A Stanzaic Life of Christ Compiled from Higden's Polychronicon and the Legenda Aurea |
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Causa huius institucionis.
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 | A Stanzaic Life of Christ |  |
Causa huius institucionis.
Now þe cause knowe shyn ȝe
of þis institucioun,
And for quat wo in that cite
was ordeynt this processioun.
of þis institucioun,
And for quat wo in that cite
was ordeynt this processioun.
At Viegne þat time þer was
erth-qvake so wonder violent,
And al bilt thing in that plas
felle doun & mich peple shent.
erth-qvake so wonder violent,
And al bilt thing in that plas
felle doun & mich peple shent.
Also ther was herd in nyȝt
clamour & crie & wonder soun,
that made the peple foul afriȝt
that wer wonyng in that toun.
clamour & crie & wonder soun,
that made the peple foul afriȝt
that wer wonyng in that toun.
Also anoþer dredful thing
in that cite þer con falle,
fuyr flagh from heuen briȝt brennyng
And brende þe kynges palays alle.
in that cite þer con falle,
fuyr flagh from heuen briȝt brennyng
And brende þe kynges palays alle.
283
Anoþer veniaunce eke þer-ine
shewide hym for monnus syn,
deules enterede into swyne
And into wolues men to wyn,
shewide hym for monnus syn,
deules enterede into swyne
And into wolues men to wyn,
And when þe deules enteride wer
þo bestes dredden for no men,
but ronnen about þer & her
In cites & in feldes þen,
þo bestes dredden for no men,
but ronnen about þer & her
In cites & in feldes þen,
And worieden þer mony A wiȝt,
olde & ȝong, mon & wommon,
child & best, day & nyȝt,
þat þai myȝt lay toth opon.
olde & ȝong, mon & wommon,
child & best, day & nyȝt,
þat þai myȝt lay toth opon.
When sich sorowful cas bitid,
Anone after day for day
the bischop con comaunde & bidde,
to olde & ȝong, wif & may,
Anone after day for day
the bischop con comaunde & bidde,
to olde & ȝong, wif & may,
fforto go with processioun,
And ichone penyblie to pray,
And made als institucioun
letany to syng & say.
And ichone penyblie to pray,
And made als institucioun
letany to syng & say.
so cesset þis tribulacioun
And ordeynt was after for ay,
Thurgh popes confirmacioun
to serue þat wone after alway.
And ordeynt was after for ay,
Thurgh popes confirmacioun
to serue þat wone after alway.
This letany also callide is
rogaciouns resonably,
for alle sayntes help I-wys
we sechen in that letany.
rogaciouns resonably,
for alle sayntes help I-wys
we sechen in that letany.
And ȝif I shal not say amys,
this time we done hit worthily,
fasten & praien for heuen blis
And lifly helpe als bodily.
this time we done hit worthily,
fasten & praien for heuen blis
And lifly helpe als bodily.
284
Mony causes alegge I may,
the furst is þe fende to destry,
that this time of þe ȝer alway
Is about monkynde to nye.
the furst is þe fende to destry,
that this time of þe ȝer alway
Is about monkynde to nye.
The secunde cause of hour praier
and fasting to plese God al-might,
that tendre fruytes on vrthe her
moun growe and multiply oright.
and fasting to plese God al-might,
that tendre fruytes on vrthe her
moun growe and multiply oright.
The thride flesshele temptacioun
that this tyme most habundant ys,
to sle monly & bring hit doun,
lest we done that maner amys.
that this tyme most habundant ys,
to sle monly & bring hit doun,
lest we done that maner amys.
The feurthe that we vchone
schul the mor worthi be
to receyue in vs anone
the Holy Gost whit hert fre,
schul the mor worthi be
to receyue in vs anone
the Holy Gost whit hert fre,
that sone aftre schal be sent,
for fasting Ables mon therto
& praye[r]s preues him present
ther God has hoght for to do.
for fasting Ables mon therto
& praye[r]s preues him present
ther God has hoght for to do.
two other causes assignes A clerk
that William Cassiodre hight,
whi this tyme we done this werk
of fastyng, prayng God almight.
that William Cassiodre hight,
whi this tyme we done this werk
of fastyng, prayng God almight.
one is for Crist vp-steyng
bade vs pray & haue our wille,
holy chirche wel affy[y]ng
schulde this tyme his biddyng fulfille,
bade vs pray & haue our wille,
holy chirche wel affy[y]ng
schulde this tyme his biddyng fulfille,
That Crist [m]ight when he comen wer
in heuen to his fader se,
graunt vs fulle our praier
in alle thing, as wilnet we.
in heuen to his fader se,
graunt vs fulle our praier
in alle thing, as wilnet we.
