 | The South English Legendary |  |
[Alle Soulen day an vrþe ]
Alle Soulen day an vrþe
riȝt is to holde heȝe
Alle we schulle habbe neode þerto for alle we schulle deye
A fair siȝt þerof ek an angel gan þo bringe
A man of Rome as he him ladde as he lai in metinge
Him þoȝte he seȝ meni men ligge in beddes of golde
& meni sitte at heȝe borde & hadde al þat hi wolde
& menie go naked & bidde þat me hem scholde weue
& menie anhongred & bede þat me hem god ȝeue
Alle we schulle habbe neode þerto for alle we schulle deye
A fair siȝt þerof ek an angel gan þo bringe
A man of Rome as he him ladde as he lai in metinge
Him þoȝte he seȝ meni men ligge in beddes of golde
& meni sitte at heȝe borde & hadde al þat hi wolde
& menie go naked & bidde þat me hem scholde weue
& menie anhongred & bede þat me hem god ȝeue
Þangel him seide wat hit was al þat he seȝ þere
Þat hit was purgatorie & menye soulen were
Þulke þat were at noble bord & riche bedde also
Þat were men for wham þer was an vrþe moche god ido
Þat freondes leuede bihynden hem þat massen lete singe
& god dude for Godes loue here soulen of pyne to bringe
Þat hit was purgatorie & menye soulen were
Þulke þat were at noble bord & riche bedde also
Þat were men for wham þer was an vrþe moche god ido
Þat freondes leuede bihynden hem þat massen lete singe
& god dude for Godes loue here soulen of pyne to bringe
Hi þat acale & afyngred were & no god nemiȝte fynde
Þat were hi þat nadde an vrþe no freond hem bihynde
To lete for hem masse singe ne almesdede for hem do
Þerfore as helplese men in meseise hi ȝeode so
& eke quaþ þangel þat þu telle þe pope herof sone
Þat me holde Alle Soulen day as riȝt is to done
& as wide as Holi Churche þat he makie his heste
Þe morwe after Alle Halewen day þat me holde þulke feste
Þat ech man ententifliche as forþ as he may
For alle þe soulen in purgatorie bidde þulke day
Þat þe pore þat naþ no freond þat for him by name do
Þurf bede of Cristene men iholpe mowe beo so
Þat were hi þat nadde an vrþe no freond hem bihynde
To lete for hem masse singe ne almesdede for hem do
Þerfore as helplese men in meseise hi ȝeode so
& eke quaþ þangel þat þu telle þe pope herof sone
Þat me holde Alle Soulen day as riȝt is to done
& as wide as Holi Churche þat he makie his heste
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Þat ech man ententifliche as forþ as he may
For alle þe soulen in purgatorie bidde þulke day
Þat þe pore þat naþ no freond þat for him by name do
Þurf bede of Cristene men iholpe mowe beo so
Þe gode man aros vp anon þo he seȝ al þis
& herede God of þe siȝte as he wel auȝte iwis
& herede God of þe siȝte as he wel auȝte iwis
Þe pope he tolde al þe cas þat he iseȝ þo þere
So þo me huld þulke festen heȝere þan hi euere er were
Oure Louerd fond furst purgatorie men þeron to wende
Þat here penance her an vrþe ne broȝte noȝt to ende
& þat men of simple synne of wham hi ischriue nere
So þo me huld þulke festen heȝere þan hi euere er were
Oure Louerd fond furst purgatorie men þeron to wende
Þat here penance her an vrþe ne broȝte noȝt to ende
& þat men of simple synne of wham hi ischriue nere
In þulke turment lyuede þer forte hi ibet were
& men ek þat were ischryue & here schrift fonge also
Of a fol preost & noȝt ynouȝ to þe synne þat was ido
Þulke schulle furst go to purgatorie forte hit beo to ende ibroȝt
Þe penance acordant to here synne & after þe preoste noȝt
For if þe preost enioigneþ penance þat ne beo noȝt ful ynouȝ
In purgatorie hit worþ iȝulde & elles hit were wouȝ
For penance is in [þre] manere lasse oþer more
[Oþer] euene after a manes sinne & noȝt after þe preostes lore
If hit is more þan þe sinne & a man hit do iwis
Al hit schal in heuene turne to eching of his blis
& men ek þat were ischryue & here schrift fonge also
Of a fol preost & noȝt ynouȝ to þe synne þat was ido
Þulke schulle furst go to purgatorie forte hit beo to ende ibroȝt
Þe penance acordant to here synne & after þe preoste noȝt
For if þe preost enioigneþ penance þat ne beo noȝt ful ynouȝ
In purgatorie hit worþ iȝulde & elles hit were wouȝ
For penance is in [þre] manere lasse oþer more
[Oþer] euene after a manes sinne & noȝt after þe preostes lore
If hit is more þan þe sinne & a man hit do iwis
Al hit schal in heuene turne to eching of his blis
If he is euene to þe sinne þe sinne he wole aquenche
Ac noȝt if he is to lute ech man him þerof þenche
& to a fol [prest] ne triste he noȝt þat to lute penance him set
For siker her oþer elleswhar eche synne worþ ibet
Þat on is penance of Ianekyn & of Robinet þe wylde
Of Annot & of Malekyn þat wolde habbe þane preost mylde
