 | The South English Legendary |  |
De conuersione sancti Pauli
Seinte Poul was a luþer man ar he iconuerted were
Alle Cristene men of þe lond had of him gret fere
For he was muche and strong & fel ware so he eni fonde
He ne sparede in none stude þat he ne slou to gronde
Þo he hadde aboute Ierusalem in euerich stude isoȝt
And alle Cristenemen þat he uond to strong deþ ibroȝt
He com to maistres of þe lawe & sede ich am imad clene
Al þis lond of Cristen men ȝe ne dorre of hom noȝt mene
Alle Cristene men of þe lond had of him gret fere
265
He ne sparede in none stude þat he ne slou to gronde
Þo he hadde aboute Ierusalem in euerich stude isoȝt
And alle Cristenemen þat he uond to strong deþ ibroȝt
He com to maistres of þe lawe & sede ich am imad clene
Al þis lond of Cristen men ȝe ne dorre of hom noȝt mene
Wende ichelle to Damache and clansi þat lond also
Alle þat ich finde may to deþe ichelle do
Oþer ichelle hom faste binde & hider to ȝou sende
Al þat ich finde may ichelle sle oþer ssende
Alle þat ich finde may to deþe ichelle do
Oþer ichelle hom faste binde & hider to ȝou sende
Al þat ich finde may ichelle sle oþer ssende
Þe prince made him lettres gode and forþ sende him in a stonde
Þat he slowe al Cristene men þat he ower fonde
Oþer bringe hom to Ierusalem as þeues faste ibonde
Þat hi were þoru iugement sone ibroȝt to gronde
Þat he slowe al Cristene men þat he ower fonde
Oþer bringe hom to Ierusalem as þeues faste ibonde
Þat hi were þoru iugement sone ibroȝt to gronde
Saul was þo is riȝte name he gan him forþ wende
Iarmed and monymon wiþ him to bringe is þoȝt to ende
As he com amidde þe wei him com a liȝt aboute
Þat he nemiȝte for liȝte ise[o] þo gan him somdel doute
He stod as þei he were astoned þo com þer inne a stonde
A strong dunt as þei it þondrede were þer wiþ he fel to gronde
He lay and nemiȝte him wawe noȝt a uois he hurde telle
Saul wi worrestou upe me mine men forto quelle
Iarmed and monymon wiþ him to bringe is þoȝt to ende
As he com amidde þe wei him com a liȝt aboute
Þat he nemiȝte for liȝte ise[o] þo gan him somdel doute
He stod as þei he were astoned þo com þer inne a stonde
A strong dunt as þei it þondrede were þer wiþ he fel to gronde
He lay and nemiȝte him wawe noȝt a uois he hurde telle
Saul wi worrestou upe me mine men forto quelle
Wo ertou sede Saul Louerd ertou þare
Icham God quaþ þis oþer þat þou hast iworred ȝare
Aȝen þe prikke to wincy swuþe strong it is to þe
Louerd quaþ Saul þo wat woltou do by me
Icham God quaþ þis oþer þat þou hast iworred ȝare
Aȝen þe prikke to wincy swuþe strong it is to þe
Louerd quaþ Saul þo wat woltou do by me
Þou sselt quaþ oure Louerd þo into þe toun wende
Þine riȝte bileue forto teche a man ichelle þe sende
Þis was þe fourteþe ȝer after þulke stonde
Þat God þolede on þe rode an eorþe deþes wonde
Þo Saul hadde longe ileie wel softe up he ros
He ne miȝte ise[o] a del wel sore him agros
He let him lede into þe toun hit was þe þridde day
Ar he ete oþer dronke oþer wiþ eiȝe isay
Þine riȝte bileue forto teche a man ichelle þe sende
Þis was þe fourteþe ȝer after þulke stonde
Þat God þolede on þe rode an eorþe deþes wonde
Þo Saul hadde longe ileie wel softe up he ros
He ne miȝte ise[o] a del wel sore him agros
266
Ar he ete oþer dronke oþer wiþ eiȝe isay
Oure Louerd com to a god prest ihote was Ananie
