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. | BOOK II |
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| VI. |
| LXXXVII. |
 | Duquesne Studies |  |
BOOK II
[[XI]]
Howe mercy Pees Rightwisnesse and Trouthe disputede for the Redempcion of mankynde Ca xi primo 2 lib.
Thenketh longe aftir delyveraunce
And he that felyth payne and passion
Desyrith sore, aftir alleggeaunce
And who þat is in sorowe and penaunce
Lytyll wondir of hertly hevynesse
Though he covete, relees of his distresse
311
And who that levith in langour and in woo
Fer in exile, and proscripcion
And is bysette with many a cruell foo
And can no gynne, to his saluacion
To escape deth, with oute grete rawnsoun
Full longe he thynketh of full lytyll space
While he in bondeȝ, abydeth aftir grace
Fer in exile, and proscripcion
And is bysette with many a cruell foo
And can no gynne, to his saluacion
To escape deth, with oute grete rawnsoun
Full longe he thynketh of full lytyll space
While he in bondeȝ, abydeth aftir grace
And yet to recorde, of olde felicite
In sothefastnesse, encresethe more his payne
Than all constrent, of his aduersite
And causeth hym more, to syghe and pleyne
For Ioye passet, can hertes more constrayne
Her welthe affore, to be wepe and wayle
Than all the turment, that hem dothe assayle
In sothefastnesse, encresethe more his payne
Than all constrent, of his aduersite
And causeth hym more, to syghe and pleyne
For Ioye passet, can hertes more constrayne
Her welthe affore, to be wepe and wayle
Than all the turment, that hem dothe assayle
312
O who couthe euere, sithe the worlde by gan
Of more ioye, or of gladdnesse telle
Then some tyme couthe, the worthe kynde of man
That shapen was, in paradise to dwell
Tyll he alas, was banschede into hell
Fer in exile, from his possession
And þerto abide, stoked in preson
Of more ioye, or of gladdnesse telle
Then some tyme couthe, the worthe kynde of man
That shapen was, in paradise to dwell
Tyll he alas, was banschede into hell
Fer in exile, from his possession
And þerto abide, stoked in preson
And hathe loste his richesse and honour
His mirthe his ioye, and his olde welfare
His force his myght, and holy his socour
And was of vertu, nakede made and bare
And lay full seeke langwyssheng in care
So fer proscript, oute of his contre
That by the lawe, ther may noo recoverbe
His mirthe his ioye, and his olde welfare
His force his myght, and holy his socour
And was of vertu, nakede made and bare
And lay full seeke langwyssheng in care
So fer proscript, oute of his contre
That by the lawe, ther may noo recoverbe
313
Whoos nekke oppressed, with so stronge a cheyne
Lay plonged downe withouten Remedy
That whan that mercy wolde haue bene ameen
Rightwisnes gan it, anoon denye
And whan that pees, for recover gan to crye
Can trowth forthe, with a sterne face
And sayde plattely, that he gette noo grace
Lay plonged downe withouten Remedy
That whan that mercy wolde haue bene ameen
Rightwisnes gan it, anoon denye
And whan that pees, for recover gan to crye
Can trowth forthe, with a sterne face
And sayde plattely, that he gette noo grace
For pece and mercy, to gedir assembled were
Full longe agoone, to trete of this matier
And Rightwisnesse with hem was eke there
And troughe also, with a deynous chere
And whan thay were, all foure in fere
As ye haue herde, and gan to entrete
Than first of all, cruely to threte
Full longe agoone, to trete of this matier
And Rightwisnesse with hem was eke there
And troughe also, with a deynous chere
And whan thay were, all foure in fere
As ye haue herde, and gan to entrete
Than first of all, cruely to threte
314
Trouthe be ganne, al most in a rage
Of cruell Ire, and of malencolye
And sayde schortely, that man for his outerage
Of verrey Right, moste nedeȝ dey
And thus be gan the controuersye
By twene the Sustren, and trouthe all way in oon
Sayde playnely, Rekever is ther noon
Of cruell Ire, and of malencolye
And sayde schortely, that man for his outerage
Of verrey Right, moste nedeȝ dey
And thus be gan the controuersye
By twene the Sustren, and trouthe all way in oon
Sayde playnely, Rekever is ther noon
For I quod Trouthe at his creacion
Tolde hym the perell affore his offence
But he me putte oute of his bandon
And gaffe to me no maner audience
And I quod Right with all my diligence
Wolde hym haue reuled but he toke no hede
Wherfore of me he getyth noo helpe at nede
Tolde hym the perell affore his offence
But he me putte oute of his bandon
And gaffe to me no maner audience
And I quod Right with all my diligence
Wolde hym haue reuled but he toke no hede
Wherfore of me he getyth noo helpe at nede
315
For whan he gave credence to the snake
He made his quarell even agayne right
And a gaynes trouthe falsely he gan to take
When he hir putte clene oute of his sight
A gayne pees be gan a cruell fight
Whan he from hym mercy sette aferre
Brekyng the trouthe and wolde algate haue werre
He made his quarell even agayne right
And a gaynes trouthe falsely he gan to take
When he hir putte clene oute of his sight
A gayne pees be gan a cruell fight
Whan he from hym mercy sette aferre
Brekyng the trouthe and wolde algate haue werre
Wherfore quod Right pletyth for hym no more
But latt hym haue as he hathe deserued
Ye done grete wronge if ye woll hym restore
That hath his heste to yoo nought conseruet
A yes quod mercy nature hath reseruet
To pees my Sustre playnly and to me
On wrecheȝ euere for to haue pyte
But latt hym haue as he hathe deserued
Ye done grete wronge if ye woll hym restore
That hath his heste to yoo nought conseruet
A yes quod mercy nature hath reseruet
To pees my Sustre playnly and to me
On wrecheȝ euere for to haue pyte
316
And he offended hath, of ignoraunce
More then of malice, I wisse quod mercy thoo
Ye for all that, he most haue his penaunce
Quod Right a noon lyke as he hathe doo
A þenke quod pees, þat toward Iericho
He was dispoilet, amonge his cruell foon
For lakke of helpe, when we hym lefte aloon
More then of malice, I wisse quod mercy thoo
Ye for all that, he most haue his penaunce
Quod Right a noon lyke as he hathe doo
A þenke quod pees, þat toward Iericho
He was dispoilet, amonge his cruell foon
For lakke of helpe, when we hym lefte aloon
That was quod Trouthe, for he was Rekles
To go the way, I taught hym of Reason
Quod mercy than, the mortall foo of pees
The olde serpent, Rote of all treson
Of fals envye, and Indignacion
Lay in a waite, to bryng hym to a trayne
Whan vnto hym, falsely he gan sayne
To go the way, I taught hym of Reason
Quod mercy than, the mortall foo of pees
The olde serpent, Rote of all treson
Of fals envye, and Indignacion
Lay in a waite, to bryng hym to a trayne
Whan vnto hym, falsely he gan sayne
317
That if he eete, of the forboden tre
The fayre frute, in paradise present
He shuld lyke, un to goddes be
Of gode and yvell, to haue entendement
And for my Sustre Trouthe was absent
And ye your selfe, also Rightwisnesse
He was be trayede, sliȝly be falsnesse
The fayre frute, in paradise present
He shuld lyke, un to goddes be
Of gode and yvell, to haue entendement
And for my Sustre Trouthe was absent
And ye your selfe, also Rightwisnesse
He was be trayede, sliȝly be falsnesse
Wherfore quod mercy, I purpose outerly
Hym to Releve, yf I can or maye
And I quod pees, well helpe faythfully
The grete Ire, and Rancour to alay
Of Iugement, to put it in delay
And here vpon to fynde full refuge
I well procede affore the high Iuge
Hym to Releve, yf I can or maye
And I quod pees, well helpe faythfully
The grete Ire, and Rancour to alay
Of Iugement, to put it in delay
And here vpon to fynde full refuge
I well procede affore the high Iuge
318
[[XII]]
And right forthe with before the kyng of glory
Mercy and pees, this cause brought a noon
And in the high hevenly consistatory
Pees sayde thus, amonge hem euerycheone
A blessud lorde, þat art both thre and oon
So please it the benignely to here
What I woll saye, ans my sustre dere
Mercy and pees, this cause brought a noon
And in the high hevenly consistatory
Pees sayde thus, amonge hem euerycheone
A blessud lorde, þat art both thre and oon
So please it the benignely to here
What I woll saye, ans my sustre dere
Remembre lorde, a mong thy werkes all
How thow maidst, mercy souereygne
That whan that euere vnto the she call
Thow maist of Right, hir prayer not disdeyne
And specially whan that we bothe tweyne
To thy highnesse for any thyng Requyre
Thow must of grace, fulfill our prayer
How thow maidst, mercy souereygne
That whan that euere vnto the she call
Thow maist of Right, hir prayer not disdeyne
And specially whan that we bothe tweyne
To thy highnesse for any thyng Requyre
Thow must of grace, fulfill our prayer
319
Is not thy mercy, grete above the heven
Thyne awne doughtir, chefe of thyne alye
And hath hir place, above the sterres seven
With the orders, of eueryche Herarchye
Whom day by day, thow canste so magnifie
Among thy werkes, to make hir empresse
To helpe wreches, whan thay be in distresse
Thyne awne doughtir, chefe of thyne alye
And hath hir place, above the sterres seven
With the orders, of eueryche Herarchye
Whom day by day, thow canste so magnifie
Among thy werkes, to make hir empresse
To helpe wreches, whan thay be in distresse
Thy mercy abydith eke aye with the
Lyke thy gretnesse, and thy magnificence
And who that dothe mercy and pyte
Dothe sacrifice high in thy presence
And is not mercy of more excellence
Lyke as the Sawter, well reherse can
Upon the herthe, beter than lyfe of man
Lyke thy gretnesse, and thy magnificence
And who that dothe mercy and pyte
Dothe sacrifice high in thy presence
And is not mercy of more excellence
Lyke as the Sawter, well reherse can
Upon the herthe, beter than lyfe of man
320
Thy self also, as it is playnly couthe
Avisely who so, taketh hede therto
Sayest opynly with thyne awne mouthe
That to a thousand, thow canst thy mercy doo
And holy David, Recordith eke also
With his harpe above all othir thyng
That he thy mercyes, eternally shall syng
Avisely who so, taketh hede therto
Sayest opynly with thyne awne mouthe
That to a thousand, thow canst thy mercy doo
And holy David, Recordith eke also
With his harpe above all othir thyng
That he thy mercyes, eternally shall syng
And how might eke, any creature
Vpon erthe, of any manere kynde
Withoutyn mercy, eny whyle endure
For all wer goon, and mercy wer byhynde
Wherfore lorde, on mercy haue thy mynde
The woofull caytyffe, to take vnto thy grace
That hath so longe, be seuerede fro thy face
Vpon erthe, of any manere kynde
Withoutyn mercy, eny whyle endure
For all wer goon, and mercy wer byhynde
Wherfore lorde, on mercy haue thy mynde
The woofull caytyffe, to take vnto thy grace
That hath so longe, be seuerede fro thy face
321
And though that I be humble meke and free
For sothe lorde, of dewete and of Right
Yet euere in oon, my dwellyng is with the
For selde or neuere, I part oute of thy syght
Pees is my name, that power hath and myght
Thorowe my connyng, hem that bene mortall foon
Thorough helpe of the, to corden thayme in oon
For sothe lorde, of dewete and of Right
Yet euere in oon, my dwellyng is with the
For selde or neuere, I part oute of thy syght
Pees is my name, that power hath and myght
Thorowe my connyng, hem that bene mortall foon
Thorough helpe of the, to corden thayme in oon
And also lorde as holy wryte can tell
That of thy pees, ther may noo ende be
And eke thy pees, euery whight dothe excell
And art thy self, of verray dewte
Called the prynce, of pees and vnyte
And yet behotest, wreches to Releve
Thy bonde of pees, that it shall neuer meove
That of thy pees, ther may noo ende be
And eke thy pees, euery whight dothe excell
And art thy self, of verray dewte
Called the prynce, of pees and vnyte
And yet behotest, wreches to Releve
Thy bonde of pees, that it shall neuer meove
322
And Iob Recordith the holsomest frute
Of all this worlde, spryngyth oute of pees
Now lorde sithe, I am made to be Refute
And to the wofull, comfort and encrese
Graunt of thy grace, now a full Relees
That I and mercy, may thy foon confonde
Of thylke caytyffe, that lyeth in preson bounde
Of all this worlde, spryngyth oute of pees
Now lorde sithe, I am made to be Refute
And to the wofull, comfort and encrese
Graunt of thy grace, now a full Relees
That I and mercy, may thy foon confonde
Of thylke caytyffe, that lyeth in preson bounde
So that he may haue liberte
To goo at large, and haue Remyssion
Of his þraldom, and captiuite
And be deliuered, ouȝt of his preson
So that ther be made Redempcion
For his seruage, and a fynall pay
Lorde of thy mercy, with outyn more delay
To goo at large, and haue Remyssion
Of his þraldom, and captiuite
And be deliuered, ouȝt of his preson
So that ther be made Redempcion
For his seruage, and a fynall pay
Lorde of thy mercy, with outyn more delay
323
And whan thay had thayre mater full purposed
Merncy and pece, with full high sentence
Touchyng man, with synne so ennoysed
The Iuge gave, benygne audience
And whan he had longe kepet sylence
For all the skylleȝ, to hym that they layde
Yet at the laste, to hem thus he sayde
Merncy and pece, with full high sentence
Touchyng man, with synne so ennoysed
The Iuge gave, benygne audience
And whan he had longe kepet sylence
For all the skylleȝ, to hym that they layde
Yet at the laste, to hem thus he sayde
[[XIII]]
Myne awne doughtirs next of alye
Though youre Request, come of tendre hert
Ye must consydre, with a prudent eye
Of Rightwysnesse, it may nat me astert
Lyke your askyng, by favour to aduerte
Vnto the cause, that is Represent
But Right and trouth, fully will assent
Though youre Request, come of tendre hert
Ye must consydre, with a prudent eye
Of Rightwysnesse, it may nat me astert
Lyke your askyng, by favour to aduerte
Vnto the cause, that is Represent
But Right and trouth, fully will assent
324
With outyn whome, I may not procede
To execute any Iugement
Wherfore lette call hem in this gret nede
For I must worche by hir avysement
And whan thay, were comen and present
Then trouth a noon touchyng this matier
Saide openly, þat alle myȝten here
To execute any Iugement
Wherfore lette call hem in this gret nede
For I must worche by hir avysement
And whan thay, were comen and present
Then trouth a noon touchyng this matier
Saide openly, þat alle myȝten here
If it be so this man, that hath trespaced
Ne be nat dede, for his Inyquyte
Than outrelyche, the fraunchece is defaced
Bothe of my sustyr, Rightwisnesse and me
And fynally, our bothe liberte
Gothe vnto nought, and our iurediction
But he be punysshed, for his transgressyon
Ne be nat dede, for his Inyquyte
Than outrelyche, the fraunchece is defaced
Bothe of my sustyr, Rightwisnesse and me
And fynally, our bothe liberte
Gothe vnto nought, and our iurediction
But he be punysshed, for his transgressyon
325
The worde of god that playnely may not erre
Tolde hym afforne, withoutyn any drede
The grete parell of this mortall werre
Etyng the apull, that he muste be dede
But he of slouthe, toke therto no hede
Wherfore he muste, as right lust provyde
Withoutyn mercy, the dome of dethe abyde
Tolde hym afforne, withoutyn any drede
The grete parell of this mortall werre
Etyng the apull, that he muste be dede
But he of slouthe, toke therto no hede
Wherfore he muste, as right lust provyde
Withoutyn mercy, the dome of dethe abyde
And though that pees, be of pite meovede
Man to delyuere, with a ȝeole of Routhe
Rightwisnesse, wolde than be agrevyd
With me to consent, that am callet trouthe
As me semyth, it were to grete a slouthe
Dome, cause, or plee, or any othir sute
Withoutyn vs twayne, to ben execute
Man to delyuere, with a ȝeole of Routhe
Rightwisnesse, wolde than be agrevyd
With me to consent, that am callet trouthe
As me semyth, it were to grete a slouthe
Dome, cause, or plee, or any othir sute
Withoutyn vs twayne, to ben execute
326
Me semyth eke my sustir Pees dothe wronge
To socour man, and holde agayne vs twayne
That haue ben conuersaunte so longe
Amonge vs discorde, to Restreyne
Therfore quod Pees, now will I not feyne
To doo myne office, Right to modyfye
That she of Rigur, cause hym nat to dye
To socour man, and holde agayne vs twayne
That haue ben conuersaunte so longe
Amonge vs discorde, to Restreyne
Therfore quod Pees, now will I not feyne
To doo myne office, Right to modyfye
That she of Rigur, cause hym nat to dye
Than quod Right of necessite
It most folowe, though he were my brothir
He moot dye, by dome of equyte
Or in his name, mot be dede some othir
So of my shyppe, gyed is the Rother
That I ne may erre, for wawe ne for wynde
