 | A Stanzaic Life of Christ |  |
Now of fastyng speke we
of four tymes of the ȝer,
that lewet callen, as witten ȝe,
vmbring dayes and fasting der,
of four tymes of the ȝer,
that lewet callen, as witten ȝe,
vmbring dayes and fasting der,
whiche dayes by autorite
of Pope Calixt ordenes wer,
four tymes four sithe dayes thre,
for sertayn cause, as schun her.
of Pope Calixt ordenes wer,
four tymes four sithe dayes thre,
for sertayn cause, as schun her.
160
The furst cause, God hit wotte,
for Marche is hote and moyste i-wys,
And somer is dry and hote,
heruest colde and dry ay is,
for Marche is hote and moyste i-wys,
And somer is dry and hote,
heruest colde and dry ay is,
Wynter colde and moiste also,
Hyt ys ay by way of kynde,
ther-fore we fasten these tymes oo
For these causes, as I fynde.
Hyt ys ay by way of kynde,
ther-fore we fasten these tymes oo
For these causes, as I fynde.
In Marche moyste and hote, say I,
We fasten to restreyne oright
hote sturing of lechorye,
that in that mone as most might.
We fasten to restreyne oright
hote sturing of lechorye,
that in that mone as most might.
In somer that is dry and hote,
We fasten to wayue auerice
that thenne ys regnyng, God hyt woote,
and men a-bundaunt to that vice.
We fasten to wayue auerice
that thenne ys regnyng, God hyt woote,
and men a-bundaunt to that vice.
In heruest that is cold and drye,
we fasten to a-bate pruyde;
in wynter regnes malice, enuye,
ther-for we fasten that ilke tyde.
we fasten to a-bate pruyde;
in wynter regnes malice, enuye,
ther-for we fasten that ilke tyde.
ffor vche mon that is lyuyng
has part of sum complexion
to these tymes acordyng,
ther-fore me thynke hit gode resoun
has part of sum complexion
to these tymes acordyng,
ther-fore me thynke hit gode resoun
To fast tho tymes of the ȝer,
and from these flesly wylles fle,
that of meschef ben grete mater
by way of kynde, as ȝe moun se.
and from these flesly wylles fle,
that of meschef ben grete mater
by way of kynde, as ȝe moun se.
Secunda causa quare quater in anno ieiunamus.
The secunde cause qwy fast we
these four tymes of the ȝer,
schillfully may this be,
that I thenke to schew her.
these four tymes of the ȝer,
schillfully may this be,
that I thenke to schew her.
161
In Marche ys the forme fastyng
In the furst weke of lenton,
that holy tyme bygynnyng
vices in vs degh moun,
In the furst weke of lenton,
that holy tyme bygynnyng
vices in vs degh moun,
ffor sythen that lechery ys spryngyng,
that tyme gode ys we make vs boun
stifly to be with-stondyng
suche fleschely temptacion.
that tyme gode ys we make vs boun
stifly to be with-stondyng
suche fleschely temptacion.
Sithen that herbe and eke tre
by-gynnes thenne to spryng and sprede,
in vertues ther-fore spryng we
from syn rising, as I rede.
by-gynnes thenne to spryng and sprede,
in vertues ther-fore spryng we
from syn rising, as I rede.
In somer in the witsone weke
we fasten eft with gode entent
to receyue w[i]th hert meke
the Holy Gost that thenne is sent.
we fasten eft with gode entent
to receyue w[i]th hert meke
the Holy Gost that thenne is sent.
And riȝt as þat Gost from aboue
In fourme of fuyr to vs is sent,
so shyn our hertes in gret luf
thurȝe sich fastyng be feruent.
In fourme of fuyr to vs is sent,
so shyn our hertes in gret luf
thurȝe sich fastyng be feruent.
In Septembre þe thrid time is
that we fasten in this maner,
for then fruytes, ȝe knowen þis,
gederide ar for al þe ȝer,
that we fasten in this maner,
for then fruytes, ȝe knowen þis,
gederide ar for al þe ȝer,
Þerfore þat time to fast & pray
that fruytes sauely moun com in,
skilful thing it is in fay
that God that time on vs wil myn,
that fruytes sauely moun com in,
skilful thing it is in fay
that God that time on vs wil myn,
And fruytes of gode wercus tho
moun ȝeld to God alweldyng,
that sustinaunce sendis for vs so
Aȝayn wynter then comyng.
moun ȝeld to God alweldyng,
that sustinaunce sendis for vs so
Aȝayn wynter then comyng.
162
In December also fasten we
the ferth time with deuocioun,
quen herbes deȝen & lef of tre
fades & then falles doun,
the ferth time with deuocioun,
quen herbes deȝen & lef of tre
fades & then falles doun,
As to þe world so shulden we
deȝe of vices, & make vs boun
Aȝaynus his natiuite,
that worthily welcum hym we moun.
deȝe of vices, & make vs boun
Aȝaynus his natiuite,
that worthily welcum hym we moun.
Tercia causa quare quater in anno ieiunamus ad imitandum iudeos in veteri testamento.
The thrid cause of þis fastyng
is forto sewe with gode entent
our fadirs dede, as in that thyng
of þe Olde Testament.
is forto sewe with gode entent
our fadirs dede, as in that thyng
of þe Olde Testament.
ffor as we fynden so fastide thay
ffour times of þe ȝer;
bifore pasches þe first was ay,
And bifore qvitsonday in fere,
ffour times of þe ȝer;
bifore pasches þe first was ay,
And bifore qvitsonday in fere,
bifore the fest of cenophegy,
And þe fest of encenny eke;
quat ben þes festes telle wyl I,
that ow nede no firre to seke.
And þe fest of encenny eke;
quat ben þes festes telle wyl I,
that ow nede no firre to seke.
Pascha, id est transitus, quia tunc Christus transiuit de morte ad vitam, vel Iudei de Egipto per Mare Rubrum ad patriam redierunt.
Pasche is as mich to say
As goyng aȝayn, as preues this,
for Crist from deth on Pasch day
to lif turnet with gret blis.
As goyng aȝayn, as preues this,
for Crist from deth on Pasch day
to lif turnet with gret blis.
Also in boke rede we
of þe Olde Testament,
that Iewes aȝayn into Iude
form Egipt then wer sent.
of þe Olde Testament,
that Iewes aȝayn into Iude
form Egipt then wer sent.
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