Go he sede into þe toun to Iudas is hous þou hie
Saul þou sselt finde þer þat iworred me haþ longe
Baptise him in my name and he it wole auonge
Seie þat God þe þuder sende þat bi weie to him com
As he wolde werri him and is poer him binom
Go he sede into þe toun to Iudas is hous þou hie
Saul þou sselt finde þer þat iworred me haþ longe
Baptise him in my name and he it wole auonge
Seie þat God þe þuder sende þat bi weie to him com
As he wolde werri him and is poer him binom
Louerd sede Ananie ich habbe ihurd muche telle
Þat Saul was a luþer man Cristen men to quelle
Þat Saul was a luþer man Cristen men to quelle
Ne doute þe noȝt quaþ oure Louerd lomb he is bicome
Hym þencheþ longe ar he habbe Cristendom inome
To be[o] prechor of mi word ichose ich him habbe
He worþ wis and studeuast betere non inabbe
Hym þencheþ longe ar he habbe Cristendom inome
To be[o] prechor of mi word ichose ich him habbe
He worþ wis and studeuast betere non inabbe
Þo Ananie hurde þis hardeliche he wende
He com to Saul & sede him þat oure Louerd him þuder sende
Þat he ssolde Cristene be[o] Saul was wel bliþe
Ar he were ibaptized he herede God fale siþe
Þo he ibaptized was Paul was is name
Wel aȝte we doute þulke God þat of wilde makeþ tame
He com to Saul & sede him þat oure Louerd him þuder sende
Þat he ssolde Cristene be[o] Saul was wel bliþe
Ar he were ibaptized he herede God fale siþe
Þo he ibaptized was Paul was is name
Wel aȝte we doute þulke God þat of wilde makeþ tame
Anon so he ibaptized was þer fel out of eiþer eiȝe
Fulþhede as it were slim þat alle men iseie
Þo miȝte he swuþe wel ise[o] he huld up is honde
Akne[o] he sat inis bedes and þonkede Godes sonde
Tendre metes me made him and ȝaf him þerof ofte
Is strengþe forto keueri bet hi biddeþ him wel softe
Fulþhede as it were slim þat alle men iseie
Þo miȝte he swuþe wel ise[o] he huld up is honde
Akne[o] he sat inis bedes and þonkede Godes sonde
Tendre metes me made him and ȝaf him þerof ofte
Is strengþe forto keueri bet hi biddeþ him wel softe
Þo sein Poul ykeuered was þat he hadde strengþe of manne
He porueide him of þe prechinge and wende him anon þanne
Into þe Giwene sinagoge and prechede Cristendom
Gret wonder hadde men of him þat he prechor bicom
And sede nis þis þulke man þat worrede alle þe[o]
In þe lond of Ierusalem þat he miȝte Cristene ise[o]
Faste he prechede upe þe Giwes to bringe hore lawe to gronde
And hi awaitede him to sle ȝif he were yfonde
He nebileuede for no drede þat he ne prechede bliue
For euere þoru oure Louerdes grace he ofscapede wiþ þe liue
He porueide him of þe prechinge and wende him anon þanne
Into þe Giwene sinagoge and prechede Cristendom
Gret wonder hadde men of him þat he prechor bicom
And sede nis þis þulke man þat worrede alle þe[o]
In þe lond of Ierusalem þat he miȝte Cristene ise[o]
267
And hi awaitede him to sle ȝif he were yfonde
He nebileuede for no drede þat he ne prechede bliue
For euere þoru oure Louerdes grace he ofscapede wiþ þe liue
A tyme he stod and prechede iclosed wiþinne a walle
Þo þe Giwes him vnderȝete glade hi were wiþ alle
Þe ȝetes hi lete uaste wite þat hi wolde biniȝte
Nime him and al tohacki him ȝif hi him hente miȝte
Þo þe Giwes him vnderȝete glade hi were wiþ alle
Þe ȝetes hi lete uaste wite þat hi wolde biniȝte
