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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| I. | BOOK I |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| LXXXVII. |
 | Duquesne Studies |  |
BOOK I
247
THE PROLOG
O thoughtfull herte, plunged in distresse
With slombre of slouthe, this long wynters nyght
Oute of the slepe, of mortall hevynesse
Awake a noon, and loke upon the lyght
Of thelke sterre that with hir bemys bryght
And withe the shynyng, of hir stremys merye
Is wonte to gladde, all our Emysperye
With slombre of slouthe, this long wynters nyght
Oute of the slepe, of mortall hevynesse
Awake a noon, and loke upon the lyght
Of thelke sterre that with hir bemys bryght
And withe the shynyng, of hir stremys merye
Is wonte to gladde, all our Emysperye
And to oppresse the derkenesse and the doole
Of hevy hertes that soroen a[n]d syghen ofte
I mene the sterre, of the bright poole
That with hir bemys whan she is a lofte
May al the trowble aswagen and asofte
Of worldely wawes, which in this mortall see
Have vs byset, withe grete aduersitee
Of hevy hertes that soroen a[n]d syghen ofte
I mene the sterre, of the bright poole
That with hir bemys whan she is a lofte
May al the trowble aswagen and asofte
Of worldely wawes, which in this mortall see
Have vs byset, withe grete aduersitee
248
The Rage of whiche is so tempestyuous
That whan the calme is moste blandyshyng
Then is the streme of dethe moste perylous
If that we wante, the light of hir shynyng
And but the syght, allas of hir lokyng
From dethes brinke, make us to escape
The haven of lif, of us may not be take
That whan the calme is moste blandyshyng
Then is the streme of dethe moste perylous
If that we wante, the light of hir shynyng
And but the syght, allas of hir lokyng
From dethes brinke, make us to escape
The haven of lif, of us may not be take
This sterre in beautee passethe pliades
Bothe of shynyng and of stremes clere
Botetes Arthour and also Iades
And Esperus when it dothe appere
For this is Spica with hir bright spere
That tawarde even at mydenyght and at morowe
Downe frome the hevyn adaweth all our sorowe
Bothe of shynyng and of stremes clere
Botetes Arthour and also Iades
And Esperus when it dothe appere
For this is Spica with hir bright spere
That tawarde even at mydenyght and at morowe
Downe frome the hevyn adaweth all our sorowe
249
Whose bright bemys shynyng frome so ferre
That cloudes blake may the light nat fyne
For this of Iacob, Is the fayrest sterre
That vndir wawes nevere dothe declyne
Whose course is not vndir the clyptyke lyne
But everyliche of beaute may be sene
Amyddeȝ the arke of our merydyne
That cloudes blake may the light nat fyne
For this of Iacob, Is the fayrest sterre
That vndir wawes nevere dothe declyne
Whose course is not vndir the clyptyke lyne
But everyliche of beaute may be sene
Amyddeȝ the arke of our merydyne
And driethe up, the bitter teres wete
Of Aurora, aftir the mourwen gray
That she in wepyng dothe on floures flete
In listy Aprill and in fresshe may
And causith phebus the bright somers day
With his golde wayne, bournede bright and fayre
Tenchase the miste of our cloudy ayre
Of Aurora, aftir the mourwen gray
That she in wepyng dothe on floures flete
In listy Aprill and in fresshe may
And causith phebus the bright somers day
With his golde wayne, bournede bright and fayre
Tenchase the miste of our cloudy ayre
250
For this is the sterre, that bare the bright sonne
Which holdyth the septre of Iuda in his hande
Whose stremes been, oute of Iesse ronne
To shede hir lyght bothe, on see and lande
Whose gladde beamys without eclypsyng stonde
Estwarde to vs in the orient full shene
With light of grace, to voiden all our tene
Which holdyth the septre of Iuda in his hande
Whose stremes been, oute of Iesse ronne
To shede hir lyght bothe, on see and lande
Whose gladde beamys without eclypsyng stonde
Estwarde to vs in the orient full shene
With light of grace, to voiden all our tene
Now fayre sterre O, sterre of sterres all
Whose light to see, angelleȝ delyte
So late the golde dewe of thy grace fall
Into my breste, like skales, fayre and white
Me to enspyre of that I wolde endyte
With thylke bame, sent downe by myracle
Whan the hooly goost, the made his habitacle
Whose light to see, angelleȝ delyte
So late the golde dewe of thy grace fall
Into my breste, like skales, fayre and white
Me to enspyre of that I wolde endyte
With thylke bame, sent downe by myracle
Whan the hooly goost, the made his habitacle
251
And the licour of thy grace shede
Into my penne, tenlumyne this dite
Thorough thy supporte þat I may procede
Sumwaht to saye in laude ande p[r]eys of the
And first I thynke at the natiuitee
So that thyne helpe, fro me nat ne twynne
Benyng lady, a noon forto begynne
Into my penne, tenlumyne this dite
Thorough thy supporte þat I may procede
Sumwaht to saye in laude ande p[r]eys of the
And first I thynke at the natiuitee
So that thyne helpe, fro me nat ne twynne
Benyng lady, a noon forto begynne
[[I]]
A flour of vertue full longe kepyt in cloose
Full many ver with holsome leves swote
Only by grace vppon the stalke aroos
Out of Iesse, spryngyng fro the Rote
Off god ordeynyde to be a Resort and bote
Vnto mankynde our trouble to determyne
Full longe afforne by prescyens dyvyne
Full many ver with holsome leves swote
Only by grace vppon the stalke aroos
Out of Iesse, spryngyng fro the Rote
Off god ordeynyde to be a Resort and bote
Vnto mankynde our trouble to determyne
Full longe afforne by prescyens dyvyne
252
The wiche Floure, preservithe man from dethe
Vnto the vertue, who so luste take hede
That in a garden, a myddys of Nazareth
So fayre som tyme gan to spryng and sprede
That thorough the worlde bothe in lenthe and brede
The fresshe odour, and also the swetnesse
Hertes comforteth, of all her hevynesse
Vnto the vertue, who so luste take hede
That in a garden, a myddys of Nazareth
So fayre som tyme gan to spryng and sprede
That thorough the worlde bothe in lenthe and brede
The fresshe odour, and also the swetnesse
Hertes comforteth, of all her hevynesse
O Nazareth, with Beddelem the by syde
This Flour, yov makyth, of name more Ryall
Than either Rome, elate and full of pride
Or myghty Troye, with the sturdy wall
Whose Renon halteth, to be paragall
In Honour pryse, Fame and Reuerence
Vnto youre passyng, worthi excellence
This Flour, yov makyth, of name more Ryall
Than either Rome, elate and full of pride
Or myghty Troye, with the sturdy wall
Whose Renon halteth, to be paragall
In Honour pryse, Fame and Reuerence
Vnto youre passyng, worthi excellence
253
If for the frute comendyde be the tre
Thow hast more laude, and commendacion
For thilke fruite, that sprong out of the
Than hath Aufryke of worthy Scypyon
Or Rome of Sesar, or of Fabion
Though hir nameȝ were some tyme grave in golde
Her Idyll fame, to thyne may not be tolde
Thow hast more laude, and commendacion
For thilke fruite, that sprong out of the
Than hath Aufryke of worthy Scypyon
Or Rome of Sesar, or of Fabion
Though hir nameȝ were some tyme grave in golde
Her Idyll fame, to thyne may not be tolde
Wherfor Reioyse, and be right gladde and light
O Nazareth of name, most flouryng
For oute of the, a floure mooste fayre of syght
Moste full of grace, som tyme dydde spryng
Of the whiche fully Remembryng
So longe a gon spake hooly Isaye
When þat he sayde in his prophecye
O Nazareth of name, most flouryng
For oute of the, a floure mooste fayre of syght
Moste full of grace, som tyme dydde spryng
Of the whiche fully Remembryng
So longe a gon spake hooly Isaye
When þat he sayde in his prophecye
254
That on this flour playnely shulde rest
The holy gooste, for his chosyn place
As for the fairest, and also for þe beste
That euere was and, most full of grace
Whose passyng beaute, no storme may deface
But euere yliche contynueth fresshe of hewe
With oute fadyng, the colour is so trwe
The holy gooste, for his chosyn place
As for the fairest, and also for þe beste
