 | Handlyng Synne |  |
Here bygynne the Seuenþe Sacramentys of holy cherche.
[Of Holy Bapteme.]
The fyrst sacrament ys holy bapteme,
Houe of watyr, and noyted with creme;
‘Crystendom,’ or ‘crystynyng,’
Þat ys on englys, oure spekyng.
Houe of watyr, and noyted with creme;
‘Crystendom,’ or ‘crystynyng,’
Þat ys on englys, oure spekyng.
Crystendom, to cryst hyt longeþ,
And to alle þat crystendom vndyrfongeþ;
Þys ys þe fyrst and pryncypalle,
Þurgh þe whych we are saued alle;
Saued we are, þurgh crystendam,
Of þe heued synne of Adam,
yn whych synne alle mankynde ys bore,
Ȝyt, and shal be, and was byfore.
And to alle þat crystendom vndyrfongeþ;
Þys ys þe fyrst and pryncypalle,
Þurgh þe whych we are saued alle;
Saued we are, þurgh crystendam,
Of þe heued synne of Adam,
yn whych synne alle mankynde ys bore,
Ȝyt, and shal be, and was byfore.
Adams synnë was so grefe,
Þat þyr was to God, none so lefe,
Þyt he ne shulde to hellë gone
But he were wasshe yn þe fonte stone,
yn fonte stone and watyr baptysed,
As Ihesu cryst haþ dyuysed.
Þat þyr was to God, none so lefe,
Þyt he ne shulde to hellë gone
But he were wasshe yn þe fonte stone,
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As Ihesu cryst haþ dyuysed.
Ȝyf þou beleue þat any wham
ys saued with-oute crystyndam,
y seye, forsoþe þou hast mys went
Aȝens þys holy sacrament.
ys saued with-oute crystyndam,
y seye, forsoþe þou hast mys went
Aȝens þys holy sacrament.
Ofte we here þe lewed men seye,
Þat erre ful moche oute of þe weye,
Þat of þe Iewës seye sum oun,
‘Þey ne wote wheþer þey be saued or noun;’
But of sum prestes ys gretter tene,
Þat so of þe Iewës also wene;
Certes, þey are alle yn were,
And yn þe feyþ þey are nat clere,
For, shal neuer Iewe þat deyeþ Iewe,
Of heuene blys haue part ne prewe,
But he be crystened yn þe holy gaste,
And yn þe sacrament be ful stedfast.
Þat erre ful moche oute of þe weye,
Þat of þe Iewës seye sum oun,
‘Þey ne wote wheþer þey be saued or noun;’
But of sum prestes ys gretter tene,
Þat so of þe Iewës also wene;
Certes, þey are alle yn were,
And yn þe feyþ þey are nat clere,
For, shal neuer Iewe þat deyeþ Iewe,
Of heuene blys haue part ne prewe,
But he be crystened yn þe holy gaste,
And yn þe sacrament be ful stedfast.
Lo, here a wurde to leue ȝoure drede!
yn þe gospel þat we rede,
Þat god Ihesu vs allë techeþ
Þurgh seynt Mark, þat hyt precheþ,
“He þat beleueþ and ys baptysed,
He shal be saued, so ys dyuysed;
And he þat beleueþ nat, forsoþe & ywys,
Boþe body and soulë, lore he ys.”
yn þe gospel þat we rede,
Þat god Ihesu vs allë techeþ
Þurgh seynt Mark, þat hyt precheþ,
“He þat beleueþ and ys baptysed,
He shal be saued, so ys dyuysed;
And he þat beleueþ nat, forsoþe & ywys,
Boþe body and soulë, lore he ys.”
loke how ȝe mow be a-bawed,
þat seye þat þe Iewe ys saued!
Þe Iewe, þe oldë lawë kan,
But þat alone may saue no man;
And þarfore was hyt fyled and left,
For heuenë blys, vs hyt refte
Þurgh Adams synne fro vs echone,
Tyl hyt was clensed yn flume Iordone,
whan Ihesu was baptysed þer-ynne
For to wasshe awey þat synne;
And al þat euer to Cryst wyl teme,
Behoueþ be baptysed yn watyr and creme:
Þan art þou clene, þou shalt beleue,
Of Adams synnë, and of Eue.
þat seye þat þe Iewe ys saued!
Þe Iewe, þe oldë lawë kan,
But þat alone may saue no man;
And þarfore was hyt fyled and left,
For heuenë blys, vs hyt refte
Þurgh Adams synne fro vs echone,
Tyl hyt was clensed yn flume Iordone,
whan Ihesu was baptysed þer-ynne
For to wasshe awey þat synne;
And al þat euer to Cryst wyl teme,
Behoueþ be baptysed yn watyr and creme:
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Of Adams synnë, and of Eue.
Þarfore hyt ys þe fyrst sacrament
Þat þou art to, fyrst made present;
Lokë þat þou kunne hyt knowe;
hyt makeþ þe hygh, þere þou were lowe,
hyt makeþ þe fre, þat er were þralle,
Fro þe fendës seruage alle,
Þat þe þar neuer þe fendë drede
But hyt be þurgh þyn owne mysdede.
Þat þou art to, fyrst made present;
Lokë þat þou kunne hyt knowe;
hyt makeþ þe hygh, þere þou were lowe,
hyt makeþ þe fre, þat er were þralle,
Fro þe fendës seruage alle,
Þat þe þar neuer þe fendë drede
But hyt be þurgh þyn owne mysdede.
Ȝyf a chylde be dedë bore—
Þogh hyt were quyk yn wombe byfore—
And, receyue nat þe bapteme,
Of heuene may hyt neuer cleme;
with-outë doute, beleue ȝe þys,
Þat hyt shal neuer come to blys;
Ne peyne of hetë, ne of colde,
Hyt shal non fele, no ryȝt hyt wolde;
Hyt noght mysdyd, ne serued wo,
Ne to nonë shal hyt go;
Þys ys peyne with-outen ende,
hyt shal neuer to Ioyë wende.
Gretë grace ys to hem lent,
Þat here receyue þys sacrament.
Þogh hyt were quyk yn wombe byfore—
And, receyue nat þe bapteme,
Of heuene may hyt neuer cleme;
with-outë doute, beleue ȝe þys,
Þat hyt shal neuer come to blys;
Ne peyne of hetë, ne of colde,
Hyt shal non fele, no ryȝt hyt wolde;
Hyt noght mysdyd, ne serued wo,
Ne to nonë shal hyt go;
Þys ys peyne with-outen ende,
hyt shal neuer to Ioyë wende.
Gretë grace ys to hem lent,
Þat here receyue þys sacrament.
Also, ȝe þat heue chyldryn al day,
loke ȝe be stedfast yn oure lay,
Þat nonë haue yn hertë doute,
Ne to wycchecrafte leste no loute.
loke ȝe be stedfast yn oure lay,
Þat nonë haue yn hertë doute,
Ne to wycchecrafte leste no loute.
Þou settest þy self yn borghgage
To teche þe chylde whan hyt haþ age;
Ȝyf þou se hyt mysdo or seye,
Þou shalt teche hyt better wey,
Ȝyf hyt be so þat þou maght,
Þou art holde þat hyt be taght;
Quyte þe weyl oute of borghgang,
Þat þou ne haue for hyt no wrang.
To teche þe chylde whan hyt haþ age;
Ȝyf þou se hyt mysdo or seye,
Þou shalt teche hyt better wey,
Ȝyf hyt be so þat þou maght,
Þou art holde þat hyt be taght;
Quyte þe weyl oute of borghgang,
Þat þou ne haue for hyt no wrang.
loke also, ȝyf þou euer ware
Yn place þere wymmen chyldryn bare;
Ȝyf þou sawe hyt yn perel of dede,
And þou ne coudest do bote ne rede,
Ne seyë wurde, ne helpe at nede,
So þat hyt to þe deþë ȝede;
Þou shalt þerforë perel haue;
Vnkunnyng shal þe nat saue;
For euery man, boþe hygh and logh,
Þe poyntes of bapteme oweþ to knowe,
To helpe chyldryn yn many kas;
Men wete neuer what nede one has.
who so ne kan, y rede hym lere
Yn syȝte, yn dede, and he may here.
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Ȝyf þou sawe hyt yn perel of dede,
And þou ne coudest do bote ne rede,
Ne seyë wurde, ne helpe at nede,
So þat hyt to þe deþë ȝede;
Þou shalt þerforë perel haue;
Vnkunnyng shal þe nat saue;
For euery man, boþe hygh and logh,
Þe poyntes of bapteme oweþ to knowe,
To helpe chyldryn yn many kas;
Men wete neuer what nede one has.
who so ne kan, y rede hym lere
Yn syȝte, yn dede, and he may here.
Y shal ȝow teche, as y herde telle
Onës a frerë menor spelle:
“Ȝyf þou se a chylde yn swyche perel
Þat none may saue hyt with no wylle,
Sey þan þus, ȝyf þou haue haste,
“y crysten þe yn þe name of þe fadyr & sone & holy gast,”
And ȝyue, what þou wylt, hyt a name,
And kast on water; þan ys hyt frame;
And ȝyf þou ȝyue hyt namë none,
Noþer Robert, Wyllyam, no Ione,
Loke þat þese wurdës be weyl seyd,
And water þer-on algate leyde;
And þat þyr be none ouþer waste,
But yn þe fadyr and sone, and holy gaste;
Þese wurdes forȝete þou naght,
Ne watyr, what as euer elles be wroȝt.”
Onës a frerë menor spelle:
“Ȝyf þou se a chylde yn swyche perel
Þat none may saue hyt with no wylle,
Sey þan þus, ȝyf þou haue haste,
“y crysten þe yn þe name of þe fadyr & sone & holy gast,”
And ȝyue, what þou wylt, hyt a name,
And kast on water; þan ys hyt frame;
And ȝyf þou ȝyue hyt namë none,
Noþer Robert, Wyllyam, no Ione,
Loke þat þese wurdës be weyl seyd,
And water þer-on algate leyde;
And þat þyr be none ouþer waste,
But yn þe fadyr and sone, and holy gaste;
Þese wurdes forȝete þou naght,
Ne watyr, what as euer elles be wroȝt.”
Mydwyuës þat wyþ wymmen wone,
Alle þe poyntes, behoueþ hem kone;
Prestes shuld teche hem þe ordynaunce,
what þey shuld sey and do yn chaunce,
And examyne her what she couthe,
what she shuld do, and seye with mouþe.
Alle þe poyntes, behoueþ hem kone;
Prestes shuld teche hem þe ordynaunce,
what þey shuld sey and do yn chaunce,
And examyne her what she couthe,
what she shuld do, and seye with mouþe.
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[The Tale of the Midwife who christend a Child wrongly.]
Y shal ȝow telle of a mydwyfe,
Þat loste a chylde, boþe soule & lyfe.
he tolde hyt yn hys sermoun,
And ȝaue here ofte hys malysoun.
Þat loste a chylde, boþe soule & lyfe.
he tolde hyt yn hys sermoun,
And ȝaue here ofte hys malysoun.
Þys mydwyfe, whan þe chylde was bore,
She helde hyt on here lappe before;
And whan she sawe þat hyt shulde deye,
She bygan, loudë for to crye,
And seyd, “God and seynt Ione
Crysten þe chylde, boþe flesshe and bone.”
She helde hyt on here lappe before;
And whan she sawe þat hyt shulde deye,
She bygan, loudë for to crye,
And seyd, “God and seynt Ione
Crysten þe chylde, boþe flesshe and bone.”
Þys mydwyffe noghte ellës seyde,
And yn þe cherche-ȝerde þey wulde hyt haue leyde,
As a-nouþer chyld shuld ha be
Þat hade receyuede þe solempte.
And yn þe cherche-ȝerde þey wulde hyt haue leyde,
As a-nouþer chyld shuld ha be
Þat hade receyuede þe solempte.
Þe prest askede þe mydwyffe,
‘Ȝyfe hyt were cristenede whan hyt hade lyffe,
And who hyt cristened, and on what manere,
And what was seyde, þat any myghte here.’
‘Ȝyfe hyt were cristenede whan hyt hade lyffe,
And who hyt cristened, and on what manere,
And what was seyde, þat any myghte here.’
Þe mydwyffe seyde unto þe prest,
“Þys herde þey þat stode me nest,
‘Þat God almyghty and Seynt Ioun
ȝyue þe chylde cristendom yn flesshe and boun.’”
“Þys herde þey þat stode me nest,
‘Þat God almyghty and Seynt Ioun
ȝyue þe chylde cristendom yn flesshe and boun.’”
Þan seyd þe preste, “God and seynt Iame
Ȝyue þe boþe sorow and shame,
And Crystys malysun haue þou for-þy,
And alle þe ouþer þat were þe by!
Yn euyl tymë were þou bore,
For yn þy defaute, a soule ys lore.”
She was commaunded she shuld no more
Come eftesones þere chyldryn were bore.
Ȝyue þe boþe sorow and shame,
And Crystys malysun haue þou for-þy,
And alle þe ouþer þat were þe by!
Yn euyl tymë were þou bore,
For yn þy defaute, a soule ys lore.”
She was commaunded she shuld no more
Come eftesones þere chyldryn were bore.
Mydwyues, y tolde thys tale for ȝow,
Þat ȝyf ȝe kunnat, lerneþ how
To sauë þat, God boȝt ful dere,
Þe poyntes of bapteme y rede ȝow lere;
Mydwyfe ys a perylus þyng
But she kunne þe poyntes of crystenyng;
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To sauë þat, God boȝt ful dere,
Þe poyntes of bapteme y rede ȝow lere;
Mydwyfe ys a perylus þyng
But she kunne þe poyntes of crystenyng;
Ne beleueþ nat on þese shappers,
Ȝoure mysdede ful mykyl deres;
y wolde þo shappers were on lowe,
And al þo þat on hem trowe.
Ȝoure mysdede ful mykyl deres;
y wolde þo shappers were on lowe,
And al þo þat on hem trowe.
Þe beleue ys, ‘þe fadyr and sone & holy gaste;’
Alle ouþer beleue ys wykked and waste;
Þurgh hem ys alle þyng shape & wroȝt,
And ouþer shappers ne are noȝt;
God ys shapper of alle þyng,
he wote þe mydward, and þe endyng;
Þe oþer shappers, þat men of seye,
Hyt ys a beleue of deuyl weye.
Alle ouþer beleue ys wykked and waste;
Þurgh hem ys alle þyng shape & wroȝt,
And ouþer shappers ne are noȝt;
God ys shapper of alle þyng,
he wote þe mydward, and þe endyng;
Þe oþer shappers, þat men of seye,
Hyt ys a beleue of deuyl weye.
Þe mete þat ȝe leye at þe chyldës hede
For swyche shappers, were bettyr leued;
Ȝyf hyt for hem þerë lye,
Þan ys hyt a wykked erysye;
ley hyt for þe loue of þe holy gaste,
Fadyr, and sone, oo God stedfaste,
As wysly as he become a chylde,
Bore of Marye, mayden mylde,
Þat he ȝyue hyt to lyue yn gode grace,
And gode endyng, and se hys face.
For swyche shappers, were bettyr leued;
Ȝyf hyt for hem þerë lye,
Þan ys hyt a wykked erysye;
ley hyt for þe loue of þe holy gaste,
Fadyr, and sone, oo God stedfaste,
As wysly as he become a chylde,
Bore of Marye, mayden mylde,
Þat he ȝyue hyt to lyue yn gode grace,
And gode endyng, and se hys face.
Ȝyf þou were euer so vnwys
For to crystene a chyldë twys,
Or ȝyf þou euer consentedest þar-to
Þat any ouþer shulde so do,—
At home, as yn pryuyte,
Anouþer tyme, þat men myȝt se,—
For ȝyf hyt were baptysed at hame
wyþ alle þe poyntes of bapteme name,
Þan were hyt aȝens þe feyþe to werche,
Eftesones to baptyse hyt at cherche;
But ȝyf þou suppose þyr fayleþ a poynte
Þat to þe crystendom shuld a-mounte,
Þan were hyt nat for to drede
For to fulfyl þat shulde be nede;
For alle þe poyntes of watyr & creme,
Þurgh alle crystendom ys o bapteme,
O baptemë, and nat two,
Of alle þe poyntes þat þou sest do.
Þarfore he þat ys ones baptysed,
Ones for euer ys; þus ys auysed.
For to crystene a chyldë twys,
Or ȝyf þou euer consentedest þar-to
Þat any ouþer shulde so do,—
At home, as yn pryuyte,
Anouþer tyme, þat men myȝt se,—
For ȝyf hyt were baptysed at hame
wyþ alle þe poyntes of bapteme name,
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Eftesones to baptyse hyt at cherche;
But ȝyf þou suppose þyr fayleþ a poynte
Þat to þe crystendom shuld a-mounte,
Þan were hyt nat for to drede
For to fulfyl þat shulde be nede;
For alle þe poyntes of watyr & creme,
Þurgh alle crystendom ys o bapteme,
O baptemë, and nat two,
Of alle þe poyntes þat þou sest do.
Þarfore he þat ys ones baptysed,
Ones for euer ys; þus ys auysed.
Also, ȝe þat chyldryn heue,
ȝ shul nat forȝete ne leue
To teche hyt pater noster & crede;
Ȝyf ȝe ne do, hyt ys to drede.
ȝ shul nat forȝete ne leue
To teche hyt pater noster & crede;
Ȝyf ȝe ne do, hyt ys to drede.
To foly þou shalt nat drawe ne wone
Þy goddoȝtyr ne þy godsone,
Namely to þat vylayny
Þat falleþ vn-to lechery,
Ne to no foly þat may be;
Þou shalt teche hem synne to fle.
Ne nat be so fole hardy,
Þy goddoȝtyr to lye þe by,
Ne for to dwelle a-lone with þe,
For perel þat may falle and be.
Þy goddoȝtyr ne þy godsone,
Namely to þat vylayny
Þat falleþ vn-to lechery,
Ne to no foly þat may be;
Þou shalt teche hem synne to fle.
