Legendys of Hooly Wummen by Osbern Bokenham Edited from Ms. Arundel 327 by Mary S. Serjeantson |
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Vita Scæ Annæ matris Scæ Mariae
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 | Legendys of Hooly Wummen by Osbern Bokenham |  |
Vita Scæ Annæ matris Scæ Mariae
Prologus.
IF I hadde cunnyng and eloquens
My conceytes craftely to dilate,
Als whilom dede the fyrsh rethoryens,
Gowere, Chauncere, & now Lytgate,
I wolde me besyn to translate
Seynt anne lyf in-to oure langage.
But sekyr I fere to gynne so late,
Lest men wolde ascryuen it to dotage.
For wel I know that fer in age
I am runne, & my lyues date
Aprochith fast, & the fers rage
Of cruel deth—so wyl my fate
Ineuytable—hath at my gate
Set hys carte to carye me hens;
And I ne may ne can, thau I hym hate,
Ageyn hys fors make resistens.
My conceytes craftely to dilate,
Als whilom dede the fyrsh rethoryens,
Gowere, Chauncere, & now Lytgate,
I wolde me besyn to translate
Seynt anne lyf in-to oure langage.
But sekyr I fere to gynne so late,
Lest men wolde ascryuen it to dotage.
For wel I know that fer in age
I am runne, & my lyues date
Aprochith fast, & the fers rage
Of cruel deth—so wyl my fate
Ineuytable—hath at my gate
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And I ne may ne can, thau I hym hate,
Ageyn hys fors make resistens.
Wherfore me thinkyth, & sothe it ys,
Best were for me to leue makynge
Of englysh, & suche as ys amys
To reformyn in my lyuynge.
For that ys a ryght souereyn cunnynge:
A man to knowen hys trespasce,
Wyth ful purpos of amendynge,
As ferforth as god wyl grawnte hym grace.
For whil a man hath leysere and space
Here in þis wordlys abydynge,
Or than that deth his brest enbrace,
To ransake his lyf in alle thynge,
And wyth his conscience to make rekenynge
& ryhtyn ageyn al þat wronge is,
He may not fayle, at his partynge
Owt of his lyf, to gon to blys.
Best were for me to leue makynge
Of englysh, & suche as ys amys
To reformyn in my lyuynge.
For that ys a ryght souereyn cunnynge:
A man to knowen hys trespasce,
Wyth ful purpos of amendynge,
As ferforth as god wyl grawnte hym grace.
For whil a man hath leysere and space
Here in þis wordlys abydynge,
Or than that deth his brest enbrace,
To ransake his lyf in alle thynge,
And wyth his conscience to make rekenynge
& ryhtyn ageyn al þat wronge is,
He may not fayle, at his partynge
Owt of his lyf, to gon to blys.
Neuerthelesse, onto þe souereyn goodnesse
Of ihesu I truste & of marie
His moder fre, thow I my besynesse
Do diligently to claryfye
Her moderes lyf & hyr genalogye,
To excyten wyth mennys deuocyon,
Aftyr the'ntent of the storye,
They wyl accepten myn entencyon.
For treuly I make a protestacyon
Of ihesu I truste & of marie
His moder fre, thow I my besynesse
Do diligently to claryfye
Her moderes lyf & hyr genalogye,
To excyten wyth mennys deuocyon,
Aftyr the'ntent of the storye,
They wyl accepten myn entencyon.
For treuly I make a protestacyon
To seynt anne & to hyr dowter marye,
That yf eythyr errour in myn opynyon
Geyn good maners, or heresye
A-geyn the feyth I cowde aspye
Wythe alle diligence & besynesse
Alle my wyttes I wolde applye
It to reforme & to redresse.
That yf eythyr errour in myn opynyon
Geyn good maners, or heresye
A-geyn the feyth I cowde aspye
Wythe alle diligence & besynesse
Alle my wyttes I wolde applye
It to reforme & to redresse.
But ere than I ferther forthe procede
In this matere, I lowly beseche
Alle that schul thys story rede
That they loke aftyr no coryous speche,
For tullyus wolde me neuer non teche,
Ner in parnase wher apollo doth dwelle
I neuer slepte, ne neuer dede seche
In this matere, I lowly beseche
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That they loke aftyr no coryous speche,
For tullyus wolde me neuer non teche,
Ner in parnase wher apollo doth dwelle
I neuer slepte, ne neuer dede seche
In ethna flowrs, wher, as claudian doþe telle,
Proserpina was rapt; nor of þe sugird welle
In elicona, my rudnesse to leche,
I neuer dede taste, to me so felle
Wher euer the muses, & þe cruel wreche
Of orpheus, whiche hys wyf dede seche
In helle, of me wolde neuer take hede,
Nor of his armonye oo poynt me teche
In musical proporcyon rymes to lede.
Proserpina was rapt; nor of þe sugird welle
In elicona, my rudnesse to leche,
I neuer dede taste, to me so felle
Wher euer the muses, & þe cruel wreche
Of orpheus, whiche hys wyf dede seche
In helle, of me wolde neuer take hede,
Nor of his armonye oo poynt me teche
In musical proporcyon rymes to lede.
Ȝet not-forthan I wyl not blynne,
For your sake, my frende denston kateryne,
Lyche as I can this story to begynne,
If grace my penne vochesaf to illumyne.
Preyth ye enterly þat blyssed virgyne,
Whiche of seynt anne þe dowter was,
That she vouchesaf som beem lat shyne
For your sake, my frende denston kateryne,
Lyche as I can this story to begynne,
If grace my penne vochesaf to illumyne.
Preyth ye enterly þat blyssed virgyne,
Whiche of seynt anne þe dowter was,
That she vouchesaf som beem lat shyne
vp-on me of hyr specyal grace,
And þat I may haue leyser & spaas,
Thorgh help of influence dyuyne,
To oure bothe confort & solace
This legende begunne for to termyn,
Or than deth the threed vntwyne
Of oure fatal web, whiche is ryht thynne
And saue vs bothe from endles pyne,
And here vs kepe from shame & synne.
And þat I may haue leyser & spaas,
Thorgh help of influence dyuyne,
To oure bothe confort & solace
This legende begunne for to termyn,
Or than deth the threed vntwyne
Of oure fatal web, whiche is ryht thynne
And saue vs bothe from endles pyne,
And here vs kepe from shame & synne.
O perles prencesse, of uirginyte
Synguler gemme, whiche in eche nede
Art euer redy helper to be
To them that the for grace to grede!
Entende, lady, of thy womanhede
To my prayer, and me soccour
Whiche purpose of thy kynrede
Sum-what to seyn, thorghe thy fauour,
And specyally on-to the honour
Of thy modyr; whiche, as I rede,
Rote was of the, o most swet floure
And wyth hyr mylke dede foster & fede
The ful thre yer, & aftyr dede lede
On-to the temple, & ther offerde the.
Now, lady, graunt to me mede
In blysse eterne yow bothe to se.
Synguler gemme, whiche in eche nede
Art euer redy helper to be
To them that the for grace to grede!
