Duquesne Studies Philological Series: 2: A critical edition of John Lydgate's Life of our Lady by Joseph A. Lauritis ... General editor: Ralph A. Klinefelter ... Vernon F. Gallagher |
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
Book V
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| VI. |
| LXXXVII. |
 | Duquesne Studies |  |
587
Book V
[[LXXI]]
Thow lord, whose light discendyth fro so ferre
With-howten whome phebus ne no sterre
Thorowe the roundenesse of the speres nyne,
Vpon heven power hath to shyne,
Let nowe thy light my derkeness enlumyne;
That thorough thy helpe I may my style gye
Some what to sayne of thy Epiphanye.
With-howten whome phebus ne no sterre
Thorowe the roundenesse of the speres nyne,
Vpon heven power hath to shyne,
Let nowe thy light my derkeness enlumyne;
That thorough thy helpe I may my style gye
Some what to sayne of thy Epiphanye.
And lat my breste, benygne lorde, be dewede
Doun with some drope fro thy maieste
That were this day by a sterre shewede
Oute of the Est to worthy kyngeȝ thre,
Whiche on the nyght of thy Natyuyte,
Gan firste asspye the bright bemes clere
Of this sterre on the heven apere—
Doun with some drope fro thy maieste
That were this day by a sterre shewede
Oute of the Est to worthy kyngeȝ thre,
Whiche on the nyght of thy Natyuyte,
Gan firste asspye the bright bemes clere
Of this sterre on the heven apere—
588
Of whome the spryng was not causell
Of fortune ne soden aventure
For many a day or this thyng befelle,
And many a yere by recorde of scripture,
With a-waytyng and wondre bysy cure,
In verrey sothe as I Remembre can.
A certeyne kynryde towarde the Occian,
Of fortune ne soden aventure
For many a day or this thyng befelle,
And many a yere by recorde of scripture,
With a-waytyng and wondre bysy cure,
In verrey sothe as I Remembre can.
A certeyne kynryde towarde the Occian,
Whiche of the stok and the lyne cam—
Who so lust loke, in bokes fro a ferre—
And of the blode of olde Balaam,
That som tyme had with his asse werre,
The whiche sayde ther shulde ryse a sterre
Oute of Iacob and from Israell—
Albe ther of no tyme he couthe tell—
Who so lust loke, in bokes fro a ferre—
And of the blode of olde Balaam,
That som tyme had with his asse werre,
The whiche sayde ther shulde ryse a sterre
Oute of Iacob and from Israell—
Albe ther of no tyme he couthe tell—
589
Vpon whose worde fully in byleve,
Ther shulde aryse suche a sterre bright.
Worne xij. chose the trouthe for to preve,
With-inne mydwynter euer from nyȝt to nyght,
Whan in aquarye phebus shed his light;
For to awayte in all her best wyse
Whanne þis sterre on heuene wolde arise.
Ther shulde aryse suche a sterre bright.
Worne xij. chose the trouthe for to preve,
With-inne mydwynter euer from nyȝt to nyght,
Whan in aquarye phebus shed his light;
For to awayte in all her best wyse
Whanne þis sterre on heuene wolde arise.
And these xij. wern of the kynrede
Of balam, as ȝe haue herde me telle,
That yere by yere shulde take hede
Vpon an hill by-syde a lytell well.
And ther in fere a certen space dwelle,
A-noynted and bathed and in clothes whight.
And of custome thay slepen but a lyte,
Of balam, as ȝe haue herde me telle,
That yere by yere shulde take hede
Vpon an hill by-syde a lytell well.
And ther in fere a certen space dwelle,
A-noynted and bathed and in clothes whight.
And of custome thay slepen but a lyte,
590
But in prayer and certeyne ryteȝ vsede,
Thay muste wake and wayte in speciall—
And none of hem plattely excusede—
Vpon this hill namede Victoriall.
And if one dyed, than his sonne shall
By statute olde his place ocupye,
Or elles one that were next of alye.
Thay muste wake and wayte in speciall—
And none of hem plattely excusede—
Vpon this hill namede Victoriall.
And if one dyed, than his sonne shall
By statute olde his place ocupye,
Or elles one that were next of alye.
And this contyneude duryng many yere
By custom vsede of antiquyte—
As phebus went by meovyng circuler—
So thay kept her tymeȝ by decre,
And iche yere wer certeyne dayes thre
By calkyng cast and computacion,
Sowght and chosen ouȝt by good eleccioun
By custom vsede of antiquyte—
As phebus went by meovyng circuler—
So thay kept her tymeȝ by decre,
And iche yere wer certeyne dayes thre
By calkyng cast and computacion,
Sowght and chosen ouȝt by good eleccioun
591
For to awayte the vp-rist by the morowe,
Of this sterre with his bemes glade,
Whiche Balaam sayde sholde avoyde her sorowe.
At his vp-riste whose bemeȝ may not fade,
To shede his lyght in euery shrowde and shade
With-oute wrystyng or drawyng to declyne.
Til at the last for the same fine—
Of this sterre with his bemes glade,
Whiche Balaam sayde sholde avoyde her sorowe.
At his vp-riste whose bemeȝ may not fade,
To shede his lyght in euery shrowde and shade
With-oute wrystyng or drawyng to declyne.
Til at the last for the same fine—
To see þis sterre moast famous of rennoun
On the heven whan it wolde apere—
þe worthi kyngis as made is mencioun,
Vpon this hill to-gydre gon in fere.
For cause thay, who so lust to here,
Werne of the stoke of Balaam doun descendyde;
Wher-fore of sort the hylle they ben ascendyde,
On the heven whan it wolde apere—
þe worthi kyngis as made is mencioun,
Vpon this hill to-gydre gon in fere.
For cause thay, who so lust to here,
Werne of the stoke of Balaam doun descendyde;
Wher-fore of sort the hylle they ben ascendyde,
592
As fell on hem by custome to succede
At a certeyne yere by reuolucion.
And on this hill estewarde thay toke hede,
By gode avyse in her inspeccion,
The same nyght of the Incarnacion,
Whan criste was borne in Bedlem of marye.
The same hour the sterre thay aspye
At a certeyne yere by reuolucion.
And on this hill estewarde thay toke hede,
By gode avyse in her inspeccion,
The same nyght of the Incarnacion,
Whan criste was borne in Bedlem of marye.
The same hour the sterre thay aspye
Of newe aryse in the Oryent;
Full lustyly of whome the bemeȝ light
Gan enlumyne all the firmament.
Fro Est to West it yafe so clere a light,
That of the stremys euery manere wight
Astonyde was thay were so bright and shene,
And to the eye so persaunt for to sene.
Full lustyly of whome the bemeȝ light
Gan enlumyne all the firmament.
Fro Est to West it yafe so clere a light,
That of the stremys euery manere wight
Astonyde was thay were so bright and shene,
And to the eye so persaunt for to sene.