That euere was and, most full of grace
Whose passyng beaute, no storme may deface
But euere yliche contynueth fresshe of hewe
With oute fadyng, the colour is so trwe
For this is þe flour, that god hym self behelde
The white lylye of the chosyn vale
The swete Roose, of the fayre felde
Which of colour wexyth neuer pale
The violet, our langour to a vale
Purpyll hewede, thorough mercy and pety
To socoure alle, that in myschief be
The white lylye of the chosyn vale
The swete Roose, of the fayre felde
Which of colour wexyth neuer pale
The violet, our langour to a vale
Purpyll hewede, thorough mercy and pety
To socoure alle, that in myschief be
255
And from the stooke, of Ioachym and Anne
This holy floure hadde hir orygynall
To hem afforne, by synge Ishewede whanne
The Angell tolde hem playnely þat ther shall
Of hem be borne, a mayde in speciall
Chosyn of godde most chefe of hir alye
For hir mekenesse and hatte shall Marye
This holy floure hadde hir orygynall
To hem afforne, by synge Ishewede whanne
The Angell tolde hem playnely þat ther shall
Of hem be borne, a mayde in speciall
Chosyn of godde most chefe of hir alye
For hir mekenesse and hatte shall Marye
And whanne the Angell, at the gate of golde
Had of this mayde hir birthe prophecied
And all the manere to bothe hem tolde
In bokes olde, as it is specifiede
Home to her houses a noon thay haue hem hyed
And she conceyved, this faythfull trwe wyf
By Ioachym, the holy frute of lyfe
Had of this mayde hir birthe prophecied
And all the manere to bothe hem tolde
In bokes olde, as it is specifiede
Home to her houses a noon thay haue hem hyed
And she conceyved, this faythfull trwe wyf
By Ioachym, the holy frute of lyfe
256
Oute of the which gan growe all our grace
Our olde sorowes, fully forto fyne
The bitter gall, playnely to enchace
Of the venym, callet serpentyne
For when that Anne, hade monethes nyne
Borne this frute so holy and entere
Thorough grace of god, a noon it dyd appere
Our olde sorowes, fully forto fyne
The bitter gall, playnely to enchace
Of the venym, callet serpentyne
For when that Anne, hade monethes nyne
Borne this frute so holy and entere
Thorough grace of god, a noon it dyd appere
The oryent to gladde with all man kynde
With dedely errour oppressede of the nyght
With cloudes blake, and with skyeȝ blynde
Tyll thay were clered, with fayrenesse of the light
Of whiche the Angell, some tyme hade a syght
With Iacob wrestelyng, from hym as he breyde
So longe aforn to hym whanne he seide
With dedely errour oppressede of the nyght
With cloudes blake, and with skyeȝ blynde
Tyll thay were clered, with fayrenesse of the light
Of whiche the Angell, some tyme hade a syght
With Iacob wrestelyng, from hym as he breyde
So longe aforn to hym whanne he seide
257
Late me departe, with outyn more affray
Agayne me, and make noo recistence
The nyght is passet, lo the morowen gray
The fresshe Aurora, so fayre in apparence
Hir light daweth, to voyde all offence
Of wyntir nyghtes full long and tediouse
With newe apperyng, so gladde and graciouse
Agayne me, and make noo recistence
The nyght is passet, lo the morowen gray
The fresshe Aurora, so fayre in apparence
Hir light daweth, to voyde all offence
Of wyntir nyghtes full long and tediouse
With newe apperyng, so gladde and graciouse
This is to say, the holy dawnyng
Of this mayde, at hir Natiuitee
The nyght gan voide, of oure olde mornyng
As þe Aungell, in figure did se
With such a touche, made Iacob be
Seer in his senwes, like as it is founde
In that membre, wher lust dothe moost habounde
Of this mayde, at hir Natiuitee
The nyght gan voide, of oure olde mornyng
As þe Aungell, in figure did se
With such a touche, made Iacob be
Seer in his senwes, like as it is founde
In that membre, wher lust dothe moost habounde
258
In fygure only, that þere shulde sprynge
Dovne by dessente, oute of his kynrede
A clene mayde, in will and werkeng
Pure of entent, bothe in thought and dede
Whiche as Aurora, with hir Rawes rede
The nyght avoideth with his copeȝ donne
Affore the vpryste of the bright sonne
Dovne by dessente, oute of his kynrede
A clene mayde, in will and werkeng
Pure of entent, bothe in thought and dede
Whiche as Aurora, with hir Rawes rede
The nyght avoideth with his copeȝ donne
Affore the vpryste of the bright sonne
Right so this mayde, at hir natyuytee
The nyght of dethe devoidede hath awaye
And bright kalendes, most lusty for to se
Of phebus vprist, withoutyn more deley
For she is Aurora, sothely this is noo nay
Oute of which, as propheteȝ can devise
The sonne of lyfe, to vs gan first aryse
The nyght of dethe devoidede hath awaye
And bright kalendes, most lusty for to se
Of phebus vprist, withoutyn more deley
For she is Aurora, sothely this is noo nay
Oute of which, as propheteȝ can devise
The sonne of lyfe, to vs gan first aryse
259
Of whose birthe, full many a day be forne
Albumaȝar, wrote in speciall
And sayde, a mayde sothely shall be borne
Vndir the signe above Celestiall
That callet is the sygne virgynall
The whiche mayde, as he eke tell can
Shall bere a shylde, withoutyn spote of man
Albumaȝar, wrote in speciall
And sayde, a mayde sothely shall be borne
Vndir the signe above Celestiall
That callet is the sygne virgynall
The whiche mayde, as he eke tell can
Shall bere a shylde, withoutyn spote of man
And as Mynerua, the mothir of prudence
Is holde a mayde, Right so this hevynly quene
Bare in hir wombe, the fadirs sapience
And mothir was and a mayden clene
Of god provydede playnely for to been
Socour to man, and helpe in all our nede
Whanne she was borne, this floure of womanhede
Is holde a mayde, Right so this hevynly quene
Bare in hir wombe, the fadirs sapience
And mothir was and a mayden clene
Of god provydede playnely for to been
Socour to man, and helpe in all our nede
Whanne she was borne, this floure of womanhede
260
[[II]]
Ande aftir iii yere, as was the vsage
Hir modir pappis, she left as in soukyng
And thanne anon, in her tendre age
Vnto the Temple, deuoutely they hir bryng
And unto god, they made offryng
Of this mayde, for to abyde there
With othir maydens, that in the temple were
Hir modir pappis, she left as in soukyng
And thanne anon, in her tendre age
Vnto the Temple, deuoutely they hir bryng
And unto god, they made offryng
Of this mayde, for to abyde there
With othir maydens, that in the temple were
And not withstondyng, hir passyng tendirnesse
Hir grene youthe, but of yeres thre
Thorough goddes helpe, this braunche of holynesse
With outyn helpe went vp, gre by gre
Fyftene on lofte, that wondir was to see
Tofore the auter, of so grete an hight
Thenne whanne hir modir, ther of had a syght
Hir grene youthe, but of yeres thre
Thorough goddes helpe, this braunche of holynesse
With outyn helpe went vp, gre by gre
Fyftene on lofte, that wondir was to see
Tofore the auter, of so grete an hight
Thenne whanne hir modir, ther of had a syght
261
For verrey Ioye, a noon she fell a dovne
And seide thus, that all myghten here
God frome above, hath herde myne orysoune
Of his godenesse, and graunted my prayer
And Recomfortede, myn oppressede chier
In sight of hem, that lowghen at my payne
And of malice, gan at me disdeigne
And seide thus, that all myghten here
God frome above, hath herde myne orysoune
Of his godenesse, and graunted my prayer
And Recomfortede, myn oppressede chier
In sight of hem, that lowghen at my payne
And of malice, gan at me disdeigne
Now hathe he been, my synguler refute
To my tristesse, consolacion
For he hath made the bareyn to bere frute
Thorough his myghty vesitacion
And made eke clere, my confucion
And all my woo, for to overgone
Only by grace, a myddys all my foon
To my tristesse, consolacion
For he hath made the bareyn to bere frute
Thorough his myghty vesitacion
And made eke clere, my confucion
And all my woo, for to overgone
Only by grace, a myddys all my foon
262
And thurgh his myght, þe hertes hath ybowed
Of hem that gan, to chace at me by pryde
