A Stanzaic Life of Christ Compiled from Higden's Polychronicon and the Legenda Aurea |
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Septimo & vltimo qualiter Christus sanctos patres, qui erant
in limbo, adduxit & quid ibi egerit.
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 | A Stanzaic Life of Christ |  |
264
Septimo & vltimo qualiter Christus sanctos patres, qui erant in limbo, adduxit & quid ibi egerit.
As to þe seuent poynt & þe last
of Goddes risyng to take hede,
to telle how he to he[ll]e past
And quat he þer did, hit is nede.
of Goddes risyng to take hede,
to telle how he to he[ll]e past
And quat he þer did, hit is nede.
Al-thaȝe no gospel speke of hit,
As Austin sais now tell wol I,
and als how Nicodemus wit
writes in his euangeley.
As Austin sais now tell wol I,
and als how Nicodemus wit
writes in his euangeley.
Austin says that Crist anone
as he hade ȝolden the gost on rode,
his soule and godhede bothe alone,
he went to helle for monnes gode.
as he hade ȝolden the gost on rode,
his soule and godhede bothe alone,
he went to helle for monnes gode.
Augustinus: Vnita sue deitati ad infernorum profunda descendit.
When he as robbur comen was
schynyng and ferdful on to se,
adred deueles in that place
and askeden vchone, what was he
schynyng and ferdful on to se,
adred deueles in that place
and askeden vchone, what was he
that was so grym and ful of grace
Apertely preuyng his pouste;
‘so afright of monnes face,’
thai saiden alle, ‘neuer ȝette wer we.
Apertely preuyng his pouste;
‘so afright of monnes face,’
thai saiden alle, ‘neuer ȝette wer we.
‘the world sent vs neuer such a mon
ded ne whik as is he this,
for no ferdchip is hym opon,
he comes wit so muche blis.
ded ne whik as is he this,
for no ferdchip is hym opon,
he comes wit so muche blis.
‘Who is this,’ alle saiden thai,
‘that comes to vs and has no drede
our sorow that we hauen to assaie
but oþer helpe[s] in grete nede?
‘that comes to vs and has no drede
our sorow that we hauen to assaie
but oþer helpe[s] in grete nede?
265
‘for suche as wer wit vs in wo
hauen grete ioy for hope of hele,
and alle hor drede is klene Ago,
Manassing vs that bien so feele.
hauen grete ioy for hope of hele,
and alle hor drede is klene Ago,
Manassing vs that bien so feele.
‘So proude ded men weer neuer her
ny so ioyful prisoneres.’
thus spake all hell to Lucifer,
herkenes now alle men and heres:
ny so ioyful prisoneres.’
thus spake all hell to Lucifer,
herkenes now alle men and heres:
‘thow prince of vs that schuldest be,
thi comfort failes fullely,
to greuaunce turnet is thi gle,
as showes in sight apertely.
thi comfort failes fullely,
to greuaunce turnet is thi gle,
as showes in sight apertely.
‘for to hong Crist opon a tre
thow wost neuer what may falle þer-by,
for euerlesting wo to the
by hym now comes the to destrie.’
thow wost neuer what may falle þer-by,
for euerlesting wo to the
by hym now comes the to destrie.’
when helle hade made this careful ber,
Anone at Cristes bidding there
alle the bondes broken were
of helle ȝates hom to fere.
Anone at Cristes bidding there
alle the bondes broken were
of helle ȝates hom to fere.
thenne comen al doun kneling
Wit-owt noumbre Ihesu to pray,
whit deleful noys and sor remyng
schowyng hor gref, as I schal say.
Wit-owt noumbre Ihesu to pray,
whit deleful noys and sor remyng
schowyng hor gref, as I schal say.
‘Lord comen ard þou as wilnet han we
for to bring vs out of helle,
let vs not be away from the
when thow to heuen gose ther to deuelle.
for to bring vs out of helle,
let vs not be away from the
when thow to heuen gose ther to deuelle.
‘Stegh hup, lord, in-to thi blisse,
when helle is spoliet of his pray
and prince of hit ouercomen is,
bring liking to the worlde for Aye.
when helle is spoliet of his pray
and prince of hit ouercomen is,
bring liking to the worlde for Aye.
