 | The South English Legendary |  |
[Seint Edmund þe confessour ]
Seint Edmund þe confessour
þat liþ at Ponteneye
Of gode men & true he cam þeȝ hi nere noȝt wel heye
Ibore he was in Engelond in þe toun of Abyndone
Glad miȝte þe moder beo þat bar such a sone
Mabille þe riche his moder het þat god womman was ynouȝ
For boþ wyf & widue to holi lyf heo drouȝ
Of gode men & true he cam þeȝ hi nere noȝt wel heye
Ibore he was in Engelond in þe toun of Abyndone
Glad miȝte þe moder beo þat bar such a sone
Mabille þe riche his moder het þat god womman was ynouȝ
For boþ wyf & widue to holi lyf heo drouȝ
A seint Edmundes day þe king þe gode child was ibore
So clene he cam fram his moder wiþoute eni hore
& so drie þat no cloþ þat neȝ þe moder was
Ne neȝ þis ȝunge child ibore noþing isoilled nas
A seint Edmundes dai he was ibore þo hit was furst dai
Fram þe morwe forte hit was neȝ niȝt as ded þing he lay
Riȝt as he were ded bore for no lyf on him me nesay
[Þe mydwyues him wolde habbe ibured: ac þe moder sede nai]
Aȝen eue he cudde furst his lyf to churche he was ibore
& for seynt Edmundes day hit was Edmund icleped þerfore
So clene he cam fram his moder wiþoute eni hore
493
Ne neȝ þis ȝunge child ibore noþing isoilled nas
A seint Edmundes dai he was ibore þo hit was furst dai
Fram þe morwe forte hit was neȝ niȝt as ded þing he lay
Riȝt as he were ded bore for no lyf on him me nesay
[Þe mydwyues him wolde habbe ibured: ac þe moder sede nai]
Aȝen eue he cudde furst his lyf to churche he was ibore
& for seynt Edmundes day hit was Edmund icleped þerfore
Þis child wax & wel iþeȝ elles wonder hit were
Þo hit was of eni elde þe moder hit let lere
& Robert ek hire oþer sone for sones heo hadde hem tuo
& tuei maidenes clene ynou hire douȝtren were also
Dame Margerie & dame Alice þat at Kattesby were ido
& þer in ordre nonnes were & liggeþ þer boþe tuo
Þo hit was of eni elde þe moder hit let lere
& Robert ek hire oþer sone for sones heo hadde hem tuo
& tuei maidenes clene ynou hire douȝtren were also
Dame Margerie & dame Alice þat at Kattesby were ido
& þer in ordre nonnes were & liggeþ þer boþe tuo
Dame Mabille þe gode moder þis children louede ynou
& wissede hem to clene lyue & to godnisse drouȝ
Þe wile [þe] children ȝunge were ofte heo ȝaf hem mede
Forto faste þane Friday to watere & to brede
Þurf mede & þurf faire biheste hi were so þer on ibroȝt
Þo hi were in grettere elde hit ne greuede hem riȝt noȝt
Þe moder werede harde here for oure Louerdes loue
Fram þe schuldre to þe hele & harde hauberk aboue
In suche penance heo ladde hire lyf þis widue þat was so wys
Wel ȝung heo sende boþe here sones to scole to Parys
& bitok hem spense lute ynouȝ as heo miȝte biseo
Hi seide aȝe þat hi nemiȝte noȝt bi so lute beo
Leoue sones quaþ þis moder ich mai beo ȝut wel hende
If ȝe wolleþ don after me ich can ȝou more sende
& hit schal ȝut liki wel bi þan ȝe wite þan ende
If ȝe þore mid so lute out of londe wende
& wissede hem to clene lyue & to godnisse drouȝ
Þe wile [þe] children ȝunge were ofte heo ȝaf hem mede
Forto faste þane Friday to watere & to brede
Þurf mede & þurf faire biheste hi were so þer on ibroȝt
Þo hi were in grettere elde hit ne greuede hem riȝt noȝt
Þe moder werede harde here for oure Louerdes loue
Fram þe schuldre to þe hele & harde hauberk aboue
In suche penance heo ladde hire lyf þis widue þat was so wys
Wel ȝung heo sende boþe here sones to scole to Parys
& bitok hem spense lute ynouȝ as heo miȝte biseo
Hi seide aȝe þat hi nemiȝte noȝt bi so lute beo
Leoue sones quaþ þis moder ich mai beo ȝut wel hende
If ȝe wolleþ don after me ich can ȝou more sende
& hit schal ȝut liki wel bi þan ȝe wite þan ende
If ȝe þore mid so lute out of londe wende
Leoue moder quaþ þe sones we schulle don after þi lore
Ac þu wost we nemowe noȝt libbe bote þu ous sende more
494
Þe moder tok wel stilleliche ech of hem an here
[& bad hem boþe vor hire loue þat hi wiþ hem bere]
Þat hi werede hem eche wike: tueye oþer þrie þere
& heo wolde hem sende spense ynou þe while hi at scole were
[& bad hem boþe vor hire loue þat hi wiþ hem bere]
Þat hi werede hem eche wike: tueye oþer þrie þere
& heo wolde hem sende spense ynou þe while hi at scole were
Þis children ȝeode to scole þo & dude here moder heste
& werede here here þrie a wyke oþer tueye atte leste
So longe hi hem vsede þerto þat hi hem nome oftere mo
So longe þat noþer dai ne niȝt hi nolde hem noȝt forgo
Hi vseden hem so wel þerto þat hi werede hem dai & niȝt
Þis was lo a god moder þat teiȝte hire childrene ariȝt
And euere as heo hem sende cloþes as heo hem miȝte iwynne
Þerwiþ heo wolde heren sende isued stille wiþinne
& werede here here þrie a wyke oþer tueye atte leste
So longe hi hem vsede þerto þat hi hem nome oftere mo
So longe þat noþer dai ne niȝt hi nolde hem noȝt forgo
Hi vseden hem so wel þerto þat hi werede hem dai & niȝt
Þis was lo a god moder þat teiȝte hire childrene ariȝt
And euere as heo hem sende cloþes as heo hem miȝte iwynne
Þerwiþ heo wolde heren sende isued stille wiþinne
Seint Edmund þe gode clerc to eche godnisse drouȝ
Þat euerech clerc þat him iknew hadde of him ioye ynouȝ
For oure Louerd & his holi grace mid him was wel ryue
& þat oure Louerd cudde him wel in his ȝunge lyue
Þat euerech clerc þat him iknew hadde of him ioye ynouȝ
For oure Louerd & his holi grace mid him was wel ryue
& þat oure Louerd cudde him wel in his ȝunge lyue
For as he ȝeode a dai in a mede forto pleye
His felawes he bileuede echon & ȝeode biside þe weye
& alone ȝeode vp & doun & his beden sede
Þer cam go a fair whit child to him in þis mede
Felawe he seide hail þu beo þat gost þe silue alone
His felawes he bileuede echon & ȝeode biside þe weye
& alone ȝeode vp & doun & his beden sede
Þer cam go a fair whit child to him in þis mede
Felawe he seide hail þu beo þat gost þe silue alone
Seint Edmund stod in gret þoȝt wannes þis child come
Ne knoustou me noȝt quaþ þis child seint Edmund seide no
Nam ich þi felawe quaþ þis child whoder þu euere go
At scole ich sitte ek bi þe euere bi þi riȝt side
& wiþ þe ich go in eche stede ne go þu noȝt so wide
& þi pleyfere ich am & if þu nost noȝ[t] ho ich beo
Ne knoustou me noȝt quaþ þis child seint Edmund seide no
Nam ich þi felawe quaþ þis child whoder þu euere go
At scole ich sitte ek bi þe euere bi þi riȝt side
& wiþ þe ich go in eche stede ne go þu noȝt so wide
& þi pleyfere ich am & if þu nost noȝ[t] ho ich beo
495
In mi foreheued iwrite mi name þu schalt iseo
Signe þerwiþ þi foreheued & þi breost also
Aneue whan þu to bidde gost & aday whan þu risest þerto
Euerech niȝt er þu slepe as in munde of me
& þe deuel ne tit poer non forto greuy þe
Signe þerwiþ þi foreheued & þi breost also
Aneue whan þu to bidde gost & aday whan þu risest þerto
Euerech niȝt er þu slepe as in munde of me
& þe deuel ne tit poer non forto greuy þe
Seint Edmund nuste mid þis word whoder þis child bicom
He kneu wel þat hit was oure Louerd gret ioye to him he nom
He nolde forȝete noȝt o niȝt his lore forto do
To croici þrie his foreheued & his breost also