Wherfore she hath, vnto god avowed
That hir doughter, shall in the Temple abyde
The holy gost, for to be her guyde
For euermore, by goddes purviaunce
Thurgh her mekenesse, hym to do plesaunce
Of hem that gan, to chace at me by pryde
Wherfore she hath, vnto god avowed
That hir doughter, shall in the Temple abyde
The holy gost, for to be her guyde
For euermore, by goddes purviaunce
Thurgh her mekenesse, hym to do plesaunce
For all her life, there to slepe and wake
Hym forto serue, with perfite humblesse
That all maydenes, may ensample take
Of hir alone, to leve in clennesse
And specially, of hir deuote mekenesse
Benyng, port, contenaunce, and chier
If that hem list of hir thay might ler
Hym forto serue, with perfite humblesse
That all maydenes, may ensample take
Of hir alone, to leve in clennesse
And specially, of hir deuote mekenesse
Benyng, port, contenaunce, and chier
If that hem list of hir thay might ler
263
Full of vertu, devoyde of all outerage
Hir hert was, that god to dwelle in chees
And day by day, Right as she wex in age
Right so in vertu, gan she to encrese
And nyght ne day wolde she neuer sees
To exclude slouthe, and vices to werrey
With handeȝ to werke, or with mought to pray
Hir hert was, that god to dwelle in chees
And day by day, Right as she wex in age
Right so in vertu, gan she to encrese
And nyght ne day wolde she neuer sees
To exclude slouthe, and vices to werrey
With handeȝ to werke, or with mought to pray
For but in god, hir hert nought delitede
So vpon hym, entierly was hir thought
And frome above, by grace he hir visited
That euery thyng, but hym, she sett at nought
Of worldly luste, she hath so litille rought
That oute of mynde, she lete it ouere slyde
That nought but god, may with hir abyde
So vpon hym, entierly was hir thought
And frome above, by grace he hir visited
That euery thyng, but hym, she sett at nought
Of worldly luste, she hath so litille rought
That oute of mynde, she lete it ouere slyde
That nought but god, may with hir abyde
264
[[III]]
And whan þat she . V . yere dyd atteyne
She was as sadde in conuersacion
And also demure, sothely forto seyne
Form all childehode and dissolucion
In gouernaunce and in descrecion
And in talkyng alse wise and alse sage
As any mayde of xxxti yere of Age
She was as sadde in conuersacion
And also demure, sothely forto seyne
Form all childehode and dissolucion
In gouernaunce and in descrecion
And in talkyng alse wise and alse sage
As any mayde of xxxti yere of Age
And of hir Rull, this was hir vsaunce
Fro day to day, this holy mayde enter
Fro prime at morowe, by continuance
To thre at bell to be in hir prayer
And till the sonne was at mydday spere
On golde and silke and on wolleȝ softe
With hir handys, she wolde wyrke ofte
Fro day to day, this holy mayde enter
Fro prime at morowe, by continuance
To thre at bell to be in hir prayer
And till the sonne was at mydday spere
On golde and silke and on wolleȝ softe
With hir handys, she wolde wyrke ofte
265
And even at none to brynge hir her fode
Fro god above, ther was an Angell sent
Whiche that she tooke, as for hir lyfelode
Thankyng hym aye, with hir hole entente
And aftir mete, a noon this mayde is went
Agayne to praye, tyll phebus went to west
And Evyn at eve, with hym she tooke hir Rest
Fro god above, ther was an Angell sent
Whiche that she tooke, as for hir lyfelode
Thankyng hym aye, with hir hole entente
And aftir mete, a noon this mayde is went
Agayne to praye, tyll phebus went to west
And Evyn at eve, with hym she tooke hir Rest
This lyve she ladde and this course she goyth
In whome was never yet, founde offence
And neuer man sawe, this mayde wrothe
But ever meke, and full of paciens
Of hert clenne, and pure in conscience
This lif she ledde, and as bokes teche
Of wordes fewe, and wondre softe of speche
In whome was never yet, founde offence
And neuer man sawe, this mayde wrothe
But ever meke, and full of paciens
Of hert clenne, and pure in conscience
This lif she ledde, and as bokes teche
Of wordes fewe, and wondre softe of speche
266
The mete also that was to hir brought
Out of þe temple, for her sustenaunce
With hert gladde, and with a perfyte thought
To pore and nedy, that leven in penaunce
To giffe it frely, was all hir pleasaunce
And who that euere, of hir hadde a sight
Of all diseases, was made glad and light
Out of þe temple, for her sustenaunce
With hert gladde, and with a perfyte thought
To pore and nedy, that leven in penaunce
To giffe it frely, was all hir pleasaunce
And who that euere, of hir hadde a sight
Of all diseases, was made glad and light
And euery wyght, grevyde with sekenesse
A touche of hir, made hem hoole a noon
And thay that were in tought and in diseasse
Whan they hir sawe, hir maladye was gone
And thus she was, to eueryche oone
Of all mischeve, Refute and Remedye
With a be haldyng, of hir godely eye
A touche of hir, made hem hoole a noon
And thay that were in tought and in diseasse
Whan they hir sawe, hir maladye was gone
And thus she was, to eueryche oone
Of all mischeve, Refute and Remedye
With a be haldyng, of hir godely eye
267
And of this mayde eke, as it is tolde
Hir godely face, was so full of light
That no man myght, susteyn to by holde
For it was clever then the sonne bryght
That the crowne, in the wynters nyght
Of Adrian, ne of þe sterres sevene
To her fairnesse, be not for to nevene
Hir godely face, was so full of light
That no man myght, susteyn to by holde
For it was clever then the sonne bryght
That the crowne, in the wynters nyght
Of Adrian, ne of þe sterres sevene
To her fairnesse, be not for to nevene
Yet neuer man, temptyde was to synne
While he be helde, on hir hooly face
The holy goste, so hoole was hir within
That all envyron, sprede gan his grace
Where þat she was present in any place
For all way god gaffe to hir presence
So fulsum light, of hevynly influence
While he be helde, on hir hooly face
The holy goste, so hoole was hir within
That all envyron, sprede gan his grace
Where þat she was present in any place
For all way god gaffe to hir presence
So fulsum light, of hevynly influence
268
Ne noon so fayre, was neuere founde in Reame
As was this mayde, of Iuda and Syon
The doughtir chosyn of Ierusalem
Of David seed, for to be sett alone
Of all maydens, to Reken hem euerychone
She bare the price, as well in fayrnesse
As she excellede, in vertu and in goodenesse
As was this mayde, of Iuda and Syon
The doughtir chosyn of Ierusalem
Of David seed, for to be sett alone
Of all maydens, to Reken hem euerychone
She bare the price, as well in fayrnesse
As she excellede, in vertu and in goodenesse
Late be thow Grece, and speke not of Eleyn
Ne thow Troy, of yong Polexene
Ne Rome of Lucresse, with hir eyn tweyne
Ne thow Cartage, of thy fresshe quene
Dido that was so fayre some tyme to seen
Late be your boste, and take of hem noon hede
Whose beaute, fayleth as floure in frosty mede
Ne thow Troy, of yong Polexene
Ne Rome of Lucresse, with hir eyn tweyne
Ne thow Cartage, of thy fresshe quene
Dido that was so fayre some tyme to seen
Late be your boste, and take of hem noon hede
Whose beaute, fayleth as floure in frosty mede
269
Ester was meke, but not lyke hir mekenesse
And Iudith wyse, but she yet dyd excell
And Barsabe of grete semelynesse
And Rachell fayre, Iacob can yov tell
But she aloone, of womanhode the well
Of bountee, beaute, þat neuere fade may
Nat liche a floure, that flouressheth but in may
And Iudith wyse, but she yet dyd excell
And Barsabe of grete semelynesse
And Rachell fayre, Iacob can yov tell
But she aloone, of womanhode the well
Of bountee, beaute, þat neuere fade may
Nat liche a floure, that flouressheth but in may
Passyde Ichone bothe ney and ferre
Bothe in fairenesse, and in perfeccion
Right as þe sonne, doth a litil sterre
And as þe rubie, hath wone þe renoun
Of stonys all, and dominacion
Right so this mayde, to speke of holynesse
Of women all Is lady and maystres
Bothe in fairenesse, and in perfeccion