266
‘Help vs of pyne that we byn inne,
and vnbynde that wrecchet bien,
assoile gulty of hor synne,
and saue hom now as may be sene.’
and vnbynde that wrecchet bien,
assoile gulty of hor synne,
and saue hom now as may be sene.’
These writes saint Austyn
that I haue now rehercet her,
herkenes now for loue myne
what Nichodemus vs con ler.
that I haue now rehercet her,
herkenes now for loue myne
what Nichodemus vs con ler.
he telles in his euangely
that when Crist rose on Astur day,
two men risen from deth in hie
that self tyme, as I schal saye.
that when Crist rose on Astur day,
two men risen from deth in hie
that self tyme, as I schal saye.
Symeones sones thowe men wer,
that Ihesu in-to the tempel toke
whenne Mare purifiet was her
on Candelmasday, as sais the boke.
that Ihesu in-to the tempel toke
whenne Mare purifiet was her
on Candelmasday, as sais the boke.
Carinus I finde that one son hight,
the tother Leuicius callet was,
that from deth risen that self nyȝt
and comen to Annas & Cayphas,
the tother Leuicius callet was,
that from deth risen that self nyȝt
and comen to Annas & Cayphas,
to Nichodemus, & Ieseph eke,
and coniuret tham sothe to saye,
thing that [thai] told wit hert meke
How Crist to helle come that day.
and coniuret tham sothe to saye,
thing that [thai] told wit hert meke
How Crist to helle come that day.
‘when that we weren in thesternesse
whit our forfaderes,’ saiden thai,
‘sodeynly rose A grete brightnesse
Imung vs alle ther, in gode fay.
whit our forfaderes,’ saiden thai,
‘sodeynly rose A grete brightnesse
Imung vs alle ther, in gode fay.
‘Gold heewet sunne þen semet hit,
that so in helle opon vs schone
that Adam and all in pyne knytte
maden grete ioy & blisse vchone.
that so in helle opon vs schone
that Adam and all in pyne knytte
maden grete ioy & blisse vchone.
267
‘Thenne saide Adam, “this ilk light
comes fro Gode whit-outen ende,
that light euer-lesting vs bihight,
when he to wynne vs dovn wold wende.”
comes fro Gode whit-outen ende,
that light euer-lesting vs bihight,
when he to wynne vs dovn wold wende.”
‘Then onon criet Isaye
And saide, “þis liȝt from heuen is sent,
from God as I in prophecy
tolde in erth quen I was lent.”
And saide, “þis liȝt from heuen is sent,
from God as I in prophecy
tolde in erth quen I was lent.”
Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris vidit lucem magnam, habitantibus in regione vmbre mortis lux orta est eis.
‘Then spak þe riȝtwis Symeon
our owen fadir,’ saiden þay,
‘And saide, “lord, I am þat mon
that þe receyuet soth to say
our owen fadir,’ saiden þay,
‘And saide, “lord, I am þat mon
that þe receyuet soth to say
‘“Into þe temple, now is gone
thritty ȝer & thre in fay,
And as þe Holi Gost onon
taȝt me, I song þat ilk day.”
thritty ȝer & thre in fay,
And as þe Holi Gost onon
taȝt me, I song þat ilk day.”
Nunc dimittis &c.
‘After þat an armet come
And saide hym-self he hiȝt Ion,
that Crist baptist & out-nome
of þe watir of flem Iordon,
And saide hym-self he hiȝt Ion,
that Crist baptist & out-nome
of þe watir of flem Iordon,
‘And saide he went to ordeyn way
bifore Cristes comyng der,
And with his fynger, in gode fay,
he showet & saide, “lo, his lomb her,
bifore Cristes comyng der,
And with his fynger, in gode fay,
he showet & saide, “lo, his lomb her,
‘“That shal put away that syn
that our first fadir wroȝt.”
And that he come hom þer to myn
to viset hom he was in thoȝt.
that our first fadir wroȝt.”
And that he come hom þer to myn
to viset hom he was in thoȝt.