Nime him and al tohacki him ȝif hi him hente miȝte
Somme Cristene þat þer were were þere of iwar
Poul hi tolde sone uore an lepe me him bar
Þer inne he was al wiþ ropes ouer þe walle ibroȝt
Þe Giwes awaitede him wiþoute [] ac he necom bi hom bi hom noȝt
To þe apostles he wende anon at Ierusalem as hi were
Þe apostles þo he to hom com hadde of him gret fere
For he hadde er luþer ibe[o] hi wende he were þo
Al hi flowe is companie and huld him fore hore fo
Poul hi tolde sone uore an lepe me him bar
Þer inne he was al wiþ ropes ouer þe walle ibroȝt
Þe Giwes awaitede him wiþoute [] ac he necom bi hom bi hom noȝt
To þe apostles he wende anon at Ierusalem as hi were
Þe apostles þo he to hom com hadde of him gret fere
For he hadde er luþer ibe[o] hi wende he were þo
Al hi flowe is companie and huld him fore hore fo
Sein Barnabe weste of him mest þe apostles fore he sede
Þat he was iturnd to god wiþ hom is lif to lede
Among þe apostles him ueng & for him ioious were
Oure Louerdes lawe and Cristendom hi gonne him ȝute bet lere
Þat he was iturnd to god wiþ hom is lif to lede
Among þe apostles him ueng & for him ioious were
Oure Louerdes lawe and Cristendom hi gonne him ȝute bet lere
Þo he hadde of þe apostles longe [] ileorned Godes lawe
And he felde on him Godes grace to Cristendom men drawe
Aboute as Godes champion he wende to prechi wide
He ne sparede noȝt for drede of deþ to wende in euerich side
For he was strang of bodi inou and miȝte þole gret wo
Wiþ limes as a champion him ne roȝte woder go
And he was also grettost clerk of þe apostles echone
Þere uore þere mest neode was forþ he wende alone
Þe pains of alle luþer men grettost clerkes were
Þer uore þer nas non oþer postel þer nadde of hom gret fere
And he felde on him Godes grace to Cristendom men drawe
Aboute as Godes champion he wende to prechi wide
He ne sparede noȝt for drede of deþ to wende in euerich side
For he was strang of bodi inou and miȝte þole gret wo
Wiþ limes as a champion him ne roȝte woder go
And he was also grettost clerk of þe apostles echone
Þere uore þere mest neode was forþ he wende alone
Þe pains of alle luþer men grettost clerkes were
268
Ac for sein Poul was so gret clerk among hom bold he wende
And desputede wel aȝen hom þoru grace þat God him sende
He prouede of God wiþ pur clergie ech word þat he sede
And þer þoru teiȝte monymon holy lif to lede
And desputede wel aȝen hom þoru grace þat God him sende
He prouede of God wiþ pur clergie ech word þat he sede
And þer þoru teiȝte monymon holy lif to lede
Sein Denis to Cristendom he broȝte in a tyme
Þat was þe grettoste clerk þat was in al paynime
So gret clerk nere þe Giwes noȝt as þe pains were
Þere uore þoru pur clergie me ssolde him lite lere
And þoru uertue of miracles þat oure Louerd sende
Þer uore þe apostel seinte Peter to prechi among hom wende
For mest miracle he miȝte do among alle þat euere were
Þeruore is prechinge was þe Giwes forto lere
Þo sein Poul itrauailled hadde muche for Cristendom
Hit biuel as God it wolde þat he to Rome com
To helpe þe apostel seinte Peter and oþer halwene also
To speke aȝen Simon Magus and þe emperor Nero
Þat was þe grettoste clerk þat was in al paynime
So gret clerk nere þe Giwes noȝt as þe pains were
Þere uore þoru pur clergie me ssolde him lite lere
And þoru uertue of miracles þat oure Louerd sende