593
The whiche sterre drewe his cours full right
Towarde the hill—liche as bokeȝ tell—
Where the kynges the long wynters nyght
It to awayte solitarye dwelle.
And they anone vpon her knees felle
And thanked god with all her hertes luste
Which hathe not hem defraudyd of her truste.
Towarde the hill—liche as bokeȝ tell—
Where the kynges the long wynters nyght
It to awayte solitarye dwelle.
And they anone vpon her knees felle
And thanked god with all her hertes luste
Which hathe not hem defraudyd of her truste.
[[LXXII]]
And all the nyght to-gydre as thay woke
Vp on this sterre that shoon so fayre and clere;
And sodenly vpwarde as they gan loke
They sawe a childe above the sterre apere:
So yong, so fayre, in a golden spere,
Full ryally stonde, and above his hede
A large crosse that was of blode all rede.
Vp on this sterre that shoon so fayre and clere;
And sodenly vpwarde as they gan loke
They sawe a childe above the sterre apere:
So yong, so fayre, in a golden spere,
Full ryally stonde, and above his hede
A large crosse that was of blode all rede.
594
The whiche childe spake to hem a-noon
Above the hill withe voyse and chere benyng,
And bad hem faste that thay shulde gone
Into Iuda right as any lyne,
And folowe all-waye the sterre for a signe
That shal hem bringe into that regioun;
Where as the kynge moost worthi of renooun,
Above the hill withe voyse and chere benyng,
And bad hem faste that thay shulde gone
Into Iuda right as any lyne,
And folowe all-waye the sterre for a signe
That shal hem bringe into that regioun;
Where as the kynge moost worthi of renooun,
Was borne that tyme to haue the Regale
Of Iwes lande of verrey dwe right,
Whom the sterre dyd specifie,
Whan he was borne with his clere light.
And thay a-noon whan passed was the nyght,
The next morne no lenger lust a-byde
But towards hym cast hem for to Ryde.
Of Iwes lande of verrey dwe right,
Whom the sterre dyd specifie,
Whan he was borne with his clere light.
And thay a-noon whan passed was the nyght,
The next morne no lenger lust a-byde
But towards hym cast hem for to Ryde.
595
With grete aray and Riall appareyle,
As was sittyng to her worthynesse,
They shope hem furthe and for thay nolde fayle
To do honour to his nobilnesse,
With hem they toke golde and great Richesse,
To spende and yeve and also for thay ment
Withe yefftes grete the childe to present.
As was sittyng to her worthynesse,
They shope hem furthe and for thay nolde fayle
To do honour to his nobilnesse,
With hem they toke golde and great Richesse,
To spende and yeve and also for thay ment
Withe yefftes grete the childe to present.
And furthe thay gone, no lenger wolde thay tarye,
Thorow mani a londe and many a diuerse yle,
Eueryche of hem on a dromondarye,
Whiche weren so swifte that full many a myle
Thay passed han with in a lytyll while;
That in the space of dayes but xiijne,
By condit only of the sterre shene,
Thorow mani a londe and many a diuerse yle,
Eueryche of hem on a dromondarye,
Whiche weren so swifte that full many a myle
Thay passed han with in a lytyll while;
That in the space of dayes but xiijne,
By condit only of the sterre shene,
596
[[LXXIII]]
Thay entrede ben into Iherusalem,
That of Iuda was the cheffe Cyte;
Conveyed euere with the bright beame
Of the sterre that was so fayre to see.
And whan that thay a-mydde the Cyte be,
Not astonyed, axede in audience:
Wher is the kyng grettest of Reuerence,
That of Iuda was the cheffe Cyte;
Conveyed euere with the bright beame
Of the sterre that was so fayre to see.
And whan that thay a-mydde the Cyte be,
Not astonyed, axede in audience:
Wher is the kyng grettest of Reuerence,
Of Iwes borne for to bere the crowne,
Whose sterre we seen in the Orient
That from hevyn cast his stremeȝ downe,
Which all the worlde vndir the firmament
Is gladde to see and we of one entent,
Han yfteyȝ brought oute of our contre,
Hyme to honour in his ryall see?
Whose sterre we seen in the Orient
That from hevyn cast his stremeȝ downe,
Which all the worlde vndir the firmament
Is gladde to see and we of one entent,
Han yfteyȝ brought oute of our contre,
Hyme to honour in his ryall see?
597
And whan herode of her comyng knewe,
He troubled was and also all the towne,
And gan a-noon to chaunge chere and hewe;
And made in hast, a convocacion
Of all the presteȝ dwellyng environ;
To knowe clerly and be certyfyde,
Of the place that was specifiede
He troubled was and also all the towne,
And gan a-noon to chaunge chere and hewe;
And made in hast, a convocacion
Of all the presteȝ dwellyng environ;
To knowe clerly and be certyfyde,
Of the place that was specifiede
Of prophetis where crist shal be borne.
And thay a-noon the trouthe to hym tolde:
In Bedlem, as thay full long afforne
Founden oute in her bokeȝ olde,
And all the manere to hym thay vnfolde,
Fro poynt to poynt, as Mathewe makyth mynde;
Redyth his gospell and ther ye shall it fynde
And thay a-noon the trouthe to hym tolde:
In Bedlem, as thay full long afforne
Founden oute in her bokeȝ olde,
And all the manere to hym thay vnfolde,
Fro poynt to poynt, as Mathewe makyth mynde;
Redyth his gospell and ther ye shall it fynde
598
[[LXXIIII]]
nd then herde gan the kynges calle,
And of þis mater entretid priueli;
Ande curiously how that it was falle,
Be-gan enquere and axede bysely.
And of the sterre also by and by,
He axede hem and in wordes fewe
How and in what wyse it gan firste shewe.
And whan thay had tolde hym euery dele,
Thay departede oute of his presence.
But firste he bad hem to enquere well
Of the childe with all her diligence.
And whan thay hade done hym Reuerence,
He chargede hem vndir wordes fayre,
Hamwarde by hym algates to repayre,
Thay departede oute of his presence.
But firste he bad hem to enquere well
Of the childe with all her diligence.
And whan thay hade done hym Reuerence,
He chargede hem vndir wordes fayre,
Hamwarde by hym algates to repayre,
599
To yeffe hym clerly informacion
Of her exployt and of the childe also;
Surely affermyng by fals collusion,
That he hym-self wold aftir goo
Unto the childe and his deuer doo,
To worshipp hym—and all vndir colours,
The worme abit as serpent vndre floures
Of her exployt and of the childe also;
Surely affermyng by fals collusion,
That he hym-self wold aftir goo
Unto the childe and his deuer doo,
To worshipp hym—and all vndir colours,
The worme abit as serpent vndre floures
Daryth full ofte and kepyth hym couertly;
Of kynd malice tyll thay a tyme see
To shede her venym, and than sodenly,
All at ones, when thay vnwarrest be,
They styng and hurte and shewe her cruelte,
And her venym vnder floures fayre
Full ofte is hydde tyll thay may appayre.
