 | The South English Legendary |  |
[De sancto lingno]
Þe holy rode þe swete tre[o] riȝt is to habbe in munde
Þat haþ fram strange deþ ibroȝt to lyue al mankunde
Þoru þulke tre[o] we were forlore & ferst ibroȝt to gronde
And þoru [a treo] suþþe to lyue ibroȝt yherd be[o] þulke stonde
Al it com of one more þat us to deþe broȝte
And þat us broȝte to lyue aȝen þoru Iesus þat us boȝte
Of þe appel tre[o] þat oure vader þe luþer appel of nom
In þe manere þat ich wol nou telle þe swete rode com
Þat haþ fram strange deþ ibroȝt to lyue al mankunde
Þoru þulke tre[o] we were forlore & ferst ibroȝt to gronde
And þoru [a treo] suþþe to lyue ibroȝt yherd be[o] þulke stonde
Al it com of one more þat us to deþe broȝte
And þat us broȝte to lyue aȝen þoru Iesus þat us boȝte
Of þe appel tre[o] þat oure vader þe luþer appel of nom
In þe manere þat ich wol nou telle þe swete rode com
Þo Adam oure verste uader þe sunne hadde ydo
Idriue was out of parais and Eue is wif also
After milce ȝeorne he cride þei it to late were
And biheste hadde of oure Louerd þo me drof him out þere
Þat wanne þe time were uolueold oure Louerd him wolde biþenche
And mid oile of milce smurie him & is sunne quenche
Gret hope hadde he to þis biheste Adam euere mo
In þe valeie of Ebron he liuede in teone and wo
Idriue was out of parais and Eue is wif also
After milce ȝeorne he cride þei it to late were
And biheste hadde of oure Louerd þo me drof him out þere
Þat wanne þe time were uolueold oure Louerd him wolde biþenche
And mid oile of milce smurie him & is sunne quenche
Gret hope hadde he to þis biheste Adam euere mo
In þe valeie of Ebron he liuede in teone and wo
Tweie sones he hadde suþþe Caim and Abel
Þe on slou þe oþer for envie as ȝe witeþ wel
Þo Caim hadde is broþer aslawe iflemd he was þeruore
Þo Adam isei þat he hadde boþe is sones forlore
He wep and made deol inou Louerd he sede þin ore
Ney womman ich habbe to muche ibe[o] inel come hure nei more
Þre[o] harmes ich habbe þoru hure iheued mi sulf ferst forlore
And nou my sones boþe alas & of al womman is more
Nolde þo Adam come nei is wif to hondred ȝer & more
For wo þat he hadde for hure & euere he liuede in sore
Suþþe he hadde toknyng of oure Louerd þat he ssolde to is wif wende
Ne derste he noȝt be[o] þer aȝen an sone he hadde atte nende
Suþþe he het is name nemne and suþþe he hadde mo
Al is lif þe selyman liuede in teone and wo
Þo he was of vif hondred ȝer & to & þritti old
Þe strengþe him failede of is lymes is bodi bicom al cold
He ne miȝte noȝt swinke aboute þe eorþe þe weodes up to drawe
Of is lif he was anuyd he wilnede be[o] of dawe
He sat and carede of is lyf he clupede is sone Seþ
Sone he sede ich am weri yliued ich wilny muche mi deþ
Þo ich was idriue of parays oure Louerd byhet me þere
To smure me wiþ þe oil of milce wanne it tyme were
So lange ich habbe abide þer after þat i nemay libbe namore
To [parais] þou most þer after go & bidde him milce & ore
Þe on slou þe oþer for envie as ȝe witeþ wel
Þo Caim hadde is broþer aslawe iflemd he was þeruore
Þo Adam isei þat he hadde boþe is sones forlore
He wep and made deol inou Louerd he sede þin ore
Ney womman ich habbe to muche ibe[o] inel come hure nei more
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And nou my sones boþe alas & of al womman is more
Nolde þo Adam come nei is wif to hondred ȝer & more
For wo þat he hadde for hure & euere he liuede in sore
Suþþe he hadde toknyng of oure Louerd þat he ssolde to is wif wende
Ne derste he noȝt be[o] þer aȝen an sone he hadde atte nende
Suþþe he het is name nemne and suþþe he hadde mo
Al is lif þe selyman liuede in teone and wo
Þo he was of vif hondred ȝer & to & þritti old
Þe strengþe him failede of is lymes is bodi bicom al cold
He ne miȝte noȝt swinke aboute þe eorþe þe weodes up to drawe
Of is lif he was anuyd he wilnede be[o] of dawe
He sat and carede of is lyf he clupede is sone Seþ
Sone he sede ich am weri yliued ich wilny muche mi deþ
Þo ich was idriue of parays oure Louerd byhet me þere
To smure me wiþ þe oil of milce wanne it tyme were
So lange ich habbe abide þer after þat i nemay libbe namore
To [parais] þou most þer after go & bidde him milce & ore
Þe angel þou þare finde þat drof me out atte ȝete
