Duquesne Studies Philological Series: 2: A critical edition of John Lydgate's Life of our Lady by Joseph A. Lauritis ... General editor: Ralph A. Klinefelter ... Vernon F. Gallagher |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
Book III
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| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| LXXXVII. |
 | Duquesne Studies |  |
429
Book III
[[XXXV]]
Whanne al was hust and al was in silence,
And in his course the longe sterry nyght
Was passed half and fresche of aperaunce,
Lucyne shone on hevyn fayre and bryght;
Thy worde, oo lorde, that is moste of myght,
Whiche ay abydythe and partyth not from the,
Sent and discendid from thy Royall see,
And in his course the longe sterry nyght
Was passed half and fresche of aperaunce,
Lucyne shone on hevyn fayre and bryght;
Thy worde, oo lorde, that is moste of myght,
Whiche ay abydythe and partyth not from the,
Sent and discendid from thy Royall see,
Hathe sodenly upon all the erthe
Shed his light for our saluacion,
As I shal synge or maies dai the ferthe;
If ye lust here of humble affection,—
How in the yere by computacion
Fourty and two of Octouian;
Ferthermore, aftir the worlde beganne,
Shed his light for our saluacion,
As I shal synge or maies dai the ferthe;
If ye lust here of humble affection,—
How in the yere by computacion
Fourty and two of Octouian;
Ferthermore, aftir the worlde beganne,
430
Fyve thousande, as Beda liste to deffyne,
And an hundreth sothely this is no lese—
And there-with-all nynty yere and nene,
Whanne al the worlde in reste was ande pes,
Withoutyn werre; and of Olympyades,
In the hundred nynty yere and thre,—
And by cronycle, eke as ye may see,
And an hundreth sothely this is no lese—
And there-with-all nynty yere and nene,
Whanne al the worlde in reste was ande pes,
Withoutyn werre; and of Olympyades,
In the hundred nynty yere and thre,—
And by cronycle, eke as ye may see,
Whan Augustus by commaundement,
Seuerally, withouten exepcion,
Bade by his lettreȝ that the president
Of eche province, cite, borugh, and toun,
Thorugh-oute the worlde, make a discripcion
Of euery hedde; so that iche man,
At a certeyne day, in all the hast he can
Seuerally, withouten exepcion,
Bade by his lettreȝ that the president
Of eche province, cite, borugh, and toun,
Thorugh-oute the worlde, make a discripcion
Of euery hedde; so that iche man,
At a certeyne day, in all the hast he can
431
Vpon a payne be founde in that Cyte
Where he was borne; withoutyn more delay,
Bothe high and lowe of what estate he be,
Aftir his statute, his tribute for to paye.
And that no man be hardy to saye naye,
To quyte hym self, with euery circumstaunce.
To make in opyn a reconesaunce,
Where he was borne; withoutyn more delay,
Bothe high and lowe of what estate he be,
Aftir his statute, his tribute for to paye.
And that no man be hardy to saye naye,
To quyte hym self, with euery circumstaunce.
To make in opyn a reconesaunce,
With honde assuryd and hool profession,
Of the provynce tofore the president,
That he is suget vnto Rome towne
With all his hert, and his hole entente.
And here-vpon that he paye his Rente,
As the statute and the custome bonde;
That is to saye, that he brynge in his honde
Of the provynce tofore the president,
That he is suget vnto Rome towne
With all his hert, and his hole entente.
And here-vpon that he paye his Rente,
As the statute and the custome bonde;
That is to saye, that he brynge in his honde
432
A large peny, enpryntede with the name
And the ymage, of the emperour.
And þer-upon, he shulde anoon atame
An othe of newe, and for the more honoure,
Withe honde touchede, swere for swete or sowre,
While he levyth, and neuere for to Rue,
With hert and body pleynely to be trwe.
And the ymage, of the emperour.
And þer-upon, he shulde anoon atame
An othe of newe, and for the more honoure,
Withe honde touchede, swere for swete or sowre,
While he levyth, and neuere for to Rue,
With hert and body pleynely to be trwe.
To tempre hym his byddyng to obeye,
Withoutyn grochyng, or Rebellion,
With all his myght for to leve and deye;
Ande thanne a-noon the discripcioun,
Of euery hede, in his owne towne
Was made in haste, where that he was bore.
And aftir that, I fynde ferthermore,
Withoutyn grochyng, or Rebellion,
With all his myght for to leve and deye;
Ande thanne a-noon the discripcioun,
Of euery hede, in his owne towne
Was made in haste, where that he was bore.
And aftir that, I fynde ferthermore,
433
His name was regestrede and Inamede there,
Perpetually forto be in mynde.
And this discryvyng, if ye luste to here,
Was made firste in Cyrye, as I fynde,
By one Cirynus, the peple for to bynde,
To be to Rome ay in subiecion.
For this Cyrinus, in that Region,
Perpetually forto be in mynde.
And this discryvyng, if ye luste to here,
Was made firste in Cyrye, as I fynde,
By one Cirynus, the peple for to bynde,
To be to Rome ay in subiecion.
For this Cyrinus, in that Region,
Was prefecte than, vndir the Emperour,
In bokys olde, as made is mencion.
And while that he was ther gouernour,
Was begon firste this discripcion;
The yere, in sothe, Aftir the fundacion
Of myghty Rome, VII and fiftene.
At whiche tyme with his beemus shene.
In bokys olde, as made is mencion.
And while that he was ther gouernour,
Was begon firste this discripcion;
The yere, in sothe, Aftir the fundacion
Of myghty Rome, VII and fiftene.
At whiche tyme with his beemus shene.
434
Was fresche Phebus in his firste face,
Of Capricorne his lawest stacion;
The same yere callet the yere of grace,
The yere of comfort, and of Remyssion;
Beynge the thriddeteneth the indiccioun,
The golden nombre of the same yere
xviii accomptede in oure calendere.
Of Capricorne his lawest stacion;
The same yere callet the yere of grace,
The yere of comfort, and of Remyssion;
Beynge the thriddeteneth the indiccioun,
The golden nombre of the same yere
xviii accomptede in oure calendere.
[[XXXVI]]
The Regne of Heroude xxxti yere and one,
Whan made was the discripcion,
As ye haue herde, that Ioseph must gone
To Bedeleem for conclusion,
To pay his tribute in his owne towne,
As the statute afore dothe specyfye;
Because that he and also eke Marye
Whan made was the discripcion,
As ye haue herde, that Ioseph must gone
To Bedeleem for conclusion,
To pay his tribute in his owne towne,
As the statute afore dothe specyfye;
Because that he and also eke Marye
435
Werne of the householde and of the trybe borne
Called Iuda, and of the kynrede
Of worthy Dauid, as I haue sayde to-forne.
And on her Iournay, as thay gan thayme spede,
And holy Ioseph dyd hir brydill lede,
Sodenly marye full sone she abrayede,
And vnto Ioseph evyn thus she sayde:
Called Iuda, and of the kynrede
Of worthy Dauid, as I haue sayde to-forne.
And on her Iournay, as thay gan thayme spede,
And holy Ioseph dyd hir brydill lede,
Sodenly marye full sone she abrayede,
And vnto Ioseph evyn thus she sayde:
“I wys,” quod she, “me thynkyth þat I see
Two folkys gretly discordyng,
Vpon the waye aperen vnto me.
The tone Reioysysng, that othir compleynyng.”
To whome Ioseph benyngly lokyng,
Ansewerde agayne and bad hir Ryde in pees;
And prayed hir also nat to be reccles,
Two folkys gretly discordyng,
Vpon the waye aperen vnto me.
The tone Reioysysng, that othir compleynyng.”
To whome Ioseph benyngly lokyng,
Ansewerde agayne and bad hir Ryde in pees;
And prayed hir also nat to be reccles,
436
Any wordys for to speke in vayne,
But holde hir way and hir Iournay Right.
And vnwarly, aforne hem in the playne,
Apered an Angell with face sterne and bryght
Of whome the beaute ȝaf a plesant lyght,
The place envyron and a sote odoure.
And his clothyng like the lely floure
But holde hir way and hir Iournay Right.
And vnwarly, aforne hem in the playne,
Apered an Angell with face sterne and bryght
Of whome the beaute ȝaf a plesant lyght,
The place envyron and a sote odoure.
And his clothyng like the lely floure
Was whit in sothe, as snowe that fallith newe;
Whiche gan a-noon chere and loke to meve,
And ther-with-all, with a chaunged hewe,
By-gan also Ioseph to repreve.
And shortly bad his wordes that he leve,
And sayde, in sothe, that he was to blame
For to be bolde any wordes to atame
Whiche gan a-noon chere and loke to meve,
And ther-with-all, with a chaunged hewe,
By-gan also Ioseph to repreve.
And shortly bad his wordes that he leve,
And sayde, in sothe, that he was to blame
For to be bolde any wordes to atame
437
Ayens Marye; thorough his necligence
To saye that she spak any worde in vayne.
For that she sawe was non apperance,
But verrey sothe as she hath it seyne.
“For truste me well and be right certeyne,
Of this folke of whiche she spake to the,
In sothefastenesse, lyche as thou shalt see,
To saye that she spak any worde in vayne.
For that she sawe was non apperance,
But verrey sothe as she hath it seyne.
“For truste me well and be right certeyne,
Of this folke of whiche she spake to the,
In sothefastenesse, lyche as thou shalt see,
Ben the peoples and the folkeȝ tweyne,
That ben disceuerde in full large space:
The ton of Iues, that wepe shull and pleyne,
With many atere distyllyng on his face;
That wilfully shall refuse his grace,
Of frowarde hert for to be benyng,
To devoyde and playnely to Resygne
That ben disceuerde in full large space:
The ton of Iues, that wepe shull and pleyne,
With many atere distyllyng on his face;
That wilfully shall refuse his grace,
Of frowarde hert for to be benyng,
To devoyde and playnely to Resygne
438
The Sinagoge, with hir Riteȝ olde,
Whiche in shorte tyme shall drawe to declyne,
And hir phares quenche and waxen colde
With sacrede light, that were wonte to shyne.
For tyme is come þat they must fyne,
Ande the weylinge of her derked chere
Vncloos shall and shewe al bryght and clere,
Whiche in shorte tyme shall drawe to declyne,
And hir phares quenche and waxen colde
With sacrede light, that were wonte to shyne.
For tyme is come þat they must fyne,
Ande the weylinge of her derked chere
Vncloos shall and shewe al bryght and clere,
As phebus dothe at mydday in the sowthe,
Whan euery Rakke and euery cloudy skye
Is voyde clene, so hir face vncouthe
Shall shewe in opyn and fully ben vnwry.
And the peple whiche that marye
Reioysyng say for yoye and gladnesse,
Ben paynymes þat mekely shall hem dresse,
Whan euery Rakke and euery cloudy skye
Is voyde clene, so hir face vncouthe
Shall shewe in opyn and fully ben vnwry.
And the peple whiche that marye
Reioysyng say for yoye and gladnesse,
Ben paynymes þat mekely shall hem dresse,
439
This tyme of grace fully to obey,
With hert and will, and full humble chere.
For goddes worde that no man maye withsaye
Hath hastyd it gon ful many a ȝere,
To Abraham and Isaak in-fere,
And to Iacob, that in hir holy seede,
Full hastely, who so luste take hede,
With hert and will, and full humble chere.
For goddes worde that no man maye withsaye
Hath hastyd it gon ful many a ȝere,
To Abraham and Isaak in-fere,
And to Iacob, that in hir holy seede,
Full hastely, who so luste take hede,
Shall al peples pleynly blissede be,
Thorugh-oute the worlde in euery londe and realme.”
And with that worde, as Ioseph myght see,
The Angell sty above the sonne beame.
And he gothe furthe tawarde Bedlem,
With marie, til that thei bothe tweyne,
In full lytyll space gonnen to atteyne
Thorugh-oute the worlde in euery londe and realme.”
And with that worde, as Ioseph myght see,
The Angell sty above the sonne beame.
And he gothe furthe tawarde Bedlem,
With marie, til that thei bothe tweyne,
In full lytyll space gonnen to atteyne
440
To the boundes of bedleme the cite,
Wery and mate sumdel of her viage;
Where thay founde of peple seche plente
In the Cyte, of euery manere age,
That thay myght haue nomaner herbygage
In all the towne, nethir boure ne hall,
Save a stable and a lytyll stall,
Wery and mate sumdel of her viage;
Where thay founde of peple seche plente
In the Cyte, of euery manere age,
That thay myght haue nomaner herbygage
In all the towne, nethir boure ne hall,
Save a stable and a lytyll stall,
That were sequestrede and set asyde
Oute of all prees, the story saythe expresse,
Made for besteȝ, sothely into abyde,
Ful straite and narewe, schadewid with derknesse.
Into whiche Ioseph gan hym dresse
With Marye, to reste ther all nyght.
And as she entrede, a newe soden light
Oute of all prees, the story saythe expresse,
Made for besteȝ, sothely into abyde,
Ful straite and narewe, schadewid with derknesse.
Into whiche Ioseph gan hym dresse
With Marye, to reste ther all nyght.
And as she entrede, a newe soden light
441
Gan the place enlumen envyron,
That shone as bright as eny someres day,
So that this lityll humble mancion
Was fresche of light as phebus is in may;
Whiche gan to waxen and encrece aye
While she was there, all-be þat it was nyght.
And right anoon, the sothefaste sonne of myght,
That shone as bright as eny someres day,
So that this lityll humble mancion
Was fresche of light as phebus is in may;
Whiche gan to waxen and encrece aye
While she was there, all-be þat it was nyght.
And right anoon, the sothefaste sonne of myght,
Of all our Ioye, caste hyme to aryse
And shed his light to glad all man kynde.
For tawarde mydnyght, shortly to devyse,
Whan all was huste, holy wryt makyth mynde,
As softely as he dyd hym wynde
In the sydes, of this holy mayde,
So easely this newe sonne abrayde,
And shed his light to glad all man kynde.
For tawarde mydnyght, shortly to devyse,
Whan all was huste, holy wryt makyth mynde,
As softely as he dyd hym wynde
In the sydes, of this holy mayde,
So easely this newe sonne abrayde,
442
Whan he was borne in to this mortall lyfe,
Vpon the erthe to shede his bryghtnesse,
Withoutyn helpe of any mydwyfe,
Or of his mothir, travell or sekenesse.
For she that firste conceyved in clennesse,
It sat right wele that she shulde also
With outyn trayvell or eny manere woo,
Vpon the erthe to shede his bryghtnesse,
Withoutyn helpe of any mydwyfe,
Or of his mothir, travell or sekenesse.
For she that firste conceyved in clennesse,
It sat right wele that she shulde also
With outyn trayvell or eny manere woo,
For to go quyte at hir delyueraunce,
And specially haue aprerogatife,
In hir childyng to fele no penaunce,
Sithe she was bothe mayde, modir, and wife,
Chosyn of god for to stynte our stryve,
Of all wymen, by hir self aloon.
Wherfore it sat not hir for to crye and grone
And specially haue aprerogatife,
In hir childyng to fele no penaunce,
Sithe she was bothe mayde, modir, and wife,
Chosyn of god for to stynte our stryve,
Of all wymen, by hir self aloon.
Wherfore it sat not hir for to crye and grone
443
Lyke oþer wemen þat ben inli sike,
In the tyme of hir trvelyng.
Wherfore sithe she was to noon othir lyke,
No payne felte the houre of hir chldyng.
And, as I fynde, at hir delyueryng
Ther was no wight but hir self aloon;
For þylke tyme Ioseph was out goone,
In the tyme of hir trvelyng.
Wherfore sithe she was to noon othir lyke,
No payne felte the houre of hir chldyng.
And, as I fynde, at hir delyueryng
Ther was no wight but hir self aloon;
For þylke tyme Ioseph was out goone,
[[XXXVII]]
In full gret hast to enquere and seke
Some Mydwyfe to helpe in this nede.
And in this while, with hir eyne meke,
She childed hath, this floure of maydynhede.
And home agayne, as Ioseph gan hym spede,
And to the place the mydwyfeȝ brought,
Evyn at the dore abasshede in theyr thought,
Some Mydwyfe to helpe in this nede.
And in this while, with hir eyne meke,
She childed hath, this floure of maydynhede.
And home agayne, as Ioseph gan hym spede,
And to the place the mydwyfeȝ brought,
Evyn at the dore abasshede in theyr thought,
444
Stoden styll astonyed of that light,
And þe briȝtnesse þat schone in þe place,
Aȝen kynde, þat tyme of the nyȝght,
That thay ne myght susteyne in her face
And no wondre, for the sonne of grace,
Within whiche cast his light so ferre,
Of whome the mone and eche othir sterre
And þe briȝtnesse þat schone in þe place,
Aȝen kynde, þat tyme of the nyȝght,
That thay ne myght susteyne in her face
And no wondre, for the sonne of grace,
Within whiche cast his light so ferre,
Of whome the mone and eche othir sterre
Receyven her light, euerech in her spere,
Al be þat he lay here in erthe lowe,
In a stable with his sacrede chere,
Sool with his mothir that no man dyd knowe;
On whome hir loke she mekely gan to throwe,
Gudly biholdynge his fayre ȝonge face,
And knelyng downe began to enbrace
Al be þat he lay here in erthe lowe,
In a stable with his sacrede chere,
Sool with his mothir that no man dyd knowe;
On whome hir loke she mekely gan to throwe,
Gudly biholdynge his fayre ȝonge face,
And knelyng downe began to enbrace
445
His tendre lymmes in hir Armes tweyne,
And wrappede hym in clothes tendrely,
Ande toke him up and sooftly gan him leyne
In hir lappe; and full humbly
She be-helde his feturs by and by,
So fayre shapen in party and in all.