Ne nat be so fole hardy,
Þy goddoȝtyr to lye þe by,
Ne for to dwelle a-lone with þe,
For perel þat may falle and be.
Many a pryuy peryl þyr ys,
And specyaly yn drunkenes;
yn drunkenes men wyl rage,
And, ragyng wyl reyse korage;
And sonë may a man be shent
Þat doþe aȝens þe comaundement.
And specyaly yn drunkenes;
yn drunkenes men wyl rage,
And, ragyng wyl reyse korage;
And sonë may a man be shent
Þat doþe aȝens þe comaundement.
Seynt Gregory telleþ yn hys spelle
Of swyche a shame þat onës felle.
Of swyche a shame þat onës felle.
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[The Tale of the Bad Bourgeois who lay with his God-daughter and was kild for it.]
A man hefe onës at þe fonte
A maydë chylde, as men are wonte;
Þys mayde wax, and bygan to belde
weyl yn-to womans elde;
And at Ester tyme gan hyt falle
whan men hadde fastë lenten alle,
Þys man bysoghte, for specyalte,
Þat hys god-doȝtyr wyþ hym myȝt be,
And alle þat ychë Esterday
And lenger, ȝyf hyt were here pay.
A maydë chylde, as men are wonte;
Þys mayde wax, and bygan to belde
weyl yn-to womans elde;
And at Ester tyme gan hyt falle
whan men hadde fastë lenten alle,
Þys man bysoghte, for specyalte,
Þat hys god-doȝtyr wyþ hym myȝt be,
And alle þat ychë Esterday
And lenger, ȝyf hyt were here pay.
Þe fadyr and þe modyr graunted sone;
Þey þoȝt none euyl myȝt be done.
Þys man, for drunkenes & vnryȝt,
lay by hys god-doȝtyr þat yche nyȝt:
Þys man on þe mornë þoȝt
How synfully þat he hadde wroȝt;
Ful grete þoȝte þan was he ynne,
Þat he hadde do so greuus a synne;
Twey þoghtes yn hys hertë come,
To go to þe cherche, or byde at home:
“Ȝyf y vnto þe cherchë ȝede,
Of venïaunce y haue grete drede;
And, ȝyf y nat þedyr go,
Men wyl wene y haue do sum wo.”
So algate vnto þe cherche he name;
he drede nat God, but morë shame.
Þey þoȝt none euyl myȝt be done.
Þys man, for drunkenes & vnryȝt,
lay by hys god-doȝtyr þat yche nyȝt:
Þys man on þe mornë þoȝt
How synfully þat he hadde wroȝt;
Ful grete þoȝte þan was he ynne,
Þat he hadde do so greuus a synne;
Twey þoghtes yn hys hertë come,
To go to þe cherche, or byde at home:
“Ȝyf y vnto þe cherchë ȝede,
Of venïaunce y haue grete drede;
And, ȝyf y nat þedyr go,
Men wyl wene y haue do sum wo.”
So algate vnto þe cherche he name;
he drede nat God, but morë shame.
Þe fyrst day, he dred hym sore
he shuld be cumbred sumwore,
And ȝyt a-noþer he lokede ay,
whyche tyme þe fende wulde bere hym away;
Alle þe woke, for worldës shame,
He ȝede to þe cherche, but lytyl to frame;
he shuld be cumbred sumwore,
And ȝyt a-noþer he lokede ay,
whyche tyme þe fende wulde bere hym away;
305
He ȝede to þe cherche, but lytyl to frame;
whan he hadde long a-bydë so,
And, no skaþe come hym to,
Þys þoght he yn hys herte ful raþe,
For he hadde þarfore no skaþe,
he wendë God had hyt forgete
As ouþer men do þat haue forlete;
Or þoȝt þat he hadde hyt forȝyue,
And hym neded nat þer-of be shryue,
Ne shulde þerof come no myschaunce,
For he was of so longe suffraunce.
And, no skaþe come hym to,
Þys þoght he yn hys herte ful raþe,
For he hadde þarfore no skaþe,
he wendë God had hyt forgete
As ouþer men do þat haue forlete;
Or þoȝt þat he hadde hyt forȝyue,
And hym neded nat þer-of be shryue,
Ne shulde þerof come no myschaunce,
For he was of so longe suffraunce.
But God, þat fórȝeteþ no þyng,
he sente þarfore grete heuenyng;
Þe seuenþe day þys man deyde,
As þe holy man vs seyde;
Sone aftyr þat byryed he was,
Veniaunce come for þat trespas;
Vpp of hys graue a fyre vpp smote—
Ful stynkyng and ful hote—
And brenned þat cursed body alle,
And stone and erþe, boþe grete and smalle;
Alle was so brend yn-to þe grounde,
Þat of hys body myȝt noȝt be founde.
he sente þarfore grete heuenyng;
Þe seuenþe day þys man deyde,
As þe holy man vs seyde;
Sone aftyr þat byryed he was,
Veniaunce come for þat trespas;
Vpp of hys graue a fyre vpp smote—
Ful stynkyng and ful hote—
And brenned þat cursed body alle,
And stone and erþe, boþe grete and smalle;
Alle was so brend yn-to þe grounde,
Þat of hys body myȝt noȝt be founde.
Here mow ȝe here apertly why
God toke veniaunce greuusly,
Þat God shewed so moche hys Ire,
For he synned þat tyme with hyre
Þat he lyfte of þe fonte stone:
hyt ys a warnyng to vs echone
þat we kepe þe sacrament,
Oure bapteme þat God haþ sent;
And þat we bettyr hyt holde
For þys tale þat y ȝow tolde.
Ȝe, Ihesu lordë, þou hyt graunte
þat we mow holdë þat cunnaunte
þat we at þe fonte stonë make,
Ihesu to serue, and Satanas forsake.
God toke veniaunce greuusly,
Þat God shewed so moche hys Ire,
For he synned þat tyme with hyre
Þat he lyfte of þe fonte stone:
hyt ys a warnyng to vs echone
þat we kepe þe sacrament,
Oure bapteme þat God haþ sent;
And þat we bettyr hyt holde
For þys tale þat y ȝow tolde.
Ȝe, Ihesu lordë, þou hyt graunte
306
þat we at þe fonte stonë make,
Ihesu to serue, and Satanas forsake.
[Of Confirmation.]
The secunde sacrament, y vndyrstonde,
Ys graunted of þe bysshop honde;
Men kalle hyt ‘confyrmacyon,’
A sykernesse neuer more vndon
wyþ no lawe, ne with no skylle,
But ȝyf ȝe self algatë wylle;
As ȝyf þou boghtest house and land
with charter at þy neghburs hande,
Þou mayst holde hyt for euer-more,
So bapteme þe saueþ ones þore;
And ȝyf hyt be graunted of þe kyng,
Þat þou hast boght, þan ys syker þyng;
Syker ys, þat yn rolle ys leyde,
For þan may hyt neuer be wyþseyde;
þe rollyng fordoþe croppe and rote,
And ryȝt of þo þat wulde þe mote;
Rollyng, and þe grete assyse,
Aftyr hem may no lawë ryse.
Ys graunted of þe bysshop honde;
Men kalle hyt ‘confyrmacyon,’
A sykernesse neuer more vndon
wyþ no lawe, ne with no skylle,
But ȝyf ȝe self algatë wylle;
As ȝyf þou boghtest house and land
with charter at þy neghburs hande,
Þou mayst holde hyt for euer-more,
So bapteme þe saueþ ones þore;
And ȝyf hyt be graunted of þe kyng,
Þat þou hast boght, þan ys syker þyng;
Syker ys, þat yn rolle ys leyde,
For þan may hyt neuer be wyþseyde;
þe rollyng fordoþe croppe and rote,
And ryȝt of þo þat wulde þe mote;
Rollyng, and þe grete assyse,
Aftyr hem may no lawë ryse.
Þus fareþ hyt of confyrmacyun
Aftyr tyme þat bapteme ys doun;
Confyrmacyun ys more ne lesse,
But aftyr crystenyng, gode sykernesse;
Þys bapteme ys charter of ryȝt
Þat fordoþë Adams plyȝt,
And, þat ys of grete pouste,
Þat fro þe fende hyt byeþ þe fre,
And defendeþ þe þyn erytage,
Þat þou mayst holde hyt yn alle þyn age,
And saue þy statë euery deyl,
Ȝyf þou kepe þy charter weyl;
Ouer þys, ȝyf hyt be þy lordes wylle
Þat he þy charter wyl fulfyle,
Þan art þou stalworth þurgh hys powere,
And þy charter made more clere.
Aftyr tyme þat bapteme ys doun;
Confyrmacyun ys more ne lesse,
But aftyr crystenyng, gode sykernesse;
Þys bapteme ys charter of ryȝt
Þat fordoþë Adams plyȝt,
And, þat ys of grete pouste,
Þat fro þe fende hyt byeþ þe fre,
And defendeþ þe þyn erytage,
Þat þou mayst holde hyt yn alle þyn age,
And saue þy statë euery deyl,
Ȝyf þou kepe þy charter weyl;
Ouer þys, ȝyf hyt be þy lordes wylle
Þat he þy charter wyl fulfyle,
307
And þy charter made more clere.
Þe bysshope ys as lorde or kyng
To conferme þy crystenyng;
He confermeþ þat we haue take
whan we haue Satan forsake,
Oure crystendom, þat hyt be sekyr
To fende vs aȝens þe fendës bekyr,
Þan ys oure charter quyte and clere,
Confermyng with þe bysshopes powere.
To conferme þy crystenyng;
He confermeþ þat we haue take
whan we haue Satan forsake,
Oure crystendom, þat hyt be sekyr
To fende vs aȝens þe fendës bekyr,
Þan ys oure charter quyte and clere,
Confermyng with þe bysshopes powere.
And ȝe shul alle weyl vndyrstande,
whan chyldryn are blessed of þe bysshopys hande,
Þat blessyng ys contermacyoun
Aȝens þe fendes temptacyun,
And makeþ vs stalwurþe yn batayle
whan þe fende wyl vs asayle;
Þan are we made Goddes champyons,
Aȝens þe fendës, Goddys felons;
þan haue we receyued fully myȝt
Aȝens þe fendë for to fyȝt;
And ȝyf we be yn beleue stedfaste,
we haue powere, dowun hym to kaste.
whan chyldryn are blessed of þe bysshopys hande,
Þat blessyng ys contermacyoun
Aȝens þe fendes temptacyun,
And makeþ vs stalwurþe yn batayle
whan þe fende wyl vs asayle;
Þan are we made Goddes champyons,
Aȝens þe fendës, Goddys felons;
þan haue we receyued fully myȝt
Aȝens þe fendë for to fyȝt;
And ȝyf we be yn beleue stedfaste,
we haue powere, dowun hym to kaste.
Certes, þo men moche mysdo,
Þat a-byde long, are þey go þar-to;
And wommen, gretly ouer alle þyng,
þat wyl nat here chyldryn bryng
To receyue þe sacrament
At þe bysshopes confyrment;
For some wete weyl, þat chyldryn kepe,
Þat many are drecched yn here slepe;
Þe fende hem sheweþ grete affray,
To some on nyȝt, and some a day,
How þat he, may hem greue,
To make ouþer men mysbeleue;
Some men hyt here, & some men hyt sees,
Yn many stedys, vanytes,
More before þe sacrament
Þan aftyr, whan he ys shent;
Hys powere ys þan moche fordoun
Þurgh þys confyrmacyun;
For þat oght we, to beleuë ryȝt,
þat þys sacrament haþ þat myȝt.
Þat a-byde long, are þey go þar-to;
And wommen, gretly ouer alle þyng,
þat wyl nat here chyldryn bryng
To receyue þe sacrament
At þe bysshopes confyrment;
For some wete weyl, þat chyldryn kepe,
Þat many are drecched yn here slepe;
Þe fende hem sheweþ grete affray,
To some on nyȝt, and some a day,
How þat he, may hem greue,
To make ouþer men mysbeleue;
308
Yn many stedys, vanytes,
More before þe sacrament
Þan aftyr, whan he ys shent;
Hys powere ys þan moche fordoun
Þurgh þys confyrmacyun;
For þat oght we, to beleuë ryȝt,
þat þys sacrament haþ þat myȝt.
Anoþer poynt, here-to longeþ,
Þat lewed men nat vndyrstandyþ:
“Þou man or womman, be nat so wylde
To holde to þe bysshope þyn owne chylde;
For ȝyf þou do, art commare
To hym þat hyt, gat or bare;
Ȝyf a frende man holde hyt þore,
To wedde þat chylde, he may neuer more;
þys longeþ to þys sacrament;
Þarefor ȝyueþ gode entent.”
Þat lewed men nat vndyrstandyþ:
“Þou man or womman, be nat so wylde
To holde to þe bysshope þyn owne chylde;
For ȝyf þou do, art commare
To hym þat hyt, gat or bare;
Ȝyf a frende man holde hyt þore,
To wedde þat chylde, he may neuer more;
þys longeþ to þys sacrament;
Þarefor ȝyueþ gode entent.”
yn þys skyllë, as y kan,
hyt ys grete perel to an vncouþe man,
A maydë chyldë for to holde
Byfore þe bysshope, as y er tolde,
But ȝyf he askë fyrst byfore,
what hyt ys, and where was bore;
Elles perauenture yn hys lyue
he myȝt haue þat chylde to wyue;
Or ȝyf she ȝyue here to folye,
he myȝt, yn kas, lygge here by;
Þys kas ys nat often seen,
But hyt may fallë, or haþ ben;
Þarfore, noþer mo ne lesse,
But ‘wyys ys, þat ware ys.’
hyt ys grete perel to an vncouþe man,
A maydë chyldë for to holde
Byfore þe bysshope, as y er tolde,
But ȝyf he askë fyrst byfore,
what hyt ys, and where was bore;
Elles perauenture yn hys lyue
he myȝt haue þat chylde to wyue;
Or ȝyf she ȝyue here to folye,
he myȝt, yn kas, lygge here by;
Þys kas ys nat often seen,
But hyt may fallë, or haþ ben;
Þarfore, noþer mo ne lesse,
But ‘wyys ys, þat ware ys.’
Now of þys confyrmacyun
wyl we leue oure sermoun;
God ȝyue vs gracë, for hys myȝt,
yn þe beleue to ferme vs ryȝt,
Þat þe holy goste with vs wone,
Þat cumþ of þe fadyr and of þe sone.
wyl we leue oure sermoun;
God ȝyue vs gracë, for hys myȝt,
yn þe beleue to ferme vs ryȝt,
Þat þe holy goste with vs wone,
Þat cumþ of þe fadyr and of þe sone.
309
[Of the Sacrament of the Altar.]
God almyȝty, þat al þyng weldes,
wyndës, watrys, wodes, & feldes,
As soþely as þou madest of noȝt
Alle créatures þat euer were wroȝt,
Forȝyue me, to day, Lorde, my synne,
Þat y þys wrþys sacrament mowe begynne,
And wurschypfully þar-of to speke,
Þat we þe beleuë neuer breke;
Ne for to tellë, yn þys long,
Þyng, þat falle-of, may any wrong,
But þat máy be, þe to queme,
And vs yn stedfaste beleue to ȝeme.
wyndës, watrys, wodes, & feldes,
As soþely as þou madest of noȝt
Alle créatures þat euer were wroȝt,
Forȝyue me, to day, Lorde, my synne,
Þat y þys wrþys sacrament mowe begynne,
And wurschypfully þar-of to speke,
Þat we þe beleuë neuer breke;
Ne for to tellë, yn þys long,
Þyng, þat falle-of, may any wrong,
But þat máy be, þe to queme,
And vs yn stedfaste beleue to ȝeme.
Goddës sone, of heuene a-boue,
He shewed vs alle, for gretë loue;
For whan hys passyun neyghed nye,
To hys dyscyplys þat were hym bye,
He ȝaue hys body hem to fede,—
More loue ne myȝt he shewe yn dede,—
Þat þey shuldë myndë haue
On hym, þat he myȝt hem saue;
Ȝyt aftyrward he lete hym slo
with ful vyle deþ, and pynyng wo;
For vs, and hem, ded he þys,
To bryngë vs echone to blys,
Ne more loue ne myȝt he do,
Ne neuer man, myȝt so do;
For vs he ded hyt, þys ys certeyn,
Þat we shuld loue hym weyl aȝen;
Þogh we vs self ȝaf an hundryd syþe,
O poynt of loue ne myȝt we kyþe
vn-to þe loue þat he haþ vs doun,
For hyt ys oure saluacyun;
And of vs, askeþ he ryȝt noȝt
But þat may weyl y-nogh be wroȝt,
No þyng but loue-longyng,
To loue hym weyl ouer alle þyng,
And for hys loue to leuë synne;
hys loue, hys blys, þan mow we wynne;
For þou mayst neuer haue hym to þe,
But, þou wylt fyrst synnë fle;
Alle þyng he loueþ, but synne he hates;
Ȝyf þou hym louest, with synne þou wlates.
Ȝyf þou loue one, þe behoueþ nedes
Forsake þat þyng þat he þe forbedes;
Elles, hyt ys tolde no loue,
And namëly to God a-boue.
He shewed vs alle, for gretë loue;
For whan hys passyun neyghed nye,
To hys dyscyplys þat were hym bye,
He ȝaue hys body hem to fede,—
More loue ne myȝt he shewe yn dede,—
Þat þey shuldë myndë haue
On hym, þat he myȝt hem saue;
Ȝyt aftyrward he lete hym slo
with ful vyle deþ, and pynyng wo;
For vs, and hem, ded he þys,
To bryngë vs echone to blys,
Ne more loue ne myȝt he do,
Ne neuer man, myȝt so do;
For vs he ded hyt, þys ys certeyn,
Þat we shuld loue hym weyl aȝen;
Þogh we vs self ȝaf an hundryd syþe,
O poynt of loue ne myȝt we kyþe
vn-to þe loue þat he haþ vs doun,
For hyt ys oure saluacyun;
And of vs, askeþ he ryȝt noȝt
310
No þyng but loue-longyng,
To loue hym weyl ouer alle þyng,
And for hys loue to leuë synne;
hys loue, hys blys, þan mow we wynne;
For þou mayst neuer haue hym to þe,
But, þou wylt fyrst synnë fle;
Alle þyng he loueþ, but synne he hates;
Ȝyf þou hym louest, with synne þou wlates.
