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. |
| IV. | BOOK IV |
| V. |
| VI. |
| LXXXVII. |
 | Duquesne Studies |  |
558
BOOK IV
[[LX]]
Whan Ianus Byfrons in colde Ianuarie,
With frosty berde entreth in the yere,
And phebus chare neyeth to aquarye,
His watry beameȝ to-fore feverer,
Whan that his light was pale and no-thyng clere,
And from hym late was partyd lucyne,
The same nyght as I sawe her shyne
With frosty berde entreth in the yere,
And phebus chare neyeth to aquarye,
His watry beameȝ to-fore feverer,
Whan that his light was pale and no-thyng clere,
And from hym late was partyd lucyne,
The same nyght as I sawe her shyne
Ournede newe, with beameȝ glad and merye,
On the heven, and caste his stremes adovne,
I gan Remembre of the high ferye
That callede is the Circumcisyon;
Howe it be fell than by Reuolucion,
By Iuste acomptyng in the Calendere,
The firste day of the newe yere,
On the heven, and caste his stremes adovne,
I gan Remembre of the high ferye
That callede is the Circumcisyon;
Howe it be fell than by Reuolucion,
By Iuste acomptyng in the Calendere,
The firste day of the newe yere,
559
And thought I wolde in my booke procede,
Of this feste somwhate forto wryte.
And to the gospell firste I gan take hede,
Of this day howe luke luste to endyte;
Though he therof spake but a lyte,
And was full breff and compendious;
Ȝet of this day, so high and gloryouse,
Of this feste somwhate forto wryte.
And to the gospell firste I gan take hede,
Of this day howe luke luste to endyte;
Though he therof spake but a lyte,
And was full breff and compendious;
Ȝet of this day, so high and gloryouse,
He wryte pleynly, and sayth how that a-noon,
Aftir the day of the Natyuyte,
When viii dayes passed were and gone,
The childe was brought with all humylyte
To the Temple, louly for to be,
As the lawe of Iewes had deuised,
The viii day to be circumcisede.
Aftir the day of the Natyuyte,
When viii dayes passed were and gone,
The childe was brought with all humylyte
To the Temple, louly for to be,
As the lawe of Iewes had deuised,
The viii day to be circumcisede.
560
And he ther-to mekely dyd obeye.
And withe a knyfe made full sharpe of stone,
His mothir lokyng with a pytous eye,
The childe was corve ther-with all, a-non,
That all a-boute the rede blode gan gon
Withoute a boode, as saythe Bonaventure,
That for the payne that he dyd endure,
And withe a knyfe made full sharpe of stone,
His mothir lokyng with a pytous eye,
The childe was corve ther-with all, a-non,
That all a-boute the rede blode gan gon
Withoute a boode, as saythe Bonaventure,
That for the payne that he dyd endure,
And for sharpnes of the soden smerte,
The childe gan wepe þat pyte was to here.
Wherfore his mothir, of verrey tendre herte,
Oute brast on teres and myght her-self not stere,
That all bydewede were her eyne clere,
Whan she sawe hym that she louede soo,
So yonge, so fayre, wepyng so for woo.
The childe gan wepe þat pyte was to here.
Wherfore his mothir, of verrey tendre herte,
Oute brast on teres and myght her-self not stere,
That all bydewede were her eyne clere,
Whan she sawe hym that she louede soo,
So yonge, so fayre, wepyng so for woo.
561
But he a-noon in all his passion,
For all that he was so yong of age,
In manere he had pyte and compassion,
To se his modyr so wepe in hir rage;
And put his hande vnto hir visage,
On mouthe and eyne, passyngly benyngne,
And as he couthe goodly made a signe
For all that he was so yong of age,
In manere he had pyte and compassion,
To se his modyr so wepe in hir rage;
And put his hande vnto hir visage,
On mouthe and eyne, passyngly benyngne,
And as he couthe goodly made a signe
Withoutyn speche, to stynt her wepyng
That came to her of motherly pyte.
And she full well conceyved his menyng,
For poynt to poynt, and than a-noon gan she
To loke on hym that was so fayre to see,
And his fetures considret by and by,
And in her Armes, wonder womanly,
That came to her of motherly pyte.