And with hir mylke, verrey celestiall,
And wrappede hym in clothes tendrely,
Ande toke him up and sooftly gan him leyne
In hir lappe; and full humbly
She be-helde his feturs by and by,
So fayre shapen in party and in all.
And with hir mylke, verrey celestiall,
And hevenly licour of hir pappes small,
His tendre lymmes she sprede in euery coste,—
The white bavme to make it avale,
Fette fro the condyth of the holy goste,
Vpon the thyng that se loved moste;
And gaffe hym souke of the pyment sote,
That sprange and grwe oute of the holy Rote
His tendre lymmes she sprede in euery coste,—
The white bavme to make it avale,
Fette fro the condyth of the holy goste,
Vpon the thyng that se loved moste;
And gaffe hym souke of the pyment sote,
That sprange and grwe oute of the holy Rote
446
Of maydenhede, and fro the chaste vyne
Of all clennesse, was itryede oute.
Wher-with she made hir yong chylde to dyne,
Whom hevyn and erthe muste obeye and loute,
Albe that he, with besteȝ hym aboute,
Lay humbly, as ye haue herde devyse,
And aftir this his mothir dyd aryse
Of all clennesse, was itryede oute.
Wher-with she made hir yong chylde to dyne,
Whom hevyn and erthe muste obeye and loute,
Albe that he, with besteȝ hym aboute,
Lay humbly, as ye haue herde devyse,
And aftir this his mothir dyd aryse
And lyft him up, sooftly in-to the stalle
Where-as the asse and the oxe stode.
And on hir knees she gan a-noon to falle,
And worshipped hym, this beste of all gode,
That gyvethe to Angel and to man his foode.
And than this mayde, with debonayre chere,
Withe face erecte and handys eke in-fere,
Where-as the asse and the oxe stode.
And on hir knees she gan a-noon to falle,
And worshipped hym, this beste of all gode,
That gyvethe to Angel and to man his foode.
And than this mayde, with debonayre chere,
Withe face erecte and handys eke in-fere,
447
[[XXXVIII]]
To god above by-gan thus for to pray:
“O lorde,” quod she, “with all my full myght
To whom iche thynge iustely must obeye,
To the be thanke, as it is skyll and right,
That thou so goodly luste to haue a sight
To my mekenesse, though I vnworthe be.
And not dysdeygne of thy benyngnyte,
“O lorde,” quod she, “with all my full myght
To whom iche thynge iustely must obeye,
To the be thanke, as it is skyll and right,
That thou so goodly luste to haue a sight
To my mekenesse, though I vnworthe be.
And not dysdeygne of thy benyngnyte,
To graunte only of thyn high goodnesse,
Me to encrece vnto suche excellence,
To be a mayde and mohtir in clennesse,
To bere thy sonne and eke thy sapyence,
That neuere twynnyth oute of thy presence,
But in heven abydythe aye with the,
And in erthe mekely nowe withe me,
Me to encrece vnto suche excellence,
To be a mayde and mohtir in clennesse,
To bere thy sonne and eke thy sapyence,
That neuere twynnyth oute of thy presence,
But in heven abydythe aye with the,
And in erthe mekely nowe withe me,
448
Lyeth in a stall, of chere moste debonayre,
To-fore my face, my Ioye and my comforte;
Whiche with þe lokynge of his iȝen faire
Is hool my gladnesse, and fully my disporth,
Sothefaste pleasaunce and my chefe resorte;
My dere sonne, and my childe also,
To who with hert and all that I can do,
To-fore my face, my Ioye and my comforte;
Whiche with þe lokynge of his iȝen faire
Is hool my gladnesse, and fully my disporth,
Sothefaste pleasaunce and my chefe resorte;
My dere sonne, and my childe also,
To who with hert and all that I can do,
I thanke the, lorde, that liggiste me beforne,
That thou luste chese to haue affection
Of me so mekely in erthe to be borne,
And fro thy fadre to descende dovne,
Only for helpe and our savacion
Of all mankynde frely of thy wille.
My blisset chylde, that so goodly stylle
That thou luste chese to haue affection
Of me so mekely in erthe to be borne,
And fro thy fadre to descende dovne,
Only for helpe and our savacion
Of all mankynde frely of thy wille.
My blisset chylde, that so goodly stylle
449
Liggest nowe here mekely be sufferaunce,
A-myddeste these besteȝ, so fayre vpon to see,
And hast no wight to thyne attendaunce,
Lyke thyne estate a-waytyng vpon the,
Saue that thou haste so goo[d]ly chosyn me,
Of thy grace, vpon the to abyde;
I to serue and thou to be my guyde,
A-myddeste these besteȝ, so fayre vpon to see,
And hast no wight to thyne attendaunce,
Lyke thyne estate a-waytyng vpon the,
Saue that thou haste so goo[d]ly chosyn me,
Of thy grace, vpon the to abyde;
I to serue and thou to be my guyde,
As it is Right; and Iosephe with vs tweyne,
To take his parte, what fortune so betyde,
Like as thou luste of grace to ordeyne.”
And than a-noon, Right in the selfe-tyde,
Ioseph cam In and stode hir be-syde.
And sodenly, whan he the childe dothe se,
Full humbly knelyng on his knee,
To take his parte, what fortune so betyde,
Like as thou luste of grace to ordeyne.”
And than a-noon, Right in the selfe-tyde,
Ioseph cam In and stode hir be-syde.
And sodenly, whan he the childe dothe se,
Full humbly knelyng on his knee,
450
[[XXXIX]]
Howe the mydwyfeȝ durst not entre in with Ioseph into the house for the grete soden light that apperyde within Cao xxxixo 5m
With all his will, and all his full thought,
Ande tolde marie, for fer of the lyȝght,
The mydwyfes that he had brought,
Astonyd werne, þat thay durste nought
Entre In, but kept hem a-ferre;
For cause only that a new sterre
Ascendyd was vpon that mansion,
That spred his light and his beames shene
Fro est to weste thrugh that Regyon,
That all thay that euere it had seen,
Gan faste musen what it myght mene;
And in her hertes gretly for to charge
That a sterre so bright, so fayre, and so large,
That spred his light and his beames shene
Fro est to weste thrugh that Regyon,
That all thay that euere it had seen,
Gan faste musen what it myght mene;
And in her hertes gretly for to charge
That a sterre so bright, so fayre, and so large,
451
Of new dyd apere in that Realme,
That neuere was secheon sene beforne,
Of the whiche, prophyteȝ in Iherusalem
That tyme were astonyed wondre sore,
And sayde playnly, withoute eny more,
That thilke sterre dyd signyfye
Thilke sterre whiche in his prophecye
That neuere was secheon sene beforne,
Of the whiche, prophyteȝ in Iherusalem
That tyme were astonyed wondre sore,
And sayde playnly, withoute eny more,
That thilke sterre dyd signyfye
Thilke sterre whiche in his prophecye
[[XL]]
Balam, the sonne of Beor, as I fynde,
Comendythe so in all his beste wyse,
Whan he sayde, sothely, of the kynde
Of worthy Iacob a sterre shulde aryse;
And eke also, as he dothe devyse,
Full opynly the Byble can yov telle,
How a yarde oute of Israell
Comendythe so in all his beste wyse,
Whan he sayde, sothely, of the kynde
Of worthy Iacob a sterre shulde aryse;
And eke also, as he dothe devyse,
Full opynly the Byble can yov telle,
How a yarde oute of Israell
452
Shall sprynge also, to smyte and oppresse
The fel dukes of moab with her myght;
And he shall waste in verrey sothefastnesse,
The children of Sethe, and of kynde right,
Withe the shynyng of his beames bright;
Conquere also, to his subieccioun,
Withoutyn obstacle, and haue possession
The fel dukes of moab with her myght;
And he shall waste in verrey sothefastnesse,
The children of Sethe, and of kynde right,
Withe the shynyng of his beames bright;
Conquere also, to his subieccioun,
Withoutyn obstacle, and haue possession
Of ydvme, for his heritage,
With many a-nothir Riche regioun,
And of Syr the Riche baronage,
Shal to him lought for his renoun,
So þat þis sterre, in concluscioun,
Whiche in Bedlem brightest of sterres alle,
The whiche above the lytyll oxe stalle,
With many a-nothir Riche regioun,
And of Syr the Riche baronage,
Shal to him lought for his renoun,
So þat þis sterre, in concluscioun,
Whiche in Bedlem brightest of sterres alle,
The whiche above the lytyll oxe stalle,
453
So shene shone at the Natyvyte
Of the childe, as ye haue herde me tell,
Be-tokeneth playnly, as ye shall aftir se,
That the lorde of hevyn, erthe, and hell,
Whiche may of Moab the tyranne felle,
Was ther by loke and helde his hostage
In a stable narwe as eny cage,
Of the childe, as ye haue herde me tell,
Be-tokeneth playnly, as ye shall aftir se,
That the lorde of hevyn, erthe, and hell,
Whiche may of Moab the tyranne felle,
Was ther by loke and helde his hostage
In a stable narwe as eny cage,
Amonge bestys, though he were lorde of all,
Ande alle this worlde myȝght at his wille gouerne.
Which in his hande hangeth as a ball,
In verrey sothe, his myght is so eterne.
And all this thyng Marye gan concerne
With in hir self seker and full close.
And aftir that, she mekely vp Rose,
Ande alle this worlde myȝght at his wille gouerne.
Which in his hande hangeth as a ball,
In verrey sothe, his myght is so eterne.
And all this thyng Marye gan concerne
With in hir self seker and full close.
And aftir that, she mekely vp Rose,
454
[[XLI]]
And to the dore, wondre womanly
She went apas, and when she dyd se
The mydwyfes, full benygnely
She brought hem in with all humylite,—
Scephora and also Solomee,—
And hem welcomyth in full lawe manere.
And when that thay these signes sawe in-fere,
She went apas, and when she dyd se
The mydwyfes, full benygnely
She brought hem in with all humylite,—
Scephora and also Solomee,—
And hem welcomyth in full lawe manere.
And when that thay these signes sawe in-fere,
Of the sterre and the besteȝ knele
Tawarde the childe to do hym Reuerence,
And gan also by othir tokens fele
Of maydynhede ther was none offence,
But that she stode hole in the excellence
Of perfyte clennesse and hool virgynyte,
Mothir to be and floure in chastite,
Tawarde the childe to do hym Reuerence,
And gan also by othir tokens fele
Of maydynhede ther was none offence,
But that she stode hole in the excellence
Of perfyte clennesse and hool virgynyte,
Mothir to be and floure in chastite,
455
Withoutyn wem on eny party founde,
For all the preves that thay make coude;
And whan thay sawe hir pappes so abounde
With henvenly mylke sent from above the cloude,
Scephora began to cry lowde
That a mayde hath a chylde borne,—
The whiche thyng was not seen afforne
For all the preves that thay make coude;
And whan thay sawe hir pappes so abounde
With henvenly mylke sent from above the cloude,
Scephora began to cry lowde
That a mayde hath a chylde borne,—
The whiche thyng was not seen afforne
In all this worlde, who so luste take hede.
For it, in sothe, the right of all nature
Passeth playnely, and also dothe excede
The witte of man, I do yov well assure.
But I se well, thoroughe the myghty cure
Of goddys honde this thyng is brought aboute;
Wher-of plattely I am no-thyng in doute,
For it, in sothe, the right of all nature
Passeth playnely, and also dothe excede
The witte of man, I do yov well assure.
But I se well, thoroughe the myghty cure
Of goddys honde this thyng is brought aboute;
Wher-of plattely I am no-thyng in doute,
456
But assented with hert and hole credence,
Ther-of havyng noon ambiguyte.
And than a-noon, for the grete offence
And for wantruste, hir felowe Solomee
Opynly, that all myght it see,
Waxe in that Arme dede and colde as stone,
Withe the whiche she was hardy for to gone
Ther-of havyng noon ambiguyte.
And than a-noon, for the grete offence
And for wantruste, hir felowe Solomee
Opynly, that all myght it see,
Waxe in that Arme dede and colde as stone,
Withe the whiche she was hardy for to gone
[[XLII]]
Howe the hande and the Arme of Solome wexe drye for she withoute drede and Reuerence touchede Criste Cao xlii 8
And his mothir, with-outen Reuerence,
Devoyded of drede or devocion,
Or eny faythefull, humble aduertence,
Done as hir aughte to his magnyfycence.
Where-fore a-noon, for hir high trespace,
All opynly in the same place,
457
She pun[i]shede was, that all myghten se;
And gan to sorowe, wepe, and complayne,
And sayd: “O lorde, haue pyte vpon me,
And of mercy Rewe vpon my payne,
And of myne offence þat thou not disdeyne,
Ne to thy highnesse be no displeasaunce,
That I a wreche, blynde of ignoraunce,
And gan to sorowe, wepe, and complayne,
And sayd: “O lorde, haue pyte vpon me,
And of mercy Rewe vpon my payne,
And of myne offence þat thou not disdeyne,
Ne to thy highnesse be no displeasaunce,
That I a wreche, blynde of ignoraunce,
Offendyde haue gretly in thy sight,
Of moche vnconnyng and of discrecion.”
Ande sodenly in her alther syght,
Evyn a myddes of that mansion,
An Angel bright, sent from hevyn dovne,
Dydde appere; byddyng hir a-noon,
With deuoute herte þat she sholde goon
Of moche vnconnyng and of discrecion.”
Ande sodenly in her alther syght,
Evyn a myddes of that mansion,
An Angel bright, sent from hevyn dovne,
Dydde appere; byddyng hir a-noon,
With deuoute herte þat she sholde goon
458
Full humbly in hir beste entente,
Vnto the chylde for to haue socure,
And touche the hem of his vestement
Reuerently and with gret honoure.
For he, in sothe, is the Savyoure
Of all the worlde and of all mankynde,
And power hathe playnly to vnbynde
Vnto the chylde for to haue socure,
And touche the hem of his vestement
Reuerently and with gret honoure.
For he, in sothe, is the Savyoure
Of all the worlde and of all mankynde,
And power hathe playnly to vnbynde
All thoo that pleyne hem and ben in distresse,
When thay to hym mekely wolle call.
And Salomee deuoutly gan hir dresse
Towarde the childe, and on hir knees felle,
And sayd: “O lorde, that power haste of all,
So latte thy mercy goo[d]ly on me sprede,
Me for to socoure nowe in this grete nede;
When thay to hym mekely wolle call.
And Salomee deuoutly gan hir dresse
Towarde the childe, and on hir knees felle,
And sayd: “O lorde, that power haste of all,
So latte thy mercy goo[d]ly on me sprede,
Me for to socoure nowe in this grete nede;
459
Me wrecchede wight, pun[i]schede Rightfully,
And loste for euere, saue only thy grace.
For in sothe, lorde, excepte thy mercy,
I haue loste myne Arme, alas, for my trespasse.”
And with that worde, as she dyd enbrace
To touche the clothe that he lay in bounde,
With-oute more this Solome hath founde
And loste for euere, saue only thy grace.
For in sothe, lorde, excepte thy mercy,
I haue loste myne Arme, alas, for my trespasse.”
And with that worde, as she dyd enbrace
To touche the clothe that he lay in bounde,
With-oute more this Solome hath founde
Remedye and was made hole agayne
Sodenly or she coude it asspye.
And vp she Roos and may no longer fayne,
But in the strete opynly gan crye,
Howe the lorde that all the worlde may gye,
Discendyd is and become man.
And whileȝ that she thus in the strete ran,
Sodenly or she coude it asspye.
And vp she Roos and may no longer fayne,
But in the strete opynly gan crye,
Howe the lorde that all the worlde may gye,
Discendyd is and become man.
And whileȝ that she thus in the strete ran,
460
Tellyng the byrthe, and of the sterre also,
And of hir Arme, and of hir soden cure,
The peple gan to drawen faste hir to,
To herken more of this aventure;
And in her speche som gan hem assure,
And thought hir wordes myght be credible,
And specially, for alway so visible,
And of hir Arme, and of hir soden cure,
The peple gan to drawen faste hir to,
To herken more of this aventure;
And in her speche som gan hem assure,
And thought hir wordes myght be credible,
And specially, for alway so visible,
The sterre shone euere above the house,
I-lyche fixe withouten mocion,—
So bryght, so large, so glad, and so Ioyus,
Þat alle þat hadden þer of inspeccioun,
In hert perfyte, and trwe of entencion,
Thoughten thay were Reioysyd and made light,
And al this thyng, fel vpon the nyght
I-lyche fixe withouten mocion,—
So bryght, so large, so glad, and so Ioyus,
Þat alle þat hadden þer of inspeccioun,
In hert perfyte, and trwe of entencion,
Thoughten thay were Reioysyd and made light,
And al this thyng, fel vpon the nyght
461
On a sonday, my auctor will not varye,
As ye may fynde, yf ye luste to Rede
The viij kalendes, for sothe, of Ianuarie;
Whan marye, example of maydynhede,
Was of age, who so wil take hede,
Sixtene yere, this floure of Naȝareth,
As the vision of Eliȝabeth
As ye may fynde, yf ye luste to Rede
The viij kalendes, for sothe, of Ianuarie;
Whan marye, example of maydynhede,
Was of age, who so wil take hede,
Sixtene yere, this floure of Naȝareth,
As the vision of Eliȝabeth
Playnely recordyth, loke and ye may see.
