 | Legendys of Hooly Wummen by Osbern Bokenham |  |
The prologe in-to seynt Agneys lyf.
Agnes sacra sui pennam scriptoris inauret
Et det ut inceptum perficiatur opus.
Et det ut inceptum perficiatur opus.
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Seynt Anneys lyf I me purpose
After my kunnyng in ynglysh to wryte.
As me doth techyn seynt Ambrose,
Wych wyth hey style it doth endyte.
Now, blyssyd uirgyn, me to vysyte
Prey god wyth grace & in swych wyse
That suffycyently I me aquyte
May my promyse to acomplyse.
After my kunnyng in ynglysh to wryte.
As me doth techyn seynt Ambrose,
Wych wyth hey style it doth endyte.
Now, blyssyd uirgyn, me to vysyte
Prey god wyth grace & in swych wyse
That suffycyently I me aquyte
May my promyse to acomplyse.
Moor-ouyr as louly as I kan deuyse
I praye ych man þat it shal rede,
Thow it be but rude, he hyt not despyse,
For Pallas certeyn wold me neuyr lede
Of Thully Rethoryk in-to þe motleyde mede
Flourys to gadyrn of crafty eloquens,
But euere þedyrward whan I me dede spede,
Wyth greth dysdeyn she me bad go þens.
I praye ych man þat it shal rede,
Thow it be but rude, he hyt not despyse,
For Pallas certeyn wold me neuyr lede
Of Thully Rethoryk in-to þe motleyde mede
Flourys to gadyrn of crafty eloquens,
But euere þedyrward whan I me dede spede,
Wyth greth dysdeyn she me bad go þens.
And I yet hir preyid wyth vmble reuerence
That she summe fauour wold sheu to me,
And she me answerd in pleyn centence:
‘Thou commyst to late, for gadyrd up be
The most fresh flourys by personys thre,
Of wych tweyne han fynysshyd here fate,
But þe þrydde hath datropos yet in cherte,
As Gower, Chauncer & Ioon Lytgate.’
That she summe fauour wold sheu to me,
And she me answerd in pleyn centence:
‘Thou commyst to late, for gadyrd up be
The most fresh flourys by personys thre,
Of wych tweyne han fynysshyd here fate,
But þe þrydde hath datropos yet in cherte,
As Gower, Chauncer & Ioon Lytgate.’
Wherfore, syth Pallas me þus dede rate
And drof me a-wey so sturdyly,
I wyl neuyr-more wyth hyr debate,
Nere presume to commyn Tullius medwe ny;
And þerfore spekyn & wrytyn I wyl pleynly
Aftyr þe language of Suthfolk speche;
And who-so-euere lyke not þer-by,
Whereeuyr he lyst he bettyr do seche.
And drof me a-wey so sturdyly,
I wyl neuyr-more wyth hyr debate,
Nere presume to commyn Tullius medwe ny;
And þerfore spekyn & wrytyn I wyl pleynly
Aftyr þe language of Suthfolk speche;
And who-so-euere lyke not þer-by,
Whereeuyr he lyst he bettyr do seche.
Agnes of agna, who-so wyl it seke,
Dyryuyid was, seyth Ianuence.
Agna is a lamb, a best ful meke
And sympyl also, aftyr hys sentence.
Wych tuo to Anneys by good congruence
Longyn, for in hem so groundyd was she,
That fro meke & symple eek innocence
Remeuyn hir myht noon aduersyte.
Dyryuyid was, seyth Ianuence.
Agna is a lamb, a best ful meke
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Wych tuo to Anneys by good congruence
Longyn, for in hem so groundyd was she,
That fro meke & symple eek innocence
Remeuyn hir myht noon aduersyte.
Anneys also, as þis clerk doth seye,
Dyryuyid is of knowelechyng;
And wurthyly, for she þe weye
Of treuthe kneu whyl she was ying;
Wych treuthe, aftyr austyns seyng,
Contrary is vnto vycys thre
Wych Anneys uenquyssyd in hir lyuyng,
As falsheed, doubylnesse & vanyte.
Dyryuyid is of knowelechyng;
And wurthyly, for she þe weye
Of treuthe kneu whyl she was ying;
Wych treuthe, aftyr austyns seyng,
Contrary is vnto vycys thre
Wych Anneys uenquyssyd in hir lyuyng,
As falsheed, doubylnesse & vanyte.
By feyth she ouyr-cam falsnesse,
And by hope she despysyd alle vanite,
By cheryte perfyth al doubylnesse
She set asyde, & of þese thre
In hir lyf we fynde good congruyte,
Wych at þis tyme I ne wyl expresse
Oonly to eschewyn prolyxyte,
Wych oftyn of heryng causyth werynesse.
And by hope she despysyd alle vanite,
By cheryte perfyth al doubylnesse
She set asyde, & of þese thre
In hir lyf we fynde good congruyte,
Wych at þis tyme I ne wyl expresse
Oonly to eschewyn prolyxyte,
Wych oftyn of heryng causyth werynesse.
O holy lamb of god, o blyssyd agnete,
Wych enflawmyd in þi tendyr age
Of þe loue of god wyth þe feruent hete
So sore were þat no fers rage
Of peyn myht chaungyn þi corage,
Nere þin hert from hym no wyse inclyne,
Me wyt purchace, lady, & language
Thy lyf begunne wyth to termyne.
Wych enflawmyd in þi tendyr age
Of þe loue of god wyth þe feruent hete
So sore were þat no fers rage
Of peyn myht chaungyn þi corage,
Nere þin hert from hym no wyse inclyne,
Me wyt purchace, lady, & language
Thy lyf begunne wyth to termyne.
Her begynnys þe lyf of seynt Anneys.
Yseruanht of cryst, bysshop Ambrose,
To you holy uirgyns sende gretynge,
Exhortyng you you forto dyspose
The feste to halwyn of a maydyn yinge;
In wych feste wyth psalmys suete soundyng
Alle peplys mote gladyn in ych degre,
And crystys pore men mote ioyeful be.
To you holy uirgyns sende gretynge,
Exhortyng you you forto dyspose
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In wych feste wyth psalmys suete soundyng
Alle peplys mote gladyn in ych degre,
And crystys pore men mote ioyeful be.
Lete us now alle ioyin in oure lord;
And to þe edyfycacyoun of uirgynyte,
How martyrd was do we record
Blyssyd Anneys whyl yung was she,
For in hir threttende yere, as fynde we,
Deth she loste & lyf dede fynde,
For oonly she louyd þe auctor of kynde.
And to þe edyfycacyoun of uirgynyte,
How martyrd was do we record
Blyssyd Anneys whyl yung was she,
For in hir threttende yere, as fynde we,
Deth she loste & lyf dede fynde,
For oonly she louyd þe auctor of kynde.
And þow she yung were by yerely computacyoun,
Yet in hir soule she had suffycyent age,
And so she was in dyfferent dysposycyoun
As yunge of body & of soul sage.
And [þ]ow she fayr were in hir vysage
Bodyly and endewyde wyth gret beute,
Yet by feyth in hir soule feyrere was she.
Yet in hir soule she had suffycyent age,
And so she was in dyfferent dysposycyoun
As yunge of body & of soul sage.
And [þ]ow she fayr were in hir vysage
Bodyly and endewyde wyth gret beute,
Yet by feyth in hir soule feyrere was she.