285
The second cause, sais William her,
that we fast[e]n & praien for,
is to a-brige in this maner
our flesshe this tyme al-way the mor
that we fast[e]n & praien for,
is to a-brige in this maner
our flesshe this tyme al-way the mor
And fliyng wenges vs to wynne
by deuowte horesoun,
for oresoun wenge is, as I myn,
wher-whit to heuen fle we movne.
by deuowte horesoun,
for oresoun wenge is, as I myn,
wher-whit to heuen fle we movne.
So ȝif our flesshe [abriget] be,
and we haue wenges for to flye,
the lightloker to heuen lee
after Crist now we mowne hye.
and we haue wenges for to flye,
the lightloker to heuen lee
after Crist now we mowne hye.
for a fole, we movne wel se,
that to fatte of flesshe is he[re],
schal not wel flye, no mor schun we
witouten fasting & prayer.
that to fatte of flesshe is he[re],
schal not wel flye, no mor schun we
witouten fasting & prayer.
The thridde nome this letany has
hit is callet processioun,
for holy chirche this mynde mas
generali in vche tovne.
hit is callet processioun,
for holy chirche this mynde mas
generali in vche tovne.
for in hit a crois born is,
belles also rungen bien,
Baneres also shewde i-wis,
and A dragon in sum place sene,
belles also rungen bien,
Baneres also shewde i-wis,
and A dragon in sum place sene,
whit a long taile communely,
and to alle saintes we conen pray;
now what alle these moun signifie
er I cesse I wille ȝow say.
and to alle saintes we conen pray;
now what alle these moun signifie
er I cesse I wille ȝow say.
the croice al-way is born befor
and belles rungun eke also,
for feer deueles moun no more
thenne sight and hering of these two.
and belles rungun eke also,
for feer deueles moun no more
thenne sight and hering of these two.
286
ffor as a keng in his bataile
as signes shewde ryally,
trompes and baners may not faile,
no mor may Crist want gostly
as signes shewde ryally,
trompes and baners may not faile,
no mor may Crist want gostly
In holy chirche bering of croice
in stidde of his ryale baner,
ny belles for to make noice,
to fer the deueles that byn ner.
in stidde of his ryale baner,
ny belles for to make noice,
to fer the deueles that byn ner.
For as a tiraunt wold haue drede
to se a king of grete power
in his londe bataile to bede,
trumpyng & raising baner,
to se a king of grete power
in his londe bataile to bede,
trumpyng & raising baner,
So dreden the deueles in the ayr
to se the crois and belles to her,
for thenne hor power most appair,
and herd is fully hour praier.
to se the crois and belles to her,
for thenne hor power most appair,
and herd is fully hour praier.
And for this cause as in sum place
ȝif any dredeful tempest falle,
to fer deueles in that caas
thai woln ring hor belles alle;
ȝif any dredeful tempest falle,
to fer deueles in that caas
thai woln ring hor belles alle;
And that prophetes double-fold,
for deueles hit feres fast awaye
that to raise tempestes byn to bold
and fer men whit suche affray,
for deueles hit feres fast awaye
that to raise tempestes byn to bold
and fer men whit suche affray,
and that ringing [mas] ȝong & old
alle the pepel for to pray,
so that ringing, as I told,
in double maner profet may.
alle the pepel for to pray,
so that ringing, as I told,
in double maner profet may.
also the croice is A banere
to heuen keng, as I sal say,
for deueles dreden it to cum ner
and sight of hit in gode fay.
to heuen keng, as I sal say,
for deueles dreden it to cum ner
and sight of hit in gode fay.
287
Iohan whit the gulden mouthe sais this,
wher-seuer deueles this signe se may,
thai fleen as fro a staf i-wisse
whit whiche befor beten wer thai.
wher-seuer deueles this signe se may,
thai fleen as fro a staf i-wisse
whit whiche befor beten wer thai.
