Duquesne Studies Philological Series: 2: A critical edition of John Lydgate's Life of our Lady by Joseph A. Lauritis ... General editor: Ralph A. Klinefelter ... Vernon F. Gallagher |
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
Book VI
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| LXXXVII. |
 | Duquesne Studies |  |
637
Book VI
[[LXXXII]]
Glorye and pryes, laude and high honour,
O blisfull quene, be yeve vnto the
That were of god the cheve chaste toure,
Surely foundede vpon humylyte,
Schitte with þe keie of clene virginite;
Fro all synne fully to be assurede,
Of the holy goste rounde aboute ymurede.
O blisfull quene, be yeve vnto the
That were of god the cheve chaste toure,
Surely foundede vpon humylyte,
Schitte with þe keie of clene virginite;
Fro all synne fully to be assurede,
Of the holy goste rounde aboute ymurede.
That neuere brennyng of no flesshely hete
Asayle myght thyn holy tabernacle,
Withe dewe of grace thy closet was so swete,
Fulfilled with vertu oonly by myracle.
God chese thy wombe for this habitacle
And halowede it so clene in euery coste,
To make it sacrary for his awne goste.
Asayle myght thyn holy tabernacle,
Withe dewe of grace thy closet was so swete,
Fulfilled with vertu oonly by myracle.
God chese thy wombe for this habitacle
And halowede it so clene in euery coste,
To make it sacrary for his awne goste.
638
Not withstonding þat þou were so clene
Above all othir by election,
Of mekenesse oonly, oo thu heuenely quene,
Thou list to haue non indignacioun.
The dayes passede of thy purgacion
To fulfille the precept of the lawe
In euery thyng and not o poynt with drawe.
Above all othir by election,
Of mekenesse oonly, oo thu heuenely quene,
Thou list to haue non indignacioun.
The dayes passede of thy purgacion
To fulfille the precept of the lawe
In euery thyng and not o poynt with drawe.
But euer lyke, as it is specifiede,
Leuitici, who so can vndirstonde,
To the temple to be puryfyede
Thou mekely came thyn offryng in thyne hande,
Al-be þe lawe sette on þee no bonde.
For it is there makede mencion,
Touchyng the lawe of purgacion,
Leuitici, who so can vndirstonde,
To the temple to be puryfyede
Thou mekely came thyn offryng in thyne hande,
Al-be þe lawe sette on þee no bonde.
For it is there makede mencion,
Touchyng the lawe of purgacion,
639
If a woman conceyve by a man
And haue a childe by medelyng hem betwene,
Þat be a male, þe lawe techith þan
Fourty dayes that she shulde be vnclene,
And kepe her close that no man shulde hir seen;
And aftir that she sholde hir offryng,
In lawe expressed, to the temple brynge.
And haue a childe by medelyng hem betwene,
Þat be a male, þe lawe techith þan
Fourty dayes that she shulde be vnclene,
And kepe her close that no man shulde hir seen;
And aftir that she sholde hir offryng,
In lawe expressed, to the temple brynge.
But taketh hede, in conclusion,
How this lawe like, as ye shall fynde,
Ne was not put but by condicion
Only to hem that corrupt wer by kynde,
Thorugh touche of man, of suche it made mynde.
The days noumbrede of her purgacion,
To come and make her oblacion
How this lawe like, as ye shall fynde,
Ne was not put but by condicion
Only to hem that corrupt wer by kynde,
Thorugh touche of man, of suche it made mynde.
The days noumbrede of her purgacion,
To come and make her oblacion
640
And bryng a lamb, the whiche in sacrifice
Shulde all be brent in the holy place;
And a pygeon, as lawe dothe devyse,
She shuld eke offre as for her trespase.
And all fylthe fro hir to enchace,
She of the prest, halowede and sanctifiede,
Returned hom al fulli purified.
Shulde all be brent in the holy place;
And a pygeon, as lawe dothe devyse,
She shuld eke offre as for her trespase.
And all fylthe fro hir to enchace,
She of the prest, halowede and sanctifiede,
Returned hom al fulli purified.
And if she had in her possession
Redely no lambe only for pouerte,
Then shulde she take for her oblacion
Two turtle doves and ther-with-all go fre;
Or two pegyons, like as ye may se,
Levitici, wher by distynccion,
Of þis offringe is made discripcion.
