 | Cambridge Middle English Lyrics |  |
1
RELIGIOUS POEMS
Prayers, Songs, and Orisons to or about God, Christ, and the Virgin
1. An Orison to the Trinity
a llmyȝtty god fadyr of heuen
for cristis loue þat dyde on rode
y prey þe lord to here my steuen
& my desyre fulfyll in god
for cristis loue þat dyde on rode
y prey þe lord to here my steuen
& my desyre fulfyll in god
crist to þy fadir for me praye
for hyr loue þat þu lyȝttest [ynne]
& for myȝt grace or þat y dye
me to amende of all my synne
for hyr loue þat þu lyȝttest [ynne]
& for myȝt grace or þat y dye
me to amende of all my synne
holy gost gyf me grace
with suche werkys my lyf to lede
þat y may se god in his face
at domis day with oute drede
with suche werkys my lyf to lede
þat y may se god in his face
at domis day with oute drede
fadir sone & holy gost
all o god & personis þre .
Almyȝtty god of mercy most .
lord ihesu haue mercy on me .
all o god & personis þre .
Almyȝtty god of mercy most .
lord ihesu haue mercy on me .
Amen . /
2
[An Orison to the Trinity]
Almyghty god fader of heuen
for cristes love that deyed yn roode
I pray the lorde to hire my steven
And my desire cause to be goode
for cristes love that deyed yn roode
I pray the lorde to hire my steven
And my desire cause to be goode
3
To thy fader for me pray
for here love that thou lightist yn
of myght and grace or that I daye
me to amende of al my synne
for here love that thou lightist yn
of myght and grace or that I daye
me to amende of al my synne
And with suche werkes my lyve to lede
that I may see god yn his face
A dovmys day with ovten drede
Thorov thy myght helpe and grace
that I may see god yn his face
A dovmys day with ovten drede
Thorov thy myght helpe and grace
ffader sone and holy gooste
One god yn persons three
Almyghty god of mercyes moste
And goode lorde haue mercy on me
One god yn persons three
Almyghty god of mercyes moste
And goode lorde haue mercy on me
Mary moder for me pray
that repentance may be yn me
And that I may haue grace or þat I daye
Rightfully to amende me
that repentance may be yn me
And that I may haue grace or þat I daye
Rightfully to amende me
Amen for Cherite
2. How Sinners Crucify Christ Each Day
Man yff thow wylt my mercy gete
Thorough my passion of grete vertu
Why sesyst þow me not to bete
Ech day on crosse thow doyst me newe
With thy othys many and gret
As a traytor to me thou art ontrewe
And but yf thow wylt thy othes let
Elles full sore hit schall the rewe
Thorough my passion of grete vertu
Why sesyst þow me not to bete
Ech day on crosse thow doyst me newe
With thy othys many and gret
As a traytor to me thou art ontrewe
And but yf thow wylt thy othes let
Elles full sore hit schall the rewe
No lym of me thou forberyst
Why doyst thow evyll ageynste goode
Wyth thy othes þat thou sweryst
fforto a venge thyne veyn mode
Wyth thy tonge þou me alto teryst
As thou were madde or wode
Wyth thy onkyndnes þou me more deryst
Than they that rent me on the rode
Why doyst thow evyll ageynste goode
Wyth thy othes þat thou sweryst
fforto a venge thyne veyn mode
4
As thou were madde or wode
Wyth thy onkyndnes þou me more deryst
Than they that rent me on the rode
Thow hast more pyte on to thy too
Yf hit be hurt and a lytyll blede
Than thou hast for all the woo
That i suffyrde for thy mysdede
And whan thou art tauȝt & covncelyd also
That thou schuldyst not swere but whan hit is nede
A non thou gevyst a scorn þerto
And to my hestes thou takyst none hede
Yf hit be hurt and a lytyll blede
Than thou hast for all the woo
That i suffyrde for thy mysdede
And whan thou art tauȝt & covncelyd also
That thou schuldyst not swere but whan hit is nede
A non thou gevyst a scorn þerto
And to my hestes thou takyst none hede
Loude lesynges for me thou makyst
Some tyme to wyn an halpeny
What tyme to wytnesse þou me takyst
And ȝyt thou lyest wetyngly
In byinge & sellyng lesynges þou makyst
And in Idyll and fals thou sweryst me by
And so to hell the wey thou takyst
Man make amendes or thou dye
Some tyme to wyn an halpeny
What tyme to wytnesse þou me takyst
And ȝyt thou lyest wetyngly
In byinge & sellyng lesynges þou makyst
And in Idyll and fals thou sweryst me by
And so to hell the wey thou takyst
Man make amendes or thou dye
Now sore I sygh and wele i may
ffor i a wrech am so cursyd
That i do the on the crosse ech day
With grete othys and werkes werst
And moch more the greve than they
That on the rode sloughyn the fyrst
ffor had they knowe the i dare wele say
To do the to deth they had not dyrst
ffor i a wrech am so cursyd
That i do the on the crosse ech day
With grete othys and werkes werst
And moch more the greve than they
That on the rode sloughyn the fyrst
ffor had they knowe the i dare wele say
To do the to deth they had not dyrst
But i know it be my beleve
That thou art god omnipotent
And yf i sece not the to greve
I am worthy to be schent
That thou art god omnipotent
And yf i sece not the to greve
I am worthy to be schent
Explicit
5
3. An ABC Poem on the Passion
Cryste crosse me spede & seynt nycolas
A.b.c. A doth sygnifye
The anguysch that he suffyrd in grete duras
B the blode that he bled so plentyffully
Out of euery parte of hys deid body
C ys the crosse that Judas so tratorly
D ys the dolefull deth of hym so to dye
A.b.c. A doth sygnifye
The anguysch that he suffyrd in grete duras
B the blode that he bled so plentyffully
Out of euery parte of hys deid body
C ys the crosse that Judas so tratorly
D ys the dolefull deth of hym so to dye
E eggyng of hys enmyes betokynnyth
ff the fals wytnes of the juys is .
And the gryntyng & the gnascyng þat ys G .
