Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance ::

Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance

by Herry Lovelich ... (AB. 1450 A.D.), edited from the unique ms. 80 in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, with an introduction, notes, and glossaries by Dr. Ernst A. Kock

Lovelich, Henry

[Chapter I]

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

[Chapter I]

Now gyneth the devel to wraththen him sore
(as aftir scholen ȝe herkene & here wel more),
whanne that oure lord to helle wente,
and took owt Adam with good entente,
and also Eve, and ek othere mo,
þat with him he likede forto han tho.
and whanne þe develis behelden this,
moche drede and merveille they hadden, j-wis.
So, as Aftyrward longe be-Felle,
to-gederis they conseilled, the develis, ful snelle,
and token hem to-gederis Jn parlement,
the maister-develis, be on assent,
and seiden: “what mester man Js he, this,
that doth vs here al this distres?
we mown not aȝens him maken defens,
whanne he is owht Jn owre presens,
and bynemeth vs that we scholde haue,
and for hym non thing mowen we kepen save.
For we supposede, ful verrayly,
that non man scholde be born of wommans body,
that alle owre they weren be Ryht,
but he hem benemeth vs be his myht.
Sey, how was this ȝoman bore,
be whom owre Ryht js thus forlore?”

thanne answerede anothir devel,
and, as him thowhte, he answerede wel:
“we hauen herd sein be prophecye
that god jn erthe here Scholde dye
Forto saven the Synneris here,
that of Adam and Eve come jn fere.

Anon wenten we thanne hem to prove,
and evere weren they stedfast jn goddis love,
and the more turment we diden hem do,
Evere the ferthere they weren vs fro,
So that Evere jn here moste peyne
To hem aperede he, jn certeygne,
and hem comforted so wondirly wel,
that owre tormentes greved hem neuere a del,
and euere jn here moste distresse
he hem deliuerede to Sikirnesse.”

Thus talkydden they þere al jn fere
of thinges that befallen were—
“That thus from vs hath he taken away
thinges that we not kepen ne may.
wel knowen ȝe alle here wel everychon
that jn water he doth hem waschen anon,
jn þe Name of the Fadir and sone & holi gost,
whiche that ben of myhtes most,
and also hem anoynteth with oynement,
where-thorwh owre powere js al j-schent,
So that oure part of hem, Jt is don,
Tyl that owre Servauntes they becom.
and thus owre power he doth away,
and so don his mynestres everyday,
that jn erthe he hath left here;
they don vs ful often wel mochel dere.
For they, oure Servantes the[y] ben be Ryht,
ȝit ouer hem han they so gret myht,
that, and they welen oure Servise forsake
and onliche to Jesu thanne hem take,
alle oure powere, than Js it j-don,
and thus we lesen hem Everychon.
Moche goodnesse schewed he for man-kynde,
that jn this world he wold hym bynde
of a wommans body to ben j-bore,
to Saven mankynde, that was forlore.

and whanne that he j-boren was,
we hym assaieden jn every plas,
as moche as was jn owre powere,
and neuere gilty ne fownden we hym jn non manere,
jn hym of oure werkes neuere Ryht nowht,
For al that evere we to hym wrowht,
But that he wolde deyen to saven man,
For jn him hadde we non powere than.
Ful mochel cherte hadde he to man,
that so mochel peyne suffrede for him than,
and hym forto wynnen ageyn,
and from vs hem be-reven, jn certeyn.
Ful mochel sorwe to vs he wrowhte
thorwgh mankynde, that he bowhte.”

thanne anon Spoken they Jn fere
of Swiche thinges as greved hem there,
of hem that proclamed the tydyng
Ferst jn the erthe of his comeng:
“and whanne we ony tormentes scholde hem do,
anon he delyverede hem vs Fro.
Therfore wolden we weten ful fayn
The beste to done, Jn certayn,
how that jn the erthe a child to have
that the peple wolde aftyr crave.
For he scholde hauen alle connenge
of thyng þat js past and that is comenge,
and encense the peple to oure lore,
as he dyde that was þere be-fore,
To tellen hem of thinges þat hadde be
and befalle scholden, ful Sikerle.
So scholde he þe peple to vs drawe,
For of hym they wolden ben Ryht fawe.”
thanne seiden they amonges hem everichon
that swich a child, and they hadden on,
wel mochel he scholde hem profyte
and torne the peple to here delyte,
For fulwel beleved scholde he be
For his prophecyes, ful Sikerle.

thanne stirte there forth a schrewe anon,
and seide amonges hem everichon:
“J haue power Seed forto Sowe
jn the erthe on wommen bothe hye & lowe,
and j haue on redy at myn assent,
that wil Fulfillen myn talent.”
So concentyd they that this ilke schrewe
jnto erthe scholde gon anon that threwe
Forto Fulfillen that jlke dede,
of wheche alle the schrewes token here rede.
Now, grete Foles weren they everychon,
that amonges hem cowde not knowen on
how that god knew wel alle thyng,
bothe gynneng, midwardis, and endyng!
thus departyd they from here conseylle
this werk to be-gynne, with-owten faille.
thanne he that seide that he hadde powere
on women jn erthe to engendren there,
he taryed there non lengere thanne,
but cam jnto erthe to this wommanne
whiche womman that dyde hym Servise.
with hire he anon mette jn prevy gyse,
and anon he tempted hire so,
that anon sche concentyd hym to,
and graunted hym, al that sche cowde oþer myhte,
To don him Servyse bothe day & Nyhte.
and hire lord was a worthy man,
& moche more good hadde thanne J telle kan.

This Riche man hadde moche of worldly good,
more thanne ony man tho vndirstood,
of Bestes and of other Richesse,
of kamailles, of jewelis, & of oþer worthynesse.
This worthy man hadde dowhtren thre,
The Fa[y]rest Wommen that myhte be,
and a sone, that scholde ben his eyr,
bothe a gentilmanly child and a fayr;
and alle he hadde be this womman,
that þe devel so mochel part hadde of than.

thanne this devel forȝat non thing,
that Rowhte not of mannes begyleng,
and axede of this womman anon
how that Best he myhte don
hire lord to haue to his partye,
hym forto tellen he preyde hire hye.
sche answerede: “With non thing so sone, j-wys,
as only be wraththe, with-owten mys;
For ryht lyhtleche he wile wroth be,
as j the telle now ful sikerle;
and þer-fore wraththe thou myht him sone
with the leste thing that thou wilt done.”
thanne wente forth this cursed schrewe anone,
and slowgh his bestes alle thus sone,
a gret partye of hem jn a nyht.
and on the morwen, whanne it was lyht,
the pastour aspide that moreygne,
and to his lord he wente, ful pleyne,
and told hym of that aventure,
how his bestes deiden, J ȝow ensure.
and whanne that the goode lord herde this,
Ful wondirly wroth he was, j-wys,
and axede of the pastour tho
what Skile his bestes deyden so.
the pastour answerede him ageyn:
“Sire, j ne can not weten, jn certein!”
So belefte he stille alle that day.
and whanne the devel this knew & say,
that for so lytel he wolde wroth be,
thanne was he joyful, wel Sekirle,
and thowhte more harm hym to do,
be wraththe þe sonnere to drawen hym to.
So that he the nexte nyht
jnto his stable, j Sey ȝow ryht,
and there ten of his hors slowgh he,
the beste that weren jn that contre.

and whanne the goodman wiste of this,
that al his good wente so amys,
anon ryht angry ful sone he was
for tho tydynges jn that plas,
and a word of anger spak he thore,
wheche after repentyd him ful sore,
and be-took the devel al the remnaunt,
That him be-lefte, petyt & graunt.

Whanne that the devel herde him so seyn,
thanne was he bothe joyful & fayn,
and thowhte to greven him moche more
thanne that he dyde ony tyme before.
For he made the goode man thanne so wroth,
that eche mannes compenye was hym loth.
thanne wiste anon the devel ful wel
that jn him hadde he part a gret del,
and that wel jnowgh he myhte go
jnto what partye him lykede tho.
Thanne cam the devel to his sone & his eyr,
That was bothe so gentyl & Fayr;
Vppon A nyht, As he in his bed lay,
the devel him strangelede, the sothe to say;
and vppon the morwen hym fond ded
his owne fadir Jn that same sted.
thanne was he Ryht a sorweful man,
For that non Recowr ne knew he than,
Sethen that his faire sone he hadde lost so,
thanne jnto disperaunce fyl he tho.
and whanne the devel vndirstod al this,
thanne was he joyful, with-owten mis.
anon thanne wente he to his wyf,
that began al this wo and stryf;
jnto an hygh soler he dyde hire go,
and abowtes a plawncher a rope caste tho,
and Sette a thing thanne vndir hire feet,
& þe Rope abowtes hire nekke teydde askeet;
thanne voided sche anon hire stondyng,
þat so thike cursed womman þere hyre-self heng.
whanne the husbonde beheld al this,

that his wyf thus ded was, j-wys,
and also his sone Jn Swich manere,
thanne was he of wondyr hevy chere,
that there for sorwe he deyde anon,
and thus alle thre, thanne weren they gon.
Lo, thus the devel doth be hem alle
that jn his Servise ony thing don falle.

thanne caste the cursede schrewe a wyle
how þat he myhte his thre dowhtres begyle;
and wel he wyste, Jt myhte not be
but thorwgh som man of his afynyte.
So was there a bacheler Jn the town,
that folwed his werkis bothe vpe and down;
and hym to this place he dyde propyne
these thre faire maidenis forto engyne;
and so ofte thedyr he gan to gon,
that thussone he hadde ouercomen the ton.
and whanne be hire he hadde don folye,
the devel anon it schewede openlye,
and disclawndred it al the contre,
the more schame to hem þat it scholde be.
and jn thyke tyme was tho the lawe,
that ho so dyde avowtrye, scholde be slawe
and with stones j-browht to the ded,
For that was the lawe Jn that sted;
and thus with Stoneng scholden they ben schent,
but ȝif sche were comwne to alle mennes entent.