And whyl þis gemme of uirgynyte
Oo tyme from scole hom turnyd ageyn,
Of þe prefectys sone louyd was she,
Wych of hir frendys hir sore dede freyn.
Mych þing he offryd but more he hycht, certeyn,
And ful precyous ornamentys wyth hym he broht,
Wych of Anneys as dung were set at noht.
Oo tyme from scole hom turnyd ageyn,
Of þe prefectys sone louyd was she,
Wych of hir frendys hir sore dede freyn.
Mych þing he offryd but more he hycht, certeyn,
And ful precyous ornamentys wyth hym he broht,
Wych of Anneys as dung were set at noht.
But yet aftyr þat þis ioly yung man
Of loue to hir felt more prykkyng,
And wenyng she wold bettyr ornamentys han,
Precyous stonys many bryht shynyng
Wyth hym he brouhte & ful many a ryng,
And by hym-self & by his frendys also
Hys affeccyoun þe maydyn was told to.
Of loue to hir felt more prykkyng,
And wenyng she wold bettyr ornamentys han,
Precyous stonys many bryht shynyng
Wyth hym he brouhte & ful many a ryng,
And by hym-self & by his frendys also
Hys affeccyoun þe maydyn was told to.
Ryches he profyrd in greth plente.
Placys solemne & eke staatly,
Possessyons large & mych mene,
And of þis werd þe pompous glory,
Vp condycyoun þat she nold deny
To hym to be ioynyd in maryage.
To whom þus ansuerde þis Anneys sage:
Placys solemne & eke staatly,
Possessyons large & mych mene,
And of þis werd þe pompous glory,
Vp condycyoun þat she nold deny
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To whom þus ansuerde þis Anneys sage:
‘Go hens fro me, of syn norsshere
And contraryous to euere good entent.
Go hens fro me, for of a-noþir louere
I wyl þou know þat I am preuent,
Wych precyoushere ornamentys me hath sent,
And wyth þe ryng of hys feyth hath ernestyd me
Bettyr þan þow of kynrede & dygnyte.
And contraryous to euere good entent.
Go hens fro me, for of a-noþir louere
I wyl þou know þat I am preuent,
Wych precyoushere ornamentys me hath sent,
And wyth þe ryng of hys feyth hath ernestyd me
Bettyr þan þow of kynrede & dygnyte.
My ryht hand arayid wyth-out doute
Wyth a precyous beyl of gold hath he,
And my nekke he gyrt hath ronde about
Wyth precyous stonys wych incomparabyl be,
And margarytes innumerable he hath youyn me,
And wyth bryht shynyng gemmys me to guyde
Me enuyrond he hath on euery syde.
Wyth a precyous beyl of gold hath he,
And my nekke he gyrt hath ronde about
Wyth precyous stonys wych incomparabyl be,
And margarytes innumerable he hath youyn me,
And wyth bryht shynyng gemmys me to guyde
Me enuyrond he hath on euery syde.
In my face he hath set a specyal merk
Þat noon oþir shuld be louyd but he,
And clad me in a mantel of gold woue werk,
Many precyous nowchys where-in set be.
Incomparabyl tresore he hath shewyd me,
Wyth wych he hath hyht me to auaunce,
If I in hys loue oonly haue perseueraunce.
Þat noon oþir shuld be louyd but he,
And clad me in a mantel of gold woue werk,
Many precyous nowchys where-in set be.
Incomparabyl tresore he hath shewyd me,
Wyth wych he hath hyht me to auaunce,
If I in hys loue oonly haue perseueraunce.
Wher-fore I ne may takyn hede to þe
And han in contemp swych a louere,
To whom I am knyt in ful cheryte,
Whos kynrede þan þine ys hyere
And hys puyssaunce & myht mych strengere,
Swetter þe loue, feyrere þe face,
And of selynes mych gretere þe grace.
And han in contemp swych a louere,
To whom I am knyt in ful cheryte,
Whos kynrede þan þine ys hyere
And hys puyssaunce & myht mych strengere,
Swetter þe loue, feyrere þe face,
And of selynes mych gretere þe grace.
Of þis louer my chaunnbyr arayid is,
Whos organys han maad me melody,
Whos maydyns here syngyng is uery blys;
And takyn of his mouth many a kys haue I,
Swettere þan eythir mylk or hony;
And fulle oftyn in armys he halsyd hath me
Wyth-out blemyssyng of myn u[ir]gynyte,
Whos organys han maad me melody,
Whos maydyns here syngyng is uery blys;
And takyn of his mouth many a kys haue I,
Swettere þan eythir mylk or hony;
And fulle oftyn in armys he halsyd hath me
Wyth-out blemyssyng of myn u[ir]gynyte,
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Hys body to myn now conioynyd is,
And wyth hys blood my chekys enbelshyd hath he,
Whos modyr is a mayd, & hys fadyr eek I-wys,
Whom aungelys seruyn in humble degre,
Of whom al-so merueylyn þe greth beute
Both sunne & mone, þorgh whos odour ageyn
Dede men reuyguryn, I dare wel seyn.
And wyth hys blood my chekys enbelshyd hath he,
Whos modyr is a mayd, & hys fadyr eek I-wys,
Whom aungelys seruyn in humble degre,
Of whom al-so merueylyn þe greth beute
Both sunne & mone, þorgh whos odour ageyn
Dede men reuyguryn, I dare wel seyn.
Hys rychessys neuyr doon a-wey krepe
Wyth fortunys fykyl transmutacyoun,
Where-fore to hym my feyth I kepe
And euyr wyl wyth hertly deuocyoun.
Where-fore lystne now to my conclusyoun,
And take þis for answere in wordys pleyn:
Oþir louyn þan hym shal I neuyr certeyn.’
Wyth fortunys fykyl transmutacyoun,
Where-fore to hym my feyth I kepe
And euyr wyl wyth hertly deuocyoun.
Where-fore lystne now to my conclusyoun,
And take þis for answere in wordys pleyn:
Oþir louyn þan hym shal I neuyr certeyn.’
Whan þis yung man had herd þe answere
Of blyssyd Anneys, he wex ful heuy,
And so sore blynd loue hym anoon dede dere
Þat in soule both anguysshyd & in body
He syknyd, & in hys bede he doun dede ly;
But by hys greth syhys aspyid he was
Of lechys, wych told his fadyr þe caas.
Of blyssyd Anneys, he wex ful heuy,
And so sore blynd loue hym anoon dede dere
Þat in soule both anguysshyd & in body
He syknyd, & in hys bede he doun dede ly;
But by hys greth syhys aspyid he was
Of lechys, wych told his fadyr þe caas.
And whan he sey þat þe affeccyoun
Of his sone to anneys was set sore,
Of alle hys profyrs he made iteracyoun
In euery degre & rathere more;
But sekyr his labour was but lore,
For pleynly she seyd þat in no wyse
Hir fyrst sposys profyrs she nold despyse.
Of his sone to anneys was set sore,
Of alle hys profyrs he made iteracyoun
In euery degre & rathere more;
But sekyr his labour was but lore,
For pleynly she seyd þat in no wyse
Hir fyrst sposys profyrs she nold despyse.
And for he þat tym of þe prefecture
In þe hey astate stode & dygnyte,
Hym þoht þat noon oþir creature
To-forn hym in worshepe preferryd myht be,
Wherefore he wundryd who shuld ben he
Be whom þus anneys hir dede enhaunce,
And of his tresoure made swych auaunce.
