^einest him : pat pov hast is fader i-don a-mis, 1988 ( And swer pene othp to beon him trewe : and of pe baronie al-so Jpat pou halst of him in chef : do pat po[u] attest him for-to do. \)e clerkes pat pov bringest with pe : }if here-ate heo wollez at-stonde, 'Schullen suerie pe kinge trewe to beo : opur heo schullen out of londe.” IF “ Bev frere,” quath seint thomas : “ I-nelle pe no-ping lie, j)e kinge ichulle don ri^t and lawe : of pe baronie. 1994 ;Ake nolde it god pat holi churche : onder fote were so IJjat ich opur mine clerkus : scholden ani othp pe kinge do. 1996 For pov wost wel alle pe lewede Men : pat beoth In his londe, m 2 Milit.es. Milites. Thomas. 1G4 TIIE ASSASSINS ASK BEKET TO SWEAR FEALTY TO THE KINO, AND TO ABSOLVE THE EXCOMMUNICATED BISHOPS. Miles. tliomas. Miles. tliomas. Miles. tliomas. Miles. tlu mas. Ne sweriez him nou^t pene oth : as ich me onder-stonde. Nov wolde holi churche : In grete seruage do, In more pane ani lewede man beo? : nai, it ne worth non^t so.” 2000 IF “Me pinchez wel,” quath sire Reynaud : “ ]?at pov nelt do no-ping Of pe heste pat we bringez : fram ore louerd pe king ! Al-so in is half we hotez J>e : pat pov a-soili al-so his bischopes pat pov hast : In mansinge i-do.” 1 ms. quathy 2004 IF “ bev frere,” quathp 1 seint thomas : “ it nis mi dede nou 3 t, Ake poru^ pe popes owene mouthp : in sentence heo beoth i-brou^t : IF And pou wost wel it ne fallez noi^t to me : pe popus dede on-do.” “ J^ei pe pope it hete do,” qnat sire Reynaud : “ poru^ pe it is i-do.” IF “ 3 if pe pope hath,” quath thomas : “ In sentence i-broi^t 2000 hcom pat habbez me mis-don : he ne mis-paiez me nou 3 t.” IF “ In eche manere pov schewest wel ” : sire Reinaud seide po, “ For-to a-nuye ore louerd pe king : and pat pov art is fo. 2012 3 ware-poru 3 we i-seoth wel : pat pov wilnest to don him wo, And woldest beo king in is stude — : ake pou ne worst neuere so — And 3 if pou mutest, bi-nime him is crovne — : ake so ne schal it nou 3 t gO.” 1 both lines transposed in other MSS. IF “ Certes, bev frere,” quath seint thomas : “ I-ne penche no-ping per-to, 2016 Ake rapur ichulle him per-to helpe : so muche so ich mai, And for him and for his honour : ich bidde n : 3 t and dai. For pare nis noupe man on eorpe : pat ich louie, i-wis, So muche ase him, sauue is fader : pat 3 eot mi louerd is. 2020 A-seinte Marie dai Maugdeleyne : for-sope i segge pe, ]) o pe a-cord was formest i-maked : bi-twene mi louerd and me, he seide me pat ich lete a-mansi : alle pat hadden mis-do 2023 Mine churche pat is his owene Moder — : and ich habbe idon so.” IF “ A-voy, sire preost,” quath pis opur : “ to muche pov spext nei‘ 3 , ) 3 ov desclaundrest pin owene louerd : pov ne art noper guod ne slei 3 ! Seistpov pat mi louerd pe king : In mansinge let do Alle pat maden is sone king? : ne consentede he per-to ? 2028 Nas it al is owene dede : and bi none opur mannes lore? [foi. 83 bj A-voy, sire preost, bi-pench pe bet : ne seie pov so namore.” H “Certes, sire,” quath seint thomas : “pou wost wel it was so, THE ASSASSINS THREATEN BEKET, AND GO AND PUT ON THEIR 165 ARMS. THEY FOLLOW BEKET INTO THE CATHEDRAL. For fou were fare fi-self fo : and manie of ere fer-to, 2032 bischopus and Erchebischopus ek : and ofere grete and hei^e, 3 e fif hundred men and mo : al-so fov wel i-se^e.” H “ beo stille,” quath fis lufere kni^t : “hold finne mouthf, ich rede, Miles. j 5 ov mis-seist mi louerd f e king : daf eit alle fat it seide ! 2036 ho m^te soffri swuch sclaundre : bote he nome far-of wreche? bi f e fei fat schal to god : man schal f e an-of ur teche ! ” his felawes euerechone : heore Armes a-brod caste And ferden ase Men fat weren wode : and fretneden him wel faste. to f e Monekus heo wenden a-non : " comieth here forth,” he seide, “ 3 e holdeth here fe kingus fo : witiez him wel, ich rede ; Jjat $e to fe kingus wille : is bodi ^e 1 liabben al-qare, 1 om. je Ofur he schal ouwer londes aboute : and ower maneres maken wel bare!” 2044 U “ Sire Reynaud,” quath seint thomas : u wenstfou fat ichulle fleo? thomas. !Nai par deu, nou 3 t a fote : for fe king lie for fe.” 2046 U “ bi god, sire bischop,” quath fis ofur : “ bi fat f ou wost fen ende, Miles. \)i fleoinge schal beo luyte wurtli : fou ne schalt nou 3 t wel fer wende.” J?is kn^tes in grete wrathfe fo : wenden heom forth ech-on, And leten heom army swyfe wel : and comen a^en a- 11011 , W[i]th suerdes and with axes : and with ofere armes mo ; Robert de brok, fe lufere clerk : he was with heom fo. 2052 Into f e cloistre of Caunterburi : with grete noyse heo comen weue, J)e Monekus songen Euesong : for it was wel-nei ’3 eue. Some for f e grete noyse : fullen a-doun for fere, And some bi-gonne to fleon a-boute : ase men fat witlese- were. 2056 Seint thomas nam ane Croyz : ake ofure armes non, ; And fare-with wel baldeliche : he eode a- 3 ein is fon. J)is Monekus ornen 1 to him some : “ sire, merci,” heo seiden, 1 Ms.omem “For godes loue a-bid 3 ut here : ore louerd fe mai 3 uyt rede ; 2060 Soffre fat we helpen fe : ofur fat we with fe de^e.” Some wolden makien fe doren : fo heo fat folk i-se^e. “bi-leuez,” quath fe holie Man : “ ne doth nou 3 t as fe wise, I Singuth forth ower auesong : and doth ore louerd is seruise. 2064 Man ne schal of holi churclie : castel maken non. latez foies ane stounde a-wede : and in heore folie gon ! ” 166 CROSS IN HAND, BEKET BOLDLY MEETS THE ASSASSINS. nE KNEELS DOWN, BOWS HIS HEAD, AND PRAYS FOR HOLY CHURCH. thomas. 0 ratio tliome. be kn^tes comen reken In : heore folie for-to do, And seiden, “ $ware is noufe fis traitonr : and fis false bischop also 1 ” 2068 IT Seint tliomas bar f e Croiz on honde : and answerede is fon : “ Ich am here, godus preost : ake traitour nam ich non. Seehez him J>at wole ov fleo : ofur fat drede ovwer fretninge : Non rediore ne beoth ower swerdes : me to defe bringue 2072 Jpat min heorte prestore nis : f ene def for-to take ; For fe ri^tes of holi churche : I-nelle nou$t det for-sake.” [foi.84] bare wende forth on of heom : and is huyre of him drou}, And is mantel a-non after-ward : with gret uilte i-nou$. 2076 Sire Eeynaud le fiz ours : pursiwede him ancn. IT “ Sire Eeynaud,” quat seint thomas fo : “ hov schal fis noufe gon 1 Ofte ich habbe fe guod i-do : and manie o)mre mo.” “ bov schalt sone,” quath fis ofur : " i-wite hou it go. 2080 Traitour, fou art ded a-non : non ofur nelle ich do.” “ For-sofe,” quath fis holi man : “wel prest ich am fer-to, For fe r^tes of holi churche : dei^t; ichulle wel fa we, 3 if heo mi^te fere-after-ward : in pais beo and in lawe. 2081 Ak ich ov bidde $if $e seehez me : in ovre louerdes name, bat $e ne comen nei$ non ojmr man : harm ne do ne schame ; For non ofur gulti nis : of fat $e witez me, heo buth alle gultlese bote ich one : far-of sikere $e beo ; 2088 And al-so ase heo gultlese beoth : harmles latez heom wende.” be guode man sat a-doun a-kneo : f o he sai al f e ende ; Forto a-fonge fene stronge deth : is heued he buyde a-doun, And softe, ase some i-herden : he seide fis oresoun : 2092 IT “ Ore louerd and seinte Marie : and seint Denis al-so And alle fe avouwes of fis churche : In 3 was ore ich am i-do, Ich bi-take mine soule here : and holi churche ri^te.” 3eot he bad for holi churche : fo he nadde non ofur mi^te ! 2096 Sire Eeynaud le fiz ovrs : mest schrewe of ech-on, For-to smite fis holi man : is swerd he drou^ a-non. IT Ake Edward grim, fat was is clerk : in g[ra]unte-brugge i-bore, his louerd to helpe 3 E he mi^te : his Arm he pulte bi-fore. 2100 he woundede is Arm swyfe sore : fat blod orn faste a-doun. BEKET RECEIVES HIS ASSASSINS’ STROKES ON THE HEAD j THE LAST 167 STROKE DASHES OUT HIS BRAINS. THE BLOOD FORMS A DIADEM. W[i]th fulke dunte he smot al-so : seint thomas ope f c eroun, ) 3 at blod orn hi 1 is face a-doun : In is ri^t half of f e wounde. 1 corr - Lovde gradde fis lufere kni^t : “ smitez alle to grounde ! ” 2104 Edward grim and 1 alle is men : J?at fo a-boute him were, 1 ms. and and At-ornen a-houte ech in is side : ope fe weuedes for fere. Ase it bi ore louerd ferde : f o f e giwes him nome : his desciples flovwen anon : men nusten 3 ware heo bi-come ; 2108 Eor in fe godspel it is i-writen : fat ore louerd liim-self seide “ 3 wane a man smit fene schepherde : fe schep wollez to-sprede” ; And ore louered bad for is desciples : fat men ne scholden hem 1 non harm do. 1 ms. him ))aron fou^te seint thomas : he bad for is men al-so. 2112 An ofur kn^t smot seint thomas : in fulke sulue wounde, And made him bouwie is face a-doun : and loke toward fe grounde. ])q fridde in fulke sulue stude : fare-after him smot a-non, And makede him loute a-doun : is face to f e ston. 2116 In fulke stude fe feorfe smot : fare fe ofere hadden er i-do, jpat fe point of is swerd brak : In fe Marbre ato. — II 3eot fat ilke point at Caunterburi : fe Monekus doth wite, [foi.sib.] For honour of fe holi man : fat fare-with was i-smite. — 2120 With fulke stroke he smot al of : f e scholle and fe croune, J?at fut brain ful on fe pauement : al a-brod fare doune. fat 3 wite brayn 1 was i-meind : with fe rede blod fere, 1 Ms.braym f)at colur was wel fair to seo : fei ich 1 reulich were. 1 ai. hit 2124 Al round it orn a-boute is heued : ase it were a dyademe, And al-round fare-a-bouten it lay : 3 ware-of men token grete 3 eme. Eor 3 wane men peyntiez an Anletnesse 1 : ne seoth it 110113 1 bi-leued fiat fere nis depeint a Roundel : al-a-boute fe heued : 1 ai. lmiewe 2128 fiat rondel men cleopiez fe diademe. : for manie i-seien fat cas , 1 bi f e diademe of is brayne : fat he holi was. 1 ai. as me se3 \>er a fair cas fio fis holi man i-martret was : fis kni 3 tes graden ech-on, “ )pis traitour is to defe i-brou 3 t : wende we henne a-non. 2132 Siwieth us 3 e kingus men alle : and alle fat with him beoth ! Of fis traytur 3 e beoth a-wreke : ase 3 e noufe i-seoth. he f ou 3 te beo herre fane fe king : and bi-nimen him is croune And bringe to nou 3 t al engelond : ake noufe he lijth fare doune.” 168 THE ASSASSINS THEN RIFLE BEKET’s PALACE IN CANTERBURY, AND SEND THE CHARTERS THEY FIND TO THE KING. Ase pe giwes bi ore louerd seiden : Jjo heo wolden him to depe do, Jpat lie made bim kin[g] and non nas : and godes sone al-so. J)o ]ris lujjere kni^tes weren : fram Jus holi man igon, Eobert de brok him bi-jjou^te : and tumede him a-^en a-non 2140 And Jioru} pe scolle smofc is swerd : deope with-Inne is heued, po pe scolle al amti was : and no brayn Inne bi-leued. Ase pe giwes leten smite ore louerd : to pe heorte grounde After pe de}?e with a spere : and maden pe fifte wounde. 2144 U )?is lu))ere men alle in one stude : smiten seint thomas, In pe scolle ri^t euene a-brod : J?are is croune was. he nas nou^t pe man pat he wolde : is heued enes with-drawe Ke fondi for-to fleo heore strokes : ne enes a-weiward wawe, 2148 Ne nou 3 t enes groni ne makien cri : bote mildeliche and softe Euere he heold is heued forth : al-J?ei heo smiten him ofte. — bis luj?ere kni^tes wenden a-non : to is tresorie, breken is doren and is coffres : and duden gret robberie ; 2152 heo nomen is clones and is hors : and is tresor al-so. Chartres and ojnir priue writes : pat in is coffres weren i-do, heo it bi-token sire Eandolf de brok : J?at he pare-with wende to pe kinge in-to Noremandie : and segge )>at heo him sende 2156 And J?at he dude Jiare-with ^wat he wolde : and }if Jiare ani were A^en is wille ojmr is fraunchise : pat he 1 sone to-tere. 1 ms. heo A-mong is tresor heo founden al-so : tweie wel stronge heren : 2159 Wei filliche heo casten heom a-wei : ase Jiei heo nou 3 t wurth nere. Ake najjeles heo bi-J)OU 3 ten heom J?o : and weren somdel in fere, And seiden bi-twene heom stilleliche : “ guod man we wenez he were.” Sire willam traci tolde sethjje : of J)is guode man seint thomas be bischope of Eccetre in is schrifte : ase he of him i-schriue was r 1 bat po pe guode man was a-slawe : and heo ovtward were, t 1 foi. 85j So sore heom a-gros J>at heo weren : nei 3 witlese for fere; 2166 For heom J>ou 3 te euere ase heo eoden outward : ne wenden heo no so bliue, bat pe eor])e openede onder heom : for-to swolewen hem a-liue. — bo )?is guod man i-mortred was : and pe kni^tes weren out i-gon, Tn-to al pe toun of Caunterburi : couth it was anon. 2170 bat folc cride deolfulliche : and to churche heo drowe THE PEOPLE GATHER BEKET’s BLOOD. HIS BODY IS PRIVATELY 169 BURIED IN CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL BY THE CANONS. And onovreden fat holi bodi : and custen it ofte i-nowe. 2172 ])q Monekus comen sone f er-to : and fis lioli bodi toke And leiden faire In one here : and bi-fore f e Autere it bi-woke. bat face was 3 wy 3 t and cler i-noii 3 : and no blod nas far-inne, bote frarn fe r^t half of is frount : toward fe left chinne 2176 A smal rewe fere was of blode : f»at ouer is nose drou 3 ; More blod far nas in al is face : ase folk i-sai 3 i-nou 3 . J?e woundene bledden al fe n^t : and men lienten fare-of, i-wis — And In fe churche of Caunterburi : of fulke blode 3 eot is. 2180 Ake he nas nenere of fe worse hewe : for al fat he bledde fere, bote in guode heowe and cler inov : r^t ase he liues were, And somdel ley 3 inde with fe mouf e — : he lai ase fei he slepe. Muche folk was a-boute him : fat blod for-to kepe, 2184 And forto gaderi of fe blode : fat i-sched was on f e gronnde, And of fat eorfe fat was bi-bled : and glade weren 3 wan heo it founden — IT For fat nolde heom noman werne — : ficke a-wei men it drou 3 ; And ho-so m^te enes fat bodi cusse : he was gladi-nou 3 . 2188 A-morewe fe lufere kn^tes : Armeden heom eft-sone And with-oute tonn nome heore red : 3 wat heom was to done ; heo bi-radden for-to nime fat holi bodi : and with wilde hors to-drawe And sethf e hangen it on a waritreo — : heo seiden fat it was lawe, For he nas nou 3 t wuyrfe to beon i-bured : In churche ne In churche- 3 erd. J?e Monekus fou 3 ten fis swife wel : and weren ful sore a-ferd : 2194 heo bureden fat holi bodi : hasteliche fere-bi-side With luyte solempnete i-nov 3 : for heo ne dorsten no leng a-bide : J?is holi bodi was i-bured : In fe munstre of ihesu crist, bi-fore seint Austines weuede : and seint Iohanes fe baptist. 2198 heo ne dorsten nou 3 t so longue : for-to fat bodi i-wasche were, Al ongreifet to leggen it In : [heo] he^eden bliue for fere. 2200 Ase heo strepten of is clof es : al a-boue heo founde Clerkene clof es ase him to bi-feol : and of ere bi f e grounde : Monekene Abite with-Inne : ase heo founden fere, bofe Covele and stamin : he founden next is here. So fat he was Monek with-Inne : and seculer with-oute — 2204 170 beket’s flesh is full of worms, king henry is greatly GRIEVED : HE SHUTS HIMSELF UP FOR FORTY DAYS. Huste no man is priueite : of £a[t] him was a-boute. And next is flesche p& here was : with knottes mani on, j)at deope in is flesche seten : some ri^t to J>e bon ; 2208 J?ar-of he hadde schurte and brech : luytel aise he m^te i-fele, [foi. 85 b.j So J?at he was jjare-inne i-bounde : fram pG scholdre to p& hele ; With luytel aise he m^te sitte : and ful on-aisi-liche ride, And on-aisiliche ligge also : opon ejmr side. This v. on the margin. 2212 Ful of wormes was is flesch : to al ojmr wo, In none creature, ich onderstonde : neuere ne weren i-seie mo ; For in euereche stude of is flesche : so jhcke heo weren i-sete, Jpat pG grete ne m^ten for pG smale : comen to heore mete ; 22 1G Faste heo schouen and eropen al-so : ase ametene 1 al a-boute, 1 Ake pG smale cleoueden faste to : pG grete bi-lefden with-oute. U he deide endleue houndret $er : and seuenti and on After Jmt ore swete louerd : of is moder nam flesch and bon. 2220 Of Jueo and fifti 3 eres elde : him-sulf he was po — Mani a fair dai he hadde i-leoued : in care and in wo. — j)e king was in normandie : and her-of nuste nou^t : he made deol and sorewe i-nou 3 : J>o J>e tijunge him was i-brou^t. In pG Castel of Argenteyn : he soiornede po ; With-oute pG 3 ates ne cam he nou^t : fourti daises ne mo, 2226 Ake euere he he old him in priuete : In wepinge and ojmr wo ; For none neode J?at Man m^te habbe : with-oute he nolde go ; 2228 He rou 3 te he no- Jung of \g world : wel luyte he eat al-so ; j)G sorewe and po deol pa,t he made : ne m^te neuere beo i-do. he sende a-non to Caunterburi : for Jus deolful dede And bad J?e Monekus pitousliche : J?at heo for him bede ; 2232 And sende heom J?at it nas : no-Jung bi is rede, Ake J?at pG kn^tes wenden forth : and no-Jung him fore ne seide, And J?at he sende after heom : for-to comen a- 3 e, H And are p& messeger were to heom i-come : huy weren fer in J?e se. to pG pope al-so god : pG king sende sone And bad is conseil pitousliche : 3 wat him were to done, 2238 he bad him for pG loue of god : In swyche anguise him rede, Jpat he were i-schriue and a-soilled : of so lujjer a dede. 2240 })g pope hadde ful gret pite : J?at he swuch word him sende, HIE POPE SENDS TWO LEGATES TO ABSOLVE KING HENRY FROM 171 THE GUILT OF BEKET’s MURDER. THE KING’S PENANCE. H And gret Ioye for he hadde wille : is lif for-to amende, twei cardinales he sende him : wise men bope to, bo schrinen him of pulke sunne : and a-soilli him al-so, 2244 And pe bischopus for-to a-soilli al-so : pat weren in mansinge. Welle, pat pe Cardinales : welcome weren pe kinge ! \)e king had heom deolfulliche : to schriuen him of pe dede, And hi-het heom studefastliche : to stonden al-to heore rede. 2248 tie swor on pe halidom : J>at poru 3 him nas it nou^t, Ne hi is wille, ne hi his heste : pat he was to depe i-brou 3 t ; And 3 et he seide pat for is fader depe : so sori man he nas, N”e for is moderes no-pe-mo : Ase he for is depe was ; 2252 And he seide he wolde with guode heorte : alle pe penannces a-fonge })at heo wolden on him legge : ne weren heo no so stronge : For he was enchaison of is depe : and of is anuy al-so : [foi.se] ])e kni 3 tes, for-to paien him : bro^ten him per-to. 2256 IF ])o pe Cardinales i-se^en pis : pat he to repentannce drou 3 , heo a-soileden him and setten on him : stronge penannce i-nou 3 , In priuete ase r^t was : pat no man par-of nnste, And pis al-so pat ichulle novpe telle : pat alle Men of wusten. 2260 his priue penaunces some weren : fastinge for-to make, And In fale tymes linne cloth and schurte of selk : for is sunnes for-sake. vv. 2261-2 om. in the other MSS. In-to pe holie londe he scholde finde : to hundret kny 3 tes, to f^te A1 ane 3 er with pe templers : for holi churche r^te; 2264 IT And pat he scholde pe status of Clarindone : al clanliche with- drawe, J?oru 3 wuche statuz pis holi man : i-bro^t was of lijf-dawe ; And pat he clanliche 3 olde a- 3 ein : al pat bi-nome was )0e hischopriche of Caunterburi : for wrathe of seint thomas; 2268 And pat he scholde is vuele wille : also clanliche for^iue Alle pat he hadde out of londe : for wrathe of him i-driue. J3e king grauntede al heore wille : weopinde swipe sore, And seide pat it was to luyte : and bad on him legge more, 2272 And 3 eot, “ al to ouwer wille here : mi bodi ich bi-take, 3iueth me penaunces i-nowe : I-nelle neuer on for-sake.” he wende out atpe Churche dore : a-soiled forto beo, 172 how beket’s death became miraculously known in JERUSALEM WITHIN A FORTNIGHT, THROUGH A VISION. And seide pat he nas nou3t wurthe : pat men scholde him with-inne i-seo ; 2276 And with-oute churche pitousliche : he sat a-doun a-kne, Ake pe Cardinales nolden non^t : is bodi al on-wreo, And somdel a-bone is clones : heo a-soileden him r^t pere ; For deol heo weopen pitousliche : and manie pat pare were. 2280 his sone al-so made one bi-heste : with wel dreorie chere : j)Q faderes penaunce to folfulle : 3if he of power nere 2282 Opur 3 if he felle in-to feble stat : pat he ne m^te it nou3t ful-ende, Opon him-self pe charge he nam : and dude ase guod and hende. J)us was pe holi man : i-brou3t to martyrdom ; Mani was pe fair miracle : pat for him sone com. 1 — 1 B ?. th v . erses { y e » y written in one line. Jerusalem. U For In Ierusalemes londe men wusten : of is martyrdom With-inne pe furste fourtene-N^t : pat he pe det nam. 2288 For a Monek in pulke londe : In is depe vuele lai, And is Abbod cam to him : bi-fore is ende-dai 1 And conlurede him 2 pat he scholde : after is depe pere 2 ms. him >athim to him comen and tcllen him fore : in 3wuch stat he were. 2292 So pat pis Monek deide sone : ase ore louerd 3af pat cas. to is Abbod sethpe he cam : ase he I-conioured was, And seide pat he i-saued was : In pe Ioie of heuene an hei3 ; he tolde him muche of pe Ioye : pat he pare i-se^. 2296 he tolde him pat pulke tyme : pat he to heuene cam j)e Erchebischop of Caunterburi : polede martyrdom, And pat is soule pulke tyme : to heuene wende a-non ; “ Fair was pat processioun : pat a^en him cam gon 2300 Of Aungles and of pa^riarks : and of apostles al-so, Of Martirs and of confessours : and of virgines per-to. heo nome alle peos holi soule : And bi-fore ore louerd sone [foi. 86 b.] brou3ten hire with Ioye and blisse : ase he sat in is throne. 2304 his croune was al of i-smite : and blodi was is heued, And is brayn was al i-sched : pare nas nou3t bi-leued. H ‘ Thomas, thomas/ quath ore louerd : ‘ pus it fallez to pe To pine louerdus court to come : In swuche manere to me ! 2308 For pi seruise ich pe 3yue : ase muchel Ioie and blis Ase ich 3af seint peter : pat min Apostel is.’ FIVE YEARS AFTER, WHEN THE YOUNG HENRY MAKES WAR ON 173 HIS FATHER, THE CLD KING VISITS BEKET’S TOMB. he sette ane Croune op-on is lieued : of gokle cler and guod, Swyfe wel bi-cam fat bri^te gold : op-on fe rede blod. 2312 More Ioie ne mi^te non beo : pane In heuene for him was, For fe Erchebiscliope of caunterburi : is name was seint thomas. \)e Ty wesdai after Cristemasse : fe furste fat fere cam, |?is holi man in Engelonde : folede martyrdom ; 2316 And $wan fov i-heorst of is defe telle : of Men of Engelonde, })ov i-leue me of fis tale : and fe sofe onder-stonde.” j)e Abbod sone a-morewe : ne fur -3 at nou^t seint thomas, Ake fe patria[r]cke of Ierusalem : he tolde al hov it was. 2320 So fat forfere in f e 3 ere : it was wel onder-stonde, J)o pilegrimes Jmdere comen : out of Engelonde, In 3 wat manere he was a-slawe : and 3 wuch tyme he was ded : ])e pileg?’/mes tolden al fe sofe : ase fe Monek hadde er i-seid. 2324 )}us was i-kud In Ierusalem : fe deth of seint thomas With-Inne fe furste fourtene ny 3 t : fat he i-martred was. — • IT fe fifte 3 er, ich onder-stonde : after is martyr-dom bi-twene kyng henri and is sone : gret contek fare bi-com. 2328 j)e sone bi-cam prout a-non : for is kynedom, And of is fader tolde luyte : and werre ope him nam. j)e meste del was with is sone : of al Engelonde, And fe kyng of Fraunce al-so : and fe king of scotlonde. 2332 So fat fis seli oldeman : In sorewe was I-nov 3 . Al he it wuste fe lufere dede : fat man seint thomas a-sloi. 13 . he wende him out of Hormundie : to-ward Engelonde, Are he come to Caunterbiri : he nolde noi^were at-stonde ; 2336 And fo he cam fer w[i]th-oute fe toun : he gan to l^te a-doun, Al a-fote and bare-fot : he wende into fe toun. In is Curtel one and on-gurd : ase al fat folk i-sai' 3 , Ei 3 t so he wende to fe stude : fere seint thomas lai. 2340 At is toumbe he feol a-doun a-kneo : wepinde wel sore, he heold op is hondene deolfolliche : and cride him milce and ore. IT Wepinde in is oresones : al fastinde he lai At fis holi mannes toumbe : a ny 3 t and al a dai ; 2344 Of euerech Monek of fe hous : he tok is discipline With a smart 3 corde, and 3 eot him foi^te : fere was to luyte pine. Guerra reguin. 174 WHILE KING HENRY IS AT BEKET’s TOMB, HIS ARMY GETS THE VICTORY. DEATH OF THE MURDERERS OF BEKET, REPENTANT. he bad lieom alle deolfulliche : bidden for him one, And swor he wolde legge a-doun : f e luf ere lawene ech-one. [foi. 87] H So fat he let singe ane masse : are he Joannes wende, In fe honour of seint thomas : fat he is grace him sende. 2350 ^wyle men fe masse songe : ase ore louerd 3 af fat cas, j)e kyng of Scotlond was i-nome : J?at mest is fo was ; 2352 And manie of ere also with him : fat weren is stronfge] fon ; So fat lieo fat weren vn-nome : to him nadden power non. his folk dude f e bataille : fe $wyle f e masse i-laste 1 ; 1 ms. staste £ar-to heo hadden luyte help : and weren wel sore agaste, 2356 Ake ore louerd for seint thomas loue : his grace wel sone him caste, fiat heore fon weren some 1 i-nome : and some flouwen wel faste. b0 J ' |>is seli olde king : fat al bi-nefe er was, 1 ms. sone A1 a-boue * T ^g gQ^g i-brou^t : foru^ bone of seint thomas ] 2360 And is sone wao i ^.ng^e : and so he bi-aat wel luyte Eor-to weorri a^ein is iader : for is sori pruyte. bi him men mowen nime ensaumple : to beon to liastiue : to ^iuen heore sones op heore lond : fe ^wyle heo hem-sulue beoth a-liue. 2364 j)e kingus sone fare-after-ward : prouede vuele i-nov 3 , And wel longe bi-fore fe fadere : toward f e defe he drou} And fur-pinede in f e menisone : fat is lif him f ou^te long ; he deide sethfe deol-folliche : in gret pine and strong. 2368 his brofer also, sire Geffrei : fat Erl of brutayne was, Deide al-so in fe menison : In fulke sulue cas. 2370 So fat after is fader defe : fare ne lefde eir non bote heore ^ongue brofer king Diehard : and sethfe fe king Iohan — Ake sire Geffreies child : with ri^te lawe of londe j)e heritage scholde habbe i-bore : ase ich me onder-stonde. — Mors Miiitum. H J^eos luf ere kni^tes alle foure : fat slowen seint thomas Deiden in stronge defe i-nou 3 : ase wel 113 1 it 1 was. 1 ms. it it 2376 heo weren eclione repentaunt : ne m^ten none men more, euere heo criden on seint thomas : to 3 iuen heom milce and ore. Sone after-ward fat he was a-slawe : al heore guod buy lete And wenden to fe holi lond : heore sunnes for-to bete. 2380 Ake sire Willame traci ne wende nou 3 t : forth with fe of ere freo, sir william tracy’s horrible death and repentance. 175 beket’s bones are put in a shrine. lie liopede here In Engelonde : Inou 3 repentaunt to beo. J)are-after-ward he bi-cam : in grete meseise and strong : ™ e t s ® S^ms 8 his flesch bi-gan to breken out : and rotede an fovle stonk, So longue fat he stonk so foule : fat deul it was to se, Jpat onnefe ani man irn^te : for stunche nei 3 him beo. 2386 his flesch rotede on him al-so : and al dai ful awei, j^at is bones weren al bare — : fo ne likede him no plei ! 2388 "Wit is hondene he to-drou^ al-so : his flesch atfe laste, pece and of ur al a-brod : a-wei fram him he caste ; hondene and Armes he to-drov 3 : mest of ech-on, J?at fere nas no flesch bi-leued : bote senue and bare bon. 2392 Manie men it fou 3 ten wel : fat bi is wille it were, [foi. 87 b.] Al for-to biete 1 is sunnes here : fat is soule in helle nere. 1 ms. bite Wrechchedore gost ne m^te non beo : fane fis prisun was ; And euere he cride deolfulliche : <£ merci, seint thomas.” 2396 Atfe laste he let is lijf : In wel stronge pine, And 3 if ore louerdes wille was : he cam to guode fine. Jpis kni 3 tes aftur heore lufere dedene 1 : deiden sone ech-on, 1 ai. dede So fat with-Inne fe fridde 3 ere : a-liue ne lefde fer non. 2400 For fe sauter seith fat swuche men : fat of triclierie beoth, Ne schullen nou 3 t halue heore dawes libbe : ase 3 e alda[i] i-seotli ; Jjei heo beon swyfe repentaunt : ase fis kn^tes weren, ich wene, 3uyt ne libbeth heo nou 3 t half heore lif : ant fat was bi heom i-sene. — H Seint thomas fis holi man : onder eorfe he lay, Are fat he I-sehrined were : wel mani a long day; 2406 he lai fere nine 1 and fourti 3 er- : and half a 3 er fer-to 1 ai. inne And a-boute ane E^te dawes : are he were of eorfe i-do. 2408 god wolde a-bide ane guode tyme : to don so noble fing: J)at fare weren bofe guode : Erchebischop and king. For fe king Iohan fat longue was : euere of lufere rede, luyte foi^te bi is daie : to don so guode dede. 2412 H Ake fe king henri, is 3 onge sone : nolde nou 3 t longe a-fine, After fat he was king i-mad : are seint thomas were in schrine. he nas nou 3 t frettene 3 eres old : f o he dude fis noble fing, And it was in fe feorfe 3 ere : fat he was i-mad 3 ong king. 2416 \)q guode Erchebischop steuene : radde faste fer-to : 176 ELEVATION AND ENSHRINEMENT OP ST. THOMAS A BEKET’S BODY, UNDER HENRY III., IN CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. So J>at Li Lore boJ)e redes : Jus dede was i-do. 2418 ])q pope honorie, J?at was Jjo : hidere he gan sende Ane legat fram Rome, f»at het pandulf : to Lringe Jus dede to ende. Jpe pope 3 af alle pardon : J>at Jmdere wolden gon, Jpat men nusten in Engelonde : suuych pardon non. J)are-fore, for-to lionouri Jus holi man : £ere cam folk i-nov 3 ; Of bischopes and of Abbodes : mani on )mdere drou 3 , 2424 Of priores and of persones : and manie o]mr clerkes al-so ; Of Eorles and of barones : and manie kn^tes heom to ; Of seriaunz and of squiers : and opere house-bondes i-nowe ; And J>e simple men of J>e londe : so Jucke Jmdere drowe 2428 J}at al J?e contreie J>are-a-boute : J je tounes wide and longe 1 1 ms. londe Ynnejje mi 3 ten al J>at folk : J?at J)udere cam a-fonge. U So J)at Jus he^e men : J>at scliolden Jus dede do AYeren in care hov heo m^ten : for prece comen J>er-to ; 2432 So J>at Erchebischop stenene : of 3 wam ich er ov seide, And J>e bischop Richard of Salesburi : J)ar-of heom nomen to rede, And prior water of J>e house : and J>e couent al-so, AVenden heom in priuete : Jus dede for-to do. 2436 bi n^te, Jio men weren a-slepe : and luyte J?ar-on Jmi^te, heo nomes 1 op J?e holi bones : and in one cheste broi^te, [foi. 88] And setten heom in a priue stude : for-to Jje time was i-come 1 r. nomen Jjat 1 was i-crid into al J>at lond : J?at heo scliolden beo up i-nome. 2440 It was in J?e monJ?e of Iulie : euene J)ene seuenthe dai, 1 ms. hit bi a tiwesdai it was J?o : ase al J?at folk i-sa^. \)o J)e dai was i-come : to J?e munstre heo wenden a-non, Kyng henri J?at 3 onge child : an J?e he^e men ech-on; 2444 A-boute onderne of J>e daie : to Jus holi bones heo come. PAndulf wende furst Jmr-to : J>at legat was of rome, And J>e Erchebischop of Caunterburi : and J?e Erchebischop of reins al-so, J}at for Jmlke Junge cam : fram bi^eonde se J)er-to, 2448 And sire hubert de boru 3 : J)at Jrn was hei 3 Iustise. };eos foure grete louerdes : J?at noble men weren and wise, On heore scholdres huy nomen up : Jus holi bodi a-non ; H Bischopus and Abbodes al-so : it beren ful mani on. 2452 BEKET’s DAY IS TUESDAY. THE PROLOGUE TO ST. FABIAN : 177 ON CHURCH HOLY DAYS : THE FIRST FESTIVAL. to fe hei^e weuede of fe trmite : fe holie bones heo bere, And leiden fe Clieste al fare-with : In a noble schrine fere. bis king henri was so 3 ong : fat he ne dorste nor^t With fe ofere bere fat holi bodi : laste men him hurten oi^t. 2456 It was bi a tiwesdai : fat heo f e bones op nome ; Alle is chaunces fat he hadde : bi tiwesdawes him come. In a tiwesdai he was i-bore : and of is moder wombe he cam ; And also ase men bringuth ane feof : for-to a-fonge is dom, 2460 bi-fore fe kynge at Norehaumptone : op-on a tiwes-dai^ Wit gret schame he was i-brou^t : ase al fat folk i-sai 3 — - Fdloker fane ani fef : folk him fare schende ; bi tiwesday he was i-flemd al-so : and out of londe he wende ; 2464 And bi a tiwesda^ at pounteneie : ore lonerd to him com And seide to him fat swete word : of is martyrdom — IT “ Thomas,” seide ore swete louerd : “ 3 eot schal of fine blode Al mi churche honoured beo — ” : pis wordes weren wel guode; 2468 bi a tiwesdai also gud : to engelonde he cam, After fat he was i-flemd : to a-fonge is nmrtirdom ; bi a tiwesdai at Caunterburi : to defe he was i-do ; And setlife bi a tiwes-dai : Ischrined he was al-so. 2472 beos seuen Auntres bi tiwesday : him comen atfe leste : bare-fore we i-seoth manie men : makien one bi-heste to bi-leue flesch fene tiwesdai : of ur to o mel faste, For-to heo comen to Caunterburi : ofur fe 3 wyle heore lif i-lastez. Nov Iesu crist for fulke loue : fat seint tliomas on foi^te, 3yue us part of fulke Ioie : fat he so deore a-bou 3 te. 2478 28 [Prologue] Fabian Sebastian. A L f is bok is i-maked of holi dawes : and of holie mannes Hues bat soffreden for ore louerdes loue : pinene manie and riue, bat ne spareden for none e^e : godes weorkes to wurche ; Of 3 was Hues 3 wane heore feste fallez : men redez in holi churche. 4 bei ich of alle ne mouwe nou 3 t telle : ichulle telle of some, [foi. ss b.] Ase euerech feste after ofur : In fe 3 ere doth come. — be furste feste fat in f e 3 ere comez : we cleopiez 3 eres-dai, Ase ore louerd was circumciset : In fe giwene lay, 8 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. N 178 ST. FABIAN WAS MARTYRED BY THE HEATHEN DECIUS. ST. SEBASTIAN IS SUSPECTED OF ENCOURAGING THE CHRISTIANS. For to fulfullen heore lawe : and for cristinedom non nas Are longe Jmre-afturward : J>at he I-mstned was. IT He was Nyne and twenti 3 er : and jnettene dawes old Are he i-baptized were : ase J>e bok us hath i-told : 12 Al-so it fel a twelfte-dai : seint Iohan J?e baptist Baptizede in ]?e flum Iordan : ore louerd Ihesu crist. In £at dai a t'welf-monjje : ore louerd was at one feste, J?are he turnde water to win : jjoru^ is moder heste. 16 We holdez al-so J?at dai feste : of J?e jjridde Jnnge : Ase j?e j?re kingues to ore louerd : presaunt dude bringe ; to him heo comen ase is moder : a-child-bedde lay, After J>at he i-bore was : J?ane juettejje day, 20 Ase it fallez a-twelfte-dai — : longe heo erore him sou^ten, gold. and. mirre. and An-sens : In presaunt heo him brougten. — Seint Fabian Jnettene 3 er : pope was 1 In rome ; 1 ms. was was he turnede mani men J?at luj?ere weren : in-to cristine-dome. 24 Decius, }?at prince was : of hej?eiiesse J>o, he let him martri Jjere-fore : and o]>ere with him mo. Vita sancti Sebastiani. T elle ichulle of J?e lioli man : seint Sebastian. he seruede ane he)>e amperour : J?at het dyoclician ; hext maister he was onder him : to don al is wille. Cristine Man he was bi-come : bote par-of he heold him stille, 4 for no doute of Martyrdom : ake for jjat he wolde longe Serui god almi^ti, are he wolde : deth onder-fonge. Alle Jje men ]?at cristine weren : )?at )>e Aumperor o^wer founde Sone he let to dej^e bringe : with fuyre ojrar mid wounde. 8 3wane ani man for cristindom : to de]?e scholde beon brou^t, Seint Sebastian heom confortede : j>at heo ne dradden heom nou 3 t Deth a-fonge for godes loues : Ake J>at heo studefaste were ; Mani he heold in J?e r^te bi-leue : J)at flechchi wolden for fere. 12 U Marcus and Marcellian : brejjren weren tweie, })q Aumperour for cristinedom : I-nome hadde heom be^e : he let heom binde to-gadere faste : bojie to o piler, And to J>e Eorjje naylli heore fet : J?at heo ne m^ten fer ne ner. 16 ST. SEBASTIAN IS QUESTIONED BY THE EMPEROUR, IS SHOT ALL 179 OVER WITH ARROWS, AND IS LEFT FOR DEAD. So heo stoden al ane day and a n^t : fat non ne mitten fram of er ; Eifur of heom ofte to ofere seide : “ here is ioye, leue brof er ! ” — gnod it is and murie : brefren to wonie i-fere ! Euere lieo precheden cristindom : mid wel glade chere. 20 J2e Aumperor let nimen ane spere : ase heo stoden to-gadere i-bounde, j) oru^ heore heortene he let heom smite : fat heo deiden in a luyte stounde. Sebastian was fo i-wreid : fat he heom $af fane red to holden op faste heore cristindom : fei heo scholden beo ded. 1 24 Aumperor let him cleopie : “ Sebastian,” he sede, t 1 foi.89] “ to f e al mi truste was : mi lond to wissi and rede, Of alle fing fat min is : Ich $af fe mest power, to holden op min honour : and to saui it fer and ner : 28 Ich habbe to f e suspecion : Ake for-sofe i-ne segge it nou^t, )}at fov a-^en me and a-^en min honour : Itorned hast fi fou3[t]-” Sebastian seide, “ sire Aumperour : A$en f e neuere I nas, Ake mid fe and al fine finge : to fin honour ich was, 32 And ofte ich habbe n^t and dai$ : godes sone bi-sou^t, Al-so wisliche ase he with is heorte blode : deore us hauez i-bou^t, Jpat he f e 3 yue power gret : and wille and eke f ou^t to leten fine false godes — : for heo ne helpeth fe nou^t.” 36 U Wod-wroth was fis Aumperor. : “ Sebastian,” he seide, “habbe ich fus i-holde f el : turne fi fou^t, ich rede ! bote fov honouri ore godus : to swuche pine i schal fe take j)at, are fov beo to defe i-brou^t : ech lime fe schal ake.” 40 “ Sire,” seide Sebastian : “ fine fretningue ne drede i nou^t, More me greuez fat fou nelt : habbe reufe in f i fou^t And honouri him fat made f e man : ant fine maumates bi-leue, \) at ne mouwe helpe nou^t : for heo beoth doumbe and deue.” 44 ])e Aumperour in grete wrathfe was : f esne holi man he let take, And dude him leden into f e feld : and binde him to a stake, he let archers to him scheote : ase it were to one marke ; With quareles and with Arewene : heo maden him woundes starke. Mani on wende foru 3 -out him : in a luytel 3 wyle heo stikeden al-so ficke on him : so yrichon deth of piles. 50 ])o heom f ou 3 te fat he was ded : horn heo gonne i- wende ; N 2 180 ST. SEBASTIAN IS MIRACULOUSLY HEALED. HE RETURNS SOUND TO THE EMPEROR, AND IS SECRETLY BEATEN TO DEATH. On-bured heo bi-lefden him pare : his bodi for-to schenden. 52 A cristine womman, J?at he^te Yreine : wende pudere bi n^te Forto burien J?afc holi bodi : $if heo it finde mi^te. heo cam and fond him hoi and sound : he nadde nou^t one wounde ; With gret Ioye heo ladde him to hire hous : and glad was pat heo him founde. 56 U Jpene feorpe dai Sebastian : wende to pe Aumperour. “ Sire,” he seide, “ ichulle pe telle : pat fallez to pin honour : ^e mis-bi-leuez, and men doth eov : a-mis to onderstonde J}at cristine men scholden harm do : to pe and to al June londe. 60 For i-sosteyned and i-saued : it is poru 3 heore bone More pane poru 3 ouwer Maumates : pat ne beoth nou 3 t wurhp a sponc. For we biddez ny 3 t and day : god, pat me hidere sende, J)at he eov 3 iue long lijf : 3 if 3 e eov wollez a-mende.” 64 “ liou is pis'?” quath pe Aumperour : “ 3 wepur pov a-liue beol Nartpou nou 3 t Sebastian : pat ich a-felde let sle ? ” “ 3e,” he seide, pis holi man : “ a-liue ich am noupe her, hoi and sound, with-oute wounde : to schewen pe godus pouwer, 68 And to schewen pat 3 e onr^t doth : cristine Men to sle, [foi. 89 b.j For heore bi-leue is r^tful and guod : and ouwere nis wuyrth a stre. J)are-fore on pine soule pench ! : ne bi-lef pou noi^t on a stone, Ake on him pat us deore a-bou 3 te : pat is godes sone al one.” 72 ^1 “ OV 3 ,” seide pe Aumperovr po : “ 3 ware is ovre m^tel Schal pis peof poru 3 is wichcliinge : a- 3 en us with wordes f^te he let nimen Sebastian : and hom to is paleis lede. For no miracle pat he dude : to wide scholde sprede, 76 Laste Men torneden to cnstindom : In-to a priue stude he him ladde, With staues he let him to depe beten. : and po heo a-slawe him hadde, In one Chaumbre foreine : a-midde pe fuylthp-hede he let him honge with a rop — : and pat was a vil dede — 80 J)at bodi forto schende : for he hadde drede J}at cnstine Men him wolden stele : and is bodi a-wei lede. bi n^te cam pis holi Man : to a womman, pat het lucine, And tolde hire hou he ymartred was : and in 3 wuche pine, 84 An hou filliche is bodi heng : and pat heo ase sone ase heo m^to his bodi fette, and burien it : a-mong cnstine men bi n^te. ST. AGNES IS MARTYRED WHEN 13. THE CONSTABLE’S SON 181 DESIRES HER. SHE REFUSES HIM. pis guode womman at Midni^t : dude ase lie hadde i-bede : Fette J?at bodi and burede hit : In a wel fair sfcude. 88 pus seint Sebastian Jm holi man : is lif brou^te to ende, And fram Je pine of is liue : to J>e blisse of heuene he gan iwende. 29 Vita scw?cfe agnetis. O Eint Anneis, pat holi Maide : wel }ong heo bi-gan kJ to serui god al-mi^ti : to beon eristine womman. heo nas bote of Jwettene ^er : \>o heo was to de£e i-brou^t For pe loue of Ihesu crist : pat deore us hath i-bou^t. 4 In rome, jrnre he wonede : so fair creature nas non Ase was Jus maide forthward : of felle no}>er of bon. Ase pis Maide-child cam a dai : goinde fram schole, pe constables sone hire i-sai^ : and heold hire for foie ; 8 he gan to louien hire in folie : and for hire was in mouminge, And carede hov he mi^te best : to ende his foie jjou^t bringe. For stille mourninge pat he hadde : he i-werth swuyjm lene. par-of wondrede muche is frend : and ^erne him duden bi-menfe]. 12 heo axeden him a dai in priuete : hov he dude fare, he gan to telle fram on to ojmr : ^ware-of was is care, And hou he wolde him-self a-sle : bote he ]?at maide hadde. pe consta[b]le non ojmr ne sai 3 : is sone forth he ladde ; 1 6 heo comen to Anneyse, pat Maide hende : and nomen hire bi pe honde. pe fader seide : “ lo here mi sone : pat wurth riche heyr of londe : II A fair grace J?e is i-come : he hath is heorte to pe i-take ; Riche womman Jjou worst i-nou^ : he schal habbe J?e to make ; 20 liext ]jov worst of al ]>i kun : of londe and ojmr Jhnges, gold and seluer pe worth i-nou 3 : broches and eke ringus.” pat maide seide : “go fram me : ]mv lupe[r] dej?es fode ! Woldestjmv defouli mi bodi 1 ? : Jmv ne bringest me neuere in p it mode. [foi. 90] 24 Icli habbe me one spouse i-nome : ]?ou ne wost nou^wer swuch non, br^tore pane J?e sonne ojmr ani l^t : pat euere on eorjje schon. Of 3 was kuynde wondri may ech png : for is moder is clene mayde, his fader of womman neuere ne wuste : so J?e prophetus us saide ; 23 Al J>ene world he made of nou 3 t : and 3 af us ovre fode 3 182 THE GIRL ST. AGNES IS TAKEN NAKED TO A BROTHEL, BUT IS WONDERFULLY CONCEALED IN LIGHT. Wei deore with is swete blod : he bo^te us on fe rode. Ane marke he hathz on me i-do : fat I-ne scholde non ofur take, Deorewurfe )>ing he hath me bi-hote : I-nelle him neuere fur-sake.” H j)G Constable het Symproni. : “ hov getlf fis,” he seide, “ 3wefur fov hi leue on fe false gode 1 ? : torne fi fou 3 t, ich rede 34 And nim fis child to fi spouse : and fenk on fine owene guod, Ofur isclial do fe so tormenti : pat fov schalt nei 3 beo Avod.” 3G “beo stille,” seide fis maide fo : “ be stille, fou deueles lime, bov ne schalt to-dai for no fretning : mi guode fou 3 [t] me bi-nime. Ich am redi for is loue : fat deore me hath i-bou 3 t tormenz a-fonge, and fe deth al-so : for Ine drede me ri 3 t nou 3 t.” 40 fe Constable let somony al fe cite : and brou 3 te fis mayde heom bi-fore ; hire for-to schiende, he dude hire strepe : so naked so he° was i-bore, J)at ech man scholde i-seon hire derne limes : pe more hire to schende. “ Onwreste man,” fis mayde seide : “ schame p e worth atfenende. 44 H I^e schameth pe no-fing in fi fou 3 t : bi womman fus to do, 3 wan p ou of Avomman art i-come : and ech man is al-so 1 ” \ Jpat 1 was not 2 for hire 3ong-hede : are hire smok were of i-nome, Jpare AA^as 1 on hire SAvete heued : so muche fair her i-come, 1 ms. was was Joat hudde al hire SAvete bodi : fat it tilde bi-neothe hire kne 1 ; \)o ne m^ten men for here : of hire bodi nou 3 t i-se. 1 ms. kneo An hous fat seruede of bordel : fare was bi-side : )?are-Inne fe constable hire let do : and sethfe het crie Avide 52 Jpat alle fat Avolden folie don : fudere scholden Avende And finde fare a fol Avomman : of bodie fair and hende. \) o fat Maide Avas f are-Inne i-do. : so fill Avas fat hous of l^te ))at no man for brij 3 t-hede : fat Mayde i-seo ne m^te. 56 f)at Maide sat a-doun a-kneo : and seide hire oresun fere : “ Louerd,” heo seide, 11 3 ong ich am : a-mong mine fon i-brou 3 t here, Euerech fondeth to don me schame : fat he[r]-a-boute Avendez : Louerd, ne 3 if neuere no luf er man poAver : mi bodi for-to schende ! ” bis Maide sat euere in hire bcden : to ore louerd heo gan crie : hire ne m^te no man for l^te i-seo : fat come fere-In for folie, 62 Ake euere 3 wane heo comen In : to don heore foie f ou 3 t, 1 heo heorden hire crie on ore louerd so 3 erne : and hire ne se^en noi^t. 1 AN ANGEL CLOTHES ST. AGNES. HER FOE, THE CONSTABLE’S SON, 183 DROPS DOWN DEAD, BUT IS RESTORED TO LIFE AND CONVERTED. H ])o bi-gan ech after ofur : ase euer-eeh with-Inne cam, For Miracle fat heo sei^en fere : tuyrne to cristindom, 66 And bi-gonne forth with hire : to ore louerd ^eorne crie — • \)o was fat an hous of beden : fat raf er was of folie. L 1 foi. oo b.] Ase fat maide sat and bad hire beden : an Aungel fare cam gon, 1 A Roket he brou^te on is hond to hire : ^wittore nas neuere non. ft at [maide] 2 dude on f is Roket. : al naket heo was er, 2 om. Nafeles heo ne m^ten no^t hire bodi seo : for li^te ne for her; 72 ])o heo hadde ido fis Roket on : non-more i-hud heo nas ; Fairore lijf nas neuere i-seie : fane fis ^onge maide fo was. })q constables sone cam for-to don with hire : ase he hadde er i-seid : And are he m^te fat Maiden handli : he fel a-doun stan-ded. 76 his felawes fat with him comen : with-oute heo weren wel stille, And hopeden, for he so longe was : fat he dude is wille. U Nafeles, fo he to longe was : is o felawe gan in gon, And fond fat child ligge ded : so cold ase a ston. 80 he leop him out in-to f e strete : loude he gan to grede : “ Comiez hid ere, men, and sletli fis wichche : for heo hath i-do a luf er dede : J)e Constables sone heo hath a-slawe : here ^e mouwen i-seo. Comiez noufe bliue and nimeth hire : fat heo a-wei ne heo ! ” 84 J)at folk cam reke a-boute fis hous : and founden fat it was ded. Alle fe baillifs fudere comen : to nimen far-of red. Some seiden fat heo wichche was : some fat heo was guod, And alle for f e childes def e : wrof e weren in heore mod ; 88 heo stoden and Iuggeden hire a-mong heom alle : fat quelle heo wolden hire sone. 1 3R me al. om. 2 \>. m. al. om. J)at maide sat a-doun on hire knes : and made to god hire bone : “ louerd,” he seide, “^if fi wille beo : 3 if me 1 fine mi^te and fine grace : J)ov kuythf fine m^te 2 and send fis child : lijf here In fis place, 92 J)at fis folk fat here is luyf ur : fine rn^te mouwen i-seo ; Ke lat none mo men deth a-fonge : for enchesun of me.” II A-doun far cam an Aungel : “mayde Anneis,” he seide, “ Ore louerd hath i-heord fine bone : fat fou to him bede.” heo blessede fat child, and hit aros : fram defe to liue, And fonkede god, and orn him out : at fe dore wel bliue; 96 184 ST. AGNES IS TORTURED FURTHER. SHE REMAINS UNHURT IN A FIRE, BUT IS AT LAST THRUST THROUGH THE THROAT. ST. VINCENT. lie cam out a-rnong al fat fo[l]k : loude he gan to crie : 1 om. >ai “ On god fat 1 is In heuene : fat was i-bore of fe Maidene Marie, 100 ]3at is fader and sone and holi gost : louerd of alle finge, jpat Aville hadde Jjoiu} is mi^te : fram defe to-day me bringe. Fur-sakez eovwer false godes : for heo nabbeth mi^te non Forto meoui heom enes of fe stude : non more fene a ston.” 104 j)e cliildes fader and mani ofure : swife glade bi-come, Jpo heo i-se^en f e Miracle : and cristindom hem nome. Wod-wrofe weren fe lufere men : heo gonne bi-twene heom telle In ^wuche martyrdome heo mitten : fis holi maide a-quelle. 108 heo leten makien a gret fuyr : fare a-midde f e place, 1 ms. j>.»t For- to brenne seint® Anneis. : and far 1 ore louerd cudde is grace. U For f o fat Mayde was f udere i-brou^t : In fe fuyr men hire f rev} : J?at fuyr clef a-middes a-to : and fe luyfere men it wel i-knev^, 112 For fo it smot in eifur side : and barnde heom al-clene. )3at Maide nas i-wemned nou^t : for it ne touchede hire nou 3 t ene; 1 bote heo sat hire a-doun a-kne : and in eifur half was f e le^e. [} foi. aij “Louerd,” he 0 seide, “ 3 if fi wille it beo : fat ich here schulle dei 3 e, I-redi ich am for-to a-fonge fat fuyr : fat is me In eyfur side, 3if ich schal here I-martred beo : ofur lengore a-bide.” 118 ])o heo hadde fis word i-seid : fat fuyr a-queinte a-non, Non more hete nas in fe place : fane in fe colde ston. 3eot fulke fat bi-lefden a-liue : on god fat lie 1 bi-lefden nou 3 t, 1 om. J?at And Iuggeden hov heo m^ten don : fat heo were to defe i-brou 3 [t] : heo leten nime a kene snerd : and J>oru£ hire frote it smite ; ]5at rede blod orn a-doun : on hire limes so 3 wite. 124 Fairore ne m^te no-fing [be] : fane was fat ilke blod On hire limes fat weren so 3 wite : fo hit faron stod. Jpus fis Mayde seinte Annes : brou 3 te hire lijf to fine, And wende to fe Ioye of heuene : after hire muchele pine. 128 30 Vita vincentij Martyr is. S Eint Vincent In spayne : to a cnstine bischop cam, J5at men cleopeden valentin : and mstindom of him nam. king 1 of fe londe — : Dacian was is name — 1 ai. iusti<* For fe bischop cristine was : he fou 3 te to don him schame : 4 ST. VINCENT, BLAMING A BISHOP FOR HIS MILDNESS, IS SEIZED 185 AND SCOURGED BY DACIAN. he let him nime and binde : and don him in grete pine. fie bischop cride 3 erne on god : he nolde ofur fine. With heom fat him tormenteden : he spac with milde speche. Seint Vincent was fare-fore wrath : and seide : “ icli mot fe teche ; 8 3wy spext fov so mildeliche : ase fei fov a-drad were ? Wenstfou fat heo fine Maistres beon? : ^war-of hauest fov fere? Spec hardiliche, and conforte wel : ofure fat cristine beoth, ))at heo mowe to fe defe hardie beon : ase heo fe i-seoth! ” 12 “ hov is fis ? ” seide fe king : “ ^wefur fes f ef wene f^te An f± witli-segge us al a-brod ? : Ich him schal euene di^te. Lateth fene bischop a-wei gon : for is milde speche, Nimez vincent and bindez a-non : we schullen him ofur tech[e]. 16 With scourges and with staues : faste 3 e him bete, bat he ne mouw i-w^lde neuere a lime : are fat 3 e him letc ! ” “ 3e,” seide vincent, “fov palest me wel : fi word ne finchez me nou 3 t ille, I-ne fond neuere Man fat so wel : a-cordede to mi wille : 20 IT Nov ich hopie to habbe game : for erore me foi^te longe ; 1 ms. to >e hit schal me tuyrne to Ioye and gleo : and fe to 1 pines stronge.” fie tormentores nomen fane holie Man : and to a piler him bounde, With staues and scourges heo leiden on him 1 : and maden him mani a wounde. 1 ai. him on 24 bo heo 3 euen him sorest duntes : le^en he gan wel smere ; be tormentores seten a-doun and cleopeden help : f o heo werie were, And seiden : “ we beoth noufe ouer-come : ore Armes aketh sore ; lie[l]pez us and betez fesne 1 feof : for we ne mowen non' 2 more.” 28 bo was f e king wroth with heom : he let heom a-non take, 1 |f e f n | )esn0 Some he let tormenti sore : fat ech bon heom gan Ake, 3 ms. nou And some he let to def e bringue : and some in of ur turment. [foi. 91 b.] Euere he let ferschi and nevny 1 : tormentores to seint Vincent. 32 3 wane heo weren werie of bete : fe holi man bi-gan to speke : 1 r.nevuy ? “ Louerd, i-wuyrfed beo fi name : noufe ich am swife wel a-wreke : be more fat heo betez me : fe betere me is, i-wis ; to heom i[t] tornef to pine and sor : and me to Ioie and blis.” 36 IT “ Ne mowe we nov 3 t,” seide fe king : “with no-fing far-to it 186 ST. VINCENT IS NOT OVERCOME OR PERVERTED BY SCOURGING, OR BY FLATTERIES, OR BY THE GIBBET, OR BY FIRE. Jjat pov nelt nemme June false god : for no lupur betinge 1 ” “ ])oy lupere Man,” seide Vincent : “^eot pou most tormenti more, I-ne babbe nou^t ^eot tormenz i-nouwe : par-after me longez sore.” 40 \)o he was i-scourget so : pat men m^ten i-seo ech bon And euerech Ioynt and senue : pe king gan ner him gon, “ Vincent,” he seide, “ haue of J?i-self : revpe and merci, Xe lat pov non-more pi fa[i]re bodi : Jms defouli ! 44 bi-lief on ovre godes and torne anon : pi Jjou^t and pi mod And i-schal pe ^iue ope al mi lond : pouwer gret and guod.” “ beo stille,” seide seint vincent : “al Atter is pi lore, beo stille a-non, pou deueles tonge : pou makest me drede sore : 48 hit me greueth pat pov feinest pe : more pane al pe pine And alle pe tormens pat pov me dest : pov and alle pine ; p)at pov bi-lenest pine tormenz so sone : and art bi-neope i-brou^t. 3eot pou most more Ioye : bringen in mi pou^t.” 52 “ J)ov schalt ^eot,” seide pe king : mo tormenz a-fonge.” he let him lede with-oute pe toun : and on a gibet him honge. Vincent for Ioie bi-gan to eorne : po he i-heorde pis dom, Jpare nas non pat him mi^te ouer-take : are he to pe gibat com. 56 \)o pat he an-hengut was : gret Ioye he made and blisse, Euere he prechede ase he heng : godes wordes to wisse ; ])q lengore pat he pare heng : pe more Ioie he made. ])o gradden pe tormentores : “ we ne schullen neuere ouer-come pis tade.” 60 IT Atpe laste he nomen him a-doun : and ladden bi-fore pe kinge, And seiden pat heo ne mitten him : for noping to depe bringe. “ Alas,” seide pe king po : “ is ore mi^te ns bi-nome 1 3ware-of seruieth ovre godes : pat pes peof us schal ouer-come ? 64 Ledez him with-oute pe toun : a gret fuyr ^e pare make ; And pat he beo a-midde i-brou^t : and i-bounde to one stake ; For-brenne he schal euerech lime : ne schal he pus him wer[e] : And 3 wane he is to douste I-barnd : we beoth i-brou^t of care.” 68 J)e tormentores nomen seint Vincent : and duden pe kingus heste. j)e holi man wende in-to pe fuyr : ase gladliche ase to one feste. Jpo heo wenden pat seint vincent : to douste i-brend were, heo omen horn and tolden pe kinge fore : gladdore neuere heo nere. ST. VINCENT IS STILL TRUE TO CHRIST, THOUGH TORTURED WITH 187 BURNING PLATES AND OTHER TORMENTS. lieo ne mijten. so sone hom come : fat seint vincent nas er At home and stod bi-fore f e kinge — : mani sori man was f er ! 7 4 IT pe tormentores tolden fe kingue : hov he i-barnd was. “Alas ! alas ! ” fe king seide : “neuerer i-schend i-nas ! [foi.92] Schal feos fef us ouer-come ? : Mahun, nou fin ore ! pei he grete tormenz habbe i-haued : ^eot ich can bi-fenche more.” he let nime platus of Ire : sum-del funne and brode, And let heoni legge amidde fe place : wel nei$ ane cartes lode ; 80 gret fuyr he let far-on make : and fo heo glowinde were, pat wode-fuyr heo duden al a-Avei : fane guode man fudere heo here And on f e berninde plates him casten : and some farof heo toke And leiden an-ouewarde is holi bodi : mid one Irene croke. 84 Al he was far-on ihud — : fe ^ut nadde he none fere ! pat grece of him orn a-brod : ase J?ei it frijnge were. pe swyf ere fat he barnde : f e gladdore he him made ; he I 0 U 3 smere, 3 wane f e plates : In is flesch gonne Avade ; 88 Atfe bi-ginningue he Avas glad : and gladdore atfenende. “ Alas ! alas,” f e king seide f 0 : “ f es fef us wole schende ! pis torment ne helpez us noi^t : an-ofur Ave moten bi-fenche.” he let maken a swyfe gret fuyr : J?at noting ne mi 3 te a-quenche : 92 IT Seint Vincent huy lei[den] a-mide-Avarde : and sethf e salt heo nome And Mid ladeles on is Avondene it casten : in 1 fe fuyr i-lome, 1 a^.&iu So fat fe salt scholde is woundene frete : with pe brenninde fuyre ; pe spranglinge of pe blode i-selt : Avide men m^ten i-huyre. 96 “ 3 e,” seide pis guode man : “ pis is a swete feste ! Mani Ioye ichabbe i-haued : ake pis is on pe meste.” 3 wane is blod spreinde In pe rof an hei^ : he gan to le^en smere. panne Avas pe king and alle is men : In swyfe grete fere, 100 And seiden : “ fes pef us wole ouer-come. : Mahun, 3 ware is pi m^te? Schal fes pef with is wichchinge : a 3 en pi poAver fi 3 te ? ” “ 3 eof Ich fenche,” seide fe king : “ of one pine stronge ; beo pes pel far-on i-do : he ne schal nou 3 t libbe longe.” 104 heo setten him in a swyfe deork put : fat in f e gayhole Avas, So ful of sweordes pointes i-pi' 3 te : ase Mede is ful of gras : pare-oppe fanne holi man : heo casten, faste i-bounde, pat fe pointes of fe swerdes scholden : 3 iuen him defes woundes. 188 AN ANGEL TAKES ST. VINCENT OFF THE SWORD POINTS. HE DIES IN A SOFT BED. A RAVEN WATCHES HIS BODY. Faste heo loken alle J?e dore : and leten him longe pere beo Ope pe swerdes pointes in deorkhede : he ne mi^te noting i-seo. 110 J?are cam an Aungel witli a taper : brenninde in is hond, Of his pine he bar him op — : and pare was godes sonde ! 112 IT fie Aungel was par with him : ase longe ase he pare was, Mid a brenninde taper, and Ioie gret : pat neuere more nas. fio it was longe pare-afturward : pis men comen perbi-side, And wende pat he were ded : ane stounde heo gonne a-hide : 116 ])o i-heorden heo pis holi man : loude and murie singe And herede god in heuene. : heo tolden pat pe lunge. J?o was pe ping nei$ i-swowe : and seide, sichinde wel sore : “ Alas, we beoth noupe ouer-come : I-ne can 1 penche non more; 1 ms. cam Ovre godes ne helpez us nou^t : pat alle ping habbeth to wolde . 1 I-nelle neuere-eft a-^ein him f^te : creaunt ichulle me holde. pfoi. 92 b.] IT 3 wane no pine ne mai him sle : opur ping ichulle fonde : “ goth/’ he seide, “ and maketh a bed : pat softeste in anie londe, Of quoiltene and of materasz : of cheisel and of palle, And panne leggez him par-on : swipe softe with-alle.” 126 ho pat bed was i-maket : to pe gayhole heo wende, And founden Jrare pat lij^t of heuene : pat orelouerd pudcre sende. 128 Wel softe heo nomen pis holi man : and custen is sore wounden, to Relikes heo gadereden stilleliche : pat heo of is blode founden ; heo leiden him in pat nesche bed. : and po he was paron, his preiere he dude to ore louerd crest : and deide po a-non. 132 ho pe king isai} pis pat he deide : so mildeliche in is bedde, “ tormenz,” he seide, “ we him habbeth i-do : vuele parof us spedde : Ded we wolleth him ouer-come : 3 wane we ne mitten a-liue. Into pe wilde felde : pat bodi $e beren wel bliue, 136 Wilde bestes and foules : to-drawe heo schullen it sone.” his men bro^ten pat bodi pare : and duden pe kingus bone, hare cam fleo a Rauon : and a-doun pare-bi he a-l^te, Kene and suype dredful : i-redi he was to fi^te ; 1 40 ni pare come ani foul to : pat pis bodi i-se^e, he Rauon smot to grounde : ne mosten pare come non ne^e, IT Ake Euere he drof heom a-wei : pudere ^wane heo come ; Ne mi^te pare come none so kene : pat 0 mossel parof nome. 1 14 st. Vincent’s corpse is cast into the sea, but will not 189 SINK. IT IS BURIED IN SPAIN. THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. A wolf cam also f uder-ward : is mete for-to fette, And wolde of fiat bodi nime. : fe Rauon a^ein him sette, he flev and smot with bile and fot : fat fe wolf atf en ende blodi was and ouercome : a^en ham ward he gan wende. 148 j)e Rauon wuste J»is bodi longe : Iwemmed nou3t it nas. \)o f e king it onder-^at : fat f e bodi i-hol was, horn he let it fette a3en : and seide, “ 3wat may beo ovre red, fiat we ne mouwen him ouer-come : nofer quik ne ded 1 ? 152 3if we ne mouwen quik ne ded : ouer-come him a-londe For no 1 quoyntise fat we mouwen do : a-watere we wollez fonde.” he let it lede fer into f e se : and bonde farto mani a ston, 1 ms. ne And casten it out of a schip. : it bi-gan to sinke a-non. 156 f o fe Mariners i-seien fis : glade heo weren and blij>e ; For-to telle fe kinge fore : heo h^eden horn wel bliue. heo ne m^ten so sone to londe come : fiat heo ne founden a-londe )3is holi Man wel faire ligge : a-bouen fe se-sonde. 160 Sore a-gremed and a-schamed : horn liuy gonne wende ; kinge heo tolden al heore cas : fram f>e furste to f e ende. “ Alas, alas,” f e king seide : “ fie schame and f e schonde ! We ne mo we him neuere ouer-come : quik ne ded, a-watere ne a-londe. ^1 Do we him out of ovre f»ou3t : we ne mouwen us neuere a-wreke ; Ich drede J>at he mi bane worfe : I-here ich more of him speke.” 1 A-ni3t In slepe seint Vincent cam : to A womman fare-bi-side c 1 foi. 93] And tolde hire 3 ware is bodi lai : and bad hire nou3t to lonce a-bide Ake fat heo it scholde burie sone : for him longuede after reste. )pis guode womman it onderstod : f 0 heo a-wok, with fe beste : heo wende and soi^te fis holi bodi : and fond it swife sone ; heo dude it burie with gret honour : ase r^t was for-to done. 172 )5us seint vincent fe liolie man : in Spayne endede is lif And wende to f e blisse of heuene : after fis pines and strif. Men nusten neuere martyr non : fat hadde more torment Ne fat with som pine ouer-come nas : bote f e gode man seint vincent. 31 Vita sancti Pauli. S Eint powel was a lufer Man : are he i-couerted were. Alle fe cnstine Men of fe lond : hadden of him gret fere, 190 SAUL, WHILE ON HIS WAY TO DAMASCUS, TO PERSECUTE CHRISTIANS, IS STRUCK DOWN. ANANIAS IS TO VISIT HIM. For he was muche and strong and feol. : ^ware-so lie eni fonnde, In chaumbre ne in bedde he ne sparede nou^t : J?at he ne slov^ heom alle to grounde. 4 po he hadde a-boute Ierusalem : In eche stude i-sou^t And alle pe mstine men pat he fond : to stronge depe i-brou 3 t, he cam to pe sonereyns of pe lawe : and seide, “ ich habbe i-mad al clene Al Jus lond of cristine Men : [}e ] 1 ne dorre of heom more mene : 8 Wende icliulle to Dam[a]sche : and clansi pat lond al-so ; 1 om. Alle pat ich a-liue finde mai : to depe ichnlle heom do, Opur ichulle heom faste binde : and hidere to eov sende; Alle pat ich a-liue finde may : ichulle a-sle opur schende.” 12 IT Saul was po is ri^te name. : he gan forth i-wende, I-Armed, and mani a man with him : to bringe is Jiou^t to ende. Ase he cam a-midr^t pe wei : a li^t him cam a-boute, pat he ne m^te for li^te i-seon. : po gan him sore a-doute ; 1 6 he stod ase pei he a-stoned were. : po cam pare in a stounde A drem ase pei it a pondre were. : pare-with he ful to grounde And lai, pat he ne mi^te him wawie nou 3 t. : po herde he a uoiz telle : “ Saul, 3 wi werrestpov opon me : mine Men for-to quelle V } 20 “ ho art pov 'i ” seide saul ; “ louerd, artpov pare 1 ” A voiz seide, “ 3 e, ich am pi god : pat pov hast i-weorred so 3 are. to wynci a 3 ein pe pricke : swipe strong it is pe.” “ Louerd,” seide Saul po : “ 3 wat woltpov do mid mel ,v 24 “pov schalt,” seide ore louerd po : “ In-to pe toune wende ; pine ri 3 te bi-leue pe schal teche : a man, to 3 warn i-schal pe sende.” — pis was pene fourteope 3 er : aftur pulke stounde pat Ihesu crist soffrede on pe rode : for us depes wounde. — 28 po Saul hadde longe i-leie : wel softe he op a-ros And stod op — he ne rn^te i-seo neuere a del : ful sore him a-gros. he let him lede to pe toun. : it was pane pridde dai Are he .et. opur dronk : opur ani si^t i-sai 3 . 32 H Ore louerd cam to a guod preost : is name was ananye, i “ go,” he seide, “ in-to pe toun : and to Iudases hous pov h^e : Saul po / schalt pare finde : pat i-weorred me hauez longue ; [foi. 93 b.] 3if him cnstindom in mine name : and he it wole onder-fonge. 36 SAUL IS BAPTIZED, AND CALLED PAUL. HE PREACHES CHRIST, 191 AND JOINS THE APOSTLES. se^e pat god pe pudere sende : pat In pe weie a-^ein liim cam he wolde a^ein him weorri : and is power him biVnam.” 1 bi over/ined 1 Louerd,” seide Ananie : “ ich habbe muche i-heord telle J)at Saul was a luper man : and cristine men dude quelle.” 40 “ die dred pe nou^t,” ore louerd seide : “ lomb he is bi-come, him pinchez longe are he habbe : cr/stinedom i-nome. to beo prechour of mi word : i-chose ich him habbe ; he schal beo wis and studefast : nanne betere i-nabbe.” 44 \)o Ananie i-heorde J>is : hardiliche forth he wende. he cam to Saule and seide him so : pat ore louerd him pudere sende ]3at he scholde cristine beo. : saul was po wel blipe, And er pane he i-baptized was : ech ^wyle him poi^te fiue. 48 p)o he i-baptized was : powel was is name. Wel au^ten men herien pane god : pat of pe wilde makez J»e tame ! A-non so he I-baptized was : pare feol out of eiper e^e Fuylpe ase pei it were slym : pat alle pe men it sei^e. 52 po m^te he swipe wel i-seo. : he heold op is honde, U A-knevwes he sat in his bedes : and ponkede godes sonde, tendre metes men greipede him : and 3 af him par-of wel ofte, 3if he mi 3 te is strencpe coueri : lieo beddeden him wel softe. 56 J 50 seint powel i-couered was : and hadde strencpe of Manne, he purueide him of precliingue : and wende a-non r^t panne Into pe giwene synagogue : and prechede cmtindom. Ech man wondrede pat him i-sai 3 : po he prechour bi-cam, 60 And seiden : “ nis pis pilke man : pat weorrede alle peo In pe londe of Ierusalem : pat he m^te 03 were mstine men I-seo 1 ” Manie Men he tornede to cristinedom : and manie him pou 3 ten quelle And bi-speken hov heo m^ten do : for he bi-gan a- 3 ein heom telle, he ne let for no drede : pat he ne prechede wel bliue. For euere poru ore louerdes grace : he ascapede with pe liue. lie sou 3 te 3 ware pe Apostles weren : to heom he cam wel sone, to prechi mid heom godes word : ase hore r^te was to done. 68 pe apostles weren formest a-ferd of him : and leueden him wel vnnepe, For he so muche cnstine folk : hadde i-brou 3 t to depe ; Ake po heo wusten hou it was : to felawe [heo] him toke — For pare ne i-werth non so wis : holi churche to loke. 72 192 ST. BRIGIT (SHORT LIFE). MIRACLES IN HER DAIRY. SHE WILL NOT WED. THE BISHOP AND HIS MEN ARE TO DINE WITH HER. Seint powel to cristinedom : cam In Jmsse manere. god us graunti for is loue : In lieuene to ben is fere. 32 Vita sancte Brigide virginis. S einte Bride of he^e men : In scotlond heo cam, Of riche men and of gret power : In la we of c? , i‘stindora. )Ms Maide bi-gan wel 3 ong : to beo of porture hende ; Jpare ne scholde vil dede ne word : neuere fram hire wende. 4 heo bigan ore louerd crist to semi : in worde and in dede ; 3 wane hire ^ongue felawes weren atpe plei^ : hire oresones heo seide. 1 IT hire moder louede hire swipe wel : pat, po heo was of elde, pfoi.94] A1 hire chese and al hire milk : heo bi-tok hire to welde, 8 And al pet $wijt pat In pe court was : heo scholde ope hire helde, At a certeyn dai parof : trewe a-countes ^elde. p)at Maide let gaderi swipe clene : pe Milk ant pe chese, botere and al pat parof cam : nolde heo nowi^t leose : 12 3wane heo sei^e anie pouere Men : heo delde it heom wel clene — hire deierie was euere of chese and botere : bar and swipe lene. 3 wan hire dai$ was nei 3 i-come : a-countes forto 3 elde, Of hire moder heo was a-ferd : glad heo was ful seide. 16 3eorne heo bad ore louerd crist : pat he scholde beo hire red, he nadde 3 warof a-countes 3 elde : ase hire moder hadde i-seid. ])o pe day was i-come : heo nuste 3 ware-with hire a-quite, For pare nas in pe deierie : no^t adel of none 3 wite. 20 Napeles pe moder eode pudere : to loke hou it ferde : heo fond ech lome i-heped ful : al a-boue pe brerde, Of chese and of botere : and of opur 3 wijte also. he ne may neuere is 3 wyle leose : pat for pe guode wole ou 3 t do. — 24 hit bi-feol pat pis Maydenes frend : nomen heom to rede )pat heo i-weddet scholde beo. : and heo anon-r^t heom with-seide. to pe bischope heo wende a-non : and a-vouwede chastete, And seide heo nolde neuere man habbe : pe sikerore for-to beo. 28 For Ioye pat pe bischop hadde of hire : he seide pa[t] he wolde ete, And alle is Men, a dai with hire : he bad hire maken heore mete. Jparof was pis Maide glad : and napeles sore heo hire dradde, For bote bred and Ale and one kou : non more mete heo nadde. 32 ST. BRIDGET DRIES CLOTHES ON A SUNBEAM, TURNS WATER INTO ALE, 193 A STONE INTO SALT, AND BREAKS A SILVER CUP INTO 3 EQUAL PARTS. heo bi-gan to milken pis cov : and muche milk of hire heo nam 1 ; Jpe lengore pat heo hire Milkede : pe more milk pare cam : 1 ms. mam Jpis kov ^af so muche Milk : pat pare-mide heo fedde Jpene hischop and alle is Men pat dai : and muche ponk parof hadde. IT hit bi-feol pare-after-ward : pat Maide a-feld wende, Forto loki to hire schep. : so gret rein ore louerd to eorpe sende Jpat hire elopes al wete weren. : and a-^en horn 1 heo gan gon. 1 ms. heom heo wolde hangi hire clopus forto druye : and heo ne sai} noi^t 3 waron. 40 Jpe sonne schon In at one hole : and ope pe hem of pe sonne hire wete elopes heo heng forto druj^e : pat pe stremes a-doun ronne. Museles comen to hire adai : of-hongrede and of-cale, heo beden hire mete and drinke for godes loue. : he nadde nou^t a spone-ful ale. 44 A fat pare stod fol of bape-water : heo $af it hire blessinge : Jpe beste Ale a-liue it bi-cam : he ^af it pe Museles drinke. A womman cam and bad hire salt : and heo ne hadde non : With hire blessingue heo turnede to salte : ane wel grete ston. 48 Jpre sike men beden hire guod : ase heo to hire come. A seluerne coppe heo [heom] ^af : and gladliche heo hire nome ; And bi-gunne for-to striui : hov heo hire dele m^te. [fol. 94 b.] “ Abidez,” seide pis Maide : “ and ichulle it euene d^te.” 52 Jpis Coppe heo smot a^en a ston : pat heo to-brak apre ; Euerech heo $af iliche muche : ase euene ase it mijte beo. Jpeos miracles, and manie opure : seinte Bride wrou^te ; Jpe blinde and pe doumbe : to guode hele heom brou 3 te. 56 Jpe furste dai of feuerer : hire lijf heo brou^te to ende. 1 r. to>e god us graunti alle forth with hire : te 1 blisse of heuene wende. 33 Vita sancte Agathe. S Einte Agace, pat guode Maide : In cisile was i-bore ; Wel 3 ong heo bi-gan cWstine to beon : pat hire soule nere fur- lore. » Of faire porture pis Mayde was : and stable in godes lore. Jpe Duyk of pe londe it onder^at : it him of-poi^te sore. 4 he ne m^te for revpe don hire in pine : Al for hire 3onghede ; LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 0 194 ST. AGATHA IS BROUGHT TO A HARLOT, TO BE SEDUCED, BUT IN VAIN. SHE REFUSES TO WORSHIP HEATHEN GODS. And for heo so fair was : he hopede hire out of pulke bi-leue leae. An old quene pare was bi-side : strong hore and baudestrote; heo hadde N^e do^tren li$t wummen. : pe Duyk bi-gan hire gret mede bi-hote, 8 bat heo scholde pat maide wite : and mis-techen hire and rede, And fondi $if heo m^te hire bringe : in fol poi^t opur in fol dede. bis clene ping was to Jus hore i-brou^t : pat he^te Affrodose. heo, and hire do^tren al-so : maden hire J>e glose, 12 And bi-hete hire quoynte pingus fale : of seluer and of golde, Richesse and opur Ioye i-nou^ : pat heo hire po^t chaungi scholde ; heo seiden : “ hov mi^te a swuche creature : pus gent and pus freo, hende and milde and swete i-nov^ : with-oute Iolifte [beo]? 16 bi 3 ongue blod nolde it polie nou^t : scholde pi Ioie beon pe bi-nome ; In Jus lond nis prince so hei 3 : pat pov ne mutest him wel bi-come.” IT bis Maide, pei heo were ^ong : bi-gan to Answerie a-non, And seide, “beo stille, pou deueles bouk ! : pe ne worth here non l-won. be hexte prince pat is ani : In loue ich habbe i-take, In mine ^onghede and euere-more : to holde him for mi make. 22 Swete and hende and milde he is : on him is al mi poi^t, Ich am so faste to him i-bounde : par-of ne bringuest pou me nou 3 t.” bis lupere wummen weren ech-one : studefastliche N^t and dai 3 A-boute to bringue luper poi^t : In-to pis swete 30 unge may 3 ; 26 britti dawes heo was with heom : pat heo fondeden euere to bringue hire into pe deueles lore : Ake heo ne spedden neuere. 28 bis wychche wende to pe Duyk po : pat het quincian, And seide, “ sire, i-ne mai chaungi nou 3 t : pe pou 3 t of pis womman ; L^tloker man may pane hardeste ston : make nesche ase wolle bane pat Maide poru 3 any gin : of hire pou 3 t bringe schulle.” 32 be Duyk let a-non pis mayde fette : and Axede 3 wat heo were, “godes schulchone,” heo seide, “ ich am ” : heo nadde none fere, he Axede of 3 wat kunne heo were. : heo seide, “ of gent and freo.” be Duyk seide, “ hov m^t pov gentil womman : and eke a schulchone beo?” 36 “ 3 US ,” seide pat maide po : “ hit is more fraunchise to beon gode[s]schulchene oper is pral : pane king opur Iustise.” [foi.95i “ Anovre ovre godes ! ” seide pe Duyk : “ ne spec of pi god non-more, ST. AGATHA IS PUT IN PRISON, BUT AGAIN REFUSES TO WORSHIP 195 IDOLS. HER BREASTS ARE TORN OFF, BUT ST. PETER CURES HER. Ofur ichulle fe swuch pine do : fat it schal fe rewe sore.” 40 “ I-ne schal so sone,” fat rnaide seide : “ In pine beo i-brou 3 t J)at it nele a-swagi ^if icb babbe : on ihesu crist mi Jjoi^t ; )if fou bringest me in ani fuyre : and ich me bi-fenche On fe pine fat he folede for me : a-non it wole a-qnenche.” 44 jOe Duyk let nime fat maide a-non : and In-to f e gayhole lede ; j ) at maide was fo also glad : ase fei men hire to feste bede. In stronge prisone beo was i-do : far-inne longe beo lay. j)e Duyk let fare-after-warde : at-fore him fat mayde bringe a day. 48 IF “ Agace,” he seide, “ bi-fench fe wel : bi-lef fi foie fo^t, Anovre ore 1 godes fat mo wen fe belpe : are fou beo in pine i-brOU3t.” 1 ms. ore ore J}at maide seide, “ fou spillest f i breth : and fou tellest embe nou 3 t. Ake ich rede fat fou Anouri him : fat deore us bath i-boi^t, 52 And bi-lef fine false godes : fat power nabbez non, Jpat beoth i-mad of an old stoc : of ur of f e harde ston.” 1 ms. Neitpomt “Neltfou [nou^t 1 ,” seide fe duyk : “fine folie 3 uyt bi-leue, In stronge pine fov scbalt beo i-don : to-day are it beo eue.” 56 hokes and witthene he let nime : and faste to hire breoste binde, And let is tormentores with fe witlifene : hire breostene of wynde. “ jx>v onwreste bouk,” fis Maide seide : to fe duyk quincian, “Ne hastfov no schame in fine lieorte : defouli fus ani man 60 Jpat lyme fat fov f i moder of soke : and f e hath forth i-brou 3 t ? Do fov fin owene confusion : and ne dred fe r^t noi^t.” IT gret pine f olede fis clene [may] : are heo weren of i-drawe ; So muche was hire fou 3 t on gode : fat it ne greuede hire noi^t an hawe. 64 ])o heo weren of i-drawe : In-to prisone heo was eft i-do. joe Duyk let wdtie fat prison faste : fat no man ne come hire to hire woundene to hele with ani-fing : of ur hire pines forto lisse. Ake ore louerd ne format noi^t hire : fo ne forte he misse. 68 Ase heo in prisone al one was : an old man fare cam gon, boxes fulle of 0} T gneme[n]z : he brou 3 te mani on And seide fat he hire hele wolde. : “ fov ne schalt,” heo seide ; “ I-ne kepe no man bote god : fat me hele and rede.” 72 “Ich am,” seide fe olde man : “ In his name hidere i-wend, 196 ST. AGATHA REMAINS STEADFAST, AND IS TO BE TORTURED WITH FIRE, WHEN AN EARTHQUAKE DESTROYS THE DOOM-HALL. SHE DIES. For ick am his apostle — : to f e lie me hath i-send Jpine woundene forto hele : J>at )>ov hast for him stronge. In fe Ioye of heuene : fine mede fou schalt afonge.” 76 be woundes he gan smeorie : heo w r eren hole in one stounde. bat Maide nuste ^ware he 1 bi-cam : J>o he hadde i-held hire wounde. \)q Duyk let fat maide bi-fore him bringe : f ene feorf e day, 1 ms. heo he seide, “ hastf ov 3eot i-chaunget ]?i f ou3t ? ” : J>at mayde seide “ nay. )pi word,” heo seide, “ ne doth non ofur : 3 wane fov spext Jms to me, bote fuylez swife foule fe eyr : fat it deth inne fleo. 82 he is wod fat stok ojmr ston : wole to helpe calle, [foi. 95 1>.] And nou3t to god of heuene : fat hath i-heled mine wounden alle.” 84 “Darstfou 3eot,” seide fe Duyk : “ of fine false gode more telle 1 "Beo fov so wod to nemmen him more : in stronge def e Man schal f e quelle.” “ Onwreste bouk,” pat Maide seide : “ I-nelle it lete nou3t, be 3wyle pat ich libbe may : to nemen him with worde ojmr with J>ou3t.” 88 be Duyk het men hire for-brenne : a gret fuyr he let make, bo heo [hire] wolden far-inne do : pa eorfe bi-gan to quake, H Ase wide ase fe cite was : and felde a-doun fe dom-halle ; Twei men fat hire Iuggeden to defe : a-slawe weren with )>e walle. bat folk of pe cite was a-drad. : to pe duyke heo seiden : “ bis Mayde is guod, and we beth for hire : In grete perile and in drede. 94 gret pine Jjov hast [hire] i-don : Jjou ne schal so non-more.” bo J>e Duyk i-herde jhs : a-drad he was wel sore ; 96 bat Mayde he let to prisone lede : and he him-seolf a-scapede a-wey bi one posterne stilleliclie : fat no man him ne sey3. bo fat mayde into prisone cam : a-doun heo sat a-kneo, “ Louerd,” he seide, “fram mani pine : fou hast i-saued me, 100 fram fuyr and fram woundes stronge : fou me hast i-brou3t, And fram mi child-liod fou me hast i-wust : fat ine mis-bi-lefde nou3t : Lat me, louerd, to reste wende : for here me f incliez long, Tyme it is to endi mi lijf : mine soule fov onder-fong.” 104 Mid fusse worde bi-fore al fat folk : heo bi-gan to de^e. bare was mani a sori man : and mani a wepinde e^e. ANGELS BEAR A TABLET TO ST. AGATHA’S TOMB. SHE SAVES 197 HER COUNTRY DURING AN ERUPTION. ST. SCHOLASTICA. Jjat folk pat hire louede : siwede hire wel faste, hire hodi heo nomen with gret honour : and bureden it atpe laste. 108 j ) o heo bureden pat holi bodi : a felawe-schipe pare cam go Of pe faireste children pat mitten beo : pre hondret and wel mo, 3onge pingus of on age : in ^wite clopus of palle ; Ane table of Marbre In is hond : pe on bar at-fore heom alle : 112 IT heo Ioyneden it to seinte Agace toumbe : po heo comen per-to, Wel sweteliche heo wenden a^en : po heo hadden so i-do — Angles it weren pat pare a-li^ten : for seinte Agace to ground e. Clerkes bi-heolden pe table ^eorne : pare-Inne i-write huy founde : 1 16 “ J}is Maide hadde holi po^t : god heo dude honour, A-serued heo hath to alle pe contreie : deliueraunce of langour.” Eor-sope heo m^ten pis laste word : par-after onder-stonde : pulke time a twelf-Monpe : of an hul in pe londe 120 Strong fuyr pare cam eornen out : ase water doth of welle, And barnde al pat pare was a-boute : quic ping it gan a-quelle ; hit spradde wide into al pat lond : pat folk hadde grete fere, And barnde pe hard roche of ston : ase pei it Col were. 124 heo ne dorsten bi-leue at no toun : ake ornen ase men pat were wode : At seinte Agace Toumbe : pare heo formest at-stode. Al-so it bi-feol in hire daye : ase sone ase heo weren pere, }5at fuyr queinte a-non in-to al pat lond : ase pei it neuere nere ; 1 128 And bi-fore it hadde six dawes i-last : and six Nij^t al-so, Pfoi. 96 ] And orn ase pei it water were : for-barnde al pat him cam to. ])o schewede ore louerd pat it was soth : pat pe maide seinte Agas A-seruede deliueraunce to al pe Contree — : pare wel i-sene it was. Al-so w[i]sliche we schullen hire bidde : ase heo pe contreie 3 af bote, J}at we to pe Ioye pare heo is Inne : with, hire come we mote. 34 [Scholace] S Einte scholace, pat holie mayde : heo was of clene liue, Leouere heo hadde to beon ISTonne : pane beon i-widdet to wiue. Seint Beneit hire broper was : and pe Ordre furst bi-fond Of Nonnes and of blake Monekus : pat is 3 uyt into al pat lond ; 4 Of blake Monekus at Duyn : An Abbeye he let a-rere, him-sulf pe Abite furst he nam : pe 3 ongore for-to lere. 198 ST. SCHOLASTICA WISHES HER BROTHER, ST. BENEDICT, TO STAY WITH HER. HE IS MIRACULOUSLY DETAINED BY A STORM ALL NIGHT. Seinte Scholace, his soster : blac Nonne he let hire make, And tei^te hire penaunce forto don : to faste and to wake. 8 Jpeos twe^e holie creatures : eche $ere hadden ane wone to comen to-gadere some Tyme : and tellen of godes sone ; Ake heore noper in operes Abbeye : bi-leue come ne mi^te Ne duelle for none pinge : oute of heore celle bi Ni^te. 12 U b o pis guode lioli mayde : i-brou^t was in grete Elde, hire longuede with hire broper to speke : feble heo hire felde. ])o heo hadde to him i-sent : and to-gadere heo weren i-come, A1 dai heo tolden of godes priuetez : seinte Marie sone, 16 Of pe Ioye of heuene : hou holi men heore [lif] ladden ; Jpare-of al heore Ioye was : pat heo to-gadere hadden. Sorie weren pis holie pingus bope : for it was suindel nei$ Eue. Seint Beneit to is soster seide : pat he ne mi^te no leng bi-leue. 20 Seinte scholace sori was. : “ bropur,” heo seide, “pin ore, Jois holie wordus so murie beoth : ^eot we mo ten telle more ; 3 wane we In godes seruise beoth : we ne doz nou 3 t ore ordre breke. Ich am so feble pat ich ne wene : neuer-eft more with pe speke ; 24 bi-leue we pis one N^t to-gadere : for his loue pat deore us boi^te, Ich wot pat he it wole us for^iue : 3 wane we it doth in guode po^te.” “beo stille,” seide seint beneit : “loke 3 wat pou dest telle, Wei pov wost pat ine mai beo : bi n^te fram mine celle.” 28 b o scholace i-sai 3 pat it ne heold : to bidde hire bropur more, hire heued he hangede a-doun : and bi-gan to wepe sore. “ Louerd,” heo seide, “ pat pov art : ful of milce and ore, Lat me, louerd, ^if pi wille it beo : i-heore more of pi lore ; 32 U Ne lat nou 3 t mi bropur to-N^t : fram me, louerd, wende, Ake soffre us with tales of pe : bringe pis n^t to ende.” Ase pis Maide loke 1 op ward : po heo hadde i-don hire bone, 1 r. lokede bat weder pat was so cler and fair : bi-gan to chaungie sone ; 36 hit bi-gan to pondri and hauli : lenten and eke rine, Jpat feor with-Inne N^te it was : er pat weder wolde a-fine. U bo ne m^te seint beneit : for pe wedere pannes i- wende. [foi. 96 b.] “ Soster,” he seide, “ 3 \vat hastpov i-don ? : pou fondest me to schende ; 3if it nere ore louerdes wille : wel ne dost pov nou 3 t, bat i-schal mine ordre breke : so nadde ich neuere i-pou 3 t.” 42 ST. SOHOLASTICA DIES THE THIRD DAY AFTER. ST. PATRICK FINDS 199 A PIT, CALLED HIS PURGATORY, AND BUILDS AN ABBEY NEAR IT. “ Leue brof er,” fat maide seide : “ ich bad f e swif e ^erne J}at fou fis ni^t bi-lefdest here : and euere fov dndest me werne : 44 Ich bad mi louerd of heuene : and he me i-herde a-non. Cheos noufe ^wafer fov bi-lene wolt : ofur heonnes for-to gon, bi-lef me alone ^if fov mi^t : for no fonk ne can ich f e, Ake ich fonki god of heuene : fat so sone i-heorde me.” 48 j) o heo ne mitten departi nou^t : to-gadere al ni^t heo woke, And tolden of godes suettnesse : and of is mi^te : In tale and eke in boke. \)e Nijt heom fov^te] suyfe schort : and sorie at fene ende heo weren f o heo fane dai 3 i-se^en : 3 wane heo scholden a-to i-wende. heo ne dorsten no lengore to-gadere beo : ac wenden to heore celle, heo weren bofe swife sorie : fat heo ne m^ten no leng to-gadere duelle. j) o fat Maide was horn i-come : sore sik heo lay^. And ase it godes wille was : heo deide fane fridde da^. 56 Seint Beneit in is celle eode : his soster soule he i-sei^ In fourme of a 3 wi 3 t Coluere : fleon op into heuene an hei^ ; heouene openede a^eines hire : fe Coluere gan in fleo. glad was fis holi man : fat he it rn^te i-seo ! 60 A-moruwe he and is couent : f udere wenden sone And bureden fat holi maide : ase it was r^t to done. bidde we suete Ihesu crist : fat is so fair and hende, J)at we moten f udere comen : ase scholace dude i-wende. 64 35 Purgatorium sancti Patrici abbfatjis. 1 S Eint paterik f oru godes gmce : makede ane put in Irlonde, ))at seint patrike purgatorie is icleoped : 3 eot, ase ich onderstonde. Ore louerd him bi-tok ane staf : mid is owene honde, J)at he fond f ulke purgatorie with : i-hered beo godes sonde ! 4 In Irlonde is 3 eot filke staf i-wust : dereworf eliche i-nov 3 , For gret relike he is i-holde : and elles it were WOU 3 . Seint paterik in fulke stude : fat his purgatorie is, Of religion bi-gan an hous : fat 3 eot stant, i-wis, 8 Ant Chanoynes fare-inne he makede : ase 3 eot fare beoth al-so. 1 I have published this legend before in Altengl. Legenden , Paderborn, 1875, p. 177 ff, together with two other versions. 200 HOW MEN GO INTO ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY. SIR OWAYN GOES TO THE BISHOP TO BE SHRIVEN. Jpane put he let faste closi - a-boute : J»at noman ne come par-to. U In pe churche^erd is pat ilke putt : ri^t toward pe Est-side, ri^t est fram pe hei^e A^ter : pat manie men ^wylene soften wide, he is hi-walled faste a-boute 1 : and faste i-loke pe 3 ate, 1 ms. abooute And pe prior haueth pe ke^e in warde : J>at no man ne mot In par-ate. 14 A1 bi seint paterikes da^e : men wenden Jmdere i-lome, And sethpe also mani on : and fewe a 3 en pare come ; 16 Ake pulke pat pare comen a 3 en : of pat heo i-se^en, heo tolde, Ase it is in pe house i-write : and in priue conseile i-holde. — U J?e manere is of euerech man : pat for-sope pudere i-went, J)at it beo to bete is sunnes : 3 if ore louerd him grace [sent]. [foi 97] to pe bischope of pe lond : furst he schal him schriue, And bidde him leue pene wey to go : in amendement of is Hue. 22 Ake pe bischop schal rede heom 1 pare-a- 3 ein : and manie resones Schewe, 1 r. him And segge pat manie pudere wendeth : and a 3 ein pare comieth fewe. Ake 3 if he is stable in is pou 3 t : for al pat men him habbez i-bede, \)e bischop him wole is lettre make : to pe prior of pe stude. 26 H J)e prior him wole al-so rede i-nov 3 : for-to chaungi is pou 3 t ; And, 3 wane he s^kz him studefast : pat he nele bi-leue it noi^t, 28 In-to churche he wole him lede : and sette him a-doun a-kne ; Fiftene dawes he schal pare : in is oresones beo. 1 ms. precession And 3 if heo ne mouwen for no-ping : maken chaungi is pou 3 t, With gret procession 1 of preostes : to pe putte he worth i-brou 3 t; 32 With pe croiz and with pe haliwatur : heo schullen blessi him ech-on, him-sulf he schal him blessi al-so : and panne into pe putte gon ; And pat procession schal tuyrne a 3 en : ase r^t is for-to done. A-moruwe In pulke tyme : heo schullen come pudere eft-sone, 36 And, bote heo finden him panne a 3 en i-come : with gret deol and sor heo schullen tuyrne a- 3 ein, and sikere beoth : pat he ne comez a 3 en non-more. — U hit bi-fel bi pe kingus da^e steuene : pat novpe late was, Of a kn^t, pat he^te sire Ovwayn : a swipe wonder cas. 40 to pe bischop pis kn^t eode : and to schrifte to him he cam, In grete repentaunce of is sunnes : deol and sorewe to him he nam. SIR OWAYN RESOLVES TO GO INTO ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, 201 THOUGH STRONGLY PERSUADED NOT TO. j)e bischop bi-gan to chide faste : for fat he hadde mis-do, And seide fat he was manne worst : for-to snnegun so, 44 And seide fat he ne mi^te so muche schame a-fonge : fat he nere wuyrf e more. kn^t sat with careful heorte : he si^te and weop ful sore. U “ Sire,” seide f e kni^t, “ ^wan ich habbe : manne worst i-do, to f e sunne fat grettest is : mest penaunce mot f ar-to ; 48 And $if ich a-mong alle men : mest sunful am, alas, ])q gretteste penaunce ichulle take : fat euere bi-founde was : Ichulle me take to godes grace : and in is name i-wende Into seint paterikes purgatorie : and take fat god me wole sende.” 52 “ Ov, beu frere,” quath fe bischop : “be stille, $wi seistfo v sol Crist for-beode fat f ov euere : swuch folie do ! Onnef e comez fare ani a-^en : fat doth f are-In i-wende ; Nolde god fat fov fe dede dudest : bodi and soule to schende ! 56 Ake wend into religion and bi-lef fare : to fine liues ende : Jpine sunnes fou m^t bete wel : }if god fe wole grace sende.” “ Certes, sire,” quath fis kni^t : “ase wel fov m^t beo stille, For f ulke penaunce ichulle do : ^lf it is godes wille ; 60 For ase muche ase ich habbe of-serued : Ine mai nou^t habe of wo. J}ere-fore sei^e ^wat i schal : for f udere ichulle go.” U ])Q bischop prechede him faste i-nov 3 : for-to chaungi is f 0113 1 ; Ake atfe laste, fo he isai 3 : fat it was al for nou 3 t, 64 To f e prior of f e stude : his lettres made sone, [foi. 97 bj J?at he scholde bi him do : ase bi swuch a man was to done. IF ])e prior prechede him faste i-nov 3 : and schewede him resones i-nowe, 3if he mi 3 te changi is fou^t : fat he him with-drowe ; 68 bote is prechinge was al for nou 3 t. : ase he sai 3 atfen ende J)at he nolde lete for no-f ing : fene perilouse wei to wende, })q prior nam him bi fe hond : and in-to church e him brou 3 te. Jpare he ful akne adoun : and ore louerdes grace bi-sou 3 te ; 7 2 In fastingues and in oresones : fourtene n^t he lai, Forte bidde ore louerdes grace. : and in fe fourtef e dai J?at Couent cam a-boute him : and of ere preostes al-so And clerkes, with procession : fe seruise for him to do. 76 202 SIR OWAYN GOES INTO ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, AND FINDS A NOBLE CLOISTERD HALL. H For him heo songun pe he^e-masse : and to ore louerd criJen faste, And ore louerdes flechs and is blod : heo 3 euen him atpe laste, And spreinden him with holi watur : and heore oresones heo seide. With Croiz and with procession : to pe put heo gonne him lede, 80 And hei^liche songun pe letanie : and holi water with hem here, And alle louerdes hale we beden : pat heo heore 1 help were. 1 r. ins ]pe prior on-lek pe puttes dore : bi-fore heom ech-on, And seide : “beu frere, lo here pe wei : pat pou wilnest for-to gon. Ake 3 if pou wolt bi ore rede do : pi pou^t pou schalt wende And in opur manere pine sunnes bete : ase god pe grace wole sende ; Fewe here comen euere a^en : pat wenden here- In bi-fore, Ake heo beoth for tormentingue and for wo : lif and soule for-lore.” H “ Certes, sire,” quath pis kn^t : “ rede $wat pov me rede, In ore louerdes name pane wei ich take : to bete mine misdede. 90 Ake for is loue pat us deore bou^te : biddez for me ech-on ! Lif .and soule god ich bi-take : and In his name ichulle In gon.” 92 he blessede him, and wende forth In : and bi-tok god is flesch and is bon ; prior spreinde him with holi water : and lek pe dore a-non. }jis guode kni^t wende him forth : wei baldeliche and faste, In one holewe weie onder eorpe : and to god is heorte caste; 96 Swype deork it was, pat he ne say ri^t nou^t : ne no-ping him ne a-gaste. So longe pat him po^te he i-sai 3 : wei feor lijt atpe laste. J^uderward he wende baldeliche : so pat he cam pere nei 3 : Puichra via. j)Q faireste feld pat m^te beo : atpe we^es ende he ise^. 100 IT Jjare-Inne he wende murie i-nov 3 : and a-midde pe felde he fond j)e faireste halle and pe nobleste : pat rn^te beo in ani lond. Ake pet weder nas nou 3 t cler : bote ase it were nei 3 eue. Forto bi-holde pat noble weork : ane stounde he gan bi-leue. 104 walles neren nou 3 t i-hole : ake al a-boute i-wis With pilers and with q v oynte Arches : ase pis Monekene cloistre is. In he wende a godes name : and sette him al one an hei 3 ; he bi-heold a-boute in-to eche huyrne : and pat quoy[n]te weork he seij. 108 SIR OWAYN IS TOLD THAT HE WILL BE TORMENTED BY DEVILS 203 in st. Patrick’s purgatory, he must pray. Ase he bi-heold al-so a-boute : fare come In at f e on ende Twelf men in ^wite clofes : swife faire and hende; [foi. 98] Alle heore crounes weren newe schaue — : and suyfe faire heo him gretten, And alle beo seten faire a-doun : and fane [kni^t] bi beorn beo setten. IF J}o seide on of beom, ase f ei it f e prior were : wel mildeliche and stille : “ bev frere, i-bered beo Ihesu crist : fat on f e bro^te swucbe wille, And late fe fat fou 3 a-godes name hast bi-gonne : for is holi grace wel ende ! lene brofur, 3 wane fou woldest fis wei : for fine snnnes wende, 116 Of ur f ov most beon studefast and hardi : and in none manere tuyrne fi fou^t, Of ur fov worst for-lore, lif and soule : and sone to f e denel i-brou^t. For also-sone ase we beth lieonne i-went : fe feondes lufere and wicke beo wollez come a-boute fe : In-to fis hous ful ficke, 120 And don fe tormens and wo i-no \ T 3 : and bi-bote fe wel more ; And heo wollez also bi-hote f e Ioye i-nov^ : $if fov wolt leue heore lore ; And }if beo mouwen foru^ ani bi-heste : of ur enie gile, fe ouer-come, For-sofe fov worst, lif and soule : a-deuele wei al clene i-nome. 124 Ake 3 b fov art studefast of heorte : and on Ihesu crist wolt f enche, Ne for bi-heste 1 ne for wo : fram him fou nelle blenclie, 1 Ms.heste heste | 5 ou worst quit of alle fine sunnes : fat fov hast euere i-wrou 3 t, And fov scbalt i-seo alle f e Ioies : fat guode men beoth inne i-brou 3 t, And al-so f e pine fat lufere men : habbez for heore mis-dede. Ake in 3 wat wo fat fov euere art : euere f ench on god, ich rede, IF And euere 3 wane heo tormentiez f e : cri Iesu milce and ore, And, 3 if fou art studefast in gode bi-leue : beo ne schullen defouli f e non-more. 132 We bi-takez fe god of beuene : and icb rede fov do bi ovre lore.” ])o nuste f e kn^t 3 ware heo bi-comen. : be sat and s^te sore, Elinge he bilefte alone : and cride on godes m^te, And Armede him with bolie beden : a 3 en fe deuelene to f^te, 136 On f e bob gost be cride faste : fat be ne scbolde him fade ; 204 THE DEVILS THREATEN AND COAX SIR OWAYN IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY; BUT HE HOLDS STEADFASTLY TO CHRIST. he lokede euere ^wane heo comen : him for-to a-saille. Ase he sat a-godes name : pe bataille for-to a-bide, Jpare cam a sori reuful cri : a-boute in eche side, 140 Ase alpe world to-borste and to-breke : him. Jmr^te it was al-so, ) 3 at, pei alle pe bestes of pe worlde : to-gadere weren i-do, Ase 1 loude and ase grisliche ase heo m^ten : ^eollinde ech-one heo Were. 1 al. & ase 2 al. om. 2 a i . J> a t jjf Ake 2 heo ne mitten a-mong heom alle : make so grisliche here, 144 Jpat 3 is hope and is heorte on ihesu crist : euere-more heo were , 4 * r. nere Elies he hadde wod bi-come : and i-lore is wit for fere. Dyaboii. IT ]po comen heo a-bouten him : picke and grisliche pere, 3eonijnde and grenninde on him : with ful lodlich chere. 148 “bel ami,” quath pe on of heom : “pou hast a-ri^t i-do, "We owez wel alle a-nouri pe : for al to fewe doth so. Eor alle opere men wollez a-bide : pat heore lif heom beo bi-nome, And 3 eot it is a 3 en heore wille : pat heo scliullen hidere come : 152 And pov art i-come al bi pine liue : and bi pine guode wille al-so ; Wel 0 U 3 te we pine mede ^elde : and gre[t] ponk also pe do. 3 wane pov hast hope bodi and soule : i^yuen us bi pine liue, [foi.98b.] Saunt faille we ne beoth nou 3 t so onkuynde : pat we it nellez 3 elde pe bliue, 156 Eor pe kundenesse pat pov to us come : al bi pine owene lore. Ake napeles, 3 if pou wolt on eorpe : habbe Ioye more, Sikere us an hond pat pov wolt : In ore seruise bi-leue And we pe wollez a 3 en to eorpe bringe : al sauf, are hit beo eue, 160 And pov schalt habbe pare Ioye i-nou 3 : in halle and eke in boure — Eor none men ne fareth so murie pare : ase pulke pat beoth ovre. hei 3 man and noble pov schalt beo : and alle men schullen honouri pe. 3 wane pov art ded ant comest to us : pou schalt habbe ase guod ase we.” 164 Jris kni 3 t pou 3 te euere on Iesu crist : and nolde chaungi is wille, Eor pretninge ne for fair bi-heste : ake sat him euere stille. J 50 he nolde graunti nou 3 t : to heom for-to wende, heo 3 ollen and grenneden on him foule : and strong fuyr bi-gonne for-to tiende ; 168 SIR OWAYN IS TORTURED IN ST. PATRICK^ PURGATORY, AND 2 0e5 DRAGGED TO THE WORLD’S END, AND BACK. THE PAINS OF PURGATORY. IT J)is kn^t heo bounden honden and fet : and a-midde f e fuyre him Prima pena. caste, With Irene Ovles and pikes : heo to-drowen him wel faste. Jpis kni^t hadde gret pine : wel londe he cride a-non : “ Ihesus, Ihesus, help me noufe : and do a-wei mine fon ! ” 172 A-non so [he] hadde f is word i-seid : fat fuyr a-queinte ech spronke, And fe deuelene ne mitten him non more to-drawe. : ore louerd he gan fonke, And fe hardiore he was i-nou^ : fo he fis i-sei^, And f e lasse he was of heom a-drad : f>at weren him so nei' 3 . 