Right as þe sonne, doth a litil sterre
And as þe rubie, hath wone þe renoun
Of stonys all, and dominacion
Right so this mayde, to speke of holynesse
Of women all Is lady and maystres
270
Off whome spake some tyme, wyse Salamon
In sapience, wo so lust it to seke
That she was chosyn, for hym self alone
This white dove with hir eyn meke
Whose chekys were, hir beaute forto eke
With lylieȝ meynt and fresshe Rosys Rede
This is to sayen, who so can take hede
In sapience, wo so lust it to seke
That she was chosyn, for hym self alone
This white dove with hir eyn meke
Whose chekys were, hir beaute forto eke
With lylieȝ meynt and fresshe Rosys Rede
This is to sayen, who so can take hede
First with the Rose, of womanly suffraunce
And with the lyle, next of chastytee
She was ennuede, to yef hyr suffisaunce
As well in goodnesse, as in beaute
And as he sayeth, she fayrer was to see
Than outhir phebus, platly or lucyne
With hornes full on heven, whan thay schyne
And with the lyle, next of chastytee
She was ennuede, to yef hyr suffisaunce
As well in goodnesse, as in beaute
And as he sayeth, she fayrer was to see
Than outhir phebus, platly or lucyne
With hornes full on heven, whan thay schyne
271
And of this mayde, as saint Ancelme seyth
In his wrytyng, hir beaute to termyne
Of face fayre, but fayrer yet of fayeth
He sayth she was, this holy pure virgyne
Whose chast hert, to no thyng dyd enclyne
For all hir beaute, but to holynesse
Of whome also this Autor saythe expresse
In his wrytyng, hir beaute to termyne
Of face fayre, but fayrer yet of fayeth
He sayth she was, this holy pure virgyne
Whose chast hert, to no thyng dyd enclyne
For all hir beaute, but to holynesse
Of whome also this Autor saythe expresse
That she was doughtir of david by dyscent
Sterre of the see, and goddes awne ancyll
Quene of the worlde, al way of one entent
And goddes spous, his hestes to fulfille
And euere redy, forto wyrke his will
Crystes temple, and also Receptacle
Of the holy goost, and chosen tabernacle
Sterre of the see, and goddes awne ancyll
Quene of the worlde, al way of one entent
And goddes spous, his hestes to fulfille
And euere redy, forto wyrke his will
Crystes temple, and also Receptacle
Of the holy goost, and chosen tabernacle
272
The yate of heven, and also the fayrnesse
Of women alle, who so looke aright
Of maidenhede, lady and princesse
One of the fyve, that bare hyr laumpe light
Redy to mete, with hir spous at nyght
Full prudently, awaytyng at the gate
That for noo sloothe, she came not to late
Of women alle, who so looke aright
Of maidenhede, lady and princesse
One of the fyve, that bare hyr laumpe light
Redy to mete, with hir spous at nyght
Full prudently, awaytyng at the gate
That for noo sloothe, she came not to late
273
[[IIII]]
The firste yefte was the yefte of drede
To eschewe thynges that god shulde displease
The next petee of werrey woman hede
To Rewe on all, that she sawe in disease
The thryde, Connyng, god and man to please
The forthe, Strengh thorough hir stedfastnesse
Only by vertu, all vices to oppresse
To eschewe thynges that god shulde displease
The next petee of werrey woman hede
To Rewe on all, that she sawe in disease
The thryde, Connyng, god and man to please
The forthe, Strengh thorough hir stedfastnesse
Only by vertu, all vices to oppresse
Of counseile eke, she hadde excellence
To kepe hir pure in virginite
For ay with counsell, alliede ys prudence
For god hym self, chese with hir to be
Of vndirstondyng, eke, the yefte had she
Ande of wysdom, so god liste hir avaunce
To knawe Iche thyng, that was to his pleasaunce
To kepe hir pure in virginite
For ay with counsell, alliede ys prudence
For god hym self, chese with hir to be
Of vndirstondyng, eke, the yefte had she
Ande of wysdom, so god liste hir avaunce
To knawe Iche thyng, that was to his pleasaunce
274
She was also, the trone voyde of synne
That stondythe, so Royall in godes awne syght
To fore wheche, sevene laumpes brenne
With hevenly fyre, so spirituell of light
That never wast but euere yliche bryght
Continue in oone, high above in hevyn
By whiche trone, and the laumpes vii
That stondythe, so Royall in godes awne syght
To fore wheche, sevene laumpes brenne
With hevenly fyre, so spirituell of light
That never wast but euere yliche bryght
Continue in oone, high above in hevyn
By whiche trone, and the laumpes vii
Is vndirstonde, this mayden moste entier
With vii vertues, that in hir were founde
That some tyme were, with gostly fyre so clere
Thorough light of vertu, Inwardely Iocounde
Only thorough grace, that dyd in hir habounde
And all thay were growendyd in mekenesse
Her lyght to god, more plesauntly to dresse
With vii vertues, that in hir were founde
That some tyme were, with gostly fyre so clere
Thorough light of vertu, Inwardely Iocounde
Only thorough grace, that dyd in hir habounde
And all thay were growendyd in mekenesse
Her lyght to god, more plesauntly to dresse
275
For faythe in hir, had a grounde so stable
That it was voyde, of all doublenesse
Hir hope of truste, was also mayntenable
Roted in god, by perfith sikernesse
Whose charite, so large can hym dresse
That vp to god, hottest Ran the fyre
With hete of of clennes, to all by desyre
That it was voyde, of all doublenesse
Hir hope of truste, was also mayntenable
Roted in god, by perfith sikernesse
Whose charite, so large can hym dresse
That vp to god, hottest Ran the fyre
With hete of of clennes, to all by desyre
Strong in vertu, prudent in gouernaunce
She had also, conveyede with clennesse
And souerenly, she had temperaunce
In all hir werkes, with greate avysenesse
And euere anexede vnto Right wysnesse
With in hir hert of womanly bounte
She had of custome mercy and pety
She had also, conveyede with clennesse
And souerenly, she had temperaunce
In all hir werkes, with greate avysenesse
And euere anexede vnto Right wysnesse
With in hir hert of womanly bounte
She had of custome mercy and pety
276
Sothefaste ensample, also of chastite
As saythe Ambrose, she was in thought and dede
And trwe merrowre, of virgynytee
Of port benyng, full of lawlyhede
Aye humble of chere, and feminyn of drede
Prudent of speche, of what hir lust to shewe
Large of sentens, and but of wordes fewe
As saythe Ambrose, she was in thought and dede
And trwe merrowre, of virgynytee
Of port benyng, full of lawlyhede
Aye humble of chere, and feminyn of drede
Prudent of speche, of what hir lust to shewe
Large of sentens, and but of wordes fewe
To pray and Rede, that was euere hir lyve
Off hert wakir, by deuocion
To god all way with thought contemplatyf
Full fervent euere in hir intencion
And Idyll, neuer from occupacion
And specially vnto almes dede
Hir honde was euere redy at þe nede
Off hert wakir, by deuocion
To god all way with thought contemplatyf
Full fervent euere in hir intencion
And Idyll, neuer from occupacion
And specially vnto almes dede
Hir honde was euere redy at þe nede
277
And ful she was, of compassion
To rewe on all, that feltyn woo or smert
Wel willede euere, with hole affection
To euery wyght, so louyng was hir hert
Sad withe all this, that hir neuere astert
Aloke amysse, of hir eyne fayre
So close of sight, was this debonayre
To rewe on all, that feltyn woo or smert
Wel willede euere, with hole affection
To euery wyght, so louyng was hir hert
Sad withe all this, that hir neuere astert
Aloke amysse, of hir eyne fayre
So close of sight, was this debonayre
And in psalmeȝ, and holy prophecye
To loke and rede, she founde most delyte
And whan she sawe, and herde in Isaye
Of cristes birthe, howe he dyd wryte
To god she lifte, hir tendre handys white
By sechyng hym, she myght abyde and see
This blisfull day, of his Natyvyte
To loke and rede, she founde most delyte
And whan she sawe, and herde in Isaye
Of cristes birthe, howe he dyd wryte
To god she lifte, hir tendre handys white
By sechyng hym, she myght abyde and see
This blisfull day, of his Natyvyte
278
And in the boke, of Eliȝabethe
That titled is, of hir avisions