In þe hey astate stode & dygnyte,
Hym þoht þat noon oþir creature
To-forn hym in worshepe preferryd myht be,
Wherefore he wundryd who shuld ben he
Be whom þus anneys hir dede enhaunce,
And of his tresoure made swych auaunce.
And whyl he þus seyde, swych oon stode by
As is wone to countyrfete & iape ych man,
Wych seyd þus: ‘syre, þis maydyn treuly
From youth hath bene a crysten wumman,
Whom so illudyd þe wycchecraftys han
Wych he tawht and vsyde in cristen lore,
That she wenyth þat cryst hir husbond wore.’
As is wone to countyrfete & iape ych man,
Wych seyd þus: ‘syre, þis maydyn treuly
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Whom so illudyd þe wycchecraftys han
Wych he tawht and vsyde in cristen lore,
That she wenyth þat cryst hir husbond wore.’
The prefect þis heryng ful glad was,
And anoon he sent a greth cumpany
Of [k]achepolles to bryngyn hir to his plaas.
And as sone as she þedyr was com priualy
He made hir a sermoun ful of flatery,
And many greth promyssys hir dede behete,
And aftyr he hir dede manacen & threte.
And anoon he sent a greth cumpany
Of [k]achepolles to bryngyn hir to his plaas.
And as sone as she þedyr was com priualy
He made hir a sermoun ful of flatery,
And many greth promyssys hir dede behete,
And aftyr he hir dede manacen & threte.
But crystys maydyn nethir wyth flatery
Myht be deceyuyd ner wyth terroure,
But wyth o chere in contenaunce perseuerently
Be-forn hym she stode fresh of coloure;
And for she rotyd was in crystys amour,
Inward in hir hert on secre wyse,
Both his behestys & thretys she dede despyse.
Myht be deceyuyd ner wyth terroure,
But wyth o chere in contenaunce perseuerently
Be-forn hym she stode fresh of coloure;
And for she rotyd was in crystys amour,
Inward in hir hert on secre wyse,
Both his behestys & thretys she dede despyse.
The prefect seyng in þis mayde ying
So greth constaunce & stedefastnesse,
To hir fadir & modir he spak of þis þing;
And for he no myht hem no wyse dystresse
By opyn vyolence, for here hy nobylesse,
Welyng hem troublyn in a-noþir degre,
Obiectyd hem þe tytyle of crystyanyte.
So greth constaunce & stedefastnesse,
To hir fadir & modir he spak of þis þing;
And for he no myht hem no wyse dystresse
By opyn vyolence, for here hy nobylesse,
Welyng hem troublyn in a-noþir degre,
Obiectyd hem þe tytyle of crystyanyte.
And on þe next day presentyd to be
Anneys he commaundyde hym beforn,
And of [his] sonys loue ayen spak he,
And hou he for hir sake was nere lorn;
But of his wurdys Anneys made but a skorn,
And whan he þat sey he dede hir be draw
To his bench, executyd where was þe lawe.
Anneys he commaundyde hym beforn,
And of [his] sonys loue ayen spak he,
And hou he for hir sake was nere lorn;
But of his wurdys Anneys made but a skorn,
And whan he þat sey he dede hir be draw
To his bench, executyd where was þe lawe.
Quod he to hir, ‘but þe wychecrafth
Of þese crystene mennys superstycyoun
By sum maner wyse fro þe be rafth,
Pleynly, aftyr myn opynyoun,
Of þi brest þe madnes shal moun
No man remeue, ne þou þine ere
Wy[hs] counsel ne shalt moun bowyn to lere.
Of þese crystene mennys superstycyoun
By sum maner wyse fro þe be rafth,
Pleynly, aftyr myn opynyoun,
Of þi brest þe madnes shal moun
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Wy[hs] counsel ne shalt moun bowyn to lere.
Wher-fore þe auyhs is now of me,
To þe goddesse uesta þe for to sende,
Where, yf perseueraunce of uirgynyte
The plese, þou mayst to it entende,
Ant þan þe no man may reprehende
If nyht & day in humbyl wyse
Þou occupyid be in hyr seruyse.’
To þe goddesse uesta þe for to sende,
Where, yf perseueraunce of uirgynyte
The plese, þou mayst to it entende,
Ant þan þe no man may reprehende
If nyht & day in humbyl wyse
Þou occupyid be in hyr seruyse.’
‘Yf þi sone,’ quod she, ‘wych wyth foule loue
Is uexid—but yet he is a lyuyng man,
Wyt hauyng & resoun—I do reproue
For crystys sake, & wyl hym not han,
Doum ydols to worshepe trowyst me þan,
And to jniury of grace deuyne
To ueyn stonys my heed inclyne?’
Is uexid—but yet he is a lyuyng man,
Wyt hauyng & resoun—I do reproue
For crystys sake, & wyl hym not han,
Doum ydols to worshepe trowyst me þan,
And to jniury of grace deuyne
To ueyn stonys my heed inclyne?’
‘I-wys,’ quod þe prefect, ‘my desyre is
Sumwhat to support þe tendyrnesse
Of þine age, where-fore our goddys
The blasphemyng I dyfferre to dystresse,
And for wyth-ynne wyt þou art yete, I gesse,
Wyl not þi-self, I counsel, so despyse
To wrathyn oure goddys swych fraward wyse.’
Sumwhat to support þe tendyrnesse
Of þine age, where-fore our goddys
The blasphemyng I dyfferre to dystresse,
And for wyth-ynne wyt þou art yete, I gesse,
Wyl not þi-self, I counsel, so despyse
To wrathyn oure goddys swych fraward wyse.’
‘Wyl þou not,’ quod Anneys, ‘þe youth appryse
Of my body so, o prefect vycyous,
Þat þou do suppose þat I in ony guyse
Desyr þe to me to be propycyous.
For not in bodyly yerys stant feyth uerteuous
But in wyt of soule, & god eek almyhty
Wyt more þan age doth appreue sothly.
Of my body so, o prefect vycyous,
Þat þou do suppose þat I in ony guyse
Desyr þe to me to be propycyous.
For not in bodyly yerys stant feyth uerteuous
But in wyt of soule, & god eek almyhty
Wyt more þan age doth appreue sothly.
And as for þi goddys, whos wrath me
Thou woldyst not yn rynne, I þe beseche
Whan-euyr þou lyst lete hem wroth be,
And to me vsyn here oun propyr speche,
And hou þai wold be wurshepyd me teche.
But it wyl not be; wherefore aftyr þis
Thou in me excercyse what þi wyl is.
Thou woldyst not yn rynne, I þe beseche
Whan-euyr þou lyst lete hem wroth be,
And to me vsyn here oun propyr speche,
And hou þai wold be wurshepyd me teche.
But it wyl not be; wherefore aftyr þis
Thou in me excercyse what þi wyl is.
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‘Oon of two þingys chese,’ quod Sympronyan,
The prefect, ‘o anneys, aftyr my decre:
Or wyth oþir uirgyns þe goddesse serue uestan,
Or wyth comoun wummen þou shalt abusyd be,
Where þese crystyn wycchyse shul ben fer fro the,
Wych wyth here crafth þe han youyn boldnesse
To come so vnshamefastly to þis wracchydnesse.