More than the Anker, of trouthe woll me bynde
It most folowe, though he were my brothir
He moot dye, by dome of equyte
Or in his name, mot be dede some othir
So of my shyppe, gyed is the Rother
That I ne may erre, for wawe ne for wynde
More than the Anker, of trouthe woll me bynde
327
Certys quod mercy, so it nat displease
Vnto youre noble, and wise providence
His dethe to yov, may be full lytyll ease
For holy wryt, Rehersyth in sentence
Iff ye considre, in youre advertens
That dethe of synners, the high god to queme
Is werste of dethes, if ye of Right luste deme
Vnto youre noble, and wise providence
His dethe to yov, may be full lytyll ease
For holy wryt, Rehersyth in sentence
Iff ye considre, in youre advertens
That dethe of synners, the high god to queme
Is werste of dethes, if ye of Right luste deme
For synfull blode, is no sacrifice
To god above, that euery thyng may seen
Than muste ye, the dethe of one dyvyse
That is of synne, Innocent and clene
And as I trowe, vndir the sonne schene
Thorough oute the worlde, to serche all mankynde
It were full harde, suche one forto fynde
To god above, that euery thyng may seen
Than muste ye, the dethe of one dyvyse
That is of synne, Innocent and clene
And as I trowe, vndir the sonne schene
Thorough oute the worlde, to serche all mankynde
It were full harde, suche one forto fynde
328
For Ruste with Rust, may nat scowrede be
No foule, with fylthe, may nat be puryfied
And who is foulede, with dishoneste
To wasshe a nothir, it is nat apliede
Blake, in to wyte, may not be vndied
Ne bloode infecte, with corrupcion
To god for synne is noon oblacion
No foule, with fylthe, may nat be puryfied
And who is foulede, with dishoneste
To wasshe a nothir, it is nat apliede
Blake, in to wyte, may not be vndied
Ne bloode infecte, with corrupcion
To god for synne is noon oblacion
Fygure here of, ye may beholde and se
As the Byble, makyth mencion
Howe that a lambe, of spotte and fylthe fre
Some tyme was take, by eleccion
And offrede vpe, in satisfaccion
To god for synne, forto sygnyfye
That who that shulde, for manys Raunsome dye
As the Byble, makyth mencion
Howe that a lambe, of spotte and fylthe fre
Some tyme was take, by eleccion
And offrede vpe, in satisfaccion
To god for synne, forto sygnyfye
That who that shulde, for manys Raunsome dye
329
Must be clene, pure, and innocent
Right as a lambe, fro euery spotte of blame
And trewly vndir the firmament
Ther was no soche, sythe Adam dyd atayne
The frute, to ete, for ether halte or lame
In soverayne vertu, is all the kynde of man
Wherfore quod mercy, the best rede þat I can
Right as a lambe, fro euery spotte of blame
And trewly vndir the firmament
Ther was no soche, sythe Adam dyd atayne
The frute, to ete, for ether halte or lame
In soverayne vertu, is all the kynde of man
Wherfore quod mercy, the best rede þat I can
That Pees my sustir, sesse this discorde
And all the stryve, that is vs be twene
And that we praye our Iuge, and mighty lorde
To þis matere benyngly to sene
That of his grace, he shape suche a meen
For Trouthe and Right, so prudently ordeyne
That Pees ne I haue no cause to playne
And all the stryve, that is vs be twene
And that we praye our Iuge, and mighty lorde
To þis matere benyngly to sene
That of his grace, he shape suche a meen
For Trouthe and Right, so prudently ordeyne
That Pees ne I haue no cause to playne
330
And this Request, is nat againe Right
Ne vnto Trouthe, playnely, noon offence
If that our Iuge, of his grete myght
Ordeyne so, in his prudence
To shape a way, thorough his sapience
That trowþe and right be nothing displesid
Thorugh Pees, and me, though man be holpe and eased
Ne vnto Trouthe, playnely, noon offence
If that our Iuge, of his grete myght
Ordeyne so, in his prudence
To shape a way, thorough his sapience
That trowþe and right be nothing displesid
Thorugh Pees, and me, though man be holpe and eased
[[XIIII]]
And whan þat she, had hir reason fyned
That groundede, was platly vpon skylle
The high Iuge, by mercy is enclynede
To condecende, of grace, to hir will
And in suche wyse, hir axyng to fulfyll
That Right be seruet, and Trouth nat dysmayed
That Pees and she shulden eke be well a payede
That groundede, was platly vpon skylle
The high Iuge, by mercy is enclynede
To condecende, of grace, to hir will
And in suche wyse, hir axyng to fulfyll
That Right be seruet, and Trouth nat dysmayed
That Pees and she shulden eke be well a payede
331
And by sentence, a noon diffynytyfe
He sayde, for hole conclucion
An Innocent, clene, and pure of lyfe
Shall makely dye, and pay the Raunsome
For mans gylt and transgression
And he so frely, shall the dethe obeye
In all his payne, þat he no worde shall saye
He sayde, for hole conclucion
An Innocent, clene, and pure of lyfe
Shall makely dye, and pay the Raunsome
For mans gylt and transgression
And he so frely, shall the dethe obeye
In all his payne, þat he no worde shall saye
And thus shall Right, in all manere thyng
Have hir desyre, and Trouth shall not fayle
To execut fully hir axyng
Fynally to stynte, this batell
And for that Pees, so moche may avayle
And mercy eke shall not be agrevyde
Her bothe axing, shall also been achevyde
Have hir desyre, and Trouth shall not fayle
To execut fully hir axyng
Fynally to stynte, this batell
And for that Pees, so moche may avayle
And mercy eke shall not be agrevyde
Her bothe axing, shall also been achevyde
332
To fynde a man that shall vndirtake
This myghty quarell, of mercy and pite
To suffre dethe oonly for mans sake
Vncompellyd, frely of volunte
That as a lambe, withoute spotte shall be
And with his blode, shall wasshe vndefouled
The gilt of man, with rust of synne ymouled
This myghty quarell, of mercy and pite
To suffre dethe oonly for mans sake
Vncompellyd, frely of volunte
That as a lambe, withoute spotte shall be
And with his blode, shall wasshe vndefouled
The gilt of man, with rust of synne ymouled
[[XV]]
But forto witte, of what stok he shall spryng
Or of what kynryd, or of what estate
My sothefast worde, eternally levyng
Myne awne sonne, withe me Increate
Shall downe be sent, to be Incarnate
And wrappe hym self, in the mortall kynde
Of man for love, so that he may fynde
Or of what kynryd, or of what estate
My sothefast worde, eternally levyng
Myne awne sonne, withe me Increate
Shall downe be sent, to be Incarnate
And wrappe hym self, in the mortall kynde
Of man for love, so that he may fynde
333
A clene grovnde, his paleys onto bylde
In alle the erthe, noþer of lyme ne stone
But in a mayde, deboner, and ful mylde
The humble doughter, of Iuda and Syon
And vnto hir, shall trouthe and mercy goon
By one accorde, sent afore my face
Lyche my devyse, to chese me a place
In alle the erthe, noþer of lyme ne stone
But in a mayde, deboner, and ful mylde
The humble doughter, of Iuda and Syon
And vnto hir, shall trouthe and mercy goon
By one accorde, sent afore my face
Lyche my devyse, to chese me a place
And say to hir, in al manere thyng
Hir tabernacle, þat she make fayre
Agayne the commyng, of hir myghty kyng
Whiche is my sonne, and myne owne heyre
That in hir breste, shall haue his Repayre
Where trouthe and mercy shal togedur mete
By one assent, and her Rauncour lete
Hir tabernacle, þat she make fayre
Agayne the commyng, of hir myghty kyng
Whiche is my sonne, and myne owne heyre
That in hir breste, shall haue his Repayre
Where trouthe and mercy shal togedur mete
By one assent, and her Rauncour lete
334
And there shall, Pees, kysse Rightwisnesse
And al the sustren, accorden in that place
And Right shall leve, al hir sturdinesse
And Trouthes sworde, shall no more manace
And fynally, mercy shall purchace
A Chartour of pardon, lyche this mayden clene
Whiche shall for man, be so goode ameyn
And al the sustren, accorden in that place
And Right shall leve, al hir sturdinesse
And Trouthes sworde, shall no more manace
And fynally, mercy shall purchace
A Chartour of pardon, lyche this mayden clene
Whiche shall for man, be so goode ameyn
That he shal nowe escape dawngerles
Amyddes the foreste, fre frome euery trappe
Whileȝ the mayde, that causith al this pees
Hathe the vnycorne, slepyng in hir lappe
That thorough mekenesse shall his horne so wrappe
There it was wonte, to slee, by violence
Thoroughe deth, it shall agayne dethe be defence
Amyddes the foreste, fre frome euery trappe
Whileȝ the mayde, that causith al this pees
Hathe the vnycorne, slepyng in hir lappe
That thorough mekenesse shall his horne so wrappe
There it was wonte, to slee, by violence
Thoroughe deth, it shall agayne dethe be defence
335
Agaynes venym, more holsome then tryacle
Euery poyson a softe, and a swage
Whan þe lyon, maketh his habitacle
With Inne, a mayde but of tendre age
And Gabryell shall goo on message
To hir a noon, myne awne secretarye
With new tythynges, and noo lenger tarye
Euery poyson a softe, and a swage
Whan þe lyon, maketh his habitacle
With Inne, a mayde but of tendre age
And Gabryell shall goo on message
To hir a noon, myne awne secretarye
With new tythynges, and noo lenger tarye
[[XVI]]
And Right forth with the Angel taryed notȝ
But holdyth his waye from the see of glorye
Vnto this mayde clene of will and thought
Where as she sat in hir oratorye
With hert intentiffe and with hole memorye
Erecte to god and all hir ful mynde
To whom the Angell whan he dyd hir fynde
But holdyth his waye from the see of glorye
Vnto this mayde clene of will and thought
Where as she sat in hir oratorye
With hert intentiffe and with hole memorye
Erecte to god and all hir ful mynde
To whom the Angell whan he dyd hir fynde
336
Benyngly with all humylite
Sayde vnto hir a noon as ye shall here
Haylefull of grace the lorde is with the
Ne drede the not be right glade of chere
That arte to god so acceptable and dere
That hooly hys grace ys vpon the falle
To be moste blisset amongeȝ wymen alle
Sayde vnto hir a noon as ye shall here
Haylefull of grace the lorde is with the
Ne drede the not be right glade of chere
That arte to god so acceptable and dere
That hooly hys grace ys vpon the falle
To be moste blisset amongeȝ wymen alle
And with that worde thorugh grace of goddes myght
Al hole the sonne of the deyte
That from hevene his blisset bemys bryght
Shad on the erthe of our humanite
Whan in þe brest of a maide fre
The holy gooste by fre eleccion
For his mekenesse hathe made his mansion
Al hole the sonne of the deyte
That from hevene his blisset bemys bryght
Shad on the erthe of our humanite
Whan in þe brest of a maide fre
The holy gooste by fre eleccion
For his mekenesse hathe made his mansion
337
For whan that Bernarde, som tyme gan be holde
With thought vp lifte, by contemplacion
This bright sonne, in herte he gan to colde
Inly astonyde, in his asspeccion
And full devoute, in a meditacion
Therof Remembryng, as he gan take hede
Sayde evyn thus, quakyng in a drede
With thought vp lifte, by contemplacion
This bright sonne, in herte he gan to colde
Inly astonyde, in his asspeccion
And full devoute, in a meditacion
Therof Remembryng, as he gan take hede
Sayde evyn thus, quakyng in a drede
[[XVII]]
A lorde quod he, how I am agrysyde
And sore adredde, to loke on this clerenesse
And yet wel more, with fere I am supprised
For to be holde, for myne vnworthynesse
Any worde to wryte, or expresse
Of this misterye, and grete pryvite
Benyng lorde, lest thou saye to me
And sore adredde, to loke on this clerenesse
And yet wel more, with fere I am supprised
For to be holde, for myne vnworthynesse
Any worde to wryte, or expresse
Of this misterye, and grete pryvite
Benyng lorde, lest thou saye to me
338
Why arte thou bolde, or durst in any wyse
My Rightwissnesse to tell, or to wryte
Or to presume, so hardely to avise
My testament, with thy mouthe tendite
That certis lorde, but if thu respite
My wrecchednesse, by supporte of thy grace
I gretly drede, of dethe, for my trespace
My Rightwissnesse to tell, or to wryte
Or to presume, so hardely to avise
My testament, with thy mouthe tendite
That certis lorde, but if thu respite
My wrecchednesse, by supporte of thy grace
I gretly drede, of dethe, for my trespace
But wolde god thorugh his grete myght
And his goodnesse, lyche to my desyre
That from the Auter, that brynnyth in his sight
No lytyll sparke, but a flame of fyre
Wolde downe discende, myne herte to enspire
For to consume with his fervent hete
The rusty fylthe, that in my mouthe dothe flete
And his goodnesse, lyche to my desyre
That from the Auter, that brynnyth in his sight
No lytyll sparke, but a flame of fyre
Wolde downe discende, myne herte to enspire
For to consume with his fervent hete
The rusty fylthe, that in my mouthe dothe flete
339
And alle vnclennes, cankerd þer of olde
To make clene, and to scowre awaye
That thorugh his grace, I durst be so bolde
Ethir to wryte, or some worde to saye
That was Rehersyde, vpon that blisset day
Whanne Gabriel and marie mette
In Naȝareth, and humbly hir grette
To make clene, and to scowre awaye
That thorugh his grace, I durst be so bolde
Ethir to wryte, or some worde to saye
That was Rehersyde, vpon that blisset day
Whanne Gabriel and marie mette
In Naȝareth, and humbly hir grette
But sithen this man so perfyght of levyng
This holy Bernarde, so goode and gracious
So dredefull was, this matier in wrytyng
That was of lyfe, so Inly vertuouse
How dar I thanne, be so presumpcwouse
I wofull wrecche, in any manere wyse
To take on me, this perfyte high empryse
This holy Bernarde, so goode and gracious
So dredefull was, this matier in wrytyng
That was of lyfe, so Inly vertuouse
How dar I thanne, be so presumpcwouse
I wofull wrecche, in any manere wyse
To take on me, this perfyte high empryse
340
My lippys poluted, my mouthe with synne soyled
Myne hert vnclene, and full of cursydnesse
My thought also, with all viceȝ boyled
My breste Receyte, and cheste of wrecchednesse
That me to wryte, of any perfytenesse
Not only dreed, of presompcion
But for to encurre, the endyngnacion
Myne hert vnclene, and full of cursydnesse
My thought also, with all viceȝ boyled
My breste Receyte, and cheste of wrecchednesse
That me to wryte, of any perfytenesse
Not only dreed, of presompcion
But for to encurre, the endyngnacion
Of god above, for my grete offence
That I am bolde, or hardy in his sight
To dar presume, the grete excellence
For to discreue of hir, that is so bryght
But vndir hope, that mercy passith Right
And that disdeyne, my style nat werrey
With humble hert, thus to hym I pray
That I am bolde, or hardy in his sight
To dar presume, the grete excellence
For to discreue of hir, that is so bryght
But vndir hope, that mercy passith Right
And that disdeyne, my style nat werrey
With humble hert, thus to hym I pray
341
[[XVIII]]
O lorde whose mercy, gothe not to declyne
But euere lyche, stondyth holy in oon
That som tyme, sendist downe from Seraphyne
To Isaye an Angell, with a stone
Where with he gan to touche his mouth anoon
To purge his lyppeȝ, fro all pollucion
So late thy grace to me discende a downe
But euere lyche, stondyth holy in oon
That som tyme, sendist downe from Seraphyne
To Isaye an Angell, with a stone
Where with he gan to touche his mouth anoon
To purge his lyppeȝ, fro all pollucion
So late thy grace to me discende a downe
My rude tonge, to exployte and spede
Som what to saye, in commendacion
Of hir that is well, of womanhede
And thorugh hir helpe, and mediacion
Be to my style full direction
And lete thy grace, all ways be present
This boke to ferther, aftir myne entent
Som what to saye, in commendacion
Of hir that is well, of womanhede
And thorugh hir helpe, and mediacion
Be to my style full direction
And lete thy grace, all ways be present
This boke to ferther, aftir myne entent
342
For of my selfe, for to vndirtake
To speke or wryte, in so devoute matier
Lytyll wondir, though I tremble and quake
And chaunge bothe countenans and chere
Sythen this mayde, of vertu tresorere
Perturbed was, in loke and in visage
Of Gabryell to hir the mesage
To speke or wryte, in so devoute matier
Lytyll wondir, though I tremble and quake
And chaunge bothe countenans and chere
Sythen this mayde, of vertu tresorere
Perturbed was, in loke and in visage
Of Gabryell to hir the mesage
And full demurely, styll gan abyde
And in hert, castyng vp and downe
Full prudently, vpon euery syde
The manere of this salutacion
And how it myght, in conclusion
In any wyse, full performed be
She standyng hole, in hir virgynyte
And in hert, castyng vp and downe
Full prudently, vpon euery syde
The manere of this salutacion
And how it myght, in conclusion
In any wyse, full performed be
She standyng hole, in hir virgynyte
343
