A Stanzaic Life of Christ Compiled from Higden's Polychronicon and the Legenda Aurea |
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De letania Maiori & Minori.
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 | A Stanzaic Life of Christ |  |
De letania Maiori & Minori.
Letenanys vche ȝer
arn twies done solenlye.
saint Mark day wit-outen wer,
the mor is callet skilfullye,
arn twies done solenlye.
saint Mark day wit-outen wer,
the mor is callet skilfullye,
Also bifor the ascension
thre other dayes worschipen we
wit solenpne processioun,
the lasse letanye callet mot be.
thre other dayes worschipen we
wit solenpne processioun,
the lasse letanye callet mot be.
letany is as muche to saye
as a speciale praiere
that Cristen men her make may
to hym and to corsaintes der.
as a speciale praiere
that Cristen men her make may
to hym and to corsaintes der.
the furst letany i-wys
that done is on saint Mark daye
by thre nomes knowen is,
As I schal now apertely say.
that done is on saint Mark daye
by thre nomes knowen is,
As I schal now apertely say.
the furst nome is mor letany,
the secounde in gode fay
Processioun seuenfold calle may I
by gode skil and eke werray,
the secounde in gode fay
Processioun seuenfold calle may I
by gode skil and eke werray,
the thridde name callet hit is
blake crosses in signe of car,
and how these nomes comen i-wis
Expressely her I wol declar.
blake crosses in signe of car,
and how these nomes comen i-wis
Expressely her I wol declar.
Callet [hit] is mor letanye
for thre causes that i schal saye,
one is for saint Gregori
ordeinet hit be done that daye;
for thre causes that i schal saye,
one is for saint Gregori
ordeinet hit be done that daye;
275
Also men callen hit skilfully
the mor letany, in gode fay,
for reuerence of that place, leue I,
that moder of citees calle I maye,
the mor letany, in gode fay,
for reuerence of that place, leue I,
that moder of citees calle I maye,
And alse ther is the popes see
[And Petre & Poul þere lyyng
And many a corsaynt, leue ȝe me,
In no place so many, with-oute lesyng;
[And Petre & Poul þere lyyng
And many a corsaynt, leue ȝe me,
In no place so many, with-oute lesyng;
þat cause þat hit was ordeyned fore]
was for A greuouse maledy,
that men of Rome greuet mor
then long befor did any Anye.
was for A greuouse maledy,
that men of Rome greuet mor
then long befor did any Anye.
De peste inguinaria.
the Romaynes that tyme, reden we,
in lentoun leueden deuoutely
aȝaines Astur-day schuld be
to receyue God worthelye,
in lentoun leueden deuoutely
aȝaines Astur-day schuld be
to receyue God worthelye,
But aftur Astur alle that cite
liueden so delauylye
that God toke vengeance, leue ȝe me,
as I schal sone specifie.
liueden so delauylye
that God toke vengeance, leue ȝe me,
as I schal sone specifie.
For suche a sorow fel in hor scher
and mennes ȝerdes eke also,
that from that wo might none hym wer,
suche suelling ther thai haden tho.
and mennes ȝerdes eke also,
that from that wo might none hym wer,
suche suelling ther thai haden tho.
So bitter was that maledye
hit slogh men goyng in the waye,
at speche to-gedur sodenly,
At mete sittyng, & eke in play.
hit slogh men goyng in the waye,
at speche to-gedur sodenly,
At mete sittyng, & eke in play.
and when a mon began to nese,
wit that nesing deghet he,
also a mon his life schuld lese
wit ȝoskyng eke, as reden we.
wit that nesing deghet he,
also a mon his life schuld lese
wit ȝoskyng eke, as reden we.
276
Therfore when any mon ȝosking was,
who-seuer herd to hym wold renne,
and say, ‘God helpe the ful of grace,’
by-cause of meschef that was thenne.
who-seuer herd to hym wold renne,
and say, ‘God helpe the ful of grace,’
by-cause of meschef that was thenne.
[And ȝit þat vsage vsed ys
ȝyf a man to ȝoske be-gynne,
Who-so ys negh, he vseth this]
To say, ‘God help,’ on that to mynne.