Þulke preost hi siggeþ is god ynou God schilde ous fram his loþ
Go we to sire Gilbert he nis neuere wroþ
He wole ous schryue nesche ynou & oure synne al forȝyue
Bi God whan hi habbeþ al ido hi goþ hom vnyschryue
For here penance schal beo so lute þat here Gibolot & hi also
Schulle gon an alre deuele wei bote God nyme ȝeme þerto
Ac noȝt if he is to lute ech man him þerof þenche
& to a fol [prest] ne triste he noȝt þat to lute penance him set
For siker her oþer elleswhar eche synne worþ ibet
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Of Annot & of Malekyn þat wolde habbe þane preost mylde
Þulke preost hi siggeþ is god ynou God schilde ous fram his loþ
Go we to sire Gilbert he nis neuere wroþ
He wole ous schryue nesche ynou & oure synne al forȝyue
Bi God whan hi habbeþ al ido hi goþ hom vnyschryue
For here penance schal beo so lute þat here Gibolot & hi also
Schulle gon an alre deuele wei bote God nyme ȝeme þerto
Þer nis no confort in purgatorie bote of one þinge
Þat is hope of ioye siþþe þat oure Louerd hem wole to bringe
Whan men in here deþ vuele beoþ & here penance is iset
& he nemai an vrþe beo forte hit beo ibet
So repentant hi mowe beo þat oure Louerd hit wole forȝyue
Wiþoute purgatorie if he is wel ischryue
Ac if his penance him is iȝyue whan he mot hunne wende
Þerof þat he is ischryue he nemai hit her bringe to ende
On of his nexte freond þat hit miȝte wel for him do
Ac four þinges he moste habbe þat scholde take on so
Gret loue þer moste nede beo þat bituene hem were
Wiþoute loue & deol of hurte such þing noȝt worþ nere
& if hi were ek of one blode þe betere hit were iwis
Ac stedefast loue & deol of hurte al þe maistrie þerof is
Þat is hope of ioye siþþe þat oure Louerd hem wole to bringe
Whan men in here deþ vuele beoþ & here penance is iset
& he nemai an vrþe beo forte hit beo ibet
So repentant hi mowe beo þat oure Louerd hit wole forȝyue
Wiþoute purgatorie if he is wel ischryue
Ac if his penance him is iȝyue whan he mot hunne wende
Þerof þat he is ischryue he nemai hit her bringe to ende
On of his nexte freond þat hit miȝte wel for him do
Ac four þinges he moste habbe þat scholde take on so
Gret loue þer moste nede beo þat bituene hem were
Wiþoute loue & deol of hurte such þing noȝt worþ nere
& if hi were ek of one blode þe betere hit were iwis
Ac stedefast loue & deol of hurte al þe maistrie þerof is
Þoþer þing is þat he schal þurf deþ hunnes wende
& nemai habbe no space her his penance to bringe to ende
Þe þridde þing is þat hit mot beo þurf his preostes rede
For nemai noman þer wiþoute fulenden his dede
& nemai habbe no space her his penance to bringe to ende
Þe þridde þing is þat hit mot beo þurf his preostes rede
For nemai noman þer wiþoute fulenden his dede
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Þe furde is þat me him take penance ynouȝ þerto
More þan him þat þe synne dude if he miȝte þe penance do
For he wolde for oþeres sinne suche penance her lede
More penance me mot him sette þan him þat dude þe dede
Þerfore whan eni of ȝoure freond haþ ibroȝt his lyf to fyne
Her ȝe mowe iseo hou ȝe mowe bringe him out of pyne
Forte bete his sinne in þisse manere ȝe mowe sikere beode
For Godes loue þencheþ þeron whan ȝoure freond habbeþ neode
More þan him þat þe synne dude if he miȝte þe penance do
For he wolde for oþeres sinne suche penance her lede
More penance me mot him sette þan him þat dude þe dede
Þerfore whan eni of ȝoure freond haþ ibroȝt his lyf to fyne
Her ȝe mowe iseo hou ȝe mowe bringe him out of pyne
Forte bete his sinne in þisse manere ȝe mowe sikere beode
For Godes loue þencheþ þeron whan ȝoure freond habbeþ neode
In whiche stede nou is purgatorie menye wolde wite
Hit nis noȝt in o stede to alle men ac in vyue hit is iwrite
On is in þe firmament þer as þe grete brennyng is
Hit nis noȝt in o stede to alle men ac in vyue hit is iwrite
On is in þe firmament þer as þe grete brennyng is
Of fur þat haþ þer his stede & of sonne also iwis
Þoþer is in þeir aboue þer as þe gostes fleoþ
Þat turmentieþ hem nyȝt & day & neuere in reste ne beoþ
Þat turmentieþ hem nyȝt & day & neuere in reste ne beoþ
Þe þridde is an vrþe among ous here þe furde in watere is
Þe vyfte is vnder vrþe deope biside helle iwis
Þe vyfte is vnder vrþe deope biside helle iwis
Seint Patrik þe while he an vrþe was a stede þerof fond
As God wolde biside þe hul of seint Brendan in Irland
For four þinges purgatorie in þis vyf stedes is
For some man schulde lasse þan oþer in turment beo iwis
& þat me miȝte þurf Godes help þe raþere in ioye hem bringe
& þat men were bi hem iwar bi auisioun & metinge
& for man diliteþ moche to synewy in one place
