The poems of John Audelay Edited with introduction, notes and glossary [by Ella Keats Whiting] |
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 | The poems of John Audelay |  |
18
Here I conclud al my makyng,
In þe merce of God, I haue sayd before;
God grawnt ham grace of good endyng
Þat done þer-aftir boþ lasse and more,
And let ham neuer, Lord, be forelore,
Þat prayn for Ion þe blynd Audlay;
Into þe kyngdam þou ham restore,
Vnto þat blis þat lasteþ fore ay,
In word without end.
Fore blessid be þai þat heren þe word
And don þer-after here in þis word,
Fore in heuen þou wilt hem reward,
Þat here mysdedis here wil amende.
In þe merce of God, I haue sayd before;
God grawnt ham grace of good endyng
Þat done þer-aftir boþ lasse and more,
And let ham neuer, Lord, be forelore,
Þat prayn for Ion þe blynd Audlay;
Into þe kyngdam þou ham restore,
Vnto þat blis þat lasteþ fore ay,
In word without end.
Fore blessid be þai þat heren þe word
And don þer-after here in þis word,
Fore in heuen þou wilt hem reward,
Þat here mysdedis here wil amende.
Fore al þat is nedful to bode and soule
Here in þis boke þen may ȝe se,
And take record of þe apostil Poule
Þat Crist callid to grace and His merce,
Fore so I hope he haþ done me
And ȝeuen me wil, wit, tyme, and space,
Þroȝ þe Hole Gost, blynd, def to be,
And say þis wordis þroȝ His gret grace.
So synful a wreche, vnworþely
Y pray ȝou, seris, fore Cristis sake,
Ensampil at me þat ȝe wil take
And amendis betime ȝe make
Wile ȝe han space here specialy.
Here in þis boke þen may ȝe se,
And take record of þe apostil Poule
Þat Crist callid to grace and His merce,
Fore so I hope he haþ done me
And ȝeuen me wil, wit, tyme, and space,
Þroȝ þe Hole Gost, blynd, def to be,
And say þis wordis þroȝ His gret grace.
So synful a wreche, vnworþely
Y pray ȝou, seris, fore Cristis sake,
Ensampil at me þat ȝe wil take
And amendis betime ȝe make
Wile ȝe han space here specialy.
134
Fore as I lay seke, in my dremyng
Me þoȝt a mon to me con say,
‘Let be þi slouþ and þi slomeryng;
Haue mynd on God boþ n[yȝ]t and day;
Bohold and se a reuful aray,
Al þe word on foyre brenyng;
Warne þe pepul now, I þe pray,
Þai louyn here God ouer al þyng;
Aryse anon and awake,
Fore þus God wil take venchans on the,
Apon his pepil sodenly,
Fore pride, coue[ty]se, wraþ, enuy,
Fore God is wroþ fore here syne sake.’
Me þoȝt a mon to me con say,
‘Let be þi slouþ and þi slomeryng;
Haue mynd on God boþ n[yȝ]t and day;
Bohold and se a reuful aray,
Al þe word on foyre brenyng;
Warne þe pepul now, I þe pray,
Þai louyn here God ouer al þyng;
Aryse anon and awake,
Fore þus God wil take venchans on the,
Apon his pepil sodenly,
Fore pride, coue[ty]se, wraþ, enuy,
Fore God is wroþ fore here syne sake.’
Here-with I woke of my dremyng
And al fore f[r]yȝt I was afrayd,
Anon I barst on wepyng;
With-soroue of hert to Crist I prayd,
‘Take no venchanche, Lord,’ I sayd,
‘Bot send þe pepul sum warnyng
As þou was borne al of a mayde,
And withdraw þi wenchanse þat is comyng,
And grawnt me, Lord, þroȝ þi gret grace,
Sum good word þat I may say;
To þi worchip, Lord, I þe pray
To help mon soule þat hit may
Þat hit heren in hone plase.’
And al fore f[r]yȝt I was afrayd,
Anon I barst on wepyng;
With-soroue of hert to Crist I prayd,
‘Take no venchanche, Lord,’ I sayd,
‘Bot send þe pepul sum warnyng
As þou was borne al of a mayde,
And withdraw þi wenchanse þat is comyng,
And grawnt me, Lord, þroȝ þi gret grace,
Sum good word þat I may say;
To þi worchip, Lord, I þe pray
To help mon soule þat hit may
Þat hit heren in hone plase.’
I pray ȝoue al in Cristis name,
Be ware, seris, ȝe han warnyng,
Fore I say soþ, no mon me blame,
God haþ me grawntid myn askeng;
He haþ ȝoue send a hye tokenyng,
And erþ-quake þe last day,
Þat domysday is nyȝ cumyng,
Fore to His dissiplis þus con He say,
I pray ȝou, seris, tent her-to take,
‘To-fore my dome þis tokyn schal fal,
Vengans fore syn my pepil se chal,
Werrs and pestelens, hungir with ale,
Þat fore drede þe erþ schul quake.’
Be ware, seris, ȝe han warnyng,
Fore I say soþ, no mon me blame,
God haþ me grawntid myn askeng;
135
And erþ-quake þe last day,
Þat domysday is nyȝ cumyng,
Fore to His dissiplis þus con He say,
I pray ȝou, seris, tent her-to take,
‘To-fore my dome þis tokyn schal fal,
Vengans fore syn my pepil se chal,
Werrs and pestelens, hungir with ale,
Þat fore drede þe erþ schul quake.’