Of kynd malice tyll thay a tyme see
To shede her venym, and than sodenly,
All at ones, when thay vnwarrest be,
They styng and hurte and shewe her cruelte,
And her venym vnder floures fayre
Full ofte is hydde tyll thay may appayre.
600
[[LXXV]]
As serpent couereth hym vndir floures to styng and shede his venom whom he may hurt. So fals heroude shewed fals fenyng wordes to haue dissayved thees kynges. Cao xvj
Fals tygre full of doublenesse,
Vndir colour of humylite
Thy venym darithe and also thy falsenesse!
O thou Tyrant! O Rote of cursidnesse!
Thou herodis of malice most mortall,
What wenst thou hym that knowyth all
To disceyve with thy slyghtly wyle,
What can sugur vndur galle faine?
What wenyst thou the kyngeȝ to be gyle
And of malice bryng hem in a trayne?
Of whose comyng though þat thou disdeyne,
It may not helpe pleynely ne a-vayle,
For of thy purpose sothely thou shall fayle.
What can sugur vndur galle faine?
What wenyst thou the kyngeȝ to be gyle
And of malice bryng hem in a trayne?
Of whose comyng though þat thou disdeyne,
It may not helpe pleynely ne a-vayle,
For of thy purpose sothely thou shall fayle.
601
For by grace thay shull in quyete,
Maugre thy myght, all thy danger passe;
For though that thou with wordes hony swete
Maliously vpon her dethe compasse,
Thay shall scape dispyte of all thy face,
For all the coniecte of thy prynses wyse,
As the story shall a-noon dyvyse.
Maugre thy myght, all thy danger passe;
For though that thou with wordes hony swete
Maliously vpon her dethe compasse,
Thay shall scape dispyte of all thy face,
For all the coniecte of thy prynses wyse,
As the story shall a-noon dyvyse.
And so with venym in his herte loke,
He yaffe hem leve passe thorough his Reame
In her Repayre hym castyng to be wroke,
If thay retourne by Ierusalem.
And so þe sterre hem brouȝte bedlem,
And lyne right the childes hede aboue,
Wher as he lay, stille gan to houe.
He yaffe hem leve passe thorough his Reame
In her Repayre hym castyng to be wroke,
If thay retourne by Ierusalem.
And so þe sterre hem brouȝte bedlem,
And lyne right the childes hede aboue,
Wher as he lay, stille gan to houe.
602
[[LXXVI]]
But who the Ioy can tell or endyte
Or with his mouthe, who can the myrthe expresse,
Or who can playnly with his penne wryte,
The grete blisse or elles the gladnesse
Which thay made in verrey sothefastnesse
Aftir her iourney and her long waye,
Above the house whan thay the sterre sey,
Or with his mouthe, who can the myrthe expresse,
Or who can playnly with his penne wryte,
The grete blisse or elles the gladnesse
Which thay made in verrey sothefastnesse
Aftir her iourney and her long waye,
Above the house whan thay the sterre sey,
Thatte gan to hem clerly certifie
Withoute more the childeȝ dwellyng place?
And thay a-noon faste gan hem hye
With lusty hert and gladde of chere and face,
To worthe doun in a lytyll space.
Thay made hem redy and with reverence;
Thay entrede in and cam to his presence,
Withoute more the childeȝ dwellyng place?
And thay a-noon faste gan hem hye
With lusty hert and gladde of chere and face,
To worthe doun in a lytyll space.
Thay made hem redy and with reverence;
Thay entrede in and cam to his presence,
603
Wher as the childe, most worthy of degre,
Was with marie in an oxes stalle.
And full humbly the kyngeȝ all thre,
To-fore the childe on her knes gan falle,
And brought her tresour and her yeftys alle
As Reuerently as thay can devyse.
And hym present in all her best wyse,
Was with marie in an oxes stalle.
And full humbly the kyngeȝ all thre,
To-fore the childe on her knes gan falle,
And brought her tresour and her yeftys alle
As Reuerently as thay can devyse.
And hym present in all her best wyse,
Lyche her astateȝ, eueryche aftir othir,
Makyng her present with all humylyte,
Lyches her age as brothir aftir brothir.
Golde, franke and Myrr thay yaffe hym all thre,
Aftir the custome of perce and Calde,
For of that lond whanne kyngis present make,
The custome is suche yefteȝ for to take.
Makyng her present with all humylyte,
Lyches her age as brothir aftir brothir.
Golde, franke and Myrr thay yaffe hym all thre,
Aftir the custome of perce and Calde,
For of that lond whanne kyngis present make,
The custome is suche yefteȝ for to take.
604
And this was done with foyson and plente
In verrey sothe and grete haboundaunce;
For in her present was noo scarcete,
For of Richeȝ they had all suffisauance.
Wher-fore thay cast with deuoute obeysaunce
Of dewe right with the childe to parte
Of her tresour or that thay departe.
In verrey sothe and grete haboundaunce;
For in her present was noo scarcete,
For of Richeȝ they had all suffisauance.
Wher-fore thay cast with deuoute obeysaunce
Of dewe right with the childe to parte
Of her tresour or that thay departe.
[[LXXVII]]
And for that golde is payede for tribute,
As it is founde of Antiquyte,
Ther-fore these kynges for a manere sewte—
That thay hem aught of verrey deute—
Thay brought hym golde oute of her contre,
And yaffe it hym withoutyn Repentaunce,
Holy of hert for a reconysaunce.
As it is founde of Antiquyte,
Ther-fore these kynges for a manere sewte—
That thay hem aught of verrey deute—
Thay brought hym golde oute of her contre,
And yaffe it hym withoutyn Repentaunce,
Holy of hert for a reconysaunce.
605
And franke also, as clerkeȝ can devyse,
Ordenyde is in conclusion,
To God only to make sacryfyce.
With contryte hert and deuocion,
Therfore to hym for oblacion
Thay broughten frank to signyfye thanne,
That he was bothe sothefast god and man.
Ordenyde is in conclusion,
To God only to make sacryfyce.
With contryte hert and deuocion,
Therfore to hym for oblacion
Thay broughten frank to signyfye thanne,
That he was bothe sothefast god and man.
Ande for thei wolde in alle thynge obeie
To his highnesse with all bysy cure,
In token he shulde for mankynde deye,
Thay brought hym myrre to his sepulture;
For like a man dethe he must endure,
And with his blode shed in his passion,
Of oure trespas to make redempcioun.
To his highnesse with all bysy cure,
In token he shulde for mankynde deye,
Thay brought hym myrre to his sepulture;
For like a man dethe he must endure,
And with his blode shed in his passion,
Of oure trespas to make redempcioun.
