p21
Notation:
   Special characters and markings are denoted by an = sign followed by one of
the code letters listed below, e.g. upper case Yogh is written as =Y, and
uppercase Thorn is =#.
   In some cases, the marking can extend over several characters, and in these
cases =X followed by the code is used as an end marker, e.g. the line number
120 is written =n120=Xn.


CH|Description                          |ch|description
- |-                                    |- |-
C |continued on next line               |c |
D |Capitulum line mark.                 |d |
F |folio ref, =XF end.                  |f |funnel on, =Xf off.
G |Types margin mark, Ch 1-42, =XG end. |g |margin mark for Tales, ch 43-45.
H |margin mark for Joys, ch 43-45.      |h |
I |Italic on, =XI off.                  |i |
N |                                     |n |line-no, ends Xn.
O |(no uc. ash in this text)            |o |l.c. ash.
S|superscript, off =XS.                 |s |
V |virgule.                             |v |
X |never alone, always means off.       |x |
Y |u.c yogh.                            |y |l.c. yogh.
# |u.c. thorn.                          |$ |l.c. thorn.

The text is published:   The Mirour of Mans Saluacioune.  Ed. Avril Henry.
Aldershot: Scolar Press, 1986.  ISBN 0-85967-716-8.  Copyright Avril Henry.
Address:  School of English, Queen's Building, Queen's Drive, University of
Exeter, EXETER, Devon EX4  4QH. (Tel: 0392 264252 or message 264268).
(e-mail: HENRY@EXETER)

Editorial Procedure.
Editorial emendations are contained by square brackets [ ].  Material missing
or obscured in the manuscript is contained by curly brackets { }.  Scribal
insertions are contained in funnels =f =Xf.  Expansion of contractions
is indicated by the use of italics =I =XI.  Material found in the Latin
source but absent in the Middle English is supplied in modern English and
italicised.

PROHEMIUM

In name of God almyghti, =$=Ie=XI blyssed Trinitee
In o substaunce vntwynned and eure in p=Ier=XIsones thre,
And in Our=Ie=XI Laydis hono=Iur=XI, hevenes sou=Ier=XIeyne qwene,
=#=Iat=XI most myne hert & hand gou=Ier=XIne if wele shall bene,
An for some of my freendes plesance in speciall,
And p=Iro=XIfit of Cresten folk vnlerned in gen=Ier=XIall,
And for increse of grace and also sawles mede,
Thenk I a buke t=Ira=XInslat--God lyking me to spede--
Fro Latyn of now late a compilacione.
=n10=Xn"The Mirour=Ie=XI" is named it "of Mannes Saluacione",
And in this bokes p=Iro=XIheme be chapitles frist write I
The maters & the estories eu=Ier=XIylkone by and by,
That who to studie =$=Ie=XI p=Iro=XIheme has grete lyst to asay,
Ful ethe in schort may he =$=Ie=XI boke bere all away.

The fryst chapitle telles the fall of Lucyfere,
And to what hono=Iur=XI Adam & his wife made were;

The secund of p=Iar=XIadys lost for Godd maundement brekyng,
And of the exile of man the pynefull lang lastyng.
The fyrst two chapitles spekes of our=Ie=XI dampnacione,
=n20=XnThas other=Ie=XI after tovches till our=Ie=XI saluacione.
Take hede in ilka chapitle the c=Ier=XItein guyse es this,
That of the New Law forthemast a sothe reherced is
To whilk sothe suwyngly out of the Testament Olde
Thre stories ilk after other appliables shall be tolde
For to make feling p=Iro=XIve of the forsaid sothfastnes
Be God schewed of olde tyme be figuratif lyknesse.

And than the thredde chapitle makes plener=Ie=XI mencio=Iu=XIne
Of Our=Ie=XI gloryous Lady seintified concepcio=Iu=XIne,
Als when =$=Iat=XI God in erth liked man to be borne,
=n30=XnBe ry[=y]t nedes his moder=Ie=XI most be sent hym toforne
Kyng Astiage & his doght=Ier=XI (and eke =$=Ie=XI seled welle,
The gardyn close an=fd=Xf Balaam sterre) fig=Iur=XIed how this befelle:
Till Astiage was shewed his doght=Ier=XI suld bryng furth a kyng,
To Joachim, his doght=Ier=XI suld bere a kyng, Lord of all thyng.
This sterr=Ie=XI was in hir=Ie=XI moders blissed wombe seintifide,
In stormes of this werldis see to ryght haven vs to guyde.

The ferthe chapitle telles of Oure Ladis natiuytee,
Figured in the =yerd p=Iro=XIphecide to spryng of =$=Ie=XI rote of Jesse,
And be the shet=ft=Xfe =yate shewed to the p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIe Ezechie,
=n40=XnAnd be the Temple Salomon belded to God noblye;
For Our=Ie=XI Lady that come of the ligne of Jesse
The forsaid =yate and Temple condignely shuld be.=Ff.1=Sv=XS=XF

The fift chapitle vs telles Oure Ladys oblacio=Iu=XIne
In the Temple, by thre figures of p=Ire=XImonst=Ira=XIcio=Iu=XIne:
The so=In=XInes borde, offered sometyme in the temple mat=Ier=XIiale,
Signed Oure Lady offerred in the Temple of the so=In=XIne et=Ier=XInale;
And be the doght=Ier=XI of Jepte offred to God thogh indiscretly,
Was Mary fig=Iur=XIed, offred to God most p=Ier=XIfittely.
Out of the garding suspensil beheld the qwhene of P=Ier=XIce hir lande,
=n50=XnAnd Mary in Goddes Temple was eu=Ier=XI heven contemplande.

The syxte chapitle telles whi Oure Lady was wedded,
The whilk be thre exsamples was eke p=Ire=XIfigured:
Be Sara, Raguels doght=Ier=XI, wedded vnto men seven
And ma=fy=Xfden neu=Ier=XI =$=Ie=XI lesse, be Godd=Ies=XI grace of hegh heven;
And be the tour=Ie=XI of Baris whilk was so verray stronge
That all the werld fro two men w=Iith=XI force moght noght it fonge;
And als on Dauid toure wer=Ie=XI thovzand sheldes hanginge,
So wer=Ie=XI in Our=Ie=XI Lady Mary innou=Im=XIbrable vertus schinyng.

The sevent chapitle says how Our=Ie=XI Ladye was w=Iith=XI childe,
=n60=XnForshowed be thre fig=Iur=XIes of =$=Iat=XI ma=fy=Xfden most mylde:
The brennyng busshe, & the flese bedewed be myr=Ia=XIcle sing=Iu=XIler=Ie=XI,
Rebekka gaf at drynke til Abrahams camels & his messager=Ie=XI.

The eght chapitle tellis how Jh=Ies=XIu Cryst was borne,
And how =$=Iat=XI thre figures p=Ior=XItended it lange toforne:
The =yerde of Aaron, the veigne of Pharaos boteller=Ie=XI,
A mayden be Sibille seen in =fa=Xf c=Ier=XIcle of the sonne clere.

The nynte chapitle also tellis of the Ephiphanye
t
P=Ire=XIfigurd be the sterr=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI thre kynges of the Est come by,
The stronge men =$=Iat=XI =ffro=Xf Bedlem vnto Dauid thar=Ie=XI kyng
=n70=XnBroght watir=Ie=XI, & Salamons throne, thilk wonder=Ie=XI thing.

The teenth chapitle is how Our=Ie=XI Ladie to the Temple came
And offerd hir sonne Crist, Goddes verray Son and wysdame;
This p=Ire=XIfigured the Testamentis Arche made be Besleel,
The golden candelabr=Ie=XI & the offring to God of childe Samuel.

The ellevent chapitle how all the ydoles of Egypt ou=Ier=XItrw
When Marie and Joseph entred =$=Iat=XI same land wyth Jh=Ies=XIu.
This fortakned a virginis ymage w=Iith=XI hir childe figurelly
Sette vp in Egipt sometyme be Jeremies p=Iro=XIphecie,
Be Phar=fa=Xfos coroune also =$=Iat=XI Moyses brast, & be the stone
=n80=XnWhilk al to-frushed the ymage w=Iith=XIouten handes onone.

The twelft chapitle vs tellis how Crist was baptized,
Whilk thing be the brazen see was wele p=Ire=XIfigured,
Be Naaman lepre =$=Iat=XI in flom Jordane heled wasse,=Ff.2=Sr=XS=XF
And be the same flvme drye whils Gods folk suld ou=Ier=XI passe.

The threttenth seith how the feende temptid Our Lord Jh=Ies=XIu,
And Crist in glutt=Ier=XIye, in pryde and au=Iar=XIyce the devil overthrwe.
The first victorye p=Ire=XIfigured--full longe tofore--Daniell
That slewe the grete dragoun and distrued the godde Bell;
The secunde, the kyng Dauid when he Golias ouerthrwe;
=n90=XnThe thrid, when he the lyone and the bere also slwe.

The fourtenth is how =$=Iat=XI Crist forgaf Mavdelen Marie,
And forgiffes synners all =$=Iat=XI trewly m=Ier=XIcy will crye.
Loke this in Manasses =$=Iat=XI synned ou=Ier=XI the gravell of the see,
Whame God repentant delyvred out of captiuytee,
And in thilk pyest fader=Ie=XI till his fole-wastour=Ie=XI son,
In avotrer Dauid & manwheller=Ie=XI penaunce done.

In the fiftenth, how Crist on Palm So=In=XInonday wept pitously,
How he was receyvid, & chaced out of the Temple m=Iar=XIchands fiers[l]y.
The first was p=Ire=XIfigured in the lamentacio=Iu=XIne of Jeremye,
=n100=XnThe second in hono=Iur=XI gyven Dauid aft=Ier=XI the slaght=Ier=XI=C
 of Golie,
The thred, i=Id est=XI Crist flagellac=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne, Helyodr=Ie=XI=C
 fig=Iur=XIed tofore
=#=Iat=XI for the dispoillyng of God=Ies=XI Temple boght full sore.

The sextenth chapitle of Cristes soper makes mencio=Iu=XIne
That in the manna had arst p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIacio=Iu=XIne,
And in the lambe paschal also done to the dede,
And in Melchisedek offryng til Abrah=Ia=XIm wyne & brede.

The sevententh, how Cryst enemys tofor him fell ilkone.
This fig=Iur=XIed Samson =$=Iat=XI slew a thouzand men in ane asse cheke bone,
And Sangar =$=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI a plogh sokke of men sex hundreth slogh,
=n110=XnEght hundreth Dauid in a birre, this is trew thing ynogh.

The eghtenth chapitle tellis of Judas & cosse & the t=Ira=XIyto=Iur=XIye,
And how =$=Iat=XI Lord for luf was behated of Juerye.
This fig=Iur=XIed Joab =$=Iat=XI kyssed Amasay be tresoune,
And Saul Kyng p=Ier=XIsuyng Dauid a=yeinst resoune;
Eke wikked Kayme p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed this same thyng=Ie=XI wele ynogh
When he his brothir Abell causeles be enuye slogh.

The nynetenth sais how C=Iri=XIstis visage hidde was dispisid,
Japed and all bespitted, scorned & colaphizid.
The mawmetiers vnto =$=Ie=XI =yette calf of gold p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed=C
 thes thinges,
=n120=Xn=#=Iat=XI choked to deth Vre =$=Iat=XI blamed thaym w=Iith=XI=C
 thayr spittinges,
And Cham =$=Iat=XI scorned his fader=Ie=XI wikkydly lange toforne,
And the Philistiens whilk Samson blinded & loght to scorne.

The twentith chapitle tellis how C=Iri=XIst was w=Iith=XI sco=Iur=XIgis=C
 swongyn,
Figured in Achior Prince vntill a tree fast bonden,=Ff.2=Sv=XS=XF
And be Lamech wham his two wyves sore to=Iur=XImentid,
For so two maner=Ie=XI folkes Our=Ie=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu Crist sore scourgid.
The payens bett him w=Iith=XI sco=Iur=XIgis & w=Iith=XI scharp =yerd=Ies=XI=C
 eke,
The Juys stroke hym w=Iith=XI reprowes and wikked tongis vnmeke;
And Job wham Satan stroke w=Iith=XI bocchis fig=Iur=XIid this,
=n130=XnTo wham his wife rep=Iro=XIvyng thareto did mykell amys.

In the on and twentyth capitle is how Crist was coroned,
Scorned & bespitted, and many a way dishono=Iur=XIed.
This Zorobabell schewed be Appimen the concubine,
That till a grete kyng didde oftsith both schame and pyne,
And Semei whilk =$=Iat=XI the kynge Dauid foully missaide,
And also w=Iith=XI mire and stones & w=Iith=XI stokkes on him laide.
Kynge Amon of Amonytes forschewed this thing also,
Doyng to Dauid messag=Ier=XIs for pece dispite and woo.
The two and twentith how Crist the Crosse bare on his bak;
=n140=XnThis beryng wodde for sacrifice p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed Ysaak,
And the heyre of =$=Ie=XI vyn=yerde casten out dispitusly,
And be the tylmen of =$=Ie=XI =yerde slayne yvel & bitt=Ier=XIly;
And the m=Ier=XIveillous grape-clustre was of =$=Iis=XI figuracioune
Whilk two men broght to desert out of the land of promissio=Iu=XIne;
For so was Crist be two folke ledde out of Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm creuwellye,
And putt to deth foullest in the mownt of Caluery.

The xxiii chapitle seith [h]ow Crist was na=fy=Xfled on Rode tree.
And p=Ira=XIyed for his crucyfio=Iur=XIs of his ineffable pitee.
Jubal, fynder of musik, fig=Iur=XIed this thing p=Iro=XIperelye,
=n150=XnFinding in Tubalkaym hamers the tunes of melodye.
So Crist, as he was ruthfully hamerd apon the Croce,
Songe to his Fadir=Ie=XI of heven in a full swete voice:
So swete and faire was it, and full of all dulcoure,
=#=Iat=XI it convertid thre thovzand men in =$=Iat=XI ilk one houre;
And Ysay this crucifixioune also p=Ire=XIfigured,
Wham Manasses w=Iith=XI a sawe of tree slew and dep=Iar=XItid.
=IIt was prefigured by King [Moab] when he would sacrifice his son=C
 to the Lord=XI
=ISo that God should release his city from the siege.=XI

In the four=Ie=XI & twentith er=Ie=XI thre thinges whilk=C
 be p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIacio=Iu=XIne
=n160=XnP=Ior=XItend of Our=Ie=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu the deth and his passioune:
The grete tree =$=Iat=XI Nabugodonosor see slepyng, as bukes telle,
Whilk Gods aungel him thoght co=Im=XImanded dovne for to felle,
Bot the rote =$=Ier=XIof in erth to leve forthwyth he bede,
For thogh C=Iri=XIst wald be slayne, =yit wolde he rise fro dede;
Secunde, Kynge Codrus fortakened Crist=Ies=XI deth fig=Iur=XIatif,
Whilk for to sauve his folk o free will lost his lif;
Eleazar=Ie=XI be his avne deth the b=fe=Xfeste to deth nuyed,=Ff.3=Sr=XS=XF
So Crist, for he wald dye, oure deth foreur=Ie=XI destruyed.

The fyve and twentith chapitle tellis vs apertly how
=n170=XnAft=Ier=XI his deth thes Juys scorned Oure Lord Jh=Ies=XIu.
This fig=Iur=XIid Micholl =$=Iat=XI logh Dauid hir=Ie=XI lord to scorne
Playing before the Archa D=Iomi=XIni when it was borne;
And moreou=Ier=XI scho lykned hym till harlots and ribavdes
=#=Iat=XI naknes thaym tofor men to pleye and make thair=Ie=XI gavdes.
This fig=Iur=XIed Absolon =$=Iat=XI was w=Iith=XI thre speres slane,
And aft=Ier=XI w=Iith=XI Joab sqvyers swordes borne thurgh a=yeyne;
So Crist w=Iith=XI thre diu=Ier=XIse sorowes was to=Iur=XImentid,
And ou=Ier=XI =$=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI swordes of crewell tonges dishono=Iur=XIyd.
Thus many folkes crucifies full oftsyth new and new--
=n180=XnWittenes Seint Poule pistle--Our=Ie=XI sufferane Lord Jh=Ies=XIu;
And this [Ev]illmeradak, the kinge wikked, p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIid
When he his fadirs body eft=Ier=XI deth vnherthid
And made it in gobbets kitt thre hundreth in one hovre,
And toke it till als many vovtours for to devovre.

The sex and twentith chapitle; of Our=Ie=XI Lady pitee
In old time openly was fortakened in fig=Iur=XIes thre:
Frist, in Jacob sorowing so longe inconsolably
When he his dere sonnes cote see al to-rent and blody;
And eke Oure Ladis doele fig=Iur=XIid Adam and Eue
=n190=XnSorowing =$=Ier=XI sonnes deth ane hundreth =yere, I leve--
And scho hir childres deth, =$=Iat=XI wald noght hatte "Neomy"
Bot bade to calle hire "Mara" (=$=Iat=XI is, "bitt=Ier=XI" or "sory").

The sevene and twentith tellis of the sepult=Iur=XIe of Jh=Ies=XIu
And of his modirs sorowyng, whilk all the werld myght rewe.
This fig=Iur=XIed Dauid the kyng tofor =$=Iat=XI many a =yere,
With sorowe and wepyng teres fylowyng at Abners bere;
And Joseph put in the cisterne, also this fig=Iur=XIid hee,
And Jonas =$=Iat=XI of a whall beswelowed was in the see.

In the eght and twentith chapitle is how Crist entred hell
=n200=XnTo glad oure haly fadres in lymbo, as clerkes tell,
Also thre childer in the oven whilk the a=Iu=XIngell kept fro hete,
And Daniell in =$=Ie=XI lake of lyo=Iu=XIns =$=Iat=XI be Abacuc had mete,
And the struttio=Iu=XIne w=Iith=XI a wormes blode of desert somtyme wasse
Delyured hir briddes, be Salomon thanne closed w=Iith=XIinne a glasse.

In the twenty and nynth is how the feend be Crist ou=Ier=XIcome=In=XI wasse,
Whilk thing fig=Iur=XIed tofor the stronge man Bananyas
In the cisterne o tyme descending till a lyo=Iu=XIne,
And onely with his staffe to deth he storke him doune;=Ff.3=Sv=XS=XF
And also the lyon al to-rentte be Sampson,
=n210=XnAnd be Ayoth =$=Iat=XI styked ones the fatte Kinge Eglon.

The threttith is how Marie ou=Ier=XIcame the feend vertuously,
And als our=Ie=XI modere gloriouse has venged vs on oure enmy;
For all =$=Iat=XI Our=Ie=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu soeffred in his passioune
Our=Ie=XI Ladie tholed in sawle be moderfull compassioune.
For als Crist be his passio=Iu=XIne the feend endelesly ou=Ier=XIcame,
Our=Ie=XI Ladie be hir compassio=Iu=XIne be hym didde ryght the same;
And Judith eke fig=Iur=XIed this in the prince Olofern slayne,
And Jael =$=Iat=XI nayled Sisara thorgh his temples into the brayne;
Also be Qwen Thamar=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI Cyrus heved ofbraid=Ie=XI,
=n220=XnAnd aft=Ier=XI in a fulle potte of mans blode scho it laide,
And said, "Thi thrust to shedde mans blode was neu=Ier=XI wery.
Spare noght, lat see, to drinke ynogh and be mery."

In the one and thretith, how Crist the seints out of hell delyvrid,
The Juys whilk passyng out of Egipt p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed,
And Abrah=Ia=XIm wham God delyvrid out of Vr=Ie=XI in Chaldee,
And Loth fro Sodoms sinkyng for his sing=Iu=XIler=Ie=XI bo=Iu=XIntee.

The two and thretith, how Crist fro dede to lyve vprase
Shewes, be Sampson=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI ones struyed the =yates of Gaze,
Be Jonas passing the thredde day out of the wombe of =$=Ie=XI qwall,
=n230=XnAnd be the reproved stone sett vp the cornar=Ie=XI of the wall.

The thre and threttith telles how Crist stegh vntill heven.
This takned Jacobs leddir, als bokes kan pleyner=Ie=XI neven;
Also the founden shepe broght home =$=Iat=XI arst was lorne,
And Elye =$=Iat=XI in a cart of fire to p=Iar=XIadise was borne.
In the foure and threttith chapitle is of the Haly Gayst sendyng,
And sciens of all tonges to Crist disciples bringyng.
This takned the fyrst tonge departid so diu=Ier=XIsly,
And eke the Lawe also gyven in Mo=Iu=XInte Synay,
And to the wydowe of oyle the encrees & aboundaunce,
=n240=XnFor all hir vessell voide, at Heliseus instaunce.

The fyve and threttith, Our=Ie=XI Ladies doel aft=Ier=XI C=Iri=XIstis=C
 ascens=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne,
Figured be Toby wife in absence of hir=Ie=XI son,
And be the woman =$=Iat=XI soght the lost dra=Im=XIme in hir=Ie=XI house,
And the doelefull Michol for hir bereft spouse.

The sex and threttith fig=Iur=XIes the assumpcio=Iu=XIne of O=Iur=XI Ladie:
How Dauid broght Gods Arche vntil his house festivaylye,
And be the grete signe in heuen appering to Seinte John,
And be Salomon =$=Iat=XI sette his modir=Ie=XI in right halfe of his throne.

The seven and threttith, how Oure Ladie excused this werld to hir=Ie=XI son,
=n250=XnAls sometyme to Seinte Benet was shwed in avision,=Ff.4=Sr=XS=XF
When Oure Lord toward this werld shoke thre speres wrothly,
And Oure Ladie putt hir betwix and turned his ire to mercy.
This fig=Iur=XIed Nabals gude wife =$=Iat=XI Dauid ire amesid,
And the woman Theucuytes whilk Absolo=Iu=XIn til his fadir=Ie=XI plesed;
And this fig=Iur=XIed the woman in the citee Abela,
Breking the sege of Joab, gyven him the heved of Syba.

The eght and threttith is how Gods modir=Ie=XI is oure p=Iro=XItectrice
Ageyns Goddes ire, the fendes gildres and fraude of this werld nice.
The fyrst figured Tharbis =$=Iat=XI sauved Saba fro Moyses,
=n260=XnThe secunde scho =$=Iat=XI Abimalech delyu=Ier=XIed the=C
 to=Iur=XI of Thebes,
The thredde p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed Micol =$=Iat=XI lete out hir=Ie=XI housebonde
At a window, and him sauved fro Sauls his enemy honde.

In the nyne and threttith chapitle is how Our=Ie=XI Lord Jhesus
Shewes to his Fadir his woundes, the moder=Ie=XI hir so=Iu=XIn for vs
Hir=Ie=XI hevenfull sucrish breestes, for synfull man prayng--
How suld oght be w=Iith=XIseide vnto thus swete asking?
Shewing his woundes errys, this figured Antipater=Ie=XI,
And prayng for the Juys till Assure King, Ester=Ie=XI.

In the fouretith chapitle is of the day of dome than,
=n270=XnWhilk thing be p=Iar=XIable figured thilk noble man
That toke his seru=Iau=XInts, his gude & went in ferr=Ie=XI regio=Iu=XIne
And, taken the regne, came home and asked of tham reso=Iu=XIne;
And the wise virgines =$=Iat=XI oele vnto the fole maydens denyed,
For thare none oyle of merecy to the dampned bes aspyed.
This takned also "Mane, techel, phares" scripsione,
That is for to say, noumbr=Ie=XI, weght and divisione;
For that dome salle be treted be noumbr=Ie=XI and appensio=Iu=XIne
And ended of wikked fro the gude be eendeles remocio=Iu=XIne.
The one and fourtith chapitle is of the =fh=Xforrible payns of hell,
=n280=XnAnd =$=Iat=XI p=Ire=XIfigured Dauid in slaght=Ier=XI=C
 of his enemyes fell,
For some were dismenbred w=Iith=XI knyves, and some w=Iith=XI sawes he suwe,
W=Iith=XI cart=Ies=XI were some ou=Ier=XIgone and other he al to-druwe
And Gedeon figured this on men =$=Iat=XI gave him scornes,
Wham he made al to-drawe w=Iith=XI brer[es] and w=Iith=XI sharp thornes;
And Pharao with his grete ost this thing p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed hee
Wham God ones al togider=Ie=XI drowned in the rede see.
So sall the dampned at the last, w=Iith=XI alle the feends cruwell,
Be God wham =$ai displeysid be closed for eu=Ier=XI in hell.

The two and fourtith remembre the joye & the solace
=n290=XnThat seints sall haue in heven tofor Gods worthi face.=Ff.4=Sv=XS=XF
This moght fulle wele fig=Iur=XIe of Salomon the storye,
Like whame we rede no man =$=Iat=XI lyved in erthly glorie.
Also p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed this the feest of Assuer=Ie=XI kyng:
We rede thar=Ie=XI made no moo a feest so longe lastyng.
The feestis shewed this also made be the childer=Ie=XI of Jope,
For of so many of othir=Ie=XI contynuyd we =fne=Xf rede, I hope.

The thre and fouretith tellis how is to eschuwe hell payne,
And how the joye of heven forlost salle com agayne.
If we desire the joye and think the payne to flee
=n300=XnWho will helpe Crist his Crosse to bere w=Iith=XI him late see;
And how this Lord is holpen this hevy charge for to bere,
Loke in this ilk chapitle and fynde it clerely there.

The foure and fouretith comp=Ire=XIhendes seven sorows of Marie,
Tholed for hir one dere so=Iu=XIn in erth full tendrely.

The fyve and fourtith & the last declares hir=Ie=XI swete joyes seven=Ie=XI,
In whilk of all this boke the werke is eendid even=Ie=XI.=Ff.5=Sr=XS=XF






















=DCapitulum i=Sm=XS
The Myroure of Ma=In=XInes Kynde Saluacioune begynnes here,
In whilk man may his falle and hir=Ie=XI reparing lere,
And how God of his myght and his grete gudelynesse
=n310=XnMade man in saule for luf vntill his awne lyknesse,
And how the devile be fraude wroght our=Ie=XI dampnacio=Iu=XIne,
And eft God of his grace refo=Iur=XImed vs to pardo=Iu=XIne.
=Ga=XGAgeins his Creato=Iur=XI rose Lucyfere the cruwell,
And in a mo[m]ent fell he fro hegh heven vnto hell;
And God of his gudenesse wald make mankynde =$=Ier=XIfore
The falle of Lucifere and his for to restore.
Wharefore the envyous feend thoght make man to be shent,
And thorgh his sleght lede hym to breke Gods co=Im=XImandment.
And then this feend be fraude a s=Ier=XIpents kynde him chace,
=n320=XnWhilk =yede vpright =$=Iat=XI tyme and bare a womans face,
In wham this wright of deth entred full wilyly,
And be word of =$=Iat=XI movth begilt the woman slely.
He thoght to tempe hir=Ie=XI firste (in bokes als =y=Ie=XI may see,
Halding Adam more warre, more wyse, more avysee).
Whils scho was fro the man come he to hir=Ie=XI in hye,
For rather man fallis soelle than in gude companye,
And thus this wily feend, deceving Eue thus eth,
Broght in on all mankynde the rightwise dome of deth.
In Damacens feelde =Inota=XI =$=Iat=XI God made man,
=n330=XnTo p=Iar=XIadys of delice and translatid him than.
=Gb=XGIn p=Iar=XIadys, als we rede, the woman to=fke=Xf hir=Ie=XI makinge
Of one of Adames ribbes whils =$=Iat=XI he laye slepinge;
And thus above the man the woman had in thatte
Hono=Iur=XI als be the place of hir=Ie=XI makinge somwhatte,
Also scho was noght made, als man, of erthis slyme,
Bot of manes fleshe and bone, als God wald in that tyme.
=Gc=XGNoght of the fote, for that man shuld noght hir=Ie=XI despise,
Nor of the heved, for scho be pride shuld noght ou=Ier=XIrise,
Bot of the manes syde, als we rede, made was schee,
=n340=XnFor helpe till hir=Ie=XI huseband and felowe =$=Iat=XI scho shuld bee;
And if this hono=Iur=XI [yet] sho had kept in swete mekeness
Thare shuld neu=Ier=XI man o lyve hafe done woman distresse;
Bot for, trowinge the devel, sho wald be like to God,
Sho hase descerved forthi to soeffre of manes rod.
=Gd=XGThe woman trowed the feend & noght the man, soth is,
Bot he till hir=Ie=XI assented, alle wer=Ie=XI it maugre his.
That Adam shuld of the fruyte ete w=Iith=XI hir instode Eue,
Whilk ete for hoege luf, =$=Iat=XI he shuld noght hir=Ie=XI=C
 greue.=Ff.5=Sv=XS=XF
Salomon for wo=Im=XImans luf ano=Iur=XIned mavmetrye,
=n350=XnAnd novther=Ie=XI gods nor goddesses trowing tham more forthye,
And thus Adam for luf ete w=Iith=XI dame Eue his wyve
Bot he ne hoped neuer=Ie=XI the more to be like God olyve.
=IThe woman therefore sinned more than the man=XI
=IBecause she thought herself capable of being made like God;=XI
And to the forsaid synne sho eked an other=Ie=XI full grete,
Hir=Ie=XI husband be glosinge when sho to sy=In=XIne wald trete,
For thogh the Bibles text ap=Ier=XItely noght it write,
No doubt sho broght him inne w=Iith=XI faging wordes white.
O man, be warr=Ie=XI in this of wikked wo=Im=XImans glosing,
=n360=XnIf thow passe wele =$=Iat=XI paas holde it no little thing.
Adam, =$=Iat=XI noble man, loke, and the stronge Sampso=Iu=XIne--
David, Gods hertes choise, loke, wisest Salomo=Iu=XIne--
Sen thus stronge men and wise eschaped noght wo=Im=XImans arte,
If thov be nothing swilk, in tyme ware at thi parte.
And wham the feend to tempt on him dorst noght take on=Ine=XI,
The wo=Im=XIman, balder=Ie=XI then he, durst make hir=Ie=XI husband fo=In=XIn,
And thus the devel be fraude made Eue vntil hym falle:
Hir=Ie=XI husband sho so forthe, and all mankynde withalle;
And if man had alway kept Gods co=Im=XImandment
=n370=XnHe ne had neu=Ier=XI felt of deth, nor of none other=Ie=XI=C
 to=Iur=XIment.
He ne shuld neu=Ier=XI hafe bene waike, nor felt of werynesse,
Nor neu=Ier=XI hafe felt a poynt of vnhelth, nor sekenesse.
W=Iith=XIout weping and cry a man shuld hafe bene borne,
Nor neu=Ier=XI gronyng for charge the mother=Ie=XI hafe had =$=Ie=XIrforne.
For neu=Ier=XI man shuld haue felt of tribulacioune,
Nor tholed brennyng of shame, nor ony confusioune.
His heres neu=Ier=XI hafe bene defe, his teth vneged evre,
His eghen neu=Ier=XI dy=Im=XIme nor sovre, his fete hafe halted nevre,
Nor flode, cist=Ier=XIne nor welle neu=Ier=XI man hafe drowned nor shent,
=n380=XnBe fire nor sonnes hete shuld nevre man haue bene brent.
No beest nor bridde cruwell shuld neu=Ier=XI on man hafe resed,
Nor wynd nor ayer=Ie=XI corrupt shuld neu=Ier=XI man hafe desesed,
Nor neu=Ier=XI man shuld hafe stryven, nor envye had till other=Ie=XI,
Bot eu=Ier=XIy man other=Ie=XI hafe luved right als his wombes brother=Ie=XI;
And to man shuld hafe bowed all erthly creature,
And evre shuld he hafe lived in joye w=Iith=XIouten=Ie=XI cure,
And when that God had liked, man hafe passyd vnto heven,
This is no man=Ier=XIe doute, both body and sawle full even.
No man for p=Iri=XIs of witte p=Ire=XIsume to seke at alle
=n390=XnWhi God angels and man made, wham he knewe to falle;
=IWhy in the same way he wished to create the angels=XI
=IOf whose fall he most certainly had foreknowledge;=XI
Or whi God Pharaos hert wald in malice indure,
And Mavdelenes hert make soft, and be repentaunce pure;=Ff.6=Sr=XS=XF
Whi Petre that thris forsoke God gaf grace to repayre,
And Judas als in his synne whi he lete disespayre;
Whi one thefe on the crosse God lightned w=Iith=XI his grace,
And inspired noght =$=Iat=XI o=$=Ier=XI all in o tyme and place;
Why one synner=Ie=XI God drawes, an other=Ie=XI he drawes noght--
=n400=XnBe he man nevre so wise, of him this be noght soght.
For swilk werkes of trewe God, and many other=Ie=XI inscrutable,
Passes all man=Ier=XIe thinge to whilk mans witte is able.
And of swilk questiones Poule has answerd thus shortly:
"God wham hym lest indures, of wham hym lest has m=Ier=XIcy."