Redely no lambe only for pouerte,
Then shulde she take for her oblacion
Two turtle doves and ther-with-all go fre;
Or two pegyons, like as ye may se,
Levitici, wher by distynccion,
Of þis offringe is made discripcion.
641
But this mayde, who so can take hede,
Excludet was for condicion
That bare her childe withoute manys seede,—
Beyng euere clene from all corrupcion—
Wher thorugh, she was fro suche oblacion
By lawe exempt, and was vnder no charge
For hir clennes stondyng at hir large.
Excludet was for condicion
That bare her childe withoute manys seede,—
Beyng euere clene from all corrupcion—
Wher thorugh, she was fro suche oblacion
By lawe exempt, and was vnder no charge
For hir clennes stondyng at hir large.
For of her wombe, the cloyster virgynall,
Was euere liche, bothe firste and laste,
Closed and shette as castell principall;
For the holy goste devysede it and cast
And at bothe tymes shet iliche faste,—
In hir childyng no more thorugh grace broke
At hir conceyvyng than it was vnloke.
Was euere liche, bothe firste and laste,
Closed and shette as castell principall;
For the holy goste devysede it and cast
And at bothe tymes shet iliche faste,—
In hir childyng no more thorugh grace broke
At hir conceyvyng than it was vnloke.
642
For nature withoutyn any stryfe,
Of Repuugnaunce or any recistence,
Yaffe this mayde a speciall prerogatyffe:
As mother parede to haue experience
Only of childyng and fele non offence,
Neyther of sekenesse ner of suche manere woo
In traveylyng as othir wymen doo.
Of Repuugnaunce or any recistence,
Yaffe this mayde a speciall prerogatyffe:
As mother parede to haue experience
Only of childyng and fele non offence,
Neyther of sekenesse ner of suche manere woo
In traveylyng as othir wymen doo.
She was exempt from all suche passion
For hir clennes and so was noon but she,
And yet her tyme of puryficacion
Sche dide a-byde of hir humilite.
And like as lawe ordeynyth by decre,
Aftir all this, of custome as she aught,
To the temple she hir offryng brought,
For hir clennes and so was noon but she,
And yet her tyme of puryficacion
Sche dide a-byde of hir humilite.
And like as lawe ordeynyth by decre,
Aftir all this, of custome as she aught,
To the temple she hir offryng brought,
643
To yeffe ensample only of mekenesse,
To þe lawe sche mekely wolde obeye
Fro poynt to poynt—the gospell saythe expresse—
And on noo syde wold it not with-seye.
And þouȝ þat sche bar of golde no keye,
To by a lambe for pouert constreynyng,
Yet she full mekely to make hir offryng
To þe lawe sche mekely wolde obeye
Fro poynt to poynt—the gospell saythe expresse—
And on noo syde wold it not with-seye.
And þouȝ þat sche bar of golde no keye,
To by a lambe for pouert constreynyng,
Yet she full mekely to make hir offryng
Brought two turtleȝ—as it is sayde afforne—
That was the offryng of pore folke ichone,
Whiche to the temple whan that she hath borne,
As custome was, she offrede hem a-noon.
And aftir that olde Symeon,
With humble herte and full bysy payne,
The childe enbrasyng in his Armeȝ twayne,
That was the offryng of pore folke ichone,
Whiche to the temple whan that she hath borne,
As custome was, she offrede hem a-noon.
And aftir that olde Symeon,
With humble herte and full bysy payne,
The childe enbrasyng in his Armeȝ twayne,
644
[[LXXXIII]]
Of hir modur goodly gan him take.
Of lovyng hert and grete deuocion,
And suche a ioye of hym gan to make
Withe-in hym-self of high affection,
That he ne couthe, neythir by worde ne soun,
Oute warde declare, neythir with chere ne face,
The passyng Ioye that gan his hert enbrace.
Of lovyng hert and grete deuocion,
And suche a ioye of hym gan to make
Withe-in hym-self of high affection,
That he ne couthe, neythir by worde ne soun,
Oute warde declare, neythir with chere ne face,
The passyng Ioye that gan his hert enbrace.