ȝyf a man to ȝoske be-gynne,
Who-so ys negh, he vseth this]
To say, ‘God help,’ on that to mynne.
Therfor when any mon schal nese,
Anone he blesses hym be-for,
for ferd lest he h[i]s lif schuld lese,
As tho men so deden thor.
Anone he blesses hym be-for,
for ferd lest he h[i]s lif schuld lese,
As tho men so deden thor.
Causa pestilencie inseritur.
Now to knaw [how] this sorow come
that I haue specifiet her
to men wonyng then in Rome,
I wol telle [ȝ]ow now enter.
that I haue specifiet her
to men wonyng then in Rome,
I wol telle [ȝ]ow now enter.
The water that ther rennes aye,
that the name Tibre has,
wex so bre[m]e, in gode fay,
that ouer the walles hit flowet was,
that the name Tibre has,
wex so bre[m]e, in gode fay,
that ouer the walles hit flowet was,
Kest doun houses, castiles also,
for nedders ther boute novmbre wer
and A grete dragon did hom wo
and made hit me[ue] in that maner.
for nedders ther boute novmbre wer
and A grete dragon did hom wo
and made hit me[ue] in that maner.
Thenne wit grete strenth of streme,
the nedders wer dreuen mony beside
and dede stonken, no mon might go
that way but who schulde hym betide.
the nedders wer dreuen mony beside
and dede stonken, no mon might go
that way but who schulde hym betide.
So sone the ayer so filet wasse
whit wenym of hom mor & mor,
that pestilence felle in that place
thre maneres, as I told before.
whit wenym of hom mor & mor,
that pestilence felle in that place
thre maneres, as I told before.
277
So cruel was that corrupcioun
that sum mon wel might se in sight
the arowes from the air com doun
and opon diuerse men light.
that sum mon wel might se in sight
the arowes from the air com doun
and opon diuerse men light.
And one the furst that thenne was slayn
was Pelagius the pope,
and aftur the peple, nis not to layne,
witouten novmbur mon may hope.
was Pelagius the pope,
and aftur the peple, nis not to layne,
witouten novmbur mon may hope.
So mony wer slayn in þat cite
that houses wer woide, no mon inne,
and mony one thethen conen fle
from house and castil fayn to twinne.
that houses wer woide, no mon inne,
and mony one thethen conen fle
from house and castil fayn to twinne.
But when Romaynes seghen this
that hor pope so perischet was,
a-nother thai mosten chose i-wys
to rule hom and pray for þat place;
that hor pope so perischet was,
a-nother thai mosten chose i-wys
to rule hom and pray for þat place;
Anone schosen saint Gregori
Aȝaines his wille, as ȝe schun her.
anone he ordaynet letany,
and for this pestilence praier,
Aȝaines his wille, as ȝe schun her.
anone he ordaynet letany,
and for this pestilence praier,
And a monithe uche mon
Whit-outen stintyng for to pray,
but ȝette continuet hit opon
and men degheyng day for day.
Whit-outen stintyng for to pray,
but ȝette continuet hit opon
and men degheyng day for day.
But ȝette Gregori ful of grace
made solenne processioun,
and bade hom stint for no cas
to pray wit ful deuocioun.
made solenne processioun,
and bade hom stint for no cas
to pray wit ful deuocioun.
When processioun endet was,
Gregory kest him for to ffle,
for he thoght for no manace
pope of Rome schuld he not be.
Gregory kest him for to ffle,
for he thoght for no manace
pope of Rome schuld he not be.
278
When Romaynes knewen of this kast,
thai commavndet anone tho
for to steke the ȝates fast,
That Gregori schuld no way go.
thai commavndet anone tho
for to steke the ȝates fast,
That Gregori schuld no way go.
So at the last then chaunget he
his clethyng in a new aray,
and gaue marchaundes muche mone
to help him that he wer away.
his clethyng in a new aray,
and gaue marchaundes muche mone
to help him that he wer away.
So in a tunne putte was he
and theryine in a cart he lay,
so geete he oute of that cite
and wildernesse soght, sothe to say.
and theryine in a cart he lay,
so geete he oute of that cite
and wildernesse soght, sothe to say.