Þer he schal his sinne bete forte oure Louerd him ȝeue grace
A tale of fair ensample þerof we fyndeþ iwrite
For oure Louerd ous scheweþ such for we schulde iwite
A preost was while in a stede þat let him baþie ylome
Pryueiliche in a stede þat no man neȝ him ne come
So þat þer com ofte a man as hit were bi cas
& seruede him suyþe wel he nuste ho hit was
As God wolde biside þe hul of seint Brendan in Irland
For four þinges purgatorie in þis vyf stedes is
For some man schulde lasse þan oþer in turment beo iwis
& þat me miȝte þurf Godes help þe raþere in ioye hem bringe
& þat men were bi hem iwar bi auisioun & metinge
& for man diliteþ moche to synewy in one place
Þer he schal his sinne bete forte oure Louerd him ȝeue grace
A tale of fair ensample þerof we fyndeþ iwrite
For oure Louerd ous scheweþ such for we schulde iwite
467
Pryueiliche in a stede þat no man neȝ him ne come
So þat þer com ofte a man as hit were bi cas
& seruede him suyþe wel he nuste ho hit was
A day he makede halibred & þis man bitok
To mede for his swynche ac he hit anon forsok
Sire he seide y nemay hit noȝt for hit ihalewed is
& for ynam ȝut holi noȝt y nemai hit noȝt iwis
To mede for his swynche ac he hit anon forsok
Sire he seide y nemay hit noȝt for hit ihalewed is
& for ynam ȝut holi noȝt y nemai hit noȝt iwis
A Godes name quaþ þe preost ich hote & halsny þe
Þat þu me sigge what þu ert þat so lome comest to me
Ich was while of þis stede louerd þis oþer sede
Ich dilitede moche in þis stede to do a misdede
Al mi delit of þulke sinne was in þulke place
I ne bitte noȝt þe synne a lyue y nadde noȝt þe grace
& after [myn deþe] mi purgatorie þerfore her is
To bete mi sinne in þulke place þer as ich dude amis
Ac woldestou for me masse singe ich miȝte habbe milce & ore
Þat þu miȝt fynde þat ich am sauf whan þu nefyndest me no more
Þe preost song for him massen & oþer godnisse dude also
Siþþe he miste þis seli gost er soueniȝt were ido
For he wende to þe ioye of heuene þat he wel deore abouȝte
Þus meni man haþ his purgatorie þer he his synne wrouȝte
So mai par auenture dame Aldeþe þat naþ non oþer blis
Bote atom in hire alclyne þer al hire moker is
Þeȝ heo bidde at churche hire bedes hire þoȝt is atom more
Par auenture heo schal bete hire sinne þere & abugge hire loue sore
Men habbeþ her an vrþe purgatorie menie for þulke þinge
& meni to warny sum men hem help þerof to bringe
Meni man [is] purgatorie in watere haþ also
Þerof ich wole sigge ensample þat was while ido
Seint Thebaud þat bischop was hadde on his fot ane hote goute
Þat podagre icleped is he hadde þerof gret doute
As his fischeres wende afischeþ an hareuest al aboute
In here net hi nome a clomp of ys þerwiþ hi were proute
For þat ys þat was so cold hi leide to here louerdes fote
Aswagi wolde þe hote goute & bringe him so bote
Þis bischop Tebaud was wel glad þis ys he leide ofte
To his fot & eche tyme [] hit makede him liþe & softe
Þat þis ys was hol & sound hit ne [melte] for non hete
Seint Thebaud þoȝte þerof wonder & for noþing he nolde hit lete
Par auenture heo schal bete hire sinne þere & abugge hire loue sore
468
& meni to warny sum men hem help þerof to bringe
Meni man [is] purgatorie in watere haþ also
Þerof ich wole sigge ensample þat was while ido
Seint Thebaud þat bischop was hadde on his fot ane hote goute
Þat podagre icleped is he hadde þerof gret doute
As his fischeres wende afischeþ an hareuest al aboute
In here net hi nome a clomp of ys þerwiþ hi were proute
For þat ys þat was so cold hi leide to here louerdes fote
Aswagi wolde þe hote goute & bringe him so bote
Þis bischop Tebaud was wel glad þis ys he leide ofte
To his fot & eche tyme [] hit makede him liþe & softe
Þat þis ys was hol & sound hit ne [melte] for non hete
Seint Thebaud þoȝte þerof wonder & for noþing he nolde hit lete
A lute cri him þoȝte he hurde in þis ys a day þere
He coniurede hit a Godes name to sigge what hit were
Ich am hit seide a seli gost & in þis ys ich am here
In mi purgatori forte ich beo of myne synnes skere
Ac if þu woldest for Godes loue þritti massen singe
For me ich wot þu miȝtest out of pyne me bringe
He coniurede hit a Godes name to sigge what hit were
Ich am hit seide a seli gost & in þis ys ich am here
In mi purgatori forte ich beo of myne synnes skere
Ac if þu woldest for Godes loue þritti massen singe
For me ich wot þu miȝtest out of pyne me bringe
Þe bischop grantede him wel fawe & bigan anon amorwe
Þe masse for þis seli gost to bringe hit out of sorewe
& song ech day after oþer þe deuel hadde gret onde
Þat þe gost scholde of pyne come his wrenches he gan fonde
