Na Monasterye called Euyssham there was a cer ten yong man turnyd wyth feythfull deuocyon fro thys worldys vanyte to the lyfe of a Monke the whiche abowte the begynnyng of hys conuersion fy [...]e in to a grete and a gre [...]ys sekenes and by the space of xv monthis was sore labouryd with grete febulnes and wekenes of body. Also hys stoma ke abhortyde so gretly mete & drynke that sum tyme by the space of. ix. days or more he myght rescey [...]e noothyng but a lytyll wanne watyr. And what sum e [...]yr thyng of leche crafte or fesyke any māne dedde [...]o hym for hys conforte or hys amendyment noo thyng hym helpyd but al turnyd contrarye. Therfore he lay▪ seke in hys bedde gretly destitute of bodely strenght. so that he myght not moue hym selfe fro one place to anothyr butte by helpe of ser­uauntes. Alsoo in thre the laste monethys of hys sekenesse he was more sorer diseasyd and feblyd thanne euer he was before. Neuerthelesse than com myng on the feste of estur. sodenly he beganne sum what to amende in hys bodely myghtys & with his staffe walkyd aboute the fermorye. Sothly on thes euyn of sherethursoaye in the whiche nyght the office and [...]ernyce of our lorde thesu criste ys tradycyon & [Page] passyon was solenly songe wyth grete deuocyon [...] wente with his staffe to the chirche with his bretherē the whiche by cause of seknesse rested h [...]m also with hym in the fermorye where the couent nygh [...]y seruy­ce and landes offerd vppe to owre lord And there by the respecte of heuynly grace so grete compuncci­on and swetenesse he resceyued that hys holy deno cyon excedyd mesure. wherefore he myght not con teyne hym fro wepyng and laudyng god fro myd nyghte tyl sex of the belle in the mornyng. what for remembryng wyth worshippe and ioye the merceis of owre lord. the whiche he hath doon for mankin de. And alsoo remembryng wyth sore wepyng his offencys and synnys doon by fore tyme. and the hurte and the state of hys present imperfeccyon. And abowte sex of the belle in the mornyng he made to be called to hym ii of hys bretheren one aftyr anothyr. whyche hadd power to here confessyons and gyue to penytentys absolucyon and to them bothe made purely and holly as mekyll as he cowde his ꝯfession of al his sennys and of the leest offēce of his religyon or of the cōmawndementis of god and wyth grete ꝯtriciō of herte and effusion of [...]e­ris desired his absolucion and had hi [...] Than on of hem askid hym why he sorowde and wepte so īmode rately for al thei had wente that he shulde fele hym selfe sone to passe owte of thys worlde Than he sei­de he felte hym selfe no thing so Sothly thā he tool­de to his brother y ^t diligently enquyryde this of hym and seide Sir ȝe▪ shal vndirstonde and know that [Page] thys laste night whenne we were togedyr in chap­tur howse. y resceyuyd so grete swrtenesse of herte and gladnesse of sowle. that onnethis y myghte hoolde or bere my selfe. He askyd also and hyt we re by the relygion that the prio [...]rs shuld gene that nyght to the bretheren dyscyplynys in hooly vesture and a [...]bys. And whenne he herd hym enquyre this he hadde wente that he had seyd hyt of grete febulnesse of his hedde. or by alyenacion of hys mynde. the whiche perauenture he hadde falle in by his infirmyte and inmoder [...]e weping or fastyng howe be hit that he with hym [...] ad meruailoꝰ wisdā and discrecion al the tyme of hys sekenesse. wher­fore he cō mendyd hym to our lord no thing els en quyring of hym & so went his weye The seke bro­ther spendyd al that daye in landyng and presyng god And the next night folowing after he had [...]e slepte a lityll while rose vp of his bed And when the chaptur was rōge as the tyme requyred to calle the conent to mate [...]s. he went than to cherche as he did the daye before Sothely how he behauyd hym then̄e in the chirche. and whan he went thens hit shalle be schewyd in his wordys foloyng

oN the morow nexte foloyng that ys good fredaye whenne the co [...]ent rose to cum to chirche to seye prime. as they ede afore the [Page] chaptur hous they sawe the same seke brother lye p [...]o strate & bare foote before the abbot is sete h [...]is face was flate to the ground as thaugh he shuld by the ordyr aske mercy of euery presydent. Than the bre theren seyng this meruelyd & rāne thedir & willing to take hym vp. they founde hym as a man lyfeles without any mocyon of any membre of his body. Trewly his yes ware falle doun depe into his h [...] ed & tho yes & nose of him ware blody or as a manne had o [...]yr leyde hem with mekyl bloode. wherfore they seyde alle that he was dede. His feete ware ful coolde but in the remuande of his body was found a lytyl warmenes No mouing of his pypys might be knowen long tyme And a [...] the last onnethis bit was perseyuyd in him a litill thynne breth & amo­nyng of his herte. Thenne they weshid his h [...]edde breste. handys and feete with colde watyr And than first they sawe al hys body a lityl to tremyl & quake. but a [...]oon he sesyd and was insensybulle So long tyme they musyd and dowtyd what they might do to hym. whyle they sawe hym not verily dedde. nothyr any thing amendyng. At the last by conselle they had him to his bedde & there to be kepte with grete attendans of kepers

tHe mene whyle the brehetren merueled & wondred on suche a soden happe & beyng of the seke brother & more they wō drid. howe hyt [Page] [...]. and in what wise without any helpe he [...]yght come thedir to that place. wh [...]the [...] was Sothely othir thynges that nowe folo [...] the whic [...] [...] telle of wyth o [...]e any comp [...]rsone ben more to be dred feiy [...] and worshipte than a­ny thing aboue seyd. They h [...]e [...] aftyr and that not wyth owte grete me [...]elle. that the fegu [...]e of owre lordys body [...] on a crosse whiche fy­gure and crosse. ȝerely is wonce ful deuowtly to be kyssyd [...] and wors [...]ipte of the co [...]ent in remembrā [...]e of o [...]e lordys passyon was founde fresh [...]ledyng and newe abowte the place of the g [...]ete wounde in the right syde and alsoo at the right foote. Trewly [...] the se [...]tensse of the ch [...]che. [...] let do [...]e the same cro [...]e to the grownd [...] so [...]yl good f [...] daye they [...]de lefte hyt [...] the [...] [...] d the [...]alle And for a mor [...] wondy [...] the staffe and she­w [...] of th [...] same [...] ware fondyn by the sa me pla [...] So [...] [...] a [...] the bretheren came to ge dyr into the [...] gretly a [...]onyd [...]pon these thynges that [...]. & [...] takyn alle that were t [...]e with grete [...]cion of herte [...]ke discyply [...]ys of [...]oddys & [...] [...]ate in the chir [...] sey­den wepyngly the [...] o [...] [...]. for to ge te owre lordys mere [...]e. Trewely this [...] brother atte y ^e daye whiche was gode friday with the night folowīg and the nexte day aftyr alle moste tyl the sonne sette. [...] in one state. Alsoo the [...] with [...]trength of handys opynde hys mowth and [...] in hyt [...]stys of dyuers spy [...]ys and [...] [Page] or hys releuyng. but anone after he wente owte ageyne. what somme euer was putte in to hys mowthe as thaugh hys throte hadde ben stopped. Emplasters alsoo to his breste and armys they [...]on de but alle was vayne They prickyd with neldys and scrapyd the solys of hys fete. but no thyng myght be perceyuyd in hym of a lyuys manne. saue a lityll rednes of chekys and a litil warmenes of body. The colowre of hys face oftyn tymes was chaunged to ashis and ageyne meruaylously the colowre of hys face was re [...] ynyd and welle shewyd Alsoo they made a grete horne to beblowyn there but no thyng hit botyd

tHenne on the morowe that ys estur euyn and the same owre that the couent came to gedyr to the collacion and to complenne the briys of hys ye lyddys beganne firste a lytil to moue and so they semyd as they hadde ben sode in boylyng watyr And atte laste there came don fro hys yes on hys chekys a yelowe humour of wa­tyr in manere of terys. Thanne they that were wyth hym seyng thys. called anone for the brethe ren. supposyng that he shuld haue sone passed fro thys world. They sawe also a lytyl afore thys ty me hys lyppys a lytyl to moue with his chekys com pressyd as he had resceyued or swelowde sū swete [Page] thing fallyn in to hys mowth. And after that a flowyng owte of terys as hyt is seyd here before. Alsoo he was seyn often and many diuers tymys sykyng alow in his breste as a manne slepyng had wepte. And anone after as hit semyd he reuol­uyd certeyn wordys benethe in hys throte butte he myght not speke them owte saue onely in a voyce onethys audybille and noo thyng intelligibille. Sothely thanne hys spyrite beganne a lytyll and a lytill to comme ageyne and these wordys and voyce he first sownyd that might be vndyrstond. O sancta Maria O sancta Maria: And agayne O my lady sancta Maria O my lady sancta Ma ria I shalle seye tho wordys as I herde theym noo thyng addyng therto O he seyde my lady Sancta Maria. These wordes often tymys he rehersed. For what synne he seyde lese y soo grete ioye. And agayne he seyde my Lady Sancta Maria. when shalle I recouere so grete ioye that y lese nowe. These thynges and many other often tymes he re­hersed / yet as a man ware a slepe and hys yes euer closyd / the whiche I wote not of what grete ioye he sorowde and wepte hym selfe departyd fro Sothely aftyrward sodenly lyke as a man had a­waked fro a grete slepe. he lyfte vppe hys hed & fulbitterly beganne to wepe & with rē nyng terys sorofully sobbyd as wepyng doth and ioynyng his handys & fyngers to gedur reysid him self and sate vp Then he put downe his hed in his handys on his kneys And as he beganne afore ful lamen [Page] tably to wayle and sorowe so sesyd not long ty­me aftyr Thanne one of his bretheren that was with hym askyd what causyd hym so sore to wepe and howe he felte hym selfe. Than he restid a litil while & at the laste softely seyde to hym wele wele and verely wele y was hedir to / but now euyl and verely euyl y am and fele my selfe And ageyne more grettur he wepte and sorowd than he dyd be fore And by cause that hit ys ouer longe and also as īpossible to remembre al thyng that he seyde thā and how mekil he wepte we leue noweand purpo se to drawe shortly to gedir thoes thīgys whiche we herde hym telle of in gret ꝯtricion of herte and of mynde aftyrward that he was fully comme to hym selfe ageyne

lOthl [...] amonge his lamentacions and sykynges that the had he asayde with gret strenght onys or twies or thries to opene his yes that were closid and atte last they opened Thanne he beganne with bothe his handys al abou te to secht aftyr his staffe that he lefte in the chirce And whanne hyt kowd not be fownde he seyd. Sechith here owre staffe and take owr s [...]ys by the piller and goe we ageyne in to the fermorye A fermorye among religious men is called a place or an howse ordende to kepe seke bretheren Thanne [Page] [...]hanne hit was seyde of some of his bretheren. be­hoolde brother nowe and see yow in the fermorye & set in your bedde and loe yowre staffe and showys byn here redy. Thanne he seyd O howe came we hedyr and whanne. were not we ryght nowe in the chirche to gedyr at matens. Thanne his bre­theren told hym that he had be there now ii dayes and to morowe wilbe estur daye And whanne he herd this. more grettyr he beganne to wepe and seydr. O shuld we not bretheren haue worshypte on good freday owre lordys crosse. And yet we haue not in comonne worshipte hit Thenne whenne he herd of his bretheren. that owre lordys crosse was worshipte the day before. and he might not be cause of sekenes. he seyde to hem. Aftyr that I came into the chirche y felte no disese But y praye yow that y may go to worshipe the crosse. Thanne ther was brought to hym a crosse of seluyr the whi­che reuerently he clyppyd to hym. and with cossis and terys watryd the fete of the crosse. and vnto the tedusnes of some stondyng by / he thankyd owr lord and redemer and the fadyr and the ho­ly gooste for innumerabulle benefetis. of the why che he rehersyd mony synglerly. For hym selfe and vnyuersally for al holy chirche. and also for al de­greys and condycyons of alle crystyn pepulle and more attente for hys enmyes. yef any there ware or for the enmyes of hys frendys he made meruail prayers and obsecracyons. And as y suppose xxx tymes or more he inclynde hys hede doone to the fete [Page] of the crosse with terys and sobbyng that often tymes his voyce sesid of prayng Thoes wordys the whiche he made in his supplicacions ware so redy & prompte and also repletyd with grete reson & hye­nesse of witte that hit semyd rathir he redde hem thanne seyde hem. Ho is swete seyng steryd mony than that herd hym to weping and deuocyon and euer while we remembre them causyn vs to haue a grete inwarde cumpunctyon. and also loue & deuocyon to our lord to our bretheren and to alle men And of the grete humylyte and goodnes of oure redemer. he put betwene certen grete thingis at euery synguler shorte prayer

tHe mene while as the tyme requyryd. hit range to the collacyon and the bretheren the whiche had brought to him the crosse went thense And thenne he seyde. Nowe y knowe veryly that this is the holy tyme of estur. And for what cause he seyde so. hit shalbe declaryd aftyrward. Trewely than bode with hym a certeyn brother that louyd him famyliarly in holy purpose of relygyon and mouyd hym sum what by a wyse and a meke instans ȝet beyng holde in a certeyn stupour and wō dyr of mynde of suche thinges that he had seyne. bothe of tho thinges the whiche befyll him afore ye he was rapte / and of tho thinges that he had seyn [Page] spiritually in anothir world in al placis And as y haue seyde or may sey. synglerly & ꝑticula [...]y he tolde & remembrid mony thynges the whiche the fors [...] id brother that herde him bare hem al in his herre. tel­ling him also of too thinges that he knewe opyniy betyd him And so aftirward bi leyser & gret dyly gens lernyd & knewe an ordir of euery thing syn­glerly. more opynner & fullyor than he knewe afo re. Neuertheles as for al thing that he sawe in soo longe space that is to seye ii dayes & ii nightys he wolde not telle to no man. And amonge in hys tellyng he made mēcyon of some sisyons but anon as he had begonne. sesid the ꝓces of them And no thir ȝet for any prayur might be inducyd to telle a­ny more ther of But nethir we at this tyme be suffi cient to telle al thinges the whiche sothely we knewe by his owne seyng that he had tolde before to afew ꝑsons of wytnesse on whois deuocyons he had ta­ken a specyalle truste Nethir in any wise we may or can reuele & shewe so opynly the ꝓprite of his sisiōs nether by writing nether by telling as he coude and didde Also amonge other thinges he was askid and he hoped to scape his seknes or shulde leue any leng [...] in this bodely lyfe And then he seide I shal leue lō g ynow & of my seknes y am fully recoueryd

tHan after this at euyn he was gretly desired to take some mete after so longe a faste And [Page] than he seyde Settith before [...]s the bred & a litil ho­ny that was lefte the tothir tyme And whanne hit was so done with a ful litil refeccion ther of he bra ke his faste Ande so he bode waking in prayor and terys til the bowre of night that they range to ma­tens Sothely whan the bretheren rose to matens he went with hem and as he had rose with oure lorde the whiche sum tyme that same bowre rose fro deth vnto lyfe And so came to chirche. not withowte ioyful merueling of them that sawe him & without sustentation or helpe of any thing entrid into the ōre & so he did not a xi monthis before. And their in gret deuocyon & terys bode & [...] tynewid til matens was doon & tyl the re [...]urreccion of our lorde the whi che yerely in the same chirche is wont to be shewid vy sybly and howe the angel apperid and spake to the wemen at the sep [...]ture of the victoriose isurreccion of ther kinge and also that they shulde tel to his dis­ciplys his glorious resurreccion & at the laste til our lord a peryd to his welbelouyd mary mawdelen and named her maria in the figure of a gardner and til the messys ware doone & had resceyuid the holy comyning of cristen men

after this nowe that he had resceyued oure lordys precyoꝰ body ioyful & light he was & brought of his bretheren īto the colloke the which [Page] ys a place where they may speke to geder and there copynily they came abowte hym desiring him to tel hem of sec [...]e thinges as befylle hym and as he had seyn forther goostly edifiyng & comfort For al they vndyrstode that herde his wordys the day before whē he was fully cumme to him selfe & sawe his conty­nuall weping that by mony thinges grete thingis and meruelꝰ had be shewde him. And whan they with grete instans askid him. he dissymylyd alle thing a lytyl while At the laste vnto his ii confesso rys to whom he was confest on shrethursoay as hit is seyd afore to hem bothe separatly. he told thees thynges the whiche here after be digestyd and wre ten with grete weping and syking the whiche sum tyme ses [...] d him of his telling And sum thinges he told to hem bothe and sum thinges onely vnto the thoon / and sum othir: only to the tothir and that not without a consyderacion of a certen meke and a good auisement And this he gon to telle as hit nowe folowethe

sOthely he seyde whan y was laborid as ye sawe me with greuys and longe wekenes of body and euermore with heite and sowle y bles­syd our lorde and thankid him that he wolde white safe to chaste me onworthy in a fadyrly chastmēt And than al hope put aside as for any recoueryng [Page] of bo [...]ly helth y began thaugh hit were slowly ne­uertheles y disposed me as y cowde and mighte to make me redy. how y might the sandyr and lygh ter scape the peyngs and sorows of the world that is to cūme & how y might fynde the reste of euerla­styng life when y shuld be callid oute of my body. And when as y remē brid these thīges after my po wer besely. than after a litil while past a thoughte fyl to my mynde that y shulde praye our lord god that he wolde white safe to reuele and sh [...]we to me in some maner of wise. the state of the worlde that i [...] to come & the [...]icion of the soulys that byn past her bodyes after this lyfe and thanne this opynly knowen y might the bettyr vndirstonde what withī shorte space as y supposyd were to be dred. & what y might hope after whanne y shuld passe fro thys worlde to that worlde and so by this to stabylle my selfe in the drede & loue of god as long as I shuld leue in this dowtefulle lyfe. And so on a certeyn night in the begynnyng of lente that ys laste past. apperyd to me in my slepe a certē worshipful ꝑson stōdyng by me & seyng to me. O sone he seyde gret ys thy deuocyō in praying & mekyl is thy perseueres wherfore thy contynual prayer and meke demening may not be onspedeful before the presens & goodnes of god Neuertheles fro hens forth be of goode con forte and [...]tynew deuoutly in prayur and for more strenght seche the helpe of prayers of some religions p [...]ons. & ȝef yow so do doutles you shalte knowe y ^t sone you shalte opteyne & gete thy peticion Sothely [Page] than he named to me some persons & the namys of ther offices seyng this / Knowe wele that mekil yt wille the ꝓfete. ȝef yow maye haue the prayers of suche persons. the whiche the goodnes of god ys wonte right gladly to here. Sende also to the mo­nastery of nonnys here by. that yow knowyst wele & namyd hir / besechyng hem to praye for the. Me kyl god is pleasid in her holy purpose and lauda­ble conuersacion. wherfore his goodnes gretly fa­uerth their willes and desires And whan this was seyd to me. bothe the slepe that y was in & the ꝑson that spake to me went away. Than sodenly y wa­kyd and stedfastly kepte in mynde this vysyon. & assone as y might y desired the same persons to pray for me / not vttering to them the cause wherfore they shulde pray for me Than vi wekis passe. ī the night that was nexte afore sherethursday as ȝe can remē ­bre. whan y had taken of yow and of youre fe­lowe discyplynys in the chaptur hows. that ys to seye vi of yow & vi of him for that day. and v o­ther for the sexte feriis of lente paste. fro the whiche y was compellyd that tyme to absteyne by cause of sekenes so grete abundans of grace of terys & swe­tenesse of herte / y felte me repletyd there in the res­ceyuyng of tho discyplynys that y can not shewe it in telling by no wordys. wherfore the nexte day af ter hit was to me ful swete often tymes to wepe. And than the next nyght after grete sykynges be­yng than the houre to ryse to matens y fylle in to a plesaunt slepe

sOthely than as y was a slepe y perceyued a voyce. but y wist not fro whens hyr came. seyng to me in this wyse. Arise vppe & goe ī to the chapell. and to the awter that to dedifyed and halowd in the worschipe of seynte laurence & of alle martyres. And there behynd that awter yowe shalte fynde a crosse and an ymage of thy redemer affixed to the same crosse. redemyng the world by hys deth. And that same crosse. meke ly and deuowtly go to and kys in remembraunce of thy sauyur and offir to hym with meke herte. a sacrifice of prayers knowyng wele. hit to be accept of god. and to the an holsum deuocion. in the whi che yow shalte ful abundantly delyte. Than after this y wakyd and with the bretheren y came to the chirche to here matens And when the bretheren had begūne matens y mette with a senyor that ȝe knowe wele in the chirche porch & was on of him that y to ke disciplinis in the night before Than whan y saw hym y made a signe to hym. to discyplyne me in ly ke wyse ageyne as he dyd afore. And so lightely we went bothe to gedyr into the chaptur howse and with one assent gladly we came ageyne And there also mette with vs another senyor in the same place where y mette the first. to whome y made alsoo a signe for to haue a disciplyne. And he beckid with his hand that y shulde tarye a lityl while. Thanne [Page] lefte y my bretheren / that y came with to chirche / the whiche were sekelew sittyng a parte. & alone y wente forth to the awter that was notyd to me in my slepe And whenne y was nygh the awter y put of my showys and knelyd on my kneys apon the pament and ofte tymys inclyned my heed doon to the grownd And so went behynde the awter to seche the crosse that y herd of before Trewly y knew not afore in any wise by any mannys telling that any crosse was let doon there Neuertheles y found hit as hit was tolde me before And anon y was re soluyd al into terys of deuocyon & lyyng ꝓstrate al my body ful denowtly y worshipte that holy crosse seyng many deuout prayers And than after y cam knelyng on my kneys to the same crosse and aftyr seyd lengur deuoute supplicacions & thankynges to god / kyssing oft tymes the fete of the crucyfyxe / & besily with the terys of my nyes watrid hem