So in a caue hidde he was
and thre dayes ȝorne soght,
for other pope in that place
thenne Gregory wold thai noght.
and thre dayes ȝorne soght,
for other pope in that place
thenne Gregory wold thai noght.
so inwhit the thridde day
an hermet segh a sunne-beme
& aungels comyng and going ay
Gloriousely aftur that gleme,
an hermet segh a sunne-beme
& aungels comyng and going ay
Gloriousely aftur that gleme,
And euen vmbec[l]ippet all þat caue,
ther-as Gregory was hudde;
thenne told he hom that he wold haue
thai schulde finde him in þat stud.
ther-as Gregory was hudde;
thenne told he hom that he wold haue
thai schulde finde him in þat stud.
Anone thider the peple went
and founden as the armet saide,
hertfully out thai him hent
and beren him to the chirche with a braide,
and founden as the armet saide,
hertfully out thai him hent
and beren him to the chirche with a braide,
Sacret him, sette him in see,
and pope of Rome thai him made;
aȝayn his wille, rede we,
that ilk dignite he hade.
and pope of Rome thai him made;
aȝayn his wille, rede we,
that ilk dignite he hade.
279
but ȝette aftur he pope was
that pestilence was violent,
thenne ordeinet ther sone he [h]as
processioun, wit gode entent,
that pestilence was violent,
thenne ordeinet ther sone he [h]as
processioun, wit gode entent,
In tyme of Paske vset to be,
In whiche processioun was born
an ymage of Our Lady fre
lest alle the peple wer for-lorne.
In whiche processioun was born
an ymage of Our Lady fre
lest alle the peple wer for-lorne.
and that ymage, rede we,
Sancta Maria callet hisse,
in ara celi, leue ȝe me,
Saint Luke hym-self wroght hit i-wys,
Sancta Maria callet hisse,
in ara celi, leue ȝe me,
Saint Luke hym-self wroght hit i-wys,
was none so like to Our Lady
of alle ymages that euer wer wroght,
and that ymage sollen[pn]eley
befor the processioun was broght.
of alle ymages that euer wer wroght,
and that ymage sollen[pn]eley
befor the processioun was broght.
And as thai forthe whit hir went
the foule ayr aye went before,
and clerchippe in the firmament
Schowet alle waye mor & more,
the foule ayr aye went before,
and clerchippe in the firmament
Schowet alle waye mor & more,
So that hit semet to mennes sight
that the foule ayr flagh awaye,
and of Our Lady was a-fright
to duelle ther lengur ther a day.
that the foule ayr flagh awaye,
and of Our Lady was a-fright
to duelle ther lengur ther a day.
thenne in the ayr aboute Mary
wer herd Aungels suetely singyng
this song that now reherce wol I,
this blisful burd aboute bryngyng:
wer herd Aungels suetely singyng
this song that now reherce wol I,
this blisful burd aboute bryngyng:
Regina celi letare alleluia, quia quem meruisti portare alleluia, surrexit, sicut dixit alleluia. & addidit Gregorius: Ora pro nobis alleluia.
‘whene of heuen, enioyes now the
wit alleluya, swete lady,
for as he saide, resen is he
that þou to ber was worthi.’
wit alleluya, swete lady,
for as he saide, resen is he
that þou to ber was worthi.’
280
Thenne this song, as ȝe schun se,
addet the gode saint Gregory,
‘pray God for vs, thow lady fre,’
Thus endet he this molodye.
addet the gode saint Gregory,
‘pray God for vs, thow lady fre,’
Thus endet he this molodye.
And euer after in-to this day
Gregory ordeynet þat selue song
on Paske tyme to be sungun aye
ffor offertory hit to fong.
Gregory ordeynet þat selue song
on Paske tyme to be sungun aye
ffor offertory hit to fong.
whene the processioun comen was
to a castel Crescence hight,
Gregory segh stonde in þat place
an aungel of heuen fair & bright,
to a castel Crescence hight,
Gregory segh stonde in þat place
an aungel of heuen fair & bright,
A blody sworde in honde he hade
and hit ther wippet ther in his sight,
in signe of mediacioun made
in-to his scaubert he hit pight;
and hit ther wippet ther in his sight,
in signe of mediacioun made
in-to his scaubert he hit pight;
And euer sithen þat castel strong
Castel Aungel callet has bene
in mynde of mercy hom i-mong
Of that aungel ther was sene.