=DCapitulum ij=Sm=XS
=Ge=XGIn forsaide thinges herd we what hono=Iur=XIe to man God shope;
Now fylovs it for till here how man hymself forshope.
When man was in honour=Ie=XI of God toke he none hede
Bot rose ageyns his Lord and had of pride no drede.
=Gf=XGOut cast was he =$=Ier=XIfore fro p=Iar=XIadys of delyce
=n410=XnVnto the sorowfull vale of this lewed werld and nice.
The hono=Iur=XI that hym was takin, for he sett it at noght
Sithen has he fonden=Ie=XI disese, vnthreft, meschef and thoght.
=Gg=XGFro he lost p=Iar=XIadise, that swete and joyouse stede,
Come he to swilk a place whar=Ie=XI he boght dere his brede--
Vnto this wily werld, full fals and fulle of fraude,
Heghting to many =fone=Xf gude and paying tham w=Iith=XI a gavde.
It heghtis a man lange lif: loke wher=Ie=XI this be a jape,
For, come the dedes howr=Ie=XI, he shall no point eschape.
Vnto the body heghts it hele be lange lastyngnesse,
=n420=XnAnd clethis both body and sawle in p=Ier=XIpetuell seekenesse.
It heghts divers richesse, hye welth, and grete hono=Iur=XI,
And filles a man at eende with rotynnesse and feto=Iur=XI;
And thogh sometyme be gude the werld make man to fayne,
Alle nys bot indurable at eende, passing and vayne;
Nor werldely gude may noght o =yere thi life p=Iro=XIloigne
In c=Ier=XItein point of the deth, nor o moment assoigne.
Loke, at thi=In=XI eende, thi gude (of the gifs hoege force)
Vnneths graunts the a shete to hile thi vilist corce.
The werld be right men may likne til a boxtree,
=n430=XnOf whilk the fruyt is sovre, the flowr=Ie=XI fair=Ie=XI to thyn eghe.
So semes full wonder=Ie=XI fair=Ie=XI the werldes delectacio=Iu=XIne,
Of whilk the fruyt at the last is eendeles dampnacio=Iu=XIne.
Als is this werld full like vnto the traytour=Ie=XI Judas,
Be whas kissing Our=Ie=XI Lord Jhesus betrayed was.
Swilk signe this vntrewe werld gyves to the devils of hell,
Als didde the traytoure Judas to Cristis foos cruwell:=Ff.6=Sv=XS=XF
"Wham that I kisse," says it (honour=Ie=XI and welth gyvynge)
"Take =y=Ie=XI hym--that--to =yow to to=Iur=XIment ay lastynge."
Bot richesse er=Ie=XI noght ay to mans dampnacio=Iu=XIne,
=n440=XnBo[t] helps full many a man to thar=Ie=XI saluacio=Iu=XIne;
For to Nabugodonosor the kyng saide Danyel
"Whith almouse bye thi synne and wyn thi sawles hele",
For God hates noght the riche, hymself eu=Ier=XI almyghty,
If thai wele vse thare gude, als taght his so=Iu=XIn Thoby:
"If thow grete richesse weeld, of gift be aboundande".
If thow hafe lesse, study to dele part w=Iith=XI glad hande.
Nor mete nor drinke files noght bot thair=Ie=XI vse vndiscrete,
Nor in fair=Ie=XI clething synne if the hert be to God swete:
For ilk man aft=Ier=XI his state may honest clething bere,
=n450=XnAls wham God makes a kynge besemes no sekke to were,
Nor husbandmen awe noght clothis to were of sylke.
Than eury man als his estate askis late him were swilk;
And thogh ilk man hafe leve to ber=Ie=XI his state dewly,
Hym nedes wele to be warr=Ie=XI of excesse besily.
For if mesure be dette to kepe in eury thing,
Nede mot it be to blame dampned excesse in to bryng;
Than sithen be slithing gudes the werld wold vs betrayse,
Shape we to overcom hym thorgh mesure be all ways.
Thar=Ie=XI had neu=Ier=XI maide man bene tuyllyd in this bataille,
=n460=XnIf man had dwelt alway in p=Iar=XIadys w=Iith=XIout faille:
Thar=Ie=XI =fhad=Xf he bene alway and neu=Ier=XI hafe felt disese,
And her=Ie=XI passis noght ane howre bot something hym displese.
Now haves hym in awayte his aperte enemy,
Now castis his feint freende to jape hym cou=Ier=XItly;
Sometymes diseses man a migge or els a flee,
A flegh or than a worme, thogh it full little bee.
Be right is man inpu=In=XIgned w=Iith=XI elementz and w=Iith=XI beestes,
When he be pride wald breke his Creatoures hestes.
Whilom p=Iri=XIkkes erth the man w=Iith=XI breres & w=Iith=XI thornes,
=n470=XnSometyme is he to-rentt w=Iith=XI beestis teth or thair=Ie=XI hornes;
Sometyme man is bewrappid in tempest or in flode,
Robbers slees on the see or woundes men for thair=Ie=XI gode.
The ayer corrumpes men and causes oft pestilence,
Briddes w=Iith=XI beek or clowes done to men=Ine=XI oft offence;
Till asshe wastes the fire of men both bone and flesshe,
And smoke dos to mans eghen oftsith grete hevinesse.
In p=Iar=XIadys shuld neu=Ier=XI men til other=Ie=XI hafe bene enemys;
Who myght fynde here o freend war=Ie=XI full g=Ira=XIycious=C
 and wis.=Ff.7=Sr=XS=XF
Whils men hafe here estate, grete richesse and hono=Iur=XI,
=n480=XnHe shalle fynd freendes ynowe his cause for to fauo=Iur=XI;
Bot if the state and gude passe ou=Ier=XI and tham w=Iith=XIdrawe,
Full many =$=Iat=XI semed his freendis at nede will be full slawe.
A trewe freend sall be knawen in grete adu=Ier=XIsitee,
If he wil till ane eend take than full part with thee;
Than who will for his freend avento=Iur=XI hymself & his,
Men hald be reson rounde grete charitee in hym is.
Bot our=Ie=XI gude Lord Jh=Ies=XIu had more of charitee
When he for his enemys wald dye on Rodes tree,
For we wer=Ie=XI Gods enemys, dampned p=Ier=XIpetuelly,
=n490=XnAnd he has vs delyvred be his innoumbrable m=Ier=XIcy.
=Gh=XGTher=Ie=XI myght no man eschu til entre helles p=Iri=XIsoune,
Fro whilk for til eschape suffized no mans resoune,
To-whills God of m=Ier=XIcy and of comfort at alle,
Of his benigne grace behelde oure forsaide falle,
And thoght vs to delyvre be his Sonne God olyve,
Gyving hir=Ie=XIof takenyng be a braunche of olyve
Broght to folk be a dowue in Noe shippe encloos,
For sawles fro helles lymbe shuld passe, maugr=Ie=XI thair=Ie=XI foos;
And thus noght to then closed in archa Noe oonely,
=n500=XnBot als til all this werld takenyd that olyve m=Ier=XIcy.
This same thing was forshewed be many a fair=Ie=XI figure,
Als bisy reders may fynde seking in Haly Scripture.
Now, gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs in Haly Scripture to lere,
Thi charitee for to knawe and kepe whils we lyve here.
=DCapitulum iij=Sm=XS
If we the guyse will witte of our=Ie=XI saluacio=Iu=XIne,
Remembre we alder-fyrst Oure Ladies concepcio=Iu=XIne;
For when Crist wald be man, o=Iur=XI myscheif to restore,
His modres gen=Ier=XIacione mot nedesly come tofore,
More clerely whilk to knawe, lo her=Ie=XI of Haly Writte
=n510=XnA parable, how Jh=Ies=XIu Crist sometyme p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed itte.
Ther=Ie=XI went a man sometyme fro Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm descendande,
And in desert co=Im=XImyng he fell in theves hande.
His gudes fro hym bereft, sore wounded then left thay
Vnnethes hym halfe olyve, and than =yede on thair=Ie=XI way.
A prest and eft a dekene come by passing furth than,
Bot noyther=Ie=XI of tham myght hele this ilke sore wounded man.
At the last a Samaritene had pitee, =$=Iat=XI come negh by,
And heled this robbed man of his woundes gudely;=Ff.7=Sv=XS=XF
And if it had noght befallen to come this Samaritene,
=n520=XnThilk wounded man had neu=Ier=XI bene helid, without wene.
In this p=Iar=XIable mankynde is shewed be fig=Iur=XIe apert
Fro p=Iar=XIadys of delice out cast in this desert,
Spoilled of the gudes of grace gyven hym of Gods gudenesse,
And smyten w=Iith=XI a sore wounde of eendeles dedelynesse;
The whilk als halfe-way dede full lange lay soryly,
And was dede als in sawle, alle lyvyd it bodyly;
To wham nor preest nor dekne moght gyfe saluacio=Iu=XIne
Nor make repare till heven penaunce nor circumcisio=Iu=XIne.
Than come this Samaritene and rewed this wounded man,
=n530=XnAnd bande his woundes togider=Ie=XI and helyd hym gudely than.
Samaritene, "kepere" thus mich is it to say,
Be whame swete Jh=Ies=XIu Crist wele vnderstand we may;
Ne had this keper=Ie=XI comen in this werld to be borne,
Elles had alle mankinde w=Iith=XIout eend hafe bene lorne;
Wharefore love we and blisse forevre Our=Ie=XI Lord Jhesu,
That on this half-dede man come in this werld to rewe,
And when this Lord wald come eftyr=Ie=XI hys trewest hete,
Forthi sent he tofore his modyr=Ie=XI, =$=Iat=XI virgyne swete,
And his a=Iu=XIngell to telle hir=Ie=XI clere concepcioune,
=n540=XnHir=Ie=XI name, and in his mynde hyr=Ie=XI et=Ier=XIne=C
 s=Iein=XItificacioune.
This is =$=Iat=XI Ladye swete, eu=Ier=XI mayden meek and mylde,
Be wham come all our=Ie=XI hele in Jh=Ies=XIu Crist hir=Ie=XI childe,
And wham God be fig=Iur=XIe wald oftsith p=Ire=XIostende,
And be p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIes oracles till his freendes commende.
=Ga=XGThe kinge Astiages a m=Ier=XIveillous visio=Iu=XIne sawe:
Out of his doght=Ier=XIs wombe a fulle fair=Ie=XI vigne to growe,
Whilk with braunche, flovre & fruyt spred it so largely
That his revme ovre & ou=Ier=XI it obumbred haly.
Than clerkes gon hym telle, wham he sperid of this thing,
=n550=XnThat of his doght=Ier=XI shuld come a fulle grete worthi king;
And sho broght forth King Cyre, whilk of his grete bo=Iu=XIntee
Efter=Ie=XI delyvred the Juys fro Babiloyns captivytee.
Litteraly haf =ye herde this dreme and what it ment,
Now lyes moreovre to knawe =$=Ier=XIof the mistik intent.
Till Astiage was shewed his doght=Ier=XI shuld bere a king;
To Joachym, his doght=Ier=XI to bere the Lord of alle thing.
Cyrus delyvred the Juys fro Babiloyns captyvitee,
And Crist Kyng has vs reft out of the devils poustee.
The doghter=Ie=XI of Astiage p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed Oure Ladye,
=n560=XnOf whas wombe sprange the vigne =$=Iat=XI alle o=Iur=XIe=C
 hele come by.=Ff.8=Sr=XS=XF
Blissed be thow, mayden mylde, doght=Ier=XI of the sou=Ier=XIayne king,
Above both rose and lyllye candent and redoling.
Blissed be the sacred bode of thi concepcioune,
Whilk was the forme daweny=In=XIg of our=Ie=XI saluacio=Iu=XIne.
Blissed be the Fader God =$=Iat=XI wald vs of the sese,
And hono=Iur=XI to God the Sonne =$=Iat=XI the to moder=Ie=XI chese.
Blissed be the Haly Gast =$=Iat=XI blissed hir=Ie=XI longe toforne,
Ar=Ie=XI hir=Ie=XI blissed fader=Ie=XI and moder=Ie=XI shewed=C
 hir=Ie=XI to this werld borne.
=Gb=XGOf this doght=Ier=XI sometyme sange Salomon mistikly,
=n570=XnThat in hir=Ie=XI moder=Ie=XI wombe God wold hir=Ie=XI seintify,
For a gardin enclose he lykned hir=Ie=XI vntoo,
And till a seled welle; this the reso=Iu=XIne, loo:
For in hir moders wombe whils this virgine was shette,
On hir=Ie=XI the Haly Gast his speciell blissing yette,
And merkid hir=Ie=XI w=Iith=XI the seale of the Haly Trinitee,
That neu=Ier=XI thing that warre synne shuld haue in hir=Ie=XI entree.
Forsoth, Marye, thowe ert gardin of alle swettenesse,
And welle of sawles witt, eu=Ier=XI flowyng in fulnesse;
=Gc=XGAlso the Hali Gast, O Marye, heght the vs
=n580=XnWhen be the p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIes movth Balaam he saide right thus:
"Thare sall of Jacob spryng a sterne of mykell light,"
P=Ior=XItending Marye to be Gods chosen celle full bryght.
This Balaam thoght to hynder Gods folk be werying,
Bot the gloryous Haly Gast to=Iur=XIned it alle to blissing
Whareby the Haly Gast shewed be p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIacio=Iu=XIne
That the malison of our=Ie=XI for-moder=Ie=XI shuld torne=C
 to benediccio=Iu=XIne,
And be a mayden clennest this g=Ira=XIce shuld vs befalle,
Whas birth p=Ire=XIfigured vs a sterne bright ovre other=Ie=XI alle.
This is blissed Marye of the see the ladere,
=n590=XnAmanges the wawes tempestuouses leder=Ie=XI and=C
 help sing=Iu=XIler=Ie=XI,
Without wham we may noght this wawishe see ou=Ier=XIpasse,
Nor hevenyshe haven rocovre, =$=Iat=XI be our=Ie=XI synne lost wasse;
Wharefore thus be a sterne God takned the byrth of Marye
For he til heven be hir=Ie=XI wald bring vs m=Ier=XIcyfully.
To hym that gave this st=fe=Xfrne be joye eu=Ier=XI newe and newe,
Be wham this sees wodenesse we may passe and eschewe.
O man, whatevre it be, disespaire neu=Ier=XI for thi synne;
Repent, and be this sterne thow may forgifnes wynne.
Con fest on it thyn eghe, what p=Ier=XIile so evre thow doute,
=n600=Xn[It] wil the hile and guyde, and trewly bring the oute.
This sterne in his disese Theople se and besoght,
And sho of hir=Ie=XI gudenesse till haven of hele hym broght.=Ff.8=Sv=XS=XF
Gyf vs so to behald this sterne, O gude Jhesu,
=#=Iat=XI we the to displese be hir=Ie=XI mowe evre eschewe.
=DCapitulum iiij=Sm=XS
The passed chapitle has tald Our=Ie=XI Ladyes anunciacio=Iu=XIne
Nowe fylows it for to here hir=Ie=XI birth and gen=Ier=XIacio=Iu=XIne.
=Ga=XGThe ligne of Our=Ie=XI Ladye come of Dauid and Jesse,
Of wham thus lange tofore p=Iro=XIphizide Isay, witte =y=Ie=XI:
"Of Jesse rote a =yerd in tyme to come sall springe,
=n610=XnOut of that rote a floure vprightis ascendinge;
The sevenfold Haly Gast apon this flour=Ie=XI salle rist."
Thus saide this haly man, hereof =y=Ie=XI may be trest.
The =yerd is Our=Ie=XI Ladye w=Iith=XI fruyt be hevenysh dewe,
The floure hir=Ie=XI sonne =$=Iat=XI sho vnto this werld shall shewe.
In this floure err=Ie=XI to fynde medicynes full gode seven,
Takened be seven giftes of the Haly Gast full even.
T=Iu=XIouching, savo=Iur=XI and fruyte, thir=Ie=XI er=Ie=XI=C
 the forthmast three:
Colour=Ie=XI, leves and juys, and tast the sevent to bee.
To sawles the whilk err=Ie=XI seek er=Ie=XI medicynal thir=Ie=XI seven thinges,
=n620=XnAgeins seven dedely synnes whilk tham vnto hell bringes.
Thorgh touching of this floure, of p=Iri=XIde swages bolnyng,
And man be gift of drede haves of hymself knawing.
Who thinkes for bolnyng pride how touched was Lucyfere,
He ma[t]es hym, and begynnes of God to have a fere,
For sith God wald noght thole Lucifers and aungels pride,
Wele lesse wille he thole man in p=Iri=XIde by hym abide:
For thay had graces of whilk thair=Ie=XI pride thai myght pike out,
Bot stinking man nothing whar=Ie=XIof to ber=Ie=XI hym stout.
An hard envious hert this floures smell makes soft,
=n630=XnAnd the gift of pitee stires to compassione oft:
For of no manes disese has pitee the envious,
Bo[t] eu=Ie=XIry ma=In=XInes woo rewes the misericordous.
Who takes this smelle (=$=Iat=XI is of Crist ensample =$=Ier=XIfore)
Of ilk man in disese compassio=Iu=XIne haves evre more,
And als Crist, wepes he with tham he sees weping,
In bodye or than in sawle when tham ales anything.
The fruyt of this swete floure of ire vndos woodnesse,
Als teches the gift of science to lyve in gudelynesse.
=Ye see ane ireous man has no discrecioune,
=n640=XnForthi he ne haldes no revle of resonable conu=Ier=XIsacioune.
The gift of science is mylde, homely and avisee,=Ff.9=Sr=XS=XF
And techis to lyve at ryst w=Iith=XI folk of alle degree.
The fruyt of Cristes werkes to suy who getes grace
To lyve may he noght faille duwly in eu=Ier=XIy place.
This floures colour=Ie=XI destruyes of accide the p=Iar=XIalesye,
And be the swete gift of force a man is strengthid noblye,
That he no payne may fele, nor have drede of labo=Iur=XI,
Of this floure Crist on Crosse behalding the colo=Iur=XI:
And for seghen grapes blude the olyphaunt waxis felle,
=n650=XnTo vices, seghen Crist blude, vs aght be more cruwelle.
This floures colo=Iur=XI who than behaldes devoutly
For Crist=Ies=XI luf aght hym labo=Iur=XI and thole alle thing gladly.
The leves chaces, of this flo=Iur=XI, of auerice the ydropicye,
And so gift of counseil slees thrist of covetye.
Ther=Ie=XI leves er=Ie=XI Cristis wordes and his doct=Iri=XIne, teching
To dispise werdely gudes and lufe eu=Ier=XIlasting thing.
What man =$=Iat=XI this teching haves grace to keep duwely,
He p=Iro=XIves in him to dwelle the spirit of counseil trewly,
And swilk men haf no joye of richesse temporellye,
=n660=XnBot swilk gude als God sendis, to part w=Iith=XI hym frely.
This floures juys of glutt=Ier=XIye voides replecioune,
And gift of intellecte gives sp=Iirit=XIuelle cognicioune.
=IFor juice is green, which clears the sight,=XI
=IAnd by the gift of intellect Christ invites us to knowledge=C
 of heavenly=XI =Ithings.=XI
The gloton knawes erthlinesse, and vnknawes hevenly thing;
Be erthly thinges, hevenly gifs intellecte knawyng,
Als seyng the sonne so clere or a delitable floure
We knawe full fair=Ie=XI and swete is God thair=Ie=XI creatoure.
This floures tast makes baiske of luxure the delite;
=n670=XnThe gift of sapience gifs of erthly lustis despite,
For who ones haf tasted the Haly Gastis swetnesse,
All man=Ier=XI werldely lust shal hym thinke bitt=Ier=XInesse:
Als honye voides the tast of other=Ie=XI mete naturell,
So touching the Haly Gast cesses alle lust carnell.
O ingent magnytude, Lord, blissed mot thow be
Of thyn hidde swetlynesse to tham =$=Iat=XI dredes the,
Also the =yerde of Jesse shewes wethin Marye was borne.
=Gb=XGBot howe =$=Iat=XI =yerde florist shewes in thilk =yate sporne:
Ezechiel this =yate cloos in his spirit see he,
=n680=XnThat nevre w=Iith=XIouten eend for thing shuld opned be,
For onely God hymself wald by it cloosed passe,
P=Ior=XItending Cristis birth =$=Iat=XI aft=Ier=XI so m=Ier=XIveillous=C
 wasse.=Ff.9=Sv=XS=XF
Take this who take it may, Crist of Our=Ie=XI Ladye was borne,
Vnlike alle othir=Ie=XI men aft=Ier=XI his birth and toforne.
No wonder=Ie=XI at open dore a man passe on his gate,
And bot it is m=Ier=XIveille and more to passe thorgh spered =yate.
=Gc=XGA Temple made Salomo=Iu=XIn also to Godde noblye,
In whilk was p=Ire=XIfigured the birth of Our=Ie=XI Ladye.
This Temple of Salomon had on it pynacles thre,
=n690=XnBe whilk the triforme auriole of Marye takened may be.
The first =$=Iat=XI sho fande =ffirst=Xf is of virginitee,
=#=Iat=XI o=$=Ier=XI of martirdome in sawle whilk soeffred shee,
The thredde is of precho=Iur=XIs and of doctour=Ie=XIs hyeghnesse,
For sho was of apostles and of ewangelistes maistresse.
This Temple of marbre white was made vppe alle bedene,
Ennournyd w=Iith=XI golde withinne, =$=Ier=XI moght none more be clene.
So was this virgine, white be purest chastitee,
With golde ou=Ier=XIcledde w=Iith=XIinne of p=Ier=XIfite charitee.
O how is faire and clere gen=Ier=XIacioune of chastitee!
=n700=XnO Marye, charitable & chast eu=Ier=XImore mot thow wele be!
In the Temple was als a leddre be whilk to clyme vpward:
In Marie godhede enclos for our=Ie=XI ascensioune to hevenward.
Thorgh hir=Ie=XI meritz gif vs, O pie and gude Jhesu,
To thi joye til ascende, =$=Iat=XI evre is newe and newe.
=DCapitulum v=Sm=XS
This chapitle last toforn told of =fOur=Ie=XI=Xf Ladies bering;
In this fylows to here in the Temple of hir=Ie=XI offering.
Sho was broght to the Temple at age of fulle thre =yere
To s=Ier=XIue almyghty God and lettrure for to lere.
=Ga=XGThe sonnes borde in the sande p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed=C
 hir=Ie=XI oblacio=Iu=XIne,
=n710=XnOf whilk whi it heght so take her=Ie=XI shorttely reso=Iu=XIne:
Fisshers kest in the see thair=Ie=XI nettis apon a day--
A table of fulle fyne gulde, this m=Ier=XIveille, vpp drugh thay;
This table, als stories telle, was riche and p=Ire=XIciouse
Til eu=Ier=XIy mans thinking, and hogely speciouse.
By thilk see stode a temple beelded apon the sond,
Whilk in name of the sonne folk wyrshipt of =$=Iat=XI lond.
In thilk temple =$=Iat=XI borde was offred festivalye
Vnto god of the sonne, whilk ther=Ie=XI was hono=Iur=XId heghlye,
And thus thorghout the werld, hold =y=Ie=XI this soth or fable,
=n720=XnWas it cald co=Im=XImonly "In the sonde, the sonnes table":
And for thilk temple was sette in swilk place gravely
(Als =y=Ie=XI wote sonde to be) had it the name =$=Ier=XIby.
Be this table of the sonne was p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed Marye=Ff.10=Sr=XS=XF
To Godde the verray sonne offred full p=Ire=XIciouselye.
The forsaid table was offred vnto to the sonne mat=Ier=XIialle:
Our=Ie=XI Ladye vnto the Temple of the sonne et=Ier=XInalle.
To se the sonne table fulle many a man list hadde,
And for Our=Ie=XI Ladies birth both aungels & men were gladde.
Of a full pure matere was made the sonnes table:
=n730=XnMarie was body and sawle to Godd p=Ier=XIfitely placable;
And be the table of the sonne Marye was takenyd fair=Ie=XI,
For to the table of heven=Ie=XI be hir=Ie=XI have we repaire,
For God Son Jh=Ies=XIu Crist bare vs =$=Iat=XI mayden gude,
=#=Iat=XI fedes vs p=Ire=XIciously w=Iith=XI his fleshe and his blude.
Blissed be =$=Iat=XI joyouse table in heven and in erth here,
Be wham is vs this mete gyven Gods salutere.
Hir=Ie=XI fadir=Ie=XI and modir=Ie=XI be blissed, whilk=C
 broght hir=Ie=XI forth in kynde,
And offrid hir=Ie=XI for mans hele to God w=Iith=XI haly mynde.
=Gb=XGIn the Old Lawe rede we none his doght=Ier=XI =$=Iat=XI to God offride,
=n740=XnSauf Jepte =$=Iat=XI sacrifide his and to wrange deth hir=Ie=XI dide.
Jepte his doght=Ier=XI to God offred vndiscretly,
Bot Joachym and Anne thair=Ie=XI doght=Ier=XI offred to God p=Ier=XIfitly;
For thair=Ie=XI doght=Ier=XI wald thai noght nor slee no sacrifye,
Bot offred hir=Ie=XI vnto Godde, to s=Ier=XIue hym qwhikke swetlye.
Jepte made an avowe whilk haly docto=Iur=XIs reproves:
Our=Ie=XI Ladie made hir=Ie=XI avowe whilke God and man aproves.
The doght=Ier=XI of Jepte bewept to be a virgine dede:
Marie fande first the avowe of gloriouse maydenhede.
That aft=Ier=XI hir=Ie=XI shuld no childe of hir=Ie=XI leve wepped shee,
=n750=XnFor Crist moght noght be borne of hir=Ie=XI posteritee;
An that =$=Iat=XI sho wept sore to be, thus vnhappy,
Marye it fande sely, selyer=Ie=XI and most sely.
Aft=Ier=XI victorie was she offrid als for lovyng,
Bot Marie was offrid tofore the victorie whilk was co=Im=XImyng.
Jeptes doght=Ier=XI was offred for enemys temporele,
Our=Ie=XI Ladye for victorie of enemys spirituele.
She myght s=Ier=XIue God no more =$=Iat=XI in hyr=Ie=XI=C
 offring thus st=fe=Xfrevid.
Bot Marie, aft=Ier=XI she was offrid, eu=Ier=XImore vnto God s=Ier=XIuid;
=Gc=XGAnd howe this Ladie hir=Ie=XI shope to s=Ier=XIue God hir=Ie=XI lif-while
=n760=XnWas be the gardin fig=Iur=XIed sometyme cald suspensile,
Whilk made a king of Percy in hoege heght, =fals=Xf rede we,
In whilk standyng his wife moght behald hir=Ie=XI contree.
Be whilk the contemplatif life was takenid of Our=Ie=XI Ladie,
For sho the contree of heven beheld evre besilye,=Ff.10=Sv=XS=XF
And to devocioune evre and contemplacioune
Was sho gyven, and nevre ydel nor werldly vpp=Ie=XI nor doune.
To wirke or haly redyng gaf sho hir=Ie=XI bisylye,
Or contemplant was sho, or p=Ira=XIyand devoutlye;
In ympnis or psalmodye was hir=Ie=XI songe jubilynge,
=n770=XnAnd in devout p=Ira=XIyer=Ie=XI fulle oft swetely wepynge.
For hele of alle mankynde p=Ira=XIyid sho w=Iith=XIout stinting,
Reding contynuelly Script=Iur=XIes of Crist co=Im=XImyng;
And of Crists birth in erth when sho fand oght, for fayne
Sho halsed and kissed swetely and oft redde it a=yeine;
And when =$=Iat=XI othir=Ie=XI virgines home fro the Temple went
Ther=Ie=XI to dwelle stil w=Iith=XI Godde was eu=Ier=XImore hir=Ie=XI intent.
To studie in Gods lawes list eu=Ier=XI =$=Iat=XI mayden bright,
And to rede and reherce p=Iro=XIfited sho day & nyght.
If sho se oght vnclene in Gods Temple, =$=Iat=XI weshe she,
=n780=XnAnd bisy how thinges amisse myght best amendid be.
She ne had neu=Ier=XI joye for slepe til ones hir=Ie=XI heved lay doune
Bot asking ful lawefulle nede of hyest discrecioune;
And thogh sho more or lesse slept sometyme bodily,
Neu=Ier=XI the lesse hir=Ie=XI sawle w=Iith=XIinne woke than fulle halily.
=#=Iat=XI is that in his songes of hir=Ie=XI wrote Salomon:
"I slepe and myne hert wakes," menyng of hir=Ie=XI p=Ier=XIson.
So gudely wys was sche, so chast in swete mekenes,
That hir=Ie=XI lyf was ensample til all folk of gudenes.
Hire speche was lawe and soft, souleyn and fulle discrete,
=n790=XnNeu=Ier=XI fell to sharp nor bitter=Ie=XI, bot hevenly zucrish swete.
Nor pore nor fieble man dispised she neu=Ier=XI be signe,
Bot in speche and hailsing all folk held hir=Ie=XI benigne.
Sho was ou=Ier=XI, craft to telle, humble, pie and devoute,
To fulfille Gods wille all gyven and vnderloute.
Haly Script=Iur=XIes and p=Iro=XIphecies knew sho most felyngly,
Teching the Haly Gast ou=Ier=XI all o=$=Ier=XI clerely.
Sho kest neu=Ier=XI eghe on man to fest on hym hyr=Ie=XI sight,
Nor hir=Ie=XI nekke nor hir=Ie=XI fro=Iu=XInt vsed sho to bere vppright.
Her=Ie=XI eghen donwards til erth amanges men bare sho ay;
=n800=XnHir=Ie=XI hert vpwards on heven=Ie=XI was festined nyght & day.
In short, what tonge may telle in p=Iri=XIse, or hert may mene,
Baldely be songen and saide of this swete virgine shene.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, graunte vs so luf this mayden=Ie=XI here
=#=Iat=XI bring vs to =yow both in joie et=Ier=XIne and clere.=Ff.11=Sr=XS=XF
=DCapitulum vi=Sm=XS
Off the last chapitle tofore herde =ye Our=Ie=XI Ladies offring;
In this suys it to here the cause of hir=Ie=XI spousing.
Whi Crist his modir=Ie=XI wold wer=Ie=XI wedded vntil a ma=In=XIn
Ther=Ie=XIof clerks in thair=Ie=XI bokes eght causes assigne ca=In=XIn:
Frist, =$=Iat=XI sche nhad noght be hoped grete be fornicacio=Iu=XIne
=n810=XnAnd als ane avoutresse demed to dampnacio=Iu=XIne;
Secund, mans p=Ire=XIsence and help God gaf hir=Ie=XI to solace,
For hir=Ie=XI sat noght go soule wagrand fro place to place;
The thridde, to jape the feend of Cristes incarnacio=Iu=XIne,
=#=Iat=XI he shuld hope come of man hir=Ie=XI virginele concepcioune;
The fierth, for Maries wittenesse more of hir=Ie=XI chastitee
Was of hir=Ie=XI husband to trowe than of othir=Ie=XI in degree;
The fift, for that the ligne of Crists genologie
Shuld to Joseph descend, the husband of Marye,
For Haly Script=Iur=XIes vses noght be wyves, =$=Iat=XI er=Ie=XI female,
=n820=XnTo rekken genologie, bot aft=Ier=XI thair=Ie=XI husbandes male;
The sext, =$=Iat=XI matrimoigne shuld be for haly approved,
Nor of no man dispised als yvel, nor be reproved;
The sevent, =$=Iat=XI virginitee in mat=Iri=XImoigne wer=Ie=XI able
To kepe, so =$=Iat=XI it be to both the p=Iar=XIties greable;
The eghtend, =$=Iat=XI wedded folk of wa=In=XInhope shuld noght be,
Trowing the stat sauvable of onely virginitee--
For til approve ilk state wele kept come Crist Jhesu,
Ther=Ie=XIfore was his moder=Ie=XI virgyne, wife and wydev.
And thogh thir=Ie=XI thre estates be p=Iro=XIved gude and haly,
=n830=Xn=Yit bere thai difference amanges thaym hoegely:
For mat=Iri=XImoigne gude and seint approved is for to be,
Maner=Ie=XI, tyme and intent, who may kepe wele thir=Ie=XI thre,
For better=Ie=XI than mat=Iri=XImoigne is wydowes chastitee,
Bot best is the clennes of maydenhede in degree.
To wedlake trewly kept is aght the fruyt threttisme,
And to wydows sexty, to virgines full centisme.
The metalle of auricalke is knawen a p=Ire=XIciouse thing,
Silver=Ie=XI more p=Ire=XIciouse, gold alder-most passing.
The day-sterne is full bright, bot more bright is the mone,
=n840=XnThe sonne brightest of alle, this may man p=Ier=XIceve sone.
This werldes joye semes swete, bot swett=Ier=XI is paradyse;
Swettest the joye of heven inno=Iu=XImbrable passing wise.
And thogh maydenhed excelle and be best for clennesse,
It nys noght worth bot it be kept w=Iith=XI hertis holenesse:=Ff.11=Sv=XS=XF
For who =$=Iat=XI maydenhede kepe in flesh, and noght in wille,
=#=Iat=XI thai have auriole et=Ier=XIne of maydenhede is no skille;
And who is mayden in hert, and forlayne violently,
Leses none auriole, bot dubled gets it =$=Ier=XIby.
One shalle thai have, no dout, for herts virginitee,
=n850=XnA mede ou=Ier=XI for the force to thaym done thair=Ie=XI mavgree;
And the auriole forlost be hertis corrupcioune
May be recou=Ier=XIed here thorght bisy contricio=Iu=XIne.
Bot who ones in thair=Ie=XI fleshe is corrumpt wilfully,
Thar=Ie=XI auriole be nevre restored for any penau[n]ce s=Iur=XIely;
=Ga=XGAnd thogh Marie was joynte vnto man be spovsing,
=Yit dwelt sho body and sawle in maydenhede eu=Ier=XIlasting,
And with Raguelis doght=Ier=XI Sara moght sho wele say:
"My sawle haf I clene kept fro alle concupiscence ay."
Sara to seven husbandis was wedded, thus it befelle,
=n860=XnAnd clene mayden alle =$=Iat=XI tyme, als Haly Writt can =yow telle:
Be stronger=Ie=XI reso=Iu=XIne than, myght Marye be ones wedded
And eu=Ier=XI w=Iith=XIouten eend dwelle virgine vnwemmyd.
If Sara fro seven husbandes kept the feend Asmodee,
Why ne moght his moder=Ie=XI fro oone Godde kepe, be his poustee?
For wheneu=Ier=XI Seint Josep loked on thilk virgyns flour=Ie=XI,
Se he of hir=Ie=XI to sprede ane hoege divyne splendo=Iur=XIe:
Forthi durst he nevre more on eghe cast on hir=Ie=XI face
Bot in fulle hoege reu=Ier=XIence and when it felle be some case.
Thre nyghts chastitee kept Sara and Thobye,
=n870=XnBot virgines alle thair=Ie=XI lyve wer=Ie=XI Josep and Marye.
Josep virgyn was borne of Dauid p=Iro=XIgeny,
And be Gods wille conioint als keper=Ie=XI to Marie:
Noght =$=Iat=XI Gods special choise neded vnder=Ie=XI warde to be,
Bot that for suspecioune of men shuld kepe hir=Ie=XI hee,
For sho had to keper=Ie=XI sou=Ier=XIeyn God and verray,
=#=Iat=XI fro alle man=Ier=XIe incurs of enemys kept hir=Ie=XI ay.
=Gb=XGO keper=Ie=XI had sho fro heven, an other=Ie=XI for to make twoo
In erth honest and trewe: sho ne had nede to no moo;
Wharefore this mayden=Ie=XI mylde thus sing=Iu=XIlere, of gude fame,
=n880=XnIs likned vnto the tour=Ie=XI of Baris =$=Iat=XI beres name,
Whilk toure moght wele be kept be two men defending
Fro all man=Ier=XIe men [=$at] in this werld be lyving.
=Gc=XGSo stronge and invincible was this virgine Marye
Wham God kept with his grace allway so tendrely,=Ff.12=Sr=XS=XF
Withinne the walle of v=Ier=XItues so s=Iur=XIely hir=Ie=XI closing
=#=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI none enemys fraude moght turn hir=Ie=XI to letting.
Whar=Ie=XIfore likned is hir=Ie=XI lyve to Dauid toure so stout,
On whilk a thovzand sheldes honge in compas about.
The sheldes er=Ie=XI swete studies and werkes vertuouse
=n890=XnBe whilk garnyst hir=Ie=XI lif this virgine gloriouse,
=#=Iat=XI so ferr=Ie=XI ou=Ier=XI all other=Ie=XI hir=Ie=XI=C
 lothed alle foule delite
That neu=Ier=XI fondyng of synne myght o spotte in hir=Ie=XI smyte:
Noght onely in hir=Ie=XIself voiding temptaciounes,
Bot be bemes als in other=Ie=XI of hir=Ie=XI infusiounes;
For alle werr=Ie=XI sho sothly the gudeliest of wymmen,
=Yit moght neu=Ier=XI none be synne desire hir=Ie=XI of all men,
For swilk vertue divine bemed of hir=Ie=XI excellence
=#=Iat=XI whoevre hir=Ie=XI behelde it qwenchid his concupiscens--
For als cip=Ire=XIsses smelle drives s=Ier=XIpents out of place,
=n900=XnSo, p=Ire=XIsent Marie, lux=Iur=XIes fledde thorgh=C
 hir=Ie=XI special grace;
And als flowring the vigne s=Ier=XIpents may noght abide,
So neu=Ier=XI foule concupiscence moght dwelle Marie beside.
O gude Jhesu, gif vs alle foule thoghtes to flee,
And our=Ie=XI herts with thi grace fille, for thi grete bountee.
=DCapitulum vij=Sm=XS
Tofore of Oure Ladye herde =y=Ie=XI the swete wedding;
Now fylowes it for til here hir=Ie=XI mirable conceyving.
When =fin=Xf Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm Joseph had taken Marie in spouse,
To Nazareth was sho had home vntil hir=Ie=XI parentes house;
And whils Josep for thinges of wedding was bisy,
=n910=XnConceyvid, vnwitting hym, of the Holy Gast Marye.
Trow nat =$=Iat=XI Gabriel fand hir=Ie=XI w=Iith=XIout clausure
To wham, without hir=Ie=XI Godde, neu=Ier=XI sauo=Iur=XIed creature.
Sho went neu=Ier=XI out to spye, like Dyna, the newe aray,
Nor dalied to homely with men, like Thamar, on the way,
Nor noght like Sara onely to man whilk covettid nevre,
Bot like the soliter[e] Judith fasting and p=Ira=XIying evre.
Whar=Ie=XIfore when hir=Ie=XI w=Iith=XI childe Josep p=Ier=XIseyuyd and se,
With full grete dred of hert til hymself thus thoght he:
"Inpossible is =$=Iat=XI this woman be fornicatrice,
=n920=XnSo seint, abstynent and chaste, and hater=Ie=XI of alle vice.
Of mete nor drinke was sho neu=Ier=XI yhit diliciouse,
Neu=Ier=XI wont to hoppe ne daunce, nor renne fro house til house.
To convers in publike hase sho fledde all hir=Ie=XI lif,
Halsing solitarie estat and pure contemplatif.=Ff.12=Sv=XS=XF
Alle man=Ier=XIe werldely joye dispising, and solace,
Brynnyng als gold in fyre to stand w=Iith=XI God in grace.
Fro childhode in the Temple has sho dwelt God s=Ier=XIving,
=#=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI to man of lyve was sho sene once drawing;
And now sen sho come home to fader=Ie=XI and moder=Ie=XI here,
=n930=XnEu=Ier=XI in hir=Ie=XI chambr=Ie=XI enclos, in fasting=C
 and in prayer=Ie=XI,
Whar=Ie=XIof shuld sho conceyue this grauidacioune,
=#=Iat=XI in this werld to synne gaf neu=Ier=XI occasioune?
P=Ier=XIauntr=Ie=XI filled is in hir=Ie=XI Ysayes p=Iro=XIphecy:
'A mayden shalle conceyue and bere a so=Iu=XIn sothly.'
Maybe of Jacob sede this virgyne is the same
Wham sometyme in a sterne p=Ire=XInu=In=XIcyd Balaam,
Likyng the Haly Gast in this wise lange toforne
To shewe of a virgyne =$=Iat=XI God Son shuld be borne.
Also this mayden be grace thilk =yerde flouryng may be
=n940=XnP=Iro=XIphecid to springe ar=Ie=XI this out of the rote of Jesse.
=IPerhaps this is the virgin of whom is to be born Christ=XI
=IWho, it is said, will be born from the seed of David, son of Jesse.=XI
In hir=Ie=XI may noght be rette bot vertuouse honour=Ie=XI,
Whar=Ie=XIfor c=Ier=XItein this is moder=Ie=XI of the Saveour=Ie=XI.
I am vndigne w=Iith=XI hir=Ie=XI of conu=Ier=XIsacioune,
Whar=Ie=XIfore gude is I flee of sposailles completioune.
In auntre suspeccione badde the folke take ellis =$=Ier=XIby,
Me nedes fro hir=Ie=XI p=Ire=XIsence w=Iith=XIdrawe me p=Iri=XIvely."
Als Josep w=Iith=XI Marye to dwelle dred in this wise,
=n950=XnSo was Seint John afeerd to Jh=Ies=XIu Crist baptize.
To come noght in his house to Crist prayed centurio,
And Petr=Ie=XI hym prayed o tyme out of his shippe to goo.
The womman Sunamyte dredde the cohabitacioune of Elye,
And Josep the cohabitacione of Gods moder=Ie=XI Marye.
And when =$=Iat=XI Josep of hir=Ie=XI thus hoege reu=Ier=XIent drede hadde,
Gods aungel come hym to, to make his hert be sadde,
Bidding he ne shuld noght dout his spouse for to take than,
So grete of the Haly Gast, and neu=Ier=XI of erthly man.
=Ga=XGThis concepcioune mirable of thilk swete virgyne =yynge
=n960=XnWas shewed to Moyses sometyme in a grene bushe brennyng.
The busshe in flawme of fyre lost noght the grennesse,
Marye conceyved a son, evre virgine neu=Ier=XI the lesse.
God was hymself w=Iith=XIinne the brynnyng busshe forsayde,
The same =$=Iat=XI in the wombe dwelt of this purest mayde.
God come doune in the busshe for the lib=Ier=XIacioune
Of Jewes, and in Marie for our=Ie=XI redempcioune.=Ff.13=Sr=XS=XF
To bringe Jewes fro Egipt in the busshe descendid he,
And in this virgines wombe fro helle to make vs fre,
And when this Lord wald be incarnat amange men
=n970=XnAlle one Mary chese he ou=Ier=XIe alle erthly wymmen.
=Gb=XGIn Gedeones flece was this shewed figuratively,
Whilk men rede with dewe wette of heven m=Ier=XIveillousely,
For thilk flece be itself wete of this hevenyshe dewe,
The drie erthe ferre about had noght =$=Ier=XIof a drewe:
So of this dewe dyvine was onely filled Marye,
None o=$=Ier=XI of all this werld =$=Ier=XIto founden worthie.
"Ful many a doght=Ier=XI has gedrid," thus says the Boke, "rychesse,"
Bot ou=Ier=XI alle o=$=Ier=XI Marie be infinite excesse.
Of some signe in the flece to God Gedeon prayid,
=n980=XnWher=Ie=XI Israel folke =$=Iat=XI tyme shuld be hym be delyvrid.
The weking of that wolle flece signed lib=Ier=XIacioune:
Marie this wise w=Iith=XI child takned our=Ie=XI redempcioune.
This flece of Gedeon is blissid virgine Marie,
Of whilk make hym a cote Crist wald of his m=Ier=XIcye,
For in the cote be cledde wald he of our=Ie=XI freelte,
To cleth vs in the stole of eendles felicitee.
Gedeons flece to=fke=Xf dewe nothing blemyst the wolle;
Marie conceyved a so=Iu=XIn, virgine eure at the fulle.
Gedeon wronge out the dewe war=Ie=XIof a conke filled was:
=n990=XnMarie bare vs a son =$=Iat=XI filled this werld w=Iith=XI grace.
=Gc=XGThis swete concepc=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne was broght be Gabriell,
Fig=Iur=XIed in Abrahams child and Rebecca Batuell.
Abraham sent Eliezer=Ie=XI to seke some virgine gudely
Til his sonne Ysaac a wif to be worthi:
Rebecca to Eliezer=Ie=XI asking a drinke it gave,
And he chaze hir=Ie=XI in spouse his lordis son for to have.
So sent the Fader=Ie=XI of heven to this werld Gabriel,
To seke for his dere So=Iu=XIn a moder=Ie=XI and virgine lele,
And he virgine Marie meke ou=Ier=XI alle o=$=Ier=XI fande,
=n1000=XnThat gaf, hym asking, a drinke, til his bode consentande:
Rebecca ministred a drinke to message and camelle;
Marie till aungels and men opned of lif the welle.
O gud Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs thin incarnacio=Iu=XIne luf here,
=#=Iat=XI in the welle of all lif we be eu=Ier=XI parcenere.
=DCapitulum viii=Sm=XS
Herd in this pas tofore of Cristes concepcioune,
Now here of his manhede the seint gen=Ier=XIacioune,=Ff.13=Sv=XS=XF
The whilk noght aunegels alon desired lange for to se,
Bot faders abode, and oft cryed "Lord, when shalle this be?
Send forth thi lambe, O Lorde of erth dominato=Iur=XI,
=n1010=XnThi light, thi sothfastnesse, God of et=Ier=XIne hono=Iur=XI;
Shewe vs thi face fulle fair=Ie=XI, and sauf err=Ie=XI we for ay,
Thi Son wham we abide and seke als foghil the day,
Why ne wolde he brist the hevens and in this werld descende
And his folk fro thralledom=Ie=XI of alle the devels defende?
Bowe doune, right Lord, thyne hevenys, & til vs sauve descende,
Of thyne hoge maiestee, and thi right hande extende.
Haf nowe, Lord, mynde of alle thyne olde m=Ier=XIcyfullenesse;
Come refe vs fro the poustee of eu=Ier=XIlasting derknesse.
Come, Lord, =$=Iat=XI thi p=Iro=XIphets be fonden lele and verray,
=n1020=XnThyne heghtis and thair=Ie=XI fig=Iur=XIes be fulfilled=C
 in thair=Ie=XI day.
Come Lord, right sone, and hast and tary noght thi gudenesse:
Relese thi folkes trespasse, and take our=Ie=XI blode & flesshe.
No man suffises vs nor aungel til vnthralle;
Come thow =$=Ier=XIfore thyself, O Lord =$=Iat=XI made vs alle!"
At the last, m=Ier=XIcyfull God take our=Ie=XI hvmanitee
For to destruye of man the olde captivitee.
He =$=Iat=XI sometyme saide, "Me repents to haf made ma=In=XIn"
Liked to be inc=Ia=XIrnat, man to delyvre than.
=Ga=XGThis was figured tofore be the botler=Ie=XI of Pharao=Iu=XIn
=n1030=XnWhilk dremed, in p=Iri=XIsoune shet=ft=Xfe, of his deliuriso=Iu=XIn.
Hym thoght out of the grounde a vigne sprange hym tofore,
Whilk spredd it in thre bra=Iu=XInches be p=Iro=XIcesse more and more.
Thilk vigne broght noght furth grapes at ones in o moment,
Bo=ft=Xf first lef and than flowres and grapes succedent;
He p=Ire=XIssed in Pharaos cuppe =$=Iat=XI he held in his hande
Grapes, and offred his lord als he vsed toforhande.
Aft=Ier=XI of this dreme herd he swilk int=Ier=XIpretacioune
=#=Iat=XI passed bot dayes thre to be qwite of p=Iri=XIsoune.
Of this dreme haf =y=Ie=XI herd the cas historiale;
=n1040=XnHere nowe, if it =yow like, the menyng spirituale.
Tofore that Oure Saveour=Ie=XI toke our=Ie=XI hvmanitee,
Mankynde had suffred lange reuthfulle captivitee.
At last a vigne, Jhesus, sprange of the erth, Marie,
Havyng in hym thre braunches, thre thinges wonderfullie:
For Crist in hym had fleshe and sawle and deitee,
Whilk thre thinges hafe destruyd all our=Ie=XI captivitee,
Or els thre p=Ier=XIsones thir=Ie=XI braunches ern in the Trinitee,
Whilk vs of priso=Iu=XIne has qwite of alle the feendes poustee;=Ff.14=Sr=XS=XF
Bot noght mankind delivred onene =$=Iat=XI Crist was borne,
=n1050=XnBot wyne of Cristis blode p=Ire=XIssed in the Crosses horne.
The thredde day aft=Ier=XI this wyne was pressed in passioune,
Than was mankind fre, qwite out of the feendis prisoune.
This wyne the King of heven enebried fulle swetely
When he ma=In=XInes gilt =$=Ier=XIfore wald relese so freely.
The same wyne has vs left God, of his grete m=Ier=XIcy,
Eu=Ier=XIy day to be offred in the autier=Ie=XI mistikly
Vnto the hegh King of heven, for this werldis offence,
For ilk day it offendis =$=Iat=XI Lordis maiestee inmense.
Blissed be =$=Iat=XI Saveour=Ie=XI and his clemence divine,
=n1060=XnIn whilk is vs betaken thus helefulle medicyne;
And blissed be eu=Ier=XImore =$=Iat=XI virgine gloriouse,
Bering this vigne of wyne thus wele enebriouse.
When Crist was borne, the vignes floryshed of Engaddy,
To shew =$=Iat=XI Crist figured was comen than c=Ier=XIteinly.
Blissed be Our=Ie=XI Savio=Iur=XIs Crist joyouse natiuitee,
Of whilk til aungels and men comes alle vtilitee:
Be it fro feendis myght is mankind delivrid,
And be the same aungelkinde is gudely restorid.
=Gb=XGOf Cristis birth nowe herde the swete vtilitee,
=n1070=XnHer=Ie=XI we =$=Ier=XIof forwardis the man=Ier=XIe and qualitee.
The man=Ier=XI =$=Ier=XIof figured Aarons =yerde almandine,
=#=Iat=XI florisshed and fruyt broght forth be souleine v=Ier=XItue divine,
For to m=Ier=XIueile =$=Iat=XI =yerde contr=Ie=XInat=Iur=XIely=C
 burgeonde thar=Ie=XI,
So Marie of nat=Iur=XIes ordre m=Ier=XIveillously hir=Ie=XI son bare.
Aarons =yerde fructified w=Iith=XIout plantacio=Iu=XIne:
Marie bare vs a son w=Iith=XIout mans co=Im=XImixtioune.
The =yerdes flour=Ie=XI shewed Aaron worthi vnto p=Ire=XIsthede,
And Marie childing bare vs a sou=Ier=XIein preste in dede.
In the almondes shelle was hidde a swete nuclee:
=n1080=XnIn the shelle of Cristis flesshe was hidde his deitee.
In Aarons =yerde we fynde of braunches the grennesse,
The swettnes of the floure, of fruyt plentivousnesse;
So is in Marie fonden eu=Ier=XI grene virginitee,
Of pitee the swettnes, pleinesse of s=fa=Xfintite;
=Gc=XGAnd Crist shewed noght his birth vnto the Jewes onely,
Bot to the payens also, of his aboundant m=Ier=XIcy:
For he come noght in erth ones for the Jewes sake,
Bot for his grace wald sprede all men sauf for to make.
Thir=Ie=XI tymes, Octovian was lord ou=Ier=XI alle the werld, rede we,
=n1090=XnWharefore the Romayns hym p=Iro=XIfred hono=Iur=XI=C
 of deitee,=Ff.14=Sv=XS=XF
Of whilk thing he counseild w=Iith=XI Sibille the p=Iro=XIphetesse,
Wher=Ie=XI in this werld shuld eure man passe hym in gretenesse.
A sercle of gold at Rome aboute the sonnebeme sawe she
Thilk day =$=Iat=XI Crist was borne in the land of Judee;
Als in that cercle sho se the fairest mayden sitting,
A fair=Ie=XI son ou=Ier=XI alle o=$=Ier=XI in hir=Ie=XI swete armys halsing.
To the emp=Ier=XIour=Ie=XI Octavian thilk Sibille shewed that thing,
And saide ou=Ier=XI his estate =$=Iat=XI day was borne a king.
O myght of the King of kinges ou=Ier=XI alle =$=Iat=XI beres poustee,
=n1100=Xn=#=Iat=XI has delivred mankind fro the feendis captivitee!
=IAugustus Caesar feared the power of this king,=XI
=IAnd refused to allow men to consider or call him god.=XI
Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs thi birth til hono=Iur=XI w=Iith=XI myght and mayne,
=#=Iat=XI in the devels thraldom=Ie=XI we ne falle neu=Ier=XI more a=yeine.
=DCapitulum ix=Sm=XS
The passed chapitle declared Cristis gen=Ier=XIacioune;
In this nowe is til here of the kinges oblacioune.
=Ga=XGThilk day =$=Iat=XI Jh=Ies=XIu Crist was borne vs in Bethleeme,
Thre kinges se in the Est a sterne of fulle grete leeme,
In whilk newe sterne thai see a knave childe fair=Ie=XI and hulde;
=n1110=XnAboven his heved apiered a bright crosse of fyne gulde.
Fro thence herd thai a voice vntil thaim thre saying,
"Goos to Judee and thair=Ie=XI shalle =y=Ie=XI fynde a newe kinge."
To that lande went thays kinges alle thre fulle hastyly;
Hevens Kinge fande thi thar=Ie=XI borne, and offred til hym gudely.
=Gb=XGThir=Ie=XI thre kinges be thre stronge men had p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIing,
=#=Iat=XI broght fro Bethlemes cist=Ier=XIne wat=Ier=XI to Dauid Kinge.
The boldenesse of thir=Ie=XI thre stronge was p=Ira=XIysed=C
 fulle mykil =$=Ier=XIby;
The come and offring of thir=Ie=XI thre kinges is loved hyeghly.
The thre stronge, of thar=Ie=XI foos thay ne hadde no man=Ier=XIe awe
=n1120=XnTo passe thorghout thair=Ie=XI ost the watir=Ie=XI=C
 thar=Ie=XI for to drawe.
Herodes pouwer=Ie=XI ryght so thir=Ie=XI thre kinges dred nothing,
Bot boldly Judee entrant, askid of o newe king.
Jaspar=Ie=XI, Balthasar, Melchor the thre kinges heght =$=Iat=XI day:
The thre stronge Bananyas, [Sobokay], Abasay.
The thre stronge at Bethleme feched wat=Ier=XI of the cist=Ier=XIne:
The thre kinges come to Bethleme for wat=Ier=XI of grace et=Ier=XIne.
The thre stronge wat=Ier=XI drew vpp out of a cist=Ier=XIne t=Ier=XIrestre:
The thre kinges toke wat=Ier=XI of grace of the botteller=Ie=XI celestre.
The cist=Ier=XIne in Bethleme be this wayes fig=Iur=XIed even
=n1130=XnIn Bethleme =$=Iat=XI shuld be borne the butteller=Ie=XI=C
 of hyest heven,
Whilk shuld byrle wat=Ier=XI of grace til ilk man wele thrysty
And freely gif wat=Ier=XI of grace to thaim =$=Iat=XI may=C
 noght by.=Ff.15=Sr=XS=XF
Kyng Dauid, the watir=Ie=XI broght, offrid to Godde lovyng,
=#=Iat=XI gaf hym so stronge men to do =$=Iat=XI mayst=Ier=XIfulle thyng:
Cryst lord of heven and erth toke exultacioune
Signed be thir=Ie=XI thre kynges co=Im=XImyng of payens conu=Ier=XIsioune.
Dauid semed noght haf thristed wat=Ier=XI, bot his men=Ine=XIs v=Ier=XItue:
Ryght so our=Ie=XI turnyng til hele thristed Our=Ie=XI Lord Jhesue.
The thre stronge to Bethlem went in fulle littel space:
=n1140=XnSo come thre kynges of the Est thidir=Ie=XI sone thorgh Gods grace.
Who askis how =$=Iat=XI this thing thus schort tyme myght befalle,
To Crist borne was nothing, say, inpossible at alle,
For he =$=Iat=XI broght Abakuc sodenley fro Jude to Babilone
Moght brynge thre kinges of the Est into Judee onone.
Thir=Ie=XI kinges did at Bethlem to Crist fulle meeke reu=Ier=XIence,
And offrid hym devoutly gold, mirre and encence.
=Gc=XGThe fig=Iur=XIe of this new king, and of his oblacioune,
Was in the kyngdome forshewed of the wise Kyng Salomo=Iu=XIne:
For Salomone King a child =yit thogh wysest was he,
=n1150=XnAnd Godde childe made, als wise als arst in Trinitee.
Kyng Salomon sat in the throne of yvoir=Ie=XI fair=Ie=XI & clene
The whilk alle ou=Ier=XI was cledde w=Iith=XI gold fynest and shene.
Alle kinges of erth to see King Salomon had bry=In=XInyng,
And broght hym p=Ire=XIciouse giftes and latsomest to fynd,
Bot the Whene of Saba hym broght gyftes so many & slike
=#=Iat=XI in Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm tofore warr=Ie=XI neu=Ier=XI=C
 arst sene thaym like.
The throne of Salomon verray is the blissid mayden Marye,
In whilk satt Jh=Ies=XIus Crist, et=Ier=XIne verray Sophie.
This reu=Ier=XIent throne was made of alle ther=Ie=XI fynest trezore:
=n1160=XnThat is, of fynest gold and alder=Ie=XI-whittest yvore.
The yvore for his candoure and his coldnesse, witt =ye,
Takenes virginele clennesse of hevenysh chaystytee.
Yvore a rede coloure takes vpp when it is olde:
Right so longe chastitee for martirdome is tolde;
And for golde in valour=Ie=XI passes eu=Ier=XIy metalle
It takenes charitee, the moder=Ie=XI of v=Ier=XItues alle.
Thus Marie is cald yvoir=Ie=XI for virginele chastitee,
And ou=Ier=XIcledde alle with golde for p=Ier=XIfitest charite.
Lord, gudely to maydenhede conioignes charitee,
=n1170=XnWithout whilk pleses nothing to God virginitee:
For als the vnbrynnyng laumpe a thef dredes nothing,
No mare the devil maydenhode, charitee in it failling.
Salomones throne was w=Iith=XI sex greces exaltate,
And Marie sup=Ier=XIexcellis of all seints the state--=Ff.15=Sv=XS=XF
Of patriarkes and p=Iro=XIphetes and posteles dignitee,
Of martirs and confessour=Ie=XIs and virgines in degree--
Or Salomones throne had greces sex, als I saide toforne,
For aft=Ier=XI the sex eages of the warlde was Marie borne.
Twelve leonceux ou=Ier=XI sex greces Salomones throne exourned,
=n1180=XnAnd Marie als hevens qwhene the twelue aposteles ano=Iu=XIrned;
Or twelue leonceux of the throne whar=Ie=XI notable embelisso=Iur=XIs
For =$=Iat=XI the patriarks twelve ware Maries p=Iro=XIgenito=Iur=XIs;
And two grete lyo=Iu=XIns the throne of King Salomon vp bare:
Two tables of the co=Im=XImandments dowbly in Our=Ie=XI Lady sawle ware.
=IThe top of this throne was curved,=XI
=IBecause Mary was completely clean, and without any dirty corner.=XI
Two handes stablisshid the throne, one on othere p=Iar=XIte,
For the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast fro Marie shalle neu=Ier=XI departe.
This throne verray Salomon made til hymself so clene
=n1190=Xn=#=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI in no kynges aght was swilk=C
 ane o=$=Ier=XI werke sene,
Whar=Ie=XIfore the kynges swilk giftes toke with thaym for offring
Als to this lordfulle childe shuld seme be most sittyng.
Golde is a real gift for his grete nobletee,
Be whilk =$ai shewed the child a king verray to be.
Encense is oblacioune, =ye wote, is sac=Ier=XIdotale,
And this child was a prest =$=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI hadde his egale.
In auncien tyme w=Iith=XI mirre dede bodies biried wer=Ie=XI:
Crist, king and prest, for ma=In=XIne wald in this werld dye here.
Than aght vs offre to Crist golde of dileccio=Iu=XIne,
=n1200=XnSithen he for vs bare payne of bitt=Ier=XIest passio=Iu=XIne,
Encense of devoute laude and of graces thanking,
And mirre of compassio=Iu=XIne of his deth recoreding.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs so tendre of thi paynes be
In heven =$=Iat=XI we descerve eu=Ier=XImore the for to se.
=DCapitulum x=Sm=XS
In the chapitle tofore was of thre kynges offring;
Nowe fylowes it in the Temple of Cristis p=Ire=XIsenting.
Our=Ie=XI Ladie the fourtied day of Cristis natiuitee
Of hir=Ie=XI purificacioune did the solempnitee;
Bot sho ne had nothing nede of purificacioune,
=n1210=Xn=#=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI conceyvid hir=Ie=XI son of=C
 ma=In=XInes co=Im=XImixtioune,
Bot wold be purified to be of the Lawe executrice,
=#=Iat=XI sho ne shuld noght be demed of the Lawe p=Ire=XIuaricatrice,
F[or] breker=Ie=XI of Gods lawe was sho noght c=Ier=XIteinly,
Bot alle =$=Iat=XI was =$=Ier=XIinne kept sho fulle bisily.
=Ga=XGThe Arke of Gods Testament p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed hir=Ie=XI =$ar=Ie=XIfore,
In whilk the p=Ire=XIceptis of his Lawe warr=Ie=XI shette, both lesse & more.
In this Arke war=Ie=XI two tables of Moyses alle of stone
In whilk the x co=Im=XImandements war=Ie=XI writen ilkone=C
 by one,=Ff.16=Sr=XS=XF
The whilk for p=Iro=XIfite of reders I write als =$ay war=Ie=XI thair=Ie=XI,
=n1220=XnAnd ovre w=Iith=XI a short glose I thynk thaym to declare.
The first, loke thowe ne be gods alien wirchiphing;
=#=Iat=XI is, wirshippe trewe Godde and ou=Ier=XI hym luf nothing.
The secunde, thow shalle noght in vayne thi Lord God name take:
=#=Iat=XI is, thov shalle no blaspheme nor othe in his name vnduely make.
The thredde is haf gude mynde thi haly day to seintifie:
=#=Iat=XI is, do no vnleffulle werkes in it, nor synne noght dedely.
The ferth is fader=Ie=XI and moder=Ie=XI hono=Iur=XI dewely obeiant,
Pitee and necessaries to thaym in savle & body ministrant.
The fift, slee noght in dede, in worde nor wikked ymaginacio=Iu=XIne,
=n1230=XnIn help, consent, ensaumple nor any occasioune.
The sext, lecherye do none in dede, thoght nor spekyng,
No=fr=Xf in thi jurisdiccio=Iu=XIne be no swilk thing suffring.
Loke thov stele noght, the sevent, other mens thing to the drawyng,
Nor mawgree wham =$=Iat=XI it awe be sleghtes mysvsing.
The eghten is fals wittnesse a=yeins thi neghburgh =$=Io=XIu ne saye:
=#=Iat=XI is, alle leghes and wikked sleghtis and detraccioune flee aye.
The nynt, house & feeld of thi neghburgh to wilne eschew freely
(Til his disese or harme it knawyng specially).
The tenth, mayden nor knave wilne noght, nor wif fro hir=Ie=XI husband.
=n1240=XnThe forther=Ie=XI p=Ire=XIcept of vnmovable, this=C
 of movable vnderstand:
Thir=Ie=XI two last p=Ire=XIceptes semes to discorde in nothing
Bot that thai of inmobles and mobles makes desseu=Ier=XIyng.
And alle the forsaide p=Ire=XIceptes kept Marie bisyly,
Wharefore the Testamentis Arke p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed hir=Ie=XI resonably.
This same Arke als contened the boke of the Olde Testament,
And Marie the bokes of Haly Writte herd in haliest entent.
In the Arke was Arones =yerde whilk florisshed, a=fl=Xfs is made mynde,
And Marie wombe flovred & broght forth fruyt salut=Ier=XI to mankynde.
In the Arke was =Ivrna aurea=XI w=Iith=XI manna cald aungels brede:
=n1250=XnOf Marie come manna of heven =$=Iat=XI sauues fro eendles dede.
The Testamentis Arke of sethim, a tree input=Iri=XIble, was made,
And Marie in rotynnesse ne poudr=Ie=XI neu=Ier=XI aft=Ier=XI=C
 hir=Ie=XI dede slade.
The Arke had in the sydes four=Ie=XI ringes of golde be tale:
In Marie war=Ie=XI four=Ie=XI vertues whilk men calle cardinale,
=#=Iat=XI er=Ie=XI temp=Ier=XIaunce, p=Iru=XIdence, force=C
 and the ferth justice,
The rotes of alle vertues for to destruye alle vice.
Thwo barres this Arke had eke be whilk it borne moght be,
Signifiant of God & man the double charitee.
The Arke withinne & w=Iith=XIoute was alle ou=Ier=XI golde bygone,
=n1260=XnAnd Marie withinne & w=Iith=XIoute in alle gude=C
 vertues shone.=Ff.16=Sv=XS=XF
=Gb=XGAls to the goldin candelabre was sho lykned forthi
Whilk in the Temple of Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm shone fulle nobly,
On whilk war=Ie=XI laumpes seven brynnyng fulle fair=Ie=XI standing,
The seven werkes of m=Ier=XIcye in Marie p=Ire=XIfiguryng.
This ere: to hungry gif mete, and drink to pur=Ie=XI thristing,
The naked to cleth, and gedre to harbergh the nedy wagring,
Visit the seke, and p=Iri=XIsoners delivre and ou=Ier=XI thaym rewe,
Do graue dede mens bodies for Our=Ie=XI Lords luf Jhesu.
The werkes of m=Ier=XIcye no dout in Marie war=Ie=XI plen=Ier=XIly,
=n1270=XnSen sho is moder=Ie=XI of pitee and qwene evre of mercy.
How shuld the moder=Ie=XI of m=Ier=XIcye the werkes of m=Ier=XIcye noght fille,
Or the candelabre fulle of divine fir=Ie=XI noght shyne be the same skille?
This Ladie is verray candelabre and C=Iri=XIstis bright lanterne,
The laumpe brynnyng in fire of light sou=Ier=XIayne sup=Ier=XIne.
This virgine fulle of splendo=Iur=XI and thorghout lumynouse
Is bright as som=Ier=XIes dawenyng and als the sonne radyouse.
Hir=Ie=XI bemes ou=Ier=XI alle the st=Ier=XInes er=Ie=XI=C
 incomp=Iar=XIabli bright:
Of this werldis nyght the mone is sho, and aungels light.
To this candelabre & hir=Ie=XI candele bere we devocioune
=n1280=XnWith light candels in the feest of hir=Ie=XI purificacioune.
Marye to Godde in that feeste offrid a candel bright,
The whilk Seinte Symeon cald thus: "reuelacioune of folkes light".
Jh=Ies=XIu Crist, Marie son, is this candel brynnyng,
Be threfald matiers =$=Iat=XI er=Ie=XI founden in swilk a thyng:
For in the candel is fire, weke and wax, this thre--
In Crist warr=Ie=XI flesshe and sawle and verray divinitee.
This candele to God the Fader=Ie=XI was offrid for hele of man,
Be whilk the nyght of our=Ie=XI derknesse was lightned than.
=Gc=XGAlso the oblacioune of this gloriouse virgine candele
=n1290=XnWas sometyme p=Ire=XIfigured in the haly child Samuele.
His moder=Ie=XI Anne was barayne & moght no childe bere,
Wharefor sho, God prayng, lete falle fulle many a ter=Ie=XI.
Till Anne gaf Godde a son ageynes alle nat=Iur=XIel vse,
And above nat=Iur=XIes vsage to Marie hir=Ie=XI so=Iu=XIn Jhesus.
Anna hir=Ie=XI son Samuel to Godde gaf in offring,
Bot Marie of hir=Ie=XI son to Godde his awne Fader=Ie=XI made gyving.
Sho offrid a son to be for the Jewes p=Iro=XIpugnatour=Ie=XI:
Marie hir=Ie=XI son to be of alle this werld p=Iro=XItecto=Iur=XI;
And of Jewes refused was after=Ie=XI the son of Anne,
=n1300=XnAnd Marye son be thaym slayne, saklest =$=Iat=XI eu=Ier=XI was manne.
This thing be Symeon of Marie tofore p=Iro=XIphecied was:
=#=Iat=XI the swerde of hir=Ie=XI son shuld thorgh hir=Ie=XI=C
 sawle passe.=Ff.17=Sr=XS=XF
O gude Jhesu, in luf of thi presentacioune
Gif vs in hevenyssh Temple w=Iith=XI thyn aungels to woune.
=DCapitulum xj=Sm=XS
=Ye haf herd her=Ie=XItofore how Crist p=Ire=XIsentid was;
How he fledde til Egipt nowe heris in this pas.
Josep, be the aungel warnid =$=Iat=XI Herod to slee Crist thoght,
With moder=Ie=XI and child onone til Egipt fleeyng he soght;
And when Crist and his moder=Ie=XI war=Ie=XI in thies contrees entrande,
=n1310=XnAll ymages of mawmetry ou=Ier=XIthruwe thorghout the lande,
Whilk thing to the Egipciens Jeremy had told to bee,
Tofore vnto =$=Iat=XI lande ledde in captivitee.
=Ga=XGFor when the Egipciens herd Jeremy a p=Iro=XIphett calle
=#ai spired hym if in Egipt shuld any grete m=Ier=XIveilles falle.
He answerd a mayden shuld bere a son in tyme to co=Im=XIme,
And than shuld the ydoles ouerthrawe thorgh Egipt alle & so=Im=XIme,
And thai, demyng this childe ovre thair=Ie=XI gods till haf myght,
Treted what hono=Iur=XI til hym for to do wer=Ie=XI best right.
A virgine w=Iith=XI a fair=Ie=XI child didde thai make be entaylle
=n1320=XnHono=Iur=XIyng it in thair=Ie=XI wise, thus sais=C
 the storie sanz faille.
Lange aft=Ier=XI, what this mote mene spird thaym King Tholome:
Thai saide thai hadde in p=Iro=XIphecie =$=Iat=XI swilk a thing shuld be.
This p=Iro=XIphecie was fullfillid in dede fulle verrayly,
When intil Egipt was entred Crist and his moder=Ie=XI Marie,
For alle the ymages in Egipt of ydoles ou=Ier=XIthrew than,
Wharefore a mayden haf childede than demed ther=Ie=XI many a man.
=Gb=XGAls was this thing fig=Iur=XIed in Moyses and Pharaoune,
His coro=Iu=XIne al to-bristing w=Iith=XI the ymagie of godde Hamo=Iu=XIne.
King Pharao did make his coro=Iu=XIne of golde and perre nobly,
=n1330=XnW=Iith=XI the ymage of godde Hamo=Iu=XIne =$=Ier=XIin wroght craftily.
Thai hadde p=Iro=XIphecie =$=Iat=XI of the Jewes a knave child shuld be borne
Whilk shuld the Jewes delyvre, and Egipt be forlorne;
Wharefore the Jewes war=Ie=XI chargid =$=Ier=XI childer=Ie=XI in the flode cast
=#=Iat=XI thus hym =$=Iat=XI thai dredde thai shulde slee at the last.
Her=Ie=XIfore to lyve in twynne thoght Amon & Jocabeth,
Als lever=Ie=XI to haf no childer=Ie=XI than bring tham forth to deth;
Bot Godde sent thaym his sonde to dwelle samne borde & bedde,
For thair=Ie=XIs shuld be thilk child whilk the Egipciens so dredde.
Jocabeth conceyved and bare a son fulle fair=Ie=XI and free,
=n1340=XnAnd hidde hym in hir=Ie=XI hovse fulle p=Iri=XIvely monethes three.
Aft=Ier=XI, when Jocabeth se sho moght no langer=Ie=XI hym hide,
Hym closid in a skeppette sho laide be the ryver=Ie=XI syde.
Termuth, Pharaos doght=Ier=XI, come by the ryver=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI hovre,
And the childe founden adopte for son tille his honour=Ie=XI,=Ff.17=Sv=XS=XF
Whaym sho gert calle Moyses and did hym norisshid to be,
And broght hym aft=Ier=XI on a tyme vnto the kyng for to see;
With whaym playing, his coro=Iu=XIne toke he hym at the last,
And he doune to the erth kest it and alle to-brast.
A bysshopp of thair=Ie=XI mawments cryed thus when he this see:
=n1350=Xn"This is the childe whilk goddes shewed vs =$=Iat=XI slayne shuld bee"
And his swerde drawne to slee the childe for this doyng,
Some folkes saide =$=Iat=XI the thing was done of vnconnyng.
Qvhikke colys gaf thai the childe to part thair=Ie=XI threpe be skille:
Some kest he in his mouthe als it was Gods wille;
And thus Moyses was sauued thorgh grace in his =yonge age,
=#=Iat=XI aft=Ier=XI delyvred the Jewes fro Egipciens s=Ier=XIuage.
And thinges =$=Iat=XI =ye haf herd of this child Moyses nowe
Accordis in diu=Ier=XIse thinges vnto the childe swete Jhesewe,
For Pharao bad alle the Jewes =$=Ier=XI childer=Ie=XI male for to drovne,
=n1360=XnAnd to drenche Moyses thaym w=Iith=XI was his entencioune.
So Herod bad alle the childer=Ie=XI of Bethlem dede shuld be,
=#=Iat=XI Crist childe shuld be slane amanges thaym thus kest he;
Bot als Godde sauued Moyses fro the handes =fof=Xf Pharao,
So sauued he his Son Crist fro the swerde of Herod, loo.
For Israel out of Egipt to lede was borne Moyses,
And Crist borne to qwite man out of infernale disese.
Moyses the godde of Egipt to-brast with the coroune,
Crist alle =$=Ier=XI fals gods to-brast til noght and broght thaym doune.
=Gc=XGThis ruyne of ydoles fig=Iur=XIed ane ymage fulle lange tofore
=n1370=XnSeghen in his bedde sleping be Kyng Nabugodonosor.
This ymage heved and his nekke war=Ie=XI alle of gold fulle fyne,
The armys and brest of it war=Ie=XI thorghout argentyne;
This ymage wombe and the theghes war=Ie=XI alle togider=Ie=XI of brasse,
The leggis, als thoght the king, of yrnysshe matier=Ie=XIs wasse.
The feete some parte of erth the king thoght =$=Iat=XI shuld be,
Also some parte of yryn, als thoght his sleping ee.
Out of a hille a stone without mans hande was kytte,
And in the feet of the ymage or mawmet do=Iu=XIn slathe itte,
Whilk stone =$=Iat=XI ymage grete in pouder=Ie=XI sone alle to-brast,
=n1380=XnAnd aft=Ier=XI wax a mountaigne alder-most at the last.
This stone of Jh=Ies=XIu Crist gaf figuracioune,
=#=Iat=XI toke mankynde in erthe for our=Ie=XI saluacioune.
This stone out of the mounteigne w=Iith=XIout mans handis was shorne
For Crist was borne of Marie, virgine aft=Ier=XI als toforne.
This stone Crist in Egipt the ydoles eke alle to-brast,
Wher=Ie=XI thai ware silver=Ie=XI or gold: this is trevth=C
 hole and fast;=Ff.18=Sr=XS=XF
And mawmets of yryn and brasse =yit brast he also thase,
With o=$=Ier=XI of erthe--ilkone Crist made turne til a maze.
In the remenbred ymage war=Ie=XI sene thir=Ie=XI maters alle,
=n1390=XnAnd Crist made alle ydoles falle into pouder=Ie=XI fulle smalle.
That stone, the ymage to-broken=Ie=XI, in a grete mowntaigne grewe
For, cessing ydoles, the feith sprange thorgh the werld of Jh=Ies=XIu;
Or els the stone gruwe vpp in ane hille alder-moste
For Crist his enemy H=fe=Xfrod destruyde, for alle his boste.
Crist, callid out of Egipt, repaired in Jewerie thanne,
In eage and wisdo=Iu=XIme forthering tofor both God and manne;
And in a mountaigne so grete at the last thus growed he,
=#=Iat=XI he filled heven and erthe w=Iith=XI his inmensitee.
Who shalle this mountaigne clymbe, =$=Iat=XI is, who shalle Crist see,
=n1400=XnBot the innocent of his hande w=Iith=XI hertis puritee?
He this shalle blissing take of Our=Ie=XI Lord almyghty,
And m=Ier=XIcy of his gude Godde his saluter=Ie=XI eendelesly.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs the =fto=Xf serue w=Iith=XI hert clene,
=#=Iat=XI in the hille of thi blisse eu=Ier=XImore we mowe the sene.
=DCapitulum xij=Sm=XS
In the last chapitle was tolde how Crist til Egipt was chacid;
Heres now in this howe John in Jordan=Ie=XI Crist baptizid.
When Our=Ie=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu Crist his trehtti=It=XIh =yere beganne
To Johan come he at the flvmme for to be baptized thanne:
Bot Crist to be baptized, wit wele, hadde he no nede
=n1410=XnSauf for mankyndes hele =$=Iat=XI he it vnder=yede,
=#=Iat=XI water=Ie=XI, his sacrede body touchying, shuld vertue take
To man baptized in itte entree til hevens make.
=Ga=XGThis was fig=Iur=XId tofore in thilk see of brasse
Whilk in the entree of the Temple of Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm sette was,
In whilk the p=Ire=XIstes =$=Iat=XI wolde in the Temple make entree
Had nede thaym for to washe, honest and clene to bee.
So in Gods Temple of heven entree who haue wille,
In baptisme be washed clene hym nedes, be like skille;
And =Inota=XI, ar=Ie=XI we go ferther=Ie=XI, =$=Iat=XI ther=Ie=XI=C
 bene baptismes thre:
=n1420=XnOff flvmme, of flavme, of blode.  Disseu=Ier=XI=C
 thaym thus shalle =y=Ie=XI:
Of flvmme thas whilk in watir=Ie=XI takes duwe inm=Ier=XIsio=Iu=XIne,
Of blode thas =$=Iat=XI for Crist tholes martyrs passio=Iu=XIne,
Of flavme be the Haly Gost forsoth baptized is he
=#=Iat=XI p=Iur=XIposed to baptisme and dyes ar=Ie=XI it may be;
And if that man ou=Ier=XIlyve, hym suffizes noght the intent,
Bot of some man, if he may, the baptisme of wat=Ier=XI he hent:
Ne baptisme of blode nor martir=Ie=XI availles noght be this skille
Who may resceyue baptisme of wat=Ier=XI, and noght ne wille.
=Ye her=Ie=XI how necessarie is the baptesme of wat=Ier=XI=C
 =for=Xf flvmne=Ff.18=Sv=XS=XF
