32. TO ST. URSULA AND THE ELEVEN THOUSAND VIRGINS.
[_]
[From MS. B. M. Harley 2255, leaf 116.]
1
Ye Brytoun martirs, famous in parfitnesse,
Of herte avowyd in your tendir age
To persevere in virginal clennesse,
Free from the yok and bond of mariage,
Lyk hooly Angelis heuenly of Corage,
Stable as a stoon, groundid on vertu,
Perpetually to your gret avauntage,
Knet to your spouse callid Crist Iesu.
2
O ye maidenys, of thousands ful helleuene,
Rad in the gospel with five that wer wyse,
Regnyng with Crist above the sterrys sevene,
Your lampys liht for tryumphal emprise;
Vpon your hed your stoory doth devise,
For martirdam crownyd with Roosys rede,
Medlyd with lilies for conquest in such wise,
Fressh, vndiffadid, tokne of your maydenheede.
3
Graunt vs, Iesu, of merciful pite,
Geyn our trespas gracious indulgence,
Nat lik our meritis peised the qualite,
Disespeyred of our owne offence,
Ner that good hoope with thy pacience,
With help of Vrsula and hir sustris alle,
Shall be meenys to thy magnificence,
Vs to socoure, lord, whan we to the calle.