Hij frenduerunt me super dentibus suis
H . ys the harme that they dyd onto hym
J is the Justice that demyd hym to dye
K cowardys of hys dyscypylys fleyng a weye
ff the fals wytnes of the juys is .
And the gryntyng & the gnascyng þat ys G .
Hij frenduerunt me super dentibus suis
H . ys the harme that they dyd onto hym
J is the Justice that demyd hym to dye
K cowardys of hys dyscypylys fleyng a weye
When a yong mayde stode in batayle
Oure lady on whom stode the beleve of the
Chyrch yn tyme of passion lo such a vayle .
And prerogatyfe women sche dyd wyrch
Sche to an oke but a branche of byrch
Dyd stand & abyde in that grete affray
When that olde berdyd men dyd fle a way
Oure lady on whom stode the beleve of the
Chyrch yn tyme of passion lo such a vayle .
And prerogatyfe women sche dyd wyrch
Sche to an oke but a branche of byrch
Dyd stand & abyde in that grete affray
When that olde berdyd men dyd fle a way
ȝyt more prerogatyf fell to man
When god and man dyed on tre
ffor all mankynde out of hell he wan
Onto the place of hye souereynte
. L . is the loth lyden in sondre degre
That they made on hym all & some
Saying crucifige crucifige eum
When god and man dyed on tre
ffor all mankynde out of hell he wan
Onto the place of hye souereynte
. L . is the loth lyden in sondre degre
That they made on hym all & some
Saying crucifige crucifige eum
. M . the mewys that they made with mockys
Mouentes super eum capita sua
N . hys nakyd body with woundes & knockys
O . the opynnyng of hys hert cum lancia
P . the prykkyng of the naylys scharpe & thra
Q . the quakyng of hys body for fere & sory
Quia ex humanite timit mori
Mouentes super eum capita sua
6
O . the opynnyng of hys hert cum lancia
P . the prykkyng of the naylys scharpe & thra
Q . the quakyng of hys body for fere & sory
Quia ex humanite timit mori
R . the rubbyng of hys blody clothis
S . the scornes that he dyd thole
T is the tre that hys fals foyes
Dyd hym on to suffer woe
Hys passion hys prayer to the pole
Onto hys fader that we myȝt rene
With hym the x. y z. and eft Amen
S . the scornes that he dyd thole
T is the tre that hys fals foyes
Dyd hym on to suffer woe
Hys passion hys prayer to the pole
Onto hys fader that we myȝt rene
With hym the x. y z. and eft Amen
Explicit alphabetum ffisshar
4. A Prayer of the Words of Christ on the Cross
And as þou wolde c[OMITTED] en þis wyse
[OMITTED] þe thefe with þe in paradyse
Schulde abide withowten blame
þou grawnte me grace to wirke all way
W[OMITTED] hery þat þou may say
[OMITTED] to my sawle þe same
[OMITTED] þe thefe with þe in paradyse
Schulde abide withowten blame
þou grawnte me grace to wirke all way
W[OMITTED] hery þat þou may say
[OMITTED] to my sawle þe same
[OMITTED]d also to þi moder dere
[OMITTED]de woman se þi sone es here
[OMITTED]ho was will of rede
And [OMITTED] son þ coryn heyninge
Se þare þi modere and with hire [OMITTED]
Stedfastely in ilk a stede
[OMITTED]de woman se þi sone es here
[OMITTED]ho was will of rede
And [OMITTED] son þ coryn heyninge
Se þare þi modere and with hire [OMITTED]
Stedfastely in ilk a stede
Grawnt me grace to [OMITTED]re[OMITTED]
And lefe in lofe and charite
Bothe in worde and dede
So þat mari þi modere swete
May be my [OMITTED]ld my bales to [OMITTED]
In noyes when I hafe nede
And lefe in lofe and charite
7
So þat mari þi modere swete
May be my [OMITTED]ld my bales to [OMITTED]
In noyes when I hafe nede
And lorde as þou wol. say hele
And also lamaȝabatani
þat es þus for to say
My god my fadere of mercy fre
W [OMITTED] has þou forsaken me
[OMITTED]
And also lamaȝabatani
þat es þus for to say
My god my fadere of mercy fre
W [OMITTED] has þou forsaken me
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
And þou to wisse synfull wight
My lorde my maistere mekil of myght
Als þou with bloid me boght
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
And þou to wisse synfull wight
My lorde my maistere mekil of myght
Als þou with bloid me boght
And as þou sayde greit threst I hafe
þat was man sawle for to safe
ffro dole þat to þaym was dyght
Make me to threst & hafe ȝernyng
þe for to lofe ouer all thyng
With all my mayne and myght
þat was man sawle for to safe
ffro dole þat to þaym was dyght
Make me to threst & hafe ȝernyng
þe for to lofe ouer all thyng
With all my mayne and myght
And as þou sayde my sawle I sende
ffadure in to þi holy hende
þat moste es of mercy
þou grawnte me grace to wirke all way
Worthely þat I may say
þe wordes whan I schal dy
ffadure in to þi holy hende
þat moste es of mercy
þou grawnte me grace to wirke all way
Worthely þat I may say
þe wordes whan I schal dy
And as þou sayde at þi nendyng
Ende es now made of all thyng
þat menys þus and no more
Bot þi bales were broght to ende
þe tyme es comen þat þou schall wende
To welthe where þou was ore
Ende es now made of all thyng
þat menys þus and no more
Bot þi bales were broght to ende
þe tyme es comen þat þou schall wende
To welthe where þou was ore
8
þou helpe me lorde þat I may here
[OMITTED]eit wordes of þi mowthe clere
[OMITTED] my sawle þou þam say
[OMITTED] my derl [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]eit wordes of þi mowthe clere
[OMITTED] my sawle þou þam say
[OMITTED] my derl [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
Here sall þou wone with myne Angelis
And with halous þat in heuen dwellis
My kyngedom for to kenne
Lorde lene me grace it may so be
Thorow prayere of þi modere fre
Mayden mari mylde Amen
And with halous þat in heuen dwellis
My kyngedom for to kenne
Lorde lene me grace it may so be
Thorow prayere of þi modere fre
Mayden mari mylde Amen
Hic incipit liber de diuersis rebus & medicinis ac vnguentis, etc.