=n1430=XnWho may it have and wilnes in Gods Temple for to come.
Baptesme of flvmme is doine only in water=Ie=XI pure,
And noyther=Ie=XI in wyne nor mylke, nor in any other=Ie=XI licour=Ie=XI.
The mare enen or the lauatorie the whilk was made of brasse
In whilk all man=Ier=XIe metallies be the fuso=Iur=XIs =yett was
Takened that wordes of baptesme may be in eu=Ier=XIy langage
So =$=Iat=XI the wordes haf fo=Iur=XIme aft=Ier=XI the trewe Kyrkes vsage:
And eu=Ier=XIy man the sacrament of baptesme may gif, loo,
If he it aft=Ier=XI Haly Kyrke haf trew entent to do,
And als twelue oxen of brasse bare vpp this brasen see,
=n1440=XnSo baptesme twelue apostles p=Ire=XIched thorgh the werlde to bee;
Nor it nys noght to slide ou=Ier=XI =$=Iat=XI =$=Iis=XI mare enen was
Hild about w=Iith=XI wymmens myrours of purest glas,
=#=Iat=XI folk in towards the Temple myght knawe, in thaym lokeing,
If any spotte or oght ellis war=Ie=XI on thaym myssittying,
Whilk fig=Iur=XIed =$=Iat=XI baptesme askes of conscience p=Ier=XIfeccioune,
W=Iith=XI displacens of all synne and hertly contrycioune.
=#=Ier=XIfore to some Pharisens Johan Baptist thus saide he
Whame w=Iith=XIout contricioune to baptesme come he see:
"How shalle =ye flee the ire of the comyng juge, =y=Ie=XI neddre brode,
=n1450=XnTaking baptesme without contricio=Iu=XIne in =yo=Iur=XI mode?"
=Gb=XGFor he =$=Iat=XI baptesme takes w=Iith=XI hertis contricioune
Is clensid of alle his synnes be plen=Ier=XI remissioune.
In Naaman of Syr=Ie=XI was this shewed sometyme fig=Iur=XIatifly,
=#=Iat=XI was lepre and clennsid in Jordan m=Ier=XIveillously.
This Naaman a payen was and nothing Godde he knewe,
=Yit come he to seke hele of Gods p=Iro=XIph=Ie=XIte Elisew.
He weshe hym, biding the p=Iro=XIph=Ie=XIte, in flvmme Jordan seven sithe,
And was hole as a childe of alle his lepre thus swithe.
Helisev, be this sevenfolde in Jordanes water=Ie=XI wesheing,
=n1460=XnP=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed of the seven dedely synnes in baptesme forgyving.
Naaman be Jordan was made fro lepre thorgh clene in body,
Bot foulest synners be baptesme er=Ie=XI made faire spirituelly
So =$=Iat=XI if, ar=Ie=XI thay synned eft, Godde ordeynd thair=Ie=XI deying,
Thai shulde passe vntille heven onone w=Iith=XIout lettyng:
And this was takened when hevens war=Ie=XI opned ou=Ier=XI Crist anone,
When he in the flvmne Jordan had taken baptesme of John;
Wharefore whoso wille entre into the kyngdome of heven,
Nedes mot hym baptized be, als is forsaide fulle even--
=Gc=XGAnd in the passage of Jordan had p=Ire=XIfiguracioune,
=n1470=XnEntring the childer=Ie=XI of Isr=Iae=XIl the land=C
 of p=Iro=XImissioune=Ff.19=Sr=XS=XF
For first Jordan, the fig=Iur=XIe of haly baptesme, thay passed,
Ar=Ie=XI thai war=Ie=XI in the lande of Gods p=Iro=XImissioune entred.
Right so be baptesmes lauacr=Ie=XI mot ilk man have passing
Whilk to the verray lande of beheste desir=Ie=XIs to haue entring.
Archa Domini thorgh myddes Jordan was borne & ther=Ie=XI it stode,
And the folk with thair=Ie=XI bestaille drye-fote alle ou=Ier=XI it =yode;
For on the over half the Arche the wat=Ier=XI no ferther=Ie=XI ranne,
Bot like ane hogest mountaigne it gadred togider=Ie=XI thanne,
And on the lawer=Ie=XI p=Iar=XItie the wat=Ier=XI ranne to the see,
=n1480=Xn=#=Iat=XI Jordan drye thorgh was likest for to be:
And out of the grounde of the flvmme the folk toke twelue stones
To make a memorial on the bank perpetuell for the nones.
Of o=$=Ier=XI twelue stones fro the bank broght vnto the depnesse
Thai made a hepe whare the Arche stode til eu=Ier=XIlasting wittenesse.
Thus passed Gods folk the flvmme drye fote, joyous and fayne,
And Jordan, als it didde arst, held furthe the cour=Ie=XIs agayne.
The Arche of the Testament whilk stode in Jordan this wise
P=Ire=XIfig=Iu=XIred Our=Ie=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu Crist in Jordan to baptize.
In the Arche was Aarones =yerde whilk floured m=Ier=XIveillously,
=n1490=XnAnd be the same flour=Ie=XI was Crist fortakned fig=Iur=XIatively.
In the Arche was manna also =$=Iat=XI in desert reynyde,
And Crist his brede of lyf =$=Iat=XI of hevenis descendid.
In the Arche was also the boke of the Lawe cald Deut=Ier=XIonomy,
And the same Godde is made man =$=Iat=XI Moyses had it by;
And in the Arche war=Ie=XI also Gods commandementes tenne,
For the same Godde =$=Iat=XI thaym gave had ordeigned baptesme to men.
The Arche of the tree of sethym eu=Ier=XI inputrible was made:
So Cristis flesshe dede & dolven never=Ie=XI to corrupcioune slade.
The Arche w=Iith=XIinne & w=Iith=XIout was hiled w=Iith=XI golde polyt,
=n1500=XnAnd to Crist qvhikke and dede was the Godhed eu=Ier=XI vnyt.
The twelue stones testi=Im=XIoniales the twelue apostils signified,
Whilk thorghout alle the werld Cristis baptesme testified.
Jh=Ies=XIu, be thi baptesme gif vs so to lufe the
=#=Iat=XI in p=Ier=XIpetuele joy with the our=Ie=XI dwelling be.
=DCapitulum xiij=Sm=XS
Now last hard we how John Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist baptizid;
Here now how =$=Iat=XI the feend Crist proudely thrise temptid.
Affter=Ie=XI his baptisme was Crist ledde be the spirit styring
Into desert--this was of the Haly Gast moving.
=Ye shalle noght vnderstand =$=Iat=XI Crist was caried in the ayre,
=n1510=XnAls the aungel to Babilyone made p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIe=C
 Abakuc to cayre;=Ff.19=Sv=XS=XF
Nor no more bare the devil Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist ou=Ier=XI the Temple;
And to wit it be thus, lat vs se be ensa=Iu=XImple,
For this worde "lede" "to bere" has noght ay signifying
Bot sometyme "inducc=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne" ore els "a conveying":
To lede his folk out of Egipt Godde vnto Moyses spakke,
Neu=Ier=XI the rather=Ie=XI hym byd=fd=Xfyng to bere thaym on his bakke!
No more the devil be the ayre bare Crist in his leding,
Bot in shapp of a man to fylowe hym Crist tempting;
And for temptaciounes Crist wald thole of the so=Iu=XInes of Adam,
=n1520=XnFylowde he the feend and w=Iith=XI hym the Temple & the mount clame.
Crist wald be temptid to shewe til vs instruccioune
=#=Iat=XI no man may lyve here w=Iith=XIout temptacioune.
Sith Crist, God Son hymself, wald be tempte of the feend,
We ne may noght go without, this is the soth at eend;
And who is qwitte of one temptacioune happily,
The deville will noght dwelle lange to make ane other=Ie=XI redy.
Crist was noght temptid onely of o vice bot of thre,
Takenyng of the feendes fanding the innoumbrable diu=Ier=XIsitee:
And war ne Godde =yaf to menne the freendful angelic keping,
=n1530=XnThar=Ie=XI shuld neu=Ier=XI man eschape the feendes crowell temptyng,
For als the sonne beme of motes shewes full when it is clere,
So is this werld of feendes to dere men lyving here.
=#=Ier=XIfore whame =$=Iat=XI we see fall in temptacio=Iu=XIne,
We shuld of thaym in hert haf grete compassio=Iu=XIne.
We ne shuld noght thayme condempne, nor sone discou=Ier=XI be skille,
Bot excuse at our=Ie=XI myght thare trespasse, and it hille;
And if the trespas in dede excusen we ne may,
The entencione =yit til excuse some worde shuld we forth lay;
And if we noyther=Ie=XI the entent excuse may nor the dede,
=n1540=XnThan shuld we inwith vs self thenk thus mekely w=Iith=XI drede:
"O wriche, how oftsithe wers shuld it haf fallen of the,
If Godde had the noght kept of his m=Ier=XIveillouse bo=Iu=XIntee."
And =Inota=XI the feend thoght Crist to tempt be treble vice:
Gluterie and pride war=Ie=XI two, the thred was auarice.
When Crist had fourty dayes fastid and nyghtes fourty,
The devil had than grete hope Crist to be sore hungry,
And for the feend w=Iith=XI swilk synne to tempt men has grete wille
Als he coniettes be signes thai be most able tille,
Wharefore, for he hoped Crist was forfastid and wast,
=n1550=XnAlder-formast thoght he be gluttery hym to tast.
Now glutterie is =$=Iat=XI vice =$=Iat=XI the feend first temptis man inne,
For rather=Ie=XI a man delicat then abstynent fallis in synne.=Ff.20=Sr=XS=XF
Wharefore Adam and Eue of glutt=Ier=XIye first tempt he,
The forbedde fruyte til ete, be his fals sutiletee;
For ageyns other=Ie=XI vices whateu=Ier=XI he bestrives in veyne,
Bot he the inmoderaunce of glutt=Ier=XIye lerne to refreyne;
=Ga=XGAnd Crist ou=Ier=XIcome the devil in glutterye forthy,
Als shewed Daniel in the ydole Bel and the dragon, fig=Iur=XIatifly.
In Babiloyne wirshipt was als god the mawmet Bel,
=n1560=Xn=#=Iat=XI hoegely ete and dranke, als diu=Ier=XIse stories tell.
Brede of twelue bordes war=Ie=XI offred ilk day til hym redy:
Of wyne sex amphores, and flesshe shepe kaces sothen fourty.
Bel prestes to this vitaille hadde vndre the erth entree,
And ete vppe alle be nyght with =$=Ier=XI wyves and meignee,
Whas trace be asshes strewed Daniel apparceyving
Destruyd Belle and his p=Ire=XIstes, be leve had of the kyng.
In a caverne also lay ther=Ie=XI a grete dragon
Wham alle that landes folk held god and thar=Ie=XI Mahon;
And c=Ier=XItein tymes the prest gaf mete the dragon tille,
=n1570=XnThe whilk =$=Ier=XIof was gladde and in the cave dwelt ay stille.
Daniel a masse of pikke and grees mellid w=Iith=XI hare
Kest in the drago=Iu=XIns mouthe be the kinges leve, & thar=Ie=XI
Thilk feend swalowing the lompe, anone he alle to-brast,
And thus slewe Daniel bothe th=fo=Xfs gluttons at the last.
Now Daniel, whilk this two gulows deuo=Iu=XIrato=Iu=XIrs wyried,
Crist =$=Iat=XI the tempting ou=Ier=XIcome of glutt=Ier=XIie=C
 p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed;
=Gb=XGAnd that Crist temptid of pride the feend ou=Ier=XIcomen was,
P=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed Dauid sometyme when he slew Golias.
This Golias hymself auauntid be pride vnlike in force,
=n1580=XnPassing alle Israel childer=Ie=XI for his gretenesse of corse:
Bot Dauid orthrewe hym sone w=Iith=XI his stone and his slyng,
And with his awen swerd hym slewe, Godde of bataile helpinge.
This Golias so proude was like to Lucifer=Ie=XI,
Whilk in the regne of heven of Godde wold liknesse bere;
And Dauid the hird whilk this proude geaunt thus ou=Ier=XIthrew,
Victour=Ie=XI of the fanding of pride, takenid the meke Jhesev.
Now fanding=Ies=XI diu=Ier=XIse of pride er=Ie=XI wyde-whar=Ie=XI=C
 gen=Ier=XIale,
Noght onely amange seculer=Ie=XI, bot eke in folk claustrale;
For oftsithe whaym the feend w=Iith=XI no vice may come bye,
=n1590=XnBe lust of mans lavde he crokes to vaynglorie.
For vnder=Ie=XI fulle =fvile=Xf habit lurkes oft ane hert als proude
Als other=Ie=XI in kinge or qwene, for alle thair=Ie=XI=C
 gilden shroude.=Ff.20=Sv=XS=XF
And Crist ou=Ier=XIcome the feend in his au=Iar=XIous temptacioune:
=Gc=XGThis fig=Iur=XIed Dauid sleyng a bere and a lyoune:
For thas =ftwo=Xf beestis betakened auarice--now takes kepe--
In thair=Ie=XI gredy ravynne reving Dauid his shepe.
Dauid, rescoving his shepe, the bere and lyo=Iu=XIne slewe,
And this thredde fanding ou=Ier=XIcomen, Crist than the feend ou=Ier=XIthrewe.
Aungels come negh to Crist, venkust and fledde Sathan,
=n1600=XnAnd ministrid to that victo=Iur=XI Jh=Ies=XIu both Godde and man.
Thus whoso manly feghtis, the feendes ou=Ier=XIcomyng,
Decerves aungels comfort and thair=Ie=XI swete ministring.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs temptacioune to ou=Ier=XIcome,
=#=Iat=XI we in joye with the dwelle eu=Ier=XImore alle and some.
=DCapitulum xiiij=Sm=XS
Tofore herd how the feend temptede Crist threfaldelye,
Here now how =$=Iat=XI gude Lord helyd the Mawdeleyne Marye.
When Crist, his threttith =yere bygunne=In=XI, was baptized of John,
The devile, als =ye hafe herd, tempted Our=Ie=XI Lord anone.
To preche and to baptize the folk Crist than beganne
=n1610=XnBe ensaumple & be doctryne shewyng the hele of manne.
This swete sovne alder-first shewed Crist in his p=Ire=XIching:
"Dose pen=Iau=XInce, for the regne of heven is negh co=Im=XImyng."
Be penaunce taght he of heven liberale apercioune;
Tofore his co=Im=XImyng herd never=Ie=XI man swilk a swete sermo=Iu=XIne.
Trewe is this Lordis s=Ier=XImoune ouer=Ie=XI alle accepcio=Iu=XIne digne;
Be penaunce co=Im=XImes vntil heven synner=Ie=XI vile & maligne.
In synfulle Mawdeleyne apperes the sothfastnesse of my tale,
Fulle sometyme of seven feendis, =$=Iat=XI is, seven synnes mortale,
Whilk out of hir=Ie=XI voided penaunce and contricioune,
=n1620=XnAnd of hir=Ie=XI synnes gate sho fulle m=Ier=XIcy and pardoune.
Ther=Ie=XIfore shuld no synner=Ie=XI dispair=Ie=XI of Gods gudenesse,
Till alle repentantz so prest thair=Ie=XI synne fulle to relese;
And moreou=Ier=XI he revokes repentantz till heven right,
Neu=Ier=XI done, tofore his come, til any repentant wight.
=Ga=XGGodde be Kyng Manasses this thing sometyme notide,
Be penaunce fro captivitee intil his kyngdom revokide.
This king hadde wrethid his Godde: infynytly synnyng,
Be slaghter=Ie=XI of haly p=Iro=XIphetes, Godde at right noght settyng.
P=Iro=XIphetes =$=Iat=XI hym blamed so many did he dede,
=n1630=Xn=#=Iat=XI stretes of Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm with thair=Ie=XI=C
 blode made he rede.
Ysay whilk for his synne rep=Ire=XIhending hym grevede,
He did with a sawe of tree be the mydward be cleved.=Ff.21=Sr=XS=XF
For his horrible synnes his enemys at the last
Hym ledde intil exile and put in prison fast.
Att the last, when he beganne to have contricioune
Of alle his wikked dedes, thus syittyng in p=Iri=XIsoune,
W=Iith=XI many a bitter=Ie=XI tere to Godde thus prayed he:
"My synne passes in noumbr=Ie=XI the gravell, Lord, in the see.
I am vndigne, allas, of heven the celsitude
=n1640=XnTo se, for of my synne the innoumbrable multitude.
Irrited haue I thyne ire, O swete Godde of clemence,
And in thi sight deserved alle this for myne offence."
And of hym hadde Godde reuth, and shewed hym his m=Ier=XIcy,
Accepting his penaunce of his bo=Iu=XIntee gudely,
For he delyvred hym fro prisoune and captivitee,
And til his regne of Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm hym als restoyred hee.
This Manasses fig=Iur=XIes a man =$=Iat=XI synnes evre,
And wher=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI Godde be blithe or wrothe, =$=Iat=XI=C
 rekkes he neu=Ier=XI;
To Gods p=Iro=XIphetes dose he hym blamyng, outrage & pyne,
=n1650=XnWhen he of Gods p=Ire=XIcho=Iur=XIs despises the haly doctrine;
And als lange he ligges in dedely synne thus yvele,
Sothly to-whiles is he in prisoune of the dyvel.
And if he cry m=Ier=XIcy and wille trewe pen=Ia=XIunce done
Than Godde will hym socour=Ie=XI send of his grace fulle sone.
=Gb=XGThis shewed Crist be ensaumpell writen in the Gospelle-boke,
Of thilk fole-wasto=Iur=XI son of whaym mynde makes Seint Luke,
Whilk fro his fader=Ie=XI dep=Iar=XItid to ferr=Ie=XI land vnwysely,
Consumyng his substaunce thar=Ie=XI lyving luxo=Iur=XIiously.
At the last gane he to nede, and tholid swilk hongres pyne
=n1660=Xn=#=Iat=XI he felle til a toune and kept a bourgeys swyne.
This p=Iro=XIdegate son may wele a synner=Ie=XI signifie,
Whilk fro his Fader=Ie=XI of heven p=Iar=XItis synnyng dedelye;
And swilk a shrewed son is in a ferre regioune,
For ferre er=Ie=XI synners fro hele, this is the p=Iro=XIphetes resoune;
And swilk one leccherously lyving consumes his substaunce,
Turnyng his wittes and strengthe fro v=Ier=XItue vnto myschaunce.
Than til a burgeys he fallis, of Lucifer=Ie=XI, his swyne to feede,
Plesyng the devils of helle ilkone w=Iith=XI his mysdede.
Aft=Ier=XI felle =fto=Xf swilk nede this wastour=Ie=XI, lewed daffe,
=n1670=Xn=#=Iat=XI he langvyst to fille his wombe w=Iith=XI sory draffe.
Than, til hymself turnyng, he thoght to do pena=Iu=XInce,
Als nede makes naked man rynne the qwhippe, to fikke and da=Iu=XInce;
And in this may we wele note the Salueo=Iur=XIs miseracioune,=Ff.21=Sv=XS=XF
=#=Iat=XI wille synners compelle thus to contricioune.
For so ferforthe our=Ie=XI hele lufs he, and sekes it ay,
=#=Iat=XI he drawes vs til hym be alle wise =$=Iat=XI he may.
For some drawes he swetly be inspiracioune,
And some dose he come inne thorgh p=Ire=XIdicacioune,
Some be weltth and softnesse benignely chyricynge,
=n1680=XnAnd some compellis he oftsithe be sharpe scovrynge.
This wise the wasto=Iur=XI son so sore for =$=Iat=XI hym smertid
Was he be penaunce ledde, and til his fader=Ie=XI conu=Ier=XItid,
And his fader=Ie=XI, hym oferre seyng, ranne hym agayne
Hym for till hals and kisse, this gude man, for ou=Ier=XI fayne.
Thus rynnes Godde to the contrite, w=Iith=XI his grace p=Ire=XIvenant,
Thaym to receyue, and alle thair=Ie=XI trespasse relessant.
=Gc=XGThis was p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed sometyme be Dauid kyng full right,
Auoutrer=Ie=XI and ho=Im=XIicide in Vrye his trewe knyght,
Whilk saying "I haf synned", when hym reproved Nathan,
=n1690=XnThe pie Godde was redy to forgyf hym right than;
For when he saide "I have synned", Natan answard swyftly:
"Godde has t=Ira=XInsferred thi synne and forgyven it gudely."
O Godde of hiegh pitee, inmense and ineffable,
=#=Iat=XI no wight will refuse vnto repentaunce able,
This wille Peter=Ie=XI wittenesse, Poul, Thomas and Mathe,
Dauid, Manasses, Achab, the thefe, Achor, Zache,
Ninivee, Samaritane, Raab, Ruth and the avoutresse,
Theophil, Gilbert, Thayde and the Egipciane in sothnesse,
The enuche & Symonde, Cornely, Kyng Ezechy,
=n1700=XnMawdelene, Longyve the knyght and Moyses sist=Ier=XI Marye;
Whar=Ie=XIfore no vylest synne shuld make synn=Ier=XI dispair=Ie=XI,
=#=Iat=XI wittenesse so many diu=Ier=XIs thay may to m=Ier=XIcy repair=Ie=XI.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs contricioune so verray
To come to thi p=Ire=XIsence and to dwelle thar=Ie=XI for ay.
=DCapitulum xv=Sm=XS
In the last chapitle =y=Ie=XI herd of Mawdeleynes conu=Ier=XIsio=Iu=XIne;
Now heres on Palme Sononday what felle of Crist, Godde Son.
In that day p=Iri=XIncipally felle thar=Ie=XI thre thinges =fnot=Xfable
The whilk be thre fig=Iur=XIes of olde tyme war=Ie=XI monstrable:
Crist wept, Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm seen, and with grete hono=Iur=XI was there
=n1710=XnResceyved, and the marchants drave out of the Temple for fere.
First is to note =$=Iat=XI Crist wepped ou=Ier=XI the citee,
Compaciant on the meschief thereaft=Ier=XI on it to be.
=Ga=XGThis weping of Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist was sometyme fig=Iur=XIatiflye
Shewed in the lamentacio=Iu=XInes of the p=Iro=XIphet Jeremy,=Ff.22=Sr=XS=XF
Whilk wept =$=Iat=XI Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm be Babiloignes shuld be destruyd:
So, =$=Iat=XI the Romanes shuld wast thilk citee, it Crist esnuyed.
And thus shuld we, lyke Crist, wepe for compassioune
When we our=Ie=XI neghtburs se haf any affliccioune.
More is =fto=Xf rewe than to gif gude to the nedy,
=n1720=XnFor the reuthe semes to be of thiselven a p=Iar=XItye.
Both on our=Ie=XI freendes shuld we rewe and our=Ie=XI mavfeso=Iur=XIs:
Ensaumple of Crist p=Ira=XIying for his crucifixours.
Certs inpossible is hym want Gods grace and mercy
His even-Cristen at disese =$=Iat=XI kan rewe hertfully.
=Gb=XGSecundely is it to note the poeples laude in metyng
To Crist, whilk was fig=Iur=XIed sometyme in Dauid kyng
To whaym the poeple meting when he hadde slane Golye
Hono=Iur=XIed with sanges made of his grete victorye,
Tofore Saul, thair=Ie=XI king, thus Dauid p=Ire=XIferannde:
=n1730=Xn"Saul a thozand has slayne and Dauid ten thouzande."
Dauid Our=Ie=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu betakened fig=Iur=XIatifly
Whilk slewe Golye, =$=Iat=XI menes the devil, hoegest enemy.
This verray Dauid, =$=Iat=XI is Crist, on Palme Sononsdaye
Be concourse of grete folke was hono=Iur=XIed be diu=Ier=XIs waye.
Some cryed, "To Dauid so=Iu=XIn osanna," hym loving,
Some, "Blissed be he =$=Iat=XI comes in name of hevenyshe king."
Some King of Israel saide sothly =$=Iat=XI was he,
Some Salueo=Iur=XI of this werlde =$=Iat=XI he was comen to be.
W=Iith=XI flour=Ie=XIs some, and some other=Ie=XI w=Iith=XI=C
 palmes ranne hym a=yayne;
=n1740=XnSome thair=Ie=XI clathes in the strete spredde=C
 vnder=Ie=XI his fete for fayne.
Jher=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm "syght of peece" is to say mystikly,
Be whilk is vnderstanden a trewe saule spirituelly,
To whilk Our=Ie=XI Saueo=Iur=XI is prest for to come eu=Ier=XImore,
And we be contricioune shuld go mete hym =$=Ier=XIfore.
Lovinges til Our=Ie=XI Lord Godde w=Iith=XI clamouse voice we synge,
When we in shrift reherce our=Ie=XI synnes w=Iith=XI trewe weping.
Braunches of palmes in hande than bere we sp=Iirit=XIuelly
In satisfaccioune when we disciplyen our=Ie=XI body.
Our=Ie=XI clothinges in the waye in hono=Iur=XI of Crist we sprede
=n1750=XnFor his luf, to the poer=Ie=XI when we done almuse dede.
W=Iith=XI floures til hono=Iur=XI Crist renne we fulle plesantlye
W=Iith=XI v=Ier=XItues when we vs shroude, and w=Iith=XI werkes of m=Ier=XIcye,
And Crist =$=Iat=XI comes in name of Godde we b=Ie=XIn=Ie=XIdice,
Thanking done vntil vs for his grete benefice.=Ff.22=Sv=XS=XF
That he is Lord and Kyng g=Ira=XIunt we and beres wittnesse,
If our=Ie=XI werkes be in drede of Godde w=Iith=XI alle mekenesse.
The thredde note is how Crist of smalle corde made a skourge
The Temple of marchandise and of marchantz to pourge.
He ou=Ier=XIthrewe the bordes & shedde the monee of the numelariens
=n1760=XnFor th=fa=Xfi war=Ie=XI fals vsuriers and collibistes=C
 of the Pharisens.
=Gc=XGThe shourging of thir=Ie=XI marchantz tofore thus reherced
In one Helyodre, a prince, was sometyme p=Ire=XIfigured.
King Seleuchus of Asye sent this Helyodore
To robbe Jherusalemes Temple, named riche of trezore;
And he, entring the Temple w=Iith=XI men of armes boldely,
Ageyns hym Gods vengeaunce ordeigned fand he redy.
Ar=Ie=XI he was warr=Ie=XI, on hym an hors come fulle =fh=Xforrible,
On whilk sitting =$=Ier=XI was ane armed man fulle terrible.
This hors his forther=Ie=XI fete on Helyodre he festte,
=n1770=XnAnd gnaisting and neeing hym vnder=Ie=XI his fete he keste.
Two stronge =yonge men come als, and in a sory arraye
Dight Helyodore w=Iith=XI thaire whippes, til he als dede thar=Ie=XI laye.
This hors and the two men than vanyst out of the stede,
And Helyodore, thus whipped, left in the Temple als dede.
Bot be the sou=Ier=XIeynes bisshops prayer=Ie=XI he lyved agayne
And til his king reto=Iur=XInyng, saide betwix fere and fayne:
"What enemy my lord the king list haue a right shrewed jobbe,
Send hym to Jher=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm, Gods Temple bot for to robbe."
This Helyodre was whipped for Goddes Temple spoilling;
=n1780=XnThe Jewes scourged for thair=Ie=XI fals vs=Iur=XIe dissimuling.
For the Pharisens in the Te=Im=XIple sett collibists and numularies
=#=Iat=XI who =$=Iat=XI wantid offring myght borowe of thaym some penyes;
And for th=fa=Xfi shuld w=Iith=XI vsure nothing take be thair=Ie=XI lawe,
Smale giftes named collibies wald thai vnto thaym drawe.
Thai callid figes, razines and nuttes and apples collibies,
Almandes, chykyns and gees, pygeons and swilk als thise;
And thus vnder=Ie=XI thair=Ie=XI cloke thi cou=Ier=XIed vsure sleghly,
And Ezechyel wordes the p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIe thai toke bot short hede by:
"=Y=Ie=XI shalle none vsure take, nor alle sup=Ier=XIhaboundaunce."
=n1790=XnO brether=Ie=XI, haldes fast in mynde thir=Ie=XI=C
 wordes for alle chaunce;
Bot more reuth is, fulle many named Cristen men todaye
Mantilles swilk man=Ier=XIe vsure als sleghly als eu=Ier=XI thai may,
Whilk will noght lone purely for Gods dileccioune,
Bot for gift or s=Ier=XIuice, fauo=Iur=XI or p=Iro=XImocioune.
Swilk folk synnes hyghly, Gods word noght pondering:=Ff.23=Sr=XS=XF
"Gif thow thi lane, thar=Ie=XIof non encrees thens hoping."
Godde wille out of his Temple of heven elles the ferre chace,
And thi rote out of the lande of eendeles life arace.
Gods Temple and his s=Ier=XIuice lat vs thar=Ie=XIfore honoure
=n1800=XnIf we wille noght =$=Iat=XI he eurelastingly vs scoure.
Dispise we als vsure with alle the spices, dreding
Out of Gods Temple be qwhippid elles, of joye eu=Ier=XIlasting.
Jh=Ies=XIu, this forsaide thinges make vs kepe so dewlye
To disserue evre to dwelle in thi Temple of glorie.
=DCapitulum xvi=Sm=XS
In the last chapitle =ye herd of Palme Sonondayes doyng;
Heres nowe of the sacrament of eukarist insite at Cristes souping.
Aproching the haly tyme that Crist wald thole passyoune,
He made in p=Ier=XIpetuel mynde the sacrament of co=Im=XImunioune,
And wald gif vs hymself in sustenaunce benignelye,
=n1810=XnTo shewe vs his swettest luf alder-most freendfullye.
=Ga=XGThis thing was shewed tofore in the manna figu=Ira=XItiflye,
Whilk Godde gaf in desert to the Jewes miraclouslye.
Hoege was his luf to thaym shewed in thilk wildernesse,
Bot infinitly more til vs his gudelynesse,
For the Jewes manna was brede temporele and mat=Ier=XIiale,
The brede gyvin vntil vs substanciel and et=Ier=XInale.
Manna, cald 'brede of heven', come never=Ie=XI ther=Ie=XI sothfastly
Bot be Godde made in the ayer=Ie=XI als to heven bot her=Ie=XIby.
Our=Ie=XI Lord Godde of our=Ie=XI saule is brede vif and verray
=n1820=XnThe whilk descendid fro heven to make vs lyve alwaye.
The Jewes had of this brede bot fig=Iur=XIe and likenesse,
And we no fig=Iur=XIe, bot brede itself in sothfastnesse.
Also in manna war=Ie=XI thinges diu=Ier=XIs shewed figuratiflye,
Whilk in the seint eukarist err=Ie=XI eendid now verrayly--
The manna a nat=Iur=XIe hadde mirable to ma=In=XInes witte,
Melting ageyns the sonne and at the fire herd wax itte:
So the seint eukarist in vayne hertis wites awaye,
And in luf-brennyng sawles waxis herd, to dwelle for aye.
The wikked resceyves this brede to thair=Ie=XI dampnac=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne,
=n1830=XnThe gude alle eu=Ier=XIlasting lif and saluacio=Iu=XIne.
W=Iith=XI manna the dewe of heven descendid there in the place,
Signyng =$=Iat=XI eukarist to the digne brynges Gods grace.
The manna thus oft forsaide was white like to the snawe:
So who the eukarist shalle take be clene of hert thaym awe.=Ff.23=Sv=XS=XF
The manna hadde alle delit in it of mete erthly,
Bot eukarist alle delites whilk may be spirituelly,
Whilk swettenesse is noght felt the sacrament in etyng,
Bot Crist and hevenly thinges thenking and contemplyng.
This manna til eu=Ier=XIy man sauourde aft=Ier=XI his wilnyng,
=n1840=XnBot the grete swettnesse of Crist is ou=Ier=XI=C
 alle erthely sauo=Iur=XIyng.
And wha of his swetnesse had felt ones p=Ier=XIfitely,
Alle man=Ier=XIe delites of erthe hym shuld think absinthy.
Petre, of this sauoure feling in Mount Thabor,
Tabernacles desired to make, til haf dwelt =$=Ier=XI eu=Ier=XImore.
Moyses co=Im=XImandid the folke go forth ar=Ie=XI sonne-risyng,
And ilkone bot o gomor of manna home w=Iith=XI thaym bring;
And gulyards =$=Iat=XI more wald gedir=Ie=XI than thilk mesure gomore,
At home the assigned mete fande thay and lessen nor more,
And thas =$=Iat=XI moght noght gedir=Ie=XI the mesure for fieblesse
=n1850=XnOr for swilk cause, at home thai had the even fulnesse:
So he =$=Iat=XI many hoostes receyves in co=Im=XImunyng,
More than who takes bot oone has noght of sp=Iirit=XIuel thing,
And who a p=Iar=XItie of the hooeste oonely receyves also,
Has no lesse than ane oyther=Ie=XI reyceyving one hole or moo.
=Gb=XGCristis super=Ie=XI was p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIid als in the lambe paschale,
The Thorsday tofore our=Ie=XI Paske whilk the Jewes hade festivale,
Whilk lambe Godde badde thaym ete opon c=Ier=XIteine manere,
When he wald thaym delyur=Ie=XI fro the Egipciens daungere:
So Crist of eukarist the sacrament instuyd he
=n1860=XnWhen he thoght vs delyure fro the feendis captifitee.
And when the Isralitens the pasche lambe war=Ie=XI etand,
Thay stode vpright succincte, ilkone a staffe in hand:
So co=Im=XImuning shuld we be gyrde with double chaystitee,
And stafs hald in our=Ie=XI handes of right feith firmitee.
Als shulde thai stande vpright in gude lif be thaym taken,
Noght eft fallyng in synne tofore be thaym forsaken.
The lambe with wilde letuce ete thay in bitter=Ie=XI mete,
And Cristis swete body shuld we w=Iith=XI bitter=Ie=XI contricioune ete.
The Jewes fete shulde be shodde in the lamb paschale etyng,
=n1870=XnFor the fete of the luf in Haly Writte beres takenyng,
Wharefore of thas =$=Iat=XI commvne shodde shuld the fete bene,
Lokyng =$=Iat=XI thayr=Ie=XI desires alle man=Ier=XIe waie=C
 be clene.=Ff.24=Sr=XS=XF
The lambe shuld noght be sothen, bot roostid ageins the fire,
For thas =$=Iat=XI commvne shuld brynne in charitee and noght in ire.
=Gc=XGIn liknes of brede and wyne gaf Crist his blode and flesshe,
Melchisedek, both king and preest, p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIing this exp=Ire=XIsse:
Foure kinges waystid the lande whar=Ie=XI dwelt than Abrah=Ia=XIm
And Loth--captifs and spoilles many hadde thai w=Iith=XI ham.
Abrah=Ia=XIm and his fylowing discomfit thaym be Gods grace,
=n1880=XnAnd men and spoilles agein he broght vnto thair=Ie=XI place.
Melchisedec ran to meete hym, offring him brede and wyne,
In whilk thing he fig=Iur=XIed the forsaid sacrament divine.
This forsaide Melchisedec was preest of Godde and kynge,
And of Our=Ie=XI Lorde Jh=Ies=XIu Crist bare he p=Ire=XIfiguryng,
For Crist is King of kynges whas regne cesses nevre,
And =$=Ier=XIto verraiest preest and first =$=Iat=XI sange messe evre.
Melchisedec, king and prest, both brede and wyne offride,
And Crist in lykenes of brede and wyne this sacrament ordenid.
Thus was Crist callid preest aft=Ier=XI the ordre of Melchisedec king,
=n1890=XnFor he this sacrament figured in this forsaide offring.
Melchisedec was a preest and also a prince realle,
In whilk was fair=Ie=XI figured the dignitee sac=Ier=XIdotalle,
For preestis princes real with resoune callid may be,
For alle princes imp=Ier=XIial passe thai in dignitee,
For patriarches and p=Iro=XIphetes in poustee thai excede,
And vertues aungelike taking, on some wise, hede:
For preestis the sacrament makes, =$=Iat=XI aungels may noght do,
Nor patriarkes nor p=Iro=XIphetes moght noght attigne =$=Ier=XIto.
Be Marie Jh=Ies=XIu Gods So=Iu=XIn was on tyme incarnate,
=n1900=XnAnd of[t] be the preest is brede to flesshe t=Ira=XInssubstanciate.
Preestis for the sacrament shuld we hono=Iur=XI forthy,
Whaym Crist thus has ordeigned to sacre his p=Ire=XIciousse body.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs so wirshippe this sacrament
=#=Iat=XI we come to thi joye without dep=Iar=XItement.
=DCapitulum xvij=Sm=XS
How Crist the sacrament of eukarist ordeynde haf =y=Ie=XI herd alle;
Now fylows howe he metyng his enemys made thay=Im=XI do=Iu=XIn falle.
When Judas had resceyvid of the sac=Ira=XIment co=Im=XImvnyo=Iu=XIne
He went of Cristis enemys to make congregacio=Iu=XIne.
O oute, thowe fals Judas, on thy wodenesse maligne,
=n1910=XnAnd m=Ier=XIcy, O pie Jh=Ies=XIu, of thi soeffrance benigne!
Crist fedde this fals trayto=Iur=XI with his awen flesshe and blode,
And he to betraise his Lord so crwelly thoght and =yode:=Ff.24=Sv=XS=XF
Crist, this knawen, wald noght discoure, nor hym the sacrament denye,
Gifing the fo=Iur=XIme to preestis of howseling men herebye.
The preest, k[n]awing a man ask howsill in dedely synne,
Shall noght denye it, =$=Iat=XI he diffame noght hy=Im=XI =$=Ier=XIinne.
Than Cristis enemys to gader=Ie=XI went out trayto=Iur=XI Judas,
And Crist to the knawen stede whar=Ie=XI he to come to was.
Than come ther=Ie=XI armyd men w=Iith=XI swords and stafs in handes
=n1920=XnTo seke Crist in the derke w=Iith=XI lanternes and with fire-brandes;
And Crist alle vnarmed a=yeins thayme gudely =yode,
Asking thayme whayme thai soght with fulle benigne mode,
And thai agayns hym stode, ilkone as a geaunt,
"Jh=Ies=XIu of Nazareth" crying and answeraunt.
Than alder-myldest Jh=Ies=XIu gave thaym this swete answere
In a base voice fulle meke saying, "Loo, I am here."
With =$=Iat=XI, fledde alle abakke =$=Iat=XI ost =$=Iat=XI was so felle
Tofore hym als thai war=Ie=XI deede, and to the erthe doune thai felle.
Wharto gadrid =y=Ie=XI swilke rowte, O Jewes, welle of wodenesse,
=n1930=XnThus fowlly thrawen to the erthe at o worde of mekenesse?
What p=Iro=XIfits =your=Ie=XI many heveds diu=Ier=XIs sleghtis counseillande,
Or, at a worde borne doune, =yo=Iur=XI oost of many thowzande;
Or what may =yow availle =yo=Iur=XI wapeins t=Ier=XIrible of were
Laten falle out of =youre handes of o worde for the fere?
Se =ye noght Crist, hym one more than =yowe alle myghty
To slee =yow alle, and hym nothing disese =$=Ier=XIby,
Bot myght co=Im=XImaunde the erthe open vnder=Ie=XI =yo=Iur=XI fete onone,
And swalough =yow vp alle =fq=Xfwhikke like Datan and Abiron,
Or bidde brimston and fire to rayne on =yowe in haste
=n1940=XnLyke Sodome and Gomorre p=Ier=XIpetuelly to waste,
Or be watres of the heven with bekenyng of his hande
Drown =yow, als alle this werlde he didde at ones neghande,
Or than, als Lothis wif, haf turned =yow alle to stones,
Or diu=Ier=XIsly haf =yow wo=Iu=XInded als the Egipciens ones?
Or he moght haf =yowe striken to pouder=Ie=XI w=Iith=XI aungels hande,
Als Kinges Senacheribs oost neyne score and fyve thovsande,
Or he moght sodeynely haf made =yowe dede to be
Als he slewe sometyme Here & Onam, so=Iu=XIns of Jude,
Or els w=Iith=XI aungels swerde he moght haf slayne =yow alle,
=n1950=XnAls in Kyng Dauid tyme hoege peple he made to falle,
Or els moght he haf laten the dyvel w=Iith=XI =yowe to fare
Als he soeffrid hym to slee the seven husbandes of Sare?
=IOr he might have sent fire which would consume you=XI
=ILike Core with his hundred men;=XI
=IOr he might have sent fiery serpents against you=XI
=IAs he did once against your predecessors who spoke against him;=XI
=IOr he might have had you rent to pieces by means of loosed lions=XI
=IAs he once did dwellers in Samaria, for King Salmanasar;=XI
=IOr he might have rent you with the teeth of ravening bears=XI
=n1960=Xn=IAs he once did the forty boys mocking Eliseus;=XI
=IOr he might have beaten and crushed you just like Heliodorus,=XI
=IOr destroyed with putrefaction and worms, as he did Antiochus;=XI
=IOr he might have struck you with sudden leprosy=XI
=IAs once he struck Giezy and Mary, Moses' sister;=XI
=IOr he might have smitten you with blindness and confusion=XI
=IJust as in the time of Eliseus the army of Syria was struck;=XI
=IOr he might have made the arms of all of you dry and hard=XI
=IAs once he did to King Jeroboam before the altar in Bethel;=XI
=IOr he might have consumed your weapons with the teeth of worms=XI
=n1970=Xn=IAs he consumed all the bow-strings in the army of the Syrians.=XI
=IAll these and more he could have done had he wished to defend himself,=XI
=IBut he does not so wish--only to cast you down just a little:=XI
=IHe did this, however, to show that he suffered death voluntarily;=XI
=IAnd if he wished to resist, you could not seize or hold him.=XI
=IWhen, therefore, Christ showed his victory and power,=XI
=IHe gave them leave to come to themselves again and get up.=XI
=Ga=XG=IThis victory of Christ over [his] enemies, already described,=XI
=IWas once prefigured in Samson and Samgar and David:=XI
=IWith a jaw-bone of an ass Samson laid a thousand men low,=XI
=n1980=Xn=Gb=XG=IAnd Samgar slew six hundred with a plough-share.=XI
=IIf these laid low so many enemies with the aid of God,=XI
=INo wonder that in the presence of Christ all his enemies fell headlong.=XI
=Gc=XG=IScripture calls David a most tender woodworm,=XI
=IWho killed eight hundred men in one charge;=XI
=IThe woodworm, when touched, seems to be very soft,=XI
=IBut when it touches, it is said to bore through the hardest wood;=XI
=IIn the same way, no one was milder than David among his household,=XI
=IBut in judgement and against his enemies in battle none was harder.=XI
=IIn the same way, Christ was most gentle and patient in this world,=XI
=n1990=Xn=IBut in judgement upon his enemies he will be most severe;=XI
=IFor he passed his life quietly, and walked unarmed,=XI
=IAnd he endured being vilely treated like a worm;=XI
=IAnd this seems to be plaintively lamented in the Psalm=XI
=IWhere he says of himself: "I am a worm and not a man."=XI
=IHe is called, however, not so much "a worm" as "a woodworm",=XI
=IBecause the wicked slew him on the wood of the Cross.=XI
=IHe is also appropriately called "most tender",=XI
=IBecause his flesh is acknowledged to have been most tender and noble,=XI
=IAnd to the extent that his flesh was nobler and more tender,=XI
=n2000=Xn=ISo was his passion heavier and harsher,=XI
=IAnd so he cries in Lamentations to all passers-by along the road=XI
=IThat they consider whether they have ever seen comparable sorrow.=XI
=IO good Jesus, grant us so to see your bitter sorrow=XI
=IThat with you we may deserve to live and rejoice in the Kingdom of Heaven.=XI
=DCapitulum xviij=Sm=XS
=IIn the preceding chapter we heard how Christ overthrew his enemies;=XI
=INext let us hear how Judas deceitfully greeted him.=XI
=IJudas the betrayer of Our Saviour gave the Jews the sign of a kiss,=XI
=IWhich was a sign wicked and malignant beyond measure=XI
=IFor a kiss has always been regarded as a sign of love;=XI
=n2010=Xn=IWicked Judas changed this into a sign of betrayal.=XI
=Ga=XG=IThis evil greeting so deceitfully delivered to Christ=XI
=IWas once prefigured in Joab and in Amasa.=XI
=IJoab, greeting Amasa with deceitful intent, called him "Brother",=XI
=IAnd Judas, greeting Christ with evil intent, called him "Master".=XI
=IWith his right hand Joab held Amasa's chin as if to kiss him,=XI
=IAnd drawing his sword with his left, killed him.=XI
=IIn the same way Judas seemed to hold Christ's chin with his right hand,=XI
=IBlandly saying (as we can read for ourselves), "Hail, Rabbi!"=XI
=IWith his left [hand] he drew a sword indeed, and struck him through,=XI
=n2020=Xn=IBecause we read for ourselves that mild words hid a trap.=XI
=IO Judas, what reason do you have for betraying your Saviour?=XI
=IWhat harm had he done you, that you should want to harm him like that,=XI
=IFor he gave you the apostolic honour and dignity,=XI
=IAnd why did you vent such malice on him?=XI
=IHe chose you as an apostle over seventy-two disciples,=XI
=IAnd you showed yourself falsest to him above all.=XI
=IHe numbered you among his twelve most special friends,=XI
=IAnd you abandoned him and joined his enemies.=XI
=IHe accepted you, you received his secrets with the other apostles,=XI
=n2030=Xn=IAnd you made secret plans with his enemies against him.=XI
=IHe sent you out to preach, without satchel and wallet,=XI
=IAnd wherever you went, by the providence of Christ you lacked nothing.=XI
=IYou, however (forgetful, alas, of such--and so much--providence)=XI
=ICame to betray him for a small sum of money.=XI=Ff.25=Sr=XS=XF
That swete Lord gaf the grace to hele both halt and blynde,
And thow thoght make hym fulle seke and in hard cordis bynde.
For to cast out dyvelleres he gaf the auctoritee,
And thow traysed hym in his enemys poustee to be.
Wher=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI gude Lord made the his bourser=Ie=XI and pairato=Iur=XI,
=n2040=XnHis adu=Ier=XIsarie chase thow to be, and falsest=C
 stinking trayto=Iur=XI,
Also Crist ordeynd the spendo=Iur=XI of thas penys
Whilk be waye of almus war=Ie=XI gyven til hym and hys:
Thase myght thow vse at wille; O vnkynde and crewell
Whi wald thow than thi Lord for thus smalle moneye sell?
Thow stale of Cristes purse oftsith whateu=Ier=XI thow wolde,
So =$=Iat=XI for xxx=Sti=XS penys neded the noght hym haf solde.
With his sacred blode he vouched sauf the to fede,
And hym to the Jewes to selle hadde thow noyther=Ie=XI shame nor drede.
He gaf the to drink his blode, pyment of hevenly swettenesse,
=n2050=XnAnd thow traysed hym agein to shedde his blode saklesse.
That Lord deigned mekely thi cursyd fete for to wasshe,
And thow traysed hym a=yein falsistly =$=Iat=XI eu=Ier=XI was.
His sucrish mowth to kysse he wald the noght denye,
Bot thin hertis malice was neu=Ier=XI the lesse forthy.
When thow in tresoune hym hailesid, he calde the freende mekely,
Bot thin hert chaunged nothing to rewe thi Lord =$=Ier=XIby.
Fro Petre and other=Ie=XI apostles layned Crist thi tresoune,
Knaweyng if thai hadde witten thai wald have striken the doune.
In the Olde Lawe 'toth for toth' is wryten, and 'ee for ee',
=n2060=XnBot it was neu=Ier=XI levefulle to =yelde harme for bountee.
Bot thowe, cruwelle Judas, of alle trayto=Iur=XIs banyour=Ie=XI,
To thi bountevous Lord canseile was thow traytour=Ie=XI,
So yvel for gude =yalde thay the wikked Jewes thi felawes,
Jh=Ies=XIu thair=Ie=XI salueour=Ie=XI crucyfying forouten cause.
=Gb=XGSaul, O crewelle Jewes, p=Ire=XIfigured =yow and Judas,
To Dauid his gude son-in-lawe =$=Iat=XI eu=Ier=XI so cruwelle was.
Dauid hadde weddid his doght=Ier=XI and luved hym hertfully,
And Saul ymagyned his deth for he didde doughtyly:
So toke Crist =yowe to sauf of =your=Ie=XI lygne manes nature,
=n2070=XnAnd for to slee hym didd =y=Ie=XI assemble force and armure.
Golyas, Sauls foo, Dauid slewe worthily,
And Saul laide for his dethe als for hys mortale enemy:
So Godde, =$=Iat=XI Pharao w=Iith=XI =your=Ie=XI other=Ie=XI=C
 enemys ou=Ier=XIthrewe,
=Your=Ie=XI wodenesse als oft tofore cont=Ire=XIpledid in Jh=Ies=XIu.
Dauid the wikked gast chacid oft fro Saul King,
And Saul wold hym a slayne with a sharpp spere kasting.=Ff.25=Sv=XS=XF
Also =your=Ie=XI salueo=Iur=XI oftsithe cald =yow fro ydolatrie,
And til his sakles deth armed =y=Ie=XI =yow cruwelly.
Dauid at the kinges bidding allewaye =yede in and out,
=n2080=XnAnd Saul kast eu=Ier=XI agayne to bring his deth about.
So Crist went alle =your=Ie=XI lande the waye of sothfastnes teching,
And =y=Ie=XI soght hym to slee for alle his gude doing.
Dauid Sauls sekenesse harping vsed til amese,
And Saul of Dauid alwaye desired deth and disese.
So Crist raisid =your=Ie=XI dede men, and =your=Ie=XI seke folk he helid,
And =ye hym sakkelesse to slee made gaderyng & counseillid.
=Gc=XGAlso =ye Jewes er=Ie=XI like vnto the enevyous Kaym
Whilk slewe his innocent brother=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI trespast til hym.
Abels offringes ware swete til Our=Ie=XI Lord Godde allemyght,
=n2090=Xn=#=Ier=XIfore his brother=Ie=XI slewe hym Kaym =$=Iat=XI cursid wight:
So for Crist was placable to Godde and poeple of man,
=Y=Ie=XI saide, "If we lefe hym, the werld trowes on hym than."
Now leef thogh alle the werld suyde hym what harme moght falle
Sith his techings er=Ie=XI soth and holsome both one and alle?
With glosing wordes tillid forth his brother=Ie=XI this fals Cayme,
And having forth at the large with wikked strokes he slewe hym:
So Judas w=Iith=XI fair=Ie=XI wordes Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist he salutyd,
And til his enemys to slee vnder=Ie=XI that hym presentid.
Abel his wombes brother=Ie=XI be Kaym to deth done was,
=n2100=XnAnd Crist, thair=Ie=XI fader=Ie=XI and brother=Ie=XI,=C
 slewe the Jewes and Judas.
He is wele fader=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI made alle man=Ier=XI creature,
=fAnd brother=Ie=XI for =$=Iat=XI he walde become man in nature.=Xf
O Jh=Ies=XIu, =$=Iat=XI vouchid sauf our=Ie=XI meke brother=Ie=XI to be,
Be vs benigne fader=Ie=XI in keping and in pitee.
=DCapitulum xix=Sm=XS
How Crist was traysid and kissid haf =y=Ie=XI herd last toforne;
Now fylows how was bespittid his hidde swete face for scorne.
When Crist was taken and bonden off his enemys cruwelle,
Petre a s=Ier=XIuantis ere stroke of, thus it befelle,
And Crist shewed thaym onone his hoege benignitee,
=n2110=XnHeling that ere at one touching, blissed mot he be.
First ledde ther=Ie=XI cruwelle Jewes Crist to the house of Anne,
The fader=Ie=XI of Ca=fy=Xfphas wif, hiest bisshoppe for the =yere thanne.
Thanne Anne of his doctrine askid Our=Ie=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu;
Crist saide, "Thas =$=Iat=XI me herd of ther=Ie=XI thinges aske shuld thov,
For my teching was noght in hirnes nor pryuitee,
Bot in the Temple whar=Ie=XI was of folk most assemble."
And o s=Ier=XIuant stode negh whilk to Crist felly speke,
And a fulle sore buffet gaf Crist opon his cheke.=Ff.26=Sr=XS=XF
This ilke s=Ier=XIuant is trowed the same Malkus to be,
=n2120=XnWhas ere, als was fortolde, Crist helid of his bountee.
Bot Crist wald noght hym venge, Godde and man almyghty,
Bot soeffred for ensaumple alle this fulle manswetely.
O brether=Ie=XI, if any of vs hadde taken swilk a buffette,
And myght als wele als Crist amendes =$=Ier=XIin haf sette,
W=Iith=XI Peter=Ie=XI trow I fulle sone the swerde we hadde out hent,
Or ellis w=Iith=XI James and John fire fro the heven haf sent;
Bot noght so, brether=Ie=XI, bot luke of Crist the doctrine meke:
"Who smytis the on =$=Iat=XI one, bide hym thyne other=Ie=XI cheke."
Aft=Ier=XI this, Crist be the Jewes fro Annes house ledde was,
=n2130=XnAnd broght with many reproef til the house of Ca=fy=Xfphas.
Ther=Ie=XI war=Ie=XI thair=Ie=XI aldermen assemblid for counseilling,
To fynd occasioune and cause Crist to the deth to bring,
Bot alle =$=Iat=XI thas fals Jewes a=yeinst Crist feigne moght
War=Ie=XI discordant and leghe in trewth and noght ne doght.
At the last coniured he Crist be Godde this Ca=fy=Xfphas
To g=Ira=XIunt thar=Ie=XI in ap=Ier=XIt wher=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI he Gods Son was,
And hym to be Gods So=Iu=XIn for he knewe in =$=Iat=XI stede,
The Jewes ilkone demed hym worthy to goo to dede.
And than his eghen thai hidde, in thair=Ie=XI japes & scornyng,
=n2140=XnAnd alle defowlid his face with thair=Ie=XI dispitefulle spittyng,
And gyvyng til hym buffets thai badde hym p=Iro=XIphecye
Who =$=Iat=XI was =$=Iat=XI hym stroke, and he tholid benignely.
Whateu=Ier=XI thai couth devise of shame and vilaynye,
Alle didde thir=Ie=XI cruwelle Jewes to Crist w=Iith=XIout m=Ier=XIcye.
Alle thir=Ie=XI derisounes, the reproves and this sorowe
Durid in Cayphas hows alle nyght vnto the morowe.
O Jh=Ies=XIu Our=Ie=XI Salueo=Iur=XI, blissed be =your=Ie=XI hoege mekenesse,
And thowe corsedest [Judeus], out o thi last wodenesse:
His eghen =$=Iat=XI alle thinges sees hilde thai and hym smyting
=n2150=XnThat alle thinge wote, hoped thay the doers hym vnknawing.
The =fde=Xflytable face, to behalde whilk aungels has in desire,
Dred thai noght to bespitte in thair=Ie=XI vile wodeest ire.
The handes bonde thai fulle sore of the Lord of alle thinge
That heven and erth and helle made in the begynnyng.
The Jewes who =$=Iat=XI hym stroke badde hym telle, scornfully,
Be whaym the haly p=Iro=XIphetes to=fke=Xf vertue of p=Iro=XIphecye.
His eghen hilyng, wend thai haf blyndid hym in =$=Ier=XI ire
=#=Iat=XI lightned thair=Ie=XI auncestres sometyme with=C
 a piler=Ie=XI of fir=Ie=XI,=Ff.26=Sv=XS=XF
His visage dredde thay nothing til hide w=Iith=XI spitting fowlly
=n2160=XnThair=Ie=XI faders =$=Iat=XI with a clowde cou=Ier=XIyd=C
 fulle m=Ier=XIvellusly.
=Ga=XGThe Jewes, with =f=$air=Xf spittings whilk Cristes face defovlide,
Be the ydolatiers of the golden veel ware wele p=Ire=XIfigurede,
For when the Jewes in desert walde make thaym gods fals,
Aaron than thaym withstode and Hur, Maries husband, als.
Whar=Ie=XIfore thay ranne on Hur=Ie=XI for his trewe chalenginges,
And in dedeigne and dispite choked hym w=Iith=XI thair=Ie=XI spittinges.
Thay hatid Hur=Ie=XI for =$=Iat=XI he reproved thair=Ie=XI ydolatrye,
And the Pharisens hatid Crist, blamyng thair=Ie=XI trecherye.
=Gb=XGThe wikked Jewes whilk on Crist made thus scorne and laghyng
=n2170=XnSomtyme be Kam, the son of Noe, hadde figuring.
This Kam, whilk his fader=Ie=XI shuld haf wyrshipt be reso=Iu=XIne,
We rede made wykkedly of hym derisioune.
Right so the Jewes, =$=Iat=XI Crist shuld haf hadde in reu=Ier=XIence,
Didde hym than fulle vile scorne, dishono=Iur=XI and eke offence;
And thogh Noe of his son was scornyd vnhonestely
=Yit was Crist vnlike with bejaped more vileynsly,
For in his tab=Ier=XInacle was Noe scornyd, no man seeyng,
Bot Crist in the bisshopis hows, fulle many one on lukyng.
When he slepe and wist noght, than scornyd was Noe:
=n2180=XnBot Crist alle brode waking, blissid mote his pacience be.
Noe bot of o son was scorned alle onely,
Bot Crist of poeple of Jewes w=Iith=XI alle =$=Ier=XI counseille holly.
Noe hadde two gude so=Iu=XIns of his scorne condolent,
Bot Crist hadde none w=Iith=XI hym of his woo compacient.
The Jewes =$=Iat=XI scorned Crist als hadde p=Ire=XIfiguryng
In the Philistiens sometyme to Sampson in thayr=Ie=XI doyng:
When the Philistiens hadd taken Sampson thai made hym blynde
And scorned hym disefully in alle thair=Ie=XI myght and mynde.
=Gc=XGNowe Sampson, it is to witt, for his grettest stroungnesse
=n2190=XnP=Ire=XIfigured Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist be some man=Ier=XIe liknesse:
Sampson soeffred hymself be bonden o tyme freely,
And Crist tholed of the Jewes bondes and scorne wilfully.
And when Sampson thoght tyme on o daye aft=Ier=XIwarde,
He vengid hym on his enemys horribly and fulle harde.
Right so of Cristes enemys shalle falle o tyme to come
When he in his maiestee shalle sitte on the day of dome.
What vengeaunce Crist wille than vse ageins his enemys
May no scripture ne tonge for to declare suffise;=Ff.27=Sr=XS=XF
For than wald thai wele levre alle man=Ier=XIe payne sustene
=n2200=XnThan the irefulle juges face so vengeable for to sene,
Saying, "O cursyd wyghts, gos to et=Ier=XInale fyre!"
To freendes: "Comes my blissid, joye endeles be =your=Ie=XI hyre."
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs so the for to plese here
=#=Iat=XI we the blissid callyng discerue of the to here.
=DCapitulum xx=Sm=XS
Howe Crist was scorned and hidde tolde the chapitle tofore;
Nowe fylowes howe he was bonden vntil a piler=Ie=XI fulle sore.
=fWhen =$ai all nyght Crist scorned hadde, & =$us done to=Iur=XIment,=Xf
Thai ledde hym arely fro thens to Pilates dome p=Ire=XIsident.
Qvodh Pilate, "Whareof pleygne =y=Ie=XI on this man =y=Ie=XI me say."
=n2210=Xn"A mysdoer=Ie=XI and a gyloure of the folke is he," saide thai,
"And he ne has noght oonely begilt the poeple of Judee
Bot =fthe=Xf Galilens also, folk of his awne countree."
Pilat sent hym, heryng he was a Galilene,
To Herode, for vntil hym to deme Crist shuld p=Ier=XItene.
This Herode and Pilate freendes war=Ie=XI made =$=Iat=XI day,
=#=Iat=XI ware, the Boke says, tofore enemys: this is no naye.
Herode hadde noght sene Crist, bot herde of hym grete thinge,
Thar=Ie=XIfore was he gretely joyovs of Cristis co=Im=XImynge.
Some straunge thing hoped he and hoege for til admyre,
=n2220=XnAnd signes or miracles to see of hym was his desire;
And when Herode hadde Crist askid of many a thing,
And Crist stode alle sylent and gaf none answeryng,
Than Herode hoped of hym a fole, his witte forlorne,
And in his japes cledde hym in white clothing for scorne,
And so sent hym ageine to the dome of Pilats lawes,
Saying in hym of deth =$=Iat=XI he hadde founden no cause.
Herode cledde Crist in whitte, what =$=Iat=XI ment vnknawing,
=#=Iat=XI the Haly Gast Crist=Ies=XI innocence wroght =$=Iat=XI=C
 s=Iu=XIbostending--
The whilk Gast shewed be Cayphas of Cristis deth expe[d]ience,
=n2230=Xn=#=Iat=XI shewed be Herode also the same Lordis innocence.
Pilat askid the Jewes if thai wald any cause nemne
Whar=Ie=XIthorgh thai moght be ryght Crist to the deth condempne,
And onone right, thre causes ageinst Crist thai forth laide
Tofore Pilate the juge, and thus forthmast thai saide:
"He this saide, 'I may destruye Gods Temple of hande-makeyng,
And vnhande-made an other=Ie=XI the thredde day make fyloweyng,'
And says =$=Iat=XI no tribute shuld be gyven to Cesar=Ie=XI,
And =$=Iat=XI hymselven is King of Jewes, this is his lar=Ie=XI."
The first two causes Pilat helde bot a truferye
=n2240=XnAsking Crist of the thredde diu=Ier=XIse tymes bysylye,=Ff.27=Sv=XS=XF
For Cesar=Ie=XI the revme of Jewes helde vnder=Ie=XI Romayns empir=Ie=XI,
And thai no king bot hym to co=Im=XImande at his desire.
Pilat apon the Jewes be Cesar=Ie=XI hadde powere,
Forthy of non o=$=Ier=XI king of the Jewes walde he here,
And fro Crist sayde, "Of this werlde is noght my kyngdome,"
Pilat of =$=Iat=XI accusing sette bot shorte in his dome.
Than thinking how he best myght the Jewes wodenesse ou=Ier=XItake,
It seemed hym most spedefulle Crist to be scourged make,
That thayr=Ie=XI hertis, so fullfillid, shuld of Cristis deth cesse,
=n2250=XnAnd of insufficiant dome he to be holden blamelesse.
Whar=Ie=XIfore Pilats knyghtis cruwelly scourgid Jhesvm,
Corrupt w=Iith=XI the Pharisens giftes, ferre ou=Ier=XI the wont custom.
=Ga=XGBe Prince Achior hadde this scourging p=Ire=XIfiguraunce,
Bounden ones til a tree be duc Olofern s=Ier=XIua=Iu=XInt[s]:
This Achior bonden was w=Iith=XI Olofernes cursed wightis,
And Crist bonden to the piler=Ie=XI be Pilates cruwelle knightis.
Achior, for he saide soth, als is forsaide was bonden,
And Crist for the soth p=Ire=XIching fulle doelfully was beswngen.
Achior was bonden for he in speche Oloferne noght plesid,
=n2260=XnAnd Crist for he blamyng for vices the Jewes displesid.
Achior was bonden for he Gods glorie magnified,
And Crist scourgid for he the Fader=Ie=XI name notyfied.
=Gb=XGAnd =Inota=XI =$=Iat=XI folkes two whilk scourged Crist cruwellye
Be two wyves of Lamech war=Ie=XI forshewed figuratifly.
The two wyves of Lamech war=Ie=XI callid Sella and Ada,
The two forsaide folkes payentee and Synagoga.
Sella and Ada thair=Ie=XI husband w=Iith=XI wordes & betings turmentid,
The payentee and the Sinagoge =$=Ier=XI salveo=Iur=XI Crist flagellid.
Crist was w=Iith=XI scourges and wandes bette of the payentee,
=n2270=XnThe Sinagoge scourged hym w=Iith=XI tonges and wordes of cruwelltee.
=Gc=XGThis double scourging of Crist, als Haly Writte leryng we hope,
Was sometyme p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed in the flagellacioune of Job,
For Job was twofalde scourged in c=Ier=XIteine tyme of his lyve:
Be beting sore of the feend and bitter=Ie=XI wordes of his wyve.
Off Satanas scourge tholed Job in his flesh outwardes smert,
And of the scourge of his wife hadde he t=Iur=XIment in hert.
The feend thoght noght ynogh to scourge his flesh outwards,
Bot he his wyfe entyced to troble his hert inwards:
So suffized noght the Jewes =$=Iat=XI Crist with scourgis=C
 was bette,=Ff.28=Sr=XS=XF
=n2280=XnBot if with bitterest wordes eu=Ier=XIilkone on hym sette.
No hele was left in Job fro the toppe vnto the too,
And Cristes swete tenderest flesshe was alle bewondid ryght so.
And how mykel Cristes flesshe was noble =fand=Xf tendre the more,
Was his doelfulle passioune more bitter=Ie=XI, sharper=Ie=XI and sore.
O man, think how for the Crist soeffred passioune,
And betake neu=Ier=XI thi sawle eftsones to p=Ier=XIdicioune!
If eu=Ier=XI thov see or herd any other=Ie=XI swilk payne, take hede,
And for it passis alle mesure bere hym swilk luf and drede.
Behald the brennyng to the of Cristis dileccioune,
=n2290=XnThat for thyn hele wald thole swylk payne and passioune.
Thar=Ie=XIwith loke what s=Ier=XIuice, kyndenesse, labour=Ie=XI or payne
For thus innoumbrable gudenesse thow hast =yolden hym agayne.
For alle the gude =$=Iat=XI thow doos lyving thy dayes here
Til o drope of his blude may to no point answere.
Thar=Ie=XIfore to thole disese luke =$=Iat=XI thov murm=Iur=XIe noght,
Bot Cristes hard passioune kepe alleway in thi thoght.
Of Cristes blude w=Iith=XI thi woo if thow a syrope make,
Whateu=Ier=XI thow thole shalle seme to the swete for his sake.
A littel soeffre in this lif of flagellacioune
=n2300=XnTil eschewe elleswhare eterne dampnacioune.
To chaystise the in this werlde rede I Godde =$=Iat=XI thow p=Ira=XIye,
=#=Iat=XI dying thow entre heven w=Iith=XIouten any payne for ay.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, strike vs here w=Iith=XI swilk bitternesse
=#=Iat=XI dying w=Iith=XIout purgatorie we come til hevenly swettenesse.
=DCapitulum xxj=Sm=XS
Ho=fw=Xf Crist was scourgid tolde =yowe this last chapitle toforne;
Heres nowe in this howe he was crovned w=Iith=XI sharpe thorne.
Pilat bede knyghtes sco=Iur=XIge Jh=Ies=XIu til c=Ier=XItein soume,
The Jewes hired tham to bete Crist ou=Ier=XI vse and custovme.
The lawe was at the most to passe noght strokes fourty,
=n2310=XnBot the Jewes hired the knyghts the noumbre to multiply;
And to do hym this wronge onely suffized thaym noght,
Bot to crovne hym w=Iith=XI thorne a newe payne vpp thay thoght.
And =$=Iat=XI thay hym als king moght hono=Iur=XI scornfullye
Thai toke hym septre and po=Iur=XIpre als signes of regalye.
Misdoars for to scourge in some cas was custome,
Bot to crovne thaym w=Iith=XI thorne of lawe was noght the dome.
O Jewes of cruwelle witte in newe malice to fynde,
What paynes haf =y=Ie=XI to thole newe and of diu=Ier=XIse=C
 kynde:=Ff.28=Sv=XS=XF
For who studies to fynde in wikkednesse newe engyne
=n2320=XnBe right newe and vnherd haf thai for to bere pyne,
For the mesure =$=Iat=XI thai mesured shalle thaym be mesured a=yeine,
And wele more eked =$=Ier=XIto, for eendeles bes =$=Ier=XI peyne.
Thay cledde noght Crist when thay hadde sco=Iur=XIged hym cruwelly,
Bot in a cokcyn or p=Iur=XIpre mantelle thay wapped hym scournfully.
Pourpre to regalye p=Ier=XItenyng was toforne,
Wharefore thay mantlid hym in swylk colour=Ie=XI for scorne.
The secunde, a crovne of golde p=Ier=XItenes to regalye,
For whilk a croune of thorne the Jewes gaf Crist forthy.
The tredde, a septo=Iur=XI of golde p=Ier=XItenes vntil a king:
=n2330=XnThe Jewes in Cristis right hande a rede sette for whilk thing.
And for kinges hono=Iur=XI askis for to be wyrshipt knelyng
Forthy Cristi=Is=XI enemys knelid, "king" hym in scorne callyng.
Men war=Ie=XI wonte honorable giftes to p=Ire=XIsent vnto kinges,
For whilk thay p=Ire=XIsentid Crist w=Iith=XI buffets and foule spittinges,
And with a rede stroke thay the crovned heved of Jhesev,
P=Ire=XIssing the thornes til eke Cristes peyne newe and newe.
O cruwelle Jewes, whar=Ie=XIfore didde =y=Ie=XI thus to =your=Ie=XI king
Alle his benefetes to =yowe done nothing remembring?
The rokkes of Arnon sharpe vnder=Ie=XI =your=Ie=XI fete planed hee
=n2340=XnAnd his heved w=Iith=XI sharpe thornes crovned=C
 =your=Ie=XI cruwelletee.
He gaf =yow hose and shoce in desert for pitee,
And in his handes and heved wroght =y=Ie=XI hoge cruwelltee.
He kept =your=Ie=XI clothes vntorn in desert =yeres fourty,
And =y=Ie=XI tirved hym stone naked a=yeinward scornfully.
King Pharao and Egipt for =your=Ie=XI sake turmentid he,
And hym causelesse fulle sore a=yeinward scourgid =ye.
The kinges of Egipt corovne for =yowe be Moises he braste,
And =y=Ie=XI a corovne of thorne thrange on his heved fulle faste.
Alle erthly kinges drede =yow of hys gudenesse didde he,
=n2350=XnAnd hym als kyng in scorne vnkyndely haylsid =ye.
He hono=Iur=XIed =yow ferre above alle o=$=Ier=XI naciounes,
And =y=Ie=XI hym dishono=Iur=XIed w=Iith=XI many illusiounes.
He ou=Ier=XIcome =your=Ie=XI enemys one a thovzande chacinge,
And tofore two of =youres ten thowzande enemys fleynge,
And a=yeinst Crist alle one many thowzandes gadred =yee,
And of two poeples a=yeinst o man made =ye assemblee;
And how a thovzande or two chaced thovzandes ten
Bot for Godde wald shewe so his glorie ou=Ier=XI erthly men?=Ff.29=Sr=XS=XF
How shuld Crist have bene taken of alle =your=Ie=XI assemble,
=n2360=XnIf he hadde noght betaken=Ie=XI hymself in =your=Ie=XI poustee?
=Ga=XGThis illusioune of Crist when he was coroned,
Appinen a kinges concubyne sometyme p=Ire=XIfigured.
The kinges corovne of his heved take wolde thilk Appinen,
And on hir=Ie=XI awen heved it sette, p=Ire=XIsent hym and mo men.
So the Sinagoge Cristes corovne, =$=Iat=XI was his hono=Iur=XI dewe,
Raft hym, and on his heved a corovne of thornes threwe.
Als wold she with hir=Ie=XI hande buffette the king sharpely,
And he nothing be wroth bot soeffre alle =$=Iat=XI gladdely,
So Crist King be the Jewes was buffett and colaphized harde,
=n2370=XnAnd he, meke als a lambe, no malece shewed a=yeinwarde.
Thilk concubine to the king stode in so hoege grace
That whateu=Ier=XI =$=Iat=XI she didde he tholed and held solace.
=Yit is p=Iro=XIuable =$=Iat=XI Crist lufed the Sinagoge wele more,
Sith he innoumbrable despits and paynes wolde suffre therfore.
=Gb=XGAnd swilk pacience of Crist p=Ire=XIfigured Dauid the king,
Of the wikked Semey so vile reproves suffring.
Semey stones and stokkes and myre on Dauid kest;
The Sinagoge spittinges and thornes & buffets on Crist fest.
Semey callid Dauid "man of Belial" and "manquheller=Ie=XI":
=n2380=XnThe Synagoge Crist "a wyche, gylour=Ie=XI and mysdoer=Ie=XI".
Abysey, ne hadde Dauid lettid, wold haf slayne Semey:
So hadde aungels Cristes foos, bot he thaym lettid mekely.
Crist descendid to dye for mans synne w=Iith=XIout faille,
And with his blode vs to Godde his Fader=Ie=XI to reconsaille.
He ne come noght to this werld any man for to qwelle,
Bot peece and concorde betwixe Godde and man for to melle.
Bot he ne was noght of the Jewes aft=Ier=XI his gude wille tretidde,
Whayme w=Iith=XI swilk vilaignyes thay hym dishono=Iur=XIidde.
=Gc=XGThis in King Dauid messages was ones p=Ire=XIfigured,
=n2390=XnWhaym King Amon of Amonytz so foully dishonested.
Dauid sent thaym for peece causeynge of thinges toforne,
And Amon thair=Ie=XI clothes to mydhips and halfe thair=Ie=XI=C
 ber=Ie=XIdis made shorne.
So Godde his oone dere Son til erth for peece he sent,
Whame the Sinagoge naknedde, his berde bespitted and shent.
Betwix Godde, aungels and man Crist come pees to restore,
Lasting ire inplacable fyve thovzande =yere tofore.
Blode in refo=Iur=XImyng pees to shede war=Ie=XI wont payens,
And watre in case semblable =yettid the Judeenes.=Ff.29=Sv=XS=XF
Bot Crist both watre and blode shedde for vs freendfully,
=n2400=XnFor we the faster=Ie=XI shuld kepe his pees made thus swetely.
The payens shedde blode of bestis, the Jewes watre of the flode,
Bot Crist of his awen side he shedde both wat=Ier=XI and blode.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs to luf and kepe thy peece,
=#=Iat=XI make vs dwelle w=Iith=XI the in joye =$=Iat=XI=C
 neu=Ier=XI shalle ceesse.
=DCapitulum xxij=Sm=XS
=Ye haf herd last tofore of Cristis corovnement;
Now how he bare the Crosse to here is consequent.
When Crist was crovned and japed and w=Iith=XI sco=Iur=XIges thus beseen,
Pilat didde bringe hym forth the poeple his sorowe to seen,
=#=Iat=XI thay, fullfillid of his thus doellfulle affliccioune,
=n2410=XnShuld thenk ynogh and cesse of his interfeccioune;
Bot thay gnaistid on hym ilkone als hondes wode,
Shovting, "Crucifye hym, do hym fast on the rode!"
And Pilat, desiring hym delyvre out of thair=Ie=XI handes,
Saide how =$=Iat=XI he wald thaym a p=Iri=XIsoner=Ie=XI=C
 q=Iwhi=XIt out of bandes,
And thay askid to be gyven thaym a thefe heght Baraban,
And Jh=Ies=XIu the aucto=Iur=XI of lif on Crosse to be done than.
O cruwelle Jewes, why wold =ye noght =$=Iat=XI Lord assoigne
=#=Iat=XI qwhit =yow fro thraldome of Egipt and Babiloigne?
Pilat, =$=Iat=XI moght noght lette thair=Ie=XI noyse =$=Iat=XI on hym grewe,
=n2420=XnHis handes wesshe to seme clene of Cristis blode Jheseve.
This wroght the Haly Gast in Pilat to this intent:
That Crist shuld for vs dye rightwys and innocent.
Pylates wyf said sho hadde of Jh=Ies=XIu fulle mykelle seen
Be dreme, wharefore gude was hym to delyvred been.
=#=Iat=XI wroght the dyvel, wilnyng to lette Crists passioune,
To lette so of mankinde the p=Ire=XIciouse saluacioune.
And =$=Iat=XI Pilat instode for Cristis delyvring
Is hoped als of the wyves haf bene the dyvles stiring,
For be thaym thoght the feend lette our=Ie=XI redempcioune
=n2430=XnAls he be Adam and Eue made our=Ie=XI dampnacioune:
For when the haly faders he se in the lymbe joye make,
He dredde Crist be his deth wold thaym fro thennys take,
And Cristes deth be Pilat thoght he to lette =$=Ier=XIfore,
And hym be his ledde the wyf to spede pricked he the more.
For his prikke specially is a wo=Im=XIman gloosyng,
Be whaym he dose husbandes do many a nyce thing.
Now than the knyghtes of Pilat of p=Iur=XIpre vncledde Jh=Ies=XIu,=C
 =Ff.30=Sr=XS=XF