176 Wel grisliche heo 3 ollen, fe schrewes : fo heom faillede heore m^t, And flouwen echone out of fe halle : and drowen with heom fis kni 3 t. A- 3 en f e grounde heo drowen him harde : bofe bi fet and honde, longe, him fo^te, and swife feor : al-a-boute in a waste londe. 180 So blac and deork was al fat lond : fat no-f ing he ne sei 3 bote fe feondes fat him to-drowen : fat so ficke weren him ne^. Ake swif e softe wind fare was : fat he heorde onnef e, Ake so scharpe he bleu 3 and colde : fat brou 3 te him nei 3 to def e ; Ri 3 t colde he wende f oru 3 is heorte : and f oru 3 al is bodi also, J)at him were leouere fane al fe world : fat f e pine were ido. j)us colde heo drowen him, ase heom 1 fou 3 te : forth r^t est, i-wis, Ase fe sonne a-rist in somer : 3 wane fe dai lengest is. 1 r. him 188 J)o heo comen, ase heom 1 fou 3 te : r^t to fe worldes ende, bi a brod valeie heo torneden heom : and southward gonne i-wende, toward fe stude fat f e sonne : In winter doth a-rise. Jhs seli kni 3 t was i-drawe : and i-pined in fale wise. 192 \)o fou 3 te him fat he i-heorde feor : bi-fore him ase it were, Swife deolful cri and wop : and swyfe revful here ; Euere f e neor fat heo comen : f e revlokur was fat cri. So longe [heo] drowen him, fat him f oi^te : fat heo weren r^t f er-bi. II j ) 0 comen heo into a wid feld : non more ne rn^te beo, 1 r. prima secunda 1 pena So long and brod in eche side : fat he ne m^te non ende i-seo. 198 Of men and of wummen fis feld was : ful in eche side, j)e wombene to-ward f e grounde : i-spradde a-brod ful wide, [foi. 99] hondene and fet al a-brod : to fe eorfe faste i-bounde 206 SIR OWAYN, IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, IS NAILED TO THE GROUND, AND SEES FOLK IN DIRE TORMENTS. With Irene nailles al fuyrie : i-smite foru 3 heom to grounde. 1 oLom. Jpis wrechche gostes weren 1 so i-pinede : with Irene and with fuyre. So deolful cri heo maden fare : fat gret deol it was to huyre ; 204 heo criden merci deolfulliche : Ake no merci men nolde heom do ; For Anguische fe eorfe heo freten : and hore tongene gnowen al-so. j)e deonlene ornen opon hem : and treden heom to f e grounde, And with Ovles swife kene : maden heom mani a wounde. — 208 Allas, $wy nellez men beon i-war : and heore sunnes here bete, Are heo comen to purgatorie : and with f e luf ere gostes mete ! For ase wel beth fe schrewes in purgatorie : and ouer-al, ase in helle, And schullen for-to fe da^e of dome come : telle $wat men telle. — Jpe feondes seiden, “r^t ase [fis] men beoth i-pinede : fov schalt beo also, bote fov wolle fi f ou 3 t wende : and after ovre rede do.” U And f o he nolde in none manure : to grounde harde heo him caste And tormenteden him ase fe of ere weren : and to fe eorfe nailed en him faste. 216 Ake he criede a-non to ihesu crist : f o him smert so sore : })are nas non of fe schrewes f o : fat m^ten serui him so more. Tertia pena. ])o f e schrewes i-se^en fat heo ne m^ten : heore wille habben f o, heo drowen him into an ofur felde : wel ful of more wo. 220 Of Men and wummen it was ful : op-r^t i-sprad to grounde, Fet and hondene a-to i-drawe : and to fe eorfe faste i-bounde, With glowinde biendes al of Ire : i-nailede heo weren fer-to ; Al fuyrie naddrene ope heom seten : and foule erapoudes al-so. 224 Some of fe naddrene bi-clupten heom : so faste al a-boute J?at heom fou^te heo scholden to-berste : so streite heo gurden heom with-oute ; Some seten ope heom : and heore flesch al-to-gnowe And with kene tieth al fuyrie : wombe and breoste to-drowe, 228 Some with hore scharpe tounges : f oru^ f e heorte sore heom smite ; Some heo gnowen, and some heo stounge : and some with scharpe tieth heom bite. j)e Crapoudes al-so, fat weren so foule : op-on heore breostene sete And stoungen heom f oru 3 heore heortene : with heore foule wrottes grete. 232 SIR OWAYN, IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, IS SAVED PROM 207 TORMENTS BY NAMING JESUS CHRIST’S NAME. jpe luf ere gostes omen al-so : a-boute heom i-nowe 1 ms. a With hokes and with ou^les : a[nd] 1 with gret eir heom to-drowe. J)e wrechche gostes, so for-pinede : in swuch torment weren 1 i-brou3t, heo criden alle deolfulliche : ake hit ne halp heom nou3t. 1 ai. om. 236 U Jpe feondes nomen fis seli kni^t : and wolden him pini al-so : Ake anon so he cride on Ihesu crist : ne m^ten heo bringe him fer-to. 3eot f e feondes eft-sone him nomen : and to f e f ridde feld him Qaarta pena. broi^te. In stronge pine he sai3 fare wrechche gostes : fat of heom-self luyte rou3te, 240 jpat weren i-spradde on f e eorf e abrod : and i-smiten f oru3-out ech-one with nailes ficke al abrod : ase fare m^ten stikie one, j^at man ne m^te finde ane amtie place : on al heore bodie so lnyte J)at man m^te for fe ficke nailles : a fingres ende to heom puyte. IT A smart wind also to of ur wo : on heom bleu3 wel faste, [foi. 99 b.j J)at heom fou3te heo weren i-barnd : foru3-out with eche blaste. J)e feondes ornen faste a-boute : fram ech to ofur i-nowe And heore wrechche flesch with ofur wo : mid Ovles heom to-drowe. fteos wrechche gostes, so fur-pinede : and in swnch torment i-brou3t, Revliche heo criden ase heo m^ten : ake it ne halp heom 113 1 no^t ; For heo weren so clene oner-come : fat heo ne m^ten onnefe Ani voiz out-bringe bote ase a man : fat were ope fe pointe of def e : In heore f rote heo criden dimmeliche : for heore strencf e heom was bi-nome With muche pine, and no wonder it nas : fei heo weren ouer-come. ])e feondes nomen fis seli kn^t : and to grounde him caste, And seiden, bote he wolde tnrne is f ou3t : heo wolden naili him fare wel faste. 256 Ake he cride on Ihf’su crist : and nemde is holi name : J)e schrewes ne hadden none m^te fo : to don him more schame. 3eot heo nomen and drowen him : into f e feorf e felde, Quinta pena. Ful of brumston al brenninde : with stronge le^e and spelde. 260 IT Ech manere pine fat m^te beo : In fulke felde he sei3 : Some with chaines of Ire : al fuyrie, hengen on hei3, Some bi Armes, some bi fet : and bi fe necke mani on, 208 SIR OWAYN, IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, SEES FOLK IN FRIGHTFUL TORMENTS. CHRIST’S NAME SAVES HIM. heo weren an-hangede in stronge fuyre : of pich and eke brumston ; Some hengen bi stronge crokus : I-pnlte J>orii 3 eijmr Ey 3 e, ] 5 oru 3 J?e Jnote some also : and Joru} eijmr ere wel hei^e, 266 And some Jjoru^ heore derne limes : and some Jmru 3 ]>q tete, b at leuere lieom were J>ane al J>e world : heore lyf to habbe i-lete. Some op-on grediles of Ire : i-rostede weren also, Some ase gyes, J>e spites of Ire : J>oru 3 -out heom i-do ; Some leyen opr^t a^ein Jm gronnde : 3 eonijnde wel faste, ))e feondes welden led and bras : and in heore mouses caste. 272 he ne m^te bi-J>enche no manere pine : J>at he ne sai 3 mo J>er. him J?on 3 te he sai 3 Jjare mani on : J?at he knev on eor])e her. be feondes him casten a-midde Jns pine : a-mong ]hs oJ?ere ech-on : And he cride on Iesn crist : and was deliured a-non. 276 sextapena. IT 3eot J»is feondes f>is selie kni 3 t : into an ojmr place huy drowe. bare-Inne he i-sai 3 a grislich 3 weol : with spokene longe i-nowe ; bat on ende hangede toward J?e grounde : )>at ojmr op-on hei 3 , Eul it was of hokes and pikes : wel Jricke, ase he i-sei 3 ; 280 bis hokes and J)is pikes weren : faste i-riuen al-so, With wrechche gostes al-a-boute : J?at )>aron weren i-do. Al brenninde was Jus sorie 3 weol : and stinkinde of brumston ; be wrechche gostes J>at J?ar-on hengen : brenninde weren ech-on. 284 bis feondes wenden forth a-non : and heore hokes Jjaron caste In eijmr side, afnd] 1 tur[n]den a-boute : Jus sori 3 weol so faste, bat of J>e gostus ]?at J>aron hengen : no-Jring heo ne se^e — 1 ms. a So faste heo torneden Jjat 3 weol a-boute — : bote J)e brenninde le^e ; Ake deolfulliche heo criden and 3 ollen : euer-ech in is ende. — Alas, 3 wi nellez men beon i-war : are heo heonnes wende, [foi. ioo] 3 wane he m^ten here with a luytel pine : bete heore mis-dede And J>are heo schullen so bitere a-bugge : alas, J>e wrechhede ! — 292 bis feondes nomen J>is seli kni 3 t : and on J>is 3 weol him caste And with Jus oJ>ere wrechche gostes : torneden him a-boute faste : Sone he cride on Ihesu crist : deliuered he was a-non ; be feondes stoden and bi-heolden : with dreori mod ech-on. 296 Septima pena. 5T Eft heo nomen him bitterliche : and ferrore 3 uyt him ladde, And harleden him forth wel revfulliche : and loude 3 ollen and gradde. bi-fore him he sai 3 an hous stonde : long and brod i-nov 3 ; SIR OWAYN, IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, SEES SPIRITS IN 209 BOILING LEAD, OTHERS IN FREEZING WIND. stunch and hete Jjat Jjarof cam : him Jjoi^te al-mest [him] a-slou 3 . 300 he with-stod, and nolde, is Jjonkes : for stunche gon non ner ; Ferrore Jjov schalt,” Jje fendes seiden : “ Jjou ne schalt no^t a-bide her ; A bath it is pat Jjov isijcst : and Jjar-inne Jjov schalt beo 303 And bajji with ojjere J>at Jjare beoth : ne schalt Jjov non^t so fleo.” \)e gostes J>at Jjare-inne weren : wel deolfulliche cride And pollen loude, ase he i-heorde : a-boute in eche side. f)is kni^t with Jjis foule wi^tes : Into Jje grete house cam. Of tormens Jjat he Jjare isai *3 : gret gome with-alle he nam. 308 ful of puttes and of diches : Jjat hous with-inne it was ; More seoruwe ne more stunch : neuere i-se^e nas : heo weren folle of stronge tormens : boillinde euer-ech-on Of wallinde led, and i-fulde heo weren : of piche and brumston. 312 Wrechche gostus Jjare-inne seten : Jje torment tilde wel he^e : Some a-boue pe heued : and some r^t to pe Ey^e, Some to pe nose, and some to pe mouth : and some op to pe swere And some to heore breostene : and a-bou^ten heore sunnes ful deore, And some to heore nauele : and some nejjerrore more, 317 And some stoden op to heore knen : and criden and weopen sore, And some stoden In with hope fet : and some with pat on ; Deolfolliche heo weopen and criden : and pollen euerechon. 320 “Nov J)ov i-sixt,” quejjen pe feondes : “ ^woder-In Jjov schalt gon, bote Jjov wolle an-ojmr speke : and to us tuyrne a-non.” heo nomen and casten him In a putte. : on Iesus a-non he cride : Op he cam a-non a-^en : and no lengore he ne moste Jjare a-bide. 324 heo nomen him in grete wrathjje : and harleden him ferrere more, And brou 3 ten him opon a swyjje gret hul : ful of sore we and sore, he stod and bi-heold a-boute : Jjo he cam Jjare-op an hei 3 ; him wondrede of pe manie gostes : Jjat he Jjare i-sei^. 1 a?. Natalie 328 Alle Jjc pinene 1 Jjat he hadde er i-se^e : Jjare a 3 en nou 3 t nere : I-clui^te heo seten ope heore ton : and quakeden revliche for fere. In Jje south-half of Jje hul : a deop water Jjare was and I0U3, J?at foule stonk, and caldore was : Jjane ani ys ojjur snov 3 . 332 A norjjerne wind faste blev 3 : Jjat him Jjoi^te is flesch to-rende ; Euere Jjare seten gostes : and a^ein Jje winde heom wende, LEGENDS OF SAINTS. P [Ootaua pena.] Puteum lnt'evui. 210 SIR OWAYN, IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, IS SAVED FROM COLD AND STENCH. HE SEES THE PIT OF HELL. heo quakeden and chynereden faste : in grete pine and stronge, 1 Ase ho-so seith a-bidet pare lieore time : heore deth for-to a-fonge. i( lo,” seide on of pe feondes : “ pov nost non^t ^wat istis ; p foi. 100 b.] bote pov torne pi pou3t sone : pou schalt i-wite, i-wis.” Ne hadde he bote pis word i-seid : J>at pare ne cam a wind bio we And drof alle pis w r recliche gostes : into pe deope watur ful lowe; 340 IT ))e Norperne wynd drof heom a-doun : al mid one blaste, And alle pe gostes, and pene kni^t : a-midde pe watere hem caste. More pine ne mi^te non beo : of stronge chele ne of stunche bane pis gostes parinne hadden : pare ne mi^te non at-blenche. 344 j) o pe kni3t pe stronge pine : of pis water i-felde, he gan to crie on Ihesu crist : pat faillede him ful seide : A-non-ri3t with-oute lette : op of pis watere man him 1 drov3. J^nom.) Ake pis wrechche gostes lefden pere : with sorewe and wo i-no\ T 3. For in pat water, pat was so cold : and so foule stonk also, 349 bis gostes swymden op and doun : in muche sorewe and wo ; p)e feondes ornen opon pe watere : so men doth on pe londe, And 3wane ani wolde coueri 1 op : with fote opur with lionde, 352 heo pulten him a-doun a-3en : pat pare ne a-scapede non ; 1 ai. cieueri bare was wo and sorewe i-nou3 : a-mong heom euerechon. II bis feondes wenden forth a-non : and pe seli kni^t eft nome, And drowen him into a sori stude : pare neuer er heo ne come. 356 heo comen and stoden ouer a put : wyd it was and deop i-nov3 ; A brenninde smoke, pat foule stonk : op of pe putte drov3, bat onnepe pe kny3t m^te stonde : for sori stunch pare-nei3. Wrechche gostes in pis put : in pat sori smoke he sei3 360 Fleo op and doun al brenninde : ase speldene doth of fuyre, And in-to pe putte eft fullen a-doun : po heo ne m^ten no leng duyre. him poi^te he was al ouer-come : for pe stunche pat par-op of drov3 ; bare-bi him poi^te pat in pe grounde : was soruwe and deol i-nov3. “ stanst pov so? ” pe fendes seiden : “ pinchp pe parof wonder, Of pis swete smoke pat here bloweth : and 3wat put beo pare-onder ? II In pis put is ovre woneingue : for pe put of helle it is ; And, for pov us hast i-serued wel : here pov schalt wonie, i-wis, 368 For alle pat us seruieth wel : hidere heo schullen wende ; And, 3if pov comest here-in with us : pov worst here with-outen ende. SIR OWAYN, IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, IS RESCUED, BY 211 Christ’s name, from the pit of hell. bare-fore i rede torne pi poi^t : and do us here man-rede And we schullen pene wei ase we come 1 : al sauf a-^en pe lede ; 372 bov schalt on eorpe al Jri lijf habbe : richesse, and Ioye al-so, 1 ms. conne For we schullen on eorpe pe finde i-nov^ : ase ri^fc is pat we do.” po pe kni^t for-sok heore bi-heste : ase he hadde er i-lome, heo smiten heoni a-doun into pe putte : and pene kni^t with heom nome. 376 pe deoppore J>at heo comen : p[e] braddere J>e put was ; Ake 1 al pe wo pat he isai} er : a-^ein pat nou 3 t it nas. 1 ai.\> at Of stunch, of brenninge, and of opur wo : pe kni^t was so ouer-come pat is pov 3 t toward Iesu crist : nei 3 him was bi-nome ; [foi. ioi] 380 So muche pine nas neuere i-se^e — : him poi^te ase pei he felde bat he was nei 3 ope pe pointe : pene gost op to 3 elde. Ake ore louerd a-mong al is wo : grace him 3 af atpe laste pat he pou3te on Ihesu crist : and to him cride [faste]. 1 1 ms. at)>e laste 384 A smoke pare cam smite up a-non : mid one wel stronge blaste bene kn^t an hei 3 a-boue pe putte : and manie opere 1 gostes, caste. pe kni 3 t 3 wirlede op in pis blast : ase speldene doth, wel wide, 1 ai. om. Atpe laste he l^te a-doun : a-boue pe putte bi side. 388 bare he stod and bi-heold a-boute : ase man pat witles were, J)at for pe pine pat he hadde i-haued : he nuste hov he cam pere. po he hadde longe i-stonde al one : and bi-holde a-boute, bare comen blaste op of pe putte : deuelene a gret rou 3 te 392 And [stoden] bi him al a-boute : al newe as pei heo were ; Ase him pou 3 te, he ne sai 3 hem : neuer er bote po pere. heo bi-heolden him wel grisliche : and grenneden on him al-a-boute, And seiden, “ 3 wi stanst pov here al one? : pov most come into ovre rovte.” 396 heo seiden, “ tolden ore felawes pe : pat pis was pe put of helle ? hit nis nou 3 t so, ake we wollez sone : for r^te sope pe telle. Nostpov nou 3 t pat it is ore r^te : to l^en euere-mo, And pat we with lesingues bi-traieth men : bote it mowe opur go ? And so ore felawes louwen pe : pat pis was pe put of helle ; 401 Ake pov schalt come pudere with us : and pe sope we wollez pe telle.” If |)is deouelene harleden pane kni* 3 t forth : pat wo was him to-drawe, bat him were leouere pane ani-ping : pat he hadde i-beo of lif-dawe. p 2 212 SIR OWAYN, IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, WALKS SAFELY OVER HELL-BRIDGE, BY CHRIST’S GRACE. So fat lieo comen to a swyfe grot watur : deop and brod i-nov^ ; A strong mist, fat foule stonk : op of fis watere drov^ 406 Of brumston and of ojmr wo — : so strong stanch neuere lie ne sei^, )pat mid al fe pine of fe world : onnefe he stod fere-ne^. 408 A brugge fare was ouer fat watur : smallere ne ini^te non beo ; be smoke was so ficke al-a-boute : fat onnefe he m^te [it] i-seo. fo seiden fe sorie fendes : “ we seggez fe i-wis bat onder fis deope watere : J?e put of helle so is. 412 And j?at fov schalt sone i-wite : for fov schalt sone a-non ouer f>is watur, fat is so deop : opon fis brugge gon, And we schullen fe sende swuch a wynd : fat schal fe amidde caste, And ore felawes fat beoth bi-neothe : schullen fe nime wel faste And drawe fe doun forth with hem : Into helle grounde a-non. Cum novfe forth and fou3 schalt : op-on fis brugge gon.” 418 lieo nomen fis seli kni^t : and op-on fis brugge drowe, And maden him go fere, is on-fonkes : with wrecliliedes i-nowe. 420 breo f ingus vuele i-nowe : on jhs brugge were : 1 ai. vnnepe me bat on was, for lieo was so hei3 : fat no gost ne 1 mi^te for fere bare-oppe gon and so deope a-doun : habbe so grisliche s^te ; bat ofur was, for heo was so narov^ : fat onnefe ani-fing 1 mi^te 424 bare-oppe sette ani fot : fat he ne fulle a-doun a-non ; 1 ai. me [foi. 101 b.] be fridde, fat heo was so slider : fat man ne m^te fare-oppe gon bote he slide and felle a-doun : so slei3 man neuere nere. beos freo finges fesne selie kni3t : broi^ten in grete fere, 428 For heo was narov3, and slider, and hei3 : fat he ne scholde him so bi-telle, 3if fat he glufte 1 in ani half : fat he ne fulle in-to helle. 1 a?, glide IT bare-oppe he was with strencf e i-brou3t : and fare-oppe i-maket to gon. So gret drede, ase him fou3te : ne liadde he neuer er non. 432 Ake sone he fou3te on ihesu crist : fat so ofte him sauede er, And cride on is holie name : fat he were is helpe fer. he eode forth we[l] baldeliche : and fe innore fat he cam be hardiore him foi^te he was : and fe betere heorte to him he nam, And fe braddore was is wei — : so longe forth he eode, bat it was so brod fat fere in^tc : a carte gon for neode, 438 st. Patrick’s purgatory, the fiends cease to persecute 213 SIR OWAYN. HE GOES THROUGH A GLORIOUS GATE. And so longe, fat tuei cartes mi^te : meten heom wel i-nov^. J)e kn^t fo wel baldeliche : ase a maister forth him drou}. 440 ])g feondes stoden bi-nefe fe brugge : and sei^en him so faste gon, And for al f e wo fat heo him duden : ne ouer-cam him nor^t on ; heom foi^te, it was al for nou3t : after him to honten more : grisliche heo gonne forto 3eolle : ant to crie and wepe suyf e sore, J)at for fe 3eollinge fat heo maden : he hadde wel more fere 445 Jpane of al f e pine fat he hadde er : so lodlich was f e here ; IF heore Oules heo nomen and heore hokes : and toward him casten an hei’3 ; Ake fare nas non fat him touchi mi^te : ne no-f ing come him nei3. So fat al sauf with alle Ioye : ouer fis watere he him drov3, 449 And fe feondes lefden bi-hinde : with grete soruwe ant sor i-nou3 — * In helle is heore kuynde heritage : and elles for-sofe it were WOV3 ! heo leten him go 3wodere he wolde : and ne fondeden him non more, And heolden heom cleneliche ouer-come : for al heore false lore. Jhs kn^t wende him forth, sauf i-nou3 — : fat he hadde erore deore a- bou3t, 454 And f onkede 3eorne Ihesu crist : fat f e feondes ne siweden him nou3t. Jpat watur he passede sauf inov3 : and forf ere f ene wey he nam. Y>g contrie him fo^te murie i-nou3 : fare-forth fat he cam ; J)e forf ere fat he wende : fe more murevfe he sei3. 458 So [longe] fat he i-sai^ ane wal : swife noble and hei3 — So riche weork nas neuere i-se^e : ase him [f ou3te] fat far-on was \ And swyfe fair 3at faron he sai3 : fat neuere swuch i-se^e nas ; J)at 3at schon swyfe br^te : ase f ei it al gold were, iolle of derewurfe stones i-pi3te : none ricliere neuere nere. him f ou3te, are he f udere cam : is wei ful longe laste. \)o he cam forf are a luytel w^t : he stod and bi-heold it faste. } 3 at ^at] 1 wende op a3en him : and a-non-ri3t with fe dede bare cam smite out a swote smel : and wide a-boute gan sprede, Jpat him fou3te, fei al fe world : swote spices were, 468 So muche swotnesse ne m^te 3iuen : ase fat suote smul dude fere. In so gret Ioye him fou3te he was : fat fei he hadde beo i-brou3t 1 In-to al fe soruwe fat he was er : it ne schulde him habbe i-greued nou3t. [i foi. iol] 462 464 1 om. 214 st. Patrick’s purgatory, sir owayn is welcomed by saints IN A LAND OF LIGHT AND PRAISE TO GOD. he bi-heold in at pis 3 ate : po he cam per-nei '3 : 472 More clernesse nas neuere i-se^e : him pou 3 te, pane he pere i-se^. Ase he wolde pare-In wende : a 3 ein him pare cam gon A procession fair i-nov 3 : of noble men ech-on, with creoiz and with taperes : and with baneres clere ; 476 I-reuested faire muche folk was : and ecli hadde is fere, Some were bischopus and Ercedeknes : and some Monekes and freres, And euerech, him po^te, hadde pe Abite : J?at heo wereden here, with pe meste Ioye ]?at m^te beo : ]?is kn^t was onder-fonge, 480 And i-lad In with Ioye i-no \ r 3 : mid solas and murie songe. \)o pis murie song was i-do : to him sone pare come Tweien ase it maistres weren : and bi pe honde him nome, And welcomeden him wel mildeliche : and ponkeden ore louerd faste, J?at him sende so guode bi-leue : so stableliche for-to laste. heo ladden him a-boute and sclieweden him : pat lond fer and ner : So muche loie and clernesse : him polite he ne sai 3 neuer er. U Ase pe sonne bi-nimez pe l^t : of Candle a-boute Midday, 488 Also it bi-nam pe sonne hire horn : him pou 3 te, ase 1 he pare i-sa^. So long and brod pe place was : pat he ne m^te non ende i-seo : A fair Med we he sai 3 2 with swete floures : swottere ne m^te non beo, Treon al-so with noble fruyt : pat smulde swote Inov 3 ; \ “p muriemed And pe 1 swotnesse of euer-ech stude : al a-boute op drou 3 , 1 ai. sogret }?at pare with-oute mete and drunch : him poi^te, euere-mo he mi 3 te libbe with alle loie : 3 if he moste pare-Inne go. It was pere euere i-liche l^t : and euere it was dai. 496 So muche folk in none place, him poi^te : neuer er he ne sa^. Ech Compaygnie to opur drov 3 : and ecli bi opur stod, "With murie song and Melodie : and gladnesse in heore mod, j ) at ech of opur pe more Ioye : to-gadere heo mitten a-fonge; 500 Al-mi 3 ti god, pat heom schop : heo hereden In heore songe. And ase sum steorre pat 3 e i-seoth : br^tore pane opur is, Also was bi heom, for some weren : clerore pane some, i-wis ; Ake pulke pat mest dosk was : him poi^te, was more cler 504 And br^tore schon, pane ani gold : pat he i-sai 3 euer er. If Ech werede elopes of pe en-taile : pat heo wereden on eorpe hero : Monekes ase it to Monek bi-feol : and freres ase to frere ; st. Patrick’s purgatory, sir owayn is in the earthly 215 PARADISE FROM WHICH ADAM WAS DRIVEN. So Jjat heo hadden heore ri^te fournie : ake wel br^tore was bore hev, Ant $wat men heo w r ere on eorfe : bi heore clofinge he knev. Some hadden fe croune of golde : an-ouewarde fe heued ido, 510 And some beren in heore hond : ^eordene of golde al-so. And alle heo f onkeden Iheane aboute And op-on Jjis kni^tes hened al-so : an poru^ him smot a-non, And poru^ euerech lime and lith of him : pat swete l^t gan gon ; J}a[t] so mnche wille 1 and Ioye : him pou^te, neuere he nadde. 580 he stod, ase pei he were i-nomen : for Ioye pat he po hadde, 1 r. winne? 3wepur he were qnik opur ded : bote ase he in metingue were, louerd, mnrie is pe Ioye of heuene : ase he i-felde wel pere ! Ake it ne laste heom bote luytele awile : pat pe leome ne with- drew ; 584 And napeles, pei it luyte laste : par-of heo weren fnlle i-nov^. J)e kni^t stod and bi-heold a-boute : and is r^te stat onder-stod. So fol he was of pat holi leome : pat so swete was and gnod : him pon^te, pei he leouede euere-more : and nenereft more ne ete, 588 He scholde him neuer-eft to mete luste : so gnod was pe leome and swete. “Lo,” seide pis opur gost : pat schewede him al pis place, “ Sum-del pov hast noupe ise^e : of ore louerdes grace IT Of pe pine pat pe wrechche gostes : habbeth for heore mis- dede, 592 And of pe Ioye pat guode gostes : in parays doth lede, And sum-del of pe grete Ioie : pat in pe ri^te heuene is. Eche da^e we beoth i-fedde : ones with swuche Ioie and blis, And panne beo we al dai fulle i-nov 3 : for-to ore louerd more us sende : 596 In swuche Ioie heo beoth pat beoth in heouene : and worpez with- oute ende, And 3 uyt sum-del in more : it ne faillez heom neuere mo, And we ne beoth a day bote enes : for-to we pudere go ; And 3 wan pat we pudere comieth : we schulle with-outen ende, 600 And pou, 3 if pov a-seruest heuene forth : pudere for-to wende. J)ov m^t don ase pov wolt : 3 wane pov comest to eorpe, i-wis, And pudere anon a- 3 en pou most — : for-sope, at pe time it is ; And 3 if pov wolt guod lif lede : pine mede pov m^t i-seo ; 604 And 3 wat pine heo habbez, pov hast i-seie : pat lupere wollez beo. A^ein pou most wende a-non : go forth a-godes name ! [fol. 103 b.] 218 SIR OWAYN LEAVES TIIE EARTHLY PARADISE, AND GOES BACK TO HIS TEACHERS IN ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY. For sikerliche fov m^t gon : fe feondes ne mowen don fe no schame ; heo booth a-dradde wel sore of fe : and a-schamede in eche side. 608 A-godes name go forth fi wei : fov ne mi^t no leng here a-bide ! ” “A, sire, merci !” quath |>is kn^t : “bi-tide ^vvat me bi-tide, A fote i-nelle fram eov go : for wrechche-hede 1 goth so wide. 1 ms. hedede IT Ake soffiiez me bi-leue here with ov ! : for, $if icli fram eov wende, A-drad icli am of fe feondene ni^te : laste heo with sunne me schende.” 613 “ Do wei, beq frere,” fis ofur seide : “ase wel fov mi^t beo stille, A-^en fov schalt to eorfe a-non : and 1 fov mi^t don fare fine wille; And ^if fov seruest wel ore louerd fere : siker fov mi^t beo 1 at. ora. to comen a^ein hidere to us : and sethfe to heuene fteo. 617 A-godes half wend a-^en a-non : for-sofe, fov schalt so.” “Alas, alas ! ” quath fis kni^t : “^wat schal ich noufe do 1 ? A1 fe loye |?at ich habbe noufe isei^e : it worth me bi-nome, 620 And to fe wrechhede of fe worlde : alas, schal ich novfe come ! ” Ovt ate $ate heo brou^ten him : wepinde, at fe laste, And beden him gon wel hardiliche : and herien ore louerd wel faste ; A-non so he was with-oute i-gon : fat 3 at heo maden wel bliue. 624 With dreori mod he wende a- 3 en : and was a-drad of is Hue ; Ase he cam er, with careful mod : fcne wei a^ein he nam. And, 3 wane ani deuel fat him pinede er : 0113 were a- 3 en him cam, Ase wode schrewene heo flouwen faste : and ne dorsten a-bide him nou 3 t. 628 50 atfe laste fis kni 3 t was : to fe halle a^ein i-brou 3 t jpare as fe holie compaygnie : Jmder-ward to him wende ; And sat him a-doun wel softe fere : for-to ore louerd him grace sende. Ase he sat and bi-heold a-boute : to him heo comen fere, 632 A1 fat faire compaygnie : fat a- 3 ein him cam er, And honoureden him wel faire : and conforteden him wel faste, And f onkeden Iesus, godes sone : fat his bi-leue so wel i-laste. 51 “ bev frere,” heo seiden, “3 wane fov hast : swuch penaunce i- driue, 636 Siker beo fou fat fine sunnes : al clene fe beoth for^iue. loke, 3 wane fov comest to eorfe a- 3 en : fat fov clene lif lede, SIR OWAYN COMES OUT OF ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY, GOES TO 219 THE HOLY LAND, AND TELLS FOLK OF PARADISE. So fat f ov neuer-eft in pine ne come : for snnne ne for mis-dede ! pov most don fe heonnes a-non : for at horn in fine londe 640 hit dawez clere and is nei$ dai : ase ich me onder-stonde, And fe prior with procession : to fe ^ate comez wel sone to loki ^wejmr fov beo i-come : ase 113 1 is forto done, And, bote he fe finde fere : he wole maken fat 3at a-non 644 And wole beo siker pat fou ne comest non-more : and sori wole a-3en gon.” * 1 This verse on the margin. pene km^t heo brou3ten ont of fe hade : and blesseden him ech-on And bi-te^ten god bofe lif and soule : fel and flesch and bon. Forth he wende wel dreoriliche : bote ase he nede moste it do. 648 And ri^t ase he cam to fe 3ate : pe prior cam al-so A^ein him with procession : to loke hon it were. A-non so he hadde fe 3ate on-loke : fene kn^t heo founden fere. 651 pare was Ioye and blisse i-nov3 : lP° h u y to-gadere come ! [foi. 104] With song and ofur melodie : fane kny3t fare-ont huy nome, Ant ladden him forth to churche a-non : ant f onkeden god wel faste. pis kn^t bi-fore fe he^e auctere : a-knes wel sone him caste, Ant stableliche in his oresones : fiftene dawes he lay, 656 And fonkede ore louerd & on him cride : bofe ny3t and day. And sethfe on his bare flesch : f e holie croiz he nam And wende to fe holie lond : ant snyfe holi man bi-cam. he ne tolde neuere-eft noi^t of fe world : bote ase he were euere in f OU3te, 1 al. simpleliche 660 Ake wende euere forth wel stilleliche 1 : as he of no-fing ne rotate. Ofte he tolde of alle f e men : fat in parays were ; As him fou3te, gre^e Monekes : mest Ioye hadden fere, FTone-manere men in . so gret Ioye : ne in so grete honour he ne sei'3 — 664 hit nis no wonder sikerliche : for fe ordre is noble and he^. — Novfe 3e habbez alle i-heord : foru3 ore louerdes grace, hou seint paterik fulke purgatorie : founde in fat place, For-to warni men a-boute : heore sunnes here to bete. 668 For fe loue of Iesu crist : and of is moder swete Alle ower sunnes betez here : as god ov wole grace sende, pat 3e mouwen with-oute pine : to parays hennes wende. 220 ST. BRENDAN IS TOLD BY ABBOT BERYN OF THE SEA-VOYAGE OF beryn’s SON, MARNOK, AND HIS OWN. god leue us ovre sunnes here so biet.e : for is holie wounde, 672 J)at we ne foruen in purgatorie : bi-leue bote luyte stounde. 36 Vita sancti Brendani, Abba/is de Hybernia. S Eint brendan, fe holi man : was here of ovre londe. Monek be was of harde line : as ich me under-stonde, Of fastingue and ofur penaunce i-nov : and Abbot be was fere Of a fousend Monekes : fat alle under him were. 4 bit bi feol in a day : as ore louerdes wille was, Jjat beryn, 1 an ofur Abbot : to him cam bi cas. 1 ai.barint Seint brendan him bi-so^te anon : him don onder-stonde Ant tellen him 3 wat be hadde i-se^e : a-boute in o)mr londe. 8 Jpis guode man, fo he i-heorde fis : sicbingues be made i-nowe Ant in grete foi^te bi-gan for-to weope : and fel a-doun i-suowe. bi-twene his armes seint brendan : fis holie man op nam & custe him faste, & cride on him : al for-to is wit him cam ; 12 “ Fader,” be seide, “ par charite : ofur red fov most take ; bidere fou come for ovre solas : and nou^t suycli deol to make. tel us ^wat fou hast i-sei^e : a-boute as fou bast i-wend In J>e .se. of Occean : as ore louerd fe bath i-send.” 16 FTou is fe .se. [of] Occean : grettest and mest al-so : beo goth a-boute al fe world : and alle ofere cometh fer-io. So fat berin, ]?is olde man : ri$t of is heorte grounde Al weopinde he hem tolde : $wat be hadde i-founde. 20 be seide, lie 1 hadde a wel guod sone : and Mernok was is name, “ A Monek be was, as we beoth : and man of grete fame ; 1 ai. ic bis heorte him 3 af for-to wende : in-to a priue stude and stille, [foi. 104 b.] J)are he mi 3 te beo al one : to a-serui godes wille. 24 So J?at bi mine wille be wende : ase ich it telle ov, to an yle fer in )>e se : )>at delitable was i-nov, bi-side Jie Montayne of stones : Jiat is couth wel wide. Monek likede fare wel : and longue gan fare a-bide, 28 And hadde fare under him : Monekes mani on. Jjo ich heorde tellen fat : fuder-ward ich gan gon. So fat in auision : ore suete louerd him sende, })at a* 3 en me, are ich to him come : f re Iorneies he wende. 32 ST. BRENDAN. THE VOYAGES OF ABBOT BERYN TO THE BLISFUL 221 LAND WHICH CHRIST WILL GIVE TO HIS OWN. And in a scliip we duden us sone : and Astward euere kenden In pe .se. of Occean : as ore louerd is grace us sende. toward pe est so fer we wenden : pat we comen ate laste In suype puyster stude : and clouden us ouer-caste ; 36 A 1 ane tide of pe daye : we weren in deorkhede. Ate laste ore suete louerd : forpere us gan lede. So J>at we i-se^en a newe lond : puder-ward ore schip drov ; bri^ttore it poi^te pane pe sonne : Ioye pare was i-nov, 40 Of treon and herbes, pikke j-nov^ : bi-set in ecbe side. And of suete preciouse stones : pat br^tte schynen and wide ; Euerech herbe was ful of floures : and ecli treo was ful of fruyt ; bote it were in henene : nas neuere more duyt. 44 Jpare-Inne with Ioye and blisse I-nov^ : longue we duden i-wende ; 3eot us poi^te luytel ^wyle : ne mi^te we finde non ende. So pat we comen to a watur : cler and bri^t I-nov^, pat euere fram-ward pe est : toward pe west it drov}. 48 We stoden and bi-heolden a-boute : for we ne mitten ouer i-wende : Jpare cam to us a 3ong 3omman : swipe fair and hende, And welcomede us euerech-one : wel mildeliche and swete ; he nemnede euerech is ri^tte name : and faire gan us grete, 52 And seide pat we Olsten 1 Ihesu cnst : ponki suype wel with r^te ‘ ])at schewez eov is priuete : and al-so of is m^te. Jpis is pat lond pat he wole : 3uyt are pe worldes ende [his dernelinges an erpe 3yue : 3 hyder he schal 1 w’ende. 2 ] \)is lond is half in pusse half : ase 3e i-seoz wel wide, And bi^eonde pe watere.haluen-del : al bi pat opur side — Jjat watur ne mowe 3e passi nou3t : pat opur del to seo. For 1 here 3e habbez al a 3er : meteles i-beo, J)at 3e ne eten ne dronken : ne slepen nou3t with ey3e, ISTe chele ne hete ne greuede ev nou3t : nopur lowe ne he^e. jois 1 is ore louerdes priue stude : and pori.13 him it is pus l^t; Jjare-fore it is [her] euere day : and neuere-more n^t. 1 ai. For fas 64 3if Adam a-3ein godes heste : ne hadde no-ping mis-do, here-Inne he hadde 3uyt i-beo : and is of-sprung al-so. 3e ne mowen no leng here bi-leue : a-3en 3e moten fare ; \_Here 2 foil, are torn out in the MS. 1 supply the yap from MS. Marl. 2277.] 1 al. je ajte 1 heo scliolle, on the margin. 2 This verse added by a later hand in the text and on the mar- gin. 1 al. om. 60 222 ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS COVER A SHIP WITH BULL-HIDES, PITCH IT, AND SET SAIL INTO THE GREAT OCEAN. hit ne J?enche 3011 bote a while : ^e liabbej? ibeo her ^are.’ [foi. 42 b.] fiat so 1 he brou^te ous in oure schip : & faire bis leue nom ; 1 ai. So hat & Jio 1 we were hamward in pe see : we nuste whar lie bi-coni — 1 ms. J>e A 3 e- ward lie wende a^en oure wille : pat of-Jio^te ous sore ynou^. A^en to J?is o]?er monekes : J?is schip wel euene drou^. 72 IT ])is monekes vrne a^en ous : }?o hi ous mi^te iseo, & sori were & wroJ?e ynou^ : J>«t we hadde so longe ibeo. we seide hem J?at we hadde ibeo : in gret ioye & feste, Bifore J?e ^ates of parays : in pe lond of biheste, 76 fiat oure suete louerd haj? bihote : hem pat he louej? her, fie r is euere dai & neuere ni^t : & euere li^t suyj?e cler. IT ‘ Certes,’ qua]) J)is monekes : ‘ J)is we mowe iseo Bi pe suete smyl of 30U : J?at ^e habbej? per ibeo.’ ” — 80 ^T fio semt Brendan iliurde }?is : he Jio^te & stod stille ; [he poyte fondi more lier-of : }if it were godes wille.] 1 1 ^'[akln^^Asiim’ he wende aboute his monekes : & tuelue out he nom, fiat he tnste to mest of alle : whan eni neode him com. 84 Jjuse he nom in consail : & in pmueite [hem] sede : [“ I J?enche do a priue J?ing : jrer-of ^e mote me rede, To seche pat loud of biheste : }if god wolde ous J?uder lede.] 1 1 2 ^- SiggeJ) what ^oure consail is : to do such a dede.” 88 “ Leoue fader,” qtmj? J?is o]?ere : “ oure wille we habbe]? forsake, 5T Oure freond & al oure oj?er god : & clanliche to J?e itake : & whan al oure dede is on J?e : & ]?u wolt J?at hit beo, we scliulle blijieliche wi]j J?e wende : godes grace to seo.” 92 So J?at hi faste fourti dawes : & gret penance dude also, & bede ^urne oure louerdes grace : ]?ulke veyage to do. hi leten hem di^te a gret schip : & aboue hit albi^caste 1 ms. abbi wij? bole-huden stronge ynou : ynailed perto faste, 96 & si]?]?e ipiched al abou[t]e : pat pe water [in] necome. [fol. 43] hi wende to here brejieren : & wel faire here leue nome, And sij?]?e in oure louerdes name : to schipe wende anon ; here bveperen pat bihynde were : sori were echon. 100 & po hi were in J?e schip : after per come go 1 tuo 1 ai. om. & bede faste J?at hi moste : J?ane wei mid hem go. “ 3e mowe wel,” qwaj? seiwt brendan : “ ac ^oure on sclial atta[n] ende Repenti er he come a^e : & al qtiic to belle wende.” 104 jpider 1 wende J>is holi man : whoder oure louerd hem sende ; 1 ai. vorh him & J)is tuei monekes pat come last : also wij? hem wende. 5T In J?e grete see of occian : for]? hi rewe faste, & tnste alto oure louerdes grace : & no]?ing nere agaste. 108 ST. BRENDAN LANDS AT A FAIR ISLE, AND IS GUIDED BY A DOG. 223 HE THEN SAILS TO THE ISLE OF SHEEP SHEEP AS BIG AS OXEN. j)e see drof here schip after wil : pe wynd was gret ynou} ; As pe wynd hem drof est for]) : wel euene ])e schip hi m droii}, Euene a^e pat pe sonne arise]) : a-midsomeres day — Nou nuste non of hem whar he was : ne no lond he nesay. 112 Euene for^ri^t fourti dayes : pe wynd hem drof faste : So pat hi se^e in pe norjiside : a gret ylle 1 atte laste, r. yie Of harde roche & gret ynou : in J>e see wel he^e ; \)reo dayes hi wende per-aboute : er hi mi^te come per- ne^e. 116 IF A lute hauene hi 1 fonde J)o : alond hi wende pere ; 1 ms. he hi wende alond as maskede 1 men : hi nuste whar hi were. 1 ai. masid pier com go a wel fair hound : as hit were hem to lere ; At seiwt Brendanes fet he ful .adoun : & makede him faire cliere. 120 IF “ Beau freres,” q uap seiwt brendan : “ ^e ne])ore noping drede : Ich wot ])is is a messager : ])e ri^te wei ous to lede.” )?is hound ladde J)is lioli man : to an halle, fair ynou}, Gret & stare & suy])e noble : euene in he drou^. 124 J}is monekes fonde in J)is halle : bord & cloj) isprad, & bred & fisch per-v ppe ynou^ — : per nas non pat nas glad, hi sete adoun & ete faste — : for hem luste wel perto. Beddes per were, al ^are ymaked : er here soper were ido : 128 After here soper to bedde hi wende : to resten hem, as pe wise. j ) o hi hadde alle islepe ynou} : sone hi gonne arise, & wende to here schip : as hi hadde er ibeo. In pe see wel longe hi were : er hi mi^te lond iseo. 132 IF ]i o hi se^e 1 as hi poper side : an ylle fair ynou^, i r. sejehi Grene & [wi])] wel fair lese. : ])iderward here schip drou^. pi o hi come on J)is faire lond : & bihulde aboute wide, [foi. 43 b.] ])e faireste scheep pat mi^te beo : hi se^e in eche side ; 136 A scheep was grettere J)an an oxe : whittere ne mi^te non beo. Gret ioye hi hadde in here hurte : pat hi mi^te J)is iseo. pier com 1 go a wel fair man : & grette hem wi]) faire cliere, * ai. J?o com J>er & seide, “^e beo]) hider icome : per 3 e neuere nere. 140 IF ]}is is icliped pe lond of scheep : for scheep wel faire her beo]), Mochele & white & grete ynou^ : as ^e aldai iseo]) ; Fairere hi beo]) pan ^oure scheep : & grettere vnyliche, For murie weder is her ynou^ : & lese suype riche. 144 her nis neuere wynter non : for her nis non 1 ifounde, 1 ai. ne non hei Ac hi etep perbes nue : as hi spnngep of pe g[ro]unde. Ne me ne gaderep no^t of here mule : pat hi scholde pe worse beo ; IF For pis ping, & meni oper : pe bet hi mowe ipeo. 148 To a stede $e schulle liunne wende : purf oure louerdes grace , 224 ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS LAND ON A BIG FISH’S (iASTONl’s) BACK, AND THEN ON THE BIRD’S PARADISE. 152 156 al. wode 160 164 1 om. in H. \)at is foweles parays : a wel ioyful place : j)er scliulle J)is ester beo : & Jns wit-sonedai also. WendeJ) for)) a-godes name : pat ))is veyage were ido ! ” Eint Brendan & his bre))e7*en : to scliipe wende anon, & rue for]) faste in J)e see : wi)> tempest meni on. So ))at hi se^e in anoj )er side : an ylle gret ynou^. here schip ))urf godes grace : ))iderwardes drou}. J?o hit cam almest J)erto : vpe ))e roche hit gan ride, j)at hit ne mi^te no^t to j)e yle come : ac bileuede biside, j^is monekes wende 1 vp to ))is yle : ac seint brendan no^t. )}is inonekes gonne makie here mete : of pat hi hadde ibro 3 t : hi makede fur & soden hew fisch : in a caudroun faste. Er J)is fisch were isode [I-nou;] : somdel hi were agaste : For ))o ])is fur was J)urf-hot : ])e yle quakede anon & wij) gret eir hupte al vp — : )>is monekes dradde echon, [& J)e wei toward hor schip : ech after o per nom, God leuest hew Jw^te he was : pat sonest jnider com.] 1 hi bihuhle hou pe yle : in J)e see wende faste & as a quic })ing hupte vp & doun : & pat fur fmin hiw caste; he suam more ))an tuei myle : while ))is fur ilaste. jOe monekes ise^e ))e fur wel longe : & were sore agaste : hi cride ^urne on seiwt brendan : what j)e wonder were. “ Beo)) stille,” q uap J)is gode man : “for no^t }e nabbe 1 fere. 3e wene)) pat hit beo an yle : ac }e J)enche)) amis : hit is a fisch of ))is grete see : ))e gretteste J)at per is. Iastoni he is icleped : & fondej) ni^t & dai To pulte his tail in his inouj) : ac for gretnisse he nemai.” — For)) hi rue in pe see : euene west wel faste, Jpreo dayes, erhi se^e lond : hi were somdel a-gaste. IT ])o se^en hi a wel fair lond : of floures J)ikke ynou^ — wel glade hi were po hi se^e : pat here schip ))ider drou}. In J)is faire lond hi wende : lengere ))an i c telle : So pat hi fonde in a place : a suyj)e noble welle. Bi pe welle stod a treo : brod & round ynou^ ; Foweles white & faire ynou^ : were in euerech 1 bou^, 1 al. so l»ckc were in ech ])at vnef>e eni leef : hi mi^te peron iseo — \)er was ioye & blisse ynou} : to lokie on suche o treo. If Seint Brendan for ioye wep : & sat adoun akneo And bad oure louerd schowi hiw : what such a cas mi^te beo. 188 ])o fle^ per vp alute fowel : })o he gan to fleo, 1 1 at- & toward him gan te As a fi)>ele his wynges furde : po he to hiw-ward gan teo. 1 la t ^^' egan 168 1 al. habbej> 178 [fol. 44] 176 180 183 A BIRD TELLS ST. BRENDAN THAT IT AND ITS FELLOWS WERE 225 ONCE ANGELS. THEY SING MATINS, PRIME, &C. Murie[re] Instrument neuere nas : Jjan 1 his wyngen were ! he bihuld semt brendan : wi]) wel faire chere. “ Ich bote [J)e,] ” seide sei??t brendan : “if pu ert message?’, fiat ]?u sigge me what [Jm] ert : & what ^e do}) her.” fie$ bit po^te a^e cunde : })is fowel ansuerede anon : “ We were,” he seide “ sum-tyme was : angles in heuene ecbon. MS. pat 192 196 1 r. ac sone so As 1 sone as we were ymaked : oure maister was so prout, Lucefer, for his fairbede : pat be ful sone out, & mid him also meni on : as here dede was ; 51 & we fulle also a-doun : ac for no synne hit nas, 200 for 1 noting pat we assentede : to bis foule vnri^t, 1 ms. Acfor Bote soulement forto schewe : oure loue?’des suete 1 mi^t. 1 ai. suete louerdes Ne we ne beoj) her in pyne non : ac in ioye ynou^ we beoj), And somdel oure suete louerdes : mi^te we seoj). 204 & bi pe vrj)e we fleo]) : & bi pe lifte also, As gode angles, & lij^ere ek : ri^t is for-to do, fie gode [for]-to do men god : pe Wper li pere makie]). IT & sonedai, pat is dai of rest : such forme we take]) : 1 1 ms. make}? 208 fie forme of suche white foweles : as ])u mi^t iseo, [&] houurep god pat ous makede : her on J)is brode treo. Tuelf-monJ) hit [is] ipassed nou : pat 3 e gonne out wende, & alle J)is six ^er ^e schulle fare : er ^e schulle 1 bringe ^oure wille to ende ; 1 ai. om. 212 For whan ^e habbe]) iwend soue ^er : oure louerd wole 30U sende 1 A si^t pat $e habbe]) longe iso^t : anon after pe soue ^eres ende. Eche ^er ^e schulle her mid ous : holde este?*-feste, E 1 foi. 44 b.] As ^e nou do}), forte ^e come : to pe loud of biheste ” — 216 Nou was hit an ester-day : pat al })is was ido. 51 })e fowel nom his leue of he?n : & to his felawes wende po. fie foweles, po hit eue 1 was : bigonne here euesong — 1 ai. lime Muriere song nemi^te beo : pej god silf were among. 220 fie morrekes wende to bedde & slepe : po soper was ido ; & J)o hit was tyme of matyns : hi arise perto. 51 fie foweles sunge ek here matyns : wel ri^t, po hit was tyme, 223 & of pe sauter seide pe 1 uers : & sij)])e also 2 prime, ’a?. om. 2 ms. alto & vnderne si])])e, & middai : & afte?-wardes non, & eche tyde songen of pe dai : as cristene men scholde don. J?is monekes were in pe lond : ei^te wyke also, Forto al])e feste of ester : & of witsonedai were ido. 228 51 fio com atte tnnite : })is gode man to hew per fiat spac wi]) hew in pe lond of scheep : & ladde aboute er : LEGENDS OF SAINTS. Q 226 ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS ARE DRIVEN ABOUT THE SEA TILL THEY FIND AN ISLAND. A FAIR OLD MAN WELCOMES THEM. lie cliargede here schip suype wel : mid mete & drinke ynouj, & nom his leue wel hendeliche : & a^eward drou^. 232 IT ]) o sei?it brendan was in his schip : & his breperen also, })is fowel, pat spac wip hew er : wel sone com hew to ; he seide, “ ^e habbep her wip ous : pis he^e feste ibeo ; Gret trauayl 30U is to come : er ^e eftsone lond iseo. 236 3 e schullep aftrr soue monies : iseo a wel fair yle, \)at abbey is icliped : pat is hunne meni a myle ; 3 e schullep beo mid holie men : pis myde-wynter pere. 3 oure ester ^e schulle holde ) >er : as ^e dude to-^ere : 240 Ype pe grete fisches rugge : per pi monekes were in-fere, & ^oure ester [be] mid ous : ri$t as ^e nou were.” Sei/it brendan a-godes name : & his breperen eclion, In pe gre te see of occian : for)) wende anon. 244 ) 5 e wynd hew harlede vp & doun : in peryls meni on. So weri hi were of here lyue : pat hi nuste whoder gon. Four monies hi were 1 in })e see : in j)is grete torment, ] 1 ai. wende [Here L. goes on again.~\ j^at liuy ne yse^en no-))ing bote j)e se : ant ))e firmament, [foi. 105] 248 J)o huy ysei^en 1 fer fram heom : ane yle ase )>ei it were ; 1 at. ieiehi heo criden faste on Ihesu cn'st : ))at huy mosten a-riuie pere. 3 eot after ))at seint Brendan : j)is yle furst y-sei ^, 1 1 Ms.saij Fourti dawes heo wenden in ))e se : er huy comen })ere ne:3, 252 J)at heom poi^te heore lif was heom loz. : ))e Monekes weren a-gaste, heo criden 3eorne on Ihesu crist : and is help heo beden faste. A luytel hauene and swy})e streit : huy founden atj)e laste, ‘Ms.Annker )pat vnnepes heore schip m^te perinne come : Aunker 1 for-to caste ftis Monekes -wenden a-lond ))o : wel longue heom ))0U3te er. 257 huy bi-heolden al-a-boute : murie heom ))0U3te ])er. \)o ysei3en heo twey faire wellene : j)at on was suy))e cler, And sumdel wori and J)ickc ])at o))er was. : ))e Monekes 3eoden ner, to drinken of J)at faire welle. : seint Brendan it i-sei3, 261 And seide, “ with-oute leue of o))ur men : ne come 3e nou3t pere nei3, Of olde men fiat here-inne beoz : al f»oru3 godes wille 1 ; iaj.formidgodewiiie For 1 heo wollez party ])ar-of mid us : and ))are-fore beoz 3eot stille.” A fair old man and swipe hor : a^ein heom pere cam gon ; 1 om. 265 he wel-comede heom faire i-nov3 : and seint Brendan he custe a-non, And ladde heom forth with him : hi a wel fair wei ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS SHARE THE ISLAND-MONKS* MEALS 227 OF LOAVES MIRACULOUSLY BROUGHT TO THEM. A-boute in many a murie stude : and sethfe in-to on Abbey. 268 Seint Brendan bi-heold a-boute : and axede $wat it were, 1 ai. om. And 3 wat-manere men weren fare-inne : and ho fare 1 woneden fere. Stille was fis olde man : and ne $af him none Answere. ]) o cam fere gon a fair couent : and ane croyz bi-fore heom bere, 272 With taperes in eyfur side — : Monekes it weren ech-on, A nd yreuested faire and in queor-copes : a^ein heom liuy comen gon, With procession faire i-nou}. : fe Abbod bi-hinde com, And wel faire custe seint Brendan : and bi fe bond him nom. 276 he ladde him and is monekus : in-to a noble halle, And setten 1 heom a-doun alle on a re we : and wuchs heore fet alle j 1 al. sette Of fe worie welle heore fet he wuchs : fat huy er i-sei^e. In-to fe freytore he ladde heom fo : and sette heom wel liei^e, 280 I-medlede with heore 1 owene couent. : and fo heo weren alle i-sete, Jpare cam on and seruede : and brou^te heom alle mete : 1 ai. nis And ane wel faire ^wite lof : he sette bi-twene to & to, 3 wite moren, ase it of herbes were : bi-fore heom he sette al-so — 284 Swettore mete ne mi^te non beo : huy ne knewen it nou^t on ; Of fe clere welle fat huy er i-sei^en : fe Monekes dronke ech-on. “ beoz noufe glade,” fe Abbot seide : “ and drinkez noufe i-nov^ In charite of fulke welle : fat $e wolden er with wou^ — - 288 Betere it is drinke in charite : 3 wan it is ov i-brou^t, J?ane $e it feofliche nomen : ase ^e hadden i-fou^t. jois bred fat we eteth of : we nuten of $wan it is : An straunge man eche daye it bringutli : In-to ovre celere, i-wis, 292 We nutez nou^t bote ope godes grace : wanne it is ibrou^t — For ho-so trust to ihesu crist : him ne schal failly nou^t. [foi.105 b.] We beoz foure-ant-twenti freres : and 3 wane we beoz i-sete, twelf ^wite Miches 1 men brynguth us : eche daye to ore mete ; 296 Ate feste of eche hali-daye : and 3 wan it sonen-day is, * ai. suche loues Foure-and-twenti loues us comieth : so fat euer e ch man hath his ; Jjat euerech frere of fat him leuez : witiez to is soper. I-doublet it worth noufe for ov : ase ^e i-seoth wel her : 300 AI 1 ore couent nis nouat here : ake muche 2 it hath vn-ete. I al - vor ^ , . So fat ore louerd foruj is grace : sent us alle mete. Q 2 228 ST. BRENDAN IS TOLD OF THE LIFE OF THE TWENTY-FOUR MONKS ON THE ISLE OF ABBEY. HE IS TO GO TO IRELAND, ETC. Fram seint paterikes Abbeye 1 : fat in yrlonde is al-so, 1 ais* seint Four-score 3 er we habbez i-beon here : fat no man ne cam us to ; 304 euere-eft ore louerd f oru^ is grace : I-fed us bath ecb-on. And fis weder is euere murie i-non^ : syknesse here nis non. And 3 wane we schullen ore seruise don : ore louerd sent us l^t ; Ore taperes ne beoz no-fe lasse : fei huy brenne day and ny 3 t.” 308 lieo a-risen op and wenden to churche : f o heo hadden y 3 ete : And twelf of ere freres heo i-metten : Inward to fe mete. “ hov is fis ? ” quath seint Brendan : “ 3 wy neren feose nou 3 t with us?” “ Leoue fader,” quath fe Abbot : “ nede it mot beo fus ; 312 fie r ne mouwen bote foure-and-twenti Monekes : in ore freitore beon ido, And 3 wane 3 e weren fare-inne with us : feos ne m^ten nou 3 t al-so. fie 3 wile we singuth euesong : heo schullen sitte and ete, 315 And heore euesong huy schullen syngue : 3 wane heo habbez i- 3 et[e].” Seint brendan bi-heold fat weued : him foi^te fat hit was al, weued and chaliz and Cruettes : foiu 3 -out cler cristal. Seue taperes weren in fe queor : for fare ne weren non mo, And foure-and-twenti segene : fat Monekes scholden to — 320 For fare weren foure-and-twenti Monekes : and euerech hndde his ; And fe Abbodes sege was : a-midde fe queor, i-wis. Seint Brendan axede fe Abbode : “ do se^e me, leue brof ur, hov holde 3 e so silence : fat neuer on ne spekez with ofur?” 324 “ Ore louerd it wot,” fe Abbot seide : “ fat 1 we habbez here i-beo Four score 3 er in swuche lyue : ase 3 e mowen here i-seo, 1 m. om. And fare nas neuere a-mong us alle : yspeke in none wise Are fis tyme non of ur word : bote ore louerdes seruise ; 328 Ne we neren neuer-eft in feblesse : ne sike of us nou 3 t on.” Seint brendan, fo he i-heorde fis : for Ioy 3 e he weop a-non. “ Leoue fader,” he seide : “mote we bi-leue here? ” 331 “ fiov wost wel,” f e Abbot seide : “ 3 e ne mowen in none manere. Ne haueth ore louerd i-schewed ov wel : 3 wat 3 c schullen do ? Come f ov sehalt to yrlonde i-wis : and fine twelf brefren al-so ; And fram fe to fe yle of Ankres : fe freotteofe schal i-wende, fie fourteofe al quic to helle : and beon fare with-outen ende.” 336 ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS GO TO SEA, TO THE ISLE OF 229 SHEEP, AND TO THE WHALE’S BACK. J)o cam 1 Jare-In a fuyri Arewe : at a fenestre a-non, 1 orig.com Ase Jei heo fram heouene come : and Je taperes tende ecli-on, [foi. 106 ] And flev^ out a-^ein ase heo cam In : bi Jmlke fenestre pore. }1q taperes barnden longue Inov : and no-Je lasse huy nere. 340 “ Louerd cn'st,” quath seint brendan : “Ich vvondri In mi Jou^t hou 3 J>is taperes bernez Jus : and ne waniez nou^t.” “Ne hastjou,” quath Je Abbod : “ In Je olde lawe i-founde hov Moyses say A Jorn berne : fram Je toppe to Je grounde, 344 he More Jat Je Jorn barnde : Je grenore Je leues were 1 Ne wenestjou nou^t Jat ore louerd beo : ase mi^ti here as Jerel” — jpeos Monekes weren to-gadere : for-to Midewynter was al i-do, For-to after twelfte-day : are huy departeden a-to. 348 Anon to seint hyllaries day : seint Brendan forth i-wende With is Monekus in Je se : Joru .3 grace Jat god heom sende. huy floten op and doun in soruwe I-nov^ : Je se heom caste he^e ; Fram Julke tyme forto in leinte : no lond huy ne i-sei^. 352 So Jat a-boute palme-sonenday : heo bi-heolden a-boute faste : heom Jou^te heo i-se^en swije fer : ase a cloude ate laste. J?is Monekes hadden wonder Jar-of : $wat Je cloude were. “ beoth stille,” seide seint brendan : “je habbez i-beon Jere : 356 Jpare is ore procuratour : Jat muche guod us hath i-do In [Je] foulene parays : and In Je lond of schep al-so.” So Jat heore schip ate laste : to Jat yle drou 3 — A-schereJores-day huy comen Judere : in gret trauaile inou}. 360 his procuratour heom cam a 3 ein : and welcomede heom a-non, Ant custe seint brendanes fet : and Je Monekes echon ; And sette heom sethje to Je soper : for Je day it wolde so, And sethje he wuchs hore fet alle : Je maunde for-to do. 364 huy heolden fare heore maunde — : and fare heo gounnen bi-leue A-gode friday al Je longue day : for-to an ester eue. An ester eue heore procuratour : bad heom heore schip take And heore resurrection : opon Je fisches rugge make, 368 And aftur heore resurrection : he bad heom euene teo to Je foulene parays : ase heo hadden er i-beo. )?is holie men wenden forth : and ore louerdes grace nome, hat 1 to jus grete fischse : Julke daye huy come, 1 ai. so]?at 372 230 ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS SING ON THE WHALE’S BACK, AND THEN GO TO THE BIRDS’ PARADISE. J5at houede ase it were a lond. : heore caudron heo founden fere Ase heo it bi-leften opon is rugge : in fat ofere ^ere. Louerd crist, fat swell a best : scholde houi so stille And soffri men op-on him gon : and don al heore wille ! 376 Jus Monekes op-on fe fisches rugge : bi-leften al fe ny^t, And songuen matynes and euesong : and sethfe, fo it was li$t, Op-on is rugge buy sounguen : heore massene echon ; 1 1 ms. echone And euere 1 houede fis rnuche fichs : stille so eny ston. 1 Ms.eueuere \)o heore resurrection was : with gret honour i-do 381 And fis Monekus hadden i-songue : heore Massene al-so, A-boute onderne of f e daye : to f e schipe huy heom nome, [foi. 106 b.] And to fe foulene parays : fat ilke day huy come. 384 j) o fis foules i-se^en heom come : huy gonne singue ech-one A^enest heom with gret melodie : ase it were for fenone. }3e foul fat spac with [heom] er : a^ein hem 1 sone he drou^ — lorig.him fe drem of is winguene murie was — : he welcomede heom faire ynou}. 388 “3® Austen,” he seide, “ ore louerd crist : fonky mid fe beste, \)at porueiez ou feos four studes : to habben on ouwer reste : With ouwer guode procratour : ouwer maunde for-to do, And sethfe ouwer resurrection : ope fe fisches rugge al-sr», 392 And sethfe with us fis ei^te wokes : a-non to witsonen-day, And fram Mide-winter to candele-masse : In fe vie of Abbey. 1 In f e se [of] Occean : in gret peril schullen i-wende 1 Ms - A y lbev In trauail al fat ofur tyme : for-to fe seuen ^eres ende : 396 And sethfe fat lond of bi-heste : god wole fat $e i-seon, And fourti [dawes] sethfe far-inne : In ioy3e schullen beon. And to fe contreye fat 3c beoz of : sethfe }e schullen i-wende With-oute trauail al aisieliche : and fare ower lif ende.” 400 j)is holi men bi-lefden fare : for-to f e tnnite : heore procratour to hem cam : and 1 was euere in plente, 1 ai. J>at he brou3te heom mete and drinke i-nou3 : ase he hadde er i-do, And chargede heore schip fere-with : and let heom wenden so. 404 Jjis holie men wenden forth : ase god heom wolde sende — For godes grace was with heom : fe betere huy m^ten wenden. — mala. Al-so huy wenden In a tyme : In strong tempeste j-nou3, ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS ARE IN DANGER AT SEA, AND 231 ARE MIRACULOUSLY FED WITH GRAPES. A gret fisch huy sei^en and grislicli : after fe schipe he drou^ ; 408 brenninde fom out of is mouth : after heom lie caste, j?at water was herre fane heore schip : bi-fore heom at eche blaste ; he cam wolchi after ase an hous : a n d porsiwede heom so faste; 411 So 1 he schef with is breostene : fe Monekes weren a-gaste, 1 ai. so faste And criden 3 eorne on seint brendan : and on ore louerd al-so. After heore schip so swyfe he schef : fat he cam al-mest fer-to. And fo he heom hadde al-mest ouer-take : [&] huy ne tolden nou 3 t of hore liue, An ofur fisch out of fe west : fare cam swymme bliue, 416 he gan i-mete fis lufere fisch : and smot to him faste, J)at he for-clef is foule bouk : in fre party es atfe laste ; Jpat ilke 1 wey fat he cam er : wel euene a^ein he drou^. 1 a*. &l>ane j^is monekes fonkeden iesu cnst : and weren [gladde] 1 ynou}. — 420 Longue 2 wenden fis gode men : in fe se forth so, 1 added later; az.ioyfui J?at huy weren of-hongred sore : and heore mete was al i-do. 2 az.soionge ])o cam fare fleo a luytel foul : and brou^te a giet bou 3 i av om j>is Auis Fol of grapus swyfe rede : and euene to heom he dro^. 1 {JJJSSm • jSfi Jpare-bi heo liueden fourtene ni 3 t : and hadden mete i-nou 3 . deno™ 11 som " \)o fis grapes weren i-don alle : of-hongrede huy weren sore : 426 bi fone side huy i-se^en an yle : and mete far-inne more. J}e yle was ful of faire treon : and so ful was euerech bou 3 [foi- 107] Of swuche grapes ase huy hadden er : fat on fe grounde it drou 3 . Seint brendan wende op of fis schip : fe grapes he nam faste 430 And bar into fe schipe, to libbe fer-bi : fat fourti dawes it 1 laste. — Sone fare cam a gryp fleoinde : after heom in f e se 1 ai. i-iaste And a-saillede heom in heore schip : and fondede heom to sle. 433 j^is Monekes criden deolfolliche : and tolden luyte of heore lyue. ])o ise^en huy come fat luytel foul : toward hem wel bliue 1 ai. om. Jpat heom 1 in foulene parays : so ofte heom hadde irad. 2 ms. heom \)o seint brendan i-sai 3 him 2 come : he nas nor^t a luytel glad. 437 )?is luytel [foul] 1 smot to fis gryp : and nam is dunt so he^e 1 added later. And at f e furste dunte : he smot out eyf ur ey 3 en ; Sone he a-slou 3 fis lufere best : fat he fel doun in-to fe se — 440 )?ing fat god wole habbe i-wust : ne schal it no wi^t 1 sle. — J)is holie Men wenden in fe se : a-boute here and fere : 1 orig. man, tiding 232 FISH FLOCK TO HEAR ST. BRENDAN SING MASS. HIS SHIP IS DRIVEN FAR NORTH, TO A DARK, STINKING LAND. In on of pe four studes : J?e hey^e festes huy were. In a seint peteres day : gret feste huy maden with heore tounge 444 And swipe murie of seint peter : In pe se huy sounge. In a stude of pe se : so cler pe se huy founde, A-boute heo i-se^en in eche side : clerliche to pe grounde : heom J)ou3te pe ground was on eche half 1 : with fisch al on hepe. Jpis Monekes beden seint brendan : pat he softe speke, 1 ai. iheied was 449 So pat he ne a-we^te nou^t pe fisches : laste huy heore schip breke. Alle pe fisches lei^en stille : ase pei heo weren a-slepe. 1 Uu, 8 th e f otller 8 MSsJ “ beo $e a-ferde ? ” quath seint brendan : “ $warof beo a-drad ? 452 Opon pe maisteres rugge of alle fisches : $e habbez i-beon wel glad And fuyr i-maked op-on is rugge : and doth fram ^ere to ^ere ! ” )3is holie Man pe luddere song : for pes ones 1 ase pei it were. 1 ai .\>* » one \)q fisches sturten op with pis song : ase pei huy a-woken a-slepe, And comen a-boute pis monekes : alle to one hepe ; 457 So picke huy fioten bi eche side : no water man ne i-sei^, 1 1 ms. sa ; 3 And bi-setten pat schip al-a-boute : Ake no water 1 ne cam pare nei^. 1 al. ac hi So picke huy weren a-boute pis schip : And euere syweden it so, 460 p>e 3wyle brendan is Masse song : for-to heo was al ido ; And po pe Masse was al 1 ido : ech fisch wende in is ende — 1 ms. all Muche ^wounder man may i-seo : pat wide wole i- wende. — wynd was hope strong and stif : and drof heore schip so faste ; Al-so feor ase heo m^ten seue-ny3t wenden : pat clere water i-laste, pat heo isei3en in pe se : ase clerliche ase huy m^ten a-londe — • 466 gret wonder hadden pis gode Men : and ponkeden godes sonde. ])o cam sone a souperne wynd : and northpe-ward di\f heom faste ; Ri3t euene with heom he was : and e^te dawes he laste. 469 })o i-sei3en huy feor in pe north : a lond deork i-nou3, 1 “my^Swere 56 Smoke stynkinde foule 1 : and puder-ward heore schip drou3» )0 o i-heorden heo gret blowynge : of manie beolies pere 472 And gret betynge and noyse i-nou3 : pondre ase pei it were. [foi. 107 b.] po was brendan sori j-nou3 : and blessede him wel faste. J)o cam pare out a lnper wy3t : ful Atelich ate laste, J^oru-out swart and brenninde — : ope heom is e^ene he caste 476 And tornede him anon a-3en — : pis Monekes weren a-gaste. st. brendan’s ship is driven north to hell, and devils 233 SEIZE ONE OF HIS MONKS, A SINNER. Jpat lufere w^t 3 af a cri : fat Men mitten i-heore liim wide. ])o come fare out swuch® schrewes mo : ficke on eche side, 479 With tongen 1 and with hameres : brenninde mani on ; 1 orig. tongene Op-on f e watere heo ornen faste 1 : After fat schip ech-on. 1 ^' o T of^ e b se mm0 f o huy ne mitten fare-nei^ come : huy gounnen to ^eolle faste, lieore hameres al brenninde : after fis men huy casten, 483 Jpat men ne mitten no-fing bote fuyr : nofer iseo ne huyre; 1 1 MS.hem-e j)e se was brenninde al-a-brod : ase f ei heo were a-fuyre. euer-ech caste is owel op of ur : and some huy frewen an hei}, huy frewen alle a-boute fat schip : ake non ne cam fare-nei}. 487 Ate laste heo torneden alle a 3 ein : fo huy ne spedden nou 3 t fere, And al fat lond f ou 3 te of heom : a-fuyre ase f ei it were, And al fe se fare a-boute : barnde and smokede faste — Strong was fe stunch and fe smoke : and longe, i-wis, it laste. 491 j)o fe smoke 1 was sum-del feor : fat heo ne ise^en non more, 1 az.monekes 3eot heo i-heorden heore 3 eollinge : f e f eoues weopen sore. “hou finchez ou,” quath brendan : “was fis a murie pas? 494 We nellez non-more come fare-nei 3 — : fat on ende of helle it was, And fe feondes hopeden suyfe wel : habbe i-haued a wel god cas ; Ake i-hered beo swete ihesu crist : huy casten Aumbes as ! ” — 497 j)e souferne wind laste 3 uyt : and 3 uyt drof heom forth. So fat huy i-se^en ane hul : wel feor in fe north, glowinde and brenninde smoke : gret stunch so was fere ; 500 j)e lei 3 e stod op an hei 3 : ase f ei it a wal were ; 3if fare was muche in fat ofur stude : fare was 3 eot wel more. On of f e monekes f o bi-gan : to weope and 3 eollen sore : For is tyme was fo i-come : he ne mfjte no leng bi-leue. 504 he hupte out of fat schip : and amidde fe se he gan weue And orn faste op-on f e watere : to-ward fat ilke fuyre. he cride 3 eorne and 3 al deolfulliche : fat gret deol it was to huyre ; “Alas,” he seide, “ mi wrechche lijf ! : for nou i seo min ende. 508 In ioye ich habbe with ou i-beo : ake i-ne may noi^t a 3 en wende. A-corsed beo fat me bar : and f e tyme fat ich was i-bore, And f e fader fat me bi~ 3 at ! : for ich am nouf e for-lore.” })e feondes comen him a- 3 ein : and nomen fat wrechche faste 512 And defouleden him stronge Inou 3 : and a-midde fe fuyre him caste. 234 st. brendan’s ship is driven south, he finds judas ISCARIOT ON AN ISLE. po fond he soth fat seint brendan : seide, f o he out wende : him failede grace, hou-so it was : his sunnes for-to a-mende. — So faste barnde fe Montayne : fat no-fing huy ne i-sei^e, 516 pe 3 uyt heo weren feor fare-fram : no-fing bote ley 3 e. po tornede fe wynd in-to f e North : and drof heom south- ward faste , 1 In fulke side stronge Inou 3 : fat seuen-Ni 3 t fulle he laste. p foi.ios] Judas. So longe huy wenden euene south : fat huy i-se^en at fen ende 520 One harde roche In f e se : and f e se f are-ouer wende ; Jjare-ouer fe se caste i-lome : and ofte he was bar. Ant f o heo comen f e roche nei 3 : of a gost heo weren i-war : heo i-se^e on-ouewarde fe roche sitte : 3 wane fe se with-drou 3 , 524 A wrechche gost, naked and bar : in stronge meseise j-nou 3 ; A-boue him was a cloth i-tild 1 : with tweie tonguene faste, 1 aj.teid to is chin tilde fe neofer ende — : fe wynd it wide caste, pat euere 3 wane fat water him with-drou 3 : fat cloth, fat heng he^e, 528 beot him , 1 ase fe wynd him blev 3 : fat wrechche gost 1 in fen ei’ 3 e ; pe wawes of f e se beoten also : bi-fore and bi-hynde — 1 ai. om. A 3 eomerore gost fane he was : ne m^te no man finde. Seint Brendan him bad a-godes name : telle 3 wat he were 532 And 3 wat he hadde ore louerd mis-don : and 3 wi he sete fere. “Ich am,” he seide, “a deolfnl gost : ich hote wrechche Iudas, pat ore louerd for panewes solde : and on eorfe with him was. JMs nis nou 3 t mi r^te stude : ake ore louerd doth me grace 536 to habben mi parays : here in fis place, For no guodnesse fat ich dude : bote ore louerdes ore. I-ne habbe nou 3 t so muche pine : fat ich nere wurfe more. For in fe brennynde hulle : fat ech of eov i-sai 3 , 540 Mi r^te is to brennen Inne : bofe ny 3 t and day 3 ; pare ich was fis 3 eondere dai 3 : fo ower brofer f udere cam And was into pine i-lad : and fare hadde is dom. f)are-fore helle was so glad 1 : and makede so grete le^e, 1 orig. gied 544 For fat he was f udere i-come : and so nei '3 him 1 i-se^e — So huy doz 3 wane ani soule : is formest f udere i-come. 1 ai. >at je so ver J)oru 3 godes hei 3 e milce : fare-fram ich am i-nome : For here ich am euer-ech sonenday : and fram saterday 3 es eue 548 JUDAS ISCARIOT TELLS ST. BRENDAN WHY HE IS PERMITTED TO 235 BE THERE, AND WHAT HIS RELIEF IS. For-to euen-song tyme fane sonenday : here i schal bi-leue ; Ant at Midewinter al-so : for-to twelfte-dai beo ido, Ant fram fe bi-guynninge of estur : fat ^wit-sonendav come, al-so, Ant al-s.o at ore lauedi festes — : so ful of milce beo is ; 552 Ake alle ofure tymene : In belle ich am, i-wis, With pilatus. ant with beoroudus : and al-so with 1 caypbas — A-corsed beo f e tyme : fat icb i-boren was ! 1 ai. Anne and Icb bidde fe for fe lone of god : fonde on alle wise 55 6 For-to bi-leuen 1 here al f is 2 : fat fe sonne a-rise, 1 ai. }>at ich biieue 2 a/. nqt And fat ^e wyten me fram fe feondes : fat sone comieth aftur me” Seint Brendan seide, “foru^ godes grace : we schullen scbilde fe. tel me noufe $wat is fat cloth : fat so he^e hanguth her 1 .” lorig.here “po ich was on eorfe : and godes panewes her, 561 f)is cloth ich ^af a musel : and min owene it nas nou^t, For it was with ore louerdes panes : ant mine felawes i-hon^t. [foi.iosbj Ant for ich it ^af for godes loue : noufe it is me bi-fore — 564 So luyte ne schal man for him do : fat schulle beo i-lore. For it was of ofur mannes : ase ich me under-stod, Jpei it hangy bi-fore me : it doth me more harm fane guod : In mine e^ene it bat sore : ant doth hem harm i-nou 3 .” — 568 Man mai i-seo ^wuch it is : to 3 yuen ofur mannes fing with W 0113 ; As wollez manie of fis riche men : with onr^te al day take Of pouere men here ant f er : and almesse far-of make. Jpat heo doth for godes loue : ne schal nou 3 t beo for^ite, 572 Ake to pine it heom turne schal : ant fat huy schullen i-wite ! — “ pe tonguene al-so,” quath Iudas : “ fat 3 e so he^e i-seoth, tweye preostes ich 3 af on eorfe : and fare-fore here heo beoth — For man schal clanliche ech fing finde : fat he doth for is loue. 576 pe ston fat ich op-on sitte : and makez me sitte a-boue, In one weqe ich hyne fond : fare non neode nas no ston : In a fenni dich ich it caste : fat men m^ten fare-ouer gon. Fewe goddedes ich haue i-don : of 3 wan ich noufe may telle : 580 Nis non so luyte fat man ne may fynde : in heuene ofur in helle.” p 0 it was .eue. fe sonenday : fe feondes comen blaste, For-to leden to helle fat sori gost — : huy weopen ant 3 ollen faste. 236 ST. BRENDAN GETS JUDAS ISCARIOT ONE NIGHT’S RELIEF MORE, AND SAILS TO THE ISLE OF PAUL THE HERMIT. “ Wend heonne,” heo seiden, “fou gode 1 man : fou nast nou^t here to done; >o?. godes 584 Lat us habbe ore felawe : ant to helle leden him sone : 1 ms. him him For we ne dorren ore mayster i-seo : are we him 1 habben i-brou 3 t. bou wend fram him, for it is tyme : and ne lete us nou^t ! ” “ Ich ne lette ov nou^t,” quath seint brendan : “ to don ouwer m ester, 588 Ake doth ore louerd iesu crist : fat is of more pouwer.” “ hou darst fou,” f e feonfdes] seide : “ bi-fore him nemme is name 1 Ne bi-tray de he him and solde him al-so : to def e with grete schame 1 ” Seint Brendan seide, “ in his name : ich hote ov, ase ich may, 592 bat ^e ne derien him to-ny^t : are to-morewe fat hit beo day.” Eeuliche fe feondes pollen fo : ant hamward gonne fleo. Iudas fonkede reufolliche : fat it was deol to seo. A-morewe, a-non so fat it was day : fe feondes comen blaste. 596 Grysliche heo pollen ant weopen : ant gonnen to chide faste. “ A-wey,” huy seiden, “ gode man ! : a-corsed beo f e stounde J?at fou come here us so nei 3 : and fat we f e here founde : Ore Maister us haueth i-pyned : bitterliche al f is ny^t 600 Ant swyf e strongue, for we ne bro^ten : with us fis sorie wijt. Ake we wollez feos six dawes : doubli al is wo And so we wollez a-wreken us : for on him-sulf it schal go ! ” 603 bat wrechche gost quakede f o : fat reufe it was to seo of ur telle. \)e fendes nomen f o fis gost : ant ladden in-to helle ; Ant seint Brendan hem for-bed : In ore louerdes name bat heo ne scholden for fat ny 3 t : don him fe more schame. — Seint Brendan and is Monekus : In fe se forth wende [foi. 109 ] 608 j)re dawes euene south : ase ore louerd hem grace 1 sende. »aLom. ))e feorfe dai heo i-se^en ane yle : albi soufe an hei 3 . Seint Brendan s^te sore : fo he fat [yle] i-se^. “ Powel fe heremite : is in fe yle fat ich i-seo, 612 here he haueth with-oute mete : fourti 3 er i-beo.” bo heo comen to fis yle : heo wenden in ecli-on. bis heremite, fat was so old man : a^nin hem cam a-non. his her tilde doun to is fet : of berde and of heued, 616 and helede is bodi al-a-boute — : r^t nou 3 t fare nas bar bi-leued ; PAUL THE HERMIT TELLS ST. BRENDAN HOW HE GOT THERE, AND 237 HOW HE IS MIRACULOUSLY FED BY AN OTTER. 1 A v. om. : Alas, lie sede, ichabbe so^are: instude of monek ibe, None ojuir clones nadde lie on : is limes weren al liore. Brendan stod and bi-heold : and weop swif e sore, 1 “ And noufe In liue of Aungele : ane man ich i-seo.” “beo siille,” quath J>e liermite : “ for god doth wel bi J>e ; 621 For he schewez fe more fane ani of ur : of is priuete. For a Monek liuez muche : bi swunche of mannes 1 honde, 1 ai. is owe Ant fou liuest bi godes grace : ant foru^ is owene sonde. 624 In fe Abbeye of seint paterich : Monek ich was, i-wis And of is churche a wardein : fare is purgatorie is. A day fare cam a man to me : ich eschte him $wat he were, he seide, 1 ich am fin Abbot : ne haue of me no fere.’ 628 ‘ Non ofur man fane seint paterik : min Abbot nis/ ich sede. ‘ Ich it am,’ quath he a-^ein : 1 ne haue of me no drede. to-morewe,’ he seide, 1 $wane it is day : to f e se f ou most i-wende : Al^are fou schalt finde a schip : fat god fe wole sende ; 632 Ant do fe forth in fe se : in fine schipe wide : hit wole fe lede to f e stude : fare fou schalt a-bide.' Sone morewe ich oup a-ros : to don is liolie bone : And fo ich cam to fe se : fat schip ich fond wel sone. 1 r. let 636 Mid me ich bad 1 fat schip i-worfe : ivel euene forth it wende. j)e seueuf e dai to fis yle : ore louerd me hydere sende. \)o ich was out of fat schip : fane wei a-non ich 1 nam 1 ai. ajenit iRi^t euene foru^ godes grace : so fat ich 1 hidere cam. 1 a*, lqtasit 640 Elinge ich ^eode here al one : confort nad-ich non : So fat on is hindore fet : An .Otur. fare cam gon, Bi-twene is forfere fet he brou 3 te : a fuyr-Ire ant a ston, J?are-with to smite me fuyr : and fisch he brou 3 te sethfe guod won. 644 J)is [otur] wende sone a- 3 ein. : ich makede me fuyr faste Ant seth me fisch a-godes name — : fre dayes it i-laste. So fat euere fene fridde day : fis .Otur. to me drou 3 And brou 3 te me mete, fat ich hadde : fre dawes far-on i-nou 3 . 648 Watur of fis liarde stone : foru 3 ore louerdes sonde 1 ai. ech sonedai J?are sprong out of eche daye 1 : to drinke and wasche min honde. J?is welle bi-gan furst hire to schewen : fat fou m^t i-seo, \ Sfs^Sabbe here 2 ich hadde 3 fritti winter : In swuche liue i-beo ; 4 4 y v. are transp. * } in other MS, 238 ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS SPEND EASTER DAY ON THE WHALE’S BACK. IT CARRIES THEM TO THE BIRDS’ PARADISE. bi pis welle ich habbe I-leoued : fourti ^er and on, And fifti ^er ich was old : are ich gan liidere gon ; [foi. 109 b.] So pat of an hondred ^er : and twenti ^er pare-to Ich am noupe bi )?is time — : ore louerd is wille bi me do. 656 And mi deth ich a-bide here : $wane god it wole sende, 3wanne mi louerd wole ]?at ich come to him : and of pis world i-wende. Ake nim with pe of pis watur : pat pou hast neode to, And wiend pe forth in pe se : for pi wei nis nou^t al i-do. 660 For pou schalt 3eot in pe se : fourti dawes fare, And panne pou schalt pine Ester liolde : ase pou hast i-don are, And fram panne pou schalt wiende forth : to pe londe of bi-heste And pare pou schalt fourti dawes : bi-leuen atpe leste, 664 And to pin owene londe a^ein : pou schalt wiende so.” jpis guode men with deol i-110113 : pus de-parteden a-two. — )fis holie men wenden hem forth : in tempeste 1 wel faste, 1 ai. in \>e se Eourti dawes euene south : pe 3 wile pat leinte i-laste. 668 to heore guode procratour : an ester eue huy come. With lieom he made ioie i-nou3 : ase he dude er i-lome. he ladde lieom to pis grete fisch. : pudere huy comen an eue ; fie Ester n^t for-to a-moruwe : pare huy gounne bi-leue ; 672 bare huy songuen heore matynes : and heore masse al-so. fie fisch bi-gan to meouen him : po pe masse was al i-do, And bar pis Monekes forth with him : And swam swipe faste In pe se wel stuyrneliche — : pe monekes weren a-gaste. 67 6 A wonder ping it was to seo : ho-so it hadde i-se^e, A so gret best a-boute wiende : ase it were a gret contreie ! Rut to foulene parais : pis monekes he ladde ecli-on, And sette heom up hole and sounde : and wende a^ein a-non. 680 p)is monekes, po huy pudere comen : wel glade and blipe huy were. Eor-to aftur pe trinite : huy bi-lefden pere. Eor heore guode procuratour : pulke tyme brou3te heom mete and drink i-nou3, Ase he hadde er ido — : into heore schip he it drou3, 684 And al-so he wende forth with lieom : 3wodere-so god heom sende. Ri3t euene towar d pe est : fourti dayes huy wende. ST. BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS REACH THE LAND OF PROMISE. 239 HIS COMING DEATH IS TOLD HIM. j)o f e fourti da^es weren a-gon : liit gan to hauli faste ; A wel deork mijst fare com al-so : fat swife longue i-laste. 688 “ beotli glade,” seide fis procuratour : “ and makiez grete feste, For ichot wel fat ^e beoth : in 1 fe londe of bi-heste.” 1 ai. nei j)o huy comen out of fis Mijst : and mitten a-boute i-seo, In 1 fe faireste lond buy weren : fat euere m^te beo. 1 ai. vnder 692 So cler and so li^t it was : fat Ioye fare was I-nou} ; Treon fare weren fulle of fruyt : wel f icke euer-ech bou}. Jpicke it was i-set wit h treon : fe treon wel faire were, 1 J)e Applene weren ripe inou} : ri$t ase it beruest were. Fourti dawes in fis londe : a-boute buy gounne i-wiende, In none half huy ne m^ten finde : of fis lond non ende. hit was euere-more day : heom f ou^te, and neuere-more ny^t, huy ne founden in none stude : neuere so muche li^t ; j)e eyr was euere in o stat : nafur to hot ne to cold — 3wat [ioie] huy fere founden : ne may neuere beon i-told. So fat huy comen to a fair watur. : huy nolden i-wiende. 1 \)o cam to heom a ^onglich man : swife fair and hiende, Fairore ne mi^te neuere non beo : ase god him gan fare 1 siende. he wel-comede euerech bi is name : and custe heom ech-on, 1 ms. pure Faire he honourede seint Brendan : and on is hond him nam a-non. “ Lo,” he seide, “ here fe lond : fat ^e habbez i-sou 3 t so wide. 708 For ore louerd nele nou 3 t : fat 3 e here-Inne longue fus a-bide, Ake 3 e schullen in fe se : is priuetez i-seo, 1 1 These vv. are corrupt. Chargiez ower schip with of fis fruyt : for 3 e ne rnouwen no leng here beo.” to seint Brendan he seide And spak : fis 30 unge man fair and hende : 1 1 This v. ai. om. 712 “ jpou most to fin owene lond : a^einward a-non i-wiende : For fou schalt sone out of fis world : fi lijf is nei 3 atfende. ]?is watur fat 3 e here i-seoth : delez fis world a-two ; 715 Jpeos half ou f inchez fair i-nov 3 : and bi^eonde half al-so. 1 ms. jende 3e ne rnouwen nou 3 t comen a^end 1 half : for it 2 nis nou 3 t ri^t. Ake fis fruyt is euere i-liche ripe : and fis lond i-liche bri^t. 2 is And 3wane ore louerd eche-manere men : to him haueth i-drawe 700 1 A v. om.: Ac ouer hi mi^te j^e lond ise : vair wi}>-outen ende. nou 3 t ouer 704 1 al. & pe treon J?icke here 696 [fol. 110] 210 ST. BRENDAN DIES IN IRELAND. AN ABBEY IS BUILT FOR HIM. ST. NICHOLAS IS A GOOD CHILD, AND STUDIES HOLY WRIT. And ^vane alle-manere men knowez him : and vnder-stondez is lawe, J3at lond he wole j>anne schewe : toward J?e worldes ende 721 heom J>at beth to him i-core : are huy heonnes i-wiende.” Seint Brendan a[n]d is Monekes : of J>is fruy* token faste, And of preciouse stones al-so : and into hore schipe it caste; 724 And faire and wel heore lene nomen : \o al Jris was i-do, And with wop and sor and deol i-nov : departeden a-two ; And wenden ham ward in £e se : ase ore lonerd heom sende. AVel sonere, ich wot, horn huy come : ]?ane huy outward wende. 728 heore brejuen, )>o huy comen horn : Ioyfule weren i-nou$. Seint Brendan, J>e liolie man : sone to dej)e drou} — For neueref[t] aftur Jmlke tyme : of )>e world he ne rou^te, Bote as a man of an ojmr worlde : and ase he were in fou^te — 732 And deide sone in yrlaunde : aftur ]mlke stounde. Mani fair miracle men habbez seth)>e : for him )>are i-founde ; And a fair Abbeie j)are is a-re[r]d : ase is bodi was i-do. God bringue us to )>ulke Ioye : J?at is soule wende to. AmeN. 736 \_Fol. 110 b is left vacant J 37 [Vita sawed Nicholai] S Eynt Nicholas J?e holie Man : J>at guod confessour was, [foi.ni] Of hei^e men he was i-come : In J)e cite of patras : For in patras he was i-bore — : nelle ich }?ar-of nou3t lye ; his moder name was lone : his faderes epiphanie. 4 \)e furste day )>at he was i-bore : Jmt child, }>at was so guod, Ase it was in ane mele i-bajjed : al one upri^t it stod. Ano[n] so he was i-bore : lie 1 gan to beo guod and clene ; 1 ms. and he nolde fridai ne wodnesday : souke nou3t bote ene. 8 \)o he couJ)e gon ant speke : he ne pleide neuere mo, 1 ovig. raieden Ake 3 wane o]mr children rageden 1 faste : to churche he wolde go; he nolde speke non ydel word : ase swuche children doth ; Le^ingue and pieces and ragingues : he bi-lefte al-so. 1 2 \)o he was sethj?e of grettore elde : to scole he was i-set ; So wel he leornede : J?at man nuste, no child leorni bet. SethJ)e J)o he more 1 cou))e : al his studie he tok 1 al m - wit to guodespelles ant to holi writes : and alle o]?ere bokes for-sok. 16 ST. NICHOLAS GIVES AWAY HIS GOODS, AND SAVES GIRLS 241 FROM A SINFUL LIFE. So clene lijf he ladde ^ong : pat deinte it was to wite ; More godnesse ne mi^te beo : pane we findeth of him i-write. ])o is fader and is moder weren dede : pis holie child Nicholas luyte tolde of heore guode : pei he heore eyr was : 20 to pouere Men he $af it clene : $ware he sai ’3 neode ; And heo pat nolden bidde him non : stilleliche he gan hem beode. — An hei} Man pare was bi-side : pat sethpe poru^ luper cas his guod was al-clene a-wei i-go : and al pouere bi-come he was. 24 be hadde pre dou^tren faire i-non^ : clene and gnode al-so ; In so gret Meseise heo weren i-bron^t : pat heo nnsten 3 wat to do. J?o heo nnsten ^ware-bi libbe — : for heore guod heom was bi-nome — heore red huy nomen alle preo : foie wommen to bi-come 28 And raper panne heo in swuche houngur weren : to libbe bi hore - 1 dom. 1 MS. heore J)e olde man, heor alre fader : gret deol to him he nom. gret pite hadde in is heorte : pe guode seint Nicholas, ]) o he i-heorde pe deolfole mone : pat a-mong lieom alle was. 32 Of is fader guode a ny^t : ane bei } 1 of gold he nam, 1 ai. weg I-wounde in one cloute : and stilleliche to heore house he cam, to a derne wyndouwe softeliche : seint Nicholas gan gon And caste in pat gold priueliche : and wende a-^ein a-non. 36 J)is housebonde a-ros a-Moruwe : ant par-of nuste nou^t : he com and fond pane bei$ of gold : pat seint Nicholas hadde i-brou^t. ))ar-of he was glad i-nou^ : pei he nuste ho it brou^te ; he it nam and ponkede Iesu crist : pat on is meseise pou^te. 40 J)are-with he conseilede swype wel : his eldeste doubter sone With fair bruyda-le and gret honour : ase ri^t was for-to done. Seint Nicholas i-sai ‘3 al pis : and napeles $uyt he pou^te J)at pis selie Man neode hadde : pat he more guod to him brou^te. 44 A n^t he a-waitede swype wel : ase ore louerd it wolde, And at one fenestre caste In eft-sone : ane opur bei 3 of golde. [foi. 111 b.] J)is housebonde a-morewe a-ros : pat gold he fond sone ; he ponkede god with guode heorte : pat hadde i-heord is bone. 48 And natheles him wondrede muche : ho is freond so wel were, And pou 3 te pat he a-waiti wolde : 3 if he more come pere. he conseilede is opur dorter : swipe wel with pis golde, LEGENDS OF SAINTS. R 242 ST. NICHOLAS S GOODNESS IS DISCOVERED. BISHOP OF MIRRE. HE IS MADE 56 60 1 al. gode 6 4 i MS. ne With gret nobleie and fayr bruydale : ase ore louerd it wolde. 52 3eot folate pis guode Nicholas : po pis was al i-do, Jjat it were guod to conseili : pe ]?ridde dorter al-so : A ni$t he wende wel stilledliche : to pat fenestre eft-sone And caste In ane bei$ of gold : ase he was i-woned to done. J)is housebonde hadde i-waked longue : for-to wayti of jus cas : So pat, po seint Nicholas cam : wakiende he was. Op he sturte and siwede him : and bi is clojms heold him faste, he ne let nou^t go are pe guode man : i-kneu} him 1 at pe laste. 3eorne bad seint Nicholas : pat he to no man ne sede, 1 ai. was iknowe Jpe $wyle )?at he a-liue were : of pis priue dede. With pis gold pe pridde doubter : wel i-conseilled was ; And alle preo weren riche 1 wiues : poru^ seint Nicholas. In pis manere seint Nicholas : ase ich noupe habbe i-sed, Delde al is heritage : po is fader was ded. 3 wane o)mr Men eoden to habbe solas : he nadde par-to no 1 wille : to churche he wolde and in one huyrne : is beden bidde wel stille. — IT Hit bi-feol pat pe bischop : of Mirre was ded, And folk cam to cheose ane ojmr : and par-of hy nomen heore red ; So pat heo weren in bore beden : ny$t and dai wel faste J)at ore louerd heom sende ane guode man. : and he herde heom ate laste. 72 For a ny^t pare cam a voiz : ase it were in inetingue, 1 ai. of \>e cheosinge to a bischop pat was maister per : and tolde him pis typingue 1 And seide, ‘ 4 goth to-morewe to churche 1 sone : ri^t are hit dai beo : J)e furste man pat $e pare mouwen : i-heore opur i-seo 1 the And pat hote Nicholas : takez him wel sone And makez him bischop of Mirre ! : god hath i-heord ower bone.” 78 pe bischop and pat opur folk : a-risen are hit dai were, And comen to churche, and founden sone : Nicholas stonde pere : 80 In one huyrne he stod ful stille. : heo axeden $wat he was And $wat were is ri^te name. : he seide hem “ Nicholas.” heo nomen and ladden him with gret honour : to pe churche of Mirree And sacreden him to bischop pere : and setten him in is se. 84 Jpo he was hei} man i-maked : pis guode Nicholas, ST. NICHOLAS IS HUMBLE AND HELPFUL. HE WALKS ON THE SEA, 243 AND SAVES A CREW FROM SHIPWRECK. More bou^sum and milde he bi-cam : fane euer er [he] was ; luyte pruyte lie hadde of is power : ^wane men him wolden a-loute, And $if it nere for ei^e of god : leouere him were with-oute. 88 So prest he was to alle men : fat on him beden & cride, And so muche for heom he dude : fat men speken f ar-of wide. — Muche folk In a time : In-to f e se i-wende [foi. 112 ] In a schip, to don heore neode : $if ore louerd f e grace heom sende. So fat fere cam a gret tempeste : fat heo wenden alle a-drenche. 93 Alle gnodnesse heo bi-hei^ten god : fat heo mitten on bi-f enche. So fat heo f ou^ten, ase heore schip : toward fe gronnde was, On fe guodnesse fat men tolden : of fe bischop Nicholas : 96 “ Leoue louerd Nicholas ” : wel loude alle heo criden, “ 3 if it is 1 soth fat we habbez : i-heord tellen of fe wide, 1 ms. it In f is peril saue us nouf e : fat we ne beon a-dreint ; Louerd Nicholas, help us noufe : are ore schip beo a-seint ! ” 100 Ase heo gradden, fare cam on eorne : on-owarde f e watere bi-side A bischop in abite swife fair. : wel loude on him huy cride. “ Lo me here,” quath fis holie man : “ ^e cleopeden me wel faste. Seggez $wat ouwer wille beo : and $warof $e beon a-gaste ! ” 104 “ Louerd,” heo seiden, “ Nicholas : }if it is fi wille, Saue us noufe of fis tempeste : fat we hefre ] 1 ne a-spille.” ims. he “ Ne habbe 3 e,” quath fis holie man : “ her-of none drede ! ” ]) at weder bi-cam fo stille inou} : fo he feos wordes sede. 108 heo bi-heolden f 0 after him — : heo nusten 3 ware he was ; And fonkeden muche ore swete louerd : and fene bischop Nicholas. Jpene wei stille and murie : toward fe londe huy nome ; With-oute eche destourbingue : to londe wel glade heo come. 112 Alle heo duden heom fort a-non : to fe bischope Nicholas, Ase to a man fat heo neuere ne se^en : ne nusten 3 wuch he was. Ech of heom bi-heolden him faste : fat to fis guode man com : Alle heom f ou 3 te fat it was he : fat fene deth heom bi-nam. 116 “ Louerd,” heo seiden, “ i-hered fou beo ! : to f e we gradden bliue ; On-ouewarde fe se fo fou come : and broi^test us to liue. I-hered beo fe tyme fat fou most : a-mong men on eorfe beo ! Eor swuche grace ne hadde neuere eorf elich Man : ase man may on f e i-se.” 120 R 2 244 ST. NICHOLAS GETS CORN FOR STARVING PEOPLE, AND MIRACULOUSLY REPLACES IT. Jms guode Man, fo lie i-lieorde fis : fonkede and lierede al-so Ore louerd, fat wolde for is loue : suych miracle do. — IT hit bi-feol In ane ojmr tyme : of fe bischop Nicholas, bat gret hongnr al-a-boute : In is bischopriche was ; 124 So lufere fullen fe 3 eres alle : fat no corn noi^were nas. gret deol hadde fis gnode bischop : of fat lufere cas. Fram feorrene contreies 1 fare comen schipes : with muche corn fare- bi-side : 1 al. nm. J)is bischop wende a^ein heom sone : and bad heom one stonnde a- bide, 128 “ For fe loue of Iesu crist : leneth me/’ he sede, “ Ane hondret q?/arters of fat corn : fat 3 c fare doth lede, to fis selie men fat beoth here : nei 3 for houngur dede ; heo ne habbeth no corn to libbe bi : to sede ne to brede.” 132 “ Certes, sire,” fis schipmen seiden : “ fat ne dorre we noi^t : For al fis corn fat fou i-sixt : fat we habbez here i-brou 3 t, With swyfe schars met with-alle : bitai^t it is us echone \) at we it leden fe Aumperour — : ne dorre we make no lone.” [foi. 112 b.] “ Witli-oute faille,” quath fis gode man : “ ne dredez ou r^t nou 3 t, 3if 3 e me wollez far-of lene : fat eov schulle faili ou 3 t ; 138 be folle 3 e schulle 3 elden fe Aumperoure : ase men token ou for-to lede, No-fing ne schal ou failli : ne farf ov no-fing drede.” 140 be schipmen ope truste of is word : wel largeliche him mete And token f e biscliope wel i-metene : Ane houndred quarterns 3 wete ; And wenden forth to fe Aumperour : and is com him ladde ; And beden is stiwardes meten wel : 3 if heo fe folle hadden. 144 huy meten, and founden al fe fulle : and wel more f are-to. For wonder heo axeden fe schipmen : 3 wi it woxe so. heo f onkeden a-non fane gode bischop : fat is neode to heom mende, And tolden fore fe Aumpe?*oure : hou muche corn heo him lende, And hou he bi-het heom fat it ne scholde : fare-fore ne wanie nou 3 t, And hou heo hadden bi large met : wel more corn i-brou 3 t. f)is guode bischope heo hereden swife : and fonkeden muche also, bat hadde foru ore louerdes grace : swche miracle i-do. 152 Al fe contreie hadde i-nou 3 : to mete and to sede, THE DEVIL’S TRICK TO DESTROY ST. NICHOLAS’S CHURCH 245 IS FRUSTRATED BY THE SAINT. To ^er and more, of fat corn : fat heo gonne fare lede. — IT In an of ur tyme fis guode bischop : bi a fair treo com : he fond fare men fat duden fing : a-^ein heore cristine-dom : 156 heo stoden fare, ase heo ofte duden : and maden heore sacrefise to fe deuel onder fis treo : fat men 1 mitten far-of a-grise. 1 superscribed. Seint Nicholas heom tornede eclione : gode men for-to be, And dude heom for-sake fe feondes lore : and hewe a-doun fat treo. jpe deuel after fulke tyme : to him liadde gret onde : 161 For-to a-batien is pouwer : in alle manere he gan fonde. — • pilegrimes weren in f e se : to seint Nicholas for-to wende, For fe guodnesse fat huy of him herden : 3 if god heom wolde fe grace sende. 164 In fourme of a fair womman : f e deuel cam heom to And seide, “ louerdingues, wel is eou : fat 3 e mouwen ouwer wille do For-to seche fis holie man : fat so milsful is and hende ! Leouere ich hadde fane ani-fing : m^te icb with ou wende : 168 For ich ne wilni no-fing so muche : ase fane holie man to seo. A luyte fing 3 e moten for me don : 3 wane it ne may ofur beo : Nimeth here fis guode oygnement : fat deorewurfe is with-alle, And 3 wane 3 e into is churche comiet : smeorieth in eche walle, 172 For-to wurthschipien fane guode man : fat is of so gret pouste ; And 3 wane ich ne mai to him come : doth fat In f e muynde of me ! ” Jpis pilegrimes with glade heorte : fis oynement to heom nome, to smerien with fis holie churche : 3 wane heo f udere come. 176 Ase he wenden forth in f e se : sone it dude bi-falle Jpat fare cam to heom a schip : with faire men with-alle ; A bischop fare was a-mong heom : swife fair man and hende. he grette heom faire and axede a-non : 3 wodere heo fou 3 ten wende. heo seiden fat heo wolden : 3 if it godes wille were, [foi. 113 ] to fe churche of Mirree : for-to Anouri seint Nicholas fere. 182 “ 3'vat was fe womman,” fe bischop seide : “ fat 3 wile er eou cam to, And 3 wat was it fat heo eou bi-te^te 1 : 3 wat scliulle 3 e f are-with do?” 184 “ Sire, it is an oynement ” : f eos pilegrimes seden, “ ])e guode womman 3 eorne us bad : to fe holie churche it lede And fare-with in muynde of hire ; 3 wane it were fudere i-brou 3 t, 246 ST. NICHOLAS EXPOSES THE DEVIL’S TRICK. HE STAYS OPPONENTS FROM FIGHTING. Smeorie pe holie churche wowes — : pat we ne leten it nou 3 t ! ” 188 u $e, $e,” quath J>is holie man : “ nuten nou 3 t ^wat heo is. takez me J?at oynement : and 3 e schullen i-seo, i-wis.” Jois guode man nam pat oynement : and a-midde pe se it caste. Jpat watur bi-gan to berne a-non : a-^ein is kuynde, wel faste ; 192 Tram stude to stude pat fuyr orn : and barnde pe se, i-wis. })o seide pe guode man, “ here 3 e iseoth : 3 wat ouwer oynement is. hadde 3 e ani-ping parof : on pe churche-walles i-do, A1 pe cliurche hadde for-barnd : and al pe toun al-so. 196 hit was pe foule feond of helle : J>at it ou tok with honde For-to brenne pulke churche : for he haueth par-to onde.” Forth wende pis bischop and alle his : anon-ri 3 t poru 3 godes sonde. Y>e pilegrimes roweden 1 pene nexte wey : so pat huy comen to londe. to seint Nicholas heo wenden po : pat heo so wide sou 3 te. . 1 orig. rewe A-non so heo i-se^en pis guode man : heo stoden in grete pou 3 te ; heom ))ou 3 te J>at it J)e bischop was : J?at in J)e se to heom cam, J)at sche w ude hem J»at oynement : and J)e feondes swykedam. 204 “ Louerd,’’ heo seiden, “ nov J>in ore ! : muche is Ju pouwer : J?at we i-se^en in )>e se : are we comen her.” heo hereden muche J>ene holie man : as it wel r^t was. 207 ])q guode man faste heom for-bed : J)at heo ne tolden nou 3 t J>is cas. Fairore Miracle on eorJ)e : ne m^te we neuere i-wite Jpane we of seint Nicholas : findeth ofte i-write ! — In a tyme lujjere men weorreden : ])ene Aumperour of rome And destruyden is londes faste : and bataille a- 3 ein him nome. 212 j)e Aumperour nam J)re grete louerdingues : and oJ>ere wel mani on, For-to wenden, I-armede swyj?e wel : to f^ten a- 3 ein is fon. Jpis J)reo princes with heore men : in se forth i-wenden, to fi 3 ten a^ein is wy]?erwynes : ase )>e Aumperour heom sende. 216 So )>at wynd heom drof : ase it were hi cas, to J)e contreie of Mirree : pare pis bischop was. bischop heorde of hem telle. : a 3 en heom he wende sone, 219 And bad heom come and ete with him : and huy g?*aunteden is bone. j)is [pe] 1 guode man dude for heo ne scholden : none robberie do. he made hem suype wel an-ayse : and fair semblaunt al-so ; 1 om. So pat poru 3 pis holie bischop : heo and heore fon ST. NICHOLAS RECONCILES THREE PRINCES AND THEIR FOES, 247 AND RESCUES THE PRINCES WHEN FALSELY ACCUSED. With-oute dunt opur blod i-sched : a-corded 1 weren a-non, 224 Al-to pe Aumperores guode : ant to his honour al-so. 1 orig. acordet Jjeos pre maistres wenden ham ward : po pis dede was i-do. [foi. 113 b.] heo comen and tolden pe Aumperour : hov heo hadden on i-take. jpe Aumperour w'as wel a-payd : and gret feste gan heom make. 228 heore lupere felawes comen sone : and pare-to hadden envie, And seiden heo hadden pe Aumperoure : i-don gret tricherie And with is fon imaked a fol pays : and with grete feolonie, to pe deseritisun of pe Aumperour : ope heom heo gunne lye. 232 j)G Aumperour in grete wrathpe : let heom nime faste And binden peos pre princes : and in strongue prisone caste. So faste weren pis lupere men : ope J>is princes preo Jpat pe Aumperour swor is oth : A-slawe heo scholden beo. 236 he let somony is kny 3 tes alle : f>at heo a-morewe come For-to bringuen peos preo princes : to depe poru 3 heore 1 dome. 1 ai. his A-non so ]?e t-ipingue was i-brou^t : to pis princes 1 preo, 1 a;, prisons heo weopen and criden deolfulliche : pat reupe it was to se, 240 heo weopen and heore elopes teren : and heore her al-so ; 1 w. 241-2 ai. om. And poi^ten on pe grete godnesse : pat seint Nicholas hadde i-do. 1 “ Louerd,” heo seiden, “ Nicholas : fro 3 wam wel glade we eode, And also wis ase we gultelese beoth : help us in ore neode, 244 Ne lat us neuere pus gulte-lese : to depe beon i-brou 3 t ! ” \)q hohe bischop Nicholas : ne fur-^at heom nou 3 t i 1 1 w. 245-6 ai. om. For a ny 3 t, ase pe Aumperour : ase a louerd lay and ase a sire, In-to is paleis, pat was so strong : and i-barred al with ire, 248 to him ri 3 t bi-fore his bed : pis holi bischop com, 1 1 orig> c ° m And seide, “sire Aumperour, 3 wat pencst pou : with pi false dom? 3wi hast pou pis gultelese men : In pi prisone i-brou 3 t And gulteles penchest heom a-quelle ? : ich rede, with-drau 3 pi pou 3 t ! A-ris op sone, ich rede pe : and lat heom of prisone wende, 253 Opur ichulle mine louerd bidde : pat he pe weorre sende, 1 1 g4ende ^ )?at pare-inne pou worst al-to-boned : and i-brou 3 t of lijf-dawe, j^at foules schullen and wilde bestes : pi caroyne al-to-drawe.” 