The prefect, ‘o anneys, aftyr my decre:
Or wyth oþir uirgyns þe goddesse serue uestan,
Or wyth comoun wummen þou shalt abusyd be,
Where þese crystyn wycchyse shul ben fer fro the,
Wych wyth here crafth þe han youyn boldnesse
To come so vnshamefastly to þis wracchydnesse.
Wherefore sentencyally I þe deuyse,
And yf þou þere-to take hede,
Or to goddesse Vesta do sacryfyse
To wurshype & honour of þi kynrede;
And yf þou ne wylt, my goddys me so spede,
Of þi worthy byrth to confusyoun
Thou shalt of comoun bordel be þe abieccyoun.’
And yf þou þere-to take hede,
Or to goddesse Vesta do sacryfyse
To wurshype & honour of þi kynrede;
And yf þou ne wylt, my goddys me so spede,
Of þi worthy byrth to confusyoun
Thou shalt of comoun bordel be þe abieccyoun.’
Than blyssyd Anneys, inflammyd wyth grace
And strengthyd wyth gostly stedefastnesse,
Stondyng be-forn þe prefectys face,
To hym hir sentence þus dede expresse:
‘If þou knou, wreche, in suthfastnes
Who my god is, þe bettyr a-uyse
Thou woldyst, & not seyn on þis wyse.
And strengthyd wyth gostly stedefastnesse,
Stondyng be-forn þe prefectys face,
To hym hir sentence þus dede expresse:
‘If þou knou, wreche, in suthfastnes
Who my god is, þe bettyr a-uyse
Thou woldyst, & not seyn on þis wyse.
But for þat I knou þe hy uertu,
The souereyn grace eek and wyrkyng
Of oure lord god, blyssyd ihesu,
I sekerly despyse al þi thretyng,
In hys goodnesse fully trustyng
Þat neþir I [t]o ydols shal sacryfyse do,
Nere wyth synners vnclennes be defoulyd, lo.
The souereyn grace eek and wyrkyng
Of oure lord god, blyssyd ihesu,
I sekerly despyse al þi thretyng,
In hys goodnesse fully trustyng
Þat neþir I [t]o ydols shal sacryfyse do,
Nere wyth synners vnclennes be defoulyd, lo.
For þis also wythoutyn doute
I wyl þou knowe, & not þou oonly
But alle þo eek wych stondyn aboute,
Þat a keper I haue of my body,
An aungel of god, wyche dylygently
Me kepyth & helpyth in euery nede,
And þat me bold makyth þe not to drede.
I wyl þou knowe, & not þou oonly
But alle þo eek wych stondyn aboute,
Þat a keper I haue of my body,
An aungel of god, wyche dylygently
Me kepyth & helpyth in euery nede,
And þat me bold makyth þe not to drede.
More-ouyr goddys sone, begettyn oonly
Of his fadyr substaunce, immutable,
Endlees of endlees eternally,
Whom for þou not knowyst þou art dampnable,
To me is a wal inpenetrabyle,
A wecheman eek neuyr slepyng,
A defendere also neuyr-more faylyng.
Of his fadyr substaunce, immutable,
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Whom for þou not knowyst þou art dampnable,
To me is a wal inpenetrabyle,
A wecheman eek neuyr slepyng,
A defendere also neuyr-more faylyng.
But þi goddys, as wyse folk wel ken,
Or ben of bras wych þat bettyr were
To mak of caudrons to þe vshe of men,
Or pottys or pannys or swych oþir gere.
Wych meche myht helpe & no þing dere,
Or ellys of stonys, wych in a sloth to laye
Wer bettyr, to skepyn from þe foul weye.
Or ben of bras wych þat bettyr were
To mak of caudrons to þe vshe of men,
Or pottys or pannys or swych oþir gere.
Wych meche myht helpe & no þing dere,
Or ellys of stonys, wych in a sloth to laye
Wer bettyr, to skepyn from þe foul weye.
For as it may be shewyd be by resoun,
Dyuynyte wych þat is inmortal
Hath in veyn stonys noon habytacyoun,
Nere in bras, nere in noon oþir metal,
But in heuene in þe regne supernal.
Where-fore þou & swych as hym wurshepe do
Lyche peyn sekyr shul come to.
Dyuynyte wych þat is inmortal
Hath in veyn stonys noon habytacyoun,
Nere in bras, nere in noon oþir metal,
But in heuene in þe regne supernal.
Where-fore þou & swych as hym wurshepe do
Lyche peyn sekyr shul come to.
For lych as þei in here lyknesse here
Wych þei haue, as alle knowe we,
Conflat were by a feruent fere,
So shul here seruauntys in conform degre
Wyth fere of helle be blowe, not for to be
Foundyd as þai myscheuously
Confoundyd, & perysshyn eternally.’
Wych þei haue, as alle knowe we,
Conflat were by a feruent fere,
So shul here seruauntys in conform degre
Wyth fere of helle be blowe, not for to be
Foundyd as þai myscheuously
Confoundyd, & perysshyn eternally.’
The juge, that heryng, wex nere made,
And comaundyd hir to be spoylyd shamefastly,
And to þe bordalehous furth to be lad,
A bedel þus fyrst makyng a cry:
‘Thys Anneys, þis wyche, proterfly
Oure goddys skornyng wych doth blaspheme,
To þe comoun bordel I iudycyally deme.’
And comaundyd hir to be spoylyd shamefastly,
And to þe bordalehous furth to be lad,
A bedel þus fyrst makyng a cry:
‘Thys Anneys, þis wyche, proterfly
Oure goddys skornyng wych doth blaspheme,
To þe comoun bordel I iudycyally deme.’
But as sone as þis mayde dyspoylyd was,
The bendys from hir here a-wey dede slyde,
And swych thyknesse þere-to god yaf by grace
Þat hire it enuyround on euery syde,
And alle hir nakydnesse fully dede hyde,
So þat bettyr curyde, as in sum degre,
Wyth hir heer þan wyth clothys she semt to be.
The bendys from hir here a-wey dede slyde,
And swych thyknesse þere-to god yaf by grace
Þat hire it enuyround on euery syde,
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So þat bettyr curyde, as in sum degre,
Wyth hir heer þan wyth clothys she semt to be.
Whan anneys þus arayid ful deuouthly
Þe place dede entryn of vnclennesse,
Þe bordelhous I mene, she þere redy
An aungel fonde wych dede besynesse
Wytht lycht hir to curyn, of swych bryhtnesse
Þat whan fully enuyround þere-in was she,
No man hir myht neythyr touche nere se.
Þe place dede entryn of vnclennesse,
Þe bordelhous I mene, she þere redy
An aungel fonde wych dede besynesse
Wytht lycht hir to curyn, of swych bryhtnesse
Þat whan fully enuyround þere-in was she,
No man hir myht neythyr touche nere se.
And anoon al þe selle where she in was
Thys gloryous bryhtnesse so dede illumyne,
That neuere þe sunne in hys heuenely cumpas,
Nere in hys most uertu, bryhter dede shyne
Than þis hous dede by grace dyuyne;
And who-so-euere presumyd it to aspye,
A sodeyn blemysshyng he felt in hys yhe.
Thys gloryous bryhtnesse so dede illumyne,
That neuere þe sunne in hys heuenely cumpas,
Nere in hys most uertu, bryhter dede shyne
Than þis hous dede by grace dyuyne;
And who-so-euere presumyd it to aspye,
A sodeyn blemysshyng he felt in hys yhe.