Castel Aungel callet has bene
in mynde of mercy hom i-mong
Of that aungel ther was sene.
Nowe to the secounde poynt go we
and speke of this processioun
that seuen his, ȝe schun se,
thurgh Gregories constitucioun.
and speke of this processioun
that seuen his, ȝe schun se,
thurgh Gregories constitucioun.
for seuen ordres in hit made he
in hor goyng thurgh the tovne;
in the furst cours, leue ȝe me,
Wer clerkes and men of grete renoun,
in hor goyng thurgh the tovne;
in the furst cours, leue ȝe me,
Wer clerkes and men of grete renoun,
in the secounde monkes wer
and other men of religioun,
in the thridde nonnes in fer
Doing hor deuocioun,
and other men of religioun,
in the thridde nonnes in fer
Doing hor deuocioun,
281
in the feurthe alle innocence,
in the fift alle lewde men,
in the sixt widoes continence,
In the seuent all weddet thenne.
in the fift alle lewde men,
in the sixt widoes continence,
In the seuent all weddet thenne.
Thus ordainet hole Gregory
in seuen parties men to pray,
but vs behoues whit letany
Fulfille that we whit men ne may.
in seuen parties men to pray,
but vs behoues whit letany
Fulfille that we whit men ne may.
Tercio dicitur cruces nigre.
the thridde [nome] this letany has,
blake croyces callet ys,
in signe of that ther then was,
Hit has wele this nome i-wis.
blake croyces callet ys,
in signe of that ther then was,
Hit has wele this nome i-wis.
for croices and aulterȝ hulet wer
all whit blak thurgh that cite,
and men cladde in the selue maner
alle in blak bothe ho and he.
all whit blak thurgh that cite,
and men cladde in the selue maner
alle in blak bothe ho and he.
De letania minori.
An-other letany vset ys,
is callet the lasse letany,
befor the Ascensioun i-wis
thre dayes done sollenpnely.
is callet the lasse letany,
befor the Ascensioun i-wis
thre dayes done sollenpnely.
The whiche mynde sayn Mamert made,
that bischop of Viegne was,
befor that Rome this meschef hade
or letany was in that place.
that bischop of Viegne was,
befor that Rome this meschef hade
or letany was in that place.
and this lasse letany
as the tother as nomes thre,
lasse letany the furst, rede I,
rogaciones also callen we,
as the tother as nomes thre,
lasse letany the furst, rede I,
rogaciones also callen we,
Processioun the thridde name hit has,
now whi ȝe schun wel se,
as boke and vsage mynde mase
vche ȝer thurgh Cristiante.
now whi ȝe schun wel se,
as boke and vsage mynde mase
vche ȝer thurgh Cristiante.
282
lasse letany callet hit ys
for to make a difference
betwene the mor & hit iwis,
that is worth mor reuerence.
for to make a difference
betwene the mor & hit iwis,
that is worth mor reuerence.
for the mor ordeynet Gregory
and a bischop ordeinet this,
therfor I may calle skilfully
this the lasse, no thing amys,
and a bischop ordeinet this,
therfor I may calle skilfully
this the lasse, no thing amys,
Syn mon of lasse autorite
ordeynet this in porer place,
and for lasse mischef, leue ȝe me,
then afterwarde in Rome was;
ordeynet this in porer place,
and for lasse mischef, leue ȝe me,
then afterwarde in Rome was;
so sythen þat he þat ordeynt hit
And place & myschef las was tho,
I may skilfully by my wit
calle hit þe las of þes two.
And place & myschef las was tho,
I may skilfully by my wit
calle hit þe las of þes two.
Causa huius institucionis.
Now þe cause knowe shyn ȝe
of þis institucioun,
And for quat wo in that cite
was ordeynt this processioun.
of þis institucioun,
And for quat wo in that cite
was ordeynt this processioun.