Entende, lady, of thy womanhede
To my prayer, and me soccour
Whiche purpose of thy kynrede
Sum-what to seyn, thorghe thy fauour,
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Of thy modyr; whiche, as I rede,
Rote was of the, o most swet floure
And wyth hyr mylke dede foster & fede
The ful thre yer, & aftyr dede lede
On-to the temple, & ther offerde the.
Now, lady, graunt to me mede
In blysse eterne yow bothe to se.
Aftyr the reulys of interpretacyon,
Anne is as myche to seyn as ‘grace’.
And worthyly thys appellacyon
To hyr pertenyth, for wyth-in the space
Of hyr wombe sche dede enbrace,
Here that is of grace the welle
Lady of erthe & empresse of helle.
Anne is as myche to seyn as ‘grace’.
And worthyly thys appellacyon
To hyr pertenyth, for wyth-in the space
Of hyr wombe sche dede enbrace,
Here that is of grace the welle
Lady of erthe & empresse of helle.
I mene that blyssed & holy virgyne,
Modyr of ihesu oure sauyour,
Marye, of synners souereyn medycyne,
And in alle dystresse synguler soccour
Aftyr hyr sone; & of this floure
Whiche is so redolent & so soote
This gracyous anne was stoke & rote;
Modyr of ihesu oure sauyour,
Marye, of synners souereyn medycyne,
And in alle dystresse synguler soccour
Aftyr hyr sone; & of this floure
Whiche is so redolent & so soote
This gracyous anne was stoke & rote;
The whiche is commendyde, as I do rede,
Of thynges thre most syngulerly:
Ferst of hyr nobyl & royal kynrede,
Conueyede from dauid down lyneally;
Of perfyht leuynge also, and fynally
Of plenteuous fruht; & ysachar hyr fadyr
Was clepyd, & nasaphath hyht hyr modyr.
Of thynges thre most syngulerly:
Ferst of hyr nobyl & royal kynrede,
Conueyede from dauid down lyneally;
Of perfyht leuynge also, and fynally
Of plenteuous fruht; & ysachar hyr fadyr
Was clepyd, & nasaphath hyht hyr modyr.
As for þe fyrst, I wil ye knowe,
Be doctryne of scripture whiche wyl not lye,
Dauid in ierusalem hade on a rowe
Fowre sones be oon cleped bersabee,
Whilom the wyf of wurthy vrye.
But to oure purpoos, the thryde hyht
Salomon, & the fowrthe nathan be ryht.
Be doctryne of scripture whiche wyl not lye,
Dauid in ierusalem hade on a rowe
Fowre sones be oon cleped bersabee,
Whilom the wyf of wurthy vrye.
But to oure purpoos, the thryde hyht
Salomon, & the fowrthe nathan be ryht.
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More-ouyr I wyl ye know also,
As ierom & damascen do testifye,
The custome of scripture not vsyth, lo,
Of wymmen to wryte the genealogye;
Wherfore, as þe lyne of marye
Is knowe be ioseph & non othyr wyse,
So is annes be ioachym, as þey two deuyse.
As ierom & damascen do testifye,
The custome of scripture not vsyth, lo,
Of wymmen to wryte the genealogye;
Wherfore, as þe lyne of marye
Is knowe be ioseph & non othyr wyse,
So is annes be ioachym, as þey two deuyse.
Also for more cler vndurstondynge
Of þis genealogyal descencyon,
I wil ye wyte that for no thynge
The olde law wold suffre permixtyon
Of sundry kynredes, for whiche conclusyon
Ioachym toke anne of hys ny alye,
And ioseph was streyned to wedde mary.
Of þis genealogyal descencyon,
I wil ye wyte that for no thynge
The olde law wold suffre permixtyon
Of sundry kynredes, for whiche conclusyon
Ioachym toke anne of hys ny alye,
And ioseph was streyned to wedde mary.
These thyngys knowen, lyst what I mene:
Of nathan longe aftyr descended leuy,
Whiche of his wyf estha, seyth damescen
Too sones gat, pantar & melchy;
Pantar gat barpantar, & he lyneally
Ioachym, whiche that husbonde was
To anne, the moder of oure solas.
Of nathan longe aftyr descended leuy,
Whiche of his wyf estha, seyth damescen
Too sones gat, pantar & melchy;
Pantar gat barpantar, & he lyneally
Ioachym, whiche that husbonde was
To anne, the moder of oure solas.
On þat oþer syde down descendynge
From salomon euen vnto mathan,
Cam iacob, aftyr matheus wrytynge,
But, as damascen wyl declare can,
Melchy, of the lyne of nathan,
Pantars brother, & þe sone of leuy,
Weddyd iacobes modyr & gat ely.
From salomon euen vnto mathan,
Cam iacob, aftyr matheus wrytynge,
But, as damascen wyl declare can,
Melchy, of the lyne of nathan,
Pantars brother, & þe sone of leuy,
Weddyd iacobes modyr & gat ely.
So iacob & ely were brethern vteryne,
Thow iacob of salmon & ely cam of nathan,
And whan ely issules his lyf dede fyne,
Iacob, to reyse his brother seed, dede tan
Hys wyf, as comannded the lawe than,
And gat ioseph, spouse to marye.
Lo, þus endyth þis double genealogye.
Thow iacob of salmon & ely cam of nathan,
And whan ely issules his lyf dede fyne,
Iacob, to reyse his brother seed, dede tan
Hys wyf, as comannded the lawe than,
And gat ioseph, spouse to marye.
Lo, þus endyth þis double genealogye.
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And yf yt lyke on-to moralyte
To draw [þ]e names of the progenytours
Of marye, chef gemme of uirginyte,
Of helful doctryne ful redolent flours
We schul fynde, of ryht swete odowrs,
Yf we hem dewly kun applye,
And ordenelly aftyr the ethimologye.
To draw [þ]e names of the progenytours
Of marye, chef gemme of uirginyte,
Of helful doctryne ful redolent flours
We schul fynde, of ryht swete odowrs,
Yf we hem dewly kun applye,
And ordenelly aftyr the ethimologye.
Aftyr [þ]e sentence of the holy doctour
Seynt austyn, dauid dowth signyfye
‘The souereyn heuenely progenytour,’
And salomon, ‘pesyble’, aftyr ethimologye,
‘The prince of pees’, betoknyth sothly,
Whom the fadyr down sent pees to make,
Perfyth oure kynde whann he dyde take.
Seynt austyn, dauid dowth signyfye
‘The souereyn heuenely progenytour,’
And salomon, ‘pesyble’, aftyr ethimologye,
‘The prince of pees’, betoknyth sothly,
Whom the fadyr down sent pees to make,
Perfyth oure kynde whann he dyde take.
Be nathan, dauid sone also;
‘Ȝyfth’ or ‘thynge ȝouyn’ is signyfyed,
Be whom descens leuy is made to,
And ‘taken vp’ betoknyth, or ‘applyed’
Where-in we be mystyly certyfyed
That be hem oure nature assumpt shul be
To the secunde persone of [þ]e trinite.