Thanne thus this womman was taken anon,
and the man fledde and was agon;
and anon was browht to-forn the justice
there forto Resceyven hire jewyse.
so that of hire they hadden pyte,
Swich maner of jewyse be hire to se,
For that hire fadyr was so worthy a man,
and Jn so schort tyme was mischevyd than.
but Natheles nedis ded moste sche be,
and thanne thus acordid they, Sykerle,

So that for love of hire kynrede
be Nyhtes tyme hire stone to dede.

thanne jn that contre was there a good man,
that of alle these merveilles herde than,
and to the tweyne sostren gan he gon
hem forto cownseillen with anon.
and there anon he spak hem tylle,
and axede how this misaventure befille—
“Of ȝowre fadyr And modyr Jn Fere,
of ȝowre brothir and ȝoure Soster dere?”
“We nete Neuere, Sire, Jn certeyn,
but ȝif that God vs hate, ful pleyn,
and this torment Suffreth vs to haue;
we knowen non othyr, so god vs saue!”
thanne seide this goodman to hem tho:
“Forsothe, ȝe seyn mys bothe two,
For god hatede nevere creature,
but Js misplesid, J ȝow enswre,
whanne ony Synnere doth him hate
Owthir for ony thing with him debate.
For weteth ful wel, as j ȝow telle,
that is the werk of the devel of helle;
and that ȝoure soster thus Js ded,
Syker it is be the develys red.”
“Sire, so god now be owre helpyng,
we knewen neuere of this thyng.”
“thanne kepe ȝe ȝow from jlle werkyng,
and caste ȝow to plese now hevene kyng;
for jlle werk bryngeth a man to evele ende
and jn-to synne & synneres schende;
and he that hym wol not kepen from jlle werkyng,
to ille ende it bringeth hym at his deyeng.”
thanne thus prechid hem this good man,
how that they scholden boþe plesen an serven god than.
So that the eldest Soster of hem bothe
his teching liked wel, forsothe,
and seide that sche wolde potten al hire peyne
hys doctryne to kepen, Jn certeyne.

thanne seide this goodman to hem tho:
“ȝif that ȝe welen thus aftyr me do,
ȝe scholen ben bothe my loves dere
and my dowhtren jn god, bothe jn fere.
and ȝif ȝe hauen nede of ony thyng
owþer of ony maner of cownseyllyng,
Swich helpe and cownseil as j kan do,
J schal it for ȝow don evere mo.
and therfore abasche ȝow ryht nowht,
but stedfastly beleveth jn hym that ȝow bowht;
and that ȝe comen often-tymes to me,
for fer from ȝow j ne schal not be.”
thus hem cow[n]ceillede this holy man,
and forth his weye anon wente he than.

whanne that the devel wiste of this,
moche sorwe he made, with-owten mys,
and wiste wel þat Engyned myhten they not be
but be som womman, ful Sykerle.
So was there on, as j vndirstonde,
that jn his Servise hadde dwellid longe;
and anon it putte jn hire herte,
that to thike maidenis ȝhe scholde gon ful smerte.
and so sche dide anon, this wikked womman,
wente forto cownseillen with hem than,
and took the ȝongest Soster on Syde,
and anon with hire counseilled that tyde,
hire axeng anon how ȝhe did fare,
and what maner thing hire soster dyde thare.
“Loueth sche not ȝow wondirly wel?”
“Ȝis, and ellis were it aȝens resown & Skyl;
but that sche is other while hevy
For this mysaventure, trewely,
The wheche jn Schort tyme to vs is befalle
of oure fadyr & modir and Frendis alle,
So that with hire is non manere of chere,
Nethir to me ne to non oþer ellis where,
but doth al aftyr a goodmannes techyng,

That here faste be-sydes is his dwellyng,
So that nothyng sche Wyle do,
but ȝif he only consente to.”

“A,” quod this olde Bawde tho,
“thou knowest of mochel sorwe & wo,
and neuere of joye schalt þou knowe, trewlye,
as longe as thou art jn hire compenye.
A, my leve dowghter so dere,
ȝif that thou knewe what mannes compenye were,
thou wost neuere resten ne dwelle,
Tyl mannes Feleschepe ȝe comen vntylle.
For better at ese Seker ben we,
Jn mannes compenye whanne that we be,
althowgh we haue but on almesse of Bred,
thanne ȝe with al ȝoure good jn ȝoure sted.
Fy of joye of ony womman,
but ȝif sche haue joye oþer compenye of man!
my Fayre dowhter, to ȝow this j seye,
for that ȝe knowen not mannes compenye.
and wete ȝe why J thus to ȝow Seye?
ȝowre Soster is eldere than ȝe, trewlye,
and taketh this here as hire owne good,
and the lasse setteth be ȝow, be the rood,
So that the joye of ȝoure fayre Body
Js ful clene j-lost, j sey ȝow trewely.”
thanne seide this damysele to hire tho:
“how scholde j this thing thus do
that ȝe to me speken offe pleynly,
whanne that my Soster was ded therby?”
“jn the name of god,” quod this Bawde thanne,
“ȝowre Sostyr wrowhte as a folisch wommanne!
but ȝif ȝe wile werken aftyr me
and to my conseille trosten, sekerle,
ȝe scholde neuere comen to-fore justice,
and ȝit haue ȝoure delytes Jn alle wyse.”
“A,” quod this damysele, “how scholde j do?
that j ne myhte ȝow speken more vnto!
For j ne dar not for my soster here

Nethir to ȝow Speke ne make non chere.
Goth ȝe now hens, tyl that eftt sone
that we mown Speke to-gederys alone!”

whanne that the devel herde hire so seyn,
Thanne was the schrewe jn joye, ful pleyn,
and wiste wel be hire answeryng
that sche scholde hoppen vppon hys rynge.
whanne this womman from thens was past,
this damysele bethowghte hire atte last
often-tymes of hire wordis, pleyn,
that prevyly betwenes hem gonne they seyn.
and whanne the devel vndirstod openly
that to-gyderis scholden they speken prevyly,
thanne sette he this maydenis herte on fyre
aftyr this womman more to desire;
that so ferforth, as j ȝow seye,
atte laste sche beheld hire fayre Bodye,
and to hire-Self thus gan sche talke,
alone as sche jn hire chambre gan walke:
“Ful trewly me this good womman tolde
that this Faire Body lost ben Scholde!”

Thanne aftyr hire sche sente vppon a day,
and thus to hire anon gan sche say:
“Certes, ful trowe now j it fynde,
that my soster to me Js vnkynde.”
“that knew j, damysele, tho ful wel,
lyk as j ȝow tolde everydel,
and lasse be ȝow wile sche sette,
For sche fareth Every Day bette and bette.
for sche lyveth as sche liketh Best,
whiche is to ȝow nethir ese ne rest,
and ȝe ben ordeygned for mannes kende,
and therto ben ȝe bothe good and hende.”
thanne seide this damysele anon agayn:
“that joye wolde j hauen fulfayn;
ȝif that j wiste not To ben ded,
J scholde concenten to ȝoure red.”

“J sey ȝow, damysele, with-owten dwere,
and ȝe don as dyde ȝoure soster dere,
ded moste ȝe thanne Nedlynges be,
but and ȝe welen werken aftyr me.”
“leve dame, thanne how Scholde J do
my lust to haue, and they not me Slo?”
thanne this Bawde answerid hire agayn:
“J schal ȝow tellen, Jn certayn:
ȝe scholen ȝow maken as ȝe weren wroth,
and that ȝowre sostres compenye is ȝow loth,
and þerfore graunteth to alle men buxom to be
and to leden ȝoure lyf jn lechere;
thanne hath there powere non justyse
ȝow forto putten to non jewyse,
and thus al ȝoure lust scholen ȝe haue
and from alle peryles to ben Save.
ȝit thanne myhte there comen som good man,
that for ȝoure erytage wolde wedden [ȝow] than.”
Thanne thus behyhte ȝe hire forto don,
and from hire Soster sche stal anon,
and bond hire a comown womman to be,
be cownseil of that womman, Sikerle.