5. The Psaltere of Ihesu
The Psaltere of Jhesu is to sey on the first pater noster thies wordys folowyng
Jhesu mercy and graunt mercy
Jhesu for thy mekyll mercy
As thow art rote and well of mercy
So mercyfull Jhesu haue mercy on me
Jhesu for thy mekyll mercy
As thow art rote and well of mercy
So mercyfull Jhesu haue mercy on me
And on euery Ave maria till ye come to the next pater noster. Jhesu mercy and so on euery pater noster as it is above and on euery Ave maria Jhesu mercy and ther for is grauntyd of pardon a XX yere.
6. A Prayer in Memory of the Passion
Thow gracious lord graunt me memoryEuer on thy passion to cry and call
Whereby I may the world defye
Whan carnall mocions doth on me fall
9
Be thowe defence and me mynd encrece
Thy kyndnesse to remembre and neuer to cesse
7. The Wounds of Christ as Remedies Against the Seven Deadly Sins
Thurwe my ryȝt hande a nayle was driuenþer on þou think ȝif þou wilt lyuen
And helpe þe pour with almusdede
for I xal ȝelde þe þi mede
Of al my ryche tresour golde & prescius ston
þis werld þat is so fiki wil leue me nouȝt on
But a hayre or a schete to hile withal my bon
þerfor I ȝou sey with werdis few
Werldis welth þou hau goday þi leman louis a schrewe
Whayne þou art wroth & wil tak wreche
Lok wele þe lore þat I þe teche
Thurw my left honde a nayle he goth
ffor ȝyf þerfor & be nouȝt wroth
In my ryst vpon þe rode.
Men be me ij thingges þat ware not gode
Eysel & gall for to drink.
glotony on þat I rede þou think
Lychour þi lust for me þou lette.
I was for þe boþe boune & bette
To rysin erly þou be nouȝt slowe
before þe lyȝt of sunne rysing
ffor gode behechþ þat he xal syng.
A croune to þe þat art walking
Lok my fet hou þay han blede
How þai be nailid to þe tre
thanc me þerof it was for þe
10
8. A Second Version MERCY
SUPERBIA
With a garlande of thornes keneMy hed was crowned & þat was sene
The stremes of blode ran be my cheke
þou proude mon lorne to be meke
IRA
When þou art wroth & wolde take wrecheKepe wel þe lore þat I þe teche
Thoro my riȝt hond þe nayle goth
fforgif þerfore and be not wroth
INUIDIA
With a spere scharpe and grillMy hert was woundit with my will
ffor luf of man þat was me dere
Envyous mon of luf þou lere
ACCIDIA
Rise vp luste out of þi beddeThynk on my fete þat ar for bledde
And harde nayled vpon a tre
Thynk on man þis was for the
AUARICIA
Thrugh my right hand þe nayle was driffeThynke þer on if þou wilt liffe
And worshipe god with almysdede
þat at þi deyng heuen may be þi mede
GULA
In alle my paynes I sufferd on rodeMan gafe me drynke no thyng gode
Eysell and galle for to drynke
Gloton þer on euer þou thynke
LUXURIA
Off a mayden I was borneTo safe þe folke þat were for lorne
11
Lecchore þer for I rede þe blynne
IHESUC
I was beton for þi sakeSyn þou lefe & schrifte þou take
ffor sake þi synne and luf me
Amende þe and I forgif þe
9. Christ Appeals to Man by the Pains of the Passion
O man vnkyndeHaue thow yn mynde
My passyon smert
Thow shall me fynde
To the full kynde
Lo here my hert
10. A Salutacion of Our Lady
Here endyþ the seuene salmes & begynneþ a salutacion of oure lady
Heyle fairest þat euyr god fonde
Heyle modyr & mayden free
Heyle floure of Josep wonde
Heyle the fruyt of yesse
Heyle blossome our bale vn bonde
Mannes boote was borne of thee
Oure beleeue in the can stonde
Whan cryste was on þe roode tree
Heyle roose on ryse heyle lyllye
Heyle semelyest & swettest sauour
Heyle prynces of hygh pytee
Heyle blessyd fruyt swete floure
Heyle modyr & mayden free
Heyle floure of Josep wonde
Heyle the fruyt of yesse
Heyle blossome our bale vn bonde
Mannes boote was borne of thee
Oure beleeue in the can stonde
Whan cryste was on þe roode tree
Heyle roose on ryse heyle lyllye
Heyle semelyest & swettest sauour
Heyle prynces of hygh pytee
Heyle blessyd fruyt swete floure
12
Heyle tabernacle þere truþe can telde
Heyle garden þere grasse can spryng
Heyle braunche þere blysse can bylde
Heyle goodnesse euyr growyng
Heyle youþe þat neuer schall eelde
Heyle bewte euyr dewryng
Heyle scheltrim schouris to shelde
Heyle bryghtnes euyr schynyng
Heyle worþy flesche neuyr fadyng
Heyle charytes paramour
Heyle lyfe and lustys lykyng
Heyle blessed mary þat bare þe floure
Heyle garden þere grasse can spryng
Heyle braunche þere blysse can bylde
Heyle goodnesse euyr growyng
Heyle youþe þat neuer schall eelde
Heyle bewte euyr dewryng
Heyle scheltrim schouris to shelde
Heyle bryghtnes euyr schynyng
Heyle worþy flesche neuyr fadyng
Heyle charytes paramour
Heyle lyfe and lustys lykyng
Heyle blessed mary þat bare þe floure
Heyle quene of heuene blys
Heyle lady of þys worlde wyde
Heyle of helle the emparys
Heyle feller of the fendys pryde
Heyle the yoye of blessydnesse
Heyle the welle of heuene wyde
Heyle of all aungelys goodnesse
Heyle floure fayre on euery syde
The desyre þat prophetys can abyde
Heyle systyr of oure senyoure
Pardon þorow whom ys cryedd
Heyle fruyt þat bare oure sauyoure
Heyle lady of þys worlde wyde
Heyle of helle the emparys
Heyle feller of the fendys pryde
Heyle the yoye of blessydnesse
Heyle the welle of heuene wyde
Heyle of all aungelys goodnesse
Heyle floure fayre on euery syde
The desyre þat prophetys can abyde
Heyle systyr of oure senyoure
Pardon þorow whom ys cryedd
Heyle fruyt þat bare oure sauyoure
Ryght as the floure fresche of hewe
In fayrenesse passeth with owt wene
So vyrgynes of vertues trewe
Thou passest all that han ben
And boþe þe oolde lawe & the newe
In youre selfe they ben seene
Ther was neuer noon þat man knewe
That kepte þem so as y may meene
Heyle day sterre sauyour schene
Heyle dere delycyous odoure
Heyle rygall rubyes betweene
Heyle blessyd fruyt swete floure
In fayrenesse passeth with owt wene
So vyrgynes of vertues trewe
Thou passest all that han ben
And boþe þe oolde lawe & the newe
In youre selfe they ben seene
Ther was neuer noon þat man knewe
That kepte þem so as y may meene