At Viegne þat time þer was
erth-qvake so wonder violent,
And al bilt thing in that plas
felle doun & mich peple shent.
erth-qvake so wonder violent,
And al bilt thing in that plas
felle doun & mich peple shent.
Also ther was herd in nyȝt
clamour & crie & wonder soun,
that made the peple foul afriȝt
that wer wonyng in that toun.
clamour & crie & wonder soun,
that made the peple foul afriȝt
that wer wonyng in that toun.
Also anoþer dredful thing
in that cite þer con falle,
fuyr flagh from heuen briȝt brennyng
And brende þe kynges palays alle.
in that cite þer con falle,
fuyr flagh from heuen briȝt brennyng
And brende þe kynges palays alle.
283
Anoþer veniaunce eke þer-ine
shewide hym for monnus syn,
deules enterede into swyne
And into wolues men to wyn,
shewide hym for monnus syn,
deules enterede into swyne
And into wolues men to wyn,
And when þe deules enteride wer
þo bestes dredden for no men,
but ronnen about þer & her
In cites & in feldes þen,
þo bestes dredden for no men,
but ronnen about þer & her
In cites & in feldes þen,
And worieden þer mony A wiȝt,
olde & ȝong, mon & wommon,
child & best, day & nyȝt,
þat þai myȝt lay toth opon.
olde & ȝong, mon & wommon,
child & best, day & nyȝt,
þat þai myȝt lay toth opon.
When sich sorowful cas bitid,
Anone after day for day
the bischop con comaunde & bidde,
to olde & ȝong, wif & may,
Anone after day for day
the bischop con comaunde & bidde,
to olde & ȝong, wif & may,
fforto go with processioun,
And ichone penyblie to pray,
And made als institucioun
letany to syng & say.
And ichone penyblie to pray,
And made als institucioun
letany to syng & say.
so cesset þis tribulacioun
And ordeynt was after for ay,
Thurgh popes confirmacioun
to serue þat wone after alway.
And ordeynt was after for ay,
Thurgh popes confirmacioun
to serue þat wone after alway.
This letany also callide is
rogaciouns resonably,
for alle sayntes help I-wys
we sechen in that letany.
rogaciouns resonably,
for alle sayntes help I-wys
we sechen in that letany.
And ȝif I shal not say amys,
this time we done hit worthily,
fasten & praien for heuen blis
And lifly helpe als bodily.
this time we done hit worthily,
fasten & praien for heuen blis
And lifly helpe als bodily.
284
Mony causes alegge I may,
the furst is þe fende to destry,
that this time of þe ȝer alway
Is about monkynde to nye.
the furst is þe fende to destry,
that this time of þe ȝer alway
Is about monkynde to nye.
The secunde cause of hour praier
and fasting to plese God al-might,
that tendre fruytes on vrthe her
moun growe and multiply oright.
and fasting to plese God al-might,
that tendre fruytes on vrthe her
moun growe and multiply oright.
The thride flesshele temptacioun
that this tyme most habundant ys,
to sle monly & bring hit doun,
lest we done that maner amys.
that this tyme most habundant ys,
to sle monly & bring hit doun,
lest we done that maner amys.
The feurthe that we vchone
schul the mor worthi be
to receyue in vs anone
the Holy Gost whit hert fre,
schul the mor worthi be
to receyue in vs anone
the Holy Gost whit hert fre,
that sone aftre schal be sent,
for fasting Ables mon therto
& praye[r]s preues him present
ther God has hoght for to do.
for fasting Ables mon therto
& praye[r]s preues him present
ther God has hoght for to do.
two other causes assignes A clerk
that William Cassiodre hight,
whi this tyme we done this werk
of fastyng, prayng God almight.
that William Cassiodre hight,
whi this tyme we done this werk
of fastyng, prayng God almight.
one is for Crist vp-steyng
bade vs pray & haue our wille,
holy chirche wel affy[y]ng
schulde this tyme his biddyng fulfille,
bade vs pray & haue our wille,
holy chirche wel affy[y]ng
schulde this tyme his biddyng fulfille,
That Crist [m]ight when he comen wer
in heuen to his fader se,
graunt vs fulle our praier
in alle thing, as wilnet we.
in heuen to his fader se,
graunt vs fulle our praier
in alle thing, as wilnet we.