1 256 “ 3wat artov,” quath pe Aumperour : ‘ ‘ opur of 3 wat pouste, 1 bat in pis tyme art i-come : in-to mi paleys to me And swuche bolde wordes spext 1 : wonder me pinchez of pe ! ” 248 ST. NICHOLAS PROCURES THE RELEASE OF THE THREE PRINCES UNJUSTLY IMPRISONED. “Ich am,” quath fis Nicholas : “ biscbop of mirree.” 2G0 U Seint Nicholas wende al-so : to fe Aumperoures hei^e Iustise, jjare he lai bi-side in f e paleys : and made him sum-del a-grise : “ b°v witlese wrechche,” he seide : “ ^wat liauestou i-f ou 3 t ! Eastov fat fis gultelese men : to defe beon i-brou^tl 2G4 With-drau^ fi red, ich fe rede, sone : of ur fou schalt al for-dwyne And for-leose al fi guod : and dey 3 e in strongue pine.” “ 3wat artou,” fis ofur seide : “ fat spext wordes f us grete And fe Aumperores he^e Iustise : fus baldeliche darst frete?” 268 “ Ich am,” he seide, “ Nicholas : bischop of Mirree. bote fou with-drawe fi red sone : fou schalt i-leue me.” f)e Aumperour lai and qzzakede sore : and sende after is Iustise, [foi. ih] bat was al-so sore a-drad : and soruful in eche wise. 272 Eyf ur tolde of ur fore : hou he to heom seide And wel baldeliche fretnede heom. : 3 ware-fore heo weren in drede. For-to schilden heom fram is wrathfe : an-ofur heo mosten rede : bis fre prisones heo leten up nime : and sone bi-fore heom lede. 276 Swife sore heo weren a-dradde : for heo wenden a-non beo dede ; To f e bischop Nicholas : reuliclie heo gonne grede. * ai. derie> u beaus amis,” qzzrtth f e Aumperour : “ 3 wat-manere men beo 3 e, bat fus foru 3 ouwer enchauntement : a-n^t dreclicheth 1 mel” 280 “ A, sire, merci,” f is of ure seide : “ 3 wi wolle 3 e seggen so 1 Of anchauntement ne coufe we neuere : ope god we wollez us do. Ake gultelese men we buth : with onr^te liidere i-bro^t ; 283 Al-so wis god schilde us fram fe deth : ase we ne beth gultie nou 3 t.” “I-knowe 3 e ani Man,” quath fe Aumpez’our : “fat hote Nicholas!” bare nas neuere on, for f is word : fat in gre[t] hope ne was ! heore hondene heo heolden op on hei 3 : and wel loude grad den 287 to fe bischope 1 Nicholas : fat he reufe of heom hadde. 1 ms. bi bischope “b°i’U 3 him,” quath fe Aumpmmr ; “ 3 e beth to liue i-do, Ich ou 3 iue lijf and lime : and ouwer chateles al-so. goth noufe hasteliche to him : and tellez him wel bliue hou fat for fe loue of him : ich let ov gon a-liue ; 292 biddeth fat he for^iue me is wrathfe : and non harm for eu me do, Ake fat he bidde god for me : and for mi kyncdom al-so.” 1 1 bis prisones wenden with glade heorte : to fo bischope Nicholas, ANGELS ARE SENT TO ST. NICHOLAS AT HIS DEATH. 249 HEALING SPRINGS START FROM HIS MARBLE TOMB. MIRACLES : And fonkeden him, ase heo au^ten wel : of fis Ioyfule cas. 296 Ich wene, fere nas neuere lialuwe : seint Nicholases i-per, pat so manie faire Miracles : hi is liue dude her ; For to come into so strong paleis : and gon op-on fe se al-so, gret wonder was fat ani-bodi : swuch miracle mi^te do ! 300 Muche of fe kuynde of lieuene : ore louerd here him sende, Aungles dede a-liue to do : are he hennes i-wende. 1 — 1 w. 297-302 ai. om. po ore louerdes wille was : fat he scliolde hennes w'ende, he had ore louerd fat he scholde : aungles to him sende. 304 po he i-say fe Aungles to him come : he fonkede ore louerd faste. pe frittife saume of f e sauter : he bi-gan f us ate laste “In fe, louerd, ich liabbe i-hoped : fat ich i-confundet ne beo, pine holie ere bei} a-doun to me : hei^e and deliuere me.” 308 he deide ate sixte vers : fat on e[n]glichs to seggen is “ Mine soule, louerd, ich bi-take fe : fou bou^test hire, i-wis.” pe soule out wende with f ulke worde : and fe Aungeles forth hire here ; Alle fe felaweschipes of heuene : wel glade fere-with were. 312 he deide fre houndret }er : and in fe freo and fourtyfe 3 ere After fat god ’was i-bore : as fe bok us deth lere. In one toumbe of Marbre he was i-leid : swyfe faire with-alle. Out of fe harde Marbre-ston : fe oyle gan out walle; [foi. iub.] 316 A welle of eoyle fare sprong out : r^t at is heued a-non, And at is fet a welle of water : of fe harde Marbre-ston. 1 1 w. 317 - 8 aLom. Sike men fare gonnen sone : wel ficke f udere gon. par-of men beren wide a-boute : and ^eot men doth al-so ; 320 gret botningue far is ^uyt : of men fat comieth fare-to — - For fe welle of eoyle and of watur : ase manie men i-seoth, In f e harde ston lastez ^eot : fare is holie bones beoth. — 1 om. >are Many fair Miracle fare 1 hath of him : sethfe he deide, i-come. 324 pei we ne mouwen nou 3 t tellen alle : we moten tellen of some. 1 — U To a gyv at one tyme : a cristine man ^eode 1 w. 320-5 ai. om. For-to borewi gold of him : to is muchele neode. he ne m^te finden him nanne boru 3 : ne wed nadde he non : 328 pane gyv to seint Nicholas churche : he bad with him gon ; Op-on seint Nicholases auter he swor : at one certeyne daye, 250 ST. NICHOLAS TAKES VENGEANCE ON A FALSE CHRISTIAN, WHO CHEATS A JEW. So god him helpe and seint Nicholas : his gold him for-to paye. Jois giv for seint Nicholas loue : his oth nou3t ne for-sok, 332 Ake seint Nicholas to bore we he nam : and fiat gold him bi-tok. jhs lupere mstine man : po it cam to is daye, J)at gold nolde he 3elde noi^t : ake po^te pane giv bi-traye. Jpe giv cam and axede him : 3wanne he it 3elde wolde. 336 “ frov false schrewe,” pe opur seide : “ ich it pe habbe i^olde.” j)e giv seide nay, and he 3 us : bote al ne heold it nou3t. ])q giv let him somoni : pat he was to court i-brou3t. Ake Jus false cristine man : pou3te op one feolle gynne : 340 Ane staf he nam op-on is hond : — I10IU3 he was with-inne — J)are-inne he dutte al J?at gold : pat he scholde pe giwe 3elde, And feolliche dutte hine and faste : pat men ne scholden him bi- melde. bi-fore pe bayllifs huy comen : pe giv and he bope. 344 he with-sok pe giwes dette : and was i-don to ane ope. ])o he scholde is oth do : is false staf he bi-tok j)c giwe, and bad him 3witie pe 3 wile : he leide is hond on pe bok ; And seide, “al-so muche gold al-so ich borewede : of pe giv pat here is, 348 So helpe me crist and seint Nicholas : ich tok him a-3ein, i-wis.” J)is lupere man with is fals oth : swipe wel i-leued was, And pe opur, for he was a giv : no-ping i-leued he nas. “3 wane pou me hast bi-giled : with pi false cas, 352 Ich bidde pine borou3 pat he it me 3elde : pe guode seint Nicholas.” j)e giv with wel sorie chere : wende him forth a-non, And pe false man nam is staf : and hamward bi-gan to gon. Al-so he wende bi pe weie hamward : to slepe he hadde grete wille : p)are twei we^es to-gadere comen : a-doun he lai wel stille. 357 As pis false man lay and slep : a cart pare cam gon, And al-to-bruysde is false bones : pat he deide a-non. )3at 0 3weol to-brak pane false staf : ase mani a man i-sai3 : 360 [ Here a fol. is wanting ; MS. Harl continues :] [b«t gold schadde out al-abrod : & amidde pe weye lay. IT pe gyw, po he pis ise3 : loude he gan to cne A MAN HAS HIS SON DROWNED FOR FAILING TO GIVE ST. NICHOLAS 251 A CUP WHICH HE HAD PROMISED HIM. & fonkede seint Nicholas : fat schewede his tncherie. For f e miracle men him radde : cnstene forto beo. 364 “Certes, ynelle,” q uap fis ofer : “ er i c more iseo ; Ac if god & seint Nicholas : wolde fis li per manes 1 lyf sende, 1 ai. man is Cnstene i c wolde fanne beo : & serui hem to mi lyues ende.” IF From defe to lyue fis false man : f urf seint Nicholas com. 368 Anon so fe gyw fis ise^ : he wilnede cn'stendom, & bileouede on ihesu cn’st : & god man eue?’eft was. J?is me p in^f a fair miracle : of seint Nicholas ! her $e seof hou hit gof bi men : pat wif gyle swerief, iwis; 372 j)e$ he p urf gyle swerie sof : iwis forswore he is. — IT A god man per was in a tyme : pat longe was mid his wyue, ])at no childe nemi^te habbe : fat euere cam to lyue. To seint Nicholas ofte hi bede : achild hem to sende, 376 & bihete him, if hit so were : to him forto wende. IF Seint Nicholas ihurde here bone : — for god he is & mylde : hit biful fer-after sone : fat his wyf was mid chylde, & brou^te forf afair sone. : glad f is gode man was ! 380 he let ^arki a fair coupe : to seint Nicholas. So faire was fe coupe of golde : fo heo was ^aru iwrou^t, & f is hosebonde heo was so leof : fat he nolde leue hire no^t, Ac athuld hire in his owe hous : him-silue fer-of to drinke ; 384 Anofer to seint Nicholas : fe goldsmyth he let biswinke. II \)o f e coupe was ymaked : to f e louerd seint Nicholas, he wiste hire wif gret drueri : ac poper fairere was. IF \)o his sone was wel i-woxe : & hadde stren 3 fe & mi^te, 388 To fe pelgnmage of seint Nicholas : fis gode man him di^te, & noin wif him his leoue sone : & fe coupen beye, j)e furste, fat him was so leof : to se?’ui him bi fe weye, ])op er, to ofri seint Nicholas : whan hi f ider come. 392 hi greifede hem a-godes name : & fe holi wei hi nome. U So fat hi come in fe see : as hi fane wei wende. After water of f e see : fis gode man his sone sende : “ Fech me,” he seide, “ of fe water : in myn owene coupe ! ” 396 \)at child dude his fader heste : & to f e water gan stoupe. j)e coupe ful out of his bond : & anon to grouude sonk ; J)e child ful in afterward : & in fe water adronk. Gret deol makede fis gode man : fo he se} fis cas, 400 \)at lie nadde bote fat o child : & he adronke was. “ Awei,” he seide, 1 “ fis dai abide ! : leoue louerd, alias ! 1 al. pat i c sclial 252 ST. NICHOLAS RESTORES THE DROWNED SON TO LIFE, SO SOON AS THE FATHER REPENTS. wel i c wot, i c haue agult : pe louerd seint Nicholas, fiat i c bynom him pe furste conpe. : louerd, what schal i c do ? 404 j)erf ore i c habbe ilore nou mi child : & pe coupe also. Seint Nicholas, for} if hit me : & ynelle no}t bileue, iwis, fiat ynelle siche pe : pe} me beo bifalle pis ! ” U J?is gode man [him] wende forp : in deol & sori po}t ; 408 Er he to seint Nicholas com : he netnrnde a}e no}t. fio he to pe weued com : pat he hadde wide iso}t, fie coupe he offrede perto : pat he hadde pider ibro}t. pe coupe hipte anon a}e : he nolde astinte pere, 412 Ac hipte into pe flor : wreche as pe} hit were. p)is gode man hire nom vp : & offrede hire eft pere. Eftsone heo hipte fram pe weued : forpere pan heo dude ere. U ]?o was pis gode man agr/se : & popere aboute also. 416 “ Louerd,” he seide, “ seint Nicholas : i c haue pe moche misdo. Ich wolde offri poper coupe : ac ynemai perto come : vnderfong pus, if hit beo pi wille : for poper me is bynome. vnderfong poper of mi sone : for pu wost wher he is ; 420 Let mi sone to pe offri pulke : & let me offri pis.” — For no hope of his sones ly f : pe gode man pis neserle, Ac for he scholde his soule helpe : 8c pe whatlokere do what he bede. — • U Mid pis word per com in : his sone, pat was adronke, 424 8c bar pe coupe on his bond : pat was mid him. asonke ; To pe weued he }eode 8c offrede : to seint Nicholas, wele, louerd, pe grete ioye : pat of pe miracle was ! Gladliche pe fader 8c pe sone : here offring vp here ; [foi. 182 ] 428 8c wende horn wip gret ioye : 8c leuede pe coupen pere, 8c lierede moche seint Nicholas : as hi wel au}te, iwis. — Meni is pe faire miracle : pat of seint Nicholas is ! — U A gyw was while in a tyme : pat i-hurde meni o tale 432 Of pe miracles of seint Nicholas : pat he dude so fale. So [pat], pe} he were a gyw : vpe him his hurte he caste, 8c honwrede him ynou} : 8c bipo}te him atte laste : An ymage pn'ueiliche he makede : of seint Nicholas 436 Sc honnrede hit in his hous : po hit }are was. H In a tyme hit biful : pat he hadde to done In pe conti’ai per-aboute : to come a}e wel sone. he nuste wham his god bitake : forte he a}e come : 440 Seint Nicholas ymage he bad : nyme per-to gode gome. “ Ich pe habbe,” he seide, “ iloued ynou} : do me som god perf ore: A JEW BEATS THE STATUE OF ST. NICHOLAS FOR NOT PROTECTING 253 HIS GOODS; ST. NICHOLAS GOES TO THE THIEVES. wite mi god forte i c come : pat hit ne beo forlore ! For, bi seint Nicholas pat i c louie : if hit beo awei ibore 444 whan i c come a^e, fu schalt : sore abigge ferfore.” j)e gyw wende for]? his wei : & tok al his god to wite p)Q ymage, forte he come a^e : as hit is iwrite. Siffe hit biful pat lijj^re men : & feoues per come] 448 \Here L. goes on again.'] And to^breken fe giwes hous : and is guod a-wei nome. [foi. ns] j)o pe giv cam hom a-^ein : and miste al is gvod, 2 1 ai. om. 2 orig. good gret deol he made and seoruwe i-nov^ : and ferde ase he were wod. to fane ymage he wende a-non : ase he bi fe walle stod : 452 “ Seie,” he seide, “ 3 wat hauest fou i-do 1 ? : fou hauest i-set harm a-brod. Ich bi-tok f e to witene al mi guod : fat god lente me : hit is noufe al i-bore a-wei : and fat ich wite f e, 3 wan ich it bi-tok fe in warde : and fou were of pouste 456 to witen it wel, ^if fat fou woldest. : fare-fore fou haue maugre. 1 For ^wane ich truste so muche to fe : and fou noldest do mi bone, 1 vv. 456-7 al. om. bi ri^te lawe, ase ich fe bi-liet : fov schalt a-bugge sone, 3 wane fou ^olde mine godhede : so vuele atfe lasted’ 460 harde scourgene he nam and stronge : and beot fis ymage wel faste, J)at grete peces borsten a-wei — : he ferde ase he were wod, And euere he bad fat seli treo : bringue a^en is guod. Seint Nicholas fare-after ward sone : to fe feoues wende, 464 Al for-woundet and to-drawe : ase f e giv him to-rende ; “ Lo,” he seide, “ hov ich am for ov : I-woundet and for-gnawe, blok and blodi, ase $e i-seoth : and al mi bodi to-drawe. bringez a-^en, ich red ov, sone : fat 3 e habbez a-wei 1 i-bore 1 orig. a^en And istole of fe giwes guode : ofur $e schulle hangi fare-fore. 2 For-sofe i segge, ^e schullen hangen : bote 3 e it hom anon lede, 470 3e schullen some a-bugge with me : ouwer foule mis-dede.” 2 JJ’oJJ' 9 J)eos feoues weren sore of-dradde : heo nomen heom to rede 472 And ladden hom a- 3 ein fe giwes guod — : buy ne dorsten ofur for drede, 1 1 orig. fere 254 ST. NICHOLAS MAKES THE THIEVES RESTORE THE STOLEN GOODS. A DEVIL KILLS A CHILD. ITS FATHER APPEALS TO ST. NICHOLAS. And weren a-knowe of al hore gult : and pe Miracle him sede hov seint Nicholas to heom cam : with is sidene blod-rede. j)e giv, and pe J)eues al-so : to seint Nicholas bede 476 jpat he for-^eue heom heore gult : and nolden more don to quede. j)e Jjeues bi-comen trewe men : and ne stelen neuereft more, And pe giv him let cristny sone : and tok him al-to godes lore, And euereft more euerechone : loueden seint Nicholas. 480 Me fincheth, a-mong alle oJ?ere : a fair Miracle J>at was l 1 — 1 IT In ano)mr time a guod man was : )>at hadde a clerk to sone ; Eclie 3 ere he wolde for is loue : a-seint Nicholas dai bi wone Of manie clerkus gret feste holden : and wurthschipien 1 seint Nicholas al-so, 1 ai. om. 484 with offringue and seruise at church e : gret honur him do. j)e feond hadde J?ar-to onde. : a dai he 1 cam J>ere 1 ms. asehe A-seint Nicholas day to pe $ate : ase }>ei it a heggare were, And bad, for seint Nicholas loue : J?at man sum guod him 1 ^eoue. 1 orig. heom 488 Anon so J>at child wuste him )>ere : he nolde no leng hi-leue Ake bred he nam in is hond : J?ane schrewe forto heode. And po J?at child cam toward pe $ate : ))e schrewe aweiward 3 eode ; J)at child eode euere after-ward : to 3 iuen him of pe brede, 492 Ake he 3 eode euere forth, ase it were : a-weiward J>at child to lede : And J>o he cam in-to a derne stude : he bi-turnde him ate laste, 1 Ase it were to nime J?at bred : and anon he nam wel faste [} foi. ii5b.] J)at child hi is seli Jnote 1 : and a-stranglede him a-non ; 1 MS.b r ote )pat child lai )>are and deide sone : and pe schrewe a-wei gan gon. \)e guode man, po he miste is child : he soi^te it wel wide ; 498 Ake po he fond it ligge a-slawe : wel deolfulliche he cride. “ Louerd,” he seide, “seint Nicholas : ich bidde pe milce and ore ! honoured ich pe habbe mani a dai : ant 3 eot ich hopie more, And for anchaisun of mi sone : pe more, and for is lore, j ) at )>ou me sendest Ioie of him : and schildest me fram sore : 3wi 3 elstov mine 3 wyle Jms ? : louerd, 3 wi dest )>ou so 1 hov m^tjjou ]?us, seint Nicholas : for reuj)e bi me do 1 3if me gladnesse of mi child : J?at ich mote him a-liue i-seo, 504 ST. NICHOLAS RESTORES THE DEAD CHILD TO LIFE. 255 ST. JULIAN THE CONFESSOR HEALS LEPERS, BLIND FOLK, ETC. And ich him bi-hote to fine seruise : and fat he schal guod man beo.” Ase he was fus in is beden : fat child a-ros op allone, 508 And herede god and seint Nicholas : a-mong heom euerechone, J)at him hadde lijf i-sent : for is fader bone fer ; And he tolde al-hou f e deuel hadde : him a-strangled er, For al-so muche ase he honourede so : fane guode seint Nicholas. Jjis, me f inchez, a-mong alle of ere : a fair Miracle it was ! 513 Louerd, [fat] for fe loue of seint Nicholas : mani Miracle hast i-do, J?ou schild us fram f e pine of helle : and fram dedliche sunne also. 38 Vita sancti Iuliani confessoris. S Eint Iulian f e confessour : was i-bore at rome ; Muche folk foru^ is prechingue : cristine heo bi-come. Of noble kunne he was i-come : and renable he was i-nou} ; After f e Apostles he cam sone : and muche folk to guode di’03. 4 In-to a cite he was i-sent : f e prechour guod and trewe, Ase a-postel for-to prechi : fe ^wile cristinedom was newe. Cristinedom was f o vnwurf e : in f ulke cite fere : gret scorn heo hadden of alle fulke : fat icristnede were, 8 And alle fat speken of cristinedom : heo defouleden heom i-nou^. In Aunter him dude fis holie man : and fuder-ward ^uyt him drou}, And a-mong heom he cam wel mildeliche : and prechede faste a-non. }3at folk drof to busemare : f e meste del ech-on ; 1 2 Ake ore louerd sende him grace : and fair miracle for him wrou^te, And fat folk foru} is prechingue : to cristinedom he bro^te. Ore louerd him ^af so fair grace : fat with one worde he mi^te helen Meoseles and guidie Men : and fe blinde ^iuen heore si^te ; 16 j ) are nas no-manere vuel : nou3wer fare he cam gon, J?oru3 fe vertue of fe croiz : fat he ne helde heom 1 a-non. 1 aum. So fat he tornede to cristine-dom : al fat folk fare-a-boute ; And siweden him al-so in-to al fat loud : of heom wel grete route. 20 So fat heo comen in one stude : a-f urst heo weren wel sore ; heo nusten 3 ware to drinke come : it greuede heom ful sore i 1 1 al -b* heo criden alle on seint Iulian : fat he sum drinke heom founde. 256 ST. JULIAN THE CONFESSOR. HIS MIRACLES. ST. JULIAN THE HOSPITABLE HOST IS A GREAT HUNTER. A STAG SPEAKS TO HIM. Jjis holie man nam op is staf : smot doun in-to J?e gronnde [foi. 116 ] 24 And pi^te fane poynt a luyte in f e eorfe. : fare cam walle out a-non J}et beste water fat mi^te beo : a-mong heom euerech-on, And fond heom aile drinke i-nou 3 : fare neuer er welle nas, Jporu^ vertue of fis holie man — : fair miracle fare was ! 28 So mani fair Miracle ore louerd dude : for lone of seint Iulian, \) at muche del of fat folk : heolden him a god a[nd] no man. In godes seruise ate laste : his lijf he brou^te to ende And a luyte bi-fore candel-masse : to heouene he gan i-wende, 32 In fe latere ende of Ieneuer : fis confessour so hende. Kou god for is swete loue : us fudere alle sende. — An of ur seint Iulian fare is : fat men biddeth wel faste After guod .In. in onecouth stude : 3 wane heo beoth sore a-gaste. 36 Vita scincti Iuliani boni hospitis. S Eint Iulian f e guode herebeger : of noble kuynde com ; stalewarde and strong man he was : and louede wel cristin- dom ; he louede al-so game i-nou 3 : of hauekes and of lioundes — A noblere bodi fane he was : nou 3 were nas non i-founde. 4 Ase he hountede In a dai : In Iolifte j-nou 3 , A swyfe fair heort he i-sai 3 : and fare-after faste he drou 3 . he strencfede him to nime fat best : and siwede after faste. f)o fis heort hadde longe I-orne : he bi-turnde him ate laste, 8 And spak with him, ase god it wolde : “ Iulian, Iulian,” he sede, “3wi siweste me so faste?” he seide : “ f ou schalt don anofur dede : bof e fi fader and fi moder : fou schalt 3 eot a-quelle. Ake ne beo fou no-fe wrofure with me : fei ich it fe telle.” 12 \)o fis guode man fis i-heorde : him bi-gan wondri, and drede, For fat wilde best so spack : and for wordes fat he sede ; him wondrede, ase him m^te wel : for it spak a- 3 ein kuynde, he was a-ferd for fat 1 he him bi-het : and ofte it hadde in muynde, )5at he scholde fader and moder sle. : And to fleo fat dede, 1 superscribed, he wende out of contreie stilledliche : ase god him wolde lede. 18 Into feorrene contreie he wende. : so fat he cam bi cas ST. JULIAN KILLS HIS FATHER AND MOTHER THROUGH MISTAKING 257 THEM FOR HIS WIFE AND HER PARAMOUR. to a gret prince of a lond : and in seruice wiz him was. 20 So wel he paide is lonerd in Armes : and in alle of ur dedes, J)at he made him maister of is ferd : al for-to gwie and lede ; And sethfe he made him we d di wijf : riche and noble al-so, A lauedi of a gret contreie 1 : and of grete mori^iue al-so. 2 bi-twene him and is gnode lauedie : loue fare was i-nov^ ; For to alle guodness hi heore mi^te : eyfur to ofur drou^. 26 Ake is guode fader and is Moder : fat he bi-lefte him atom bi-hinde, Swyfe sorie weren for heore sone : fat heo ne mitten him no 113 wer finde. 28 heo wenden forth in atyme bof e : and sou3ten him wel wide, Fram 0 contreie to ofur faste : a-boute in eche side. So fat heo i-heorden of him tellen : f ei it were longne. to is castel huy drowen heom a-non : and faire weren onder-fongue : 1 heo ne founden nou3t him-seo[l]f athom : ake is wijf, heo was fere, t 1 foi. lie b.] Fair semblaunt heo made heom : fo heo wnste 3wat heo were ! 34 heo lionourede heom fe more : for hire louerd ne was noi^t fare, And leide heom in heore owene bed : and hire-seolf lay elles^ware. A-morewe, are hit were dai : heo a-ros op wel softe And to churche 3eode wel stilleliche : ase heo was i-woned ofte. 38 ])o cam hire louerd horn : In f e moreweningue sone, And drou3 him to chaumbre toward is bed : ase he was i-woned to done. 40 J)o i-heorde he wel softe slepe : and Sweden far-inne tweie, Ase Men and wommen nede moten : fat beoth werie of weie. he 3eode ner and i-sai3 fare ligge : Man and womman al-so. “ 3e,” fou3te he, “fis is mi wijf : and sum gering is i-comen hire to; 44 I seo wel noufe fat f e hore : is i-wonet here-to. huy ne schullen neuereft ete mete : ne more schame me do.” he SI0U3 is fader and is moder : mid is swerde fere And wende bi heom fat is wijf : and hire horeling it were. 48 Wel softe he 3eode out a3ein : fo fis dede was i-do, And 3eode him toward churche : And tuynde f e dore to. Ase he toward churche was : his wijf ham ward he mette. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. S 258 ST. JULIAN REPENTS OF SLAYING HIS FATHER AND MOTHER. HE BUILDS A LITTLE HOUSE ON A RIVER-BRINK. “ Louerd, merci,”he f ou 3 te , " hou is fis?” : with gret wonder he iregrette ; “ Dame,” he seide, “ hou goth J>is ? : ^wat dost fou noufe here ? ho liggez in ore bedde athom : Man and wornman i-fere ? ” “ A, sire,” quath J?is guode leuedi : “ wel glad m^t fou beo, I-hered beo ore louerdes grace : fat f ov most fis day i-seo : 56 \)i fader and fi moder it is : fat wide fe habbez i-sou 3 t, I-hered beo ore louerdes sonde : fat hidere heom hath i-brou^t ! Leoue sire, hi^e fe horn : fou schal* heom faire a-fonge And make with heom Ioie i-nou 3 : me finchez er wel longe.” 60 “ JN’ai, certes,” quath fis Iulian f o : “ ^if fat it is so, A1 mi blisse of f usse liue : and mi Ioye is al i-do. Alas fat ich habbe f us longe i-leoued : fat i-ne hadde er i-beo ded ! habbe ich a-slawe fader an Moder ! : louerd, $wat mai beo mi-red? 64 Al-to soth me seide fat wilde best : alas f ulke stounde ; 1 ai. i-flowe joei ich habbe i-folewed 1 his bi-heste : fe sofe ich habbe i-founde. haue noufe, dame, wel guod day : for i-nelle habbe no reste Er ich habbe mine penaunce ido — : god leue me don mi beste.” 68 “ A, sire, merci,” seide is wijf : “ ^ware-fore seistfou so ! Sikerliche fou scha’t athom bi-leue : and fine penaunce do.” “ beo stille, dame,” Iulian seide : “ fou spext al embe nou^t, certes, I-nelle neuere a-stunte : are ich me habbe of londe i-brou^t. 72 Ake haue guod dai, mi treowe spouse : and god f e leue wel do ; led clene lijf ; and bide for me : for I-ne wene neuere come fe to.” “ Alas,” seide fis guode wijf : “ sire, $wi seistfou so ! 3if god wole, fe $wyle we a-liue beoth : ne schulle we departi atwo ; bote fou wolle bi-fenche fe bet : And at horn bi-leue here, 77 Certes, ^wodere fou euere i-wenst : i-chulle beo fi fere [foi.m] And parti with f e of fi wo : ase ich dude er of fi blis — For ho-so deth fat on, he schal fat ofur : fou wost wel fat ri^t it is.” "NIs guode Man and is trewe wijf : wel stille forth heo i-wende And leten lond and leode : and al fat god heom sende. So fat heo wenden feor and longue : fat atfe laste heo come to a deop watur and perilous : fare Men a-dreinten i-lome. 84 J}is guode Men [a-stynte 1 ] fer : and leten heom sone a-rere 1 A luytel hous — bote hit was guod i-nou 3 — : bi-side fe fati\and, watere fere. ST. JULIAN HELPS PASSENGERS, AND FERRIES THEM OVER THE 259 RIVER. ONE DAY HE HARBOURS A VERY WRETCHED MAN. Alle Men fat fare-forth comen : And with-oute he[r]borewe were, he fond heom hereborewe, guod i-nou^ : fat with-oute none nere, 88 bed and clof es guode i-nowe : and w r el aysiliche heom di^te ; heore fet he wuchs and bafede heom : and duden 1 al fat heo mi^te — • For is fader soule and for is moder : he dude al f ia dede; laz.dude he bad alle fat to him come : fat for heore soulene huy bede. 92 he porueide him of a schip : and ouer fe watere ladde euer[e]ch tyme, dai^ and ny$t : alle fat to him gradde — j^are-with he swonk sore i-nou^ : of noman ne tok he nou^t. 3 wane he hadde ani miseise man : ouer fe watere i-brou^t, 96 he ne let him nou^t fram him gon : are huy 1 a-mendede were : 1 r. he he ladde heom in-to is house a-non : and aisede heom swife wel fere. Al heo duden 1 for-to bete fe sunne : of fat cas fat him bi-tidde, For is fader soule and is Moder : and bad Men for heom bidde. — J^are-fore Men ^eot to fis day : fat ouer lond doth i-wende, 1 r. he dude heo biddeth to seint Iulian faste : fat he guod .In. heom sende ; And seint Iulianes pater-noster : ofte heo seggez al-so For is fader soule and is Moder : fat he bringue heom far-to. — 104 \)o fis holie Man seint Iulian : In fis trauail hadde 1 i-beo longe And mani Miseise Man in is hous : wel loueliche vnder fonge, A day, ase he hadde i-beo : in trauaile strong i-nou}, 1 ms. hadden Ase ladde fis men ouer : and into is Inne heom drou^, 108 And a-^ein middel ny^t to is bed : ^eode atfen ende, For-to habbe sum reste fere : $if ore louerd it wolde him sende : Atf e mid-ny^t, ase he bi-gan : sum-del reste a-fongue, 111 A 3 eond half f e watere fare cam on : in grete forste and strongue : “ A-ris, Iulian, a-non,” he gradde : “ hider-ward fou most go And bringue me ouer fis watere sone : ofur ich de^e for wo.” ))is guode man heorde sone fis : and fei he weri were, he wende to fis seli man : and ladde him ouer fere. 116 him fou^te fat he w T as onnefe a-liue : for he was al ouer-come, Mid chele and mid ofur wo : is limes him weren bi-nome ; A lodlich musel he fou$te al-so : and fe fouleste fat mi^te beo — A Miseisiore' man fane he fou^te : no man ne mi^te iseo. 120 Seint Iuliane ladde fis seli man : In-to is house bi nfjte And fondede to maken him an-Ayse : bi al is trewe mi^te : 260 st. julian’s miserable guest turns out an angel, and BRINGS HIM FORGIVENESS. ST. MARY OF EGYPT. 1 gret fuyr he dude him makien and guod : pat he were of chele i-brou^t, And leide [him] pare-bi wel softe — : ake al it was for nou^t. pfoi. inb.] Ake po he ne mi^te with fuyre him hete : ne with none opur ginne, his owene bed he let faire spreden : and brou^te him pare-Inne ; elopes i-nowe opon him he spradde : and helede 1 him wel faste. 3eot he pou^te ful sore of cale : for al pat he on him caste. 128 Swype sori was pis guode man : and sore him a-gaste, 1 ms. hoiede (corr. ?) ]) o he him dude al pat he mi^te : and pe chele so longe i-laste. he stod and bi-heold pis selie man : a Musel ase he wende : Sone so ore louerd it wolde : is hev} bi-gan a-mende, 132 Atpe laste he werth so fair a man : ase euere any mi^te beo, And so cler he bi-cam sone : pat vnnepes men mitten him seo. lulian,” he seide, “ god it pe ^elde : pat pou me hast i-do ! In ore louerdes erinde of heuene : i-come ich am pe to : 136 Ore louerd pe sente word bi me : pat pou art clanliche i-schriue And piDe penaunce hast wel i-do : and pine sunnes beoth for-^iue ; Swype wel pou him hast i-paid : pou and pi wijf al-so, And hope schullen with alle Ioye : newene come him to.” 140 ])o he hadde pis word i-seid : he nuste 3 ware he bi-cam. }pis guode man seint lulian : to godes seruise him nam And to his bi-hofpe him makede al-^are : he and is wijf al-so. Sone after-ward in his seruise : heo deiden bope-to 144 And wenden to pe blisse of heuene : pare heo schullen euere beo. guod it is to hereborewi Miseise men : bi heom pat men mowen i-seo, For pnre-with pis holie man : his sunnes bette inou 3 , And a gret haluwe in heouene he is : pei he fader and moder a-slou^. bidde we ^eorne sein lulian : pat he ore erinde beode 149 bat ore louerd us ^iue milce and ore : and alle pat habbez neode, bat ^wanne we opur any cristine man : ouer lond schullen wende, For is fader soule and is moder : pat he guod hereborewe us sende, And atpe laste poru^ godes wille : pat we moten teo Into pe blisse of heuene : and pare with-outen ende beo. 154 39 Vita sancte Marie Egiptiace. S Einte Marie egyptiane : In egypte was i-bore ; Al hire 3 ounge lijf heo liuede : in sunne and in hore. ST. MARY OF EGYPT BECOMES A PUBLIC PROSTITUTE AT 261 ALEXANDRIA. SHE JOINS SOME FOLK GOING TO JERUSALEM. Vnnef e heo was tweolf ^er old : are heo dude folie : hire bodi and al hire wille heo dude : to sunne of lecherie. 4 J)aron heo hadde so gret delijt : fat in hire owene londe heo ne m^te fulfulle hire owene wille 1 : fo bi-gan heo hire vnder- stonde, 1 a?. al hire heo wende into Alisaundrie : and fare heo wonede longue. Alle fat hi hire ligge wolden : gladliche he dude a-fongue ; 8 heo ne sparede leinte ne of ur tyme : preost ne ofur non, riche ne pouere, ne ofur 1 weddede men : fat heo ne let to hire gon. Men fat ne hadden none wille : swuch sunne forto do, 1 ai. om. with faire wordes and fol semblaunt : heo brou^te heom ofte 1 f er-to ; )pare nas man in no mester : so gleu ne so quoynte L 1 foi. ns] I ] )at heo nas to hringue men to sunne : wel prestore in eche poynte. For fulke dede heo ne tok : of no man mede ne wunne — for non ne scholde for defaute : bi-leue fe foule sunne; 16 Ofur any 1 mede bote hire foule wille : heo kepte of no man; 1 ai. om. with spinningue and with seuwingue : hire liflode heo wan. hit is sun n e and schame to ani man : to fenche ofur to wite J) e fuylfe of fe wrechche sunnes : fat we findeth of hire i-write. 20 For to hire-sulue one heo seide : fat schame it was to huyre, ^wafur ani womman euere on eorfe were : so sunful a creature ; hit was wonder fat f e eorfe i-opened nadde : ase heo hire-sulf gan telle, And i-swoluwe hire ase heo far-on ^eode : into f e putte of belle. — In Alisaundrie heo liuede fis foule lijf : ^eres seuentene, 25 j ) at so muche vildede of womman : nas neuere i-sei^e, ich wene. On a day in heruest : as fis womman bi-heold a-boute, bi fe wei}e heo sai} muche folk : and manie grete route. 28 heo fou^te, for heo was so i-knowe : in Alisaundrie in euer-eche ende, ])g lasse sockne heo hadde of hire folie : fannes heo wolde i-wende ; heo fou^te, “ a-mong fis straunge men : so fale ase ich i-seo, 31 Mi wille ich mi^te muche of heom habbe : with heom i-chulle beo.” A-mong heom heo cam and axede heom : ^wodere buy alle fou^te. heo seiden, heo wolden to Ierusalem : for fe swete rode heo soften )3at scholde op-on fe holie rode-day : eche manne i-schewed beo, 262 ST. MARY OF EGYPT, WHEN SHE GETS TO JERUSALEM, IS WITH- HELD BY A SECRET FORCE FROM ENTERING THE TEMPLE. And pat euer-ech guod man pudere wolde : for-to honouri pat swete treo. 36 “ Mot ich,” seide pis womman : “ with eov pudere wende 1 ? And of pat craft pat ich i-leorned habbe : to eov ichulle beon prest and hende.” “ 3 e,” seide on of heom, “ hastpou ^warof : to a-quiti pi schip-huyre, A-mendet worth muche ore compaygnie : for swuch a creature.” 40 “ Xon opur Moneye, ” heo seide, “ ich ne habbe : bote mi-self her : Ichulle heo corteis of pat ich habbe : a 3 ein pe mariner ; to him, and to eov al-so : so prest i-chulle beon and hende, j ) at hit ne schal for-punche ov nou^t : pei ich with eov wende.” 44 Jpis womman wende forth with pis men : In muche sunne, alas ! to alle pat with hire sunegy wolde : euere redi heo was. } 3 o heo cam to pe se : atpe furste pingue heo ^af pe Marinere hire bodi : ouer pe se forto bringue ; 48 to pe Mariner, and to alle his : pat in pe schipe were, I-redi heo was forto sunegun with : alas, heo nadde none fere. Iesu, muche is pi merci : and muahe pou poledest pere, p>at water opur schip wolde heom here : pat heo a-dreinte nere ! — 52 bi-fore pe holie rode-day : to Ierusalem heo cam. Alle pat folie wolden do : gladliche to hure heo nam. j)o pe holie rode-day was i-come : pat men scheoweden pat swete treo, Mani on to pe temple eoden : pe rode forto seo. 56 j) o Marie was with pe opere : to pe temple-dore i-come, [foi. ns b.] Anne fot heo ne rni^te pare-Inne go : hire m^te was hire al bi-nome ; hire poi^te, 3 wane heo wolde In go : pat sum man hire a^en-dro ^. 1 For heo fram alle opere stod with-oute : of-schamed heo was j-nou 3 . 3 eot heo wolde in-ward go : and hire pou 3 te pat men a- 3 en hire pulte. heo weop for scame, and hire bi-pou 3 te : pat it was for grete gulte. In-to one huyrne heo wende al one : fram hire ferene alle. heo i-sai 3 pe fourme of ore leuedi : depeint pare on pe walle : 64 heo weop and ful a-doun a-kneo : and seide : “ leuedi, pin ore ! Sunful womman ich habbe i-beo : so nelle ich neuere-eft more ; be sunnes pat ich habbe i-do : heo me reweth sore : 3 if me grace heom for-to bete : pon .13 holie churche lore, And 3 if me grace in to go : pe swete rode forto seo : 68 ST. MARY OF EGYPT FORSAKES HER SINFUL LIFE, REPENTS, 263 CROSSES THE JORDAN, AND DWELLS IN THE DESERT. fiom$ grace of hire and of }>e : fe betere womman i schal beo. here icb for-sake mi sunful lijf : and alle mine lufere dede, 71 In clenesse 1 and in penaunce i-chulle : mi lijf here-afturward lede.” fio heo badde to f ulke ymage : longue i-crid and i-bede, 1 orig. cianesse Mildeliche, with careful heorte : heo eode fram fulke stude And eode hire to fe temple- dore : ac $uyt beo was sore of-drad. With-oute lettingue In beo ^eode — : welle, fat heo was fo blife and glad! 76 heo 3 eode In bi-fore fe rode : and fo beo hire mi^te i-seo, Sore wepinde heo cride on hire : and feol a-doun a-kneo, And bad for-^yuenesse of hire sunnes : f e rode, fat was so swete ; fie worldes blisse fare beo for-sok : hire sunnes for-to bete ; 80 Ofte beo custe fe pauement : fare fe rode hadde on i-stonde. to ore lauedie ymage beo wende a^en : weopinde and wrong hire bonde. bare mi^te ech man deol i-seo : ho-so of pite coufe, Of deol and soruwe fat heo made : with heorte and with moufe. 84 beo bad ore leuedi fat beo hire te^te : ^if it were hire wille, 3 ware beo mi^te hire sunnes bete : priueliche and stille. heo ne sai^ no man, ake a uoiz heo beorde : fat f is word to hire sede : “ fie flum Iordan fou scbalt passi : and in pays fi lijf lede.” 88 beo f ou 3 te f e wordes weren to hire iseid : al for hire guode ; beo a-ros and f onkede ore leuedi 3 eorne : and f e swete bolie rode. bi-for f e none beo wende : toward f e flum Iordan, biddinde hire beden. fo gan beo i-mete : In fe wey a man, 92 f>at 3 af hire freo rounde panes : and beo nuste 3 ware be bi-cam. bare-with beo bou 3 te hire freo loues : and forth with hire heom nam. IT Heo cam to f e watere : a luytel are bit were eue. In seint Iobanes cbapele fe baptist : al fe n^t heo gan bi-leue. 96 beo let hire scbriue and hoseli also : swyfe wel f oru godes grace, And with f e watur of fe flum Iordan : heo wusch hire in fat place. A-morewe beo carf ane lof atwo : and et fat haluen-del, Of fe flum beo dronk fer-to : and made hire a murie mel. 100 Heo wende into wildernesse : ouer fe flum Iordan : J)are heo liuede mani a 3 er : fat heo ne sai 3 best ne man. fie tweie loues and fe halue lof : fat heo with hire nam, 264 ST. MARY OF EGYPT : HER LIFE OF PENANCE IN THE DESERT. AFTER 37 YEARS A MONK, ZOSIMUS, GOES INTO THIS DESERT. bi-come so harde so ani ston : \o heo oner J>e watere cam : [foi. ii9] 104 Jjare-bi lie liuede in wildernesse : ^eres seuentene. hire clones roteden and feollen hire fram : clout mele in J>e grene. 3eot heo leouede twenti $er : after J>e seuentene bi-fore j?at heo ne et no mannische mete : bote weodes and wilde more. 108 ])q ^vyle hire loues i-lasten : heo was ofte and sore I-fondet of hire hote flesch : Jjoru^ J)e feondes lore : hire longede after mete and drinke : and aftur o)mr wede, And on lecherie heo Jiou^te muche : ase heo hire-sulf sede; 112 Ake \o heo ne et nou^t bote weodes and mores : of alle J>e twenti ^er, Enes heo nas of hire flesch : i-fondet ase heo was er, Of mete ne of drinke ne of folie : of hete ne of colde ; heo ne J)ou 3 te on no-Jung bote on god : ase hire-sulfue tolde. 116 Of alle fe seuene-and-J?ritti 3 er : J>at heo leouede )>ere 2 r. Palestine? heo ne sai^ nojuir best ne man. : bote in J)e sixe-and-J)rittiJ?e ^ere A Monuk cam to hire, are heo deide : as J>e bok us doth lere — Eor ore louerd wolde j?at hire lijf : a-mong Men i-kud were. — • ms. sn A N 1 Abbey e Jiare was in paleis 2 : of ordre swi))e strongue ; heore ^at was swi)?e faste i-mad : J>oru 3 al J?e ^ere longue, 122 For no Monuk ne scholde gon out J>ar-of : J?e worldes weole to seo : Jpene furste sonenday of leinte : Jmt ^at scholde i-opened beo, 124 Eor ech Monek scholde J)at ilke day : beon i-hoseled and i-scliriue, ech Monek scholde ojieres blessingue afongue : and euerech to ojmr it 3iue, 1 al. ora. And wenden al one in-to wi[l]dernesse : and 1 euer-ech in is ende, to bieten heore sunnes ; ake huy scholden : alle at ester horn wende. - On holi man was Jiare-inne : is name was frere Zosime, j)at wel and treoweliche is ordre heold : ase bi-feol to euerech time. Sone so Jiat 3 at was vndo : and J?at J)e leinte com, he wente forth Jiene wei : toward )>e flum Iordan. 132 po he J)at watur i-passed hadde : feor he wende and longue, J)at he ne sai *3 no}>er best ne man : confort of to fongue ; Twenti da^es Jmr-inne he 3 eode : ake euere hope he hadde jOat ore louerd wolde him some Miracle schewen : and no drede he nadde. 136 Jpene twentij)e dai a-boute noon : a-kneo he sat a-doun, ST. MART OF EGYPT IS FOUND IN THE DESERT BY ZOSIMUS. BEING 265 NAKED, SHE FLEES BEFORE HIM, TILL HE HAS THROWN HER A GARMENT. 144 148 [fol. 119 b.] lie tornede him estward ase he was i-woned : and seide is oresoun : On is ri^t side him poi^te he sai^ : in a wonder 1 stride and derne Ase pei it a mannes schadewe were : ligge al plat in one huyrne. 140 he wende it were sum foul wi^t : and blessede him a-non. 1 ai. wiide ])o bi-cam he hardiore in godes name : and pare-ner he gan gon. him poi^te pat hit a womman was : naked, and swipe broun, Ase heo was with pe sonne i-brent : al plat heo lai a-doun ; hire her was hor and swipe 3 wij 3 t : as pei it were wolle, prnnne and schort, pat it mi^te : onnepe helie hire scholle. j ) o was Jus Monek swipe glad — : for he nadde nanne Man I-sei^en, sethpe he i-passed hadde : J>at watur of flum Iordan toward ]?is womman he 3 eode : and pis womman up a-ros, estward heo gan eorne bliue — : pe Monek ful sore a-gros. Napeles he orn euere aftur hire : ake pis womman was euere bi-fore ; \)e Monek so weri nas of orne : neuere sethpe he was i-bore. 152 “ Abijd,” he seide, “ 3 wi fleu^stpou me : pat am with-oute mi^te, Old and feble ? ne dred pe nou^t : pat ich with pe wulle f^te ! ” 3eot nolde pis womman with him speke : Abe gan 1 to weope sore . 2 “ haue reupe of me and spek sum- 3 wat : me of godes lore, 156 3 if pou art a-godes half : womman of flesch and felle ; \ f vv° 0 S? n he?e Ich coiuri pe pat pov a-bide : and of pi stat me telle.” IT JMs womman bi-gan po for-to speke : “ Frere Zosime, pin ore,” he sede, “ Ne wilne pou nou 3 t pat ich pe a-bide : for ich am with-oute wede ; Ne wilne pou nou 3 t pat ich schewie pe : opur wummen forto schende, Mi licame, for ich naked am : ake lat me a-wei fram pe wende.” j^is Monek weop and cride 3 eorne : nolde he stunte nou 3 t ; For heo is name nemde so : he was a-ferd in is pou 3 t. 164 J}is womman seide, “ 3 if pou wolt : i-wite 3 wat ich beo, 1 ^s^hoHe; Cast me sum ping to helie 1 me with : and on oresun bide for me ! ” "With guode heorte pis Monuk hire caste : A luytel wede po, 3 ware-with to helie hire derne limes. : and to him heo gan go, 168 And seide, “ Frere Zosime, 3 wi wilnestpou : a sunfol wrechche to seo 1 ? graunte me pat ich mote : in pine beden heo.” )}is Monek ful a-doun a-kne : and heo a- 3 ein him al-so, 266 ST. MART OF EGYPT TALKS WITH ZOSIMUS. SHE PRAYS, AND IS LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH DURING HER PRAYER. And eyper bad ojmres blessingue : and nojmr nolde it do. 172 Ase heo leien longue to-gadere : bi-twene heom ojmr word huy ne sede bote “ blesse J)u me,” “ ake blesse J?ou me” — : pe Monek swatte for drede. j) o seide Jus womman, “ i-blessed be god : J>at bringueth pe soule bote.” 175 “ 3e,” seide pe Monek, “ god us graunti : J?at we Jiarof parti mote.” J?is womman, po heo weren a-rise : to J>e Moneke sone heo sede : “Frere Zosyme, ho gan J?e hidere : to a swuch wrechche lede? hou is pe stat of holi churche : i-loked, and cristine-dom, 179 And hou is it of pe he)>ene prince : J?at heore ri^tes heom bi-nam 1 ” “ T" Eoue Moder,” J)is Monek sede : “ J>e betere is in eche stude JU holi churche and cristine-dom : i-loked for June bede. bide for me for godes loue : nou])e ich bi-seche pe ! ” 183 J)is womman seide, “ for J?ou art preost : J)ou schalt bidde for me. Ake J?at ich onbou 3 sum ne beo i-seie : J?ei ich sunful beo, I-chulle bidde for pe, mi leoue fader : J?at Jmu schalt i-seo.” Jpis womman tornede hire estward : and a-knes heo sat a-doun, hire ei^ene and hire hondene opward heo heold : and seide hire oresoun. 188 A-non so heo bi-gan hire oresun : wonder men mi} ten i-seo : Fram J?e eor])e heo was op i-houe : J»e hei}J)e of fet Jueo ; Jjare heo houede stilleliche : as J>ei heo were with-oute brejie, heo ne wawede leome non : bote hire lippene vnne))e 192 3ware-with heo seide hire oresun — : and no-Jung hire op ne bar bote ore swete louerdes grace — : fair Miracle was J>ar ! [foi. 120 ] J^is Monek stod and bi-J)ou}te him : gret wonder he hadde and fere : he ne heold hire no womman : ake treouwede J>at hit sum gost were, For heo houede so a-boue. : ake after hire oresun 197 J)is holi J)ing wel stilleliche : to pe eorpe ali}te a-doun ; Leoue fader,” heo seide, “ }wat is pel : }wy chaungest J?ou Ju J?on}t? Ich am a womman of sunful flesch : a gost nam ich nou}t.” 200 “Moder, Jun ore !” J?e Monek seide : and feol a-doun a-kne, “ to schewi ore swete louerdes mi}te : Ju lijf tel Jjou me ! ” Jjis guode womman nam him up : “leoue fader,” heo sede, 1 1 ms. seide “ Schame it is to heore telle : of mino sunful dede. 204 ST. MARY OF EGYPT, AFTER TELLING ZOSIMUS HER STORY, CHARGES 267 HIM TO RETURN NEXT YEAR ON HOLY-THURSDAY WITH THE HOLY BREAD. Ake for pou me i-sei^e naked er : and pat mi bodi was al bar, Jpat was for schendnesse of mine foule dedes : of sunne beo euere i-war. So foule beth mine sunfole dedes : pat, bote god pe 3 iue is grace, 3 wane pou i-heorst me hem telle : fleo pou wolt out of pis place. 208 Napeles, leoue fader, bide for me : pat god heom me for-^iue ; Ich hopie, it is godes wille : pat ich beo of pe i-schriue.” H eo bi-gan po telle alle hire dedes : to pe Monek Zosime, J^at heo dude sethpe heo was i-bore : forto pat ilke tim[e]. “Leoue fader,” he seide, “ for godes loue rich bi-seche pe j ) at pou here-of ne schew r e noman : are pat ich ded beo. 214 go noupe horn, and led clene lijf : as pou hast er ido : And eft in pis tyme a twelf-monpe : hidere cum to me. 216 Lor pat ovver ordre is swuch : pat ech Monek schal oute be j)e furste sonendai of leinte : ake pou ne schalt nou^t so : Jpei pou habbe wille out forto go : ^wile ne tit pe non : Ake a-scherefporejs^day at eue : hidere pou schalt gon ; 220 Ore louerdes flesch and is blod : hidere bring with pe, 1 ms. scheres Jjat ich enes, are ich dei^e : mouwe i-hoseled beo, J)at time pat ore swete louerd : a-schere-pores-day at eue A-mong his desciples made is cene — : pat pou it noi^t bi-leue ! 224 Lor i nas neuereft I-hoseled : sethpe ich passede pe flum Iordan, J)at is noupe seuene-and-pritti 301 ’ : pat I-ne say 3 neuereft man. do pat ich pe habbe i-bede : mi leoue fader Zosime, And blesse me, for ich mot heonne wende : for it is noupe al time.” ])o pe Monek hire i-blesset hadde : Astward heo gan gon. 229 Jpe Monek custe pe wey pare heo eode : po he nuste non opur won ; 3 eorne he bi-heold after-ward : pe 3 wile he ire m^te i-seo, And po he ne sai 3 hire nonmore : weopinde he gan horn teo ; 232 p)o he cam horn, in penaunce : clene lijf he gan lede; Of al pat he hadde 1 oute i-founde : no-ping he ne sede. 1 orig.hath Ake pe 3 er, are he were ido : him pou 3 te swipe longue, J}at he m^te of pat holi womman : sum confort eft afongue. 236 J)o leinte cam, and euerech Monek : wende out in is side, A strong feuere nam frere Zosim& : pat he moste athom a-bide. j)o polite he on pat word : pat Marie to him seide er : [foi. 120 b.] 268 ST. MARY OF EGYPT. ZOSIMUS, MIRACULOUSLY CURED, GOES AGAIN TO THE DESERT. ST. MARY WALKS TO HIM OVER THE JORDAN. fei he wolde out i-wende : he scholde habbe no power. 240 )pe feuere him heold, ase heo seide : a-non to f e sclieref ores-dai at eue. A-non so he was hoi, he wende forth : no lengore he nolde bi-leue ; he nam godes flescli and is blod : and to pe flum is wei he nam. J?at scheref ores-dai a 3 en 1 eue : to pe watere he cam. lorig.at 244 Ake he ne mi^te finde no schip : him ouer for-to lede. he sat and weop and bi-heold ouer-ward : and bad ore louerd him rede. “ Alas,” he seide, “ pe defaute of schip ! : hou schulle we to-gadere wende 1 ” Euere he waytede, $if ore louerd : ani grace him wolde sende. 248 bo sai} he Marie : bi-^eonde pe watere stonde. he heold op is hondene and sat on is knes : and f onkede godes sonde, bo Marie hadde i-blessed : pat watur with hire honde, With-oute wetingue fare-ouer he 0 ^eode : ase it were on druy 3 e londe; 252 heo orn and ne watte neuere a to. : wel bri^te pe Mone schon. bis Monek wolde kneuli a-^einest hire : po heo toward him cam gon. “ Stond op,” heo seide, “ fou art a preost : kneuli ne schalt fou} nou^t, for reuerence of pat lioli fing : pat fou hast with pe i-bro^t. 256 Ake, leoue fader, blesse fou me : for i-ne may a-bide nou^t longue ; bide for me pat ich beo wuyrfe : fat holi f in[g] a-fongue ! ” bis womman sat a-doun a-kne : to ore louerd heo gan crie, 259 heo seide hire crede and hire pater-noster : and 1 pe holie aue Marie, heo custe pe Monekes hond in-stude of pays : and seide hire oresun, And nam godes flescli and is blod : with gret deuociun. loveriined. “ louerd,” heo seide po heo hadde i-do : “ $if it is pi wille, bat fou bi-leue fine schulchene : in pays swyfe stille, 264 for mine ey^ene habbeth noufe i-sei^e : fine swete mi^te And ore liele fat f ou i-^arket hast : al mankun for-to li^te. “ fader Zosime, god it f e ^elde : fat f ou hidere ^voidest gon ! bide for me and for mine foule sunnes : and go fou horn a-non. 268 An-ofer ^er in f is time : loke fat fou hidere to me wende, And ore louerd fe wole bi f ulke tyme : of me ofur tyfingues sende. THE SECOND YEAR ZOSIMUS FINDS ST. MARY OF EGYPT DEAD, 269 AND A WRITTEN NOTE BY HER, BIDDING HIM BURY HER. haue nouf e guod day, mi leoue fader : a^en ich mot a-non.” “ Ore lonerd it wolde,” J>is monek seide : “ fat ich. mi^te with f e gon ! hide for me, ^if it is fi wille : and al-so for holi churche, And for alle cristine men : fat heo moten cristes wille wurche.” Marie blessede eft fat watur : al druye heo wende a-boue — Mani fair Miracle ore louerd schewez : for cristine mannes loue ! 27 6 J)ane nynf e day of Aueril : fis Miracle was i-do, Jjat Marie and frere Zosime : with wop departeden a-to. J^is Monek bi-lieold after hire : and f o he ne sai^ hire nonmore, A-^ein he wente to is Abbeie : wepinde swife sore. 280 Sorest him rev fat he nuste : ^wat hire name was, And fat he nadde i-axed hire — : ofte he seide alas. IT Longue him Jjuu^te are Jmlke $er : were icome to ende. Anon so leinte was icome : a-^ein he gan i-wende. [foi. 121 ] 284 pat watur he passede of flum Iordan : into wildernesse wel wide he ^eode, fat he ful weri was : for he nadde $waron to ride. Ne mi^te he nou^were fis womman i-seo : a-watere ne a-londe ; he nolde stunte are fat he cam : fare ase he furst hire founde. 288 Ake f 0 fat he ne fond hire nou^t fare : he gan to weopen sore, F or he nuste ^woderward gon : hire for-to sechen more. Ase he lokede est-ward : him fou 3 te fat he i-sei^ 291 Ase f ei it a bri^t sonne were 2 : In f e heir houi an hei^. 2 ms. it were fiuder-ward he 3 eode in grete Ioye : for him f ou 3 te far-of wonder. po fond he fis womman ligge ded : In one diche f are-onder, hire heued i-torned estward. : f e Monek bi-gan to weope sore, At hire fet he feol a-doun : for he ne m^te stonde more. 296 And euere houede fis clere lij* 3 t : ouer hire faire and he^e. bis Monek nuste 3 wat he m^te do : with fat holi bodi fere, And mest him for-foi^te fat he nuste : 3 wat hire name were. 300 bi-side hire he sai 3 ligge a writ : and he it nam up on is hond. beos wordes, fat ich ou wolle noufe telle : f aron i-write he fond : “ Frere Zosime, bure fat bodi : of fis wrechche wommane Marie, And prey to god fat he hire for^iue : hire sunnes and hire folie, 304 bat deide anon-r^t after hire hosel : fe nynfe dai after Aueril ; And 3 eld to eorfe fat to hire bi-falle : and fanne heo hath hire wil.” 0 sore he weop fat he wusch hire fet : with teres of is eie. 270 A LION HELPS ZOSIMUS TO DIG THE GRAVE OF ST. MART OF EGYPT, AND THEN TO BURY HER IN IT. glad was pe Monek, pat he wuste : ^wat he scholde do with pat bodi J?at pare lay : and $wat heo het, al-so ; 308 Ant gret Ioie he hadde of pe faire Miracle : po he pat writ dude rede, And of pe womman pat twelf Monpe hadde i-leie : ded, ase it sede, And pat heo, a-non so heo i-hoseled was : bi-^eonde pe flum Iordan, Deide pare in wildernesse : pat so feor was pare-fram, 312 And pat heo eode bi-fore hire depe : In a stounde of pe day 1 1 ms. daye Twenti dawene Iorneies : pare ase heo ded 1 lay. * orig. det Ake hou hire put m^te beon i-maket : gret care par-of he hadde : for pe eorpe was hard, and be was old : and none spade he nadde. Ake napeles he fond ane staf : pat was scharp atpe ende : 317 p)are-with he dalf. ake luyte he rni^te : pare-with pe eorpe wende, for he was feble for fastingue : and for gret trauail al-so. \)o he i-sai} ane leon licke pat bodi : and pare-a-boute go. 320 Sore was pe Monek a-drad : po he sai} pat best so gon, And for Marie him hadde bi-fore i-seid : pat heo neuere ne i-sai^ pare non, 1 orig. gred And for it was a stuyrne best — : he hadde par-of gret 1 doute. p)is leon hope with lieued and bodi : to him he gan a-loute. 324 j) o was pis Monek hardi a-non : and to pe leon he sede : “ For pou art poru^ god hidere i-sent : cum help me to pis dede, Jpat pis put were wel i-maket ! ” : and po pe leon i-heorde pis, Mildeliclie pane put he sclirapede : wel euene and nou^t a-mis — 328 for it was a-cordinde to pe bodi : in lengpe and in brede ; [foi. 121 b.] he fourmede euene pane put : with-oute ani mis-dede. j)o pe put "was imaket : pis Monek and pe leon Mildeliche nomen pis holi bodi : and leiden it pare-inne a-doun. 332 huy nadden nou 3 t ^[wjare-inne hire winde — : bote a pece pare was i-leued of pulke wede ^ware-with heo hadde : hire derne limes bi-weued : Jjare-with huy heoleden pat huy mitten : and casten eorpe hire a-boue, p>is holie man and pat best : and bureden hire with grete loue. 336 ])o pis bodi was i-bured : pe leon ^eode is wei, And pe Monek wel mildeliche in penaunce : a$en to his Abbei. A1 clanliche he tolde is brepren fore : al pat he fond oute, And liet write pis holie wommanes lif : and despeopli hit al-a-boute. ST. CHRISTOPHER IS A GIGANTIC SARACEN. HE MEANS TO SERVE 271 ONLY THE HIGHEST MASTER : FIRST HE SERVES A KING. Jpus seinte Marie egyptiane : out of hire foie dede Wende to heouene blisse : foru3 penaunce fat heo gan lede. 342 40 Vita scmcti Cristofori. S Eint Cristofre was a saracen : in fe londe of canaan. In none stude bi is daie : nas so gret a man : Eoure-and-twenti fet he was long : and ficke and brod i-nou^ : A scwuch bote he were strong : me finchez it were WOU3 ! 4 A1 a contreie fare he were : for him wolde fleo. )5are-fore him f ou^te fat noman : a3en him scholde beo : He seide, he nolde with no man bi-leue : bote with on fat were hext louerd ouer alle men : and onder non of ur nere. 8 Swuch a Man he wente to seche. : and so fat men him tolde Of f e hexte manne fat on eorfe was : and of mest power i-holde. Seint Cristofre sou3te feor : and atfe laste he cam him to. j)e king axede him a-non 3wat he were : and 3wat he soi^te also. 12 Cristofre him seide 3wat he was : and fat he serai wolde J^ene hexte Man fat ou3were were : and fat non ofur abouwie ne scholde, 3if he mi3te ani scwych 1 finde. : fis king to him sede 1 orig. scwuch J?at he ne heold of no man : ne a-bouwie he nolde ne drede. 16 Eif ur was of ofur glad. : Cristofre him seruede longue. j)e kyng louede muche Melodie : of fief le 1 and of songue : 1 r. fij>eie So fat is Iugelour a day : bi-fore him pleide faste, And nemde in is ryme and in is song : fene deuel atfe laste. 20 Anon so fe kyng fat i-heorde : he blessede him a-non. Seint Cristofre nam wel guode 3eme : and nolde ane fot feor gon Are he wuste 3wi it were. : fe king was ful loth to telle. Cristofre seide, “ bote fou me segge : no leng serui fe I-nelle.” 24 \)o fe kyng ne i-sai3 non ofur : “ leoue Cristofre,” he sede, “ Ich blessede me fo ich heorde him nemme : for ich habbe of him gret drede.” 1 MS. feond; deuel on the margin. “fianne he is,” quath Cristofre : “herre Maister fane foul” “ J)at ne may ich,” quath fe kyng : “for-sofe for-sake nov.” 28 " Haue guod day,” quat Cristofre f 0 : “ Inelle neuereft with f e beo. Ichulle seche fane deuel 1 and serui him : 3if ich him owere iseo.” 272 ST. CHRISTOPHER, FINDING THE DEVIL STRONGER THAN THE KING, SERVES HIM. BUT THE DEVIL IS AFRAID OF A CROSS. j)e kyng was sori, and alle his : fat huy ne mitten him make a-bide. Forth he wende fene deuel to seche : ake natheles nou^t wel wide — 1 For fe schrewe wole euere a-redi beo : to heom fat heoth to him i-nome. [i f 0 i. 122 ] ]) 0 Cristofre cam with-oute toun : gret folk he sai$ come wel on horse, with grete nobleye : swyfe fierce and proute. Cristofre heom mette we[l] baldeliche — : he nadde of heom no doute. 36 J)e maister, fiers with-alle : cam and mette with him a-non, “ Beu sire,” he seide, “ $wat art foul : and ^wodere fenxt fou gon?” “ Ich am a ma[n] opon mi seruiz : and noman serui i-nelle Bote mi louerd fat ich seche : fe liei^e deuel of helle.” 40 “ Beu frere,” quath f e of ur, “ ich it am : wel-come ar f ov to me ! j)e beste seruiz fat fou wolt cheose : man schal deliueri fe.” Cristofre sai$ is grete folk : and fat he was of gret pouwer : Of swuch a louerd he was wel glad : and al-so of fat grete mester. 44 j)e Maister hei^te al is folk a-wei : bote heom-seoluen tweie, To teche him is mester priueliche : ase huy wenden hi fe weie. Ase huy wenden tale^inde forth : of fis lufere seruise, In fe wei heo iseien one croiz stonde. : fe deuel gan farof a-grise : 48 his wei in breres and in f ornes : wel feor bi-side he 11 am ; Jpo heo fe croiz i-passede hadden : a^ein to fe weie he cam. Cristofre him Axede $wi it were. : and him was loth to telle. “ Certes,” he seide, “ bote fou me segge : no leng serui fe i-nelle.” 52 “ Cristofre, mi leoue freont,” quath fe deuel : “ ichulle fe telle fayn, with fat fou serui me after-ward : fe betere with al mi mayn : with a swuch croiz ase we fare i-seien : fe heie god fat was here Ouercam and in soruwe brou^te : me and alle mine fere.” 56 “ ))anne is he herre,” quath Cristofre : “ and hath power more?” “Jpat ne may ich nou^t for-sake,” fe feond seide : “and fat me for- finchez sore.” “ Dafeit fanne,” Cristofre seide : “ fat leng beo in fine seruise, 3if ich of fane heie manne may o$t i-wite : in anie kunnes wise ! ” 60 Forth he wende and sou^te ore louerd. : wel wide he gan gon. Atfe laste he fond ane hermite : to him he wende a-non, he tolde him clanliche al-hou it was : and hou he a swych man soi^te. ST. CHRISTOPHER TURNS TO CHRIST. HE CARRIES FOLK OVER A 273 RIVER ON HIS BACK. HE FINDS ONE CHILD VERY HEAVY. “3 e >” seide fe heremite, “ihered he beo : fat fe in swyche wille brou3te ! 64 Leue brofer,” seide fe heremite, “he is fi louerd : for to manne he f e wrou^te, And with is owene flechs and is blod : wel deore he fe a-bou^te. Jpou most sum-3 wat soffri for him : and festen eche friday.” “ Ine faste neuere,” seide Cristofre : “ne, certes, 3eot Ine may.” 68 “ J^ou most,” seide f e heremite, “ to churche gon : and fine beden bidde also.” “ I-not,” seide Cristofre, “3wat it is : ne i-ne can hit nou3t do.” U “No,” seide fe heremite, “foil art strong : and here is a water bi- side Jpat no man may fare-ouer come : bote he fe herre ride : 72 J^ou most in lesnesse of fine sunnes : habbe fine wone3ingue fere And 3 wane ani man to fe neode hath : fare-ouer fou most him here, In fu^iuenesse of fine misdedes.” : he grauntede fat a-non. j)Q heremite 3af him cristine-dom : and het him fudere gon. 76 U CRistofre bi-side f ulke watere : one hole he. made him fere. In his hond a long perche he bar : is staf as f ei it were ; [foi. 122 b.] 3 wane any man wolde ouer fat watur : opon is rug he him caste And tok is perche and bar him ouer : he stap hardeliche and faste. For he was bofe strong and long — : fare ne cam so heui non Jjat Cristofre ouer fe deope watere : ne bar heom ouer ech-on. A ni3t in fe of ur half of fe watur : a uoiz fare cam and gradde “Hale, hale,” to seint Cristofre : fat he him fare-ouer ladde. 84 Cristofre a-ros him op a-non : is perche on honde he nam And wod ouer f e watur — and ne fond no man : f 0 he to londe cam. he nas bote i-come horn a-3en : fat on ne gradde eft-sone fer. Cristofre wod ouer, and ne rn^te finde : non more fane he dude er. 88 3uyt it gradde fe fridde tyme : fo he cam horn to londe. And with is rodde wod a-3en. : a luyte child he fond fare stonde ; J?at child bad him par charite : ouer fe watere him lede. “ Cum forth, 3R fou wolt here ouer ” : cristofre to him sede ; 92 Swyfe li3tliclie fat child he nam : and in is Armes it caste. Euere ase he was ouer-ward : it gan to heuegy faste ; And fat watur wax al-so : fat Cristofre sore agaste LEGENDS OF SAINTS. T 274 ST. CHRISTOPHER. THE CHILD HE WAS CARRYING IS CHRIST. HE PREACHES CHRIST, AND DOES A MIRACLE. To a-drenche fat child J?at was so heui — : vnnefe he stod atfe laste. Neuere so clene he nas ouer-come : at eche stape he grunte and hlaste ; And laste fat child hadde a-dreint : he ne dorste it a-doun caste. 98 j) o he was to londe i-come : ase him fou^te fnl longue er, )pat child he sette a-doun to grounde : and stod op, to reste him fer. “ 3wat art fou, fat art so luyte : and so heui bi-come, So heui fat ich was ope f e poyinte : to liabbe a-dreint i-lome 1 jpei al fe world hadde ope me i-leie : me finchez so heui it nere.” “ No wonder, cristofre,” seide fat child : “fei ic 1 heuiore were 104 bane al fe world, for ich [am] more — : and no wonder it nis 2 : iMS.it Tor ich made al fe world of nou 3 t : and al ofur fin[g] fat is. 2 a a „ erasure” 11 And for fou sclialt fe sofe i-seo : fine staf piche in fe grounde : And he schal here lef and blowe : and fruyt here in luyte stounde.” With f is word fat child wende forth. : Cristofre is staf nam And pi^te hit in fe grounde a-morewe : and ri^t sotli it fare bi-cam. j ) o was he sikerore fane he was er : and ore louerd he louede more. Forth he wend[e], to siwi him : and forto preclii is lore. 112 he heorde telle ^ware Cristine men : In torment weren ibrou^t : To conforti heorn he wende fudere : fat heo ne scliolden flechchie nou^t. “ Beoth hardie,” he seide, “and studefaste : and doth as ich ou lere ! ” be Iustise sturte forth a-non : and smot him vnder fe Ere ; 116 “ Artfou,” he seide, “on of fulke : fou it schalt a-corie sore.” “Site fou wel stille,” Cristofre seide : “and ne smijt fou me non- more ! For 3 if ich a cristine man nere : Ich me wolde a-wreke a-non. 3e bi-leuez on ouwer Maumates,” he seide : “ I-maket of treo and ston, })at none Miracles ne mouwen do : non more fane a treo. Sum of f e power fat mi louerd hath : bi mi staf fou schalt i-seo : ” 1 his rodde he pi$te in fe grounde : and heo bi-gan a-non 1 [foi. 12 s] To leui and blowe and bere fruyt : bi-fore heom euerech-on. 124 “ On swuch a god 3 e schullen bi-leue : fat swuch Miracle mai do.” be Iustise ne dorste, for he was muche : a bold word segge him to. For fe faire Miracle of is staf : and for is precliingue al-so, ST. CHRISTOPHER CONVERTS 7,000 MEN. HE BIDS THE KNIGHTS 275 SENT TO FETCH HIM, BIND HIM, AND TAKE HIM TO THEIR KING. To god heo[m ] 1 torneden in pe place : senen pousende and mo. 1 ms. heo Toward a-maner wildernesse : seint Cristofre wende, In godes seruise to lede is lijf : ase ore louerd him grace sende. ])e Iustise tolde pe kyngue fore : of swych a man pat he i-sei^ Turne pat folk and he ne dorste : for strencpe come him ne^. 132 king het sone to hundret kni^tes : seche forto heo him founde, And pat hny scholden him nimen and leden : bi-fore him, faste i-bounde. Forth wenden pis kny^tes : wel I-armede, a-non. Toward Cristofre huy comen a luyte : and bi-heolden him echon : 136 liuy alle ne dorsten come him nei} : ake hamward huy gonne fleo, And tolden, po hny comen horn : pat huy ne m^ten him no^were i-seo. “ OU 3 , ^e cowardes,” qnath pe king : “ nabbe 36 him nou 3 t i-founde 1 ? Ichulle, 3 if he a-liue is : habbe him, faste i-bounde.” 140 he sende to hundret opur kny 3 tes : pat hy him wide sou 3 te, And pat huy ne comen neuere a- 3 en : are huy him with heom brou 3 te. Wel I-armede heo wenden forth. : and a-non so huy Cristofre i-seie, huy stoden and ne dorsten gon him ner : opur vnnepe bi-holden him with ei 3 e. 1 r. hem 144 H Cristofre stod and him 1 bi-heold : and axede hem 3 wat huy wolden. “ For no-ping ne dorre we,” pe lattes seiden : “ bi pe don pat we scholden : })e king us het bringue pe to him : and pine liondene faste binde. 3 if pou wolt, we wollez him segge : pat we ne mouwen pe finde.” 148 “ FTay, certes,” seide Cristofre po : “ 3 e scholden beo i-blamede so ; Ake with ou ichulle 1 gon : and loki 3 wat he wulle habbe i-do.” he made heom al a- 3 ein heore wille : ase a pef, faste him binde, pat heo neren i-blamede, and leden him forth : his hondene him bi-hinde. 1 MS. ichulle ichulle 152 Of godes la we bi pe weie : Cristofre heom gan so lere , 2 2 ms. lerere JOat echone, are huy comen horn : faire i-cristnede were. Hatheles huy ladden him forth : bi-fore pe kyngue, faste i-bounde, And seiden, “ here is godes kny 3 t : noupe we him habbeth i-founde.” pe king sat an hei 3 op-on is sege. : and a-non so he Cristofre i-sei 3 , For drede he feol doun to grounde : pat is necke to-barst nei 3 . 158 276 ST. CHRISTOPHER IS PUT IN PRISON. HE CONVERTS TWO WOMEN SENT TO TEMPT HIM. THEY BREAK IDOLS. his kny^tes nomen him up a-non. : and ase tyme ase is wit him cam, he had Cristofre to him take : and leten beo is cristindam. 160 “ fou m^t, guode man,” seide cristofre : “al-so wel beo stille. Mi bodi fou hast here faste i-bounde : fou m^t don al fi wille.” U “ Certes, sire,” fis kn^tes seiden : fat hadden him fudere i-brou 3 t, “ Cristindom we habbez itake : and we nelleth it bi-leue nou 3 t.” 164 fe king let f o in grete wrathfe : Cristofre in prisone do, And binden alle fe kny 3 tes faste : and heore heuedes smiten of al-so. fo feos kny 3 tes bi-hauedede weren : fe king sone bi-fou 3 te [foi. 123 b.] And tweyen faire wommen with-alle : to cristofre he bro^te — 168 pat on het Nice, fat ofur Aquiline — : for-to tornen is mod. po fis wommen iseien Cristofre : ase he in prisone stod, heom f ou 3 te is face wel bri^tore schine : fane fe sonne ofur f e Mone. “ Cr[i]stofre, merci,” loude lieo gradden : “make us cristine sone ! ” Cristofre heom te^te fe r^te bi-leue : and cristnede heom a-non fere. A-morewe fe kying let heom fette : to lokie hou it were ; 174 he hopede lieo hadden fane guode man : in lecherie i-broi^t. f e wommen Answereden to his Axingue : as liuy ne tolden of him no3t. 176 “3wat, hou goth fis,” quat fe kyng : “ habbe 3 e i-turnd ower foi^tl honourieth mine godes, ich rede : fe 3 wyle ou is wel i-fo^t.” 1 “ Ouwer godes beoth wurfe,” fis Maydenes seiden : “in fa[i]r stude honoured to beo : 1 ai. idojt fare-fore lat swope fe stretes faire : fat al folk mouwe i-seo, 180 And we heom wollez honouri, i-wis : ase r^t is and lawe.” fe king let don ase heo seiden : swife sone and fawe. fo fis Maumates weren i-brou 3 t : in fe strete at fe laste, 183 fis maydenes nomen heore gurdles bofe : ant to heom teiden faste And to-drowen heom in-to al fe strete : and heo wen heom to peces fere. “ Goth,” heo seiden, “ ant fechchiez heom leches : fat heo i-helede were ! ” pe kying was nei 3 for wrathfe wod : fat 0 maide he let liongue And to hire fet bynden heuie stones : fat hire defes frowes weren strongue. 188 A-non so fis mayde was up i-drawe : hire leomes borsten with-inne, NEITHER FIRE NOR ARROWS HURT ST. CHRISTOPHER. 277 HIS HEAD IS CUT OFF. HIS BLOOD GIVES THE KING SIGHT. Necke and senewes and of ur limes — : wel a^te heo heuene i-winne. lie let don fat ofur in strong fuyr — : ake fare ne rn^te non come hire nei3 : Ake sethfe he let hire heued of smite : fo he J>at ofer cas i-sei’3. 192 J?us J>is twei holie maydenes : to f e blisse of heuene i-wende, jporu f e grace fat ore swete louerd : for seint Cristofre heom sende. IT Joe king let f 0 cristofre fecclie : and axede him a-non 3wefur he wolde his Maumates serui : ojmr to fe defe gon. 196 Cristofre for-sok heore Maumates : and heore seruiz also. Joe king het a-non fat Men him scholden : op-on a strong gredile do And with strong fuyr and pich rosti him. : and f 0 he was i-leid far-on, As wex fat gredile malt a-wei : and fat fuyr a-queynte a-non, 200 And he a-ros up with-oute harme. : wroth was f e kyng f 0 ! To a piler he let him binde faste : and lattes a-boute him go, Eor-[to] scheoten him to defe : with Mani a kene flo. With bouwe and Areblast fare schoten to him : four hondret kny^tes and mo : 204 Ake fare nas non Are we fat nei$ him cam : ake alle heo gliden bi-side And heofnjgun 1 in fe Eyr a-boute him : and fare huy gunne a-bide. A-non so f e king f is i-sai3 : for wratf e f udere he wende. 1 ms. heoguu An Arewe fat ouer f is guode man heng : a^ein him sone kende, 208 Bof e is e3ene heo smot out : and deope into f e heued. Jje king stod for Anguysche and for drede : ase is wit him were bi-reued. “ ]}ou onselie wrechche,” seide cristofre : “ 3wat is noufe wurth fi mi^te] A^ein him. fat fov hauest bi-gonne : feble fou art to f^te ! [foi. 124] 212 Of f i wrechhede ich habbe reuf e : And fat i schal cuyfe fe : Eor to-Moruwe mi louerd soffri wole : fat fou schalt laten a-quelle me, And fanne smeore fine e^ene with mi blod : and fonde mi louerdes m^te : And 3if fou wolt a-ri^t bi-leue : fou schalt habbe fi s^te.” 216 ])e blinde kyng far-to hopede : and swife wel it onder-stod : A-morewe he let is heued of-smyte : and smeorie him with is blod : he hadde is s^t guod and cler : foru3 godes grace wel sone. foru3 fe bone of seint cristofre : he tournede to cristine-dome. 220 278 ST. DOMINIC OF SPAIN. MIRACLES BEFORE AND AT HIS BIRTH. HIS GOODNESS AND CHARITY WHEN YOUNG. he let burien faire seint Cristofre : and bi-liefde on god a-non and let him cristni in godes lawe : and is men ech-on. pus seint Cristofre fene hexte louerd : at fe laste of-sou^te. God us bringue to Jmlke Ioye : fat he is soule brca^te. 224 41 IT Vita sancti Dominici co??fessoris. S Eint Domenic, f e holie frere : in spayne was i-bore, [foi. 124] In f e toune of Caylre — : wel guod was f e more : Sire felice is fader het : is moder dame lone. glad was f e Moder of f e sone : fat for him gan ofte grone. 4 peo 3 wile fat fis holie child : in is Moder wombe was, hire foi^te, ase heo lay a-slepe : ase ore louerd $af fat cas, fat heo bar in hire wombe a best : fat faireste in any lond, And fat best bar 113 1 in is Mouth : ane berninde brond ; 8 fe brond in fusse bestes mouth : fo it was of hire i-bore, Schon so fat al cnstine-dom : fe br^tore was fare-fore, And so wide so was cristinedom : And fare was so deork so ny3t f e brond in f e bestes Mouf e : hire f ou3te 3af gret l^t. 1 2 fo fat child was i-bore : and i-brou3t to cristin-dom, Al-so bi-feol fat a guod lauedi : fat him of watere nam, fou3te fat fare was a steorre : In his fore-heued so br^t, fat foru-out al cristine-dom : schon and 3af gret lij3t. 16 3wat was fis schiningue of fis child : bote fat he scholde bringue to godes lawe Mani a man : f oru3 is guode prechingue, And fat he scholde an ordre make : of frere prechours, fat 3et is ; fat fare-foru3 al cnstine-dom : a-mendi scho’de, i-wis? 20 fis child, feo 3wyle it was 3ong : to guode drou3 a-non, to fastingue and to almes-dede : and wolle werie 1 to gon ; In is bedde he nolde beo : bote wel luyte stounde, 1 Vem. woiieward Ake ligge in is oresones : op-on fe liarde grounde. 24 f 0 he was sethf e to scole i-set : a deore 3er fare cam : his bokes he solde and al is guod : and alle fe panes he nam And delde heom alle to pouere men : ant ne lefde him-sulf r^t no3t. fe tyfingue of is godhede : was sone wide i-brou3t : 28 So fat f e bischop of fe lond : louede him wel i-nou3 And enqueorede of is dedcs : fat to alle guode he drou3 : ST. DOMINIC CONVERTS HERETICS, AND FOUNDS THE FRIARS 279 PREACHERS. SIR SIMON DE MONTFORT HELPS HIM. hei} man he made him sone : and channn seculer — Wei luyte tolde fe holie Man : of is grete power. 32 J^are weren false cnstine Men : a-bonte in f e londe, [foi. 124 b.] fat nolden nou^t clanliche : fe r^te hi-leue onder-stonde, Ne buy ne bi-lefden noi^t fat ore lonerd were i-bore : of fe maide Marie — Swuch manere fals bi-lene : Men cleopeden heresie. 36 A-^ein beom fis holie man : despnytede alday faste, And manie of heom foru^ godes grace : into ri^te bi-lene beom caste. An Eorl fare was in f e londe f 0 : fat gnod Man was i-nou^ : Sire Syrnon de Mountfort : fat to alle gnodnesse drou 3 , 40 bis fader fat was here a-slawe : a-mong us in Engelonde Atf e batayle of Euesham : fat longue worth onder-stonde. Jhs guode kny 3 t sire Symon : strong kny 3 t was i-nou 3 And a^ein fis vuele cristine Men : to batayle al day be drou 3 - 44 Seint Domenic al-so a-boute 3 eode : and prechede a 3 ein beom wel faste : So fat fis tweye guode Men : to-gadere beore beorte caste, frat buy weren bof e at one rede : f e on with his prechingue, Jje ofur with strencf e of bataille : fat folk to guode bringue. 48 And fe guode Erol 1 syre symon : fe 3 wile is lijf i-laste, 1 r. Eori Euere heold op with his power : seint Dompnic wel faste ; And foru 3 is pouer muche-del : fe ordre he bi-gan Of frere prechours, fat 3 eot is : for-to saui mani a man. — 52 bi-twene fis men for heore heresie : f e striuingue ofte was And fe holie Manne seint Domenic. : ase ore louerd 3 af fat cas, Op-on f e hul of vittorie : A day fare was i-nome Of desputisun bi-tweone heom : and fo fe day was i-come, 56 Seint Domenic cam forth fo : and In a writ he brou 3 te his resones for cristin-dom : and fis lufere Men it bi-tau 3 te, to counseilie heom f are-upon bet : and Answerien f are-to Ofur beon studefastore in heore bi-leue : bote huy heom couf en ondo. fis Men of heore heresie : lou 3 wen f 0 wel smere ; 1 1 a y. om. A gret fuyr huy maden a-non : and fat writ heo casten In fere, 62 And seiden, 3 if it barnde fo : of none vertue it nere. J2at writ lay longue in fat fuyr : and neuere fe'weorse it nas, 64 Ne nou 3 t i-wemned of one lettefr] : and fat was a fair cas 1 280 ST. DOMINIC. THE POPE IS SHOWN BY A VISION THAT HE SHOULD SANCTION THE ORDER OF FRIARS PREACHERS. Jpo £e Inhere Men i-seien £is : a-nuyde huy weren sore ; huy nomen ]?at bok and seiden a-non : J>at huy wolden 3eot fondi more : huy casten effc-sone in-to J>e fuyr : and £e Jnidde tyme al-so : 68 And euere £at writ was al-so sound : as it was £are-inne i-do. Jus Men of heore heresie : i-schende heom heolden po — And nolden noi^t 3eot al clanliche : out of heore folie go. S eint domenic Jus holie Man : ase ore louerd 3af £at cas, 72 In £e Cite of tolouse : ten 3er to-gadere he was. he Jjoi^te bi-guynne a-godes name : 3if he m^te it bringue to ende, An ordre of Men to prechi faste : and a-boute £e world to wende, £at m^ten £oru3-out cristindom : Men wissi and rede ; 7 6 3 eorne he bad to Iesu crist : lielpe him to Jus dede. So pat pe pope Innocent : a gret counseil I-nou3 [foi. 125] Makede at rome £ulke tyme : and muche folk Jmdere drou3. Seint Domenic wel mildeliche : £udere gan to wende, SO 3if he mi3te anie grace habbe : to bringue is ordre to ende. he cam and bad £e pope leue : swuch Jung for- to do. pc, pope makede him dauncherous : and nolde ensenti £er-to. IT A n^t, as pc pope lai a-slepe : ase ore louerd 3af £at cas, 84 - him J)ou3te pat pe churclie of rome : al a-doneward was Of “ seint Iohanes de lateran ” : and as he lai £ere he lokede euere and al J>at folk : 3wane huy ouer-falle were; And seint Domenic heold up a-3en : and faste schef with-oute, 88 Wal ant tymber he pulte a-3ein : and faste orn a-boute. pe pope, po he a-wok : In grete £ou3te lay 3 wat Jus bi-tocningue m^te beo : £at he slepinde i-sai3* he £ou3te pat pe stat of holi churche : swuy£e i-febled were 92 And J?at cristine-dom in Manie studes : in 113 1 guod stat it nere, And pat seint Domenic £01113 is ordre : hire scholde helpe a-rere £oru3 his prechingue wide in londe : mstine men to lere. pe pope a-morewe sente aftur him : and gmuntede him wel fawe 96 to maken is ordre a-godes name : and folk to guode drawe ; margin the bote £at he 1 heom scheowede is ruyle : to alle is cardinales £ere, And £at huy weren i-prouede guode : are huy i-confermede were. So £at pe ordre of frere prechours : seint Domenic bi-gan £0, 100 £at hath i-saued wel mani a man : and 3eot it schal wel mo. ST. DOMINIC SENDS FORTH HIS FRIARS, TWO AND TWO, BOOK ON 281 BACK, AND STAFF IN HAND. HIS VISION. clerkes huy onder-fenguen sone : pat pe Abite nome ; So pat euere mo and mo : freres pere bi-come. S Eint Domenic matte po In a ni}t : pat seint petur him bi-tok 101 Ane staf, ase he cam to him : and seint powel ane bok. Jjo pomeide he in is ordre : 3 wane freres wenden ouer lond, to here ane bok at heore rugges : and ane staf in heore hond. Sethpe him pon^te a-slepe al-so : pat he sai 3 pe freres go 108 poru 3 pe londe, two and two : and to-gadere non mo. In-to Tolouse he wende po : and bi-lefte him-snlf pere, And sone 1 he sente is freres a-bonte : pat hny de-partet were ; In-to spaynne he sente some : and to paris al-so, 1 v. summe 112 And pat pridde Couent to boloygne : heore ordre forth to do ; he het heom wende to and two : and prechi in pat lond, At heore rugge here ane bok : and ane staf in bore hond. IT A wonder sweuene seint Domenic : In his slep i-sei 3 : 116 Ore lonerd him wrathpede swipe : op in pe eyr an hei 3 , preo launcene he heold in is hond : pe poynt toward pe grounde, Ri 3 t ase he wolde al pene world : poru 3 smyte In one stounde; So ferelich he was to bi-holde : pat it nas non ende. 120 po cam ore lenedi l^te a-doun : pat is so milde and hende ; “ A, mi sone,” heo seide, “ 3 wat pencst pon 1 : merci and pin ore ! ” “I-nelle,” seide ore lonerd : “pis sunne : polie more.” [foi. 125 b.] he seide, “al pis world is fnl of sunne : and ful 3 are hath i-beo, 124 And pare-fore i-cliulle al pene world a-sle : with peose laiuices preo.” Ore leuedi heold up hire hondene : and sat a-donn a-kneo, And seide, “ leone sone, noupe pin ore ! : pov most pe bet bi-seo, pon most pine wratpe mienge : with milce and with ore, 128 And penche pat pon most milsfnl beo : And pat pou hottest man ful sore.” “ Moder,” seide ore lonerd po : “ hov m^te ich don pi lore 'l hTe sixtpon hon men me mis-doth : pat I-ne mai hit polie more h ” eone sone,” ore lanedi seide : “a-bijd 3 eot one stonnde : 132 pat schal muche del of pat folk : onder pine wille do ; And anne felawe i-chulle him bi-take : pat schal helpe him per-to.” Ich habbe ane guode Caumpiun : to pine bi-hofpe i-fonnde, 282 ST. DOMINIC GREETS ST. FRANCIS, WHO FOUNDS THE FRIARS MINOR. SIMON DE MONTFORT HELPS THEM. “ Lat me iseo,” ore louerd seide : “ i-chulle loki 3 weJ)er liuy beon oi^tes.” 136 Ore leuedi cam J?o seint domenic : and bi-fore [ore] louerd him brou 3 te, And seint Fraunceis al-so guod : “mi sone,” lieo seide, “lo Mi cliaumpiun and his felawe : J>at schullen J?is dede do.” 11 3e,” seide ore louerd, “ Jjcos beoth boJ)e : strongue and guode J)er-to : I-chulle heom helpe in heore dedes : and ^iue heom grace al-so.” IT Seint Domenic a-morewe a-ros : ant to churclie wende sone, 142 And on is sweuene J^ou^te muche : ^wat him was to done, he stod and bi-heold a-boute : his felawe he gan to 1 seo 1 v. of 144 J>at ore lauedi him brou^te a-ni^t : is felawe for-to beo. he ne liadde neuer er him i-sei^e : he descreuede him faste a-non, his face and is bodi al-so : and 1 him £ 0113 te it was swych on. 1 om. inv. he tok and custe him a-non : ase it was wel ri^t, 148 And tolde him al 1 J>at cas : hov him matte a-n^t ; 1 v.ofai And EyJ)er bi-gan to schewi ojmr : heore wille and heore Jmi^t ; So J>at huy weren, ase god wolde : in 0 consent i-brou 3 t, And eijmr dude bi cjieres rede : and J?eos tweie ordres wrou 3 te, 152 Of frere prechours and of frere Menores : ase ore leuedi heom on brou3te : Seint Domenic J?e ordre of frere prechours : ase icli liabbe i-seid, And seint Fraunceis of frere Menores : eij>er bi ojieres red. And sire Symon de Mount-fort : J>at guod kn^t was and hende, 156 Sosteinede Jus liolie Men : to bringue Jus dede to ende. — Ich wene, ich may for so}>e it segge : 3 if huy nadden i-beo bi-founde, J?e world hadde for grete sune i-beo : are Jus i-brou 3 t to grounde ! 3eot, for al J)at heo mouwen a-boute go : to prechi and to schriue, 160 Sunne is 3 eot into al Jus lond : and wrechhede, al-to riue ! here mouwen Jus luj?ere men i-seo : J?at euere spekez to quede, In 3 wuche manere Jus guode men : bi-gunne furst Jus dede. Manie of Jus deoueles limes : bi-twene heom seggez al day 3 : 164 “ Wel murie was J>e world and guod : are man ani frere i-say 3 .” Al-so huy spekez, heom bi-fallez : for ore louerd seide, i-wis : “ bi J)e fruyt man may i-seo : 3 wat-manere treo it is : Pfoi. 126 ] For J?are ne may of no luyjmr treo : no guod fruyt springue 1 168 vnnej>e may a luyjmr man ani guod word : out of him-suluc bringue. ST. DOMINIC. FRIARS MUST COUNT ABUSE FOR CHRIST’S NAME 283 AS BLISS. MIRACLES FOR ST. DOMINIC’S SAKE. huy mouwen loki ^wanne ore louerd : lieom smyt, harde i-nou^, with one of his launces freo : fat he to heom drou^, fat was for fis tweie holie men : fulke tyme on-do ; 172 Fondi heo mouwen heore wyfer-wine [3 wan ] 1 huy comiez far-to. Ake hit ne worth neuere fals : fat ore louerd him-self sede : 1 om. fat his desciples scholden i-blessede beo : 3 wanne men hem spekez to quede And seggez heom scorn and bysemare : for ore louerdes name. 176 bi f e freres fus it is : of Men fat seggez heom schame ; Ake ore louerd him-sulf wole wreche nime : f ei it were f 0 with-drawe For seint Domenic fe holie Man : and seint Fraunceis, is felawe. — fis holie Man seint dominie : In-to his ordre he nam 180 Ane 3 oungue clerk at one tyme : fat frere prechour bi-cam And sethfe foru 3 fe feondes lore : with-drouj him atf en-ende And seide fat he wolde a^ein : to f e worlde wende ; he dude of is Abite : and is schurte on him caste. 184 Seint Dominic sat a-doun a-kneo : and for him bad wel faste. Ase he seide is oresones : fe clerk bi-gan to weopen sore And pitou[s]liche bi-gan to crie : “ a ! noufe merci, louerd, fin ore ! fis schurte 1 fat is a-boute me : for-brennez me to grounde; 1 ms. schrurte Drawez hire of for godes loue : ofur ich deie in luyte stounde.” So fat f on .13 ore louerdes grace : him foi^te he was for-brent, Are he nome a- 3 ein is Abite : and hadde is heorte i-wend. B I a frere al-so at boloyne : bi-feol swych a cas 192 fat of f e feond i-fondet was : and with-inne him al-so he was. Seint Domenic it of-f ou 3 te sore : and het a-godes name fene feond to helle wende a-non : and seide, “jwi dostfou me schuch schame 1 ” “ fov ne fart me blamie nou3t : for with r^te ich am here,” 196 Diaboiu f e feond Answerede seint Domenic : ase he was in fe frere, ‘‘For fes frere cam 3 ursterday to toune : and dronk with-oute leue. Ase a luyte mot fare-Inne ich lay : and bi-gan with-inne him weue ; For he ne blessede nou 3 t is drinke : and with-oute leue it nam, 200 Wit lawe ich mai in him beo : and with lawe in him ich am.” “ Certes,” seide fis frere, “ he seith soth : and r^t so it is. Ichot, i dronk 3 urstai in toune : with-oute leue, i-wis. 203 284 ST. DOMINIC. HIS FELLOWS’ BOOKS ARE MIRACULOUSLY PRESERVED UNDER WATER, AND THEY ARE FED. And Ine blessede noi^t mi drinke : and a swuch mot fare was Inne, And with fat drinke fat icli dronk : it schet me sone with-Inne. Euer-eft lie hath I-greued me. : ore louerd fram me him bringue ! ” Ase huy tolden here-a-boute : to Matynes huy gonne ringue. 1 [ “ Out, out,” quath fe deuel f o : “ a-wei ich mot gon : 208 f is feues with f is wide hodes : a-rise wollez a-non, And I-ne dar nou 3 t a-bide heore song : adrad ich am wel sore.” he fleu out of f is selie man : and ne cam nei 3 him non-more. — As fe holie man seint Domenic : and his felawes come 212 with-oute Tolouse bi a watur : ase huy hadden er i-lome, [foi. 126 bj heore bokes fullen into f e watur : and sonken a-non to grounde. huy wenden forth in heore wei : fo huy ne m^ten beon i-founde. fare cam fane fridde day : a fischare with is ginne 216 And caste is nettes in fat watur. : fo felde he heui with-Inne. f ou 3 te he, “ here is fisch i-nou 3 ” : and bi-gan to drawe faste : fe holie manness bokes it weren. : fo huy comen forth atfe laste, Also sounde huy weren and druye : ase huy euerer were ; 220 For al fat huy leien in fat watur : no-fing fe worse huy nere. — H At one tyme seint Domenic : at rome was i-sete, And fourti of is freres al-so : with him to fe mete, huy nadden bote a luyte bred — : wel luyte was fe lestes, 224 And alle huy maden heom also Ioifole : ase huy weren at one feste. Ake natheles huy weren of-hungrede sore : fei huy so glade were, f o comen fare tweie children In : with wel milde chere ; Abite of freres huy hadden up-on : fairore neuere nere : 228 In heore lappene huy brou 3 ten mete : ant to seint Domenic hit here, fo huy hadden him f is mete i-take : huy nusten 3 ware huy bi-come. f is freres maden heom glade I-nou 3 : and wordeliche forth it nome. — IT A dai, as fis holie Man : in fe Contreie we[n]de, 232 fat lodlokeste weder fat m^te beo : ore louerd ouer him sende. I he bi-gan to maken is oresun : his felawe was in doute. fat weder bi-gan to reinie faste : in eche side a-boute ; 1 Ake sone it 3 af him roume 1 wei : and al-a-boute with-drawe, 236 fat bi fif fet it r.e cam noi^t him nei 3 : ne al-so nei 3 his felawe. B i-side fe Cite of Toluse bi a watur huy come. A man ladde heom ouer In a scliip : ase he dude ofere i-lome. st. dominic’s ship-hire is miraculously sent him. HE TALKS WITH THE DEVIL IN GUISE OF A FRIAR. 285 Seint Domenic wolde wende is wei : fo lie to londe cam. 240 fe passour him liet a-bide : and bi fe cope him nam, And seide, he scholde him paye is huyre : were him leof f e loth, he nolde him semi so for nou^t : and farto he swor is oth. “Lat me,” seide fis holie Man : “par charite forth quijt gon, 244 And god wole ^elden J)i tranail : for i-ne habbe seoluer non.” “ A1 for nou^t,” seide J>es ofur : “ bi f e fei fat i schal to J»e, Mi trauail fou schalt me paie : ofur f i cope bi-lene with me.” “ 3 wane fou nelt,” quath fe holie man : “ for godes loue nou^t do, Ich bidde god, $if is wille beo : fat he helpe me fer-to.” fo lay bi-side fe schipe fere : a peni, fair I- 110 V 3 . 250 f e passour beu 3 a-doun a-non : and fane peni to him drou^. “ Him fare,” seide fis holie man : “ ase ore louerd sende fe. 252 For i-nabbe mi-sulf nou^t : ore louerd a-quitez me.” Ore suete louerd nolde nou^t : fat f e freres i-lette were ; him-sulf he sende heom heore schip-huyre. : fair miracle was fere ! — IT Al-so fis holie man a n^t : In his oresones lay 256 bi him-sulf in priueite : ase he dude ni^t and day, f e deuel cam and stod bi him : In Abite of frere. [foi. 127] “ Womme,” seide fe holie man : “ ^wat dost fov noufe here ? 3wy nartfov In fine bedde a-slepe : In fe dortour with fine fere? 260 fov wost wel it nis nou 3 t ordre : ne non r^t guod manere.” f e Deuel stod and made him signe : ase lio-so seith “ i-nelle nou 3 t Speke 1 V. has 2 vv. more. He so muche mis-don a^eines god : is ordre for-to breke.” 1 IF Seint Domenic hadde wonder far-of : 3 wat frere it m^te beo 264 fat so wel is ordre heold. : he foi^te he wolde i-seo : he wende and l^te ane candle : and bi-lieold fis frere. f 0 he wuste 3 wat he was : he f ou 3 te 3 wat dost fou here ; he blamede him 1 suyfe muche : 3 wat he dude fo fere, 1 ms. heom 268 For it were betere is r^te : fat he in helle were. IT “fou mis-dest more,” fe deuel seide : “ fin ordre for-to breke : For fou wost wel fis tyme : it ne fallez fe nou 3 t to speke.” U “ fou ne seist noi^t r^t,” quath seint Domenic : “ for fe prior may, For-to wissi is $oungue freres : speken n^t and day. Ich hote fat fou me telle : noufe fou art allingues here, 274 diabolus. Dominicus. 286 ST. DOMINIC MAKES THE DEVIL SAY HOW HE TEMPTS FRIARS. ST. DOMINIO DRAWS NIGH HIS DEATH. ^ware-with fou fondest mest : In churche ani frere.” diaboius. “ bote ich makie,” seide fe deuel fo : “late to churche gon, 27-6 And 3 wane he alles fare-inne is : out pannes to wiende a-non.” Dominicus. Of fe dortore he axede him : ^wat were fare is dede. diaboius. H “ bote ich makie freres to ligge longue : in heore bedde,” he sede, “ And fe [ 3 wile ] 1 huy farinne beoth : huy fenchez 2 vuel foi^t. 280 hit is on of Mine beste hous : Inelle bi-leue it no^t.” J vbenken on Dominicus. Seint Domenic axede of fe freitore : “ 3 wat is fi dede fere?” diaboius. “ bote ich fondi f e dedes fere : of glotonie for-to a-rere ; Ich makie freres to muchel ete : and to drinke al-so, 284 For-to maken heom feble : godes seruise to do.” Dominicus. 5f 3 wat In fe parlore ? ” seint Domenic seide : “beo noufe soth a-knouwe ! ” diaboius. “ A, beo stille,” seide fe schrewe f o : “ fat hous is al min owe : For ich heom makie telle fere : euerech ofur tyfingue, 288 And make heom fenche and speke al-so : of folies and lesinge.” Dominicus. “And 3 wat fe chapitle?” seint Domenic seide : “ nii^t fou fare ou 3 t winne 1 ” diaboius. “A, beo stille,” fe schrewe seide : “neuere Ine cam fare-Inne. Longue, for fou it hast i-nemd : fe worse me sclial beo. 292 God ne suffri me neuere fare-inne come : ne enes it i-seo ! Al fat ich liabbe i-wonne a-day : and fe n^t bi-fore, Sone so fine freres f udere comieth : al ich habbe i-lore ; I-wyped it is al 1 clene a-wey : ase it neuere nere. 1 v. as 296 A-corsed is al fulke stude : ne come ich neuere fere.” f o wende f e schrewe is wei : and luyte hadde i-wonne, And f e holie man is beden seide : ase he hadde bi-gonne. — L Ongue leouede fis holie man : in guode liue i-nou 3 , 300 And is ordre in guod poynt brou 3 te : are he to defe drou 3 ; At fe laste, ase god it wolde : fat he scholde heonnes wende, A 1 frere prechur[s] of boloygne : [he] drov toward is ende. Fy. Atte ’ - ' 1 he hadde a couent of [twelue] freres : f o he drou toward fe defe. his 1 twelf freres bi-fore him comen : him-seolf was fe frettefe : 2 he prechede heomfaire i-nou 3 : to siwi godes lore, ^^tiMinestransp.inv. For-to holden fe ordre wel : and to echen as more and more. 307 Of freo fing he made is testament 1 : r^t bi-fore his defe : 1 v. quide ST. DOMINIC BEQUEATHS HIS FRIARS POVERTY, LOVE, MEEKNESS. 287 HE IS DRAWN UP A LADDER INTO HEAVEN. pouerte, . and loue,. and Meoknesse : his bref ren he dude 1 bi-quefe; J>at huy weren euere in guode loue : and in Meoknesse al-so, 1 om. in v. And fat huy ladden heore lijf in pouerte : and euere heolden fer-to. For he foundede hore ordre furst : ope feos fingues freo 312 And bi-quath sethf en alle f o : fat wolden is bref ren beo. he 3 af alle godes curs and his : fat his ordre fuylden ou^t with grete richesse and worldes feo : for fe ordre it nolde nou^t. fo he hadde imaked is testament : he deide ri^t in fe place 316 And bi-tei^te fe ordre and is soule : al In ore louerdes grace, he deide twelf hundred ^er : and four-score 1 $er and on 2 \ Aftur fat ore louerd nam : of is moder flechs and bon. And endleue lioundret 3 er : and four-score $er and tene 320 Aftur fat ore louerd on eorfe cam : he bi-gan f e ordre, ich wene. Wei au^te we blessi fe tyme : fat euere he was bi-gunne : For mani a soule, ichot, he hath : to godes bi-hoffe i-wonne. — U fo fis holie Man seint Dominic : bi-gan of fis liue gon, 324 Into fe Ioye of heuene : his soule wende a-non. For ase fe prior of bixe 1 : fo in is bedde a-slepe lay, 1 v. Bride hym fou^te r^t fulke tyme : fat he a gret laddre i-say, fe laddre schon swyfe bri^te : into heuene an hei^ ; 328 Ore louerd on-ouewarde : and ore leuedi he i-sei^, Al bi-neofe sat a frere : in is scapelori ^wijt, his hod i-drawe ouer is ei^en : ri^t in his Abijt ; Ase he sat on fis laddre lowe : on fe nefemeste roungue, 332 Aungles fare eoden up and doun : And swif e murie huy songue. Ore louerd heold fis laddre an hei} : and ore leuedi also, And drowen fane frere up fare-bi : fat far-on was i-do, In his Abijte huy drowen him up : in-to heouene an hei^ ; 336 And al fat clere lij^t of heouene : him fou^te fat he i-sei^, And heouene smot to-gadere a-non : f o he was with-Inne i-brou 3 t. ])o fis prior a-wok : he lay in grete foi^t ; his bref ren he let cleopie a-non : and seide, “ ichot, i-wis, 340 JOat fis holie man seint Domenic : out of fis liue he is ; For i sai 3 him 03 1 nouf e,” he seide : “ to f e Ioye of heuene go.” ])q sofe huy of-Axeden setlife : fat he deide r^t f 0 . — bidde we 3 eorne seint Dominic : fat fe ordre hath i-wroi^t, 344 288 ST. TEOFLE OR THEOPHILUS IS ROBBED BY HIS BISHOP, AND ASKS A JEW TO GET HIM MONEY FROM THE DEVIL. bat we beon forth with him : to fe Ioye of heuene i-brou^t. bidde we ore louerd and ore lauedi : for seint Dominikes lone bat we moten aftur ore ende-day : to J?e blisse of heuene come. 42 [Teofle.] mEofle was a swyfe gret man : And guod clerk he was al-so, JL hext Maister bi-fore alle of ere : under fe biscliope i-do. [foi. 128 ] \)o ]?e bischop was ded : Teofle was forth ibrou^t 1 nout added later, to beon bischop aftur him. : ake natheles he nolde [nout], 1 4 And seide fat he nas nou 3 t wuyrfe fare-to : and guod he coufe to luyte. ])at folke made ane of e r ne sone : with grete nobleye and with pruyte. J?o J>e bischop in 1 his power was : to teofle wrath fe he caste, 1 ms. is For he was rajmr to bischope i-chose : and with J>e ojmr bischope heold faste : 8 he dude him out of his mester : and is guod him bi-nam. So fat Teofle f are-aftur-ward : in-to grete pouerte bi-cam ; Al-so riche man ase he was er : ase pouere he was f o ; So fat he nuste ^ware-bi libbe. : welle, fat him was wo ! 