And whan anneys þis bryhtnesse seye
From god hir sent in hyr preyere,
To hym prostrat she hyr dede dounn leye
And anoon beforn hyr dede apere
A whyht stole, & wyth ful glad chere
She yt took & clad hyr þere-yn;
And þan to god seyn she dede þus begyn:
From god hir sent in hyr preyere,
To hym prostrat she hyr dede dounn leye
And anoon beforn hyr dede apere
A whyht stole, & wyth ful glad chere
She yt took & clad hyr þere-yn;
And þan to god seyn she dede þus begyn:
‘Gramercy, lord of al ientylnesse,
Of grace & counfort & of benygnyte
To me shewyd, oonly thorgh þi goodnesse,
Now and alwey in dyueres degre.
Gramercy, lord, wych that nounbryng me
Among þine handmaydynys hast me now sent
From heuene þis newe & whyht uestyment.’
Of grace & counfort & of benygnyte
To me shewyd, oonly thorgh þi goodnesse,
Now and alwey in dyueres degre.
Gramercy, lord, wych that nounbryng me
Among þine handmaydynys hast me now sent
From heuene þis newe & whyht uestyment.’
And whan anneys þis cloth had on hyr do,
Wych as whyht was as snow or lyly,
So wele mesuryd yt was hyr body to,
And conproporcyond so conuenyently,
As þow it shapyn had be þere-by
So þat no man thrust doute, wych yt dede se,
Of aungels handys yt made to be.
Wych as whyht was as snow or lyly,
So wele mesuryd yt was hyr body to,
And conproporcyond so conuenyently,
As þow it shapyn had be þere-by
So þat no man thrust doute, wych yt dede se,
Of aungels handys yt made to be.
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Lo, se now þis gracyous promutacyoun!
A bordelhous is maad of preyere
A specyal place & of deuocyoun,
In wych who-so entryd, wyth glad chere
God worshypyng wyth hert entere
He out went, clennere by goddys grace
Than he dyde entryn in-to þat place.
A bordelhous is maad of preyere
A specyal place & of deuocyoun,
In wych who-so entryd, wyth glad chere
God worshypyng wyth hert entere
He out went, clennere by goddys grace
Than he dyde entryn in-to þat place.
And whan þe prefectys sone dede here
That Anneys in þe bordelhous was,
He wex ryht mery & of glad chere;
And anoon wyth a cumpany of yunge felas
He hym fast hastyd to þe seyd plas,
Hopyng wyth hyre in hasty wyse
Hys flesshys foul lust to excercyse.
That Anneys in þe bordelhous was,
He wex ryht mery & of glad chere;
And anoon wyth a cumpany of yunge felas
He hym fast hastyd to þe seyd plas,
Hopyng wyth hyre in hasty wyse
Hys flesshys foul lust to excercyse.
And whan he þere cam & dede se
Many yung men, wych wantounly
Entryd þe place where-in was she,
Owt ageyn comyn ful sobyrly
And wyth greth reuerence, he sturdyly
Hem rebukyd & wrecchys dede calle,
Seying, ‘veyn cowardys, foule you befalle!’
Many yung men, wych wantounly
Entryd þe place where-in was she,
Owt ageyn comyn ful sobyrly
And wyth greth reuerence, he sturdyly
Hem rebukyd & wrecchys dede calle,
Seying, ‘veyn cowardys, foule you befalle!’
And þus hem skornyng anoon he went
To þe place where Anneys lay in preyere,
And for he malepert & irreuerent
Presumyd to entryn in-to þat lyht clere
Where she was yn, er he cam nere
He suddeynly doun fel up-on hys face,
And þe deuyl hym stranglyd in þat place.
To þe place where Anneys lay in preyere,
And for he malepert & irreuerent
Presumyd to entryn in-to þat lyht clere
Where she was yn, er he cam nere
He suddeynly doun fel up-on hys face,
And þe deuyl hym stranglyd in þat place.
And whan hys felas wyth-out dede se
That he so longe taryid wyth-ynne
And cam not oute, þei trowyd þat he
Hyr had ouyrcomyn by sum gynne,
And ocupyid ben in þe werk of synne;
And anoon ran yn oon ful meryly
To make a reioysshyng of hys victory.
That he so longe taryid wyth-ynne
And cam not oute, þei trowyd þat he
Hyr had ouyrcomyn by sum gynne,
And ocupyid ben in þe werk of synne;
And anoon ran yn oon ful meryly
To make a reioysshyng of hys victory.
And whan he yn cam & lokyd aboute,
Upon hys face hym he found deed lye,
And as he mad were he ayen styrt owte,
And rendyng hys clothys he þus dede crye:
‘O nobyl romayns, doth þis wyche dye,
Wych here wyth-ynne by hyr wycchecrafth
Hath þe prefectys sone hys lyf berafth!’
Upon hys face hym he found deed lye,
And as he mad were he ayen styrt owte,
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‘O nobyl romayns, doth þis wyche dye,
Wych here wyth-ynne by hyr wycchecrafth
Hath þe prefectys sone hys lyf berafth!’
And whan þe fame pupplysshyd was
Of þis yung mannys deth thorgh þe cyte,
Alle men gun ryn on-to þe plaas
To beholde þis infortunate casuelte,
And whan þei it seyn, in dyuers degre
Wyth a lowd noys þei expressyd here entent,
For summe clepyd hyr wycche, & summe innocent.
Of þis yung mannys deth thorgh þe cyte,
Alle men gun ryn on-to þe plaas
To beholde þis infortunate casuelte,
And whan þei it seyn, in dyuers degre
Wyth a lowd noys þei expressyd here entent,
For summe clepyd hyr wycche, & summe innocent.
But whan þe prefect þese tydyngys herd
Of hys sonys deth of þis manere,
Euene as a madman anoon he ferd,
And to þe theatre he ran wyth heuy chere;
And whan þe body of hys sone dere
Stark deed lyn þer he dede aspy,
To Anneys lokyng he þus dede cry:
Of hys sonys deth of þis manere,
Euene as a madman anoon he ferd,
And to þe theatre he ran wyth heuy chere;
And whan þe body of hys sone dere
Stark deed lyn þer he dede aspy,
To Anneys lokyng he þus dede cry:
‘Of alle wummen o þou cruelest,
On-to my dere sone in þis degre
Allas þi wycchecrafth why was þi lest
Thus cruelly to extende wyth-out pyte?
What was þi cause, tel now me!’
And whan he to hir þus ofte dede seyn,
She þus demurely answerd ageyn:
On-to my dere sone in þis degre
Allas þi wycchecrafth why was þi lest
Thus cruelly to extende wyth-out pyte?
What was þi cause, tel now me!’
And whan he to hir þus ofte dede seyn,
She þus demurely answerd ageyn:
‘Thy sonys deth, syr, put not me to,
For gyltles þer-of I am suthly;
But he whos wyl he wold haue do
Took power of hym & þat ryhtfully.
But þan yf þou þe cause aske why
Alle othere wych ther beforn hym were
Askapyddyn harmlees, I þus answere:
For gyltles þer-of I am suthly;
But he whos wyl he wold haue do
Took power of hym & þat ryhtfully.