And in this nyght of moste worthynesse,
Of cristis birthe and Natyvite,
As the gospell saythe and beryth witnesse,—
Whan the shepeherdes, with grete besynesse,
Kepten her wacche the longe wynters nyght,
Vpon her shepe, an Angel with greate light
And in this nyght of moste worthynesse,
Of cristis birthe and Natyvite,
As the gospell saythe and beryth witnesse,—
Whan the shepeherdes, with grete besynesse,
Kepten her wacche the longe wynters nyght,
Vpon her shepe, an Angel with greate light
462
[[XLIII]]
Amydde the felde, to hem dyd apere;
And gafe hem comforte in her grete drede,
And bad hem be light and gladde of chere.
“For I,” quod he, “shew to yov in dede,
A Ioye that dothe euery Ioye excede,
That fynally shall of all disease
To all folke comforte be and ease;
And gafe hem comforte in her grete drede,
And bad hem be light and gladde of chere.
“For I,” quod he, “shew to yov in dede,
A Ioye that dothe euery Ioye excede,
That fynally shall of all disease
To all folke comforte be and ease;
And be to hem refute and socoure
In all myscheues and aduersite.
For nowe this day, mankyndes savyoure,
In Bedlam of Dauid the Cyte,
Is borne in sothe, liche as ye may se;
Gothe and beholdyth howe that it is falle.
And ye shall fynde in an oxe stalle,
In all myscheues and aduersite.
For nowe this day, mankyndes savyoure,
In Bedlam of Dauid the Cyte,
Is borne in sothe, liche as ye may se;
Gothe and beholdyth howe that it is falle.
And ye shall fynde in an oxe stalle,
463
Howe that he lieth in clothes narowe yvounde,
þis ȝunge faunte, with cheere ful benygne.
The whiche thing, whan that ye haue founde
That all is sothe, latte be to yov asigne.”
And sodenly, with laude and prees condigne,
With the angelle the hol cheualrie
Of alle heuene by on armonye,
þis ȝunge faunte, with cheere ful benygne.
The whiche thing, whan that ye haue founde
That all is sothe, latte be to yov asigne.”
And sodenly, with laude and prees condigne,
With the angelle the hol cheualrie
Of alle heuene by on armonye,
For Ioye her of gan to seye and synge:
“Glory and honour in the hevynly see
Be vnto god eternally duryng,
And in erthe pees and reste be
To all the men, that of one vnyte
This high feste honour and magnyfye.
And we ichone, with oo melodye,
“Glory and honour in the hevynly see
Be vnto god eternally duryng,
And in erthe pees and reste be
To all the men, that of one vnyte
This high feste honour and magnyfye.
And we ichone, with oo melodye,
464
O myghty lorde, we preyse and blisse the,
And worship eke with humble Reuerence,
And gloryfye thy high mageste,
And thankyng yef to thyn magnyficence
For thy glory and thyn excellence.
O thou lorde god, O kyng celestiall,
O god the fadir, moste myghty founde at all,
And worship eke with humble Reuerence,
And gloryfye thy high mageste,
And thankyng yef to thyn magnyficence
For thy glory and thyn excellence.
O thou lorde god, O kyng celestiall,
O god the fadir, moste myghty founde at all,
And god the sonne, his childe alone eterne,
Criste Ihesu borne of thys hevynly qwene,
Of god also the chose lambe so derne,
Sonne of the fadir, with-oute spotte all clene,
That doste away this worldes synne and tene,
Haue mercy on vs of thy high godenesse,
Sythe thou thy-self, in perfyte holynesse,
Criste Ihesu borne of thys hevynly qwene,
Of god also the chose lambe so derne,
Sonne of the fadir, with-oute spotte all clene,
That doste away this worldes synne and tene,
Haue mercy on vs of thy high godenesse,
Sythe thou thy-self, in perfyte holynesse,
465
Alone art holy, sothely and no moo;
Ande lorde aloone, ouer al other thynge,
And worthyest and higheste eke also;
O Ihesu criste, of hevyn and erthe kyng,
With the hooly goost in glorie reynynge,
Ay with the fadre by eternyte,
Thre knytte in oon thorughe perfyte vnyte.”
Ande lorde aloone, ouer al other thynge,
And worthyest and higheste eke also;
O Ihesu criste, of hevyn and erthe kyng,
With the hooly goost in glorie reynynge,
Ay with the fadre by eternyte,
Thre knytte in oon thorughe perfyte vnyte.”
[[XLIV]]
And whan the Angels with this hevynly songe
The birthe of criste had magnyfied,
With perfyte gladnesse that was hem amonge,
To hevyn anoon agayne thay haue hem hyed,
And the herdes, by one accorde alyed,
Ben hastely vnto Bedlem gon,
Wher thay founden, whan they come a-noon,
The birthe of criste had magnyfied,
With perfyte gladnesse that was hem amonge,
To hevyn anoon agayne thay haue hem hyed,
And the herdes, by one accorde alyed,
Ben hastely vnto Bedlem gon,
Wher thay founden, whan they come a-noon,
466
Marye and Ioseph and the childe also,
Layed in a stalle, accordyng euery dele
As the Angell had sayde hem to.
And of the sight thay lyke wondre wele,
And in hem-self gun knowe and fele
That all was sothe that thay herde afore
Of the Angel, howe a childe was bore
Layed in a stalle, accordyng euery dele
As the Angell had sayde hem to.
And of the sight thay lyke wondre wele,
And in hem-self gun knowe and fele
That all was sothe that thay herde afore
Of the Angel, howe a childe was bore
Into this worlde, mankynde for to saue,
After the recorde of olde prophecye,
Where of they gan so grete Ioye haue,
That all at onys they gune magnyfie
God above, and hym to gloryfye,
Retornyng hem devoyde of euery smerte.
And Marye cloos within hir herte
After the recorde of olde prophecye,
Where of they gan so grete Ioye haue,
That all at onys they gune magnyfie
God above, and hym to gloryfye,
Retornyng hem devoyde of euery smerte.
And Marye cloos within hir herte
467
Conserved all that she dyd see,—
Worde and dede, and euery manere thyng
That be-felle in that Natyvyte,—
Full secretly ther-on ymagenyng,
And prudently hir-self gouernyng,
Kept hir sonne with all byse cure;
Whiche on this day, as saythe Bonaventure,
Worde and dede, and euery manere thyng
That be-felle in that Natyvyte,—
Full secretly ther-on ymagenyng,
And prudently hir-self gouernyng,
Kept hir sonne with all byse cure;
Whiche on this day, as saythe Bonaventure,
Lyche a spouse fro his chaumbre is gone,
His chosyn chyldren thrugh his benygnyte,
In his chirche to Ioye hem of Syon
By perfyte pees and sothefaste vnyte.
And he this day hathe shewede the beaute
Of his face of excellent fayrenesse;
In whose honoure this day of high gladnesse
His chosyn chyldren thrugh his benygnyte,
In his chirche to Ioye hem of Syon
By perfyte pees and sothefaste vnyte.
And he this day hathe shewede the beaute
Of his face of excellent fayrenesse;
In whose honoure this day of high gladnesse
468
Was made the ympne, the gospell saythe also,
Our althir myrthe and yoye to encrece;
Gloria in excelsis deo.
And in erthe this day a perfyte pees
To man was shewed, withoutyn eny lees.
And as saythe poule, goddys benygnyte
This day aperyd in his humanyte.
Our althir myrthe and yoye to encrece;
Gloria in excelsis deo.
And in erthe this day a perfyte pees
To man was shewed, withoutyn eny lees.
And as saythe poule, goddys benygnyte
This day aperyd in his humanyte.
[[XLV]]
And more ouer, as he eke telle can,
God was this day in simylytude,
In erthe honourede in likenesse of man.
And he this day his godhede did Include
In oure manhode; and shortely to conclude,
This day also, yf I shall not feyne,
Byfel also othir thynges tweyne,—
God was this day in simylytude,
In erthe honourede in likenesse of man.
And he this day his godhede did Include
In oure manhode; and shortely to conclude,
This day also, yf I shall not feyne,
Byfel also othir thynges tweyne,—
469
The wondreste and moste merueilous
That euere yet were sene to-forne,
Wher-of no witte, by kynde is capciouse.
Firste howe that god, to save that was for-lore,
Lowly in erthe luste to be bore;
And howe a mayde in hir virgynyte,
Might also childe and mothir be.
That euere yet were sene to-forne,
Wher-of no witte, by kynde is capciouse.
Firste howe that god, to save that was for-lore,
Lowly in erthe luste to be bore;
And howe a mayde in hir virgynyte,
Might also childe and mothir be.
The whiche thynges passen and transcende
Reason of man by kyndes likenesse.
But faythe alone muste all comprehende,
And it enbrace by perfyte stablenesse,
And make his grovnde vpon the witnesse
Of prophetes, whiche in hir prophecye,
So long aforne gan to clepe and crye
Reason of man by kyndes likenesse.
But faythe alone muste all comprehende,
And it enbrace by perfyte stablenesse,
And make his grovnde vpon the witnesse
Of prophetes, whiche in hir prophecye,
So long aforne gan to clepe and crye
470
Aftir the comyng of this myghty kyng,
Our olde woo and trouble to enchace;
To whome Dauid sayde in his wrytyng:
“O blisfull lorde, shewe to vs thy face,
And we in sothe, only thrugh thy grace,
Shall saved be from all myscheve and drede;
And lorde also, now in our grete nede,
Our olde woo and trouble to enchace;
To whome Dauid sayde in his wrytyng:
“O blisfull lorde, shewe to vs thy face,
And we in sothe, only thrugh thy grace,
Shall saved be from all myscheve and drede;
And lorde also, now in our grete nede,
Sende vnto vs thy comfortable light,
Vs to enlumyne liggyng in derkenesse.”
Eke ysaye, with all his Inwarde sight,
Vp vnto hevyn gan his loke to dresse,
And seyde, “lorde, of þi gret goodnesse,
Oute of deserte, from the harde stone,
Vnto the dougthir dwellyng in Syon,
Vs to enlumyne liggyng in derkenesse.”
Eke ysaye, with all his Inwarde sight,
Vp vnto hevyn gan his loke to dresse,
And seyde, “lorde, of þi gret goodnesse,
Oute of deserte, from the harde stone,
Vnto the dougthir dwellyng in Syon,
471
Sende dovne thy lambe fulfilled with mekenesse,
That lordship hathe and domynacion
Of all the herthe, our dool to Redresse.
And wolde god for our saluacion,
This myghty lorde for to come adovne,
The high hevens wolde breke entweyne,
Vs to Releve of that we so compleyne.”
That lordship hathe and domynacion
Of all the herthe, our dool to Redresse.
And wolde god for our saluacion,
This myghty lorde for to come adovne,
The high hevens wolde breke entweyne,
Vs to Releve of that we so compleyne.”
And Dauid eke spake this lorde vnto,
In the sauter our sorowes for to fyne,
And sayde, “lorde in Relees of our woo,
The high hevens thy mercy make enclyne
And downe discende, and late thy grace shyne
Vppon vs wrecches in the vale of sorowe.”
And, “lorde, do dawe thyne holy glad morowe,”
In the sauter our sorowes for to fyne,
And sayde, “lorde in Relees of our woo,
The high hevens thy mercy make enclyne
And downe discende, and late thy grace shyne
Vppon vs wrecches in the vale of sorowe.”
And, “lorde, do dawe thyne holy glad morowe,”
472
Quod Salamon. “and shewe to vs thy light
Of thy mercy and Rewe on our distresse,
And with thy vertues, that ben so moche of myght,
That no man may counte hem ne expresse;
Fulfille Syon, and with high gladnesse
Thy people hertes make for to renewe,
That thy prophetes, may be founde trwe;”
Of thy mercy and Rewe on our distresse,
And with thy vertues, that ben so moche of myght,
That no man may counte hem ne expresse;
Fulfille Syon, and with high gladnesse
Thy people hertes make for to renewe,
That thy prophetes, may be founde trwe;”
Which all at onys with hert wille and thought,
Aftir this day so longe dyden crye:
“O come thou lorde, and ne tarye nought.”
And of this day, in hir prophecye
Wrote some tyme holy ȝakarye,
Byddyng the dougthir of Syon to be light;
Where he also assured and be-hight
Aftir this day so longe dyden crye:
“O come thou lorde, and ne tarye nought.”
And of this day, in hir prophecye
Wrote some tyme holy ȝakarye,
Byddyng the dougthir of Syon to be light;
Where he also assured and be-hight
473
To Iherusalem that is a myghty kyng
Shall come in haste his peple to visite;
And he shall bryng pees in his comyng,
Of whome the power shall not be alyte,
For it shall laste, as hym luste to wryte,
From see to see, and all the erthe sprede,
Thorugh the worlde bothe in lengthe and brede.
Shall come in haste his peple to visite;
And he shall bryng pees in his comyng,
Of whome the power shall not be alyte,
For it shall laste, as hym luste to wryte,
From see to see, and all the erthe sprede,
Thorugh the worlde bothe in lengthe and brede.
And Baruk bad to Iherusalem
To by-holde, in all his beste entente,
Tawarde the brightnesse of the sonne beme,
And wysely loke into the oryente,
To see the gladnesse that this day is sent
Dovne to the erthe, nowe that Criste is bore.
Of whose commyng, so many a day affore,
To by-holde, in all his beste entente,
Tawarde the brightnesse of the sonne beme,
And wysely loke into the oryente,
To see the gladnesse that this day is sent
Dovne to the erthe, nowe that Criste is bore.
Of whose commyng, so many a day affore,
474
Spake ysaye, and sayde in wordes playne:
“The high hevynes dothe your grace adewe.”
And sayde also, the Skyes sholde Reyne
Vpon erthe, her moystur for to shewe;
And bad the grovnde, eke in wordes fewe,
For to open and thorowe throwe his heuenely showre,
For to buryovne our alther savyour.
“The high hevynes dothe your grace adewe.”
And sayde also, the Skyes sholde Reyne
Vpon erthe, her moystur for to shewe;
And bad the grovnde, eke in wordes fewe,
For to open and thorowe throwe his heuenely showre,
For to buryovne our alther savyour.
And Ieremye spake eke of this day,
And sayde that god shulde make seed
A greyn of Dauid, fayrer then floure in may,
Whiche in freshenesse shall euere spryng and sprede,
And conseruen Iuda oute of drede,
And eke Israel kepe in sekyrnesse.
And he shall make, all Rightwysnesse
And sayde that god shulde make seed
A greyn of Dauid, fayrer then floure in may,
Whiche in freshenesse shall euere spryng and sprede,
And conseruen Iuda oute of drede,
And eke Israel kepe in sekyrnesse.
And he shall make, all Rightwysnesse
475
Vpon the erthe, of high and lowe degre.
And Rightewisnesse men shall his name call,
When he is comyne to sytte in the see
Of kyng Dauid in his riall stalle.
And he also, to-fore the prestes all,
Bothe of Iuda and levy, shal devyse
With newe encence to do sacryfyce
And Rightewisnesse men shall his name call,
When he is comyne to sytte in the see
Of kyng Dauid in his riall stalle.
And he also, to-fore the prestes all,
Bothe of Iuda and levy, shal devyse
With newe encence to do sacryfyce
To god aboue, for the grete offence
Of the peple, and for her ignoraunce;
With his offerying make Recompence,
Or that the swerde be whette of vengeaunce.
Even like as made is Remembraunce
In Malachie in the same wyse,—
This sonne of life shall spryng and Ryse
Of the peple, and for her ignoraunce;
With his offerying make Recompence,
Or that the swerde be whette of vengeaunce.
Even like as made is Remembraunce
In Malachie in the same wyse,—
This sonne of life shall spryng and Ryse
476
To all tho that hym loue and drede,
And ben expectant with al humylite
On his comyng, to suche he shall oute shede
His light of grace at his natyvyte.
Wher-fore be gladde, lyke as byddyth Miche,
Thou Bedlem called Effreta,
Though thou be lityll namede in Iuda;
And ben expectant with al humylite
On his comyng, to suche he shall oute shede
His light of grace at his natyvyte.
Wher-fore be gladde, lyke as byddyth Miche,
Thou Bedlem called Effreta,
Though thou be lityll namede in Iuda;
For oute of the shall procede a-none
The myghty kyng and lorde of Israel.
And nowe this day is corven oute of a stone,
Withouten handes of that holy hylle,
Of whiche whilome, the prophete Danyell,
In his bokes wrote so long aforne,
To signyfye that there sholde be boren
The myghty kyng and lorde of Israel.
And nowe this day is corven oute of a stone,
Withouten handes of that holy hylle,
Of whiche whilome, the prophete Danyell,
In his bokes wrote so long aforne,
To signyfye that there sholde be boren
477
A childe, in sothe, withoute touche of man,
Of a mayde, aftir his be-heste;
That like a stone was ycorven oute than,
Whan he was bore in this high feste,
Only to breke the crovne and eke the creste
In Babylyne of the grete ymage
That made men firste, to done outerage.