Sey ich abide þulke biheste me þincþ it comþ wel late
And þat elde me haþ ouercome þat i nemay noȝt libbe longe
Bidde him þat ich deie mote and þe oil of milce auonge
Sey ich abide þulke biheste me þincþ it comþ wel late
And þat elde me haþ ouercome þat i nemay noȝt libbe longe
Bidde him þat ich deie mote and þe oil of milce auonge
I ne can nanne wei quaþ þis sone þuderward ich wene
Leue sone quaþ Adam þe wei is wel ysene
Wanne þou comst to þe ende of þis valeie a grene wey þou sselt wende
Þat riȝt euene estward geþ to parais last þe on ende
Þerbi wende þi moder & ich þo ich parais forlet
Euerich stude þat we on stepte forbarnde vnder oure vet
Ne miȝte þer neuere eft gras on growe & al þe oþer wei is grene
For þe voule sunne þat we dude oure stappes beoþ euere sene
Þer by wiþoute defaute to parais euene gon
Seþ nom is fader blessinge & wende him forþ anon
Leue sone quaþ Adam þe wei is wel ysene
Wanne þou comst to þe ende of þis valeie a grene wey þou sselt wende
Þat riȝt euene estward geþ to parais last þe on ende
Þerbi wende þi moder & ich þo ich parais forlet
Euerich stude þat we on stepte forbarnde vnder oure vet
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For þe voule sunne þat we dude oure stappes beoþ euere sene
Þer by wiþoute defaute to parais euene gon
Seþ nom is fader blessinge & wende him forþ anon
Þe stappes he uond forwelwed as is fader him sede
Þo he to þe ȝete com he ne derste go ner for drede
An angel com to þe ȝate and esste wat he soȝte
He sede þat to him an erande fram is fader he broȝte
Þat he was old & weri ilyued & þat him longede sore
After þe swete oil of milce for he nemiȝte libbe namore
Þo he to þe ȝete com he ne derste go ner for drede
An angel com to þe ȝate and esste wat he soȝte
He sede þat to him an erande fram is fader he broȝte
Þat he was old & weri ilyued & þat him longede sore
After þe swete oil of milce for he nemiȝte libbe namore
Ȝe quaþ þe angel is he so he ne ssel þer of noȝt doute
Put in þi heued atte ȝate and stond þi sulf wiþoute
He putte in is heued as he bad and bihuld al aboute
So murie ne þoȝte him neuere in stude þei he stode him sulf wiþoute
So gret delit he hadde & ioie [of] þe foules murie song
Of þe swote mede also and of þe floures þer among
Of ech maner frut þat he sey þat smulde al so swote
Þat of eche maner vuel as him þoȝte a man miȝte habbe þerof bote
Him þoȝte ȝif he moste þere biholde in eny stonde
Euere mo he miȝte in ioie be[o] his limes hol and sonde
Amidde þe place þat was so fair he sei a uair welle
Of wan al þe wateres comþ an eorþe as þe boc us deþ telle
Ouer þe welle þer stod a tre[o] wiþ bowes brode and lere
Ac it ne bar noþer lef ne rinde as it forolded were
An addre it hadde biclupt aboute al naked wiþoute skynne
Þat was þe tre[o] & þe addre þat made Adam ferst do sunne
Put in þi heued atte ȝate and stond þi sulf wiþoute
He putte in is heued as he bad and bihuld al aboute
So murie ne þoȝte him neuere in stude þei he stode him sulf wiþoute
So gret delit he hadde & ioie [of] þe foules murie song
Of þe swote mede also and of þe floures þer among
Of ech maner frut þat he sey þat smulde al so swote
Þat of eche maner vuel as him þoȝte a man miȝte habbe þerof bote
Him þoȝte ȝif he moste þere biholde in eny stonde
Euere mo he miȝte in ioie be[o] his limes hol and sonde
Amidde þe place þat was so fair he sei a uair welle
Of wan al þe wateres comþ an eorþe as þe boc us deþ telle
Ouer þe welle þer stod a tre[o] wiþ bowes brode and lere
Ac it ne bar noþer lef ne rinde as it forolded were
An addre it hadde biclupt aboute al naked wiþoute skynne
Þat was þe tre[o] & þe addre þat made Adam ferst do sunne
Efsone he biheld in atte ȝete þat tre[o] him þoȝte he sey
Fair ileued and ywoxe up to heuene anhey
A ȝong child he sey upe þe tre[o] in smale cloþes iwonde
Þe more of þe tre[o] him þoȝte tilde þoru out helle gronde
His broþer soule Abel ek him þoȝte in helle he sey
Þe angel him drof þo fram þe ȝet þat he nas namore þer ney
Fair ileued and ywoxe up to heuene anhey
A ȝong child he sey upe þe tre[o] in smale cloþes iwonde
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His broþer soule Abel ek him þoȝte in helle he sey
Þe angel him drof þo fram þe ȝet þat he nas namore þer ney