‘Ȝyfth’ or ‘thynge ȝouyn’ is signyfyed,
Be whom descens leuy is made to,
And ‘taken vp’ betoknyth, or ‘applyed’
Where-in we be mystyly certyfyed
That be hem oure nature assumpt shul be
To the secunde persone of [þ]e trinite.
Bvt yet had it not ben sufficyent
The vptakyng of oure frele nature
Whiche wyth synne was almost schent,
But recuryd had ben oure brosure,
And he venguyshd þat causyd þe lesure;
Wherfore in [þ]e ordyr of oure reparacyon
Descens is to iacob, toknynge ‘supplantacyon’.
The vptakyng of oure frele nature
Whiche wyth synne was almost schent,
But recuryd had ben oure brosure,
And he venguyshd þat causyd þe lesure;
Wherfore in [þ]e ordyr of oure reparacyon
Descens is to iacob, toknynge ‘supplantacyon’.
Iacob supplanted hys brother esau,
Whiche toknythe ‘row’ or ellys ‘hery’,
And it signifyeth þat oure lorde ihesu
Supplanted the deuyl, oure ruggyd enmye,
Whan he on [þe] crocse ful schamfully
Heng nakyd, fastnyd wyth nayles smerte,
And wyth a scharpe spere stunge to þe herte.
Whiche toknythe ‘row’ or ellys ‘hery’,
And it signifyeth þat oure lorde ihesu
Supplanted the deuyl, oure ruggyd enmye,
Whan he on [þe] crocse ful schamfully
Heng nakyd, fastnyd wyth nayles smerte,
And wyth a scharpe spere stunge to þe herte.
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Aftyr iacob, ioseph, as seyth þe text,
In descence of the genealogye,
Whiche toknyth ‘encres’ stondyth next,
Spouse of annes doughter marie,
Modyr of ihesu, whiche to sygnyfie
‘A byttyr see’ and ‘saluacyon’;
Where-of, lo, a bref moralizacyon:
In descence of the genealogye,
Whiche toknyth ‘encres’ stondyth next,
Spouse of annes doughter marie,
Modyr of ihesu, whiche to sygnyfie
‘A byttyr see’ and ‘saluacyon’;
Where-of, lo, a bref moralizacyon:
Ioseph, encrescynge in goodnesse,
Must wedde marye, the bytter see
Of penaunce, be constant stabylnesse;
And yf anne penaunces modyr be
Whiche toknyth ‘grace’ & ‘charyte’,
He schal conceyuen be the humble vertu
Saluacyon, tokned be þis name ihesu.
Must wedde marye, the bytter see
Of penaunce, be constant stabylnesse;
And yf anne penaunces modyr be
Whiche toknyth ‘grace’ & ‘charyte’,
He schal conceyuen be the humble vertu
Saluacyon, tokned be þis name ihesu.
Now haue I shewed more compendyously
Than it owt haue ben þis noble pedegre.
But in þat myn auctour I folow sothly,
And also to eschewyn prolyxite.
And for my wyt is schort, as ye may se,
To the secunde part I wyl me hye
Of my processe, & annes lyf descrye.
Than it owt haue ben þis noble pedegre.
But in þat myn auctour I folow sothly,
And also to eschewyn prolyxite.
And for my wyt is schort, as ye may se,
To the secunde part I wyl me hye
Of my processe, & annes lyf descrye.
Thys blyssud anne of þe blode royal,
Als to-forn is s[e]yde, of dauid [þ]e kynge,
In a cyte þat bedleem men calle,
Was born & hade hyr fyrst fostrynge
In alle that myht to vertu hyr brynge,
As diligently as hyr fadyr cowd do,
Isachar, & nazaphat hyr modyr also.
Als to-forn is s[e]yde, of dauid [þ]e kynge,
In a cyte þat bedleem men calle,
Was born & hade hyr fyrst fostrynge
In alle that myht to vertu hyr brynge,
As diligently as hyr fadyr cowd do,
Isachar, & nazaphat hyr modyr also.
And whan she to ȝeris of dyscrescyon
Was comyn, aftyr ther lawes guyse,
Not ouer yonge aftyr myn estymacyon,
But what yer of age I ne can deuyse,
Wedded sche was in ful solenne wyse
Into a cuntre clepyd galyle
And to a man a-cordyng to hyr degre,
Was comyn, aftyr ther lawes guyse,
Not ouer yonge aftyr myn estymacyon,
But what yer of age I ne can deuyse,
Wedded sche was in ful solenne wyse
Into a cuntre clepyd galyle
And to a man a-cordyng to hyr degre,
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I mene to ioachym, in the cyte
Off nazareth dwellynge & of dauid hows,
A ryche man & of gret dignyte,
Whos lyf of youthe was euer vertuous,
Symple, ryhtfulle & eke petous,
Aforne god & man ryht comendable,
To whom Anne was wyf ful couenable,
Off nazareth dwellynge & of dauid hows,
A ryche man & of gret dignyte,
Whos lyf of youthe was euer vertuous,
Symple, ryhtfulle & eke petous,
Aforne god & man ryht comendable,
To whom Anne was wyf ful couenable,
For aftyr the doctryne of philosophye
[In] ihesus syrach, whoso it rede can,
Lyche to lyche euere doth applie,
As scheep to scheep & man to man,
Pertryche to pertryche & swan to swan
So vertu to vertu is agreable;
Werfore anne to ioachym was wyf ful able.
[In] ihesus syrach, whoso it rede can,
Lyche to lyche euere doth applie,
As scheep to scheep & man to man,
Pertryche to pertryche & swan to swan
So vertu to vertu is agreable;
Werfore anne to ioachym was wyf ful able.
For liche as they in ther yunge age
Were bothne forthe browthe vertuously,
Ryght so, conioyned be maryage
Whan þey were, more diligently
In vertush they grew; & cause is why—
For, as longe to-forne be a poete was tolde,
What newe shelle taketh it sauouryth olde.
Were bothne forthe browthe vertuously,
Ryght so, conioyned be maryage
Whan þey were, more diligently
In vertush they grew; & cause is why—
For, as longe to-forne be a poete was tolde,
What newe shelle taketh it sauouryth olde.
And for they wolde lyuen conformely
To goddes plesaunce, here possessyoun
They deuyded on partes thre treuly;
The ferst they youen wyth deuocyon
To the temple, þe secunde to sustentacyon
Of pylgrimys & pore men seek & olde;
The thrydde they kept for her howsholde.
To goddes plesaunce, here possessyoun
They deuyded on partes thre treuly;
The ferst they youen wyth deuocyon
To the temple, þe secunde to sustentacyon
Of pylgrimys & pore men seek & olde;
The thrydde they kept for her howsholde.
Thus ryhtful to god & to man petous
Twenty wynter þey lyued wyth-out issw,
In chast maryage and not vycyous.
And thow of here seed no fruht grew,
Ȝet to god for grace they dede pursew
At hys temple thryes in the yere
Wyth offrynge & wyth deuouht prayer,
Twenty wynter þey lyued wyth-out issw,
In chast maryage and not vycyous.