And he was rightfull holy and vertuouse,
This olde man, this blissede Symeon,
Dredeful also and passyngly famous
Amonge the preesteȝ to Recken hem euerychone
That was expectant of full long a-goon,
On the comfort and consolacion
Of Iserael in his entencion
This olde man, this blissede Symeon,
Dredeful also and passyngly famous
Amonge the preesteȝ to Recken hem euerychone
That was expectant of full long a-goon,
On the comfort and consolacion
Of Iserael in his entencion
645
For he had ansewer of the holy goste
In his prayer that he shulde see,
The byrthe of cryste that is of power moste
And eke fro deeth þat he schal goo free
To the tyme of his Natyvyte;—
And to the day that with his eyne olde,
The birthe of hym that he may be-holde—
In his prayer that he shulde see,
The byrthe of cryste that is of power moste
And eke fro deeth þat he schal goo free
To the tyme of his Natyvyte;—
And to the day that with his eyne olde,
The birthe of hym that he may be-holde—
The whiche day is by grace come.
And for þat he bi reuelacioun
The tyme knewe, he hath the waye nome
To the temple with hygh deuocion,
To se of criste the presentacion;
Howe that Marye and Ioseph eke also,
The childe presente and her offerynge do.
And for þat he bi reuelacioun
The tyme knewe, he hath the waye nome
To the temple with hygh deuocion,
To se of criste the presentacion;
Howe that Marye and Ioseph eke also,
The childe presente and her offerynge do.
646
And for that criste was the first born,
Afftir the lawe in his tendre age—
Not of levi as ye haue herde to forn,
But of Iuda comyng by lynage—
Therfore his mothir, most holy of visage,
Hir offringe made list not for to striue,
For hym ayeyne to pay shillynges fyfe—
Afftir the lawe in his tendre age—
Not of levi as ye haue herde to forn,
But of Iuda comyng by lynage—
Therfore his mothir, most holy of visage,
Hir offringe made list not for to striue,
For hym ayeyne to pay shillynges fyfe—
Liche as the custome of the lawe was—
She mekely made his redempcion.
And Symeon, beholdyng all this case
Full stilly in his inspeccion,
For love brennyng be affeccion,
Of verrey hert sodenly abrayede,
Holdyng the childe evyn thus he sayde:
She mekely made his redempcion.
And Symeon, beholdyng all this case
Full stilly in his inspeccion,
For love brennyng be affeccion,
Of verrey hert sodenly abrayede,
Holdyng the childe evyn thus he sayde:
647
[[LXXXIIII]]
O blisfull lorde, of thy high grace
If that thou lust now thou maiste me lete
Oute of this life in pees and rest pace;
And suffre me to dey in quyete.
For nowe to me dethe is wondir swete;
Nowe haue I seen thy helthe and thy socour,—
And of mankynde lorde and savyour—
If that thou lust now thou maiste me lete
Oute of this life in pees and rest pace;
And suffre me to dey in quyete.
For nowe to me dethe is wondir swete;
Nowe haue I seen thy helthe and thy socour,—
And of mankynde lorde and savyour—
Whiche thou hast dight affore the faceȝ all,
Of yche peple to make hem glad and light—
To lete thy grace so to erthe falle,
Thorugh all the worlde to shewe his bemeȝ bryght,
That may be callede for comforte of his light,—
Of foreyne folke the reuelacion,
The glorye also and the savacion
Of yche peple to make hem glad and light—
To lete thy grace so to erthe falle,
Thorugh all the worlde to shewe his bemeȝ bryght,
That may be callede for comforte of his light,—
Of foreyne folke the reuelacion,
The glorye also and the savacion
648
Of Israel thy peple in speciall,
To voyde hem oute of all derkenesse.
And Marye full mekely listenyth all,
And gan merveyle with grete avysenesse
Of the wordes that he gan expresse;
And Iosephe eke gan to wondir also.
And Symeon hem blessynge bothe two,
To voyde hem oute of all derkenesse.
And Marye full mekely listenyth all,
And gan merveyle with grete avysenesse
Of the wordes that he gan expresse;
And Iosephe eke gan to wondir also.
And Symeon hem blessynge bothe two,
Spake to Marye and seyde in audience:
By-holde and se in thyn inspection,
How he is put in ruyne and offence
Of many one here in his region;
And to some in resurexion
That shall releve, thorugh his myghty grace.
And thorugh thy sawle shall a sharpe swerde pace,
By-holde and se in thyn inspection,
How he is put in ruyne and offence
Of many one here in his region;
And to some in resurexion
That shall releve, thorugh his myghty grace.
And thorugh thy sawle shall a sharpe swerde pace,
649
Of hertely woo to as his passion—
That passyngly shall bitter be and fell—
To opyn herteȝ by confession
Her synfull thoughteȝ opynly to tell.