Þe child he sede þat þou iseie anouwarde þe tre[o]
Godes sone it was þat wol an eorþe for þi uader sunne be[o]
And þe oil of milce wiþ him bringe wanne þe time in eld is
And smurie þer wiþ & bringe of pine þi uader & alle his
Þe angel wende to þulke tre[o] an appel þer of he nom
And tok Seþ þerof þre[o] curnels þo he to him com
And bad him þulke curnels legge vnder is faderes tonge
And burie him wanne he were ded & loke wat þerof spronge
Godes sone it was þat wol an eorþe for þi uader sunne be[o]
And þe oil of milce wiþ him bringe wanne þe time in eld is
And smurie þer wiþ & bringe of pine þi uader & alle his
Þe angel wende to þulke tre[o] an appel þer of he nom
And tok Seþ þerof þre[o] curnels þo he to him com
And bad him þulke curnels legge vnder is faderes tonge
And burie him wanne he were ded & loke wat þerof spronge
Seth wende aȝe as he com for þe wey was wel isene
For þe stappes were al forbarnd & þe oþer wey grene
Þo he was hom aȝen icome is fader he uond ded
Þe curnels he dude vnder is tonge as þe angel hadde ised
And suþþe he burede him as riȝt was in þe ualeie of Ebron
And ofswonk is mete he nuste no betere ywon
For þe stappes were al forbarnd & þe oþer wey grene
Þo he was hom aȝen icome is fader he uond ded
Þe curnels he dude vnder is tonge as þe angel hadde ised
And suþþe he burede him as riȝt was in þe ualeie of Ebron
And ofswonk is mete he nuste no betere ywon
Wiþinne an vewe ȝer þer after þis curnels gonne to springe
Þre[o] faire ȝeorden þere woxe of vaire þoru alle þinge
Þo hy were ywoxe to þe lengþe of an elne ich wene
In þulke stat hy stode longe and eueremore grene
Forte Moyses þe prophete aboute ȝeode in þe londe
To lede þat fok of Irrael and he þe ȝerden sei stonde
Lo her he sede gret toknynge of þe Holy Trinite
Fader and Sone & Holy Gost of þis ȝeorden þre[o]
Þre[o] faire ȝeorden þere woxe of vaire þoru alle þinge
Þo hy were ywoxe to þe lengþe of an elne ich wene
In þulke stat hy stode longe and eueremore grene
Forte Moyses þe prophete aboute ȝeode in þe londe
To lede þat fok of Irrael and he þe ȝerden sei stonde
Lo her he sede gret toknynge of þe Holy Trinite
Fader and Sone & Holy Gost of þis ȝeorden þre[o]
Op he is nom wiþ gret honur & in a uair cloþ is wonde
A swote smul þer com out of þat smulde into al þe londe
To confermy þe bet is lawe he bar hom vorþ inis hond
Ech sik man þat þerto hopede his hele anon he vond
To teche þe volk þe riȝte lawe þe ȝerden aboute he ber
And eke to hele sikemen to and fourti ȝer
Suþþe þo he deie ssolde þe ȝerden he sette er
Vnder þe hul of Tabour and deide him sulf þer
A swote smul þer com out of þat smulde into al þe londe
To confermy þe bet is lawe he bar hom vorþ inis hond
Ech sik man þat þerto hopede his hele anon he vond
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And eke to hele sikemen to and fourti ȝer
Suþþe þo he deie ssolde þe ȝerden he sette er
Vnder þe hul of Tabour and deide him sulf þer
Þere stode þis ȝeorden grene mo þanne a þousond ȝer
For[te] sein Dauit þe kyng þat was of so gret poer
So þat he was þoru þe Holy Gost yhote forto hie
To þe hul of Tabor in þe lond of Arabie
Þat þulke ȝerden þre[o] vette and wiþ him nome
Nie dawes he was þuderward ar he þuder come
Wiþ gret honur he nom is up þo he þe ȝerden uonde
Þe swotnesse þat þerof com velde al þe londe
Wiþ gret melodie of is harpe sein Daui þe ȝerden nom
And to Ierusalem ladde is hom þe niþe day hom he com
In a deorne stude he is sette for it was in þe euenynge
Forte amorwe þat he iseie woder he miȝte is bringe
For[te] sein Dauit þe kyng þat was of so gret poer
So þat he was þoru þe Holy Gost yhote forto hie
To þe hul of Tabor in þe lond of Arabie
Þat þulke ȝerden þre[o] vette and wiþ him nome
Nie dawes he was þuderward ar he þuder come
Wiþ gret honur he nom is up þo he þe ȝerden uonde
Þe swotnesse þat þerof com velde al þe londe
Wiþ gret melodie of is harpe sein Daui þe ȝerden nom
And to Ierusalem ladde is hom þe niþe day hom he com
In a deorne stude he is sette for it was in þe euenynge
Forte amorwe þat he iseie woder he miȝte is bringe
Amorwe þo he com þerto to one hy were alle ycome
And ymored so uaste also þat hy nemiȝte awey [beo] bynome
Þat alle þre[o] bicome to on wat bitokneþ þis
Bote Vader and Sone & Holy Gost al o God it is