Ecce agnus dei ecce qui tollit peccata mundi.
268
‘then saide Seth, Adam sone,
to Crist so toward helle comyng,
“suffre me lord with þe to wone,
And haue mynde opo[n] þis thing,
to Crist so toward helle comyng,
“suffre me lord with þe to wone,
And haue mynde opo[n] þis thing,
‘“Quen that I come to Paradise,
And at þe ȝates praiet þe
to sende an angel þat wer wys
with oyle of mercy forth with me
And at þe ȝates praiet þe
to sende an angel þat wer wys
with oyle of mercy forth with me
‘“To hele my fadir that seke lys,
wit [hyt] he might anoyntet be,
Michel arcaungel [of] pris
apperit and saide, ‘boteles let be.
wit [hyt] he might anoyntet be,
Michel arcaungel [of] pris
apperit and saide, ‘boteles let be.
‘“‘Trauaile the noght wit teres wete
that oyl to wynne now of mercy,
for be no way [I] the behete
may hit be geten witerly,
that oyl to wynne now of mercy,
for be no way [I] the behete
may hit be geten witerly,
‘“‘Til fyue thousand ȝer be gone,
and fyue hundret eke also.’
lord now to help vs myn opon,
So mony ȝer we han byn in wo.”
and fyue hundret eke also.’
lord now to help vs myn opon,
So mony ȝer we han byn in wo.”
‘When patriarkes and prophetes eke
herden these wordes alle i-wys,
thai honuret God wit hert meke
and maden muche [ioy] & blisse.
herden these wordes alle i-wys,
thai honuret God wit hert meke
and maden muche [ioy] & blisse.
‘Than Sathan, prince of deueles alle,
Spak to Helle for to be boun
to kepe, for oght that might befalle,
Ihesu that ȝedur was commyng doun.
Spak to Helle for to be boun
to kepe, for oght that might befalle,
Ihesu that ȝedur was commyng doun.
‘“He makes his bost and has grete blis
Goddes sone to callet be,
but deth he dred noght ȝor i-wis,
and this word wele I wote saide he:
Goddes sone to callet be,
but deth he dred noght ȝor i-wis,
and this word wele I wote saide he:
269
Tristis est anima mea vsque ad mortem.
‘“‘my soule is sorowful, wel se,
for bodile deth that comyng is;’
and he wer god, thenne thinke me
that he schulde drede no thing of this.
for bodile deth that comyng is;’
and he wer god, thenne thinke me
that he schulde drede no thing of this.
‘“That I haue made bothe halte & blind,
he has helet thurgh his might,
therfor Helle take this in mynde,
what is to worche aȝayn this wight.”
he has helet thurgh his might,
therfor Helle take this in mynde,
what is to worche aȝayn this wight.”
‘Thenne anone onsuaret Helle
to hor prince apertele ther,
and saide, “if þou as keng wolt dwelle,
suche a freke schuld the not fer.
to hor prince apertele ther,
and saide, “if þou as keng wolt dwelle,
suche a freke schuld the not fer.
‘“Ȝiffe thow be of ful powere,
what mon is he that dethe con drede,
and fondes now whit bost or bere
to whitstond oght of thi dede?
what mon is he that dethe con drede,
and fondes now whit bost or bere
to whitstond oght of thi dede?
[‘“But ȝit [i]f deth were dred with him,
Take þe [he] wol now in þis tyde,
And greue þe, synne he ys so grym
þat his sorwe shalt þou abyde.”]
Take þe [he] wol now in þis tyde,
And greue þe, synne he ys so grym
þat his sorwe shalt þou abyde.”]
‘Thenne to Helle Sathan saide,
“I haue temptet hym tenderly,
and peple excitet whit A braide
to do hym harme and vilany,
“I haue temptet hym tenderly,
and peple excitet whit A braide
to do hym harme and vilany,
‘“Scharpenet to hym I haue a sper,
Aysel and galle menget haue I,
purueit A croys hym on to der,
and bring hym heder I wol in hye.”
Aysel and galle menget haue I,
purueit A croys hym on to der,
and bring hym heder I wol in hye.”