Ȝyf þou loue one, þe behoueþ nedes
Forsake þat þyng þat he þe forbedes;
Elles, hyt ys tolde no loue,
And namëly to God a-boue.
And þou mayst nat loue hym with no greyth,
But þou haue of hym gode feyþe,
Þat ys to seye, to beleue hyt weyl,
Alle þat ys wryte of hym euerydeyl.
Stedfast beleue, of loue hyt comes;
And of beleuë, loue men nomes:
So ys þe toon with þe touþer;
with stedfast beleue, loue ys þe broþer.
But þou haue of hym gode feyþe,
Þat ys to seye, to beleue hyt weyl,
Alle þat ys wryte of hym euerydeyl.
Stedfast beleue, of loue hyt comes;
And of beleuë, loue men nomes:
So ys þe toon with þe touþer;
with stedfast beleue, loue ys þe broþer.
To whom ogh þan oure loue be went,
But to þe beleue of þys sacrament?
Þys, oght to beleue, euery crysten man,
And lerne þe beleue of one þat kan,
‘Þat þe bred þat sacred ys
At þe auter, ys Goddys flessh:’
Boþe flesshe and blodë þer ys leyd,
Þurgh þe wurdes þat þe prest haþ seyd,
Þat lyȝte with-ynne þe vyrgyne Marye,
And on þe rode for vs wulde deye,
And fro deþ to lyue he ros,
God and man, yn myȝt and los.
But to þe beleue of þys sacrament?
Þys, oght to beleue, euery crysten man,
And lerne þe beleue of one þat kan,
‘Þat þe bred þat sacred ys
At þe auter, ys Goddys flessh:’
Boþe flesshe and blodë þer ys leyd,
Þurgh þe wurdes þat þe prest haþ seyd,
Þat lyȝte with-ynne þe vyrgyne Marye,
And on þe rode for vs wulde deye,
And fro deþ to lyue he ros,
God and man, yn myȝt and los.
For who so beleueþ nat clere
yn þe sacrament of þe autere,
He shal neuer þe blys a-byde,
For no þyng þat may betyde.
yn þe sacrament of þe autere,
311
For no þyng þat may betyde.
Yn þe oldë lawë, þus ys wryte,
Boþe Iewes and crysten weyl hyt wete,
“God seyd, and hyt was wroȝt;
he commaunded alle þyng of noȝt.”
Þese wurdës are verry and clere;
Dauyd hem seyth yn þe sautere;
Syn he made alle þat noȝt er was,
lesse maystry were hyt þan yn kas,
For to chaunge þe lekënes
Yn-to an ouþer þyng þat es;
þe lykënes of bred and wyne,
Yn flesshe and blode to turne hyt ynne;
Yn flessh and blode þe brede be broȝt,
Syn he madë alle of noȝt.
Boþe Iewes and crysten weyl hyt wete,
“God seyd, and hyt was wroȝt;
he commaunded alle þyng of noȝt.”
Þese wurdës are verry and clere;
Dauyd hem seyth yn þe sautere;
Syn he made alle þat noȝt er was,
lesse maystry were hyt þan yn kas,
For to chaunge þe lekënes
Yn-to an ouþer þyng þat es;
þe lykënes of bred and wyne,
Yn flesshe and blode to turne hyt ynne;
Yn flessh and blode þe brede be broȝt,
Syn he madë alle of noȝt.
Ȝyf þou se hyt nat with bodly syȝt,
Þy soule with-ynne shal beleue hyt ryȝt;
And ȝyf þou felë no sauour,
But ryghtely wyne, and brede of flour,
Þat ys þe wysdom of Goddys ordynaunce
For to saue vs alle fro þys chaunce;
For ȝyf hyt fyl, as flesshe to take,
wlate we shulde, and hyt forsake;
And for he wulde nat men hyt forsoke,
But þat alle men hyt vndyrtoke,
Þarfore hys wysdom, hys ownë rede,
Sauerþ hyt yn wyne and brede;
Hyt semeþ bredë, as be syȝt,
And as brede, sauer haþ ryȝt;
Noþyr þe syȝt, noþer þe felyng,
Haþ þer-of any certeyn þyng;
what shal þan, þe most saue,
But stedfast beleue þat þou shalt haue?
Stedfast beleue of euery deyl,
Þat shal þan, saue þe weyl.
And some haue sey hyt bodyly,
To whom he shewed hys mercy;
Lo here a tale for of ȝow sum,
Þat y fonde yn ‘vitas patrum.’
Þy soule with-ynne shal beleue hyt ryȝt;
And ȝyf þou felë no sauour,
But ryghtely wyne, and brede of flour,
Þat ys þe wysdom of Goddys ordynaunce
For to saue vs alle fro þys chaunce;
For ȝyf hyt fyl, as flesshe to take,
wlate we shulde, and hyt forsake;
And for he wulde nat men hyt forsoke,
But þat alle men hyt vndyrtoke,
Þarfore hys wysdom, hys ownë rede,
Sauerþ hyt yn wyne and brede;
Hyt semeþ bredë, as be syȝt,
And as brede, sauer haþ ryȝt;
Noþyr þe syȝt, noþer þe felyng,
Haþ þer-of any certeyn þyng;
what shal þan, þe most saue,
But stedfast beleue þat þou shalt haue?
Stedfast beleue of euery deyl,
Þat shal þan, saue þe weyl.
312
To whom he shewed hys mercy;
Lo here a tale for of ȝow sum,
Þat y fonde yn ‘vitas patrum.’
[The Tale of the Priest for whom the Sacramental Bread and Wine were turnd into a Child's Flesh and Blood.]
Þyr was a man of relygyoun;
Of almës he had grete renoun;
But, for þe fende wulde haue hym shent,
He beleued nat yn þe sacrament,
And seyd ‘hyt was nat Ihesu
Þat conceyued was þurgh vertu;
Ne Ihesu was nat þe oblé
Þat reysed was at þe sacré;
And þo þat wurschep ded þarto,
To beleue hyt, was nat to do.’
Of almës he had grete renoun;
But, for þe fende wulde haue hym shent,
He beleued nat yn þe sacrament,
And seyd ‘hyt was nat Ihesu
Þat conceyued was þurgh vertu;
Ne Ihesu was nat þe oblé
Þat reysed was at þe sacré;
And þo þat wurschep ded þarto,
To beleue hyt, was nat to do.’
Byfore twey abbotes þus he tolde;
Þese abbotes wryte þys tale to holde;
hyt oght be tolde to euery wham
Þat ys aȝens þe crystendam,
Tyl hyt be preued with clergye
wheþer hyt be beleue or erysye.
Þese abbotes wryte þys tale to holde;
hyt oght be tolde to euery wham
Þat ys aȝens þe crystendam,
Tyl hyt be preued with clergye
wheþer hyt be beleue or erysye.
Þese abbotes shewed hym þe ryȝt weye
with alle þe ensamples þat þey coude seye;
And he seyd ‘þat hyt was lye,
But ȝyf he sagh hyt with hys ye.’
“Doþe þan so þat y hyt se,
Þan wyl y beleue þat hyt may be.”
with alle þe ensamples þat þey coude seye;
And he seyd ‘þat hyt was lye,
But ȝyf he sagh hyt with hys ye.’
“Doþe þan so þat y hyt se,
Þan wyl y beleue þat hyt may be.”
Þese abbotes preyd a ful seuen nyȝt
Þat God wulde shewe hym, þurgh hys myȝt,
Yn flesshe and blode on þe autere,
To cónferme hys beleuë clere;
And hym-self preyd specyaly
Þat God wulde shewe hym also yn body;
“Lorde,” he seyde, “for no mysbeleue
Þat þou shuldest, with me þe greue,
But for to shewe þe ryȝt soþenes
Þat þou art þe sacrament of þe messe,
Þat y may make ouþer certeyn
whan y with yën haue þe seyn!”
Þat God wulde shewe hym, þurgh hys myȝt,
Yn flesshe and blode on þe autere,
313
And hym-self preyd specyaly
Þat God wulde shewe hym also yn body;
“Lorde,” he seyde, “for no mysbeleue
Þat þou shuldest, with me þe greue,
But for to shewe þe ryȝt soþenes
Þat þou art þe sacrament of þe messe,
Þat y may make ouþer certeyn
whan y with yën haue þe seyn!”
Þe abbotes lay yn orysun
Tyl alle þe seuen nyȝt were doun;
þe seuenþe day, to þe cherche þey cam,
And þe touþer man with hem þey nam;
A sege was ordeyned for hem þre
To beholdë alle þe pryuyte
Of þat holy sacrament
Þat shewed was yn here present:
Betwyxe hem sate þys ychë man
Of whom þe myracle fyrst began.
Tyl alle þe seuen nyȝt were doun;
þe seuenþe day, to þe cherche þey cam,
And þe touþer man with hem þey nam;
A sege was ordeyned for hem þre
To beholdë alle þe pryuyte
Of þat holy sacrament
Þat shewed was yn here present:
Betwyxe hem sate þys ychë man
Of whom þe myracle fyrst began.
whan þe vble was on þe auter leyd,
And þe prest þe wurdes had seyd,
Alle þre þoȝt þan verrylyk,
Before þe prest, þat a chyld lay quyk
Yn feyrë forme of flesshe and blode;
Þys say þey þre, þere þey stode.
And þe prest þe wurdes had seyd,
Alle þre þoȝt þan verrylyk,
Before þe prest, þat a chyld lay quyk
Yn feyrë forme of flesshe and blode;
Þys say þey þre, þere þey stode.
whan þe preste shulde parte þe sacrament,
An aungel dowun from heuene was sent,
And sacryfyed þe chylde ryȝt þare;
As þe prest hyt brak, þe aungel hyt share;
þe blode yn-to þe chaleys ran
Of þat chylde, boþe God and man.
An aungel dowun from heuene was sent,
And sacryfyed þe chylde ryȝt þare;
As þe prest hyt brak, þe aungel hyt share;
þe blode yn-to þe chaleys ran
Of þat chylde, boþe God and man.
Þys man ȝede to þe heyȝest degre,
To housel hym, as fyl to be;
Hym þoght þe prest broȝte on þe pateyn
Morselles of þe chylde alle newe sleyn,
And bedde hym a morsel of þe flesshe
with alle ȝe blode þer-on alle fresshe.
To housel hym, as fyl to be;
314
Morselles of þe chylde alle newe sleyn,
And bedde hym a morsel of þe flesshe
with alle ȝe blode þer-on alle fresshe.
Þan gan he cry, with loudë steuene,
“Mercy! Goddys sone of heuene!
Þe brede þat y sagh on þe auter lye,
Hyt ys þy body; y se hyt with ye.
Of þe brede, þurgh sacrament,
To flesshe and blode hyt ys alle went;
Þys y beleue, and euer y shal;
For verryly we se hyt alle.”
“Mercy! Goddys sone of heuene!
Þe brede þat y sagh on þe auter lye,
Hyt ys þy body; y se hyt with ye.
Of þe brede, þurgh sacrament,
To flesshe and blode hyt ys alle went;
Þys y beleue, and euer y shal;
For verryly we se hyt alle.”
whan he and þey were alle certeyn,
yn forme of brede hyt turned aȝeyn;
He ded hym housel as ouþer wore,
And was a gode man for euermore;
And alle þe toþer beþ þe better,
Þat heren þys tale, or redyn þys lettyr.
yn forme of brede hyt turned aȝeyn;
He ded hym housel as ouþer wore,
And was a gode man for euermore;
And alle þe toþer beþ þe better,
Þat heren þys tale, or redyn þys lettyr.
Þe prest þat sacreþ Goddys body,
Hym behoueþ bé clene nedëly:
A lewed man þat shal hym receyue,
Alle maner of fylþe, behoueþ hym weyue.
Hym behoueþ bé clene nedëly:
A lewed man þat shal hym receyue,
Alle maner of fylþe, behoueþ hym weyue.
Be þou neuer so gode a preste,
Ne so grete wyttë yn þy breste,
Y rede þe here how þe propertes are shewed,
Þogh þe langage be but lewed.
Ne so grete wyttë yn þy breste,
Y rede þe here how þe propertes are shewed,
Þogh þe langage be but lewed.
Þou wost weyl þat þe vblè
Ys but a lytyl þyng to se;
So shal we be lytyl yn wyl,
lytyl and meke, with-outyn yl,
Noȝt yn pryde, ne naȝt yn heghþe,
For no wysdom ne for no sleghþe,
Þat we ne falle with Lucyfere,
For proude men wonë with hym þere.
Ys but a lytyl þyng to se;
So shal we be lytyl yn wyl,
lytyl and meke, with-outyn yl,
Noȝt yn pryde, ne naȝt yn heghþe,
315
Þat we ne falle with Lucyfere,
For proude men wonë with hym þere.
Þe vblè ys made of whete,
Þe louelyest cornë þat men ete;
So shal we be meke and louely
To allë þo þat beþ vs by;
Þys mekënes ys aȝens Ire,
Þat ys with Lucyfere yn fyre.
Þe louelyest cornë þat men ete;
So shal we be meke and louely
To allë þo þat beþ vs by;
Þys mekënes ys aȝens Ire,
Þat ys with Lucyfere yn fyre.
Þe paste of þe vblè, nat ne ogh
Be made of any maner of soure dogh;
For þe soure dogh makeþ alle soure
Þe swetnes þat cumþ of þe floure.
By þys soure dogh ys tokenyng
Þat enuye ys a wykked þyng,
For hyt fordoþe swetnes of dede
Þat God shulde ȝyue for soulë mede;
Þarfore makeþ he none herbergerye
Þere he fyndeþ byfore, enuye.
Be made of any maner of soure dogh;
For þe soure dogh makeþ alle soure
Þe swetnes þat cumþ of þe floure.
By þys soure dogh ys tokenyng
Þat enuye ys a wykked þyng,
For hyt fordoþe swetnes of dede
Þat God shulde ȝyue for soulë mede;
Þarfore makeþ he none herbergerye
Þere he fyndeþ byfore, enuye.
A vertu also yn þe whete ys,
Þat ys moche aȝens sloghnes;
For whetë cornës wyl nat prykke,
As otës dowün, or barlykke;
Ne we shulde nat haue any prykyl
Of ydylnes ouer mykyl.
Þat ys moche aȝens sloghnes;
For whetë cornës wyl nat prykke,
As otës dowün, or barlykke;
Ne we shulde nat haue any prykyl
Of ydylnes ouer mykyl.
Ydylnes gruccheþ, and ys heuy of þoȝt,
And also sonë wroþe for noȝt;
And þat wraþþë cumþ of sorowe,
Þat of wanhope wyl mochë borowe.
Þys sacrament of þe messe
loueþ noun swyche ydulnesse,
Ne, with noun, wyl he dwelle,
But þere men of Ioyë spelle.
And also sonë wroþe for noȝt;
And þat wraþþë cumþ of sorowe,
Þat of wanhope wyl mochë borowe.
Þys sacrament of þe messe
loueþ noun swyche ydulnesse,
Ne, with noun, wyl he dwelle,
316
Þe paste to þe vblè seyd byforne,
Shal nat be of no medel corne,
But allë onëly of wete;
Þe mastlyoun shul men lete.
Þat yche meneþ, with no wyse
we shul vs medel with coueytyse,
And namëly with auaryce,
For þat ys tolde a wykked vyce.
Shal nat be of no medel corne,
But allë onëly of wete;
Þe mastlyoun shul men lete.
Þat yche meneþ, with no wyse
we shul vs medel with coueytyse,
And namëly with auaryce,
For þat ys tolde a wykked vyce.
Also þou seest þe vblè ys þynne,
And grete dunhede ys noun þer-ynne;
And þat wyl weyl sygnyfye
Aȝens þe synne of glotonye;
For þere ne wyl þe sacrament reste,
þere glotonye wyl hym oute keste.
And grete dunhede ys noun þer-ynne;
And þat wyl weyl sygnyfye
Aȝens þe synne of glotonye;
For þere ne wyl þe sacrament reste,
þere glotonye wyl hym oute keste.
And þou seest, þe vblè ys whyte;
And we shul hauë noun delyte
Of no maner of flesshely lak,
Of lechery, þat makeþ vs blak.
And we shul hauë noun delyte
Of no maner of flesshely lak,
Of lechery, þat makeþ vs blak.
Þese are þe seuene propertes
Yn þe vblè, as þou sees;
And euery properte þer-ynne
Ys aȝens a dedly synne.
Yn þe vblè, as þou sees;
And euery properte þer-ynne
Ys aȝens a dedly synne.
Aȝens þys sacrament, þan do þo
Þat are yn synne, and þar-to go,
Or are yn wyl aȝen to wende
To synne, and hemself shende.
Þat are yn synne, and þar-to go,
Or are yn wyl aȝen to wende
To synne, and hemself shende.
Also a preste þat goþ, syngeþ hys messe,
þat yn dedly synnë ys,
An hunder folde he synneþ more
Þan ȝyf he, a lewed man wore.
þat yn dedly synnë ys,
An hunder folde he synneþ more
Þan ȝyf he, a lewed man wore.
Alle þey þat receyue þys sacrament
yn dedly synne, or wykked entent,
yn any óf þese ychë seuene
Þat þou hast me herdë neuene,
Hyt ys to here dampnacyun,
And þarfore veniaunce shal be doun.
And, here y shal telle a tale,
How hyt ys to þo men bale.
yn dedly synne, or wykked entent,
317
Þat þou hast me herdë neuene,
Hyt ys to here dampnacyun,
And þarfore veniaunce shal be doun.
And, here y shal telle a tale,
How hyt ys to þo men bale.
[The Tale of the Priest who was enabled to see Folk's sins in their Faces.]