And with his spoilled awen clothes thai hym cledde eft alle newe,
Than on his shuldres thai laide a Crosse =$=Iat=XI was fulle hevy:
=n2440=Xn=#=Iat=XI didde thai for the nones til his more contumely.
And for the crosses =$=Iat=XI tyme taknys of malyson were,
Noyther=Ie=XI wald Pilats knyghtes nor Jewes the Crosse bere;
Bot the Crosse =$=Iat=XI than was halden waried and ignomynyouse
Be Cristis passioune is made fulle blissed and gloriouse;
And =$=Iat=XI than was ordeynde for theves to=Iur=XImentynges
Is nowe peyntid hyegh in frontes of emp=Ier=XIo=Iur=XIs,=C
 p=Iri=XInces and kynges;
And be that whar=Ie=XIon misdoers, the feendes felowes, war=Ie=XI hanged,
Er=Ie=XI now the dyvels punyst, chasidde, ou=Ier=XIcomen and strangled.
=Ga=XGAnd of this forsaide Crosse Cristes baiulacioune
=n2450=XnIn Ysaac, Abraham son, hadde p=Ire=XIfiguracioune:
For Ysaac on his awen shuldr=Ie=XIs wodde mekely bare & broght
Be whilk his fader=Ie=XI to Godde =$=Iat=XI tyme hym sacrifie thoght.
So Crist bare on hys shuldres a Crosse fulle hevy and lange,
On whilk the Jewes cruwelle thoght hym sakles to hange.
Ysaac be ane aungels help was delyvred fro dede,
And a wethir=Ie=XI cleving in breres sacrified in his stede;
Bot noyther=Ie=XI tholed wethir=Ie=XI for Crist nor other=Ie=XI creato=Iur=XI
For swete Jh=Ies=XIu hymself wald for vs alle endure.
Ysaac, hering his fader=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI wald hym sacrifie,
=n2460=XnSayde he was obedient, at his wille alle redie.
So Gods Son til his Fader=Ie=XI was meke and obedient,
In alle thinges to fullfille his wille and co=Im=XImandement.
For the Fader=Ie=XI and Son and Haly Gast helde a mistik counsaille,
One of thaym for to sende man-sawle to recounsaille.
The Fader=Ie=XI saide, "Whaym shalle I sende, and whilk of vs shalle go?"
The Son saide, "I am redye, I send meselven ther=Ie=XIto."
"Go to the werlde," q=Iuo=XId the Fader=Ie=XI, "and lyve w=Iith=XI men mekely,
And whateu=Ier=XI thai do the, soeffre it benignely."
Thus Crist Gods Son olyve sent, conu=Ier=XIsed in Judee,
=n2470=XnAnd thai hym revilid and slewe w=Iith=XI =fh=Xforriblest cruwelltee.
=Gb=XGAls in a pytouse p=Iar=XIable Crist shewed the Jewes this thing,
Fi=Igur=XIing it be a vigne a tyme i=In=XI his p=Ire=XIching.
A man plantid a vigne and closid it, tellis vs the Boke,
A toure, a p=Ire=XIsse=Iur=XI in it, and to tilmen it toke.
He sent his seruantz in tyme the frvytes hym for to fette,
And thai slewe some of thay=Im=XI & of thaym some thay bette.
Mo s=Ier=XIuants than [t]he first the lord sent, this hering,
To whilk the tilmen didde like slaght=Ier=XI and betting.=Ff.30=Sv=XS=XF
At the last his =foon=Xf lufed so=Iu=XIn this lord sent to thaym oute,
=n2480=XnLyst thay hym for to slee wald oyther=Ie=XI haf shame or doute:
Whaym the tilmen taking, kest hym w=Iith=XIout the vigne,
And cruwellerly than the s=Ier=XIuants slewgh hym w=Iith=XI shame and pyne.
Of the Jewes or the Jewrye this vigne bare takenyng,
The close=Iur=XI, Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm walles or than the aungels keping;
And takenyd is be the toure the Temple of Salomon,
Be the p=Ire=XIsse=Iur=XI the autier=Ie=XI of holocaust and oblacioune.
The s=Ier=XIuantes sent =$=Iat=XI war=Ie=XI Gods haly p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIes=C
 and trewe,
The whilk w=Iith=XI paynes diu=Ier=XIse the Jewes cruwelly slewe.
Thai suwe Ysay and stoned Jeremye w=Iith=XIout faille;
=n2490=XnThai b=Ira=XIyned Ezechiel, and Amos p=Ier=XIcede w=Iith=XI a naille.
At the last Our=Ie=XI Lord Godde sent hys oone Son Crist Jhesew,
Whaym cruwellerly than thas other=Ie=XI the fals wode Jewes slewe.
On his shuldres thai laide the Crosse hym for to pyne,
And slewe hym w=Iith=XIout the citee (so kastin out of the vigne).
And thas =$=Iat=XI Crist to his deth ledde out war=Ie=XI folkes two:
The Jewes in hert ledde hym, the hethyn in dede for so.
=Gc=XGBe two exploratours hadde this fig=Iur=XIacioune,
=#=Iat=XI broght the grape-clustr=Ie=XI to desert fro the=C
 lande of p=Iro=XImissioune.
Crist was =$=Iat=XI grape-clustr=Ie=XI whilk two folkes ledde cruwellye
=n2500=XnOut of Jherusalem to the mount of Calvarye.
The Jewes tasted be the grape of the hight lande the gudenesse,
And be Crist teching may we consider=Ie=XI of hevenly swettenesse.
O Jh=Ies=XIu, of thy lyf et=Ier=XIne gif vs swilk gastly smelle
=#=Iat=XI we in it with thee withouten eend eu=Ier=XI mowe dwelle.
=DCapitulum xxiij=Sm=XS
Tofore herde =y=Ie=XI how Crist bere on his bakke the Croice;
Nowe heres for his crucifio=Iur=XIs howe he p=Ira=XIyd w=Iith=XI mylde voice.
The nyght and daye forjaped was he made so wery
Hymself =$=Iat=XI hevy Crosse =$=Iat=XI he ne moght bere forthy.
Than constreyned thai a man hight Symond, mavgre his,
=n2510=XnTo help Crist for to bere the Crosse, the sothe is this--
At Mount Caluarie comen when thai see Crist fayntid
Thai gaf hym ayselle w=Iith=XI galle mengid and wyne mirrid.
This drink the Jewes to Crist mengid maliciously
Als in the boke of the Psalmes was writen be p=Iro=XIph=Iec=XIie.
The knyghtes apon the grounde laide than the Crosse flatling,
The body of Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist alle naked on it spreding,
And w=Iith=XI ane hoege nayle to the Crosse thai drofe one of his handis,
That other=Ie=XI hande to ane hole drawyng w=Iith=XI cruwelle=C
 bandis,=Ff.31=Sr=XS=XF
The whilk festnyng, his fete thai ruggid out semblably,
=n2520=XnAnd thirlid thaym to the Crosse w=Iith=XI one naille cruwelly.
Of this Our=Ie=XI Lord be the psalme pleyned openly for the nones:
"Thai delvid myne handes and my fete and thai noumbred al my bones."
And Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist, tholing this bitt=Ier=XIest cruwelletee,
Vntil his enemys =$=Iat=XI tyme shewed his swete charitee,
Vnto his Fader=Ie=XI of heven thilk tyme for thaym praying,
Til vs our=Ie=XI enemys to luf in =$=Iat=XI exsaumple leving:
For when we our=Ie=XI enemys luf, and also for thaim we p=Ira=XIye,
The sonnes er=Ie=XI we of Crist and brether=Ie=XI, this is no nay,
For our=Ie=XI enemys to luf is Cristes teching fulle even,
=n2530=Xn=#=Iat=XI we be =$=Iat=XI way mowe become Gods sonnes of heven.
Noght grete price is of freendes nor of gude-doers luving,
Bot to luf p=Ier=XIsecuto=Iur=XIs and enemys is grettest thing.
The knyghtes doune on the erthe nailled Crist on the Croice
And aft=Ier=XI raysid hym alle qwhikke w=Iith=XI ane hoege shout & voice;
=Ga=XGAnd Cristis prayer=Ie=XI when he was this wise crucified
In Jubal, Tubalkain brother=Ie=XI, tofore was figured.
Thyr=Ie=XI two war=Ie=XI sonnes of Lamech, sometymes als clerks wote
Fynders, als bokes telle, of musik and yren note;
For when Tubalkain with hamers stroke on the yren stifly,
=n2540=XnJuball than of thair=Ie=XI soune fande arte of melodie,
And to soune of thas hamers and fabricacioune
Cristis prayer=Ie=XI es likned and his crucifio=Iur=XIs malliacioune.
For when the crucifio=Iur=XIs ham=Ier=XIed Crist to the Crosse wodely,
=#=Iat=XI Lord for thaim to his Fader=Ie=XI sange fulle swete melodye:
"Fader=Ie=XI, forgif to thaym, for thai ne wote what thai do,
Thai ne knawe me noght for thi Son =$=Iat=XI thay do thus vnto;"
For if the Jewes and the hethen hadde knawen Crist sothfastly
Thay ne hadde neu=Ier=XI crucified, doutles, the King of glorie.
And =$=Iat=XI blissed melodie was of so fyne dulcoure
=n2550=XnThat thre thovzand of men conu=Ier=XItid thilk same houre;
And wele war=Ie=XI the Jewes figured be the fynder=Ie=XI of ham=Ier=XIyng,
For thay first of alle fande thilk man=Ier=XIe of crucifying,
For no lawe demed =$=Iat=XI man shuld to the crosse be naillid,
Bot to be bounden vppe w=Iith=XI ropes to tyme =$=Iat=XI his lif fayllid;
And wele was Crist p=Ire=XIfigured be the finding of melodye
For he swilk melodie to the Fader=Ie=XI fande for to singe swetely;
And for his crucifio=Iur=XIs prayed Crist noght alle onely,
Bot for the hele of alle the werlde allso fulle devoutely.=Ff.31=Sv=XS=XF
And thogh many one hadde p=Ira=XIyed for mans synne oft tofore,
=n2560=XnFor bede ne sacrifie warr=Ie=XI thay neu=Ier=XI herde the more;
Bot Crist p=Ira=XIyed with swete teres & strenghfulle voice crying,
And for his reu=Ier=XIence was herde his prayer=Ie=XI he purchacing.
=Gb=XGThis crucifixioune also p=Ire=XIfigured seint Ysay,
Gods p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIe wham the Jewes didde to deth =fh=Xforribly.
For the Jewes w=Iith=XI a sawe of tree thorgh the middis hym kitte,
Whar=Ie=XIfore the deth of Crist right wele p=Ire=XIfigured itte.
So the Jewes with a tree-sawe Crist be the middes dep=Iar=XItid
When thai his body and sawle w=Iith=XI the Crosse desseu=Ier=XIyd.
And allethogh thay Cristes sawle made fro the flesshe to parte,
=n2570=XnTo thwynne the Goddehede fro ovther=Ie=XI couth=C
 thas wriches none arte,
For fro the dede flesshe twynned was noght the deite,
Nor fro the sawle lyving the flesshe, this is trewe c=Ier=XIteintee;
For allethogh Crist diedde, Godde wald hym noght forsake,
Thogh he sent hym to dye, mans reaunceoune for to make.
O Fader=Ie=XI of hevyn, what luf lest the shewe to mankynde,
Thyn one Son sending til erth for man thus to be pynde!
=IO boundless love of the divine charity,=XI
=IThat would give a beloved son for the sons of wickedness!=XI
Who herde eu=Ier=XI of swilk luf or se swilk jentellenesse,
=n2580=XnOr sufficed to prayse it right in o poynt of fulnesse?
=Gc=XGThis lufe of the Fader=Ie=XI Godde thus hoege and thus passing
Hadde sometyme p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIance in Moab, a jentil king.
He was in his citee assieged w=Iith=XI ane hoege oost and grete;
The citizeins wel negh p=Ier=XIist, failling both drink and mete.
This king luved his citizeins so hoegely mykell at alle
That his awen son for thaym he sac=Iri=XIfied on the walle.
Be the forsaide citee the werld is wele p=Ire=XIfigured,
And be the citezeins mankinde is noght wronge designed.
Be the oost of the feendes of helle was sieged this citee
=n2590=XnMore than fyve thovzande =yere ar=Ie=XI Crist come in pitee,
And the citezeins so way=fk=Xfe warr=Ie=XI waxen thorghout and out
That thay this siege to breke moght neu=Ier=XI alle bring about.
At the last, Fader=Ie=XI of m=Ier=XIcyes, Godde of consolacioune,
Piely beheld the disese of our=Ie=XI obsidioune,
=#=Iat=XI for hoege luf his So=Iu=XIn lete he for our=Ie=XI luf dye,
The siege of the feendes to breke, til vs delyvre frelye.
Moab for his frendes and foos his son to dye suffred,
Bot Godde for his enemys his Son vnto deth delyvred.
What may we =yelde this Lord for swilk luf worthilye
=n2600=XnBot body & hert and sawle gif in his luf holely?
To the Fader=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI vs lufed first gif we dileccioune,
Whilk thus pyely beheld our=Ie=XI mortiel obsidioune.=Ff.32=Sr=XS=XF
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, lat vs here of thi luf cesse nevre,
=#=Iat=XI in thi joy to come w=Iith=XI the we mowe dwelle evre.
=DCapitulum xxiiij=Sm=XS
Now last herd we howe Crist p=Ira=XIyed in the Crosse mekely;
Her=Ie=XI fylows howe he his deth forshewed figuratifly.
=Ga=XGKing Nabugodonosor a grete tree se dremyng,
The whilk tree of the same king bare verray signifying,
Bot Crist to come to this werld betaknyd it mistikly,
=n2610=Xn=#=Iat=XI King of kinges and Lord of lords shuld be sothly,
Whas pouwer=Ie=XI ou=Ier=XI alle the hevens is raised fulle hiegh on hieght,
And spredes ou=Ier=XI alle this werld above alle erthly myght.
Alle beestis vndir=Ie=XI it and briddes in it hadde thair=Ie=XI dwelling,
And of the fruytes of =$=Iat=XI tree ete and hadde norisshing,
The whilk fulle conueniently gaf verray signifiaunce
=#=Iat=XI eu=Ier=XIy cre=fa=Xfture be the grace of Crist takes sustenaunce.
Bot loo, ane aungell co=Im=XImyng co=Im=XImanded kit doune =$=Iat=XI tree,
Whilk thing fig=Iur=XIed =$=Iat=XI Crist done on the Crosse shuld be.
He saide =$=Iat=XI alle the braunches of the tree shuld be kitted,
=n2620=XnTakenyng =$=Iat=XI Cristis disciples shuld alle=C
 be fro hym seu=Ier=XIyd,
And saide more =$=Iat=XI alle the leves shuld be =fs=Xfhaken of the tree,
Takenyng =$=Iat=XI alle Cristis lare of the Jewes shuld dispisid be.
He co=Im=XImanded the fruytes of the tree to be scatred, the king thoght,
Takenyng =$=Iat=XI alle Cristis werkes the Jewes shuld sett at noght.
He saide the beestis and briddis shuld alle flee fro the tree,
For noyther=Ie=XI aungels nor men to Crist ni help shuld bee.
The aungel saide more =$=Iat=XI thogh the tree warr=Ie=XI kitted doune,
Neu=Ier=XI the laccer=Ie=XI the rote shuld leve in erth for to burgeoune--
Als so say allethogh Crist hadde of deth to thole the payne,
=n2630=Xn=Yit shuld noght deth hym hold, =$=Iat=XI he ne shuld rise agayne.
He saide Nabugodonosor, ment l=Iitte=XIraly be the tree,
With bandes of yren and stele bonden also shuld be,
Whilk shewed =$=Iat=XI Crist shuld be bonden til a pyler=Ie=XI,
W=Iith=XI iren nailles on the Crosse striken w=Iith=XI his enemys fer=Ie=XI.
He saide w=Iith=XI dewe of heven shuld alle be wette the kinge,
For l=Iitte=XIraly fro amanges men he shuld haf his dwelling,
With hevens dewe wette (=$=Iat=XI is with his blude) ou=Ier=XIronnen) bene,
And w=Iith=XI the same blude we alle fro thraldome =fq=Xfwhitte fulle clene.
He saide =$=Iat=XI als a beeste was to be fedde this kinge,
=n2640=XnFor Crist of ayselle and galle to drink shuld haf offring.
He addid =$=Iat=XI the kinges hert shuld haf fro ma=In=XInhed chaunging,
And =$=Ier=XIfore taken hym an hert beestisshe als of feling:=Ff.32=Sv=XS=XF
For the Jewes Crist als a man shuld noght treet nor addmitte,
Bot als a wilde beest or a worme hym crucify and bespitte,
Or els =$=Iat=XI the Jewes to Crist shuld noght like men thaym bere,
Bot grynne on hym like beestes the cruwelest =$=Iat=XI evre were.
He saide more =$=Iat=XI seven tymes shuld be cha=Iu=XIngid on the king,
So hadde seven houres canonyke Crists passioune p=Iro=XIloignyng.
He saide in sentence of aungels this was c=Ier=XItein decree,
=n2650=XnAnd worde and asking of seints =$=Iat=XI this for f=Ier=XIme shuld be,
For to aungels and men Crist deth shuld be necessarie thing
Til aungels restoraunce and of seints delyvring.
He saide this king shuld be til alle the werld manifesto=Iur=XI,
Ou=Ier=XI alle kyngdoms of men of the hiegh dominato=Iur=XI,
For the p=Ire=XIching of Crist and his shuld gif the werld knawyng
Of verray Godde of alle werldis and maker=Ie=XI of alle thing.
He saide =$=Iat=XI the kyngdome of men Godde myght gif wher=Ie=XI hym list,
On whilk he p=Iur=XIveide to sette of alle men the mekest.
This takened Crist for to be mekest of alle mankynde,
=n2660=XnThar=Ie=XIfore King of alle kinges, in bokes alle this we fynde.
And thus was Crist fig=Iur=XIed til vs be the forsaide tree:
Of his Faders ordinaunce for man crucified to bee;
And thogh his passioune war=Ie=XI ordeynde of his Fader=Ie=XI th=Ius=XI tofore
He soeffred it of free wille and invite nevre the more.
=Gb=XGAnd Codrus, a king of G=Ire=XIce, shewed this p=Ire=XIfiguratifly,
His citezeins for to delyvre the deth accepting freely.
The grete citee of Attenes stode in obsessioune
So streit =$=Iat=XI no mans witte moght fynde subvenc=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne.
Than counseild this King Codrus w=Iith=XI his godde Appolyn,
=n2670=XnIf any way wer=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI he moght rescow his citee fro pyne,
And alle war=Ie=XI he payen and Godde sothfast ne knewe,
=Yit soeffred Godde hym resceyve be Appolyn ane answer=Ie=XI trewe,
That c=Ier=XIteine thar=Ie=XI was no way to delyvre his citee
Bot if he wald soeffre hymselven of his enemys slayne be;
And the king his sugits luvid so p=Ier=XIexcellently
=#=Iat=XI he went out of the toune for to dy willfully.
His enemys, knawyng the cas, wold hym disese nothing,
The citee more than his deth vnlike w=Iith=XI desiring;
And King Codrus, knawing of his enemys the entent,
=n2680=XnHe left his realle arraie and s=Ier=XIuants clethes on hym hent,
And co=Im=XImyng forth eft=Ier=XI, his foos didde hym to deth als tite
For thay knewe noght the king in his s=Ier=XIvylle habite.
The enemys, knawing his deth, of thair=Ie=XI p=Iur=XIpos dispaired,
And the siege vpbreking, to thair=Ie=XI contrees repaired.=Ff.33=Sr=XS=XF
Thus Crist luved vs =$=Iat=XI he for vs wold dye freely
Fro the feendis assieging to qvite vs alle vtterrly,
Cledde in mans flesshe als in clothes of s=Ier=XIuyle degree,
Noght mowing dye in realle clothis of his deitee,
For if thay hym the King of glorie hadde asspied
=n2690=XnThay nwold neu=Ier=XI hym haf slayne nor so vily treted.
And Crist brakke noght the one siege of our=Ie=XI captivitee
Bot our=Ie=XI deth also with his for eu=Ier=XImore destruyd he.
=Gc=XGAnd this be Eleazar=Ie=XI was ones the Machabe p=Ire=XIfigurid
Disposing hymself to deth to slee olyphaunt armyd.
The hethen oost come on the Jewes =$=Iat=XI hadde of thaym hoege fere,
And Eleazar=Ie=XI bare thorgh thair=Ie=XI olyphaunt w=Iith=XI a spere:
The beest, wounded to the deth, felle on this Eleazare
And his sleer=Ie=XI slogh he w=Iith=XI his grete sweght right thare.
The stronge assaylled the stronge and both felle in the stede,
=n2700=XnAnd thus Eleazar=Ie=XI and the beest in this wise ware both dede.
Thus stronge Crist the stronge deth assailled chyvalerously,
And w=Iith=XI his deth slewe oures, blissid be he eendelesly.
O Jh=Ies=XIu, =$=Iat=XI be thi deth liked to bye vs thus sore,
Make vs aft=Ier=XI this lyf w=Iith=XI the dwelle eu=Ier=XImore.
=DCapitulum xxv=Sm=XS
Herd last tofore how Crist was slayne thus cruwelly;
Here nowe howe thay hym dede scorned maliciouusly.
It suffized noght the Jewes of C=Iri=XIst the cruwelle sleeyng,
Bot thay aft=Ier=XI =$=Iat=XI he ware dede reioyst in hym scorneyng.
=Ga=XGMicol, Saulis doght=Ier=XI, this touchid p=Ire=XIfiguratifly
=n2710=XnWhen scho hir=Ie=XI husbond Dauid the king scornyd proudly.
Tofore the Testaments Arche daunced Dauid harpyng,
Whaym Micol gaf scornes brode, out at a wyndow lokyng,
And =yit suffized hir=Ie=XI noght to scorne hym doing "A" ferre,
Bot at thair=Ie=XI meting eftsones chaufed sho hyr=Ie=XI husbond wele werre,
Saying he couthe a king contrefete wele hardily
Naknyng hym tofore folk als harlots vses lewedly.
Right so the Jewes scorned C=Iri=XIst wers than ane harlot than,
Hym condempnyng w=Iith=XI theves and lowsing thefe Baraban.
Dauid in his harping p=Ire=XIfigured Crist in this thinges,
=n2720=XnFor Crist was stendid on the Crosse als in ane=C
 harpe er=Ie=XI the stringes.
O Lord, how this faire harpe gaf a swete melody
When Crist with doelfulle teres for vs cried myghtylye,
When p=Iar=XIadise he to the thefe hight, so late repentyng,
And his moder=Ie=XI vnto John and hym to hir=Ie=XI betakeing!=Ff.33=Sv=XS=XF
And for our=Ie=XI hele, "Me thristis" saying =$=Iat=XI Lord thus,
And aft=Ier=XI, "Consummatum est" =$=Iat=XI he shuld thole for vs,
And when he cryed, "Hely, Hely, lamazabatany",
And when he =yalde vnto the Fader=Ie=XI his gast so pynefully.
The Synagoge in this harping to scorne hym gamen thoght,
=n2730=XnAnd aft=Ier=XI hys gast =yolden, to scorne thay cessid noght.
=Gb=XGThis thinge in A=fb=Xfsolon, the fairest of men, rede we
P=Ire=XIfigured when =$=Iat=XI he honge be his here in a tree,
Whaym seighen, a man rynnyng to Joab this discou=Ier=XIyd,
And he co=Im=XImyng, thre speres thorghout his hert festnyd.
Bot sqwyers of Joab thoght noght enogh ther=Ie=XIby
Bot w=Iith=XI thayr=Ie=XI swerdes also bare hym thorgh cruwelly.
Absolon takned Crist, of mans sonnes fairest floure,
Striken w=Iith=XI thre speres on the Crosse, =$=Iat=XI warr=Ie=XI=C
 thre paynes soure.
The first of his awen paynes the innombrable hydousnesse,
=n2740=XnSecunde of his dere moder=Ie=XI the intolerable bitt=Ier=XInesse,
The thredde doele for the dampnable whilk C=Iri=XIst lete on hym bite,
Knawing his bitt=Ier=XI passioune shuld noght to thaym p=Iro=XIfite.
And thogh Crist was fest w=Iith=XI thus many sorowes on the Croyce,
The Jewes =yit pyned hym ovre w=Iith=XI thair=Ie=XI wikked tonges voice.
Thus alle wilfulle synners assailles Crist on like wise
Resydyuaunt, and also in thaym Crist eftsones crucifise.
=Gc=XGKing [Ev]ilm=Ier=XIedach of swilk sometyme gaf forlyknesse
When he in his dede fader=Ie=XI ex=Ier=XIcised his wodenesse,
Whas body dolven out of the grave in thre hondreth gobets he kitte
=n2750=XnAnd to thre hondreth voltour=Ie=XIs for to devour=Ie=XI dalte itte.
So in thair=Ie=XI fader=Ie=XI Crist for thay=Im=XI dede,=C
 haves fals C=Iri=XIsten thaym wodely
When thay wilfully synnyng hym eftsones crucifye;
And thay synne more wrething Crist in his deitee
Then thay =$=Iat=XI crucified hym lyving here in humanitee.
Crist ones crucified enforces he for to assaille
=#=Iat=XI hym auantis of synne or vses it stably sanz faille;
Of a crosse to Cristis crucifying is =$=Iat=XI man carpenter=Ie=XI
Whilk of yvelle to be done is help or counseiller=Ie=XI:
That man lays, als men says, the Crosse on Cristis bakke
=n2760=XnWhilk to the ordeigna=Iu=XInce of Godde of his synne gyves the lakke.
Holy Writte beres hym on hande in C=Iri=XIstis face for to spitte
Whilk ony gude takes of Godde and hym thankis noght of itte;
And Crist on his bakhalve vngudely also betes hee
Who =$=Iat=XI his neghbo=Iur=XIgh enforce diffame in priuytee;=Ff.34=Sr=XS=XF
And Crist in his face betes he w=Iith=XI buffetes cruwelly
Who byses hym to confounde his neghburgh p=Ire=XIsently;
And Cristis heved w=Iith=XI sharp thornes corones he dispitously
Who =$=Iat=XI Haly Kirk assailles w=Iith=XI ravynes and iniurye;
And thas bisis thaym to hide Gods eghen, alle thing behalding,
=n2770=XnWho sellys or gifes or chaunges for erthly gude haly thing;
And thas er=Ie=XI saide to depart to thaym Cristis clothinges
Who p=Ire=XIsumes for to destruye, robbe or ref neghburgh thinges,
And Jh=Ies=XIu Crist w=Iith=XI Judas kissis he tresovnously
Who =$=Iat=XI his neghburgh gloses for to begile hym sleghly,
And with Judas trecherously hailsen thay Crist, I say,
His hest =$=Iat=XI til his neghburgh haves noght entent to pay,
And Jh=Ies=XIu Crist w=Iith=XI the Jewes laghes he to scorne than
When he gives almovse or prayes for lavde or p=Iri=XIse of man,
And Cristis purses beres he w=Iith=XI Judas, =$=Iat=XI thevis lymme,
=n2780=XnWho stelis or oght w=Iith=XIdrawes of thinges betaken hym.
Cristis fete w=Iith=XI iren nailles is he p=Iro=XIved thorgh to smyte
Who tavernes and comon places wille more than kirkes visyte.
It p=Iro=XIves he beres the Crosse with thilk Cyrene Symon
=#=Iat=XI noght of free wille dose gude bot be coaccio=Iu=XIne,
And nailles for Crist is he p=Iro=XIved to forge wricchedly
Whilk amanges neghburghs discordes to sawe makes hy=Im=XI bisy.
He is demyd Crist to scorne like to the lefthande thefe
Who =$=Iat=XI in confessioune to lyegh or feygne er=Ie=XI lefe;
Thaymself w=Iith=XI Judas to hange p=Iro=XIve thas vnderstandinglye
=n2790=Xn=#=Iat=XI mercy likes none til aske ne for thair=Ie=XI synne satisfye.
Thas thaym the handes of Crist p=Iro=XIves w=Iith=XI ropes for to bynde
=#=Iat=XI trowes noght Our=Ie=XI Lord Godde may thaym thair=Ie=XI=C
 necessaries fynde.
Gods handes vnto the Crosse wo=Iu=XInde thay fulle grevously
Whilk of Gods gude gyven thayme deles noght almouse freely;
And thas er=Ie=XI p=Iro=XIved to selle Crist w=Iith=XI Judas the trayto=Iur=XI
For money =$=Iat=XI spendes thair=Ie=XI gude to purchace=C
 thaym vayne hono=Iur=XI;
And thas gyves myrred wyne to Jh=Ies=XIu Crist for to drinke
=#=Iat=XI heresies vnder=Ie=XI colour=Ie=XI of trewth to teche folk swynke;
And thay menge aysell w=Iith=XI gall to gif Crist on the Rode
=n2800=Xn=#=Iat=XI sacrifice makes to Godde of mysbegetyn gude;
And w=Iith=XI Judas tra=fi=Xfto=Iur=XI betrayses he Crist kissing
That resceves =$=Iat=XI Lordis body in dedely synne being.
O Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs righ=ft=Xf so to resceve thy body
That we neu=Ier=XI be fro the departid eu=Ier=XIlastingly.
=DCapitulum xxvj=Sm=XS
The last chapitle tofore tolde Cristis passioune;
Heres now his moderes doel and rewthfulle compassioune.=Ff.34=Sv=XS=XF
For the more hardnesse =$=Iat=XI Crist tholid in his passioune, c=Ier=XItayne
The more doel til his moder=Ie=XI encresced be payne and payne.
Than Symeons p=Iro=XIphecie in hir=Ie=XI fullfilled wasse:
=n2810=Xn"Thorghout thy sawle, Marye, the swerde of sorowe shalle passe."
=Ga=XGThe sorowe =$=Iat=XI Our=Ie=XI Lady consuffred for hir=Ie=XI dere son
In Jacob for Joseph deth hadde p=Ire=XIfiguracioune.
Jacob ou=Ier=XI alle his sons luved Joseph tendrely,
Whar=Ie=XIfore alle his brethir=Ie=XI thoght hym slee for envye.
Jacob did make his so=Iu=XIn a longe cote dyu=Ier=XIsly
Colourd, w=Iith=XI sere fig=Iur=XIes thar=Ie=XIin wroght craftyly,
Whaym til his brether=Ie=XI whare thay kept shepe his fad=Ier=XI sending,
Anone, hym seen, thay thoght of hym to make endyng.
Bot Godde wold thay hym solde til Ismalits for gude,
=n2820=XnAnd his cote al to-rent thay sprenclid w=Iith=XI gotes blude
And sent it to his fader=Ie=XI w=Iith=XI a strainege man to see
And hym avise whether=Ie=XI it the cote of Joseph mot be.
Whilk seen, his fader=Ie=XI his clothes kitte and saide wepynly,
"The worst wilde beestis tethe has eten my sons body."
Than come his sons togider=Ie=XI til hym, this thing heryng,
Thair=Ie=XI fader=Ie=XI in thus grete doel to comford enforcyng,
And he none hede wolde take to consolacioune,
Bot in his vnmesured woo this ilk was his s=Ier=XImoune:
"Til helle vnto my son shalle I sorowing descend,"
=n2830=XnFor hym myght no comfort in this lyf here amend.
So Marie til hir=Ie=XI dere son wald have descendid to hell
Iff it hadde bene possible, foreu=Ier=XI w=Iith=XI hym to dwelle.
O brether=Ie=XI, howe mykelle, hope =y=Ie=XI, sorowed this moder=Ie=XI mylde,
The cote seen of the flesshe to-torne thus of hyr=Ie=XI childe!
Joseph cote was made rede of a kidde w=Iith=XI the blude,
Bot Cristes cote w=Iith=XI his awen blude was alle bewette on the Rude,
And of the cruwellest wilde beest was Crist devoured sothly,
=#=Iat=XI was of the wikked Jewes the fiercest maliciouuse enevy.
Jacob for doel of his son share his clothis vtward,
=n2840=XnAnd Marie share hir=Ie=XI clothis, =$=Iat=XI was=C
 the strenghthes of hir=Ie=XI sp=Iir=XIits inward.
Alle the sons of Jacob about hym gadred even and morowe,
Bot alle thay myght neu=Ier=XI the rather=Ie=XI soften his doel & his sorowe.
And thogh to Marie hadde gadred this brode werlde alle holly
Neu=Ier=XI thing hadde softned hir=Ie=XI doel withouten hir=Ie=XI son sothly.
Sith Jacob hadde sonnes twelf and sorowed thus oon losyng,
How mykel was Maries doel more, oon lost, no moo having!
=Gb=XGThis doelfulle virgyns compleint was sometyme fortaknyd
When Abel of wikked Kayme was slayne and martirizid,=Ff.35=Sr=XS=XF
Whas slaghter=Ie=XI Adam and Eue thai both for causes sere
=n2850=XnCompleynyd both nyght and day, lasting ane hondreth =yere;
Bot thogh the sorowe of thir=Ie=XI two war=Ie=XI fulle hoege in reknyng
No dout to Maries doel it shuld seme littell or nothing,
For eu=Ier=XI the more =$=Iat=XI a thing is more luved be resoune
The more sorowe is of it tholed in the amyssioune;
Bot neu=Ier=XI more luf was than betwix Marie and hir=Ie=XI son
Whar=Ie=XIfore hir=Ie=XI doel alle other=Ie=XI passid in comp=Iar=XIisoune.
The sorowe of Adam and Eue als of bokes men may here
Lastid for thair=Ie=XI gude son Abel ane hondreth =yere;
Bot if Crist hadde bene dede of =yeres ane hondreth thovzande
=n2860=XnMarye alle =$=Iat=XI menetyme hadde neu=Ier=XI cessid to be wepande
When Joseph Cristis body of the Crosse toke doune, wounded so depe,
Marye stude than fulle negh in hir=Ie=XI armes hym to kepe.
The littelle birthyn of mirr=Ie=XI betwyx hyr=Ie=XI breestis dwelt than,
Als Cantica Canticor=Ium=XI shewes til a lettred man.
A bitter=Ie=XI birthin of mirre in Maries hert =$=Iat=XI laye
The sov=Im=XIme of Cristis paynes gadred tholed in a nyght and a day;
And als the more =$=Iat=XI a wyne swetter=Ie=XI and noble is p=Iro=XIved
Is it more v=Ier=XIraly sharpe and bitter=Ie=XI when it is t=Iur=XIned,
So als Maries luf til hir=Ie=XI son alle oyther=Ie=XI passid in swetnesse,
=n2870=XnHadde hir=Ie=XI sorowe in hir=Ie=XI sons passioune=C
 most bitt=Ier=XInesse.
=Gc=XGWhar=Ie=XIfore Marie sometyme was fig=Iur=XIed be Neomy,
The whilk fo=fr=Xf hir=Ie=XI two sons waymentid doelfully:
"'Neomy', =$=Iat=XI is to say, 'fair=Ie=XI', calles me noght so, nay, nay,"
Quod sho, "bot calles me 'Mara', 'bitt=Ier=XI' =$=Iat=XI is to say,
Forwhi almyghti Godde w=Iith=XI bitt=Ier=XInesse hase filled me."
Beweping hir=Ie=XI childre deth swilk doelfulle wordes spake she,
And Marye be Neomy be resoune was fortaknyd,
For sho noght onely of one bot of two sons was pryvid.
O son hadde sho fairest be flesshely p=Iro=XIgenit=Iur=XIe,
=n2880=XnAne other=Ie=XI hadde sho adopt be law of m=Ier=XIcyfulle cure.
Crist was hir=Ie=XI oone dere son be verray bodily kinde,
The adoptif alle mankynde, in Haly Writte this we fynde.
Dede was the bodily son be verray deth corporele,
So was the son adoptif be the deth spirituele,
For in Cristis passioune mankynde hadde the trewe feyth linquist,
Whar=Ie=XIfore alle man=Ier=XIe man in sawle was dede and p=Ier=XIist.
For both thir=Ie=XI sonnes tholed =fshe=Xf the vnhopfulle bitt=Ier=XInesse,
Sithen she luved thaym both two w=Iith=XI swettest luf tendernesse,=C
 =Ff.35=Sv=XS=XF