& sigge Iesus Naȝarenus as he hit iseȝ iwrite
He kneu wel þat hit was oure Louerd gret ioye to him he nom
He nolde forȝete noȝt o niȝt his lore forto do
To croici þrie his foreheued & his breost also
& sigge Iesus Naȝarenus as he hit iseȝ iwrite
Wiþ noþing nescholde a man bet wiþ þe deuel him wite
In penance & in his lore þat child dude al his þoȝt
For Godes loue he þolede moche þat deore him hadde iboȝt
In penance he was so wel yused & þeron ȝung ibroȝt
Þat þo he was of grettere elde hit negreuede him riȝt noȝt
In penance & in his lore þat child dude al his þoȝt
For Godes loue he þolede moche þat deore him hadde iboȝt
In penance he was so wel yused & þeron ȝung ibroȝt
Þat þo he was of grettere elde hit negreuede him riȝt noȝt
At Parys he was at scole longe & at Oxenford also
He nedude neuere lecherie ne neuere ensentede þerto
As his schriffader wolde telle ofte in priueite
He nemiȝte neuere fynde non of so gret chastete
Pryueiliche at Oxenford þerfore a dai he com
To þe ymage of oure Leuedi & bi þe hond hire nom
And forhet bifore hire truliche wommanes mone
And wiþ truþe holde al his lyf clanliche to hire one
Þe ymage he weddede wiþ a ring as man doþ his wyf
Clanliche to holde in spoushode to hire al his lyf
Aue Maria gracia plena þuse four wordes were ido
& igraued in his ring of golde for hit acordeþ þerto
Wel he huld his truþe siþþe & his wedding also
& true spouse was ynou & nolde noȝt misdo
Ich wot me miȝte fynde ho so soȝte blyue
Somman þeȝ hit selþe beo vntruere wiþ his wyue
& as ful beo of þe mariage & as fawe hit vnbynde
Wele whar eni of ȝou couþe such an hosebonde fynde
He nedude neuere lecherie ne neuere ensentede þerto
As his schriffader wolde telle ofte in priueite
He nemiȝte neuere fynde non of so gret chastete
Pryueiliche at Oxenford þerfore a dai he com
To þe ymage of oure Leuedi & bi þe hond hire nom
And forhet bifore hire truliche wommanes mone
And wiþ truþe holde al his lyf clanliche to hire one
Þe ymage he weddede wiþ a ring as man doþ his wyf
Clanliche to holde in spoushode to hire al his lyf
Aue Maria gracia plena þuse four wordes were ido
& igraued in his ring of golde for hit acordeþ þerto
Wel he huld his truþe siþþe & his wedding also
& true spouse was ynou & nolde noȝt misdo
Ich wot me miȝte fynde ho so soȝte blyue
496
& as ful beo of þe mariage & as fawe hit vnbynde
Wele whar eni of ȝou couþe such an hosebonde fynde
His ostesce hadde a douȝter þer he was at inne
Þat louede moche þis holi child if heo miȝte of him eni loue awinne
Heo necouþe neȝ non oþer wit heo fondede forto do
Folie bi niȝte & bidaye if heo miȝte come þerto
Heo bad him þat heo moste a niȝt to his bedde wende
Þis holi child newornde hire noȝt ac dude as þe hende
Þat louede moche þis holi child if heo miȝte of him eni loue awinne
Heo necouþe neȝ non oþer wit heo fondede forto do
Folie bi niȝte & bidaye if heo miȝte come þerto
Heo bad him þat heo moste a niȝt to his bedde wende
Þis holi child newornde hire noȝt ac dude as þe hende
Þis maide was þo glad ynouȝ for er heo bad wel ofte
A nyȝt þo heo seȝ hire tyme to his bed heo com softe
Hire cloþes he dude of anon as hit is lawe of bedde
& makede hire redi to kreopen in ac wel febliche hire spedde
For seint Edmund hadde a smeort ȝerd þis womman adoun he redde
& leide vp hire nakede rug þat heo neȝ awedde
He nesparede rug ne side noþer er heo to grounde bledde
Quenche heo miȝte hire fole þoȝt mid blod þat heo schadde
& euere seide þis holi man as he leide on hire faste
Maide þu schalt lurny þus awei forto caste
Þi fole wil of þi flesch wiþ suche discipline
Heo þoȝte lute of fol þoȝt er þis gode man wolde fyne
A nyȝt þo heo seȝ hire tyme to his bed heo com softe
Hire cloþes he dude of anon as hit is lawe of bedde
& makede hire redi to kreopen in ac wel febliche hire spedde
For seint Edmund hadde a smeort ȝerd þis womman adoun he redde
& leide vp hire nakede rug þat heo neȝ awedde
He nesparede rug ne side noþer er heo to grounde bledde
Quenche heo miȝte hire fole þoȝt mid blod þat heo schadde
& euere seide þis holi man as he leide on hire faste
Maide þu schalt lurny þus awei forto caste
Þi fole wil of þi flesch wiþ suche discipline
Heo þoȝte lute of fol þoȝt er þis gode man wolde fyne
Þis wenche wende softe aȝe hire rug smurte sore
Heo biȝat so lute þo þat hire ne longede þuder nomore
Clene womman heo bicom wiþoute flesches dede
& clene maide siþþe deide as hire schriffader sede
Þis maidenes þat beoþ wilful folie to do
Ich wolde hi fonde such a lemman hem to chaste so
Heo biȝat so lute þo þat hire ne longede þuder nomore
Clene womman heo bicom wiþoute flesches dede
& clene maide siþþe deide as hire schriffader sede
Þis maidenes þat beoþ wilful folie to do
Ich wolde hi fonde such a lemman hem to chaste so
Þo Mabille his swete moder scholde of þis wordle go
Seint Edmund hire holi sone neȝ hire was þo
Þe moder him ȝaf hire blescing þo heo schulde hunne fare
Blesce ek mi broþer quaþ þoþer þeȝ he beo elleswhare
Leoue sone quaþ þe moder boþe ȝe come of me
& he is whan ȝe beoþ o blod iblesced forþ wiþ þe
Seint Edmund hire holi sone neȝ hire was þo
Þe moder him ȝaf hire blescing þo heo schulde hunne fare
Blesce ek mi broþer quaþ þoþer þeȝ he beo elleswhare
497
& he is whan ȝe beoþ o blod iblesced forþ wiþ þe
Ac ich bidde þe for þe loue of God & of seinte Marie
Þat þu somwhar þi sostren do in a nonnerie
Þat hi mowe lede clene lyf in Godes seruise
Þat þu ne suffri þat hi beo iwedded in none wyse
Þis catel þat ich biqueþe þis dede forto do
Al ich bitake in þyne warde & hem þerwiþ also
Þis gode womman deide þo & of widuen was flour
& in seint Nicholas churche at Abyndone ibured was wiþ gret honur
Vnder a ston bifore þe rode in þe souþside iwis
A lute wiþoute þe abbay ȝate þe chapel arered is
Aboue hire hit is iwrite her lyþ on þe ston
Mabille flour of widuen & lesing nis hit non
For heo was womman of gode lyue as me miȝte bi hire iseo
& meni miracle siþþe at Abyndone for hire haþ ibeo
Þat þu somwhar þi sostren do in a nonnerie
Þat hi mowe lede clene lyf in Godes seruise
Þat þu ne suffri þat hi beo iwedded in none wyse
Þis catel þat ich biqueþe þis dede forto do
Al ich bitake in þyne warde & hem þerwiþ also
Þis gode womman deide þo & of widuen was flour
& in seint Nicholas churche at Abyndone ibured was wiþ gret honur
Vnder a ston bifore þe rode in þe souþside iwis
A lute wiþoute þe abbay ȝate þe chapel arered is
Aboue hire hit is iwrite her lyþ on þe ston
Mabille flour of widuen & lesing nis hit non
For heo was womman of gode lyue as me miȝte bi hire iseo
& meni miracle siþþe at Abyndone for hire haþ ibeo
Nou neforȝet noȝt seint Edmund þat his moder him hadde ibede
Þo his poer was iwexe he purueide him a stede
Þat his sostren were ido in a nonnerie
Ac wel vneþe he miȝte hit do wiþoute symonye
Atte laste he com to Cateby in Northamte schire
Igranted him was þer anon al þat he wolde desire
Boþe his sostren a Godes name nonnen he makede þere
& lyuede þer al here lyf & holie wymmen were
Þe vlþere was siþþe priorasse of þe leuedies echon
For hem haþ siþþe God ido miracles meni on