606
In franke also, who þat can discerne,
Is vndirstonde the highe maieste
Of his power whiche that is eterne;
And eke also his high deite.
And golde betokenyth his high dygnyte,
And myrre declareth vnto us at all
Of his manhode that he was mortell.
Is vndirstonde the highe maieste
Of his power whiche that is eterne;
And eke also his high deite.
And golde betokenyth his high dygnyte,
And myrre declareth vnto us at all
Of his manhode that he was mortell.
And golde betokenythe of loue the fervence
That he to man had of affection.
And frank betokenethe the souereygne excellence,
In holynesse his conuersacion.
And myrre betokenethe the tribulacion
That he suffrede and all the grete penaunce,
For vs in erthe by contynuaunce.
That he to man had of affection.
And frank betokenethe the souereygne excellence,
In holynesse his conuersacion.
And myrre betokenethe the tribulacion
That he suffrede and all the grete penaunce,
For vs in erthe by contynuaunce.
607
In golde he was knowen as a kyng,
In frank a prest, who so can take hede,
Of myrre also this day the offryng
Was longyng only to his manhede.
And thus he was withoutyn any drede,
Bothe kyng and prest as I discerne can,
And for our sake in erthe a mortall man.
In frank a prest, who so can take hede,
Of myrre also this day the offryng
Was longyng only to his manhede.
And thus he was withoutyn any drede,
Bothe kyng and prest as I discerne can,
And for our sake in erthe a mortall man.
In golde also, metall most gloryouse,
Fygured was his high deite;
In franke also—that is so preciouse—
The soule of criste most perfyte of degre;
And Myrre betokeneth thurugh his dignyte,
His flesshe the whiche by disposicion,
May neuere suffre noo corrupcion.
Fygured was his high deite;
In franke also—that is so preciouse—
The soule of criste most perfyte of degre;
And Myrre betokeneth thurugh his dignyte,
His flesshe the whiche by disposicion,
May neuere suffre noo corrupcion.
608
And of these yefteȝ passyng Reuerent,
Full of mysterrye and hevenly privete,
Whan thay had made her presente
Vnto the childe ay sittyng on her knee,
With grete avyse thay gan be-holde and se—
To fore that thay Remevyde fro that place—
His godely chere and his fayre face.
Full of mysterrye and hevenly privete,
Whan thay had made her presente
Vnto the childe ay sittyng on her knee,
With grete avyse thay gan be-holde and se—
To fore that thay Remevyde fro that place—
His godely chere and his fayre face.
Considryng his feturs by and by,
With grete insight and humble entencion,
And ay the more thay loke bysyly,
The more thay ioyen in her inspection;
And thought all, as in her reason,
Though kynde and god had sette in . o . fygure,
The beaute holy of euery creature.
With grete insight and humble entencion,
And ay the more thay loke bysyly,
The more thay ioyen in her inspection;
And thought all, as in her reason,
Though kynde and god had sette in . o . fygure,
The beaute holy of euery creature.
609
It myght not in sothenesse haue be liche
To his fayrnesse nor peregall,
For he that is above nature ryche
Hath made this childe fayrest in speciall.
For in his face they byholden all
The hole beaute and fayrnesse eke also,
Of hevyn and erthe to-gydre bothe twoo.
To his fayrnesse nor peregall,
For he that is above nature ryche
Hath made this childe fayrest in speciall.
For in his face they byholden all
The hole beaute and fayrnesse eke also,
Of hevyn and erthe to-gydre bothe twoo.
Wherefore no wondre though thay hem delyte
Most passyngly vpon hym to see,
For thay in hert reyoisen hem not a lyte
On hym to loke that thay haue liberte,
For ay the more playnely that thay be
In his presence, the parfyte hote fyre
Of hertly Ioye hem brent by desyre.
Most passyngly vpon hym to see,
For thay in hert reyoisen hem not a lyte
On hym to loke that thay haue liberte,
For ay the more playnely that thay be
In his presence, the parfyte hote fyre
Of hertly Ioye hem brent by desyre.
610
And of . o . thyngh full gode hede thay toke:
How that the chylde demurely cast his sight
Tawardes hem and godely gan to loke
On her faceȝ with his eyne bryght;
And how that he put his Armeȝ right
Godely to hem makyng a manere signe
To hem of thankyng, with chere full benigne.
How that the chylde demurely cast his sight
Tawardes hem and godely gan to loke
On her faceȝ with his eyne bryght;
And how that he put his Armeȝ right
Godely to hem makyng a manere signe
To hem of thankyng, with chere full benigne.
And of his mothir thay muche thyng enquere,
Touchyng his birthe with humble affeccion;
And she ansewerde, moste femynyne of chere,
Full prudently to euery question
With chere demure and loke ycaste adoune,
With all the porte of womanly clennesse,
Hir-self demenyng and chefly with mekenesse.
Touchyng his birthe with humble affeccion;
And she ansewerde, moste femynyne of chere,
Full prudently to euery question
With chere demure and loke ycaste adoune,
With all the porte of womanly clennesse,
Hir-self demenyng and chefly with mekenesse.
611
[[LXXVIII]]
O she that was of hevyn and erthe quene,
And of hell, lady and eke pryncesse,
O what was he, alas, that may susteyne
To be proude considryng her mekenesse!
O pryde, alas, o Rote of our distresse!
Though thy boste above the skyes blowe
Thy bildyng high shall be brought full lowe!
And of hell, lady and eke pryncesse,
O what was he, alas, that may susteyne
To be proude considryng her mekenesse!
O pryde, alas, o Rote of our distresse!
Though thy boste above the skyes blowe
Thy bildyng high shall be brought full lowe!
O thou suquydre, alas, whi nylt thou see
Howe she that hathe hevyn in hir demayne,
And souerayne lady is bothe of londe and see,
And of the axtre by-twene the poleȝ tweyne
And all the enbrasyng of the golden cheyne,
Yet vnto god, I say in sothefastnesse,
Above all this agrede her mekenesse.
Howe she that hathe hevyn in hir demayne,
And souerayne lady is bothe of londe and see,
And of the axtre by-twene the poleȝ tweyne
And all the enbrasyng of the golden cheyne,
Yet vnto god, I say in sothefastnesse,
Above all this agrede her mekenesse.
612
O pompe elate, with thy chereȝ bolde,
Remembre and see and loke how that she—
On whom kyngeȝ haue yoye to by-holde—
In her presence to knelen on her knee,
Though she of wemen be highest in degre,
Take hede and see how lowly in a stable
Howe that she satte this lady worshipable.
Remembre and see and loke how that she—
On whom kyngeȝ haue yoye to by-holde—
In her presence to knelen on her knee,
Though she of wemen be highest in degre,
Take hede and see how lowly in a stable
Howe that she satte this lady worshipable.