And thogh sho luved hir=Ie=XI dere son als hir=Ie=XIself and wele more,
=n2890=Xn=Yit wold she soeffre hym to dye, lif til mankinde to restore,
For rather=Ie=XI to see hir=Ie=XI son for a tyme liked the moder=Ie=XI of pitee
Bere payne, than mankynde alle condampned et=Ier=XInaly to be.
In whilk thinges we may conceyve =$=Iat=XI Marye lufed vs hoegely,
When she desired =$=Iat=XI hir=Ie=XI son for our=Ie=XI redempcioune shuld dye:
For o thing gyven for ane othere or changed than may men see
The thing takne semes more chere than the thing gyven for to bee.
Than in man=Ier=XIe semes Marye haf luved vs more than hir=Ie=XI son,
That rather=Ie=XI than vs to be dampned soeffred his crucyfixion.
And how the Fader=Ie=XI of heven luved vs also may we knawe hereby
=n2900=XnWhilk soeffred his oone Son for our=Ie=XI lufe to dye thus pynously.
And thus both the Fader=Ie=XI and moder=Ie=XI has desseruyd ineffably
Of mankynde to be luved ageyne w=Iith=XIout mesure hertfully.
O gude Lorde Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs our=Ie=XI luf w=Iith=XI thyn so to melle
=#=Iat=XI we decerve in thy heven et=Ier=XInaly w=Iith=XI the for to dwelle.
=DCapitulum xxvij=Sm=XS
Tofore haf =y=Ie=XI herd how Crist of the Crosse was taken doune;
Nowe fylowes howe =fhe=Xf was graven to here w=Iith=XI devocioune.
The body bewrapped in syndene be Joseph and Nicodeme
Arraied w=Iith=XI oignementis layde thay in a newe grave fulle qweme.
Ther=Ie=XI was Marye fulle negh, the doelfullest creature
=n2910=Xn=#=Iat=XI eu=Ier=XI was moder=Ie=XI for son in erth, =ye may be seure.
Ther=Ie=XI moght neu=Ier=XI tonge c=Ier=XIteine declare=C
 hir=Ie=XI doelfulle wepyng,
Nor hert think hir=Ie=XI disesse and pitousest compleignyng.
She was so feynt and ou=Ier=XIcomen for sorowe the day and nyght,
=#=Iat=XI vnnethis til hir=Ie=XIs sons grave to byry hym wyn she myght.
So many swete cosse and halsinges til hir=Ie=XI dede son gave scho
=#=Iat=XI alle gude wightis hir=Ie=XI rewed and saide, sore weping, "Loo,
Allas, thir=Ie=XI wikkedest men howe thay haf done cruwelly
To this fairest of wo=Im=XImen most benigne and gudely."
This Ladye made so grete doel, compleint and inward gemyng
=n2920=Xn=#=Iat=XI folkes herts standing about wel negh brist for weping.
For one thus doelfulle moder=Ie=XI what hert hadde =$=Iat=XI hardnesse
Whilk at the welles of weping shuld eschewe tendernesse?
For nowe the handis, nowe the feete of hir=Ie=XI son was sho kissing,
His nekke or his woundid sydes in rewthfulle army=Is=XI bracying.
Hir=Ie=XI awen breest nowe bette sho, hir=Ie=XI handis out nowe spreding,
Nowe sho wronge thaym togydir=Ie=XI w=Iith=XI revthfulle teres weping,
Now his smert woundis lokyng, nowe felle sho pitously
On his breest, on his eghen, on his pale mouth blody.=Ff.36=Sr=XS=XF
Nowe c=Ier=XItes ane ou=Ier=XI-hard hert more than a beest hadde hee
=n2930=Xn=#=Iat=XI rewthlesse thus gretest doele myght ony wise think or see,
For sith o swyn and of other=Ie=XI is moved to her=Ie=XI it crye,
Who of this moderstfulle weping shuld noght than haf m=Ier=XIcye?
On Mawdelayne hadde compassioune and w=Iith=XI hir=Ie=XI wepid Jh=Ies=XIu;
Who than on Marye virgyne shuld noght wepe and sore rewe?
O dolphin ane other=Ie=XI dede with rewthe, says men, wille grave;
What man shuld Maries compleint heryng than no doel have?
=Ga=XGThe sorowe whilk blissyd Marye in hir=Ie=XI sons graving tholid
Dauid in Abners byrying sometyme eke fortakenyd.
Abner of Joab was slayne be fraudulent dissymuiling,
=n2940=XnAnd Dauid King pleyned his deth & fylowed his bere weping;
And thas doelfull birialles weppid noght Dauid oonely,
Bot other=Ie=XI w=Iith=XI hym for to wepe eke excitid he pitously.
He saide, "Kittis =your=Ie=XI clothing and wepes alle =$=Iat=XI =ye may:
Wher=Ie=XI =ye ne knawe the grettest prince in Isr=Iae=XIl haf fallen today?
Als a wriche mysdoing, witte =ye, he nys noght slayne,
Bot als wikked the rightwis makis dye be sacles payne."
Thus myght doelfulle Marye say on the Gude Fridaye
When hir=Ie=XI son of the wikked Jewes slayne in hir=Ie=XI armys laye:
"=Your=Ie=XI clothes of inward compleynt in signe of doel shere =y=Ie=XI:
=n2950=XnWher=Ie=XI =ye ne knawe the grettest Prince of=C
 Isr=Iae=XIl today dede be?"
O Lord, howe grettest a p=Iri=XInce in Isr=Iae=XIl tholid occisioune,
Of wham eu=Ier=XIy creat=Iur=XIe bare grete compassioune!
His hote bemes the son w=Iith=XIdrewe =$=Iat=XI thay ne=C
 shuld noght Crist brynne,
The ayre wax derke also, to hille his nakednesse w=Iith=XIinne;
The erthe whoke for to fere the crucifio=Iur=XIs, this is trewth;
The vaille of the Temple was rent to make the Pharisens haf rewth;
The roches =$=Iat=XI wer=Ie=XI so hard creved both vppe and doune,
And for the disciples spak noght stones cryes w=Iith=XI hiegh soune.
Also dede men graves opned that thay myght rise for to telle
=n2960=XnThe poair=Ie=XI of this grete prince to the werld whilk than befelle;
And mony of the dede to men aperid thilk tyme rysing,
The werkis of this grete prince fulle planely manifesting.
The dyvel apon the left brace of the Crosse alle astoned satte
To whame alle creatures obeyed m=Ier=XIveilling what was he =$=Iat=XI.
The philosofres of Athenes, the so=In=XIne a=yeins kinde derke seynge,
Saide godde of nature =$=Iat=XI daye was some anguisse soeffringe.
Til on vnknawen godde maide thay ane autier=Ie=XI forthy
To be knawen werldis co=Im=XImyng whoso myght come =$=Ier=XIby;=Ff.36=Sv=XS=XF
Wharefor this princes biriales pleigne w=Iith=XI deuocioune
=n2970=XnOur=Ie=XI inwards hertis kerving w=Iith=XI tendrest compassioune.
=Gb=XGOf Crist=Ies=XI sepulture the sons of Jacob gaf forliknesse,
Puttyng thair=Ie=XI brother=Ie=XI Joseph into the cisternys depnesse.
Thai hatid thair=Ie=XI brothir=Ie=XI Joseph to the deth w=Iith=XIout skille,
And the Jewes thair=Ie=XI brother=Ie=XI Crist for his luf and gude wille.
Jacob sonnes sold thair=Ie=XI brother=Ie=XI Joseph for penys thretty,
The Jewes boght Crist of Judas for als many penys evenly.
Jacob sonnes thair=Ie=XI brother=Ie=XI cote w=Iith=XI thair=Ie=XI=C
 handis vnsoundid,
The Jewes Crists flesshe w=Iith=XI scourges, w=Iith=XI thornes=C
 and nailles woundid.
Jose{p=Is=XI} cote in no p=Iar=XIte felt payne of dyrupcioune,
=n2980=XnBot Cristis flesshe in alle his membris tholid hard passioune.
Josephs cote fro his nekke rechid til his helis behynde,
Bot fro Cristis crovne to his too was none hele for to fynde.
Jacob so=Iu=XIns thair=Ie=XI brother=Ie=XI cote sprenclid=C
 w=Iith=XI a kyds blude,
The Jewes w=Iith=XI Cristis awen blude dyed his cote on the Rode.
The sons of Jacob =$=Ier=XI fader=Ie=XI trevblid ynogh and wele more,
And the Jewes Maryes pye hert made hoegly doelfulle & sore.
Joseph his brethers trespas to thaym relesed gudely
And Crist for his crucifiours p=Ira=XIyed his Fader=Ie=XI pitously.
Joseph, solde of his brether=Ie=XI, lorde of Egipt befelle,
=n2990=XnAnd Crist, crucifyed of the Jewes, of heven and erth and helle.
Jacob sons hono=Iur=XIed thair=Ie=XI brother=Ie=XI, p=Iro=XIcesse=C
 of tyme fylowing,
And many Jewes trowed in C=Iri=XIst fro deth aft=Ier=XI his ryseing.
Jacob heryng his son olyve hadde grete gladnesse:
Marye, hir sons rysing seen, was fillid w=Iith=XI swetnesse.
Joseph 'a son growing' or 'increment' is for to say,
And the feith of Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist spredde wyde-wher=Ie=XI day be day.
=Gc=XGAnd Jh=Ies=XIu Crists sepulture be Jonas p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed myght be,
Whaym a whalle swalowed casten out of a shippe vnto the see.
Thre dayes and als the thre nyghtes w=Iith=XIinne the whalle was Jonas
=n3000=XnSo Crist vnto the thredde day in his grave closid was:
And how this storye to Crist resonably is appropred
In the chapitle of the resurrexcioune more openly is declared.
Thi sepulture gif vs here to luf so, swete Jh=Ies=XIu,
That we dwelle eure w=Iith=XI the in heven whar=Ie=XI joye is newe.
=DCapitulum xxviij=Sm=XS
=Ye have herd last tofore how Joseph Crist byryid;
Now is fylowing to here how Crist in helle entrid.
The houre of Nones, Cristis soule =yolden in the Crosse als tite,
Vnto the hellis descendid, the saule to the Godhede vnyte.
Four=Ie=XIfaldes or in foure stedis er=Ie=XI hellys, be Thomas sawe:
=n3010=XnOf dampnyd, of childer, of purgatorie and of seints=C
 of the Olde Lawe.=Ff.37=Sr=XS=XF
In the first, =$=Iat=XI is, of dampnyd, is smeke and fire inextinguyble,
Sight of innoumbrable feendes, horro=Iur=XI and flaying t=Ier=XIrible,
Wormes freetyng the con=fs=Xfcience and horrible derknesse palpable,
Inenarrable hydous coldnesse and stinking intolerable,
Eure ent=Ier=XIchaungable envy, multiplying of malicio=Iu=XIne,
Fleyng of desired deth, dispare of redempcioune,
The point of dying allwaye, and of deth neu=Ier=XI freedome--
Ther=Ie=XI er=Ie=XI paynes eu=Ier=XImore newe, neu=Ier=XI=C
 of thaym eend to come.
To this helle neu=Ier=XI descendid Our=Ie=XI Lorde Crist is no doute,
=n3020=XnNor fro =$=Iat=XI horrible place boght he nevre saulys oute.
Above this helle a place for childer=Ie=XI is thus devised
W=Iith=XIout circumcisioune and o=$=Ier=XI eke vnbaptized.
There nys no sensuele payne bot payne of wanting, wit =ye:
Joie haf thay thar=Ie=XI fulle grete of Gods vnmesured bountee.
In thilk place haf the forsaid childer=Ie=XI so hoege gladnesse
Whilk of alle joyes erthly passes lust and swetnesse.
Thay joye =$=Iat=XI thay thair=Ie=XI maker=Ie=XI synnyng offendid nevre,
And =$=Iat=XI fro the helle of the dampnyd se=Iur=XI thay knawe thaym forevre.
What Godde will do be thayme no man has the knawing,
=n3030=XnNor no docto=Iur=XI suffices to t=Ier=XImyne it be writing.
Over=Ie=XI this stede is ane helle whilk named is purgatorie,
Fulle =fof=Xf diu=Ier=XIse diseses, w=Iith=XI many a payne fulle sory,
Whar=Ie=XI Cristen saules for thair=Ie=XI synnes vnclensid who saved salle be
Resceves aft=Ier=XI Gods demyng c=Ier=XIteyne penalitee.
Thir=Ie=XI savles paynes er=Ie=XI lessenyd be dovoute messys singyng,
Be fastyng and be prayers, and be trewe almouse-delyng,
Be indulgence and be the haly laude of the Croyce be accepting,
And be penaunce of other=Ie=XI folkes for thair=Ie=XI freendes fullfillyng.
The paynes of purgatorie may no tonge erthly telle,
=n3040=XnFor-passing alle erthly disese, alle be thay neu=Ier=XI so felle.
Als is fire peyntid vnlike to self fire mat=Ier=XIiale,
So differences fire werldly fro thilk purgatoriale.
Above this stede is ane helle whare the seints of the Olde Lawe were,
Lymbus of Abrah=Ia=XIms bosme named be clerkes sere,
Tho whilk helle alle the seintes entred, wit =ye trewly,
=#=Iat=XI died or Crist vprase, ware thay neu=Ier=XI so haly.
This helle entred Jh=Ies=XIu Our=Ie=XI Saueo=Iur=XI descending doune right,
And of alle savles ther=Ie=XIinne he heryde it be his grete myght.
In this helle was Cristes sawle fro the houre of his dieying=Ff.37=Sv=XS=XF
=n3050=XnVnto the thred day fylowing, the houre of his vprysing;
And thogh it war=Ie=XI that Cristis s{a}wle fro the body departid,
The Godhede fro the body nor fro the sawle no tyme was disseu=Ier=XIyd,
For in the lymbe was the Godhede vnite to the savle p=Iar=XItid=C
 fro the flesshe,
And in the grave to the flesshe dede, incorrupt and eu=Ier=XI ylike fresshe;
And when =$=Iat=XI Crist entred in the lymbe, the seints see the verray deitee,
And alle the joye and the blisse i=In=XI the heven hadde=C
 thay be free lib=Ier=XItee.
Men sais, whar=Ie=XI the Haly Fader=Ie=XI is, thar=Ie=XI=C
 for to be the courte of Rome,
And hevenly joyes whar=Ie=XI the Godhede is shalle be hoped to the same dome.
And to the thef hanging in the crosse saide O=Iur=XI Lord=C
 Jh=Ies=XIu on this wise:
=n3060=Xn"I saye the forsoth this ilk daye thowe shalle=C
 be w=Iith=XI me in p=Iar=XIadise."
And this of p=Iar=XIadyse t=Ier=XIrestre touches noght in expounding,
Bot of the contemplacioune dyvine is in trewth the vnderstanding.
The theves savle w=Iith=XI the savle of Crist entrid in the lymbe the same day,
And the verray Godhede contemplid w=Iith=XI othir=Ie=XI=C
 seints, th=Ius=XI the clerks say.
And when the seints see Our=Ie=XI Lord C=Iri=XIst thai kest a fulle joyous cry,
"Welcome, Our=Ie=XI lange desired Lord, vouching sauf vs to by."
=Ga=XGThis thing p=Ire=XIfigured thre childer=Ie=XI at Babiloygne=C
 in the fo=Iur=XInas,
When the fire at the aungels entring to swete dewe turnyd was;
For if the aungels p=Ire=XIsence to the childer=Ie=XI in=C
 the fire refrigery made,
=n3070=XnWele more myght Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist in helle the seints glade.
The aungelle sent into the oven to confort the childer=Ie=XI fortolde
Fig=Iur=XIed =$=Iat=XI to co=In=XIfort the faders Crist entre into helle wolde;
And als in the forsaide fo=Iur=XInace war=Ie=XI bot childer=Ie=XI=C
 & nan other=Ie=XI,
None was bot innocents and childer=Ie=XI i=In=XI the lymbe=C
 sothly, gude brother=Ie=XI;
For who tofore satisfaccioune pleyne passid, to purgatorie descendid,
And when thay wer=Ie=XI purged at the fulle vnto the lymbe=C
 aft=Ier=XI thay ascendid.
=Gb=XGBe Daniel in the lake of lyouns Our=Ie=XI Lord p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed=C
 this thing,
W=Iith=XI Abacuk and his sherers mete wonderfully to the lake carying.
The folk of the lande of Babiloigne into the lake hadde puttid Daniel,
=n3080=XnIn thair=Ie=XI entent for to bene devoured of seven=C
 lyons hongry & cruwelle.
Bot Godde of thas fiers beestis kept hym fro ill=fe=Xfsioune,
And sent hym fulle m=Ier=XIveillously be his aungelle refeccioune.
So Godde our=Ie=XI faders in the lymbe kept fro feendes and yvel pyne,
And co=Im=XImyng hymself, fedde thayme w=Iith=XI his refeccioune dyvine.
The lake of Babiloigne til helle may men likne, or it calle,
The seven lyons takenyng the noumbre of feendes alle.
The noumbre of feendes er=Ie=XI wonte be discrived be dyvels seven,
Whilk be seven dedely synnes lettis men the way til heven;
Of whilk synnes dedely the names er=Ie=XI thir=Ie=XI: pride and envye,
=n3090=XnIre, acide, auarice, glutterye {a}nd leicherye.
Of fendes er=Ie=XI thir=Ie=XI the wapenes, and arm=Iur=XIes=C
 of the dyvel,=Ff.38=Sr=XS=XF
Warnst=Iur=XIe of the castels of helle, of whilk man takes oft yvel.
And thogh the feendes hadde garnist the helle many =yers so fiersly,
=Yit Crist w=Iith=XI his p=Ire=XIcious blode all to-brast it lyghtly.
=Gc=XGThis was p=Ire=XIfigured sometyme be a fowghel hight=C
 strucc=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne
Whas bridde in a vesselle of glasse didde close vp Kyng Salomon.
The strucc=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne, to delyvre hir=Ie=XI bridde out=C
 of the glasse desyring,
Flowgh vnto desert and broght a littel worme reto=Iur=XInyng,
W=Iith=XI whas blode the vesselle touching of glasse, it al to-brast,
=n3100=XnAnd so the bridde of the strucc=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne=C
 freely come forth at the last.
Thus when Crist tholid in the Crosse his blode p=Ire=XIssid out to be,
Helle als glasse brast, & man went out both qwhit and free.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, vouche saufe vs so to kepe fro helle
=#=Iat=XI we in thy p=Ire=XIsence eu=Ier=XI in joye with the dwelle.
=DCapitulum xxix=Sm=XS
Now last herd =y=Ie=XI how Crist gladide our=Ie=XI faders in helle;
Her=Ie=XI fylowse howe he ou=Ier=XIcome the p=Iri=XInce of feendes cruwelle.
Crist wolde be man for he the feende til ou=Ier=XIcome thoght,
Als he to the poeple a tyme in p=Iar=XIable thus forth broght.
Whils the stronge-armed, i=Id est=XI the dyvel, kepes his halle, lymbus,
=n3110=XnAlle is in pees =$=Iat=XI he haves (of the Faders the glose is thus).
Co=Im=XImyng his stronger=Ie=XI, i=Id est=XI Jh=Iesu=XIs,=C
 swith wille he hym ou=Ier=XIcome,
Bynde hym, and his arm=Iur=XIes ref fro hym alle & some.
The dyvel, tofore =$=Iat=XI Crist come, armed was so strongly
=#=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI man erthly borne myght his halle breke forthy.
Than Crist--noght man oonly, bot Godde and man o p=Ier=XIson--
Entrid his halle be the Crosse, and ou=Ier=XIcome hym anone.
=Ga=XGHereof Bananias the stronge gaf p=Ire=XIfiguracioune,
=#=Iat=XI entrid a cisterne w=Iith=XI his =yerde and slewe=C
 ther=Ie=XIinne a lyoun.
So to the feende in the cistern of helle entrid Jh=Ies=XIu
=n3120=XnW=Iith=XI =yerde and staffe of his Crosse, and=C
 thilk lyoun ou=Ier=XIthrewe.
Off this the p=Iro=XIphete Dauide thus in the Savtier=Ie=XI saide he:
"Thi =yerde and staffe, tha thinges er=Ie=XI grete comfort to me."
The =yerde menes here a staffe in a mans hande walking,
To holde hym vppe in the waye, and fro hondes defending.
So Cristis Croice is a staffe sustenyng =$=Iat=XI we ne falle,
And =yerde be whilk helle-houndes we may fere fro vs alle.
Be this staffe C=Iri=XIst the lyoun of helle nobly ou=Ier=XIcome,
And for to withstande thilk feende has takne til vs the same.
Loke, brethere, what we be holden=Ie=XI til hono=Iur=XI=C
 the Croice, alle and so=Im=XIme,
=n3130=XnBe whilk our=Ie=XI enemys, the dyvels, we may thus=C
 fere and ou=Ier=XIcome.
Als be the tree of p=Iar=XIadys the dyvel toke man prisoner=Ie=XI
So Crist be the tree of the Crosse ou=Ier=XIcome the feende,=C
 dying here.=Ff.38=Sv=XS=XF
O brether=Ie=XI, mykelle er=Ie=XI we holden the seint Croice=C
 to hono=Iur=XIe swetely,
Whilk Crist w=Iith=XI his p=Ire=XIcious blode vouched sauf to sacre nobly.
In the Croice the dyvels felawes, ille folk, war=Ie=XI sometyme hongid;
Nowe er=Ie=XI feendes be it chaced, ou=Ier=XIcomen lightly and stranglid.
Be the Croice, tofore =$=Iat=XI C=Iri=XIst come, eked was=C
 the noumbre of dampnable,
And nowe in it, be Cristis vertue, growes the noumbre of the sauuable.
=IMen were once put to death by the cross,=XI
=n3140=Xn=IAnd now the sick are cured and the dead raised by it.=XI
Be the Croice sometymes to the feend was eked als in man=Ier=XIe glading,
And nowe be it, to thair=Ie=XI hoege sorowe, til aungels is eked reioying.
Sometyme be the crosse wikked men toke for thair=Ie=XI synne dampnacioune,
And now be it, blissed be Jh=Ies=XIu, is to synne m=Ier=XIcy and pardoune.
The Crosse, in mount of Calverie sette for the viletee,
Is nowe sette vppe in Haly Kirke in autiers for seintitee.
The Crosse =$=Iat=XI =fwas=Xf horrour=Ie=XI to touche for=C
 the p=Iro=XIpre shame,
Nowe hono=Iur=XIes it king and prince, & heries the gloriouse name;
Whame alle this werld myght noght ou=Ier=XIcome, the dyvel of helle,
=n3150=XnA childe be the signe of the Crosse may hym fere and expelle.
This myght gaf he til it, our=Ie=XI awen campion stedfast
Whilk in it ou=Ier=XIcome the feend and helle =yates alle to-brast.
And Cristis victorie sometymes was fig=Iur=XIed be Sampson
In the vignes of Engaddi whilk to-rent a lyon.
=Gb=XGBe strongest Sampson is Crist, strongest of alle, taknyd,
Of whame the hellysh lyo=Iu=XIn is of his myght depryved.
Sampso=Iu=XIn, to take a wif weending out on a daye,
He slewgh a cruwelle lyo=Iu=XIn, metyng hym on the way.
So Crist, Gods So=Iu=XIn, fro heven to this werld descending,
=n3160=XnContracte a matrimoigne w=Iith=XI mankynde desiring.
Sampson weddid a wif, a womman of Thamnataa,
And Crist in alle naciones chase hym the lande Juda.
This womman of Thamnataa deceyved Sampson sleghly;
Right so the contree of Juda tretid Crist fraudulently.
Sampson his enemys cornes and thair=Ie=XI vignes sette in fire,
And defendid hym nobly, maugre thair=Ie=XI aller=Ie=XI ire;
So Crist of the Jewes at the last vengid hym, for alle thayr=Ie=XI boost,
When he the lande of Judee destruyd w=Iith=XI the Romayns oost.
Thus Sampson alder-strongest C=Iri=XIst takned p=Ire=XIfiguratifly,
=n3170=XnWhilk the infernale lyo=Iu=XIn ou=Ier=XIcome--the=C
 fende our=Ie=XI enemy.
=Gc=XGEke Ayoth ambidexter=Ie=XI sometyme p=Ire=XIfigured Jh=Ies=XIu,
Whilk Israels enemy w=Iith=XI his swerde the fattest King Eglon ou=Ier=XItrewe.
This ilk forsaide King Eglon, the fattest man outrageously,
Verrayde of Israel the folk, oppressing thayme horribily.=Ff.39=Sr=XS=XF
Ayothe this Eglon to slee studied fulle bysyly,
For to qwhite Israel of swilk one eneuyous enemy.
This Ayoth gat this Eglon in his awen chaumbre at the last,
And his swerde w=Iith=XI his left hande showed i=In=XI the=C
 kinges body fulle fast;
For with so grete force Ayoth bare it in the body of Eglon,
=n3180=XnThat the hilts w=Iith=XI the swerds blade was closid=C
 in his fatt wombe anone.
The whilk swerde in =$=Iat=XI plite left, Ayoth eschaped happyly,
And the folkes of his contree delyvred of so grete ane enemy.
This King alder-fattest Eglon, for his wombe brode als a targe
Bers takenyng the feende of helle, for his bely w=Iith=XIout noumbre large
Whilk is callid fattest for he alle men devourid,
And for =$=Iat=XI alle mankynde in his hoege wombe [entrid].
At the last, come Our=Ie=XI Lord Crist and his grete wombe [decovrid]
W=Iith=XI the swerde of his passioune when he helle =yates p=Ier=XIcyd.
And for the feende ou=Ier=XIcome man be ane apple swete taysting,
=n3190=XnTher=Ie=XIfor Crist ou=Ier=XIcome the dyvel be=C
 bitt=Ier=XIest passioune soeffring.
In whilk thing Crist for to fyght a trewe ensaumpille left vntil vs,
=#=Iat=XI a=yeins the feende and vices vs mote feght w=Iith=XI v=Ier=XItuse;
For als the matiers be thair=Ie=XI contraries in sekenesse has curacio=Iu=XIne,
Be like wise, in bataille w=Iith=XI the feende, be v=Ier=XItuz=C
 men puttis vices doune.
Bo=ft=Xf he =$=Iat=XI feghtis lawfully, non other=Ie=XI=C
 shalle of coro=Iu=XIne haf the p=Iri=XIs,
For ther=Ie=XI may no man feght in this erth, bot if hym hapne to haf enemys.
Forthy Our=Ie=XI Lord has ordeyned =$=Iat=XI a man shalle=C
 haf here impugnacio=Iu=XIne,
=#=Iat=XI =$=Ier=XIby in heven at his eende hym be eked retribucio=Iu=XIne.
Also some men in slepe Our=Ie=XI Lord soeffres temptid,
=n3200=Xn=#=Iat=XI also thaym slepyng =$=Ier=XI mede be encressid:
For eu=Ier=XI the more =$=Iat=XI a man endures here of bataille,
So of mede more and more shalle he take w=Iith=XIout faille.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs so w=Iith=XI the feende to feght
=#=Iat=XI we be corovned of the in hye joye vpp on heght.
=DCapitulum xxx=Sm=XS
Herd nowe =$=Iat=XI Crist ou=Ier=XIcome the feende be his passioune;
Heres howe Our=Ie=XI Ladye ou=Ier=XIcome hym be compassioune.
What Crist in his passioune suffred, =$=Iat=XI evrydele
Tholid Marye be compassioune in hir=Ie=XI sowle mat=Ier=XInele.
The nayllis whilk handis and fete thirlid of hir=Ie=XI dere son
=n3210=XnP=Ier=XIced his swete modris breest be pynefulst compassioune.
=IThe lance which penetrated the side of her dead son=XI
=IPierced the heart of the living mother with compassion.=XI
The thornes =$=Iat=XI the heved of Crist prikkid so pynefully
His moders hert be compassioune fulle depe woundid sothly.
The swerde of sharpest tonges, herd of Crist tholemodely,
Be inwardest compassioune p=Ier=XIcyd the sawle of Marye.=Ff.39=Sv=XS=XF
And als Crist ou=Ier=XIcome the feende be his seint passioune,
So dide eke blissid Marie be modrefulle compassioune.
W=Iith=XI armes of hir=Ie=XI sonnes passioune armed hir=Ie=XI blissid Marie
=n3220=XnWhen sho shuld a=yeinst the feende to bataille make hir=Ie=XI redy.
=Ga=XG=fBe=Xf Judith, =$=Iat=XI Holofern withstode, p=Ire=XIfigured=C
 this was fulle wele,
For Marye putte hir=Ie=XI a=yeinst the feende, prince infernele.
Judith hir=Ie=XI clothis didde on most festyvale fair=Ie=XI and swete:
With mytre hir=Ie=XI heved arraied and sandales eke on hir=Ie=XI fete.
Marie didde onne hir=Ie=XI sons cote inconsutyle, w=Iith=XIout semyng,
On whilk sho didde the palle of hir=Ie=XI sons double scornyng:
One white, in whilk =$=Iat=XI Crist of Herode was scorned,
=#=Iat=XI oyther=Ie=XI coccyne, redisshe, in whilk the knyghtes hym japed;
And in a palle white and rede was wele cledde Our=Ie=XI Ladye,
=n3230=XnFor Haly Kyrke singes of hir=Ie=XI son to be white and rodye.
Alle Marie compassioune of mirre til a bondel has liknyng,
Betwix the breestes of a swete savle for it shuld have dwelling.
Marye gadred bysyly alle hir=Ie=XI sons passioune and pyne,
And be compassioune made thaym of mirre a littel byrthyne;
Whilk birthyn betwix hir=Ie=XI breestes sho kept als a sevre shelde,
With whilk a=yeins our=Ie=XI enemy sho made were in the felde.
And in this fassicle of mirre ware bonden samen paynes alle
Of hir=Ie=XI der=Ie=XI wrthyest luvid son passioune, both grete and smale.
Swerdis, spere, staffes and other=Ie=XI arm=Iur=XIe sho ne forgate noght,
=n3240=XnLant=Ier=XInes, light brandes be whilk hym in the gardyn thay soght;
Drerynesse, trembling and drede, Cristis threfolde orisoune,
The comfort aungelicale, Cristis b=fl=Xfody swete rynnyng doune;
Howe his foos freely meting he kest doune w=Iith=XI his worde oon,
And aft=Ier=XI, restoryng thair=Ie=XI strenghe, he lete thaym take hym anone;
The signe for to knawe Crist, and Judas cusse so maligne,
The tresonouse salutacioune, and Cristis answer=Ie=XI benigne;
The cruwelle capcioune of Crist, and of his doelfullest bindyng,
The s=Ier=XIuants ere restorid, and his disciples fleyng;
And how John left the syndone and ferefully fledde fro Crist than;
=n3250=XnThe wode joye of the Jewes, of Crist the opposynge be Anne;
Be bisshops s=Ier=XIuants buffet and Cristis swete answering,
The threfald nying be Peter=Ie=XI and his conu=Ier=XIsioune weping;
The juge names tofore whayme Crist was ledde & accusat--
Anna, Caphays, Herode, the ferth was Pontius Pilate;
The piler=Ie=XI, sco=Iur=XIges and cordes, the thornes, the rede and wandes,
The Crosse, nailles, spere, coroune & ham=Ier=XIes, the=C
 table writen of Pilats hande{s};=Ff.40=Sr=XS=XF
The buffetts, reproves, neckings, blasphemes, derisioune,
The p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIic hiling of Crists eghen, and of his=C
 cloths dep=Iar=XItisoune;
The kavil on Cristis cote also of Herode the white clothing,
=n3260=XnThe tribunal, the cloth of p=Iur=XIpre, of Pilat the handis wasshing;
The dremyng of Pilates wif, the lyu=Ier=XIaunce of thefe Baraban,
The noyse, the Jewes clamo=Iur=XIe "Crucifige" multiplying than;
Crists sorest thrist, the acetable, the aselle medled w=Iith=XI galle,
The rede w=Iith=XI the sponnge and ysope, the wyne myrrid w=Iith=XIalle;
Cristis prayer=Ie=XI, his teres, his crye, the theef to m=Ier=XIcy takeing,
Alle Crists wordes in the Crosse, his moders and John co=Im=XImyndyng;
Cristis deth, of Longif the spere with his illuminacioune,
The effluxioune of blode & water=Ie=XI with centurys p=Iro=XItestacioune;
The sonne derk, erth-dynne, cleving of stones and the vaille thorghby,
=n3270=XnOf the Temple p=Iar=XIty falling, open graves, Mount Caluerye;
Thas penyes thretty be whilk Crist was both solde and boght,
Judas wannehope whaym Crist w=Iith=XI his blode redemyd noght--
With thir=Ie=XI and o=$=Ier=XI of Crist paynes armed hir=Ie=XI=C
 Our=Ie=XI swete Ladye,
And als our=Ie=XI p=Iro=XIpugnatrice ou=Ier=XIcome the feende our=Ie=XI enemy.
Than ware complete in Marie sometyme forshewed fig=Iur=XIes,
And some of the p=Iro=XIphetes sawes writen vp in Haly Script=Iur=XIes:
"Apon the aspe and on the basilisk shalle thowe go, Ladye Marye,
The lyo=Iu=XIn and dragon, the feende, shalle thowe to-trede sothly"
And "Thowe, Sathan, shal awayte hir=Ie=XI hele, man werraying,
=n3280=XnAnd sho thi hevede al to-breke be co=Im=XImpassioune=C
 ou=Ier=XIco=Im=XImyng."
=Gb=XGJael, the wif of Aber=Ie=XI, sometyme this thinge fig=Iur=XIed,
When sho Sysaram thorgh the temples w=Iith=XI ane iren naile p=Ier=XIced.
Sysera was a grete p=Iri=XInce of the ost of Jabyn the king,
Aft=Ier=XI the deth of Ayoth the childer=Ie=XI of Israel wasting,
Wham thorgh the thonwonges w=Iith=XI a naile at the last p=Ier=XIced Jael,
And of =$=Iat=XI grevous enemy delyvred the folk of Israel.
So Marye w=Iith=XI the naile of the Crosse has striken thorgh our=Ie=XI enemy,
And of his myght on vs hadde dispoillid hym, and maistry.
=Gc=XGThe qwene Thamare also Marie p=Ire=XIfigured,
=n3290=XnWhilk Cirus the cruwelst king and ma=In=XInes qweller=Ie=XI hevedid
The whilk brent in swilk lust of ma=In=XInes lyves vndoing
That he ne myght neu=Ier=XI be fillid to slee men for nothing.
Tylle alle men made he werre, alle landes assaillid he,
And slew doune tofore hym w=Iith=XIout rewth or pitee.
At the last, the qwene Thamare, hym taken, his heved of kitte,
And aft=Ier=XI in a fulle potte of mannes blode sho putte itte,=Ff.40=Sv=XS=XF
And saide, "Drink nowe manes blode whar=Ie=XIof thowe hadde swilk thrist,
=#=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI ther=Ie=XIof lyving hadde thowe ynogh to thi list."
Right so the feende, mansleer=Ie=XI, fro the werlde begynnyng
=n3300=XnMight neu=Ier=XI =yit be fulfillid of mans kynde p=Ier=XIysshing;
Bot the qwene of heven hym matid w=Iith=XI hir=Ie=XI sons passioune,
And fillid hym w=Iith=XI his ordeyned for vs dampnacioune.
O Jh=Ies=XIu, be thy gude helpe make vs ou=Ier=XIcome the feende,
=#=Iat=XI our=Ie=XI sawles aft=Ier=XI this lif til et=Ier=XIne=C
 joye mowe weende.
=DCapitulum xxxj=Sm=XS
Howe the dyvel was ou=Ier=XIcomen tolde the chapitle tofore;
Heres nowe howe man was qwhit fro priso=Iu=XIne forthermore.
On Gude Fryday when Crist his sawle on Crosse expired,
Vnite vnto the Godhede anone it helle entrid:
Noght, als some hopes, to-whils the nyght of Sonday biding,
=n3310=XnBot to comfort the faders in p=Iri=XIso=Iu=XIne fulle fast hasting,
For if =$=Iat=XI any man myght his freende delyvre today
It war=Ie=XI yvel to the thredde morowe to putte it in delay,
Whar=Ie=XIfor Crist, the trewest of alle freendes, wold noght dwelle,
Bot aft=Ier=XI his passioune anone visit the seints in helle--
Ensaumpill til vs, who wille bringe sawles out of distresse,
To p=Iro=XIloigne thair=Ie=XI suffrages to=Iur=XInes thaym tylle hevynesse.
Swilk folk synnes grevously, for sawles in sore langing
Bides in paynes vntholefulle, thair=Ie=XI freendes pitee co=Im=XImyng.
Some dose singe single messes for thair=Ie=XI freendes xxx dayes:
=n3320=XnWele done, bot better=Ie=XI war=Ie=XI alle the first day done always--
Longe, longe is to abide thretty days thair=Ie=XI no doute,
Eu=Ier=XIy man think the same of sawles suffrages thorghout.
Hast we =$=Ier=XIfore til help the sawles in purgatorye,
For =$=Iat=XI be Cristis hasting is proved to be spedy.
Crist noght right than the faders the same day delyvrid,
Bot with thaym dwelling w=Iith=XI his swete pr=Ies=XIence thaym gladid.
The Sonday tofore the mornyng fro deth rysyn, the mydnyght,
The fadres out of the lymbe ledde Crist thorgh his grete myght.
=Ga=XGThis captivitee be the feende tofore here reme=fm=Xfbrid
=n3330=XnIn the Egipcien thraldome sometyme was p=Ire=XIfigured.
Thar=Ie=XI war=Ie=XI the childer=Ie=XI of Israel be Pharao thralde hoegely
And for delyveraunce to Godde cryed thay longe doelfully.
Our=Ie=XI Lord till Moyses at the last appiered in a busshe brynnyng,
Fulle of fire and neu=Ier=XI the lesse hole in verray grennesse lasting.
Fro thens Godde sent Moyses vnto the kinge Pharaon
And of his folks captivitee be hym made lyvrisoune.=Ff.41=Sr=XS=XF
Right so the feende mankynde thrallid =yeres fulle many,
The whilk for delyvraunce cryed to Godde manyfaldly,
"O Lorde, in adiutorie of me like the entende;
=n3340=XnGude Lorde, enclyne thyne hevenes til erth for to descende;
Delyvre me, Lorde, for pore and fulle nedy am I,
Of meself noght having to delyvre me whareby.
Putte forth thyne hande, gude Lorde, for to make my ransoune,
Send thi lombe, our=Ie=XI victyme of recounsiliacioune.
Send forth thi light be whilk be fordone our=Ie=XI derknesse;
That thi p=Iro=XIphetes be trewe send forth thi sothfastnesse."
This wise and many ane other=Ie=XI crying to Godde mankynde,
To soco=Iur=XI it m=Ier=XIcyfully toke his gudenesse in mynde,
In a busshe descendant in flavme, it vnwasting,
=n3350=Xn=#=Iat=XI is in virgyne Marie, hir=Ie=XI maydenhede vnlesing.
Pharao and alle his folk Godde smote, and out ledyng
The childere of Israel to the londe w=Iith=XI mylke & hony flowyng.
So Crist woundid the feende and his foulle assembling,
And ledde seints out of helle til et=Ier=XInale feding.
Thar=Ie=XI er=Ie=XI thai fedde w=Iith=XI mylke of his swete manhede to see
And hony of contempling of his dyvinitee.
Godde wilnyng delyvre the Jewes bade a lombe sacrifie,
Bot Crist to delyvre vs made hymself crucifie.
=Gb=XGAnd this delyvraunce of man also Godde p=Ire=XIostendid
=n3360=XnWhen he patriarche Abrah=Ia=XIm fro Hurr=Ie=XI of Caldee delyvrid.
The poeple of Caldee worshipt als godde Hur, =$=Iat=XI is, fyre,
And Abrah=Ia=XIm noght wilnyng do so thai wald haf brent in g=Ire=XIte ire.
Bot trewe Godde omnipotent whaym Abrah=Ia=XIm worshept onely
Out of the fyre of the Caldiens delyvrid m=Ier=XIcyfully;
And als Godde kept Abrah=Ia=XIm in the fire w=Iith=XIout brennyng,
So kept he the seints in helle w=Iith=XIout payne sensuel felyng;
And als Abrah=Ia=XIm rescowde he made hym fader=Ie=XI of folk many,
The faderes redemyd fro helle ioyned he til aungels likely.
=Gc=XGAlso Godde p=Ire=XIostendid of man the redempcioune
=n3370=XnWhen he Loth delyvrid fro Sodomes subu=Ier=XIsioune.
Out of the citee of Sodome ware onely gude men delyvrid:
The wikked w=Iith=XI sulphur and fyre without eende p=Ier=XIisshid.
So out of the lymbe gude sawles delyvrid Crist alle onely:
Out of the helle of the dampned toke he noght oone sothly.
Thar=Ie=XIfore saye none =$=Iat=XI Crist brast this ilk hellys pitte,
For who is =$=Iat=XI moght suffize a=yeyn to repare itte;=Ff.41=Sv=XS=XF
Whar=Ie=XIfore it was noght brystyn bot thas whilk fro begynyng
Entred in it shalle dwelle thar=Ie=XI eu=Ier=XI w=Iith=XIout eendyng.
O pye Jh=Ies=XIu, kepe vs fro =$=Iat=XI helle eendlesly
=n3380=XnAnd vouche sauf in this lyf to p=Iur=XIge vs m=Ier=XIcyfully.
Her=Ie=XI to=Iur=XIment and also sco=Iur=XIge her=Ie=XI,=C
 gif woundys here temporelle
=#=Iat=XI we fele neu=Ier=XI sco=Iur=XIgings of cruwelle=C
 peyne p=Ier=XIpetu=fe=Xflle,
For thowe says that thas whame thowe lufs thowe wille in this lif chasty.
We p=Ira=XIy the, Lorde, luf vs right so, Jh=Ies=XIu, for thy m=Ier=XIcy,
For bett=Ier=XI is to suffr=Ie=XI disese in this lif and come to the
Than for to p=Ier=XIisshe eendelesly for temporel p=Iro=XIsp=Ier=XIitee;
And thogh we gruch in disese here, be noght wroth, Lorde of gudenesse,
Bot, wille we or none, sco=Iur=XIge vs to bringe vs to et=Ier=XInale=C
 blistnesse.
We wricches may no sore fele w=Iith=XIout murmur=Ie=XI for freel,
=n3390=XnBot forgif our=Ie=XI impacience, O pie Lorde Jh=Ies=XIu leel.
Also til ascende a mountayne how =$=Iat=XI Our=Ie=XI Lorde Godde badde Loth
And forbede hym loke bakwards, is bisyly for to note.
So when Godde has delyvrid fro synne a man be pena=Iu=XInce
He shuld noght his left synnes eft loke be delite for no chaunce,
Bot shuld fro v=Ier=XItue til other=Ie=XI eu=Ier=XI vp and vpper=Ie=XI ascende,
And to satisfaccioune and gude werks als a man strongly entende.
For Loths wif, loking bakwards, was turnyd til a stone salyne
And diu=Ier=XIse beestis hir=Ie=XI likkes, wittnissing Scripture Dyvyne.
So a man be resydiving hardyns in synne like a stone,
=n3400=XnAnd infernale beestis hym likkes and to synne temptis hym ilkone.
The mountayne of v=Ier=XItuz to clymbe to be sauf rede I =$=Ier=XIfore,
To be dampnyd be residiving, bakwardis beholding, no more.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, teche vs hevenly thinges so til ascende
=#=Iat=XI in thi seint mo=Iu=XInt w=Iith=XI theself o=Iur=XI=C
 dwelling be w=Iith=XIout eende.
=DCapitulum xxxij=Sm=XS
In the last chapitle herd we of manes redempcioune;
Nowe fylows of Jh=Ies=XIu Cristis gloriouse resureccioune.
Cristis sepultur=Ie=XI, wit =ye, is caved inwith a stone,
Like til a double chaumbre, w=Iith=XIinne other=Ie=XI be thaym one.
A littel chaumbre men fynde first in the forthemast entring,
=n3410=XnCaved in a stone above, and noght beneth erth ligging.
In lenght and als in brede oyther=Ie=XI halds about feet eght
And als a man may his hande reche vppe holdis the heght.
Be a dore fro this chaumbre to ane other=Ie=XI, bot littel lesse,
=#=Iat=XI is to say als of heght, in lengthe and als of brodenesse
And fro man be the littel dore is entred the chaumbr=Ie=XI forsaide,
On the right half is the stede wher=Ie=XI Cristis swete body was laide,
The whilk is als it war=Ie=XI a fo=Iur=XIme about the brede of thre fete,
And fro that one walle to =$=Iat=XI other=Ie=XI shalle men=C
 fynde the lengthe =$=Ier=XIof mete.=Ff.42=Sr=XS=XF
The heght negh a fote and a halfe is fonden of the fo=Iur=XIrme forsaide,
=n3420=XnAnd noght holowgh, because =$=Iat=XI above & noght=C
 w=Iith=XIinne it was the body laide.
This forme of the sepulcre onely of the pilgrimes has the name
Bot the Jewes alle the stone w=Iith=XI the chaumbres calles the same.
The dore of the monument was stopped with a grete stone
The whilk Jewes w=Iith=XI thair=Ie=XI seles both kept and m=Ier=XIkid anone,
And Our=Ie=XI Lorde graven, the Jewes selid the stone bisyly
=#=Iat=XI the body ware noght stollen tofore the thredde day sothly;
And =$=Ier=XIto hyred knyghts payen to kepe surely the grave
According w=Iith=XI thame of pris what mede ilkone shuld have;
Bot Crist, clos dore and seles and eke the stone hole about,
=n3430=XnIn his body gl=Io=XIrified maugre his enemys went out;
And aungel in fo=Iur=XIme of a man fro the heven after=Ie=XI descendid
And, onloking the kepers, the stone fro the dore tirvid,
Whas clothis whitte als the snawe, his face like foud=Ire=XI shynyng,
The kepers lay als dede men ferefulle, the erthe trembling;
The whilk thair=Ie=XI strenghtis recou=Ier=XIed and to the=C
 Jewes aft=Ier=XI weendyng
Told thaym the cas fallen to the eende fro begynnyng.
The Jewes toke thaym in counseil and gaf thaym mykel monee als
To publisse vnto the poeple a fame of Crist fulle fals,
To say =$=Iat=XI the body of Crist was stolne fro thayme sleping,
=n3440=XnWhilk than the kepers and =yit the Jewes er=Ie=XI aywhar=Ie=XI saying.
=Ga=XGAnd =Inota=XI =$=Iat=XI Our=Ie=XI Lorde Crist his gloriouse resurexioune
P=Ire=XIfigured lange tofore be alder-strongest Sampson.
Sampson in the citee of his enemys entrid
And in =$=Iat=XI ilk same nyght he dwelling thar=Ie=XIinne slepid.
Anone the =yates of the citee closid his enemys fulle fast,
And in the morowtide arely thoght hym slee or he past.
Sampson roos vp fro sleepe at midnyght, noght biding day,
And the =yates w=Iith=XI the postis w=Iith=XI hym bare he away.
So Crist his enemys citee entred strongely of helle
=n3450=XnAnd to the midnyght of Sonday liked hym =$=Ier=XI for to dwelle.
The sawle to the body repayrid, helle spoillid, at the midnyght,
And so Crist, tofor dede, vpros be his almyght,
And mony bodis of the seintes w=Iith=XI Crist vprose also,
=IAnd entering the city of Jerusalem, appeared to many.=XI
=IIt must not be thought that the bodies rose up at Easter only,=XI
And =$=Iat=XI day war=Ie=XI thair=Ie=XI graves oonely open and no moo.
Crist, the primogenit of the dede, rose tofore
And w=Iith=XI hym mony a body of seint dede lesse & more,
The whilk ascendid w=Iith=XI Crist, behynde he thaym noght left:
=n3460=XnIt nys noght to trowe thaym =$=Iat=XI sais =$=Iat=XI thay dyed eft.
=Gb=XGAlso his resurexioune p=Ire=XIfigured Crist be Jonas
Whilk in the whallis wombe thre dayes conserued was.=Ff.42=Sv=XS=XF
Jonas was in a shippe casten w=Iith=XI tempest hoegely,
In whilk none other=Ie=XI hope was bot eu=Ier=XIy man for to dye.
Jonas the mariners badde cast hym into the see
And so alle the tempestis and perils cessid shuld be.
Wham when thay hadde casten out, anone a whalle hym swalowed,
And on the thredde day =$=Ier=XIaft=Ier=XI on the lande hym evomed.
Be the p=Ier=XIilles of the see has this werld betaknyng,
=n3470=XnIn whilk mankynde p=Ier=XIille tholid of deth eu=Ier=XIlasting,
Wharefore Crist on the Crosse tholid to dye willfully
To qwite man fro thilk deth thorgh his ineffable m=Ier=XIcy;
Bot the Fader=Ie=XI Godde kept hym fro alle corrupcioune
And ordeynd the thredde day aft=Ier=XI his gloriouse resurexioune.
=Gc=XGThis resurexioune of Crist was be a stone fortouchid
Whilk was reprovid sometyme of thaym =$=Iat=XI the Temple beldid.
The Jewes the Temple bigging in Kinges tyme Salomo=Iu=XIne,
Hapned to be fonden a stone of m=Ier=XIveillous condicio=Iu=XIne.
The biggers myght fynde no stede covenable it in to lay,
=n3480=XnAllethogh w=Iith=XI grete bysynesse thay putte it oft til assay,
For oyther=Ie=XI felle it ou=Ier=XI-lange or ou=Ier=XI-shorte hoegely,
Or ou=Ier=XI-thikke or ou=Ier=XI-brode, wondring ilk man thar=Ie=XIby.
Thusgates the forsaide beelders, angring at it fulle sore,
Callid it be propre name "the reproved stone" tharfore.
The Temple eendid, a stone was to sett angulere
For to ioygne samne two wallis and eende the werk alle in feer=Ie=XI;
Bot thar=Ie=XI myght be fonden no stone =$=Iat=XI wald be=C
 craft to =$=Iat=XI stede falle,
Apon whilk thing the beelders m=Ier=XIveld w=Iith=XIout mesure alle.
The stone whilk thay hadde reproved to =$=Iat=XI place at the last thay broght,
=n3490=XnAnd anguler=Ie=XI alder-metest thai fonde it the werld to haf soght.
At whilk grete m=Ier=XIveil ilkone war=Ie=XI the Temple beelders amayde,
And be it some grete thing to come betaknyng amange thay=Im=XI was saide.
Crist was this reproved stone in tyme of his passioune,
Bot anguler=Ie=XI of alle Holy Kirke in his gloriouse resurreccioune.
Than fulfillid was the p=Iro=XIph=Iec=XIie of the grete=C
 p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIe fulle clere:
"The stone whilk the biggers reproved in the heved is made anguler=Ie=XI.
Of Our=Ie=XI Lorde is this thinge done and in our=Ie=XI eghen is it mirable."
And in the fest of Cristis rising is this p=Iro=XIph=Iec=XIie festiuable--
In Gods Temple has this ang=Iu=XIler=Ie=XI two wallis ioynt sittingly,
=n3500=XnFor Crist of the payens & of the Jewes has made=C
 o Kyrke be his m=Ier=XIcy,
And in this werke in stede of cyment o=Iur=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu=C
 toke his haly blode
And his p=Ire=XIcyous body for stones, for our=Ie=XI luf hanged on the Rode.
O Jh=Ies=XIu, graunt vs of thi grace in thi Kyrke to lyf so swetely
=#=Iat=XI we discerve to dwelle w=Iith=XIout ee=In=XId w=Iith=XI=C
 the in thi Temple hevenly.=Ff.43=Sr=XS=XF
=DCapitulum xxxiij=Sm=XS
Tofore herd =y=Ie=XI howe Crist fro deth ros myghtyly;
Heres nowe howe he ascendid til hevens admirably.
Crist rysing fro deth noght anone ascendid,
Bot dwellyng fourty dayes aft=Ier=XI, oftsith he hym ostendit.
The fourtith daye to his disciples Crist shewed hym openly,
=n3510=XnAnd in thair=Ie=XI sight be a white cloude he p=Ier=XIced=C
 heven maiestyfly,
And his deciples aft=Ier=XI hym stode towardis heven behalding;
So war=Ie=XI two aungels white cledde right than be thaym standing,
Whilk saide, "=Yit to the dome thus shalle come Crist Jh=Ies=XIu
Als =ye see hym stegh vp til heven in grete vertue."
=Ga=XGThis ascensioune of Crist was in a ledder=Ie=XI figured
Sometym to patriark Jacob in his slepe ostendid,
Of whilk one eende the erth, =$=Iat=XI other=Ie=XI the heven touching,
Hadde on it aungelik turmes nowe vppe, nowe doune clymbing.
So Crist descendid fro heven and ascendid a=yein thider=Ie=XI,
=n3520=XnWhen hevenly thinges and erthly hym liked eft festyn togider=Ie=XI,
Whar=Ie=XIfore both Godde and man neded be the mediato=Iur=XI
Or of peece betwene thaym myght be no refo=Iur=XImo=Iur=XI:
For Godde was hiest of alle and man lawest fulle even,
Whar=Ie=XIfore Crist ordeynd a leddir=Ie=XI betwyx erth and the heven
Be whilk aungels descendis nowe, grace til vs bringing,
Nowe reascende thai til heven=Ie=XI, our=Ie=XI sawles thider=Ie=XI restoryng.
Swilk a ledder=Ie=XI in this werld was neu=Ier=XI other=Ie=XI ther=Ie=XI tofore
Nor neu=Ier=XI sawle intil heven=Ie=XI myght ascend arst =$=Ier=XIfore.
Blissid be and alder-blissed this notablest ledder=Ie=XI of alle,
=n3530=XnBe whilk is thus refo=Iur=XImed our=Ie=XI hyest lange wikkedest falle.
=Gb=XGAnd this ascensioune til heven Crist in a p=Iar=XIable techid
When he the folk of a shepe lost and a=yein fonden p=Ire=XIchid.
A man ane hundreth shepe hadde and for one of thaym lesyng
Soght it, the iiij=Sxx=XS and xix in desert meentyme leving.
Whilk fonden, this gude man in alle his hert joyous
Laide it in his shuldres and broght it home til his hous,
And his freendis callid togider=Ie=XI, told thaym of his gladnesse,
And to reioie w=Iith=XI hym als prayed thaym w=Iith=XI bisynesse.
Be this man toforsaide is Our=Ie=XI Lorde Godde takenyd,
=n3540=XnThe whilk for mankynde hele to become man deynyd.
Ane hundreth shepe makes one and nyentene and four=Ie=XI score,
Be whilk vnderstand nyen ordres of aungels and men =$=Ier=XIfore.
O shepe p=Ier=XIist no dout of this fair=Ie=XI company
When man, Gods maundement broken, diss=Ier=XIuyd deth eendlesly,
And Godde left ordres nyen of his aungels in heven,
And soght man lost in erth, this is trewe sothe fulle even.
He soght and labourde so sore =yeres here thre and thretty,
Whils swete blody ranne doune on alle his p=Ire=XIcious body.=Ff.43=Sv=XS=XF
Loo nowe, O man, howe mykel Gods awen Son of the roght,
=n3550=XnWhen he w=Iith=XI swilk labo=Iur=XI and so lange tyme the soght!
The fonden shepe on his shuldres laide he & broght to flokke
When on his bakke for our=Ie=XI synne of the Crosse he bare the stokke.
Loke, man, =$=Iat=XI noght onely Crist weryed hym the sekeing
Bot laboured als to the deth til heven the for to bring.
And for to be glade w=Iith=XI hym his freendes excited he than,
Glading the court of heven when he stegh vp w=Iith=XI man.
Whar=Ie=XIfore who wille plesaunce to the court of heven sende,
His awen and other=Ie=XI men=Ine=XIs lyves studie he for til amende;
For teres of synners c=Ier=XItein whilk er=Ie=XI contrite trewely
=n3560=XnEr=Ie=XI wyne and ciser=Ie=XI to seintis and to Godde almyghty.
Pure shrift eke of synners and thair=Ie=XI devout praying
Er=Ie=XI harping to Godde and seintis and symbales fulle wele sownyng.
Brede delitable to Godde and til his seintis eke gif we
When=Ine=XI we Gods maundements fille and his wille w=Iith=XI hert free.
And als many mes to Godde and til haly seintis we p=Iro=XIfer=Ie=XI
Als in diu=Ier=XIse gude werkis to thaym our=Ie=XI strenghthis we offer=Ie=XI.
The mes of Godde & his seints of spices has swete savo=Iur=XI
When we be discrecioune vses our=Ie=XI gude labour=Ie=XI.
=Gc=XGAlso the sacred forsaide of Crist ascensioune
=n3570=XnWas sometyme prefig=Iur=XIid in Helyes translac=Ii=XIo=Iu=XIne.
The p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIe Helye p=Ire=XIchid the lawe of Godde in Judee,
And lawbrekers and ydolatrers w=Iith=XI bolde visage blamed hee,
Whar=Ie=XIfore of the Jewes he tholid hoege p=Ier=XIsecucioune,
Bot of Godde he desservid in p=Iar=XIadys translacioune.
So Jh=Ies=XIu Crist in Judee the waye of sothfastnesse taght,
=#=Ier=XIfore of the Jewes cruwelle mykel p=Ier=XIsecucioune he raght;
Bot Godde has hym dignely rased vp above alle hevens,
And gyven hym a p=Ire=XIcious name ou=Ier=XI alle names =$=Iat=XI men nevens,
=#=Iat=XI in the name of Jh=Ies=XIu alle man=Ier=XIe knee it bowe
=n3580=XnAnd hym in the Faders joye be ilk tongue confesse nowe.
Lo, man, what mysese Crist for the tholid, and passioune,
Ar=Ie=XI he come til his sou=Ier=XIayn hevenly exaltacio=Iu=XIne.
Nowe brether=Ie=XI, if Crist most thole thus til entre vnto his blisse,
Mikelle more aght vs to thole gladly for heven ywisse.
Jh=Iesu=XIs =$=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI trespast, sustened grete passioune,
And we gruche for his regne a littel tribulacioune.
Littel thing, or als right noght, soeffre we here sothfastly
In regarde of the joye tyme to come eendlesly.
For als the leest watres drope is vnlike als to the see
=n3590=XnSo is alle erthly disese to ioye =$=Iat=XI eu=Ier=XI=C
 shalle be:=Ff.44=Sr=XS=XF
Forto with poudre or w=Iith=XI st=Ier=XInes alle erthly joie multiply
War=Ie=XI absinthe als in regarde of alder-leest joye hevenly;
And if the welkyn and the werld war=Ie=XI turnyd to p=Iar=XIchemyn white,
Men myght noght the leest joye of heven on it fulle write;
And thogh alle watres war=Ie=XI enke it shuld be thorgh wastid
Ar=Ie=XI be it the leest joye of heven war=Ie=XI descryvid;
And thogh trees, herbes and corns war=Ie=XI alle pennes swith writyng
Thai suffized noght of the leest blisse et=Ier=XIne in descriving.
Thogh men and alle creat=Iur=XIes war=Ie=XI p=Ire=XIcho=Iur=XIs=C
 w=Iith=XI facounde
=n3600=XnThe beautee of Godde and hevenes thai myght neu=Ier=XI=C
 telle to the rounde;
And thogh =filk=Xf poudre myght shyne thovzandefald ou=Ier=XI the sonne
Alle ware bot derknesse to lyght of Gods comparisoune.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, lede vs to thir=Ie=XI joyes wayes even,
Passing what hert may thenke or what al tonges may neven.
=DCapitulum xxxiv=Sm=XS
O brether=Ie=XI, the chapitle tofore told of Crists ascending;
Nowe fylowys to the disciples the Haly Gastis sending.
When=Ine=XI =$=Iat=XI the tyme come negh of Cristis harde passioune
He co=In=XIfortid his disciples w=Iith=XI mony a swete s=Ier=XImoune.
