 | The South English Legendary |  |
De sancto Simonis et Iude
Sein Symon & sein Iude tweie breþeren were
Marie sones Cleophe as oure boc us deþ lere
Hare moder was oure Leuedi soster ibore in þe olde lay
Sein Iacob hure sone was ek was day comeþ in May
Sein Iude he[lde] þe king Abagar ichelle ȝou segge hou
Þat was bitwene oure Louerd and him iwite ȝe mowe nou
Þis king was in siknesse þo oure Louerd an eorþe ȝeode
Þis word he sende oure Louerd iwrite for is owe neode
Marie sones Cleophe as oure boc us deþ lere
Hare moder was oure Leuedi soster ibore in þe olde lay
449
Sein Iude he[lde] þe king Abagar ichelle ȝou segge hou
Þat was bitwene oure Louerd and him iwite ȝe mowe nou
Þis king was in siknesse þo oure Louerd an eorþe ȝeode
Þis word he sende oure Louerd iwrite for is owe neode
To Iesus þat is an eorþe aliȝt saueor of alle þinge
Godes sone is triwe hine Abakar sent gretynge
Gret miracle ich habbe of þe ihurd þere fore ich vnderstonde
To soþe þat þou ert Godes sone icome þoru Godes sonde
Godes sone is triwe hine Abakar sent gretynge
Gret miracle ich habbe of þe ihurd þere fore ich vnderstonde
To soþe þat þou ert Godes sone icome þoru Godes sonde
Wo is me þat i nemai enes to þe come
For mi siknesse to habbe hele þat it were me binome
Ich habbe vnderȝite þat þe Giwes chideþ touward þe
Awaiteþ þe to sle as me telleþ me
Þere fore fle[o] ȝare companie and com to mi cite
Ichelle þe saui for ȝam alle þat hi ne solleþ þe sle
Bote þou do hi wolleþ þe sle ȝif þou gest among ȝam þere
And help me ȝif it is þi wille þat ich iheled were
For mi siknesse to habbe hele þat it were me binome
Ich habbe vnderȝite þat þe Giwes chideþ touward þe
Awaiteþ þe to sle as me telleþ me
Þere fore fle[o] ȝare companie and com to mi cite
Ichelle þe saui for ȝam alle þat hi ne solleþ þe sle
Bote þou do hi wolleþ þe sle ȝif þou gest among ȝam þere
And help me ȝif it is þi wille þat ich iheled were
Þo þis writ to oure Louerd com he it bigan to rede
And sende him anoþer writ aȝen þat þes wordes sede
Iblessed þou ert king Abakar þat ne seie me noȝt
And wost biluue wel on me wiþ word & wiþ þoȝt
For monie þat iseie me on me biluue hi nolde
Iblessed be[o] þat me neseoþ & on me biluue wolde
To þe nemai ich come noȝt for ich mot folende
Þat ich am fore an eorþe isend & suþþe hanne wende
And suþþe on of min deciples ichelle to þe sende
Þat ssel þe hele of þin vuel and bringe þe of bende
And sende him anoþer writ aȝen þat þes wordes sede
Iblessed þou ert king Abakar þat ne seie me noȝt
And wost biluue wel on me wiþ word & wiþ þoȝt
For monie þat iseie me on me biluue hi nolde
Iblessed be[o] þat me neseoþ & on me biluue wolde
To þe nemai ich come noȝt for ich mot folende
Þat ich am fore an eorþe isend & suþþe hanne wende
And suþþe on of min deciples ichelle to þe sende
Þat ssel þe hele of þin vuel and bringe þe of bende
Þo þis lettres to þe king come he made dreri chere
Þat he nemiȝte oure Louerd ise[o] þe wile he an eorþe were
A queinte peintour he sende him to peinte is figure
And bringe him to biholde þeron þe wile it wolde dure
Þo þe peintor to Iesu com he nemiȝte biholde is face
So ssinynge it was and briȝt and aboute al in þe place
Þat he nemiȝte oure Louerd ise[o] þe wile he an eorþe were
A queinte peintour he sende him to peinte is figure