And she full well conceyved his menyng,
For poynt to poynt, and than a-noon gan she
To loke on hym that was so fayre to see,
And his fetures considret by and by,
And in her Armes, wonder womanly,
562
Sche toke hym vp and preide him be styll,
As of modris is pleinly the manere,
And he in all obeythe to her wille,
Though he wer yong, and gan to chaunge his chere.
And with hir kerchefe she made his eyne clere,
On his chekes, in all that euere she may,
Ful modurly the ters sche wypte away.
As of modris is pleinly the manere,
And he in all obeythe to her wille,
Though he wer yong, and gan to chaunge his chere.
And with hir kerchefe she made his eyne clere,
On his chekes, in all that euere she may,
Ful modurly the ters sche wypte away.
[[LXI]]
And lyke as Alquyn wryt, it is devysede
That criste Ihesus, who-so luste to see,
In four manere was truly circumsisede;
Firste of his fader at his Natyvyte,
Withe the knyfe of wilfull poverte;
And nowe this day, whiche is not fenyde,
Eke with a knyf bi þe lawe ordeyned;
That criste Ihesus, who-so luste to see,
In four manere was truly circumsisede;
Firste of his fader at his Natyvyte,
Withe the knyfe of wilfull poverte;
And nowe this day, whiche is not fenyde,
Eke with a knyf bi þe lawe ordeyned;
563
[[LXII]]
Also in four manere, who-so can take hede,
Criste in his chosen by gode inspection,
Her in this worlde, with-oute any drede,
Of newe he suffreth circumcision.
The firste is made by fals detraction
That kytteth away bothe frende and fame,
And the shynyng, of her gode name.
Criste in his chosen by gode inspection,
Her in this worlde, with-oute any drede,
Of newe he suffreth circumcision.
The firste is made by fals detraction
That kytteth away bothe frende and fame,
And the shynyng, of her gode name.
564
The secunde is by fals tyrannye,
Of suche that haue noo concyence at all,
But take the awaye by cursyd Robberye,
Vnrightfully, her godes temporall.
And the thryde is, sothely most mortall:
Of herytykes that falsely disobey
To holy chirche and to our faythe verrey.
Of suche that haue noo concyence at all,
But take the awaye by cursyd Robberye,
Vnrightfully, her godes temporall.
And the thryde is, sothely most mortall:
Of herytykes that falsely disobey
To holy chirche and to our faythe verrey.
565
[[LXIII]]
Eke . V . tymes criste in his manhede
Shed his blodely effusion.
And alther firste, when he dyd blede
Vpon the day of circumcision;
And next, in sothe, to-fore his passyon,
Vpon the hyll for anguysche when he swette
The rede blode, whiche all his body wette;
Shed his blodely effusion.
And alther firste, when he dyd blede
Vpon the day of circumcision;
And next, in sothe, to-fore his passyon,
Vpon the hyll for anguysche when he swette
The rede blode, whiche all his body wette;
The thryde tyme, his blode moste vertuouse
Gan rynne oute by many a cruell wounde,
Whan that he was, this kyng moste graciouse,
Of the Iewes to a pyler bounde;
The fourt tyme eke, as it is founde,
He spent his blode for our alther goode,
When he was nayled high vpon the rode;
Gan rynne oute by many a cruell wounde,
Whan that he was, this kyng moste graciouse,
Of the Iewes to a pyler bounde;
The fourt tyme eke, as it is founde,
He spent his blode for our alther goode,
When he was nayled high vpon the rode;
566
And alther laste, whan Longeus a-ferre,
Thorugh his hert, playnely as I fynde,
On Caluery hym perced with a spere,
That blode and water, as bokes maken mynde,
Gan streme dovne to his eyne blynde;
By whose vertu a-noon this paynym knyght,
Only of grace, recouerede hathe his sight.
Thorugh his hert, playnely as I fynde,
On Caluery hym perced with a spere,
That blode and water, as bokes maken mynde,
Gan streme dovne to his eyne blynde;
By whose vertu a-noon this paynym knyght,
Only of grace, recouerede hathe his sight.
And in bokes, eke as it is tolde,
How the pece of his Incision
Was by an Angell, in an vrne of golde
To Charles brought in a vysyon.
And he a-noon, of grete affection
Of this myracle, for the excellence
Made it be kept for grete reuerence
How the pece of his Incision
Was by an Angell, in an vrne of golde
To Charles brought in a vysyon.