tHe mene while as y lift vppe my nyes that were sore of weping to the face of the cruci fyxe y felte some dropys fallyng don to me I putte ther to my fyngerys and y we [...]e perceyued and knewe by the rednes that hit was blode Also y behylde the right syde of the ymage of oure lordis body and hit wellid oute of blode as a mannys [Page] flesh is wont to blede. whenne hit is cuppid Trew ly the place that y sawe this in was derke. for hyt was behynde the auter aboute mydnighte. But I sawe there ii lyghtis shynyng at bothe the sydes of the crosse. as hit had be ii tapers wele brenning I lokyd fro whens that light shulde cumme and y cowde see no place fro whens hit came. Trewly than y toke in my hopynne hand: y wote nere how mony dropis of that precious blode and there with diligently y anoyntid my nyes. my neris and my nose thrillys And at the laste y put one drope of y ^t blessyd blode in to my lippys and of the grete de­syre and deuocyon of myne herte. y s [...] elowd hyt doone And whether y offendyd god in that poynt or no y wote nere The rē nand ther of y hild in my hand purposyng to haue kept hit. Also y behilde & sawe the right fote of the same crucifiye blode So­thely ȝisterday whan y was restoryd to my selfe a­geyne and founde no thing of that precious blode in my handys. sore & gretly y sorowde and eû shal for the losse of so grete and precious tresowre

fOrthermore to satisfye yow y shalle nowe telle of other thynges. The. ii. lyghtes that y sawe shynyng abowte the crucyfyxe a fore seyde. sodenly paste thens. to the sowthe parte of the awter. Thanne y that was knelyng in the [Page] north side of the auter: at the right side of the crucyfyxe seyng hit paste & gō to the tother side folowde after hopyng that y shulde see there sum spiritualle thyng. And whan y came thedir y herde the sowne of a voyce behynde me of the same old fadyr that y mette with last before in the chirch porch of whom y desyred to be discyplynede & he bade me tary a litil while Than lefte y alle that y sawe there and y not howe. nether in what wise anoon y came in to the chaptur howse And whan y had seyd my confiteor as the vse ys. and he had prayde for me & assoyled me with this beneson. In nomine patris & filii & spiritus sancti amen. he gaue me disciplynys vi. tymes as he didde afore Often tymes y desired him that y might reherse my confessyon and to take dyscyplynys of hym. for at euery stroke that he gaue me in the stydde of sorowe & peyne. they were turnid to me. an inestymable & incredibulle swetenes of ioyfull conforte. But he wold geue me no more and so y rose vppe. Sothely thanne he went in his albys and sate done in the abbotis sete. that was there in the chaptur hows: And thanne y came & lay prostate before hym. askyng my beny and re­hersyde ageyne my Confiteor &c. and he seyde ouer me Misereatur tui omnipotens deus &c. and so as­soyled me ageyne wyth thys blessyng In nomine patris & filii & spiritus sancti And whenne he had answarde Amen Anoon ther came to me a certeyne worshipful fadyr a senyor that had a face and a chere as an angelle. c [...] othid in white brightyr and [Page] whittir thanne the snowe: The heere of his hed [...] was whore and his stature of medy heyth. He to ke me vppe and seyde allonly to me these wordys. Folowe yow me. Trewly than he hylde me by the right hand so sewerly as softly & so clippid my hād in hys

hEre y felte my selfe fyrst tapte in spyryte. Than hys brother that was hys confessor to whome he tolde alle these thynges afore seyde askyd hym & seyde And trowiste ȝet brother that y or the tother senyor gaue discyplynis y ^t night as thou seyste. or went in to the chaptur howse in al bys Than he wondrede at his asking and seyde. Knowe not ȝe that this ys trowth that y haue to yow here seyde Than seyde hys confessor ageyne. in no wise ther was no seche thynges done of vs nether myght be done. For the ordyr wil not that we shuld haue gone that tyme of the night in to the chaptur howse to geue discyplynys Than he seyd to hym: Dowtheles y had went hether to. that tho discyply nys and other thynges had be done of yow to me Fulwele y knowe withowtyn dowte. that y rescey­ued thoes dyscyplynys aboue rehersyd in the chap­tur howse: of men that shewed yo ^• ꝑsons & liknes wakyngly & bodely and wyth hole mynde for y fel te & herde the strokys of hem and also y wele vndyr stode & dyscernyd the voyce of them that prayde for [Page] [...]e and assoyled me: as y shulde haue knowe of you bothe Trewly the first night when y went owte of the chaptur hows y thought to haue byddyn ther in the same place tyl the mornyng in the grete glad­nes of herte & deuocyon that y had resceyued there but y was sum what troubulde & disesyd by the noy se of the couent when they wēt oute of the chirche af ter matens And lest y shulde haue ben reꝓuyd of psumpcion / ȝef y had taride there al night y wente with oure bretheren home to oure bedde And when̄e y went out of the chaptur hows y mette with bro­ther marten And that night bode y waking in grete lightnesse of sowle / tyl matens of the next nyghte Thanne the next night after when y was at ma­tens aboute the begynnyng of the thirde [...]octurne y was callid fro the awter where as y was praying with a sowne made lyke as a man hadde smytte the stony pament wyth his fote and so went in to the chaptur [...]owse. Alsoo hyt was the same owre / in the whiche the laste nyghte. at the laste tyme we wēt thedyr for the same cause. And alle other thynges lyke as y haue told yow befylle me. Thys onely y canne not remembre in any wise howe y came at the laste tyme fro the chapel that y was inne to the chaptur hows. For withowte a staffe y myght not goe thedyr: and abowte the sacrarye of the same au ter y knowe wele y left my selfe And howe y paste ouer the waye that lyth betwene the chaptur hows▪ & the place that y was in. and also the lettynges of gricis & other obstaclis iiii or v y can not remembre [Page] For when y was cumme to my selfe ageyne. [...] thinges the whiche y had experiens of bodely about the awter and the crosse. ware so fressh in my myn de that y wende y had be founde rather there than in the chaptur howse And this he tolde of tho thingis aboue rehersid ¶ Adigression

¶ Now as touching tho personsof whom he was brought in to the chaptur hous & to whome he seyd isconfiteor the whiche prayde for him assoylyd him & gaue him also disciplynys ī the liknes of his own bretheren and he knew no nothir wise that time but they had be his bretheren. they were douteles holy angellys that so apperyd and dyd to him by the wille of god And as towching that worshipfull olde fadyr whois face was like an angel and hys clothing whittir than the snowe. that toke hym by the hand when he lay ꝓstrate in the chaptur hous & seyde to him folow thow me: was the holy & bles­sid bishoppe sente Nicholas whome specially he lo­uid and worshipte dayly as hit shalle be aftirward more opynnor declarid And nowe after this adi­gression go we ageyne to the narracion

gladly than seide this monke wente y with that worshipfull olde fader the whiche by [...]mādement of moth & leding of hāde had take me vp to be a felow with him of his wey. and al the [Page] while that y lay destitute of my bodily wittis. we went bothe to geder hāde in hande Sothly this was fro mydnight of sherethursday the whiche endith in the mornyng of good fredaye ī whiche time y was rauyshte in spirite as y laye in the chaptur hows tyl the euetyde of saturday foloyng: in the whiche eue tyde as ȝe sawe y was put oute fro that secrete reste and spiritualle sightis that y had before to thys opyn & worldly [...]uersacion

tHenne went we ȝestewarde by a pleyn weye in a right path til we came to a certen regy on. that w [...] ful wyde and brode and ouer horabulle & gastfull in sight. fowle and myry of thicke cley Trewly there we sawe an infenyte nom bre of men and w [...]men that no man might nom­bre put forth to the gretnes of dyuers & inenarra­bulle peynes There was a company innumerabulle of men and women of euery condicion of euery ꝓ fession and of euery ordyr There were the doers of al synnys ordente to dyuers kyndes of peynes after the diuersite of synnes & qualite of persons I herde & sawe bi the opyn & brode space of that filde who is endys no ye might see. the wrechid companyes of men & wemen ouer wrechidful bounden to gedyr flockemel. in ther equalyte of synnys and in like­nesse of ꝓfession equaly to soffyr and like wise to [Page] crye in here grete and greuys peynes And who sum euer y sawe there to be made redy in that peynefull place to heuyn warde opynly y knewe and vndy [...] ­stode. for what synnes they were ponysht and the kynde of the synne and the mesure and qualite of ther satisfaccion. the whiche they deseruyd owther by contricion and cofession of her offensis▪ or by the remediis and helpinges of othir benefetis done for hem Trewly al tho that y sawe put there s [...]m what y knewe hem confortyd for the hope of euerlasting blisse the which they hopid sum tyme to cū to And some y sawe paciently sofyrre right grete peynes & for the gode w [...]rkys the whiche they had done of ther [...]sciens. that was reseruyd & putte vppe ī mede for them & also for the grete trust that they had to haue eûlasting blisse euermore countid lyghly ī her sowle the horrabulle peynes that they bare Treuly they wepte & sorowde & cryed oute / for grefe of pei nys and amonge this as they went forth farthir euermore her peynys were lessid & to hem more esyur Also y behilde mony of them that sodenly scapyd out of the place that they were torment in and sander hastid hem selfe thanne other. to go the weye that was before hem. But anone fro benethe lyke as the grownde hadde be broken. ther brake vppe a fla­me of fier that inuoluyde hem & the deuyls y ^t mette with hem. sore bete hem with scorgis & forkis and other dyuers kyndes of tormentyng ▪ and soo a­geyne retourned apon hem alle her wodenesse. Ne­uertheles they beyng so be [...]yn & brokyn & inwardly [Page] br [...]it ȝet▪ they scapyd ageyne and in lyke condiciō as hir is seyd afore. the ferther they went / the lessur wes ther peynys and the ȝesyur Sothely in this pas sage some did gretely ꝓfet. some but lytyl & some al moste neuer a dele. To some ther goyng was no ꝓfetyng but a myserabulle fayling / for they went fro ful cruel peynes to wers. And eche of them af­tyr ther olde merytys and de [...]uynges. owthir were bolpe in her weye or lettyd or els releuyd and that was by the present benefetys done and shewyd for hem of their frendys in this world. Sothely thoes thynges the whiche y conseyued in mynde. or was enfourmed and taught by comyning and spe­kyng with some of them there. anone aftyr y wille opynly shewe hem as hit is benethe ī this present wry ting declared

Nfynyte kyndes and diuersytees of peynys where there that y sawe Some of hem were rostyd at the fyre Some were fryed in a pa [...]ne / Some were al to rasyd with fyry naylys vnto the bonys and to the lowsing of her ioyntys Some were soden in ba­this of pyche and brymstonne with an horabul stē che & other thingis melted by heete as ledde brasse and other dyuers metellys And some were g [...]awyn with the venummys teth of wondyrfull wormys. Some also were caste done thicke on arowe & smy [...] throw. with sharpe stakys & palys who ys endys [Page] [...] alle fyrye And whyle some were [...] on galows. odyr were al [...]o drawyn wyth hokys and some were beryn sore wyth scurgys: and so in hard example they were al to toryn. Trewly of tho per­so [...]s mony were bisshoppis and abbotys and other were of other dignitees. Sothely some floweyd in ꝓsperite in the spyrytualte. Some in the temporalte and some in relygyon: [...]he whiche were seyn ponisht in dowbulle sorowe aboue other persons [...]ory sawe them that were clerkys / Monkys / Noonys / lay men & lay wemen so mekyl lesse ordende and put to peynys howe mekyl the lesse they had before of worl dely dygnyte and prosperyte. In trowthe y sawe hem grenyd in a more specyal bittirnesse of peynys abo­ue other. the whyche y knewe in my tyme were Iu gys and Prelatys of other. And by cause hyt ys ouer longe to telle singlerly of euery persone: what they soffryd and wherfore they soffryd ▪ some thyn ges y wylle gedur to gedur. of some certeyn persōs what they sofryd afore ther dethe & after ther dethe. For that was opyn to me of euery person Neuerthe lesse there ys no mannys tonge that may suffycyent ly telle the lyghtys peynys of that place nethyr by es tymacyon conceue hym in mynde Also the dyuersyte and multyplycyte of peynys. to the whiche they be caste vndyr / euer amonge fro one to a nother very­ly y knowlege no man may noumbre. I take god to wytnesse. that and there were any man. the whi che had done to me: or to my frendys alle the hur tys and iniuriis. that may be done of any man in [Page] gretly abas [...] [...]r ynwardly supposyng verely [...] thow hadyste [...]e dampde. and by cause also thow hadyste no helpe ne remedy by fore they dethe of the holy▪ [...]mentys of the chyrche. Sothly by cause y fy [...] [...]thyr wyse than [...] [...]de y am glade [...] wolde here [...]ow [...]n what wyse [...] so and scapydyste [...]ernal damnayciō [...]. [...]ladly what sum euer thow desyre [...] the telle

[...] goldsmyth tolde the [...]ōke yn pu [...] [...] [...] dyed sodenly [...] sa [...] yd [...]

[...] [...] syd me yn my [...] [...]orlde as th [...] [...] gys [...] opyn [...] [...]eghte. Also y con­tynwyde [...] the fowle [...]e of dronkynnes. vn to my last [...] [...]f an euyl custome. Neuertheles hyt [...] no [...] [...] gretly hyt dysplesyd [...]e [...] y kowde [...] [...]eue that [...] tymes y rose ageynst my selfe se [...] [...]ng [...]e & caste awey the fowle vy [...] [...] But anō [...] [...]dryn ke af [...] [...] cus [...]ome. wherb [...] was [...]er [...]me. & dr [...] ageyne bo [...] [...] & custome of the same sinne. that was [...] kine owne omne [...]abulle taking & appetite [...] amonge this [Page] [Page] thys lyfe or ellys he had flayne vs y sey & y [...] ad so grete an enmy put into peynys that y sawe there to be torment long tyme a thousand tymes & hit were possybylle y wolde sofyr temporal dethe for hys dely­uerans. For alle thing ther ben so peynfull of so­rowe and anguy [...]she byttyrnes & wrechydnes that they excede mesure and mod. let vs nowe that be it in this worlde alyue see & considere by this how gre tely we ought to geue vs in chaystyng oure wekyd condycyons & to amende oure leuyng and also how mekyl we schulde labur to excercyse vs to kep [...] the cō mawndementys of god and to do good werkys by the whyche and the mercy of god we may deser ue to be delyuerd afore of so grete euyllys. And also that owre dere frendys as fadyr and moder sys tyr an [...] broder and othyr that were sum tyme owre louers ther sore ponysht for her offencys myght be delyuerd the soner fro thens by good dedys and werkys of mercy and pety deuowtly done of vs for ther redempcion and helpyng And afore ȝere y ma ke any special mencion by wrytyng of the fore pey­nys and tormentys of sum persons that y fownde and knew ther and they also knew me y wyl schort ly wryte yn here the placys of peynys that y behelde as y went abowte wyth heuy compassion aftyr we were paste the fyrst peynful place & region Sothly to owre semyng the lengthe of thys fyrste place afo re seyde was on goyngable. but we that ys to seye my leder and y went on the to syde ageynste hyt as [...] dyd othyr peynful [...]oostys of tormentys but [Page] amonge them we came not how be hyt as hyt semyd to me we myghte haue done wythowt any fere or hurte or harme

tHerfore after that we were paste the firste place of purgatorye we came to the second place of purgatorye and tormentys in the whyche was an hye hylle vppe al mooste to the clowdys and was deuyded fro the forseyde fyrste place of purga torye. And thenne lyghtely and swyftely we wēte on thys same hye-hylle. And there was vndyr the farthyr syde of thys helle a full depe valeye and a derke. set with bocis and brackys on euery syde han gyng owte who ys lenthe no man myght see. And in the lower parte of the seyde valeye was a full bro de ponde of borrabull blake watyr. And owte of that same fowle ponde bysyly brake a myste of an indycybylle stenche. Trewely the toon syde of that same hye hylle whyche hangyd toward the ponde caste oute fro hym an horrabulle brennyng fyre vppe on to the heuyn. And alsoo on tothyr syde of the forseyde hyr hylle was so grete and inesty­mable co [...]lde that ys to seye of snowe and Hayle wyth many other cruell stormys that me thowghte and semyd that y sawe no thyng so peynefull and cruel as y ^t colde was The lenthe of that valey afore [Page] [...] [Page] by the mercy of god the whiche wylle that no man perysh yn my moste blessyd lorde sent Nycholas who me now ye folowe graciusly and presently. and whoys pareshon also y was. seche deuocion y had to hym. that for any occasion y neuer lefte but what sum euer y myght do to his worschippe y dyd hyt ful deuoutly And how mekyl euery gaue me towarde euyn to dronkynnes y vsyd euer more to be at ma­tens. for anon as they ran [...]ulde be ther. and [...] tymes afore the parysh [...] Also y fown­ [...] contynwaly a lampe of [...] coste. yn sent [...] chapelle And thoo [...] that were nece [...] ornamentys of alle the chyrche. as yn lyght ys or any othyr thyngys. y wolde dylygently order therfore as y had be hys famylyar seruante and mawncypyll [...] [...] wher y had not sufficy­ [...] myn owne goodys to do hyt y wolde moue [...] [...]f the parysh to helpe a [...] hyt semyd nedefulle [...] the ȝyftys that men or wemen gaue. y toke [...]. and to be honable B [...]. ful treuly y spende [...] [...]hat ys at cristynmas [...] me of al my synnys [...] as y bowde to owre parysh pryste. takyng [...] or hem & yn [...]arte y dyd fulfille hem diligēt [...] kepe tho thingys that [...] [...] maundyd o [...] [...] gostely fathyr. for oftyn [...]ymes y lefte sum thy [...] that y schulde haue doo & thoo thingys that y sc [...] [...] haue beware of. And of the [...]mawndement of [...] gostely fadyr y fastyd the dayes of aduent as [...] the lent sesyne To [Page] seyde and bothe the sydys of the hylle the whiche had in hem that horabulle fyre and coold was so full of sowlys. as hynes swarmyn ful of bees To the whyche sowlys thys was a comynne and a gene­ralle tormente that nowe they were drownde in the forseyde ponde and fro thens takyn vppe and caste in to fiere. and so at the laste they ware bore vppe an [...]y by the grete vyolente flamys of fier as spar­clys byn of a brennyng fornece. and so lette down on the torher syde of the hylle to the horrabulle coolde of snowe hayle and sharpenesse of stormys and af terward caste downe hedlonge in to the greuys sten che of the ponde aboue seyde and ageyne takyn vp and caste in to the brennyng fier. And some of hem were lengur ponysht in fier thenne other & some in coolde And some ware taryde lengur in the gre­uys stenche of the ponde. than other. And some y sawe ware bounde and compressid in the myddys of flamys of fier that meruelous hit is to speke: and as grapys be compressy d in a pressure Trewe ly the condicion of al that ware there torment & peyn de in that secunde place was this. Alle the space of the ponde aboue seyde. they were compellyd to goe throwe. fro the begynning to the endyng. for to fulfylle her purgacion. Neuerthelesse ful grete and monyfold was the distinccyon and dyuersyte of her peynys & tormentys. For some had lighter po­nyshment than some. and some was grauntyd a more swyfter passage thens. then to some other & that was for the qualite of her merytys & de [...]uingya [Page] afore done and also for the quantite of [...] helpys done of her frendys for hem after her dethe. And they that were of grettur offensys and synnis and seldyn or slowly holpyn longe tyme & sore there holdyn in peynys. And sothely the more nere they al came to the ende of the place the more ȝesyor and softyr wared their peynys. The moste cruell pey­nys were in the begynnyng howe be hit as y seyde a­fore not al equaly Sothely the peynys and tormen tys of thys seconde place were mekyl more harder & scharper than the peynys and tormentys that we sawe in the fyrste place. wherfore hyt was so that mony that ware yn the secunde place ware sorer po­nysht than they that ware yn the fyrst place. [...]ere trewly fownde y and knew mony mo some tyme of my [...]e aquentans than y dyd yn the fyrst place Not wythstondyng yn bothe the placys y spake not some. The mesure of ther statur apperyd not suffici ently as y knew hem before yn thys worlde. For the stature and forme of some of them was as hyt had be lessed or thynnyde by tormentys. And some had lefte no thyng of ther quantite. Neuertheles thys dyuersiteys of her shappys yn no thyng lettyd my knowlege. For ther knowlege was to me so promp te so redy and so opyn as hyt was that tyme [...]en they leuyd wyth vs yn thys worlde