Iohannes Crisostomus: Vbicumque demones signum dominicum uiderint, fugiunt tymentes baculum, quo plagam acceperunt.
therfore in churches mony one,
when laite or any tempest ys,
thai taken oute the crois anone
aȝayn the weder that fares omys,
when laite or any tempest ys,
thai taken oute the crois anone
aȝayn the weder that fares omys,
That deueles cause of that tempest
Goddes signe when thai mone se,
er mon or best ther-by be lest
moun be ferd and made to fle.
Goddes signe when thai mone se,
er mon or best ther-by be lest
moun be ferd and made to fle.
borne hit is in processioun
also for to represent
Cristes Ressurrectioun
and eke assensioun verrament.
also for to represent
Cristes Ressurrectioun
and eke assensioun verrament.
for when he rose the thridde day
then did he A grete victory,
and a croice be-token may
Victor, as lornet haue I.
then did he A grete victory,
and a croice be-token may
Victor, as lornet haue I.
what victore might more be
thenne the deuele wen he orecome,
and out of helle wit grete pouste
Adam and his ofspring noom?
thenne the deuele wen he orecome,
and out of helle wit grete pouste
Adam and his ofspring noom?
Also a baner forthe spreding
that apon the crois is borne,
betokenes mo[nn]es kinde ledyng
to hauen blisse that wer forlorne.
that apon the crois is borne,
betokenes mo[nn]es kinde ledyng
to hauen blisse that wer forlorne.
for as folk folowes processioun
and that baner born before,
so at Cristes ascensioun
folk folowed hym ful muche mor.
and that baner born before,
so at Cristes ascensioun
folk folowed hym ful muche mor.
288
also song may signifie,
that in processioun songun is,
aungels song, when crist con hye
vp-on hegh to heuen blisse.
that in processioun songun is,
aungels song, when crist con hye
vp-on hegh to heuen blisse.
For Aungels metten hym in the waye
and songen til he was in his se,
therfor in processioun Aye
to represent that syng[e]n we.
and songen til he was in his se,
therfor in processioun Aye
to represent that syng[e]n we.
in summe chirches eke also,
and namely in the lond of Fraunce,
to ber A dragon vset is tho
deueles therby to haue penaunce,
and namely in the lond of Fraunce,
to ber A dragon vset is tho
deueles therby to haue penaunce,
A long taile he schal haue hengyng
ful of chaf or suche mater,
two dayes the chaf ther inne lenging,
the thridde daye empte boute wer.
ful of chaf or suche mater,
two dayes the chaf ther inne lenging,
the thridde daye empte boute wer.
but tho thowe dayes that hit ful is
befor the croice born hit schal be,
the thridde day behind i-wis,
what this betokenes ȝe schun se.
befor the croice born hit schal be,
the thridde day behind i-wis,
what this betokenes ȝe schun se.
For er Moyses lawe was made
and whil that law was enduryng,
the deuel regnet and power hade
of all men vrthe wonyng,
and whil that law was enduryng,
the deuel regnet and power hade
of all men vrthe wonyng,
But the thridde tyme of grace
when Crist tholet his passioun,
the dragons tail made empty was
and he remewet from his renoun.
when Crist tholet his passioun,
the dragons tail made empty was
and he remewet from his renoun.
Also sayntes we conen pray,
in this processioun as we gone,
what is the cause I schal [ȝ]ow say,
for thre thinges and that anone.
in this processioun as we gone,
what is the cause I schal [ȝ]ow say,
for thre thinges and that anone.
289
For nede we han the furst is
that other for holy saintes honour,
the thridde for reuerence i-wis
of God and Crist hour creatoure.
that other for holy saintes honour,
the thridde for reuerence i-wis
of God and Crist hour creatoure.