Of a mayde, aftir his be-heste;
That like a stone was ycorven oute than,
Whan he was bore in this high feste,
Only to breke the crovne and eke the creste
In Babylyne of the grete ymage
That made men firste, to done outerage.
For nowe, in sothe, comyn is the day,
Of prophetes so longe aforn be-hight,
For Criste Ihesu, playnely this is no naye,
Is thilke stone, who so loke a-right,
Whiche by his wisdome and his faders myght,
And the vertu of the holy goste,
Was corven oute so clene in euery coste,
Of prophetes so longe aforn be-hight,
For Criste Ihesu, playnely this is no naye,
Is thilke stone, who so loke a-right,
Whiche by his wisdome and his faders myght,
And the vertu of the holy goste,
Was corven oute so clene in euery coste,
478
Of that blissede perfyte holy hill
That groweth full of holsome floures fayre.
For oute of hir that was in hert and wille
A perfyte mayde, humble and deboneyre,
Lyche as the dwe of heven dothe repayre
Vpon Ermon, al-waye newe and newe,
Amendyng aye the herbes of her hewe,
That groweth full of holsome floures fayre.
For oute of hir that was in hert and wille
A perfyte mayde, humble and deboneyre,
Lyche as the dwe of heven dothe repayre
Vpon Ermon, al-waye newe and newe,
Amendyng aye the herbes of her hewe,
Right so thorugh vertu lastyng ay in one
Of the holy goste, this day of marye
Was corven oute, the sothefaste angle stone,
Whome that prophetes pryse and magnyfie.
For she this day was the gladde skye,
Whiche the childe of helye dyd see
So plesauntly ascende from the see
Of the holy goste, this day of marye
Was corven oute, the sothefaste angle stone,
Whome that prophetes pryse and magnyfie.
For she this day was the gladde skye,
Whiche the childe of helye dyd see
So plesauntly ascende from the see
479
Vppon the erthe, nakede and bareyne
Of holsome frute and of herbes soote,
That hathe shede the comfortable Reyne,
The Reyne of grace, for our alther boote,
That percede hath, even to the Rote
Of our welfare, to do the levys spring.
For she alone is the felde flouryng,
Of holsome frute and of herbes soote,
That hathe shede the comfortable Reyne,
The Reyne of grace, for our alther boote,
That percede hath, even to the Rote
Of our welfare, to do the levys spring.
For she alone is the felde flouryng,
That sumtime ȝaf so passynge a swetnesse
To Isaak, whan he was fall in age;
Of whiche he caught so inwardely gladnesse,
That hym thought holy his corage
Renewede was, and with a glad visage,
Unto Iacob of hertely Ioýe sayde,—
On his clothis, as he his handes layde,—
To Isaak, whan he was fall in age;
Of whiche he caught so inwardely gladnesse,
That hym thought holy his corage
Renewede was, and with a glad visage,
Unto Iacob of hertely Ioýe sayde,—
On his clothis, as he his handes layde,—
480
[[XLVI]]
Howe Ioseph prophicied the birthe of criste betouchyng of the clotheȝ of his sonne Iacob Cao xlvio 12m
The grete Swetnesse and the fresshe odour
Of thy clothyng to me is so entere,
That it frome me devoydyth all langoure;”
Sayeng tofore that there shulde a floure
Oute of the felde springe of his kynrede,
The whiche shulde suche an odour shede,
That all the worlde shall comforte fynde and hele
In the swetnesse aȝens iche maledie,
And soueraine helthe in euery myscheve fele;
So that this felde was no wight but marye,
That by discent come of his alye.
Oute of whiche to gladen all our chere,
This day in erthe ther dyd a floure apere,—
In the swetnesse aȝens iche maledie,
And soueraine helthe in euery myscheve fele;
So that this felde was no wight but marye,
That by discent come of his alye.
Oute of whiche to gladen all our chere,
This day in erthe ther dyd a floure apere,—
481
The Sweteste yet that evere man be-helde,
Passing the Rose and the floure delys.
And of this holy, fayre, fresshe felde,
Sumtyme þe spouse spak in canticis,
Whan he it sawe so fresshe at his devys,
And habundaunt of a tempre eyre,
And þat it was so passing Inly fayre.
Passing the Rose and the floure delys.
And of this holy, fayre, fresshe felde,
Sumtyme þe spouse spak in canticis,
Whan he it sawe so fresshe at his devys,
And habundaunt of a tempre eyre,
And þat it was so passing Inly fayre.
[[XLVII]]
O howe the bawme of hevenly lycoure
Of thy Swetnesse, with souereygne suffisaunce,
Lyke Paradys shedith his vapoure
Erly on morew, avoydyng all grevaunce,
Lyche the frute that is of suche pleasaunce,—
The garnet apull, of colour golden hewed,
Thurgh whose odour the corage is renewed
Of thy Swetnesse, with souereygne suffisaunce,
Lyke Paradys shedith his vapoure
Erly on morew, avoydyng all grevaunce,
Lyche the frute that is of suche pleasaunce,—
The garnet apull, of colour golden hewed,
Thurgh whose odour the corage is renewed
482
Of euery wight, that may the eyre Receyve.
For evyn like as the golden Rynde
Is playne and shynyng, as ye may conceyve,
His colour kepyng euere in one by kynde,
And dothe his pypens in the skalis [bynde],
To do comfort to seke in her accesse,—
Right so maye, our sekenesse to redresse,
For evyn like as the golden Rynde
Is playne and shynyng, as ye may conceyve,
His colour kepyng euere in one by kynde,
And dothe his pypens in the skalis [bynde],
To do comfort to seke in her accesse,—
Right so maye, our sekenesse to redresse,
This day hath borne the holsom holy frute,
The frute of lyffe, that with his soote brethe
Is remedye, and also cheve Refute
To mankynde, a-gayne the fever of dethe.
For as the grayne of the Garnet slethe
Þe stronge accesse and doith þe hete avale,
Right so this day, oute of the golden scale,
The frute of lyffe, that with his soote brethe
Is remedye, and also cheve Refute
To mankynde, a-gayne the fever of dethe.
For as the grayne of the Garnet slethe
Þe stronge accesse and doith þe hete avale,
Right so this day, oute of the golden scale,
483
The holsome pepyn and the grayne of lyve,
Criste Ihesu, gan firste to apere;
And of marye, mothir, mayden, and wyffe
The golden garnet with his scales clere,
Beyng al hole and iliche entere,
Was borne, in sothe, for to refresche blyfe
Our olde accesse. and right as the Olyfe
Criste Ihesu, gan firste to apere;
And of marye, mothir, mayden, and wyffe
The golden garnet with his scales clere,
Beyng al hole and iliche entere,
Was borne, in sothe, for to refresche blyfe
Our olde accesse. and right as the Olyfe
His oyle shedyth, and braunche leffe ne tre
Apeyreth nat of fayrenesse ne coloure,
Right so marye, flouryng in chastite,
This day hath borne our alther saviour,
The oyle of pees to stynte our langour,
To softe our sores, and the Swellyng slake
Of all owre wondes, whanne thay smerte or ake.
Apeyreth nat of fayrenesse ne coloure,
Right so marye, flouryng in chastite,
This day hath borne our alther saviour,
The oyle of pees to stynte our langour,
To softe our sores, and the Swellyng slake
Of all owre wondes, whanne thay smerte or ake.
484
And nowe this daye, shortely for to wryte,
This blisfull tyme of the Natyuyte,
Of yonge Ioseph, The coote polymete,
Wrought by power of all the trynyte,
Within the closet of chosin chastite,
Performede was, and by noo hande of man,
As Alysaundre wel reherse can,
This blisfull tyme of the Natyuyte,
Of yonge Ioseph, The coote polymete,
Wrought by power of all the trynyte,
Within the closet of chosin chastite,
Performede was, and by noo hande of man,
As Alysaundre wel reherse can,
With-in his boke, made in speciall
On cantica, as ye may Rede and see.
The which clothe of purpur moste Ryall,
Hewede with clennesse of virgynyte,
This day hathe shewede in our humanyte
The godhede hole, for by this clothe is mente
Of our kynde the frele garnemente.
On cantica, as ye may Rede and see.
The which clothe of purpur moste Ryall,
Hewede with clennesse of virgynyte,
This day hathe shewede in our humanyte
The godhede hole, for by this clothe is mente
Of our kynde the frele garnemente.
485
[[XLVIII]]
Also this day of Ioseph the gauell,
Amydde the felde that dothe the vertu floure,
Was gadrede vp by clennesse euery dele;
Whom all the other gan worship and honour.
For in the chaste, clene, chosin boure
Of maydenhede, this gavel grwe by kynde;
That whan the bretherne of Ioseph dyd bynde
Amydde the felde that dothe the vertu floure,
Was gadrede vp by clennesse euery dele;
Whom all the other gan worship and honour.
For in the chaste, clene, chosin boure
Of maydenhede, this gavel grwe by kynde;
That whan the bretherne of Ioseph dyd bynde
Eueryche his chefe, the byble can deuise,
How it stode vp a monge hem euerychone;
And all that othir gan at onys ryse,
And worshippede it mekely one by one.
For this Ioseph sawe this day a-lone,
Sonne and mone and sterres eke xie,
To hym obeye vppon the high hevyn.
How it stode vp a monge hem euerychone;
And all that othir gan at onys ryse,
And worshippede it mekely one by one.
For this Ioseph sawe this day a-lone,
Sonne and mone and sterres eke xie,
To hym obeye vppon the high hevyn.
486
And sothefaste garner of this holy grayne,
As saythe Guydo, was a mayde swete,
In whome was shet, sothely for to sayne,
The sacrede store and eke the halowede whete
Of the viie yere that dyd in plente flete.
For on this parfyte Rote that is so vertuouse,
The viie yeres of grayne so plentevouse
As saythe Guydo, was a mayde swete,
In whome was shet, sothely for to sayne,
The sacrede store and eke the halowede whete
Of the viie yere that dyd in plente flete.
For on this parfyte Rote that is so vertuouse,
The viie yeres of grayne so plentevouse
This day ben growe to full perfection,
To saue Egypt in his grete nede;
And for to be to hym savacion
In scarcyte whan that he hathe nede.
For this is the grayne that shall fostre and fede,
With full repaste to woman, child and man,
And all his brethern dwellyng in Canaan.
To saue Egypt in his grete nede;
And for to be to hym savacion
In scarcyte whan that he hathe nede.
For this is the grayne that shall fostre and fede,
With full repaste to woman, child and man,
And all his brethern dwellyng in Canaan.
487
This yonge Ioseph, this Ioseph the secunde,
Shall by his witte helpe and Releve,
And Iacob make in plente to habounde
With fulsom fode, at morew and eke at eve,
That the hungre on no syde greve
Of the viie yere vnto his lynage.
And like as Iosephe, in his tendre age,
Shall by his witte helpe and Releve,
And Iacob make in plente to habounde
With fulsom fode, at morew and eke at eve,
That the hungre on no syde greve
Of the viie yere vnto his lynage.
And like as Iosephe, in his tendre age,
Thought he sawe high vp in the hevyn
Sonne and mone in his avysion,
And ther with all sterres eke elleven,
Honour hym by grete devocyon,
So this Ioseph, excellyng of Renoun,
This newe Iosephe, criste Ihesu hym-self,
Of the sterres and the signes twelfe,
Sonne and mone in his avysion,
And ther with all sterres eke elleven,
Honour hym by grete devocyon,
So this Ioseph, excellyng of Renoun,
This newe Iosephe, criste Ihesu hym-self,
Of the sterres and the signes twelfe,
488
Honourede was with low subiection,
Though he lay lowe in an oxe stall.
For bothe troni and dominacion,
And holy the curte above celestiall,
This high feste for a memoriall,
The laudes songen in the hevynly quere;
Lyke as Dauid bad in the sauter:
Though he lay lowe in an oxe stall.
For bothe troni and dominacion,
And holy the curte above celestiall,
This high feste for a memoriall,
The laudes songen in the hevynly quere;
Lyke as Dauid bad in the sauter:
“Preysyth the lorde, of the high empere,”
And with o voys his birthe gloryfieth,
That hathe with loue brent and set afyre.
Seraphin wherfore hym magnyfieth,
Atwene two bestes though he in erthe lyeth,
Full humble thurgh his humylite,
And nowe this feste of the Natyvite,
And with o voys his birthe gloryfieth,
That hathe with loue brent and set afyre.
Seraphin wherfore hym magnyfieth,
Atwene two bestes though he in erthe lyeth,
Full humble thurgh his humylite,
And nowe this feste of the Natyvite,
489
The high Angels and virtutes all,
Presith hym as thay ben wonte to done.
And lete the swetnesse of your notes fall
Dovne to the erthe, wher goddes awne sonne
This day hathe ioye with vs to wonne,
And lithe now wrappede in his mothir barme;
Whome wel softely with hir holy Arme,
Presith hym as thay ben wonte to done.
And lete the swetnesse of your notes fall
Dovne to the erthe, wher goddes awne sonne
This day hathe ioye with vs to wonne,
And lithe now wrappede in his mothir barme;
Whome wel softely with hir holy Arme,
And with the fayrenesse of hir fyngers white,
Hir yonge childe mekely dothe embrace,
And so moche in hert dothe delite
His tendre lymmes to welden and compace,
Ande to biholde the goodlyeste face,
That euere was forged by nature.
For it was he, I dar yov well assure,
Hir yonge childe mekely dothe embrace,
And so moche in hert dothe delite
His tendre lymmes to welden and compace,
Ande to biholde the goodlyeste face,
That euere was forged by nature.
For it was he, I dar yov well assure,
490
Whome she behelde with her eyne meke,
That from eterne was in his faders [thought]
And oon with hym, who can take kepe,
His owene worde that al made of nouȝt,
Whome a mayde hathe to mankynde brought,
Thorugh hir mekenesse of hevyn and erthe quene,
The lyneall stok of Iuda to sustene.
That from eterne was in his faders [thought]
And oon with hym, who can take kepe,
His owene worde that al made of nouȝt,
Whome a mayde hathe to mankynde brought,
Thorugh hir mekenesse of hevyn and erthe quene,
The lyneall stok of Iuda to sustene.
Whome that Iacob on his fatall day,
Whan attropos gan his threde vntwyne,
Whiche cloto had put long in delaye,
And lachasis, or thay wolde it fyne,
Gan to blisse and thus of hym defyne,
Whan all his bretherne stoden envyron,
This olde gray, with a full softe soun:
Whan attropos gan his threde vntwyne,
Whiche cloto had put long in delaye,
And lachasis, or thay wolde it fyne,
Gan to blisse and thus of hym defyne,
Whan all his bretherne stoden envyron,
This olde gray, with a full softe soun:
491
“O Iuda, Iuda, thy bretherne euerychone
Shall prese and worship the high renoun
Of thyne estate, which shall of all thy fone
The pryde opresse, and make hem loute dovne;
That shal be cleped the whelpe of the lioun,
The Royall beste whiche, maugre who saythe nay,
Shall myghty be to cache and take his pray
Shall prese and worship the high renoun
Of thyne estate, which shall of all thy fone
The pryde opresse, and make hem loute dovne;
That shal be cleped the whelpe of the lioun,
The Royall beste whiche, maugre who saythe nay,
Shall myghty be to cache and take his pray
And proudely bere it home vnto his cave,—
My sonne Iuda, in thy dredfull tene,
For thorugh thy myght thou shalt victory haue,
Maugre echone that the reuers mene.
For who shall mowe withstonden or susteyne
Thy kyngly power, to make resistence
A-gayne thy manhode and thy magnyficence,
My sonne Iuda, in thy dredfull tene,
For thorugh thy myght thou shalt victory haue,
Maugre echone that the reuers mene.
For who shall mowe withstonden or susteyne
Thy kyngly power, to make resistence
A-gayne thy manhode and thy magnyficence,
492
That shall in the so clerly shewe and shyne
Withoutyn clipsyng or any manere clowde;
The septre of whome, in sothe, shall neuere fyne,
To be famous by Reporte lowe and lowede,
Nor neuere sese in couerte ne in shrowde
Till a duke aryse of thy kynrede,
Whom all the world shall obey and drede.
Withoutyn clipsyng or any manere clowde;
The septre of whome, in sothe, shall neuere fyne,
To be famous by Reporte lowe and lowede,
Nor neuere sese in couerte ne in shrowde
Till a duke aryse of thy kynrede,
Whom all the world shall obey and drede.
The whiche, in sothe, is for to be sente
Ouȝt of thi sed by dwe successioun,
Liche a kyng to holde his parleamente,
With his legees a-mydde his region,
And he shall be to euery nacion
Sothefaste abydyng and socour in her nede.
And he shall bynde his myghty sterne stede,
Ouȝt of thi sed by dwe successioun,
Liche a kyng to holde his parleamente,
With his legees a-mydde his region,
And he shall be to euery nacion
Sothefaste abydyng and socour in her nede.
And he shall bynde his myghty sterne stede,
493
Of verrey fors, at the holesome vyne;
And tye his asse vindir the grapes Rede.
Ande he his stole þat lyke to golde doth shine,
And his palle, by myght of his manhede,
He shall wasshe in grapes that shull blede
The Rede blode, depper than skarlet hewe.