A! þenke on mon þou art made of erþ,
In þi hert fore þou may quake;
Moche payn and penans þou art wele worþe
To greue þi God so fore þi syn sake;
Here-fore wo hit wil awake
Fore þe brekyng of Cristis comawndment,
Betyme amendis bot ȝe make
And seche grace to-fore His iugement,
Wile ȝe han tyme and spase.
Of al lordis be He blessid;
He wold not mon were lost,
Þat wil in His merce trost
And foresake his syn and s[e]che His grace.
In þi hert fore þou may quake;
Moche payn and penans þou art wele worþe
To greue þi God so fore þi syn sake;
Here-fore wo hit wil awake
Fore þe brekyng of Cristis comawndment,
Betyme amendis bot ȝe make
And seche grace to-fore His iugement,
Wile ȝe han tyme and spase.
Of al lordis be He blessid;
He wold not mon were lost,
Þat wil in His merce trost
And foresake his syn and s[e]che His grace.
Alas! in my hert sore I drede
Lest men beleue not fayþfully,
Fore to prechyng and techyng þai take non hede;
Here dedis hom demys ful opynly;
To bye and sel þay be besy
Bot feu to purches heuen blis;
Þai haue no trest þer-in treuly,
Ellis wold þai mend þat þay do mys.
Bot, seris, þer is cause;
Curatis þe soþ þai dare not say;
Þe soþ ȝourselue se ȝe may,
How þai lye in syn fro day to day
And been þe furst þat breken Cristis laws.
Lest men beleue not fayþfully,
Fore to prechyng and techyng þai take non hede;
Here dedis hom demys ful opynly;
To bye and sel þay be besy
Bot feu to purches heuen blis;
Þai haue no trest þer-in treuly,
Ellis wold þai mend þat þay do mys.
136
Curatis þe soþ þai dare not say;
Þe soþ ȝourselue se ȝe may,
How þai lye in syn fro day to day
And been þe furst þat breken Cristis laws.
Fore and curatis lyued sprytualy,
Ful euel durst ane mon offend
Þe laws of God in one degre,
Anon þer-fore þai schul be chent;
Alas! our bischopis þai ben y-blynd
Þat to þis myschif þai cun not se,
Fore few þer be þat wile amend
Fore one corexion now trewly
Of hole cherche, I say.
I pray ȝou, seris, þat ȝe aspie
Howe contenwes lechore;
Haue he cordid with constery,
Leue forþ in syn þai may.
Ful euel durst ane mon offend
Þe laws of God in one degre,
Anon þer-fore þai schul be chent;
Alas! our bischopis þai ben y-blynd
Þat to þis myschif þai cun not se,
Fore few þer be þat wile amend
Fore one corexion now trewly
Of hole cherche, I say.
I pray ȝou, seris, þat ȝe aspie
Howe contenwes lechore;
Haue he cordid with constery,
Leue forþ in syn þai may.
Few þer bene þat sechen soule hele,
Here-fore ȝe ston[d] in gret drede,
Bot mone þer ay sechen ryches and wele
Þat schal ȝoue fayle here at ȝour nede;
Y pra[y] ȝoue, seris, þat ȝe take hede;
Ȝe schul acownt ful securly
Fore al ȝour goodus withoutyn dred,
How ȝe han getin and spend treuly;
Foresoþ acownt ȝe schul
To-fore þat Lord þat ȝou dere boȝt,
Fore word, fore wil, fore dede, fore þoȝt,
Ȝour synys loke excuse ȝe noȝt;
Þat greueþ God most of alle.
Here-fore ȝe ston[d] in gret drede,
Bot mone þer ay sechen ryches and wele
Þat schal ȝoue fayle here at ȝour nede;
Y pra[y] ȝoue, seris, þat ȝe take hede;
Ȝe schul acownt ful securly
Fore al ȝour goodus withoutyn dred,
How ȝe han getin and spend treuly;
Foresoþ acownt ȝe schul
To-fore þat Lord þat ȝou dere boȝt,
Fore word, fore wil, fore dede, fore þoȝt,
Ȝour synys loke excuse ȝe noȝt;
Þat greueþ God most of alle.
137
Now ȝe callyn pride, honeste;
Whraþ, envy, hardenes,
False couetys, wisdam callid his he;
Lecheoure, a louer of lustenes;
Glotone, a felaw of gentilnes;
Slouþ ȝe callyn onest leuyng,
Þus haue ȝe cullord ȝour wickidnes,
Aȝayns Godis hest and his bedyng;
I say ȝou, seris, fore-wy.
Þus þe fynd he haþ ȝou blynd
Lest ȝour mysdedis ȝe schuld amend,
With pride, wraþ, couetyse, enuy ȝou schend,
With lechore, slowþ, and glotone.
Whraþ, envy, hardenes,
False couetys, wisdam callid his he;
Lecheoure, a louer of lustenes;
Glotone, a felaw of gentilnes;
Slouþ ȝe callyn onest leuyng,
Þus haue ȝe cullord ȝour wickidnes,
Aȝayns Godis hest and his bedyng;
I say ȝou, seris, fore-wy.
Þus þe fynd he haþ ȝou blynd
Lest ȝour mysdedis ȝe schuld amend,
With pride, wraþ, couetyse, enuy ȝou schend,
With lechore, slowþ, and glotone.