Heyle day sterre sauyour schene
Heyle dere delycyous odoure
Heyle rygall rubyes betweene
Heyle blessyd fruyt swete floure
13
God hys sone to þe he sende
Wyth heyle mary full of grace
Thys worlde may not comprehende
How of thy body bore he was
Heyle medycyne beste may mende
Heyle comfort to nedy and solas
Heyle tapur that euyr ys/ tende
Heyle laumpe þat lyghteneþ in eche place
Heyle fayrest feture of face
Heyle troone of heuene toure
Heyle mercyfull with owt manace
Heyle blessyd fruyt swete floure
Wyth heyle mary full of grace
Thys worlde may not comprehende
How of thy body bore he was
Heyle medycyne beste may mende
Heyle comfort to nedy and solas
Heyle tapur that euyr ys/ tende
Heyle laumpe þat lyghteneþ in eche place
Heyle fayrest feture of face
Heyle troone of heuene toure
Heyle mercyfull with owt manace
Heyle blessyd fruyt swete floure
Heyle olyue heyle vertuouse
Heyle roose with owten any thorne
Heyle grounde moost gracyous
Heyle bryght sonne on somers morne
Heyle goodely glade hayle gloryouse
Heyle herte þat with þe swerd was schorne
Heyle Josephs wyfe with thy spouse
Youre owne broþer ye han borne
Was neuyr noon syþen ne beforne
A modur with maydenys honoure
Heyle heele to þem þat ben borne
Heyle blessyd fruyt swete floure
Heyle roose with owten any thorne
Heyle grounde moost gracyous
Heyle bryght sonne on somers morne
Heyle goodely glade hayle gloryouse
Heyle herte þat with þe swerd was schorne
Heyle Josephs wyfe with thy spouse
Youre owne broþer ye han borne
Was neuyr noon syþen ne beforne
A modur with maydenys honoure
Heyle heele to þem þat ben borne
Heyle blessyd fruyt swete floure
Heyle saluyng of seyntys in heuene
Aungels patryerkys and profete
Heyle postlys and martyrs steuene
Confessouris and vyrgyns swete
All þat was made in dayes seuene
The honouryþ þankyþ and grete
Whan hyllys and dalys schullen be euene
And body and soule to gedre mete
Whan cryste schall schewe hys Woundys Wete
Than marye be oure maynpernoure
That we in heuene mowe haue a sete
And dwelle with the blessyd floure
Aungels patryerkys and profete
Heyle postlys and martyrs steuene
Confessouris and vyrgyns swete
All þat was made in dayes seuene
The honouryþ þankyþ and grete
Whan hyllys and dalys schullen be euene
And body and soule to gedre mete
Whan cryste schall schewe hys Woundys Wete
Than marye be oure maynpernoure
That we in heuene mowe haue a sete
And dwelle with the blessyd floure
Amen
14
11. Ave Maria
Hic incipit salutacio beate virginis marie in eadem lingua
Heil marie ful of wynne .
þe holy gost is þe wiþ inne .
Blesced be þou ouer alle wymmen .
And þe fruit of þin wombe amen .
12. Heyle, God ye schilde
Heyle god ye schilde / modyr Holy kyng bere mildeHefne þat in kepyng / haȝ an world wit outyn hondyng
Chaungon hys ryhte Oon kynde sosone michte
þat dede nere synne schuld chyld conseyue vyt ynne
Als sune schene / smyt þour glas wer nis ysenne
Wyt outyn tene Wemles bar Child maydyn clene
13. To His Mistress
Chaucer.
LADY of pite for þy sorowes þat þou haddest
ffor Ihesu þy son in tyme of hys passion
haue rewthe of me that ys most maddest
In loue to wryte & shew myn entencion
To her that hath my lyfe in correccion
Bothe lyfe & dethe all ys at her wyll
Now helpe me lady & let me nat spyll
ffor Ihesu þy son in tyme of hys passion
haue rewthe of me that ys most maddest
In loue to wryte & shew myn entencion
To her that hath my lyfe in correccion
Bothe lyfe & dethe all ys at her wyll
Now helpe me lady & let me nat spyll
Allas howe myght I wryte my souerayn for to plese
Or in what maner to cause her on me rewe
Allas for fere I quake. my hert ys nat at ese
My hande doth tremble my ioy ys leyde in mewe
Ther to abyde tyll that my swetyng trewe
Me haue relesyd/ but worst ys þat I dowte
That she my payne & labour set at noughte
Or in what maner to cause her on me rewe
Allas for fere I quake. my hert ys nat at ese
My hande doth tremble my ioy ys leyde in mewe
Ther to abyde tyll that my swetyng trewe
15
That she my payne & labour set at noughte
Most souerayn most sormountyng in goodnes
O intemerat Iunyper & daysy delycious
My trust my helthe my cordiall founderes
O medycyne sanatyf my infyrmynat langours
O confortable creature of louers amerous
O excellent herber of louely countenaunce
Ye regystre my loue in your remembraunce
O intemerat Iunyper & daysy delycious
My trust my helthe my cordiall founderes
O medycyne sanatyf my infyrmynat langours
O confortable creature of louers amerous
O excellent herber of louely countenaunce
Ye regystre my loue in your remembraunce
My wyt my þought and myne entencion
Ys forto plese yow mastres souerayn
And for your loue þorough many a Region
I wold be exyled so ye wold nat dysdayn
To haue pyte on me when I complayn
In wele and wo to suffre perturbaunce
So þat ye wold haue me in remembraunce
Ys forto plese yow mastres souerayn
And for your loue þorough many a Region
I wold be exyled so ye wold nat dysdayn
To haue pyte on me when I complayn
In wele and wo to suffre perturbaunce
So þat ye wold haue me in remembraunce
My payne ys preuy impossible to dyscerne
My lamentable thoughtes byn cast in mornyng
O generall Iuge whyche syttyst superne
Gracyosly graunt me loue of þys mayde ying
O amiable mastres gracious and benygne
I put me holy in your gouernaunce
Exyle me nat out of your remembraunce
My lamentable thoughtes byn cast in mornyng
O generall Iuge whyche syttyst superne
Gracyosly graunt me loue of þys mayde ying
O amiable mastres gracious and benygne
I put me holy in your gouernaunce
Exyle me nat out of your remembraunce
What myght hit be þat brought me in þys daunce
Couetyse or Ryches or byrthe of hygh lynage
Nay nothyng elles safe your womanly contenaunce
Your condicions your maners wyse and sage
Benygne & curteyse thys encreseth your age
These virtues reportyd to me & shewyd clere
By oon þat ye know for a curteyse Bachelere.