A parysshe prest was yn a tounne,
A man of ful grete dyscrecyounne;—
Dyscrecyun, a ryȝt wyt ys,
On boþe partys ryȝtly to ges;—
Of hys parysshenes he vndyrstode,
whyche were yl, and whych were gode;
Tweyn he haddë for to gete,
Þat neuer wuldë synnë lete.
A man of ful grete dyscrecyounne;—
Dyscrecyun, a ryȝt wyt ys,
On boþe partys ryȝtly to ges;—
Of hys parysshenes he vndyrstode,
whyche were yl, and whych were gode;
Tweyn he haddë for to gete,
Þat neuer wuldë synnë lete.
And fyl hyt at an esterne,
Þat a prest shul none ouþer werne
But ȝyf hyt be þe gretter synne,
As yn cursyng, or yn vnbuxyme.
Þys prest was yn gretë þoȝt
wheþer he shulde housel hem or noȝt;
he preyd God, of heuene kyng,
Þat he wulde sende hym sum tokenyng
wheþer hé shulde hem forbede;
To housel hem, he þoȝt grete drede.
Þat a prest shul none ouþer werne
But ȝyf hyt be þe gretter synne,
As yn cursyng, or yn vnbuxyme.
Þys prest was yn gretë þoȝt
wheþer he shulde housel hem or noȝt;
he preyd God, of heuene kyng,
Þat he wulde sende hym sum tokenyng
wheþer hé shulde hem forbede;
To housel hem, he þoȝt grete drede.
Fro God he had þys answere:
‘Þat echone shuld hys owne charge bere,
And þat he shulde warne hyt none,
But ȝyue hyt furþe to euerychone;’
“Do þou as Ihesu dyd yn dede,
And þou shalt no man hyt forbede,
Ne morë þan he ded Iudas,
Þat haddë do ful grete trespas.”
‘Þat echone shuld hys owne charge bere,
And þat he shulde warne hyt none,
But ȝyue hyt furþe to euerychone;’
“Do þou as Ihesu dyd yn dede,
And þou shalt no man hyt forbede,
Ne morë þan he ded Iudas,
Þat haddë do ful grete trespas.”
he ȝaue hyt to alle with myldë mode
whan brede was turned to flessh & blode.
For some þat hyt takeþ, hyt shal hem saue,
And some þarforë peyne shal haue;
Aftyr þey are of synnë clene,
So shal hyt on hem be sene.”
whan brede was turned to flessh & blode.
318
And some þarforë peyne shal haue;
Aftyr þey are of synnë clene,
So shal hyt on hem be sene.”
Ȝyt preyde he God of morë grace,
Þat he myȝt knowë hem by face,
Þe whyche receyued hyt wurþyly,
And whyche to have hyt were wurþy.
And God graunted hym hys wyl,
To knowe þe godë fro þe yl.
Þat he myȝt knowë hem by face,
Þe whyche receyued hyt wurþyly,
And whyche to have hyt were wurþy.
And God graunted hym hys wyl,
To knowe þe godë fro þe yl.
Þe folk þat to þe prestë went
For to receyue þe sacrament,
Of some þe faces were as bryȝt
As þe sunne ys, ón days lyȝt;
And some, here vysages al blake,
Þat no þyng myȝt hem blaker make;
And somë were as rede as blode,
Staryng ryȝt as þey had be wode;
And sum were swolle, þe vyseges stout,
As þoȝ here yȝen shulde burble out;
And sum gnapped here fete & handes,
As doggës doun þat gnawe here bandes;
And sum hadde vysages of meselrye;
And some were lyke foule maumetrye:
Many wundrys were on hem sene,
Mo þan he myȝt se at þat tyme.
For to receyue þe sacrament,
Of some þe faces were as bryȝt
As þe sunne ys, ón days lyȝt;
And some, here vysages al blake,
Þat no þyng myȝt hem blaker make;
And somë were as rede as blode,
Staryng ryȝt as þey had be wode;
And sum were swolle, þe vyseges stout,
As þoȝ here yȝen shulde burble out;
And sum gnapped here fete & handes,
As doggës doun þat gnawe here bandes;
And sum hadde vysages of meselrye;
And some were lyke foule maumetrye:
Many wundrys were on hem sene,
Mo þan he myȝt se at þat tyme.
Þe prest, whan he say alle þys,
Of þat syȝt he gan hym grys;
For þat syȝt was hydous,
And dreful, and perylous.
Of þat syȝt he gan hym grys;
For þat syȝt was hydous,
And dreful, and perylous.
Ȝyt preyd he God, with gode entent,
Þat he myȝt wyte, what al þat ment;
And God almyȝty loued hym weyl,
And wuldë shewe hym euerydeyl;
“Þo men þat are so bryȝt
As þe sun, on day[e]s lyȝt,
Þo men are ȝyt yn charyte,
And clene of synne, & wurschepeþ me;
Þo men þat were so blake,
Þat no þyng myȝt hem blaker make,
Þey are lecchours foule with-ynne,
And haue no wyl to leue here synne;
Þo men þat werë rede as blode,
Þey are Irus, and wykked of mode,
here euene crystyn for to slo
with deþ, or, with pyne do wo;
Þo þat þou sagh with swolle vysage,
Þey are enuyous ouer outrage;
And þo þat gnapped here finger endes,
Are bakbyters betwyxë frendys;
Þo þat þou sagh, meselles be syȝt,
Þey loue more gode þan God almyȝt;
Þo þat þou sagh lyke maumetrye,
On worldly þyng þey most affye;
More loue þey gode þat hé haþ sent
þan þey do hym þat alle haþ lent;
þese maner men are ȝyt yn wyl,
yn here synne to lyuë stylle;
And þarfore shal þe sacrament
On hem aske hardë Iugëment,
Þat þey haue receyue hyt vnwurþyly,
And serued þe fende, hys enemy.
Þat he myȝt wyte, what al þat ment;
And God almyȝty loued hym weyl,
And wuldë shewe hym euerydeyl;
“Þo men þat are so bryȝt
As þe sun, on day[e]s lyȝt,
Þo men are ȝyt yn charyte,
And clene of synne, & wurschepeþ me;
319
Þat no þyng myȝt hem blaker make,
Þey are lecchours foule with-ynne,
And haue no wyl to leue here synne;
Þo men þat werë rede as blode,
Þey are Irus, and wykked of mode,
here euene crystyn for to slo
with deþ, or, with pyne do wo;
Þo þat þou sagh with swolle vysage,
Þey are enuyous ouer outrage;
And þo þat gnapped here finger endes,
Are bakbyters betwyxë frendys;
Þo þat þou sagh, meselles be syȝt,
Þey loue more gode þan God almyȝt;
Þo þat þou sagh lyke maumetrye,
On worldly þyng þey most affye;
More loue þey gode þat hé haþ sent
þan þey do hym þat alle haþ lent;
þese maner men are ȝyt yn wyl,
yn here synne to lyuë stylle;
And þarfore shal þe sacrament
On hem aske hardë Iugëment,
Þat þey haue receyue hyt vnwurþyly,
And serued þe fende, hys enemy.
Þys tale y tolde for loue of þo
Þat yn synne to housel go,
Or beþ yn wylle to turne aȝeyn;
For alle here trauayle þey do yn veyn.
Þat yn synne to housel go,
Or beþ yn wylle to turne aȝeyn;
For alle here trauayle þey do yn veyn.
Ȝyf þou, whan þy housel shalt take,
Be yn wylle þy synne to forsake
For euermore yn stedfaste herte,
Þogh þou synne sone aftyr, and smert,
Ȝyt God takeþ hyt nat to so grete grym
As ȝyf þou yn tresoun receyuedest hym.
Be yn wylle þy synne to forsake
For euermore yn stedfaste herte,
Þogh þou synne sone aftyr, and smert,
Ȝyt God takeþ hyt nat to so grete grym
As ȝyf þou yn tresoun receyuedest hym.
yn no þyng wote y more tresun,
Þan brynge þy lorde to hys felun;
And ȝyt men sey here synne ys grefe,
Þat bryngeþ a trew man on a þefe;
And ȝyf þou do þus, þy wytande,
þan chargë men hyt most yn hande;
þarfore loke þat þou wyte noȝt,
No synne hyde yn herte ne þoȝt,
Ne wyl nat wyte for neuer more
whan þou receyuest God ryȝt þore.
Þan brynge þy lorde to hys felun;
And ȝyt men sey here synne ys grefe,
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And ȝyf þou do þus, þy wytande,
þan chargë men hyt most yn hande;
þarfore loke þat þou wyte noȝt,
No synne hyde yn herte ne þoȝt,
Ne wyl nat wyte for neuer more
whan þou receyuest God ryȝt þore.
Also þe clerk þat haunteþ synne,
But he leue, and þer-of blynne,
He shal nat serue at þe auter,
Noþer halewed þyng to comë ner.
But he leue, and þer-of blynne,
He shal nat serue at þe auter,
Noþer halewed þyng to comë ner.
Y touched langer of þys outrage
whan y spake of sacrylage,
Þat þe holy gost shewed hym noȝt
For þe dekene synned yn þoȝt,
Yn þe tale of Ion Crysostomus;
Þys tale ys tolde for ȝow and vs.
whan y spake of sacrylage,
Þat þe holy gost shewed hym noȝt
For þe dekene synned yn þoȝt,
Yn þe tale of Ion Crysostomus;
Þys tale ys tolde for ȝow and vs.
Also he ys wurþy to be shent,
Þat, sone aftyr þe sacrament,
To foly and to synne hym draweþ:
lytyl of Goddes veniaunce hym aweþ.
Þat, sone aftyr þe sacrament,
To foly and to synne hym draweþ:
lytyl of Goddes veniaunce hym aweþ.
Ȝyf þou forgete or ouersyttes
Tyme of housel, þat þou weyl wytes,
lytel fors of hym þou ȝyues,
Þou louest hym nat þat þou by lyues,
And ouer alle þyng he loueþ þe beste,
And þou ne wylt, a nyȝtys geste,
lete hym herber yn hys hous;
Þou art vnkynde ryȝt merueylous,
Þat alle þe ȝere þou latest hym weyue,
And with wurschyþ þou wylt nat hyt receyue.
God manaceþ swyche, for swyche enchesun,
And ryȝt hyt wyl, and gode resun;
For swychë men are holde vntrewe
Yn þe olde lawe, and eke yn þe newe.
Comaundement yn þe olde lawe was,
‘Ones yn þe ȝere to shewe þy trespas;’
þe newe law ys of more onour
‘Ones to receyue þy creatoure,’
Ones yn þe ȝerë, to knowleche,
Þy lorde to pes, for drede of wreche.
Tyme of housel, þat þou weyl wytes,
lytel fors of hym þou ȝyues,
Þou louest hym nat þat þou by lyues,
And ouer alle þyng he loueþ þe beste,
And þou ne wylt, a nyȝtys geste,
lete hym herber yn hys hous;
Þou art vnkynde ryȝt merueylous,
Þat alle þe ȝere þou latest hym weyue,
And with wurschyþ þou wylt nat hyt receyue.
God manaceþ swyche, for swyche enchesun,
And ryȝt hyt wyl, and gode resun;
For swychë men are holde vntrewe
Yn þe olde lawe, and eke yn þe newe.
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‘Ones yn þe ȝere to shewe þy trespas;’
þe newe law ys of more onour
‘Ones to receyue þy creatoure,’
Ones yn þe ȝerë, to knowleche,
Þy lorde to pes, for drede of wreche.
Þat prest, y blame ouer alle þyng,
Þat with-oute skylle lettyþ to synge;
For many a soulë myȝt be saued
with þe messe þat he haþ leued;
For al[lë] þat yn peynë ys,
Abydeþ þe socoure of þe messe;
For euery messe makeþ memórye
Of soules þat are yn purgatórye;
Mochë þanke shal þat prest haue,
Þat helpeþ, hem for to saue;
For no þyng may hem so moche auayle
Of here peyne and here trauayle,
As þe sacrament of þe autere,
Ne makeþ hem of peyne so clere.
Þat with-oute skylle lettyþ to synge;
For many a soulë myȝt be saued
with þe messe þat he haþ leued;
For al[lë] þat yn peynë ys,
Abydeþ þe socoure of þe messe;
For euery messe makeþ memórye
Of soules þat are yn purgatórye;
Mochë þanke shal þat prest haue,
Þat helpeþ, hem for to saue;
For no þyng may hem so moche auayle
Of here peyne and here trauayle,
As þe sacrament of þe autere,
Ne makeþ hem of peyne so clere.
And þat may y shewe apertly
By a tale of seint Gregorye;
Seynt Gregory telleþ for þe same,
By a tale of seint Gregorye;
Seynt Gregory telleþ for þe same,
[The Tale of the Priest who was waited on by a Dead Lord whom he afterwards sang out of Purgatory.]
þer was a prest, Felyx was hys name;
Bysyde hys wonyng yn a paþ
was a wasshyng yn an hote baþ
Þys prest þedyr oftë ȝede
To wasshe hym whan he haddë nede.
Þys prest þere euer redy fonde
A man þat serued hym to fote and honde;
he drogh hys hosen of, and hys shone,
And efte was redy hem on to done;
At euery tyme þat he þedyr cam,
hys shone and hys hosen, of he nam,
And serued hym at euery a tyde,
Yn þe water, and eke besyde.
Bysyde hys wonyng yn a paþ
was a wasshyng yn an hote baþ
Þys prest þedyr oftë ȝede
To wasshe hym whan he haddë nede.
Þys prest þere euer redy fonde
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he drogh hys hosen of, and hys shone,
And efte was redy hem on to done;
At euery tyme þat he þedyr cam,
hys shone and hys hosen, of he nam,
And serued hym at euery a tyde,
Yn þe water, and eke besyde.
Þys prest, þat cam þedyr so ofte,
Þat þys man serued so softe,
he ne asked hym neuer more
when he was, ne how he come þore;
But euery tymë was redy
And serued hym peynyblëly.
Þat þys man serued so softe,
he ne asked hym neuer more
when he was, ne how he come þore;
But euery tymë was redy
And serued hym peynyblëly.
Þys prest þoȝt he serued hym weyl,
“hys trauayle wyl y quyte sum deyl.”
On o day he þedyr þoȝt,
And, twey loues with hym he broȝt;
yn-to þe baþ, ȝede þe prest,
And, wesshe hym, as he dyd neste:
Þys man was þere hym aȝayne;
To serue hym weyl, he dyde hys mayne;
“hys trauayle wyl y quyte sum deyl.”
On o day he þedyr þoȝt,
And, twey loues with hym he broȝt;
yn-to þe baþ, ȝede þe prest,
And, wesshe hym, as he dyd neste:
Þys man was þere hym aȝayne;
To serue hym weyl, he dyde hys mayne;
Þys preste, whan he shuld furþë go,
He ȝaue þe man þese louës two,
And þanked hym moche, hys seruyse,
And more he wuldë ouþer wyse.
He ȝaue þe man þese louës two,
And þanked hym moche, hys seruyse,
And more he wuldë ouþer wyse.
Þys man answered þe prest aȝeyn:
“Þys brede þou broȝtest to me yn veyn,
For neuer morë shal y ete
Bredë, ne noun ouþer mete.
Y am a man, þat ys dede,
Þat neuer more shal etë brede.”
“Þys brede þou broȝtest to me yn veyn,
For neuer morë shal y ete
Bredë, ne noun ouþer mete.
Y am a man, þat ys dede,
Þat neuer more shal etë brede.”
Þe preste asked “on what manere
Ys hyt þat þou wonest þus here?”
Þys yche man answered and seyd,
“Y was lorde here, are y deyde;
And þys seruyse þat y am ynne,
ys þe peynë for my synne;
But y pray þe, pur charyte,
Offre on þe auter þese loues for me;
And y beseche þe, ouer alle þyng,
Þat syxe messys for me þou synge,
For, were þey sunge, y hope to wende
Yn-to þe ioye with-outen ende.
whan þe syxtë messe ys lefte,
Ȝyf þou ne fyndë me here efte,
know þou þan soþëly ywys
Þat for þy prayere y am broȝt yn blys.”
Ys hyt þat þou wonest þus here?”
Þys yche man answered and seyd,
“Y was lorde here, are y deyde;
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ys þe peynë for my synne;
But y pray þe, pur charyte,
Offre on þe auter þese loues for me;
And y beseche þe, ouer alle þyng,
Þat syxe messys for me þou synge,
For, were þey sunge, y hope to wende
Yn-to þe ioye with-outen ende.
whan þe syxtë messe ys lefte,
Ȝyf þou ne fyndë me here efte,
know þou þan soþëly ywys
Þat for þy prayere y am broȝt yn blys.”
þys prest, alle þat wokë long,
Fór þys same man preyd and song;
And whan þe wokë was alle gone,
Þe prest cam þedyr, and fondë none.
he beleued þan weyl þat he was broȝt
To blys, for, he fonde hym noȝt.
Fór þys same man preyd and song;
And whan þe wokë was alle gone,
Þe prest cam þedyr, and fondë none.
he beleued þan weyl þat he was broȝt
To blys, for, he fonde hym noȝt.
By þys tale þan mowe ȝe se,
þat hyt ys grete charyte,
Messes for the dede to synge,
Þe soulës oute of þyne to brynge.
þat hyt ys grete charyte,
Messes for the dede to synge,
Þe soulës oute of þyne to brynge.
Passyng alle þyng, hyt haþ powere,
Þe sacrament of þe autere,
And namëly whan hyt ys doun
with godë mannes deuocyun;
Hym, wyl God sunner here
þan one þat ys nat hym so dere.
Þe sacrament of þe autere,
And namëly whan hyt ys doun
with godë mannes deuocyun;
Hym, wyl God sunner here
þan one þat ys nat hym so dere.
yn þe seuenþe comaundement
Toucheþ to þys sacrament,
Yn a talë of a knyȝt,
How þe prest þat lyueþ nat ryȝt,
Of hys preyer ys lytyl prowe,
And þere telleþ hyt weyl how;
And y shal telle a-nouþer here,
Of a messë of a frere.