For as þe bischop þe teoþe day his masse gan to singe
Al þe toun þe deuel hadde ibroȝt in fiȝtinge
Þe gode man bileuede his masse anon & orn among hem faste
& harmles þurf Godes grace passede atte laste
Þe masse for þis seli gost to bringe hit out of sorewe
& song ech day after oþer þe deuel hadde gret onde
Þat þe gost scholde of pyne come his wrenches he gan fonde
For as þe bischop þe teoþe day his masse gan to singe
Al þe toun þe deuel hadde ibroȝt in fiȝtinge
Þe gode man bileuede his masse anon & orn among hem faste
& harmles þurf Godes grace passede atte laste
As he gan amorwe his masse þe cri cam al aboute
Þat þe toun bisiged was wiþ grete furde wiþoute
& ech man orn into al þe toun as witles al aboute
Þe bischop bileuede his masse anon & orn toward þe route
He maked pays among þe stronge men þat hi noþing ne reuede
Ac naþeles so þe tuey dayes his massen he bileuede
469
& ech man orn into al þe toun as witles al aboute
Þe bischop bileuede his masse anon & orn toward þe route
He maked pays among þe stronge men þat hi noþing ne reuede
Ac naþeles so þe tuey dayes his massen he bileuede
As he bigan his masse þe þridde day men hete out al aboute
For his court & moche of þe toun afure was wiþoute
Þeȝ hit al forberne quaþ þe bischop & ich me silue also
Inele todai fram þis weued er þis masse beo ido
So þat he song his masse forþ þat folc was busi wiþoute
To laui water & aquenche þat fur þat folc orn swiþe aboute
Þo þe masse was al ido þat fur aqueynte anon
Þer nas apeired noȝt an hous ac hol hi stode echon
Þulke þreo dayes þe deuel hadde þulke wo ido
For he wolde þe masse lette & pyny þe soule so
Þe bischop fond þat ys atom ymolte al to noȝte
For his court & moche of þe toun afure was wiþoute
Þeȝ hit al forberne quaþ þe bischop & ich me silue also
Inele todai fram þis weued er þis masse beo ido
So þat he song his masse forþ þat folc was busi wiþoute
To laui water & aquenche þat fur þat folc orn swiþe aboute
Þo þe masse was al ido þat fur aqueynte anon
Þer nas apeired noȝt an hous ac hol hi stode echon
Þulke þreo dayes þe deuel hadde þulke wo ido
For he wolde þe masse lette & pyny þe soule so
Þe bischop fond þat ys atom ymolte al to noȝte
Þo wiste he þat þurf his masse þe soule to ioye he broȝte
Meni þinges ane soule helpeþ þat in purgatorie is
As þreo þinges hem helpeþ mest tofore alle oþere iwis
Beden of men & almesdede & song of massen also
Þis þreo þinges beoþ best iwis & mest god wolleþ do
Þat bidde beden beoþ gode þat soþe ȝe mowe iwite
Bi a tale of a clerk þat we fyndeþ iwrite
A clerk hadde while a wone whan he bi churche come
To sigge for alle Cristene soule De profundis ilome
O tyme he com þerforþ late þeoues him come aboute
& assaillede him faste to robbi he nuste what do for doute
Þe bodies þat were ibured þere his bedes hi ȝulde anon
Hi come wiþ wepne him to helpe & sturte forþ euerechon
Euerech wiþ such maner wepne as we vsieþ alyue
Plouȝ man wiþ his aker staf schutere wiþ bowe & knyue
Aboute þis þeoues hi come echon & gonne hem to dryue
To here put hi wende siþþe aȝe þe clerk hamward blyue
& þus his beden were iȝulde þat he bad er ofte
Ich am siker aweiward þe þeoues ne makede here pas noȝt softe
For ich wot non of ȝou nescholde hem habbe so sore agaste
A wonder bataille hit was on hadde hit longe ilaste
For ich wene þer nis no champioun þat hadde þer ibeo
Þat nadde sone ynome his red hamward forto fleo
Meni þinges ane soule helpeþ þat in purgatorie is
As þreo þinges hem helpeþ mest tofore alle oþere iwis
Beden of men & almesdede & song of massen also
Þis þreo þinges beoþ best iwis & mest god wolleþ do
Þat bidde beden beoþ gode þat soþe ȝe mowe iwite
Bi a tale of a clerk þat we fyndeþ iwrite
A clerk hadde while a wone whan he bi churche come
To sigge for alle Cristene soule De profundis ilome
O tyme he com þerforþ late þeoues him come aboute
& assaillede him faste to robbi he nuste what do for doute
Þe bodies þat were ibured þere his bedes hi ȝulde anon
Hi come wiþ wepne him to helpe & sturte forþ euerechon
470
Plouȝ man wiþ his aker staf schutere wiþ bowe & knyue
Aboute þis þeoues hi come echon & gonne hem to dryue
To here put hi wende siþþe aȝe þe clerk hamward blyue
& þus his beden were iȝulde þat he bad er ofte
Ich am siker aweiward þe þeoues ne makede here pas noȝt softe
For ich wot non of ȝou nescholde hem habbe so sore agaste
A wonder bataille hit was on hadde hit longe ilaste
For ich wene þer nis no champioun þat hadde þer ibeo
Þat nadde sone ynome his red hamward forto fleo
Almesdede doþ gret god þe soule also mid alle
Þat ȝe mowe iseo bi a cas þat a knyȝt dude bifalle
A godman while þat het Steuene to his endinge drouȝ