I fynde how this mayde of Naȝareth
Sayde euery day, seven orysions
Whiche clepyde ben, hir petycions
Withe humblehert, this yong blisfull mayde
Ful lowely knelynge, evene thus she sayde
That titled is, of hir avisions
I fynde how this mayde of Naȝareth
Sayde euery day, seven orysions
Whiche clepyde ben, hir petycions
Withe humblehert, this yong blisfull mayde
Ful lowely knelynge, evene thus she sayde
[[V]]
O blisful lorde, that knawest the entent
Of every hert, In thyne eternall sight
Yeffe me grace, the firste commaundement
To fulfille as it is skyll and right
And grant also, with herte will and myght
And all my savle, and all my full knawyng
The for to love, aboven all othir thyng
Of every hert, In thyne eternall sight
Yeffe me grace, the firste commaundement
To fulfille as it is skyll and right
And grant also, with herte will and myght
And all my savle, and all my full knawyng
The for to love, aboven all othir thyng
279
And gyffe me myght, playnely to fulfille
The next byddyng, lyke to thy pleasaunce
And for to loue, withe hert and all my will
My neghbore in dede, and contenaunce
Right as my self, with every circumstance
And her withall, for Ioye woo or smerte
That thou lovest, to love with all myn hert
The next byddyng, lyke to thy pleasaunce
And for to loue, withe hert and all my will
My neghbore in dede, and contenaunce
Right as my self, with every circumstance
And her withall, for Ioye woo or smerte
That thou lovest, to love with all myn hert
The thride precepte graunte eke that I may
Fulfille also, boþe erly and late
In suche maner, as most is to thy pay
Benigne lorde, and make me for to hate
Manknydes foo, for he made furst debate
In kynde of man, and made hym to trespace
Agayns the and to lese his grace
Fulfille also, boþe erly and late
In suche maner, as most is to thy pay
Benigne lorde, and make me for to hate
Manknydes foo, for he made furst debate
In kynde of man, and made hym to trespace
Agayns the and to lese his grace
280
And lorde graunte me, for thy mercy dygne
Above al thyng, for to haue mekenesse
And make me sufferaunte, humble and benigne
With paciens and inwarde myldenesse
Of all vertues, gyf me eke largesse
To be accepte, the to queme and serue
To fynde only thy grace I may diserue
Above al thyng, for to haue mekenesse
And make me sufferaunte, humble and benigne
With paciens and inwarde myldenesse
Of all vertues, gyf me eke largesse
To be accepte, the to queme and serue
To fynde only thy grace I may diserue
And lorde also, with quakyng herte and drede
Mekely I pray vnto thy deite
Me forto graunte of thy godelyhede
The gracious hour, forto abyde and see
In whiche, the holy chosyn mayden free
Into this worlde here aftir shall be borne
Lyche as propheteȝ, have wrytyn here to forne
Mekely I pray vnto thy deite
Me forto graunte of thy godelyhede
The gracious hour, forto abyde and see
In whiche, the holy chosyn mayden free
Into this worlde here aftir shall be borne
Lyche as propheteȝ, have wrytyn here to forne
281
Howe þat she shall by thyne election
Be maide and modur, to þi sone dere
Now goode lorde, here myn orisoun
To kepe my eyne, and my sight entier
That I may see, hir holy halowed chier
Hir sacrede beawtee, and hevynly contenaunce
If thou of grace liste me, so moche avaunce
Be maide and modur, to þi sone dere
Now goode lorde, here myn orisoun
To kepe my eyne, and my sight entier
That I may see, hir holy halowed chier
Hir sacrede beawtee, and hevynly contenaunce
If thou of grace liste me, so moche avaunce
And kepe myne eren þat I may also
Here hir speche, and hir daliaunce
And with my tonge, speke that mayden to
Paciently thorough hir sufferaunce
Of wordly Ioye, this were my suffisaunce
And hir to love, lyke as I desyre
Benynge lorde, thou set myne herte afyre
Here hir speche, and hir daliaunce
And with my tonge, speke that mayden to
Paciently thorough hir sufferaunce
Of wordly Ioye, this were my suffisaunce
And hir to love, lyke as I desyre
Benynge lorde, thou set myne herte afyre
282
And also lord, on me safe þou vouche
Though I therto, have nowe noo worthynesse
That holy mayde, forto handyll and touche
Myn owne ladi, and myn maystresse
And that I maye, with humble buxumnesse
Uppon my feet, in all my best wyse
Go vnto hir, for to do servise
Though I therto, have nowe noo worthynesse
That holy mayde, forto handyll and touche
Myn owne ladi, and myn maystresse
And that I maye, with humble buxumnesse
Uppon my feet, in all my best wyse
Go vnto hir, for to do servise
And to that floure, of virginitee
Graunte also lorde, þat I may haue space
Makely to bowe, and knele vppon my kne
Vndir supporte only, of hir grace
And to honour the godely yong face
Of hir sonne, as she dothe hym wrappe
In clothis softe lyggyng in hir lappe
Graunte also lorde, þat I may haue space
Makely to bowe, and knele vppon my kne
Vndir supporte only, of hir grace
And to honour the godely yong face
Of hir sonne, as she dothe hym wrappe
In clothis softe lyggyng in hir lappe
283
And luffe hym best playnly to my laste
With all myne herte, and myne hole servise
Withoutyn chaunge, while my lyve may laste
Right as thy self lorde canst best devyse
So that I may, in faythfull humble wyse
In all this worlde, no more grace atteyne
Then love hym beste, with all my might and peyne
With all myne herte, and myne hole servise
Withoutyn chaunge, while my lyve may laste
Right as thy self lorde canst best devyse
So that I may, in faythfull humble wyse
In all this worlde, no more grace atteyne
Then love hym beste, with all my might and peyne
And to thy grace, also lorde I pray
Thou graunte it me to fulfyll in dede
Hooly thy statutes and mekely to obeye
Within the Temple, as I here hem Redde
For but thou helpe, I may no thyng spede
As of my self, therfore vnto the
All I committe, as thou luste it be
Thou graunte it me to fulfyll in dede
Hooly thy statutes and mekely to obeye
Within the Temple, as I here hem Redde
For but thou helpe, I may no thyng spede
As of my self, therfore vnto the
All I committe, as thou luste it be
284
The observaunceȝ and the precepteȝ all
That to thy Temple, oo lorde be pertynent
So latte thy grace, by mercy on me fall
That I may done hem, with all my hole intente
And euery byddyng, and commaundement
That thy mynystreȝ, assignede vnto me
Make me fulfill, with all humillite
That to thy Temple, oo lorde be pertynent
So latte thy grace, by mercy on me fall
That I may done hem, with all my hole intente
And euery byddyng, and commaundement
That thy mynystreȝ, assignede vnto me
Make me fulfill, with all humillite
285
[[VI]]
And thus this mayde alway day by day
In the Temple, makyth hir prayers
To plese god, wat she can or may
The chief Resorte, of all hir desyres
Tyll she atteiynede into xiiii yeres
With hert avowyd, bothe in thought and dede
For to continue, in hir maydyn hede
In the Temple, makyth hir prayers
To plese god, wat she can or may
The chief Resorte, of all hir desyres
Tyll she atteiynede into xiiii yeres
With hert avowyd, bothe in thought and dede
For to continue, in hir maydyn hede
Of whose entent, god wote full vnwar
Were some of hem, that in the Temple abyde
Of whiche a Bisshoppe callet Abiathar
Cast hym fully, forto sette asyde
Hir purpoys playnly, and so furth to provyde
That hir avowe, made of chastite
Shall not holde but outrely that she
Were some of hem, that in the Temple abyde
Of whiche a Bisshoppe callet Abiathar
Cast hym fully, forto sette asyde
Hir purpoys playnly, and so furth to provyde
That hir avowe, made of chastite
Shall not holde but outrely that she
286
Sholde be weddyde, sothely if he myght
Vnto his sonne, of his affection
For that she was, in euery whyghtes syght
So passyng gode of condicion
And to fulfill his entencion
Abyathar behotyth, golde and Rente
To the Bisshoppys, to make hir to assente
Vnto his sonne, of his affection
For that she was, in euery whyghtes syght
So passyng gode of condicion
And to fulfill his entencion
Abyathar behotyth, golde and Rente