Sein Dauit aboute þis holy ȝeorde a strong wal let rere
And nome gode ȝeme ho longe hy woxe fram ȝere to ȝere
Wiþ a cercle of seluer he bond ech ȝer is stude þere
Þat he miȝte attelaste iwite hou hold þat tre[o] were
So þat wiþinne þritti ȝer þis tre[o] wax wel heie
Ac it ne wax nanmore þer afterward as hi weste bi þe selueren beye
Ac euere mo þere afterward vaire it stod
Sein Dauit it honurede wel for he weste it was god
And ymored so uaste also þat hy nemiȝte awey [beo] bynome
Þat alle þre[o] bicome to on wat bitokneþ þis
Bote Vader and Sone & Holy Gost al o God it is
Sein Dauit aboute þis holy ȝeorde a strong wal let rere
And nome gode ȝeme ho longe hy woxe fram ȝere to ȝere
Wiþ a cercle of seluer he bond ech ȝer is stude þere
Þat he miȝte attelaste iwite hou hold þat tre[o] were
So þat wiþinne þritti ȝer þis tre[o] wax wel heie
Ac it ne wax nanmore þer afterward as hi weste bi þe selueren beye
Ac euere mo þere afterward vaire it stod
Sein Dauit it honurede wel for he weste it was god
Þo sein Dauit hadde ido þe sunne of lecherie
And manslaȝt þo he let sle for is owe wif Vrie
And oure Louerd nom þerof wreche gret swuþe sori he bicom
His penance he dude vnder þis tre[o] þat he þereuore nom
Þere he makede ek þane sauter is sunne forto bete
Þe watloker it him was forȝiue for þe holy tre[o] so swete
Þo bigan he ek for is sunne þe holy temple to rere
Swuþe noble in Ierusalem ac he deide in þe vourteþe ȝere
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And oure Louerd nom þerof wreche gret swuþe sori he bicom
His penance he dude vnder þis tre[o] þat he þereuore nom
Þere he makede ek þane sauter is sunne forto bete
Þe watloker it him was forȝiue for þe holy tre[o] so swete
Þo bigan he ek for is sunne þe holy temple to rere
Swuþe noble in Ierusalem ac he deide in þe vourteþe ȝere
Þe king Salamon is sone þat king was suþþe þere
After him þe temple bulde þat he ȝare were
To and þritti ȝer he was þere aboute & is fader fortene also
So þat it was sixe and fourti ȝer ar þat work were ido
Þo þe work was almest ido hom faillede a uair tre[o]
Þat holy tre[o] was fairost þo þat hi miȝte awer ise[o]
After him þe temple bulde þat he ȝare were
To and þritti ȝer he was þere aboute & is fader fortene also
So þat it was sixe and fourti ȝer ar þat work were ido
Þo þe work was almest ido hom faillede a uair tre[o]
Þat holy tre[o] was fairost þo þat hi miȝte awer ise[o]
Salamon he let fulle & hewe as queinteliche as he miȝte
And let it mete & make more bi a uot þanne is riȝte
And broȝte it to is riȝte stude and lasi wolde it þer
Þo was [it] by a uot to ssort as euene as hy mete it er
Þe carpenters it lete adoun in strong wraþþe & grete
To noþing þat hi it broȝte to hi ne miȝte it make ymete
And let it mete & make more bi a uot þanne is riȝte
And broȝte it to is riȝte stude and lasi wolde it þer
Þo was [it] by a uot to ssort as euene as hy mete it er
Þe carpenters it lete adoun in strong wraþþe & grete
To noþing þat hi it broȝte to hi ne miȝte it make ymete
A brugge ouer an olde dich hy made it attelaste
Þo hy ne miȝte in þe temple to non oþer werk it caste
Þere ouer ȝeode many a man þe wile it þere lay
Nuste noȝt al wat it was þat defoulede it aday
Þo hy ne miȝte in þe temple to non oþer werk it caste
Þere ouer ȝeode many a man þe wile it þere lay
Nuste noȝt al wat it was þat defoulede it aday
Þe quene of Saba com þer uorþ & anon so he[o] it isey
Honourede it faire & sat akne[o] he[o] nolde come þer ney
By anoþer wey he[o] wende uorþ to Salamon he[o] com
And he[o] him hadde wide ysoȝt to leorny of him wisdom
Þoru grace þat oure Louerd hure ȝaf to Salamon he[o] sede
Þat þe tre[o] ne ssolde noȝt ligge þer ȝif he dude by hure rede
For þere ssolde ȝute a man deie on þulke tre[o]
Þoru wan al þe lawe of Giwes destrud ssolde be[o]
Honourede it faire & sat akne[o] he[o] nolde come þer ney
By anoþer wey he[o] wende uorþ to Salamon he[o] com
And he[o] him hadde wide ysoȝt to leorny of him wisdom
Þoru grace þat oure Louerd hure ȝaf to Salamon he[o] sede
Þat þe tre[o] ne ssolde noȝt ligge þer ȝif he dude by hure rede
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Þoru wan al þe lawe of Giwes destrud ssolde be[o]
Salamon it let nyme sone and vnder eorþe it caste