For saintes moun haue grace to knowe
our wil to hom and our praier,
and thing that ioy to hom schal schewe
and to vs help in that maner;
our wil to hom and our praier,
and thing that ioy to hom schal schewe
and to vs help in that maner;
Therfor the furst cause may be
for our nede and grete any,
that deseruen as not schuld we
Of our misdede to haue mercy.
for our nede and grete any,
that deseruen as not schuld we
Of our misdede to haue mercy.
therfor hit nedes vs to pray
hom forto helpe vs in grete nede,
ther-as our meryt help ne may
heuen for to klayme for our gode dede.
hom forto helpe vs in grete nede,
ther-as our meryt help ne may
heuen for to klayme for our gode dede.
the secounde cause is whiterly,
why we to saintes conen praye,
to honer hom deuoutely
and schowe thai bien wurthe aye
why we to saintes conen praye,
to honer hom deuoutely
and schowe thai bien wurthe aye
to haue grauntet hor praiere,
for Goddes wille is hit be so,
for holy lyf thaye leuet her,
hor bone schal euer be herd and oo.
for Goddes wille is hit be so,
for holy lyf thaye leuet her,
hor bone schal euer be herd and oo.
And for God wol thai honuret be
for hor praieres that he wol graunte,
therfore God wol that alle waye we
to pray to hom bien enclinawnt.
for hor praieres that he wol graunte,
therfore God wol that alle waye we
to pray to hom bien enclinawnt.
The thridde cause is resonable,
that is for Goddes reuerence,
Sayn that we felen vs vnable
for to pray in his presence,
that is for Goddes reuerence,
Sayn that we felen vs vnable
for to pray in his presence,
290
Sayn we bien faynt and no thing stable
and nyet him hauen whit grete offense,
our owne praier is repreuable
that so misrulen our conscience.
and nyet him hauen whit grete offense,
our owne praier is repreuable
that so misrulen our conscience.
Therfor gode mediacioun
most be made whit mene waye
of sainteȝ that wele pray movne,
syn we vnwurthy bien to praye.
most be made whit mene waye
of sainteȝ that wele pray movne,
syn we vnwurthy bien to praye.
In gowynge with this letany
one song is godely for to vse aye,
that ther is wreten oponly,
and cause why I schal [ȝ]ow say.
one song is godely for to vse aye,
that ther is wreten oponly,
and cause why I schal [ȝ]ow say.
Sancte Deus, Sancte, fortis, sancte & inmortalis miserere nobis. Iohannes Damascenus.
Iohan Damascen telles this
in the feurthe boke that he mas,
that at Constantyne Amys,
A tribulacioun ther was,
in the feurthe boke that he mas,
that at Constantyne Amys,
A tribulacioun ther was,
For whiche songen letany
that God sech soro schul sesse,
so fel a wonder sodeynly,
that was sothe & no thinge lesse.
that God sech soro schul sesse,
so fel a wonder sodeynly,
that was sothe & no thinge lesse.
For a ȝong child raueschet was
vp in-to heuen imong hom alle
that maden processioun in that place,
but none wist how that might befalle.
vp in-to heuen imong hom alle
that maden processioun in that place,
but none wist how that might befalle.
For this song ther he was taght,
and to the peple turnet Aȝayn,
and sang that he hade in heuen caght,
Of whiche the peple wer ful fayn.
and to the peple turnet Aȝayn,
and sang that he hade in heuen caght,
Of whiche the peple wer ful fayn.
for alle hor tribulacioun
cesset at his suete singyng,
as at a conuocacioun
Was preuet trwe and no lesing,
cesset at his suete singyng,
as at a conuocacioun
Was preuet trwe and no lesing,
291
at A grete sene befor the pope
at Calcedoyne, as reden we,
wherthurgh that redes this may hope
That this wonder trewe be.
at Calcedoyne, as reden we,
wherthurgh that redes this may hope
That this wonder trewe be.
therfor we syngen this ilk, sonmg
that fyndes moun be putte awaye,
and none of hom be vs Imong,
Syn any whit hit [be] wrthe to pray.
that fyndes moun be putte awaye,
and none of hom be vs Imong,
Syn any whit hit [be] wrthe to pray.
now for to praise this thing oright,
that hit is of auctorite,
faur causes I find to-geder clight
that hit is worthi praiset be,
that hit is of auctorite,
faur causes I find to-geder clight
that hit is worthi praiset be,
And is for the aungel taght hit,
and meschef cesset at that singing,
the [pope] als preuet hit be gode wit,
and deueles dredden hit hering.
and meschef cesset at that singing,
the [pope] als preuet hit be gode wit,
and deueles dredden hit hering.
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