And thow of here seed no fruht grew,
Ȝet to god for grace they dede pursew
At hys temple thryes in the yere
Wyth offrynge & wyth deuouht prayer,
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And maden vowes wyth holy entent
That yf god wolde of his specyal grace
Ony fruht hem sende, þey wolde it present.
Were it man or woman, beforn hys face,
Euen in the temple, þat holy place,
Ther hem to sence bothe clene & pure
As longe ther-of as they had cure.
That yf god wolde of his specyal grace
Ony fruht hem sende, þey wolde it present.
Were it man or woman, beforn hys face,
Euen in the temple, þat holy place,
Ther hem to sence bothe clene & pure
As longe ther-of as they had cure.
Long aftyr, vpon a festful day,
Clepyd of [þ]e temple the dedycacyon,
Ioachym in his best aray
To ierusalem went wyth deuocyoun
To make his ofrynge as he was woun,
Wyth other burgeys of hys cyte,
Eche man as longyd to hys degre.
Clepyd of [þ]e temple the dedycacyon,
Ioachym in his best aray
To ierusalem went wyth deuocyoun
To make his ofrynge as he was woun,
Wyth other burgeys of hys cyte,
Eche man as longyd to hys degre.
At þat tyme byschop was Isakar
In the temple, as tellyth [þ]e story.
And whan he amonge oþer was war
Of ioachym, stondynge ful sturdyly,
He h[y]m rebukyde, & askyde why
He þat bareyn and frutles was
Presumyde to apperen in that plas.
In the temple, as tellyth [þ]e story.
And whan he amonge oþer was war
Of ioachym, stondynge ful sturdyly,
He h[y]m rebukyde, & askyde why
He þat bareyn and frutles was
Presumyde to apperen in that plas.
‘Thy yiftes,’ quod he, ‘ben vnworthy,
And to god no þinge acceptable.
For þis I wyl þu knowe pleynly,
That bareynesse to god is reprouable,
And cursed is yche man & condempnable,
As holy scripture vs doth telle,
That no fruht forth bryngþe in israele.
And to god no þinge acceptable.
For þis I wyl þu knowe pleynly,
That bareynesse to god is reprouable,
And cursed is yche man & condempnable,
As holy scripture vs doth telle,
That no fruht forth bryngþe in israele.
Werfore, ioachym, I charge the
Neuere aftyr vse þis presumpcyon
Here to offre, tyl assoylled þu be
Of þis legal malediccyoun.
And whan þu hast get an absolucyon
Of þis curs and hast fecundyte,
Than shul they yiftes acceptable be.’
Neuere aftyr vse þis presumpcyon
Here to offre, tyl assoylled þu be
Of þis legal malediccyoun.
And whan þu hast get an absolucyon
Of þis curs and hast fecundyte,
Than shul they yiftes acceptable be.’
Whan ioachym þus rebukyde was
Of þe byschop in þe temple opynly,
He was so aschamyd of þat caas
That agyn hom he nolde goon pleynly,
Ne hap his neybures which dwellyd hym by
Hym wolde repreue anothyr day;
And þerfore he toke al a-nother way,
Of þe byschop in þe temple opynly,
47
That agyn hom he nolde goon pleynly,
Ne hap his neybures which dwellyd hym by
Hym wolde repreue anothyr day;
And þerfore he toke al a-nother way,
And to his herdemen he dede hym hye,
Which in wyldernesse fer dede pasture
That tyme his schep ful diligently,
Which in t[h]oo dayes were his most cure,
For wyth þat encrecyde of here genderin[g]e
He & his wyf were wonte to fede
Pore folke whiche god dede loue & drede.
Which in wyldernesse fer dede pasture
That tyme his schep ful diligently,
Which in t[h]oo dayes were his most cure,
For wyth þat encrecyde of here genderin[g]e
He & his wyf were wonte to fede
Pore folke whiche god dede loue & drede.
Whyl ioachym hym þus dede ocupye
Abouȝt his scheep in wast wyldyrnesse,
And anne his spouse cowde non aspye
Of hym tydynges, neyþer more ne lasse,
Ful monythes fyue, wyth gret trestesse
Oppressede & prostrat she gan to preye,
And in here prayer she þus dede saye:
Abouȝt his scheep in wast wyldyrnesse,
And anne his spouse cowde non aspye
Of hym tydynges, neyþer more ne lasse,
Ful monythes fyue, wyth gret trestesse
Oppressede & prostrat she gan to preye,
And in here prayer she þus dede saye:
‘O souerayne euerelastynge maieste,
Whiche hast been euere & be schal
Regnynge in stable eternyte,
Whos regne may neyþer bowe ne fal,
To whom eeke eche creature mortal
Must obey—now, lorde, in þis nede,
Vp-on me rew for thy nobylhede!
Whiche hast been euere & be schal
Regnynge in stable eternyte,
Whos regne may neyþer bowe ne fal,
To whom eeke eche creature mortal
Must obey—now, lorde, in þis nede,
Vp-on me rew for thy nobylhede!
A, lorde of israle most myhty,
Syth þu no chylderne hast youe me to,
What haue I trespascyd geyn thy mercy
That þus my spouse þu takyst me fro?
For ful fyue monythes be passyd & go
Syth I of hym had no tydynge,
Wether he be dede or ellys lyuynge.
Syth þu no chylderne hast youe me to,
What haue I trespascyd geyn thy mercy
That þus my spouse þu takyst me fro?
For ful fyue monythes be passyd & go
Syth I of hym had no tydynge,
Wether he be dede or ellys lyuynge.
Now help me, lorde, I the beseche,
And graunte me grace to haue knowynge
Were I myht my husbonde seche;
For yf I knew where, wyth-owt letynge
I wolde hym seke, yf he were lyuynge,
And yf he ded were, his sepulture
I wolde enbelshyn wyth besy cure.
48
Were I myht my husbonde seche;
For yf I knew where, wyth-owt letynge
I wolde hym seke, yf he were lyuynge,
And yf he ded were, his sepulture
I wolde enbelshyn wyth besy cure.
For, lorde, þu knowyst how affecteuously
I hym now loue and euere haue do,
Syth we fyrst knyt were lawfully,
Past alle creatures; lorde, helpe me so!
And yf [þ]e knot be now vn-do
Of oure spousayle, I noon but the
Know, lorde, that may my confort be.’
I hym now loue and euere haue do,
Syth we fyrst knyt were lawfully,
Past alle creatures; lorde, helpe me so!
And yf [þ]e knot be now vn-do
Of oure spousayle, I noon but the
Know, lorde, that may my confort be.’
Whan she þes wordes & many mo,
Which at þis tyme I ne can expresse,
Had seyd sobbynge for very wo
And sykynge for hertys byttyrnesse
In-to an herber she can hyre dresse
Besyden hyr hows, & ther certayn
Hyre prayer hertly she made ageyn.
Which at þis tyme I ne can expresse,
Had seyd sobbynge for very wo
And sykynge for hertys byttyrnesse
In-to an herber she can hyre dresse
Besyden hyr hows, & ther certayn
Hyre prayer hertly she made ageyn.