Þer uore þe apostel seinte Peter to prechi among hom wende
For mest miracle he miȝte do among alle þat euere were
Þeruore is prechinge was þe Giwes forto lere
Þo sein Poul itrauailled hadde muche for Cristendom
Hit biuel as God it wolde þat he to Rome com
To helpe þe apostel seinte Peter and oþer halwene also
To speke aȝen Simon Magus and þe emperor Nero
A day aboute euesong time he stod and prechede at Rome
In a stude as þe men wel þicke aboute him come
Patrok þe ki[n]ges botiler wolde hure him uawe
He gan for prece of þe men to an hei fenestre drawe
Adoun he sat þere aboue al out of þe hepe
Þe prechinge so longe him þoȝte þat he werþ aslepe
As he slep he fel adoun of þe fenestre anhei
Þat he debrusede & deide anon as al þat folk isey
As þe emperor com out of baþe is men him tolde uore
Gret deol he made for he hadde is boteler forlore
In a stude as þe men wel þicke aboute him come
Patrok þe ki[n]ges botiler wolde hure him uawe
He gan for prece of þe men to an hei fenestre drawe
Adoun he sat þere aboue al out of þe hepe
Þe prechinge so longe him þoȝte þat he werþ aslepe
As he slep he fel adoun of þe fenestre anhei
Þat he debrusede & deide anon as al þat folk isey
As þe emperor com out of baþe is men him tolde uore
Gret deol he made for he hadde is boteler forlore
Ac sein Poul attelaste to þe dede sede also
Aris up Patrok and tel us fore wat God þe haþ ido
Aris up Patrok and tel us fore wat God þe haþ ido
269
Þe botiler anon mid þulke worde fram deþe aros to liue
And þonkede God þat him boȝte wiþ is wondes fiue
And tolde al hou [oure] Lou[er]d is soule to þe bodi aȝen sende
Þat men iseie is poer hore lif forto amende
And þonkede God þat him boȝte wiþ is wondes fiue
And tolde al hou [oure] Lou[er]d is soule to þe bodi aȝen sende
Þat men iseie is poer hore lif forto amende
Ac Nero sat and gret deol made for is botiler þat was ded
Þat he was to liue arise sone him was ised
Touore him he was sone ibroȝt he esste him anon
Wo him broȝte to liue aȝen þat he miȝte so gon
Certes sire quaþ Patrok bote Iesus þat us boȝte
And deide for us on þe rode to liue aȝen me broȝte
Þat he was to liue arise sone him was ised
Touore him he was sone ibroȝt he esste him anon
Wo him broȝte to liue aȝen þat he miȝte so gon
Certes sire quaþ Patrok bote Iesus þat us boȝte
And deide for us on þe rode to liue aȝen me broȝte
Þe emperor aros anon as þei þat he wod were
Eke he sede þou seruest him & smot him vnder þe ere
Eke he sede þou seruest him & smot him vnder þe ere
Certes sire þat is soþ þis oþer aȝen sede
Ich serui him and wole mi lif inis seruise lede
Þo sede oþer þat þer stode sire þou hast misdo
Þou smist him for Iesu Crist we serueþ him also
Þo was Nero almest wod he nom hom attelaste
And let hom binde euerichone and in strang prison caste
Ich serui him and wole mi lif inis seruise lede
Þo sede oþer þat þer stode sire þou hast misdo
Þou smist him for Iesu Crist we serueþ him also
Þo was Nero almest wod he nom hom attelaste
And let hom binde euerichone and in strang prison caste
Sein Poul þat hore maister was he let biuore him lede
Bel ami he sede wat ertou þat dest so hardi dede
Þat comst here into mi lond and mid þi false lore
Binimest my kniȝtes & my men ich nelle it þolie namore
Bel ami he sede wat ertou þat dest so hardi dede