And Anna than, the doughter of phanuell,—
Born of the trybe and of the kynrede
Called Aser, sothely as I rede,
That passyngly shall bitter be and fell—
To opyn herteȝ by confession
Her synfull thoughteȝ opynly to tell.
And Anna than, the doughter of phanuell,—
Born of the trybe and of the kynrede
Called Aser, sothely as I rede,
[[LXXXV]]
That was that day Ronne fer in age,—
Whiche in the temple by contynuaunce,
Sole by her self oute of maryage,
Lay niȝt and day in fastynge and penaunce,
In wyddowe abyte sad of contenaunce.
And in prayer was hir bysy cure,
Which in that hour of grace or aventure,—
Whiche in the temple by contynuaunce,
Sole by her self oute of maryage,
Lay niȝt and day in fastynge and penaunce,
In wyddowe abyte sad of contenaunce.
And in prayer was hir bysy cure,
Which in that hour of grace or aventure,—
650
Whan criste was ther with his mother dere
In the tyme of his oblacioun—
This Anna cam, demure and sad of chere,
And vnto hym with grete deuocion,
Whan she hym sawe, fel on knees doun,
Recomfortede of all her olde smerte,
Hym honouryng with all hir hole herte.
In the tyme of his oblacioun—
This Anna cam, demure and sad of chere,
And vnto hym with grete deuocion,
Whan she hym sawe, fel on knees doun,
Recomfortede of all her olde smerte,
Hym honouryng with all hir hole herte.
Sayde opynly that all myghten here;
Bethe myrry and light in your entencion,
And euery man be glad and of goode chere,
For nowe is borne for our savacion,
He that shall make our Redempcion.
This yonge childe, blissed mot he be,
That me hathe grauntede his face for to se.
Bethe myrry and light in your entencion,
And euery man be glad and of goode chere,
For nowe is borne for our savacion,
He that shall make our Redempcion.
This yonge childe, blissed mot he be,
That me hathe grauntede his face for to se.
651
And then in sothe whan euery thyng was doun
Aftir the lawe withouten excepcion,
And that Anna and holy Symeon
Had of this childe made declaracion—
As ye haue herde in conclusion—
The childe and Ioseph and this mayde free,
Retournede home into galelee.
Aftir the lawe withouten excepcion,
And that Anna and holy Symeon
Had of this childe made declaracion—
As ye haue herde in conclusion—
The childe and Ioseph and this mayde free,
Retournede home into galelee.
[[LXXXVI]]
Nowe as me semythe in this high ferre
That named is the puryficacioun,
Euery man aught to be myrry;
And withe gode hert and hole entencion,
Deuoutely bryng his oblacion.
And offre a turtil, firste of Innocence,
And a dove next for his offence;
That named is the puryficacioun,
Euery man aught to be myrry;
And withe gode hert and hole entencion,
Deuoutely bryng his oblacion.
And offre a turtil, firste of Innocence,
And a dove next for his offence;
652
For grete mysterye is in bothe tweyne:
The tone commendyde for his chastite,
And that othir, if I shall not feyne,
Is symple and meke withoute cruelte;
The turtle prysede of trouthe and honeste,
And the dove hathe kyndely excellence
Of mekenesse and hertely pacience.
The tone commendyde for his chastite,
And that othir, if I shall not feyne,
Is symple and meke withoute cruelte;
The turtle prysede of trouthe and honeste,
And the dove hathe kyndely excellence
Of mekenesse and hertely pacience.
And who that wol his offryng make a-right,
He may not fayle noon of bothe twoo:
Fyrste shyne in clennes with his chaste light
As the Turtle, and ther with also,
Liche the dove, bothe in wele and woo,
His hert daunt so by a-temperaunce
To voyde rancour and plant in sufferaunce.
He may not fayle noon of bothe twoo:
Fyrste shyne in clennes with his chaste light
As the Turtle, and ther with also,
Liche the dove, bothe in wele and woo,
His hert daunt so by a-temperaunce
To voyde rancour and plant in sufferaunce.
653
And as the Turtle by contemplatyffe
For synne soroweth with waymentyng,—
Only for loue of thilke eternall lyfe
That lastythe aye and may haue no endyng—
And as the birde sheweth the commyng
Of grene ver with fresshe buddeȝ newe,
Ryght so of vertu with floures fayre of hewe.
For synne soroweth with waymentyng,—
Only for loue of thilke eternall lyfe
That lastythe aye and may haue no endyng—
And as the birde sheweth the commyng
Of grene ver with fresshe buddeȝ newe,
Ryght so of vertu with floures fayre of hewe.