Toucheþ to þys sacrament,
Yn a talë of a knyȝt,
How þe prest þat lyueþ nat ryȝt,
Of hys preyer ys lytyl prowe,
And þere telleþ hyt weyl how;
And y shal telle a-nouþer here,
Of a messë of a frere.
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[The Tale of the Suffolk Man who was taken out of Purgatory by two Masses his Wife got sung for him.]
A man yn Souþfolke onës deyde
Besydë Sudbyry, men seyde.
For þat man, swych grace was dyȝt,
Þat hym was graunted to come a nyȝt
For to spekë wyþ hys wyfe
To amende þe defaute of hys lyfe:
“Ȝyf a messe were for me doun
with gode mannes deuocyoun,
y hope,” he seyd, “to blys go,
And be delyuerd of alle my wo;
Y prey þe, pur charyte,
To trauayle so moche for me.”
Besydë Sudbyry, men seyde.
For þat man, swych grace was dyȝt,
Þat hym was graunted to come a nyȝt
For to spekë wyþ hys wyfe
To amende þe defaute of hys lyfe:
“Ȝyf a messe were for me doun
with gode mannes deuocyoun,
y hope,” he seyd, “to blys go,
And be delyuerd of alle my wo;
Y prey þe, pur charyte,
To trauayle so moche for me.”
She graunted hym þat ychë bone,
And ros vp on þe mornë sone,
And, vn-to þe frerës ȝede,
For þere hoped she best to spede.
She cam, and spak with a frere,
And preyd she myȝt hys messë here,
And for here housbunde soule to synge,
And she wulde ȝyuë hym offrynge.
And ros vp on þe mornë sone,
And, vn-to þe frerës ȝede,
For þere hoped she best to spede.
She cam, and spak with a frere,
And preyd she myȝt hys messë here,
And for here housbunde soule to synge,
And she wulde ȝyuë hym offrynge.
Þe frere ded here a messe
yn comune, as þe seruyse ys;
whan þys messë sungë was
She went home a godë pas.
Þe nyȝt aftyr, þan come he,
“Slepest þou?” he seyd; ‘nay,’ seyd she,
‘Be ȝe ȝyt,’ she seyd, ‘yn blys?
þe messë for ȝow sungen ys.’
“þe messe,” he seyde, “þou dedyst be do,
A party hyt halpë þer-vn-to;
My parte y had, of þat messe,
As of þyng þat comune ys;
Ȝyf one for me were specyale seyde,
Þat ouþer for me blys had nede,—
Ȝyf þe prest were of lyfe so gode
Þat God hys preyer vndyrstode—
Y hopë þan, grace to haue,
Þat hys messë myȝt me saue.”
Ofte he seyd[ë] to hys wyfe
“A prest! A prest! of clenë lyfe.”
yn comune, as þe seruyse ys;
whan þys messë sungë was
She went home a godë pas.
Þe nyȝt aftyr, þan come he,
“Slepest þou?” he seyd; ‘nay,’ seyd she,
‘Be ȝe ȝyt,’ she seyd, ‘yn blys?
þe messë for ȝow sungen ys.’
“þe messe,” he seyde, “þou dedyst be do,
A party hyt halpë þer-vn-to;
My parte y had, of þat messe,
As of þyng þat comune ys;
Ȝyf one for me were specyale seyde,
Þat ouþer for me blys had nede,—
Ȝyf þe prest were of lyfe so gode
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Y hopë þan, grace to haue,
Þat hys messë myȝt me saue.”
Ofte he seyd[ë] to hys wyfe
“A prest! A prest! of clenë lyfe.”
On þe mornë, sone she ȝede
To þe frerës eft god spede,
And shewed hyt to þe pryour,
And prey[ed] hym of socour,
‘Ȝyf he had any broþer,
Þat he hoped, were better þan oþer,
Þat wyl syngë me a messe
For a man þat dedë ys;
And at myn esë he shal haue,
To a pytaunce, þat he wyl craue.’
To þe frerës eft god spede,
And shewed hyt to þe pryour,
And prey[ed] hym of socour,
‘Ȝyf he had any broþer,
Þat he hoped, were better þan oþer,
Þat wyl syngë me a messe
For a man þat dedë ys;
And at myn esë he shal haue,
To a pytaunce, þat he wyl craue.’
Þe pryor spake vn-to a frere,
And prey[ed] hym on alle manere
Þat he wulde a messë synge
For þat soule þat she made preyng.
And prey[ed] hym on alle manere
Þat he wulde a messë synge
For þat soule þat she made preyng.
Þe frerë was an holy man;
And ar þat he hys messe bygan,
He preyde to God hys orysoun
Yn ful grete afflyccyoun,
Þat hyt myȝt be, hym to pay,
Þe messe þat he shulde synge þat day.
And ar þat he hys messe bygan,
He preyde to God hys orysoun
Yn ful grete afflyccyoun,
Þat hyt myȝt be, hym to pay,
Þe messe þat he shulde synge þat day.
whan þe messe was do to ende,
He bad þe womman home to wende;
“And, whan þou more eftë heres,
Cum and sey to ourë freres.”
He bad þe womman home to wende;
“And, whan þou more eftë heres,
Cum and sey to ourë freres.”
Þe nyȝt aftyr, lesteneþ now,
He come, and seyd, “slepest þou?”
‘Nay,’ she sayd, ‘how farë ȝe?’
“weyl,” he seyd, “and so wurþ þe.”
‘were ȝe pay[ed] of þat messe,
Þat, for ȝow, sungyn ys?’
“Ȝe,” he seyd, “graunte mercy,
Þys messe to me ys more wurþy
Þan alle þe worlde, an hunder syþe,
Ne myȝt haue made me halfe so blyþe;
hys preyer was to God so dere,
Þat he besoghte, þat wlde he here,
Ȝyf he had preyd for an hundred mo,
Fro pyne to blys, he had broȝt þo;
For what þyng he hade asked bone,
God had graunted hyt hym as sone;
And haue gode day, for now y wende
To þe ioye with-outyn ende.”
God late vs neuer þer-of mysse,
with-outyn ende to haue þat blys!
He come, and seyd, “slepest þou?”
‘Nay,’ she sayd, ‘how farë ȝe?’
“weyl,” he seyd, “and so wurþ þe.”
‘were ȝe pay[ed] of þat messe,
Þat, for ȝow, sungyn ys?’
“Ȝe,” he seyd, “graunte mercy,
Þys messe to me ys more wurþy
Þan alle þe worlde, an hunder syþe,
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hys preyer was to God so dere,
Þat he besoghte, þat wlde he here,
Ȝyf he had preyd for an hundred mo,
Fro pyne to blys, he had broȝt þo;
For what þyng he hade asked bone,
God had graunted hyt hym as sone;
And haue gode day, for now y wende
To þe ioye with-outyn ende.”
God late vs neuer þer-of mysse,
with-outyn ende to haue þat blys!
Þys wyfe come sonë on þe morne,
And fyl on knees þe frere byforne,
And toldë hym weyl, euery deyl,
How he, for hys prayer, yn ioye was weyl;
And þe frere ful weyl þarby lete,
And þanked God; and for ioye he grete.
weyl were hym at hys endyng
Þat had swych a prest for hym to synge!
And fyl on knees þe frere byforne,
And toldë hym weyl, euery deyl,
How he, for hys prayer, yn ioye was weyl;
And þe frere ful weyl þarby lete,
And þanked God; and for ioye he grete.
weyl were hym at hys endyng
Þat had swych a prest for hym to synge!
Yn þys tale, þan, shewed ys,
Ouer alle gode þan ys þe messe;
For þe sacrament of þe autere
Oueral passeþ hys powere;
Yn þat messe, þey hem affye,
Þe soules þat are yn purgatorye,
For hyt makeþ mencyun of þe passyun
As Ihesu Cryst to deþ was doun;
Þe sone ys offred to þe fadyr yn heuene
For þe soules þat þe prest wyl neuene.
Ouer alle gode þan ys þe messe;
For þe sacrament of þe autere
Oueral passeþ hys powere;
Yn þat messe, þey hem affye,
Þe soules þat are yn purgatorye,
For hyt makeþ mencyun of þe passyun
As Ihesu Cryst to deþ was doun;
Þe sone ys offred to þe fadyr yn heuene
For þe soules þat þe prest wyl neuene.
Also, þys talë wyl mene
Þat þe preste be gode and clene;
Þan wyl Ihesu Cryst hym here,
For what þyng he makeþ preyere:
Preye he for body, or for soule,
Þat ys yn pyne, or here yn noye,
Boþe wyl God almyȝty saue,
what-so þe godë prest wyl craue.
Þat þe preste be gode and clene;
Þan wyl Ihesu Cryst hym here,
For what þyng he makeþ preyere:
Preye he for body, or for soule,
Þat ys yn pyne, or here yn noye,
Boþe wyl God almyȝty saue,
what-so þe godë prest wyl craue.
Nat only for soules ys he herd,
But also for vs, yn þys world;
Be a man yn sykenes, or yn prysoun,
weyferyng, or yn temptacyun,
Or yn any ouþer trauayle,
Þe sacrament wyl vs auayle;
hyt wyl delyuer vs out of peyne,
Ȝyf oure beleuë be certeyne;
And þat was weyl shewed yn dede
Yn Ingland, so seyþ seynt Bede;
Yn hys bokys wrytyn þyr ys
A feyre myrácle of þe messe.
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Be a man yn sykenes, or yn prysoun,
weyferyng, or yn temptacyun,
Or yn any ouþer trauayle,
Þe sacrament wyl vs auayle;
hyt wyl delyuer vs out of peyne,
Ȝyf oure beleuë be certeyne;
And þat was weyl shewed yn dede
Yn Ingland, so seyþ seynt Bede;
Yn hys bokys wrytyn þyr ys
A feyre myrácle of þe messe.
[Bede's Tale of Jumna and Tumna; or, How an Abbot's Mass-singing made the Fetters fall off a Knight in Prison.]
what tyme seynt Bede was man lyuand,
were many kyngës yn þys land;
Betwyxë tweyn was grete batayle,
For whych þyng y telle þys merueyle;
þe toon hyght Edfryde of þe norþe cuntre,
þe toþer of Lyndëseye was he:
Edfryde had grete seygnourye,
Seynt Audre housbonde, of Ely.
þys batayle was, þurgh here boþe assent,
Besyde a watyr, men calle Trent:
Syre Edfrydes broþer hyȝt Elfwynne,
He was slayn þe batayle ynne;
On boþe partyys, ne was none
So feyre a knyȝt of flesshe and bone,
Ne so doȝty was of armes;
Þarfore seynt Bede pleyneþ hys harmys.
were many kyngës yn þys land;
Betwyxë tweyn was grete batayle,
For whych þyng y telle þys merueyle;
þe toon hyght Edfryde of þe norþe cuntre,
þe toþer of Lyndëseye was he:
Edfryde had grete seygnourye,
Seynt Audre housbonde, of Ely.
þys batayle was, þurgh here boþe assent,
Besyde a watyr, men calle Trent:
Syre Edfrydes broþer hyȝt Elfwynne,
He was slayn þe batayle ynne;
On boþe partyys, ne was none
So feyre a knyȝt of flesshe and bone,
Ne so doȝty was of armes;
Þarfore seynt Bede pleyneþ hys harmys.
An noþer knȝyt also was felte dowun
Almoste dede, and fyl yn swoun:
Þe namë of þys ȝungë knyȝt,
‘Iumna,’ seyþ seynt Bede, he hyȝt.
whan þys Iumna had long leyn,
He couerd, and sette hym vp aȝeyn,
And stopped hys woundes, þey shuld nat blede,
And as he myȝt, þennë he ȝede
To seke hym helpe agher to haue,
Or frendës fynde, þat hym myȝt saue.
Almoste dede, and fyl yn swoun:
Þe namë of þys ȝungë knyȝt,
‘Iumna,’ seyþ seynt Bede, he hyȝt.
whan þys Iumna had long leyn,
He couerd, and sette hym vp aȝeyn,
328
And as he myȝt, þennë he ȝede
To seke hym helpe agher to haue,
Or frendës fynde, þat hym myȝt saue.
And as he wente with mochë drede,
He was take with kyng Eldrede,
And, broght vn-to a lordyng,
An Erle þat heldë of þat kyng.
Þe Erle asked hym ‘what he was,
And where he had be yn hard kas?’
He was take with kyng Eldrede,
And, broght vn-to a lordyng,
An Erle þat heldë of þat kyng.
Þe Erle asked hym ‘what he was,
And where he had be yn hard kas?’
For drede of deþ, he was affryȝt,
And durst nat sey he was a knyȝt;
He seyd, “seyre, ȝyf þy wyl be,
Y am an husband of þe cuntre;
Y was wunt to lede vytayle
To knyȝtës þat were yn batayle;
And now y am a porë man,
Yn þys maner fro þe batayle wan,
And wyl fonde to saue my lyfe
Tyl y may comë to my wyfe.”
Þe erle þan made a leche be stoundes
Tende to hym, to hele hys woundes.
And durst nat sey he was a knyȝt;
He seyd, “seyre, ȝyf þy wyl be,
Y am an husband of þe cuntre;
Y was wunt to lede vytayle
To knyȝtës þat were yn batayle;
And now y am a porë man,
Yn þys maner fro þe batayle wan,
And wyl fonde to saue my lyfe
Tyl y may comë to my wyfe.”
Þe erle þan made a leche be stoundes
Tende to hym, to hele hys woundes.
Þat tyme were here many thedys,
Many vságes yn many ledys;
For euery kyng, yn þat dawe,
Beleued on dyuers lawe;
Sum were crystyn, on oure fay,
And some beleued on paynyms lay;
Þarfore þat tyme was mykyl þro,
And ofte was boþë werre and wo;
Ȝyf any kyng myȝt of oþers men take,
He shuld hem selle, or yn seruage make.
Many vságes yn many ledys;
For euery kyng, yn þat dawe,
Beleued on dyuers lawe;
Sum were crystyn, on oure fay,
And some beleued on paynyms lay;
Þarfore þat tyme was mykyl þro,
And ofte was boþë werre and wo;
Ȝyf any kyng myȝt of oþers men take,
He shuld hem selle, or yn seruage make.
wharfore y telle so of þys knyȝt,
þe erle dyd hym bynde euery nyȝt
þat he ne shuld[ë] fro hem fle,
Ne stele awey to hys cuntre;
Noþeles, for alle þat þey myȝt hym bynde,
A-noþer tyme, lose, þey myȝt hym fynde;
Só fast, þey neuer hym bonde,
Þat lose a-noþer tyme þey hym fonde.
þe erle dyd hym bynde euery nyȝt
þat he ne shuld[ë] fro hem fle,
Ne stele awey to hys cuntre;
Noþeles, for alle þat þey myȝt hym bynde,
329
Só fast, þey neuer hym bonde,
Þat lose a-noþer tyme þey hym fonde.
Þys boundë knyȝt hyght Iumna,
And had a broþer þat hyȝt Tumna;
þys Tumna was prest relygyous,
For he was abbot of an house;
So long he leued yn þat estre
Þat for hys name he hyȝt Tuncestre;
Þat tounne, as y vndyrstande,
hyt was yn Northhumber-lande.
And had a broþer þat hyȝt Tumna;
þys Tumna was prest relygyous,
For he was abbot of an house;
So long he leued yn þat estre
Þat for hys name he hyȝt Tuncestre;
Þat tounne, as y vndyrstande,
hyt was yn Northhumber-lande.
þys abbot herd tydyng certeyn
Þat Iumna was yn batayle slayn;
He come to Trent, þys abbot Tumna,
And fonde a body ryȝt lyke Iumna;
Onóurablye he dyd hyt graue
Yn hys cherche, þere he wulde hyt haue,
And song þarforë, day and ouþer,
For he went he had be hys broþer.
Þat Iumna was yn batayle slayn;
He come to Trent, þys abbot Tumna,
And fonde a body ryȝt lyke Iumna;
Onóurablye he dyd hyt graue
Yn hys cherche, þere he wulde hyt haue,
And song þarforë, day and ouþer,
For he went he had be hys broþer.
Þogh þat Tumna had chose wrong,
hys broþer had þe godenesse of hys song;
For God alle wote, and wyst hyt þere
For whom he madë hys preyere;
how as euer men, þys knyȝt at eue bonde,
Þe bondes, on þe morne, vndo þey fonde;
Men myȝt neuer hym yn bondes so feste
Þat þey þat tyme ne gunne al to-braste.
hys broþer had þe godenesse of hys song;
For God alle wote, and wyst hyt þere
For whom he madë hys preyere;
how as euer men, þys knyȝt at eue bonde,
Þe bondes, on þe morne, vndo þey fonde;
Men myȝt neuer hym yn bondes so feste
Þat þey þat tyme ne gunne al to-braste.
Þo men þat had þys man yn holde,
Þys wundyr to þe erle þey tolde;
Þe erle had þer-of gretë wundyr
Þys wundyr to þe erle þey tolde;
Þe erle had þer-of gretë wundyr
Þat hys bondes were so a sunder,
He seyd ‘hym self wulde with hym speke,
To wytë why hys bondes dyd breke.’
He seyd ‘hym self wulde with hym speke,
To wytë why hys bondes dyd breke.’
Before þe erlë was he fette,
And þe erle, ful feyre he grette,
“Sey me now,” he seyd, “bele amye,
“kanst þou weyl on sorcerye?
Sum wycchecrafte þou doust aboute bere,
Þat þy bondes mow þe nat dere.
For soþe,” he seyd, “sum what þou dos,
Þat euer-more þey fynde þe los.”
And þe erle, ful feyre he grette,
“Sey me now,” he seyd, “bele amye,
330
Sum wycchecrafte þou doust aboute bere,
Þat þy bondes mow þe nat dere.
For soþe,” he seyd, “sum what þou dos,
Þat euer-more þey fynde þe los.”
he seyd, “on whycchecrafte beleue y noȝt,
Ne for me shal none be wroȝt,
Ne wyl nat be, þurgh fendys crafte,
Vnbonde, ne with no whycchëcrafte.