& bifore þe weued anheȝ ibured hi beoþ þere
In a chapel of seint Edmund þat hi lete arere
Þo his poer was iwexe he purueide him a stede
Þat his sostren were ido in a nonnerie
Ac wel vneþe he miȝte hit do wiþoute symonye
Atte laste he com to Cateby in Northamte schire
Igranted him was þer anon al þat he wolde desire
Boþe his sostren a Godes name nonnen he makede þere
& lyuede þer al here lyf & holie wymmen were
Þe vlþere was siþþe priorasse of þe leuedies echon
For hem haþ siþþe God ido miracles meni on
& bifore þe weued anheȝ ibured hi beoþ þere
In a chapel of seint Edmund þat hi lete arere
Þis holi man seint Edmund werede stronge here
In strongere manere he was ymaked þan oþer manes were
He nas isponne ne iweue ac ibroide of strenges longe
& siþþe as me knyt a net iknyt harde & stronge
Of hard hors her ymaked þe knottes deope wode
Þat mochedel his bodi orn in quiture & in blode
Herof he hadde brech & scherte fram necke to þe hele
Vneseliche he miȝte ligge & lutel ese ifele
A strong rop þer was siþþe aboue fram þe schuldre ido
To his buttok of hors her to holde hit faste to
& siþþe he was byneþe his brech igurd faste ynouȝ
Wiþ a strong corde aboue þe here þat faste todrouȝ
So faste was in eche side þe here to him ibounde
Þat vneþe he miȝte bye his rug oþer lokie to þe grounde
& whan he byde him eni þing his flesch was so ignawe
Þat wonder hou he þolede hit to beo so todrawe
Fet & honde þat nere noȝt iturmented wiþ þe here
Necke & heued & al his face þat wiþoute were
He ruddede aniȝt wiþ his here whan noman ne miȝte hit iseo
For he nolde þat no lyme vnypyned scholde beo
In strongere manere he was ymaked þan oþer manes were
498
& siþþe as me knyt a net iknyt harde & stronge
Of hard hors her ymaked þe knottes deope wode
Þat mochedel his bodi orn in quiture & in blode
Herof he hadde brech & scherte fram necke to þe hele
Vneseliche he miȝte ligge & lutel ese ifele
A strong rop þer was siþþe aboue fram þe schuldre ido
To his buttok of hors her to holde hit faste to
& siþþe he was byneþe his brech igurd faste ynouȝ
Wiþ a strong corde aboue þe here þat faste todrouȝ
So faste was in eche side þe here to him ibounde
Þat vneþe he miȝte bye his rug oþer lokie to þe grounde
& whan he byde him eni þing his flesch was so ignawe
Þat wonder hou he þolede hit to beo so todrawe
Fet & honde þat nere noȝt iturmented wiþ þe here
Necke & heued & al his face þat wiþoute were
He ruddede aniȝt wiþ his here whan noman ne miȝte hit iseo
For he nolde þat no lyme vnypyned scholde beo
A dai he toc al priueiliche his man his olde here
Þat he hem forbrende stilleliche for hi forolþed were
He caste hem in gret fur ac hit necom noȝ[t] þerneȝ
Ac euere hi were iliche sounde as þis man iseȝ
Þat he hem forbrende stilleliche for hi forolþed were
He caste hem in gret fur ac hit necom noȝ[t] þerneȝ
Ac euere hi were iliche sounde as þis man iseȝ
Þo he seȝ hit nebrende noȝt he bond þerto faste
Heuye stones to drawe hit adoun & þe water hit vp caste
Nadde þat fur poer non to tuochi þe holi here
Ac naþeles he tolde his louerd þat hi forbrende were
Heuye stones to drawe hit adoun & þe water hit vp caste
Nadde þat fur poer non to tuochi þe holi here
Ac naþeles he tolde his louerd þat hi forbrende were
Seint Edmund & his felawe as hit was ofte here wone
In a day fram Leukenore wende to Abyndone
As hi come in a gret faleye blake [foweles] he seȝ
As hit crowen & choȝen were fleo bi þeir anheȝ
A lute blac sac as þeȝ hit were among hem þis foweles bere
& caste hit vp fram on to oþer as hi hit totere
Þat was a soule for his wickednisse þat hi to helle bere
His felawe stod & bihuld & was neȝ wod for fere
In a day fram Leukenore wende to Abyndone
As hi come in a gret faleye blake [foweles] he seȝ
As hit crowen & choȝen were fleo bi þeir anheȝ
A lute blac sac as þeȝ hit were among hem þis foweles bere
& caste hit vp fram on to oþer as hi hit totere
Þat was a soule for his wickednisse þat hi to helle bere
499
Seint Edmund ȝaf him god confort & tolde what hi were
Deuelen of helle he seide hit beoþ & þat hi bereþ iwis
A manes soule of Stafgrene her bifore hit is
Þat nou riȝt deide late he ne comeþ neuere in blis
He mai singe welewei þat euere he dude amis
Forþ hi wende to Stafgrene þat soþe hi fonde þere
Þe man ded a lute bifore & ligge hot in a bere
No þe gladdere nemiȝte he beo þat þe deueles him so totere
Deuelen of helle he seide hit beoþ & þat hi bereþ iwis
A manes soule of Stafgrene her bifore hit is
Þat nou riȝt deide late he ne comeþ neuere in blis
He mai singe welewei þat euere he dude amis
Forþ hi wende to Stafgrene þat soþe hi fonde þere
Þe man ded a lute bifore & ligge hot in a bere
No þe gladdere nemiȝte he beo þat þe deueles him so totere
Seint Edmund þis holi man louede wel his lore
For his loue he louede ȝut Godes seruise þe more
Mest he louede an oreisoun þat was of Iesu Crist
& of oure Leuedi his swete moder & of seint Iohan þewangelist
Þat O intemerata bigynneþ a Latyn
Þe bigynnyng is wel god & also þe fyn
Eche dai bi custume he seide þis oreisoun
He nolde hit bileue for no scole ne for no lessoun
Ane dai he hit forȝet he hadde so moche to done
For his loue he louede ȝut Godes seruise þe more
Mest he louede an oreisoun þat was of Iesu Crist
& of oure Leuedi his swete moder & of seint Iohan þewangelist
Þat O intemerata bigynneþ a Latyn
Þe bigynnyng is wel god & also þe fyn
Eche dai bi custume he seide þis oreisoun
He nolde hit bileue for no scole ne for no lessoun
Ane dai he hit forȝet he hadde so moche to done
Seint Iohn þewangelist com to him wel sone
A pameri he brouȝte on his hond gret & strong ynouȝ
Seint Edmund he nom bi þe hond & his pameri drouȝ
So heȝe & wiþ so gret eir as he him wolde al todryue
Seint Edmund lay & quakede & dradde of lyue
For if he him hadde ismyte as he drouȝ he hadde ibeo ded anon
He quakede & cride dulfulliche louerd merci seint Iohn
A pameri he brouȝte on his hond gret & strong ynouȝ
Seint Edmund he nom bi þe hond & his pameri drouȝ
So heȝe & wiþ so gret eir as he him wolde al todryue
Seint Edmund lay & quakede & dradde of lyue
For if he him hadde ismyte as he drouȝ he hadde ibeo ded anon
He quakede & cride dulfulliche louerd merci seint Iohn
Ich wole forȝeue þe quaþ seint Iohan þu criest so sore
& þench bet on oure oreisoun & neforȝet hit nomore
He neforȝat after þulke tyme nomore þis oreisoun
For no studie ne for no neode ne for þoȝt of lessoun
& þench bet on oure oreisoun & neforȝet hit nomore
He neforȝat after þulke tyme nomore þis oreisoun
For no studie ne for no neode ne for þoȝt of lessoun
So wel lurnede þis holi man & suche grace hadde
Þat he bigan at Oxenford & of art þer radde
Of art he radde six ȝer contynuelliche ynouȝ
& siþþe for [to] beo more profound to arsmetrike he drouȝ
& arsmetrike radde in cours in Oxenford wel faste
& his figurs drouȝ aldai & his numbre caste
Þat he bigan at Oxenford & of art þer radde
Of art he radde six ȝer contynuelliche ynouȝ
500
& arsmetrike radde in cours in Oxenford wel faste
& his figurs drouȝ aldai & his numbre caste