His deth and his rysing told he thaym or he went,
=n3610=XnHis ascensioune and howe the Haly Gast shuld be sent.
"A littel am I w=Iith=XI =yowe and to the Fader=Ie=XI go I.
I shalle come a=yein to =yowe, treuble noght =your=Ie=XI herts forthy.
I go to heven," q=Iuo=XId he, "a stede for =yowe to ordeyne,
And to take =yowe to meself I shalle come eft a=yeyne.
=Ye er=Ie=XI thay =$=Iat=XI have dwelt in my temptacio=Iu=XInes w=Iith=XI me,
Whar=Ie=XIfore w=Iith=XI me in my regne both ete and drinke shalle =y=Ie=XI.
Dwellis in my luf, and I w=Iith=XI =yowe shalle than dwelle evre,
And thogh my manhode depart, my Godhede shalle =yowe leve nevre.
Als a braunche beres no fruyt bot dwelling in the vigne-tree,
=n3620=XnNo more may =y=Ie=XI right so, bot =y=Ie=XI be dwellyng in me.
=Ye er=Ie=XI the braunches c=Ier=XItayne and I the vigne am verray;
If =ye be dwelling in me fulle mykel fruyt bere =ye may.
This wise er=Ie=XI =ye braunches and I the verray vigne than,
And my Fader=Ie=XI of heven is vigno=Iur=XI and eke tilman.
Ilk braunche =$=Iat=XI beres no fruyt he shalle kit of at the last
And in helle-fire to brenne et=Ier=XInally it kast;
And =$=Iat=XI braunce =$=Iat=XI beres fruyte shalle he make=C
 clen=fe=Xf =$=Ier=XIfore,
For to make it abounde in fruyt ay more & more.
The werld shalle make grete joye & =y=Ie=XI shalle hevynesse
=n3630=XnHave, bot =$=Iat=XI shalle =yowe turne til imprivable gladnesse.
A womman has hevynesse til hir=Ie=XI childyng be done
Bot, hir=Ie=XI childe borne, hir=Ie=XI sorowe has sho forgetyn=C
 sone.=Ff.44=Sv=XS=XF
So shalle =y=Ie=XI thole disese in this werld her=Ie=XI lyvyng
Whilk in joye for to come shalle renne to forgetyng.
Bot for I telle thir=Ie=XI thinges of my dep=Iar=XIting nowe
Has =your=Ie=XI hert hevynesse and gretely troebles =yowe,
Bot my departing with =y=Ie=XI shalle be to =yowe spedefulle
For an othere, P=Iar=XIaclit, I shalle send =yowe nedefulle;
And the P=Iar=XIaclyt comes noght bot so be =$=Iat=XI I weende,
=n3640=XnAnd if I goo, than shalle I doutles hym to =yow sende,
And when he comes than shalle he teche =yow alle sothfastnesse,
Of whas comfort shalle than =your=Ie=XI hert haf grete gladnesse.
For he shalle informe =yowe c=Ier=XIteinly of alle thinge
And also to =yowe a=In=XIno=Iu=XInce the thinges =$=Iat=XI=C
 er=Ie=XI co=Im=XImyng."
Be this and many other=Ie=XI wordis his disciples gladid he
And heght be hym the Haly Gast to thaym sent for to be;
And in Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm to dwelle bade he thaym, ascending,
Vnto tyme =$=Iat=XI Haly Gast come thaym of his sending.
So fro the mount of Olyvet alle thay the citee entrid
=n3650=XnAnd in a littel hovs togider=Ie=XI in orisoune p=Ier=XIseu=Ier=XIid.
Aft=Ier=XI, on the Witsondaye thredde hovre, above thair=Ie=XI hovse
Was herde a voice of a wynde whilk was fulle hoegely sonovse,
So =$=Iat=XI thorgh alle the citee it was herde without faille,
And the poeple gadrid thider=Ie=XI to knawe of this m=Ier=XIvaille.
Thay se als a tonge of fyre ou=Ier=XI thair=Ie=XI hevedes ilkone sere,
=#=Iat=XI was a flavme of fyre whilk lengthe of a tonge bere.
The Jewes =$=Iat=XI tyme hadde bene thorgh the werlde in disp=Ier=XIsioune
And war=Ie=XI thar=Ie=XI than, Godde wolde, some of ilk regioune:
Alle thas herde the disciples diu=Ier=XIse langeges speking
=n3660=XnAls the Haly Gast to speke gaf thaym be his styring.
Ilk one of thaym herde tonges of landis whar=Ie=XI thai war=Ie=XI borne,
And m=Ier=XIveillid in hoege stupo=Iur=XI in thir=Ie=XI=C
 thinges alle =$=Ier=XIforne.
Some of this evident miracle war=Ie=XI wroth and alle sory,
And saide =$=Iat=XI thai war=Ie=XI dronken and fulle of must hardily.
Bot Peter=Ie=XI answerde and saide =$=Iat=XI thay war=Ie=XI =yit alle fasting,
For it was bot Tierce of the daye, ou=Ier=XI-ayrly than for drynking,
And saide more =$=Iat=XI that tyme thilk p=Iro=XIph=Iec=XIie was complete
Whilk the Haly Gast sometyme spak be Joel p=Iro=XIphete:
=#=Iat=XI s=Ier=XIuants and ancilles of Godde shuld resceve the Spirit Haly,
=n3670=XnAnd diu=Ier=XIse tonges als p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIes=C
 speke even forth openly.
And this p=Iro=XIph=Iec=XIie =$=Iat=XI day was fulfillid, for wymmen
Spak ther=Ie=XI diu=Ier=XIse langegages in same wise als did men.
Loo, Godde of m=Ier=XIveilles his myght shewed =$=Iat=XI tyme m=Ier=XIveilly,
Als eu=Ier=XIy man may considre loking his werkis bisyly.
=Ga=XGAt the tour=Ie=XI of Babel in mony sometymes was changed=C
 a tonge=Ff.45=Sr=XS=XF
And =yonder=Ie=XI til eu=Ier=XIy man of alle was knawyng=C
 gyven, olde and =yonge.
And howe myght Our=Ie=XI Lorde Godde =$=Iat=XI tyme this=C
 myracle haf forth laide
Bot he tofore hadde devidid o tonge in diu=Ier=XIse forsaide?
Whar=Ie=XIof diu=Ier=XIse tonges thus formade gyves resoune
=n3680=Xn=#=Iat=XI of this miracle to do =$=Iat=XI was p=Ire=XIfiguracioune;
And als he the biggers confusid than of the to=Iur=XI of Babel
So confusid he be tonges nowe his enemys of Israel.
The Jewes, =y=Ie=XI may wele witt, war=Ie=XI confused hoegely
When thay thus strange a miracle herde and see openly.
=Gb=XGThe fest whilk our=Ie=XI Kyrke nowe worships on Witsononday
Hono=Iur=XIed in figure sometyme the Synagoge be grete noblay.
The fiftithe day aft=Ier=XI the Jewes out of Egipt war=Ie=XI passid,
Ten co=Im=XImandementz thay of Godde in Mount Synay rescevid.
Right so the fiftith day aft=Ier=XI man was delyvrid fro helle
=n3690=XnThe disciples receyved grace of the Gast =$=Iat=XI on thaym felle.
Thus alle thing about the Jewes war=Ie=XI forwith done in liknesse,
The whilk we Cristen men nowe has receyved in sothfastnesse.
=Gc=XGAls was this thing figured be the oyle habounding
Gyven to the pore wydowe, be p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIe Helise p=Ira=XIying.
Helisei apon this wydowe (moved be fulle grete m=Ier=XIcy)
Praying, gat hir=Ie=XI of Godde oyle habounda=Iu=XInt hoegely.
This wydowe hadde noght bot a littel of oyle whilk m=Ier=XIveillously grewe
To-whils sho hadde ony vesselle to resceyve it, olde or newe.
This wydowe of Haly Kyrke bare figure in sothfastnesse,
=n3700=XnWhilk, hir=Ie=XI spouse Crist berefte, was wydowe in liklynesse,
To whayme haboundance of oyle Crist gaf of his clemence
Grace of the Haly Gast and eke of tonges intelligence.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs this oyle haboundantly
=#=Iat=XI in our=Ie=XI passing we mowe haf thy grace and m=Ier=XIcy.
=DCapitulum xxxv=Sm=XS
The chapitle tofore tolde vs of the Haly Gastis sending;
Nowe forwarde like =yow to here of Maryes blissid conu=Ier=XIsyng.
After Cristis ascending was sho in Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm dwelling
Swetly stedes of hir=Ie=XI son whar=Ie=XI sho myght wynne visityng.
Ilkon sho kissid mekely for of luf grettest swetnesse,
=n3710=XnW=Iith=XI many a devout knelyng and p=Ira=XIyer=Ie=XI=C
 of hir=Ie=XI sawles excesse.
Oftsith thas places wette sho w=Iith=XI many teres doune rynnyng,
Hir=Ie=XI dere son melliflwe p=Ire=XIsence piely tille hir=Ie=XI=C
 mynde bryngyng.
In Nazareth wold sho visit the stede of his concepcioune,
Also the place in Bethlem of his byrth and adoracioune,
In the mount of Thabor the stede of his t=Ira=XInsfiguracio=Iu=XIne,
In Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm of his contumelies and the place of his passioune,
And in the Mount Syon eke whare he wesshe his disciples feet,
And whare he alder-first ordeynd the sacrament of his body swete,
The toune of Gethsemany, the gardyn whar=Ie=XI he blode swette,
=n3720=XnWhar=Ie=XI Judas and his companye toke Jh=Ies=XIu=C
 when he thaym mette,=Ff.45=Sv=XS=XF
The hovse of Anna to whilk he was first p=Ire=XIsentid
Whar=Ie=XI of the s=Ier=XIuant a buffett and many accusings he suffrid,
Cayphas hovse whare thay hym bespittid & his eghen hidde,
Beiapid, buffetid and bett and in the nekke collaph[i]zidde,
Herodes hovse whare he was cledde for verray scorn alle in white,
And of =$=Iat=XI king and hys ost beiaped alle for dispite,
Pilats mot-halle whare he was accusid falsestly,
Sco=Iur=XIgid, bette and corowned w=Iith=XI thornes sharpe pynously,
The stede of Gabatha whilk als Litostratos be name hatte
=n3730=XnWhar=Ie=XI Pilat dampned Our=Ie=XI Lorde Crist=C
 when for tribunal =$=Ier=XI satte.
Oft went this swettest virgyne weping sore in the way
Be whilk Crist bering the Crosse was ledde to deth o day:
The mount of Caluarie whilk men named Golgatha withalle,
Whare crucified thay Crist, bedde to drink ayselle and galle,
The =yarde whar=Ie=XI he was graven of Joseph of Aramathie,
The mount of Olyvet whare he stegh to heven openly,
The Temple and other=Ie=XI places whar=Ie=XI he lerned folk p=Ire=XIching
And stedes whar=Ie=XI he appered oft aft=Ier=XI his gloriouse rysing.
Thir=Ie=XI and many other=Ie=XI places soght sho w=Iith=XI many a tere,
=n3740=XnFor hir=Ie=XI sons absence sho ne myght w=Iith=XIout=C
 grete compleint bere.
To condole and for to geme, more than to make ioye, levre
Hadde sho, hir=Ie=XI son absent, hadde it bene so lange nevre.
=Ga=XGThis trewest sorowe and this doel of this swete virgyne Marie
Was sometyme p=Ire=XIfigured be Anne, wif of Thoby,
Whilk wept and made evre doel for hir=Ie=XI sons dep=Iar=XItyng,
=#=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI thing myght hir=Ie=XI glade tofore his reto=Iur=XInyng.
Alle wayes loked sho oftsithe als he shuld come, tovne & feelde,
And diu=Ier=XIs mountaynes clymbing, oft thiderwards sho behelde.
Hir=Ie=XI sons p=Ire=XIsence, sayde sho, til hir=Ie=XI passid hoege rychesse
=n3750=XnAnd hym p=Ire=XIsent at the fulle suffized it hir=Ie=XI porenesse.
Thus Marie virgyne alwaie dwelt in doele and gemyng,
Alle the wayes of hir=Ie=XI son, als sho myght, visitting.
Hir=Ie=XI sons p=Ire=XIsence ou=Ier=XI alle richesse hadde sho reknyd:
Hir=Ie=XI povert, and hym p=Ire=XIsent, a revme of revmes co=Iu=XIntyd.
=Gb=XGAnd in the gospelle is noted also this doele of Marie
Of a dra=Im=XIme be a womman soght, tellyng Crist openly,
Whilk womman hadde ten dra=Im=XImes of whilk for sho lost oone
Bysily sho soght hir=Ie=XI hovse, a lant=Ier=XIne lighte vp anone.
This dra=Im=XIme fonden vp, was sho noght littelle gladde & myrye,
=n3760=XnAnd hir=Ie=XI neghburghes p=Ira=XIyed sho to bere hir=Ie=XI companye.
Be this womman Marie noght causeles liknes men,
=#=Iat=XI in this werld lyving sho hadde drammes also ten,=Ff.46=Sr=XS=XF
Off whilk one semed hir=Ie=XI be some resoune lesing,
And alle thas ix re=Im=XInaunt alwaye til hir=Ie=XI dwelling.
The ix dra=Im=XImes war=Ie=XI p=Ire=XIsence of diu=Ier=XIs spirits hevenly,
Of ordres ix aungelik whilk visit alwaye Marie.
The p=Ire=XIsence of Crist manhode the tenth was be resoune,
Whilk sho lost in manere at his ascensioune.
This diu=Ier=XIs =yeres c=Ier=XItayne soght sho fulle bysily
=n3770=XnWhen sho the places of hir=Ie=XI son forsaide soght so drery.
Bot at the last sho fonde it in hir=Ie=XI assumpcioune
When sho was dowyd w=Iith=XI et=Ier=XIne Cristis fruyc=Ii=XIoune.
A lant=Ier=XIne lightid sho also at hir=Ie=XI dere son sekeing,
Shewing the seint ensaumple of hir=Ie=XI swete conu=Ier=XIsyng,
Whilk als a clere lant=Ier=XIne brent in alle v=Ier=XItues playnly,
Ensaumpling til alle gude folk for to lyf vertuously.
The forsaide stedes eght vs to visit in luf fulle depe,
And Cristis passioune, like hire, hertly compleyn and wepe,
And who =$=Iat=XI may noght wele come to visit thaym corporaly
=n3780=XnLik thaym the wantyng fulfille w=Iith=XI gude hert spirituelly.
=Gc=XGAlso the doel and mo=Iur=XInyng of Marie nowe fortouchid
Was in Michol the spouse of Dauid King figurid,
Whaym fro hir=Ie=XI husband bereft Saul, hir=Ie=XI fader=Ie=XI cruwelle,
And til an other=Ie=XI man hir=Ie=XI weddid, =$=Iat=XI heght be name Falthiel.
=#=Iat=XI rightwise man Falthiel walde noght this Michol knawe,
Witting wele =$=Iat=XI sho was the wif of Dauid be lawe.
This Michol was eu=Ier=XI trewly in grete doel and wepande
To-whils sho was broght a=yeine til Dauid, hir=Ie=XI awen husbande.
This may be wele expovned of the blissed virgyne Marie,
=n3790=XnTo whaym Crist Godde Son was spouse and alle hir=Ie=XI=C
 joye sou=Ier=XIeynly,
In whas absence alwaye sho brent in swilk langour=Ie=XI
=#=Iat=XI eu=Ier=XI sho contynuyd in weping and in meroure.
So feruent ardo=Iur=XI and luf hadde Marie hir=Ie=XI spouse vnto
=#=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI other=Ie=XI wymmen alle langvist so sore als sho.
Forthi the boke of Sanges makes of Marie menyng,
The feruo=Iur=XI, ardo=Iur=XI and luf of hir=Ie=XI desir=Ie=XI thus shewing:
"Doghters of Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm, telles to my luf bisily
I langvisse for luf of hym, body and hert alle holely."
Mikelle doel es to the moder=Ie=XI of hir=Ie=XI dere sons absence,
=n3800=XnBot mykel more of the spouse wantyng hir=Ie=XI spousis p=Ire=XIsence.
Than Maries doele alther-most p=Iro=XIues to be open resoune,
Absent God Son of heven, both til hir=Ie=XI spouse & dere so=Iu=XIn.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, make vs so thenk on alle this thing
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI =yowe both eendlesly in joye be our=Ie=XI=C
 dwelling.=Ff.46=Sv=XS=XF
=DCapitulum xxxvj=Sm=XS
Off Marie herde =ye tofore the conu=Ier=XIsacioune;
Nowe fyllowes it for to here hir=Ie=XI gloriouse assumpcioune.
Howe lange Marie ou=Ier=XIlyved hir=Ie=XI sons ascensioune
Hase no clerke left c=Ier=XIteine det=Ier=XIminacioune.
Some says twelfe =yere, some more, als bokes enfo=Iur=XImes vs,
=n3810=XnBot twenty and four=Ie=XI =yeres telles Seint Epiphani=Ius=XI.
And thogh the c=Ier=XItayne hereof als =yit det=Ier=XImynde be noght,
We may say for c=Ier=XIteyne, and holde sothly in thoght,
=#=Iat=XI if sho hadde bot one houre lyved aft=Ier=XI hir=Ie=XI dere son here,
Til hir=Ie=XI sou=Ier=XIayne desire hadde it semed fulle fyve =yere.
Jacob =yeres fourteen of seruytute and distresse
Acco=Im=XIpted bot dayes fe=fe=Xfwe, of his luf for gretenesse.
So Marie of hir=Ie=XI dere son one houre hym absentyng
For hoege lango=Iur=XI in luf hadde holden a lange dwelling.
For til a sawle disirrouse lange is a short tyme thoght,
=n3820=XnAnd for thing =yerned labours, whateu=Ier=XI thay be, dredes noght.
Aft=Ier=XI hir=Ie=XI swete sons p=Ire=XIsence was Maries hert so brennyng
=#=Iat=XI alle labo=Iur=XIs of this lif sett sho att right nothing.
That in this werlde Godde suffred dwelle so lange Our=Ie=XI Ladye
Was for luf and comfort of his disciples sothlye,
And =$=Iat=XI ilk man =$=Ier=XIby may p=Ier=XIceve p=Ier=XI resoune
The way til heven stends it be many tribulacioune.
Loke Our=Ie=XI Ladye, loke eke hir=Ie=XI son: no littel while
His labo=Iur=XIs, his passioune and of his moder=Ie=XI the exile;
Loke his apostles and loke his other=Ie=XI freendes alle so dere,
=n3830=XnLoke thair=Ie=XI treuble and disese for Crists luf suffred here,
The Baptist, amange wyves sons ou=Ier=XI whaym had risen none more.
Thir=Ie=XI thinges remembred, aght the bere disese light=Ier=XI =$=Ier=XIfore,
And hope noght w=Iith=XI=foute=Xf disese for to come to corovne,
Gods moder=Ie=XI suffring so lange exile and tribulacioune.
Wharefor, aft=Ier=XI lange exile and mysese tholid, Marie
Was assumpt =ftil=Xf hir=Ie=XI dere so=Iu=XIn w=Iith=XI=C
 hym to dwelle eendlesly,
=Ga=XGAnd this assumpcioune of Marie was sometyme figurid
When in the Kyng Dauid house Gods Arc was translatid.
Dauid harped and daunced tofore thilk Archa Domini,
=n3840=XnAnd til his hovse he broght it w=Iith=XI alle his myght festivaly.
In this Arche wyrshipfully was hevenly manna closyd,
And be it accordantly is virgyne Marie taknyd,
For sho broght to this werlde hevenysh brede verrayly:
Crist w=Iith=XI his seint sacrament =$=Iat=XI fedes vs m=Ier=XIcyfully.
Of sethym wodde imputrible was Archa D=Io=XIm=Iini=XI made,
Takenyng =$=Iat=XI Marie virgyne neu=Ier=XI into rotyng ne slade,
For thogh Haly Writte telle noght we may trowe sekerly
Our=Ie=XI Ladye assumpte til heven body and sawle entierly.=Ff.47=Sr=XS=XF
We ne shalle trowe in no wyse =$=Iat=XI Marie ne soeffred dying,
=n3850=XnBot hir=Ie=XI flesshe dede tholid neu=Ier=XI ony=C
 man=Ier=XIe corrupting.
The sawle to the body was joynt eftsones, this is soth even,
And w=Iith=XI the body glorified assumpt right so til heven.
King Dauid tofore Gods Arche =$=Iat=XI daunced and harped
Crist, King of heven and of erth, sothly p=Ire=XIfigured.
It is to trowe =$=Iat=XI gude Crist his moder=Ie=XI mette p=Ier=XIsonely
And til his hovse w=Iith=XI grete joye broght hir=Ie=XI festivaly,
And his dyvine kyssinges felt his moder=Ie=XI and his spouse,
His hevenly zucrys halsinges ineffable and gloriouse.
The aung=Ie=XIles w=Iith=XIouten mese=Iur=XI thir=Ie=XI thinges musyd seyng
=n3860=XnAnd askid many one of other=Ie=XI, "Who is this, the farest thyng
Ascending out of desert in delyce affluaunt,
Lenyng on hir=Ie=XI awen luf als a swete spouse glozaunt?"
And than answard Marie the spouse of God Son verraye,
"I haf fonde whame I soght; hym =$=Iat=XI my sawle luved aye,
Hym shalle I halde plesing, for hym shalle I leve nevre
Als fader=Ie=XI, als son, als spouse, alle my joy nowe and evre.
W=Iith=XI o cusse of his mowthe like my Lorde to kisse me,
Of whilk the dyvine dulco=Iur=XIe in me eu=Ier=XIlasting be.
Vnder=Ie=XI myne heved softly mot he lay his left hande,
=n3870=Xn=#=Iat=XI I be eu=Ier=XImore w=Iith=XI hym in joye=C
 and gladnesse lyvande.
His right hande shalle me embrace so fast, fast and trewly,
=#=Iat=XI he ne shalle neu=Ier=XI me putte fro hym fulle seure am I."
=Gb=XGAlso this assumpcioune of Our=Ie=XI Ladye Marie
Was shewed vnto Seint John in the ile of Pathmos say I,
In heven pierd, als he says, a signe grete and notable,
A womman fairest of alle til alle werlds admirable.
This wo=Im=XIman was alle about closid in a sonnysshe clothing,
For Marie w=Iith=XI the deitee was alle bewrapt ascending.
Vnder=Ie=XI hir=Ie=XI feete was the mone =fsene=Xf whilk betaknyd wele
=n3880=XnThe stedfastist stablenesse of Marie p=Ier=XIpetuele.
The mone lastis neu=Ier=XI in oone, in fulnesse nor wastyng,
Taknyng this werlde chaungeable and alle other=Ie=XI erthly thing
Whilk Marie vnder=Ie=XI hir=Ie=XI feete trade doune ilkone alway,
Vnchaungeable hevenly thinges =fthrustyng=Xf evre nyght and day.
Als hadde this womman on heved a fulle bright p=Ire=XIciouse corovne
Whilk twyse sex sterris lusa=Iu=XInt contyned about in virone.
A corovne custumably of hono=Iur=XI halden is a signe,
Taknyng this gloriouse virgyne til hono=Iur=XI of qwenehode condigne.
Twelve sterres apostles twelve taknyd, and resonably,
=n3890=XnWhilk at hir=Ie=XI joyfulle decesse war=Ie=XI p=Ire=XIsent,=C
 men trewe, mekely.=Ff.47=Sv=XS=XF
To this womman war=Ie=XI gyven two wenges als for fleghyng,
Whilk notes both body and sawle of Marie the vptaking.
=Gc=XGAlso this virgynes feest of hir=Ie=XI assumpcioune
Was figurid in the moder=Ie=XI of riche King Salomo=Iu=XIne.
He made hym a throne of glorie for to be in sittande,
Ane other=Ie=XI throne for his moder=Ie=XI to sit on his right hande,
In whilk he hir=Ie=XI made sitte besyde hymselfe hono=Iur=XIablye,
And sayde it was noght levefulle anything til hir=Ie=XI denye.
So Crist on his right hande has sette his moder=Ie=XI hyeghly,
=n3900=XnAnd whateu=Ier=XI sho wille aske grauntis he hir=Ie=XI=C
 favo=Iur=XIably.
Pray thi dere son take vs, O moder=Ie=XI Marie virgyne,
Til hymselfe aft=Ier=XI exile of this werlde fulle of pyne.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, here thowe thi moder=Ie=XI for vs praying
And graunt vs eendlesly w=Iith=XI =yowe both our=Ie=XI dwelling.
=DCapitulum xxxvij=Sm=XS
Nowe last of th=fe=Xf assumpcioune herde we of Our=Ie=XI Ladye;
Howe sho our=Ie=XI mediatrice is heres nowe ententifly:
Howe sho the ire of hir=Ie=XI son ageynst this werlde makes softe,
And synners be hir=Ie=XI praying recounseilles vnto Godde ofte.
This werlde thorghout is sette to wikkednesse and errour=Ie=XI
=n3910=XnAnd nothing condignely to worship the Creatour=Ie=XI.
Charitee and sothfastnesse stands aywher=Ie=XI nowe wakely,
Pride, auarice and lux=Iur=XIe beres vp thair=Ie=XI heve[d]s boldly.
W=Iith=XI thir=Ie=XI thre vices the werlde is filled thorghout w=Iith=XIinne;
Fulle fewe may thaym excuse in none of thir=Ie=XI to synne.
Some, keping chastitee, flees to be leccherous,
And lettis noght to fyle thayme w=Iith=XI covitise auerous.
Some flees this auarice, chesing wilfulle povert,
And neu=Ier=XI the lesse wille fyle thaym in vayne p=Iri=XIde=C
 of thair=Ie=XI hert.
Some flees for to be proude, mekenesse of hert keping,
=n3920=XnBot thay synne be luxuree or elles myscoveyting.
And leccherie thogh =$=Iat=XI some als in dede vses noght,
=Yit err=Ie=XI thay luxuryouse in fowle words or in thoght.
Thay wille be chaste and neu=Ier=XI the lesse of filthes flesshely confable,
And in hering and sight flesshely be delicable.
Also some shewes no pride als outwards in thair=Ie=XI arraye,
And neu=Ier=XI the lesse of vayne p=Iri=XIs inwards grete lust haf thaye;
And some blames auarice and takes thaym to pooretee
Whilk =yernes many thinges & haves ou=Ier=XI thair=Ie=XI necessitee.
Some wille be so pure men =$=Iat=XI thai ne haf no failling,
=n3930=XnSome wille also be meke bot w=Iith=XIout despisyng.
Than pride, luxurie, thir=Ie=XI two, and thair=Ie=XI thredde auarice,
May be p=Iro=XIved verrayly rote til alle man=Ier=XIe vice:=Ff.48=Sr=XS=XF
The aungelle felle out of heven, man put fro p=Iar=XIadys,
Nabugodonosor fro his rewme of pryde for wrongwis empris.
For auarice [Achan] and Naboth war=Ie=XI stonyd and lost thair=Ie=XI lif,
And Ananye died sodaigne deth and Saphira eke his wif.
For luxuree negh alle this werld drovned wat=Ier=XI in Gods ire,
Sodome and Gomore to helle sanke thorgh bronstone and fyre.
Be thir=Ie=XI thre thinges is Godde wroth to this werlde ilk day,
=n3940=XnBot Marie softnys his ire, als our=Ie=XI best mediatrice ay.
Ane avisioune p=Iro=XIves this of olde tyme autentyke,
Shewed be Gods ordenance to the holy man Seint Domynyke.
He se Crist fro the heven, his right hande vp liftyng
Thre speres ageynst this werld and w=Iith=XI wroth chere shakyng,
Bot Our=Ie=XI Lady Marie als mediatrice come nere
And softned hir=Ie=XI dere sons ire w=Iith=XI hir=Ie=XI=C
 succ=Iur=XIable prayer=Ie=XI,
Offring til his p=Ire=XIsence two champyons fulle doghty
For to convert synners whilk to the werld shuld thaym hy.
Seint Domynyk was =$=Iat=XI oone, fader=Ie=XI of alle Freres=C
 P=Ire=XIcho=Iur=XIs,
=n3950=Xn=#=Iat=XI other=Ie=XI was Seint Fraunceys, pat=Iri=XIne=C
 of Frer=Ies=XI Meno=Iur=XIs.
Be thys shewed Godde this werld to be til it p=Iro=XIpice,
Be the vnwithsayable p=Ira=XIyer=Ie=XI of Marie our=Ie=XI mediatrice.
=Ga=XGAnd =$=Iat=XI this gloriouse virgyne shuld our=Ie=XI mediatrice be
Was shewed lange tyme tofore be fulle fair=Ie=XI fig=Iur=XIes thre.
First be fonde Nabals wif, the jentyle Abigael,
Whilk pesid the king Dauid, co=Im=XImyng w=Iith=XI hir=Ie=XI camel.
This angry nyce foole Nabal be sturdynesse and folye
Made to hym Kyng Dauid his vnmesurable enemy.
Als "Of alle folys the so=Iu=XIme be noumbre no man it kan,"
=n3960=XnMenyng of werdly synners, thus says vs the wisman.
For what thing, reso=Iu=XIne the juge, is fonden gretter=Ie=XI folye
Than for a vile passing synne selle ioye eu=Ier=XIlastyngly?
Neu=Ier=XI the lesse thus in this werld dos many foole synnfulle shrewe,
And thir=Ie=XI dayes er=Ie=XI fonden of thas, more harme is, noght a few;
Err=Ie=XI thay noght folis and more and alther-most wriches at alle
Whilk to thayr=Ie=XI almyghti Godde p=Ire=XIsumes for to gaynecalle?
The p=Iro=XIph=Iet=XIe says, "Waa til alle thas whilk wille=C
 =$=Ier=XI maker=Ie=XI gaynsay:
A pot-sharde of the slyme of the erth, =$=Iat=XI is to say vnthrefty clay."
Foly ware to swilk sharde to countresay the potter=Ie=XI,
=n3970=XnBot alther=Ie=XI-grettest folys er=Ie=XI thay whilk=C
 wrethis Godde thair=Ie=XI maker=Ie=XI.
And swilk folys our=Ie=XI verray Dauid in his ire wald slee verrayly,
Ne war=Ie=XI his wreth oftsith amesid be our=Ie=XI Abigail, virgyne Marie.
=Gb=XGAnd the wyse womman Thecuytes sometyme p=Ire=XIfig=Iur=XIed this thing,
Absolon whilk slewe his brother=Ie=XI til his fader=Ie=XI=C
 recounseilling.=Ff.48=Sv=XS=XF
Be this ilk Absolon, his awen brother=Ie=XI sleer=Ie=XI,
Shalle we vnderstand als here ilk voluntary synner=Ie=XI.
For he a fratricide is calde =$=Iat=XI synnes in Godde baldelye,
For he enforces Crist his brother=Ie=XI eftsones to crucifye.
Fro Absolon toke on boldnesse to slee his brother=Ie=XI c=Iru=XIwelly,
=n3980=XnW=Iith=XIin the lande of beheste dwelt he neu=Ier=XI=C
 aft=Ier=XI forthy.
In Gessur=Ie=XI, a payens lande, aft=Ier=XI =$=Iat=XI he dwellyd,
Til the womman Tecuytes hym w=Iith=XI his fader=Ie=XI accordid.
So of a synne dedely a man aft=Ier=XI p=Ier=XIpetracioune:
Fro than has he no dwellyng in lande of p=Iro=XImissioune
Tofore be the womman Thevcuytes he be to Godde recounseild,
=#=Iat=XI is our=Ie=XI mediatrice Marie, Gods moder=Ie=XI and mayden myld.
=Gc=XGAlso was fortakned Marie our=Ie=XI mediatrice
Sometymes in Abela be a womman fulle wise.
A=yeins King Dauid ros on the son of Botrus, Syba,
=n3990=XnAnd to make his lord werre entred in Abela,
Wharefore the p=Iri=XInce Joab asseiged =$=Iat=XI citee sone,
And because of Syba he wold haf it vndone.
So felle a wise womman dwelt than in =$=Iat=XI citee
Whilk turned the prince ire to pece thorgh hir=Ie=XI tretee,
Be whas counsaile the tovne the heved of Syba of kitte
And it kest to Joab, the tovne rescowed and qwitte.
Syba betaknes pride rysing ageins Godde King,
In the citee of Abela--the sawle of a synner=Ie=XI--entryng.
The Prince of the chyvalrye of heven has dedeigne to this citee
=n4000=XnTo-whils the wise womman Marie of the citee mediatrice wold be,
Be whas rede we shalle the heved of kitte of Syba, =$=Iat=XI is, of pride,
And of the Prince of heven, Crist, in grace alway abide.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, teche vs vices so to werraye
=#=Iat=XI aft=Ier=XI this lif w=Iith=XI the we come to joye for aye.
=DCapitulum xxxviij=Sm=XS
Herde howe virgine Marie is our=Ie=XI swete mediatrice;
Nowe fylowes it how sho is our=Ie=XI blissed deffensatrice,
Sauvyng fro Gods vengeaunce and indignacioune,
Fro assauts of the feend and werldis temptacioune.
=Ga=XGMarie hils vs when we er=Ie=XI in tribulacioune,
=n4010=XnAls in Moises and Tharbis this hadd p=Ire=XIfiguracioune.
Moises w=Iith=XI Egipciens sieges Saba the grete tovne
So sore =$=Iat=XI no man myght louse his obsidioune.
Tharbis, the kynges doght=Ier=XI, dwelt than in =$=Iat=XI citee
And made the siege forsaide thus broken vp for to be.
Moises fair=Ie=XI and gudely was, and =yonge man and bolde,
Whaym the kynges doght=Ier=XI forsaide wold of the walles=C
 oft beholde,=Ff.49=Sr=XS=XF
And in so mykel payed hyr=Ie=XI of Moises the fairnesse
=#=Iat=XI hym til haf husband sho didde alle hir=Ie=XI bisynesse.
At the last told sho hir=Ie=XI fader=Ie=XI hir=Ie=XI desire openly,
=n4020=XnHowe sho luved of =$=Iat=XI ost Moises the prince worthy.
It plesid right wele the king =$=Iat=XI this mariage shuld be
And gaf his doght=Ier=XI to Moises w=Iith=XI Saba the citee.
Thus was Saba delyvred be help of the ilk womman,
And the citezeins rescowed out of thair=Ie=XI disese than.
Our=Ie=XI Lord Godde is betaknyd be Moises fair=Ie=XI and formouse,
Als tofore alle man sons of fo=Iur=XIme most spec=Ii=XIous.
Ageins this werld was this p=Iri=XInce to grete ire excitid
Be our=Ie=XI forme-fader=Ie=XI and moder=Ie=XI whilk to hym hoegely mysdid.
Whar=Ie=XIfore w=Iith=XI the ost of Egipt, =$=Iat=XI is of feends, he sieged vs
=n4030=XnPassing fyve thovzande =yere, the bokes enfo=Iur=XIrmes vs thus.
In alle the werld was noght fonden any man =$=Iat=XI myght be reso=Iu=XIne
Pees this grete ire of Godde and louse this obsidioune,
To-whils the doghter=Ie=XI of a kinge luved hym, virgine Marie
Whilk be hir=Ie=XI graciouse p=Ira=XIyer=Ie=XI peesid =$=Iat=XI=C
 Lords ire swetely.
Marie eke deffendid vs fro the feends temptacio=Iu=XInes,
Fro alle sleghtis infernale and thair=Ie=XI inpugnacio=Iu=XInes.
Gretely nedefulle til vs is this deffensatrice
For thassautis of the feende er=Ie=XI many, dyvers and nyce.
For some man wille he inpugne be p=Iri=XIdefulle bolnyng right =yerne,
=n4040=XnAls shewed in qwene Jezabelle, Balthazar=Ie=XI and Holoferne.
Some be hatred, and other=Ie=XI of envie, chokes he fulle,
Als Kaym, als Jacob sons pat=Iri=XIarche and King Saull.
Some eke =fof=Xf vengeaunce temptis he als shewed in Semey
In Absolon, John and Jacob the sons of Zebedei.
Be vntrest and incredulitee he dos so=Im=XIme grete disese,
Als shewed in Achab, Achaz, Jeroboam and Moises.
Be irreverence and rebelling and be inobedience vses he
To tempt so=Im=XIme, als Dathan, Abyron, Cham and Chore.
So=Im=XIme temptis he for to gif counsailes werst =$=Iat=XI may be,
=n4050=XnAls shewed in Achitofel, Balaam & Jonadab alle thre.
So=Im=XIme temptis he be vnrewth and other=Ie=XI so=Im=XIme be tresoune,
Als shewed was in Chayn, Joab, Judas, Tripho=Iu=XIn.
So=Im=XIme for to shedde mans blode temptis he to con neu=Ier=XI hoo,
Als Cyre, als Manasses, Antyochus, Herode also.
Some folk thaymself to slee makes he bolde & cruwelle,
Als Judas, Abymalech, Saul, Achitofel.
W=Iith=XI thir=Ie=XI and many other=Ie=XI vice the feend mankinde inpugnys,
Bot our=Ie=XI deffensatrice Marie for vs alway p=Iro=XIpugnys.=Ff.49=Sv=XS=XF
=Gb=XGWhare=ffore=Xf a p=Iri=XIsefulle womman Our=Ie=XI Lady p=Ire=XIfigurid,
=n4060=XnWhilk the tour=Ie=XI of Thebes fro Abymalech deffendid.
The folk, Abymalech dredeing, went on the tour=Ie=XI w=Iith=XIinne,
And he both thaym and the tour=Ie=XI wald in fyre sette and brynne.
A pece of a mylnestone threwe doune ther=Ie=XI a womman,
And the heved of Abymalech touchyng, brayned hym right than.
Abymalech, of a womman to be confusid sorowyng,
Saide thus til his sqwyer=Ie=XI, of his lif disparing:
"Out w=Iith=XI thi swerde," quod he, "and slee me hastily,
=#=Iat=XI I neu=Ier=XI be demed of a womman to dye."
This provde Abymalech, whilk betaknys the feende,
=n4070=XnThas =$=Iat=XI er=Ie=XI in the toure of Haly Kyrke wolde he sheende,
Bot our=Ie=XI deffensatrice Marie, moder=Ie=XI of Jh=Ies=XIu God Son,
Hils vs fro his assautz vnder=Ie=XI hir=Ie=XI p=Iro=XIteccioune,
And fro the malice of the feend sho kepes vs noght oonly,
Bot fro the temptacio=Iu=XInes of the werld deffendis vs this Ladye,
And this p=Iro=XIteccioune is vs fulle necessarie
For the temptyngs of the werld er=Ie=XI many one & fulle varie.
Bot most tempts vs this werld of lordship covatyng,
Be pride and brynnyng lustes of fals richesse gadering,
Als shewes in Alexandr=Ie=XI, Nembreth and Nabugodonosor,
=n4080=XnAthalia, in Absolon, Adonybeseth and Codorlamor.
Some temptis it w=Iith=XI vaynglorie and other=Ie=XI swilk vanitee
Als Aman, King Ezechye, Herode Ag=Iri=XIppa, thir=Ie=XI three.
So=Im=XIme temptis it w=Iith=XI avarice, be stu=fl=Xfth or be robberye,
Als Cusy, [Achan], Elyodre and many one other=Ie=XI by.
So=Im=XIme er=Ie=XI temptid be luxuree or be fornicacioune
Als war=Ie=XI Zambry, Amon, King Dauid and Salomo=Iu=XIn.
So=Im=XIme er=Ie=XI stirde be fole speche and so=Im=XIme to blaspheme gretely,
Als Nabal, Senacherib and Roboam the sturdy,
So=Im=XIme to detraccio=Iu=XInes, contencio=Iu=XInes and contumelye,
=n4090=XnAls Marie sister=Ie=XI of Moises, the wyves of Job and Thobye.
Alle werldly temptings may we wele eschape & ou=Ier=XIcome
Luving our=Ie=XI mediatrice w=Iith=XI our=Ie=XI hert alle and so=Im=XIme.
=Gc=XGThis was p=Ire=XIfigurid also be Dauid the noble king
Michol, Saulis doght=Ier=XI, w=Iith=XI alle his hert wele luving,
Wharefore sho qwitte hym of awayt of hir=Ie=XI faders s=Ier=XIgeantz
And lete hym out at a wyndowe, so making his delyvrance.
So dos til alle hir=Ie=XI lovers Our=Ie=XI Ladye, seint vi[r]gyne Marye,
In alle nede and temptinges thaym helping fulle bisyly.
Luf we than this virgine w=Iith=XI alle our=Ie=XI hert als=C
 the wise,=Ff.50=Sr=XS=XF
=n4100=XnOur=Ie=XI mediatrice in alle nede and fervenst propugnatrice,
=#=Iat=XI fro alle werldly p=Ier=XIils hir=Ie=XI like vs kepe and defende
And aft=Ier=XI this lif passing vntil hir=Ie=XI son sho vs sende.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, here thowe thi moder=Ie=XI for vs praying
And help hir=Ie=XI against our=Ie=XI foos for our=Ie=XI=C
 hele eu=Ier=XI feghting.
=DCapitulum xxxix=Sm=XS
In two last chapitles herde =ye howe Marie is mediatrice
To Godde, and in disese our=Ie=XI sevre deffensatrice.
Howe Crist his woundes to his Fader=Ie=XI shewes is to here fylowingly,
And hir=Ie=XI blissid brestes to hir=Ie=XI son for vs shewes virgine Marie.
Als Crist descendid to helle fro the heven for mankynde sake,
=n4110=XnSo to heven is he reascendit, our=Ie=XI pees w=Iith=XI=C
 his Fader=Ie=XI to make.
We shuld noght falle in wanhope thogh we haf synned forthy,
Having to the hevenyssh Fader=Ie=XI so trewe auokette and myghty.
=Ga=XG=#=Iat=XI Crist his cicatrices wold shewe his Fader=Ie=XI for vs,
Tofore lange in figure was it p=Ire=XIostendid thus:
Antipat=Ier=XI, a noble knyght, was wryed to the emp=Ier=XIo=Iur=XI Julian
=#=Iat=XI he was wikked and vntrewe vnto the Empir=Ie=XI Roman,
And he tyrved hym stone nakid, p=Ire=XIsent this emp=Ier=XIour=Ie=XI,
Shewyng the erres of his woundes for thaym in many a stour=Ie=XI,
And saide, "What shuld my wordes p=Iro=XIve me wreche or worthy?
=n4120=XnBot heres thir=Ie=XI cicatrices alle cry out =$=Iat=XI trewe am I."
And thus the emp=Ier=XIo=Iur=XI approved his excusacioune,
And a trewe knyght held hym, his accusing put doune.
Right fair=Ie=XI was Crist figured be this Antipater=Ie=XI,
Alway just and for vs tofor the hevenyssh Fader=Ie=XI,
Be his woundis hy=Im=XI shewyng a noble knyght & doghty,
And his Fader=Ie=XI comaundementz to haf fulfillid trewly,
Whar=Ie=XI=ffore=Xf Godde til hono=Iur=XI cessis neu=Ier=XI this worthy knyght
And his askings freely grantes hym eu=Ier=XI day & nyght.
That Our=Ie=XI Lord Jh=Ies=XIu Crist was knyght noble and worthy
=n4130=XnShewed in his cicatrices and in his clothing blody:
Fore rede sangvinolent was alle ou=Ier=XI Cristis clothing,
Like to clothes of the men of rede wyne grapes treding;
Whar=Ie=XIfore of Cristis clothis thus askid aungels dyvine
Whi thai war=Ie=XI rede als of men out of g=Ira=XIpes stampyng the wyne.
"The presso=Iur=XIe of my passioune tholid I alle one," quod he,
"And of alle folk in erth was noght o man w=Iith=XI me."
And =$=Iat=XI no man w=Iith=XI hym was, Crist saide notably
For bot a virgyne w=Iith=XI hym left than--his moder=Ie=XI--onely.
Crist toke the ordre of knyght with the colee c=Ier=XItayne
=n4140=XnAls vse is to make knyghtes in the lande of Almayne.=Ff.50=Sv=XS=XF
Bot this knyght Crist myght noght w=Iith=XI o colee be qwitte,
Bot he ne hadde strokes dovblid to noumbre als infynyte.
Ane asse on Palme Sondaye was his stede c=Ier=XIteynly,
The felde of his bataille was the mount of Caluarie,
The la=Iu=XInce of blynde Longyve the knyght was Cristis spere,
The sharp corovne of thornes was his helme for the were.
The criste of Cristis helme the table was of his title,
=fAnd the girdel of his swerde al his bandis grete & litel.=Xf
The patible of the Crosse for sheeld and targe hadde hee,
=n4150=XnFor spors ane yren naile thorgh his fete to the tree.
The haub=Ier=XIgeo=Iu=XIne whilk his body shuld kepe both vp and doune
His tendrest skynne al to-rent with flagellacioune.
His swerd was Haly Doctrine taght in Judees landes,
And two herde nailles of iren war=Ie=XI als gloves to his handes.
The sqwyer=Ie=XI for his body was his swete moder=Ie=XI Marie,
The whilk alle his arme=Iur=XIs bare in passioune trewly:
For als the sqwyer=Ie=XI at nede held hym negh Jonathas,
So in Cristis passioune his moder=Ie=XI a negh sqwyer=Ie=XI was.
The baner=Ie=XI of this noble knyght Crist was of two colour=Ie=XIs:
=n4160=Xn=#=Iat=XI o part was alle white, =$=Iat=XI other=Ie=XI=C
 rede als rose flour=Ie=XIs.
That one was of the white clothe at Herodes illusioune:
The coccyne, =$=Iat=XI was taken hym in his coronacioune.
With thir=Ie=XI a=fr=Xfme=Iur=XIs this knyght faght so wele at devis
=#=Iat=XI be his deth he ou=Ier=XIcome alle our=Ie=XI cruwelle enemys.
After =$=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI gloriouse trihumphe vntil heven he ascendid,
And to his Fader=Ie=XI praying for vs his cicatrices he ostendid.
Thar=Ie=XIfore no wight disespair=Ie=XI for his synnes innoumbrable
Bot trist in this aduokat allemyghty and m=Ier=XIcyable,
For in the Fader=Ie=XI or the Haly Gast thogh we nevre so synne,
=n4170=XnCrist may vs recounseil and p=Iar=XIdo=Iu=XIn haboundant wynne.
And if we synne in the Son, =$=Iat=XI is in Crist Jh=Ies=XIu,
We have, to pray til hym, on aduocat fulle trewe.
=Gb=XGCrist to his Fader=Ie=XI shewes his cicatrices for m=Ier=XIcy,
And til hyr=Ie=XI son hir=Ie=XI bristes shewes for vs swete Marie.
And Crist "Antipater=Ie=XI" may be callid resonably,
So "Antefilia" men may calle Marie semblably.
O trewest Antipat=Ier=XI, and Antefilia swettist,
Howe seurly may synners in succo=Iur=XI of =yow two trist--
For how myght thar=Ie=XI be hopid of anything denying
=n4180=XnIn heven, erth or in helle to thus swettist praying?
Howe shuld the Fader=Ie=XI of pitee noght fille the Sons entent
Wham hee sees swilk woundes haf suffred at his ma=Iu=XIndement?
How shuld a son his moder=Ie=XI oght mow warne in praying,
Whare oyther=Ie=XI o=$=Ier=XI als thaymself lufs eu=Ier=XI=C
 without feynyng?=Ff.51=Sr=XS=XF
Than wher=Ie=XI Crist here his moder=Ie=XI nedes noght to doute, I wene,
Wham ou=Ier=XI alle mortal folk he hase made hevens qwene.
=Gc=XGThis was p=Ire=XIfigurid sometyme be the grete Kyng Assuer=Ie=XI,
Whilk, wele chaufid w=Iith=XI the wyne, saide thus to Qwene Hester=Ie=XI:
"Aske me whatevre thow wilt, thi prayer=Ie=XI I graunt the,
=n4190=XnThogh it war=Ie=XI half my roialme, fulfillid thi wil shalle be."
And sho hir=Ie=XI folk fro Naaman asked to be deffendid,
Wham Kyng Assuwer=Ie=XI anone on gibet maide be suspendid.
Hester=Ie=XI a pore mayden was borne of the Jewrye
And the king chase hir=Ie=XI to qwene ou=Ier=XI alle other=Ie=XI=C
 sou=Ier=XIeynly.
So chase Godde mayden Marie above alle virgynes erthly
To be qwene of alle heven now and eu=Ier=XIlastyngly,
And has dampnyd our=Ie=XI enemy be hir=Ie=XI intervencio=Iu=XIne
And taken hir=Ie=XI half his kyngdome be twyp=Iar=XIt dep=Iar=XItiso=Iu=XIne.
Godde has his regne dep=Iar=XItid in p=Iar=XItis two jentillye,
=n4200=Xn=#=Iat=XI one kept for hymself, =$=Iat=XI oyther=Ie=XI=C
 gyven til Our=Ie=XI Ladye.
He kepes til hymselven justice, delyvred til his moder=Ie=XI m=Ier=XIcye,
W=Iith=XI the first he vs manaces, w=Iith=XI =$=Iat=XI o=$=Ier=XI=C
 helps vs Marye.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu pray thow for vs thi Fader=Ie=XI of m=Ier=XIcy,
And thi dere moder=Ie=XI for vs p=Ira=XIying here benignely.
=DCapitulum xl=Sm=XS
Last herde =y=Ie=XI how =$=Iat=XI Crist for vs cessis noght to praye;
Nowe fylowes howe streit a juge he bees on Domesday.
=Ga=XGThis notid Crist on a day a p=Iar=XIable p=Iro=XIponyng,
When he in this werld here went in Jewerye p=Ire=XIching.
He saide a man weending intil a regioune lontaigne
=n4210=XnFor to take hym a rewme and eftsones turne a=yeine,
Whilk til his men bezauntes toke ten for emprowyng,
And at his gayncome to gif hym trewly the wynnyng.
The rewme taken, and reto=Iur=XInyd fro thens whar=Ie=XI he was went,
He askid of ilkone reknyng aft=Ier=XI his rather=Ie=XI entent.
Who mykel hadde wonne was mykel his remuneracio=Iu=XIne;
Who littel wanne was lesse mede taken hym for his gerdo=Iu=XIne.
Hym =$=Iat=XI =yalde the bezaunt with none vsur=Ie=XI a=yaine,
The lord helde hym noght payed, and putt =$=Iat=XI s=Ier=XIua=Iu=XInt to payne.
This wise shalle Crist haf hym the day of his demyng,
=n4220=XnWhare shall take eu=Ier=XIy man aft=Ier=XI his labourde wynnyng:
And who noght wele hase done shalle fele the juges ire,
And for his negcligence to bote brenne eu=Ier=XI in hellis fyre,
For it nys nothing ynoghe onely to forebere synne,
Bot also mot men do gude whar=Ie=XIw=Iith=XI heven for to wynne,
For the auster=Ie=XI juge wille repe in place whar=Ie=XI he noght sewe,
Asking of the payens gude werkis, and thaym no movth-sede sewe.=Ff.51=Sv=XS=XF
How negh wil he gude werkis of Cristen than seke streitly,
To whame so saluter=Ie=XI techinges he mynystres so freely!
He shalle shewe synners his woundes w=Iith=XI the armes of hy=fs=Xf payne
=n4230=XnFor thaym soeffred, to see what thay =yalde hym a=yaine.
Alle Cristes armes shalle stande ageynst the synners stifly
And alle his woundes apon hym sharply shalle vengeance cry.
Alle creat=Iur=XIes shalle thaym arme til inpugne the synner=Ie=XI
And alle the elementes on hym shal pleyne and m=fa=Xfke hym were:
The erth =$=Iat=XI hym bare and hym for to fede fructified,
And he it als a tree vnfruy=ft=Xffulle occupied;
The fyre shalle pleygne =$=Iat=XI hete it mynistred hym and light,
And he his light, the Maker=Ie=XI, wald noght knawe day nor nyght;
The ayer=Ie=XI whilk hym brething was ay to gif redy
=n4240=XnWhar=Ie=XIof his Creato=Iur=XI he thankid noght bisyly,
The water=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI hym gaf drinke & w=Iith=XI fysshes hym fedde,
And he the Maker=Ie=XI of this ne serued nor g=Ira=XIces bedde.
His gude aungel on hym shalle stir=Ie=XI Gods rightwisnesse
=#=Iat=XI he cessid noght to synne for Gods, nor his, clennesse.
The moder=Ie=XI of m=Ier=XIcy =$=Iat=XI nowe to synners is so p=Iro=XIpice
=#=Iat=XI doelfulle day to none shalle sho bene adiutrice.
The piest Jh=Ies=XIu =$=Iat=XI wald for synners thole passioune
Shal at thaire deth lagh than in thair=Ie=XI dampnacioune.
The feends =fof=Xf alle p=Iri=XIuest synnes shalle than=C
 shewe forth thair=Ie=XI taillies
=n4250=XnAnd of alle gude werkes left aungels make rehersaillies.
Crist alder-piest shalle than to m=Ier=XIcy be seen so stra=Iu=XInge
=#=Iat=XI noyther=Ie=XI prayer=Ie=XI ne teres his sentence=C
 shall than mowe chaunge.
If Marie and seints alle wepped blode for m=Ier=XIcy
Thai shuld noght rescowe o sawle fro dampnacioune sothly.
=Gb=XGThe fierstee of this streit dome is noted be virgines ten,
Of whame Crist in p=Iar=XIables p=Ire=XIched in erth to men.
The virgynes wise of thair=Ie=XI oyle gaf noght virgines fole,
To shewe =$=Iat=XI seintis nothing shal of the dampnyd condole:
And als oyle of m=Ier=XIcy the foles of the wise none hadde,
=n4260=XnSo in the vengeaunce of thaym seints shall be joyouse & gladde.
And the wise virgynes scorned the virgynes fole myrily
When thay to the oyle-sellers sent thaym oyle for to by;
Ryght so the seints shall seme the dampnid scorne on Domesday,
And send thaym til oyle-sellers for thair=Ie=XI laumpes, als so say:
"=Ye solde joye et=Ier=XInale for vayne voluptuostee,
Goos bye more, =ye have nede of =yo=Iur=XI marcha=Iu=XInts lat see:
Alle almouse-dede and gude werks be =yow done vnwisely
Solde =y=Ie=XI for ma=In=XInes praysing and this werlde passing glorie.
What profits nowe =yo=Iur=XI grete pride of erthi wricchid p=Ira=XIysyng?
=n4270=XnWhar=Ie=XI is alle =yo=Iur=XI plesa=Iu=XInce of=C
 =yowre apocrisyng?=Ff.52=Sr=XS=XF
Off the fruyte of =your=Ie=XI gude dedes nowe may =y=Ie=XI se what failles,
And =yo=Iur=XI lust transitorie what nowe it =yowe availles."
And when the foles of the wise no parte of oyle myght wynne,
Thay went than to the spouse and cried to lat tha[m] inne,
Bot no m=Ier=XIcy of hym gate thay in alle the werde
And =$=Iat=XI he ne knewe thaym noght sothly of hym thay herde.
Thus wille falle be synners on Domesday c=Ier=XIteinly,
For of Godde nor his seints get thay than no m=Ier=XIcy.
=Gc=XGIn =$=Iat=XI script=Iur=XIe of this was shewed figure and note,
=n4280=XnAgeynst King Balthazar=Ie=XI when a hande on the walle wrote.
'Mane, thechel, phares' was writen apon the walle,
=#=Iat=XI noumbr=Ie=XI, weght and twynnyng gifs to mene til vs all:
For Gods dome shall be tretid be noumbre and be weghyng,
And eendid be the gude fro yvel p=Ier=XIpetuel dep=Iar=XItyng.
For be noumbre of decerts shall Godde gif jugement,
=#=Iat=XI our=Ie=XI thoght, worde or dede knawes alle in o mo[m]ent.
Our=Ie=XI wille and our=Ie=XI movinges knawes he wele evry whitte,
And alle the tyme til vs taken howe we dispendid itte.
The giftes be vs resceved has he wele noumbred alle,
=n4290=XnWhat tyme & howe besette--alle thir=Ie=XI shalle he forth calle.
Alle thir=Ie=XI thinges noumbred nowe wille he weghe streytly thare,
And to the prikke thair=Ie=XI value tofore alle men declare.
Than shalle so=Im=XIme pore mans myte weighe als mykel in valo=Iur=XI
Als some thovzande besauntes of pope or emp=Ier=XIour=Ie=XI.
Than shalle one eye weigh, gyven out of synne dedely =fq=Xfwhite,
More than in dedely synne golde gyven noumbre infynite.
And o Pat=Ier=XI Nost=Ier=XI more weygh in swete devocyo=Iu=XIne
Than a savter=Ie=XI w=Iith=XI sleuth, w=Iith=XIout attencio=Iu=XIne.
At the last comes forth =Iphares=XI, =$=Iat=XI is to say, devisyng,
=n4300=XnWhen the noumbre dampnable fro Godde & fro his seints takes twynnyng:
Than shalle the dampned to helle w=Iith=XI dyvles eu=Ier=XIlastingly,
And the gude entre in the joye of thair=Ie=XI Lord sempit=Ier=XInely.
To the whilk bring vs, Jh=Ies=XIu, als thowe art King of the hegh heven,
W=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast of substa=Iu=XInce & of joye even.
=DCapitulum xlj=Sm=XS
The passid chapitle shewed vs the last examynacioune;
Heres nowe howe gude and yvel shalle both take thair=Ie=XI gverdo=Iu=XIne.
Our=Ie=XI Lorde Godde in this we=fr=Xflde list evre do benignely,
Bot in the werlde for to come rewardis he rightwisly.
And for a man body and sawle dos joyntly gude or harme here,
=n4310=XnTher=Ie=XIfore in o=$=Ier=XI werlde bere thay payne or joy both yfere.
At Domesday, bodyes and sawles shal be revnit certayne,
And eu=Ier=XImore both togider=Ie=XI haf joye or suffre payne.
The wikked mens bodies shall rise vnshaply and passible,
Bot the gude mens fulle faire without eend impassible.
A dampnid bodie shalle rise in swilk deformitee=Ff.52=Sv=XS=XF
=#=Iat=XI infinite horro=Iur=XI bes it the awen fote or hande to see;
And the more =$=Iat=XI thair=Ie=XI synne here haf bene abhomynable,
So mykel thair=Ie=XI bodyes than shalle be more defo=Iur=XImable,
And of the gretter=Ie=XI desertes =$=Iat=XI rightwise men haf bene here,
=n4320=XnSo mykel shalle thair=Ie=XI bodyes be fairer=Ie=XI and more clere.
The body of the leest childe =$=Iat=XI shalle entre into heven=Ie=XI
Clerer=Ie=XI than is the sonne shalle be be faldes seven=Ie=XI,
And if an oyther=Ie=XI passes hym ten tymes in halynesse,
His body shalle passe =$=Iat=XI other=Ie=XI eke tenfolde in clerenesse.
If one more than an other=Ie=XI be haly ane hundrethfolde,
He shalle passe in clerenesse an hondrethfald wele tolde;
=IAnd if another is a thousand times more holy,=XI
=IHis body will be a thousand times more bright.=XI
So als Crist ou=Ier=XI alle seints is haly innoumbrably,
=n4330=XnHis body more than alle seints bes clerer=Ie=XI infinitly.
The bodies of seints shalle be glorified in lyf to come
Fovr=Ie=XIfolds, and er=Ie=XI thir=Ie=XI the p=Iar=XIcelles=C
 of =$=Iat=XI so=Iu=XIme:
Claritee take for the first, the seco=Iu=XInde impassibilitee,
Sutyltee for the thredde, the feerthe agilitee--
Thir=Ie=XI four=Ie=XI dowairs whilk I =yowe have tofore noumbrid
War=Ie=XI in Cristis body sometyme in man=Ier=XIe p=Ire=XIfigurid.
Crist shewed the claritee in his t=Ira=XInsfiguryng,
His face in Mount Thabor bright als the sonne shynyng.
The sutiltee was shewed in his natyvitee,
=n4340=XnWhen he was borne savyng his moders integritee.
The agilitee may be taken, and noght vnresonably,
When Crist went in the see, his fete both lasting drye.
The inpassibilitee shewed hee betaking in maner=Ie=XI
His bodie til his disciples til ete at his soper=Ie=XI.
And haly sawles shal be dowed be treble dotacioune,
The whilk er=Ie=XI "knawing" and "luf" and "comprehensioune".
The dampned sawles & the bodies shal haf no swilk dowyng,
Bot et=Ier=XInal helle payne w=Iith=XIout eend vncessyng.
Als thay to thair=Ie=XI Godde etern her=Ie=XI synnyd willfully,
=n4350=XnSo shal he thaym in helle put to payne eendlesly.
The dampned neu=Ier=XI of thair=Ie=XI synne shal haf verray penitence,
Whar=Ie=XIfore Godde of thair=Ie=XI payne shalle nevre turne his sentence.
So grete is the payne of helle and so inenarrable
=#=Iat=XI no payne in this werld is to it comparable.
Who couthe of martres alle the paynes in o so=Iu=XIme telle,
C=Ier=XIteyne thaym shuld seme noght to paynes =$=Iat=XI er=Ie=XI in helle.
Ysay p=Iro=XIphete was sawen, and stonyd was Jeremye,
Amos p=Ier=XIced thorgh the temples, Ezechiel brayned foullye,
Poul w=Iith=XI =yerdis bette thris and aft=Ier=XI =$=Iat=XI o tyme stonyd,
=n4360=XnSithen aft=Ier=XI v. [quadragenaries], one less,=C
 ar=Ie=XI thay hym hevedid.
This wise Seint Jame martir toke his deth, aft=Ier=XI tale:
Al to-kytt w=Iith=XI sharpe knyves & raso=Iur=XIs kene gobettmale--=C
 =Ff.53=Sr=XS=XF