And bringe him to biholde þeron þe wile it wolde dure
Þo þe peintor to Iesu com he nemiȝte biholde is face
450
Oure Louerd weste wel is þoȝt a linne cloþ he tok
And biclupte þerwiþ is face as we uindeþ in bok
Þo was it pur liȝt of figure in forme and in colour
And al þe face riȝt as his he tok it þe peintour
To soþe i ne wene noȝt þat þer were no peintor þer ney
Þat liȝtloker it couþe habbe imad for he was somdel sley
Glad was þe peintor þo þerwiþ for he ne couþe no such make
Þe king Abakar was gladdore þo it him was bitake
And biclupte þerwiþ is face as we uindeþ in bok
Þo was it pur liȝt of figure in forme and in colour
And al þe face riȝt as his he tok it þe peintour
To soþe i ne wene noȝt þat þer were no peintor þer ney
Þat liȝtloker it couþe habbe imad for he was somdel sley
Glad was þe peintor þo þerwiþ for he ne couþe no such make
Þe king Abakar was gladdore þo it him was bitake
In gret druori he it weste and for noble relike
And nobleliche an eorþe it is ȝut to hele feble & sike
Þe face þer of is swuþe muche wiþ deop and muchele eiȝe
Þe neb long and swuþe steorne þe browen long and heie
And nobleliche an eorþe it is ȝut to hele feble & sike
Þe face þer of is swuþe muche wiþ deop and muchele eiȝe
Þe neb long and swuþe steorne þe browen long and heie
Þe wordes þat oure Louerd him sende þat ich ȝou radde here nouþe
Of gret uertue beoþ inou and ȝute beoþ wo so is couþe
Þere nemiȝte þo in þulke toune þat hi were irad inne
None wile no luþer mon wonie þer wiþinne
Wanne eni fon of werrors come toward þe ȝate
Ȝif me radde þat writ aȝen hom hi nemiȝte come in þerate
Of gret uertue beoþ inou and ȝute beoþ wo so is couþe
Þere nemiȝte þo in þulke toune þat hi were irad inne
None wile no luþer mon wonie þer wiþinne
Wanne eni fon of werrors come toward þe ȝate
Ȝif me radde þat writ aȝen hom hi nemiȝte come in þerate
Þat oure Louerd bihet þe king þat of is deciples on
After is time him ssolde hele he ne brak forward non
For þo he was to heuene iwend sein Iude þuder wende
To hele him þoru oure Louerdes grace as Iesu Crist him þuder sende
Glad was þe king þo he him isei to him he seide anon
Þou ert wolcome for wel ich wot fram wam þou ert agon
After is time him ssolde hele he ne brak forward non
For þo he was to heuene iwend sein Iude þuder wende
To hele him þoru oure Louerdes grace as Iesu Crist him þuder sende
Glad was þe king þo he him isei to him he seide anon
Þou ert wolcome for wel ich wot fram wam þou ert agon
Þou ert mi Louerdes deciple isend me forto hele
Ich biluue on him and forsake þe Giwes vniuele
To none þinge inadde so gode wille as bringe ȝam to noȝte
Þat mi Louerd þat ich on leoue to so vil deþ broȝte
451
To none þinge inadde so gode wille as bringe ȝam to noȝte
Þat mi Louerd þat ich on leoue to so vil deþ broȝte
Ich am quaþ sein Iude þo inis name hider igon
Studeuast wille haue to him and þou worst hol anon
Sein Iude nom þat holy writ þat oure Louerd him er sende
And roddede þerwiþ is sike lich & it anon to hele wende
He hadde er musel longe ibe[o] he helde him in a stonde
Þis king herede ȝeorne God þat boȝte him wiþ is wonde
Studeuast wille haue to him and þou worst hol anon
Sein Iude nom þat holy writ þat oure Louerd him er sende
And roddede þerwiþ is sike lich & it anon to hele wende
He hadde er musel longe ibe[o] he helde him in a stonde