Ful mochel joye made the devel thanne,
whanne he hadde thus geten this wommanne.
and whanne the eldest Sostyr knew of this,
that thus hire Soster hadde don amys,
anon wente sche to this good man tho,
that to-fore tymes here creaunce tawhte hem so,
with sory herte and weping chere.
Anon this goodman axede what hire were,
and of hire hadde ful gret pyte,
& to hire thanne anon Seyde he:
“blesse the jn the Name of the Trenite,
and telle me now what eylleth the.”
“ha, Sire,” sche Seide, “J am ful wo!
my soster from me js now a-go,

and is becomen a comown womman.
ful wo for hire am j now than!”

whanne that this goodman herde of this,
Ful sory he was and wroth, j-wys,
and seide: “The devel nyl not belynne,
tyl that he haue ȝow alle jn his gynne,
but ȝit that god now be thy wardeyn,
J seye ȝow, damysele, jn certeyn.”
“Now, leve Sire, how scholde j do
That Fals thef to kepen me fro?”
thanne seide to hire this good man anon:
“J schal ȝow telle how ȝe schole don.
ȝif that thou wylt don aftyr me,
he ne schal neuere deceyven the.”
“Now certes,” quod this damysele a-geyn,
“aftyr ȝow wyl j don, Jn certeyn,
what so evere ȝe bydde me do,
whethir it torne me to wele oþer wo.”
“belevest þou not on fadyr & sone & holigost,
thre persones and on god of myhtes most,
and that crist amonges vs cam here
For mannes sowle, that he bowhte so dere,
and alle synneris to saven also
That his comawndement Wolden do,
and beleven as holy chirche,
and as good cristen folk to wirche?”
thanne answerid this damysele ageyn:
“J wil beleven as ȝe wyle seyn;
and as wisly as on god j be-leve,
so from alle tormentis he mot me meve!”
“thanne more over J charge the
that jn non wyse wroth that thou be;
For that is on of the moste thing
wherthorwgh the devel doth his werkyng.
and loke thow love god over alle thyng
and thy Neyghbour with-owten grochcheng.
& so be that governaunce
þou myht the kepe from alle mischawnse.

and loke that cowpable nevere thou be
aȝens thy god Jn non manere degre,
but that thou plese hym vtterly
and alle the seintes of hevene generally,
That loven god and his Servise;
loke thow hem love jn alle wyse.
and loke, eche tyme that thou dost ryse,
that thou þe blesse be ony wyse,
and also that thow blesse the every nyht,
Er that thou jn thy Bed lye down ryht,
jn the name of the Fadyr and sone and þe holygost,
which that is on god and of myhtes most.
and with that loke thou make a cros on the,
Jn memorye that he deyde vppon the tre
vs for to beyen from the peynes of helle.
loke thou do thus as j the telle!
and of that enemy haue thow neuere non drede,
where euere thow be Jn ony stede;
and where so evere thow lye on nyht,
Loke be ony weyes that thou have lyht,
For there as lyht is, he ne wyl not be,
For lyht hateth he most, ful Sekerle!”

Thus this holy man tawhte this mayde,
that gret drede hadde, as j have ȝow sayde,
lest that the devel hire Scholde be-gyle.
thus wente sche hom with-jnne a whille
Jn ful beleve ful stedfastly
and to hire neyghbours ful mek and lowly;
also evere hire god hadde sche jn mynde,
that so to god and to þe peple was sche good & kende.
the goode men and the goode Wyves of that contre
often to that mayden comen, ful Sekerle,
and thus to hire thanne gonnen they saye:
“Jt Nis non wondyr thowgh ȝe han Fraye
of the torment that is ȝow befalle
of ȝoure Fadyr & modyr and frendis alle,
whiche that ȝowre brothir and Sostren were.

here misaventure, it is to ȝow gret dere,
but that ȝe take now som good cownsaille;
For ful riche ȝe ben and of ful gret availle,
and worthy ȝe ben of erytage,
that Som man that is of hygh parage,
that fulfayn he wolde be
ȝow wedden to wyve, ful Sykerle.”
thanne seide this maiden to hem anon ryht:
“me governe and kepe god, þat is most of myht,
and jn his Servise me governe & kepe
at alle tymes, whethir j wake oþer slepe!”
and thus tweyne ȝer lyvede sche fully,
That of hire power neuere hadde the fals enemy,
Ne he myhte nevere Jn non Degre
hire Fynden Jn non adversite.

And whanne he Sawhe that he ne myhte
that mayden engynen be day ne nyhte,
Nether maken hire to forȝeten jn non degre
that the goodman tawht hire, ful Sykerle
(For wroth wolde sche ben jn non manere
Ne lyhtles, where so that evere sche were),
thanne to hire Soster he wente anon,
and to this goode mayden dyde hire to gon
vppon a satirday, whanne it was eve
(tyl sche was forthe, he Nolde not leve),
hire Soster Jn anger Forto brynge,
þat he on hire myhte werken his engynenge.
So that hire Soster thider went
& with hire many knaves, verament.
thanne seide this maiden jn this manere:
“A, leeve Soster, what do ȝe here,
ȝe forto comen jn Swich degre,
and with ȝow to bryngen swich compeyne?
Jt schal me maken blame to have,
and Þat Nedeth me not, so god me saue!”

thanne spak this cursed damysele ageyn:
“thow lyvest moche wers than j, jn certeyn!”
and bar hire good soster on hande vppon
that jn folye sche lovede that holy man.
“and ȝif that the peple it wiste, Sekerlye,
anon wolden they the distroye!”
and whanne this maide herde hire so seyn,
be bothe scholdres sche took hire, ful pleyn,
and wolde han put hire owt at the ȝate,
but that hire knaues wolde hire not late,
but setten hand on this good maiden anon,
and hire to-beten bothe bak an bon,
Tyl atte laste sche brak hem fro,
& jnto hire chambre sche gan to go,
and schitte the dore faste hire vppon,
and so there-jnne dwelde al alon.
& non more peple with hire gan dwelle
but a man and a maide, as j ȝow telle,
and for hem nolden they not Spare,
but diden this goode womman moche care.
this maiden alone jn hire chambre was,
and ful mochel mone made jn that plas,
and wept and sorwede mochel of the nyht,
so that jn hire clothes sche leide hire down ryht.
Anon as this enemy this gan aspye,
that sche was so angry vttirlye,
thanne made he bothe joye and game,
whiche torned this maiden to mochel blame.
Thanne of gret deol this maide hire thowhte,
So that of hire-self but litel sche rowhte.
sche hire remembrid of Fadyr and modyr bothe,
and of hire brother and Sostren, forsothe,
and of that grete aventure,
So was sche Sorweful, J ȝow ensure.
and thus jn morneng and wrathe sche fyl jn slepe,
and al the goodmannes lore sche forȝete:
bothe of hire blessyng and ek of lyht
sche clene forȝat that jlke nyht.

thanne was the devel ful of joye,
and thowhte fulsone hire to anoye.
“now,” quod the devel, “tyme it is,
For sche hath forȝeten hire lore, j-wys,
Bothe mynde of god and of Hire maister Also,
therfore it is hygh tyme that j now go.
Now myhten we wel don owre dever,
Owre man to putten with-jnnen hire her.”
Anon this devel that hadde Swich myht
with womme[n] To compenyen bothe day & Nyht,
To this goode maiden wente he anon,
and redy hym made that dede to don,
and on hire he engendred, as j ȝow telle,
a merveillous child ful schortly and snelle.
Anon as that maiden conceyved was,
the devel hym wente owt of that plas;
and that mayden tho awook anon,
whanne that the devel hadde thus j-don.
and evene Jn hire awakyng
this goodman hadde sche Jn remembryng,
and took vp hire hond and gan hire to blesse,
& seide: “o seinte marye, what is thisse?
and what maner of thing Js me betyd,
Sethen that j leide me vppon my bed?
me thenkyth, apeyred welsore am J,
Sethen j me here leyde, ful trewly.
wherfore, blessid lady, j preye to the,
So that to thy sone thow preye for me,
that on me he wolde haven pyte
and from the fals enemy defenden me.”
thanne, whanne sche hadde don this dede,
vpe sche ros owt of that stede,
and wende han fownden that Jche wyht
that hire so hadde deceyved thike nyht.
So that to hire chamberdore sche wente anon,
and it fond fast schet & not vndon,
lyk as sche hadde schet yt to-fore,
and non wyht ne fond sche thore.