And thus arayede in his vesture newe,
And tye his asse vindir the grapes Rede.
Ande he his stole þat lyke to golde doth shine,
And his palle, by myght of his manhede,
He shall wasshe in grapes that shull blede
The Rede blode, depper than skarlet hewe.
And thus arayede in his vesture newe,
Of loke he shall be sterner to by-holde,
Than the stremes of the light sterre;
And of eyne fayrer many folde,
Thanne wyn fined shynynge thorowe a verre
And like yuoury that comes fro so fer,
His tethe shall be evyn smothe and white.”
And liche, in sothe, as Ioseph lust endyte,
Than the stremes of the light sterre;
And of eyne fayrer many folde,
Thanne wyn fined shynynge thorowe a verre
And like yuoury that comes fro so fer,
His tethe shall be evyn smothe and white.”
And liche, in sothe, as Ioseph lust endyte,
494
The sonne of Iacob in his testament,
Wherto his children he maketh mencion,
To-fore his dethe, with full deuoute entent,
In his presence as they knelyn adovne,
To hem Rehersyng the grete avysion
Whiche he had in egipt gone full yore,
In a foreste, among the holteȝ hore,—
Wherto his children he maketh mencion,
To-fore his dethe, with full deuoute entent,
In his presence as they knelyn adovne,
To hem Rehersyng the grete avysion
Whiche he had in egipt gone full yore,
In a foreste, among the holteȝ hore,—
How that he sawe twelfe hertes white,
Full lustely goon in her pasture.
And aftir that, as Lincolne liste to wryte,
He sawe of Iuda borne a creature,
Of thought and dede, a verrey mayden pure.
And in his dreme, hym thought he dyd sene
Of hir brought furthe, withoutyn spote all clene,
Full lustely goon in her pasture.
And aftir that, as Lincolne liste to wryte,
He sawe of Iuda borne a creature,
Of thought and dede, a verrey mayden pure.
And in his dreme, hym thought he dyd sene
Of hir brought furthe, withoutyn spote all clene,
495
A lambe moste fayre to his inspection,
That euere he sawe vnto his pleasaunce;
On whose lefte hande stode a fyers lyon,
And bestes many by one alyaunce,
That were in erthe thorugh cruell resemblaunce,
Aforsyng hem by sheltroun in batayle,
By felle malice, the fayre lambe to assayle.
That euere he sawe vnto his pleasaunce;
On whose lefte hande stode a fyers lyon,
And bestes many by one alyaunce,
That were in erthe thorugh cruell resemblaunce,
Aforsyng hem by sheltroun in batayle,
By felle malice, the fayre lambe to assayle.
But or that thay avayle myght in fyght,
The lambes power made hem for to dye;
And hem venquyschede thorugh his humble myght,
That man and Angell, when thay this conqueste seye,
Thay fell downe streght and the lambe obeye,
That was sent of god, this meke werryour,
The whiche was borne to ben our savyour,
The lambes power made hem for to dye;
And hem venquyschede thorugh his humble myght,
That man and Angell, when thay this conqueste seye,
Thay fell downe streght and the lambe obeye,
That was sent of god, this meke werryour,
The whiche was borne to ben our savyour,
496
And to mankynde full protection,
To sle the lyon, that he may not endure.
And acordyng with this avysion,
This lambe of god, clad in our armoure,
This day was borne of a mayden pure,
And lorde of all, here in a lytyll cage,
By Right lyne discended oute of the lynage
To sle the lyon, that he may not endure.
And acordyng with this avysion,
This lambe of god, clad in our armoure,
This day was borne of a mayden pure,
And lorde of all, here in a lytyll cage,
By Right lyne discended oute of the lynage
Of the worthy and myghty bretherne two;
As a burgeon oute of a stoke growyng,
Right so this childe, fro levy and also
Frome myghty Iuda, growe oute succedyng,
Borne of the blode to be preste and kyng,
So entermellyde by succession
Of bothe was the generacioun,
As a burgeon oute of a stoke growyng,
Right so this childe, fro levy and also
Frome myghty Iuda, growe oute succedyng,
Borne of the blode to be preste and kyng,
So entermellyde by succession
Of bothe was the generacioun,
497
Tyll the braunches be ronne and so ferre gone,
By lyneall cours descendyng as a stayre,
Til the kynredes were growe bothe in-to oone,
In-to o braunche to haue his repayre,—
Þat was preued pleynly to be ayre,
The right of levy in presthode to succede;
And by Iuste tytle, who so lust take hede,
By lyneall cours descendyng as a stayre,
Til the kynredes were growe bothe in-to oone,
In-to o braunche to haue his repayre,—
Þat was preued pleynly to be ayre,
The right of levy in presthode to succede;
And by Iuste tytle, who so lust take hede,
For to be kyng and bere the diademe
Aftir his fadre, and to be successoure
To worthy Iuda, all Israel to queme,
To ben hir prince and myghty gouernoure.
And from Iacob this burion and this floure
Firste gan spring to Iesse, till it raught
And so furthe dovne, till the buddes caught
Aftir his fadre, and to be successoure
To worthy Iuda, all Israel to queme,
To ben hir prince and myghty gouernoure.
And from Iacob this burion and this floure
Firste gan spring to Iesse, till it raught
And so furthe dovne, till the buddes caught
498
[[XLIX]]
The holy sydes of a pure virgyne,
To bere the frute that shall mankynde save.
And nowe this day, the prophecye to fyne,
In Bedlem within a lityll caue,
Kynde and a mayde suche werre haue,
For this matier: howe in a creature
Two names myght Iustely, by nature
To bere the frute that shall mankynde save.
And nowe this day, the prophecye to fyne,
In Bedlem within a lityll caue,
Kynde and a mayde suche werre haue,
For this matier: howe in a creature
Two names myght Iustely, by nature
That be contrarie, haue her restynge place,
For mayde and mother, shortly for to saye,
In o person to-gyder may nat trace,
For by kynde the tone moot voyde awaye.
But in this case, nature dyd obeye
To a mayde, and gafe vp hol her right,
Wysely aduertyng she was to feble of myght
For mayde and mother, shortly for to saye,
In o person to-gyder may nat trace,
For by kynde the tone moot voyde awaye.
But in this case, nature dyd obeye
To a mayde, and gafe vp hol her right,
Wysely aduertyng she was to feble of myght
499
In this matier to holde champartye
With hir that was of face moste benygne.
Wherfore she voydyth all Rancour and envye,
And humbly hir quarell dothe Resigne.
For it were veyne, nature to malingne,
Though she of kynde be the Empresse,
Ayeyne hir lorde that made hir so maystresse,
With hir that was of face moste benygne.
Wherfore she voydyth all Rancour and envye,
And humbly hir quarell dothe Resigne.
For it were veyne, nature to malingne,
Though she of kynde be the Empresse,
Ayeyne hir lorde that made hir so maystresse,
That she mot nede of necessite
In euerythyng to his will obeye,
And be ministre vnto his volunte,
Sithen of hir myght he berythe hym-self the keye.
For vnto hir, by no manere waye,
It is no wrong ne no preiudice,
Though of a mayde withoutyn synne or vyce,
In euerythyng to his will obeye,
And be ministre vnto his volunte,
Sithen of hir myght he berythe hym-self the keye.
For vnto hir, by no manere waye,
It is no wrong ne no preiudice,
Though of a mayde withoutyn synne or vyce,
500
That was so holy and parfite founde at all,
He wolde of grace descenden doun full lowe
To take the clothyng frele and mortall
Of our kynde, to make a burioun growe,
That neuere was of man sette ne sowe.
But with a worde, and the consentyng
Of a mayden, a graffe so burgenyng
He wolde of grace descenden doun full lowe
To take the clothyng frele and mortall
Of our kynde, to make a burioun growe,
That neuere was of man sette ne sowe.
But with a worde, and the consentyng
Of a mayden, a graffe so burgenyng
Of Iuda stok this day gan a-pere,
Whan criste was borne of a mayden free.
And the fader sent his sonne so dere
Dovn to the erthe to make an vnyte,
By parfyte love and fervent charyte,
Eternally by bonde that may not fayle,
Fully assuryng by weddyng and sponsayle,
Whan criste was borne of a mayden free.
And the fader sent his sonne so dere
Dovn to the erthe to make an vnyte,
By parfyte love and fervent charyte,
Eternally by bonde that may not fayle,
Fully assuryng by weddyng and sponsayle,
501
Be-twene his sonne and his chosyn ayre,
And holy chirche perpetually to laste.
And in a chaunbre, by excellence fayre,
Of maydenhede that hym-self caste,
The holy knotte and the bounde so faste,
So bonden was that it may neuere vntwyne;
And of that araye fully to determyne,
And holy chirche perpetually to laste.
And in a chaunbre, by excellence fayre,
Of maydenhede that hym-self caste,
The holy knotte and the bounde so faste,
So bonden was that it may neuere vntwyne;
And of that araye fully to determyne,
Where the fest and the weddynge was,
In all the erthe, halowede and yholde,
In a closet more clere þan verre or glas,
Or any byrell bryght to be-holde.
For by recorde of patriarkes olde,
The chaste chaumbre was within adornede
With golde of feith fayre and bright borned,
In all the erthe, halowede and yholde,
In a closet more clere þan verre or glas,
Or any byrell bryght to be-holde.
For by recorde of patriarkes olde,
The chaste chaumbre was within adornede
With golde of feith fayre and bright borned,
502
With charite, that yeveth so clere a light
To Recomforte all that ben in presence,
And with siluere depurede oute so bright,
Thorough the high wisdome of gostely sapience,
And all the Gemmes that hauen excellence
In morall vertu for to shewe and shyne,
Þe closet chose so clerli enlumine
To Recomforte all that ben in presence,
And with siluere depurede oute so bright,
Thorough the high wisdome of gostely sapience,
And all the Gemmes that hauen excellence
In morall vertu for to shewe and shyne,
Þe closet chose so clerli enlumine
That of vnclennes ther may noo clipsyng be,
So fulsome light is ther of parfytenesse.
For ther the violet, men may be holde and se,
Of clene entent and of holynesse,
Withe Roses strawede, in god to haue swetnesse;
Ande with lylies of chastite y-meint,
And ther-of colour that neuere wolbe fayent;
So fulsome light is ther of parfytenesse.
For ther the violet, men may be holde and se,
Of clene entent and of holynesse,
Withe Roses strawede, in god to haue swetnesse;
Ande with lylies of chastite y-meint,
And ther-of colour that neuere wolbe fayent;
503
Wher violettes bytokenyng maydenhede,
Like to purpill in signe of victorie.
And in this chaumbre full of honeste drede,
The chosen closet, the chase oratorye,
This day, in sothe, the high kyng of glorye,
To shewe his myght, how he for man gan [wyrche],
And howe he hathe spousede our mothir holy chirche,
Like to purpill in signe of victorie.
And in this chaumbre full of honeste drede,
The chosen closet, the chase oratorye,
This day, in sothe, the high kyng of glorye,
To shewe his myght, how he for man gan [wyrche],
And howe he hathe spousede our mothir holy chirche,
And like a spouse he procedyde is
Oute of his chaumbre, for to rectifie
All that was wronge or in our kynde amys;
Wherfore his feste we aught to gloryfye.
Full long a-gone, to syng his psalmodye,
The kyng Dauid entune dyd his harpe,
And withe the tenoures and the trebles sharpe,
Oute of his chaumbre, for to rectifie
All that was wronge or in our kynde amys;
Wherfore his feste we aught to gloryfye.
Full long a-gone, to syng his psalmodye,
The kyng Dauid entune dyd his harpe,
And withe the tenoures and the trebles sharpe,
504
He to heuene gan en-haunce and ryse
This day of dayes, moste worthy and famous.
And all prophetes in hir sawes preyse
This noble feste, this feste so graciouse;
And from hevyn, with voys melodiouse,
Angelles full lowe Swiftely dovne a-light,
For to honour this holy sacrede nyght,—
This day of dayes, moste worthy and famous.
And all prophetes in hir sawes preyse
This noble feste, this feste so graciouse;
And from hevyn, with voys melodiouse,
Angelles full lowe Swiftely dovne a-light,
For to honour this holy sacrede nyght,—
The nyght of nyghtes, highest of ycheone,
Excelling all as in worthynesse.
For in this worlde was creature noon,—
In hevyn ne herth, nor in sothefastnesse,
In lande nor see, that with grete bysynes
Her deyuere dyd this nyght, to honour
Hym that was borne mankynde to socour.
Excelling all as in worthynesse.
For in this worlde was creature noon,—
In hevyn ne herth, nor in sothefastnesse,
In lande nor see, that with grete bysynes
Her deyuere dyd this nyght, to honour
Hym that was borne mankynde to socour.
505
[[L]]
Howe the chefe temple of Rome fel doun the nyght of cristes birthe and of othir wondrefull tokens Cao 1o 16
Was sothely shewed his Natyvyte
In Bedleme: how that of a mayden pure
A childe was borne, moste souerayne of degre.
And firste of all, in Rome the Cyte,
His birthe was shewede by myracle.
For wall and Roof, tours and pynacle
Of the Temple moste famous in the towne,
To god of pees that was consecrate,
The same nyght to grovnde fel adovne,
Pleyne with the erthe, wast and desolate;
In whiche temple, moste Riall of estate,
The statute stode of myghty Romulous,
And at the byldyng, the story tellyth thus,
To god of pees that was consecrate,
The same nyght to grovnde fel adovne,
Pleyne with the erthe, wast and desolate;
In whiche temple, moste Riall of estate,
The statute stode of myghty Romulous,
And at the byldyng, the story tellyth thus,
506
Of this temple, thay of Rome wente
To appollo with humble sacryfice,
To haue ansewer in hir beste entent,
How longe this fane Riall of asyse,
So strong bilt, and in so thrifty wyse,
That it shulde lasten, and so to endure
Ayeyne a-sault of any aventure,
To appollo with humble sacryfice,
To haue ansewer in hir beste entent,
How longe this fane Riall of asyse,
So strong bilt, and in so thrifty wyse,
That it shulde lasten, and so to endure
Ayeyne a-sault of any aventure,
Or perturbyng on any maner syde.
And he yaf ansewer vnto one and all,
Howe this temple with his walleȝ wyde,
With his creseȝ and batelyng Riall,
Shall euere stonde sure withoutyn fall,
Vnto the tyme that a mayde childe.
And thay a-none that firste made it bilde,
And he yaf ansewer vnto one and all,
Howe this temple with his walleȝ wyde,
With his creseȝ and batelyng Riall,
Shall euere stonde sure withoutyn fall,
Vnto the tyme that a mayde childe.
And thay a-none that firste made it bilde,
507
Of this answer glade and full credible
That this temple euere shulde stande.
For hem thought it was inpossible,
A mayde euere, othir on see or lande,
To haue a childe, and so thay vndirstonde.
And thay a-noon yaf the temple a name,
By one assente, for the grete fame,
That this temple euere shulde stande.
For hem thought it was inpossible,
A mayde euere, othir on see or lande,
To haue a childe, and so thay vndirstonde.
And thay a-noon yaf the temple a name,
By one assente, for the grete fame,
And called it, as I can discerne,
The Temple of pees with his wallys white;
And ther-with-all namede it eterne,
And at the entre so thay dyd wryte.
But on the nyght, the trouthe to endite,
Whan criste was borne of a mayden clene,
This temple fel doun endelong the grene,
The Temple of pees with his wallys white;
And ther-with-all namede it eterne,
And at the entre so thay dyd wryte.
But on the nyght, the trouthe to endite,
Whan criste was borne of a mayden clene,
This temple fel doun endelong the grene,
508
To fulfill the trwe prophecye
Of appollo that tolde hem all this thyng.
Ande in that place in wurship of marie
And of hir sone of heuene and erth kynge,
Stant a cherche ful of byldynge.
And even like the self same tyme,
The grete statute, long or it were prime,
Of appollo that tolde hem all this thyng.
Ande in that place in wurship of marie
And of hir sone of heuene and erth kynge,
Stant a cherche ful of byldynge.
And even like the self same tyme,
The grete statute, long or it were prime,
Of Romulus that was deifyede,
Fell to erthe and braste on peces small;
And thogh Romaynes made hym stellifiede,
His greate hede for all that dyd avale;
Of whome also, the werkeman made a tale
That forget it many day affore,
And sayde, in sothe, till a childe be bore
Fell to erthe and braste on peces small;
And thogh Romaynes made hym stellifiede,
His greate hede for all that dyd avale;
Of whome also, the werkeman made a tale
That forget it many day affore,
And sayde, in sothe, till a childe be bore
509
Of a mayde, it shulde stonde vp-Right,
Þis grete ymage, and neuere his hede encline;
But he aloute vpon the same nyght,
Whan crist was borne of a pure virgyne,
Like as the werkemen dyd afore devyne,
Ayene the conseyte and the entencion
Of that he ment in his opynyon.
Þis grete ymage, and neuere his hede encline;
But he aloute vpon the same nyght,
Whan crist was borne of a pure virgyne,
Like as the werkemen dyd afore devyne,
Ayene the conseyte and the entencion
Of that he ment in his opynyon.
I fynde also, that the skyes donne,
Whiche of custome corteyne so the nyght,
The same tyme with a sodeyne sonne
Enchasede were, that it wex as light
As at mydday, whan phebus is moste bright,
To shewe sothely that the sonne of lyfe
Was borne that nyght, to stynte all our stryfe.