Þis king herede ȝeorne God þat boȝte him wiþ is wonde
Sein Iude wende forþ anon and prechede in þe londe
And sein Symon prechede in Egipt & suþþe þoru Godes sonde
Togadere in þe lond of Perce þis breþeren togadere come
And prechede faste Cristendom as hi hadde er ilome
And sein Symon prechede in Egipt & suþþe þoru Godes sonde
Togadere in þe lond of Perce þis breþeren togadere come
And prechede faste Cristendom as hi hadde er ilome
Tweie luþer men þat ham made as god hi fonde þere
Zaroes and Arafaxat þat made þo luþer chere
Þat sein Mattheu hadde er of þe londe of Ethiop idriue
Ac euer eft forte þo in god pais in Perce hi hadde ilyue
Zaroes and Arafaxat þat made þo luþer chere
Þat sein Mattheu hadde er of þe londe of Ethiop idriue
Ac euer eft forte þo in god pais in Perce hi hadde ilyue
Waradac duc of Babiloine bataille hadde inome
Aȝen þe prince of þe lond of Iude him to ouercome
Þe duk as he was iwoned to is false godes gan wende
Answere forto wite of ham hou þe bataille ssolde ende
Þe ssrewen ne miȝte speke a word þe duc was in gret fere
Atte þe grettoste clerkes of þe lawe þe duc esste hou it were
Aȝen þe prince of þe lond of Iude him to ouercome
Þe duk as he was iwoned to is false godes gan wende
Answere forto wite of ham hou þe bataille ssolde ende
Þe ssrewen ne miȝte speke a word þe duc was in gret fere
Atte þe grettoste clerkes of þe lawe þe duc esste hou it were
Þo seide þat hi dombe were for þe apostles tweie
Symon and Iude þat were þo in þe lond alle beie
Þe duk let þe apostles seche þo hi were forþ ibroȝt
He esste anon wat hi were and wat hi þere þo soȝt
Symon and Iude þat were þo in þe lond alle beie
Þe duk let þe apostles seche þo hi were forþ ibroȝt
He esste anon wat hi were and wat hi þere þo soȝt
Of Giwes þis apostles sede bi kunde we beoþ icome
As Cristene men we beoþ nou and to god we abbeþ inome
For þi god and for þi prou hider we beoþ igo nouþe
Ȝe quaþ þe duk þo ynabbe no space wiþ ȝou to speke wiþ mouþe
For þis bataille ich segge ȝou forte he be[o] ysmite
[& þanne ic wole ihure what ȝe beoþ & more of ȝou iwite
Þe is betere nou quaþ þapostles þat þu miȝt iknowe]
Him þoru wam þou miȝt ouercome þi bataille & þi wowe
Seggeþ me nou quaþ þe duc hou þe bataille ssel ende
Ȝif ȝe beoþ of more poer þan mine godes so hende
As Cristene men we beoþ nou and to god we abbeþ inome
452
Ȝe quaþ þe duk þo ynabbe no space wiþ ȝou to speke wiþ mouþe
For þis bataille ich segge ȝou forte he be[o] ysmite
[& þanne ic wole ihure what ȝe beoþ & more of ȝou iwite
Þe is betere nou quaþ þapostles þat þu miȝt iknowe]
Him þoru wam þou miȝt ouercome þi bataille & þi wowe
Seggeþ me nou quaþ þe duc hou þe bataille ssel ende
Ȝif ȝe beoþ of more poer þan mine godes so hende
Nai ess at Saroes and Arafaxat þis apostles sede
Þat þou mowe iknowe & iwite ȝare wrecche falshede
Þis tweie ssrewen sede þe duk ssolde ouercome be[o]
And strang bataille and manslaȝt me ssolde þer ise[o]
Þat þou mowe iknowe & iwite ȝare wrecche falshede
Þis tweie ssrewen sede þe duk ssolde ouercome be[o]
And strang bataille and manslaȝt me ssolde þer ise[o]
Þo þe apostles hurde þis hi gonne to liȝhe smere
Wat liȝhe ȝe quaþ þe duk and ich habbe so gret fere
Ne dred þe noþing quaþ þe apostles ac be[o] glad in þoȝte
For þi maistrie and pes also wiþ us hider we broȝte