thanne furthere to serche cam jn hire thowht,
but al that avayllede thanne hire ryht nowht.
thanne cam jt jn hire mynde anon
that the enemy hire hadde ouergon.
thanne ful mochel sorwe gan sche make,
whanne that verraylly sche gan wake.
sche besowhte god with humble chere
that jn this world neuere schamed sche were.

and whanne it was the lyht of day,
the devel hire Soster thanne ladde away,
For sche hadde wel j-sped hire arende,
wherfore thedyr he gan hire sende.
and whanne that hire Sostir thens was gon,
owt of hire chambre sche cam anon,
and cleped hire Servaunt ful hastelye,
and bad hym faste to hire hye.
thanne thus to hym tho gan sche telle:
“Go jnto towne, and not ne dwelle,
and bidde swiche two wommen to me hye,
& that they to me comen hastelye!”
Anon as they comen bothe jn fere,
thanne hem cowde sche maken non chere,
but evene with hem took the ryhte weye
To hire confessour, alle thre, jn feye.
and whanne hire confessour hire gan beholde,
Jn his herte he merveillede many folde,
and to that womman thanne gan he to say:
“hyderward the aryveth som gret affray.”
thanne seide this womman to hym aȝe:
“Sire, j trowe that it may ful wel be,
For me Js be-falle A destyne
That neuere fyl to womman but to me,
and am J here comen to ȝow
Som good cownseille to taken of ȝow.
For toforn tymes han ȝe me told,
thowgh a body Jn synne were neuer so bold,
and he be schreven, and repente also,

and don the penaunce that longeth þerto,
his Synnes forȝoven to hym scholen be;
Thus tolde ȝe me, Sire, ful Sykerle.
Sire, J haue Synned and that ryht sore,
as j haue told ȝow ferst before,
For the enemy hath deceyved me,
as J schal ȝow tellen, ful seker[l]e.
Jt happed, my Soster cam me vnto,
and me wrowhte bothe care & wo,
and how that sche wraththed me ful jlle,
tyl that to my chambre j wente vntylle
al ful wroth and of hevy chere,
and faste my dore J schette there.
and for the grete wraththe that j am jnne,
me forto blessen J gan to blynne,
and forȝat what J scholde do,
which aftyr torned me to mochel wo.
and whanne that J of my Sleepe awook,
and remembraunce to me took,
thanne fond J that defowlyd J was,
and my maydenhot aweye Jn that plas.
thanne serched j my chambre al abowte,
and non wyht ne fond, with-owten dowte,
ne wiste ho it hadde me do,
From that owr ȝit hider-to.
And, Sire, al thus engyned am J,
wherfore to God and ȝow J crye mercy,
that thowgh my body J-tormentyd be,
ȝit that my sowle be not lost Jn non degre.”

thanne herkened this good man everydel
al that to hym sche seyde, ful wel,
but he beleved it non thyng,
For, Sekyr, he held it for a lesing,
For he ne herde nevere to-fore
of swich a thing speken, sethen he was bore.
thanne answerid hire this good man agayn:
“Ful of the devel thou art, ful pleyn,
and the devel js fer with-Jnne the.

how scholdest thou thanne confessed be
other ony penaunce of me take,
whanne swiche lesinges þou dost me make?
owther how scholde j ȝeven the ony penaunce,
whanne j knowe wel thou makest variawnce?
For jn that degre was neuere womman jnto this day
From hire hire maydenhot taken away,
but ȝif sche knew, Felte, other Sye,
ho that it hadde don, Sekerlye.
and thow makest me to beleve
Swich a thing as thow myht not preve.”
Thanne answerid this womman ageyn
and seide: “So god haue part on me, pleyn,
and also kepe my body from torment,
as trowthe j haue Seid ȝow, verament.”

thanne answerid this good man to hire tho:
“And it be lyk as thou seyst me vnto,
thow schalt wel knowen, and j Jn fere,
er that come fulliche the ende of þe ȝere.
But thou hast broken thin obedyence,
and aȝens me don ful gret defense,
And broken my comaundement
that J comanded the, verament;
Wherfore penaunce thou schalt haue
Jn amendement thy Sowle to Save:
Every fryday thow most Faste
and to the taken but on repaste.
& Jn manere that thou luxvre hast do,
which that myn herte Nyl not concenten therto,
how scholde [j] þanne ony penaunce leyn on the,
but that j knew the certeynte?
For it were to lytel, al dayes of thy lyve
ȝif that algates J scholde the Schryve.”
thanne seide this woman to hym ageyn:
“what evere ȝe me chargen, Jn certeyn,
J schal it don with ful good wylle,
what so evere to me ȝe putten vntylle.”
thanne seide this goodman to hire ageyn:

“To goddis mercy thou takest the, pleyn,
and axest cownseyl of holy chirche,
only goddis comaundement forto wirche,
and hym to worschepen with al thy myht
that aȝens the devel for the gan fyht,
and bowht the with his precious blood,
and for the deyde vppon the rood.
thow seist that thou art ful of repentaunce
and forsakest alle Lecherie, with-owten variaunce,
and that thou neuere dedist amys,
but as jn thy sleepe behapped the this
wherfrom non wyht may hem defende,
but that ȝif god the bettere grace hem sende?”
and vppon this, chast sche gan hire swere,
and to him seide, ȝif it so were,
To-Forn god hire borwgh to be,
that sche be not dampned jn non degre—
“For this Synne that j haue do,
owt of this world whanne j go fro.”

Thus hire penaunce Resceyved sche thanne,
that vppon hire leyde this good manne,
and resceyved it ful humblely,
as sche that for hire Synnes was sory.
tho this goodman hire blessed anon,
and forward with hire he gan to gon.
“and algates in the love of jesu crist
loke thou evere more that thou tryst!”
So that he ladde hire forth be the hond
To the haly water stope, J vndirstond,
and dide hire drynken þer-offen, þat he myhte se,
a gret drawht jn the name of the trenite,
and holy water caste vppon hire there,
and bad hire not forȝeten jn non manere—
“al that j have now comanded the,
loke thou it do, where so thou be.
and whanne thou hast ony nede of me,
here schalt thou me fynden, ful Sykerle!”

and ȝit he enjoyned hire more over tho
alle þe good dedis that sche scholde do,
and thus he be-tawht hire to god almyht,
and hom aȝen sche wente anon ryht.

thanne, whanne the devel aspide al this,
and that his pray he scholde thus mis,
thanne was the cursede schrewe wondir wroth,
that he to hire was thanne so loth.
So dwelled sche there two monthes oþer thre,
and ful holy lif ladde, ful Sekerle,
Tyl that sche gan to barnysche ryht faste,
And Was Aspied Atte laste,
where-offen hire Frendes angred ful sore,
and so dyde sche ȝit wel more,
& seyde: “so god haue mercy on me,
J ne kan not weten how it scholde be.”
thanne seiden hire Frendis to hire tho:
“why, han there so many men knowen ȝow so,
that ȝe ne weten hos Jt is?
now mafey, thanne this goth amys!”
“thanne preye j god that j neuere deliuered be,
ȝif j knew evere of manes compeyne,
othyr evere wyste of this aventure,
how to me jt is comen, j ȝow ensure.”
thanne hire Frendis blessid hem echon,
and to hire they seyden anon:
“this thyng ne myhte nevere be
be ȝow ne be non womman, Sikirle.
but on him, j trowe, ȝe troste,
that he ȝow excusen moste;
But, Jn Sekyr, Jt wele not be,
werfore vs sore Repentyth, Sekyrle;
For also sone as the jvge it wot,
anon, with-owten Faille, deyen ȝe mot.”

Thanne, whanne this woman herde this,
Ful sore dismayed Jt was, J-wys,
and seyde: “So god of my Sowle haue mercy,

J neuere ne knew ne sawh that mannes body
that me hath don this jlke dede,
as jn alle my werkis so god me spede!”
thanne wenten hire frendis from hire anon,
and for a fool these wommen helden hire echon.
“now certes, fowle loste is ȝoure bewte,
that thus han jt lost jn Swiche degre!”

whanne that sche herde these wommen thus speke,
anon to hire confessour gan sche to reke,
and tolde hym of this wommans answere,
as that to hire sche hadde Seyde Ere.
anon as this good man Sawh that sche
Qwyk with childe was, certeinle,
and mochel he merveilled of this chaunce,
& anon axede hire of that penaunce—
“that to-forn tyme the joyned j for this,
hast thow it don?” “ȝe, leve Sire, j-wis,
that haue j don, Syre, with-owten faille!”
“but cam he evere sethen, the owht to asaille,
owthir trespacedest þou euere ony more,
but only that thou hast told me be-fore,
Ne neuere but onys jt cam to the?”
“No, so me good helpe, Sire, Sikerle!”