Þat comst here into mi lond and mid þi false lore
Binimest my kniȝtes & my men ich nelle it þolie namore
Siker be[o] þou sire quaþ þis oþer ne be[o] þou noȝt so sturne
Þat i necome noȝt one into þi lond þat nis bote an hurne
Ac of eche lond of þe world men togadere ich bringe
To serui mi Louerd Iesu Crist heist of alle kinge
And ȝif þou wost be[o] inis seruise isaued þou ssost be[o]
And bote þou wolle þou miȝt be[o] siker adeoluey fle[o]
Þat i necome noȝt one into þi lond þat nis bote an hurne
Ac of eche lond of þe world men togadere ich bringe
To serui mi Louerd Iesu Crist heist of alle kinge
And ȝif þou wost be[o] inis seruise isaued þou ssost be[o]
And bote þou wolle þou miȝt be[o] siker adeoluey fle[o]
Þo Nero hurde þis he uerde as he wod were
Ware be[o] ȝe he sede tormentors þat neuere slake nere
Þe men þat þis þeof haþ iturnd nyme hom sone echon
And forberneþ hom wiþoute toun boþe fleiss & bon
And þis þeof þat maister is of al þis luþer dede
Smiteþ of is luþer efd sone ich ȝou rede
Ware be[o] ȝe he sede tormentors þat neuere slake nere
Þe men þat þis þeof haþ iturnd nyme hom sone echon
And forberneþ hom wiþoute toun boþe fleiss & bon
270
Smiteþ of is luþer efd sone ich ȝou rede
Sire emperor quaþ sein Poul þat þou þat soþe ise[o]
Þat ich after þis ssorte deþe aliue in heuene be[o]
Wanne min heued is of ismite ichelle come aliue to þe
Þat þou iluue Godes miȝte wanne þou nelt noȝt me
Þat ich after þis ssorte deþe aliue in heuene be[o]
Wanne min heued is of ismite ichelle come aliue to þe
Þat þou iluue Godes miȝte wanne þou nelt noȝt me
Me ladde sein Poul touward þe deþ & seinte Peter also
Muche was þe deol bitwene hom þo hi departede atwo
Muche was þe deol bitwene hom þo hi departede atwo
An holy womman þer was ney þat ihote was Plantille
Toward sein Poul and is prechinge gret loue heo hadde & wille
Aȝen him he[o] com in þe wey þo me him to deþe ladde
Þis womman made deol inou loude he[o] wep & gradde
Alas heo sede leue uader þat ich þis ise[o]
Alas alas þat i nemiȝte wiþ þe imartred be[o]
Þis foule tirans þat þe ledeþ hi woleþ þe lite forbere
Þei þou be[o] uillich itormented ȝute hi wolleþ þe more totere
Wanne i nemay do þe namore mi kerchef tak to þe
To binde þin eiȝene wanne me þe quelþ to habbe munde of me
Toward sein Poul and is prechinge gret loue heo hadde & wille
Aȝen him he[o] com in þe wey þo me him to deþe ladde
Þis womman made deol inou loude he[o] wep & gradde
Alas heo sede leue uader þat ich þis ise[o]
Alas alas þat i nemiȝte wiþ þe imartred be[o]
Þis foule tirans þat þe ledeþ hi woleþ þe lite forbere
Þei þou be[o] uillich itormented ȝute hi wolleþ þe more totere
Wanne i nemay do þe namore mi kerchef tak to þe
To binde þin eiȝene wanne me þe quelþ to habbe munde of me
Leue moder quaþ he ichelle do as þou hast ised
Ac no luþer man ne ssel it habbe after þat ich am ded
For also hol ware so þou be[o] hit ssel come aȝen to þe
Haue goday mi leue moder loke þat þou bidde for me
Ac no luþer man ne ssel it habbe after þat ich am ded
For also hol ware so þou be[o] hit ssel come aȝen to þe
Haue goday mi leue moder loke þat þou bidde for me
Plantille bileuede stille þere in deol and sorwe inou
And sein Poul wiþoute toun toward þe deþe me drou
Þre[o] men þat he was bitake sede to him by weie
Leoue Poul hou geþ þis þat ȝou ne stont of deþ non eiȝe