Wer ther of golde any clotheȝ founde,
Of silke damaske or ryche tarteryne?
Or was ther arras a-bouȝte hir head vp boonde,
Or was ther any veluet Crymesyne,
Or was ther any samyte or satyne
Or wer ther any tappyteȝ large or wyde.
The nakyd grounde to keuer or to hide?
Of silke damaske or ryche tarteryne?
Or was ther arras a-bouȝte hir head vp boonde,
Or was ther any veluet Crymesyne,
Or was ther any samyte or satyne
Or wer ther any tappyteȝ large or wyde.
The nakyd grounde to keuer or to hide?
613
Or was her palyce bilt of lyme and stone,
Or the pillours sette vp of Marble graye,
Or the growne pavede on to gon,
Or fresshe parlours glaȝed bright as day,
Or were ther any chaumbreȝ of a ray,
Or for estateȝ was ther any hall
Saue a dongon and an oxe stall?
Or the pillours sette vp of Marble graye,
Or the growne pavede on to gon,
Or fresshe parlours glaȝed bright as day,
Or were ther any chaumbreȝ of a ray,
Or for estateȝ was ther any hall
Saue a dongon and an oxe stall?
Or of hir bede was the appareyll
Of golde or sylke curteynede large a-boute,
Or were ther sheteȝ of longe or wyde entayle
Kyt oute of Reynes nay with-outynn doute?
Or were there any ladeȝ for to loute
To hir highnesse with bysy obseruance,
Or of maydens any attendaunce?
Of golde or sylke curteynede large a-boute,
Or were ther sheteȝ of longe or wyde entayle
Kyt oute of Reynes nay with-outynn doute?
Or were there any ladeȝ for to loute
To hir highnesse with bysy obseruance,
Or of maydens any attendaunce?
614
O as me semythe, of verrey dewe right,
Ye wemen all shulden take hede—
With your perleȝ and your stoneȝ bright—
How that your quene, floure of womanhede,
Of no devyse enbroyded hath her wede,
Ne furrede withe Ermyne ne with tresty graye,
Ne martren ne sable, I trowe in gode faye,
Ye wemen all shulden take hede—
With your perleȝ and your stoneȝ bright—
How that your quene, floure of womanhede,
Of no devyse enbroyded hath her wede,
Ne furrede withe Ermyne ne with tresty graye,
Ne martren ne sable, I trowe in gode faye,
Was noon founden in her garment,
And yet she was the fayrest for to see
That euere was vndir the firmament.
Wherfore, me semyth, ye shulde haue pyte
To se a lady of so high degre,
So semely atyrede, o ye wemen all.
Be-holde howe narowe closede in an oxe stalle.
And yet she was the fayrest for to see
That euere was vndir the firmament.
Wherfore, me semyth, ye shulde haue pyte
To se a lady of so high degre,
So semely atyrede, o ye wemen all.
Be-holde howe narowe closede in an oxe stalle.
615
Late be your pryde and your affeccion
Of riche aray, and nothyng yov delite
In worldely pompe and suche abusion
Of sundri clothis, reede, bleke and white.
And be well ware, or the spere byte
Of cruell dethe and the fell smerte.
My councell is to lyfth vp yowre hert
Of riche aray, and nothyng yov delite
In worldely pompe and suche abusion
Of sundri clothis, reede, bleke and white.
And be well ware, or the spere byte
Of cruell dethe and the fell smerte.
My councell is to lyfth vp yowre hert
To that lady and to that worthy quene,
Þat ȝou may beest helpe in ȝour nede,
And yov releve in euery woo and tene,
And delyuere from all myscheve and drede.
And þinkeþ pleynly and takyth riȝt good hede,
Þat al schal passe, aray and eke richesse,
When ye lest wene and all your semblynesse.
Þat ȝou may beest helpe in ȝour nede,
And yov releve in euery woo and tene,
And delyuere from all myscheve and drede.
And þinkeþ pleynly and takyth riȝt good hede,
Þat al schal passe, aray and eke richesse,
When ye lest wene and all your semblynesse.
616
Lat hem affore be to yov a kalendere:
Isoude, Elyn, and eke polixene,
Hester also and dydo with her chere,
And Riche Candace, of ethyope quene,—
Ligge þei not graue vndre clowris grene?
And yet all this may not your pryde atame,
Nought withestondyng þat ye shall do the same.
Isoude, Elyn, and eke polixene,
Hester also and dydo with her chere,
And Riche Candace, of ethyope quene,—
Ligge þei not graue vndre clowris grene?
And yet all this may not your pryde atame,
Nought withestondyng þat ye shall do the same.
Eke after dethe a-bydyth no memorye,
For ay with dethe comyth for-yetylnesse;
And fare well than arey and all veyneglorye,
Saue only vertu that stant in sikernesse.
I take recorde of the high mekenesse
Of hir that is of holynesse welle,
Of whome I thynke sothely for to telle,
For ay with dethe comyth for-yetylnesse;
And fare well than arey and all veyneglorye,
Saue only vertu that stant in sikernesse.
I take recorde of the high mekenesse
Of hir that is of holynesse welle,
Of whome I thynke sothely for to telle,
617
How that she satte, for all hir worthynesse,
Holdyng hir childe full lowly on the grounde;
And kyngeȝ knelyng, as ye haue herde expresse,
Be-holdyng hir in vertu most habounde,
Til at þe laste þey haue a leyser founde
To take her leve, and the same day
Thay gon to Ryde homwarde on her waye.
Holdyng hir childe full lowly on the grounde;
And kyngeȝ knelyng, as ye haue herde expresse,
Be-holdyng hir in vertu most habounde,
Til at þe laste þey haue a leyser founde
To take her leve, and the same day
Thay gon to Ryde homwarde on her waye.
[[LXXIX]]
And sewyng aftir on the next nyght,
While thay slepte at her logyng place,
Came an Angell, a-peryng with grete light,
And warnede hem that thay ne trace
By herodeȝ, but bade þat thay shulde pace
Withe-oute a-bood, in all the haste thay may
To her kyngedom by another way.
While thay slepte at her logyng place,
Came an Angell, a-peryng with grete light,
And warnede hem that thay ne trace
By herodeȝ, but bade þat thay shulde pace
Withe-oute a-bood, in all the haste thay may
To her kyngedom by another way.
618
And in shorte tyme, to her Region
Thay ben repayrede, the gospell tellyth vs.
And of her nameȝ, to make mencion,
The first in Ebrwe was callede Appellius;
The next Amerus, the thryde Damathus;
And in greke, the first Galgatha,
And Serachym, the thryde Malgalatha.
Thay ben repayrede, the gospell tellyth vs.
And of her nameȝ, to make mencion,
The first in Ebrwe was callede Appellius;
The next Amerus, the thryde Damathus;
And in greke, the first Galgatha,
And Serachym, the thryde Malgalatha.