285
The second cause, sais William her,
that we fast[e]n & praien for,
is to a-brige in this maner
our flesshe this tyme al-way the mor
that we fast[e]n & praien for,
is to a-brige in this maner
our flesshe this tyme al-way the mor
And fliyng wenges vs to wynne
by deuowte horesoun,
for oresoun wenge is, as I myn,
wher-whit to heuen fle we movne.
by deuowte horesoun,
for oresoun wenge is, as I myn,
wher-whit to heuen fle we movne.
So ȝif our flesshe [abriget] be,
and we haue wenges for to flye,
the lightloker to heuen lee
after Crist now we mowne hye.
and we haue wenges for to flye,
the lightloker to heuen lee
after Crist now we mowne hye.
for a fole, we movne wel se,
that to fatte of flesshe is he[re],
schal not wel flye, no mor schun we
witouten fasting & prayer.
that to fatte of flesshe is he[re],
schal not wel flye, no mor schun we
witouten fasting & prayer.
The thridde nome this letany has
hit is callet processioun,
for holy chirche this mynde mas
generali in vche tovne.
hit is callet processioun,
for holy chirche this mynde mas
generali in vche tovne.
for in hit a crois born is,
belles also rungen bien,
Baneres also shewde i-wis,
and A dragon in sum place sene,
belles also rungen bien,
Baneres also shewde i-wis,
and A dragon in sum place sene,
whit a long taile communely,
and to alle saintes we conen pray;
now what alle these moun signifie
er I cesse I wille ȝow say.
and to alle saintes we conen pray;
now what alle these moun signifie
er I cesse I wille ȝow say.
the croice al-way is born befor
and belles rungun eke also,
for feer deueles moun no more
thenne sight and hering of these two.
and belles rungun eke also,
for feer deueles moun no more
thenne sight and hering of these two.
286
ffor as a keng in his bataile
as signes shewde ryally,
trompes and baners may not faile,
no mor may Crist want gostly
as signes shewde ryally,
trompes and baners may not faile,
no mor may Crist want gostly
In holy chirche bering of croice
in stidde of his ryale baner,
ny belles for to make noice,
to fer the deueles that byn ner.
in stidde of his ryale baner,
ny belles for to make noice,
to fer the deueles that byn ner.
For as a tiraunt wold haue drede
to se a king of grete power
in his londe bataile to bede,
trumpyng & raising baner,
to se a king of grete power
in his londe bataile to bede,
trumpyng & raising baner,
So dreden the deueles in the ayr
to se the crois and belles to her,
for thenne hor power most appair,
and herd is fully hour praier.
to se the crois and belles to her,
for thenne hor power most appair,
and herd is fully hour praier.
And for this cause as in sum place
ȝif any dredeful tempest falle,
to fer deueles in that caas
thai woln ring hor belles alle;
ȝif any dredeful tempest falle,
to fer deueles in that caas
thai woln ring hor belles alle;
And that prophetes double-fold,
for deueles hit feres fast awaye
that to raise tempestes byn to bold
and fer men whit suche affray,
for deueles hit feres fast awaye
that to raise tempestes byn to bold
and fer men whit suche affray,
and that ringing [mas] ȝong & old
alle the pepel for to pray,
so that ringing, as I told,
in double maner profet may.
alle the pepel for to pray,
so that ringing, as I told,
in double maner profet may.
also the croice is A banere
to heuen keng, as I sal say,
for deueles dreden it to cum ner
and sight of hit in gode fay.
to heuen keng, as I sal say,
for deueles dreden it to cum ner
and sight of hit in gode fay.
287
Iohan whit the gulden mouthe sais this,
wher-seuer deueles this signe se may,
thai fleen as fro a staf i-wisse
whit whiche befor beten wer thai.
wher-seuer deueles this signe se may,
thai fleen as fro a staf i-wisse
whit whiche befor beten wer thai.