He muste ensample of the Turtle take,
And be well ware that he not varye
But life sool whan he hathe lost his make;
And in prayer be also solytarye,
And loke all waye that he not ne tarye
On noo caren of no flesshely hede.
And withe all this to take also hede,
And be well ware that he not varye
But life sool whan he hathe lost his make;
And in prayer be also solytarye,
And loke all waye that he not ne tarye
On noo caren of no flesshely hede.
And withe all this to take also hede,
654
That he his lyfe lede not in veyne,
But like a dove, bysely espye
Where he of vertu gedre may the greyne;
And þat he fle not oute of companye—
Wantynge also the galle of enuye—
And that he haue ay indignacion
Of synfull luste full of corrupcion,
But like a dove, bysely espye
Where he of vertu gedre may the greyne;
And þat he fle not oute of companye—
Wantynge also the galle of enuye—
And that he haue ay indignacion
Of synfull luste full of corrupcion,
On eny caryne to fostre hym or fede.
And euermore with all his besy payne,
Eschewyng, synne, loue god and drede;
And with the dove sighen and compleyne
For his offence, and with wynges tweyne,
Take his flight as fer-furthe as he can,
Thorugh perfyte loue bothe to god and man.
And euermore with all his besy payne,
Eschewyng, synne, loue god and drede;
And with the dove sighen and compleyne
For his offence, and with wynges tweyne,
Take his flight as fer-furthe as he can,
Thorugh perfyte loue bothe to god and man.
655
And as the dove touchithe eke her make
Only with kyssyng whan thay to-gydre gone,
So muste he, wheþer he slepe or wake,
Thorughe charyte set his hert in one;
And like a dove, make his nest of stone.
This is to say, among all his pleasaunce
He muste his flesshe daunte with penaunce.
Only with kyssyng whan thay to-gydre gone,
So muste he, wheþer he slepe or wake,
Thorughe charyte set his hert in one;
And like a dove, make his nest of stone.
This is to say, among all his pleasaunce
He muste his flesshe daunte with penaunce.
And as a dove with hir eyne meke,—
Of kynde espyeth a-myddes the Ryuere
The haukes shadowe when he dothe her seke,
And flieth away or he come eny nere—
Right so must he, with perfyte eyne clere,
A-myd the waters full of woo and stryfe,
In the wawes of this mortall lyfe
Of kynde espyeth a-myddes the Ryuere
The haukes shadowe when he dothe her seke,
And flieth away or he come eny nere—
Right so must he, with perfyte eyne clere,
A-myd the waters full of woo and stryfe,
In the wawes of this mortall lyfe
656
The dedely shade of the fynde eschewe—
That waytyth hym with snares large and huge
And to þe deeth euere doith him purswe
To trappe hym here in this deluge—
And like a dove fle to his refuge,
By grace only if he may escape,
Or dethe be-tray hym with his soden Rape.
That waytyth hym with snares large and huge
And to þe deeth euere doith him purswe
To trappe hym here in this deluge—
And like a dove fle to his refuge,
By grace only if he may escape,
Or dethe be-tray hym with his soden Rape.
And who by clennesse with the Turtle fleethe—
As I to forne haue made mencion—
And like the dove, affore his parell seeth,
Of dethe to eschewe the persecucion,
And can he meke in tribulacion,
I dar Recorde and wryte it for a sothe,
Truly to god he is offryng dothe.
As I to forne haue made mencion—
And like the dove, affore his parell seeth,
Of dethe to eschewe the persecucion,
And can he meke in tribulacion,
I dar Recorde and wryte it for a sothe,
Truly to god he is offryng dothe.
657
But who that euere lyfe in chastite
And hathe envye enclosede in his thought,
He mai wel offre, what so þat he be,
To god a turtle but the dove nought.
Wherfore, they muste be to-gdyre brought,
That clennesse by sothefaste vnyte
Withoutyn partyng be knytte with charyte.
And hathe envye enclosede in his thought,
He mai wel offre, what so þat he be,
To god a turtle but the dove nought.
Wherfore, they muste be to-gdyre brought,
That clennesse by sothefaste vnyte
Withoutyn partyng be knytte with charyte.
And sothely thanne, ther is no more to seyne,
Whan his offryng and oblacion
Is iustely made to god of bothe tweyne,
It is acceptede of more deuocion.