To morwe þou sselt maister be[o] ar þe þridde tide of daie
Þi fo wol come & abowe to þe and be[o] glad þe to paie
Wat liȝhe ȝe quaþ þe duk and ich habbe so gret fere
Ne dred þe noþing quaþ þe apostles ac be[o] glad in þoȝte
For þi maistrie and pes also wiþ us hider we broȝte
To morwe þou sselt maister be[o] ar þe þridde tide of daie
Þi fo wol come & abowe to þe and be[o] glad þe to paie
Þe oþer ssrewen lowe þo and sede þat hi so spake
For þe duc ssolde al oneiware of is fon be[o] itake
For þe duc ssolde al oneiware of is fon be[o] itake
We ne biddeþ noȝt quaþ þe apostles [n]ouþe ne to abide
Ac þat soþe ȝe solleþ to morwe iwite biuore þe þridde tide
Ac þat soþe ȝe solleþ to morwe iwite biuore þe þridde tide
Þe duc let þe apostles wite amorwe he made him ȝare
To bataille mid al is men ac ar he come þare
Is fon come him aȝen merci forto crie
And grantede him is wille al & ȝeue him þe maistrie
To bataille mid al is men ac ar he come þare
Is fon come him aȝen merci forto crie
And grantede him is wille al & ȝeue him þe maistrie
Þo þe duk isei þat it was soþ þat þe apostles sede þere
He het brenne þe false godes þat fals & luþer were
He het brenne þe false godes þat fals & luþer were
We beoþ isend hider quaþ þe apostles Godes word to telle
& þe dede forto ȝiue lif and noȝt þe quike to quelle
We nolleþ noȝt ȝif it is þi wille þat for us þou ȝam spille
Bileue ȝare folie ȝif hi wolleþ lete ȝam al ȝare wille
453
We nolleþ noȝt ȝif it is þi wille þat for us þou ȝam spille
Bileue ȝare folie ȝif hi wolleþ lete ȝam al ȝare wille
Þe duc bad þe apostles noble ȝiftes ac hi nolde uonge is noȝt
Þo ne finde he noȝt ar he hadde to þe king ȝam ibroȝt
Sire he sede þou suxt þis men þat ich bringe biuore þe tweie
Þei hi in monnes forme be[o] godes it beoþ heie
Þo ne finde he noȝt ar he hadde to þe king ȝam ibroȝt
Sire he sede þou suxt þis men þat ich bringe biuore þe tweie
Þei hi in monnes forme be[o] godes it beoþ heie
Zaroes and Arafaxat þis tweie enchanteors
Of sein Simon and sein Iude ȝute hadde gret rebors
Þe apostles þat to apeiri to þe king hi wende
Sire hi seide we beoþ godes & God us hider sende
And þat þou þer of wite þat soþe let biuore us bringe
Þe beste plaidors þat þou hast to hure oþer tidinge
To oure wille we ssolleþ ȝam make so dombe so þe ston
Stronge men we wolleþ make lame þat hi ne ssolleþ a uot gon
Of sein Simon and sein Iude ȝute hadde gret rebors
Þe apostles þat to apeiri to þe king hi wende
Sire hi seide we beoþ godes & God us hider sende
And þat þou þer of wite þat soþe let biuore us bringe
Þe beste plaidors þat þou hast to hure oþer tidinge
To oure wille we ssolleþ ȝam make so dombe so þe ston
Stronge men we wolleþ make lame þat hi ne ssolleþ a uot gon
Biuore ȝam me broȝte muche folk boþe renable & stronge
Wiþ ȝare enchantement þe ssrewen [] [ham] made dombe longe
We wolleþ nou hi sede lete ȝam speke ac lame hi solleþ bicome
Þo speke hi and folle adoun as ȝare limes ham were binome
Suþþe hi lete ham speke and go and loke brode þere
Ac þei þe eiȝen were ope naþeles pur blind hi were
Wiþ ȝare enchantement þe ssrewen [] [ham] made dombe longe
We wolleþ nou hi sede lete ȝam speke ac lame hi solleþ bicome
Þo speke hi and folle adoun as ȝare limes ham were binome
Suþþe hi lete ham speke and go and loke brode þere