[Page] hEre now hit lykyth me to telle a certen fayre dede and werke of grete pete and mercye the whiche that tyme was to me a beholdyng of he­nynes and also of consolacion the whyche may be to alle the worlde a nobylle document and techyng why the peple schulde haue god and hys holy seyntys bothe of men and wemen in worschuppe and in reuerence. Truly whyle y behylde meruelyng thoo thyngys aboue seyde & mony other And hylde long talkyng there wyth hem that y knewe before y harde a ferre a grete noyse and a crye as hit had be the­uys that had takyn a pray or else as they had ouer cum their ennemy with fowle mockys & scornys. & loe after that noyse and creye folowde a cursyd cō ­panye of wyckyd spyrytys and a myghty ledyng with hem anone as they hopyde to h [...]lle a soule of a woman late departyd fro her body. O good god what peynys and tormētys tho cruell enmyes leyde apon her. And the more they knewe her withoute helpe the more wodder were they on her. what man heryng euer wolde beleue to any creature tellyng how tho wekyd spyrytys and tyrandys of the de­uylle castyd that soule amonge hem. as a tenyse balle wyth fyrye instrumentys now fro on to ano­ther. But hoo may in any wyse telle or schewe to any man beleuyng howe her mawe and inwarde bowellys were smytte thorowe wyth the fyrye dartys of tho cruell tormentours. And as god ys my wytnes y behylde and sawe her sofyrre so grete and horrabulle peynys and tormētys verely as they leyde [Page] hem on her cruelly Nowther these thyngys ware vn­to my syghte as naturaly a man seyth with bodely yes that ys to saye the vtwarde peynys that a man so fryth yn bodye. but also what they felte ynwardly good or euylle and with what heuynesse or wyth what gladnes they were smytte wythinforthe in her sowllys alle was to me that tyme playne and opyn So therfore thys vnhappy sowle what for the pre­sente sorowe or dolour that sche sofryd and hadde and the fere of euerlastyng dampuacyon. was in grete anguys and sorowe of peynys and tormen­tys. For there was no hope that confortyd her to scape desolate and destytute of alle helpe and socoure O byttyrnesse of alle bytternesse mooste byttyrste whome no truste or helpe releuyth or helpyth and des peracyon of the ende encresythe. The daye before she lefte her mortalle body in the whyche sche leuyd strom petly and vycyusle and nowe sche ys [...] euerd wyth the vesture of schame and vellonye. And wyth yn sche ys byttyn wyth the conscyens of schameful de dys done wyckydlye and wythoutforth sche ys mo nyd wyth mockyng and scornyng of deuelys he­nely. Sothely sche felte thanne in her fulfylled the wordys of the holy man Ibo seying thys wyse of suche persons. Ducunt in bo [...]s dies [...]os & in punc to ad inferna descendunt. That [...] to seye they lede her days in goodys after their plesure & in the [...]yn [...]eling of an ye they falle done to helle Therfore wh [...] le thys onhappy sowle by the vyctoryse pompys of her enmyes was goyng to be broughte into helle for [Page] the synne and onleful lustys of her body. Loe son­denly anon came done an hye fro heuyn a gret lyght by the whyche bryghtnes and bemys. the forseyde wykyd spiritys and minystrys of the deuyl. ware dullyd and made onmyghty and fyl done to the gronde wyth the sowle that they had Sothly than yn the same lyght came done a multitude of virge­nys schynyng yn clothys. whyte as the snow and sette abowte wyth golde and precius stonys. the grace and ioy that was yn the beholdyng of her fa­cys and there y make no mension of for hyt was so gret and ynestymable that y can not remembre my selfe that saw hyt. how y myght wordly speke of hyt. Amonge the whyche on that was mooste feyryste wele y knew and seche was the blessyd vir gynne and martir sent margaret. And anon as the forseid sowle saw her the whiche was more thral [...] for her synnys than of the deuyllys beganne myse rably to crye and seyde. O blessyd and prec [...] spow se of cryste haue mercy on me and helpe me that for myn nowne propyr synnys am yn desperacyon and ryghtfully put to peynys and tormente. I kno­wlege and verely knowlege that yn al my lyfe y dyspysyd the cōmawndementys of god and gaue my body to al onciene lenyng. And nothyr god. ne any of hys sentys of men or wemen that y louyd affectualy or dyd any worshippe to hem yn dede. The only of the nowmbre of the holy sentis yn heuin euer more hertely y haue louyd & euery saturday of myn own goodys afore thine anter y offerde vppe cādelys [Page] And the custome of my fowle leuyng now late. be yng hoolle of my mynde and body for thy loue and worshippe vtwardly y lefte I beleuyd also that by the remedy of ꝯfession al my synnys hade beweshte awey. But alas for sorowe my confession was not sufficient to weshte and do awey so gret and so mony fowle synnys and olde by cause, y lackyd befo re the feruor of contricion and dyd not for my syn nys euyuworthy penans. Therfor my synnys cle­uyn fast to me not ȝet forgeuyn the whiche y slowthyd too wype awey by goo werkys. Loe ther fo re my lady and my swetnes and cōforte schalle my ȝyftys of deuocyons peryshe the whyche y haue done feytfully to the and schalle y thys peryshe nowe also not only to my selfe but also to the to whome only y haue studyd besely and thowght. not for to peryshe aud now y peryshe to my selfe and to al thyngys These thyngys and many othyr yn thys wyse sche seyde wyth sore and byttur wepyng and crying more thau a man may beleue. For y take god to re­corde and to my wytnes that y saw the terys breke owte of her yes as they hade be hayle stonys. And thys whyle sche sorowde the glori virgyn and mar­tyr sent magaret turnyd her to her felows virgyns that were there wyth her and seyde O sche seyde ye moste swete systers ye see now the perelle of thys wo man sum tyme my seruant and ye knew a [...]o the yn portune malice of the deuyls the whyche pretendyn by mony weys of reson to haue her to hem. And therfore let vs now do that thyng the whiche only ys [Page] lefte of remedy and helpe for her. Pray we now to the euerlastyng iuge and meke redemer that he the whyche al thing may doo wille wythsaue as he kno wyth beste. of hys goodnes. and at owre desyre sū what to helpe thys wrechyd sowle. sum tyme rede­myd by hys preci [...] blode fro the cruelle power and venūmys tethe. of these wekyd spiritys. And whan thys blessyd virgyn and martyr sent margaret had seide these wordys anone whytowtyn any taryng. al thoo virgyns bowde downe to the grownd on her­kneys and lyftyd vppe her handys prayng for that synful woman to her ynmortalle spowse. owre bles syd lorde and sauyur [...]hesu cryst. And anon as they had of god ther peticion grantyd they rose vppe to gedyr fro preyer Than anone thys blessyd virgen seynt margaret wyth stabylle contynawnse of face and sowle gastfulle and thretyng the wekyd spiri­tys came nere and made of her sleue a maner of a schorge & lyfte hyt vppe as sche wolde haue smitte hē Then they anon as hyt had be flyes yn a whyrle wynde fleyd away hethur & thedur leuyng alone her bownde sowle. & sodenly y ^t yn the farthir syde appe­ryd a dyke ful of boylyng watyr vppe to the brym­mys Therfore yn thys dyke y sawe her put yn And then seyde to her that blessyd & mercyfulle helper sent margaret Here now thow muste fulfylle they penan se the whiche thow schuldyst haue done before yn they lyfe. & by my prayur thow schalt haue mekylle helpe & releuyng of thy peynys. & aftyrwarde when thy synnys be fully purgyd & clensyd by me thow [Page] schalt be admytted to reserue eūlastyng ioye & blisse Treuly hit can not be seyde howe ioifully this synful woman toke tho wordys seyde to her in the whiche sche knewe an ende of her due penanse & afterward myght fele the goodnes & mercy of god So than thys vyctoryose dede done y ^t glorius sight of vyrgy nys ascendyt vppe to heuyn

here now folowyth also another like myracle of ful grete mercy & pety of the excellēt might & poure of the blessyd byshope sent nycholas Therfo re now y wille telle a nobyl dede & werke late done ī a certen [...]uāt of his the whiche not lōge a go welle y knewe & famylyarly louyd for some gode thingys y ^t was seyne of him the whiche therfore the more gladlyur y wiltelle. for this man y ^t y now speke of the whiche by his occupaciō was a goldsmith told & declaryd to me first the merite & the name of my leder with whome y went hande in hande. & thaugh y beseyn here now sū what to breke out for the order of the narracion because y seyde before that ere y ma de any mencyon of the tormētis & peynys of any ꝑ­sons specially First y wulde shortly telle of the peynful placys that were schewyd to me But let that be ta­kyn of tho ꝑsons the whiche afterward y wille opin ly declare to the ꝓfet of hem y ^t lyste to here or rede this reuelacion Therfor as y suppose ȝe remēbre how a certē ꝑsō a goldsmith & a cytsō of this place was [Page] hastly preuent of dethe & sodenly dyed. Of whom al so hyt was opynly noysyd that hyt so be fylle hym for ouer mekylle drynkyng wyne. And therfore how myght a man sey to whome [...]hys man schulde be sortyd but amonge them that sent iohan the apos tylle specially spekyth yn hys pystylle. Est peccatum ad mortem. non pro illo dico vt oret quis. That ys to sey. Ther ys synne contynewde vn to dethe y sey no man pray for hym that contynewyth hys syn ne to hys dethe who so absolute may be seyde that cō tynewyth hys synne to hys dethe. as he that conty­newyth yn dedly synne and so lesyth lyfe and ta­kyth dethe. Sothly thys man bode not only yn the synne of dronkynnes to hys dethe but also he fylle yn to dethe doyng that same synne the whiche ys the seede & cause of al euylle And as a certen wyse man seith dronkīnes excusith no vise Therfore thys mā whoys sine & ꝑelle we speke of now y ^t hyt schulde be feryd & dredde yn hys wolde days was ouer ꝓne & redy to drōkenes for the last thre days y ^t e [...] he saw yn thys worlde he [...]tinewyde dayly almoste yn the sa me synne And yf y had know for certen a day befo re y ^t he had dyed of seche a cause as hit ys aforesey de what schulde y thynke or fele of hym more wor­thior than not for to pray for him. lefte my prayur before the ryghtwes iuge schulde be voide & no thing helpyng hym Neuertheles y vsyd to pray for hym thawghe yt ware slowly. not verely certifide of so soroful a fame and happe Sothely hyt was so. by the prouision of god that thys goldesmyth was [Page] in the secunde place of peynys. and also y sawe & behylde hym by me. whome anone y knewe & grete ly meruelde. seyng hym afore mony other that y be hylde. in goode hope and lyghtly sofryng hys pey nys. Trewly thanne my leder lokyd on me howe stid fastly y behylde hym and asnyd me and y knew hym And y seyde ful wele. Than he seyde. & yow knowe hym. speke to hym Sothly then this gold­smyth lohid on vs bothe: and knowing vs wyth an enarrabulle gestur & behauing of gladnes ioyde to my leder and with bothe his handys spred opyn ofte bowde done al hys body worshippyng & gretīg hym with innumerable thankys for hys benefetys & goodnes shewyd to hym And the mene whyle y salute hym. & he ioyfully salute me ageyne. Than y enqueryd of hym how hit was. that so sone he was paste the horable peynys. the whiche y knewe by his sighte he had sofryd Then he answarde this

my dere frynde he seyde. al ȝe to gedur in the worlde haue me as loste & dampde. not kno wyng the goodnes and mercy here of my [...] sent lorde sente Nicholas. the whiche had not so [...] me an onhappy & an on pfetable seruaunt of his to be dampde and loste euerlastyngly. Than seyde y to hym. Trewly as thou seyste. alle we that ware thy frendys sorowde that thou didest so sodenly and [Page] thys lyfe or ellys he had flayne vs y sey & y had so grete an enmy put into peynys that y sawe there to be torment long tyme a thousand tymes & hit were possybylle [...] wolde sofyr temporal dethe for hys dely­uerans. For alle thing ther ben so peynfull of so­rowe and anguysshe byttyrnes & wrechydnes that they excede mesure and mode. let vs nowe that be it in this worlde alyue see & considere by this how gre tely we ought to gene vs in chaystyng ou [...]e wekyd condycyons & to amende oure leuyng and also how mekyl we schulde labur to excercyse vs to kepe the cō ma [...]dementys of god and to do good wer [...] by the whyche and the mercy of god we may deser ue to be delyuerd afore of so grete euyllys. And also that owre dere frrndys as fady and mode sys tyr and broder and othyr that were sum tyme othre louers ther sore ponysht for her offencys myght be delyuerd the soner fro thens by good dedys and werkys of mercy and pety deuowtly done of vs for ther redempcion and helpyng And afore ȝere y ma ke any special mencion by wrytyng of the fore pey­nys and tormentys of sum persons that y fownde and knew ther and they also knew me y wyl schort ly wryte yu here the placys of peynys [...] as y went awwie wyth heuy compassion aftyr we were paste the fyrst peynful place & region Sothiy to owre semyng the lengthe of thys fyrste place afo re seyde was on goyngable. but we that ys to seye my leder and y went on the to syde ageynste hyt as we dyd othyr peynful coostys of tormentys but [Page] [...] [Page] gretly abashyd ynwardly supposyng vetely that thow hadyste be dampde. and by cause also thow hadyste no helpe ne remedy by fore they dethe of the holy sacramentys of the chyrche. Sothly by cause y fynde the othyr wyse than we wende y am glade and fayne y wolde here how and yn what wyse thow deydyst so and scapydyste eternal damnapciō Thāne he seyde. Gladly what sum euer thow desyre y wylle the telle

y [...]knew wele how y dysposyd me yn my le­nynge whan y was yn the worlde as two thin gys that were opyn to mānys syghte. Also y con­tynwyde yn the fowle synne of dronkynnes. vn to my last ende. of an euyl custome. Neuertheles hyt was not my wylle. For gretly hyt dysplesyd me and mekyl y sorowyde that y kowde not leue that vyse. Sothly oftyn tymes y rose ageynst my selfe sew [...]rly purposyng▪ to leue & caste awey the fowle vyse of dronkynnes that y was wholde yn But anō what for the luste of drynkyng & the īportunyte of feleshyipe that y dranke w ^t y was [...]straynde to dryn ke aftyr the mesure of myne olde custome. wherby y was ouer cūme. & drawyn ageyne bonde yn to luste & custome of the same sinne. that was yn mine owne onme [...]abulle taking & appetite Treuly amonge this [Page] by the mercy of god the whiche wylle that no man perysh yn my moste blessyd lorde sent Nycholas who me now ye folowe graciusly and presently. and whoys paresoon also y was. seche deuociou y had to hym. that for any occasion y neuer lefte but what sum euer y myght do to his worschippe y dyd hyt ful deuowtly And how mekyl euer y gaue me towarde euyn to dronkynnes y vsyd euer more to be at ma­tens. for anon a [...] they range y wulde be ther. and oftyn tymes afore the parysh pryste. Also y fown­de contynwaly a lampe of myne owne coste. yn sent Nycholas chapelle And thoo thyngys that were ne cessarye to the ornamentys of alle the chyrche. as yn lyght ys or any othyr thyngys. y wolde dylygent ly orden therfore as y had be hys famylyar seruan te and mawncypylle And [...] y had not sufficy­ent of myn owne goodys to do hyt y wolde moue othyr of the parysh to helpe as hyt semyd nedefulle Sothly the ȝyftys that men or wemen gaue. y toke hem. and to be honable vsus. ful treuly y spende hem. Also twyes yn the yere that ys at cristynmas & at estyr wolde clene confesse me of al my synnys as wele as y bowde to owre parysh pryste. takyng penanse for hem & yn parte y dyd fulfille hem diligēt ly Treuly y dyd not obserue & kepe tho thingys that y was [...] maundyd of my gostely fathyr. for oftyn tymes y lefte sum thyngys that y schulde haue doo & thoo thingys that y schulde haue beware of. And of the [...]mawndement of my gostely fadyr y fastyd the dayes of aduent as y dyd the lent sesyne To [Page] the whythe dayes of aduent. y addyd of myne owne fre wylle. as mony days afore aduente as wold make vppe the noumbre of the dayes of lente And so on crystenmas daye y wold be hosylde & resceyue the holy sacrament of owre lordys precions body and blode. But alasse for sorowe when that y shuld haue be / that holy dayes of owre lordys byrthe. more holyur and deuowtur in my lyuyng then other tymes. y turnyd me contrary vnto other werkys and besynesses of a worldly custome. wher fore hyt happyd vnto me also in myne laste ende that the wekyd angelle of that deuyl Sathanas. the whyche ys causer and kendler of alle eny [...] scor­nyd me. And also he hadde browghte plesaunte worde and tytyngys of my dampnacyon to hys fa ther the deuyl. ȝeffe the mercye and goodnes of my lorde sente Nycholas had not wythstonde hym ther fore euermore to hym be thankyngys of al his trew seruawntys. for my delyneraunce. for he had low syd and delyneryd me. And as ryghtwesly as y was to be damp [...]e and cruelly to be ponyshte as me kely and as mercyfully he hath noryshte and kept me: Sothely on crystynmas daye after that y had resceyuyd the good lorde that y can not remembre withowte grete horror and heuynes. y was draw­yn of an euyl custome as y seyd afore by ouermo [...]he drynkyng the same daye in to dronkynnesse a­geyne to the grete [...]rye and ronge of seche a lorde who [...]e y had resceyuyd a sytyll before in to my [...]owle And on the morow y wente to chyrche as y [Page] vsid to do sore waylyng the fowle vice the whiche y dyde the daye before purposyng to be ware of hyt and to do no more / but hit was as voyde & vayne For by the occasion that y had of drinkyng and the deuylys steryng me therto / y was destitute and loste the stabulnes of vertu and the mighty purpos of soburnes that y had conceuyd: and so y fulfil deuot my purpose in dede. but fowle as y dyd ȝys­terdaye so y dyd to daye and by delectacion of o­uer mekyl drynkyng fyl downe agayne to dronkinnes. Sothely the next daye after folowyng the whiche ys the thirde daye after crystynmas daye I lefte not myne olde custome of drinkyng. wherby y had loste the vertu of soburnes and al [...] my wyt­tys also. Thenne whenne hit was derke nyghte y went oute of the place where y dranke / and came home and wente to bed as y wss clothyd & sc [...] and a lytyl y slepte And anone y woke and wol [...] haue resyn and seyd as y had wente that then yt had ronge to matens But my wyfe tolde me nay and so y layde my downe ageyne. Trewly tha [...]ne fyrst y toke a slepe and anone after y toke my dethe And howe y felte deth sodenly cumme apone me y wille telle yow. A certen deuyl that tempted and steryd me to the vyce of dronkynnes thowghte to hym selfe that and y deyed in seche a perylle whyt­owte any contradiccion he wolde medrawe to he [...]e presumyng also to haue thenne power on me to doo what somme euer he wolde. for myne obedyens & consentyng in that vyce to hym But ageyne ful [...] [Page] mekyl he drede. leste by the merytys of my pa­tron sent Nicholas. y schulde any tyme preuayle a­genst him by amendement of my lyuyng: yf y ly­ned any lengur and so by hys presumptuous po­wer cruelly me strangulde. Trewly y felte him like an owle goo in to my mowthe the whiche oftyn ty mes ful euylle y opynd to drynke and so thorowe my throte flyly came downe to my harte. And a­none y knewe that hit was the deuil. Notwithstondyng y was ȝet myndfull of the merc [...]s of god & also of myne owne wrechydnes and with stabulle purpose [...] owyd in my mynde to god that y wold purely and holy confesse me of alle my synnys. & vtwardly for euer forsake the wyse of dronkennes And to this y called as inwardly as y kowde. on sent Nicholas to be my borowe. Sothely to this a­uysement onnethe was graunted me the space of a moment. Trewely thanne the wekyd spiryte sate downe anone apon my herte. and clypte hyt wyth his cur [...] yd armys on euery syde. Also he drew out of his mowthe an horrable [...]oment of [...]enyne and caste hit al abrode and so in the space of a twynbe lyng of an ye he expellyd and caste me oute of my bodye And anone after that y was hade forthe thorowe darke placys by the cruelle and incredible wodnes of wykyd spirytys the whiche al to bete me discerpte me stekyd me drewe me and al to brend me and caryed me with them y wote not wheder / but as they wolde to euerlasting tormentys. Than anone my moste meke and dere aduocatour seynt [Page] Nicholas to whome y called with all myne herte at my laste ende. and whome euer in my lyfe y haue worschipte thawghe y were a synner. came thanne and mightily toke and deliueryd me oute of her handys. and here hath sette me in this place of (pgatorye) purgatory for my purgacion. And how be yt that y sofre here sore and harde peynys y cownte hit lightly whyle y haue no drede of the wekyd spyrytys and also that her tyrannny and inportable cruelnes ys se syd and gone fro me / And sothely after this for certeyn y am and truste to haue reste and euerlas­tyng ioye be my lorde sent Nicholas And nowe al­so and euermore / sen the tyme that y was put here to this peynys by the whiche whenne y ame ouer sore greuyd and disesyd ȝet by hys meke and moste meke and blessyd visitacyon. y am wel confortid and releuyd ageyne In my graste also by the whi che y gate to me & to myn owre leuyng in the worl [...] often tymes in my beginnyng y begylde and dys­ceyued the pepulle for the fere of pouerte And now for that y am ful bitturly ponyshte. and the todyr daye before mekyl more harder therfore y sofryd pey nes Trewly often tyme y haue ben caste downe hed longe into a grete hepe of brennyning money amon ge the whiche y brente ful intolerably. And tho fy rye pensys y was compellyd to deuoure with an o­pyn mowthe that y felte alle my bowellys to bre [...]e in me And hethir to often times y am compellyd to telle hem and of the towchyng of hem myne han­dys & fyngers ben sore peynde. Also by ouer grete [Page] brennyng and hete of thirst my inward bowels w ^t herte throwte and chekys waxen wan and besyly be gynne to fayle These and many other thinges y herde of hym as opynly as hit might be told of any man leuyng yn hys bodye