To the Bisshoppys, to make hir to assente
To his purpose, and to hir thay gone
And what thay may, thay gan hir excite
And afferme, to hir euerychone
With sugrede tonge, of many wordeȝ whyte
That god above, dothe hym more delyte
In birthe of chyldren then in virginite
Or any suche, avowede chastite
And what thay may, thay gan hir excite
And afferme, to hir euerychone
With sugrede tonge, of many wordeȝ whyte
That god above, dothe hym more delyte
In birthe of chyldren then in virginite
Or any suche, avowede chastite
287
And more in children, is he honourde certeyn
And more in hem, hathe he his pleasaunce
Than in suche, as be not but baren
Without frute, thorough misgouernaunce
And holy writte, makyth Remembraunce
That no man, was sothely forto tell
Withoutyn seede, blesset in Israell
And more in hem, hathe he his pleasaunce
Than in suche, as be not but baren
Without frute, thorough misgouernaunce
And holy writte, makyth Remembraunce
That no man, was sothely forto tell
Withoutyn seede, blesset in Israell
[[VII]]
To whome anone, with loke don caste and chere
Benyngly, and in full humble wyse
This holy mayde, sayde as ye shall here
Certes quod she, yf ye yov wele aduise
Whiche in your self, so prudent ben and wyse
And woll aduerte in youre discrecion
That Abel sumtyme had a dowble crone
Benyngly, and in full humble wyse
This holy mayde, sayde as ye shall here
Certes quod she, yf ye yov wele aduise
Whiche in your self, so prudent ben and wyse
And woll aduerte in youre discrecion
That Abel sumtyme had a dowble crone
288
Oon for his faythful trewe sacrifice
Offerde to god, of humble hert and free
And an othir, as I shall yov devyse
For he his body, kept in chastite
And hely eke, as ye may rede and see
For he in hert, was a mayde clene
He was Ravysshede above the sterreȝ sevene
Offerde to god, of humble hert and free
And an othir, as I shall yov devyse
For he his body, kept in chastite
And hely eke, as ye may rede and see
For he in hert, was a mayde clene
He was Ravysshede above the sterreȝ sevene
Bodi and all, in a chare of fire
For he hym kept from all corrupcion
Therefore in vayne is playnly your desyre
To speke to me, of this opynnyon
For god wele knawithe, myne entencion
Howe I have vowede, as it to hym is couthe
To ben a mayde, fro my tendir youthe
For he hym kept from all corrupcion
Therefore in vayne is playnly your desyre
To speke to me, of this opynnyon
For god wele knawithe, myne entencion
Howe I have vowede, as it to hym is couthe
To ben a mayde, fro my tendir youthe
289
All my life, so forthe to perceuer
For lyve or deth, only for his sake
Fro which purpose, shall I not disceuere
Thorough his grace, whedir I slepe or wake
To kepe and holde I haue vndir take
My maydynhode, Sythyn goo full yore
Agaynst which, ne spekyth to me no more
For lyve or deth, only for his sake
Fro which purpose, shall I not disceuere
Thorough his grace, whedir I slepe or wake
To kepe and holde I haue vndir take
My maydynhode, Sythyn goo full yore
Agaynst which, ne spekyth to me no more
And whan they sawe hir hert not mutable
But ay stedfaste, of oon affection
And euere Ilyche, as any centre stable
Thay haue made, a conuocacion
Of all the kynrede as in conclusion
The viii day forto come in fere
By one assent, to trete of this matier
But ay stedfaste, of oon affection
And euere Ilyche, as any centre stable
Thay haue made, a conuocacion
Of all the kynrede as in conclusion
The viii day forto come in fere
By one assent, to trete of this matier
290
This is to say, þat of olde usage
Of Custome kept, for a memoriall
That euery mayde, xiiii yere of age
Riche and pore, and of the stok Royall
In the Temple, no longer dwell shall
But by statute, shall be take and maried
By the lawe, and no longer tariede
Of Custome kept, for a memoriall
That euery mayde, xiiii yere of age
Riche and pore, and of the stok Royall
In the Temple, no longer dwell shall
But by statute, shall be take and maried
By the lawe, and no longer tariede
And whan thay were, assembled all in oon
Iȝachar, in open audience
Gan to pronounce to forne hem euerycheone
Full prudently, the Somme of his sentence
And sayde syrrys with your pacienceȝ
So þat youre eres, offende not ne greve
Declare I shall, my menyng with youre leve
Iȝachar, in open audience
Gan to pronounce to forne hem euerycheone
Full prudently, the Somme of his sentence
And sayde syrrys with your pacienceȝ
So þat youre eres, offende not ne greve
Declare I shall, my menyng with youre leve
291
If ye Remmembre, sith Salamon the kyng
In Isaraell, Septer bare and crovne
In this Temple, so Royall in bildyng
Haue yong maydems, by deuocion
Of custome hadde here conuersacion
Bothe kynges doughtirs, and propheteȝ eke
As ye may funde, yf ye liste to seke
In Isaraell, Septer bare and crovne
In this Temple, so Royall in bildyng
Haue yong maydems, by deuocion
Of custome hadde here conuersacion
Bothe kynges doughtirs, and propheteȝ eke
As ye may funde, yf ye liste to seke
Vnto the age of xiiii yere
Abydyng here, and no lenger space
As ye wele knawe, withoutyn any wer
And þanne be removed from here place
And in hir stede, othir did pace
As custome was, and eke in hir lynage
Delyuerde was, vnto theyre mariage
Abydyng here, and no lenger space
As ye wele knawe, withoutyn any wer
And þanne be removed from here place
And in hir stede, othir did pace
As custome was, and eke in hir lynage
Delyuerde was, vnto theyre mariage
292
And as a lawe, it hathe be kept full trwe
Vnto this tyme, to high and lawe estate
But now Marie, hath founde an ordre newe
To kepe hir clene and inviolate
Agaynst which, ther helpith ne debate
But of free choys, and hertly volunte
She hath to god, avowede chastite
Vnto this tyme, to high and lawe estate
But now Marie, hath founde an ordre newe
To kepe hir clene and inviolate
Agaynst which, ther helpith ne debate
But of free choys, and hertly volunte
She hath to god, avowede chastite
Wherfore me semyth it were Right wele fyttyng
To this purpoos, by good discrecion
First how we myght fully haue knawyng
Of godys will, in this opynyon
For than it were, of more perfeccion
Hir clene entent as semyth vnto me
And eke the strenger of Auctorite
To this purpoos, by good discrecion
First how we myght fully haue knawyng
Of godys will, in this opynyon
For than it were, of more perfeccion
Hir clene entent as semyth vnto me
And eke the strenger of Auctorite
293
[[VIII]]
Firste þat we might knawe verily
To whose kepyng she shall comitted be
And thay assentide, hereto vttirly
Withoute more of high and lawe degre
And of one accorde and of oon vnyte
The prestes alle, gonnen to procede
To caste lotte, down by Iche kynrede
To whose kepyng she shall comitted be
And thay assentide, hereto vttirly
Withoute more of high and lawe degre
And of one accorde and of oon vnyte
The prestes alle, gonnen to procede
To caste lotte, down by Iche kynrede
The which lotte, on Iuda fell a none
As I suppose thorough goddes purviaunce
And Iȝacar, among hem euerychone
Purposed hath a newe ordynaunce
That euery wyght, of that aliaunce
That wyfeles were, withoutyn more delay
Sholde brynge a yerde, a gaynst the next day
As I suppose thorough goddes purviaunce
And Iȝacar, among hem euerychone
Purposed hath a newe ordynaunce
That euery wyght, of that aliaunce
That wyfeles were, withoutyn more delay
Sholde brynge a yerde, a gaynst the next day
294
And to the Bisshop, highest of Ichoon
Eueryche of hem, did his yerde bryng
Among whiche Iosephe hath brought oon
Though he were olde passit his lykyng
And he anon made his offryng
To god above, and a sacryfice
In the olde lawe suche as was the gyse
Eueryche of hem, did his yerde bryng
Among whiche Iosephe hath brought oon
Though he were olde passit his lykyng
And he anon made his offryng
To god above, and a sacryfice
In the olde lawe suche as was the gyse
And god to hym did anoon apere
And with the yerde, badde than þat he shulde goon
And putten hem, euerychone in fere
In Sancta Sanctorum lyggyng oone by oone