And he a-noon, of grete affection
Of this myracle, for the excellence
Made it be kept for grete reuerence
567
At aquys grene, but yf bokes lye,
Full many yere by revolucion,
In a chirche, sothely, of marye.
But Clerkes han an oypnyon
That in þe day of resurreccion,—
Whan criste Ihesu roos fro dethe to lyfe,—
The same pece retournede as blyfe
Full many yere by revolucion,
In a chirche, sothely, of marye.
But Clerkes han an oypnyon
That in þe day of resurreccion,—
Whan criste Ihesu roos fro dethe to lyfe,—
The same pece retournede as blyfe
To the place where that it cam froo,
Sythen that it was, sothely as I fynde,
Of his manhede pertenyng therto,
And a partye longyng to his kynde;
Though it so be that bokeȝ maken mynde
That it in Rome is as yet reservede,
And yere by yere, whan this fest is seruede,
Sythen that it was, sothely as I fynde,
Of his manhede pertenyng therto,
And a partye longyng to his kynde;
Though it so be that bokeȝ maken mynde
That it in Rome is as yet reservede,
And yere by yere, whan this fest is seruede,
568
In a chirche, whiche men of custome calle
Sancta sanctorum, of olde fundacion,
The same day ther, the presteȝ all
Solempynly make a stacion,
Whanne alle the peple gon on processioun,
Fully in hope the better for to spede,
Fro yere to yere, ther thay syng and rede.
Sancta sanctorum, of olde fundacion,
The same day ther, the presteȝ all
Solempynly make a stacion,
Whanne alle the peple gon on processioun,
Fully in hope the better for to spede,
Fro yere to yere, ther thay syng and rede.
And ferthermore, the story dothe devyse,
The same day, right furthe-with a-noon,
In the Temple, as they hym circumcise,
He namede was Ihesus of Ichon;
The whiche name, long or that agon,
Was of the Angell tolde and sayde afore
To his modur or that he were bore.
The same day, right furthe-with a-noon,
In the Temple, as they hym circumcise,
He namede was Ihesus of Ichon;
The whiche name, long or that agon,
Was of the Angell tolde and sayde afore
To his modur or that he were bore.
569
[[LXIV]]
Howe the peple of god that duke Iosue had in gouernaunce were saved by the stedefaste by leve of the name of Ihesus Cao lxivo 5m
Of this name, whiche may nat be discrivede
My wittes been so dull, with rudnesse
And in the cheynes of ignoraunce gyvede
That I alas, of conyng, am depryvede
Thorugh lak of witte, on eny manere wyse
To vndirfong, so passyng high empryse
For this is the name, who so can discerne
Most excellent, and moste of dignyte
The name of names, sacred from eterne
As saythe Bernarde, who so lust to see
Fygured firste, vnto Iosue
Thorugh his knyghthode, whan that he shulde lede
The peple of god, to saue hem in her nede
Most excellent, and moste of dignyte
The name of names, sacred from eterne
As saythe Bernarde, who so lust to see
Fygured firste, vnto Iosue
Thorugh his knyghthode, whan that he shulde lede
The peple of god, to saue hem in her nede
570
[[LXV]]
For this is the name that herteȝ most desyre;
Ther is ther-in so passyngly Swetnesse.
For it may best hem with grace enspyre,
And with plentee of all gostly richesse.
It is comforte and socour in sekenesse,
Refute also, reste and remedye
To all thoo that felen maladye;
Ther is ther-in so passyngly Swetnesse.
For it may best hem with grace enspyre,
And with plentee of all gostly richesse.
It is comforte and socour in sekenesse,
Refute also, reste and remedye
To all thoo that felen maladye;
Ayenste langour the beste medycyne,
In all this worlde that owher may be founde.
For this name is so hevenly and dyvyne,
That herteȝ seke it dothe with hele habounde.
It curythe sores, it helyth euery wounde,
And savethe men fro many a swerde and spere,
Wher thay ryde in perel ny or fere.
In all this worlde that owher may be founde.
For this name is so hevenly and dyvyne,
That herteȝ seke it dothe with hele habounde.
It curythe sores, it helyth euery wounde,
And savethe men fro many a swerde and spere,
Wher thay ryde in perel ny or fere.
571
It is first wryten in the boke of lyfe,
For worthyest and most of reuerence;
And it is eke best preseruatyfe
Ayene the assaut and the violence
Of wykkede eayre, to voyde pestelence.