And sein Poul wiþoute toun toward þe deþe me drou
Þre[o] men þat he was bitake sede to him by weie
Leoue Poul hou geþ þis þat ȝou ne stont of deþ non eiȝe
War is þe king þat ȝe on biluueþ ware hastou him iknowe
Wat ȝifþ he ȝou þat ȝe wolleþ such deþ for him owe
Wat ȝifþ he ȝou þat ȝe wolleþ such deþ for him owe
Alas ȝe breþeren quaþ sein Poul þat ȝe beoþ of witte so gode
Þat ȝe it nolde to gode turne þat ȝe ariȝt vnderstode
Þat ȝe miȝte iknewe þan heiȝe king & þat fur of helle fle[o]
War inne alle þat neknoweþ him noȝt wiþoute ende ssolleþ be[o]
Þat ȝe it nolde to gode turne þat ȝe ariȝt vnderstode
271
War inne alle þat neknoweþ him noȝt wiþoute ende ssolleþ be[o]
We biddeþ þe ȝeorne quaþ þis oþere þat þou us þane wei teche
Hou we solleþ þat fur fle[o] and ȝoure king areche
And we wolleþ þe lete go þi wei and bringe of þis wo
And ȝif þou wolt þine felawes be[o] & to deþe wiþ þe go
Hou we solleþ þat fur fle[o] and ȝoure king areche
And we wolleþ þe lete go þi wei and bringe of þis wo
And ȝif þou wolt þine felawes be[o] & to deþe wiþ þe go
Nai leoue breþeren quaþ þis oþer inam outlawe non
Ac Godes kniȝt & inele noȝt fram þe deþe gon
Ac wanne ȝe beoþ fram me iwend & habbeþ me ibroȝt of dawe
Cristene men sone as hi dorre touward me wolleþ drawe
And burie me in a priue stude awaiteþ ware he be[o]
Com þuder to morwe wanne it daweþ & ȝe ssolleþ wonder ise[o]
Titus & Luk ȝe ssolleþ finde in hore beden þere
Seggeþ hom þat ich ȝou sende þuder hi wolleþ ȝou þe bet lere
Cristendom hi wolleþ ȝou teche and to Cristendom bringe
And ssolle ȝe to heuene reche to þe heie kynge
Ac doþ nou as ich habbe ised for me þencheþ longe
Ar ich habbe þoru martirdom þe ioie of heuene auonge
Ac Godes kniȝt & inele noȝt fram þe deþe gon
Ac wanne ȝe beoþ fram me iwend & habbeþ me ibroȝt of dawe
Cristene men sone as hi dorre touward me wolleþ drawe
And burie me in a priue stude awaiteþ ware he be[o]
Com þuder to morwe wanne it daweþ & ȝe ssolleþ wonder ise[o]
Titus & Luk ȝe ssolleþ finde in hore beden þere
Seggeþ hom þat ich ȝou sende þuder hi wolleþ ȝou þe bet lere
Cristendom hi wolleþ ȝou teche and to Cristendom bringe
And ssolle ȝe to heuene reche to þe heie kynge
Ac doþ nou as ich habbe ised for me þencheþ longe
Ar ich habbe þoru martirdom þe ioie of heuene auonge
Þe quellare drou out is swerd & is heued gan of smite
Þe wonder þat God for him dude riȝt is þat me write
For þo þat heued was of ismite & fram þe body lay
Ȝute he spak & herede God as al þat folk ysay
Wiȝt milk þer orn out of þe wombe þer as he was ysmite
And bisprengde al þe kniȝtes cloþes as we fyndeþ iwrite
And after þe wite milk red blod he gan blede
Luþer men þat it iseie wolde wel nei aweode
Þe wonder þat God for him dude riȝt is þat me write
For þo þat heued was of ismite & fram þe body lay
Ȝute he spak & herede God as al þat folk ysay
Wiȝt milk þer orn out of þe wombe þer as he was ysmite
And bisprengde al þe kniȝtes cloþes as we fyndeþ iwrite
And after þe wite milk red blod he gan blede
Luþer men þat it iseie wolde wel nei aweode
Þe cheuerchef hi wolde take þat he bond wiþ is eiȝe
Þo nuste hi war it was bicome after þat he gan deiȝe
To toune hi wende mony of hom & þo hi come to þe ȝate
Plantille þe holy womman hi fonde sitte þer ate
Abusmare hi hure esste anon dame wi sistou here