Arsmetrike is a lore þat of figurs al is
& of drauȝtes as me draweþ in poudre & in numbre iwis
& of drauȝtes as me draweþ in poudre & in numbre iwis
A niȝt in a visioun his moder to him wende
Sone heo seide to what figurs woltou nou entende
Leoue moder quaþ þis oþer suche as we iseoþ
Sone heo seide to what figurs woltou nou entende
Leoue moder quaþ þis oþer suche as we iseoþ
Leoue sone quaþ þe moder betere figurs þer beoþ
Wherto þu most þin hurte do & þenche her on nomore
Heo nom forþ his riȝt hond & wrot þer on his lore
Þreo rounde cerclen heo wrot in þe paume amidde
In þe tueye heo wrot Fader & Sone & Holi Gost in þe þridde
Wherto þu most þin hurte do & þenche her on nomore
Heo nom forþ his riȝt hond & wrot þer on his lore
Þreo rounde cerclen heo wrot in þe paume amidde
In þe tueye heo wrot Fader & Sone & Holi Gost in þe þridde
Sone heo seide her afterward entende to þis lore
To heuene aȝe þe moder wende he neseȝ hire nomore
To heuene aȝe þe moder wende he neseȝ hire nomore
Þo iseȝ seint Edmund þat hit was al of þe Trinite
& þat God wolde þat he schulde ihure diuinite
To diuinite as God wolde þis gode man him drouȝ
Þer nespedde non in Oxenford so wel of ynouȝ
Hit nas noȝt longe þer afterward þat þe Chanceler nesede
& þe hexte maystres of þe toun þat he schulde bigynne & rede
He wiþsede & longe seide þat he nas noȝt worþi þerto
So þat moche aȝen his wille nede hi makede him hit do
So þat he bigan at Oxenford of diuinite
So noble alosed þer nas non in al þe vniuersite
Of redinge he hadde so gode grace þat menion to him drouȝ
His scolers þat ihurde of him gode men were ynouȝ
So pitousliche he wolde rede & so gode grace hadde þerto
Þat his scolers þat ihurde of him nuste ofte what to do
Ac sete as in anoþer wordle & ofte hudde here eȝe
& wepe þat þe teres vrne adoun þat men hit al aboute iseȝe
Vneþe eni ihurde of him þat þe betere ne bicom
& meni bileuede al þe wordle & to religioun nom
& þat God wolde þat he schulde ihure diuinite
To diuinite as God wolde þis gode man him drouȝ
Þer nespedde non in Oxenford so wel of ynouȝ
Hit nas noȝt longe þer afterward þat þe Chanceler nesede
& þe hexte maystres of þe toun þat he schulde bigynne & rede
He wiþsede & longe seide þat he nas noȝt worþi þerto
So þat moche aȝen his wille nede hi makede him hit do
So þat he bigan at Oxenford of diuinite
So noble alosed þer nas non in al þe vniuersite
Of redinge he hadde so gode grace þat menion to him drouȝ
His scolers þat ihurde of him gode men were ynouȝ
So pitousliche he wolde rede & so gode grace hadde þerto
Þat his scolers þat ihurde of him nuste ofte what to do
Ac sete as in anoþer wordle & ofte hudde here eȝe
& wepe þat þe teres vrne adoun þat men hit al aboute iseȝe
501
& meni bileuede al þe wordle & to religioun nom
A dai as þis holi man in diuinite
Desputede as hit was his wone of þe Trinite
In his chaire he sat longe er his scolers come
A lutel he bigan to swoudri as a slep him nome
Þo þoȝte him in his swoudringe þat a whit coluere com
Fram heuene mid oure Louerdes flesch & þe wei to him nom
& þat swete flesch pulte in his mouþ & siþþe fleȝ vp anheȝ
Heuene openede hire aȝen as þis gode man iseȝ
Þe sauour of oure Louerdes flesch him þoȝte was in his mouþe
And al þe clergie him þoȝte of God þo he awok he couþe
Of þe pure stat of Crist & of his mageste
As angel him þoȝte he couþe & of his priueite
Desputede as hit was his wone of þe Trinite
In his chaire he sat longe er his scolers come
A lutel he bigan to swoudri as a slep him nome
Þo þoȝte him in his swoudringe þat a whit coluere com
Fram heuene mid oure Louerdes flesch & þe wei to him nom
& þat swete flesch pulte in his mouþ & siþþe fleȝ vp anheȝ
Heuene openede hire aȝen as þis gode man iseȝ
Þe sauour of oure Louerdes flesch him þoȝte was in his mouþe
And al þe clergie him þoȝte of God þo he awok he couþe
Of þe pure stat of Crist & of his mageste
As angel him þoȝte he couþe & of his priueite
He bigan so deope desputi of þe Trinite
Þat gret wonder me hadde þurf al þe vniuersite
Þat þe gretteste clerkes þat were in Oxenforde þo
Ne þoȝte þat eni vrþlich man so furforþ miȝte go
Ne wite so moche of Godes stat bote hit angel were
Þer nere none maystres in Oxenford þat in gret wonder þerof nere
Ac he miȝte of Iesu Crist iwite more þan was in boc
Whan he vsede oure Louerdes flesch & in his mouþe toc
Þat gret wonder me hadde þurf al þe vniuersite
Þat þe gretteste clerkes þat were in Oxenforde þo
Ne þoȝte þat eni vrþlich man so furforþ miȝte go
Ne wite so moche of Godes stat bote hit angel were
Þer nere none maystres in Oxenford þat in gret wonder þerof nere
Ac he miȝte of Iesu Crist iwite more þan was in boc
Whan he vsede oure Louerdes flesch & in his mouþe toc
Ne þoȝte noȝt þis holi man so moche in his lessoun
Þat euere among his þoȝt nas mest in Godes passioun
O tyme he was in grete studie of his lessoun anyȝt
Þat longe he sat þer aboute forte hit was neȝ dailiȝt
Þo hit was toward þe dai anapped he was sore
He lynede adoun vpon his boc þo he nemiȝte studie nomore
So þat he ful aslepe & vnywar also
& neþoȝte noȝt on þe passioun as he was iwoned to do
Þe deuel com to him wel sone noþing to siche he nas
Seint Edmund of him was iwar in swoudring as he was
He wolde him blesci wiþ þe deuel his riȝt hond he gan forþ drawe
Þe deuel him nom þerbi anon he nemiȝte him noȝt wawe
Þo nom he forþ his lift hond to blesci him wiþ also
Þe deuel him nom þerbi faste þat he nemiȝte noþing do
Vpe him he lai as a sak þat he was al ouercome
He nemiȝte him wawe fot ne hond his poer him was binome
Ac delyure he hadde al his þoȝt so þat he þoȝte sone
Of oure Louerdes passioun as he was woned to done
Þat euere among his þoȝt nas mest in Godes passioun
O tyme he was in grete studie of his lessoun anyȝt
Þat longe he sat þer aboute forte hit was neȝ dailiȝt
Þo hit was toward þe dai anapped he was sore
He lynede adoun vpon his boc þo he nemiȝte studie nomore
So þat he ful aslepe & vnywar also
& neþoȝte noȝt on þe passioun as he was iwoned to do
Þe deuel com to him wel sone noþing to siche he nas
502
He wolde him blesci wiþ þe deuel his riȝt hond he gan forþ drawe
Þe deuel him nom þerbi anon he nemiȝte him noȝt wawe
Þo nom he forþ his lift hond to blesci him wiþ also
Þe deuel him nom þerbi faste þat he nemiȝte noþing do
Vpe him he lai as a sak þat he was al ouercome
He nemiȝte him wawe fot ne hond his poer him was binome
Ac delyure he hadde al his þoȝt so þat he þoȝte sone
Of oure Louerdes passioun as he was woned to done
Þe deuel nemiȝte þo bileue vpe him none þrowe
For drede he ful sone adoun bituene him & þe wowe
For drede he ful sone adoun bituene him & þe wowe
Seint Edmund aros vp anon & þe deuel ouercom
Strangliche & harde ynou bi þe þrote he him nom
Þurf oure Louerdes passioun tel nou he seide me
Ich axi þe hou Cristene man mai best him witie fram þe
Me neschal wiþ noþing quaþ þe deuel schulde fram mi poer
So wel as þurf his passioun þat þu nemnedest er
Strangliche & harde ynou bi þe þrote he him nom
Þurf oure Louerdes passioun tel nou he seide me
Ich axi þe hou Cristene man mai best him witie fram þe