A knyȝt his freond for his deþ makede deol ynouȝ
& dude for him gret almesdede boþe nyȝt & day
Þerfore as he lai & slep gret miracle he say
Him þoȝte he seȝ a sliper brugge swiþe long & heȝ
A deope water & swart byneþe a fair mede þer was neȝ
Wiþ swote smel & faire floures vpe þe brugge he seȝ gon
Wiþ grete meseise fele men & fulle in to þe water anon
& meni he seȝ þer vppe gon al sauf wiþoute drede
& meni wiþ ioye & blisse ynou pleyinge in þe mede
Þat ȝe mowe iseo bi a cas þat a knyȝt dude bifalle
A godman while þat het Steuene to his endinge drouȝ
A knyȝt his freond for his deþ makede deol ynouȝ
& dude for him gret almesdede boþe nyȝt & day
Þerfore as he lai & slep gret miracle he say
Him þoȝte he seȝ a sliper brugge swiþe long & heȝ
A deope water & swart byneþe a fair mede þer was neȝ
Wiþ swote smel & faire floures vpe þe brugge he seȝ gon
Wiþ grete meseise fele men & fulle in to þe water anon
& meni he seȝ þer vppe gon al sauf wiþoute drede
& meni wiþ ioye & blisse ynou pleyinge in þe mede
Vpe þe brugge him þoȝte he seȝ go in wrechede
Steuene for wham he dude þe grete almesdede
Blake men þer were byneþe þat adounward him drowe
Oþere þer were in white cloþe þat vp him hulde ynowe
Bituene hem ilaste þe noyse longe ech drouȝ oþer aȝen faste
Ac euere hadde þe white men þe maistrie atte laste
Þat were þe almesdede þat for him were ido
Þat þe knyȝt dude for his soule þat drowe him vpward so
Þe blake men þat him doneward drowe þat were his liþere dede
Þat wolde him to pyne drawe if hi miȝte for almesdede
Steuene for wham he dude þe grete almesdede
Blake men þer were byneþe þat adounward him drowe
Oþere þer were in white cloþe þat vp him hulde ynowe
Bituene hem ilaste þe noyse longe ech drouȝ oþer aȝen faste
Ac euere hadde þe white men þe maistrie atte laste
Þat were þe almesdede þat for him were ido
Þat þe knyȝt dude for his soule þat drowe him vpward so
Þe blake men þat him doneward drowe þat were his liþere dede
Þat wolde him to pyne drawe if hi miȝte for almesdede
471
Massen also doþ gret god boþe quike & dede
Þat ȝe mowe ihure bi þis tale & bi oþere þat ich sede
Men were while in a contray þeras a roche stod
Me wende þat þer vnder were gret tresour & god
So þat hi gonne þerafter delue & to wroþere hele atte laste
For vpe hem ful þe roch adoun & hem ouercaste
& sloȝ hem alle bote o man as hit were bi cas
In a maner dich he ful & lay þe roche aboue him was
So þat he nemiȝte noȝt of þe stede ac biputted lay þere
His wyf nuste noȝt of his lyf oc wende þat he ded were
To churche heo wende eche day & let ane masse singe
A lof & wyn & a candle to þe weued heo wolde bringe
& al for hire louerdes soule heo nebileuede noȝt o day
Þat ȝe mowe ihure bi þis tale & bi oþere þat ich sede
Men were while in a contray þeras a roche stod
Me wende þat þer vnder were gret tresour & god
So þat hi gonne þerafter delue & to wroþere hele atte laste
For vpe hem ful þe roch adoun & hem ouercaste
& sloȝ hem alle bote o man as hit were bi cas
In a maner dich he ful & lay þe roche aboue him was
So þat he nemiȝte noȝt of þe stede ac biputted lay þere
His wyf nuste noȝt of his lyf oc wende þat he ded were
To churche heo wende eche day & let ane masse singe
A lof & wyn & a candle to þe weued heo wolde bringe
& al for hire louerdes soule heo nebileuede noȝt o day
Þe deuel hadde herto gret onde þo he hit isay
As þis wyf ȝeode to churche a day þe deuel cam hire to
& seide þat heo ȝeode for noȝt þe masse was ido
Alle þe þreo dayes þe schrewe bitraide hire so
& þurf his false lore aȝenward makede hire go
& hire offring bere hom þat heo was woned to do
As þis wyf ȝeode to churche a day þe deuel cam hire to
& seide þat heo ȝeode for noȝt þe masse was ido
Alle þe þreo dayes þe schrewe bitraide hire so
& þurf his false lore aȝenward makede hire go
& hire offring bere hom þat heo was woned to do
Þe furde day ȝut he com & lette wolde hire þo
Þis wyf þat ileouede him ful wel er þo nolde heo noȝt so
Ac wende to churche & fond þat soþe þat he þat heo mette
Þe deuel was to bitraye hire [] & of hire godnisse hire lette
Þis wyf þat ileouede him ful wel er þo nolde heo noȝt so
Ac wende to churche & fond þat soþe þat he þat heo mette
Þe deuel was to bitraye hire [] & of hire godnisse hire lette
Sone hit ful þer afterward þat men of þe toune
Wende to bete vp þulke roche þat þer lay adoune
& wende to fynde som tresour & wende & dolue faste
Þe seli man dradde byneþe þat hi þe roche vpe him caste
Delueþ he seide warliche þat ȝe ne sle me noȝt
Þo were þis oþere sore agast & were in gret þoȝt
Ac naþeles hi dolue so biside þat hi to him come