Openheued & gidiliche al one wiþoute fere
Wy neltou wiþ þi kerechef þat Poul þe haþ bynome
Þin heued helie for he sede þat it ssolde to þe come
272
To toune hi wende mony of hom & þo hi come to þe ȝate
Plantille þe holy womman hi fonde sitte þer ate
Abusmare hi hure esste anon dame wi sistou here
Openheued & gidiliche al one wiþoute fere
Wy neltou wiþ þi kerechef þat Poul þe haþ bynome
Þin heued helie for he sede þat it ssolde to þe come
Awei wrecches quaþ Plantille þat ȝe acorsed beoþ
Þat ȝe nolleþ no soþ ileoue þat ȝe wiþ eiȝene iseoþ
Þe kerechef þat ich him bitok al blodi here it is
Bisprengd mid þe holy blod [] þat sein Poul ssadde iwis
He sede þat it ssolde aȝen hider to me be[o] ibroȝt
Lo it here as ȝe it iseoþ þat he nelucþ þerof noȝt
Þat ȝe nolleþ no soþ ileoue þat ȝe wiþ eiȝene iseoþ
Þe kerechef þat ich him bitok al blodi here it is
Bisprengd mid þe holy blod [] þat sein Poul ssadde iwis
He sede þat it ssolde aȝen hider to me be[o] ibroȝt
Lo it here as ȝe it iseoþ þat he nelucþ þerof noȝt
Þo were þis oþere sore agaste hamward hi ourne faste
Þe emperor hi tolde uore hou it was attelaste
Þe emperor hi tolde uore hou it was attelaste
Þe þre[o] men þat wolde Cristene be[o] as sein Poul hadde ised
To þe tombe amorwe wende as he was on iled
Þo seie hi Tit and seint Luc hore beden þere bidde
And in hore orisons faste be[o] & sein Poul stod amidde
Hi bigonne to urne faste þat hi hom come to
As sore were þis oþere agaste þat hi hom wolde misdo
And bigonne faste to fle[o] þis oþere bigonne to grede
Hi sede hi wolde Cristene be[o] as sein Poul ham gan rede
Þe halwene were þo glad inou and ȝeue hom Cristendom
Ac sein Poul ar hi togadere come me nuste ware he bicom
To þe tombe amorwe wende as he was on iled
Þo seie hi Tit and seint Luc hore beden þere bidde
And in hore orisons faste be[o] & sein Poul stod amidde
Hi bigonne to urne faste þat hi hom come to
As sore were þis oþere agaste þat hi hom wolde misdo
And bigonne faste to fle[o] þis oþere bigonne to grede
Hi sede hi wolde Cristene be[o] as sein Poul ham gan rede
Þe halwene were þo glad inou and ȝeue hom Cristendom
Ac sein Poul ar hi togadere come me nuste ware he bicom
Þe emperor was sore agast he let ofsende ef sone
Al is conseil þat was wis to loke wat were to done
As hi were alle in a priue stude and her of speke uaste
And ȝates and doren faste iloke sein Poul com attelaste
Lo me her he sede sire emperor God almiȝti is kniȝt
Woltou ȝute þat soþe ileoue and þin owene siȝt
Woltou leoue þat ich am aliue in heuene blisse
And þou sselt to þe pine of helle and of alle ioie misse
For þou hast an eorþe issad moni holy mannes blod
Þo þe emperor hurde þis witles he was and wod
Al is conseil þat was wis to loke wat were to done
As hi were alle in a priue stude and her of speke uaste
And ȝates and doren faste iloke sein Poul com attelaste
Lo me her he sede sire emperor God almiȝti is kniȝt
Woltou ȝute þat soþe ileoue and þin owene siȝt
Woltou leoue þat ich am aliue in heuene blisse
273
For þou hast an eorþe issad moni holy mannes blod
Þo þe emperor hurde þis witles he was and wod
Wod he bileuede al is lif and to deþe he let do
Fader and moder and is breþeren and is sostren also
So wod was þe ssrewe bicome þat fore he was biȝite
And ykenned inis moder wombe he swor he wolde iwite