And whan she roos from hyr prayer
And casuelly lyftyde vp hyr eye,
In a fayr, fresh & grene laurere
A sparow fedynge hyr bryddes she seye,
In a nest made of mossh & cleye,
And a-non she fel down sodenly
Vp-on hyr knees & þus gan crye:
And casuelly lyftyde vp hyr eye,
In a fayr, fresh & grene laurere
A sparow fedynge hyr bryddes she seye,
In a nest made of mossh & cleye,
And a-non she fel down sodenly
Vp-on hyr knees & þus gan crye:
‘O lorde almyhte, whiche hast ouere al
Souerente, & to euere creature,
Fyssh, ful & bestis, boþe more & smal,
Hast grauntyd be kyndly engenderrure
To ioyen in þe lykenesse of ther nature,
And in ther issu, iche aftyr his kynde,
To worshyp of thy name wyth-owten ende!
Souerente, & to euere creature,
Fyssh, ful & bestis, boþe more & smal,
Hast grauntyd be kyndly engenderrure
To ioyen in þe lykenesse of ther nature,
And in ther issu, iche aftyr his kynde,
To worshyp of thy name wyth-owten ende!
And I thank þe, lorde, þat þu to me
Hast don as it is to thy pleasaunce,
F[ro] þe yefte of thy benygnyte
Me excludynge, swych is my chaunce.
Ȝet if yt þe had lykede me to avaunce
Wyth sone or dowgter, in humble wyse
I wolde it han offrede to thy seruyse.’
Hast don as it is to thy pleasaunce,
F[ro] þe yefte of thy benygnyte
49
Ȝet if yt þe had lykede me to avaunce
Wyth sone or dowgter, in humble wyse
I wolde it han offrede to thy seruyse.’
And whan she thus had hyr entent
Expressed wyth a ful mornynge chere,
So-deynly, or she wyst what yt mente,
An aungel be-forne hyr gan a-pere,
Clad in lyht than þe sunne more clere,
And wyth debonayr chere & gret reuerence
To hyr he shewyd thus his sentence:
Expressed wyth a ful mornynge chere,
So-deynly, or she wyst what yt mente,
An aungel be-forne hyr gan a-pere,
Clad in lyht than þe sunne more clere,
And wyth debonayr chere & gret reuerence
To hyr he shewyd thus his sentence:
‘Be not aferde, anne, thow vnwarly
I thus appere in thy presence;
For from heuen down sent am I,
Of glad tydynges the to encence:
How þe fruht of þi body in reuerence
& honour schal be & in mennys mende
Thorgh alle kynreddes to þe werdys ende.’
I thus appere in thy presence;
For from heuen down sent am I,
Of glad tydynges the to encence:
How þe fruht of þi body in reuerence
& honour schal be & in mennys mende
Thorgh alle kynreddes to þe werdys ende.’
Whan þe aungel þus his ambacyat
Had brefly doon, he vanysshed a-vay,
And she astoyned & so dysconsolat
Was þat she nyst what she myght seye.
And to hyr chaumbur a-non she toke þe way,
Wher wyth-owt bodyly confort or chere
A day & a nyȝt she lay in hyr prayer.
Had brefly doon, he vanysshed a-vay,
And she astoyned & so dysconsolat
Was þat she nyst what she myght seye.
And to hyr chaumbur a-non she toke þe way,
Wher wyth-owt bodyly confort or chere
A day & a nyȝt she lay in hyr prayer.
And aftyr what tyme she dyd up ryse,
Alle by-wept from hyr prayer,
She clepyd hir mayde, to whom þis wyse
She seyde: ‘syth þu sey me here
So longe lyenge wyth-owt confort or chere
Of ony wyht, how mayst þe [q]uyte
That lyst not onys me to vysyhte?
Alle by-wept from hyr prayer,
She clepyd hir mayde, to whom þis wyse
She seyde: ‘syth þu sey me here
So longe lyenge wyth-owt confort or chere
Of ony wyht, how mayst þe [q]uyte
That lyst not onys me to vysyhte?
Allas, lorde, yf it schuld be seyde
Al mannys confort þu hast from me
Wythdrawen, & also of myn handmayde,
Which awt, me thynkyth, my confort han be!
But al þis þu dost þat only in the
I schuld trust, lorde, & syngulerly
Al my hope puttyn in thy mercy.’
Al mannys confort þu hast from me
Wythdrawen, & also of myn handmayde,
50
But al þis þu dost þat only in the
I schuld trust, lorde, & syngulerly
Al my hope puttyn in thy mercy.’
To whom þis damysel grucchyng can sey:
‘Thow god thy wombe wyth bareynesse
Hath shet, & thyn husbonde takyn a-way,
Wenyst þu these myscheus I myht redresse?
Nay, nay!’ than anne for veray heuynesse
Of þis answere fel sotheynly down,
& wepte wythowten consolacyon.
‘Thow god thy wombe wyth bareynesse
Hath shet, & thyn husbonde takyn a-way,
Wenyst þu these myscheus I myht redresse?
Nay, nay!’ than anne for veray heuynesse
Of þis answere fel sotheynly down,
& wepte wythowten consolacyon.
In þis mene tyme an aungel shene
In lykenesse of a ful fayre yunglynge
To ioachym apperyd in [þ]e mountes grene,
As he was a-monge his schepe walkynge;
And to hym he wsyde þis talkynge:
‘What is [þ]e cause, telle it me pleyn,
Why þu gost not hom to thy wyf ageyn?’
In lykenesse of a ful fayre yunglynge
To ioachym apperyd in [þ]e mountes grene,
As he was a-monge his schepe walkynge;
And to hym he wsyde þis talkynge:
‘What is [þ]e cause, telle it me pleyn,
Why þu gost not hom to thy wyf ageyn?’
‘Ȝung man,’ quod ioachym, ‘I wyl trewly
Telle þe now euen lyk as yt is.
I loue my wyf as affectually,
I dar wel seyn, as any man doþe his;
But þis twenty wyntur whiche be-forn þis
We to-gedur han ben, or more I trow,
The seed is lost which I haue sowe.
Telle þe now euen lyk as yt is.
I loue my wyf as affectually,
I dar wel seyn, as any man doþe his;
But þis twenty wyntur whiche be-forn þis
We to-gedur han ben, or more I trow,
The seed is lost which I haue sowe.
I wante þe argumentes of a man;
& whan men be reknyd I am lefth behynde;
For no maner isseu may I han,
Neythyr son ne dowghter lyke me in kynde.
& syth in my felde no fruht may fynde,
To telyn it lengur it were but veyne,
As me thynkyth, þis certayne.
& whan men be reknyd I am lefth behynde;
For no maner isseu may I han,
Neythyr son ne dowghter lyke me in kynde.
& syth in my felde no fruht may fynde,
To telyn it lengur it were but veyne,
As me thynkyth, þis certayne.
For he þat sowyth his feld yerly
Wyth gret dilygence, & hys appyltre
Eche day watryth by and by,
& nout ther-of growth, faryth as he
To staunche his thrust which drynkyth of þe se,
Or betyþe þe wynde, or in grauel doth sowe,
Or eryth þe bank were nouȝt wyl growe.