Hi him fonde ligge hol & sound wiþ gret ioye vp hi him nome
Hi eschte hou he hadde ilyued þat hunger him ne slouȝ
Certes he seide ich habbe ihaued mete & drinke ynouȝ
For a lof & a picher wyn mi wyf me sende eche day
& a berninge candle þat me liȝte þe while ich her lay
Bote þreo dayes þis oþer dai noþing heo ne me sende
Ich was neȝ for hunger ded oc heo gan amende
& sende me as heo dude er & fedde me wel mid alle
Alle wyue worþe hire best & best hire mote bifalle
Wende to bete vp þulke roche þat þer lay adoune
& wende to fynde som tresour & wende & dolue faste
Þe seli man dradde byneþe þat hi þe roche vpe him caste
Delueþ he seide warliche þat ȝe ne sle me noȝt
Þo were þis oþere sore agast & were in gret þoȝt
Ac naþeles hi dolue so biside þat hi to him come
472
Hi eschte hou he hadde ilyued þat hunger him ne slouȝ
Certes he seide ich habbe ihaued mete & drinke ynouȝ
For a lof & a picher wyn mi wyf me sende eche day
& a berninge candle þat me liȝte þe while ich her lay
Bote þreo dayes þis oþer dai noþing heo ne me sende
Ich was neȝ for hunger ded oc heo gan amende
& sende me as heo dude er & fedde me wel mid alle
Alle wyue worþe hire best & best hire mote bifalle
Bi þis miracle me mai iseo & bi meni oþer also
Þat massen & almesdede gret god þe soule mowe do
Þuse godnisses nulleþ noȝt helpe alle iliche iwis
For of men þat hunne wendeþ meni maner þer is
Oþer riȝt god oþer vuel oþer bituene tuo
Godhede helpeþ somme lute þat me wole for hem do
If hi riȝt gode beoþ hi nabbeþ no neode mid alle
Of non vrþlich godnisse þat hem wole þer bifalle
For in þe ioye of heuene hi beoþ as hi were bifore
Ac naþeles þat me for hem doþ neworþ hit noȝt forlore
For hit schal moche hem silue helpe þat þulke godnisse deþ
& alle Cristene soules ek þat in purgatorie beoþ
Þreo maner men þer beoþ gode þat wendeþ to heuene anon
Whan hi of þis wordle fareþ ȝunge childrene þat beoþ þat on
Þat deide after here Cristendom er hi dude to quede
& martirs þat for Godes loue in strong turment beoþ dede
Þat massen & almesdede gret god þe soule mowe do
Þuse godnisses nulleþ noȝt helpe alle iliche iwis
For of men þat hunne wendeþ meni maner þer is
Oþer riȝt god oþer vuel oþer bituene tuo
Godhede helpeþ somme lute þat me wole for hem do
If hi riȝt gode beoþ hi nabbeþ no neode mid alle
Of non vrþlich godnisse þat hem wole þer bifalle
For in þe ioye of heuene hi beoþ as hi were bifore
Ac naþeles þat me for hem doþ neworþ hit noȝt forlore
For hit schal moche hem silue helpe þat þulke godnisse deþ
& alle Cristene soules ek þat in purgatorie beoþ
Þreo maner men þer beoþ gode þat wendeþ to heuene anon
Whan hi of þis wordle fareþ ȝunge childrene þat beoþ þat on
Þat deide after here Cristendom er hi dude to quede
& martirs þat for Godes loue in strong turment beoþ dede
Þe þridde maner beoþ clene men þat er hi hunne wende
Alle here sinnes beteþ her as oure Louerd grace hem doþ sende
Þuse þreo [maner] men nemowe noȝt in purgatorie bileue
Ac smyteþ þurf as quicliche as liȝting doþ an eue
Hi nemowe noȝt bileue þer for whan hi wendeþ hunne
Clene hi beoþ of alle synnes þerfore hi nabbeþ noþing to brenne
For as wode & col wele fede þe fur þat her is
Also sinne fedeþ þat fur in purgatorie iwis
Alle here sinnes beteþ her as oure Louerd grace hem doþ sende
Þuse þreo [maner] men nemowe noȝt in purgatorie bileue
473
Hi nemowe noȝt bileue þer for whan hi wendeþ hunne
Clene hi beoþ of alle synnes þerfore hi nabbeþ noþing to brenne
For as wode & col wele fede þe fur þat her is
Also sinne fedeþ þat fur in purgatorie iwis
Anon as þe synne berneþ awei þe soule to heuene geþ
Ac wel sone þurf he fliȝþ þat in clannisse þoleþ deþ
As doþ þulke þreo maner men as ich ȝou er of sede
For heuene openeþ hem aȝe as sone as hi beoþ dede
& þat hit beo soþ of alle þreo ensample ȝe mowe iseo
Aȝen children ifulled heuene iopened beo
As oure Louerd was of vyf & tuenti ȝer & tuelf dayes þerto
Er he was ifulled as þe godspel ous telleþ so
Er þulke tyme non vrþlich man nemiȝte neuere wite
Þat heuene openede him aboue as we fyndeþ iwrite
Bote þo he was ifulled of þe holi man seint Iohn
Aboue his heued wiþ gret liȝt heuene openede anon
What bitoknede þulke openinge þat þo was & raþere noȝt
Bote þat þurf Cristendom man was furst to heuene ibroȝt
& þat heuene dore was faste ymaked er Cristendom were
& þat aȝe þe furste Cristendom heuene openede þere
& þat heuene dore iopened is to Cristene men also
& to ȝunge childrene forte hi habbe hit þurf synne ido
For hi schulleþ whan hi hunne wendeþ heuene dore ope fynde
For hi nebereþ wiþ hem no synne to drawe hem bihynde
Ac quic hi doþ as liȝtinge þurf purgatorie gon