Syre erle,” he seyd, “hyt ys a-nouþer;
Yn my cuntre y haue a broþer
Þat supposyþ weyl þat y am slayn,
For y come nat home agayn;
For me he syngeþ euery day a messe;
Prest, and abbot, for soþe he ys;
Y wote weyl, þát ys þe enchesun
Þat my bondes are so ondoun,
For, no þyng haþ powere
Aȝens þe sacrement of þe autere;
And ȝyf y were dede yn ouþer werlde,
hys preyer shulde for me be herde,
To bryngë me of pyne and wo
And aftyrward to blys[së] go.”
Ne for me shal none be wroȝt,
Ne wyl nat be, þurgh fendys crafte,
Vnbonde, ne with no whycchëcrafte.
Syre erle,” he seyd, “hyt ys a-nouþer;
Yn my cuntre y haue a broþer
Þat supposyþ weyl þat y am slayn,
For y come nat home agayn;
For me he syngeþ euery day a messe;
Prest, and abbot, for soþe he ys;
Y wote weyl, þát ys þe enchesun
Þat my bondes are so ondoun,
For, no þyng haþ powere
Aȝens þe sacrement of þe autere;
And ȝyf y were dede yn ouþer werlde,
hys preyer shulde for me be herde,
To bryngë me of pyne and wo
And aftyrward to blys[së] go.”
Alle þe meyne þan, and þe erle,
Supposed weyl he was no cherle,
As he to hem byfore hadde seyd,
whan þey on hym fyrst handës leyd;
By hys semblant and feyre beryng
Hym semed weyl to be a lordyng;
By hys speche, þey vndyrstode
Þat he was man of gentyl blode.
Supposed weyl he was no cherle,
As he to hem byfore hadde seyd,
whan þey on hym fyrst handës leyd;
By hys semblant and feyre beryng
Hym semed weyl to be a lordyng;
By hys speche, þey vndyrstode
Þat he was man of gentyl blode.
Þe erle toke hym yn pryuyte;
Of when he was, telle hym shulde he;
“Sey me þe soþe, and, as y am knyȝt,
Þou ne shalt haue for me, skaþe ne plyȝt.”
“Syn ȝe me behete ȝoure pes and gryth,
Y am þe kyngës man Edfryth;
Armës y bare yn þe batayle,
with alle my powere hym to auayle.”
“So me þoȝt,” seyd þe erle,
“Þe semed nat to be a cherle;
But, for þát y here þe seye,
Þou were wurþy for to deye,
For þou hylpë þer to slo,
Þat alle my kyn ys dede me fro;
But, langer þat y sykerd þe,
Shalt þou haue no skaþe for me.”
Of when he was, telle hym shulde he;
“Sey me þe soþe, and, as y am knyȝt,
Þou ne shalt haue for me, skaþe ne plyȝt.”
“Syn ȝe me behete ȝoure pes and gryth,
Y am þe kyngës man Edfryth;
Armës y bare yn þe batayle,
331
“So me þoȝt,” seyd þe erle,
“Þe semed nat to be a cherle;
But, for þát y here þe seye,
Þou were wurþy for to deye,
For þou hylpë þer to slo,
Þat alle my kyn ys dede me fro;
But, langer þat y sykerd þe,
Shalt þou haue no skaþe for me.”
He ȝede and solde hym for raunsoun
At London to a Frysoun,—
A Frysoun ȝe shul vndyrstande
To a marchaunde of Fryslande;—
Þys Frysun wulde þys man furþe lede,
And, dyd on hym bondes for drede;
For he ne shulde skape by þe weye,
He dyd on hym, bondes for to leye;
But hyt auayled hym no þyng
Neuer a day, þat byndyng;
For yn þat oure þat þe messe was sunge,
Þe bondes to-braste, and alle to-sprunge.
At London to a Frysoun,—
A Frysoun ȝe shul vndyrstande
To a marchaunde of Fryslande;—
Þys Frysun wulde þys man furþe lede,
And, dyd on hym bondes for drede;
For he ne shulde skape by þe weye,
He dyd on hym, bondes for to leye;
But hyt auayled hym no þyng
Neuer a day, þat byndyng;
For yn þat oure þat þe messe was sunge,
Þe bondes to-braste, and alle to-sprunge.
Þys Frysoun þoȝt ‘how may þys be?
hé may ryȝt weyl fro me fle;
Chaunsfullyche hyt vayled noȝt,
þe katel þat y wyþ hym boȝt.’
hé may ryȝt weyl fro me fle;
Chaunsfullyche hyt vayled noȝt,
þe katel þat y wyþ hym boȝt.’
þe Frysoun seyd, “wylt þou weyl
Restore aȝen alle my katel,
And y shal ȝyue þe leue to go
To þy cuntre, þere þou come fro;
But fyrst þou shalt me trouþë plyght,
And trewly holde hyt at alle þy myȝt,
To brynge þe katel, and ȝyue for þe,
And ellës y grauntë þe nat fre.”
he graunted hym alle þat he seyd,
And trouþe yn hande with hand[ë] leyd.
Restore aȝen alle my katel,
And y shal ȝyue þe leue to go
To þy cuntre, þere þou come fro;
But fyrst þou shalt me trouþë plyght,
And trewly holde hyt at alle þy myȝt,
To brynge þe katel, and ȝyue for þe,
And ellës y grauntë þe nat fre.”
he graunted hym alle þat he seyd,
And trouþe yn hande with hand[ë] leyd.
þys Iumna went to þe kyng Loyre,
þat was kyng of Kaunterbyre;
he was seynt Audre syster sone,
And Iumna was wonte with here to wone;
Of alle hys state, boþe wo and wele,
Iumna tolde þe kyng euery deyl;
Þe kyng þan ȝaue hym hys raunsoun,
And he bare hyt to Londoun to þe Frysoun.
þat was kyng of Kaunterbyre;
he was seynt Audre syster sone,
And Iumna was wonte with here to wone;
332
Iumna tolde þe kyng euery deyl;
Þe kyng þan ȝaue hym hys raunsoun,
And he bare hyt to Londoun to þe Frysoun.
Syþen ȝede he home, þys knyȝt Iumna,
To hys broþer þe abbot Tumna,
And tolde hym of alle hys wo-fare,
And of alle hys cumforte yn alle hys care.
Þe abbot ful weyl þan vndyrstode
Þat hys messe dyd hym grete gode,
And þat þe sacrament gan hym borowe
Oute of seruage and out of sorowe.
To hys broþer þe abbot Tumna,
And tolde hym of alle hys wo-fare,
And of alle hys cumforte yn alle hys care.
Þe abbot ful weyl þan vndyrstode
Þat hys messe dyd hym grete gode,
And þat þe sacrament gan hym borowe
Oute of seruage and out of sorowe.
Þys tale telleþ vs seynt Bede,
Yn þe gestys of Inglond þat we rede.
Yn þe gestys of Inglond þat we rede.
By þys talë, mow men lere
Þat þe messe helpeþ vs weyl here;
For vs lyuyng, hyt makeþ memórye,
As weyl as for soules yn purgatórye;
Euery man shal beleue þat ryȝt,
Þat holpe wyl be, as was þe knyȝt.
Þat þe messe helpeþ vs weyl here;
For vs lyuyng, hyt makeþ memórye,
As weyl as for soules yn purgatórye;
Euery man shal beleue þat ryȝt,
Þat holpe wyl be, as was þe knyȝt.
Þys sacrament helpeþ nat ȝyt a-lone,
But deuoute offrynges also echone;
Alle þat we offre at þe messe,
Alle oure saluacyun hyt ys;
Nat onely for to saue þo þat dede beþ,
But þe quyke also hyt saueþ and redeþ;
As weyl haue þe quyke, þe pru,
As þe dede, þereof vertu;
Quyke and dedë, more and lesse,
Alle are saued þurgh þe masse.
But deuoute offrynges also echone;
Alle þat we offre at þe messe,
Alle oure saluacyun hyt ys;
Nat onely for to saue þo þat dede beþ,
But þe quyke also hyt saueþ and redeþ;
As weyl haue þe quyke, þe pru,
As þe dede, þereof vertu;
Quyke and dedë, more and lesse,
Alle are saued þurgh þe masse.
þe offryng ys also a present
þat hyt be oure helpe, þe sacrament,
To þe fadyr of heuene bysyly,
For whom þou offrest, to haue mercy.
þat hyt be oure helpe, þe sacrament,
To þe fadyr of heuene bysyly,
For whom þou offrest, to haue mercy.
A tale y fondë onës wryte;
And as y wote, þan shul ȝe wyte;
And weyl a-cordeþ yn alle þyng,
Þat God ys payd of gode offryng.
And as y wote, þan shul ȝe wyte;
And weyl a-cordeþ yn alle þyng,
Þat God ys payd of gode offryng.
333
[The Tale of the Miner, and how his Wife's Offerings for his Soul fed him while he was buried alive in a Mine.]
Þyr was a man beȝunde þe see,
A mynour, woned yn a cyte,—
Mynurs, þey make yn hyllys holes,
As yn þe west cuntre men seke coles.—
A mynour, woned yn a cyte,—
Mynurs, þey make yn hyllys holes,
As yn þe west cuntre men seke coles.—
Þys mynur soȝte stones vndyr þe molde,
Þat men make of, syluer and golde;
he wroȝt on a day, and holed yn þe hyl;
A perylous chauncë to hym fyl;
For, a grete party of þat yche myne
Fyl dowun yn þe hole, and closed hym ynne.
Þat men make of, syluer and golde;
he wroȝt on a day, and holed yn þe hyl;
A perylous chauncë to hym fyl;
For, a grete party of þat yche myne
Fyl dowun yn þe hole, and closed hym ynne.
hys felaus alle, þat were hym hende,
Þat he were dede, weyl soþely wende;
Þey ȝede and toke hem alle to rede,
And tolde hys wyfe þat he was dede.
Þat he were dede, weyl soþely wende;
Þey ȝede and toke hem alle to rede,
And tolde hys wyfe þat he was dede.
Þys womman pleyned here husbonde sore—
wulde God þat many swyche wommen wore!—
She hylpe hys soule yn allë þyng,
In almës dede, and yn offryng;
She offred for hym to þe auter,
Ful of wynë, a pecher,
And a feyrë lofe with-alle,
Euery day as for a pryncypalle;
Alle þat twelue moneþ stabëly,
But o day þat passed forby.
wulde God þat many swyche wommen wore!—
She hylpe hys soule yn allë þyng,
In almës dede, and yn offryng;
She offred for hym to þe auter,
Ful of wynë, a pecher,
And a feyrë lofe with-alle,
Euery day as for a pryncypalle;
Alle þat twelue moneþ stabëly,
But o day þat passed forby.
Fewe swyche wymmen now we fynde,
Þat to here husbondes are so kynde!
But þys wyfe, at alle here myȝt,
Ded for hym boþe day and nyȝt.
Þat to here husbondes are so kynde!
But þys wyfe, at alle here myȝt,
Ded for hym boþe day and nyȝt.
Fyl hyt at þe twelue moneþ ende,
Hys felaws to þe mounteyne gun wende,
And comë to þe same stede efte,
Þere þey last here werk [i-]lefte.
Ryȝt þere, þey fyrst bygan,
And perced þurgh vn-to þys man.
Hys felaws to þe mounteyne gun wende,
And comë to þe same stede efte,
334
Ryȝt þere, þey fyrst bygan,
And perced þurgh vn-to þys man.
Þe man yn godë state þey fonde,
lyuyng with-outë wem or wounde;
Euerychone, þey hadde grete ferly,
And þat was gretë resun why;
Alle þo men were yn grete were,
How he had lyued alle þat ȝere.
But he tolde hem euerychone
How he hadde lyued þere alone;
“Y haue lyued gracyous lyfe,
Þurgh þe curtesye of my wyfe,
For euery day she haþ me sent
Brede and wynë to present;
But o day certys ete y noȝt,
For, no mete was to me broȝt.”
lyuyng with-outë wem or wounde;
Euerychone, þey hadde grete ferly,
And þat was gretë resun why;
Alle þo men were yn grete were,
How he had lyued alle þat ȝere.
But he tolde hem euerychone
How he hadde lyued þere alone;
“Y haue lyued gracyous lyfe,
Þurgh þe curtesye of my wyfe,
For euery day she haþ me sent
Brede and wynë to present;
But o day certys ete y noȝt,
For, no mete was to me broȝt.”
Þey led þys man vnto þe tounne,
And tolde þys myracle vp and dounne,
Fyrst, þur[o]gh þe cyte,
And seþþë þur[o]gh þe cuntre.
Þey asked hym, at þe laste,
Þat day þat he dyd[ë] faste;
He tolde hem þe day[ë]s name,
And hys wyfë seyd þe same;
Þat day she offred neuer a deyl;
Þe gode fryday, he myȝt be weyl.
And tolde þys myracle vp and dounne,
Fyrst, þur[o]gh þe cyte,
And seþþë þur[o]gh þe cuntre.
Þey asked hym, at þe laste,
Þat day þat he dyd[ë] faste;
He tolde hem þe day[ë]s name,
And hys wyfë seyd þe same;
Þat day she offred neuer a deyl;
Þe gode fryday, he myȝt be weyl.
Now mow ȝe here, þat almës dede,
Gostëly a man wyl fede,
And so mow ȝe weyl vndyrstande
Þat God ys payd of gode offrande.
Gostëly a man wyl fede,
And so mow ȝe weyl vndyrstande
Þat God ys payd of gode offrande.
But fór alle þys tale, yn ȝoure lyues,
Truste ȝe nat moche ón ȝoure wyues,
Ne on ȝoure chyldryn, for no þyng,
But makeþ ȝe self, ȝoure offryng:
For, so kynde a womman as y of tolde,
lyueþ nat now, be þou bolde;
Ne no clerk, þat þys ryme redys,
Shal fynde a womman of so kynde dedes.’
Truste ȝe nat moche ón ȝoure wyues,
Ne on ȝoure chyldryn, for no þyng,
But makeþ ȝe self, ȝoure offryng:
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lyueþ nat now, be þou bolde;
Ne no clerk, þat þys ryme redys,
Shal fynde a womman of so kynde dedes.’
Ȝe men þat are now yn present,
þat haue herd me rede þys sacrament,
how ouer alle þyng hyt haþ powere,
Þe sacrament of þe autere,
As y haue here to ȝow shewed
—Nat to lered onely, but eke to lewed,—
Ȝe lewed men, y telle hyt ȝow,
Þese clerkys kun hyt weyl y-now,
Pray we alle oure creatoure,
Þe sacrament oure sauyoure,
Þat body and soule he wyl vs saue,
And we hym loue, and he vs haue!
þat haue herd me rede þys sacrament,
how ouer alle þyng hyt haþ powere,
Þe sacrament of þe autere,
As y haue here to ȝow shewed
—Nat to lered onely, but eke to lewed,—
Ȝe lewed men, y telle hyt ȝow,
Þese clerkys kun hyt weyl y-now,
Pray we alle oure creatoure,
Þe sacrament oure sauyoure,
Þat body and soule he wyl vs saue,
And we hym loue, and he vs haue!
[Of Penance.]
The fourþe sacráment ys penaunce,
Þat ys for synnë a quytaunce;
God graunte vs alle, penaunce to do,
For we haue gretë nede þarto.
Þat ys for synnë a quytaunce;
God graunte vs alle, penaunce to do,
For we haue gretë nede þarto.
Aȝens þys, þan, synnë þo
Þat to shryftë onely go
with-oute any manér of smert
Of felyng, of sorowe of hert;
Euery man shulde haue a-fore þoȝt
How and whan hys synne was wroȝt,
And beþenke hym weyl on euery dede,
Fyrst are he to shryftë ȝede;
Elles, asoyled may he nat be clene,
Of forȝetë synnes, y mene.
Ouer lytyl fors certys he ȝyueþ
Of any penaunce, or how he lyueþ;
Swychë men, here synne þey synke,
þat recchë nat þer-on to þynke.
Some men, whan here synne ys wroȝt,
Hyt no more cumþ yn here þoȝt,
And ȝyueþ no fors, þat he forȝeteþ
hys synne; and hym þe fend eteþ.
leuer ys hym late hem alle weyue,
þan any hard penaunce receyue.
Þat to shryftë onely go
with-oute any manér of smert
Of felyng, of sorowe of hert;
Euery man shulde haue a-fore þoȝt
How and whan hys synne was wroȝt,
And beþenke hym weyl on euery dede,
Fyrst are he to shryftë ȝede;
Elles, asoyled may he nat be clene,
Of forȝetë synnes, y mene.
Ouer lytyl fors certys he ȝyueþ
Of any penaunce, or how he lyueþ;
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þat recchë nat þer-on to þynke.
Some men, whan here synne ys wroȝt,
Hyt no more cumþ yn here þoȝt,
And ȝyueþ no fors, þat he forȝeteþ
hys synne; and hym þe fend eteþ.
leuer ys hym late hem alle weyue,
þan any hard penaunce receyue.
Ȝyf þou wylt haue þe sacrament,
Þe behoueþ ȝyue weyl bettyr entent,
And recordë euery dede
with sorow of herte, and with drede,
And forþynke, with mochë mone,
Þat þou ne mayst þenk on echone;
And ȝyf þou shryue þe euery deyl
Of þo, þat þe meneþ weyl,
Þat þou ne lettë for no shame
To tellë opunly þy blame:
Swyche a man þat þus ys shryue,
May be asoyled, and penaunce ȝyue.
Þe behoueþ ȝyue weyl bettyr entent,
And recordë euery dede
with sorow of herte, and with drede,
And forþynke, with mochë mone,
Þat þou ne mayst þenk on echone;
And ȝyf þou shryue þe euery deyl
Of þo, þat þe meneþ weyl,
Þat þou ne lettë for no shame
To tellë opunly þy blame:
Swyche a man þat þus ys shryue,
May be asoyled, and penaunce ȝyue.
penaunce may be ȝyue to none
But he shryue hys synnes echone,
And be of godë répentaunce;
No prest may elles ȝyue hym penaunce;
Penaunce pyneþ þy flessh and þe fende,
And plesyþ God, and makyþ hym frende.