And whan the Angell sawe hir lawlyhede
And the hooli rednes also in her face
He sayed marie, for no thyng that thou drede
For to fore god, thou has fovnden grace
And shall conceyve, with in a lytyll space
Within thy wombe, a sonne of all vertu
And shall hym calle, whan he is borne Ihesu
And the hooli rednes also in her face
He sayed marie, for no thyng that thou drede
For to fore god, thou has fovnden grace
And shall conceyve, with in a lytyll space
Within thy wombe, a sonne of all vertu
And shall hym calle, whan he is borne Ihesu
That shall be grete, and namet sothefastly
Sonne of the hyghest, that euere was of myght
And god to hym, shall gyffe full Iustely
The see of David, his awne fadirs right
And he shall Regne, in euery wightys sight
In the house of Iacob, eternally by lyne
Whoos kyngdome, ay shall ast, and neuere fyne
Sonne of the hyghest, that euere was of myght
And god to hym, shall gyffe full Iustely
The see of David, his awne fadirs right
And he shall Regne, in euery wightys sight
In the house of Iacob, eternally by lyne
Whoos kyngdome, ay shall ast, and neuere fyne
344
And though his heste, wer passyng of Renoone
Surmontyng eke, as in excellence
That outewarde gaffe, so mervelouse a soune
And wundurfulle to here audience
Yet she full mekely with grete Reuerence
And looke downe cast, of hir een clere
Benygnely the Angel gan enquere
Surmontyng eke, as in excellence
That outewarde gaffe, so mervelouse a soune
And wundurfulle to here audience
Yet she full mekely with grete Reuerence
And looke downe cast, of hir een clere
Benygnely the Angel gan enquere
In what manere, shall this thyng betyde
Sithe I noo man knowe in noo degre
Quod Gabriell, within thy blissed syde
The holy goste, shall yshrouded be
And all the vertu, of the trynyte
Enclose shall, in thy brest so clene
The sonne of lyfe, with all his beames shene
Sithe I noo man knowe in noo degre
Quod Gabriell, within thy blissed syde
The holy goste, shall yshrouded be
And all the vertu, of the trynyte
Enclose shall, in thy brest so clene
The sonne of lyfe, with all his beames shene
345
Wherfore this chylde, that shall of the be born
Shall called be, goddys sonne entier
By holde and see, a lytyll here be forn
Elizabeth, thyne awne cousyn dere
Conseived hathe sithen gon half a ȝere
Thow she for age, wene to haue ben baren
And is with chylde, to put all in certeyne
Shall called be, goddys sonne entier
By holde and see, a lytyll here be forn
Elizabeth, thyne awne cousyn dere
Conseived hathe sithen gon half a ȝere
Thow she for age, wene to haue ben baren
And is with chylde, to put all in certeyne
That vnto god, ys no thyng impossible
But as hym list, may euery thyng fulfyll
Vnto whose word, be fully now credible
By holde quod she, of god the meke ancille
With all my hert, obeyng to his wille
In euery þing, riȝt, as hym liste it be
And liche thy worde, so fall it vnto me
But as hym list, may euery thyng fulfyll
Vnto whose word, be fully now credible
By holde quod she, of god the meke ancille
With all my hert, obeyng to his wille
In euery þing, riȝt, as hym liste it be
And liche thy worde, so fall it vnto me
346
Loo she that was chosyn forto been
Of all this worlde, lady and Empresse
Of heven and erthe, aloon to be queen
And goddys mothir, for his holynesse
Loo, for all this, how lawly with mekenesse
She all commytted, vnto goddys will
As he ordenyd redy to fulfylle
Of all this worlde, lady and Empresse
Of heven and erthe, aloon to be queen
And goddys mothir, for his holynesse
Loo, for all this, how lawly with mekenesse
She all commytted, vnto goddys will
As he ordenyd redy to fulfylle
Nold calle hir self, noon othir name
But goddys hande mayde, in full lawe manere
O where is al thy transitorye fame
Of pompe and pryde, and Surquydre in feer
Where is your booste, or how dar ye apeer
With your forblowe, blowyng vanyte
Sithe that a mayde, thorugh hir humylite
But goddys hande mayde, in full lawe manere
O where is al thy transitorye fame
Of pompe and pryde, and Surquydre in feer
Where is your booste, or how dar ye apeer
With your forblowe, blowyng vanyte
Sithe that a mayde, thorugh hir humylite
347
Of pryde nowe, hathe wone the victory
And opynly, yyeven hym a fall
Thorugh whose lawnesse the high kyng of glorye
With Inne hir wome, hathe made in speciall
His dwellyng place, and his hospitall
And with a worde, of þe mayden spoke
The holy goste, is in hir brest Iloke
And opynly, yyeven hym a fall
Thorugh whose lawnesse the high kyng of glorye
With Inne hir wome, hathe made in speciall
His dwellyng place, and his hospitall
And with a worde, of þe mayden spoke
The holy goste, is in hir brest Iloke
[[XIX]]
And whanne þe angelle from her departed was
And she aloon in hir tabernacle
Right as the sonne persheth thorugh the glas
Thorugh the Cristall, Byrell or spectacle
Withoutyn harme Right so by miracle
In to hir closet, the faders sapience
Entrede is, with outyn violence
And she aloon in hir tabernacle
Right as the sonne persheth thorugh the glas
Thorugh the Cristall, Byrell or spectacle
Withoutyn harme Right so by miracle
In to hir closet, the faders sapience
Entrede is, with outyn violence
348
Or any wemme, vnto hir maydenhede
On any syde, in party or in all
For godes sonne, takyng our manheed
In hir hathe bilte, his paleys prynci[p]all
And vndir pight, this mansion Rial
With vii pilers, as made is memorye
And ther in sette, his Reclynatorye
On any syde, in party or in all
For godes sonne, takyng our manheed
In hir hathe bilte, his paleys prynci[p]all
And vndir pight, this mansion Rial
With vii pilers, as made is memorye
And ther in sette, his Reclynatorye
Wheche is performed, al of pure golde
Only to vs, forto signyfye
That he all holy, maked hath his holde
With Inne this mayde, that callet is marye
And vii pillours, that shulde this mayden gye
Been vii spirites, so as I can decerne
Of god above, this mayde to gouerne
Only to vs, forto signyfye
That he all holy, maked hath his holde
With Inne this mayde, that callet is marye
And vii pillours, that shulde this mayden gye
Been vii spirites, so as I can decerne
Of god above, this mayde to gouerne
349
For all the tresoure, of his sapience
And all the wisdome, of hevyn and erthe therto
And all the Richesse, of spirituall science
In hir were sette, and closyde eke also
For she is the tour, withoutyn wordes moo
And hous of yvour, in wheche Salamon
Shette all the tresoure, in his possession
And all the wisdome, of hevyn and erthe therto
And all the Richesse, of spirituall science
In hir were sette, and closyde eke also
For she is the tour, withoutyn wordes moo
And hous of yvour, in wheche Salamon
Shette all the tresoure, in his possession
She was the castell, of the cristall wall
That neuer man myght yet vnclose
Whiche the kyng that made and causyth all
His dwellyng chefe, by grace gan dispose
And like as dewe, descendeth on the Rose
With siluer dropes, and of the leves fayre
The fresche bewete, ne may not apayre
That neuer man myght yet vnclose
Whiche the kyng that made and causyth all
His dwellyng chefe, by grace gan dispose
And like as dewe, descendeth on the Rose
With siluer dropes, and of the leves fayre
The fresche bewete, ne may not apayre
350
Ne as the rayne, in Apryll or in May
Causyng the vertu to Renne oute of the Rote
The grete fayrenesse nought apayre may
On violeteȝ, and on erbes soote
Right so this grace, of al our grevous bote
The grace of god, a mydde the lyly white
The beaute causith, to be of more delyte
Causyng the vertu to Renne oute of the Rote
The grete fayrenesse nought apayre may
On violeteȝ, and on erbes soote
Right so this grace, of al our grevous bote
The grace of god, a mydde the lyly white
The beaute causith, to be of more delyte
And as the Cocle, with hevyn dew so clene
Of kynde engendreth, white perles Ronde
And hathe no cheryshyng, but the sonne shene
To his fostryng, as it is playnely founde
Right so this mayde, of grace most habounde
A perle hath closed, within hir brest white
That from the dethe, myght al our Raunsom quyte
Of kynde engendreth, white perles Ronde
And hathe no cheryshyng, but the sonne shene
To his fostryng, as it is playnely founde
Right so this mayde, of grace most habounde
A perle hath closed, within hir brest white
That from the dethe, myght al our Raunsom quyte
351
She was eke the gate, with the lokeȝ breght
Sette in the Northe, of high deuocion
Of wheche sumtyme, the prophete had a sight
Ezechiel in his a vision
Wheche stoode euere clos, in conclusion
That neuer man, entre shall ne pace
But god hym selfe, to make his dwellyng place
Sette in the Northe, of high deuocion
Of wheche sumtyme, the prophete had a sight
Ezechiel in his a vision
Wheche stoode euere clos, in conclusion
That neuer man, entre shall ne pace
But god hym selfe, to make his dwellyng place
And Right in sothe, as I Reherse can
So as the flees, of Gedeon was wette
To forn he fawte with hem of madian
With hevynly dewe, environ all by sette
In signe onely, he shall spede the bette
Right so hathe godde, in hir his grace shewed
Withe the holy goste, when she was al bydewed
So as the flees, of Gedeon was wette
To forn he fawte with hem of madian
With hevynly dewe, environ all by sette
In signe onely, he shall spede the bette
Right so hathe godde, in hir his grace shewed
Withe the holy goste, when she was al bydewed
352
In token playnly, she sholde socour be
Vnto mankynde, manly forto feyght
Agayne the devill, that hath in his powste
Al Madyan, with his fel myght
But thorughe the helpe, of the mayden bryght
And thorughe the dwe of hir hevynly grace
We shall this serpent, from our bondes chase
Vnto mankynde, manly forto feyght
Agayne the devill, that hath in his powste
Al Madyan, with his fel myght
But thorughe the helpe, of the mayden bryght
And thorughe the dwe of hir hevynly grace
We shall this serpent, from our bondes chase
She was of golde, also the Riche ourne
Kepyng the manna, of our saluacion
That all our woo, may to Ioy tourne
With holsome foode, of full perfection
And eke she was in sygnyficacion
The yerde of Aron, with frute and leves lade
Of vertu moste, to comfort vs and glade
Kepyng the manna, of our saluacion
That all our woo, may to Ioy tourne
With holsome foode, of full perfection
And eke she was in sygnyficacion
The yerde of Aron, with frute and leves lade
Of vertu moste, to comfort vs and glade
353
She was the Auter, of Cedre gold and stone
Stedefast and trwe, thorugh perfection
And as the Cedre conservyng ay in oon
Hir body clene, from all corruppcion
And for to make, a full oblacion
Of euery vertu, to god in chastite
She shone as golde, by perfyte charite
Stedefast and trwe, thorugh perfection
And as the Cedre conservyng ay in oon
Hir body clene, from all corruppcion
And for to make, a full oblacion
Of euery vertu, to god in chastite
She shone as golde, by perfyte charite
And on this Auter, she made hir sacrifice
With fyre of love, brynnyng also bryght
To god and man in euery manere wyse
As done the sterres, in the frosty nyght
Hir franke ensence, gaffe so clere a leight
Thorugh good ensample þat the perfite levyn
Of hir levyng, Raught vnto hevyn
With fyre of love, brynnyng also bryght
To god and man in euery manere wyse
As done the sterres, in the frosty nyght
Hir franke ensence, gaffe so clere a leight
Thorugh good ensample þat the perfite levyn
Of hir levyng, Raught vnto hevyn
354
She was the trone, where that Salamon
For worthynesse, sette his Riall see
With golde and yvory, that so bright shone
That al aboute, the beaute men may se
The golde was loue, the yvory chastyte
And xii leouns so grete huge and large
That of this werke, baren vp the charge
For worthynesse, sette his Riall see
With golde and yvory, that so bright shone
That al aboute, the beaute men may se
The golde was loue, the yvory chastyte
And xii leouns so grete huge and large
That of this werke, baren vp the charge
Of the olde Lawe, werne the propheteȝ twelffe
That longe aforne gan beholde and see
That Salamon, goddys sonne hymself
Shulde in þis maide be holde his rial see
So that in sothe hir clene virginyte
To be a mayde and a mothir, sholde no thyng lette
Amydde hir breste, þat he his Trone sette
That longe aforne gan beholde and see
That Salamon, goddys sonne hymself
Shulde in þis maide be holde his rial see
So that in sothe hir clene virginyte
To be a mayde and a mothir, sholde no thyng lette
Amydde hir breste, þat he his Trone sette
355
She was also the woman, that saint Iohn
Sawe in the hevyn, so Richely apere
Clad in a sonne, þe wheche brighter shon
Than phebȝ dothe, in his large spere
And xii sterres, that passyngly were clere
So as to hym, playnely dyd seme
Were sette above, in hir diademe
Sawe in the hevyn, so Richely apere
Clad in a sonne, þe wheche brighter shon
Than phebȝ dothe, in his large spere
And xii sterres, that passyngly were clere
So as to hym, playnely dyd seme
Were sette above, in hir diademe
And as hym thought, at hir feet there stode
A large mone, bryght and nothyng pale
In fygure onely, þat she that is so goode
To swage the bitter of our olde bale
The sonne of lyve, made to avale
Downe to the herthe, to gouerne vs and gye
And eke the moone, to us doth signifie
A large mone, bryght and nothyng pale
In fygure onely, þat she that is so goode
To swage the bitter of our olde bale
The sonne of lyve, made to avale
Downe to the herthe, to gouerne vs and gye
And eke the moone, to us doth signifie
356
All holy chirche, large to be holde
Whiche in this mayde, had his orygynall
Whanne finally, with hise rightis olde
The Synagoog, of Iues had a fall
For in this mayde, the first faythefull wall
Of holy chirche, god gan first to bilde
Whan with his sonne, he made hir goo with chylde
Whiche in this mayde, had his orygynall
Whanne finally, with hise rightis olde
The Synagoog, of Iues had a fall
For in this mayde, the first faythefull wall
Of holy chirche, god gan first to bilde
Whan with his sonne, he made hir goo with chylde
And to Reforme the Rudeness vtterly
Of blynde folkes, that koweth not perceyve
How that marye, myght kyndely
A mayde be, and a chylde conceyve
And if hym lust, Reason to Receyve
They may ensamples, Right I nowe fynde
Of this matier accordyng vnto kynde
Of blynde folkes, that koweth not perceyve
How that marye, myght kyndely
A mayde be, and a chylde conceyve
And if hym lust, Reason to Receyve
They may ensamples, Right I nowe fynde
Of this matier accordyng vnto kynde
357
[[XX]]
O blynde man, thorough thyne Inyquyte
Why hast thou lost, thy Reason and thy sight
That thou of malise, list not for to see
How criste Ihesu, thorough his gret might
To his disciples, helde the waye Right
Thoroughe the gates, shette by gret defence
Withoutyn brekyng or any violence
Why hast thou lost, thy Reason and thy sight
That thou of malise, list not for to see
How criste Ihesu, thorough his gret might
To his disciples, helde the waye Right
Thoroughe the gates, shette by gret defence
Withoutyn brekyng or any violence
Why myght he not, of his magnificence
Within a mayde, make his mansion
And she yet stonde, in the excellence
Of maydynhede, frome all corrupcion
Ye be to blynde, in your discrecion
That lust nat se, also howe he Rose
Frome dethe, to lyfe, and his sepulcre close
Within a mayde, make his mansion
And she yet stonde, in the excellence
Of maydynhede, frome all corrupcion
Ye be to blynde, in your discrecion
That lust nat se, also howe he Rose
Frome dethe, to lyfe, and his sepulcre close
358
And here withall, thou maiste also aduerte
How he in sothe, of his myghty grace
Made Petre oute of prison sterte
And where hym lust, frely to pace
And yet the dores, were shette of the place
What wondre than, though god by myracle
Within a mayde made, his habitacle
How he in sothe, of his myghty grace
Made Petre oute of prison sterte
And where hym lust, frely to pace
And yet the dores, were shette of the place
What wondre than, though god by myracle
Within a mayde made, his habitacle
She beyng close and perfytely shette
With all the bondeȝ, of virginyte
For sothefastely, hir clennesse was not lette
Upon no side nor hir chastite
But encresith and fayrere for to see
That goddes son liste to light adowne
With this mayde, to make his mansion
With all the bondeȝ, of virginyte
For sothefastely, hir clennesse was not lette
Upon no side nor hir chastite
But encresith and fayrere for to see
That goddes son liste to light adowne
With this mayde, to make his mansion
359
Eke Hildefons, tellyth of a tree
In stede of frute, that beryth byrdeȝ smalle
Fro yere to yere by kynde, as men may see
Withoutyn meddelyng of femall or of male.