Þenke to þe fynd, when ȝe were boren
Þer ȝe foresokyn þe werkis of þe fynd,
Ellis I lekyn ȝou to be forelorne
Bot ȝour mysdedis þat ȝe amend;
Þus Adam, ȝour fader, furst con affend,
And excusid him of þe appil etyng,
And sayd Eue, his wyf, so had him kend,
And soȝt no grace of heuen Kyng,
Here-fore God was wroþ hyle;
An angel with a swerd brenyng bryȝt
Drof him out of paradyse anon ryȝt,
Fore he had synyd in Godis syȝt
With pride, couetyse, and glotone.
Þer ȝe foresokyn þe werkis of þe fynd,
Ellis I lekyn ȝou to be forelorne
Bot ȝour mysdedis þat ȝe amend;
Þus Adam, ȝour fader, furst con affend,
And excusid him of þe appil etyng,
And sayd Eue, his wyf, so had him kend,
And soȝt no grace of heuen Kyng,
Here-fore God was wroþ hyle;
An angel with a swerd brenyng bryȝt
Drof him out of paradyse anon ryȝt,
Fore he had synyd in Godis syȝt
With pride, couetyse, and glotone.
Ȝour synus lok excuse ȝe noȝt;
He is aboue þat knowis ale,
Ȝour werd, ȝour wil, ȝour dede, ȝour þoȝt;
Ȝe wot neuer when He wil on ȝou calle,
Fore at His bar stond ȝe schal;
Ȝour consians schal cuse ȝouere cursid leuyng
And al ȝour dedis boþ gret and smale;
Þer schul ȝe here a hard rekenyng,
Be ware, seris, here-by.
Anon schryue ȝoue of ȝour syn
Be frelte ȝif ȝe fal þer-in,
Fore þe fynd he takis ȝoue in his gren
With pride, couety[s], and glotony.
He is aboue þat knowis ale,
Ȝour werd, ȝour wil, ȝour dede, ȝour þoȝt;
Ȝe wot neuer when He wil on ȝou calle,
Fore at His bar stond ȝe schal;
Ȝour consians schal cuse ȝouere cursid leuyng
And al ȝour dedis boþ gret and smale;
Þer schul ȝe here a hard rekenyng,
138
Anon schryue ȝoue of ȝour syn
Be frelte ȝif ȝe fal þer-in,
Fore þe fynd he takis ȝoue in his gren
With pride, couety[s], and glotony.
Fore he þat wil himself here lowe,
And foresake his syn and be sory,
And to þe prest him schryue and chewe,
And do his penans dewoutly,
He neuer repreuyd schal be
When he is callid to his rekenyng,
Fore God haþ foreȝeuen him þroȝt His merce,
Here in herþ in his leuyng,
Þroȝ His special grace.
He wil [not] ponyche ȝoue ij þen;
Ȝif ȝe han don ȝour penans fore ȝour syn,
Ȝe schul neuer haue penans hen,
When God haþ foreȝifyn ȝou ȝour trespace.
And foresake his syn and be sory,
And to þe prest him schryue and chewe,
And do his penans dewoutly,
He neuer repreuyd schal be
When he is callid to his rekenyng,
Fore God haþ foreȝeuen him þroȝt His merce,
Here in herþ in his leuyng,
Þroȝ His special grace.
He wil [not] ponyche ȝoue ij þen;
Ȝif ȝe han don ȝour penans fore ȝour syn,
Ȝe schul neuer haue penans hen,
When God haþ foreȝifyn ȝou ȝour trespace.
Non est verior probacio quam oculorum demonstracio.
Þus experiens treule me tolde
Þat walkis amongis ȝoue euer spyyng
What ȝe doþ boþ yong and hold
And al þe maner of ȝour leuyng;
He bede me in þe name of heuen Kyng
I schuld not spare þe soþ to say,
Ne fauer ȝoue with no false flateryng,
Þat nyȝ hand is domysday,
Fore al þe tokens beþ e-falle;
Þus sayþ Luke in his gospele truly,
Þat domysday schal cum sodenly
When men in erþ ben most besi,
Þat neuer on oþer help þai schal.
Þat walkis amongis ȝoue euer spyyng
What ȝe doþ boþ yong and hold
And al þe maner of ȝour leuyng;
He bede me in þe name of heuen Kyng
I schuld not spare þe soþ to say,
Ne fauer ȝoue with no false flateryng,
Þat nyȝ hand is domysday,
Fore al þe tokens beþ e-falle;
Þus sayþ Luke in his gospele truly,
Þat domysday schal cum sodenly
When men in erþ ben most besi,
Þat neuer on oþer help þai schal.
139
Qui praemunitus non fallitur.
Reȝt as in þe tyme of Noye
Sodenly al þe word was drownd,
And as Sodom and Gomor, þat gret cete,
Sodenle was sonkyn to hel grownde,
So within a lytil stownd
Domsday schal fal treuly;
In Lukis gospel þus I fond,
Seche hit, serys, and ȝe may se.
Here-fore beþ rede nyȝt and day;
Alas! ȝe dred not God to greue;
Alas! ȝe bene false in ȝour beleue;
Alas! ȝour dedis þay don ȝoue preue;
Alas! alas! and a waylaway!