But þan yf þou þe cause aske why
Alle othere wych ther beforn hym were
Askapyddyn harmlees, I þus answere:
Alle þo wych entryd fyrst to me,
Whom goddys goodnesse þis greth lyht sent
By an aungel, & as alle men now se
Arayid me wyth þis whyht garnement,
They youe god þankyng wyth humble entent,
And me to towchyn durst not prees,
And þerfore awey they skapyd harmles.
Whom goddys goodnesse þis greth lyht sent
By an aungel, & as alle men now se
Arayid me wyth þis whyht garnement,
They youe god þankyng wyth humble entent,
And me to towchyn durst not prees,
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But he þis, þi sone, dede not so,
But whan he in cam vnshamefastly
Hys fleschly foul wyl he wolde haue do,
And not reueren[c]yd þe lyht wych yn was I;
And whan he presumyd to come me ny,
The aungel of god in defens of me
To þe deth hym drof, as þow doost se.’
But whan he in cam vnshamefastly
Hys fleschly foul wyl he wolde haue do,
And not reueren[c]yd þe lyht wych yn was I;
And whan he presumyd to come me ny,
The aungel of god in defens of me
To þe deth hym drof, as þow doost se.’
‘I-wys,’ quod þe prefect, ‘Anneys, by o thyng
Euydently it shal appere to me
That not by wychecrafth is þi werkyng,
If þou þi aungel wylt preyn þat he
My sone, wych þat I here deed se,
Vouchesaf lyuyng to me restore.’
Whom Anneys þus answerd wythoute more:
Euydently it shal appere to me
That not by wychecrafth is þi werkyng,
If þou þi aungel wylt preyn þat he
My sone, wych þat I here deed se,
Vouchesaf lyuyng to me restore.’
Whom Anneys þus answerd wythoute more:
‘Al-be-yt your feyth be not wurthy
To han þis thyng wych ye ask,’ quod she,
‘But yet, for tyme yt is beforn þis cumpany
Of peple þe uertu shewyd to be
Of oure lord Ihesu, goth oute alle ye,
That I may now, as I was won to do,
The sacryfyse of preyere offryn hym to.’
To han þis thyng wych ye ask,’ quod she,
‘But yet, for tyme yt is beforn þis cumpany
Of peple þe uertu shewyd to be
Of oure lord Ihesu, goth oute alle ye,
That I may now, as I was won to do,
The sacryfyse of preyere offryn hym to.’
And whan alle þe peple was goon oute,
Anneys fel plat doun on hyr face,
And wepyng ful soor wyth hert deuoute
She preyid god of hys synguler grace
That he wold shewyn in þat place
A tokne of hys mercy & of hys pyte,
That reuycuryd myht þis yung man be.
Anneys fel plat doun on hyr face,
And wepyng ful soor wyth hert deuoute
She preyid god of hys synguler grace
That he wold shewyn in þat place
A tokne of hys mercy & of hys pyte,
That reuycuryd myht þis yung man be.
And anoon an aungel þere dede appere,
Wyl þat she preyid ful sore wepyng,
And lyfth hyr up & made hir chere,
And seyde þat grauntyd was hyr askyng.
And anoon roos up wythoute tarying
Thys yung man, & out hym dede hye,
And wyth a loude woys he þus dede crye:
Wyl þat she preyid ful sore wepyng,
And lyfth hyr up & made hir chere,
And seyde þat grauntyd was hyr askyng.
And anoon roos up wythoute tarying
Thys yung man, & out hym dede hye,
And wyth a loude woys he þus dede crye:
‘Oo god, wych is of crystyne men,
Is in heuene & erth & in þe se,
For alle þe templys wych as ye ken
To goddys ben made arn but vanyte,
Ner þe goddys þere-in wych wurshepyd be,
For hem-self nere oþire, wyth-owten drede,
They helpyn ne mown in no nede.’
Is in heuene & erth & in þe se,
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To goddys ben made arn but vanyte,
Ner þe goddys þere-in wych wurshepyd be,
For hem-self nere oþire, wyth-owten drede,
They helpyn ne mown in no nede.’
At þis wurd anoon ful loude dede crye
The wycchys & þe bysshops of þe templys also:
‘Put a-wey þis wycche & mak hir to dye,
For she myndys chaungyth & turnyth ther-to.’
And wyth hir wurdys a sedycyoun, lo,
Among þe peple dede grow moor
Than it was many a day be-foor.
The wycchys & þe bysshops of þe templys also:
‘Put a-wey þis wycche & mak hir to dye,
For she myndys chaungyth & turnyth ther-to.’
And wyth hir wurdys a sedycyoun, lo,
Among þe peple dede grow moor
Than it was many a day be-foor.
The prefect, þis seying, astoynyd was,
And was eek aferd proscrypt haue be
Yf ageynys þe bysshops, as in þis caas,
Of þe templys in ony wyse dede he
In defens of Anneys ayens here decre;
Wherefore, þe sedycyoun of þe peple to slake,
A vyker in hys stede he anoon dede make.
And was eek aferd proscrypt haue be
Yf ageynys þe bysshops, as in þis caas,
Of þe templys in ony wyse dede he
In defens of Anneys ayens here decre;
Wherefore, þe sedycyoun of þe peple to slake,
A vyker in hys stede he anoon dede make.
Wych whan was doon, ful hastyly
Home to hys hous þe prefect went,
And in hys hert he was ful heuy
That he ne myht aftyr hys entent
Anneys delyueryn from torment,
Syth she hys sone as he had seyn
From deth to lyf had reysyd ageyn.
Home to hys hous þe prefect went,
And in hys hert he was ful heuy
That he ne myht aftyr hys entent
Anneys delyueryn from torment,
Syth she hys sone as he had seyn
From deth to lyf had reysyd ageyn.
Aftyr þis, Aspasyus, þe prefectys vyker,
The sedycyous peple assentyng to,
Dede makyn anoon a ryht greth feer
And Anneys in þe myddys he dede do.
And forth-wyth þe flaumme departyd in two
And on ych syde brent þe peple þer-by,
But yt in no wyse cam anneys ny.
The sedycyous peple assentyng to,
Dede makyn anoon a ryht greth feer
And Anneys in þe myddys he dede do.
And forth-wyth þe flaumme departyd in two
And on ych syde brent þe peple þer-by,
But yt in no wyse cam anneys ny.
Yet þe furyous peple þis nold ascrye
To goddys uertu but to wycchys werkyng,
Where-fore þei lowde dede blaspheme & crye,
And Anneys, in þe myddys of þe feer stondyng
And demurely hir handys a-brood spredyng,
Wyth þese wurdys of hert entere
To god deuouthly made hyr preyere;
To goddys uertu but to wycchys werkyng,
Where-fore þei lowde dede blaspheme & crye,
And Anneys, in þe myddys of þe feer stondyng
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Wyth þese wurdys of hert entere
To god deuouthly made hyr preyere;
‘O almyhty god, most ful of uertu,
And to be drede & wurshepyd most wurthy,
Fadyr of owre lord cryst ihesu,
Blyssyd þou be for by þi sone suthly
Wykkyd mennys thretys askapyd haue I,
And þe deuelys vnclennessys thorgh þi grace
By a path vndefoulyd I haue do pace.
And to be drede & wurshepyd most wurthy,
Fadyr of owre lord cryst ihesu,
Blyssyd þou be for by þi sone suthly
Wykkyd mennys thretys askapyd haue I,
And þe deuelys vnclennessys thorgh þi grace
By a path vndefoulyd I haue do pace.