And from the dethe, hem that plenyn sore,
Of his vertu to helthe it dothe restore.
For worthyest and most of reuerence;
And it is eke best preseruatyfe
Ayene the assaut and the violence
Of wykkede eayre, to voyde pestelence.
And from the dethe, hem that plenyn sore,
Of his vertu to helthe it dothe restore.
It is also sothefaste saluacion
To all that ben in pouert and in nede;
It is defence, it is protection
In yche perell and in euery drede.
It is also the guerdoun and the mede
To hem that ben in exile, of outerage,
Repayre fynall of hir pilgrimage.
To all that ben in pouert and in nede;
It is defence, it is protection
In yche perell and in euery drede.
It is also the guerdoun and the mede
To hem that ben in exile, of outerage,
Repayre fynall of hir pilgrimage.
572
[[LXVI]]
It is the well with the foure stremes,
Wher-of Bernard wrytyth in sentence,
That thorughe the worlde refressheth al Remys,
It is so holsome and of suche excellence.
The firste he calleth the streme of sapyence,
Of whiche the floode most inly is habounde;
And Rightwysnesse he namethe the secounde;
Wher-of Bernard wrytyth in sentence,
That thorughe the worlde refressheth al Remys,
It is so holsome and of suche excellence.
The firste he calleth the streme of sapyence,
Of whiche the floode most inly is habounde;
And Rightwysnesse he namethe the secounde;
And the thryde he calleth holynesse,
For it excellyth in perfection;
The fourthe also, as I can well expresse,
Is the floode of our Redempcion.
And of the firste, in conclusion,
Of whiche the stremeȝ bene so fresshe and fyne,
Who so loke aright, is holy our doctryne.
For it excellyth in perfection;
The fourthe also, as I can well expresse,
Is the floode of our Redempcion.
And of the firste, in conclusion,
Of whiche the stremeȝ bene so fresshe and fyne,
Who so loke aright, is holy our doctryne.
573
And of his Right, to make mencion,
The holsome welle ay dothe flowe and flete,
With mercy medled and remyssion,
Tofore his dome his Ire forto lete.
And of the thryde, the water is so swete,
By gode ensample, who so can disserne,
In vertu aye how we shull vs gouerne.
The holsome welle ay dothe flowe and flete,
With mercy medled and remyssion,
Tofore his dome his Ire forto lete.
And of the thryde, the water is so swete,
By gode ensample, who so can disserne,
In vertu aye how we shull vs gouerne.
And of the foruthe, to speke in speciall,
Is all our helthe and our saluacion;
For ther-in is our remedye fynall
Aȝenste dethe and full protection;
Whos floode sprong oute of cristes passion.
And who that liste, by water to atame,
He shall it fynde enclosede in this name.
Is all our helthe and our saluacion;
For ther-in is our remedye fynall
Aȝenste dethe and full protection;
Whos floode sprong oute of cristes passion.
And who that liste, by water to atame,
He shall it fynde enclosede in this name.
574
Of perfyte Ryches, it is tresourye,
Whiche may nat wast but iliche abyde.
The fyre it quencheth also of envye,
And repressith the bolyng eke of pryde,
And thorugh mekenesse setteth Ire asyde.
And who that hathe this name in Remembraunce,
The spryt of slouthe hym may do no greuaunce.
Whiche may nat wast but iliche abyde.
The fyre it quencheth also of envye,
And repressith the bolyng eke of pryde,
And thorugh mekenesse setteth Ire asyde.
And who that hathe this name in Remembraunce,
The spryt of slouthe hym may do no greuaunce.
It is also the myghty pavys fayre
Ayenst wanhope and desperacion;
Cristall schelde of pallas for dispayre,
Ther-of to voyde the foule abusion.
And who that makyth his inuocacion
To this name with hert and stablenesse,
It yevethe hym strength, it yeuyth hym sikernesse
Ayenst wanhope and desperacion;
Cristall schelde of pallas for dispayre,
Ther-of to voyde the foule abusion.
And who that makyth his inuocacion
To this name with hert and stablenesse,
It yevethe hym strength, it yeuyth hym sikernesse
575
The cruell fyre and brennyng to with-stande
Of lechery and all temptacion.
It is refute to fre and eke to bonde,
That haue ther-in her hole affection;
Whose vertu was to kyng Salamon,
Full long afforn in dyvyne oracle,
As I fynde, shewede by myracle.