And in latyn, as bokeȝ maken mynde,
The first of hem named was Iasper;
And the secounde, playnely as I fynde,
Lyche myne Auctour reherseȝ as I dar,
Called was and namede Balthasar;
And the thryde—ye gete of me no more—
As I Rede was callede Melchiore.
The first of hem named was Iasper;
And the secounde, playnely as I fynde,
Lyche myne Auctour reherseȝ as I dar,
Called was and namede Balthasar;
And the thryde—ye gete of me no more—
As I Rede was callede Melchiore.
619
Of whose repayre, as some bokeȝ sayne,
That first of all thay wente to the see,
And retournede to her kyngdome agayne.
Thay shippede hem at Tharce the Cyte,
For whiche heroude, of cursede cruelte.
In Tharce made all the shippeȝ brenne,
Wher-of wrytheth Dauid, the sauter if ye kenne.
That first of all thay wente to the see,
And retournede to her kyngdome agayne.
Thay shippede hem at Tharce the Cyte,
For whiche heroude, of cursede cruelte.
In Tharce made all the shippeȝ brenne,
Wher-of wrytheth Dauid, the sauter if ye kenne.
And vnto yov clerly to specifie,
Towchynge this fest and this solempnite,
Wherof is sayde this worde Epyphanye,
Whiche is a worde of grete Auctoryte;
And sayde and componede, who so can se,
Of Epi firste, and phanos, sothe to sayne.
And of o worde combynede of these twayne,
Towchynge this fest and this solempnite,
Wherof is sayde this worde Epyphanye,
Whiche is a worde of grete Auctoryte;
And sayde and componede, who so can se,
Of Epi firste, and phanos, sothe to sayne.
And of o worde combynede of these twayne,
620
Comyth this worde of Epyphanye.
And this word Epi, by descripcion
Is sayde of heght, as I can signyfie;
And of a shewyng by demonstracion
Is phanos sayde; and so by gode reason,
Epi and phanos, bothe knyt in fere,
Is a shewyng that dothe a-lofte pere.
And this word Epi, by descripcion
Is sayde of heght, as I can signyfie;
And of a shewyng by demonstracion
Is phanos sayde; and so by gode reason,
Epi and phanos, bothe knyt in fere,
Is a shewyng that dothe a-lofte pere.
And for this day, a-lofte was the sterre
Which cristeȝ birthe and Incarnacion
With his stremeȝ gan shewe fro so ferre,
Fro Est to West in many a Region.
Wherfore this fest, in conclusion,
As ye to-forne haue herde me specifye,
This fest is callede of Epiphanye.
Which cristeȝ birthe and Incarnacion
With his stremeȝ gan shewe fro so ferre,
Fro Est to West in many a Region.
Wherfore this fest, in conclusion,
As ye to-forne haue herde me specifye,
This fest is callede of Epiphanye.
621
The wheche feste haith a prerogatif
Of myracleȝ notable in speciall,
For thynges foure wrought in cristes lyfe
Wern on this day by his power Riall.
The first of all most memoryall
Is of the kyngeȝ, as ye haue herde me sayne
Whiche were in ydelle to Reherse agayne.
Of myracleȝ notable in speciall,
For thynges foure wrought in cristes lyfe
Wern on this day by his power Riall.
The first of all most memoryall
Is of the kyngeȝ, as ye haue herde me sayne
Whiche were in ydelle to Reherse agayne.
The secounde is, as it is sothely tolde,
That criste Ihesu, this day of saint Iohn,
The yere whan he was xxxti wynter olde,
Baptisede was in the flume Iourdan.
At whiche tyme, thre kyngeȝ vnder one,
Discendeth this day worthy of memorye.
The firste was that from the high glorye,
That criste Ihesu, this day of saint Iohn,
The yere whan he was xxxti wynter olde,
Baptisede was in the flume Iourdan.
At whiche tyme, thre kyngeȝ vnder one,
Discendeth this day worthy of memorye.
The firste was that from the high glorye,
622
The faders voyce, as clerkeȝ lust endyte,
Came dovne to erthe that men myght here;
And like a dove with fayre feders white,
The holy gost also dyd a-pere;
And criste Ihesu, the faders son entere
This day aperyng in our mortall kynde,
Was of saint Iohn Baptiȝede, as I fynde.
Came dovne to erthe that men myght here;
And like a dove with fayre feders white,
The holy gost also dyd a-pere;
And criste Ihesu, the faders son entere
This day aperyng in our mortall kynde,
Was of saint Iohn Baptiȝede, as I fynde.
And for as moche as thay all thre
This day were sene by sothefaste apparence—
Thay beyng one in perfyte vnyte—
Therfore, this day of moste Reuerence,
Named is truly in sentence,
Theophanos, for god in trible wyse
Ther in aperyd, as yo haue herde devyse.
This day were sene by sothefaste apparence—
Thay beyng one in perfyte vnyte—
Therfore, this day of moste Reuerence,
Named is truly in sentence,
Theophanos, for god in trible wyse
Ther in aperyd, as yo haue herde devyse.
623
For theos is as moche for to mene
As god in englisshe, yf ye lust to se;
Phanos a shewyng withouten any wene,
As ye haue herde aforne rehersed of me;
And for in erthe, o god in Trynyte,
This day aperede withouten any lye,
Ye truly may calle it theophane.
As god in englisshe, yf ye lust to se;
Phanos a shewyng withouten any wene,
As ye haue herde aforne rehersed of me;
And for in erthe, o god in Trynyte,
This day aperede withouten any lye,
Ye truly may calle it theophane.
Eke whan crist was passede xxxti yere,
This day he turnede water in to wyne
That passyngly was to the eye clere
And of tarage inly gode and fyne,
The whiche he sent to Archideclyne.
And for this myracle Inly vertuouse,
In Galele was shewed in a house.
This day he turnede water in to wyne
That passyngly was to the eye clere
And of tarage inly gode and fyne,
The whiche he sent to Archideclyne.
And for this myracle Inly vertuouse,
In Galele was shewed in a house.
624
This same day whiche men dyd espye—
As holy chirche maketh mencion—
Therfore it is namede Bethphanye.
For Bethe in Inglisshe by discripcion
Is callede an house or a mancion.
Of whiche myracle, renomed of fame,
Bethphanye this day hathe the name.
As holy chirche maketh mencion—
Therfore it is namede Bethphanye.
For Bethe in Inglisshe by discripcion
Is callede an house or a mancion.
Of whiche myracle, renomed of fame,
Bethphanye this day hathe the name.
Eke in the yere of his passion,
Fer in desert this day also, I rede,
With loves fyve, thorough his grete foyson,
Fyve thousande I fynd that he dyde fede.
Of whiche myracle, yf ye take hede,
This day is last namede phagyphanye,
Lyke as it firste was clepid Epiphanye.