12 bo he was in Miseise i-brou^t : him schamede swife sore : Men fat him honoured er : f o nolden huy non-more ; Ech man tolde luyte of him — : for of f e pouere Men wollez so. he ne mi^te for schame a-mong men come : he nuste $wat for-to do, bene deth he wilnede f ingue mest. : so fat he him bi-fou 3 te bat, lio-so fene feond serui wolde : in grete richesse he him brou 3 te. to a giv he wende a ny 3 t : fat wonede fare-bi-side ; he bad him helpe of fat cas : fat gan him fare bi-tide, 20 And him to serui for richesse : fene deuel a-boute wel wide. “ Wel, it schal beo,” fe giv seide : “ake 3 eot fou most a-bide ; Cum ofur ny 3 t fis tyme : In fis stude here to me And i-chulle fe swuch red do : fat wel schal liki fe.” 24 U Teofle ne fur^at nou 3 t fis. : to fe giv he eode In fat ilke stude fat ofur m‘ 3 t : to beten is grete neode. “ Cum forth with me,” quath f e giv : “ ase ich f e wolle lede. Ake of 3 wat fu iseo ofur heore : ne haue fou none drede, Ne make no signe of fe creoyz : ne feron ne fench r^t nou 3 t, 28 ST. TTIEOPHILUS AGREES WITH THE DEVIL TO GIVE UP CHRIST 289 AND HIS MOTHER MARY, SO THAT HE MAY BE RICH. An 1 in swuche richesse nere foil neuere : ase fov worst sone i-brou 3 t.” T Eofle wercde forth with him : and dude ase he him sede. Into a priue stude he cam sone : ase fe giv gan him lede : 32 \)ene heie feond he fond fere : Maister of alle quede, And al his maynie a-boute him : for-to a-counti heore mis-dede. “ 3 wat is he fat ilke,” quath fe schrewe : “fat fov hringuest with fe?” 35 “ he schal beon of fine/’ quath fe giv : “ and for neode he cam to fe. A man he was of gret pouwer : fat is noufe him bi-nome, And for-to bringue him into richesse 1 a^ein : fi Man he schal bi- COme. ” 1 al. him ia “ Wel-come, beu frere,” fe feond seide : “ noufe fou dost wel, i-wis ! haddest fov i-don fus mani day : riche fou were are fis. 40 bi-com mi Man, a 7 zd do me homage : and fov schalt beo riche i-nov} ; For I-nelle no man lielpe bote mine owene : and elles I dude WOV 3 .” II “ Ich bi-come fi man,” quath Teofle : “ and clanliche to fe take.” 1 “ Certes, beau frere,” quath fe Deuel : “wel muche fov most for- sake I 1 al. 4 vv. more. 44 J)ov most fur-sake god fat fe schop : and alle halewene also.” “ And ich heom for-sake,” Teofle seide : “ for fine will© ichulle do.” 1 “ Saunz faille, beu frere,” fe Deuel seide : “ fou ne mutest speke no bet. P fol. 128 b.] J)ou art noufe sone riche man I-nov^. : ake ofing ^eot fe let ; 48 bote fou it do, it is for nou 3 t : al fat we habbez i-do : })ou most for-sake for- with 1 god : Marie, is moder, al-so ; 1 ai. foij? mid For bote fou it wolle do : i-nam siker of fe nou 3 t — For manie fat weren in Mine se[r]uise : heo hath fram me ibroi^t.” “And ich fur-sake,” Teofle seide : “ hire sone, and hire al-so, And fe ich bi-take lijf and soule : al fine wille to do.” “ Ov, beu frere,” fe deuel seide : “ 3 eot ich am a-drad : For Marie so ofte hath : mine Men fram me i-lad ; 56 Word nis a- 3 ein hire bote wind : for fei a man hire for-sake, 3if he wole a- 3 ein to hire i-wende : gladliche heo wole him take. })are-fore ichulle beon siker of fe : er ich mongy with f e : guode chartres of fis foreward : fou schalt makie me, 60 And writen hire with fine owene honde : and a-selen hire al-so. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. U 290 ST. THEOPHILUS BINDS HIMSELF TO THE DEVIL BY DEED, AND BECOMES RICH, BUT FEARS THE DEVIL WILL BETRAY AND KILL HIM. 3 wan J?ou hast i-don al Jus : June wille ichulle do.” Teofle gmuntede Jus a-non : chartre he wrou^te sone And a-selede hire with is ryng : ase foreward was to done ; 64 he sat on kneo and tok is maister : and custe is fet al-so. “ HouJje, teofle,” Jje schrewe seide : “ Jjov hast al wel i-do. 1 bi superscrbd. Jois chartre ichulle so faste hi 1 -louke : In helle, ^wanne ich hom come, joat I ne drede me nou^t J»at heo worjje : )>oru 3 Marie me bi-nome. 68 And wiend Jjou hom, and beo studefast : ase ichulle a^ein J?e : So riche man nere Jjou neuere : ase Jjou worst sone Jioru me." be feond wende hom to helle : and teofle hom al-so, And Jjonkede J>e gywe alle guode : J?at he him hadde ido. 72 A -More we, so sone ase hit was day : J>e bischop after teofle sende, J?at lie to him wel hasteliche : with-oute ani defaute wende. Merci he criede wel deolfulliche : J>o he to him cam, And bi-tok him a 3 ein is power : Jjat he er him bi-nam. 76 Te fle bi-cam a-non so riche : J>at so riche man non nas ; Ase louerd and sire ech man him heold : wel muche is power was ; Eche man was glad to queme him. : Men wondreden of J?at cas, And seiden, “ it nis in Jus world : bote si haut e si bas.” 80 AVorldes richesse he hadde i-nou^ : and worldes blisse al-so. Alas, J>at ani cristine Man scholde : in }>at manere come }>are-to ! U Hit bi-feol Jjare-after-ward : In wel luyte stounde J)at Jje giv J?at him Jjere-to brou^te : with tricherie was i-founde ; 84 I-nome he was and to dome i-brou^t : and to strongue dej>e i-do : Eur-barnd he was Jjoru Iuggement : and to late he was so ! H bo teofle him onder-stod— : Inisheorte he Jjou^te bat J?e Deuel, with ^wam J>e giv was : to Jjulke dejje him brou^te. 88 boi^te he, “ nam ich al-so with him 'l : and Jjei ich beo riche ane stounde, He schal ich neuere i-wite }>e tyme : are he me bringue to grounde : banne were ich fur-lore lijf and soule! rand ich am to him i-bounde 1 So faste, J)at Ine may me with-drawe. : alas J?at ilke stounde ! c 1 foi. 129] Alas, 3 wy ne hadde ich i-beo rajjur ded : Jjane 1 i-don Jmlke dede ! Nabbe ich fur-sake heom echone : J>at me scholden helpe and rede? hou m^te ich hopie of grace : 3 wane ich heom habbe fur-sake? 95 A sunful wreche ich am, alas : nas neuere i-seie mi make ! 1 ms. h>i»ne ST. THEOPHILUS REPENTS, AND PRAYS TO OUR LADY FOR 40 DAYS 291 AND 40 NIGHTS. SHE HAS MERCY ON HIM, AND BIDS HIM BE SHRIVEN. god is so ri^tful fat to him : ne hopie ich nou$t fere-fore, bote ich habbe ore leuedie grace : certus, ich am fur-lore. For heo was euere ful of milce : and fei ich hire habbe for-sake, hou ich euere fare-of spede : to hire grace ichulle me take.” 100 To churche he wende to ore leuedi auter : and cride hire milce and ore, his kneon he beot a-^ein f e eorfe : weopinde swyfe sore ; On hire he cride and weop ful sore : bofe ny^t and day, Out of fe chapele nolde he nou^t : ake euere fare-inne he lay. 104 F Ourty dayes and fourty ny$t : on hire he criede faste. hire milce, fat euere was so guod : heo scheowede him at f e laste : For ase he criede on hire so $eorne : fat swete mayde so hende 107 cudde hire milde-hede, and fram heouene : to him a-doun gan wende. “hov mi^te ich,” heo seide, “fou wrechche Man : eny grace fe take, And hou mi^te ich to mi sone for fe bidde : $wane fou hast him for-sake h ” “ A, leuedi, leuedi,” teofle seide : “ noufe, leuedi, fin ore ! Ich habbe i-sunegut manne mest : fat rewez me wel sore. 112 haue merci of fis sunfule wrechche ! : I-nelle do sunne non-more, Ake, $if fou wolt me fine grace ^iue : Ichulle don al fi lore.” “))ov sunfule man,” ore leuedi seide : “ asemuche ase on me is, to fe ichulle beo milde I-nov^ : and to alle cristine men, i-wis : 116 For ich louie muche cristine Men : And norichi heoin al-so, and euere am redi to heom a-l^te : heore bone forto do ; And swif e muche ich folie ofte : mine sone to maken life, ])dt he ne nimez of heom grete wreche : ase he wolde ofte-sife. 120 Ake sch[r]yf fe to him of fine sunnes : fat was i-bore of me And fat folede deth for sunfule men : and ichulle bidde for fe.” “ Leuedi, merci,” Teofle seide : “ vnwuyrfe ich am f er-to, with fat Mouth fat ich him for-sok : swuch schrift to him do.” 124 “3us, hardiliche,” ore leuedi seide : “for he is milde and softe; Wel fou wost fat sunfule men : gret loue he cuth wel ofte. For he was for sunfule Men i-bore : and to defe for heom i-do, he mot nede to heom beo milde : for ri^t kuynde it wole so.” 128 U 2 292 THR VIRGIN MARY WINS FORGIVENESS FROM CHRIST FOR THEO- PHILUS, AND GETS HIM BACK HIS DEED OF COVENANT WITH THE DEVIL. T eofle bi-gan fo weope and crie : “louerd, merci,” lie sede, “ to fe icli me schriue w T itb deolful heorte : for mi lufcr mis- dede. haue merci of me, al-so wisliclie : ase fou were for me i-bore And for us foledest deth : fat we ne scholden beo fur-lore ! 132 pencil noufe, louerd, on mine wrechhede ! : swete Ihesu, ])in ore ! Do me June milce, icli bidde J»e, louerd : i-nelle do sunne neuere-eft more.” IT “Teofle, teofle,” ore leuedi seide : “for fi cristine-dom, An for pite fat icli habbe of enstine men : sethfe mi sone mi flesch nom, IMS. me 136 I-chulle bidde on mine bare kneon : mi sone for f e 1 wel sone. beo studefast, ase fou hast bi-gonne 1 : and he wole i-heore fi bone.” with fis word Teofle nuste : 3 ware ore leuedi bi-com. ims. bi-goume he iveop and cride euere ^eorne : and al to hire grace him nom. 140 J)reo dawes w r ith-oute mete and drinke : fare he gan a-bide in wop and sor and deol j-nou^ : on ore leuedi euere he cried e. O re lauedi cam fo al li^inde : and with glade semblaunt aLo, “ Teofle,” heo seide, “ fou hast noufe sone : penaunce i-nou^ i-do; 144 beo glad and blife, for icli habbe i-bede : mine sone milce and ore, ]}at he hath fine sunnes f e fur-^yue. : ne sunegue fov nonmore ! ” “ I-hered beo fov,” teofle seide : “ and fi holie grace, And i-blessed beo fe tyme fat ich to fe : criede in fusse place ! 148 Leuedi, euere ich am a-drad : and siker nam ich nou^t, Are fe chartre fat ich him 1 made : leuedi, to me beo i-brou 3 t : ^m. him Leuedi, fou art ful of milce : fat fou me schewest in fis place : 3 wane fi milce, leuedi, is so muche : do me ferof fine grace ! ” 152 “ Nov sone, theofle,” ore leuedi seide : “ 3 eot ichulle fe milde beo,” with fis word heo wende forth : fat he ne m^te hire more i-seo. hire milce heo scheowede, for heo cam : lo him fene fridde day And brou 3 te fe chartre and bi-te^te as him : ase he a-slepe lay, 156 And wende a^ein wel stilleliche — : and fo Theofle a-wok, f)c chartre he heold in is liond : fat ore leuedi him bi-tok. glad and blife he ivas i-nou 3 : and me funchez fat he wel oi^te ! ST. THEOPHILUS CONFESSES HIS SINS TO ALL FOLK. HIS 293 DEVIL’S-COVENANT IS BURNT. HE DIES, AND GOES TO HEAVEN. Ore lauedie he ponkede and hire grace : pat to swucke guodnesse him brou^te . 1 1 al. 2 vv. more. 160 U ]?is cas bi-feol in leinte : on a satures-day at ni^t. A-morewe, pene sonenday : pe day was cler and hri^t 1 , w ^ s ^ t as day j)e hischop and is clerkes : and muche folk al-so to churche comen, ase r^t was : godes seruise to do. 164 Ei 3 t po godspel was i-rad : Theofle forth him wende. To pe hischopes fet he feol a-doun : and pene Deuel more he schende : he tolde pe bischope euerech del : and al pe folke al-so, Jpat foreward 1 and pe sikernesse : J>at he hadde pe Deuele i-do, 168 And hov of pe Deueles rni^te : ore swete leuedi him caste 1 ms. ferewavd And brou^te him pe chartres pat he made : pat hi-loke was in helle faste. j)e chartre bi-fore al pat folk : he let pe bischope rede, ])at ech man i-sei^e is lupere sunne : and ore leuedie mildhede. 172 ]) a[t] folk wolde pe chartre witen : for miracle, pat 1 buy hede. 1 ai. as “ A, Merci, merei, for godes loue ” : Theofle ofte seide, “ For pe ^wyle pe chartre is i-hol : $eot euere-more me dredeth; Are heo beo to douste i-brent : siker lijf ne mai ich lede.” 176 p)e chartre huy barnden bi-fore heom alle : put ech man mi^te i-seo. “ Certes,noupe ich hopie,” theofle seide : “ pat siker ich mouwe heo.” H \)o pe hischop hadde is masse i-do : pat folk cam mani-folde A-houte Theofle in eche side : pat wonder to bi-holde. 180 hri^tore pane pe sonne, heom Jjou^te : he schon in-to al is face, ])at non ne mi^te for br^thede : bi-holde him in pat place. [foi. 130] lie diet dele and 3 iue pouere men : pat 1 gnod wel clene pere, 1 ai. ins And seide pat he out of churche nolde : pe 3 wile he a-liue were. 184 To pe stude he wende a-non : pat 1 ore leuedi to him a-l^te 1 ai.]>e r And brou 3 te him pe chartres of is sunnes : poru 3 hire swete m^te. A-non-ri 3 t he bi-gan to sikni : and pare r^t a-doun lay ; his brepren he custe echone : and deide pene pridde day. 188 pat folk dude hi him pat was to done : and bureden him r^t pere. his soule wende to heuene 1 anon : pare I-cholde we alle were. For he is a seint in heuene an hei 3 : and his day fallez in pe 3 ere A luyte bi-fore Aueryl : ase pe bok us doth lere. ims. henene 192 Wel fair Miracle ore leuedi dude : pat brou 3 te him of pulke wo, Ase heo hath manye opere i-don : and 3 eot heo wole wel 1110 . 294 ST. GEORGE OF CAPPADOCIA REFUSES TO WORSHIP DACIAN’S FALSE GODS, AND IS HORRIBLY TORTURED BY HIM. 43 [George] O Eint George ])e holie man : ase we findez i-write, In ]?e londe of Cappadoce : lie was i-bore and bi^ite. J ie false godes he for-sok : and tornede to cristine-dom, And louede Iesu cnst swi)>e wel : and holi man bi-com. 4 Dacian, )>e lupere prince : J?at was in Jmlke stounde, Alle )>e cristine men ))at he fond : lie let briugue to grounde. A day, ase he honourede is false godes : and opere manie on, Seint George I-sai^ al J>is : ase he cam )>are-forth gon. 8 J)e signe he made of Ipe croiz : and blessede him al-a-boute And Armede him poru^ J)e holie gost : with-Inne and with-oute, he wende him forth wel baldeliche : and wel loude bi-gan to grede To Dacian and to Alle his : and j>eose wordes sede : 12 “ Alle false godes so beoth : deuelschine, i-wis ; For ore louerd made lieuene : ase in )>e sautere i-writen it is.” J>o Dacian i-heorde pis : he grennede and femde faste, And lourede with sori semblaunt : and peos wordes out he caste : 16 “ Belamy, ^wat art pou : pat so gret fol art and so bold, J>at in ovre power and bi ovre godes : swuclie wordes hast i-told 1 pov ne dost us nou 3 t one schame : ase we alle I-seoth, Ake ore godes and us, 3 wane J)ou seist : pat buy deuelene beoth. 20 Tel me sone of 3 wannes pou art : and 3 \vat is pi r^te name, ^s.echwch pat darst us segge and ore godes : Jms baldeliche swch 1 schame.” “ George, ich hote,” pis opur seide : “ and cristine man ich am, And out of pe loud of cappadoce : hidere to eov ich cam.” 24 “ bel amy,” seide Dacian : “ torne J>i word a-non And honoure here ovre godes : ojmr it schal an-o)>ur gon.” “Beo stille, pov fol,” seint George seide : “ j>ou spext embe nou 3 t, For ich habbe on Iesu crist : I-fastned al mi J)ou 3 t.” 28 “ A, traytour,” seide Dacian : “ wolt ])ov take on so ? )jov schalt in o))ere ribaudies : sone da^es beo i-do.” he liet him hangi up an hei 3 : In one-manere rode And J)are-to him binde faste al naked : with ropes strongue and guode. with kene Owles Jier-under : j)e tormentores stode [fol. 130 b.] And to-drowen is holie lymes : ]?at faste huy ronne on blode ; 34 Al huy to-teren is te[n]dre flesch : ]?e peces fullen to grounde j ST. GEORGE IS SCOURGED AND SALTED, PUT ON A WHEEL OF 295 SWORDS, AND THROWN INTO A FURNACE OF BOILING LEAD. Brenninde eoyle huy nomen sethfe : and casten In fe wonnde. 36 fo buy hadden him so longue to-drawe : fat reoufe it was to seo, huy hi-fou 3 ten heom of more wo : and nomen him a-doun of fe treo : with smarte scourges huy leiden on him : and wounde op-on ofur made — to fe hare bon fe scourgene comen : ase fe Owles hadden i-wade ; 40 f e woundene huy selten sethfe : and salt ful p icke caste, And sethfe with a clout of here : roddeden p e woundes faste. louerd, muche was fe pine fat he hadde : ech ope of ur fere, fo men selten so is quike flesch : and roddeden so with here ! 44 Beufe it was swuch pine to se : ho-so ou^t of reufe were; And euere lay fe guode Man : ase fei him nof ing nere. IT fo Dacian i-sai^ fat he ne m^te : ouer-comen him so, he let binde f ene holie man : and in strongue prisone do. 48 fare he lai al f e longue n^t : to of ur wo fat he hadde. A-morewe fe tormentores eft-sone : bi-fore Daciane him ladden. In eche manere huy fondeden fo : 3 if huy mitten tuyrne is fou^t. Ake fo huy i-se^en euerech-one : fat it was al for nou 3 t, 52 Dacian let makie a weol of bras : so strong ase he m^te, And scharpe sweordes wel ficke a-boute : fare-on faste he pi^te : he let nime fis holie man : and fare-aboue him do, fat fe swerdes scholden is bodi to-rende : and to-drawe al-so. 56 So sone ase huy fis guode man : a-boue fusse 3 weole broi^te, fat 3 weol to-brac, ase god it wolde : and to-bruysde al-to nou 3 te ; So fat fis holie man : harmles f arof he was. Dacian was swife wroth : fo he i-sai 3 fat cas. 60 U A forneis he let maken 1 of bras : and fullen it ful of led j 1 al. nyine he let maken a strong fuyr i-nov 3 : ase he nam sone is red. ho fat led was al i-molte : and boylede swife faste, he let nirnen fis holie man : and r^t a-middes caste. 64 S Eint George nam up is liond : and fe croiz bi-fore him made, And in fe wallinde led : baldeliche he gan wade. fare-Inne he sat wel softe a-doun : ase fei him nof ing nere, And leonede to f e brerde stille : ase fei he a-slepe were ; he lai ase fei he in reste were : for-to fat led atf e laste was al in-to fe colde i-turnd : fat boylede er so faste. 68 296 st. george’s head is cut off, after his prayer is granted. ST. EDMUND IS KING OF SUFFOLK, IN EAST ENGLAND. Louerd, muche is pi mi^te : ase men mitten J)are i-seo, pat ani man mi^te in ]?e wallinde led : so longue harmles beo ! 72 IT po Dacian pis i-sei^ : his wit him was nei} bi-nome ; “ Maliun,” he seide, “ hov geth pis 1 : 3 ware is novpe pi m^te bi-come ? 3 wane I-ne may jus foule peof : ouer-come in pusse wise, I schal bi-nime him sone is lijf : pare he ne schal neuere a-rise.” 76 his dom he gan to ^iue a-non : pat huy seint George nome L 1 foi. hi] 1 And drowen him poru^-ovt 2 al pe toun : for-to huy with-oute come, [& pat ] 3 huy smiten of his heued : with-oute pe toun atpe laste, And is bodi pare in sum foul place : to wilde bestes it caste. 80 bo pis dom was pus I^yue : hit nas no^t i-lete : *«m.SSeiSsf d ’ huy nomen and drowen pis holie man : villiche poru 3 pe strete, Forto huy comen with-oute toun : pare huy wolden is heued of smite, heore wepne huy drowen forth and 3 wetten hem : kene forto bite. 84 “ Leoue brepren,” seint George seide : “ one stourcde a-bidez 3 uyte, For-to ich habbe to Iesu crist : mine bone i-bede a luyte.” IT his hondene he heold up on hei 3 : a-doun he sat on kneo, And seide, “ swete louerd Iesu cnst : pat alle ping mi 3 t i-seo, 88 graunte me, 3 if pi wille is : pat, ho-so in guode manere lialewez mine day in Aueiil : for mi loue on eorpe here, pat pare ne falle in pat hous : no qualm in al pe 3 ere, Ne gret sijknesse ne hongur strong : pat parof beo no fere; 92 And ho-so in perile of pe se : to me bit is bone, Opur in any opur stude perilous : louerd, pov lielpe heom sone ! ” IT po i-heorden huy a voiz in heuene : pat to him seide, i-wis : “ Mi blessede child, cum here foith to me : pi bone i-heord is.” 96 po is heued was of i-smite : ase al pat folk i-sei 3 , Aungles nomen is swete soule : and to heuene beren on hei 3 « pare he is in grete Ioye : pat last with-outen ende. Nov god for seint Georges loue : late ore soule pudere w T ende. 100 44 Vita sancti Eadmundi regis. S Eint Eadmund pe holie kyng : i-bore was here bi este 1 In pe on ende of Engelonde : of 3 wam Men makiez feste ; For of southfolke he was kyng : and of pe conti eie wel wide, bare weren in Enguelonde po : kyngus in fale side. 4 ST. EDMUND, THE KING OF SUFFOLK, IS TAKEN BY HINGUAIt, 297 BOUND, AND CONDEMNED TO DEATH. Swyfe fair kny 3 t and strong lie was : and hardi and quoynte, Meoke and milde and ful of milce : and large in eclie poynte. Twey princes of an ofur lond : j?at weren in lufere foi^te, Nomen heore red to-gadere faste : to bringue enguelond to nou^te ; 8 hubba was J>at on i-hote : and }?at ofur lie^te liyngaar. Into enguelond buy comen with gret herd : are ani man were i-war : In Nortli-humberlond buy bi-gunne : and fare huy slowen to grounde And robbeden and barnden al to nou^t : and destruyden al fat buy founde. 1 2 fo huy badden north-humberlond : clanlicbe a-doun i-brou^t, Al-so buy wolden al enguelond : and fou^ten buy nolden blinne no 113 1 : hynguar, fat fe 0 . maister was : bis felawe be bi-lefde fere, hubba, [&] wende here bi este : to quelle fat fare were. 1 G Of fe guodnesse of seint Eadmund : be heorde muclie telle : Into is lond he wende a-non : to fondi him to quelle. Into is liexte toune he cam : er any man were i-war, And robbede furst al fat be fond : and made fane toun wel bar ; 20 And al-so he slov fat folk to grounde : al fat he m^te of-gon, }ong and old, wyf and Mayde : be ne sparede neuere on. pfoi. mb.] children fram heore moder breste : be drov and let beom quelle 1 And al-to-bewe bi-fore f e moderes : fat reuf e it was to telle ; 2 1 U fare- After be let f e Moderes a-sle : sorewe fare was I-UOV3 ! fane toun be barnde al to douste : and al fat folk a-slov 3 . he axede at some of f e men : 3 ware heore kyng were ; And buy te^ten him 3 ware be was : buy ne dorsten non-of ur for fere : In fe toune of Eglesdone : a guod wei fannes, be was. 29 fo fe lufere prince heorde fat : be ne made no softe pas, Ake wende him fudere ful hastifliche : with is lufere men ecb-one. buy comen and metten fane liolie kyng : with-oute fe 3 ate al one. 32 A-non so hynguar wuste fat it was be : be let him nime fere, And bi-segi is Men alle : fat with-Inne were. 1 w. 37 -s are to be transposed. 11 fis bolie kyn[g] was faste Inome. : and In a luyte stounde hi9 Bi-fore fe prince he was i-lad : naked and faste i-bounde, ISliimnMn 1 For-to a-fongue fare is dom : and non so men him nome (!), 2 37 B^t as men ladden ore louerd bi-fore pilatus : for-to a-fongue is dome. In a wode as he was i-lad : to a treo buy him bounde 298 ST. EDMUND IS BEATEN AND SHOT AT; HIS HEAD IS CUT OFF, AND HIDDEN IN A SECRET PLACE, BUT FOUND BY A WOLF. And with smarte scourges beoten him sore : and maden him many a wounde. 40 Jus holie man stod euere stille : he ne grochcliede nou^t ene, Ake euere he cride “ god, pin ore ! ” : and non opur he nolde him mene. So pat Jus lupere tormentores : pat beoten him so sore, 1 ai. >ei * ai. om. Jjou^ten pat 1 huyliimschame duden : and 2 hovhuy mi 3 ten donhim more, huy benden heore bouwene and stoden a-feor : and heore Arewene ri^ten : Ase to ane marke huy schoten to him : ase euene ase huy mitten, pe Arewene stikeden on him ful picke : and al is bodi to-drowe ; And euere stod pis holie man : r^t stille, ase pei he lowe. 48 Ase ful ase is an Irchepil : of piles al-a-boute, So ful he stikede of Arewene : with-Inne and with-oute, So ful, pat in none stude : on Arewe ne m^te In wende bote he for-korue some ojmre : more is bodi to rende. 52 Ase pe holie man i-Martred w T as : seint Sebastian, Also huy serueden is holie bodi : and schoten pane holie man, pat euerech pece fram opur fleu : pat wonder was of is liue. And euere he stod ase him no rou^te : and cride on god wel bliue. 56 po hynguar i-sai 3 pat huy ne mitten : pare- with ouer-come him nou^t, A-non he let is heued of smyte : pat he were of liue i-brou^t. A se pis holie man is beden bad : a man smot of is heued ; And 1 is bodi was 2 al-to-rend : and nou 3 t i-hol bi-leued. 60 And for it w r as so al-to-drawe : huy leten it ligge pere. 1 ai. ac * al. was er Ake, for men ne scholden nou 3 t finde is heued : forth with lieom huy it here Into pe wode of Eglesdone : ane 1 derne stude huy founde : 1 ms. a»e ane A-mong picke pornes huy it casten : and hudden it in pe grounde. 64 po heo liadden of pis holie kyng : al heore wille pere, glade and blipe huy wenden forth : lupere Men ase it were, pat heued huy hudden derneliche : pat no cristine man ne come, 3if pat pare ani bi-lefte a-lyue : and with him pannes it nome. 1 68 A wilde wolf pare cam sone : and to pe heuede he drov 3 , pfoi. 132] And pare oppe he lai and wuste it faste : a^ein is kuynde i-nouv 3 — Eor is kuynde were more to for-swolewen it — : and lickede 1 it ofte and CUSte, 1 MS. lickedcn st. Edmund’s cut-off head speaks, his body is enshrined. 299 ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL. And ri^fc ase lie wolde is owene ^welp : with wilde bestes itwuste. 72 U Sethpe pare comen c?-istine Men : and in sum power weren i-brou 3 t : pat liolie hodi huy founden sone : for it nas i-hud ri^t noi^t. Ake for huy ne founden nou 3 t pat heued : a-houte huy wenden wide And soi^tten it longue, In manie studes : euerecli in his side. 76 huy ne nn^ten it finde for no pyng. : so pat huy comen ane day hi-sides pulke picke pornes : pare ase pat heued lai. huy nusten nou 3 t pat it was pere. : po bi-gan pat heued to grede, Ase it a-mong pe pornes lay : and r^t peose wordes sede : 80 U “ Here, here, here,” with swete voyz : ase pei he were a-liue. po pat folk i-heorde pat : puder-ward huy wenden bliue : pat heued huy founden in pulke stude : ase hit him-sulf sede. Louerd, i-hered beo pi m^te : pat pare was a fair dede ! 84 pat heued huy beren to pe bodi : and setten it euene pare-to, And beren it forth with gret honovr : ase r^t was forto do. 1 T O seint Eadmundesburie huy ladden him : ase men cleopiez noupe pene toun — 1 ai. & w. more, pare is on Abbeie of blake Monkes : ase huy setten him a-doun. 88 In swype noble sclirine huy brou 3 ten him : ase r^t was for-to do. pare he lijth 3 eot hoi and sound : ase heo i-seoth pat comieth him to : Eor is bodi pat was so to-drawe : hoi bi-cam a-non And sound, as pe 3 wyle he a-liue was : hope of flesch and bon; 92 IT pat heued al-so faste to pe bodi : ase it was euerer. In al is bodi nas o weom : pat man mi^te i-seo per, bote ase is heued was of I-smyte : ase ore louerd it wolde, A smal red line is al-a-boute : scliininde ase of golde. 96 A swype fair pilegrimage it is : pudere forto fare, Eor-to honouri pat holie bodi : pat pare hath i-leie so 3 are. Novpe god for pe loue of seint Eadmund : pat was so noble king, graunte us pe Ioye pat he is Inne : aftur ovre ending. Amen. 100 45 [Milhel]. 1 S Eynt M^hel pe Archaungel : and is felawes also, huy beoth bi-tweone ore louerd and us : to schewi 3wat we schulle do. 1 This legend I have published before in ‘ Lemcke, Jahrbuch fur rom. und engl. phil., 1874.’ 300 ST. MICHAEL. AN ARROW SHOT BY GARGAN AT HIS OX ON A HILL, RECOILS AND WOUNDS HIM, BY ST. MICHAEL’S WILL. Ane day huy habbez in J>e 3 ere : poru 3 al cristincdom. Jjotu} fair miracle of seint Michel : pe day a man 1 furst nom. 1 at . me 4 In pe one ende of Apuyle : a gret bul pare was and hei^ J»at pe hul gargan is i-cleoped : for a man pat pare was nei^, ))at gargan i-cleoped was — : J?e hul pare-fore hatte so. pis gargan was wel riche man : and in gret power i-do. 8 hit bi-feol preo hundret ^er : and euene twenti ri^t Aftur J>at ore louerd for us : In is Moder was a-lij 3 t, j ) at garganes reoperen : and ojmre bestes I-nowe A Morewenes op-on pe he^e hulle : to heore lesewe heom drowe. 12 An cue pis ruperene wenden hom : as heore wone was, ech-one. Bote o bole, pat he louede muche : was bi-hynden al one : Opon pe hexte toret of pe hul : pe bole wel euene dro\ T 3 . And po pe louerd bine miste an euen : a-nuyd he was i-nov 3 ; 16 With him he nam men i-nowe : and sou 3 te into al J>at lond : Opon J>e hexte hurste of al pe hulle : atpe laste he him fond. he nam one aruwe envenimed : in grete wrath e I-no \'3 And schet to pis selie bole : and with grete strencpe i-ncv 3 1 1 ai. drou 3 20 Ake pis Arewe tornede euene a- 3 ein : to him pat hire schet, And smot him, ase it in wreche were : deope wounde and gret. Nov was pat a wonder Arewe : and wonder wei heo sou 3 te ! I-ne kepte nou 3 t leorni so forto scheote : ne swuch arewe pat man me broi^te. 24 A wonder schere-wynd heo was on : womme 3 wat heo poi^te ! Ake euere me pinchez he pat hire schet : pe game sore a-boi^te. — pat folk pat pare-a-boute stod : in grete wonder was ; to pe bischope huy wenden anon : and tolden him al pat cas. 28 pe bischop was in grete fere : and in grete pou 3 te stod ; A tokningue it was, he wuste wel : of vuele opur of guod : he hiet al pe contreye a-boute : In oresor.es anon-r^t to beo And pre dawes in fastingue al-so : pis tokningue forto seo. 32 S eint Michel after pene pridde day : to pe bischope he com, And seide, “ hou pinchez pe of pis dede 1 : was it a wonder dom 1 Ne pinche ov no wonder par-of : for mi wille it was, i-wis : For Ichulle witie wel pulke stude : pat in mine warde is ; And In pusse manere ich it schewi eov : pat 3 e pe sope i-seo, 36 ST. MICHAEL SLAYS, BY LIGHTNING, SARACENS WHO FIGHT 301 CHRISTIANS ON HIS HILL. HE SETS A CHURCH THERE. And fat $e honouri fulke stude : for is wardein ichulle beo.” IT f e bischop with procession : swyf e fair and hende, For-to honouri f ulke holie stude : mildeliche he gan i-wende. 40 A noble churche huy founden fare : with walles faire and proute ; huy ne dorsten nou^t fare-nei 3 come : heore preiere huy duden with-OUte . 1 1 v - 41 ’ 2 spurious ? fare-aftur-ward al fat folk of fe lond : fat I-cristned were Aldai comen to fulke hulle : heore beden to bidde fere. — 44 Sethf e [it f ul ] 1 fare-after-ward : fat Saracines fare come 1 om. And weorreden f e cristine men : and bataylle a- 3 ein heom nome : fo het fe bischop of 1 fat folk : fulke dayes freo 1 at. ai to seint Michel bidden faste : and in fastingue al-so beo. 48 f e f ridde ny 3 t seint Michel : to f e bischope cam eft-sone , 1 1 ms. eft ftsone And seide, “ lat 3 arki al f i folk : f e bataille for-to done, fat 3 e to-day fare-Inne beon : r^t atfe feorfe tyde, And with eov Ichulle fare beo : sum -3 ware fare-bi-side.” 52 fe bischop was f 0 glad i-nou 3 . : fat folk was sone 3 are, f e tyme fat he hadde i-set : to f e batayle forto fare. T O-gadere huy smiten opon fe hulle : ake it was ido a-non : for fare cam a gret deork cloude : and ouer-caste heom ech-on, And f e leitingue smot fere and fere : f e luf ere men to grounde ; Six hundret it a-slov of heom : in wel luytel stounde. [foi. 133] 58 heore felawes flowen faste a-non : and ascapeden onnefe ; fare nas non fat ne was longue sijk : of ur deide in strongue def e. 60 f us seint M^hel sturede him fo : a-mong heom feor and ner. f 0 was it soth fat seint Dauid : seide in f e sauter : “ fat ore [louerd] makez is Aungles : ase gostes fleojnde, And heom fat beoth is ministres : ase fuyr berninde.” 64 Godes ministres aungles beoth : seint M^hel and of ere mo ; fat ase gostes flowen fo vn-seie : in fourme of fnyre fo. A wonder game huy pleiden fere — : fat m^te segge heore fon ; Betere heom hadde at horn i-beo : and i-piked heore ton ! 68 IF fis cristine Men a-morewe : 3 arkeden heom fule wel And wenden to fis holie hul : to fonki seint Michel, fo founden huy ane churche fere : swyfe quoynte a rerd. fe bischop was f 0 glad I-nov 3 : and sumdel he was a-ferd : 72 302 st. Michael’s footmarks are found in his church, and three ALTARS. MICHAELMAS DAY TO BE KEPT THROUGH CHRISTENDOM. he nuste hou fe churche cam : ne ho hire hadde a-rerd fere, He ^wefer seint Michel wolde : fat heo i-halewed were — For him foi^te fat hit was ri^t : to halewi churchene newe. Seint Michel wel ^eorne he had : fat was is freond wel trewe, 7 6 fat he heom sende sum tokningue : $wat he scholde f arof do ; f reo dawes he let fat folk fasten : and heore beden bide al-so. 3eot cam seint Michel eft-sone : to fe bischope fere, And seide, “ne fench nou^t on mine churche : fat ich let mi-seolf a-rere ! For ich habbe fe churche a-rerd : and I-halewed al-so. 81 And far-of fov schalt signe i-finde : 3 wane fov comest fere-to : For wiend In atfe est-porche : and ase ich habbe i-gon Mine fet fov schalt finde I-sene : ri^t in fe Marbre-ston. 84 Sing fare fine hei^e-masse : and $if fat folk also Ore louerdes flesch and is blod : 3 wane fe masse is ido ! ” H j)o bischop wel sone a-Morewe : to fe churche him drov^, And fis folk al-so with him : with offringue fair I-110V3. 88 At f e est-porche huy wenden In : and in f e Marbre-ston fe stapes huy founden I-sene : ase seint Michel hadde igon. Innore-more huy wenden ^uyt : weouedes huy founden freo, With rede palles huy weren i-heoled : fe faireste fat mitten beo : 92 Ore swete lauedies was fat on : fat men scholden to bidde, fat ofur seint Iohanes fe baptist 1 : And seint peteres fat fridde. IT fe bischop song is masse fere : and sethfe atfen ende 1 m-?. bastist fat folk he dude hoseli al : are he wolde fanne wende. 90 fat folk to f ulke holie stude : aldai faste drou$ ; And ore louerd dude fare ofte a-day : fair Miracle I-nov^. So fat fe pope, fat was fo : foi ’113 fe Cardinales rede For honour of fulke stude : and seint M^heles holie dede, 100 And also for fe Miracle : [fat] foru} seint Michel com, Mi^hcles-masse-day he liiet halewi : foru^ al cristin-dom. — S eint Michel In nouembre : hath 3 eot an-of ur dai, [foi. iss b.] bi-fore fe feste of seint Luc : as ich ou telle mai. 104 foru^ seint M^heles wille : ri^t ase fe ofur was, And foru^ is lieste he was bi-founde : i-hereth foru^ $wat cas. Hit bi-feol seue hundred 3 er : and in fe teofe 3 ere rijt After fat ore swete louerd : in is Moder was a-lij' 3 t, 108 st. Michael's second church is built on the hill of toumbe, 303 FROM WHICH THE SEA WITHDRAWS ON ST. MICHAEL’S DAY. J)at to f e bischope Albert : seint Michel cam a-ni^t Ei-side f e Montaygne of Toumbe : ase it were in a sij^t : Opon fe hulle of Toumbe : ane cliurche be him liete 1 a-rere, 1 r. het Ki}t swuch one ase ope Jmlke of gargan : and J>at it bi-tyme were. 112 J>o bischop axede in $wuche stude : he scholde fe cliurche make. “I-chulle fe,” quath seint Michel : “guode tokne farof take : Ane bole fov schalt fare finde : fat feoues habbet fare i-hud, Opon fe he^e hulle of toumbe : fat nis nou^t ^eot i-kud. 116 fare ase fou finst fe bole I-hud : fov schalt mine churche a-rere.” f e bischop fat wel onder-stod : and bi-gan is churche fere, And fare a-rerde hire faire I-nov : to f e helpe of mani a man, In fe honour of seint Michel : ase hul 1 of gargan. 1 r.Hke 120 Opon he^e hulles f is churchene weren : bofe of seint M^hel — hei 3 man me finchez he wolde beo : for he louede hulles wel. he dude wel, for he m^te beo : at horn opon is owe And sittinde a-boute him wide i-seo : and fe contreie bet i-knowe, 124 And horn a- 3 ein f e sonere fleo : 3 wane fat he l^te lowe ; he ne f urte carie of non ofur weork : nofur to ripe ne mowe. For he let opon eifer hulle : areren a chapel, Muche folk fat 3 eot on eorfe is : onder-stant fat wel, 128 And 3 wane huy a-rereth anie churche : to massi Inne ofur rede godspel, Opon an hul bi custome : huy makiez of seint M^hel, Ase fe Mount of seint M^hel : and fe Mount a-gv al-so, And also of ere in fale studes : ho-so nimez 3 eme far-to. 132 I N’ fe grete se of Occean : f e hul of Toumbe is, fat geth a-bouten al fe world : In fat on ende, i-wis. Al-a-boute fe hulle geth fe se. : and In fe feste-daie euere-mo fe se. with-drauth 1 hire twies aday : fat ech man may druy 3 e gon Forto lionouri fulke holie stude — : and in non ofur tyme it nis 137 fat fe .se. ne geth al-a-boute : bote on fe feste-daie, i-wis. H So bi-feol In one time : fat fe se hire with-drou 3 * ms. hire w. hire In fe feste-da^e of fulke stude : and folk fare wende In I-110V3 : 140 So fat a womman grete with childe : cam In atfen ende, And nas nou 3 t so swift ase ofere weren : a^einward forto wende : fe .se. for-closede hire sone : and heo bi-lefte with- Inne; heo floterede fare in luyte reste : and in wel feble wunne. 144 304 ST. MICHAEL KEEPS A WOMAN AND CHILD ALIVE IN THE SEA FOR A YEAR. HE FIGHTS LUCIFER, WHO FELL FROM HEAVEN TO HELL. So fat heo bi-lefte fare : In wonder cas I- 110 V 3 , For-to it was on of ur ^er : J>at fe .se. hire with-drou} ; And hadde child fare In fe .se. : and at fe 3 eres ende hoi and sound with hire childe : fudere heo gan i-wiende — [foi. 134] 148 I-saued heo was in fe deope .se. : foru 3 fe grace of seint Michel. For-sofe, nis noufe no man aliue : fat hire coufe habbe i-wust so wel, Ne so hire i-fed and hire child : fat ne costnede noi^t a strav} : For fei heo hadde fisch and drink e : 3 e wuten wel it was rav 3 . 152 And so to floteri in fe grete .se ! : wounder, fat heo nadde i-beo ded. Seint Michel was a guod wardein : 3 wane we habbeth al i-sed ; Icholde ech man me hadde ane peny i- 3 yue : fat no coufe nou 3 t witen hire so ! Atfe feste-day at J?e hul of Toumbe : J>is dede was i-do. — 156 f e hul of Toumbe he is i-cleoped : for he is sumdel 1 nare 1 ms. sundei And long, ase Man may i-seo : ane Mannes burieles fare fat mannes bodi is Inne I-leid : 3 wane huy beoth here dede ; Also f ilke hul is long : and noi^t wel large In brede. 1 60 And fat is, ase fe .se. hath i-bete : faste on eifur side And hath fat sond a-rerd up on hei 3 : fat men mouwen i-seo wel wide, And far-of Imaket ane hul : narv and long i-wis ; More fane four hondret fet : fe hul so hei 3 is. — 164 M En synguez a-M^heles-masse-day : In holie churche also Of one bataile fat seint M^hel : with a dragun scliolde do : fat was fe lufere lucifer : fo he was 1 is felawe 1 ai. j?at was And sumdel is souerein : for-to he gan mis-drawe, 168 Ake fo he fat Aungel was : foru 3 is wicke pruyte Bi-cam to a lufer feond — : he bi^at fare-with luyte ! he feol out of is he^e sege : fat he ches a-mis, To fe deope putte of helle : fare is wonijngue is. 172 fram fe hexte stude fat is : with one swenge he cam To fe loweste stude, i-wis — : ane wonder wei he 11 am ! Nov sori beo he ! 3 wat was him? : 3 wi ferde fe schrewe so ? he pleyde with fe fallingue tourn : so wel he coufe bine do, 176 Iaumbe leue he cam swenge : Into helle grounde. A muregore In he hadde bi-fore : fat worse fare he founde ! A wonder sweng, me f inchez, he made ! : his bi ^ete was ful luyte ; of lucifer’s and his fellows’ fall, where less sinful 305 REBEL-ANGELS ARE. OF THE TEN ORDERS OF ANGELS. he may corsi euere-more : his mis-farinde pruyte. 180 for al-so sone as ore louerd I-maud : heouene and eorpe and helle, he makede him furst and is felawes : ase ich ov mai here telle. And he ase-sone ase he was iinaud : he bi-gan to smite in pruyte : Al-so hei^ ase ore louerd he wolde beo : he bi-^at pare- with wel luyte. Manie heolden faste with him : and nou 3 t alle of one lore : 185 And 1 manie likeden wel is dedene : some lasse and some more, 1 ai. om. Some ferden ase huy ne rou^ten : noper of on .ne of opur. 187 Jjare ne bi-lefte in heouene non of heom : ne heore maister noper. Seint Michel was maister to driuen heom : out of heuene a-doun : pat was pe batayle pat he made : with pe lupere dragoun. pe maister-dragoun lucifer : and is r^te felaw T es ech-on [} foi. 134 b.] pat faste heolden with is pruyte : he drof heom to helle anon. 192 Ake huy pat heolden sumdel with him : and no^t fulliche so faste, 1 Out of heouene he drof heom : and In-to pe lofte heom caste, Al here bi-nepe toward pe eorpe : pare mest tempeste is : And pare heo schullen in tempest and 1 in pine beo : to pe daye of dome, i-wis ; 1 in t. and al. om. 196 And ase hore gult pe more was : heore pine was 1 al-so, 1 ai.i s pe worse stude heom [was] i-take : heore penaunce for-to do. Ake to helle huy ne schullen nou 3 t : are domes-day i-wende ; Ak pare huy schullen after-Avard : bi-leue with-outen ende. 200 Opure pare weren pat for heom 1 : sumdel in mis-pou 3 te weren, ^.him Ake natheles huy heolden betere with god : and 2 vnnepe fur-bere : pulke wenden out of heouene al-so : and a-boue pe opure beoth, 2 ai. a C An hei 3 onder pe firmament : and godes wille i-seoth, 204 And so schullen sumdel in pine beo : a-non to pe worldes ende, Ake huy schullen at domes-day : a^ein to heouene wende. In eorthpeliche parays : some beoth 3 eot al-so, And in opur studes on eorpe : heore penaunce for-to do. — 208 For heore defaute in heouene : poru 3 ore louerdes grace Man was formest on eorpe i-wrou 3 t : to fulfulle pulke place. IF For ten ordres of Aungles : pare weren i-makede po, And pe teope ordre ful a-doun : In-to pine and wo : 212 And 3 eot pare beot ordres Nyne : and pare-fore man is i-wrou 3 t, To fulfulle pe teope ordre : pat was out of heouene i-brou 3 t. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. X 306 GOOD AND EVIL ANGELS CAUSE DREAMS, AND THE NIGHT-MARE. EVIL ONES BEGET OFFSPRING ON WOMEN ; AND AS WOMEN, LIE WITH MEN. S One so man was i-wrou3t : sunne he bi-gan to do And fur-gulte pe mnrie Ioie : pat he was i-maket to : In helle he was with lucifer : and with opure lupere fode, For-to ore louerd it bo^te : In flesch and in blode. pe lupere gostes beoth a-boute : with heore lupere ponwer To bi-traye wrechche men : and bringne into heore paunter ; And pe gnode beoth al-so a-boute : with power pat heore is For-to witien men fram sunne : pat huy ne wurchen a-mis. Bope pe lupere and pe guode : a-l^teth ofte a-doun And to men in hore slepe comieth : ase In a visioun, And scheowieth in metingue : mani a wounder dede, \)q guode of guode pingues : and pe lupere euere of quede, And deriez men in heore step : and bodieth seoruwe and care, And ofte huy ouer-liggez [men] : and 1 men cleopiet pe ni3t-mare — 228 For pat is al heore delict : 3wane huy mowen don men wo. 1 ai .\> at Ase peoues huy cheoseth pe ni3t : a-boute to fleo and go. Mest huy greuieth selie men : 3wane huy liggez upri3t ; heuie huy liggez on heom i-nov : nere heom erore so lij*3t : 232 huy liggez ase an heui stok : pat wolde ane Man a-stoffe, pat he ne may him wawie fot ne hond : ne vnnepes ani-ping pofFe. IF Dapeheit a swuch luper Caumberleyn : pat a-wakez men so sore, And god him 3iue sore we I-110U3 : and euere so leng pe more, 236 And alle pat louiez is compaygnie ! : for he nas neuere liende. 3if ani man him louez wel : ore louerd hyne him sende. — [foi. 135] pe schrewene wollez also ofte : mankun to bi-tra^e, A-l^te a-doun in mannes forme : bi n^te and bi daye, 240 And liggez ofte bi wommen : ase huy weren of flesch and of blode — Ake pulke bi-3ete pat huy bi^itez : neuere ne cometh to guode. And ofte in fourme of womman : a-day and eke a-ny3t huy latez men ligge heom bi : and bi-trayez heom ou3t-ri3t — 244 for huy wutez wel 3wuche beoz pe men : pat to folie habbeth wille : Al-one in some deerne stude : huy stondez panne wel stille, And Mani fol heom lijth so bi : In wodes and in mede. Ake pare nis non pat deth so : pat huy ne acoriez pe dede : 248 heore membres to-swellez sone : and some a-scapieth onnepe, And some for-dwynez al awei : for-to huy beon i-brou3t to depe ; 216 220 224 OUTCAST ANGELS ARE ELVES, BOTH IN COUNTRY AND TOWN. CHRIST 307 BOUND THEM, AND THEN THEY GOT SAVAGE LIKE A TIED-UP DOG. More wonder it is, for-sope : hov ani a-scapiez a-liue — for a swipe attri ping it is : to lefman opur to wyue. 252 And ofte in fourme of wommane : In many derne weye grete compaygnie men i-seoth of heom : hope hoppie and ple^e, pat Eluene beoth i-cleopede : and ofte beo comiez to toune, And bi daye muche in wodes heo beoth : and bi ni^te ope hei^e dounes. pat beoth pe wrechche gostes : pat out of heuene weren i-nome, 257 And manie of heom a-domesday : ^eot schullen to reste come. Ake peo schrewene pat beoth in toune 1 : bi ni^te and bi day^e fondieth with ^wuche feolonie : huy mouwen mest men bi-traie. — 260 Eor pulke tyme pat pe feond : ore furste fader i-wan 1 in t. ai. om. poru^ pat appel pat he him ^af : mayster he was of man ; he hadde faste al to him men i-bounde : for-to ore louerd us bou^te : And for men weren so alle his : pe lasse of heom he rou^te, 264 He noping he nas ginful : ase pe schrewene noupe beoth — for plente nis no deinte : ase we al day i-seot. he fierde ase doth a port-doggue : I-norischet in port-toun : for he geth ofte in prece of Men : a-mong heom op and doun, 268 He 3eme ne nimeth he to men : to beorken on heom no^t ene, Ake a-mong men he goth stille I-nov^ : bote ani man him hene : Al-so fierde pe deuel po : for mankun was al his, 1 ai. hem And hadde of him 1 so gret plente : he ne tolde nou3t par-of, iwis. 272 he nas no-ping clib to heom : for-to a-sailli heom with WOU3, Hon more pane pe port-hound : pat nei3 men geth I-nou3 ; 1 ai. nas He he nis 1 noping grim to bi-gyli men : ase he was bi-fore, 2 2az.nou}>eis Er pane 3 ore swete louerd : of Marie was i-bore. 3 a?.si»e 276 Hadde he i-beo swuch bi-fore : ase he was er 4 i-wis, 4 ai. ha> si»e Onnepe was pare ani Man : pat ne hadde i-beon al his. Ake ore louerd after is depe : In harde logge him broi^te And teide pane schrewe faste Inov3 : and dapeheit pat hit of-pou3te ! A teie doggue is clib I-nov : 3 wane man comez In is s^te, 281 And grennez and beorkez faste I-nov : and drai^th with al is m^te ; Ake 3if ani man cometh so nei3 : pat he sette on him is toth, [foi.is5b.] for-sope he bitez sore I-nov3 : ase all[e] swuche doth ; 284 he is clibbest op-on heom : pat arriet him with ston : Ake nei’3 no man ne may he come : bote pat to nei3 him wollez gon. x 2 308 THE DEVIL, BOUND, BARKS AT, AND BITES MEN AS A TIED-UP DOG DOES. NAMES OF THE DEVIL’S FINGERS, WHEREWITH HE TEMPTS MEN. N oujie late, sethjie he was iteid : J?e deuel farez al-so : he beorkez and grennez toward Men : ake he ne may heom nou 3 t do ; 1 w. 289-290 ai. om. 288 In is owene wrathjje he brennez : him-sulf he doth mest wo, Ake he ne mai no man a-reclie : bote ho-so wole allingues to him go . 1 And ^wane ani Man cometh him so nei$ : Jiat he mouwe him a-reche, Bite he wole harde I-nov} : and is lessun him teche, 292 pat, bote he tuyrne to amendement : and take to godes leche And of preoste beo wel i-schriue : him worth i-don gret wreche. IT Hardest J?e deuel bitez fe men : 3 wane ani comez him to Of heom J>at arreden him er : and guodnesse habbez i-do — 296 for Jiare-with Men him arrieth mest — : and 3 wuch so him wole with- drawe And comez so nei 3 pat he him mouwe a-reche : he cachchez him wel fawe And opon is pouwer harde bit — : his bitingues beoth wel ille. he ne may no man, ase 3 e i-seoth : taken a- 3 ein is wille, 300 Nonmore J?ane a tei 3 doggue : J>at is in strongue te^e. And 3 wane he ne may a-reche Men : ful wide he cast is e^e 3 if he may ani man i-seo : pat toward him wole drawe ; he bi-guynnez a-non for-to tolli him : ase man doth his felawe — 304 for 3 wane a man ne mai : his felawe bringue him nere, with is hond he tollez him : ase man pat seith “ Ich am here.” IF J?e Deuel tollez with is hond : ase wel as doth a man, And fif fingres pare-on he hath : )>at lie wel bi-sette can. 308 Ech of is fingres hath is name : ase we cleopiez ovre al-so. leste hatte “luttle man ” : for he is lest )>ere-to. J?e nexte finguer hatte “leche” : for 3 wane J?e leche makez 0113 1, with pat finguer he wole hit tasti : 3 if it is a-r^t i-wrou 3 t. 312 IF “ Longueman ” hatte midleste : for he lenguest is. Jie feorjie finguer hatte “ techere ” : for Jiere-with men techez i-wis, Ase a man pat seith “ lo he j>ere : of 3 wam we speken er longue.” for mannes Jjoumbe strenguest is : Jiare-fore he hatte “ j>e strongue.” Jianne hatte ])& leste luttle man : and Jie nexte hatte leche, 317 And sethpe pat ojiur longueman : Jie techare for he doth [teche], Strongue is ]>e Jioumbe I-cleoped : )>ou wost wel 3 wy it is : now THE DEVIL, WITH HIS LITTLE AND BIG FINGERS, TEMPTS 309 MEN TO SIN. HE STARTS WITH HIS LITTLE FINGER. peos fif fingres pe deuel hath : and heore names, i-wis. 320 pare-with he tollez men to him : ^wanne men stondez feor a-to And with fol pou^t toward him lokiez : and nutez ^wat he wollez do, And heore Inwit heorn seith : pat swype gret snnne it were, And grete wille huy habbez per-to : ^if huy dorsten for fere. 324 IF pe denel stant and wolde fain : henten heom bi pe polle : with “ hittle man,” is leste finguer : he bi-guynneth heom furst to tolle And seith, “ 3 ware-of art pou of-drad'? : a luyte sunne it is” — he makez pe sunne luyte Inov^ : for pe finguer is luyte, i-wis . 1 328 3 if he lie may with is luytel finguer : ane man to sunne teche, with is felawe he tolleth next : pat men cleopieth “leche,” C 1 fol. ise] And seit, “ ^e, god is leche guod : and ful of milce and ore, he wole wel hele and fur^iue : pei pe sunne were wel more ; 332 he nis nou^t so wrechful ase men weneth : he hath pe deore a-bou^t ; wel more sunne he wole fur-^yuen : pare-fore ne dred pe nou^t.” And bote he mouwe pare-with i-winne : he pult forth is felawe, pe “ longue finguer,” pat sit him next — : pat alle weren huy to- drawe ! — 336 And seith, “ man, pov art }ung I-nov : pou m^t libben ^eot wel longue And pine sunnes bieten wel : pei huy weren ten so strongue. Scholdestov noupe pine wille lete : 3 wat scholde pi ^ungue blod 'l pou mi^t libbe longue I-nov^ : and a-mendi al pi mod.”. 340 Bote he 1 mouwe ^eot makie man : pare-with don a-mis, !ms. ^ he tollez him with pe “ techare ” : pat is nexte felawe is, And seith, “ lo pere pilke preost : and pilke kny^t al-so And pilke person, and manie opure : pat more sunne habbez i-do, 344 And natheles huy beoth guode men : and guod lij f ledez i-nou}. pilke man nas neuere I-bore : pat opur-^wile ne dude sum WOU 3 . Seint powel with is owene hond : Manie men he slov^, And pe Marie Maudeleine : pat 1 to lecherie drov}, lai.om. 348 Seint peter pries in one nij' 3 t : for-sok ore louerd al-so ; And al-so loke pis opur helewe : 3 wat sunne huy habbez i-do : Ake pei huy beoth In heouene noupe : ne worst pou neuere so he^e. More sunne pane pou wolt do : pov m^t biete, are pou dei^e : 352 pou woldest beo holiore pane ani man. : bi-holt pe al-a-boute : A misdede wole beo sone ibet. : 3 ware-of hast pou doute'T’ 310 HOW THE DEVIL,. WITH HIS FINGERS, ENTICES MEN TO SIN- HOW TO RESIST THE DEVIL’S TEMPTATIONS. 3 if he ne may with is techare : maken is wei roume, with is “ strongue” he tollez panne : with is schrewe poume, 356 And seith, “pov art strong i-nov : more snnne to biete; 1 ai. 2 w more. woldest pou bi-lene so murie ping h : pencil pat it is swete, 1 And biet pine sunnes aftur-ward : for pe ne faillez strenpe non ; And Avel fieblore pane pou art : ofte wolleth mis-don 360 And sethpe doth heore penaunce : ake natheles nou 3 t wel strongue, For ore louerd is euere 3 are : sunful Man to fongue.” In J?is manere pe lupere schrewe : 3 wane he vnder^it ou 3 t pat men lokiez touward him : and sumdel chaungiez heore pou 3 t, 364 he tollez lieom euere ner and ner : with is fingres a-rewe. Noupe luper prift on al is hond : for euere he was a schrewe ! 366 Dapeit J>at sori wolde beo : pei he were al-to-hewe ! For he bringuez to sunne mani on : and to amendement wel fewe. )}are-fore penchez, 3 wane he wole : eou to sunne puyte And with is fingres tollez eov : and seiz pe sunne is luyte 370 And pat ore louerd is guod leche and milsful : and pat pou schalt libbe longue And }?at opure sunegiez more : pat ne beoth nou 3 t so strongue : 372 A-non so 3 e penchez swuch a pou 3 t : bi-penchez ov per-to [foi. 136 b.] hou pe schrewe tollez eov : and with wuch finguer al-so : Seggez him pat he lyjth loude : ho-so it dorste him telle, Saue pat he is maister : in pe deope putte of helle ; 376 j ) at god holde him is dignete : and is grete maistrie For-to sum riche man 3 iue al is guod : to bi-nimen him is baylie. For-sope, he deoth vuele I- 110 UV 3 : pat comez in his tollingue : 379 He wole him bringue euere ner ant ner : In deoppore suneguyngue, Atenende In-to pe putte of helle : pare euere he worth fur-lore, pat onnepe him worth pe grace : to with-drawen him bi-fore. — pei we ne mouwen nou 3 t pe feondes i-seo : a-mong us huy beoth wel picke ; And pei huy ovte of helle beon : heore pinene beoth strongue and wicke. 384 For huy farez ase doth pe man : pat in ane hache 1 of pe feueres is : Beo he in house opur in fielde : is brenningue i-last, i-wis ; 1 faeces Feor and neor he may go : ake euere i-last is pine. OF THE SITUATION" OF HELL, EARTH, HEAVEN. OF DAY AND 311 NIGHT. OF THE EIGHT FIRMAMENTS AND THE SEVEN PLANETS. Hit is bi f e Deouele here : al-so and bi is liyne : 388 For f>ei huy ovte of lielle beon : buy ne scliullen nou^t so at-route fat buy fe brenningue of belle : with beom ne bereth a-boute. — ri^te put of belle is : a-midde f e eorf e with-Inne, 46 J fat. ore louerd it made i-wis : fat quoynte was of ginne. 392 heouene and eorfe be made furst : and seothe alle f ing fat is. fe Eorfe nis bote a luytel hurst : a-^ein fe ri^te heouene, i-wis. Heouene getb al-a-boute f e eorfe : euene it mot wey^e ; A-midde ri^t heouene fe eorfe is : ase fe streon a-midde fe Ey^e. 396 Muche is fat on fanne more fane fat ofur : for fe leste steorre is In heouene, ase fe bok us tellez : [more] fane al f e eorfe, i-wis. For ho-so were an bei^ bi ane steorre : $if it so mi^te beo, So luyte wolde f e eorfe f incbe : fat vnnefe be scholde it ou 3 t i-seo. fe heouene getb ene a-boute : foru^ dai^e and foru^ ny 3 t ; 401 fe Mone and fe steorrene with him beo berth : and f e sonne fat is so bri^t : For fat is euene a-boue fin beued : ri^t atfe nones stounde, Ounder fine fet euene it is : at midni^t onder fe grounde, 404 And cometh up 3 wane fe sonne a-rist : and [o]uer fe is at none; beo makez euene fus hire cours : and comez a-boute wel sone. Ase an Appel f e eorfe is round : so fat euere-mo half fe eorfe fe sonne bi-schineth : hov-so it euere go, 408 And Noon it is bi-nethen us : 3 wane it is here mid-n^t; Ase man may f e sof e i-seo : ho-so bauez guod In-s^t : Ase 3 if fov beolde ane clere candele : bi-side an Appel r^t, Euene half fe Appel : beo wolde 3 iuen hire lij 3 t. 412 l 3 te firmamenz fare beotb : swucbe ase we i-seoth. firmamenta. _ J f e Ouemeste is f e r^tte heouene : in 3 wan f e steorrene beoth — for godes riche is fare a-boue : fat last with-outen ende ; farto we beotb i-maked — : god leue us fudere i-wende. 416 IT f are-bi-neof e beotb seoue firmamenz : fat euerech of heom, i-wis, One steorre bath with-oute mo : fat planete i-cleoped is. [foi. 137] pianete. v Ichulle nemmen heore seoue names : and formest bi-guynne liext : Saturnus is al a-boue : and Iupiter sethfe next, 420 fanne Mars bi-neofen him : and sethfe f e sonne is, Yenus sethfe, fe clere steorre : Mercurius fanne, i-wis, 312 the moon’s influence on earth and man. the sun and THE PLANETS. THE MOON’S PHASES. j>at wel selden is of us i-se^e : ]>q Mone is next j)e grounde. J?oru^ gret wit of clergie : heore names weren furst bi-founde : 424 for euerech of J)eos seouene mouwen : gret wonder on eorJ?e do, boJ?e of wederes and of fruyt : ase heore power }if J>are-to. 1 r. men^atbeoth And al-so man, 1 $wane he is i-bore : onder heore power, i-wis, Schullen habbe diuers lijf : euere ase heore vertue is : 428 Some lechours, some glotones : and some of ojmr manere. And natheles a man of guod Inwit : of alle he may him skere : for J>e planetes ne doth non ojmr : bote ^iuez in mannes wille, To beon lujmr ojmr guod : ase heore uertue wole to title, 432 And 3iuen 1 him al-so qualite : to don so and so; i r . ^uez Ake nou^t-for-j^an after is inwit : ech wys man may do : for swucli qualite no man ne hath : to beon leclior ojmr schrewe, Jut he j)are-with ne may him wite — : ake natheles so doth fewe. 436 O f ]>e seoue planetes al-so guod : heore power 30 i-seoth, for j)e seoue Dawes in j>e wyke : Jure-aftur I-nemde beoth : Of Saturnus so is satur-day : and sonen-day of J?e sonne, And of }>e Mone Monen-day : 3if 3e wel rikeni konne ; 440 Of one planete euerech day : In J)e wike i-cleoped is, On englisch ojmr latyn : bote 3e telle a-mis. And for mars and saturnus : In heore power luj)ere beoth And luyte guod on eorj>e doth : ase })is clerkes i-seoth, 444 jure-fore Men schoniez muche : j?ene satur-day bi-guynne, And j)ene tywesday, euerech [were] 1 : to guode ende it forto wynne. Among alle J>e planetes : ]>e sonne a-midde heom is 1 om. Ase is j>e kyng a-Midde is men : to conseili heom i-wis : 448 Al-so J>e sonne, J>at heo mouwe : schyne a-boute eche-on : for alle habbez lij’3t of hire : and with-oute hire nou3t on. Ase man may bi j )e Mone i-seo : J?e 3wyle heo is neowe r^t : A luyte rondel ase a sikel : Men seoth }>ar-on l^t, 452 And al j?at ojmr del with-Inne : swij)e blak as a rauon 1 it is. R^t so blac is al J)e mone : of hire-sulf, i-wis, 1 as a r. on the margin. Bote jure ase j?e sonne schynez : Jut hire li3t 3if hire al And Makez hire schyne a-boute : br^tore june ani cristal. for 3wanne }>e sonne schynez on cristal : ojmr in watere cler, A gret leome it ^if out a-3ein : and schynez feor and ner : 456 OF THE MOON, EARTH, AND SUN I THEIR SIZES, AND DISTANCES 313 APART FROM ONE ANOTHER. Al-so fareth fe Mone, i-wis : fe sonne schynez doun r^t Euene on hire and heo a^ein : and a-mong ns sent hire l^t. 460 And for fe sonne is feor a-boue : ri^t at-fore fe prime, bi-neofen hire fe Mone is euene : and fe sonne schyne[z] bi-tyme A1 In f e ouere side of f e Mone : and hider-ward now^t : [foi. 137 b.] fanne ne seo we nou^t of hire : ne heo ne ^ifth no li^t. 464 So fat fe sonne bi-fore geth : luyte and luyte, i-wis, And schyneth on fe hiderore half : on f ulke fat ner him is : Heo makez fe Mone wexe so : luyte and luyte bi stounde, So fat fe Mone is hei^ful : 3 wane fe sonne geth to grounde. 468 fe Mone bi-gynnez bi este a-rise : euene a- 3 en hire r^t 1 , 1 ^ on the margin, fat in f ulke half to-ward us : fe sonne sent hire lij* 3 t : fanne is fe ouere half deork : and fe hiderore half al bri$t And sent hire leome hidere to us : and schinez al fe n^t. 472 So fat heo drauth hire 1 feor fe sonne : and luyte and luyte is blak, 2 And euere is cler toward f e sonne : and fat ofur del is blak ; And ate laste toward us is al blac : atfe monfes ende ] ™ t £jiS ar8in ‘ And cler a-boue ase is fe sonne : fat to hire li^t deth sende. 476 So fat f e sonne in f e haluendele : schinez euere-mo, 3wat a-boue and 3 wat bi-neofe : hov-so hit euere go — Ase man may i-seo bi ane candele : fat is bi-side ane balle, fat 3 ifth l^t on fat haluendel : hov-so it euere falle. 480 And 3 wane fe sonne is onder f e eorfe : and f e Mone a-boue a-ny 3 t, bi-side fe eorfe in fat on half : 3 eot fe sonne sent hire li^t. — IT An hundret sife and hue and sixti : ase it is i-write, f e sonne is more fane f e eorfe : ho-so it wole i-wite ; 484 And f e eorfe is more fane f e Mone : nye sife, i-wis. fe Mone f inchez wel f e more : for heo so nei 3 us is. fe sonne is herre fane fe Mone : More fane schwche f reo fane it beo heonnes to fe Mone — : fe lasse heo is to seo. 488 M uche is bi-twene heouene and eorfe : for fe man fat m^te go euereche daye fourty mile : and 3 eot sumdel mo, He ne scholde nou 3 t to f e hexte heouene : fat 3 e alday i-seoth, comen in e^te fousende 3 er : fere ase fe steorrene beoth ; 492 And fei adam, ore furste fader : hadde bi-gonne a-non fo fat he was furst i-mad : and toward fe heouene i-gon 314 OF THE PACE SOULS GO AT TO HEAVEN AND HELL. OF THE FOUR ELEMENTS, FIRE, AIR, WATER, EARTH; AND OF LIGHTNING. Elementa. B 1 Fuigwr. And hadde ecke daie fourti mile : euene opr^t i-go, 495 he ne hadde nou 3 t 3 eot to heuene i-come : hi a f ousende mile and mo. Sikere 3 e heonisegge 3 eov soth : I-leue lio-so i-leue — 1 ms. of flechs of flesche hov schulle we J>at comiez so late : after Adam and eue ? Ake 3 wane a man is on eorfe ded : and is soule beo guod, heo nath with hire non heuinesse : of flesche 1 ne of blod : 500 3if heo is fanne witk-oute sunne : heo hath Aungles cuynde And mai beo nouf e here and f er : ase quik ase mannes muynde. for ase 30 I-seoth fe l^tingue : out of fe cloudene i-wende 503 fat comieth of fat on half of f e world : and al-so sone in f e ofur ende, wel smart-loker scheot ane mannes soule : 3 e more fane swuche seuene, 3 if heo is oute of sunne : fene r^te wei into lieouene. Ake wel sonere he may to helle come — : fare-fore it is i-sene fat wel mo to helle wendez : 3 e ich drede swuche tene. 508 neof e f e loweste heuene : fat f e mone is on i-brou 3 t, [foi. 138] so beoth fe foure Elemenz : of 3 wan we beoth i-wrou 3 t. Next fe Mone fat fuyr is hext — : ech-one huy beoth rounde — fe eir is fanne next bi-neothe : and tillez r^t to fe grounde, 512 Sethf e is watur, and sethf e f e eorf e — : f eos beoth foure, i-wis ; of 3 wan man and eche quic fing : for-sofe I-maked is. Ore louerd in ech-on of f is foure : al dai scheweth is m^te, Ase 3 e mowe in fe stude of fuyre : I-seo a wonder s^te, Scheote as f ei it a steorre were : bi f e lofte an hei 3 , Ake f e steorrene beoth feorre a-boue : for fat is sumdel nei 3 . fe sonne may here a-mong us : gret strencfe and mi^te do : heo drauth up fe kuynde of fe w r atere : and of fe eorfe al-so, he drauth up of 1 fe eorfe in druye wedere : ase it were a druye breth, So fat foru 3 hete of fe sonne : a-boue 2 fe eir it getli, \ JJf; °g ou te And 3 wane it comez a-mong fe fuyre : sone it bi-gynnez forto tiende And al berninde it scheot forth : fat hit beo i-bar[n]d to ende. 524 fare-fore men ne i-seoth no swuch fing : bote it beo in hete. U L^tingue comez al-so fare-of : 3 wane it comez to wete : for al fat ilke druye breth : fat is so i-drawe an hei 3 foru 3 hete fat was bi-fore : and a cloude fat 1 fare was 2 nei 3 , A-non so it is a-fuyre : it scheot foru 3 fe cloude, 1 ^om. And fe 3 wile it is in fe watere : it gofeleth swyf e loude. 516 520 528 2 al. is HOW THUNDER AND LIGHTNING ARE PRODUCED; AND WHY NO 315 THUNDER IS HEARD IN DRY WEATHER. A se $if a man nome ane sclabbe of Ire : fat glowynde were a-fuyre And pnlte in watere, it wolde gof eli loude : fat men ini^ten it feor i-huyre. 532 Al-so fat fuyr up an hei$ : fat bi f e cloude is i-tend ; hit gofelez in fe watere loude : as it foru^-out I-went — And fat is f e f ondre, i-wis : and siker non of ur f ing ; And 3 wane fat fuyr scheot foru 3 -out : fat is fe lifting, 536 And fat scheot a-brod f oru al f e world — : fat comez aftur f e dunte ; And natheles it f inchez bi-fore : for it ne may nou 3 were at-stunte. 3 if here were an hei 3 stepel : and a man a-boue sete 539 And men i-se^en him smiten al an hei 3 : guode duntes and grete, f ou mutest him seo wel longue smite : f e duntes with fine e^e Are fov scholdest fene dunt i-heore : ^if he were ou 3 t he^e — for man mai i-seo wel feor a fing : a-non so it is ido, 543 3 if fare nis no-fing bi-tweone : ake man ne may nou 3 t i-heore so. 3 wane fat fuyr comez into fe 3 water : gret noyse a-non fare is, Ake men ne heorez it nou 3 t a-non : for it is so feor, i-wis ; 546 IT fe li 3 tingue we i-seoth a-non : 3 wane it is foru 3 i-brou 3 t — fare-fore men f inchez it comez bi-fore : bote natheles it ne doth nou 3 t : for 3 wane fe l^tingue is i-come : A-non we habbez fe s^te, Ake fet sovn ne may nou 3 t : so sone a-doun to us a-l^te. — jSTovfe nis fe druy 3 e breth of eorfe : neuere with-oute hete Idrawe up, fat comez bi-fore : ne a-queint with-oute wete : 552 fare-fore bote after hete : man ne sclial no f ondre i-seo, And fat f e weder smite in wete : for non-ofur ne mai it beo. So fat man schal in puyr somer : selde f ondre i-huyre : [foi. 138 b.] For fer is fanne selde wete : to maken quencliingue of fuyre ; 556 He in puyr winter no-fe-mo : for fanne nis non hete To drawe up fe drou 3 j)e of fe eorfe : for fe muchele wete. Jmre-fore Men seggez fat wynter-f ondre : selde man schal guod i-seo, For he ne may neuere come : bote fat w r eder onkuynde beo. 560 Ake bi-tweone somer and wynter : ase in Aueril and may, And eft-sone fram heruest : forto seint Clementes day, fanne is f e fondre kuynde Inov : and l^tingue al-so : For fanne is fat weder wet : and ofte hot far-to. — - 564 3e mouwenaxi, 3wane it 1 fundre is : I-meingt of fuyr in wete, 1 ai. om. 316 OF THE EFFECTS- OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING; AND HOW RAIN AND SNOW ARE PRODUCED. hov is fat liifc a-quellez men : ofte bi weye and strete, And smit a-doun wel grete treon : and deth wel mani a wonder 1 fare-fore ich mot eov more telle : of kuynde of fe fonder. 568 "NO ore louerd folede on eorfe deth : and bond fene deuel for man A[n]d debruysde helle-^ates : with fondre f udere he cam. fare-fore euereft Aftur-ward : ^vare-so fe deouelene beo, 571 Of fondre huy beoth so sore a-ferd : fat huy nutez ^wodere to fleo ; And huy fat woniez in fe lufte : and of ure ase wel so heo, In strongue fere comieth a-doun : and nutez ^wodere teo, And huy slez men bi fe weie : ase man may ofte I-seo — fat muche fere god heom 3 yue : and no-fe worse us ne beo ! 576 In ofur manere fare comez 3 eot harm : of f e fondre a-mong : Tor fare ase fat weder is : fe tempeste is ful strong, Of wynd, . of watur, . and of fuyr : fat fei fare were 1 fere !MS. weren A Mulleston, he scholde al-to-driue : fei he of molten bras were. 580 3 wane fe tempeste is fare so strong : me finchez, it nis no wonder fei fare come leome ofte a-doun : with fe dunte of fe fonder ; 3wane fe wynd and fat fuyr smiteth : foru 3 fe watur-cloude, 583 with swyfe grete strencfe it l^t a-doun : ase man mai i-huyre loude, And smit ase it were a dunt : ofur blast of grete m^te — Fo wonder fei it smite harde : 3 wane it so deth a-l^te — And brekez treon and quellez men : and deth gret ofur wonder. In fis manere comez fe harm : fat men i-seoth of fe fonder. 588 Men I-seoth ofte l^tingue : brenne hous and schrenche, fat vnnefe mai ani watur : fat fuyr farof a-queenche ; — For of fe watur-cloude a-boue : fat fuyr is out i-broujt 591 And for it out of fe watere comez : fat fuyr nele quenclie nou 3 t. — FToufe mouwe 3 e Axi in 3 wuche manere : 3 water comez so he^e, And 3warof comez rein and S110V3 : fat 3c i-seoth with e^e. If fe sonne, fat is al maister here : sent a-doun hire hete And makez fe wateres brefi up-r^t : as fei huy scholden swete, 596 Bofe fe .sees, an ferchse wateres : and drau 3 th op so fane breth, So fat a-boue in fe lufte : f ilke mist euene geth. Novfe is fare uppe in fe lufte : a swyfe cold stude, i-wis, For bi-tweone heoue and eorfe : so cold non fare nis, [foi. 139 J 600 fare ase fe blake cloudene beoth : and ofur wederes al-so — OF RAIN, SNOW, HAIL, DEW, MIST, RIME; AND OF THE 317 OCEAN AND THE SEA. hit nis up-r^t fram fe eorfe : bote Ane mile of ur two. 3 wane fe sonne hath fudere i-drawe : fene mist for hete, Plania * It ne may no feor for fe colde : ake bi-cometh al to wete,’ 604 And gaderez fare to one watur-cloude : and houeth fare ane stonnde, For-to fe tyme come fat it Ryne : and droppinde falle to grounde. 3if it is cold up an hei^ : fe dropen bi-cometh to snowe, 607 Nix. And fanne 1 huy freosez adoneward : are huy comen here o^t lowe ; And $if it is foru^-out cold : fat huy alle 2 i-frozen beo, \ai. al" Jeanne it is haul puyr : ase ^e mouwen al day i-seo. IT fe breth of fe watere fat fe sonne : drau^th op a^ein eue, $wane fe sonne is to grounde i-go : it ne may nou^t bi-leue, 612 And 3 wane no-fing ne halt it up : and fe hete is al i-do, fanne it fallez softe adoun : and to dewe bi-comez ri$t so, Ros - And hangueth on leues and on gras : for-to fe hete a-morewe come And f e sonne luy te and luyte : it habbe eft-sone up i-nome. 616 If fe hore-forst cometh ^wane it is so cold : fat it freoseth a-ny^t, And fe Dev freose a-doneward : $wane he is a-doun a-l^t. IF 3if fe Dev$ is al-so up i-drawe : and a-doneward i-falle al-so And fare come a ficke myst : and a cold forst fer-to, 620 fanne freost fe ficke Myst : and cleouez an hei 3 on f e treo : And farof comez fe Rym-forst : ase f ilke Mist deth fleo ; pruyna. he cleouez on hegges al a-bovte : and In fe wodes al-so, On treo, on stones, on bestes al-so : fare it may cleouien to — 624 I-Chot Wel, On mi fore-top : it hauez Wei ofte i-do . 1 MS. manere manere In fis manere 1 mowen i-seo : fe kuynde of reyne and snowe, Of hawel., of snov 3 1 ., of Rym-forst : of hore-forst fat freost lowe, Of cloudene and of Mist al-so — : for al o fing it is : ir.dev 628 For alle huy comiez of water-breth : fat fe sonne drau^th up, i-wis. — N Ovfe is watur here on eorfe : wel more fane f e londe : For sum o see, with-oute mo : is more, ich onder-stonde. For fe gret . se . of occean : In fe on ende, i-wis, 632 Is more fane al f e eorfe beo : and gret wonder it is . 1 i r. nis For a-boute al fe eorfe heo geth : and brod heo is fare-to, Ase f e 3 wyte of f e Eye goth a-boute fe 3 eolke : and more is al-so. Ech ofur . se. a-mong us here : ne beo heo so gret non, 636 Nis bote a lime of fulke se : and fudere In huy goth ecli-on. 318 WELLS SPRING FROM VEINS OF WATER. THE MOON CAUSES TIDES. THE EARTH IS A BALL IN THE SEA. MAN IS OF FOUR ELEMENTS. IT Wellene comiez of grete wateres : and muche del of fe se fon .13 veynes al vnder eorfe : and to fe se wendez a^e. For fare beoz ase it veynene weren : onder eorfe mani on, 640 fat sikeniez out of f e se : and f arof springueth f is wellene ech-on ; And fare-f oru 3 eornth fat watur faste : a-boute fram f e se, And f are-ate wellen springutli out : and eft eorneth In a 3 e. So fat for alle fe grete wateres : fat to fe se goth echon 644 Vnne[fe] is fe se eni-fing fe more : ake euere heo is bi on. For ase swife it geth under eorfe : ase it comez in-to fe se, [foi. 139 b.] And euere to wellene it geth a-brod : and eft-sone ernth in a 3 e ; And al-so sone ase ech watur comez : to fe se in is ende, 648 To fe grete se of occean : ase swife it detli i-wende. J)are-fore [for] alle f e wateres : fat to fe se doth gon, f e se mot nedlingus beo : euere-more bi on. fat heo flowez and ebbez : and wexet In a fro we, 652 fat is f 01113 kuynde of fe mone : and r^t nou 3 t fon .13 hire owe. Terra. eorfe a-midde fe grete se : ase a luy[te] bal is round, And puyr helle a-midde fe eorfe : ho-so sou 3 te fene ground. And 3 eot ase gret ase fe eorfe fincliez : and ase luyte ase heo is, 656 fare nis bote fat seouenf e del : fat Men woniez on, i-wis. For In fe north side here : ho-so lie nele, For it is feor fram fe sonne : no Man ne wonez for chele, FTe In fe south half nofe-mo : for fe grete hete 660 Of fe sonne fat is a-boue — : fe leomene beoih so grete 1 ; 1 az.kete And manie ofur studes al-so : f ei men m^ten wonien fare-Inne, huy ne berez nofur corn ne fruyt : Manne is mete to Wynne. And fei fe eorfe were al to-delt : ho-so m^te bi Art, 664 3 eot nis fare, to wonien Inne : onnefe f e seuenfe part. — Of f is foure elemenz : ech quic fing I-make is : Of eorfe., of watur., and of fe eyr : and of fuyre, i-wis. M An hath of eorfe al is bodi : and of watere he hauez wete, 668 Of f e Eyr he hath breth and wind : of fuyr he hath hete. Ech quic fing [hath] of alle feos foure : of some more and lasse. Ho-so hath of f e eorfe mest : he is SI 0 U 3 ase fe Asse, Of fade colur, of hard huyde : boistous fourme and ded strong, 672 Of muche foi^t, of luyte speche : stille groyninde and wrath long, HOW MAN VARIES AS HE HAS MOST OF 1 ELEMENT OF THE 4. 3 FIRST 319 FORMATIVE BALLS OF THE FCETUS ARE, 1. BRAIN, 2. HEART, 3. LIVER. Of SI0U3 wreclie and Aru} month 1 : fast, and loth to gyue guod, Sone old and nou^t willesfol : stable and studefast of mod. 1 ai. ferebiet Ho-so hath of fe watere mest : he schal beo 3 wit and fat al-so, 676 Of nesche her and no-fing crips : gret slepare and slov^ far-to, Snvuelinde nose and wet month : of fewe wordes : and luyte drinke, Of schorte wrathf e and de-honere : Arv^.hmd luyte lnste swinke. IT ho-so haueth of f>e eir mest : he is of guod colour, 680 Fat and of nesche her : wel large and gret lechour, L^Inde and of glad semhlaunt : and somdel of pruyte ; Habbe he mete and drinke I-nov^ : he carez elles luyte ; Wrathf e he berth luytel ^wyle : he wole beo ballede sone; 684 glad and blif e, and onstable : of fat he hath to done. IT ho-so hath of fuyre mest : he is smal and red, Of ur he is blac with cripse here : lene and sumdel qued, HinderfuPand of host I-nov^ : liardi and ofte lie, 1 al • hinder 688 Sweriare and of manie word : and fol of lecherie, Proud and wemod, and drinkare : and in wrathf e al-mest wod, Hardi and l^t and stale warde : and wakiare wel guod. [foi. uo] Ake euerech of feos foure elemenz : en-tempriez ofur, i-wis, 692 So fat vnnefe In ani Man : any ri^ [t] puyr maister is. Ake 1 3if fov nimst ri^t puyr hot watur : and dost cold far-to, 1 a?, as© fov m^t it makien euene wlach : and entempri it so. — IT fo ore louerd formest made man : he made him, i-wis, 696 Of alle foure Elemens : ase man 3eot i-mad is. fo made he fe kuynde in eche manne : ase 3e mouwe i-wite, bi-twene Man and womman : of 3wan we beoth bi-3ite. A-swyfe foul fing is fat sed : of 3 wan Man is i-spreind • 700 bof e Man and womman : to-gadere huy beoth i-meind. Of 3wij3t colour it bi-leuez : ase it is i-write, for-to a-boute f e twelfte day : fat it was bi^ite. F Ormest fare keniez far-of : smale bollene freo, 704 Ake euerech hangez faste on ofur : ho-so it m^te i-seo. Of fe hexte bolle comez fat brayn : f e heorte of fane a-midde, f e liuere, fat is nef emest : heo comez of f e f ridde. 1 ms. Hmest fis beoth fe freo hexte limes 1 : fat formest i-kenede beoz, 708 And In heom is al ane Mannes lijf : ase [je] nouf e i-seoth ; 320 HOW THE FCETUS GROWS IN A MOTHER’S WOMB, ALL THE CHILD’S LIMBS BEING BENT UP. HOW MAN HAS THREE SOULS. pare nis non of pulke preo : pat hadde any wounde, pat euereffc m^te I-keld beo : to libbe anie stounde. Aftur pe twelf formeste dawes : J>at pet sed hath 3 wij 3 t i-beo, 712 hit bi-comez to a picke blod : and chaungez al is bleo. Hit pickez to 1 Nye dawes : for-to pe on and twenty J)e day : laj.so panne it tornez formest to flesch : ase pe kuynde may. Aftur e^te and twenti dawes : fourme it bi-gynnez to nyme, 716 So pat In-with fourti dawes : it haueth euerech lime, And in lasse 3 if it is a knaue : for he is of more hete. 3 wane pe limes beoth formest i-mad : huy ne beoz nou 3 t f ul grete. 719 A smal weob it bi-cluppez al-a-boute : to holden it to-gadere faste, Fram pat hit is formest i-kened : forto hit beo i-bore atpe laste. II Al round it lith in pe wombe : and i-bouwed ase an hare 3 wane pat heo in fourme lith : for is .In. is sumdel nare. Al I-buyd pe leggues beoz : it nolde nou 3 t elles fe^e , 1 1 ai. veie 724 pe lielene to pe bottokes : pe kneuwene in eipur e^e ; pat heued is i-buid a-doneward : pe Armes al with-Inne, pe elbouwes r^t in pe schere : pe fustus to pe cliinne ; Al i-buyd is pe rug : so pat nei 3 round it is. 728 Man, 3 war-of cometh pi pruyte 1 : for pare nis non, i-wis ! So hei 3 pov makest pe here : and to no man pou nelt a-buye : Loke hov crekede 1 pov w T ere pare : and noupe to no man pov nelt a-buye (!). 1 r. croked 731 pou ne mutest nou 3 t po holde up pin heued : ne enes on-do pin e^e ; Fra 1 3 warn cam it sethpe pe : to beren pin heued so he^el 1 orig.fram 3 if man him wolde bi-penche : and r^t him onder-stonde, he scholde beo meoke, and milde of lieorte : and to no man habben onde . 1 1 vv. 734-5 al. om. 735 I N eche manne preo soulene beoth : ake nou 3 t alle I-liche guode, Ase ich seide eov er of preo bollene : 3 if 3 e it onder-stode. In pe Nepemeste bolle : pat pe liuere deoth of springue, pare comez o-manere soule : at pe bi-guynningue Ase it were a-manere lijf : pat sent norischingue 740 To pe limes al-a-boute : and bi-ginnez 1 in is wexingue; ia?.bringeth So pat ane mannes norischingue : and is wexingue al-so Of pulke furste soule comez : and of pe liuere per-to. OF THE THREE SOULS IN EVERY CHILD AND MAN, OF WHICH THE THIRD IS IMMORTAL. 321 pulke manere soule is : in ech wexinde pingue, 744 In treon and in gras al-so : huy ne mitten nou^t elles springue. poru3 vertne of pulke soule : 3 wane it is per-to i-brou^t pat mannes lymes i-fourmede beoth : pat pare ne faillez noi^t, panne comez pare In pe heorte : pat pe opur bolle was, 748 A soule pat bringuz pat lijf : pare it nener er nas. pat child is panne quick a-non : ake strencpe nath it nou3t Enes for-to wawie him : are hit beo feorrore i-brou^t. Of pulke soule hath ech man : pat he mai wawi an gon 752 In is bi-guynningue, 1 and al is lijf : and is fif wittes ech-on. pulke soule hath ech ping : pat vuel 2 may ouer 3 -go, \ ®£*^ elyn £ e Best, . and foul, and fisch al-so : worm and opure mo. 3 al ' °^ er peos soule pat bringuez pat lijf : is ate heorte grounde : 756 pare-fore ho-so is pare i-smyte : he dei^ez in luyte stounde. peos soule comez of mannes cuynde : and pe opere bi-fore al-so : pare-fore, 3wane a man de^ez : huy de^ez bope-to. 3eot pare is pe pridde soule : pat al heore maister is : 760 Eor 3 wane a child hath alle is limes : [&] 1 quike huy beoth, i-wis, In pe ende of pe feorpe monpe : pat it was bi^ite, 1 om. Opur sone par-aftur-ward : ase w T e findez i-w T rite : TaE cuynde pat ore louerd made : and porueide al-so J po he hadde Man formest I-mad : and in parays i-do, To myenge pe kuynde of heuene : to mannes kuynde her, And 1 soule of witte and of liue : pat is Aungelene i-pier, heo comez fram pe kuynde of Aungles : and in pis fourme a-l^t 768 And miengez with pis wrechche flesch : ase ore louerd it hath i-d^t, And makez pe kuynde pat nas er : bote ase a best onnepe pe kuynde of aungles with him here : for-to he come to depe. pulke soule nimth hire In : and bi-leuez, i-wis, In pe childes brayn an hei3 : pat is hexte lime is. pulke soule i-last euere : and ne de^efz] neuere mo, And went, 3wane a man schal de^e : to weole opur to wo. Al pat man hath bi-fore a best : opur more resun can, Al he it hath of pulke soule : 3ware-poru3 he is man. And 3wane man went out of pis liue : pulke soule, i-wis, Bi-guynnez departi fram pe bodie 1 : pe 3 wile he a-liue is, 764 1 al. Ane 772 776 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. MS. soule Y 322 man’s two other souls die with his body. ST. CLEMENT WAS BORN IN ROME. HE HAS TWO TWIN BROTHERS. And wend, ase heo hauez of-serned : to Ioye ofur to pine ; 780 fe sonlene fat hire ferene weren : beoth sone i-brou^t to fyne. fulke fat halt ane Mannes lijf : and stikez in fe heorte, 3 wane heo schal with fe bodie [de^e] : fat in strong Anguysche deth smeorte, 3if he onder-^it his felawe : to Ioye fram him i-wende, 784 fare-fore heo maketh signe of Ioye : and deth as f e hiende ; And [3 wan] heo deiez with fe bodie : fair chere heo makez and softe, And bi-lef fat bodi in swych point : ase man may i-seon wel ofte : fe ei3ene I-closede faire i-nov3 : fe month of faire chere, 788 Ech lyme al-so faire i-strei^fc : In guod poynt ase he were, fe fridde soule al-so 3eot : fat deiez atfen ende, fat norischingue to al fat bodi : ant to fe limes deth sende, he deth ane 1 signe in fe bodie : ^if is felawe geth to guode, 1 ai. ek 792 And hi-lefth fat bodi in fair hev : 3wij3t ofur red of blode. feos soulene 1 de^ez in a man : 3wane fe hete is al i-do, 1 az.souie fe rafur fat 2 he leost is breth : and wawe3lngue al-so. 2 ai. J>e erore whan 3 wane huy i-seoz heore felawe : to torment i-bro^t, 796 Lnfnr semblaunt huy makiez bofe : as it ne likede heom nou3t, And bi-leueth fat bodi in foule heo we : fe e^ene starelnde, And fe month of foul semblaunt : and ofte is 1 grenninde. 1 az. om. Swuche signes fat fereliche beoth : fat man may ofte i-seo, 800 Beoth signes fat fe wrechche soule : in lufere weie heo. hTov Iesu crist, fat us soule 3af : graunte us fat we hire moten so here rede fat seint Michel hire mote a-fongue : and bi-fore to Ioye lede. Amen. 47 [Clement.] [foi. ui] CJ Eint Clement was I-bore at Rome : I-fum hi olde dawe. KJ Of fe hexte men he was i-come : fa[t] weren in fulke lawe. his Moder hiet Macidiane : his fader Faustinian. 1 added later. Twei href ren he hadde, eldore fane he : heore namen ich telle kan : Jpat on hiet Eaust, fat ofur Faustyn : t Wynnes hof e huy were ; 5 Fader and moder weren glade of heom : fat heom bi^ete and here. Swife fair womman heore Moder 1 was : fe faireste fat Men wuste ; hire louerd heo louede treweliche — : non-of ur of heom men nuste. 8 st. clement’s mother takes his TWIN BROTHERS TO ATHENS; 323 HE STAYS WITH HIS FATHER IN ROME. For hire fair-hede hire louerdes broker : fondede with al 1 is m^te To bringue hire in foie loue : bi dai^e and eke bi ny^te. 1 overlined. Jpis guode womman was 2 studefast : he nolde nou^t don is wille ; Ake euere Ansuerede him fayre i-nov : and bar hire faire and stille. 1 2 he of-so^te hire so swipe : pat no pais heo nadde. 2 wast heo nust[e] 3wat was hire beste red : ake sore of him heo dradde, And pou3te 3if heo tolde hire louerd fore : pat he wolde beo wroth And pe more hatie is broper — : pat were hire swipe loth. 1 G heo pou3te hon heo m^te on take : pat heo ane 3wyle nere Ovt of is s^te in opur stude : pat heo fur^ite were. 1 MS.ieide? heo hire bi-pou3te of one quoyntise : pat to hire louerd heo seide. 1 A ni3t In hire bed heo bi-gan to sike : ase pei heo of slepe a-breyde : “ A, sire,” heo seide, “ merci, pin ore ! : ich am in grete drede : 21 An hard metingue me hath i-mat : I-not 3wat me is to rede : Me pou3te pat on of ovre godes : cam here bi-fore pe And hiet me greipi hastifueliche : mine twei sones and me 24 And wiende with hem and wonie : feor In an opur londe, For-to ich opur 1 heste hadde : of him opur is sonde ; 1 ms. o>ur o]>ur And bote 3if ich sone dude so : he swor with grete ope, To lupere depe he wolde do : us and ore children hope. 28 ))are-fore, sire, bi-pench pe wel : 3wat par-of pov wolt rede : For bote it beo sone ido : for-sope we beoth dede.” 1 overiined. }?is guode Man 1 lai in grete care : And pene deth sore he dradde, bi-pou3te him strete In swuche neode : pene beste red he radde : 32 “ Dame,” he seide, “ 3 wane it is so : to schilden us fram care Jpov schalt nime pine twei sones : a[n] to 1 Atenes fare. 1 ms. ato })ov schalt habbe with pe men I-nowe : And tresor al-so. jpov schalt, 3 wane pou pudere comest : pine sones to lore do, 36 )?at huy leornien of clergie. : and 3wan ore god pe sent tokningue For-to comen horn a^ein : pov schalt heom with pe bringue.” G lad was po pis guode wijf : of pat leoue rede. heo greipede hire and wende forth : ase hire louerd sede : 40 heo gan hire twei sones : toward atenes lede. Ake seint clement athom with is fader : bi-lefde, for 3ong-hede, For he was onnepes fif 3er old : and for pat he scholde beo his fader solas, and 1 for he nadde : bote childrene preo. — 1 ai. om. 44 y 2 324 st. clement's mother is shipwrecked, AND LOSES HER TWIN SONS. ])o pis giiode wijf was forth i-went : and hire louerdes broker it waste bat hire louede in foie loue : no red par-of he nuste ; IT For wrathpe to is bropur he seide : “ sire, hov geth J)is 'l Is pi wijf fiam pe 1-wentl : heo is strong hore, i-wis. £ Ms°fonde ^8 heo haueth me wel longue i-loued : ne 1 leng hele ich ne may, And to bringue me in foie dede : heo fonde[de] 2 n^t and day ; Chinese ich me mi^te with hire wite : for, siker, i-noide it do, For sunne, ne for pe loue of pe : ne for mi treovnesse al-so. 52 Anon so heo it onder-^at : pat i-nolde don hire wille, On of pine hynene heo louede : In folie wel stille, p)at hath bi hire wel ofte i-leie. : ake, pat pov it ne onder-^ete, heo pou3te hov heo mi^te with him beo— - : for heo nolde him nou^t lete : 56 bare-fore heo pou^te ane feolle wrench : of wommanes kuynde lore, And is i-go with hire copiner : pov ne sixt hire nonmore. For ofte men seggez, and soth it is : pat pis wommen beoth Feolle and false, and pat 1 me for-pinchez : pat we pe sope i-seoth.” 60 Sori was pis guode Man : po he heorde pis, * ai. om. bat his wijf, pat he louede muche : scholde so don a-mis, Ant pat heo was so fram him i-went : and pat heo ne bi-lefde bi-hinde his sones, pat him so leoue weren : ne he nuste 3 ware heom finde. After he wolde habbe i-went : ake he ne dorste for care 1 ai. 2 w. more. Of cleme[n]te, is ^ongue sone : laste he scholde for-fare. 1 — Forth wende pis wijf with hire sones : ase god hire wolde sende. In scipe heo dude hire in pe se : in-to an opur londe to wende. 1 68 A-midde pe se a-^ein ane roche : pat scliip bi-gan to glide, p foi. 142] bat it alto-drof, and huy fullen out : euer-ech in is side. A wawe pare cam of pe se : poru ore louerdes sonde, And caste pis guode wijf al quik : a-non-r^t to pe londe. 72 A-non so heo was up i-cast : and to hire r^te witte cam, And miste hire twei leoue sones : gret deol to hire heo natn ; Into pe se heo wolde habbe i-lope : hire-seolf for-to a-drenche, 3if it nadde i-beo for grete hope : of ping pat heo gan penche : 76 bat pe se wolde some tyme : hire sones to londe caste — For men seggez heo wole ech ded ping : weorpen up atpe laste ; hadde heo enes heore bodies i-sei^e : hire pou^te pat heo ne rou^te. 325 ST. clement’s mother gnaws her hands for grief, AND LOSES THE USE OF THEM. Wide and longue heo ^eode a-boute : and heore bodies sou^te. 80 j)o beo ne m^te heom finde : heo $al and weop ful sore, heo drov^ of hire tressene and caste a-wei : for heo ne hopede to heom nonmore, hire hondene heo wrong and to-gnov} : J>at flesch, ri^t to fe bone, And al-to-gnov^ J»e senewes : and made ful sori mone. 84 heo orn ase heo witles were : a-boute in-to al f e londe. 1 ms. wumnen Wimmen 1 hadden of hire gret revfe : fat heo to 2 -gnov so hire honde, And fondeden 3 eorne to conforti hire : ake huy alle ne mitten make f)at heo wolde into hire heorte : ani gladnesse take. 2 ai. om. 88 Into a wommanes hous heo cam : fat longue was bedrede, j ) at gret revfe hadde f o heo i-heorde : hire so weope and grede : heo confortede hire, ^wat so heo mi^te : and made hire bi-leue 9 1 with hire aldai, with glad semblaunt : for- to it was nei} eue. 1 at superset-. So heo confbrtede f is guode wijf : fat heo bi-lefte fare at 1 Inne, Mid 1 weorke of hire hondene : hire lifiode for 2 -to winne, 1 ^nd With spinningue and with sevwyngue : fat heo wel coufe do; 2 ai.g an Jpare-with heo fedde hire swife wel : and hire ostesse al-so. 96 Sone fare-after fe senew’es : of hire hondene bi-gonne to schrinke, For heo heom hadde er so for-gnawe — : fat heo ne m^te non-more swinke ; So fat heo ne ni^te i-welde : nofur Arm ne honde to pulte enes mete to hire mouth : ase hit was godes sonde. 100 J)at deol fat heo made [fo] : no tongue it telle may. “ Alas,” heo seide, “ f us longue i-leoued : and fat ich euere a-bod f is day ! For more sorewe fane me is on : neuere womman ne hadde. pe Ioye of mi louerd furst i for-les : for sunne fat ich dradde, 104 And bi-lefde clement mi ^ongue : fat me was so leof, i-wis ; And sethf e les mine tweie sones in f e se : fat weren al mi blis ; And al one fram mine freond : f us feor in one-coufe londe Mit deol and sonrwe ich habbe i-leoued : foru 3 swunch of mine honde : 108 FTovfe mine hondene me beoth bi-nome : fat I-ne may heom enes wawe. Alas, fus longue in care i-leoued : fat i-nere i-brou 3 t of lijf-dawe ! ” 326 ST. CLEMENT BECOMES A DISCIPLE OF ST. BARNABAS, AND THEN OF ST. PETER. J^at deol J>at heo made : revpe it was to telle ; Ofte heo was ope pe pointe : hire-sulf for-to a-quelle. 112 1 Fram dore to dore hire mete heo bad : and with pat he mi^te I-winne, heo fedde hire-sulf and hire hostesse : 3 wane heo cam to hire Inne. — H ire louerd athom aftur hire : of-longet was wel sore, [ l foi. 142b.] . And sente men to sechen hire : ake huy ne comen a^ein nonmore. 116 Opere he sente into al pat lond : and po huy hadden longue i-sou^t, huy comen a^ein and tolden him : pat huy ne m^ten hire finde nou^t. ])o gan he Clement, is ^ongue sone : In-to guode warde take, And wend him-sulf into al pat lond : forto sechen is make. 120 he ne cam neuer-eft horn a-^ein — : wel wide be hire soi^te, And ^eode a-boute and bad is mete : pat of is lijf he ne rou^te. H Twenti 3er he bad is mete : and is wijf 3eot wel mo. he ful into feblesse of elde : pat vnnepe he m^te go. 1 — 1 ai. 2 w. more. Seint clement, pis 3ongue child : to clergie was i-do ; 125 he i-werth sone a gret clerk : quoynte and guod al-so. Jporu3 his clergie him £0113 te : pat beore la we nas nai^t : he wilnede mucbe to wyten of god : 3if ani man him hadde i-tau3t. H it bi-feol pat seint Barnabe : Into Borne cam, 129 And clement hyne heorde a day : prechi of cristinedom : So pat of pis holie Apostle : he lette him cristni a-non, And bi-cam pe beste prechur : pat mi^te on eorpe gon. 132 he heorde telle of seint peter : pat In pe londe of Iudee was : Are he to him were I-come : glad ne blipe he nas : he bi-cam is 0 desciple : and a-boute with him wende For-to prechie cristine-dom : poru3 wit pat god him sende. 136 S ymon Magus, pe lupere Man : 3eode in Ane opur londe, To prechi a3ein Cristinedoqi : poru3 pe deoueles sonde. Tweie desciples he hadde with him : pat, po huy onder^ete Jpe falsliede pat with him was : huy gonne him sone for-lete; 140 To seint peter huy wenden a-non : and his desciples bi-come. glad was seint peter of heom : and ponkede god i-lome. S Eint Clement tolde a day : to seint peter wel stille hov hit of is freond bi-feol : as it was godes wille, And al-hov is Moder 3eode a-wei : with is brepren tweie, 144 ST. CLEMENTS MOTHER TELLS ST. PETER HER STORY, AND SAYS ST. CLEMENT IS HER SON. 327 j)at he wende fat huy a-dronke weren : of ur i-storue hi fe weie, And hov is fader wende to sechen heom : f o he ne sai$ of ur red ; And [he] 1 wende J>at he were a-dreint : ofur for deole ded; 1 om. 148 And hov frendles he was op i-hrou^t : Into 2 swyche lore. 8 ai.&to j)o seint peter i-heorde fis : he gan to weope sore. — Ase seint petur 3 eode a dai : prechinde ouer lond, Ane womman, J>at him pou^te gent and freo : In grete miseise he fond, 152 3 ware heo ^eode and had hire mete. : he Axede hire a-non 3wy heo ne mi^te hire mete I-winne : and $wy heo wolde so gon. ■UIs womman seide, “ swuch day was : Ich coufe minne mete I- -■ winne, Ake nouf e mine hondene me beoth bi-nome : fat Ine may sevwy ne spinne. 156 More sor e we fane me is on : neuere nas i-founde ; Alas fat ich nadde me a-dreint : a-wei, fat ilke stounde ! ” [foi. 14 s] 11 “ Womman,” seide seint peter f o : “ folliclie fov desfc telle : For fe Man fat him-seolfue a-slowe : his soule scliolde into helle.” " Sire,” heo seide, “ wuste ich fe sofe : fat soulene libbe scholde After fusse line, I-nolde bi-leue : fat me-seolf a-quelle i-nolde, j)at Ich mijte one stounde : mine sones i-seo ; I-ne rou 3 te sethfe, fei ich scholde : euer-eft in helle beo. 164 For mi louerd and mi 1 ^ongore sone : ich 2 bi-lefte at rome ] Ms^au’ch And wende forth with mine tweie sones : ake f o we in fe se come, J)at schip brak, and mine leoue sones : ne mitten neuereft beo i- founde ; Ake me heo caste to londe al quik : alias fulke stounde ! 168 Ine mai for feblesse wende a-^ein : ne Ine habbe no man fat me lede, And not ^wefer mi louerd and mi 3 ongue sone : beon quike ofur dede.” “ lement,” seide seint peter : “ fat min o desciple nouf e is, Seith fat is fader and is moder : fis cas bi-feollen, 1 i-wis.” Jois womman feol a-don i-swowe : f o heo i-heorde fis. 1 ai. bifei \>o heo a-ros, heo cride 3 eorne : and weop for Ioie and blis, 174 And seide, “ sire, fat is mi sone. : tech me 3 ware he beo ! Ine wilne mi lijf no leng to habbe : bote fat ich him enes i-seo.” 328 ST. CLEMENT FIRST REPELS HIS MOTHER ; BUT WHEN HE KNOWS HER, HE EMBRACES HER. Seint peter seide, “ cum forth with me : to him ichulle J?e lede. Ake ne beo )>ov nou^t a-knowe to him : erore J?ane ich J?e rede.” 178 he nam Jus wommane bi J?e bond : and to hire sone hire brou^te. }) o seint Clement i-sai^ him lede ane womman : vuel bi him he Jjou^te, And seide, “ notice In June olde liue : woltjmu with wommane beo 1 ” So wroth he Avas J>at vnnej>e he wolde : toward him bi-seo. 182 IF JAs guode wijf stod bi hire sone : heo ne m^te for-bere non-more, heo bi-cluppte him faste and custe a-non : for Ioye heo weop ful sore. hire hondene J>at hire weren bi-nome : anon-ri^t hole huy were, For Ioye, and for grete vertue : of J)e holie men J>ere. 186 S Eint Clement was wroth with hire : for heo bi-clupte him and custe, 1 1 MS. clupte And in grete wrath J?e hire pulte a-wei : and Ao J?e grounde upri^t Juuste. “ Clement,” seide seint peter J?o : “ darstfov June moder pulte 1 Jpov cri hire Merci and lat J?e scliriue : for June foule gulte ! ” 190 “ Louerd,” seide seint cleme[n]t [J>o] : “ jwejjur J?is mi moder beo 1 ? Louerd, i-hered beo Ju m^te : J)at ich moste Jus day i-seo ! ” To is moder he ful a-doun : and bi-clupte hire and custe. ’Welle, J>e Ioye J?at J?are avds : \o eijmr of ojmr Avuste ! 194 JAs wyf seide, “ leoue Sone, Jun ore : ^Avejmr Ju fader a-liue beo V* “ Certes, moder,” he seide, “ i-not : Ine Avene neuer-eft him i-seo. Twenti 3 er it is ago : J?at he After J>e i-Avende, 197 J?at neuer-eft Ine heorde word of him : ne he ne cam ne sende.” JAs guode Avyf bi-gan to weope sore : ake natlieles for blisse Of hire sone J?at heo hadde I-founde : hire seoruwe heo gan to lisse. E uere stoden bi seint peter : his ojere desciples tweie 201 Jpat fram symon Magus weren i-come to him : and 3 eorne bi- heolden beie ; huy i-heorden hou Jus guode wyf tolde : to clemente, hire sone, J^ere , 1 hov hire tAveie leoue sones : in J>e se a-dreinte AA r ere. 204 \)o huy hadden Jus tale i-heord : huy Averen swij)e glad, t 1 foi. 143 b.] For Ioye huy stoden ase J)ei huy AA^eren : Avitlese ojmr 1 a-mad. 1 orig.and st. clement’s twin brothers are re-united to him 329 AND THEIR MOTHER. “ louerd,” huy seiden, “ 3wefer f>is beo soth : fat we i-heorez noufe telle, ofur us finchez ase in metingue : ofur in manere of spellel ” 208 “ hit is soth,” seint peter seide : “ ofur me finchez 30 beotli wode.” huy nusten ^wefur to beon stille of ur speke : bote ase gydie men huy stode. IT “ Louerd,” huy seiden, “ here is ore Moder : fat a-dreint was ase we wende, I-hered he beo fat hire hath to liue i-broi^t : And fat hire to us sende ! 212 And f is is Clement, ore 3ongue brofur : fat longue hath i-beo ore fere ; Nuste we neuere er ^wat he was : are f 01113 godes grace noufe here.” Louerd, fe Ioye fat fe[re] was : And fat manie Mitten i-seo, bi-twene fe guode wyf and hire sones : fe swete brefren freo ! 