And for to make a shorte discripcion
Of the Turtle and the doveȝ kynde,
Reed here these verses and ye shall it fynde:
Whan his offryng and oblacion
Is iustely made to god of bothe tweyne,
It is acceptede of more deuocion.
And for to make a shorte discripcion
Of the Turtle and the doveȝ kynde,
Reed here these verses and ye shall it fynde:
658
Alta petit Turtur cantando gemit veniens ver
Nunciat et caste viuit solusque moratur
Pullos nocte fouet morticinium quoque fugit
Grana legat volitat sociata cadaucra vitat
Felle caret plangit socium que per oscula tangit
Petra dat huic nidum fugit hostem in flumine visum
Rostro non ledit geminos pullos bene nutrit.
Nunciat et caste viuit solusque moratur
Pullos nocte fouet morticinium quoque fugit
Grana legat volitat sociata cadaucra vitat
Felle caret plangit socium que per oscula tangit
Petra dat huic nidum fugit hostem in flumine visum
Rostro non ledit geminos pullos bene nutrit.
This fest also—bothe of more and lesse
Thorugh oute the worlde in euery Region—
Called is the fest of candilmasse.
For sondrye skylles in conclusion—
As olde bokeȝ maken mencion—
And howe that firste this feste toke his name,
So as I can to yov I will atame.
Thorugh oute the worlde in euery Region—
Called is the fest of candilmasse.
For sondrye skylles in conclusion—
As olde bokeȝ maken mencion—
And howe that firste this feste toke his name,
So as I can to yov I will atame.
659
[[LXXVII]]
Some tyme, when Rome thorough his high Renoun,
Was most flouryng in power and in myght,
Euery fifte ȝeere bi reuolucyoun,
In februarie vpon the first nyght,
Eche man and childe with a tapre light,
Went in the Cyte tweyne and tweyne a paas
Vn to a temple whiche þat sacrid was
Was most flouryng in power and in myght,
Euery fifte ȝeere bi reuolucyoun,
In februarie vpon the first nyght,
Eche man and childe with a tapre light,
Went in the Cyte tweyne and tweyne a paas
Vn to a temple whiche þat sacrid was
To februa of olde fundacion—
Þat modir was to mars omnipotent—
In whose honoure this procession
Ordenede was by greate avysement.
At eche lustre wenyng in her entent,
That hir power and greate worthynesse
Preferryde was, thorough helpe of this godesse,
Þat modir was to mars omnipotent—
In whose honoure this procession
Ordenede was by greate avysement.
At eche lustre wenyng in her entent,
That hir power and greate worthynesse
Preferryde was, thorough helpe of this godesse,
660
From all assaute of euery aduersarie—
Supposyng fully in her opynyon,
That she fortune made debonayre
For to susteyne the honour of her towne,
And thorough her helpe and mediacion,
That myghty mars to encrece her glorye,
In all conquest yeff to hem victorye.
Supposyng fully in her opynyon,
That she fortune made debonayre
For to susteyne the honour of her towne,
And thorough her helpe and mediacion,
That myghty mars to encrece her glorye,
In all conquest yeff to hem victorye.
For whiche cause thorugh oute the Cyte,
As ye haue harde of high and lowe estate,
Was first ordeynede this solempnyte
In the Temple that was consecrate
To februa, the goddesse fortunate,
Thorough helpe of whome they wer victoryous.
And so this custume supersticious,
As ye haue harde of high and lowe estate,
Was first ordeynede this solempnyte
In the Temple that was consecrate
To februa, the goddesse fortunate,
Thorough helpe of whome they wer victoryous.
And so this custume supersticious,
661
In Rome twone, as myn auctour seythe,
Observede was long and many a day.
Yet aftir that they turnede to the faythe,
But euere in one this Ryte thay kept alway—
For olde custome is harde to putte away,
And vsage grevythe folkeȝ full sore
To do a-way that thei haue kepte of yore.
Observede was long and many a day.
Yet aftir that they turnede to the faythe,
But euere in one this Ryte thay kept alway—
For olde custome is harde to putte away,
And vsage grevythe folkeȝ full sore
To do a-way that thei haue kepte of yore.