& heuene dore fyndeþ ope & wendeþ in anon
Gret folie hit is to wepe as man is iwoned to done
For ȝunge childrene þat deyeþ so þat in heuene beoþ so sone
Away mi child saiþ þe dame þat snyueleþ bi þe wowe
Bi Crist heo auȝte þonki God þat nom hit for his owe
Ac wel sone þurf he fliȝþ þat in clannisse þoleþ deþ
As doþ þulke þreo maner men as ich ȝou er of sede
For heuene openeþ hem aȝe as sone as hi beoþ dede
& þat hit beo soþ of alle þreo ensample ȝe mowe iseo
Aȝen children ifulled heuene iopened beo
As oure Louerd was of vyf & tuenti ȝer & tuelf dayes þerto
Er he was ifulled as þe godspel ous telleþ so
Er þulke tyme non vrþlich man nemiȝte neuere wite
Þat heuene openede him aboue as we fyndeþ iwrite
Bote þo he was ifulled of þe holi man seint Iohn
Aboue his heued wiþ gret liȝt heuene openede anon
What bitoknede þulke openinge þat þo was & raþere noȝt
Bote þat þurf Cristendom man was furst to heuene ibroȝt
& þat heuene dore was faste ymaked er Cristendom were
& þat aȝe þe furste Cristendom heuene openede þere
& þat heuene dore iopened is to Cristene men also
& to ȝunge childrene forte hi habbe hit þurf synne ido
For hi schulleþ whan hi hunne wendeþ heuene dore ope fynde
For hi nebereþ wiþ hem no synne to drawe hem bihynde
Ac quic hi doþ as liȝtinge þurf purgatorie gon
& heuene dore fyndeþ ope & wendeþ in anon
Gret folie hit is to wepe as man is iwoned to done
474
Away mi child saiþ þe dame þat snyueleþ bi þe wowe
Bi Crist heo auȝte þonki God þat nom hit for his owe
Aȝen martirs þat gode beoþ heuene iopened is
Þat me mai bi þe martirdom iseo of seinte Steuene iwis
For þo me him to deþe hende to heuene he bihuld anheȝ
& heuene openede him aȝen as he anheȝ iseȝ
Þat me mai bi þe martirdom iseo of seinte Steuene iwis
For þo me him to deþe hende to heuene he bihuld anheȝ
& heuene openede him aȝen as he anheȝ iseȝ
Lo he seide nou ich iseo þurf Iesu Cristes sonde
Heuene iopened & Godes sone in his fader riȝt hond stonde
Þe furste martir þat euere was & þat euere an vrþe com
After oure Louerdes passioun to holde vp Cristendom
Aȝen him heuene openede riȝt as he þe deþ nom
To tokne þat he wolde so aȝen ech god martirdom
& þeȝ hi were somdel in synne here deþ þo hi nome
Here blod hem wolde þerof wasche er hi to purgatorie come
Men also of clene lyue þat in clannisse here lyf endeþ
Heuene openeþ hem aȝe whan hi hunne wendeþ
Þat me mai iseo bi ensample of seint Iohn þewangelist
Clennere þan he nas neuere man wiþoute Iesu Crist
He seȝ in þapocalips þat his owe bok is
Þat he seȝ heuene dore aȝen him openy iwis
What bitokneþ þulke openinge bote þat he scholde iseo also
Aȝen hem alle þat clene were heuene dore vndo
Vrþlich god helpeþ lute such men iwis
For hi nabbeþ þerto no neode whan hi beoþ in heuene blis
Ac þanne hit helpeþ hem silue moche þat doþ þulke gode dede
& alle þat beoþ in purgatorie as ich ȝou er sede
Heuene iopened & Godes sone in his fader riȝt hond stonde
Þe furste martir þat euere was & þat euere an vrþe com
After oure Louerdes passioun to holde vp Cristendom
Aȝen him heuene openede riȝt as he þe deþ nom
To tokne þat he wolde so aȝen ech god martirdom
& þeȝ hi were somdel in synne here deþ þo hi nome
Here blod hem wolde þerof wasche er hi to purgatorie come
Men also of clene lyue þat in clannisse here lyf endeþ
Heuene openeþ hem aȝe whan hi hunne wendeþ
Þat me mai iseo bi ensample of seint Iohn þewangelist
Clennere þan he nas neuere man wiþoute Iesu Crist
He seȝ in þapocalips þat his owe bok is
Þat he seȝ heuene dore aȝen him openy iwis
What bitokneþ þulke openinge bote þat he scholde iseo also
Aȝen hem alle þat clene were heuene dore vndo
Vrþlich god helpeþ lute such men iwis
For hi nabbeþ þerto no neode whan hi beoþ in heuene blis
Ac þanne hit helpeþ hem silue moche þat doþ þulke gode dede
& alle þat beoþ in purgatorie as ich ȝou er sede
Ho þat is ek in helle pyne hit helpeþ him lute also
Eni godnisse þat me mai an vrþe for him do
For seint Austin saiþ if he wiste þat his fader in helle were
No more he nolde for him bidde þan for a deuel þere
Ac euere hit helpeþ hem þat hit doþ of Cristenene men also
For no godnisse nis forlore þat me wole an vrþe do
Ac bedes oþer almesdede helpeþ lute of freond oþer of kynne
Bote hi wiþoute wraþþe beo & wiþoute dedlich synne
Ac masse nis neuere þe wors of wham he beo ido
Þeȝ hit beo of a sinful preost of non oþer þing hit nis so
For þulke dede him is so heȝ þat hit nemai aperri noȝt
For no wrecche preost þat hit doþ þeȝ he beo in synne ibroȝt
Þat þe masse ne beo þe wors ich swerie bi mi swere
He þat him singþ in dedliche synne hit schal abugge dure
For sire Gilbert whan he haþ ymassed his lyf he wole so diȝte