216 X^Is guode wyf axede hire tweye sones : hov huy to liue come. y “ Dame,” huy seiden, “ ase god it wolde : a bord of fe schype we nome And far-on we hienguen, and hit bar us forth : into f e se wel wide. Marineres us token into heore scliipe : ase we floten heom bi-side. Are huy us hadden to londe i-brou3t : huy nolden neuere a-fine. 221 To Ane holie wydewe huy solden us : fat hiet dame Iustine ; J}at us lokede nesche I-nov3 : as f ei we hire sones were, And, god 3ielde it hire ! of clergie : heo liet us sone lere. 224 So fat we beoth noufe godes desciples : and with his Apostle here. Ore brofur clement we knoweth noufe furst : fat 3are hath i-beon ore fere. And noufe we beoth here to-gadere come : we mo wen i-seo godes m^te, fiat euere wole mannes 3wyle 3elde : fat seruez him with r^te.” 228 Ech man wot wel fat f is I-heorth : fey we ne seggen it i-lome, gret Ioye bi-twene heom alle was : f o huy to-gadere come. IT fis guode wyf heom tolde of hire hostesse : fat Innede hire bi ny^te, J?at heo was a guod womman and was bedrade : 3if huy hire hele m^ten. 232 330 ST. CLEMENT AND HIS TWIN BROTHERS REASON AGAINST AN OLD MAN. ST. CLEMENT IS THE ABLEST ARGUER. S Eint petre hire let fette : and pon .13 ore lonerdes grace Made hire hoi, bi-fore al pat folk : anon in pulke place. — Ase seint petre prechede a day : he seide in his prechingue 235 fiat, ho-so seruede ore lonerd wel : scholde habbe guod endingne. fio stod pare op a swipe old man : his lockes weren ful hore ; pouere and stoupinde and miseise. : he bi-gan to siken sore. “ gret revpe,” he seide, “ ich habbe of eov : pat $e bi-trayez men so ; Ech man bi-fallez ase his $wate is : $wat-so he euere do. 240 IT For pei a man swyncke and crie on god : and bidde 3eorne is bede, him schal bi-falle, guod opur vuel : ase it is him i-quepe. jOei mani man beo wis and euere swynke : he ne may neuere bate ; And pei manie don vuele and euere folie : ^eot he hath guod 3wate.” IT Seint petre hiet pe preo brepren : pat is desciples were, 245 Despuyti a3ein pis olde man : of pat he tolde pere. 1 orig. oresones liuy stoden and heore [rjesones 1 seiden : pat ech man scholde a-fongue After pat he wurche wolde : And elles it were with wrongue ; 1 248 “ For, ho-so nath no guod, ne swinke nele : ne of porueance beo, 3wat-so-euere man beo Iquepe : he ne may it neuere fleo ; 2 pfoi.iw] And [ho]-so is wys to winne guod : and wel it witie can, 2 r. i-}>eo 3wat-so-euere is 3 wate beo : he worth riche man. 252 For ore louerd wole here and elles^ware : 3 elden ane mannes seruise After pat he him-seolf wurche wole : ake aftur 3 wate in none wise.” G Ret clerk was pis olde Man : he desputede wel faste A^ein pe preo brepren with gret reson. : pat playt wel longue laste. 256 Seint Clement was grettest clerk : pare-fore atpenende Maister he was, poru 3 grace : pat ore louerd him wolde sende. Atpe laste pis olde Man : bi-gan to sike and grone, And seid[e], “ wel, icholde i-leue : ower resones ech-one, 260 3 if I-ne hadde to muche i-fondet : of pinge pat geth bi 3 wate. Alas pulke soruful tyme : for mi confort cometh to late ! 262 Riche man ich was elles^ware : pei ich beo noupe a wrechche here ; Ich hadde preo 3 oungue children : and a guod wif pat was mi fere. Mine tweie sones heo ladde awei : po w r e heom hadden al bi-swonke : Ine heorde neuereft word of heom : Ich wot huy beoth a-dronke. Alle myne freond and al mi guod : Ich bi-lefte me bi-hynde THE OLD MAN PROVES TO BE ST. CLEMENT^ FATHER. 331 HIS WIFE FINDS HIM. And habbe here i-walke in onkovfe londe : }if ich heom mi^te i- fynde. 268 Mi ^ongeste child ich bi-lefte athom : Ich wene fat he beo ded. Worse $wate nadde nenere man : Inot ^wat is mi red. 1 overiined. And ich am, 1 fare no man me ne knoweth : mid miseise oner-come ; honguer and chele hath myne leomes : and elde, me bi-nome. 272 Seggez ov-snlf 3 if 3 e enere I-heorden : Ani so deolful cas ! ho is fat ne may i-leue : fat lufur 3 \vate it nas 1 ” IT \)o f is freo brefren hore fader i-knewen : foru 3 fat he hadde i-sed, Sturten huy wolden and cussen him. : ake seint petre heom for-bed, And seide, “ 3 if ich bringue bi-fore fe i-hole : fine children and fi wijf, 277 Woltfov for-hote fine mis-bi-leue : and a-mendi fi lijf And i-lene fat fing 1 comez ase god wole : and no-fing after 3 wate?” “ 3 e ? sire,” seide fis olde man : u Ake fat worth so wel late. iMs.ping^at Also ase it nenere ne worth : fat ich i-seo heom alle, And 1 so ne worth hit neuere fat muche fing : nele bi 3wate falle.” IT “ Lo,” seide seint petre fo : “ fis beoth fine sones freo, 1 ai. om. f)at, for-to bringne fe in godes lawe : plaidiez a 3 ein fe.” 284 bo fis olde Man i-heorde fis : his limes him here nolde, hny nescheden ase doth wex a- 3 ein fe fuyre : And ful a-don on fe molde ; he lai al cold with-onte bref e : ase fei he no lyf nadde. his [sones] him clupten a[n]d cnsten him : sore hny weopen and gradde ; 288 huy beren him a-boute and bleowen on him : 3 if huy him m^ten in stat bringne. Longue it was are heo m^ten : i-seo of line : Ani r^t tokningue. bo is stat him was i-come : he axede a-non-r^t fere hov huy weren a-liue forth i-brou 3 t : so freondlese ase huy were. 292 Enerech tolde in his wise : ore swete louerdes m^te, [foi. m b.] bat he on heom i-schewed hadde : ho-so onder-stode fe r^te. Ase huy tolden of heore lijf : euerech in his side, 295 bis guode wif orn ase heo were wilde : and swif e loude heo cride : “ 3ware is mi lonerd 1 3 ware is mi spouse ? : schewez him me a-non ! ” huy bi-clupten heom and fullen a-doun : a f'ote ne m^ten huy gon. 332 SIMON MAGUS TRANSFORMS ST. CLEMENT’S FATHER INTO HIS OWN SEMBLANCE. HIS SONS DON’T KNOW HIM. More Ioye ne m^te beo i-se^e : bi none mannes liue, J)ane was, fo huy to-gadere comen : a-mong heom alle fiue. 300 here we mouwen alle i-seo : ore swete louerdes mi^te, J)at euere atfenende he wole ^elde : fe manne j?at him seruez with r^te. — H it bi-ful fat f e Aumperour : ouer-al sende is sonde, 303 Symon Magus, f e luf ere man : to sechen him into al f e londe, For-to sleen him, ho-so him mi^te I-finde : al for his lufer-hede. And f o symo n Magus i-lieorde f ar-of : he was in grete drede. On feolonie he fou 3 te for wrathfe : of fe bref ren tweie, Faust and Faustin, fat weren with him : and departed fram him bei^e. 308 bi hore fader he cam a day : ase f e deuel him gan lere, And caste on him is owene fourme : ase fei it liim-sulf were, Jporu} is foul enchauntement — : ho-so f e ne olde manne i-sei^e, wenden ]?at symon magus it were. : fare was fe deuel to slei^e, 312 For fe Ioye fat his sones hadden : of him fare in one stounde ; And for he schold 6 beon for him a-slawe : 3 if he m^te beon i-founde. For euere fe deuel, and alle his : of feolonie doth fenche; Ake atfe laste huy worfeth bi-traid : with heore feolle wrenche. 316 ^ Symon Magus wende a-wei 1 : f o al f is i-don was. 1 orig. ajen Jhs guode [man] 3 eode forth to is children : he nuste nou^t of fat cas : he cam and wolde gret Ioye make : with heom and with is wiue. huy spatten on him, euerechone : and heten him a-wei wel bliue, For he was fe deueles lyme : huy nolden nou^t with him dele, 321 Ake bote he fe sonere fram heom ^eode : him to wrofer liele. “ A las/’ seide fis olde Man : “ Mine leoue 1 children freo, 1 oveiiined. 3wi wolle ^e ouwer fader f us pulte and bete 'l : nelle 3 e me noramore i-seo 'l ” 324 “ Nay,” seiden fis brefren freo : “ fov nart ore fader nou 3 t, }3ov art symon Magus, godes trichor. : to defe fov worst i-brou 3 t ; 3if f e Aumperores [men] f e mouwen finde : fat wide f e habbez i-sou 3 t, ])ov worst to-drawe ase fe deueles lime : for falshede fat fou hast i- wrou3t.” 328 “ Louerd, merci,” seide fis olde man : “ 3 wodere may ich noufe iwende. ST. clement’s FATHER GOES TO ANTIOCH, AND DECLARES 333 SIMON MAGUS’S ABUSE OF ST. PETER A LIE. FToufe mi wijf ne mine sones me nellez i-knowe : o dai to fenende? Mest wreck che ich am of alle men : noufe Ine habbe freond non bote heom, and huy me wollez a-sle. : ^wodere may ich noufe gon h ” IT Symon Magus fare-at-fore : in Auntioche ase 1 he wende, 1 ai. om. And seint petre bi-fore al fat folk : with lesingues foule he schende ; he seide bat he man-quellare was : and wichclie, and eke for-swore : j ) at folk a-waytede him for-to sle : In Aunty oche fare-fore. 336 Seint petre J?is onder-^at : he wolde beon a-wreke, he fou^te. he cam to Jus seli oldeman : J>at him wel longue sou^te ; [foi. 145] “ beo stille,” he seide, “ and do Af tur me : and soffre a luytel f rowe, And Ichulle makien fat fi wijf : and fine sones : fe schullen sone i-knowe. 340 |5ov schalt gon In-to Auntioche : fare symon Magus was, Ase he me desclaundret hath : and segge of fis ilke cas In his name, ase ech man weneth : fat f ov he him-sulue beo, And segge fat hit lesingue is : fat fov seidest op-on me, 344 And line al-so fine owene Mouth : as f ei it beo in his name, And fat hit was al les fat fov seidest : to bringue me in luf er fame, And f it fov art farof repentaunt : sori, and swife wel I-schriue, 347 Of fe lesingue fat fov bi me seidest : and bide heom it fe for-^yue.” “his olde Man 3 eode him forth : In-to Auntioche a-non, * And ^ede a-boute to Mani a stude : fare symon hadde I-gon ; “ Guode Men,” he seide, “ 3 if ich habbe i-told : bi seint petre eni- fing bote guod and gret trewenesse : for-sofe, it is lesing; 352 here bi-foren eov euerech-one : ich lixni minne owene Mouth. For he is treowe and studefast : and is guodnesse is wide couth. For-to saui al fat lond : ore louerd him hath i-sent : bi-lieueth and wurcheth aftur him : ofur 3 e beoth alle I-schent ! 356 For 3 e eov-seolf and Al eower guod : foru 3 ore louerdes wreche hit schal for-fare, bote 3 e don : ase he eov wole lere ant teche. 3if ich euere-eft more am so : in fe deoueles weorke I-brou 3 t Joat Ich ani-fing ofur bi him segge : ne leuez me far-of nou 3 t, 360 Ake doth me 1 schame and betez me : ant bringuez me of dawe, Ase men schullen a strong liare : and man of false la we. ” 1 overliued. j)are-Aftur-ward he cam to seint petre : and he is leomen r^te 334 BY ST. clement’s father’s ACT, SIMON MAGUS IS REJECTED AT ANTIOCH. And broi^te him a-^ein to is owene fourme : al poru} godes m^te. fro was pere gret Ioye bi-tweone [is sones] 1 : and him and eke is wine, po huy weren in ri^te fourme : to-gadere alle hue. 1 om. E uere is strengore ore swete louerd : pane pe deuel amende ! 367 And symon Magus-is tricherie : op-on him-sulf it gan i-wiende. Al 1 Auntioche wel gret loue : opon seint petre caste, 1 ai. for And sore heom longuede after him : and leten him seche faste. IF Seint Petre cam to Auntioche : ase he hadde er I-lome : Men and wommen of pe lond : wel glade a-boute him come, 37 2 And Anoureden him suype muche : ase ane prince of godes lawe And Ase heore maister and heore louerd — : huy weren of him wel fawe ; In riche chayre huy setten him : and knevlede him bi-fore, And beden wel ^eorne him wardi heom : and techen, pat heore soulene neren for-lore. 376 IF J}is was a-seint petres day : p at comez in feuerer, }0at for pe honour of pulke dede : men helewiez feor and ner. fro pis dede was al I-don : and seint petre pannes i-wend, Symon Magus hyede pudere : and lieold him foule I-schend. 380 bi-fore al jus folk he cam : “ Muche wonder me pinchez,” he sede, “J3at icli ouwer soule-bote liere-bi-fore : and to eouwer guod gan eov rede, p foi. 145 b.] frsit $e ne flouwen petre, pane trichour : pat he a-mong eov ne come And nou^t one ne 2 Anoreden him : ake wit grete nobleie him nome And an hei} in chaire 3 setten him : ase he eouwer crist were. z ai. ■$> Fleotli fram him, ^if $e wollez i-sauede beon : and doth ase ich eov lere ! ” * MS. in chaire In chaire IF fro al pat folk i-heorde pis : for wrathpe heo weren nei^ wode ; “ False trichour,” huy seidcn, “ pis opur day : bi-fore us here pov stode 388 And seidest pat he was treowe and guod : and pat we after him do scliolde, And seist noupe pat he is luper and fals ! : pi 3 wile worth sone i-jolde,” huy sturten forth and beoten pis foule peof : pat he was nei$ a-slawe ; ST. PETER IS MARTYRED. ST. CLEMENT IS MADE POPE 335 AGAINST HIS WILL. .Nadde he pe revlocur i-cried on heom : hey 1 wolden him habbe to-drawe. 1 r. huy 392 Ase he m^te, he crep a-w T ei : with many a lujmr strok. ) 5 are he him-seolf, ase euerech swyke doth : liim-seolf he bi-swok ! S eint petre ^eode to rome : with his desciple preo. he wuste pat is tyme was nei^ : pat he Imartred scholde beo : 396 Seint Clement al bi is daye : he made him pope at rome, J)at he guode }eme after him : to holie chnrche nome. II ])o seint petre I-martred was : seint clement him bi-son^te : 1 399 3 if he bi-lefte pope forth : ase pat folk him bi-sou^te, vvfio^Tre^orrupteci. ] 5 at no 2 pope ne 2 mi^te aftur him : Ane opurne pope make, 2 ai. om. 3 warn so huy wolden, pon .13 heore wille : opur for 1 eni mede take ; )?at he him bad for godes loue : pat no pope bi is daye ] ™ ^o^added Non opur pope ne scholde maken so : holie churche to bi-traye ; 2 404 For a wardein of holie churche : pon .13 is godnesse man schal take, Jpat 1 nou^t, ase it were bi heritage : pat o freond pat opur make, he tok up is dignete : for al pat man him bad, 1 ai. om.; r. and? And seint lyn, pat w r as a guod man : was pope in his stude Imad. After seint lynes daye : alle pe men wolde 409 Seint clemente habbe pope Imad : ake for no-ping $eot he nolde ; Sefdnt ] 1 Clete huy maden pope po. : ake after is da^e a-non 1 ms. se J)at folk heold seint clement faste : huy nolden him nou 3 t for-gon ; h Alflingue with strencpe huy maden him pope. : and po hit cam par-to, he fondede to paye euer-ech Man : riche and pouere al-so. 414 he honourede more pe pouere Men : pane he dude pe riche, to helpe more is 1 soule pane is 1 bodi — : for huy ne beot noi^t Iliche. Sisyine, pe Iustise of pe lond : liadde a swipe guod wijf, 1 ai. j?e p)at poru^ se[int] cleme[n]t I-cristned was : for-to amendi hire lijf. 3 wane heo m^te, fram hire louerd [heo stole] : al with-oute here, ^"gin A day, ase 1 heo wolde to churche gon : he siwede hire wel swipe . 2 420 Sone so heo to churche cam : and hire hovse-bonde onder-^at , 3 2 2 vv - om - A-drad heo was, and hudde hire : in one [derne] stude heo sat. onS'-^at ]) o seint clement seide is oresun : and is clerkes amen seide, 423 )pe Iustise i-werth hope def and blind. : wel loude he gan to grede : “3 ware beo 3 e noupe, mine menl : ovt 3 e moten me lede, For Ine mai mi-seolf I-seo ne heore. : 3 wat mai icli to-rede? 336 ST. CLEMENT CURES A MAN BLIND AND DEAF. THE MAN AND HIS RETINUE TURN CHRISTIANS. cometh forth to me euerechone : and out heonnes me leden ! ” 1 his Men sturten forth And nomen him op : huy swatten alle for drede. 1 w. 426-7 ai. om. [foi.ue.] 428 huy beren him al-a-boute J)e churche : huy ne m^ten J?e dore finde : 3 wane huy wenden at]?e dore to beo : panne weren huy feor bi-hinde. Sore was Jus guode wijf a-drad : po heo i-sai^ heom so fare : 431 heo Axede $wat hire louerd were — : for no leng ne mi^te heo spare, huy seiden, “ for he wolde 1 I-seon and I-heore : ojmr pane to him bi-come, 1 orig. buy woldeu bi-come he is blijnd and def : here in pe churche of Kome.” Jpis guode wijf bad ore louerd 3 eorne : pat huy mosten pannes ovt wende : po founden pis men pe dore a-non : and wenden out atpenende. 436 pis guode wijf bad Clement ^eorne : to hire louerd come And amendi him poru 3 godes grace : of is limes, pat him weren bi-nome. 1 w. 439-40 ai. om. IT Seint clement and J?is guode wijf to pis lupere man gonne teo : huy founden him loki swipe brode : and no-ping ne mi 3 te i-seo . 1 440 Seint clement bad ore louerd for him : and po he i-don hadde, his heoringue and is s^t him cam a^ein. : ake neuere ponk he ne hadde. For a-non so he i-sai '3 seint clement stonde : bi is wiue, he wende And seide pat he hadde bi hire i-leie : and J>are-fore he him a-blende. bis guode wijf 3 eode into hire preuetez : and Iesu crist [bad] wel faste J)at hire louerd J?oru 3 is grace : in-to betere bi-leue him caste. 446 S Eint petre fram heouene : to hire a-l^te a-doun IfFormeVa ? 5 And s[e]ide, hire louerd scholde i-saued beo : J>oru 3 hire oresun ; “For seint powel seide 1 pat a luj?er man : scholde i-saued beo 449 poru 3 guodnesse of a godwomman : And so it worth bi him and J?e.” pis guode wyf eode to hire louerd : and prechede him of cristine-dom : So pat he ]>oru 3 godes grace : in-to guode bi-leue he com. 452 he liet him cristni sone a-non : and al is may[n]e pere, pre hondret men and tweolue : with him i-cristnede were. IT Tralan, J?e luj?ere Amperour : herof he heorde speke : he swor he wolde for his Iustise : of seint clement beo a-wreke. 456 ST. CLEMENT, THOUGH POPE, IS DRIVEN INTO THE WILDERNESS. 337 HE, BY A MIRACLE, MAKES A WELL SPRING THERE. he comaundede Mamertyn : j?at was an opur Iustise, 1 ai. om. Jpat lie scholde maken clement pe pope : to don heom 1 sacrefise Opur maken him out of londe fleme — : pat lie ne lete it nou^t, Laste heore lawe and heore godes weren : pon .13 him to grounde i-brOU^t. 1 MS. Jxraj 2 orig. nam 3 h. g. al. om. 460 IF Jfis Iustise wende po wip 1 gret power : And. seint clement he nom ; 2 And for he nolde don heore godes 3 sacrefise : he ^af him an opur dom : J^at he scholde beon out of londe i-driue : into wildernesse. Ase a peof he was i-harlet forth : in wel fyl destresse. 464 Jpo he into wildernesse cam : to pousende he fond pere Of cristine Men, pat hadden per : longue i-woned for fere, Laste pe Aumperoures men : In torment heom hadden i-brou 3 t ; And huy for drede of strongue depe : weren in feble pou^t. — 468 Lor manie men bi pulke daie : for drede of pulke pingue Ase bestes huy leoueden in wildernesse : po cristinedom bi-gan furst springue. — 470 Wel glade weren pis guode men : po huy seint clement i-sei^e : heo 3 eoden a- 3 ein him aud ponkeden god : weopinde with heore eie: huy maden seint clement heore Maister pere : pope ase he was. [foi.neb.] jpare nas non pat in studefast lijf : for him a-mendet ne was. Water huy nadden nei 3 heom non : bi six Mile wei wel longue, Al heore drinke huy fetten pare : in we^e swipe st r onge. 47 6 Seint clement [bad] ore louerd crist : 3 if hit is wille were, J}at he holpe is trewe couent : and sende heom watur pere. he i-sai 3 a lomb stonde and marki : with is r^t fot ane stude : he i-sai 3 pat hit ore louerd was : to don pat he hadde i-bede. 480 H Seint clement 3 eode and smot in pulke stude : as pat lomb markede er : J)are sprong a welle fair and guod — : wel gret Ioye was per. Jpis Miracle was widen i-cud : fif hondret men pare-fore bi-comen cristine and blesseden pe time : pat seint clement w T as i-bore. 484 \)o 3 ede he forpere a-mong pe men : and so fair Miracle wrou 3 te, Swipe muclie folk to guode bi-leue : and to Iesu crist he brou 3 te. Fyf hondred of Maumates : to grounde he brou 3 te pere ; And sixti cliurche and fiftene : in heore studes he liet a-rere. 488 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. Z 338 ST. CLEMENT IS DROWNED IN THE SEA, WHICH WITHDRAWS, AND DISCLOSES A CHAPEL WHERE HIS BODY IS SHRINED. S o pat tralan pe Aumperour : her-of heorde telle : Ane duyk of gret power he sende pudere : pane guode man for- to quelle. 1 overlined. s orig. and gr. 490 Jpis duyk him nam and liet to 1 him binde : grete 2 stones wel faste, And ladden him feor in-to J?e deope se : and ri^t a-midde him caste. Welle, muche was pe deol : pat is desciples for him made ! 1 r. bade In-to pe se huy ornen to sechen him : ase feor ase huy dorsten wade. \) o huy ne mitten nei} him come : ore louerd wel 3 eorne huy beade 1 to 3 iuen heom a si 3 t of seint clement : pe more to beon glade. 496 Ase huy seten opon pe .se : and crieden on him wel faste and ^eorne, Jpe .se. wel swiftliche hire with-drav 3 1 : and with gret eyr In gan eorne : 1 ai. wij>drouj So pat with-inne pe deope .se : preo grete Milene and more A swipe fair wei and druye pare was : i-here[d] heo godes ore ! 500 J)is guode men bi pis faire wei : In-to pe .se. gonne to wcnde : Ane churche hui founden, of Marbre i-maud : r^t atpe weies ende. With-inne pe churche huy founden ane cofre : of seluer and of golde And parinne seint clementes bodi : ase ore louer[d] it wolde. 504 Welle, louerd, muche was pe Ioye : pat pis guode Men inne were, For pe faire Miracle of seint clement : pat huy founden pere ! huy beden heore beden ^wat-so huy wolden : and wenden a 3 en at- penende : euere orn pe se after heom wel faste : at heore helene bi-hinde, 508 For-to heo cam to hire r^te stude : and pare heo gan atstonde. J?is guode men serueden god pe bet : and ponke[den] 3 eorne is sonde. L ongue per-aftur it bi-feol : pon .13 ore louerdes heste, fram 3 er to 3 ere seue dawes : at seint clementes festes 512 pat pe se ire wolde so with-drawe : and makie ane wei wel druye To pe holie chapele of seint clement : pat no watur ne scholdc man a-nuye ; J)at ech Man alle pe seuen dawes : al druye wende and clene, For-to honouri pat holie bodi : ase it bi-feol eche 3 ere ene ; 516 And Anon-ri 3 t pe se wende a- 3 ein : with watur and with slyme F foi. u 7 j 1 After pe e^te dawes, and heold him so : for-to an opur 3 er pat tyme. A wommon cam 2 pudere at one tyme : and a child pat was hire sone, 2 MS * cam cam ST. CLEMENT KEEPS A BOY ALIVE FOR A YEAR UNDER THE SEA. 339 HIS BODY IS PLACED IN ST. CLEMENT’S AT ROME. For-to A-novri fat svvete bodi : as it was mannes wone. 520 hit feol at 1 fe endingue : of fe seuefe dai^e 1 ms. >at fat fe se cam eorne & rotte ^eorne : ase fat child a-slepe laye. J3at folk, fat fare was bi-leued : bi-gonne ateorne faste ; jpis womman louede hire lyf al-so : fat heo nas 110113! fe laste. 524 \)o heo was to londe i-come : and hire sone 1 mid hire nadde, 1 overiiued. Muche was fe deol fat heo made : loude heo weop arid gradde. gredinde heo orn and longue soi^te : a-boute bi fe se-side, 3if fe .se. him hadde up i-cast — : heo sou3te a-boute wel wide. 528 ]) 0 heo ne mi’3te him nou3were i-finde : weopinde horn heo wende, And bad seint clement, of hire childe : fat he sum gladnesse hire sende. heo bi-lefte al f e 3er : in gret sor and in care. 1 at. was jare Anofur 3er at seint clementes tid : fuder-ward heo wolde fare. 1 532 To fe chapele 3eorne heo orn : fo fe se was In i-weved 1 orig. i-wend h Ire 1 sone heo fond in f ulke stude : fare heo hine hadde bi-leued. l ^[d5 ! Sone fis womman nam him up : and wende fat he 1 ded were. 1 ms. heo J?at child, ase fei it woke of slepe : Axede 3wat heo wolde fere. 536 j^is womman for Ioie gradde loude : fat folk a-boute hire wende, And fonkeden god with grete Ioye : fat swuclie miracle him sende. huy axeden hov he hadde so longue i-leued : And ;if he were 0113! i-drei3 1. “ hit nis nov3t longue,” fat child seide : “ake to sone 3e me 1 habbez a-wei3t ; 1 MS. me me 2 MS. je habbez 540 Softe and swote i habbe 2 i-slepe : onnefe me finchez o ny3t. Moste ich lengore habbe i-le^e : me hadde i-beo wel i-d^t.” With gret Ioye huy ladden fis child hom. : fis miracle was couth wel wide. Mani fair Miracle sein 4 clement dude : bi fe sees sides. 544 H f e se with-drov3 hire wel mani a 3er : to maken men druye i-wende ; And f ulke miracle for mannes [sunne] : bi-lefde sethfe atfen ende. ])o Men founden fis holie 3wuchche : In a fair place stonde with fis holie bodi a-boue fe se : al on druye londe ; 548 Muche folk with fair procession : fis holie bodi nome And ladden it forth with gret honour : to fe churche of rome. ))are is noufe seint clementes churche : I-mad with quoynte gynne. z 2 340 ST. LAWRENCE HAS TREASURES OF HOLY CHURCH, AND REFUSES TO TELL THE EMPEROR DECIUS WHERE THEY ARE. god 3 iue us part of Jnilke Ioy 3 e : J>at seint clement is inne. 552 48 [Laurence.] S Eynt laurence guod man was : and in strong Martyrdom he endede here on eorpe is lijf : and to J>e Ioye of heuene he com. Decius pe Aumperour : pat lupur -was i-nov^, And is lustise Valerian : pat to alle schrewe-hede drov 3 , 4 huy wenden and sou 3 ten cristine Men : and 3 wane huy enie founde, huy pineden heom with gret torment : and bro^ten heom sone to grounde. huy comen 1 and founden pene bischop sixte : and a-slowen him with gret WOU3. 1 MS. eomenen Seint laurence was is Ercedeckne : J>at guod man was i-no\ r 3 . 8 H po pe bischop scholde beon i-nome : and he J>at cas i-sei 3 , Seint laurence, is Ercedekne : he cleopede, J>at was him nei 3 : A1 J>at tresor of holie churche : J>at he to-gadere drov 3 [foi. 147 b.] Seint laurence he it hi-tok : to witien it w r el .i-nov 3 . 1 2 pe tormentores, J>at )?is i-sei^en : heom hope huy nome faste, Seint sixte and seint laurence : and strongue biendes on heom caste, huy ladden seint sixte to heore false godes : and is tweie felawes al-so, And scheweden heom heore false hymages : and beden heom a-loute par-to ; 1 6 JOo Jus guode men nolden don so : ake on ore louerd huy crieden faste, huy smiten of heore heuedes sone : and heore bodies pare caste. Joe Aumperoure huy senden word : al 3 wat huy hadden i-do, And hov seint laurence in prisone was : in strongue bendes, al-so, 20 And hou he al pat tresor hadde : of churchene to him i-drawe. 1 Joe Aumperov[r] i-heorde Jus : he was glad parof and fa we : 1 a v. om. Eor he pou 3 te pat tresor al habbe : J>ei it were a- 3 en lawe. IT Joane holie Man he liet fette : and bi-fore him lede, 1 ms. wortJ>eiiche 24 And bi-heold him wel stuyrneliche : and wrotpeliche 1 to him sede : “ 3 ware is J?at tresor of pe churchene : J>at pe w r as i-broi^t'?” Seint laurence stod wel stille : and ne ansuerede 1 him r^t noi^t. }0e Aumperour was swipe wroth : po he ne 3 af him non Answere ; 28 A-non he wolde habbe defouled him : vnnepe he it 2 m^te for-bere. he liet cleopie valerian : pat was is he^e lustise, 1 ms. ansueredede s a?.om. ST. LAWRENCE IS CAST INTO PRISON. HE GIVES A BLIND 311 HEATHEN HIS SIGHT, AND CONVERTS HIS JAILER YPOLIT. “FTim,” he seide, “peosne Man : wel faste in alle wise And win of him J?at tresor : and make him don sacrefise, 32 Ojmr bring him in swuch torment : pat opure of him a-grise.” fie Iustise nam pene holie Man : and liet him binde faste, And bi-tok him Ypolite, pe kny^t : In strong prisons to caste, he brou^te [him] in strong prisoun : and bi-lek him faste al-so, 36 with peoues and with lupere Men : pat hadden pe Aumperoure mis-do. — On hepene man pare was Inne : lucille was is name, J?at hadde pare-inne so muche i-wope : for seoruwe and for schame, fiat he weop out hope is ei^ene : and al blynd was bi-come. 40 Seint laurence hadde reupe : pat is sijt him was bi-nome : “ bi-lief,” he seide, “on Iesu crist : pat for us schedde is blod, And afong cristinedom : ant pov schalt habbe pi si^t wel guod.” “Ich bi-lieue,” pis opur seide : “on him with al mi pou^t, 44 And for-sake alle peos false godes : pat ne mowen me helpe nou^t.” IT Seint laurence baptizede him : and a-non-r^t with pe dede his sijt him cam wel cler and guod. : po bi-gan he a-non to grede : “ I-hered beo swete Iesu crist : pat here hath i-cud is mi^te 48 And poru 3 is seriaunt, seint laurence : me hath i-sent mi s^te ! For ase $e wuten euerechone : mi s^t me was bi-nome, And poru} Iesu crist and seint laurence : it is me a^ein i-come.” J^is typingue sprong sone wide : so pat opore i-nowe 52 fidt wide a-boute blinde weren : puder-ward faste huy drowe. IT fio Ypolite pis i-sai 3 : pat ore louerd hadde swuch m^te fidt alle pe blinde pat pudere comen : anon hadden heore si 3 te, 1 “ Merci ! ” he criede, “ seint laurence ” : and to Iesu 2 crist him nam, And he, and al is maynie : nomen cristine-dom. p foi.Hs] ®ms. iusu. ^^"alerian pare-after-ward sone : ase it cam in is por^te, 58 T Sende to ypolite pe kny 3 t : pat he seint laurence him brou3te. “ Hov, laurence,” quath ypolite : “ forth ich mot pe lede.” 60 “ 3e, go we forth,” seide laurence : “ ne schal us no-ping drede : fie Ioye of heouene is al^are : to us hope in alle wise.” fio ladde ypolit laurence forth : bi-fore pe lupere Iustise. Valerian pe Iustise : bi-heold laurence faste, 64 342 ST. LAWRENCE, WHEN ASKED FOR THE CHURCH’S TREASURES, SHOWS POOR SICK MEN. HE IS SCOURGED FOR THIS. And seide, “bel ami, hov longue : schal ower folie i-lastel Tuyrn fi fou 3 t, ich rede, sone : and schewe us fat tresour Of churchene fat fe was bi-take : and de-liuere it fe Aumperour ! ” IT “ Sire Iustise,” seint laurence seide : “ jif fov onder-stanst resoun, )2ov wost wel fat icb habbe i-leye : longue in fat prisoun, So fat i-ne habbe nou^t fat tresor : of churche here nov 3 are; 70 Ake 3 if me freo dawes furst : fat ich mouwe a-boute fare, And ich it wolle to-gadere bringue : and here bi-fore fe lede.” 72 po was fe Iustise swyfe glad : of wordes fat he sede ; For hope of 1 fat grete tresor : and for none ofur 2 fingue, 2 MS.opu?fu? he 3 af him respit of freo dawes : fat tresor forth to bringue, And bi-tok him ypolite in warde : fat lie him a 3 ein brou 3 te. 76 Forth huy wenden wide a-boute : and guod tresor huy soujte : Alle fe men fat huy m^ten finde : fat pouere and feble were, In sicnesse ofur in miseise : to-gadere huy brou 3 ten fere, 79 And in ypolitus house hudden heom : And wenden to f e Aumperour. pe Aumperour heom Axede sone : 3 ware w T ere fat tresour. “ Sire,” seide seint laurence : “redi it is a-non.” 1 orig. palais he wende out after fe selie Men : and bad heom with him gon. In-to fe paleis 1 he ladde heom forth : bi-fore fe Aumperour, 84 “Lo, sire,” he seide, “ich habbe i-brou 3 t : lioli churche tresour. J)is tresour is swif e lioli and guod : and euere it wole i-laste, hit ne schal neuere wanie : ake euere wexe faste ; In eche londe it is redi : 3 wodere-so ani man wiende ; 88 J2are-with Man may fe blisse of heouene : bugge with-outen ende.” 1 “ Ei, traitre,” seide fe Aumperour : “is it i-come here-to? '■ai.2w.move. hastfov us f us to scorn i-driue 1 : fov ne sclialt non-more so.” he liet him streope nakede a-non : and with smarte scourgene him bete, 92 p at blod orn bi is limes a-doun : bofe in lengfe and in grete (!). po seide fis holie man : “ louerd, ich fonkie fe J}at a-mong fine holie compaynie : fi wille is to bringue me. And fov, wrechche lufere fing : fov art in grot torment i-wis, 96 In wrathfe and soruwe of heorte : and neuere fe worse me nis.” “ A, traytour,” seide fis lufere Man : “ neltfov non-ofur singue ?” Alle manere of tormenz : bi-fore him he liet bringue, ST. LAWRENCE IS FEARFULLY TORTURED BY DECIUS. A VOICE 343 FROM HEAVEN SAYS HE MUST SUFFER MORE. Hokes of .Ire., and 3 weoles also : with, rasores al-a-boute, 100 And a bed of Ire with kene pikes : al brenninde with-oute, [foi.usb.] Scourgene of led and raketei^es : and ofere wel mani on, Jjat we ne conne no^t alle tellen : on eorfe noufe nis swuch non. “Lo,” seide fe Aumperour : “ bi-hold noufe al-a-bonte, 104 And honovre ore godes, ich rede, a-non : of ur herto f ov schalt loute i 1 For alle J>e tormenz fat f ov i-sixt : and 3 eot wel mo fer-to, 1 ai. route bote f ov tuyrne fi fo^t a-non : on J>i bodi schullen beo i-do.” IT “ jjov wrechche,” seide fis holie man : “ mi wille hath euere i-beo For-to come to fis murie solas : fat ich here noufe i-seo. Wel mo tormenz fane here beoth : to fe beoth i-mad al^are 110 In fe pine of helle : 3 \vane ich schal to fe Ioye of heuene fare.” D ecius fe Aumperour fo : fierde ase he were wod. 112 Ipe compaynie of tormentores : wel prest bi-fore him stod : he liet heom with grete staues : leggen on him to grounde. j)e tormentores leiden on him : and maden him mani a wounde. Ase huy beoten fis holie bodi : seint laurence him sede : 116 “ j?ou wrecliche, noufe fov m^t i-seo : fat I-nabbe of fe no drede.” “Nimez a-non,” quath fe Aumperour : “and makiez is torment more ! ” Wel redie weren fe schrewes alle : to don aftur is lore : Irene plates al brenninde : In is woundes huy duden so sore. 120 “ Swete louerd,” fis holi man seide : “ich bidde fe milce and ore : For fo ich was harde a-coupet : I-ne for-sok fe nou 3 t, Ake fo me Axeden me, ich was a-knowe of fe : with worde and with f ou 3 t.” J)o decius i-heorde fis : for wrathfe he gan grede, * 124 And liet nimo scourgene : with grete bottene 1 of lede 1 ai. battes And liet beten fis holi man : fat is bones breken some ; 1 added later J)at he was op-on f e pointe of deth : and is strencf e nei 3 bi-nome. IT “ Louerd,” he seide, “ Iesu crist : fat foledest deth [for 1 ] me, 128 Onder-fong, 3 wane ich heonnes wiende : mine soule, ich bidde fe ! ” )3o cam fare a swete voiz : a-doun fram heuene anon, bat f eos wordes to him seide : fat huy heorden ech-on : 1 ms. tormentores “ 3eot fe beoth for godes loue : tormentes 1 to come wel mo.” 132 IT bo Decius i-heorde fis : for wrathfe he gradde and wo : 344 ST. LAWRENCE IS BEATEN WITH IRON SCOURGES, AND BURNT AND TORN ON A GRIDIRON. HE IS TRUE TO CHRIST. “ Lo,” lie seide, “mine barones : pat mi conseileres beoth, Conseil nimez here-of 1 in mine court : of pingue pat }e i-seotb : 3e i-heorez wel liov pe deuele[n] : with him spekez nov here — 136 For of ping pat ye i-heorez alle : he ne may him nou^t skere. 1 senJme 011 * huy comieth here and confortiez him : ase i-heorez ech-on. Strong wichche [he] is, pat ne doutez : of ore godes ech-on ; Wel hardi he is, for he ne tellez : of alle ore tormenz non. 140 bi pe fei pat ich owe to mahun : an-opur it schal gon ! ” Scourgene he liet nime of Ire : J>at harde weren i-nov^, And is flesch, pat was er bi-leued : pare-with lie 1 to-gnov^. 1 ai. me po is flesch pus defouled ivas : pat reovpe it was to seo, 144 “J)eof,” he seide, “^eot pov schalt : In wel more torment beo.” his chekene and is mouth a-boute : he liet 1 bete with stones, [foi. i49] And daschte pe tiez out of is heued : and to-breken is bones. 1 ms. liete “p)ov wrechche,” he seide, “ bi-piench pi-seolf : and torne sone pi poii^t ! ” 148 IT..*.* Sire Aumperour,” laurence seide : “ pov spext al embe no^t : I-nelle lionovri none opur godes : pane Iesus, in none wise ; For him ich.lo.uie, ana euere wolle : don him sacrefise.” po Decius him hadde i-do : al pat he coupe bi-penche, 152 " Certes,” he seide, “ pov schalt beo ded : ne schaltpov nou^t so at- blenche. ,, .. Strong fuyr he.lieth maken and gret : and a gredire par-on sette, Jpene holie Man, seint laurence : par-to he liet fette And al-a-long opon pe gredire : ouer pe fure him caste. 156 pe tormentores stoden al-a-boute : and bleowen pat fuyr wel faste ; with Irene pikes huy pulten him : and schouen In 1 faste a-boue. Louerd, muche was pe pyne : pat he soffrede for pi loue ! 1 ai. him JOat fuyr bi-neope rostede him : al quic mid flesch and blode, 160 And pe Irene pikes in is flesch : ful bitterliche huy wode. Seint laurence bi-gan to speke [po] : and to pe Aumperore he sede : “ j}ov lupere wrechche, it ne deriez me nou^t : al pine lupere dede. Nim ^eme pat pine fuyrie coles : wel muche a-kelez me, 164 And into pe strongue fuyre of helle : huy schullen bringue pe. “ X Ouerd Iesu crist, pov it wost : I-ne habbe pe nou^t for-sake, JLi Ake clanliche mi bodi and al mi pou 3 t : pe ich habbe bi-take.” ST. LAWRENCE DIES, AND IS BURIED BY HIS CONVERT, BIR YPOLIT. 345 ST. KENELM. THE EXTENT AND THE RIVERS OF ENGLAND. J}o bi-heold he fene Aumperour : with fair semblaunt and louv$ : 1G8 “ ]}ov wrechche,” he seide, " foil hast i-rosted : fulke one side i-nou} : Torrie hire op ward and .et. hire noufe : for ^are heo is fare-to ; And wiend and roste fat ofur side : fat heo beo i-nov^ al-so.” 1 IT ])o bi-heold he up on hei 3 : and toward heouene is Eyene caste, And seide : “swete Iesu crfst : Icli fonki fe wel faste 1 ai. 2 w. more. J^at ich it liabbe of-serued : at fine 3 ates In to wiende.” 174 "With fulke worde he deide fo : and broute is lijf to ended 1 oz. 2 w.more. Ypolit, fe guode kny 3 t : fat he broi^te to cnstine-dom, 176 And fat him wuste in prisone .er : swyfe sori bi-com : bi ni 3 te he wende stillede-liche : and f is holie bodi he nom And burede hit wel stillede-liche : after is harde dom. Louerd, muche was fe pine : fat he folede here : 180 hit 1 is wel r^t fat he beo : Apostles i-fere. 1 ms. his Novfe, Iesu, for fe grete pine : fat seint laurence here hadde, Ys bringue to fulke Ioye : fat fine Aungels his soule ladde. Amen. 49 Vita sancti Kenelmi. Regis. S Eint Kenelm, fe 3 ongue kyng : fat holi martyr is, he was kyng in Engelonde : of fe Marche of Walis. Eyng kenulf his fader hiet : he was kyng fare also ; f)e Abbeie of wynchecoumbe he liet arere : And fare-inne monekes do ; 4 And Aftur is defe he was fare i-bured : and 3 eot he lijth fere In fe Abbeie, fat 3 eot stant : fat he him-seolf liet a-rere. \)o was wynchecombe gret cite : and mest of i-nov 3 Of al fulke half of Engelonde : so feor so his lond drou 3 . [foi. 149 b.] 8 Eyf kingues fare weren fulke tyme : In engelonde i-do, Eor Enguelond was guod and long : and sum-del brod al-so. A-bouten e^te hondret mile : Engelond long is Eram 1 f e South into f e North : and to houndret brod i-wis 1 ms. fran Eram fe Est into fe West. : al-so fare-inne beoth Manie wateres guode i-nowe : fat men al dai i-seoth. 14 bote freo wateres principales : of alle ne beoth, i-wis : J3at .on. is homber, fat ofur seuerne : and temes fe fridde is. To fe North-se hombur geth : fat is on of fe beste, 16 346 ST. KENELM. EXTENT OF THE FIVE KINGDOMS OF ENGLAND. THE MARCH OF WALES IS THE BIGGEST. And Temese into pe est-se : and seuerne into pe weste. IT J^eos fij f kyngus of Engelonde : Jmt weren bi olde dawe, hadden heore part ech bi liim-seolf i-deld : ase it was r^t and lawe. pe kyng J»at was of pe March : he liadde al J)at beste : Muche del he liadde of Engelond : J>at on half al-bi weste, 22 Wyrecestre-schire, and ware- wike-sch ire : and pe schire of gloucestre — J^at is nei^wat al o bischopriclie : pe bischopes of wyrecestre. 24 he hadde J>ar-to chastre-schire : and derbi-scliire al-so, And stafford-schire — Jiat beoth alle : to 1 one bischope-riche i-do, 1 ai. in In pe bischop-riche of Chastre : and }eot heo beoth J>ar-to, Schrobbe-schire sum : and warewyke-schire lialuen-del al-so. 28 j)is king hadde al-so liereforde-schire : pat o bischopriche is, Ake Schrob-schire fallez haluendel : to jmlke schire, 1 i-wis, And sum of warewike-schire : and of gloucestre-schire al-so. Sethjie hadde Jie king of pe March : wel more lond Jier-to : 32 Nore-hampte-sc h ire, and boking-liam-schire : and pe schire of Oxen- ford, 1 al. bischopriche Leycestre-schire, . lincolne-schire : and pe schire of hert-ford — pat is al o bischopriche : pat of lincolne noujje is, J:at ^wuylene was of deorkcestre : bi-side Oxenforde, i-wis. 36 SethJ?e hadde pe king of pe March : Hotingham-schire ]?er-to — In pe bischopriche of Euerwike : bote po nas it nou^t so. po was al J>is lond i-cleoped : pe Marche of Walis : Of al Jus seint kenelines fader : he was king, i-wis. 40 !Non of alle pe o)>ere kyne-riches : a-$ein j?is kinedom nas; And w) nche-coumbe of al J^is lond : chef Cite J>o was. ))is fijf kyngues J?at weren po : J?at on was of kent, i-wis, And pe ojier, ase ich ou seide er : of pe Marche of walis, 44 Of Esex, 1 and of JS’orth-hoinberlond : and of est-lond al-so — 1 r. west&ex Jpis fijf kynedomes in engelond : in pat time weren i-do. pe king of west-sex hadde po : al wilte-schire, i-wis, 1 ai. Dorsete And Deorkecestre, 1 and barroke-schire : pat al o bischopriche is, 48 To 1 pe bischopriche of salesburi — : ake po nas it so noi^t, 2 a orig .noujtso For pe chief stude of pe bischopriche : at schirbourne was i-wrou 3 t. Sethj^e hadde pe kyng of west-sex : south-sex al-so, pe welde and al pe bischopriche : of Cicestre j)er-to ; 52 ST. KENELM BECOMES KING AT SEVEN TEARS OLD. 347 EXTENT OF THE KINGDOMS OF WESSEX, EASTLAND, &C. And southampte-schire and sopereye : pat of pe 1 bischopriche is, 2 1 >•. o pe bischopriche of wynchestre : pat ^uyt is pere, i-wis ; [ 2 foi. 150 ] And somer-sete [pat] to welles : pulke tyme drou 3 — laf.jewite^weiinouj Nov it is pe bischopriche of bape : 3 e schnllen i-wyten. 1 56 If pe kyng of west-sex hadde sethpe : al deuene-schire, i-wis, And Cornwaile, pat in pe bischopriche : of Eccestre noupe is. — )pe king of kent was po kyng : of al pe londe of kent, bat weren inne tweie bischopriches : and 3 eot nis it nou 3 t i-went : 60 be bischopriche of Caunterburi : pat in Engelonde 3 eot is hext, And pe bischopriche of Boucestre : pat inpe west-side is next. — be king pat was of ast-londe : king was of North-folk, 1 ^ the "ms™ tiansp ' be bischopriche of North wich : and al-so of south-folk 64 And al pe bischopriche of hely : pat pe Yle of hely 3 eot is, And grauntebrugge-schire : pare-to fallez, i-wis ; Seint Eadmund was of pat lond : kyng bi olde dawe — Eor he was in is owene lond : for is guodnesse a-slawe. — 68 be kyng of North-humber-lond : was kyng, ich onder-stonde, Of al pe londe bi- 3 eonde houmber : A-non into scotlonde, be bischopriche of Eouerwik : and of Duyrham, i-wis ; Seint Oswold bi olde dawe : was kyng of al pis. 7 2 bus manie kyngues weren : 3 wylene in Engelonde, And heore londes de-partede weren : pus, ich under-stonde. — be kyng pat was of pe march : ase ich telle bi-gan, Kenulf kyng he was i-cleoped : swipe holi and guod man : 7 6 Seint kenelm was is sone : and is eir al-so ; Borewenild and quendrith : weren is doi^trene two. In pe foure-and-twentipe 3 ere : of is kynedom be kyng 1 kenulf deide : and to pe Iole of heuene he com — 80 hit was afftur pat ore louerd : in his moder a-l^te 1 on the margin. E^te hundret 3 er and Nyntene : bi a-countes r^te. IT Seint kenelm, is 3 onge sone : In is seuenpe 3 ere kyng was I-mad aftur him : al-pei he 3 ong child were. 84 his [o] soster Borewenild : louede him i-nou 3 And in eche manere : to alle guod-nesse heo drou 3 . Quendrith, pe opur soster : of hire maneres nas nou3t, For heo tornede to feolonie : and 1 to quede hire pou 3 t. 1 orig. ant 88 348 ST. kenelm’s bad sister, quendrith, tries to poison him, AND PLOTS HIS DEATH. HE IS WARNED BY A DREAM. IT lieo i-sai^ J)at hire ^ungue broker : ]?at nas nou^t of seue ^er, kyng was i-mad of al J>at lond : J?at heore fader hadde er : to him heo hadde gret onde : J?at he scholde so riche beo And eir of hire fader lond : and of more power J?ane heo ; 92 heo )>ou3te, ^if heo m^te bringue : Jus child of lijf-dawe, jpat heo wolde of is heritage : beo quene with lawe. Al hire J)ou3t was n^t and day : to bi-J)enche sum outrage, jXit Jus child were i-brou3t of dawe : for-to habbe is heritage. 96 heo porueide hire r^t feolonliche : A poysun, strong i-110113, For-to 3iue Jus 3ongue child : to slen him with WOU3. [foi. 150 b.] j)o )at poysun him was i^iue : J>at so strong and luj?er was, Ore louerdes mi3te was so muche : J)at no-J?e worse him nas. 100 Jpo pe lu})ere quene J?at i-sai : J?at hit was al for nou3t, J^at no poysun ne m^te him sle : heo J)ou3te an ojmr Jmu3t. Jpis 3ongue child aue maister hadde : J>at his wardein was — Askebert he was i-cleoped : a strong trichour, alas ! 104 For noman ne may to ojmr : sonere tricherie do J)ane Julke J?at is him euere nei3 : and J»at he trist mest to. IF Jpis luj>ere quene bi-J>ou3te hire : of one false wrenche — 107 Men seith J?at feolonie nas neuere non : J)at wornman ne can bi-J>enche. with Jus Askebert heo spac : Jus child to slen and spille ; heo bi-liet him mede and guod i-nov3 : and of eclie Jung don is wille. So J>at Jus to luj^ere Jungues : weren at one rede, And bi-speken hou huy m^ten best : don J*e lujjere dede. 112 Jje 3wyle huy bi-speken bo})e : J?is 3ongue child to quelle, J}is swete sweuene Jus child matte : J)at icli ov wolle nouJ?e telle : him J?ou3te J?at J)are stod a treo : r^t bi-fore is bedde, joat a-non to }>e steorrene it tilde : and swyj>e wide it spradde ; 116 }Bs treo was fair and noble i-nov3 : And schon wel br^te and wide, . Ful of blostmene and of fruyt : and mani a riche bou3 bi-side, berninde wex and laumpes al-so : Jucke brenninde and li3te — So noble treo nas neuere i-se^e : ne non J?at schon so br^te. 120 him J?ou3te he cfdjam 1 op-on J?at treo : to J?exte bo we an hei3 1 ms. cam And bi-heold a-boute in-to al J>e world : and a-perteliche 1 i-sei3. \)q 3wyle he stod opon Jus treo : and bi-heold a-boute so, 1 ai. prute inouj him J?ou3te J?at on of is nexte frend : and J?at he truste mest to, 124 ST. kenelm’s nurse, wolvene, interprets his dream. 349 HIS TUTOR ASKEBERT DIGS A PIT TO PUT HIM INTO. On pe gronnde stod bi-nepe : and smot a-to pis treo, J^at it feol a-donn to grounde : pat deol it was to seo. to aluyte foul he 1 bi-cam : non fairore ne mi^te non 2 beo, 1 ms. ich And bi-gan with Ioye i-nov3 : ri^t into heouene fleo. 2 om. non 128 bo pis child poi^te so : at wynchecombe he lay : he a-wok and [in] grete pou3te was : hope n^t and day. 1 ms. hire he nuste 3wat tockninge it was : wel pe more was his 1 pou3t ; Are he parof sum-ping wuste : blipe nas he nou3t. 132 his norice, pat him hadde i-fed : and with hire milk forth i-brou3t, )pat child heo louede euere muche : with dedes and with pou3t ; To hire pat child triste mest : — woluene hire name was : bis child tolde hire priueliche : of is metingue al is cas. 1 36 bo pis Norice hadde i-heord : pe sweuene, pat was so guod, heo bi-gan to siche sore : and in grete poi^te stod ; “ Alas,” heo seide, “ pat ich scholde : euere pis day a-bide, bat mi child, mi swete heorte : swych cas schal bi-tide ! 140 Alas, mi child, mi swete fode : pat ich habbe forth i-brou3t, bi soster, pat 1 bi-spekez pi deth : to quelle pe heo hath i-pou3t. 1 ai. om. Ake pe foul, pat pou bi-come to : and to heuene gan i-wende, [foi. i5i] bat was pi soule, pat pudere schal : aftur pi Hues ende.” — 144 bis metyngue bi-cam soth i-nou3 : pat he fond atpe laste. For is soster and Askebert : bi-speken is deth wel faste. Askebert seide a day : pat pis child scholde wende An hontingue, to piemen him : bi pe wodes ende, 148 And he with him, ase hit was ri^t : to witien him bi pe weqe. he 1 wende to pe wode of clent : ase it were heom for-to pleie. 1 = heo, l my Ase huy wenden a-boute pe wode : ase ore louerd 3af pe grace, grete wille pat child hadde : pare to slepen in one place ; 152 A-doun he lai wel soffteliche : and gan to slepe a-non. Askebert ne pou3te nou3t : pat he scholde pannes gon. bi-side in one derne stude : he gan to deluen faste Ane put, 3 wane pat child were ded : pare-inne him to caste. 156 bat child bi-gan a-wakien sone : ase pei it were bi cas, After is maister he bi-heold : and ne sai3 nou3t 3ware he was. Ake ore louerd him 3af pe grace : pei he nuste noi^t of is dede, bat he spac to his maister : and peos wordes sede : 160 350 ST. KENELM IS MURDERED BY HIS TUTOR ASKEBERT IX THE WOOD OF CLENT. HIS SOUL, AS A DOVE, FLIES TO HEAVEN. “ bou trauailest,” he seide, “ a-boute no^t : and fine 3 wyle fou dost spille, For in ane ofure stude i schal deie : 3 ware hit is godes wille ; And J?oru 3 tokningue of fis 3 eorde : fou schal wel i-seo bare 1 al fi wille fou m^t do : fat ich i-martred beo.” 1 o^.whane 164 Forth wende fis lufere man : and fis child also. huy comen to on ojmr stude : fare fe dede was i-do. bis maister nam f e 3 eorde : and sette hire on fe gronnde : And heo bi-gan to leui fare : in wel luyte stounde, 168 And a swyfe gret Asch bi-cam sethfe : and 3 eot stant in fulke place, to schewi fe mi 3 te of seint kenelm : and ore louerdes grace. ] 3 es lufere man nam fis child : in fe wode of klent And ladde him, ase men doth a feof : to a-fongue is Iuggement, 172 he ladde him into a priue stude : al out of fe \vei 3 e, bi-twene [twei ] 1 hulies hei 3 e : into a deop ualeie. 1 om. IT bis child f on .13 f e holi gost : fei fe ofur it nolde him telle, "VVuste wel is lufere fou 3 t : fat he him wolde a-quelle ; 176 And fo he targede a luyte : fis lufere dede to done, bat child seide wel mildeliche : “ 3 wy ne dost J>ou sone 1 ” he bi-gan Ane saume ]?at men singuth : in holie churche a- day, bat was “ te deum laudamus ” : are Jiat he a-doun lay. 180 K^t ase he seide an lioli vers : Jiat J?are-inne was and is, A-latyn i-write, as alle ]?e o)mre : and J)e englisch so is J>is “ j)e faire compaygnie of Martyrs : louerd, herieth )>e : ” Ri 3 t ase he liadde fat fers i-seid : as fe boc tellez me, 184 be lufere man sinot of is heued : onder an haw 3 forn-treo, bare ase godes wille was : fat he i-martred scholde beo. A coluere, 3 w^t so eni milk : out of him gan teo And ri 3 t euene heo was i-se^e : into heouene fleo. [foi. 151 b.] 188 Onnefe he was seue 3 er old : are he i-martred were — Alto soth is sweuene was : ase [men] mitten i-seo fere ! IF bis lufere man fat him a-slov 3 : bi-gan to delue faste And made ane put, deop i-nou 3 : and fare-inne fis child caste; 192 he burede hit fare faste i-nou : fat he i-founde nere, And wende horn a- 3 ein in is wei : and liet him ligge fere. To Quendrith, his lufere soster : a-non-r^t he gan i- wende ST. kenelm’s bad sister, QUENDRlTH, becomes queen. 351 SHE FORBIDS FOLK TO NAME HER BROTHER. A COW HONOURS HIM. And tolde al f>is lupere dede : hou he was i-brou^t to ende. 196 Jjeos womman was po glad i-nou} ! : A-boute heo sende a-non For-to saisi alle his londes to hire : and pe maneres euerech-on, And liet hire maiden quiene of pe Marche : ase hire bropur was king. A schrewe lauedi heo was i-nov} : and wicke pon .13 alle ping ! 200 heo wende a-boute ope al hire lond : and nam hire manrede , 1 And bi-cam stuyrne and bi-ladde hire men : harde with muche wrech-hede . 2 1 orig. manrade 2 al. 2 vv. more, heo liet hote into al pat lond : pat no man so wod nere to nemmen hire broper name : for lone ne for fere ; 204 And $if man mi^te ani i-wite : pat nadde it nou^t bi-leued, Jpat he were sone i-nome : and i-smiten of is heued. ) 5 us fierde pis lupere womman : and sturede hire wel faste ; 207 Jpat no man ne dorste hire bropur bi-mene : huy weren so sore a-gaste. And euere lai pis holie bodi : i-bnred swipe stille, j^at no man ne dorste of him speke : a-^ein pe quiene wille. So longue, pat he was al for-^ite : po men ne moste of him speke. Ake hit nas nou^t pat atpe laste : ore louerd him nolde a-wreke. 212 J^ane no man nolde, pat witti was : of him penchen ene, Ore louerd nolde nou 3 t pat he were : allingues for^ite so clene ; 3 wane no man, pat witti was : of him ne hadde muynde, A doumb best, pat is with-oute witte : hadde, a^ein kuynde. 216 For a wydewe hadde ane $wite kov : pat wonede pare-bi-side, })at ^eode a-dai to fetten hire mete : in pe wode wel wide ])o seint kenelin was i-bured : in pe valeie pare doune. JAs kou wolde eche daye : 3 wane heo come fram toune 220 to gaderi hire mete, with opure kuyn : heo wolde gon al one Fer a-doun into pis valeie : and hire felawes bi-leue ech-one, And sitte bi pis holie bodi : al pe longue dai, Ase it were for-to honouri him : for hit so one lay ; 224 And so heo sat with-oute mete : al pe day to pen ende, And 3 wane hit atpe eue was : ham ward heo wolde wende. 3 wane heo cam hom at eue : fair and round heo was, And swype Mielch al-so : — pat was a wonder cas ! 228 For pare ne was no opur kov : pat half so muche milk ^eoue ; heo ne $af a-morewe nope lasse : pei heo were i-milked an eue . 1 1 Jj*,® ' vv * 352 ST. kenelm’s death-place in cowbache valley is made KNOWN AT ROME BY A MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN. Folk pat jus wonder i-sai} : guode 3 eme alle huy nome And a-waitelen wel a dai : ^ware J>e kou bi-come. [foi. 152 ] 232 Heo seien hire sitte al pe day : in pe valeie J?are doune, Stille in one stude, meteles : for-to heo eode an eue to toune. Ake ^wi heo sete j>are so : heo ne mitten i-wite noting ; bote in heore lieorte huy onder-stoden : j>at it was sum tokning. 236 For J>is kov wonede so J?ere : and adai drou 3 hire j>are-to, \)e ualeye men cleopeden u koubache ” : and 3 eot men doth al-so. — In kovbache pat holie bodi : lai wel mani a 3 er, }3at men nusten of him noting : ase ich ov seide er : 240 For is soster, J?at was so forth 1 : in grete pruyte i-brou 3 t, 1 ai. fersrand So gret jn’etningue for him heo made : )>at men ne dorsten him nemme nou 3 t. — J 50 Jus bodi ne moste beo : i-founde in Engelonde, Ore louerd, J>at wot alle jung : to him he sende is sonde. 1 244 Ase J>e pope stod at rome : in his masse a day 1 ai. perto sette is honde At seint peteres weouede : ase muche folk pat i-sai, A coluere, 3 wi 3 t so ani snov : cam fram heouene fleo And leide on pe weuede a luyte writ : and sethj?e a 3 en gan steo, 248 he flev 3 op into heouene an hei 3 : ase ore louerd it wolde. j) at writ was 3 wijt and schon wel bri 3 te : pe lettres weren of golde. Jpe pope )?onkede iheos wordes it were : 260 “ In klent covbache kenelm, kyngues sone, 1 lijth onder ane )>orne, is 2 heued him 2 bi-reued.” 1 ai. bem » a/, om. )pis writ was wel nobleliclie : i-wust and up i-do, And i-holde for gret relike : and 3 eot it is al-so ; ])& nobleste relike it is on j>ar-of : ]>at is in pe churche of rome — 264 268 979 276 ST. kenelm’s body is sought, by the pope’s order, and found 353 UNDER A THORN AT COWBACH. IT IS BORNE TO WINCHCOMBE. So it 0113 te wel ho-so it under-stode : fram 3 wanne fat it come : For 3 wane it out of heouene cam : fram ore louerdes honde, 3 vvat noblere relike mi 3 te beo] : I-ne can non onder-stonde. J)are-fore seint kenelmes day : ase f e pope makede is heste, At ronrn buy lioldez hei 3 liche : and makiez wel hei 3 feste. — IT ])e pope, fo lie fe sofe wuste : fat it was swuch tockningue, his messagers in-to Engelonde : he sende wit f is tifingue ; To fe Erchebischope of kaunterburi : wolfred fat was fo, his lettre he sende, fat he scholde : of swuche f ingue onder-go And seche after fe wode of klent : 3 if ani man m^te i-wite, And seche ane forn in kovbache : ase it was in fe write, And for-to seche fat holie bodi : fat derneliche lay fere, And nimen it up with gret honour : fat hit i-schrined were. ]) 0 f e lettre fram f e pope : to f e Erchebischope cam, [foi. 152 b.] Of bischopes and of clerkus : conseil far-of he nam : So fat in fe wode of klent : fat in wyricestre-schire is, 280 he liet seche fat holie bodi : and fond it out, i-wis, Onder f e f orne at covbache : ase fat writ seide of rome. Eor fe contreie-men bi-side : manie fudere huy come , 1 1 m. & for f e miracle * ' * of f e con : J?e what- J?o 2 men of fare-bi-side : onder^eten 3 fat cas, loker f erto hi come. Ortreweden wel 3 ware it lay : for fe miracle so fair was. * J° t r 0> A-non so fat bodi was op i-nome : fe 3 wile fat folk fare stod, Jpere sprong a welle, fare he lay : fat 3 eot is fair and guod. A welle fare is cler i-nou 3 : and euereft hath i-beo, 288 In fe stude fare he lai on : ase man mai fare i-seo, Men 1 cleopieth “ seint kenelmes welle” — : fat mani man hath i-SOU3t, 1 al. fat me And manie foru 3 fe watere : of grete Anguisse beoth i-brou 3 t. Of fe cite of wynchecumbe : and of fe contreie fare-bi-side 292 f)e men weren fat soften so : fat holie bodi so wide : And 1 fe bischopes hadden er i-loked : fat it scholde to winchecumbe beo i-bore 1 ai. for And i-schrined, fare is fader lai : fat a-rerde fat lious bi-fore. f>is men nomen up fat holie bodi : fat of gloucestre-schire were, 296 And nobleliche toward wynchecumbe : with procession it here. ))at folk of wyricestre-schire : fat woneden fare-bi-side, LEGENDS OF SAINTS. A A 354 ST. KENELM’s BODY IS DISPUTED OVER, BUT THE GLOUCESTER- SHIRE MEN TAKE IT TO WINCHCOMBE. A MIRACLE. Nomen heom to rede manie : to maken fat bodi a-bide, And sworen pat buy it wolden habbe : and noman ne scholde it heom bi-reue, 300 For in pe schire pare it i-founde was : huy seiden, it scbolde bi-leue. bi pe watere of pireford : Jus two scbirene hem mette, And conteckeden for J?is holie bodi : and faste to-gadere sette. 1 ai. vp So pat buy nomen ane fourme of pays : to don bi 1 godes grace, 304 3 if god heom wolde is wille sch[e]wen : are buy wenden fram pat place. Feor huy weren i-trauailed and sore : so pat heom luste slepe ech-on : huy maden ane fourme pat huy scholden alle : ligge slepe a-non, And ^wejmr of Jus twei scliires : mitten sonore a-wake 308 huy scholden sauf i-no \ T 3 wenden forth : and pat bodi with hem 1 take. IT Stille huy le^en slepe faste : Jus scbirene bope-to, 1 ms. him And resten heom of hore werienesse — : for ore louerd it woldc so. [So] pat huy of gloucestre-schire : a-woken sone ech-on 312 At one tyme alle, ase god it wolde : and of wyricestre-schire no^t on. In pais huy wenden forth heore wey : and Jus bodi with heom toke. Wei fif mile wei huy weren i-wende : are pe opere a-woke. 315 J?is opere i-se^en heom bi-gylede : anon so huy bi-gounne a-wake : And siweden Jus opere swipe faste : ake huy ne m^ten heom nou 3 t of- take. — J)is men toward wy[n]checombe : J?at holie bodi huy here. Are lieo m^ten it Jmdere bringue : swype werie huy were. So pat huy comen into one wode : a luyte bi este pe toune, 320 And resten heom, po huy weren so nei 3 : op-on ane he^e doune. A-purst huy weren for werienesse : so J?at it nas non ende. huy beden ore louerd for seint kenelmes loue : pat he scholde heom drinke sende. [foi. 153 ] A fair welle pare sprong op : an hei 3 op-on pe doune — 324 J)at 3 uyt is J?are, cler and cold : half a mile fram toune ; heo is noupe wel faire i-heoled : with freo ston, ase r^t is, I-redi ech man to drinken of : pat cometh pare-forth, i-wis. IT J}e Monekes of Wynchecombe : arerd habbez pare-bi-side 328 A fair chapele of seint kenelm : pat men sechez ful wide. — Quendrith, pe lupere womman : at wynehecumbe po was ; ST. kenelm’s body is enshrined in winchcombe abbey. 355 QUENDRITH IS STRUCK BLIND, AND DIES. ST. GREGORY. bote heo nuste nou^t hire broker so nei^ : ne no-w^t of J>at cas. In seint peteres churche heo sat : bi-side fe Abbeie^ate, 332 In a soler infe est-side : and lokede out fare-ate. heo i-sai ’3 al jus grete folk come : a-doneward of fe doune liei^e Toward wynchecumbe : a-luyte fram suyd-le^e. heo Axede 3 wat men it weren : and ^wat hny Jo^ten fere. 336 Men seiden fat huy to chnrche wolden : and fat huy hire brofer bere. jpo was fis Quiene sori i-nov^! : in grete deole and fere hire sauter heo nam on honde : ase fei heo witles were. Of fe sauter fe laste saume : bi-fore fe Euesongus, i-wis, 1 ai. om. 340 of corsingue and 1 of lufere men : and of mansingue i-maked heo is : “ Dens laudem ” [heo] is i-cleoped. : fis saume f e Quiene radde, For-to a-corsi hire brofur bodi : and alle fat him fudere ladde. \)o heo cam to fe Ninteofe vers : ase fe mansingue endez, i-wis, 344 j)at “ hoc opus eorum ” : a-latin i-cleoped it is, 1 «z. what 2 ai. afongej> jOat seit fat 1 men it beo scholden : fat duden 2 fat ilke dede : Opon hire owene heued it cam : ase heo fat vers gan rede : For r^t ase heo fat vers radde : out-borsten bofe hire e^e 348 And fullen a-doun op-on hire sauter : ase manie men i-se^e . 1 jpe sauter is 3 uyt at wynchecombe : and ho-so come wole fare-to, Aperteliche man may fare i-se : 3 ware fe dede was i-do. — 1 ai. 2 w. more. J)is holie bodi was forth i-bore : with gret honour ate fine, 352 And in fe Abbeie, fare he lijth 3 uyt : i-don in v T el noble schrine. Jfis lufere Quiene deide sethfe : in schrewedenesse i-nou 3 ; 354 }Xat bodi, ase a corsede wrechche : into ane diche man it drov 3 , Into fe fouleste fat was fare a-boute : and fare-inne man it slong — bote hire endingue sunful 1 were : me finchez elles it hadde i-beo wrong! * aZ. scenfol 357 Nov god for fe loue of seint kenelm : is swete grace vs 2 sende, 2 ms. it J)at we moten to fulke Ioie : fare he is inne,i-wiende. AmeN. 50 Vita sa?zcti Gregorij. S Eint Gregori fe confessour : in Ciscile was i-bore. In holienesse he ladde is lijf : fat is soule nere for-lore. gret clerk he was and guod prechour. : in Cycile he liet a-rere A A 2 356 ST. GREGORY THE CONFESSOR FASTS, AND IS MADE A CARDINAL. HE SEES ENGLISH CHILDREN, AND CALLS THEM ** ANGELS.” Sixe Abbeies of Monekes : with-inne a fewe ^eres, 4 Se seouenf e lie dude a-rere : in f e Cite of rome ; Jjare he and manie ojmr with him : f e Abite of monekes nome. In so gret fastingue he was : and so luyte he wolde ete, J)at al is wille he for-les : of drinke and of mete ; 8 ] For defaute he scholde rafur deie : fane beo of-lioungred ene — So he was to fastingue i-woned : his lijf he ladde so clene. i l foi. 153 b.] Wei sielden for al is feblesse : Idel he beo scholde, 1 1 r. wolde. f)at of ore louerdes seruise : rede ofur singue he [nojlde 1 12 Of ur writen of ur telle : of ur rimes f ar-of make, 1 ° ver Ofur he wolde bidde is beden : fe ^wyle he mi^te wake. f)e pope is guodnesse under-^at : f ei he f are-of were stille : At rome he made him cardinal : al a-^ein is wille. 16 So wijs and holi he was in fou^te : and so ri^tful of is dede, j ) at f e conseil of holie churche : muche was bi is rede. — Out of is paleys in a day : fis holie man gan i-wiende : he founde Marchauns at rome : with Mercerie wel liiende. 20 to sullen huy ladden on lieore liond : swete children freo, Fairore fingus fane huy weren : ne m^te no man i-seo. Seint Gregori ^eorne heom bi-heold : a stounde he gan at-stonde, And axede ^wat fe childre weren : and of ^wuclie londe. 24 j)e Marchaunz seiden, “ Englische huy beoth : of Engelonde i-nome, And swuch is fe kuynde of alle fe men : fat of fat lond doz come.” “ Wel au 3 te,” seide fis holie man : “ fat lond beo guod and riche, For 1 huy beoth Englische swyfe wel i-cleoped : engles huy buth i-liche. 1 al. om. * om. 28 3if fat [lond] 2 is swuch ase [fe] 2 men beoth : name it hauez with r^te, Englene lond it au^te wel beo : and engles f are-inne a-li^te ; And swuch folk a^te in heouene : beon englene i-fere.” ])o Axede he 3 wat bi-leue : in engelonde were. 32 \)q marchaunz seiden, “ al engelond : is puyr hef enesse.” “ Alas,” seide seint Gregori : “ a-las, f e sorienesse Jpat fe prince of fe deorke helle : schal habbe in powere A lond fol of so fair folk : fat au 3 ten beo Engles i-fere ! ” he wende a^ein in-to is paleis : with wel dreorie chere, And carede muche fat in Engelond : cristinedom i-brou 3 t nere. 36 ST. GREGORY ASKS TO BE SENT TO ENGLAND, TO CONVERT IT. 357 THROUGH A HEAVENLY LIGHT, HE IS CHOSEN POPE. At pe commuyn conseil a day : seint Gregori a-ros sone, And bad pe pope and is cardinales : graunti him ane bone, 40 pat huy him senden in-to engelond : to prechie cristinedom. Jjo 1 pe pope mid is cardinales : gret conseil par- of nam • 1 ai. om. JSTolden huy him graunti nou^t. : ake euere he bad so faste, pat huy dorsten werne none lengore : and graunteden atpe laste. 44 Seint Gregori was po glad i-nou 3 ! : he nolde a-bide non lengore more, po wende he toward engelonde : to prechie godes lore. A-non so he was fram rome i-wend : defaute of him men hadde ; J}at folk cam to f»e pope al day 1 : and echone on him huy gradde, 48 Ase he to seint peteres munstre i-wende : po in ane dai^e, 1 om. ai day “ Jpou pencst,” huy seiden, “ with pi conseil : al rome to bi-trai^e ; he pat halt op pe conseile of Kome : lieonnes pou hast i-send ; bote pou him of-sende sone : al rome worth i-schend.” 52 pe pope hadde gret loue ei^e : of pat pe folk him seide. 1 1 Av. om. he nas nou^wer nei} atpe se : are he him of-sende. [foi.154] With wel dreorie chere po : pis holie man a^en wende. — Ase god it wolde, pare-aftur-ward : sone it dude bi-falle 5G p at pe pope wende out of pe world : so we schullen alle. pe cardinales and pe bischopes : and al pat conseil of rome, Ane pope to cheose afturward : alle to-gadere huy come. huy hieten pat ech man pat of pe conseile was : eche dai$e faste scholde 60 And in heore bedes beon n^t and day : ^if ore louerd heom sende wolde s Ani tokningue a-mong heom : ^if ani of heom wuyrpe were In rome pope for-to beo : cristine men wel to lere. po huy hadden in heore oresones i-beon : preo daies and preo n^t, 64 In pe huyrne of one chapele : huy seiden swype gret li^t, plat stod ase pei hit a piler were : into heouene up-r^t — huy ne i-sei^en neuer er no ping : so cler ne so br^t. po huy comen to pe place : onder pe li^te huy founde 68 J?ane holie man, seint Gregori : plat i-falle to grounde ; For werinesse of is oresones : he lai al 1 in suoddringue. 1 ai. as p)at folk bi-gan to herien god : and loude huy guonne si[n]gue ; huy nomen pesne holie man : and maden him pope a-non. 72 358 ST. GREGORY, THE APOSTLE OF ENGLAND, SENDS ST. AUGUSTINE, WHO CONVERTS THE ENGLISH TO CHRISTIANITY. Fair and swete was fat l^t : fat op-on him schon ! — Swife wel he wuste cristine-dom : and holie lijf he ladde. Of fe mis-bi-leue of Engelonde : gret deol and care he hadde, Seint Austin was a Monek f o : him and of ere he nam 7 6 And sende heom in-to engelonde : to prechi cristindom. IF Seint Austin and is Monekus : fo huy weren in Engelonde, wide huy preclieden cristindom — : i-hered beo godes sonde. Seint Austin wende to f e kingues court : and so he prechede fere, 1 80 J?at f e king and alle is men : sone i-baptizede were. 1 v. so-3 ai. om. \>o huy hadde i-brou^t in-to godes lawe : fene kyng and is pouwer, ]) t folk tornede foru^ godes grace : to him feor and ner. So longue fat fis holie men : heore wille hadden at fen ende, 84 Joat al folk of eclie toune : to cristindom gan i-wende. f)o wende seint Austin a-^en. : fe pope he tolde at rome 1 1 v. 83 - 95 az.om. liou alle fe men of engelonde : cristin-dom nome. j)o was fe pope seint Gregori : i-brou^t in grete blisse, 88 And liet seint Austyn wende a^en : fat lond more to wisse And make Bischopes and Ercedeknes : and of ure prelatus al-so, Cristin-dom to witie in engelonde : fat men ne scholde neuere ondo. Seint Austin wende a-non a^en : and fo he to engelonde cam, 92 Twelf bischopes fare-inne he made : to witien cristin-dom, And ofere prelates of holi churclie : fat we a-mong us i-seoth. In fis manere to cristindom : alle i-brou 3 t we beoth J^oru} fe bone of seint gregori : fat hidere sende is sonde; 96 JOare-fore we cleopiez him in holie bok : Apostul of Engelonde, For he us sende ore ri^te bi-leue : fat we 1 holdez ^uyte, 2 [foi. i54b.] And in his dai^e sette children to lore : fe 3 wyle huy beoth luyte — God for f e loue of seint gregori : f ulke lore us leue so wite, 1 overiined. Jpat he us sende bi seint Austin : and neuereft hire for^ite. con-upte^iiere Wel au 3 ten cristine men to louien him : fat in r^te bi-leue heom brou3te; 102 For he was fe furste man : fat cristin-dom to hem bi-so^te. 1 — Muche folk fare was in Rome : fat in guode bi-leue nere comipte’d. 8 Ne bi-lieueden nou 3 t fat fe sacringe : ore louerdes licame were. J)are-fore fe pope seint Gregori : prechede heom a day, 106 And fare-of schewede heom fair miracle : fat ech of heom it sai 3 : A MIRACLE BY ST. GREGORY, THE APOSTLE OP ENGLAND. 359 ST. CUTHBERT IS CALLED, WHEN 18, TO GIVE UP IDLE GAMES. Of ore louerdes licame a luyte he brae : bi-fore heom ase huy stode : Sone it bi-cam to a luyte childes fingur : al wringuynde 1 a-blode. buy bi-liefden wel po aftur-ward : on ihesu crist ecli-on, 1 ai. vminge And onder-stoden pet sacrement : poru^ lore of pat bolie mon. 2 p)us pe bolie man seint Gregori : pope was in rome, 2 lio-ia*. om. 112 And sende us in-to engelonde : pe lawes of cristindome. holi eburebe and cristindom : poring him was so i-loked here, J^at be is noupe in heouene : with Aungles i-fere. 1 1 v. iu-5az. om. Eidde we panne pene holie man : apostle of Engelonde, 116 p at be bi-fore ihesu crist : ore neode ounder-stonde. 51 Vita sawed Cuthberti. S Eint Cudbert was i-bore : here in Engelonde. god dude for him gret miracle : ase ^e schulle under-stonde. pe ^wyle pat he was a ^ong child : and in is ei^teteope ^ere, With ^ounge children be pleide atpe bal : pat is felawes were. 4 pare cam gon a luyte child : bit ne pou^te preo $er old, A swete creature and fair : milde it was and bold ; to pe ^onge Cudbert be ^eode : “leue broper,” be sede, ‘‘Ne peneb nou^t on swuebe idele games : panne dost pou a guod dede.” 8 Seint Cudbert ne tok none ^eme : to pe cbildes rede, And pleide forth w r ith his felawes : ase buy alle him bede. po pis ^ongue child i-sai^ : pat be is red for-sok, A-doun he feol to grounde : and gret deol to him tok, 12 And bi-gan to weopen sore : and bis hondene forto wringue. pe children hadden alle deol of him : and bi-lefden heore pleiingue, buy gladeden him ase huy coupen : sore buy gonne to siche ; And euere made pis ^oungue child : reulicb deol i-liche. 16 “A weilawei,” pis Cudbert seide : “ $wi weopest pou so sore? 3 if we pe habbez ou}t mis-don : we ne schullen none more.” Jeanne spac pis ^ounge child — : for sore huy weopen bei^e, “ Cuthbert,” be seide, “it ne falleth pe nou 3 t : with 3ongue children to pleide ; 20 None swuebe idele games : ne bi-cometh pe for-to wurche, 3 wane god bath i-porueid pe : on heued of bolie churche.” 360 ST. CUTHBERT TURNS MONK. HE HAS THE GOUT. AN ANGEL, AS A KNIGHT, PRESCRIBES FOR HIM. With fusse worde men nusten : 3 wodere J»at ^ongue child i-wende — An Aungel of heouene it was : fat ore louerd fudere sende. 24 j)o bi-gan 1 seint Cudbert : to weope and siche sore, 1 Ms.bigangan And lette a-wei is idele games : f o nolde he ple^e more : he made his fader and is freond : setten him to lore, [foi. 155] And in his 3 onghede ny^t and day : of-seruede cristes ore. 28 J?o he in grettore eolde was : ase f e bok us hauez i-seid, hit bi-feol fat fe bischop seint Aydan : sone fare-Aftur was ded. Cudbert a-felde was with schep : Aungles of heouene he i-sei^ j)e hischopes soule seint Aydan : to heouene here an hei}. 32 “ I-nelle schep wite,” seint Cudbert seide : “ fol ich am to longue, Schep i-nelle wite none lengore noufe — : a-fongue ho-so heom 1 a- fongue.” 1 al. om. he wende to f e Abbeye of Gireuaus : grei} monek he bi-cam — gret Ioye mauden fe Monekes alle : fo he J?e Ahite nam. 36 Swife wel he is ordre heold : he was of grete penaunce, Jpe holieste monek he was i-holde : in engelonde ofur in Fraunce. — hit hi-feol fare-aftur-ward : ])at fare cam a goute In is kneo, of Anguische gret : ^ware-of he hadde doute ; 40 So longue, fat is kneo to-swal : gret Anguysche he i-fielde, f)e senewes in is hamme sclironken : he ne m^te fanne leg i-wielde, FTe strechche forth is leg bi-neof e : fat Ioynede to is f 13 ; Ase a crupel lame he was — : he i-werth swife sori. 44 FTo man ne coufe him fare-of rede : fat is leg i-sei 3 ; Ake nathfeles euere was is hope : to iesu crist a-hei’ 3 . In A day, solas for-to habbe : he liet him here a-houte, And in fe fielde he i-mette a wel fair kny 3 t : with loreins swife proute. 48 J)e knyt had heom one stounde a-bide : fat seint Cudbert here ; he bi-heold and handlede fane sore leg : ase fei he leche were. “ Nim,” he seide, “ f e milk of one kov : fat is of 0 colour, Iuys of smal-Ache do far-to : and clene 3 wetene flour; 52 Seoth it to-gadere swife wel : and leie it al hot far-to, A-brod ase fei hit a piastre were : and guod it schal fe do.” j ) 0 he hadde f is i-seid : fe kny 3 t is wei forth wende — An Aungel of heouene it was : fat ore louerd fudere seDde. 56 ST. CUTHBERT IS HEALED. HE HOUSES STRANGERS, ANGELS, 361 IN HIS CELL. A MIRACLE. HE WALKS INTO THE SEA. Are seint Cudbert fe piastre hadde : longue, him f ou^te, 1 to is legge i-bounde, 1 om. him poujte bis leg and is senewes : bi-comen bole and sounde. — bit nas nou^t longue f are-aftur-ward : ase fe bok us doth telle, ])at pe Abbot sende him out : to one of heore celles ; 60 hostiler he was fare i-mad : gistes to onder-fongue. god dude fair miracle for him : are he hadde i-beo fare ou^t longue. Aungles fare comen to him ofte : and with him huy ete Ase fei it ofure gistes weren — : fe gistningue was ful swete ! 64 gistes wel gladliche fene mete he 3af : he nolde no man werne, heom fat beden par charite : for he nas nofing stuyrne. him-seolf he wolde ^iue heom watur : to waschen with hire 1 hond, And serui heom of alle f e mes : and bi-fore heom stonde. — 1 r. here 68 hit bi-feol fat an hiendi gist : and a wel fair fare cam And bad f e mete p ar charite : and Cudbert In him nam ; watur to is hondene he him ^af 1 : and 2 on fe he^e deis him sette, Mete and drinke he him ^af : and with guod heorte it fette, [foi.i55b.] 72 to fe bachouse he ^eode him-seolf : ase fe bakares hadden i-bake, hi[s] giste to fetten bred al hot : fe gladdore him for-to make. })o he cam a-^ein with f e hote bred : his gist ne fond he nou3t ; bare-of hadde f is holie man : gret wonder in is f 0113k ‘ o^iargeiiche bicke snov3 was fare-oute : he ne m^te nou3t finde is fore, 76 3ware-forth he wende a-wei : in snowe ne in f e flore. Ase he sou3te f eosne holie man : a[n] wende a-boute wel wide, he smulde a suyfe swote smul : in a chaumbre fare-bi-side. 80 bo he into f e caumbre cam : he fond a bord i-sprad, And freo loues fare-op-on al hote. : f o was he wel glad, An d seide, “fis was godes Aungel : fat hath fis hidere i-brou3t; he cam hidere us for-to fede : and him-seolf ne beo i-fed nou3t.” — 84 eche n^te 3 wane feos monekes : to bedde weren i-gone, Cudbert wel stilleliche : wende him forth al one, In-to f e colde se he 3eode : a-non op to f e chinne ; For-to hit was midn^t nei’3 : so he stod fare-inne. 88 banne he wende up fare-of : and fo 1 he cam to londe, 1 ai. whan For feblesse he lai a-doun : he ne mi^te nou3t wel stonde. banne comen fare op of f e se : tweie oteres wel grete ; 362 ST. CUTHBERT IS LICKED BY OTTERS; IS BISHOP OF DURHAM. ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST HEALS A SHOEMAKER’S HAND. Ouer-al huy lickeden pis holie man : are huy him wolden lete. 92 ^ wane huy him hadden i-lickede so : huy wenden in-to pe se, And seint Cudbert hoi and sound : in-to is celle a-^e ; with opure he 3 eode to matynes : ^eorne he song and radde, pe Monekes wenden euer-echone : J>at he come fram is bedde. 96 A monek pat pare-inne was : onder-^at it ech del, Ake ase seint Cudbert him bad : he 1 it for-hele[de] 2 swipe wel. — Ase ore louerdes wille was : pare-aftur it dude bi-falle \ ^ pat pe bischop of Duyrham deide : al-so we schullen alle : 100 Men nomen po seint Cudbert : and maden him bischop pere. Swype wel he wuste is bischopriche : pat folk he dude wel lere. po was pat sope to ende i-brou^t : J>at pe Aungel him seide, pat he scholde an heued of holi churche beo : po he at])e bal pleide. po he hadde god i-serued longue : aftur him he sende : 105 In pe Monpe of luyde : of Jus worlde he wende to pe Ioye of heouene. : and god us graunti al-so, Jjoru^ pe bone of seint cudbert : pat we moten comen p ar-to. 1 08 52 Vita sancti Marci ewangeliste. S Eint Marc, pe holie godspellare : wide wende in londe For-to prechi cristine-dom : poru 3 ore louerdes sonde. In egypte he prechede longue : and setbpe at pen ende Into pe lond of Alisaundre : pannes he gan i-wiende. 4 po he into Alisaundre cam : his on newe scho with-oute hurtingue of ani-ping : gan to berste a-two. po was pis guode man of-drad : longue he stod in poi^t, And seide, “ mi porpos and mi wei : is noupe to ende i-brou 3 t ! 8 3if it mi louerdes wille were : pat he me wolde pane deth sende, [foi. 156] Ich am redi his wille a-fongue : 3 Wodere 1 he wole pat ich 2 wiende.” he wende forth to a soutere : 3 if he is scho makie m^te. \ “J; * wh - pe soutare atpe furste stiche : ful vuele is hond he p^Ji^te. 1 12 Sori and wroth pis soutare was : for him smert so sore. 1 ms. pijte Seint Marc bi-gan to prechi po : and tolde him of godes lore, And bad him bi-lieue on Iesu crist : and cnstine-dom vnder-fongue, And he is hond hele wolde : pat i-hurt was so strongue. 16 Seint Marc with is spottle : watte a luyte vrpe on pe grounde ST. MARK IS TORTURED AND MARTYRED, AS CHRIST FORETELLS. 363 BANNERS ARE BORNE ABOUT ON ST. MARK’S DAY. And fare-with he smeorede his sore hond : and heo werth hoi in a stonnde. fie soutere, and alle his, hi-gonne f o : and enerech fat in f e strete cam, to bi-lieue on cnst, godes sone : and a-fenguen cristine-dam. — - 20 Seint Marc ^eode wide in londe : to prechi godes lawe. fie prince of fe londe it onder-^at : and fou^te to don him of dawe. he liet him seche into al fat lond : and fo he him hadde i-founde, “ Ich hote eov,” he seide to is men : “ fat he heo faste i-bounde 1 24 For-to he to fe prisone come : and fare-inne ye him caste a-non.” Ouer-al is flechs was to-drawe : ri^t to f e bare bon, 1 v. 24 corrupted, with Irene crokes,as men him drowe : fe mosseles lei^en wel grete ; And al blodie weren of is blod : fe stones in fe strete. 28 A-n^t, ase he in prisone lai : ore louerd to him cam, In fourme fat he on eorf e was : f 0 he manhede nam ; “ Marc,” he seide, “ beo wel glad : and 3arkne fe wel bliue, For fi name is i-write : in eche boke of liue : 1 1 ai. in }>eb. ofechei. 32 fiov schalt to-morewe for mi loue : soffri deth wel stronge 1 1 ms. stronde And sethf e mine blisse of heouene : with-outen ende a-fongue.” Seint Marc Jjonkede ore louerd ful 3eorne : ase he 1 in his bedes lay. A-morewe fe prince him liet up fette : sone so it was dai. 1 ai. and 36 A strong rop he liet nime : and a-boute is swere binde, And teiden 1 him sethf e to a wilde hors : at fe taile bi-hinde ; 1 r. teien he liet him drawe foru3 al fe toun : fat ech lime fram ofer wende. pus seint Marc fe holie man : his soule to ore louerd sende. 40 In f e Monf e of Aueril f is was. : men scholden faste is eue ; Ake for fe hei^e feste of eastur-dai : men it doth hi-leue. his dai men fastez f oru3 al fat lond : for him-seolf nis it nou3t, Ake for reuerence of fe baneres : [fat] in fat dai beoth fort i-brou3t. For men berez heom eche 3ere a-boute : ase red is fare-of i-nome, 1 to bidden for f e eorfe blede : fat it mote wel forth come. 46 Men fastez, 3 wane huy formest berez heom out : a-seint Marcus dai fare-fore, 1 vv. 45-50 om. in most MSS. (except MS. Vernon). And freo dawes a^ein halewe-f oresday : 3wane huy bez forfer i-bore. bidde we noufe seint Marc : 3 was lijf we habbez i-heord to fe ende, Jpat ore soule mote foru3 his Arndingue : into heouene i-wiende. 364 ST. PHILIP CONVERTS THE SCYTHIANS, AND HEALS THEIR SICK. HE DIES PEACEABLY IN HIS BED, 87 YEARS OLD. 53 Apostolorum Philippi et Iacobi. S Eint phelipe and seint Iacob : Apostles weren twe^e : J?e formeste dai fat comez in may : deth huy f oleden be^e. Aftur ore louerdes passione : in J>e twentif e 3ere 1 ai. maumet Seint phelipe prechede in Sythie : to men fat lufere weren. [foi. i56b.] Jpis men nomen seint phelipe : and to heore Manmates 1 him ladde. And sone so he bi-foren hem cam : f is maumates loude gradde ; 6 Fuyr huy bleuwen out of heore Mouses : fat fare-with huy brou 3 ten of dawe ])q princes sone of f e lond : and tweie constables of f e lawe ; 8 And manie men J>at fare-nei 3 weren : wel grete siknesse to heom nome, Some fullen in-to f e dropesie : and some meoseles bi-come. Muclie reuf e was into al J>at lond : of J)is misauenture. “ Wulle 3 e,” seide seint phelip fo : “ mi conseil alle i-huyre, 12 And ichulle foru 3 godes grace : helen eov euer[e]ch-on. ,, Glad was J>is folk of fat word : and graunteden him a-non. “ berez awei,” he seide, “ fis foule w^t : fat 3 e habbez to i-bede, And nimez fe fourme of fe holie croiz : and settez in his stude ! ” 16 j ) at folk was fayn of his bi-heste : i-redie fare weren i-nowe, Ane rode huy setten up on hei 3 : f e maumates huy al-to-drowe. Seint plieolip f oru 3 godes grace : drof out bi-fore heore e^e A foul deouel of fat on : fat huy alle i-se^e. 20 ])o f is rode was up i-set : and fe Maumet i-brou 3 t to grounde, Alle fe sike men fat fare-nei 3 weren : bi-comen hole and sounde, And fe freo men fat weren a-slawe : a^ein to liue come — Muclie was fe Ioye into al fat lond : fat men fare-of nome. 24 Cristinedom huy guonne a-fongue : and Anouri f e swete rode, And bi-lieueden on him fat bou 3 te us alle : fare-on with is blode. f)oru 3 fe vertuwe of f is faire miracle : muche folk of fe londe bi-gan cristine for-to beo : and fe r^te bi-leue onder-stonde ; 28 After fe wissingue of seint phelip : alle heore lijf huy guonne lede — For prophesie and ri 3 t-w[i]snesse : huy heolden al fat he seide. })o phelipe was sixti 3 er : and seouene and twenti old, In pays he deide in his bed : ase fe bok us hath i-told. 32 ST. JAMES. OF THE KINDRED OF CHRIST; THE 3 MARIES AND 3G5 THEIR CHILDREN. ST. JAMES IS SET ON A LADDER TO PREACH. Gret deol fat folk made f o : and wel faire huy him liome And bureden him with gret honour : ase a swuch man to bi-come. 54 Vita sancti Iacobi. S Eint Iacob was ore louerdes kun : and ore lauedie soster sone. telle i-cliulle sum- 3 w at ore louerdes kunne : noufe it is mi f OU^t i-come . 1 1 al. nou it me come)> in mone Seinte Anne, ore leuedie Moder, : housebondes hadde freo : Ioachim, and cleophas : and f e f ridde hiet salomee ; 4 heo hadde euer-ech aftur of ur : for heo was i-wedded f rie ; bi euerech of heom ane doubter heo hadde : and euerech hie^te marie. Ioachimes dorter : was eldest of fe freo, And Iosep hadde i-wedded. : f e Marie cleophe, 8 Jpat was cleopliases doubter : and fe Midleste i-bore, I-wedded heo was to Zebede : fat was hire louerd i-core. Ake fe 3 ongeste of alle freo : fe Marie salomee, to a guod man i-wedded heo was : his name was Alfe. 12 bi him heo hadde seint Iacob : and al-so tweie ofure : Seint symon and seint Iude : fat alle freo weren i-brofre. ])e midleste soster : f e Marie cleofe, [foi. 157] hadde tweie holie sones : bi hire louerd Zebede : 16 Seint Ieame fe holie man : and seint Iohan f e ewangelist, Jpat was, ich wene, berne best : with ore louerd crist. \)e eldeste soster of alle freo : ore lauedi swete and milde. heo bar ore louerd Iesu crist : best of alle childe. 20 So fat heo fat eldest was : ne hadde child bote on, And f e midleste hadde tweie sones : seint Ieame and seint Iohan, And fe 3 oungueste of f e freo : sones hadde freo — huy weren ore louerdes cosines : ase 3 e mouwen i-seo. 24 Ech of heom hue Apostle was : and swife holi man. telle ichulle of seint Iacob : of 3 warn ich formest bi-gan. — A-mong men of pliarise : fat lufere weren, he cam. heom fou 3 te fat he scholde beo : A man of gret wisdom : 28 ])are-fore f e prince of heom : in Ane Ester-day bad him prechi al fat folk : a- 3 ein godes lay. Op-on A laddre he sette him he^e : fat men him scholden wide i-seo 366 ST. JAMES PREACHES CHRISTIANITY FROM HIS LADDER. HIS BRAINS ARE DASHED OUT. ST. BARTHOLOMEW. And i-heoren him prechi swyfe wel 1 : fat is word fe bet i-scholde i-leued heO. 1 him — wel al. om. 3 2 f)o he was op on hei 3 i-set : and al fat folk him cam 1 a-boute, 1 ai. om. Godes wordes he bi-gan to prechie : he nadde none doute ; he prechede hov he hadde dez i-f oled : and hon he in f ulke daie Tram defe to line a-ros : fat fe feond us ne scholde bi-traie, 36 And hou he us fe Deuele bi-nam : fat in his power us hadde longue, And hou ech man in fulke da^e : godes flesch scholde a-fongue. “ hou geth fis 'i ” f e prince seide : “ beo stille, i f e bi-seche. Ich bad fe wanie 1 fi 2 foie fou^t : and fou bi-guynnest it more to eche !” 1 Vern. weyue 2 r. J>is 40 “ Nay,” seide seint Iacob to fe prince : " I-ne eche no folie, Ake ower foie fo^t ich wolde ou bi-nime : to seggen sotb and nou 3 t h'3e.” J}e prince for wrathf e of his prechingue : f e laddre a-doun gan felle — And seint Tacob fare-opon was : fare-fore he him wolde a-quelle. 44 Fram swife he^e he ful a-doun. : Ake fo he was i-falle, J?at ech man wende fat he were ded : he a-ros up a-mong heom alle, And prechede eft-sone with glade heorte : ase he er i-don hadde. Jpat folk him nomen swife faste : and to fe prisone him ladde. 48 Jjare he was in biendes strongue : fram fat was eastur-dai For-to cam fare-afturward : fe furste dai of Mai. ])o he out of f e prisone cam : he bi-gan to prechi bliue, he ne liet for e^e ne for dez : fe 3 wyle he was a-liue. 52 Mid one follares preche 1 : fat men tesieth opon cloth, 1 r. perche Opon fe scolle he was i-smite : fat is brain out drof. his soule, f o he was ded : to heouene he gan i-wiende. J}us seint Iacob fe holie man : brou 3 te is lijf to ende. 56 Apostel he was, and martyr al-so : faste men scholden is eue, bote for fe he^e Easter feste : men rnoten it nede bi-leue. 1 1 ai. 2 w. more. 55 Vita sawed Bartholomew S Eint Bartelmev f e holie man : cam of kingues blode ; [foi. 157 b.] Swyf e fair man and noble he was : and glad & of swete mode, he siwede ore louerd on eorfe here : are he deide on fe rode, And i-sai 3 is priuetez : with f e of ere Apostles guode. 4 ST. BARTHOLOMEW GOES TO INDIA, AND DEPRIVES THE IDOL 367 ASTAROTH OF HIS HEALING AND PROPHETIC POWERS. ])o ore loiierd was to heouene i-went : he prechede of him wel faste And wende wide in mani a lond : ] ?e ^wyle is lijf i-laste. So fat to f e londe of .Inde : he cam f oru3 godes wille ; At fe onende of fe lond : he bi-lefde wel stille. 8 Ase an vncouth pilegrim : he ^eode np and doun, he ne seide neifer on ne ofur : bote bi-heold fane toun. In fe temple was a fals god : a maumet lujmr i-nov^, Jpare-inne was f e feond of helle : and mtiche folk to him drov^ — 1 2 IT huy cleopeden fat Maumet Astaroth. : fat foru3 fe deoueles m^te Ofte he wolde Answerie men : and manie 1 he bi-nam heom heore si^te, heore speche and heore limes al-so : and dude 2 men wo i-nov} ; & 3 wane he a^en ani sick man cam 3 : of his vuele he 4 with-drou^, 16 Jeanne was f e sike man hoi anon : ase he moste nede a-mende l JJf i JJJ*® ^wane he ne hadde non ofur vuel : bote ase fe schrewe him sen.de ; And he with-drov} him of is vuel : he moste nede hoi beo. J Hiim™ \)e schrewe tolde fe men fanne : fat f is wonder mitten i-seo, 20 JO at he hadde f oru3 is mi^te : fe men i-maud hoi i-nov^ — And fei 1 fe schrewe ne dude non ofur guod : bote of is vuele him with-drOU}. 1 r. Al-pei ? J)are-fore sike men al dai : ful ficke a-boute him sou^te And criden on him wel deolfulliche : fat he to hele heom brou^te. 24 H Of fingue fat was al-so for-to come : men axeden him feor and neor And he heom tolde of alle fing : fon.13 fe deoueles pouvver; Folk cam ficke a-bouten him : bi dai^e and bi ni^te, And he ansuerede heom of al fat huy wolden — : muche is f e deoueles mi^te ! 28 Ake after fat seint Bartelmev : to fulke cite com, Joe power of fat false god : clanliche he bi-nom : For he ne mi^te aftur fulke tyme : with 1 no man speke ri^t nou^t !Ne 3iuen Ansuere of no-f ing : so he was bi-neof e i-broi^t ; 1 ai. for 32 J?at folk cam ficke a-boute him : to witen at him heore wille Of fingues,ase huy weren bi-fore i-woned : and euere he was puyr stille. J)are-fore was wonder inov3 : deol and sor al-so, 35 huy weren a-ferd to beon for-lore : and fat huy hadden ou3t misdo : 368 ST. BARTHOLOMEW. HAS BOUND ASTAROTH. HE IS DESCRIBED BY THE IDOL BERIT, AND HIS SPIRITUAL POWER ACKNOWLEDGED. to atoun huy wenden fare-bi-side : f oru3 heore alre wit, to an ojmr Maumet fat was his felawe : fat hny cleopeden berit ; huy crieden on him wel deolfulliche : fat he heom tolde fore 3 wi Astaroth, heore owene god : his speche hadde for-lore. 40 “ 3 e, 3e,” seide f is lufere best : “ ^e ne witen nou^t hou it is 1 with strongue chaines al fuyrie : he is i-bounde, i-wis, For Bartelmev, godes seriaunt : J?at is )mdere i-come 1 ai. om. 43 And in fe cite geth wel stilledeliche : and 1 is power him hath bi-nome And i-bounde him so faste fat he ne may : enes drawe is breth, Ake J)oru3 Anguische is clene ouer-come : ase f ei he hadde i-f oled deth.” [foi. 158 ] U “ 3 wat is [lie] filke Bartelmeu3 ” : feos of ere him axeden a-non, “J)at mai makien ore alm^tie god : ded so any stonl” 48 “he is,” seide fis Maumat : “ of gret pouwer, ase 3e i-seoth, he mai do with us al fat he wole : for bi-neothfe him we beoth. Eche daie an hundret sife : and ojmr swuch bi n^te he knevleth to is god in guode entente : fat 3ifth him al is m^te; 52 Aungles with him i-nowe he hath : 3ware-foru3 fat he may do Al fat he wole with us alle : and alle f ing he wot al-so — For he wot noufe fare ase he is : al ore speche and ore fo^t. J?are-fore ich rede eov alle w T el : )?at 3e ne wrathfi him noujt. 56 ecli-manere speche fat is : he knowetli and speket al-so, bote at one worde,alle fing : he wot 3wat is i-do. 3 if 3e him sechez, fei 3e come : r^t bi him ase he is, 3 e ne schulle him nou3t i-seo : bote him-seolf wolle, i-wis. 60 Ake f us 3e him mouwe i-knowe : 3if 3e him i-seo : he is swife long of bodi : of r^t fair fourme and freo, Opr^t he geoth and euene i-nov3 : and swife 3'vij3t is his bleo, his her is broun and swife crips : non ne mai cripsore beo, 64 Muchele ey3ene and euene nose : i-stre^t a-doun a-long, his berd is long and sid i-nou3 : and sum-del hor a-mong ; In a 3\vij3t Golioun he geth : he nath clofes non mo — • Alle fis sixe-and-twenti 3er : far-inne he hath i-go 68 Jpat fram him it neuer-eft ne cam : ne hit ne a-peirez nou3t of hewe Ne for-oldeth nou3t with-alle : ake is euere i-liche newe. Wel he wot al fat 3e spekez : and 3wat 3e doth alle here ; ST. BARTHOLOMEW CURES A MAN POSSESSED WITH A DEVIL, AND 369 GOES TO KING POLLIMIUS’s FANATIC DAUGHTER. pare-fore, ^if he eou axeth 0113! : ne mowen eou nou3t skere. 72 Ake ^if he him sewi 1 so : ]?at ^e him mowe i-seo, 1 ai. schewo hiddez him for his louerdes loue : fa* he heo milde to me, pat he ne come non^t here nei} me : fat ich heo to grounde i-brou3t And i-tormented ase mi felawe is—' : for i-nelle mis-don him noi^t.” U po ]?is foie men fis i-heorden : huy weren in grefc fiou^t, 77 And longue heom foi^te are huy hadden : seint Bartelmev3 i-sou3t. huy wende a3en to heore owene temple : ake huy weren alle blinde : twei dai3es huy soi^ten him faste : and ne m^ten him noi^were i-hnde. 80 A dai ase al fat folk : to f e temple was i-brou3t, for- to lionouri heore false god : fat ne mi3te heom helpe nor^t, A guydi man fare cam al-so : fat f e deuel hadde i-beo longue In him and bi-nomen him is wit : and i-tormented him fill strongue. A-non so fis gidie man : in-to fis temple cam, pe deuel fat in him was : gret deol to him nam, 86 wel loude he gradde, “ seint Bartelmeu3 : ich bi-seche f e, pine oresones brennez me al : f ou liaue merci of me ! ” 88 II pis holie man stod fare-bi-side : and answerede him a-non : “ beo doumb ! ” he seide, “ ich fe rede : fat fou out of him gon.” pe deuel fleu3 a-non with fat word : out of him in fulke place, 1 And fe sike man 2 bi-cam hoi and sound : a-non foru3 godes grace. 92 pat folk stod al in gret wonder : f o huy i-se^en fis cas, c 1 foi. 158 b.] And bi-heolden f ene holie man : fat of swuch power was, 2 ai. om. And tolden wide fis holie dede : fat ne m^te nou3t beo i-hud. In fusse manere seint Barthelmev3 : was formest in Inde i-kud. — 96 P ollimius hiet fe kyng : fat of fulke contreie was : Sone fe tifingues to him comen : of fat faire cas. he hadde ane dorter fat was lunatyke : fat fe deuel hadde muche with to done And made hire witles 1 euerech monthfe : ase hit feol in fe stat of fe mone. 1 az. biwit 100 he sente to fis holie man : seint Barthelmev3 wel sone, pat he of is dorter hadde reoufe : and hele hire foru3 is bone, pudere wende fis holie man : and fis mayde founde Bitinde alle fat nei‘3 hire come : and grenninde, faste i-bounde. 104 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. B B 370 ST. BARTHOLOMEW CURES KING POLLIMIUS’s DAUGHTER, AND REFUSES HIS GIFTS, BUT GOES WITH HIM TO PROVE HIS FALSE GODS. ))is holie man stod and bi-heold : f ene deuel he made out wiende ; hire r^te wit heo hadde a-non : euer-eft to hire liues ende. Welle, glad was hire fader fo : and elles it were with, wou^ . he liet fette forth riche clonus : and gold and seluer inou^, 108 And liet chargi Camailes fare-with : and with riche ^imstones al-so, to presenti with fis holie man : fat swuch dede hadde i-do. Ake fare nas non fat m^te him finde : fo huy comen with al fis pruyte — f)are-bi he mitten onder-stonde : fat he far-of tolde luyte. 112 And fo no man ne mi^te him finde : hit of-fou^te sore fe kyngue. Ake nathfeles fis holie man : ne format him of none fingue. A ni$t ase he lai in his bed : and on him faste fou^te, 115 jois holie man stod him bi-fore : he nnste ho him f udere bron^te ; “ Sire king,” he seide, “ $wat was fe : to siende me swuch pruyte 1 ))ov ne paidest me ri^t nou 3 t fare-with : for ich tolde far-of luyte ; Ake fat tresor fat ich of telle : fat is heouene riche, )Pat ne roustez ne a-peirez nou^t : ake euere worthf i-liche. 120 And forto techen eov of godes la we : hidere ich am i-come, And makie eov leten eouwer false godes : and lieuen on godes sone ; l For-to techen eov fulke lawe : hidere ich am i-brou^t, 1 v. 121-2 ai. om. And maken eov leten ouwer false godes : fat ne mouwen eov helpe nou^t. 124 And $if fou nelt nou^t of f usse fingue : i-lieue fat hit sotli beo, Cum with me to ouwer false god : and fov schalt fe sofe i-seo.” j)e king wende fo forth with him : to hore false god a-non. heore lufere preostes huy founden fere : bi-fore him mani on 128 And duden to him heore sacrefise : ase huy weren i-woned to done. \)e deuel fat wit-inne him was : wel loude he gradde sone, And seide, “ 3 e wrechches, leteth a-non : and ne Anourieth me r^t nou3t, laste $e beon in swuch torment : ase ich am inne, i-brou^t ! 132 For Iesu cristes Aungeles : fat fe giwes to defe brou^te, here beoth faste a-boute me : and bringueth me al-to nou^te ; 134 with brenninde raketei^es : huy liabbeth me faste i-bounde, ) 3 oru 3 power of heore lie^e louerd : fat fe giwes $euen defes wounde 1 And he fare-aftur fane f ridde day : so weilawei f e stounde, p foi. isoj ST. BARTHOLOMEW DRIVES THE DEVIL OUT OF KING POLLIMIUS’S 371 CHIEF IDOL. THE REST FALL. AN ANGEL APPEARS. Fram depe to liue he a-ros : and hrou^te us alle to grounde, 138 And in eche side his apostles sen.le : to prechie godes name, And on of h eom is noupe here : jjoru^ 3 warn ich habhe pis scliame.” IT j)at folk stod and bi-heold a-boute : and nusten 3WUCI1 he was. Seint Barthelmev3 stod and si3te sore : and ofte seide alas, 142 And seide, “ noupe 3e mouwen i-seo : 3wuch lijf 3e ledeth her, And in 3wuch a god 3e bi-lieueth : and 3WUCI1 is his pouwer! 3if 30 wollez pat ich bidde for eov : mine louerd pat us boi^te, Draweth a-doun ouwer Maumat : ant to-brekez him al-to nou3te ! ” \)o pe king i-heorde pis : his men he hiet ech-on 147 A-bouten him casten strongue ropes : and drawen him a-doun a-non. J)at folk was po redi a-non : and ropes casten on him i-nowe. Ake huy ne mitten him nou3t enes wawie : for al pat huy alle drowe. “Doth a-wei,” quath seint Barthelmev : “and ouwer ropes nimez a-doun ! ” And po pe schrewe on-bonnde was : seint Barthelmev3 seide is oresoun : 152 “ J)ou deuel,” he seide, “ pat hast bi-traid : pus muche folk ech-on, 3if pou wolt pat I-ne make pe noi^t : to pe putte of helle gon, 1 ai. of wiend out a-non mid 1 pulke fourme : and brec hit al-to noi^te ! ” j)e deuel a-non with pulke worde : wel narewe is wei he spi^te, 15 G And to-bruysde al pat wrechche maumat : and wiende 1 out parof a-non ; 1 MS. wiend J?e And alle pe maumates of pe temple : heo to-daschten euerech-on. Al pat folk stod and pis i-sei3 : and wel loude bi-gonne to crie, And seiden, “ pare nis bote on al-m^ti god : i-boren of pe mayde marie !” 1G0 Seint Barthelmeu criede on Iesu crist : and bad is oresoun. An Aungel cam so br^t so sonne : fram lreouene l^te a-doun, to pe four huyrnes he fleu3 a-boute : and in euereche he drou3 with his finger a wel fair croiz : apert and cler inou3. 