Sodenly al þe word was drownd,
And as Sodom and Gomor, þat gret cete,
Sodenle was sonkyn to hel grownde,
So within a lytil stownd
Domsday schal fal treuly;
In Lukis gospel þus I fond,
Seche hit, serys, and ȝe may se.
Here-fore beþ rede nyȝt and day;
Alas! ȝe dred not God to greue;
Alas! ȝe bene false in ȝour beleue;
Alas! ȝour dedis þay don ȝoue preue;
Alas! alas! and a waylaway!
Alas! swerde and pestelens al day doth falle;
Beware lest froytis withdrawn be;
Alas! erþ-quake is comen with al;
Alas! amend ȝow pur charyte;
Þese tokyns fro þe heuen ȝe se
Þat God sendis ȝoue in fayre war;
Alas! bot fewe ware . . .
Alas! for . . .
Alas! þus sayþ þe profece,
Was neuer more better purchesyng
Þen schal be aȝayns Cristis cumyng,
Ne neuer alf so cursid leuyng;
Here-for þis word God wil distroye.
Beware lest froytis withdrawn be;
Alas! erþ-quake is comen with al;
Alas! amend ȝow pur charyte;
Þese tokyns fro þe heuen ȝe se
Þat God sendis ȝoue in fayre war;
Alas! bot fewe ware . . .
Alas! for . . .
Alas! þus sayþ þe profece,
Was neuer more better purchesyng
Þen schal be aȝayns Cristis cumyng,
Ne neuer alf so cursid leuyng;
Here-for þis word God wil distroye.
Alas! þat ȝe con not beleue
Þat ȝe felyn and se with syȝt.
Hou lytil a þyng a mon may greue!
When one sekenes is on him liȝt,
Anon he has lost al his myȝt,
Þen ard on Crist wil he cry;
Fore payne and deþ he is a-fryȝt;
Al wordle good he settis noȝt by.
A! þynke on þis, þou synful mon;
In wele be ware or þou be wo,
And þynk weder þat þou wilt go
To hel or heuen, on of þo,
Fore oþer ioyse is þer non.
Þat ȝe felyn and se with syȝt.
Hou lytil a þyng a mon may greue!
When one sekenes is on him liȝt,
140
Þen ard on Crist wil he cry;
Fore payne and deþ he is a-fryȝt;
Al wordle good he settis noȝt by.
A! þynke on þis, þou synful mon;
In wele be ware or þou be wo,
And þynk weder þat þou wilt go
To hel or heuen, on of þo,
Fore oþer ioyse is þer non.
Fore to lye I haue no lust,
Fore ȝif I did I schuld hit rew;
Bot to þis tale treule ȝe tryst
Fore wil I wot þat is trew;
Þe soþ I wold, seris, þat ȝe knewe;
At ȝour concians take knowlescheng;
Among Cristyn men þer be to fewe
Þat louyn here God ouer al þyng,
And as amselue here trew neȝtboure.
Fore al þe lawys of our Lord,
In þis two comawndmentis hengus vche worde;
Here-fore al þe wo of þis worde
Is fore we kepe not þe wyl of ȝour Sauyour.
Fore ȝif I did I schuld hit rew;
Bot to þis tale treule ȝe tryst
Fore wil I wot þat is trew;
Þe soþ I wold, seris, þat ȝe knewe;
At ȝour concians take knowlescheng;
Among Cristyn men þer be to fewe
Þat louyn here God ouer al þyng,
And as amselue here trew neȝtboure.
Fore al þe lawys of our Lord,
In þis two comawndmentis hengus vche worde;
Here-fore al þe wo of þis worde
Is fore we kepe not þe wyl of ȝour Sauyour.
Al Cristin men, Y cownsel ȝoue
Þat ȝe wil do as Y ȝoue say,
Þen in ȝore conseans ȝe schul wele know,
Þat schal ȝoue deme at domysday,
Weder hit be soþ ore ellis nay:
Ȝif hit be trew at ȝour wittyng
Þen doþ þer-after, I ȝoue pray,
And louys ȝour God ouer al þyng;
Y hwolde hit for þe best.
I rede ȝe louen heuen Kyng
And ȝour neȝtbore fore one þyng,
Fore one lost ore lykyng,
Þen, seris, al ȝe beþ e-blest.
Þat ȝe wil do as Y ȝoue say,
Þen in ȝore conseans ȝe schul wele know,
Þat schal ȝoue deme at domysday,
Weder hit be soþ ore ellis nay:
Ȝif hit be trew at ȝour wittyng
Þen doþ þer-after, I ȝoue pray,
And louys ȝour God ouer al þyng;
141
I rede ȝe louen heuen Kyng
And ȝour neȝtbore fore one þyng,
Fore one lost ore lykyng,
Þen, seris, al ȝe beþ e-blest.
I wot ryȝt wel I schal be chent
Of Godis enmys, hit is no nay,
Fore to þe treuþ þai take no tent;
Þe soþ fore hem Y dar not say;
Here-fore þe fynd he wil hem fray,
Fore þay cal trew Cristyn men lollard,
Þat kepyn Cristis comawndmentis nyȝt and day,
And don Godis wil in dede and worde.
Aȝayns ham I take Crist to wytnes;
Here is non error ne lollardre,
Bot pistil and gospel, þe sauter treuly;
I take witnes of þe treue clargy
Þat han Godis lauys fore to redres.