Whanne that the goodman herde hire thus telle
Of this aventure, how it befelle,
anon a book he took to hym tho,
and þis mater jn Scripture he let thrynne do.
“Now be ȝe Sewr what j schal say:
anon as this child is born, jn fay,
of on thing j schal knowe, certeyn:
ȝif þat ony tale ȝe han tolde me jn veyn.
and ȝif to me ȝe han mad a lesyng,
Ful Siker ȝe ben of ȝoure hyndryng;
and ȝif to me the sothe han ȝe told,
Jt schal ȝow helpen many fold,
For thanne ful Syker mown ȝe ben
that ȝe scholen nethir deth felen ne sen.
but ȝit gret drede ȝe mown hauen a throwe,
For anon as the justice doth it knowe,

Anon they Welen to-gederys conseylle,
and ȝow for-juggen for here avaylle,
and seyn that ded scholen ȝe be,
For that ȝe han trespaced Jn avowtre.
but that anon as they han ȝow take,
doth me to wetene for ȝowre owne sake,
and j schal comen to ȝow jn Socowrenge,
and god schal ben thanne ȝoure helpinge;
For, Seker, ȝe mown ben þerto bold,
and it be as ȝe han me told.”
thanne seyde this good man to hire tho:
“Aȝen to ȝoure hows hom that ȝe go,
and loke, good lif that ȝe lede,
For to a good ende jt wyle ȝow spede.”

and thus wente sche hom ageyn,
as j ȝow sey nowe, Jn certeyn,
and ful benyngnely lyvede there,
Tyl that it cam the justice to the ere.
thanne comen [they] jnto the Same town
onliche for this Wommannes enchesown,
and þere sche was taken and to-forn hem browht,
to weten ȝif sche cowde excusen hire owht.
Whanne sche was taken and jn preson don,
sche sent aftyr this good man anon,
and he thedyr cam jn ful gret hye,
as faste as [he] myht gon, Sekerlye;
and thider cam he Neuere so sone,
that to-foren the justice sche was browht anone.
The justices clepeden this good man,
and tolden hym how that sche seide than,
For sche hem tolde, ful certeynly,
that sche knew nevere of mannes compeny.
“Trowe ȝe,” quod the justice thanne,
“that this myhte ben with-owten feleschepe of manne?”
thanne seide to hem this goodman ageyn:
“j sey not that j thenke now, jn certeyn,

but and ȝe welen don aftyr me,
at this tyme juged schal sche not be,
Neþer not as longe as gret sche Js,
ȝif that ȝe wele don be myn avys.
For it were Neyther Skele ne Resown
To putten that child to ony distrocciown,
that neuere jn non wyse deservyd the ded,
ȝif owghtes that ȝe welen don be my Red.”
“Syre, we scholen don as we ȝow say:
aftyr ȝow we scholen werken this day.”
“ȝif that ȝe welen werken aftyr me,”
quod this goodman thanne, “Sykirle,
jnto a strong warde scholen ȝe hire putte,
and strong lokes vppon hire Schette,
and putte hire jnto a strong towr,
and with hire tweyne wommen for hire honour,
hire forto helpen at hire deliueraunce
and hire to socowren jn that chawnce;
and that owt from hire mown they not gon,
No more thanne sche may from hem don;
and that they there to-gederis be,
tyl that child be born ful vtterle,
and tyl that it may it somwhat Susteyne;
this js my reed, j sey ȝow certaygne.
thanne scholen ȝe knowen and sen more thing
thanne ȝe owht knowen at this begynneng,
and forjuggen mown ȝe thanne this wommanne
as lyk that ȝe fynden resown thanne.
This js my conseille, and ȝe welen it do,
and ȝif not ȝe Wylen, J parte ȝow fro.”

thus wrowhten they thanne al jn fere
aftyr that goodmannes cownseyl there,
and putten hire jn-to [a] strong towr,
& with hire tweyne wommen for hire honour,
Swich as to mester scholde be
That longeth to wommans parturite,
and a Fenestre open be enchosown
here vyaundes to taken bothe vpe & down,

and what Necessaryes hem belonged also,
vpe at that wyndowe to hem taken tho.
and whanne that thus be this goodmannes conseille
jn the towr they weren browht, Sawns faille,
thanne spak this good man to hem jn hy,
and to this damysele he seide, trewly:
“Loke that anon as thou delyveryd be,
that faste jt be crystened & smartle;
and to-fore the justice whanne þou schalt go,
Loke anon that thou sende me vnto.”

and thus jn the towr abod sche there,
tyl sche was deliuered jn hard manere,
and was deliuered of a knave child,
that was bothen vnlouely & vn-myld.
and whanne this child was j-bore,
they merveilleden gretly that weren thore,
For it hadde bothe wyt and knowenge
aftyr the schrewed fadris engendrynge.
but, for the devel wrowhte so falsly,
God to his evs hath taken jt, trewly,
thorwgh the modris verray repentaunce,
and for fulfylleng of hire penance,
and for hire good beleve jn holy chirche,
and for the goode dedis that sche dyde wirche,
for that cawse nolde god jn non degre
that the devel with hym meddelid, Sikirle.
and ȝit the devel mad his engendryng,
For that of al thinges he scholde haue knowyng,
bothe þat js to comen and that js gon,
For many merveilles he thowghte be hym to don.
but oure lord knew the repentance
Of his modyr, with-owten variaunce,
and wiste ful wel that aȝens hire wille
that this aventure cam hire vntylle.
For the goode lord knew ful wel
that be hire wil sche synnede neuere a del,
and hym graunted bothe wit and knowenge
Of many thinges that weren comenge;

thus wolde god that he scholde knowe
of manye thinges vppon a rowe.
For ȝif goddis wille it hadde j-be,
the devel schold han had his partye
and to god ȝelden that was his ryht,
but that it likede to this lord of myht
hym to taken jnto his power
and holych owt of the develis daunger.

Thus was there thanne this child j-bore,
of wheche these wommen dredden sore,
For more Rowghere that child it was
thanne evere they Syen jn ony plas.
they schewed it thanne to þe modyr anon,
sche took vpe hire hond and blessed hire thusson,
and Seyde anon: “so Crist me Spede,
For this child haue J gret drede.”
Thanne seyden to Hyre these Wommen A-geyn:
“So for hym schalt thou suffren ful gret peyn.”
thanne comanded the modir there
down it to leten Jn alle manere—
“and that j-cristened anon it be,
thus j ȝow preye for charyte.”
thanne axeden these wommen of hire anon
what name they scholden leyn hym vppon. [OMITTED]
anon leten they down this child there,
and that anon j-cristened it were,
and that jt named scholde j-be
aftyr his grauntfadyr, ful sekerle,
whiche goodman that hyghte merlyne,
that the devel gan so engyne.
and thus this child j-cristened was,
and deliuered aȝen to þe modris plas.

Thanne thus the modyr gan hym norree,
tyl ten mounthes old he was, Sekerle;
and with-jnne tho x mounthes he was so bold,

that thyke tyme he semede two ȝeres old.
and whanne xviij mounthes weren fulliche j-past,
To the modyr seiden thes wommen jn hast:
“dame, fulfayn wolde we hennes ben
and to owre owne place hom gon aȝen,
For certein thinges we han to do;
Sykerly, dame, we wylen the fro.”
thanne spak aȝen the modyr anon:
“ȝif it so be, ȝe from me gon,
anon be jugement j schal ben ded,
For j ne knowe non other red.”
thanne wepte this modyr and made sory chere,
and preyde hem with hire abyden ȝit there.

thanne ȝit stylle they gonne abyde,
and to a prevy wyndowe wente þat tyde.
and the modir this child gan beholde,
& there jn hire armes sche gan it folde;
Anon ful tendirly wepte sche thanne,
& thus sche seide to this ȝong manne:
“a, Faire sone,” quod sche thanne tho,
“for the moste j suffre bothe deth & wo,
and to me ben j-put ful mochel hard peyne,
the wheche is wrong, god wot certeyne.
For there nis non man, but god alone,
that whot how this cause doth gone;
but this non man wil beleven, certeinle,
wherfore j moste nedis ded now be,
and thus with gret wrong j schal suffre ded.”
Sore wepyng thus seide sche jn that sted.
And as the modyr this mone gan make,
hire sone on hire lokede with eyn so blake,
and seide: “modir, dismaye the nowht,
for fore me schalt þou neuere to deth be browht.”
whanne that the modyr herde hym so speke,
For drede sche let it owt of hire armes reke,
so that for drede the child fyl a-down,
and gan to cryen with a gret Sown.
thanne comen anon these wommen, certayn,

and wenden, the modyr the child wolde han slayn,
and they axeden hire, why the child ferde so.
“for, sekerly, j was neuere so wo,
Nethere j ne hadde neuere so gret fere;
That made hym fallen owt of myn armes here,
and that made hym so lowde to crye.
But of A merveyl J sey ȝow, sekerlye,
that this child hath spoken to me;
ȝe wolde han wondred hit forto han se!”
“what, spak thanne he the vnto?”
“ȝe, sekerly, now dyde he so.”
“what seide he thanne? telle vs now here.”
“that Schal j doon with ryht good chere;
he seide j scholde neuere ded for hym be;
thus he me Seyde, ful Sykerle.”
“but Seyde he ony othir thing?”
“Nay, forsothe, with-owten lesyng.”
thanne gonne they the child to kyssen and brase,
ȝif it to hem wolde speken jn that plase;
but non word of him ne cowde they gete,
thowgh they him kyste neuere so swete.