Aftyr, ȝyf þou þenk on þat
Synne þat þou yn shryfte forȝat,
Þou art holde to telle hyt þy prest
whan þou hast mynde þer-of yn brest.
But he shryue hys synnes echone,
And be of godë répentaunce;
No prest may elles ȝyue hym penaunce;
Penaunce pyneþ þy flessh and þe fende,
And plesyþ God, and makyþ hym frende.
Aftyr, ȝyf þou þenk on þat
Synne þat þou yn shryfte forȝat,
Þou art holde to telle hyt þy prest
whan þou hast mynde þer-of yn brest.
whan þou hast þy synne forsake,
And þy penaunce þer-forë take,
Forȝete nat þan þat þou ne do
Þe penaunce þat he ioyneþ þe to.
Ȝyf þou forȝetest, þou shalt bey hyt harde
yn purgatórye aftyrwarde;
For o day þat þou forȝetest here,
A ȝere, þere þou shalt by hyt dere.
And þy penaunce þer-forë take,
Forȝete nat þan þat þou ne do
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Ȝyf þou forȝetest, þou shalt bey hyt harde
yn purgatórye aftyrwarde;
For o day þat þou forȝetest here,
A ȝere, þere þou shalt by hyt dere.
And ȝyf þou fallest eft yn synne,
Efte þy shryfte alle newe bygynne,
And do gode dedës þer-with-alle,
For þat es of penaunce pryncypalle;
Ȝyf þou ne do, verrement
Þou synnest yn þys sacrament;
For of þat man, hyt ys grete drede,
Þat wyþdraghþ hym fro godë dede.
Efte þy shryfte alle newe bygynne,
And do gode dedës þer-with-alle,
For þat es of penaunce pryncypalle;
Ȝyf þou ne do, verrement
Þou synnest yn þys sacrament;
For of þat man, hyt ys grete drede,
Þat wyþdraghþ hym fro godë dede.
Many man also þenkeþ þys þoȝt,
‘þat werk of penaunce auayleþ noȝt
þe whylys þat he ys yn synne;’
But þan had he most nede to bygynne;
For godë dedës and penaunce
Reysyn a man to répentaunce;
For many þyngës, gode hyt ys,
Þogh hyt auayle hym naght yn blys.
‘þat werk of penaunce auayleþ noȝt
þe whylys þat he ys yn synne;’
But þan had he most nede to bygynne;
For godë dedës and penaunce
Reysyn a man to répentaunce;
For many þyngës, gode hyt ys,
Þogh hyt auayle hym naght yn blys.
þe prest wote neuer what he menes,
Þat for lytyl, curseþ hys parysshenes;
Þat yche shepard ȝyueþ no gode kepe,
Þat betecheþ þe wulfe hys shepe;
At þe last acounte shal he mysfalle,
whan he shal answere for hem alle;
And þe lordë shal þe shepard hate,
þat wasteþ hys store, and bryngeþ o gate;
Þe lordë boȝt þe shepe ful dere,
lese hem nat þan so lyȝtly here;
Þoȝ þey outrage, and do foly,
He shal nat sle hem with felony;
he shal hem chastyse with smert speche,
with small baytynges, and nat with wreche.
Þat for lytyl, curseþ hys parysshenes;
Þat yche shepard ȝyueþ no gode kepe,
Þat betecheþ þe wulfe hys shepe;
At þe last acounte shal he mysfalle,
whan he shal answere for hem alle;
And þe lordë shal þe shepard hate,
þat wasteþ hys store, and bryngeþ o gate;
Þe lordë boȝt þe shepe ful dere,
lese hem nat þan so lyȝtly here;
Þoȝ þey outrage, and do foly,
He shal nat sle hem with felony;
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with small baytynges, and nat with wreche.
As þe gode shepard kepyþ hys shepe,
So shalle þe prest, hys parysshenes kepe;
Þere shepe gone wrong besyde þe paþ,
Þe shepard cryeþ for drede of skaþe;
And ȝyf þey wyl nat at hys crye
Turne aȝen to here pasture nye,
Þan setteþ he on hys hounde,
And bayteþ hem a wel gode stounde,
And bryngeþ hem to her pasture weyl,
Ne sleþ he ȝyt none, neuer a deyl.
So shalle þe prest, hys parysshenes kepe;
Þere shepe gone wrong besyde þe paþ,
Þe shepard cryeþ for drede of skaþe;
And ȝyf þey wyl nat at hys crye
Turne aȝen to here pasture nye,
Þan setteþ he on hys hounde,
And bayteþ hem a wel gode stounde,
And bryngeþ hem to her pasture weyl,
Ne sleþ he ȝyt none, neuer a deyl.
with þese prestes hyt shulde fare so,
whan here parysshenes oghte mysdo;
wyþ feyre techyng, and godë spelles,
And stoutly, whan þey wyl nat elles,
And with ordynaryys of holy cherche,
Tyl þat þey wyl ryȝtly werche;
Nat with cursyng, þat es slaghter euyl,
So sone betake hem to þe deuyl.
Haue to hem swych charyte
As þou wuldest God hadde to þe;
kowardyse hyt ys, and foule maystry,
To þrowe a faucoun at euery flye;
Of flyes men mow hem weyl spourge,
And þrowe to hem naght but a scourge;
No more shal no prest þrawe,
But a scorge, þat ys loue awe.
whan here parysshenes oghte mysdo;
wyþ feyre techyng, and godë spelles,
And stoutly, whan þey wyl nat elles,
And with ordynaryys of holy cherche,
Tyl þat þey wyl ryȝtly werche;
Nat with cursyng, þat es slaghter euyl,
So sone betake hem to þe deuyl.
Haue to hem swych charyte
As þou wuldest God hadde to þe;
kowardyse hyt ys, and foule maystry,
To þrowe a faucoun at euery flye;
Of flyes men mow hem weyl spourge,
And þrowe to hem naght but a scourge;
No more shal no prest þrawe,
But a scorge, þat ys loue awe.
Lewed man, þou shalt cursyng doute,
And to þy prest þou shalt nat stoute;
Be he wykked, or be he gode,
Þou shalt to hym be þolëmode.
And to þy prest þou shalt nat stoute;
Be he wykked, or be he gode,
Þou shalt to hym be þolëmode.
Hyt ys nat a lytyl þyng
For to fallë yn cursyng,
For hyt reueþ þe þy gostly frendes,
And betecheþ þe vn-to þe fendes,
And hyt forbarreþ alle gode dedes
Þat þe shuld helpe yn alle þy nedes,
Tyl þou com to amendëment
with penaunce, þat ys, þys sacrament.
For to fallë yn cursyng,
For hyt reueþ þe þy gostly frendes,
And betecheþ þe vn-to þe fendes,
And hyt forbarreþ alle gode dedes
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Tyl þou com to amendëment
with penaunce, þat ys, þys sacrament.
Yn sacrylage, y tolde a tale
how cursyng breweþ mochë bale,
Þat alle þe ȝere hopped aboute,
Þat wulde nat þe prestys byddyng doute.
how cursyng breweþ mochë bale,
Þat alle þe ȝere hopped aboute,
Þat wulde nat þe prestys byddyng doute.
Now wyl we leuë, at þys tyme,
Of penaunce morë for to ryme,
For y shal tellë þer-of more
At shryftë, whan y comë þore;
God ȝyue me gracë so to telle,
To shamë alle þe fendes of helle!
Of penaunce morë for to ryme,
For y shal tellë þer-of more
At shryftë, whan y comë þore;
God ȝyue me gracë so to telle,
To shamë alle þe fendes of helle!
[Of the Fifth Sacrament—Holy Orders.]
Now of þe fyfþë sacrament,
Þe order of þe bysshopes presentement.
þys falleþ to þese lordynges,
As popës, emperoures, and kynges,
And to alle þat clerkys auaunce
To holy cherches portynaunce;
Swyche men, þat are of grete nobley,
Yn þys sacrament þan synne þey,
Þat þey graunte, for mede þat þey take,
Vnwurþyly, a bysshope to make,
Of whom þat ys þe famë ryfe
Þat he ys, of febyl lyfe,
Or oþer to auaunce, hyt ys folye,
wyþoutyn resonable clergye.
Þe order of þe bysshopes presentement.
þys falleþ to þese lordynges,
As popës, emperoures, and kynges,
And to alle þat clerkys auaunce
To holy cherches portynaunce;
Swyche men, þat are of grete nobley,
Yn þys sacrament þan synne þey,
Þat þey graunte, for mede þat þey take,
Vnwurþyly, a bysshope to make,
Of whom þat ys þe famë ryfe
Þat he ys, of febyl lyfe,
Or oþer to auaunce, hyt ys folye,
wyþoutyn resonable clergye.
Clerk behoueþ hym for to be,
Þat shulde receyue swyche dygnyte
For to gouerne holy cherche;
with clergy, behoueþ hym algate werche.
But now ys fulfylled þe prophecye
Þat, sorë wepyng, seyþ Isaye,
“Ryȝt swych shal be þe prest
As þe lewed man lyue, þou sest.”
Þat shulde receyue swyche dygnyte
For to gouerne holy cherche;
with clergy, behoueþ hym algate werche.
But now ys fulfylled þe prophecye
Þat, sorë wepyng, seyþ Isaye,
“Ryȝt swych shal be þe prest
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lytyl kan lasse þe lewed man
þan some of þesë prestës kan.
who ȝyuen hem more to worldly þyng
þan prestës do, for alle here prechyng?
þan some of þesë prestës kan.
who ȝyuen hem more to worldly þyng
þan prestës do, for alle here prechyng?
ȝyf he be clerk, and euyl dous,
Of hym ys nat to make no rous.
what vayleþ to vndyrstonde þe lettyr,
And hys lyfe be neuer þe bettyr?
Alle þat clergye, y telle it but lore,
when he lyueþ neuer þe bettyr þer-fore.
Of hym ys nat to make no rous.
what vayleþ to vndyrstonde þe lettyr,
And hys lyfe be neuer þe bettyr?
Alle þat clergye, y telle it but lore,
when he lyueþ neuer þe bettyr þer-fore.
But how seyþ Salamon yn hys spellyng,
“wo þe land, þere chylde ys kyng!”
And wo þe folk, þat kan nat lyue
whan holy cherchë ys mys-ȝyue!
And to þe husbonde, wo ys hys lyfe,
þat haþ yn hys hous a fole to wyfe!
“wo þe land, þere chylde ys kyng!”
And wo þe folk, þat kan nat lyue
whan holy cherchë ys mys-ȝyue!
And to þe husbonde, wo ys hys lyfe,
þat haþ yn hys hous a fole to wyfe!
ȝe lordes, do ȝe Goddes ordynaunce,
And godë men ȝe shul auaunce;
To gode men ȝyueþ ȝoure benefyces
Þat kun hem kepe fro wykked vyces;
Þan make ȝe gode presentëment
To order of þys sacrament.
And godë men ȝe shul auaunce;
To gode men ȝyueþ ȝoure benefyces
Þat kun hem kepe fro wykked vyces;
Þan make ȝe gode presentëment
To order of þys sacrament.
Also, haþ he wykkedly doun
Þat letteþ gode mannes eleccyoun;
‘Eleccyoun’ ys, ‘weyl chesyng
A gode man to kepe holy þyng.’
Þese hyghë men do grete trespas,
Þat chese nat ryȝt, alas! alas!
Þát were wurþy, hem þey spare,
And þe vnwurþy auaunced are;
And, þat ys nat lytyl synne
To hem þat hyt ȝyuen, and eke so wynne;
Hyt may be tolde for symonye,
For ȝyfte to auaunce þe vnwurþy.
Þat letteþ gode mannes eleccyoun;
‘Eleccyoun’ ys, ‘weyl chesyng
A gode man to kepe holy þyng.’
Þese hyghë men do grete trespas,
Þat chese nat ryȝt, alas! alas!
Þát were wurþy, hem þey spare,
And þe vnwurþy auaunced are;
And, þat ys nat lytyl synne
To hem þat hyt ȝyuen, and eke so wynne;
Hyt may be tolde for symonye,
For ȝyfte to auaunce þe vnwurþy.
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By a tale, y may ȝow shewe
þat hyt ys synne to chese a shrewe;
And ȝyt ys he yn wers entent,
þat letteþ gode mannes auauncëment.
þat hyt ys synne to chese a shrewe;
And ȝyt ys he yn wers entent,
þat letteþ gode mannes auauncëment.
Seynt Gregory telleþ þarfore a tale
þat telþ many one, what grete and smale,
he telleþ mo hymself a-lone,
þan alle þe doctours do echone.
þat telþ many one, what grete and smale,
he telleþ mo hymself a-lone,
þan alle þe doctours do echone.
[The Tale of Paschasius's Punishment for not agreeing to the Election of the best Man for Pope.]
Yn þe cherche of Rome, he telleþ þus,
A dekene was þat hyghte Pascasyus,
A man of almës þan was he,
Þat ofte of þe porë had pyte;
Þat yche tyme was elleccyone
To chese here pope, as er was wone.
A dekene was þat hyghte Pascasyus,
A man of almës þan was he,
Þat ofte of þe porë had pyte;
Þat yche tyme was elleccyone
To chese here pope, as er was wone.
Twey men were yn choys to take,
Oþer Laurence, oþer Symake;
hys felaus alle, Symakus chese,
So þat Laurence hys voys lese;
Pascasyus graunted neuer þartyl,
But chese Laurence at hys owne wyl;
He repented hym neuer noȝt,
But yn Laurencë stode hys þoȝt.
Oþer Laurence, oþer Symake;
hys felaus alle, Symakus chese,
So þat Laurence hys voys lese;
Pascasyus graunted neuer þartyl,
But chese Laurence at hys owne wyl;
He repented hym neuer noȝt,
But yn Laurencë stode hys þoȝt.
Yn þys popes tyme, syre Symakus,
Deyde þe dekene Pascasyus:
Þys dekene was an holy man,
As yn þe cuntre þe famë ran,
And dyd þys myrácle, as ȝe mowe here:
A wode man touched on hys bere,
And a party of hys cloþyng,
And a-none he hadde botenyng.
Deyde þe dekene Pascasyus:
Þys dekene was an holy man,
As yn þe cuntre þe famë ran,
And dyd þys myrácle, as ȝe mowe here:
A wode man touched on hys bere,
And a party of hys cloþyng,
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longë, aftyr þat þys was,
Fyl of þys dekene a merueylous kas;
For þere besydë, yn a paþ
was a wasshyng, at an hote baþ;
‘Termes’ men calle þat watyr wasshele,
For many one had þerat here hele.
Fyl of þys dekene a merueylous kas;
For þere besydë, yn a paþ
was a wasshyng, at an hote baþ;
‘Termes’ men calle þat watyr wasshele,
For many one had þerat here hele.
Þus þe holy bysshope seynt Germyne
Com þedyr to be wasshe þer-ynne;
Þere fonde he þys dekene Pascas,
And at þe watyr seruyng was:
Þys bysshope merueyled yn hys þoȝt,
wheþer hyt were Pascas or noȝt;
At þe laste, seynt Germyne seyde
“Art þou nat Pascas þat deyde,
Þat we helde a man holy?”
“Ȝys,” seyd Pascas, “hyt am y;
And at þys water, serue y þus,
For y graunted neuer to Symakus,
But to Laurence, with alle my myȝt,
Þat was nat so gode yn Goddys syȝt;
y ne repented yn alle my hope,
For y wulde haue hadde hym pope.
But wuldest þou prey for me, Germyne,
y shulde come sone oute of þys pyne;
And þat mayst þou wete yn þys manere,
Ȝyf þou fynde me no more here.”
Com þedyr to be wasshe þer-ynne;
Þere fonde he þys dekene Pascas,
And at þe watyr seruyng was:
Þys bysshope merueyled yn hys þoȝt,
wheþer hyt were Pascas or noȝt;
At þe laste, seynt Germyne seyde
“Art þou nat Pascas þat deyde,
Þat we helde a man holy?”
“Ȝys,” seyd Pascas, “hyt am y;
And at þys water, serue y þus,
For y graunted neuer to Symakus,
But to Laurence, with alle my myȝt,
Þat was nat so gode yn Goddys syȝt;
y ne repented yn alle my hope,
For y wulde haue hadde hym pope.
But wuldest þou prey for me, Germyne,
y shulde come sone oute of þys pyne;
And þat mayst þou wete yn þys manere,
Ȝyf þou fynde me no more here.”
Þe bysshope Germyne, home he ȝede,
And preyd to God for hys mysdede.
Þe nextë tyme þat he come þore,
Of Pascas, sagh he no more.
And preyd to God for hys mysdede.
Þe nextë tyme þat he come þore,
Of Pascas, sagh he no more.
Lokë, lordes, how ȝe mysdo,
Þat eleccyoun dystroubleþ so;
For a ȝyfte, or a presént,
Ȝe suffre holy cherche to be shent;
Ȝourë synnë shal be greuous,
whan þys dekene Pascasyus,
For so lytyl, to purgatorye ȝede,
For whom was shewed myrácle yn dede.
Þat eleccyoun dystroubleþ so;
For a ȝyfte, or a presént,
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Ȝourë synnë shal be greuous,
whan þys dekene Pascasyus,
For so lytyl, to purgatorye ȝede,
For whom was shewed myrácle yn dede.
Aȝens God, he ys nat quyte,
Þat suffreþ for hys owne profyte,
Holy cherche, wrongly be ȝyue
To þo men þat wykkedly lyue;
Þey shul be a-couped of tresoun,
As traytours yn eleccyoun;
Many shul go a deuyl wey,
Or be encumbred or þey dey.
Þat suffreþ for hys owne profyte,
Holy cherche, wrongly be ȝyue
To þo men þat wykkedly lyue;
Þey shul be a-couped of tresoun,
As traytours yn eleccyoun;
Many shul go a deuyl wey,
Or be encumbred or þey dey.