Whiche of custome corteyne so the nyght,
The same tyme with a sodeyne sonne
Enchasede were, that it wex as light
As at mydday, whan phebus is moste bright,
To shewe sothely that the sonne of lyfe
Was borne that nyght, to stynte all our stryfe.
510
[[LI]]
And even than, also as bokes telle,
In verrey sothe, withoutyn any werre,
The selfe tyme in Rome was a well,
Of his stremes passyngely entiere
To loke vpon as any cristal clere,
From his vaynes as it dyd boyle;
Of whiche the water chaunged into oyle
In verrey sothe, withoutyn any werre,
The selfe tyme in Rome was a well,
Of his stremes passyngely entiere
To loke vpon as any cristal clere,
From his vaynes as it dyd boyle;
Of whiche the water chaunged into oyle
The same nyght, and to Tybre Ran
So large plentee that all myght it see.
Of whiche well longe before or than,
Al opynly, in Rome the Cytee,
Sybelle the wyse, that had souereygnete
Of prophecye, playnely wrote and tolde,
That the water of this well shulde
So large plentee that all myght it see.
Of whiche well longe before or than,
Al opynly, in Rome the Cytee,
Sybelle the wyse, that had souereygnete
Of prophecye, playnely wrote and tolde,
That the water of this well shulde
511
The same nyght chaunge his lycour
Into oyle, and so a day endure,
Whan of this worlde was borne the savyour,
In Bedlem of a mayde pure.
And as I fynde also in scripture,
The same day, high in the firmament
Towarde the partye of the oryent,
Into oyle, and so a day endure,
Whan of this worlde was borne the savyour,
In Bedlem of a mayde pure.
And as I fynde also in scripture,
The same day, high in the firmament
Towarde the partye of the oryent,
Wer seyn thre sonnes lustyly apeer,—
Eueryche of hem large Rounde and bright;
That caste abrode her fayre beameȝ clere,
Thourgh all the world in euery manes sight.
The whiche sonnes drowe lyne Right,
Her cours holdyng in hast and that a-noon,
Till all thre were Ioynede into oon;
Eueryche of hem large Rounde and bright;
That caste abrode her fayre beameȝ clere,
Thourgh all the world in euery manes sight.
The whiche sonnes drowe lyne Right,
Her cours holdyng in hast and that a-noon,
Till all thre were Ioynede into oon;
512
To mankynde playnely to declare
That he was bore, in whom were founded thre,
To encrece our Ioye and also our welfare,
Flesshe and soule, and eke the deyte,
Knytte all in one by sothefaste vnyte;
Which as a sonne, voydyng schoure and shade,
Was borne this day all the worlde to glade.
That he was bore, in whom were founded thre,
To encrece our Ioye and also our welfare,
Flesshe and soule, and eke the deyte,
Knytte all in one by sothefaste vnyte;
Which as a sonne, voydyng schoure and shade,
Was borne this day all the worlde to glade.
[[LII]]
Also in rome, as wryghtet innocent,
In his cronycle makyng mencion,
How the Senates, all by one assent
In concistorye, of affection
Whiche thay hadde in her opynyon,
Vnto her noble and miȝti Emperour
Octouyan, of worthynesse the flour,
In his cronycle makyng mencion,
How the Senates, all by one assent
In concistorye, of affection
Whiche thay hadde in her opynyon,
Vnto her noble and miȝti Emperour
Octouyan, of worthynesse the flour,
513
Wolden Ichone hym haue deyfyede,
And callede hym by name Immortall.
The whiche thyng when he had espyede,
As he that was ful prudent founde at all,
To his presence made a-noon to calle
Sybelle, that was myrrour of sapyence,
Here vpon to here, her sentence;
And callede hym by name Immortall.
The whiche thyng when he had espyede,
As he that was ful prudent founde at all,
To his presence made a-noon to calle
Sybelle, that was myrrour of sapyence,
Here vpon to here, her sentence;
And ther-with-all that she moot dyffyne,—
Withoutyn doute of ambyguyte,
As fer in sothe as phebus dothe now shyne,—
If ther wer any of power more than he,
Or peregall vnto his degre,
Fro Est to west, here in erthe lowe,
In all this worlde that she couthe of knowe.
Withoutyn doute of ambyguyte,
As fer in sothe as phebus dothe now shyne,—
If ther wer any of power more than he,
Or peregall vnto his degre,
Fro Est to west, here in erthe lowe,
In all this worlde that she couthe of knowe.
514
And this was done vpon the selfe day
Whan criste was borne in Bedlem by myracle.
And she full wysely putte hym in delaye,
To yef ansewer makyng a small obstacle;
Til at the laste, the fin of hir oracle,
Amydde the chaumbre of the Emperour,
Stondyng envyron many a Senatour,
Whan criste was borne in Bedlem by myracle.
And she full wysely putte hym in delaye,
To yef ansewer makyng a small obstacle;
Til at the laste, the fin of hir oracle,
Amydde the chaumbre of the Emperour,
Stondyng envyron many a Senatour,
Was playnely this, with chere and face bolde,
“O Emperour, lifte vp a-noon thyne eyne,
And loke vp yonder, and se the cercle of golde
A-boute the sonne, whiche easi is to asspyen,
And ther by-holde, thou maiste it not denyen,
A mayde sitte, of beaute moost souereyne,
Holdyng a childe in her Armes tweyne.”
“O Emperour, lifte vp a-noon thyne eyne,
And loke vp yonder, and se the cercle of golde
A-boute the sonne, whiche easi is to asspyen,
And ther by-holde, thou maiste it not denyen,
A mayde sitte, of beaute moost souereyne,
Holdyng a childe in her Armes tweyne.”
515
And right a-noon, as this Octovyan
Sawe the childe by clere inspection,
Withoute abode, a voys he herde than
From a-lofte into the chaumbre doune:
“By-holde and se with humble affection,
This is the auctor of the high heven,
Sette in the sonne, clere as any leven.”
Sawe the childe by clere inspection,
Withoute abode, a voys he herde than
From a-lofte into the chaumbre doune:
“By-holde and se with humble affection,
This is the auctor of the high heven,
Sette in the sonne, clere as any leven.”
Where Sybell all a-brode gan saye
To hym a-none, and list not to abyde:
“Thy crovne avale, and the childe obeye,
Whos face bright the sonne may not hyde.
And lat nowe be thy pompe and all thy pryde.”
And at oo worde she plattely gan hym telle,
The childes myght his power dyd excelle.
To hym a-none, and list not to abyde:
“Thy crovne avale, and the childe obeye,
Whos face bright the sonne may not hyde.
And lat nowe be thy pompe and all thy pryde.”
And at oo worde she plattely gan hym telle,
The childes myght his power dyd excelle.
516
Whiche thyng whan he gan playnely vndirstande,
Of faythefull will and hole herte entere,
He knelyde dovne and list no longer stande;
And with encens cast in the sencere,
He dyd worship vnto the Autere,
And to the childe moste excellent of fame,
And liste no more vsurpe on hym the name,
Of faythefull will and hole herte entere,
He knelyde dovne and list no longer stande;
And with encens cast in the sencere,
He dyd worship vnto the Autere,
And to the childe moste excellent of fame,
And liste no more vsurpe on hym the name,
To be callede, ayenste alle skylle and Right,
Wrongfully a god, sithen ther is but one.
And Right a-noon, this noble worthy knyght,
Thorowe ouȝt the worlde his precept made to gone,
To provynces and contreyes euerychone,
Vpon payne of dethe, that noon of hem all
Be hardy more a god hym for to calle.
Wrongfully a god, sithen ther is but one.
And Right a-noon, this noble worthy knyght,
Thorowe ouȝt the worlde his precept made to gone,
To provynces and contreyes euerychone,
Vpon payne of dethe, that noon of hem all
Be hardy more a god hym for to calle.
517
For he well wiste, by signes opynly
And evydenceȝ, eke in speciall
Ther was oon borne, of power more worthy
Then was hym-self, and thereto Immortall
To whome no kyng on erthe is peragall
In all this worlde, of high ne lowe estate
And for this skylle, aftir dedicate
And evydenceȝ, eke in speciall
Ther was oon borne, of power more worthy
Then was hym-self, and thereto Immortall
To whome no kyng on erthe is peragall
In all this worlde, of high ne lowe estate
And for this skylle, aftir dedicate
Was that chaumbre, by high devocion
To marye playnely, this is noo naye
And called eke, for this avysion
Ara celi, yet into this daye
The name abyt, and slydeth not awaye
Ne lesith not, the light of his brightnesse
Thourgh noon eclippsyng, of foryetylnesse
To marye playnely, this is noo naye
And called eke, for this avysion
Ara celi, yet into this daye
The name abyt, and slydeth not awaye
Ne lesith not, the light of his brightnesse
Thourgh noon eclippsyng, of foryetylnesse
518
[[LIII]]
And in Engady, the lusty large vynes,
That tyme in the yere of her kynde bare,
Gan floresshe and floure and in-stede of wynes,
Withe Riche Bavme her braunches to repayre.
And the vertu that wyntre made bare,
Thourgh constreynyng of colde in the Rote,
Nature made with fresshe blossomes soote,
That tyme in the yere of her kynde bare,
Gan floresshe and floure and in-stede of wynes,
Withe Riche Bavme her braunches to repayre.
And the vertu that wyntre made bare,
Thourgh constreynyng of colde in the Rote,
Nature made with fresshe blossomes soote,
To assende vpon this same nyght
Vnto the croppe, with frute and levys newe;
Makyng the bowes as lusty to the sight,—
As fresshe as fayre of colour and of hewe,
And as plentevous her colour to Renewe,—
As in Septembre whan Bachus hathe power
To shewe his myght that tyme of the yere.
Vnto the croppe, with frute and levys newe;
Makyng the bowes as lusty to the sight,—
As fresshe as fayre of colour and of hewe,
And as plentevous her colour to Renewe,—
As in Septembre whan Bachus hathe power
To shewe his myght that tyme of the yere.
519
Loo howe the lorde and the myghty kyng,
That hathe lordship ouere grape and vine,
Vnto whose myght euery manere thyng.—
Hevyn and erthe,—lowly muste enclyne,
Gan braunches bere with fresche floures fyne
Araye newe, though thay be seer and olde,
In frosty wynter and in wedir colde,
That hathe lordship ouere grape and vine,
Vnto whose myght euery manere thyng.—
Hevyn and erthe,—lowly muste enclyne,
Gan braunches bere with fresche floures fyne
Araye newe, though thay be seer and olde,
In frosty wynter and in wedir colde,
As in somer whan phebus is a-lofte,
Whan flora Reignyth in may and in aprill,
And make blossomes to ben as smothe and softe
Amyde Decembre, whan men for colde so chille.
Wherefore this feste, frely at his wille,—
The nyght I mene, of his Natiuyte,—
To shewe his myght in herbe, floure, and tre,
Whan flora Reignyth in may and in aprill,
And make blossomes to ben as smothe and softe
Amyde Decembre, whan men for colde so chille.
Wherefore this feste, frely at his wille,—
The nyght I mene, of his Natiuyte,—
To shewe his myght in herbe, floure, and tre,
520
He made the vynes, as ye haue herde me sayne,
In Engady her bavme for to shede,
Whan thay were moste nakede and barayne
And oute of season, who so can take hede.
Of whiche nyght long afore, I rede
That in Egipt the prophete Ieremyee,
Full opynly in his prophecye,
In Engady her bavme for to shede,
Whan thay were moste nakede and barayne
And oute of season, who so can take hede.
Of whiche nyght long afore, I rede
That in Egipt the prophete Ieremyee,
Full opynly in his prophecye,
To the prestes of that kyngdome tolde
That the Idoles of her temples alle,
With-outyn arest, by myracle sholde
Breke her neckeȝ and to grounde falle,
Whan a mayde in an oxe stalle
Hathe borne a childe, this thyng shall be-tyde.
Wherefore the prestes in her fanes wyde,
That the Idoles of her temples alle,
With-outyn arest, by myracle sholde
Breke her neckeȝ and to grounde falle,
Whan a mayde in an oxe stalle
Hathe borne a childe, this thyng shall be-tyde.
Wherefore the prestes in her fanes wyde,
521
Of verrey faythe and of high credence,
Secrely vpon a lytyll stage,
Vpon his worde with humble reuerence,
Of a mayde let make an Image,
And in her Arme, a childe of tendre age;
Doyng ther-to in her paynyme wyse,
Aftir her Riteȝ, a manere sacryfise.
Secrely vpon a lytyll stage,
Vpon his worde with humble reuerence,
Of a mayde let make an Image,
And in her Arme, a childe of tendre age;
Doyng ther-to in her paynyme wyse,
Aftir her Riteȝ, a manere sacryfise.
And on this feste, ay fro yere to yere,
Thay were a-waytyng whan it wolde be;
Til on a day of happe the kyng cam nere,—
The noble, worthy, and wyse Tholome,—
Þe whiche þing whanne þat he dide see,
A-noon of hem the cause he gan enquere,
Why or wherfore the Image was sette there.
Thay were a-waytyng whan it wolde be;
Til on a day of happe the kyng cam nere,—
The noble, worthy, and wyse Tholome,—
Þe whiche þing whanne þat he dide see,
A-noon of hem the cause he gan enquere,
Why or wherfore the Image was sette there.
522
And thay Ichone, of one entencion
Yaffe answer and lust not for to lye.
For it was ordenyde of olde tradicion,
Shewede to-forne by holy prophecye,
In whiche thay dyd faythefully aspye,
Vndispeirid the hest shal not varie
Of the prophete, awhile though it tarye.
Yaffe answer and lust not for to lye.
For it was ordenyde of olde tradicion,
Shewede to-forne by holy prophecye,
In whiche thay dyd faythefully aspye,
Vndispeirid the hest shal not varie
Of the prophete, awhile though it tarye.
And sothefastly, in conclusion,
Vpon the tyme of the Natyuyte,
The false Idoleȝ in Egipt fel adovne,
And al to-braste in peceȝ moo then thre;
To shewe truly that Iborne was hee,
Of heven and erthe that hath the Regalye,
And shall distroye al false mawmetre.
Vpon the tyme of the Natyuyte,
The false Idoleȝ in Egipt fel adovne,
And al to-braste in peceȝ moo then thre;
To shewe truly that Iborne was hee,
Of heven and erthe that hath the Regalye,
And shall distroye al false mawmetre.
523
[[LIIII]]
Howe Romayns whan thay had dominacion ouere all the worlde made hem an Image and callet it the Goddes Cao liiii 20
In his boke, Policraticon,
That whanne Romanes had excellence
Of high lordship, so many day a-gone,
And that peples and Regnes euerycheone
Stoden vnto hym vndir lowe seruage,
Fro yere to yere makyng a payage
Of a tribute that was customable,
To the Empyre of verrey dewte;
For whiche the Romanes and Senate honourable,
Whan thay flourede in moste felicite,
Devysed haue for a grete Ryalte,
A-myd her towne in moste worthy place,
A large statue, femynyne of face,
To the Empyre of verrey dewte;
For whiche the Romanes and Senate honourable,
Whan thay flourede in moste felicite,
Devysed haue for a grete Ryalte,
A-myd her towne in moste worthy place,
A large statue, femynyne of face,
524
That maked was of coper and of bras,
Large and long, and wonderfull to se,
And of entayle devydede the compace.
This grete ymage called sholde be
Goddes of Rome, and like a maieste,
In hir Right hande sholde also holde
A large worlde, full sterne to by-holde;
Large and long, and wonderfull to se,
And of entayle devydede the compace.
This grete ymage called sholde be
Goddes of Rome, and like a maieste,
In hir Right hande sholde also holde
A large worlde, full sterne to by-holde;
Whiche sholde of Roundenesse haue the fygure,
To signifie that sche moost glorious,
The cyte hathe holy in hir cure,
And howe by hir thay were victoriouse.
And here vp-on, moste excellent famous,
Thay dyd a werke-man seken vp and dovne,
It to performe, thorugh oute all the tovne,
To signifie that sche moost glorious,
The cyte hathe holy in hir cure,
And howe by hir thay were victoriouse.
And here vp-on, moste excellent famous,
Thay dyd a werke-man seken vp and dovne,
It to performe, thorugh oute all the tovne,
525
Till at laste, of happe sucheon thay fynde,
That passede all to werke in entyle,
And was sotyll bothe of witte and mynde,
To werke in metall, and sayde he wolde nat fayle
Of this emprise, that may so moche avayle
To the cyte, and shortly in this caas,
Thorugh his engyne, it performede was
That passede all to werke in entyle,
And was sotyll bothe of witte and mynde,
To werke in metall, and sayde he wolde nat fayle
Of this emprise, that may so moche avayle
To the cyte, and shortly in this caas,
Thorugh his engyne, it performede was
So Ryally, þat in the worlde noo man
Couthe a-mende it in that ilke tyde.
And to by-holde it, many a thousande ran,—
So gladde of it the were on euery syde;
Till at the laste, one of verrey pryde,
Presumptuously gan to cry and call,
Ande sayde shortly, the legges were to small
Couthe a-mende it in that ilke tyde.