Fer in desert this day also, I rede,
With loves fyve, thorough his grete foyson,
Fyve thousande I fynd that he dyde fede.
Of whiche myracle, yf ye take hede,
This day is last namede phagyphanye,
Lyke as it firste was clepid Epiphanye.
625
For this worde phagi vnto our entent
Is sayde of fedyng or refeccion;
For whiche myracle passyng excellent,
That is so famous and of so high renoun—
Like as the gospell maketh mencion—
Þerfore þis dai amonge þe oþyr alle,
Ye Iustely maye phagyphanye it call.
Is sayde of fedyng or refeccion;
For whiche myracle passyng excellent,
That is so famous and of so high renoun—
Like as the gospell maketh mencion—
Þerfore þis dai amonge þe oþyr alle,
Ye Iustely maye phagyphanye it call.
[[LXXX]]
Nowe criste Ihesu, this day this high feste,
We the beseche with hert, will and thought,
Only of mercy to here our Requeste:
For the myracles that thou therin hast wrought,
For loue of hem that the so ferre hau sought,
The worthy kyngeȝ that came oute of Calde
The for to honour in Bedlem the Cetye.
We the beseche with hert, will and thought,
Only of mercy to here our Requeste:
For the myracles that thou therin hast wrought,
For loue of hem that the so ferre hau sought,
The worthy kyngeȝ that came oute of Calde
The for to honour in Bedlem the Cetye.
626
And thourgh prayer of these kyngeȝ thre,
That for thy loue token her viage,
Ihesu defende vs fro all aduersite;
And make vs stronge and sure in our passage
In this exile and parlous pylgrymage,
Whiche our fomen of malice and of pryde
Hath in this lyfe by-sett vs on euerysyde.
That for thy loue token her viage,
Ihesu defende vs fro all aduersite;
And make vs stronge and sure in our passage
In this exile and parlous pylgrymage,
Whiche our fomen of malice and of pryde
Hath in this lyfe by-sett vs on euerysyde.
The whiche our golde of perfyte charite
Wolde vs by-Ryve by persecucion,
That we shulde offre of fervence vnto the
Of hertly loue and high deuocion.
And eke our franke of contemplacion,
Wher-with we shulde make our sacryfyce
Of high disdeyne and malice they dispyce.
Wolde vs by-Ryve by persecucion,
That we shulde offre of fervence vnto the
Of hertly loue and high deuocion.
And eke our franke of contemplacion,
Wher-with we shulde make our sacryfyce
Of high disdeyne and malice they dispyce.
627
For golde of trouthe is falsely nowe alayede
By feyned loue and Symylacioun,
And fayth with fraude is corrupte and affrayed
With double tunges and detraccioun;
Our franke also of high perfection
That shulde brenne clere above the skye,
Is with the Coode medelede of envye.
By feyned loue and Symylacioun,
And fayth with fraude is corrupte and affrayed
With double tunges and detraccioun;
Our franke also of high perfection
That shulde brenne clere above the skye,
Is with the Coode medelede of envye.
That it alas yeve may no light
In the sensure of trwe affeccion;
For day of trouthe is turnede vnto nyght
Thorough wrong reporte and false suspecion.
And þus good feith is rollid up soo doun,
And trwe menyng darkyd with a skye
That we in Englisshe calle flaterye.
In the sensure of trwe affeccion;
For day of trouthe is turnede vnto nyght
Thorough wrong reporte and false suspecion.
And þus good feith is rollid up soo doun,
And trwe menyng darkyd with a skye
That we in Englisshe calle flaterye.
628
And thus our offryng gothe all moste all wronge,
Of gold and franke for ought I can aspye
And our myrre hathe be byhynde longe.
Vs to preserue from all suche trecherye,
For nowe is turnede to ypocrysye
Our holynesse, and that is grete routhe,
And cause whie, for fraude hathe banysshede trouthe.
Of gold and franke for ought I can aspye
And our myrre hathe be byhynde longe.
Vs to preserue from all suche trecherye,
For nowe is turnede to ypocrysye
Our holynesse, and that is grete routhe,
And cause whie, for fraude hathe banysshede trouthe.
But crist Ihesu, that all this maist amende,
And that is mysse in eche estate redresse,
This hie fest suche grace to vs sende,
That we the golde of faythe and stablonesse
And eke the franke of perfyte holynesse,
May on this day present vnto the
Withe all trwe hert as dyd the kynges thre.
And that is mysse in eche estate redresse,
This hie fest suche grace to vs sende,
That we the golde of faythe and stablonesse
And eke the franke of perfyte holynesse,
May on this day present vnto the
Withe all trwe hert as dyd the kynges thre.
629
And graunt also, bothe to high and lowe,
To haue suche myrre in her aduertence,
That euery wight his owne fauteȝ knowe,
And that no man be hasty of sentence
To deme lightly byfore or in absence;
For sodem dom meynt with ignoraunce,
Hathe a long tayle sewyng of repentaunce.
To haue suche myrre in her aduertence,
That euery wight his owne fauteȝ knowe,
And that no man be hasty of sentence
To deme lightly byfore or in absence;
For sodem dom meynt with ignoraunce,
Hathe a long tayle sewyng of repentaunce.
For in sothenesse, if that euery man
Wolde make amyrrour of his awne mynde,
To deme hym-selffe of thyng that he well can,
And open his yen that hau be longe blynde
To se his fauteȝ that he shulde well fynde,
I trow in soithe, for any haste or rape,
Harmeleȝ fro dome his felowe shulde ascape.
Wolde make amyrrour of his awne mynde,
To deme hym-selffe of thyng that he well can,
And open his yen that hau be longe blynde
To se his fauteȝ that he shulde well fynde,
I trow in soithe, for any haste or rape,
Harmeleȝ fro dome his felowe shulde ascape.
630
[[LXXXI]]
Nowe crist Ihesu—that knowest euery herte
And no thyng may be hyd fro thy presence,
Ne fro thyn eye declyne ne asterte—
Graunt vs this day of thy magnyfycence
The golde of loue, the franke of Innocence,
And the chast myrre of clene entencion,
So to presente in our oblacion
And no thyng may be hyd fro thy presence,
Ne fro thyn eye declyne ne asterte—
Graunt vs this day of thy magnyfycence
The golde of loue, the franke of Innocence,
And the chast myrre of clene entencion,
So to presente in our oblacion
To thyne highnesse þat it be acceptable;
While þat we lyue eure from ȝeere to ȝeere,
As was the offryng in Bedlem in a stable,
Made vnto the and to thy mothir dere
Of the kynges, that with the stremes clere
Of a sterre conveyde were by grace,
Wher thou lay to come to the place.