Wyth gret dilygence, & hys appyltre
Eche day watryth by and by,
& nout ther-of growth, faryth as he
To staunche his thrust which drynkyth of þe se,
Or betyþe þe wynde, or in grauel doth sowe,
51
So haue I longe, as it seyde be-fore,
Labouryde in vayne, yf I xal not lye,
Ful xxti ȝere; but I wyl no more.
And also whan I thynk on þe vylany
Whiche I hadde whan þe byscho[p] me hye
Bad owt of þe temple, & myn offrynge
Despysed, cause I haue of mornynge.
Labouryde in vayne, yf I xal not lye,
Ful xxti ȝere; but I wyl no more.
And also whan I thynk on þe vylany
Whiche I hadde whan þe byscho[p] me hye
Bad owt of þe temple, & myn offrynge
Despysed, cause I haue of mornynge.
These thyngys peysed & oþer moo
Thus auysede, what euere be-tyde
Hom ageyn I wyl neuer more go,
But here wyth myn herdys I wyl abyde,
& wyth good avyhs I wyl prouyde
To sende þe part whiche longeþe hem to
Both temple & wyf & pore men also.’
Thus auysede, what euere be-tyde
Hom ageyn I wyl neuer more go,
But here wyth myn herdys I wyl abyde,
& wyth good avyhs I wyl prouyde
To sende þe part whiche longeþe hem to
Both temple & wyf & pore men also.’
& whan he thus declaryde had his menynge,
This yunglyng answerde ful demuerely:
‘I am an aungel of þe heuenly kynge,
Which han apperyde þis day sothly
To anne thy wyf, wepynge contenuely,
& now am y sent to declaren þe
How youre prayers & almes of god herd be.
This yunglyng answerde ful demuerely:
‘I am an aungel of þe heuenly kynge,
Which han apperyde þis day sothly
To anne thy wyf, wepynge contenuely,
& now am y sent to declaren þe
How youre prayers & almes of god herd be.
I haue also seyn thy gret schame
& þe hatful reprof of bareynesse,
To þe obiectyd wyth-owt thy blame.
& þis I wyl þu know for sekyrnesse
þat god ys wenger of wyckydnesse,
& whan he þe wombe of his welbelouyde, sothly,
Schettyth, he it opnyth þe more meruelusly.
& þe hatful reprof of bareynesse,
To þe obiectyd wyth-owt thy blame.
& þis I wyl þu know for sekyrnesse
þat god ys wenger of wyckydnesse,
& whan he þe wombe of his welbelouyde, sothly,
Schettyth, he it opnyth þe more meruelusly.
Sare, þe princes of youre kynrede,
Tyl foure score yer sche was baren,
& þanne she had Isaac, [in] whoos seede
The blessyng of folk promyssed was certeyn.
Bareyn was rachel, þe sothe to sayn,
tyl she hade Ioseph, of egipt gouernour,
& of many folk from hungur þe saluatour.
Tyl foure score yer sche was baren,
& þanne she had Isaac, [in] whoos seede
The blessyng of folk promyssed was certeyn.
Bareyn was rachel, þe sothe to sayn,
tyl she hade Ioseph, of egipt gouernour,
& of many folk from hungur þe saluatour.
52
[W]ho amonge dukys was myghtyere
Than was sampson? telle þu me.
Or who amonge Iuges was holyere
Than samuel? whos modres boþe perde
Bareyn; thy wyf stant in lyke degre;
For a doughter she hath, sothlye,
Than was sampson? telle þu me.
Or who amonge Iuges was holyere
Than samuel? whos modres boþe perde
Bareyn; thy wyf stant in lyke degre;
For a doughter she hath, sothlye,
Whos name clepyd shal be marye.
[S]he shal be offred from hyr natiuyte
To goddes temple, of youre bothens vow,
& wyth þe holy gost ful-fyllyd schal sche be
From hyr modir wombe; wherefore þu
Hom to þi wyf go hastely nowe
For blessyd is hyr seed, whos dowghter shal be
Modyr of blysse euerlastynge, perde.’
[S]he shal be offred from hyr natiuyte
To goddes temple, of youre bothens vow,
& wyth þe holy gost ful-fyllyd schal sche be
From hyr modir wombe; wherefore þu
Hom to þi wyf go hastely nowe
For blessyd is hyr seed, whos dowghter shal be
Modyr of blysse euerlastynge, perde.’
Of þes tydynges Ioachym affryht
Worchyped þe aungel & þus can seyn:
‘Ser, yf I haue fownde grace in thy syht,
Com & suppe wyth me, I þe pray,
In my tabernacle her be-syde þe wey,
& blesse þi seruaunt.’ onto whom ageyn
Thus þis aungel benygnely gan seye:
Worchyped þe aungel & þus can seyn:
‘Ser, yf I haue fownde grace in thy syht,
Com & suppe wyth me, I þe pray,
In my tabernacle her be-syde þe wey,
& blesse þi seruaunt.’ onto whom ageyn
Thus þis aungel benygnely gan seye:
‘Conseruaunth, not seruaunth, I wyl þu me cal,
For of o lorde aboue bothe we seruauntes be;
& for my mete is inuysible & my drynk celestyal,
It may not be seyn in þis mortalyte;
Werfore to þy tabernacle compelle not me,
but swiche as þu schuldest gyf to my seruyse,
To god do offren it vp in a brent sacrifice.’
For of o lorde aboue bothe we seruauntes be;
& for my mete is inuysible & my drynk celestyal,
It may not be seyn in þis mortalyte;
Werfore to þy tabernacle compelle not me,
but swiche as þu schuldest gyf to my seruyse,
To god do offren it vp in a brent sacrifice.’
As sone as þis worde was seyd, Ioachym can renne
Vn-to þe schepys folde & brought a lamb clene,
& at þe aungels byddynge he it gan to brenne,
& anon oþer wyse þan Ioachym dede wene,
this aungel, whiche was both bryht & shene
Or than he awar was, euen be-forn his syht,
Wyth þe fume he toke to heuen his flyht.
Vn-to þe schepys folde & brought a lamb clene,
& at þe aungels byddynge he it gan to brenne,
& anon oþer wyse þan Ioachym dede wene,
this aungel, whiche was both bryht & shene
Or than he awar was, euen be-forn his syht,
Wyth þe fume he toke to heuen his flyht.
53
Than Ioachym fel down sodenly
Grouelynges & abasshed ful sore,
& so from sext tyl nyht, sothely,
On þe yorth he lay ase he dede were;
& than hys herdys had purposyde hym b[e]re
To his graue, wenynge he dede had ben,
& þan to hymselfe he cam ayeyn.
Grouelynges & abasshed ful sore,
& so from sext tyl nyht, sothely,
On þe yorth he lay ase he dede were;
& than hys herdys had purposyde hym b[e]re
To his graue, wenynge he dede had ben,
& þan to hymselfe he cam ayeyn.
And whan he þus ageyn com was
& wel adawed of his swouwnynge,
He tolde his seruantys al[þ]e cas
& what was cause of his fallynge,
& a-non þei hym conseled for any þynge
al þat þe aungel dyde to hym seye
Wythowt taryeng he it shulde obeye.