And to by-holde it, many a thousande ran,—
So gladde of it the were on euery syde;
Till at the laste, one of verrey pryde,
Presumptuously gan to cry and call,
Ande sayde shortly, the legges were to small
526
So grete a werke longe to susteyne,
For lak only of gode proporcion.
Wher-of a-noon, with soden Ire and tene,
The werke man brent in his opynyon,
Rebukyng hym of his presompcion.
And sodenly perturbede in his mynde,
Answerde ayene, shortly as I fynde,
For lak only of gode proporcion.
Wher-of a-noon, with soden Ire and tene,
The werke man brent in his opynyon,
Rebukyng hym of his presompcion.
And sodenly perturbede in his mynde,
Answerde ayene, shortly as I fynde,
As it had ben halfendele in scorne,
And sayde: “frende, if thou canst vndirstande,
Til þat a childe be of a mayde borne,
I vndirtake þat this werke shall stonde.
Thyne hede is dulle on watir and on londe
To lak thyng thou canste not a mende.”
And the werkeman, sother then he wende,
And sayde: “frende, if thou canst vndirstande,
Til þat a childe be of a mayde borne,
I vndirtake þat this werke shall stonde.
Thyne hede is dulle on watir and on londe
To lak thyng thou canste not a mende.”
And the werkeman, sother then he wende,
527
Had of this werke sayde and prophecyede.
For on the nyght whan that criste was bore,
In verrey sothe, it may not be denyede,
Of bras the goddes is broken and to-tore,
And all the coste of the werke for-lore.
In signe only that the lorde and syre,
And myghty kyng of the high Empyre,
For on the nyght whan that criste was bore,
In verrey sothe, it may not be denyede,
Of bras the goddes is broken and to-tore,
And all the coste of the werke for-lore.
In signe only that the lorde and syre,
And myghty kyng of the high Empyre,
Was borne that tyme in the lityll towne
Of bedlem, of a pure virgyne;
To whose power and dominacion,
Grete Rome mekely shall enclyne.
For erthely lordship nedys muste fyne,
With all his pompe and lowte to hym lowe,
Whan the power of this kyng is knowe.
Of bedlem, of a pure virgyne;
To whose power and dominacion,
Grete Rome mekely shall enclyne.
For erthely lordship nedys muste fyne,
With all his pompe and lowte to hym lowe,
Whan the power of this kyng is knowe.
528
[[LV]]
And of this tyme, gone full many a yere,
Wyse Sibylle, called Tiburtyne,
Spake to the Senate full opynly and clere,
His dreme expoundyng of the sones nyne;
Which thay say all at ones shyne
Vpon a nyght, eueryliche full dyuerse,—
To hem declaryng playnely in her vers
Wyse Sibylle, called Tiburtyne,
Spake to the Senate full opynly and clere,
His dreme expoundyng of the sones nyne;
Which thay say all at ones shyne
Vpon a nyght, eueryliche full dyuerse,—
To hem declaryng playnely in her vers
That yche sonne in hir avysions,
Whiche on heven were so bright and fayre,
Betokenyth sothely the generacions
That shall succede, dyuers and contrarye.
Of whiche sonne shull vanysshe and appeyre,
And of beames waxen wonder donne,
Vnto the tyme that the viii sonne
Whiche on heven were so bright and fayre,
Betokenyth sothely the generacions
That shall succede, dyuers and contrarye.
Of whiche sonne shull vanysshe and appeyre,
And of beames waxen wonder donne,
Vnto the tyme that the viii sonne
529
His stremes shede Rede as any blode,
That specifieth the generacion,
That shall by kynde be furiouse and woode,
And to vertu full of rebellion;
Tyll ther be bore a myghty champion,
Oute of the stoke of Iuda, that shall haunte
His myghty hande, her tyranye to daunte;
That specifieth the generacion,
That shall by kynde be furiouse and woode,
And to vertu full of rebellion;
Tyll ther be bore a myghty champion,
Oute of the stoke of Iuda, that shall haunte
His myghty hande, her tyranye to daunte;
Whose mother shall come of the kynrede
Of the Ebrwes, and issewe of the lyne,
And oute of hem even Ilyke procede
As dothe a floure oute of the rough spyne.
And she shall be mothir and virgyne.
And tolde hem eke in hir prophycye,
Whan she is borne, haten shall Marye.
Of the Ebrwes, and issewe of the lyne,
And oute of hem even Ilyke procede
As dothe a floure oute of the rough spyne.
And she shall be mothir and virgyne.
And tolde hem eke in hir prophycye,
Whan she is borne, haten shall Marye.
530
And she shall be by holy election
Mothir to hym that is of power moste;
Of whome the birthe and the concepcion,
Shall fully be of the holy goste.
And he shall streche vnto euery coste
His grete kyngdome that shall neuere fyne.
And of his birthe she gan also devyne,
Mothir to hym that is of power moste;
Of whome the birthe and the concepcion,
Shall fully be of the holy goste.
And he shall streche vnto euery coste
His grete kyngdome that shall neuere fyne.
And of his birthe she gan also devyne,
And tolde hem furthe, affermyng sothefastly,
Whan he wer borne that he sholde be
Bothe god and man to-gyder verrely.
And of the nyght of his natyuyte,
[To hem of Rome many thynges tolde she];
And specially, what he shulde hight,
As opynly ye may haue a sight
Whan he wer borne that he sholde be
Bothe god and man to-gyder verrely.
And of the nyght of his natyuyte,
[To hem of Rome many thynges tolde she];
And specially, what he shulde hight,
As opynly ye may haue a sight
531
In thilke vers that allegede be
In grete Austyne, where ye may the name
In the begynnyng of Ihesus criste see;
And of his Renoune and of his grete fame,
And by and by, howe she dyd atame
To the Iewes his comyng euery dele.
Of whiche thyng lykynge no-thyng wele,
In grete Austyne, where ye may the name
In the begynnyng of Ihesus criste see;
And of his Renoune and of his grete fame,
And by and by, howe she dyd atame
To the Iewes his comyng euery dele.
Of whiche thyng lykynge no-thyng wele,
Certeyne presteȝ of the Iewes lawe
Gan to grocche as thay gafe audience,
And bad to hir her tunge to withdrawe,
And wolde haue putte hir for angre in sylence;
And liste of malise yeve noo credence
Vnto noo worde that she spake or sayde,
Tille þat she of sodeyne Ire abrayde,
Gan to grocche as thay gafe audience,
And bad to hir her tunge to withdrawe,
And wolde haue putte hir for angre in sylence;
And liste of malise yeve noo credence
Vnto noo worde that she spake or sayde,
Tille þat she of sodeyne Ire abrayde,
532
And sayde: “O Iewes, blynde with the skye
Of ignoraunce and malice indurate,
Ye shulle to hym of verrey fals envye
Be wykked rebel and obstynate,
And aye with hym ye holden shul debate.
And maugre yov and al your enemyte,
Yet shall he Regne and kyng crovnede be,
Of ignoraunce and malice indurate,
Ye shulle to hym of verrey fals envye
Be wykked rebel and obstynate,
And aye with hym ye holden shul debate.
And maugre yov and al your enemyte,
Yet shall he Regne and kyng crovnede be,
When he is borne in the herytage
Of his fadre, who-so that saythe nay,
And proceden oute of your lynage.”
And of his comyng shall be no delaye
And tolde hem eke playnely of the daye
Of his birthe, bet then I can ryme.
And like her worde, comen is the tyme,
Of his fadre, who-so that saythe nay,
And proceden oute of your lynage.”
And of his comyng shall be no delaye
And tolde hem eke playnely of the daye
Of his birthe, bet then I can ryme.
And like her worde, comen is the tyme,
533
The tyme of tymeȝ, the tyme of lyfe and grace,
The tyme of Ioye and no-thyng to morne,
Sythe he is borne with so fayre a face,
The golden worlde makyng to retourne,
The worlde of pece, the kyngdome of Satourne,
Of whiche some-tyme Proba that was wyfe
Of Adelphus, wrote in her lyfe.
The tyme of Ioye and no-thyng to morne,
Sythe he is borne with so fayre a face,
The golden worlde makyng to retourne,
The worlde of pece, the kyngdome of Satourne,
Of whiche some-tyme Proba that was wyfe
Of Adelphus, wrote in her lyfe.
[[LVI]]
The tyme also that is Auctorysede
Of propheteȝ in her prophecye,
Wher his comyng is opynly devysede.
Recorde I take firste of hym Abdye,
That sayde thus, the bible may not lye,
How in the hille playnely of Syon
Shall Ioye and helthe bothe come in one
Of propheteȝ in her prophecye,
Wher his comyng is opynly devysede.
Recorde I take firste of hym Abdye,
That sayde thus, the bible may not lye,
How in the hille playnely of Syon
Shall Ioye and helthe bothe come in one
534
Vnto mankynde, and saluacion
Where he set his kyngdome and his see;
Wherby is take the myghty Region
Of worthy Iuda, and he shall also be
Socour and helpe vnto Idumee
Of Esav, that callede is the hille,
To yoyne bothe to obeye his wille.
Where he set his kyngdome and his see;
Wherby is take the myghty Region
Of worthy Iuda, and he shall also be
Socour and helpe vnto Idumee
Of Esav, that callede is the hille,
To yoyne bothe to obeye his wille.
And Navm hight Iuda to be light,
And bad hym halowe his festeȝ principall.
For he that shall newe enspire his sight,
Ascendyd is vpon his hill Riall,
That shall be to the bothe toure and walle,
Chefe defence and protection
In euery woo and tribulacion.
And bad hym halowe his festeȝ principall.
For he that shall newe enspire his sight,
Ascendyd is vpon his hill Riall,
That shall be to the bothe toure and walle,
Chefe defence and protection
In euery woo and tribulacion.
535
And Abacuk makyng mencion
Of his comyng, whan he wrote in the tre
Of grene boxe his avysion,
Where he spake playnely of his Natyuyte,
And sayde his shynyng clere and light shall be.
And of the hornes he playnely gan to sayne
That he shall holde in his handeȝ twayne;
Of his comyng, whan he wrote in the tre
Of grene boxe his avysion,
Where he spake playnely of his Natyuyte,
And sayde his shynyng clere and light shall be.
And of the hornes he playnely gan to sayne
That he shall holde in his handeȝ twayne;
Wher-in is hydde his power and his myght,
That on his foon kyngely he shall shewe.
And of the hilles he telleth ther a-right,
How he shall bowe hem and the croppeȝ hewe.
And tellethe eke, in wordes not a fewe,
Of Ethiope and also madian
The tabernacles, how thay shall quake thanne.
That on his foon kyngely he shall shewe.
And of the hilles he telleth ther a-right,
How he shall bowe hem and the croppeȝ hewe.
And tellethe eke, in wordes not a fewe,
Of Ethiope and also madian
The tabernacles, how thay shall quake thanne.
536
And Baruk eke, scrybe of Ieremye,
Full opynly wrote of his comyng,
And bad loke vpe clerly with thyn eye.
And sayde of Dauid a burioun and the spryng
Shall be susteynede and Regne like a kyng.
And he shall do, thourgh his worthynesse,
Dome in erthe and also Rightwysnesse.
Full opynly wrote of his comyng,
And bad loke vpe clerly with thyn eye.
And sayde of Dauid a burioun and the spryng
Shall be susteynede and Regne like a kyng.
And he shall do, thourgh his worthynesse,
Dome in erthe and also Rightwysnesse.
And Sophone bad abyde awhile
Vpon this day with devocyon,
For he shall gadre oute of euery Ile,
Of eche kyngdome and euery regyon,
His peple in one of high affection.
And also ther, as he maketh mynde,
Fro the flodes of Ethiope and Inde,
Vpon this day with devocyon,
For he shall gadre oute of euery Ile,
Of eche kyngdome and euery regyon,
His peple in one of high affection.
And also ther, as he maketh mynde,
Fro the flodes of Ethiope and Inde,
537
Thay shall deuoutly offeryng to hym bryng,
And done to hym fulle hole sacryfice.
And fals goddes, eke thorugh his worchyng,
With Riall myght he shall also dispice,
And fro her see make hem to aryse,
And fro the boundes of her dwellyng place,
Of verrey force, dryfe hem and enchace.
And done to hym fulle hole sacryfice.
And fals goddes, eke thorugh his worchyng,
With Riall myght he shall also dispice,
And fro her see make hem to aryse,
And fro the boundes of her dwellyng place,
Of verrey force, dryfe hem and enchace.
And of his birthe, long or that it be-felle,
In avysion wondirfull of sight,
Spake the prophete called Danyell,
And sayde hym thought he sawe vpon a nyght,—
Like to be-holde as he demed a-right,—
A sonne of man comyng with a skye;
To whome power, honour, and Regalye
In avysion wondirfull of sight,
Spake the prophete called Danyell,
And sayde hym thought he sawe vpon a nyght,—
Like to be-holde as he demed a-right,—
A sonne of man comyng with a skye;
To whome power, honour, and Regalye
538
Ther yeve was, perpetually to abyde.
And his kyngdome by eternyte
Shall stonde hoole in oon and not devyde,
Wiche shall not passe, neyther corupte be.
Whose comyng eke whan he dyd see,
The holy prophete, olde Eȝechiell,
Sayde thus, the bible can yove tell:
And his kyngdome by eternyte
Shall stonde hoole in oon and not devyde,
Wiche shall not passe, neyther corupte be.
Whose comyng eke whan he dyd see,
The holy prophete, olde Eȝechiell,
Sayde thus, the bible can yove tell:
“I shall ordeyne and prudently provyde
An herdman, my shepe to kepe sure,
That vpon hem shall nyght and day be gyde,
To lede hem wysely into her pasture.”
And ferthermore, he dothe vs eke assure,—
The holy prophete furthe in his wrytyng,—
Sothely affermyng that there shall be a kyng
An herdman, my shepe to kepe sure,
That vpon hem shall nyght and day be gyde,
To lede hem wysely into her pasture.”
And ferthermore, he dothe vs eke assure,—
The holy prophete furthe in his wrytyng,—
Sothely affermyng that there shall be a kyng
539
Of al folkes, whose Empyre shalle be oon,
And no lenger devydede in-to tweyne;
Whiche ydels made of stoke and stone,
Ne shall no more be pollute to ordeyne
Fals offerynges to goddes that thay feyne.
And the prophete that called is Agge,
Full opynly, who so luste to see,
And no lenger devydede in-to tweyne;
Whiche ydels made of stoke and stone,
Ne shall no more be pollute to ordeyne
Fals offerynges to goddes that thay feyne.
And the prophete that called is Agge,
Full opynly, who so luste to see,
Wryteth of his birthe in a lityll stounde,—
Even lyke, as he was enspirede,—
That he shall meve heven, see, and grounde;
And he that is of all moste desirede,
Shall cum in haste, like a kyng atyrede.
For Ioye of whiche, holy Zakarye
To cristes spouse thus dothe prophecye:
Even lyke, as he was enspirede,—
That he shall meve heven, see, and grounde;
And he that is of all moste desirede,
Shall cum in haste, like a kyng atyrede.
For Ioye of whiche, holy Zakarye
To cristes spouse thus dothe prophecye:
540
“Be glad and light, thou doughter of Syon,
And syng, thou doughter of Iherusalem.
By-holde, thy kyng shall come Right a-noon,
That shall be borne sothely in Bedlem;
And his power shall frome Reme to Reme
The boundes strecche of his Rialte,
As fer, in sothe, as floode or eny see
And syng, thou doughter of Iherusalem.
By-holde, thy kyng shall come Right a-noon,
That shall be borne sothely in Bedlem;
And his power shall frome Reme to Reme
The boundes strecche of his Rialte,
As fer, in sothe, as floode or eny see
Holden her cours, or thay with wawes wynde
Oute of her mother, the grete occian.”
Of whose comyng Malachye makethe mynde
Within his boke, the bible telle can,
Howe the name of hym, bothe god and man,
Shall strecche his stremes withouten wene,
Fro thilke place wher the sonne [shene]
Oute of her mother, the grete occian.”
Of whose comyng Malachye makethe mynde
Within his boke, the bible telle can,
Howe the name of hym, bothe god and man,
Shall strecche his stremes withouten wene,
Fro thilke place wher the sonne [shene]
541
Raysethe his light, whan it be-gynnyth to dawe
At his vpriste in the mornyng,
Vnto the west where he gothe vndir wawe,
Till Efte ayeyne his charet he bryng
Into the Est, that dothe the larke syng
For Ioye only that his bemes ryse.
And of his comyng dothe Amos eke devyse,
At his vpriste in the mornyng,
Vnto the west where he gothe vndir wawe,
Till Efte ayeyne his charet he bryng
Into the Est, that dothe the larke syng
For Ioye only that his bemes ryse.
And of his comyng dothe Amos eke devyse,
And saythe he shall newly by myracle
Restore aȝeine and eke redifiee
Vpon that day the myghty tabernacle
Of kynge dauid, with al the regalie.
And of this childe, wryt also Ysaye,
Whan he is borne, that in his presence
Kyngeȝ for drede shull kepe hem in silence.
Restore aȝeine and eke redifiee
Vpon that day the myghty tabernacle
Of kynge dauid, with al the regalie.
And of this childe, wryt also Ysaye,
Whan he is borne, that in his presence
Kyngeȝ for drede shull kepe hem in silence.
542
[[LVII]]
And as in Esdre is made a question,
Of thynges thre what was worthiest:
Kyng, wyne, or woman, in comparison,
Eche Ipreysede and yhelde for best.