And on the morowe, to come a gayne Ichone
Eueryche his yerde, for to Receyve a gayne
Vppon which, ther opynly was sayne
And with the yerde, badde than þat he shulde goon
And putten hem, euerychone in fere
In Sancta Sanctorum lyggyng oone by oone
And on the morowe, to come a gayne Ichone
Eueryche his yerde, for to Receyve a gayne
Vppon which, ther opynly was sayne
295
A dove apere and vp to hevyn flee
He that shall haue withoutyn more obstacle
Marie in kepyng so fayre vpon to see
As it is Right, for the high myracle
And than thay come vnto the tabernacle
As ye have herde, the Bisshopp deuotly
Eueryche his yerde, delyuerde by and by
He that shall haue withoutyn more obstacle
Marie in kepyng so fayre vpon to see
As it is Right, for the high myracle
And than thay come vnto the tabernacle
As ye have herde, the Bisshopp deuotly
Eueryche his yerde, delyuerde by and by
But vttirly vppon noon of all
At this tyme, was there noo thyng seyne
For goddys heste, was not yet fall
Of hir desyre, to putt hem in certeyne
Wherefore the Bisshopp, with newe fyre agayne
Entride is in to þe seintwarye
And whiles þat he, a while there gan tarie
At this tyme, was there noo thyng seyne
For goddys heste, was not yet fall
Of hir desyre, to putt hem in certeyne
Wherefore the Bisshopp, with newe fyre agayne
Entride is in to þe seintwarye
And whiles þat he, a while there gan tarie
296
Goddis Aungell aperyth to hym newe
Downe from hevyn, by myracle sent
And tolde playnly the heste of god was trwe
But how hym self, was some what negligent
For to delyuere, by commaundement
Euery man his yerde, as he aughte
And whan the Bisshopp, a Right hym bethought
Downe from hevyn, by myracle sent
And tolde playnly the heste of god was trwe
But how hym self, was some what negligent
For to delyuere, by commaundement
Euery man his yerde, as he aughte
And whan the Bisshopp, a Right hym bethought
He gan Remembre, playnly in his mynde
That of disdayne, and wilfull necgligence
The yerde of Iosephe was lefte by hynde
Wherby he knewe, he had doon offence
And gan anoon, to bryng it in presense
And toke it Iosephe devoutly in his hande
Among hem all, there he dyd stonde
That of disdayne, and wilfull necgligence
The yerde of Iosephe was lefte by hynde
Wherby he knewe, he had doon offence
And gan anoon, to bryng it in presense
And toke it Iosephe devoutly in his hande
Among hem all, there he dyd stonde
297
Alle by hynde, dyseuerede fro the prees
With humble chere, in the lawest place
And of his yerde, in maner Rekeles
Full styll of porte, with a dredefull face
And whan he dyd, with his hande enbrace
His yerde a gayne, full debonayre of loke
By Innocens of humble fere, he quoke
With humble chere, in the lawest place
And of his yerde, in maner Rekeles
Full styll of porte, with a dredefull face
And whan he dyd, with his hande enbrace
His yerde a gayne, full debonayre of loke
By Innocens of humble fere, he quoke
And sodenly, thorough grace, above devyne
All opynly in euery, weyghteȝ sight
Vppon the yerde, of Ioseph full benyng
Was sene a dove, of fetheres lylly white
That towardes, hevyn, evenshe toke hir flyght
And with oo voys, the people thoo obreyde
And unto Ioseph, all atoones seyde
All opynly in euery, weyghteȝ sight
Vppon the yerde, of Ioseph full benyng
Was sene a dove, of fetheres lylly white
That towardes, hevyn, evenshe toke hir flyght
And with oo voys, the people thoo obreyde
And unto Ioseph, all atoones seyde
298
Blesside art thow, and blisside is thy chaunce
Thy fate is blesset, and thyne aventure
And blissed is thyne, humble attendaunce
And thow art blisset, so long to endure
For to possede, so fayre a creature
So goode so holy, nowe in thy passed age
So clene a mayde, to haue in mariage
Thy fate is blesset, and thyne aventure
And blissed is thyne, humble attendaunce
And thow art blisset, so long to endure
For to possede, so fayre a creature
So goode so holy, nowe in thy passed age
So clene a mayde, to haue in mariage
And she a noon, by prestes of the lawe
Assigned was, vnto his gouernaunce
But sely Iosephe, gan hym to withdrawe
With humble chere, and shamefaste contenaunce
And sayde certis, there is noon accordaunce
By twyxe hir yought, flouryng in fayrenesse
And me whome age, with vn lust doth oppresse
Assigned was, vnto his gouernaunce
But sely Iosephe, gan hym to withdrawe
With humble chere, and shamefaste contenaunce
And sayde certis, there is noon accordaunce
By twyxe hir yought, flouryng in fayrenesse
And me whome age, with vn lust doth oppresse
299
For she is fayre, and fresshe as Rose in may
And well Iwote, also mayden clene
And I am olde, with white lockes graye
Passed full ferre, my tendre yeres grene
Wherfore I pray yov, to considre and sene
Tacorde discordant, and speke to me noo more
By twene hir beaute, and my lockes hore
And well Iwote, also mayden clene
And I am olde, with white lockes graye
Passed full ferre, my tendre yeres grene
Wherfore I pray yov, to considre and sene
Tacorde discordant, and speke to me noo more
By twene hir beaute, and my lockes hore
And whan the bisshop sawe the humble entent
Of this Iosephe, and eke the Innocence
And how that he, to take hir nolde assent
To hym he sayde, in opyn audience
Ioseph quod he, take hede to my sentence
And be welware, þat thou the not excuse
Ageynst the will of god, forto Refuce
Of this Iosephe, and eke the Innocence
And how that he, to take hir nolde assent
To hym he sayde, in opyn audience
Ioseph quod he, take hede to my sentence
And be welware, þat thou the not excuse
Ageynst the will of god, forto Refuce
300
This holy mayde, assignet vnto the
By opyn signe, whiche all the people seye
Thorough goddes grace and myghty volunte
Agaynst whiche, be warr to disobeye
And þenke how he sumtyme made to deye
Dathan Abyron only for offence
Doon vnto hym, of Inobedyence
By opyn signe, whiche all the people seye
Thorough goddes grace and myghty volunte
Agaynst whiche, be warr to disobeye
And þenke how he sumtyme made to deye
Dathan Abyron only for offence
Doon vnto hym, of Inobedyence
Quod Iosephe thanne, I woll not for no thyng
Io goddes will or byddyng be contrar
But hir accept vnto my kepyng
For whom god hath shewed signe so fayre
Whiche is so goode, benyngne and debonayre
That I to hir seruaunt woll be and gyde
Tyll god for hir, lust better to provyde
Io goddes will or byddyng be contrar
But hir accept vnto my kepyng
For whom god hath shewed signe so fayre
Whiche is so goode, benyngne and debonayre
That I to hir seruaunt woll be and gyde
Tyll god for hir, lust better to provyde
301
And as the custume, of the lawe theym bonde
So made was tho, the confirmacion
By hest of wedlok, by twene theym hande by hande
And he hir toke, to his possession
With hert clene and meke affeccion
But while he wente to Bedlem the Cite
Mary abode styll in Galile
So made was tho, the confirmacion
By hest of wedlok, by twene theym hande by hande
And he hir toke, to his possession
With hert clene and meke affeccion
But while he wente to Bedlem the Cite
Mary abode styll in Galile
[[IX]]
Howe Iosephe aftir he had weddyde our lady went to Bedleem and vsed the crafte of Carpentre Capitulo ixo
Like hir a vowe, of hert all way oon
And fyve maydens the most vertuose
Of the Temple, were chosyn oute a noon
Of the Bisshop with hir for to goon
To wayte on hir, by humble attendaunce
In what þey can, to serve and do plesaunce
302
Of whiche the first, was callet Rayca
And Sephera, the secund as I fynde
Susanna ȝabel, and Abygea
The othir thre, as bokes makyn mynde
Which neuer wolde, for slouthe be byhynde
But ay in oon, as it is specified
In werke and prayer, weren occupyed
And Sephera, the secund as I fynde
Susanna ȝabel, and Abygea
The othir thre, as bokes makyn mynde
Which neuer wolde, for slouthe be byhynde
But ay in oon, as it is specified
In werke and prayer, weren occupyed
And vnto hem, as made is mencion
That of levying, so faythfull weren and trwe
And diligent in occupacion
Delyuerede was silke, of sondry hewe