This is verrey sothe, playnely and not tale
Than wondir nat, though Crist were bore betwene
The chaste sydeȝ, of a maydyn clene
In stede of frute, that beryth byrdeȝ smalle
Fro yere to yere by kynde, as men may see
Withoutyn meddelyng of femall or of male.
This is verrey sothe, playnely and not tale
Than wondir nat, though Crist were bore betwene
The chaste sydeȝ, of a maydyn clene
Eke certyn briddes called vultures
Withoutyn medelyng conceyved by nature
As bokes sayen, withoute any lees
And of her lyfe, an hundreth yere endure
Than the lorde, of euery creature
That causith all, no wondre þat I sayde
Though þat he were conceyved of a mayde
Withoutyn medelyng conceyved by nature
As bokes sayen, withoute any lees
And of her lyfe, an hundreth yere endure
Than the lorde, of euery creature
That causith all, no wondre þat I sayde
Though þat he were conceyved of a mayde
360
Eke Plunius, in bokes naturell
Wryteȝ of a Roche, grete and large also
That will Remeove with a fyngre small
But if a man do, all his might therto
It will not stirre, nethir to ne froo
Right so this mayde, that this of vertu moste
With a fyngre, of the holy goste
Wryteȝ of a Roche, grete and large also
That will Remeove with a fyngre small
But if a man do, all his might therto
It will not stirre, nethir to ne froo
Right so this mayde, that this of vertu moste
With a fyngre, of the holy goste
And with a touche, of his myghty grace
Conceyvede hath, sothefast god and man
That neuer myght Remeove, from hir place
Of thilke avowe, that she first be gan
To be a mayde, as ferforthe as she can
In hert and will, as any Roche stable
That frome his grownde, is not Remeovable
Conceyvede hath, sothefast god and man
That neuer myght Remeove, from hir place
Of thilke avowe, that she first be gan
To be a mayde, as ferforthe as she can
In hert and will, as any Roche stable
That frome his grownde, is not Remeovable
361
This Clerke also, this wyse plunius
Saythe in Tawrygge, ther is an erthe fovnde
That of Nature, is so vertuouse
That will cure, euery maner wovnde
Right so marye, was the erthe Ifounde
That god oute, chees by eleccion
To bere the frute, of our Redempcion
Saythe in Tawrygge, ther is an erthe fovnde
That of Nature, is so vertuouse
That will cure, euery maner wovnde
Right so marye, was the erthe Ifounde
That god oute, chees by eleccion
To bere the frute, of our Redempcion
That shulde be helpe, and eke medycyne
To all our woundeȝ, when thay ake or smerte
And our greves, and our hurtys fyne
Fro the dethe, to make vs to asterte
With holsome bavme, perschyng to the hert
That shall to [helþe], sodenly Restore
Our festrede sores, that thay shall ake no more
To all our woundeȝ, when thay ake or smerte
And our greves, and our hurtys fyne
Fro the dethe, to make vs to asterte
With holsome bavme, perschyng to the hert
That shall to [helþe], sodenly Restore
Our festrede sores, that thay shall ake no more
362
And ferthermore, this auctor can eke telle
Withe Inne his boke, who so loke a right
To Iubiter, sacrede is a welle
That whan he hath, quenched his brondeȝ bryght
That eft ayen, it yeveth hem newe light
Who so luste a saye, sothe as he shall fynde
What wondre than, though the god of kynde
Withe Inne his boke, who so loke a right
To Iubiter, sacrede is a welle
That whan he hath, quenched his brondeȝ bryght
That eft ayen, it yeveth hem newe light
Who so luste a saye, sothe as he shall fynde
What wondre than, though the god of kynde
A myddes this well, fro fylthe of synne colde
Full of vertu, with fayre stremys clere
His loogyng toke, and his myghty holde
And thorough his grace, set it newe a fyre
With the holy goste, that with outyn werre
Thow she were colde, from alle flesshlihede
She brent in love, hatter than the glede
Full of vertu, with fayre stremys clere
His loogyng toke, and his myghty holde
And thorough his grace, set it newe a fyre
With the holy goste, that with outyn werre
Thow she were colde, from alle flesshlihede
She brent in love, hatter than the glede
363
And in Falisco, as hym liste to wryte
Is a well, that causithe eke of newe
Whan thay drynke oxen to be white
And sodenly forto chaunge her hewe
What merveile than, though the well trwe
The well of helthe, and of lyfe eterne
The lorde of all so, as I can discerne
Is a well, that causithe eke of newe
Whan thay drynke oxen to be white
And sodenly forto chaunge her hewe
What merveile than, though the well trwe
The well of helthe, and of lyfe eterne
The lorde of all so, as I can discerne
His stremes shede, into this mayde fre
To make hir whitest, as in holynesse
That bothe shulde, mayde and modir be
And euere in one, kepyng hir clennesse
With outyn chaunge, so that hir whitnesse
Ne fadith never in beaute ne in colour
Of maydenhede, to bere bothe lefe and flowre
To make hir whitest, as in holynesse
That bothe shulde, mayde and modir be
And euere in one, kepyng hir clennesse
With outyn chaunge, so that hir whitnesse
Ne fadith never in beaute ne in colour
Of maydenhede, to bere bothe lefe and flowre
364
And who that will, dispute in this matier
I holde hym madde, or ellys oute of mynde
For if he haue, his eene hole and clere
He shall mow see, preef I nowe by kynde
For he that made bothe leef and lynde
And with oo worde, this waste worlde wilde
Might make a mayde, for to goo with chylde
I holde hym madde, or ellys oute of mynde
For if he haue, his eene hole and clere
He shall mow see, preef I nowe by kynde
For he that made bothe leef and lynde
And with oo worde, this waste worlde wilde
Might make a mayde, for to goo with chylde
And he that made, the high cristall hevyn
The firmament and also euery spere
The golden axeltre, and the sterres seven
Cithera so lustly, for to apere
And Reed mars, with his sterne chere
Myght he nat eke onely, for our sake
Withe Inne a mayde, of man, the kynde take
The firmament and also euery spere
The golden axeltre, and the sterres seven
Cithera so lustly, for to apere
And Reed mars, with his sterne chere
Myght he nat eke onely, for our sake
Withe Inne a mayde, of man, the kynde take
365
And he that causith, fouleȝ in the eyre
In hir kynde, to waxe and multiplie
And fisshes eke, with fynnes syluer fayre
In depe wawes, to gouerne hem and gye
And dothe oon lyve, and another dye
And giffith bestes, her foode vpon the grovnde
And in her kynde, dothe hem to abounde
In hir kynde, to waxe and multiplie
And fisshes eke, with fynnes syluer fayre
In depe wawes, to gouerne hem and gye
And dothe oon lyve, and another dye
And giffith bestes, her foode vpon the grovnde
And in her kynde, dothe hem to abounde
Sythen he is lorde, and causith all thyng
To haue beyng, if I shall not feyne
And is the prince, and the worthy kyng
That all enbraseth, in his myghty cheyne
Why myght he nat, by power souereygne
At his free chose, that all may save and lese
To his mothir, a clene mayden chese
To haue beyng, if I shall not feyne
And is the prince, and the worthy kyng
That all enbraseth, in his myghty cheyne
Why myght he nat, by power souereygne
At his free chose, that all may save and lese
To his mothir, a clene mayden chese
366
Who causith frute, oute of the harde tree
By vertu onely, that spryngeth from the Rote
To growe and wexe, lyche as men may see
With levys grene, and newe blosomes sote
Is it not that lord that for our alþer bote
Wolde of a mayde, as I Reherse can
Mekely be borne, withoute touche of man
By vertu onely, that spryngeth from the Rote
To growe and wexe, lyche as men may see
With levys grene, and newe blosomes sote
Is it not that lord that for our alþer bote
Wolde of a mayde, as I Reherse can
Mekely be borne, withoute touche of man
For he that dothe, the tendre branches spryng
And fresshe floures, in the grene mede
That werne in wyntir dede, and eke droupyng
Of Bawme voyde, and of all lustyhede
Myght he nat make, his greyne to growe and sede
Withe Inne hir brest, that was bothe mayde and wyfe
Wher of is made the sothefaste brede of lyfe
And fresshe floures, in the grene mede
That werne in wyntir dede, and eke droupyng
Of Bawme voyde, and of all lustyhede
Myght he nat make, his greyne to growe and sede
Withe Inne hir brest, that was bothe mayde and wyfe
Wher of is made the sothefaste brede of lyfe
367
And he that graved of his grete myght
Withe outyn poyntell, in the hard stone
And in the tables, with lettres clere and bryght
His ten precepteȝ and byddynges eueryche one
The same lorde, of his power aloon
Hath made this mayde, here oon erthe lowe
A chylde conceyve, and no man to knawe
Withe outyn poyntell, in the hard stone
And in the tables, with lettres clere and bryght
His ten precepteȝ and byddynges eueryche one
The same lorde, of his power aloon
Hath made this mayde, here oon erthe lowe
A chylde conceyve, and no man to knawe
And he that made, þe busche to a pere
All on flame, with ferfull sparkelleȝ shene
When Moyses be ganne, to a proche nere
And yet no harme, came to the bowes grene
The same lorde, hath concerved clene
His habitacle, and his erbor swete
In this mayde, from all flesshely hete
All on flame, with ferfull sparkelleȝ shene
When Moyses be ganne, to a proche nere
And yet no harme, came to the bowes grene
The same lorde, hath concerved clene
His habitacle, and his erbor swete
In this mayde, from all flesshely hete
368
And he that made, the yerde of Moyseȝ
Of a serpent to take the lykenesse
In the hall a monge, all the prees
Where Pharao, his people did oppresse
And in deserte the Byble beryth witnesse
The Ryver made to Rynne oute of a stoon
The thurste to staunche, of his people a noon
Of a serpent to take the lykenesse
In the hall a monge, all the prees
Where Pharao, his people did oppresse
And in deserte the Byble beryth witnesse
The Ryver made to Rynne oute of a stoon
The thurste to staunche, of his people a noon
And ouere this, for to verefye
His grete myght, Sampson the stronge man
As Iudicum dothe, playnely specyfye
Dranke the water, that from the kanell Ranne
And he that made, the flodeȝ of Iordan
To turne a gayne, for love of Iosue
That al his peple clerly myght see
His grete myght, Sampson the stronge man
As Iudicum dothe, playnely specyfye
Dranke the water, that from the kanell Ranne
And he that made, the flodeȝ of Iordan
To turne a gayne, for love of Iosue
That al his peple clerly myght see
369
And howe the wawes, gan a sondre breke
And like an hyll stande, high a lofte
And he that made, the Asse for to speke
To Balaham, for he Rode vn soffte
Why myght he not, by power previd ofte
Sithe he the yrne, made on the water hove
Be of a mayde, borne for mans love
And like an hyll stande, high a lofte
And he that made, the Asse for to speke
To Balaham, for he Rode vn soffte
Why myght he not, by power previd ofte
Sithe he the yrne, made on the water hove
Be of a mayde, borne for mans love
And he that made, an Angell for to take
Abacuk, by his lytyll here
And sodenly brought hym to the lake
In Babylone, whiche was so fer
And to visite, lygyng in his feer
Danyell a monge the bestes Rage
Till he to hym brought the potage
Abacuk, by his lytyll here
And sodenly brought hym to the lake
In Babylone, whiche was so fer
And to visite, lygyng in his feer
Danyell a monge the bestes Rage
Till he to hym brought the potage
370
The dores shet, of the stronge presovne
For to asswage, of hungre al his payne
And in a moment to his mansion
Full sodenly Restored hym a gayne
Why myght he not, as wel in certeyne
The same lorde, of a mayde than
Take flesshe and blod, and be come man
For to asswage, of hungre al his payne
And in a moment to his mansion
Full sodenly Restored hym a gayne
Why myght he not, as wel in certeyne
The same lorde, of a mayde than
Take flesshe and blod, and be come man
And he that made the sonne, at Gabaon
To stonde and chyne, vpon the bryght shelde
Of Iosue, and taward Achalon
The mone also, as all the hoste be helde
The long day, while thay faught in the felde
Agayne the kynges, of myghty Ammorie
That his people, clerly myght see
To stonde and chyne, vpon the bryght shelde
Of Iosue, and taward Achalon
The mone also, as all the hoste be helde
The long day, while thay faught in the felde
Agayne the kynges, of myghty Ammorie
That his people, clerly myght see
371
And he that made, the shade to Retourne
In the orlage, of kyng Eȝechye
By ten degrees, only to performe
The heest made, to hym of Isaye
Why myght he not, þis lord that all doth gye
Of A mayde by the same skylle
Frely be borne, at his owne wille
In the orlage, of kyng Eȝechye
By ten degrees, only to performe
The heest made, to hym of Isaye
Why myght he not, þis lord that all doth gye
Of A mayde by the same skylle
Frely be borne, at his owne wille
And he that fedde, with fyve loveȝ small
Fyve thousand, in solitarie place
Fer in desert, sittyng in a valle
Thorough the foyson, and plente of his grace
The same lorde, why myght he not purchase
Withe Inne a mayde, duryng hir maydenhede
Whan that hym luste, to take his manhede
Fyve thousand, in solitarie place
Fer in desert, sittyng in a valle
Thorough the foyson, and plente of his grace
The same lorde, why myght he not purchase
Withe Inne a mayde, duryng hir maydenhede
Whan that hym luste, to take his manhede
372
For as the Be, dothe wax and hony shede
At the evyn, who taketh hede therto
Right so Marye, flouryng in maydenhede
Bare in hir wombe, god and man also
And yet in sothe, she was bothe too
I dar afferme, in oo person Ifer
A Mayde clene, and Cristis mothir dere
At the evyn, who taketh hede therto
Right so Marye, flouryng in maydenhede
Bare in hir wombe, god and man also
And yet in sothe, she was bothe too
I dar afferme, in oo person Ifer
A Mayde clene, and Cristis mothir dere
For as the beem shynyng from aferre
Shedyng his light, as men may well aspye
With outyn harme, or hyndryng to the sterre
And so as Manna, feldoun fro the skye
Right so this floure, that callet is marye
With wombe halowed, in to schastyte
Conceyved hath, in hir virgynyte
Shedyng his light, as men may well aspye
With outyn harme, or hyndryng to the sterre
And so as Manna, feldoun fro the skye
Right so this floure, that callet is marye
With wombe halowed, in to schastyte
Conceyved hath, in hir virgynyte
373
And as the Barnacle, in the harde tre
Of kynde bredith, and the vyne floure
Causyth the wyne, floures for to be
Thorough Bachus myght, and grapes gouernour
Right so in sothe mankyndeȝ savyour
As the Bernacle, or floure oute of the vyne
Spronge of marye, she beyng a virgyne