Me neschal wiþ noþing quaþ þe deuel schulde fram mi poer
So wel as þurf his passioun þat þu nemnedest er
Þer lurnede þis holi man as we mowe ek echon
In whiche manere we mowe best þe deueles poer forgon
For he hatieþ Godes passioun as man doþ his fon
& whan a man hit haþ in munde he wole him fleo anon
In whiche manere we mowe best þe deueles poer forgon
For he hatieþ Godes passioun as man doþ his fon
& whan a man hit haþ in munde he wole him fleo anon
Eche tyme of þe dai & of þe niȝte seint Edmund him gan biseo
Þat he diȝte him wel to Godes wille þat he nolde idel beo
Oþer he was in oreisouns oþer at his boc
Oþer he et oþer he slep oþer to oþer þing he toc
Þat he diȝte him wel to Godes wille þat he nolde idel beo
Oþer he was in oreisouns oþer at his boc
Oþer he et oþer he slep oþer to oþer þing he toc
Þreo tymes him þoȝte he forles whan he com þerto
Whan he rod & whan he slep & whan he et also
For he nas þanne in studie ne in bede noþemo
Ech oþer tyme him þoȝte to som prou scholde go
Whan he rod & whan he slep & whan he et also
For he nas þanne in studie ne in bede noþemo
Ech oþer tyme him þoȝte to som prou scholde go
So longe þis gode man to eche godnisse drouȝ
Þat his godnisse was wide couþ & me spac þerof ynouȝ
Þe beste prechour he was iholde þat me owar vnderstode
For ho so haþ wiþ him Godes grace his dedes mote nede beo gode
Þat his godnisse was wide couþ & me spac þerof ynouȝ
Þe beste prechour he was iholde þat me owar vnderstode
503
Þo þat of þe croserie þe pope sende fram Rome
To bischops of Engelond þat hi a wys man nome
To prechi of þe croserie aboute in þe londe
Þat me wende to Ierusalem & sende here sonde
Procuracies hi ȝeue hem ek þer hi wende aboute
Of persones to nyme largeliche þat non nere wiþoute
To bischops of Engelond þat hi a wys man nome
To prechi of þe croserie aboute in þe londe
Þat me wende to Ierusalem & sende here sonde
Procuracies hi ȝeue hem ek þer hi wende aboute
Of persones to nyme largeliche þat non nere wiþoute
Seint Edmund was þerto ichose þis prechinge forto do
For he was prechour god ynou & holi man þerto
He nolde of persones nyme noþing ne no spense take
Ac whan persones him bode ouȝt he hit wolde forsake
For he was prechour god ynou & holi man þerto
He nolde of persones nyme noþing ne no spense take
Ac whan persones him bode ouȝt he hit wolde forsake
For whan he seruede Iesu Crist of his owe spense he toc
& of persones & of oþer men ȝiftes he forsoc
He nefurde noȝt as þis arcedeknes ne þis oþere no þe mo
Þat persones & pouere preostes oueral doþ wel wo
As he prechede a dai of þe croiȝ wel longe
A ȝung man wende among þoþere þe croiȝ to afonge
A womman þat him louede anon þo heo iseȝ þis
Hente him bihynde hasteliche & aȝen him drouȝ iwis
As stif as eni bord hire honden bicome anon
Þat heo nemiȝte hem awolde noȝt noþer synues ne bon
& þe hond was ek forcroked heo makede reuliche bere
Seint Edmund bihuld aboute & eschte what hit were
& of persones & of oþer men ȝiftes he forsoc
He nefurde noȝt as þis arcedeknes ne þis oþere no þe mo
Þat persones & pouere preostes oueral doþ wel wo
As he prechede a dai of þe croiȝ wel longe
A ȝung man wende among þoþere þe croiȝ to afonge
A womman þat him louede anon þo heo iseȝ þis
Hente him bihynde hasteliche & aȝen him drouȝ iwis
As stif as eni bord hire honden bicome anon
Þat heo nemiȝte hem awolde noȝt noþer synues ne bon
& þe hond was ek forcroked heo makede reuliche bere
Seint Edmund bihuld aboute & eschte what hit were
Sire merci quaþ þis womman wrecchede ich am ynouȝ
As þis man wolde afonge þe croiȝ a lute ich him wiþdrouȝ
& myn hond is al forcroked wharwiþ ich him nom
In ale wrechede ich am ibroȝt allas þat ich euere her com
Womman quaþ þis holi man woltou þe croice take
If ich miȝte louerd quaþ þis oþer ynolde hire noȝt forsake
Þis womman sat adoun a kneo & of him þe croice nom
& þe crokede hond streiȝte forþ & anonriȝt hol bicom
Heo cride & herede Iesu Crist þis was couþ anon
For þis miracle þer toke þe croiȝ men menion
As þis man wolde afonge þe croiȝ a lute ich him wiþdrouȝ
& myn hond is al forcroked wharwiþ ich him nom
In ale wrechede ich am ibroȝt allas þat ich euere her com
Womman quaþ þis holi man woltou þe croice take
If ich miȝte louerd quaþ þis oþer ynolde hire noȝt forsake
Þis womman sat adoun a kneo & of him þe croice nom
& þe crokede hond streiȝte forþ & anonriȝt hol bicom
Heo cride & herede Iesu Crist þis was couþ anon
For þis miracle þer toke þe croiȝ men menion
In o tyme of þe Roueisouns þis holi man also
Prechede a dai at Oxenford as he hadde ofte ido
In Alle Halewe churchȝerd in þe norþside
Mid þe baners at vnderne as men doþ alonde wide
As þe holi man amidde al þe folc in his preching was best
Þe grislikeste weder þat miȝte beo com fram þe west
Swart & durc & grislich & ouercaste al þan toun
Þe wynd bleu ek so grisliche as al þe wordle scholde adoun
504
In Alle Halewe churchȝerd in þe norþside
Mid þe baners at vnderne as men doþ alonde wide
As þe holi man amidde al þe folc in his preching was best
Þe grislikeste weder þat miȝte beo com fram þe west
Swart & durc & grislich & ouercaste al þan toun
Þe wynd bleu ek so grisliche as al þe wordle scholde adoun
So durk hit was ek þerto þat vneþe me miȝte iseo
Grislikere weder þan hit was nemiȝte an vrþe beo
Þat folc for drede of here cloþes faste gonne to fleo
Abideþ quaþ þis holi man oure Louerd is god & freo
Þis weþer þe deuel bringþ to desturbi Godes lore
Oure Louerd is strengere þan he ne drede ȝe noȝt so sore
He bihuld to God anheȝ & cride milce & ore
To schulde hem fram þe deueles miȝte þat he negreuede hem nomore
Grislikere weder þan hit was nemiȝte an vrþe beo
Þat folc for drede of here cloþes faste gonne to fleo
Abideþ quaþ þis holi man oure Louerd is god & freo
Þis weþer þe deuel bringþ to desturbi Godes lore
Oure Louerd is strengere þan he ne drede ȝe noȝt so sore
He bihuld to God anheȝ & cride milce & ore
To schulde hem fram þe deueles miȝte þat he negreuede hem nomore
Þo he hadde iseid his oreisoun þat weþer bigan to glide
In anoþer half of þe churche al in þoþer side
Þer hit gan dasche adoun hit nolde noleng abide
Þat vneþe þurf þe heȝe strete me miȝte go oþer ride
Ac in þe norþ half of þe churche þer þis gode man stod
Þer neful noȝt a reynes drope to desturbi a manes mod
Ac in þe souþ half of þe heȝe strete hit leide on for wod
Þat al þe stret awatere orn as hit were a gret flod
Þat folc þat fram þe prechinge for doute of reyn drouȝ
Hi þat wende bi þe heȝe strete hadde þerof ynouȝ
Ac þi þat bileuede þere drie & clene were
In anoþer half of þe churche al in þoþer side
Þer hit gan dasche adoun hit nolde noleng abide
Þat vneþe þurf þe heȝe strete me miȝte go oþer ride
Ac in þe norþ half of þe churche þer þis gode man stod
Þer neful noȝt a reynes drope to desturbi a manes mod
Ac in þe souþ half of þe heȝe strete hit leide on for wod
Þat al þe stret awatere orn as hit were a gret flod
Þat folc þat fram þe prechinge for doute of reyn drouȝ
Hi þat wende bi þe heȝe strete hadde þerof ynouȝ
Ac þi þat bileuede þere drie & clene were