Atte tauerne he is aday & bi his quene bi nyȝte
Eni godnisse þat me mai an vrþe for him do
475
No more he nolde for him bidde þan for a deuel þere
Ac euere hit helpeþ hem þat hit doþ of Cristenene men also
For no godnisse nis forlore þat me wole an vrþe do
Ac bedes oþer almesdede helpeþ lute of freond oþer of kynne
Bote hi wiþoute wraþþe beo & wiþoute dedlich synne
Ac masse nis neuere þe wors of wham he beo ido
Þeȝ hit beo of a sinful preost of non oþer þing hit nis so
For þulke dede him is so heȝ þat hit nemai aperri noȝt
For no wrecche preost þat hit doþ þeȝ he beo in synne ibroȝt
Þat þe masse ne beo þe wors ich swerie bi mi swere
He þat him singþ in dedliche synne hit schal abugge dure
For sire Gilbert whan he haþ ymassed his lyf he wole so diȝte
Atte tauerne he is aday & bi his quene bi nyȝte
He saiþ whan me clipeþ him preost site stille gode fere
Þe preost hongeþ at churche & ich am nouþe here
His cope oþer his surpliȝ þe preost he saiþ þat is
Ac his cope schal bileue atom whan he schal to helle iwis
Þe preost hongeþ at churche & ich am nouþe here
His cope oþer his surpliȝ þe preost he saiþ þat is
Ac his cope schal bileue atom whan he schal to helle iwis
Ho so wole þat a ded man of his godnisse afonge
Do hit bityme for þe dede þencheþ after longe
& þat hit beo soþ me mai iseo bi a wonder cas
Þat biful while bi a kniȝt þat wiþ Charles þe kyng was
Do hit bityme for þe dede þencheþ after longe
& þat hit beo soþ me mai iseo bi a wonder cas
Þat biful while bi a kniȝt þat wiþ Charles þe kyng was
Þe kyng Charles a dai his ost to strong bataille gan lede
On of his kniȝtes þat wiþ him wende of þe deþe gan drede
A cosyn he hadde in þe route þat to him he þoȝte he miȝte
Mest triste of alle men & so he scholde mid riȝte
Leoue cosyn he seide if ich am her to deþe ibroȝt
Mi stede sul & do for mi soule þat þu nebileue hit noȝt
On of his kniȝtes þat wiþ him wende of þe deþe gan drede
A cosyn he hadde in þe route þat to him he þoȝte he miȝte
Mest triste of alle men & so he scholde mid riȝte
Leoue cosyn he seide if ich am her to deþe ibroȝt
Mi stede sul & do for mi soule þat þu nebileue hit noȝt
476
Þis kniȝt triste to his meyes word þat bihet do his bone
And in to þe bataille wend forþ as riȝt was to done
& fauȝt þe while þat he miȝte & aslawe was attan ende
His cosyn nom his stede sone & hamward gan wende
& to his owe bihoue hulþ hit faste & þoȝte forto done
As moche for þe knyȝtes soule whan he miȝte eftsone
And in to þe bataille wend forþ as riȝt was to done
& fauȝt þe while þat he miȝte & aslawe was attan ende
His cosyn nom his stede sone & hamward gan wende
& to his owe bihoue hulþ hit faste & þoȝte forto done
As moche for þe knyȝtes soule whan he miȝte eftsone
Þis kniȝt com to him sone gostliche in priueite
Leoue cosyn he seide late þu dost þat þu bihete me
Þu makedest me beo in purgatorie soueniȝt mid iwisse
& nou ich am in þe ioye of heuene & þerof þu schalt misse
For þu schalt in þisse daye to þe pyne of helle wende
For þe tricherie þat þu dudest & þer beo wiþouten ende
Þis seli gost wende forþ anon & þis false man wel sone
Deide & wende adeuelewey as he seruede to done
Her mowe þis false executours beo iwar bi þis tale
Þat moche habbeþ of dede men & deleþ þerof smale
Ac þencheþ whan hi riche beoþ to ȝulde hit wel iwis
Þe soule longeþ þerafter sore þat in purgatorie is
He abideþ longe here richesce here god is euere bihynde
Hi schulle go in alre deuele wey & þer here mede fynde
Nou Iesu þat ous deore abouȝte þat we ofte do amis
Of oure soules þu haue merci & bring ous to heuene blis
To oure owe heritage þat þu ous bouȝtest to
Ne leos ous noȝt þat þu deore abouȝtest þeȝ we somdel misdo
Leoue cosyn he seide late þu dost þat þu bihete me
Þu makedest me beo in purgatorie soueniȝt mid iwisse
& nou ich am in þe ioye of heuene & þerof þu schalt misse
For þu schalt in þisse daye to þe pyne of helle wende
For þe tricherie þat þu dudest & þer beo wiþouten ende
Þis seli gost wende forþ anon & þis false man wel sone
Deide & wende adeuelewey as he seruede to done
Her mowe þis false executours beo iwar bi þis tale
Þat moche habbeþ of dede men & deleþ þerof smale
Ac þencheþ whan hi riche beoþ to ȝulde hit wel iwis
Þe soule longeþ þerafter sore þat in purgatorie is
He abideþ longe here richesce here god is euere bihynde
Hi schulle go in alre deuele wey & þer here mede fynde
Nou Iesu þat ous deore abouȝte þat we ofte do amis
Of oure soules þu haue merci & bring ous to heuene blis
To oure owe heritage þat þu ous bouȝtest to
Ne leos ous noȝt þat þu deore abouȝtest þeȝ we somdel misdo
| The South English Legendary | |