‘Thenne Asket qwether that wer he
that raft hom Lagher from þat place,
Sathan saide, “ȝea, leue thow me,
that ilk self thene hit was.”
that raft hom Lagher from þat place,
Sathan saide, “ȝea, leue thow me,
that ilk self thene hit was.”
270
‘Thenne saide Helle thus, as rede we:
‘“I coniur the, Sathanas,
be alle the vertues that bien in the,
bring hym not heder me to manace.
‘“I coniur the, Sathanas,
be alle the vertues that bien in the,
bring hym not heder me to manace.
‘“When [I] herd his commavndement
calling Laȝar owt of helle,
I whook for ferd lest I wer schent,
durst I lette him no lengur dwelle.
calling Laȝar owt of helle,
I whook for ferd lest I wer schent,
durst I lette him no lengur dwelle.
‘“But as an erne he went away
Swiftely thenne out of our sight,
therfore to me come he ne may,
that mon he is so muche of might.”
Swiftely thenne out of our sight,
therfore to me come he ne may,
that mon he is so muche of might.”
‘whil Sathan spake to Helle so
And Helle to Sathanas Aȝayn,
a voice as thonour made was tho
that all hell dred & had dedayne:
And Helle to Sathanas Aȝayn,
a voice as thonour made was tho
that all hell dred & had dedayne:
Tollite portas principes vestras & eleuamini porte eternales & introibit rex glorie.
‘“Opon ȝour ȝates, princes of pyne,
& howe hom up in hiȝe,
to king of blisse ȝe be encline,
for he will com in hom bie.”
& howe hom up in hiȝe,
to king of blisse ȝe be encline,
for he will com in hom bie.”
‘At that voice dewlus connon rene,
& irnen ȝates steken fast;
Dauid the kyng anon spake then
& mynnet on his spech ȝore passet,
& irnen ȝates steken fast;
Dauid the kyng anon spake then
& mynnet on his spech ȝore passet,
‘“I told ful ȝore in proficie
that now in dede fulfillet is,
as myn apon now hit wol I,
my Sauter boke hit wittenes this:
that now in dede fulfillet is,
as myn apon now hit wol I,
my Sauter boke hit wittenes this:
271
Confiteantur domino misericordie eius & mirabilia eius filiis hominum, quia contriuit portas ereas & vectes ferreos confregit.
‘“I bad men knowe to God all-myȝt,
& mekely seche for his mercy,
& schewe also to ich wight
his wonders in world by & by,
& mekely seche for his mercy,
& schewe also to ich wight
his wonders in world by & by,
‘“for irnen ȝates broken had he,
& gymewes beryng hom also,
and toke hom owt with full pauste
that were in penance & in wo.”
& gymewes beryng hom also,
and toke hom owt with full pauste
that were in penance & in wo.”
‘Then eft began a-nothre noice
with wordes, as I said before,
“opon ȝour ȝates,” was hor voice,
then was all helle dredyng sore.
with wordes, as I said before,
“opon ȝour ȝates,” was hor voice,
then was all helle dredyng sore.
‘When Helle herd that voice twye
he criet, vnwityng as he were
what that bere may signifie,
& said thes wordus writen here:
he criet, vnwityng as he were
what that bere may signifie,
& said thes wordus writen here:
Quis est iste rex glorie.
‘“Wheche is he, that king of blisse?”
then onswaret Dauid the king:
“a myȝty lord & strong he is
in bataill & in all thing.”
then onswaret Dauid the king:
“a myȝty lord & strong he is
in bataill & in all thing.”
Dominus fortis & potens, dominus potens in prelio.
‘then com that king of blisse,
& in thesternesse mad lyȝt,
& takes Adams hond in his,
& toke him owt of hell in hye.
& in thesternesse mad lyȝt,
& takes Adams hond in his,
& toke him owt of hell in hye.
‘“Pece to the, Adam,” said Ihesu,
“& to all myn that riȝtwesse byn.”
then aftur him saintes all connen sewe
owt of helle, as wele was sene.
“& to all myn that riȝtwesse byn.”
then aftur him saintes all connen sewe
owt of helle, as wele was sene.