Louerd moche is þi miȝte fair miracle was þere
In þe toun of Wircestre ful þulke silue cas
As þis holi man seint Edmund in his preching was
Such weþer þer com ouer him þat [he] drof hit awei also
Me þingþ as bi his lyue fair miracle þer was ido
So wide sprong his holi lyf aboute fur & nher
Þat me ne huld of holinisse in Engelond his per
Imaked he was at Salesbury canoun seculer
Prouendre he hadde of þe hous & was tresourer
Þo he was auanced he tolde þerof lute
He spende aboute pore men þat oþere dude in prute
He spende so moche for Godes loue aboute in almesdede
Þat vneþe he miȝte half a ȝer bi his rente his lyf lede
In þe toun of Wircestre ful þulke silue cas
As þis holi man seint Edmund in his preching was
Such weþer þer com ouer him þat [he] drof hit awei also
Me þingþ as bi his lyue fair miracle þer was ido
So wide sprong his holi lyf aboute fur & nher
Þat me ne huld of holinisse in Engelond his per
505
Prouendre he hadde of þe hous & was tresourer
Þo he was auanced he tolde þerof lute
He spende aboute pore men þat oþere dude in prute
He spende so moche for Godes loue aboute in almesdede
Þat vneþe he miȝte half a ȝer bi his rente his lyf lede
To þabbei of Stanleghe he wende þanne ilome
& soiournede þer for defaute [uorte] his crop [come]
For maistre Steuene of Laxingtone þat abbod was þo þere
His disciple hadde ibeo while hi at scole were
His fille ne et he neueremo þat eni man hit miȝte iseo
Ne as moche as man nede moste in god poynt forto beo
Of him wondrede euerech man þat him iseȝ ete
Hou he miȝte holde his lyf bi so lutel mete
Of god mete nolde he noȝt þeȝ me wolde him bringe
Hit was what lutles þat he et al of grete þinge
Þane dai þat he masse song flesch ne et he non
Ne þe dai þer bifore for noþing þat miȝte gon
Fram þat me lok alleluya forte com Esterday
He ne [et] noþing þat þolede deþ as al þat folc isay
Ne in þe Aduent noþe mo ac þat was lute ynouȝ
Aȝen his oþer penance þat he al day forþ drouȝ
Hit biful þat þe archebischop of Canterbury was ded
Seint Edmund was ichose þerto þurf þe comun red
Þo þe elleccioun was ymaked [] in þe court of Canterbury
Anon hi sende here messager to him to Salesbury
He wende toward Salesbury ac þer nas he noȝt
He fond him in þe toun of Calne þo he was al isoȝt
In his chambre he was priueiliche at his boc wel stille
Ne þerfte noman to him go forto wite his wille
Ac naþeles on þat was him next as hit were his chamberlayn
God teþinge wende to him bringe þerto he was fayn
He tolde him þat he was ichose archebischop to beo
Þis holi man him chidde anon & het him þanne fleo
Beo stille fol he seide ich hote þe & go out hunne anon
Make faste þe dore after þe & ne let noman in gon
To d[e]sturbi me of mi studie ac let me in pays beo
Of þis teþinge he told lute þerbi me miȝte iseo
So fareþ ȝut þis clerkes hi ne wilnyeþ no maistrie
Ne beo ichose to heȝe men for Gode ich wene ich lie
& soiournede þer for defaute [uorte] his crop [come]
For maistre Steuene of Laxingtone þat abbod was þo þere
His disciple hadde ibeo while hi at scole were
His fille ne et he neueremo þat eni man hit miȝte iseo
Ne as moche as man nede moste in god poynt forto beo
Of him wondrede euerech man þat him iseȝ ete
Hou he miȝte holde his lyf bi so lutel mete
Of god mete nolde he noȝt þeȝ me wolde him bringe
Hit was what lutles þat he et al of grete þinge
Þane dai þat he masse song flesch ne et he non
Ne þe dai þer bifore for noþing þat miȝte gon
Fram þat me lok alleluya forte com Esterday
He ne [et] noþing þat þolede deþ as al þat folc isay
Ne in þe Aduent noþe mo ac þat was lute ynouȝ
Aȝen his oþer penance þat he al day forþ drouȝ
Hit biful þat þe archebischop of Canterbury was ded
Seint Edmund was ichose þerto þurf þe comun red
Þo þe elleccioun was ymaked [] in þe court of Canterbury
Anon hi sende here messager to him to Salesbury
He wende toward Salesbury ac þer nas he noȝt
He fond him in þe toun of Calne þo he was al isoȝt
In his chambre he was priueiliche at his boc wel stille
Ne þerfte noman to him go forto wite his wille
Ac naþeles on þat was him next as hit were his chamberlayn
God teþinge wende to him bringe þerto he was fayn
He tolde him þat he was ichose archebischop to beo
Þis holi man him chidde anon & het him þanne fleo
506
Make faste þe dore after þe & ne let noman in gon
To d[e]sturbi me of mi studie ac let me in pays beo
Of þis teþinge he told lute þerbi me miȝte iseo
So fareþ ȝut þis clerkes hi ne wilnyeþ no maistrie
Ne beo ichose to heȝe men for Gode ich wene ich lie
Þis messagers bileuede wiþoute & carefulle were of þoȝt
For þe dai wende forþ & here message nedude hi noȝt
Hi wende for here gode teþinge to beo nobliche vnderfonge
So murie hem þoȝte here semblant þat hem þoȝte þer wel longe
Here ȝiftes hi miȝte eþe bere þat seint Edmund hem caste
Hi bimende & ofþoȝte sore þat hi hiȝede þider so faste
He naros ane fot fram his boc er God þane tyme sende
As he was iwoned anoþer dai ac so forþ wel softe wende
For þe dai wende forþ & here message nedude hi noȝt
Hi wende for here gode teþinge to beo nobliche vnderfonge
So murie hem þoȝte here semblant þat hem þoȝte þer wel longe
Here ȝiftes hi miȝte eþe bere þat seint Edmund hem caste
Hi bimende & ofþoȝte sore þat hi hiȝede þider so faste
He naros ane fot fram his boc er God þane tyme sende
As he was iwoned anoþer dai ac so forþ wel softe wende
Þo he cam out of his chambre þe messagers come
& seide here erande hou hit was he toc þerof lute gome
& seide here erande hou hit was he toc þerof lute gome
Þo þe lettres were irad beau freres he sede
Ich wole loke what mi felawes of þis þing wolleþ rede
In þe chapitre of Salesbury as riȝt is þat ich do
Hi nadde of him non oþer ansuere þo hit alles com þerto
Ich wole loke what mi felawes of þis þing wolleþ rede
In þe chapitre of Salesbury as riȝt is þat ich do
Hi nadde of him non oþer ansuere þo hit alles com þerto
Þe chapitre of Salesbury amorwe was plener
Alle þe canouns of þe queor þer come fur & ner
To consailli him of þisse þinge þe red was sone ido
For gladliche at one worde hi radde him alle þerto
Alle þe canouns of þe queor þer come fur & ner
To consailli him of þisse þinge þe red was sone ido
For gladliche at one worde hi radde him alle þerto
Beoþ stille quaþ þis holi man what schal þis ised
Worþi nam y noȝt þerto nymeþ anoþer red
Certes quaþ þe bischop þo & þe canouns alle also
Nou þu nemiȝt noȝt þer aȝen beo þu most hit nede do
Worþi nam y noȝt þerto nymeþ anoþer red
Certes quaþ þe bischop þo & þe canouns alle also
Nou þu nemiȝt noȝt þer aȝen beo þu most hit nede do
Þe bischop al wepinge cride on him faste
And in obedience him het atte laste
Þat he nescholde noȝt bileue Godes wille to do
To [beo] buxom to Holi Chirche & to al þe lond also
Þo bigan þis holi man to wepe & sike sore
Nou God he seide ous ȝeue his grace his milce & his ore
& ich take God to witnisse & seinte Marie also
Þat if y newende synewi dedliche ynolde neuere hit do
And in obedience him het atte laste
507
To [beo] buxom to Holi Chirche & to al þe lond also