[...] vm thynge ther is the whiche he tolde me a­monge other that y wyl not hyde fro the re­der here of. I sawe there mnumerable pepulle that dyde sodenly in this world the whiche were ponyscht al moste owt of mesure And of many thys y knew that they the whiche were putte in delyberacyon and auysement for to synne And whenne they came to the dede doyng of what somme euer synne hyt was and eche one of theym seyde in hys mynde lo now y wylle doo and fulfille that the wyche y haue gretly desyred. he was takyn by the wille of god to the vtmest peynys and ponissement of dethe as thawgh he hadde herde of this texte in the gospelle. Stulte en amma tua reperitur a te / ad quid cogitasti aduer­s [...] deū immo [...]tra ip̄m te nequissima. That ys to saye. Fole lo they sowle ys takyn fro the. wherto haste thow thowghte agenst god and alsoo agay nest thy selfe full wekyd thynges. Neuerthelesse as we haue knowyn by hym selfe the whiche told thys. that whenne they were putte yn that byttyr scharpenesse of dethe coueytyng and purposyng to [Page] correcte and amende her fautes ȝef they hadde any space of penaunce graunted vnto hem. and in her swyfte and hasty departyng sekyd after the mercye of god and alsoo after the helpe of his ho­ly seyntys. Therfore of the grete mercy of god her byttyr dethe was to hem a grete clensyng of her syn­nys. the whiche they schuld haue sofryd afterward fully in placys of peynys and tormentys. Forther­more y enquyred and as [...] yd of thys goldsmyth of whome y haue nowe told and seyde many thingys ȝeffe hyt were possyble by any thyng that the folke myght schonne and eschewe soden dethe. Thenne he answarde and seyde in thys wyse vnto me. O he sey de Sothely and yf y hadde knowyn whenne that y was in the world leuyng suche thyngys as y kno­we nowe y wulde haue taughte and defende all the world fro that grete hurte and dammage. howe the pepulle and folke myght be sewre and safe fro the fallyng of soden dethe. Trewly and verily and the crystyn pepulle wolde wryte dayly on her forhe­dys and aboute the placys of her herte wyth her fyn gur of in any other wyse. these. li. wordys that cō teynyth the mysterye of the helthe and saluacyon of mankynde that ys to wytte and to saye ¶ Ihesus nazarenus wythowtyn dowte the trewe pepulle of oure sauyur thesu cryste schuld be harmeles and preserued for suche a grete peryll and hurte And alsoo they schalle haue after her dethe the same letters and wordys wretyn full opynly and clerely at her hertys and also in her forhedys in tokyn and in sig [Page] ne of grete worschype. I knowe also that my mey ny kepte me. il. dayes onberyde after my dethe. ho pyng that y schulde haue reuyuyd for the rednesse and hete the whyche was in my face and in my bo dye the whyche douteles was of the feruent replecy on of wyne dronkyn before. For my departyng of this world was so hastye and zwifte: that myne soule was gonne and paste out of my bodye. yere my wyfe vnderstode or knewe hit or sende to calle for the pryste. These thyngys y knewe ful trewly there of this goldsmyth

sothely aftyr. xv. dayes seth y saw and her de thys the sone of the forseyd goldesmyth a certen yonge man came to me w ^t grete wepyng & tolde me that hys father had apperyd. iij. nyghtis to gedy [...] to hys moeder wakyngly as sche was yn her prayers at home yn her chambyr & bade her that sche schulde sende to me to knowe how hyt was ful ly w ^t hym & of hys state that thys knowyn. sche myght be the more confortyd and feythfullir and deuowter to helpe hym And also that she by the same tellyng may the bettyr be ware gyde to her selfe and [Page] her meyny to god ward: And the same yonge man wytnesyd wyth grete sweryng that the thyrde nyghte of hys fatherrs apperyng he herde hys mo­ther talkyng and spekyng longe tyme with hym. and somme tyme enquyryng and also somme ty­me answeryng hym. and thenne afterward sche told vnto my hys wordys the whyche he hadde tolde and seyde vnto her. Trewely he seyde that he herde / no maner wordys of hym talkyng or spekyng vn­to her but pacyently taryde tyl they hadde done. So thely hys mother told hym that sche hadde harde of her husbond twyes before. And as sche knowle­ged and seyde sche seyde that he was full of Ire & wrathe and moche blamed her because that he was forgoten and putte owte of mynde fro her whyche was warnyd by hym selfe after hys dethe to doo a lytyll thyng for hym and that sche wulde not do so moche for hym. but excused her that for the on certente of vysyous sche dyfferde hyt leste that hyt sculd haue bene supposyd that sche hadde be dyscey­ued and begylde. And thenne he answerde & seyde Sende wythoutyn taryyng thedyr as y commaun­de and telle and saye to hym howe of ten tymes for the same thyng y haue apperyd to the and alsoo seye apone these tokynys. that the last tyme the whi che he sawe me y was in grete peyne And amonge othyr thyngys that he herde of me y told hym how mekyl the holy confessour seynt Nycholas hadde hol pe me. Trewly he prayde me with grete instaunce that I schulde stere and alsoo moue bothe hys [Page] wyfe and hys sone: and on hys behalfe comman de hem that the seruyce and worschyppe the whyche he was wonte to do in hys lyfe and they also by exam ple to sent Nycholas. for no cause nethyr for any occasyon schulde be lefte but dayly more and more wyth amendement of her lyuyng dylygently schewe and do her deuocyons and seruys to hys patron & aduocatour sent Nycholas. Also this foreseyde mā and goldsmyth of whome y haue nowe told and spokyn as hyt ys seyde afore dyde aboute a xv mon­thys agone the whyche trewely by the merytys of the holy confessour sent Nycholas hys patrone yn a shorte tyme was spede oute of mekyl sorowe that o­nethe y myght see any. that profette so mekyl there as he dede m so lytyl tyme. wherfore ful expedyente hyt ys to alle men whyle they leuyn in thys world deuoutely to serue the holy seyntys of god by the whyche they may haue m her grete nede the grace & mercye of almyghty god as hyt ys schewyd and ꝓuyd often tymes

bUt nowe let vs schewe as we maye thoes thynges that remaynyn of the thyrde place the whyche we sawe and behylde. For aboue alle thyng that may be conceyued of any mānys myn­de. [Page] hyt excedeth of cruelnes and dedly tormenting For veryly y knouleche as for the quātyte of euyl y ^t ys there no man may suffyse to expresse or telle the left peynys of that place. The grete horrabulnes of y ^t place so mekylle. the seurer y myght see and beholde that y knewe hym. to be wyth me. and was also my gyde and leder at that same tyme the holy bys­scho [...] and confessour sente Nycholas whome y ha­ue euer specyally worschipped and loued+ Trewe ly the more famylyare that y hadde hym in worshyp the more surer was y made of hys felysschippe and companye. to see and beholde the horrabulle peynys and tormentys. the whiche nowe beyng absent cā not remembur withoute grete horrour and gastful­nesse of mynde but y was made of euery syde ful sta­bulle and sure. for the felysshyppe and knowleche the whyche y hadde of my gyde and leder the holy confessour sent Nycholas. Therfore leuyng the forseide secunde place. that we were at. as hit ys aboue rehersyd wecame to a ful gret fylde. and as hyt semyd hyt was sette yn a lowe grownde seques­trate and departyd from al othir that no maner per sone myght dedyr come. excepte tho that were there ponyschte or schuld be ponyschte Trewly the ouer ꝑt of that fylde was keneryde wyth a ful horrable clow de. yn the whyche was myxte and medylde to gedir a fume of brymstone wyth amyste a gret stēche and a flame black as pycche was medylde wyth hem the whyche brake owte on euery syde lyke hyllys & so spredyd all abrode. And the playnnes of that [Page] place was so repleiyd and fulfylde withe wor mys as flowrys be wonte to be strawyn with rus­shys. And they were aboue alle estymacyon horra­bulle wundyrfull and vnshappely the whyche wyth a gastfull opyn mouth brethyd oute cursyd fyre at her nosys. And with an onspekable denowryng al to tore the wrechyd companyse of folke that ther were. the whyche ryght nowe so wastyd and con­sumydde. deuylys ranne ouer all lyke as madde men and were also full cruell and wodde apone tho wrechys. Trewely thanne the deuylys ponyshte hem wyth fyry instrumentys synglerly by euery mē bre of her bodye: and thanne afterward they ra­syd and al to teryd their fleshe vtwardly vnto the bonys. and thenne after thys whenne they hadde so done they caste them into the fyre and there they were made lyquyd as hyt were metalle. and also toke hem oute ageyne as brennyng fyre. Lytyl yt ys y take god to recorde. and as no thyng what somme euer y be aboute to telle of the peynys and tormentys of that place. For in a ful schorte space of tyme by alle maner dyuersytees of an hondyrd­folde peynys and tormentys or more y behylde and sawe howe theywere consumed and wasted to noughte and thenne anone restoryd ageyne And ageyne almoste they were with peynys broughte to nought and a none made hole ageyne the whiche in that same place the loste lyfe of hem was compellyd to sofre. And of these alteracyons of tymes in the whyche by grete peynys and tormentys they were [Page] brought to nought anone restoryd ageyne ther was non ende no marke ne terme. Also the hete and bren nyng of that fyre was so feruent and deuouring that what sum euer hyt brent hyt wulde be lyke as a thyng that ware al moste consumyd or wastyd. And thenne the worm [...]s that were there warded & brokyn and made smalle vnto pecys and then they were gedyrd on grete hepys to gedyr and leyde vn ther the vnhappy synful wrechys that were there. wherfore they so fulfylled alle thyng with so grete stenche that hyt excedyd alle the tormentys & peynis before seyd. And ȝet remayneth one thyng the wy che they that were in that place were compellyd to sofre the whiche ys more hatfull peynful and scha meful than any thyng aboue seyde

sOthely alle thoo that were there ponyssht & peynde were in thys worlde whyle they leuyd doers of that foule synne the whiche oughte not be namyd not only of a crystyn man but also of none hethyn man. Certen grete monstrus that ys to seye grete bestys onnaturally schapyne schewyd hem selfe in a fyrye lykenesse horrabulle and gastfulle to sight and oftyn tymes vyolently came a pone hem and also in a fowle damnable abusion compellyd [Page] hem to medylle with hem. howe be hyt that they re­fusyd and wulde hyt not. I abhorre and ame as­schamed to speke of the fowlnesse and vnclenes of that same synne. Thanne betwene her peynfull & cursyd clepynges they roryd and ȝellyd and cry ed owte and afterward they fylle done to gedyr lyke as yf they hadde ben gonne and ded and a­none takyn vppe ageyne and so forth putte vnto newe peynys. Trewely y remembryd not wele at that same tyme the seyyng of the holy postre sent po­welle in hys pystylle of seche persons. where he con­dempnyth the foule vyce and synne agaynest nature bothe of men and wemen. And ȝeffe y hadde sene and consyderyd the cause namely nowe in tyme of crystendame. cowde not in any wyse haue be leuyd that suche a foule synne and vyse myght haue be p̄ sumed and done specyally of wemen. the whyche naturelly schuld be more schamfull thenne other. I neuyr herde before nether hadde any suspycyon hethir to that the kynde of wemen hadde be deprauyd and defoyled by suche a foule synne. And alas for so rowe. for ther was founde a company of suche so innumerabulle as they were myserable. Many of tho personys that were there in that place y knewe not nethyr wele behylde hem by cause that the qualy te of her foule synne. and the grete stenche and tor mentys that was there smytte me wyth full grete horrour and tedusnes. Full greuys hyt was vnto me and more thanne a man may beleue to be there in that place a momēt whyle. or to beholde suche [Page] thynges as w [...]re there. Neuerthelesse y felte [...]o sten che by experyence whylys y was there as y dyd no nothir hirte of peynys. For my thoughte and yf I hadde felte hit y myghte noo lengur haue leuyd. Notwithstondyng y consyderyd and perceyued sufficyently in mynde the intollerable gretnes of a [...]e thyng. Trewely thoo wrechys that were there sen­cybly hadde experyence and felte alle these peynys and other mo infynyte. that no man maye tel of And amonge her sorowfulle lamentacyons of cō ­playnyng whyle euerychon of hem cryed Alas alas why dyd y so synne. alas why dyd not y penans for my synnys and amende my lyuyng. they felte and remembrydr her greuys peynys. Sothely their voycys of wepyng and sorowyng was exaltyd and lyfte vppe with so gret a cry that a man wolde haue wend hyt schulde haue be herd thorow all the world

trewly thawgh y refusyd as mekyll as y myghte to see and beholde tho thm̄ghes that were done yn that place y cowde not auoide the kno weleg of on clerk the wyche y sawe and knew sum tyme Thys clerk in hys days was a (doct) doctor of lawe and also amonge other that were docturs of lawe he was had in that sciens ful excellent. Full many lerners of that faculte he ordēde yn scolez wherby he gatte to hym gret famyliarite of worshippeful men [Page] This clerke was largely posseste with beneficys & rentys of the chirche and ȝet that not withstonding dayly he coueytyd to haue more and more wher fore by the wille of god the whiche wolde haue alle men to be turne to penās. he felle yn to grete sekenes by the whcihe he was sore vexid and desesid abowt a. ix. monthys. Sothely hyt was done of a meke dispēsaciō of oure sayur that he shulde by the schorge of sekeues and sorowe. dispose to corect and amende hys synful leuyng. the whyche whene he was yn gode helthe of body fowle and dedly trespast of tyn tymes to god. Bur he contrary wyse was ouer carkefulle of hys bodely helpe. the whyche he louydr ouē mekyl. and so vaynely presumyd and thowght to haue hyt ageyne. wherfore he neuyr wolde dyspose hym to be confest of hys synys and specialy of hys fowle and onclene leuyng for the helthe of his sowle the whyche ys the fyrst and chefe dede of almys that a man schuld doo nethyr had any compassion on powre pepul to geue hem any almys nethir any thyng dyd to the sentys of god. as yn offeryng to hym mekely hys seruys. for the redempcion of hys synys nethir studyd or karyd to do any almys of his erthely & trāsitory godys as lōg as he leuyde Than the heuynly leche oure seyng sauyur that he was neuer in his dayes the bettyr for the sekenesse the whiche he hadde for his warnyng the whyche he schoyd and gaue vnto hym for a gostely mede­son. nethir wente owte of hys onclene leuing in the whiche vnclene leuing he was in by the affliccyon [Page] of hys grete sekenesse. Therfore the euyll & wekid faites and dedys. that cowde not be clensyd, and purged in hys yonge aage oure lord ihesu crist mercefully putte and ende of hem in hys dethe what more mercye myghte be done vnto hem the whyche after their hardnesse and inpenytente herte. tresur to hem fro daye to daye the wrathe of owre sauyur ihesu cryste. in the daye of hys wrathe and also of schewyng hys ryghtfull iuggement. and alsoo to be resceyued in to the nyghte of dethe in the whi­che nyghte of dethe no man may helpe hym selfe. for thanne no man may labure any thyng for to deser­ue. thanne that sone her lyfe of thys world be schor tyd and alsoo fro hem takyn aweye. in the why­che her synnys and mysdedys encresyn and gro­wyn to her perdycyon and destruccyon: And what thing myght be more holsummur to them the why­che by her folusnesse and madenesse with a scharpe swerde koneyten and desyren to adde strokys to her owne propre wowndys thanne that they be bounde and also her wepynys takyn aweye / the whiche they mysusyd to her owne propre hurte and dam­mage. Thys forseyde clarke the whyche y knew sū tyme in my chyldhode and yong aage. y vndyr­stode nor y knewe not that he was dysceste and ded. For that same tyme in the whyche y knewe hym he remouyd fro that prouynce or place ther as he was wonte to dwelle in before vnto a nothir p­uynce or place. Neuertelesse yn alle suche peynys & tormentys as hit ys aboue seyd y sawe & fownde [Page] hym and y merueyled of hit For y had wente he had be yet a lyue and also an honest person Than y spake to hym and askyd whethyr he hopyd any tyme to haue the mercye of god And than he seyde Alas alas y knowe and knowe that athishalfe do­mys daye y schall haue algate no mercye And whe thir y schalle haue any thanne y am not certeyn So thely euermore sethe y was putte here to these peynys they encresyn more and more Then y seyde to hym And why were yow not confeste of thy synnys at thy laste ende & dydyst no penaunce for hem Than he seyde by cause y hopyd to haue recouered and al so by the disceyte of the deuyl my gostely ennemy y was aschamed to confesse so fowle a synne, leste y shulde haue be of les reputacyon and dyspysed a monge them the whiche y semyd gloryous & fayre y confeste me of lytyl and smale synys to seche an honest person and a worschipfull pryste that yow knowyst wele And whanne he askyd me ȝef y had any other thynges to be confeste of y bade him go his waye and tolde him that ȝef any other thyng cumme afterward to my mynde y woulde sende for hym ageyne and tell him. And whanne he was gonne and onethis came to his chirche y begunne to deye Thenne anone he was cald for ageyne and whenne he was cumme / he fownde me ded & gōne Trewly ther ys no thyng of a thowsand peynys that y sofyr dayly so greuys to me as ys the vnhap py presentacion of my fowle and vnclene leuyng that y [...] yd in the world and now beyng here am [Page] compellyd to doo actually the same foule passyon. And besyde the horrabulle gretnesse of peynys that y am in. y am more confounded of schame whyle dat y am by the same synne made cursyd and ab­homynable in the syght of al men. Alas alas who euer wolde haue wende that the worschyppe and fa­uour the whiche y hadde amonge men sculde be tur­ned to seche confusyon and despe [...]ion as it is nowe wherfore ful gretely y am confowndyd and assha med. for nowe to euery creature y appere foule and abhomynable. the whiche before apperyd to euery man gloryous and honorabulle. And thys he seyd with full sore and grete cryyng and we­pyng And whyle y meruelde the wrechidnes and peynys of so grete a man sum tyme. y sawe howe he was ponysshte in innumerabulle wysys. and by two tormentys he was brought as to nought and dyssoluyd by strenthe and here of fyre and so ma de lyquyd as ledys whenne hyt ys multe. Sothely thanne y askyd sent Nycholas my leder yf this mā nys peynys myght be remedyde or helpe by any me­ne. And thanne he seyde whanne the daye of dome ys cumme thenne [...] crystys wille be fulfylle d He onely knowyth the hertys of alle men And then he wole doo to euery man ryghtfully. Therfore I coude knowe no thyng for certen of this mānys de lyberacyon. Therfore thoo thyngys the whiche we haue spokyn of here before may wele be consyderyd as the scripture seyth in thys wyse. Non est ei bene qui assiduus est in malis & elemosmam non danti. [Page] that ys to saye hyt ys not wele with hym that ys be sye in euyll Nethir with hym that dothe non almys See nowe and consydre howe gretely they be holpe in placys of peynys by the doyng of almys dedys. as oure lorde spekyth in the gospelle the whiche dyd hem in her lyfe. Thys clerke in hys lyfe was wise and wyttye in hys owne conceyte and trusting to him selfe set ful lytyl to seche helpe of other by almis dede and good werkys for his synnys. that hathe wrought nowe to hym damnacyon. Loo so sone and sodenly he ys founde onwyse and madde. Con ceyne nowe what ys here nowe seyde of thys clarke and a lytyl before what was seyde of a goldsmyth and opynly hyt confermethe the sentence of the scryp ture seyng in thys wyse Potenter potentes tormen­ta sustinebunt & exiguo conceditur misericordia. y ^t ys to seye. Myghty men myghtyly schalle sofyr tormentys. and to a meke man ys graunted mer cye. That goldsmyth and though he were a syner ȝet was in hys owne syghte meke and lytyl the whi che nethir by hys connyng nerhyr of any othir ver tue presumyd but countyd hym selfe euermore on wyse and onstable by cause of hys synnys Therfo re by the mene of almys dedys. and serues as he myght doo. gate to hym the helpe and soffragys of hys grete and myghty aduocatour and patrō seynt Nycholas and so in tyme of nede he had [...]elpe and mercy as he desyred And also euyn contra­rye wyse thys clarke of the excellente connyng ry­ches and worschippe that he hadde [...] cedyd forthe [Page] hys wekednesse. And by cause he thoughte hym selfe excepte in this worlde. fro the comon labur of men. Lo in so cruell and byttur example he is not nowe ponysshte with othyr men. Also y sawe there hys tonge hauyng forthe oute of his hede and be syly brennyng as hyt were abronde of fyre and y ^t veryly he sofryd by cause that often tymes he perû­ted ryghtwesnes as a man myghty in wordys ta­kyng ȝeftys and mennys persons. For he vsyd not only to iangyl idyle wordys. but also froward ly in wordys contrarye to wrothe ouer mekyl he had excedyd. Therfore no meruelle though he were po nyshte this wyse for suche excessys and fawtys. whenne oure lorde spekyth in the gospelle of the ryche man the whiche for hys light speking and iange­lyng at mete was sore ponyshte in hys tonge in a flame of fyre. Sorthely after this came to me that worschyppefull pryste to home this clerke was con­feste of hys smale synnys as hit ys rehersed before And amonge other thyngys the whyche this wor­schipful pryste herde of me y tolde howe this clarke afore seyde whenne he was confeste bade hym goo hys waye as for that tyme. and so anone dyde as hyt ys seyde before And when y had told him this he wepte ful bytturly and toke god to recorde that hit was very trouthe as y seyde and knewe wele. that the forseyde clerke seyde so to hym Therfore on ly of that multytude of wrechys y knewe this clerke that this seyde to me