164 “ Mi louerd,” he seide, “ me sende hidere : and ase he liim-seolf me sede, Jfis temple i-chulle bi-fore eou alle : clansi of eche fuylpe-hede. Ake ichulle noupe formest pene deuel : to eov alle schewen, i-wis, J?at 3e mouwen pe sope i-sco : 3WUCI1 ouwer bi-leue is. 168 b b 2 372 ST. BARTHOLOMEW. THE ANGEL SHOWS THE PEOPLE THE DEVIL IN THEIR IDOLS. ALL THE FOLK TURN CHRISTIANS. Ake pei he beo grislich for-to bi-holde : ne habbez of him no doute, Ake switch signe ase ich habbe i-maud : in peos four liuyrnes a-boute, Makiez pulke sulue signe : in ouwer fore-heued ech-on, And ech lupur ping enereft schal : fram eou fleon opur gon.” 172 j) o maden huy alle in heore fore-heued : pe fourme of ]?e rode ; And pe Aungel heom scheuwede al a-brod : pene denel ase huy stode, \)e fourme of a grislich man : pat al for-broide were And swarttore pane euere ani blou^man : with foule farinde chere; A scharp face he hadde and al for-kroked : his herd atelich and long, Ei^ene brode al brenninde : red and swart a-mong ; 178 A-non to is fiet tilde is her : and after pe schrewe sum it drou 3 ; his hondene bi-hinden him at his rug — : hny weren pare wel i -110113 t Euyrie speldene al stinkende : out of is mouth he blaste, [foi. iso b.] And fuyr of brumston at his nose : J>at stonk al-so foule and fade; Croked was bope nose and mouth : wrechchede was his bone — And bote it 1 were and 2 hendi bacheler : a-bid for-to eftrsone ! 184 Daipet habbe swuch a louerding : and alle J>at him wel loue ! \ 3 eot, pei pe schrewe gret pouwer habbe : god is euere a-boue. II “ )?ou lupere ping,” quath f>is Aungel : “ ]?at here art noupe ondei me, Eor pou dudest Barthelmeus heste : ichulle habbe reupe of pe : 188 Ichulle pe onbinde, and late pe fleo : on eorpe in eche ende, Eor-to pe dai of dame 1 come : pat pou to helle i-wiende.” 1 r. dome ])o pis lupere best onbounde was : with wel grisliche here he fleu 3 a-wei a-mong heom alle : and neuereft ne cam pere. 192 ])o pe Aungel hadde al pis ido : to heouene 1 he wende an he^. 3 eorne criede ech of heom : J>at al J>is wonder i-sei 3 , 1 ms. heouene heuene And hereden god, and pene Aungel al-so : pat pare a-mong heo[m] cam ; huy crieden euere on seint Barthelmev : J?at he 3 eue heom cristindom. So pat al pat ilke lond : to cristine-dom was i-brou 3 t po , 1 v. 197-8 ai. om. } 0 oru 3 pe Aungele and seint barthelmev — : i-blessede beon huy bo l 1 P ollimius with is Quene : alle is childrene he nam 199 And liet heom 1 baptizen of seint barthelmev^ : and setlipe al is kinedom ; 1 on the margin. So pat al pat ilke lond : to cristinedom was i-brou 3 t. ])e king for-sok al is lond : and ne tolde parof r^t nou 3 t, 202 ST. BARTHOLOMEW IS BROUGHT BEFORE KING ASTRIAGES, 373 AND EXHORTS HIM TO LEAVE HIS FALSE GODS. And wende and siwede seint Bartlielmeu3 : and prechede with him wcl faste, And bi-cam swipe holi man : and was bischop at pe laste. IT Ane broper, herre kyng pane be was : be hadde, of grete pruyte, Astriages was is name : pare-bi-side a luyte. 206 j)e typingue of seint Barthelmeu} : wel sone to him cam, Al-hou be badde pene king is broper : i-turned to cristinedam : A pousend men wel j-Armede : After him be sende For-to enqueri in-to al pat loud : ^woder-ward be wende. 210 buy wenden and sou^ten him ful stuyrnelicbe : and po be was i-founde, bi-fore beore kingue Astriages : buy bro^ten him, faste i-bounde, And swipe ofte be was with beom i-pult : pat be feol a-doun to ground e. 1 1 v. 213 ai. om. IT “ Bel ami,” seide Astriages pe king : “ liou bauest pou on i-take ? Last pou mine bropur with tricherie : i-maked mi godes for-sake, bi pe fei- pat i sclial to maliun : ichulle serui pe al-so 216 And make pe bi-leue pine false god : opur to strongue depe pe^do. And 3eot, peof, more scliame opon opur : ase ich i-heore 1 bi mannes Sawe, 1 ich iheore al. om. J}ov hast ore godes elles-3ware : defoulet and al-to-drawe.” IT “ Sire king,” quatb seint Barthelmeu3 : “ pou ne seist 110113! as pe hiende, 220 )}at i scbolde with tricherie : pine broperes heorte wiende ; with no tricherie ne wende ich him : ake with sothpenesse and with r^te, 1 om. Ich brou3te him out of mis-bi-leue : to him pat [hath] 1 alle ni^te, Frain pe godes pat beoth al-so m^te-lese : ase is pat dede treo 224 bat ich liet al-to-drawe. : and 3if pou wolt pe sope i-seo, bring me to pine opur god : and ^if ich mai don swuch dede, [foi. 160] I-lief wel pat be is m^teles : and for-sak pou him, ich rede. And with pulke god pat icli on bi-lieue : 3if pou 11113! so on take, 228 Ich rede pat pou a-cordi pe : and pine owene god for-sake j 1 And 3if pat ich mai poru strencpe of mi louerd : pinne god ouer-come, For-sak pe wrechches ase huy beoth wuyrpe : for heore mi3te heom is bl-nome. ” 1 al. Ich J?e bihote truliche : J>at ich him wole forsake. 374 ST. BARTHOLOMEW IS TORTURED AND MARTYRED BY KING ASTRIAGES, WHO AFTERWARDS GOES MAD, AND DIES. "Naclde he "bote Jus word i-seid : J?at J?are ne cam to pe kingue 232 A messager wel hasteliche : pat broi^te him ful sori tijungue : bat berit is owene god : £at he wel ofte sou^te, was i-falle of pe temple a-doun : and al to-dascht to nou^te. H ])o pe king i-heorde J?is : sori he was i-nou^, 236 he fierde ase a man J?at witles were : and is clones al to-drou 3 . he liet nime seint harthelmeu : and tormenti him wel faste And with grete staues legge on him : pe 3 \vyle huy wolden i-laste. bo he was defoulet so : J?at reou]?e it Avas to wite, 240 Ase we findez in some stude : of his liue i-write, II He liet him don on a rode : is heued toward pe grounde, Fiet and hondene to pa treo : i-nailled and faste 1 i-bounde; 1 ai. oj>er And seth, to don him more pine : ase we findez i-w[r]ite al-so, 244 bo he liadde J?eron i-honged longue : he liet him a-doun do Ami liet huylden is fel al fram is flechs : al quik with kene knyue ; Ri^t ase men huyldeth a ded oxe : men hulden him a-liue. Alas, hou mitten lmy habben pe heorte? : alas, pe deolfulle pine S louerd, muche is J)i mi^te : ase Jjov scheoudest pare bi June hine ! A tj>e laste po he was i-huld : ase we findez i-writen al-so, 250 jL A. huy smiten of is holie heued : are huy m^ten him to de])e do — YnneJje huy mitten mid al I’is wo : bringue is lijf to fine. 252 Muche wonder was J)at ani lijf m^te : on eor])e Jjolie SAVuch pine ! x his bodi Avas Jmru} cristine men : i-bured faire i-nou^. 1 v. 252-3 ai. om. Wel Jncke, ase huy dorsten : J?at folk Jnidere-ward drou^ : For ore louerd anon-ri^t for is loue : fair miracle pare sende; 256 3 ware-fore guode men J)are-a-boute : Avel Jucke Jmdere A\ r ende. IT ])e lufere king Astriages : pat him liet so a-quelle, he dradde him sumdel of pe miracles : J>o he heorde Jjar-of telle : Jpane JneotteoJie dai pare-af ter ward : pat he liet him martri Jjere, 260 Alle pe grete maistres he nam with him : pat of pe temple were, And to is toumbe huy wenden alle : Jjare ase J>at holie bodi lai. Anon so huy ]?udere comen : ase al Jmt folk i-say, be deuel, pat heore maister Avas : tormentede heom a-non : 264 For wreche of J?at holie man : huy bi-comen guydie ech-on, 1 1 ms. ®chon And ase for-lorene wrechches huy deiden ]?o : he ne liet heom no leng gon; ST. BARTHOLOMEW. HIS CONVERT, KING POLLIMIUS, IS MADE A 375 BISHOP. ST. B.’S BONES ARE SCATTERED ABOUT THE COUNTRY. Into helle pe soulene with him he nam : pare ne liet he nou^t on. U ])e typingue was sone wide i-brou^t. : huy dradden heom wel sore J?at of mis-bi-leue weren : huy ne dorsten po non-more, Ake huy for-soken hore false lawe : and beden ore louerdes ore, 270 And lieten heom cristni euerech-one : pon.13 seint Barthelmeus lore. [foi. 160 b.] P Ollonius, pat kyng was er : and pat to ore louerdes lawe him nam, bischop huy maden him ouer heom alle : to holden op cristin- dom. 1 v. 276-311 om. in Ashra. & Vern. he was bischop twenti ^er : are he dude heonne i-wiende ; 274 to pe Ioye of heouene is soule wende : atpe twenti ^eres ende. 1 — j?are was of seint Barth elmeu$ : Miracles euere i-nowe, 276 And wel picke al-a-boute to is toumbe : muche folk euere drowe. 3eot pare weren lupere men bi-leued : and hadden pa[r]to envie, p)at he bi-liefden nou^t pat ore louerd was i-bore : of pe maideno Marie : A veteles huy maden al of led : and pare-inne huy caste 280 p)is holi bodi wel fijlliche : and dutten it swype faste, And amidde pe se casten hit : and wolden deliueren heom so. Ake ^eot ore louerd cudde is mi^te : ase he hath ofte i-do : Bor pat ilke led a-^ein is kuynde : pei it vuele were is ri^te, 284 Aboue pe watere it gan to fleote — : pare was godes m^te ! — Bor pat watur nadde power non : to holden it to pe grounde. to pe cite of lupar it flet : and pare it was furst i-founde, And of cristine men op I-nome : and faire on eorpe i-brou3t. 288 ^eot ore louerd, pei he were pare : he ne format him r^t nou3t : Bor he sende miracles riuedeliclie : a-boute pe bodie pere. Atpe laste some lupere men : pat in pe londe were hadden par-to ^eot gret onde : and in a tyme bi-stelen pare-to 292 And nomen pe bones up fram pe stude : pat huy weren inne i-do, And in pe contreie a-boute heom here : and casten euerech in his side, Some in one stude and some in opur : and to-spradden heom so wel wide, 295 Bor huy ne scholden neuereft to-gadere come : ne more miracle do. So 1 longue, ase godes wille was : defoulede huy weren so. 1 ai. m. 376 st. Bartholomew’s bones are found, and shrined in apulia. ST. THOMAS “LONG IN DOUBT,” THE APOSTLE. S Eint Barthelmeu^ cam sethfe : to a monek fare-bi-side : 298 “ Mine bones,” he seide, “beoth i-cast : and al-to-spradde wel wide : I-nelle non-more fat huy beon so : fare-fore fou most gon 300 J;is ny 3 t a-boute fare huy beoth : and to-gadere heom bringue ech-on.” “A, sire, merci,” fis Monek seide : “ hou scholde ich i-knowe heom nov 1 ” “ Swife wel,” seide fis holie man : “ and ichulle fe tellen hou : Euerech of heom fare huy liggez : fei it deork n^t beo, 304 Schyne schullen ase bri^te ase sonne : fat wel feor fou schalt heom i-seo.” ]}is Monek wende forth bi n^te : he ne fond of heom nou^t on p at huy ne schinen ase clere ase ani sonne. : and so he gaderede heom ech-on. In a schip he brou^te heom in f e se : with gret honour at-f enende, )}at ^wodere-so ore louerd wolde : foru 3 is wille [he] heom sende. A vvynd fare cam and drof fat schip : softe and euene i-nou 3 ; 310 So fat to f e londe of a-puyle : fat schip wel euene drou 3 . f)are weren fe bones faire onder-fongue : and faire in schrine i-do. Mani fair Miracle fare comen sone : And 3 eot fare doth al-so. Bidde we noufe seint Barth elmev 3 : fat hei 3 Apostle is, 314 Jpat we moten foru 3 his bone : come to heouene blis. AmeN ! 56 [Thomas ap.] S Eint Thomas fe guode Apostle : I-martred was in .Inde; [foi.iei] Of is lif we moten rede : ase we in boke dothf finde. pe 3 wyle ore louerd on eorfe was : with him he wende a-boute. Men cleopeden him sethf e ane to-nome : “ Thomas longue in doute : ” For fo ore louerd fram defe to liue a-ros : In doute far-of he was ; pe Apostles it leueden ech-one wel : bote fis ilke seint Thomas, 6 Bote he seide fat he it nolde i-leue : bote he se^e is wounde And handlede as and ferinne pulte : is finguer ofur is fombe 1 — 8 For fis Mis-bileue men him cleopeden : “ Thomas longue in doute,” Ase men redeth 3 eot in holie churche : 3 wan is dai cometh a-boute. IT Sethf e cam ore louerd crist : mid is woundes al a-blode 1 To him and to is desciples : fare huy to-gadere stode ; 12 ST. THOMAS LS BIDDEN BY CHRIST TO GO TO INDIA, AS A 377 CARPENTER TO KING GONDOFORUS. Ore louerd seide, “ Thomas, hider pi finguer : ant pult here into mi side, And ne beo no^t in mis-bi-leue : for mine woundene pou sixt wide.” )0o bi-liefde he wel pat it was soth : and al-so euereft more; 15 “ Mi louerd,” he seide, “ and mi god : ich bidde pe milce and ore ! ” ];o J)at he f>e sope i-sai 3 : ore louerd he louede faste, And prechede is manhede and cnstinedom : pe 3 wile is lif i-laste. — U It bi-feol, longue after pe tyme : J>at ore louerd to heouene wende, ]}at Gondofre, pe king of Inde : wel wide a-boute sende 20 3if man m^hte ani Carpenter : finde, quoynte and sle^h, In onie londe, fat him coupe a-rere : a paleys noble and hei^h. In pe londe of cesaree : seint Thomas was J»o : °vre louerd a-li 3 hte a-doun fram heouene : and a 3 ein him cam go, 24 “ Thomas,” he seide, “ pe king of Inde : haueth i-sent here-ne^h To furie 1 after a Carpenter : pat were quointe and sle^h : 1 ai. secbe Cum here with me, and ichulle : pudere to him pe sende.” “A., louerd, pin ore,” quath seint Thomas : “ I-ne rechche ^wodere ich wiende, 28 Bote pat I-ne come nou 3 t in Inde : for par-of me deth a-grise ; Siend me elles 3 wodere pou wolt : ac pudere in none wise ! ” U “J?ou schalt wiende pudere,” ore louerd seide : “and ichulle beon with pe. And 3 wane pou hast poru^h pi prechingue : pat lond-folc i-brou 3 ht to me, 32 J?ou schalt pare i-martred beon : and to me panne i-wiende. Go we to pis Messager : and pudere ichulle pe siende.” huy come and metten pis Messager : pat broi^te pis typingue* Ase he cam furst op of pe se : a-middes pe Chepingue — 36 Aben he was i-hote. : ore louerd hine pare mette, And axede 3 \vat he pere so^hte : and wel faire he him grette. H “ Mi louerd Gondofre,” quath Aben : “ pat is kyng of Inde, Sende me hidere ^if pat ich m^hte : ani quoynte Carpenter finde 40 And pat [ich], hou-so ich euere on toke : in alle manere him brou 3 te : J}at [ich] with Catele, ^if he were pral : of is louerd him boi^te And pat ich him , 1 ^if he freo man were : huyrde him deore i-nou 3 h ; And for-to do sum -3 ware mi neode : hider-ward ich dro^h .” 1 om. liirn 378 ST. THOMAS ASSURES ABEN THAT HE CAN BUILD HIS MASTER, KING GONDOFRE, A SPLENDID PALACE. IT “ Ich habbe ane man,” ore louerd seide : “ pat ri^bt min owene is, p at ^wanne icb him ofte a-boute sende : wel be wrou^bte, i-wis, 1 46 And dude is mester swipe wel : 3 wodere be euere i-wende, [} foi. i6i b.] And euere al pat be mi^hte bi^ite 1 : be brou^te me opur sende. 1MS J te For quoyntore bold be can make : pane euere in Inde were ; He swuch man nis pare in Inde non : pat swuch bold coupe a-rere.” 1 Ore louerd tok seint Thomas : Aben bi pe honde ; 1 ai. 2 w. more, bat ope pe forewarde pat he made : ladde him to is londe. 1 62 IT Aben ope pis forewarde : glad and blipe was ; Into scbipe he wende a-non : witli pe guode man seint Thomas. Sone be axede seint Thomas : ase huy in pe se i-wende, 3weper be puyrliche is man were : pat him pudere sende. 56 “ 3if icb nadde,” quath seint Thomas : “ puyrliche is man i-beo, Mi manhefde] 1 icb wolde habbe for-sake : po be bi-tok me pe.” “ Se^e pou me,” quath Aben, “ 3eot : 3wat is pi seruise ? 1 at. ins manrede 3ware-of seruest pou pat he^e Man : pat 3 e beon bope so wise 1 ” 60 U “ A carpenter,” quath seint Thomas : “ich am, quoynte and sle^h, paleys and bold icb can arere : swipe noble and he^h, strong and l^t and swipe fair : with-outen and witb-inne, p)at no man ne may it felle a-doun : with strencpe ne with ginne, 64 He so strong wynd ne tempeste : pat greuie mouwe it ou 3 t ; So quoynte bold nas neuere on eorpe : to no prince i-wrou 3 t.” “ Deu merci,” quath pis Aben : “ pat pi louerd gret Man is, bat so quoynte Men hat onder him : i-not non swuch, i-wis ! ” 68 U 11 He^h Man be is,” quath seint Thomas : “ and an hei 3 kyngues sone. Ope ane he^e Montayngne his wonijngue is : pare he wole euere wone ; bare he halt is heritage : and is fader kynedom an he^h ; bare nis non of is fon so strong : pat mouwe come pere-ne^h. 72 Sik man ne pouere nis pare non : so riche pat lond is ; So murie lond nas neuere i-se^e : ne of swuch solas ne blis.” Tellinde, huy rouweden forth in pe se : so pat poru 3 guod winde bene seuepe day huy comen a-lond : wel a peos half Inde. IT At ane he^e toune huy a-riueden : pare a kyng inne lay bat liet weddi to an he^h Man : his doubter pat ilke day. 76 ST. THOMAS IS STRUCK BY A BUTLER WHO IS TORN TO PIECES 379 BY A LION FOR IT. ST. THOMAS BLESSES A BRIDAL COUPLE. At pis bruydale was plei i-nou^h : song and gret hoppingue, labours and iij^ele and sympbanye : stiues and harpingue. 80 Seint Thomas and pis Aben : wenden to pis feste, So Manie Men wel ofte doth : with li^t biddingue ojmr heste. U A Taborere song atpe mete : ase it is 1 r^hte was. \ JfsTiin r ' iro ? Ase he eode singuynde op an doun : he bi-heold on seint Thomas : hire 2 poi^hte pat he was cristine man : to pai^en him he gan singue “ Cristine men habbez ane god : louerd of alle pingue.” 8G po seint Thomas pis i-heorde : he bad hire singue eft-sone. Jys taborere song up an doun : and dude seint Thomas bone. pe Botiler chidde with seint Thomas : for he made hire singue more, And smot him a boffat onder pe Ere : pat him smert ful sore. 90 1T“I-nelle nou^t a-rise,” quath seint Thomas : “ heonne fram mi fere [foi. M 2 ] Are ich i-seo an hound bringue pulke hond : a-mong al pis folke here.” po pat folk hadde al-mest i^ete : pe Botiler wende sone 93 Out to ane welle to fechche in watur : ase he hadde pare-with to done. po he out to pe welle cam : a leon pere cam gon Ant hente pene botiler bi pe prote : and a-stranglede him a-non, # 96 And to-drou^h ech lime fram opur. : an hound pere cam bi cas And kipte up pe hond in is mouth : pat he smot with seint Thomas, And bar as in bi-fore al pat folk : and so bi-fore pe kingue. )}are nas non pat pis i-sai^h : pat ne wondreden of pat pingue, 100 And seiden, “ pis is an holi Man : pat god deth fore swuch dede : For bi pe botilere it is icome : rijht ase he er seide.” 102 H pe kyng liet cleopie bi-fore him : seint Thomas a-non, And seide, “ pou art an holi man : pat pus a-wrecxt pe of pine fon : p)ou schalt with me to mi doubter : into hire chaumbre wende 105 And blessi hire, and hire spouse : pat huy habben pe bettere ende.” Seint Thomas with pe king : in-to chaumbre gan gon ; pa,t 3 ongue wif and hire spouse : a-^ein him come a-non. 108 Seint Thomas is holie hond : ope be^e heore heuedes leide And blessede heom a-godes name : and is oresun seide. 110 IT he nam is leue and wende a-^ein : and pe ^ongue spouse ladde him forth & ponkede him : pat he cam in pe house. 1 1 SomaSSSi 011 A 3 eord of palm cam in is hond : he nuste hou it cam, 380 ST. THOMAS. A MIRACLE. THE BRIDAL COUPLE ARE CHASTE, AND TRUE CHRISTIANS : THEIR FOLK TOO. Ase lie ladde seint Thomas — : wel gladliclie he it nam : 114 \)e 3 eord was ful of Dates : wexinde ase f ei huy were. Gret wonder and ioye huy [hadden] : of f is miracle fere. f)is 3 ounge Man bar is 30 Dge wif : fis fruyt so guod and suete ; Of fat fruyt huy nomen bofe : and gladliche far-of ete. 118 IT Sone f o huy hadden f arof i-ete : huy ne m^hten no feor gon, Ake ayfer lai a-doun bi ofur : and softe slepen a-non. Men beddeden lieom ase softe ase huy m^hten : and palles on heom caste, And wenden alle out bote heom-suluen two : and fe doren maden faste. 122 Ase huy le^e bofe and slepen : a fair king to heom cam, And bi-twene heom stod, in fair Abite : and bi-tweone is Armes heom nam ; “ Mine leoue children,” he seide : “min apostle fat was her Blessede eov for fat 3 e scholden : of heouene beo parteners : 126 Dothf aftur him, and 3 e schullen beo : pare with-outen ende.” Stille he liet heom ligge and slepe : and wel softe a 3 ein gan wende. IT \)o huy a-woken, huy le^en and tolden : hou J?at it beo mi^hte ; gret wonder huy hadden for huy nusten : no^lit of Jus noble s^hte. Ase huy le^en and herof tolden : seint Thomas to horn 1 wende; 131 “ j)Q kyng,” he seide, “ j?at with eov spak : hidere to eov me sende — J}ei 3 ates and doren beo faste imade : he hath [me] in i-bro^t. ^is.mm 3 if 3 e wollez f e Ioye a-fongue : J>at he liaueth to eov i-wrou 3 ht, And his blessingue fat ich eov 3 af : foru 3 me witez al-so, In Ioye and blisse with-outen ende : of heouene he wole eov do. 136 Tor 3 e habbez 3 eot ouwer Maiden-hod : fat of eclie guodnesse is quene, [f«i. 102 b.] J)at neuere ne a-dwynet bi-fore god : ac euere is br^t and scliene.” Jpis 3 ongues 1 feollen a-doun : to seint Thomas a-kneo, 1 ai. jonge binges And crieden on him fat he heom te^te : in guode liue to beo. 140 Seint Thomas heom prechede anon : hou it of ore louerd is, And brou 3 te heom bof e to cristindom : and f e kingue and alle his. On of his desciples sethfe he nam : fat het dyonis, And made him maister of fat folk : fat huy ne wrou 3 ten amis ; 144 ftesne dyonis he made preost : and ane churche he liet arere. ST. THOMAS UNDERTAKES TO BUILD KING GONDOFRE A SPLENDID 381 PALACE, BUT INSTEAD, PUTS UP CHURCHES. J9at folk cam eche daye : and lieorfylje 1 seruise J>ere. 1 ms. heore ])o fiat lond was al i-brou^t : in guod stat i-nov, Seint Thomas is leue nam : and toward Inde him drov. — 148 H Anon so Aben, fiat cam aftur him : to Inde mi^hte him bringue, with gret Ioye he ladde him forth : and bro^te him bi-fore pe kingue. To a fair place f>e kyng him ladde : and axede him on alle wise 3if he couf>e J>ere swuch bold a-rere : ase he him conJ?e deuise. 152 Seint Thomas bi-heold f>is noble place : “ sire/’ he seide, “ 3 e , So fair bold nis in al f>is lond : ase ich can here arere Je.” Ane perche he nam, and mat a-boute : hou 1 ech hous scholde beo. H “ Sire,” he seide, “ mi deuis : £ou schalt here i-seo : 1 at. as 156 ])e halle ichulle furst arere : in jus place in alle wise, Est-ward fie dore and fie porche : ri^lit ase po. sonne arisez, J^at f>e sonne 3 wane heo a-rist : atfie dore in schine ; 159 here 3ond ichulle pe chaumbres habbe A And a conduyt fiare-bi-side.” he deuisede [al] euene inov : and longue i-nou3 and wide, iy 50 noble bold ne m^hte non beo : ase he gan f>are deuise. >e 'ifuchen habbe 5 : ])e kyng of is sotilte : bi-gan sum-del a-grise, 2 a i. densest And seide, “certus, ich 3iue f>e pris : of fie beste Carpenter 164 And f>e quoynteste fiat ich euere i-knev : and best deuised 2 her.” he toe him catel 1 i-nov3 : swuch bold with to rere ; 1 ai. gareisoun And wende him-sulf out of f>e lond : fiat to 3er ne cam he f>ere. Seint Thomas pis, tresor nam : and wide wende in londe 168 And prechede Men of mstindom : and of god to vnder-stonde ; J?at tresor he delde pouere men : euere 3 ware he heom founde. IT Muche folk he brou3te to enstindom : a-boute into al fiat londe ; 51 Churchene he arerde mani on : and preostes he sette fiere — 172 Swich quoynte bold and noble it was : fjat he wolde fie kyngue a-rere. fpe Juidde 3er pa king cam horn : and wende al^are to finde his bold ase he hadde bi-speke. : and po was it al bi-hinde. After seint Thomas he sende a-non : fiat bi-t?Ydde him so, he seide. 176 Sone Men tolden him hou it was : and al of is dede. ])q king liet him nimen a-non : and in strongue pnsone him do, 1 And swor othb bat he scholde : al quik i-huld beo 1 a v om ; &Aban J>athim jmder And sethfie i-barnd al-to douste : and with pe wind a-wei fleo. 180 382 ST. THOMAS. KING GONDOFRE’s BROTHER GAD DIES, SEES HIS PALACE IN HEAVEN, AND IS RESTORED TO LIFE. IF fie kingus; broker, pat heijte Gad : al atpe depe lay : J)e kyng al format seint Thomas : for deol pat lie i-sa^h ; [foi. 163] he hiet is Men witen him wel : and is felawe also, For-to is bropur were in betere point : pat he m^lite heore dom heom do. 184 IF So pat is bropur deide sone. : pe kyng made deol I-nov 3 h ; he liet him a-greipi swipe fayre : and elles it were WOU 3 I 1 ; Four dawes he lieold him inne : pat he faire a-greyped were 187 In pourpre and cheisel and guode 3 immes : pat no defaute pare nere. )}o he [was ] 1 imaud 2 with grete nobleye : pene feorpe day huy him nonie And with gret compaygnie of he^e men : to is burijngue come. 190 ( IF Ase huy wolden pis dede man : in is putte do, 1 om. « ai. agreed With grete noblei 3 e and pruyte i-nov : and with wop and sor also, he a-ros up fram depe to liue : a-mong heom euerech-one. fio mauden huy Ioye and blis.ce i-nov 3 : pat lusten er betere grone. “ Broper,” he seide, po he a-ros : “ pou dudest ane vuele dede, J)at seint Thomas pe holie man : into prisone liete lede, 19G For mid god of heouene he is wel — : and poru 3 h him ich am nov To liue ibroi^t ase ye iseothp : and i-chulle 30U tellen hov. For Aungles comen, po ich was ded : and mine soule here, And scheuwede me pe Io} r e of heouene : pei ich vnwuyrpe were. 200 Jois noble bold he schewede me 1 : pat seint Thomas liet arere laLmeek with pat tresor pat pou him toke — : god 3 eue pat ich were pere ! I-maud it is ase he deuisede pe : and noblelokur, 3 if it may, Of 3 immes and stones preciouse — : so noble neuere i-ne sai 3 « 204 ‘ Lo,’ seide pe Aungel po : f sixt pou pis noble bold 1 Jpis hath seint Thomas a-rerd : of pat seluer and of pat gold }3at pi bropur him bi-tok : elles^ware to bi-guynne ; Ake pi bropur vnwuyrpe is : forto come pare-inne.’ 208 ‘ Ore louerd it 3 eue,’ ich seide po : 1 pat it ouwere wille it were pat ich moste here porter beo — : for non betere wuyrpe ich nere.’ IF * we schullen,’ seide an Aungel po : ‘ to ore louerd for pe bi-seche jpat pi soule wende to eorpe a- 3 ein : pi lijf for-to eche, 212 For- to libben on eorpe more : to don al pine wille. Ake buye out Thomas of prisone : ich rede, pat he ne a-spille. ’ ” fio he liadde pis tale i-told : he orn to seint Thomas, ST. THOMAS IS FREED FROM PRISON, CONVERTS 14,000 INDIAN 383 MEN, AND IS TAKEN FOR A GOD. And feol to is fiet and ponkede him : ase he in prisone was, 216 And tolde al of him hou it was : and had him 3 eorne al-so To forqiue is brojmr, pe king : pat he him hadde mis-do. 218 j)e kyng cam al-so eorne a-non : and criede him milce and ore, To foremen him pat he hadde mis-do : and seide he nolde now-more. Out of prisone huy bro^ten him sone : with Ioye and blisse i-nou^. Jjat folk honourede him ase a god : and wel picke a-boute him drou^. “ Muche hath ore louerd,” quatli seint Thomas : “ for eov alle i-do, J)at schewede eov pus is priuete : 3 wane 3 e ne beoth nou 3 t wuyrpe per-to. 224 J?at paleis is noble and riche i-nov : pat ich pare habbe i-wrou 3 t : with pet tresor pat pe king me tok : to ende it is i-brou 3 t ; Ech man pat wole don aftur me : pudere he schal wende [foi. 163 b.] And louerd and prince pare beo : euere with-outen ende. 228 3 e mouwe wienden in-to al pat lond : and i-seon al-a-boute Ech contreie ful of churchene : par-of 3 e mowen beo proute : Sire king, alle huy beoth a-rerd : of tresur pat pou me toke. 3if pou nelt nou 3 t i-leue me : wiend a-boute and loke ! ” 232 })e kyng, and al pat opur folk : pat picke a-boute him com, Bi-lieueden on god for pis miracle : and turnden to cmtindom. IT Fourtene pousend of men : to ore louerd tur[n]den pere, with-oute children and wummen : pat Manie al-so were. 236 Seint Thomas heom te^hte pe r^hte bi-leue : and made heom par-of wise ; At eclie church e he sette ane preost : to don heom heore seruise. j)o huy weren alle in guod point : his leue wel faire he nam, And wende ferrore into pe lond : to prechi m’stindom. — 240 IT In-to an opur contreie he cam : pare he a-stunte ane stounde ; he pulte him forth wel baldeliche : and prechede to grounde ; Deue and blinde and opere al-so : pat in sicknesse weren i-bounde, he helde a-non poru 3 godes grace : 3 wane he anie founde. 244 Swuche Miracle ase he dude : poru 3 ore louerdes sonde, ETas neuere a-mong heom i-se^e : in none stude of pe londe. IT ) 2 at word sprong of him wide : fale Iorneis panne JOat god was into Inde i-come : in a fourme of manne ; he was gladdore pane ani Man : pat pudere m^lite wende 248 384 ST. THOMAS REFUSES THE PEOPLE’S PRESENTS. HE PRATS FOR THE DEAF AND SICK : A HEAVENLY LIGHT CURES ALL. To habbe enes a si^th of him : a-boute in eche ende ; 250 Gret prece cam a-bouten him : of \e contreie feor and ne^h, And heolden him god in Mannes fourme : euerech Jiat him i-se^h. IF fie riche men J>at weren nei^h : ane noble croune wrou^ten Of gold and of Riche $ymmes : and to Jus holie Man huy 1 bro^ten, And ech-manere clojringue also : J>at a kyng werie scholde, 1 ai. om. For-to cloju him ase an he^li kyng : and crouni him with golde. 2 25G IF Seint Thomas stod and bi-heold : no-)hng J)ar-of he nolde ; “ Mine leoue freond,” he seide, u 3 e weneth : J?at ich beo J>at i-nam nOU 3 t 2 A v. om. : Grete tresour hi brojte him ek : jif he it fonge wolde. I-nam no kyng swuch )>ing to liabbe : ase 3e me habbuth i-wrou3t, I-nam noi^ht god, ase some weneth : ake ich am is hine, 260 And he me hath hidere i-sent : to bringue eou fram helle pine And techen eov fur-sake eower false godes : j?at ne mouwen eov helpe nou3t, 262 And to bi-leue on ore r^hte louerd : J>at us alle hath i-wrou3t. IF Bi-leueth on him, ich eov rede : and to Ioye $e schullen wende. fiat tresour J?at 3c bringueth me : pouere men $e it sende, For ri3ht noi^ht i-nelle J)are-of : ake deleth it heom a-boute ; 266 And bi-lieuez on Ihe.su crist : and no-Jung ne scliulle 3e doute.” 1 Sike men J>are comen jjicke : a-boute in euerech side, 1 v. 266-7 ai. om. Blinde and Doumbe and ojiere al-so : heore liele fort-abide, Museles and crokede ek : and Jiat weren in palasye; 1 * v. 270-1 ai. om. Ful Jhcke huy stoden in J?e jilace : on J?is holie man to crie. 271 ^F Seint Thomas alle J>eos sike Men : broi^lite in one place, [foi. 164] And a-mong heom sat a-doun a-kneo : and bad ore louerd es grace J)at he cudde is m^hte and is grace : and heore hele heom sende Jjere, So j)at al J>at folk ]?e sojie i-sei3e : J?at al-mi3liti god he were. fio he hadde ore louerd Jms i-bede : a-mong heom J?are cam 276 So gret l^ht and cler schinyngue : J?at heore s^lit heom almest bi- nam ; IT hit ouer-spradde furst seint Thomas : ase he lai in is heden, 278 And J>e sike Men alle, J?at huy fullen a-doun : euerech in his stede, And lei3en )>are al plat to grounde : \e mountaunce of half a tide, fie 3wile Jris grete li^ht i-laste : ech hi ojieres side. A-non so Jjat lijht i-passed was : J?at ech m^hte oJ:ur i-seo, 282 ST. THOMAS CONVERTS NIGH 1000 MEN. MIGDONIA ASKS ABOUT 385 HIM, HEARS HIM, AND SEES HIS MIRACLES. Ech-one buy a-risen up hole and sounde : liolore ne m^hte none men beo. IT j?are was Ioye and blisse i-nou^ : pere ne mi^bte beo non more ; buy bonoureden seint Thomas : and criden him milce and ore. 285 Jpare turn den po nei 3 b a pousend men : and i-baptizede were, with-oute children and wummen : poru 3 is miracle pere. \) at cri was po parof so muche : pat al pat lond wel wide 288 ]?ar-of spac, and pudere ornen : ful picke in euerecb side. — IT Carik biet pe kingues mei : pat of pulke londe was, Migdonia hei^te is wif : pat ore louerd 3 af swipe fair cas. For Migdonia, pis guode wif : to a wumman cam 292 Jpat heo knev^ erore and was po : i-turnd to cristindom, ]5at badde six 3 er blynd i-beo : and guod s^ht beo liadde po ; “Leoue soster,” quath pis Migdonie : “ bou is pis i-go )3at pov bast so longue blind i-beo : and nou art i-beld so 1 ? 29 G 3wat is pilke wise Man : pat s wu cli mi 3 bte may do 1 ” IT “ Certes, Dame,” pis opur seide : “ pe nobleste Man it is jOat euere on vrpe a-mon[g] men cam : witb-oute god sulf, i-wis ; For be beletb pe sike pat wollez beon bole : and par-of ne faillez be neucre. 300 baddestpov enes himi-se^e : pe gladdore pou woldest beo euere.” “Dev merci,” quath pis guode wijf : “bou may ich best 1 on take J}at ich badde 2 i-sei 3 e pis liolie man : pat swuch wonder may make V* IF “Wel, pou scbalt do,” pis opur seide : “ for to-morewe, ase be me tolde, 1 al. om. 2 al. nadde 304 lie wole come and prechi al pat folk : hov buy schullen beore bi-leue bolde ; J?ou scbalt with me pudere go : wel priueliche, ich rede, And huyd pi face, with 1 opur clopus : pat no man ne wite pi dede ! ” J)at guode wijf ne fur^at nou 3 t pis : ake dude ase be ire radde, 308 Chaungede hire clopus and liudde ire face : and wende ase beo ire ladde. 1 al. )>\ face ihud & in IT To pis bolie precbingue beo cam : pat no man ne knev hire pere, And i-heorde pane holie man : bov be gan pat folk lere ; 311 ])e grete miracles heo i-sa^h also : pat ore louerd for him wro^hte. beo nuste 3 wat beo m^hte for Ioye do : ake stod in grete poi^hte; LEGENDS OF SAINTS. C C 386 ST. THOMAS. MlGDONIA TURNS CHRISTIAN, AND REFUSES TO GO TO HER HUSBAND’S BED. A DEAD SON IS MADE ALIVE. heo wilnede more panne ani-ping : to speke with him a prowe, Ake heo ne dorste for no-ping : laste heo were i-knowe. IF heo wende horn al i-liud : ake euere heo hadde in po^hte 316 Anoper time with him to speke : 3 wane ore louerd pe time brou^te . 1 Bi-fore hire bedde heo lay any 3 ht : and on ore louerd criede longue p)at heo moste poru 3 seint Thomas : cristindom a-fongue. C 1 foi. i6i b.] IT Atpe mid n^ht seint Thomas cam : and bi hire stod atpe laste — Nuste heo neuere ^ware he cam In : pe doren weren alle faste. “ Beo glad,” he seide, “ Migdonie : god hath i-heord pine bone : 322 j)ou hast muche i-wilned after me : ich come to pe here ful sone. God wole pat pou beo on of his : and pat pou come pon .13 me To pe lif pat euere schal i-laste : and pat ich beo a-slawe for pe. Bor pe ich schal i-martred beo : and bope we scliullen wiende 326 To pe Ioye of heuene, and pare beo : to-gadere with-outen ende.” H Seint Thomas 3 af hire cristindom : are he pannes wende, And te^te h ire al godes lawe : hire lif for-to a-mende. p)is wif bi-cam a guod womman : and nolde neuer-eft mo 330 After pat tyme for no-ping : to hire louerdes bedde go. hire louerd was par-of sore a-nuyd : and po he ne m^hte for no pingue Maken hire enes ne^h him come : he playnede him to pe kingue. IT pe kyng hiet pe Quiene a-non : pat he 1 scholde to hire wiende 334 And reden hire to honouri hire louerd bet : and don ase pe liende — Bor wummen conne of operes rede : pare-fore pe Qu'ene he sende. 1 = beo pe Quiene adai wel mildeliche : to pis guode wumman wende And radde hire to hire louerd go : to scliilden hire fram vilenie, 338 And no-ping ne lieue pane false man : pat radde hire to schuche folie. IT “ A, dame, merci,” quath pis opur : “ pou nost noi^t hou it is ; 3 if pou wustest al pat ich wot : pou noldest nou 3 t so segge, i-wis. Bor so noble a man ase he is : nas neuere on eorpe ido ; 342 liaddestpou him enes i-se^e : pou woldest segge al-so. And 3 if pou isei3e noupe pat ich seo : pe wolde wondri, i-wis. Bor symphor pe he^e kny 3 t : pat Maister of kny 3 htes is, IT To-dai was his sone ded : and symphor wel 3 eorne him soi^te, 346 ) 5 ane holie Man seint Thomas : and to is sone noupe him brou 3 te : And pare he hath him r^ht noupe : [arerd] fram depe to liue ; And pare he sit noupe in is lious : and prechez pat folk bliue ; ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CONVERTS THE QUEEN, AND IS 387 TORTURED FOR IT BY THE KING. A-boute him al-so sike men : wel picke comez nov gon, 350 Crokede and blinde and ojmr® al-so : and [he] heom heleth ech-on.” IT “ Leoue soster,” qnath J»is Qu 5 ene : “ 3 wepur ]?is mouwe soth beol” “ 3e, Dame, certes,” qnatli pis opur : “and ^if pou it wolt i-seo, Go we pudere and pou schalt : pe sope finde a-non.” 354 J}e Quiene pou^te po ful longue : are heo were pudere i-gon. buy come and founden seint Thomas : r^ht ase pis womman seide. J;e Quiene stod and him bi-heold : and alle is holie dede : U To is fiet heo ful a-doun : heo ne mi^hte no leng a-hide, 358 And had him ^iuen hire cn'stindom : and merci faste him cride. Sone po heo i-cnstned was : harnward pane wei heo nam To pe kyngue, and longue hire po^te : are heo to him cam. 361 “Sire,” heo seide, “ich hahbe i-founde : pis guode wijf Migdonie 1 In grete wisdome, and ich wende er : to finde hire in folie ; [foi. 165] And, gode ponk, of hire wisdom : heo partede with me : 364 And pare 1 i-nelle in pine folie : non-more siwe pe.” 1 r. J?are-fore; ai. soJ>at J}o was pe kyng sori inov^ : he nuste 3 wat par-of to do. For-to quelle is wif pare-fore : none lieorte he nadde par-to. II He cleopede Carik, is cosyn : “ we beoth bi-traide,” he seide, 368 “Mine Quiene ich sende,ase pou wel wost : pi wif for-to rede, To bringue hire out of foie pou 3 t : ase pou me for loue bede, And noupe ich habbe hire for-lore : forth with hire, ich drede, For loue of pe one i-lore hope : alas, pe wrechhede ! 372 we moten us a-wreken of pat peof : pat bringueth heom in svvuch dede.” H He liet sienden aftur seint Thomas : 3 if Men him m^hten finde ; And po pis holie Man i-founde was : faste men him guonne binde, And harli him forth bi-fore pe kyng : his hondene him bi-hinde : So pat he was to depe i-brou 3 t : in pe londe of Inde. 377 For po he was bi-fore pe kyngue i-brou 3 t : pe kyng him hiet a-non For-to honouri heore false godes : pat weren of treo and ston, 1 Opur he wolde laten him torinenti : and to-drawe is flechs fram pe bon. 1 a V. om. 380 H j)is holie Man for-sok po : is heste forto do. Irene plates he liet nime : brode and longue also, C C 2 388 ST. THOMAS IS BUT INTO FIRE, AND A RED-HOT OVEN, UNHARMED. IDOLS MELT LIKE WAX AT HIS WORD. And liet heom caste a-midde pe fuyre : pat al glowinde huy weren a-non, And setlipe he hiet pane holie Man : par-uppe bare-fot gon. 384 A-non so pis holie Man : sette is fet p are- 011 , 1 ai. out : of >e harde ston A welle with watnr pare sprong out of pe vrpe : so cold so ani ston, 1 And a-qneinte pat fuyr a-non : pat so hot and strong was ; \)e gnode man eode forth par-on : pat neuere pe worse him nas. 388 U ])o was pe king ne^h out of witte : an Ouene he liet hete, J^at heo was al glowinde fuyr : are hny wolden lete : ]3ene holie Man huy nomen anon : and a-midde pe Ouene him caste. And po he was pare-inne i-do : pat fuyr no leng ne laste, 392 Ake it bi-gan to quienche a-non : pat so gret hete er of drov} ; Jpe holie Man pare-inne was : in Ioye and Murupe i-nov^. U ])o pe kyng pis i-sai^li : he nuste liou on take ; “ Carik,” he seide, “ hou geth pis'? : ore godus us habbuth for-sake ; we ne mowen nou 3 t pis lupere peof : with none pingue quelle.” “ Certus, sire,” quath Car[i]k : “ anopur ichulle pe telle : 398 Ave schullen nime pis [lupere] 1 Man : and [to] ore godes him lede And maken him forto honouri heom : mid ei^e and for drede, 1 om. Jpon^h 3 wan he schal is louerdes wratlipe : habben out and out, And is merueile him beo bi-nome : poru 3 3 wan li e is so prout.” 402 IT To pis Maumates pis holie man : i-bro^t was wel sone Mid strencpe forto honouri heom : ase liuy weren i-woned to done. Seint Thomas bi-heold pis maumates : ase he bi-fore heom stod ; “ Ich coniouri eov,” he seide, “ in his name : pat for us schedde is blod, p foi. 165 b.] 406 Ov deuelene pat pare-inne beotli : and with fole3 wolleth speke, 1 Jpat 3 e sone parof out fleon : and pe Maumates to-breke.” H A-non so he hadde pis word i-seid : pe maumates ne m^lite no leng duyre, Ake bi-gunnen al to melte awei : ase wex deth a 3 ein pe fuyre, 410 J)at huy weren so alle to nau 3 ht i-broi^ht : ri^lit ase huy neuere nere. In gret wonder stod al pat folk : pat in pat paleis 1 were ; 1 ai. place Ech-one huy gonne with one moupe : wel loude grede and crie : “ 0. god is al-mi 3 hti one : i-boren of Mayde Marie, 414 ST. THOMAS IS SLAIN BY A HEATHEN PRIEST IN INDIA. 389 ST. MATHIAS IS CHOSEN AN APOSTLE BY CASTING LOTS. Of ^wam seint [Thomas] hath i-speke — : to him \ve wollez alle us take And peos wrechches false godes : clanliche alle for-sake.” IT ])o pe kyng and Carik : and pe false preostes al-so J?at wnsten pe Maumates, i-heorden pis : huy nusten $wat Id do. 418 ])e kyng and Carick for fyn wo : out of pe place wenden, \)o huy i-sei^en hou pis holie Man : heore godus so foule schende ; huy ne dorsten for cristine Men : setten on him non hond, He al-so for pe grete Miracle : pat Man alday with him fond. 422 IT Ake pe preostes of pe false lawe : in grete wrathpe huy stode ; bat on hente in is hond a strong swerd : with ful wrope mode : “ Of pis peof ichulle,” he seide : “ mine godes anon a-wreke, bat heom hath swuch schame i-do : ho-so it euere bi-speke, 5 ’ 426 he leide on pis holi Man : with is swerd to grounde Into al is bodi and made him sone : manie eouele woundes, And a-martrede so pane holie Man : and a-slou^h him in a stounde. J)e cristine Men weren wrope i-nou^h : po huy hine ded founden ; bane preost huy wolden habbe i-barnd — : ake he fleu^h a-non ; 431 And pe king and carik habbe a-slawe — : ake huy weren a-wei igon. IT bis holie bodi huy nomen a-non : and to churclie it bere, And bureden it with gret honour : and with grete nobleye pere. So pat strencpe of holie churche : wexinde euere was. bus cam into Inde cristindom : formest pori^h seint Thomas. 436 Hov seint Thomas pat Cristindam : formest into Inde brou^te, B[r]ingue us to pe Ioye of heouene : to 3 wan ore louerd us bou^te. 57 [Mathie ap.] S Eint Mathie Apostle is : ase ^e schullen alle i-wite ; boru^h lot he was apostel i-maud : ase it is i- write. Ivdas pat Apostel was : po he hadde ore louerd i-sold, bare [nas] 1 non longue in is stude : pat Apostel were i-told. 1 om. 4 Aftur pe tyme pat ore louerd : in-to heouene was i-sti^e, be Apostles weren alle to-gadere : and ore lauedi seinte marie : U So pat seinte peter heom radde : ase ore louerd hadde i-bede, Eor Ivdas pat Apostle was : to nimen on in is stude. 8 So pat huy nomen and casten lot. : and ope seint Mathie it gan falle ; So pat he, and seint powel : pe laste weren of heom alle. — 390 ST. MATHIAS RESTORES SIGHT TO 300 BLIND MEN". HE IS MARTYRED IN JUDEA, BUT BURIED AT ST. MARY’S IN ROME. Seint Mathie cam of hei^e Men : pat noupe apostel is ; In pe londe of Bedlehem : i-bore lie was, i-wis. 1 2 Seothpe, po lie Apostel was : and huy wenden alle wide 1 overlined. And precheden Men 1 to cristindom : euerech in his side, [foi. 166] Into pe londe of Iudee : seint Mathie ))ene wei nam ; bare lie precliede to manie Men : and broi^lite to cn'stindom. 16 he helde also J>at sike weren — : ne may no man rikeni alle ; boru^li him pat folk into cristindom : swipe wide it gan falle. IT bare was a maister in pat lond : pat a swuch drunch made pere J^at alle pat par-of dronken : anon-r^ht a-blende were. 20 Of pat drunch men hrou^ten to seint Mathie : and he it dronk anon : And him nas pare-fore neuere pe worsse : ake al hoi he gan forth gon. j ) at folk hadde per-of wonder gret : pat he ne les anon is s^hte. “Alas, mine leoue freond,” quatli seint Mathie : “ ^e ne seoth nou3t godes m^hte. 21 bat 3e i-seon sothpliche godes m^hte : ])at he on ns sende, Latez hringue here bi-fore me alle pulke : pat pare-with weren .a-blende ! ” Men leten heom sechen wel widen out : and bringue pere into place. p)is holie Man heo[m] helde a-non : poru3 ore louerdes grace ; 28 U JOreo hundred men and mo 1 : poru3h ore louerdes m^hte 1 az.to(=two) Joat poru3 pat drunch weren a-blende : he 3af heom pare heore s^te. JOat folk criede 3eorne on him : and picke a-bouten him cam, And bilieueden on god poru3 is tecliingue : and turnden to cristin- dom. 32 U be luper Iustise of pat lond : lier-of lieorde telle : lie liet nimen pis holie man : and in strongue depe a-quelle. 34 Ake it nis no^hwere in boke i-founde : 3wat deth he hadde pere ; Ake i-martred he was in strong torment : ase alle pe apostles were. H Guode Men comen aftur-ward : and pat holi bodi nome And frarn pe londe of Iudee : ladden it sethpe to Borne, 38 And bureden it pere with gret honour : pare ase men schewez 3uyte In seinte Marie churche ofte : his heued with grete pruyte. Nov god for pe loue of seint Matlii : us leue ore lif so wisse bat we, 3wanne we heonnes wiendeth : comen to heouene blisse. 1 AmeN. iMS.biissa 42 ST. SILVESTER BURIES ST. TIMOTHY’S BODY. HIS PERSECUTOR IS 391 CHOKED WITH A FISH BONE, AND DIES. 58 hie incipit uita scincti Siluestri. S Eint Siluestre pope was : fe furste fat fare cam fat euere hadde Rome in pes : to holde up enstindom ; For alle fat comen bi-fore him : lufere Men to-drowe And Karleden heom out of fe londe : and with tormens manie buy slowe. 4 Ake ore louerdes m^hte euere wax : and f e strencf e of cn'stindom, So fat it was in betere pays : f o seint siluestre cam. IT It bi-fel fat he prechede f e Aumperoure : Costantin fat was f o ; fat he grauntede him f e churche of Rome : in pays with-outen wo. 8 Ake erore he hadde wo i-nou 3 li : are it m^hte f ar-to astonde : For in prisone he was ofte ido : and ofte i-driue out of londe. If A lufur Iustise cam in a time : in-to fe contreye a-boute For-to tormenti enstine men : and to 1 harli with gret route; 12 he liet martri ane holie Man : fat hiet tliymothe, 1 overiined. And liet him sethf e in a foul stude : casten with gret vilte. Seint siluestre wente a-n^ht : and fat bodi fannes drou 3 h And burede it with gret honour : in a fair place i-nou^h. 16 IT fe Iustise setlif e it vnder-^at : siluestre faste he nam, [foi.iecb.] And seide, “ feof, fou schalt habbe : fat ilke sulue dom. 3wy laddest fou a-wei fanne feof tr/chour 1 : 3 wodere liastfou him -bro^U” “ Certes, sire,” quath siluestre : “ feof ne tnchour nas he noi^lit ; 20 Ake fou art swuch on, ich wot it wel : and godes martyr he is. And fat fou fare-of fe sofe i-seo : to-ni$ht fou schalt, i-wis, In strongue defe a-strangled [be] : and wiende to fe pine of helle.” “A, feof traitour,” quath fe Iustise : “ rafer ichulle fe a-quelle.” 24 51 He liet nime fis holie man : and in strong prisone caste, For-to he bi-se^e him in 3 wat defe : he were i-brou 3 t ate laste. his soper he liet greif i faire : ase he was i-woned to do, And with grete pruyte and noble^e : he eode and sat far-to. 28 A fisches bon schet in is frote : ase he sat and .et., fat neuereft ne cam out a^ein : are he is lijf fur-liet ; For he was a-choked a-non : and toward fe defe he dror^h, Vnnefe he liuede for-to mid-n^bt : with pine and seoruwe i-nov. 32 392 ST. SILVESTER IS POPE FOR MORE THAN 23 TEARS. HE ORDERS THAT LINEN CLOTH BE USED ON THE ALTAR AND OVER THE ELEMENTS. IT His Men fat weren is conseilers : comen eorninde faste Into fe prisone to siluestre : and sore huy weren a-gaste, And seiden, “ leoue louerd, fur-^if us : fat we fe habbez mis-do ! Gret wreche to ore Maister cam for fe : ne lat nought to us so I 36 Louerd, graunte us f i guode wille : we nelletli mis-don f e non-more ; Go forth 3 ware fi wille is : we biddetli fe milce and ore.” IT fis guode man wende out of prison : with honour i-nov 3 , E^ht ase Men fane lufere Iustise : to-ward fe eorfe drov 3 - 40 fat folk bi-leueden heore owene prince : fat huy heolden er so he^e, And alle siweden fis holi man : for miracle fat huy seien. Sorie weren f e lufere Men f o : for heore lawe eode al-to nau 3 hte ; And fe cn'stine Men weren glade i-nou 3 : for al fe pris huy cai^lite. Mani liefene Man fare-fore : tornede to mstindom, 45 And wel f e betere pais f oru 3 al f e lond : a-mong cn'stine men bi-cam. 5T Seint siluestre bi-lefde pope : in guod pais fo i-nov 3 And muche folk wide a-boute : to godes lawe fare drou 3 . 48 Preostes he made and deknene al-so : and lie him-sulf furst bi-founde fe ordres to maken a^ein midewynter : fat men halt 3 uy[t] in al fe londe. Al-so he bi-fond fat Men scholden : maken f e seruise with linnene cloth clene i-wasche : ope fe weuede in alle wise, 52 And helie with clene linnene cloth : ore louerdes flechs and is blod, And nofer in pal ne in seolke : nere it no so guod — IT And fat was, for, fo ore louerd : bou 3 te us with is blode, Iosep of Aramathie : nam him a-doun of fe rode 56 And wond him in 3 wi 3 ht linnene cloth : ase fe godspel hath i-seid, Ake nofur in seolke ne in sendel : fo fat swete flescli was ded. In swuch cloth ase is swete flechs : was i-wounde fo, his swete flechs schal ope fe weued : beon i-wounden euere-mo. 60 fis guode Man freo-and-twenti 3 er : pope was at rome pfoi. 167] And freo rnonfes and endleoue dawes : are is ende-day him come. 1 And fo he deide in godes seruise : ase he hadde longue fare-in i-beo, I-bured he was bi-side rome : for-sofe, Milene freo. 64 Hou god for is swete loue : us graunti fulke blisse fat seint siluestre is inne : fat we far-of ne misse. ST. EUSTACE, FORMERLY SIR PLACID AS, HUNTS A STAG, WHO 393 SPEAKS TO HIM, AND SAYS HE IS GOD. 59 [Eustas.] la've MS. loiule Of Eint Eustas pe noble kny 3 t : of hepene lawe 1 was ; kZ/ Ake are he i-cnstned were : men cleopeden him placidas. he was with Traian pe Aumperour : liext of alle is kni^hte, Maister he was of al is ost : at eche batade to fi^hte. 4 he wilnede to wite godes lawe : and of cnstindom ; Ake no man par-of him ne te^hte : ne 3 eme pare-to ne nam : his heorte him 3 af pat is lawe nas noi^t : and pare-fore almes-dede Ofte he dude for godes loue : pat he him scholde pe bet rede. 8 A wif he hadde and twei sones : pat swipe 3 oungue were ; lieo wilnede 3 eorne pat sum man : of god hire wolde lere. — 10 pis hei 3 e kn^htes wenden a day : on honteth mani on with heore cheuenteyn placidas : to caehclie hert and bocke and don. H A-mong opur game buy founden ane heort : swipe fair best with-allo : placidas him siwede a-non : 3 if he m^lite maken him falle. 14 Eram is felawes he wende al one : pis best orn with gret pas, And he siwede him fer in vncoupe stude : pat al weri he was. po huy comen opon a fair hul : pis best witli-stod atpe laste. pis kni 3 ht ne dorste ner him wiende : ake bi-heold him stikele and faste. 1 8 Bi-twene is homes he i-sa^h : ane creiz schine bri 3 hte with gret leome ase it were of sonne : pat vnnepe bi-liolde he it m^hte. IF “Placidas,” seide pe heort : “ 3 wy woltpou weorri with me? I-cham god pat pou ne knowest nou 3 t : icliulle scliewi me to pe. 22 pine almesse-dedes pat pou hast i-do : a-mountede me bi-fore ; pat pou ne canst nou 3 t, i-chulle pe teche : pat pi soule ne beo for-lore. pov were a-boute to cachche me : ichulle pe cahche al-so.” “Louerd,” seide placidas : “se^e me 3 wat i schal do.” IT “ Bote go,” seide ore louerd po : “horn to pine wiue, And nim hire and evwere twei sones : and lat eou cnstni bliue. pus time to-moruwe cu?)t a 3 ein : and ich pe wolle wisse hou pou schalt leden here pi lijf : to of-serui heouene blisse.” po nuste he 3 ware pe heort bi-cam. : pis kn^ht in grete pou 3 te wende horn and ponkede god : pat swuch tipingue him broi^hte. his wiue he tolde it priueliche. : “ sire, merci,” heo seide, 26 28 394 ST. EUSTACE AND HIS FAMILY TURN CHRISTIANS. THE STAG (god) tells him he will suffer woe. he loses his all. “ To-m^lit ore louerd cam al-so to me : and ri^lit so he gan me rede.” 51 Huy nomen heore twey sones with heom : and to a bischop huy wende And lieten heom crostni alle foure : heore lif for-to amende; 36 Jus kny3th liet is name tuyrne : and liet him cleopie Eustas. With opure kn^htes he wende eft an hontez : pudere ase he er was. Jus holie best he sa^li po eft-sone : aftur he wende al-so, Eor-to he cam in-to a priue stude : ase he hadde er i-do. 40 po criede he and fel a-doun a-kneo : “louerd,” he seide, “ pin ore, 1 Tel me hou i schal mi lif lede : to saui me porr^h pi lore.” L 1 foi. 167 b.] Ore [louerd] spac po in pe heortes moupe : “ loke pat pou do after me ! Eor pov hast pene deuel ouer-come : he armeth him a3en pe : 44 polie pou schalt wo and sor : ase Men schulle in bataylle ; 3if pou wolt polie and a^ein him f^hte : of is wille he schal faille, he schal pe, ase he dude lob : mid alle wo pe fonde ; Seie me 3if pou it polie wolt : and faste a^ein him stonde ! ” 48 IT “ Louerd,” seide pis guode kn^ht : “ 3if me studefast-liede, pat ich mouwe is fondingue pole : ase pou me wolt wisse and rede.” “ Ope pi-sulue it is 3if pou wolt beo : studefast,” ore louerd seide ; “ Ake 3if pou wolt so, ichulle in pi care : bope witie pe and lede.” 52 Mid pusse worde ore louerd wende : he nuste 3 ware he bi-cam. pis kn^lit in grete poi^hte of heorte : pene wey hamward 11am ; his wiue he tolde al hou it was : and bad hire studefast be. To is louerd es court, pe aumperoures : nolde he nowmore teo. 56 IT po comen peoues and robbeden him : of al pat euere he hadde ; his Orf deide al-so to grounde : nou3lit 0 best a-liue he nadde ; his hinene deiden euerechone — : pare bi-lefde non a-liue Bote he and [is] tweie 3ongue sones : and is leoue wiue. 60 po ne bi-lefde heom non more guod : pane heom liieng a-boute — huy ponkeden god of alle is sondene : 3uyt nadden huy nope doute. For schame pat huy beggares weren : heore hous huy liete stonde And bi n^hte stelen a-wei : to-ward an opur londe, 64 51 Eustas al-one and is wijf : and is sones twe^e; So 3ungue weren pis children two : pat he bar heom ofte bi we^e. Gret deol made pe Aumperour : po he miste sire Eustas, And liet him seclie al-a-boute : ake men nusten 3ware he was. 68 st. Eustace’s wife is taken from him by a shipman. 395 ONE SON IS CARRIED OFF BY A WOLF, THE OTHER BY A LION. Toward Egypte huy passeden pe se : for huy mosten so don nede. po huy j?e se ipassede hadden : pe schipman axede is mede. 70 lmy seiden J>at huy noting nadden : ake ]?at huy beggares were, pe schipman bi-heold f>at guode wif : and Jmu^te him of faire chere ; If he seide, “ ichulle for mi mede : Jus wumman with me at-holde.” pe knight weop and cnede ^eorne : ake hit ne mil^te noting holde, jois schipman nara 1 him and is sones : and out of pe schipe heom praste, 1 MS. nan And liet heom wienden ^wodere huy wolden : and lieold 1 Jhs womman faste. 1 ms. beoid 7 6 pe kny 3 ht bi-heold after-ward : ake po it non-ojmr nas, Sore he weop and wrong 1 is honden : longue i-swowe he was. 1 ms. wrond “ Leue sones,” he seide, “ 3 wat schulle 3 e nou 'l : 3 oungue 3 e beoth, lielp-les, In vncouJ>e londe ; ho schal ou wite : notice 3 e beoth moder-les ? 80 H Mi-sulf ich cou)?e mine mete bi-swynke : ake inot 3 wat 3 e schulle do ; A feble norice ich am, alas ! : i nas neuere i-te^lit ]?er-to.” Wei softe he ladde is sones forth : and wel ofte he heom bar. To a deop watur he cam : and no schip ne fond he J?ar : 84 he bar is o sone ouer pat watur : and pare a-doun him sette. \_Hcrc afol. is wanting in the MS. 1 ; MS. Cott. Ini. D ix. continues ] [j?e while he wente ouer a 3 en : his opr sone to fette, a-midde pe water as he was : a wolf J her com vrne & nom pat child & ber hit ford : touard pe wode 3 erne. 88 A leon com in pe o per half : & Jus opr child [he] nom & bere hit ford touard p wode : ar pe fapr to \\\m com. U pis kni 3 t stod a-midde pe water : no wonder pe \nm wo were, whan he sei p«t pis wilde bestes : his sones awei bere ; 92 he wep & his hondes wrong : & tar h im be pe here ; hiw-sulf he wolde habbe a-dreint : 3 if pat ojjing nere : he pojte on pat our lord sede : pat he scholde plie sore. he plede, him p 3 te, sorue y-nou : noman ne m^te more. 96 “ lord,” he sede, “ whiter schal ich nou?” : & wente hi an vncoup weie ; “ krn^tes ich was y-wone)) to haue : wit me of gret nobleie : 1 Only a little fragment is left, with the beginning of the first verses : beo 3wyle he ... . bo he was f . . . . And nam b • • . • A leon c . . . And .... IT bis . . . — The text in MS. Ashm. 43 is frequently abridged, therefore I fill the gap from MS. Cott. 396 ST. EUSTACE IS IN GREAT DISTRESS, AND SERVES AS HAYWARD. THE EMPEROR TRIES TO FIND HIM. T Ich les hom suj)j)e,& al my good : pat ich scholde bi le)?e mi lif ; Mene bileuejie o per solas non : bote my sones & my wif. 100 po mi wif me was by-nome : nas me wo y-nou ? ^if ich dorste sigge, ich was : ibro^t in more wo wit wou. Me nas bileuej) bote mi sones : pat al myn herten were : po sei ich whare wilde bestes : awei to wode hom bere, 104 & icham a wrecche & frendles : bileuej) nou alone, al nakej) & bar of alle gode : as ich sprong out of pe stone! H wel ichot pat iob hadde : y-nou of care & sore ; a lone wrecche as icham : me June]} ichaue more : 108 for he hadde frend & wif also : him forto bimene, me nis bileuej) wif ne frend : to solaci me ene. a dunghupel warup he him reste : him was also bileuej) : of al my god so moche y naue : pat ich mow rest op my lied. 112 of al men pat eu er were : me ])inch icham mest wrecche — ac whan god wol so pat ich schal : of noting I-ne recche.” po he hadde al y-mad his mone : pat reupe hit was y-nou, In sorue & care spitosliche 1 : touard toune he drou. lAshm pitosiiche 116 II per he ^ede & bej> his mete : pat al folc reu])e hadde pat so fair man & stalworde : in meseise his lif ladde. liai-ward hi made him of pe toun : hor corn forto wite, pat he mi^te in treunesse : his liflode be-^ite. 120 his lordinges he paide wel : & al opere also — for ho-so haj? wit him godes grace : he ne schal neuer mis-do. for he ne coujje no^t his mester : gret sorue he hadde ynou \ his wo he nom in pacience : to eche godnesse he drou. 124 hey ward he was fiftene }er : in gret sorue & care ; ne com noman nei him pat him kneu : his frend him 1 were wel bare. — H ac 2 hit bifel pat pe einperour : pat his lord er was, 1 ^™^ frendes » y-worref) was of a nojjer king : jiorou a lu per cas. 2 om. inAshm. 128 sone him missejie J?is gode kni^t : & ofte he sede alas. to many lond he sente aboute : to seche seint eustas. tuei kni^tes pat his felaues were : pat so^te him suijie wide, In his bailie hi mette him : as hi come jjer-ford ride. 132 seint eustas i-kneu hom wel : & hi him no^t wit-alle — for ho-so is in meseise & in sor : his lieu wole sone fal!e. IT il knowest,” hi sede, “ eni man : Jjat hatte placidas ? ” he sede nai, & sede so)) : for he het eustas. 136 ])o gonne J>is kni^tes sike sore — : & hit was nei eue : j)is haiward hom bap suijie faire : al ni^t wit him bileue. po hi come hom to his In : he made hom faire cliere ST. EUSTACE IS DISCOVERED, AND GOES B ^CK TO THE EMPEROR, 397 WHOSE FOES HE ROUTS AND CONQUERS. & cortesliche seruepe hom : quinte man as he were. 140 ac euer whan he from hom turnepe : p e teres ourne of his eie ; ac fair semblant he made y-nou : euer whan hi him seie. IT pis kni^tes £ 03 te wonder gret : pat a such heiward of so quinte seruise was : as he were eny stuard. 144 pe lengox pat hi him bihulde : pe bet hom po 3 te [hi] him kneue — for whan man is fol of mete & drinke : hit 1 sotelep 2 in his hwe. * MS. his “ pis man,” sede pe on to pe oper : “ilich is placidas, 3 Ashm. so teiej> loke we where he haue pe wounde : pat on his hed was, 148 pat he hente in pe bataile ? : for ^if he hap pilke wounde In pilke stude, siker we bep : pat we him hauep i-founde.” po hi founde pis sope tokne : in gret ioie hi were ibro^t, hi sede, “ pu art placidas : pat we longe hauep iso^t. 152 U pe emperour sente after pe : to him p ’ 1 schalt come, for his fon hauep moche of his lond : for pe faute 1 of pe y-nome.” sein eustas made gret daunger : & napeles ate nende 1 r. defaute to pe emperour of rome, his lord : wit hom he gan wende. 156 glad tiping com to pe emperour : po he him isay ! he let him greidi in fair atir : as noble kni^t & hei, he let ^arki his ost also : mony kni^t & sueyn, & made eustas, as he was er : of hom alle cheuenteyn. 160 U hi wente & worrepe op hor fon : to grounde fer & ner ; hi pat er al maistres were : nadde do no peer, more prouesse ne mi^te be : pan was of pis kni^te, for he was of bodi strong : & moche coupe of fi^te, 164 & he liadde wit him godes grace : be dai & by ny^te ; per-fore non heden man : a^en him stonde ne mi^te. po pe king hor fo vnper-^et : pat his poer noding nas, & pat he ne mi^te worre holde : a^en sein eustas, 168 U he flei hom in-to his owe lond : vnnepe wit pe liue. seint eustas wit his gode route : after suepe bliue \ of his men he let ek mony nyme : & slou ek of hom riue, he let sle al oper nyme : oper out of londe hom driue. 172 ^ut he suor he wolde awreke be : of pe gret schoride pat hi liadde his lord y-worrep : in his owe londe. H gret maister he wex anon — : what, whare was po his horn ? he ne ^ede no^t in pe feld afote : to wite man 1 corn ! 1 r. mannes 176 a maister heiward he was on : wit such men to fijte, to porswy in-to his owe lond : a king of so gret mi^te ! he let ordeine wel his ost : & parti hit a-pre,] 179 184 186 398 ST. EUSTACE, NOT KNOWING THEM, CHOOSES HIS TWO SONS AS CHIEFS UNDER HIM. ONE TELLS THE OTHER HIS STORY. Cheuenteynes lie liet [cliese] 1 tweie : vnder him to beo. [foi. 168] i om. IT bare weren mungue tweie : faire men 2 with-alle, * ms. mane 3 Ashm. with red heued, 3 eolu and crips 3 — : fair cas pare gan bi-falle : For pere nere none into al pe Ost : pat so staleworp e men were He of so gret prouwesse in pe bataile : ne pat so wel armes here p>are-fore Evstas vnder him : cheuenteynes beom made pere, Eyper is owene compay[ni]e : swipe wel to lede and lere. buy siweden heore fo in-to is lond : no-ping a-dradde buy nere ; And po buy pe se i-passed hadden : heor baneres huy lieten 1 a-rere, Into al pat lond buy "wenten a-boute : and nomen alle pat buy foiinden, i MS. leieten beore fon buy sloiven pat heore pouwer : was sone i-brou 3 t to grounde ; For buy nomen some and ladden forth : with beom, faste i-bounde, Some buy raymeden for beore lif : of manie harde poundes. 192 Are buy beom hadden so ouer-come : buy 3 euen manie woundes ; Gult-lese men pat weren of pais : huy lieten beo bole and sounde. buy come and nomen a gret cite : and pare-inne huy a-l^hte ; Ase louerdes buy resten pere — : so faretb pat babbeth m^hte. 196 U J?is two cheuenteynes pat weren : onder sire Eustas, buy casten of beore belmes heom for-to auente : beore bodi ful weri was ; 198 Ynder a cliaumbre buy resten beom : in a wel fair berber, buy tolden of heore grete prouwesse : pat buy duden feor and ner. “ Wonderliche,” pat on seide : “ icb am forth i-gon. Mi fader was kny 3 lit of gret pouwer : nis no^hwere noupe scliuch on ; U be and mi moder stilleliche : lieten beom c?*i'stni beye, And me and mi ^oiingue bropur 1 : pat weren bis sones tweye. 2 204 A nijht he nam is wif and us : pat bis sones were, sw^be^e And ladde us into anopur lond : pare we neuerer nere. ]}o we pe se i-passede hadden : pe Mariner for is huyre Drof us out of is schip . and ore moder ladde awey : pat us was leof and duyre. 208 H Ore fader nam us and ladde us forth : swipe gret deol be made. To awater we comen pat was so deop : pat we ne mi^bten no^ht w r ade : Mi fader bar ouer mine 30 unguere broper : and in pat opur half him sette, st. Eustace’s sons get to know they are brothers. 399 st. Eustace’s wife comes to him, and tells him who she is. And cam a wolf and bar him forth : pe ^wyle he [me] wolde fette ; And are he m^hte to me come : a leon pare cam eorne And kipte me and bar me forth : to- ward pe wode wel ^eorne. 214 IF Schepherdes ornen him a^ein : with homes and with hounde, And crieden and schoten to-ward him : pat he me liet falle to grounde ; huy nomen and ladden me to heore hous : and lieten me forth bringue. Of fader ne of moder ne can ich : telle eov no typingue.” 218 IF “Louerd cmt,” seide fiat opur : “ i-hered beo pi mijhte, Jpat ich moste of mine leoue bropur : habbe one si^lite ! 220 Certes,” he seide, “ich am pi brojmr : pat pe wolf a-wei bar; Ake Aker-men weren in pe feld : pat weren of him i-war, with staues and with stones al-so : a 3 en him huy ornen bliue And maden him legge me a-doun : so pat ich cam to liue.” 224 louerd, muche was pe Ioye : pat bi-twene heom was pere ! [foi. iesb.] Mest huy bi-menden fader and moder : pat huy nusten ^waTe huy were. IF Heore Moder sat and heorde pis : In ane cliaumbre pare-bi-side : welle, louerd, pat lie 1 was glad : pat heo mi^hte pane day a-bide ! 1 = lieo Sori heo Avas pat heo ne mi^hte out : with hire sones to speke — Ake heo Avas bi-loke ase a prison : ne heo ne mi^hte pat hous breke ; For heo and manie oper : in ostage Averen itake. Bi-fore pe prince heo Avas setlipe i-brou^t : hire fin for-to make. 232 ])o isai^ heo 3Avare hire louerd Avas — : a-doun heo feol to grounde, “I-hered beo pou, ihesu mst !” heo seide : “ mine louerd ich habbe i-founde ! ” IF jpis guode kn^ht [gan] 1 for ioye to wepe : he clupte hire and custe ; More Ioye pane [Avas heom] 1 bi-twene : no man neuerer nuste. 236 “ Sire, merci,” heo seide : “ne liaue pou no mis-pou 3 t, 1 om. For god it Avot, ich am clene : and i-Avemmed nou 3 t. For also-sone as pe lupere man : me hadde fram pe i-brou 3 t, he vuelde, and deide sone : bi god pat ich habbe i-sou 3 t ! ” 240 )2o was pis guode kni3lit gladore : bi muche pane he er Avas ! “Dame,” he seide, “of ore leoue sones : quite we beoth, alas ! 242 For a leon bar pat on a-A\ r ei : and a wolf pat opur also ; "VVel ich Avot pat huy to-draAve beoth : inot 3wat Ave scliullen do.” IF “ Sire,” seide pis guode Avif : “ make gret Ioye with-alle, Among alle pe men pat euere AA r eren : fairest us is bi-falle : 246 400 ST. EUSTACE AND HIS WIFE AND SONS ARE RE-UNITED. THEY GO IN TRIUMPH TO ROME. ST. EUSTACE REFUSES TO WORSHIP IDOLS. For ase ich in a chaumbre sat : kn^htes ich heorde tweise Tellen of us so pat iclnvot : pat it weren ovre sones bei^e. Lat of-sechen 3wuche huy beoth : for sope, liuy beotli of pine. Beo glad and in alle Ioye : for we habbez ouer-come ore pine.” 250 IT Jb s kni^lit for Ioye liet sende a-boute : pe messagers neren no^t bi-bynde ; be liet secbe and crien ouer-al : 3if men m^hten anie swuclie i-finde. be fond pat is sones weren : onder bim cbeuentey[n]s, bat he him-sulf made for heore prouwesse : of pe ostes souereins. 254 Glade buy badde er i-beo : ake so glade neuere huy nere, bo fader and moder and pe sones : to-gadere i-come were ; 256 bat pe fader and pe sones : pe maistrie a-wei bere 1 v. 256-7 seem spurious. And maistres weren of al pat folk : to ordeinen heom and to lere. 1 IT Louerd, mucbe is pi mi3hte : and pat pou cuddest pere — For pat pou i-saued liabbe wolt : no-ping ne scbal fur-pere. — 260 IT bo pis guode kni3bt and is sones : and heore ost atpen ende be Maistne badden of alle heore fon : bamward buy guonne wiende with gret Ioye and nobleye — : of no man heom ne dradde ; 263 Alle pe hexte men of pe londe : ase prisones with heom buy ladde. Muche pris pare was of heom : ase buy wenden toward rome. Ake deolfole tipingues buy founden pere : po huy pudere come : 266 For huy founden bore louerd ded : pene Aumperour tralan, And an oper buy founden imad after bim : pat liiet Adrian, 268 bat mucbe schame dude cnstine men : 3 ware anie weren i-nome. Gret Ioye be made with Jus kn^htes : po buy weren Jmdere i-come, 1 For heore prouwesse, and for heore prisones : pat buy mid heom broi^hte. L 1 foi. 169] bext prince of pat lond vnder bim : sire Eustas makie he Jmi^hte ; Bote it were bi is red : no-ping don be nolde, 273 And 3 wane he wende into anie stude : euere mid bim be scbolde. IT A dai buy comen bi heore temple : pat heore maumates inne were : be Aumperour l^hte a-doun : to don pare is preiere. 276 Sire Eustas nolde nou3t pare-inne come : ake bi-lefde pere-with-oute. be Aumperour in wrathpe axede a-non : ^ware-of be badde doute And 3wi he ne a-l^hte, ase r^lit were : and to is godes a-loute. 279 “ Sire,” seide sire Eustas, “ it is for non^t : pat pou art pare-a-boute ; ST. EUSTACE IS CAST INTO A DEN OF LIONS, BUT THEY WILL 401 NOT TOUCH HIM. HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE BURNT. I-ne rechche a-liue ho it wite : cristine ich am, i-wis. 281 Of swuch a prince ase £011 art, gret deol is : pat so schal bi-leue a-mis.” U “ Ov ! ” seide pe Aumperour : “ hast pou pus i-seid? habhe ich pus i-loued pe : and pou me hast hi-treid 1 284 3if pou louest pin owene stat : torne pi poi^t, ich rede, Opur pou schalt segge pat pou ne dudest : neuere so luper dede.” “ Certes, sire, for noi^t it is ” : pis guode knight a-^ein seide, “ holde ich ulle pat ich habbe i-take : I-ne bi-leue it for no drede.” wod-wroth was pe Aumperour : he liet him binde faste And leden horn to is paleis : and among leones him caste, 290 joat huy scholden for-swolewen euerech lime : of pis guode kni^hte. huy a-lutten to him and lickeden him — • : pare was godes mi^hte ! H po is sones and is wif : herof heorden telle hat pe Aumperour heore louerd nome : him for-to a-quelle, 294 huy comen eorne with gret eyr : and axeden 3 ware he were, And seiden huy wolden for godes 1 loue : mid him dei^e pere. 2 \ to 3 he schok is heued and criede loude : and ter him bi is here * follow heie> he liet makie ane tonne of bras : for-to berne heom pare-inne. 298 Wei wusten pis guode kni^htes : ^wat huy scholden pare-with iwinne. ))o was pe lupere Aumperour : wropere pane he was bi-fore. 1 1 r.ere Sire Eustas sat a-doun a-kneo : and seide, “ noupe, louerd, pin ore ! Graunte us to pe Ioye of heouene : comen aftur pis sore, 302 And pat ore pou^t studefast beo : and treowe euere-more. 1 iv. 303 added. Graunte us pat alle guode men : pat us habbuth in muynde And of us bi-sechez help to pe : pat huy it moten finde, hat huy of peril beon i-brou^t : and of alle opure vuele al-so, 30G J)at pou, yd it is pi wille : into pe Ioye of heouene heom do. we foure pat muche of ore lif : i-liued habbeth in wo, Graunte us one stude to ore martyrdom : and to ore burijngue al-so, hat we in one stude forto domes-day : to-gadere resten mote, 310 hat pe sike of bodie and of soule : at us habben bote.” H |5o cam pare a uoyz, and seide : “Eustas, glad pou beo, 312 A1 pat pou i-bede hast : god hat h i-graunted pe.” t 1 foi. i69b.] his tormentores nomen pis guode kn^ht : and is sones and is wif, And duden heom in ane tonne of bras : to leten pare heore lijf ; Gret fuyr huy pare-aboute maden : bi-neope and a-boue : 31 6 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. D D 402 THE BODIES OF. ST. EUSTACE AND HIS FAMILY ARE WHOLE. ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST WAS CHRIST’S COUSIN. And J>are huy Jjoleden martyrdom : for ore louerdes loue. U \)o )>is fuyr hadde longue i-barnd : a-boute pe brasene tonne, And J>at bras was muclie i-molte : and to-gadere i-ronne, buy eoden ner, and ]?is holie men : wel faire liggen liuy founde, 320 So 3 wijbt scliininde so eni milk : pe bodies bole and sounde And pe soulene ore louerd bi-ta^t — : for J?are nas of clo])e ne of here, Ne of no stude of alle lieore bodies : J>at of pe fuyre i-weommede were. U Cristine men a-wayteden heore point : and stelen J?are-to bi ni^bte And Jjeos liolie bodies ladden a-wey : and longue ]?are-to huy ti^lite And bureden beom faire in one stude : to 3 wuche huy weren i-brou3t — 326 For ore louerd wolde J?at it were : ase buy hadden him erore bi-sou 3 t. An bondred 3 er i-passede weren : and twenti also Aftur ore louerdes buyrtyme : J?at huy weren to de]?e ido. J)us seint Eustas mid is wif : and mid is sones cam 330 To pe he^e Ioye of heouene : J?oru 3 strong martyrdom. 60 [Iohan ap.] S Eint Iohan pe ewangelist : pat Apostel is, •was ore louerdes Aunte sone : and seint Iemes brojmr, i-wis : bis Moder was ore lauedie suster : Marie cleophe, I-wedded heo was to is fader : J>at hiet zebede ; 4 ))is Zebede hadde twe^e sones : bi Marie is wif : }3es seint Iohan and eke seint Ieme : pat ladden wel holi lijf. U Seint Iohan was 3 onguore J?ane ore louerd : twelf mon)>e ojmr Jiere-a-boute ; For is kun he was pe betere Man : Jjar-of nis no doute : 8 And natheles he was, icb wene : Juitti 3 er old ne^h Are bee ou 3 t muche of ore louerd wuste : o]>er are he him. muche ise^li. For ore loue?‘d nas bote luyte i-knowe : ne he ne cudde him nou 3 t Are he i-baptized were : and to cnstine-dom i-bro^t; 12 And 3 eot ne cudde he him nou 3 t a-brod : are seint Iohan pe baptist were I-martred for J?e lawe of holie churche : J>at he gan heroudes lere. U Ake Jjo seint Iohan i-martred was : ore louerd ne sparede nou 3 ht st. john was Christ’s favourite apostle, and was 403 TOLD TO TAKE CHARGE OF CHRIST’S MOTHER. Forto gon and prechi a-boute : til he was to defe i-broi^t. 16 To beon is desciples furst he ches : twei^e brefren f o : Seint petre and seint Andreu : ase he cam hi f e se go ; And fare he sa^h tweie brefren fo : seint Ieme and fes seint Iolian, with f e' olde man Zebede : heore fader, a-fischeth gon : 20 U heom he cleopede al-so to him : and huy bi-lefden a-non heore fader, and siweden him : and token f e betere won. Seint Iohan was best with him : of is desciples echon : jOat was i-sene fo he leonede : an d slep Op on is breoste-bon ; 24 For fe 3 wile he made is cene : ase on schere-fores-day, Seint Iohan among is desciples : to is swete breste lay. A-morewe, ase on f e guode friday : ase he deide on f e rode, his swete moder and seint Iohan : faste bi him stode : 28 ))ere in seint Iohanes warde : is swete moder he tok, [foi. 1703 To wardi ase hire owene sone : ase we findez i-write in bok. H hire wardein he was aftur also : fat he to heouene i-wende, A1 fe ^wyle fat heo on eorfe was : for-to he aftur hire sende. 32 Ki^ht it was to wardi hire : 3 wane heo is Aunte was, And for fare nas non ofur 1 of heom : fat clene mayde was ; 2 Clene mayde to wardi ofur : r^ht it was i-do 3 — • 1 a7 ' n fe tod<> aZ ‘ nas )?are-fore in is swete warde : ore louerd bi-tok hire so. — 36 Aftur fat ore louerd was : to f e Ioye of heouene i-went, And his desciples a-witsonenday : fene holi gost hadde i-sent, U huy wenden forth wel baldeliclie : euerech in is side, A-boute in diuerse londes : and precheden wel wide. 40 In-to fe londe of Asye : seint Iohan f e ewangelist wende,to wissi fulke side : and prechede of Iesu crist. 42 To fe Cite of Efese : atfe laste he com, Jpare he hadde him-sulue hous and horn : and prechede cnstindom. — • U ])e Aumperour domician : fat lufur was i-nov 3 h, Alle fe cnstine Men fat he fond : he tormentede ofur a-slou 3 h. So fat seint Iohan was i-nome : fat longue hadde beo i-soi^lit ; Bi-fore fe Aumperores Iustise : ful sone 1 he was i-brou 3 t. 48 ])e Iustise f o^hte anon : fram god to tuyrne is f 0U3M. 1 ai. to rome “ Certes,” quath f is holie Man : “ f are-to ne bringest f ou it noi^t ; For ichulle more don after god : fane aftur fe, i-wis.” d d 2 404 ST. JOHN IS BOILED IN OIL, AND OUTLAWED TO PATMOS, WHERE HE WRITES THE APOCALYPSE. HE RETURNS TO EPHESUS. Welle, wroth]) was ])e Iustise : ])o he i-heorde pis ! 52 Ane tonne ful of Eoyle he nam : and liet it hoy lie faste, And al wallinde pesne holie Man : a-midde pe eolie he caste. IT Seint Iohan pare-inne sat : so longue so it was, he ne chaungede neuer ene his hiev : ne neuere pe worse him nas, 56 Ake al liol with-outen eni harm : out of pis eolye he a-ros — ] 5 e Iustise pat him per-inne hrou^te : par-of wel sore a-gros. jhs was in roine bi-fore a 3 at : pat pis dede was i-do, jOat men cleopeden “ pe porte latin” : and 3 uyt men doth also. 60 A-seint Iohanes day it was : in pe bi-ginningue of may. For pulke miracle men holdez 3 uyt : poru al pe lond is day; And for pat 3 at hiet “ porte latyn ” : pare pe dede was i-do, 3uy[t] men holdeth 1 pilke day : of seint Iohan 2 al-so. — 64 H Domician pe Aumperour : po he i-sa^h pis cas \ “p of porte ia‘ya Jpat seint Iohan nas no-pe worse : pat he in pe eolie was, wod-wroth he was and sori i-nou 3 h : ake natheles lie ne dorste nou 3 t For c?'istine Men, pat he were : poru 3 him to depe i-broi^ht ; 6 S he hiet him fleo out of pe londe : pat non more he ne come pere. I-harled he was out of rome : ase pei he strong peof were, And i-outlawed ase a peof : pat he in pe contreye ne come. Into pe yle of patmos : he wende out of rome, 72 And wonede pare in penaunce : twelf monpes ne^li. Of ore louerdes priuetez : wel muclie he pare i-se^li, p foi. 170 b.] For ofte pe priuetez of heouene : ore louerd him schewede pere . 1 3 ware-of he made pare ane bok : al-holi churche to lere, 76 pat men cleopeth “Apocalips” : pat men redez in churche al day; Muclie is of godes priuetez : pat he pare i-sa^. 1 — 1 orig.isa^h 11 \)q furste 3 er pat seint Iohan : pus i-outlawed was, Of pe Aumperour pat him drof awey : pare bi-feol a sori cas : 80 For pe senatour him a-slov 3 : pat was po of rome, In contek pat heom was bi-twene — : for huy conteckeden i-lome. Seint Iones pays was sone i-cried : and alle operes also ]5at weren poru 3 pe Aumpe?*our : in outlawingue ido. 84 Seint Iohan him wende a^einward po : mildeliche i-nov 3 ; Toward pe cite of Efese : to is owene hous he di’ 0113 — For he hadde pare hous and horn : and kun and freond i-nowe. ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST RESTORES DRUSIANE TO LIFE, AND 405 SHE COOKS FOR HIM. HE DWELLS AT EPHESUS. Men and wimmen of fe tonn : wel ficke a-^ein him drowe, 88 To wel-comien him with grete Ioye : and in-to tonne him brou^te, with swife gret procession : ase huy ful wel ou^ten. Ase huy wenden foru 3 fe toun : with grete Ioye fere, Men and wimmen a-^ein heom comen : with ful dreorie cliere : 92 For drusiane, a ded womman : toward vrf e huy here ; fare was for hire deol i-nov 3 : and wel sorie alle huy were. Gret loue fare hadde er i-beo : bi-tweone hire and seint Iohan. Ase sone ase fiat folk him i-sai ’3 : fie gladdore alle huy were a-non ; 96 huy gonne on him to crie faste : “ sire/’ huy seiden, “ fin ore ! jois is drusiane, f>i guode freond : fiat was vnder fi lore, fou wost wel heo hath fie muche i-loued : nov ne may lieo no^more, here heo is in fiis here ded : heo makez us carie sore. 100 IT Heo ne wilnede non of>ur fling : fie 3 wile heo sik lay, Bote fiat he 1 moste fe i-seon : are hire end e-day : i = heo And noufie it is so ase f>ou sixt : fiat, fei fou beo here, heo ne may ! fench on fie loue fiat heo fie louede : sethfe heo fie furst i-say ; 104 And }if foil woldest us swuch grace do : and a^ein to liue hire bringue, Euere we scholden herie fe : and fie kingue of alle kyngue.” IT seint Iohan bi-gan to sichen sore : ase he in f oi^hte were ; he bad heom ane stounde a-bide : and setten a-doun f >e bere. 108 he sat a-doun wel softe a-kneo : and criede to ore louerd fere, fis woman fat him so muche louede : 3 if it were is wille, a-rere. f 0 he hadde i-seid is oresun : anon-r^ht in fe place fis womman a-ros up hoi and sound : foru 3 ore louerdes grace , 112 And herede faste ihesu cnst : and fene holie man sein Iohan — fare was prece of alle fe men : fat f udere m^hten gon. Seint Iohan bad hire go horn a-non : and greyfi som-fing to mete Athom in hire owene hous : fat he m^hte with hire ete. 116 IT feos drusiane wente forth : and 3 a[r]kede mete i-nov 3 , And made seint Iohan fair semblaunt : and elles it were W0113. — In fe cite of Efese : seint Iohan bi-lefde longue, [foi. not numbered] And prechede fat folk to gode tuyrne : and cmtindom a-fongue, 120 And ordeinede preostes : and churchene liet a-rere, Bischopes he made beste Men : fat folk for-to lere. 406 ST. JOHN, AT THE ENTREATY OF THE CHRISTIANS OF EPHESUS, WRITES HIS GOSPEL, WHICH IS THE SUBLIMEST OF THE FOUR. J;is guode Men pat vnder him weren : bischopes and o pere also, Fondeden bope n^ht and day : aftur is wissingue do. 124 huy cr/eden on him with al hore mi^lite : alle of one 1 cite : 1 arpe For he wuste so muche and \nder- 3 at : of ore louerdes priuete ])q 3 wile lie with him on eorpe was : and next him euere also, Jo at he scholde of is holie lijf : in sum guode bok do, 1 ai. aboute iere And of is kuynde $wat he was : and pat folk don to lore , 1 Joat huy m^hten pe bete?-e iwite : 3 wat ore swete louerd wore. 130 IT Seint Iohan bi-sou^te pat folk ^eorne : for him pat huy bede In fastingue and in orisones : to don a swuch holi dede; 132 And wende into a derne stude : and bad ore louerd faste Joat he scholde pene holie gost : into is heorte caste, Joe holie Godspel of him to make : al-holie churche to lere, ^ware-poru^ euerech cmtine man : pe bet ere bi-lieued were. 136 he bad al-so pat pare ne scholde : porii 3 ore louerdes grace wind, ne reyn. ne opur weder : come nei^him in pat place To letten him of is holie dede : pe 3 wyle he pare-a-boute were. Ore louerd heorde is bone wel : pat no weder ne lette him pere, 140 Ne cam no wynd 3 eot to pis day : ase pe holie Man it bad, Ne opur tempeste in pulke stude : as pe bok was i-mad , 1 Ne 2 mi 3 hte neuereft come tempeste : ase pe holie man it bad . 3 A-non so seint Ion bi-gan : to don pis holie dede, 1 « , -,? ! v -7 n ® r *s I-tend he was of pe holie gost : pat ecli del pat he seide SjETSaS * 11 he sek of ore louerdes breoste : ase he par-to lay J)e 3 wile he made is swete cene : a-schere-poresday ; J)are he sek out pat holie wit : of pe holie godspelle 148 J?at he made sethpe in Efese : a-rnong cmtine Men to telle, he was pe feorpe Ewangelist : and lierre nas pare non ; And is godspel he made last : of heom euerechon. Seint Matlieu and seint Mark : and eke seint luc, i-wis, 152 lieore god-spelles huy liadden longue i-maud : are he bi-guonne his. Ake seint Iohan bi-gan his hext : for pare-on he bi-gan Of ore louerd al 3 wat he was : are pat he were Man ; he bi-gan so he^e is godspel 1 : of ore louerdes kuynde, i-wis, 156 JPat vnnepe ani Man eorpelich : entendeth 3 wat it is. 1 ms. godspeii For he soi^hte so deope is kuynde : and of him bi-gan so hc^e, st. John’s emblem is an eagle, by his prayer a heathen 407 TEMPLE FALLS DOWN WITH GREAT NOISE. In pe fourme of Ane Ern he is de-peint : ase we ofte i-seoth with ei^e. 1 r. sucth (= seotli) best For pe Ern is swiftest 1 of alle foules : and hext he may fleo : 160 For 3 wane he is in pe lofte an he^h : pat herre ne may non beo, 3 uyt he may here in pe grounde : ane luttle worm i-seo “° r | e : a Also he may so lie^e fleo : and pe firmament so ne^h, chei wider to teo. bat almest is wyngene brenneth : 3 wane he is so he^li. 164 H Se 1 Iohan J?at is 2 pe fourme of Ern : is godspelles wel he^e bi-gan, bare-inne he tolde al is 3 lif : pe 3 wile he was on eorp man. his godspel is swipe hei^ i-holde : ase wel r^ht it is, \ «!' fsllf (S< ° For muche del of holi churche : per-pon^h i-loked is. 3 al ‘ our louerdes Seint Iohan cudde pis godspel sone : and prechede it faste al-so ; 3 eot pare weren lupere men : pat onde hadden pare-to. — 170 IT On atyme manie lupere Men : to-gadere heom hadden i-nome And to seint Iohan pe ewangelist : in grete wrathpe come And lieten him wende forth with heom : to heore maumates a non And a-nouri as forth with heom : opur it scholde an-opur gon. 174 “ Beu freres,” quath pis liolie Man : “ ichulle segge eou a sotlip — Ich habbe reupe of eov in mine heorte : pat nutez 3 wat 3 e dothp. Ichulle don eou chois of tweiy pingues : and parof cheose 3 e : 1 To gon 1 with eou to eower temple : opur 3 e to churche with me; 178 If 3 wane 3e to godes churche comieth : 3 if 3 e poru 3 eower godes la we Mouwen make pe churche to falle : bi-lieue ichulle on heom fawe ; And 3 if ich may bi 1 eower temple : bi-fore eower owene s^hte, 1 at. so Bi-leueth on Ihesu crist, ich rede : 3 wane 3 e i-seothp is m^lite.” 182 “ We grauntiez wel,” pis opure seiden : “ pou schalt furst bi-guynne To cuype pine louerdes m^hte : pe maistrie forto wynne.” 184 To pe false temple buy wenden furst : and po liuy weren pare-ne^h alle, Seint Iohan bad heom stonde fer : pat huy ne weren of-falle. IT ])o huy weren alle with-drawen a-feor : seint Iohan a-feor stod ; “ I-seo 3 e,” he seide, “ pis temple alle : pat 3 e holdeth so guodl 188 Ich hote hire in mine louerdes name : pat heo falle a-non, pat 3 e mowen pe sope i-seon : bi-fore eou here ech-on.” ISTe hadde he bote pat word i-seid : pat heo ne ful up pe doun, Eram ende to opur, al pis temple : with swipe gnslich soun. 192 408 ST. JOHN, TO CONVERT BISHOP ARISTODIMU8, DRINKS STRONG POISON AND REMAINS UNHURT. IF J}o al fat folk fat fare stod : fis miracle i-sei3h, liny gonne to cr/en on Ih«su crfst : and on seint Iolian an he^li ; Twelf fousend Men fare torneden : eclione to cnstindom, with-oute children and wimmen : fat turneden also mani on. — 196 IF ARistodimus, fe Bischop : and Maister of fe lawe, 3uyt ne mi3hte noi^lit seint Iohan : to ore louerd is herte drawe : For fo he isa^li f is faire miracle : fat fe temple ful so fere, 3eot nolde he it noujlit i-leue : fat ani miracle it were ; 200 he nolde i-lieue in none manere : fat ore louerd were of m^hte. Seint Iohan stod and fou3hte longue : liou he liim mi3hte bringue best to r^hte, fl And seide, “ se^e fou me 3wat i schal do : fat foil bi-fore fe i-seo ; And bote 3U icli it do, ne lief fou no^ht : fat mi louerd al-m^hli beo.” 204 “ Par fey,” quath f is luf ere Man : “ nov ichulle lierkni f e ; Do noufe fat ichulle fe segge : and fou schalt winne me. 206 Yenim icli habbe, strong i-nov3li : fat ho-so farof niraeth ou3t, Ne come fere with-inne him neuere so luyte : to defe he worthf i-brOU3t; 1 This verse is doubled in the MS. 3 MS. b : atfore * F.yjen * greuez I Drink fare-of bi-fore 2 mine eyene 3 : and 3if it ne greueth 4 fe nou3ht, To Ihesu crist, fat is f i god : ichulle take al mi f o^ht.” [foi. 171] “ bou seist wel i-nou3,” quath seint Iohan : “ bring noufe hidere to me bat strongue venym, and ichulle : hit drinke bi-fore fe.” 212 II \)o false Bischop him bi-foi^the : for-to a-gasten him fe sarrore fere, And also to seon f e sofe : fat his god of pouwer were : Twey men fare weren,to defe i-dempt : for heore lufere dede, )5e false bischop dude hem bofe : bi-fore seint Iohan lede 216 And made lieom drinke of fat venym : r^th bi-fore is ey3e. A-non so it ou3t with-inne hem cam : bofe huy gonne dey3e. IF Seint Iohan sethfe fe coppe tok : fo he isa^h al fis cas, And dronk fare-of ane grete drai^t : and neuere fe worse him nas, Ake euere fe lengore fare-aft ur- ward : fe more Ioye he made and blis bat folk stod al in gret wonder : fo huy i-se^en al fis. 222 IF huy stoden and bi-heolden sein Iohan longue : fre tidene and more, st. John’s cloak restores two dead men to life. 409 ARISTODIMUS AND OTHERS ARE CONVERTED. And euere fe leng fe gladdore : huy se^en him for al his sore : 224 To Ie[s]u crist huy gonne tuyrne : and criden merci a-non ; So fat huy to cristine-dom : fare turnde, wel many on. U Ake Aristod[i]mus fe Bischop : was euere in lufere foi^te, And ne bi-liefde nought in Iesu cnst ; for al fat he fare wrou^te. 228 “ 3 wat fayllez fe 3 uyt 1 ” quath seint Iohan : “ me funchez it is -with W0113I1 J)at fon ne leuest ore louerdes mi^hte — : ne sixt fou noi^t ^uyt i- 110 V 3 1 ” 1 1 This v. on the margin. “ Bote fou most ^uyt,” quath fe Bischop : “ fe dede to liue a-rere j)at to defe with fis venym : a-poysoned nou ri^ht were.’’ 232 “ jpou seist nouf e ful wel,” quath seint Iohan : “ ake fat fou f e sof e i-SeO, 1 MS. him I-nelle no^t mi-sulf ney hem 1 come : ake ope fe it schal al beo. 234 Him mine cuyrtel here to fe : and le^e ope hem a-non , 1 iMS.anom And in fe name of Iesu cnst : hot heom a-rise afnd ] 1 gon.” 1 ms. a 11 bischop nam seint Iohanes Cuyrtel : bi-fore rijht fe Iustise, And leide ope fe dede and bet heom fo : in ore louerdes name a-rise. A-non so he hadde fis word i-seid : fis men a-risen a-non And 3 eoden forth hole and sounde : and fonkeden seint Iohan. 240 U j)e bischop, fo he fis i-se^h : and fe Iustise al-so, Criden merci Iesu cnst : of fat huy hadden misdo, And torneden fare to c?’istinedom : and ofur folk also i-noi^h, For fe faire miracle fat huy seyen : and elles it were WOU 3 I 1 . — 244 U Miracle fat seint Iohan dude : no toungue telle ne may 3 ; J)are-fore folk him siwede faste : fat is miracle i-say 3 . Tweye Ioliue louerdingues and wilde : fat 3 oungue and Ioliue 1 were, Siweden him and duden al-so : ase he gan heom lere : laj.stronge 248 H Burst huy solden al heore god : fat heom ne bi-lefde nou 3 th, And turnden hem al to Iesu c? 7 *st : heore heorte and al heore f oi^ht, And siweden 1 sein Iohan swife faste : fat fare-to heom hadde i-brOU 3 llt ; 1 MS. siwenden And he heom prechede of Iesu cnst : fat deore heom hadde i-boi^ht. H Jjis twe^e 3 ongue men ase huy 3 eoden : swyfe riche men and he^e with grete nobleye and pruyde i-nou 3 : bi fe weye huy se^e; 254 Jxmjten huy, “ swuch nobleye : we weren i-woned to lede [foi. 171 b.] 410 ST. JOHN TURNS BOWS AND ARROWS INTO PURE GOLD, AND STONES INTO GEMS. HE RAISES A DEAD MAN TO LIFE. In lolifte and in pruyte i-nou^ : and noupe we beoth in wrech-liede, In Miseyse and in pouerte : and riche weren bi-fore ! 1 ms. bieon vs pinkez, sorie mouwe we beon 1 : pat we euere weren ibore.” 258 Seint Iohan wuste al heore heorte : pei he ne heorde pare-of noi^ht : “3e foies,” he seide, “^wat is eou noupe? : 3 wi chaunge ^e eouwer po^ht? 260 Bowes and 3 eordene fechchiez me : and stones al-so ! ” J^is 3 ongue Men weren pare-a-boute a-non : pat pe dede were i-do. U Seint Iohan tornede pis 3 eordene sone : in-to puyr gold and cler, And pe stones to 3 immes preciouse : pori^h ore louerdes pouwer, And pis twei wilde Bachilers : he 3 af it euer-ech del ; 265 “ Here-with,” he seide, “ $e mouwen : habbe wel manie guode Mel, And also muche lond eou bugge a- 3 ein : and more pane 3 e solden bi-fore ; For 3 e habbuth, bote 3 e betere do : pe Ioye of heouene fur-lore.” U Jpis 3 ongue Men nomen pis tresour : and wel glade par-of were, And to manie goldsmipes : wel wide-a-bouten it bere. 270 pis goldsmipes sworen euer-ecli-on : pat pis gold i-se^en, put so clene gold ne so puyr : huy ne se^en neuere with e^en. 272 H Hou mi 3 te fairore miracle beo : opur fairore poer, ^.pen 2 ai. tome plat 1 bowes and 3 eordene tornede 2 pare : in so puyr gold and cler? — IF Al-so 1 seint Iohan pe Ewangelist : ferrore wende pere, v^oh^tfie m a™ 8 And pe twey men forth with him : pat so riche of golde were, 2 276 A ded man toward burijngue : Men bro^hten ope one bere. pe Moder criede opon sein Iohan : pat he him scholde arere, “ Louerd,” heo seide, “ ich bidde pe : pat pou habbe reupe of me And of mi sone pat is ded : ibroi^t here a^ein pe ; 280 liaue reupe of him, ich bidde pe : for Iesues woundes hue, Ase pou haddest of Drusiane : po pou a-rerdest hire to liue ! ” H po gan seint Iohan to weope sore : and bad a-stunte pe bere, And bad ore louerd for is grace : pat dede bodi a-rere. 284 J)is 3 ongue man a-non with pis word : to liue a-ros pere. po was Ioye and blisse i-nou 3 li : a-mong alle pat pare were ! IT “ Ich hcte pe noupe,” quath seint Iohan : “ pat ded hast i-beo 3 are, )5at pou telle pis men sum-ping : of pat pou se^e elles- 3 ware, 288 And nameliche here to pis twei men : pat noupe beoth for lore, at st. John’s bidding the restored man reproaches two 411 DESERTING CHRISTIANS; AND THEY REPENT. J)at beoth itornede to pe deuele a^ein : to ^wam liuy seruedcn bi-fore.” 51 jhs 3 ongue Man pat was to liue a-rerd : bi-heold peos opure twe^e; “ Allas,” he seide, “ pe wrecbliede : J>at ich i-seo 1 bi eou be^e ! 292 Jpulke time pat 3 e for-soken : pis holie Mannes lore, 1 ai. isei Aungles pat eou wusten er : weopen for eou ful sore, And 3 uyt liuy doth ase ich nou r^bt i-se^h : and pe deuelene in beore ende 51 Mauden for eou Ioye i-nou 3 li : to 3 warn 3 e gonne wiende. 296 Allas, wrecbcbes, pe muchele pine : pat to eou is al^are, J?at in belle ich sa^h to eouwer bi-bolfpe : to 3 wan 3 c scbullen fare ! ” ])o pis twei Men i-heorden pis : huy bi-gonne to crie a-non, Deol and seoruwe buy mauden i-no^h : and gradden opon seint Iohan. 300 “Allas, 3 e foies 1 ,” quath seint Iohan : “30 nuteth 3 ware 3 e wollez beo. 1 je f. overlined. [fol. 172] 3 if god wolle babbe merci of eou : 3 e mouwen sone i-seo. To ecb sunful man he is redi : pat to him wole i-wiende ; ))are-fore criez 3 eorne on him : for-to he eou milce siende : 304 And pe sope 3 e mouwen sone under^ite : 3 wane he hath eou milce i-sent, 3 wane pis gold and peos 3 in 1 m.es : to beore kuynde beotli a- 3 en i- went.” 51 Huy crieden 3 eorne on ore louerd po : and in penaunce huy were, In fastingue and in oresones : pritti dawes pere. 308 \)o tur[n]de pat gold bi-fore heore e^ene : into bowes of treo, And pe 3 ymmes into harde stones : ase huy hadden er i-beo. IT ])o pis 3 ongue men pis i-se^en : glade huy weren i-nou 3 h ! pmdere a^ein ase huyfetten heom er : liuyberen euer-ech boi^h, 312 And for-soken al pe worldes pruyte : and duden ase pe wise, And endeden heore lif atpe laste : in ore louerdes seruise. — 51 In a time ase pis holie man : wende in pe contreye, A 3 ong partrich he bar on his hond : and pare-with he gan pleye. 316 A wylde louerdyng pare cam gon : a- 3 ein him bi pe weye, I-wepned swipe baldeliche : he nadde of no man Ey 3 e. A-bysemare he bi-heold seint Iohan : po he him sa^h here on honde Perdi 412 ST. JOHN JUSTIFIES HIS PLAYING WITH A PARTRIDGE, AS TI1E MIND, LIKE A BOW, MUST NEEDS UNBEND. JAs ^ongue foul and fare-with pleye — : fare-to he hadde onde. 320 “Loke,” lie seide, “ J?is olde conloun : in his olde liue, J)at men lioldez swuch prophete : alle ofur men to schriue ! 322 wel bi-trufletli he fat folk. : here men m^hten i-seo hou he ple^ez with fis ^ongue brid : he ne rn^hte nou^t wys beo.” II “ Leoue brofur,” quath seint Iohan : “ich bidde tel fou me 3\vat is fat fou berest on honde : and 3 ware-offe it seruez fe.” “ Ane bouwe ich here,” quath f is of ur : “ and Arewen also f er-to, To scheoten wilde bestes with : and wilde foules also.” 328 U “ Biend fine bouwe,” quath seint loan : “ to loke 3 wat he can do ! ” fois jongue Man nam and bende is bouwe : and bar it longue so. ]}are-aftur sone he nam is bouw r e : and unbende it ase he coufe. “3wy dost fou so?” quath sein Iohan : “ 3 wat selial he vnbend noufe?” 332 “ For he wole,” quath fis of ur : “ fe smartore dryue eft-sone And fe betere dunt 3 yue to euerech fing : fat ich habbe with to done \ 1 al. wolde H For, 3 if ich hire bere longue i-bend : fe feblore heo wolle 1 beo And euerech drai^lit fe worse driue — : fat may ech man 1 i-wite and seo.” 1 MS. man may 336 “ Leoue brofur,” quath seint Iohan : “ al-so it farez, i-Avis, Bi mannes heorte here on eorfe : fat feble and leofi is. 338 3if he is toward Iesu 1 cn'st : i-bend faste euere-mo, 1 ms. iusu Febli he schal and beo a-sad 2 : and is strencfe also 3 a-go ; * ®^ 1 1 sad And 3 if he is ofur^wile onbend : and itorned to solaz, he wole bieon eft-sone, 3 wane he is i-bend : stifore fane he er was, And in godes seruise f e bet driue & duyre : and fare-to beon stif and strong; J^are-fore mot ech lioli man : solaci him a-mong 344 And tuyrne is herte to some truyfle : 3 wane he may ani i-se, )pat he mouwe to godes seruise : fe stifore and fe strengore be. 1 ])q Ern is foul of alle foules : fat liey3est may fleo, 2 1 This v. on the margin. And 3 uyt he mot nede, to resten him : a- 3 ein to grounde teo ; Pfoi. 172 b.] hou mi 3 hte he euere fleon on liei 3 h : bote he reste him atf e grounde ? Nammore ne may mannes bodi : bote he reste him sum stounde. 