Now see I, lord, þat by þe spyryth of þe
Wyth dew from heuen bathyd am I;
The feer also her deyith by-syde me,
And þe flaumme eek deuydyd is meruelously,
Whos heete no wyse commyth me ny,
But hem yt brynnyth aftyr þine entente
Wych mynystryd yt me to tormente.
Wyth dew from heuen bathyd am I;
The feer also her deyith by-syde me,
And þe flaumme eek deuydyd is meruelously,
Whos heete no wyse commyth me ny,
But hem yt brynnyth aftyr þine entente
Wych mynystryd yt me to tormente.
Now blyssyd be þou, fadyr, most wurthy
To be prechyd & preysyd in ych cuntre,
Wych þorgh þi grace most benyngnely
Among þe flaumme of feer hast maad me
In euery wyse vnfeerful to be,
And wyth as oþir me torment wold do,
Thow makyst me meryly to com þe to.
To be prechyd & preysyd in ych cuntre,
Wych þorgh þi grace most benyngnely
Among þe flaumme of feer hast maad me
In euery wyse vnfeerful to be,
And wyth as oþir me torment wold do,
Thow makyst me meryly to com þe to.
That I beleuyd haue, lord, now I se,
Thankyd be euyr þi blyssyd grace,
That I haue t[h]irstyd is now holdyn of me,
That I haue coueytyd I now enbrace
And halse to my greth gostly solace,
Wherfore wyth lyppys & herte, lord, enterly,
The confesse & coueyt euyr-more wyl I.
Thankyd be euyr þi blyssyd grace,
That I haue t[h]irstyd is now holdyn of me,
That I haue coueytyd I now enbrace
And halse to my greth gostly solace,
Wherfore wyth lyppys & herte, lord, enterly,
The confesse & coueyt euyr-more wyl I.
See & behold how I come to the,
Qwyk & uery god & almyhty,
Wych wyth ihesu þi sone in egal degre
And wyth þe holy gost inseparabylly
Now lyuyst & regnyst intermynabylly,
In oon substaunce I wele ken,
From werd in-to werdys euere-more, amen.’
Qwyk & uery god & almyhty,
Wych wyth ihesu þi sone in egal degre
And wyth þe holy gost inseparabylly
Now lyuyst & regnyst intermynabylly,
In oon substaunce I wele ken,
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Whan þus & on mych bettyr wyse
Than I kan now expressyn here,
As deuouthly as she cowde deuyse,
Compleet had Anneys hir preyere,
So sodeynly queynt was al þe feer
That of feer ner hete was þer no more
Than þer had neuere ben feer before.
Than I kan now expressyn here,
As deuouthly as she cowde deuyse,
Compleet had Anneys hir preyere,
So sodeynly queynt was al þe feer
That of feer ner hete was þer no more
Than þer had neuere ben feer before.
Thys seyng, Aspasye, þe prefectys vyker,
The sedycyous peple to plese the entent,
Comaundyd a swerd both bryht & clere
Into hyr throte depe for to be sent,
And þus þis holy mayde, þis innocent,
Cruelly martyrd for crystys sake,
To hym as hys spouse he dede take.
The sedycyous peple to plese the entent,
Comaundyd a swerd both bryht & clere
Into hyr throte depe for to be sent,
And þus þis holy mayde, þis innocent,
Cruelly martyrd for crystys sake,
To hym as hys spouse he dede take.
Hyr fadyr & hyr modyr wer not heuy
Of hyr deth, for þei crystene were,
But wyth greth ioy þei toke hyr body
And to a place of hern þei it dede bere
Wyth-oute þe wallys, & beryid yt þere,
In þat hy-weye wych Numentan hyht,
For to þe cyte of Numance yt goth ryht.
Of hyr deth, for þei crystene were,
But wyth greth ioy þei toke hyr body
And to a place of hern þei it dede bere
Wyth-oute þe wallys, & beryid yt þere,
In þat hy-weye wych Numentan hyht,
For to þe cyte of Numance yt goth ryht.
Where whyl þei wyth othere mo
Many nyhtys wachyddyn ful deuouthly
At hyr Tumbe, as þe guyse was þo,
Euene at mydnyht a greth cumpany
Of maydyns þei seyin comyn hem forby,
[In] gold woue garnementys wych clad w[o]re,
And a greth lyht went hem be-fore,
Many nyhtys wachyddyn ful deuouthly
At hyr Tumbe, as þe guyse was þo,
Euene at mydnyht a greth cumpany
Of maydyns þei seyin comyn hem forby,
[In] gold woue garnementys wych clad w[o]re,
And a greth lyht went hem be-fore,
Among wych maydyns, freshe of arraye,
They aspyid her douhtyr, blyssyd Agnete,
In lych shynyng garnement & as gay,
And on hir ryht hand a lamb ful swete
Wyth hir walkyng besydyn hir fete,
Wych þan snow was more whyhte,
And to hem þis was a meruelous syht.
They aspyid her douhtyr, blyssyd Agnete,
In lych shynyng garnement & as gay,
And on hir ryht hand a lamb ful swete
Wyth hir walkyng besydyn hir fete,
Wych þan snow was more whyhte,
And to hem þis was a meruelous syht.
And þan hir felaas Anneys dede preye
Styl a whyl to stonde, in hir degre,
And to hir frendys she þus dede seye:
‘As deed be war beweylyth not me,
But rather be glad of my dygnyte,
For [wyth] þis blyssyd & gloryus company
The bryht setys of heuen now entryd am I.
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And to hir frendys she þus dede seye:
‘As deed be war beweylyth not me,
But rather be glad of my dygnyte,
For [wyth] þis blyssyd & gloryus company
The bryht setys of heuen now entryd am I.
And to hym in heuene also perpetuelly
Ioynyd I am, whom in erth lyuyng
Wyth hool entent of my soule oonly
I louyd passyng euery oþir thyng.’
Wych wurdys seyd, in þe twynglyng
Of an yhe alle þei venysshyd a-wey,
And aftyr of hem no more þei sey.
Ioynyd I am, whom in erth lyuyng
Wyth hool entent of my soule oonly
I louyd passyng euery oþir thyng.’
Wych wurdys seyd, in þe twynglyng
Of an yhe alle þei venysshyd a-wey,
And aftyr of hem no more þei sey.
Whan þe rumour of þis reuelacyoun,
Wych more & more contunely grew,
To many a castel & to many a town
The trumpet of fame aboute blew,
Be summe of þem wych yt wel knew
To dame Custaunce was tolde al þe caas
Wych douhtyr of Constantyn þe emperour was.
Wych more & more contunely grew,
To many a castel & to many a town
The trumpet of fame aboute blew,
Be summe of þem wych yt wel knew
To dame Custaunce was tolde al þe caas
Wych douhtyr of Constantyn þe emperour was.
Thys constance was a quene gloryous
And a prudent mayde, as seyth þe story,
But a dysshese she had ful comerous,
For sorys she had & þat so many
That from foote-sole to þe crounne on hy
As many þere were as þer myht be,
So þat no membre from sorys was fre.
And a prudent mayde, as seyth þe story,
But a dysshese she had ful comerous,
For sorys she had & þat so many
That from foote-sole to þe crounne on hy
As many þere were as þer myht be,
So þat no membre from sorys was fre.