Of lechery and all temptacion.
It is refute to fre and eke to bonde,
That haue ther-in her hole affection;
Whose vertu was to kyng Salamon,
Full long afforn in dyvyne oracle,
As I fynde, shewede by myracle.
[[LXVII]]
This is the name of propheteȝ specifiede
In her writynge ande in her boockes oolde;
Of aposteles most hyly magnyfied,
By whose vertu thay the trouthe tolde.
This made also matris to be bolde,
And myghtyly like sterne champyons,
With stable herte to suffre her passions.
In her writynge ande in her boockes oolde;
Of aposteles most hyly magnyfied,
By whose vertu thay the trouthe tolde.
This made also matris to be bolde,
And myghtyly like sterne champyons,
With stable herte to suffre her passions.
576
By this name they were victoryouse,
In her torment pacience to haue.
This is the name that ignacious
Had in his hert of golde full depe grave;
Wher of the Tyraunte gretly gan abave,
Whan that he sawe his hert kytte atweyne,
And letters newe depicte in euery veyne.
In her torment pacience to haue.
This is the name that ignacious
Had in his hert of golde full depe grave;
Wher of the Tyraunte gretly gan abave,
Whan that he sawe his hert kytte atweyne,
And letters newe depicte in euery veyne.
This is the name that to confessours
Was full repast in her abstynence;
This is the name that in sharpe shoures
Of flesshely luste was holy her defence.
It ȝaf hem myght to make resistence
Ayene synne, and knyghtly to werreye,
And to contynue in vertu tyll thay deye.
Was full repast in her abstynence;
This is the name that in sharpe shoures
Of flesshely luste was holy her defence.
It ȝaf hem myght to make resistence
Ayene synne, and knyghtly to werreye,
And to contynue in vertu tyll thay deye.
577
[[LXVIII]]
It is the fest and the sugred foode
Of maydenhode and of virgynyte;
The oyle of grace, holsom to all gode,
Whiche in the lampes of perfyte chastyte,
Brynnyng so clere with loue and charyte,
That wordly wyndes, boystous in blowyng,
Ne may nat quenche the light of his shynyng.
Of maydenhode and of virgynyte;
The oyle of grace, holsom to all gode,
Whiche in the lampes of perfyte chastyte,
Brynnyng so clere with loue and charyte,
That wordly wyndes, boystous in blowyng,
Ne may nat quenche the light of his shynyng.
This is the name that moste yeveth melodye
Vnto the eere, and the swettest son.
It is the name of hevynly Armonye,
To avoyde synne and all temptacion,
With full accorde ayenst dyuysyon.
It causeth hertes no langer to debate,
That partyde werne thorwe the wrest of hate.
Vnto the eere, and the swettest son.
It is the name of hevynly Armonye,
To avoyde synne and all temptacion,
With full accorde ayenst dyuysyon.
It causeth hertes no langer to debate,
That partyde werne thorwe the wrest of hate.
578
This name is Ioye of soroughfull in distresse,
Eternall mede of hem that levyn in blisse,
Salue vnto hem that langour in sekenesse,
Vesture in colde to hem that clothes mysse,
Souerayne repaste, hungry for to wysse,
For to escape the cruell violence
Of nedys swerde, whetted with Indygence.
Eternall mede of hem that levyn in blisse,
Salue vnto hem that langour in sekenesse,
Vesture in colde to hem that clothes mysse,
Souerayne repaste, hungry for to wysse,
For to escape the cruell violence
Of nedys swerde, whetted with Indygence.
Criste is a name of sothefast sacrament,
That first was yeue of holy vnction.
And he was callede cryst for this entent.
For he for man shuld make oblacion.
And for he came for our saluacion,
To scour a-waye the rust of all our blame,
He hathe of Ihesus worthyly the name.
That first was yeue of holy vnction.
And he was callede cryst for this entent.
For he for man shuld make oblacion.
And for he came for our saluacion,
To scour a-waye the rust of all our blame,
He hathe of Ihesus worthyly the name.
579
I fynde in bokeȝ of olde antiquyte,
In her writinge as clerkis list expresse,
How ther wer foure persones, of degre,
Some tyme a-noynt for her worthynesse:
Some for manhode, som for holynesse,
With obseruaunceȝ and solempnyte,
As was covenable vnto her degre.