Of kynde bredith, and the vyne floure
Causyth the wyne, floures for to be
Thorough Bachus myght, and grapes gouernour
Right so in sothe mankyndeȝ savyour
As the Bernacle, or floure oute of the vyne
Spronge of marye, she beyng a virgyne
And as a worme, vndre the harde stone
Of erthe comyth, withoutyne engendrure
And as the Fenyx, of which ther is but one
To asshes brent, Renuyth by nature
Right so this lorde, that all hathe in cure
Our kynde, agayne, fro synne to Renewe
Toke flesshe and blode, in this maydyn trewe
Of erthe comyth, withoutyne engendrure
And as the Fenyx, of which ther is but one
To asshes brent, Renuyth by nature
Right so this lorde, that all hathe in cure
Our kynde, agayne, fro synne to Renewe
Toke flesshe and blode, in this maydyn trewe
374
And as the snawe, fro Iubiter dothe falle
Thorough the force, of Sagitarrius bowe
And ȝepherus dothe the flores shale
On white blosomes, whan she dothe blowe
Right so in sothe, the grace a light lowe
Of the hooly goste, like a wynde cherschyng
A mydde this mayde, to make his dwellyng
Thorough the force, of Sagitarrius bowe
And ȝepherus dothe the flores shale
On white blosomes, whan she dothe blowe
Right so in sothe, the grace a light lowe
Of the hooly goste, like a wynde cherschyng
A mydde this mayde, to make his dwellyng
And to the floure, ne ded noo duresse
But perfitely concervyde, hir beaute
From euery storme, of flesshely lustynesse
Aliche fresh of fayrenesse for to see
As by ensamples, moo than two or three
Hir to serve, as thay haue herde devyse
Whiche as me semyth, ought Inow suffice
But perfitely concervyde, hir beaute
From euery storme, of flesshely lustynesse
Aliche fresh of fayrenesse for to see
As by ensamples, moo than two or three
Hir to serve, as thay haue herde devyse
Whiche as me semyth, ought Inow suffice
375
To all that ben grovndyd in faythe
Ageyns the fals, to stande at defence
And Right in sothe, as saint Gregory saythe
Faythe hathe noo meryte, where þat evydence
Or mans Reason, yeveth experience
But he that leveth and fyndeth no Reason
No kynde accorde, is worthy more gwerdon
Ageyns the fals, to stande at defence
And Right in sothe, as saint Gregory saythe
Faythe hathe noo meryte, where þat evydence
Or mans Reason, yeveth experience
But he that leveth and fyndeth no Reason
No kynde accorde, is worthy more gwerdon
And if that any be nowe in this place
That hath doute, or ambiguyte
Thourgh fals errour, that dothe his hert enbrace
Or ellis of malice, or Inyquyte
For to accuse the virgynyte
Of Marye playnely this is my bone
But if so be, þat he amende hym sone
That hath doute, or ambiguyte
Thourgh fals errour, that dothe his hert enbrace
Or ellis of malice, or Inyquyte
For to accuse the virgynyte
Of Marye playnely this is my bone
But if so be, þat he amende hym sone
376
And axe mercy, for his grete offence
Of her that is, of mercy grovnde and well
That he of vengyaunce, haue experyence
With Ixion doun depe in hell
And þat the claper, of his distouned bell
May cancre sone, I mene his fals tunge
Be dume for euere, and neuere to be Ronge
Of her that is, of mercy grovnde and well
That he of vengyaunce, haue experyence
With Ixion doun depe in hell
And þat the claper, of his distouned bell
May cancre sone, I mene his fals tunge
Be dume for euere, and neuere to be Ronge
With hym I am no better in charyte
As ye haue herde, at evyn ne at morowe
For here my trouthe, he getyth no more of me
Save Cerberus, I take hym to borowe
What euere he be, and let hym go with sorowe
To tantalus, his hungre to a pees
At fewe wordes, passe ouer it is an ees
As ye haue herde, at evyn ne at morowe
For here my trouthe, he getyth no more of me
Save Cerberus, I take hym to borowe
What euere he be, and let hym go with sorowe
To tantalus, his hungre to a pees
At fewe wordes, passe ouer it is an ees
377
[[XXI]]
For what in sothe, vppon eny syde
Is phebus chare, empeyryd of his light
Thowe eyen rawe, may not abyde
For to behalde, agayne his bemeȝ bryght
Right so playnely though the govndy sight
Of heretykeȝ, ne may not systeyne
For to behalde, the clennesse of this Queen
Is phebus chare, empeyryd of his light
Thowe eyen rawe, may not abyde
For to behalde, agayne his bemeȝ bryght
Right so playnely though the govndy sight
Of heretykeȝ, ne may not systeyne
For to behalde, the clennesse of this Queen
May in no syde, sothely dysencrees
His clere light, ne hir perfyte bryghtnesse
Whose fayre stremes, shullen neuer cesse
Withoutyn eclipse, to shyne in clennesse
For of this mayde, as bokes sayen expresse
Whan Gabryell to hevyn drewe the cooste
She Replensshed, of the hooly goste
His clere light, ne hir perfyte bryghtnesse
Whose fayre stremes, shullen neuer cesse
Withoutyn eclipse, to shyne in clennesse
For of this mayde, as bokes sayen expresse
Whan Gabryell to hevyn drewe the cooste
She Replensshed, of the hooly goste
378
Roos vppe a noon, and oute of Naȝareth
Tawarde the Mounteyns, fast gan her high
And ther saluede, mekely Eliȝabeth
With Inne the house, of trewe ȝakarye
And Right furthe with, whan she dyd espye
Of Marye, the meke salutacion
And thorough hir eres whan passed was the soun
Tawarde the Mounteyns, fast gan her high
And ther saluede, mekely Eliȝabeth
With Inne the house, of trewe ȝakarye
And Right furthe with, whan she dyd espye
Of Marye, the meke salutacion
And thorough hir eres whan passed was the soun
Within hir wombe playnely this is no tale
For verrey Ioye, and spirituell gladnesse
The yong enfaunt, with his lymmes small
Reioysyde hym, the gospell sayet expresse
And she fulfillyd, in verrey sothefastnesse
With the holy goste, lovde gan to crye
And evyn thus, sayde vnto Marye
For verrey Ioye, and spirituell gladnesse
The yong enfaunt, with his lymmes small
Reioysyde hym, the gospell sayet expresse
And she fulfillyd, in verrey sothefastnesse
With the holy goste, lovde gan to crye
And evyn thus, sayde vnto Marye
379
Blisset art thou, amonge wymen alle
And of thi wombe, blessud the frute also
And howe to me of happe, nowe it is be fall
My lordes mothir for to comme me to
For verrye Ioye, I not what I may doo
For sothefastely, thy gretyng as I here
With Inne my wombe, my lityll child nowe here
And of thi wombe, blessud the frute also
And howe to me of happe, nowe it is be fall
My lordes mothir for to comme me to
For verrye Ioye, I not what I may doo
For sothefastely, thy gretyng as I here
With Inne my wombe, my lityll child nowe here
Reioysith hym, for gladnesse as he can
That of all woo myne hert yt dothe Releve
And blisset art thou, that firste this Ioye began
The worde of god, so faythefully to leve
Nowe be Right gladde, and thyne hert not meove
For al thynges, shall performet be
That ben of god, byhestede vnto the
That of all woo myne hert yt dothe Releve
And blisset art thou, that firste this Ioye began
The worde of god, so faythefully to leve
Nowe be Right gladde, and thyne hert not meove
For al thynges, shall performet be
That ben of god, byhestede vnto the
380
Marye thenne, with full devoute entent
With loke benigne, and ful humble chere
The same houre, beyng ay present
Eliȝabethe, hir awne cousyn dere
With al hir hert, a noon as ye shall here
And all the accorde, and holy melodye
Of the holy goste, sayde in hir Armonye
With loke benigne, and ful humble chere
The same houre, beyng ay present
Eliȝabethe, hir awne cousyn dere
With al hir hert, a noon as ye shall here
And all the accorde, and holy melodye
Of the holy goste, sayde in hir Armonye
[[XXII]]
Withe laude and prese my sowle magnyfieth
Eternall lorde, both oon twoo and thre
That all hath made, and euery thyng nowe gyeth
Whiche of his myght, and bountevous pyte
Of his goodnesse, and his benygnyte
Oonly of mercy, liste to haue pleasaunce
For to considre and graciously for to se
To my mekenesse, and humble attendaunce
Eternall lorde, both oon twoo and thre
That all hath made, and euery thyng nowe gyeth
Whiche of his myght, and bountevous pyte
Of his goodnesse, and his benygnyte
Oonly of mercy, liste to haue pleasaunce
For to considre and graciously for to se
To my mekenesse, and humble attendaunce
381
My spryte also, with hert and thought in fere
Reioysed hathe, by fulsome habundance
In god that is, my souereyne helthe entere
And all my Ioye, and all my suffisaunce
Myne hole desire, and my full sustynaunce
Within my thought, so depe he is grave
That but in hym, with oute variaunce
In Al this worlde, I can no gladnesse haue
Reioysed hathe, by fulsome habundance
In god that is, my souereyne helthe entere
And all my Ioye, and all my suffisaunce
Myne hole desire, and my full sustynaunce
Within my thought, so depe he is grave
That but in hym, with oute variaunce
In Al this worlde, I can no gladnesse haue
For he from hevyn, godely hathe be holde
Of his hande mayde, the humylite
Where of in sothe, al onely for he wolde
Al kynredes, shall blisset calle me
Of whiche the thanke, o lorde be vnto the
With prys and honour, of euery voys and tunge
Thorough Armony, and sothefast vnyte
For this Alone, be to thy name songe
Of his hande mayde, the humylite
Where of in sothe, al onely for he wolde
Al kynredes, shall blisset calle me
Of whiche the thanke, o lorde be vnto the
With prys and honour, of euery voys and tunge
Thorough Armony, and sothefast vnyte
For this Alone, be to thy name songe
382
For he to me hath done, thynges grete
Of high Renon, and passyng excellence
His grace made, so fully to me flete
For he is myghty of his magnificence
His name holy, and of most Reuerence
That while I leve, it shall me neuere astert
With al me feithful trewe diligence
To thanke hym, with all my hole hert
Of high Renon, and passyng excellence
His grace made, so fully to me flete
For he is myghty of his magnificence
His name holy, and of most Reuerence
That while I leve, it shall me neuere astert
With al me feithful trewe diligence
To thanke hym, with all my hole hert
And his mercy, most passyngly famous
Fro kynne to kynne, and so dovne to kynryde
Shall thoroughe his grace, be so plentevouce
Perpetually, that it shall procede
And specially to hem, that loven in drede
Myne owne lorde, with hert wille and mynde
To suche his pyte, shall euere spryng and sprede
Of dewe Right, and neuere be behynde
Fro kynne to kynne, and so dovne to kynryde
Shall thoroughe his grace, be so plentevouce
Perpetually, that it shall procede
And specially to hem, that loven in drede
Myne owne lorde, with hert wille and mynde
To suche his pyte, shall euere spryng and sprede
Of dewe Right, and neuere be behynde
383
He hathe his Arme enforsede and made stronge
His dredefull myght, that men may see and knawe
And provide men, they Regne not full long
He seuerede hath and made full lowe
With all his hert, dovne fro the wheell hem throwe
For to abate hyr, Sirquydry and pryde
Or thay where war her pompe was all ouer þrowe
Full sodenly, and layde her boste on syde
His dredefull myght, that men may see and knawe
And provide men, they Regne not full long
He seuerede hath and made full lowe
With all his hert, dovne fro the wheell hem throwe
For to abate hyr, Sirquydry and pryde
Or thay where war her pompe was all ouer þrowe
Full sodenly, and layde her boste on syde
And myghty Tyrauntes fro her Riall see
He hathe avalede, and yputte dovne
And humble and meke, for her humylite
He hathe enhaunsede, to full high Renovne
For he can make a transmutacion
Fro lowe to high, as it is sene full ofte
And whan hym luste, the dominacion
Of worldely pompe, to falle full vn softe
He hathe avalede, and yputte dovne
And humble and meke, for her humylite
He hathe enhaunsede, to full high Renovne
For he can make a transmutacion
Fro lowe to high, as it is sene full ofte
And whan hym luste, the dominacion
Of worldely pompe, to falle full vn softe
384
He hathe fulfillede and fostrede in her nede
Withe the goodes of plentyuous largesse
Hem that werne hungry, and Indigent in drede
Hathe hem Relevede, of all her wrechydnesse
And he the Ryche hathe, raught from her Rychesse
Full wyde and wast, to walke vpon the playne
And sodenly hem plounget, in destresse
All solitarye, and let hem leve in veyne
Withe the goodes of plentyuous largesse
Hem that werne hungry, and Indigent in drede
Hathe hem Relevede, of all her wrechydnesse
And he the Ryche hathe, raught from her Rychesse
Full wyde and wast, to walke vpon the playne
And sodenly hem plounget, in destresse
All solitarye, and let hem leve in veyne
For he his chylde chosyn of Israel
Benygnely hathe, taken vnto his grace
And of his mercy, is Remembrede well
To voyde vengeaunce, only fro his face
And humble pees, shall occupye his place
And pyte, shall be feffed in his stall
And Ruthe shall, his Right so enbrace
To set mercy, above his werkes all
Benygnely hathe, taken vnto his grace
And of his mercy, is Remembrede well
To voyde vengeaunce, only fro his face
And humble pees, shall occupye his place
And pyte, shall be feffed in his stall
And Ruthe shall, his Right so enbrace
To set mercy, above his werkes all
385
As he hathe spoken, and faythfully be hight
To our fadres, that haue bene here by fore
To Abraham, and his seede of Right
That his mercy, shall last euermore
For ner his mercy, all the worlde were lore
Vnto the whiche, to make man atteyne
He hathe made mercy, our kynde to Restore
And of all his werkes, to be souereigne
To our fadres, that haue bene here by fore
To Abraham, and his seede of Right
That his mercy, shall last euermore
For ner his mercy, all the worlde were lore
Vnto the whiche, to make man atteyne
He hathe made mercy, our kynde to Restore
And of all his werkes, to be souereigne
[[XXIII]]
And whan this blisset graciouce dite
Was sayde to god, deuoutly of Marye
I fynde aftre playnely, that she
Styll in the house, abode of ȝakarye
Thre monetheȝ the gospell may not ley
And aftir that, I rede eke in certeyne
To Naȝareth, þat she went a gayne
Was sayde to god, deuoutly of Marye
I fynde aftre playnely, that she
Styll in the house, abode of ȝakarye
Thre monetheȝ the gospell may not ley
And aftir that, I rede eke in certeyne
To Naȝareth, þat she went a gayne
386
And ther abode, in contemplacion
And on hir prayere, all waye day by day
With many an holy meditacion
To queme hir lorde, in what she can or may
Fro whome hir thought, went neuere a way
Hir fulmynde ner hir Remembraunce
For but in hym, she hadde no pleasaunce
And on hir prayere, all waye day by day
With many an holy meditacion