But at the laste Pope Sergius,
Of the peple seyng this erroure,
And that the custome was full perilous,
Dyd his devour and also his laboure,
This ryte to chaunge into the honoure
Of our lady, so that this high feste,
Fro the highest doun to the leste,
Of the peple seyng this erroure,
And that the custome was full perilous,
Dyd his devour and also his laboure,
This ryte to chaunge into the honoure
Of our lady, so that this high feste,
Fro the highest doun to the leste,
662
Euery man and woman in her honde
To the Temple shulde a tapre bryng,
Þoruȝ out þe worlde in euery manere londe;
And ther with all make her offryng,
Aftir the gospell the presteȝ hand kyssyng,—
With light solempne that all myghten sene,—
In honour oonly of þe heuenly quene
To the Temple shulde a tapre bryng,
Þoruȝ out þe worlde in euery manere londe;
And ther with all make her offryng,
Aftir the gospell the presteȝ hand kyssyng,—
With light solempne that all myghten sene,—
In honour oonly of þe heuenly quene
That best may be our mediatrice
To hir son that is with-oute fayle,
Bothe lorde and kyng, and she Emperatrice
Of londe, of see, of pees and of batayle,
Withouten whome no conquest may avayle,
For she hath power more in sothefastnesse,
Then februa of Rome the goddesse.
To hir son that is with-oute fayle,
Bothe lorde and kyng, and she Emperatrice
Of londe, of see, of pees and of batayle,
Withouten whome no conquest may avayle,
For she hath power more in sothefastnesse,
Then februa of Rome the goddesse.
663
And thus this ryte was vtterly Refusede
By Sergius, as ye haue herde devyse,—
That was afforne of hem of Rome vsede
Full many a day in her paynym wyse
Whom to sue al oristen must dispise—
And of candeles whan this ryte gan passe,
Came the name first of Candelmasse.
By Sergius, as ye haue herde devyse,—
That was afforne of hem of Rome vsede
Full many a day in her paynym wyse
Whom to sue al oristen must dispise—
And of candeles whan this ryte gan passe,
Came the name first of Candelmasse.
This feste also of full long a-gone,
The name toke of the procession—
Made of Anna and holy Symeon,
When thay hym mette with grete deuocion,
Brought to the Temple to his oblacion
As was the lawe custom and vsaunnce
Of holy chirche for a remembraunce—
The name toke of the procession—
Made of Anna and holy Symeon,
When thay hym mette with grete deuocion,
Brought to the Temple to his oblacion
As was the lawe custom and vsaunnce
Of holy chirche for a remembraunce—
664
Observede furthe yet fro yere to yere
Of februarye on the first day,
Withe sacrede light vpon tapers clere—
Shynyng as bright as phebus dothe in may—
Whan the peple in what thay can or may,
Full Redy ben of on entencion
To make in fygure a presentacion
Of februarye on the first day,
Withe sacrede light vpon tapers clere—
Shynyng as bright as phebus dothe in may—
Whan the peple in what thay can or may,
Full Redy ben of on entencion
To make in fygure a presentacion
Of criste Ihesu with all her full myght,
Syngnyfyede, who so can take hede,
Withe the tapre that we offre light:
For firste the wax betokenyth his manhede,
The weyke his soule, the fyre his godhede;
And as the wax is made and wrought of newe,—
Thorough small bees of floures fresshe of hewe,
Syngnyfyede, who so can take hede,
Withe the tapre that we offre light:
For firste the wax betokenyth his manhede,
The weyke his soule, the fyre his godhede;
And as the wax is made and wrought of newe,—
Thorough small bees of floures fresshe of hewe,
665
Thorughe clennesse only and diligent labour
Of blossomes gedrede and to the hyve brought—
So cristes manhode grewe oute of a floure,
Whose fresshe beaute of cloure fadyth nought;
For of a mayde clene in will and thought—
Like as wax of floures soote and glade
Is tried out and doith hem not to fade—
Of blossomes gedrede and to the hyve brought—
So cristes manhode grewe oute of a floure,
Whose fresshe beaute of cloure fadyth nought;
For of a mayde clene in will and thought—
Like as wax of floures soote and glade
Is tried out and doith hem not to fade—
So criste Ihesu, conservyng her clennesse,
His manhode toke a mayden free,
She standyng hole flouryng in fayrenesse
Withe all the fresshenesse of virgynyte.
And as a tapre is one to gyder and three,
So thilke lorde, that is bothe thre and one,
Toke flesshe and blode to save vs euerycheone,
His manhode toke a mayden free,
She standyng hole flouryng in fayrenesse
Withe all the fresshenesse of virgynyte.