Iohannes Crisostomus: Vbicumque demones signum dominicum uiderint, fugiunt tymentes baculum, quo plagam acceperunt.
therfore in churches mony one,
when laite or any tempest ys,
thai taken oute the crois anone
aȝayn the weder that fares omys,
when laite or any tempest ys,
thai taken oute the crois anone
aȝayn the weder that fares omys,
That deueles cause of that tempest
Goddes signe when thai mone se,
er mon or best ther-by be lest
moun be ferd and made to fle.
Goddes signe when thai mone se,
er mon or best ther-by be lest
moun be ferd and made to fle.
borne hit is in processioun
also for to represent
Cristes Ressurrectioun
and eke assensioun verrament.
also for to represent
Cristes Ressurrectioun
and eke assensioun verrament.
for when he rose the thridde day
then did he A grete victory,
and a croice be-token may
Victor, as lornet haue I.
then did he A grete victory,
and a croice be-token may
Victor, as lornet haue I.
what victore might more be
thenne the deuele wen he orecome,
and out of helle wit grete pouste
Adam and his ofspring noom?
thenne the deuele wen he orecome,
and out of helle wit grete pouste
Adam and his ofspring noom?
Also a baner forthe spreding
that apon the crois is borne,
betokenes mo[nn]es kinde ledyng
to hauen blisse that wer forlorne.
that apon the crois is borne,
betokenes mo[nn]es kinde ledyng
to hauen blisse that wer forlorne.
for as folk folowes processioun
and that baner born before,
so at Cristes ascensioun
folk folowed hym ful muche mor.
and that baner born before,
so at Cristes ascensioun
folk folowed hym ful muche mor.
288
also song may signifie,
that in processioun songun is,
aungels song, when crist con hye
vp-on hegh to heuen blisse.
that in processioun songun is,
aungels song, when crist con hye
vp-on hegh to heuen blisse.
For Aungels metten hym in the waye
and songen til he was in his se,
therfor in processioun Aye
to represent that syng[e]n we.
and songen til he was in his se,
therfor in processioun Aye
to represent that syng[e]n we.
in summe chirches eke also,
and namely in the lond of Fraunce,
to ber A dragon vset is tho
deueles therby to haue penaunce,
and namely in the lond of Fraunce,
to ber A dragon vset is tho
deueles therby to haue penaunce,
A long taile he schal haue hengyng
ful of chaf or suche mater,
two dayes the chaf ther inne lenging,
the thridde daye empte boute wer.
ful of chaf or suche mater,
two dayes the chaf ther inne lenging,
the thridde daye empte boute wer.
but tho thowe dayes that hit ful is
befor the croice born hit schal be,
the thridde day behind i-wis,
what this betokenes ȝe schun se.
befor the croice born hit schal be,
the thridde day behind i-wis,
what this betokenes ȝe schun se.
For er Moyses lawe was made
and whil that law was enduryng,
the deuel regnet and power hade
of all men vrthe wonyng,
and whil that law was enduryng,
the deuel regnet and power hade
of all men vrthe wonyng,
But the thridde tyme of grace
when Crist tholet his passioun,
the dragons tail made empty was
and he remewet from his renoun.
when Crist tholet his passioun,
the dragons tail made empty was
and he remewet from his renoun.
Also sayntes we conen pray,
in this processioun as we gone,
what is the cause I schal [ȝ]ow say,
for thre thinges and that anone.
in this processioun as we gone,
what is the cause I schal [ȝ]ow say,
for thre thinges and that anone.
289
For nede we han the furst is
that other for holy saintes honour,
the thridde for reuerence i-wis
of God and Crist hour creatoure.
that other for holy saintes honour,
the thridde for reuerence i-wis
of God and Crist hour creatoure.