& wel adawed of his swouwnynge,
He tolde his seruantys al[þ]e cas
& what was cause of his fallynge,
& a-non þei hym conseled for any þynge
al þat þe aungel dyde to hym seye
Wythowt taryeng he it shulde obeye.
Aftyr this, as Ioachym gan thynk
In his hert what best was to do,
Slepe aftyr heuynesse made hem to wynke,
& anon þis aungel, euene ryht so
As he had vakynge, appered hem to
Whyl þat he slepte, & on þis wyse
His massage to hym þus he dede deuyse:
In his hert what best was to do,
Slepe aftyr heuynesse made hem to wynke,
& anon þis aungel, euene ryht so
As he had vakynge, appered hem to
Whyl þat he slepte, & on þis wyse
His massage to hym þus he dede deuyse:
‘I am þe aungel þe whiche at assignement
Of god am comaundyde thy kepere to be;
& of my comynge, lo, þis þe entent,
In hasty wyse þat þu home hye the.
Ȝoure prayeris ben harde, & ther-fore ye
Swich a chylde shul haue as neuer to-fore,
Ne neuer schal aftur, of woman be bore.’
Of god am comaundyde thy kepere to be;
& of my comynge, lo, þis þe entent,
In hasty wyse þat þu home hye the.
Ȝoure prayeris ben harde, & ther-fore ye
Swich a chylde shul haue as neuer to-fore,
Ne neuer schal aftur, of woman be bore.’
And whan Ioachym of his slepe a-woke,
He made hym redy wythowt lettynge,
& þankyd god, & aftur that he toke
Homward his weye, wyth hym ledynge
Bothe herdemen & bestys, forþe softe goynge;
& euer be þe wey as þey dyde walke,
Of goddes goodnesse þey dede speke & talke.
He made hym redy wythowt lettynge,
& þankyd god, & aftur that he toke
Homward his weye, wyth hym ledynge
Bothe herdemen & bestys, forþe softe goynge;
& euer be þe wey as þey dyde walke,
54
And whan þey had ful ner spent
Thryes ten dayes in here journey,
An aungel from heuen to anne was sent,
Whiche bad hyr goon to þe hy cyte
Of ierusalem, wher she shulde ce
At þe gate whiche hath name of golde
Hyr spouse, the ioye of hyr h[o]us[h]o[l]de.
Thryes ten dayes in here journey,
An aungel from heuen to anne was sent,
Whiche bad hyr goon to þe hy cyte
Of ierusalem, wher she shulde ce
At þe gate whiche hath name of golde
Hyr spouse, the ioye of hyr h[o]us[h]o[l]de.
Owt of hyr prayers a-non dede ryse
Thys blessyde anne, & on hyr veye
To Ierusalem-warde, as dede deuyse
The auungel, she gan hyr fast conueye;
& whan at þe goldede gates she sey
Hyr dere spouse comyn wyth his herdemen,
As fast as she myhte she gan to ren.
Thys blessyde anne, & on hyr veye
To Ierusalem-warde, as dede deuyse
The auungel, she gan hyr fast conueye;
& whan at þe goldede gates she sey
Hyr dere spouse comyn wyth his herdemen,
As fast as she myhte she gan to ren.
She toke heed of non oþer thynge
But of hym alone, for in veraay blysse
Here þowte she was for his comynge.
& a-non she gan hym halsen & kysse,
No ioye wenynge þat she myht mysse
Syth she hym hadde, & þus she gan crye:
‘Welkecome, dere spouse, & god gramercy!
But of hym alone, for in veraay blysse
Here þowte she was for his comynge.
& a-non she gan hym halsen & kysse,
No ioye wenynge þat she myht mysse
Syth she hym hadde, & þus she gan crye:
‘Welkecome, dere spouse, & god gramercy!
I was a wedowe, now I am non.
I was also bareyn and repreuable,
But nowe bareynesse is from me gon,
And to conceyuyn I am made able
Be goddes prouidence eterne & stable;
& for his goodenesse shewyd vnto me
Magnyfyed mot euere his name be.’
I was also bareyn and repreuable,
But nowe bareynesse is from me gon,
And to conceyuyn I am made able
Be goddes prouidence eterne & stable;
& for his goodenesse shewyd vnto me
Magnyfyed mot euere his name be.’
Whan þis miracle a-bowte was blowe
Be þe trompet of fame in þat cuntre,
To alle þo þat hem dede loue or know
Ful gret ioy was of þat nouelte,
And specyaly to alle ther offynyte.
& after þis hom þey went, sothly,
The promysse abydynge of god mekely.
Be þe trompet of fame in þat cuntre,
To alle þo þat hem dede loue or know
Ful gret ioy was of þat nouelte,
And specyaly to alle ther offynyte.
& after þis hom þey went, sothly,
55
After þe nyhnte monyth, as I remembre,
Whan phebus in virgine had his curs ny runne,
I mene þe eyghte day of september,
To þe werd appered a newe sunne,
& of annes wombe sprange [þ]e oyle-tunne
Of gracyous helthe to all þat beth seke,
Wyth a deuouht hert if þey wyl it seke;
Whan phebus in virgine had his curs ny runne,
I mene þe eyghte day of september,
To þe werd appered a newe sunne,
& of annes wombe sprange [þ]e oyle-tunne
Of gracyous helthe to all þat beth seke,
Wyth a deuouht hert if þey wyl it seke;
This is to seyne, þat þis day was born
þe glorious gemme of virginyte,
Syche as neuer non was beforn,
Nor neuer aftyr oþer lyke it shal be;
Whos singuler priuylege was þis, þat she
Shulde mayde be & modyr eke of myssye;
& hyr name þey dede clepe marye.
þe glorious gemme of virginyte,
Syche as neuer non was beforn,
Nor neuer aftyr oþer lyke it shal be;
Whos singuler priuylege was þis, þat she
Shulde mayde be & modyr eke of myssye;
& hyr name þey dede clepe marye.
This lady to preysen as it were skyl
Aftyr [þ]e meryte of hyr worthynesse,
Fer pasyth my wyt thow not my wylle;
I pleynley knowleche myn owne rudnesse.
But who-so wyl knowen, as I do gesse,
In englyssh here laudes, lat hem looke
Of owre ladyes lyf Ihon lytgates booke.
Aftyr [þ]e meryte of hyr worthynesse,
Fer pasyth my wyt thow not my wylle;
I pleynley knowleche myn owne rudnesse.
But who-so wyl knowen, as I do gesse,
In englyssh here laudes, lat hem looke
Of owre ladyes lyf Ihon lytgates booke.
And who in latyn haue luste to know
þis ladyes praysynge retorycally
Expressed, ten bookes on a row
He muste seke, entytlyd sothly
‘Of þe weddynge dytees,’ metryd coryously.
In which tow werkys he shal inow fynde
al þat of me is now lefth behynde.
þis ladyes praysynge retorycally
Expressed, ten bookes on a row
He muste seke, entytlyd sothly
‘Of þe weddynge dytees,’ metryd coryously.