In her writinge as clerkis list expresse,
How ther wer foure persones, of degre,
Some tyme a-noynt for her worthynesse:
Some for manhode, som for holynesse,
With obseruaunceȝ and solempnyte,
As was covenable vnto her degre.
Propheteȝ, prestes, and thay that beren crovnes
As worthy kynges, of euery region,
Anoyntede werne, and myghty champions
Withe-in palestre thrugh her high renon,
Or in Champclos, hardy as lyon,
Entre wolde some quarell to darreyne,
Singulerly, by emprise of hem tweyne.
As worthy kynges, of euery region,
Anoyntede werne, and myghty champions
Withe-in palestre thrugh her high renon,
Or in Champclos, hardy as lyon,
Entre wolde some quarell to darreyne,
Singulerly, by emprise of hem tweyne.
580
And crist was all, by reason as I preve,
Firste a prophete by holy informacion,
And by his doctryne, most worthy of byleve.
And he was eke the myghty champyon,
That syngulerly for our saluacion
Faught with the fende and had of hym victory,
Mawgre his myght, and wan the palme of glory.
Firste a prophete by holy informacion,
And by his doctryne, most worthy of byleve.
And he was eke the myghty champyon,
That syngulerly for our saluacion
Faught with the fende and had of hym victory,
Mawgre his myght, and wan the palme of glory.
And he was prest, man to reconsile,
That bansshede was oute of his herytage;
Whom a serpent falsely dyd exile,
Of fals malice in a soden rage.
And he was borne, only by lynage,
To ben a kyng, and by power eterne,
When he is crownede, his peple to gouerne.
That bansshede was oute of his herytage;
Whom a serpent falsely dyd exile,
Of fals malice in a soden rage.
And he was borne, only by lynage,
To ben a kyng, and by power eterne,
When he is crownede, his peple to gouerne.
581
[[LXIX]]
Nowe criste Ihesu, sothefaste prest and kyng,
And for mankynde most worthy werryour,
Prophete also, ande trewest in leueynge,
Be thou our helpe, be thou our socour,
And like a kyng, be thou our gouernour
And Champyon, to helpe vs in our nede,
And like a prophete, to wyssen vs and rede.
And for mankynde most worthy werryour,
Prophete also, ande trewest in leueynge,
Be thou our helpe, be thou our socour,
And like a kyng, be thou our gouernour
And Champyon, to helpe vs in our nede,
And like a prophete, to wyssen vs and rede.
O criste Ihesu to the I clepe and cry,
Fro day to day to helpe vs and releve,
And of thy grace, vs wrecches for to gye,
That or that thou thy rightwysnesse preve,
Lat pite firste þe to mercy meue.
And or they swerde of vengeaunce vs manace,
Lat reuthe afore thy rightful dome enbrace.
Fro day to day to helpe vs and releve,
And of thy grace, vs wrecches for to gye,
That or that thou thy rightwysnesse preve,
Lat pite firste þe to mercy meue.
And or they swerde of vengeaunce vs manace,
Lat reuthe afore thy rightful dome enbrace.
582
For of our helpe thou art the pyler,
Ayene dispayre holy our sustynaunce;
Our strength, our myght, our refute fer and nere,
In yche perell, to save vs, fro myschaunce.
Thou art our store, and our suffysaunce
And in myscheve, whan drede wolde vs assayle,
Thou art our schelde, thou art our supportayle.
Ayene dispayre holy our sustynaunce;
Our strength, our myght, our refute fer and nere,
In yche perell, to save vs, fro myschaunce.
Thou art our store, and our suffysaunce
And in myscheve, whan drede wolde vs assayle,
Thou art our schelde, thou art our supportayle.
Thou art myghty, and thou art meke also,
And thou art Rightfull, and thou art mercyable,
Lambe and lyon, callede bothe twoo,
And sothefaste kyng, whose Regne is ymmutable;
To repentant, by rygour nat vengeable,
And ay afforne, in punysshyng of thy lawe,
Pees to preferre, or right his swerde may drawe;
And thou art Rightfull, and thou art mercyable,
Lambe and lyon, callede bothe twoo,
And sothefaste kyng, whose Regne is ymmutable;
To repentant, by rygour nat vengeable,
And ay afforne, in punysshyng of thy lawe,
Pees to preferre, or right his swerde may drawe;
583
And to bryng the lost chepe ayene,
Oute of deserte vnto his pasture,
That was erant, ydyll, and in veyne,
O criste Ihesu, of thy benyngne cure,
More Redy ay to saven and to cure
All that been sore, and scabbede eke with synne,
Rather with pyte than with reddour wynne.