but on a day þe modir calde hem hire vnto,
and thus to hem sche seide tho:
“manase ȝe me for hym vppon a day,
and to hym make som gret afray,
and seith that for hym j schal be brent,
be stoned to dethe and al j-schent.”
For the modyr desirede ful sore
That to-forn hem wolde he speken thore.
“a ful gret rowthe it is of the,”
Seiden these wommen, “ful sekerle,
that so fair a body as thou art on,
of hyde, of hewe, of flesch & bon,
that thou schalt for this fowle thing
ben browht so sone to a fowl endyng.
bettyr it hadde have neuere be bore
thanne thy faire body for hym scholde be lore.”
“Now certes,” quod this merlyne tho,

“ȝe lyen, false schrewes, bothe two,
of that ȝe han my modyr told,
for þerto schal neuere man be so bold.”
and whanne they syen hym so on take,
For drede and sorwe they gonne to qwake,
and seiden: “This ne may non child be:
Jt is the devel, ful Sykirle.
that we han seid, doth it vs here telle;
we supposen, it be a devel of helle.”
thanne aposid they him of wordis mo,
and thus to hem he Seide vnto:
“Ȝe han don wel moche more Synne
thanne my modyr, that is here with-jnne.”
Anon they merveylled mochel more,
that he cowde tellen thinges, weren don to-fore.
“we schole gon tellen to hem that be-nethe be,
how this child doth Speken, Sekyrle.”

thanne to this wyndowe comen they anone,
and cleped the peple to hem fulsone,
and tolden how þat the child spak there,
& howgh that he seyde and jn what manere.
thussone so wyde this tydyng sprong,
that to the jugge it cam er owht long,
where-offen he merveillede wondir sore,
that jn swich maner the child spak thore.
thanne bespak the justice anon:
“Now were it tyme, juggement to don!”
and sente anon to that Jayller
That jn the towre hem kepte ther,
that at the ende of xl dawes
to bringen hire forth to han hire lawes.
whanne the modyr of merlyn herde this,
That set was the day of hire, j-wys,
Fvl mochel Sorwe made sche thanne,
and sente anon aftyr this good manne,
That Hire Was Wont to confessen before;
aftyr hym sente sche to comen to hire thore.

Thus dwelde sche algates stille

the dayes of juggement to fulfille.
and whanne they weren past everichon
except viij dayes, that weren not gon,
thanne lyvede sche jn sorwe and care,
and wiste neuere thanne how sche schold fare,
but that sche scholde brend j-be;
sche knew non othir, ful Sykerle.
and al this tyme wente hire sone, jn feye,
abowte jn the towr and him gan to pleye.
thanne seiden these wommen to him anon:
“Ful litel thenkest þou what is to don,
and how this wyke, ful Sikerle,
thy modir for the moste nedis brend j-be.”
Thanne be-spak merlyn anon
to his modir there thussone:
“Now, faire modyr, j ȝow praye,
For me non thing that ȝe dismaye,
for there js non man on lyve here
that ȝow schal demen jn non manere,
Neþer neuere ȝow juggen to þe ded,
whiles that j lyve, jn non sted,
ne neuere non deth to suffren, j-wys,
Sauf onlich be god, that almyhty js.”
whanne the modyr vndirstood this,
thanne was sche ful of joye & blis,
and seide: “this child moste nedis wys be,
Swich thynges to tellen now, Sykerle.”

thus bod sche tyl the same day
that to juggement scholde sche gon, jn fay,
that owt of the towr was sche do,
and the tweyne wommen with hire also,
and hire sone in hyre arm sche bar,
tyl to-fore the jugges that sche cam thar.
thanne the justice at that tyde
thike two women token beside,
and of hem axeden, with-owten lak,
ȝif it were soth that the child spak.
thanne tolden hem tho wommen verrayly

how that he to hem Spak apertly.
thanne seide the jugge to hem ageyn:
“ful mochel moste he konnen & knowen, certayn,
ȝif he schole owht his modyr Save,
mochel more konneng moste he have.”
and be this jlke same tyme,
as that it happede the owr of pryme,
this goodman to hire was comen ful ryht,
that hire thanne scholde cownceillen aryht.
thanne seide on of the jugges hire vnto:
“hast þou ony cownseil, what wylt thou do?
for martirdom thou most Suffren here;
good cownseil to the now profyt were.”
thanne answerid this womman agayn:
“with this good man wolde j speken fulfayn.”
and they hire ȝoven leve therto.
so jnto a chambre they gonne to go,
and hire sone beleft with-owte
amonges the peple, a ful gret rowte;
and with speche they gonnen hym asaylle,
but lytel owther nowht it dyde avaylle.
and al this while that jt was so,
his modir hire confessour spak vnto.
& whanne sche hadde told hym al hire wylle,
Thanne spak the confessour Hire vntylle,
and axede hire ȝif it certeyn were
that hire sone spak so there.
“ȝe, sire,” sche seide, “certeynly,
to me hath he spoken, ful verrayly.”
“Jn goddis Name,” quod this good man tho,
“j hope, som merveilles it wele tornen vnto.”

thanne comen they owt bothe jn fere,
and comen jnto place as þe jugges were,
and took hire child jn hire armes two,
ryht so to-fore the jugge sche gan to go.
thus stood sche to-forn hem, certaygne.
anon the jugge gan hire refreyne,
and axede hire ho þat the fadyr were
of that child that sche held there.
thanne answerid the modyr with gret pite:

“j wot not othir but ded to be;
but so god on my Sowle haue mercye,
medlid j neuere with mannes compenye,
ne neuere j wiste ho þat the fadyr was,
neþer neuere knew j man jn that cas,
ne neuere obeyed to non man, Sykerle,
that sweche thinges scholde don by me.”
“ȝe, ȝe,” quod this justices tho,
“we konnen not beleven that it is so
as thou dost vs to vndirstonde;
Jt was neuere provid jn non londe.”
thanne tooken the jugges these wommen on side,
and axeden ȝif swich a thing myhte be-tyde,
that a woman a child scholde bere
whiche neuere jn mannes compeny ne were.
thanne seiden they: “nay, ful sikyrle,
with-owten mannes compenye it myhte not be.”
Thanne seiden these jugges to hyre ageyn
that—“ded nedys most ȝe ben, certayn,
for thus wommen seyn, trewely,
that with-owten mannes compeny
a child neuere scholdest thou have;
thus they me seyn, so god me save!”

thanne owt of his modris armes stirt merlyne anon,
and angerlich seide toforn hem echon:
“that schalt þou nevere, justice, bringen abowte,
my modyr to brennen, with-owten dowte,
For sche ne hath not deservid therto.
and ȝit more J schal sein the also,
that ȝif trewe jostice thou schost be
To alle that han don avowtre
with oþere thanne with here lordis, certeyn,
of mo thanne of two partes that is here pleyn,
thow schost hem brennen al jn fere,
more than twey partes of wommen that ben here.
and my modyr was neuere ȝit gylty
with non man jn Swich maner of foly;
but swich a body as hire was take,

sche hath forth browht with gret wrake.
and, Sire justice, but thou leve me,
axe this good man here openle.”

the justices axeden this goodman tho
ȝif it be—“as he seith vs vnto.”
“ȝe,” quod this good man, “ful Sekerly,
sche hath me told ful feithfully,
ful often & with ful weping chere,
that jn mannes compenye neuere sche were,
but that welfowle encombred sche was
with the fals enemy jn hire owne plas,
hire thus encombrede jn slepyng;
And vppon my Sowle to taaken this thing.
but jn alle my lyf here before
herde j nevere of swich thing spoken ore.”
thanne spak merlyne aȝen ryht tho,
and this goodman spak vnto:
“Ȝe han it don j-wreten Jn a book,
my concepsiown, and ȝe wyle lok,
and þerby mown ȝe ful wel knowe
the lyveng of my modir al this throwe.”
“thou seist soth,” quod this good man,
“lytel wot thy modyr whens þat thou cam.”
thanne cleped they forth these two wommen,
and axeden hem wheþer it were so then,
& also enqwerede aftyr thengendrure
and aftyr his birthe, j ȝow ensure.
ȝif that the goode holy mannes book
and they acorden, they wylen look.
So that these wommen and the book acordid wel,
of the goodmannes wrytyng, everydel.
ȝit thanne seide the justices tho,
For this scholde sche be qwyt neuere the mo.