Couetyse or Ryches or byrthe of hygh lynage
Nay nothyng elles safe your womanly contenaunce
Your condicions your maners wyse and sage
Benygne & curteyse thys encreseth your age
These virtues reportyd to me & shewyd clere
By oon þat ye know for a curteyse Bachelere.
But mastresse as for my part let þe world wag
I woll nat be yokyd but I coude draw
I haue nat vsyd to bost nor to brag
Nor false of my worde hit ys no louers law
Wherfore I feyne me & mysylf withdraw
As for a whyle & put yow out of dowt
Though I lak yow yet shall I nat be withowt
I woll nat be yokyd but I coude draw
I haue nat vsyd to bost nor to brag
16
Wherfore I feyne me & mysylf withdraw
As for a whyle & put yow out of dowt
Though I lak yow yet shall I nat be withowt
Yet for the good wyll þat ye haue me shewyd
I wyll do any thyng þat myght yow please
As well as he on whom your loue ys bestowyd
Though hit were to me hurt & gret vnease
But as for your loue. do as yow please
And as for your euyll wyll þerof woll I non
ffor hit were ouermoche ij dogges ouer o boon
I wyll do any thyng þat myght yow please
As well as he on whom your loue ys bestowyd
Though hit were to me hurt & gret vnease
But as for your loue. do as yow please
And as for your euyll wyll þerof woll I non
ffor hit were ouermoche ij dogges ouer o boon
Now mastresse syth hit ys nat your pleasure
Of loue nolengor to kepe contynuaunce
What noforce go all at auenture
I cannat make stabyll þat ys full of variaunce
But oon þyng masteras haue in your rememb[ra]unce
ffor to loue yow I woll do my deueure
And to trust yow whyle my lyfe endure
Of loue nolengor to kepe contynuaunce
What noforce go all at auenture
I cannat make stabyll þat ys full of variaunce
But oon þyng masteras haue in your rememb[ra]unce
ffor to loue yow I woll do my deueure
And to trust yow whyle my lyfe endure
The Retor Tullius so gay of eloquence
And Ouide that sheweth þe craft of loue expresse
With habundaunce of Salomons sapience
And pulcrytude of Absolons fayrenesse
And were possessyd with Iobys gret rychesse
Manly as Sampson my person to auaunce
Yet wold I submyt me in your remembraunce
And Ouide that sheweth þe craft of loue expresse
With habundaunce of Salomons sapience
And pulcrytude of Absolons fayrenesse
And were possessyd with Iobys gret rychesse
Manly as Sampson my person to auaunce
Yet wold I submyt me in your remembraunce
Explicit
18
15. Translation of Cur Mundus Militat
þe saule haskis ryȝt as wrytin is in stor[i]e
Qui wil þis werde be knyȝt vnder þe kenges veynglor[i]e
Wos riches & myȝt is cald but transitorie
As vessel of erþe dyȝt so schort is his memorie
Qui wil þis werde be knyȝt vnder þe kenges veynglor[i]e
Wos riches & myȝt is cald but transitorie
As vessel of erþe dyȝt so schort is his memorie
Treyst more yf þu be wyse in walkeng of a myle
To þe letters wryten in ys þan to þis werdes wyle
In mydis as I am avise disceyuabul is he quyle
Who had euere be held & Ryse trofful teme with gyle
To þe letters wryten in ys þan to þis werdes wyle
In mydis as I am avise disceyuabul is he quyle
Who had euere be held & Ryse trofful teme with gyle
More it sikyr to be . to wyndes þat be fykyle
þan to þis werdes proparte þou it be neuer so mykyle
In falce drems & vanite in fleshely lustes tykyle
In coueteyse of grete pouste. þat is þe deuuls prikyle
þan to þis werdes proparte þou it be neuer so mykyle
In falce drems & vanite in fleshely lustes tykyle
In coueteyse of grete pouste. þat is þe deuuls prikyle
Say where is keng salamon. þat quilum mobul wace
Or wher is nov fayr absolen. so louely wace in face
Or þe strong duk sampson. for hym men seyne allace
þat wer slayne a mong her fon. & swete Ionataas
Or wher is nov fayr absolen. so louely wace in face
Or þe strong duk sampson. for hym men seyne allace
þat wer slayne a mong her fon. & swete Ionataas
Whyder is cesar & emperour. so mykel of power
Whider is prince and conquerour. boþe knyȝt & kayser
Tullius þe disputour of speche þat wace so clere
Virgyl þat had no pere
Arestotle he bar þe senenȝer til he wace her
Whider is prince and conquerour. boþe knyȝt & kayser
Tullius þe disputour of speche þat wace so clere
Virgyl þat had no pere
Arestotle he bar þe senenȝer til he wace her
19
þus many sshyr lædiges. þus many spaes ha gon
Boþe byschop & kyng. of flesche & blode & bon
Dame & dusyper. of hold tyme left non
In a nye tuynkling we xal face euerikkon
Boþe byschop & kyng. of flesche & blode & bon
Dame & dusyper. of hold tyme left non
In a nye tuynkling we xal face euerikkon
Schorte fest made þis werdes blisse : his joys wend son
As þe schadwe þat passande is þerfor man makis mon
Medes lastand with drawt. I wisse & lettis mans bon
To wilful feldes lette. o mys þerfore be thynk þe son
As þe schadwe þat passande is þerfor man makis mon
Medes lastand with drawt. I wisse & lettis mans bon
To wilful feldes lette. o mys þerfore be thynk þe son
As tellis he þat prayet
þe flesch so mykel lothely þat holy wurt vs seyet
As flour of hay he is sothly. as lef of lily þat dyet
With þe wynd þat blowis forby flyes as foule þat playet
Manns lyf welmore lyȝtly : out of his lyȝt flyet
þe flesch so mykel lothely þat holy wurt vs seyet
As flour of hay he is sothly. as lef of lily þat dyet
With þe wynd þat blowis forby flyes as foule þat playet
Manns lyf welmore lyȝtly : out of his lyȝt flyet