[Page] sOthely thanne sone after that we were paste thys third place we came to a regyon whe­re the soulys the whiche hadd done her purgacyon in purgatorye ioyfully restyd. in the whyche place many y knewe wele and founde hem there in grete felycyte and conforte. Trewely as touchyng the ioys of that place and the [...]ocundnes and gladnes of them that were there as oure lorde wylle ȝeue vs grace we schall afterward schewe and declare. but fyrst lete vs turne ageyne thys narracyon to thoes thynges the whyche we haue lefte oute of the pey­nys and merytys of some personys in especyalle. the whyche y sawe and founde in tho placys of purga torye as hyt ys seyde before

tHerfore a prior that was father of a relygy ous place the whiche y knewe full wele sum tyme dysce [...]e and deyde this same yere. And of hys maners and condycyons y knewe many thyn­gys the whiche y leue oute at this tyme by cause of schortenes. Thys man and prior y sawe and knew amonge the firste that were in peynys of the fyrste place of purgatorye that we came to. Trewly he was in ful grete and sore tormentys and sofryd ful greuys peynys. sum tyme in fyre and sum ty­me in stinkyng bathys of brimston & pyche medild [Page] to gedyr hoys face and there was ouer wrechyd & dedful And assone as he sawe me he began meke­ly to calle me and grete me whome with compas­syon of herte y grete also and spake to hym many thyngys. And y enquyryd of hym whethir he so freyd so grete peynys for the fawtys the whiche he dyd in youthe by cause perauenture he neglygently kepte hys ordre that he toke to hym in hys chyldho de And he seyde naye But neuertheles ful sore and byttyr peynys y sofre here not onely for myne owne synnys and excessys the whiche y dyd in myne own person howe be yt that y offendyth in many thingys but also for the wekydnes and mysgouernaunce of tho personys the whiche a lytyl before y had char ge and cure of. For as touchyng myne own syn nys y wulde sofyr as y myght bere / thoes peynys the whyche be dewe for hem. For y vsyd to redeme and schast myne owne synnys by ofte confessyon and takyng discyplynys and besy prayers And al so by dyuers other weyes. Sothely of these thingis ful sore greuyth me nowe the carnal affeccyon and loue that y hadde to my frendys. as fadyr & mo­ther and other of my kynne of the whyche to sum of hem y gate benefycys of chyrchys. whenne they we re ful onworthy to haue hem & toothir y gaue right ondyscretely many ȝeftys of the godys of the mo­nasterye that y was prior of and they nowe ful ly­tyl remembre me or doo any thynge for me in my nede. Trewlye the fauyr of pepulle & the loue of worschippe that y had me prinspaly noythe And [Page] alas alas for sorowe. for and god take not mer cy on me as y am nowe in peynys oute of mesure. so schalle y be withoute ende. The couetyse ambycy on that y hadde to kepe my worschippe. and the fe re that y hadde to leue hit. so blyndyd the syghte of my soule that y lowsyd the brydyl of correccyon to the willys of my sogettys & sofryd hem to doo & folowe her desyrys & lustys as my yes had be clo­syd. leste haply ȝef y had correcte hem & refraynde hem from her lyghtnes they wulle haue be to me as enemyes to labure and to haue me out of my wor schippe and prelacyon that y was in. Forthermore they that were gode relygyous men and had zele and loue to kepe the ordyr. y no thing helpyd or faueryd in conseruacyon of the relygyon. but full inordenatly and contrary to vertue y wolde wyth other that loued hem not speke euyl of hem and de tracte hem and cherysshe other that were ful euyl di sposyd and brekerys of her holy ꝓfessyon and or­der And alle this y dyd a part of myne owne light nes and a parte be cause y wolde defende my prela­cyon And for hem to pleye lewde gamys & to speke and clathyr tryfullys iapys and other lewdnesse and also to goo and wandyr amonge secler fol­kys in ydelnes. hyt was leful to hem. as hyt was to me. Therfore some of hem by thys cruel lyght­nes of me and that they sawe in me presumyd and sayde to do many full cursyd thyngys. wherfore here y am ponysshte withoute ho [...]e. howe be yt that y approuyd not her wykyd dedys Notwithstōding [Page] y knewe hem. and of a vayne drede. made lyke as yf y had not knowe hyt. wherfore many of hem bo de stylle in her fowle abusyons. going fro euyll to wars. And some of hem contynued in euyll vnto her dethe whyle y leuyd in the worlde. and now they be euerlasting dampde. Also some other of hem ȝet hethir to leuyn contynualy wars and wars in grete synnys and dedly dedys. wherfore to hem and to me as y am agaste succedyth inextynguyble fyre. Also fro the howre that y paste fro my body. y ame putte to onspekehabule tormentys the whiche were as me semyth nowe ful lyght in comparyson of the peynys that y nowe sofyr. Sothely the firste daye after my dethe was to me more es [...]er thanne alle the dayes that y hadde setthe And of alle the synnys & fautes that nowe they done after my dethe of an e­uyl custome that they hadde before the whiche they be seyne to haue take by my neglygens. my peynys therfore ben euermore encresyd And by cause that y knewe sum of hem that be ded and sum other the whiche ȝette leuyn. that haue flyd and falle besyde other synnys. to that fowle and abhomynable syn ne that ought not to be named and therfore putte to hem no correccyon. no thyng y drede so mekyll. as the encresyng of my peynys so largely tyl y be cō pellyd to sofyr the foule and abhomynable stenche the whiche they sofre and haue nowe the whiche dyd the same fowle and abhomynable synne for y know wele that the greuys peyne of that same stenche ys more intollerable & peynfull than any other peynys [Page] that synners sofryn: And as ofte as they the why­che y lefte alyue dampnably offendyd. anone the deuyls ranne to me with grete scornes and vpbray dys and euermore and more with newe peynys en cresyng my tormentys. Also he tolde me what daye what place and what tyme after that he was paste oute of thys world and what person of hym hyt was and what synne he hadde done. And he told my many thyngys that they dyde and seyde anone as they done any euyl the whiche y had sum tyme cu re of▪ the mynystrys and wykyd angellys of the deuylle vpbraydyn me with the same and anon they encresyn my peynys Sothely ther was sum of the bre theren of that place the whiche this man aforeseyde was prior and father to that were accendyd by ȝe le of rightwysnes and feruor of relygyon and dyd also grete labur and dylygens that alle inordinate fauors putte a syde the puryte and honeste of her or dre myght be kepte And this y knewe was trouthe wherfore y seyde to hym. Howe than was hit noy­syd fer and brode that many thyngys were wel re formyd and amendyd before your ende in the pla ce where ye were prior yf hit be nowe schewyd yow so mekyl euyl of hem that dwelle there ȝette. And thanne he seyde Trew hit ys as ye saye that mekyll thyng was correcte and amende more than yt was wonte to be before Neuertheles of her amendement haue y no frute ne mede but also my peyuys encre­syng because y was ouer mekyl agenst her correcciōs & leste y schulde be correcte or tho thingys amendyd [Page] that be amendyd ful mekyl y lettyd Sothely y was asschamyd of her opyn correccyon. but lesse y ba­shyd to here hem ouer all schamfully dyffamyd. Trewly her condycyons were so froward & obsty nate that vtwardly y hadde wende they had be incor rygyble & what sum euer ys beleuyd to be done ther fore amendment. but yf the meruaylous power & myght of god helpe. hyt wyl be broughte done a­geyne to noughte Alas alas why dyd y beleue eū to seche consels. Alas that euer y fauyrde and mag nyfyde feche persons by the whiche y dyd so offende the mageste of god so to let hem haue her wylle to doo what they wolde. Sothely foure persons there byn & tolde me her namys that y schuld seye to hē. but yf they sone do to god. euynworthy penaunce for her cursyd dedys & consels. by the whiche they haue loste hem selfe & other also the whiche haue do ne after hem they schalle haue the indycyble & euerla styng tormentys of helle And trewly yf they dyd penauns & satisfaccion tyl domys daye they schulde thynke hit but lytyl in to the recompensacyon & ex­pyacyon of the grete and longe schrewdenes and cursydnes by the whiche they haue broughte me to this peynys that y am in nowe and with her wyc­kydnes they haue al moste enfecte & cū brid alle the howse. Sothely onethys or litil any tyme tho foure ꝑsons y wulde displese but y was inclynyd & bowyd to let hem do what they wolde Also fewe ther ben of al the couent that for me & for myn helping. Fully haue done & seyde the messys & psalmys wyth other [Page] soffragys and prayers. the whiche of dewt [...] they schulde seye & do for me according to oure relygyon And many of hem for whome y am now in sore pey nys haue done none of these thingys ȝet for me. ther fore what for sorowe and drede that y haue of the se present tormentys. y am peynde on euery syde Se che thinhys sawe y aboute this prior & this wyse he spake to me as hit ys aboue rehersyd

yKnewe also a certen ancresse the whiche was of a gode and honeste conuersacyon whome gretely y louyd and y sawe her ther: as sche had cōme late fro the world + Trewly sche was stable and stedfaste in contynauns and feyre of behol­dyng. home the laborus weye that sche had gon a lytyl had weryde. & with the peynys of fyre that other were inuoluyd here and there sche was ofte tymes tochyd and sum what brente. But she ful lytyl counted hyt & hastyd her spedly gretly ꝓfetīg on the iorney that goyth to paradyse. & this whan y sawe y take god to record y had wende hyt had be sum fantesy & as hit had be a dreme for y beleuyd in no wise that sche was ded Than seyd y vnto my selfe. Y trowe that the merytorye leuyng of this an cres & seruaunte of cryste so ys schewde to me by y­magynacyon. for trewly sche that ys ȝette alyne in her bodye may not be here. Sothely the thirde [Page] daye after that y was cum to my selfe ageyne a cer ten neybur of herns was here that y spake with & prayde hym to grete her wele on my worde. and al so that sche wylle whytsafe to pray for me. Than he seyde Praye ye also for her our good frende for ye scalle vndyrstande that sche ys disceste and pas [...]e to god. Ueryly y merueylyd gretly at hys seying And than first y beleuyd that hyt was trewe that y sawe of her in the first place of purgatorye For­thermore this generall condicyon of alle folk that deyon. y knowe there opynly. that alle pepule the whiche be ordende to perceue reste and blysse before the daye of dome. hadde euermore fro the first how re of her dethe her peynys lesse & lesse. But yf hyt were so. that any of hem had lefte to other that leuyd after by euyl exampulle occasyon of syn̄e the whiche ryghtwysly they myght wyte hit hem that dyd so before. and whyle they dede no satisfacciō to god for hit before her deth. wherby seche occasy on of synning lefte to other schulde haue be forge­nyn hē also they y ^t greuysly offendyd by the whiche they de [...] uyd eūlasting dampnacion begūne to goo fro ful bittyr peynys to wars & so by succedīg of her peynys dayly her tormetys besyly encresyn y ^t e [...]y day foloing is more greuossor to hem then was the daye before

acerten bisshop y knew there in peynys the whi che onys y sawe & he was bore ī thys ground [Page] of inglonde and had hys byshopriche be yonde see. Trewely he deyed thys same yere abowte the feste of seynt Myghel the a [...]changel. For than y knewe opynly the daye of his passyng but nowe hit is fal lyn out of my mynde the whiche that tyme was occu pyed aboute many thingys that y sawe. Sothely innumerabulle thyngys there were the whiche y dyd not wele note nether cowde wele kepe in my mynde all thyngys that y had notyd. Trewely the same man the whiche tolde me of the passyng of the an­cres as hyt ys seyde in the next chaptur before told me also of the passing of this bysshoppe but he knew not what tyme. Trewely anothyr yong man. the whiche was cosyn and alye to the same bysshoppe, and also in seruyce with hym whenne he leuyd cam home ageyn'to his countrey of inglonde & brought certen worde to the todyr man that tolde me that the forseyde bysshoppe was dede Trewly y sawe this bys shoppe al moste contynualy brennyng in flamys of fyre & moste be caē of his vycyus leuing that he le­nyd ī his youthe also he was tormēt in other innume rable wysys & be cause y sawe sum specyal thinge a­boute him y thought to remēbre & specially to speke of him Sothely as he brende besyly in fyre he had eū more a ful honest clothe apon him there the whiche not only was hurte by the fyre but also yt was yl­dyn & made by the fyre more feyrer & semlyor than hit was afore Than [...]e sent Nycholas declared to me the reason of thys meruaylous thyng and seyde Thys preuylege he gate to hym whenne he leuyd. [Page] by a good dede the whiche he vsyd to doo And this hit was. Euermore he hadde compassion on powre pepulle that were nakyd and ful lyberally he vsyd to releue hem of that nede wherfore hys clothyng schalle neuer lacke feyernes. tyl that he haue ful­fylled his penauns and take of god the stole of e­uerlastyng ioye and blysse

awoman also that was a poure mannys wyf dyde this laste yere with her husbond the whi che was wele condicionde and in mony thyngys ful wele dysposyd. Sche was sum tyme ryght fa­mylyarly belouyd of me. home ful gladle y behylde there in lyghte peynys. in comparyson of other swif tely goyng forthe to the grete mede and worschippe of heuynly ioyes. Trewely in thys that sche vsyd in pacyently to stolde and vpbrayde hem that dyd her wronge and enmyte and in her herte hylde raucour and sowernes agenste hem. sche gretely offendyd and therfore sche hadde sofryd peynys. Neuertheles thys vyse was to her inuyncyble by cause of her inꝑ­feccyon and euer sche hatyd hyt and often tymes wepte that sche coude not ouercome hyt. wherfore sche hadde the soner forgeuenes of that synne. So thely sche was in her prayers ful deuoute and wele disposyd to almys dedys and hospytalte more then sche might wele do of her owne godys And before [Page] her dethe by lōg sekenes that sche had sche was ꝓuid and clensyd as gold ys in a fornes by the whyche al moste sche hadde caste fro her the scurfe and the hardenes of her synnys. Forthirmore fulfeldyn hyt is in this dayes in the whyche. al moste the condiciōs of alle men gone oute of kynde. for the pure and clere symplycyte and innocentnes of the very chirce of god. that any man leuyng in thys lyfe kepyth or rekeuerythe fully the equyte and puryte of the holy gospelle. the whyche tyle a man fulfylle he may not dwelle in heuynly placys nethyr schalle reste in the mownte and hille of paradyse of ioye & blysse. wherfore what sum euer thynge of synne and vn­clenesse contrarye to equite and ryghtwysnes cle­uyth and restyth on the sowlys that passyn hens out of this world hit shalbe purged in a nothir world & so by her penauns the weye and pathe of a ioyful restyng shalbe schewyd to hem that be purged and clensyd. and so thenne in placys of reste the entrīg of heuyn & eūlasting blisse ful largely shalbe opynd to tho soulys for the ꝑfette desyre that they shal haue ther to se god Sothly this only must be takyn of tho syn̄ys whiche by her light q̄lite or els by ꝯfessyon & satisfaccion don for hem be grāted of god to be chā gyd & contyd amōg venyal syn̄ys. For as touching tho syn̄ys y ^t be dedly & were not ī this worlde by the remedy of ꝯfession & penās made light & venial hyt ys withoutyn doute y ^t he shal so be p̄sentyd to his in gemēt in the world y ^t is to cū as he is fonde in hys leuyng when he passyth oute of this worlde

[...]Othely y sawe alle relygyous folke bothe of men and wemen howe they sofryd certeyne peynys as wele for lytyl offenses as for grete syn̄ys and as hit were ꝓpyr peynes for synguler synnys And full sore as hit semyd to me were the leste peynys that they sofryd for ryght lytyl offenses as for inmoderate lawghyng and ydyl wordys spe­kyng and that they sofryd her mynde neglygently ouyr mekyl to wandyr aboute in vayne thoughtys or els for lyght brekyng the rulys and fourme of her relygyon as in lyghte and nyce behauing of ge stur and in multyplyyng sygnys to mekyl and so for goyng and wandryng out of her cloyster and cellys on ꝓfetabully and also for many other thyn­gys in lyke wyse. For some y sawe ful myserabully wepyng & rowlling hoote brennyng colys in theire mouthys for eting frutys & herbys out of dewe pla cys and tyme not for any medsyn or nede. but for luste & appetyte And for imoderate lawghing they had betingys For ydyl speche strokys in her face. & for vayne thoughtys they sofryd greuys and vary ante trowbulnes of the eyre. And they that offen dyth in dissolucyon of gestur & behauyng were bon de with scharpe bondys and many with fyry boun­dys and for suꝑfluyte of signys by the whiche they hadde to gedyr lewde pleys & ydyl gamys. sum of hem had her flyngers fayne and some had hem by [Page] kn [...]ckyng sore broysyd. They also that were o [...]sta bule wandryng here and there were greuysly caste and throwe fro one place to anothir by the whiche her lymmys were sore hurte amonge hem selfe Also they that spake wordis of reboudye the whiche soun ned onclenesse or other wise agenst the honeste of re­lygyon were ponyss [...]te there almoste as sore as for dedly synnys. Alsoo w [...]o sum euer brake any [...]o­wys made to god or to hys seyntys specyally in ty me of drede and perylle for her helpe and delyuerās And afterward suerte takyn of the same vowe so­fryd inestymable tormentys

aMonge hem that brake her vowys y sawe a yong knyght brennyng in the myddys of fyre whome y knewe sumtyme ful wele And as y enquyred of him why he was putte in so grete pey­nes. thys he tolde me. My lyfe he seyd that y le­uyd was but baren and vayne and also vycyous For y was insolent and nyse in pryde and elacyon and foule and vnclene by the vyce of lecherye. not withstonding for thys y am nowe specyally ponysht by cause y caste aweye fro me the sygne of the holy crosse the whyche y hadde takyn apone me in a vowe that y made to goo to the holy lond howe be yt that y toke the crosse not for deuocy [...]n but for vayne glo rye the whiche y loued to haue hadde of the lorde y ^t y seruyd. Trewely euery nyght y labur in going [Page] as mekyl as y maye to make an ende of that pilgre mage. But what for febulnes of strenthe and cō traryusnes of the wedyr and also scharpnes of the waye y am lettyd gretly that onethe y may goo at on tyme a full lytyl dayes iourney Sothely whenne the mornyng begynnyth. f [...]eyn to me wykyd spiry­tys beyng wodde yn al cruelnes. and drawyn me a geyne. to the place of my peynys. where euer more al the days tyme y am gretly peynde yn fyre. Ne­uertheles wyth a certen amendement of lessur dyssese thawght hyt be lyt [...]l. And ageyne when nyghte comythe. y. am restoryd to the place where y lefte laste my iourney. and so y go forthe on my pylgri mage. and when the mornyng ys cūme y am dra­wyn ageyne and caste to peynys. And al that ha ue vowyd to go to the holy londe. and aftyr d [...]d caste fro hem her crosse. and whent not dedyr. yn lyke wyse as y go. they be compellyd todo her pyl­grymage, so yf they may haue the grace of god yn her laste ende to repente hem. as y had to repente me for brekyng of my vowe. & than by the hols [...] [...]me dy of ꝯfession thys synne y ^t was dedly synne may be changyd to a venyal synne Other wyse al that breke that same vowe. be put to eternalle dampna cion

aNother knyght also the whiche welle dyde & paste to god a x ȝere a gon y sawe and knew [Page] there. This [...]yght that tyme the whyche y sawe [...]ynr had ouercome alle his grete peynys that he had sofryd before And therfore y sey he dyd wele For by that space of penans he wente wele toward the ioys of paradyse. Sothely he bare there on hys fyste a lyty [...] byrdde lyke a sparhauke. Also in hys lyfe aboue alle men that were of that countrey the wh [...]che he dwellyd in gaue gladly & lyberally to all pore pepul that came to hym hospytalyte. Trewely his wyfe dide afore him almoste a xxx wyntyr after hoys dethe he leuyd continent & chaste + in a wyd­wardys lyfe redy and benyuolente to alle men whi lys he leuyd And gretely merueylde why he y ^t was so honeste of leuyng and wele condycyonde in hys demening had not ȝette perceiuyd fully reste & ioye. Than he seyde to me that hit was not too be mer ueylyde. For why whenne he leuyd he mighte ofte offende in many wysys. specialy by cause that ī hys youthe and childhode. he was norishte & broughte [...]pe delycately. and what for felishy [...]pe and hys yowthe. was drawyn to many noysful thyngys of the whiche he kowde not fully be purgyd and made clene in worldly conuersacyon. where he muste con­forme hym to the maners and behauyng of hem y ^t he dwellyd amonge. Sothely he complaynde that the hauke the whiche he bare on hys fyste. paynful ly [...]are his hande with her [...]ylle & scharpe cleys This [...]edeusnes of peyne. he sofryd as he seyde by cawse that in hankyng the whiche he vsyd alle the tyme of hys lyfe. gretely delytyd to see the hankys whenne [Page] they flowe howe they toke other byrddys. The whi che haukyng he lefte not in hys aage + nethyr there of had any compunccyon. For he knewe not that seche a thing were any synne. Many other thingis also y sawe and behylde in this firste place of purga torye. e. as wele abo [...]te hem that y knewe. as a­boute other bothe of men & women of alle degreys & ꝓfessyons of the whiche eueryche on of hem were po nyshte in peynys innumerable. ful scharpe and byt terly. as y haue schortely aboue seyde. vnder a certen generalyte. wherfore these fewe thingys seyde now of many thingys. be suffycyaunt here at this tyme

nOwe of tho thingys the whiche y sawe and notyd in the second place of purgatorye sū what y wylle schewe & declare to yow Sothely ī this secund place y sawe and knewe many mo that we re sum tyme of myne aquentanse. than y dyd in a ny other place sore wepyng and sorowyng ī her pey nys her synnys by the whiche they had brokyn owre lordys [...]maundmentys wherfore they were alyenate & made ferre fro his famylyare knowlege