Barthelmewe slayne alle qwhikke and Peter=Ie=XI postle croisid,
Piers martir=Ie=XI stikt w=Iith=XI a swerde, Seint Laurance deken roistid;
And the payne of alle martirs who myght in a sovme telle
Alle thas shuld noght be comparable vnto the lest payne of helle:
For alle the to=Iur=XIment of m=Iar=XItirs war=Ie=XI shorrt and transitorie,
Bot the paynes of the dampnid lastis in helle eendlesly,
For thay brynne in the fyre of helle =$=Iat=XI lastis in evre
=n4370=XnAnd er=Ie=XI gnawen w=Iith=XI the worme of conscience=C
 =$=Iat=XI dies nevre.
Bot a worme mat=Ier=XIial this nes noght to devise
For no swilk beest lyving may ther=Ie=XI be in no wise:
Then is this forsaide worme remorse of conscience
Gnawing the sawles dampnyd be Gods eu=Ier=XIlastyng sentence.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle be continuel lokyng on dyvles terrible,
Cold, gnaysting of teth, hungre & thrust importible,
Crying, horro=Iur=XI and drede, tremblyng, doel p=Ier=XIdurable,
Byndyngs, priso=Iu=XIns, bronstone and stynking intolerable,
Envie, cursyng and smeke and ferefulst derknesse palpable,
=n4380=XnSorowing, confusioune & shame, wepyng, teres inenarrable,
Dispair=Ie=XI of delyvrance or of the leest confortyng,
Neu=Ier=XI ony ent=Ier=XIcesing of contynuel punysshing.
=Ga=XGThe vengeance her=Ie=XI toforsaide of Godde on the dampned
Was be the citee of Rabath and Dauid p=Ire=XIfigured.
The pople of =$=Iat=XI citee the king punyst strangely:
So=Im=XIme w=Iith=XI sawes did he kitte, so=Im=XIme w=Iith=XI knyves membratly,
So=Im=XIme made he yren-boune cartes in his ire ou=Ier=XI thaym rynne,
And so=Im=XIme made he to-drawe w=Iith=XI many a dyu=Ier=XIse gynne.
=Gb=XGThis shewed also be men of Socoth and Gedeon
=n4390=XnOn wham he venged hym hoegely for thair=Ie=XI derisioune.
The poeple of Socoth scornyd Gedeon the duce worthy
And he, his tyme abiden, venged hym fulle horribly,
For aft=Ier=XI that, his scorners he punyst fulle sore scornyng
W=Iith=XI breres and w=Iith=XI sharpe thornes thair=Ie=XI bodyes al to-racyng.
Thus Crist shalle his scorners, synners =$=Iat=XI is to say,
Thogh her=Ie=XI he thayme forbere, elleswhare fulle sore pay,
=IFor Wisdom says that torments have been prepared for scorners,=XI
=IAnd shattering hammers for the bodies of fools.=XI
=Gc=XGIn Pharao and the Egipciens was this be figure enclosid,
=n4400=XnWhame Godde in the rede see ilkone at ones conclosid.
Right so the dampnid w=Iith=XI feendes and Lucifer=Ie=XI at the last
In helle foreu=Ier=XI togider=Ie=XI shalle be shette alle fulle fast.
Jh=Ies=XIu, for thyn helefulle and bitt=Ier=XIest passioune,
Make ferre fro vs foreevre this horrible conclusioune.=Ff.53=Sv=XS=XF
=DCapitulum xlij=Sm=XS
Tofore the paynes herd to dampnid eendlesly;
Nowe er=Ie=XI the joyes of seints to here of fylowingly,
Whas blisses er=Ie=XI so many =$=Iat=XI thay may neu=Ier=XI be noumbrid,
So hoege =$=Iat=XI thay shalle neu=Ier=XI be any wise mensurid;
Thay shal neu=Ier=XI mowe be tolde, thay er=Ie=XI so ineffable,
=n4410=XnNor thay ne shalle neu=Ier=XI take eende, so er=Ie=XI=C
 thay p=Ier=XIdurable.
The joye to Gods luvers p=Ire=XIparyd egh se thayme noght,
Nor neu=Ier=XI war=Ie=XI be er=Ie=XI herde nor in hert of man thoght.
Ther=Ie=XI is alle man=Ier=XIe beutee lustfulle to beholdyng,
Alle armonye melodyouse =$=Iat=XI p=Ier=XItenes til hering.
Ther=Ie=XI is alle delicacye vnto smelle suppetyng.
Ther=Ie=XI is alle suavitee delitable to touching;
Ther=Ie=XI is alle man=Ier=XIe swetnesse vnto tast influyng.
Ther=Ie=XI is p=Ier=XIfitest boond of inwardst hertly luvyng.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle we of Godde the Fader=Ie=XI conceyve the omnipotence,
=n4420=XnThe wisdome of his dere So=Iu=XIn, the Haly Gastis clemence.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle be of alle gudes contynuel affluence,
Ther=Ie=XI shalle be of alle yvels without eende alle absence.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle be rest eterne w=Iith=XIout alle man=Ier=XIe labour=Ie=XI,
Ther=Ie=XI shalle be pees and suretee w=Iith=XIout alle=C
 man=Ier=XIe terrour=Ie=XI.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle no feendes awayte nor laye temptacioune,
Ther=Ie=XI bes of werlde nor flesshe none inpugnacioune.
Ther=Ie=XI bes connyng and witte w=Iith=XIout any ignoraunce.
Ther=Ie=XI bes freendship and luf without contrariaunce.
Ther=Ie=XI bes p=Ier=XIpetuel hele w=Iith=XIout alle man=Ier=XIe sekenesse,
=n4430=XnTher=Ie=XI shal be strengh stably w=Iith=XIout alle werynesse.
Ther=Ie=XI bes eu=Ier=XI clerest light w=Iith=XIout ony clowde sothly.
Ther=Ie=XI shal be gladnesse et=Ier=XIne and jubilyng bisyly.
Ther=Ie=XI bes beutee and shappe w=Iith=XIout deformytee,
Wightlayke delyvrenesse without ony tarditee;
Ther=Ie=XI shalle be richesse and myght w=Iith=XIout any man=Ier=XIe failling,
Ther=Ie=XI bes joye and hono=Iur=XI w=Iith=XIout any dispising.
Ther=Ie=XI is the flo=Iur=XI of =youthede =$=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI=C
 shal knawe welknyng,
Ther=Ie=XI shalle be lyf eu=Ier=XI grene, neu=Ier=XI more til haf eendyng;
Ther=Ie=XI shulde seme bot a point the age of Matussale,
=n4440=XnAnd the strenthe of Sampson bot pallesye for to be.
Ther=Ie=XI the whightlake of Azael war=Ie=XI irksome tarying,
And the helth of Caleph war=Ie=XI dedely sekenyng;
Ther=Ie=XI war=Ie=XI difformitee the beutee of Absolon,
And folie als to acconpt the witte of Salomon;
Ther=Ie=XI the counsaile of Jhetro & of Achitofel folenesse,
Aristotil and alle philosofres thair=Ie=XI scionce bot lewednesse;=C
 =Ff.54=Sr=XS=XF