Ac þei þe eiȝen were ope naþeles pur blind hi were
After oure wille þe oþer sede þus we mowe ȝam make
Nou ȝe seoþ þat we beoþ godes ȝe ne mowe it noȝt forsake
Þe blinde men as it were bicas to þe apostle gonne gon
Biluueþ on God queþe þe apostles and ȝe worþe hol anon
Nou ȝe seoþ þat we beoþ godes ȝe ne mowe it noȝt forsake
Þe blinde men as it were bicas to þe apostle gonne gon
Biluueþ on God queþe þe apostles and ȝe worþe hol anon
Anon so hi grantede þat hi wolde on Iesu Crist bileoue
Ȝare siȝt com god aȝen no þing ne gan hom greue
To þe king hi wende hol aȝen as hy moste nede
Þe oþer ham wolde efsone blende ac ham nemiȝte noȝt spede
454
To þe king hi wende hol aȝen as hy moste nede
Þe oþer ham wolde efsone blende ac ham nemiȝte noȝt spede
Þe enchanteors were swuþe wroþe hi bede anon þe kinge
Þat þe apostles forto fondi byuore hom me ssolde bringe
Þo þe apostles were icome þe enchanteors attelaste
A gret beorþene of neddre upe þe apostles hi caste
Þat þe apostles forto fondi byuore hom me ssolde bringe
Þo þe apostles were icome þe enchanteors attelaste
A gret beorþene of neddre upe þe apostles hi caste
Þe apostles nom ȝam in ȝare mantels & caste ȝam aȝen anon
In þe enchanteors & hi fastnede in ȝare fleiss echon
Hi gnowe & frete ȝare fleiss al quik þat hi nei wode were
As wolues wel soriliche hi ȝolle wiþ reulich chere
In þe enchanteors & hi fastnede in ȝare fleiss echon
Hi gnowe & frete ȝare fleiss al quik þat hi nei wode were
As wolues wel soriliche hi ȝolle wiþ reulich chere
Þe king het þe apostles anon þat hi soffri ssolde
Forte hi were al ifrete ac hi sede hi nolde
For hi were isend to ȝiue lif wo so it auonge wolde
And nanne man forto sle for seluer ne for golde
Forte hi were al ifrete ac hi sede hi nolde
For hi were isend to ȝiue lif wo so it auonge wolde
And nanne man forto sle for seluer ne for golde
Hi hete þe neddren souke aȝe hore venim þat hi ssadde
Þo were þe wrecches so forgnawe þat hi wel nei awedde
Wel more hi were ipined ȝut mid ȝare aȝen soukynge
Of ȝare venim þanne hi were er wiþ al ȝare gnawynge
Þo were þe wrecches so forgnawe þat hi wel nei awedde
Wel more hi were ipined ȝut mid ȝare aȝen soukynge
Of ȝare venim þanne hi were er wiþ al ȝare gnawynge
Nou ȝe worþe queþe þe apostles in torment dawes þre[o]
And þanne to knowe Godes miȝte hol ȝe ssolleþ be[o]
Þreo dawes hy hadde so gret pine þat nomon nemiȝte more
Hy nuste ware be[o] for wo hi grunte somdel sore
And þanne to knowe Godes miȝte hol ȝe ssolleþ be[o]
Þreo dawes hy hadde so gret pine þat nomon nemiȝte more
Hy nuste ware be[o] for wo hi grunte somdel sore
Þe þridde dai þe apostles sede oure Louerd ne wilneþ noȝt
Þat eny mon wiþ strengþe be[o] to is seruise ibroȝt
Þere fore ȝe solleþ hol & sound chese nou attenende
In ȝoure folie to bileue oþer to him wende
Þat eny mon wiþ strengþe be[o] to is seruise ibroȝt
Þere fore ȝe solleþ hol & sound chese nou attenende
In ȝoure folie to bileue oþer to him wende
Þo þe ssrewen hole were hi gonne fle[o] attelaste
Aȝen Iesu Crist & alle his hi prechede wel uaste
So vuel hi nere neuere er in dede ne in þoȝte
Al Babiloine aȝen þe apostles in gret wraþþe hi broȝte
455
So vuel hi nere neuere er in dede ne in þoȝte
Al Babiloine aȝen þe apostles in gret wraþþe hi broȝte
Þe dukis doȝter in foly mid childe was ibroȝt