To queme hir lorde, in what she can or may
Fro whome hir thought, went neuere a way
Hir fulmynde ner hir Remembraunce
For but in hym, she hadde no pleasaunce
In al this worlde, for no manere thyng
For all hir Ioye was on hym to thynke
What euere she dyd, prayeng or worchyng
No thyng but he, myght in hir hert synke
For fynally whedir she wake or wynke
Amyddes hir hert, he was all way present
So fixe on hym, was sette her hole entent
For all hir Ioye was on hym to thynke
What euere she dyd, prayeng or worchyng
No thyng but he, myght in hir hert synke
For fynally whedir she wake or wynke
Amyddes hir hert, he was all way present
So fixe on hym, was sette her hole entent
387
And day by day, this hooly life she ledde
This perfite mayde, thorough high devocion
So feruent loue, vnto god she had
Ther may be made no deuysion
For she sequestrede, hir opynnyon
Fro all the worlde, and let it playnely gon
So hole to god, she gaffe hir hert alone
This perfite mayde, thorough high devocion
So feruent loue, vnto god she had
Ther may be made no deuysion
For she sequestrede, hir opynnyon
Fro all the worlde, and let it playnely gon
So hole to god, she gaffe hir hert alone
And euere in love, she brent more and more
Towardes god, in his high seruyce
Was all hir lust, with hert set so sore
All erthely thyng, she fully dothe dispise
And day by day, hir wombe gan to Ryse
Thoroughe the fulfillyng of the holy goste
Ther in by look, whom she loved moste
Towardes god, in his high seruyce
Was all hir lust, with hert set so sore
All erthely thyng, she fully dothe dispise
And day by day, hir wombe gan to Ryse
Thoroughe the fulfillyng of the holy goste
Ther in by look, whom she loved moste
388
[[XXIIII]]
This meane while, Iosephe ay soyournede
In Galile god wote ful Innocent
Of al this thyng, and why he nat Retournede
Was for that, þat he was so diligent
In Caphernam with his full entent
Sondry werkes, of mervylous enprise
By Carpentrye, to forgen and devyse
In Galile god wote ful Innocent
Of al this thyng, and why he nat Retournede
Was for that, þat he was so diligent
In Caphernam with his full entent
Sondry werkes, of mervylous enprise
By Carpentrye, to forgen and devyse
For in that Crafte, passyng excellence
He had in sothe, and high discrecion
And was hadde, in moste Reuerence
Of all the werke men, of the Region
And for he had in conyng, suche renon
Lyke a maistir, ther is no more to saye
The werke men all, his byddyng dyd obeye
He had in sothe, and high discrecion
And was hadde, in moste Reuerence
Of all the werke men, of the Region
And for he had in conyng, suche renon
Lyke a maistir, ther is no more to saye
The werke men all, his byddyng dyd obeye
389
And whan he had, all his werke achevede
He is Repayred, to Naȝareth agayne
But lorde howe he was, in his hert a meovede
Whan that Marye, he hath with childe sayne
That for astonyde, he noot what he myght sayne
And at his hert, it satte so Inwardely
Tyll at the laste, he abrayde sodenly
He is Repayred, to Naȝareth agayne
But lorde howe he was, in his hert a meovede
Whan that Marye, he hath with childe sayne
That for astonyde, he noot what he myght sayne
And at his hert, it satte so Inwardely
Tyll at the laste, he abrayde sodenly
And sayde alas, howe, is it falle of newe
In myne absence, or what thyng may this be
Sythen this mayde, so faythfull and trwe
Is with chylde, and god wot not with me
That some tyme had, avouede chastyte
And to my kepyng, eke delyuered was
What shall I say nowe of this soden case
In myne absence, or what thyng may this be
Sythen this mayde, so faythfull and trwe
Is with chylde, and god wot not with me
That some tyme had, avouede chastyte
And to my kepyng, eke delyuered was
What shall I say nowe of this soden case
390
What shall I ansewer, my self to excuse
Vnto the Bisshopp, if he me apose
For eythyir moste I, playnely hir acuse
Or ellys my self, with this gilte enoyse
This thyng is opyn, I may it nat enclose
O blissefull god, so do me nowe this grace
Oute of my breste, my woofull gooste to Race
Vnto the Bisshopp, if he me apose
For eythyir moste I, playnely hir acuse
Or ellys my self, with this gilte enoyse
This thyng is opyn, I may it nat enclose
O blissefull god, so do me nowe this grace
Oute of my breste, my woofull gooste to Race
For certis lorde, and it were thy wille
I had leuere vtterly to dey
Than thorough my worde, this mayden forto spille
As I muste nedes, if I hir be wrye
And on my self, if I the charge ley
For to afferme, she conceyved hath by me
I must accuse, hir vowe, of chastyte
I had leuere vtterly to dey
Than thorough my worde, this mayden forto spille
As I muste nedes, if I hir be wrye
And on my self, if I the charge ley
For to afferme, she conceyved hath by me
I must accuse, hir vowe, of chastyte
391
And so my self apeche of vntrouthe
Sith I in sothe, did hir neuere knawe
O blissefull lorde, haue on this matier Routhe
For vtterly my wit is brought so lowe
To se corne growe, where noo sede is sowe
And Reason also, plattly can I noon
Howe a mayde, with childe shulde thus goon
Sith I in sothe, did hir neuere knawe
O blissefull lorde, haue on this matier Routhe
For vtterly my wit is brought so lowe
To se corne growe, where noo sede is sowe
And Reason also, plattly can I noon
Howe a mayde, with childe shulde thus goon
And floure furthe in her virgynyte
I neuere saw, ne neuere yet dede Rede
And thus in doute, my Reason can not se
How þat marye, hath kepyd hir maydynhede
In myne absence, and thus in dovble drede
My witte is brought, and wote not wherto turne
For double cause, that I haue to morne
I neuere saw, ne neuere yet dede Rede
And thus in doute, my Reason can not se
How þat marye, hath kepyd hir maydynhede
In myne absence, and thus in dovble drede
My witte is brought, and wote not wherto turne
For double cause, that I haue to morne
392
That oon is this, þat my fantesye
May neuere accorde, that she dyd offence
And Reason playnely, agaynewarde dothe denye
And vpon kynde, growndyde is sentence
To preve sothely, withoutyn Resistence
That neuere woman, in natures sight
Withoute man, a chylde conceyve myght
May neuere accorde, that she dyd offence
And Reason playnely, agaynewarde dothe denye
And vpon kynde, growndyde is sentence
To preve sothely, withoutyn Resistence
That neuere woman, in natures sight
Withoute man, a chylde conceyve myght
And withe that worde, he brast oute forto wepe
Lyche as he shulde, al in teres drowne
And for the constreynt, of his sighes depe
Stode on the poynte, to haue fallen downe
His soden woo, made hym all moste swone
So for distresee, this Iosephe fer in age
Of Inwarde thought, caught was in a rage
Lyche as he shulde, al in teres drowne
And for the constreynt, of his sighes depe
Stode on the poynte, to haue fallen downe
His soden woo, made hym all moste swone
So for distresee, this Iosephe fer in age
Of Inwarde thought, caught was in a rage
393
[[XXV]]
And whan the maydens, that weren aye present
And eure in one, abydyng on Marye
Vndirstondyng what that Iosephe ment
All at onys, they be gan to crye
And sayde Iosephe, leve this fantasye
And thyne erroure, for it is folye
Withoutyn avyse, to deme sodenlye
And eure in one, abydyng on Marye
Vndirstondyng what that Iosephe ment
All at onys, they be gan to crye
And sayde Iosephe, leve this fantasye
And thyne erroure, for it is folye
Withoutyn avyse, to deme sodenlye
For certenly, with all our hert entyer
Of knowlegyng, in verrey sykernesse
We will Recorden, euerycheone in fere
All opynly, touchyng hir clennesse
And ther vpon, beren opynly witnesse
Lyke as we knowe, vnto this same daye
Though all the worlde, at ones wolde saye naye
Of knowlegyng, in verrey sykernesse
We will Recorden, euerycheone in fere
All opynly, touchyng hir clennesse
And ther vpon, beren opynly witnesse
Lyke as we knowe, vnto this same daye
Though all the worlde, at ones wolde saye naye
394
For we in sothe thourgh bysy diligence
Haue been with hir, bothe day and nyght
And neuere partyde, oute of hir presence
But euer in oon, of hir had a sight
And late and erly, with all our full myght
On hir awayted, withoutyn wordes moo
That fro our sight, she dydde neuere goo
Haue been with hir, bothe day and nyght
And neuere partyde, oute of hir presence
But euer in oon, of hir had a sight
And late and erly, with all our full myght
On hir awayted, withoutyn wordes moo
That fro our sight, she dydde neuere goo
And euere houre, bothe tyde and tyme
Of vs ther was, no dyvysion
And all the day, fro the self prime
She neuere stynte, of high deuocion
To be in prayer, and in oryson
And iche a day, be continuaunce
A certeyne houre, she hadde daliaunce
Of vs ther was, no dyvysion
And all the day, fro the self prime
She neuere stynte, of high deuocion
To be in prayer, and in oryson
And iche a day, be continuaunce
A certeyne houre, she hadde daliaunce
395
With holy Angels, that with hir knelyd or stode
And at oo tyme, thorough goddes purvyaunce
Of his hande, she tooke hir holy foode
As nedefull was, vnto hir sustinaunce
And this in sothe, hath ben hir gouernaunce
As we ycheone, of hir can Recorde
Wherefore Iosephe, this lyfe dothe not accorde
And at oo tyme, thorough goddes purvyaunce
Of his hande, she tooke hir holy foode
As nedefull was, vnto hir sustinaunce
And this in sothe, hath ben hir gouernaunce
As we ycheone, of hir can Recorde
Wherefore Iosephe, this lyfe dothe not accorde
In sothefastnesse, to thyne opynyon
That so mysdemys, of this mayde fre
Of fantasye, or false suspecion
For to acuse, hir virgynyte
Of whiche thyng, we dar assure the
That no wyght made, sothely to devyse
But the holy goste, hir wombe to aryse
That so mysdemys, of this mayde fre
Of fantasye, or false suspecion
For to acuse, hir virgynyte
Of whiche thyng, we dar assure the
That no wyght made, sothely to devyse
But the holy goste, hir wombe to aryse
396
And here vpon, we recorde can
Of all the tyme, thou were in Galile
She neuere alone, was with no man
And what she spake, we myght here and see
Wherefore Iosephe, late thees taleȝ be
And deme nought amys, in worde ne in thought
For all this thyng, by goddes hande is wrought
Of all the tyme, thou were in Galile
She neuere alone, was with no man
And what she spake, we myght here and see
Wherefore Iosephe, late thees taleȝ be
And deme nought amys, in worde ne in thought
For all this thyng, by goddes hande is wrought
And by his Angels, commyng on message
Is this thyng, fully brought a boute
Therfore Ioseph, latt thyne Ire asswage
And of Marye, be nothing in doute
Certys quod he, I may not voyde oute
My fantasye, to assent in any wyse
It shulde be, liche as ye devyse
Is this thyng, fully brought a boute
Therfore Ioseph, latt thyne Ire asswage
And of Marye, be nothing in doute
Certys quod he, I may not voyde oute
My fantasye, to assent in any wyse
It shulde be, liche as ye devyse
397
For by an Angell, it were inpossible
Hir to conceyve, lyke as ye expresse
But if it so were, if it be credible
Som wyght by sleyght, takyng the lyknesse
Of an angell, thorow fraudelent falsnesse
Thorough Innocence, shortly to conclude
By engyne of fraude, hir yougth to delude
Hir to conceyve, lyke as ye expresse
But if it so were, if it be credible
Som wyght by sleyght, takyng the lyknesse
Of an angell, thorow fraudelent falsnesse
Thorough Innocence, shortly to conclude
By engyne of fraude, hir yougth to delude
And efte agayne, for his Inwarde payne
He gan to chaunge, bothe face and huwe
And from his eyne, the salt tereȝ Reyne
Lyke as he wolde, drowne hym self of newe
So sore he gan, in hert for to rewe
For this matier, that for his mortall woo
He can noo Rede, ne wote what he may doo
He gan to chaunge, bothe face and huwe
And from his eyne, the salt tereȝ Reyne
Lyke as he wolde, drowne hym self of newe
So sore he gan, in hert for to rewe
For this matier, that for his mortall woo
He can noo Rede, ne wote what he may doo
398
And in his hert, he caste many a waye
To have founden Refute, with all his full mynde
And thought all waye, he wolde hir not be traye
For he was Rightfull, playnely as I fynde
And thus he gan, in sondry thoughteȝ wynde
As in balaunce, purposede uppe and downe
Tyll at the last, in conclusion
To have founden Refute, with all his full mynde
And thought all waye, he wolde hir not be traye
For he was Rightfull, playnely as I fynde
And thus he gan, in sondry thoughteȝ wynde
As in balaunce, purposede uppe and downe
Tyll at the last, in conclusion
He fully purposeth, and caste hym vtterly
To gone his waye, shortly if he myght
And thought he wolde, forsake hir prively
And neuere more to come in hir sight
Till an Angell, on the same nyght
Sent downe from god, to Ioseph dyd apere
Whyle þat he slepte, and sayde as ye shall here
To gone his waye, shortly if he myght
And thought he wolde, forsake hir prively
And neuere more to come in hir sight
Till an Angell, on the same nyght
Sent downe from god, to Ioseph dyd apere
Whyle þat he slepte, and sayde as ye shall here
399
[[XXVI]]
O thou Ioseph, ne drede the not blyve
Thou son of Dauid, of lyne by discent
For to take marye, vnot thy wyve
Whiche is a Mayde, with all hir full entent
With whome is ay, the holy goste present
Of whome is all, I tel it the be forne
In verrey sothe, that shall of hir be borne
Thou son of Dauid, of lyne by discent
For to take marye, vnot thy wyve
Whiche is a Mayde, with all hir full entent
With whome is ay, the holy goste present
Of whome is all, I tel it the be forne
In verrey sothe, that shall of hir be borne
And like sothe, as wryteth Crysostomus
Of this matier, that for causeȝ thre
Vnto Ioseph, as he tellyth vs
The Angel cam, and first he sayde þat he
Sythen he was Rightfull, þat in no degre
Of purpose Rightfull, he shulde vnrightfully
This holy mayde, forsake pryvely
Of this matier, that for causeȝ thre
Vnto Ioseph, as he tellyth vs
The Angel cam, and first he sayde þat he
Sythen he was Rightfull, þat in no degre
Of purpose Rightfull, he shulde vnrightfully
This holy mayde, forsake pryvely
400
A nothir cause, he wrytyth eke expresse
That his forsakyng, myght vnto hir name
Be dishonour, and cause in sothefastnesse
Of vntrwe tungeȝ, for to speke hir shame
All though in hir, there was no spotte of blame
Suspecion to voyde, on euery ayther syde
The Aungel bad þat Ioseph sholde abyde
That his forsakyng, myght vnto hir name
Be dishonour, and cause in sothefastnesse
Of vntrwe tungeȝ, for to speke hir shame
All though in hir, there was no spotte of blame