Of Godis enmys, hit is no nay,
Fore to þe treuþ þai take no tent;
Þe soþ fore hem Y dar not say;
Here-fore þe fynd he wil hem fray,
Fore þay cal trew Cristyn men lollard,
Þat kepyn Cristis comawndmentis nyȝt and day,
And don Godis wil in dede and worde.
Aȝayns ham I take Crist to wytnes;
Here is non error ne lollardre,
Bot pistil and gospel, þe sauter treuly;
I take witnes of þe treue clargy
Þat han Godis lauys fore to redres.
Ȝet I wil say more ȝif I bere grame,
Fore wele I wot þat hit is trewe,
Fore hole wryt ȝe may not blame,
Nowþer þe hold lawe ne þe newe;
God ȝif ȝou grace ȝour synnys excuse;
Þe treuþ to preche men may be bold
Ore ellis ȝe curatis ȝe schul sore rew,
Þat han þe kepyng of Cristis folde
In hole cherche, in heuere place,
Fore to curatis sayþ Saynt Gregory,
Þai schul onswere treuly
Fore mons soule specialy
At domusday to-fore Crystis face.
Fore wele I wot þat hit is trewe,
Fore hole wryt ȝe may not blame,
Nowþer þe hold lawe ne þe newe;
God ȝif ȝou grace ȝour synnys excuse;
Þe treuþ to preche men may be bold
Ore ellis ȝe curatis ȝe schul sore rew,
Þat han þe kepyng of Cristis folde
In hole cherche, in heuere place,
Fore to curatis sayþ Saynt Gregory,
Þai schul onswere treuly
Fore mons soule specialy
At domusday to-fore Crystis face.
142
Of al þe createurs þat euer God mad
Mon soule was most pressious,
A prynt of þe Trenete þat neuer schal fade,
Partener and eyre of euen blis;
Al erþele þyng hit schal vanysche;
Into þe erþ we schul be broȝt;
Þou getist no more with þe, i-wys,
Saue good werd, good wil, good dede, good þoȝt;
Fore þese iiij specialy
In heuen þou schalt haue ioy and blis,
After þi merit haue mede, i-wis;
Be ware, seris, fore nede hit is
Lest bode and soule ȝe distroy.
Mon soule was most pressious,
A prynt of þe Trenete þat neuer schal fade,
Partener and eyre of euen blis;
Al erþele þyng hit schal vanysche;
Into þe erþ we schul be broȝt;
Þou getist no more with þe, i-wys,
Saue good werd, good wil, good dede, good þoȝt;
Fore þese iiij specialy
In heuen þou schalt haue ioy and blis,
After þi merit haue mede, i-wis;
Be ware, seris, fore nede hit is
Lest bode and soule ȝe distroy.
Fore God mon soule he haþ betake
To curaturs in ilke lond
To kepe hem wel fore His loue sake;
He wil hem seche out of here hond,
Fore to His face þai schal stond
And ȝild þer a hard rekynyng
Fore euere soule boþ fre and bond,
Ȝif one be peryschid þroȝ here kepyng;
Fore God haþ grawnt ȝoue His pouere,
Be þe vertu of þe sacrement,
To asoyle al þat wil repent,
And chryue ham clene with good entent,
And do here penans wyle þai bene here.
To curaturs in ilke lond
To kepe hem wel fore His loue sake;
He wil hem seche out of here hond,
Fore to His face þai schal stond
And ȝild þer a hard rekynyng
Fore euere soule boþ fre and bond,
Ȝif one be peryschid þroȝ here kepyng;
Fore God haþ grawnt ȝoue His pouere,
Be þe vertu of þe sacrement,
To asoyle al þat wil repent,
And chryue ham clene with good entent,
And do here penans wyle þai bene here.
Þen ȝif ane fal þroȝ here frelte
In ane maner dedle syn,
What maner man þat euer hit be,
Anon corect im as law wil þen,
And take no mede of no maner men;
Fore opyn syn ȝif opin penans;
In þe decretals þer ȝe may sene,
Hit is Godis law, His ordenans,
Þat ȝe schul bryng mon soule to blis;
Fore treuly þe pepil ȝe schuld telle,
And warne ham of þe payne of helle,
And to put hem out of þe parel,
And make ame amend þat þai d[o]n mys.
In ane maner dedle syn,
What maner man þat euer hit be,
Anon corect im as law wil þen,
And take no mede of no maner men;
Fore opyn syn ȝif opin penans;
In þe decretals þer ȝe may sene,
Hit is Godis law, His ordenans,
143
Fore treuly þe pepil ȝe schuld telle,
And warne ham of þe payne of helle,
And to put hem out of þe parel,
And make ame amend þat þai d[o]n mys.
Fore a hole curate he schal haue
In heuen coronacion
Fore euere soule þat he doþ saue
And bryngis ham to saluacion;
And oþer schul haue confucion,
Vnder fyndis of hel turmentre,
Þat bryngþ mon soule to dampnacion
Þroȝ euyl ensampil in prestis þay se.
Þus Ion Belet he gon ȝoue tele
How mon soule þat ȝe schuld saue;
No spot of syn ȝe schuld haue;
Alas! I trow now þat ȝe raue
Fore ȝe dred nowþer heuen ne hel.
In heuen coronacion
Fore euere soule þat he doþ saue
And bryngis ham to saluacion;
And oþer schul haue confucion,
Vnder fyndis of hel turmentre,
Þat bryngþ mon soule to dampnacion
Þroȝ euyl ensampil in prestis þay se.