Wel deope uer fram alle men and burede it swuþe uaste
So longe so it þer after were a uair welle þere sprong
And a uair water suþþe wiþ gret fiss boþe deop & long
Somme sike men þat þere come [] and hore vet wesse þere
Oþer honden oþer baþede al pur hol anon were
Þat water hi honurede muche and wolde þer inne wade
Ac hy nuste noþing of þe tre[o] þat al þe vertue made
Wel deope uer fram alle men and burede it swuþe uaste
So longe so it þer after were a uair welle þere sprong
And a uair water suþþe wiþ gret fiss boþe deop & long
Somme sike men þat þere come [] and hore vet wesse þere
Oþer honden oþer baþede al pur hol anon were
Þat water hi honurede muche and wolde þer inne wade
Ac hy nuste noþing of þe tre[o] þat al þe vertue made
Suþþe it was þer afterward longe þat oure Louerd an eorþe com
And þat folk byspeke is deþ and hore red þer of nom
Þat treo bigan to vleote anon as it oure Louerd is wille was
Þe Giwes come & fonde þis tre[o] vleotinge þere bicas
Hy nome it up for it was foul and ileye hadde þer longe
And made þer of þe holy rode oure Louerd on to honge
For þat treo was vil and old & to uyly oure Louerd also
And ȝute ham þoȝte þe tre[o] to uair þat he were þeron ido
And þat folk byspeke is deþ and hore red þer of nom
Þat treo bigan to vleote anon as it oure Louerd is wille was
Þe Giwes come & fonde þis tre[o] vleotinge þere bicas
Hy nome it up for it was foul and ileye hadde þer longe
And made þer of þe holy rode oure Louerd on to honge
For þat treo was vil and old & to uyly oure Louerd also
And ȝute ham þoȝte þe tre[o] to uair þat he were þeron ido
Þe crois after oure Louerdes deþ vnder eorþe hy caste
Þere as hi him to deþe dude and burede it þere vaste
And boþe crois eke þere wiþ þat þe þeues honge on er
Þere hy leie as hi were ifonde more þanne to hondred ȝer
Þo Titus and Vaspasian Ierusalem nome
And destrude al þe Giwes þat neuer eft þer hi ne come
Al þat lond was ibroȝt in þe emperor is hond of Rome
And mid is men al biset to nyme þerto gome
Þere as hi him to deþe dude and burede it þere vaste
And boþe crois eke þere wiþ þat þe þeues honge on er
Þere hy leie as hi were ifonde more þanne to hondred ȝer
Þo Titus and Vaspasian Ierusalem nome
And destrude al þe Giwes þat neuer eft þer hi ne come
Al þat lond was ibroȝt in þe emperor is hond of Rome
And mid is men al biset to nyme þerto gome
Suþþe þer com an emperor þat het Adrian
Swuþe heþene & luþer ek and worrede ech Cristene man
He weste ware þe rode lay þat God was on ido
And þat Christenemen þen stude honurede wanne hi miȝte come þerto
He let a temple of maumetis [] in þulke stude arere
Þat me ne vond noþing to loute to bote maumetis þere
Wanne Cristene men miȝte þuder stele hy ne durste for doute
And eke aȝen hore heorte it was to eny maumet aloute
Hy bileuede also þulke stude & muchedel for fere
So þat wiþinne a uewe ȝer no Cristen man ne com þere
So þat þulke stude was forlete many a day
Þat no Cristene man ne pain nuste war þe rode lay
Swuþe heþene & luþer ek and worrede ech Cristene man
174
And þat Christenemen þen stude honurede wanne hi miȝte come þerto
He let a temple of maumetis [] in þulke stude arere
Þat me ne vond noþing to loute to bote maumetis þere
Wanne Cristene men miȝte þuder stele hy ne durste for doute
And eke aȝen hore heorte it was to eny maumet aloute
Hy bileuede also þulke stude & muchedel for fere
So þat wiþinne a uewe ȝer no Cristen man ne com þere
So þat þulke stude was forlete many a day
Þat no Cristene man ne pain nuste war þe rode lay
[De inuencione Sancte Creucis]
A noble emperor þer com suþþe þat het Constantin
In bataille he was so muche þat þer nas of no fin
Suþþe come is fon & wonne muchedel of is londe
He ȝarkede a day is ost aȝen hom forto stonde
As he touward bataile wende he bihuld up anhey
Hym þoȝte þat a uair crois up in heuene he sey
Lettres he sei þeron iwrite he is bigan to rede
Wiþ þeos signe þou sselt maister be[o] þulke lettres sede
In bataille he was so muche þat þer nas of no fin
Suþþe come is fon & wonne muchedel of is londe
He ȝarkede a day is ost aȝen hom forto stonde
As he touward bataile wende he bihuld up anhey
Hym þoȝte þat a uair crois up in heuene he sey
Lettres he sei þeron iwrite he is bigan to rede