Suspecion to voyde, on euery ayther syde
The Aungel bad þat Ioseph sholde abyde
The thryd cause, and also most trewe
Was for that he, with most diligence
Shulde hir kepe, when he the sothe knewe
That she was clene, with oute all offence
And wist playnely, þat by magnyfycence
Of the holy goste, his errour to enchase
Conceyved hath, this mayde full of grace
Was for that he, with most diligence
Shulde hir kepe, when he the sothe knewe
That she was clene, with oute all offence
And wist playnely, þat by magnyfycence
Of the holy goste, his errour to enchase
Conceyved hath, this mayde full of grace
401
And whan þat Iosephe, abrayde oute of his slepe
And in hir hert, by Reuelucion
Gan for to cast, and to take kepe
Ayenst the morowe, of his avysyon
And caught comfort, and consolacion
Of all that euere, he was to forne dispayrede
And to Marye, he agayne repayrede
And in hir hert, by Reuelucion
Gan for to cast, and to take kepe
Ayenst the morowe, of his avysyon
And caught comfort, and consolacion
Of all that euere, he was to forne dispayrede
And to Marye, he agayne repayrede
And thanketh god, with all his hole hert
That he is to hym, so graciously
In Recomfort of his Inwarde smerte
His grete myght hathe, declared opynly
And of marye, full benyngly
He axed mercy, of humble affection
That euere he had, to hir suspecion
That he is to hym, so graciously
In Recomfort of his Inwarde smerte
His grete myght hathe, declared opynly
And of marye, full benyngly
He axed mercy, of humble affection
That euere he had, to hir suspecion
402
And of his errour, and of the trespace
This hore gray, with all hymylite
With wepynge eyen, gan to axe grace
And she a noon, of womanly pyte
His hevynesse, while she dyd see
Comforteth hym, in all that euere she myght
And he a none, in thayre althre sight
This hore gray, with all hymylite
With wepynge eyen, gan to axe grace
And she a noon, of womanly pyte
His hevynesse, while she dyd see
Comforteth hym, in all that euere she myght
And he a none, in thayre althre sight
And all hir maydens, stondyng envyron
Gan evyn thus, for to crye lowde
Certes quod he, my derke suspecion
Cam of blyndnesse, for I no nothir cowde
But now in sothe, the mysty blake clowde
Of ignoraunce, is so claryfied
That all the trouthe, to me is verrefyed
Gan evyn thus, for to crye lowde
Certes quod he, my derke suspecion
Cam of blyndnesse, for I no nothir cowde
But now in sothe, the mysty blake clowde
Of ignoraunce, is so claryfied
That all the trouthe, to me is verrefyed
403
Thoroughe grace of god, þat myne olde rudenesse
Is now fro me, chased clene a waye
Haueth me excusede, of my derke dulnesse
With all myne hert, benyngly I praye
My nyght of errour, is turned in to daye
That I may nowe, with myne eyne olde
The bryght beames, of Tyten welbeholde
Is now fro me, chased clene a waye
Haueth me excusede, of my derke dulnesse
With all myne hert, benyngly I praye
My nyght of errour, is turned in to daye
That I may nowe, with myne eyne olde
The bryght beames, of Tyten welbeholde
That was eclypsede, fer oute of my syght
That for derkenesse, I nost whatte to done
Onely for lak, that his beames bryght
Were me be rafte, thorough the cloude mone
That this eclipse was caused al to sone
By hir soden interposicion
That was chefe grownde, of my enspecion
That for derkenesse, I nost whatte to done
Onely for lak, that his beames bryght
Were me be rafte, thorough the cloude mone
That this eclipse was caused al to sone
By hir soden interposicion
That was chefe grownde, of my enspecion
404
This is to sayne, þat myne erthely thought
So was opressede, derked and borne dovne
With worldely skyes, þat I myght nought
Ne was not worthe, to inspection
Of this light, by Revelacion
Tyll the sonne of grace, dyd shyne
My witte enclipsed fully to enlumyne
So was opressede, derked and borne dovne
With worldely skyes, þat I myght nought
Ne was not worthe, to inspection
Of this light, by Revelacion
Tyll the sonne of grace, dyd shyne
My witte enclipsed fully to enlumyne
For he to come, hathe his Angel sent
Myne ignoraunce fully for to clere
Wherfore of yov, in all my best entent
O ye Maydens, that ben present here
I axe mercy, with all my hert entier
Of all that euere, hath be spoken of or sayde
And lawly pray yov, beth not evyll apayde
Myne ignoraunce fully for to clere
Wherfore of yov, in all my best entent
O ye Maydens, that ben present here
I axe mercy, with all my hert entier
Of all that euere, hath be spoken of or sayde
And lawly pray yov, beth not evyll apayde
405
And thay Icheone, thanked god of all
With hert and will, bothe in worde and dede
That he in Ioseph, hath in speciall
His grace of newe, made for to sprede
To voyde away all his hole drede
Of euery conceyte and ymagenyng
To make hym knowe, the trouthe of al this thyng
With hert and will, bothe in worde and dede
That he in Ioseph, hath in speciall
His grace of newe, made for to sprede
To voyde away all his hole drede
Of euery conceyte and ymagenyng
To make hym knowe, the trouthe of al this thyng
Wherfore in sothe, the Ioye gan Renewe
Amonge hem all, eche of one accorde
The ermonye, entuned, was so trwe
By twene hem, that ther was no discorde
Not so moche, as of alytyll worde
And thus in Ioye, a while I late hem dwell
And of this Bisshop, furthe I will yov telle
Amonge hem all, eche of one accorde
The ermonye, entuned, was so trwe
By twene hem, that ther was no discorde
Not so moche, as of alytyll worde
And thus in Ioye, a while I late hem dwell
And of this Bisshop, furthe I will yov telle
406
[[XXVII]]
Touchyng this thyng, playnely if I conne
Howe worde by worde, sothely in sentence
Of all this thyng, the Romour is Ronne
And Reportede that thorough necligence
Of this Ioseph, or by violence
How this Marye, gothe with chylde grete
Wherfore thay haue in a soden hete
Howe worde by worde, sothely in sentence
Of all this thyng, the Romour is Ronne
And Reportede that thorough necligence
Of this Ioseph, or by violence
How this Marye, gothe with chylde grete
Wherfore thay haue in a soden hete
Cyted hym, aforn hem to apere
And he cam furthe, with sobre contenaunce
Of whom a noon, the Bisshop gan enquyre
Abiathir, of his gouernaunce
Fro poynt to poynte, with euery circumstaunce
Touchyng this thyng, what it myght amounte
Or howe that Ioseph, wolde giffe a compte
And he cam furthe, with sobre contenaunce
Of whom a noon, the Bisshop gan enquyre
Abiathir, of his gouernaunce
Fro poynt to poynte, with euery circumstaunce
Touchyng this thyng, what it myght amounte
Or howe that Ioseph, wolde giffe a compte
407
That Marye, debonaire and so mylde
Whiche som tyme, was of suche opynyon
In the temple, is nowe grete with childe
Agayne the lawe, of hir professyon
By some engyne, or by collusion
In preiudice, of hir virgynyte
Nought withstandyng vtterly that she
Whiche som tyme, was of suche opynyon
In the temple, is nowe grete with childe
Agayne the lawe, of hir professyon
By some engyne, or by collusion
In preiudice, of hir virgynyte
Nought withstandyng vtterly that she
A vowede hadde, of holy affection
Al hir lyfe, to have kepet hir maydynhede
And was that tyme, of suche perfection
That sothefastly withoute any drede
Of suche a nothir, couthe I neuere Rede
Hir vertueȝ all, to Reken hem by and by
Fro day to day, all that tyme vtterly
Al hir lyfe, to have kepet hir maydynhede
And was that tyme, of suche perfection
That sothefastly withoute any drede
Of suche a nothir, couthe I neuere Rede
Hir vertueȝ all, to Reken hem by and by
Fro day to day, all that tyme vtterly
408
She neuere stynte, for to wirke or praye
But lyke a myrrour, of all holynesse
The wille of god, holyche dyd obeye
With all hir hert, and all hir bysynesse
And with all this, fulfilled of mekenesse
She was ensample, to euery manere wight
That there abode, or hir had a sight
But lyke a myrrour, of all holynesse
The wille of god, holyche dyd obeye
With all hir hert, and all hir bysynesse
And with all this, fulfilled of mekenesse
She was ensample, to euery manere wight
That there abode, or hir had a sight
And euery day withoute wordes moo
Stound mele, fro the hevyn dovne
Goddys Angell, cam to and froo
Where as she laye, in contemplacion
And at laste, of grete affection
By signes shewede, of goddes volunte
She was of vs, assignede vnto the
Stound mele, fro the hevyn dovne
Goddys Angell, cam to and froo
Where as she laye, in contemplacion
And at laste, of grete affection
By signes shewede, of goddes volunte
She was of vs, assignede vnto the
409
Aftir the custume, playnely of the lawe
That thou sholdest, conserue hir and gouerne
Nowe be wel war, that thou hast nought mysdrawe
Hir tendre youthe, fro god that is eterne
The trouthe of thynges, that clerly can concerne
Wherfore be war, that thou be not to wyte
In this matier, lest he woll the white
That thou sholdest, conserue hir and gouerne
Nowe be wel war, that thou hast nought mysdrawe
Hir tendre youthe, fro god that is eterne
The trouthe of thynges, that clerly can concerne
Wherfore be war, that thou be not to wyte
In this matier, lest he woll the white
[[XXVIII]]
For in my self perfytely I knowe
She is a mayde, but if it be for the
Quod Ioseph than, with heed enclyned lowe
The sothefaste lorde, that euery thyng may see
My trust is fully, he will excuse me
Of Rightwysnes and shelde me from shame
Of all that euere, ye put me in blame
She is a mayde, but if it be for the
Quod Ioseph than, with heed enclyned lowe
The sothefaste lorde, that euery thyng may see
My trust is fully, he will excuse me
Of Rightwysnes and shelde me from shame
Of all that euere, ye put me in blame
410
For I haue kepet hir, in the same poynt
Of maydenhed, that she was me by take
Of whiche as yet, she stant in noo disioynt
I dar afferme, and swere it for hir sake
And for my part, what preve ye lust I make
I will be Redy, and let it not be spared
Tyll verrely, the sothe be declared
Of maydenhed, that she was me by take
Of whiche as yet, she stant in noo disioynt
I dar afferme, and swere it for hir sake
And for my part, what preve ye lust I make
I will be Redy, and let it not be spared
Tyll verrely, the sothe be declared
[[XXIX]]
Than quod the Bisshop all suspecion
For to voyde, all ambiguyte
That god may make demonstracion
Of yov tweyne, how the trouthe be
Ye shall ataste, bothe thou and she
Of thylke water to speke in wordes fewe
By God ordenyde, trouthe forto shewe
For to voyde, all ambiguyte
That god may make demonstracion
Of yov tweyne, how the trouthe be
Ye shall ataste, bothe thou and she
Of thylke water to speke in wordes fewe
By God ordenyde, trouthe forto shewe
411
To exclude playnely, euery conceyte newe
Of tungeȝ large, and euery fantasye
As it was some tyme, shewed by the hewe
Of hem that dranke, the drynke of Ialousye
As Numery dothe, clerely specifie
Wherfore a noon, ther is no more to sayne
Make yov Redy, for ye bothe tweyne
Of tungeȝ large, and euery fantasye
As it was some tyme, shewed by the hewe
Of hem that dranke, the drynke of Ialousye
As Numery dothe, clerely specifie
Wherfore a noon, ther is no more to sayne
Make yov Redy, for ye bothe tweyne
Shall make a taste, wer it be sowre or swote
Ther is no gayne saye, nor excusacion
Tyll the trouth, be Ryped in the Rote
We shul procede in this conclusion
That god liste, to make demonstracion
Of all this thyng, for favour or for routhe
There is no mene, but the playne trouthe
Ther is no gayne saye, nor excusacion
Tyll the trouth, be Ryped in the Rote
We shul procede in this conclusion
That god liste, to make demonstracion
Of all this thyng, for favour or for routhe
There is no mene, but the playne trouthe
412
For if god lust, that your Innocens
Lyke your desert, be opynly excused
Than is your meryte, of more excellence
That ye to forne, falsely were accused
And sithen this preve, may not be refused
But that ye must obey to the lawe
Com of a noon, and yov nat withdrawe
Lyke your desert, be opynly excused
Than is your meryte, of more excellence
That ye to forne, falsely were accused
And sithen this preve, may not be refused
But that ye must obey to the lawe
Com of a noon, and yov nat withdrawe
[[XXX]]
Do sette hir furthe, and bryng hir to presence
That hath in vertu, so excellent a name
In whom was neuere yet fovnde offence
But to this tyme, euere floured in hir fame
And stant at large, from euere manere blame
Nowe let hir come, and like as god yov vre
For youv disposith taketh your aventure
That hath in vertu, so excellent a name
In whom was neuere yet fovnde offence
But to this tyme, euere floured in hir fame
And stant at large, from euere manere blame
Nowe let hir come, and like as god yov vre
For youv disposith taketh your aventure
413
And she a noon, was of hir frendeȝ brought
Knowyng Right nought, what all this wolde mene
Devoyde of drede, bothe in hert and thought
For drede in sothe, may do hir no tene
To concyence, that is of synne clenne
Ne vegeaunce, ther no place occupyeth
There Innocence, a soule vngilty gyeth
Knowyng Right nought, what all this wolde mene
Devoyde of drede, bothe in hert and thought
For drede in sothe, may do hir no tene
To concyence, that is of synne clenne
Ne vegeaunce, ther no place occupyeth
There Innocence, a soule vngilty gyeth
For the fyre, may no while brenne
Aftur the brondes, ben taken awaye
Ne the Ryver, holde his cours and Renne
The hede spryng drye, sothely this is no nay
Ne vengeaunce playnely, may make noon assay
To execute agaynst Innocence
Devoyde of synne, his myghty violence
Aftur the brondes, ben taken awaye
Ne the Ryver, holde his cours and Renne
The hede spryng drye, sothely this is no nay
Ne vengeaunce playnely, may make noon assay
To execute agaynst Innocence
Devoyde of synne, his myghty violence
414
For nought but synne, may engendre shame
For selde or neuere, be the chekeȝ Rede
Of hym in sothe, that is devoyde of blame
For who is clene, takyth lytyll hede
To wynke or blenke, for any maner drede
And for thassaut, of eny mysty cloude
Lyght of vertu, may no while shroude
For selde or neuere, be the chekeȝ Rede
Of hym in sothe, that is devoyde of blame
For who is clene, takyth lytyll hede
To wynke or blenke, for any maner drede
And for thassaut, of eny mysty cloude
Lyght of vertu, may no while shroude
It may a whyle, be derked with askye
As is a monge, the fayre bryght sonne
And with the wyndes, of malice and envye
The shynyng sterres, often wexen donne
But whan that trouthe, settyth a broche his tonne