Þus Ion Belet he gon ȝoue tele
How mon soule þat ȝe schuld saue;
No spot of syn ȝe schuld haue;
Alas! I trow now þat ȝe raue
Fore ȝe dred nowþer heuen ne hel.
Ȝe prestis, I pray ȝoue take good kepe,
Þat mas ne matens nyl say ne syng;
Ȝe depreuyn þe Trenete of His worchip,
And al sayntis in heuen with Him dwellyng,
And al Cristin soulis in payne bydyng
Affter ȝour prayors in purgatory,
And al ȝour god-doers of here helpyng;
Alas! þis is a gret pete,
To God and mon a hye trespace,
To take ȝour hoyre, ȝour salare,
Bot ȝif ȝe leuyn spyretwaly,
And sayne ȝour seruyse dewoutly;
Ȝ ben Godis traytors in þis case.
Þat mas ne matens nyl say ne syng;
Ȝe depreuyn þe Trenete of His worchip,
And al sayntis in heuen with Him dwellyng,
And al Cristin soulis in payne bydyng
Affter ȝour prayors in purgatory,
And al ȝour god-doers of here helpyng;
Alas! þis is a gret pete,
To God and mon a hye trespace,
To take ȝour hoyre, ȝour salare,
Bot ȝif ȝe leuyn spyretwaly,
And sayne ȝour seruyse dewoutly;
Ȝ ben Godis traytors in þis case.
Dissyre ȝe nowþer wyke ne dede;
Beþ hole prestis in ȝour le[u]yng;
In trust þer schuld be no falsode;
Men in ȝour prayours þai bene hopyng;
Ellis schuld ȝe ȝild ard rekenyng
Fore ȝour hoyre, ȝour selare,
Mon soule to blis bot ȝe hit bryng
With ȝour prayors specialy,
Fore God haþ ȝeuen þe pouere
To be mens betwene God and mon;
Þat al day aȝayns His laus þai don,
To get ham grace, remyssion,
Þroȝ here halmys and ȝour prayere.
Beþ hole prestis in ȝour le[u]yng;
In trust þer schuld be no falsode;
Men in ȝour prayours þai bene hopyng;
144
Fore ȝour hoyre, ȝour selare,
Mon soule to blis bot ȝe hit bryng
With ȝour prayors specialy,
Fore God haþ ȝeuen þe pouere
To be mens betwene God and mon;
Þat al day aȝayns His laus þai don,
To get ham grace, remyssion,
Þroȝ here halmys and ȝour prayere.
Fore oche day ȝe spekyn with Crist asyt,
When ȝe dewotle to Him pray,
And ȝif ȝe reden in hole wryt
He spekis to ȝoue, hit is no nay;
Remembyr ȝoue prestis, I ȝou pray,
And say ȝour seruys dewoutly,
Þen þe soþe þer se ȝe may;
Ȝif þat ȝe wil not þen leue me,
Thys ensampul, Y pray ȝow, leue;
Ȝif ȝe schuld do omache to a kyng
Ȝe most with reuerens adown knelyng
Say ȝour mesache without faylyng,
Ellis þat lord wil ȝoue repreue.
When ȝe dewotle to Him pray,
And ȝif ȝe reden in hole wryt
He spekis to ȝoue, hit is no nay;
Remembyr ȝoue prestis, I ȝou pray,
And say ȝour seruys dewoutly,
Þen þe soþe þer se ȝe may;
Ȝif þat ȝe wil not þen leue me,
Thys ensampul, Y pray ȝow, leue;
Ȝif ȝe schuld do omache to a kyng
Ȝe most with reuerens adown knelyng
Say ȝour mesache without faylyng,
Ellis þat lord wil ȝoue repreue.
Fore wyle hert worchipis noȝt,
Þe tong foresoþ labors in vayne;
Haue mynd on Him þat ȝoue dere boȝt,
Þat sofyrd boþ passion and payne,
Fore Him to plese ȝe schuld be fayne;
And in ȝour prayers specialy
Haue mend on hom fore hom ȝe prayne,
I pray ȝou, seris, fore charyte;
I say ȝou, breder, in Cristis name,
To me hit were a hy slawnder
To lye apon my blessid breder;
Y wold ȝoue fayne here forþer,
Bot ȝour wyckid dedus þay don ȝou fame.
Þe tong foresoþ labors in vayne;
Haue mynd on Him þat ȝoue dere boȝt,
Þat sofyrd boþ passion and payne,
Fore Him to plese ȝe schuld be fayne;
And in ȝour prayers specialy
Haue mend on hom fore hom ȝe prayne,
I pray ȝou, seris, fore charyte;
I say ȝou, breder, in Cristis name,
To me hit were a hy slawnder
To lye apon my blessid breder;
Y wold ȝoue fayne here forþer,
Bot ȝour wyckid dedus þay don ȝou fame.
145
A sad ensampil her may ȝe se,
I pray ȝoue, breder, haue hit in mynd;
Þaȝ I say soþ, blamys not me,
I blustur forþ as Bayard blynd;
Fore to Crist ȝe bene vnkynd,
Freris, and freel, false in ȝour fay;
Among men of hole cherche fewe men fynd
Þat worchyn wysely to wyse men þe way
Into þe courte of heuen blis;
Fore as ȝe techyn oþer to do
Ȝourselfe ȝe gon clen þer-fro,
Þus be ȝe wercher of al our wo,
Hent ȝe wil mend þat ȝe do mys.