Wiþ þeos signe þou sselt maister be[o] þulke lettres sede
Þe emperor þis vnderstod þei he heþene were
A crois he let make sone þat is men touore him bere
In stude of is baner to bataille he wende anon
And þoru uertu of þe holy crois he ouercom is fon
And þe maistrie wan of al is lond in a lite stonde þere
Muche afterward he þoȝte suþþe wat þulke signe were
Þe wisoste men of al is lond biuore him he let bringe
And enquerede of þe crois wat were þe toknynge
Hi sede þat at Ierusalem God was ido on rode
And þat þe Giwes hudde þulke crois as hi vnderstode
A crois he let make sone þat is men touore him bere
In stude of is baner to bataille he wende anon
And þoru uertu of þe holy crois he ouercom is fon
And þe maistrie wan of al is lond in a lite stonde þere
Muche afterward he þoȝte suþþe wat þulke signe were
Þe wisoste men of al is lond biuore him he let bringe
And enquerede of þe crois wat were þe toknynge
Hi sede þat at Ierusalem God was ido on rode
And þat þe Giwes hudde þulke crois as hi vnderstode
Wanne ich habbe þer þoru quaþ þe emperor my fon ibroȝt to gronde
Ne worþ ich neuere bliþe of herte ar þe holy crois be[o] fonde
Elyne þat is moder was to Ierusalem he sende
To seche after þe holi crois & he[o] gladliche forþ wende
Þo he[o] com þuder heo let crie as heo hadde hure red inome
Þat alle þe Giwes of þe cite biuore hure ssolde come
Þo þe Giwes ysomned were hy hadde ssortliche gret fere
Gret conseil hy nome þerof wat þe encheson were
Ne worþ ich neuere bliþe of herte ar þe holy crois be[o] fonde
Elyne þat is moder was to Ierusalem he sende
To seche after þe holi crois & he[o] gladliche forþ wende
175
Þat alle þe Giwes of þe cite biuore hure ssolde come
Þo þe Giwes ysomned were hy hadde ssortliche gret fere
Gret conseil hy nome þerof wat þe encheson were
Þo sede on þat het Iudas ich wene þat ich wot
Wat þis somonce amonte ssal ȝif þat ich telle mot
Ich wene þe quene enqueri wolle as he[o] haþ iþoȝt
After þe rode þat Iesu Crist to deþe was on ybroȝt
Þat non of ȝou ne be[o] so wod þat þerof iknowe be[o]
Ichelle ȝou telle in conseil þat my fader tolde me
Þo my vader Symeon inis deþ vuel lay
In conseil he was to me iknewe þo he þane deþ isay
Iudas he sede leue sone ȝif it bitideþ so
Þat me enqueri after þe rode þat Iesus was on ido
Loke þat þou be[o] iknewe þerof raþer þanne me þe quelle
Þat Zache my fader tolde me in conseil ichelle þe telle
He sede me a lite biuore is deþ þat he was atte dede
To burie in Caluari hul þe rode þoru comun rede
Wat þis somonce amonte ssal ȝif þat ich telle mot
Ich wene þe quene enqueri wolle as he[o] haþ iþoȝt
After þe rode þat Iesu Crist to deþe was on ybroȝt
Þat non of ȝou ne be[o] so wod þat þerof iknowe be[o]
Ichelle ȝou telle in conseil þat my fader tolde me
Þo my vader Symeon inis deþ vuel lay
In conseil he was to me iknewe þo he þane deþ isay
Iudas he sede leue sone ȝif it bitideþ so
Þat me enqueri after þe rode þat Iesus was on ido
Loke þat þou be[o] iknewe þerof raþer þanne me þe quelle
Þat Zache my fader tolde me in conseil ichelle þe telle
He sede me a lite biuore is deþ þat he was atte dede
To burie in Caluari hul þe rode þoru comun rede
Leue fader [ich] sede þo wat eileþ ȝou alas
Wy wolde ȝe him to deþe do wanne þat he God was
Wy wolde ȝe him to deþe do wanne þat he God was
He sede þoru me nas it noȝt ac for þat he wiþsede
Mine felawes of hore lawe hi him broȝte to dede
Suþþe hy broȝte him in sepulcre ac he aros to lyue
Fram deþe þe þridde day mid is wonden viue
Þane fortiþe day þer afterward to heuene he wende anhey
In þe lond of Galile as al þat folk ysey
Twelfmonþe it was þer afterward & half ȝer & more
Þat Steuene þat was my broþer prechede of is lore
Þe Giwes him ladde wiþoute toun & hende him wiþ stones
And to stronge deþe him broȝte inou & debrusede al is bones
Þe morwe after Midwinter day to deþe hi him broȝte
And nou he is in þe ioie of heuene þat he þo aboȝte
Mine felawes of hore lawe hi him broȝte to dede
Suþþe hy broȝte him in sepulcre ac he aros to lyue
Fram deþe þe þridde day mid is wonden viue
Þane fortiþe day þer afterward to heuene he wende anhey
In þe lond of Galile as al þat folk ysey
Twelfmonþe it was þer afterward & half ȝer & more
Þat Steuene þat was my broþer prechede of is lore