350 )5are-fore, bel amy, fou m^ht : herebi fat sofe 1 ise, 1 Ms - ^ S g^ e ,ierebi ^ at ST. JOHN BIDS A BISHOP TAKE CHARGE OF A YOUNG MAN. 413 THE BISHOP, AFTER A TIME, LETS THE YOUNG MAN SIN. J)at for solaz man may pe betere : in godes seruise be.” — 352 IT Seint Iohan wende a-boute wide : and churclie he liet a-rere, And maude preostes and bischopes : pat folk for-to lere. Ake Aristod[i]mus pe bischop : J?at he tornede er to cnstindom, In pe Cite of Ephese : swipe holi man bi-cam, 356 And ane church e of seint Iohan : in Ephese he arerde bliue — And seint Iohan sethpe in jmlke cburche : wende out of ]:is liue. — H A day ase ]?is holie man : his seruise hadde i-do, A ^oung man he say par e-bi-side : staleworpe and fair al-so ; 360 Ake a li^ht red he was, and of punne wit. : seint Iohan bi-heold him faste, And opon a bischop pare-bi-side : his ei^ene a-non he caste : “ Ich bi-take pe,” he seide, “ in warde to wite : pis man here lo, J?at pou him loke and norichi wel : pat he nou^t ne mis-do ; 364 50 pat pou me ansuerie of is warde : 3 wane pou me comest eft to; witnesse ich take on ihesu cnst : and on holie churche al-so.” 366 51 “ Sire, wel fawe,” pe bischop seide : pis ^ongueman he tok wel softe. Seint Iohan him chargede of is warde : and muneguede him wel ofte ))at he him wuste swipe wel : ase he answerie wolde ; And bi-te^hte heom hope Ihesu crist : and wende 3 wodere be scholde. J)is bischop nam pis Ioliue man : and ladde horn to is inne, And norichcede him softe and wel : seint Iones loue to w'nne, 372 And prechede him 3 eorne of Ihesu crist : to bi-nimen him his folie ; 50 pat pis 30 ungue man to guode turnde : and merci gan to crie, And faire bar him and louede wel : god and seinte marie, 1 ai. hard And dude al pat pe bischop wolde : and guod 1 lif gan dri^e. 376 51 Atpe laste pis bischop : sumdel is heorte gan wiende — ■ Ase ofte verlich bi-guynninge : flechchez atpen ende ; be soffrede pis 3 onge man to pleye : ant to muche habbe is wille, And luyte and luyte don folie : and liet him al a-spille. 380 Eormest he gan haunti wakes : and for compaygnie he wax a syutor of tauernes : and siwede to glotonie ; ])o ne m^hte he noi^ht beon with-oute : and turnde to lecherie And bi-cam an holer strong : and tornede al-to folie. 384 414 ST. JOHN ASKS AFTER THE YOUNG MAN, AND FINDING THAT HE HAS TURNED OUTLAW, RIDES OUT TO FIND HIM. U So longue, to holden up his folie : smale fingues he nam, Aftur fe smale he tok fe grete : and strong fef he bi-cam ; So fat he hadde gret de-deyn : smale fef fes to do, For bote it were fe grettore f ing : he ne tornede nought fer-to. 388 Atfe laste to fe 1 compaygnie of Outlawes : sone he gan gon ; 1 ai.& Ynder non of ur he nolde beon : ake hext maister a-non ; 390 Of ure fat erore maistres weren : bi-comen is men ech-on. he robbede ouer-al to grounde : and slow^h 1 al-so mani on, [foi. 173] More soruwe ne m^hte beo : fane he dude in eche ende. 1 orig. siowen For offte] 1 vuel chastingue : to folie wolie 2 wiende. ^s.of 2 at. woie IT So fat seint Iohan in a time : to fat Bischop cam, 395 AfLur ^wam he bi-tok him er in warde : guode 3 eme a-boute he nam. “ Sire bischop,” he seide, “ 3 eld me up : J?at guode tresor, icli rede, ]}at in warde ich f e bi-tok : and a-countes of is dede ! ” U J?o was fe bischop sore a-drad : “ sire, merci,” he seide, “ I-ne may him fe 3 elde nou 3 ht : for he is ded, ich dredje].” 400 “Alas,” quath sein Iohan, “ 3 wefur he beo? : in 3 wat manere is jus?” “ Certes, sire,” fe bischop seide, “ a^ein god ded he is, his soule is ded, J»ei is bodi : 3 uyt a-liue beo ; For he is outlawe strong bicome : ase al fe contreye may seo. 404 Opon an lie^li hul he wonez : with outlawes mani on, And lat a-quelle and robi also : alle J>at he may of-gon.” H \)o bi-gan Jns lioli man : to sike and weope sore, For deol is clojms he to-drou 3 : “louerd,” he seide, “ )>in ore, 408 Ane feble tresorer ich me ches : and J?oru 3 li is feble lore Mi deorewuyrjje tresur ich habbe [i-lore] ! : ine truste to him non- more. Alas, sire bischop, Jn feble warde ! : ine )?onki J>e nou 3 ht Jiarc-fore. 3wane it non ojrnr nis, ich mot seche : J>at ]?ou me hast i-lore. 412 H Lat grey)?i me an hors a-non : and ane man in ane stounde, )?at he 1 me mouwe Jjane wey teche : forto ich him habbe i-founde.” Jois liolie man, fat feble was : and ouer-come ne^h with elde, 1 ai. om. Opon a strong hors he Arnde forth : ouer mor and ouer felde. 416 So fat, fare f e outlawes weren : he cam atf e laste ; And some of fe schrewes weren al ^are : and nomen him wel faste, To robbi him and to sle : and lieten him holde him stille. ST. JOHN PURSUES THE OUTLAW, AND BRINGS . HIM BACK 415 TO VIRTUE. CHRIST SUMMONS ST. JOHN TO HEAVEN. “ Ov, beau freres,” quatli seint loan : “ ich mot nede don ouwer wille ; 420 U Ake icli bidde eou for eouwer cortesie : eouwer mayster latez [me] seo, And latez him-sulf with me do : 3wat is wille beo.” Wei i- Armed )?e maister cam : prikie and ride faste ; And a-no[n] so he on Jhs liolie man : his ei^ene a-feor caste, 424 And wuste wel J>at he it was : him gan to schamie, so sore f)a,t he bi-gan to fleo a-non : and ne kepte i-seo him non-more. H A-non so sein loan Jhs i-se^li : he Arnde aftur a-non And siwede him al-so stifliche 1 : ase his hors mijhte gon ; 1 “isturche 116 ’ he Arnde ase J?ei he a 3ung man were. : “ mi sone,” he seide, “ Jh ore, 3wy fleustjmu me h nam ich Jh fader 1 : ne dred J>e nor^t so sore ! 430 Spek here with Jh feble fader : vn-Armed and in elde! Abid me noujje, and ichulle for J?e : ore louerd resun 3elde. 432 Ich am 3are }>ene deth a-fongue : for June strongue pine. 1 Spek with me, bote Jmu more wolle : ich hote a-godes name ! ” J)e ojmr a-stunte and vnnefe 2 a-bod : he ne mi^hte no[n] ojmr 3 for SChame \ 1 Av. om. : As our louerd dude for us : & mi soule 3iue for J?ine. U He a-li3hte and vn-armede him : and weopinde ful sore 3 “*• he ful to seint Iones fet : and c?hde him milce and ore, hem^te And bi-lhet him stifliche a-godes name : J)at he nold [misdo] namore, 1 Ake louien god and holi churche : and libbe al bi is lore. C 1 foi. 173 b.] So J?at he was euereft more : guod man and stable i-nou3, 440 And bi seint Iones rede ladde is lif : and to alle guodnesse he drou3. — U Seint [Iohan] leouedehere so longue : and so mani his dawes were, ]2at he ne m^hte nou3ht ouer ]?e eor]?e go : bote ase is desciples him here ; 1 al. mid huy beren him, for feblesse and for elde : to churche with 1 alle teone, And euere-more he prechede hem : J?at loue heom were bi-tweone'. ])o he was of an hondred 3er : bote 0 3er wane vnne]?e, 446 And seuene and sixti 3er it was : aftur ore louerdes dej?e, U Ore louerd with is desciples cam to him : fram heouene up an he^h, 448 “ Cum forth,” he seide, “ mi frend, to me : time is comen ne^h ; hit is nei3h time J?at pou come : to mine riche feste 416 ST. JOHN ORDERS A FOUR-CORNERED PIT TO BE DUG CLOSE TO TIIE ALTAR IN HIS CHURCH; AND IN IT HE DIES. with pine brepren in mine riche : for it 1 schal euere i-leste. For pou schalt noupe a-sonenday : pat pene fifte day heonne is, 452 pe day of mine oprisingue : to me comen, i-wis.” 1 ai. J>at (for om.) U pis liolie man hiet his desciples : pat buy him to churche here — p at of him and in his name : Aristodfipnus 1 liet a-rere. 1 ms. Aristodinus jOat folk cam sone picke pudere : with deol and sor i-noi^h, 456 For liit was couth swipe sone : pat he toward is ende drouth. H pene sonen-ny^ht wel tyme : liis seruise he gan to do, And sethpe he gan pat folk to wisse : and to prechi al-so ; Atpe furste cocke pat creu^ : he gan to prechie faste, 460 And for-to hei^li vnderne of pe daye : his prechingue i-laste. po hiet he is desciples pat huy ane put : four-huyrned him made, Faste bi-side pe he^e weuede : with schouelene and with spade, And pat huy casten out at ] je churche-dore : pe eorpe, ^eorne he bad. With weop and with soruwe i-nou^li : J)e put was pare i-mad. Y po pe put was al-^are i-maud : In alle heore ey^ene s^lite 466 jois holie man wel softeliche : pudere in gan a-li^hte ; his hondene he huld up on hei;h : “ swete louerd,” he seide, 468 “ Ich am cominde to pine feste : ase pou me erore bede. H Louerd, muche ich ponki pe : pat it pi wille is To pine gistningue cleopie [me] : for muche ich it wilni, i-wis. pine sones ich bi-take [pe] to loke : ^wane i-ne may no lengore heom wite, 472 j^at holie churche, pine clene spouse : poru} me pe hath bi^ite. Vnder-fong me with mine brepren : pat pou brou^htest with pe po pou me bede to pine holie feste : and come aftur me.” IT po cam pare a-boute pis holie man : so muche li;ht a-l^the, 476 pat no man lie m^hte for cler leome : liabbe of him no s^hte. pis holie man him blessede : and wel softe a-doun he lay ; “ Mine brepren/’ he seide, “ i-blessede 3e beon : and habbez noupe guod day ! ” If pis guode man wende out of pis world : al-clene with-oute ech pine, Ase he was clene in mayden-hod — : he cam to a swete fine, pat clere l^ht pat a-boute him was : laste almest ane tyde ; 482 pat folk ne sei3en nou3t of him — : faste huy weopen and cride. [foi. m] po pis 113th a-passed was : huy [lokede] in pe put to grounde : 484 st. John’s body turns into manna, as a poor man, he gets 417 A RING FROM ST. EDWARD, AND SENDS IT BACK TO HIM. pare-inne of pis holie Man : no-ping huy ne sei^en ne founde ; pare nas inne no^ht bote smale greynes : pat heo m^hten vnder-^ite — pat is holi ping and is i-cleoped : Manna in lioli write, 1 ai. wuie, while pat ore louerd wole 1 in fourme of reyn : fram heouene to vrpe sende pe children of Israhel to heore mete : po huy of 1 Egypte wenden. IT pis. Manna, pat holie greyn : ^uyt to pis day dez springue 1 ms. to Op of pat put, pat nianie men : bringuez to botningue. Non ojmr ping of seint Iohan : men ne m^liten on eorpe finde ; 492 Al-clene, ich wene, in heouene he is : pare nis no leome bi-hinde. Of euerech lialuwe men founden for-sope : pat bodi bi-leue here, Bote of ore lauedy and of him : pat maydenes weren so clere. Eayr a Jung is Maiden-hod : ase it is on heom i-sene ! 496 In pis Manere seint Iohan wende : of pis eorthpelich lif, ich wene. — IT Seint Edward pat was noupe late : In enguelonde ore king, pis holie seint Iohan pe Ewangelist : he louede poru^h alle ping ; Men ne scholde him no-ping bidde : for pe loue of seint Iohan 500 pat he mi^lite do with-oute blame : pat he ne grauntede a-non. A day pare cam a pouere man : with fill dreori mod And bad him for seint Iohanes loue : pat he 3 eue him sum guod. IT Seint Edward him bi-pou 3 hte : po, he ne liadde pare no-ping 504 For-to 3 yue pis pouere Man : bote ane guyldene ring, pane ryng he louede wel i -110113 : and for pe loue of seint Iohan 3 uy[t] he hine 3 af pe pouere manne. : and he wende him forth a-non. IT pare-aftur sethpe seint Iohan cam : to a kny 3 ht of Enguelonde, 508 Ase he was bi^eonde se : Auntres for-to fonde ; “ Wiend,” he seide, “ 3 wane pou horn comest : to Edward, eower king, And sei 3 e pat he for 3 was loue : he 3 af peosne ryng Sende him here his ryng a- 3 eyn : and ponki him also.” 512 po pis kny 3 ht cam to enguelonde : his erinde he gan do. IT Seint Edward i-knei^li wel pane ring : and pare-bi onder-stod anon pat pe pouere man pat he him 3 af : was pe guode seint Iohan.* Noupe seint Iohan pe Ewangelist : 3 yf it pi wille is, 516 Beode ore Erinde, pat we moten : come to heouene blis. AMEN. * Harl. adds: pulke ring is aut at westmynstre : for relilc ido. As me schevvej? pelegWms : pat ot'te comej? perto. LEGENDS OF SAINTS. E E 418 ALL SAINTS’ DAY. FIVE REASONS WHY IT IS KEPT. POPE BONIFACE HAS THE CHURCH OF “ MARIE LA ROUNDE ” BUILT AT ROME. 61 [Alle halewene day] A lie halewene-day we holdez : one time in pe ^ere ; For manie enchesones liolie cliurche : pare-to us gan lere. On is, for J ?e grete noumbre : f>at of alle lialewe is, )pat euerech ne mai nou^t at is feste : ane day habbe, i-wis. 4 An ojmr is, pat we beoth feble : pat we ne mouwen nou3lit alle ])e festene bi heom-sulf holde : ase huy in pe ^ere doth falle. ])e pridde anchejon 1 is, for pe 3er is schort : ase ech ne may nou3th allone 1 at. om. Jje 1 feste habbe in pe 3ere : pare huy liabbez i-mone. 1 a?. Ane 8 p)e feorpe enchesun is, i-wis : for guod r^ht it is with-alle p)at we of heom maken feste : 3 wane pe time doth falle, p foi. mb.] For gret feste huy inakiez in heouene : and in grete Ioye beoth 1 3 wan huy any a-mendement : of us on vrpe i-seoth ; 12 For pe guod-spel seith of swich gret Ioye : pat a-mong heom in heouene is 3 wane ani of us a-mendi wole : of pat we doth a-mis. 1 1 w. 13-u at. om. IT pe fifte enchesun is, for pare was : a forbuysne par-of bi-gonne Longue are pe strencpe of cmtinedom : on vrpe were i-wonne : 16 For pe liey3e maystres of saresins : pat on vrpe weren po her 1 Maden ech maumat bi heom-sulf : at rome on Auter ; 1 ms. here Ac natheles of eche ne m^hte he nou3t : for here godes so fale were, And huy nolden 110113th pat ani god were : with-oute honour pere : 20 p)are-fore huy maden on Auter : commuyn to ech-one, For-to honouri alle heore godes pare : ase it were al i-mone. And sethpe po cmtinedom cam : and swype wide spradde, At rome and eke elles^ware : clanliche pe maystrie liadde, 24 IT Bonefas, pe guode pope : to pe false A uteres cam And of pe Autere of alle godes : grete 3eme he nam : In forebuysne par-of : ane cliurche he liet a-rere Of ore lauedi and of alle haluwene : in pulke place pere — 28 Ake six hundret 301’ and flue : ore louerd [per-Jbi-fore of marie, is suete moder : on vrpe was i-bore. IT J }e cliurche pat of ore lauedi was : and of alle halewene pobi-founde, Stant 3eot at rome, and is i-cleped : “ Marie la rounded ’ 32 ALL SAINTS’ DAY IS ALTERED, BY POPE GREGORY, TO NOV. 1. 419 THE WARDEN OF ST. PETER HAS A VISION OF CHRIST IN HEAVEN. j)e pope al-so Bonefaz : ane day in pe ^ere In pe honour of alle halewene : he liet halewi pere, And liiet al-so pori^li al cn'stinedom : halewi pilke day ; Ake pulke tyme he was i-holde : pe endlefte dai of may. 36 Ake pe pope Gregori : pat pare-aftur longue cam, I-say3 pat pe day to halewi was : ope al cnstindom And pat ri^ht was pat ech man : pe liexte and leste, In p& honour of alle haluwene : made pane day feste ; 40 And in 1 a skars tyme of pe ^ere : ase we wyten, it was in May 1 ai. om. So gret feste forto holde : ase ful to pad 1 day : 1 r. bat J)are-fore he liet pane day tuyrne : ase we him holdez ^uyte, In pe furste dai of nouemhre : 3wane ech guod nis noul^t so luyte ; U “Me pinchez,3uyt,” quath pe guode man : “ pe feste feble were bote Men hadden 3 ware- with : pe wombe Ioye a-rere.” — 46 U }Pe furste 3er pare-aftur- ward : pat men pane day pus nome, Of a fair cas ich may telle : pat bi-feol in pe cliurche of rome. ])e wardein of seint peteres church : pat 3uyt in rome is, \)e feste honourede swype muche : of alle halewene, i-wis : 50 on alle halewene-day in churche : to ech auter he gan gon And honourede ech aftur opur : he ne liet nou3ht on. To pe hei3e auter of seint petre : ate laste he wende, And pare he lay a-doun an slep : ase god him grace sende. 54 him pou3te, pare cam an Aungel : and ladde him to heouene on he^h. In a chayere with gret Ioye : ore louerd, him po^hte, he se^h [foi. 175] with grete he^hnesse sitte : and Aungles him al-a-boute. H ])o cam pare a fair leuedi : with Maydenes a gret route — - p)at was ore lauedi with virgines — : and ore louerd faire heo grette ; Ore louerd a-3ein hire a-ros : and bi him fayre hire sette. 60 ])o cam pare a Man in 0 sclaueyn : ase hit of a Camayle were, And olde hore Men aftur him : and honoureden god pere — JOat was seint Iohan pe baptist : and pe profetes olde And also pe patriarkes : pat of ore louerd 3wylene tolde. 64 IT ])o comen pare twelue in one route : ase bischopes it weren ech-one, ])e furste ase he pope were 1 : bi-fore he 3eode al one — jOat was seint petre : and his felawes endleuene ; 1 ms. huy popes werew Alle huy honourede ore louerd : pare he sat in heouene. 68 e e 2 420 ALL saints’ day. a vision of the saints in heaven. ALL souls’ DAY. A VISION OF PURGATORY. IT ])o comen pare ase hit kny^lites weren : redie for-to f^hte, Al-blcdie, for-to defend i ore louerd : and holie churche ri^hte— p)at weren Marty[r]s pat for god : and holie churche al-so 3 euen heore lif ase godes kny^htes : and to depe weren ido. 72 U po cam pare a gret compaygnie : preostes ase pei it were — p)at weren pe confessours : pat hadden holie churche to lere, Ase bischopes and Abbodes : and opur guode men al-so. ' Ore louerd huy honoureden alle : ase heore r^hte was to do; 76 Of feste pat Men on vrpe maden : huy ponkeden him and hade For alle pat a-ri^ht heore day heolden : and feste of heom made. IT ))o gonne 1 huy singue heore Matines : swyp[e] murie with-alle, Tor alle pat honouriez heore day here : ase he 0 in pe }ere doth falle. — wel o^hte we pane -day honouren : 3 wane huy pat ilke day 1 ms. goune Swuch Ioye for us in heouene maden : ase pe guode Man i-say. 82 b T ou bidde alle halewene : pat we heore feste holden so J?at huy us bringuen to pe liey 3 e Ioye : pare huy buth inne i-do. 62 [Alle soulene day] A lle soulene-day on vrpe : r^ht is to holde he^e : For alle we schullen habben neode par-to : for alle we schullen de^e. A fair s^lit pare-of al-so : pe Aungel po gan bringue jpene Manne of Rome ase he ladde him : ase he lay in metingue. 4 him poi^te, he sa^h manie men : liggen in beddes of golde, And manie sitte at hey 3 e borde : and habbe al pat huy wolde ; And manie gon nakede : and bidde pat sum man heom scholde bi- weue, And manie of-hongrede, and beden also : pat men sum guod heom eue. 8 H p)e Aungel him seide 3 wat it was : al pat he sa^h pere, And pat it was purgatorie : and pe Men soulene were ; jxdke pat weren at so noble bord : and in pe riche beddes also, J)at weren men for 3 wam pare was : muche guod on vrpe ido, 12 p)at bi-lefden freond bi-hynde heom : pat Massene leten singue And duden guod for godes loue : heore soulene out of pine to bringue. ))ulke pat weren a-cale and of-hongred : pat no guod ne m^hten finde, ALL SOULS’ DAY. A VISION OF PURGATORY. IT WAS FOUNDED 421 TO RELIEVE MEN FROM SMALL VENIAL SINS. }?at weren jnilke pat nadden on vrpe : none freond liem bi-hinde 16 iNe for hem late 1 masses singue : ne almes-dede for hem do ; [foi. mb.] J?are-fore ase helplese men : in Misayse huy 3eoden so. 1 ai. To lete for hem “ Loke,” quath pe A ungel, “ pat pu telle : pe pope lier-of sone, )3at men holden alle soulene-day : for it is wel to done ; 20 And also wide ase holie churche : pat he make is heste, J)ene a-morewe aftur alle halewene-day : to holde pulke feste, J?at ech Man with guode wille : ase fer forth ase he may For alle pe soulene in purgatorie : bidde pat ilke day ; 24 So pat pe pouere pat nath no freond : pat for him bi name ou^ht do, ^[ru^] 1 biddingue of ech cmtine Man : i-holpe huy mowen beo so.” H ])e guode Man a-ros up a-non : po he i-sai} al pis, 1 ms. j?o And ponkede god of pe s^hte — : and so he wel au^hte, i-wis. 28 j)e pope he tolde pat po was : al pat he saifh pere ; 1 at. festen So pat men holdeth pulke feste 1 : herre pane heo er were. — - 30 Ore louerd bi-fond furst purgatorie : Men puder in to wende 1 ms. for ]3at hor 1 penaunce here on vrpe : ne brou^hten nou^t 2 to eude, 2 ms. non And pat Men for simple sunnes : of 3 wan i-schriue hy nere 1 1 ms. were In pulke torment huy bi-lefden : for-to hy i-bette were ; And Men al-so pat weren i-schriue : and lieore sell rift a-fengue also Of a fol preost, and nou3ht i-110113 : to pe sunne pat was i-do, 36 J?ulke schullen so to purgatorie : for-to huy habben to ende i-brou3ht penaunce a-cordinde to lieore sunne : and aftur pe preostes noi^lit. 1 3if heo is more pane pe sunne : and a man it do, i-wis, 1 ai. 4 w. more. Al it schal in heouene tuyrne : to echingue of his blis ; 40 3if heo is euene to his sunne : pe sunne heo wole a-quenclie, Ake noi^ht 3if heo to luytel is. : pare-fore ech man him bi-penche And to a fol preost ne triste no^ht : pat to luyte penaunce him set ; For sope, here opur elles^ware : ech sunne worth i-bet. 44 3wat, liou is hit panne of Ianekin : and of robinet pe wilde, Of annot and of Malekin : pat wollez habbe pene preost so milde, And huy seggez, “ pilke preost is to hard : god schilde us fram is lothp ; go we to sire Gilbert pe preost : he nis neuere wrotlip, 48 IT he wollez sclrriue us nessche i-110113 : and ore sunnes al foDqyue.” bi god, 3wane huy habbez al ido ; liom huy gothp vn-schriue ; 422 ALL SOULS DAY. HOW SOULS CAN BE HELPED IN PURGATORY. PURGATORY IS IN FIVE DIFFERENT PLACES. For lieore penaunce sclial beo so luyte : fat sire Gilbert and buy also Scliullen gon a-deuelewey : bote god nime 3eme heom to. — 52 In purgatorie nis no contort : bote of one fingue : of fe hope of Ioye aftur-w 7 ard : fat ore louerd heom wole bringue. — 3 wane Men in heore deth-beddes beoth : and heore penaunce heom is i-set, i^nd buy ne mouwen nought on eorfe beo : for- to heo beo ful bet, 56 So repentaunt huy mouwen beo : fat ore louerd it wole for-^yue With-outen any purgatorie : 3 wan huy beoth wel ischriue. Ake 3if his penaunce him is i-3yue : 3wane he mot heonne wende, Of fat he is i-schriue : and he ne may it bringue to ende, 60 On of his nexte freond m^hte : for him it swife wel do. Ake four f ingus he moste habbe : fat scliolde take on so : [foi. ne] Furst fare moste gret lone beo : bi-twene 3 warn so it were — For with-oute loue and deol of heorte : swuch fing no^ht 1 nere ; 64 Ake 3if huy weren al-so of one blode : fe betere it were, i-wis — Ake studefast heorte of guod loue : f e maistrie f ar-of is. 1 ai. nojt wor)> U pat of ur fing is fat he schal : foru3h defe heonne wiende And fat he ne may habbe no space here : his penaunce bringue to ende. 68 pe fridde fing is fat hit beo : fori^h fe preostes rede, For no man ne may fare-with-oute : wel endi swuch dede. pe feorf e fing is fat men him take : penaunce more fare-to pane him fat fe sunne dude : 3if he m^hte penaunce do ; 72 For lio-so wole for oferes sunne : swuch penaunce here lede, More penaunce man mot heom sette : fane him fat dude fe dede. H pare-fore 3 wane anie of ouwer freond : hath i-brou3ht is lif to fine, I-seoth here hou 3e mouwen bringue him : out of his pine; 76 to biete is sunne in fis manere : sikerliche 3e mouwen eou beode. For godus loue fenchez faron : 3 wane ouwer freond habbez neode ! — In 3wuch stude is nouf e purgatorie : rnanie wolden fayn i-wite. hit [nis] 1 nou3ht a 2 stude to alle men : ake in fif studes, it is i-write : U On is in fe firmament : fare gret brenningue is 1 om. * a/.ino Of fuyr fat hath fare is stude : and of fe sonne, i-wis. 82 pat ofur is in fe Ey r a-bouen us here : fare lufere gostes fleoth pat tormentiez heom ny3ht and day : and neuere in reste ne beoth. ALL SOULS’ DAY. FOUR REASONS WHY PURGATORY IS IN FIVE 423 PLACES. AN EXAMPLE OF EARTHLY PURGATORY. ]?e piidde is an vrpe a-mong us here. : pe feorpe in watere is. j)e fifte is onder vrpe deope : bi-side belle, i-wis — 86 U Seint patrik on vrpe ^wilene : ane stu le par-of fonnde, Ase god wolde, bi-side pe liul : of seint brendan in his londe. 1 88 For four pingus pnrgatorie : in peos fif studen is : 1 ai. iriond For sum Man scholde lasse torment : pane opur babbe, i-wis ; And pat men mi^hten porou^h god dede : pe sonore to Ioye beom bringue ; And pat men weren poru^h hem i-war : bi a vision opur metingue ; 92 And for men 1 pat delitiez mucbe in sunne : in one place, 1 r. man )}are be schal pe sunne biete : for-to ore louerd him ^iue grace. — IT One tale and one faire en-saunple : pare-of we findez i-write, J^at 1 ore louerd schewez us swuch ping : for we scliolden pe sope i-wite. A preost was ^wilene in one stuJe : pat dude him bapie i-lome 1 ai. for In one stnde priuelicbe : pare none men ne come. 98 So pat pare cam ofte a man : ase bit were bi cas, And seruede him and wuclis him w r el — : ake be nuste }wat he was. A day he made halibred : and pe manne bit bi-tok Ase for is mede for is swunch. : ake be it anon for-sok ; 102 Tf “ Sire,” he seide, “ ine may hit nought : for it i-halewed is, And for i-nam nought lioli ^uyt : i-ne may it nau^t, i-wis.” 104 “ A-godes name,” quath pe preost : “ icli hote and halsnie pe jOat pou me segge ^wat pou art : pat pus ofte comest to me.” “Ich was 3wylene of pis stude : louerd,” pis opur seide, [foi. i76b.] " In pis place icli delitede muche : to don a mis-dede, 108 And al mi delift 1 of pulke sunne : so was in pis place ; 1 ai. deiit I-ne bette nought pe sunne a-liue : for ich nadde nought pe grace, And aftur mi detb pere-fore : mi purgatorie here is, to biete mi sunne in pulke place : pare ase ich dude amis. 112 And 3if pou woldest 1 for me massene singue : ich m^hte babbe milce and Ore ] 1 al. Ac woldestou And pou mi^bt i-wyte pat icli am sauf : ^wane pou ne finst me nonmore.” p)e preost song for him Massene hue : and opur guodnesse dude also. Sone be miste pat selie gost : 3113 7 1 are pe seueuyjht weren i-do : 116 For he wende to pe Ioye of heouene : pat be deore a-bou^bte. 424 all souls’ day. how st. Theobald has the gout ; and a SOUL IN ICE DOES HIM GOOD, AND ASKS HIM TO SING MASSES. ])us Mani Man hath his purgatorie : pare he is sunne wrou^hte. So may parauentur dame Aldith : pat nath non opur blis bote athom in hire halle clene : pere ase hire Moker is, 120 )?at, pei heo bidde hire beden at churche : hire pou^ht is athom more ; parauenture heo schal it bete pare : and a-bugge hire lone ful sore !— Men habbnz here heore purgatorie : manie for swuche pingne, And manie to warm’ some men : to lielpe heom parof to bringue. 124 Mani man his purgatorie : in wature hath al-so : J^arof ichulle one ensaumple segge : of pat jwilene was ido. — U Seint Tebaud pe bischop hadde : in his fut ane hote goute, Joat poudagre icleopeod is — : he hadde pere-offe gret doute. 128 Ase his fischares wenden a-fischez : in lieruest al-a-boute, In lieor net huy nomen ane clompe of .Is 1 . : buy weren pare- with wel proute : 1 Ms.ys? 130 For pat ys pat was so cold : i-leid to licore louerdes fote hit 1 wolde aswagi pe hote goute : and bringue him sum bote. ^s.Jjat J)is bischop tebaut was wel glad. : pat ys huy leiden oft to is fot, and eche time : it made him lipe and softe. 134 J)at ys was euere hoi and sound : it ne malt for none hete. Seint tebaut pou^lite pare-of wonder : for no-ping he nolde it lete. A luyte cri him pou^lite a day : in pat ys he heorde pere. he coniourede hit a-godes name : to segge him ^wat it were. 138 “Ich am,” quatli pis opur, “a seli gost : and in pis ys ich am her In mi purgatorie, forte ich beo : of mine sunnes seker. 140 Ake }if pou woldest for godesloue : pritti masses singue For me, ich wot pat pu mi^htest : of pis pi ie me bringue.” p)e bischop grauntede him wel sone : and bi-gan a-non a-morewe ])& Massene for pis selie gost : to bringuen it out of soruwe, 144 And ech day song so aftur opur. : pe deuel hadde perto gret onde j)e 3 uyt pat gost scholde of pine come — : his wrench he gan fonde. For ase pe bischop pene tenpe day : bi-gan is masse to singue, A1 pe toun pe feondes hadde : i-brou 3 t on a fijhtyngue. 148 )?e guode man bi-lefde is masse a-non : and orn a-mong heom faste, And harmles poru^h godes grace : a-passede 1 heom atpe laste. 1 az.paisede Ase he bi-gan a-morewe is masse : a gret cri pare cam al-a-boute ))at pe toun bi-seged was : with gret ferd al with-oute, [foi. 177 ] 152 ALL SOULS’ DAY. PRAYERS, ALMSDEEDS, AND MASSES HELP OUT 425 OF PURGATORY. EXAMPLES: SKELETONS FIGHT FOR A PRAYING MAN. And Men ornen into al pe toun : ase witlese for doute. pe bischop lefde is masse a-non : and orn to- ward pe route ; He made pays a^ein ]?at fierd : pat huy no-ping ne reueden. Ake natlieles so peo tuey dawes : his masse he bi-leuede. 156 H Ase he bi-gan is masse pene pridde day : men heten out al-a-boute, For is .court and muche of pe toun : a-fuyre was with-oute. “pe i it al fur-berne,” quath pe bischop : “and icli mi-sulf also, I-nelle to-day fram pis weued : are pis masse beo i-do.” 1 G 0 So pat he song is masse forth : and muche folk was bisi with-oute to lauien watur and quienche pat fuyr : pat orn so wide a-boute. po pe Masse was i-do : pat fuyr a-queynte anon ; J^are nas a-peired no^lit an hous : ake hole stoden echon. 1 1 ms. achon U j)ulke preo dawes pe deouel hadde : al pulke wo i-do his masse forto lette : and pini pe soule so. 166 pe bischop fond pat .ys. athom : i-molten al to nou^hte : po waste he pat poru is Masse : to Ioye pe soule he bro^hte. — Manie pingus one soule lielpez : pat in purgatorie is ; Ake preo pingues heom helpez mest : bi-fore alle opere, i-wis : 170 beden of Men, and almes-dede : singuingue of Masses al-so — - })eos preo pingues beoth best, i-wis : and mest guod huy wollez do. — 1 1 Joat biddingue of beden beoth guode : pe sope mouwen i-wite bi a tale of a clerk : pat we findez i- write. 174 A clerk hadd[e] 3 wilene ane wone : bi churche-hey^e 3 wane he come, to segge for alle cristine soulene : pe “ deprofundis ” i-lome. In a churche^erd ones he cam late : peoues him comen a-boute And a-saileden him to robbi : he nuste 3 wat do for doute. 178 pe bodies pat weren i-burede pare : his beden 3 olden a-non : huy comen with wepnen him forto helpe : and sturten forth echon, euer-ech with swuch-manere wepne : ase huy uyseden here a-liue, plou 3 ~Man with his Aker-staf : Archer mid bouwe and knyue ; 182 A-boute pis peoues huy comen ech-one : and guonne heom sone to-driue, And to heore puttes wenden sethpe a^ein : pis clerk hamward wel bliue. 1 J>e on the margin. ))us weren is beden i^olde : pat he bad erore and ofte. Ich am siker, pe peoues 1 ne 3 eoden nought : aweywardes ful softe : 186 426 ALL souls’ day. how almsdeeds help men out of purgatory : THEY SAVE STEPHEN. MASSES HELP TOO. For ich wot wel fat non of us : ne hadde heom so sore a-gast ! A wonder bataille it was on : hadde it longue i-last ; Ich wene, fei ani chaumpiun : fare hadde i-beo, Sone he wolde habbe i-nome is red : ham ward for-to fleo ! — 190 Almes-dede deth J>e soule also : swife gret guod with-alle : J)at 3e mouwen bi a cas i-seo : fat ane kny^hte dude bi-falle. U A guod man ^wyle, j?at hei^te steuene : to is endingue drou3. A kny3ht, his freond, for is deth : made gret deol i-nou3 194 And dude for him grete almes-dede : bofe n^ht and day. jparof he i-sai3 a fair bi-tokningue : ase he a-slepe lay : 196 him f oolite he sai3 a sluper brugge : swyfe fayr and hei3, [foi. i77b.] A deop watur and swart bi-neof e : a fair mede fare was nei3 1 ms. gan with swote smul and faire floures. : and ope fe brugge he se^ 1 gon with grete Misayse mani Men : fat fullen into fat watur a-non, 200 And manie he sai3 fare-oppe gon : al-sauf with-oute drede, And manie with Ioye and blisse i-nou3 : pleyinde in fe Mede. 0[ e fe brugge him fou^hte he sai3 : gon in wrechhede Steuene, for 3wam fat he dude : fe grete almes-dede ; 204 Flake men fare weren bi-neofe : fat a-doneward him drowe, And ofere fare weren in 3wite clof es : fat opward him lieolden i-nowe ; bi-twene heom laste fe noyse longue : a3ein ofur ech drou3 faste, Ake euere hadden fe 3wite Men : fe maistrie atfe laste. 208 jpat weren fe almesdedes : fat for him weren i-do, ])nt fe kny3ht for is soule dude : fat drowen him opward so. 210 U ))e blake fat him a-doneward drowen : fat weren is luf ere dedes, J?at wolden him to pine drawe : 3H huy m^hten for almes-dede. — Massene also doth gret guod : bof e fe quike and dede : J)at 3e mouwen i-heore bi fis tale : and bi ofure fat ich er sede. 214 U Men weren 3wilene in a contreye : fare a gret ston-roche stod, And Men wenden fat fare-onder were : gret tresor 1 and guod : So fat huy doluen f are-aftur : ake to wrof erhele ate laste : 1 ms. troaor For opon hem ful fe roclie adoun : and heom alle ouer-caste, 218 And a-slou3 heom alle, bote anne Man : fat, ase it were bi cas, In a-manere dich fel and lay : and fe roche a-boue him was ; So fat he ne inijhte of fe stude : ase i-putted he lay fere, his wyf nuste nou3ht of is lyf : ake wende fat he ded were : 222 ALL SOULS DAY. HOW A MAN IN A DITCH UNDER A ROCK IS 427 FED BY HIS WIFE’S OFFERINGS AT MASS, AND KEPT ALIVE. to cliurche heo wende euerech day : ane masse to leten singue, A lof and wyn and a candel of wex : to pe weued heo wolde biingue, And al for hire louerdes soule — : heo ne bi-lefde noi^ht a day. pe deuel hadde parto gret onde : po he J?at i-sai^ : 226 H Ase pis wyf 3eode a day toward churche : pe deuel cam hire to And seide pat heo 3eode for nai^ht : for pe Masse was i do. pat guode wyf 3eode horn a^ein : and wende pat he soth sede. A-morewe he made hire al-so gon horn : mid pulke sulue dede ; 230 And pane pridde day al-so guod. : ake pat wyf pane feorpe day Sone a-ros and to churche 3eode : po heo pane day i-sa^h. 3uyt cam pe schrewe and seide : pat pe Masse was i-do. pis wyf i-liefde him er fule wel : ake po nolde heo no^ht so, 234 Ake wende to churche, and fond pe sope : of pat pe schrewe hire mette, pat it was to bi-trayen hire : and guodnesse to lette. H Sone hit bi-feol pare-afturward : pat Men of pe toune wenden to bete op pulke roche : pat so lay pare a-doune, 238 And wenden to finde sum tresor. : huy doluen and beoten faste. pe selie Man bi-neope was of-drad : pat huy more opon him caste ; 240 “ Deluez,” he seide, “ warliclie : pat 3e ne slen me nou3ht ! ” po weren pis Men sore a-dradde : and stoden in gret pou$ht ; [fi>i. 178] Ake napeles huy doluen bi-side : so pat huy to him come. huy founden him ligge hoi and sound : and with Ioye hine up nome. huy axeden him hou he hadde i-leoued : pat hongur him ne a-sloii3. “ Certes,” he seide, “ ich habbe i-liaued : mete and drinke i-110113 : For a lof and a picher wyn : Mi wyf me sende ech day, And a brennind candle : pat me l^hte pe 3 wile ich here lay. 248 bote preo dawes pis opur wike : no-ping heo me ne sende ; Ich was nei3li for hongur ded. : ake heo gan sone a-mende And sende me ase heo dude er : and fedde me wel with-alle. Of alle wyues worpe hire best : and best hire mote bi-falle ! ” 252 bi pis Miracle man may i-seo : and bi manie opure al-so, pat Massene and almes-dede : gret guod pe soule wollez do. — pis guodnesses nellez no^ht helpe : alle i-liche, i-wis ; For of Men pat heonne wiendez : mani-manere pare is : 256 Opur ri3ht guode, opur r^ht vuele : opur r^lit 1 bi-tweone two. goddede lielpez some ful lnyte : pat man wole for lieom do, 1 om. ri^nt 428 ALL souls’ day. the three kinds of folk who go straight to HEAVEN : YOUNG CHILDREN, MARTYRS, PURE MEN. EXAMPLE OF CHRIST. 3 if fat huy r^ht guode beoz — : liuy ne habbuth none neode mid-alle to none erfeliche guodnesse : fat heom mi^hte fare bi-falle : 260 For in f e Ioye of heouene huy buth : ase huy weren bi-fore. Ake nafeles fat men for heom doth : ne worth nor^ht for-lore : For it schal him-sulf helpe muche : fat fulke guodnesse deth, And alle c?’7stine soulene also : fat in purgatorie beoth. 264 IT ])reo-manere men fare buth r^lit guode : fat to heouene wiendez a-non 3 wane huy out of fis worlde farez. : }ung child is fat on J?at deide aftur is cristinedom : are hit dude to quede ; And Martyrs fat for godes loue : in strong torment weren dede ; 268 Jpe fridde manere so but clene men : fat are fat huy heonnes wende, Alle heore sunnes betten here : ase ore louerd heom grace sende. J)is freo-maneTe men ne mouwen nought : in purgatorie bi-leue, Ake smitez foru-out quiclokur : fane fe leyte doth an eue ; 272 huy ne mouwen rnn^ht bi-leue fare : for er heo wenden heonne, Clene huy weren of alle sunne : and ne habbut nofing 1 to brenne. For ase wode and col fedez : fat fuyr fat here is, 1 ms. noJ>int Al-so sunne fet fat fuyr : in purgatorie, i-wis; 276 And 3 wan fe sunne is i-brend a-wey : fe soule to heuene geth, Ake wel sone foru^ he flicth : fat in clannesse f olede deth. 1 om. ; h j>uike Also doth [fe ] 1 freo-manere Men : of 3 wan ich eou er seide : For heouene openez a 3 enes heom : so sone ase heo beoth dede. — 280 And fat it beo soth of alle freo : ensaumple 3 c mouwen i-seo. Jpat a 3 ein children i-baptizede : heouene i-opened beo : For ore louerd was nyne-and-twenti 3 er : and twelf daywes old Are he i-baptized were : ase f e bok us hath i-told : 284 Of al fat tyme non eorf elich Man : ne m^lite enes i-wite J?at heouene openede 0113 were aboue : fat we findez i- write ; bote f 0 he was i-baptized : of f e holie Man seint Iohan, [foi. i78 b.] A-boue his heued with gret li 3 ht : heouene openede a-non. 288 3 wat bi-tocknede fulke openingue : fat fo was and er nought, bote fat foru 1 cnstindom : Man was to heouene i-brou 3 t, 1 overlined. And fat heouene-dore was faste i-mad : for-to cr/stindom were, And fat a- 3 ein fe furste cnstindom : heouene openede fere ; 292 And fat heouene-dore i-opened is : to cr/stine Men al-so, ALL SOULS’ DAT. CHILDREN WHO DIE, GO THROUGH PURGATORY 429 LIKE LIGHTNING. EXAMPLES OF ST. STEPHEN AND ST. JOHN. And to 3 ongue children forto huy liabben : J)oru 3 sunne it fur-do ? For huy schullen, 3 wane huy heonnes wiendez : heouene-dore opene finde, For huy ne berez with heom no sunne : Jjat drawe heom bi-hinde ; Also quicliche ase l^httingue : Jjoru purgatorie huy doz gon, And heouene-dore findez opene : and wiendez in anon. 298 gret folie it is to weope : ase Men beoz i-wonet to done, For 3 ongue children Jjat de^ez so : Jjat in heouene buth so sone ! 300 “ Awei, mi child,” seith Jje damme : and suou 3 nez a- 3 ein Jje wowe ; bi crist, heo au 3 te Jjonki god : Jjat nam hit ase his owe ! — IT A^ein Jje Martyrs Jjat guode buth : heouene i-opened is : bat Man may bi Jje Martyrdom iseo : of seint steuene, i-wis. 304 For Jjo men him to dejje Jjreowen : he bi-heold to heouene an he^h : An heouene openede a-non : ase he Jjare i-se^h — “Lo,” he seide, “noujje ich i-seo : Jjoru 3 ilmsu cristes sonde lieouene opene, and godes sone : in is fader r^th hond stonde.” 308 And Jje furste martyr he was : Jjat euere on vrjje cam Aftur godes passion : to holde up cn'stindom : 310 heouene openede a 3 en him : ase he Jjene deth nam, to bi-tokni Jjat he wolde al-so : a 3 en ech Jjat Jjolede guod Martyrdom. And J>ei he were sum-del in sunne : heore deth Jjat huy nome And heore blod heom wolde wasche : are huy to purgatorie come. — • bulke also of clene liue : J?at in clennesse here lif endiez, • heouene openez a- 3 ein heom : 3 wane huy heonne wiendez : 31 G )?at Man may i-seo bi ensaumple : of seint Iohan Jje wangelist. Clannore Jjane he was, no man nas : with-out.e Iesu crist. he seith in pe Apocalips — : pat a wel guod bok is, J)at he i-sei 3 h heouene-dore : a^en him opene, i-wis. 320 3 wat bi-toknede ])at bote ]?is : huy scholden i-seo also A~ 3 ein heom, alle |?at clene weren : heouene-dore vndo? — Erj)elich guodnesse helpez luyte : swyclie Men, i-wisse, For huy nabbuth ]?are-to non neode : 3 wane huy beoth in heuene- blisse. 324 Ake J>anne it helpez him-sulf muche : pat deth Jmlke goddede, And alle Jjat beoth in purgatorie : ase ich erore sede. ho-so is al so in helle pine : it liellpez him luytel al-so 430 ALL souls’ day. help of good works, the priest who drinks AND SWIVES AFTER MASS WILL BE DAMNED. OF CHARLEMAGNE’S KNIGHT. Any guod-nesse pat Man may : on vrpe for him do ; 328 U For seint Austyn seith, ^if he wuste : pat is fader in helle were, Non more he nolde for him bidde : pane for ane deuel pere. Ake euere it helpez him pat it doth]) : and m'stine soulene al-so ; For no gnodnesse ne worth fur-lore : j)at Man may on vrpe do. 1 — Ake beden oJ)er o])ure 2 almes-dedes luyte helpuz : of fremde o])iir of kunne, C 1 foi. 179] 2 ai. om. bote he with-oute wrath])e beo : and with-oute dedlich sunne. 334 Ake a masse nis noj)e-worse : for 1 3 warn j)at heo is i-do, * r. of ] 3 ei it beo of a sunful preost — : of non opur ping it nis so. 336 For pat dede is so hei^h : pat heo ne may a-peyri nought 1 az.For Of 1 no wrechclie preost pat it dez : pei he beo in sunne i-bro^ht. Ake pei pe Masse ne beo pe worse : pe preost, bi mi swere, }}at hire singuth in dedlich sunne : a-corie it schal ful deore ! 340 For 3 wane sire Gileberd i-massed hath : his lif he wole so d^hte Atpe tauerne to beon a-day : and bi is quene bi ny 3 hte ; he seith, 3 wane Men cleopiez him preost : “ siltez stille, mine guode i-fere, j)e preost hanguez at churche : and ich am noupe here” — 344 U his cope opur is surplis : pe preost he seith it isse ; Ake his cope schal bi-leue at horn : 3 wane he schal to helle, i-wisse ! — ho-so wole 3 wane he is ded 1 : to 2 his guodnesse a-fongue, 1 al - ^ at s a 0 ded man ’ do it bi-time for pe dede : pare-aftur pinkez longue. 348 And pat it beo soth, man may i-sJVJo 1 : bi a wonder cas 1 ms. so J?at 3 wylene bi a kny 3 ht bi-feol : pat with pe heije kyng charles was. IT j)e kyng Charles his Ost aday : to strongue batayle gan lede. his .0. kny 3 ht pat with him wende : of pe depe gan him drede. 352 A cosyn he hadde in pe route : to him he po^hte he m^hte best truste 1 of alle Men : and so he ai^hte with r^hte; 1 r. trusteto “ Cosyn,” he seide, “ 3 if ich am : here to depe i-bro^ht, 2 r. doguod? Sul Mi stede and do 2 for mi soule : ne bi-lef pou it noi^ht ! ” 356 Jpis knight truste wel to is word : pat grauntede don is bone • And in-to pe batayle wende forth : ase ri 3 lit was for-to done, And fau 3 ht pe 3 wyle he m^lite : and a-slawe was at pen ende. his cosin nam his stede sone : and hamward he gan wiende, 360 And to is owene bi-hofpe faste ire heold : and pou 3 hte forto done ALL SOULS’ DAY. A FALSE EXECUTOR GOES TO HELL. 431 ST. EDMUND THE CONFESSOR WAS BORN AT ABINGDON. Also muche guod for pe kny^htes soule : 3 wane he mi^lite eft-sone. II fie kny^lit cam to him eft-sone : gostliche in priuete, “ Cosyn,” he seide, “ late pou dudest : f>at pou bi-he^htest me ! 364 bou madest me beon in purgatorie : seue ny 3 ht, mid-i-wisse. And noupe ich am in heouene : and parof pou schalt misse, For pou schalt in pis ilke day : to pe pine of helle wende, For pe treson pat pou me dudest : and beon pare with-outen ende.” jois gost wende forth a-non : and pe false Man wel sone deide, and wende a-deuele wey : ase he of-seruede to done. 370 here mouwen pis false esecutores : beon 1 i-warre bi pis tale, 1 MS,b ! eon ))at muche habbez of dedes godes : and deleth pare-of ful smale, 372 Ake penchez, 3 wane huy riche booth : to 3 elden it wel, i-wis ; ))e soule longueth. pare-aftur-ward 1 : pat in purgatorie is, 1 ai. grafter sore heo a-bidez longue heore ricliesse : pe guode is euere bi-hinde — huy schullen gon a-deouele wey : and pare heore miede finde. 376 INou Ihes?£s, pat us deore bou 3 hte : pei we don ofte a-mis, [foi. 179 bj On alle cnstine soulene haue merci : and bring us to heuene blis, And led us to oure r^hte heritage : for pou bou 3 htest us par-to ; Ne leos nou 3 ht pat pou deore boi^htest : pei we sumdel mis-do ! 380 63 [Eadmund conf.] S Eint Eadmund pe confessour : pat lythp at pounteneye, Of guode men and trewe he cam : pei huy neren nought ful he^e ; In Engelonde he was i-bore : in pe toun of Abindone. Glad m^htte pe moder beo : pat bar swuch a sone ! 4 Mabile pe riche is moder [bet] : pat guod womman was i-nou 3 , For hope wif and 1 wydewe : to holie lif heo drou 3 . 1 ms. and and Lustniez noupe and i may telle : hou and in 3 wat manere Seint Eadmund was i-bore : 3 if ;e it wollez i-here. 1 1 w. 7 - 807 . om. 8 A-seint Eadmundus dai pe king : pis guode child was i-bore ; So clene he cam fram is moder : with-oute ech-manere hore, 1 ai. diie And so clene , 1 pat no cloth : pat ne^li pe moder was 3 Ne ne^h pis 30 ungue child, po it was 2 i-bore : no-ping pe foulere 3 it nas. IT A-seint Eadmundes dai he was i-bore : r^lit ase it was day ; Fram erne morewe pat 1 it was eue : ase a ded ping he lay 3 , 14 Ri3ht ase he were ded-bore : for no ping on him lif ne sai3 ; 1 ai. forte 432 ST. EDMUND AND HIS BROTHER ARE SENT TO SCHOOL AT PARIS, AND WEAR A HAIR SHIRT TWO OR THREE DAYS A WEEK. fie mide-wyues him woldeii liabbe i-bured : ac f e moder seide euere nay. 1 6 A^ein eue he cudde furst is lif. : to churche he was i-bore, And for seint Eadmundes day : be [was] Eadmund i-cleoped fare-fore. U f)is child wax and wel i-f ev — : elles wonder it were. fio it was of ani elde : fe moder it sette to lere, 20 And Eobert al-so, hire ofur sone — : for sones lieo hadde to, And tweye maydenes clene i-nou} : hire dou^btren were al-so, Dame Margme and dame Alis : fat at catesbi weren i-do 23 And fare in religion Nonnes buy weren : and 3 uyt liggez fare bof e-to. IT Dame Mabile, heore guode moder : f eos children heo louede i-no^li, And wissede heom to clene liue : and to alle giiodnesse heom drou 3 h. fie 3 wyle fe children 3 ongue weren : heo 3 af heom ofte mede Eor-to faste fane friday : to watur and to brede. 28 J)oru 3 mede and p oru 3 ire faire bi-heste : huy weren so far-on i-brou 3 t, fiat, fo huy weren of grettore elde : it ne grefde heom ri^ht nou 3 ht. H fie moder werede fe strongue here : for ore louerdes loue, Fram fe scholdre to fe hele : and on haubark fare-a-boue — 32 In swuche manere he ladde hire lif : fe widewe fat was so wis. wel 3 ongue heo sende bofe hire sones : to scole to paris, And bi-tok heom spense luyte i-nou 3 : ase heo it m^hte bi-seo. huy senden hire word 1 fat huy ne m^hten : with so luyte beo. 36 “ leoue sones,” quath f e mode[r] : “ ichulle beon a- 3 ein eov hende ; 3if se wollez aftur me do : ich can eou more sende, \ a1 - s ?* de ^3 e . . . . y ' ? z al .^ if je dorre mid so lute And it schal eov like swife wel : bi fat 3 e wyteth fe ende ; Ne spariez nou 3 ht, mi leoue sones 2 : out of londe to wende.” 11 “Leoue Moder,” quefen fe sones : “ we schullen do aftur fi lore; Ake wel fou wost fat we ne mouwen nou 3 t libbe : bote fou us sende more.” [foi. iso] H fie moder tok wel stilleliohe : eyfur of heom ane here And bad heom bofe for hire loue : fat huy with heom as here 44 And werie as twie ofur frie : eche woke fere, And heo wolde heom sende spense i-nov : fe 3 wuyle huy at scole were. U ])is children 3 eoden to scole fo : and duden heore moder heste And wereden fe here twie a wike : ofur frie at fe leste. 48 So longe huy woneden heom far-to : fat huy nomen as ofture fo, ST. EDMUND LEAVES HIS PLAY, TO PRAY. ANOTHER CHILD 433 TALKS TO HIM, AND PROVES TO BE JESUS CHRIST. 50 fat nojmr ny3ht ne day : huy nolden heom for-go ; 51 huy woneden heom so wel far-to : fat huy as wereden day and ny^ht. 1 al- J>at (heo om.) Jpis was, for-sofe, a guod Moder : for 1 heo te^lite hire children a-r^ht ! And euere ^wane heo sende heom clofes : ase heo as m^hte i-winne, Jjare-with heo wolde herene sende : faste i-seuwede with-inne. — 54 II Seint Eadmund fe ^ongue clerk : to eche guod-nesse drou3, J?at euerech clerk fat him i-knev3 : hadde of him Ioye inov3 ; 56 For ore louerdes swete grace : with him was wel riue : And fat ore louerd cudde him wel : al bi is 3ongue liue. 51 For ase fis child 3eode a day : in a Mede to pleie, his felawes he bi-lefde ech-on : and 3eode bi-side fe we^e, 60 And al one 3eode up and doun : and is bedes seide. j ) o cam fere gon a fair 3 wit child : to him in fis mede, “ Felawe,” he seide, “ heil fou heo : fat fus one gest i-lome ! ” Seint Eadmund stod in gret fou3ht : fro 3wannes fis child come. 64 51 “Ne knoustfou me noi^hU” quath fis child. : seint Eadmund seide “ no.” “ Ich am f i felawe,” quath fat child : “ 3wodere fon euere go. At scole ich sitte euere bi fe : euere on fi r^ht side, And with fe ich go in euerech stude : ne go fou no so wide, 68 51 And fi plei-fere, for-sofe, ich am — : and 3d fou nost nou3t 3wat ich beo, 51 In mi fore-heued i-write : mi name fou m^ht i-seo. 1 And al-so ase mi name is : in mi fore-heued i-do, 1 Ashm. has i w. more. Creoyce fare-with fi fore-heued : and fi breoste al-so 72 Euereche n^hte are fou slepe : in f e muynde of me, 1 1 This v. on the margin. 51 And fe deuel ne schal habbe no pouwer : for-to greui f e.” 51 Seint eadmund nuste mit fusse worde : 3ware fis child bi-cam. he onder-stod fat it was ore louerd : and gret Ioye to him he 11am ; 76 And nolde fur^ite neuere ane n^ht : his lore forto do, to creoici frizes is fore-heued : and is breoste al-so 51 And segge “ ihesz/s of Nazareth ” : ase he it sai3 i-write — with no-fing ne scholde a man betere : fram 1 fe deuel him wite. — 80 In penaunce, and in is lore : fis child dude al is f 0113! : 1 ai. ivi}> For godes loue he folede muche : fat deore him hadde a-bou3ht, LEGENDS OF SAINTS. F F 434 ST. EDMUND IS AT SCHOOL AT PARIS AND OXFORD. nE FLOGS TILL SHE BLEEDS, AN OXFORD GIRL WHO GETS NAKED INTO HIS BED. IF In penaunce he was so wel i-woned : and 3 ong far-on i-brou^ht, J?at, fo he was of grettore elde : it ne grefde him ri 3 ht no^ht. 84 At parys he was at scole longue : and at Oxenford al-so. he ne dude neuere lecherie : ne ensentede f ar-to ; Ase is schrift-fader wolde telle : ofte in priueite, he ne mi^hte neuere finde man : of so gret chastete. 88 IT Priueliche at oxenford : on a day he cam [foi. iso b.] To one ymage of ore lauedi : and bi fe hond hire nam 1 aLforhet *a/.om. And bi-hiet 1 bi-fore hire treweliche : fram 2 eche wu??imanes imone And with treufe holden al is lif : clanliclie to hire one. 92 H Jpulke ymage he weddede with a ring : ase a man dot]) is wif, Clanliclie to holden in spoushod : to hire al is lijf ; “ Aue Maria, gra cia plena ” : j)eos four wordes weren i-do And i-graued in j)is ring : for huy a-cordeden wel ])ar-to. IF Wel he huld is treu])e setj>e : and his weddingue al-so, And trewe spouse was i-nov^ : nolde he nou^t misdo. Ich wot wel, 3 uyt men m^hten finde : ho-so soi^te bliue, Summan, f>ei it sielde beo : untreowore to is wiue, And al ful beo of f e Mariage : 3 e and fayn it wolde un-binde ! 3 wejmr ani of eou cou])e ou 3 were : ani swuch hosebonae finde ? — IF His hostasse hadde one doi^ter : ])ere he was at inne, )}at louede muche ])is holie child : 3 H heo m^hte is loue i-winne ; 104 heo ne couJ)e ne^h non ojmr wit : ake 1 heo fondede for-to do 1 al. om. Folie bi him ny 3 >it and dai : 3 if heo m^hte bringue him ])ar-to. IF Heo bad him ])at heo moste a-ni 3 ht : to is bedde wiende. jois holie clerk ne wernde hire nou 3 ht : and dude ase fe hende. 108 J)at Maide was po glad i-nov 3 : for erore heo bad wel of[te]. A-n^ht, J)o heo hire tyme i-sa^h : to is bed heo cam wel softe, IF hire clones heo dude of a non : ase it is r^ht of bedde, And made hire naked, to creopen in. : ake febleliche hire spedde : 112 For seint Eadmund hadde ane smarte 3 eorde : and pe clojms a-doun 96 100 spradde 1 1 al. J?is worn man anon he redde And beot hire on pe nakede rug : fat wel-ne^h heo a-wedde ; he ne sparede rug ne side nojmr : are heo to grounde bledde — A-quenche he m^hte hire foie wille : mid blode fat heo schedde ! 116 IF And euere seide fis holie Man : ase he leide on faste, st. Edmund’s mother mabile dies, and is buried at 435 ABINGDON. HE SEEKS FOR A NUNNERY TO PUT HlS SISTERS INTO. “ Maide, pou sclialt leorni pus : a-wei forto caste pi foie wille of pi flesch : with, swuche discipline.” heo fou^hte wel luyte on folie : are pis guode clerk wolde fine ! 120 U pis Maide wende softe a3en : hire rug smert ful sore. he 1 hi~3at so luyte po : pat hire ne longuede pudere nam-more ; 1 heo. Clene wumman heo bi-cam : with-oute flechsliche dede, And clene Maide deide setpe : ase hire schriftfader seide. 124 U pis Maidenes pat beotp willeffole : folie forto do, I-cholde huy founden swuche lefmanes : pat wolden heom chastie so ! — po Mabile, is swete moder : scholde of pis liue go, Seint Eadmundjhire guode sone : ne^h hire was po ; 128 his Moder him 3af hire blessingue : po heo scholde of liue fare. “ Blesse 1 mine bropur,” quath seint Eadmund : “ pei he heo elles- 3 ware.” 1 al. Blesseek IT “ Leoue sone,” quath pis wydewe : “ hope 3e comen of me, And he is, 3 wane 3e heoth 0 blod : i-blessed i-nou3 with pe. 1 132 Ake icli hidde pe for godes loue : and for seinte Marie 1 J?e added later, pat pou sum-3ware pine sostrene do : in-to ane nonnerie, [foi. isi] So pat huy mouwen clene lif lede : in ore louerdes seruise ; And ne solfre pou noi^ht pat huy beon : i-weddet in none wise. 136 pe catel pat ich heom bi-quepe : pis dede for-to do, Al ich bi-take in pine warde : and heom pare-witli also.” U pis guode womman deide pus : pat of wydewene was flour ; And in a chapel 1 at Abindone heo was i-bured : with swype gret honour, 1 al. seint Nicholas churche 140 In a ston hi-fore pe croiz : in pe soutp-side, i-wis ; A luyte with-inne pe churche-hei 3ate 2 : pat chapel a-rerd is. A-boue hire is i-write : “ here lijthp in pis ston 8 ai. wij>oute \>e abbayqate Mabile, flour of wudewene” — : and lesingue nis it non, 144 For heo was womman of guode liue : ase Men m^liten bi hire i-seo ; And mani Miracle at Abindone : for hire hath sethpe i-beo. H Ne format nou3ht seint Eadmund : pat is moder him hadde i-bede : po is power was i-woxe : he purueide him ane stude, 148 pat is sostren weren i-do : in one Nonnerie ; Ake wel vnnepe he it fond : with-oute symonie. — IT Simonie so is i-cleoped : foreward for-to make F F 2 436 ST. EDMUND PUTS HIS SISTERS INTO CATESBY NUNNERY IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. HE TORTURES HIMSELF WITH HAIR SHIRTS. to bugge liflode of holie churche : aud a certein catel take. A-mansede beotj? alle swuche : Jut so wollez don ; Ake na Jules to religion : manie comiez so ! — U ]5is guode sone sou^hte wide a-boute : mani a ISTonnerie, Are he mi^hte his sostren do : with-oute symonie ; AtJje laste he cam to Catesbi : in Norehamptone-schire, I-graunted him was Jure a-non : al Jut he wolde desire : If boJ?e his sustren a-godes half : iNounnes he made Jure ; J3at leueden Jure al heore lijf : and holie wommen were, be eldore was sethju prioresse : of Jje lauedies ech-on — For heom hauez setju ore louerd i-do : miracles mani on ; And bi-fore J>e hei^e weuede : i-burede huy beoth Jure In a chapele Jut huy leten : of seint Eadmund a-rere. — H Seint Eadmund, J>is holie man : werede strongue here ; In strengore manere heo w r as i-maud : June ojmr mannes were : heo nas i-sponne ne i-weoue : ake i-broide strengus longue, And sethju ase man knut a net : i-knut swiju harde and stronge, 168 Of harde horses here i-maud — : Ju knottes deope wode, bat muche del of is bodie orn : of quiture and of blode. IT bare-of he hadde schuirte and briech : fram necke to J>e hiele ; vn-ayseliche he m^hte ligge : ojmr ani 1 ayse i-fele. 1 ai. &iutei 172 A strong rop Jure was Junne : a-boue fram Ju scholdre i-do to is bottokes, of horse-here : to liolden it faste to ; And setju he was bi-neoju is briech : i-gurd faste i-nov3 with a strong corde a boue : Jut J?e here faste 1 drou}. ^auiJteTod 176 U So faste was in euerech side : Ju here to him i-bounde, bat vnnej)[e] he mi^hte bie^e is rug : ojmr stoupi touward Ju grounde; And 3\\ r an he stoupede anting : is flechs was so for-gnawe [foi. isi b.] bat wonder was hou he it Julede : Jut he ne hadde to deju i-drawe. 1 U Fiet and hondene Jut neren nou3t : i-tormentede with Jut here FTecke and face and al is heued : Jut with-oute were, 1 ai. to beo so to-dmwe he roddede a-n^ht with Ju here : 3 wane no man ne m^hte i 2 seo ; For he nolde Jut no lime : un-pined scholde beo. 2 r. it 184 H A dai he tok al priueliche : is Manne his olde here, bat he as fur-brende stilleliche : for huy for-olde were. he caste as in gret fuyr i-nov3 — : ac it ne cam nought Jure-ne^h, 152 156 160 164 ST. EDMUND SEES DEVILS FLYING LIKE KOOKS AND CROWS, AND 437 TEARING A CHALGRAVE MAN’S SINFUL SOUL TO PIECES. Ake euere huy weren i-liche sounde : ase J>is man i-sei^li. 188 po he i-sai} fat huy ne brende nought : he bond f er-to wel faste heuie stones to drawe a-doun : and in-to a deop watnr heom caste, pat fuyr nadde power non : to touchi f e holie here ! Ake nafeles he tolde is louerd fore : J>at huy i-brende were. — 192 IT Seint Eadmund and is felawe : ase it was ofte heore wone, In a day fram leukenore : wenden to Abindone. Ase huy comen in a gret uale^e : blake foule huy se^e 1 ai. chowen Ase it crowene and rokes 1 weren : fleon bi fe Eyr wel hei^e ; 196 A luyte blac sak ase f ei it were : Jus foules a-mong heom here, huy casten it up fram on to ojmr : ase huy it al-to-drowe and to-tere. his felawe stod and bi-h e old : and was nei^h wod for fere. IT Seint Eadmund him $af confort : ant tolde him ^wat it were : 200 “ Deuelene,” he seide, “ of helle it beotli : and fat huy berez so, i-wis, Ane Mannes soule here-bi-fore : of Chalgraue it is, pat nouf e ri 3 ht deide late — : heo ne cometh neuere in blis, he mai singue weylawei : fat he euere dude amis.” 204 IT Forth huy wenden to chalgraue : fe sofe huy founden fere : pe Man was 1 ded a luyte bi-fore : and al hot ligge on here. 1 a/.om. Neuere f e gladdore ne m^lite he beo : fat deuelene him so to-tere ; he mi^hte segge weilawey : fat euere is lifdawes were ! — 208 H Seint Eadmund, fe holie Man : louede wel is lore, And for is lore he louede ^uyt : godes seruise fe 1 more. 1 on the margin. Mest he louede on oresoun : fat was of ihesu crist And of ore leuedi, is swete Moder : and of sein loan fe Ewangelist, pat “ .0. intemerata” : bi-gvynnez on latyn ; pe bi-guynningue is wel guod : and al-so is fe fin. 214 Euereche dai bi custome : he seide fis oresun, he nolde bi-leue for no scole : ne for no lessoun. 216 IT In a dai he it fur-^at : he hadde so muche to done. Seint loan fe Ewangelist to him cam : f e ni^ht aftur-ward ful sone And a paumerie bar on is hond : gret and strong i-nou^h ; Seint Eadmund he nam bi fe hond : and is paumerie op droi^h, 220 So hei^e and with so gret Eyr : ase he him wolde al-to-driue. Seint Eadmund lay and quakede : and drad was of is liue, 438 ST. EDMUND LEARNS ARITHMETIC AT OXFORD, AND THEN TURNS TO DIVINITY, AND TEACHES IT TO SCHOLARS. For, pi lie him smite ase he dunt droii} : he were ded a-non ; [Here a fol. is wanting in the Land MS. ; MS. Harl. continues ;] [lie qwakede & cnde dulfulliche : “ louerd, rnerci, semt Iohn !” 224 IT “ Ich wole for-}eue J>e,” quap seint Ioli a n : “ Jju m'est so sore ; & Jjench bet on oure oreisoun : & nefor^et hit nomore ! ” he nefor-}at after Jmlke tyme : nomore J)is oreisoun, For no studie liefor no neode : nefor pop of lessoun. — 228 U So wel lurnede Jhs holi man : & suche grace hadde, ])at he bigan at Oxenford : & of art per radde. Of art he radde six }er : contynuelliche ynou}, & sijijie for-[to] beo more pj’ofound : to arsmetrike he drou}, 232 & arsmetnke radde in cours : in Oxenford wel faste & his figi/rs drou} aldai : & his numbre caste. — IT Arsmetnke is alore : pat of figwrs al is & of drau}tes as me drawe]? in poudre : & of 1 numbre, i-wis. — 236 IT A ni}t in avisioun : his moder to him. wende, » ms. in “ Sone,” heo seide, “ to what figwrs : woltou nou entende ? ” “ Leoue moder,” quap ]?is o per : “ suche as we iseoj?.” “ Leoue sone,” quap pe moder : “ betere figwrs per beoj), 240 wherto J>u most Jhn hurte do : & Jjenche her-on nomore !” heo noin for]? his ri}t hond : & wrot per-ou his lore : Jjreo rounde cerclen heo wrot : in pe paume amidde, In pe tueye heo wrot fader & sone : & holigost in pe Jnidde ; 244 “ Sone,” heo seide, “ her-afterward : entende to Jhs lore! ” To heuene a}e pe moder wende : lienese} hire nomore. IT ])o ise} seiwt Edmund : pat Lit was al of pe Tr/nite, Theologia. & pat god wolde pat he schulde : ihure diuinite. 248 To diuinite, as god wolde : Jhs gode man him drou} ; j)er nespedde non in Oxenford : so wel of ynou}. hit nas no}t longe Jier-aftenvard : pat pe Chanceler ne sede, & pe hexte maystres of J>e toun : pat he schulde bigynne & rede. 252 he wipsede & longe 1 seide : pat he nas no}t worjh perto ; 1 allonge* So pat moche a}en his wille : nede hi makede him hit do. So Jjat he bigan at Oxenford : of diuinite. So noble alosed per nas non : in al J?e vniuersite. 256 Of redinge he hadde so gode grace : pat meni on to him drou} ; his scolers Jjat ihurde of him : gode men were ynou}. So pitousliche he wolde rede : & so gode grace hadde J?er-to, \)at his scolers Jjat ihurde of him : nuste ofte what to do, Ac sete as in anojie?* wordle : & ofte liudde here e}e 260 ST. EDMUND IS FED WITH OUR LOUD’S FLESH BY A DOVE FROM HEAVEN. BY HIS FORGETFULNESS, THE DEVIL GETS POWER OVER & wepe pat pe teres vrne adoun : pat men hit al-aboute ise3e. vnejie eni ihurde of him : pat pe betere ne bicom, & ineni bileuede al pe wordle : & to religioun nom.. — 51 A dai as J)is lioli man : in diuinite Desputede, as hit was his wone : of pe tn’nite, In his chaire he sat longe : er his scolers come ; Alutel' he bigan to swoudri : as a slep hi m nome. p o po^te him in his swoudri nge : pat a whit coluere com From lieuene mid oure louerdes flesch : & pe wei to him nom, & pat swete flesch pulte in his mou|? : & siJjjje fle^ vp anlie^ ; heuene openede hire a^en : as Jus gode man ise^. pe sauour of oure loue?’des flesch : him po^te, was in his moujm, And al pe clergie, him pojte, of god : po he awok, he cou|>e, Of J>e pure stat of cn'st : & of his mageste As [an] angel him po^ie he coujie : & of his pn'ueite. 51 he bigan so deope desputi : of pe tn’nite, pat gre t wonder me hadde : Jnirf al pe vniue ; rsite ; pat pe gretteste clerkes pat were : in Oxenforde po Ne po^te pat eni vrjdich man : so furforj) mi^te go Ne wite so moche of godes stat : bote hit [an] angel were ; per nere none maystres in Oxenford : J>at in gre t wonder Jjerof nere. Ac he mi^te of ihesu cn’st iwite : more J)an was in boc, whan he vsede oure louerdes flesch : & in his mouJ)e toe ! — 51 Ne Jio^te no^t J)is lioli man : so moche in his lessoun pat euere among his J>o^t nas mest : in godes passioun. 0 tyme he was in grete studie : of his lessoun any^t, pat longe he sat Jier-aboute : forte hit was ne^ daili^t. po hit was toward pe dai : a-napped he was sore, he lynede adoun vpon his boc : po he nemi^te studie nomore ; So pat he ful aslepe : & vnywar also, & 1 ne]: 03 te no 3 t on pe passioun : as he was iwoned to do. i 0 m. &? pe deuel com to him wel sone : noting to siche he nas. Seint Edmund of him was iwar : in swoudring as he was he wolde him blesci W’iJ? pe deuel : his ri^t bond he gan forjj drawe pe deuel him nom Jierbi anon : he nemi^te him no 3 t wawe. po nom he for]? his lift hond : to blesci him wij? also : pe deuel him nom perhi faste : pat he nem^te noting do. vpe him he lai as a sak : pat he was al ouercome, he nem^te him wawe fot ne hond : his poer him was binome. Ac delyure he hadde al his J> 03 t : so pat he po^te sone 439 IIIM. 264 268 272 276 280 284 288 292 296 300 440 ST. EDMUND BEATS THE DEVIL. HE IS NEVER IDLE. HE IS CHOSEN TO PREACH FOR THE CRUSADE, IN ENGLAND. Of oure louerdes passioun : as he was woned to done. U J?e deuel nemi^te po bileue : vpe him none prowe, For drede he ful sone adoun : bituene hm & pe wowe. 304 H Seiwt Edmund aros vp anon : & pe deuel ouercom, Stmngliche & harde ynou : bi pe prote he him nom. “ purf oure louerdes passioun : tel non,” he seide, “ me, Ich axi pe hou cn'stene man : mai best him witie fmm pe.” 308 “Me neschal wip noting,” q uap pe deuel : “ schulde fmm mi poer So wel as purf his passioun : pat pn nemnedest er.” U per lurnede pis holi man : as we mowe ek echon, In whiche manere we mowe best : pe deueles poer forgon, 312 For he hatiep godes passioun : as man do]) his fon,] [fol. 182] And 3 wane men it habbuth in muynde : he mot fleo a-non. — 314 Euerech tyme of daye and ny 3 ht : seint Eadmund him gan bi-seo J)at he d^hte wel to godes wille : pat he nolde idel beo ; 0 ])ur he was in is oresones : opur at is bok, 0]>ur he .Et. o])ur slep : o)mr to o])ur pingus he him tok. 318 Jpreo tymes him Jio^te pat he for-les : 3 wene he cam ])ar-to : 3wane he rod, and 3 wane he slep : and 3 wane he .Et. al-so ; For he nas panne in studie : ne in is beden no-])e-mo ; Ech ojmr tyme, ase him J)ou 3 te : to sum prou him scholde go. — 322 U So longue pat 1 pis guode man : to eche holienesse drou 3 , 1 ai. om. pat is guodnesse was wide couth : and men speken par-of i-nov 3 . J}e beste prechur he was i-holde : pat man 0113 ware under-stod — For ho-so hath with him godes grace : is dede mot nede beo guod. So pat of pe Creoycerie : pe pope sente fram rome To pe bischopus of Enguelond : pat huy ane wise man nome 328 For-to prechi of pe creoycerie : ase r^ht was for-to do. Seint Eadmund, pe holie man : i-chose was pare-to, To prechi of pe creoicerie : a-boute in pe londe, pat men wenden to Ierusalem : opur senden heore sonde. 332 IT procracies huy 3 euen him also : ase he wende a-boute, Of persones to nime largeliche : pat non nere with-oute. bote pat nolde he do for noping : of no man spence take ; And 3 wane persones it boden him : he it wolde for-sake. 336 For 3 wane he seruede ore louerd crist : to is owene spense he tok ; ST. EDMUND PERFORMS MIRACLES WHILE HE PREACHES FOR THE 441 CRUSADE AT OXFORD AND ELSEWHERE. Of persones and of opur men : 3iftus he fur-sok. U lie ne ferde no^t ase pis Ercedeknes : ne as opure na-pe-mo, )?at persones and peos pouere preostes : ouer-al doth ful wo! — 340 Ase he jirechede a day : of pe creoiz wel longue, A 3ung man wende a-mong pe ojmre : pe creoiz for-to a-fongue. A workman J?at him louede : so heo i-sa^h pis, heo hente him bi-hinde faste : and drov$ him a^ein, i-wis. 344 H Also stif ase ani hard bord : hire liond bi-cam a-non, j ) at heo ne m^hte as a-welde : nopur senuwes ne bon ; And pe lmnd was al-so fur-crokud. : heo made revlich here. Seint Eadmund bi-heold a-boute : and axede 3wat it were. 348 “ Sire, merci,” quath pis womman : “ wrechchede ich am i-nov3 ! Ase J?is 3ongue man wolde take pe croiz : a luyte ich him with-di'0113 : And min hond is al for-croket : jware-with ich him nam. In alle wrechhede ich am i-brou3ht : alas, pat ich here cam ! ” 352 H “ Womman,” quath jus holie man : “ woltpu pe croiz take 1 “ louerd,” he 1 seide, “3if ich mi^hte : i-nelle hire noi^t for-sake.” )5is wumman sat a-doun a-kneo : and of him pe creoiz he 1 nam : 1 = heo And hire crokede hond stre^hte forth]) : and a-non-r^ht hoi bi-cam ; heo cride and hered Ihesu crist. : J)is was couth a-non ; 357 For ]?is miracle pare token pe creoiz : j)e mo wel mani on. — U In a time atj)e gang-dawes 1 : ])is holie man al-so 1 ai. roueisouns prechede a day at Oxenford : ase he ofte hadde i-do, 360 In alle halewene church^erd : In j)e nor])ure side, with j>e Baneres at onderne : a-se men doth a-londe wel wide. Ase j)is holie man with al J)is folk : in is prechingue was best, ])at lodlokeste weder pat m^hte beo : cam al fram bi west, 364 Swart and dreok 1 and grislich : and ouer-caste al ]?ene toun ; 1 r. deork J}e wynd blev3 al-so swije grisliche : ase j)e world scholde al a-doun; So deork it was bi-come al-so : pat men m^hte vnnepe i-se — Lodlokur wedur pane it was : ne m^lite neuere be. 368 U jpat folk for drede of heore clopus : faste bi-gonne to fleo. “ A-bidez,” quath pis holie man : “ ore louerd is guod and freo. ])q deuel it is pat bringuth pis wedur : for-to destourbi godes lore ; Ore louerd is strengore pane he : ne drede 3e eovno^t to sore ! ” 372 he bi-heold upward toward god : and cride him milce and ore, 442 st. Edmund’s weather-miracle, he is made canon op SALISBURY, ETC. HE GIVES AWAY HIS MONEY, AND EATS LITTLE. bat he schilde hem fram J>e deueles mi^hte : fat he ne grefde hem nammore. Jpo he hadde i-seid fis oresun : fat wedur bi-gan to glide In fe ofur half of J>e chnrche : al in fe soufere side ; 376 bare it bigan to falle a-non : and nolde no leng a-bide, bat vnnef e Jioru^h J>e hey^e stret : mi^hte ani man go ofur ride — Ake in f e northhalf of f e churche : fare fis liolie man stod, He fel neuere a reynes drope : for-to destourbi a mannes Mod ; 380 In fe southhalf foru 3 al fe he^e strete : it leide on for wod, bat al f e stret a-watere orn : ase it were a gret flod. IT bat folk J>at fram pG prechingue : for drede of pG wedere dro\ T 3 And fat wenden bi pe he^e strete : hadden far-of i-nov 3 ; 384 Ake huy fat bi-lefden fare : druy 3 e and clene were — louerd, muche is f i m^hte ! : and fair miracle was fere ! — In f e toun of wyricestre : bi-tidde fat selue cas, Ase fis holie man seint Eadmund : in is prechingue was ; 388 Swuch wedur fare cam ouer him : he drof it a-wey al-so. Me finchez, ase hi is liue : fair miracle it was i-do ! — IF So wide sprong is guode los : a-boute, feor and ner, bat men ne hulden nou 3 t in engelonde : of guodnesse is per. 392 At salesburi he was i-maket : Canoun seculer ; prouendes of churches 1 he hadde : and was tresurer. )?o he was auauncet so : he tolde far-of ful luyte, 1 ai. prouendre of pe hous he spendede a-boute on pouere Men : fat of ure duden in pruyte ; 396 he spendede so muche for godes loue : in is almes-dede jpat vnnefe he mi^hte mid is rentes : half 3 er is hous lede. H To fe Abbeye of stanle : he wende swife 1 i-lome And suiournede fare for defaute : for-to is crop him come — Eor Maister steuene of lexintone : fat was fo Abbot fere, his desciple hadde i-be : f e 3 wyle huy at scole were, his fulle .net. he neuere mo : fat ani Man m^hte i-seo, bote ase muche ase he nede moste : fet wolde in ani poynt be; [foi. i«3] Of him wondrede euer-ech Man : fat isai 3 him ete, hov he mi 3 hte holde is lijf : with so luyte mete. 406 Of guode metes ne kepte he nov^t : f ei men it wolde him bringue ; 3wat lutles it was, fat he et : was al of grete fingue. 1 al. J>anne 400 402 ST. EDMUND IS CHOSEN ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, BUT 443 TAKES NO HEED OF THE TIDINGS. IT Jpat dai f>at he masse song : fleclis nolde he non, Ne fat dai next bi-fore : for man fat mi^hte gon ; 410 Eram fat Men loke alleluya : for-to cam estur-day, he ne .Et. nought, fat folede deth : ase muche folk isa^h, Ne in fe aduent na-fe-mo. : ake fat was lnyte i-nov^ A-^ein is ofur penaunce : fat he al day forth drov^. — 414 IT Hit bi-fel fat fe Erchebischop : of caunterburi was ded : Seint Eadmund far-to was chose : ase Commuyn nam heore red. j)o fe Eleccioun was i-maud : in f e chapitle at Caunterburi, A-non buy senden heore messagers : to him to salesburi. 418 huy wenden toward salesbury : ake fare nas he nou 3 t ; huy founden him at Caine : fo huy longue hadden i-sou 3 t. IT In is chaumbre he sat priueliche : at is boke ful stille : 1 ai. forto wite No man ne dorste come him ne^h : to letten him of 1 is wille. 422 Ake nafeles on fat was him next : ase it were is chaumberlein, Guode tifingue he f o^hte him bringue : and f arof was wel fain : he tolde him fat he was ichose : Erchebischop to beo. J)is holie man gan him chide faste : and hiet him fram him fleo, 426 “ Be stille, fou fol ! ich hote fe ” : he seide, “ and go out heonne a-non, Make faste fe dore aftur fe : and ne lat fou no man in gon Eor-to lette me of mi studie : ake lat me in pays beo ! ” 1 ai. 2 w. more. Of fat tifingue he tolde luyte : ase fare men m^ten i-seo. 1 430 IT jpis Messagers bi-lefden fare oute : and carefole weren of fou 3 lit, Eor fe day passede swif e : and heore erinde ne duden [huy] no^ht. huy wenden for heore guode tifingue : nobleliche beon onder-fongue, Eor fe murufe of is semblaunt : 3 uyt fare hem fou 3 hte longue ! 434 heore 3 iftus huy m^hten ef e a-bere : fat f is holie man heom caste ! huy bi-menden, and it of-fou 3 hte heom sore : heore h^ingue fuder so faste. 436 ^T he ne a-ros nou 3 lit a fote fram is bok : are god f e tyme sende, Ase he was an ofur day i-woned — : ake fortlif fo ful softe he wende. }?o he cam out of is chaumbre : f e messagers come And seiden heore erinde hou it was. : far-of he tok luyte gome. 440 ])o fe lettres weren i-radde : “ beu freres,” he sede, “ I-chulle loke 3 wat mine felawes : of fis fing wollez rede 444 ST. EDMUND MOST UNWILLINGLY CONSENTS TO BE ARCT1BISHOP OF CANTERBURY. HE CARES FOR POOR BONDMEN. In pe chapitle of salesburi : ase xi^ht is J>at icli do.” huy nadden of him non ojmr word : po it alles cam f>ar-to. H pe chapitle at salesburi : i-liolde was plener ; Alle pe chanouns of pe ordre : Jmdere come fer and ner, 446 To conseili heom of Jus Jung. : pe red was sone i-take : Gladliche at one worde : alle huy stoden J>are-ate. “ buth stille ! ” quath pe guode man : “ 3 wat schal J?at i-sed 1 [foi. 183 b.] wuyrj?e nam icli nou 3 t f>ar-to : nimez an ojmr red ! ” 450 H “ Certes,” quath pe bischop po : and fie Canones al-so, “ Jpov ne mi 3 ht nou 3 ht beo Jmre-a- 3 ein : Jjou most it nede do.” Seint Eadmund seide euere nay : and bi-gan to wepe sore. pe Chanones wepen with him al-so : and criden cristes ore ; 454 To is fiet huy fullen a-kneo : and heolden up heore honde And beden him for pe loue of god : betere him under-stonde And habbe reufie of holie churche : and of him-sulf al-so, And Jjenche, 3 wane holie churche it wolde : he moste it nede do. 458 U pe bischop also weop on him : and on him cride faste, And in vertue of obedience : hiet him at pe laste p-dt he ne scholde it noi^ht bi-leue : godes wille to wurche And beo bou 3 sum to al pe lond : and nameliche to holie churche. 462 po bi-gan Jus holie man : to wepe and sike sore ; “ Nov god,” he seide, “ us 3 iue is grace : is milce and eke is ore ! H And ich take god to witnesse : and ore leuedi al-so pdt, 3 if ich ne wende suneguy dedliche : i-ne scholde it neuere do.” 466 po huy heorden Jus word of him : Ioyfole i-nou 3 huy were, And nomen him up with ioye i-nov : and to J>e he^e autere him here, And ‘Te deum laudamus’ songuen : swyj?e murie and he^e; Euere wep pe holie Man : ase J>e chanones i-se^e. 470 So J>at he cam to caunturburi : and dude ase r^t was fiere, And Erchebiscliop was i-maud : is vnfionkes fiei it were. Ne Jjarf no man J>ar-of esche : 3 we])ur he toke on wel i -110113 And wel wissede holie churche : and to eche guodnesse drou 3 ! 474 3 if is lyf was holi er : wel betere it was po ; In strong penaunce he was i-nov 3 : of fastingue and ojmr wo. he hadde euere of selie bonde-men : pite and deol i-nov 3 , For him ]) 0 U 3 te fiat Jje he^e men : duden hem al day W 0 U 3 . — 478 ST. EDMUND GIVES BACK TO A WIDOW HER IIEIUOT-BEAST. 445 KING HENRY BEGINS TO QUARREL WITH HIM. U In a time on of is pouere Men : wende of lif-dawe, And is beste best to heriet : men brou^te him, ase it was lawe. p o cam pis selie mannes wif : pat careful wide we was, And mette with pis holie man : ase ore louerd $af pat cas : 482 heo cride on him deolfulliche : merci and is ore, And seide him, bote pat o best : luyte guod heo hadde more ; heo 1 nuste in ^wat manere : ne hou 2 heo m^hte line, \ fo® Jlfeseise heo bad him for pe loue of god : pat best a-^ein hire ^iue. 486 H “ Guode womman,” seide pe holie man : “ pon wost wel hou it is, p at pat chief louerd habbe pe beste ay^te : 3 wane is man is ded, i-wis.” To is clerkes he seide a-latyn : pat pe widewe it ne under-stod : “ Me pinchez it a lupur lawe : and nopur rightful ne guod. 490 j^is guode wif hath i-lore hire louerd : pat al hire guod forhtp drou}, And to leose pare-aftur ire 1 beste best : me pinchez it is W0113 ; 1 ovig. is In pat on were lure 1 i -110113 : pei heo ne lore pat opur al-so. iorig. iu>ur pe deueles lawe it is of helle : and pon^h god neuere i-do. [foi. 184] 494 U “ Guode wif,” he seide, “ 3 if ich [pe] take : a^ein pi best to lone, Woltpou it witie to mine bi-hofpe : for-to ich it axi eft-sone? ” “ ^e , 1 sire,” quath pe widewe : “ god 3 elde pe pin ore ! ” 1 ai. a ^ pe widewe nam horn hire best : and ne 3 eld it him nammore. 498 Jpis Auntur bi-fel ofte sipe : 3 wane men him wolden bidde 0113 ! ; heriot of pouere men : he ne wilnede r^ht noi^ht. — H We ne mowen rikeni no^t 1 : alle is guode dedes. 1 ai. nowhar ne^ For euere in strong penaunce i-nou 3 : is lif he gan lede, 502 And treuliclie heold up holi churche : and wuste hire fram ech won 3 . J?are-fore hadde pe deuel of helle : to him onde i-nou 3 : he bi-gan for-to a-rere contek : bi-tweone him a-non And pe king hanri pat was po : pe kingues sone loan. 506 pe king and muche del of is folk : a~ 3 ein holie churche was, Ase king henri, is graunt-sire : hadde a^ein seint Thomas; And pat couent of caunturburi al-so : a- 3 ein him hul[d] wel faste ; Ofte huy nomen louedai : ake pet contek euere i-laste. 510 U A legat was po in engelonde : pat a~ 3 ein him was al-so. Ake studefast was euere pis holie man : pei he luyte help hadde par-to. huy ne m^ten a-cordi for no-ping : ake pe lengore pe worse it was ; Ake euere nam pis holie man : ensaumple of seint thomas. 514 446 ST. EDMUND CURSES ALL WHO WAR AGAINST THE CHURCH. HE IS HEARTENED BY BEKET IN A VISION. Wei ofte he bad pe kingue and his : $if it were heore wille, jpat huy ne weorreden noi^t a^ein hoii churche 1 : ake laten hire beo stille 1 al. H. ch. to werri no^t In hire fraunchise and in pays : ase heo hadde i-beo ^are. \)q king pretnede pene holie man : bote he bi-lefde is fare. 518 H “ Of j?i pretningue ich telle luyte ” : seide J>is holie man, “ For ^if pou me drifst out of pi lond : an opur red ich can : Ich can rede at parys : ase ich are pis habbe i-do, And pare-with winne me mete i-nov 3 : and clopingue al-so. 522 3 if pou me dest to depe bringue : pou paist me w r el i-nov^ ; Jpou ne m^htest don me non more honour : pane slen me poru 3 pi WOU 3 .” 3 uyt eft, ase he ofte dude : to pe king he sende ; And he answerede pe leng pe wors : and no-ping nolde a-mende. 526 J 30 pis holie man i-sa^h : pat non-opur it nolde beo, J)oru 3 h holi churche he gan to finite : and a-corsede alle peo p)at weorreden a^ein 1 pe churche of caunturburi : and with on-r^hte duden schame ; 1 ai. om. And some pat he gulti wuste : he a-mansede bi name. 530 U To pe king and to is conseil : pis word wel sone drou 3 . Ne parf no man esche : wepur huy weren wrope i-nov 3 • J)are was pretningue and host i-nov 3 . : seint Eadmund heold him stille, And stifliche heold forth pe sentence : and liet heom speke heore wille. Seint Thomas cam and spak with him : and gostliclie fram heouene a-li 3 hte, And bad him beo stif and studefast : to holde up pe churches r^hte, And for non eorpelich anuy : ne for depe, ne flechchie noi^lit, Ake nime ansaumple of him and opure : pat so deore as hadde a-bou 3 t. pfoi.is4bj 538 U Seint Eadmund feol a-doun a-kneo : and is hondene heold up al-so 1 To cusse pis holie mannes fiet. : ake he ne moste it nou 3 ht do. po bi-gan he to weope sore i-nov 3 : and seide “ louerd, pin ore ! ” “ beo stille,” quath seint Thomas to him : “ and ne weop pou so non- more ! 542 3 wi wilnestpou to cusse mine fiet? : it nere pe no r^ht to do, pou schalt newene pine wille habbe : and cusse mine mouth al-so.” ST. EDMUND GOES TO PONTIGNY IN FRANCE, BUT HAS TO CHANGE 447 FOR BETTER AIR. HIS DEATH DRAWS NIGH. IT Seint Eadmund aftur pulke tyme : studefast was i-nov}, To de^e rapur for holie churche : pane men duden hire any WOV3. 546 he fou^hte muche on seint Thomas : pat out of londe wende pe ^wyle pe kyng was in mest wrathpe : ^if he wolde ou^t amende : Of him he nam ensaumple : and priueliche i-nov^ he wende out of Enguelonde : and into Fraunce he drou 3 . 550 And jjou^hte he was at pounteneye : swipe faire under-fongue And isusteyned in his anuy : pat i-laste longue ; IT Also steuene of languetone : pat Erchebischop was, Six 3 er he was at pounteneye : in pat sulue cas. 554 po 1 pat seint Eadmund under-stod : of is Auncetres i-nowe, 1 ai. so 3 wane huy weren in contek for holie churche : to pounteneye heom drowe : Also dude seint Eadmund — : to pounteneye he wende, For-to a-bide pe stat of holie churche : 3 wane ore louerd it wolde amende. 558 honoured he was faire i-nov : of alle pat pare were, And euere a-bod a-mendement : fram 3 ere to 3 ere. IT Hit bi-fel, ase god wolde : pat seint Eadmund atpe laste Fielde is bodi heui i-nov 3 : and fieblede swipe faste ; 562 So longue, pat he was so feble : pat men ne radde him noi^ht beo pere, Ake for-to soiorni elles^ware : pare betere eir to him were, pis holie man is leue nam : elles^wodere to wiende ; pe Monekes mauden so muche deol : pat par-of nas non ende. 566 IT “ beth stille,” quat pis holie man : “ for ichulle poru alle ping Comen hidere a 3 ein to eou : a-seint Eadmundes day pe kyng.” Louerd, in swuche siknesse : wuch a word pat was i-seid ! Ake, 3 wane he ne m^hte bi is liue : f ore war [d] he lieold heom ded ! Forth he wende with is men : pudere ase guod eir were : To pe toun of Soy si : and bi-lefde pere. 572 IT So longue so it was, pare he eode : in grete siknesse i-nov 3 , So longue pat he lay a-doun : and toward pe depe drov 3 . 574 So pat he Axede ore louerdes flechs : and it was him i-brou 3 ht. he sat and bi-heold it faste i-nou 3 : in gret studie and in poi^ht, Longue are he seide ani word : and po spak he wel inliche : langor. 448 ST. EDMUND GETS MERRIER AS HE DRAWS NEARER DEATn. HIS GUTS ARE BURIED WHERE HE DIES, HIS BODY AT PONTIGNY. “louerd,” he seide, “fou it art : fat ich liabbe i-loued treweliche, ^F And treweliche on fe ich [habbe] bi-leiiej^d] 1 : and i-preclied of fe al-SO, 1 al. bileued, ich habbe om. And fou treweliche at min ende-day : art i-come me to. 580 Ich take fe, louerd, to witnesse : fe }wyle ich habbe on vrfe i-beo, Joat i-ne wilnede lieuere afiur 1 no-fing on vrfe : louerd, so muclie ase aftur 1 fe.” lai.om. 582 A, . louerd, fat it 1 was an liei^h word : and he fat so sede 1 ai. j>is Guod and holi moste he be : and swife holi lif lede ! [foi.i85] fio he hadde i-nome ore louerdes hechs : he sat longue in foi^lite, And al le^liinde on Englichs : feos wordes forth he brou^hte : 586 “ Men seggez pat game goth in wombe : ake i segge game goth in heorte.” 1 1 Av. om. ? Of ore louerd fat he hadde i-nome : wel Ioyful he was po, And al is game was in is heorte — : for is bodi was ful of w’o. fie more is bodi i-pined -was : fe ner he was fen ende ; 590 And po is ende-day was i-come : he wuste ^wodere wiende. IF Euere fe more pat he was : in sicknesse and in wo, fie gladdore he was, for he wuste : ^wodere he scholde go, And pe more he was 1 in Ioye : and pe muregore him gan like. 594 Men nuste him nought enes ligge a-doun : to groni ne to siche, 1 ai. ioj Ake euere he sat glad i-nou 3 : and lenede al-so wel ofte Opon clones ofur opon is hond : and deide faire and softe. Fair semblaunt he maude i-nov^ : ase he drov to fen ende; 598 In pe moreweningue ase f e sonne a-ros : out of f is world he gan wiende. IF He deide twelf hundred $er : and to and-fourti ri^ht Aftur pat ore swete louerd : in is moder was a-l^ht. Men leten openi him a-non : & is gottus take 602 And burie heom fare ase he was ded : in pe Munstre of seint lake ; Men nomen is holie bodi : and wel faire gunne it lede To pe Abbeye of pounteneye : ase he liim-sulf er sede. A-seint Eadmundus dai pe king : Jmdere he was i-brou 3 ht — 606 he heold pe Monekes foreward : and ne failede heom nou 3 ht : IF For po he ne cam nou 3 ht a-liue a 3 ein : ded he dude, i-wis ! And fare he was i-brou 3 lit on vrf e : and i-schrined al-so he is ; he lith fare faire i-nov 3 • anc ^ W1 ^ S re ^ h° nour al-so. 610 ST. MARTIN GOES TO BATTLE WHEN 15. HE GIVES A BEGGAR 449 HALF HIS CLOAK, AND TURNS CHRISTIAN AT 18. THEN HE FIGHTS. Mani is pe faire Miracle : ]?at god hath for him i-do. Noil god for pe loue of him : and J?at us deore bou^hte, 612 To J>ulke blisse us bringue : J>at he is soule bro^hte. AmeN 64 [Martyn] S Eint Martyn was i-bore : in pe londe of sabarie ; Wei 3 ong he was i-noriced : in pe londe of papie. A noble kny 3 ht is fadur was : and Maister of pe fierde, Ynder Costantyn pe Aumperour : and al is .Ost. he stierde. 4 For 1 into batayJe he bim^hte is 3 oungue sone : par-of him to lere. None heorte nadde he J>er-to : for huy hejjene were ; 1 ai. om., r. forth? his heorte bar him euere to Iesu crist : pe\ he i-cnstned nere, he i-sai 3 h J?at heore bi-leue nas naught : pat huy bi-lefden pere. 8 IT To cliurche, po he was Tvvelf 3 er old : stilleliche he wende And bi-hiet ore louerd cristine to beo : 3 wane he pe time him sende. IT \)e Aumperour het 1 into al pat loud : to euereche olde kn^te 1 Mg ,j et? J)at heore sones scholden into batayle comen : and for heore faderes f^hte. 1 2 So pat pe 3 ungue seint Martin : nas bote of fiftene 3 er j)o he [J?e armes] 1 in eche bataile : for is fadere ber. 1 om. A winter ase Jhs child rod : bi pe weye al one, A Miseise man he mette naked : sore sike and grone. [foi. i85b.] 16 Seint Martyn drov 3 out is swerd : ase we findeth in pe bok, 1 1 ms. boko And carf is Mantel half a-to : and pe pouere Manne it bi-tok. IT Sone aftur-ward, ase he bi-heold : to-ward heouene an he^h, with is halue Mantel i-heled : ore louerd crist he se^h : 20 “lo,” he seide to is Aungles : “ jus ne worth me nought bi-reued; Martin, f>at is hexene 3 uyt : here-with me hath bi-weued.” ])o Martin Jus i-herde : and ore louerd he sa^h J?ere, Glad ne blij?e nolde he beo : are he i-cnstned were. 24 IT E^htetene 3 er he was old : J>o he i-cristned was ; \)at he hadde so longue a-bide : ofte he seide alas. Ake al pe to 3 er Jjare-afturward : in-to batailes he wende For is fader wide a-boute : ase pe Aumperor him sende. 28 hit bi-fel of a gret bataile : pat pe Aumperor hadde i-nome, he het alle is kny 3 htes in is loud : pat huy scholden to him come ; LEGENDS OF SAINTS. G G 450 ST. MARTIN REFUSES TO FIGHT MORE. HE GOES INTO BATTLE unarmed; turns monk, and is captured by outlaws. he het 1 Martyn witli heom wende : and Armure with him take. “ Certes, sire,” Martin seide, “ fine Armes ich habbe for-sake, 32 U Ieh am Iesu cristes knyjht : and so ich habbe i-beo longue, 1 orig. hiet And none ofure Armes bote his : i-nelle vnder-fongue.” “Ei, eouward,” seide fe Aumperour : “ noufe fou sparest for fere For-to halite with fine felawes : ase fi ri}te were 'l ” 36 “ Sire,” seide Martin fo : “ fe sofe fou schalt i-se, Of fine Armes ne kepe i nought : ake fe furste ichulle beo A1 one bi-fore al f i folk : naked to f e bataile ; 39 Mine louerdes mi^hte foil schalt i-seo : for he me nele no^t faile.” U ])o fat ferd al-^are was : seint Martin wende a-non Vn-armed with is swerd a-drawe : among alle is fon. ])o he a-mong hem was i-eome : fare nas of hem nought on }?at mi^hte ani more hebbe up is hond : fane it were a ston ; 44 huy golden him f e maistrie a-non : bote fat he let hem a-liue. Seint Martin clepede is felawes : and het hem horn wel bliue. “ Sire Aumperour,” he seide, “ noufe fou sixt : ^wuch is mi louerdes mi^hte ; Are $e alle it hadden far-to i-brou^ht : longue ^e mosten f^hte S 48 H Nov fou hast alle fine fon i-wonne : fonke god, and no^ht me, And haue guod day, for i-nelle : no lengore serui fe.” he nam is leue and wende forth : — he nolde no leng a-bide — To fe holie bischop hyllari : fat wonede fare-bi-side. 52 Of him he was i-maud a-colite : and dude al bi is rede. Ore louerd cam to him a ni^ht : and feos wordes to him seide : IT “ Ich hote fe, Martin, fat fou go : wel ofte to fine kunne, And spec with hem, 3 d fov mi^lit : bringue hem out of sunne ; 56 Jpei fat huy hefene beon : ne let heom nought fare-fore, For ech guod man schal Anouri fat kun : fat he was of i-bore. Ake gret a-nuy fov schalt habbe : f e ^wile fou gest a-boute ; ])% 3 wyle fou mine grace hast : fe farf no-w^ht doute.” 60 J}is guode Man, ase ore louerd him het : to-ward is kun wende . 1 Strongue outlawes bi fe wei he mette : heore bouwes sone huy bende, j^is guode man huy nomen : and maden him mani a wounde, [foi. i 86 ] Forth huy ladden him for-to sle : is hondene faste i-bounde. 64 Jpe outlawes axede him 3 if he were : so sore a-drad euere. ST. MARTIN CONVERTS THE OUTLAWS, AND HIS OWN MOTHER. 451 HE RAISES A DEAD MAN TO LIFE, AND IS MADE BISHOP OF TOURS. “ Nai, certes,” quatli fis holie man : “faunas ich neuere. lo^.sosiker IT Ore louerdes liel p was euere nei^h : f e manne fat was in care : So muche is far-to min hope : fat i-ne rechche hou ich fare.” 68 Of Ihesu crist he tolde so : with heom fat him nome, ))at huy fill sone let in him go : and cristine for him bi-come. Ase fis guode Mail eode forth al one : fe deuel a^ein him cam ; In faire manere he axede him : 3 Wodere fene wei he nam. 72 })is guode Man seide, 11 ichulle go : ase mi louerd wole lede me.” “ ^wodere fou go,” fe ojnir seide : “ fe deuel wole a 3 ein f j heo.” H “ 3q” seide fis guode Man : “ fou most wel al-so ; For 3 wane ore louerd is min help : i-ne rechche 3 wat ofure do.” 76 jois guode Man eode a-mong is freond : is moder cristine he made ; his fader nolde cristine be : for al fat huy him bede. — Seint Martin fond a 3 ong man ded : fat swife wel with him was, ]}at bi-lefde on ore louerd for him : ake i-cristned nou 3 t he nas. 80 IT Gret deol made f is holie man : fat he nadde ibe i-cristned er : To is burieles he eode, and bad for him : and weop wel mani a ter. j)a dede Man bi-gan a-non : fram defe arise to liue ; 83 “ Martin,” he seide, “ i-hered beo fou : and ore louerdes woundes flue ! Mi soule was to lielle i-lad : ase alle beoth of oure kuynde, Ake tweye Aungles foru 3 godes grace : hadden me in muynde And seiden ore louerd fat ich hadde : ouwer desciple i-beo ; ))are-fore ore louerd me dude a-rise : for fe honour of fe 88 And dude mi soule to mi bodi : for fi loue hider bringue. Cristine-dom par charite : ich esche bi-fore alle fingue.” H Gret Ioye hadde f is holie Man : of fis swete cas ; he nolde departi fram him noi^ht : are he i-cristned was. — 92 jpat folk nam sethfe seint Martin : for he was so guod, And maden him biscliop of turoyne : muche a- 3 ein is mod. To mile with-oute fe cite : an Abbeye he liet a-rere ; Four-score Monekes of guode liue : him-sulf he dude fere. 96 with heom he wonede al in pays : ase he heore soueren were ; he ne wende no^ht out bote 3 wane it neod was : fat folk for-to lere. — • IT So holi lif seint Martin ladde : fat he hadde to is heste 1 a v. om. Fuyr., and treo., and fe kuynde of worm : of foules and of beste. 1 A strong wind blev 3 a fuyr : fat to seint Martines house it wende, G g 2 452 ST. MARTIN HAS POWER OVER FIRE. OVER TREES, AND VENOMOUS WORMS, BIRDS (DOVE-DAPPERS), AND BEASTS (DOGS). And are J)is guode man it onder-^ete : i-barnd was J>at on ende. Seint Martyn hiet a-godes name : fat fuyr a-^ein wiende : For is heste J>at fuyr flev} : a-non a-^ein fe wynde 104 To fe stude fare it cam fram : and ne bi-lefde no-wi^ht bi-hinde, And dude a-^ein f e kuynde of fuyre : a^ein f e wynde to fie. [foi. 186 b.] bare was i-sene fat fuyr ne mi^bte : a-jein is heste be. — H To is heste he hadde, ase ich seide er : fe kuynde of fe tre, 108 Ase ^e mouwen bi a fair miracle : of him noufe i-seo. On a dai ase he stod under a treo : to prechi godes la we, f)e lufere men fat fare-bi stoden : fou^liten him bringue of dawe : buy gunne sawie fat treo a-to : to- ward fis holie Manne, 112 JOat it scholde ouer-falle him — : for fare nadde he freond nanne. ))oru 3 noyse of fe crake 3 ingue : fe guode man i-heorde bat f ut treo fel touward him. : a-^ein wel sone he it cherde ; IT he het fat treo a-godes name : opward a-^ein tuyrne. 116 bat treo a-ros up-ri^ht i-nou^h : for it nolde is heste werne, And ouer-ful 1 in fat ofur side : [m]anie 2 of is fon. * 5s2!E w,# huy fat leoueden, lieten heom sone : cristni euerech-on. — 119 be worm dude is heste al-so. : for ase he cam bi a ivateres brim me, A lodlich Naddre he i-sai^h : stifliche a^ein him come swymtne. “ Ich hote fe,” seide fis holie Man : “ fat fov a^einward wende, A[n]t fat fou neuereft here ne come : ne nou^were in fis ende.” bis worm turnede a^en a-non : ase fis holie Man him het, 124 And swam in-to an ofur lond : and fulke confrere fur-let. — U Foules duden is heste al-so. : for on a time ase he gan gon, he sai^li douedoppene fisches cachche : and swolewen heom in a-non. “ Alas ! ” seide fis guode man : “fis is fe feondes manere : 128 Gultlese 1 fingus and vnwarre : to cachchen, ase huy doth here, And f ing fat non harm ne doth : bote wenth in pay[s] to beo ; So farez fe deuel, a-waytez euere : for-to he is pre^e i-seo.” lie het fe foules a-godes name : ech-one fannes teo 1 ms. guitiesse 132 And fat huy scholden in-to wildernesse : out of fat watere fleo, bat huy neueref[t] fare ne comen : gultlese fingues to take. bis foules a-non with fis word : awei huy gonne schake. — II bestes duden al-so is heste. : for ase he wende a-boute, 136 Aftur ane hare he sai^h vrne : grehoundes a gret route ; ST. MARTIN MAKES GREYHOUNDS STOP HUNTING A HARE, AND 453 SENDS THE DEVIL OUT OF A MAD COW. HE IS THE APOSTLES* PEER. “ Alas,” lie seide, pis seli best : fat no-fing ne doth a-mis ! pis foule houndes it vvollez to-drawe : guides ase it is.” he bet fe grehoundes a-bide a-non : a'id ne do fat best no wo; 140 buy at-stunten a-non, and eoden a-^ein : and lieten fat best forth go . 1 U On atyme kene boundes comen : a-boute one of is manne ; ^: e 2 VVi be ne mi^lite him wite, so kene huy were : ne help nadde be nanne : “ Icb bote eov,” be seide, “ a-godes name : and on seint Martines al-so, 144 pat 3 e me laten a-pais wende : Min erinde for-to do.” pe houndes a-non with fat word : bi-gonne to stonde stille, And wenden euerecb in is wey : to do seint Martines wille. H A kov al-so fat was gidi : a-boute orn in fe londe, 148 pat fale men slov, and bestes al-so : ^ware heo fond anie stonde ; hire ne mi^bte no-fiag atstonde a^ein : so strong fat foule fing was. A-^ein seint Martin heo cam eorne : ase ore louerd 3 af fat cas ; [foi. i87] Sore weren is Men a-dradde. : f is guode Man hire bet a-non 152 A-godes name stonde stille : and [njane 1 fot forfere gon. 1 ms. ane pat best, fei it gidi were : a-non it gan a-bide. Seint Martin fene deuel i-sai 3 : opon hire rugge ride. 155 IT “pov lufere fing, 3 wat dostfov fer % : for euere fou dost to quede. 3 wy trauailest fou fat selie best : fat ne loueth no misdede 1 ? A-corsede fing, fou wend a-wei : ne cum nei^h hire non-more ! ” pe deuel wende a-wei a-non : 3 eollinde suyfe sore — he moste nede is lieste do : ase wel ase fe kov. 160 po heo of him deliured was : ase 3 e i-hereth hov, Mildelicbe lieo eode to seint Martyn : to is fet heo feol a-kneo a-non, And scbok hire lieued, to fonki him : he nolde fram him gon. U Seint Martin hire bet a-risen up : and to ire felawes wende. 