tHre byssho [...]pys that y knewe wele sum tyme I sawe th [...]re straytely bownde wyth fyrye [Page] thayny [...] oftyn tymes. turnyng and walowyng ful myserabully. now yn gret fyre. and now yn scharpe stormys of hayle and snow and whyrle wyndys. and aftyrward yn a fowle stynkyng ponde of blacke watyr. Trewly they were ponysht dyuersly. not fer from othyr. And on of hem was more byttly torment than tothyr were and that was by cause he vsyd yn hys lyfe to sytte amonge secler ingys. yn place and tyme of pledyng and ther yn. he toke a grete plesure and delyte and of tyn tymes he was. to many that pledyd her causis of god cōsciens a vyolent oppressu [...] agenst ryghte wesenes. and therfore he compleynyd. whyt an o pyn mowthe that hys tonge contynually brende yn flamys of fyre. And as he was now brēnyng yn fyre and now wete. And styftely froryn yn snow and froste. & now yn a stynkyng ponde. and now fowle ouerkeuryde yn fenne and plutte. hys ton­ge euermore conteynuyd yn brennyng fyre. The tothyr of hem othyr whyles neglygently brake hys chastyte. the whyche de [...]e specialy yn a byshoppe. was ouerfowle and abhomynable. and therfore was he drownde oftyn tymes yn the fowle and stynking ponde. that lythe betwene the gret hete and colde as hyt ys seyde be fore Sothly a fore hys dethe he lefte the honowre and dignyte of hys byshoprye. and toke apon hym the meke habette of a monke. the whyche gretly helpyd hym. amonge othyr dedys of satysfaccion. And al that so done. grete good & ꝓfette ther of cūmyth to hem For al they specialy [Page] be holpyn by the meritys & prayers of the holy seyn tys. the whiche vsid afore the same habette & also ben knowyn & markid to rise vppe ageyne in the or­dyr of hem the whiche when they leuyd here vtward ly lefte this worlde or els at her laste ende in ful de­uocyon forsoke this world The thirde of these bysho pys gretly delyted ī worldly worschippe & vayne glo rye. For the whiche synne he was ofte tymys bore vp an hye in fu [...]hye spyrytys of flamys of fyre. & by cause he fille fro the loue of god by seche synne vnto the coolde of worldly slowfulnes. he was lette done brenning to the grenys coolde that was on the todyr syde of the fyre. & be cause of the comyn euyl & pey­nys that thes thre ware in. was for the neglygens of soulys the whiche they had cure of & for the gret carke that they had of her riches & despexion of pore pepul for flatering of princys & imoderate carke of her kyn̄efolke. & as y may shortly [...]clude many thi gys in fewe wordys eūych on of hem sought safter tho thingys that was to him selfe & not tho thīgys that longyth to our lorde thesu criste And the gen̄al euyll of these & many other p̄latys that y sawe was the negligēs of h [...]r office delectacion of worldly wor schippe & dyssymulacyon of her charge. & ī alle these thingys ful heuely they sorowyd by cause they mysu syd her powre that they had vndyr god to the grete hurte of hem selfe & to the ꝑdicion of her sogettys & therfore the peynys of al seche prelatys were dayly encresyd more & more as y haue tolde before of a cer ten prior that what sū eū her frendys that leuyd in [Page] the worlde dyd for hē as in messys almysdede & seche other thingis by the whiche her peynys shold be lessyd dayly her greuys peynys were encresyd for the syn­ful leuyng of hem the whiche they dedly fauerd and brought vp ī her vicys orels be cause they dyd not correcte hem in dewe forme as yt longeth to her offy ce wherfore al they y ^t for seche causys sofrid peynys gretly douted of her saluaciō & were almoste ī despa­cion Sothly ther is no thing so greuys to he that be in peynys as the oncertente of her pelyuerans & also ther ys no thīg that so mekyl swagyth the peynys & sorowys of other as dothe a very hope & feythefull truste the wyiche they knew [...] & haue by oure lordys mercye to be delyueryd. & they that were certeyn to haue an ende of her peynys & were not bonde to the certente of dampnaciō. y ^t same certente was to hem a ful grete solace & ꝯforte For as touching the euyl & hurte of desꝑacion as mekyl as y can consider & re membre me after tho thingys that y sawe there hyt greuyth disesyth & tormentyth tho soulys that haue hit more than al other peynys done

y sawe also besyde these aboue seyde a certen ꝑsō that sumtyme was of grete name & fame the whiche after the meke conūsacion of mōkys relygy on that he leuyd in before in the whiche he had leuid ful deuoutely as in bodely penauns in holy medytaci ons & many other vertues right excellently & at the last he was ꝓmotyd & made archebishope of cantur­bery & primate of inglonde But alas for sorow for [Page] trewly the more therby he grewe in the sight of the pe pul so mekyl he had fal & decresyd ī the sight of god the whiche behilde him inwardly & the sander had en did his life ȝef he had not be holpe by the mercy of god & the merytys of his good leuyng afore by the whiche when he was in relygyon a monke ful wele ī good purpose & labore acceptable to god he had ple syd oure lorde Sothely when he was bisshope of can turbery & also specyaly ful excellēt in cōning ful lityl hede he t [...]ke to his cure. & to the gostely helthe of the peple For he onwysyly ꝓmoted ful onworthy ꝑsōs to beneficys of the chirche. & also he dredde & was aschamyd to execute the lawe for displeasing the kīg by hoys fauor hit semyd he cā to that dignite Also he studyd & thought by a colur of symulacyon odyr wise then he schulde to troble hem the whiche he [...]knew were agenste his ꝓmoting of the byshoprye & dig­nite that he had In these thingys & seche other. he had gretly offendyd. Also in this he was more to be blamid & more offendyd y ^t he hyd & kepte close ful on ꝓfetably the auctorite of relygyon & wysdō that he had fro hem of home he was ful excellētly named & to home he might ful gretly haue ꝓfet & ho sū eū so do they be ordende to ful grete peynis. for they be a s [...]launder to the chirche of god while they plucke not vppe & distrey the wekyd leuing & rotyd wysys the whiche be sowyn in the hertys & [...]ūsacron of the peple of god y ^t they haue cure & charge of ne thir be aboute by her office to edifie & plāte ī her so gettys the nobulnes & [...]dicions of vertu & honeste [Page] no more than other that lacke bothe holynes & gode vnderstanding Ne [...]theles our lorde sechyth aswel of hem that had no cōning in seche thigis as they shuld haue had for to be hedys of the peple as of other the whiche had cōnyng & vnderstōding how be it y ^t they had hit but barenly & turmth hit to the more tormē ty [...] & peynys of hem bothe Also for the opyn & foule onchaste leuing of pristys & clarkys bishoppis nowe a dayis ful gretly perishe be cause they correcte not so grete a synne the whiche is a ful grete i [...]urye & wrōg to the heuynly sacram [...]tys of holy chirche. For ī thoo blessed sacramentys al the lyfe & helpe of crysiyn pe­ple is [...] teynyd the whiche as mekyl as is in hem. be not aschamyd to defoule when they be right foule & pollutyd Sothly of the negligens of denys of arche dekons & of other officers mony thingis y saw the whiche y leue out to tel & how by her [...]senting & simu lacyon & for taking ȝeftys & mēnys psōs al the state of crystyndome almoste ys o [...]cōme & subûtyd For this ys opynly shewyd in the werkys & [...]dicions of hem that now leuyn Also the dissolucyon & [...]louful­nes of seche [...]sōs y ^t shulde haue a zele & a loue to the peple of god reqryth & askyth etnal dāpnaciō aswel to the clergy as to the laye folke & most to he selfe & to her auctors Trewly for these thigis & many other inumerable in this wise the forseyde arche bishoppe la borde in gret peynys vnder greuys [...]playning Sothly he was wel holpen there by the gloryꝰ martir & arche bishoppe of englonde sent thomas of cāturbery home he had goten to him there a special patron & helper be [Page] cause when he went to the holy londe a p [...]grymage in his lyfe tyme he hordende there an hospitalle for pil grimys & intytylde hit in the name of sente thomas to the gret sokyr & ꝯforte of crystyn pylgryms Tre wely this dede y knew first in purgatory whē y saw the forseyd bisshop ī sore peynys but ȝesterday y en [...] red therof yf hit were trew. & a certen ꝑson a religiꝰ mā told me how yt was ordende & begūue Forthyr more gretly hit, pfet him the labur y ^t he had when he went on pilgremage to Ierusalem where he made y ^t place Also many prystys that by the grace of god lefte her vycyꝰ leuing of onchastyte ī very ꝯtriciō of herte w ^t ꝯfession of mouth when they leuyd & be cau se they had not do penās sufficiently y saw hē tormēt ī inumerable peynys Trewly then y thoughte to my selfe y ^t ful few prystys were ther fōde of the gret nō bre y ^t is of hē ī al the world. that had de [...]uyd peynis after her dethe for breking her chastyte. & to thys hit was so answard Therfor ful few ben here tormēt of the nōbre of seche ꝑsōs for onethe it is seldyn̄e sey y ^t a ny mā of hē were very penitēt & ꝯtrite while they le uyd for her syn̄ys. wherfore hit ys no doute but y ^t the grete multytude of hem byn vtwardly dāpde Sothly in al this visyon y saw no mā that vtwardly hadd loste hope of saluaciō nethir y ^t was ī certēte of etnal dāpnaciō Neûtheles some y ^t were in greuys peynys had no knoulege when they shulde be sauyd & y ^t was most peynful to hem. And some that were in peynys knew a certente of her delyuerans & that was to hē a grete solace as hit ys here seyde aboue

h yt were to longe and oute of mesure yeffe y schulde reherse by name al tho ꝑsons the whi che y sawe & knew there of all [...]dicions of all de­greys & of all orders Also ȝef y schulde sey or be a­boute to schew & declare synglerly the peynys & tor­mentys of euery syngler cryme like as hit was sche wde to me at that tyme hit wulde be ouer teduse and weriful to the redder therof For ther ys no syn̄e wre tyn in holy scripture but ther ys ordende in tho pla­cys certen peynis to al that be doers of hem Trefore y leue oute & pas by menfleers auowtres fornica­tors. lyers & forswerers glotyners trayturs couety se folke. proude pepul enuyꝰ pepul. sclaunderers hate ful peple & a thousand mo of this wyse to [...]ome all ys ordende ther synglerly ful grete peynes & greuys And ho may tel of al these thingys when they y ^t were good relygyꝰ men sofred ful sore and greuys peynys only by cause they delyted and toke a ple­sure of the feyernes of her handys and longe fin­gers Also weyfaring men y ^t were slayne of theuys in her iornay y saw hē ponyshte for her syn̄ys in an ȝesy wise Theuys also of home hit is not to be lefte oute in no wise that were for her syn̄ys ingit to hā uing ī this world & were only ꝯfeste so a priste orels opynly y ^t moste helpith of her wykydnes & euyl de­dys in very trew ꝯtriciō of herte & so anon toke her dethe paciently forgeuing w ^t herte al her enemyes & [Page] al maner wrongys & trespassys done to hem & alsoo her dethe in remyssyon of al her synnys y saw al seche w ^t a special certen worschipfulnes p [...] to ful softe & esy peynys Also other that were ponyshte & hangyd lyke wyfe for the ste & other mysdedys & wulde not o pynly ꝯfesse her synnys ī tyme of her dethe but hopīg by fraude & disceyte of her gostely enmy the deuyl to scape harmles at that tyme for the denying & excusīg her synnys how be hit that they purposyd ī her herte to be ꝯfeste to a priste of hem afterward & to do for hem ꝯdigne penans & also vtwardly to leue hem ȝef they coude haue & opteyne space therto as they hopid & ȝet coude not haue hit but schulde deye & than in the laste ende of her lyfe mekely besought god & his ho ly seyntys of mercy & helpe. al seche were ful greuysly torment in peynys for her synnys Not w ^tstondīg nethir these had loste hope of mercy & forgeuenes. Neūtheles they were gynyd in fyry feturs & hāgyd vp in the myddys of fyre on gybbettis home the cru el tormentours & fyndys alto bete & brake w ^t scor­gys & forkys & vpbrayde hem of crymys & sennys w ^t grete scornys & mockys

they that were posynners & poynsyd folke & also wemen that hadde caste awey & forsake her babys the whiche they had bore or had slayne hē or ellys by her cursyd crafte had causyd hem to be bore afore her tyme. I sawe suche persons by full ofte betyngys and ab [...]asyng of naylys alto toryn TNO T197 [Page] And also they were [...]pellyd to drinke dy [...]s metals as bras & ledde multyn by fyre & medylde with full stinkinge thingys the whiche brente her inward bo­wels & so wēt greuysly thorow hē. & whē it was out hit was brought to hem to drinke ageyne. Trewly [...]ten grete mōsturs of creping bestis with horrabul & gastful harmys cleppyd seche wemen: & stykyd her naylys ful depe in her neckys & sydys & hauyng at her brestys sokyd her pappys with her venūmys mouthe & alto gnew hem with her cursyd tethe

vSurers also y sawe howe they were dround in grete hepys lyke hyllys of brēning money complayning w ^t grete sorowe & wayling by cawse they quenchyd not in hem when they leuyd in thys worlde the euyl flame & syn̄e of couetyse

r [...]ligyous persons that were fugytyuys that is to sey that rāne oute of her order by the whiche they had bonde hē self to the [...]uice of god & after turnid ageyne to the worlde & gaue hem to wordely leuing. as a dogge y ^t turuith ageyn to his vomet so gretely they were there smyt w ^t peynys y ^t y can ī no wise tell nethir declare her tormētic. & onethe ful (bitt) bitter repētās & ꝯfession at her laste ende sauyd seche ꝑsons other­while fro e [...]lasting dāpnaciō. Ne [...]theles her aposta­sye was ful long tyme & greuysly ponyshte

bUt what schal y sey of a certen prynce & sum tyme king of englō d y ^t y sawe the whyche in his lyfe was ful myghty amōge al the princys of thys world. Sothely he was on euery syde pressyd and peynyd. that a man myght sey of hem as seit iohan the euangelyste seythe yn hys apocalyps thys wyse Quantum se dilatauit. et in delic [...]s fuit. tan tum datur ei tormentum et luctum. That ys to sey how mekyl he dydde extende and magnifyde hem selfe and was īonleful [...] lustys and delytys. so me­kyl geue ȝe to hym torment and henynes. how ys that may concede yn mynde what gret peynys al hys body and lymmys were smytte wythe He sate apon an horse. that blewe owte of her mowthe and no se a flame blacke as pycche. medylde whyt a smo­ke and stenche of helle. yn to the greuys torment of hym that sate aboue. the whyche was armyd at al pecys as he schulde haue gone to batelle Trewly the armyr that he were. was to hym intollerabul peyne for they were as bryght brennyng ȝirne ys. when hyt ys betyn whyt hamers and smytyth owte fyry sparclys bythe whyche he was wyth ynforthe al to brede & whyt owte forthe the same armyr brende yn ful gret hete. and ladyd hym that ware hym wyth ful sore [...]orhtyn. Also as tochyng hys helme hys shylde. & hys haburgyn. and hys legge har­nes y leue owte. for by the brennyng hete and pey se of hem al. howe mekyl he was peynyd no man [Page] cast telle Sothely he wulde haue geuyn alle the world yf hit might haue be so that he might haue be delyue ryd fro on spurre w ^t the whiche he was compellid to stere his wrechid hors to rēne wherby oftyn times he fylle down hedlong Also the sadyle y ^t he sate in was stekyd thorow on bothe the sydys w ^t fyrye brochys & naylis the which was a gasteful sight for any mā to beholde & the maw & iwarde bowels of him y ^t sate in the sadelle were sore smyt thorow by the scharpnes of tho brochys & naylys. & this cruelly was he po­nyshte for the onrightful scheding of mēnys blode & for the foule synne of auowtrye y ^t he vsyd In thys too thingys he dedly offendyd ofte tymys & tho cru el tormētours wykyd fyndis ful gretly w ^t derisions & scornys vpbraydyd him because he wuld be auēgid on mē y ^t flew his venery as harte & hynde [...]ocke & do & seche other the whiche by the law of kinde ought to be slayne to eūy mā & therfore sū of hē he putte to dethe or els cruelly wulde mayme him. & for al thys he dyd neuer but lytyl penance as long as he leuyd Also ful myserably he [...]playnde y ^t nethir his sonnys nethir his frēdys the whiche he lefte alyue & to home he had gotyn mekyl tēporal godys dyd or schewyd for him any thing after his deth for his helpe & rele uyng No thing he seyde my sōnys & frendys haue done for me ī these peynys Alas lo y haue loste alle my labur & be [...]nes that y haue done ydylly to make myne hesers riche & mighty Alas for the false & dece nabul flatring of pepul & now what haue they bro ught or done for me vnhappy to home y gate & ge­dirde [Page] so mekyl tresur & riches & to whome y gaue so many rētys & possessiōs & for home so gretly y offen dyd god while y leuyd & now y am dedde non of hē doyth any thīg for me Trewly y saw him sūwhat e syd & releuyd of his peynys only by the prayers of religious men. to home in his life for god he was full benyuolent oftyn tymes. & therby y vndirstode specyally that he hopyd to be sauyd. Forthermore be syde al these thingys aboue seyde ful greuysly he so­rowyd & was peynde. for by cause he opp̄ssyd diūs tymes the pepul w ^t ondue taxys

[...]Owe as y remembre a iiii ȝere agon a cer­ten biss [...]oppe was chose to be an arche bysshope but he was than hastely p̄ [...]ente of dethe & so disceste & lefte bothe Trewly this byss [...]oppe was inwardly in his leuing ful wele disposyd & religyusly. for he was pure and deuoute in herte & clene of body that by the vse & weryng of a scharpe herre and other dy uers penauns. tamyd wele hys owne flesche. He conformyd hys face and chere as hit semyd me­kyl after the behauing of secler pepul. & to eschue & refuse the fauer of vayne glorye the whiche is eû ꝓ uyd an enmy to vertu he shewid alwey ī wordys & ꝯtenās gladnes & iocūdnes whē he was w ^t inforth ꝯtrite [...]f herte & ī his affecciōs Also this bisshop vsyd as it is seyd before to ponyssh as wel his dayly fautys by the whiche in grete curys & harde thīngys he [Page] had offendyd as he dyd other synnys the whyche he had done in hys yong age by dyuers chastmen tys and ofte wepyngys. Also in hys office of bys shoppery. he had offendyd greuysly in mony thin­gys by hys neglygens as other bysshoppys dyd of home y haue made mencyon aboue. Of this Bys­shoppe y harde nowe opynly by the seyng of many folke. that by hym myraclys were schewed & d [...]ne after hys dethe on seke pepull and febull. And [...] suppose hyt ys trouthe that oure lord dyd worschy pe hys seruaunte with seche benefettys te geue other example and vndyrstondyng. that he herde and cle ne leuyng the whyche he leuyd ynwardly. plesyd [...] owre lord ful wele. the why he beholdyth only me nys hertys. Sothely ȝet fownde y hem yn peynys re ma [...] yng to hym wythowtyn dowte. ful gret me­de and rewardys yn the euerlasting blysse of heuene And he that be seuythe not them the whyche byn yn the peynys of purgatory. sum tyme to doo myraclys yn thys world. let hem rede the iiii boke of the dy a oge of seynt gregery. and ther he schal see fully­ur an example of thys thyng. schewyd & done at Rome of an holy man y ^t was callyd pascasiꝰ adecō

aCerten abbot that was wele & religyoꝰ dys posyd & a man of gret sobirnes deyde a [...] ȝe re a goo. the whyche be quethyd at hys laste ende to one of hys bretheren mekyl mony for to dele to [Page] the powre folke for the helpe of his sowle. Thenne this monke wysyly and deuoutely fulfylled the ab bottys wille and gaue alle that money to [...] p [...]re pepul and nedy And where he knewe any y ^t were cold and hungery or smytte with sekenes and we re bore of honeste folke and wele condicyonde and were fallyn to pouerte wherby they had not to bye her leuyng. and to begge they were aschamyd to seche he wulde opyn hys hand hfter his powre and releue hem with mete and drynke schoys and clo­thys Also to ancrys and to wedowys to wolde fol­ke and to powre scolers he gaue mekyl commaun­ding hem al to praye deuoutely for the soule of him for whome that money was geuyn And also they dyd ful spedly And whenne this trewe and feyth­full monke had geuyn to pore peple alle that was be takyn hym he fylle in to sekenes / by the whyche longe tyme he was wele ꝓuyd and purgyd & dys ceste a foure ȝere a goe and made a blessyd ende. And bothe the forseyde abbotte and the monke y fō de there in purgatorye. Trewely the abbot was hol­dyn ȝette in scharpe peynys and moste by cause that ful carnaly and ouer mekyl he louyd hys kynnys folke and also was to hem ouer large in ȝeftys of the goodys of hys monasterye and spende on hem mekyl more than was conuenyent to do. Playnly that same vyse that ys to seye carnalle loue to kyn­red more thanne ryght requyryth. full sore gre­nyth al moste alle maner of peple that were ꝓfeste to holy relygyon in her lyfe. and also al them that [Page] were dyspensours of holy chirche goodys as byssho pys byn and suche other the whyche spende hem ꝓ­bably in other vysys than they schulde. And as y cese of hem thē whiche wastyn the godys of the ho ly chyrche wherby they were made rychr in dyssolu cyon of clothyng in voluptuous metys and pom­pys of the world so schalle they that vsyn scarsly to her nede the godys that they haue thaugh no thing of hyt be spēde [...] vanyte. ful straytely geue acō ty [...] of suche godys as they haue & kepe and remeynyth aboue her yede Sothely they schnld first geue of here goodys more largely to the pore pepulle of her paris house and afterward by discrecyon helpe her fader [...] and moders as they nede alle superfluyte putte asyde and also releue other pore folke & so deserue mede of god withoute any offense. For ther in purgato ryr y knewe first this rewle ordende to bysshoppys & abbottys persons and vicars of the chirche the why che can not be brokyn withoute grete vengns. And ȝere y sawe these thyngys so ordend. full fer y thoughtr odyr wyse of hem. For y knewe afore that the maners and condycyons of seche prelatys were ferre fro hyt and odyr wyse demenyd And alle that kepe and fulfille this lawe and ordenans as ryght and reason requyryth schalle so be rewar dyd of god for hem as they hadde geuyn alle su­che godys of her owne propre patrymonye. Ther fore thys Abbot afore seyde amonge sore and gre uys peynys and tormentys hastyd hym toward the reste of paradyse. And as he sawe and behylde [Page] the forseyde monke hys brother the whiche was there in a certen parte besyde remouyd fro the greuys pey nys and tormentys that were there. and fullyght ly peynde in comparyson of hym bowde hym selfe of tyn tymes to the same monke and thankyd hym with bothe hys handys for the grete charyte that he schewyd for hym in the dystrybucyon and delyng of the forseyde money that he delyueryd to hym And the monke schewyd hym selfe to the abbot that be­hylde hym ful gracyous of syghte and gladsum of chere For he was right feyre and sembly in whyte clothyng thawghe they were resperste and had on hem a fewe spottys And whenne y sawe thys y mer ueyled in my selfe. Thenne sente Nycholas y ^t hyl de me by the hand tolde me this of hym. Knowyst this monke that thou seyst. he seruyd and pleasyd god ful wele in hys lyfe wyth grete clennes of her te and chastyte of bodye. and mekyl euyl the whi che schulde haue be done in the place were he was he lettyd and was agenste hyt. For he was feruent in zele of ryghtwysnes and hatyng euyl of herte wherfore many reproues oftyn tymes pacyentely he sofryd for the defense & honeste of his religion and specyaly of hem the whiche ware the habet of religyō apon hem for that entent that they myght dystroye the vertuꝰ leuing & [...]uersacion of relygyō ful besyly p̄uyng not her spiryte but the wrechidnes of her fles [...] and the worlde ī the monaster [...]s of spyritual & go­stely leuing. And alas for sorow for now by seche ꝑsons the specyal worschyppe and honoure that holy [Page] chirche was of before is almost brought to nought whyle the multytude of carnal and worldly men encresyn aboue noumbre. home the fewnes of spy­rytuall men sofryn chesyng rather to dyssymylle and not to knowe her euyll and so to reste hem selfe thā by her blamyng and resysting stere and moue a­genste hem the wrathe and trowbullus hastynes of suche euyl dys [...] syd persons And thaught they soo do ȝette they can not be fewer fro the spyes and frau dys of hem And as sum tym ysmael that was bo­re carnaly pursewyd ys [...]at that was bore spyrytua ly that ya to seye by a spyrytual promyse of almigh ty god. lyke wyse hyt is now. For carnal folke ben ful greuys to spyrytuall pepul. be cause they can not peruerte hem to her frawardnes Also many ther byn that gretely hyt ys to sorowe the whyche in her leuyng begunne spyrytualy. but by ꝓcesse of tyme owther they be ouercumme by onstabulnes or els ben dysceyuyd by sempylnes. and also they falle done fro her purpose and begynnyng vnto the myserabul and wrechyd corrupcyon and slow fulnes of this world. entysyd and drawyn by the examplys & councelys of euyll desposyd persons. Trewly these grete hirtys of relygyous leuyng the whyche before in the tyme of faders. ful nobly flowryd & schone as an heuynly lyght. ful gretely beholdyth the [...]re latys of holy chyrche in thys dayes. that knowen thys and despysen hyt. m so mekyl that they vndyr stonde not hem selfe. that hyt ys so wyth hem They knewe veryly what thynge they be cum to. but they [Page] what thinge they schulde haue cum to. be cause y ^t they be cum to the luste and plesure of thys world but they schulde haue cum to the folowing of cry­stys pouerte. and to the karke and dilygente ke­pyng of her cure. that ys the pepul of god cō myt­ted to hem. And therfore that they seche and that they care. For that they be cum to and that they ha ue. The pepul of god they fede not but distroye & hem perauenture that they haue turnyd fro ryhht­wysnes they fleyn spirytually and lesyn. for her cō formyng to hem not shewyng hem selfe faders & pa stors. but woluys and theuys. Trewely the ꝓmo tyng of suche persons kyngys and bysshoppys and other grete men procuron and gete. and her soget tys ful mekyll loke ther aftur not beyng rectors and faders. but peruersours and destroyers of her sow lys the whiche thynkyn that alle thynge that ys vn­der hem that lykyth. ys leuefulle. why by the right wes iugemente of god byn remys trowbuld and chyrchys confowndyd and the state of erthely for he vtwardly subuertyd And for seche demenyng they be acursyd of god the whyche schulde be deuowt and meke intercessours to god bothe for hym that byn a lyue. and for hym that byn dede by hoys me ritys and prayers. specialy the welfare of al crystyn dome myght be preseruyd and encresyd and al euyl fer put awey fro the pepul of god And whyle sent Nycholas conplaynyd of seche thynghes and of many othyr yu thys wyse. and remembryd also so me thyngys that were of grete cōmendacyon and [Page] laude of certen persons. the whyche yn her tyme sto de ful manly yn seche perels. and strenthyd othyr so to doo y saw ful many on euery syde me the why­che y knew be fore sore holdyn yn ful greuys pey­nys and tormentys Trewly y lokyd most apon hem that y knew a lytyl be fore and louyd ryght spe cialy