And all this stryfe, as daryng gan lest,
Zorababell, withoutyn any slouthe,
Aboven ychone had preferrede trouthe.
Of thynges thre what was worthiest:
Kyng, wyne, or woman, in comparison,
Eche Ipreysede and yhelde for best.
And all this stryfe, as daryng gan lest,
Zorababell, withoutyn any slouthe,
Aboven ychone had preferrede trouthe.
And while thay were at travers of thees thre,
Eueryche holdyng his opynyon,
Zorobabell of Right and equyte,
To woman yafe his commendacion;
Makyng furthe-with of trouthe mencion,
Only in sygne, as he can devyse,
Fro woman firste trouthe moste aryse;
Eueryche holdyng his opynyon,
Zorobabell of Right and equyte,
To woman yafe his commendacion;
Makyng furthe-with of trouthe mencion,
Only in sygne, as he can devyse,
Fro woman firste trouthe moste aryse;
543
Whiche is þe bonde and knott principal
Of all vertu, it may not be denyede,
And ther-with also, excellent Riall,
With god hym-selfe that it is next alyede.
And for it is so moche magnyfyede,
Thorugh the worlde, of prise and worthy fame,
God chees hym-self of that to bere the name,
Of all vertu, it may not be denyede,
And ther-with also, excellent Riall,
With god hym-selfe that it is next alyede.
And for it is so moche magnyfyede,
Thorugh the worlde, of prise and worthy fame,
God chees hym-self of that to bere the name,
And with his mouthe, hym-selfe so luste to calle,
As the gospell maketh mencion.
And by Recorde of olde prophetes alle,
Condescendyng into o conclusion,
This day in erthe, for our saluacion,
Of a woman in maydynhode flouryng,
To mankynde trouthe dyd spryng.
As the gospell maketh mencion.
And by Recorde of olde prophetes alle,
Condescendyng into o conclusion,
This day in erthe, for our saluacion,
Of a woman in maydynhode flouryng,
To mankynde trouthe dyd spryng.
544
And fro heven Rightwysnesse be-helde
How trouthe and mercy in a mayden mette.
And thus is trouthe sprong oute of the felde,
Wher the holy goste the grayne of grace sette,
To make the graffe that he fro Iudas fette,
Fructyfie in a pure virgine;
That shall be title of the same lyne,
How trouthe and mercy in a mayden mette.
And thus is trouthe sprong oute of the felde,
Wher the holy goste the grayne of grace sette,
To make the graffe that he fro Iudas fette,
Fructyfie in a pure virgine;
That shall be title of the same lyne,
The crovne of Iuda to hym accepte a-noon,
And vndirfonge it as a champion,
Which was by-rafte, so many a day agone,
Fro Sedechye away in Babylone,
Whan ther was made a transmygracion,
By the tyrant Nabugodonosore,
Whose cruelte last shall no more.
And vndirfonge it as a champion,
Which was by-rafte, so many a day agone,
Fro Sedechye away in Babylone,
Whan ther was made a transmygracion,
By the tyrant Nabugodonosore,
Whose cruelte last shall no more.
545
[[LVIII]]
Nowe he is borne that is rightfull heyre,
That shall make bet then Neemye
His peple of Iuda forto haue repayre;
Iherusalem a-gayne to edyfye,
Though herodes that falsely occupye,
As a foreyn thorugh his cruell myght,
By tyranye and no tytle of Right;
That shall make bet then Neemye
His peple of Iuda forto haue repayre;
Iherusalem a-gayne to edyfye,
Though herodes that falsely occupye,
As a foreyn thorugh his cruell myght,
By tyranye and no tytle of Right;
Of whome the kyngdome shall not long endure,
The Regne vsurpyng by extorcion.
For the lorde of euery creature,
This day hath take his Iuste possession
In Bedlem, within a small donion,—
He and his mother, as who say the but alone,
To wayte on hym othir fewe or noone.
The Regne vsurpyng by extorcion.
For the lorde of euery creature,
This day hath take his Iuste possession
In Bedlem, within a small donion,—
He and his mother, as who say the but alone,
To wayte on hym othir fewe or noone.
546
A lady myne, howe god hathe made the ryche,
Thy-selffe alone all ryches to possede!
For in this worlde noon is to the liche,
Of plente Riall; for the londe of mede,
Wher the hylles of golde ben, as I rede,
May no tresoure in his maynes Reyse,
Ayen thy tresoure for to countrepayse.
Thy-selffe alone all ryches to possede!
For in this worlde noon is to the liche,
Of plente Riall; for the londe of mede,
Wher the hylles of golde ben, as I rede,
May no tresoure in his maynes Reyse,
Ayen thy tresoure for to countrepayse.
For certes, lady, thou alone haste all
That in heven Angels desyre:
The Iewell Riche, the tresour celestiall,
Of heven kyng, of earthe lorde and sire,
And hym þat hath al þe hole empire.
Of land and see, and the monarchie,
Thou hast holy, o lady myne, to gye.
That in heven Angels desyre:
The Iewell Riche, the tresour celestiall,
Of heven kyng, of earthe lorde and sire,
And hym þat hath al þe hole empire.
Of land and see, and the monarchie,
Thou hast holy, o lady myne, to gye.
547
And as Austyne, the holy doctour, write
In a sermon of the Natyuyte,
We may to the sayne, right as he bitte,
With deuoute hert, knelyng on our knee:
“O blessed lady, flour of virgnyte,
We prayen ichone, o welle of our welfare,
Like a mothir nat thy mylke to spare.
In a sermon of the Natyuyte,
We may to the sayne, right as he bitte,
With deuoute hert, knelyng on our knee:
“O blessed lady, flour of virgnyte,
We prayen ichone, o welle of our welfare,
Like a mothir nat thy mylke to spare.
Yeffe hym plentee that is so plentevouse
Of fulsomnesse Angels to fede;
And yef hym souke the pyment graciouse
Of thy pappes: lat the condyte shede
The sote mylke all aboute in brede,
And motherly makyng it to avale
On his fayre tendur lymes smale.”
Of fulsomnesse Angels to fede;
And yef hym souke the pyment graciouse
Of thy pappes: lat the condyte shede
The sote mylke all aboute in brede,
And motherly makyng it to avale
On his fayre tendur lymes smale.”
548
Glad mayste thou be, þat sauf hym luste to vouche,
Withe his rounde softe lippeȝ lyte,
To have pleasaunce thy bresteȝ for to touche,
Only to souke thy blissede pappes white;
And that hym luste so godely to delyte,
For his playe to haue so moche blisse,
Euere among thy holy mouthe to kysse.
Withe his rounde softe lippeȝ lyte,
To have pleasaunce thy bresteȝ for to touche,
Only to souke thy blissede pappes white;
And that hym luste so godely to delyte,
For his playe to haue so moche blisse,
Euere among thy holy mouthe to kysse.
And sodenly, with childely chere Iocounde,
Than a-none thy white nek enbrace
With his softe tendre Armes rounde.
And than at onys fallen on thy face,
And of his eyne, fulfillede of all grace,
A godely loke to thewarde enclyne;
And so furthe his chekes ley by thyne,
Than a-none thy white nek enbrace
With his softe tendre Armes rounde.
And than at onys fallen on thy face,
And of his eyne, fulfillede of all grace,
A godely loke to thewarde enclyne;
And so furthe his chekes ley by thyne,
549
And withe his fyngres, mouthe and eyne touche;
His smal pawmes on thy chekes layne
His yong face betwene thy pappes couche,
And holde hym stille, with all his besy payne,
And grype hem faste with his handeȝ twayne;
For ther-in was his hevenly repaste,—
Þi ȝunge sone whan he list breke his faste,
His smal pawmes on thy chekes layne
His yong face betwene thy pappes couche,
And holde hym stille, with all his besy payne,
And grype hem faste with his handeȝ twayne;
For ther-in was his hevenly repaste,—
Þi ȝunge sone whan he list breke his faste,
Ther was his foode and his norchyng pure,
Sothefaste seler of his sustynaunce;
The tune of lyfe that euere dyd endure,
Ilyche fresshe vnto his pleasaunce,
Withe sacrede lycoure of holy habundaunce,
That noon but he may touche nor aproche,
For it for hym was only set abroche.
Sothefaste seler of his sustynaunce;
The tune of lyfe that euere dyd endure,
Ilyche fresshe vnto his pleasaunce,
Withe sacrede lycoure of holy habundaunce,
That noon but he may touche nor aproche,
For it for hym was only set abroche.
550
For in that licour was full remedye,
Holy refute, and pleynly medycyne
Ayayne the venyme brought in by envye,
Thorugh fals engyne and malyce serpentyne,
Whan the snake made Adam to dyne
Of the Appull that was intoxicate,
Falsely with god to make hym at debate.
Holy refute, and pleynly medycyne
Ayayne the venyme brought in by envye,
Thorugh fals engyne and malyce serpentyne,
Whan the snake made Adam to dyne
Of the Appull that was intoxicate,
Falsely with god to make hym at debate.
But nowe the mylke of thy pappes tweyne,
Benygne lady, is to vs tryacle,—
Whiche in thy brest sprenketh fro a vayne,—
Ayenst dethe to be to vs obstacle.
O how it is a passyng high myracle,
Thorugh goddys myght and by nought elles,
Oute of a breste to see two small wellys
Benygne lady, is to vs tryacle,—
Whiche in thy brest sprenketh fro a vayne,—
Ayenst dethe to be to vs obstacle.
O how it is a passyng high myracle,
Thorugh goddys myght and by nought elles,
Oute of a breste to see two small wellys
551
Of mayden mylke spryng as a Ryuer,
To yefe hym drynke that is kyng of alle.
O goode lady, o hevenly boteler,
When we in myscheve to the clepe and calle,
Some drope of grace lat vpon vs falle;
And to that seler make a Redy waye,
Wher thou alone of mercy beryste the keye.
To yefe hym drynke that is kyng of alle.
O goode lady, o hevenly boteler,
When we in myscheve to the clepe and calle,
Some drope of grace lat vpon vs falle;
And to that seler make a Redy waye,
Wher thou alone of mercy beryste the keye.
And of grace lat be no scarste,
Gode lady that arte of grace well,
For nowe this day in erthe is bore of the
The sothefaste god of hevyn, erthe, and helle;
Whiche is comyn dovne with vs for to dwelle,
And hathe of the our mortall kynde Itake,
Of all our woo an ende for to make.
Gode lady that arte of grace well,
For nowe this day in erthe is bore of the
The sothefaste god of hevyn, erthe, and helle;
Whiche is comyn dovne with vs for to dwelle,
And hathe of the our mortall kynde Itake,
Of all our woo an ende for to make.
552
Some-tyme fro hevyn fel adoune the manne,
To refresshe the hungre in her nede,
And þat be-fell in desert Right thanne,
When moyseȝ, the peple of our lorde dyd lede.
But nowe this day, in erthe man to fede,
An humble mayde, to all that ben trwe,
In this desert hath brought furthe manna newe;
To refresshe the hungre in her nede,
And þat be-fell in desert Right thanne,
When moyseȝ, the peple of our lorde dyd lede.
But nowe this day, in erthe man to fede,
An humble mayde, to all that ben trwe,
In this desert hath brought furthe manna newe;
Whiche to Angel is the fode of lyffe,
To man, repast of Ioye and of gladnesse,
Chefe recomforte, and eke restoratyfe
To all feble oppressed with sekenesse.
O gode ladi, o myrour of mekenesse,
Benygne floure, of womanhode the welle,
In this desert wher as we nowe dwelle,
To man, repast of Ioye and of gladnesse,
Chefe recomforte, and eke restoratyfe
To all feble oppressed with sekenesse.
O gode ladi, o myrour of mekenesse,
Benygne floure, of womanhode the welle,
In this desert wher as we nowe dwelle,
553
Sende vs this manne of souereigne hertes hele,
To owre comforte and consolacion;
And lat vs grace in thy mercy fele,
For our Refute and refection.
And in this vale of confucion,
Late thy grace fro the skyes rayne
The manne of lyfe, that we may attayne.
To owre comforte and consolacion;
And lat vs grace in thy mercy fele,
For our Refute and refection.
And in this vale of confucion,
Late thy grace fro the skyes rayne
The manne of lyfe, that we may attayne.
For thou alone art comforte synguler
To al tho that noo refute konne;
This day also, of mercy the Ryuer,
Fro whiche all grace is to mankynde ronne,
The sterre also, that hathe brought furthe the sonne,
The sonne of lyfe, in erthe forto wonne,
O mayde, o mother, doughter of thy sonne,
To al tho that noo refute konne;
This day also, of mercy the Ryuer,
Fro whiche all grace is to mankynde ronne,
The sterre also, that hathe brought furthe the sonne,
The sonne of lyfe, in erthe forto wonne,
O mayde, o mother, doughter of thy sonne,
554
Whiche non, in sothe, sithe the worlde by-gan
Was bothe two, but thy-selfe alone.
For who is he that remembre can,—
First or laste, late or elles sone,—
So bright a sonne spryngyng of so fayre a mone,
Saff this day, the sonne of lyf moste shene
Fro the arose, and thou a mayden clene,
Was bothe two, but thy-selfe alone.
For who is he that remembre can,—
First or laste, late or elles sone,—
So bright a sonne spryngyng of so fayre a mone,
Saff this day, the sonne of lyf moste shene
Fro the arose, and thou a mayden clene,
Withoute eclipsyng or leesyng of thy light;
For thou a mother and mayden bothe two,
In vertu aye yliche shene and bryght,
O fayre rose, o Rose of Iericho,
That hast this day god and man also
In Bedlem borne aȝen the gray morowe,
The nyght to voyde of al our olde sorowe,
For thou a mother and mayden bothe two,
In vertu aye yliche shene and bryght,
O fayre rose, o Rose of Iericho,
That hast this day god and man also
In Bedlem borne aȝen the gray morowe,
The nyght to voyde of al our olde sorowe,
555
Nowe fayre Cedre, Cypresse of Syon,
Spryngyng light oute of Naȝareth,
Chose chaumbre of wyse Salamon,
Flour of the felde, swettest on holte and hethe,
Of whome the vertu saveth man fro dethe;
Of Syloe the water eke depurede,
Wherby, the lepre of Naaman was purede;
Spryngyng light oute of Naȝareth,
Chose chaumbre of wyse Salamon,
Flour of the felde, swettest on holte and hethe,
Of whome the vertu saveth man fro dethe;
Of Syloe the water eke depurede,
Wherby, the lepre of Naaman was purede;
Laude and glorye of Iherusalem
Thou namede art, of Israel gladnesse;
Holsome Cysterne, this day of Bedlem,
The thruste of Dauid to staunche in destresse;
Of paradyse the well in sothefastenesse,
Physon that [floweth] into sondry Remes,
The soyl to adewe with his sote stremeȝ;
Thou namede art, of Israel gladnesse;
Holsome Cysterne, this day of Bedlem,
The thruste of Dauid to staunche in destresse;
Of paradyse the well in sothefastenesse,
Physon that [floweth] into sondry Remes,
The soyl to adewe with his sote stremeȝ;
556
The londe also of promyssyon,
That mylke and hony bothe in-fere shedyth,
The soyle and grovnde of our saluacion,
With his herbes that fosterthe vs and fedeth;
Nowe blisset mayde, whose mercy euere medyth,
All tho that levyn in thy seruyce,
This high fste so for vs devyse.
That mylke and hony bothe in-fere shedyth,
The soyle and grovnde of our saluacion,
With his herbes that fosterthe vs and fedeth;
Nowe blisset mayde, whose mercy euere medyth,
All tho that levyn in thy seruyce,
This high fste so for vs devyse.
That in honour of thy sonne so dere,
We may of hert Rede, syng, and pray.
And late the stremeȝ of thyne eyne clere,
Thy seruaunteȝ, o lady myne, conveye,
To contynue fully tyll we deye,
The to serue with hertly loue and drede,
As moste is plesyng to thy womanhede
We may of hert Rede, syng, and pray.
And late the stremeȝ of thyne eyne clere,
Thy seruaunteȝ, o lady myne, conveye,
To contynue fully tyll we deye,
The to serue with hertly loue and drede,
As moste is plesyng to thy womanhede
557
And this feste, of festeȝ principall,—
Called the fest of the natiuite,—
Make loue and pees to Regne ouere all,
And herteȝ Ioyne with perfyte vnyte;
Voyde all discorde, and late no Rancour be
In bresteȝ closede by malice or envye,
But of thy grace, so gouerne vs and gye,
Called the fest of the natiuite,—
Make loue and pees to Regne ouere all,
And herteȝ Ioyne with perfyte vnyte;
Voyde all discorde, and late no Rancour be
In bresteȝ closede by malice or envye,
But of thy grace, so gouerne vs and gye,
This high feste in whiche thy sonne was borne.
Now this mydwynter, with full affection,
While phebus shynyth in the Capricorne,
We may the serue with all deuocion.
And lady myne, in full conclusion,
Nowe this monyth that called is decembre,
Vpon thy men faythefully Remembre.
Now this mydwynter, with full affection,
While phebus shynyth in the Capricorne,
We may the serue with all deuocion.
And lady myne, in full conclusion,
Nowe this monyth that called is decembre,
Vpon thy men faythefully Remembre.
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