Ther=Ie=XI Tubalchaym and Neoma, Irams suttlist werkemen,
Besleel and [O]oliab to deme vnkonnyng couth thay swilk ten;
Ther=Ie=XI Dauid harpe and the musik of Jubal war=Ie=XI absurditee,
=n4450=XnManna bitt=Ier=XI and the wyne made in Cana Galilee.
Ther=Ie=XI Adams p=Iar=XIadys and the lande of p=Iro=XImissio=Iu=XIne=C
 seme exile,
And alle Ecclesiastes delices seme absinthe or aysile.
Ther=Ie=XI alle Octavianes regne shulde seme prison or desert.
Ther=Ie=XI tresore of Cresus and Antecrist shuld be demed ther=Ie=XI povert.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle thowe, man, haf more myght than Cresus=C
 & August=Ius=XI Cesar=Ie=XI,
Cyrus, Nabugodonosor, King Alexandr=Ie=XI and Balthasar=Ie=XI.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle thowe be stronger=Ie=XI than Sampson, Sangar=Ie=XI, Abisay,
Or Dauid or Semma, Bononay or Sobokay.
Fairer=Ie=XI than Absolon & Joseph or Moyses, witt thowe this wele,
=n4460=XnJudith and Susanne, the fair=Ie=XI Rebecca, Sara & Rachele.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle thowe langer=Ie=XI lyve than Enoc, Matussale & Elye,
Be swifter=Ie=XI than is the sonne, Asael, H=Ier=XIcules and Cusy.
Ther=Ie=XI shall thowe eke wiser=Ie=XI be than King Salomon or Austyn,
Pope Gregoir=Ie=XI or Jerom, Ambros and Thomas Alqwyn.
Ther=Ie=XI shalle thowe more clerely se Godde =$[=Ian=XI]=C
 Pet=Ier=XI did, John or Jame,
Ezechiel, Ysay, Moyses and deken Steven be his name.
=Ga=XGFigure of this et=Ier=XIne joye moght Salomons gl=Ior=XIie be,
For we rede of none other=Ie=XI so delicat als was he,
And noght onely passid he other in delices hyghly,
=n4470=XnBot in richesse also passid he =fall=Xf other=Ie=XI strangely.
To Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm, his fame herd, come than of Saba the qwene,
And saide, for m=Ier=XIveils ravist, his incredible gl=Io=XIrie sene,
"More is thi glorie than fame of thi p=Iro=XIsp=Ier=XIitee,
I have p=Iro=XIved =$=Iat=XI the half was noght talde vnto mee."
So shal a sawle say for joye, comen intil heven blisse,
"I ne herde neu=Ier=XI half sothly nor thovzande parte of alle this."
The face of Salomon to se alle the werld desiryd,
Whilk thing the face Jh=Ies=XIu right wele prefiguryd,
For alle the joye of the heven and sp=Iirit=XIuel reioying
=n4480=XnIs of the graciouse visage of Jh=Ies=XIu the contempling.
For better=Ie=XI war=Ie=XI a sawle in helle Crists visage seyng to be,
Than in heven for to dwelle and his face noght to se:
For if a sawle ware in helle it war=Ie=XI noght paynes suffrable,
Seyng =$=Iat=XI joyfulle visage ou=Ier=XI alle thing delectable.
=Gb=XGAne other=Ie=XI figure of this joye may the feest of Asswer=Ie=XI be,
For neu=Ier=XI other=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI we rede heeld swilk feest als did he,
To whilk feest noght grete lordis gert he pray alle onely,
Bot alle the poeple, alle so men and wymmen holely.
And Gods feest was gretter=Ie=XI of alle folk grete and smalle,
=n4490=XnSaying, "Passis to me, =ye =$=Iat=XI coveites me alle."=Ff.54=Sv=XS=XF
The feest of Kyng Aswer=Ie=XI was ix=Sxx=XS dayes duryng,
Bot the feest of Jh=Ies=XIu Crist shalle be eu=Ier=XImore lasting.
=Gc=XGThe thredde figure may be taken in the feestes of the sons of Jope,
For of so contynuel feestyng of other=Ie=XI we ne rede, I hope.
Of Job the sons seven ilkone about his day
Calling thair=Ie=XI thre systres contynuyd feestis alway,
Be whilk feestes vnderstande hevenly felicitee,
Be the cyrcuyt of seven dayes p=Ier=XIpetuel et=Ier=XInitee.
Seven sons men may the seints of the seven eage devise,
=n4500=XnThre doghtres, the vertues of thre angelik ierarchies.
Alle thay haf sempiterne festes w=Iith=XIout cessyng,
Alle shalle thay be in joye =$=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI shalle have styntyng.
O gude Jh=Ies=XIu, gif vs for thy benigne bountee
In thy feestes toforesaide eu=Ier=XImore to dwelle w=Iith=XI the.
=DCapitulum xliij=Sm=XS
Tofore herde we the paynes to dampned intolerable
And of the joyfulle gerdon to seintis ineffable;
Now fylows howe =$=Iat=XI we may the paynes forsaid eschewe
And eu=Ier=XIlasting joye wynne w=Iith=XI Crist eu=Ier=XI newe & newe.
Who to the blissednesse forsaide of seints wilnes to come,
=n4510=XnHym awe s=Ier=XIue and luf Godde w=Iith=XI his hert alle & so=Im=XIme,
And what so be most greable to Godde in gude entent,
To =$=Iat=XI aspire alwaye with bisy hert and fervent.
=gSometyme a man dwellyng devoutly in his celle
Was bysy in alle his hert to s=Ier=XIue Godde; bokes telle
This man his Godde besoght, p=Ira=XIying contynuelly,
To shewe hym in what s=Ier=XIuice he myght plese hym most by.
Felle on a tyme he se towards hym Crist co=Im=XImyng
W=Iith=XI a Crosse lange and grete on his bak vpbering,
And saide, "Me may thowe neu=Ier=XI s=Ier=XIue here more plesantly
=n4520=XnThan me help for to bere this hevy Crosse tenderly."
"O my swete Jh=Ies=XIu Godde, like =yowe to declare me
What wise, and I shalle help w=Iith=XI body and sawle", quod he.
"In hert", answered Jh=Iesu=XIs, "my bitt=Ier=XIest passioune pleygnyng,
And in mouthe be devout oftsith & tendr=Ie=XI thankyng,
In erys be my doelfulle paynes feruent heryng,
On thy bakke thyne awen flesshe contynuelly chastying."
O war=Ie=XIfore the paynes of helle for til eschape saufly
And to the joye w=Iith=XI the seints for to come graciously
In hert, worde and in dede thanke we Our=Ie=XI Saveour=Ie=XI,
=n4530=XnSaying this oriso=Iu=XInes in his passiounes honour=Ie=XI.
=HI thanke the, Lorde Jh=Ies=XIu Crist Gods Son verrayly
One Godde and neu=Ier=XI moo, my salveo=Iur=XI sothfastly,
=#=Iat=XI in hour=Ie=XI of Evensonge thyne hoege luf shewed to me
When thowe gaf me ensaumple of deppest humilitee.=Ff.55=Sr=XS=XF
Jh=Ies=XIu, of thi s=Ier=XIuants wesshe thowe the fete mekely,
And of thyn awen trayto=Iur=XI wald thowe the fete wesshe and drye.
Jh=Ies=XIu, of this mekenesse be the sup=Ier=XIhaboundaunce
Dystruy in me, synfulle, alle pride and arrogaunce,
And fille myne hert w=Iith=XI p=Ier=XIfit and verray humilitee
=n4540=XnFor til ascende in vertue til hevenly sublimitee.
And Jh=Ies=XIu Lorde, fayne wald I thank the some man=Ier=XIe wise,
If I couth or war=Ie=XI digne or myght any way suffize
For thus ineffable grace and vnherd dileccioune
Shewed vnto wrichidist me in thi seints co=Im=XImvnyo=Iu=XIne,
For thi sacroseint body has thowe taken me etyng
And thyn awen ryale blode in saluter=Ie=XI swettest drinkyng.
Who shal suffice to telle this hoegest luf of luvyng,
Or of thir=Ie=XI grettest benefaites =yelde to point anything?
Thogh I my body to the deth toke thovzande tymes infinite,
=n4550=XnThus eendles mirable gudenesse myght I neu=Ier=XI come to qwyte.
I pray the, piest Jh=Ies=XIu, for alle this luf and honour=Ie=XI,
Thi benefaites above m=Ier=XIvelle, O sawles lif and dulcour=Ie=XI,
Thi sac=Ira=XIment at my deth to thi plesance gra=Iu=XInt me,
And in thi melliflewe p=Ire=XIsence w=Iith=XIout eend be w=Iith=XI the,
Whilk thing grant vs, Jh=Ies=XIu, for thyne ineffable m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves=C
 and regnes eendlesly.
=HGraces to the, Jh=Ies=XIu, benigne Crist Goddis Son,
Thowe ert my Godde sothly and my saluacioune.
Thi luf shewed thowe to me in the hour=Ie=XI of Completorie
=n4560=XnWhen thowe tremblyng for me swette blode ou=Ier=XI alle thi body.
To =$=Iat=XI stede, vndestressid, of free wille thowe the drewe
Whar=Ie=XI thyne enemys wald the take and bynde, swete Jh=Ies=XIu.
Thi benignest mansuetude shewed thov =$=Iat=XI tyme ywys
When to the trayto=Iur=XI thi mowthe thov warnyd noght for to kysse.
The Jewes, whaym thow hadd shewed grete luf oft and relefe,
Toke and bande the fulle sore, and ledde forth als a thefe.
Thi disciples saide thay wolde dye w=Iith=XI the, bot no dout
Thay fledde ilkone, seing of thyne enemys the rout.
Bot thow alle onely, Jh=Ies=XIu, bode in =$=Iat=XI hardest stour=Ie=XI
=n4570=XnAmanges thyne enemys w=Iith=XIout any help or defensour=Ie=XI.
W=Iith=XI swerdes and staves and lant=Ier=XInes was thow=C
 taken & w=Iith=XI brandes,
W=Iith=XI many iniurie and reprove p=Ire=XIsentid til Anna handes.
Of thy lore and disciples askid he the to this eende:
For he of thaym both two thoght the to reprehende;
Bot w=Iith=XI alle mansuetude answerde thov, Lorde, wisly,
A buffet of his s=Ier=XIvant thar=Ie=XIon tholing mekely.
O swte Jh=Ies=XIu I pray, be thy blody swet, the,
Be thi sharppest byndyngs and wrongwys captivitee,=Ff.55=Sv=XS=XF
Wasshe me out of the bandes of my stynking synne vile,
=n4580=XnAnd to thyn awen joye lede me aft=Ier=XI this werldis exile,
Whilk thing graunt vs, Jh=Ies=XIu, for thi swettest m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves & regnes eendlesly.
=HGraces to the, Jh=Ies=XIu, sou=Ier=XIeyn welle of mercy,
My Godde and my makere and my salueo=Iur=XI sothly.
In the hour=Ie=XI of Matynes thi luf to me freely shewed was
So to be japid soeffring in the house of Caphays.
Ther=Ie=XI war=Ie=XI the prince=Is=XI of the poeple gadrid be conspiracye,
Witnesse and causes sekeing ageinst the for enevye,
And sekeing oft vp and doune of deth fande thay cause none
=n4590=XnRightwise, for thair=Ie=XI witnesse war=Ie=XI insuffissant ilkone.
At the last Cayphas askid the wher=Ie=XI thowe was Goddis Son,
And thow grauntid =$=Iat=XI =ya be sothfast confessio=Iu=XIne.
=#=Iat=XI iuste cause of thi deth demed thay ther=Ie=XI alle about,
"He is of the deth coupable!" crying alle at a shovt.
Thi visage, Lorde, amiable hild thay, thyne eghen hyding,
Buffets & many a choppe who myght gif the stryving,
And saide in thair=Ie=XI wodenesse, "Have done, thow Crist, lat se
Telle nowe of alle this rovte be p=Iro=XIph=Iec=XIie who stroke the."
Thi face so delitable til aungels for to beholde
=n4600=XnW=Iith=XI thair=Ie=XI =fh=Xforrible spyttyng for=C
 to fyle war=Ie=XI thay bolde.
Thi brighter=Ie=XI eghen than the sonne, whilk sees clerely alle thing,
To hil, obumbr=Ie=XI and to blynde was thair=Ie=XI wode enforcyng.
Jh=Ies=XIu, for thi paynes of thyne eyghen thus hydeyng,
Thy contumelye and neckyng, buffets and bespitting,
My wikkidnesse forgif me, w=Iith=XI alle the payne & the plight,
The whilk innoumbrable sithes I haf trespast in thy clere sight:
Whilk thing graunt vs, Jh=Ies=XIu, for thi swettest m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI & the Haly Gast lyves and regnes eendlesly.
=HGraces to the, Jh=Ies=XIu, sou=Ier=XIeyn welle of m=Ier=XIcy,
=n4610=XnMy Godde and my maker=Ie=XI and my salveo=Iur=XI sothly.
In the houre of Pryme dayes thyne hoege luf shewed thow me
When thow of Herode and his ost for my sake scorned wald be,
When thow was alle nyght beiaped in bisshops house Cayphas,
Than to the p=Ire=XIsident Pilat be the morowe ledde forth thow was,
Whilk hering the a man of the lande of Galilee beyng
Til Herode sent the anone, als til his dome p=Ier=XItenyng.
Herode was fulle gladde, hoping of the some m=Ier=XIvelle to se,
Holdyng a fals wikked nygromancer=Ie=XI the to be.
The Jewes w=Iith=XI cruwelle insta=Iu=XInce tofore Herode the accusid,
=n4620=XnAnd Herode of thinges dyu=Ier=XIs w=Iith=XI many wordes the apposid.
Bot thow, Lorde, in no worde wald make hym responsioune,
Knawing alle the malice of his wikked entencioune.
Than cledde he the in qwite for scorne & contumelye,
Als a fole scornyng the Herode w=Iith=XI alle his famylye,=Ff.56=Sr=XS=XF
Remyttyng the to Pilat aft=Ier=XI this illusioune,
And thus thas enemys gadrid ent=Ier=XIreconsiliacioune.
Alle this tholid thow, Jh=Ies=XIu, in paciens sup=Ier=XIsuffrable,
Noght in thi gilt, bot for our=Ie=XI wricchednesse innoumbrable.
Lorde, be thir=Ie=XI contumelyes and thi benigne clemence,
=n4630=XnIn alle my tribulacio=Iu=XInes graunt me swete pacience,
In alle adu=Ier=XIsitees =$=Iat=XI I so tholemode ay be
Whar=Ie=XIthorgh i=In=XI thy kyngdome my dwelling be eu=Ier=XI w=Iith=XI the,
Whilk thing graunt vs, Jh=Ies=XIu, for thy swettest m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves=C
 and regnes eendlesly.
=HGraces to the, Jh=Ies=XIu, hono=Iur=XI and benediccioune,
My gude Godde and maker=Ie=XI and alle my saluacioune.
Thi luf in the houre of Tierce shewed thow me tenderly,
For me sco=Iur=XIgid and w=Iith=XI thornes corovned most pynefully.
Als a misdoer=Ie=XI thy foos til a cold piler=Ie=XI bande the,
=n4640=XnW=Iith=XI =yerdes and scovrges beting, alle gode wightes doel to se,
To-whils ther=Ie=XI hele no left in alle thy tendrest body,
Of whilk like welle-strondys thi blode brast out freely.
A corovne of sharpest thornes mayde thyne enemys plettyng,
In stede of a diademe it on thyne heved settyng;
And for a mantel real in coccyn cledde thay the,
Putte in thyn hande a rede for regale septre to be,
And on thair=Ie=XI knees tofore the sat thay, the saluting,
W=Iith=XI many mowe & w=Iith=XI scorne the kyng of Jewes callyng.
Thy ven=Ier=XIable heved w=Iith=XI the rede stroke thai fulle angrily,
=n4650=XnAnd w=Iith=XI thair=Ie=XI handes on thi cheke and=C
 in thi nekke pynously.
Thi blode w=Iith=XI thair=Ie=XI spittynges so thi faire face ou=Ier=XIranne
=#=Iat=XI thow was like to behalde ane =fh=Xforrible seke mesel man.
I the beseke, swettest Jh=Ies=XIu, for thi sharpe rewfulle sco=Iur=XIging,
And pray the, Prince of pitee, for thyn hard corovnyng,
=#=Iat=XI, wher=Ie=XI I wil or wil noght, thow me here so chastie
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI scourges of thyn ire in other=Ie=XI werlde I ne bye,
Nor =$=Iat=XI I neu=Ier=XI fele sco=Iur=XIging of purgatories sharpnesse,
Bot w=Iith=XIouten any to=Iur=XIment come to joye eu=Ier=XI eendlesse:
Whilk thing graunt vs, Jh=Ies=XIu, for thi swettest m=Ier=XIcy,
=n4660=Xn=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly=C
 Gast lyves & regnes eendlesly.
=HGraces to the, Jh=Ies=XIu, sou=Ier=XIeyn welle of m=Ier=XIcy,
My Godde and my maker=Ie=XI and my salveour=Ie=XI sothly.
The Sext hour=Ie=XI to me thow shewed both hoegely luf & pitee,
Tholing dome for my sake and to be nayllid on a tree.
Pilat his handes wesshe aft=Ier=XI thow was oft accusid,
Bot forthwith to be honged apon the Crosse he the demyd.
On thyne awen shuldres thay laide the Crosse to bere fulle hevie,
For thi shame and reprove to encrees more notablie,=Ff.56=Sv=XS=XF
And with ropes on the Crosse thyn enemys extendid the
=n4670=XnAnd drofe thyn handes and thi fete w=Iith=XI yren nailles til a tree,
And aft=Ier=XI the w=Iith=XI the Crosse thai raised with a fulle grete crye,
And w=Iith=XI mowes & w=Iith=XI japes scorned the contynuellye.
And ther=Ie=XI, Lorde Jh=Ies=XIu, shewed thowe thyn hoegest dileccioune
For thi foos to thi Fader=Ie=XI praying a swete orisoune,
And ou=Ier=XI this, swettest Jh=Ies=XIu, war=Ie=XI thi paynes hoegely cressid
Thi moder=Ie=XI seen be thi Crosse w=Iith=XI sorowe on ilk syde pressid,
And two thefes broght to place to encrees thy contumelye
Betwyx thaym two the hanged thyn enemys wode & vnselye.
=#=Iat=XI one thi hoegest m=Ier=XIcy, Jh=Ies=XIu curtays & heende,
=n4680=XnShewed thowe, p=Iar=XIadys grauntyng be contricio=Iu=XIne=C
 at his eende.
O Jh=Ies=XIu, I the beseke be the dome gyven on the,
And prays the be alle thy paynes innocent soeffred for me,
=#=Iat=XI I bere neu=Ier=XI the sentence =fh=Xforrible of the left p=Iar=XItye,
Bot ledde me to thi fair=Ie=XI regne of the right half compaignye,
Whilk thing graunte vs Jh=Ies=XIu for thyn ineffable m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves=C
 and regnes eendleslye.
=HGraces to the, Jh=Ies=XIu Crist benigne Goddis Son,
Thow ert my Godde sothly, my lif and salvacio=Iu=XIne.
In the houre of None thi luf shewed thow to me holely,
=n4690=XnOn the gibet of the Crosse deignyng for me to dye.
A doelfulle lamentacioune made thow, Lorde, c=Ier=XIteynly,
When thow saide, "Hely, Hely, lamazabatany,"
=#=Iat=XI is, "My Godde, my Godde, why has thowe forsaken me?"
When neu=Ier=XI the lesse in no tyme was thy Godde twynnyd fro the.
Aft=Ier=XI saying "I thrist" thay profred the mirred wyne
And ayselle medlid w=Iith=XI galle, =$=Iat=XI thow shuld=C
 dye w=Iith=XI more pyne,
And with dyuers scornyngs thyn enemys the blasphemyd,
And alle the shame =$=Iat=XI thay myght to the, Jh=Ies=XIu, thay did.
Aft=Ier=XI this, swete Jh=Ies=XIu, "Consummatum est", thow sayde,
=n4700=XnAnd =yalde thi spirit to the Fader=Ie=XI, and than died at a brayde.
Than thi side w=Iith=XI a spere thay p=Ier=XIced thorght at the last,
Of whilk riche blode and water=Ie=XI in my sawles hele out brast.
Alle creatures condoelid on thy payne than at ones,
The sonne blakke als an hayre & clevyng hard roche & stones,
Terremote and of graves notable apercioune,
And many body of the seintes roos w=Iith=XI thi resurexioune.
O Jh=Ies=XIu, als thowe for me dyed in Mount Caluarie,
In me shewe thowe thi grace, =$=Iat=XI be thi swettest m=Ier=XIcy
I mot here in this lif so the both luf and s=Ier=XIue
=n4710=XnAt my decesse thi joye eendlesly may deserue,=Ff.57=Sr=XS=XF
Whilk thing graunt vs, Jh=Ies=XIu, for thi grace and m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves=C
 and regnes eendlesly.
=DCapitulum xliv=Sm=XS
Now last herde we tofore the sevenfald graces accioune
Aght til Our=Ie=XI Lorde Jh=Ies=XIu for his dere passioune;
Nowe fylowes seven oriso=Iu=XInes to say w=Iith=XI tendernesse
Til Our=Ie=XI Ladye for hir=Ie=XI grete sevenfold hevynesse.
For als it pleses Jh=Ies=XIu Crist his paynes in mynde be soght,
So likes Our=Ie=XI Ladye =$=Iat=XI we hir=Ie=XI sorowes=C
 kepe in our=Ie=XI thoght.
=gAls sometymes was a man religious Frere P=Ire=XIchour=Ie=XI
=n4720=Xn=#=Iat=XI hadde Our=Ie=XI Lady and hir=Ie=XI son=C
 in dere luf and honour=Ie=XI.
His thoght was alway bisy in Cristis harde passioune,
And on the doel of Our=Ie=XI Ladye in erth hadde on hir=Ie=XI so=Iu=XIn.
This man prayed day & nyght, w=Iith=XI alle the luf of his hert,
=#=Iat=XI Crist walde graunt hym to fele so=Im=XIme of his paynes smert;
And at the last, his pie askings lyked Our=Ie=XI Lorde Crist so wele
=#=Iat=XI of his passioune p=Iar=XItie a littel he lete hym fele.
Hym thoght his handes & fete war=Ie=XI drawen out streitestly,
And with harde iren nayles p=Ier=XIced most pynously.
Aft=Ier=XI prayed he mekely Our=Ie=XI Ladye Marie virgyne
=n4730=XnFor alle hir=Ie=XI swettest bountee, to lat hym=C
 fele of hir=Ie=XI pyne.
Hym thoght thorgh the werlde to seke a swerde alder-sharpist
Was thrusten thorghout his hert, w=Iith=XI sorow alder-grettist.
Thilk frere be swilk thinkyngs in graces accio=Iu=XInes
Hadde revelings dyvine and consolacio=Iu=XInes;
Wharefore rede we gladly to Crist the forsaide thankynges,
And to his gloriouse moder=Ie=XI Marye the fylowyng hailsynges,
That we be qwitte in this lif fro alle maner=Ie=XI hevynesse,
And atteyne in werlde to come eu=Ier=XIlastyng joye and gladnesse.
=HHayle Marie, moder=Ie=XI of Crist, of heven meke emp=Ier=XIice,
=n4740=XnThow ert named virgyne dyvine, of sorowfulle consolat=Iri=XIce.
I praye the, moder=Ie=XI of pitee, for alle the sorowe and distresse
=#=Iat=XI eu=Ier=XI thow tholid in this lyf, w=Iith=XIout=C
 gilt more & the lesse,
To me, wriche, be soco=Iur=XIe in alle tribulacio=Iu=XIne,
Swettist and aft=Ier=XI thi so=Iu=XIn next consolacio=Iu=XIne.
Many war=Ie=XI thi sorowes in erthe and dyu=Ier=XIs, this nys no tale,
Bot namely amanges alle other=Ie=XI, seven war=Ie=XI the princypale.
The first doel =$=Iat=XI thyn hert thrast, be myne entencioune,
Was in the Temple when thow herde the p=Iro=XIph=Iec=XIie of Symeo=Iu=XIn.
=IWith great joy and delight you came to the Temple;=XI
=n4750=Xn=IWith great grief and sadness you departed from the Temple.=XI
=IIn offering your son to such a Father you felt great joy,=XI
=IBut it was suddenly turned into a great sadness:=XI
=IThat old man Simeon announced sad news to you=XI
=IWhen he prophesied to you about the sword of your beloved son=XI
=IWhich he declared would pass through your most holy soul.=XI
=IYour heart felt no small sadness as a result of these words.=XI
=IYou understood the meaning of this prophecy completely,=XI
=IAnd as a result you carried sorrow in your heart thereafter.=XI
=IFor the sake of this your sadness, most merciful mother, I beg you=XI
=n4760=Xn=IPray for me to your beloved son, the Lord Jesus Christ,=XI
=IThat on account of his most bitter Passion=XI
=IHe lead me, after this exile, to eternal consolation,=XI
=IWhich the Lord Jesus Christ deign to grant to us all,=XI
=IWho with the Father and the Holy Spirit is for ever blessed.=XI
=H=IHail Mary, devoted mother of Christ, heavenly empress!=XI
=IYou are, virgin goddess, the merciful comforter of sorrow in this life.=XI
=IYou then felt a second sadness, most sweet mother,=XI
=IWhen you fled into Egypt with your beloved son.=XI
=IKing Herod was thinking of ways of killing your son,=XI
=n4770=Xn=IAnd the angel of the Lord announced this to Joseph in a dream:=XI
=I"Get up," he said, "take the boy and his mother and flee into Egypt,=XI
=IFor it will come to pass that King Herod will seek the=C
 boy to destroy him."=XI
=IThese things, virgin most gentle, truly wounded your soul,=XI
=IAnd brought great sorrow to your virgin heart.=XI
=IThen you had to leave relatives and acquaintances and homeland,=XI
=IAnd flee by night through the desert to a land of pagans;=XI
=IBut King Herod was searching for your son with such hatred=XI
=IThat on his account he slew a hundred and forty-four thousand boys.=XI
=IMost merciful Lady, you came to an alien land=XI
=n4780=Xn=IWhere you had neither relatives nor friends nor acquaintances.=XI
=IThere you endured great hunger and penury:=XI
=IBy distaff and needle you gained food and clothing for=C
 your son and yourself.=XI
=IYou endured this exile and sorrow for seven years,=XI
=IAnd then, Herod being dead, you returned to your homeland=C
 with your son and Joseph.=XI
=IFor the sake of this sadness, most merciful mother, I beg you=XI
=IPray for me to your beloved son, the Lord Jesus Christ,=XI
=IThat in this pilgrimage he may preserve me from all evil,=XI
=IAnd after this exile he may lead me to the heavenly homeland,=XI
=IWhich the Lord Jesus Christ deign to grant to us all,=XI
=n4790=Xn=IWho with the Father and the Holy Spirit is for ever blessed.=XI
=H=IHail Mary, devoted mother of Christ, heavenly empress!=XI
=IYou are, virgin goddess, the merciful comforter of sorrow in this life.=XI
=IYou felt the third sorrow then, most sweet mother,=XI
=IWhen you lost your beloved twelve-year-old son;=XI
=IFor when your most beloved son was twelve=XI
=IHe went with you from Nazareth to Jerusalem on the day=C
 of the Paschal Feast;=XI
=IBut when that Feast had been observed and come to an end=XI
=IYou returned, and he, without your knowledge, remained in Jerusalem.=XI
=IThis did not happen, devoted mother, because of your negligence,=XI
=n4800=Xn=IBut as a result of the plan and design of the divine wisdom.=XI
=IYou thought the boy was with Joseph in the crowd of men;=XI
=IJoseph thought he was with you in the crowd of women,=XI
=IFor the men used to go to the Feast alone, and the women by themselves,=XI
=IBut boys could go with either, as they wished.=XI
=IWhen, therefore, you were a day's journey from Jerusalem=XI
=IAnd you did not find the boy with Joseph, his putative father,=XI
=IWhat grief and immense sadness overcame you then:=XI
=IIt is difficult for the heart to conceive, and difficult to describe.=XI
=IWith great sorrow you looked for him for three days,=XI
=n4810=Xn=IUntil you found him sitting among the learned men in the Temple.=XI
=IFor the sake of this sorrow, most merciful mother, I beg you=XI
=IPray for me to your beloved son, the Lord Jesus Christ,=XI
=IThat he may teach me to search for him as diligently in this life=XI
=ISo that I may deserve to find him happily in the heavenly Temple,=XI
=IWhich the Lord Jesus Christ deign to grant to us all,=XI
=IWho with the Father and the Holy Spirit is for ever blessed.=XI
=H=IHail Mary, devoted mother of Christ, heavenly empress!=XI
=IYou are, virgin goddess, the merciful comforter of sorrow in this life.=XI
=IThen sweetest mother, you had a fourth sorrow,=XI
=n4820=Xn=IWhen you heard that your most sweet son had been=C
 betrayed and taken prisoner.=XI
=IThe Jews, to whom he had very often given many benefits,=XI
=IAnd the gentiles, to whom he had never been troublesome in anything,=XI
=IHaving got together, set out against him with swords and cudgels,=XI
=IAnd took him and bound him as though he were a thief and brigand.=XI
=IThat disciple whom he had made administrator of his group=XI
=IBetrayed him most faithlessly and deceitfully with a kiss.=XI
=IAll the disciples, who had said they were willing to die with him,=XI
=ILeaving him alone, all fled from him.=XI
=IYour son was led alone to the judges,=XI
=n4830=Xn=IAnd suffered many insults, words and blows.=XI
=IFrom place to place, from house to house they dragged him:=XI
=IThey did not hold back strokes and blows and spittle.=XI
=IOh what sorrow, and how much sorrow, you had then, devoted maiden,=XI
=IWhen you heard such things, and so many, reported to you about your son!=XI
=II think that no mind could understand her,=XI
=INor could any tongue fully describe her.=XI
=IFor the sake of this sorrow, most merciful mother, I beg you=XI
=IPray for me to your beloved son, Lord Jesus Christ=XI
=IThat for the sake of his captivity and the bonds of his chains=XI
=n4840=Xn=IHe may absolve me from the chains of all my sins,=XI
=IWhich [grace] the Lord Jesus Christ deign to grant to us all,=XI
=IWho with the Father and the Holy Spirit is for ever blessed.=XI
=H=IHail Mary, devoted mother of Christ, heavenly empress!=XI
=IYou are, virgin goddess, the merciful comforter of sorrow in this life.=XI
=IYou had a fifth sorrow then, most sweet mother,=XI
=IWhen you beheld your most beloved son hanging on the Cross:=XI
When thow se hym pyned sakles so many a folde,=Ff.58=Sv=XS=XF
And thow myght noght help hym, thyne hert was than fulle colde.
Hym see thow hange naked w=Iith=XIouten reso=Iu=XIne or skille,
=n4850=XnAnd thai ne walde noght lat the w=Iith=XI thyn awen mantel hym hille.
His thrist herde thow hym pleyne with grettist doel and disese,
And w=Iith=XI a leest watres drope wold thay noght lat the hym ese.
Thow see his heved on the Crosse hynge doune most mis=Ier=XIablye,
Bot w=Iith=XI thi handes it support tholid noght thair=Ie=XI harde envye.
Thow herde scorne hym and jape his foos innoumbrable wise,
And thow myght noght redresse his wronges and iniuries.
Thow herde hym his goost commende til his Fader=Ie=XI on the Crosse,
And was noght suffred gif hym of luf a fynal kosse.
For thai ne wald noght thole the come negh, when he shuld dye,
=n4860=XnFor to close his swete eghen als vse is moderfulli.
Thow ne myght hym ese, nor help in nothing vtt=Ier=XIly;
=#=Iat=XI eked alway thi doel, swete virgyne moder=Ie=XI Marie.
Be this doel I p=Ira=XIy the, O welle of verray swettnesse,
P=Ira=XIy for me to thi son Jh=Ies=XIu, Lord of gudenesse,
=#=Iat=XI in the houre of my deth his swete help I ne mysse,
And aft=Ier=XI this wricchid lif he bringe me to his blisse;
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Ies=XIu for his grace & m=Ier=XIcy,
With the Fader and the Haly Gast o substaunce p=Ier=XIfitly.
=HHayle, Cristis moder Marie, pie hevenyssh emperice;
=n4870=XnThow ert named virgyne dyvyne, of sorowfull consolatrice.
The sext doel al to-thrast thi tendre hert, mekest Ladye,
When thow thi son of the Crosse resceyvid so miserably.
When hym layde in thyn armys, moder=Ie=XI of luf and m=Ier=XIcye,
Colde, dede, bla and blody, Joseph of Aramathye.
Hym =$=Iat=XI thow bare in thi wombe virginel joyfully,
Wounded, dede, in thi kne halsid thow doelfully.
A newe sorowe and gemyng wellid in thyn hert =$=Ier=XIfore,
More than mans tonge can telle, & eu=Ier=XI wex more & more.
How mykel, moder=Ie=XI of pitee, was than thi doelfulle pleynyng,
=n4880=XnWhat flodes thurgh thyn hert ran of trewest sorow and wepyng!
What hert brists noght to think thi bas waikest shrikyng?
Other=Ie=XI rist was to the none tofore thi son seen rysing.
So mykel sorowe and swilk doel hadde thow than c=Ier=XItes, Ladye,
=#=Iat=XI for thi son, or w=Iith=XI hym, wolde thowe haf dyed gladlye.
Thow langvised day and nyght, and to-wepe neu=Ier=XI cessing
To-whils the melliflowe p=Ire=XIsence of thy son was wanting.=Ff.59=Sr=XS=XF
O Godde, harde and stonysshe war=Ie=XI =$=Iat=XI hert be resoune
=#=Iat=XI of thi doel thus immense shuld noght haf compassioune.
Be this doel I pray the, Marie, welle of swettnesse,
=n4890=XnP=Ira=XIy for me to thi son Jh=Ies=XIu, Lorde of gudenesse,
=#=Iat=XI in alle my disese he be my help and socour=Ie=XI,
And my sawle take to hym gladly in my last houre:
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Ies=XIu for his grace and m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and Haly Gast lyves & regnes eendlesly.
=HHayle, Cristis moder=Ie=XI Marie, pie hevenyssh emp=Ier=XIice:
Thow ert named virgyne dyvyne, of sorowfulle consolatrice.
The sevent doel, suavest Ladie, was thi lange exilyng
Aft=Ier=XI thi son in erth=Ie=XI til his Fader=Ie=XI ascendyng.
In lango=Iur=XI, doel and disese here was thi conu=Ier=XIsyng
=n4900=XnWhils thow the desiderable p=Ire=XIsence of thi son was wantyng.
O thyn hoege ardent desire of his reto=Iur=XInyng to the,
W=Iith=XIout whame neu=Ier=XI other=Ie=XI joye nor comfort myght to the be;
Or who shuld thy langyng aft=Ier=XI hym telle to fulnesse,
Whame thow conceyved virgyne, and childed w=Iith=XIout destresse?
O desire of desires, aft=Ier=XI his p=Ire=XIsence thinkyng,
To whame inviolat childid thi maydenes mylke was fedyng.
How oftsith, moder=Ie=XI tendrest, soght thow the stedes of thi son,
Kyssyng, halsyng ilkone in wepfulle devocioune.
Alle places devoutly thow visited of Jh=Ies=XIu:
=n4910=XnWhar=Ie=XI thow hym virgyne conceyved, childid & hym dede knewe;
Whar=Ie=XI he was taken and betrasid, scornyd, bonden, offendid,
Bespittid, sco=Iur=XIgid and corovned, dede, dolven and ascendid.
Thir=Ie=XI stedes & many ane other=Ie=XI =yede thow oft dreryly,
Als sais Ephyphanius, twys twelve =yere lastyngly.
Be this doel I pray the, Marye, welle of swettenesse,
Pray for me to thi son Jh=Ies=XIu, Lorde of gudenesse,
=#=Iat=XI I thi sorowes forsaide be here so remenbring
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI thi son and w=Iith=XI the my joye be eu=Ier=XIlastyng--
Grauntyng the same Jh=Ies=XIu for his grace & m=Ier=XIcy,
=n4920=XnWhilk w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast=C
 lyves & regnes eendlesly.
=DCapitulum xlv=Sm=XS
Herde of the sorowes seven of Our=Ie=XI swete Lady Marie;
Now fylowes of hir=Ie=XI seven joyes to here consequently.
Hir=Ie=XI joyes ilk Cristen man eght wele luf and hono=Iur=XI,
=#=Iat=XI when our=Ie=XI nede is grettest, sho be our=Ie=XI help & soco=Iur=XI;
=gAnd how this s=Ier=XIvice hertly is to Gods moder=Ie=XI greable,
In a preest ones devout til hir=Ie=XI is right notable,
Whilk hir=Ie=XI joyes to remenbre oft vsed comfortably,
W=Iith=XI orisounes and w=Iith=XI songes, at his myght devoutly.=Ff.59=Sv=XS=XF
This preest felle at the last in a fulle grevouse sekenesse,
=n4930=XnAnd, his synnys remembring, he hadde grete hevinesse.
"Allas I wricche!" quod he, "What shalle I answer=Ie=XI or say
Tofore the juge all rightwyse, when he my lif wille assay?
Whar=Ie=XI he shalle aske me reknyng of alle my lyves dispence,
Of thoght, worde and of tyme, and my vile negliegence."
And anone, inprovise, he se the moder=Ie=XI of m=Ier=XIcy,
Whilk w=Iith=XI gladde cherre and blith til hym saide comfortably,
"Joye to the, son wele luved, be glade, the thar=Ie=XI neu=Ier=XI drede,
For here come I myself til help in thi last nede.
Ofttyme greable seruice has thow done me sothly,
=n4940=XnSo mykel hono=Iur=XI beryng to my joyes bysyly;
For grete joye is to me wher=Ie=XI my joyes er=Ie=XI in mynde,
Als in speche or heryng or thoght w=Iith=XI freendes kynde;
And for thow has thaym hadde in thi mynde so trewly,
Now shalle I the rewarde innoumbrable thovzandly."
Wharefore gude is hir=Ie=XI joyes we hono=Iur=XI w=Iith=XI gude chere,
And w=Iith=XI fervour=Ie=XI rede oft thir=Ie=XI orisoune fylowyng here.
=HJoye to the, moder=Ie=XI of Crist, pie, riche and delicable;
To thi joyes ware neu=Ier=XI other=Ie=XI in alle werlds comp=Iar=XIable;
And thogh neu=Ier=XI man suffize thi joyes to shewe be tale,
=n4950=XnAls nowe =yit I honour=Ie=XI thir=Ie=XI seven in speciale.
The first inopynably war=Ie=XI ouer=Ie=XI mesur=Ie=XI to telle,
How the archaungel fro Godde grette the, Seint Gabriel,
=#=Iat=XI God Son hadde the chosyn and liked onely to calle,
To take flesshe of thi wombe forbe other=Ie=XI wymmen alle.
Anone als thi swete sawle to the message gaf assent,
Thi chastest bosme God Son conceyved the same moment.
Thus was thyn wombe sacrid be the Arche of sethym notid,
And thi sawle alder=Ie=XI-blissidst be the golden potte figurid.
In thilk Arche and the potte was manna kept p=Ire=XIciously,
=n4960=XnAnd in the brede of lyf Crist was closid sothfastly.
The p=Ire=XIostendid the =yerde whilk florisshed for Aaron,
And the figurid the flees fillid w=Iith=XI dewe for Gedeon.
Aarons =yerde agein kynde floured, of Gods special gyvyng,
And thow above kynde conceyvid be the Haly Gast inspiring.
Fillid was the flees w=Iith=XI dewe, and the erth about al drye:
So was thi wombe fulle w=Iith=XI God Son, neu=Ier=XI other=Ie=XI=C
 ther=Ie=XIto worthye.
Be this firist joye pray I the, Marie, moder=Ie=XI of pitee,
To Jh=Ies=XIu Crist thi dere son for to beseke for me,=Ff.60=Sr=XS=XF
At my deth to be me gladnesse and comfortyng,
=n4970=XnAnd kepe my sawle fro the deth secunde and eu=Ier=XIlasting:
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Ies=XIus for his grace and m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves=C
 and regnes eendelesly.
=HJoye to the, moder=Ie=XI of Crist, be the sonne taknyd art thow
In diu=Ier=XIs joyes and delices for thyn incomp=Iar=XIabletee now.
The seconde joye hadde thow than, message of gudliest gretyng,
When Elizabeth thy co=Iu=XIsyne thi graciousest enbracyng
Felt and the son in hir wombe made a strange reioying,
And thi sawle alder-swettest a magnyfy jubylyng,
Thi sawle alder=Ie=XI-graciouseste in Godde thi saluter=Ie=XI gladyng,
=n4980=XnThi swete movthe a newe songe to Godde of gods endityng.
And til a vesselle of bavme was likned thi chastest wombe,
Redemptif bavme contenant Jh=Ies=XIu, Gods awen lombe.
Thow art the busshe fulle of fyre, the grenesse noght wastyng,
For thow was grete w=Iith=XI Gods So=Iu=XIn and neu=Ier=XI=C
 thy maydenhode lesyng.
Thow art the gardyn conclose of swettest aromatyze alle,
Of the whilk Godde bare the kaye, fulle of delices ou=Ier=XI alle.
Abigael the Sunamyte, Ladye, p=Ire=XItendid the,
Confoving Dauid in hir=Ie=XI barme, and sauf hir virgynitee.
So norist thow in thi bosme ix moneths the hevens Kynge,
=n4990=XnAnd thi maydenhode intacte inmaculat eu=Ier=XIlastinge.
For thus grete benefices thanked thow Godde plesa=Iu=XIntly,
"=IMagnificat=XI", a newe songe, makyng p=Iro=XIpheticaly.
Be this joie seco=Iu=XInde p=Ira=XIy I the, Marie, moder=Ie=XI of pitee,
To Jh=Ies=XIu Crist thi dere son for to beseke for me
(Whilk ix moneths restid in thi chast wombe) forevre
To bringe me to =$=Iat=XI rist whar=Ie=XI vnrest shalle be nevre;
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Iesu=XIs for his grace and m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader and the Haly Gast lyves and regnes eendl[esl]y.
=HJoye to the, moder=Ie=XI of Crist, swete flouryng =yerde of Jesse,
=n5000=XnP=Iar=XIadys of alle delice art thow p=Iro=XIved for to be.
This was thi joye the thredde, als thorghe this werld is loos,
Thi pu[e]rpure wombe childyng God Son intacte and cloos.
In the shette =yate figured shewed til Ezechiel,
And in the mountayn mirable revelid to Danyel.
So thi wombe kept the cloistre of maydenhod, Crist childyng;
Godde oonely be =$=Iat=XI shette =yate and vnbrosten passyng.
W=Iith=XIout mans handes a stone of the saide mountayn was shorne;
So Crist of the, vacant touchyngs maritales, was borne:
For als the sonnebeeme passis the glasse it noght hurting,
=n5010=XnSo was Crist borne of the, thy maydenhode vnsheendyng.
O Godde, what joye hadde thow O moder=Ie=XI swettest for fayne
The fairest face oft lokyng of thi son, Godde sou=Ier=XIayne.=Ff.60=Sv=XS=XF
O what gladnesse inmense hadde thow oft, mayden mylde,
Thi fairest bristes bedyng to =$=Iat=XI melliflewe childe.
O swettest of embracyngs streynyng a son so dere,
Conceyvid of the Haly Gast and neu=Ier=XI of erthly man here.
O suave and swettest kyssyngs of swilk a son singuler=Ie=XI,
So lordfulle and so benigne, so myghty, so familer=Ie=XI.
Be this thridde joye p=Ira=XIy I the, Marie, moder=Ie=XI of pitee,
=n5020=XnTo Jh=Ies=XIu Crist thy der=Ie=XI son for to beseke for me
=#=Iat=XI aft=Ier=XI this lyf hym lyke to his realme me to bringe,
Whare I his delicable face be eu=Ier=XImore behaldyng;
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Iesu=XIs for his grace and m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves=C
 and regnes eendlesly.
=HJoye to the, moder=Ie=XI of Crist, sterne of the see lumynouse:
Fulle of gladnesse art thow, bright and thorghout radiouse.
The ferth joye hadde thow than, moder=Ie=XI of sou=Ier=XIeyne swetnesse,
Of thi son be the thre kynges hering so notable witnesse,
Whilk, tofore hym knelyng, knewe hym both Godde and kynge,
=n5030=XnEncense and golde and mirre to hym mystykly offrynge.
Whar=Ie=XI thay felle doun=Ie=XI ano=Iur=XInyng thy son,=C
 thir=Ie=XI kynges thre,
Godde of lyve and verraye shewed thay him for to be.
Oblacio=Iu=XIne of encense to preestis is wont p=Ier=XItene,
Wharefore =$=Iat=XI offring thi son a preest p=Ire=XItendid to bene.
Dede mens bodyes to byrye w=Iith=XI mirre was the olde wonne,
Whilk shewed for vs to dye =$=Iat=XI borne was thi dere Sonne.
Offring of golde sometyme p=Ier=XItened to gift reale,
Whilk offrande shewed thi dere son to be Kinge potenciale,
And this King, Crist, vsed for throne of regalie
=n5040=XnThi swete bosme sacrid, virgynel eendlesly.
The, mekest mayden, thilk throne figurede yvoriene
On whilk the kyng wysest Salomon to sitte was sene.
Thow art thilk turtyle trewest, swete doufe w=Iith=XIout galle:
Thow art glorie til aungels and corovnne to seints alle.
Be this ferth joye pray I the, Marie, moder=Ie=XI of pitee,
To Jh=Ies=XIu Crist thi dere son for to beseke for me
To g=Ira=XIce haf here to lyve vnder=Ie=XI his luf and deffence,
And in the lif for to come haf eu=Ier=XI his swete p=Ire=XIsence;
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Iesu=XIs for his grace and m=Ier=XIcy,
=n5050=Xn=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly=C
 Gast lyves & regnes eendlesly.
=HJoye to the, moder=Ie=XI of Crist, swete rose w=Iith=XIouten thorne,
Thow ert of ligne reale gentilst to this werld borne.
Thi fift joy, moder=Ie=XI vntacte, of inmense reioying,
Hadde thowe of thi dere son in Goddes Temple offring.
W=Iith=XI joye isshed thow the citee of his swete birth, Bethelem;
W=Iith=XI joye, hym for til offre, entred thow Jer=Iusa=XIl=Ie=XIm.=C
 =Ff.61=Sr=XS=XF
With joye in the Temple of Godde was thyn entring:
W=Iith=XI joye of thi dere son to Godde made thow offring.
To Godde qwhikke and verray offred thow thi dere son than,
=n5060=XnWhame thow his Fader to be knewe, and neu=Ier=XI other=Ie=XI man.
O Godde, how thi swete hert was gladde inenarrably,
Thi Son so noble a Fader=Ie=XI to haf, and so myghty.
Symeon w=Iith=XI swilk desire so lange hym abidyng,
Hym seen, lyst here no more in this lif make dwelling.
To this joye come also Anna the p=Iro=XIphetesse,
And blissid hym & colloved w=Iith=XI alle hir=Ie=XI hertis gladnesse.
Alle =$=Iat=XI war=Ie=XI negh laved hym, and magnifiant blissid,
And hym seen, w=Iith=XI grete joye and jubilyng reioyid.
Lady, what joye was than in thyn hert abo=Iu=XIndyng,
=n5070=XnThe =fs=Xfwilk a son of alle sons to swilk a Fadir=Ie=XI offring.
Be this fift joye pray I the, Marie, moder=Ie=XI of pitee,
To Jh=Ies=XIu Crist thi dere son for to beseke for me
=#=Iat=XI in alle my disese he be my comfortyng,
And til his joye bringe me, =$=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI shalle haf eendyng;
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Iesu=XIs for his grace and m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves=C
 and regnes eendlesly.
=HHayle Marie, moder=Ie=XI of Crist, pie dawenyng delicable,
Fairest and fulle of luf and alle desiderable.
Thi sext joye, swettest Ladie, was this, I vnderstonde:
=n5080=XnThy dere son =$=Iat=XI was lost when thow in the Temple hym fonde,
Whilk, when thow hadde hym fonden, was to the subgit mekely,
Sou=Ier=XIeyn Godde and thi son and thow moder=Ie=XI most sely.
O purest virgyne, thow toke be thi bright chastitee
The stereneste vnicorne =$=Iat=XI of no man myght taken be;
A lombe made thow mansuet of the stronge lyon ferefulle,
And the egle indomable thow reclamed at the fulle.
Thow bande and thow ou=Ier=XIcome the wisest King Salomon;
Thow defovlid w=Iith=XI thi feete the olde cruwellest dragon;
Thow toke, mayden soliter=Ie=XI, the pellican of desert,
=n5090=XnThe salamandra soght to the fyre of thi charitable decert;
Thow meked the felle panter=Ie=XI, mayden, floure of myldnesse,
And the hoege olyphaunt obeyide to thy mekenesse;
Thow made a =yonge fenix of the oldest, and bot one.
The Ydicus made a skippe fro heven to the anone,
When =$=Iat=XI hyeghest Godde =fSon=Xf wolde of the be incarnat,
And, als a childe to the moder, to the be subiugat.
Be this sext joye pray I the, Marye, moder=Ie=XI of pitee,=Ff.61=Sv=XS=XF
To Jh=Ies=XIu Crist, thi dere son, for to beseke for me
And in this werlde graunte me to be so his subgit
=n5100=Xn=#=Iat=XI he bringe me to the joye eu=Ier=XIlastingly p=Ier=XIfit;
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Iesu=XIs for his grace and m=Ier=XIcy,
=#=Iat=XI w=Iith=XI the Fader=Ie=XI & the Haly Gast lyves and regnes eendlesly.
=HJoye to the, moder=Ie=XI of Crist, piest qwene of alle heven,
The sevent joye passis what hert may think or tonge may neven:
Whilk, sou=Ier=XIeyne emp=Ier=XIice, thow hadde in the last eende
When thow, both body and sawle, foreu=Ier=XI til heven shuld weende,
And thi son in his throne corovnd the eendlesly
With the corovne of his regne, aft=Ier=XI hymself most sely.
Thow was figurid sometyme be =$=Iat=XI welle alder-leest,
=n5110=XnWhilk aft=Ier=XI growed, rynnyng forth in a flude grettest;
And als the grete King Assuer=Ie=XI meke Hest=Ier=XI enha=Iu=XIncid,
So Crist King the mekeest in heven has the corovnid.
The wise Abigael also sometyme p=Ire=XIfigured the,
Whame Dauid for hir=Ie=XI prudence made his wif for to be;
So the King of heven chase the his spouse and luf to bene,
His moder=Ie=XI and his felawe, his sister=Ie=XI and hevens qwene;
And Salomons moder=Ie=XI also figured the resonably
Whame he on his right half sette in a throne hym by.
The king of hevens so the als moder=Ie=XI to this joye mette,
=n5120=XnAnd on his honorable right hande in his throne he the sette.
What joye ineffable hadde thow, O Ladye fairest and heende,
Entring both body and sawle in joye =$=Iat=XI neu=Ier=XI has eende.
Be this joye ineffable, qwene of heven, I pray the
To thi dere son Jh=Ies=XIu like the beseke for me
=#=Iat=XI aft=Ier=XI this exile he me lede thorgh his g=Ira=XIce benigne
To dwelle withouten eende in the throne of his regne;
Whilk thing graunt vs Jh=Iesu=XIs for his sou=Ier=XIeyne m=Ier=XIcy,
That with the Fader=Ie=XI and the Haly Gast lyves & regnes eendlesly.