A þou flesche þou wurmes wast. of pouder a grete gadering
þou dew þou filth foule of cast. Why makis þou swilk bosting
þou ne wotis for to lyuen a blast or dye in þe morning
To all þe myȝt þat þou hast do god of werdlithing
þou dew þou filth foule of cast. Why makis þou swilk bosting
þou ne wotis for to lyuen a blast or dye in þe morning
To all þe myȝt þat þou hast do god of werdlithing
Say no thing þat it is þine þat þou maist lesen be nyȝt
þe werd wyle raken thurowt þi nyen þat þe ȝaf or lyȝt
Think of gode lyfte up þi bryne in to þe heyr so bryȝt
Sely wer þat ilk pylgryme þis werde þat haten myȝt
þe werd wyle raken thurowt þi nyen þat þe ȝaf or lyȝt
Think of gode lyfte up þi bryne in to þe heyr so bryȝt
Sely wer þat ilk pylgryme þis werde þat haten myȝt
In þe space of halua day Wase made þis schorte geste
Ne myȝt I tenden to swilk play. for sanstoustyns feste
þe Rymis of þe werte aray I hold my beheste
old buystes & nouȝt gay þat is sen of my creste
Ne myȝt I tenden to swilk play. for sanstoustyns feste
þe Rymis of þe werte aray I hold my beheste
old buystes & nouȝt gay þat is sen of my creste
Precepts and Admonitory Pieces: Signs of Death
16–19. Warnings of Death
[Whan thy hed quakes memento]
Whan thy hed quakes mementoWhen they thy leppes blakes conffessio
20
Whan they weynde wantys satisfaxio
Whan they lymes caldys libera me domine
Whan they noys kelys than miserere
Whan they eyon holowyt nesse te ipsum
ffor than deth folwes Vene Ad Iudeciom
Memento Homo
When þi hed whaketh/mementoWhen þi lippys blaken/confessio
When thy brest pantis/contricio
When þi wynde wantes/satisfactio
When þi lymmes falys þe/libera me domine
When þi nase kelys þen/miserere
When þine een holoen/nosce teipsum
ffor then the deth ffolowes/Veni ad iudicium
ihc
[Whan thyn heed shaketh . memento]
Whan thyn heed shaketh . mementoWhan thi lippes quakyth . Confessio
Whan thi nose sharpeth . Contricio
Whan thi lymmes starketh . Satisfaccio
Whan thi brest bantith . Nosce teipsum
Whan thi wynde wantith miserere
Whan thi eighen holoweth . libera me domine
Than deth foloweth
Venite ad iudicium
21
[Wenne þin eyen beit ihut. & þin heren beoit idut]
Wenne þin eyen beit ihut. & þin heren beoit idut& list igrauen vndir molde. þu maist ifinden feole vnholde
þat willt striuen afteir þine seluere & þine golde
ant lute þad willt to þine soule ben holde.
Instructive Pieces: Religious, Moral, Ritual
20. The vij vertwys Agyn the vij dedley Synys
Be meke & meylde yn hert & towng
Ayens pryd boyt olde & yong
Kepe cherite & ffle envey
hate no man yn hert preweley
Ayens pryd boyt olde & yong
Kepe cherite & ffle envey
hate no man yn hert preweley
Suffer thow wronge & cheyde the not
Be wer of wreth & veng the not
Be merseyfoll man & thenke where þou art
let mener weres dwell yn they hert
Be wer of wreth & veng the not
Be merseyfoll man & thenke where þou art
let mener weres dwell yn they hert
Kepe mesure at met & drynke at melle
ffle gloteney & wet hem not delle
Yn clenleynes kepe the chastite & chere
Be thow no lecher yn no menere
ffle gloteney & wet hem not delle
Yn clenleynes kepe the chastite & chere
Be thow no lecher yn no menere
Euer werke som werk of honeste
Be neuer ygyll y consell the
These wertwys vij ffle the senysess
And then ledyt A man the wey to hewyn
Be neuer ygyll y consell the
These wertwys vij ffle the senysess
And then ledyt A man the wey to hewyn
22
21. Augustinus de peccatis venialibus
Sepcies in die cadit iustus Perabus 24° Augustinus de peccati : venialibus
Fyrst whan a man or a woman drynkes more
Eny tyme here then myster wore
Whan þou may helpe thorwgh wytte or skylle
And wyl not helpe bot holdes hym stylle
Whan þou spekes schortly vn to the pore
That askys som gud at thy dore
Whan þou art hole & may wele laste
And etes wan tyme ware to faste
Whan þou lyste to slepe & wil not ryse
And commes ouer latte in to goddes seruyce
Or whan þou arte in gud state
And says thy prears ouer late
Or whan þou has ouer lytul deuocyon
In prears or in orison
Whan a man wyl dele in bedde
Whyt hys wyfe þat he has wedde
Hys lust only to fulfylle
And to geyt a chylde ys not hys wil
Whan þou vysyttes men ouer late
That ys seke in febul state
Or men þat ligges in preson
Or in angur or in trybulacyon
Or men þat are synful or sory
Or soules that are in purgatory
To vyset them yt ware gret need
Thorowgh praer or thorough almesdede
Whan þou folowes nouȝth aftur thy state
To acord them that are at debate
Whan þou spekys ouer bytturly
Vn to any man with noys or cry
Whan þou presys any man more
Thorowght flateryng than myster wore
Whan þou in kyrke makys janglyng
23
Be yt withoute be yt withinne
ȝyt yt ys a venial syn
When þou arte lyȝtly worthe
Or sweres & may not holde thyn oythe
Wan þou bannys any man
In whom þou fyndes no gylte to banne
Whan þou supposys any wyckednese
Thorowgh susspeccyon there non ys
Thyes smale synnys sent austyn tellus
Thorowgh wyche many synnys dwellus
In purgatory in payn and woo
But ȝyt there are many moo
Of venyal synnes be many store
Ouer thyes þat y haue tolde here before
But so wytte ys no erthly man
That all venyall synnes rekyn can
ffor ofte sythes on þe day men falles
In synnes þat clarkes venyall synnes calles
Thorwght thowte or ded or speche in vayn
And yche a syn ys worthy payn
Decem remedia contra peccata venialia, etc.