I pray ȝoue, breder, haue hit in mynd;
Þaȝ I say soþ, blamys not me,
I blustur forþ as Bayard blynd;
Fore to Crist ȝe bene vnkynd,
Freris, and freel, false in ȝour fay;
Among men of hole cherche fewe men fynd
Þat worchyn wysely to wyse men þe way
Into þe courte of heuen blis;
Fore as ȝe techyn oþer to do
Ȝourselfe ȝe gon clen þer-fro,
Þus be ȝe wercher of al our wo,
Hent ȝe wil mend þat ȝe do mys.
Beware here-by, boþe frynd and foo,
A sad soþ I wil ȝoue say;
Þis is þe cause of al our woo,
We beleue not treuly in Cristis fay,
Ellis wold we dred God boþ nyȝt and day,
And kepe þe comawndment of our Kyng,
Þat wot neuer how sone we schul wynd away,
To hel or euen at our endyng,
Fore þer is non oþer ioyse;
And ȝet wil ȝe serue þe fynd,
To God and mon boþ be vnkynd;
Ȝe haue not His passion in ȝour mynd,
Þat dyid fore ȝoue apon þe cros.
A sad soþ I wil ȝoue say;
Þis is þe cause of al our woo,
We beleue not treuly in Cristis fay,
Ellis wold we dred God boþ nyȝt and day,
And kepe þe comawndment of our Kyng,
Þat wot neuer how sone we schul wynd away,
To hel or euen at our endyng,
Fore þer is non oþer ioyse;
And ȝet wil ȝe serue þe fynd,
To God and mon boþ be vnkynd;
Ȝe haue not His passion in ȝour mynd,
Þat dyid fore ȝoue apon þe cros.
I pray ȝou al, pur charyte,
Þat heryn or redin in þis boke,
Doþ þer-after specialy;
Cownsel þer-at I wol[d] ȝe toke,
Fore here is nowþer wyle ne croke;
I fauer ȝou noȝt with no flateryng;
Þe hye-way to heuen I wold ȝe toke,
To ioy and blis without endyng,
Fore oþer cownsel nedis ȝou non;
Doþ þer-affter þen, I ȝoue pray,
Fore to heuen þer is no noþer way;
Þen mere in hert be ȝe may
To go to þe way of saluacion.
Þat heryn or redin in þis boke,
Doþ þer-after specialy;
Cownsel þer-at I wol[d] ȝe toke,
Fore here is nowþer wyle ne croke;
I fauer ȝou noȝt with no flateryng;
Þe hye-way to heuen I wold ȝe toke,
To ioy and blis without endyng,
146
Doþ þer-affter þen, I ȝoue pray,
Fore to heuen þer is no noþer way;
Þen mere in hert be ȝe may
To go to þe way of saluacion.
Þe cownsel of conseans þis boke I calle,
Or þe ladder of heuen, I say fore-wy;
Þer is no mon may clym vp a walle
Without a ladder sekyrly,
No more may we to heuen on hye
Without treu cownsel of consians;
Clyme vp þis ladder, þen may ȝe se
What ȝe schul do to Godis plesans,
And weder ȝe wil haue wele or wo;
Clyme vp þis ladder, þen may ȝe se
What ioys in heuen þat þer be,
And what payns in hel and turmentre;
Þen chese ȝourselue weder to go.
Or þe ladder of heuen, I say fore-wy;
Þer is no mon may clym vp a walle
Without a ladder sekyrly,
No more may we to heuen on hye
Without treu cownsel of consians;
Clyme vp þis ladder, þen may ȝe se
What ȝe schul do to Godis plesans,
And weder ȝe wil haue wele or wo;
Clyme vp þis ladder, þen may ȝe se
What ioys in heuen þat þer be,
And what payns in hel and turmentre;
Þen chese ȝourselue weder to go.
Al Cristyn men, I cownsel ȝow,
No mon deme oþer specially,
Fore oche mon schuld himselue here know,
And deme himselue what-euer he be;
Fore a lytil mote ȝe con sone se
In anoþer mons ye þen,
Bot in ȝour owne ȝe con not se
Þat þer be fallyn in ix or x;
Alas! þus bene ȝe blynd.
Lest he be gilte in þe same
No mon be to bold to blame,
Bot vche mon mend hymselue fore chame;
Ȝif ȝe deme mys, ȝe wil be chent.
No mon deme oþer specially,
Fore oche mon schuld himselue here know,
And deme himselue what-euer he be;
Fore a lytil mote ȝe con sone se
In anoþer mons ye þen,
Bot in ȝour owne ȝe con not se
Þat þer be fallyn in ix or x;
Alas! þus bene ȝe blynd.
Lest he be gilte in þe same
No mon be to bold to blame,
Bot vche mon mend hymselue fore chame;
Ȝif ȝe deme mys, ȝe wil be chent.
147
Nolite iudicare et non iudicabimini. Eadem messura qua messi
fueritis messietur vobis.
Fore Crist sayþ, þe same mesere
Þat ȝe metin to oþer men,
Þe same ȝe schul haue to ȝour hoyre,
Ouþer ioy, or fuyre þat euer schal bren;
Ȝe wot neuer what day ne wen
Ȝe schul be callid to ȝour rekenyng;
Ryȝt as ȝe demon oþer men
Ȝe schul be dampnyd at ȝour endyng;
In þe gospel þus wretyn hit is.