Þe Giwes him ladde wiþoute toun & hende him wiþ stones
And to stronge deþe him broȝte inou & debrusede al is bones
Þe morwe after Midwinter day to deþe hi him broȝte
176
Þo Iudas hadde þis tale itold þe Giwes sede as hi stode
Telle ne hurde we neuere er þus muche of þe rode
Þo þe tyme was icome tofore þe quene hy come
Cheoseþ anon quaþ þe quene on of þeos tweie dome
Lyf and deþ ȝou is biuore cheseþ weþer ȝe wolle
Bote ȝe me vinde þe swete rode brenne echon ȝe ssolle
Greot fur he[o] let make touore hore alre eiȝe
Þe Giwes bigonne to crie loude þo hi þat fur yseye
Ȝyf enymon wot þer of hi sede þanne wot Iudas
For Zache is fader of gret poer was
Telle ne hurde we neuere er þus muche of þe rode
Þo þe tyme was icome tofore þe quene hy come
Cheoseþ anon quaþ þe quene on of þeos tweie dome
Lyf and deþ ȝou is biuore cheseþ weþer ȝe wolle
Bote ȝe me vinde þe swete rode brenne echon ȝe ssolle
Greot fur he[o] let make touore hore alre eiȝe
Þe Giwes bigonne to crie loude þo hi þat fur yseye
Ȝyf enymon wot þer of hi sede þanne wot Iudas
For Zache is fader of gret poer was
Þulke tyme þat Iesus was on þe rode ydo
Þe quene let nyme þo Iudas & alle þe oþer let go
And bad him be[o] knewe anon he nolde for none þinge
Þe quene him let wel faste bynde and in strang prison bringe
Þere wiþoute mete & drinke seuedawes he lay
For honger he gan crie loude þe seueþe day
And sede bringeþ me of þis wo & ichelle ȝou lede
Þere ich wene þe rode be[o] as my fader me sede
Þo he out of prison com mid muche volk he wende
To þe place as þe rode was as is fader him kende
Þe quene let nyme þo Iudas & alle þe oþer let go
And bad him be[o] knewe anon he nolde for none þinge
Þe quene him let wel faste bynde and in strang prison bringe
Þere wiþoute mete & drinke seuedawes he lay
For honger he gan crie loude þe seueþe day
And sede bringeþ me of þis wo & ichelle ȝou lede
Þere ich wene þe rode be[o] as my fader me sede
Þo he out of prison com mid muche volk he wende
To þe place as þe rode was as is fader him kende
Þo he to þe place com he sat adoun akne[o]
Louerd he sede ȝif it is soþ þat þou man & God be[o]
And þat þou of Marie were ibore send us her þi grace
And toknynge þat we mote finde þe rode in þis place
Anon so Iudas hadde þis bone to oure Louerd ibede
Þe hul bigan to quake and out of one stude
Þer sprong out a smoke & wende anhei & muche place fulde
Swettore þing nemiȝte be[o] þanne þe smoke smulde
Louerd he sede ȝif it is soþ þat þou man & God be[o]
And þat þou of Marie were ibore send us her þi grace
And toknynge þat we mote finde þe rode in þis place
Anon so Iudas hadde þis bone to oure Louerd ibede
Þe hul bigan to quake and out of one stude
Þer sprong out a smoke & wende anhei & muche place fulde
Swettore þing nemiȝte be[o] þanne þe smoke smulde
Þo Iudas þis isay loude he gan to crie
Iesus is sone [of] almiȝti God ibore of maide Marie
Wod is þat biluueþ oþer as ich habbe many o day
Take ichelle to Cristendom and forsake þe Giwes lay
He let him ssriue hasteliche & þo he issriue was
He let him nemne Quiriac þat er het Iudas
Iesus is sone [of] almiȝti God ibore of maide Marie
Wod is þat biluueþ oþer as ich habbe many o day
Take ichelle to Cristendom and forsake þe Giwes lay
177
He let him nemne Quiriac þat er het Iudas
Þo nome hi spade & ssouele & ner þe place wende
Deope hy gonne to delue þer as þe smoke out wende
So þat hy fonde roden þre[o] þo hi hadde idolue longe
Oure Louerdes rode & oþer to þat þe þeues were on anhonge
Biside oure Louerd him to ssende þo nuste hi of þe þre[o]
Þe holi crois þat hi soȝte wuch it miȝte be[o]
And naþeles hy nome alle þre[o] & toward toune bere
To Eleyne þe gode quene wiþ wel glade chere
Bi þe wey atte heie non he gan aȝen hom bringe
A ded ȝonge man up a bere toward buringe
Curiac nom is owe rode and ef sone is oþer
And leide up þis dede man ac he ne aros for noþer
Hi leide þe þridde him upon and he aros wel blyue
And bigan to þonke Godes sone þat broȝte him fram deþe to lyue
Deope hy gonne to delue þer as þe smoke out wende
So þat hy fonde roden þre[o] þo hi hadde idolue longe
Oure Louerdes rode & oþer to þat þe þeues were on anhonge
Biside oure Louerd him to ssende þo nuste hi of þe þre[o]
Þe holi crois þat hi soȝte wuch it miȝte be[o]