Ȝyt shal y telle, among þese talys,
A tale þat now late fyl yn Wales:
yn þe tyme of seynt Dauy
Fyl þys þyng, a grete ferly.
A tale þat now late fyl yn Wales:
yn þe tyme of seynt Dauy
Fyl þys þyng, a grete ferly.
[A Tale of Warning against buying Bishoprics, and worshipping Bad Bishops' Bodies.]
As þe munkës shulde do werche
werk þat fyl vn-to here cherche,
As þey dalue dowun yn þe clay,
Þey fonde a bysshope alle hole lay,
with flesshe and blode, and hole sendal,
And, wyþ ouþer vestement alle,
As fresshë as he were depeynt.
þey wende he had be a corseynt;
þey toke hym vp, euerychone,
And, leyd hym vppon a stone,
And wurscheped hyt moche with-alle,
For þey wende myrácles shulde falle.
At hygh feste tymës of þe ȝere
Þey ensensed þe body as þe hygh autere.
werk þat fyl vn-to here cherche,
As þey dalue dowun yn þe clay,
Þey fonde a bysshope alle hole lay,
with flesshe and blode, and hole sendal,
And, wyþ ouþer vestement alle,
As fresshë as he were depeynt.
þey wende he had be a corseynt;
þey toke hym vp, euerychone,
And, leyd hym vppon a stone,
And wurscheped hyt moche with-alle,
For þey wende myrácles shulde falle.
At hygh feste tymës of þe ȝere
Þey ensensed þe body as þe hygh autere.
A nyȝt, whan þe sekesteyn yn bede was leyd,
Hym þoȝt one come, and to hym seyd,
“Ensense þe body no more so,
Ne do no wurschep þar-vnto.”
Hym þoȝt one come, and to hym seyd,
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Ne do no wurschep þar-vnto.”
Þe sekesteyn, for alle þat defense,
Ȝyt he ȝaue þe body ensense.
Anouþer nyȝt, fór þat same,
Efte þe sekesteyn he gan blame,
and seyd, “holde hyt no more yn prys,
þat yche body, þat þere lys.”
þe munkë seyd, “telle me why
þat he to wurschep ne ys wurþy.”
“loke to morne, and þou mayst wyte
what lyþ yn hys mytyr wryte.”
Ȝyt he ȝaue þe body ensense.
Anouþer nyȝt, fór þat same,
Efte þe sekesteyn he gan blame,
and seyd, “holde hyt no more yn prys,
þat yche body, þat þere lys.”
þe munkë seyd, “telle me why
þat he to wurschep ne ys wurþy.”
“loke to morne, and þou mayst wyte
what lyþ yn hys mytyr wryte.”
Þe munkë ros vp on þe morne,
And, fonde yn hys mytyr horne
Þesë verse wryte on a scrowe,
For þat he shulde þe bettyr trowe:
Þese are þo ychë twey verse,
Þat to holynes are reuers,
Quem lapis ille tegit, sandalia viliter emit;
Estuat in baratro, pessimus ille latro.
“he þat þys stone hyleþ one lyche,
wykkedly boȝt hys bysshopryche.
yn helle he welleþ pynë grefe,
For alþerwerst þan was he þefe.”
And, fonde yn hys mytyr horne
Þesë verse wryte on a scrowe,
For þat he shulde þe bettyr trowe:
Þese are þo ychë twey verse,
Þat to holynes are reuers,
Quem lapis ille tegit, sandalia viliter emit;
Estuat in baratro, pessimus ille latro.
“he þat þys stone hyleþ one lyche,
wykkedly boȝt hys bysshopryche.
yn helle he welleþ pynë grefe,
For alþerwerst þan was he þefe.”
Alþerwerst þen shal hem be,
Þat for mede come to dygnyte.
hyt ys nat to speke, ne to preche,
Þe clergye werche moche aftyr wreche.
Þat for mede come to dygnyte.
hyt ys nat to speke, ne to preche,
Þe clergye werche moche aftyr wreche.
Ne þou shalt no dedë werche,
Noþer to iangle, yn holy cherche;
Namely yn tyme of holy feste,
Þán shuldë men iangle leste.
Þat tyme make many one, gaderyng
yn holy cherche of ydul þyng;
And of alle shalt þou ȝelde acounte,
To whos godenesse hyt shuld amounte.
y haue touched of þys outrage
whan y spake of sacrylage.
Noþer to iangle, yn holy cherche;
Namely yn tyme of holy feste,
Þán shuldë men iangle leste.
Þat tyme make many one, gaderyng
yn holy cherche of ydul þyng;
And of alle shalt þou ȝelde acounte,
To whos godenesse hyt shuld amounte.
y haue touched of þys outrage
345
Ne þou oghtes nat to be enchesun
To sturble mannys deuocyoun.
Ȝyf þou ne wylte Goddes seruyse here,
lette none ouþer of here preyere;
Fole ys, þat foly þat wyl nat drede,
And more þat letteþ alle oþer gode dede.
Ryȝt so seyþ Salamon þe wyse,
Vs alle of foly to chastyse.
To sturble mannys deuocyoun.
Ȝyf þou ne wylte Goddes seruyse here,
lette none ouþer of here preyere;
Fole ys, þat foly þat wyl nat drede,
And more þat letteþ alle oþer gode dede.
Ryȝt so seyþ Salamon þe wyse,
Vs alle of foly to chastyse.
Clerk to bete, or handes on ley
yn vyolence, hyt ys grete eye;
Hyt longeþ to þys sacrament
Þurgh bysshopës commaundëment;
yn sacrylagë þer y spake,
y touched of þat ychë lak;
And yn þe ten commaundëmens,
y wene y touched of þys defens;
Þarforë, now hyt ys beste,
Of þys sacrament to reste.
yn vyolence, hyt ys grete eye;
Hyt longeþ to þys sacrament
Þurgh bysshopës commaundëment;
yn sacrylagë þer y spake,
y touched of þat ychë lak;
And yn þe ten commaundëmens,
y wene y touched of þys defens;
Þarforë, now hyt ys beste,
Of þys sacrament to reste.
God grauntë þesë lordynges,
weyl to do yn allë þynges,
And late hem neuer here soulës lese
For no wrongës þat þey chese!
weyl to do yn allë þynges,
And late hem neuer here soulës lese
For no wrongës þat þey chese!
[Of the Sixth Sacrament,—Marriage.]
The syxte sacrament ys matrymony,
Þére hyt ys do ryȝtwusly;
God comaundeþ yn hys boke
Þat man shuldë hyt weyl loke;
For he stabled hyt yn paradys,
hyt ys holde yn þe morë prys;
And yn Kana Galyle
He turnede water yn wyne to be.
Þére hyt ys do ryȝtwusly;
God comaundeþ yn hys boke
Þat man shuldë hyt weyl loke;
For he stabled hyt yn paradys,
hyt ys holde yn þe morë prys;
And yn Kana Galyle
He turnede water yn wyne to be.
Aȝens þys ychë sacrament
Do many onë verrement;
yn þys, do þo men ful ylle,
Þat wedden any aȝens here wylle;
Here wyl behoueþ to-gedyr consente,
Are þe prest do þe sacrament.
346
yn þys, do þo men ful ylle,
Þat wedden any aȝens here wylle;
Here wyl behoueþ to-gedyr consente,
Are þe prest do þe sacrament.
Ne þou ne shalt [not] do þy myȝt
Þat two be weddyd with vnryȝt.
Synne þou wystest þat þey shulde noȝt
with no skyl togedyr be broȝt,
Þou synnest moche þurgh þys resun,
For þey mow neuer be weyl vndoun.
Þat two be weddyd with vnryȝt.
Synne þou wystest þat þey shulde noȝt
with no skyl togedyr be broȝt,
Þou synnest moche þurgh þys resun,
For þey mow neuer be weyl vndoun.
Ne þou shalt nat, for no gode—
þoȝt hyt be þyn ownë blode—
Dysturble hyt þere hyt oȝt to be,
Ȝyf þey haue do hére wyl fre.
þoȝt hyt be þyn ownë blode—
Dysturble hyt þere hyt oȝt to be,
Ȝyf þey haue do hére wyl fre.
Ȝyf þou wost þe soþe of euery deyl,
Þat two are weddyd, and oȝt nat weyl,
But þou shewe hyt, þou dost grete synne
To one þat may do bote þer-ynne;
For, þus ys þe gospel sawe,
And þe same seyþ landës lawe,
‘Þat who so consenteþ to a þefe,
Euene peyne shul þey haue grefe.’
Þat two are weddyd, and oȝt nat weyl,
But þou shewe hyt, þou dost grete synne
To one þat may do bote þer-ynne;
For, þus ys þe gospel sawe,
And þe same seyþ landës lawe,
‘Þat who so consenteþ to a þefe,
Euene peyne shul þey haue grefe.’
Of foly trouþës þat are ȝyue,
Þare-of byfore y haue ȝow shryue;
Y haue tolde hyt as y couþe,
How men falsen here trouþes with mouþe;
whan y spake of lecherye,
Y spakë þer of þat foly,
And yn þe syxtë commaundment
Þere spekþ hyt of þys asent;
Þarfore nedeþ me nat here
To spekë more of þys matere;
But, y pray euery man
Þat hys crystendom loueþ, or kan,
Þat þey neuer swych þyng graunte,
Two to wedde of fals cunnaunte;
For many come neuer yn wedlak
But for þe fyrst cunnaunt þat men spak.
Þare-of byfore y haue ȝow shryue;
Y haue tolde hyt as y couþe,
How men falsen here trouþes with mouþe;
whan y spake of lecherye,
Y spakë þer of þat foly,
And yn þe syxtë commaundment
Þere spekþ hyt of þys asent;
Þarfore nedeþ me nat here
To spekë more of þys matere;
But, y pray euery man
Þat hys crystendom loueþ, or kan,
347
Two to wedde of fals cunnaunte;
For many come neuer yn wedlak
But for þe fyrst cunnaunt þat men spak.
Also, for men by-hete hem largely,
Are chyldryn wedded ofte for-þy;
For þyr are many wedded for gode,
And for no stedfast loue of blode,
And, þat ys no ryȝt weddyng;
Hyt quemeþ nat to heuene kyng.
Many one weddeþ euery deyl
For þe loue of syre kateyl;
whan hyt ys go, and ys alle bare,
Þan ys þe weddyng sorowe & kare;
loue ande catel þan ys awey,
And ‘welaweye’ þey cry and sey.
Are chyldryn wedded ofte for-þy;
For þyr are many wedded for gode,
And for no stedfast loue of blode,
And, þat ys no ryȝt weddyng;
Hyt quemeþ nat to heuene kyng.
Many one weddeþ euery deyl
For þe loue of syre kateyl;
whan hyt ys go, and ys alle bare,
Þan ys þe weddyng sorowe & kare;
loue ande catel þan ys awey,
And ‘welaweye’ þey cry and sey.
And ȝe men þat brekyn cunnaunte,
Ȝe selfe falsen þat ȝe fyrst graunte;
Þan ys weddelak þurgh ȝow shent,
Þat was þe fyrst sacrament;
Þe shende hyt wyþ ȝoure fals behetyng,
And þey noȝt weddë but þe þyng;
So, betwyxe fals and coueytous,
ys welaweyë broȝt to hous.
Of þys myȝt men mochë speke,
But leuer ys me my mouþe to steke
Þan y spak oȝt oute of skore,
For sone y myȝt be blamed þarfore.
God ȝyue hem grace, þo þat shul wedde,
Yn ryȝt wedlak be broȝt to bedde;
And delyuer hem of here wyues
Þat oute of skyle chyden and stryues!
Ȝe selfe falsen þat ȝe fyrst graunte;
Þan ys weddelak þurgh ȝow shent,
Þat was þe fyrst sacrament;
Þe shende hyt wyþ ȝoure fals behetyng,
And þey noȝt weddë but þe þyng;
So, betwyxe fals and coueytous,
ys welaweyë broȝt to hous.
Of þys myȝt men mochë speke,
But leuer ys me my mouþe to steke
Þan y spak oȝt oute of skore,
For sone y myȝt be blamed þarfore.
God ȝyue hem grace, þo þat shul wedde,
Yn ryȝt wedlak be broȝt to bedde;
And delyuer hem of here wyues
Þat oute of skyle chyden and stryues!
[Of the Seventh Sacrament,—Aneylyng or Extreme Unction.]
Now of þe seuenþe sacrament:
Þese clerkys kalle hyt ‘oynament,’
On Englys hyt ys ‘anelyng’
whan man shal make hys endyng;
Seynt Iamë stable[d] hyt for to be
A sacrament þurgh crystyanyte.
Þese clerkys kalle hyt ‘oynament,’
On Englys hyt ys ‘anelyng’
whan man shal make hys endyng;
348
A sacrament þurgh crystyanyte.
Ȝyf þou aske hyt wyþ gode wyl,
Of wykked gostes gest þou noun yl,
Ne þe fende haþ no powere
þy body for to comë nere.
Ȝyf þou of dedly synne be shryue,
þo þat are venyal beþ þe forȝyue;
þou mayst þan sykerly go þy weye,
what tyme as euer þat þou shalt deye.
Of wykked gostes gest þou noun yl,
Ne þe fende haþ no powere
þy body for to comë nere.
Ȝyf þou of dedly synne be shryue,
þo þat are venyal beþ þe forȝyue;
þou mayst þan sykerly go þy weye,
what tyme as euer þat þou shalt deye.
Ȝe þat loue þys sacrament,
Here mowe ȝe lerne, ȝyueþ gode entent.
Þat tymë þat þou shalt wende,
And draghest vn-to þy lyuës ende,
Þou shalt aske deuoutëly
Anelyng to þy body;
Þoȝt hyt be broȝt redy to þe,
Asked behoueþ hyt algate be.
Here mowe ȝe lerne, ȝyueþ gode entent.
Þat tymë þat þou shalt wende,
And draghest vn-to þy lyuës ende,
Þou shalt aske deuoutëly
Anelyng to þy body;
Þoȝt hyt be broȝt redy to þe,
Asked behoueþ hyt algate be.
Ȝyf þou vnwetyng hyt haue,
hyt helpeþ þe nat so moche to saue
As ȝyf þou asked hyt by name;
Þus seyþ þe apostle seynt Iame;
For whan þou askest hyt with gode wyl,
Þou mekyst þe þan to fulfyl
Þe sacramentes of holy cherche
with beleue, and gostely to werche;
Þan ys holy cherche holde þurgh ryȝt
To pray for þe boþe day and nyȝt.
hyt helpeþ þe nat so moche to saue
As ȝyf þou asked hyt by name;
Þus seyþ þe apostle seynt Iame;
For whan þou askest hyt with gode wyl,
Þou mekyst þe þan to fulfyl
Þe sacramentes of holy cherche
with beleue, and gostely to werche;
Þan ys holy cherche holde þurgh ryȝt
To pray for þe boþe day and nyȝt.
Hyt ys to be holde yn prys,
For hyt saueþ man on twey partys;
Þe soule hyt bryngeþ to saluacyoun,
And for hele of body hyt ys doun.
For hyt saueþ man on twey partys;
Þe soule hyt bryngeþ to saluacyoun,
And for hele of body hyt ys doun.
But many one þus hope and seye,
‘Anele hem nat but þey shulde deye;
For ȝyf he turne aȝen to lyfe,
He shulde lygge no more by hys wyfe.’
Al þo þat beleueþ þys,
wykkedly þey beleue a-mys.
Holy cherche makeþ no menyng,
For swyche þyng defende anelyng;
But yn euery an euyl strong—
lygge þou shortë whyle or long—
Þou shalt aske þys sacrament,
with gode wyl and gode entent,
Syn hyt auayleþ but lyghtly
But hyt be asked derwurly.
‘Anele hem nat but þey shulde deye;
For ȝyf he turne aȝen to lyfe,
He shulde lygge no more by hys wyfe.’
Al þo þat beleueþ þys,
349
Holy cherche makeþ no menyng,
For swyche þyng defende anelyng;
But yn euery an euyl strong—
lygge þou shortë whyle or long—
Þou shalt aske þys sacrament,
with gode wyl and gode entent,
Syn hyt auayleþ but lyghtly
But hyt be asked derwurly.
Þy gode wyl shal stonde for oght,
Ȝyf þou hyt aske, and haue hyt noȝt;
For some are now a-lyue þou seest,
And dede are he may haue þe preste;
Þarfore, askë hyt be tyme,
For, deþ cumþ now as yn swyme;
yn euery sykenes, aske hyt al-weys;
God almyȝty ys ryȝt curteys,
he seeþ þy wyl, what þou wuldest haue,
Hys mercy ys þe more þe to saue.
Ȝyf þou hyt aske, and haue hyt noȝt;
For some are now a-lyue þou seest,
And dede are he may haue þe preste;
Þarfore, askë hyt be tyme,
For, deþ cumþ now as yn swyme;
yn euery sykenes, aske hyt al-weys;
God almyȝty ys ryȝt curteys,
he seeþ þy wyl, what þou wuldest haue,
Hys mercy ys þe more þe to saue.
Ihesu, y þanke þe of þy grace,
Þat hast lent me wyt and space,
Þys yn Englys for to drawe,
As holy men haue seyd yn sawe;
For lewed men hyt may auayle,
For hem y tokë þys trauayle.
Þat hast lent me wyt and space,
Þys yn Englys for to drawe,
As holy men haue seyd yn sawe;
For lewed men hyt may auayle,
For hem y tokë þys trauayle.
Of þys sacrament wyl y blynne;
Of shryfte, to telle, y wyl bygynne;
God ȝyue me gracë so to seye,
Of shryfte to shewë þe ryȝt weye,
Þat we receyue, are we be went,
with-outë synne, þys sacrament.
Of shryfte, to telle, y wyl bygynne;
God ȝyue me gracë so to seye,
Of shryfte to shewë þe ryȝt weye,
Þat we receyue, are we be went,
with-outë synne, þys sacrament.
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