To þis ensampil takys good ȝeme:
Vche mon his dedis þai schul him deme,
Þen be seche as ȝe schuld deme,
And deme ȝe neuer on oþer amys.
Þat ȝe metin to oþer men,
Þe same ȝe schul haue to ȝour hoyre,
Ouþer ioy, or fuyre þat euer schal bren;
Ȝe wot neuer what day ne wen
Ȝe schul be callid to ȝour rekenyng;
Ryȝt as ȝe demon oþer men
Ȝe schul be dampnyd at ȝour endyng;
In þe gospel þus wretyn hit is.
To þis ensampil takys good ȝeme:
Vche mon his dedis þai schul him deme,
Þen be seche as ȝe schuld deme,
And deme ȝe neuer on oþer amys.
Takis no venchans, þis Crist forebede;
Ȝour venians ȝe schul ȝif to me,
Fore I wil elde vche mon after his mede,
In euere state what-euer he be;
What cyte or rem devidid ȝe se,
Hit schal be distroyd, wretyn hit is,
Bot ȝif ȝe leue in charyte,
And foreȝif vcheon oþer ȝe don amys;
Þus in þis gospel wretyn I fynd,
He þat louys here rust and pese,
He is Godis child without lese,
And he þat sterys debate with his males,
Þai be þe chylder of þe fynd.
Ȝour venians ȝe schul ȝif to me,
Fore I wil elde vche mon after his mede,
In euere state what-euer he be;
What cyte or rem devidid ȝe se,
Hit schal be distroyd, wretyn hit is,
Bot ȝif ȝe leue in charyte,
And foreȝif vcheon oþer ȝe don amys;
Þus in þis gospel wretyn I fynd,
He þat louys here rust and pese,
He is Godis child without lese,
And he þat sterys debate with his males,
Þai be þe chylder of þe fynd.
To þe Trenete I me recomend,
Þat al þis word at His wil wroȝt,
Þat myȝt and grace He haþ me send,
And to Crist His Sun þat me dere boȝt,
And to þe Hole Gost foreȝete I noȝt,
Fore Him I þonke specialy,
Þat wit and wysdam to me haþ broȝt
To foresake my syn and my foly,
In þis word here leuyng.
To haue my payne, my purgatory,
Out of þis word or þat I dy;
A! gracyus God, gramarsy,
To grawnt me grace of good endyng.
Þat al þis word at His wil wroȝt,
Þat myȝt and grace He haþ me send,
And to Crist His Sun þat me dere boȝt,
148
Fore Him I þonke specialy,
Þat wit and wysdam to me haþ broȝt
To foresake my syn and my foly,
In þis word here leuyng.
To haue my payne, my purgatory,
Out of þis word or þat I dy;
A! gracyus God, gramarsy,
To grawnt me grace of good endyng.
As I lay seke in my langure
In an abbay here be west,
Þis boke I made with gret-dolour
When I myȝt not slep ne haue no rest;
Offt with my prayers I me blest,
And sayd hile to heuen Kyng,
‘I knowlache, Lord, hit is þe best
Mekele to take þi vesetyng,
Ellis wot I wil þat I were lorne.
Of al lordis be He blest,
Fore al þat ȝe done is fore þe best,
Fore in þi defawte was neuer mon lost,
Þat is here of womon borne.’
In an abbay here be west,
Þis boke I made with gret-dolour
When I myȝt not slep ne haue no rest;
Offt with my prayers I me blest,
And sayd hile to heuen Kyng,
‘I knowlache, Lord, hit is þe best
Mekele to take þi vesetyng,
Ellis wot I wil þat I were lorne.
Of al lordis be He blest,
Fore al þat ȝe done is fore þe best,
Fore in þi defawte was neuer mon lost,
Þat is here of womon borne.’
Meruel ȝe not of þis makyng
Fore I me excuse, hit is not I;
Þis was þe Hole Gost wercheng,
Þat sayd þese wordis so fayþfully,
Fore I quoþ neuer bot hye foly;
God haþ me chastyst fore my leuyng;
I þong my God, my Grace, treuly,
Fore His gracious vesityng;
Be ware, seris, I ȝoue pray,
Fore I mad þis with good entent,
In þe reuer[en]s of God omnipotent;
Prays fore me þat beþ present,
My name is Ion, þe blynd Awdlay.
Fore I me excuse, hit is not I;
Þis was þe Hole Gost wercheng,
Þat sayd þese wordis so fayþfully,
Fore I quoþ neuer bot hye foly;
God haþ me chastyst fore my leuyng;
I þong my God, my Grace, treuly,
Fore His gracious vesityng;
149
Fore I mad þis with good entent,
In þe reuer[en]s of God omnipotent;
Prays fore me þat beþ present,
My name is Ion, þe blynd Awdlay.
Finito libro: sit laus et gloria. Christo liber vocatur: concilium
conciencie, sic nominatur Aut scala celi: et vita salutis
eterni. Iste liber fuit compositus per Johannem Awdelay
capellanum qui fuit secus et surdus in sua visitacione. Ad
honorem domini nostri Jhesu Christi. Et ad exemplum
aliorum in monasterio de Haghmon. Anno domini millesimo
cccc visecimo vj. Cuius anime propicietur deus Amen.
| The poems of John Audelay | |