Þo bigan þis holi man to wepe & sike sore
Nou God he seide ous ȝeue his grace his milce & his ore
& ich take God to witnisse & seinte Marie also
Þat if y newende synewi dedliche ynolde neuere hit do
Þo hi ihurde þis word ioyful ynou hi were
Hi nome him vp wiþ ioye ynou & to þe heȝe weued him bere
And Te Deum laudamus songe murie & heȝe
Euere wep þis holi man as þis canouns iseȝe
So þat hi come to Canterbury & dude as riȝt was þere
& archebischop was ymaked vnþonkes þeȝ hit were
Ne þer noman esche þer whar he toke on wel ynouȝ
& wel wissede Holi Churche & to alle godnisse drouȝ
If his lyf was holi er wel betere hit was þo
In penance he was strong ynouȝ in fastinge & oþer wo
He hadde euere of seli men pite & deol ynouȝ
For him þoȝte þat heȝe men dude hem aldai wouȝ
Hi nome him vp wiþ ioye ynou & to þe heȝe weued him bere
And Te Deum laudamus songe murie & heȝe
Euere wep þis holi man as þis canouns iseȝe
So þat hi come to Canterbury & dude as riȝt was þere
& archebischop was ymaked vnþonkes þeȝ hit were
Ne þer noman esche þer whar he toke on wel ynouȝ
& wel wissede Holi Churche & to alle godnisse drouȝ
If his lyf was holi er wel betere hit was þo
In penance he was strong ynouȝ in fastinge & oþer wo
He hadde euere of seli men pite & deol ynouȝ
For him þoȝte þat heȝe men dude hem aldai wouȝ
O tyme on of his pore men wende of lyfdawe
His beste best to heriet me brouȝte as hit [was] lawe
Þo cam þis seli manes wyf þat careful widue was
& mette wiþ þis holi man as oure Louerd ȝaf þat cas
Heo cride on him deolfulliche merci & his ore
& seide bote þat o best lute god heo hadde more
Ne heo nuste in whiche manere for meseise lyue
Heo bad him for Godes loue þat he þe best aȝen hire ȝyue
His beste best to heriet me brouȝte as hit [was] lawe
Þo cam þis seli manes wyf þat careful widue was
& mette wiþ þis holi man as oure Louerd ȝaf þat cas
Heo cride on him deolfulliche merci & his ore
& seide bote þat o best lute god heo hadde more
Ne heo nuste in whiche manere for meseise lyue
Heo bad him for Godes loue þat he þe best aȝen hire ȝyue
Gode womman quaþ þis holi man þu wost wel lawe hit is
Þe chief louerd to habbe þe beste eiȝte whan a man ded is
To his clerkes he seide a Latyn þat heo hit noȝt ne vnderstod
Me þinȝþ hit is a liþer lawe & noþer riȝt ne god
Þe chief louerd to habbe þe beste eiȝte whan a man ded is
To his clerkes he seide a Latyn þat heo hit noȝt ne vnderstod
Me þinȝþ hit is a liþer lawe & noþer riȝt ne god
Þis gode wyf haþ forlore hire louerd þat hire god forþ drouȝ
& to leose after hire beste best me þinȝþ hit were wouȝ
Nis þat on liþer ynouȝ þeȝ heo ne lore þat oþer also
Þurf þe deuel of helle hit is & þurf God noȝt ido
& to leose after hire beste best me þinȝþ hit were wouȝ
508
Þurf þe deuel of helle hit is & þurf God noȝt ido
Gode wyf he seide if ich take þe aȝe þi best to lone
Woltou hit witie to myne bihoue [i]f ich hit esche eftsone
A ȝe sire quaþ þis widue God ȝulde þe þyn ore
Þis widue nom hom hire best & neȝuld hit nomore
Woltou hit witie to myne bihoue [i]f ich hit esche eftsone
A ȝe sire quaþ þis widue God ȝulde þe þyn ore
Þis widue nom hom hire best & neȝuld hit nomore
Þis cas biful meni o tyme whan men bede him ouȝt
Heriet of pore men ne wilnede he riȝt nouȝt
We nemowe nowhar neȝ rekene al his gode dede
For in penance strong ynouȝ his lyf he gan lede
& truliche huld vp Holi Churche & schulde hire fram wouȝ
Þerfore hadde þe deuel of helle enuie gret ynouȝ
He bigan to rere contek bituene hem anon
& kyng Henri þat was þe kynges sone Iohan
Þe kyng & mochedel of þe lond aȝen Holi Churche was
As þe kyng er his grandsire was aȝe seint Thomas
& þe couent ek of Canterbury aȝen seint Edmund hulde faste
Ofte hi nome a louedai ac þe contek euere ilaste
Heriet of pore men ne wilnede he riȝt nouȝt
We nemowe nowhar neȝ rekene al his gode dede
For in penance strong ynouȝ his lyf he gan lede
& truliche huld vp Holi Churche & schulde hire fram wouȝ
Þerfore hadde þe deuel of helle enuie gret ynouȝ
He bigan to rere contek bituene hem anon
& kyng Henri þat was þe kynges sone Iohan
Þe kyng & mochedel of þe lond aȝen Holi Churche was
As þe kyng er his grandsire was aȝe seint Thomas
& þe couent ek of Canterbury aȝen seint Edmund hulde faste
Ofte hi nome a louedai ac þe contek euere ilaste
A legat was þo in Engelonde þat aȝen him was also
Stedefast was þis holi man þeȝ he lute help hadde þerto
Hi nemiȝte acordi for noþing ac þe leng þe wors hit was
Ac þis holi man euere nam his ensample bi seint Thomas
Wel ofte he bad þe king & his consail if hit were here wille
Holi Churche werri noȝt ac in pees lete hire beo stille
Hire franchise as hit was as hit hadde ibeo ȝare
Þe king him þretnede faste anon bote he bileuede his fare
Stedefast was þis holi man þeȝ he lute help hadde þerto
Hi nemiȝte acordi for noþing ac þe leng þe wors hit was
Ac þis holi man euere nam his ensample bi seint Thomas
Wel ofte he bad þe king & his consail if hit were here wille
Holi Churche werri noȝt ac in pees lete hire beo stille
Hire franchise as hit was as hit hadde ibeo ȝare
Þe king him þretnede faste anon bote he bileuede his fare
Of þi þretnynge ich drede lute seide þis holi man
For if þu me dryuest out of londe anoþer red ich can
For ich can go to Parys as ich habbe er ido
& wynne me þer mete ynou & cloþinge þerto
If þu letest me to deþe bringe þu payest me wel ynouȝ
Þu nemiȝtest do me nomore honur þan quelle me wiþ wouȝ
For if þu me dryuest out of londe anoþer red ich can
For ich can go to Parys as ich habbe er ido
& wynne me þer mete ynou & cloþinge þerto
If þu letest me to deþe bringe þu payest me wel ynouȝ
509
Ȝut eft as he dude ofte to þe king he sende
He answerede him þe leng þe wors & nolde noþing amende
Þo þis holi man iseȝ þat hit non oþer nolde beo
Þurf Holi Churche he gan to fiȝte & amansede alle þeo
Þat werrede þe churche of Canterbure & eke dude schame
& somme þat he gulti wiste he amansede bi name
He answerede him þe leng þe wors & nolde noþing amende
Þo þis holi man iseȝ þat hit non oþer nolde beo
Þurf Holi Churche he gan to fiȝte & amansede alle þeo
Þat werrede þe churche of Canterbure & eke dude schame
& somme þat he gulti wiste he amansede bi name
To þe king & his consail þe wor[d] wel sone drouȝ
Ne þer noman esche þo whar hi were wroþ ynouȝ
Þretinge þer was & bost ynouȝ seint Edmund him huld stille
& fast huld vp þe sentence & let hem speke here wille
Ne þer noman esche þo whar hi were wroþ ynouȝ
Þretinge þer was & bost ynouȝ seint Edmund him huld stille
& fast huld vp þe sentence & let hem speke here wille
Seint Thomas com & spac wiþ him & fram heuene aliȝte
& bad him holde vp stabliche Holi Churche riȝte
For non vrþplich anuy ne for deþ ne flecche þu noȝt
Ac nym ensample of me & of oþere þat so deore hire habbeþ iboȝt
& bad him holde vp stabliche Holi Churche riȝte
For non vrþplich anuy ne for deþ ne flecche þu noȝt
Ac nym ensample of me & of oþere þat so deore hire habbeþ iboȝt
Seint Edmund ful adoun akneo & huld vp his hond also
To cusse þis holi manes fet ac he nemoste hit noȝt do
Þo bigan he to wepe sore louerd he seide þin ore