For saintes moun haue grace to knowe
our wil to hom and our praier,
and thing that ioy to hom schal schewe
and to vs help in that maner;
our wil to hom and our praier,
and thing that ioy to hom schal schewe
and to vs help in that maner;
Therfor the furst cause may be
for our nede and grete any,
that deseruen as not schuld we
Of our misdede to haue mercy.
for our nede and grete any,
that deseruen as not schuld we
Of our misdede to haue mercy.
therfor hit nedes vs to pray
hom forto helpe vs in grete nede,
ther-as our meryt help ne may
heuen for to klayme for our gode dede.
hom forto helpe vs in grete nede,
ther-as our meryt help ne may
heuen for to klayme for our gode dede.
the secounde cause is whiterly,
why we to saintes conen praye,
to honer hom deuoutely
and schowe thai bien wurthe aye
why we to saintes conen praye,
to honer hom deuoutely
and schowe thai bien wurthe aye
to haue grauntet hor praiere,
for Goddes wille is hit be so,
for holy lyf thaye leuet her,
hor bone schal euer be herd and oo.
for Goddes wille is hit be so,
for holy lyf thaye leuet her,
hor bone schal euer be herd and oo.
And for God wol thai honuret be
for hor praieres that he wol graunte,
therfore God wol that alle waye we
to pray to hom bien enclinawnt.
for hor praieres that he wol graunte,
therfore God wol that alle waye we
to pray to hom bien enclinawnt.
The thridde cause is resonable,
that is for Goddes reuerence,
Sayn that we felen vs vnable
for to pray in his presence,
that is for Goddes reuerence,
Sayn that we felen vs vnable
for to pray in his presence,
290
Sayn we bien faynt and no thing stable
and nyet him hauen whit grete offense,
our owne praier is repreuable
that so misrulen our conscience.
and nyet him hauen whit grete offense,
our owne praier is repreuable
that so misrulen our conscience.
Therfor gode mediacioun
most be made whit mene waye
of sainteȝ that wele pray movne,
syn we vnwurthy bien to praye.
most be made whit mene waye
of sainteȝ that wele pray movne,
syn we vnwurthy bien to praye.
In gowynge with this letany
one song is godely for to vse aye,
that ther is wreten oponly,
and cause why I schal [ȝ]ow say.
one song is godely for to vse aye,
that ther is wreten oponly,
and cause why I schal [ȝ]ow say.
Sancte Deus, Sancte, fortis, sancte & inmortalis miserere nobis. Iohannes Damascenus.
Iohan Damascen telles this
in the feurthe boke that he mas,
that at Constantyne Amys,
A tribulacioun ther was,
in the feurthe boke that he mas,
that at Constantyne Amys,
A tribulacioun ther was,
For whiche songen letany
that God sech soro schul sesse,
so fel a wonder sodeynly,
that was sothe & no thinge lesse.
that God sech soro schul sesse,
so fel a wonder sodeynly,
that was sothe & no thinge lesse.
For a ȝong child raueschet was
vp in-to heuen imong hom alle
that maden processioun in that place,
but none wist how that might befalle.
vp in-to heuen imong hom alle
that maden processioun in that place,
but none wist how that might befalle.
For this song ther he was taght,
and to the peple turnet Aȝayn,
and sang that he hade in heuen caght,
Of whiche the peple wer ful fayn.
and to the peple turnet Aȝayn,
and sang that he hade in heuen caght,
Of whiche the peple wer ful fayn.
for alle hor tribulacioun
cesset at his suete singyng,
as at a conuocacioun
Was preuet trwe and no lesing,
cesset at his suete singyng,
as at a conuocacioun
Was preuet trwe and no lesing,
291
at A grete sene befor the pope
at Calcedoyne, as reden we,
wherthurgh that redes this may hope
That this wonder trewe be.
at Calcedoyne, as reden we,
wherthurgh that redes this may hope
That this wonder trewe be.
therfor we syngen this ilk, sonmg
that fyndes moun be putte awaye,
and none of hom be vs Imong,
Syn any whit hit [be] wrthe to pray.
that fyndes moun be putte awaye,
and none of hom be vs Imong,
Syn any whit hit [be] wrthe to pray.
now for to praise this thing oright,
that hit is of auctorite,
faur causes I find to-geder clight
that hit is worthi praiset be,
that hit is of auctorite,
faur causes I find to-geder clight
that hit is worthi praiset be,
And is for the aungel taght hit,
and meschef cesset at that singing,
the [pope] als preuet hit be gode wit,
and deueles dredden hit hering.
and meschef cesset at that singing,
the [pope] als preuet hit be gode wit,
and deueles dredden hit hering.
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