Wuch were þe stude & hou uair þat he [was] kenned inne
He let sle is moder & openi to loke þere wiþinne
Fader and moder and is breþeren and is sostren also
So wod was þe ssrewe bicome þat fore he was biȝite
And ykenned inis moder wombe he swor he wolde iwite
Wuch were þe stude & hou uair þat he [was] kenned inne
He let sle is moder & openi to loke þere wiþinne
Nas nou þis a luþer bern and to luþer hele ibore
Þe ficicians þat wiþ him were blamede him faste þeruore
And sede is moder him boȝte deore & is dede was to wilde
Wat is it so strong quaþ þe ssrewe for to be[o] mid childe
Bi þe fei þat ich owe Mahon þat soþe ichelle fonde
Bote ȝif ȝe make me [mid] childe ichelle ȝou sle mid min honde
Þe ficicians þat wiþ him were blamede him faste þeruore
And sede is moder him boȝte deore & is dede was to wilde
Wat is it so strong quaþ þe ssrewe for to be[o] mid childe
Bi þe fei þat ich owe Mahon þat soþe ichelle fonde
Bote ȝif ȝe make me [mid] childe ichelle ȝou sle mid min honde
Þe leches nedorste non oþer do wat halt it longe to telle
Bote ȝeue him a wonder drench & made þe ssrewe to suelle
And wax wiþinne him a quik þing as he were wiþ childe ibroȝt
So longe þat it was so sor þat he nemiȝte it þole noȝt
He swor is ficicians bote hy made anon
Þat þe child were ibore he wolde hom sle echon
Bote ȝeue him a wonder drench & made þe ssrewe to suelle
And wax wiþinne him a quik þing as he were wiþ childe ibroȝt
So longe þat it was so sor þat he nemiȝte it þole noȝt
He swor is ficicians bote hy made anon
Þat þe child were ibore he wolde hom sle echon
Þo elles þat child was ibore þo was it a ssrewe urogge
For Gode me þingþ lite harm þei it hadde ibe[o] a dogge
Ȝute was þe ssrewe so muche ape þat he louede þat foule þing
As a biche doþ hure welp nou was he a fol king
In a noble stude he let it wite bet þanne it worþe were
Sein Iones hous de Lateren is nouþe irered þere
For Gode me þingþ lite harm þei it hadde ibe[o] a dogge
Ȝute was þe ssrewe so muche ape þat he louede þat foule þing
As a biche doþ hure welp nou was he a fol king
274
Sein Iones hous de Lateren is nouþe irered þere
Þo þoȝte þe ssrewe on a fure & berninge strong inou
Þat in þe bataile of Troie was þo ech mon oþer slou
Þoȝte he murie were it nou to se[o] such fur ilome
Þerefore he let sette afure al þe toun of Rome
Þat in þe bataile of Troie was þo ech mon oþer slou
Þoȝte he murie were it nou to se[o] such fur ilome
Þerefore he let sette afure al þe toun of Rome
Þat folk it nolde þolie namore ac aȝen him turnde echon
And mid ssame him driue out of toune & bicome al is fon
Þo was þe ssrewe so sore ofssamed þat me drof him out of toune
And for ssame astiked him sulue þe gottes felle adoune
And wende an alledeuelwei is mede forto auonge
Nou God us ssulde fram þulke wei for is wonden stronge
And for þe loue of sein Poul was lif ich habbe ised
Bringe us to þe ioie of heuene after þat we beoþ ded
And mid ssame him driue out of toune & bicome al is fon
Þo was þe ssrewe so sore ofssamed þat me drof him out of toune
And for ssame astiked him sulue þe gottes felle adoune
And wende an alledeuelwei is mede forto auonge
Nou God us ssulde fram þulke wei for is wonden stronge
And for þe loue of sein Poul was lif ich habbe ised
Bringe us to þe ioie of heuene after þat we beoþ ded
| The South English Legendary | |