For to make, of dyuerse werkes newe
In the Temple of entencion
Onely to be, in mynstracion
That of levying, so faythfull weren and trwe
And diligent in occupacion
Delyuerede was silke, of sondry hewe
For to make, of dyuerse werkes newe
In the Temple of entencion
Onely to be, in mynstracion
303
And as it is put in Remembraunce
Eueryche hir silke, toke by aventure
Lyke as hir hande, fell ther on by chaunce
But Marye, as god tho schope hir vre
The purpyll silke, she toke in cure
By graciouse happe, of sort withouten sight
The whiche colour, of custome and of Right
Eueryche hir silke, toke by aventure
Lyke as hir hande, fell ther on by chaunce
But Marye, as god tho schope hir vre
The purpyll silke, she toke in cure
By graciouse happe, of sort withouten sight
The whiche colour, of custome and of Right
To noon estate, kyndely is fittyng
Of dewte to speke, in speciall
But to thestate, onely of a kyng
So þat noo wight, but of the stokke royall
By statute olde, this colour vse shall
For by olde tyme, ye shulde noo man seen
In purpyll cladde putt onely, kyng or qwene
Of dewte to speke, in speciall
But to thestate, onely of a kyng
So þat noo wight, but of the stokke royall
By statute olde, this colour vse shall
For by olde tyme, ye shulde noo man seen
In purpyll cladde putt onely, kyng or qwene
304
Wherfore the sorte, full rightfully is falle
Verrely by dewe disposicion
Vpon marye that to forne thayme alle
By lyne right, is descended downe
Of blode Royall, and by election
Of god above, was Ichosyn forto been
For hir meryte, of hevyn and erthe the qwene
Verrely by dewe disposicion
Vpon marye that to forne thayme alle
By lyne right, is descended downe
Of blode Royall, and by election
Of god above, was Ichosyn forto been
For hir meryte, of hevyn and erthe the qwene
And modir eke, as ye shall aftir here
Of thelke kyng þat all was cladde in Rede
Of purpill hewe, bothe face and chere
Downe to the foote, from his blissed hede
Whan he of purpill, dyd his baner sprede
On Calvery abrode, vpon the Rode
To save mankynde, whan he schede his bloode
Of thelke kyng þat all was cladde in Rede
Of purpill hewe, bothe face and chere
Downe to the foote, from his blissed hede
Whan he of purpill, dyd his baner sprede
On Calvery abrode, vpon the Rode
To save mankynde, whan he schede his bloode
305
And of this purpill, that I of spake to forne
I fynde playnely, how that Marye wrought
Thylke vayle that was in tweyn torne
The same houre whan he so dere vs bought
Loo howe þat godd in his eternall thought
Provydede hathe, by Iust purvyaunce
The purpull silke, vnto his moders chaunce
I fynde playnely, how that Marye wrought
Thylke vayle that was in tweyn torne
The same houre whan he so dere vs bought
Loo howe þat godd in his eternall thought
Provydede hathe, by Iust purvyaunce
The purpull silke, vnto his moders chaunce
[[X]]
But nowe I leve, this blissetfull mayde dere
In Naȝareth a mong her frendys to dwelle
Ledyng a lyfe, more perfyte and entere
Than any tunge, suffise may to tell
For euere elyche, as a fulsome well
Shedith his stream in to þe ryvere
Right so Marye, in ensample clere
In Naȝareth a mong her frendys to dwelle
Ledyng a lyfe, more perfyte and entere
Than any tunge, suffise may to tell
For euere elyche, as a fulsome well
Shedith his stream in to þe ryvere
Right so Marye, in ensample clere
306
Gaffe to all, by plentyvous largesse
Onely in vertu, vpon euery syde
O wele were thay, to whom thou were maistresse
And blisset eke, that might on the abyde
To have by ensample, so vertuouse a gyde
And blisset, was that holy companye
That day by day, the seen with her eye
Onely in vertu, vpon euery syde
O wele were thay, to whom thou were maistresse
And blisset eke, that might on the abyde
To have by ensample, so vertuouse a gyde
And blisset, was that holy companye
That day by day, the seen with her eye
And blisset was, the paleys and the house
In whiche thou haddist, thy holy mansion
Fortuned well and wondre graciouse
So humble was thy conuersacion
And blisset was also all the towne
Where thou abode, and blissed the village
O holy mayde, where thou helde hostage
In whiche thou haddist, thy holy mansion
Fortuned well and wondre graciouse
So humble was thy conuersacion
And blisset was also all the towne
Where thou abode, and blissed the village
O holy mayde, where thou helde hostage
307
And blisset was, the worthy table riche
Where day by day, thou wentist vnto bourde
For in sothenesse the Ioye was nat lyche
Of Cresus kyng, for all his riche hurde
And blisset ben thay that herden worde by worde
Of thy speche, blisset the houre and tyme
Of all thy lyfe, frome even to the prime
Where day by day, thou wentist vnto bourde
For in sothenesse the Ioye was nat lyche
Of Cresus kyng, for all his riche hurde
And blisset ben thay that herden worde by worde
Of thy speche, blisset the houre and tyme
Of all thy lyfe, frome even to the prime
O welfull eke and graciouse the sight
Of thaym that myght vpon the byholde
For well they awght to be glad and light
That werne with the all way whan thay wolde
And blissed werne bothe yonge and olde
That werne reioysede, with thyne excellence
Whan that hem liste of theyne high presence
Of thaym that myght vpon the byholde
For well they awght to be glad and light
That werne with the all way whan thay wolde
And blissed werne bothe yonge and olde
That werne reioysede, with thyne excellence
Whan that hem liste of theyne high presence
308
O the Ioye, who couthe tell aright
Of thyne hevenly meditacions
Assendyng vp above the sterres bright
In thyne Inwarde contemplacions
Or thy holy visitacions
Who can Reherse hem, bright as sonne or leven
So ofte sent downe to the, frome heven
Of thyne hevenly meditacions
Assendyng vp above the sterres bright
In thyne Inwarde contemplacions
Or thy holy visitacions
Who can Reherse hem, bright as sonne or leven
So ofte sent downe to the, frome heven
O who can telle, thy holy slepes softe
With god alwaye, full in thy memorye
For love of whome, thou sigest full ofte
Whan thou were soole, in thyne orytorye
Or who can tell, the melody and glorye
That Angelleȝ have made, in thy holy place
For the Ioye thay had, to loke vpon thy face
With god alwaye, full in thy memorye
For love of whome, thou sigest full ofte
Whan thou were soole, in thyne orytorye
Or who can tell, the melody and glorye
That Angelleȝ have made, in thy holy place
For the Ioye thay had, to loke vpon thy face
309
I am to Rude for to Rehersen, thaym all
For vnconyng, and for lake of space
The mater is so Inly spirituall
That I dar nat, so high a style pace
But lady myne, I put all in thy grace
This first booke compylede for thy sake
Of my symples, and thus an ende I make
For vnconyng, and for lake of space
The mater is so Inly spirituall
That I dar nat, so high a style pace
But lady myne, I put all in thy grace
This first booke compylede for thy sake
Of my symples, and thus an ende I make
Besechyng all, to haue pyte and routhe
That ther of shall haue Inspection
Yf aught be left, of necgligence or slowthe
Or sayde to moche, of presomppcion
And put it mekely to her correcion
And aske mercy for my trespace
Where as I erre, and put me in her grace
That ther of shall haue Inspection
Yf aught be left, of necgligence or slowthe
Or sayde to moche, of presomppcion
And put it mekely to her correcion
And aske mercy for my trespace
Where as I erre, and put me in her grace
310
And thoroughe hir benyngne supportacion
So as I can, forthe I woll procede
With all my hert, and hole entencion
Prayeng that mayde, that is of godelyhede
Croope and Rote, to helpe in this nede
Whom I now leve in Naȝareth Soiourne
And to my mater, I will agayne returne
So as I can, forthe I woll procede
With all my hert, and hole entencion
Prayeng that mayde, that is of godelyhede
Croope and Rote, to helpe in this nede
Whom I now leve in Naȝareth Soiourne
And to my mater, I will agayne returne
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