To make the sothe, opynly be knowe
The wynde of falsnesse, may no lenger blowe
As is a monge, the fayre bryght sonne
And with the wyndes, of malice and envye
The shynyng sterres, often wexen donne
But whan that trouthe, settyth a broche his tonne
To make the sothe, opynly be knowe
The wynde of falsnesse, may no lenger blowe
415
[[XXXI]]
Howe our ladys frendes weyled and morned whan the Bisshopes maden so strong a preve on hir virginite Cao xxxio
Hornes shrynke, ne hyde hym in his neste
But lyke a sonne, his light a brode declare
Than she that was, the verrey chosyn chest
Of al clennesse, and ther with all the best
Of all good, howe myght it be tyde
Hir light of vertu, to be sette a syde
That it nil shyne, mavgre who saythe nay
Whan hir beameȝ, ben opynly discured
As gold in fire is fynyde be assay
And at the teste, Siluere is depuryde
And she that was, in vertu most assured
Where the holy gost, his dwellyng dyd sette
How myght then, any mystys lette
Whan hir beameȝ, ben opynly discured
As gold in fire is fynyde be assay
And at the teste, Siluere is depuryde
And she that was, in vertu most assured
Where the holy gost, his dwellyng dyd sette
How myght then, any mystys lette
416
The clere light, of hir perfytenesse
Or eny preef, or probacion
In any party, for to make it lesse
For light wol oute, it may not be borne dovne
And so wil trouthe, have dominacion
For any falsnesse, that men can conspyre
Than she that was, so full sette afyre
Or eny preef, or probacion
In any party, for to make it lesse
For light wol oute, it may not be borne dovne
And so wil trouthe, have dominacion
For any falsnesse, that men can conspyre
Than she that was, so full sette afyre
With the holy goste, ne thar but lytyll drede
To drynke water, whethir it be thyke or clere
To make a pref, of hir maydynhede
For hir to harme, it shall haue no powere
For to deface, hir colour or hir chere
But Rathir more amende, and claryfye
The derke demyng, of euere clody skye
To drynke water, whethir it be thyke or clere
To make a pref, of hir maydynhede
For hir to harme, it shall haue no powere
For to deface, hir colour or hir chere
But Rathir more amende, and claryfye
The derke demyng, of euere clody skye
417
And so mayre stondyng, in the place
And all hir frendes, aboute environ
Wher men may see, vpon many a face
Of frendely Routhe, and compassion
The salt teres, fall, and Renne dovne
For drede and love, thay had for to sene
So hard assay made, on hir age grene
And all hir frendes, aboute environ
Wher men may see, vpon many a face
Of frendely Routhe, and compassion
The salt teres, fall, and Renne dovne
For drede and love, thay had for to sene
So hard assay made, on hir age grene
But she all way constant, as a wall
In thought ne chere, abaschede neuer a dele
Ne in hir hert, dredyth not at all
But vpon god, trustyth all waye wele
That he of trouthe, shall trye oute the stele
Al be that she, speke but wordes fewe
Withoutyn speche, shall the dede shewe
In thought ne chere, abaschede neuer a dele
Ne in hir hert, dredyth not at all
But vpon god, trustyth all waye wele
That he of trouthe, shall trye oute the stele
Al be that she, speke but wordes fewe
Withoutyn speche, shall the dede shewe
418
And whan the water, fully was confecte
Lyke the statute, of the Rites olde
The Bisshopp hathe the cuppe, furst directe
Vnto Ioseph, and the parell tolde
And manfully, he gan it holde
And dranke it vp, and chaunged not his chere
And vii tymes, aboute the Autere
Lyke the statute, of the Rites olde
The Bisshopp hathe the cuppe, furst directe
Vnto Ioseph, and the parell tolde
And manfully, he gan it holde
And dranke it vp, and chaunged not his chere
And vii tymes, aboute the Autere
He went thanne, by custome as he aught
Of face and colour, alway elyche newe
And to Marye, also the Bisshopp brought
A cuppe of water, and she with hert trewe
Acceptyth it, this goodly fresshe of hewe
And or she dranke, this perfyte holy mayde
All opynly to god, thus she sayde
Of face and colour, alway elyche newe
And to Marye, also the Bisshopp brought
A cuppe of water, and she with hert trewe
Acceptyth it, this goodly fresshe of hewe
And or she dranke, this perfyte holy mayde
All opynly to god, thus she sayde
419
[[XXXII]]
Sothefast lorde, that haste the knowlegyng
Of euery thyng, thorowe thy grete myght
And art so trewe, and so Iuste a kyng
To lowe and high, that thou wilt do right
And no thyng may, be shadwede fro thy sight
Thorough noon engyne, ne fro thy face astert
But sothefastly, thou knowest euery hert
Of euery thyng, thorowe thy grete myght
And art so trewe, and so Iuste a kyng
To lowe and high, that thou wilt do right
And no thyng may, be shadwede fro thy sight
Thorough noon engyne, ne fro thy face astert
But sothefastly, thou knowest euery hert
So that no wyght, fage may ne fayne
To for the eye, of thy sapyence
Nowe late thy grace, downe fro hevyn Rayne
Clerly in dede, and nought be aparence
To shewe in me, if ther be offence
Or eny gilt, myn avowe to a peche
To the I pray, so thy light to Reche
To for the eye, of thy sapyence
Nowe late thy grace, downe fro hevyn Rayne
Clerly in dede, and nought be aparence
To shewe in me, if ther be offence
Or eny gilt, myn avowe to a peche
To the I pray, so thy light to Reche
420
That it be couthe, here all playnely
To wit in sothe, whether I in chastyte
Haue led my lyfe, of hert faythefully
Lyche as thou knoweste, for the love of the
And if I haue, myne virgynyte
Conservede hoole, this is my oryson
Make opynly a demonstracion
To wit in sothe, whether I in chastyte
Haue led my lyfe, of hert faythefully
Lyche as thou knoweste, for the love of the
And if I haue, myne virgynyte
Conservede hoole, this is my oryson
Make opynly a demonstracion
And with that worde, the drynke she dyd a taste
And went hir cours, aboute the Autere
And all the people, be gan to gasen faste
If any signe, did in hir apere
Outhir in colour, in countenaunce or chere
But all for nought, playnely as I tolde
The more on hir, they loken and byholde
And went hir cours, aboute the Autere
And all the people, be gan to gasen faste
If any signe, did in hir apere
Outhir in colour, in countenaunce or chere
But all for nought, playnely as I tolde
The more on hir, they loken and byholde
421
The more she was, to her sight fayre
And lyche as phebus, in Ioly grene maye
Whan he hathe chasede, the derke mysty eyre
Shyneth more bright, the clere somers daye
Whan þikke vapours, ben dreven clene awaye
Right so Ioseph, and also Marye
So fresshe werne, in euery wighteȝ eye
And lyche as phebus, in Ioly grene maye
Whan he hathe chasede, the derke mysty eyre
Shyneth more bright, the clere somers daye
Whan þikke vapours, ben dreven clene awaye
Right so Ioseph, and also Marye
So fresshe werne, in euery wighteȝ eye
That to beholde, they thought it dyd hem goode
The longe day, in hir opynnyon
For in her face, al waye was the blode
Withoutyn palyng, or any drawyng dovne
Al way more fayre, of inspeccion
Of whiche thyng, the people gan mervayle
And for astonede, thought hir wittes fayle
The longe day, in hir opynnyon
For in her face, al waye was the blode
Withoutyn palyng, or any drawyng dovne
Al way more fayre, of inspeccion
Of whiche thyng, the people gan mervayle
And for astonede, thought hir wittes fayle
422
[[XXXIII]]
And in party gretely werne dismayed
Leste that of theym, take were vengeaunce
For thay so ferre, haue goddes myght assayede
Of errour blynde and verrey ignoraunce
And Right furthe with, of hertly Repentaunce
They bonche ther bresteȝ, with fisteȝ wondir sore
And al at onys, fell dovne afore
Leste that of theym, take were vengeaunce
For thay so ferre, haue goddes myght assayede
Of errour blynde and verrey ignoraunce
And Right furthe with, of hertly Repentaunce
They bonche ther bresteȝ, with fisteȝ wondir sore
And al at onys, fell dovne afore
This holy mayde, with humble Reuerence
And wold hir fete, haue kyssed ther anone
Axyng mercy, of thayre grete offence
And she forgaf it, to hem euerycheone
And all the Bisshoppeȝ, and the people goon
Benyngly, to brynge hir awaye
And to hir paleys, fully hir conveye
And wold hir fete, haue kyssed ther anone
Axyng mercy, of thayre grete offence
And she forgaf it, to hem euerycheone
And all the Bisshoppeȝ, and the people goon
Benyngly, to brynge hir awaye
And to hir paleys, fully hir conveye
423
Of whome the noyse, to the hevyn rong
With hert and speche, as thay magnyfye
The lorde above, and euery wightys tunge
For Ioye and myrthe, gan hym gloryfie
And all the day, thus in meloyde
Thay led furthe, tyl it drewe to eve
And gudely thanne, of hir thay toke her leve
With hert and speche, as thay magnyfye
The lorde above, and euery wightys tunge
For Ioye and myrthe, gan hym gloryfie
And all the day, thus in meloyde
Thay led furthe, tyl it drewe to eve
And gudely thanne, of hir thay toke her leve
And furthe thay wente, euery man his waye
In the story as made is memorye
But marye in all the haste she maye
Entrede is in to hir oratorye
As she that hathe, wonen the victorye
Of all thoo, that to fore gan muse
Hir maydynhede, of malice to acuse
In the story as made is memorye
But marye in all the haste she maye
Entrede is in to hir oratorye
As she that hathe, wonen the victorye
Of all thoo, that to fore gan muse
Hir maydynhede, of malice to acuse
424
And thorugh hir merite, she hathe the mouthes shette
And lippys closed, of men that wer in were
And day by day, kepyng hir closette
Contynually lay, in hir prayer
Expectant aye liche as ye shall here
With humble hert, and deuoute obeysaunce
Vpon the tyme, of hir deliueraunce
And lippys closed, of men that wer in were
And day by day, kepyng hir closette
Contynually lay, in hir prayer
Expectant aye liche as ye shall here
With humble hert, and deuoute obeysaunce
Vpon the tyme, of hir deliueraunce
The holy goste, beyng ay hir gyde
Hir Chaumbre she kept, hir day awaytyng
And as ye shall here, if ye liste tabyde
And god to forne, yet or the bryddys syng
And or than Flora, dothe the floures spryng
To for the kalendes, of apryll or of may
My purpose is, playnely if I may
Hir Chaumbre she kept, hir day awaytyng
And as ye shall here, if ye liste tabyde
And god to forne, yet or the bryddys syng
And or than Flora, dothe the floures spryng
To for the kalendes, of apryll or of may
My purpose is, playnely if I may
425
For to procede furthe, in this dyte
So as I can, and make mencion
Of the feste and solempnyte
That callede is, the Incarnacion
Only thorugh helpe, and supportacion
Of hir that is, so plentyvouse benyng
Or that phebus enters in the signe
So as I can, and make mencion
Of the feste and solempnyte
That callede is, the Incarnacion
Only thorugh helpe, and supportacion
Of hir that is, so plentyvouse benyng
Or that phebus enters in the signe
Wythe his carte, of the ariete
Of this feste sumwhat, shall I wryte
But oo alas, the Retorykes swete
Of petrak Fraunces that couthe so endite
And Tullyus, with all his wordys white
Full longe agone, and full olde of date
Is dede alas and passed into faate
Of this feste sumwhat, shall I wryte
But oo alas, the Retorykes swete
Of petrak Fraunces that couthe so endite
And Tullyus, with all his wordys white
Full longe agone, and full olde of date
Is dede alas and passed into faate
426
[[XXXIIII]]
And eke my maister Chauser is ygrave
The noble Rethor, poete of Brytayne
That worthy was the laurer to haue
Of poetrye, and the palme atteyne
That made firste, to distille and rayne
The golde dewe, dropes, of speche and eloquence
Into our tunge, thurgh his excellence
The noble Rethor, poete of Brytayne
That worthy was the laurer to haue
Of poetrye, and the palme atteyne
That made firste, to distille and rayne
The golde dewe, dropes, of speche and eloquence
Into our tunge, thurgh his excellence
And fonde the floures, firste of Retoryke
Our Rude speche, only to enlumyne
That in our tunge, was neuere noon hym like
For as the sonne, dothe in hevyn shyne
In mydday spere, dovne to vs by lyne
In whose presence, no ster may a pere
Right so his dyteȝ withoutyn eny pere
Our Rude speche, only to enlumyne
That in our tunge, was neuere noon hym like
For as the sonne, dothe in hevyn shyne
In mydday spere, dovne to vs by lyne
In whose presence, no ster may a pere
Right so his dyteȝ withoutyn eny pere
427
Euery makyng withe his light disteyne
In sothefastnesse, who so takethe hede
Wherefore no wondre, thof my hert pleyne
Vpon his dethe, and for sorowe blede
For want of hym, nowe in my grete nede
That shulde alas, conveye and directe
And with his supporte, amende eke and corecte
In sothefastnesse, who so takethe hede
Wherefore no wondre, thof my hert pleyne
Vpon his dethe, and for sorowe blede
For want of hym, nowe in my grete nede
That shulde alas, conveye and directe
And with his supporte, amende eke and corecte
The wronge traceȝ, of my rude penne
There as I erre, and goo not lyne Right
But for that he, ne may not me kenne
I can no more, but with all my myght
With all myne hert, and myne Inwarde sight
Pray for hym, that liethe nowe in his cheste
To god above, to yeve his saule goode reste
There as I erre, and goo not lyne Right
But for that he, ne may not me kenne
I can no more, but with all my myght
With all myne hert, and myne Inwarde sight
Pray for hym, that liethe nowe in his cheste
To god above, to yeve his saule goode reste
428
And as I can, forth I woll procede
Sythen of his helpe, ther may no socour be
And though my penne, be quakyng ay for drede
Neythir to Cleo, ne to Caliope
Me luste not calle, forto helpe me
Ne to no muse, my poyntell forto gye
But leve all this, and saye vnto Marye
Sythen of his helpe, ther may no socour be
And though my penne, be quakyng ay for drede
Neythir to Cleo, ne to Caliope
Me luste not calle, forto helpe me
Ne to no muse, my poyntell forto gye
But leve all this, and saye vnto Marye
O clene castell, and the chaaste toure
Of the holy goste, mothir and virgyne
Be thou my helpe, counsel and socour
And late thy stremes, of thy mercy shyne
Into my breste, this thryde boke to fyne
That thorugh thy supporte, and benyng grace
It to performe, I maye haue tyme and space.
Of the holy goste, mothir and virgyne
Be thou my helpe, counsel and socour
And late thy stremes, of thy mercy shyne
Into my breste, this thryde boke to fyne
That thorugh thy supporte, and benyng grace
It to performe, I maye haue tyme and space.
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