164 heo lottede on him and eode forth : horn to ire owene ende. — Seint Martin was apostlene pier : for fe holie gost a-l^lite In him ase in fe Apostles : in fourme of fuyr wel br^lite. A dai ase fis guode Man sat : allone in is celle, 168 his priue Men a-biden him f are-oute : and heorden him loude telle ; Al-so ase fei it wumrnen were : huy heorden with him speke. pare-of hem fou 3 hte wonder gret : ne dorsten huy nou 3 t in breke. IT Sethfe fo fe guode man cam out : huy fullen a-doun a-kneo, 172 454 ST. MARTIN CURES A LEPER; IS HONOURED BY HORSES; SLEETS SAFE IN A BURNING HOUSE ; GIVES A POOR MAN HIS KIRTLE. And axeden ^wat po speche were : J>at with him hadde i-beo. pe guode man seide, “ ich may eon telle : for $e me beoz priue : It was ore lauedi and seint Anneis : J?at Jjare-inne weren with me, Of pG loye of heonene huy speken : and ofte buy doth so. 176 Seint petre and seint povvel : to me comiez ofte al-so.” — Seint Martin at paray 1 : mette ane Musel bi cas. 1 pj** left vacant, paray f J on the margin \ al. pans lie custe him, and anon aftur-ward : pG Musel al liol was. — • U Men ne sei^e him neuere wroth : ne l^e no-j?e-mo, 1 80 And ^wat-so-euere is Men duden : he wolde euere bi on go. In wel pouere wede a day : he rod out on ane Asse ; hei^e Men he mette bi pG weie : pat tolden of him pG lasse. heore hors weren of him a-drad le : for is pouere clones, 184 And omen a-bach, and felden hem a-doun. : huy weren with him fill wroJ?e, huy sturten up and nomen pis holie Man : and beoten him ful sore. Euere he was stille and ne spak no word : for pi huy beoten him p& more. U ])o huy him hadden so i-bete : huybi-lefden [him] atjjen ende 188 ligginde Jiare, and worsen on heore hors : forth heore wei to wer.de. Ake heore hors nolden gon of pG stude : for al J»at huy don 1 mitten, 3 uyt huy 2 smiten with ^eorde and with spore : are pat huy a-li^hten And criden merci pis guode Man : pat huy him hadden mis-do. 192 heore hors hem here forth a-non : po huy token on so. — \ ul om- And in an hous pe 3 wile it barnde : he slep wit-oute harm ; 194 his clones fur-barnden al-to cole : he ne fielde it no-Jhng warm. — IT At a gret feste, ase he scholde : pe he^e masse singue, [foi. 187 b.] To churche he wende with is men : men gunne a^ein him ringue. Ane pouere Man he mette nake : pat no schroud him nadde a-boue, And bad him sum-Jiing to helien him with : for ore louerdes loue. Seint Martyn bad is Ercedekne : pat he him 3 eue sum cloth. 200 pe Ercedekne tolde Jiarof luyte : and nolde, he swor is Oth. Seint Martin bote anne Cuyrtel : on him-sulf po nadde : To pG pouere Manne he bine 3 af : in an hous pare he him ladde. U he ne bi-lefde on him no cloth of wolle : bote is Cope al-one. 204 pe masse ne m^lite he bi-guynne nou 3 ht : J?at folk made J?ar-of mone. “3 w y neltjjou,” seide pe Ercedekne : “ June masse bi-guynne V* RT. MARTIN SHAMES HIS ARCHDEACON BY AN ANGEL’S HELP. 455 THE DEVIL, RICHLY CLAD, TRIES TO TEMPT HIM. “ For pou most er ane pouere Manne : sum cloth to him i-winne.” “Nov is pis 1 ,” seide pe Ercedekne : “gret a-nuy with pe, 208 For j-ne seo no pouere Man : noi^were a-boute pe be.” “ No,” seide J?is holie man : “ it nele faillie pe nou 3 ht, A1 redi pou findest a pouere Man : habbe pou pat cloth i-b r ou 3 th.” U pe Ercedekne in grete wrath pe : eode into chepingue, 212 A lodlich cloth he hou 3 hte for fif panes : to pe biscliope he gan it hringue. pe bischop eode into pe vestiarie : is Cope he gan of strepe. 21 4 he nadde under is vestimenz : to habbe on bote Pis 1 Iuype, 1 orig. is Vnnepe it heolede is derne limes : and nou 3 ht folliche is elbouwes ; For is bare Armes atpe masse : pis guode man hadde gret houwe — For pe uestimenz wide weren : and is Armes smale and lene ; 218 laste is Armes nakede weren i-se^e : he ne dorste liebbe op is bond ene. IT Ake J>o he nedlingus at pe sacrement : is liondene hebbe up scholde, 1 Harl. 3 vv. more. 220 An Aungel schrudde is nakede armes : with tweie sleuene of golde. 1 pe ercedekne cride and bi-hiet : pat neuere-eft mis-don him he nolde. — pe deuel hadde to pis holie man : gret onde with-alle. he cam in a time him to bi-traye : in riche clopus of palle, 224 with hosen and schon of br^te golde : swype fair he was of face. “ Martin,” he seide, “ wel pe beo : i-fouude pou hast mine grace : Ich am pilke pat pou seruest wel : ichulle me scliewi to pe ; J)ov most sone chaungi pi lif : and bi-time come to me.” 228 II p)is guode Man sat in gret poi^ht : no word he ne sede. “Martyn,” he seide, “ich am pi freond : 3 war-of hastpou drede, 3 wane pin owene god spekez with pe : here mouth with moupel Euere pou hast of guode bi-leue i-beo : ne lat it nou 3 t faili pe noupe ! For ich blessi alle pat on me bi-leuez : pei huy me nou 3 ht ne seo, And er pis pei pov ne se^e me no^ht : in pulke blessingue pou woldest be.” 234 U “ I nuste neuere,” quath pis guode man : “pat mi louerd euere' sede J)at he wolde on vrpe come : in swuche riche kingene wede ; 236 456 ST. MARTIN REPELS THE DEVIL, DIES, AND IS BORNE TO HEAVEN. ST. LEONARD IS A GREAT MASTER WITH THE KING OF FRANCE. And bote ich mouwe of mine louerdes woundes : on f e signe i-se Of ur of is croyz, inelle i-lene : fat foil mi louerd be.” ])q foule f mg wende a-wey : and was adrad of ane boule ai. 2 w. more. ])e stude fare-Aftur swife longue : stonk of him ri 3 lit foule. 1 — 240 jpis guode Man seide his ende-day : him was swyfe wel come. 2 his desciples weopen sore : and gret deol to heom nome. c 1 foi. iss] “ Leoue fader,” huy seiden, “ 3 wat schulle we do : fat fov us wolt for-sake ? 2 al. wel longe er liit come Ys fader-les with-oute confort : 3 wam woltfu bi-take 1 ? 244 Nov wollez wilde wolues come : and alle fine schep a-spille.” “Ich mot nede,” seide fis guode man : “don mine louerdes wille.” Of Askene and of is here he made 1 : a bed at is ende-day, margin. ° n the And faron feble a 3 en is defe : opr^ht adoun him-sulue he lay ; 248 And toward lieouene lokede ay : so longue fat it nas non ende. his Men fo^hten it dude him harm : and wolden him helpe to wende. IT “ A-bideth,” seiJe fis liolie man : “ 3 wy wolle 3 e don so? latez me ane 3 wyle bi-holde fe stude : fat mi soule schal to ! ” 252 ]) 0 i-sai 3 h he f ene deuel aftur is soule : stonde fare with is feren. “ A-wey,” he seide, “fou lufere best : fou nast nou 3 t to don here ! with me nastfou nou 3 t to done : for mi louerd me wole onder- fongue ; In is name to him ich wende : fat bou 3 hte me sivife strongue.” 256 H With f usse worde he 3 af fene gost — : Aungles i-redie were, f)at folk heorde heore murie song : ase huy f e soule bere. Four liondret 3 er it was : and in fe sixe-and-sixtife 3 ere Aftur ore louerdes buyrtyme : fat fis guode Man deide fere. 260 Four-score winter he was old : are he was ded al-so. God 3 iue us part of fulke ioye : fat is soule wende to. 65 [Leonard conf.] S Eint leonard fe confessour : a-londe eode her Aftur ore louerdes buyrtyme : a-boute fif hundred 3 er. his freond and is cunnes-men : f e gretteste maystres were In fe kyngus house of Fraunce : grettore none fare nere ; 4 And seint leonard al-so was : a gret maister with fe king ; ST. LEONARD FREES PRISONERS, REFUSES A BISHOPRIC, PREACHES 457 IN ORLEANS AND AQUITAINE, AND HELPS A FRENCH QUEEN. Of fat lie him bidde wolde : lie wernde him no-fing. 6 he grauntede him alle J?e prisones : fat he fore bidde wolde, Aftur is bone ope al is lond : fat men him 1 deliueri scholde. 1 ai. hem IT j)k holie man wende a-boute faste : prisones forte glade ; And 3 wane he fond ani of luyte gult : deliuered sone he made. 10 For-f i Men him cleopeden “ prisones louerd ” : and ^uyt men doth al-so, For non ofur hale we for prisones : so fair miracle nath i-do. — ])e king of Fraunce him bi-sou^hte : ^eorne ope al is mi^hte j ) at he scholde with him beo : bi dayes and bi ny 3 hte, 14 For-te fare fulle ani bischopriche : J>at he him m^hte bi-take. Seint leonard nolde it graunti nou 3 ht : ake outr^lit it gan for-sake, And wende forth ajein is wille : and bad him habbe guod day. Formest he wende to Orlians : to prechie godes lay. 18 U Longue he prechede f are-a-boute : fat folk for-to lere ; And sethfe he wende to Aquitayne : for-to prechie fere. 20 Eclie daye he wolde at toune beo : to preclii godes la we, And eche n^hte he wende to J?e wode : 3 wane it to eue gan drawe, In is oresones to beon al one — : ac so sone so it was day, In-to fe contreye he wolde a-boute : and prechi godes lay. — [foi. iss b.] 24 IT J)e king hadde in Jmlke wode : a tour of grete bolde, J^at he nn^hte soiourni fer : 3 wane he euere wolde. f)e Quene was with childe grete : Jmdere men gonne hire bringue, 3 if heo fe betere m^hte for solas : ouer-come hire childingue. 28 ])o he was in trauail : heo ne m^lite ouer-come it noi^ht ; So sore heo pinede fat heo was : wel ne^h to defe i-broi^ht. f ])e king, and alle his, gret deol maden : fat crie men heorde hem wide ; And fo seint leonard herde far-of : he gan heorkni and a-bide. 32 ])o he i-heorde fat it was of men : Jmdere he gan wende, 3 if god wolde ani a-mendement : foi ’113 is bone hire 1 sende. 1 ai. om. 34 To fe king he wende a-non : and axede 3 wat him were. “ beo glad,” he seide, “ for of fi Quene : ne haue fou none fere ! ” e his brepren he cleopede alle to him : and wel mildeliche hem custe, And wende to pe Ioye of heouene : po god aftur him sende. 89 Gret deol alle is brepren maden : po he pannes wende. )if ore louerd fair Miracle dude : on eorpe bi is liue, Aftur pat he was heonne i-wend : he dude swuche hue. 92 IT For miracle pat pare was : muche folk pudere gan falle, )?at pe place ne mi^hte nought : bi manie holden alle. H j2at folk cride on ore louerd 3 eorne : pre daises and pre n^ht, ])dt he scholde, }if is wille were : par-of don ins^ht. 96 huy i-se^en po pe contreie al-a-boute : i-heoled al mid snowe, And a place a-midde fair and grene : Men m^hten paron mowe. \)o is nen huy pat ore louerd wolde : pat J?is guode man lei;® pere : huy lieten him here pudere a-non : and a wel fair churche a-rere; 100 Jjat al pe folk pat pudere cam : ne mi^lite fulle pe place ])at ore louerd him hadde i-chose : poru 3 is swete grace. — *1 j)e scherreue of leouns : feteres made «trongu[e] And in pe hexte tour of pe castel : pare he liet heom 1 hongue, 104 So hei^e, pat ech man heom m^lite i-seo : jut bi pe wey^e scholde wiende, 1 MS. heom heom And euerecli man pat par-on were : pe more him for-to schende ; J)at Men pat schuuych torment ise^en : pe more scholden drede, Laste huy weren paron i-brou^ht : to don ani mis-dede. 108 460 ST. LEONARD PROVES HIS POWER OF HELPING PRISONERS BY FREEING ONE, AND BREAKING THROUGH ALL OBSTACLES FOR ANOTHER. So pat he 11 am ane trewe Man : for a luyte lesingue And dude him binde swipe faste : and in pulke feoteres bringue. With pine and sorewe Jus seli man was : almest i-brou^t to depe ; To seint leonard he cride ^eorne : ase he mi^hte spoke onnepe. 112 IT Seint leonard cam a nkjht to him : in swipe ^wite wede : “ For pou hast to me 3 eorne i-bede : here icli am,” he seide ; [foi. i89b.] “ Jpine strongue feteres bring with pe : ne haue pou none drede, And a-ris up sone a[nd] cum forth with me : for henne ichulle pe lede.” 1 1 vv. 115 & 116 al. transposed. 116 IT Op a-ros Jus selie man : with wel glade chere ; his feteres borsten sone a-two : for buy bi-comen ful sere, And seint leonard ladde him forth : ase he is felawe were, To pe churche pat he inne lay : and hanguede is feteres pere. 120 Euere ase liuy hi pe weye eoden : pis liolie man with him tolde, Ase pey he hadde is felawe i-beo : bi pe hond he gan him holde. \)e schirreue cam an opur day : and is feteres soi^hte : 1 ai. 2 w. more, he sai^h pat he tolde luyte of him : pat heom pudere broi^hte. 1 — 124 IT A lu pur Man in gret power : in an opur stude was also, Ane gultelese Man he hadde i-nonie : and in strong prisone ido. he heorde telle of seint leonard : pat pe prisones help was, And pou^hte fram him is prisun wite : with som quoynte cas : 128 he liet maken of lim and ston : a wonderliche deop put, And wit strongue dores of Ire and stiel : swype faste he was i-dut ; On-ouew r arde pe fallinde dore : po pe guode Man was par-inne, A strong 3 wuchclie of Ire he liet maken : with wel quoynte ginne : J)are-inne he dude stale worpe Men : pane prison for-to wite, 133 }2at seint leonard ne scholde ne^h him come : bote he were under- 3ite. pe selie Man pat bi-neope was : in so strong warde i-brou 3 t, Criede 3 eorne on seint leonard : pat he ne fur^ete him noi^lit. 136 IT A ny 3 lit cam pis holie man : And pe 3 wuehche he fond pere : Sone he 3\veluede hire op pe doun : and heom pat pare-iime were, And sethpe he brae pe Irene dore : and ase a maister he wende a-doun, with swype gret ly 3 ht of heouene : and spac with p it prisoun : 140 “ Slepestpou ] ” he seide, “ ich am i-come : pat pou hast i-cleopud so, ST. LEONARD FREES MORE PRISONERS, IN GERMANY AND 4G1 BRITTANY, AND PUNISHES THEIR OPPRESSORS. Godes desciple leonard. : 3 wat woltf ou habbe i-do h ” “ louerd,” seide f is selie man : “ al-so wis ich bidde fe Ase ich am gultles here i-do : fat fou helpe me.” 144 A-non-ri^ht fis holie Man : fe Gyues he to-brac, And bi-tweone is Armes he bar him forth : no man a-^ein him ne spac, And so horn to is owene hous : bi-twene is Armes him bar, he bad him beon a guod man : and sette him a-doun far. 1 ! 8 U J)is Inhere men wit alle hore ginnes : fiebleliche habbnth a-guonne, huy mi^hten liangen up heore Ax : and leuen weork 1 : for luyte huy fare wonne ! — 1 a. i. w. ai. om. U A Infer man in Alemaygne : an onkouth pilegrim nam 151 And brou 3 hte him into strong prisoun : and 3 af him swife hard dom, joat bote his freond him wolden out bugge : he scholde bi-leue fere. )pis selie Man nadde no freond : and Maude wel reulich chere, he bad for seint leonardes loue : fat he merci of him hadde ; And he nolde him ojmr merci do : bote into fiat strong prisone him ladde. 156 H To fie louerd of fat Castel : seint leonard a-n^ht cam And [hiet] him late gon is seriaunt : fat he with vnr^hte nam. An ofur n^ht eft-sone he cam : and fe fridde n^ht also, [foi. wo] And hiet him deliuri his seriaunt. : ake neuere he nolde it do. 160 H Seint leonard ladde f is selie man : fram f e prisone a-mong heom alle ; j)e hei 3 e tour of fat Castel a-non aftur him : a-doun gan falle And a-slov al fat folk fat fare was : bote f ene louerd one ; Ake bofe is leggues breken a-two : with fallingue of ane stone, 164 )}at neuereft ne mi 3 lite he beon hoi : nofur of flechs ne of bone ; Croked he was al is lif : he nuste to 3 wam mene is mone. — H Also in Brutayne was a kny 3 ht : fat in strong prisone was i-brou 3 ht ; To seint leonard he cride faste : fat he ofte hadde i-sou 3 ht. 168 Streite wardeines ouer him fare weren : bofe ny 3 ht and day, f)are he with strongue feteres : in prisone i-bounde lay. Seint leonard a-mong alle fe wardeins : in-to fe prisone cam Ase a maister forii 3 heom alle : fisne selie kny^ht he nam, 172 his bi endes he brae formest a-two : and ladde him bi fe hond A-mong alle is wardeins : horn in-to is owene lond ; H his feoteres he tok him in is hond : fat he forth with him bar 462 MARY MAGDALENE WAS BORN IN THE CASTLE OF MAG DALE ; LAZARUS WAS HER BROTHER, AND MARTHA HER SISTER. To seint leonardes Chapele : and a-mong opure hieng heom par. 176 \)o ne dorste non of pe wardeines : a word speke with moupe. Swuch a man may wel mayster hote : pat so heom a-gaste coupe ! J?e Miracles pat he for prisones dude : ne may no man telle. Nov god for pe hone of seint leonard : us schilde fram pe pine of helle. 180 66 [Magdalena. 1 ] S le^e Men and egleche : and of redes wise and bolde, Lustniez noupe to mi speche : wise and vnwise, ^ongue and olde : No-ping ich eov nelle rede ne teche : of none wichche ne of none scolde, Bote of a lif pat may beo lech e : to sunfule men of herte colde. 4 U Ich nelle eov noper rede ne rime : of kyng ne of- Eorl , 1 of kny^ht ne of SWein, 1 al. Telle nelle i c of no man : 2 a i . also i c can Ake of a womman ichcliulle ov telle 2 : pat was sunful and for-lein : A swype fol wumman heo bi-cam : and poru 3 godes grace lieo was i-brou^ht a^eyn, 1 al. h. name 2 al. oin. 2 al. lusten & dwelle And noupe heo is to crist i-come : pe fayre Marie Maudeleyn. 8 Of hire 1 ichulle 3 eou telle noupe 2 : al-hou and 3 ware heo was i-bore, 3 if 3 e to me wullez i-heore 3 : and habben of god ponk pare-fore. H ])is word Marie so is bri 3 h[t]nesse : and bi-toknepe 1 steorre of pe se, And soruwe also and biturnesse : ase pe bok tellez me ; 1 ms. bitokne \>e For 3 wane a man fielez in is heorte : pat he hauez muche mis-do, 13 And him pare-fore biguy nnez to smeorte : pat is to him 1 bitur and wo, he mournez and he sikez ofte — : pis ilke Marie fierde al-so, ^ an is J)at ping pat was hire leof and softe : was sethpe hire fulle fo. 16 U In pe Castel of Magdale : pis faire wumman was i-bore : heo was icleoped in propre name : “ pe Maudeleyne ” r^lit pare-fore. To speken of hire ich am wel fous : and it likez me ful murie. Ire fader was hoten sire Titus : and hire moder Dame Euchirie ; 20 hire bropur was cleoped lazarus : and Martha was hire soster — heo was debonere and pitiuous : and heo was a seli foster. 1 This legend has been edited before in my “ Sammlung altenglischer Legenden,” Heilbronn, 1878; two other MSS. of the same text, Trin. Coll. Cambr. K 3, 25 and Lambeth 223, in Herrig’s Archiv, 1882. It is a very old poem, in stanzas with mid- rhymes, originally in the East-Midland dialect, perhaps by the author of Gregorius ; the text is greatly corrupted. — All other MSS. contain a different text. mary Magdalene's parents go to their long home, their 463 PROPERTY IS DIVIDED AMONG THEIR 3 CHILDREN. heore fader and heore moder bofe 1 : comen of riche kunne, 1 r. bo 23 Of bolde kyngws and of Quienes 2 : Men of muchele wunne : 2 sup. also U Of castles and of tounes 1 : of londes and of geodes, 1 r.toures [foi. 190 b.] Of halles and of boures : of palefre^es and of stedes ; large buy weren of heore metes : to heom J>at hadden neode, To men goinde and eke sittinde 1 : fat heore bonene wolden heom beode. 1 al. ysete 28 Wyse men and sley 3 e : oueral huy weren i-tolde. ])o fat huy scholden dei^e : and so huy weren i-holde : IT Heore londes and heore leodes : huy delden alle a-freo, Tounes and heore geodes : heore guod 1 and heore feo, 1 r. gold 32 To feoffen heore children 1 : fare-wiz echon, 1 a?. Here ch. to dyjte 2 fy3te For hoy ne scholden nou^t striue 2 : 3 wane huy heom weren at-gon. wel sone fere-aftur : fo huy nede scholde, Deiden fader and Moder : ase iesu crist it wolde; 36 U Bi heom Men duden sone : ase huy ou 3 ten to done, And to heore longue home : brou 3 ten heom ful sone — Iesu crist of heouene : of heom habbe merci And for is names seouene : fram helle heom waraunti ! 40 huy di 3 liten heore londes : a-mong heom, alle freo, And with heore hondene delden : heore gold and heore feo : To Marie bi-lefde 1 : be castel Magdale, jatganfeiie H )?are-fore Maudeleyne 2 : formest i-cleoped was heo ; 3 3 ™’.tn one line. Lazarus hadde ]?at haluen-del 4 : of al Ierusalem, * ai. chaumpart Of wodes and fieldes and of sart : al-mest to bedle h em ; Martha was i-feoffed : with fe 1 Betanie 1 a i. om. And al-so with genezarez : bote fe bok us lie. 48 U Marie, heo ne tolde nou 3 t : bote al of hire pruyde, Ake far-on was al hire fo^ht : and faire hire to schruyde, 50 And sethfe for-to walke a-boute 1 : to don hire flechses wille, 1 ai. om. To gon and eorne feor and neor 1 : boje loude and stille ; 1 ai. & to staike For-so]?e, heo was riche i-noi^li 1 : and so heo moste nede : 1 ai. sekiriy Manie riche Men hire le^en bi : and 3 euen hire gret mede. IT Lazarus spendede al is bought : op-on his chiualerie, ! Ac at 0 word 1 1 ' r ’ he tolde iu>3t: of Of'ojjur ])ingus ne tok he no 3 eme : ne to 1 housebondrie. 56 ))e selie Martha, fat ofur suster : heo was of redes guode, 464 MARY MAGDALENE IS SO SINFUL THAT SHE GETS A BAD NAME. SHE REPENTS, AND GOES TO MEET CHRIST WITH AN OINTMENT. Ase f ei heo and hire soster : neren nou^t of one blode : If Martha nam hire brofur lond : and hire sustres al-so, And dude heom teojjen wel i-nou^ : ase wys man scholde do ; 60 J?are-with heo fedde alle heore men : and clofede heom al-so, [&] pouere men and wummen : J?at weren neodfole and in wo. If So fair womman nas fare non : in none kunnes londe, Ase marie was of bodie 1 : and of fote and honde ; 1 aMycam 64 So more fairore fat heo bi-cam 1 : f e more of hire was prys, 2 was hir fie more fol womman heo wax : and sunful and unwys : 2 ms. pryis H Hire ri^lite name marie : ouer-al heo les fare-fore, Sunfole wumman men cleopeden hire 1 : bi-hinde hire and bi-fore. 68 fio fis wumman hadde i-heord : fat hire name was ilore, hire fi at heo was so hi-gyled and hicherd : wo was hire fare-fore ; fio Men hire cleopeden sunfule : and li e ten hire ri^hte name, [fol. 191] heo wax kareful and dreori of fought 1 : and gan sore to schame : 72 fio nolde heo no-more : bi-fore f e riche men come ; 1 ai. drery & carful Tn-to hire castel for sorewe 1 : heo hauez hire i-nome, J a?, sore For-to ore louerd cam and prechede : ouer-al in fat londe. Martha hire suster ofte bi-fore op-braid 1 : hire schame and hire schonde, And chidde hire ful ofte : for hire lecherie, 1 r. apechede? 77 bofe fastinde and eke ful : fat vnnefe he m^hte it drie. If A man of fat contreye : fat hei^hte symond leperous, Al-so fe bok us tellez : bad ore louerd to is hous, 80 And is deciples tweolue : with him, to f e mete, For he ne mi^hte no^ht him-sulf : fram heom alle ete. If Marie f is i-lieorde : and f arof was ful glad ; A smeorieles to greif i : far-to he was ful rad ; 84 heo wende to symundes hous : fat no man hire ne bad, To ore louerd Iesu crist. 1 : and ful sore heo was of-drad, 1 ai. crist iesus Tf For fat he was so sunful : bi-fore ore louerd to come, Careful heo was, and sore a-ferd : forto beon i-nome ; 88 heo ne dorste ore louerd repie nought 1 : bi-hinde ne bi-fore, 1 ai. om. He no Man hire nolde cleopie : and fat hire grefde sore. If ])o ore louerd was i-sete : in symundes house fere, And his Apostles to fe mete : fat with him fo were, 92 Ore louerd sat and f ou^hte muclie : ake bote luyte he ne eet. 1 1 orig. eat MARY MAGDALENE KISSES CHRIST’S FEET, WASHES AND WIPES 4G5 THEM. HE REPROVES JUDAS AND SIMON THE LEPER FOR OBJECTING. Marie pat was so sunful 1 : heo crep doun to is fiet, 1 az.jjatofbirseifnerojt U heo custe is fiet and wusch al-so : with hire wete teres, And wipede heom aftur-ward : with hire 3 eoluwe lieres, 96 Out of hire boxe heo nam : Oynement ful guod And smeorede ore louerdes heued : with ful blisful mod. H Iudas was pare bi-side and smulde hit : and pare-fore he was ne^h wod, — J2at swote sniul him culde ne^h : and gremede is sorie blod, — 100 And 1 bad don up pat riche ping : pat heo ore louerd gan with smeore ; To spene it so in wasting : he seide, it was gret lure ; 1 ai. he And seide, “ it mai beon i-sold ful deore : to bugge with muchel mete, pouere Men pare-with to freueri : of drunch and of mete.” 1 104 U ])o saide ore louerd to Iudas : “lat pou J>is wumman beo ! Ful guod weork it was and is : ]?at heo wurchez in me ; 1 drinifeTffto ete For ai schulle ^e pouere with eov habbe : and so ne worth eov me — ])i toungue moste bien i-schaue : to speche heo is to freo.” 108 H Symund leprous i-heorde pis : he po^hte wel mani-fold ]?at, 3 if pes profete were al-so wvs : ase he is fore i-told, he nolde soffri pis foie wumman : his bodi enes to reppe, 111 For no weork pat heo can do 1 : to-ward him enes steppe. 1 a?, do can 11 Ore louerd wuste is Inhere Jjqu^ht : ake parof stod him no?i ey^e : “ Symund, pou penchest muche for nought. : sum-ping ichulle pe se^e.” “Maister, seye,” seide symound : “ich it bidde pe ! For pou noldest for no ping 1 : segge on-r^ht to me.” [foi. mb.] 116 H “An vsurer w T as 3 wilene : pat hadde dettores tweyne, 1 ai. c pound J)at swype longue 3 wyle : dette him sch olden bey n e : p>at on him scholde fifti panes : and twenti par-to, 1 1 ai. fyf si>e twenii p)at opur him scholde of dette : fifti panewes al-so. 1 1 ai. panes : fuiie fifty U And nopur of heom nadde : 3 ware-of pe dette for- to 3 elde : 121 huy 3 olden, po he it creuede 1 : ase pe bok us telde. \ t “eMss°Tecormpt) : 3wepur of heom tweine : cudde him more loue po 1 ” “ Maister, he pat 1 more 3 af 2 : me pinche, so mote i go.” iaz.>athe 124 U “For sope, symund leperous : pou liauest i-demed a-riaht. 2 forjaf For sethpe ich cam into pin lious : pou ne custest me no-w^ht, He pou ne wusclie noi^t mine fiet : with watur ne with teres g ^fed ilieV He pou ne wypedest heom nou 3 ht piyt : with elope no with lieres, 1 128 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. H II 4G6 CHRIST FORGIVES MARY MAGDALENE, AND DRIVES 7 DEVILS OUT OF HER. HE CURES HER SISTER MARTHA. MARY CONVERTS FOLK. U Min heued on none halue : with no-manere Oynement dSTe smeordest 1 , with none salue : ne with no piement; 1 ^eordest dest Sethpe ich cam in-to pin hous : pis wumman 1 nolde blinne 1 ms. wumnan Mine fiet to wasche and cusse : with-outen and with-inne, 132 H And to wipen heom sethpe aftur-ward : with hire faire here, Min heued also to smeorien : with riche Oynement and dere. Op aris, pou wumman, pine sunnes pe beoth for-3yue ! 1 r. may and can Al-so ich noupe can and may 1 : of me pou art i-scliriue.” 136 U Marie pe Maudeleyne 1 : ore swete louerd hire schrof, 1 hf'fere ^ was Swete Iesu crist out of hire : seue deuelene he 1 drof. 1 ms. heo Ore louerd makede hire is procuratour : his leof and is hostesse ; heo louede him with gret honour : in pays and in destresse. 140 II Martha, hire suster, was ful sik : and so heo hadde i-beo ful 301’e, At hire bi-hinde heo hadde i-hled : seuen 3er and more; heo ne rnijhte for no-ping : no leche-craft 1 a-fongue, 1 craft on the margin. Are ore louerd, heouene king : a-mong heom pare gan 3ongue, 144 And 3af hire is swete blessingue : and helde hire of hire sore And had hire beon hoi and sound. : and so heo was euer-eft more. U Heore beire bropur lazarus : was swype sikel a 1 man. 1 overlined. Iesus hereborewede at heore hous : 3wane he bi heom cam, 1 48 And his Apostles alle : 3 wane buy pare-forth come, 1 “em^bytune 1 * 6 to heore In huy gonne cleop'e : an 1 ase heore owene it nome ; U A1 swuch ase pare-inne was : huy eten and huy drounke — Men habbez ofte note of ping : pat luytel it habbut swounke. 152 j ) o Iesus hadde pare i-beo : ase longue ase he wolde, he wente to an opur contreye : for men i-seon him scliolde ; 154 U Marie he 3af is blessingue : and Martha and lazarus, Muchele a n d luttle, elde and 3ongue : pat woneden in heore hous. Aftur pat he was i-wend : Marie was 1 egleche : 1 ai. wax Crist hire hauede a-boute i-sent : to sarmoni and to preche : 158 U To sunfole men he was ful rad : to wissi and to teche, 1 1 ms. tociie And to sike men heo wa[s] ful glad : to beon heore soule leche; 160 Mani on to cristinedom : heo broi^hte, and out of sunne, [foi. 192 ] Fram lecherie and hore-dom : poru 1 schrift, to Ioye and alle wunne. — H Aftur ore louerdes passione : in pe prittenpe 3ere 1 to Giwes weren proute and grimme : olme and of lupere chere, 164 MARY MAGDALENE AND OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE DRIVEN OUT OF 467 JUDEA, AND PUT, FOODLESS, IN A SHIP. THEY LAND AT MARSEILLES. Seint steuene to depe huy stenden : pat was ore lonerd ful deore, And manie Men huy flemden : pat cristes limes were ; 1 66 U Non Apostle ne moste liue : in Giwene londe, Alle lmy weren of londe i-driue : with wrath pe and nype and onde. Seint Maximus was po : with godes apostles 1 bi-come ; 1 s°M as w * Sixti .ant. Ten deciples : to-gadere heom hadden i-nome; 170 U Marie pe Maudeleyne : and hire bropur lazarus, And heore suster Martha : and pe bischop Maximum, Mani mo of cristine Men : wel mo pane i can nemne, weren i-hote fleme : and some to quelle and brenne. 174 U Huy weren in .A. schip i-pult : with-outen ster and ore, J)at huy scholden beon fur-faren 1 : and ne libben no-more; 1 ai. i-spiit ]) are nas nopur ido with heom : nopur watur ne bred, 177 Tor huy scholden of-hongrede beon : and sone pare-aftur-ward ded. U Huy schypeden in pe salte se : ase Iesu crist it wolde, Tor-to pat tyrne scholde beo : pat huy a-riui scholde. 180 To Marcile pe wynd heom drof : a gret name-couth cite ; Euer-ech of heom opur schrof : are huy comen out of pe se. H Huy ne founden pare no freond 1 : pat wolde heom hereboruwe, Cristine man ne no giv 2 : an eue nopur a-moruwe, \ No^rgywTne cr. man Ne 3 yuen heom mete ne drinke nopur 1 : ne lissen heore soruwe, Ne no man, for loue ne for swunch : pat huy m^hten of bugge ne bore we : 1 «?. om. 186 U In one olde porche : huy stunten al pat ny^ht, with-oute l^ht of torche : with-oute fuyr and candle bright. 188 p)e porche was an old 1 hous : of olde weorke i-wrou 3 t ; 1 ms. hold jpudere in huy weren alle wel vouse : pat of pe se weren i-brou^ht, H For huy nusten elle ^ware : pat huy stunte mi^hte ; Bote huy hadde gre[t] schame and teone : and giwes with heom to fi3hte. 192 bare huy duelden al pat ny^ht : forto it was day a-moruwe. be sarasins heom boden f^ht : to echen heore soruwe. U Alle pe Men pat fram pe se : puder w’eren i-come, huy nusten ^wodere huy m^hte fleo : for-pi huy weren i-nome. 196 huy weren i-hote ope lyf and lime 5 : Iesu crist fur-sake, 1 ai. on here iyf And, with pretningue and with strif : to heore false godus take. H II 2 468 MARY MAGDALENE PREACHES CHRIST TO THE IDOL-WORSHIPPERS OF MARSEILLES, AND BIDS THEM BELIEVE ON HIM. 51 pe Marie Maudeleine : lieo sai^li ]?at folk a-rise, Kiche and pouere, kny^lrt and sweyn : to don fat sacrefise : 200 heo was a-nuyd and of-drad : ]?at hire bi-gan to grise ; To speken of god heo was ful rad : and so dude on hire wise. 202 51 Op heo stod with wordes bolde : with br^lit neb and glade chere. And seide, “ herkniez to me, ^unge and elde : fat wullez beon cristes : l ISTe bi-lieuez nought opon Mahun : ne on teruagaunt, is fere, For huy beoth bofe deue and doumbe : and buy ne mouwen i-seo n i-here, 1 rhyme ora. ; al. J>at in J?is place ben here [fol. 192 b. IT Ne huy ne mouwen eov helpe nought : of none kunnes fingue pe i men of heom ^elpen ou^t : ne no guod to eu bringue : 208 For huy bez doumbe and deue : crokede and eke blind e, lieore mi^hte is fallen to grounde : bi-foren and bi-hinde. 51 Ake 3e scliulle lieuen on iesu crist : oure hei^e heouene kyng, pat al fis worldes maister is : with-oute ani ending : 212 For he may don is wille 1 : of euereche cunnes Jung J Sy3t*5>fom? e )?at ^e wilniez with 113 hte : and with-outen suneguyng; 51 He is with-oute fe bi-guy nningue : and he is with-outen ende, with-oute fuylfe and sunegyng : so corteys and so hende 216 pat al fing fat man with skile him biddez : he wole him 3yue and sende, To Man fat goth and eke rit : fat wole to him wende ; He is wuryte 1 of alle fing : he makede heouene and belle, 1 r. wuyrte Ne may no kayser ne no kyng : his vertues alle telle ; 220 pe man fat him seruez wel : ne may him no feond cwelle, 1 1 orig. dweiie Ake huy fat wullez a^ein him fi3lite : to grounde he wole heom felle ; 222 51 He makede day and eke ny3ht : steorrene and sonne and Mone ; pe man fat trewe is and louez him ari3t : he wole graunti him is bone And fat he biddez him with treoufe : he it grauntez him ful sone, he helpez bofe king and kny3ht : fe pouere alle mididone. ,, 226 51 A riche prince of sarazins : f udere was i-come, with him is wyf and his mayne : fat with him he hadde i-nome : To Maries prechingue : he lustnede ful sone ; For fat heo was so fair a fing : to hire huy token guod gome. 230 51 pe sarazins onvele : weren fulle of nyf e and liete, mary Magdalene’s Christian friends are left without 4G9 FOOD. SHE WARNS THE SARACEN QUEEN AND PRINCE TO GET FOOD. po it was time of mele : huy wendeii to lieore mete ; 232 po huy comen liom vnsele : and par-to weren i-sete, Cristes Men to deleii guod : ful olene lmy hadden for-^ete. U pare weren of cristiiie men : mo pane sixti and tene ; No man nadde reupe of lieom : and pat was pare i-sene : 236 huy weren wit-oute mete and druncli : in gret hongur and in teone, Ne huy ne duden no weork lie swuncli : lie no-ping men nolde lieom lene. U Hit was in one i^hte : aftur pe pridde day, pat pis riche princes wif : in hire bedde lay : 240 J)are cam Marie Maudeleyne : and bi-foren hire heo stod : 1 ai. viiayne “ Dame, me pinchez pou art vnhende 1 : for pou hast muche guod, H Of pe icli habbe gret feorlich : and muche me pinchez wunder pat pou last Iesu cristes folk : pus steorue for liungur ! 244 Bote 3 d pou opur pi louerd : lissi heore kare, Wite 3 e mid-i-wisse : sorewe eou schal beon ful 3 are : 1 ai. om. Swuch a herd schal op-on eov come : pat schal eov so 1 fur-fare And a-quellen eou and eouwer folk : huy nellez eov no-ping spare.” pis riche princes wif pis word : nolde hire louerd nou 3 ht telle — For-sope, heo was puyrliche vnvvys : in sawe and in spelle. 250 pe opur ny 3 ht pe Maudeleyne : eft-sone 3 eode hire to, [foi. 193 ] And spak to hire wel stuyrneliche : and pe pridde nylit al-so ; And 3 uyt he 0 nolde hire erinde : to hire louerd do . 1 1 mlssagel-ef • trist* hem II Marie cam pe feoipe ny 3 ht : and bi-fore pe prince heo stod : worche “ Slepestou, tyraunt, pou deueles kny 3 lit : of sathanasses blod ] pi wif, pe Naddre, heo is a-mad : ich holde hire puyr wod : 256 heo nolde pe telle pat ich bad : for vuele ne for guod. U pou hauest mete and drunch i-nov 3 : and luytel opur care, And soffrest cristes men with WOU 3 I 1 : for hungur pus fur-fare ! Bote pou a-mendi heore stat sone : pe is sorewe al-^are, 1 ms. stronk 260 pare schal so strong 1 folk come pe a^ein : pat wollez pe luytel spare, U with sweord and spere huy scliullen pe sle : and al pi folk fur-fare.” pe Maudeleyne 3 eode fram him : and liet him ligge pare. « be quenT pe Quiene 1 a-wok and s^hte sore : and tolde hire louerd 2 so ; 264 po poujhte him pat he i- warned was 1 : preo ny 3 htes and mo. 1 H lleo tolde him pat hire was i-seid 1 : and al-so i-hote to do : 1 ovig.i-said 470 MARY MAGDALENE^ FOLK ARE FED BY THE SARACEN PRINCE AND HIS WIFE, WHO PROMISE TO BE CHRISTIANS IF THEY GET A SON. Feden Iesu cristes men : and lissi heom of lieore wo, Of ur heom scliolde sorewe i-nov 3 : and kare comen lieom to. 268 fo seide fie prince : “ Dame, $wat sctiulle we do Of fisse opene warningue : bat is i-come us to '? 1 1 vv. 269-70 are written in Betere is fat we Cristes men : swyfe wel heom fiede and schruyde, fene we tellen luyte of heom : In vilte ojmr in pruyde.” 1 ai. hem 272 U huy token Iesu cristes Men : and ladden horn 1 to lieore inne; Al fat heom was neod, huy founden heom : with loue and alle wunne. j)e Maudeleyne heom radde wel : to witien heom fram sunne, So fat heom ne forte neuere drede : of sathanases kunne. 276 H Opon a day heo bi-gan 1 : godes word forto preche ] And of godes lawe, with gret wit 2 : ase heo far m^hte a-reche ; To leden lieore lyf in guod fey : alle he 0 gan heom teche, And for-to louie god and don a-wey : wrath fie and onde and wreche. H Ipe prince saide J>o to hire : with egleche wordes and bolde : “Mi$ht fiou proui with treufe : fiat fou prechest may heo wel i-holde? ” ])e Maudeleyne saide, 1 “^e : ich am redi eov to teche, 1 corr. to seide Bi ore maistres conseile : and mid is holie speche — 284 Jpat is seinte 1 petre of rome — : hov $e schullen on take 1 MS - seint ?? f)e blisse of heouene for-to afongue : and fie feondes lore for-sake.” U j)o seide f e prince a-non : and is wyf al-so : “ We beoz bofe redie a-non : f>ine wille forto do, 288 So ase fi louerd is : of so muchel mi^lile })at he may, ^wane he wole : at is wille alle fiingus di^lite. H Bide fine louerd, heoue king : fat is us alle a-boue, So ase he may don alle fing : and al-so for is moder loue, 292 And for fine bi-secliingue 1 : fat he $yue a child, fat beo a sone : And at fane forewarde 2 : ive wollez with eov wone, \ “^^ sokne 291 Ore kinedom also forth with us : his owene we wollez bi-come, And we wullez ^elden a-^ein to is Men : fat we heom liabbez bi-nome. H j)o seide Marie fe Maudeleine : “ fat nelle ich nought bi-leue, A preiere to mi louerd to make : nele me no-fing 1 greue. 1 ms. binging “Ich bidde fe, swete Iesu crist : fat makedest sonne and mone, J)at fou fis prince siende a child : and fat it beo a sone.” 300 heo bad with guode heorte and milde. : heo was i-heord ful sone : H Jpat ilke ny^lit huy geten a child : ase god heom 3 af grace to done. THE SARACEN QUEEN IS WITH CHILD. HER HUSBAND AND SHE 471 RESOLVE TO GO TO ROME. MARY MAGDALENE BLESSES THEM. 304 U j)o fe prince wuste : fat is Quiene was with cliilde, A-non-r^ht toward Iesu cnst : lie wax meoka and milde ; huy leten lieore vuele dedes : fat weren so wikke and wilde, And aftur godes dedes : liuy wroujhteu a[nd] gonne buylde. IT j) o swor fe prince and seide, “ bi heued min : wiende ichulle to 312 316 And bi-come a pilegrim : and don aftur fe liolie dome, 308 And with seint petur ichulle speke : and don aftur is redes, 3 if it is so ase Marie seiz : of Iesu cristes dedes ; And }if fat ich him finde : at f e court of rome, Of him ichulle vnder-fongue : fulloutht and cristindome.” IT ])o seide fe lauedi : “ ichulle wiende with fe, And, fare fou art i-cristned : ichulle al-so beo ; And 3 wane fou comest hidere a^ein : ich may come with fe.” )po seide fe prince lei^inde : to is wif a-game : “ And beo noufe ase fou seist : mi leoue swete dame, H Bote in schipe wexez ofte sornwe 1 : peril and teone and grame ; And fou art noufe with childe : couth is fat guode fame, 1 ai. om. In fe .se. fou lightest 1 : ful sone hente schame — 1 Be’wUdV”’ in pe ^20 3uyt hadde ich leouere ich w T ere i-huld : and euere to ligge lame. Ake bi-lef fou athom and reste fe wel 1 : and 3 em alle ore fingues; At mine a 3 ein-come god siende me : of fe guode tifingues ! ” 1 ai.jnn. H bo s P a k f e lauedi, fe Quiene : and feol a-doun to is fote : “ Leue louerd, fou let beo fat : and graunte me fat ich mote ! bis ilke sore we wole me a-slen : bote fou do me bote.” IT 3eot seide fe leuedi : and weop wel swife sore, Deolful and dreori lieo ful a-doun : and seide ofte, “ sire, fin ore ! hov m^hte ich libbe and beon glad : bote we to-gadere wore 1 ? 1 orig.were we loueden us so 30 ungue : and noufe we beoth sumdel bore.” 330 IT So longue and 3 eorne f is lauedi bad : hire louerd fat was so hende, bat he hire 1 grauntede, and was ful glad : with him for-to wiende. For neodfole bi-sokne : of heom and heore men, 1 orig. him be holie blessingue with hire hond : Marie makede on heom, 334 For no wickede gost : bi fe weye ne scholde hem derie, be holie rode tokningiie : fram seoruwe heom scholde werie. 1 r.iordschipe? IT b c Marie heo mauden wardein : of heom and of heore schipe, 1 324 326 472 MARY MAGDALENE. ON THE VOYAGE TO ROME, THE SARACEN QUEEN DIES IN CHILDBIRTH. THE BABE HAS NO MILK. be swete holie Maude! eyne : in cristes wurthschipe, 338 For lieo was fe kingue of heouene : leof and deore and queme, And bi-token hire eeh-del : to witien and to 3 erne. II huy nomen with heom into heore scliip : bred i-nov 3 and wyn, Yenesun of heort and hynd : and of wilde swyn, [foi.194] huy nomen with heom in heore schip : al fat hem was leof, 343 Gies and hennes, crannes and swannes : and pore, inotoun and beof ; For huy scholden passi : fe grickische se, And for fat huy nusten hou longue : huy scholden fare-inne be. 346 U huy drowen op seil and ore : and schipeden a-non-ri^ht, Alle, fe lasse and fe more : Eorl, baroun and kny^ht. buy nadden bote seue ny^ht : i-seiled in j?at flod, bat huy neren sore of-dradde : fe se wax stuyrne and wod; 350 be se bi-gan to flowen : and fe wawes forto a-rise : Some bi-gonne to swounen : and heore heortene sore a-grise ; 1 ai. route H b e se bi-gan to ebbi 1 : and fe wynd ful stuyrne to blowe. Ase fe Quiene on hire bedde lay 2 : hire token ful strongue frowes, lieo swounede ful i-lomeliche 1 : and harde pinede fare-fore, 1 az. yiome So for-to ]?at hire ^oungue sone : were of hure i-bore. 356 fat child i-bore was : pe Moder bi-gan to deye, )Xat folk gradde “alias alias ” : and weopen with heore eye. H pio pe leuedi was ded : aftur fat fet child was i-bore, huy ne mi^hten it bi-leue : to 1 make deol fare-fore. 360 bat child wolde souke : and it nuste a warn, 1 al b er was wif hem 1 s 9 non oper red : but jpare nas no milk a-boute : ne no mielch wumman. H “Allas,” quath fe prince : “ fat ich euere was i-bore ! Wo is me for fis }unge child : and for mi Quien fat ich habbe i-lore, And noufe it mot nede deye : for souke lie hath i[t] non, Ne i-not in none halue 1 : 3 wat me is best to don.” 1 lieJiy te ic neuer 366 IT p)e schipmen hiete n with stuyrne mod : fat men ne schulden nought spare be dede Quien to casten in fat flod : of ur elles huy mosten fur-fare : “b® 3 w yle fat bodi is here with us : fe stormes beoth so kete, To quellen us huy fenchez : and fat huy nellez lete.” 370 IT huy nomen up fad 1 dede bodi : in-to fe se for-to caste. i r.^at “ Abidez 3 uyte and herkniez me ! ” : fe prince gradde faste ; MARY MAGDALENE. THE SARACEN PRINCE LEAVES HIS DEAD 473 WIFE AND LIVING CHILD ON A ROCK, AND GOES TO ROME. “ 3if $e nellez for mi lone it lete 1 : ne for loue of mi wif, 1 om. itiete spariez for mi luytel sone : so fat he mouwe habbe is lyf! 374 For $if is moder mouwe ^uyt : of hire suoweningue awake, Jeanne may mi luytel sone : to hire tete take.” U huy lokeden heom bi-side : and se^en an hei^h hurst Swife feor in fe se 1 : and fe prince it i-sai^ furst ; lai.injjesewyde 378 him foi^te fat wel more wisdom : to fe bodie it were to burien it opon fet hei^e hurst : fane fisches it eten fere. H po huy comen fudere 1 : huy ne mi^hten make no put : 1 pe hurst was al of harde stone : ech faste in ofur i-knut; 382 huy nomen fe Quiene and hire child : and wounden in a mantel, And leide opon f e lie^e hurste : in a grene cantel ; huy leiden fat childes mouth : to fe moder tete — po fe prince fat i-sai^h : with wepingue is neb he gan wete. 38G with gret deol fe Quiene and hire Child : fare huy gonne lete [foi. i9ib.] Opon fe* hurst fat was so he^h : and hard and wilde and kete. 388 U po prince wep and wende forth : with his scliip in f e se ; “ Marie Maudeleyne,” quath fe prince, “ alas : fat euere kneu ich f e ! To don f is pelrimage : 3 wy raddest fou me h J^ov bede fi god a bone : fat mi wif with cliilde scholde be: 392 And noufe is ded fus sone : bofe hire child and heo ! U Al mi lond and al mi fing : ich habbe i-take fe To witen and to wardi : ^wi schal it fanne fus b el Mi wif and mi 3 ungue child : marie, ich bi-take 396 To Ihesu cmt, fi owene louerd : fat alle fing of nought gan make, jjat, 3if he is so corteys and m^htful : ase fou seidest to me, 398 he saue mi wif and mi child : fur-fare fat ich ne be.” U To his schyp he wende : and so forz in fe se. God hem to Borne sende : for fudere wolden he. Seinte petur wuste wel : fat fe prince cam : 402 With milde mod and fair compaygnie : a^eines him he nam. Petur Axede him fram 3 wanne he cam : and 3 Wodere he wien ie wolde. “To Borne,” he seide, “fen wey ich take 1 : and speke with fe i s cholde ; ” l al. nam he tolde of marie Maudeleyne : hou he to hire cam, 406 474 MARY MAGDALENE. THE POPE WELCOMES AND COMFORTS THE SARACEN PRINCE. ST. PETER TAKES HIM TO THE HOLY LAND. And hou lie eristus sixti men : and tene to him nam, lie tolde him of is child : he tolde him of is wif, hov he with milde heorte : for lieom polede strif. U Seinte petur creoysede him : opon is r^lit scholder, 410 Of pat Marie liauede i-seid : he hauede game and wonder, And seide, “ prince, wel-come pou he : and pine kn^htes alle ! pays and grace with pe heo : and Ioye pe mote on falle In hour and in halle : in field and in toun al-so, 414 In castel nopur in boure : ne Avorpe pe neuere wo, In watur and in londe : and in alle stude God pe fram harme schilde — : and pat ich habbe i-bede. H ])ey [pi] wif slepe noupe 1 : and pi sone him reste, \ 413 Loke pat pou ne Aveope no^t for hem 2 : ne make deol ne cheste : Mi louerd is swijie m^thful : he wole don is Aville, And he is also quoynte and sley : hope loude and stille, he can ^yuen and bi-nimen : borewi and eke ^ielde 422 For soruwe blisse, 3 Avane his wille is : in tonne, in watere, in fielde ; 3 wane he is Avroth, he doth Avreche : ake pat fallez ful sielde ; Ake of[te] gret fuyr and eke stuyrne : AYext of a luytel spielde.” H Petur ladde pene riche man : a 3 ein 1 to Ierusalem, 1 ai.om. 426 And fro pannes pene Avey he nam : Avith him to bedlehem, Fram pannes to pe flym Iordan : an long bi pe strem — I segge it ase ich oa t telle can : In boke and no^ht in drem. he seheAvede him caluarie : pare god Avas don on rode, 430 his fiet and is liondene : al-hou buy ronnen on blode, he tolde him of pe pornes : pat on his heued stode, [foi. 195] And of pe nailes pat in is fiet : and in his hondene Avode, And 3 et he tolde him of pe spere : pat to pe heorte him stong, 434 And hou he an he^li opon pe rode : deide Avith mu die Avrong, hou he into lielle cam : Avith Sathanas to f^hte, And is folk pat pare-inne Avas : hou he it gan out d^lite, hou he a-ros, and to heoue steu 3 : to is fader sete 438 And sat him pare-inne, for he A\ 7 as gleu3 : and Avas him SAvype i-mete. IT ])o pe prince hadde i-heord : seint peteres lore, 1 ai. was foi he carede laste he Avere bi-cherd : for he hadde i-beo pare 1 so 3ore; he hadde i-leorned SAvipe Avel : al clanliche his bi-leue, 442 MARY MAGDALENE. ST. PETER RIDS THE FRINCE GO BACK TO 475 HER AND BE BAPTISED. HE FINDS HIS WIFE AND CHILD ALIVE. his oures and is sauter ecli-del : po seide he, “ god it 3 eue J?at ich were sone : in mine owene contreye And al mi folk, with fleclis and blod : ri^ht ase ich wolde, sei^e ! ” Seint petur he bad par cliarite : cristni him a-non 446 And al is opur mayne : and laten heom wende hom And panne habben guod day : “ and ^if us pine blessingue! we wollez so bliue so we mouwen : don us to schipijngue.” U “ jpou sclialt with-outen cristindom : wienden into pine londe ; 450 Ne drede pe nou^th, for pou m^lit it don : with-oute scharne and schonde. he Maudeleyne schal beon with pe : and to pe heo schal fongue, Lazarus and Martha, al pre : bi pe huy scliullen stonde ; pare pou schalt i-cristned beo : poru Iesu cristes sonde, 454 And muche folk al-so of pine contreye : ne pinche pe noi^t to longue ! U An lioli man schal cnstni eov : pe bischop Maximus, Jpat can is mester don swipe wel : in Ihesu cristus lious, he wole beo 3 ep and eke rad : sley and eke vous, 458 To cristni manie he wole beo glad : to is louerd Iesous — he were a fol and un-wis : pat ne were of glad and blipe.” he prince tok leue of seint petur : and ponkede him fale sipe. he prince saide, “ liolie fader : haue nov wel guod day ! 462 Icliulle wienden ham ward : so bliue so ich may.” he dude him into pe salte Hod. : his schip bi-gan to go So bliue, for pe wind was guod : a[s] swaluwe swift 1 opur flo ; 1 m. om. with-inne pe seuenn^htte : pudere he was i-come 466 hare he , 1 a 3 ein is wille, bi lefde : is wif and is sone. 1 ovetimea. U huy i-sei' 3 en bi pe stronde : a luytel child gon pleye with publes on is honde : bi-fore hem in pe weye. he prince stap out of pe scliipe : of hem alle he was pe furste, 470 Opon pe stronde he 3 af a lupe : he h^ede him to pe hurste. hat child was swipe sore of-drad : po pe prince cam, To his moder he was wel rad : and a-boute pe necke hire nam. leuedi lai wel stille ^nd slep : opon a grene cantel, 474 hat child for fere orn to hire and crep : under hire mantel, ho saide pat child, “ hiderward : a ping, me poi^hte, i sai ’3 come, Of him ich am ful sore a-drad : laste we beon i-nome.” [foi. i 95 b.] 47 G MARY MAGDALENE HAS KEPT THE SARACEN QUEEN ALIVE ON THE ROCK, TAKEN HER TO THE HOLY LAND, AND BROUGHT HER BACK. “ Beo stille, mi sone, mi leoue child : he is mi worldes here ; 478 For gladnesse wepe he wole : pat [he] us findez here.” IF J5e prince cam and fond hire per : ligginde on pe liurste, }?are ase he bi-lefde hire er : and pat cliil sek hire breste. For Ioye he we;p and sat on is knen : and heold up his honde : 482 “ p)at ich euere moste pis i-seo : icli ponki ore louerdes sonde. A, swete Marie Maudeleine : pat me wolde nou r^ht pinch e murie Mi^hte pis wuraman quikie a-^ein : and liuen and hire sturie ! ” 485 IT j) o he hadde pat word i-seid : his wif bi-gan to wake, 1 1 ai. quai )Pe swete marie Maudeleyne 2 : it hauez i-schewed me : 2 glm. m. swete heo me hauez on hire hond i-lad : ouer pe salte strem, 496 And setpe forpere-more : to Ierusalem, And setpe heo me ladde : bedleliem for-to seo, J^udere ase seint petur : bi-fore ladde pe, And sethpe to pe Hum Iordan : heo ladde me ful rape, 500 witli-oute harme and si^ht of man : and with-oute scliame and scape, And ouer-al heo me ladde : mi louerd, pare pou were ; And, for pou sclioldest Ioyful beo : noupe ri^ht heo broi^hte me here.” II Quath pe prince, “ ich ponki god al-m^hti : pat ich eov habbe a- liue. 504 A-risez bope, 3 if 3 c mouwen : and go we to schipe ful bliue ! ” buy duden heom to pe watere : and schipeden alle a-non, J?e wynd was blowinde swipe wel : and heore schip bi-gan to gon ; huy gonne to seili swipe 1 : in pat salte fom, 1 ai. Hij hyed hem to seyie 508 And lii 3 eden heom ful bliue : pat 1 huy weren at horn. 1 ^eyie^or 0 ^ longe With-inne a quartron of pe 3 ere : huy comen to Maicilie. Mani Men of feor and ner : of heom gonne speke and spilie, MARY MAGDALENE. THE SARACENS ARE CONVERTED AND BAPTISED, 477 AND MARY GOES INTO THE WILDERNESS FOR 30 YEARS. Manie hem hadden to-gadere i-nome : Eorl, baron, kny^lit, and swein, Are huy weren to londe i-comen : for-to wenden heom a-^ein, Sarazins, and fe Giwes some : and fe Marie Maudeleyn ; 514 U Martha cam and lazarus : of heom huy weren ful glad, And fe holie Bischop Maximws : to heom he was ful rad, 516 And manie of cristine Men — : huy neren noting of-drad To comen and gon a-^einest him : and don fat he heom bad. p o fe prince and is wyf : weren i-come to londe, Joe Maudeleyne with-oute strif : i-reuested fare buy founds $ 520 And fo huy comen fram schipes bord : marie huy founden stonde For-to prechen godes word : to heom fat were on londe. [foi. i9Gj U pe prince tok 1 is wif and is sone : with heorte guod and swete, To fe Maudeleyne huy comen : and fellen doun to hire fete, 1 ms. tok tok And tolden hire al heore lijf : fat heom bi-feol in fat weye; Pays and loue, harm and strif : al huy gonne hire sei$e. 526 huy lieten fane Bischop Maximus : cristni heom a-non, Marie and Martha and lazarus : huy broi^hten heom faron. 528 pe children and fe wummen alle : fat weren in fe londe, Alle huy nomen cristindom : and fat was foru godes sonde. H Ich wot, huy nomen heore false godes : and casten heom fare doune And brenden al-to poudre : feor fram euerech toune ; huy duden a-rere churches : ouer al fa contreies, And priories wurche : and manie guode Abbeies, And preostes huy gonne makien 1 : ouer-al in fe londe, Sudecknes and of ur clerkus : to semi heom to honde. huy mauden lazarus bischop i f e Maudeleynes brofer ; Joe holie bischop Maximus : maude al-so mani anof ur. — IT po al fat lond cristine was : and al fat folc fare-inne, Marie bi-foi^lite a wonder cas : and stal a-wey fram hire kunne, 540 In-to wildernesse he wende : al for-to wonien fere. Swuch grace god hire sende : heo was fare fritti ^eres. JOare nas no watur a-boute : ne fare ne wax no treo )0at ani best mi^lite onder at-route : fe betere an ayse to beo. 544 For-sofe icliulle ^eov telle : of a ferliche wonder : Aungles comen euer-eche day : ri^ht a-bouten onde r n, 532 1 al. Hij dude liede prestes 536 478 MARY MAGDALENE IS DAILY LIFTED UP TOWARDS HEAVEN BY ANGELS. SHE TELLS HER STORY TO A HERMIT NEAR HER. And nomen swife softeliche 1 : fe Marie Maudelein 1 ah softe And beren hire op in-to fe lofte : and bro^liten hire eft a-^ein. 548 H Men nusten hou heo leouede : for noman ne sai^h hire ete ; Ake some huy onder-stoden : fat heo liuede bi Aungelene mete. A preost fare was in marcilie : j)at wilned swife muche For-to leden elinge lif : fie betere fram sunne him wite . 552 he maude him a wonijngue : in fiat wildernesse J)are Marie, fe swete Maudeleine 1 : wonede in clennesse; 1 ai.\>\ug lie ne bulde nought fram Marie 1 : bote a wel luyte mile — 1 ai. lm-estede For-to quemen god he it dude : and he 3 eld wel is ^wile. 556 he hadde wnnder for fiat he sai^h : fat fie Aungles comen ofte A-boute onderne eche daye : ase he stod in is crofte, And hou huy beren f>e Maudeleyne : an liei op on lofte, And al-so hon huy brou^liten hire a-^ein : and setten hire a-doun wel softe. 560 U Joe preost a-ros op-on a day : and wende neor jje stude, he wolde i-wite 3 wat he i-sai 3 h : and fare-fore he it dude ; To jmlke stude he cam so nei^h : al bote a stones caste : \)o bi-gonne liise feon to schrinke : and to croki swife faste ; 564 A-drad he was, and turnde a^ein : and so he moste nede — Ne knev he nou 3 t f»e Maudeleyne : ne hire guode dedes. Eft-sone he 3 eode him fude-ward : is fret bi-gonne folde, his heorte and his Inneward : him gonnen al to colde. 568 he fou^lite it was sum derne f ing : ofur som holi priuete, I-comen fram f e heuene king : fat he ne scholde it no^lit i-seo : U he sat a-doun opon is kneon : and bad ore louerd fere j;at he moste i-wite and seon : 3 wat fat feorlich Avere ; 572 he gradde on eornest and on game : “ fou best in fine celle, [foi. i96b.] Ich halsni fe a-godes name : of f i stat fat fou me telle ! ” heo bi-gan to tellen : Avordes him a^ein : “I segge it fe for-sofe : ich am Marie Maudeleyn, 576 J2at to fe kingue of heoue : of mine sunnes ich me schrof, And foule deuelene seouene : out of me he drof. Tch habbe i-woned noufe here : fulle fritti 3 er, Ake i-ne sa^h neuere no man fus nei^h : bote fe noufe her. H Of no-fing fat ani man : of fe eorfe euere bi-swonk, 580 MARY MAGDALENE FORETELLS HER DEATH, AND IS BORNE RY 479 ANGELS TO BISHOP MAXIMUS IN MARSEILLES. THEY SING PSALMS. I-ne .et., setlijje ich hidere cam : no mete, ne no drunch ne 1 dronk : Godes Aungles euer-ech day : habbe me here i-nome 1 overlined. An ibore me alne wey : 3 wane ischolde come, 584 An hei^h to heouene lofte : euere 3 wane i 1 ete scholde, 1 Ms.it And liidere a 3 ein wel softe : 3 wane ich mi-sulf wolde. Ich lialsni J>e a-godes name : pat ]?ou wende to Marcilie, And with mine freond with-oute blame : loke wel pat Jjou spilie : 588 })ou gret wel Martha, mi soster, ofte : and mi broker lazarws, And al-so gret ofte swi])e wel : J>ene bischop Maximus, And seie hem wel ichulle comen : a-sonenday at eue, with heom for-to wonie : and euere with heom bi-leue — 592 For ischal to paradis : newene fram heom fare, Ake mi bodi, for-soJ>e i-wis : bi-leue schal with heom J)are ; Sei 3 e heom J>at huy kepen me : aftur pe mid-ni 3 hte, For j?are ich hopie for-to beo : Jjoru godes swete m^hte.” 59 G U jpis holie preost him wende forth : and dude hire herinde anon To J?e bischop maxima : ase heo bad him don. p)e holie bischop Maximus : was glad of jjat sonde, And for J?at tijhngue he j^onkede god 1 : and to him heold up is honde ; 1 al. t. ioyus : he helde 600 hire soster and hire broker : weren ]?ar-of wel fayn : “ Nou comez oure Maister sone : pe marie Maudeleyn ! ” Of Jus ilke tyjungues : huy weren swijie glad Jp at huy hadden i-heord — : ake some weren of-drad 604 j}at huy bi-trayde weren. : ake pe bischop Maximus wuste wel Jjat hit was sothz — : to seon hire he was Ioyous, And to witen hire stat euer-echdel : he was wel coralous. H For-to seon J?ane Messager : j^ene sonen-ny 3 ht he wakede, 608 And al ny 3 ht was in heore queor : and his oresones he makede, bi-fore pe he^e Auter ore louerd he bad : J?at he moste i-seo fie Maudeleynes face : J>at he pe gladdore m^hte beo. [foi. 197 ] Sone aftur pe Midn^ht : are ani koc him crev, 612 J}are cam a wonder muclie l^lit : ake no wynd J?are ne blev, ])e Aungles comen fram heouene : and bro^hten J?e Marie, huy seiden pe salmus seouene : and pe letanie ; 1 ai. hehien here Fram pe eor)>e huy gonne hire lio’den 1 : swijje longue stounde, 616 480 MARY MAGDALENE IS SHRIVEN BY BISHOP MAXIMUS, DIES, AND GOES STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN. ST. YPOLITE. \)q ^wyle heo makede hire preyere : and sethpe lieten hire to grounde. po cam wit hire swucli a smul : among heom euerech-on, In churche, in halle and in hour : pat swucli ne smulden liuy neuerer 110 n. 1 al. smak 2 abak 619 IT pe hischop, for pe muchele lij^ht : and for pat swote smullingue , 1 Sumdel pare-fore he was a-ferd : and a luyte him drov} hi-hiude . 2 Marie turnede, of wordes freo : and of vilenie quijt and sker, And seide, “fader, 3 wy woltpou pi doi^ter fleo % : a-bid and cum me ner ! ” he sai^h hire neb, and turnde a-^ein : so br^lit so sonue-bem, 624 Of pat swete Maudeleine : so lij^ht so ani leom. II heo saide, “fader Maximus : par seinte charite, \“^m\ous ihoseled Schrift and hosel ich ^uyrne 1 : sone pou graunte it me ! ” Buy cleopeden alle pe preostes : and pe clerkus euerech-on 628 And alle pe opur ministres : and duden hire wille a-non. heo it a-ueng wepinde : with guod deuotion, 630 And wel sore sichinde : heo lay hire-sulf a-doun, IT And seide, “Ihesu, pat deidest opon pe trco : al mi stat pou wost; Into pine hondene ich bi-take pe : mi lijf and mi gost.” Anon-r^ht heo ^af up hire lijf : and hire gost, i-wis. 634 heo was i-lad with-outen strif : anon-ri^ht to paradys. J)e bischope pou^hte murie : and*pe clerkes echon, And a-non-ri^ht gonne hire burien : in a Marbre-ston. IT Seue n^ht pare-aftur-ward : pat day pat heo i-bured was, 638 N^ht and day pat smul was pare — : it was a wonder cas. pe bischop poi^hte murie : and bad, 3 wane he ded were, pa,t Men him sell olden burien : bi-siden hire r^lit pere. Of pe Maudeleine : pis is pe r^hte endingue. 642 God us scliilde fram peyne • and to heouene us bringue ! AmeN 67 [Ypolyt] S Eint ypolyt pe Martyr : knyht was of gret honour, j)at wuste seint laurence in prisone : poru 3 heste of pe Aumperour, And perish him turnde to cristindom : and his maine al-so, And burede him ful stilleliche : po he was to depe i-do. IT po he hadde seint laurence i-bured : and hit was vnder^ite, 4 ST. YPOLITE REFUSES TO WORSHIP HEATHEN GODS, AND IS 481 CRUELLY BEATEN WITH WHIPS AND STAVES. Me“ ortreuweden pat lie cr/stine were : ase huy m^hten wel po i-wite. p)ene pridde day aftur : pat seint laurence i-bured was, Ypolyt wende to is owene hous : ase it were bi cas ; 8 A 1 his mayne he grette fayre : and $af heom part al-so Of pe milsfole dede pat he hadde : on seint laurence i-do. IF his meyne, pat al cristine was : fair semblaunt him made i-noi^h, And sone po it time was : toward pe mete him drov^. 12 ])o pat bord was i-leid : and he was parto i-sete, And his mete bi-fore him i-brou^ht : er he hadde 0113 1 i-^ete, [foi. 197 b.] }2e kny^htes comen in ate ^ate : lupere men i-nowe, bi-fore deems pe Aumperour : wel filliche him drowe. 16 IT ])o decius i-sai^h him furst : a-busemare he I0113, And seide : “ypolyt, hou gez jus 1 ? : turnste to pe WOU3I1? honoure ore godes, ich [pe] rede : and do ore heste sone, And do, ase pou art hiende knight : ase pou attest for-to done ! ” 20 H “ £>ire, ich habbe,” quath ypolyt : “ in folie longue i-beo And in vneonnesse mi lijf i-leoued : ase man pat ne coupe ise ; Ake noupe ich am to god i-turnd — : to late i dude so ! j9ou do bi me al pat pou canst : for non opur i-nelle do.” 24 IF “No? neltpou?” quat pis Aumperur : “pou schalt i-leue me, Ase we serueden laurence er : we schullen nou serui pe ! ” 1 ai. om. “ 3e, god it 1 3eue,” quatli pis holie map : “pat it were bi me noupe Ase it mid him is pat pou nemmest : r^ht noupe with lupere moupe ! ” IF “G-o z forth,” quath pis Aumperour : “mine tormentores, a-non, And streputh naked pis lupere pef : r^ht to flechs and bon ! ” * 30 j}is tormentores wel 3am were : to don pat sorie dede. ])g holie man, po he was naked : to pe Aumperour he seide ; 32 J?is holie man seide, 1 “ wenstou, wrechche, to make me naked? : nay pou, i-wis, 1 t>is— seide al. om. Ake pou bi-guinnest rapur to clopie me : with Ioye of heouene blis.” IF “Nimez a-non,” quath pe Aumperour : “and tormentiez him wel faste ! ” ])& tormentores al redie weren : and heor elopes of huy caste, 36 Wip scourges and with staues al-so : huy beoten him ase huy weren wode, And al defouleden is holie bodi : pat is limes ronnen a-blode ; LEGENDS OF SAINTS. I I 482 ST. YPOLITE IS RICHLY CLAD AND SET ON HIGH, BUT STILL REFUSES TO WORSHIP IDOLS. HE IS TIED TO THE TAILS OF WILD COLTS. So longue, J?at buy [werie] weren : and J)are-fore stille huy stode. ])q Aumperour bi-heold lieom faste : with ful sorie mode. 40 IT bis holie man, J>o him smert sore : lude to grede he gan : “ Icb Jjonki Jje, louerd iesu crist : for ich am cristine man.” 42 “ Nimez him,” quath J?e Aumperour : “ and ledez him up on hei^h ! ” huy brou^hten him up-on an he 1 de-grece : J?at muche 2 folk him i-se^h, And duden on him is noble 3 robe : bat he werede er 1 ^ sh - ] }f l 2 al b at )5e $wyle he was so noble kny^ht : and of so gret power. 46 IT bo he stod al-so quoynteliche : ase men him greju mi^hte, “ Ypolyt,” quath pe Aumperour : “ noujie Jjou hast June ri^hte. bi-J>ench pe wuch a man Jjou art : and 3wuch a ki^ht 1 Jjou hast i-beo, Noble and hende, ase Jjou ^uyt schalt : 3if J?ou wolt p& bi-seo ; 50 bi-Jjench J>e of pat J>ou hast i-haued : of Jri noble dignete, 1 ak.om. in Ash. And bi-lef here in ore compaynie : ase J>ou were er with me ! ” IT “ Sire Aumperour,” quath [Jus] holie Man : “for no^ht J>ou spext so : For a newe kny3ht ich am bi-come : n'ewe batayle to do ; 54 Godes kny3ht of heouene ich am : and al mi wille so is bat ich in his batayle be 1 : sone i-martred, i-wis.” 1 Ash. were bo was }>e Aumperour wroth i-nov3h : he cleopede Valerian, his Iustise, Jrnt was schrewe i-nov3 : and a swij)e lujjer man ; 58 “ Nim,” he seide, “ Jus foule f>ef : and with a strong torment [foi. 198] bring him of liue, ase J»ou mi^ht : with hard Iuggement ; And wiend furst horn to is J>ingue : and nim al his guod, For euerech del ich 3iue it J>3 : and his flechs and his blod.” 62 IT To Jus holie mannes hous : pe Iustise wende a-non, Al his maynie he fond J>are : cristine euerechon ; Ech aftur ojmr he liet heom nime : and tormenti sore i-nov3 ; And bi-fore Jus holie man : ech aftur oJ>ur drou3 1 Ash. me 66 And ech aftur ojmr bi-fore his e^ene : with gret torment he 1 SI0V3 : he liet alle heore hauedene smiten of : with schendnesse and W0113. IT bo buy weren bi-fore Jus holie man : alle to dej)e i-brou3ht, 69 And pe Iustise i-sai3h J>at he ne m^hte : Jmre-with tuyrne is J)0U3ht, wilde coltes and strongue : he liet fctte atjje laste And bi pe fet Jiisne holie man : to heore tayle he bond faste, 72 And liet pe coltes eorne forth. : wel luyte huy wolden a-bide, ST. Y POLITE IS DRAWN THROUGH BRIARS AND THORNS BY WILD 483 HORSES TILL HE DIES. HE IS THE PATRON SAINT OF HORSES. Ake ornen and drowen fene liolie Man : al-a-boute wel wide, J)oru 3 scharpe breres and f ornes : and ope manie an harde stone ; j)e peces fallen ficke a-boute : of his fle s cbe fram fe bone. 76 So longue, fat he liet fat lif — : his deth was strong i-nov^, 3 wane ech of fis wilde coltes : at heore tayle him drov$ ! IT Ore louerd hat ofte for his loue : fair miracle i-do On hors fat weren to him i-mete : and on coltes al-so. 80 Manie Men habbuth i-said fare-fore : 3 wane buy ^eme to hors toke : “ Ore louerd and seint ypolyt : f is hors saue and loke ! ” bidde we noufe seint ypolyt : fat he ore erinde beode, 83 JOat merci he 1 liabbe of us alle : and off alle fat habbuth neode . 2 AmeN. 1 ai. god 2 After the Saints’ Lives, follow in MS. Laud: 68. Sayings of St. Bernard. 69. Vision of St. Paul (both ed. by me in Herrig’s Arehiv, 1874). 70. Debate of body and soul. 71. Havelok. 72. King Horn (ed. in Herriy’s Arehiv, 1873) ; after this, 3 more legends written by a later hand, of which I add two in the Appendix. 1 I 2 ST. BLASE DWELLS IN THE DESERT, AND CURES SICK BEASTS. 485 ALL WILD BEASTS OBEY HIM. HE IS TAKEN BEFORE THE JUSTICE. APPENDIX. [ The following two Legends are added at the end of MS. Laud by a later hand.'] [fol. 228 b.] 73 Vita & passio mncti Blasii mar tyris. S eynt blase wel clene lyf Iadde, wipoute any bore ; In pe lond of capadoce pis godeman was I-bore. ffor bis godnesse cristenemen bisscbop bim wolde make ; Nolde be nat of swich power, ac gan it anon for-sake. ffor he it nolde in none manere, he fley out of pe londe In wildernesse to a dep valeye, .3. 1 per he g an to astonde. Pryueliche be wonede per, .3. hudde him swipe longe, And seruede god wel ; in penance he duelde swipe stronge. Wilde bestes pat f>er were, a-boute him comen pikke, [3] solaseden him, for he was one ; his lymes pei wolden likke, Whan any of hem sike were, to him he 1 wolden a-non, And arst ar he hem blessede, nane fot fro him nolden gon. Ech sik beste sone hoi was whan pei hadde his blessinge ; poru godes grace fro fer to him he comen for pis pingge. 1 — pe luper iustise of pe lond, pat bet agrycolas, his men to liunten owt he sente, per pis gode man was. As pei wenden, hem poute wounder p t he so fewe deer founde. he be-hulde into pe depe : po seye pei on pe grounde Swipe fele der a-boute aman, pat lie 1 sat hem a-mydde A-kne, 3 be-held to heuene-ward, his beden forto bydde ; pese bestes a-louten alle to him-ward. In gret pout pes honten were ; he wenten 3 tolde pe Iustise al pat pei seye pere. he bet hem a-^en wende 3. him 1 seche, ^if 2 pei him 1 fonde per g on, Any cristene man, pat hi scholde to-fore him bringge a-non. 2“^™' 24 po ^e 3 comen .3. seint blase founde, he seyden : “ pou schalt aryse 3. come wip ous, 3 speke anon wip pe heye Iustise.” “ Mine leue sones,” seint blase seyde, “ 3c ben to me welcome ; ffor now ich wot pat Ihesu crist to me hauep 3etne I-nome. 1 = beo, hi 12 1 v. 13-14 al. om. 16 al. om. 20 lie, heo 28 486 ST. BLASE RESTORES A DEAD CHILD TO LIFE, AND MAKES A WOLF BRING BACK A PIG He’s CARRIED OFF. Go we nou for)) in his name, Ich wot he wile vs lede ; Ne leuej) nat to don be me al pat he 30U 1 sede.” 1 ai. joure maister As ])ei ladde pis holy man toward pe Iustise, Prechinde he turnede many on to oure louerdes seruise ; 32 Blynde .3. deue .3 dombe also .3. p 4 0 per siknesse hadde, Many on to liele he brou^the, als me him for]) ladde ; Wilde bestes J)at sike were, ourne to him also As men him ladde, .3. fette here liele als ))ei hadde arst i-do. — 36 A ^ong child, als he et 1 his mete, a bon schet in his J)rote ; 1 MS.het Al astrangled 3 ded it lay, )»o it was in i-schote. his moder nadde no child bote ))at ; greth doel ye made wij)-alle, To-fore seint blase 3e bar J)is child .3. as wod gan doun falle, ^ 40 3 bad he scholde hire sone hele. )>is god man his hond vp nom 3. blesse[de] it : 3 j)at bon out schet, 3 j)at child hoi be-com. “ Louerd,” seyde j)is gode man, “ grante me a bone : p)at man in what yuel biddef) to me, I-here him wel sone 44 3if he seye ))ese wordes to pe : ‘ louerd cryst, ))in ore ! [foi. 229] ffor loue of seint blase, J)i sergeant, help [me] of pis 1 sore ! ’” 1 ms. his In worschipe of godes holy name, who-so him bid J)is bone ffor loue of seint blase in good entente, he worj) i-herd wel sone. — 48 A pouere wif-man J)er was also, J)at bote on sowe hadde ; a wolf awey to wode it ber. on seint blase loude 3e gradde Jpat he scholde of hire swyne helpe. seint blase low a-non. “ Ne dred te noting of ])e wolf, )>ei he be an yuel swon ! 52 “ A-byd, mayster, 3 com a3eyn 3 bring ))is swyn a-now 1 1 ' n °/\ c 0 < £ r * t0 To ))is pore wifman, fiat hafi ])erto betere ry3t ))an ])ou ! ” ])e wilde beste com a3en 3 J)at swyn doun a 1 leyde 1 r. adoun Al liarmles ate wydewe fot, as ])e holy man hirn\eyde. 56 ffor fier nas no wilde beste J)at he nadde to his heste, ffor he hym 1 held, as 3e habbej) i-herd, 3 made wij) hem gret feste. — ]) o he at-fore fie iustise cam, “ wel-come, blase,” he seyde, 1 r. hem “])ou louest oure godes 3 art here frend; he willen fie wisse 3 rede.” 60 “ lieil be f>ou, iustise,” seint blase seyde, “ 3 alle fiat pe i-sej) ! Ne clepe nat f)es godes so fair a name, for pure deflen he be]). ffor who p 4 euere 1 on hem beleuefi, schullen into 2 helle pyne Erie 3. euere tormentud be, fie lord 3 ek his liyne.” 1 ai. hi&hoso 2 ai. in 64 J}is iustise for wrappe anon let hym strepe al nakud, [3] wifi harde skourges on hym legge ; many wounde on him was makud. Euere he seyde, as men hym beet : “ 3c ne turnef) nat my pout ; My louerd ihesu is al myn help, .1 ne drede 30U rj^t nowth.” 68 )}o he hym hadde longe i-bete pat he wery were, ST. BLASE IS HUNG UP AND TORTURED. CHRISTIAN WOMEN 4 S 7 THROW IDOLS INTO THE WATER, AND ARE BURNT FOR JT. lie him deden in strong prison, to tormenten him peve. j) at wifinan pat seint blase hadde J?e swyn pe wolf be-nome, j)o pat be in prison was, 3 J?e tidiwge to hire icome, 72 3e slou pat swyn, 3 bar to 1 seint blase bojje heued 3 feet 1 al. om. To J?e prison, wel 1 y-sode ; 3 pe godeman ]?ar-of eth. 1 ms. welwei “ Wifinan,” he seyde, “for pe kyndenesse Jjou bast me her I-do, wexe 3 eche ]?ine bestes schulle, 3 J?in o})er ]?ing also. 76 3 euerieh [man] her-afteward J?at me hauej? in mynde 3 honourej? me wij? any of bis orf, al Jjulke beste kynde prouen it scbal pe bet wij? him, 3 al pat him come]? to ; ” Akne be bad to oure louerd crist pat it moste ben so. — 80 Atfore pe iustise an o]?er day seint blase was i-brout. ])o he i-say pat he ne my3tte a3en god torne his ]?out, Mid ropes him hengen 1 on a tre. be-nej?e ]?er stode I-nowe 1 az. hi h. him Tormentours wij? oules kene, 3 al his fless to-drowe ; 84 as men wij) combes wolle to-drau]?, his fless J?er-wiJ? he tere. Euere prechede ]?is holy man, as ]?ei him noting nere. ]0o he hym ne my3tten so ouer-corne, to prison a3en him bere — ffor his lymes him nolde bere, so he to-drawe were. 88 as me bar pe godeman, he stremede al o-blode. [foi .229 b.] seue wifmen J?at cristene were, be-helde [Jus] 1 as J?ei stode : 1 om. ]0ei 3eden 3 gadereden of pe blod, for it was holden relik, )0er-wiJ) hem smere 3 sum to wyte, to smere ]?erwij) pe sike. 92 )0o pe luj)ere men J?is i-seye, . faste he hem toke, 3 bad hem honure here godes; .3 al J?at he for-soke. JOei seyde : “ 30ur godes vn-clene be]), J?crfore $e vs hem lene, 3 bring hem to pe faire water, we schullen hem wassche clene, 96 3 we hem wille]? honure, als $e vs willej? rede.” Jois [iustise] was ry3th glad ; his godes to pe water he let lede. 1 corr. to he? JOes wifmen nomen J?ese maumettes, wan J?ider 3c 1 were bi-swonke, 3 casten hem into J?e depe water; a-non pe schrewen sonken. 100 “Nou we biddej? 30U selue helpu]?, 1 oJ?er 3oure 2 my3tte is schronke. Why nelle he nat comen vp to helpe 30U ? Ioli wene he be]? a-dronke.” ]0es wreches wij) poles 3 wij? hokes here godes a-non soute ; s e fde hom suiue wij? drery chere 3 vnnej)e he hem to londe broutthe. ashore Jpis Iustise was for wraJ?J?e wod, loude he gradde 3 chidde ; 105 A wel strong fur he let J?er make .3 caste J?es wifmen amydde. welled led ^e ]?rewen on hem, vnnej)e it J)oute hem warm ; JOat fur be-gan to quenche a-non ; non of hem nadde harm, wel wroj? was J)is Iustise po, 3 wel loude gradde ; he hem let honge opon a tre, as he arst seint blase hadde. 108 488 ST. BLASE. THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN ARE MARTYRED. ST. BLASE CANNOT BE DROWNED, HEATHENS CAN. wip oules he to-drowen here fless, as he be-nej)e stode ; Non ojjer pan whyt mylk out of hem com, in stede of here blode. 112 Euere J?e more men hem to-drowe, pe gladdere he were ; “ Sire Iustise, it is for nout, Jms 1 ne quellest vs nat to-^ere. 1 r. pu 3 if ]?ou vs wilt don ojjer J)ing, bringge it sone to ende, fiat we mowe to Ihesu crist ; we wilnej? Jnder wende.” 116 jpis Iustise het pat me scholde here heuedes of smyte anon. Jpese wyfman to-ward here martirdom glade gonne gon. fiat on wifman hadde tweye sones, pat cristene were also ; he wepe for here moder dej), he nuste neuere elles what do ; 120 fiei hengen on hire, 3 nolden hire fro nat o fote gon, 3 e sworen ^e wolden J?an dej) a-fonge wij? hire per a-non. Gret doel hadde pe moder of hem, for ^e of elde nere ; 3 e ne 1 my^tte it for noting se pat ]?ei martired were , 2 * vv n more 124 he criede opon pe tormentoures J ) 4 he hem ne sscholde sle : 3 he hem let here wey so ^onge alyue gon a^e, And nome 3 smyten pe heuedes of jjese wifmen alle seuene. Aungles J>ere soules alle ladde to pe blisse of heuene. 128 fie children gret dol for here moder maden in alle wyse ; fio me nolde hem asle, he ronne to pe iustise, 3 seyde pat %e cristene were, 3 pat his lawe nas nawth, 3 J?at he scholde myd his godes to pyne of helle ben brouth. 132 fie iustise let J?es children nyine, J?ei ye 3 onge were; In depe prison 3 e weren i-cast, to tormenten hem Jiere. Wei glad were J?es 3 unge, po 3 e were y-noine, [foi. 230] ffor he hopeden y-martired be, 3 to heuene-blisse come. 136 fi o let pe Iustise anon after seint blase sende, 3 het him 1 honure here godes, 3 his Jjout sone wende. 1 ms. hem “ It is for naut,” seint blase seyde, “ ])ou ne schalt it nat make fiat ich wreche stones honure, 3 Ihesu crist for-sake. 140 Do wij) my body what J?ou wilt, of whom Jjou hast power ; Of my soule ne hast jmu [non], it nis nat in p\ power.” fie r was a water swyjje depe : pe iustise atte laste, ffor-to adranche J?is holy man, amyddes he let him caste. 1 MS.vpfro 144 Signe of pe crois seint blase made : vp 1 pe water he 3 ede dreye, Vp 3 doun als vpe druye lond, ne my 3 te pe water him nuye. “Wreche,” he seyde, “her J?ou my 3 t se wich is godes my 3 th ! Loke 3 if 30 ure godes so hardi be pat ]?ei 1 doren here a-ly^th !” 148 ffifue 3 sixti of proute hynen lupen into pe water a-non, j ? 1 ' P 3 treste to meche to here godes, 3 adreynten euerichon. fio weren po pat stode a-rowe , 1 ech be o])er as J?ei stode, 1 ul. pe opere J?e nr were ST. blase’s converts are martyred, he too. prayer 489 TO HIM REMOVES BONES STUCK IN FOLK’S THROATS. per ne dorste non of hem to pern go for depe of pe flode. 152 Seint blase ^ede vp 3 doun, 3 an aungel to him com 3 seyde : “ pou take pe blisse of lieuene poru pi martirdom ! ” J)is godeman ponkede ihesu crist, p l his aungel to him seude ; 3 po his [fon ] 1 ne dorste comen hym ney, a^en to londe he wende. he seyde : “ nou ^e ben agast forto comen to me, 1 om. ai. \>e o}>er I come to 3011 in godes name, for I 30U nelle fle.” ])o schon his face as pe sonne, wip leine swipe bry^the ; per nas [non] pat for bry^thnesse his face sen 1 my^the. 1 MS. b* sen 1G0 per were ey^tte 3 twenti men .3 sixti men also p at leueden in god for J je miracle pat pere was I-do. I-nome he were wip pis gode man, to-fore pe iustise ben brouth. pe iustise bad seint blase 3 hem change here pout. 164 po he sey pei nolde it do, he het 1 his men a-non 1 MS. let to sinyten of wipoute pe toun here liefdes euerichon. ))es twey children in prison were \ loude he gonne grede pa,t me hem scholde to martyrdom wip seint blase lede, 168 3 seyden : “ wharto wilie 1 vs wyte, wreches, in pis Iiurne? 1 =wii 3 e ffor nawth it is pat ^e wenep oure pout fro gode turne.” Me nomen pe children 3 ladden hem for p wip opere to martirdom. Seint blase him sat doun akne, po he pider com : 172 (i Louerd ihesu, ^if it is pi wille, ane bone bidde I. pe • 3 if pat any man in his annuy habbe mynde of me, In cas of peryl oper of yuel, oper ^if per is I-schote Bon oper stre, oper opur ping I-comen 1 in mannes prote, 1 ah into eny 176 3 he bidde myn help to pe, be daye oper be ny^tte, Graunte me pis bone, swete iliesu, for pin holy mhtte. 3 if any man assignep aut of his in pe honour of me, • [fbi. 230 b.] Of corn, of orf, of oper ping, Louerd, ich bidde fie 180 pat al his ping mote 1 pe betere preue, for pi swete my^the.” 1 ai. om. per cam fram heuene a bry^th myst 3 an-oward him a-ly^the; J)er-inne oure louerd ly^tte adoun, to pis holy man he seyde : “ Blase, my leue frend, be glad, of dep haue fou no drede ! 184 Al pi bone i pe graunte pat pou hast beden here. lieye pe nou, 3 comep wip me, pou 3 pine twey 1 fere ! ” i a i. triwe he was so glad pat god wip him spak 3 grauntede him his bone, “ Dop,” seyde he to pe tormentores, “ al pat $e habbep to done.” 188 pe tormentores smyten of his heued, .3 alle his feren also, 3 pe twey childre, pat glad were he n^tten come per-to. Sebast hy 3 tte pat cite per seint blase was i-bore, 3 per his heued was of y-smyte — him schamede nat perfore. 192 490 ST. CECILIA WEDS VALERIAN. IN BED SHE TELLS HIM HER CHASTITY IS GUARDED BY AN ANGEL. 1 on the margin added of>er 196 J 2e bone pat he hadde i-bede, cristenemen it vnderstode : In pe bonurance of seint blase he parteden of here gode : pe betere prenede al here 1 god, .3. ^eth it do]) al-so, In pe stede wher his ymage is, . pei finde]) it wel y-do. 3 who is in stable beleue, 3 wille to sein blase crye, 3 ^ifue of his good in honur of hym, god nelle nat for him lye. God leue J)at we parti mote of pe heye blisse pere pat seint blase is lane i-brout, J)at we per - olfe ne mysse. amen 74 Vita & passio sancte Cecilie virginis & martin's. S einte Cecilie, of noble kynde I-bore }e was at rome ; Oure louerd crist je louede wel ar ^e fram cradel come. Stilleliche $e hire let baptise, as we fynden I-wryte ; To oure louerd crist $e bad ^erne hire maydenhod to wyte. 4 So pat J)oru strengpe of hire frendes I-spoused $e was to a man Of gret nobleye 3 of richesse, his name was Vallerian. pis mayde werede robe of pal 3 clones swijje riche, Garlaundes 3 tressoures of gold — pe here next hire liche. 8 Whane $e lierde menstrales song, . je song in hire menstralcie, 1 pis mayde stiliche song of god 3 of his model - marye. f, 0 fsi n ^ e nnf 0 ™ m S0l ' se A vers of pe psalter hire song was, wer-on was mast hire j)out : “ Lat, louerd, myn herte wiJ)oute wem be, p 1 it confundet be naut ! ” 12 A-ny3t as 3e was in riche bed wij) hire lord i-brouth, Sone he hadde of folye ])is clene mayde be-sout. “ Swete herte,” ])is mayde seyde, “ for loue J)ou hast to me, Graunte me y mowe pe telle a litel pryuete, 16 pat ich me mowe J)erof schryue, 3. ])* ])ou it wille hele.” u Certes, lemman,” J)is 3ungman seyde, “ noting telle I nele.” “ Suete lemman,” J?is mayde seyde, “ in warde icham I-do : An aungel of heuene is my wardeyn, 3 my lemman j)er-to. 20 Wel faste he stant her bi me. ^if he vndei^ete pat ])ou be-nome my maydenhod, noting nolde he lete pat he ne wolde harde smyte, 3 be-nyme pe pi my3tte [foi. 231] Of J)i 3ungnesse 3 of noble stat, for J)ou ne my^th wij) him fy3ttlie. 24 Ac 3if he wiste ])ou louedest me in gode loue 3 clene, Wytte 1 he wolde pe als he de]) me, 3 al yuel fro pe 3ene.” 1 ms. wytie? “3if pou wilt,” seyde Vallerian, “ pat ich I-leue J)is, pen angel ])ou most me schewe, pat I se hym I-wis; 28 3 wanne I pat so])e i-se, pat J)ou hast so]) i-seyd, In clenesse for-so])e pi wille I do, al after pi red. 3 if I se pat in folye ])ou louest anoj)er ])an me, ST. CECILIA SENDS HER HUSBAND TO ST. URBAN. IIE TURNS 491 CHRISTIAN, AND ON GOING HOME SEES CECILIA’S, GUARDIAN ANGEL. No-ping ne schal 3011 helpe, pat I ne sle him 3 pe.” 32 “ Swete herte,” seyde pat mayde, “ 3 pou wile pe aungel se, jOou most bileuen on Iliesu crist 3 I-cristned be, 1 ms. wytie? 3 sen him pou schalt 3if pou wilt so ; he pe wile wytte 1 fro helle, So gret ioye of oure loue schal be pat no tunge ne may telle. 36 Ac henne ouer pre myle pou most gon pe wey to 1 apye ; 1 ai. of J?ere [pore] men pou schalt fynde on Ihesu crist faste crye, Sey p t ich to hem pe sende, 3 p t he pe teche anon Whar is seint vrban pe holi old man, for pou most to him gon, 40 ffor priue counseil pou wilt wip him speke. 3 he pe schal baptise. 3 panne pou schalt pan angel se, 3 do as he pe wile wise.” Vallerian a-ros a-non, as oure louerd him 3af wille, To pe stede pe mayde bad he wende for]? wel stille. 44 Jjes pore men him taute a-non to pe olde seint vrban ; he fond him in an old for-late stede, pat 1 wonede neuere man, 1 r. J>er Among puttes 3 burieles als men cristene men preu After pat he martired were, men anye kneu (!) 48 To his feet he ful a-doun a-kne, als-sone as 1 [he] to him come, 1 overlined. 3 seyde pat cesilie send him pider to asken cristendome. “ Louerd, I-herd be pi my3tte,” seyde seint vrban, “ Weper pis be pat Lupere werreor men clepup vallerian? 52 Were cecilie haue him now y-mad, him p t was so wilde 3 more tyrant pan any wolf, als a lomb he is 1 now mylde? ” 1 om. he is Jpo com per go a swipe old man a ly^tthe fro heuene per, hor, wip whyte vestemens, a swipe fair wryt he her. p)o vallerian it 1 I-sey, a-doun he fel for drede ; Seint vrban nom him vp a3en . 3 gan him forp lede. Jpis halewe of heuene tok him pat wryt, 3 bad him forto rede. Vallerian tok it anon, & pus pe wordes sede : “ On 1 louerd is, .3. on bi-leue, .3 on bapt^ingge, On god .3 fader of alle pat bep, p t oueral is .3 in eche pingge.” “ I-leuestou pis,” qwap seint vrban, “ pat pou dost her I-se ? ” “ j)er nis noping,” <\uap pis oper, “ pat bet to leue be.” After pis whyte man he be-held ; he nuste wher he be-cam. Seint vrban him nom a-non, 3 3af him cristendom. To sein Cecilie he wente a3en, po he was pare is fulle : [ ol. 231 b.] he fond hire chambre ly3th wip-inne, .3 swipe swote smulle. 68 he fond cecilie, his gode spouse, 3 an aungel wip hire stonde, Bry3ttere pan any leme 1 ; twey garlondes he hadde on honde, 1 ms. lome Of rose 3 of lilie swote ) pat on, cecilie he tok, > pat oper, vallerian, as we fynden in bok. 72 56 1 Oil. him 60 1 MS. Oure 64 492 ST. CECILIA AND HER HUSBAND GET GARLANDS OF LILIES AND ROSES FROM THE ANGEL. THEY CONVERT THEIR BROTHER TIBURS. “ Wytep pis wip trewe Ioue, wip chaste body 3 clene, Ich hem habbe fro heuene i-brou^th, oure lord hem do]) 3011 lene ; ffor-falewe ne olde wille pei nat, ac euere he willep laste. Two manere floures per bep on, nelle neuere here heu caste ; 76 lilie be-toknep ^oure maydenhod, p 1 is so whyt 3 swote, }}e rose be-toknep ^oure martirdom ; for per-on deye $e mote. And for pou dest, vallerian, cecilie red so sone, What ])ou be-sekest of my lord, he wille pe graunte sone.” 80 “I ne wille 1 noping so miche,” seyde vallerian, 1 ai. wiiny '* Bote 1 pat Tiburs, 2 my broper, wip me were cristeneman.” * MS^Tiburft ‘ Mi lord,” qwap pis aungel, “ wile ^iuen pat ilke grace, 3 bope ^e schulle I-martired be at o tyme, in 0 place.” 84 ])e aungel [wende] wip pis word, he nuste wher he be-com. J^is two clene pingges ioye I-now ech of oper nom. Tiburs com to chambre 3 spac 1 wip his broper pere : 1 ai. to speke he stod 3 be-held al-a-boute als he nuste wher he were ; 88 “ Broper,” he seyde, “ hou gop pis ? pis tyme of pe 3 ere So swote sraul ne smelde I neuere, me pinkp, as I do here ! J)ei pis hous were ful of newe roses 3 of lylie also, I ne myatte hem versschere smelle, me pinkp, pan I now do. 92 So ful ich am al of pe smul, 3 so muche it is in my pout, ]) at Ich am for-sope in an-oper wytte I-brouth.” “ Leue broper,” qwap vallerian, “ garlandes we habbep here Of floures pat pou ne my^t i-se bote pou were oure fere. 96 als pou hast pane swote smel par-of for oure bone, 3if pou wilt be-leue as we, pou my^t sen hem sone.” “ Leue broper,” seyde pis oper, “ whepur it be sop pis, Oper I stonde in matyngge .3 mete pat so it is ? ” 100 “ In metyngge,” qwap vallerian, “ we habbep euere I-be ; Nou we ben ferst of slepe a-waked, nou we mo we ferst i-se.” “ Sestow nou bet,” quap pis oper, “pan pou hast er I-do ? ” “ 3e,” seyde vallerian, “ wel sone 1 me be-houep so, 1 ai. mn. 104 ffor my lordes aungel of heuene hap I-^oue me sy^tli ; 3 for oure loue he pe schal also, ^if pou wile leue a-ry^th.” )}o seyde pis holy mayde : “ tibors, leue broper, What ben maumettes bote wrechedhede ? pou sest on hem non oper. Ne sestou pat pese maumets ben mad of old tre ? Jping p 1 ne may him-sulf lielpe, hou my^te it hel[p]e pe ? ” [foi. 232 ] 110 “No-ping nis sopere,” qwap tiburs, 1 “ panne pat pou hast i-seyd ; Gydiere he were pan any beste pat nolde don pi red.” 1 ms. tiburus 112 Seinte cecilie him custe a-non : “ leue tiburs,” he seyde, ST. CECILIA STAYS AT HOME WHILE HER HUSBAND AND HIS 493 BROTHER BURY MARTYRS. THEY ARE TAKEN UP FOR IT. “ To-day J?ou schalt my broker be, for J?ou wilt don be rede. J)oru clene loue 3 good be-leue ]?i broker my spouse is, J?ar-]?oru J?ou schalt be-come also my broker when ]?ou art his. 116 Mid Vallerian )?ou most go to ]?e bisschop Vrban 3 be cristned, 3 do also as he J ?e rede can.” “ Is )?at vrban,” qwa]? tiburs, “ J?at so ^erne ha)? be sou^th, j)at ^are haj? be fleme 3 hud ? 3 ^if he were for]? brou^th, 120 ffor-berne he scholde, 3 we also, ^if we wij? him were ; 3 so )?e while we heuene sou^then, for-barnd we scholde ben here.” “ 3if j?er nere,” quap )?is mayde, “ onliohe bote )?is lyf, ffol he were )?at it wolde [lese] for any-maner strif ; 124 3 se]?e }?er is so mury lif |?er ]?at we schulle after a-fonge, ffol is J?at nelle a whyle ben wo, to be in ioye so longe.” “ Leue bro]?er,” q uap tiburs, “ )?ou haue merci of me 3 led me to J?at gode man, ich be-seche ]?e.” 128 \)at 0 broker j?at oJ?er ladde to J?e bisschop Vrban ; )}ar he for-sok his foule lawe, 3 be-cam cristene man. Tiburs, )?o he com a^en, j?an aungel sey a-non j)a.t cecilie him hadde be-hote, in )?e chain bre wij? hire gon. — 132 Cecilie, for ^e wyfman was, at horn ^e moste a-byde ; Ak )?ese bre]?eren, )?at men were, a-boute wenten wyde, And whane me martyreden cristenemen, J?ider he wolden gon 3 stele to whan 1 he my^tte best, 3 burien hem 2 a-non. * ms wm™ 136 Als )?ei burieden twey godemen J?at y-martired were, Come ]?e emperoures men .3 nomen hein ry3t ]?ere. 1 ai. me 2 ms. him To-fore )?e Iustise he weren i-brouth. ]?ei 1 askede hem 2 a-non : “ Who made 3011 so hardi to burie J?e emperoures foon, 140 pe mys-bi-leuede trichours j? 4 were a3en oure lawe, })at wij? ry3th Iugement of ]?e lond were i-brout of dawe ? ” tk Sire, we wolde,” J?is o)?ere seyde, “ |?at we wor)?i were here knaues forto habbe I-be, J?at )?ou let quelle )?are ! 144 he leften )?ing J?at nas nawt ; )?ei it semblance hadde, 3 toke good )?ing ]?at was 3 worj? .3. no semblance nadde. )3e worldes ioye, j?at ha]? semblance, for so[}?e] nawt it nys ; And J?ei J?e blisse of heuen J?inke lite, . mechul 3 swete it is.” 148 “ Beaus amys, me J?ynk]? ]?at ben wode : wor]?e he is to habbe wo, who-so ne keput nat of gode.” (i In wynter,” q uap Vallerian, “ Idel men sitten 3 drynkun, To bismere he leyen here 1 tilien )?at a-boute sowynge swynkej? ; 152 In heruest, whan ]?e swynkeres mowe]? fair schef 3 good 3 rype, 1 ai. er^e x In meseyse 30 mowen gon vp 3 doun, he nabbe]? neuere agripe : 494 st. cecilia’s husband and his brother are martyred. SHE BURIES THEM, AND IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE JUSTICE. Als we schulle for oure trauayl In blisse rype atte ende, C 1 fol. 222 b.] whanne 30 , schulle for ^oure ioye to helle wepynde wende.” 156 “ Ek lie 1 ,” seyde fie Iustise, “ J?at Lordes scholde be, 1 ai. we Befi lasse worfi fian swiche wreches, fiat nolde neuere pe ? ” “ Certes,” qua]) vallerian, “ fiou art lasse i-told j^an is a saly beggere a^en god, ne be fiou neuere so bold.” 160 “ Bel amy,” qua p fie Iustise, “yne kepe nat of J>i langlyngge. Do)i ^oure sacrefise a-non, ojier me schal 30U to dejie bringge.” “ Certes,” qua] J?is godeman, “fiou ne bringgest me neuere Jierto.” \)e Iustise hem let a-non in strong prisone do. 164 Maxime fie gayler [het] fiat hem in warde nom ; So fiat he 3 alle his fiorw hem cristene bi-com. Seinte cecilie com be fie prison ; loude $e gan grede : “ What do ^e, godes knytes ? kujiefi ^our staleworthede ! 168 Fy^tefi nou staleworfiliche, to leue fiis derkhede, j)at $e were in fie weye i-brouth Ji 4 to cler ly^t schal 30U lede.” Opon fie morue, to fie maumets fiis gode men were brouth. \)e Iustise het hem don sacrifise ; ac J?ei ne wolde nat. 172 here heued he let of smyte, 3 maxime it 1 I-sey 1 of. om. Whare aungles here soules nome 3 to lieuene baren an hey. To fie Iustise he ^ede anon : “ cristene ich am,” he sede, “ Ich i-sey fie godemannes 1 soule aungles to lieuene lede.” 1 az.menne 176 \)e Iustise him let nymen a-non, naked he let him bete Wifi stronge skourgen,faste i-bounde, forto he gan fiat lif lete. ])e body Jiei casten wifioute fie toun. fio gan cecilie forfi gon : J)ese fire holy martires ^e burede to-gydere a-non. 180 [3e was sone i-nome 3 ilad before fie Iustise fio .] 1 1 Thisv.om. “What,” sede he, “hou gofi fiis? b'efi fier 3 et schrewen mo? artou Vallerianus wif? be pe fey Ich owe mahoun, Bote fiou ofier do, J?i wytli 1 worfi sone I-brouth a-doun. 1 ai. wite lieu 184 Of what kynne artou of y-come, p t fius foleliche wilt 1 lere?” 1 ai. }>edo)> “Of betere kunne,” qua p cecilie, “ fian fiou euere were.” “ In wich-maner lif,” quap fiis ofier, “ fienkest tou to lyue ? ” “ ffor-sofie fiou axest as a fol, 3 swich ansuere me scliul pe 3 iue. 188 for al pi poer, fiou schalt i-se, be fiat fiou wost fien ende, j)at fiou ne schalt fro iliesu cryst ones myn herte wende.” “ hou comefi it fie,” seyde fie iustise, “ to be so hardy her, To clepe me fol fiat am fii maister? ne sixte nower my per. 1 ” 192 “ )?i per , 1 wreche,” quap fiis mayde, “ worfi sone i-brouth be-hynde, for it nis bote a bladre I-blowe fol of a wreche wynde ; 1 ai. poer be it wifi a litel prikke I-priked, a-wey it schrinkefi al : ST. CECILIA REFUSES TO WORSHIP HEATHEN GODS. SHE IS 495 Thrown into boiling water, and her head is half cut off. Als pi caroigne wip siknesse, wreche, a-dwyne selial. [foi. 233] 196 j)i poer pat pou ^elpest of, hope is penne 3 lite.” “ hou gop pis, dame ? ” seyde pe Iustise, “ whenne coinep al pis prute ? I may pe ^iue dep 3 lif, as pou sixt myd pin eye.” “ Certes,” qwap pe mayde po, “ pou lixt per-of wel lieye : 200 a wreche caroyne pou my 3 th ^iue, 3 1 dep pat wel sehort is, 1 ai. om. Ak of lyf ne my^tte no-ping ^iue pi-selue nat, i-wis. Sepe pou my^tli ^iue dep 3 no lif, me pinkp be pur ry^tte j)at pou art depes seriant, for of lif liasto no my^tte. 204 ffor 1 whan pou depes sergeant art, dep pi louerd is, 1 «/• & 3 in dep wip-outen ende pou wilt be, I-wis.” “ Dame,” qmp pe iustise, “of pi gydihede ne kepe ich ry^th nowth. Do sacrifise to oure godes, oper pou worst to depe i-brouth ! ” 208 “ J^ou seist pat ich gydi am,” seinte Cecil ie sede, “ Ac pou art gydi, 3 ek blind, i-sene is on pi rede. Scholde I honure pine [godes] ymad of ston 3 tre ? I nelle it do, for-sope, for pou ne my 3 t nat I-se. 212 Bote pou my 3 th i-se pat art blynd 1 , . pat pis ping sop is; biynd B °h" 3 if pou sixt . 3 . ne leuest it naut, gydi pou art, I-wys, ise for gydi he is pat nelle I-leue pat he sep myd his eye ; Gydi 3 blind pou schalt deye, in helle pyne deye.” 216 p)o ferde pe schrewe as he were wod, he het pis mayde take 3 leden in-to an out-hous, 3 a greth fur make, 3 per-ouer a led-ful of water, 3 al amydde hire caste, To sepe hire per while any Lime hoi on hire I-laste. 220 j ) o pis Iuggement was I^iue, 3 men hire forp ladde, Wifmen 3 men pat [it] i-seye, loude 3 e wopen 3 gradde, “Allas,” pei seyde, “ pat pis 3 ongge ping , 1 pus fair a creature, 1 ms. fis Selial nou lese hire 3 ongge lif, 3 deye porn pe fure ! ” 224 “ Bep stille,” qwap pis lioli mayde, “ for me ne wepep nout ! Mi 3 ongge lif ne lese I nowth, ac to lyue Icham i-brouth. Ane schorte dep I schal a-vonge, 3 lif wip-outen ende ; fifol he were pat nolde also, god lie 1 me sone hyne sende.” 1 aj. om. 228 Men casten hire in pe seping water. par-Inne al ny 3 t seep ; j)e lengere 3 e per-inne sat, pe ferpere 3 e was hire deep ; Wip pe welmes sat 3 pleyde, .3 prechede of godes grace. Mo pan four hundred be-come cristene in pat place. 232 j)e Iustise sey pat he my 3 tte in swich dep hire quelle naut : he het of smyte hire heued, pat 3 c were to depe i-hrout. })e quellere hire smot wip al his mayn pre sipe in pe swere, lie ne smot it nat fulliche of, hire dep was bouth to dere ! 236 496 ST. CECILIA LIVES THREE DAYS WITH HER HEAD HALF CUT OFF, AND TURNS MEN TO CHRIST. No quellere ne moste be pulke daye smyte oftere pan j^rie ; [foi. 233 b.] half-slawe he leuede hire so ; a-wey ward he gan hye. Nou an yuel stede gon he mote, for he was a schrewe ! Wo dede he pat holy rnayde, gulteles hire so to hewe, 240 3 bi-lefte 1 hire so half a-lyue ; welle, wo him be! 1 ai. beieue ffor who-so nuste of no doel, per men my^tte it se : J)is holi rnayde ^ede a-boute, hire heued half of-smyte, 3 was half quik 3 half ded, pat rewpe it was to wyte; 244 3 pouere men mechel of hire good $e delde wip hire honde — It was a wel fair grace of god pat ^e aut my^tte stonde. 3 e prechede, 3 to Ihesu cryst many a god man wende, 3 alle to seirat vrban pe bisschop to baptise ^e hem sende, 248 3 bad pat he scholde hire hous pat ^e hadde woned Inne halewen in oure louerdes name 3 a churche per bigjmne, And burien pere hire swete body, 3 pat oure louerdes seruise Vpe his poer per-inne were i-do on alle-kynne wyse. 252 j)e pridde day after hire martirdom pe rnayde a-doun lay, And prechede to pe cristenemen, 3 bad hem habbe god day, 3 seyde : “ now ich habbe i-do al pat my wille is to, Wende I wile to Ihesu crist, 3 schulle also.” 256 p)is was two hundred ^er .3 pre 3 twenti ry^th After pat oure louer[d] was in his moder a-ly^th. Nou bidde we oure swete louerd, for hire martirdom, To bringge vs to pat ioye pat hire soule to coin. 1 — Amen. 260 1 After this there follows: 75. S. Alexius, in six-lined stanzas, ed. by me in Herriy's Archiv, 1873, and by Furnivall for the Early English Text Society, Original Series, no. 69. MlMi ishj£S£BM Title >rhe aarly S°» t.h-SnRlis^ legendary or LlVes or Saints. WW. , .fil WA #fl £nefb'* Boston College Library Chestnut Hill 67, Mass. Books may be kept two weeks unless a shorter time is specified. Two cents a day is charged for each 2-week book kept overtime; 25 cents a day for each overnight book. If you cannot fine what you want, inquire at the delivery desk for assistance.