Thanne merlyn gan to wraththen hym Sore,
and ful angerly to the justice spak thore:
“J knowe moche Bettere my fadyr, Jn fay,
thanne thou dost thyn, J dar wel Say,

and thy modyr knoweth bettere, certeinly,
ho that the be-gat, j telle þe feythfully,
Bettere thanne my modyr, j sey ȝow pleyn,
For sche knew neuere my Fadyr, jn certeyn.
and therfore, Sire Justice, J telle to the
that thy modyr more worthy Js, brent to be,
For sche is fals to hire lord so dere,
and so was neuere my modyr jn non manere.”
thanne was this justice wondyr angry tho,
and thus to that child he Spak vnto:
“ȝif of my modir Swich thing thow konne seye,
J schal the holden for trewe, jn feye.”
thanne seide merlyn aȝen to hym there:
“Ful wel knowe j thy modrys manere,
that moche more sche hath decerved to be ded
thanne evere dyde my modyr jn ony sted.
and but ȝif thou fynde that j trewe seye,
hardylich let ellis my modyr deye.”
thanne seide the justyse to hym ageyn:
“ȝif thou konne proven that thou seist pleyn,
Thy modyr from brenneng schalt thou save,
and al thyn owne axeng thou schalt have . . .
but natheles, and it be as thou dost telle,
thanne schal j don brenne bothe ful snelle,
bothe myn owne modyr and ek thyn,
and Bryngen hem bothe to a schort fyn.”
“that schal neuere lyn Jn thy powere
my modyr to deth to putten here,
whiles that thou lyvest here, ony threwe,
For ȝif nede be, mo Skiles j schal the Schewe.”

Thanne anon respyt gonnen they take
For the justices modris Sake,
xv dayes thanne next Sewenge,
hire forto bringen to Rekenenge,
and diden hire seke bothe fer & nygh,
To hire answere to comen apertly.

and jn the mene while they enqwered there
of that child Jn diuers manere,
but neuere to hem wolde he speken non word,
Tyl the day cam of here acord,
and whanne this womman comen was,
The Justices modyr, Jnto that plas.

thus cam the justices modyr thedyr jn hye;
thanne merlyn was after sent, trewlye,
owt of preson Jn hasty manere
to-forn the peple to comen there.
thanne seide the justice to merlyn tho:
“lo, here my modir, that thou spoke offen so!”
thanne seyde the child to hym ageyn:
“thou ne art ful wys, j telle the pleyn!
Tak thy modyr jnto a chambre anon
and of thy beste frendes, and þedir ȝe gon,
and þere to-foren ȝow J schal come
Jn excuseng of my modyr al & Some,
which that knoweth god almyhty
and also hire confessour, ful sothfastly.”
thanne abasched weren they Sore,
that they ne cowde Speken wordis no more.
thanne seide merlyne to hem echon:
“ȝif j delyvere my modir of this cryme anon,
schal sche thanne ony more jn warde be
for ȝow oþer for ony of this meyne?”
thanne answerid the justice to hym ageyn:
“sche schal ben ful qwyt thanne, jn certayn.”
thanne seide the justyce to merlyn tho:
“now sey to my modyr that thou kanst do,
be whiche thy modir qwit scholde be;
haue j-do, and sey on here to-fore me!”
“j schal non thing vppon thy modyr seye
but that schal my modyr aqwyten, jn good feye.
and ȝif sche have forfeted wyllyng,
j wile that thou to deth hire bryng.
hast not thou enswred me
and also my modyr, ful certeinle,

ȝif j may hire delyveren here,
qwit to gon jn alle manere?”
“that is ful trewe,” quod the justice,
“and thou it conne don be ony wyse.”

“Now, justice,” quod merlyne thanne anon,
“my modyr thou acusest to-forn vs Echon,
For that j am of hire j-bore,
and þat sche Not ho me engendrid thore.
but j kan bettere my modir telle
hos sone that j was, ful snelle,
thanne thou kanst, j dar wel say,
ho was thy fadyr, be ony way.
and also thy modyr the can tellen bettir, j-wis,
ho that the be-gat and thy fadyr Js,
thanne my modyr can tellen me,
oþer evere cowde jn ony degre,
hos Sone that j was,
sche cowde neuere tellen jn non plas.”
Thanne spak þe justice to his modir dere:
“hos sone was j, that stond now here?
was j not ȝowre sone Jn trewe acord
be-twixen ȝow and ȝowre husbonde & lord?”
“A ȝis, fayre Syre, ful Sykerle!
hos sone ellis scholde ȝe be,
but his sone that now ded Is?
j sey ȝow, dere sone, with-owten mys.”
“dame,” quod merlyne, “ȝow behoveth here
the Sothe to Seyen Jn alle manere.
For but ȝif thy Sone qwyte now me
and also my modyr, that here ȝe se,
No more entermeten j ne schal,
and ȝit scholen we gon qwyt of al!”
“ȝis,” quod the justice anon tho,
“Sey on now more what þou canst do.”
“Wel,” quod merlyne, “thanne schal J say:
thy fadir is ȝit onlyve thys day
be wytnesse of thin owne modyr here.”
thanne beheld the justice his modir there.

“jt be-houeth,” quod merlyne, “that ȝe here telle
ho was ȝoure sones fadyr, ful snelle,
For wel ȝe weten, his Fadyr he nas
Of hym that he supposith jn this plas.”
thanne baschet the Lady wondir sore,
& axede merlyne hos sone ellis he wore.

“Ful wel knowest thou,” quod merlyn tho,
“that thou seist, it nis not So,
but a prestis sone of ȝowre he js;
this woste thou wel, with-owten mys,
be this same tokene, j telle the,
that thou to hym seidest in prevyte.
Ne hadde ȝe but Selde to-gederis leyn,
that to hym thou seydest, ful pleyn,
that be hym with childe thou were;
and he seide: ‘nay, haue ȝe non fere!’
thanne seide he, that scholde neuere be,
Be hym with childe gon, Sykerle.
and for this skele thus seide he, trewelye,
For thou schost medlen with non mannes compenye.
and ȝit more dyde he therto:
as often as he with ȝow medlyd so,
he put jt anon jn Scripture;
that j seye, is soth, j ȝow ensure.
thanne was jt told to ȝoure lord
of ȝoure manere, every word,
but with fals othes ȝe to hym dyd swere
that it not so was Jn non manere.
thanne vnnethis wolde ȝe abyde,
but to þe preest wente anon that tyde,
and seiden to hym with-owten wordis mo:
‘me js be-tyd ful mochel wo,
that thus with childe be ȝow am j,
J am ful wo-be-gon now, trewly!’
dame, js not this trowthe, that j now say?
And here to-fore me sey ȝe other nay!

and ȝif thow wylt not the sothe beknowe,
mochel wers schal j sein aforn al this rowe.”
“modyr,” quod the justice, “is this trewe?”
“what, sone, levest thou this schrewed hewe?”

“A,” quod merlyne, “wylt thou thanne so,
thanne schal j telle what thou dist mo.
whanne that thou knew certeyn, þou were with childe,
thow wentest to purchase, as a womman ful mylde,
be the same preest, thi pes to have,
of thin owne lord, he scholde þe save,
and that his owne it was eche del,
the wheche was fals, thou knew ful wel.
and sethen that tyme, J sey ȝow here,
haven ȝe bothe lyved that lyf jn fere,
and ȝit ȝe lyven bothe jn-to this day;
Takith this for trowthe, as j ȝow say.
and the Nyht to-fore that ȝe scholde gone,
that preest, to ȝow he cam fulsone,
and browht ȝow a gret pece on the weye,
and thus to ȝow tho gan he seye:
‘loke that jn alle thyng ȝe fulfille
that my sone to ȝow schal sein vntylle.’”

Whanne the justices modyr herde hym so seyn,
and that he seide, was trowthe, ful pleyn,
Thanne gan sche Syghen & maken gret mone.
Thanne thus sche thowhte be hire-selve Alone,
that Nedis the trowthe moste sche Seye
oþer elles to ben confowndid vtterlye.
thanne hire sone seide to hire ageyn:
“hos sone j am, telleth me now pleyn.
For wel j wot, J am ȝoure child,
& to ȝow j am bothe mek and myld.
Telle me now trowthe, j ȝow preye,
of that this child doth here Seye!”
“Now, Swete sone, haue mercy on me!
as he Seyth, it is, ful Sekyrle.”
“ha thanne,” quod the justice tho,

“Now j se wel how it doth go!
this child knoweth bettere his fadyr, j-wis,
thanne j do myn, with-owten mys.
Now se j that it were non resown
thy modir oþer the to don distrocciown.
For for goddis love, telle þou me here
what maner of wyht thy fadyr were.”

thanne seide merlyne to hym ageyn:
“that schal j gladliche, jn certeyn,
more for thy love thanne for thy drede,
j sey the certeyn, so god me spede!
Syre, j wele that thou knowe, trewely,
that on my mody[r] me engendred the enemy.
For Sweche Spirites as they be,
ben j-cleped equibedes, j telle the;
and from the eyr jnto the erthe they gon
Swich maner of werkys here forto don.
And knowe thou wel, justice, certeinlye,
that j haue bothe here wyt and memorye,
and by hem knowe j ful wel
thy modris werkyng everydel.
For thinges that ben past, j knowe,
and thinges that ben comeng vppon a rowe.
And also it is owre lordis wille
that bothe wit & memorye j schal have þere-tylle
on his behalve, more thanne a naturel man
jn this erththe knoweth oþer kan,
for the love of my modir so dere,
that hire penaunce fulfilde here,
that the goodman ȝaf hire jn charge
(sche it fulfylde bothe fully and large);
that so be vertu of hire goodnesse
God graunttyd me ȝit more largesse:
to knowen thynges that weren comenge,
J sey the, justice, with-owten lesynge.
and this schalt þou proven ryht wel
and the sothe to knowen every del.”