And as a tapre is one to gyder and three,
So thilke lorde, that is bothe thre and one,
Toke flesshe and blode to save vs euerycheone,
666
Of a mayde whiche this day fro Bedlem,
Mekely went to be puryfyede
To the temple in Iherusalem,—
As here-to-forne it is specifiede,—
In whose honoure this feste is magnyfyede
Of all cristen with fresshe tapers shene,
To signyfye, who that will be clene,
Mekely went to be puryfyede
To the temple in Iherusalem,—
As here-to-forne it is specifiede,—
In whose honoure this feste is magnyfyede
Of all cristen with fresshe tapers shene,
To signyfye, who that will be clene,
Moste offre a tapre to-gyder made of thre:
Faythe and werke and trwe entencion;
For sothefastely but thay coniunede be
With-oute partyng or dyvysion,
Neythir his offryng ne oblacion—
How fayre outewarde playnely that it seme—
To god above it may neuere cueme.
Faythe and werke and trwe entencion;
For sothefastely but thay coniunede be
With-oute partyng or dyvysion,
Neythir his offryng ne oblacion—
How fayre outewarde playnely that it seme—
To god above it may neuere cueme.
667
For þouȝ his tapre brene briȝte as day
And environ make his light to shede,
If werke fro faythe proloynede be away
And trwe entent folowe not the dede,
Fare well his gwerdon, his meryte and his mede,
For whan these thre be not knytte in one
He is not able to offryng for to gone.
And environ make his light to shede,
If werke fro faythe proloynede be away
And trwe entent folowe not the dede,
Fare well his gwerdon, his meryte and his mede,
For whan these thre be not knytte in one
He is not able to offryng for to gone.
For if these thre to-gyder be not meynt—
Feith, werke and hool entencioun—
His offryng farythe but as a tapre queynt
That yefethe no light ne bryghtnesse envyron,
Full derke and dede fro all deuocion.
His offryng is but if these ilke thre
Ben knytte in one thorough perfyte vnyte.
Feith, werke and hool entencioun—
His offryng farythe but as a tapre queynt
That yefethe no light ne bryghtnesse envyron,
Full derke and dede fro all deuocion.
His offryng is but if these ilke thre
Ben knytte in one thorough perfyte vnyte.
668
Now criste that art the sothefast holy light,
The hert of man graciously enlumyne;
Vpon vs wrecches, fro thy see so bryght,
So lat the sonne of thy mercy shyne
For loue of hir that is a pure virgyne—
Whiche on this day to the temple went
Of mekenesse onely the for to present—
The hert of man graciously enlumyne;
Vpon vs wrecches, fro thy see so bryght,
So lat the sonne of thy mercy shyne
For loue of hir that is a pure virgyne—
Whiche on this day to the temple went
Of mekenesse onely the for to present—
Thorough whose prayer, lorde of thy grete myght,
Graunt vs grace in thy high holde
Whan we deye to holde our tapreȝ light
To-for thy see—where as it is tolde,
Seuene chaundeleris alle of pure golde,
Fresshely with light stand affore thy face—
Thyder to come of mercy graunt vs grace.
Graunt vs grace in thy high holde
Whan we deye to holde our tapreȝ light
To-for thy see—where as it is tolde,
Seuene chaundeleris alle of pure golde,
Fresshely with light stand affore thy face—
Thyder to come of mercy graunt vs grace.
669
And in this exile, where as we soiourne,
Graunt vs lorde while that we ben here
In februarye—as phebus dothe retourne
The circuyt of his golden spere—
Vpon this day, ay fro yere to yere,
With tapres fresshe and bryght torches shene
To kepe and halowe in honour of that quene,
Graunt vs lorde while that we ben here
In februarye—as phebus dothe retourne
The circuyt of his golden spere—
Vpon this day, ay fro yere to yere,
With tapres fresshe and bryght torches shene
To kepe and halowe in honour of that quene,
To whome this feste is in speciall
Dedicate, bothe of more and lesse—
Whiche bare hir childe in a lityll stall
Bitwene an ox and a sely asse.
And blissede quene, this fest of Candelmasse,
To thy seruanteȝ shelde and socoure be,
To kepe and save from all aduersyte.
Dedicate, bothe of more and lesse—
Whiche bare hir childe in a lityll stall
Bitwene an ox and a sely asse.
And blissede quene, this fest of Candelmasse,
To thy seruanteȝ shelde and socoure be,
To kepe and save from all aduersyte.
Amen.
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