oF the whiche a certen worschipful abbas was ther that blessedly paste thys same ȝere owte fro thys world tawarde the euerlastyng lyfe and ioys of heuyn. Sothely sche tolde me many thyngys bothe of her state that sche was paste and of her state that sche was yn. also sche seyde many thigys to me the whyche y schulde telle to her owne naturale sisters that were vnder de tytyl of v [...]gynyte amonge othyr holy virgenis yn the same monasterye. that sche was abbas of by some certen tokyns of the whyche so­me y wolde telle that schulde be to the herers of hem ful graciꝰ & good but that sche bade me telle hyt to no nothyr. [...]aue to hem that sche commawndyd me Sche seyde also that sche hathe resceuyd mekyl rele­uyng and helpe of her peynys by the deuowte pray­ers and psalmys of her systers the seruantis of god tho home be fore sche was a spiritual modere. And sche cōmawndyd me to thanke hem for mony good dedys the whyche they haue done for her and for the sofragys of messys and othyr holy prayers that they haue gotyn for her as they myghte of certen re [Page] ligious persons. And more ouer they haue made & ordende to be offerd to oure lord dayly withoute a­ny cesyng for me messys and other deuoute prayers And therfore lete him knowe withouten doute that they schalle haue therfore ful grete mede and y also haue scapyd ful scarpe peynys. And yf they perse­uere as they haue begunne. sone y hope to scape the renande of my peynys. Sche tolde my also that gre tely hyt helped her that before she was made abbas sche schewyd and behauyd her selfe with grete cō passyon ful mekely to some of her systers that were sore vexed wyth grete sekenesse or temptacyon and ful ofte dyd alle maner of seruyce deuowtely that were right foule and absecte in the monasterye

tHere were sche seyde on a tyme in owre place. it. yonge vyrgyns the whiche were ful sore infecte with the grete plage of lepur. And for as­moche that in many placys of her bodyes. the fle sche was falle downe to the bonys and the skynne aboue. oftyn tymes horrably blyster owte of bley­nys. And alle my systers of owre monasterye lo­thyd alle moste. to see or vysyte hem or to teche hē but to me me thoughte and semyd full swete. to haue and opteyne hem yn my lappe or holde hem in my harmys. and forthermore alsoo to we [...]e hem in bathys. and also to wype her sores wyth my ste nys. & they ful wele & gladly sofryd that plage of [Page] lepur and tankyde god of that chastemēt and dys sese And so dely tyd hem yn hyt as they had rescey uyd of hym graciꝰ ȝyftys of diuers ornamentys And where alytyl whyle agon. they were peyryd yn the worlde by a longe martyrdome. now ful bles sydly they folowyn the heuenly lambe her spowse ihesu cryste wyhtowtyn any spotte wher sum euer he goo And for the pety and charyte that y had and sche wyd to hem yn her nede y haue euermore had yn al my peynys. a swyfte refreschyng and releuyng of helpe. Also many othyr thynges the same abbas tol de me amonge the whyche sche complaynyd that for on thyng that she dyd she had sofryd sore peynys and that was by cause. neglygently sche lefte a cer ten chylde a yonge scoler. that was destitute of al hys frendys. and was comyttyd to her of a cer­ten byshoppe for to be browght vppe. and therfore the chylde leuyd longe tyme yn grete dyscomforte and heuynes Also y saw and knew sum of her sys­ters that were noonys of her monastery ther yn that place of purgatory yn lyght peynys

aCerten knyght that was patron of a chyrche solde on a tyme a personage to a certen clerke for. xxvij. marke Sothely aftyrwarde he repēte hym of that dede. and for the satysfaccion of so grete a synne he toke the crosse to go the holy londe. and to vyset owre lordys scepulcur ȝef he myghte. and for [Page] hys offensys there to aske god forgeuenes and mer cy Trewly that tyme. the hethyn folke had put thens crystin pepul & so occupied the holy londe Then were cristen pepul gedyrde of al coostys of the worl de to fyghte agenste hem. and to dryue hem away and so thys knyghte yoynde hym selfe to goo a­monge hem And aftyrwarde he was smytte wyth se­kenes. and endyd hys lyfe yn that yourney Soth ly y fownde thys knyghte there ȝet yn mene peynys And he tolde me that for the synne of symony that he dyd▪ as hyt ys a fore seyde he had sofryd ful greuys peynys and gret And more ouer he seyde. yf y had not be preuent by the mercy of god to repente me ful sore afore my dethe for that synne of symo­ny yn no wyse schulde haue scape eternal dampnacy­on. And the labur of the pylgrymmage that y to he for god tawarde the holy londe. gretly esyd me of thoo peynys. that were due for the same synne Also hit was grawntyd me by the goodnes of god that y schulde sende to her that was my wyfe. by a feythful clerke warnyd yn hys slepe of me. that sche schulde orden to be seyde for me. v. tricennar [...]s of messys wyth the offycys of placebo and dirige as the chirche had ordende for hem that byn dede and of seche prystys that were of honeste and chaste ly­uyng. of the whyche. some y tolde by name. Than sche made these messis wyth othyr thyngys a fore sey de. to be trewly done for hym. and aftyrwarde sche rewardyd hem as they were worthy by the whyche he seyde hys peynys were ful gretly abatyd. For a [Page] bowte the begynnyng after my dethe oftyn tymes y was compellyd dayly to deuoure tho pensys hoote and brennyng that y had takyn of the pryste and person afore seyd. And nowe by the mercy of god y am delyueryd fro that grete tormente. and that was moste for the suffragiis the whiche was done for me. And ȝette y am constrayned ful sore to sofyr the scarpnes of colde. by cause whenne y le­uyd y had not compassyon on powre and nedeful people that were clothles and coolde. And oftyn tymes whenne y gaue hem mete & drynke y wuld be ryght wele warre by the vyce of hardnes to spen de no money apon hem. Thanne seyde y to hym. what and there were done ȝet ageyne messys for you schuld ye not trowe ye resceyue perfetly reste. Thanne he seyde. [...]ys and there were done for me. vii. tricennariis with the officys longyng to hem this ys placebo and dirige. y hope that anone as they were done for me. y schuld be delyueryd fro peynys to euerlastyng reste. Here nowe hyt ys to be vndyrstonde that thys same knyght after his deth as y knowe hyt nowe withoute any doute. apperyd in a vysyon to the same clarke afore seyd. and as­sygned hym. v. ful chaste prystys and chosyn by name. that schuld seye these messys and other thin gys lyke as hyt ys seyde aboue. Hoys persons and namys and the placys of her dwellynges the why che dylygentely he expressyd were to hym selfe whi le he leuyd in hys bodye. and to y clarke that he apperyd to. and also to hys wyfe that dydde for [Page] hym vtwardly onknowen

aCerten ȳonge man a monke that sōme tyme y had seyne the whiche in many thyngys be hauyd hym relygyously and he was also sexten of the chyrche where he dwellyd. Sothely there were in thys same chyrche. iii. or. iiii. ymagys of our blessyd lady seynt marye hauyng in her lappys the ymage of oure sauyur ihesu cryste yn fourme of a ly tyl babe and they were sette at euery auter on right wele peynted and feyre arayed wyth golde and di uers other colours. the whycde sch [...] wyd to the peo­ple that behylde hym grete deuocyon. And before euery ymage hynge a lampe. the whyche after the custome of that same chyrche. were wonte to be lyghted at euery pryncypale feste thorowe alle the yere. bothe by nyghte and by daye enduryng fro the firste ensonge vnto the second ensonge afore the forseyde ymages of owre blessyd lady seynte Ma rye. And alsoo thylke lampys lyghtnyd alle the chyrche abowte. Trewely hyt happonde apon a ty­me in the forseyde Sextenys dayes. that grete scars nesse of oyle was in that countreye that same ty­me. & also there was no man that there had any oyle thanne to selle. and seldyn hyt was that any stran ger at that sesyn putte forthe any suche chafer for to [Page] selle. where fore the forseyde sexten. by cause he wyste not. where he myght gete oyle for necessary vsys the mene whyle he withdrew the lyghte fro the forseyde lampys. as hym thowghte he myghte lefully doo how be hyt that he had some yn store. but he drede leste hyt wolde not suffyce tyl he hade more. so that on ascensyon day and wythssonday he put no lyght to hym. the whiche yn these festis specialy were won te to brenne But he went not onponyshte. Sothe­ly the thyrde day yn whytsson weke when he was sey en yn al thyngys ryght hole and sownde sodenly he was smyte wyth a ful scharpe axces. and so a vexid ther of that he was madde and owte of hys mynde and on the wysday the nexte weke aftir he dyde And on saterday by fore hys dethe. when he was almos te at hys laste ende. he saw yn auysyon the quene of heuyn owre blessyd lady sent mary. stondyng on a grice of a certen wyndyng steyer yn the chyrche that was by on of the same ymagys of owre blessyd la­dy aforeseyde And when he saw her he cryde to her remembryng hys sekenes and perelle and seyde. O holy and blessyd mary. haue mercy on me. Than sche and s [...]erde hym scharply bothe yn worde and yn chere seying thys wyse. Thow haste take fro me the worshyppe of my lyghte yn erthe. and y schal ageyn take fro the the lyghte of thys present lyfe. Sothely whenne he herde and vnderstode this thre­tyng he was sore aferd and abasshid and no mer uelle: and caste hym selfe done at her fete with gre te wepyng and sorowyng and askyng foreuenes [Page] of hys trespas and ꝓmysed amendement The [...]e oure blessyd lady hoys thretyng ys wonte to be of mercye mekely behylde hym and made a signe with her hand schewyng hym the grice that sche stode a­pon and seyde. Sytte done here Thanne he begun­ne as hym thoughte to sytte done ful sore aferd at her fete. whenne sche sodenly vanyshte awey. And whenne he was cumme to hym selfe ageyne callyd for hys bretheren and tolde hym thys vysyon that he had seyne and prayde hem and also bade hem w ^t grete instaunce and wothys that the nexte nyghte with the dayr folowyng. the lampys afore seyd schuld be lyghtynde and brenne. as the custome was before Also he made a vowe that and he my­ght haue hys helthe ageyne he wold contynally ke pe forthe and encrese the forseyde lampys to wor­schyppe and lawde of the gloryous vyrgyn & moder of god oure blessyd Lady seynt marye. But he cowde not calle ageyne the worde and sentence that sche seyde to hym And so he dyde the tewsday after trynyte sonday and as for the restoryng of the for seyde lampys some satysfaccyon he dydde for his of fense and trespas. Trewly ȝette hethir to was he holdyn in peynys and tormentys by cause often ty­mes he had offendyd in kepyng of hys relygyon and in seying of dyuyne seruyce And also he was lyght of behauyng and ondyscrete as in etyng & drynkyng. lawghyng spekyng. [...] apyng and in many other mo

fOrthermore a certen clerke that paste onte of thys world in hys yowthe y sawe there ī the same place the whyche by the inspyracyon of the holy goste bothe in connyng of dyuynyte as in other [...]ly be rals facultee [...] passyd al moste alle other that were hys felawys. Sothely he was there peynde ī a light and amene wyse gladly goyng forthe by the testy mony and witnes of a goode consciens that he had toward the ioys and reste of paradyse Trewely he was ful wele dis [...] osyd of maners and condicions and studeyng in scolys pure of chastyte and beny uolente in charyte with other ȝeftys of grace by the whyche he plesyd oure lord ful wele. Also he had gotyn to hym specyaly the loue of the moste gloryꝰ vyrgyne the modyr of god oure blessyd lady sent marye home he seruyd ful deuoutely in hys lyfē and ful oftyn tymes wachyd longe in prayers before her auter with a ful meke spyryte and a cōtryte her te and for her loue gaue to pore pepul mekyl almys wherfore withoutyn doute thya remaynyd to hym of the same blessyd lady in heuyn euerlastyng ioye and grete mede And for the houre of hys passyng oute of thys world he had resceyued mekyl refres­shyng and by her contynual solace and helpe was mercyfully also in hys peynys sokyrde and cōforted Sothely whenne he was schewyd to me he was sum what dyssesyd & peynyd only by the intemperās of the eyre as in coolde and in hete Then y enquyred [Page] and he had sofrid any other peynys afore. And hyt was tolde me that he had sofryd other whyles amonge the peynfull hete of thirste. and that was be cause whenne he abowndyd in temporal goodys he was more harder to the pore peplu than he schulde haue be. or ryghte wolde And trewely he had gret compassyon of hem. and mekyl he dyd in hys lyfe to helpe and releue hem. But neuertheles oftyn ty mes he was wery of hem. and specyaly after that he was waxin rycher in so mekyl that before when he was powrer and had not so mekyl he was more lyberale to powre folke than he was after whenne hys goodys were encresyd And therfore full sore hyt ys to drede howe streytely they shulde ȝeue acōtys of her dis [...]nsacyon that haue resceyued benefytys & ryches of the chyrche. owre lord yhesus seyng thys wyse yn the gospel. Cui plus commititur ab [...]o plus exigetur that ys to sey To home more ys cō mytid or be takyn. of hym more shal be asuyd Now soth ly by cause whe haue here trewly wretyn yn wordes mony thynghes that we fownde & saw yn placys of peynys let vs here ende owre narracion of hem And aftirward as god wyl geue vs grace we wyl asaye to telle and declare some thynghys that we saw of the conforte and gladnes of the blessyd sowlys the whyche restyd hem yoyfully yn the ful me ry and yocunde place of paradyse

nOwe of the solace and conforte of the bles­sed sowlys that byn scapyd her peynys an [...] be at reste and of her euerlastyng ioys. sum what y wille tel yow as y can and may For no man may sufficiently And whenne we were paste and gō [...]e these thre placys of peynys as hyt ys aboue seyde & had beholde the grete peynys and dyuers tormen­tys of synnarys. we wente forthe farthir And as we wente farther. there begunne to appere a lytyl & a lytyl more and more a full feire lyghte vnto vs and with al brake oute a ful plesaunte swete fauyr And anone after we cam to a fylde the which was full of alle maner of feyre and plesaunte [...] that gaue to vs an oncredyble & inestymable con­forte of ioye and plesure Sothely in thys fylde we sawe and founde infynyte thousandys of sowlys ful ioc [...]de and merye in a ful swete reste after her penauns and after her purgacyon. An [...] hem that we founde firste in the begynuyng of that filde had apon hem white clothyng. but hyt was not very bryght nethyr wele schynyng. Notwithstondyng they had no spotte of blacknes or of any other o [...] ­clennes on hem as hyt semyd. saue thys as y seyd before they were not very bryg [...]t schynyng whyte. Trewely amonge these many y knewe the whyche sum tyme y sawe and knewe ful wele whenne they leuyd in thys world [...]. Of the whyche schortely sum [Page] what y wylle telle yow and of other y purpose to cesse

hEre in thys place was a certen abbas that was of worschipful conuersacyon. the why the y knewe whenne y was a chylde. and sche dy­ed a xiiii yere agone. Sothely sche had grete fer uour and zele to chastyte. and to alle other honeste Also sche was wyse and warre and denowte in ke pyng her sisters. to whome sche was commytted Thys abbas y sawe amonge them that were in the begyunyng of that ioyful place. For sche was but as newe cum thedur fro her peynys. and sche had [...]pon her clene clothyng but not verey whyte schy­nyng. And sche semyd by her chere and dysposy­cyon as sche had be longe tyme sicke or dissesyde & had cumme late fro bathys. I passe by here to tel of summe lyghte thyngys for the whyche sche had sofryd ryghte scarpe peynys. Sothelysche had not ouercumme in her leuyng the vyce and mocyon of vayne glorye. amonge the merytys of vertu and commendacyon of flatryng and of other thyng is innumerabulle y passe by▪ in the whyche the febull ignoraunce of good pepul often tymes offendythe Trewely sche told me that sche had sofryd peynys specyaly by cause sche louyd her kynnys folke ouer­mekyl carnaly. and to hem gaue mekyl goodys of [Page] the place that sche had rule of. whenne somme of her systers to home sche was a spyrytuall moder lac­kyd sum tymes suche thyngys as longed to her le­uyng and clothyng. And whenne y harde thys of her▪ gretely y meruelyde. For y knowe not one the any prelate in thys dayes. that vsyd so grete scarsnes to her kynnys folke as sche me semyd dydde to her cosynis. And as tochyng superfluyte as fer as y knew. onethe sche gaue any tyme to hem that were of her kynne ther necessar [...]s. Also her neue [...]s and necys. and othyr that were of her kynne she cowpulde hem not to carnal matrymony. but be to­ke hem to religyon for to serue god. And so ster ne sche behauyd her yn wordys and yn chere. to hem specialy. that when sche was seyne to othyr strāgers frendely and ȝesely. sche was only to her cosynis ryghte gastful and on mylde. Also sche vsyd to en quyre ther fawtys ful warly. and when perauēture sche myghte fynde hem fawtye. ful bytturly therfor sche wolbe hem ponyshe Also sche wolde haue the [...]ones te of maners. and the clennes of chastyte obser­uyd & kepte. of al seruantys & ꝑsons that sche hade longyng to the monasterye. but mooste of hem y ^t were of her kynne. And ther was no brothyr ne syster that. sche vsyd to fauer▪ as dydde othyr that were not of her kynne And when y had seyde thys to her. and also that sche had browghte forthe ma ny that y knewe to kepe deuowtly her purpose and habet of relygyon that they had takyn apon hem thys wyse the same abbas seide to me ageyne. Sothe [Page] hyt ys sche seyde ās tye sey. But neuertheles for the carnal affeccyon and loue. that y had ynwardely to my frendys when y was bownde to the due gostely leuyng of religion. as wele by the reson of my pro fessyon. as by the office that y bare. y kowde fynde non excuse. be fore the streyte iugement of god yn the whyche y was examynde to the vtturmaste poynte of my leuyng. And moste by cause that occasyon of gruggyng. and example of ouermekyl besynes grewe to my systers. by my fawte and negligens for the carke and besynes that they had to her fren dys Trewly y schulde rather haue be warre and ta­kyn hede of the hurte of her sowlys of home y had cure and charge. than the superfluyteis and ꝓuy­syon of wordly goodys to my [...]frendys the whyche y lefte on [...]s wyth the worlde for god. And when thys worschippful abbas had tolde me thys and many othyr thyngys also. we wente forthe farther yn to the same ioyful fylde