22. Decem remedia contra peccata venialia ut patebit inferus
We fynde wryttyn . X . thynges sereThat venial synnes for doys here
Theys . X . are thyes þat I now rede
Holy water & almes dede
ffastyng and howsyl of goddes body
Praer of þe pater noster namely
Seueral schrifte þat yche day may be
Blessyng of bysschop thorough hys dygnyte
And blessyng of preyst þat gyfen ys
24
Knockyng of brest of man þat ys meke
Laste anoyntyng þat ys gyften to þe seke
Thyes . X . poyntes puttes venial synnes away
As men may here thyes clarkes say
But so many veniall synnes sere
May be gaderd to gedyr here
That thay may way on þe soule as hewy
As a noder syn ys dedly
That sles þe soule þat god myspays
And therefore þe poyt on thys says
De minimis granis fit maxima summa caballo &c
Als of many smale cornes ys mayd
To a hors a gret loyd
Ryȝth so many veniall synnes smale
may make a dedly syn all
23. The Five Goostly Wyttys
Here suen þe . V . goostly wyttys/
Haue mynde on the blys þat neuer schall blyne
And on grete peyne þat synners shall wynne
Desyre that goddys wylle be wrought
Thy fleschely wylle sett hyt at nought
Rewle the ay be reson ryght
And þo þat ben vnder þe aftur þy myght
Vndurstonde goddys kyndenes & hys mercy
And ther aȝeyn thyn vnkynde foly
Ymagyne to all men goodnes/
Ymagyne no wrong nor falsenes/
Of fyue ynwyttys / þe rewle ys thys/
That helpen a man to heuene blys/
Here suen þe VII deedly synnes/
25
24. Lines on the Old Testament Worthies
Iam innocenciam abel audiui. obedienciam habrahe. constanciam.
ysaac. tolleranciam Iacob. saltimoniam Ioseph.
iusticiam moysi. misricordiam david. pacienciam Iob.
Habraham in bousumnesse.
Ysaac in studeuestnesse.
Iacob in þinenkenesse.
Ioseph [OMITTED] in edmodnesse
& moyses in ritwisnesse.
David þe kinc hede reunesse.
Iob þe gode þolemodnesse.
25. A Riming Exhortation
And ye will please god gretly .Use preuey penaunce discretly .
And deuoute prayers clerly .
Mesurably eate and drynke .
Wake praye and thynke .
Be sober sad and chaste .
And talke no worde in waste .
As ye love goode mete and drynke .
So y praye you bothe speke and thynke .
Loue gentel ihesu feruently .
And take alle aduersyte pacyently .
And prosperyte mekely .
And ye schall haue heyvon merely .
ffor vnder the sunne a man may se .
Thys worlde ys but a vanyte .
Grace passeth gollde .
And precyous stoon .
And god schalbe god .
When goollde ys goon .
26
26. Admonition Against Swearing
How darest thow swere or be so bold alsoTo blasfeme hym that is very rote and rynde
And pull his armes his precious body fro
Alas what vnkendnesse is in thy mynde
Yf thowe were to eny erthly kyng so vnkynde
Thow shuldest be drawe and hangyd by þe chyn
As a traytour horrybill thogh þou were next of his kyn
27. Health of Body and Soul
Liuis firist . & licames hele.þine sinnes heir to beten. & þine soule to saluen
þine children to consailen
& þine frent to gladien
To heowene crist þe sende
þer blisse is bouten hende.
God turneþe to þen ilke þinke þat þe is bett to lif & to soule.
28. Penaunce is in Herte Reusing
Penaunce is in herte reusinge.in mouþe tellinge.
in edbote douinge.
for hot. & let euer serwinde.
þou scalt halven heuene at þin endinge.
þer is god þat neuer ne lei.
þer is ioye þat neuer [col. 2] ne ageet.
27
Seinte marie bi sech þi sone.
þat we moten þider com
Parts of the Mass in English Rime
29. Pater Noster
Vre fader in heuene : yhalȝed bo þy name
þy kynedom to us mote come for þar is blisse and game
þy kynedom to us mote come for þar is blisse and game
Al þi wille boe ydo : boþe day and niȝt
In heuene also on erthe : alse hit is riȝt
In heuene also on erthe : alse hit is riȝt
Vre euer echedayes bred : þov ȝif vs to day
fforgif us vre sunnes : so þov ful wel may
fforgif us vre sunnes : so þov ful wel may
Al so wis . so we forgiveþ : here gultes alle
þat aȝen vs helveþ agult : Wov sit bo bifalle
þat aȝen vs helveþ agult : Wov sit bo bifalle
Led us neuere Louerd into no fondinge
Ac lus . us . vt of vuele . and ȝif us þy blessinge.