Heo sede þat child upe a dekne þat gulti nas noȝt
Þat folk nom þe dekne anon þo þe child was ibore
And þoȝte to wuch deþe him do as þe duc hadde iswore
Heo sede þat child upe a dekne þat gulti nas noȝt
Þat folk nom þe dekne anon þo þe child was ibore
And þoȝte to wuch deþe him do as þe duc hadde iswore
Þe apostles come go þereforþ & isei al þis cas
Hi esste wuche tide of þe daie þat child ibore was
Bote today þis oþer sede atte þe þridde tide anon
Þe apostles nome þo þat child among hom echon
And hete him a Godes name þat it tolde þere
Ȝif þe dekne is fader was as hi op him bere
Hi esste wuche tide of þe daie þat child ibore was
Bote today þis oþer sede atte þe þridde tide anon
Þe apostles nome þo þat child among hom echon
And hete him a Godes name þat it tolde þere
Ȝif þe dekne is fader was as hi op him bere
Nai for Gode quaþ þat child he ne biȝet me noȝt
For he is chast and euere was of dede & of þoȝt
Þe folk bede þe apostles esse wo is fader were
Nai quaþ þis godemen so ne ssel me us noȝt lere
For oure riȝt is gultelese men to bringe out of bende
Ac non gulti for trespas ne valt us to ssende
For he is chast and euere was of dede & of þoȝt
Þe folk bede þe apostles esse wo is fader were
Nai quaþ þis godemen so ne ssel me us noȝt lere
For oure riȝt is gultelese men to bringe out of bende
Ac non gulti for trespas ne valt us to ssende
A ȝer ihol and monþes þre[o] þe apostles were þere
So þat þe kyng and alle his þoru hom icristned were
And sixti þousond men also to Cristendom hi broȝte
Wiþoute children and wymmen þoru miracle þat hi wroȝte
So þat þe kyng and alle his þoru hom icristned were
And sixti þousond men also to Cristendom hi broȝte
Wiþoute children and wymmen þoru miracle þat hi wroȝte
In þe cite of Suamayr tuei enchantours were
Þat swore to makie þapostles here maumetȝ to honure þere
Þat liþere folc nome þis gode men & to here temple hem ladde
Þe deuelen þat þer inne were loude cride & gradde
Þat swore to makie þapostles here maumetȝ to honure þere
Þat liþere folc nome þis gode men & to here temple hem ladde
Þe deuelen þat þer inne were loude cride & gradde
Al miȝti Godes apostles what wole ȝe wiþ ous do
We beoþ in pyne in bernynge siþþe ȝe come ous to
Lo seide þapostles þo þat ȝe alle iseo
Þat hit beoþ deuelen we hoteþ hem þat [hi] hunne fleo
Tuei sworte þinges þer flowe out as hit blomen were
Naked bar & grislich ȝullinge wiþ reuliche bere
We beoþ in pyne in bernynge siþþe ȝe come ous to
Lo seide þapostles þo þat ȝe alle iseo
456
Tuei sworte þinges þer flowe out as hit blomen were
Naked bar & grislich ȝullinge wiþ reuliche bere
Þe maumetȝ hi toborste atuo þo hi flowe þer fram
Þo þe liþere men þis iseȝe sori hi were & gram
Wiþ wepne hi wende forþ & þapostles slowe
& al tohewe hem in þe place & eche lyme fram oþer drowe
Þo þe liþere men þis iseȝe sori hi were & gram
Wiþ wepne hi wende forþ & þapostles slowe
& al tohewe hem in þe place & eche lyme fram oþer drowe
Þo com þer as hit þondre were & þe temple to grounde broȝte
A liȝtinge þer com afterward & brende hem to noȝte
A liȝtinge þer com afterward & brende hem to noȝte
Þus seint Symon & seint Iude þe holie apostles tueye
Endede here lyf in martirdom & to heuene wende beye
Endede here lyf in martirdom & to heuene wende beye
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