ySaw & knew also yn thys ioyful place a certē worshipful ꝑson y ^t was a prior of a monaste rye the whyche dyed a. iii ȝere agōne Trewly y saw hym ful blessydly amōge ye holy spiritys & blessyd seyntys yn a ioyful reste. exēpte & delyueryd frome al peynys. gladsū & mery of y ^t place y ^t he was yn but mekyl more gladder and that yncomparable [Page] for the certen bydyng that he boode. to haue the sight of god. And he bare euermore whyle he leuyd in thys world the habet of a monke bothe on hys bo­dy and in hys herte fro the tyme of hys chyldhode on to hys oolde aage and to hys laste ende. Also he kepeth and hydde the floure of hys vyrgym [...]e in the bosum of mekenes and he cowpuld to hem ful su­erly the vertu of pacyens. Trewely he vsyd gret ab stynence and longe wacchyng. and bothe too he ouercome by holy deuocyon. And whenne necessete compellyd hym to be aboute werkys of charyte as hys office requyred for the tyme. he wulde euer a­monge be seying some salmys or other deuowte pray ers to god. No man had more compassyon to hē that were in temptacyon than he▪ ne no man was more deuowtur and besyur in seruyce to seke men / than he. Also he neuer denyed hem her petycyons & asaynges that were dyssesyd al only of too thyngis that myghte be hadde. And for to helpe hem that were in heuynes. abecke of warnyng was suffycy ent. And whenne he was of seche holy leuyng and conuer sacyon. and also laborde contnualy mony ȝerys before hys dethe. in grete wekenes of bodye so that by hys febulnes & dissese he had vtwardly loste the sight of on of his yes a too ȝere before his obite when other lymmys of his body faylde him for dyuers other dyssesis. & not withstonding alle thys ȝette wolde he neuer be fro the conent ne fro the quere ne fro the comyn table of the frayter where he was more fedde of the refeccyon of his brethyrne. [Page] than of hys owne Sothely aftyr hys yonge age. he vtwardly absteynide hym fro flesche metys neûthe les he wolde to his brethirne y ^t wer sickelew & febul besyly & denowtly profer hem flessche metys for her recoueryng And at the laste he fyl yn to a sekenes y ^• ys ca [...]yd dissenteria And when he was al moste browghte to hys ende. he toke hys gostely cōforte & socur the holy & blessyd sakyrmēt of owre lordys preci [...] body & blode w ^t hys laste anoyntyng. and so bode al moste. x. days w ^towte any mete inten­dyng only the benefitys of god & the exhortacion of hys brethyrne Trewly the nyghte before the day y ^t he paste to god abowte the owre of diuyne [...]uyce. he saw owre lord [...]hesu & owre blessyd lady seynt ma ry cūmyng to hym. and w ^t a ful meke sygne they made a tokyn to hym that he schulde folow hem. & anon aftyr callyd for hys brethirne. and declaryd to hem the visyon that he had seyne. & tolde hem be­fore, & y ^t w ^t a ful glade herte y ^t he schulde passe hens on the morow nexte. & so he dydde Longe hyt were ȝef y schulde telle & remēbre al thyng that he seyde be­fore hys ende. how he cō mendyd hym selfe & hys brethirne to god. and exhortyd hem to cōtynew yn good leuyng. hoys wordys & exhortacion was not of man. but of the holy gooste that spake yn hym Sothly then on the morow aftyr abowt the howr of [...]yrse lying yn ashys & yn herre when he had seyde the [...]ce of the day. and of the holy trimite. & of owre blessyd lady. the whyche he vsyd euermore of a childe and when he had herde deuowtly the passion of owre [Page] lorde after the. iiii. euangelystys. and other salmys with grete compunccyon of herte betwhene the swhe [...]e kyssyngys of oure lordys crosse and the salutaci ons of oure blessyd lady. blessyng hys brethyrne deuontely expyryd. Therfore thys worschyfful fa der. wyth home fro my ryghte yonge aage y was ful wele acquentyd anon as y sawe hym deuoutely y grete hym and he grete me ageyne ful mekely & tolde me many thyngys

[...] Othely thys worschipful fader and Prior schewyd to me ther also a certen adolescente a yonge man the whyche in hys chyldhode with gret feruent deuocyon entryd in to relygyon and was a monke in the same place and monasterye y ^t thys worschypful fader aforeseyde was prior of. & there he lenyd a good whyle but no longe tyme. for he was prenent hastely and sone of dethe & so blessyd ly he passyd out of this worlde Trewly y neuer saw hym in body Neûtheles often y haue harde the brethe ren of the same place tel of his pure & innocēt leuī g & also of hys holy passing mony thingys Then seyd the forseyde prior to me of hym This ys my sōne he seyde of home often tymes thou haste herde. he was my felowe when y leuyd in the worlde in holy leuī g and denocyon. he ys now also my felowe going to heuyn. and schalle be an euyn heyre with me eterna ly in euerlasting ioye and blysse and the same yong [Page] monke also tolde opinly to hys brethirne before his dethe the howre of hys passyng. And also heuynly melody was harde at hys passyng as many can telle that were ther in the monasterie the same tyme Treu ly the forseyde prior. what for diuers negligencys of hys owne doyng and for othyr diuers fawtys of hys brethirne. he had sofryd some lytyl peynys And the same yonge monke also. as he had offen dyd yn ful smale and lytyl thyngys. so he had fel te afore sum what of lytyl peynys. not wythston­dyng they were bothe equale yn wythnes and yn ioy Sothly the forseide prior as hyt semyd had a truste of a more greter rewarde for the more goode dedys and meritys of vertu the whyche he had by lengur leuyng deseruyd

y Saw also yn thys same place a certen wor­schipful priste the whyche yn hes lyfe dydde mekyl good to the pepul by hys holy preching Treu ly he had grace of prechyng so ioynyd wich the zele of ryghtwesnes & w ^t good example of leuyng. y ^t he callid not only the pepul of hys owne paryshons fro wekyd leuyng & dedly dedis. but also he enformid & tawghte inumerable pepul of other parishons ferre & brode. how they schulde seue her sennys & fulfille owre lordis [...]mandmētis & how they schulde dayly encrese & ꝑ [...]et ī goode & [...]tuꝰ leuyng & so to [...] to adew & a [...]uement ende And sothly sūme were so [Page] ferre fallyn yn to the deuyls bondys by her euyl & wekyd leuyng whome he callyd ageyne by prayur and holy prechyng that visibly they myghte aftyr­warde vnderstonde and know how they had be takyn hem selfe to the deuyl and hys seruice the whiche he made of oure lordys infinite mercy by confession & satisfaccion & penanse doyng. ryghte wele and par fet yn the feithe and yn good leuyng Neuertheles for what causys he had also sofryd before alytyl while diuers peynis y leue oute here by cause y haue seyde a fore many seche lyke thyngys. And as we wēte more ynward & farthir yn to y ^t ioyful place of paradyse. we had euermore a clere lyghte and felte a swetur sauer and hem that we founde & saw ther were more whyttur and gladder than were o­thyr that we saw before And wher to schulde y tarye here now to nowmbre tho persons and her merytys the whiche y saw ther. that y knew sūme tyme befo­re yn the worlde. and hem also that y knew not be­fore For al that were ther yn that place. were orden de to be the cy [...]sonnys of the hye and euerlastyng ie rusalem and al had paste the stryfe and batel of this worlde and were victurs of deuyls. and so lyght­ly they went thoro we al peynys. as they were befo­re les comyrd and holde by wrechyd leuyng and wordely vicys

[Page] n owe sothely tho thyngys the whiche we sawe as we wente forthe farthir in to the same pla ce nethyr tonge may telle ne mannys mynde maye worthely consyder. who ys he that may worthily tel in worde how in the myddys of tho blessyd and ho ly sowlys the holy crosse of crystys passyon was pre sented and schewed to hem. of the whiche infyinte thousandys were there stondyng aboute hyt and as oure lorde had be present in hys body so they wor­schyp [...]e and halowed hys blessyd passyon Trewly there was seyne the meke redemer of mākynde oure swete lorde and sauyur ihesꝰ criste as he had be done fresche on the crosse. For alle hys body was blake and blody of scurgys and betyng and cruelly dis figurde by fowle spyttyng crownyd with scarpe [...]hornys and smytte throw with grete naylys hys fyde was sore persyd with a spere & fro his handys & fete rāne out blode redde as purpul & fro his holy syde cam downe blode & water ful largely. & at this grete & wōdyrful spectacul stode his holy moder oure blessyd lady sent marye. not now in [...]uynes and mornyng bat right gladsū & ioyng & y ^t was ī a ful feyre demenyng. & ther also stode w ^t herre the swete dyscipi [...] of criste seynt iohn̄e the blessyd euāgeliste & ho may now conceue in mynde how t [...]o holy soulys rāne thedir on euery syde gladly & lightly to see and beholde y ^t blessyd sight O what deuocyon was there of hē that behilde that gloriꝰ vysyō O what cōcurs was ther of worschi [...]ing & thanking our lorde ihesu criste & how meruelꝰ was her ioyful gladnes Trew [Page] ly remembryng thesese thingys in my selfe y wote not whedir sorow or deuocyon or cōpassion or gratu lacyon drawyn nowe myne onhappy soule dyuers weyes. For wondyr & meruel of tho thingis ma­kyn me alyenate fro my selfe & sum what absent to my selfe. who ys he that wolde not ful gretly sorow to see so feire & so solemly a body to be caste vnder so grete iniuriis & sore peynys. & who wolde not w ^t al his harte haue [...]passion apon his mekenes so mou [...]d & vexyd with tormentys & vpbraydys of seche we kyd folke. & what ioye & ꝯforte may nowe here be thoughte. that by his passion & meke dethe helle ys foughtyn agenst. the deuyl ys ou ercome & bounde his power & strenthe is destroyed & man that was loste ys restoryd ageyne to grace & takyn oute of the peynful prison of helle & ioynyd blessydly to the holy angelys of heuyn. & ho wolde not meruel on the grete mercy & goodnes of our sauyur cryste ihesu the whiche now beyng inmortalle wyl whytesaue y ^t hys passyon and dethe the whyche he sofryd onys ī this worlde bodely for the redempcion of mankynde be re presentyd and schewde in a vysyon to the holy sow­lys that byn in paradyse. that her deuocyon and lo ue schuld be the more accendyd & incresyd to hym. Many other thig [...]s y saw & herde there the whyche y trowe at this tyme is bettur to leue hem out than to wryte hem. & than aftyrward sodenly this blessyd syghte & holy vysyon was takyn fro thens Than al that grete multytude of soulys that came thedir to worschippe the holy crosse of crystys passion wente [Page] ageyne euerichon to her owne places with ioy and gladnes Treuly y folowyde eūmore my duke & lo­disman sent Nicholas that went forthe farthir and farther repletyd now with grete ioye & gladnes a­monge the ful brighte & light mansyons of blessid sowlys. & the whitnes of hē y ^t were here ī this pl [...] ce & the swetnes of sauer & also the melodye of syn­gig laudys to god wes īestymable & onethe to mā nys vnderstondyng credyble

fOrthermore nowe whenne we were paste al [...] these placys & sightys aforeseyde & had gōne a good space more inward & euer grew to vs more & more ioye & feyernes of placys. also at the laste we sawe a ferre a ful glorious walle of crystal hoys heythe no man might see. and lenthe no man might [...]sider. & when we came thedyr y sawe within forthe a ful feyre brighte schynyng gate & stode opyn sa­ue hit was signed & leide ouer with a crosse Treuly theder came flockemele the multytude of tho blessyd sowlys that were next to hyt. and wolde cum in at that feyre gate The crosse was sette in the myddys of that gate. and nowe sche was lyfte vppe an hye and so gaue to hem that came thedyr an opyn and a fre entryng. and afterward sche was le [...]yn do ne ageyne. and so sparyd other oute that wuld ha ue cōmyn [...]n But howe ioyful they were that wente [Page] in & how reuerently they taryde that stode withoute abydyng the lyftyng vppe of the crosse ageyne y can not telle by no wordys Sothely here sent Nycholas & y stode stille to geder. & the lyftyngys vppe of the crosse & the lettyngys done ageyne. wherby somme wente in & some taryde withoute. y behilde long ty me with grete wonder And at the laste sent Nycho las and y came thedyr to the same gate hande in hā de. And when we came thedyr the crosse was lyfte vp. And so they that were there wente in. Sothely than my felowe sent Nycholas frely wente in and y foloude but sodenly & onauys [...] d the crosse of the gate came done apon owre handys and departyd me fro my felawe sente Nycholas & when y sawe thys. ful sore aferde y was Then seyde sent Nycho las to me. Be not aferde but haue only ful certen feythe in our lorde ihesu criste & doutheles thou schalt come yn And aftyr thys my hope & truste came a­geyne & the crosse was lyfte vppe & so y cam in. but what brightnes & clerenes of light was there with in forthe al aboutys no mā aske ne seche of me for y can not only telle hit by worde but also y cā not re membre hit in mynde That gloryous schynig light was brighte & smothe & so raueshte a mā that behyl de hit that hit bare a man aboue hym selfe by the grete brightnes of lyghte yn so mekyl that what s [...] euer y sawe before hit was as no thing me thought in comparyson of hit That bryghtnesse thawghe hyt were inestymable. Neuerthelesse hyt dullyde not a mannys syghte. but rathyr scharpyd hyt. [Page] Sothly hyt schynyd ful meruelusly. but more yn estymably hyt delytyd a man that behylde hyt. and wondirfully cowpulde amānys syghte to se hit And wyth ynforthe no thyng y myght see▪ but lighte & the walle of crystalle thr [...]w the whyche we came yn And also fro the gronde vppe to toppe of that walle were grycis ordende and dysposyd feyre and mer­uelusly. by the whyche the ioyful company that was cum yn at the forsey [...]e gate gladly ascendyd vppe Ther was no labur. ther was no difficulte ther was no taryng yn her ascendyng. and the hier they wēte the gladder they were. Sothely y stode benethe on the grunde. and longe tyme y saw & behylde how they that came yn at the gate ascendyd vppe by the same grycis And atthe laste as y lokyd vppe hier y saw yn a trone of ioy sittyng owre blessyd lord and sa uyur ihesus criste yn lykenes of man. and abowte hym as hyt semyd to me were a fyue hondred sow­lys. the whyche late had styed vppe to that gloriꝰ trone. and so they came to owre lorde & worschpte hym & thankyde hym. for hys grete mercy & grace schewyd & done to hem And some were seyne on the vppur partys of the walle as they had walkyd hethyr and dedyr Trewly y knew for certen that thys pla­ce. were y saw owre lorde syttyng yn a trone. was not the hye heuyn of heuyns where the blessid spiritis of angels and the holy sowlys of ryghtwys men ioyin yn the seyghte of god seyng hym yn hys ma­geste as he ys. where also innumerable thowsondis of holy spiritys and angels serue hym and assiste [Page] hym But than fro thens wythowten any hardnes or taryng. they ascēde vppe to the hey heuin the whyche ys blessyd of the syghte of the euerlastyng godhed where al only the holy angels & the sowlys of ryght wes men that byn of angels perfeccion seyn the yn­uisibly and inmortalle kynge of al worldys face to face. the whyche hathe only inmortalite. and dwellyth yn lyghte. that ys inaccessyble. for no man may cūme to hyt. the whyche no mortalle man seithe nethyr may see Sothely he ys seyne only of bo­ly spiritys that byn pure and clene. the whyche be not greuyd by no corrupcion of body nethir of sow le And yn thys vision that y saw. so mekylle y con ceuyd yn my sowle of ioy and gladnes that wat sum euer may be seyde of hyt by mā [...]ys mowthe. ful lytyl hyt ys. and onsufficient to expresse the ioy of myne herte. that y had there

therfore when y had seyn al these syghtys abo ue seyde and many othyr innumerable my lor de sent Nycholas that hylde my by the hande seyde schortly thys to me Loo sonne he seyde now a party aftyr they peticion and grete desir thow haste seyne and beholde. the state of the worlde y ^t ys to cūme as hyt myghte be to possible Also the perels of hem that offendyn and erryn the peynys of synners. the reste also of hem y ^t haue done her purgacion. the desyrys [Page] of hem that be goyng to heuynward. and the ioys of hem. that now vyn cūme to the courte of heuyn and also the ioy of crystis reynynge And now thow muste go ageyne to they selfe and to thyne. and to the worldys feyghtyng Treuly thow schalt haue and perceue the ioys that thow haste seyne and me kyl more. ȝeffe thow contynew and perseuer yn the drede of god. And when he had seyde thys to me he browghte me forthe throwe the same gate that we came yn. wherfor ful heuy and sory was y and more than a man may suppose. for wele y knew that y muste turne ageyne. fro that heuynly blysse to thys worldys wrechidnes. And gretely he exhor tyd me. how y schulde dyspose me. to abyde the day of my callyng oute of my body yn clennes of herte and of body. and mekenes of spirite wyth dyly­gent kepyng of my religyon. Dylygently he seyde to me▪ kepe the commaundementys of god. and dyspose they leuyng aftyr the example of ryghtwes men. And truely so hyt schal be. that aftyr the ter me of they bodely leuyng thow schal be admyttyd blessydly. to her feleschippe euerlastyngly.

aNd whyle the holy confessour sent nycholas thys wyse spake ȝet with me sodenly y harde [Page] ther a solenne pele and a rynggyng of a meruelu [...] swetenes. and as al the bellys yn the worlde or what sumeuer ys of sownyng had be rongyn to gedyr at onys Trewly yn thys pele & rynging brake owte also a meruelus swetenes. and a variant medelyng of melody sownyd wyth alle And y wote not whe ther the gretnes of melody. or the swetnes of sown­nyng of bellys was more to be wondirde And to so grete a noy e y toke good hede, & ful gretly my mynde was suspendyd to here hyt Sothly anone as that gret and meruelus sownnyng and ncyse was ces­syd sodenly y saw my selfe departyd fro the swete se leschippe of my duke and leder sent Nicholas Than was y returnyd to my selfe ageyne. and anone y hard the voycis of my brethyrne. that stode abowte our bedde also my bodely strēthe cam ageyn to me aly tyl & alitil & myn yes opide to the vse of seyig as ȝe sawe ryghte wele. Also my sekenes and febulnes by the whiche y was longe tyme fulsore disse [...]id was viwardly excludyd and gonne fro me. and sate vipe before yow so stronge and myghty as y was afore by hyt soroful and heuy And y wende that y had be then yn the chirche afore the auter. where y worschipte fyrste the crosse And as tochyng the ta ryng that y made yn thys vyseon y had wende hyt had be noone. but al only the space of on matens while. & now as y vnderstonde. y was teryde. ij. days & more And now as cōpendensly as y kowde y haue here tolde yow of al tho thingys the whiche y sawe and were sche wyd to me yn body or yn spirite [Page] at the instauns and commandement of youre holy­nes and deuoute charyte. And nowe y beseche yon mekely and that with sore weping that ye will w ^t saue to praye to god for me an vnhappy wrecche y ^t y may scape the grete and greuys peynys of synners the whyche y sawe. and cum to the ioys of the holy sowlys that y knewe. & alsoo to see euerlastyngly the gloryous face of oure blessyd lorde and sauy­ur thesu criste and oure blessyd lady sent marye

mOny instruccyons and opyn examplys byn here at the begynnyng of thys narracyon that euydentely prouyn thys vysyon. not to be of mānys conceyte but vtwardely of the wylle of god the whi che wolde haue hyt schewed to crystyn pepul Neuer thelesse ȝefe there be so grete infydelyte or infyrmyte of any persons that can not beleue to these thyngys aforeseyde lete hem consyder the grete sekenesse and febulnes of hym that sawe hyt. so sodenly and so sone helyd in to a very wytnes and trowthe of this vysyon that he sawe. Also let hem meruelle the grete noyse that was abowte hym. and also howe that he was prycked in hys fete with nyldys by the why che he kowde not in any wyse be mouyd. Forther­more let hem take hede to hys yes that were so ferre fallyn done in to hys hede and was not seyne onethe [Page] to brethe space of. ii. days. and also aftyr a ful lo [...] ge space of howris onethe laste myghte be perseuyd yn hym a ful smalle meuyng as a thynne drede yn hys vytalle veynys Also let hem consyder hys conty­nualle wepyng and terys the whyche he had aftyr­ward many days. And besyde al thes thyngys we knowe also a nothyr certen thynge that was a ful feyre myracle and a very tokyn of godys curacy­on schewyd on hym the same tyme. and as mekyl to be merueld. Sothely he had al moste the space of an hole ȝere yn hys lyfte legge a grete sore and a ful byttur as hyt were a cauker large and brode wherby he was peynyd intollerably. And he was wonte to sey. that he had seche a sorow and peyne ther of. as he had bore an hoote plate of yrne bown de faste to hys legge And ther was no emplastur no oyntmente nethyr any othyr medicyn how be hit that he had mekyl of lechis leyde to hyt. y ^t myghte ȝese hym of hys peyne or drawe the wownde to ge dyr Trewly yn the space of hys raueshyng. he was so fully helyd that he hym selfe meruelyd wyth vs to fele and see the peyne & ache wyth the wownde so clene agonne. that no tokyn of hyt. ne signe of rednes or of whythnes remaynyd aboue the meruelus curacion of god. Al only thys differens had hys legge that was sore. fro todyr legge that where the forseyde sore was that place was ba­re and had none heere

fUl delectable hyt was to hym as he seyde fro that tyme forthe. as ofte as he harde any so­lenne [Page] pele of ryngyng of bellys. by cause hyt wolde then cum to hys mynde ageyne. the ful swete pele & melody the whyche he herde. when he was amonge the blessyd sowlys yn paradyse. Sothely aftyr that he was cum to hym selfe and hys brethine had tolde hym. that now ys the holy tyme of ȝestyr than fyrste he beleuyd. when he harde hem rynge solen­ly to complen. for then he knew certenly. that the pele and melodye. that he herde yn paradyse. wyth so grete ioy and gladnes. betokynde the same so­lennyte of ȝestir yn the whyche owre blessyd lorde and sauyur thesus criste roso vppe visibly and bode ly fro dethe on to lyfe. to home wyth the fadyr and the holy gooste be now and euermore euerlastyng ioy and blysse

Amen