Beo nou stille quaþ seint Thomas ne wep þu so nomore
Whi wilnestou to cusse mi fet hit nere no riȝt to do
Þu schalt nuene þi wille habbe & cusse mi mouþ also
To cusse þis holi manes fet ac he nemoste hit noȝt do
Þo bigan he to wepe sore louerd he seide þin ore
Beo nou stille quaþ seint Thomas ne wep þu so nomore
Whi wilnestou to cusse mi fet hit nere no riȝt to do
Þu schalt nuene þi wille habbe & cusse mi mouþ also
Seint Edmund after þulke tyme stedefast was ynouȝ
To deye raþere for Holi Churche þan me dude hire wouȝ
He þoȝte on seint Thomas hou he out of londe wende
Þe while þe king was in mest wraþþe if he wolde amende
Ensample he nom of him & priueiliche ynouȝ
Wende him out of Engelond & into France drouȝ
He þoȝte ek þat at Ponteney he was faire vnderfonge
& isustened in his anuy þat ileste swiþe longe
& also Steuene of Langetone þat archebischop was
Six ȝer was at Ponteney in þulke silue cas
So þat seint Edmund vnderstod of his ancestres ynowe
Whan contek was of Holi Churche þat to Ponteney drowe
To deye raþere for Holi Churche þan me dude hire wouȝ
He þoȝte on seint Thomas hou he out of londe wende
Þe while þe king was in mest wraþþe if he wolde amende
Ensample he nom of him & priueiliche ynouȝ
Wende him out of Engelond & into France drouȝ
He þoȝte ek þat at Ponteney he was faire vnderfonge
& isustened in his anuy þat ileste swiþe longe
& also Steuene of Langetone þat archebischop was
Six ȝer was at Ponteney in þulke silue cas
So þat seint Edmund vnderstod of his ancestres ynowe
Whan contek was of Holi Churche þat to Ponteney drowe
510
Also dude seint Edmund to Ponteney he wende
To abide þe stat of Holi Churche whan oure Louerd hit wolde amende
Honured he was þer ynouȝ of alle þat þer were
& euere abod amendement fram ȝere to ȝere
To abide þe stat of Holi Churche whan oure Louerd hit wolde amende
Honured he was þer ynouȝ of alle þat þer were
& euere abod amendement fram ȝere to ȝere
Hit biful þat seint Edmund as God wolde atte laste
Velde his bodi heuy ynouȝ & febli wel faste
So longe þat he was so feble þat me neradde him noȝt beo þere
Ac to soiourny elleswhar whar betere eyr were
Velde his bodi heuy ynouȝ & febli wel faste
So longe þat he was so feble þat me neradde him noȝt beo þere
Ac to soiourny elleswhar whar betere eyr were
Þis holi man his leue nom elleswhoder to wende
Þe monekes makede so moche deol þat hit nas non ende
Beoþ stille quaþ þis gode man fare ich wole þurf alle þinge
& come aȝe hider to ȝou a seint Edmundes day þe kynge
Louerd in such siknisse which word þer was ised
Ac whan he nemiȝte noȝt alyue foreward he huld ded
Þe monekes makede so moche deol þat hit nas non ende
Beoþ stille quaþ þis gode man fare ich wole þurf alle þinge
& come aȝe hider to ȝou a seint Edmundes day þe kynge
Louerd in such siknisse which word þer was ised
Ac whan he nemiȝte noȝt alyue foreward he huld ded
Forþ he wende wiþ his men þer god eyr were
To þe toun of Soycie & bileuede þere
Þer [he] ȝeode so longe as hit was in siknisse ynouȝ
So longe þat he lai adoun & to þe deþe drouȝ
To þe toun of Soycie & bileuede þere
Þer [he] ȝeode so longe as hit was in siknisse ynouȝ
So longe þat he lai adoun & to þe deþe drouȝ
So þat he eschte oure Louerdes flesch & hit was him ibrouȝt
He sat & bihuld hit faste ynouȝ in studie & in þoȝt
Longe hit was er he spac eni þing & þo he seide myldeliche
Louerd he seide þu hit ert þat ich habbe iloued truliche
& truliche on þe bileoued & ipreched of þe also
And þu truliche at myn endedai ert icome me to
Ich take þe Louerd to witnisse þe while ich haue her an vrþe ibeo
Noþing elles y newilnede Louerd bote þe
Louerd þat þis was an heȝ word & he þat þus sede
God & holi moste he beo & holi lyf lede
He sat & bihuld hit faste ynouȝ in studie & in þoȝt
Longe hit was er he spac eni þing & þo he seide myldeliche
Louerd he seide þu hit ert þat ich habbe iloued truliche
& truliche on þe bileoued & ipreched of þe also
And þu truliche at myn endedai ert icome me to
Ich take þe Louerd to witnisse þe while ich haue her an vrþe ibeo
Noþing elles y newilnede Louerd bote þe
Louerd þat þis was an heȝ word & he þat þus sede
God & holi moste he beo & holi lyf lede
Þo he hadde ynome oure Louerdes flesch he sat longe in þoȝte
& al laȝinge an Englisch þuse wordes forþ broȝte
Me saiþ game goþ a wombe & ich sigge game goþ an hurte
& in his bed þer he lai vpriȝt he sturte
In oure Louerd þat he hadde ynome wel ioyful he was þo
& al his game was in hurte for his bodi was wel wo
Þe more his bodi pynede þe nher he was his ende
& whan he were of þisse lyue he wiste whoder wende
Þerfore þe more he was in siknisse & in wo
& al laȝinge an Englisch þuse wordes forþ broȝte
511
& in his bed þer he lai vpriȝt he sturte
In oure Louerd þat he hadde ynome wel ioyful he was þo
& al his game was in hurte for his bodi was wel wo
Þe more his bodi pynede þe nher he was his ende
& whan he were of þisse lyue he wiste whoder wende
Þerfore þe more he was in siknisse & in wo
Þe gladdere he was for he wiste whoder he scholde go
& þe more he loȝ in ioye ynouȝ & þe muriere him gan like
Me nuste him noȝt enes ligge adoun ne gronye ne sike
& sat euere glad ynouȝ & lynede wel ofte
Vpe cloþes oþer vpe his hond as þeȝ he deide softe
So fair semblant ne makede he non as þo he was atan ende
In þe morweninge as þe sonne aros out of þis wordle he gan wende
He deide tuelf hondred ȝer & tuo & fourti riȝt
After þat oure suete Louerd in his moder was aliȝt
Me let him openi anon & his guttes take
& burie þer as he was ded in þe minstre of seint Iake
& his holi bodi me nam & faire let hit lede
& þe more he loȝ in ioye ynouȝ & þe muriere him gan like
Me nuste him noȝt enes ligge adoun ne gronye ne sike
& sat euere glad ynouȝ & lynede wel ofte
Vpe cloþes oþer vpe his hond as þeȝ he deide softe
So fair semblant ne makede he non as þo he was atan ende
In þe morweninge as þe sonne aros out of þis wordle he gan wende
He deide tuelf hondred ȝer & tuo & fourti riȝt
After þat oure suete Louerd in his moder was aliȝt
Me let him openi anon & his guttes take
& burie þer as he was ded in þe minstre of seint Iake
& his holi bodi me nam & faire let hit lede
To þe abbai of Ponteney as he him silf sede
A seint Edmundes dai þe king þider he was ibroȝt
Foreward he huld þis monekes & nefaillede hem noȝt
For þo he necom noȝt aȝe alyue ded he com iwis
& þer he was ibroȝt an vrþe & also ischryned is
& lyþ þer faire ynou & wiþ gret honur also
Meni is þe faire miracle þat God haþ for him þer ido
Nou for his loue we biddeþ God þat ous deore bouȝte
Bringe ous to þe heȝ blis þat he his soule to brouȝte
A seint Edmundes dai þe king þider he was ibroȝt
Foreward he huld þis monekes & nefaillede hem noȝt
For þo he necom noȝt aȝe alyue ded he com iwis
& þer he was ibroȝt an vrþe & also ischryned is
& lyþ þer faire ynou & wiþ gret honur also
Meni is þe faire miracle þat God haþ for him þer ido
Nou for his loue we biddeþ God þat ous deore bouȝte
Bringe ous to þe heȝ blis þat he his soule to brouȝte
Amen
| The South English Legendary | |