And naþeles hy nome alle þre[o] & toward toune bere
To Eleyne þe gode quene wiþ wel glade chere
Bi þe wey atte heie non he gan aȝen hom bringe
A ded ȝonge man up a bere toward buringe
Curiac nom is owe rode and ef sone is oþer
And leide up þis dede man ac he ne aros for noþer
Hi leide þe þridde him upon and he aros wel blyue
And bigan to þonke Godes sone þat broȝte him fram deþe to lyue
Þo com þe deuel ȝollinge forþ loude he gan grede
Alas nou is mi miȝte ido euere mo he sede
Iesus Iesus wat þencstou al folk to þe lede
Þou hast here man in ward iȝiue þing þat ich mest ofdrede
Þoru wan ich was ferst ouercome & nou ich am al at gronde
Alas þulke sori wille þat he euere was ifonde
For inabbe poer non so gret an eorþe amang manne
Ȝif hi makeþ þe forme of þe crois þat i nemot anon þanne
Þer uore ichot þat echmon wole þat soþe ise[o]
Þat þe crois me haþ ouercome and al bileue me
Alas nou is mi miȝte ido euere mo he sede
Iesus Iesus wat þencstou al folk to þe lede
Þou hast here man in ward iȝiue þing þat ich mest ofdrede
Þoru wan ich was ferst ouercome & nou ich am al at gronde
Alas þulke sori wille þat he euere was ifonde
For inabbe poer non so gret an eorþe amang manne
Ȝif hi makeþ þe forme of þe crois þat i nemot anon þanne
Þer uore ichot þat echmon wole þat soþe ise[o]
Þat þe crois me haþ ouercome and al bileue me
178
Alas alas þis tyme nou ich worþ al forsake
Iudas Iudas wat was þe wi wostou þus ontake
Þoru on þat Iudas was ihote Iesus to deþe i[ch] broȝte
And þoru Iudas ich am ouercome & ibroȝt to noȝte
Me ne tit neuere eft strengþe non bote enyman wole wiþ wille
Serui me to paie is fleiss is soule forto spille
Wanne my stre[n]gþe me is bynome fondy ich mot mid gynne
And wiþ traison ȝif ich may enyman to me wynne
I ne may here no leng bileue for þis me þencheþ longe
For þe crois þat me is so ney in pine ich am wel stronge
Iudas Iudas wat was þe wi wostou þus ontake
Þoru on þat Iudas was ihote Iesus to deþe i[ch] broȝte
And þoru Iudas ich am ouercome & ibroȝt to noȝte
Me ne tit neuere eft strengþe non bote enyman wole wiþ wille
Serui me to paie is fleiss is soule forto spille
Wanne my stre[n]gþe me is bynome fondy ich mot mid gynne
And wiþ traison ȝif ich may enyman to me wynne
I ne may here no leng bileue for þis me þencheþ longe
For þe crois þat me is so ney in pine ich am wel stronge
Go hanne anon quaþ Iudas ne com her neuere eft more
Ifonde he is þe it late be[o] þat ouercomþ al þi lore
He þat here þis dede man fram deþe broȝte to lyue
Pulte þe wiþ is poer in to helle gronde blyue
Muche was þe ioie of þe crois þat men made þo þere
Wiþ gret song & procession [to] þe quene hi is bere
Iudas nom þo Cristendom & þo he ibaptized was
He let him nemne Curiac þat er her het Iudas
Ifonde he is þe it late be[o] þat ouercomþ al þi lore
He þat here þis dede man fram deþe broȝte to lyue
Pulte þe wiþ is poer in to helle gronde blyue
Muche was þe ioie of þe crois þat men made þo þere
Wiþ gret song & procession [to] þe quene hi is bere
Iudas nom þo Cristendom & þo he ibaptized was
He let him nemne Curiac þat er her het Iudas
Þe quene of seluer & of gold a riche ssrine wroȝte
And of ȝymmes precious & þe rode þer on broȝte
Vpe þe hul of Caluari þere hi þe rode fonde
A noble churche he let rere ihered be[o] þulke stonde
And of ȝymmes precious & þe rode þer on broȝte
Vpe þe hul of Caluari þere hi þe rode fonde
A noble churche he let rere ihered be[o] þulke stonde
Þo desirede þe quene muche after þe nailes þre[o]
Ware wiþ oure Louerd was ynailed to þe tre[o]
Quiriac þat het er Iudas wende to þe place
As þe crois ifonde was and bad oure Louerdes grace
Þat he ȝif is wille were þe þre[o] nailes him sende
Þe nailes wiþ gret liȝtinge out of þe eorþe wende
Quiriac þonkede oure Louerd Crist wiþ gret ioie he is nom
And tok is Eleine þe gode quene þo he to hure com
Ware wiþ oure Louerd was ynailed to þe tre[o]
Quiriac þat het er Iudas wende to þe place
As þe crois ifonde was and bad oure Louerdes grace
Þat he ȝif is wille were þe þre[o] nailes him sende
Þe nailes wiþ gret liȝtinge out of þe eorþe wende
Quiriac þonkede oure Louerd Crist wiþ gret ioie he is nom
And tok is Eleine þe gode quene þo he to hure com
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