Anon he took the justice on syde,
& thus him told that jlke tyde:
“Thy modyr wil discoueren me anone,
come sche hom ones, neuere so sone,
and tellen to him that the be-gat,
alle that j haue to the seid and what.
and whanne that he wot al this,
For drede of þe thanne wyle he fleen, j-wys.
thanne the devel, whos servaunt he hath be,
to a water schal leden hym ful pryvyle,
and þere he schal hym-self distroye,
his owne Sowle to gret anoye.
and hereby myhtest þou haue knoweng
that j can tellen of thinges comeng.”
“Now, and it be trewe as thou tellest me,
Evere schal j the trosten ful feith-fulle,
and Neuere j schal the misbeleve
For non man that owht can on þe preve.”

Thanne thus owt of cownseyl gonnen they go,
and to-fore the peple come they tho,
and there schewed the justice anon, Sykerle,
that ful wel aqwit his modyr hadde he,
bothe be good resown and be ryht—
“thus hath he his modyr from the deth now dyht.”
thanne joyeden the peple everychon,
and thankede god he hadde so don.
So thus delyverede merlyne tho
his modyr from Brenneng, peyne, & wo.

and merlyne with the justice belefte Stylle,
For he thowhte to werkyn aftyr his wylle,
and sente tweyne men with his modir anon,
To weten how that cawse scholde goon,
also to knowen ȝif it trewe were
that this chyld hath told hym there.
Assone as his modyr hom comen was,
sche tolde the preest al the cas
of the Merveilles everychon

that toforn hire sone was seid & don.
Anon as the preest herde of this,
fulsore thanne was he astoned, j-wis,
and supposid the justice wold hym slo.
thanne wyste he neuere what to do,
but owt of the town he wente anon,
Thanne to a ryvere he cam thus son,
and þere he dyde hym-Self dystroye,
For the justice hym schold not anoye.
lo, thus the devel with hym wrowhte,
tyl that he hadde browht hym to nowhte.
and this openly Syen thike twey men,
that hom with that lady comen then;
and whanne to the juge they comen ageyn,
of alle this aventure they tolden hym, certeyn.
& whanne the justice herde al this,
anon he merveillede ful gretly, j-wis,
and there to merlyn told it thus sone;
thanne began this merlyn to lawhen anone.
“Now j preye the, justice,” quod merlyn tho,
“that to holy Blase thou wost tellen this vnto,
wich that is my modris confessour,
a ful holy man Jn everych owr.”
thanne tolde the justice to Blase, ful pleyn,
how that this aventure befyl, certeyn.
thanne wente merlyn and his modyr jn fere,
the justice and Blase, alle to-gederis there,
and wente whider hem likede best,
Jnto what place as hem best lest.

This Blasye a worthy clerk he was,
and mochel merveille hadde in þat plas
that so ȝong a child as was he,
Swich wit scholde haue jn ony degre,
that but two ȝer and an half he was old,
and that he was so wis, so redy, and so bold;
he merveillede whens it scholde be,
& assaied Merlyne jn ful many degre.
thanne seide merlyne to hym ageyn:

“þe more that þou me asayeest, jn certeyn, [OMITTED]
ȝif thou wilt me trosten and beleve,
of the love of god j schal the preve,
the whiche to endeles lyf it schal þe brynge,
and thou wilt don aftyr my techinge.”
thanne answerede this Blasye ageyn:
“what? toforn this tyme j haue herd seyn
that only the develis sone thou were,
How schost thow thanne swich thynges Don Here?”
“lo,” quod merlyne, “a custowme it Js
of alle schrewed hertis, J-wys,
that [they] rathere the evel thanne good scholen speke,
on here em-cristene to ben awreke.
thou seist, the develis sone that j am,
as þou myhtest han seid, from god þat j cam,
and that he graunted me bothe wit & memorye;
what schold it han greved the thus to seye?
For it is goddis wille that j knowe
thinges to-comeng vppon a rowe,
only for the same enchesown
that þe devel hath me forgon.
and ȝit haue j not myn engyneng,
that of kynde j hadde atte begynneng,
but of me scholen they neuere han power,
for that han they lost everywher,
For me to putten jn so worthy a vessel,
of wheche hadde they part neuere a del,
and jn Swich a maner conceyved they me,
For they knew not of goddis prevyte.
and þerfore alle j-lost they bene;
of this be thou Seker and not jn wene.
and loke thou beleve that j schal seyn,
For of merveilles j schal tellen the, ful pleyn,
of whiche thow wylt haue gret merveyllyng,

how sweche wyttes myhte jnto ony man synk.
Blayse, anon that thow make a book,
for here-aftyr many man schal þer-on look.”
thanne seide Blayse to merlyne anon:
“A book may j do maken ful sone,
but j coniowre þe be on god of myhtes most,
which is fadir, sone, & holygost,
that thou nowht deceyve me,
Nethir be thy werk engyned to be,
Ne to werkyn non thing aȝens goddis wylle,
Ne nothyng to don that scholde plesen hym ylle.”
“ha, Sire Blayse,” quod merlyne tho,
“and j aȝens goddis wille ony thing do,
Loke that þou telle it me anon,
and j wele beleven jt thusson.
but gete the bothe penne, jnke, and parchemyn,
this book to be-gynnen and Bryngen to fyn,
and j schal the tellen every del
how that this book þou schalt wryten ful wel.”

Thanne Blayse anon, so god me save,
dide ordeynen alle thinges him Nedid to have;
and whanne that al thing redy was,
thanne cam merlyn jnto that plas,
and anon be-gan him telle
of cristes deth, how it befelle,
also of Josepe of armathye,
how of hym it happede, trewelye,
and of Aleyn, and of Perown also,
& of his compenye, how they departid tho.
and thus endyd he of josepe there
& of al his Feleschepe also jn fere,
and gan to tellen hym furthere more
of þe parlement of þe develis thore,
and how thei conseylled hem be-twen
that a child jn the erthe jbore schold ben
that here wyt scholde haue & ek memorye,

the peple to deceyven ful falslye.
“and be my modir thou hast herd telle
how hire deceyveden the fendis so felle,
but be here owne fals folye
They han me lost, As J the seye.”

al this werk thus Began merlyne,
and Blasye it Browhte to ful good fyne;
and evere the lengere that Blasye gan wryte,
the bettere hym thowhte he cowde endyte;
and euere the more this mater gan he drawe,
evere the bettere he lykede merlynes Sawe.
thanne merlyn to Blayse cam anon,
& þere to hym he seide thus son:
“Blasye, thou shalt Suffren gret peyne
This storye to an ende to bringen, certeyne,
and ȝit schal j Suffren mochel more.”
“how so, merlyn?” quod Blasye thore.
“j schal be sowht,” quod merlyne tho,
“Owt from the west, with messengeris mo;
and they that scholen comen to seken me,
they han maad Sewrawnce, j telle the,
me forto slen for ony thing;
this sewrawnce han they mad to here kyng.
but whanne they me sen & with me speke,
Non power they schole han on me to ben awreke;
For with hem hens moste j gon,
and thou jnto othir partyes schalt welson,
To hem that han the holy vessel
which that js J-Cleped the seynt Graal.
and wete thow wel and ek forsothe
that thow and ek this storye bothe,
ful wel beherd now schal it be
and also Beloved Jn many contre.”

and hos that wil knowen jn certaygne
what kynges that weren jn grete Bretaygne,
Sethen that Cristendom thedyr was Browht,

They scholen hem fynde, hos so that it sowht,
jn the Story of Brwttes book;
there scholen ȝe it fynde, and ȝe welen look;
which that Martyn de Bewre traunslated here
From latyn jnto Romaunce jn his manere.
but leve we now of Brwtes book,
and aftyr this storye now lete vs look.

	[Chapter I] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance

University of Virginia Library

[Chapter I]