Ac lus . us . vt of vuele . and ȝif us þy blessinge.
Amen . / . so mote hit boe .
30. Aue Maria
Heyl boe þov marie : ful of godes graceGod almiȝti is wiþ þe : in eueriche place
Yblessed boe þov Leuedy ouer all wymmen
And þe bled . of þy wombe : blessed boe amen
31. Vii mortalia peccata
Prute . ȝisscinge . slevþe . wrethe . and onde:Glotonie . and lecherie . God bringe hom vt of londe .
28
32. In eleuacione eucaristie
Wolcome louerd : in likninge of bredffor me on rode : þat woldest bo deed
Of mine misdede : þov red me red
Schrift and husle : ar ih boe ded
Tiþe me : for þi milsfulhed
33. In manus tuas domine
Intoe þine honden louerd : bitech yh gost minneffor þov me boȝtest soþfast god : and luftest vt of synne
34. In nomine patris
Al fram vuele þinge : me schulde iesus þat mayMid cristes rode tok [n]inge . ih marky . me . today
In þe name of þe fader . and of þe sone . and of þe holigoste .
Amen .
35. Per crucis hoc signum fugiet
Bi þis tokninge . of þare rode : for fram me mote floeAlle wikkedhede : boe wat hit euere boe
And bi þat ulke tokninge : mote boe yborewe
Alle þing þat blessed is : aneune and amorewe
36. Mors tua, mors domini &c Vii cogitanda
Myn oȝen deþ and cristes : and mi wikedhedeOute of þe dome : and purgatories drede
þe grislih pine of helle : and heueniche blisse
Ih oȝte to be þenche : ilome bote misse
29
37. Vestio, cibo, poto, &c Vii opera miserecordie
Schrude and fede and drenche : and hereborwe þe pouerePrisones and sikemen : gladien and frofre
Poveris liches burie : after mannes miȝte
þis boþ þe seue [n] workes : þat quemeþ vre driȝte
Reflective (Exegetical) Poems
38. On the “Leaps” Which Christ Took
Quare velociter ascendit Ihesus tantum spacium in momento . . . .Also crist steȝ vp hastely . In on stonde so fer to go
Os dauid in his prophecy . told be fore hit schuld be so
Exultauit ut gigas ad quendam viam &c
But how fer he lepe ȝe schyn se . As þe philosophur says here
Raby moyses leue ȝe me . þat writes of hit in þis maner
He says Vij heuenes þer ben . & Vij planetes eke al so
& vche planet & heuen be twene . as myche space as mon schuld go
Of playne way in .V. hundret ȝere. & space bytwen vchon of þo
Os myche space as vche heuon þat is clere. on wydnes beþ boþe two
So þat þe space þat by twene is . fro heuon to heuon as says he
Of as gret wydnes I wys . As is vche of quantyte
þen Vij heuones to akount . & Vij spaces hem bytwene
And for to rekon wel aryȝt . from myddes of þe vrþe here
to þe hyȝschip & hyȝt of þe seuenþe heuon Iii were
þe whyche saturnus called is. Vii þousand hundred & vii space
Os myche as mon schild go I wis . in so long while & he had grace
Ond to acount vche jorney to fourty myle of euon way
Os vche myle leue ȝe me . two þousant cubytes soþe to say
Ond put al so to vche ȝere iij . hundred days & syxty
þus haue I acounted here. how crist lepte þorow his mercy
to Vij. þousand hit wyl amounte . ȝif þay truly metun ben
30
39. On the Value of Prayer and Meditation
ffor I wend when any foly me felte
In þought or speche or any gylte/
þat I sulde in sundyre all ryuen be.
And kaste from ierusalem my cuntree./
þat es from heuene þat ilke ricche place.
where is all worþe of Ihesu cristes solace
In þought or speche or any gylte/
þat I sulde in sundyre all ryuen be.
And kaste from ierusalem my cuntree./
þat es from heuene þat ilke ricche place.
where is all worþe of Ihesu cristes solace
I turned me þan vnto my saule euer ilke deele./
And some comforth I began to fele./
Alle my synnes þai came ryght vnto my þought
And some comforth I began to fele./
Alle my synnes þai came ryght vnto my þought
wylke hadd before tyme caried me to nought
Of tyme sore þanne I grete and was sorye./
And to a prest of þanne I me schrofe hastelye./
And þan vnto suet Ihesu I cryede on hie./
A my lorde Ihesu on me þou haue pite and mersye.
þat for me on þe rode gan dolefully dye./
Vnto oure lady þan sayde I þus./
þou praie for me marie to suete Ihesus/
þat he will me graceȝ gyue to whiles þat y liffe heere./
To syghe and soroughe for my synnes seere/
So þat þorough his mersie þat y mote wynne
And þan vnto suet Ihesu I cryede on hie./
A my lorde Ihesu on me þou haue pite and mersye.
þat for me on þe rode gan dolefully dye./
Vnto oure lady þan sayde I þus./
þou praie for me marie to suete Ihesus/
þat he will me graceȝ gyue to whiles þat y liffe heere./
To syghe and soroughe for my synnes seere/
So þat þorough his mersie þat y mote wynne
Onto hym þat sittes abouen cherubyn./
And now man þis praiere þat feloughes heere./
Saye it or þinke it in þi saule þe matere to leere/
ffor whi hym alle tyme þat þe dere bought/
Suld þou in þi mynde haue and in þi þought/
And þan salte þou haue forgyfnes of þi foule synne/
And full grete graceȝ salte þou fynde þere in
Wylke grace þorough his grete myght/
Sall þe saue bothe day and nyght./
And now man þis praiere þat feloughes heere./
Saye it or þinke it in þi saule þe matere to leere/
ffor whi hym alle tyme þat þe dere bought/
Suld þou in þi mynde haue and in þi þought/
And þan salte þou haue forgyfnes of þi foule synne/
And full grete graceȝ salte þou fynde þere in
Wylke grace þorough his grete myght/
Sall þe saue bothe day and nyght./
Amen.
Explicit liber qui vocatur pupilla oculi etc.
| Cambridge Middle English Lyrics | |