In which tow werkys he shal inow fynde
al þat of me is now lefth behynde.
Aftyr þis, whan phebus (whiche euery day
Chau[n]gith his herberwe, no-wher stabylly
Vsyd to a-byden, for he meuyþ alway)
The xii signes thryes by & by
In þe zodyak cercle had passyde coursly,
& in [þ]e ende of virgo taken his hostayge,
Than was blessyd mary ful thre ȝer of age.
Chau[n]gith his herberwe, no-wher stabylly
Vsyd to a-byden, for he meuyþ alway)
The xii signes thryes by & by
In þe zodyak cercle had passyde coursly,
& in [þ]e ende of virgo taken his hostayge,
Than was blessyd mary ful thre ȝer of age.
56
And Ioachym dysposed hym, & his wyf
Anne, deuowthly her vow to fulfille,
To offren hyr dowgthter to þe lorde of lyf,
In þe temple þer to dwelle stylle
As long as it plessyd his blessyd wylle;
& to ierusalem for þe same entent
At þe next feste both two they went.
Anne, deuowthly her vow to fulfille,
To offren hyr dowgthter to þe lorde of lyf,
In þe temple þer to dwelle stylle
As long as it plessyd his blessyd wylle;
& to ierusalem for þe same entent
At þe next feste both two they went.
To-forn þe entre of þe temple than
Were xv grees of marbyl grey & brounn,
As olde scriptures wel declare can,
Be whiche to þe temple was þe ascencyon,
& at þe netherest was maria set down,
& she anon ryht vp ouyr on alle dede pace
Wyth-owt ony help saf only of grace.
Were xv grees of marbyl grey & brounn,
As olde scriptures wel declare can,
Be whiche to þe temple was þe ascencyon,
& at þe netherest was maria set down,
& she anon ryht vp ouyr on alle dede pace
Wyth-owt ony help saf only of grace.
A wondurful þyng it was to see
that of alle þe while of hyr passage,
Whil she stey vp from gre to gree,
Not-wyth-stondynge hyr tendyrnesse of age,
She neuer of-bak turnyde hyr vysayge,
Nor after fadyr or modyr onys dyde calle,
Tyl she had clomben vp þe grees alle.
that of alle þe while of hyr passage,
Whil she stey vp from gre to gree,
Not-wyth-stondynge hyr tendyrnesse of age,
She neuer of-bak turnyde hyr vysayge,
Nor after fadyr or modyr onys dyde calle,
Tyl she had clomben vp þe grees alle.
Ryht vp also & nothynge stoupynge
Al þe tyme she we[n]t, & euere hyr eye
On þe temple she was lyftynge,
& neuer hyr syht kest oþer weye.
& whan anne hyr modyr þis marvel seye,
Fulfyllyde wyth þe holygostes grace,
þus gan to seyn in þat same place:
Al þe tyme she we[n]t, & euere hyr eye
On þe temple she was lyftynge,
& neuer hyr syht kest oþer weye.
& whan anne hyr modyr þis marvel seye,
Fulfyllyde wyth þe holygostes grace,
þus gan to seyn in þat same place:
‘Owre lorde god, most of puysshaunce,
Past alle oþer, euere blessyde mot be,
Of his holy worde wich haþe remembraunce,
& of his hy grace hathe vysedetyd me
That I no lengere repreuyd shal be,
Whil þat I lyue, of bareynnesse,
Euer worshype to hym for his goodenesse!
Past alle oþer, euere blessyde mot be,
Of his holy worde wich haþe remembraunce,
& of his hy grace hathe vysedetyd me
That I no lengere repreuyd shal be,
Whil þat I lyue, of bareynnesse,
Euer worshype to hym for his goodenesse!
And not only from shameful bareynesse
I am delyuerde þus singuler[l]y,
But eke hys peple which was in dystresse
He hathe vysyted so marcyfully,
þat thoroghe my fruht, lord, gramercy,
Not I alone but al mankynde
Shal comforth fynde wyth-owten ende.’
57
But eke hys peple which was in dystresse
He hathe vysyted so marcyfully,
þat thoroghe my fruht, lord, gramercy,
Not I alone but al mankynde
Shal comforth fynde wyth-owten ende.’
Aftyr þis wyth an holy entente
Ioachym & anne bothe two in fere
In þe temple dede vp presente
Mayde marye, wyth ful humble chere,
Preynge to god wyth herte entere
þat he vouchesaf of hys mercy
Here present to acceptyn benyngly.
Ioachym & anne bothe two in fere
In þe temple dede vp presente
Mayde marye, wyth ful humble chere,
Preynge to god wyth herte entere
þat he vouchesaf of hys mercy
Here present to acceptyn benyngly.
whan þis was doun they lefte hyr þer,
Ioachym & anne, & hom ageyn
To nazareth went, wher they dwelle[d] er,
& holyly lyuedyn, þis certayn.
But how longe aftur I can not seyn
Ioachym lyued, but wyl know I
Anne had thre dowghters & iche hyht mary;
Ioachym & anne, & hom ageyn
To nazareth went, wher they dwelle[d] er,
& holyly lyuedyn, þis certayn.
But how longe aftur I can not seyn
Ioachym lyued, but wyl know I
Anne had thre dowghters & iche hyht mary;
But wheþer be oon husbonde or ellys be thre,
At þis tyme I wil not determyne,
For in þis mater what best plesyth me
I haue as I can declaryd in latyn
In balaade-ryme, wherfore here to fyne
Seynt annes lyf I fully me conuerte,
þus hyr besechynge wyth ful louly herte:
At þis tyme I wil not determyne,
For in þis mater what best plesyth me
I haue as I can declaryd in latyn
In balaade-ryme, wherfore here to fyne
Seynt annes lyf I fully me conuerte,
þus hyr besechynge wyth ful louly herte:
‘O grasyous anne, wich hast worthyly
of grace þe name, outh of whom dede sprynge
She that of grace most meruelously
& of lyf eterne þe welle dede forth brynge
In-to þis worlde, graunt at my partynge
Be þe fatal cours from þis mutabilyte,
Me in blysse eterne stablisshed to be.
of grace þe name, outh of whom dede sprynge
She that of grace most meruelously
& of lyf eterne þe welle dede forth brynge
In-to þis worlde, graunt at my partynge
Be þe fatal cours from þis mutabilyte,
Me in blysse eterne stablisshed to be.
Prouide, lady, eek þat Ion denstone
& kateryne his wyf, if it plese þe grace
Of god aboue, thorgh þi merytes a sone
Of her body mow haue or they hens pace,
As they a dowghter han, yung & fayre of face,
Wyche is anne clepyde in worshyp, lady, of þe,
& aftyr to blysse eterne conuey hem alle thre.
& kateryne his wyf, if it plese þe grace
Of god aboue, thorgh þi merytes a sone
58
As they a dowghter han, yung & fayre of face,
Wyche is anne clepyde in worshyp, lady, of þe,
& aftyr to blysse eterne conuey hem alle thre.
A.M.E.N. lorde for charyte.
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