And for no lechecrafth of hir greth woo
Myht in no wyse hir helpe ne cure,
Hyr counsel yaf here þat she shuld goo
To Anneys tumbe, þe virgyn pure,
Wyth ful hope & truste helth to recure.
And so she dede, & whan she cam there
She deuouthly preyid, þow she heþine were.
Myht in no wyse hir helpe ne cure,
Hyr counsel yaf here þat she shuld goo
To Anneys tumbe, þe virgyn pure,
Wyth ful hope & truste helth to recure.
And so she dede, & whan she cam there
She deuouthly preyid, þow she heþine were.
And as þis Constaunce lay in hyr preyere,
Aslepe she fel euene vnwarly,
And to hyr blyssyd Anneys dede apere,
Seying, ‘o Constaunce, do constaunthly,
And cryst, goddys sone, feythfully
Beleue to be þi uery saluatour,
And he shalle cure & hele al þi langour.
Aslepe she fel euene vnwarly,
And to hyr blyssyd Anneys dede apere,
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And cryst, goddys sone, feythfully
Beleue to be þi uery saluatour,
And he shalle cure & hele al þi langour.
At þis voys dame Constaunce awook,
As heyl & as hool as she holest myht be,
And on alle hir membrys whan she dede look
There apperyd no tokne of infirmyte.
And anoon to paleys home went she
And tolde hyr fadyr & hir brethyrn also
Eeuen al þe processe as it was do;
As heyl & as hool as she holest myht be,
And on alle hir membrys whan she dede look
There apperyd no tokne of infirmyte.
And anoon to paleys home went she
And tolde hyr fadyr & hir brethyrn also
Eeuen al þe processe as it was do;
For ioye of wych was al þe cyte
Gadryd to-gedyr wyth greth gladnesse;
And [whan] þei had herd þis greth nouelte
Greth wundyr it was to more & lesse,
Confoundyd also was þe vnfeythfulnesse
Of hethyn peple, and of cryst Ihesu
The feyth comendyd & þe hye uertu,
Gadryd to-gedyr wyth greth gladnesse;
And [whan] þei had herd þis greth nouelte
Greth wundyr it was to more & lesse,
Confoundyd also was þe vnfeythfulnesse
Of hethyn peple, and of cryst Ihesu
The feyth comendyd & þe hye uertu,
And anoon sprang a-brode þis opynyoun
In Rome & aboutyn in ych cuntre,
That who-so-euyr come wyth deuocyoun
To anneys tumbe he hoole shuld be,
What-so-euyr were þere infyrmyte,
Wych cryst to doon yet to þis day
No wyhs man douthyth, þis is no nay.
In Rome & aboutyn in ych cuntre,
That who-so-euyr come wyth deuocyoun
To anneys tumbe he hoole shuld be,
What-so-euyr were þere infyrmyte,
Wych cryst to doon yet to þis day
No wyhs man douthyth, þis is no nay.
In þis mene tyme Constaunce dede preye
Hyr fadyr & hyr brethyrn þat for hir sake
They grauntyn wold, & it not geyn-seye,
Ouyr seynt Anneys a cherche to make,
And þere-by a place wher yn clothys blake
She myht dwelle whyl hyr lyf dede dure,
And seruyn seynt Anneys, þe uirgyn pure,
Hyr fadyr & hyr brethyrn þat for hir sake
They grauntyn wold, & it not geyn-seye,
Ouyr seynt Anneys a cherche to make,
And þere-by a place wher yn clothys blake
She myht dwelle whyl hyr lyf dede dure,
And seruyn seynt Anneys, þe uirgyn pure,
Thys þe emperours dohtyr, blyssyd constaunce,
Whan Anneys had curyd of alle infirmyte,
In parfyth uirgynyte had perseueraunce,
By whom many maydyns of Rome cyte,
Both hy & lowe and of euerych degre,
To god & to blyssyd Anneys þere
Wyth an holy veyl consecrat were.
Whan Anneys had curyd of alle infirmyte,
In parfyth uirgynyte had perseueraunce,
By whom many maydyns of Rome cyte,
Both hy & lowe and of euerych degre,
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Wyth an holy veyl consecrat were.
And for feyth by deth suffryth no damage,
Many of þe romayn uirgyns ying,
Blyssyd Anneys folwyng wyth [deu]out corage
As she in body þere were yet lyuyng,
And by exaumple of hyr myhtyly wyrkyng,
Ben perseueraunht, hopyng to get þer-by
The gloryous palm of perpetuel vyctory.
Many of þe romayn uirgyns ying,
Blyssyd Anneys folwyng wyth [deu]out corage
As she in body þere were yet lyuyng,
And by exaumple of hyr myhtyly wyrkyng,
Ben perseueraunht, hopyng to get þer-by
The gloryous palm of perpetuel vyctory.
Lo, now haue I brefly acomplysyd
Seynt Anneys lyf, as I suppose,
In þe prologe lych as I promysyd,
Aftyr þe wrytyng of sent Ambrose
Whom fully to folwyn was my purpose,
Not wurde for wurde, for þat ne may be
In no translacyoun, aftyr Jeromys decre;
Seynt Anneys lyf, as I suppose,
In þe prologe lych as I promysyd,
Aftyr þe wrytyng of sent Ambrose
Whom fully to folwyn was my purpose,
Not wurde for wurde, for þat ne may be
In no translacyoun, aftyr Jeromys decre;
But fro sentence to sentence I dar wele seyn
I hym haue folwyde euene by & by;
And yet is it ful herde, me semyth certeyn,
Hym so to folwyn, for most straungely
Among alle doctours & most vnkouthly
He endytyth, & who-so me not leue,
If hys bookys he rede he it shal preue.
I hym haue folwyde euene by & by;
And yet is it ful herde, me semyth certeyn,
Hym so to folwyn, for most straungely
Among alle doctours & most vnkouthly
He endytyth, & who-so me not leue,
If hys bookys he rede he it shal preue.
Gramercy, seynt Ambrose, holy doctour,
Wych to seynt Anneys haddyst swych affeccyoun
Þat þou woldyst takyn þis blyssyd labour
Hyr lyf to wrytyn for uirgynys instruccyoun,
Wych in an angle þou founde of oblyuyoun
Pryuylye hyd, & haddyst pyte
That it by neglygence shuld lost haue be.
Wych to seynt Anneys haddyst swych affeccyoun
Þat þou woldyst takyn þis blyssyd labour
Hyr lyf to wrytyn for uirgynys instruccyoun,
Wych in an angle þou founde of oblyuyoun
Pryuylye hyd, & haddyst pyte
That it by neglygence shuld lost haue be.
Gramercy also, o blyssyd virgyne,
Most gracyous anneys, & martyr also,
Wych vouchyddyst-saf þine erys inclyne
To prohemyal preyer wych I þe made to.
Gramercy, lady, for now I haue alle do,
And for my guardoun, lady, purches þou me
The aftyr þis mysery in blysse to se.
Most gracyous anneys, & martyr also,
Wych vouchyddyst-saf þine erys inclyne
To prohemyal preyer wych I þe made to.
Gramercy, lady, for now I haue alle do,
And for my guardoun, lady, purches þou me
The aftyr þis mysery in blysse to se.
Amen gramercy ihesu.
| Legendys of Hooly Wummen by Osbern Bokenham | |