272
‘Then toke Crist Adam be the hond
to saint Michel archangell briȝt,
& bad for no dewelus wond
For to lede hom into gret liȝt,
to saint Michel archangell briȝt,
& bad for no dewelus wond
For to lede hom into gret liȝt,
‘Then ledes Michel hom ichon
from helle into Paradise.
therin metten hom in the way anon
two old men of ful gret price,
from helle into Paradise.
therin metten hom in the way anon
two old men of ful gret price,
‘Then asket men of that compaignie
what men tho wer so ther dwelling,
that neuer were ded bodely
and liggeden so in that liking.
what men tho wer so ther dwelling,
that neuer were ded bodely
and liggeden so in that liking.
‘Then onswaret that on in hye
and said, “I am Ennok i-wis,
that rauasshet was wonderly
with God, as telles Ienesis.
and said, “I am Ennok i-wis,
that rauasshet was wonderly
with God, as telles Ienesis.
‘“And this mon stonding me bye
Raueschet was in-to this blisse
in char of [fire], and callet Hely,
as boke of Kynges wittenesses this.
Raueschet was in-to this blisse
in char of [fire], and callet Hely,
as boke of Kynges wittenesses this.
‘“And sithen tyme we comen her,
bodely dethe none suffert we,
But when Antecrist schal aper
Thenne most we feght & no way fle,
bodely dethe none suffert we,
But when Antecrist schal aper
Thenne most we feght & no way fle,
‘“of him we mosten bothe be slayn,
and when thre dayes & half by gone,
Rise vppe fro dethe and to God fayn
and in-to cloudes taken Anone.”
and when thre dayes & half by gone,
Rise vppe fro dethe and to God fayn
and in-to cloudes taken Anone.”
‘When Henok hade told his likyng,
thenne come another Aȝayne,
A croys apon his bak bering,
to whom all these saintes sayn,
thenne come another Aȝayne,
A croys apon his bak bering,
to whom all these saintes sayn,
273
‘“Who artow that comes so?’
“I am,” he saide, “that ilk thefe
that wit Ihesu suffert wo,
but thurgh my schrift to hym ful lef.
“I am,” he saide, “that ilk thefe
that wit Ihesu suffert wo,
but thurgh my schrift to hym ful lef.
‘“For I beleuet that Crist was he,
and praiet on me he wold haue mynde,
[As he honged on rode tre],
when he is reme wer withynne.
and praiet on me he wold haue mynde,
[As he honged on rode tre],
when he is reme wer withynne.
‘“and he vnsuaret and grauntet me
Full remissioun of my synne,
& saide in Paradise I schuld be
from that place neuer for to twynne,
Full remissioun of my synne,
& saide in Paradise I schuld be
from that place neuer for to twynne,
‘“and this token he toke me tho,
A verray crois that I now ber,
and bade me hedur I schuld go
wit this warant me to wer.
A verray crois that I now ber,
and bade me hedur I schuld go
wit this warant me to wer.
‘“And ȝif the aungel wardeyn her
wernet me to haue entre,
he [bad me] schew this crois so cler,
and telle that Crist wit hit sent me
wernet me to haue entre,
he [bad me] schew this crois so cler,
and telle that Crist wit hit sent me
‘“To be my warant boute wer
for to make hym knowe & se
that Crist king & prince of power
this day deghet on rode tre.
for to make hym knowe & se
that Crist king & prince of power
this day deghet on rode tre.
‘“When I hade told the Aungel this
he openet ȝates sone in hye
and ladde me furthe in-to that blis
that ȝe nowe sene wit-inne am I.”
he openet ȝates sone in hye
and ladde me furthe in-to that blis
that ȝe nowe sene wit-inne am I.”
‘Anone went alle men hyn i-wys
wit mirthe & ful grete melodye,
whiche mirthe let vs not misse
God most of might for his mercy.’
wit mirthe & ful grete melodye,
whiche mirthe let vs not misse
God most of might for his mercy.’
274
When these two men that risen wer,
Carinus and Leuicius tho,
haden told this cause in fer,
away thai wanischet bothe two.
Carinus and Leuicius tho,
haden told this cause in fer,
away thai wanischet bothe two.
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