Oute of deserte vnto his pasture,
That was erant, ydyll, and in veyne,
O criste Ihesu, of thy benyngne cure,
More Redy ay to saven and to cure
All that been sore, and scabbede eke with synne,
Rather with pyte than with reddour wynne.
[[LXX]]
Nowe thou that art the verrey rightful lyne,
All this is crokede, godely to redresse,
All maiste of mercy all our myscheves fyne,
O criste Ihesu, well of all swettnesse,
Lorde of pyte, lord of Rightwysnesse,
Haue vpon vs this day compassion,
That callede is thy Circumcision.
All this is crokede, godely to redresse,
All maiste of mercy all our myscheves fyne,
O criste Ihesu, well of all swettnesse,
Lorde of pyte, lord of Rightwysnesse,
Haue vpon vs this day compassion,
That callede is thy Circumcision.
584
And graunt vs grace, withe dew reuerence,
This high feste, so noble and so digne,
Worship and halowe, devoyde of all offence.
And be to vs goodly and benygne,
That wer this day merkyde with a signe
And the carecte by the laws ordeynede,
And of mekenesse, haste it nat dysdeynede.
This high feste, so noble and so digne,
Worship and halowe, devoyde of all offence.
And be to vs goodly and benygne,
That wer this day merkyde with a signe
And the carecte by the laws ordeynede,
And of mekenesse, haste it nat dysdeynede.
And so as thou that neuere dydest trespasse,
Through thy mekenesse and lawly subiection,
Suffre woldeste, this day of thy grace,
For our offence, Circumcision,
So kypt from vs all temptacion
Of worldly lust, and make the flesshe to serue
To the spyryte tyl the body sterue.
Through thy mekenesse and lawly subiection,
Suffre woldeste, this day of thy grace,
For our offence, Circumcision,
So kypt from vs all temptacion
Of worldly lust, and make the flesshe to serue
To the spyryte tyl the body sterue.
585
And graunt vs grace to leve chaste and clene,
O criste Ihesu, while that we been here,
Þorue preiere of þat heuenly quene
That is a mayde and mothir eke in-fere.
With helpe of hir, graunt vs this newe yere,
So prudently with vertu vs provyde,
Our vices all þat we may circumcide.
O criste Ihesu, while that we been here,
Þorue preiere of þat heuenly quene
That is a mayde and mothir eke in-fere.
With helpe of hir, graunt vs this newe yere,
So prudently with vertu vs provyde,
Our vices all þat we may circumcide.
And criste Ihesu, we pray vnto the,
Lat thy name, wher we ryde or gone,
In eche perell and aduersite,
Be our defence ayenst our mortall foon,
To make hem stonde still as any stone;
And all that cast vs falsely to werry,
Make her malice mekely to obeye
Lat thy name, wher we ryde or gone,
In eche perell and aduersite,
Be our defence ayenst our mortall foon,
To make hem stonde still as any stone;
And all that cast vs falsely to werry,
Make her malice mekely to obeye
586
To thy name, and make hem stonde a-bake,
Or thay haue power to haunte her cruell myght.
And wikkyd sprytes, so horyble and blake,
That besy been to wayte vs day and nyght,
Lat thy name dryve hem oute of sight;
And in our forhede when we Ihesus enpresse,
Make vs of grace her malice to opresse.
Or thay haue power to haunte her cruell myght.
And wikkyd sprytes, so horyble and blake,
That besy been to wayte vs day and nyght,
Lat thy name dryve hem oute of sight;
And in our forhede when we Ihesus enpresse,
Make vs of grace her malice to opresse.
For to thy name holy we comende
Our lyfe, our dethe, body, hert, and all,
Our soule also, when we hense wende,
O crist Ihesu, o lorde ay Immortall,
Prayeng to the when thou vs deme shall,
To save all tho fro eternall shame,
That haue ful faythe and hole trust in thy name.
Our lyfe, our dethe, body, hert, and all,
Our soule also, when we hense wende,
O crist Ihesu, o lorde ay Immortall,
Prayeng to the when thou vs deme shall,
To save all tho fro eternall shame,
That haue ful faythe and hole trust in thy name.
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