While þat we lyue eure from ȝeere to ȝeere,
As was the offryng in Bedlem in a stable,
Made vnto the and to thy mothir dere
Of the kynges, that with the stremes clere
Of a sterre conveyde were by grace,
Wher thou lay to come to the place.
631
And vnto the this day we clepe and call—
Þou blissful quene of kingis emperesse,
That yaf thy sonne, soukyng in a stalle,
That chast mylke of virgynall clennesse—
That thou this fest, o sterre of holynesse,
Conueye oure offringe to þat sterri see
Wher next thy son thou hast the souereynte.
Þou blissful quene of kingis emperesse,
That yaf thy sonne, soukyng in a stalle,
That chast mylke of virgynall clennesse—
That thou this fest, o sterre of holynesse,
Conueye oure offringe to þat sterri see
Wher next thy son thou hast the souereynte.
And gode lady in this sorowefull vale
Of trouble and wo and of hevynesse—
Sithe thou of Iacob art the right scale,
The weye of lyffe the ledder of holynesse—
Towarde that courte the evyn way vs dresse,
And make thy men thedir to assende
Wher euere is blisse, and Ioye hath non ende.
Of trouble and wo and of hevynesse—
Sithe thou of Iacob art the right scale,
The weye of lyffe the ledder of holynesse—
Towarde that courte the evyn way vs dresse,
And make thy men thedir to assende
Wher euere is blisse, and Ioye hath non ende.
632
For certeȝ lady, in this lyfe we lakke
Of sothefast yoye, all the suffysaunce
Save amonge we knele afore the Rakke:
Where with thy sonne was some tyme thy pleasaunce,
And vs reyoysyng, as by Remembraunce,
Only by lykenesse to loke on thyne ymage
And on thy sonne with his fayre visage.
Of sothefast yoye, all the suffysaunce
Save amonge we knele afore the Rakke:
Where with thy sonne was some tyme thy pleasaunce,
And vs reyoysyng, as by Remembraunce,
Only by lykenesse to loke on thyne ymage
And on thy sonne with his fayre visage.
But, o, alas, ther is but a lykenesse
Of portrature that dothe vs grete offence,
For we may not haue full the blissednesse
Of thy vysage ne of thy presence;
And so to vs grete harme dothe aparence,
Whan that we sene of our desyre we fayle,
We may well pleyne but it may not avayle.
Of portrature that dothe vs grete offence,
For we may not haue full the blissednesse
Of thy vysage ne of thy presence;
And so to vs grete harme dothe aparence,
Whan that we sene of our desyre we fayle,
We may well pleyne but it may not avayle.
633
Yet day by day of trwe affection,
We gon of newe thy likenesse for to see,
Wher-of o thyng we haue compassion:
To see þe beestis þat so humble be
To stonde my atwene thy sonne and the,
The rude Asse and the oxe also.
And then we sayne, compleynying in our woo,
We gon of newe thy likenesse for to see,
Wher-of o thyng we haue compassion:
To see þe beestis þat so humble be
To stonde my atwene thy sonne and the,
The rude Asse and the oxe also.
And then we sayne, compleynying in our woo,
With all our hert: o what thyng may this be,
To se that lorde in a Rakke lye
That hath the hevyn vndir his powste,
And all this worlde power hath to gye!
O how it is that the Regalye
Of heven and erthe is brought dovne so lowe
That noman luste vnethes his power knowe!
To se that lorde in a Rakke lye
That hath the hevyn vndir his powste,
And all this worlde power hath to gye!
O how it is that the Regalye
Of heven and erthe is brought dovne so lowe
That noman luste vnethes his power knowe!
634
And sodenly our herteȝ gynnythe colde,
Sore a-stonyed and is for woo niȝ mate,
So grete a quene whan that we be-holde
Alone syttyng all disconsolate
So fayre, so gode, and of so hygh estate,
Most womanly and benygne of chere,
Thy sonne and thou, to-gydre bothe in fere,
Sore a-stonyed and is for woo niȝ mate,
So grete a quene whan that we be-holde
Alone syttyng all disconsolate
So fayre, so gode, and of so hygh estate,
Most womanly and benygne of chere,
Thy sonne and thou, to-gydre bothe in fere,
In the boundeȝ of so narowe a dongeon,
Wher-of all erthe tremble sholde and quake,
And euery wight by lamentacion
Wepe and pleyne, sighe and sorowe make;
O blisfull quene, only for thy sake,
To see on the none other awaytyng,
But besteȝ rude with hay hem-selffe fedyng.
Wher-of all erthe tremble sholde and quake,
And euery wight by lamentacion
Wepe and pleyne, sighe and sorowe make;
O blisfull quene, only for thy sake,
To see on the none other awaytyng,
But besteȝ rude with hay hem-selffe fedyng.
635
But in o thyng comforte yet we fele,
O goode lady sothely while we see,
Thre worthy kyngeȝ a-fore thy face knele,
Bryngyng her yefteȝ with all humylyte
And hem gouerne like to thy degre,
With meke attendaunce and full besy cure;—
But all this thyng we se but in picture.
O goode lady sothely while we see,
Thre worthy kyngeȝ a-fore thy face knele,
Bryngyng her yefteȝ with all humylyte
And hem gouerne like to thy degre,
With meke attendaunce and full besy cure;—
But all this thyng we se but in picture.
Alas the while and yet it dothe vs ease,
And in partye aswagethe our grevaunce,
For no thyng may our sorowe so appese
As euer of the to haue a remembraunce.
For in the is our hole suffisaunce,
And though we leve in langour for absence,
Yet gode lady for thy magnyficence,
And in partye aswagethe our grevaunce,
For no thyng may our sorowe so appese
As euer of the to haue a remembraunce.
For in the is our hole suffisaunce,
And though we leve in langour for absence,
Yet gode lady for thy magnyficence,
636
To thy servaunteȝ, of thy grace nowe see,
And to thy sonne, be for vs a mene.
This high feste, which longyth vnto the—
In whiche thou were honourede like a quene
With myrre and frank and golde that shone so shene—
Nowe for the honoure this day was to the,
And for the loue of the kyngeȝ thre,
And to thy sonne, be for vs a mene.
This high feste, which longyth vnto the—
In whiche thou were honourede like a quene
With myrre and frank and golde that shone so shene—
Nowe for the honoure this day was to the,
And for the loue of the kyngeȝ thre,
Whan we shall parte oute of this woofull lyffe
And make an ende of this captivyte
Of herodeȝ thourght his mortall stryffe,
The fende betrappe vs thurgh his cruelte;
That tyme lady of thy benygnyte,
A-yentse the snares of this dredfull werre,
To lyfe eterne be thou our lode sterre.
And make an ende of this captivyte
Of herodeȝ thourght his mortall stryffe,
The fende betrappe vs thurgh his cruelte;
That tyme lady of thy benygnyte,
A-yentse the snares of this dredfull werre,
To lyfe eterne be thou our lode sterre.
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